20131014

Question 0

Conviction

Answer 0

con·vic·tion\kən-ˈvik-shən\
noun
1 : the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law
2 a : the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
b : the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
3 a : a strong persuasion or belief
b : the state of being convinced
synonyms see certainty, opinion
Examples
spoke with conviction about her political beliefs
held deep convictions about life after death
Origin: (see 2convict ).
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, cocksureness, confidence, doubtlessness, face, positiveness, satisfaction, sureness, surety
Antonyms: doubt, incertitude, nonconfidence, uncertainty

Question 1

Cynical

Answer 1

cyn·i·cal\ˈsi-ni-kəl\
adjective
1 : captious, peevish
2 : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as
a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives
b : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest <a>
cyn·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
so cynical that he can’t understand why anyone would volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter
Origin: (see cynic ).
First use: 1542
Synonyms: misanthropic, pessimistic
Antonyms: uncynical
Synonym discussion: cynical misanthropic pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity . misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society <a>. pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life .</a></a>

Question 2

Imperious

Answer 2

im·pe·ri·ous\im-ˈpir-ē-əs\
adjective
1 a : befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments : commanding, dominant
b : marked by arrogant assurance : domineering
2 : intensely compelling : urgent
synonyms see masterful
im·pe·ri·ous·ly adverb
im·pe·ri·ous·ness noun
Examples
an imperious little boy who liked to tell the other scouts what to do
an imperious movie star who thinks she’s some sort of goddess
an office administrator with an imperious manner that really grates on people
Origin: Latin imperiosus, from imperium.
First use: 1540
Synonyms: authoritarian, authoritative, autocratic (also autocratical), despotic, dictatorial, domineering, bossy, masterful, overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical (also tyrannic), tyrannous
Antonyms: humble, lowly, modest, unarrogant, unpretentious

Question 3

Unsparing

Answer 3

un·spar·ing-ˈsper-iŋ\
adjective
1 : not merciful or forbearing : hard, ruthless
2 : not frugal : liberal, profuse
un·spar·ing·ly -iŋ-lē\ adverb
Examples
neighbors were unsparing in their charity when a local family was rendered homeless by a fire
unsparing in his criticism of the welfare state
First use: circa 1586
Synonyms: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unselfish, generous, unstinting
Antonyms: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal [archaic], mingy, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous

Question 4

Belligerent

Answer 4

bel·lig·er·ent\bə-ˈlij-rənt, -ˈli-jə-\
adjective
1 : waging war; specifically : belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war
2 : inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness
belligerent noun
bel·lig·er·ent·ly adverb
Examples
the coach became quite belligerent and spit at an umpire after being thrown out of the game
Origin: modification of Latin belligerant-, belligerans, present participle of belligerare to wage war, from belliger waging war, from bellum + gerere to wage.
First use: 1577
Synonyms: aggressive, agonistic, argumentative, assaultive, bellicose, brawly, chippy, combative, confrontational, contentious, discordant, disputatious, feisty, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, warlike, on the warpath
Antonyms: nonaggressive, nonbelligerent, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, unbelligerent, uncombative, uncontentious
Synonym discussion: belligerent bellicose pugnacious quarrelsome contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities . bellicose suggests a disposition to fight <a>. pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat <a>. quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause . contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling .</a></a>

Question 5

Improbable

Answer 5

im·prob·a·ble(ˌ)im-ˈprä-bə-bəl, -ˈpräb-bəl\
adjective
: unlikely to be true or to occur; also : unlikely but real or true
im·prob·a·bil·i·ty -ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
im·prob·a·bly -ˈprä-bə-blē, -ˈpräb-blē\ adverb
Examples
it seems improbable that the two writers never met since they traveled in the same social circles
Origin: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin improbabilis, from in- + probabilis probable.
First use: 1598
Synonyms: doubtful, dubious, far-fetched, flimsy, questionable, unapt, unlikely
Antonyms: likely, probable

Question 6

Frivolity

Answer 6

friv·o·lous\ˈfri-və-ləs\
adjective
1 a : of little weight or importance
b : having no sound basis (as in fact or law) <a>
2 a : lacking in seriousness
b : marked by unbecoming levity
friv·o·lous·ly adverb
friv·o·lous·ness noun
Examples
judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
when asked by the waiter if we wanted anything else that evening, we made a frivolous request for free drinks
Origin: Middle English, from Latin frivolus.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: fiddling, foolish, unimportant, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial
Antonyms: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty</a>

Question 7

Combustion

Answer 7

com·bus·tion\kəm-ˈbəs-chən\
noun
1 : an act or instance of burning
2 : a usually rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usually light; also : a slower oxidation (as in the body)
3 : violent agitation : tumult
com·bus·tive \-ˈbəs-tiv\ adjective
First use: 15th century

Question 8

Undermine

Answer 8

un·der·mine\ˌən-dər-ˈmīn\
transitive verb
1 : to excavate the earth beneath : form a mine under : sap
2 : to wash away supporting material from under
3 : to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly
4 : to weaken or ruin by degrees
synonyms see weaken
First use: 14th century

Question 9

Strain

Answer 9

strain\ˈstrān\
noun
1 a : lineage, ancestry
b : a group of presumed common ancestry with clear-cut physiological but usually not morphological distinctions <a>; broadly : a specified infraspecific group (as a stock, line, or ecotype)
c : kind, sort
2 a : inherited or inherent character, quality, or disposition <a>
b : trace, streak <a>
3 a : tune, air
b : a passage of verbal or musical expression
c : a stream or outburst of forceful or impassioned speech
4 a : the tenor, pervading note, burden, or tone of an utterance or of a course of action or conduct
b : mood, temper
Origin: Middle English streen progeny, lineage, from Old English strēon gain, acquisition; akin to Old High German gistriuni gain, Latin struere to heap up — more at strew.
First use: 13th century</a></a></a>

Question 10

Strand

Answer 10

strand\ˈstrand\
noun
: the land bordering a body of water : shore, beach
Origin: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse strǫnd shore.
First use: before 12th century

Question 11

Sophisticated

Answer 11

so·phis·ti·cat·ed\sə-ˈfis-tə-ˌkā-təd\
adjective
1 : deprived of native or original simplicity: as
a : highly complicated or developed : complex
b : having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience <a>
2 : devoid of grossness: as
a : finely experienced and aware <a>
b : intellectually appealing <a>
so·phis·ti·cat·ed·ly adverb
Examples
a surprisingly sophisticated and widely traveled child
a very sophisticated machine that is a marvel of modern design
a sophisticated gentleman, he is a welcomed guest at dinner parties all over town
Origin: Medieval Latin sophisticatus.
First use: 1601
Synonyms: cosmopolitan, smart, worldly–wise, worldly
Antonyms: guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), unsophisticated, untutored, unworldly, wide-eyed
Synonym discussion: sophisticated worldly-wise blasé mean experienced in the ways of the world. sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation . worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism <a>. blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation .</a></a></a></a>

Question 12

Disinterestedness

Answer 12

dis·in·ter·est·ed·ness-təd-nəs\
noun
: the quality or state of being objective or impartial
Examples
the disinterestedness with which the newspaper reports stories earns it the respect and trust of the community
a fair measure of the level of disinterestedness in the proceedings was the near-constant yawning by both participants and observers
First use: circa 1682
Synonyms: disinterest, detachment, equity, evenhandedness, fair-mindedness, fairness, impartiality, justice, neutralism, neutrality, nonpartisanship, objectiveness, objectivity
Antonyms: bias, favor, favoritism, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, partiality, partisanship, prejudice

