Vocabulary Power Plus Lesson 8

Alight Jennifer watcher a cardinal alight upon the bench outside her window. Awakened by the smell of smoke, he looked outside and saw the barn alight.

Alight Verb – to descend and settle, as after flying Adjective – burning; lighted

convalesce Tom had a long period to convalesce after the car accident.

Convalesce Verb – to recover one’s health

dainty Eileen stores her dainty, crystal figurines in a glass display case, away from her children’s curious hands.

dainty Adjective – preciously delicate or charming

feint The boxer feinted to the right to throw his opponent off guard, and then struck him with a sharp left hook. The swordsman did not fall for the villian’s feint.

feint Verb – to distract an opponent by pretending to move in one direction and then moving in another Noun – a deceptive act meant to distract or deceive one’s opponent

implore Theresa implored the king to spare her brother, who was caught spying.

implore Verb – to beg

impugn The prosecutor impugned the defendant’s alibi at every available opportunity.

impugn Verb – to attack as false; to cast doubt on

integral Daily practice is integral to a successful season.

integral Adjective – necessary to make something complete; essential

jurisdiction The state trooper does not have the jurisdiction to arrest people in the neighboring state. The suspect escaped punishment by fleeing the detective’s jurisdiction.

jurisdiction Noun – the authority to interpret and apply the law The geographical range of an authority

malnutrition The castaway knew that he would suffer from malnutrition if he did not find something other than coconuts to eat.

malnutrition Noun – a lack of proper nutrition

meddle Mrs. Thompson told her children not to meddle in the affairs of strangers.

meddle Verb – to intrude in the business of others; to interfere

Painstaking After ten years of painstaking research, the scientist finally make a breakthrough.

painstaking Adjective – using or requiring great care and effort

pantheon The Novel Prize pantheon includes such people as Marie Curie and Albert Einstein.

Pantheon Noun – a group of highly regarded people A place dedicated to highly regarded people

sear To sear the meat, the chef turned the flame up on the grill. During the heat wave, the sun seared,the leaves of the delicate tree.

sear Verb – to scorch or burn the surface of To make dry and withered

vertical A vertical column of water shot into the air after Tim’s car struck the fire hydrant.

vertical Adjective – perpendicular to the horizon

Wince Dominic winced when he saw the antique vase fall from the shelf.

Wince Verb – to flinch