10 • Lesson 18 Word List

(adj) Relating to sound or hearing.
A tiny acoustic device improved grandfather's hearing.

acoustics (n) The properties of an enclosed space that affect sound quality.
The pianist checked the acoustics of the concert hall during her first practice session.

(n) 1. A collection or gathering of people or things.
The assemblage at Camp Tamarack included people from all over the country.

2. A fitting together of parts.
A car engine is an assemblage of many parts working together.

(adj) Inspiring great respect or admiration; noble.
Thomas Jefferson's august presence made a deep impression on those privileged to know him.

(n) Protection, support, or guidance; patronage.
The concert is being given under the auspices of the town's arts foundation.

(v) To criticize unimportant things; to quibble.
Kara caviled at the majority vote to change the starting time of soccer practice from 3:30 to 3:45.

(n) A minor criticism.
my only cavil with the restaurant is that they don't warm the bread.

(n) A person in charge of an exhibition; an overseer of a museum or library collection.
The curator wrote brief explanations for all the works in the Picasso exhibit.

(adj) Still existing; not lost or destroyed.
I had an opportunity to view one of the few extant copies of the first edition of Middlemarch.

(n) The entire range of something.
Stars run the gamut from Earth-sized white dwarfs to red giants, which are hundreds of times bigger than the sun.

(adj) Incapable of being expressed in words.
They sat gazing at the ineffable beauty of the Green Mountains.

(adj) Sweetly flowing; pleasant to the ear.
The mellifluous sound of a cello filled the rehearsal room.

(n) A person's manner, appearance, or expression; bearing.
Although Sandro was worried about all the work he had to do, you couldn't tell that from his untroubled mien.

(n) A person or thing without an equal.
Eva followed her brother's example of how to behave at the function because he was considered the nonpareil of decorum.

(adj) Having no equal; superb.
Derek Jeter was the nonpareil shortstop for the New York Yankees.

(n) 1. A green firm that forms on copper exposed to the elements.
The patina of the building's roof indicates that it is sheathed with copper.

2. A beautiful surface finish, the result of age and proper care.
Notice the rich patina of these well-maintained antique chairs.

(adj) 1. Fully absorbed; engrossed.
We listened with rapt attention to her song.

2. Filled with deep pleasure; enraptured.
He had a rapt expression on his face as he remembered those halcyon summers in Hawaii.

(v) To revive from unconsciousness or apparent death; to revive or restore to health or vigor.
Our first-aid class taught us how to resuscitate someone who has nearly drowned.