Chapter 19

Question 1

momentous

Answer 1

of great importance, especially in its bearing on the future

Question 2

monotonous

Answer 2

dull, tedious

Question 3

monstrous

Answer 3

extremely and dauntingly large;

2. evil or owrong

Question 4

morass

Answer 4

1 an area of muddy or boggy ground: in midwinter the track beneath this bridge became a muddy morass.
2 a complicated or confused situation: she would become lost in a morass of lies and explanations.

Question 5

mores

Answer 5

the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community: an offense against social mores.

Question 6

mote

Answer 6

a tiny piece of a substance: the tiniest mote of dust.

Question 7

motif

Answer 7

1. a decorative design or pattern

2. a distinctive feature or dominant idea in an artistic or literary composition

Question 8

motley

Answer 8

incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate: a motley crew of discontents and zealots.

Question 9

mottled

Answer 9

marked with spots of color

Question 10

mounting

Answer 10

growing; rising

Question 11

muddle

Answer 11

1 bring into a disordered or confusing state: I fear he may have muddled the message.
• confuse (a person or their thoughts): Paul was hopelessly muddled by the rates of exchange.
• [no object, with adverbial] busy oneself in an aimless or ineffective way: he was muddling about in the kitchen.
2 mix (a drink) or stir (an ingredient) into a drink: muddle the kiwi slices with the sugar.

Question 12

multitude

Answer 12

a large number: a multitude of medical conditions are due to being overweight.
• (the multitudes) large numbers of people: the multitudes using the roads.
• (the multitude) a large gathering of people: Father Peter addressed the multitude.

Question 13

munificent

Answer 13

very generous

Question 14

muse

Answer 14

1. verb: (muse on) gaze thoughtfully at: he sat on the edge of the bank, legs dangling, eyes musing on the water.
2. noun: an instance or period of reflection.

Question 15

muster

Answer 15

collect or assemble (a number or amount): the city council was unable to muster enough votes to pass the measure.
• summon up (a particular feeling, attitude, or response): he replied with as much dignity as he could muster | I finally mustered up the courage to call them | mustering his strength, he made it across the finish line.

Question 16

musty

Answer 16

having a stale, moldy, or damp smell: a dark musty library filled with old books.

Question 17

moldy

Answer 17

covered with a fungal growth that causes decay, due to age or damp conditions

Question 18

namesake

Answer 18

a person or thing that has the same name as another: Hugh Capet paved the way for his son and namesake to be crowned king of France.

Question 19

nefarious

Answer 19

(typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal

Question 20

wicked

Answer 20

evil or morally wrong

Question 21

nestle

Answer 21

settle or lie comfortably within or against something

Question 22

nimble

Answer 22

agile; quick and light in movement or action

Question 23

noisome

Answer 23

unpleasant

Question 24

nominal

Answer 24

(of a role or status) existing in name only

Question 25

nonentity

Answer 25

an unimportant person or thing

Question 26

noxious

Answer 26

harmful

Question 27

nuance

Answer 27

a subtle difference

Question 28

nuisance

Answer 28

a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance: I hope you’re not going to make a nuisance of yourself

Question 29

obliging

Answer 29

willing to do a service or kindness; helpful: one of the most obliging stewards | it’s very obliging of him.

Question 30

oblivion (adj. oblivious)

Answer 30

the state of being forgotten, especially by the public: his name will fade into oblivion.
• extinction: only our armed forces stood between us and oblivion.

Question 31

obscene

Answer 31

offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency

Question 32

obsolete

Answer 32

outdated

Question 33

obtrude

Answer 33

become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way: a sound from the reception hall obtruded into his thoughts.
• [with object] impose or force (something) on someone in an intrusive way: I felt unable to obtrude my private sorrow upon anyone.