Unit One Grade Seven

1. adjacent ( adj) near, next to, adjoining syn: alongside, nearby, neighboring ant: faraway, distant, remote Ex. We had adjacent seats in the movie theatre and could easily share a tub of popcorn.

2. alight( v) to get down from, step down from; to come down from the air, land (adj) lighted up syn: (v) dismount, descend, land, touch down ant: (v) mount, ascend, board, take off Ex. The butterfly alighted onto the flower so that it might feed.

3. barren ( adj) not productive; bare syn: unproductive, sterile, desolate, arid ant: fertile, productive, fruitful Ex. Since the land was barren, the farm failed.

4. disrupt (v) to break up, disturb syn: upset, displace, disorder ant: organize, arrange Ex. During eighth period, the announcement for the transfer bus disrupts class.

5. dynasty (n) a powerful family or group of rulers that maintains its position or power for some time. syn: ruling house, regime Ex. Since an American president may not hold more than two consecutive terms, there can be no dynasty in the United States.

6. foretaste (n) an advance indication, sample, or warning syn: preview, anticipation Ex. Everyone wanted to see the movie after watching the preview. The foretaste of the thrilling action- packed film made us all want to see it as soon as it came out.

7. germinate (v) to begin to grow, come into being syn: sprout, shoot up, grow, burgeon ant: wither, die, stagnate, shrivel up Ex. The idea for the story germinated quickly and soon the author had written ten pages.

8. humdrum (adj) ordinary, dull, routine, without variation syn: monotonous, uneventful, prosaic, boring ant: lively, exciting, thrilling, exhilarating Ex. A vacation at the beach is never humdrum since there is always something exciting to do!

9. hurtle (v) to rush violently, dash headlong; to fling or hurl forcefully syn: speed, fly, race, catapult, fling ant: crawl, creep Ex. The runner hurtled toward the finish line.

10. insinuate (v) to suggest or hint slyly; to edge into something indirectly syn: imply, intimate ant: barge in, broadcast Ex. When the teacher made comments such as “I’d study this if I were you” and “Knowing this information would be wise,” she was insinuating that a pop quiz was coming soon.

11. interminable (adj)endless, so long as to seem endless syn: never-ending, ceaseless ant: brief, short, fleeting Ex. Eighth period seems interminable when you have plans after school.

12. interrogate (v) to ask questions, examine by questioning syn: question, query Ex. The prosecutor interrogated the witness on the stand.

13. recompense (v) to pay back, to give as a reward (n) a payment for loss, service, or injury syn: (v) repay (n) compensation Ex. As recompense, military personnel who have served their country may receive partial tuition to a state university through the G.I. Bill.

14. renovate (v) to repair, restore to good condition; make new again syn: repair, fix up, recondition Ex. The 1960’s kitchen was renovated to include modern appliances like a dish washer.

15. résumé (n) a brief summary; a short written account of one’s education, working experience, or qualifications for a job syn: synopsis, job history Ex. Her detailed résumé earned her the job.

16. sullen (adj) silent or brooding because of ill humor, anger, or resentment; slow moving, sluggish syn: grumpy, surly, peevish, morose ant: cheerful blithe, sociable, vivacious Ex. After being grounded, the girl stomped sullenly to her room.

17. trickle (v) to flow or fall by drops or in a small stream (n) a small, irregular quantity of anything syn: (v) dribble, drizzle, drip (n) small amount ant: (v) gush, pour, flood (n) deluge Ex. The drought caused the river to dwindle to a mere trickle of water.

18. trivial (adj) not important, minor; ordinary, commonplace syn: insignificant, petty, trifling ant: important, weighty, momentous Ex. Keep trivial details out of a paragraph.

19. truce (n) a pause in fighting, temporary peace syn: cease-fire, armistice ant: war, warfare, fighting Ex. The parents insisted that there be a truce between the constantly battling siblings.

20. vicious (adj) evil, bad; spiteful; having bad habits or an ugly disposition; painfully severe or extreme syn: wicked, malicious, savage ant: good, kind, kindly, mild, harmless Ex. The vicious ruler kept his people in poverty.