Vocabulary

//**When I Was Puerto Rican--****Vocabulary Study Guide**//
1. **chronicle**d vt. to record in or as if in a chronicle; list; describe. . . . the songs and poems **chronicled** a life of struggle. . . (12) 2. **intractability** n. unruliness; obstinacy. **intractable** adj. not easily governed, managed or directed; obstinate. . . . a closeness to nature coupled with a respect for its **intractability** (12) 3. **husbandry** n. the control or judicious use of resources; conservation; the cultivation or production of plants and animals. . . . gave information about crops, **husbandry**, and the weather.(12) 4. **hypocrisy** n. a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. . . . I was puzzled by the **hypocrisy** of celebrating a people everyone looked down on.(13) 5. **reprove** vt. to scold or correct, usually gently or with kindly intent; to express disapproval of; censure. vi. to express rebuke or reproof. . . . the eyes. . . as black and **reproving** as the hen’s. . . (15) 6. **rivet**ed vt. to fasten with or as if with rivets; to fasten firmly; to attract and hold (as the attention) completely. . . . my eyes **riveted** on the slow ribbon of smoke. . . (18) 7. **litany** n. a prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the leader with alternate responses by the congregation; a resonant or repetitive chant ; a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration. They were locked in a **litany** choked with should have’s, ought to’s, and why didn’t you’s. (29) 8. **sullen** adj. gloomily or resentfully silent or repressed; dismal, gloomy. Mami was **sullen** and irritable. . . (29) 9. **incite** vt. to move to action **:** stir up **:** spur on **:** urge on. . . our voices dulled lest they **incite** our parents. (29) 10. **transcend**ed vt. to rise above or go beyond the limits of; to triumph over the negative aspects of; overcome. vi. to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits. . . . secrets that **transcended** the hurt. . . (29) 11. **transgression**s n. the exceeding of due bounds or limits; violation of a law, command or duty. . . . subtle **transgressions**. . . meant a beating. (32) 12. **injunction**s n. a command or order; a court order prohibiting a party from a specific course of action. Her **injunctions** were always about not punching them too hard. (32) 13. **cachet** n. an indication of approval carrying great prestige; a characteristic feature conferring prestige; prestige. . . . Santurce. . . had become as much a metropolis as the capital, though with little of its **cachet.** (37) 14. **austere** adj. stern and cold in appearance or manner; somber, grave; morally strict; ascetic; simple or unadorned; without excess or luxury. An **austere** Evangelical church rose next to a botánica. . . (38) 15. **jeer**ed v. taunt; laugh at with contempt and derision. "What a jíbara," children **jeered** when I recited a poem. . . (39) 16. **pungent** adj. sharp or biting, especially in taste or smell. . . . the **pungent** smells of restaurants and car exhaust. (39) . . . her bittersweet breath, **pungent** of beer and cigarettes. (215) 17. **purse**d vt. pucker**;** contract one's lips into a rounded shape. Dona Mina. . . **pursed** her lips toward me. (41) 18. **striated** adj. marked with **striation**s n. a minute groove, scratch, or channel especially when one of a parallel series. [The eggs] looked like soft marbles, pink shooters **striated** with red. . . (47) . . . round calves **striated** with varicose veins and dark, curly hair. (109) 19. **dissipate**d vt. to break up and drive off (as a crowd); to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish; to lose (as heat or electricity) irrecoverably. vi. to break up and scatter or vanish. . . . before the flavor **dissipated** into the familiar bittersweet oregano and garlic. (48) 20. **distraught** adj. agitated with doubt or mental conflict. Juanita Marín was **distraught** [at the idea of crossed eyes getting stuck]**.** (48) 21. **guffaw**ed vi. laugh boisterously. Dona Lola **guffawed**. (56) 22. **brusque**ly adj. markedly short and abrupt; blunt in manner or speech. She. . . got up from her stool **brusquely**, startling Alicia. . . (56) 23. **gingerly** adj./adv. very cautious or careful. The rest of us stepped out **gingerly**. . . (59) 24. **imperialist** n. one who advocates extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas. “Well, [Eisenhower]’s an **imperialist**, just like all the other gringos!” (71) 25. **goad** vt. to prod or urge as if with a **goad** or stick. . . . we rushed ahead in a wave, **goaded** from behind by boys who crushed against us. . . (74) 26. **exasperate** vt. to excite the anger of; enrage; to cause irritation or annoyance to. “I don’t know!” she said, **exasperated.