Vocabulary Of The Week #4
By Lela S.
10. Obloquy
If you are on the receiving end of obloquy, then society has turned against you and you are in a state of disgrace.
9. Wrought
Wrought is an adjective that means "molded," "shaped," or "manufactured." A wrought-iron fence has been shaped to fit a particular ornamental style.
8. Deference
Sure you wear ripped jeans to school every day, but you don't wear them to your grandmother's house out of deference to her. When you show deference to someone, you make a gesture of respect.
7. Wanton
Wanton describes something excessive, uncontrolled and sometimes even cruel. The principal sees a food fight as a wanton act of vandalism done with wanton disregard for the rules, but the kids might just see it as fun.
6. Suppliant
A suppliant is someone who begs or prays for something, and to be suppliant is to humbly pray or ask for forgiveness. Puppy-dog eyes can help if you’re trying to look suppliant.
5. Materialistic
Who doesn’t love the nice things that money can buy? But if all you care about is the stuff you have and the stuff you want to buy, you are materialistic.
4. Twain
If you want an old-fashioned way to talk about two things, use the noun twain. You might lament that your pair of dogs was divided in twain when you had to give one of them away.
3. Scruple
Your scruples are what keep you from doing things you consider to be morally or ethically wrong. Your scruples won't allow you to cheat on a test, or steal from your brother's Halloween candy stash.
2. Binomial
Anything binomial consists of two terms (like x + 5) or has two names (like homo sapiens).
1. Entreat
To entreat is to ask for something that is really important, like when you entreat the jury to spare your life.
Want to learn more vocabulary words? Then check out vocabulary.com for more!