Engish vocab Unit 1

Adage - Wise saying

One way to begin an informal speech or oral report is to quote an old adage.

Bonanza - something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding

The thrilling adventure movie set in Alaska proved to be a box-office bonanza!

Churlish - lacking politeness

The store manager instructed all salesclerks to avoid churlish replies to customers' questions.

Citadel - strong or commanding place

A medieval citadel once guarded the capital city of the Greek island of Rhodes.

Collaborate - work with

The teacher demanded that we collaborate with each other.

Decree - force by law

The king decreed that only royals shall be allowed to enter the royal castle.

Discordant - Lacking harmony

The choir teacher announced that it is okay to be discordant at first when learning a new choir song.

Evolve - to develop gradually

Authors hope that their notes, descriptions, and character sketches will evolve into a book.

Excerpt - passage taken from a book

If you excerpt material from a book you must put it in quotations.

Grope - search blindly

When the power failed, we had to grope in the dark to find a flashlight.

Hover - float or hang suspended over

A large group of vultures hover in the air above the wounded animal.

Jostle - bump, brush against

I tried not to jostle other riders as I exited the crowded bus.

Laggard - person who moves slowly/falling behind

Tour guides often have to urge laggards to keep up with the rest of the group.
Tenants who are laggard in paying rent run the risk of being forced to move.

Plaudits - applause or cheers

The skaters who won the gold medals gratefully accepted the plaudits of their fans.

Preclude - make impossible/stop

Three wrong answers will preclude any contestant to continue in the quiz show's final round.

Revert - return/go back

Control of a property usually reverts to the legal owner when the lease is up.

Rubble - stone or brick ruins

Bulldozers and wrecking balls soon reduced the building into rubble.

Servile - behaving like or suitable for a servant

Most serious performers prefer constructive criticism to servile flattery.

Vigil - watchful attention

Thousands attended the solemn vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Wrangle - to argue in a noisy way

My brother and sister always argue over who gets the TV remote.