1100 words of B

Question 1

laconic [lə kon´ ik]

Answer 1

expressing much in few words

“The dialogue is clipped, laconic, understated to convey simmering underneath.”

Question 2

throng [thrông]

Answer 2

crowd

“When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton began to toll the bell.”

Question 3

intrepid /ɪnˈtrɛpɪd/

Answer 3

fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

“our intrepid reporter”

Latin: in- (not) + trepidus (alarmed) -> intrepidus

Question 4

accost /əˈkɒst/

Answer 4

approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively.

“reporters accosted him in the street”

Latin: at- (to) + costa (rib/side) -> accostare

verb: accost; 3rd person present: accosts; past tense: accosted; past participle: accosted; gerund or present participle: accosting

Question 5

reticent /ˈrɛtɪs(ə)nt/

Answer 5

not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.

“she was extremely reticent about her personal affairs”

Latin: re- + facere (be silent) -> reticere -> reticent- (remaining silnet)

Question 6

furitive /ˈfəːtɪv/

Answer 6

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.
“they spent a furtive day together”

suggestive of guilty nervousness.
“the look in his eyes became furtive”

Latin: furtum (theft)

Question 7

felon /ˈfɛlən/

Answer 7

a person who has committed a felony.

cruel; wicked.
“the felon undermining hand of dark corruption”

French: fel (evil) -> felon (wicked)

Question 8

plethora /ˈplɛθ(ə)rə/

Answer 8

a large or excessive amount of something.
“a plethora of committees and subcommittees”

MEDICINE
an excess of a bodily fluid, particularly blood.

Greek: plethein (be full)

Question 9

hapless /ˈhapləs/

Answer 9

(especially of a person) unfortunate.
“the hapless victims of the disaster”

English: hap (good, fortune) + -less -> hapless

Question 10

irate /ʌɪˈreɪt/

Answer 10

feeling or characterized by great anger.
“a barrage of irate letters”
Latin: ira (anger) -> iratus

Question 11

pretext /ˈpriˌtɛkst/

Answer 11

A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.

‘the rebels had the perfect pretext for making their move’

Origin
Early 16th century from Latin praetextus ‘outward display’, from the verb praetexere ‘to disguise’, from prae ‘before’ + texere ‘weave’.

Question 12

fabricate /ˈfæbrəˌkeɪt/

Answer 12

Invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.

‘officers fabricated evidence’

Origin
Late Middle English from Latin fabricat- ‘manufactured’, from the verb fabricare, from fabrica ‘something skillfully produced’ (see fabric).

Question 13

adroit /əˈdrɔɪt/

Answer 13

Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.

‘he was adroit at tax avoidance’

Origin
Mid 17th century from French, from à droit ‘according to right, properly’.

Question 14

gesticulate /dʒɛˈstɪkjəˌleɪt/

Answer 14

Use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one’s words.

‘they were shouting and gesticulating frantically at drivers who did not slow down’

Origin
Early 17th century from Latin gesticulat- ‘gesticulated’, from the verb gesticulari, from gesticulus, diminutive of gestus ‘action’.

Question 15

vigilant /ˈvɪdʒələnt/

Answer 15

Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.

‘the burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbors’

Origin
Late 15th century from Latin vigilant- ‘keeping awake’, from the verb vigilare, from vigil (see vigil).

Question 16

avid /ˈævəd/

Answer 16

Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.

‘an avid reader of science fiction’

Origin
Mid 18th century from French avide or Latin avidus, from avere ‘crave’.

Question 17

cajole /kəˈdʒoʊl/

Answer 17

Persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

‘he hoped to cajole her into selling the house’

Question 18

rudimentary /ˌrudəˈmɛnt(ə)ri/

Answer 18

Involving or limited to basic principles.

‘he received a rudimentary education’

Question 19

enhance /enˈhans/ /ɛnˈhæns/

Answer 19

Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.

‘his refusal does nothing to enhance his reputation’

Origin
The word originally meant ‘elevate’ (literally and figuratively), later ‘exaggerate, make appear greater’, also ‘raise the value or price of something’.

Question 20

nuance /ˈn(j)uˌɑns/

Answer 20

A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

‘the nuances of facial expression and body language’

Origin
Late 18th century from French, ‘shade, subtlety’, from nuer ‘to shade’, based on Latin nubes ‘cloud’.