Define:
skulk
(skuhlk)
v. to lie in wait; to hide with evil intent
The fugitive was spotted skulking about the docks just past midnight.
Root: skulk (from Old Norse skulke, meaning “to lurk”)
Define:
emendation
(ee-muhn-dey-shuhn)
n. a correction or revision in a text
Once the emendations have been made, the pamphlet can be sent to the printer.
Root: mend (from Latin emendare, meaning “to correct”)
Define:
euphony
(yoo-fuh-nee)
n. a pleasant, harmonious sound
The euphony of the Italian language is unparalleled.
Prefix: eu- (from Greek, meaning “good, well”); Root: phon (from Greek phone, meaning “sound”)
Define:
terse
(turs)
adj. succinct, curt
Your terse apology does not even begin to give an adequate explanation for your behavior.
Root: ters (from Latin tersus, meaning “wiped off, clean”)
Define:
trite
(trahyt)
adj. uninteresting due to overuse; hackneyed
Though some may find Valentine’s Day chocolates trite, I look forward to every box I get.
Root: trit (from Latin tritus, meaning “worn, rubbed”)
Define:
malefactor
(mal-uh-fak-ter)
n. evildoer, culprit, a violator of the law
The Nuremberg trials brought the Nazi malefactors to justice.
Prefix: male- (from Latin malus, meaning “bad”); Root: fact (from Latin facere, meaning “to do”)
Define:
obtuse
(uhb-toos)
adj. stupid, dull
adj. slow to perceive, feel, or respond
The obtuse response lacked a great deal of sophistication.
Root: tuse (from Latin obtusus, meaning “blunt”)
Define:
ingratiate
(ing-grey-shee-eyt)
v. to work oneself into the favor of someone
The intern ingratiated himself to his superiors starting on the first day.
Prefix: in- (meaning “into”); Root: grati (from Latin gratia, meaning “favor”)
Define:
travesty
(trav-uh-stee)
n. a perverse or ludicrous representation
Thom’s checkered tux was a travesty of good taste.
Root: vest (from Latin vestire, meaning “to clothe”)
Define:
philology
(fih-lol-uh-djee)
n. the study of linguistics and literature
The students of philology were hunched over their Spanish literature texts.
Root: phil (from Greek philos, meaning “loving”); Root: logy (from Greek logos, meaning “word, reason”)
Name the vocab term:
v. to lie, to sneak into hiding, with evil intent
Hint: starts with “s”
skulk
synonyms: tiptoe, sneak, slither, creep, lurk, hide, prowl
He skulked in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Fill in the blank:
The ________ made to the manuscript improved its clarity.
Hint: Starts with “e” and means “a correction or revision”.
emendation
emendation (ee-muhn-dey-shuhn)
n. a correction or revisions in a text
Name the vocab term:
n. a pleasant, harmonious sound
Hint: starts with “e”
euphony
synonyms: melody, symphony, harmony, music, tune
The euphony of the orchestra’s performance captivated the audience.
Fill in the blank:
His ________ reply made it clear he was not interested in continuing the conversation.
Hint: Starts with “t” and means “brief and to the point”.
terse
terse (turs)
adj. succinct, curt
Name the vocab term:
adj. uninteresting due to overuse; hackneyed
Hint: starts with “t”
trite
synonyms: banal, common, stale, cliché, overused
The movie’s trite dialogue made it predictable and boring.
Fill in the blank:
The ________ was finally caught after years of evading the authorities.
Hint: Starts with “m” and means “a wrongdoer or criminal”.
malefactor
malefactor (mal-uh-fak-ter)
n. evildoer, culprit, a violator of the law
Name the vocab term:
adj. stupid, dull
adj. slow to perceive, feel, or respond
Hint: starts with “o”
obtuse
synonyms: dense, dumb, insensitive, ignorant, thick-headed, slow-witted
He was so obtuse that he didn’t realize he had offended her with his comment.
Fill in the blank:
She tried to ________ herself with the boss by always complimenting his ideas.
Hint: Starts with “i” and means “to gain favor through flattery”.
ingratiate
ingratiate (ing-grey-shee-eyt)
v. to work oneself into the favor of someone
Name the vocab term:
n. a perverse or ludicrous parody or exaggeration
Hint: starts with “t”
travesty
synonyms: caricature, burlesque, parody, satire, farce
The film was a travesty of the original story, distorting its meaning entirely.
Fill in the blank:
Her passion for ________ led her to study ancient texts and their languages.
Hint: Starts with “p” and means “the study of language”.
philology
philology (fih-lol-uh-djee)
n. the study of linguistics and literature
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