Lesson 37 Flashcards
heir
person who has a right to someone’s property after that one dies; person who inherits anything
a. Though Mr. Sloane is the heir to a gold mine, he lives like a miser.*
b. The monarch* died before he could name an heir to the throne.
c. It is essential* that we locate the rightful heir at once.
majestic
grand; noble; dignified; kingly
a. The lion is the most majestic creature of the jungle.
b. In Greek mythology,* Mt. Olympus was the majestic home of the gods.
c. The graduates marched into the auditorium to the music of the majestic symphony.
dwindle
become smaller and smaller; shrink
a. Our supply of unpolluted* water has dwindled.
b. With no visible* signs of their ship, hopes for the men’s safety dwindled with each passing hour.
c. After the furious tempest,* the dwindling chances of finding the raft vanished* entirely.
surplus
amount over and above what is needed; excess, extra
a. The bank keeps a large surplus of money in reserve.
b. Surplus wheat, cotton, and soybeans are shipped abroad.*
c. No mortal* ever considers* that he has a surplus of good things.
traitor
person who betrays his or her country, a friend, duty, etc.
a. The patriot* sneered* when asked to stand on the same platform with the man who was accused of being a traitor.
b. No villain* is worse than a traitor who betrays* his country.
c. Do not call him a traitor unless you can verify* the charge.
deliberate
to consider carefully; intended; done on purpose; slow and careful, as though allowing time to decide what to do
a. Rico’s excuse was a deliberate lie.
b. My grandfather walks with deliberate steps.
c. Judge Sirica deliberated for a week before making his decision known.
vandal
person who wilfully or ignorantly destroys or damages beautiful things
a. Adolescent* vandals wrecked the cafeteria.
b. The vandals deliberately* ripped the paintings from the wall.
c. We could scarcely* believe the damage caused by the vandals.
drought
long period of dry weather; lack of rain; lack of water; dryness
a. Because of the drought, some farmers began to migrate* to more fertile* regions.
b. In time of drought, the crops become scorched.*
c. As the drought wore on, people began to grumble against those who had squandered* water when it was more plentiful.
abide
accept and follow out; remain faithful to; dwell; endure
a. The team decided unanimously* to abide by the captain’s ruling.
b. Senator Ervin abided by his promise not to allow demonstrations in the committee room.
c. My mother cannot abide dirt and vermin.
unify
unite; make or form into one
a. The novel* traces the developments that unified the family.
b. After the Civil War our country became unified more strongly.
c. It takes a great deal of training to unity all these recruits into an efficient fighting machine.
summit
highest point; top
a. We estimated* the summit of the mountain to be twenty thousand feet.
b. Do not underestimate* Ruth’s ambition to reach the summit of the acting profession.
c. The summit meeting of world leaders diminished* the threat* of war.
heed
give careful attention to; take notice of; careful attention
a. I demand that you heed what I say.
b. Florence pays no heed to what the signs say.
c. Take heed and be on guard against those who try to deceive* you.
