Because Max is so effeminate, he was often picked on in school. The other kids called him a sissy.
finagle
(verb) to get something through manipulation or dishonest means
Max finagled his way into the sold out Britney Spears concert. I don't know how he did it (or why).
prolific
(adjective) very productive
Noam Chomsky is a very prolific author. He's written many books and articles.
tangible
(adjective) touchable, perceptible by touch
Max will probably escape punishment for his crimes because there is no tangible evidence to make a case against him.
ad lib
(verb) to speak or perform without preparing previously, improvise
The teacher lost all of his teaching notes on the way to class and was forced to ad lib the lesson.
animosity
(noun) strong hostility, hatred
For some reason, Max feels a lot of animosity toward Mary.
earnest
(adjective) serious and sincere
Max made an earnest attempt to study for the exam, but it was too difficult for him.
epitome
(noun) a perfect example
Some people feel that George Bush is the epitome of arrogance.
genre
(noun) a category or kind (usually of art, literature, or music)
Max's favorite film genres are action and comedy.
permeate
(verb) to spread throughout (usually odor)
The stench of the rotten food permeated the entire building.
taciturn
(adjective) reserved, saying little
Max seems to be unusually taciturn today. Something must be bothering him.
callous
(adjective) insensitive and unfeeling toward others
The teacher was particularly callous in her treatment of the children.
emulate
(verb) to imitate or model yourself after
Children often emulate adults that they look up to.
finite
(adjective) limited
In a world of finite resources, if some people have more, other people must have less.
laud
(verb) to praise
The school's principal lauded the teacher for her ability to discipline her class.
nocturnal
(adjective) active at night
Mountain lions are primarily nocturnal and do almost all of their hunting at night.
noxious
(adjective) harmful or unpleasant
Be careful applying pesticides. Their fumes are often quite noxious to humans.
recant
(verb) to take back what one has said; to say that one no longer holds a belief or opinion
Max recanted every bad thing he said about Mary.
agony
(noun) intense suffering and pain
Max cried in agony when he broke his leg.
allege
(verb) assert or claim wrongdoing by someone (typically without proof)
The teacher alleged that Max cheated on the exam.
caricature
(noun) a picture or description of a person or thing with comically exaggerated characteristics
Max drew a caricature of his teacher.
disperse
(verb) cause to go in different directions
The crowd dispersed as soon as the concert was over.