Vocabulary -week two

1.     alert (adjective) \ə-ˈlərt\

-able to think clearly and to notice things

Sentence retrieved from the book :For the first time since the move , I felt alive, alert to the forest around me and the movements of the horse.

Examples of alrt :

-An alert guard stopped the robbers.

-He was tired and had trouble staying alert while he was driving.

-She wasn't mentally alert enough to answer the questions.

-An alert watchdog guarded the door.

Origin of alert :

-Italian all'erta, on the watch, literally, on the height

First Known Use: 1618

 2.     bush (noun.) \ˈbu̇sh\

-shrub , especially :  a low densely branched shrub

Sentence retrieved from the book :I was beginning to wish I had stayed home with my book when the gap opened up between some bushes.

Origin of bush :

- Middle English; akin to Old High German busc forest

First Known Use: 14th century

 3.     desperately (adverb.) ˈdes-p(ə-)rət-lē, -pərt-\

- in a desperate manner

--extreme ,terribly

Sentence retrieved from the book :Desperately, I grabbed at it anf tried to hang on ,but her weight ripped it out of my hand.

Examples Of desperately  :

- all of a sudden everything went desperately wrong

 4.     gravity (noun.) \ˈgra-və-tē\

- dignity or sobriety of bearing

Sentence retrieved from the book :There was a crash and then another as gravity pulled her to earth , her blonde head bouncing as her body hit tree limb on the way down.

Examples of gravity :

- the hospital waiting room was filled with the kind of gravity that inevitably accompanies worry

Origin of gravity :

- Middle French or Latin; Middle French gravité, from Latin gravitat-, gravitas, from gravis

First Known Use: 1505

 5.     tangle (verb.) \ˈtaŋ-gəl\

- to unite or knit together in intricate confusion

- to involve so as to hamper, obstruct, or embarrass

Sentence retrieved from the book : Then she disappeared in a tangle of branches.

Examples of tangle :

- This fishing line tangles easily.

Origin of tangle :

- Middle English tanglen, tagilen, probably short for entanglen, from Anglo-French entagler, entangler to prosecute (for), implicate

First Known Use: 14th century

 6.     diameter (noun.) \dī-ˈa-mə-tər\

-the distance through the center of something from one side to the other.

Sentence retrieved from the book :Ancient survivors in a world in which change can happen suddenly , these tall trees survived the fall of giant meteor that left a hole that was miles wide in diameter and may have killed the last of the dinosaurs.

Examples of diameter :

- The dotted line indicates the diameter of the circle.

-What is the diameter of the tree trunk?

-Dig a hole that's two feet deep and three feet in diameter.

Origin of diameter :

- Middle English diametre, from Middle French, from Latin diametros, from Greek, from dia- + metron measure — more at measure

First Known Use: 14th century

 7.     ecosystem (noun.) \-ˌsis-təm\

- the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit .

Sentence retrieved from the book :Biologists and tree experts keep its exact location a secret in order to protect the ecosystem around the tree.

 8.     emerge (verb.) \i-ˈmərj\

- to become manifest :  become known

- to rise or appear from a hidden or unknown place or condition ; to come out into view

Sentence retrieved from the book :The dead places become gardens where new plants emerge.

Examples of emerge

-The facts emerged after a lengthy investigation.

-Several possible candidates have emerged.

-She has emerged as a leading contender in the field.

-His war record has emerged as a key issue in the election.

-when land first emerged from the sea

-The cat emerged from its hiding place behind the couch.

-animals emerging from a long period of inactivity

Origin of emerge:

-Latin emergere, from e- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

First Known Use: 1563

 9.     frontier (noun.) \ˌfrən-ˈtir, ˈfrən-ˌ, frän-ˈ, ˈfrän-ˌ\

- a border between two countries

- a distant area where few people live

- the limits of knowledge in a particular field

Sentence retrieved from the book :The area where the Hyperion start , called the crown , is the new frontier for scientists.

Examples of frontier

-the frontier between Canada and the U.S.

