Vocabulary Level E

1. Vocabulary Level E Unit 14

2. alacrity DEF = (n.) a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action SYN = promptness, willingness, dispatch, celerity ANT = reluctance, unwillingness, hesitancy Yes, sir!! I’ll get right to that! This soldier is showing ALACRITY because he’s showing that he’s WILLING and EAGER to TAKE ACTION!!

3. alleviate DEF = (v.) to relieve, make more bearable SYN = lessen, lighten, allay, mitigate, assuage It’s right in the name!! This ALLEVIATES headaches and body pain! A shoulder massage can ALLEVIATE tension and stress. It can also ALLEVIATE muscle pain.

4. antithesis DEF = (n.) the directopposite, a sharp contrast SYN = contrary, antipode Word Connection: ANTI = OPPOSED TO A desert climate is the ANTITHESIS of a rain forest.

5. appall DEF = (v.) to fill with dismay or horror SYN = shock, stun, stupefy, horrify ANT = please, cheer, gladden, elate, exhilarate All these faces are showing how APPALLED these people are!

6. bellicose DEF = (adj.) warlike in manner or temperament; quarrelsome SYN = aggressive, combative, belligerent ANT = amicable, peaceable, conciliatory, pacific

7. disparage DEF = (v.) to belittle, speak slightingly of; undervalue SYN = degrade, decry, run down, underrate ANT = praise, extol, laud, plug Slang Connection! To “DIS” someone is to DISparage him. The other students put a “Kick Me” sign on Paul’s back to DISPARAGE him and make him feel bad. The “L” for “loser” is a DISPARAGING sign to make at someone.

8. dissonant DEF = (adj.) not in harmony; disagreeing, at odds SYN = grating, strident, unmelodious, irreconcilable ANT = harmonious, agreeing, euphonious Your ALARM CLOCK going off in the morning is one of the most DISSONANT sounds in the world. People who cannot agree are in DISSONANCE with one another.

9. droll DEF = (adj.) amusingly odd SYN = comical, humorous, whimsical, zany ANT = humorless, solemn, dour A TROLL doll is amusingly odd. It’s DROLL.

10. edict DEF = (n.) an order issued by someone in authority SYN = command, decree, proclamation Word Connection: A DICTator gives eDICTS. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation as his own EDICT to give freedom to African Americans. A dictator like Hitler only issues EDICTS that people are FORCED TO FOLLOW.

11. elucidate DEF = (v.) to clarify, explain SYN = interpret, expound, explicate ANT = obscure, muddy, becloud, obfuscate The “…for Dummies” book series takes difficult topics and helps ELUCIDATE them to help people UNDERSTAND.

12. laud DEF = (v.) to praise SYN = glorify, hail, extol, exalt ANT = criticize, censure, belittle, disparage Word Connection: APPLAUD= to PRAISE with clapping Wayne and Garth LAUD people by saying, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!”

13. loll DEF = (v.) to act in a lazy manner; to lounge; to recline, droop SYN = loaf, loiter, sag, dangle LOLLING in a RECLINER or on the couch is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

14. loquacious DEF = (adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking SYN = gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-winded ANT = silent, reticent, closemouthed, terse, taciturn Girls are known as being the most LOQUACIOUS of the genders. Would you agree?

15. magnanimous DEF = (adj.) generous in forgiving, above small meanness SYN = unselfish, charitable, noble, bighearted ANT = petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful A MAGNANIMOUS person is LOVING and KIND and FORGIVING of everyone.

16. mandatory DEF = (adj.) required, obligatory SYN =compulsory, requisite, imperative ANT = optional, voluntary, discretionary Jury duty is MANDATORY. If you get a summons, you MUST report for jury duty.

17. nondescript DEF = (adj.) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily classified SYN = plain, unremarkable, unimpressive ANT = distinctive, remarkable, vivid, prepossessing Word Connection: Think - NON-DESCRIPTIVE This NONDESCRIPT wall is a boring beige color with no markings to make it stand out.

18. phlegmatic DEF = (adj.) slow-moving, sluggish; unemotional SYN = lethargic, indolent, torpid, stolid, impassive ANT = emotional, sensitive, thin-skinned, excitable Snails and turtles are known for being PHLEGMATIC.

19. rescind DEF = (v.) to repeal, cancel SYN = withdraw, revoke, retract, annul ANT = affirm, endorse, uphold, ratify If you VOID a check you are RESCINDING it. It is CANCELLED and no one can cash it.

20. vivacious DEF = (adj.) lively, spritely, full of energy SYN = spirited, animated, ebullient ANT = dull, spiritless, listless, indolent, languid Spanish Connection: VIVIR = to live ENERGY drinks can make you VIVACIOUS even if you didn’t get enough sleep!

21. whet DEF = (v.) to sharpen, put an edge on; to make keen or eager SYN = hone, excite, stimulate ANT =dull, blunt, deaden, stifle, dampen CHEERLEADERS are supposed to WHET the EXCITEMENT of the crowd by making everyone SHOUT and CHEER!! WHETTING a knife blade.

22. Word Bank:alacrity rescind magnanimousloll bellicose droll • When the elderly woman slipped and fell on the wet pavement, Danny jumped up with ____ to hurry to her aid. • Craig’s ____ attitude constantly gets him into trouble with other students and the police. • The _____ behavior of the klutzy character in the play had the audience rolling in the aisles with laughter. • After Sharon’s husband cheated on her, she _______ decided to give him a second chance. • When I saw that Joel had several inappropriate and irresponsible pictures posted on his Facebook account, I decided to ______ my job offer. • Although it can be tempting to ____ around all weekend, I always feel better on Sunday night if I’ve had a productive 2 days.

23. Word Bank:phlegmatic laud antithesis edictvivacious mandatory disparage • The kids groaned and whined when their father handed down the _____ that they had to clean the garage or be grounded. • The high school held a parade to ______ the state champion softball team for their hard work. • Don’s _____ personality was perfect for his work as a crisis counselor; he was always able to stay unemotional. • Sagging streamers in a hot, steamy gymnasium was the _____ of what I had in mind for my “perfect” senior prom. • When you’re frustrated, try to stop yourself from _____ other people; cruel comments only worsen situations. • The _____ sparkle in Eric’s eye told me that we were in for a night of fun and excitement! • Most people don’t want to wait until they’re 16 to get their driver’s license, but that’s the _____ age.

24. Word Bank:whet nondescript loquacious elucidatealleviate appall dissonant • Cindy wanted a prom dress that had bright splashes of color, not the ______ gray dress her mother liked. • The ______ sounds of my 8-year-old brother learning the violin had everyone in the house wearing ear plugs. • My neighbor Marsha was an unfortunate combination of retired and ____, which meant I could get stuck talking to her for hours. • For Mother’s Day my sister and I decided to do the laundry and clean the kitchen to help ____ our mom’s household duties. • The smell of the garlic and butter drifting out of restaurant _____ my appetite for dinner. • Our math teacher used examples to help ____ the concepts that would be on our upcoming unit test. • When Samantha’s cell phone rang and she answered it in the middle of church, the other church-goers were ______.