The Odyssey Vocabulary Part I and Part II Mrs. Leach and Mrs. Flatt

Part I

Plunder: (verb) Definition: To take goods by force. Synonym: raid, pillage, sack, loot Sentence: The Capital One Vikings used to pillage and plunder the city but now they have to find real jobs. VIDEO

dispatched: (verb) Definition: Finished quickly; to make haste. Synonym: to hurry Sentence: Once 911 was called they dispatched an ambulance within 5 minutes.

assuage: (verb) Definition: To calm or pacify. Synonym: to soothe Sentence: The wolf dog sung to the baby to assuage it’s crying. VIDEO

bereft: (adjective) Definition: deprived. Synonym: to go without Sentence: Bereft of sleep, the child threw a temper tantrum.

ardor: (noun) Definition: Passion; enthusiasm Synonym: with great intensity Sentence: The fans cheered with great ardor when they found out Italy won The World Cup. VIDEO

insidious: (adjective) Definition: characterized by craftiness and betrayal. Synonym: sly, treacherous Sentence: The traitor’s insidious actions led to the city’s downfall.

contrived: (verb) Definition: thought up; devised. Synonym: mannered, created Sentence: Gru told his minions that he contrived a plan to steal the moon. VIDEO

libations: (noun) Definition: wine or other liquids usually poured upon the ground for sacrifice. Synonym: beverages Sentence: Castor was excited to see the man and yelled out “Libations for everybody!” in the dance club. VIDEO (fast forward to 2:45)

Nectar and ambrosia: (noun) Definition: drink and food of the gods. Sentence: The goddess Hera, wearing a crown, and holding a royal scepter, is served ambrosia and nectar by her daughter Hebe.

mutiny: (adjective) Definition: complete rebellion in which the captain or person in charge is removed from power. Synonym: uprising, revolt Sentence: Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew participated in a mutiny to stop his power. VIDEO

Part II

dissemble: (verb) Definition: conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs. Synonym: to hide or pretend Sentence: In Harry Potter, Draco had to dissemble his true feelings for Hermione. VIDEO

incredulity: (noun) Definition: The state of being unable or unwilling to believe something. Synonym: disbelief, distrust Sentence: “Ralph, felt a flicker of incredulity — a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountaintop, that left no tracks” . . . how was this possible?- The Lord of the Flies

bemused: (verb) Definition: puzzled, confused, or bewildered. Synonym: stunned or confounded Sentence: The dog was bemused by the movement of the escalator. VIDEO

equity: (noun) Definition: the quality of being fair and impartial. Synonym: justice, fairness, justness Sentence: The judge showed great equity when he sentenced the man to life in prison for murder.

maudlin: (adjective) Definition: self pitying or tearfully sentimental. Sentence: Gru had a joyful yet maudlin feeling as he recalled his childhood. VIDEO

contempt: (noun) Definition: The feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn. Synonym: disdain, disregard Sentence: The judge found the man in contempt of court after talking to a new station. VIDEO

haughty: (adjective) Definition: arrogantly superior Synonym: proud, uppity, nose-in-the-air Sentence: The woman shamed the haughty women for spewing racial hatred about her son. VIDEO

wiliest: (adjective) Definition: craftiest; slyest Synonym: cunning Sentence: Wile E. Coyote never gave up. He always came up with the wiliest ways to capture the Road Runner. VIDEO

abyss: (noun) Definition: A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm. Synonym: precipice, depths Sentence: I was sitting in an abyss of boredom.

revelry: (noun) Definition: noisy festivity. Synonym: shouting, celebration Sentence: The men shouted in revelry after winning the war.