Vocabulary #8 – Period 1
1. Skiff [skif]
–noun
any of various types of boats small enough for sailing or rowing by one
person.
Origin: 1565–75;
2.
phosphorescence [fos-fuh-res-uh ns]
–noun
1.
the property of being luminous at temperatures below
incandescence, as from slow oxidation in the case of phosphorus
or after exposure to light or other radiation.
2.
a luminous appearance resulting from this.
3.
any luminous radiation emitted from a substance after the
removal of the exciting agent.
Origin: 1790–1800
3. Gaff
[gaf]
–noun
1.
an iron hook with a handle for landing large fish.
–verb (used with object)
5. to hook or land (a fish) with a gaff.
Origin: 1275–1325; ME < MF
4.
Benevolent buh-nev-uh-luh nt]Spell
adjective
1. characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a
benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.
2. desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent
alumni.
3. intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.
Origin: 1425-75; late Middle English < Latin
5.
thwart
thwawrt]
verb
1. to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
2. to frustrate or baffle (a plan, purpose, etc.).
Origin: 1200-50; Middle English
6.
myriad
mir-ee-uh d]Spell
noun
1.a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things.
2.of an indefinitely great number; innumerable:
the myriad stars of a summer night.
3. having innumerable phases, aspects, variations, etc.:
the myriad mind of Shakespeare.
Origin: 1545-55; < Greek
gunwale
guhn-l]
–noun Nautical.
1. the upper edge of the side or bulwark of a vessel.
7.
2.
the sheer strake of a wooden vessel; the uppermost strake
beneath the plank-sheer.
Origin: 1325–75; ME.
fathom
8.
[fath -uh m]
–noun
1.
a unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 meters): used chiefly in
nautical measurements.
–verb
2.
to measure the depth of by means of a sounding line; sound.
3.
to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand: to fathom
someone's motives.
Origin: bef. 900; ME
gaunt
9.
[gawnt]
adjective,
1. extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great
hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
2. bleak, desolate, or grim, as places or things: a gaunt, windswept
landscape.
Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English,
filament [fil-uh-muh nt]
10.
–noun
1.
a very fine thread or threadlike structure; a fiber or fibril:
filaments of gold.
2.
a single fibril of natural or synthetic textile fiber, of indefinite
length, sometimes several miles long.
3.
a long slender cell or series of attached cells, as in some algae
and fungi.
Origin: 1585–95; < NL