Page 831

vo • li • tion n., choice or decision made. Margot had to drag Omar to the conference, but he stayed of his own volition.

Page 832

ren • dez • vous adj., planned meeting. At Valley Fair we decided to set a rendezvous point in case we were separated in the crowd.

ab • sti • nence n., habitual going without. Dora’s abstinence from dairy products helped her lose ten pounds.

Page 833

phi • lan • thro • py n., act or gift of dispensing aid or funds set aside for humanitarian purposes. One of Carnegie’s principal philanthropies was establishing public libraries.

fin • ick • y adj., excessively nice or exacting in taste or standards. Mrs. Bucket’s finicky preparations resulted in an exquisite candlelight supper.

Page 835

in • ter • mit • tent adj., coming and going at intervals, not continuous. We could occasionally hear the announcer between the intermittent blasts of static.

hul • la • ba • loo n., confused noise. Mr. Auriemma shouted to be heard over the hullabaloo in the gym.

in • cen • di • ar • y adj., relating to or involving deliberate burning of property. During the riots in the inner city, residents were most afraid of incendiary crime.

Page 836

pom • mel vt., pound or beat. After the punk pommelled him and took his wallet, Steve went to the police station to file a report.

he • do • nis • tic adj., relating to or characterized by pleasure. Kleo planned to devote himself to a hedonistic lifestyle during vacation.

in • ces • sant adj., continuing or following without interruption. The incessant noise of the drum beating gave Tanja a headache.

Page 837

con • viv • i • al adj., relating to feasting, drinking, and good company. “Eat, drink, and be merry” describes Leslie’s convivial attitude toward life.

buf • fet vt., batter or drive by force. During the storm, the ship was buffeted by heavy winds and sank.

Page 838

xe • no • pho • bic adj., fearful of or showing hatred toward foreigners. My xenophobic neighbor did not welcome the immigrants who moved in next door.

theo • log • i • cal adj., of or relating to theology, or the study of religious faith, practice, and experience. The theological magazine was published by a Catholic press.

re • pug • nant adj., exciting distaste or aversion. The idea of conceding defeat was repugnant to our team.