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strat • a • gem n., trick or plan. The team devised a stratagem to defeat their opponents.

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em • bar • go n., government order prohibiting the entry or departure of ships. Because of the grain embargo, many farmers could not sell their crops abroad.

ex • trem • i • ties n., outermost parts. Frostbite first affects a person’s extremities, such as the fingers and the toes.

in • fal • li • bly adv., unmistakedly. Can you infallibly identify the constellations without looking through a telescope?

con • found • ed adj., confused. The overlapping sets of animal tracks confounded the hunters.

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jun • ta n., council. According to recent news reports, the ruler has refused the advice of his junta.

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re • ca • pit • u • late vt., summarize. Professor Barlow usually asks one of her students to recapitulate the readings.

pan • e • gyr • ic n., high praise. I was grateful for the panegyric I received for my hard work.

per • vert v., distort, misinterpret. Researchers complain that superficial news reports pervert.

e • lude vt., evade, escape. How has the criminal eluded capture for so many years?

per • ni • cious adj., wicked. Democracies throughout the world have condemned the dictator’s pernicious acts.

o • di • ous adj., arousing disgust, offensive. Sulfur has a strong, odious smell.

in • gra • ti • ate vt., bring into favor. A simple gift will ingratiate you with the host.

ag • i • ta • tion n., violent motion. The worried parents paced the room in agitation, waiting for news of their son.

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trib • ute n., homage. In the dedication to her first novel, the writer paid tribute to her mentor.

im • po • tent adj., powerless. The rescue workers were impotent in the face of such strong winds.

des • o • la • tion n., ruin. In the tornado’s wake, the tiny town was left in desolation.

con • triv • er n., one who plans. The principal demanded the name of the contriver who led the group of vandals.

pro • cure vt., obtain. The art gallery has procured a rare painting by Vincent Van Gogh.

ven • er • a • tion n., deep respect. Many cultures have special ceremonies to show veneration for their ancestors.

scru • ple n., qualm about something one feels is wrong. Her scruples would not allow her to lie to her parents.

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de • tract vi., take or draw away. Do you think the mural’s secluded location detracts from its impact on the public?

hith • er • to adv., until this time. The sprinter’s world record was hitherto unchallenged.

a • cute adj., keenly intelligent. The acute child learned to played chess simply by watching others.

a • bom • i • nate vt., dislike very much. I abominate stinginess, particularly in the wealthy.

len • i • ty n., leniency; mildness. Activists criticize the lenity of the state’s sentencing guidelines.