1. abet- (v) to encourage: encourage an offense
2. alluvion- (n) flood; the wash or flow of water against the shore
3. beatify- (v) to make supremely happy
4. cadence- (n) rhythmical flow of movement
5. coalescence- (n) the act of coming together
6. demagogue- (n) an unprincipled politician or leader
7. emeritus- (n) one who is retired but retained to an honorary position
8. foppish- (adj) devoted to dress and niceties of manners
9. grotto- (n) a small cavern
10. humbug- (n) deceitfulness
11. insidious- (adj) treacherous; untrustworthy
12. jocose- (v) done or made in jest
13. knavery- (n) mischievous; a roguish act
14. lien- (n) legal claim on property
15. malefactor- (n) one who injures another; an evildoer
16. nettle- (v) to incite displeasure in
17. osculate (v) to kiss
18. palinode- (n) a formal retraction
19. rife- (adj) abundant; copiously supplied
20. tyro- (n) one who is slightly skilled
For practice, use the vocabulary words to complete the sentences below; a selection will only be used once. The answers follow below.
I wouldn’t go into a dark _1_ where I might be bit by a snake or eaten by a bear.
my older siblings constantly _2_ me so that they can enjoy watching me get upset.
I always have to keep an eye on _3_ students when they take a test.
We can survive for quite a while with this _4_ storage of food and water.
The _5_ took my house clean away from its foundation and down the street she went.
All the gals are smarting over that _6_ lad with all of his new fashions.
Bubba Baker is a true _7_; he was sent to prison for five counts of attempted murder.
Frankly my boy, I’m no longer interested in your well-being; you have lost my trust with you constant _8_.
Do not _9_ a crime or you will be charged as well if you are caught.
When my love and I _10_ we _11_ each other.
The bank took a _12_ on my home because I missed the last four mortgage payments.
I don’t want a _13_ operating on me; I want some one who is highly skilled.
If a democracy is so perfect, why do we so often elect _14_s into office.
Due to his public slander the senator had to offer a _15_ that appeared in the newspaper.
The swans’ _16_ is beautiful as they glide together across the lake.
After coaching for fifty years Coach Greenlaw was honored as a coach _17_ upon his final season.
Tyler, your _18_ may earn you laughter, but your boss will soon grow tired of your actions.
Marriage, I suppose, is the zenith of human _19_.
There are certain issues like politics, eligion and sexuality that you should not _20_ about.
ANSWERS:
1. grotto
2. nettle
3. insidious
4. rife
5. alluvion
6. foppish
7. malefactor
8. humbug
9. abet
10. osculate
11. beatify
12. lien
13. tyro
14. demagogue
15. palinode
16. emeritus
17. knavery
18. coalescence
19.
20.