This document defines and provides examples for various vocabulary words: - Madras refers to a patterned cotton fabric typically used for shirts. - A cowlick is a lock of hair that grows in a different direction and is hard to comb flat. - Unfathomable means difficult or impossible to understand. - Savvy means shrewd and knowledgeable about life's realities. - Aloof describes someone who is not friendly or forthcoming and seems cool and distant.

1. Vocabulary
April 7, 2009
JJ

2. Madras
• strong, fine textured cotton fabric, typically
patterned with colorful stripes or checks
• I changed into my madras shirt after I
became sweaty from PE.

3. Cowlick
• a lock of hair that grows in a different
direction from all others and resists to be
combed flat
• Dan hates his string of cowlick, because it
often messes up his “cool” hairstyle.

4. Unfathomable
• Difficult or impossible to understand
• The wording of Ms. Elia’s test was
unfathomable.

5. Savvy
• shrewd and knowledgeable in the realities
of life
• The businessman was not savvy enough to
succeed in his new enterprise.

6. Aloof
• not friendly or forthcoming; cool and
distant
• Sarah had always thought of Joanne as a
stuck-up, aloof girl, but later realized how
kind she actually was.

7. Impersonally
• in a manner that is not influenced by,
showing, or involving personal feelings
• The teacher impersonally rejected my plead
to let me stay in the classroom for a few
more minutes.

8. Ornery
• bad-tempered and combative, stubborn
• Sam is an ornery character who refuses to
listen to his dad’s advices.

9. Resignedly
• in a manner of voluntarily leaving a job or
other position
• The assistant resignedly quit after the fight
with the headmaster.

10. Ruefully
• in a manner of expressing sorrow and
regret, esp. when in a slightly humorous way
• Diana ruefully grinned as Jenny fell face flat
on the floor.

11. Hermit
• a person living in solitude as a religious
discipline/ any person living in solitude or
seeking to do so
• Minsoo Choi is a famous Korean actor who
is currently dwelling in the mountains as a
hermit.

12. Premonition
• strong feeling that something is about to
happen, esp. something unpleasant
• I had a premonition that I will be the first
one to be called on for the presentation.

13. Reluctantly
• unwilling and hesitant; disinclined
• My mother reluctantly allowed me to sleep
over at Diana’s house.

14. Sullen
• bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy
• Ellen’s beloved daughter’s sudden death
abandoned her to a sullen state.

15. Eluded
• evaded or escaped from (a danger, enemy,
or pursuer)
• Sarah managed to elude getting involved in
discussions about college when she was
with her mother.

16. Imploringly
• in a manner of begging someone earnestly
or desperately to do something
• I imploringly knelt before Nicole to beg for
forgiveness.

17. Gallant
• brave and heroic
• Sam could be viewed as a gallant young
soldier who fought for liberty.

18. Indignant
• feeling or showing anger or annoyance at
what is perceived as unfair treatment
• Mr. Hams grudged indignantly as I handed in
the homework five minutes late.

19. Testify
• give evidence as a witness in a law court
• The crewmen were forced to testify against
Charlotte.

20. Jolt
• push or shake (someone or something)
abruptly and roughly
• The dog jolted the red toy, as if it were
something it greatly despised.

21. Keeled
• (for a boat or ship) to turn over on its
side; capsize
• The couple was broken apart as the Titanic
keeled in the Pacific Ocean after hitting a
gigantic iceberg.

22. Inhalation
• the action of inhaling or breathing in
• Our school prohibits the inhalation of
marijuana.