Building Vocabulary in American Literature Autonomy Definition Independence
Building Vocabulary in American Literature
Autonomy
Definition: Independence or freedom (on back of card) Picture Sentence America gained its autonomy after they won the war against England. Autonomy freedom, liberty, selfdetermination, selfgovernment, self-rule, sovereignty Synonym auto (GRK)– independent, “self” nom (GRK)– law or custom -y (OE)– inclined to Morphemes
Jettison
Definition: to throw off (something) as an obstacle or burden; discard. Picture Sentence What happens when aircrafts jettison external tanks? Jettison abandon, abdicate, cast off, deep-six, discard, dump, expel, heave, hurl, reject, slough, unload Synonym (ME) jetteson Morphemes
Obliterate
Definition: destroy completely Picture Sentence Nagasaki was obliterated during WWII. Obliterate Annihilate, delete, efface, eliminate, eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate Synonym ob (L)—”to” litter (L)—”epistle” ate (L)—noun Morphemes
Extricate
Definition: To free from entanglement (on back of card) Picture Sentence After the crash, rescue teams extricated the injured driver from his car. Extricate detach, disburden, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extract, free, liberate, release, remove, withdraw Synonym (L)ex—out of (L) tric—perplexities (L) ate—suffix used to make verbal Morphemes
Celestial
Definition: heavenly, pertaining to the sky Picture Sentence Through my telescope I saw many celestial bodies. Celestial angelic, astral, blessed, divine, ethereal, hallowed, holy, otherworldly, seraphic, spiritual, sublime, supernatural, transcendental Synonym (L) caelesti—heavenly (L) al—pertaining to Morphemes
Chaos Theory Conference
Definition: A state of confusion or disorder (on back of card) Picture Sentence In the midst of the chaos, nobody noticed the thief slip quietly out of the room. . Chaos Anarchy, bedlam, disarray, discord, disorder, entropy, lawlessness, pandemonium, tumult, turmoil, unruliness Synonym (Grk) khaos—wide open; abyss Morphemes
Disdain
Definition: to look upon with contempt Picture Sentence Amy had a great deal of disdain for her boyfriend when he hung up on her. Disdain Antipathy, aversion, contempt, derision, despisement, disgust, hatred, insolence, ridicule, scorn Synonym (OF) des—do the opposite of (OFr. )dain--treat as worthy Morphemes
Behemoth
Definition: large in power or size Picture Sentence The behemoth defensive line held the other team so they earned no points. Behemoth beast, large, leviathan, mammoth, monster Synonym Hebrew— “beast” Morphemes
congenial
Definition: pleasant Picture Sentence The cashier was congenial and smiled at me while she handed my order. Congenial affable, agreeable, amicable, companionable, cooperative, cordial, delightful, favorable, gracious, harmonious, jovial, kindly, neighborly, sociable Synonym con (L)—prefix meaning “with” geni (L “genus”)—a kind or type al (L)—suffix “from the character of” Morphemes
tantalize
Definition: to tease or make frustrated Picture Sentence Many cook with chocolate and there are countless wonderful recipes to tantalize one’s taste buds. tantalize annoy, bait, beleaguer, charm, entice, fascinate, frustrate, harass, pester, plague, taunt, thwart, titillate, torment, torture Synonym Tantalus (Grk)—Tantalos, king of Phyrgia, son of Zeus, punished in the afterlife Morphemes
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