Chapter 6

Question 1

tirade

Answer 1

n.

A long angry speech, usually of a censorious or denunciatory nature; a diatribe; a stream of verbal abuse

Question 2

adulate

Answer 2

v.

To praise or admire excessively; fawn on.

Question 3

bristle

Answer 3

v.

1. To stand stiffly on end like bristles: The hair on the dog’s neck bristled.
2. To raise the bristles: The cat bristled at the sight of the large dog.
3. To react in an angry or offended manner; to show irritation: The author bristled at the suggestion of plagiarism.
4. To be covered or thick with or as if with bristles: The path bristled with thorns.

Question 4

histrionic

Answer 4

adj.

1. Of or relating to actors or acting; theatrical
2. Excessively dramatic or emotional; affected.

Question 5

obstreperous

Answer 5

adj.

Noisily unruly or defiant

Question 6

portend

Answer 6

v.

1. To serve as an omen or a warning of; presage: black clouds that portend a storm.
2. To indicate by prediction; forecast: leading economic indicators that portend a recession.

Question 7

titter

Answer 7

v.

To laugh in a restrained, nervous way; giggle.

Question 8

hoary

Answer 8

adj.

1. Gray or white with or as if with age.
2. Covered with grayish hair or pubescence: hoary leaves.
3. So old as to inspire veneration; ancient.

Question 9

obtuse

Answer 9

adj.
1.
a. Lacking quickness of perception or intellect.
b. Characterized by a lack of intelligence or sensitivity: an obtuse remark.
c. Not distinctly felt: an obtuse pain.

Question 10

portent

Answer 10

n.

1. An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen.
2. Prophetic or threatening significance: signs full of portent.

Question 11

tome

Answer 11

n.

1. One of the books in a work of several volumes.
2. A book, especially a large or scholarly one.

Question 12

espouse

Answer 12

1. To adhere to, advocate, promote, take up, support: espoused a contrarian viewpoint.
2. To marry

Question 13

obviate

Answer 13

v.

To keep from happening (avoid) or render unnecessary.

Question 14

poseur

Answer 14

n.
One who affects a particular attribute, attitude, or identity to impress or influence others.; someone who puts on an act

Question 15

torpid

Answer 15

adj.
1.
a. Sluggish, lethargic, lazy, or inactive
b. Showing little interest; apathetic: a torpid audience.
2. Conducive to sluggishness or inactivity, especially in being warm and humid: a torpid summer evening.
3. Dormant; hibernating, stagnant.

Question 16

bulwark

Answer 16

n.

1. A wall or embankment raised as a defensive fortification; a rampart.
2. Something serving as a defense or safeguard
3. A breakwater.

Question 17

defunct

Answer 17

adj.

Having ceased to exist or live: a defunct political organization.

Question 18

etymology

Answer 18

n.

The study of word origins

Question 19

hyperbole

Answer 19

n.
A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect e.g. I could sleep for a year or This book weighs a ton.

Question 20

odious

Answer 20

adj.

1. Arousing or deserving hatred or strong dislike.
2. Extremely unpleasant; repulsive: an odious smell.

Question 21

posterity

Answer 21

n.

1. Future generations
2. All of a person’s descendants.

Question 22

torpor

Answer 22

n.

1. A state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility; sluggishness
2. Lethargy; apathy
3. The dormant, inactive state of a hibernating or estivating animal.

Question 23

affable

Answer 23

adj.

1. Easy and pleasant to speak to; approachable.
2. Gentle and gracious: an affable smile.

Question 24

eulogy

Answer 24

n.

1. A laudatory speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.
2. High praise or commendation.

Question 25

hypochondria

Answer 25

n.

1. The conviction that one is or is likely to become ill, often involving symptoms when illness is neither present nor likely, and persisting despite reassurance and medical evidence to the contrary (imaginary illnesses).
2. Obsession with health