Short Story Words:
1.) assuage- (verb)- to lesson the intensity of; to make mild or less severe
In order to assuage the intense conversation I attempted a lousy joke.

2.) austere- (adj)- severe in manner or appearance; stern and cold in appearance
Everyone is intimated by our manger because he has an austere demeanor.

3.) cowl- (noun)- protective covering; a loose hood or hooded robe (as worn by a monk)
The cowl he wore protected his face from his parents’ view after he got a black eye from the fight yesterday.

4.) desolate- (adj)- joyless; showing the effects of abandonment and neglect
It’s not wonder the girl became a ruthless murderer because her childhood was so desolate and lonely.

5.) doleful- (adj) sorrowful; mournful; melancholy
At the funeral, the widow had a doleful look on her face.

6.) facet- (noun)- any of the many polished sides of a diamond or other cut gem; any of the various sides or appearances.
Over the years, me and Ashley’s friendship depreciated because I was able to see the many facets of her fake personality.

7.) imperceptible- (adj)- very slight, gradual, or subtle
The changes I made in my final draft of the paper were imperceptible, and I fear my teacher will not notice them.

8.) insular- (adj)- isolated; narrow-minded
Americans can be quite insular when it comes to meeting people from foreign countries.

9.) irk- (verb)- to irritate, annoy, or exacerbate
Everything the small child did greatly irked the babysitter.

10.) moiety- (noun)- a half; an indefinite portion, part, or share
The defense attorney asked for equal moiety in the profits, if they should win the case.

11.) patronize- (verb)- to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward someone
I am sick and tired of the way my classmates patronize me for my tardiness!

12.) peevishness- (adj) marked by ill-temper; showing annoyance, irritation or bad mood
After his bad day he showed peevishness toward me by yelling at me.

13.) precarious- (adj)- dependent on circumstances beyond one’s control; uncertain, unstable
The weather will be very precarious for the opening day at the Phillies game.

14.) preside - (verb)- to occupy the place of authority or control
Ultimately it is up to the judge to preside the outcome of trial.

15.) tepid- (adj)- moderately warm; lacking in passion, force, or zest
You need to bump up that tepid attitude if you want to become America’s Next Top Model.

16.) rapturous -(adj)- a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
On the day of my wedding, I felt whirlwind of emotions; both rapturous and nervous all at the same time!

17.) unruly -(adj)- not disciplined or controlled; not submissive or conforming to a rule
The principal is unsure of what to do with the unruly teenagers who refuse to listen to anyone.

18.) untrammeled - (adj)- not limited or restricted
In art class I allow my untrammeled creativity run wild.

19.) valor- (noun) boldness or determination in facing great danger, esp. in battle; heroic courage; bravery
The valiant soldier received a gold medal for his valor he had shown during World War II.


20.) wizen- (verb)- to become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled often as a result of aging
Be sure to stay out of the sun or else your skin will vastly wizen.