Question 13

Fleeting

Answer 13

fleet·ing\ˈflē-tiŋ\
adjective
: passing swiftly : transitory
synonyms see transient
fleet·ing·ly \ˈflē-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
fleet·ing·ness noun
Examples
had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking
First use: 1563
Synonyms: brief, deciduous, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, momentary, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent, passing, short-lived, temporary, transient, transitory
Antonyms: ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

Question 14

Cunning

Answer 14

cun·ning\ˈkə-niŋ\
adjective
1 : dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (as skill or knowledge) or in attaining an end <a>
2 : displaying keen insight <a>
3 : characterized by wiliness and trickery
4 : prettily appealing : cute <a>
synonyms see clever, sly
cun·ning·ly -niŋ-lē\ adverb
cun·ning·ness noun
Origin: Middle English, from present participle of can know.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: beguiling, cagey (also cagy), crafty, artful, cute, designing, devious, dodgy [chiefly British], foxy, guileful, scheming, shrewd, slick, sly, subtle, tricky, wily
Antonyms: artless, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, undesigning</a></a></a>

Question 15

Naïveté

Answer 15

na·ïve·té
noun
1 : a naive remark or action
2 : the quality or state of being naive
Variants: also na·ive·te or na·ive·té \nä-ˌēv-ˈtā, -ˌē-və-; nä-ˈēv-ˌtā, -ˈē-və-; nī-\
Origin: French naïveté, from Old French, inborn character, from naif.
First use: 1673
Synonyms: artlessness, greenness, guilelessness, ingenuousness, innocence, naiveness, naivety (also naïvety) [chiefly British], naturalness, simplemindedness, simpleness, simplicity, unsophistication, unworldliness, viridity
Antonyms: artfulness, cynicism, knowingness, sophistication, worldliness

Question 16

Vexation

Answer 16

vex·a·tion\vek-ˈsā-shən\
noun
1 : the act of harassing or vexing : troubling
2 : the quality or state of being vexed : irritation
3 : a cause of trouble : affliction
Examples
the repeated vexations guaranteed that she wouldn’t get any work done
he suppressed his rising vexation and answered as politely as he could
add cell phones to the list of vexations that theatergoers have to contend with
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: aggravation, bedevilment, botheration, bothering, bugging, disturbance, harassment, harrying, importunity, pestering, teasing, annoyance

Question 17

Eccentric

Answer 17

ec·cen·tric\ik-ˈsen-trik, ek-\
adjective
1 a : deviating from an established or usual pattern or style
b : deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd or whimsical ways
2 a : deviating from a circular path; especially : elliptical 1
b : located elsewhere than at the geometrical center; also : having the axis or support so located
synonyms see strange
ec·cen·tri·cal·ly -tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Origin: Middle English, from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros, from ex out of + kentron center.
First use: circa 1630
Synonyms: bizarre, bizarro, cranky, crazy, curious, odd, erratic, far-out, funky, funny, kinky, kooky (also kookie), offbeat, off-kilter, off-the-wall, outlandish, out-of-the-way, outré, peculiar, quaint, queer, queerish, quirky, remarkable, rum [chiefly British], screwy, spaced-out, strange, wacky (also whacky), way-out, weird, weirdo, wild

Question 18

Trifling

Answer 18

trifling
adjective
: lacking in significance or solid worth: as
a : frivolous
b : trivial <a>
c chiefly dialect : lazy, shiftless <a>
Examples
deciding what you want to do for a living is no trifling matter
trifling differences between the theatrical and DVD versions of the movie
First use: 1535
Synonyms: fiddling, foolish, frivolous, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, unimportant, trivial
Antonyms: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty</a></a>

Question 19

Pertain

Answer 19

per·tain\pər-ˈtān\
intransitive verb
1 a (1) : to belong as a part, member, accessory, or product (2) : to belong as an attribute, feature, or function (3) : to belong as a duty or right
b : to be appropriate to something
2 : to have reference
Examples
the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone
a person who is an expert in anything pertaining to the history of the American theater
Origin: Middle English perteinen, from Anglo-French partenir, purteiner, from Latin pertinēre to reach to, belong, from per- through + tenēre to hold — more at thin.
First use: 14th century

Question 20

Unwieldy

Answer 20

un·wieldy-ˈwēl-dē\
adjective
: not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness) : cumbersome
un·wield·i·ly -ˈwēl-də-lē\ adverb
un·wield·i·ness -dē-nəs\ noun
Examples
an unwieldy machine that requires two people to operate it
First use: 1530
Synonyms: awkward, bunglesome, clumsy, clunky, cranky, cumbrous, ponderous, ungainly, unhandy, cumbersome
Antonyms: handy

Question 21

Malfeasance

Answer 21

mal·fea·sance\ˌmal-ˈfē-zən(t)s\
noun
: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official
Examples
a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office
Origin: mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution.
First use: 1696
Synonyms: misconduct, misbehavior, misdoing, wrongdoing

Question 22

Sham

Answer 22

sham\ˈsham\
noun
1 : a trick that deludes : hoax
2 : cheap falseness : hypocrisy
3 : an ornamental covering for a pillow
4 : an imitation or counterfeit purporting to be genuine
5 : a person who shams
synonyms see imposture
Examples
He claims that the trial was a sham.
Their marriage was a sham.
Many people believed he could help them, but I knew he was a sham.
Origin: perhaps from English dialect sham shame, alteration of English shame.
First use: 1677
Synonyms: caricature, cartoon, farce, joke, parody, mockery, travesty

Question 23

Ameliorate

Answer 23

ame·lio·rate\ə-ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt, -ˈmē-lē-ə-\
transitive verb
: to make better or more tolerable
intransitive verb
: to grow better
synonyms see improve
Other forms: ame·lio·rat·ed; ame·lio·rat·ing
ame·lio·ra·tion -ˌmēl-yə-ˈrā-shən, -ˌmē-lē-ə-\ noun
ame·lio·ra·tive -ˈmēl-yə-ˌrā-tiv, -ˈmē-lē-ə-\ adjective
ame·lio·ra·tor -ˌrā-tər\ noun
ame·lio·ra·to·ry -rə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
Examples
social legislation that must be given credit for ameliorating the lot of millions of deprived people
Origin: alteration of meliorate (see meliorate ).
First use: 1656
Synonyms: improve, amend, better, enhance, enrich, help, meliorate, perfect, refine, upgrade
Antonyms: worsen

Question 24

Ratify

Answer 24

rat·i·fy\ˈra-tə-ˌfī\
transitive verb
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
Other forms: rat·i·fied; rat·i·fy·ing
rat·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
rat·i·fi·er \ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun
Examples
Lincoln’s home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery
Origin: Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason.
First use: 14th century

Question 25

Veto

Answer 25

ve·to\ˈvē-(ˌ)tō\
noun
1 : an authoritative prohibition : interdiction
2 a : a power of one department or branch of a government to forbid or prohibit finally or provisionally the carrying out of projects attempted by another department; especially : a power vested in a chief executive to prevent permanently or temporarily the enactment of measures passed by a legislature
b (1) : the exercise of such authority (2) : a message communicating the reasons of an executive and especially the president of the United States for vetoing a proposed law
Other forms: plural vetoes
Origin: Latin, I forbid, from vetare to forbid.
First use: 1629
Synonyms: ban, embargo, interdict, interdiction, proscription, prohibition
Antonyms: prescription

