Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 11 - Day 2

Word List
  • phlegmatic [fleg mat´ ik]
    calm, hard to rouse to action
    → “Duncan had a phlegmatic fourth quarter, dooming the Spurs’ opportunity to humble the New York Knicks.” TV announcer, NBA Finals, 6/22/99
  • corroborate [kə rob´ ə rāt]
    confirm, support
    → “Bill corroborated the captain’s statement, hurried back down the glistening ladders to his duty.” Hanson W. Baldwin, “R.M.S. Titanic”
  • comprehensive [kom´ pri hen´ siv]
    thorough
    → “Lecter was built up as a superman, embodying absolute yet comprehensive evil.” Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, “Hannibal Lecter Returns,” New York Times Book Review, 6/10/99
  • zealous [zel´ əs]
    enthusiastic
    →  “James I was zealous in prosecuting Scottish sorcerers.” George Lyman Kittredge, Witchcraft in Old and New England
  • coerce [kō ėrs´]
    to force
    → “The loan sharks sometimes have to coerce people in order to collect the debt.” Peter Kilborn, “Lenders Thrive on Workers in Need,” New York Times, 6/18/99

The normally phlegmatic Jerry Hart was deeply upset. Twenty-four hours had passed without result, and even if the rabies could not be corroborated, Jerry was determined to see that his son received the vaccine. At the suggestion of some friends, he organized a comprehensive search party, zealously fanning out in circles around the supermarket. They knocked on every door, inspected every dog, and came back empty-handed. Although the Harts were sick with worry (they had to be coerced into going to sleep), little Bobby seemed to be in great spirits. The excruciating* vigil continued.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences.

  1. Harriet’s egregious* error disturbed even her __________ employer.
  2. The fund raiser was so __________ that he solicited* money from a Salvation Army Santa Claus.
  3. In order to get the job, you had to go through the drudgery* of filling out a ten-page __________ questionnaire.
  4. The elusive* fugitive was __________ by his attorney into surrendering.
  5. Even the swindler’s nefarious* accomplice refused to __________ his alibi.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. enthusiastic
  2. b. calm, hard to rouse to action
  3. c. confirm, support
  4. d. thorough
  5. e. to force
  1. phlegmatic __________
  2. corroborate __________
  3. comprehensive __________
  4. zealous __________
  5. coerce __________

Answer Key
fair-weather friends—unreliable, they fail one in time of distress
The general was chagrined* to learn that so many of his supposed supporters were actually fair-weather friends.

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