LA - Unit 9

Flashcards

accelerate

(v) to speed up, cause to move faster

bystander

(n) one who looks on or observes, a person present but not taking part

canvass

(v) to go through an area in order to procure votes, sales, or opinions; to go over in detail; to discuss

casual

(adj) happening by change or on an irregular basis; showing little concern; informal

downtrodden

(adj) treated unfairly and cruelly, oppressed

entice

(v) to attract, tempt

erode

(v) to wear away gradually

flounder

(v) to thrash about in a clumsy or ineffective way

graphic

(adj) lifelike, vivid; realting to the pictorial arts

gruesome

(adj) horrible, revolting, ghastly

melancholy

(adj) sad, gloomy, unhappy (n) sadness, gloominess

ordeal

(n) a difficult or painful experience, a trial

parch

(v) to make dry and thirsty; to shrivel with heat

persist

(v) to continue steadily in a course of action, refuse to stop or be changed; to last, remain

puny

(adj) of less than normal strength or size; of no importance

quibble

(v) to evade or belittle a point by twisting words or raising minor objections; (n) a petty objection

ratify

(v) to approve, give formal approval to, confirm

regal

(adj) royal, kinglike; fit for a king

stifle

(v) to smother, prevent from breathing; to hold back or choke off

vital

(adj) having life, living; necessary to life, essential; key, crucial