Vocabulary Workshop, Level A: Unit 4 (Definitions)

acquit

(v.) to declare not guilty, free from blame, discharge completely; to conduct or behave oneself

deem

(v.) to think, believe; to consider, have an opinion

devastate

(v.) to destroy, lay waste, leave in ruins

discredit

(v.) to throw doubt upon, cause to be distrusted; to damage in reputation
(n.) a loss or lack of belief, confidence, or reputation

elusive

(adj.) difficult to catch or to hold; hard to explain or understand

generate

(v.) to bring into existence; to be the cause of

idolize

(v.) to worship as an idol, make an idol of; to love very much

ingratitude

(n.) a lack of thankfulness

keepsake

(n.) something kept in memory of the giver; a souvenir

mortal

(n.) a being that must eventually die
(adj.) of or relating to such a being; causing death, fatal; possible, conceivable

ovation

(n.) an enthusiastic public welcome, an outburst of applause

petty

(adj.) unimportant, trivial; narrow-minded; secondary in rank, minor

plight

(n.) a sorry condition or state
(v.) to pledge, promise solemnly

repent

(v.) to feel sorry for what one has done or has failed to do

reverie

(n.) a daydream; the condition of being lost in thought

revocation

(n.) an act or instance of calling back, an annulment, cancellation

scan

(v.) to examine closely; to look over quickly but thoroughly; to analyze the rhythm of a poem
(n.) an examination

strand

(n.) a beach or shore; a string of wire, hair, etc.
(v.) to drive or run aground; to leave in a hopeless position

strife

(n.) bitter disagreement; fighting, struggle

topple

(v.) to fall forward; to overturn, bring about the downfall of