Grade 10 Unit 4

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: noun EXAMPLE SETENCE: The fact that the earth revolves around the sun is an axiom in the scientific community.

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: verb EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The burial grounds were consecrated by a priest. The whole town showed up to consecrate the new church.

Destitute DEFINITION: extremely poor PART OF SPEECH: adjective EXAMPLE SENTENCE: One particular area of the city is destitute and run down; the people who live there suffer from hunger and poverty.

Epigram DEFINITION: a memorable or interesting saying PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: My teacher has a number of epigrams that he repeats; however, his favorite is, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

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: Pineapple 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.

Word: Profligate Definition: wasteful Part of Speech: adjective Example Sentence: Many celebrities are accused of being profligate and spending a lot of money on unnecessary items like luxurious vacations and expensive cars.

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. JD Salinger was a reclusive author who did not go out in public.

Word: Servile Definition: willing to serve others Part of Speech: adjective Example Sentence: In order to get the promotion, George acted in a very servile manner. He got his boss coffee, made copies for him, etc.

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: verb EXAMPLE SENTENCE: In Julius Caesar, Cassius usurps power from Caesar by killing the great Roman leader.

Utilitarian DEFINITION: functional and practical PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: John is very utilitarian and bought pencils that had sharpeners at the end so he could use the for both writing and sharpening. 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.