The Odyssey Vocabulary

Part I and Part IIMrs. Leach and Mrs. Flatt

Part I

Plunder: (verb)

Definition: To take goods by force. Synonym: raid, pillage, sack, lootSentence: The Capital One Vikings

used to pillage and plunder the city but now they have to find real jobs.

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dispatched: (verb)

Definition: Finished quickly; to make haste.

Synonym: to hurrySentence: Once 911 was called they

dispatched an ambulance within 5 minutes.

assuage: (verb)

Definition: To calm or pacify.Synonym: to sootheSentence: The wolf dog sung to the

baby to assuage it’s crying.

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bereft: (adjective)

Definition: deprived.Synonym: to go withoutSentence: Bereft of sleep, the child

threw a temper tantrum.

ardor: (noun)

Definition: Passion; enthusiasmSynonym: with great intensitySentence: The fans cheered with

great ardor when they found out Italy won The World Cup.

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insidious: (adjective)

Definition: characterized by craftiness and betrayal.

Synonym: sly, treacherousSentence: The traitor’s insidious

actions led to the city’s downfall.

contrived: (verb)

Definition: thought up; devised.Synonym: mannered, createdSentence: Gru told his minions that

he contrived a plan to steal the moon.

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libations: (noun)

Definition: wine or other liquids usually poured upon the ground for sacrifice.

Synonym: beveragesSentence: Castor was excited to see

the man and yelled out “Libations for everybody!” in the dance club.

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Nectar and ambrosia: (noun)

Definition: drink and food of the gods.

Sentence: The goddess Hera, wearing a crown, and holding a royal scepter, is served ambrosia and nectar by her daughter Hebe.

mutiny: (adjective)

Definition: complete rebellion in which the captain or person in charge is removed from power.

Synonym: uprising, revoltSentence: Captain Jack Sparrow’s

crew participated in a mutiny to stop his power.

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Part II

dissemble: (verb)

Definition: conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

Synonym: to hide or pretendSentence: In Harry Potter, Draco had

to dissemble his true feelings for Hermione.

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incredulity: (noun)

Definition: The state of being unable or unwilling to believe something.

Synonym: disbelief, distrustSentence: “Ralph, felt a flicker

of incredulity — a beast with claws that scratched, that sat on a mountaintop, that left no tracks” . . . how was this possible?- The Lord of the Flies

bemused: (verb)

Definition: puzzled, confused, or bewildered.

Synonym: stunned or confoundedSentence: The dog was bemused by

the movement of the escalator.

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equity: (noun)

Definition: the quality of being fair and impartial.

Synonym: justice, fairness, justnessSentence: The judge showed great

equity when he sentenced the man to life in prison for murder.

maudlin: (adjective)

Definition: self pitying or tearfully sentimental.

Sentence: Gru had a joyful yet maudlin feeling as he recalled his childhood.

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contempt: (noun)

Definition: The feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

Synonym: disdain, disregardSentence: The judge found the man in

contempt of court after talking to a new station.

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haughty: (adjective)

Definition: arrogantly superior Synonym: proud, uppity, nose-in-

the-airSentence: The woman shamed the

haughty women for spewing racial hatred about her son.

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wiliest: (adjective)

Definition: craftiest; slyestSynonym: cunningSentence: Wile E. Coyote never

gave up. He always came up with the wiliest ways to capture the Road Runner.

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abyss: (noun)

Definition: A deep or seemingly bottomless chasm.

Synonym: precipice, depthsSentence: I was sitting in an abyss of

boredom.

revelry: (noun)

Definition: noisy festivity.Synonym: shouting, celebrationSentence: The men shouted in

revelry after winning the war.