A Separate Peace Vocabulary
Chapter 1
1. Tacit ADJ. unspoken, implied
· There is a TACIT rule amongst students at Wheaton North High School: No one wears black and orange, the colors of Wheaton Warrenville South, our rivals.
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2. Contentious ADJ. controversial, argumentative; quarrelsome
· The discussion I had with my parents this weekend was a CONTENTIOUS one; they do not agree with my plans to run away with the circus after high school.
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3. Consternation N. sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in confusion
· There was much CONSTERNATION in the cafeteria yesterday when the fire alarm rang during the busy lunch period.
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Chapter 2
4. Eloquence N. the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness
· The English teacher spoke with such ELOQUENCE and grace that all of her students aspired to be equally great instructors of vocabulary.
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5. Inane ADJ. empty, void; lacking sense or ideas
· After the boxes were packed and loaded into the moving truck, my childhood home was suddenly INANE.
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Chapter 3
6. Venerable ADJ. commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity
· The VENERABLE young man was honored for giving his life in the line of duty—he is an exceptional example of grace, courage, and honor.
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7. Insidious ADJ. stealthily treacherous or deceitful
· Hiding in the bushes, the INSIDIOUS boy plotted to steal candy from the young trick-or-treaters.
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Chapter 4
8. Enmity N. hatred
· During hockey season, there is great ENMITY between Blackhawks and Red Wings fans because of their close geographic proximity.
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9. Treachery N. betrayal of trust, treason
· Offering information to enemy spies is an extreme example of TREACHERY.
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Chapter 5
10. Erratic ADJ. deviating from the usual or proper course in conduct or opinion; eccentric
· Her behavior was ERRATIC, varying from obeying all of the rules to breaking every one.
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Chapter 6
11. Vindicate V. to clear, as from an accusation or suspicion; to get revenge for
· A lawyer’s job is to VINDICATE his client so that they are no longer accused of a crime.
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12. Invoking V. to petition or call on for help or aid
· Night-time television is inundated with heart-wrenching commercials INVOKING viewers to donate money to needy children and animals.
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Chapter 7
13. Futility N. ineffectiveness; uselessness
The FUTILITY of the computers was evident as every student stared at a frozen screen.
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Chapter 8
14. Discernible ADJ. distinguishable; perceptible
There was a DISCERNIBLE feeling of cheer in the air as students left the building for holiday break.
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15. Abashed ADJ. ashamed or embarrassed
His red face and shuffling feet let us know that the boy was ABASHED by the questioning from his mom.
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Chapter 9
16. Liaison N. one who serves as communication between units or groups of the armed forces or of any other organization in order to ensure concerted action, cooperation, etc.
· Wheaton North’s police LIAISON officer serves as both a police officer for the City of Wheaton as well as for our high school.
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Chapter 10
17. Foreboding ADJ. characterized by a feeling of impending evil, disaster, etc.
· I had a very FOREBODING feeling as I heard the basement door creak closed behind me.
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Chapter 11
18. Incredulously ADV. skeptically, disbelievingly
· When my mom told me I didn’t have to go to school because of a snow day on that April 1st morning, I looked at her INCREDULOUSLY.
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Chapter 12
19. Incongruity N. the condition of being inappropriate or inconsistent
· There was INCONGRUITY amongst the rules: some were fair and some were completely unjust.
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20. Disconcerting ADJ. causing a feeling of disturbance, embarrassment, or confusion; worrying
· Watching three-year-old contestants spray tan in preparation for a beauty pageant is DISCONCERTING, to say the least.
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