1. Vocabulary Unit 15
Mnemonics

2. abase (v) to lower in esteem, degrade; to humble
BASE = at the BOTTOM of – to LOWER in esteem

3. actuate
(v) to move to action; to impel
actuate - instigate

4. avert
(v) to turn aside, turn away; to prevent, avoid
avert = avoid

5. boorish (adj.) rude, unrefined; clumsy
BOOR-ish = BOAR – wild pig = unrefined

6. brunt (n) the main impact, force, or burden
BRUNT = BUNT – bat takes the BRUNT of the ball (the main force)

7. combatant
(n) a fighter; (adj.) engaged in fighting
COMBAT - FIGHT

8. dormant (adj.) inactive; in a state of suspension; sleeping
DORMant = DORM = where one SLEEPS or hangs-out (inactive)

9. dubious
(adj.) causing uncertainty or suspension; in a doubtful or uncertain state of mind, hesitant
DUBIOUS = DOUBTFUL

10. harangue (v.) to deliver a loud, ranting speech; a loud speech
harangue = rang = loud (like a bell)
harangue – language = speech

11. harry (v.) to make a destructive raid on; to torment, harass
to torment = to hound = to harass

12. impenitent (adj.) not feeling remorse or sorrow for errors or offenses
If someone is impenitent, then they do NOT do Penance for their sins.

13. knave (n.) a tricky, unprincipled, or deceitful fellow
The Nurse Romeo and Juliet, calls Mercurtio a “scurvy knave”.

14. legion
(n) a large military force; any large group or number; (adj.) many, numerous
legion = million OR the American Legion

15. liberality (n.) generosity, generous act; breadth of mind or outlook
liberal = open-minded

16. plaintiff (n.) one who begins a lawsuit
plaintiff = complain = the one who complains

17. probe
(v.) to examine, investigate thoroughly; (n.) an investigation; a device used to explore or examine
pROBE = ROBE = trench coat = Sherlock Holmes = detective = investigates

18. protract (v) to draw out or lengthen in space or time
Tract = track (run a LONG race)

19. quarry
(v.) to cut or take from (or as if from) a quarry; (n.) a place from which stone is taken; something that is hunted or pursued
quarry = rock = Flinstones –OR-
quarry = quail is hunted

20. spurn (v.) to refuse with scorn, disdain
spurn = to turn down = to refuse

21. subterfuge (n.) an excuse or trick for escaping or hiding something
subterfuge = submarine = HIDDEN underwater = used to trick the enemy – OR –
subterfuge = fugitive = hiding or escaping from the law