Impart (v.)
definition :
To give a feeling or quality to something, or to make information known to someone
Ex:
If the movie has any lesson to impart, it’s that parents shouldn’t aim for perfection.
Impasse (n.)
definition :
A point in a process at which further progress is blocked, esp. by disagreement
Ex:
We have reached an impasse in the negotiations -- neither side will budge.
Loquacious (adj.)
definition :
having the habit of talking a lot
Ex:
She becomes very loquacious during meeting.
Lurk (v.)
definition :
To stay around a place secretly, or to stay hidden, waiting to attack or appear
Ex:
When I was four, I was convinced there was a monster lurking in my closet.
Perennial (adj.)
definition :
lasting a long time, or happening repeatedly or all the time
Ex:
Each year, the nation’s marketers try to answer the perennial question, what do consumers really want?
Ramble (v.)
definition :
To walk for pleasure, esp. in the countryside
Ex:
I love to ramble through the woods.
Sketch (n.)
definition :
a simple, quickly made drawing
Ex:
She hands over the letters to the women with a thumbnail sketch of the contents of each one.
Abhorrence (adj.)
definition :
to hate something or someone
Ex:
His opponent abhors the death penalty.
Bossy (adj.)
definition :
The person who is in charge of an organization or a department and who tells others what to do
Ex:
I’ll ask my boss if I can take the afternoon off.
Jeopardize (v.)
definition :
To cause something to be harmed or damaged, or to put something in danger
Ex:
She knew that failing her exams could jeopardize her whole future.
Lustful (adj.)
definition :
filled with or characterized by lust
Ex:
He is an angel, though in form he is a man; he is not lustful that I should beguile him with women.
Ornament (n.)
definition :
an object that is decorative rather than useful
Ex:
They spent decades collecting these colorful, Victorian-era ornaments.
Phony (adj.)
definition :
represented as real but actually false; intended to deceive
Ex:
They were accused of submitting phony claims to insurers, including Medicare.
Redeem (v.)
definition :
To improve yourself, or to take action to improve the way other people think of you or something you have done
Ex:
After his poor performance in the golf tournament two weeks before, he was determined to redeem himself by playing well.
Shrill (adj.)
definition :
Not pleasant to hear; loud and high
Ex:
They will also have to take great pains not to sound shrill.
Layman (n.)
definition :
1. A person who is not trained in or does not have a detailed knowledge of a particular subject
2. A layman or layperson is also a member of a religion who is not a member of the clergy.
Ex:
The book is supposed to be the layman’s guide to home repair.
Preach (v.)
definition :
to give a religious speech
Ex:
The minister preached a sermon on the need for forgiveness.
Genial (adj.)
definition :
friendly and pleasant
Ex:
Our neighbor has a genial personality.
Gruff (adj.)
definition :
1. Dealing with people in a way that lacks patience and seems unfriendly
2. If a person’s voice is gruff, it sounds low and slightly damaged.
Ex:
He has that gruff exterior, but underneath he’s very kind.
Shack (n.)
definition :
a simple, small building
Ex:
The family lived in a one-room shack.
Toxic (adj.)
definition :
Poisonous, or relating to poisonous substances
Ex:
Never cook or boil honey as heating causes honey to become toxic.
Wistful (adj.)
definition :
sad and thinking about something that is impossible or past
Ex:
She cast a wistful glance at the bridal gowns in the window.
Vacuum (n.)
definition :
A space without any gas or other matter in it, or a space from which most of the air or gas has been removed
Ex:
Edison knew that he had to create a vacuum inside the light bulb.
Subsidiary (adj.)
definition :
a company that is owned by a larger company
Ex:
Public transportation played a subsidiary role.
Oblivion (n.)
definition :
The state of being unconscious or lacking awareness of what is happening around you
Ex:
Many ancient cities have long since passed into oblivion.
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