Lesson 2 Vocabulary

prior

adj. 1. Coming earlier in time. 2. Coming before in order of importance.

predatory

adj. 1. Living by killing and eating other animals. 2. Living by robbing or stealing from others. n. 1. a creature that lives by killing. 2. A person who lives by robbing.

derogatory

adj. Expressing a low opinion; intended to hurt the reputation of a person or thing.

mythical

adj. Imaginary; not real

vulnerable

adj. Open to attack; easily injured physically or emotionally.

authentic

adj. genuine; true

ungainly

adj. moving in a clumsy or awkward way

astute

adj. wise in a clever or practical way

delicacy

n. 1. A choice item of food. 2. Great consideration for the feelings of others.

figment

n. Something that is made up in the mind but that has no connection with reality.

solitude

n. The condition of being alone or at some distance from people.

plumage

n. a bird's feathers

devour

v. 1. To eat up hungrily. 2. To take in eagerly with the eyes or ears.

slaughter

v. 1. to kill in order to obtain meat. 2. To kill people or animals in large numbers or in a cruel way. n. 1. the killing of an animal for food 2. the act of killing on a large scale or in a cruel way.

scavenge

v. To search through or pick over, looking for something usable. n. 1. someone who scavenges (scavenger) 2. An animal that feeds on dead or decaying matter