Page 147 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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insight (IN syt) n. 1. the ability to intuitively grasp the inner nature of things;
2. a clear understanding of the inner nature of a certain thing
• Henry’s insight made it possible for him to tell the quality of any cabinet’s
construction.
• Lois’s long experience with cats and dogs gave her insight into why Libby
was whining and whether to call the vet.
[-ful adj., -fully adv.]
insipid (in SIP id) adj. 1. tasteless; unflavored; 2. dull; lifeless; lacking tang or zest
• The lukewarm cup of weak tea was absolutely insipid without lemon or
sugar.
• Byron had an insipid personality, sort of like a piece of wet toast.
• Last night’s insipid party’s most exciting moment was its ending.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. banal, vapid, flat; Ant. zestful, spicy]
insolent (IN suh lint) adj. strongly disrespectful; impertinent; impudent in
speech and behavior
• Jack was expelled from school for being insolent with his teachers and with
the school administrators.
• Insolent behavior while in the armed services is a sure ticket to the brig.
[-ly adv., insolence n.] [Syn. impertinent, proud]
instill (ins TIL) vt. to put in little by little, or drop by drop; to impart a thought,
idea, principle, etc. gradually
• It takes many lessons to instill a child with the proper way to treat other
people.
• Farah was not quick to grasp the principles of driving a car, and it took her
instructor 25 lessons to instill the skills she needed to pass her licensing exam.
[-ed, -ing, -ment n.]
institution (IN sti TOO shin) n. 1. an established law, custom, etc.; 2. an insti-
tuting establishment; 3. an organization having a public character, such as a
school, church, bank, etc.; 4. the building housing such an organization
• The Bill of Rights is an institution that has survived many assaults by law-
makers over the years.
• The institution of daylight saving time is not observed in all the contiguous
48 states.
• An institution of higher learning is ideally a place for a free exchange of ideas.
• The savings and loan institution is on the corner of Third and Main streets.
instrument (IN struh mint) n. 1. a tool; something or someone used to do
something; 2. any of many kinds of devices used to measure (temperature, wind,
electricity, etc.); 3. a device that produces a musical sound; 4. a legal document
• A spading fork might well be the most versatile garden instrument.
• A pilot’s instruments tell the speed and altitude of the aircraft as well as the
plane’s attitude.
• When asked to choose an instrument to play, Benny picked the clarinet.
• A letter of credit is a financial instrument.
[-al adj., -ally adv.] [Syn. implement]