** (80) 27. **compensate**d vt. to make an appropriate payment to; to neutralize the effect of. vi. to supply an equivalent (used with for); to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect. A consoling warmth **compensated** for the milky smell. . . (82) 28. **recede**d vi. to move back or away; withdraw; to grow less or smaller; diminish, decrease. . . . children around me jumped and **receded** into a tittery circle of faces. . . (82) . . . backgrounds **receded** into a blur. . . (95) 29. **labyrinth** n. a place constructed of intricate passageways and blind alleys; a maze formed by paths separated by high hedges; something extremely complex in structure; intricacy. . . . forming a **labyrinth** of aisles. . . (87) 30. **exhort**ed vt. to incite by argument or advice **:** urge strongly. vi. to give warnings or advice **:** make urgent appeals. . . . an Evangelist **exhorted** his listeners to abandon their sinful lives. . . (92) 31. **opulent** adj. sumptuous, luxurious; characterized by **opulence** n. wealth, affluence; abundance, profusion. . . . Abuela’s room was **opulent**, with its [nice décor]. (94) 32. **mesmerize** vt. hypnotize; spellbind. I had sat **mesmerized** in the almost holy silence. . . (94) Mami sat **mesmerized** through the whole pageant. (259) 33. **cadence**s n. a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language; the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity. . . . their voices soft but strained. . . into these secret **cadence**s. (103) 34. **ominous** adj. being or exhibiting an omen; portentous; foreboding or foreshadowing evil; inauspicious. We heard the **ominous** quiet of the hurricane’s eye (109) 35. **vigilance** n. attentiveness; paying close and continuous attention. **. . .** I took advantage of Gloria's **vigilance** with the younger kids to make my own getaway (114) 36. **avert** vt. to turn away or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance; to see coming and ward off; avoid. But I. . . couldn’t **avert** my eyes quickly enough to miss their hate-filled looks. (123) 37. **charlatan**s n. a deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes. "I'll find a specialist . . . not like those **charlatans** in white coats who call themselves doctors." (157) 38. **inhibited** adj. held back, restrained or prevented. . . . they lived dull, **inhibited** lives. (164) 39. **infallible** adj. incapable of failure or error. Our family never went to church, and I worried that people who did were **infallible** and we were wrong in our willful resistance to religious guidance. (164) 40. **impertinent** adj. improperly forward or bold. . . . if they all thought I was a spoiled, disrespectful, **impertinent** brat. (166) 41. **precocious** adj. appearing, developing or maturing early. But my fear was too great, my conscience too **precocious** to allow me to **relinquish** control of my well-guarded soul. (175) 42. **relinquish** vt. give up; release; yield. see above; and But I felt as if by handing [my books] over I would be **relinquishing** something more precious than my math homework. (196) 43. **imperceptible** adj. impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses. . . . an almost **imperceptible** tremor. . . (178) 44. **euphemisms** n. an inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive. But Titi Generosa wasn't inclined toward elegant speech, nor toward **euphemisms**. (182) 45. **obliterate** vt. to make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or wearing away; to remove utterly from recognition or memory; to remove from existence; destroy utterly all trace, indication or significance of. . . . open sewers. . . **obliterated** the spicy smells. . . (183) . . . a fog of pain that **obliterated** all hope. . . (204) 46. **impropriety** n. improper behavior or character; an improper act. I heard them whisper at the **impropriety** of my roving about unaccompanied. . . (183) 47. **ingenuousness** n. openly straightforward or frank; the quality of innocent naivete. The freedom I gained from Titi Generosa's **ingenuousness** was usually given only to boys. . . (183) 48. **sequestered** vt. to set apart; segregate; seclude; withdraw. . . . she remained **sequestered** in her pink room. . . (185) 49. **enthralled** vt. to enchant, charm, or hold spellbound. I was puzzled and frightened by this transformation but at the same time **enthralled** by it. (189) 50. **palpable** adj. capable of being perceived by the senses or the mind; especially capable of being handled, touched or felt. . . . to chill the heat [men's looks] gave off, **palpable** as the clothes I wore. (190) 51. **morose** adj. showing a brooding ill humor; sullen; gloomy. [Papi] was. . . withdrawn. . . **morose**. . . (191) . . . Chico was quiet and **morose**. (247) 52. **diminish** vt. lessen the authority, dignity or reputation of; decrease in size, extent or range. Each word **diminished** them, flattened them. . . (207) 53. **disfigure** vt. to mar or spoil the appearance of. . . . a dim spotlight that **disfigured** their features into **grimaces**. (207) 54. **grimace** n. a contorted facial expression, usually of disgust, disapproval, or pain. see above**.