Lesson 22

to drink something, especially an alcoholic beverage, enthusiastically, and in large quantities

Thirsty after the game, he proceeded to guzzle a whole bottle of water.

to annoy or disturb someone, particularly through minor irritations

His persistent interruptions nettled the teacher during the lesson.

to diminish in quantity or size over time

The water level in the reservoir began to dwindle during the dry season.

to interweave or twist into a complex and confusing mass, making separation or unraveling difficult

The vines grew rapidly and began to entangle, forming a dense, impenetrable thicket in the garden.

a comb for separating flax fibers

a low bed to be slid under a higher bed

to move quickly and with short, hasty steps

The spy scuttled through the dimly lit alley, trying to avoid detection.

to give a title to someone in order to make them a member of the noble community

to make wet, disheveled, and dirty due to rain or mud

to deceptively attract or charm people

to touch or handle tenderly and affectionately

The couple walked hand in hand, occasionally fondling each other's fingers.

to persuade someone to do something through insincere praises, promises, etc. often in a persistent manner

She tried to cajole her friend into joining her for the weekend getaway with promises of a relaxing time.

a state of confusion or disorder characterized by a mixture of things that are not clearly organized or understood

The new employee faced a muddle of instructions on their first day.

to cause someone or something to move quickly

Realizing the urgency, he hustled his friends out of the building before the authorities arrived.

to stain or mark something with spots of color

to confuse someone by making something difficult to understand or explain

The complex instructions on the assembly manual baffled the new employees.

to root out something with the snout

to repeatedly move from side to side

a short, thick, coarse hair growing naturally on an animal or person

The boar's bristles were rough to the touch.

to sell goods, typically by traveling from place to place or going door-to-door

In the old days, merchants used to peddle their wares in marketplaces.