1. Vocabulary Words World Literature
Week 4

2. Virulent
Doctors are advising the public to get inoculated against a virulent strain of the bird flu.

3. Virulent
Definition: adj.—extremely poisonous, infectious, or damaging to organisms Synonym: infectious, contagious, lethal Antonym: weak

4. Deft
The crowd was amazed at the deft way the running back avoided the defense and effortlessly ran for a touchdown.

5. Deft
Definition: adj.—moving or acting in a quick, smooth, and skillful way
Synonym: nimble, adept, dexterous
Antonym: clumsy

6. Ominous
The dark clouds on the horizon were an ominous sign of a severe thunderstorm.

7. Ominous
Definition: adj.—suggesting or indicating that something bad is going to happen or be revealed, unfavorable
Synonym: threatening, warning, gloomy, portentous
Antonym: promising, favorable

8. Rampant
Some experts want to use goats to curb the rampant spread of Kudzu.

9. Rampant Definition: adj.—growing without check, running wild
Synonym: uncontrolled, unrestrained, unchecked
Antonym: contained

10. Venal
The new Chief of Police vows to investigate charges of a corrupt and venal police department.

11. Venal Definition: adj.—open to or marked by bribery
Synonym: corrupt, amoral, bribable
Antonym: honest

12. Encumber
Do not encumber yourself by waiting to write your essay the night before it is due.

13. Encumber
Definition: v.—to hinder, to weigh down, to burden Synonym: impede, hamper, inconvenience Antonym: unburden, relieve

14. Atrocious
Most people considers the Holocaust to be one of the most atrocious events in world history.

15. Atrocious
Definition: adj.—exceedingly bad, wicked Synonym: terrible, cruel, evil, awful Antonym: wonderful

16. Lament
Elmer was lamenting his poor study habits as he looked at the low grade on his test.

17. Lament Definition: v.—to regret, to express sorrow or mourning over
Synonym: cry, weep, grieve
Antonym: celebrate

18. Aesthetic
The new painting gave the room a greater aesthetic appeal.

19. Aesthetic
Definition: adj.—artistic, having to do with art or beauty Synonym: pleasing, attractive Antonym: ugly, unattractive

20. Prolific
With over fifty published novels, Stephen King is considered to be a very prolific author.

21. Prolific
Definition: adj.—producing ideas or works frequently and in large quantities Synonym: productive, fruitful, creative Antonym: unproductive, idle