21 Short

Question 1

refractory

Answer 1

adjective formal
1 stubborn or unmanageable: his refractory pony.
2 resistant to a process or stimulus: some granules are refractory to secretory stimuli.
• Medicine (of a person, illness, or diseased tissue) not yielding to treatment: healing of previously refractory ulcers.
• Medicine, rare (of a person or animal) resistant to infection.
• technical (of a substance) resistant to heat; hard to melt or fuse.

Question 2

refulgent

Answer 2

adjective literary

shining brightly: refulgent blue eyes.

Question 3

rejoice

Answer 3

verb [no object]
feel or show great joy or delight: he rejoiced in her spontaneity and directness | he rejoiced when he saw his friend alive.

Question 4

replase

Answer 4

verb | rəˈlaps | [no object]
(of someone suffering from a disease) suffer deterioration after a period of improvement.
• (relapse into) return to (a less active or a worse state): he relapsed into silence.
noun | ˈrēˌlaps |
a deterioration in someone’s state of health after a temporary improvement: he responded well to treatment, but then suffered a relapse.

Question 5

rehash

Answer 5

verb | rēˈhaSH | [with object]
put (old ideas or material) into a new form without significant change or improvement: he contented himself with occasional articles in journals, rehashing his own work.
• chiefly North American consider or discuss (something) at length after it has happened: is it really necessary to rehash that trauma all over again?
noun | ˈrēˌhaSH |
a reuse of old ideas or material without significant change or improvement: the spring show was a rehash of the summer show from the previous year.

Question 6

reminiscent

Answer 6

adjective
tending to remind one of something: the sights were reminiscent of my childhood.
• suggesting something by resemblance: her suit was vaguely reminiscent of military dress.
• (of a person or their manner) absorbed in or suggesting absorption in memories: her expression was wistful and reminiscent.

Question 7

relish

Answer 7

noun
1 great enjoyment: she swigged a mouthful of wine with relish.
• liking for or pleasurable anticipation of something: I was appointed to a position for which I had little relish.
2 a condiment eaten with plain food to add flavor: use salsa as a relish with grilled meat or fish.

verb [with object]
1 enjoy greatly: he was relishing his moment of glory.
• be pleased by or about: I don’t relish the thought of waiting on an invalid for the next few months.

Question 8

remiss

Answer 8

adjective [predicative]
lacking care or attention to duty; negligent: it would be very remiss of me not to pass on that information | the government has been remiss in its duties.

Question 9

remonstrance

Answer 9

noun

a forcefully reproachful protest: angry remonstrances in the Senate | he shut his ears to any remonstrance.

Question 10

remunerate

Answer 10

verb [with object]

pay (someone) for services rendered or work done: they should be remunerated fairly for their work.

Question 11

rend

Answer 11

verb (past and past participle rent | rent | ) [with object]
tear (something) into two or more pieces: snapping teeth that would rend human flesh to shreds | figurative : the speculation and confusion that was rending the civilized world.
• literary cause great emotional pain to (a person or their heart).

Question 12

renegade

Answer 12

noun
a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.
• a person who behaves in a rebelliously unconventional manner.
adjective
having treacherously changed allegiance: a renegade bodyguard.

Question 13

repartee

Answer 13

noun

conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.

Question 14

repel

Answer 14

verb (repels, repelling, repelled) [with object]
1 drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away: government units sought to repel the rebels.
• [with object] (of a magnetic pole or electric field) force (something similarly magnetized or charged) away from itself: electrically charged objects attract or repel one another | [no object] : like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
• (of a substance) resist mixing with or be impervious to (another substance): boots with good-quality leather uppers to repel moisture.
2 be repulsive or distasteful to: she was repelled by the permanent smell of drink on his breath.
3 formal refuse to accept (something, especially an argument or theory): the alleged right of lien led by the bankrupt’s attorney was repelled.

Question 15

repine

Answer 15

verb [no object] literary

feel or express discontent; fret: you mustn’t let yourself repine.

Question 16

replete

Answer 16

adjective [predicative]
filled or well-supplied with something: sensational popular fiction, replete with adultery and sudden death.
• very full of or sated by food: I went out into the sun-drenched streets again, replete and relaxed.

