Lesson 8 Vocabulary English I Standard

1. abut- to join at one end or be next to; to support, prop up Land that abuts a river or lake is considered a highly desirable location on which to build a summer home. 2. attire- clothes, apparel, garb; to dress, adorn, or bedeck The special attire that firefighters wear helps to protect them from flames and smoke. 3. avail- to be of use or benefit to; to make use of; to take advantage of; to profit or benefit; use, benefit, or value Be sure to avail yourself of all the services that the school library has to offer. 4. crony- a very close friend or buddy We have been cronies ever since we met in the second grade.

5. cryptic- puzzling, mystifying, or enigmatic The letter to the editor was so cryptic that I couldn’t be certain what the writer had actually intended to say. 6. divergent- going in different directions; different from each other; departing from convention, deviant Two people may be close friends despite their having very divergent interests and beliefs. 7. enmity- hatred, ill-will Despite a long, close, and tense match, the defeated player felt no enmity toward the new champion. 8. fervent- very earnest, emotional, passionate; extremely hot The president delivered a fervent plea for tolerance and unity.

9. gaunt- thin and bony, starved looking; bare, barren We left food and water for the gaunt alley cat. 10. infiltrate- to pass through or gain entrance to gradually or stealthily Some of our men infiltrated the enemy’s camp and captured their leader. 11. nullify- to make of no value or consequence, cancel, wipe out After seven days, you cannot nullify the contract without being charged a penalty. 12. perceptible- capable of being grasped by the senses or mind There was no perceptible improvement in the patient’s condition despite the doctor’s best efforts to treat the infection.

13. plummet- to plunge straight down; a weight fastened to a line Experts think the pierced round stones at the site served as plummets to weigh fishing nets. 14. proclaim- to declare publicly or officially We proclaim our loyalty to our country when we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 15. proxy-an agent, substitute; a written permission allowing one person to act in another’s place The vice president may be called upon to be the president’s proxy at the funeral of a foreign leader. 16. rankle- to cause anger, irritation, or bitterness (with the suggestion that the pain grows worse with time) Insults may rankle a person for many years.

17. scavenger- a person who collects or removes usable items from waste materials; an animal that feeds on refuse or dead bodies A few scavengers such as catfish and other bottom feeders will help to keep a fish tank clean. 18. stint- to limit, be sparing or frugal; a limit or restriction; a fixed share of work or duty; a period of activity Good hosts never stint on food and drink for the guests who attend their parties. 19. stoical- self- controlled, not showing feeling in response to pleasure or pain The refugees’ stoical acceptance of their plight was deeply moving. 20. unflagging- tireless, continuing with vigor After the votes were counted, the candidates paid tribute to the unflagging loyalty of their supporters.

Sentences 1. During the prolonged dry spell, the farmers’_ prayers for rain were seldom answered. Fervent 2. We honor this wonderful woman tonight for her_ devotion to every good cause in our community. Unflagging 3. If we had a good civil service system in this town, the mayor wouldn’t be able to put his_ on the public payroll. Cronies 4. It is a sad fact of experience that postwar political blunders can often_ or even reverse the results of battlefield triumphs. Nullify