MODULE 8 (of 30)

Try to guess the meanings of the power verbs highlighted in the following twelve
sentences. The definitions are given below.
1. She paced up and down the room endeavouring to compose herself.
2. She was disconcerted by the interviewer's critical remarks about her dress sense.
3. This law abrogates the rights of the minority.
4. The leader was accustomed to command, not to entreat.
5. A plagiarist appropriates the words and ideas of others.
6. He covets his neighbour's new car.
7. Years of gambling had depleted his financial resources.
8. The testimony of the eye-witness negated the defendant's alibi.
9. The roar of the crowd precluded him from completing his story.
10. They agitated for a reform of the tax laws.
11. He decided that it would be discreet to propitiate the chairman, for the chairman had the
power to sack him.
12. She has never evinced any special interest in politics.
endeavour - try earnestly, strive.
disconcert - disturb the composure of, fluster, embarrass; spoil or upset (plans etc.).
abrogate - repeal, cancel, abolish (law or custom).
entreat - ask earnestly (to do).
appropriate - take possession of; devote to special purposes.
covet - desire eagerly (usually what belongs to another).
deplete - empty out; exhaust.
negate - nullify, make ineffective, invalidate, destroy; deny, deny the existence of.
preclude - (followed by from ) prevent, exclude (precluded from taking part ); make impossible;
remove so as to preclude all doubt).
agitate - stir up interest or concern, especially publicly; disturb or excite (a person or feelings); shake
or move, especially briskly.
propitiate - appease (an offended person etc.).
evince - indicate or make evident; show that one has (a quality).
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Referring to the list above only where necessary, write the appropriate verb beside its definition.

1. She strove earnestly to complete the task on time.

She ........................... to complete it on time.
2. The constant interruptions disturbed the composure of the chairman.
The constant interruptions .................... the chairman.
3. The government abolished the unpopular law.
The government .................... the unpopular law.
4. The tenants begged the landowner to carry out improvements.
They ....................... him to carry out improvements.

5. The farmer took possession of some of his neighbour's land.

The farmer ......................... some of his neighbour's land.
6. He desires his neighbour's house.
He ................. his neighbour's house.
7. Carefree spending quickly exhausted her meagre savings.
Carefree spending quickly .............. her meagre savings.
8. One careless action can nullify weeks of hard work.
One careless action can ............... weeks of hard work.
9. A prior engagement prevented him from accepting the invitation.
A prior engagement ............. him from accepting the invitation.
10. She was so stirred up that she stormed out of the room.
She was so .................. that she stormed out of the room.
11. They deemed it advisable to appease the angry gods.
They deemed it advisable to ................... the angry gods.
12. He has never shown any interest in music.
He has never ..................... an interest in music.
ANSWERS

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1 - endeavoured; 2 - disconcerted; 3 - abrogated; 4 - entreated; 5 - appropriated;
6 - covets; 7 - depletes; 8 - negate; 9 - precluded; 10 - agitated; 11 - propitiate;
12 -evinced.

If you are still unsure of the meanings of today's twelve verbs, read over the following definitions before
completing the final exercise below.
endeavour - essay, attempt.
disconcert - disturb.
abrogate - revoke, annul.
entreat - appeal for.
appropriate - seize, commandeer.
covet - long for.
deplete - drain, exhaust.
negate - nullify.
preclude - prevent.

agitate - perturb.
propitiate - appease.
evince - demonstrate.
In the column on the right are twelve dictionary definitions of the words dealt with today.
Try to match each word with its definition.
1. ........................ long for.
2. ........................ prevent.
3. ........................ essay, attempt.
4. ........................ demonstrate.
5. ........................ revoke, annul.
6. ........................ disturb.
7. ........................ appeal for.
8. ........................ appease.
9. ........................ drain, exhaust.
10. ........................ perturb.
11. ........................ nullify.
12. ........................ seize, commandeer.

ANSWERS
1 - covet; 2 - preclude; 3 - endeavour; 4 - evince; 5 - abrogate; 6 - disconcert;
7 - entreat; 8 - propitiate; 9 - deplete; 10 agitate; 11 - negate; 12 - appropriate.
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