Question 17

repose

Answer 17

repose1 | rəˈpōz |
noun
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility: in repose her face looked relaxed.
• composure: he had lost none of his grace or his repose.
• Art harmonious arrangement of colors and forms, providing a restful visual effect.
verb [no object, with adverbial of place]
be lying, situated, or kept in a particular place: the diamond now reposes in the Louvre.
• lie down in rest: how sweetly he would repose in the four-poster bed.
• [with object] literary (repose something on/in) lay something to rest in or on (something): I’ll go to him, and repose our distresses on his friendly bosom.
• [with object] archaic give rest to: he halted to repose his wayworn soldiers.

Question 18

reprehend

Answer 18

verb [with object]

reprimand: a recklessness that cannot be too severely reprehended.

Question 19

reprieve

Answer 19

verb [with object]
cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death): under the new regime, prisoners under sentence of death were reprieved.
• abandon or postpone plans to close or put an end to (something): the threatened pits could be reprieved.

Question 20

reproach

Answer 20

verb [with object]
address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment: [with direct speech] : “You know that isn’t true,” he reproached her | critics of the administration reproached the president for his failure to tackle the deficiency.
• (reproach someone with) accuse someone of: his wife reproached him with cowardice.
• archaic censure or rebuke (an offense).

Question 21

reprobate

Answer 21

noun
1 an unprincipled person (often used humorously or affectionately).
2 archaic (in Calvinism) a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation.
adjective
1 unprincipled (often used as a humorous or affectionate reproach): a long-missed old reprobate drinking comrade.
2 archaic (in Calvinism) predestined to damnation.
verb [with object] archaic
express or feel disapproval of: his neighbors reprobated his method of proceeding.

Question 22

reproof

Answer 22

noun

an expression of blame or disapproval: she welcomed him with a mild reproof for leaving her alone | a look of reproof.

Question 23

reprove

Answer 23

verb [with object]
reprimand or censure (someone): he was reproved for obscenity | [with direct speech] : “Don’t be childish, Hilary,” he reproved mildly | (as adjective reproving) : a reproving glance.

Question 24

repugnant

Answer 24

adjective
1 extremely distasteful; unacceptable: the thought of going back into the fog was repugnant to him.
2 [predicative] (repugnant to) in conflict with; incompatible with: a bylaw must not be repugnant to the general law of the country.
• archaic given to stubborn resistance.

Question 25

repulse

Answer 25

verb [with object]
1 drive back (an attack or attacking enemy) by force: rioters tried to storm ministry buildings but were repulsed by police.
• fail to welcome (friendly advances or the person making them); rebuff: she left, feeling hurt because she had been repulsed.
• refuse to accept (an offer): his bid for the company was repulsed.
2 (usually be repulsed) cause (someone) to feel intense distaste and aversion: audiences at early screenings of the film were repulsed by its brutality.

Question 26

repute

Answer 26

noun
the opinion generally held of someone or something; the state of being generally regarded in a particular way: pollution could bring the authority’s name into bad repute.
• the state of being highly thought of; fame: chefs of international repute.
verb (be reputed)
be generally said or believed to do something or to have particular characteristics: he was reputed to have a fabulous house.
• (usually as adjective reputed) be generally said or believed to exist or be of a particular type, despite not being so: this area gave the lie to the reputed flatness of the country.
• (usually as adjective reputed) be widely known and respected: intensive training with reputed coaches.

Question 27

requite

Answer 27

verb [with object] formal
make appropriate return for (a favor, service, or wrongdoing): they are quick to requite a kindness.
• return a favor to (someone): to win enough to requite my friends.
• respond to (love or affection); return: she did not requite his love.

Question 28

requisite

Answer 28

adjective
made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations: the application will not be processed until the requisite fee is paid.
noun
a thing that is necessary for the achievement of a specified end: she believed privacy to be a requisite for a peaceful life.

Question 29

resourceful

Answer 29

adjective

having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

Question 30

respite

Answer 30

noun
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant: the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [in singular] : a brief respite from a dire food shortage.
• a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out.

Question 31

retroactive

Answer 31

adjective

(especially of legislation) taking effect from a date in the past: a big retroactive tax increase.

Question 32

resplendent

Answer 32

adjective

attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous: she was resplendent in a sea-green dress.

