Vocabulary Week 16Campagna

menial During the great depression, people

were thankful to have work of any kind, no matter how menial.

menial Adj. lowly, humble, lacking importance

or dignity

parry An effective press secretary can parry

almost any question a reporter asks.

parry V. to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade,

avoid

predatory Owls and other predatory birds play an

important role in maintaining the balance of nature.

predatory Adj. preying on, plundering

ravage Swarms of locusts ravage the farmer’s

fields and orchards.

ravage V. to destroy, lay waste, ruin

stance A fashion model’s stance is calculated to

show off a designer’s clothing to the best advantage.

stance N. a way of holding the body; an

attitude or position on an issue

tawdry An excess of gold braid and glittery

beads gave the costumes a tawdry look.

tawdry Adj. showy and flashy but lacking in

good taste

turncoat Strikers generally consider those

workers who cross the picket lines to be turncoat.

turncoat N. a person who switches to an

opposing side or party

unassuming Many celebrities remain unassuming

despite their fame and wealth

unassuming Adj. not putting on a show; modest

wallow After a strenuous hike, I was too tired to

do anything but wallow blissfully in a hot bath.

wallow V. to roll about in a lazy, clumsy, or

helpless way

waver The committee wavered for several

days before choosing the winner of the essay contest.

waver V. to move to and fro, become unsteady;

to show lack of firmness or decision