Term
|
Definition
| -----an epidemic that is geographically widespread an affects a large proportion of the population-----A man-made virus known as KV triggered a global pandemic that killed almost all the of the human population on Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage-----Harry demonstrates great fortitude as he repels two Dementors, resists, Dolores Umbridge's rule, and forms Dumbledore's Army. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----very small-----Prince is very diminutive, standing just 5'2''. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----old-fashioned; out of date; no longer part of contemporary usage; antiquated-----The words "sheik" and "sheba" are both archaic words and no longer are part of contemporary usage. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to encourage; urge; implore; give a pep talk-----The team coach gives the sports team a pep talk designed to exhort the team members to give it 110 percent. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----strong dislike; ill will; the state of detesting someone-----There is a strong antipathy between Gerry and Julius, but it turned to friendship as the players and coaches worked together and the team began to win. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to depart from a subject; wander; ramble-----Writers will sometimes digress or wander off from a topic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----characterized by holding fast; showing great determination in holding on to something that is valued-----Jason Bourne showed great tenacity in his single-minded attempt to learn who he was. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----characterized by excessive generosity; overly tolerant-----Regina George's mother prides herself on being indulgent, telling the girls, "I just want you to know, if you ever need anything, don't be shy, OK?" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to create disunity or dissension; to break up into opposing factions or groups-----Some issues are so polarizing that a compromise is impossible, such as the issue of slavery many years ago. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----vague; cloudy; misty; lacking a fully developed form-----JK Rowling stated that the Epilogue of the last Harry Potter book is nebulous; she did not want readers to be able to make out clearly who was there and who was not. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a similarity or likeness-----The analogy between a tree and a forest and a star and a galaxy is that a tree is part of a forest in the same way as a star is part of a galaxy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----very brief; lasting for a short time-----One-hit wonders see fleeting popularity. They are ephemeral -- here today and gone tomorrow. |
|
|
Term
| penchant and predilection |
|
Definition
| -----a liking or preference for something; an inclination-----Angelina Jolie has a penchant for tattoos, as Lil' Wayne also has a predilection for tattoos. They both are covered in them. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----very changeable; fickle; characterized by constantly-shifting moods-----Though the British public originally loved Susan Boyle, the capricious voters saw her finish in 2nd place on Britain's Got Talent. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----vulgar; characterized by crude behavior and deplorable manners-----Bluto displayed uncouth behavior, piling food onto his cafeteria plate while stuffing food in his pockets. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----characterized by outrage at something that is perceived as unjust-----Al Gore's supporters were indignant at the outcomes of presidential elections, accusing George W. Bush of stealing the election from Gore. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a veiled reference; an insinuation-----Celebrity magazines and gossip bloggers thrive on using innuendoes to spark interest and stir up controversy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to stop, frustrate, prevent-----Lily Potter's love thwarted Lord Voldemort's attempt to kill her one-year-old son, Harry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to have or show great skill; dexterous; nimble-----Kate Moore has dexterous hands, as she is the U.S. National Texting Champion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to earnestly caution; to warn against (another) to avoid a course of action-----"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" earnestly admonishes children to "be good for goodness sake." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----indisputable; beyond doubt-----Dumbledore tells Cornelius Fudge that "the evidence of the Dark Lord's return is incontrovertible," and Fudge is skeptical. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a huge appetite that cannot be satisfied; insatiable-----Homer Simpson has a voracious appetite for doughnuts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----emotionally hardened; insensitive; unfeeling-----Tom Buchanan callously ruins four lives while recklessly pursuing his own selfish pleasures. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----courageous, resolute, and fearless-----Luke Skywalker was undaunted by the Empire's seemingly invincible Death Star. |
|
|