** 55. **inscrutable** adj. difficult to interpret or understand; [|mysterious]. . . . Papi, his face **inscrutable**. . . (209) 56. **inducement** n. a motive or consideration that leads one to action. . . . her handbag, which we worried was an **inducement** for muggers, since it was big and bulging. (246) 57. **dour** adj. silently ill-humored; gloomy; sternly obstinate; unyielding. . . . the receptionist with the **dour** expression who wouldn't smile. . . (250) 58. **dishevelled** adj. in disarray; rumpled. . . . her hair **dishevelled** and her eyes cast down and **furtive**. (250) 59. **furtive** adj. quietly cautious and secretive; sly. see above. 60. **incoherent** adj. unable to think or express one's thoughts clearly, fluently or logically. Tata was sometimes dependable, but just as often she was **incoherent**. . . (254) 61. **façade** n. the front of a building; an artificial or deceptive front or appearance. . . . the **façades** of the buildings opened into dark hallways. . . (260) 62. **breach** vt. to make a hole or gap in; break through. . . . if so many locks had to be **breached** to go in or step out. (260) 63. **proclivity** n. a natural inclination; tendency. ". . . a tigress . . . with unmentionable **proclivities** suppressed on the side." (261) 64. **impeccably** adj. faultless; flawless; perfect. . . . I faced these three **impeccably** groomed women. . . (264) (used as an adv. in the book)

JFK's Inaugural Address
1. forebears n. ancestor, forefather. 2. prescribed vt. to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action. 3. heirs n. a person who is entitled to inherit the estate of another. 4. tempered adj. 1. made hard or flexible, especially by heat. 2. adjusted by adding a counter-balancing element. 5. heritage n. 1. practices that are handed down from the past by tradition. 2. something possessed as a result of one's situation or birth. 6. committed vt. 1. to carry into action deliberately. 2. to pledge or assign to some particular course or use. 7. assure vt. 1. to make safe. 2. to make sure or certain. 3. to make certain the coming or attainment of. 8. pledge vt. to promise the performance of. 9. asunder adv. 1. into parts. 2. apart from each other in position. 10. tyranny n. 1. oppressive power. 2. a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler 11. alliance n. 1. a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals. 2. an association to further the common interests of the members. 12. aggression n. 1. a forceful action or procedure (as an unprovoked attack) especially when intended to dominate or master. 2. the practice of making attacks or encroachments. 3. hostile, injurious, or destructive behavior or outlook, especially when caused by frustration. 13. subversion n. a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within. 14. sovereign adj. 1. possessed of supreme power. 2. enjoying autonomy or self-rule. 15. invective n. 1. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach. 2. an angry accusation. 3. an insulting or abusive word or expression. 16. adversary n. one that contends with, opposes, or resists; enemy. 17. civility n. 1. civilized conduct, courtesy, politeness. 2. a polite act or expression. 18. negotiate vi. to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter. 19. belaboring vt. 1. to attack verbally. 2. to explain or insist on excessively. 20. formulate vt. 1. to devise or develop. 2. to express in precise form. 21. invoke vt. 1. to put into effect or operation 2. to petition for help or support. 22. eradicate vt. to do away with as completely as if by pulling up by the roots. 23. commerce n. 1. social intercourse : interchange of ideas, or sentiments. 2. the exchange or buying and selling of commodities. 24. oppressed n. those who are burdened psychologically or mentally. 25. beachhead n. an area on a hostile shore occupied to secure further landing of troops and supplies. 26. endeavor n. 1. serious determined effort. 2. activity directed toward a goal. 27. preserved adj. 1. kept safe from injury, harm, or destruction. 2. kept alive, intact, or free from decay. 28. summons vt. 1. to call upon to do something specified. 2. to call for the presence of, as by command or signal. 3. to call into action; rouse; call forth. 29. tribulation n. 1. grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering. 2. an instance of this; an affliction, trouble, etc. 30. forge v. to form or make, esp. by concentrated effort. 31. shrink v. to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance.

