Lesson 2
Sophomore Vocabulary

1. amalgamate verb to combine
   Because of his forceful personality, he was able to amalgamate the smaller tribes into a large and dangerous army.
   syn: write, blend, mix, consolidate           ant: splinter, disunite
   
   
2. ambidextrous adj. equally skillful with either hand
   Because he was ambidextrous, he was good at pitching horseshoes with either hand.
   syn: versatile
   
   
3. anachronism noun something or someone out of its proper place or time
   The setting for the play was a peasant village in the Middle Ages, but in the middle of the stage was a refrigerator. What an anachronism that was.
   
   
4. animate verb to give life or motion to
   Even a trip to the ice cream parlor did little to animate the two lost children.
   syn: enliven, encourage, excite          ant: deaden
   
   
5. anthropomorphic  adj.  attributing human characteristics or qualities to objects, animals, or gods
   I just hate anthropomorphic stories in which pigs and rabbits walk upright, dress in clothes, and speak to each other in human tongue.
   
   
6. antiquated  adj.  no longer used or useful; very old
   The antiquated car chugged slowly up the hill.
   syn: obsolete, out-of-date          
   
   
7. aphorism noun  a concise statement of a truth or principle
   "Waste not, want not" is an aphorism that my father lives by.
   syn: proverb, adage, maxim
   
   
8. aplomb noun  self-confidence
   The youngest dancer showed such aplomb that even the veterans of the troupe were astonished.
   syn: poise, assurance      ant: awkwardness
   
   
9. bandy  noun  to give and take quickly in conversation; to toss back and forth
   "Let's not bandy words," the woman told her son. "Just tell me what happened."
   syn: exchange (words)
   
   
10. bane  noun  to cause of ruin, harm or distress, death
    As he passed out midterm grades, the teacher woefully told the students, "You'll be the bane of me yet."