astute (adj) wise in a clever

or practical way

[uh-stoot, uh-styoot]

Clue: astute student

An astute student studies in advance for tests and uses practical study strategies.

Ex: the astute shopper; the astute scientist; the astute engineer

authentic – (adj) genuine; true

[aw-then-tik]

Clue: authentic = the real thing An authority on old maps declared that the sixteenth-century chart of the Florida Keys is authentic. Ex: authentic painting; the authenticity of the signature; an expert authenticated the painting

delicacy (n) A choice item of food. 2. Great consideration for the feeling of others.

[del-i-kuh-see]

delicacy= handle with care

Smoked salmon is a delicacy.

Discussing her mistake will embarrass her unless you handle the matter with delicacy.

Ex: caviar is a delicacy

derogatory (adj) expressing a low opinion; intended to hurt the reputation of a person or thing

[dih-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

derogatory = degrade

His habit of making derogatory comments about his co-workers made him unpopular.

Ex: derogatory remarks; derogatory statements

devour- (v) 1. to eat up hungrily; 2. to take in eagerly with the eyes or ears

[dih-vour]

devour = eat it up The wolf was about to devour Little Red Riding Hood when the woodcutter arrived. The children devoured comic books when they were younger. Ex: devour a meal; devour books

figment (n) something that is made up in the mind but that has no connection with reality.

[fig-muhnt]

Clue: figment = not really there

The monster in the closet is a figment of the child’s imagination.

Ex: figment in his mind

mythical (adj) imaginary; not real

[mith-i-kuhl]

Clue: mythical = Zeus was not real

Unicorns are mythical creatures.

Ex: mythical gods; mythical stories; mythical monsters

plumage - (n) bird feathers

[ploo-mij]

Clue: plumage = feathers

Parrots have brightly colored plumage.

Ex: colorful plumage; peacock plumage

predatory (adj) 1. living by killing and eating other animals; 2. living by robbing or stealing from others

[pred-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

Clue: predatory = prey + hunting

Crocodiles are predatory reptiles.

Predatory bands of pirates one sailed the Mediterranean seeking victims.

Ex: predatory creatures

Mark Prior prior to

releasing the ball

prior (adj) 1. coming earlier in time 2. coming before in order or importance

[prahy-er]

Clue: prior = before I was unable to see you this morning because I had a prior appointment. Ex: prior engagement; prior offense

scavenge (v) to search through or pick over; looking for something usable.

scavenger (n) 1. someone who scavenges 2. an animal that feeds on dead or decaying matter.

[skav-inj]

Clue: scavenge = pick through the leftovers

After the tornadoes, the people scavenged through the wreckage looking for their valuables.

slaughter (v) 1. to kill in order to obtain meat. 2. to kill people or animals in large numbers of in a cruel way

(n) the killing of an animal for food

[slaw-ter]

Clue: slaughter = kill

For centuries, whales were slaughtered for their oil and other valuable products.

Ex: slaughter the hog; slaughter the cattle

solitude (n) the condition of being alone or at some distance from people

[sol-i-tood, -tyood]

Clue: solitude = solo

We enjoyed the solitude of a walk on the deserted beach.

Ex: solitude confinement; solitude and quiet

ungainly (adj) moving in a clumsy or awkward way

[uhn-geyn-lee]

Clue: ungainly = clumsy

Walruses, graceful in the water, are ungainly creatures on land.

Ex: ungainly athlete; ungainly giant; ungainly dancer

vulnerable- (adj) open to attack; easily injured physically or emotionally

[vuhl-ner-uh-buhl]

Clue: vulnerable = easily hurt

Starving people are more vulnerable to disease than those who are well fed.

Ex: vulnerable young animals; vulnerable young children