Vocabulary Unit 4

alliance(al li ance)

• Definition – (n) a joining together for some common purpose

• On the reality show “Survivor,” some of the people form an alliance in hopes of winning the million dollars.

bewilder(be wil der)

• Definition – (v) to puzzle completely, confuse

• Does Goofy appear to look bewildered?

buffoon(buf foon)

• Definition - (n) a clown

• Do not become the class buffoon.

controversial(con tro ver sial)

• Definition – (adj) arousing argument, or disagreement

• Religion and politics are controversial topics.

dishearten(dis heart en)

• Defiinition - (v) to discourage

• Do not let your team’s losses dishearten you.

fruitless(fruit less)

• Definition – (adj) not producing the desired results, unsuccessful

• His effort proved fruitless in his search for his lost dog.

hostile(hos tile)

• Definition – (adj) unfriendly; unfavorable; warlike

• The prosecutor at the trial called a hostile witness to the stand.

inflammable(in flam ma ble)

• Definition – (adj) easily set on fire; easily angered

• Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

inflict(in flict)

• Definition – (v) to give or cause something unpleasant

• A snake bite will inflict pain.

malignant(ma lig nant)

• Definition – (adj) deadly, extremely harmful, evil

• Is this mole on your skin malignant?

mortify(mor ti fy)

• Definition – (v) to hurt someone’s feelings deeply; to cause embarrassment

• This outfit might mortify you if you had to wear it.

orthodox(or tho dox)

• Definition – (adj) in agreement with established or generally accepted beliefs or ways of doing things

• This novel is about a family who raised their girls in orthodox ways.

procure(pro cure)

• Definition – (v) to obtain through special effort; to bring about

• The cowboys wanted to procure more land for their cattle.

scurry(scur ry)

• Definition – (v) to run quickly, scamper, hurry

• This mouse knows how to scurry when he needs to get away quickly.

sodden(sod den)

• Definition – (adj) soaked with liquid or moisture, expressionless, dull

• The bread was sodden with gravy.

spirited(spir it ed)

• Definition – (adj) full of life and vigor, courageous

• The spirited horse led the parade.

virtual(vir tu al)

• Definition – (adj) having a certain force or effect in fact but not in name; so close as to be equivalent to the real thing

• The children were in awe as they stared at the virtual fish tank.

void

• Definition – (adj) completely empty; (n) empty or unfilled space (v) to cancel or nullify

• Why would you void a check?

wayward(way ward)

• Definition – (adj) disobedient, willful; unpredictable

. Wayward boys were sent to the camp when they broke the law.

wince

• Definition – (v) to draw back suddenly, as though in pain or fear; (n) the act of drawing back in this way

• I could see her wince in pain when the needle pricked her skin.