1 - 50

Question 1

Etiolate

Answer 1

To weaken by stunting development (e.g. make a plant pale through lack of light)

Question 2

Pecuniary

Answer 2

Relating to money

Question 3

Diffidence

Answer 3

Self-doubt

Question 4

Fulgurous

Answer 4

Resembling lightning

Question 5

Obstreperous

Answer 5

Stubbornly defiant

Question 6

Laconically

Answer 6

Using very few words

Question 7

Ingenuousness

Answer 7

The quality of innocent naïveté

Question 8

Pyrrhic

Answer 8

Victory won at too great a cost

Question 9

Ebullient

Answer 9

Cheerful and full of energy

Question 10

Pestilential

Answer 10

Relating to infectious diseases (informal = annoying)

Question 11

Empressement

Answer 11

Animated eagerness or friendliness

Question 12

Sobriquet

Answer 12

Nickname

Question 13

Quiescence

Answer 13

Inactivity or dormancy

Question 14

Doyen

Answer 14

Most respected/prominent in field

Question 15

Bounder

Answer 15

Obtrusive, ill-bred man (dated)

Question 16

Bagatelle

Answer 16

Something of little value

Question 17

Cretonne

Answer 17

A heavy cotton fabric

Question 18

Stolid

Answer 18

Calm, dependable, showing little emotion

Question 19

Physiognomy

Answer 19

Face or countenance

Question 20

Curate (n)

Answer 20

Member of the clergy engaged as assistant to vicar/priest

Question 21

Epistle

Answer 21

Formal letter or letters

Question 22

Cameo (n)

Answer 22

An engraved gem

Question 23

Dyspepsia

Answer 23

Indigestion

Question 24

Fiduciary

Answer 24

Involving trust between a trustee and beneficiary (law) e.g. a fiduciary duty to shareholders

Question 25

Torpid

Answer 25

Inactive, lethargic

Question 26

Bilious

Answer 26

Affected by nausea; spiteful, bad-tempered

Question 27

Ignominy

Answer 27

Public shame or disgrace

Question 28

Dell

Answer 28

A small wooded valley

Question 29

Captious

Answer 29

Tending to find fault or raise petty objections

Question 30

Opprobrium

Answer 30

Harsh criticism or censure; public disgrace arising from shameful conduct

Question 31

Vassal

Answer 31

A holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance

Question 32

Tarry (v)

Answer 32

To remain or stay (in a place)

Question 33

Insuperable

Answer 33

Impossible to overcome (difficulty or obstacle)

Question 34

Capricious

Answer 34

Erratic, sudden changes in mood or behaviour

Question 35

Usurious

Answer 35

Extortionate, characterised by usury

Question 36

Casement

Answer 36

Window sash

Question 37

Poltroon

Answer 37

An utter coward

Question 38

Ruth (n)

Answer 38

Pity or compassion

Question 39

Sequester

Answer 39

Isolate or hide away

Question 40

Lea

Answer 40

A meadow or field

Question 41

Hoary

Answer 41

Greyish white; overused and original

Question 42

Preternatural

Answer 42

Abnormal

Question 43

Inanition

Answer 43

Exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment

Question 44

Animadversion

Answer 44

Unfavourable comment

Question 45

Slatternly

Answer 45

Slovenly; dirty and untidy (of a woman)

Question 46

Assiduous

Answer 46

Showing great care and perseverance; constant effort

Question 47

Exigency

Answer 47

Urgency

Question 48

Moiety

Answer 48

Each of two parts into which a thing can be divided (e.g. “the tax was to be delivered in two moieties”)

Question 49

Perfidious

Answer 49

Deceitful and untrustworthy

Question 50

Obviate

Answer 50

Remove (a need or difficulty); avoid or prevent e.g. “a parachute can be used to obviate disaster”