1. Unit 2 Vocabulary
7th Grade Language Arts

2. available (adj.) Definition: ready for use, at hand
Synonyms: obtainable, on hand, handy
Antonyms: unobtainable; not to be had; unavailable

3. cater (v.)
Definition: to satisfy the needs of, try to make things easy and pleasant; to supply food and service
Synonyms: pamper, indulge, gratify, provide
Antonyms: frustrate, deny, refuse
Our grandmother cared for the twins all summer, but she refused to cater to their every whim.

4. customary (adj.) Definition: usual, expected, routine
Synonyms: regular, normal, traditional
Antonyms: strange, odd, unusual, untraditional
In the United States, it’s customary to tip your waiter 20 percent of the bill.

5. dissuade (v.) Definition: to persuade not to do something
Synonyms: discourage, talk out of
Antonyms: persuade, talk into
Despite offering big raises and bonuses, the boss was unable to dissuade workers from quitting.

6. entrepreneur (n.)
Definition: a person who starts up and takes on the risk of a business
Synonyms: businessperson, impressario
In the first year of business, an entrepreneur often assumes losses for the sake of future profits.

7. firebrand (n.)
Definition: a piece of burning wood; a troublemaker; an extremely energetic or emotional person
Synonyms: hothead, agitator, rabble-rouser
Antonyms: peacemaker, pacifier, conciliator

8. hazard
Definition: (n.) risk, peril; (v.) to expose to danger or harm; to gamble
Synonyms: (n.) danger; (v.) venture
When asked to predict when the long drought would end, the meteorologist would not hazard a guess.

9. homicide (n.) Definition: the killing of one person by another
Synonyms: manslaughter, murder
Given the convincing evidence, it did not take the jury very long to convict the suspect of homicide.

10. indifference (n.) Definition: a lack of concern or interest
Synonyms: apathy, unconcern
Antonyms: interest, concern, enthusiasm
I don’t care about sports, so the outcome of the Super Bowl was a matter of complete indifference to me.

11. indignant (adj.)
Definition: Filled with resentment or anger over something unjust or mean
Synonyms: offended, resentful, outraged, exasperated
Antonyms: pleased, delighted, overjoyed, elated
Angered by the editorial in the newspaper, my mother wrote an indignant letter to the editor.

12. indispensable (adj.)
Definition: absolutely necessary, not to be neglected
Synonyms: essential, crucial, vital
Antonyms: unnecessary, nonessential, trivial
Oxygen is a gas that is indispensable to life processes.

13. lubricate (v.)
Definition: to apply oil or grease; to make smooth, slippery, or easier to use
Synonyms: oil, grease
The workers had to lubricate the equipment regularly so that production wouldn’t suffer.

14. mutual (adj.)
Definition: shared, felt, or shown equally by two or more
Synonyms: two-sided, joint, shared, reciprocal
Antonyms: one-sided, unilateral
Anyone with a crush on someone hopes that the feeling is mutual, and that they are admired in return.

15. pelt (v.)
Definition: to throw a stream of things; to strike successively; to hurry
Synonyms: bombard, shower, pepper
The children couldn’t resist the urge to pelt the cars with snowballs.

16. plague
Definition: (n.) an easily spread disease causing a large number of deaths; a widespread evil; (v.) to annoy or bother
Synonyms: (n.) pestilence, epidemic; (v.) pester, vex
Antonyms: (n.) boon, blessing
In the 14th century, a plague spread by rats wiped out a quarter of Europe’s population.
Mosquitos will plague the campers if they forget to put on bug spray before their hike.

17. poised (adj.)
Definition: balanced, suspended; calm, controlled; ready for action; put together
Synonyms: collected, self-confident, ready
Antonyms: nervous, tense

18. regime (n.)
Definition: a government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule
Synonyms: administration, rule
The present regime in that country came to power through democratic elections.

19. retard (v.) Definition: to make slow, delay, hold back
Synonyms: slow down, restrain, impede
Antonyms: hasten, speed up

20. transparent (adj.)
Definition: allowing light to pass through; easily recognized or understood; easily seen through or detected.
Synonyms: clear, translucent, obvious
Antonyms: smoky, unclear, indistinct

21. unscathed (adj.) Definition: wholly unharmed; not injured
Synonyms: unhurt, intact, unimpaired
Antonyms: injured, damaged, harmed, hurt
Remarkably, the captain and the entire crew emerged from the wreck unscathed.