Vocabulary Week 16 Campagna

menial  During the great depression, people were thankful to have work of any kind, no matter how menial.

menial  Adj. lowly, humble, lacking importance or dignity

parry  An effective press secretary can parry almost any question a reporter asks.

parry  V. to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade, avoid

predatory  Owls and other predatory birds play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature.

predatory  Adj. preying on, plundering

ravage  Swarms of locusts ravage the farmer’s fields and orchards.

ravage  V. to destroy, lay waste, ruin

stance  A fashion model’s stance is calculated to show off a designer’s clothing to the best advantage.

stance  N. a way of holding the body; an attitude or position on an issue

tawdry  An excess of gold braid and glittery beads gave the costumes a tawdry look.

tawdry  Adj. showy and flashy but lacking in good taste

turncoat  Strikers generally consider those workers who cross the picket lines to be turncoat.

turncoat  N. a person who switches to an opposing side or party

unassuming  Many celebrities remain unassuming despite their fame and wealth

unassuming  Adj. not putting on a show; modest

wallow  After a strenuous hike, I was too tired to do anything but wallow blissfully in a hot bath.

wallow  V. to roll about in a lazy, clumsy, or helpless way

waver  The committee wavered for several days before choosing the winner of the essay contest.

waver  V. to move to and fro, become unsteady; to show lack of firmness or decision