Deck 1

Question 1

pyromania (n)

/ˌpʌɪrə(ʊ)ˈmeɪnɪə/

Answer 1

An obsessive desire to set fire to things

Question 2

stanza (n)

/ˈstanzə/

Answer 2

A group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse

Question 3

vignette

/viːˈnjɛt/

Answer 3

1. (n) A brief evocative description, account, or episode
2. (n) A small illustration or portrait photograph which fades into its background without a definite border
3. (n) A small ornamental design filling a space in a book or carving, typically based on foliage
4. (v) Portray (someone) in the style of a vignette
   Produce (a photograph) in the style of a vignette by softening or shading away the edges of the subject

Question 4

colloquial (adj)

/kəˈləʊkwɪəl/

Answer 4

(Of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

Question 5

dotard (n)

/ˈdəʊtəd/

Answer 5

An old person, especially one who has become weak or senile

Question 6

senile (adj)

/ˈsiːnʌɪl/)

Answer 6

(Of a person) having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties
(Of a condition) characteristic of or caused by old age

Question 7

furrow

/ˈfʌrəʊ/

Answer 7

1. (n) A long, narrow trench made in the ground by a plough, especially for planting seeds or irrigation
   A rut, groove, or trail in the ground or another surface
2. (n) A line or wrinkle on a person’s face
3. (v) Make a rut, groove, or trail in (the ground or the surface of something)
4. (v) (With reference to the forehead or face) mark or be marked with lines or wrinkles caused by frowning, anxiety, or concentration

Question 8

instigator (n)

/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/

Answer 8

A person who brings about or initiates something

Question 9

misnomer (n)

/mɪsˈnəʊmə/

Answer 9

A wrong or inaccurate name or designation

wrong or inaccurate use of a name or term

Question 10

percipient (adj)

/pəˈsɪpɪənt/

Answer 10

Having good insight or understanding; perceptive

Question 11

quaff

/kwɒf/

Answer 11

1. (v) Drink (something, especially an alcoholic drink) heartily
2. (n) An alcoholic drink

Question 12

staunch

/stɔːn(t)ʃ/

Answer 12

1. (adj) Very loyal and committed in attitude
2. (adj) (Of a wall) of strong or firm construction
3. (v) (US stanch) Stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound

Question 13

vilification (n)

/ˌvɪlɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

Answer 13

Abusively disparaging speech or writing

Question 14

collusion (n)

/kəˈl(j)uːʒ(ə)n/

Answer 14

Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy in order to deceive others

Question 15

drawl

/drɔːl/

Answer 15

1. (v) Speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel
   sounds
2. (n) A slow, lazy way of speaking or an accent with prolonged vowel sounds