Chapter 13 Wordly Wise Flashcards
arduous
adj. requiring much effort;very difficult.
Frequent sandstorms made the arduous trek across the Sahara Desert even more difficult.
canny
adj. Shrewd and careful; watchful of one’s own interests.
A canny businessperson can make a profit even in the worst of times.
climax
n. the highest point; the greatest moment or event.
Slugger Norris’s winning home run in the World Series was a terrific climax to the season.
endorse
v. 1. to sign the back of a check before cashing or depositing it.
2. to approve of; to support
3. to be favorably associated with a product in return for payment.
The bank teller wouldn’t cash my check until I had endorsed it.
Newspapers often endorse candidates for public office
Some well-knowm athletes are paid millions of dollars to endorse products on TV
exuberant
adj. Happy and excited; bubbling over with enthusiasm.
exuberance. n. the quality of being exuberant
Our friends gave us an exuberant welcome at the airport.
The steady rain could not dampen the exuberance of fans gathered for the rock festival.
intrepid
adj. feeling or showing no fear; brave; courageous.
The intrepid astronauts brought their crippled Apollo 13 space craft safely back to earth.
kindle
v. 1. to start burning.
2. to cause to become excited or stirred up.
kindling n. sticks used to start a fire.
A spark from the wood stove kindled some oily rags and started the fire.
The museum’s exhibition of Navaho pottery kindled my interest in the Southwest. There were plenty of dry twigs to provide kindling for the campfire.
lucrative
adj. producing wealth or profit.
I invested some of the money I had inherited in what sounded like a lucrative deal.
mentor
n. A wise and loyal friend and adviser.
As president of the college she founded, Mary Bethune was a mentor to many young black women.
obsession
n. an interest, idea, or feeling that fills one’s mind and leaves little room fro anything else.
Finishing her second novel has become an obsession with her and leaves her little time for other activities.
personable
adj. pleasing in manner and apperarance
The hotel’s personable staff made our stay a pleasant one.
proficient
adj. able to do something very well; skillful.
proficiency n. the quality of being proficient.
All the mechanics in this garage are proficient in car repairing.
My cousin’s proficiency in Japanese enabled her to make many friends in Tokyo.
scanty
adj. not enough or just barely enough; small in size or amount.
After a scanty meal of a bread tool and an apple, we continued our journey.
strait
n. a narrow body of water connecting two larger ones.
straits n. trouble or need
The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
When both parents lost their jobs, the family was in desperate straits.
zest
n. great enjoyment of ; excitement
zestful adj. full of zest.
Learning to scuba dive added zest to our Carribean vacation.
During the second week of my new exercise program, I awoke each day feeling zestful and ready for a 5 mile run.
