Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 25 - Day 4

Word List
  • longevity [lon jev´ ə tē]
    long duration of life
    → “The longevity of metal parts is increased by this new process.” Report, General Motors Corporation
  • imbibe [im bīb´]
    drink
    → “I got up and went downstairs and into the kitchen to imbibe my first cup of coffee before going to the barn.” Glenway Wescott, The Breath of Bulls
  • virile [vir´ əl]
    masterful, manly
    → “The danger to our virile economy from weaknesses in the Far East should not be overlooked.” Wall Street Journal, 5/16/98
  • senile [sē´ nīl]
    infirm, weak from old age
    → “Being on golf’s Senior Tour doesn’t mean that we’re senile.” Leon Jaroff, “Those Rich Old Pros,” TIME, 9/27/99
  • doddering [dod´ ər ing]
    trembling, shaking
    → “The image of the aged as suffering from memory loss and doddering mobility is far from accurate.” AARP Magazine, 9/99

Every so often we can read about a man or woman who has reached an age far beyond the limits we ordinarily expect. Reports of a man in Chile or a woman in Turkey who has celebrated the 105th or 110th birthday occur regularly. The natural question is, to what do these people owe their longevity? Frequently, the answer concerns the fact that the ancient one liked to imbibe regularly of some hard liquor. The photograph will show an apparently virile man or robust woman. Somehow, people who reach this advanced age seem to remain eternally sturdy. There are no signs that they have become senile. Smoking a pipe, or sewing on some garment, these rare specimens of hardy humanity are far from the doddering folk we expect to see.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. Far from being __________, the old woman was considered the sage* of the neighborhood.
  2. Scientists have placed the __________ of the planet earth unbelievably into the future.
  3. It was deplorable* for us to see her __________ around the house with the aid of a cane.
  4. If you __________, don’t drive!
  5. The boys struck __________ poses to attract the girls on the beach.

Definitions Here’s your chance to match the new words with their meaning.

  1. a. long duration of life
  2. b. masterful, manly
  3. c. drink
  4. d. infirm, weak from old age
  5. e. trembling, shaking
  1. longevity __________
  2. imbibe __________
  3. virile __________
  4. senile __________
  5. doddering __________

Answer Key
burn the midnight oil—study or work late into the night
If I’m going to pass the test tomorrow, I will have to burn the midnight oil tonight.

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