Vocabulary List for 3rd QuarterUpdated January 7th, 2016
1) Essential: adj
Definition: absolutely necessary or important
Sentence: This booklet is essential for our class in order to expand our vocabulary in speaking and writing.
Form: essentials(N) – things we need / essentially (adv)
2)Syntax: N or ADJ
Definition: the arrangement of words/phrases in writing to create structured sentences
Sentence: The poor structure of the words in Mrs. Botter’s sentence show multiple syntax errors.
Latin Root: “TAX” – arrangement
3)Derive: verb
Definition: to get or obtain something from a specific source or to originate or begin from
Sentence: My mom said I derived my thick hair from my grandfather’s family.
Forms: derived/deriving/derives
Latin Root: “De” – reduce/remove (exampled: dethrone, debug)
4)Condense: verb
Definition: To reduce something in some way or make it more concentrated. You might condense words in a paragraph to make it shorter.
Sentence: It’s important to condense learning material into my brain so I can understand all the millions of things taught to me.
Forms: condensed/condensing
Latin Root: “con” – jointly/with
5)Assimilate: verb
Definition: To bring together or gather into a group
Sentence: The party had an assimilation of adults, children and all of their pets as well!
Forms: assimilating, assimilated, assimilates
Latin Root: “a” – near/to
Week of December 14th before Holiday Break
6)Convey: verb
Definition: To communicate a message or make something known or understandable to someone else. You can convey information or ideas.
Sentence: I was trying to convey the idea that Romans were a very advanced society by having students build Roman Arches to understand how they created structures.
Latin Root: “con” – jointly/with
7)Legacy: noun
Definition: A gift of property or money left when someone dies or anything handed down from the past from ancestors or such.
Sentence: Mr. Beechnut left a legacy of good humor and hard work ethic and was greatly missed by the University when he passed away.
8)Impact: Noun
Definition: the striking of one thing against another such as a physical impact. An impact can also be emotional if something “impacts” you it makes a very effective impression on you.
Sentence: The use of humorous words made a great impact on the audience causing the whole room to fill with laughter.
9)Vulnerable: Adj
Definition: capable of being wounded or hurt / open to some kind of attack or criticism. Sometimes when someone is not confident or very sensitive they are more vulnerable to being bullied.
Sentence: Her broken foot made her vulnerable to further injury if she hit it or someone stepped on it while she was teaching.
10)Regarding: (verb)
Definition: In reference to something or referring to something
Sentence: In regards to the fire drill, it was found that more practice was needed by all classes with the procedures of emptying the building quickly and quietly.
Forms: regard, regards
11)Resolution: Noun
Definition: The act or process of determining a course of action or plan usually to solve some kind of problem or make something better.
Sentence: Most people make resolutions at each New Year, promising to get more exercise or eat in a more healthy fashion.
Forms: resolve, resolving, resolutions
12)Litigation: Noun
Definition: The act of litigating or arguing cases in court. A litigator is one who is arguing the case in court, usually a lawyer or someone acting as a lawyer.
Sentence: If you decide to litigate your case before the judge, you will need to prepare thoroughly and collect all of your evidence beforehand.
13)Subjugate: Verb
Definition: To bring under complete control or to conquer something/ or completely master something
Sentence: When the settlers first landed on the continent, they tried tosubjugatethe natives and turn them into slaves.
14)Rhetoric: Noun
Definition: The art of public speaking that is used to inform, to motivate, and/or persuade a public audience. One who is gifted in rhetoric can influence an audience by their words.
Sentence: The professor captivated the audience with his use of symbolism and comparisons in his rhetoric.
Sentence: Martin Luther King Jr. was a great rhetorical speaker and could influence audiences to feel compassion to a cause, yet attack with non-violence.
15)(Friday’s Word- updated Jan 8th)
Arduous: Adj
Definition: Requiring strenuous effort or being very difficult or tiring to do.
Sentence: Picking tobacco in the fields was not only an arduous task but a task that would sometimes make people sick if the tobacco was wet.
16)Rivalry: Noun
Definition: a situation where two parties are opposing each other or in conflict or a competition between two people or groups.
Sentence: There existed a great rivalry in the time of Ancient Rome between all of the military generals that wanted to become emperor of the Rome Empire.
Forms: Rival (a person who is involved in a rivalry)
17)Capricious: adj
Definition: Involving sudden unpredictable change/ to be capricious is also to be somewhat “erratic” and not very steady. This word also describes one who has sudden changes of mood or behavior that cannot be accounted for.
