HOW GERMANE,
MY DEAR
NOTE: You are responsible for knowing ALL words defined
in this list as well as the prefixes/suffixes and words
defined in the boxes.
fervent. germane • fortuitous • grueling • indulgent.
vulnerable. profuse. superficial. uniform. listless.
incessant. unobtrusive
FERVENT adj. fUU of strong emotion; impassioned
Meatloaf vents her anger in fervent yowls when another cat invades our
yard. The fervor of Meatloafs response to feline trespassers seems much
louder at night, when we fervently wish she'd shut up.
GERMANE adj. fining and appropriate; relevant; pertinent
The Mark Twain quotes I like best aren't germane to my talk, so I can't
use them. Our speech teacher always says, "Omit the extras and
concentrate on the germane material when giving a brief talk."
FORTIJITOUS adj. happening by chance; accidental
Meatloaf stalks mice deliberately, but she also has her share offortuitous
meetings. Happening upon a mouse is fortuitous not only for Meatloaf
but also for the mouse, who would never have planned to meet a cat.
GRUELING adj. demanding and exhausting; punishing, tiring
In one grueling day, the newspaper staff washed over 400 cars to raise
money for a new computer. At home later, exhausted but proud, I told
the folks just how grueling a task it had been.
INDULGENT adj. generous to a fault; lenient, not critical
We've been too indulgent with Dude, and so he's badly spoiled. We've
agreed to stop indulging him right now. As Shakespeare warned us, an
indulgent person loves "not wisely but too well."
VlIT..NERABLE adj. open to physical or mental damage or hurt
Unaware of the word vulnerable as a kid, I still knew the feeling of being
open to attack from mean guys on the playground at recess. When
you're vulnerable, you know you're without a good defense.
CIAUS/CLUD/CLUS = close, shut
preclude--to forestau, hinder, avert, or prevent
the stonn precluded our hike
that rule precludes his joining
recluse-a hermit; one living a solitary life
a wealthy, eccentric recluse
his withdrawn, reclusive life
Also: exclude, exclusion, claustrophobia, include, inclusion
PROFUSE adj. in great abundance; bountiful; lavish; lush
The phrase "profuse apologies" describes a gushing flood of "I'm
sorrys." During a tough wrestling match, my profuse perspiration is
another kind of flood. Unfortunately, our county has a profusion of great
high school wrestlers.
SUPERFICIAL adj. On the sur:face, shallow; not deep, serious, or
important; cursory, not thorough
I got some superficial cuts from cleats in the last soccer game;
fortunately, supeificial wounds nonnaUy heal without causing trouble.
In contrast, a superfiCial judgment is apt to cause lots of trouble.
UNIFORM adj. consistent (as opposed to varied); the same
I think uniformity of deSign, as in a row of identical houses or
apartments, is boring. But at school I want consistency and faimess
uniform attendance policies and uniform grading systems.
POT/POSS = to be powerful or able
potent-poweiful; effective or efficacious
a potent remedy
a potent idea
an Eastern potentate (ruler)
omnipotent-all-powerful
omnipotent ruler
the old Greek omnipotent gods
Also: potential, possible, possess
USTLESS adj. lacking energy or enthusiasm; indifferent or
languid; uncaring
When we found Meatloaf staring at her food with dull, listless eyes, we
knew she was sick. Any listlessness toward dinner on that cat's part is
serious. When I had the flu, I remember feeling listless toward
everything.
INCESSANT adj. going on without interruption; unceasing;
continuous
En route to the vet's office, Meatloafs incessant yowling drove us bats.
like many cats in a car, she cries continuously and pitifully-an
incessant reminder that she never asked to go for a ride.
UNOBTRUSIVE adj. not noticeable; inconspicuous; or, not
aggressive
Our pets Dude and Meatloaf don't know the word unobtrusive. Meatloaf
thinks, why utter a dainty, unobtrusive mew when you can yowl? And
Dude has spent his entire aggressive life seeking fights instead of being
unobtrusive.
MEMORYFIX
To learn these new words, write each one on a sheet of paper. Also write
a synonym or definition for each and say the words aloud as you work.
mUI OR FALSI
Read each sentence below to see if the words in this chapter are being
used properly. Then mark T (true) or F (false) beside each sentence.
1. If you've never really worked out at a health spa, the fIrst
experience is fun but a trifle grueling. _ _ __
2. The painful twinges of out-of-shape muscles would be more
acceptable if they were incessant. _ _ __
3. His fondness for good company is only natural in a conftrmed
recluse. _ _ __
4. Because his diving is still weak after years of practice, I think his
potential is limited in that sport. _ _ __
5. When a highway becomes treacherous, officials often preclude
travel until conditions improve. _ _ __
6. A pertinent anecdote is one that is germane to the topic.
7. The girl's fervent plea to the vet to save her beloved pet raccoon
moved us to tears. _ _ __
8. A planned, organized meeting cannot be termed fortuitous.
9. Erratic guidelines are more helpful than uniform ones. _ _ __
10. An unobtrusive tooth fairy is the most successfuL _ _ __