1851-1900

Question 1

proselytize

Answer 1

v. to try to convert someone to one’s own faith or cause

Question 2

heckle

Answer 2

v. to harass (a speaker) with questions or taunts

Question 3

emaciated

Answer 3

adj. made thin unnaturally;abnormally thin due to starvation

Question 4

insurrection

Answer 4

n. a rebellion

Question 5

wallow

Answer 5

v. to roll about lazily, in or as if in water, snow or mud; to revel

Question 6

hygienic

Answer 6

adj. tending to promote or preserve health

Question 7

subjugate

Answer 7

v. to bring under control; to conquer

Question 8

boon

Answer 8

n. a welcome benefit

Question 9

catalyst

Answer 9

n. something or someone that initiates a reaction, esp. without being involved in or changed by the consequences

Question 10

plebeian

Answer 10

adj. common

Question 11

penurious

Answer 11

adj. stingy, exhibiting a petty unwillingness to spend money

Question 12

imbroglio

Answer 12

n. a confused misunderstanding or disagreement

Question 13

albeit

Answer 13

adv. although

Question 14

nostrum

Answer 14

n. a potion given as a medicine of doubtful effectiveness

Question 15

obfuscate

Answer 15

v. to make difficult to understand; to make indistinct

Question 16

parley

Answer 16

n. a discussion, esp. between enemies to resolve disputes

Question 17

tactile

Answer 17

adj. of or related to the sense of touch

Question 18

humid

Answer 18

adj. moist

Question 19

jeer

Answer 19

v. to make fun of n. mockery

Question 20

suffuse

Answer 20

v. to spread through or over (as with light or color)

Question 21

rubric

Answer 21

n. a category, class, title or name

Question 22

condolence

Answer 22

n. sympathy with another in sorrow

Question 23

haphazard

Answer 23

adj. occurring or happening by mere chance

Question 24

panegyric

Answer 24

n. elaborate praise, esp. in a formal, public setting

Question 25

fervid

Answer 25

adj. extremely emotional; passionate

Question 26

criterion

Answer 26

n. a measurable value; a standard for judging

Question 27

entreaty

Answer 27

n. an earnest plea or request

Question 28

nonchalant

Answer 28

adj. seemingly unconcerned or indifferent

Question 29

lukewarm

Answer 29

adj. mildly warm; lacking enthusiasm

Question 30

iconoclast

Answer 30

n. one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas

Question 31

enigma

Answer 31

n. something that is puzzling, ambiguous, mysterious, or inexplicable; a perplexing puzzle

Question 32

circumlocution

Answer 32

n. an indirect or wordy way of expressing an idea

Question 33

alchemy

Answer 33

n. medieval chemistry, esp. the attempt to change common metals into gold

Question 34

bona fide

Answer 34

adj. genuine

Question 35

indoctrinate

Answer 35

v. to teach to accept a belief uncritically

Question 36

reiterate

Answer 36

v. to repeat

Question 37

pathology

Answer 37

n. the study of the cause and development of a disease; a departure from a normal condition

Question 38

grandiloquent

Answer 38

adj. using excessively fancy or pompous words

Question 39

cachet

Answer 39

n. a mark of distinction

Question 40

drone

Answer 40

v. to make a continuous, low buzzing or humming sound; to speak monotonously

Question 41

hamper

Answer 41

v. to keep from moving or acting freely

Question 42

discursive

Answer 42

adj. covering a wide range of subjects; rambling

Question 43

inaugurate

Answer 43

v. to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term

Question 44

reconcile

Answer 44

v. to make friendly again; to settle a dispute; to make seemingly incompatible things fit together or coexist

Question 45

emit

Answer 45

v. to send forth; to give out

Question 46

distraught

Answer 46

adj. anxious or agitated

Question 47

charisma

Answer 47

n. a quality of leadership that inspires great devotion in one’s followers; personal magnetism or charm

Question 48

vex

Answer 48

v. to disturb; to distress

Question 49

diaphanous

Answer 49

adj. of transparent or translucently fine texture; delicate and insubstantial

Question 50

detract

Answer 50

v. to take away a desirable part; to diminish