Unit 14

Vocabulary Level E

alacrityDEF = (n.) a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager

actionSYN = promptness, willingness, dispatch, celerityANT = 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!!

alleviateDEF = (v.) to relieve, make more bearableSYN = lessen, lighten, allay, mitigate,

assuage

A shoulder massage can ALLEVIATE tension and stress. It can also ALLEVIATE muscle

pain.

It’s right in the name!! This ALLEVIATES

headaches and body pain!

antithesisDEF = (n.) the direct opposite, a sharp contrastSYN = contrary, antipode

Word Connection:ANTI = OPPOSED TO

A desert climate is

the ANTITHESIS

of a rain forest.

appallDEF = (v.) to fill with dismay or horrorSYN = shock, stun, stupefy, horrifyANT = please, cheer, gladden, elate,

exhilarateAll these faces are showing how

APPALLED these people are!

bellicoseDEF = (adj.) warlike in manner or

temperament; quarrelsomeSYN = aggressive, combative, belligerentANT = amicable, peaceable, conciliatory,

pacific

disparageDEF = (v.) to belittle, speak slightingly of;

undervalueSYN = degrade, decry, run down, underrateANT = 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.

dissonantDEF = (adj.) not in harmony; disagreeing, at oddsSYN = grating, strident, unmelodious, irreconcilableANT = 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.

drollDEF = (adj.) amusingly oddSYN = comical, humorous, whimsical, zanyANT = humorless, solemn, dour

A TROLL doll is amusingly odd.

It’s DROLL.

edictDEF = (n.) an order issued by someone in

authoritySYN = 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.

elucidateDEF = (v.) to clarify, explainSYN = interpret, expound, explicateANT = obscure, muddy, becloud, obfuscate

The “…for Dummies” book series takes

difficult topics and helps ELUCIDATE

them to help people UNDERSTAND.

laudDEF = (v.) to praiseSYN = glorify, hail, extol, exaltANT = 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!”

lollDEF = (v.) to act in a lazy manner; to

lounge; to recline, droopSYN = loaf, loiter, sag, dangle

LOLLING in a RECLINER or on the couch is a great way to spend a Sunday

afternoon.

loquaciousDEF = (adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talkingSYN = gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-

windedANT = silent, reticent, closemouthed, terse,

taciturn

Girls are known as being the

most LOQUACIOUS

of the genders. Would you

agree?

magnanimousDEF = (adj.) generous in forgiving, above

small meannessSYN = unselfish, charitable, noble,

bigheartedANT = petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful

A MAGNANIMOUS

person is LOVING and

KIND and FORGIVING of

everyone.

mandatoryDEF = (adj.) required, obligatorySYN =compulsory, requisite, imperativeANT = optional, voluntary, discretionary

Jury duty is MANDATORY. If you get a summons, you MUST report for jury duty.

nondescriptDEF = (adj.) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily

classifiedSYN = plain, unremarkable, unimpressiveANT = distinctive, remarkable, vivid,

prepossessing

Word Connection:Think - NON-DESCRIPTIVEThis

NONDESCRIPT wall is a boring

beige color with no markings to make

it stand out.

phlegmaticDEF = (adj.) slow-moving, sluggish;

unemotionalSYN = lethargic, indolent, torpid, stolid,

impassiveANT = emotional, sensitive, thin-skinned,

excitable

Snails and turtles are known for

being PHLEGMATIC

.

rescindDEF = (v.) to repeal, cancelSYN = withdraw, revoke, retract, annulANT = affirm, endorse, uphold, ratify

If you VOID a check you are

RESCINDING it. It is

CANCELLED and no one can

cash it.

vivaciousDEF = (adj.) lively, spritely, full of energySYN = spirited, animated, ebullientANT = dull, spiritless, listless, indolent,

languid

Spanish Connection:VIVIR = to live

ENERGY drinks can make you VIVACIOUS even if you didn’t get

enough sleep!

whetDEF = (v.) to sharpen, put an edge on; to make keen or eagerSYN = hone, excite, stimulateANT =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.

Word Bank:alacrity rescind magnanimousloll bellicose droll

1. When the elderly woman slipped and fell on the wet pavement, Danny jumped up with ____ to hurry to her aid.

2. Craig’s ____ attitude constantly gets him into trouble with other students and the police.

3. The _____ behavior of the klutzy character in the play had the audience rolling in the aisles with laughter.

4. After Sharon’s husband cheated on her, she _______ decided to give him a second chance.

5. When I saw that Joel had several inappropriate and irresponsible pictures posted on his Facebook account, I decided to ______ my job offer.

6. Although it can be tempting to ____ around all weekend, I always feel better on Sunday night if I’ve had a productive 2 days.

Word Bank:phlegmatic laud antithesis edictvivacious mandatory disparage1. The kids groaned and whined when their father handed

down the _____ that they had to clean the garage or be grounded.

2. The high school held a parade to ______ the state champion softball team for their hard work.

3. Don’s _____ personality was perfect for his work as a crisis counselor; he was always able to stay unemotional.

4. Sagging streamers in a hot, steamy gymnasium was the _____ of what I had in mind for my “perfect” senior prom.

5. When you’re frustrated, try to stop yourself from _____ other people; cruel comments only worsen situations.

6. The _____ sparkle in Eric’s eye told me that we were in for a night of fun and excitement!

7. Most people don’t want to wait until they’re 16 to get their driver’s license, but that’s the _____ age.

Word Bank:whet nondescript loquacious elucidatealleviate appall dissonant

1. Cindy wanted a prom dress that had bright splashes of color, not the ______ gray dress her mother liked.

2. The ______ sounds of my 8-year-old brother learning the violin had everyone in the house wearing ear plugs.

3. My neighbor Marsha was an unfortunate combination of retired and ____, which meant I could get stuck talking to her for hours.

4. For Mother’s Day my sister and I decided to do the laundry and clean the kitchen to help ____ our mom’s household duties.

5. The smell of the garlic and butter drifting out of restaurant _____ my appetite for dinner.

6. Our math teacher used examples to help ____ the concepts that would be on our upcoming unit test.

7. When Samantha’s cell phone rang and she answered it in the middle of church, the other church-goers were ______.