VOCABULARY UNIT 1 ADAGE NOUN Meaning a traditional

VOCABULARY UNIT 1

ADAGE [NOUN] • Meaning: a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; proverb. • Synonyms: saw, byword, apothegm , maxim , motto , precept , aphorism , axiom , dictum • Example: At this point, the old “just add water” adage rang true.

BONANZA [NOUN] Meaning: a rich mass of ore, as found in mining. a source of great and sudden wealth or luck; a spectacular windfall: The play proved to be a bonanza for its lucky backers. • Synonyms: cash cow treasure trove gold mine Example: The bonanza came at a cost to forests and wildlife, though.

CHURLISH [ADJ] Meaning: like a churl; boorish; rude: churlish behavior. • Synonyms: unmannerly unneighborly unpolished unsociable Antonyms: gentle happy nice Example: "He is as valiant as the lion, churlish as the bear, slow as the elephant. "

CITADEL [N] Meaning: a fortress that commands a city and is used in the control of the inhabitants and in defense during attack or siege. Synonyms: fort, tower , bastion Example: Indeed, since the citadel collapsed into a natural underground cistern.

COLLABORATE [V] Meaning: to work with Synonyms: team up Antonyms: work alone Example: Students will collaborate to research the history and implications of trade.

DECREE [N] Meaning: odder having the force of law Synonyms: edict, proclaim Example: Two political parties scrambled into existence after the decree.

DISCORDANT [ADJ] Meaning: disagreeable in sound Synonyms: shrill, different, grating Antonyms: in agreement Example: But these two discordant personalities did make their peace.

EVOLVE Meaning: to rise to a higher level Synonyms: unfold, emerge Antonyms: wither, shrivel up, atrophy Example: The letter urges regulators to help each firm develop a plan that would evolve.

EXCERPT [N] Meaning: passage taken from a book Synonyms: portion, section, extract Example: No part of this excerpt can be used without permission from the publisher.

GROPE [V] Meaning: To feel about with the hands; feel one's way: I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch. Synonyms: fumble for, cast about for Example: They may still grope each other--but they'll do it intelligently.

HOVER [V] Meaning: to float or hang suspended over Synonyms: linger, waver, seesaw Antonyms: soar Example: There is still an occasional clear sharp morning when you hover with.

JOSTLE [V] Meaning: brush against , to complete for Synonyms: push Example: Turbo's lag may jostle your latte, and its everpresent whine is grating.

LAGGARD [N] Meaning: slow to move, act Synonyms: sluggish, slowpoke Antonyms: speedy, prompt, early bird Example: It once more finds itself surrounded by doubt and dismissed as a laggard.

PLAUDITS [N] Meaning: applause, approval Synonyms: cheers , acclaim Antonyms: boos, disapproval, ridicule Example: Neither figure will win it any plaudits from enviros, but there you have it.

PRECLUDE [ADJ] Meaning: prevent, shut out Synonyms: hinder, check, stop Antonyms: help, promote, facilitate Example: This does not preclude single acts of altruism across species.

REVERT [V] Meaning: relapse, regress Synonyms: relapse, regress Antonyms: progress, advance Example: But when things become psychologically too bewildering or frustrating for him, he may revert to spontaneous play.

RUBBLE [N] Meaning: broken stone, bricks, ruins Synonyms: wreckage, debris Example: After the quake she helped lug the conservatory's grand pianos from the rubble.

SERVILE [ADJ] Meaning: independence Synonyms: slavish, fawning Antonyms: masterly Example: He was acceptable te its leaders, as its earnest and servile tool.

VIGIL [N] Meaning: a watch, especially at night Example: Part of his morning vigil includes inspecting projects he helped with.

WRANGLE Meaning: to quarrel or argue Synonyms: squabble, bicker Antonyms: agree, concur Example: In any country powerful lobbies bargain and wrangle.