Wordly Wise Lesson 11

Kevin Closs

Period 5

Augment

• V. To increase in size, amount or degree

• Sentence- The price of the game was augmented after it became so popular.

Benign

• Adj. Kind; gracious; gentle

• Sentence- Restaurants with benign waiters make people want to eat at them.

• Favorable; not threatening

• Sentence- Sailors hope for benign weather when they set sail.

Connoisseur

• N. A person with extensive knowledge, especially of the fine arts; a person of refined taste.

• Sentence- A connoisseur of history would make a great tour guide at historical places

Discern

• V. To detect with the eyes.• Sentence- In some spots in New Jersey, people could discern the

NYC skyline.• To understand or comprehend.• Sentence- After the movie was over, John discerned the theme of

the film.• To recognize as separate or different• Sentecne- In an airport, before people check their bags, some

people put something on their bag so they can discern it from the rest on the baggage carousel.

• DISCERNING:• ADJ. Having good judgment; perceptive• Sentence- Simon Cowell’s discerning comments on American Idol

are true, but are often very harsh

Embellish

• V. To make beautiful by adding decorative elements

• Sentence- The boring picture of a prairie was embellished with flowers.

• To add fictitious details to

• Sentence- The Wave was based on a true story, but was embellish by stretching the truth

Execute

• V. To carry out; to perform• Sentence- When I was asked to carry bags upstairs, I

successfully executed the request by doing what I was told.

• To create as a work of art• Sentence- Michelangelo executed one of his most

famous pieces of work in the Sistine Chapel.• To put to death as a legal penalty• Sentence- If you receive the death penalty and are

executed, you must have committed a hideous crime.

Exemplify

• ADJ. To illustrate by being an example of

• Sentence- The mind set of a depressive person is exemplified by Edgar Allen Poe’s writing.

Grotesque

• ADJ. So distorted or strange as to appear bizarre or comical

• Sentence- When cultures go to other countries, they may be considered grotesque; this used to be true of Americans when they went to foreign countries and formed lines automatically; many cultures simply push and shove.

Hallowed

• ADJ. Greatly respected; holy; sacred

• Sentence- There is no fooling around allowed in church because it is a hallowed place.

Impersonate

• V. To assume the character or appearance of

• Sentence- Many toddlers impersonate their favorite TV characters; this is a problem when they act like cartoon characters and try to fly.

• To mimic

• Sentence- My cousin always impersonates SpongeBob when he sees me because he knows that I will laugh at him.

Malevolent

• ADJ. Showing ill will or hatred; producing harm or evil

• Sentence- Kevin clearly had malevolent intent when he went to the Weight Watchers meeting with a gigantic cake.

• MALEVOLENCE:

• N. An expression of ill will

• Sentence- When two people don’t like each other, they might give malevolence looks at each other

Precarious

• ADJ. Not safe or secure; dangerously uncertain

• Sentence- When drunk drivers are on the road it is a precarious situation.

Ornate

• ADJ. Heavily or elaborately decorated

• Sentence- Some people during Christmas season have ornate displays their yards with lights and other catchy decorations.

Pastoral

• ADJ. Having to do with shepherds and herders

• Sentence- In colonial times, there were many more pastoral people then there are now.

• Relating to country life, and often presented as charmingly simple.

• Sentence- A picture of a Ohio farm land might be considered pastoral.

Renown

• N. Fame; Honor

• Sentence- Notre Dame football has achieved renown; it even has its own national TV contract.

• RENOWNED:

• Famous; Honored

• Sentence- Bruce Springsteen is a renowned signer and performer.