Page 188
hap • less adj., unfortunate; unlucky. The hapless hockey player crashed into the goalie.
da • is n., raised platform. The speakers at the conference sat on a dais at the front of the room.
Page 189
come • li • est adj., most attractive. The comeliest of the heroines of Greek myth was Helen of Troy.
coun • te • nance n., appearance. When the police officer in the car behind us turned on his lights, my companion’s countenance changed from joy to despair.
Page 190
smite vt., inflict a heavy blow. A sumo wrestler is not allowed to smite his opponents.
bur • nish vt., make smooth and shiny by rubbing. We had to burnish the silver before the wedding banquet.
Page 191
res • pite n., short interval of rest or delay. The editors worked without respite until the project was done.
Page 192
cov • e • nant n., binding agreement. The kings made a covenant never again to take arms against one another.
sun • der vt., break apart; separate. The bolt of lightning sundered the tree, splitting its trunk in two.
Page 194
in •trigue n., plotting or scheming. The spy’s life was one of continual intrigue.
treach • er • y n., betrayal of trust. Telling the secrets of a friend is a form of treachery.
a • mi • a • bly adv., in a pleasant and friendly manner. The schoolboy amiably held the door for the principal.
Page 195
trans • gress vi., overstep or break a law. After Jeremy transgressed, he felt guilty.
be • tide vi., happen to. The silly romance novel ended with the line, “May such happiness as I described herein betide all true men and women.”
be • guile vt., mislead by tricking. Did the deceptive advertisement beguile you into buying the product?
Page 196
en • treat vt., ask earnestly; beg. “I entreat you,” said the defense attorney, “to let this man return to his wife and children.”
van • quish vt., conquer or defeat in battle. The Celtic warrior queen vanquished the enemy.
mor • ti • fi • ca • tion n., shame; humiliation. When the diary entry was read aloud over the public address system, my mortification was complete.