MLK's "I Have a Dream"
1. emancipation n. the act or process of setting free from the power of another, from slavery, subjection, dependence, or controlling influence; also, the state of being thus set free; liberation. 2. proclamation n. something that is proclaimed; a public and official announcement. 3. momentous adj. of great or far-reaching importance or consequence. 4. decree n. 1. a formal and authoritative order, esp. one having the force of law 2. a judicial decision or order. 5. seared vt. to char, scorch, or burn the surface of with (or as if with) a hot instrument. 6. withering adj. 1. drying up or shriveling from (or as if from) loss of moisture 2. losing freshness; drooping. 7. manacles n. shackles for the hand; handcuffs; restraints. 8. segregation n. the policy or practice of separating people of different races, classes, or ethnic groups, as in schools, housing, and public facilities, especially as a form of discrimination. 9. languishing vi. 1. to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade. 2. to lose vigor and vitality. 3. to undergo neglect or experience prolonged inactivity; suffer hardship and distress. 4. to be subjected to delay or disregard; be ignored. 10. exile n. 1. a person banished from his or her native land. 2. anyone separated from his or her country or home voluntarily or by force of circumstances. 11. promissory adj. 1. containing or implying a promise 2. promissory note n. a written promise to pay a specified sum of money to a designated person at a fixed time or on demand. 12. heir n. see JFK list. 13. unalienable adj. not to be separated, given away, or taken away; inalienable. 14. defaulted vi. to fail to do what is required. 15. obligation n. 1. a binding promise, contract, sense of duty, etc. 2. the act of binding or obliging oneself by a promise, contract, etc. 3. a debt of gratitude. 16. insufficient adj. 1. not sufficient; lacking in what is necessary or required 2. deficient in force, quality, or amount; inadequate. 17. hallowed adj. regarded as holy; venerated; sacred. 18. desolate adj. 1. barren or laid waste; devastated. 2. deserted; uninhabited. 3. solitary; lonely. 4. having the feeling of being abandoned by friends or by hope; forlorn. 5. dreary; dismal; gloomy. 19. sweltering adj. 1. suffering oppressive heat. 2. characterized by oppressive heat; sultry. 20. tranquility n. quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity. 21. threshold n. 1. the entrance to a house or building. 2. any place or point of entering or beginning. 22. degenerate vi. 1. to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. 2. to diminish in quality, esp. from a former state of coherence, balance, integrity, etc. 23. engulfed vt. 1. to swallow up in or as in a gulf; submerge. 2. to plunge or immerse, as into a gulf. 24. evidenced vt. 1. to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest. 2. to support by evidence. 25. inextricably adj. 1. incapable of being disentangled, undone, loosed, or solved. 26. pledge vt. see JFK list. 27. ghetto n. a section of a city, esp. a thickly populated slum area, inhabited predominantly by members of an ethnic or other minority group, often as a result of social or economic restrictions, pressures, or hardships. 28. tribulations n. see JFK list. 29. quest n. a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something. 30. persecution n. a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs. 31. redemptive adj. 1. serving to redeem 2. of or pertaining to redemption or salvation. 32. wallow vi. 1. to roll about or lie in water, snow, mud, dust, or the like. 2. to live self-indulgently; luxuriate; revel. 3. to flounder about; move along or proceed clumsily or with difficulty. 33. creed n. 1. any system, doctrine, or formula of religious belief or of opinion. 34. oppression n. 1. the exercise of power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. 2. an act or instance of oppressing 3. the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically. 35. oasis n. 1. a small fertile or green area in a desert, usually having a spring or well. 2. something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc 36. nullification n. the act of nullifying; making null and void; counteracting or overriding the effect or force of something. 37. exalted adj. 1. raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station. 2. noble; lofty. 38. hew vt. 1. to strike forcibly with an ax, sword, or other cutting instrument; chop; hack. 2. to make, shape, smooth, etc., with cutting blows. 3. to sever (a part) from a whole by means of cutting blows. 39. transform vt. 1. to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose. 2. to change in condition, nature, or character; convert. 40. jangling adj. producing discordant sounds. 41. discords n. 1. lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things; tension or strife resulting from a lack of agreement; dissension. 2. a confused or harsh sound or mingling of sounds. 42. prodigious adj. 1. extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc. 2. wonderful

Q3 Vocabulary List
