1. primitive (adj.

) ˈpri-mə-tiv

1. relating to, denoting, or preserving the character of an early stage in the evolutionary
or historical development of something
● primitive mammals
2. very basic or unsophisticated in terms of comfort, convenience, or efficiency.
● the accommodation at the camp was a bit primitive
3. not developed or derived from anything else
● primitive material of the universe

2. befall (v.) \ bi-ˈfȯl

1. (especially of something bad) happen to (someone)

● a tragedy befell his daughter

3. caliber (n.) \ ˈka-lə-bər

1. the quality of someone's character or the level of their ability

● they could ill afford to lose a man of his caliber

4. concur (v.) kən-ˈkər

1. be of the same opinion; agree

● the authors concurred with the majority
2. happen or occur at the same time; coincide

5. miniature (adj.) ˈmi-ni-ˌchu̇r

1. very small of its kind

● children dressed as miniature adults

6. unprecedented (adj.) ˌən-ˈpre-sə-ˌden-təd

1. never done or known before; unmatched; novel

7. increment (n.) ˈiŋ-krə-mənt

1. an increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale

● Fines increase in increments of $10

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8. transfix (v.) tran(t)s-ˈfiks

1. cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment

● he was transfixed by the pain in her face

9. tenacity (n.) tə-ˈna-sə-tē

1. the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip

● the sheer tenacity of the limpet
2. he quality or fact of being very determined; determination
● you have to admire the tenacity of these two guys
3. the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence
● the tenacity of certain myths within the historical record

10. traduce (v.) trə-ˈdüs

1. speak badly of or tell lies about (someone) so as to damage their reputation

● it was regarded as respectable political tactics to traduce him

11. pelt (v.) ˈpelt

1. hurl missiles repeatedly at

● two boys pelted him with rotten apples

12. unscathed (adj.) ˌən-ˈskāt͟hd

1. without suffering any injury, damage, or harm

● I came through all those perils unscathed

13. denunciation (n.) di-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən

1. public condemnation of someone or something

● the denunciation of violence
● the denunciation of one's enemies
● their denunciation of him as a spy

14. stifle (v.) ˈstī-fəl

1. make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate

2. restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion)
● she stifled a giggle

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 ● stifled our anger
3. prevent or constrain (an activity or idea)
● high taxes were stifling private enterprise

15. turbulent (adj.) ˈtər-byə-lənt

1. characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable or calm

● the country's turbulent history
2. causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
● a set of mischievous, turbulent rebels

16. rebuttal (n.) ri-ˈbə-tᵊl

1. an instance of rebutting (refuting) evidence or an accusation; denial
● he had to rebut charges of acting for the convenience of his political friends

17. comprise (v.) kəm-ˈprīz

1. consist of; be made up of

● the country comprises twenty states
2. make up or constitute (a whole)
● a misconception as to what comprises a literary generation

18. pander (v.) ˈpan-dər

1. gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire or taste or a person with such a
desire or taste)
● newspapers are pandering to people's baser instincts

19. crucify (v.) ˈkrü-sə-ˌfī

1. cause anguish to (someone); distress

2. to treat cruelly; torment

20. retard (v.) ri-ˈtärd

1. delay or hold back in terms of progress or development

● our progress was retarded by unforeseen difficulties
2. to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment
● chemicals to retard the spread of fire