goad, bequeath, vouch, belabor, deign: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Proficient Plus set 51. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. goad · verb/ɡoʊd/

   to provoke or annoy someone so as to stimulate some action or reaction

   She used her friends to goad him into joining the game.

   Synonyms: provoke, annoy, irritate

   Origin: Middle English 'gode' meaning a stick or spur used for driving animals, from Old English 'gād'.

2. bequeath · verb/bɪˈkwiθ/

   to leave personal property or assets to someone through a will

   She decided to bequeath her jewelry to her daughter after she passed away.

   Synonyms: leave, give, pass on

   Origin: from Old English 'becwethan', meaning to declare or to make known

3. vouch · verb/vaʊtʃ/

   to assert or confirm the truth or reliability of something

   I can vouch for my friend's honesty because he always tells the truth.

   Synonyms: confirm, verify, assure

   Origin: Middle English 'vouchen', from Old French 'voucher', from Latin 'vocare', meaning 'to call'.

4. belabor · verb/bɪˈleɪdɚ/

   to explain or discuss something in excessive detail or to argue or elaborate on a point repeatedly

   During the meeting, she began to belabor her point about the new project, making it hard for others to speak.

   Synonyms: explain, overemphasize, dwell on

   Origin: The word 'belabor' comes from the combination of the prefix 'be-' meaning 'to cause to be' and the word 'labor', which means 'to work hard or exert effort'. It originated in the early 17th century.

5. deign · verb/deɪn/

   to do something considered beneath one's dignity

   The queen did not deign to speak to the crowd below her.

   Synonyms: stoop, condescend, lower oneself

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'deignier', from Latin 'dignari', meaning 'to consider worthy'.