Define:
intrepid
(in-trep-id)
adj. courageous
The intrepid naturalist routinely braved storms and mudslides to document new species.
Prefix: in- (meaning “not”), Root: trepid (from Latin trepidus, meaning “anxious” or “fearful”)
Define:
intrinsic
(in-trin-zik)
adj. related to an object’s essence
Unfortunately, some degree of inefficiency is intrinsic to all democracies.
Prefix: intra- (meaning “within”), Root: secus (from Latin, meaning “following”)
Define:
inure
(in-your)
v. to become accustomed to something negative or unpleasant
Nearby residents soon became inured to the noise from the construction project.
Prefix: in- (meaning “in” or “into”), Root: ure (from Latin usus, meaning “use”)
Define:
invective
(in-vek-tiv)
adj. verbally abusive
n. abusive or stern language
What this debate needs is a little less invective and a little more substance.
Prefix: in- (meaning “into”), Root: vehere (from Latin, meaning “to carry”)
Define:
irrevocable
(ih-rev-ih-kuh-bull)
adj. unable to be revoked; permanent
The laws the king decreed were irrevocable even after he left the throne.
Prefix: ir- (meaning “not”), Root: revocare (from Latin, meaning “to call back”), Suffix: -able (meaning “capable of”)
Define:
jocular
(jock-yuh-lur)
adj. related to jokes
The boy was popular with his classmates due to his cheerful, jocular nature.
Root: jocul (from Latin jocus, meaning “joke”), Suffix: -ar (forming adjectives)
Define:
kernel
(kur-null)
n. the central part of a situation or seed
The kernel of the matter was that she didn’t even know where to begin looking for a new house.
Root: kern (from Old English cyrnel, meaning “seed” or “core”)
Define:
lackluster
(lack-luss-tur)
adj. not lively; not bright
Tired from a long day, Susan gave a very lackluster performance during the dress rehearsal.
Root: lack (meaning “absence”), Root: luster (from Latin lustrare, meaning “to illuminate”)
Define:
refractory
(rih-frack-tuh-ree)
adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle
The doctors did not know how to deal with such a refractory infection.
Prefix: re- (meaning “again”), Root: fract (from Latin frangere, meaning “to break”), Suffix: -ory (forming adjectives)
Define:
regiment
(redj-ih-munt)
n. a military unit of troops
v. to enforce a strict order or conformity
Four army regiments occupied the city last week.
Root: regimen (from Latin, meaning “rule” or “system of order”)
Name the vocab term:
adj. courageous
Hint: starts with “i”
intrepid
synonyms: brave, heroic, fearless, dauntless, adventurous
The intrepid explorer ventured into the uncharted jungle without hesitation.
Fill in the blank:
The desire to learn is ________ to human nature.
Hint: Starts with “i” and means “belonging naturally”.
intrinsic
intrinsic (in-trin-zik)
adj. related to an object’s essence
Name the vocab term:
v. to become accustomed to something negative or unpleasant
Hint: starts with “i”
inure
synonyms: desensitize, familiarize, habituate, harden, acclimate, condition
After years of working in harsh conditions, he became inured to the long hours and difficult tasks.
Fill in the blank:
The politician’s speech was filled with ________ against his opponents.
Hint: Starts with “i” and means “insulting or abusive language”.
invective
invective (in-vek-tiv)
adj. verbally abusive
n. abusive or stern language
Name the vocab term:
adj. unable to be revoked; permanent
Hint: starts with “i”
irrevocable
synonyms: unchangeable, unalterable, final, binding, immutable
The decision to sell the house was irrevocable once the contract was signed.
Fill in the blank:
His ________ personality always lightened the mood at gatherings.
Hint: Starts with “j” and means “fond of joking”.
jocular
jocular (jock-yuh-lur)
adj. related to jokes
Name the vocab term:
n. the central part of a situation or seed
Hint: starts with “k”
kernel
synonyms: core, crux, essence, nucleus, heart
At the kernel of the argument was a misunderstanding about expectations.
Fill in the blank:
The movie’s ________ plot left the audience disappointed.
Hint: Starts with “l” and means “dull or uninspired”.
lackluster
lackluster (lack-luss-tur)
adj. not lively; not bright
Name the vocab term:
adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle
Hint: starts with “r”
refractory
synonyms: resistant, immune, unresponsive, obstinate, headstrong, intractable
The refractory patient refused to follow the doctor’s advice.
Fill in the blank:
The new manager ________ the office, ensuring that everyone followed the rules to the letter.
Hint: Starts with “r” and means “strictly organized or controlled”.
regimented
regiment (redj-ih-munt)
n. a military unit of troops
v. to enforce a strict order or conformity
