Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 33 - Day 3

Word List
  • abjure [ab jůr´]
    renounce, abstain from
    → “Galileo was summoned before the inquisition where he was ordered to abjure his theory.” S. F. Mason, Science Digest, 5/98
  • reproach [ri prōch´]
    rebuke*, reprimand*
    → “When reminded that he knew little history, Henry Ford reproached his critics by reminding them that history would know him.” Quoted in The Will Rogers Book, Paula Love, editor, 1961
  • penitent [peṅ´ ə tənt]
    regretful, confessing guilt
    → “When father strode into the coal and ice office, he came out, the penitent clerk with him, promising to deliver a block of ice in time for dinner.” Clarence Day, Life with Father
  • evanescent [ev´ ə nes´ nt]
    fleeting, passing, momentary
    → “The incidents which give excellence to biography are of a volatile and evanescent kind.” Samuel Johnson, “The Rambler” No. 30
  • tantamount [tan´ tə mount]
    equivalent, identical
    → “Opponents of the proposed agreement claim it is tantamount to a surrender of holy land.” USA. Today, 1/13/00

On the premise* that Evelyn knew she was being sought, Robert’s first step was to abjure fruitless* searching and place an ad in the leading morning newspaper. He would importune* in a most careful way for her return. The ad read, “Evelyn. Come out of hiding. I do not reproach you for your actions. I expect no penitent confession. There is nothing ambiguous* about my offer. Please contact. Robert.” He added a box number for a reply. When Robert went to the paper the next morning, he felt sanguine* about the chances of locating her. His evanescent concerns disappeared; there was a letter for him, and with tremulous* fingers he tore it open. It contained one sentence, and it was tantamount to a challenge; “If you really care about me, you will find me by midnight, Friday, Evelyn.”

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. The inveterate* gambler became __________ and contrite when faced with the results of his reprehensible* behavior.
  2. The optimist knows that the vicissitudes* of life are __________ , and she always looks on the sanguine* side of things.
  3. You should not condone* his sordid* behavior; rather, __________ him for his fractious* manner.
  4. At the zenith* of his career, he was __________ to a final arbiter* on matters of economic policy.
  5. In vain, the entire family tried to importune* him to __________ gambling.

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. equivalent, identical
  2. b. rebuke*, reprimand*
  3. c. renounce, abstain from
  4. d. regretful, confessing guilt
  5. e. fleeting, passing, momentary
  1. abjure __________
  2. reproach __________
  3. penitent __________
  4. evanescent __________
  5. tantamount __________

Answer Key
to take under one’s wing—to become responsible for
As the new term began, the senior took the freshman under her wing.

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