Level E Unit 2 Vocabulary

Adroit—adj. Skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind Skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind Alex Ovechkin is very adroit with the hockey stick, which makes him one of the best players in the world. Alex Ovechkin is very adroit with the hockey stick, which makes him one of the best players in the world.

Amicable—adj. Peaceable, friendly Peaceable, friendly Elaine and Jerry once dated, and they maintained their friendship after an amicable break-up. Elaine and Jerry once dated, and they maintained their friendship after an amicable break-up.

Averse—adj. Having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling Having a deep-seated distaste; opposed, unwilling Ethan wanted to be a lifeguard, but because he was so averse to swimming, he would never realize this ambition. Ethan wanted to be a lifeguard, but because he was so averse to swimming, he would never realize this ambition.

Belligerent (Adj.) Given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive (Adj.) Given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive When Michigan lost to Notre Dame, Dee became very belligerent and salty. When Michigan lost to Notre Dame, Dee became very belligerent and salty. (N.) one at war; one engaged in war (N.) one at war; one engaged in war The Allied forces and the Axis powers were the belligerents in World War II. The Allied forces and the Axis powers were the belligerents in World War II.

Benevolent—adj. Kindly, charitable Kindly, charitable Though she had very little money herself, the benevolent old lady still gave to charity every week. Though she had very little money herself, the benevolent old lady still gave to charity every week.

Cursory—adj. Hasty, not thorough Hasty, not thorough With just a cursory glance at the student’s essay, the teacher was able to find three grammar errors. With just a cursory glance at the student’s essay, the teacher was able to find three grammar errors.

Duplicity—N. Treachery, deceitfulness Treachery, deceitfulness Benedict Arnold committed a horrible act of duplicity when he plotted to hand over the American fort at West Point to the British. Benedict Arnold committed a horrible act of duplicity when he plotted to hand over the American fort at West Point to the British.

Extol—v. To praise extravagantly To praise extravagantly Rob won Erin’s heart when he wrote her a poem extolling her beauty in very flowery language. Rob won Erin’s heart when he wrote her a poem extolling her beauty in very flowery language.

Feasible—adj. Possible, able to be done Possible, able to be done Early explorers thought it was feasible to find a route to Asia that cut through America. Early explorers thought it was feasible to find a route to Asia that cut through America.

Grimace (n.) a wry face, facial distortion (n.) a wry face, facial distortion Even though he was expecting a bad grade on his math test, Tom still made a grimace when he saw it. Even though he was expecting a bad grade on his math test, Tom still made a grimace when he saw it. (v.) to make a wry face (v.) to make a wry face The contestant’s singing was so bad, all three judges grimaced throughout her performance. The contestant’s singing was so bad, all three judges grimaced throughout her performance.

Holocaust—n. A large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter, a burnt offering A large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter, a burnt offering Germany’s attempt to destroy all of European Jewry is called the Holocaust because the bodies of the victims were cremated. Germany’s attempt to destroy all of European Jewry is called the Holocaust because the bodies of the victims were cremated.

Impervious—adj. Not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance Not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance Superman is impervious to everything except for Kryptonite. Superman is impervious to everything except for Kryptonite.

Impetus—n. A moving force, impulse, stimulus A moving force, impulse, stimulus The impetus for Caesar’s conquest of Gaul was a desire for wealth, glory, and power. The impetus for Caesar’s conquest of Gaul was a desire for wealth, glory, and power.

Jeopardy—n. Danger Danger After he bombed his history test, Bernard realized that his grade was in some serious jeopardy. After he bombed his history test, Bernard realized that his grade was in some serious jeopardy.

Meticulous—adj. Extremely careful; particular about details Extremely careful; particular about details Sherlock Holmes is a meticulous investigator who leaves “no stone unturned.” Sherlock Holmes is a meticulous investigator who leaves “no stone unturned.”

Nostalgia—n. A longing for something past; homesickness A longing for something past; homesickness Class reunions are often characterized by nostalgia as people relive, for a time, their high school days. Class reunions are often characterized by nostalgia as people relive, for a time, their high school days.

Quintessence—n. The purest essence or form of something; the most typical example. The purest essence or form of something; the most typical example. Sean Connery’s James Bond is the quintessence of a suave, sophisticated spy. Sean Connery’s James Bond is the quintessence of a suave, sophisticated spy.

Retrogress—v. To move backward; to return to an earlier condition To move backward; to return to an earlier condition Brendan was doing really well in school, but then he got a concussion, and his schoolwork retrogressed. Brendan was doing really well in school, but then he got a concussion, and his schoolwork retrogressed.

Scrutinize—v. To examine closely To examine closely Eliot Ness scrutinized Al Capone’s books in order to find evidence that Capone had not paid his income taxes. Eliot Ness scrutinized Al Capone’s books in order to find evidence that Capone had not paid his income taxes.

Tepid—adj. Lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest. Lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest. After it’s uninspired performance, the band received only a tepid response from the audience. After it’s uninspired performance, the band received only a tepid response from the audience.