Question 26

Abolish

Answer 26

abol·ish\ə-ˈbä-lish\
transitive verb
1 : to end the observance or effect of : annul
2 : destroy
abol·ish·able -li-shə-bəl\ adjective
abol·ish·er noun
abol·ish·ment -mənt\ noun
Examples
the U.S. abolished slavery by constitutional amendment on December 6, 1865
if only there were a way that we could abolish hatred and intolerance
Origin: Middle English abolisshen, from Middle French aboliss-, stem of abolir, from Latin abolēre; probably akin to adolescere to grow up — more at adult.
First use: 15th century

Question 27

Segregate

Answer 27

seg·re·gate\ˈse-gri-ˌgāt\
transitive verb
1 : to separate or set apart from others or from the general mass : isolate
2 : to cause or force the separation of (as from the rest of society)
intransitive verb
1 : separate, withdraw
2 : to practice or enforce a policy of segregation
3 : to undergo genetic segregation
Other forms: seg·re·gat·ed; seg·re·gat·ing
seg·re·ga·tive -ˌgā-tiv\ adjective
Origin: Latin segregatus, past participle of segregare, from se- apart + greg-, grex herd — more at secede.
First use: 1542
Synonyms: cut off, insulate, seclude, isolate, separate, sequester
Antonyms: desegregate, integrate, reintegrate

Question 28

Doctrine

Answer 28

doc·trine\ˈdäk-trən\
noun
1 archaic : teaching, instruction
2 a : something that is taught
b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : dogma
c : a principle of law established through past decisions
d : a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations
e : a military principle or set of strategies
Examples
the Catholic Church’s doctrine on the Eucharist
the doctrine of quantum physicists
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin doctrina, from doctor.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: canon, dogma

Question 29

Lucrative

Answer 29

lu·cra·tive\ˈlü-krə-tiv\
adjective
: producing wealth : profitable
lu·cra·tive·ly adverb
lu·cra·tive·ness noun
Examples
the hired gun’s mission was to turn the failing store into a lucrative operation
Origin: Middle English lucratif, from Middle French, from Latin lucrativus, from lucratus, past participle of lucrari to gain, from lucrum.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: economic, fat, gainful, juicy, profitable, moneymaking, money-spinning [chiefly British], paying, remunerative
Antonyms: unprofitable

Question 30

Contemporary

Answer 30

con·tem·po·rary\kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē, -ˌre-rē\
adjective
1 : happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time
2 a : simultaneous
b : marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current
con·tem·po·rar·i·ly -ˌtem-pə-ˈrer-ə-lē\ adverb
Origin: com- + Latin tempor-, tempus.
First use: 1631
Synonyms: coetaneous, coeval, coexistent, coexisting, coextensive, coincident, coincidental, concurrent, contemporaneous, coterminous, simultaneous, synchronic, synchronous
Antonyms: asynchronous, noncontemporary, nonsimultaneous, nonsynchronous
Synonym discussion: contemporary contemporaneous coeval synchronous simultaneous coincident mean existing or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them . contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people . coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons . synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals . simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time . coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship .

Question 31

Prowess

Answer 31

prow·ess\ˈprau̇-əs also ˈprō-\
noun
1 : distinguished bravery; especially : military valor and skill
2 : extraordinary ability
Examples
an extraordinary display of prowess on the battlefield
Origin: Middle English prouesse, from Anglo-French pruesse, prowesse, from prou.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: bottle [British slang], bravery, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, nerve, pecker [chiefly British], courage, stoutness, valor, virtue
Antonyms: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness

Question 32

Invigorate

Answer 32

in·vig·o·rate\in-ˈvi-gə-ˌrāt\
transitive verb
: to give life and energy to : animate; also : stimulate 1
Other forms: in·vig·o·rat·ed; in·vig·o·rat·ing
in·vig·o·rat·ing·ly -ˌrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
in·vig·o·ra·tion -ˌvi-gə-ˈrā-shən\ noun
in·vig·o·ra·tor -ˈvi-gə-ˌrā-tər\ noun
Examples
the fresh air and sunshine invigorated the children after a long winter indoors
Origin: probably from in- + vigor.
First use: 1646

Question 33

Gracious

Answer 33

gra·cious\ˈgrā-shəs\
adjective
1 a obsolete : godly
b archaic : pleasing, acceptable
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy <a>
b : graceful
c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane
d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
3 : merciful, compassionate — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
gra·cious·ly adverb
gra·cious·ness noun
Examples
a gracious host who goes out of his way to make every guest feel welcome
a gracious innkeeper whose jokes and laughter made weary travelers feel right at home
he was a gracious man, habitually offering his seat on the bus to elderly women
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: affable, cordial, genial, hospitable, sociable
Antonyms: inhospitable, ungenial, ungracious, unsociable
Synonym discussion: gracious cordial affable genial sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration . cordial stresses warmth and heartiness . affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals . genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality <a>. sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others .</a></a>

Question 34

Ecstatic

Answer 34

gra·cious\ˈgrā-shəs\
adjective
1 a obsolete : godly
b archaic : pleasing, acceptable
2 a : marked by kindness and courtesy <a>
b : graceful
c : marked by tact and delicacy : urbane
d : characterized by charm, good taste, generosity of spirit, and the tasteful leisure of wealth and good breeding
3 : merciful, compassionate — used conventionally of royalty and high nobility
gra·cious·ly adverb
gra·cious·ness noun
Examples
a gracious host who goes out of his way to make every guest feel welcome
a gracious innkeeper whose jokes and laughter made weary travelers feel right at home
he was a gracious man, habitually offering his seat on the bus to elderly women
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French gracieus, from Latin gratiosus enjoying favor, agreeable, from gratia.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: affable, cordial, genial, hospitable, sociable
Antonyms: inhospitable, ungenial, ungracious, unsociable
Synonym discussion: gracious cordial affable genial sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration . cordial stresses warmth and heartiness . affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals . genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality <a>. sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others .</a></a>

Question 35

Crestfallen

Answer 35

crest·fall·en\ˈkrest-ˌfȯ-lən\
adjective
1 : having a drooping crest or hanging head
2 : feeling shame or humiliation : dejected
crest·fall·en·ly adverb
crest·fall·en·ness -lən-nəs\ noun
Examples
she was crestfallen when she found out she hadn’t got the job
First use: 1589
Synonyms: bad, blue, brokenhearted, cast down, sad, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, down in the mouth, droopy, forlorn, gloomy, glum, hangdog, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, heavyhearted, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholic, melancholy, miserable, mournful, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched
Antonyms: blissful, buoyant, buoyed, cheerful, cheery, chipper, delighted, glad, gladdened, gladsome, gleeful, happy, joyful, joyous, jubilant, sunny, upbeat

Question 36

Euphoria

Answer 36

eu·pho·ria\yü-ˈfȯr-ē-ə\
noun
: a feeling of well-being or elation
eu·phor·ic -ˈfȯr-ik, -ˈfär-\ adjective
eu·phor·i·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
a general euphoria seemed to engulf the city following the World Series win
Origin: New Latin, from Greek, from euphoros healthy, from eu- + pherein to bear — more at bear.
First use: circa 1751
Synonyms: cloud nine, elatedness, elation, ecstasy, exhilaration, heaven, high, intoxication, paradise, rapture, rhapsody, seventh heaven, swoon, transport
Antonyms: depression

