Page 299 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

28_571656 ch23.qxd 11/10/04 12:43 PM Page 290
Essential Vocabulary
290
gladiator (GLA dee AYT oer) n. 1. any person involved in a public conflict or
fight; 2. a swordsman of ancient Rome who fought for the entertainment of the
public (not necessarily voluntarily)
• Boxers are often referred to as gloved gladiators of the ring.
• The more traditional image of a gladiator is of a man in shorts and leather
armor, carrying a shield in one hand and a broad sword in the other.
gouge (GOWJ) vt. 1. to scoop out; dig out; 2. to overcharge; cheat out of money
—n. a curved chisel used in woodworking
• Many native people have gouged out logs to make dugout canoes—primitive
water transports.
• When that restaurant charged $20 for the $7 bottle of wine, they were
price gouging, and I wouldn’t patronize that place again if I were you.
[-d, gouging]
gregarious (gri GAR ee uhs) adj. 1. living in herds or flocks; 2. enjoying the
company of others; sociable
• Sheep are gregarious animals and never travel alone if they can help it.
• Some dogs are more gregarious than others.
• If you’re the type of person who enjoys partying, the odds are favorable
that you’re gregarious.
gristle (GRIS il) n. cartilage, especially cartilage found in prepared meat
• Karen hates biting into a piece of chicken and finding gristle.
• It’s not always easy to remove the gristle from a roast before cooking it.
• If you really can’t stand gristle, stick to fish.
gust (GUHST) n. 1. a sudden burst of wind; 2. a sudden burst of rain, smoke,
fire, and so on; 3. an explosion of laughter or rage
•A gust of wind blew Jake’s hat off.
• Emily’s face was scorched by the sudden gust of heat from the burning boat
at the amusement park.
•A gust of laughter issued forth from the comedian’s audience.
[Syn. wind]
hackneyed (HAK need) adj. made trite (meaningless) by overuse
• Hackneyed phrases are ones that have been so overused that they have
become meaningless, like “a stitch in time saves nine.”
• “Right as rain” and “snug as a bug in a rug” are hackneyed expressions.
[Syn. trite]
hamper (HAEM poer) vt. to hinder or impede —n. a covered basket used for
laundry, picnics, or whatever
• Having to slog through knee-deep water certainly hampers your getting to
work on time.
• The detour hampered Blossom from making her scheduled doctor’s appoint-
ment on time.
• June packed a picnic lunch in a wicker hamper.
[-ed, -ing]