ISEE Middle Level Vocabulary > Group 27
crucial
decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something
crusade
an organized campaign concerning a political, social, or religious issue, typically motivated by a fervent desire for change
culminate
reach a climax or point of highest development
customary
according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances
debut
the first public appearance of a person in a role, new product or presentation of a theatrical show
deceased
dead; no longer living
deceitful
guilty of or involving deceit; deceiving or misleading others
deceptive
giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading
decipher
succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something)
decree
an official order issued by a legal authority
deface
spoil the surface or appearance of (something)
defect
abandon one’s country or cause in favor of an opposing one
demeanor
outward behavior or bearing
dependent
unable to do without
deplore
feel or express strong disapproval of (something)
deploy
bring into effective action; utilize
derive
obtain something from (a specified source)
desist
cease; abstain
desolate
(of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness
detach
disengage (something or part of something) and remove i
deter
discourage (someone) from doing something
devastate
destroy or ruin (something)
dialect
a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group
dire
(of a situation or event) extremely serious or urgent
discern
perceive or recognize (something)
disdain
the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect
disgruntled
angry or dissatisfied
dishearten
cause (someone) to lose determination or confidence
dismal
pitifully or disgracefully bad
dismantle
take (a machine or structure) to pieces
