Spring 2013 Vocabulary
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A Raisin in the Sun
Quiz 1/14/2013 graft |noun| Practices, esp. bribery, used to secure illicit gains in politics or business; corruption. express |verb| Convey (a thought or feeling) in words or by gestures and conduct. enthusiasm |noun| Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval. inspiration |noun| The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: "flashes of inspiration". shallow |adjective| Of little depth. worthwhile |adjective| Worth the time, money, or effort spent; of value or importance. vacuum |noun| A space entirely devoid of matter. stubborn |adjective| Having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, esp. in spite of good arguments or reasons.. frighten |verb| Make (someone) afraid or anxious. dreary |adjective| Dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing: "the dreary routine of working, eating, and trying to sleep". Quiz 2/1/2013 civil |adjective| Of or relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters. dignity |noun| The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. bitter |adjective| Having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet. assimilation |noun| The state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family. descendant |noun| A person, plant, or animal that is descended from a particular ancestor. heritage |noun| Property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance. eccentric |adjective| Unconventional and slightly strange: "my eccentric aunt". oppressive |adjective| Unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint, esp. on a minority or other subordinate group. dominant |adjective| Most important, powerful, or influential: "they are now in an even more dominant position in the market". business |noun| A person's regular occupation, profession, or trade. Quiz 2/4/2013 disturb |verb| Interfere with the normal arrangement or functioning of. spoil |verb| sophisticated |adjective| Diminish or destroy the value or quality of: "I wouldn't want to spoil your fun". catalog |noun| A complete list of items, typically in alphabetical or other systematic order, in particular. drunkard |noun| A person who is habitually drunk. gesture |noun| A movement of part of the body, esp. a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning: "so much is conveyed by gesture". rough |adjective| Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level. shrewd |adjective| Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute. civilization |noun| The most advanced stage of human social development and organization. gamble |noun| An act of gambling; an enterprise undertaken or attempted with a risk of loss and a chance of profit or success. Quiz 2/11/2013 psychology |noun| The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, esp. those affecting behavior in a given context. nagging |noun or adj| Annoy or irritate (a person) with persistent faultfinding or continuous urging. sculpture |noun| The art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, esp. by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster. lecture |noun| An educational talk to an audience, esp. to students in a university or college. approval |noun| The action of officially agreeing to something or accepting something as satisfactory. distaste |noun| Mild dislike or aversion. surround |verb| Be all around (someone or something): "the hotel is surrounded by its own gardens" ignore |verb| Refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally: "he ignored her question". volcano |noun| A mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are or have been.. fraternity |noun| A group of people sharing a common profession or interests: "members of the hunting fraternity". Quiz 2/20/2013 sharp |adjective| Having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something. moan |verb| Make a long, low sound expressing physical or mental suffering or sexual pleasure. helpless |adjective| Unable to defend oneself or to act without help: "the cubs are born blind and helpless". remember |verb| Have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of (someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past). difficulty |noun| A thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand. atmosphere |noun| The air in any particular place: "we couldn't breathe in the dusty atmosphere". desperation |noun| A state of hopelessness, typically one that results in rash or extreme behavior. rebuff |verb| Reject (someone or something) in an abrupt or ungracious manner. degree |noun| The amount, level, or extent to which something happens or is present. invade |verb| To enter forcefully as an enemy; go into with hostile intent Quiz 2/25/2013 misery |noun| A state or feeling of great distress or discomfort of mind or body. butcher |verb| Slaughter or cut up (an animal) for food. spoiled |past participle| Diminish or destroy the value or quality of: "I wouldn't want to spoil your fun". pitch |noun| The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone. renaissance |noun| The revival of art and literature under the influence of classical models in the 14th–16th centuries. committee|noun| A group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members of a larger group. lowdown |noun| The true facts or relevant information about something: "get the lowdown on the sit-in". category |noun| A class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics: "five categories of intelligence". appreciate |verb| Recognize the full worth of. Also, to be grateful for (something). incident |noun| An event or occurrence. Quiz 3/4/2013 destroy |verb| Put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it. tonight |adverb| On the present or approaching evening or night. package |noun| An object or group of objects wrapped in paper or plastic, or packed in a box agitation |noun| A state of anxiety or nervous excitement. convention |noun| A way in which something is usually done, esp. within a particular area or activity. improvement |noun| An example or instance of improving or being improved - getting better.. comfortable |adjective| Providing physical ease and relaxation: concern |noun| Anxiety; worry. threaten |verb| State one's intention to take hostile action against someone in retribution for something ridicule |verb| Subject to mockery and derision - to make fun of someone. Quiz 3/11/2013 prejudice |noun| An unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. stakes |noun| A monetary or commercial interest, investment, share, or involvement in something, as in hope of gain. community |noun| a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage. deserve |noun| To merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation. sparkling |adjective| To be brilliant, lively, or vivacious. prosperous |adjective| Having or characterized by financial success or good fortune; flourishing; successful. elaborate |adjective| Worked out with great care and nicety of detail; executed with great minuteness. license |noun| Formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession. strike |verb| To deal a blow or stroke to (a person or thing), as with the fist, a weapon, or a hammer; hit. strength |noun| The quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power; vigor. Quiz 3/18/2013 reason |noun| A basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc. raisin |noun| A grape of any of various sweet varieties dried in the sun or by artificial means, often used in cookery. remember |verb| To recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory; think of again. conclusion |noun| The end or close; final part. critical |adjective| Inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily. identify |verb| To recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing; verify the identity of. pride |noun| a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. pried |verb| Looked closely or curiously; peered; peeped. ambulance |noun| A specially equipped motor vehicle, airplane, ship, etc., for carrying sick or injured people, usually to a hospital. dangerous |adjective| Full of danger or risk; causing danger; perilous; risky; hazardous; unsafe. |
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