Question 37

Disgruntled

Answer 37

dis·grun·tle\dis-ˈgrən-təl\
transitive verb
: to make ill-humored or discontented — usually used as a participial adjective s shabby treatment, turned him in to the IRS
a crew disgruntled by a long voyage that provided no opportunity for recreation onshore
Origin: dis- + gruntle to grumble, from Middle English gruntlen, frequentative of grunten to grunt.
First use: 1682

Question 38

Flint

Answer 38

flab·by\ˈfla-bē\
adjective
1 : lacking resilience or firmness : flaccid
2 : weak and ineffective : feeble
Other forms: flab·bi·er; flab·bi·est
flab·bi·ly \ˈfla-bə-lē\ adverb
flab·bi·ness \ˈfla-bē-nəs\ noun
Examples
his daughter playfully poked at his flabby belly
Origin: alteration of flappy.
First use: 1694
Synonyms: soft, mushy, pulpy, spongy, squashy, squishy, squooshy
Antonyms: firm, hard, solid

Question 39

Tendentious

Answer 39

ten·den·tious\ten-ˈden(t)-shəs\
adjective
\: marked by a tendency in favor of a particular point of view : biased
ten·den·tious·ly adverb
ten·den·tious·ness noun
First use: 1900

Question 40

Complacency

Answer 40

com·pla·cen·cy\kəm-ˈplā-sən(t)-sē\
noun
1 : self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
2 : an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction
Other forms: plural com·pla·cen·cies
Examples
a momentary complacency that was quickly dispelled by the shock of cold reality
Origin: (see complacent ).
First use: 1650
Synonyms: amour propre, bighead, complacence, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity
Antonyms: humbleness, humility, modesty

Question 41

Fractious

Answer 41

frac·tious\ˈfrak-shəs\
adjective
1 : tending to be troublesome : unruly <a>
2 : quarrelsome, irritable
frac·tious·ly adverb
frac·tious·ness noun
Origin: fraction (discord) + -ous.
First use: 1714

Question 42

Erroneous

Answer 42

er·ro·ne·ous\i-ˈrō-nē-əs, e-\
adjective
1 : containing or characterized by error : mistaken
2 archaic : wandering
er·ro·ne·ous·ly adverb
er·ro·ne·ous·ness noun
Examples
a news article about the new virus that was filled with much erroneous information
Origin: Middle English, from Latin erroneus, from erron-, erro wanderer, from errare (see err ).
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: false, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, wrong
Antonyms: accurate, correct, errorless, exact, factual, precise, proper, right, sound, true, valid, veracious

Question 43

Antithetical

Answer 43

an·ti·thet·i·cal\ˌan-tə-ˈthe-ti-kəl\
adjective
1 : constituting or marked by antithesis
2 : being in direct and unequivocal opposition
synonyms see opposite
an·ti·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
spiritual concerns and ideals that are antithetical to the materialism embraced by modern society
Variants: also an·ti·thet·ic \-ˈthe-tik\
First use: 1583
Synonyms: antipodal, antipodean, opposite, contradictory, contrary, diametric (or diametrical), polar
Antonyms: noncontradictory

Question 44

Peripheral

Answer 44

pe·riph·er·al\pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rəl\
adjective
1 : of, relating to, involving, or forming a periphery or surface part
2 a : of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system
b : of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation
3 : of, relating to, or being the outer part of the field of vision
4 : auxiliary, supplementary ; also : of or relating to computer peripherals
pe·riph·er·al·ly adverb
First use: 1808
Synonyms: accessorial, accessory, appurtenant, auxiliary, supplemental, supplementary
Antonyms: chief, main, principal

Question 45

Lure

Answer 45

lure\ˈlu̇r\
noun
1 : an object usually of leather or feathers attached to a long cord and used by a falconer to recall or exercise a hawk
2 a : an inducement to pleasure or gain : enticement
b : appeal, attraction
3 : a decoy for attracting animals to capture: as
a : artificial bait used for catching fish
b : an often luminous structure on the head of pediculate fishes that is used to attract prey
Examples
advertisers trying to lure a younger audience to their products
They lured the bear out of its den.
The suburbs are luring middle-class families away from the city.
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French lure, leure, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German luoder bait; perhaps akin to Old English lathian to invite, Old High German ladōn.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: allurement, bait, come-on, enticement, siren song, temptation, turn-on

Question 46

Banish

Answer 46

ban·ish\ˈba-nish\
transitive verb
1 : to require by authority to leave a country
2 : to drive out or remove from a home or place of usual resort or continuance
3 : to clear away : dispel
ban·ish·er noun
ban·ish·ment -nish-mənt\ noun
Examples
in the old days, criminals were sometimes banished to distant lands
permanently banished the troublemakers from the youth recreational center
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French baniss-, stem of banir, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German bannan to command — more at ban.
First use: 14th century
Synonym discussion: banish exile deport transport mean to remove by authority from a state or country. banish implies compulsory removal from a country not necessarily one’s own . exile may imply compulsory removal or an enforced or voluntary absence from one’s own country <a>. deport implies sending out of the country an alien who has illegally entered or whose presence is judged inimical to the public welfare . transport implies sending a convicted criminal to an overseas penal colony <a>.</a></a>

Question 47

Immure

Answer 47

im·mure\i-ˈmyu̇r\
transitive verb
1 a : to enclose within or as if within walls
b : imprison
2 : to build into a wall; especially : to entomb in a wall
Other forms: im·mured; im·mur·ing
im·mure·ment -ˈmyu̇r-mənt\ noun
Examples
scientists at the research station in Alaska are immured by the frozen wastelands that surround them
immured by a controlling, possessive mother, the young woman had no outside social life
Origin: Medieval Latin immurare, from Latin in- + murus wall — more at munition.
First use: 1583

Question 48

Incongruous

Answer 48

in·con·gru·ous(ˌ)in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs\
adjective
: lacking congruity: as
a : not harmonious : incompatible
b : not conforming : disagreeing
c : inconsistent within itself
d : lacking propriety : unsuitable
in·con·gru·ous·ly adverb
in·con·gru·ous·ness noun
Examples
there’s an incongruous modernism to the actor’s performance in this period piece
incongruous theories about the origins of matter
Origin: Late Latin incongruus, from Latin in- + congruus congruous.
First use: 1611
Synonyms: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inapt, inappropriate, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong
Antonyms: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable

Question 49

Fortuitous

Answer 49

for·tu·itous\fȯr-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-, fər-\
adjective
1 : occurring by chance
2 a : fortunate, lucky
b : coming or happening by a lucky chance
synonyms see accidental
for·tu·itous·ly adverb
for·tu·itous·ness noun
Examples
your arrival just before the thunderstorm was fortuitous
firmly believes that the creation of the universe was something other than just the fortuitous coming together of particles of matter
Origin: Latin fortuitus; akin to Latin fort-, fors chance — more at fortune.
First use: 1653
Synonyms: fluky (also flukey), fortunate, happy, heaven-sent, lucky, providential
Antonyms: hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, luckless, star-crossed, unfortunate, unhappy, unlucky
Usage: Sense 2a has been influenced in meaning by fortunate. It has been in standard if not elevated use for some 70 years, but is still disdained by some critics. Sense 2b, a blend of 1 and 2a, is virtually unnoticed by the critics. Sense 1 is the only sense commonly used in negative constructions.

