Webster Essential Vocabulary

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

clique(KLEEK orKLIK) n.a small, exclusive circle of people; snobbish or narrow
coterie (Common interest and snobbery are implied.)



  • The cheerleaders kept together in their own clique.

  • The Obscure Poets Society was a self-important, highbrow cliquethat gener-
    ally looked down on others.
    [-ish or cliquishadj., cliquishly adv., cliquishness n.] [Syn. coterie]
    cloying(KLOY ing) adj.1. displeasing or distasteful due to excess; 2. excessively
    sweet, sentimental, etc.

  • The romance novel was cloyingin its sentimentality.

  • The date can have a cloyingsweetness that causes many people to avoid
    eating that fruit unless it is only one of several ingredients, as in date-nut
    bread.
    [-ly adv., (to) cloyvt.]
    cohere(koh HEER) vi.1. to stick together; 2. to be connected naturally or logi-
    cally, as by some common idea or principle; 3. to become or stay united in action;
    be in accord

  • Grapes appear to cohereuntil you notice the tiny stems.

  • Freedoms of religion and press seem to logically cohere.

  • The U.S. and U.K. coheredfrom 1941 through 1945 in their fight against
    the Nazis.
    [-d, cohering, -nt adj., -nce, cohesion, cohesiveness n.] [Syn. stick]
    colleague(KAH leeg) n.a fellow worker; one in the same profession

  • Matt and Louise were colleaguesat the electric company.

  • Dr. Lang and Dr. Griffith were colleaguesat Lehigh Hospital.
    [Syn. associate]
    collect (kuh LEKT) vt.1. to bring together; assemble; 2. to call for and receive
    (for example, taxes); 3. to regain control (of oneself); 4. to pick up; go get —vi.to
    gather; assemble —adj., adv.to be payed for by the recipient

  • Libby collectsbottle caps as a hobby.

  • The news boy collectsfees weekly from his patrons.

  • You need to collectyour wits before reading another word.

  • June collectsaluminum cans to turn in for the 10¢ deposit.

  • The crowd collectedoutside the ballpark.

  • When you get there, call collect.
    [-ed, -ing] [Syn. gather]
    collection(kuh LEK shin) n.1. the act or process of accumulating; 2. the things
    collected; 3. a pile; an accumulation; 4. money collected, as by a fund-raiser

  • A weekly collectionof garbage is essential for urban living.

  • Laurie has quite an extensive stamp collection.

  • Ian has some collectionof dirty clothes in his room.

  • After the religious service, a collectionplate was passed.


50 Essential Vocabulary

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