W8
Vocabulary
Let’s go over the new vocabulary for this week.
Ghost Towns of the American West
stream (v.)
a continuous flow of things or people
Water began to stream down the hill after the heavy rain.
vigorous (n.)
very forceful or energetic
2
The coach led a vigorous warm-up before the big game.
spring up (phr.)
to start to exist suddenly
3
New trees began to spring up all around the empty field.
immigrant (n.)
a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently
4
The family was excited to be immigrants in their new country.
homestead (n.)
a house and the surrounding area of land, usually used as a farm
5
The family built their homestead near the river and planted a garden.
storekeeping (n.)
the occupation of keeping a store; the management of a store
6
Her job in storekeeping taught her how to help customers and count money.
convict (n.)
someone who is in prison because they are guilty of a crime
7
The judge learned the man was a convict from another town.
simpering (adj.)
smiling in a silly or annoying way
8
The simpering girl always smiled shyly at everyone she met.
stalwart (adj.)
(especially of a person) physically strong
9
The stalwart dog stood guard at the door through the storm.
brimful (adj.)
full of something (good)
10
His backpack was brimful with books and snacks for the trip.
strewn (v.)
to spread things in an untidy way over a surface, or to be spread in an untidy way over a surface
11
Leaves were strewn all over the yard after the wind blew hard.
straggling (v.)
to move or spread untidily and in small numbers or amounts
12
A few straggling students arrived late to class after the bell rang.
clapboard (adj.)
a clapboard building has walls which are covered with long narrow pieces of wood
13
The clapboard house looked old but cozy with its white wooden walls.
wield (v.)
to hold a weapon or tool and look as if you are going to use it
14
The knight could wield his sword with great strength and skill.
bypass (v.)
to avoid something by going around it
15
The new road will bypass the town so drivers won’t get stuck in traffic.
furnishing (n.)
an object that tends to increase comfort or utility
16
The living room’s furnishing included a soft couch and bright rug.
transcontinental (adj.)
extending or going across a continent
17
The transcontinental railroad connected the east and west sides of the country.
occasionally (adv.)
from time to time; sometimes
18
We go out for ice cream occasionally, but not every week.
seek/sought (v.)
to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object
19
The explorers sought treasure deep in the jungle.
lawsuit (n.)
a problem taken to a law court by an ordinary person or an organization rather than the police in order to obtain a legal decision
20
The company faced a lawsuit because the product was unsafe.
migration (n.)
the process of people traveling to a new place to live, usually in large numbers
21
The birds’ annual migration brought flocks south for the winter.
cornerstone (n.)
something very important that something else depends on
22
Respect and honesty are the cornerstone of a good friendship.
headlong (adv.)
quickly and directly
23
The child ran headlong into the playground, excited to play.
flock to (v.)
to move or gather together in large numbers
24
People began to flock to the concert as soon as the music started.
inhabitant (n.)
a person or animal that lives in a particular place
25
Every inhabitant of the island knew each other by name.
venture (v.)
to risk going somewhere or doing something that might be dangerous or unpleasant, or to risk saying something that might be criticized
26
We decided to venture into the woods to explore new trails.
flourish (v.)
to grow or develop successfully
27
The flowers began to flourish in the warm spring sunshine.
pan (for gold) (v.)
wash gravel in a pan to separate out (gold)
28
The miner used a pan to search for gold in the river.
strike it rich (phr.)
acquire a great deal of money, typically in a sudden or unexpected way
29
The brothers hoped to strike it rich during the gold rush.
lay out (phr.)
to arrange something on a flat surface
30
They will lay out the tents before the sun goes down.