Vocabulary Work Shop Unit 2
Feb 22, 2016
Vocabulary Work Shop
Unit 2
adverseDefinition(adj.) unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile
SentenceNot doing your homework can have an adverse affect on your grade.
aridDefinition(adj.) extremely dry; uninteresting, dull
SentenceSome teachers are very arid in class.
assailantDefinition(n.) a person who attacks violently (with blows or words)
SentenceYou should never be an assailant.
billowDefinition(n.) a large wave; (v.) to rise or swell like a wave
SentenceThe captain looked up and saw the largest wave he’d ever seen in his life billow toward him.
confront
Definition(v.) to meet face-to-face, especially as a challenge; come to grips with
SentenceWhenever someone confronts me I always stand my ground.
constrainDefinition(v.) to force, compel; to restrain hold back
SentenceSome of you need to constrain your desire to talk without raising your hand.
contemporaryDefinition(adj.) belonging to the same period of time as oneself; (n.) a person of the same time
SentenceDominique Wilkins is a contemporary of Michael Jordan.
depictDefinition(n.) to portray; to represent or show in the form of a picture
SentenceAn American Tale depicts the pogroms in Russia during the late 19th century.
disinterestedDefinition(adj.) fair-minded, free from selfish motives; indifferent
SentenceDisinterested may not always mean what you think it means.
encompassDefinition(v.) to encircle, go or reach around; to enclose; to include a with certain group or class SentenceOur classroom discussions usually encompass a wide variety of topics.
groundlessDefinition(adj.) without any good reason or cause, unjustified
SentenceMany of your excuses are groundless.
hypocriteDefinition(n.) a person who pretends to what he or she is not or better than he or she really is; a two-faced person
SentenceMany religious leaders are hypocrites.
incomprehensibleDefinition(adj.) impossible to understand
SentenceNot doing your homework is incomprehensible to me.
manipulateDefinition(v.) to handle or use skillfully; to manage or control for personal gain or advantage
SentenceMy mother-in-law tried to manipulate my children.
maximumDefinition(n.) the greatest possible amount or degree (adj.) reaching the greatest possible amount or degree
SentenceIf you want to be truly successful you must give maximum effort.
mimicDefinition(n.) a person who does imitations; (v.) to imitate; to make fun of
SentenceMy kids like to mimic just about everything I do.
ruffleDefinition(v.) to wrinkle, make uneven; to annoy, upset; to flip through; (n.) a gathered strip of material used for trimming edges; a ripple; a low drumbeat
SentenceWhen you allow people to ruffle your feathers you are giving them what they want.
serene
Definition(adj.) peaceful, calm; free of emotional upset; clear and free of storm; majestic, grandSentenceThere are many places in Alaska that exemplify serene beauty.
sheepishDefinition(adj.) embarrassed; resembling a sheep in meekness, timid
SentenceMost of you are quiet sheepish when you get in trouble.
staminaDefinition(n.) the strength needed to keep going or overcome physical or mental strain; staying power
SentenceBasketball requires more stamina then any other sport.