Wordly Wise Unit 3 Flashcards

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Atrophy

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v. To waste away or fail to develop

Paralysis of a person's limbs causes the muscles to atrophy.

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Efficacy

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n. The power to bring about the desired result; effectiveness.

The efficacy of aspirin as a pain reliever has been proven beyond a doubt.

efficacious adj. (efi kä shas)

Mediation has proven an efficacious way of settling disputes.

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Emolument

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n . Salary or fees for work done; compensation.

The emoluments the poet received for her readings provided a modicum of income.

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Icon

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n . 1. A religious painting, especially one revered by the Eastern Christian churches.

The exhibition of early Russian art included an icon of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, painted

i n the fifteenth century.

2. A symbol or image whose form suggests its meaning.

On a computer screen, a small image of a sheet of paper folded at the corner is the icon

that represents a document.

3 . One who is idolized.

The Beatles became icons of pop music in the 1960s.

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Incipient

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adj. Beginning to exist or appear; in the first stage.

At the incipient stage of my cold, Ciara insisted that I use some of her zinc lozenges to

prevent it from developing further.

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Inculcate

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v. To impress upon or teach by frequent repetition.

My father inculcated in me the value of comporting myself with modesty at all times.

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Inestimable

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adj. Too valuable or great to be measured

The value of a friend you can really rely on is inestimable.

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Lackluster

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adj. Lacking brightness or vitality; without spirit or enthusiasm.

The oboe soloist was not pleased with her lackluster performance and promised to

practice m o r e s o s h e c o u l d d o b e t t e r n e x t time.

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Martinet

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n. A strict disciplinarian.

Summer camp was not at all relaxing because the director was a martinet who did not

believe in free time.

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Prodigious

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adj. 1. Extremely large in bulk, quantity, or degree.

The runners ate prodigious amounts of pasta at dinner the night before the marathon.

2 . Causing amazement or wonder.

At the carnival, we took in everything, including a perf