Grade 8 College Vocabulary, Week 34

Definition: The process of coming into view or becoming known.

From the reading: "The Scholastic Awards name three criteria: originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision." (the lesson)

Synonyms:

appearance, rise, advent

Antonyms:

disappearance

Root:Latin emergere, to rise out, from e-, out + mergere, to dip: a rising into view.

Definition: To pass or cause to pass easily or gently through the air.

From the reading: "A waft of wind came sweeping down the laurel-walk, and trembled through the boughs of the chestnut: it wandered away—away—to an indefinite distance—it died." (Jane Eyre)

Synonyms:

drift, float, carry

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:perhaps from Dutch wachten, to guard.

Definition: Come to understand; measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line.

From the reading: "Winged things of night brushed his face; and still Freckles gazed upward, trying to fathom these things that had come to him." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

understand, comprehend; sound

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Old English faethm, the span of the outstretched arms: a measure of six feet; to measure depth, then to understand.

Definition: To conduct or carry out business.

From the reading: "He also transacted affairs of importance with the wild flowers and sweet marsh-grass." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

conduct, carry out, negotiate

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Latin transactus, past participle of transigere. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: To stand up stiffly, as hair does; to react angrily or defensively.

From the reading: "The hair on the back of Freckles' neck arose as bristles, and his knees wavered beneath him." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

stiffen, bridle, flare up

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Old English byrst, a stiff hair + -le: a short stiff hair; to stand up stiffly.

Definition: Done without careful judgment; random.

From the reading: "He faced her squarely this time, and turned his head from side to side with queer little jerks and indiscriminate peckings at her wings and head, and smirkings that really should have been irresistible." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

unselective, random, haphazard

Antonyms:

selective, discriminating

Root:in-, not + Latin discriminare, to divide (discrimen, distinction, from discernere, to separate): not making distinctions.

Definition: To shake or tremble, especially in speaking or singing.

From the reading: "Incredulous, he quavered: “An'--an' was you looking for me?” “I hoped I might find you,” said the Angel." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

tremble, quiver, waver

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Middle English quaveren, frequentative of quaven, to tremble (of Germanic origin): to tremble in voice.

Definition: Showing polite respect.

From the reading: "Over his ivory-inlaid table, Ahab presided like a mute, maned sea-lion on the white coral beach, surrounded by his warlike but still deferential cubs." (Moby-Dick)

Synonyms:

respectful, courteous, dutiful

Antonyms:

disrespectful, rude

Root:from defer, Latin deferre, to carry away.

Definition: To treat in an overprotective or indulgent way.

From the reading: "The hen darted to the nest and settled on it with a tender, coddling movement." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

pamper, cosset, indulge

Antonyms:

neglect

Root:Cf. Prov. English caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and Cade, a. & v. t. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.

From the reading: "THE MAN OF AFFAIRS, brusque of manner, but big of heart." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

curt, abrupt, blunt

Antonyms:

courteous, gracious

Root:French brusque, from Italian brusco brusque, tart, sour, perh. from Latin (vitis) labrusca wild (vine); or compare OHG. bruttisc grim, from brutti terror. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: To baptize and give a name to; to name.

From the reading: "The Boss listened in silence while Freckles told of the coming and christening of the Angel." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

baptize, name

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Old English (Anglo-Saxon) cristnian to make a Christian, from cristen a Christian. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: To be suspicious of; to have no confidence in.

From the reading: "There's no danger on earth to you, for you've got McLean that bamboozled you could sell out the whole swamp and he'd never mistrust you." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

distrust, suspect, doubt

Antonyms:

trust

Root:mis-, badly + trust (Old Norse traust, confidence): lack of confidence.

Definition: Only moderately warm; unenthusiastic.

From the reading: "His right hand held his bloody falchion bare, His left he twisted in his hoary hair; Then, with a speeding thrust, his heart he found: The lukewarm blood came rushing thro’ the wound, And sanguine streams distain’d the sacred ground." (The Aeneid)

Synonyms:

tepid; halfhearted, indifferent

Antonyms:

hot; enthusiastic

Root:Middle English luke, tepid + warm.

Definition: To spoil the appearance of.

From the reading: "Freckles stepped back, glaring at Wessner, but suddenly the scowl of anger and the ugly disfiguring red faded from the boy's face." (Freckles)

KJV link: "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matthew 6:16)

Synonyms:

deface, mar, deform

Antonyms:

adorn

Root:Old French desfigurer, from dis-, undo + figure (Latin figura, shape): to spoil the shape.

Definition: Having many curves and turns; moving gracefully.

From the reading: "His heart stood still every time he saw the beautiful marsh-grass begin a sinuous waving AGAINST the play of the wind, as McLean had told him it would." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

winding, curving, serpentine

Antonyms:

straight

Root:Latin sinuosus, from sinus a bent surface, a curve: compare French sinueux. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: To walk at a slow, relaxed pace.

From the reading: "They ducked, dodged, and ambled around him, over logs and bushes, and not even a near approach would drive them to flight." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

stroll, saunter, wander

Antonyms:

hurry, rush

Root:Latin ambulare, to walk.

Definition: Too strong or powerful to be resisted.

From the reading: "He faced her squarely this time, and turned his head from side to side with queer little jerks and indiscriminate peckings at her wings and head, and smirkings that really should have been irresistible." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

overpowering, overwhelming, compelling

Antonyms:

resistible

Root:Pref. ir- not + resistible: compare French irrésistible. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: A feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will; a rough and bitter manner.

From the reading: "This flushed, panting, talkative lad was not the same creature who had sought him in despair and bitterness." (Freckles)

KJV link: "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore." (1 Samuel 1:10)

Synonyms:

resentment, rancor, acrimony

Antonyms:

goodwill

Root:Old English (Anglo-Saxon) biternys; biter better + -nys = -ness. (Webster, 1913)

Definition: To say something abruptly, as an interruption.

Context (original sentence): When the judge paused, the boy interjected a question.

Synonyms:

interrupt, interpose, put in

Antonyms:

(none exact)

Root:Latin interjicere, to throw between.

Definition: To begin; to start.

From the reading: "When I thought I was good and away from him, I commenced hunting work, but it is with everybody else just as it is with you, sir." (Freckles)

Synonyms:

begin, start, initiate

Antonyms:

end, conclude

Root:French commencer, Old French commencier, from Latin com- + initiare to begin. (Webster, 1913)