WOTD List #4

1. WOTD List #4 2013-2014

2. WOTD #106 • Ignominy (n)- public shame or disgrace • The ignominy of being spanked in the grocery store by his mother made the little boy behave in public.

3. WOTD #107 • Phantasm (n)- A figment of the imagination; an illusion or apparition • Edgar Allen Poe’s stories and poems often feature characters interacting with ghostly phantasms.

4. WOTD #108 • Deplorable (adj)- regrettable; very bad; wretched • Rescue efforts after the earthquake were deplorable; with better organization, more survivors might have been found.

5. WOTD #109 • Fiend (n)- monster; cruel, wicked and inhumane person • In Frankenstein, characters thought the fiend was the creature when it was truly Dr. Frankenstein.

6. WOTD #110 • Misanthropic (adj)- hatred of mankind • Chillingworth becomes misanthropic due to his obsession over Hester and her secret lover’s adultery.

7. WOTD #111 • Strenuous (adj)- demanding or requiring vigorous actions; laborious • Being organized can seem strenuous, yet it actually allows a person more free time.

8. WOTD #112* • Domestic (adj)- of or relating to the running of a home or family relations. • Only a portion of domestic violence cases are ever reported to the police.

9. WOTD #113 • Competent (adj)- acceptable and satisfactory, though not outstanding • The candidate appeared to be competent though she was not the company’s top choice.

10. WOTD #114 • Mellow (adj)- pleasantly smooth or soft; softened by age or experience • By her late twenties, the woman had mellowed and preferred quiet dinners at home compared to loud restaurants.

11. WOTD #115 • Enigmatic (adj)- mysterious; difficult to interpret or understand (noun- enigma) • The young woman’s enigmatic personality left the boy desperate to know more about her.

12. WOTD #116 • Desperado (n)- a desperate or reckless person, especially a criminal • The Wild West was seen as a place only desperados would settle and thrive.

13. WOTD #117 • Impromptu (adj & adv)- done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed • The musicians held an impromptu jam session after discovering they all loved classic rock.

14. WOTD #118 • Venerable (adj)- valued and respected due to age or long use • The venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers.

15. WOTD #119* • Fidelity (n)- loyalty; devotion • Fidelity is an important element of friendship.

16. WOTD #120 • Ostentation (n)- showy display • Many people prefer understatement to ostentation.

17. WOTD #121 • Enticing (adj)- attractive or tempting; alluring • Tropical vacations are especially enticing during cold, dreary winters.

18. WOTD #122 • Perception (n)- awareness; understanding • The goal of the community group was to bring about a greater perception of the problem.

19. WOTD #123 • Invariably (adv)- uniformly; consistently; constantly • The clerks at the store are invariably pleasant and helpful.

20. WOTD #124 • Melancholy (adj)- gloomy; sad • The girl continued her melancholy attitude until her mother returned for her at the end of the day.

21. WOTD #125 • Repose (v)- to rest or relax • Her goal was to repose under the tree where she could get some shade.

22. WOTD #126* • Resolute (adj)- firm or determined; unwavering • He was resolute to pass his final exam.

23. WOTD #127 • Mirth (n)- joy accompanied by laughter; exuberance; glee • The girl was full of mirth after she was accepted to her top college.

24. WOTD #128 • Cynical (adj)- believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrust of human sincerity or integrity • Some people are quite cynical about finding true love.

25. WOTD #129 • Superfluous (adj)- unnecessary; more than enough; excessive • The superfluous stuff on my desk made it hard to find the papers I needed.

26. WOTD #130 • Demeanor (n)- outward appearance or behavior • I was extremely nervous for my first game, but my coach’s calm demeanor put me at ease.

27. WOTD #131 • Blunder (n)- a mistake • The little blunder by the pitcher cause the other team to score two runs.

28. WOTD #132 • Civilize (v)- to bring to an advanced and ordered state of humanity • The Widow Douglas tries to civilize Huck Finn, but he instead runs away to the woods.

29. WOTD #133* • Intrepid (adj)- dauntless; adventurous • Lewis and Clark must have been intrepid explorers to go into the vast unknown of the American continent.

30. WOTD #134 • Bile (n)- bitterness; ill humor • He held biletoward his brother for all that he had taken from him.

31. WOTD #135 • Imminent (adj)- about to happen; impending • All the students began counting the days because the end of the school year was imminent.

32. WOTD #136 • Infamous (adj)- notorious • The villain was infamous for interrupting Batman’s plans.

33. WOTD #137 • Tranquil (adj)- undisturbed; peaceful • The tranquil atmosphere on the lake made Kristin want to stay forever.

34. WOTD #138 • Inclination (n)- a favorable disposition; desirable • After John ate the delicious cake, he had an inclination to return for a second piece.

35. WOTD #139 • Callow (adj)- lacking adult maturity or experience; immature • The callow ninth grader was obviously out of place with the seniors.

36. WOTD #140* • Apprise (v)- to give notice to; to inform • I thought it right to apprise Chris of what happened while he was on vacation.