Webster Essential Vocabulary

moderation(MAH doer AY shin) n.1. bringing within bounds; 2. avoiding
excesses or extremes; 3. calmness; absence of violence

• Everything should be done in moderation,including moderationitself.


• Partying in moderationmeans that you’re likely to have a good time and to
  remember it the next day.


• Both parties to the dispute acted with moderationso that no fighting erupted.
  modicum(MAH di kim) n.a small amount; a bit (with of)


• Grandpa likes to tell tall tales, so take everything he tells you with a
  modicumof salt.


• You need not use a lot of ground pepper when seasoning your roast;
  usually just a modicumis needed.
  modulate(MAHD yoo LAYT) vt.1. to adjust or to regulate to the appropriate
  degree; 2. change the pitch or intensity, usually to a lower level; 3. (radio) to vary
  the amplitude or frequency of a wave’s oscillation in accordance with some signal


• One must modulatewhat to expect from a child in accordance with the
  child’s age.


• A great opera singer is one with the ability to modulatehis or her voice.


• AM radio is amplitude modulated,while FM is frequency modulated.
  [-d, modulating, modulator n.]
  momentous*(moh MEN tis) adj.very important; of great moment


• The Wright Brothers’ first powered flight, in 1903, was a momentousocca-
  sion for human travel.


• Deciding whether or not to apply to college is a momentousdecision.
  [-ly adv.]

Quick Review #56.

Match the word from column 2 with the word from column 1 that means most
nearly the same thing.

160 Essential Vocabulary

1. mimicry


2. mineral


3. misgiving


4. mishap


5. misleading


6. missing


7. mitigate


8. mock


9. moderation


10. modicum


11. modulate


12. momentous

a. bit

b. important

c. imitation

d. calmness

e. element

f. regulate

g. qualm

h. lessen

i. accident

j. ridicule

k. deceiving

l. absent