8th Grade Vocabulary Insertion 11 enigma, hindrance, meager, pivotal, irascible,

Standard ELACC8W2 – Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain a topic

1. enigma enigma (n): a mystery; a puzzle Sample sentence: The crossword puzzle was nothing but an enigma for the confused student. Other forms: enigmatic; enigmatically

2. hindrance hindrance (n): an obstruction or Difficulty; something that holds you back Sample sentence: On land, the sloth’s weak hind legs provide no power and their long claws are a hindrance. Sample sentence: The density of the text is, at times, a hindrance.

3. meager meager (adj): small, inadequate; not enough Sample Sentence: The boy thought his paycheck was meager and wanted a raise. Word Forms: meagerly; meagerness

4. pivotal pivotal (adj): of vital or critical importance Sample Sentence: The day her father died was a pivotal moment in her life. Sample Sentence: The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a pivotal day in history. Word Forms: pivotally

5. irascible irascible (adj): easily provoked to anger; very irritable Sample Sentence: My friend is a very irascible person; if you say “hi” in a wrong tone of voice, he will scream at you. Word forms: irascibility; irascibly

All enigma (n) – something mysterious or puzzling hindrance (n) – a difficulty; an obstruction meager (adj.) – small, inadequate; poor pivotal (adj.) – of vital or critical importance irascible (adj.) – easily provoked to anger; very irritable