Glossary

• media

(mē-dē-u) n. Television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the Internet make up the media. The media can spread information to millions of people.

memory

(mem-e-rī) n. A memory is something remembered. Looking through family photographs can bring back memories of good times.

mercy

(mur-sē) n. Mercy is kindness to someone in trouble. My mom showed mercy when I spilled food all over the floor.

mission

(mish-un) n. A mission is the goal of someone’s work. An astronaut’s mission is to explore space.

modest

(mod-ist) adj. A modest person does not act overly proud of an accomplishment or success. The girl was modest about winning first prize.

• modified

(mod-i-fīd) adj. Something that has been modified has been changed. We modified the recipe to feed more people.

movement

(müv-ment) n. A movement is a group of people working together to make a change. People of all races took part in the Civil Rights Movement.

N

• negative

(neg-u-tiv) adj. If you have a negative opinion about something, you don’t like it. My sister was negative about my idea.

nervous

(ner-vus) adj. When you are nervous, you feel worried. The basketball player felt nervous before the game.

O

obey

(ō-bā) v. To obey is to follow an order. If your parents tell you to clean your room, you must obey them.

• obvious

(ob-vē-us) adj. Something that is obvious is easily seen or understood. It was obvious he was sick because he had a fever.

opinion

(ō-pin-yun) n. An opinion is a belief about something. Reporters ask people for their opinions about events in the news.

opportunity

(op-ur-tü-ni-tē) n. An opportunity is a chance to do something. My teacher gave me the opportunity to tell my ideas to the other students.

organic

(or-gan-ik) adj. Organic refers to a type of food that is all natural. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without chemicals.

organization

(or-ge-nī-zā-shun) n. An organization is a group of people who work toward a common goal. The Red Cross is an organization.

• organize

(or-ge-nīz) v. To organize means to arrange things in a certain order. Please organize the students by height.

• origin

(or-u-jin) n. The origin of something is its source or beginning. The map shows the origin of the river.

overcome

(ō-vur-kum) v. To overcome something is to succeed at something that is difficult. If you used to be afraid of dogs but now you like them, you have overcome your fear.

P

pact

(pakt) n. A pact is a promise between people. Friends might make a pact to always help each other.

peace

(pēs) n. Peace is freedom from war and fighting. Many people hope for peace in the world.

permission

(pur-mish-un) n. When you have permission, you are allowed to do something. You must ask permission to go onto private property.

• perspective

(pur-spek-tiv) n. A perspective is a way of thinking about something. My teacher’s perspective on music is that everyone should learn to play.

persuade

(pur-swād) v. To persuade means to try to make others agree. The student persuaded us by giving a strong speech with good ideas.

petition

(pe-tish-un) n. A petition is a written request for a government or leader to take action. If enough people sign our petition, it may convince the mayor to do what we ask.

plague

(plāg) v. When something really bothers you, it plagues you. The thought of the Monday morning math test plagued her all weekend.

• plan

(plan) n. A plan is a way of doing things. The building has an escape plan in case of a fire.

plead

(plēd) v. To plead means to strongly ask for something. A student might plead for a larger allowance.

• Academic Vocabulary