Sentence: My friend Angelo’s capricious manner caused me to worry about him to the point that I secretly let the counselor know that his erratic behavior was very unusual and the counselor may want to speak with Angelo sometime soon.
18)Testimonial: Noun
Definition: A declaration or statement written on the behalf of someone’s good character. A testimonial can also be a statement about how good a thing or a product is. (Like how good Windows 10 is!)
Form: TESTIMONY: Noun
Definition of Testimony: Statements given by witnesses on the stand in a courtroom under oath. “Under oath” means that the witness has sworn to tell the truth.
19)Superior: Adj
Definition: Higher in rank or position or degree of importance. Something that is considered superior is considered to be of excellent quality.
Inferior: Adj
Definition: This is the antonym of superior and means lower in rank or position or degree of importance. Something that is considered inferior is considered to be very poor quality or not up to standards, like an inferior toaster that won’t toast correctly!
20)Virtuous: ADJ
Definition: to live by high moral standards – following excellent principles of humanity and integrity.
Sentence: I admire the virtuous people in our community and history as I think they contribute to a positive and prosperous society.
21)Pathos: Noun
Definition: The power that an experience, a piece of writing, a speech or a piece of music has to evoke (or make an audience feel) sorrow, pity, compassion or sympathy.
22)Martyr: Noun
Definition: A person who willingly suffers death for a cause – usually to defend religion
Or….
A person who puts up with great suffering on behalf of a belief, a religion or a cause they really believe in.
23)Allusion: A reference or kind of connection to a person, character or event or idea that has some significance. An allusion can be a passing comment or something in writing.
Sentence: He is acting like such a Romeo in front of the girls! (This is alluding to the play, Romeo and Juliet)
24)Formidable: adj
Definition: Having awesome strength or size
OR…
If a person is formidable they can cause fear or even dread. They may be quite intimidating.
Sentence: Striking fear in his soldiers, the formidable military general shouted orders to his troops, “Fall in! Ready, aim, fire!”
25)Irony: Noun
Definition: When something occurs or is said that is quite unexpected or very CONTRARY to what is expected. Almost the opposite thing happens!
EXAMPLES OF IRONY:
- Raining on a sunny day
- The Titanic, ship of dreams, said to be an “unsinkable ship,” actually sinks on her first (maiden) voyage.
26)Retribution: Noun
Definition: A punishment that one gives another usually in retaliation or to “get back” at someone
OR……
A retribution can be something given or done as repayment
EXAMPLE:
- Rivalry can actually lead to retribution. If there is a rivalry between military leaders and one is killed, the loyal army of the victim could take revenge or retribution by invading the killer’s land.
MONDAY FEB 1:
27)Objective vs. Subjective
Objective can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun, an objective is a goal. As an adjective, objective describes something that is based on the facts ONLY, and does not include any attitudes or opinion.
Subjective – adjective – describe something that has opinions included or even persuasion.
There are OBJECTIVE points of view (based on fact)
There are SUBJECTIVE points of view (based on facts and opinions or totally opinionated!)
28)Relentless: adj
Definition: Without relent (relent means to “give in”). So, relentless means not giving in or yielding. Often, when one is relentless they are harsh or strict.
Sentence: Mrs. Rudder is relentless in her constant encouragement for students to keep up with their assignments.
29)Arbitrary: adj
Definition: making one’s own choices without restrictions or being random.
Sentence: Jake made was quite arbitrary in his choice of colors for his collage that he was painting.
30)Anomaly: noun
Definition: an anomaly is something quite extraordinary or very peculiar. An anomalous person is one who is very different from the norm. An anomaly would be an event that no one has likely seen before or extremely rarely seen.
Sentence: In the pasture of Black Angus cattle, there was a mother cow that gave birth to a white albino calf. What an anomaly!
Monday February 8th
31)Revelation: noun
Definition: A revelation is a sudden realization or sudden idea
Sentence: The prophet Muhammad had a revelation one night from the angel Gabriel, telling him that he was to be the messenger for God.
32)Pillar: noun
Definition: A pillar is a structure that we usually think of as tall – like a column, made of stone, brick or wood. A pillar is usually used for support. In another sense, a pillar is referring to a person who supports society in some way.
Sentence: The mother of the child lost in the Birmingham bombing in 1963 was a pillar of strength to the community as she forged on to help build back the church and face life with an optimistic attitude.
33)Oppose: verb
Definition: To oppose means to go against – or disagree/possibly even fight or rebel
Form: Opposition (noun) If one is in opposition to another, they are opposing each other or having a disagreement.
Synonyms: hostility, disagreement, rivalry
Antonyms: agreement, harmony, compatability