Early American Lit - Vocab 1

Adulterate

(verb) to mix something pure with impurities, to corrupt

Adulterates

Hospitals take strict precautions to assure that nothing ___ the blood supply.

Ambidextrous

(adjective) able to use both hands equally well, very skillful

ambidextrous

Occasionally a teacher will come across a child who displays ___ abilities when taught to write.

Augment

(verb) to grow or intensify

augment

Many couples have to ___ their income in order to pay the mortgage on a new home.

Bereft

(adjective) deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

bereft

Individuals who live to be very old may eventually find themselves completely ___ of friends and family.

Dour

(adjective) stern, gloomy, harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

dour

Dickens’s Mr. Gradgrind in the novel Hard Times is an example of a character with a ___ and sullen disposition.

Fortitude

(noun) strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage, courage in facing difficulties

fortitude

The residents of the Mississippi delta showed remarkable ___ during and after the flood that destroyed their homes and businesses.

Gape

(verb) to stare with an open mouth, to open wide

gape

First-time visitors to Niagara Falls can be expected to ___ at the spectacular sights nature has provided for them.

Guise

(noun) an external appearance, cover, mask

guise

The thieves gained entry to the home by presenting themselves in the ___ of police officers.

Intimation

(noun) a hint, indirect suggestion

intimation

They were too proud to give any ___ of their financial difficulties.

Opulent

(adjective) wealthy, luxurious; ample, grandiose

opulent

The tour guide showed us the ___ living quarters of the royal family.

Pliable

(adjective) flexible, easily bent

Tentative

(adjective) experimental; uncertain, hesitant

tentative

Negotiators have come up with a ___ agreement that will keep both sides at the bargaining table past the strike deadline.

Unkempt

(adjective) not combed, untidy, not properly maintained, rude

unkempt

According to my parents, the latest fashions make me and my friends look ___.

Verbatim

(adjective, adverb) word for word; exactly as written or spoken

verbatim

Newspapers often publish the ___ text of an important political speech.

Warily

(adjective) cautiously, with great caution/care

warily

The hikers made their way ___ up the steep and rocky trail.