Lesson 9
Junior Vocabulary

1. emulate  verb  to try to be equal to or better than; to imitate
   He advised his son to emulate his hard-working, scholarly brother.
   syn: strive
   
   
2. enamored  verb  to be in love with
   Alan was so enamored of the tall, willowy blond that he stuttered when he tried to speak to her.
   syn: desired, charmed, captivated            ant: disliked
   
   
3. enhance  verb  to increase the value or beauty of something
   The soft, shimmering moonlight did much to enhance the beauty of the sparkling lake.
   syn: improve, heighten, intensify             ant: diminish, decrease
   
   
4. enigma noun a puzzling or seemingly inexplicable situation, person, etc
   Because no one knows the thoughts behind that strange grin, Mona Lisa’s smile is an enigma.
   syn: riddle, secret, mystery
   
   
5. enraptured verb to be delighted beyond measure
   Elaine was enraptured by the performance of the visiting ballet troupe.
   syn: enchanted, charmed, entranced
   
   
6. enunciate verb to pronounce words clearly and distinctly
   The speech teacher constantly reminded her students to enunciate their words carefully.
   syn: articulate, state                 ant: mumble, stutter
   
   
7. erudite adj. scholarly; having or showing a wide knowledge gained from reading
   People should never act more erudite than the company they are in; they would appear to be snobs or bores.
   syn: learned, bookish                ant: unlettered, illiterate
   
   
8. ethnic adj. of or having to do with races or classes of people and their language, culture, history, etc
   The true American is not one breed but a mixture of countless ethnic groups.
   syn: cultural, racial
   
   
9. evince verb to show clearly
   In order to evince his claim, the scientist performed several tests.
   syn: demonstrate, indicate, prove
   
   
10. evoke verb to call forth; to draw forth
    Pleasant memories of earlier times were evoked as we watched the decorated floats parading down Main Street.
    syn: summon, conjure up; elicit, extract
    
    
11. exhort verb to use words or arguments to incite one to good deeds
    During halftime, the coach exhorted his team to "win one for The Gipper."
    syn: urge
    
    
12. exodus noun a departure, especially in a large group
    The defeated tribe made a speedy exodus from the war-torn valley.
    syn: withdrawal              ant: entry, a returning
    
    
13. expatriate noun who chooses to leave his or her native country
    The expatriate was greeted by friends and supporters as he stepped off the ship.
    syn: summon, conjure up; elicit, extract
    
    
14. expedient adj. the best means to do something under a given set of circumstances, especially if it will bring personal gain.
    His action, while not admirable, did prove to be the most expedient way to pass the course.
    syn: convenient, advantageous              unfavorable, detrimental
    
    
15. explicit adj. clearly stated
    His instructions were explicit: do not leave the house for any reason.
    syn: exact, precise, definite