Vocabulary Unit 4
alliance
(al li ance)
• Definition – (n) a joining together for some
common purpose
• On the reality show “Survivor,” some of
the people form an alliance in hopes of
winning the million dollars.
bewilder
(be wil der)
• Definition – (v) to puzzle completely,
confuse
• Does Goofy appear to look bewildered?
buffoon
(buf foon)
• Definition - (n) a clown
• Do not become the class buffoon.
controversial
(con tro ver sial)
• Definition – (adj) arousing argument, or
disagreement
• Religion and politics are controversial
topics.
dishearten
(dis heart en)
• Defiinition - (v) to discourage
• Do not let your team’s losses
dishearten you.
fruitless
(fruit less)
• Definition – (adj) not producing the desired
results, unsuccessful
• His effort proved fruitless in his search
for his lost dog.
hostile
(hos tile)
• Definition – (adj) unfriendly; unfavorable;
warlike
• The prosecutor at the trial called a
hostile witness to the stand.
inflammable
(in flam ma ble)
• Definition – (adj) easily set on fire; easily
angered
• Flammable and inflammable mean the
same thing.
inflict
(in flict)
• Definition – (v) to give or cause something
unpleasant
• A snake bite will inflict pain.
malignant
(ma lig nant)
• Definition – (adj) deadly, extremely
harmful, evil
• Is this mole on your skin malignant?
mortify
(mor ti fy)
• Definition – (v) to hurt someone’s feelings
deeply; to cause embarrassment
• This outfit might mortify you if you had
to wear it.
orthodox
(or tho dox)
• Definition – (adj) in agreement with
established or generally accepted beliefs
or ways of doing things
• This novel is about a family who raised
their girls in orthodox ways.
procure
(pro cure)
• Definition – (v) to obtain through special
effort; to bring about
• The cowboys wanted to procure more
land for their cattle.
scurry
(scur ry)
• Definition – (v) to run quickly, scamper,
hurry
• This mouse knows how to scurry when
he needs to get away quickly.
sodden
(sod den)
• Definition – (adj) soaked with liquid or
moisture, expressionless, dull
• The bread was sodden with gravy.
spirited
(spir it ed)
• Definition – (adj) full of life and vigor,
courageous
• The spirited horse led the parade.
virtual
(vir tu al)
• Definition – (adj) having a certain force or
effect in fact but not in name; so close as
to be equivalent to the real thing
• The children were in awe as they stared
at the virtual fish tank.
void
• Definition – (adj) completely empty; (n)
empty or unfilled space (v) to cancel or
nullify
• Why would you void a check?
wayward
(way ward)
• Definition – (adj) disobedient, willful;
unpredictable
. Wayward boys were sent to the camp
when they broke the law.
wince
• Definition – (v) to draw back suddenly, as
though in pain or fear; (n) the act of
drawing back in this way
• I could see her wince in pain when the
needle pricked her skin.