Question 50

Graze

Answer 50

graze\ˈgrāz\
intransitive verb
1 : to feed on growing herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton
2 : to eat small portions of food throughout the day
transitive verb
1 a : to crop and eat in the field
b : to feed on the herbage of
2 a : to put to graze
b : to put cattle to graze on
3 : to supply herbage for the grazing of
Other forms: grazed; graz·ing
graze·able or graz·able \ˈgrā-zə-bəl\ adjective
graz·er noun
Origin: Middle English grasen, from Old English grasian, from græs grass.
First use: before 12th century

Question 51

Weaver

Answer 51

weaver 
KK:[ˈwivɚ]
DJ:[ˈwi:və]
n. 
1. 織布工; 編織者, 織補者[C]

Question 52

Affinity

Answer 52

affinity 
KK:[əˈfɪnətɪ]
DJ:[əˈfiniti]
n. 
1. 喜好, 本性, 傾向[C][(+for/to)] 
Peter has a special affinity for booze. 
彼得嗜酒。 
2. 姻親關係; 密切關係[U][C][(+with/between)] 
3. (語言、生物等之間的)類同; 相像[C][(+to/with)]
Italian has a close affinity to French. 
義大利語和法語很相似。 
4. (尤指異性間的)吸引力[S] 
He felt a strong affinity to the Russian girl. 
他深受那個俄國姑娘吸引。 
5. 【化】親合性, 親和力 
6. (尤指對異性)有吸引力的人

Question 53

Cranky

Answer 53

cranky 
KK:[ˈkræŋkɪ]
DJ:[ˈkræŋki]
a. 
1. 胡思亂想的; 好奇的 
2. 彎曲的; 動搖的 
3. 病弱的 
4. (機器)有毛病的 
5. 暴躁不安的 
His mother has been cranky recently. 
他的母親最近常暴躁不安。

Question 54

Impale

Answer 54

impale 
KK:[ɪmˈpel]
DJ:[imˈpeil]
vt. 
1. (以尖物)刺穿; 刺住 
2. (作為懲罰)把...釘在尖樁上 
3. 使陷入困境

Question 55

Eloquent

Answer 55

el·o·quent\ˈe-lə-kwənt\
adjective
1 : marked by forceful and fluent expression
2 : vividly or movingly expressive or revealing
el·o·quent·ly adverb
Examples
an eloquent writer and speaker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the founders of the women’s rights movement
in an eloquent gesture, the defeated general was graciously given back his sword at the surrender ceremonies
President Kennedy’s eloquent inaugural address is often credited with inspiring a whole generation
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin eloquent-, eloquens, from present participle of eloqui to speak out, from e- + loqui to speak.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: articulate, fluent, silver-tongued, well-spoken
Antonyms: inarticulate, ineloquent, unvocal

Question 56

Meticulous

Answer 56

me·tic·u·lous\mə-ˈti-kyə-ləs\
adjective
: marked by extreme or excessive care in the consideration or treatment of details <a>
synonyms see careful
me·tic·u·los·i·ty -ˌti-kyə-ˈlä-sə-tē\ noun
me·tic·u·lous·ly -ˈti-kyə-ləs-lē\ adverb
me·tic·u·lous·ness -nəs\ noun
Examples
did a meticulous job of restoring the painting
Origin: Latin meticulosus fearful, irregular from metus fear.
First use: 1827
Synonyms: careful, conscientious, fussy, loving, painstaking, scrupulous
Antonyms: careless</a>

Question 57

Thrive

Answer 57

thrive\ˈthrīv\
intransitive verb
1 : to grow vigorously : flourish
2 : to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
3 : to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances — often used with on
Other forms: thrived or throve \ˈthrōv\; thrived also thriv·en \ˈthri-vən\; thriv·ing \ˈthrī-viŋ\
thriv·er \ˈthrī-vər\ noun
Examples
Business is thriving.
The region thrived under his rule.
plants that thrive in the desert
Origin: Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp.
First use: 13th century

Question 58

Endeavour

Answer 58

endeavor 
KK:[ɪnˈdɛvɚ]
DJ:[inˈdevə]
vi. 
1. 努力, 力圖[+to-v] 
He endeavored to streamline the plant organization. 
他努力使工廠組織簡化而更有效地運作。 
n. 
1. 努力, 盡力[C][U][+to-v] 
His endeavors to get the bill passed failed. 
他想使議案通過的努力失敗了。

Question 59

Contemporary

Answer 59

contemporary 
KK:[kənˈtɛmpəˌrɛrɪ]
DJ:[kənˈtempərəri]
a. 
1. 當代的 
His lecture is on contemporary American novelists. 
他的演講是關於當代美國小說家的。 
2. 同時代的; 同年齡的[(+with)] 
Was Ben Jonson contemporary with Shakespeare? 
班強森是否與莎士比亞同輩? 
n.[C] 
1. 同時代的人; 同年齡的人 
He was looked down upon by his contemporaries. 
他被他同時代的人瞧不起。 
2. 同時期的東西 
3. 當代人, 現代人

Question 60

Revitalise

Answer 60

re·vi·tal·ize(ˌ)rē-ˈvī-tə-ˌlīz\
transitive verb
: to give new life or vigor to
Other forms: re·vi·tal·ized; re·vi·tal·iz·ing
re·vi·tal·i·za·tion (ˌ)rē-ˌvī-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
Examples
a new cream that claims to revitalize sun-damaged skin
the bowling alley, eager to revitalize interest in the sport for a younger crowd, started offering “disco bowling” every Friday night with disco music and free soda
First use: 1869

Question 61

Instill

Answer 61

instill 
KK:[ɪnˈstɪl]
DJ:[inˈstil]
vt. 
1. 徐徐滴入[(+into)] 
2. 逐漸灌輸; 徐徐地教導[(+in/into)] 
instill respect for the law in the younger generation 
將尊重法律的觀念逐漸灌輸給年青一代

Question 62

Consensus

Answer 62

con·sen·sus\kən-ˈsen(t)-səs\
noun
Usage: often attributive
1 a : general agreement : unanimity
b : the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned
2 : group solidarity in sentiment and belief
Examples
finally reached a consensus on how to spend the money that the club had raised
Origin: Latin, from consentire (see 1consent ).
First use: 1843
Synonyms: accord, concurrence, concurrency, agreement, unanimity, unison
Antonyms: conflict, disagreement, dissensus
Usage: The phrase consensus of opinion, which is not actually redundant (see sense 1a; the sense that takes the phrase is slightly older), has been so often claimed to be a redundancy that many writers avoid it. You are safe in using consensus alone when it is clear you mean consensus of opinion, and most writers in fact do so.

