Page 689
con • glom • er • a • tion n., collection or mixture. During the Elizabethan period, the theater entertained a conglomeration of classes.
symp • to • mat • ic adj., indicative; that constitutes a condition. Sneezing and watery eyes are symptomatic of allergies.
in • ter • fused adj., combined, blended. Snorkeling among the coral reefs, we were awed by the color of the water interfused with light.
im • pla • ca • ble adj., cannot be appeased or pacified. The implacable tourist insisted someone at the hotel desk speak to her in English.
Page 690
in • e • luc • ta • bly adv., in an inescapable or unavoidable manner. In a Greek drama, fate ineluctably draws protagonists to their doom.
ma • tric • u • late vt., enroll. Durrell matriculated at the University of Wisconsin.
em • is • sar • y n., person or agent sent on a mission. The emissary from the king of Spain requested an audience with Queen Elizabeth I to discuss the king’s marriage proposal.
Page 691
mas • ti • ca • tion n., chewing. “With good dental hygiene,” the dentist said, “you can enjoy mastication with your own teeth for the rest of your life.”
re • sume vt., take, get, or occupy again. The car alarm resumed ringing just as we were drifting off to sleep again.
Page 692
prom • i • nent adj., widely and favorably known. The most prominent celebrities appeared on her talk show.
Page 693
me • nag • er • ie n., collection of wild or strange animals kept in enclosures for exhibition. The heiress owned a private menagerie that rivaled the local zoo.
Page 696
in • duct vt., place in official position. Theresa was inducted into the club with much ceremony.
Page 698
cul • ti • vate vt., acquire and develop. Jeremy cultivated his interest in jazz by buying CDs and going to jazz clubs.
Page 700
fi • as • co n., complete failure. Jeff’s ownership of a cinema cafe turned into a complete fiasco.
Page 701
sub • li • ma • tion n., expression of socially or personally unacceptable impulses in constructive, acceptable forms. The still life of food on Paul’s dining room wall was a sublimation of his desire to eat while on his diet.
Page 702
ca • ter vi., take special pains in seeking to gratify another’s needs or desires. In deciding on a trip to Florida, we did not cater to Raymond’s wishes to spend a week in the mountains.
Page 703
czar n., emperor. The Russian czar was an absolute monarch.
a • ghast adj., feeling great horror or dismay. When Sheila dropped my favorite figure, I looked at her, aghast!
pin • ion vt., disable or impede. They pinioned the prize parrot’s wings so that it could not fly away.
Page 705
mot • ley adj., composed of many different elements. The junk drawer held a motley collection of gadgets, rubber bands, and bills.
Page 709
list • less • ly adv., in a disinterested manner. It was such a hot day that I lay listlessly in the hammock.
sheep • ish • ly adv., in an embarrassed manner. Steve looked at me sheepishly when I pointed out his socks did not match.
en • dow • ment n., gift of nature; inherent talent. Wit and writing skill were only two of Samuel Johnson’s endowments.
Page 710
Spar • tan adj., like the Spartans; warlike, stoical, and disciplined. The coach complimented the Spartan attitude of the team after their victory.
Page 711
in • qui • si • tion n., severe or intensive questioning. An inquisition of the employees ensued when money was discovered missing.
quer • u • lous adj., full of complaint; peevish. Amy’s querulous questioning angered her boyfriend.
Page 712
dis • mal adj., causing gloom or misery. The dismal weather in London spoiled the Smiths’ vacation.
im • por • tu • nate • ly adv., in an annoyingly urgent or persistent manner. Alicia got the bicycle she wanted after importunately begging her parents for weeks.
im • plor • ing • ly adv., in a beseeching manner. My brother looked at me imploringly until I agreed to take him to the movie.
Page 714
im • mi • nent adj., likely to happen without delay. Since Marty and Chris had different opinions about the strike, an argument was imminent.
Page 715
bom • bard • ment n., attack by bombs. Londoners took refuge in shelters during the bombardment by German planes.
Page 717
pre • ma • ture adj., too early. The premature infant was placed in an incubator.
su • per • cil • i • ous adj., disdainful, contemptuous. The queen adopted a supercilious attitude toward anyone who was less than an archduke.
Page 718
dis • creet adj., careful about what one says and does. We were discreet so Susan would not find out about the surprise party we were planning for her.
ul • te • ri • or adj., further; more remote; undisclosed; concealed. We suspected the ulterior motives of the salesman when he offered us donuts with a smile.