“The Gift of the Magi” Vocabulary
Magi (n) Persian king anointers ; wisemen
Note: The word “magi” is plural. The singular from of the word “magi” is “magus”.
Note: When the word magi is used to specifically reference the wisemen from the Bible the word magi is capitalized.
The Christmas story in the Bible talks of the Magi who brought gifts to baby Jesus.
The magi who were present at the ceremony appointed the new king.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word magi. 1
Instigates (v) urges on; stirs up
My brother tries to instigate fights by calling me names.
The violent shooting over the weekend instigated much discussion at the school about safety issues.
· Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of instigate?
provoke prompt cease encourage
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word instigates. 2
Depreciate (v) reduce in value
The value of the house depreciated because it was not well kept.
· List a few things that might depreciate over time.
· What are two antonyms of depreciate.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word depreciate. 3
Cascade (n) a waterfall
Niagara Falls is one of the best know cascades in the world.
Her long hair cascaded down her back as she brushed it each night.
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word cascade. 4
Chaste (adj.) pure or clean in style; not ornate (fancy)
The furniture in the new house was chaste and had few embellishments.
· Is the word pretentious (showy display of wealth) a synonym or antonym of chaste?
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word chaste. 5
Meretricious (adj.) attractive in a cheap flashy way
Although big, bright, flashy fashion jewelry is fun to wear, it is often meretricious because it is not does not cost a lot of money.
· What are some things that might be describe as meretricious?
· Which of the following words does not mean similar to meretricious?
gaudy flashy showy chaste
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word meretricious. 6
Ravages (n) ruins; devastating damages
The ravages of the ice storm were evident from the streets.
· Which of the following is an antonym of ravages?
restore devastation destruction desecration waste
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word ravages. 7
Discreet (adj.) tactful; respectful; unnoticeable
It is important when dealing with sensitive issues to be discreet so that you do not offend people.
We discreetly excused ourselves from the dinner party.
· What are two antonyms of discreet?
· Write an original sentence of your own using the word discreet. 8