Write@Home
Winter 2015

Glossary

Here is some vocabulary from this edition. Do you know what the words mean?

abound
to exist in very large numbers

carousel
machine with wooden horses on it that turns around and around, which people can ride on for fun

commemorate
to do something to show that you remember and respect someone important or an important event in the past

conquistadors
one of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 18th century

converge
to come from different directions and meet at the same point

dub
to give something or someone a name that describes them in some way

elegant
beautiful, attractive, or graceful

erudite
showing a lot of knowledge based on careful study

fake
a copy of a valuable object, painting etc that is intended to deceive people

futile
useless actions because they have no chance of being successful

grieve
to feel extremely sad, especially because someone you love has died

heterogeneous
consisting of parts or members that are very different from each other

hospitable
friendly, welcoming, and generous to visitors

jovial
friendly and happy

lucrative
something that lets you earn a lot of money

metallurgist
someone who studies metals and their uses

mummify
to preserve a dead body by putting special oils on it and wrapping it with cloth

nestle
to move into a comfortable position, pressing your head or body against someone or against something soft

norm
the usual or normal situation, way of doing something etc

outskirts
the parts of a town or city that are furthest from the centre

penance
something that you must do to show that you are sorry for something you have done wrong

philanthropist
a rich person who gives a lot of money to help poor people

prestige
the respect and admiration that someone or something gets because of their success or important position in society

reservoir
a large amount of something that is available and has not yet been used

ruinous
causing a lot of damage or problems

sledding
a small vehicle used for sliding over snow, often used by children or in some sports

stamina
physical or mental strength that lets you continue doing something for a long time without getting tired

toddler
a very young child who is just learning to walk

vintage
old, but high quality

vital
extremely important and necessary for something to succeed or exist

Glossary Crossword