Word List Flashcards
approach
v. to go closer to
The vet approached the wounded deer carefully.
n. a coming closer
My grandparents dread the approach of winter
n. a road or way that leads to a place
The approach to the beach was blocked by a fallen tree.
burrow
v. to dig a hole or tunnel into or under something.
Turtles burrow into soft sand to lay their eggs.
v. to dig deeply into, to search
The clerk burrowed through the pile of papers on his desk.
n. a hole or tunnel dug by an animal as a home or for protection
A mole spends most of its time in its burrow.
cease
v. to stop; to come or bring to an end
After several hours of thunder and lightning, the storm finally ceased.
drowsy
adj. tired or sleepy
Lying in the sun always make my cat, Inky, drowsy.
destructive
destruction
adj. causing harm or damage
Cutworms are very destructive garden insects.
n. harm or damage
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisana coast, it cuased great destruction.
famished
adj. very hungry
Sometimes I work through my lunch hour, so by suppertime I am famished!
forecast
v. to figure out and say what will happen before it takes place
Our fishing guide forecast a good catch.
n. a telling of what will happen.
As soon as Carlos gets up, he turns on the weather forecast.
hibernate
v. to spend the winter in a resting state.
Bears hibernate because they can’t find enough food in the winter.
migrate
migration
migratory
v. to move from on country or region to another.
Hundreds of thousands of people have migrated to the United States in search of freedom.
n. the act of migrating
My friend Sandhya is studying Indian migration to the United States.
adj. moving from one place or country to another, usually regularly
Canadian geese are migratory birds.
nestle
v. to settle down comfortably, as if in a nest
The children were nestled all snug in their beds is a famous line from “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.
v. to lie in a sheltered, partly hidden place
The little Swiss town nestled at the foot of the Alps.
observe
v. to see, to notice
I looked up at the sky and observed a hawk circling slowly, far above us.
v. to comment; to remark
Sleepily, I observed that it was time we left.
v. to mark an event or day
We observed Martin Luther King Day by closing the store.
v. to obey
I try to observe the speed limit when I drive.
prepare
preparation
v to make or get ready
The scouts prepared for their comping trip by getting lots of freeze-dried food.
n. something done to get ready
Antonio and Ruth did most of the preparations for the cookout the night before.
reduce
reduction
v. to make or become smaller or less.
This winter; Vermont reduced the amount of salt it put on its roads.
n. the act of reducing or the amount by which something is reduced.
The store sold out of swimsuits after its huge price reduction.
severe
adj. very strict or harsh
That’s a very severe punishment for turning a paper in late.
adj. hard to bear or deal with
A severe frost caused a lot of damage to central Florida’s orange crops.
ventrue
v. to dare to do, to go, or to say
Maria ventured onto the dance floor even though she didn’t know how to dance.
n. something that involves the risk of a loss
Grandpa’s most successful venture was a carpet cleaning service.
