Capital High School
January Word of the Day

January Word of the Day 2008

1/2- credulous- (KREJ oo lus) adj. gullible; eager to believe
The credulous children believed that their teacher lived under her desk.

1/3- hamper- (HAM pur) v. to prevent the free movement, action, or progress of, to hinder or impede
A thunderstorm hampered our plans for going to the beach.

1/4- unscathed- (uhn SKAYTHD) adj. not hurt or harmed, completely uninjured.
The fireman emerged unscathed from the fire.

1/7- amiable- (AY mee uh bul) adj. friendly; agreeable
Teachers or coaches without amiable personalities have two strikes against them.

1/8- degenerate- (di JEN uh rayt) v. to deteriorate; break down
It is a shame that the old mansion has been allowed to degenerate into an eyesore.

1/9- inclement- (in KLEM unt) adj. stormy, rough, severe
Many areas of the country are forced to close schools for inclement weather.

1/10- perpetrate- (PURP uh trate) v. to be responsible for or guilty of misdeed
The thief perpetrated the robbery at the First National Bank.

1/11- replica- (Rep lih kah) n. copy, exact copy of a reproduction, facsimile
Today you can buy expensive replicas of antique furniture.

1/14- incense- (in SENS) v. to make very angry
The publishers incensed the author by misspelling his name on the book’s cover.

1/15- ambiance- (AM bee uns) n. mood, feeling, general atmosphere
The ambiance in the locker room was depressing after the team lost the championship.

1/16- hovel- (HUV ul) n. small, miserable dwelling; an open, low shed
Compared to the palatial estate on Long Island, Jane said her apartment in the Bronx was a hovel.

1/17- eradicate- (ee Rad I kayt) v. to get rid of, exterminate, destroy
It is my father’s mission to eradicate all weeds in our yard.

1/22- rejuvenate- (ree JOO vun ayt) v. to restore the vigor, health, or appearance of youth, to make young again
Helen’s vacation rejuvenated her.

1/23 – glower- (GLOU ur) v. to stare fixedly and angrily, frown
The coach glowered at the players who arrived late for practice.

1/24- visionary- (VIZH uh neh ree) n. a dreamer, one who is idealistic or speculative.
Walt Disney was the visionary who created Disneyland.

1/25- wily- (WILE ee) adj. deceitful, clever, crafty, cunning
Rainbow trout are too wily to be caught by amateur fishermen.

1/28- perverse- (pur VERS) adj. stubborn, contrary, intractable
The mean principle takes perverse pleasure in suspending students.

1/29- fluke- (FLOOK) n. unlikely windfall, a chance event, a fish
By some fluke; Jesse was hired because he arrived early for the interview.

1/30 – magnanimous- (mag NAN uh mus) adj. generous, noble in spirit
The mayoral candidate was magnanimous in defeat, telling his constituents to support his opponent.

1/31- noxious- (KNOCKS ee us) adj. physically or mentally destructive, harmful to human beings
The noxious ideas espoused by the cult really messed up the boy’s mind.