The Odyssey Vocabulary List 1
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The Odyssey Vocabulary List 1 1. plunder VERB to steal things from a place, such as a city or town, especially by force NOUN things that are stolen or taken by force, especially during a war example (as a verb): I was furious to discover that my little brother had plundered my stash of Halloween candy; now, not a single piece was left. example (as a noun): Once they were on board the ship, the pirates examined their plunder – jewels and gold coins. 2. hallowed ADJ to make holy example: Many people consider the grounds of Gettysburg and the sites of other famous battles to be hallowed because of the many lives lost there. notes: This word comes to English through Old English, German, and Scandinavian languages. The word Halloween is a mash-up of “hallowed evening” – or in other words, a holy night. 3. strive (past tense: strove; past participle: striven) VERB to try very hard to do or achieve something example: The Olympic swimmer kicked his legs harder and harder, striving to win first place. notes: “Strive” is an irregular verb; its past tense is “strove.” (So you wouldn’t say, “I strived to cross the finish line,” but instead “I strove to cross the finish line.”) 4. suave ADJ smoothly agreeable or polite; sophisticated example: James Bond is often able to talk people into revealing secrets because of his suave personality. 5. appease VERB 1: to make someone pleased or less angry by giving or saying something desired 2: to make a pain or a problem less painful or troubling example: The father tried to appease the wailing toddler by promising her ice cream if she would be quiet. notes: This word comes from the Latin term “pax,” meaning “peace.” 6. swagger VERB to walk or behave in a very confident way, almost to the point of arrogance example: The basketball player who made the winning shot swaggered out in front of the cameras at the press conference. notes: Shakespeare invented this word – he adapted “swag,” which at the time meant “to sway.” 7. mortify VERB 1: to cause someone to feel very embarrassed and foolish, to the point of humiliation and shame 2: to deliberately punish one’s own body (through starvation or injury) for a religious purpose example: The priest attempted to demonstrate his faith by mortifying his flesh by whipping his back. example: Kaitlyn was mortified to discover that the entire school had learned that she had a crush on Ronald. notes: The Latin root “mort” means “death”; the suffix “fy” means “to make.” 8. thwart VERB to stop from happening or succeeding example: Connor’s campaign for senator was thwarted by the newspaper that published a story about how he had not paid his taxes in five years. 9. obscene ADJ offensive in a shocking way; immoral example: The movie was given an “R” rating because reviewers felt that it was obscene. obscenity NOUN the character or quality of being obscene; indecency; lewdness example: Shouting obscenities during class will certainly lead to detention! 10. brazen ADJ 1: shameless or bold 2: made of brass 3: like brass, as in sound, color, or strength example (literal): The archeologists discovered that the brazen pot was from Ancient Greece. example (figurative): The art thieves made a brazen attempt to steal The Mona Lisa from the Louvre in broad daylight. notes: The double meaning of this word can be a little hard to grasp; the thinking was that a person who was shameless would not change their face (as though it were made of brass), even if they did something terrible. 1 11. insolent ADJ boldly rude or disrespectful; insulting example: After Tamara’s mother begged her daughter to explain why she had come home so late the night before, Tamara laughed insolently and replied “None of your business.” insolence NOUN extremely rude in behavior or speech example: The King did not tolerate insolence from his subjects, and expected everyone to address him with the highest respect. 12. shrewd ADJ showing quick, practical cleverness example: A shrewd businessperson will be able to turn a couple hundred dollars into a fortune. 13. cunning ADJ getting what is wanted in a clever and often deceptive way NOUN cleverness or skill especially at tricking people in order to get something example (as an adjective): Raccoons are known for their cunning intelligence, and even if you lock up your food while camping, there’s still a good chance that they’ll find a way to get at it. example (as a noun): Even though the peasant was born into poverty, his cunning helped him to become wealthy. notes: The word “cunning” comes from the Old English “can” or “ken,” meaning “knowledge.” 