1. prologue: n. An introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play. 2. choler: n. Anger, irritability. 1:1:5 (Sampson): “I mean, and we be in choler, we’ll draw.” 3. valiant: adj. Possessing valor; brave. 1:1:9 (Gregory): “To move is to stir, and to be valiant, is to stand.” 4. profane: vt. To treat with irreverence (“to profane the name of God”). To put in an improper, unworthy or degrading use: abuse, violate. 1:1:85 (Prince): “Profaners of this neighbor-stainèd steel—“ 5. pernicious: adj. Tending to cause death or serious injury; deadly 1:1:87 (Prince): “the fire of your pernicious rage” 6. forfeit: n. Something surrendered or subject to surrender as punishment vt. 1) To surrender, be deprived of, or give up the right to 1:1:100 (Prince): “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” 7. adversary: n. An opponent or enemy. 1:1:109 (Benvolio): “Here were the servants of your adversary” 8. augment: vt. To make (something already developed or well under way) greater, as in size, extent, or quantity: vi. To become augmented; increase. 1:1:135 (Montague): “With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew” 9. portentous: adj 1) Foreboding, full of unspecifiable significance: exciting wonder and awe. 2) Marked by pompousness; pretentiously weighty. 1:1:144 (Montague): “Black and portentous must this humor prove” 10. transgression: n. A violation of law, command or duty; the exceeding of due bounds or limits. 1:1:188 (Romeo): “Why, such is love’s transgression.” 11. propagate: vt. To cause to multiply, increase or breed1:1:190 (Romeo): “Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest with more of thine.” 12. purge: vt. 1) To free from impurities; purify; cleanse. 1:1:194 (Romeo): “Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes” 13. vex: vt. 1) To annoy, as with petty things. 2) to puzzle. 3) To bring distress or suffering to 1:1:195 (Romeo): “Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.” 14. assail: vt. 1) To attack as if with violent blows; assault. 1:1:216 (Romeo): “Nor bide th’ encounter of assailing eyes.” 15. posterity: n. Future generations. 1:1:223 (Romeo): “Cut beauty off from all posterity.” 16. bliss: n. 1) Extreme happiness; ecstasy. 1:1:225 (Romeo): “To merit bliss by making me despair.” 17. forswear: vt. 1) To renounce or repudiate under oath. 2) To make oneself guilty of perjury. vi. To swear falsely; commit perjury. 1:1:226 (Romeo): “She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow” 1:5:54(Romeo): “Did my heart love til now? Forswear it, sight!” 3:2:87 (Nurse): “All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers.” 18. poised: adj. Marked by balance or equilibrium. poise n. Easy self-possessed assurance of manner vt. To hold in equilibrium, to balance. vi. To be balanced or held in suspension. 1:2:96 (Benvolio): “Herself poised with herself in either eye” 19. nimble: adj. Quick, light or agile in movement or action; deft 1:4:15(Romeo): “With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead” 20. inconstant: adj. Changing often and without discernible reason; fickle. 1:4:100 (Mercutio): “And more inconstant than the wind” 4:1:119-120 (Friar): “If no inconstant toy nor womanish fear / Abate thy valor” 21. untimely: adj. 1) Occurring at an inappropriate time; premature adv. inopportunely; prematurely. 1:4:111 (Romeo): “By some vile forfeit of untimely death” 3:1:120 (Benvolio): “Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.” 4:5:28(Capulet): “Death lies on her like an untimely frost.” 22. disparagement: insults. disparage vt. To belittle or reduce in esteem 1:5:72 (Capulet): “I would not for the wealth of all this town/Here in my house do him disparagement” 23. semblance: n. An outward or token appearance. 1:5:76 (Capulet): “An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast” 24. wax: vi. To increase gradually in size, number or intensity. 1:5:128 (Capulet): “ it waxes late” 25. prodigious: adj. Impressively great in size, force or extent; extraordinary; marvelous; monstrous 1:5:142 (Juliet) “Prodigious birth of love it is to me/That I must love a loathèd enemy.” 26. invocation: n. The act of summoning support or inspiration; especially an appeal to a higher power for assistance. 2:1:27(Mercutio): “my invocation / Is fair and honest” 27. discourse: vi. To speak or write formally and at length; to engage in conversation or discussion; converse. n. Verbal exchange; conversation. 2:2:13(Romeo): “Her eye discourses; I will answer it.” 3:5:52-53 (Romeo): “and all these woes shall serve / For sweet discourses in our times to come.” 28. enmity: n. Deep-seated, often mutual hatred. 2:2:73 (Romeo): “And I am proof against their enmity” 29. perjury: n. 1) In law, the deliberate, willful giving of false testimony under oath. 2) The breach of an oath or promise. perjure (vt.): 1) In law, to give false testimony under oath. 2) To breach an oath or promise. 2:2:92 (Juliet): “At lovers’ perjuries, / They say Jove laughs.” 3:2:86 (Nurse): “No faith, no honesty in men; all perjured” 3:3:128 (Friar): “Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury.” 30. perverse: adj. 1) Directed away from what is right or good; perverted. 2) Contrary; marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict. 2:2:96 (Juliet): “I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,” 31. repose: n. 1) The act of resting or the state of being at rest. 2) Freedom from worry; peace of mind. vt. 1) to lay oneself down. 2) to rest or relax oneself. 2:2:123 (Juliet): “As sweet repose and rest / Come to thy heart as that within my breast!” 32. strife: n. Heated, often violent dissension; bitter conflict. 2:2:152 (Juliet): “ cease thy strife and leave to my grief.” 33. sallow: adj. Of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion. 2:3:70 (Friar): “What a deal of brine / Hath washed thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline!” 34. chide: vt. To scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand. vi. To express disapproval. 2:3:85 (Romeo): “I pray thee chide me not.” 4:1:73-74 (Friar): “thou wilt undertake / A thing like death to chide away this shame” 35. rancor: n. Bitter, long-lasting resentment or anger. 