Unit 8 May Name________________________________________ Test Date____________________________________

Unit 8 Vocabulary Words Abnormal Nub Capsize Onslaught Catastrophe Ordain Decrease Outstrip Disputatious Pervade Evict Prudent Flourish Quench Incentive Remnant Insubordinate Simultaneous Legible Swerve

Abnormal(adj) For my sister, who is always late, being early for class would be an abnormal situation. Def-Not usual, not typical, strange Syn-freakish, unnatural, irregular Ant- normal, usual, regular, typical

Capsize (V) Anyone watching could see that it was our inexperience that caused us to capsize the canoe. Def-to turn bottom side up, upset Syn upend, tip over

catastrophe (n) During the Cold War, the United States did everything possible to avoid a nuclear catastrophe. Def-A large-scale disaster, misfortune, or failure Syn-tragedy, cataclysm Ant-triumph, victory, success

Decrease (V, N) Def-(v)To become or make less (n) A lessening The manager hopes that theft will decrease once the new security system is installed. Because of a sharp decrease in sales, the company had to lay off 2/3 of its workers. Def-(v)To become or make less (n) A lessening Syn-lessen, reduce, dwindle, diminish Ant-increase, grow, develop

Disputatious (ADJ) The disputatious senator had enfaged in filibusters to block the passage of a bill. Def-inclined to argue or debate; provoking debate Syn-argumentative, quarrelsome Ant-nonargumentative, peaceable, pacific

Evict (V) Def-to force out from a property Syn-oust, expel, kick out The landlord reluctantly decided to evict the tenants who fell on hard times and had not paid their rent in 6 months. Def-to force out from a property Syn-oust, expel, kick out Ant-admit, insert

Actors often enter the stage with a flourish. Flourish (N and V) It is fortunate for lovers of the arts that painting and opera still flourish in Italy. Actors often enter the stage with a flourish. Def-(v)to grow, thrive, be prosperous; to wave in the air (n)A dramatic gesture,; a fanfare of horns Syn (v) prosper, increase Ant (v) wither, die, fade, shrivel up

Incentive (N) Because career advancement is such a strong incentive, adults are usually eager and hard working students. Def-a reason for doing something; something that stimulates action Syn-stimulus, spur, motive Ant-curb, check, restraint, hindrance

Insubordinate (adj) The insubordinate soldier repeatedly interrupted his commanding officer. Def-disobedient, rebellious Syn-defiant, unruly Ant-obedient, submissive, docile

legible (N) Def-easily read Syn-clear, decipherable In keeping with the jokes, pharmacists will tell you that most doctors’ handwriting is barely legible. Def-easily read Syn-clear, decipherable Ant-unreadable, indecipherable

Nub (N) After seemingly endless digressions, the speaker finally got to the nub of his argument. Def-the central point or heart of a matter; a knob Syn-kernel, nucleus, crux Ant-periphery, edge

Onslaught (N) To prepare for the onslaught of winter, we replenished our supply of firewood and rock salt. Def-A violent attack, a sudden rush Of something Syn-assault, charge, onset

Ancient astrologers believed that the stars could ordain one’s future. Ordain (V) Ancient astrologers believed that the stars could ordain one’s future. Def-to establish by law; to order or command; to appoint as a priest or minister; to destine Syn-anoint, consecrate, decree Ant- forbid, veto, cancel

Outstrip (V) Def-to get ahead of, do better than, exceed By offering customers low prices and good terms, the new store hopes to outstrip the competition. Def-to get ahead of, do better than, exceed Syn-outdo, outperform, outdistance, surpass Ant- trail, lag behind

Pervade (V) Pollutants pervade the atmosphere of many of our nations’ large cities. Def-to spread throughout Syn- permeate, diffuse

It pays to make prudent investments. Prudent (ADJ) It pays to make prudent investments. Def-cautious, careful, showing good sense. Syn- wary, judicious Ant-foolish, unwise, rash

The firefighters will quench the flames with water. Def-to put out, extinguish, end Syn-douse, stifle Ant-ignite, kindle

Remnant (N) By the end of the war, the rebels had but a remnant of their former strength. Def-a small part remaining behind. Syn-remainder, residue, leftover

Simultaneous (ADJ) The diplomats put on headphones so that they could listen to a simultaneous translation of the speech. Def- happening or existing at the same time. Syn-occurring at the same time Ant-occurring at different times

Swerve (N, V) Def-To turn aside sharply, a sharp or sudden turn Be aware that if you swerve too sharply, you may lose control of the car. The sudden swerve of the bus caused some passengers to fall out of their seats. Def-To turn aside sharply, a sharp or sudden turn Syn-digress, sheer off