Vocabulary List – Week 2

Below is this week’s vocabulary list:

  1. deliberate
    carefully weighed or considered; studied; intentional
    I think she deliberately found an excuse to argue with me.
  2. catastrophe
    a sudden and widespread disaster
    Mom thought it was a catastrophe when the cat puked up a hairball in her sock drawer.
  3. prudent
    wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober.
    I think it was a prudent choice to pick vanilla ice cream for the party since most people like that flavor.
  4. parquet
    a floor composed of short strips or blocks of wood forming a pattern, sometimes with inlays of other woods or other materials.
    I was careful to not scratch the parquet floor as I walked on it. 
  5. humiliation
    an act or instance of humiliating or being humiliated, act of being shamed
    As I watched the drink fall in her lap I could understand the humiliation she was feeling.
  6. sneer
    to smile, laugh, or contort the face in a manner that shows scorn or contempt
    I sneered at the class bully as the teacher finally caught him picking on someone.
  7. enthusiasm
    an occupation, activity, or pursuit in which a lot of interest is shown
    The enthusiasm was evident as the class cheered because it was time to go to recess.
  8. associate a person who shares actively in anything as a business, enterprise, or undertaking; partner; colleague; fellow worker
    I have an associate named Marcy.
  9. colleague
    an associate.
    My colleague is a foot taller than me.
  10. persuade
    to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging
    I think I can persuade my mother that playing video games is educational.
  11. expedition
    an excursion, journey, or voyage made for some specific purpose, as of war or exploration.
    I went on an expedition to Nepal and climbed some mountains.
  12. scalded
    to burn or affect painfully with or as if with hot liquid or steam.
    I scalded the roof of my mouth when I ate the steaming pizza.
  13. eternity
    infinite time; duration without beginning or end.
    It felt like eternity as I waited in line.
  14. concede
    to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit
    I concede that its possible that I am the smartest human being on Earth.
  15. ardent
    intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous; extremely loving
    The cat’s ardent behavior toward my mom was a bit disturbing to her.
  16. amass
    to collect into a mass or pile; gather
    I have amassed a huge pile of dirty clothes waiting for the laundry.
  17. contemplate
    to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully
    I contemplated whether or not to take the vocabulary test.
  18. speculation
    the contemplation or consideration of some subject
    There was a lot of speculation about whether I would win the race or not.
  19. democracy
    government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
    Most people believe we live in a democracy.
  20. optimistic
    disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
    I am fairly optimistic that I am going to get a good night’s sleep.