Chapter 4 Flashcards
Opalescence
Definition: a lustrous play of colors like that of an opal
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: the opalescent rock shone on her finger.
Succession
Definition: a number of people or things sharing a specified characteristic and following one after the other.
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: About a month after her birth, Sienna was added to the line of succession to the throne on the royal family’s official website.
Dubious
Definition: hesitating or doubting.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “Alex looked dubious, but complied”
Nape
Definition: the back of a person’s neck.
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: “her hair was coiled demurely at the nape of her neck”
Impalpable
Definition: not easily comprehended.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “something so impalpable as personhood”
Swarthiness
Definition: darkness of the skin or complexion:
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: “The swarthiness of the Shudu’s chocolate complexion made all the pale-skinned looking supermodels jealous.”
Crooning
Definition: hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner.
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: “she was crooning to the child”
Sinewy
Definition: (of a person or animal) lean and muscular.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “a short, sinewy, sunburnt man”
Disinclination
Definition: a reluctance or lack of enthusiasm.
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: “Lucy felt a strong disinclination to talk about her engagement”
Blundered
Definition: move clumsily or as if unable to see.
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: “we were blundering around in the darkness”
Barren
Definition: bleak and lifeless.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “the sports hall turned out to be a rather barren concrete building”
Errant
Definition: traveling in search of adventure. erring or straying from the proper course or standards.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “he could never forgive his daughter’s errant ways”
Shrilly
Definition: with a high-pitched and piercing voice or sound.
Part of speech: adverb
Sentence: “shrilly screaming children”
Malevolently
Definition: having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: “the glint of dark, malevolent eyes”
Gyration
Definition: a rapid movement in a circle or spiral; a whirling motion.
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: “the gyrations of the dancers’ arms and legs”
