Unit 4 – Sugar and Spice Vocabulary
Word
Meaning
Example
Tucks
To fold or gather something
neatly into place.
She tucks the blanket
around the baby.
Phenomenon
An observable event, often
unusual.
A rainbow is a natural
phenomenon.
Oxidize
To combine with oxygen
causing a chemical change.
Iron oxidizes when exposed
to air.
Condemn
To express strong
disapproval.
Leaders condemned the
violent attack.
Notorious
Famous for something bad.
The area is notorious for
crime.
Moreish
So tasty that you want
more.
The cookies were very
moreish.
Aesthetically
In a way related to beauty.
The room was aesthetically
decorated.
Cynically
In a distrustful or doubtful
way.
He cynically laughed at the
promise.
Bucking
Resisting or going against
something.
She is bucking fashion
trends.
Forecasts
Predictions about the
future.
Weather forecasts predicted
rain.
Hasten
To make something happen
sooner.
Medicine hastened
recovery.
Ruthless
Cruel and without mercy.
The ruler was ruthless.
Disguise
To change appearance to
hide identity.
He wore glasses as a
disguise.
Pursuit
The act of chasing or
seeking.
Police were in pursuit of the
thief.
Arouse
To awaken feelings.
The speech aroused
curiosity.
Aisles
Passages between rows.
She walked through store
aisles.
Guise
A false appearance.
He came under the guise of
a visitor.
Staking-out
Secretly watching a place.
Police were staking out the
building.
Apprehended
Caught or arrested.
The thief was apprehended.
Statistics
Numerical data.
Crime statistics fell this
year.
Aware
Having knowledge of
something.
She was aware of the
danger.
Simultaneously
At the same time.
Both lights turned on
simultaneously.
Civil Smile
A polite smile.
He greeted them with a civil
smile.
Armed
Equipped with weapons.
The soldiers were armed.
Adolescents
Young people between
childhood and adulthood.
Many adolescents enjoy
sports.
Trebled
Increased three times.
Profits trebled in one year.
Prevalence
The state of being
widespread.
The prevalence of smoking
decreased.
Aspiring
Having ambition.
She is an aspiring artist.
Aspirin
Medicine used to reduce
pain.
He took aspirin for a
headache.
Perilous
Very dangerous.
They made a perilous
journey.
Fructose
Natural sugar in fruits.
Apples contain fructose.
Lactose
Sugar found in milk.
Milk contains lactose.
Beet
A root vegetable used for
Beets are used to make
sugar.
sugar.
Appetite
Desire to eat.
He has a strong appetite.
Fermentation
Chemical process by
microorganisms.
Bread rises due to
fermentation.
Fluctuate
To change up and down.
Prices fluctuate daily.
Chronic
Long lasting.
He has chronic pain.
Metabolize
Process food to produce
energy.
The body metabolizes
nutrients.
Austere
Very simple and strict.
The monk lived an austere
life.
Reckon
To suppose or estimate.
I reckon he will arrive soon.
Cork
Bottle stopper made from
bark.
He pulled the cork from the
bottle.
Instinctively
Without conscious thought.
She instinctively stepped
back.
Futilely
In a useless way.
He futilely tried to open the
door.
Boughs
Large branches of a tree.
Birds sat on the boughs.
Leaf mould
Decayed leaves forming soil.
Gardeners use leaf mould.
Searing
Extremely hot or intense.
The searing heat was
unbearable.
Entangling
Twisting or trapping.
The net kept entangling
seaweed.
Italicized
Written in slanted letters.
The title was italicized.
Tragedy
A terrible event.
The accident was a tragedy.
Slog
Hard tiring work.
Studying all night was a
slog.
Tire
To become exhausted.
Long journeys tire him.
Snapped
Broke suddenly.
The twig snapped.
Inclination
A tendency or preference.
She has an inclination
toward music.