Question 33

restive

Answer 33

adjective
(of a person) unable to keep still or silent and becoming increasingly difficult to control, especially because of impatience, dissatisfaction, or boredom.
• (of a horse) refusing to advance, stubbornly standing still or moving backward or sideways.

Question 34

resuscitate

Answer 34

verb [with object]
revive (someone) from unconsciousness or apparent death: an ambulance crew tried to resuscitate him.
• make (something such as an idea or enterprise) active or vigorous again: measures to resuscitate the ailing Japanese economy.

Question 35

repetitious

Answer 35

adjective

another term for repetitive.

Question 36

retort

Answer 36

verb
1 [reporting verb] say something in answer to a remark or accusation, typically in a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive manner: [with direct speech] : “No need to be rude,” retorted Isabel | [with clause] : he retorted that this was nonsense | [no object] : I resisted the urge to retort.
2 [with object] archaic repay (an insult or injury): it was now his time to retort the humiliation.
• turn (an insult or accusation) back on the person who has issued it: he was resolute to retort the charge of treason on his foes.
• use (an opponent’s argument) against them: the answer they make to us may very easily be retorted.
noun
a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive reply to a remark: she opened her mouth to make a suitably cutting retort.

Question 37

retouch

Answer 37

verb [with object]

improve or repair (a painting, a photograph, makeup, etc.) by making slight additions or alterations.

Question 38

retrench

Answer 38

verb [no object]
(of a company, government, or individual) reduce costs or spending in response to economic difficulty: as a result of the recession the company retrenched | [with object] : if people are forced to retrench their expenditure trade will suffer.
• [with object] formal reduce or diminish (something) in extent or quantity: right-wing parties which seek to retrench the welfare state.

Question 39

revel

Answer 39

verb (revels, reveling, reveled; chiefly British revels, revelling, revelled) [no object]
enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing: (as noun reveling) : a night of drunken reveling.
• (revel in) get great pleasure from (a situation or experience): Bill said he was secretly reveling in his new-found fame.
noun (revels)
lively and noisy enjoyment, especially with drinking and dancing.

Question 40

ribald

Answer 40

adjective

referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way: a ribald comment.

Question 41

rickety

Answer 41

adjective
1 (of a structure or piece of equipment) poorly made and likely to collapse: we went carefully up the rickety stairs | figurative : a rickety banking system.
2 (of a person) suffering from rickets.

Question 42

restorative

Answer 42

adjective
having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being: the restorative power of long walks.
• Surgery & Dentistry relating to or concerned with the restoration of form or function to a damaged tooth or other part of the body.
noun
something, especially a medicine or drink, that restores health, strength, or well-being.

Question 43

rife

Answer 43

adjective [predicative]
(especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread: male chauvinism was rife in medicine in those days.
• (rife with) full of: the streets were rife with rumor and fear.
adverb
in an unchecked or widespread manner: speculation ran rife that he was an arms dealer.

Question 44

rift

Answer 44

noun
1 a crack, split, or break in something: the wind had torn open a rift in the clouds.
• Geology a major fault separating blocks of the earth’s surface; a rift valley.
2 a serious break in friendly relations: their demise caused a rift between the city’s town and gown.
verb [no object] chiefly Geology
form fissures, cracks, or breaks, especially through large-scale faulting; move apart: a fragment of continental crust that rifted away from eastern Australia | (as noun rifting) : active rifting in southwestern Mexico.
• [with object] (usually as adjective rifted) tear or force (something) apart: the nascent rifted margins of the Red Sea.

Question 45

rile

Answer 45

verb [with object]
1 informal make (someone) annoyed or irritated: it was his air of knowing all the answers that riled her | he’s getting you all riled up.
2 North American make (water) turbulent or muddy.

Question 46

rite

Answer 46

noun
a religious or other solemn ceremony or act: the rite of communion | fertility rites.
• a body of customary observances characteristic of a Church or a part of it: the Byzantine rite.
• a social custom, practice, or conventional act: the family Christmas rite.

Question 47

rive

Answer 47

verb (past rived | rīvd | ; past participle riven | ˈrivən | ) (usually be riven)
literary split or tear apart violently: the party was riven by disagreements over Europe | figurative : he was riven with guilt.
• archaic split or crack (wood or stone): the wood was riven with deep cracks.
• [no object] archaic (of wood or stone) split or crack: I started to chop furiously, the dry wood riving and splintering under the ax.