7th Grade Word List: Literature

eclipse

v. cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention
v. be greater in significance than

predominate

v. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
v. appear very large or occupy a commanding position

abhorrent

a. offensive to the mind

gibe

v. laugh at with contempt and derision
v. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

sneer

v. smile contemptuously
n. a contemptuous or scornful remark

akin

a. similar in quality or character
a. related by blood

admirably

ad. in way that arouses or deserves respect and approval;

intrusion

n. rock produced by an intrusive process
n. the forcing of molten rock into fissures or between strata of an earlier rock formation

grit

v. cover with a grit
n. fortitude and determination

dubious

a. open to doubt or suspicion
a. fraught with uncertainty or doubt

loath

a. unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
a. (usually followed by to) strongly opposed

reign

v. have sovereign power
n. royal authority; the dominion of a monarch

woo

v. seek someone's favor
v. make amorous advances towards

silhouette

v. project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
n. a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color

effusive

a. extravagantly demonstrative
a. uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm

introspective

a. given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences

wedlock

n. the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

clumsy

a. difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
a. showing lack of skill or aptitude

malignant

a. dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)

specimen

n. a bit of tissue or blood or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
n. an example regarded as typical of its class

iodoform

n. volatile pale yellow sweet-smelling crystalline organic compound of iodine, with antiseptic properties;

nitrate

v. treat with nitric acid, so as to change an organic compound into a nitrate
n. any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)

stethoscope

n. a medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body

baffle

v. check the emission of (sound)
v. be a mystery or bewildering to

amiss

a. not functioning properly
ad. in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner

presumably

ad. by reasonable assumption

endeavour

v. attempt by employing effort
n. a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

monogram

n. a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing

triumphant

a. experiencing triumph
a. joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

hoof

v. dance in a professional capacity
n. the horny covering of the end of the foot in ungulate mammals

brougham

n. horse-drawn carriage with roof, four wheels;

apiece

ad. to or from every one of two or more (considered individually)

astrakhan

n. a city in southwestern Russia on the delta of the Volga River
n. the fur of young lambs

brooch

n. a decorative pin worn by women
v. fasten with or as if with a brooch

beryl

n. the chief source of beryllium; colored transparent varieties are valued as gems

barbaric

a. without civilizing influences
a. unrestrained and crudely rich

opulence

n. wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living

vizard

n. mask or disguise;

obstinacy

n. the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome
n. resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires

discretion

n. knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
n. the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies

delicacy

n. something considered choice to eat
n. smallness of stature

quench

v. suppress or crush completely
v. cool (hot metal) by plunging into cold water or other liquid

languid

a. lacking spirit or liveliness

lounge

v. sit or recline comfortably
v. be about

incisive

a. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
a. suitable for cutting or piercing

confide

v. confer a trust upon
v. reveal in private; tell confidentially

incognito

a. with your identity concealed
ad. without revealing one's identity

docket

v. make a summary or abstract of a legal document and inscribe it in a list
n. a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to

monograph

n. a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject

entangle

v. entrap
v. twist together or entwine into a confusing mass

reproachful

a. expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective

betrothal

n. a mutual promise to marry
n. the act of becoming betrothed or engaged

carte blanche

n. complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best

chamois

n. hoofed mammal of mountains of Eurasia having upright horns with backward-hooked tips

scribble

v. write carelessly
n. an aimless drawing

cabinet

n. a storage compartment for clothes and valuables; usually it has a lock

exalted

a. of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

inextricable

a. not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied

accustomed

a. commonly used or practiced; usual
a. in the habit of or adapted to

groom

v. educate for a future role or function
n. a man who has recently been married

freemasonry

n. a natural or instinctive fellowship between people of similar interests

mews

n. row or street of houses or flats that have been converted from stables;

ostler

n. someone employed in a stable to take care of the horses

compel

v. force somebody to do something
v. necessitate or exact

dainty

a. especially pleasing to the taste
n. something considered choice to eat

bonnet

n. a hat tied under the chin

cabman

n. taxicab driver;

confidant

n. someone to whom private matters are confided

ominous

a. presaging ill fortune
a. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

delicate

a. difficult to handle; requiring great tact

hansom

n. a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers

aquiline

a. curved down like an eagle's beak

landau

n. a four-wheel covered carriage with a roof divided into two parts (front and back) that can be let down separately

shabby

a. showing signs of wear and tear
a. mean and unworthy and despicable

expostulate

v. reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion

mumble

v. talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
v. grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty

vouch

v. give personal assurance; guarantee
v. give supporting evidence

tying

n. the act of binding things together

spinster

n. an elderly unmarried woman

menace

v. pose a threat to; present a danger to
v. act in a threatening manner

formidable

a. extremely impressive in strength or excellence
a. inspiring fear

succinct

a. briefly giving the gist of something

loafer

n. person who does no work

lounger

n. someone who wastes time

scuffle

v. walk by dragging one's feet
n. an unceremonious and disorganized struggle

treachery

n. betrayal of a trust
n. an act of deliberate betrayal

ulster

n. man's long, loose overcoat of rough cloth;

shriek

n. sharp piercing cry
n. a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry

uproar

n. loud confused noise from many sources

recess

n. a small concavity
n. an arm off of a larger body of water

relapse

v. deteriorate in health
n. a failure to maintain a higher state

sardonic

a. disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking

stagger

v. walk as if unable to control one's movements
n. an unsteady uneven gait

chagrin

n. strong feelings of embarrassment
v. cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of

ransack

v. steal goods; take as spoils
v. search thoroughly

hindrance

n. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

epistle

n. a specially long, formal letter

inviolate

a. must be kept sacred