(v) To bring to an end; to do away with.
Some people support a plan to abolish violence in movies.
(n) Great pain of mind or body; suffering.
The sprained ankle caused him agony for several weeks.
agonizing (adj) Very painful.
Watching their sick child in the hospital bed was agonizing to the parents.
(n) A machine used in ancient wars that threw objects with great force.
Roman catapults could throw six-pound objects almost a third of a mile.
(v) To move or be moved suddenly and with great force, as if by a catapult.
The Stones? latest song catapulted them to the top of the music charts.
(n) 1. The qualities that make a person or place different or special.
Your friend?s support during your long illness demonstrates her true character.
2. A person in a story, movie, or play.
There are so many characters in the book, it?s hard to remember who everyone is.
3. A letter or symbol used in writing or printing.
The license-plate number NKT605 contains six characters.
(v) 1. To speak out against something; to criticize.
The principal denounced the students who acted out during the school assembly.
2. To accuse someone of doing wrong.
Carla denounced Victor, who sat next to her, for cheating on the test.
(v) To go up or increase in size or scope.
If house prices continue to escalate, many people will be unable to afford to buy a home.
(adj) 1. Cruel; fierce.
There were many grim battles during the Civil War.
2. Unfriendly or threatening; stern.
The coach?s grim face expressed his displeasure at our team?s poor performance.
3. Unpleasant; disturbing.
We heard the grim news that our class hamster has gotten very sick.
(n) A protected place along a seacoast where ships can find shelter.
In the summer the harbor is busy with sailboats going in and out.
(v) 1. To give shelter to; to take care of by hiding.
We harbored the injured baby rabbit in my sister?s room until our mother found it.
2. To hold and nourish a thought or feeling in the mind.
Try not to harbor anger against the person who stole your bike.
(v) To cause something painful to be felt.
The hurricane inflicted severe damage on coastal areas.
(v) To hate or dislike greatly.
Gandhi, the great Indian leader, loathed violence.
loathing (n) A feeling of hatred.
Their loathing of cruelty to animals led them to set up a shelter for unwanted pets.
(v) To involve oneself in other people?s affairs without being asked.
When my grandparents retired, they could have meddled in my parents? lives, but they didn?t.
meddlesome (adj) Given to taking part in others? affairs without being asked.
If you think I am being meddlesome, just tell me to mind my own business.
(adj) 1. Causing shock; horrible; wicked.
Mikaela begged her parents not to carry out their monstrous plan to move her family to another country.
2. Extremely large.
A monstrous roller coaster was the most exciting ride at the fair.
(v) 1. To awaken, to wake up.
The children were sleeping so soundly that it was difficult to rouse them.
2. To stir up; to excite.
Martin Luther King Jr. roused the American people with his 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
(adj) Unchanging; steady; loyal.
Rigo and Moni remained steadfast friends throughout their school years.
(v) To put into a different language.
The Little Prince, which was written in French, was translated into English by Katherine Woods.
