Abstruse-Virulent 20 Words Grade 10 Unit 4 Abstruse-Virulent 20 Words

Abstruse DEFINITION: Difficult to understand PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: At lunch the students complained they could not understand their professor’s abstruse lectures.

Anarchy DEFINITION: Chaos due to lack of authority PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: When the teacher left the classroom, the class erupted into anarchy and became so loud, the principal heard them from down the hall.

Axiom DEFINITION: A universally accepted truth; established law PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SETENCE: It is a fundamental axiom that the earth is round.

Charisma DEFINITION: Special charm that makes others want to follow someone PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SETENCE: JFK was a president whose charisma led many to adore him.

Consecrate DEFINITION: to make sacred or holy PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The couple consecrated their relationship with a kiss. The burial grounds were consecrated by a priest.

Destitute DEFINITION: extreme poverty PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The old woman was left destitute after the con man stole all her money.

Epigram DEFINITION: a memorable or interesting saying PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for the epigram, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Glut DEFINITION: oversupply or flood of something PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Although the lawns were becoming brown, the three-day rainstorm brought a glut of water. After accidently listing an unused IPad for $20, Apple had a glut of costumers.

Indigenous DEFINITION: native to a specific place or region PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Pineapples are indigenous to Hawaii. Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia.

Luminous DEFINITION: Bright, shining PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The luminous fireworks lit up the whole sky with beautiful blues and greens.

Nostalgia DEFINITION: a longing for the past; recollection PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: On the first day of High School, I immediately felt nostalgia for Elementary School when we had long lunches, recess, and no homework.

Perfunctory DEFINITION: Something done quickly without thought; careless or superficial PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: His perfunctory response to how school was is always “fine” even if he had a bad day.

Profligate DEFINITION: wasteful and extravagant PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The rich, profligate woman kept her sprinklers running day and night throughout the drought.

Profound DEFINITION: thought-provoking, sincere and wise PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The book’s message of ending racism caused a profound change in the way Kevin treated others.

Reclusive DEFINITION: living apart from society PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Boo Radley is a reclusive character from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Servile DEFINITION: wanting to please or serve others PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Katie, one of the most popular girls, wanted her friends to be servile and do anything she asked of them.

Taciturn DEFINITION: shy and quiet PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Kelly was so taciturn that many people in her class had never actually heard her voice.

Usurp DEFINITION: to take over or seize PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Richard usurped the throne from his brother Thomas by force.

Utilitarian DEFINITION: functional and practical PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: After becoming paralyzed, Colleen redesigned her home to become more utilitarian and to better accommodate her wheelchair. The utilitarian chair was not attractive but it was very functional in my apartment.

Virulent DEFINITION: Poisonous, toxic or nasty PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The virulent rumors that were being spread by Cara’s ex-best friend were hateful and mean. The snakes virulent venom can kill a man in just one hour.