-They were sent on an expedition to explore the western frontier.

Origin of frontier

-Middle English fronter, from Anglo-French frountere, fronter, from front

First Known Use: 15th century10.    giant (adjective) \ˈjī-ənt\

10.- very large : much larger or more powerful than normal

Sentence retrieved from the book : Ancient survivors in a world in which change can happen suddenly , these tall trees survived the fall of giant meteor that left a hole that was miles wide in diameter and may have killed the last of the dinosaurs.

Examples of giant :

- the land of the giants

-the Great Pyramids of Egypt are giants among the world's architectural wonders

Origin of giant:

-Middle English giaunt, from Anglo-French geant, from Latin gigant-, gigas, from Greek

First Known Use: 14th century

 11.    limb (noun. ) \ˈlim\

- a leg or arm of a human being

- a large primary branch of a tree

Sentence retrieved from the book :Now mountain climbing techniques and tools allow them to climb into the tree to study the various species of plant and animals life that make their homes on the trees limbs.

Origin of limb :

- Middle English lim, from Old English; akin to Old Norse limr limb and perhaps to Old English lith limb

First Known Use: before 12th century

 12.    penetrate (verb.) \ˈpe-nə-ˌtrāt\

- to pass into or through

- to see into or through

- to succeed in becoming part of (an organization, a community, etc.)

Sentence retrieved from the book :The dead branch is still part of the tree , but as it rots, insects and other plants penetrate the dead wood and complete the process of creating a soil –like environment full of minerals.

Examples of penetrate:

-These bullets can penetrate armor.

-radiation penetrating the Earth's atmosphere

-The bullet failed to penetrate.

-The heat penetrated through the wall.

-The roots of these plants have been known to penetrate to a depth of more than 15 feet.

-My car's headlights couldn't penetrate the dense fog.

Origin of penetrate:

-Latin penetratus, past participle of penetrare, from penitus deep within, far; akin to Latin penus provisions

First Known Use: circa 1530

 13.    rot (verb.) \ˈrät\

- to undergo decomposition from the action of bacteria

- to go to ruin

- to become morally corrupt

Sentence retrieved from the book : The dead branch is still part of the tree , but as it rots, insects and other plants penetrate the dead wood and complete the process of creating a soil –like environment full of minerals.

 

14.boldface (noun.) \ˈbōl(d)-ˌfās\

- letters that are printed in thick, dark lines

Examples of boldface

-The headline was printed in boldface.

First Known Use of BOLDFACE

circa 1889

 15.    shrug (verb.) \ˈshrəg, especially Southern ˈsrəg\

- to raise or draw in the shoulders especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty

Sentence retrieved from the book :When I pointed out that we couldn’t get to the branches , she shrugged.

Examples of shrug :

-I asked if he wanted to go out to dinner, and he just shrugged.

-He just shrugged his shoulders.

Origin of shrug :

-Middle English schruggen

First Known Use: 14th century

 16.    insight (noun.) \ˈin-ˌsīt\

- the power or act of seeing into a situation

- the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively

Sentence retrieved from the book :Bill Collins is an American poet who provides readers with insights into ordinary life experiences.

Examples of insight :

-He is a leader of great insight.

-The author analyzes the problem with remarkable insight.

-I had a sudden insight.

-Her book provides us with fresh new insights into this behavior.

- I had a big insight and a little insight about the book. —Rust Hills, Esquire, April 1973

First Known Use of INSIGHT

13th century

 17.    foliage (noun.) \ˈfō-lē-ij\

-the leaves of a plant or of many plants

Sentence retrieved from the book :Branches wree hitting me in the face leaving bits of foliage in my hair.

Examples of foliage:

-a tree with pretty foliage

-the thick green foliage of the jungle

Origin of foliage:

-Middle French fuellage, from foille leaf — more at foil

First Known Use: 1598

Related to FOLIAGE

 18..    gap (noun.) \ˈgap\

- a space between two people or things

- a break in a barrier (as a wall, hedge, or line of military defense)

Sentence retrieved from the book : I was beginning to wish I had stayed home with my book when the gap opened up between some bushes.

