Vocabulary+List+9

List vocabulary words and definitions for list #9 here. Under each word include part of speech, phonetic spelling, words used in context, and examples of your own sentences.


 * Format for quiz on Friday February 29: matching definitions, complete the sentence (word bank), multiple choice synonyms.**


 * ardent-** (adj) fiery, hot, shiny, or glowing; passionate

Although the stars in the sky may appear to small, solid, little, white dots, they are actually ardent.


 * brash-** (adj) heedless of consequences, audacious

//The brash decision to turn off the compiler's warnings allowed the program to cause a fatal system crash.//


 * chastise-** (v) to inflict punishment on


 * deviate-** (v) to stray especially from a standard, principle, or topic


 * exult-** (v) to be extremely joyful; rejoice

In the Christian religion, Easter is a time to exult because Christ has risen.


 * indemnity-** (n) security against hurt, loss, or damage


 * limpid-** (adj) clear and simple in style, absolutely serene and untroubled; clear, transparent

You could tell the preschool's windows were once limpid, but now they are covered with dirty handprints from little hands.


 * palatable-** (adj) agreeable to the taste

When I was sick, I was perscribed an unknown medicine which I though would be disgusting, but it actually turned out to be palatable.


 * rancor-** (n) bitter deep ill will


 * spontaneous-** (adj) developing or occurring without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment

//Spontaneous combustion is generally viewed as a myth, but I'm still not sure if it's truly impossible...//

Prepare for irony: Let's plan to be spontaneous tomorrow


 * allocate-** (v) to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things ; distribute


 * assiduous-** (adj) marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application; busy

The boy tried eagerly to get his father, the school teacher, to play baseball with him but his father just complained that he was too assiduous what with all the tests he had to grade.


 * capricious-** (adj) governed or characterized by impulsiveness; unpredictable

After stressful weeks, Josie sets aside a day to relax and be capricious. She just drives around town until she finds somewhere that she thinks would be a fun place to stop.


 * copious-** (adj) yielding something abundantly, plentiful in number


 * emaciated-** (v) to waste away physically, to make feeble

Over the course of the year, Bennet has **emaciated** Mrs. Shugrue's patience with his whistling.


 * gnarled-** (adj) full of knots; knotty

Oftentimes teens have to spend several minutes trying to untangle gnarled iPod earbuds.


 * inkling-** (n) a slight indication or suggestion; hint; clue

Joe had not an inkling what the equation for potential energy was on his physics test, so he couldn't solve three of the problems.


 * omnipotent-** (adj) having virtually unlimited authority or influence ; all powerful

The gods in The Odyssey were omnipotent.


 * poignant-** (adj) deeply affecting; cutting; piercing

 //By the end of the poignant movie, there wasn't a single dry eye left in the theater.// 


 * sophomoric-** (adj) conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature; relating to the characteristics of a sophomore

Not all sophomores at NHS are sophomoric; some are really nice and good friends.