Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 3 - Day 2

Word List
  • infamous [in´ fə məs]
    having a bad reputation
    → “The unsubstantiated computer rumors for which the Internet is infamous began flowing within hours of the arrival of Jan. 1 in Asia.” Barnaby Feder, “Internet’s Cheering Squad Nervously Watches Clock,” New York Times, 1/1/00
  • jostle [jos´ əl]
    to shove hard
    → “When the squeege man jostled him, the police officer said that he feared for his life.” Kit Roane, “Squeege Man Scared Him,” New York Times, 6/25/99
  • dupe [düp]
    a person easily tricked
    → “Barnum knew the American public loved to be duped.” W. L. Phelps, American Entrepreneurs
  • incipient [in sip´ ē ənt]
    just beginning to exist
    → “As columnist Jack Anderson was about to write about the Secretary of State’s incipient departure, Al Haig panicked.” William Safire, “On Language,” New York Times, 6/20/99
  • inadvertent [in əd vërt´ nt]
    heedless, not attentive
    → “In our report on NASCAR RACING, we inadvertently attributed a quote to Doris O’Bryant.” Correction made by TIME editors, 6/21/99

Slippery Eddie, the infamous pickpocket, was back at work, and every detective had to be especially vigilant.* Eddie’s technique was to jostle a victim toward a confederate who would then slip the man’s wallet out of his back pocket while Eddie was stammering an apology to the confused dupe. Within a week the incipient crimewave came to an end when Slippery Eddie inadvertently chose the chief of police for his victim. Although Eddie loathes* Sing Sing, it’s his permanent address now.

Sample Sentences Can you put the new words in the right sentences?

  1. By telling the truth, we stopped the __________ rumor from spreading.
  2. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was referred to as an __________ deed.
  3. The wealthy __________ consented to buy the often-sold Brooklyn Bridge.
  4. When he attempted to __________ the old lady, she struck him with her umbrella.
  5. Through an __________ error, the guided missile sped out of control.

Definitions Match the new words with their meanings.

  1. a. having a bad reputation
  2. b. just beginning to exist
  3. c. to shove hard
  4. d. a person easily tricked
  5. e. heedless, not attentive
  1. infamous __________
  2. jostle __________
  3. dupe (n.) __________
  4. incipient __________
  5. inadvertent __________

Answer Key
to carry the day—to win the approval of the majority
The secretary’s motion that we adjourn for lunch carried the day, and we headed for the restaurant

Favorite Books
Table of Contents