8.4
Lesson 4 Word List
Vocabulary Definitions
abhor (verb)
To shrink from in disgust; to detest.
Example: "We abhor cruelty in all its forms."
abhorrent (adjective)
Disgusting; causing loathing.
Example: "Any form of discrimination is abhorrent to decent people."
Activity: Discuss a food that is abhorrent to you.
affable (adjective)
Pleasant; approachable; gracious.
Example: "Maribel's affable manner brought her many friends."
Activity: Show expressions that demonstrate affability.
affability (noun)
Friendliness of manner.
Example: "The counselor welcomed the campers with such affability that no one felt homesick."
amiss (adverb)
In a wrong or imperfect way; out of order; wrong.
Example: "Don't take amiss my suggestion for improving your drawing."
despondent (adjective)
Depressed from loss of hope or confidence; utterly discouraged.
Example: "I was completely despondent that our dog had run away."
entreat (verb)
To ask earnestly; to beg.
Example: "'Please, let me have a lizard,' Augustin entreated his parents."
entreaty (noun)
A plea or earnest request.
Example: "The umpire ignored the coach's entreaties to reverse the call."
haunt (verb)
To stay in one's mind continually.
Example: "The music continues to haunt me."
To visit frequently.
Example: "Jeremy haunted the mall."
To appear in the form of a ghost.
Example: "The Headless Horseman haunted the hollow."
Activity: Share a character from a story who haunts you.
Additional Vocabulary
impel (verb)
To drive or propel.
Example: "A raging current impelled their raft downstream."
To urge by force or moral pressure.
Example: "Hatred of slavery impelled Harriet Tubman."
interminable (adjective)
Endless; seeming to be without end.
Example: "We had an interminable wait at the amusement park."
Activity: Discuss a time with an interminable amount of homework.
irascible (adjective)
Quick-tempered; irritable.
Example: "My grandfather looked kindly, but was quite irascible."
profound (adjective)
Intense; deeply felt.
Example: "Profound joy was felt when parents reunited."
Having deep understanding or knowledge.
Example: "Profound insights from Thoreau influenced MLK Jr.'s ideas."
Activity: Discuss a person with profound knowledge.
recluse (noun)
A person who lives apart from society and often alone.
Example: "Ahmed became a recluse while writing his book."
reclusive (adjective)
Withdrawn from society.
Example: "Our neighbors are so reclusive that we hardly see them."
reverberate (verb)
To be repeated in echoes or vibrations.
Example: "We loved to hear our shouts reverberate in the tunnel."
sage (adjective)
Having wisdom and good judgment.
Example: "Ben Franklin offered sage advice."
noun: A person known for wisdom.
Example: "I consult my grandmother for advice."
Cooking: Sage is an aromatic herb used in cooking.
Activity: Discuss sage words for a friend in trouble.
Additional Vocabulary Words
tirade (noun)
A long, angry speech.
Example: "We lost interest in Marni's endless tirades."
Activity: Discuss strategies for talking to someone who goes on tirades.
tremulous (adjective)
Marked by trembling or shaking.
Example: "Her tremulous lower lip betrayed her courage."
Timid or fearful.
Example: "He spoke in a tremulous voice about losing money."
Exercises
Using Words in Context
Write C for correct or I for incorrect usage of the bolded words in sentences.
a) C - Odd noises convinced Sasha the house was haunted.b) C - Many children are haunted by ghosts.c) I - Suki haunted her aunt to let her stay longer.d) I - The reporter haunted clubhouses for stories.
a) C - "Stay in school" is sage advice.b) C - The old sage was born many years ago.c) C - Sage is used in cooking.d) I - Repair work will be done in separate sages.
a) C - After lengthy tirades, he would fall asleep.b) I - Jin tried to convince the tirade to join him.c) C - Tirades happen when she hasn't eaten.d) I - The tirade brought six inches of rain.
a) I - Woodchucks live in underground abhors.b) C - We were taught to abhor bigotry.c) I - Cheating is abhorrent to what the school stands for.d) I - The soft meadow was beautiful and abhorrent.