Chapter IV Vocabulary

Question 1

Conch

Answer 1

a tropical marine mollusk with a spiral shell that may bear long projections and
have a flared lip; a shell blown like a trumpet to produce a musical note

Question 2

Strident

Answer 2

loud and harsh; grating

Question 3

Defile

Answer 3

sully, mar, or spoil; desecrate (something sacred)

Question 4

Hiatus

Answer 4

a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process

Question 5

Immure

Answer 5

enclose or confine (someone) against their will

Question 6

Specious

Answer 6

superficially plausible, but actually wrong

Question 7

Enmity

Answer 7

the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something

Question 8

Pliant

Answer 8

pliable; able to be bent

Question 9

Gesticulate

Answer 9

use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one’s words

Question 10

Ebullience

Answer 10

the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance

Question 11

Officious

Answer 11

assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters

Question 12

Recrimination

Answer 12

an accusation in response to one from someone else

Question 13

Pall

Answer 13

something regarded as enveloping a situation with an air of gloom, heaviness, or fear; cloth spread
over a coffin

Question 14

Presage

Answer 14

to be a sign or warning that (something, typically something bad) will happen

Question 15

Tumult

Answer 15

a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people

Question 16

Tirade

Answer 16

a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

Question 17

Errant

Answer 17

erring or straying from the proper course or standards

Question 18

Festoon

Answer 18

adorn (a place) with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations

Question 19

Tacit

Answer 19

adorn (a place) with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations

Question 20

Founder

Answer 20

(of a plan or undertaking) fail or break down, typically as a result of a particular problem or setback; (of ships) fill with water and sink

Question 21

Tendril

Answer 21

a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support

Question 22

Opaque

Answer 22

not able to be seen through; not transparent

Question 23

Declivity

Answer 23

a downward slope

Question 24

Contrite

Answer 24

feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt

Question 25

Myriad

Answer 25

a countless or extremely great number