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in • voke vt., ask solemnly for; beg for; implore. After smashing the fender of his mother’s new car, Kang was forced to invoke her mercy.

im • pi • ous adj., lacking respect or dutifulness. After making an impious remark to his father, Ira was grounded for a week.

e • the • re • al adj., not earthly; heavenly; celestial. The dancer’s airy costume transformed her from flesh and blood to an ethereal spirit floating about the stage.

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per • di • tion n., complete and irreparable loss; ruin. What caused the once wealthy and powerful software baron to fall into such perdition?

om • nip • o • tent n., God; one having unlimited power. Do you believe the Omnipotent watches over you?

bale • ful adj., sorrowful; wretched. Tamara surveyed the cafeteria’s unappetizing selections with a baleful expression.

ob • du • rate adj., stubborn; obstinate; inflexible. Minh tried to negotiate a later curfew for Friday night, but her parents were obdurate.

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sov • er • eign adj., above or superior to all others; greatest; supreme. Joe may be the worst basketball player in our class, but he is sovereign at the chess board.

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sanc • ti • tude n., fact of being sacred or inviolable. No one but the priestesses could enter the inner chamber; an intrusion by anyone else would violate the sanctitude of this holy place.

fil • ial adj., of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter. Jeremy and Claudette thought it was their filial duty to plan a party for their father’s fortieth birthday.

di • shev • eled adj., disarranged and untidy. With his disheveled clothing and faraway gaze, Dr. Tanaka fit the image of the absent-minded professor.

coy adj., playful or evasive. The coy kitten hid beneath the couch, venturing forth a lightning paw only when tempted with one of her favorite toys.

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dam • ask vt., make a deep pink or rose. The singer damasked her cheeks before going onstage.

dal • li • ance n., flirting; toying; trifling. “I have no time for such dalliance! My term paper is due tomorrow,” Haesun told her boyfriend when he suggested a movie.

dan • dle vt., swing up and down. Jon felt like a human seesaw as he dandled the delighted toddler on his leg.

pro • bos • cis n., an elephant’s trunk; a long, flexible snout. The elephant washed itself with a powerful stream of water from its proboscis.

guile n., slyness and cunning in dealing with others. The guile of used-car dealers is often joked about, but surely there are a few honest ones!

ru • mi • nat • ing part., chewing cud, as a cow does. As she considered the question, Margaret chewed on her lip, reminding me of a cow ruminating.

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ex • alt vt., heighten or intensify the action or effect of. Kevin was a good player but, not ready to exalt him to the position of team captain, I voted for Michael instead.