Sunshine Vocab Day 7

Question 1

insubordination

ex: The captain was irate about the act of insubordination by his first mate

Answer 1

in-(not) + sub-(under) + ordinare(to rank)

Def: [n] an act of defying authority; disobedience

Question 2

mandate

ex: We objected to our teacher’s mandate that we all write our essays according to her rigid formula

Answer 2

manus(hand) + dare(to give)

Def: [n] an official order or commission to do something

Question 3

pervasive

ex: bigotry is still pervasive in this region, and fear of outsiders is preventing its economic development

Answer 3

per-(through) + vadere(to go)

Def: widespread

Question 4

potent

ex: Oprah’s endorsement is a potent marketing tool

Answer 4

potentia(power)

Def: particularly powerful, influential, or effective

Question 5

recluse

ex: Scout and Jem Finch were fascinated by Boo Radley, a mysterious recluse who lived near them

Answer 5

re-(back) + claudere(to close)

Def: [n] a person who lives a solitary lifestyle

Question 6

ruthless

ex: the piranhas attacked with ruthless abandon

Answer 6

Def: [adj] without mercy

Question 7

sanction

ex: The king gave his sanction to the agreement among the nobles

Answer 7

sanctus(holy)

Def: [n] official approval; a penalty, usually one imposed by one government upon another

Question 8

sequester

ex: Andrew Wiles sequestered himself for months at a time to work on proving Fermat’s theorem

Answer 8

Def: [v] to isolate from outside influences

Question 9

servile

ex: the new intern is helpful without being servile

Answer 9

servus(slave)

Def: [adj] excessively willing to serve others; pertaining to or akin to slave labor

Question 10

usurper

ex: Henry was the usurper of his uncle’s throne

Answer 10

Def: [n] one who forcibly takes a position of power