14. shroud NOUN 1: a cloth or sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for burial 2: something that covers or conceals like a garment VERB 1: to wrap or clothe for burial 2: to cover; hide from view 3: to veil, as in mystery example (literal): The family wrapped the body of their grandmother in a beautiful silk shroud before burying her. example (figurative): The city was shrouded in a thick layer of fog, so that you could only see the tops of the skyscrapers. 15. adept ADJ very skilled; expert example: The surgeon stitched up the patient so adeptly that six months later there was no scar. 16. subtle ADJ 1: hard to notice or see 2: not obvious 3: clever and indirect example: When wearing perfume or cologne, you should make sure that the scent is subtle and not overwhelming. example: The letter “b” in the word “subtle” is exactly that – subtle. 17. relent VERB 1: to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing 2: to become less severe, harsh, strong, determined, etc. example: Marco’s mother relented and finally agreed to let him go to the party, but only if he made at least a B on his biology exam. relentless ADJ continuing without becoming weaker; not giving up example: Thanks for Lucy’s relentless training, she was able to come in first place at the city marathon. 18. potent ADJ 1: powerful; mighty 2: producing powerful physical or chemical effects 3: having or exercising great power or influence example: You must have a prescription to be able to purchase the most potent medicines at the pharmacy. 19. exploit NOUN a striking, notable, or heroic accomplishment VERB 1: to get value or use from something 2: to use someone or something in a way that helps you unfairly example (as a noun): Perseus’s most famous exploit was killing Medusa. example (as a verb): Trey exploited the fact that his father was the Chief of Police to get out of speeding tickets. 20. indignant ADJ feeling or showing anger because of something that is unfair or wrong example: Dad was indignant when he discovered that the auto-mechanic had overcharged him by $500. indignation NOUN anger caused by something that is unfair or wrong example: Athena, the goddess of weaving, felt indignation after the girl Arachne made a tapestry insulting the gods. dignity NOUN the quality or state of being worthy of honor and respect example: Karima demonstrated her dignity by walking with her head held up high and her eyes straight ahead. 2 21. gallant ADJ 1: brave or chivalrous 2: exceptionally polite and attentive to women; courtly example: Michael gallantly offered to give up his seat on the bus for the elderly man, who appeared to have trouble standing. 22. fortify VERB 1: to make strong 2: to protect against an attack 3: to increase the effectiveness of by adding ingredients example: The king decided to fortify the castle by digging a moat around it. example: The juice is fortified with additional vitamins. fort NOUN a strong building or group of buildings where soldiers live example: When the Spanish first came to the New World, they built forts and churches. notes: The Latin root “fort” means “strong”; the suffix “fy” means “to make.” 23. vast ADJ enormous area, size, number, or degree example: It is very easy to get lost in the vast aisles of Wal-Mart. 24. spite NOUN a desire to deliberately annoy, upset, or hurt someone example: Because of their long history of rivalry, Hailey assumed that Kassandra bumped into her and spilled juice all over her new dress out of spite, and not on accident. 25. deft ADJ skillful and clever; able to do something quickly and accurately example: You must have deft hands if you want to be a surgeon. 26. yoke NOUN 1: a bar or frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals (such as oxen) so that they can pull a plow or heavy load 2: something that causes people to be treated cruelly and unfairly, especially by taking away their freedom 3: something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie VERB 1: to put a yoke on; join or couple by means of a yoke 2: to join, couple, link, or unite example (as a noun): The farmer settled the yoke onto his strongest ox in preparation for planting the fields. example (as a verb): Kenneth’s family obligations yoked him to his hometown, even though he truly wanted to move to a different city. 27. lavish ADJ rich, expensive, or luxurious VERB to give in great amounts example (as an adjective): The guests were in awe at the lavish decorations at the party, which included a six-foot-tall ice sculpture and live peacocks walking around the garden.