wordly wise lesson 6-12 Flashcards

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1
Q

ameliorate

A

To make better; to become better; to improve.

Example:The snowplows were put to work to ameliorate the dangerous driving conditions that resulted from the storm.

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2
Q

baleful

A

Expressing hatred or evil; harmful, ominous.

Example:Roger gave me a baleful look when I accused him of lying.

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3
Q

berate

A

To criticize vigorously; to scold vehemently.

Example:Ms. Alanso told the older students not to berate the younger ones when they made mistakes.

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4
Q

circumvent

A

To avoid through craftiness.

Example:She boasted that she was able to circumvent the tax laws by using every loophole she could find.

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5
Q

compunction

A

A feeling of uneasiness or anxiety caused by guilt.

Example:Robin Hood had no compunction about stealing from the rich to give to the poor.

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6
Q

condone

A

To overlook or accept without punishment; to pardon or excuse.
Example:Mr. Hagopian said that he could not condone keeping a library book for the whole school year, because that made it unavailable to other students.

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7
Q

diminutive

A

Very small; tiny.

Example:On the dollhouse kitchen table there was a diminutive bowl of fruit.

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8
Q

euphemism

A

A polite term used to avoid directly naming something considered offensive or unpleasant.
Example:“Pass away” is a euphemism for “die.”

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9
Q

expendable

A

Able to be used up and then discarded or replaced.

Example:Paper, envelopes, and pencils are expendable office items.

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10
Q

heresy

heretical

A

The expression of shocking or unacceptable views.
Example:In the 1800s, the belief that women should vote was considered heresy by some.

Example:He held the heretical belief that only the rich should be allowed to have children.

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11
Q

infirmity

infirm

A

Physical or mental weakness or defect.
Example:Brittle bones is a common infirmity of the elderly.
Weak or feeble.
Example:Since my grandmother began lifting weights, she feels much less infirm.

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12
Q

profane

A

To treat with scorn or irreverence.(Lack of respect)
Example:andals profaned the memorial by throwing eggs at it.
Disrespectful of sacred things.
Example:Dancing was considered profane by the Puritans.
Not connected with religion; worldly.
Example:The poems deal poignantly with love in both its sacred and profane aspects.

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13
Q

recompense

A

To pay or compensate.
Example:The insurance company recompensed us for the damage to the roof caused by the storm.
Payment; compensation.
Example:Although Alessandro received no recompense as a volunteer at the radio station, he gained 
valuable experience.

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14
Q

repast

A

Food and drink; a meal.

Example:His usual midday repast was a sandwich and a glass of milk.

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15
Q

servitude

A

A lack of freedom; forced labor.

Example:

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