Question 63

Elusive

Answer 63

elusive 
KK:[ɪˈlusɪv]
DJ:[iˈlu:siv]
a. 
1. 逃避的, 躲避的 
2. 難以理解的, 難以記起的 
He remained as elusive as ever. 
他還是那樣令人難以捉摸。

Question 64

Suffrage

Answer 64

suf·frage\ˈsə-frij, sometimes -fə-rij\
noun
1 : a short intercessory prayer usually in a series
2 : a vote given in deciding a controverted question or electing a person for an office or trust
3 : the right of voting : franchise; also : the exercise of such right
Examples
even as the world entered the 21st century, some nations still did not permit women’s suffrage
Origin: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin suffragium, from Latin, vote, political support, from suffragari to support with one’s vote; in other senses, from Latin suffragium.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: ballot, enfranchisement, franchise, vote
Antonyms: disenfranchisement

Question 65

Temperance

Answer 65

temperance 
KK:[ˈtɛmprəns]
DJ:[ˈtempərəns]
n.[U] 
1. 節制, 節慾; 不過分, 適度 
He believed in temperance in all things. 
他認為凡事都要適度。 
2. 戒酒; 禁酒

Question 66

Assert

Answer 66

as·sert\ə-ˈsərt, a-\
transitive verb
1 : to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
2 a : to demonstrate the existence of
b : posit, postulate
assert oneself : to speak or act in a manner that compels recognition especially of one’s rights
Examples
a superpatriot who is never afraid to assert her allegiance to flag and country
asserted that a new roof would be necessary if the church was to remain open
vigorously asserted that what passes for art these days is absolute rubbish
Origin: Latin assertus, past participle of asserere, from ad- + serere to join — more at series.
First use: circa 1604
Synonym discussion: assert declare affirm protest avow mean to state positively usually in anticipation of denial or objection. assert implies stating confidently without need for proof or regard for evidence . declare stresses open or public statement . affirm implies conviction based on evidence, experience, or faith . protest emphasizes affirming in the face of denial or doubt . avow stresses frank declaration and acknowledgment of personal responsibility for what is declared .

Question 67

Underscore

Answer 67

un·der·score\ˈən-dər-ˌskȯr\
transitive verb
1 : to draw a line under : underline
2 : to make evident : emphasize, stress 
3 : to provide (action on film) with accompanying music
First use: 1771

Question 68

Diffuse

Answer 68

dif·fuse\di-ˈfyüs\
adjective
1 : being at once verbose and ill-organized <a>
2 : not concentrated or localized
synonyms see wordy
dif·fuse·ly adverb
dif·fuse·ness noun
Origin: Middle English, from Latin diffusus, past participle of diffundere to spread out, from dis- + fundere to pour — more at found.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: circuitous, circumlocutory, wordy, garrulous, logorrheic, long-winded, pleonastic, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy
Antonyms: compact, concise, crisp, pithy, succinct, terse</a>

Question 69

Inimical

Answer 69

in·im·i·cal\i-ˈni-mi-kəl\
adjective
1 : being adverse often by reason of hostility or malevolence
2 a : having the disposition of an enemy : hostile
b : reflecting or indicating hostility : unfriendly adverb
Examples
received an inimical response rather than the anticipated support
laws designed to enhance national security that some regard as inimical to cherished freedoms
Origin: Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus enemy — more at enemy.
First use: 1573
Synonyms: adversarial, adversary, antagonistic, antipathetic, inhospitable, hostile, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic
Antonyms: friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic

Question 70

Predominate

Answer 70

pre·dom·i·nate\pri-ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt\
intransitive verb
1 : to hold advantage in numbers or quantity
2 : to exert controlling power or influence : prevail
transitive verb
: to exert control over : dominate
pre·dom·i·na·tion -ˌdä-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun
Origin: Medieval Latin praedominatus, past participle of praedominari.
First use: 1594

Question 71

Molecular

Answer 71

mo·lec·u·lar\mə-ˈle-kyə-lər\
adjective
1 : of, relating to, consisting of, or produced by molecules
2 : of or relating to individual or small components <a>
mo·lec·u·lar·ly -lē\ adverb
First use: 1823</a>

Question 72

Orthodox

Answer 72

or·tho·dox\ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks\
adjective
1 a : conforming to established doctrine especially in religion
b : conventional
2 capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as
a : eastern orthodox
b : of or relating to Orthodox Judaism
or·tho·dox·ly adverb
Origin: Middle English orthodoxe, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French orthodoxe, from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Late Greek orthodoxos, from Greek orth- + doxa opinion — more at doxology.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, formal, regular, routine
Antonyms: casual, freewheeling, informal, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox

Question 73

Novelty

Answer 73

nov·el·ty\ˈnä-vəl-tē\
noun
1 : something new or unusual
2 : the quality or state of being novel : newness
3 : a small manufactured article intended mainly for personal or household adornment — usually used in plural
4 : something (as a song or food item) that provides often fleeting amusement and is often based on a theme — often used attributively
Other forms: plural nov·el·ties
Examples
the novelty of having a cat wore off after the first time I had to change the litter box
travel kits filled with small bars of soap, a folding toothbrush, and other novelties
a shop selling souvenirs, T-shirts, and assorted novelties for tourists passing through
Origin: Middle English novelte, from Anglo-French novelté, from novel.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: freshness, newness, originality

Question 74

Convention

Answer 74

con·ven·tion\kən-ˈven(t)-shən\
noun
1 a : agreement, contract
b : an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them
c : a compact between opposing commanders especially concerning prisoner exchange or armistice
d : a general agreement about basic principles or procedures; also : a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct by convention
2 a : the summoning or convening of an assembly
b : an assembly of persons met for a common purpose; especially : a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office
c : the usually state or national organization of a religious denomination
3 a : usage or custom especially in social matters
b : a rule of conduct or behavior
c : a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information between partners in a card game (as bridge)
d : an established technique, practice, or device (as in the theater)
Examples
attended a convention of mathematicians in California
an international convention banning the spread of nuclear weapons
the Geneva Convention details proper treatment of prisoners of war
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin convention-, conventio, from convenire.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: assembly, congress, meeting, convocation, council, gathering, get-together, huddle, powwow

Question 75

Insurrection

Answer 75

in·sur·rec·tion\ˌin(t)-sə-ˈrek-shən\
noun
: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
synonyms see rebellion
in·sur·rec·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
in·sur·rec·tion·ary -shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective or noun
in·sur·rec·tion·ist -sh(ə-)nist\ noun
Examples
the famous insurrection of the slaves in ancient Rome under Spartacus
Origin: Middle English insureccion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin insurrection-, insurrectio, from insurgere.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: insurgence, insurgency, rebellion, mutiny, outbreak, revolt, revolution, rising, uprising

Question 76

Rigorous

Answer 76

rigorous 
KK:[ˈrɪɡərəs]
DJ:[ˈriɡərəs]
a. 
1. 嚴格的; 嚴厲的; 苛刻的 
2. 嚴酷的; 嚴峻的 
3. 精確的; 嚴密的 
He made a rigorous study of the plants in the area. 
他對該地的植物進行了慎密的研究。

Question 77

Neglect

Answer 77

ne·glect\ni-ˈglekt\
transitive verb
1 : to give little attention or respect to : disregard
2 : to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness
ne·glect·er noun
Origin: Latin neglectus, past participle of neglegere, neclegere, from nec- not (akin to ne- not) + legere to gather — more at no, legend.
First use: 1529
Synonym discussion: neglect disregard ignore overlook slight forget mean to pass over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one’s attention . disregard suggests voluntary inattention . ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious . overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care . slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting . forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one’s mind .

