Chapter 10 Wordly Wise Flashcards
vigilant
adj. Watchful; ready for danger.
Health authorities remain vigilant for any signs of the epidemic’s return.
verge
n. An edge, border; or brink.
After being on the verge of extinction, the bald eagle made a remarkable comeback in the 1980s.
v. To come close to the edge or border of.
The story is not merely silly; it verges on the ridiculous.
ponderous
adj. Heavy and slow moving
The elephant made its way with ponderous steps through the clearing.
plight
n. A difficult or dangerous condition or situation.
The plight of homeless people was the principal subject of tonight’s evening news.
nimble
adj. 1. able to move quickly and easily.
Karen’s nimble fingers plucked the harp strings
2. Showing quickness of thinking; clever.
It takes a nimble mind to solve such a difficult problem.
mutilate
v. To hurt or damage by cutting into, cutting off, or cutting out.
Steel traps are cruel because they mutilate the animals caught in them.
monitor
v. To watch closely and frequently; to observe and make note.
Some cities monitor the amount of pollution in the air.
n. A video screen used to display information.
The sales clerk checked the monitor to see if the book was still in stock.
lethal
adj. Causing, or capable of causing, death.
A rattlesnake’s bite can be lethal.
dwindle
v. To keep on becoming less; to grow smaller in number or amount.
My hopes of winning the arm wrestling match dwindled when I saw the size of my opponent’s muscles.
docile
adj. Well behaved; easy to handle.
Because it was my first attempt at riding, I was given the most docile horse in the stable.
blithe
adj. 1. Cheerful, carefree.
The children’s blithe mood is captured beautifully in the Renoir painting.
2. Not showing proper care; heedless.
The driver showed a blithe indifference for the safety of others on the highway
blithely adv. in a carefree manner.
I was reminded of her highly positive attitude when she walked blithely out the door.
bleak
adj. 1. Without much hope.
The company’s future looked bleak when the new product failed to sell.
2. Cold and dreary; exposed to cold winds and bad weather.
Penguins seem to flourish in Antaractica’s bleak climate.
avert
v. 1. To turn away.
I avertedmy eyes from the scary scenes in the movie.
2. To keep from happening.
The driver averted an accident by hitting the brake.
assert
v. To say firmly; to declare.
Charles asserted that the money entrusted to him was in a safe place.
Assertion. n. A firm statement or declaration.
No one challenged her assertion that Tuckerman’s Ravine was too dangerous to ski.
Assertive. adj. Self-assured; bold and confident.
Because of his assertive manner; he was able to obtain an interview for the job.
aquatic
adj. 1. Growing or living in or on water.
Water lilies are aquatic plants.
2. Done in or upon water.
Water skiing is an aquatic sport.
