Understanding Key Vocabulary for Fourth Graders: Convict, Discipline, and More

1. Unit 9 Vocabulary Fourth Grade

2. convict (v.) to prove or judge to be guilty (n.) a person who has been proved guilty of a crime and sentences to prison; someone who is serving a long prison term

3. convict • The jury voted to convict the defendant. • In a prison, a convict is usually given a job to do. • Synonyms: condemn, sentence, prisoner, inmate, felon, criminal • Antonyms: acquit, free, release

4. discipline (n.) punishment; training that results in obedience and self-control; orderly behavior; control gained by enforcing rules of conduct; a branch of knowledge v.) to punish; to train in proper behavior; to bring under control

5. discipline • Drill instructors insist on strict military discipline. • The principal knows how to discipline rowdy students. • Synonyms: direction, drill, practice, to correct, chastise, penalize, limit • Antonyms: confusion, disorder, rebellion, to forgive

6. dungeon (n.) a dark room or cell used as a prison, usually underground

7. dungeon • The story described the terrors of being locked in a dungeon. • Synonyms: a keep, hole

8. earnest (adj.) serious, important, or grave

9. earnest • An earnest desire to help others may lead a person to choose a career. • Synonyms: intent, solemn • Antonyms: insincere, trivial, frivolous,foolish

10. enclose (v.) to surround on every side; to close up inside or fence off; to include with something else

11. enclose • Be sure to enclose payment with the bill. • Synonyms: to confine, cage, to cover, encircle, envelop, to insert • Antonyms: to release, free, to omit, exclude, leave out

12. gradual (adj.) happening step-by-step or by degrees; changing little by little

13. gradual • There may be gradual improvement in a patient's condition after surgery. • Synonyms: moderate, slow, steady • Antonyms: sudden, abrupt

14. grumble (v.) to complain angrily but not loudly; to growl (n.) a growling sound; or muttered complaint

15. grumble • Many people grumble when they have to wait on a long line. • The flight delay brought a grumble from the passengers. • Synonyms: to muter, rumble, mumble, a fuss, a protest

16. jagged (adj.) with a rough or sharp edge; irregular or harsh

17. jagged • I cut my hand on a jagged piece of broken glass. • Synonyms: ragged, serrated, uneven, rugged • Antonyms: smooth, even, regular

18. nourish (v.) to feed or help grow and develop; to support

19. nourish • Adult birds nourish their newborns. • Synonyms: to nurture, raise, to foster, maintain, sustain • Antonyms: to starve, neglect, abandon

20. provision (n.) the act of supplying or making available; a stock of food or supplies; a step taken in advance; a condition, as in a contract (v.) to supply with food or materials

21. provision • A good hotel makes every possible provision for its guests. • It takes tons of food to provision an army. • Synonyms: an arrangement, preparation, a requirement, to furnish, stock

22. treaty (n.) an agreement or contract between countries, arrived at after talks and compromise; the legal document representing such an agreement

23. treaty • The warring nations finally signed a peace treaty. • Synonyms: a pact, settlement, accord

24. uneasy (adj.) feeling worried on unsure; causing discomfort

25. uneasy • I often feel uneasy before a final exam. • Synonyms: troubled, anxious, nervous • Antonyms: relaxed, calm