1951-2000

Question 1

epigram

Answer 1

n. a short, cleverly- worded statement

Question 2

jettison

Answer 2

v. to throw overboard; to discard or abandon something no longer wanted

Question 3

amble

Answer 3

v. to walk slowly or leisurely

Question 4

ascetic

Answer 4

n. a person who denies himself or herself luxuries and leads an austere life, especially for religious reasons

Question 5

obliging

Answer 5

adj. ready to do favors; helpful; courteous

Question 6

edict

Answer 6

n. an authoritative order issued publicly; a decree

Question 7

requisite

Answer 7

adj. needed; necessary

Question 8

intrinsic

Answer 8

adj. relating to the essential nature of a something

Question 9

barb

Answer 9

n. a cutting or biting remark

Question 10

allude

Answer 10

v. to refer to indirectly

Question 11

trenchant

Answer 11

adj. keen and forceful; caustic

Question 12

unconscionable

Answer 12

adj. beyond reason; not restrained by conscience

Question 13

diatribe

Answer 13

n. prolonged and bitter speech or writing

Question 14

reproof

Answer 14

n. an expression of disapproval; a rebuke

Question 15

didactic

Answer 15

adj. intended to teach; inclined to teach excessively

Question 16

attire

Answer 16

n. clothes, esp. fancy or elaborate apparel

Question 17

recant

Answer 17

v. to formally take back a previous statement

Question 18

tenure

Answer 18

n. holding or possession of an office or property; guaranteed permanent employment, esp. as a teacher

Question 19

unscrupulous

Answer 19

adj. proceeding ruthlessly; without regard for right or wrong

Question 20

laggard

Answer 20

n. a slow person; loiterer

Question 21

passe

Answer 21

adj. old fashioned; out- of- style

Question 22

upshot

Answer 22

n. the decisive or final result

Question 23

transcend

Answer 23

v. to exceed; to go beyond or above the limits

Question 24

probity

Answer 24

n. complete and confirmed honesty

Question 25

tacit

Answer 25

adj. unspoken but understood; silent

Question 26

aegis

Answer 26

n. a protection; sponsorship

Question 27

anomaly

Answer 27

n. a departure from the regular pattern

Question 28

fulsome

Answer 28

adj. disgusting because excessive or insincere; repulsive

Question 29

gainsay

Answer 29

v. to deny; to declare false

Question 30

lionize

Answer 30

v. to look upon or treat as a celebrity

Question 31

esoteric

Answer 31

adj. known by or confined to a small number of people

Question 32

ameliorate

Answer 32

v. to improve; to become better

Question 33

implacable

Answer 33

adj. unable to be pacified; relentless

Question 34

nefarious

Answer 34

adj. very wicked; villainous

Question 35

buttress

Answer 35

v. to prop up or support

Question 36

incisive

Answer 36

adj. keen or penetrating in thought or expresion

Question 37

tautology

Answer 37

n. needless repetition of an idea in different words (e.g., “widow woman”); a statement that is logically true no matter what (e.g., the committee’s term shall last one year or until it ends)

Question 38

synthesis

Answer 38

n. the combination of separate parts into a unified whole

Question 39

appropriate

Answer 39

v. to set apart for a specific use; to take possession of, often without permission

Question 40

adulation

Answer 40

n. excessive flattery or admiration

Question 41

covert

Answer 41

adj. concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

Question 42

feat

Answer 42

n. an act or accomplishment showing skill

Question 43

portly

Answer 43

adj. fat, esp. of one who has a stately, imposing bearing

Question 44

minuscule

Answer 44

adj. very small

Question 45

mollify

Answer 45

v. to soothe the temper; to pacify; to appease

Question 46

atrophy

Answer 46

n. a wasting away, esp. of body tissue

Question 47

eminent

Answer 47

adj. outstanding, distinguished, towering above others

Question 48

callow

Answer 48

adj. inexperienced; not developed; immature

Question 49

malediction

Answer 49

n. evil talk about someone; slander; a curse

Question 50

glean

Answer 50

v. to gather bit by bit