Term
iota (n.)
As far as science as concerned, there is not one iota of evidence to prove that life exists on other planets. |
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Definition
| a very small quantity or amount. |
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Term
temerity (adj.)
If you have the temerity to jump off the bridge even after hearing about the risk of instant death, you must truly be a fool. |
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Definition
| the quality of being unafraid of danger or punishment in a foolish way. |
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Term
elucidate (v.)
She read everything she could get her hands on that would elucidate and expand her study of the human brain.
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Definition
To make understood, to clarify, to shed light upon something.
Word Family: elucidated, elucidating, elucidates |
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Term
expunge (v.)
The judge directed the court stenographer to expunge the last 3 paragraphs of witness's testimony because she was hysterical. |
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Definition
to strike or blot something out; erase; obliterate.
Word Family: expunged, expunging, expunges |
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Term
gait (n.)
We had slowed to a cautious gait and were feeling our way forward so as not to bump into the trees. |
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Definition
| A person's individual way of walking. |
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Term
purloin (v.)
Jeremy must have purloined a copy of the school's master key because that is the only way he could have gotten into the cafeteria without breaking a window. |
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Definition
To steal something
Word family: purloined, purloins, purloining |
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Term
capacious (adj.)
That mini-van has a capacious storage area which makes it an ideal choice for larger families. |
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Definition
containing or capable of containing a large amount of something.
Word family:capacity, capaciously, capaciousness |
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Term
trepidation (n.)
After listening to the teacher describe how important the NYS ELA test was and all the preparation needed to do well on the test, Pam began to feel her trepidation grow about failing the assessment. |
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Definition
a feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
Word family: trepid, trepidly, trepidity, trepidant, intrepid |
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Term
irascible (adj.)
Unlike his twin brother who never seems to get upset, Colin is irascible and gets angry very quickly. |
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Definition
becoming angry very easily : having a bad temper.
Word Family: irascibility, irascibly, irascibleness |
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Term
pithy (adj)
William Shakespeare was so skilled in using few words in clever and new ways that he is considered one of the most pithy writers ever. |
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Definition
using few words in a clever and effective way.
Word Family: pithier, pithiest |
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