Reading Vocab 12/06/2010

a-shore

adverb

On or to the shore:

The seal came ashore and then went back into the water.

bur-rows

noun

A hole or tunnel small animals use as an underground nest:

The prairie dog burrowed a hole about 16 feet deep.

in-stinc-tive-ly

adverb

Acting on an inner feeling that is not learned, without thinking:

Most dogs instinctively try to protect their owners.

strand-ed

adjective

In a difficult or helpless position, stuck or trapped:

When our car ran out of gas, we were stranded on the side of the road.

Word History

Strand comes from an Old English word that meant "seashore."

un-in-ha-bit-ed

Having no people living there:

The house on the corner is uninhabited.

ven-ture

verb

To do something in spite of risk, risky:

The crew ventured into the high seas even though they had been warned not to.

launch-ing

verb

To send forcefully upwards like a rocket:

The swimmer pushed off the diving board before launching into the air high above the pool.