Reading for the Real World 3/e-Intro Unit 10 (E)

ambassador

representative

He became the country's newest ambassador to Germany.

applause

approval that is publicly expressed, as by clapping the hands

The audience applauded as the show came to an end.

architect

a person who designs buildings

I wonder who the architect was who built the White House.

contemplate

to think deeply about

The principal contemplated on an appropriate punishment for the boys.

descend

to go down

I descended the stairs to get out of the building.

function

a special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used

His brain function is still intact.

goodwill

an attitude of kindness or friendliness

The prime minister went on a goodwill tour of Asia.

humanitarian

related to improving people's lives

Her humanitarian efforts were recognized by the United Nations.

integration

the state of being formed or blended into a whole

The integration of the different elements yielded an award winning product.

interfere

to become involved in the concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted or helpful

Don’t interfere. Just leave him alone to work out his problem.

legend

a very famous or important person known for doing something extremely well

My favorite legend is Robin Hood.

masterpiece

the best piece of work by an artist

One of Auguste Rodin's masterpieces is the 'Thinker'.

meaningful

having real importance or value

The professor didn't really tell us anything meaningful about the final in today's study session. It was a waste of time.

mentor

to teach or give advice or guidance to

The students each chose a mentor to help them with the experiment.

merge

to become joined or united

He had completely merged his life with her life.

muscular dystrophy

a group of diseases that cause weakness and loss of muscle mass

Rory has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle-wasting condition.

organic

related to life and living things

organic foods are good for your health.

public eye

the state of being known or of interest to people in general

She doesn't want her children growing up in the public eye.

publicize

to cause to be publicly known

They flew to Europe to publicize the plight of the refugees.

sandstone

a rock made of sand, usually brown-red in color

Where I live, the sidewalks are made of large squares of sandstone not concrete.

sincere

having or showing true feelings; honest

She felt regret for her actions and gave each child a sincere apology.

spiral

circling around a central point

The ball twisted in a spiral as it flew through the air.

stance

a publicly stated opinion

The sense of tone and music in another’s voice gives us an enormous amount of information about that person, about her stance toward life.

station

to assign to a place or a position

She arrived at the station in good time for her train.

telethon

a long TV show with the purpose of raising money for charities

The TV will show a special telethon to raise money for charity.

texture

the appearance and feel of a surface

The texture of the marble was smooth.

trivial

of little worth or importance

These actions might seem trivial at first but may turn out to be miracles later.

troops

soldiers

The troops were all prepared to go into battle.

unity

a condition of harmony or wholeness

The project was finished early, thanks to the unity of the workers.

virtue

morally good behavior or character

My best virtue is forgiveness.

whatsoever

at all

In the present state of technology, a computer will be no help whatsoever.