excavate verb To dig into the ground to expose or remove something, often as part of construction or archaeology. Archaeologists spent months excavating the ancient temple buried beneath the desert sand. + warden noun A person responsible for the supervision or protection of a place, institution, or group of people. The prison warden reviewed each inmate's file before the parole hearing. + delinquent adjective Failing to do what is required by law or duty, or a young person who repeatedly breaks the law. The bank sent a notice about the delinquent account balance. + destiny noun The events that will necessarily happen to a person or thing in the future, especially as if predetermined by fate. She believed it was her destiny to become a doctor, just like her grandmother before her. + ancestor noun A person from whom one is descended, typically more distant than a grandparent. Her ancestors emigrated from Ireland to Boston during the great famine of the 1840s. + outlaw noun A person who has broken the law and is being pursued by authorities, especially a fugitive. The old western told the story of an outlaw hunted across three states by federal marshals. + bandit noun A robber or outlaw, especially one belonging to an armed gang that attacks travelers. The stagecoach was ambushed by bandits hiding along the narrow mountain pass. + treasure noun A collection of valuable objects, such as gold, jewels, or money, especially when hidden or hoarded. Divers searched the sunken ship for treasure rumored to be worth millions. + peculiar adjective Strange or unusual, especially in a way that is slightly puzzling. There was a peculiar smell coming from the basement that nobody could identify. + desolate adjective Empty, bleak, and lacking signs of life or comfort, or feeling utterly lonely and hopeless. The abandoned mining town looked desolate, its streets empty and windows broken. + isolated adjective Separate or set apart from others, whether physically distant or occurring as a single instance. The cabin was isolated, sitting miles from the nearest small town. + resilience noun The ability to recover quickly from difficulties, setbacks, or hardship. Her resilience after the accident inspired everyone who watched her recovery. + endure verb To experience something difficult over a long period without giving up, or to continue existing over time. The pioneers endured harsh winters with little shelter or food. + consequence noun A result of an action, choice, or event. One consequence of the road closure was heavier traffic on the side streets. + juvenile adjective Relating to, intended for, or characteristic of young people who are not yet adults. The library has a large juvenile section filled with books for young readers. + counselor noun A person trained to give guidance or advice, especially on personal, psychological, or legal matters. The school counselor helped her decide which colleges to apply to. + barren adjective Not producing much or any vegetation, crops, or offspring; empty or unproductive. The explorers crossed miles of barren desert without seeing a single tree. + scorching adjective Extremely hot, or, figuratively, very intense, fast, or harshly critical. We stayed indoors during the scorching afternoon heat rather than risk sunstroke. + toxic adjective Poisonous, or harmful to health, relationships, or well-being in a damaging, often insidious way. The factory was fined for dumping toxic waste into the nearby river. + curse noun A spoken wish for harm to befall someone, or a supposed magical spell believed to bring misfortune. According to legend, the pharaoh's tomb carries a curse that dooms anyone who disturbs it. + onion noun A round vegetable bulb with a strong smell and taste, used widely in cooking. Chopping the onion made her eyes water before she even started cooking. + superstition noun A belief that certain actions or objects bring good or bad luck, not based on reason or evidence. Many sailors held the superstition that whistling on board would summon a storm. + drought noun A long period of unusually low rainfall that leads to a shortage of water. The drought forced farmers to ration water carefully across their fields. + fate noun A power believed to control future events beyond human control, or the outcome that eventually happens to someone. She believed fate had brought them together on that crowded train platform. + shovel noun A tool with a broad blade and a long handle, used for digging or moving loose material such as earth or snow. He grabbed a shovel from the shed to clear the snow from the driveway. + sneaker noun A casual sports shoe with a flexible rubber sole, worn for comfort or athletic activity. He laced up his sneakers before heading out for his morning run. + lizard noun A reptile with a long body, four legs, and a tail, usually covered in scales. A green lizard darted across the warm rock and disappeared into a crack. + injustice noun Unfair treatment or a lack of fairness within a system or society. The documentary exposed a long history of injustice in the local courts. + stubborn adjective Refusing to change one's opinion, position, or course of action despite pressure or good reasons to do so. The stubborn toddler refused to eat anything but plain pasta for dinner. + reform verb To improve something, especially a law, system, or institution, by removing its faults. Lawmakers voted to reform the tax code to make it fairer for small businesses. +