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un • en • cum • bered adj., free of impediments. Lucy left her suitcases at the hotel so she could explore the city unencumbered by their weight.

in • dul • gent adj., extremely considerate of another’s desires or feelings; overly generous. Uncle Mickey is indulgent, but Aunt Louise is very strict.

vi • tal • i • ty n., life, liveliness. At eighty, Norma’s vitality matches that of people half her age.

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vi • va • cious adj., lively in temper or conduct. The vivacious applicant got the job of greeting customers.

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fran • tic adj., emotionally out of control. Gordon became frantic when he realized he had lost Toby.

be • nign adj., kindly; nonthreatening. The benign stranger helped us find the store.

in • do • lent adj., lazy. The indolent worker was fired for his laziness.

steel v., made hard like steel. Jules steeled himself for the bad news.

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com • mence v., begin. The meeting will commence at 3:00 p.m.

em • pha • tic adj., firm, forceful. Leon was emphatic about the importance of the players being at practice.

fa • ce • tious adj., witty in a playful but often inappropriate manner. “I was being facetious,” I insisted when Albert became upset by my remark. facetiously, adv.

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im • pu • dence n., cockiness and disregard for others. Von‘s impudence showed in the way he strutted about, sneering at everyone.

pla • cate v., soothe or calm. Joline placated the baby by singing a lullaby.

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in • ex • o • ra • ble adj., relentless; refusing to be pursuaded. The advancing army was inexorable: the only thing to do was flee. inexorably, adv.

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ob • sti • nate adj., stubborn. We tried to get Marny to change her mind, but she was too obstinate.

pre • co • cious adj., exceptionally early in development. The precocious child could read by the age of three.