Lesson ThirteenEnglish I

holocaustDefinition(n) a great or complete

destruction of life (usually by fire)

ExampleThe peaceful village had

been turned into a holocaust by the fire bombs.

homilyDefinition(n) a sermonsyn: tedious lecture

Example“Sir,” I said, “I need food and

clothes for these people, not a homily on patience.”

honeDefinition(v) To sharpenant: to dull

ExampleBefore he went on a

mission, he always honed his knife to a razor sharpness.

hovelDefinition(n) a dirty, wretched living

placeant: palace, mansion

ExampleThe social worker looked

with distaste at the dreary hovel in which the children were living.

humaneDefinition(adj) kind, compassionatesyn: tender, merciful,

considerateant: inhumane, cruel

ExampleThe veterinarian told us that

putting the injured horse to sleep was the only humane thing to do.

imbibeDefinition(v) to drink (esp. alcoholic

liquor)ant: abstain

ExampleThe beer I imbibed on an

empty stomach soon made me feel quite dizzy.

imbueDefinition(v) to fill completelysyn: saturate, pervade

ExampleHe was so imbued with his

country’s ideals that he would gladly risk his life for them.

immaculateDefinition(adj) spotlesssyn: clean, pureant: dirty, soiled, spotted

ExampleThe rooms were as

immaculate as the grounds surrounding the large estate.

impedeDefinition(v) to hinder, obstructsyn: delayant: aid, encourage

ExampleThe car broken down in the

middle of the road impeded the flow of traffic.

impelDefinition(v) push into motionsyn: urge, force, propel,

driveant: restrain

ExampleImpelled by hunger and

thirst, the man staggered across the desert.

impermeableDefinition(adj) not permitting passage

(esp. of fluids)syn: impenetrableant: permeable

ExampleBecause the map case was

made of rubber, it was impermeable to water.

impertinentDefinition(adj) rude and disrespectfulsyn: impudent, insolentant: polite, courteous

ExampleThe boy was suspended

from school for his impertinent behavior.

imperturbableDefinition(adj) not easily excited,

even under pressuresyn: cool, steady, calmant: excitable

ExampleThe captain’s

imperturbable manner had a quieting effect on his men.

imperviousDefinition(adj) not capable of being

affected bysyn: resistantant: vulnerable

ExampleThe wounded man seemed

impervious to pain as he continued to move toward his enemy.

impetuousDefinition(adj) acting suddenly

without thoughtsyn: impulsiveant: planned, careful

ExampleImpetuous behavior can be

hazardous to your health.