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e • ther • ize or Brit. e • ther • ise vt., render groggy or numb. Dr. Bramwell etherized her patients before surgery.

te • di • ous adj., long and tiresome. We found the politician’s dry, lengthy speech tedious.

in • sid • i • ous adj., deceitful. We found it insidious that, though promising prompt delivery, the company did not deliver the product for six weeks.

lin • ger vi., remain or stay longer than usual. Daphne lingered after the lecture to ask the teacher a question.

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as • sert vt., declare; affirm. The puppy asserted its independence and ran down the block.

pre • sume vi., dare; venture; take upon oneself. I did not presume to raise my hand, even though I was quite sure of the answer.

for • mu • lat • ed adj., systematical; precise. His response seemed formulated, as he had planned his words earlier that morning.

di • gress vi., deviate from the main topic in speaking or writing. Cathy’s story was hard to follow because she digressed often.

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ma • lin • ger vi., pretend illness. The employee was fired because he frequently malingered, calling in sick even when he was in fine health.

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def • er • en • tial adj., respectful. Mr. Bloomquist was deferential to his clients.

ob • tuse adj., slow to understand or perceive; insensitive. People who persist in polluting the environment act as if they are obtuse.