Vocabulary

7th Grade Vocabulary


WEEKS OF 9/12-9/24 and 9/19-9/23
Pertain--to belo16 or be connected as a part, in relation to
*The question was ignored because it did not pertain to the subject.
Invigorate---to refresh or energize
*Gatorade invigorates athletes after their workout.
Ravenous---extremely hungry or famished
*The ravenous wolf hunted his prey.
Insubordination---disobedience to authority
*The disrespectful student was suspended due to insubordination.
Discrepancy---lack of agreement between facts or inconsistent information
*There was a discrepancy in Mrs. Tyner's gradebook.
Molder---to crumble into small pieces from natural decay
*A house had been left to molder after a forest fire came blazed through the 
town.
Infatuation---foolish or extravagant love or admiration
*The girl had an infatuation with Justin Bieber.
Ascertain---to discover through investigation
*The detective attempted to ascertain the truth while interrogating the 
suspect.
Candor---blunt honesty,frankness
*I spoke with such candor that my mother "shshed" me.
Vicinity---nearness, proximity
*The crime took place in the exact same vicinity as the location of the 
school. 


WEEKS OF 9/26-9/30 and 10/3-10/7
FLAIL:  to thrash about or move vigorously
*The fish began to flail about as soon as the fisherman pulled him from the 
water.
PREVAIL:  to win or triumph over something 
*The East Titans prevailed over their opponents during the basketball game.
FLEETING:  to move or run away quickly
*The fleeting ship sailed across the ocean as soon as they saw the pirates.
CONCEDE:  to give up reluctantly or to acknowledge as true
*He finally conceded that the police officer was right.
ARROGANT:  over confident; self-righteous or full of self-importance
*The arrogant speaker tripped as he walked up to the podium.
ENSUE:  to follow something else or come immediately afterward
*As the days ensued, his strength began to return.
HOLOCAUST:  complete destruction, usually by fire
*During World War II, millions of people died in the Holocaust.
DOLE:  to deal or distribute something, usually for charity.
*I doled out 20 dollars to my pleading brother.
MULTITUDE:  a very great number or amount
*A multitude of people showed up to the protest rally.
GNASH:  to grind the teeth together as in anger and frustration.
*The montser gnashed and gnashed as he looked fiercly toward his enemy.



WEEKS OF 10/124-10/28 and 10/31-11/4
DISCREET: Something done in an attempt not to withdraw attention
*I tried to be discreet while walking into class late.
IMPETUOUS: Impulsive or a sudden, rash action---unplanned
*I made an impetuous decision to run away from the villain.
UNFATHOMABLE: Something that is unbelievable
*My little brother's loud burp in the middle of the movie theater was 
unfathomable.
INSATIABLE: impossible to satisfy.
*After our 10 mile run, my dog had an insatiable appetite.
FRENZY: Wild and disorderly activity.
*The gorillas has a multitude of frenzies several times of year.
LETHAL: Causing or capable of causing death
*The weapon was lethal, so the criminal was charged with murder.
RELISH: to enjoy or do with pleasure
*We relish our victories after our cross country meet.
GRAZE: to brush lightly in passing or lightly touch
*Grazing my arm, the ghost floated past me.
IMPEDE: the prevention or delay of something
*The noise level impeded my learning.
INUNDATE: to overwhelm 
*Since I have to watch my little sister, I am inundated with responsibility.


WEEKS OF 10/24-10/28 and 10/31-11/4--Words taken from Touching Spirit Bear 
and 
Stargirl

RELUCTANTLY:  Unwilling or hesitantly
*I reluctantly told the truth because I was scared to get in trouble.
FEIGNED:  Pretend, fictitious, sham, not real.
*With feigned enthusiasm, I cheered for the winning team.
BANISHED:  Forced to leave; expel
*Because the boy acted against the Student Code of Conduct, he was banished.
SUBSIDE: to become quiet, less active, or less violent
*His anger began to subside when his father hugged him.
REMOTE:  Out of the way or secluded
*We traveled to the remote island and lived there the rest of our lives.
ANTICS:  Silly or comical actions; pranks
*Mr. Smith scolded me after I toilet papered his yard; he said he wasn't up 
for my antics.
DISDAINFUL:  Feeling or showing contempt, scorn or unworthiness.
*The disdainful monster stared down at me while I tried to tip toe out of the 
cave.
IMPOSE:  To thrust something upon others.
*I didn't want to impose, but I asked the man to help me with my car anyway.
INQUISITION:  Any strict or thorough questioning.
*After the inquisition, the detective let the suspect go free.
LURKED: To move about in a sneaky manner.
*The wolf lurked in the moonlight hoping to catch his prey.



WEEKS of 11/7-11/1 and 11/14-11/18--Words taken from Touching Spirit Bear 
and Stargirl

RIGID: No flexibility; stiff; unchanging
*The rigid teacher would not change her late, homework policy.  
ASSAULT:  A violent physical or verbal attack
*Assaulting someone can cause physical harm and can result in jail time.
MAULED:  Beaten or bruised, severe physical harm.
*The guard dog mauled the intruder as he tried to break into the house.
COAXED:  Persuaded or influenced; urged; manipulated
*The cat coaxed the canary out of his bird cage.
DEFLECTED:  to turn away or swerve, or to change topics.
*I deflected the Frisbee flying toward my little brother’s head just in time.
ORATORICAL: Relating to the art of public speaking.
*I was so nervous for the oratorical contest, so I practiced in front of my 
family to gain experience.
PROMENADE: Leisurely walk, especially one taken in a public place for 
pleasure or display.
*The super model began her promenade as soon as the music started.
RAUCOUS: A disorderly and rowdy commotion.
*The drumming from the party below was an imposition on my evening, and it 
caused a lot of raucous.
SHUNNED:  To keep away from; Avoid, Ignore
*I was shunned when I showed up to the party; I deserved to be ignored as I 
should have never started the mean rumor.
UKULELE:  Four stringed instrument resembling, but smaller than a guitar.
*Stargirl strummed her ukuele as she began her promenade through the 
cafeteria.