2:3:92 (Friar): “To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” 36. devise: vt. To form, plan or arrange in the mind. 2:4:186-7 (Romeo): “Bid her devise / Some means to come to shrift this afternoon.” 37. feign: vt. 1) a] To give a false appearance of 2:5:16(Juliet): “But old folks, many feign as they were dead” 38. unwieldy: adj. 1) Difficult to carry or manage because of bulk or shape. 2) Clumsy; ungainly. 2:5:16(Juliet): “Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead.” 39. consort: vi. 1) To keep company; associate. 2) To be in accord or agreement. n. 1) A companion or partner, especially the spouse of a monarch. Music.: An ensemble of players or group of instruments of the same family. 3:1:46(Tybalt): “Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo.” 3:1:47(Mercutio): “Consort? What, does thou make us minstrels?” 3:1:132 (Tybalt): “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here.” 40. martial: adj. Of or relating to war or the armed forces 3:1:163-4 (Benvolio): “with martial scorn, with one hand beats / Cold death aside” 41. dexterity: n. Skill and grace in physical or mental movement; adroitness. 3:1:164-6 (Benvolio): “And with the other sends / It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity / Retorts it.” 42. exile: vt. To send into exile, to banish. n. Enforced removal from one’s native country; self-imposed absence from one’s country. 2) The condition or a period of living away from one’s native country. 3) One who lives away from one’s native country, whether because of expulsion or voluntary absence. 3:1:189 (Prince): “Immediately we do exile him hence.” 43. amorous: adj. Strongly attracted or disposed to love, especially sexual love 3:2:8 (Juliet): “Lovers can see to do their amorous rites.” 5:3:102-103 (Romeo): “Shall I believe / That unsubstantial Death is amorous” 44. garish: adj. Marred by strident color or excessive ornamentation; gaudy. 3:2:25(Juliet): “And pay no worship to the garish sun.” 45. tedious: adj. Tiresome due to length, slowness, or dullness; boring. 3:2:28(Juliet): “So tedious is this day” 46. bier: n. A stand on which a corpse or coffin containing a corpse is placed before burial; a coffin along with its stand. 3:2:60 (Juliet): “And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier!” 47. banish: vt. To force to leave a country or place by official decree; exile; to drive away; expel. 3:2:69 (Nurse): “Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banishèd” 48. dissemble: vt. 1) To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance; disguise. 3:2:87 (Nurse): “All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers.” 49. adversity: n. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune; a calamitous event. 3:3:55(Friar): “Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy.” 50. rail: vi. To express objections or criticisms in bitter, harsh or abuse language; scold. 3:3:119 (Friar): “Why railest thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth?” 51. fickle: adj. Characterized by erratic changeableness or instability, esp, with regard to affections or attachments; capricious. 3:5:60-64 (Juliet): “O Fortune, Fortune! All men call thee fickle. / If thou art fickle, what does thou with him / That is renowned for faith? Be fickle, Fortune, / For then I hope though wilt not keep him long / But send him back.” 52. inundate: vt. To overwhelm or cover, esp. with floodwaters. 4:1:12(Paris): “To stop the inundation of her tears” 53. prostrate: vt. To make (oneself) bow or kneel down in humility or adoration. adj. Lying face down, as in submission, adoration or exhaustion. 4:2:20(Juliet): “ enjoined / By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here” 54. melancholy: n. Sadness or depression of the spirits. adj. Affected with or marked by depression of the spirits; sad. 4:5:84-86 (Capulet): “All things that we ordainèd festival / Turn from their office to black funeral--//Our instruments to melancholy bells” 55. dirge: n. 1) Music: A funeral hymn or lament. 2) Lit: A mournful or elegiac poem or other literary work. 4:5:87-88 (Capulet): “Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change” 56. penury: n. Extreme want or poverty. 5:1:49-52 (Romeo): “Noting this penury, to myself I said, / ‘And if a man did need a poison now / Whose sale is present death in Mantua, / Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him.’” 57. obsequy: n. pl. obsequies. A funeral rite or ceremony. Often used in the plural. 5:3:16-17 (Paris): “The obsequies that I for thee will keep / Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.” 58. inexorable: adj. Not capable of being persuaded by entreaty; relentless; unstoppable. 5:3:36-37 (Romeo): “More fierce and more inexorable far / Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.” 59. auspicious: adj. Attended by favorable circumstances; propitious 5:3:111 (Romeo): “And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars” 60. sepulcher: n. A burial vault. 5:3:140-141 (Friar): “what blood is this which stains / The stony entrance of this sepulcher?” 5:3:206-207 (Lady Capulet): “ this sight of death is as a bell / That warns my old age to a sepulcher.” 61. ambiguity: n. Doubtfulness or uncertainty as regards interpretation. 5:3:217 (Prince): “Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while, / Till we can clear these ambiguities.” 62. betroth: vt. To promise to give in marriage, to promise to marry. adj. betrothed: Engaged to be married. n. betrothed: A person to whom one is engaged to be married. 5:3:238 (Friar): “You, to remove that siege of grief from her, / Betrothed and would have married her perforce / To County Paris.” Definitions are from The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin (Microsoft Bookshelf ’95).
