| commission |
the act of performing or carrying out (something); the act of committing. |
| compete |
to try to win or get something that others are also trying to get. |
| examine |
to look at closely and carefully. |
| fiction |
writing that tells a story made up in a writer's imagination. Fiction is usually written in prose, not poetry. Novels, short stories, and tales are pieces of fiction. |
| fright |
strong fear caused by sudden danger. |
| hassle |
something that bothers or troubles someone in a small way. |
| inquire |
to ask in order to find out or learn (something). |
| patriotic |
feeling or showing love for and loyalty to one's country. |
| peasant |
a member of the class of farm workers and small farmers in Europe and Asia. |
| prison |
a building for holding and punishing people who have broken the law. |
| society |
all human beings considered together. |
| standard |
something that is used and accepted as a guide, example, or authority. |
| swift |
moving or able to move very rapidly. |
| swoop |
to sweep down suddenly from above, or as if from above in attack (often followed by "down on"). |
| thermometer |
an instrument for measuring temperature. Some thermometers are made of a closed glass tube containing mercury or alcohol that rises or falls as the temperature rises or falls. |