7th Grade Word List in Literature

mahogany

n. any of various tropical timber trees, valued for their hard yellowish to reddish-brown wood

meagre

a. lacking in quantity or quality

hoot

v. utter a loud clamorous shout

detonate

v. cause to burst with a violent release of energy

psalm

n. any sacred song used to praise the deity

hymn

n. a religious song or poem of praise to God or a god

din

n. a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise

splinter

n. a small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or similar material broken off from a larger piece

lustre

n. the visual property of something that shines with reflected light
n. a quality that outshines the usual

ajar

a. slightly open

enchantment

n. a feeling of great pleasure; delight
n. a magical spell

imitate

v. appear like, as in behavior or appearance
v. make a reproduction or copy of

entice

v. attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage

vexatious

a. causing irritation or annoyance

lapse

n. an interval or passage of time

lean

a. (of a person or animal) thin

well off

a. in a favorable situation or circumstances
a. wealthy

betroth

v. give to in marriage

patent

a. easily recognizable; obvious

poodle

n. an intelligent dog with a heavy curly solid-colored coat that is usually clipped

arrogance

n. overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

recluse

a. withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
n. one who lives in solitude

antechamber

n. small room leading to main one

circumspect

a. wary and unwilling to take risks

starlit

a. lighted only by stars

firmament

n. the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

varnish

n. a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface

perceptible

a. capable of being perceived by the mind or senses

tickle

v. touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness

matchless

a. eminent beyond or above comparison

consternation

n. fear resulting from the awareness of danger

Alas

ad. by bad luck

enviable

a. causing envy

torment

n. extreme mental distress

inquisitive

a. showing curiosity
a. inquiring or appearing to inquire

promenade

n. a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

complaint

n. an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

insinuation

n. an unpleasant hint or suggestion of something bad

discreet

a.careful in one's speech or actions

prudence

n. knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
n. discretion in practical affairs

consort

n. a wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch

nuptials

n. the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

sentinel

n. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

tremble

n. a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement

deprive

v. take away possessions from someone