Origin of gap:

-Middle English, from Old Norse, chasm, hole; akin to Old Norse gapa to gape..First Known Use: 14th century

 19.    layer (noun.) \ˈlā-ər, ˈler\

- an amount of something that is spread over an area

- one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another

Sentence retrieved from the book :The pine was smaller , but it had layers of branches radiating out from the trunk.

Examples of layer:

-Everything was covered by a thin layer of sand.

-The top layer of the rug is badly worn but the bottom layer is still OK.

-The cake has three layers.

-She glued together several layers of paper.

-he was wearing several layers of clothing.

-rocks that formed in layers from flows of lava

First Known Use of layer:

-13th century

 20.    lean (noun.) \ˈlēn\

- to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position

- to rely for support or inspiration

- to cast one's weight to one side for support

Sentence retrieved from the book :I leaned way back on Gunther , and managed not to slide off.

Origin of lean:

-Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlinēn to lean, Greek klinein, Latin clinare

First Known Use: before 12th century

 21.    leap (verb.) \ˈlēp\

- to jump from a surface

- to jump over (something)

- to move quickly

Sentence retrieved from the book :We raced through the forest , leaning into curves and leaping over rotting logs.

Examples of leap:

-The cat suddenly leaped into the air.

-Fish were leaping out of the water.

-He leaped off the bridge.

-The boys leaped over the stream.

-The horse leaped the stone wall.

-When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed.

Origin of leap:

-Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run

First Known Use: before 12th century

 22.    swing (verb.) \ˈswiŋ\

- to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging from something

- to move with a smooth, curving motion

Sentence retrieved from the book : Rhonda grabbed one of the lower branches and swung herself into the tree.

Examples of swing :

-The sheets swung on the clothesline.

-The clock's pendulum stopped swinging.

-The monkeys were swinging from branch to branch high up in the trees.

-I swung my suitcase into the backseat of the car.

Origin of swing :-Middle English, to beat, fling, hurl, rush, from Old English swingan to beat, fling oneself, rush; akin to Old High German swingan to fling, rush

First Known Use: 13th century

 23.    grab (verb.) \ˈgrab\

- to take or seize by or as if by a sudden motion or grasp

- to get the attention or interest of (someone or something)

Sentence retrieved from the book :Rhonda grabbed one of the lower branches and swung herself into the tree.

Examples of grab :

-I have to go back in the house and grab my car keys.

-The little boy grabbed onto his mother's leg and wouldn't let go.

-I'll grab a taxi and meet you there.

-Let's grab a bite to eat before the movie starts.

Origin of grab :

-obsolete Dutch or Low German grabben

First Known Use: circa 1581

 24.    simplicity (noun.) \sim-ˈpli-sə-tē, -ˈplis-tē\

-the quality of being easy to understand or use

-something that is simple or ordinary but enjoyable

-the state or quality of being plain or not fancy or complicated

Sentence retrieved from the book :You tell me it is too early to be looking back , but that is because you have forgotten the perfect simplicity of being one and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.

Examples of simplicity :

-People like the simplicity of the instructions.

-the simplicity of the music

Origin of simplicity :

-Middle English simplicite, from Anglo-French simplicité, from Latin simplicitat-, simplicitas, from simplic-, simplex

First Known Use: 14th century

 25.    drain (verb.) \ˈdrān\

- to remove (liquid) from something by letting it flow away

- to become empty of a liquid

- to flow into, away from, or out of something

Sentence retrieved from the book :Back then it never fell so solemnly against the side of my tree house , and my bicycle never leaned against the garage as it does today , all the dark blue speed drained out of it.

Examples of drain :

-Drain the canned tomatoes before adding them to the pot.

-The city's emergency fund has been drained.

-I feel totally drained of energy this evening.

Origin of drain:

-Middle English draynen, from Old English drēahnian — more at dry

First Known Use: before 12th century