WEEKS of 11/28-12/2 and 12/5-12/9
ABRUPT: Something that is sudden or unexpected.  
**I had to make an abrupt departure when I heard about the snowstorm coming 
our way.
ACCELERATE: To speed up, develop, or progress faster.
**Accelerating the speed of my car was a dangerous action because the roads 
were slippery.
BELLOW:  To let out a whine or loud animal cry.
**Wilbur, the pig, bellowed when his owner, Fern, had to give him to her 
uncle down the road.
CANDID: Outspoken, honest, frank, or informal.
**My grandmother likes to take candid photographs of the family; she does not 
like posed pictures.
EMBLEM: A symbol or an object to represent something.
**The olive branch is an emblem of peace.
FATHOM: To get to the truth, understand or comprehend.
**I would like to fathom what the teacher is talking about, so I can pass the 
test.
GAUDY: Cheaply showy in a tasteless way.
**My grandmother gave me gaudy jewelry for my birthday.
HAGGLE: To bargain or dispute in a petty manner.
**They spent hours haggling over the price of the fish.


WEEKS of 12/12-12/16 and 1/3-1/6

ACQUIRE: To come into the possession or ownership of something.
**When I turn 16, I am going to acquire my father's car.
ARBITRATE: To settle or determine an issue or dispute.
**We needed an arbitrator to help my brother and I resolve our argument.
REPRIMAND:  To express a sharp disapproval of something.
**After the basketball game, my coach reprimanded me for my intentional foul.
SUBSTANTIAL:  A significant or a considerable amount of something.
**My mother left me a note asking me to complete a substantial amount of 
chores while she was at work.
CATASTROPHE:  A sudden and widespread disaster.
**A natural disaster like a hurricane is considered a catastrophe.
EPIDEMIC: A disease that is widespread to many people in certain locations. 
(Not a pandemic which is spread to many people all over the world)
**The epidemic is killing many people all over the city.
PRESUME:  To assume or suppose something
**I presume you are tired after your long drive.
RADIANT: Bright with shining lights or bright with joy and hopefulness.
**The radiant sun blinded me as I skied down the black diamond slope at Mt. 
Brighton.
GRUESOME: Something that causes great horror or disgust. 
**The horror movie was way too gruesome for me.
BROWSE:  To look through or glance at casually.
**To find your document that you want to attach to an email, you must first 
browse through your computer.


WEEKS of 1/9-1/13 and 1/16-1/20
INANE:  Dull or lacking importance
**I quickly tired from the inane plot in the movie.
POSTMORTEM:  Following the event of death
**The doctor conducted postmortem tests on the brains of patients with 
Alzheimer's.
METICULOUS:  Extra careful
**He was meticulous about keeping accurate records.
CONDOLENCES:  An expression of sympathy
**We wish to express our sincere condolences to your family.
VULNERABLE:  Capable of being physically or mentally wounded.
**The military troops were in a vulnerable position.
RELEVANT:  Having significant importance of the situation.
**The ideas and observations expressed in our history books are still 
relevant today.
REFUGEE:  One that flees or leaves a particular area---usually in search of 
safety.
**Thousands of refugees have fled from the hurricane to this area.
AQUATIC:  Growing or living in the water.
My daughter has a fascination with aquatic animals.
ANIMOSITY:  Resentment, bad or hostile feelings toward something or someone.
**The animosity between my brother and myself is growing.
INCREDULOUS: Unwilling to accept what is true---Skeptical of something.
**When the man gave me directions, I drove away with an incredulous feeling.




WEEKS of 1/23-1/27 and 1/20-2/3
BUREAUCRACY:  An Administrative policy making group.
**She wanted to join the hospital staff so she could help with the 
bureaucracy.
INTEGRITY:  Firm belief in a moral value system.
**Jeff displayed his integrity by exposing the cheaters.
FLAMBOYANT:  Elaborate or colorful display of behavior or something that is 
excessive.
**The birthday party was a bit flamboyant with the band, the magician, the 
singer, and the comedian.
SURVEILLANCE:  Close watch over something or someone
**I kept surveillance over the neighbor’s house while they were away in 
Disney 
Land.
NEMISIS:  One that inflicts vengeance or is an opponent---he/she is usually 
successful.
**The nemesis chased after his prey and pounced with great determination and 
force.
IMPERATIVE:  Absolutely necessary or required.
**It is imperative that you study for Vocabulary Tests if you want to succeed 
in Mrs. Tyner’s class.
RETROSPECTIVE:  Looking or directed to the past.
**The detectives issued a retrospective report on the missing girl.
PROSECUTE:  To bring legal action against a group or individual.
**The store’s owner agreed not to prosecute if the boy agreed to return the 
stolen items.
CREDENTIALS: Anything written that provides the basis for belief or proof.
**The FBI agent had to show his credentials before he was allowed in the 
building.
SYNOPSIS:  A brief statement or summary giving a general view of something.
**The synopsis of the novel sounded funny.