 * Romeo & Juliet Vocabulary**

Q4 Vocabulary List
1. malleable adj. 1) capable of being extended or shaped: capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences 2: having a capacity for adaptive change. He’s too malleable. Too willing to submerge himself in someone else’s will (1). 2. rescind vt. 1) to take away, remove, take back, cancel. 2) to abrogate (a contract) and restore the parties to the positions they would have occupied had there been no contract. 3) to make void, repeal. . . . they would like to rescind the waivers (4). 3. forestall vt. to exclude, hinder or prevent by prior measures. Ender. . . was trying to figure out a way to forestall vengeance (5). 4. vivisect vt. to perform vivisection on. vivisection n. 1 : the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation. “We’re gonna vivisect you, bugger” (9). 5. commiserate vi. to feel or express sympathy vt. to feel or express sorrow or compassion for. Mother came home and commiserated with Ender about the monitor (11). 6. extenuate vt. to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of by making partial excuses: mitigate. “We’re willing to consider extenuating circumstances” (14). 7. ambiguous adj. 1) doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness. 2) capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways. “. . . but in fact, their feelings are still ambiguous” (16). 8. assimilation n. the act, process or state of being assimilated. assimilate. v. 1) to take in and utilize as nourishment, absorb into the system. 2) to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend. “. . you interfere with their efforts at assimilation into normal complying society” (17). 9. disorientation n. the state of being disoriented. disorient v. to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship. They say that weightlessness can cause disorientation (21). 10. deftly adv. characterized by facility and skill. Deftly he propelled him down the aisle. . . (24). 11. opaque adj. 1) exhibiting opacity : blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light. 2) hard to understand or explain. . . . a sheet of opaque plastic (29). 12. flamboyant adj. 1 marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior. They were wearing much more flamboyant clothing (31). 13. maladroit n. lacking adroitness: inept, awkward. “Maladroit,” Bernard called him once, and the name stuck (36). 14. hierarchy n. 1) the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified. 2) a graded or ranked series. Bernard was setting up a kingdom. . . [and] established the hierarchy (36). 15. dissociate vt. to separate from association or union with another. .trying to dissociate himself from her contempt for the boys (57). 16. contempt n. the state of mind of one who despises; disdain. . . . her contempt for the boys. . . (57). 17. swagger vi. 1) to conduct oneself in an arrogant or pompous manner; especially to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence. He was imitating her swaggering way of speaking . . . (57). 18. initiative n. 1) an introductory step. 2) energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise. . . . the individual soldiers were given little initiative (61). 19. gall vt. to irritate, vex. [I]t seemed as if Ender were granting him his command as a favor. Galling, and yet he had no choice (63). 20. magnanimous adj. showing or suggesting a lofty spirit, nobility of feeling and generosity of mind. Ender had beaten him . . . by being magnanimous (63). 21. orientation n. a general direction of inclination or interest; alignment. Ender had found the orientation that made sense (64). 22. carnage n. 1) the flesh of slain animals or men. 2) great and usually bloody slaughter or injury. . . . they hoped the enemy would overlook them in the carnage (67). 23. symmetrical adj. capable of division by a longitudinal plane into similar halves. “Either random distribution of the stars, or symmetrical” (70). 24. hegemony n. preponderant influence or authority over others: domination. “I reserve the right to communicate with the Hegemony . . .”(71). 25. insubordinate adj. disobedient to authority. “You’re not only short and incompetent, you’re insubordinate, too”(75). 26. spawn n. offspring. vt. to have offspring. “I’m the bloody bastard you wanted when you had me spawned.” (85). 27. gullible adj. easily duped or cheated. “. . . hopelessly ignorant, gullible news writers” (90). 28. façade n. 1) the front of a building or any face of a building given special architectural treatment. 2) a false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect. The façade of peace and cooperation . . . (90). 29. exploit vt. 1) to make productive use of: utilize. 2) to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage. She didn’t ever want to exploit people the way Peter did . . . (91). 30. empathize vi. to understand, be aware of, be sensitive to, and vicariously experience the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another. . . . she could empathize with him enough to get inside him that way (91). 31. flux n. change, fluctuation. . . . there are times when the world is in flux (91). 32. manipulate vt. 1) to manage or utilize skillfully. 2) to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage. He’s manipulating me, she thought, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t sincere (94). 33. entity n. something that has separate and distinct existence. . . . the Second Warsaw Pact was to be regarded as a single entity where those rules were concerned. (97). 