Chapter 5

Question 1

acrid

Answer 1

adj.

1. Unpleasantly sharp, pungent, or bitter to the taste or smell.
2. Caustic in language or tone: an acrid political campaign.

Question 2

boorish

Answer 2

adj.

Resembling or characteristic of a boor; rude and clumsy in behaviour.

Question 3

epistle

Answer 3

n.

1. A letter, especially a formal one.
2. A literary composition in the form of a letter.

Question 4

heresy

Answer 4

a. A controversial or unorthodox opinion or doctrine, as in politics, philosophy, or science.
b. Adherence to such controversial or unorthodox opinion.

Question 5

lance

Answer 5

n.

A thrusting weapon with a long wooden shaft and a sharp metal head; spear, spike, javelin

Question 6

terse

Answer 6

adj.

Brief and to the point; effectively concise

Question 7

acrophobia

Answer 7

n.

An abnormal fear of high places.

Question 8

debility

Answer 8

The state of being weak or feeble; infirmity.

Question 9

epistolary

Answer 9

adj.

1. Of or associated with letters or the writing of letters.
2. Being in the form of a letter: epistolary exchanges.
3. Carried on by or composed of letters: an epistolary friendship.

Question 10

languid

Answer 10

adj.
1.
a. Lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; listless: feeling languid from a fever.
b. Slow-moving or weak in force: languid breezes.
2. Showing little or no vitality or animation: languid prose.
3. Characterized by or conducive to indolence or inactivity: a languid afternoon.

Question 11

resplendent

Answer 11

adj.

Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant.

Question 12

acuity

Answer 12

n.

Acuteness of vision or perception; keenness.

Question 13

braggart

Answer 13

n.

One given to loud, empty boasting; a bragger.

Question 14

debunk

Answer 14

v.

To expose or ridicule the falseness, sham, or exaggerated claims of: debunk a supposed miracle drug.

Question 15

hidebound

Answer 15

adj.

1. Stubbornly prejudiced, narrow-minded, or inflexible.
2. Having abnormally dry, stiff skin that adheres closely to the underlying flesh. Used of domestic animals such as cattle.
3. Having the bark so contracted and unyielding as to hinder growth. Used of trees.

Question 16

languish

Answer 16

v.

1. To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor: crops languishing from a lack of rain.
2. To exist or continue in miserable or disheartening conditions: languished away in prison.
3. To remain unattended or be neglected: legislation that continued to languish in committee.
4. To become downcast or pine away in longing: languish apart from friends and family; languish for a change from dull routine.

Question 17

obsequious

Answer 17

adj.

Servile, submissive

Question 18

equivocate

Answer 18

v.

1. To use equivocal language in an attempt to mislead; to avoid telling the truth
2. To speak or write in an indecisive, ambiguous, or noncommittal manner

Question 19

larceny

Answer 19

n.
The unlawful taking and removing of another’s personal property with the intent of permanently depriving the owner; theft.

Question 20

ponderous

Answer 20

adj.

1. Heavy
   a. Slow and labored because of great bulk or weight
   b. Difficult to maneuver or control because of great bulk or weight: ponderous luggage.
   c. Slow or difficult to manage, especially because of complexity: ponderous legal procedures.
2. Dull and lacking grace or fluency: a ponderous speech.

Question 21

timorous

Answer 21

adj.

Full of apprehensiveness; timid.

Question 22

adroit

Answer 22

adj.

Quick and skillful in body or mind; deft.

Question 23

largess

Answer 23

n.
1.
a. Liberality in bestowing gifts, especially in a lofty or condescending manner.
b. Money or gifts bestowed.
2. Generosity of spirit or attitude.

Question 24

pontificate

Answer 24

1. To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic or pompous way.
2. To administer the office of a pontiff.

Question 25

reticent

Answer 25

adj.

1. Inclined to keep one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself.
2. Restrained or reserved