Early American Lit - Vocab 3

Adversary

(n.) an enemy, opponent

Artifice

(n.) a skillful or ingenious device; a clever trick; a clever skill; trickery

Coerce

(v.) to compel, force

Craven

(adj.) cowardly; (n.) a coward

Demise

(n.) a death, especially of a person in a lofty position

Harass

(v.) to disturb, worry; to trouble by repeated attacks

Inclement

(adj.) stormy, harsh; severe in attitude or action

Muse

(v.) to think about in a dreamy way, ponder

Negligible

(adj.) so unimportant that it can be disregarded

Perpetuate

(v.) to make permanent or long-lasting

Precedent

(n.) an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

Punitive

(adj.) inflicting or aiming at punishment

Redress

(v.) to set right, remedy; (n.) relief from wrong or injury

Sojourn

(n.) a temporary stay; (v.) to stay for a time

Urbane

(adj.) refined in manner or style, suave

adversary

A best friend off the tennis court can also be a fierce \___ on it.

artifice

Even the most renowned art experts were completely taken in by the forger’s \___.

coerce

Dictators try to \___ their subjects into obedience by threatening them or their families with punishment.

craven

Those who urged Great Britain to make peace with Hitler were criticized for their \___ attitude.

craven

It is a mistake to assume that everyone who refuses to go to war is a \___ who lacks patriotism.

demise

Traditionally, the tolling of church bells has announced the \___ of a monarch.

harass

The judge repeatedly cautioned the prosecuting attorney not to \___ the witness.

inclement

During an \___ New England winter, heavy snowfalls may bring highway traffic to a standstill.

mused

Philosopher’s have always \___ on the meaning of life.

negligible

After taxes are deducted, a small raise in salary may result in a \___ increase in take-home pay.

perpetuate

In most cultures, people try to \___ the customs of their ancestors.

precedent

We hope that students at other schools in our city will follow our \___(s) in volunteer work and charitable contributions.

punitive

The general led a \___ expedition against the rebel forces.

redress

An apology can go a long way to \___ the hurt feelings caused by an insensitive comment or a thoughtless act.

redress

The accident victims will seek \___ for the injuries they suffered in the train crash.

sojourn

No matter how short your \___ in Paris, you must take time to go to the Louvre.

sojourn

Many American graduates \___ abroad before they begin working full-time at home.

urbane

An \___ host puts guests at ease by appearing totally confident and unruffled no matter what happens.

harassing

We need a supervisor who can maintain good discipline in the shop without \___ the workers.

craven

Those who urged Great Britain to make peace with Hitler were criticized for their \___ attitude.

redress

Only when the attempt to get the British government to \___ injustices proved unsuccessful did the American colonists resort to arms.

negligible

Since we are making \___ progress in our fight against pollution, the time has come for us to adopt completely new methods.

muse

It is all very well to \___ on what might have been, but it is far better to take action to make good things happen.

sojourned

The highlight of my trip to Europe came when I \___ in the birthplace of my ancestors!

adversary

When he blocked my jump shot, took the rebound, drove down the court, and scored, I realized that I was facing a worthy \___.

perpetuating

If we do not take steps now to clear their names, we will be \___ an injustice that has already lasted far too long.

precedent

When Washington refused to serve a third term as President, he set a(n) \___ that was to last for 150 years.

punitive

May I remind you that the \___ action we are authorized to take does not include physical force of any kind.

artifices

Our city government needs basic reforms; clever little \___ will not solve our problems.

demise

Our history shows how the \___ of one political party provides an opportunity for the formation of a new one.

coerced

Do you really expect me to believe that your friends \___ you into cutting class to go to the movies?

punitive

Because of the severe sentences she often handed down, she gained the reputation of being an extremely \___ judge.

urbane

The critics unanimously praised the actor for the \___ charm with which he played the well-bred English gentleman.