Page 432

per • ni • cious adj., causing ruin and death. The novelist disdainfully viewed his critics as pernicious foes of truth and art.

Page 435

home • ly adj., simple, unpretentious. Though the house seemed sterile and bleak from the outside, inside it was made warm by comfortable, homely furnishings.

Page 438

con • fine • less adj., limitless. Many astronomers believe that the universe, while not infinite, is confineless.

im • ped • i • ment n., obstacle. Jim’s dyslexia was an impediment to his studying.

stanch • less or staunch • less adj., unstoppable. Environmentalists protested what they said was a stanchless flow of pollutants into the Mediterranean Sea.

Page 440

ab • jure vt., renounce. After the time when Durfey put his lit pipe in his pocket and set his jacket on fire, he abjured smoking.

Page 442

teem vi., bring forth. Though life spawns problems, it also teems its little joys.

doff vt., take off, remove. The gentleman doffed his cap to salute a passing lady.