UNIT Two

Grade Seven

1. available ( adj) ready for use; at hand

syn: obtainable, on hand ant: unobtainable, not to be

hadEx. Calculators are available

for the majority of the PSSA test.

2. cater( v) to satisfy the needs of, try to make things easy and pleasant; to supply

food and servicesyn: pamper, indulge, gratify, provide

ant: frustrate, deny, refuseEx. To cater to the student on crutches, the student left class a few minutes early to avoid the crowded halls.

3. customary ( adj) usual, expected, routine

syn: regular, normal, traditional ant: strange, odd, unusual,

untraditionalEx. It is customary that males

will remove their hats during the playing of the“National Anthem.”

4. dissuade (v) to persuade not to do something

syn: discourage, talk out of ant: persuade, talk intoEx. You should dissuade your

friends from doing things that would be harmful.

5. entrepreneur (n) a person who starts up and takes on the risk of a business

syn: business person, impresario

Ex. Bill Gates was the entrepreneur who began Microsoft.

6. firebrand (n) a piece of burning wood; a troublemaker; an extremely energetic or emotional person.

syn: hothead, agitator, rabble-rouser

ant: peacemaker, pacifier, conciliator

Ex. The Boston Tea Party was an act brought on by firebrands.

7. hazard (n) risk, peril(v) to expose to danger or harm; to gamble

syn: (n) danger (v) ventureEx. I could not hazard a

guess of what was inside the wrapped box.

8. homicide (n) the killing of one person by another

syn: manslaughter, murderEx. The news each day often

tells of a new homicide.

9. indifference (n) lack of interest or concern

syn: apathy, unconcernant: interest, concern, enthusiasmEx. Unfortunately some students

feel an indifference toward reading. They do not understand how important reading will be in all aspects of their lives.

10. indignant (adj) filled with resentment or anger over something unjust, unworthy, or mean

syn: offended, resentful, outraged, exasperatedant: pleased, delighted, overjoyed, elatedEx. Animal lovers become very

indignant when they hear of a case of animal abuse.

11. indispensable (adj)absolutely necessary, not to be neglected

syn: essential, crucial, vitalant: unnecessary,

nonessentialEx. Sunshine is indispensable

to most plants.

12. lubricate (v) to apply oil or grease; to make smooth, slippery, or easier to use

syn: oil, greaseEx. Oil must be added to the

frying pan to lubricate it so the food will not stick to its surface.

13. mutual (adj) shared, felt, or shown equally by two or more

syn: two-sided, joint, shared, reciprocalant: one-sided, unilateralEx. The two people came to

a mutual agreement.

14. pelt (v) to throw a stream of things; to strike successively, to hurry

syn: bombard, shower, pepper

Ex. The rain pelted against the car’s windshield.

15. plague (n) an easily spread disease causing a large number of deaths; a widespread evil (v) to annoy or bothersyn: (n) epidemic, pestilence (v) pester, vexant: (n) boon, blessing

Ex. The heat plagued the carpenters and made it nearly impossible for them to complete their job.

16. poised (adj- part.) balanced, suspended; calm, controlled; ready for action

syn: collected, self-confident, readyant: nervous, tenseEx. Despite having to speak in

front of a large crowd for the first time, she was quite poised.

17. regime (n) a government in power; a form or system of rule or management; a period of rule

syn: administration, ruleEx. There will be a new

regime after the presidential election has been decided.

18. retard (v) to make slow, delay, hold back

syn: slow down, restrain, impede

ant: hasten, speed upEx. The large amount of

snow falling in just a few hours will retard traffic.

19. transparent (adj) allowing light to pass through; easily recognized or understood; easily seen through or detected

syn: clear, translucent, obviousant: frosted, sooty, smoky,

unclear, indistinctEx. The plastic wrap is

transparent.

20. unscathed (adj) wholly unharmed, not injured

syn: unhurt, sound, intact, unimpairedant: injured, damaged, harmed, hurtEx. Most people emerged from

the minor earthquake unscathed.