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shroud n., something that covers or protects. A shroud covered the body in the coffin.

hap • haz • ard adj., not planned; casual. Haphazard planning ensured that the wedding would be a disaster.

ex • ca • va • tion n., something unearthed by digging. Excavation for the new house uncovered pieces of old pottery.

en • gulf v., swallow up; overwhelm. The huge waves threatened to engulf the small boat.

un • rul • y adj., hard to control. Ralph’s unruly hair always stuck up in the morning.

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vi • tal • i • ty n., energy; life. Willa’s health and vitality came back after her illness.

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mol • ten adj., melted or liquefied by heat. The ironworker poured molten metal into the mold to harden.

ca • tas • tro • phe n., any great or sudden disaster or misfortune. The flood was a huge catastrophe in this town.

crit • i • cal adj., of or forming a crisis or turning point. The final stretch of the race was critical in determining the winner.

pro • ject v., throw or hurl forward. The slingshot could project water balloons across the road.

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be • wil • der v., confuse. Cal’s strange stories always seem to bewilder us. bewildered, adj.

om • i • nous adj., threatening. The ominous clouds brought rain to our picnic. ominously, adv.

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tran • quil • li • ty n., quality or state of being calm. Reading outside gives me a sense of tranquility.

belch v., throw forth contents rapidly. The smokestack belched black smoke into the sky.

fruit • less adj., without results. My search for the missing watch was fruitless.

shrewd • ness n., cleverness. Margie’s shrewdness as a pitcher led her to strike out many opponents.

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rut • ted adj., grooved or carved out surface. The rutted path cut through the trees.

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o • blige v., compel or force. My mother obliged me to do my homework.

mo • nop • o • ly n., exclusive possession or control over something. The company has a monopoly over the railroad business.

im • pos • ing adj., making a strong impression because of great size or strength. The imposing figure of the bear scared me silly.

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gau • dy adj., tastelessly ornamented. Aunt Penelope wore a gaudy orange, puce, and fuschia polyester gown to the zoo. gaudily, adv.