Vocab for high school students 13

dormant {adj.)

inactive, as if asleep; sleeping; quiet; sluggish; resting

In early spring, new buds begin to appear on trees and shrubs that have been dormant all winter.

exempt (adj.)

freed or released from a duty, liability, or rule to which others are subject

Houses of worship and charitable institutions contribute nothing to our city’s treasury; they are exempt from taxation.

imperil (v.)

endanger; jeopardize

The fishing vessel was imperiled by high winds, but it managed to reach port safely.

lineage (n.)

descent (in a direct line from a common ancestor); ancestry; family; extraction

A study of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s lineage shows that he was descended from a Dutch ancestor who settled in America about 1638.

objective (n.)

aim or end (of an action); goal

Our fund has already raised $650; its objective is $1000.

procrastinate (v.)

put things off; delay; postpone; defer

When a book is due', return it to the library promptly. Otherwise you will be fined 10C for every day you procrastinate.

prodigious (adj.)

extraordinary in size, quantity, or extent; vast; enormous; huge; immense

The average American city requires a prodigious amount of fresh milk daily.

protract (v.)

draw out; lengthen in time; prolong; extend

The visitors had planned to stay for a few hours only, but they were persuaded to protract their visit

retain (v.)

keep; continue to have, hold, or use

The department store is closing down its restaurant but retaining its lunch counter.