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op • press v., keep down by cruel or unjust use of power. The cruel tyrant oppressed his people, making them labor long hours without rest.

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tem • pes • tu • ous adj., violent; stormy. The boat was tossed about by the tempestuous sea.

de • mur v., hesitate because of doubts. We asked him to state his opinion, but he demurred, saying that he
had not yet decided how he felt about the issue.

vain adj., without force or effect. Because Josh did not help Jeremy as he had promised, Jeremy wondered if all
Josh’s promises were vain.

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tal • on n., claw of a bird of prey. The eagle seized its prey with its talons.

strew v., spread by scattering. The squirrels eat the nuts and strew the shells across the lawn. strewn, adj.

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ebb v., flow back; recede. When the tide ebbs, we can hunt for shells along the shore.

in • tol • er • a • ble adj., unbearable; too severe or painful to be endured. We thought that Jessica’s rudeness to the new students was intolerable.

cow • er v., crouch or huddle. The tiny kitten cowered before the barking dog.

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trans • gres • sor n., one who breaks a law or commandment. The Code of Hammurabi calls for
harsh punishments for transgressors of Mesopotamian laws.

wrest v., pull or force away violently with a twisting motion. The small child finally wrested his favorite toy away from the other child.