Page 243 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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vaccine (VAK seen) n. a preparation placed into the body to prevent or lessen
the effects of a specific infection; disease preventitive; innoculation
• Before Jonas Salk discovered his vaccine, polio was the greatest fear of
mothers of young children.
• Medical researchers are now seeking a vaccine for cancer.
valid (VAL id) adj. 1. having legal status; binding under the law; 2. legitimate;
in force; effective; 3. capable of withstanding criticism or examination
• To drive, one must have a valid driver’s license.
• Alternate side of the street parking is valid in New York City except on
legal holidays.
• No matter how many times something is tried and works, it cannot be
proven to be a natural law, yet one case of failure is enough to prove it not
valid.
valorous (VAL er uhs) adj. having or showing courage; bravery; being strong
• Soldiers and sailors are decorated for exhibiting valorous behavior.
• The code of chivalry implied an expectation of valorous behavior on the
part of medieval knights.
vanquish (VAN kwish) vt. 1. to beat; to defeat in battle; 2. to force into submission
• In times of war, it is the object of armed forces to vanquish the foe.
• In chess, it is customary for the vanquished player to concede by upending
his or her king.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. conquer]
varied (VA reed) adj. 1. of different kinds; diverse; 2. of different colors; varie-
gated; 3. altered; changed
• America is unique because of the varied cultures of its inhabitants.
• Clothing designs are varied in shape, size, and shade.
• Having put on 20 pounds since he bought his suit, Bob thought it advis-
able to have its size varied by a tailor.
[-ly adv.]
variety (vuh RY it ee) adj. 1. the state of being diverse; having many choices;
2. a different form or condition from the usual; 3. many different things taken
together (like a variety show)
•A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are in season during the summer
months.
• Breakfast can be made more interesting by eating a variety of cereals rather
than eating the same one every day.
•A variety show offers an assortment of entertainment.
varnish* (VAHR nish) n. 1. a resinous preparation used to give wood a glossy
protective finish; 2. the hard, glossy surface produced; 3. a glossy or polished
manner —vt. 1. to cover with varnish; 2. to make superficially attractive; 3. to pol-
ish up; embellish
• Varnish may be diluted with turpentine.
• Using coasters on varnish helps to prevent its getting discolored by mois-
ture on glass bottoms.