sul • try adj., humid; excessively hot and moist. Irma longed for snow on the sultry summer day.

per • sist • ent adj., continuing in the face of opposition; unrelenting. Carmen finally let the secret slip after tenhours of persistent questioning by Jason.

fat • u • ous adj., foolish; stupid. Mr. Kline’s answers were clever, while his opponent had a ridiculously fatuous reply for every question. fatuously, adv.

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res • o • lute adj., determined; unwavering. Nora’s voice was resolute as she demanded her money back.

list • less adj., sluggish; uninterested. Despite attempts to amuse him, Colin remained silent and listless. listlessly, adv.

pet • u • lant adj., impatient; irritable. The petulant child pouted and stamped his foot.

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fe • roc • i • ty n., quality of being fierce or savage. The ferocity of the guard dog scared the guests as well as potential criminals.

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dis • sen • tient adj., going against a majority opinion. The decision would have been unanimous, but Ted had a dissentient opinion.

as • sail v., attack with arguments. The students assailed the teacher with requests for less homework, but their cries went unheeded.