Page 53 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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cajole (kuh JOHL) vt. to coax with insincere talk; to flatter in hopes of getting
one’s way; to wheedle
• Maxine tried to cajole her husband into going to the movies.
• Barney cajoled Lois to accompany him to the book sale.
[-d, cajoling, -ry n., cajolingly adv.] [Syn. coax]
calamity (kuh LAM i tee) n. 1. deep trouble; misery; 2. any great misfortune
entailing sorrow and loss; disaster
• The loss of a loved one is always a calamity.
• The attack on the World Trade Center ranks with Pearl Harbor among the
U.S.A.’s greatest calamities.
[calamitous adj., calamitously adv.] [Syn. disaster]
camaraderie (kam uh RAD oer ee) n. warm, friendly feelings of loyalty among
comrades; comradeship
• Camaraderie is most likely to develop among military comrades who have
been through some combat together.
• A general feeling of camaraderie pervaded the air as the business associates
gathered in the tavern to relax and share their tales on a Friday afternoon.
campaign (kam PAYN) n. 1. a sequence of military operations aimed at a cer-
tain objective; 2. a series of organized actions for some specific purpose —vi. to be
involved in a campaign
• The Second World War’s European campaign was fought to liberate the cap-
tive nations and to defeat Germany.
• Andrea was involved in the presidential election campaign.
• She campaigned enthusiastically for (then) Senator Kerry.
[-ed, -ing, -er n.] [Syn. battle]
canvass (KAV vuhs) vt. 1. to look over carefully; 2. to go to or among (people)
to seek votes, orders, etc. —vi. to try to get votes, orders, etc.; solicit —n. the act of
asking a targeted group of people questions such as who they voted for, what
brands they use, etc., especially in an attempt to estimate the outcome of an elec-
tion, sales campaign, etc.
• Charlie canvassed the canvas with the art appraiser to determine the insur-
ance value of the painting.
• Samantha canvassed the mothers at the soccer game, trying to get some
orders for Daryl’s school fund-raiser.
• Canvassing potential voters was how the paper was able to predict the out-
come of the election.
[**Alert** Do not confuse with canvas, the cloth.] [-ed, -ing, -er n.]

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