Deck 12

Question 1

litigation (n)

/lɪtɪˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/

Answer 1

The process of taking legal action

Question 2

treachery (n)

/ˈtrɛtʃ(ə)ri/

Answer 2

Betrayal of trust

The quality of being deceptive

Question 3

persnickety/pernickety (adj)

: /pəˈnɪkɪti/

Answer 3

Placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy

Requiring a particularly precise or careful approach

Question 4

hobble

/ˈhɒb(ə)l/

Answer 4

1. (v) Walk in an awkward way, typically because of pain from an injury
   Cause (a person or animal) to limp
2. (v)Tie or strap together (the legs of a horse or other animal) to prevent it from straying.
   Restrict the activity or development of
3. (n) An awkward way of walking, typically due to pain from an injury
4. (n) A rope or strap used for hobbling a horse or other animal

Question 5

scrap

/skrap/

Answer 5

1. (n) A small piece or amount of something, especially one that is left over after the greater part has been used
   (scraps) Bits of uneaten food left after a meal
   A particularly small thing of its kind
2. (n) (scrap metal) Discarded metal for reprocessing
   Any waste articles or discarded material
3. (v) Discard or remove from service (a redundant, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), especially so as to convert it to scrap metal
   Abolish or cancel (a plan, policy, or law)
4. (n) A fight or quarrel, especially a minor or spontaneous one
5. (v) Engage in a minor fight or quarrel:
   Compete fiercely

Question 6

truculent (adj)

/ˈtrʌkjʊl(ə)nt/

Answer 6

Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

Question 7

pugnacious (adj)

/pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/

Answer 7

Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight

–> pugnacity

Question 8

valour/valor (n)

/ˈvalə/

Answer 8

Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle

Question 9

plight

/plʌɪt/

Answer 9

1. (n) A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation
2. (v) Pledge or solemnly promise (one’s faith or loyalty)
   (be plighted to) Be engaged to be married to

Question 10

above board (adj & adv)

Answer 10

Legitimate, honest, and open

Question 11

untenable (adj)

/ʌnˈtɛnəb(ə)l/

Answer 11

(Especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection

Question 12

impeach (v)

/ɪmˈpiːtʃ/

Answer 12

Call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice)
Charge (someone) with treason or another crime against the state
Charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct
–> impeachable

Question 13

superfluous (adj)

/suːˈpəːflʊəs/

Answer 13

Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Question 14

hamstring

/ˈhamstrɪŋ/

Answer 14

1. (n) Any of five tendons at the back of a person’s knee (gân kheo)
2. (v) Cripple (a person or animal) by cutting their hamstrings
   Severely restrict the efficiency or effectiveness of

Question 15

piquancy (n)

/ˈpiːk(ə)nsi/

Answer 15

A pleasantly sharp and appetizing flavour; spiciness

The quality of being pleasantly stimulating or exciting; interest

Question 16

abandon

/əˈband(ə)n/

Answer 16

1. (v) Cease to support or look after (someone); desert
2. (v) Give up completely (a practice or a course of action)
3. (abandon oneself to) Allow oneself to indulge in (a desire or impulse)
4. (n) Complete lack of inhibition or restraint