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.