1. Wordly Wise 7 By Jason Liao

2. Claustrophobia 1) Noun.- An abnormal fear of narrow, enclosed spaces. 1) Noun.- An abnormal fear of narrow, enclosed spaces. Sentence- Jim’s claustrophobia prevented him from using a crowded elevator. Sentence- Jim’s claustrophobia prevented him from using a crowded elevator.

3. Colleague 1) Noun.- An associate or coworker of similar status. Sentence- Gina’s colleagues helped her restore the database after she clicked the wrong button and deleted all the information.

4. Condescend  1) Verb.- To lower oneself to a position one considers inferior.  Sentence- After winning the Mega Millions, Harold wouldn’t condescend to rent an apartment; instead he bought a mansion.  2) Verb.- To behave in an offensively superior manner.  Sentence- The “queen bee” of the school was condescending the kid of the lower social status by slamming the door in her face.  Condescending. Adjective.- Showing an offensively superior manner  Sentence- Frank’s condescending attitude offended the ethnic group in which Jim was from.

5. Contingent  1) Adjective.- Conditional: depending on something else.  Sentence- Gerry’s plan for going to his friend’s party was contingent on finishing his homework.  2) Adjective.- Likely, but not certain to happen; possible.  Sentence- If a tornado hits, our family's contingent plan is to go straight into the cellar instead of driving away.  3) Noun.- A group that is part of a larger one.  Sentence- The Rutgers swimming contingent led the rest of the NCCA Big East swim teams to the swimming pool.

6. Daunt  1) Verb.- To discourage or intimidate.  Sentence- After Jim received a forty on his science test, he was daunted, and wondered if he could still get an A for the marking period.  Daunting. Adjective.- So difficult or dangerous as to discourage or intimidate.  Sentence- After being told that he was stupid and to get out of the house, Harold ran away on a daunting trek to California.

7. Deluge 1) Noun.- A downpour of rain; a flood. Sentence- The deluge in New Orleans posed electrical hazards; the massive amounts of water knocked down power lines. 2) A flood of anything. Sentence- The deluge of homework wasted seven hours of my life. 3) Verb.- To flood or overwhelm. Sentence- Helm deluged his mother with requests to drive him to the mall until she finally gave in.

8. Dispel 1) Verb.- To clear away; to remove or get rid of, as if by scattering. Sentence- The mouse trap dispelled my fears that mice had crawled under my bed.

9. Fanfare 1) Noun.- A sounding of trumpets or other brass instruments. Sentence- The fanfare filled air as the king returned bravely from the battle. 2) Any showy display. Sentence- The movie star arrived without fanfare; in fact, no one even knew she was had arrived.

10. Dub 1) Verb.- To give a title, nickname, or description to. Sentence- After forgetting to put on deodorant and not showering for a week, the boy was dubbed “Stink Machine.”

11. Fledgling 1) Noun.-A young bird learning to fly. 1) Noun.-A young bird learning to fly. Sentence- The fledgling got the idea of flying after it made short trips from its nest to the fence. Sentence- The fledgling got the idea of flying after it made short trips from its nest to the fence. 2) A young and inexperienced person. 2) A young and inexperienced person. Sentence- Jim, a fledging in the Major Leagues, gave up ten runs in the first inning. Sentence- Jim, a fledging in the Major Leagues, gave up ten runs in the first inning. 3) Adjective.- New and untested. 3) Adjective.- New and untested. Sentence- Ron’s fledgling business fell apart when he received more calls than he could handle. Sentence- Ron’s fledgling business fell apart when he received more calls than he could handle.

12. Inane 1) Adjective.- Empty; shallow or silly. Sentence- The inane conversation of her parents drove Shelly crazy; she fled the room to seek more thoughtful people. Inanity. Noun.- Foolishness; a silly or pointless act. Sentence- The inanity of his action got Tim a conduct report.

13. Mettle 1) Noun.- Courage to bear up under difficult circumstances; spirit. Sentence- Although the Army lost half of their men in many battles, the soldiers’ mettle helped win the war.

14. Negligible 1) Adjective.- Small and unimportant, not worth noticing. 1) Adjective.- Small and unimportant, not worth noticing. Sentence- The officials did not notice the negligible error that could have led to the swimmer’s disqualification. Sentence- The officials did not notice the negligible error that could have led to the swimmer’s disqualification.

15. Protract 1) Verb.- To draw out or lengthen (in time). 1) Verb.- To draw out or lengthen (in time). Sentence- The “minor delay” for the airplane as an extra bag was brought onboard was protracted by the snowstorm. Sentence- The “minor delay” for the airplane as an extra bag was brought onboard was protracted by the snowstorm.

16. Replica  1) Noun. - A copy or reproduction, especially one on a smaller scale than the original.  Sentence- The replica of the 1930 Golden Watch cost thirty dollars, unlike the authentic watch, which sold for one thousand dollars.