Vocabulary Words World Literature Week 14

Indict Football fans were shocked when Michael Vick was indicted on charges of illegal dog fighting.

Indict Definition: v.—to accuse or charge someone of a crime Synonym: arraign, prosecute, summons Antonym: exonerate

Admonishment Little Jimmy accepted the admonishment from his teacher for not having his homework.

Admonishment Definition: n.—a mild but earnest rebuke Synonym: reprimand, scolding, reproach Antonym: approval, endorsement, support

Emulate Many athletes emulate their childhood heroes.

Emulate Definition: v.—to be successful in comparison to someone or something else Synonym: imitate, copy, model yourself on Antonym: innovate (innovative), novel

Impassive She kept her face impassive, but her mind was racing.

Impassive Definition: adj. without feeling, showing no outward emotion Synonym: emotionless, blank, composed, aloof, stoic Antonyms: expressive, dramatic, emotional

Meticulous Aunt Brenda was so meticulous about her house that she used to check everything for dust with a white glove after the maid left.

Meticulous Definition: adj. extremely careful and precise Synonym: precise, fussy, detailed Antonym: careless, sloppy, lax

Cordial Relations between the two countries are said to be cordial, so we hope they can come to an amicable solution to the weapons crisis.

Cordial Definition: (adj) hospitably warm: friendly and affectionate Synonym: pleasant, warm, genial Antonym: unfriendly, frosty

Morose Danny’s morose attitude was infectious and no fun for his family.

Morose Definition: (adj) having a withdrawn gloomy personality, ill-humored or sullen. Synonym: pessimistic, glum, miserable Antonym: cheery, happy

Miserly The miserly old man did not share any of his food or money with his poor relatives even though he was quite prosperous.

Miserly Definition: (adj) stingy, greedy for money and unwilling to share or to spend it Synonym: frugal, tight-fisted, parsimonious Antonym: generous

Emaciated Looking at the pictures of the starving emaciated children brought tears to her eyes.

Emaciated Definition: adj.—very thin: extremely thin, especially because of starvation or illness Synonym: haggard, gaunt, withered Antonym: plump, fleshy

Inane The girls’ conversations were so inane that no one could bear to listen to them!

Inane Synonym: pointless, insubstantial, frivolous, mindless Definition: adj.—silly, time-wasting, senseless Synonym: pointless, insubstantial, frivolous, mindless Antonym: sensible