Short Story Unit Vocabulary

Question 1

finesse

Answer 1

noun
skill and cleverness shown by how someone handles a situation; refinement, delicacy
ex. She won the lacrosse game with finesse.

Question 2

incessant

Answer 2

adjective
nonstop, without ending
ex. The baby’s crying was incessant, and was too much to handle.

Question 3

odious

Answer 3

adjective
describes something deserving hate
ex. Hunting is often seen as odious by animal rights activists.

Question 4

nocturnal

Answer 4

adjective
describes something active at night
ex. Animals such as bats, hamsters, and owls are nocturnal.

Question 5

palpable

Answer 5

adjective
able to be touched or felt
ex. The feeling of dread was palpable around the country

Question 6

tangible

Answer 6

adjective
describes something that has substance or reality; capable of being touched or precisely identified (more than palpable)
ex. I prefer tangible copies of video games over digital, downloadable copies.

Question 7

disarming

Answer 7

adjective
describes something that removes feelings of unfriendliness or mistrust
ex. The disarming smile of her mother was enough to make the child stop crying.

Question 8

analytical

Answer 8

adjective
describes something that is skilled in breaking a whole into its parts examining their relationship
ex. He was analytical when looking at his surroundings.

Question 9

futile

Answer 9

adjective
describes something that has no result or effect
ex. There was not enough water to stop the fire, so the firemen’s efforts were futile.

Question 10

condone

Answer 10

verb
to forgive, overlook, or allow an offense (something bad)
ex. The principal of the high school does not condone bullying.