English 9 Vocabulary Lesson 2 Words from Names

Vocabulary List 1) Boycott 6) Mentor 2) Galvanize 7) Nemesis 3) Jovial 8) Odyssey 4) Macadam 9) Quixotic 5) Maverick 10)Tantaliz e

Boycott (trans. verb; noun) a) b) to take part in an organized group refusal to use a product or service as a means of protest An organized group refusal EX. A group of concerned environmentalists boycotted the store that sold pesticides.

Galvanize (trans. verb) a) b) c) to stir to action or awareness to stimulate or shock with an electric current to put a coating of zinc on iron steel as protection against rust EX. A persuasive speech galvanized the audience into donating money to a worthy cause.

Jovial (adjective) a) full of fun and good cheer; sociable EX. Because of his jovial personality, Mark was usually the life of the party.

Macadam (noun) a) b) a paving material made of layers of small stones that are packed together with asphalt or tar a road surface that has been paved with layers of small stones EX. The road leading through the country village was paved with macadam.

Maverick (noun) a) b) c) a person who refuses to go along with the policies or views of his or her group; someone who is independent-minded; a nonconformist an unbranded calf or colt a horse or steer that has escaped from the herd EX. Club members called Jessica a maverick after she criticized their new rules.

Mentor (noun) a) a person depended upon for wise advice and guidance; a trusted counselor EX. The professional athlete was a valuable mentor to the struggling high school football player.

Nemesis (noun) a) b) c) someone or something that is the source of just punishment for wrongdoing an unbeatable rival EX. The Joker is Batman’s nemesis.

Odyssey (noun) a) b) a long, adventurous, wandering journey an intellectual or spiritual quest EX. In the 1800 s explorers went on odysseys, hoping to discover unknown islands in the Pacific Oceans.

Quixotic (adjective) a) full of impractical ideas; idealistic EX. Ted’s quixotic aunt encouraged her nephew to quit his job and travel through Europe.

Tantalize (trans. verb) a) to tease or torment by presenting something desirable while it is out of reach. EX. Because Sarah was very hungry, the picture of the delicious pizza tantalized her.