Glossary
decent(dē-sent) adj. When you are decent, you are good and kind. A decent person welcomes a new neighbor.
• decision(dē-si-zhun) n. A decision is a choice. You make a decision when you choose clothes to wear each day.
defend(dē-fend) v. When you defend something, you protect it. A mother animal defends its young.
• definition(de-fu-ni-shun) n. The meaning of a word is its definition. Please look up the definition of five new words in the dictionary.
delegate(del-i-get) n. A delegate is a person who has the power to act and speak for others. The delegates met to talk about laws that would help people.
democracy(di-mok-ru-sē) n. In a democracy, people have the power to vote for what they believe. The United States is a democracy.
deserve(di-zurv) v. When you deserve something it means you have worked hard to earn it. If you study hard for a test, you deserve a good grade.
desperate(des-pu-rit) adj. Someone who is desperate has lost hope. The desperate team tried hard but lost.
• despite(di-spīt) prep. Despite means even though or without regard to. The man felt cold, despite his warm jacket.
destroy(di-stroi) v. To destroy means to completely ruin. The house was destroyed by a fire.
determined(dē-tur-mind) adj. When you are determined to do something, you work hard at it. The football team was determined to win.
diplomat(dip-lō-mat) n. A diplomat is a person who represents his or her government. To do his or her job, a diplomat lives in another country.
discovery(dis-kuv-ur-ē) n. A discovery is the act of seeing or finding something for the first time. The teen made an interesting discovery and took a closer look.
disfavor(dis-fā-vor) n. When you show disfavor, you show that you don’t like something. A thumbs down is one way to show disfavor about something.
disguise(dis-gīz) n. When you wear a disguise, you try to look different from what you normally look like. A disguise can help people or animals hide.
disgusted(di-skus-tid) adj. To be disgusted means that you dislike something. Some people are disgusted by frogs.
document(dok-yu-ment) v. To document something is to provide facts about it. A research study must be documented carefully with facts.
donate(dō-nāt) v. To donate means to give to people in need. I always try to donate some of my money to help others.
doubt(dowt) n. When you feel doubt, you are not sure. The girl had doubts about the food after she saw how it was cooked.
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• effect
(e-fekt) n. An effect is the result of an action or cause. The coach’s positive attitude has had a good effect on the team.
• effectively(i-fek-tiv-lē) adv. Something that is done effectively is done in a way that works or gets results. The teacher effectively taught us how to add and subtract.
• element(e-lu-munt) n. An element is something that is part of a whole. Copper is one of the elements use to make pennies.
(en-dān-jurd) adj. To be endangered means to be at risk of disappearing forever. The ivory-billed woodpecker is an example of an endangered animal.
• energy(en-ur-jē) n. Energy is natural power that is used to make things work. We can turn the energy of the wind into electricity.
engage(en-gāj) v. To engage means to take part or get involved in an activity. She engaged her friends in a conversation.
• ensure(en-shur) v. To ensure is to make sure or certain. Humans should ensure that rainforests are protected.
• environment(en-vī-run-ment) n. The environment is all of the living and nonliving things that surround a person, animal, or plant. People plant trees to improve the environment.
equality(ē-kwal-i-tē) n. When you have the same rights as other people, you have equality. Equality is important within any group of people.
• Academic Vocabulary