Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 14 - Day 4

Word List
  • stentorian [sten tôr´ ē ən]
    loud
    → “He proclaimed the fact in stentorian tones that were easily heard throughout the auditorium.” A. A. Berle, The 20th Century Capitalist Revolution
  • singular [sing´ gye lər]
    extraordinary
    → “The fate that rules in matters of love is often singular, and its ways are inscrutable, as this story will show.” Meyer Goldschmidt, “Henrik and Rosalie”
  • valor [val´ ər]
    courage
    → “Thrice have the Mexicans before us fled, Their armies broken, their prince in triumph led; Both to thy valor, brave young man, we owe.” Sir Robert Howard & John Dryden, The Indian Queen
  • bias [bī´ əs]
    prejudice
    → “U.S. SUIT CHARGES BIAS IN NASSAU COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES” Headline, New York Times, 6/15/99
  • sinecure [sī´ nə kyůr]
    soft job
    → “Matthew Arnold’s job was a sinecure, allowing him plenty of time to travel and write lyrics.” Nicholas Jenkins, “A Gift Improvised,” New York Times, 6/20/99

Some months later Dorie Miller was serving on an aircraft carrier when Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, came aboard to preside over a special awards ceremony. In stentorian tones the Admiral presented Miller with the prestigious* Navy Cross, commending him for a singular act of valor and “disregard for his own personal safety.” Miller’s heroism helped to shatter the bias against African-Americans in the armed forces. Although he could have accepted a sinecure at a U.S. naval base, Dorie chose to remain in the combat zone where he was killed in action in December, 1943.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the proper blanks.

  1. The director was ousted* from his __________ when he angered the mayor.
  2. In his customary __________ tones, the sergeant reprimanded* those who thought the army was a haven* for incompetents.
  3. The word “surrender” is anathema* to people of __________ .
  4. A viable* peace was brought about as a result of the diplomat’s __________ contribution.
  5. The bigot’s* __________ precipitated* a fistfight.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. prejudice
  2. b. soft job
  3. c. courage
  4. d. extraordinary
  5. e. loud
  1. stentorian __________
  2. singular __________
  3. valor __________
  4. bias __________
  5. sinecure __________

Answer Key
to steal one’s thunder—to weaken one’s position by stating the argument before that person does
I had planned to be the first to resign from the club, but my cousin stole my thunder.

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