Early American Lit - Final Vocab (3-4)

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.

Ascertain

(v.) to find out

Attainment

(n.) an accomplishment, the act of achieving

Bequeath

(v.) to give or pass on as an inheritance

Converge

(v.) to move toward one point, approach nearer together

Expunge

(v.) to erase, obliterate, destroy

Finite

(adj.) having limits; lasting for a limited time

Malevolent

(adj.) spiteful, showing ill will

Nonchalant

(adj.) cool and confident, unconcerned

Omniscient

(adj.) knowing everything; having unlimited awareness or understanding

Panacea

(n.) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems

Scrupulous

(adj.) exact, careful, attending thoroughly to details; having high moral standards, principled

Skulk

(v.) to move about stealthily; to lie in hiding

Supercilious

(adj.) proud and contemptuous; showing scorn because of a feeling of superiority

Uncanny

(adj.) strange, mysterious, weird, beyond explanation

ascertain

We need to \___ what it will cost to remodel our kitchen.

attainment

In addition to his abilities as a leader, Abraham Lincoln was a man of high literary \___.

bequeath

Few people will make enough money in their lifetimes to be in a position to \___ a fortune to their heirs.

converged

The television coverage resumed as soon as the delegates \___ in the hall to hear the keynote speaker’s address.

expunged

The judge ordered the remarks \___ from the court record.

finite

There are only a \___ number of possible answers to a multiple-choice question.

malevolent

While pretending to be a loyal friend, Iago told Othello \___ lies.

nonchalant

The elegantly dressed couple strolled down the boulevard with a \___ air.

omniscient

Scientists today have so much specialized knowledge that they sometimes seem \___.

panacea

You are mistaken if you think that getting more money will be a \___ for all your troubles.

scrupulous

Scientists are trained to record their observations with \___ accuracy.

skulked

The burglar \___ in the alley looking for a way to get into the darkened jewelry store without attracting the attention of anyone who might be nearby.

supercilious

Their \___ attitude toward their servants was extremely offensive.

uncanny

It is highly unusual for a beginner to display such an \___ skill at playing bridge.

venial

Someone whose offense is deemed by the judge to be \___ may be ordered to perform community service.