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ex • ten • u • at • ing adj., lessening the seriousness of [a crime] by making, or serving as, an excuse. The defense attorney argued that the defendant’s desire to reform should be considered an extenuating circumstance in the case.

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ven • ture • some adj., daring; inclined to incur risk or danger. In the novel Tom Sawyer, a group of venturesome children explore an old mine.

de • plore vt., regret strongly; consider unfortunate or deserving of criticism. Before the Civil War, many abolitionists deplored slavery and spoke out against it.

dis • em • bark vi., leave a ship to go ashore. The captain of the ship told us to watch our step as we disembarked.

hel • ter-skel • ter adj., marked by a lack of order or plan; haphazard. The many toys strewn about the girls’ room contributed to its helter-skelter appearance.

skir • mish n., minor fight in war; minor dispute or contest between opposing parties. The skirmish between British soldiers and Massachusetts townspeople in Concord and Lexington started the American Revolutionary War.

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ebb n., flowing back of the tide toward the sea. The ebb of the ocean exposed a sandy stretch of sea treasures.

cir • cum • lo • cu • tion n., use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea. The union workers were already committed to the strike and did not want to hear their leader’s circumlocutions.

ram • bunc • tious adj., marked by uncontrollable enthusiasm; unruly. The babysitter could not control the rambunctious children who ran through the house in a whirlwind of motion.

ex • ult • ing • ly adv., in a joyful manner. The congregation sang the Easter hymn exultingly.

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ve • neer n., superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, display, or effect. Although the host made some very cutting remarks at dinner, the guests retaineda veneer of politeness.

saun • ter vi., walk about in an idle or leisurely manner. Confident of his performance, Miguel sauntered to the front of the room to turn in his college board exam before the time was up.

rai • ment n., clothing. In Europe, purple was usually reserved for the raiment of kings.

car • riage n., manner of bearing the body; posture. The gentleman’s carriage on horseback was stately and dignified.

mis • cel • la • ny n., mixture of various things. The miscellany of items spread across Leon’s desk prevented me from finding the plane tickets.