Unit 1

Adage

(n.) A proverb, wise saying

Bonanza

(n.) A rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth or prosperity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain

Churlish

(adj.) lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude

Citadel

(n.) a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place

Collaborate

(v.) to work with, work together

Decree

(n.) an order having the force of law; (v.) to issue such an order; to command firmly or forcefully

Discordant

(adj.) disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony, conflicting

Evolve

(v.) to develop gradually; to rise to a higher level

Excerpt

(n.) a passage taken from a book, article, etc.; (v.) to take such a passage; to quote

Grope

(v.) to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly

Hover

(v.) to float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around

Jostle

(v.) to make or force one's way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, shove, brush against; to compete for

Laggard

(n.) a person who moves slowly or falls behind; (adj.) falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond

Plaudits

(n. pl.) applause; enthusiastic praise or approval

Preclude

(v.) to make impossible, prevent, shut out

Revert

(v.) to return, go back

Rubble

(n.) broken stone or bricks; ruins

Servile

(adj.) of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or a servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive

Vigil

(n.) a watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention

Wrangle

(v.) to quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd; (n.) a noisy quarrel