Vocabulary

affliction (uh-flik-shuhn) n.

• a force that oppresses or causes suffering • The monk suffered both mental and physical

afflictions in his quest for Nirvana.

plunder (pluhn-d ә r) v.

• 1. To rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc. 2. To take wrongfully, as by pillage, robbery, or fraud

• The band of thieves was known to plunder and burn every village through which it passed.

purge (pûrj) v.

• to cleanse or rid of something undesirable • The woman possessed by demons will need a

priest to purge her body and soul through exorcism.

infamous (in-fuh-muhs) adj.

• having a very bad reputation • Marie Antoinette was the infamous queen known for

saying “let them eat cake.”

hoary (hôr’ē) adj.

• gray with age • Just the sight of the hoary man known for his nasty

temper causes the town's children to run and hide.

loathsome (lohth-suhm) adj

• causing feelings of loathing; disgusting; revolting; repulsive • The dragon that was once a great protector of the castle, had to be

slain because it picked up the loathsome habit of eating the town's people and leaving random body parts around the courtyard.

scourge (skûrj) n.

• a source of great suffering or destruction • The village constable had to try to keep the

people's panic at bay after the scourge of violent raids by the Vikings left them utterly devastated.

havoc (hăv’ ә k) n.

• widespread destruction • A large violent storm such as a hurricane

can wreak havoc on an entire country.

accrue (ә -krōō) v.

• to be added or gained; to accumulate • Kings and queens often accrue many valuables

over the course of their lifetimes and reigns.

malady (măl’ ә -dē) n.

• 1. Any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deep-seated 2. Any undesirable or disordered condition: social maladies; a malady of the spirit

• There are many types of autoimmune diseases and other such maladies that have no known cure.