Page 810
mea • ger adj., not rich or bountiful; inadequate. The portions at the restaurant were so meager that we left hungry.
or • dain vt., officially give someone the authority and duties of a minister, priest, or rabbi. Marla was excited when, after years of study at divinity school, she was ordained a minister.
in • her • ent • ly adv., characteristically; naturally. Some philosophers maintain that people are inherently good.
Page 811
me • nag • er • ie n., collection of wild or exotic animals. In Tennessee Williams’s play, Laura Wingfield’s prized menagerie is made of glass.
as • cet • ic adj., self-denying; austere. The monks lived an ascetic lifestyle, denying themselves most of civilization’s pleasures.
Page 812
im • per • cep • ti • ble adj., not able to be detected by the senses or the mind. Adam’s progress in spelling was so slow as to be imperceptible.
Page 814
rav • e • nous • ly adv., in a greedy or wildly hungry manner. After reading Emma, Sheila ravenously devoured the rest of Jane Austen’s novels.
a • vow vt., admit frankly. “I made a mistake,” Frank avowed after he was caught cheating on a test.
Page 815
trep • i • da • tion n., anxiety; nervousness. How many people do you know who face the unknown with a vague but insistent trepidation?
nup • tial adj., concerning marriage or a wedding. Some of Shakespeare’s comedies end in nuptial plans.
Page 816
pro • fu • sion n., large number; abundance. The dandelions grew in such profusion in the Kelters’ front lawn that their lawn appeared yellow, not green.
mach • i • na • tion n., clever plot or scheme. Machiavelli wrote persuasively about the art of political machination in The Prince.
Page 817
ab • ject • ly adv., miserably; in a manner that shows utter hopelessness or resignation. The homeless man, standing abjectly at the intersection, held a sign begging for money.
Page 818
re • lent • less adj., harsh; pitiless. Tony’s parents’ relentless questioning about the accident forced him to admit his friend was driving their car.
Page 819
ex • as • per • at • ing adj., irritating; annoying. “It’s exasperating training this puppy,” thought Darla.
re • frain vi., hold back; keep oneself from doing something. While observing Ramadan, practicing Muslims refrain from eating during daylight hours.
Page 820
ap • pa • ra • tus n., materials and tools needed for a specific purpose. Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist famous for designing comically complex apparatuses.
ves • ti • bule n., hallway or small room at the entrance of a building. The umbrella stand was located in the vestibule of the apartment.
Page 821
hag • gard adj., having a wasted or exhausted look. Elwood looked haggard after working a double shift.