SpringVocabulary #3

April 9, 2012

Ascetic(uh set ik)

Definition

Practicing self-denial; austere

Sentence Use

The monk led an ascetic life, spending most of his time in prayer and eating only as much as necessary to stay alive.

Some religions encourage their followers to practice asceticism as a way to purify themselves.

Source: Barron’s

Part of Speech

Noun

Ascetic(uh set ik)

Picture this: a set tick

Source: Barron’s

Elegy(el uh jee)

Definition

Poem or song expressing lamentation

Sentence Use

Deeply saddened by the death of his young son, the poet Ben Johnson wrote an elegy to him.

P.B. Shelley’s poem “Adonais” is an elegy mourning the death of John Keats at the age of twenty-five.

Source: Barron’s

Part of Speech

Noun

Elegy(el uh jee)

Picture this: a ledge he

Source: Barron’s

Intrepid(in trep id)

Definition

Fearless

Sentence Use

An intrepid investor Mr. Wilcox regularly puts a large part of his savings into high-risk stocks.

Only a few intrepid climbers have dared to scale the sheet wall of Mt. Doom.

Source: Barron’s

Part of Speech

Adjective

Intrepid(in trep id)

Picture this: in trip heed

Source: Barron’s

Impeccable (im peck a bul)

Definition

Faultless; having no flaws

Sentence Use

Although the work of the research group was impeccable, they were unable to identify the source of the problem.

My fourth grade teacher insisted on impeccable penmanship from every student.

Source: Barron’s

Part of Speech

Adjective

Impeccable(im pek uh bul)

Picture this: imp peck a bull

Source: Barron’s

Notoriety(no tuh ri ih tee)

Definition

Disrepute; ill fame

Sentence Use

The student notoriety on campus for cheating on her final exam.

Our football team’s left defensive end has gained notoriety around the conference for his dirty play.

Source: Barron’s

Part of Speech

Noun

Notoriety(no tuh ri ih tee)

Picture this: Noto Riot he

Source: Barron’s