English 8 vocab

Vocab from the book

adversary

An opponent or enemy

aplomb

self-confidence, especially in a difficult situation; poise; assurance

apprehensive

anxious or fearful

aptitude

the ability to learn or understand something quickly

attentive

giving attention to something/paying careful attention to the comfort or concerns of others; considerate

banish

to force to leave a country of place; exile

barricade

a usually temporary structure set up, as across a route of access, to block the passage of an enemy or opponent/something that serves as an obstacle; a barricade

to block an opening or passage with an obstacle or a barricade/to enclose or exclude someone by constructing a barricade

bluff

to engage in a false display of strength or confidence, especially in order to decieve someone

brackish

slightly salty

brandish

to wave or exhibit something in a dramatic or threatening way

circumference

the boundary of an area, an object, or a geometric figure, especially a circle

commotion

noisy activity or confusion

concoction

something that has been prepared by putting several things together; a mixture of ingredients

conspicuous

easily see; obvious/attracting attention; striking; remarkable

contortion

a sharp twist or bend in something

counter

to do or say something in opposition to something else

cunning

sly, crafty, or clever

debris

the scattered remains of something broken, destroyed, or discarded; rubble or wreckage

defiance

the act of defying; an open resistance to an opposing force or authority

deft

quick and skillful; adroit

destination

the place to which a person or thing is going or is sent

diminish

to make or become smaller or less; reduce or decrease

disdain

a feeling that someone or something is bad, worthless, or low; scorn or contempt

to have or show this feeling about someone or something

dismal

causing gloom or depression; dreary/feeling gloomy; depressed; miserable

dispel

to cause to disappear; drive away; disperse

eavesdrop

to listen secretly to the private conversation of others

egregious

well beyond the bounds of what is right of proper;outrageous

ember

a glowing piece of burning wood or coal

emerge

to become visible or known

engross

to occupy the complete attention of someone;absorb

exasperation

a state of anger, impatience, or great irritation

exhilarate

to cause someone to feel very happy;elate

falter

to proceed or continue in an unsteady or weakening manner

foresight

the ability to imagine what is likely to happen in the future

fragrance

a sweet or pleasant odor;a smell

furtive

done or acting in a way that is intended not to be noticed;sneaky/giving the appearance of not wanting to be noticed, especially in showing nervousness

grueling

physically or mentally exhausting

gusto

great enjoyment;zest

habitation

a place in which to live;a residence

hasten

to move or act swiftly;hurry/to cause something to happen more quickly than it would otherwise