Vocabulary 13 Using Context Clues

Adept Very skilled; proficient; expert

Axiom A self-evident truth; a universally accepted principle or rule

Complement Something that completes or makes perfect; either of two parts or things that constitute a whole; counterpart; full quantity or amount

Confound To perplex or amaze; confuse; to throw into confusion or disorder; to contradict or refute

Cumulative Increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions

Delve To carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like

Diligent Constant in effort to accomplish something; done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking; industrious; untiring; tireless

Superlative Of the highest kind or order; excessive or exaggerated, as in language

Tantalize To torment with the sight or prospect of something desired that cannot be reached or attained; tease by arousing expectations

Unerring Not going astray or missing the mark; undeviatingly accurate; unfailingly right or appropriate

Vocabulary 14 Compound Words

Backlash An antagonistic reaction to an earlier action

Benchmark A standard in measuring or judging a quality or characteristic

Common sense Sound judgment

Gridlock Complete lack of movement or progress

Outsource Send work to an outside resource

Overkill More of something than is necessary or appropriate

Superhighway An expressway that has four or more lanes for traffic

Tip-off Confidential disclosure

Underdog One that is expected to lose

Wind chime Hanging decoration that makes noise when there is a breeze

Vocabulary 15 The Latin Roots frag and fract

Defray To undertake the payment of costs or expenses

Fractional Comprising a part or the parts of a unit; comparatively small; inconsiderable or insignificant

Fractious Peevish, irritable, or quarrelsome; refractory or unruly; testy, petulant; snappish; touchy; stubborn; difficult

Fragment A small part broken off or detached; to break or separate something into small pieces

Frail Physically weak or delicate; easily broken or destroyed

Fritter To reduce or squander little by little

Infraction A violation of a law or rule

Infringe To trespass or encroach on; to violate or go beyond the limits of

Osprey A large fish-eating bird

Refractory Obstinately resistant to authority or control; resistant to treatment