Question 78

Exert

Answer 78

exert 
KK:[ɪɡˈzɝt]
DJ:[iɡˈzə:t]
vt. 
1. 用(力), 盡(力) 
He has exerted all his strength. 
他已竭盡全力。 
2. 運用, 行使; 發揮; 施加 
He's been exerting his influence on his friend to change his decision. 
他一直在影響他的朋友改變決定。

Question 79

Judicial

Answer 79

judicial 
KK:[dʒuˈdɪʃəl]
DJ:[dʒu:ˈdiʃəl]
a. 
1. 司法的; 審判的 
take judicial proceedings 
正式提起訴訟 
2. 法官的; 法庭的; 法院判定的 
a judicial decision 
法庭的決定 
3. 合乎法官身分的; 法官似的 
4. 評判的; 公正明斷的; 公平的 
A judicial mind considers both sides of a dispute fairly before making a decision. 
公正的人總是不帶偏見地考慮發生爭執的雙方的意見, 然後才作出決定。

Question 80

Dossier

Answer 80

dos·sier\ˈdȯs-ˌyā, ˈdäs-; ˈdȯ-sē-ˌā, ˈdä-\
noun
: a file containing detailed records on a particular person or subject
Origin: French, bundle of documents labeled on the back, dossier, from dos back, from Latin dorsum.
First use: 1880

Question 81

Flourish

Answer 81

flour·ish\ˈflər-ish, ˈflə-rish\
intransitive verb
1 : to grow luxuriantly : thrive
2 a : to achieve success : prosper <a>
b : to be in a state of activity or production
c : to reach a height of development or influence
3 : to make bold and sweeping gesturestransitive verb
: to wield with dramatic gestures : brandish
synonyms see swing
flour·ish·er noun
flour·ish·ing·ly -i-shiŋ-lē\ adverb
Origin: Middle English florisshen, from Anglo-French fluriss-, stem of flurir, florir, from Vulgar Latin *florire, alteration of Latin florēre, from flor-, flos flower.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: burgeon (also bourgeon), thrive, prosper
Antonyms: fail</a>

Question 82

Merit

Answer 82

merit 
KK:[ˈmɛrɪt]
DJ:[ˈmerit]
n. 
1. 價值[U] 
Her singing is totally without merit. 
她的演唱一無是處。 
2. 長處, 優點[C] 
People may not like her, but she has her merits. 
人們也許不喜歡她, 但她也有她的優點。 
3. 功績, 功勞[C] 
4. 功過; 是非曲直[P] 
He will judge the case solely on its merits. 
他將完全根據是非曲直審理這一案件。 
5. 法律依據, 法律意義[U] 
The contention is without merit. 
這一論點沒有法律依據。 
vt. 
1. 值得, 應受 
That brave deed merited a better reward. 
這種勇敢的行為應該得到更好的獎賞。

Question 83

Justify

Answer 83

jus·ti·fy\ˈjəs-tə-ˌfī\
transitive verb
1 a : to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable
b (1) : to show to have had a sufficient legal reason (2) : to qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property
2 a archaic : to administer justice to
b archaic : absolve
c : to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation
3 a : to space (as lines of text) so that the lines come out even at the margin
b : to make even by justifying
intransitive verb
1 a : to show a sufficient lawful reason for an act done
b : to qualify as bail or surety
2 : to justify lines of text
synonyms see maintain
Other forms: jus·ti·fied; jus·ti·fy·ing
jus·ti·fi·er -ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun
Examples
you seem to think that losing a basketball game justifies a temper tantrum
failed to justify the need for a war at this time
Origin: Middle English justifien, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, from Latin justus.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: excuse

Question 84

Adhere

Answer 84

adhere 
KK:[ədˈhɪr]
DJ:[ədˈhiə]
vi. 
1. 黏附, 緊黏[(+to)] 
There were several pages that adhered to each other. 
有幾頁書黏連在一起了。 
2. 遵守; 堅持[(+to)] 
They adhered to the contract. 
他們遵守了合同。 
3. 追隨, 依附; 支持[(+to)]

Question 85

Rife

Answer 85

rife 
KK:[raɪf]
DJ:[raif]
a.[F] 
1. 流行的; 蔓延的 
Rumours were rife that they had met with a terrible disaster and that all were dead. 
說他們遭到大災難並全都死了的謠言到處流行。 
The flu is rife. 
目前流行性感冒蔓延。 
2. 充滿的; 充斥的[(+with)] 
The thesis is rife with errors. 
這篇論文錯誤百出。

Question 86

Activism

Answer 86

activism 
KK:[ˈæktəvɪzəm]
DJ:[ˈæktivizəm]
n. 
1. 激進主義, 行動主義

Question 87

Apathy

Answer 87

ap·a·thy\ˈa-pə-thē\
noun
1 : lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference
Examples
the apathy of the people of that war-torn country comes from their having seen too many horrors
her poor grades are proof enough of her apathy concerning all matters academic
Origin: Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from a- + pathos emotion — more at pathos.
First use: 1594
Synonyms: affectlessness, emotionlessness, impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, numbness, phlegm
Antonyms: emotion, feeling, sensibility

Question 88

Affable

Answer 88

af·fa·ble\ˈa-fə-bəl\
adjective
1 : being pleasant and at easein talking to others
2 : characterized by ease and friendliness
synonyms see gracious
af·fa·bil·i·ty \ˌa-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
af·fa·bly -blē\ adverb
Examples
as the show’s affable host, she keeps the freewheeling gabfest from getting out of hand
as an experienced event planner, he knows that having an affable emcee is critical
although First Lady Lucretia Hayes didn’t particularly enjoy her role as White House hostess, she was always affable
Origin: Middle English affabyl, from Anglo-French, from Latin affabilis, from affari to speak to, from ad- + fari to speak — more at ban.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: easygoing, breezy, devil-may-care, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, low-pressure, mellow
Antonyms: high-strung, uptight

Question 89

Strive

Answer 89

strive 
KK:[straɪv]
DJ:[straiv]
vi. 
1. 努力, 苦幹, 奮鬥[(+for/after)][+to-v] 
This is the goal we are striving toward. 
這是我們奮鬥的目標。 
Today women are striving to occupy positions previously closed to them. 
現今婦女正在努力爭取以往不對她們開放的職位。 
2. 反抗, 鬥爭[(+against/with)] 
The swimmer strove against the tide. 
游泳者與潮水搏鬥。

Question 90

Dictate

Answer 90

dictate@1 
KK:[ˈdɪktet]
DJ:[dikˈteit]
vt.[(+to)] 
1. 口授, 口述, 使聽寫 
Afterwards he dictated a few letters to her. 
之後他對她口授了幾封信。 
2. 命令, 規定, 要求, 指定[+wh-] 
The police dictated where the large, noisy crowd should stand during the parade. 
警察指定在遊行時那一大堆喧鬧的人群應站的位置。 
vi.[(+to)] 
1. 口授, 口述 
2. 命令, 支配 
I won't have him dictating to me. 
我不要他對我發號施令。

Question 91

Appropriate

Answer 91

ap·pro·pri·ate\ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt\
transitive verb
1 : to take exclusive possession of : annex
2 : to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use
3 : to take or make use of without authority or right
Other forms: ap·pro·pri·at·ed; ap·pro·pri·at·ing
ap·pro·pri·a·ble -prē-ə-bəl\ adjective
ap·pro·pri·a·tor -prē-ˌā-tər\ noun
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, from Latin ad- + proprius own.
First use: 15th century

Question 92

Antedate

Answer 92

an·te·date\ˈan-ti-ˌdāt, ˌan-ti-ˈ\
transitive verb
1 a : to date as of a time prior to that of execution
b : to assign to a date prior to that of actual occurrence
2 archaic : anticipate
3 : to precede in time
First use: 1572

Question 93

Folio

Answer 93

fo·lio\ˈfō-lē-ˌō\
noun
1 a : a leaf especially of a manuscript or book
b : a leaf number
c : a page number
d : an identifying reference in accounting used in posting
2 a : a sheet of paper folded once
b : a case or folder for loose papers
3 a : the size of a piece of paper cut two from a sheet; also : paper or a page of this size
b : a book printed on folio pages
c : a book of the largest size
4 : a certain number of words taken as a unit or division in a document for purposes of measurement or reference
Other forms: plural fo·li·os
Origin: Middle English, from Latin, abl. of folium.
First use: 15th century