34. nuance n. a subtle distinction or variation. Ender and Alai were discussing the nuances of open-space maneuvers . . . (99). 35. incognito adj. with one's identity concealed. “Demosthenes can not remain incognito forever” (101). 36. pseudonym n. a fictitious name; pen name. . . . hide behind his too-appropriate pseudonym . . . (101). 37. discreet adj. 1) having or showing good judgment in conduct and especially in speech: prudent. 2) unpretentious, modest, unobtrusive. The soldiers followed at a discreet distance . . . (102). 38. acquiescence n. the act of accepting, complying, or submitting tacitly or passively. His acquiescence calmed her (105). 39. denunciation n. an act of denouncing; especially : a public condemnation. Demosthenes published a scathing denunciation . . . (109). 40. annihilation n. the act of vanquishing completely. . . . no invasion could ever threaten the human race with annihilation (109)/ 41. divisive adj. creating disunity or dissension. It wasn’t to unify the group—in fact, it was divisive (119). 42. arcane adj. secret, mysterious, obscure. “Not archaic, just arcane. Secret, subtle, roundabout (121). 43. leniency n. the quality or state of being compassionate, merciful, easygoing. Let the boys learn that leniency comes from their toon leaders, and harshness from their commander . . .(128). 44. ineptitude adj. lacking in fitness or aptitude; unfit, bungling. . . . it was only Bonzo’s ineptitude that had saved them (137). 45. disingenuous adj. giving a false appearance of simple frankness: calculating. “Do not be disingenuous with me, Colonel Graff” (141). 46. inertia n. 1) a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force. 2) indisposition to motion, exertion, or change. . . .inertia in flight was a tool that could be used against the enemy. . . (43). 47. conciliatory adj. characterized by the desire to appease or make compatible. . . . she was too pacific, too conciliatory. . . (161). 48. misgivings n. a feeling of doubt or suspicion especially concerning a future event. In spite of all her misgivings, Valentine was having fun being Demosthenes (161). 49. deteriorate vt. to make inferior in quality or value, to impair. vi. to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition. . . . this would make the quality of Demosthenes’ columns deteriorate (162). 50. derisive adj. expressing or causing scorn or ridicule. “I will overlook your derisive language to a superior officer” (173). 51. atrophied adj. characterized by atrophy. n. a decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; degeneration. “. . . most bugger soldiers are females, but with atrophied or vestigial sexual organs” (174). 52. gluttonous adj. marked by or given excessive or greedy indulgence. “And yet you are unpleasantly fat. A gluttonous ascetic? Such a contradiction” (180). 53. ascetic n. one who practices practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline. adj. austere in appearance, manner, or attitude. “a gluttonous ascetic” (180). 54. devious adj. not straightforward, cunning, deceptive. The computer-controlled enemy was devious and powerful. . . (181). 55. adept adj. thoroughly proficient, expert. . . . he became more adept at controlling the fighter’s speed (182). 56. disconcertvt. to throw into confusion or disturb the composure of.. . this was something deliberate, meant to disconcert him(183). 57. inscrutable adj. not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood, mysterious. Mazer’s face went inscrutable (187). 58. subtle adj. delicate, elusive, artful. t was subtle. Ender couldn’t see it for a long time (188). 59. sentient adj. responsive to or conscious of sense impressions, aware. . . . living, sentient beings. . . . (189). 60. deploy vt. to place in appropriate positions; to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose. . . . the faster he could deploy them, the better he could use them (192). 61. exhilarating adj. causing exhilaration. exhilarate vt. to make cheerful and excited, to enliven or stimulate. . . . battles became exhilarating (197). 62. coddle vt. to treat wi/ extreme or excessive care/kindness, pamper..“If you keep coddling us like this we’ll think you like us” (197). 63. pore vi. (to pore over) to gaze intently, to reflect or meditate steadily. He would use the time. . . to pore over the replays of the last games (198). 64. innovation n. 1) the introduction of something new. 2) a new idea, method, or device: novelty. Sometimes he was fully prepared for the enemy’s innovations. . . (198). 65. petulant adj. insolent or rude in speech or behavior: ill humored: peevish. “You can be as petulant as you want, tomorrow” (203). 66. extraneous adj. not forming an essential or vital part, having no relevance. . . . an extraneous concern on their minds (204). 67. acquit vt. 1) to discharge completely. 2) to conduct (oneself) satisfactorily especially under stress. “I knew I’d be acquitted” (213). 68. negligent adj. failing to exercise the care expected of a reasonably prudent person in like circumstances. “Mistreatment of children, negligent homicide. . . (213). 69. cretin n. a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person: clod, lout. . . . Demosthenes’ mob of political cretins. . . (214). 70. cynical adj. contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives. . . . his cynical moments. . .(218).
 * VOCABULARY from Ender’s Game**