242-243 Flashcards
waif n.
homeless child or animal.
Although he already had 8 cats, he could not resist adopting yet another feline waif.
waive v.
give up a claim or right voluntarily; refrain from enforcing; postpone considering.
Although, technically, prospective students had to live in Piedmont to attend high school there, occasionally the school waived the residence requirement in order to enroll promising athletes.
wake n.
trail of ships or other object through water; path of something that has gone before.
The wake of the swan gliding through the water glistened in the moonlight.
Reporters and photographers converged on South Carolina in the wake of the hurricane that devastated much of the eastern seaboard.
wallow v.
roll in; indulge in; become helpless.
The hippopotamus loves to wallow in the mud.
wan adj.
having a pale or sickly color; pallid.
I am so wan that I get sick from being in direct sunlight for over an hour.
wane v.
decrease in size or strength; draw gradually to an end.
The verb wax, which means to grow in size, is an antonym for wane.
As it burns, does a candle wane?
wanton adj.
unrestrained; willfully malicious; unchaste.
Pointing to the stack of bills, Sheldon criticized Sarah for her wanton expenditures. In response, Sarah accused Sheldon of making an unfounded, wanton attack.
warble v. n.
sing; babble.
Every morning the birds warbled outside her window.
warrant v.
justify; authorize.
Before the judge issues the injunction, you must convince her this action is warranted.
warranty n.
guarantee; assurance by seller.
The purchaser of this automobile is protected by the manufacturer’s warranty that the company will replace any defective piece for 5 years or 50,000 miles.
wary adj.
very cautious.
The spies grew wary as they approached the sentry.
wastrel n.
profligate.
His neighbors denounced him as a wastrel who had dissipated his inheritance.
watershed n.
crucial dividing point.
The invention of the PC proved a historic watershed, for it opened the way to today’s information age.
wax v.
increase; grow.
With proper handling, his fortune waxed and he became rich.
waylay v.
ambush; lie in wait.
They agreed to waylay their victim as he passed through the dark alley.
wean v.
accustom a baby to not nurse; give up a cherished activity.
He decided he would wean himself away from eating junk food and stick to fruits and vegetables.
weather v.
endure the effects of weather or other forces.
Reporters wondered whether Governor Gray Davis would weather his latest political challenge and remain in office.
welter n.
turmoil; bewildering jumble.
The existing welter of overlapping federal and state programs cries out for immediate reform.
wheedle v.
cajole; coax; deceive by flattery.
She knows that she can wheedle almost anything she wants from her father.
whet v.
sharpen; stimulate.
The odors from the kitchen are whetting my appetite; I will be ravenous by the time that the meal is served.
whiff n.
puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); hint.
The slightest whiff of Old Spice brought memories of George to her mind.
