Word Masters 2012-2013

• Number each notecard.• Put your initials on each card.• On one side of your notecard print the

vocabulary word.• On the other side write the part of speech,

definitions, and examples.

1. reservoir

• Noun• 1. place for collecting water• 2. something that holds a liquid or fluid The

ink reservoir in the pen was empty.• 3. a place where anything is collected or

accumulated in great amount

2. desecrate

• Verb• To violate or dishonor a sacred or hallowed

place Did the archaeologists desecrate the Indian burial mound when they were searching for artifacts?

3. meticulous

• Adjective• Precise, thorough, extreme care about minute

details He was meticulous about his appearance: his hair precisely parted with every strand in place, his shirt and pants wrinkle-free and sharply creased, his shoes spotless and polished.

4. hue

• Noun• 1. color As the boat was tossed on the waves,

he felt the contents of his stomach rise into his throat, and his face became a greenish hue.

• 2. outcry or clamor When her purse was snatched, the woman let out a loud hue and began chasing the thief.

5. assail

• Verb• 1. assault or attack violently• 2. attack with arguments, criticism, or ridicule• 3. undertake to master He assailed his studies

with new determination.• 4. beset or disturb His mind was assailed with

doubts.

6. lax

• Adjective• 1. careless, negligent He had a lax attitude

when it came to completing his homework.• 2. loose His lax handshake communicated a

weak character.

7. stronghold

• Noun• 1. home, refuge Tern Island in the Pacific

Ocean is the stronghold for the black-footed albatross.

• 2. fortress The army attacked the enemy stronghold and slaughtered those who didn’t surrender.

8. berate

• Verb• Scold, rebuke He was embarrassed when his

mother berated him in public.

9. negligent

• Adjective• 1. lazily careless As she walked through the

kitchen, she gave a negligent wave to her mom who was fixing supper.

• 2. characterized by neglect The authorities arrested the negligent parents who had abandoned their children.

10. canopy

• Noun• An overhead covering The forest canopy

became a solid green fan of pine needles.

11. rivet

• Noun• A metal pin that hold two pieces together• Verb• To hold (the eye, attention, etc.) firmly His

eyes were so riveted to the screen during the fight scenes that he didn’t notice the other people in the theater.

12. germane

• Adjective• Relevant, related, applicable Please keep your

comments germane during the discussion.

13. archives

• Noun• 1. any extensive record or collection of data• 2. a place where public records and historical

documents are stored He went to the NC Department of Archives and History to do research on his Civil War project.

14. strew

• Verb• Scatter or spread widely Trying to ruin Polly’s

reputation, Belinda strew nasty rumors on Facebook. The floor was strewn with crumbs.

15. incongruous

• Adjective• 1. out of place, inconsistent The delicate

butterfly perched on the snout of the dangerous caiman was incongruous.

• 2. inappropriate At cotillion, incongruous behavior from young men or young ladies will not be tolerated.

16. timbre

• Noun• Tone or the characteristic sound produced by

an instrument The timbre of his voice changed as he got angry.

17. envelop (in-vel-op)

• Verb• Surround • To wrap up in or as in a covering Harry was

enveloped in his invisibility cloak.

18. durable

• Adjective• Lasting, enduring, able to resist wear & decay

Uggs may be cute “boots” but they are not durable or suitable for hiking the Appalachian Trail.

19. girth

• Noun• 1. the measure around anything The man had

such a large girth that he couldn’t see his feet.• 2. a band that passes underneath a horse to

hold a saddle in place• Verb• Encircle, to fasten with a girth

20. entreat

• Verb• Ask earnestly, implore, beg He entreated his

teacher not to call his parents about his failing grade.

21. contingent

• Adjective• 1. dependent on Our plans are contingent on

the weather.• 2. uncertain They had to plan for contingent

expenses.• 3. happening by chance, accidental

Contingent occurrences can’t be foreseen.

22. anachronism

• Noun• Something or someone that belongs or seems

to belong to another time The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare.

23. demur

• Verb• To object They tried to nominate Billy to be

the one to go into the cave and fight the monster, but he demurred.

• Antonym - agree

24. ephemeral

• Adjective• Lasting a very short time, brief The joy he got

the time he bungee jumped from the bridge was ephemeral.

• Noun• Short-lived organism like a mayfly• Antonym - permanent

25. array

• Verb• 1. to place in proper or desired order Napoleon

arrayed his troops for battle.• 2. to dress up She arrayed herself in furs and

diamonds.• Noun• A large number We were all agog when we say

the imposing array of books in Jacob’s room.