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rapt adj., mentally engrossed or absorbed. The rapt fans were silent as the pitcher wound up for the final pitch.

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des • o • late adj., lonely, sad. The desolate bear searched throughout the day for her cubs.

de • crep • it adj., worn out, weakened from old age. The roof of the decrepit old shack looked slightly caved in.

poign • ant adj. deeply affecting or touching; somber. She cried at the poignant sight of the war-torn village.

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rue • ful adj., regretful. The rueful boy apologized to his sister after stepping on her doll. ruefully, adv.

re • sem • blance n., likeness, similarity. Vicki’s singing voice had a striking resemblance to that of her grandmother.

de • spised adj., hated, regarded with dislike and hostility. This week’s school lunch menu includes the despised beef chip surprise.

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es • cort v., accompany or guide (someone or something). I will escort you to your car.

rav • en • ous adj., very eager for food. Bill was ravenous after the long hike.

tan • ta • liz • ing adj., teasingly out of reach. The tantalizing pie on the windowsill made her stomach rumble.

gild • ed adj., overlayed in golden color; appealing on the surface. The gilded mirror sold for a fortune at the auction.

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vig • or • ous adj., active, lively; energetic. The vigorous puppies wore me out after an hour of play.

com • pen • sate v., balance, offset; repay. The restaurant manager gave us a gift certificate to compensate for the poor service we received last night.

in • ad • e • qua • cy n., quality or state of not being capable or sufficient. The receptionist’s cheerful personality made up for her inadequacies on the telephone.

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idle adj., without worth or basis in fact. Jenny and Sam’s idle chatter left me bored.

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din • gy adj., dirty or discolored; shabby, showing signs of wear or neglect. The dingy hallways made the building seem old and gloomy.

de • lu • sion n., an incorrect perception of reality. Mother says that Aunt Celia’s belief in elves is nothing but a delusion.

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grue • some adj., ghastly; inspiring horror. The gruesome scene in the haunted house made my heart pound.

un • wary adj., easily fooled. The unwary ducks were surprised by a hungry fox.