Day 28

Question 1

surly

Answer 1

Bad-tempered, hostile, unfriendly, or rude

the surly receptionist told us we’d have to wait outside in the rain

Question 2

surmise

Answer 2

Guess, infer, think, or make an opinion with
incomplete information

my surmise is that the couple’s “good news” is the announcement that they are going to have a baby

Question 3

surrogate

Answer 3

Substitute, person who acts for another

noun); acting as a replacement (adj

Question 4

sybarite

Answer 4

Person devoted to pleasure and luxury

the prince was remembered as a self-indulgent sybarite, not as a statesman or warrior

Question 5

sycophant

Answer 5

Servile flatterer, parasitic person who fawns

in order to get ahead

Question 6

symbiosis

Answer 6

Mutually dependent relationship between two
organisms, people, groups, etc.

the symbiosis … between the resident population and the immigrants

Question 7

synoptic

Answer 7

Relating to a synopsis or summary; giving a
general view

But Satterfield’s expertise in the field of science extends far beyond the reaches of synoptic forecasting.

Question 8

syntax

Answer 8

The rules governing grammar and how words
join to make sentences (or how words and
symbols join in writing computer code), the
study of these rules, or any system or orderly
arrangement

Question 9

table

Answer 9

Lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to
postpone discussion indefinitely

“I’d like the issue to be tabled for the next few months”

Question 10

tacit

Answer 10

Understood without being said; implied, not

stated directly; silent

Question 11

tangential

Answer 11

Only slightly relevant, going off-topic

Question 12

tawdry

Answer 12

Gaudy, cheap or cheap-looking; indecent

tawdry clothing/jewels

Question 13

temperance

Answer 13

Moderation, self-control, esp. regarding
alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total
abstinence from alcohol

The minister preached about temperance.

Question 14

tendentious

Answer 14

Marked by a strong point of view, biased

Depending on the reader, these connections are either entertaining and insightful or wild and tendentious, even misleading.

Question 15

timely

Answer 15

Well-timed, happening at a suitable time

Question 16

tirade

Answer 16

Bitter, abusive criticism or verbal attack

Question 17

toady

Answer 17

Someone who flatters or acts in a servile

manner for self-serving reasons

Question 18

token

Answer 18

Sign, symbol, mark, badge; souvenir,
memento; coin-like disk used as currency for
subways, arcade games, etc.; sample, or
person, thing, idea taken to represent an
entire group (noun); of very little or merely
symbolic value (adj)

Question 19

tome

Answer 19

Large or scholarly book; one of the volumes
in a set of several books

picked up a thick tome on the Roman Empire at a used book store

Question 20

torrid

Answer 20

Very hot, parching, burning; passionate

the dry, torrid summers in southern Arizona

Question 21

tractable

Answer 21

Easily controlled or managed, docile; easily

shaped or molded

Question 22

transgression

Answer 22

Violation of a law, command, duty, moral rule, order, etc.;
sin

a dying woman asking for divine forgiveness for a lifetime of transgressions

Question 23

travesty

Answer 23

Exaggerated, debased, or grotesque
imitation
represent in a false, absurd, or distorted way.
burlesque

this comedy sketch mindlessly travesties the hard work of relief workers around the world

The trial was a travesty of justice.

Question 24

treacherous

Answer 24

Betraying trust, not faithful or trustworthy;
not dependable; dangerous or deceptive

They were not prepared to hike over such treacherous terrain.

a treacherous act of betrayal