Vocabulary

persist (verb) to continue stubbornly Ex. – The weeds persisted in invading the flower bed.

dry (adjective) direct and without emotion; matter-of-fact Ex. – The announcer on the PA system drily informed us that a tornado had been sighted in the center of town.

founder (verb) to get stuck; break down Ex. – The rudderless boat foundered against the rocky shoreline.

inert (adjective) having no power to move or act; lifeless Ex. – After a grueling practice, Stella lay inert on the couch because her muscles hurt too much to move.

mortars (noun) small, portable cannons that fire explosive shells; also, the shells fired by such cannons Ex. – The troops were pinned down by heavy mortar fire.

chant (noun) – something sung or spoken in a rhythmic monotone Ex. – The chants in church put Marshall to sleep every Sunday.

brandishing (adjective) waving something (such as a weapon) in a threatening manner Ex. - Mrs. Thiem routed the bat from the classroom by brandishing her giant pencil.

forlorn (adjective) sad and desperate because of abandonment Ex. – After the mother dog was run over by a car, her forlorn puppies whined night and day.

litany (noun) a repetitive recitation Ex. – Brandi got tired of listening to her father’s litany of instructions every time she went out with friends.

induce (verb) to bring forth; cause Ex. – Emma knew she was going to induce the wrath of her sister when she borrowed her boots without asking, but she did it anyway.