ch. 15-16

Question 0

MALEDICTION

Answer 0

(mal ə dik´ shən) n. A recital of words intended to harm; a curse
L. male, “badly,” + dicere = speaking badly (of one)
To Claudia, Leo’s angry words were practically a malediction.
BENEDICTION (ben ə dik´ shən) n. A blessing
L. bene, “well,” + dictum = to speak well
A local rabbi started the ceremony by giving a benediction to the audience.”

Question 1

DICTATE

Answer 1

(dik´ tāt) (1) v. To speak aloud in order that one’s words may be copied or recorded (2) v. To give an order; to make necessary

(1) Regina dictated a letter for her secretary.”
(2) Our current circumstances dictate that we conserve money and resources.
syn: demand ant: allow

Question 2

LOCUTION

Answer 2

(lō kyōō´ shən) n. Style or action of speaking

Nothing about Francis’ careful locution betrayed his nervousness.

Question 3

ELOQUENT

Answer 3

(el´ ə kwənt) adj. Powerful and expressive
Brenda composed an eloquent tribute for her younger sister’s wedding.
syn: articulate ant: unclear

Question 4

COLLOQUIAL

Answer 4

kə lō´ kwē əl) adj. Of or related to informal speech; conversational“ L. con, “together,” + loqui = to speak together
When the residents of Stoneville were interviewed on television, they dropped some of their colloquial expressions in favor of more formal language.
syn: idiomatic”

Question 5

EVOCATIVE

Answer 5

(ē väk´ ə tiv) adj. Calling forth a vivid image or impression
L. e, “out of,” + vocatum = to call out (of memory or mind)
The novel features an evocative description of a lakeside town in Michigan.
syn: suggestive

Question 6

EQUIVOCATE

Answer 6

(ē kwiv´ ə kāt) v. To use misleading or confusing language
L. equi, “equal,” + vocere = to say (two things) equally
Because Shonda felt it her duty never to equivocate to a client, she made a point of discussing both sides of every problem.
syn: evade

Question 7

ADVOCATE

Answer 7

(ad´ və kāt) (1) v. To argue in favor of (ad´ və kət) (2) n. Someone who argues for
L. ad, “toward,” + vocere = to call to toward
(1) The senator plans to advocate capital”“capital punishment for those convicted of murder.
syn: recommend ant: oppose
(2) As an advocate of careful financial planning, I cannot go along with your plan to invest in a bubble-gum factory.
syn: supporter ant: enemy”

Question 8

EXCLAMATORY

Answer 8

eks klam´ ə tôr ē) adj. Having a forceful, excited, or emotional tone
L. ex, “out of,” + clamare = shouting out
Mr. Litt is famous for the exclamatory style of his speeches.

Question 9

DECLAIM

Answer 9

(dē klām´) v. To speak loudly and with feeling
L. de, “down from,” + clamare = to shout down from
Martin declaimed upon the subject of tax hikes until he was blue in the face.

Question 10

CLAMOROUS

Answer 10

(klam´ ər əs) adj. Characterized by a loud noise or outcry
The pianist entered the auditorium to clamorous applause.”
“syn: ear-splitting ant: quiet”

Question 11

EXCRUTIATING

Answer 11

(eks krōō´ shē āt ing) adj. Extremely painful; agonizing
L. ex, “out of,” + crux = from the cross
Min was forced to sit through an excruciating series of piano recitals.
syn: unbearable ant: pleasant

Question 12

CRUX

Answer 12

(kruks) n. The most important or decisive point
The crux of the matter is the difference between children and adults.
syn: essence ant: extra

Question 13

CRUCIAL

Answer 13

(krōō´shəl) adj. Extremely necessary; essential

Good study skills are often crucial to success in high school and college.”

Question 14

INDOLENT

Answer 14

(in´ də lənt) adj. Lazy; averse to work
L. in, “not,” + dolere = feeling no pain
Being of a somewhat indolent character, Paige was not inclined to take on extra jobs.
syn: listless ant: robust

Question 15

DOLEFUL

Answer 15

(dōl´ fəl) adj. Sad; mournful
You can tell by Greg’s constantly doleful expression that he has a gloomy nature.
syn: depressed ant: cheerful

Question 16

DOLOROUS

Answer 16

(dōl´ ər əs) adj. Mournful; gloomy
The dolorous chanting of the monks was made even sadder by the steady, gray rain.
syn: bleak ant: uplifting

Question 17

ACERBIC

Answer 17

(əs ûr´ bik) adj. Harsh and biting in tone
L. acerbus (from acer) sharp, biting
Cal’s acerbic reply to the reporters earned him a reputation as an ill-tempered man.
syn: sharp ant: bland

Question 18

ACRID

Answer 18

(ak´ rid) adj. Stinging or biting in odor or taste; harsh; irritating
The acrid fumes that filled the office soon had us coughing and rubbing our eyes.

Question 19

ACRIMONIOUS

Answer 19

(ak rə mo´ nē əs) adj. Exhibiting harsh sharpness in speech or mood
L. acer, “sharp,” + mony, “quality of” = having a sharp, bitter quality
The acrimonious debate between the two candidates did not help either one in the polls.
syn: bitter ant: civil

Question 20

EXACERBATES

Answer 20

(eg za´ sər bāt) v. To make worse or more severe
L. ex, “out of,” + acer = to make (something) harsher out of
Mira’s comments, which were supposed to be helpful, only exacerbated Shelley’s problem.
syn: aggravate ant: ease

Question 21

FERVENT

Answer 21

(far´ vənt) adj. Passionately excited or enthusiastic
Grace, a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party, cheered enthusiastically when her favorite candidate was elected.
syn: fiery ant: indifferent”

Question 22

FERVOR

Answer 22

(fûr´ vər) n. Emotional excitement; heated enthusiasm
The fervor Ron displays when discussing cars lets me know he’ll make a great mechanic.
syn: eagerness ant: apathy

Question 23

EFFERVESCENT

Answer 23

(ef ər ves´ ənt) adj. Highly spirited; animated
L. ex, “out of,” + fervere = boiling out of
The young horse had a cheerful, almost effervescent character.
syn: bubbly ant: lifeless”