Question 94

Probity

Answer 94

pro·bi·ty\ˈprō-bə-tē\
noun
: adherence to the highest principles and ideals : uprightness
synonyms see honesty
Examples
a person of indisputable probity must head the disciplinary panel
the defense attorney questioned the probity of the witness
ideals of fairness and probity in journalism
Origin: Middle English probite, from Latin probitat-, probitas, from probus honest — more at prove.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: character, decency, goodness, honesty, integrity, morality, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness
Antonyms: badness, evil, evildoing, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy, wickedness

Question 95

Extravagance

Answer 95

ex·trav·a·gance\ik-ˈstra-vi-gən(t)s\
noun
1 a : an instance of excess or prodigality; specifically : an excessive outlay of money
b : something extravagant <a>s extravagances
First use: 1640
Synonyms: extravagancy, lavishness, prodigality, profusion, wastefulness
Antonyms: economy, frugality, penny-pinching</a>

Question 96

Disapprobation

Answer 96

dis·ap·pro·ba·tion(ˌ)dis-ˌa-prə-ˈbā-shən\
noun
: the act or state of disapproving : the state of being disapproved : condemnation
Examples
there was widespread disapprobation of their mixed marriage in that narrow-minded community
First use: 1647
Synonyms: deprecation, disapproval, discountenance, disesteem, disfavor, dislike, displeasure
Antonyms: approbation, approval, favor

Question 97

Profligate

Answer 97

prof·li·gate\ˈprä-fli-gət, -ˌgāt\
adjective
1 : wildly extravagant
2 : completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness
prof·li·gate·ly adverb
Origin: Latin profligatus, from past participle of profligare to strike down, from pro- forward, down + -fligare (akin to fligere to strike); akin to Greek phlibein to squeeze.
First use: 1617
Synonyms: extravagant, high-rolling, prodigal, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful
Antonyms: conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, penny-pinching, scrimping, skimping, thrifty

Question 98

Digress

Answer 98

digress 
KK:[daɪˈɡrɛs]
DJ:[daiˈɡres]
vi. 
1. 走向岔道; 脫離主題

Question 99

Row

Answer 99

row@3 
KK:[raʊ]
DJ:[rau]
n. 
1. 【口】吵架, 口角; 公開爭論[C] 
He had a row with his neighbor. 
他與鄰居吵了一架。 
2. 【貶】吵嚷; 喧鬧[S] 
The guys are making such a row that I can't sleep. 
那些傢伙吵得我沒法睡覺。 
3. 受斥責[S] 
vi. 
1. 爭吵; 吵鬧[(+about/with)] 
Helen rowed with her boyfriend about a mere trifle. 
海倫為一點小事與男友爭吵。

Question 100

Incipient

Answer 100

incipient 
KK:[ɪnˈsɪpɪənt]
DJ:[inˈsipiənt]
a. 
1. 起初的

Question 101

Predicament

Answer 101

predicament 
KK:[ˌprɪˈdɪkəmənt]
DJ:[ˌpriˈdikəmənt]
n.[C] 
1. 尷尬的處境, 困境; 危境 
She was in a predicament when she missed the last train home. 
當她錯過最後一班回家的火車時, 陷入了困境。 
2. 處境, 境況, 情況 
3. 【邏】範疇

Question 102

Fester

Answer 102

fester 
KK:[ˈfɛstɚ]
DJ:[ˈfestə]
vi. 
1. 化膿 
2. 潰爛 
3. 引起痛苦 
4. 惡化 
vt. 
1. 使化膿 
2. 使潰爛 
3. 使痛苦 
4. 使惡化 
n. 
1. 【醫】淺潰瘍; 膿瘡

Question 103

Belie

Answer 103

be·lie\bi-ˈlī, bē-\
transitive verb
1 a : to give a false impression of
b : to present an appearance not in agreement with
2 a : to show (something) to be false or wrong
b : to run counter to : contradict
3 : disguise 3
Other forms: be·lied; be·ly·ing
be·li·er -ˈlī(-ə)r\ noun
Examples
his bright smile belied his actual mood, which was really one of great sadness
the latest information belies the old theory
the security council issued false assurances that belied the true gravity of the situation
First use: before 12th century

Question 104

Judicious

Answer 104

judicious 
KK:[dʒuˈdɪʃəs]
DJ:[dʒu:ˈdiʃəs]
a. 
1. 有見識的; 明斷的; 明智而審慎的 
It would be judicious to remain silent. 
保持沈默是明智的。

Question 105

Stigmatisation

Answer 105

stigmatization 
KK:[ˌstɪɡmətəˈzeʃən]
DJ:[ˌstiɡmətiˈzeiʃən]
n. 
1. 使人蒙上污名 
2. 【古】加烙印 
3. 【宗】聖痕顯現

Question 106

Transcend

Answer 106

transcend 
KK:[trænˈsɛnd]
DJ:[trænˈsend]
vi.vt. 
1. 超越 
2. 優於

Question 107

Panache

Answer 107

pa·nache\pə-ˈnash, -ˈnäsh\
noun
1 : an ornamental tuft (as of feathers) especially on a helmet
2 : dash or flamboyance in style and action : verve
Origin: Middle French pennache, from Old Italian pennacchio, from Late Latin pinnaculum small wing — more at pinnacle.
First use: 1553

Question 108

Gratify

Answer 108

gratify 
KK:[ˈɡrætəˌfaɪ]
DJ:[ˈɡrætifai]
vt. 
1. 使高興, 使滿意[H][(+at/with)][+to-v] 
He was gratified by his son's success. 
他對兒子的成功感到欣慰。 
2. 滿足(慾望等) 
Do gratify our curiosity. 
你就滿足一下我們的好奇心吧。

Question 109

Peculiarity

Answer 109

peculiarity 
KK:[pɪˌkjulɪˈærətɪ]
DJ:[piˌkju:liˈæriti]
n. 
1. 奇特, 古怪[U] 
We noticed the peculiarity of his manner at once. 
我們馬上注意到了他態度的古怪。 
2. 怪癖[C] 
3. 特性, 特質[C]

Question 110

Pellucid

Answer 110

pellucid 
KK:[pəˈljusɪd]
DJ:[peˈlju:sid]
a. 
1. 清澄的; 透明的 
2. 明白的; 清晰的

Question 111

Entail

Answer 111

entail 
KK:[ɪnˈtel]
DJ:[inˈteil]
vt. 
1. 必需; 使承擔[+v-ing] 
This job would entail your learning how to use a computer. 
這工作將需要你學會怎樣用計算機。 
That plan entails work. 
那項計劃需要工作。 
2. 【律】限定繼承[(+on/upon)][H] 
The castle is entailed on the eldest son. 
這城堡限定由長子繼承。 
n. 
1. 限定繼承[U] 
2. 限定繼承的財產[C]

Question 112

Arduous

Answer 112

arduous 
KK:[ˈɑrdʒʊəs]
DJ:[ˈɑ:djuəs]
a. 
1. 艱鉅的; 費力的; 困難的 
It must have been a very arduous task to build the pyramids. 
當時建造金字塔肯定是件萬分艱鉅的事。 
2. 努力的; 使勁的 
He made an arduous effort to keep up with the rest of the class. 
他努力跟上班上其他同學。 
3. 陡峭的, 難攀登的 
an arduous hill 
陡峭的山