Sadlier, Unit 15, Level C

abyss

(n.) a deep or bottomless pit

befall

(v.) to happen, occur; to happen to

crucial

(adj.) of supreme importance, decisive, critical

dregs

(n. pl.) the last remaining part; the part of least worth

embody

(v.) to give form to; to incorporate, include; to personify

exasperate

(v.) to irritate, annoy, or anger

fiasco

(n.) the complete collapse or failure of a project

garnish

(v.) to adorn or decorate, especially food; (n.) an ornament or decoration, especially for food

heritage

(n.) an inheritance; a birthright

inert

(adj.) lifeless, unable to move or act; slow, inactive

mercenary

(adj.) acting or working for self-gain only; (n.) a hired soldier, a soldier of fortune

negligent

(adj.) marked by carelessness or indifference; failing to do what should be done

oblivion

(n.) forgetfulness, disregard; a state of being forgotten; an amnesty, general pardon

opus

(n.) an impressive piece of work, especially a musical composition or other work of art

pallid

(adj.) pale, lacking color; weak and lifeless

parable

(n.) a short narrative designed to teach a moral lesson

rational

(adj.) based on reasoning; able to make use of reason; sensible, reasonable

reciprocal

(adj.) shared; involving give-and-take between two persons or things; working in both directions; (n.) (math) a number that, when multiplied by another number, gives 1

stricture

(n.) a limitation or restriction; a criticism; (medicine) a narrowing of a passage in the body

veneer

(n.) a thin outer layer; a surface appearance or decoration; (v.) to cover with a thin layer