One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die. - Evelyn Waugh

VocabularyLesson 2

fin

sed/sid/sess

fer

endaffinity, definitive ,

infinitesimal , finesse

sit; be still

assiduous, dissident, insidious, sedentary

bear, carry, yield, bring

conferred, deferential, insufferable, vociferous

affinity1. Natural liking or

identification with somebody or something.

2. Somebody to whom somebody else is attracted

SynonymssimilarityLikenessEmpathySympathyattraction

I have an affinity for .

assiduous1. Done with constant and

careful attention.diligentindustrioushard-workingattentivePersistent

The teacher praised us for our assiduous work.

Keep up the hard work!

conferred1. discuss something with somebody in order to compare opinions or make a decision.

2. to give something such as a title, honor or favor to somebody.

consultdeliberateawardbestowpresent

The official conferred with the officials before making the call.

deferential• showing respectrespectful

admiringcourteousreverent

His deferential attitudetoward his opponent was commended by all.

definitive1. providing a final decision

that will not be questioned or changed

conclusivefinalabsolutedefinite

The judge’s verdict was definitive.

dissident1. disagreeing, especially

with a majority2. a person who departs

from accepted beliefs or standards

nonconformistrebelprotester

Malcolm X’s dissident ideas roused many to violence.

finesse1. elegant ability & dexterity2. a delicate & skillful

approach in dealing with a troublesome

skillflairpoisegrace

Making the spinner bait required great finesse.

infinitesimal• tiny; very small in number,

amount, or degree

minuteminusculemicroscopicinsignificant

It’s hard to imagine how deadly an infinitesimal germ can be.

insidious• stealthily treacherous or

deceitful• intended to entrap or

beguile

sinisterdangerousmenacingdeceitfulduplicitous

The insidious virus crashed the entire network.

insufferable• so annoying, unpleasant, or

uncomfortable as to be unbearable

unbearableintolerableunendurable

You dense, insufferable beast of burden, don’t you ever shut up?

sedentary• tending to sit most of the

time and getting little exercise

idleinactivesluggishlethargic

Some claim kids’ sedentary lifestyles has created an unhealthy generation.

vociferous• shouting noisily• offensively loud

raucousloudboisterousclamorous

His vociferous cries grew wearisome.