Lesson 14   -   edHelper.com

Word List culminate culprit cultivate culture currency cursory curtail cycle dainty daze decade decided decipher decisive declaim decompose decorous dedication deem deface defame depose deprive deride descent

Definitions

1.

culminate (klm-nt) verb    a. to reach the highest point, summit, or highest development (usually fol. by in). b. to end or arrive at a final stage (usually fol. by in) c. to rise to or form an apex; terminate (usually fol. by in)

2.

culprit (klprt) noun    a. a person or other agent guilty of or responsible for an offense or fault. b. a person arraigned for an offense.

3.

cultivate (klt-vt) verb    a. to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till. b. to use a cultivator on. c. to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.

4.

culture (klchr) noun    a. the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc. b. that which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc. c. a particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period

5.

currency (kû) noun    a. something that is used as a medium of exchange; money. b. general acceptance; prevalence; vogue. c. a time or period during which something is widely accepted and circulated.

6.

cursory (kû) adjective    going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial

7.

curtail (kr-tl) verb    a. to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish. b. a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing. c. Also called"curtail step§."a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread.

8.

cycle (skl) noun    a. any complete round or series of occurrences that repeats or is repeated. b. a round of years or a recurring period of time, esp. one in which certain events or phenomena repeat themselves in the same order and at the same intervals. c. any long period of years; age.

9.

dainty (dnt) adjective    a. of delicate beauty; exquisite b. pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious c. of delicate discrimination or taste; particular; fastidious

10.

daze (dz) verb    a. to stun or stupefy with a blow, shock, etc. b. to overwhelm; dazzle c. a dazed condition; state of bemusement

11.

decade (dkd) noun    a. a period of ten years b. a period of ten years beginning with a year whose last digit is zero c. a group, set, or series of ten.

12.

decided (d-sdd) adjective    a. in no way uncertain or ambiguous; unquestionable; unmistakable b. free from hesitation or wavering; resolute; determined

13.

decipher (d-sfr) verb    a. to make out the meaning of (poor or partially obliterated writing, etc.) b. to discover the meaning of (anything obscure or difficult to trace or understand) c. to interpret by the use of a key, as something written in cipher

14.

decisive (d-ssv) adjective    a. having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important b. characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined c. indisputable; definite

15.

declaim (d-klm) verb    a. to speak aloud in an oratorical manner; make a formal speech b. to inveigh (usually fol. by against) c. to speak or write for oratorical effect, as without sincerity or sound argument.

16.

decompose (dkm-pz) verb    a. to separate or resolve into constituent parts or elements; disintegrate b. to rot; putrefy

17.

decorous (dkr-s) adjective    characterized by dignified propriety in conduct, manners, appearance, character, etc.

18.

dedication (dd-kshn) noun    a. the act of dedicating. b. the state of being dedicated c. a formal, printed inscription in a book, piece of music, etc., dedicating it to a person, cause, or the like.

19.

deem (dm) verb    a. to form or have an opinion; judge; think b. to hold as an opinion; think; regard

20.

deface (d-fs) verb    a. to mar the surface or appearance of; disfigure b. to efface, obliterate, or injure the surface of, as to make illegible or invalid

21.

defame (d-fm) verb    to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate

22.

depose (d-pz) verb    a. to remove from office or position, esp. high office b. to testify or affirm under oath, esp. in a written statement c. to give sworn testimony, esp. in writing.

23.

deprive (d-prv) verb    a. to remove or withhold something from the enjoyment or possession of (a person or persons) b. to remove from ecclesiastical office.

24.

deride (d-rd) verb    to ridicule or treat with scornful mockery.

25.

descent (d-snt) noun    a. the act, process, or fact of descending. b. a downward inclination or slope. c. a passage or stairway leading down.