unit 3 Flashcards
Compel
V. To force or strongly persuade; coerce
The pressures of poverty compel many people to do things they would not do otherwise.
Syn: sway
Impulse
N. A sudden, involuntary urge to do something
When Nick saw the rows and rows of candy, he was seized by an impulse to spend all his money.
Syn: whim, spur
Expel
V. To send out or away
The council took a vote on whether to expel the treasurer for his accounting mistakes.
Syn: eject Ant: admit
Conjecture
N. A guess, often based on inadequate or faulty evidence
Because you do not know where i was on the night in question, your assertions about what i did are pure conjecture.
Syn: theory Ant: fact
Dejected
Adj. Downcast or sad; depressed
After Mac lost the race, he sat in the corner, abandoned and dejected.
Syn: dispirited Ant: animated
Abject
Adj. Lowly, miserable and wretched
Even in the wealthiest countries, some people are forced to live in abject poverty.
Syn: degraded Ant: exalted
Emissary
N. An agent sent on a mission
During the peace talks, the young Italian diplomat was sent as an emissary to Beijing.
Syn: go-between
Dismissive
Adj. Showing little regard; scornful
The professor responded to my confused question with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Syn: contemptuous
Remiss
Adj. Failing to fulfill one’s duty; negligent
Do you think i was remiss in not cleaning up after the party?
Syn: delinquent Ant: prudent
Motive
N. Cause for action
The detective had the difficult job of establishing a motive for the murder of a popular businessman.
Syn: incentive
Motif
N. A recurring theme, subject or idea
The recurring father-son motif in this novel makes me wonder about the author’s relationship with his own father.
Emote
V. To dramatically express emotions
My sister tended to emote more than the other members of our shy, socially awkward family.
Syn: dramatize
