Casual reading

Question 1

Vacuous

Answer 1

having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
“a vacuous smile”
empty

Question 2

Imbibe

Answer 2

Absorb or assimilate (ideas or knowledge).

(especially of seeds) absorb (water) into ultramicroscopic spaces or pores.

Question 3

Capricious

Answer 3

(a person who is) given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

Question 4

Titter

Answer 4

give a short, half-suppressed laugh; giggle.

Question 5

Quaint

Answer 5

attractively unusual or old-fashioned

Question 6

Coalesce

Answer 6

Come together to form one mass or whole.

Combine (elements) in a mass or whole.

Question 7

Languishing

Answer 7

failing to make progress or be successful

Question 8

Filigree

Answer 8

ornamental work of fine (typically gold or silver) wire formed into delicate tracery.

Question 9

Literati

Answer 9

well-educated people who are interested in literature.

Question 10

Caveat

Answer 10

a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.
“There are a number of caveats which concern the validity of the assessment results”

Question 11

topiary

Answer 11

shrubs or trees clipped into ornamental shapes.

Question 12

Grisly

Answer 12

causing horror or disgust.

Question 13

Conniption

Answer 13

A fit of rage or hysterics.

Question 14

Frabjous

Answer 14

[FRAB-jəs] Origin: Author Lewis Carroll

Delightful; joyous.

This is a word Lewis Carroll coined in his 1871 book, “Through the Looking-Glass.” It is a blend of either “fabulous” and “joyous,” or “fair” and “joyous.”

Question 15

Titivate

Answer 15

[TIH-də-veyt]

1. Make small enhancing alterations to (something).
2. Make oneself look attractive.

Question 16

Lyceum

Answer 16

[ly-SEE-əm] Origin: Greek

1. The garden at Athens in which Aristotle taught philosophy.
2. (U.S. archaic) A literary institution, lecture hall, or teaching place.

Question 17

Wonted

Answer 17

[WAHN-təd]

Habitual; usual.

Question 18

Holograph

Answer 18

[HA-lə-graf] Origin: French or late Latin

A manuscript handwritten by the person named as its author.

“Some authors prefer to write holographs rather than typing. The holograph was merely the first draft of her novel.”

Question 19

Nimbus

Answer 19

[NIM-bəs] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin

1. A luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint.
2. A large gray rain cloud.

Question 20

Promethean

Answer 20

[pro-MEE-thee-ən] Adj Origin: Late Middle English

Relating to or characteristic of the demigod Prometheus, especially in being rebelliously creative and innovative.

“The Promethean scientists worked to unlock the mysteries of the universe.”
“The protestors described their mission as rebellious and Promethean.”

Question 21

Fracas

Answer 21

[FREY-kəs] Noun Origin: Italian

1. A disorderly brawl
2. A loud, outraged discussion

“Both teams were disqualified after the fracas on the court.”
“The town council meeting turned into a fracas over the new zoning proposal. “

Question 22

Paseo

Answer 22

[pə-SAY-oh] Noun Origin: Spanish

1. (In Spain or Spanish-speaking parts of the southwestern U.S.) a leisurely walk or stroll, especially one taken in the evening in which young people may socialize with each other.
2. (In the U.S.) A plaza or walkway for strolling.

“The young couple took a leisurely paseo on the footbridge.”
“The campus has a gorgeous paseo made of red brick.”

Question 23

Pleach

Answer 23

[pleeCH] Verb Origin: Late Middle English

Entwine or interlace (tree branches) to form a hedge or provide cover for an outdoor walkway.

“If you want to pleach your trees, winter is the best time.”
“The trees were pleached to create a romantic walkway in the garden.”

Question 24

Omnifarious

Answer 24

[ahm-nə-FER-ee-əs] Adjective Origin: Late Latin

Comprising or relating to all sorts or varieties.

“The political panel was omnifarious in order to spark debates.”
“The farmers’ market had an omnifarious tomato display.”

Question 25

Auspice

Answer 25

[AHS-pəs] Noun Origin: Latin

A divine or prophetic token

“The swallow sighting was a favorable auspice.”
“Gregory was superstitious about all kinds of auspices and omens.”

Question 26

Parure

Answer 26

[pə-ROOR] Noun Origin: Latin

A set of jewels intended to be worn together.

“The Spanish royal family has an impressive collection of parures.”
“Sophie’s great-grandmother passed her prized parures down in her will.”

Question 27

Benthic

Answer 27

[BEN-thik] Adjective Origin: French

Of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water or in the depths of the ocean.

“Jacques Cousteau was fascinated by benthic creatures.”
“Part of marine biology is studying benthic flora and fauna.”

Question 28

Vulgate

Answer 28

[VUHL-geyt] Noun Origin: Latin

1. A commonly recognized text or edition, as of the Iliad.
2. Common or colloquial speech.

"The professor instructed his class to purchase the vulgate of “Romeo and Juliet” so that they could all read the same text."
"While I use flowery words on the stage, I prefer vulgate with my friends."

Question 29

Aptronym

Answer 29

[AP-trə-nim] Noun

A person’s name that is regarded as amusingly appropriate to their occupation.

“The woman selling the fish wore a nametag reading “Ms. Flounder,” which was a perfect aptronym.”
“Our class’s enthusiastic new gym teacher had the aptronym “Mr. Fitt.””

Question 30

Athenaeum

Answer 30

[ath-ə-NEE-əm] Noun Origin: Latin

1. Used in the names of libraries or institutions for literary or scientific study.
2. Used in the titles of periodicals concerned with literature, science, and art.

“Lauren went to the athenaeum that housed the rare, specialized books she needed.”
“The literary society recently published the first edition of “Athenaeum.””

This word comes from the Latinized form of the Greek “Athēnaion,” denoting the temple of the goddess Athene in ancient Athens (which was used for teaching).

Question 31

Sycophantic

Answer 31

[sy·​co·​phan·​tic] Adj

Behaving or done in an obsequious way in order to gain an advantage.

“a sycophantic interview”

Similar: obsequious, servile, subservient, groveling