Lesson 42

prone to annoyance or frustration

He becomes irritable when he hasn't had enough sleep.

to annoy someone, often over small matters

The way he constantly interrupts conversations can really irritate people.

a man romantically involved with someone

Letters between the two revealed the depth of affection she held for her longtime beau.

marked by serene kindness and a radiant purity that resembles or befits an angel or saint

She gave him a beatific smile that calmed his nerves instantly.

to declare a deceased person blessed, usually as part of the process toward sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church

The pope beatified the nun for her lifetime of charitable work.

one of the eight blessings pronounced by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, each beginning with "Blessed are…"

The first beatitude is "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

lacking movement or circulation

The stagnant water in the pond had a foul odor and attracted mosquitoes.

to remain inactive or unchanging, leading to a lack of progress or development

Many artists fear they'll stagnate if they don't constantly challenge themselves.

a state of being still, inactive, or not progressing

The industry faced stagnation due to outdated technologies and practices.

to praise or express admiration for someone or something

Teachers should laud students for their achievements to boost their confidence.

(of an idea, intention, or act) deserving of admiration and praise, regardless of success

His teachers always said he had a laudable passion for learning.

expressing great praise or admiration

The film received laudatory reviews from most critics.

the act or process of moving upward

The balloon's slow ascent into the sky was mesmerizing to watch.

a person from whom one is descended, typically more distant than a grandparent

She traced her lineage back to an ancient ascendant who founded the village.

the quality of being very challenging to explain or understand

She always had an air of mystery around her, making her an enigma to even her closest friends.

difficult to understand or interpret

The author's choice of ending for the novel was enigmatic and sparked much debate.

difficult to comprehend due to being vague or hidden

The obscure references in the text were difficult for most readers to understand.

the state of being unclear, hard to understand, or not well-known

The scientific theory was presented with such obscureness that only experts could truly grasp its implications.