Essential Words XVI

Question 1

Torpor

Answer 1

Sluggishness, lethargy, or apathy; a period of inactivity

Question 2

Torrid

Answer 2

Very hot, parching, burning; passionate

Question 3

Tractable

Answer 3

Easily controlled or managed, docile; easily shaped or molded

Question 4

Transitory

Answer 4

Temporary, short-lived, not lasting

Question 5

Trifling or trifle

Answer 5

Trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow

Question 6

Trite

Answer 6

Lacking freshness and originality, lacking effectiveness due to overuse, cliché

Question 7

Ubiquitous

Answer 7

Existing everywhere at the same times

Question 8

Undermine

Answer 8

Weaken, cause to collapse by digging away at the foundation (of a building or an argument); injure or attack in a secretive or underhanded way

Question 9

Underscore

Answer 9

Emphasize (or, literally, to underline text)

Question 10

Unearth

Answer 10

Dig up, uncover, expose

Question 11

Unequivocal

Answer 11

Unambiguous, clear, absolute; having only one possible meaning

Question 12

Unprecedented

Answer 12

Never before known or seen, without having happened previously

Question 13

Unseemly

Answer 13

Improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness

Question 14

Vacillate

Answer 14

Waver in one’s mind or opinions, be indecisive

Question 15

Venerate

Answer 15

Revere, regard with deep respect and awe

Question 16

Veracity

Answer 16

Truthfulness, accuracy; habitual adherence to the truth

Question 17

Verbose

Answer 17

Wordy

Question 18

Viable

Answer 18

Capable of living; practical, workable

Question 19

Vintage

Answer 19

Related to items of high quality from a previous era, old-fashioned, antique; the wine of a particular year

Question 20

Virtual

Answer 20

Existing only in the mind or by means of a computer network; existing in results or in essence but not officially or in name

Question 21

Vituperate

Answer 21

Verbally abuse, rebuke or criticize harshly

Question 22

Volatile

Answer 22

Varying, inconstant, fleeting; tending to violence, explosive

Question 23

Warranted

Answer 23

Justified, authorized (warrant can mean to justify or a justification, but can also mean to vouch for or guarantee)

Question 24

Wary

Answer 24

Watchful, motivated by caution, on guard against danger

Question 25

Whereas

Answer 25

While on the contrary, considering that

Question 26

Whimsical

Answer 26

Marked or motivated by whims (odd, fanciful ideas); erratic, unpredictable

Question 27

Wily or wiles

Answer 27

Crafty, cunning, characterized by tricks or artifice

Question 28

Zeal

Answer 28

Great fervor or enthusiasm for a cause, person, etc.; tireless diligence in furthering that cause; passion, ardor

Question 29

Zenith

Answer 29

High point, culmination

Question 30

Abase

Answer 30

Degrade or humble; to lower in rank, status, or esteem

Question 31

Abeyance

Answer 31

Temporary suspension, inactivity

Question 32

Abreast

Answer 32

Side-by-side (with preposition of); keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with.

Question 33

Abscission

Answer 33

Cutting off; sudden termination; the separation of leaves, petals, or other parts from a plant or animal

Question 34

Abscond

Answer 34

Depart suddenly and secretively

Question 35

Abyss

Answer 35

A deep and vast space or cavity; anything profound or infinite

Question 36

Accede

Answer 36

Agree, give consent; assume power

Question 37

Accretion

Answer 37

Gradual increase; an added part or addition

Question 38

Acerbic

Answer 38

Sour; harsh or severe

Question 39

Acidulous

Answer 39

Slightly acid or sour; sharp or caustic

Question 40

Acumen

Answer 40

Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment

Question 41

Adulterate

Answer 41

Make impure by adding inappropriate or inferior ingredients

Question 42

Adumbrate

Answer 42

Give a rough outline of; foreshadow; reveal only partially; obscure

Question 43

Aerie

Answer 43

Dwelling or fortress built on a high place; the nest of a bird of prey, such as an eagle or hawk, built on a mountain or cliff

Question 44

Albeit

Answer 44

Although, even though

Question 45

Aloof

Answer 45

Distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent

Question 46

Amalgamate

Answer 46

Blend, merge, or unite

Question 47

Ameliorate

Answer 47

Improve; make better or more bearable

Question 48

Amortize

Answer 48

Gradually pay off a debt, or gradually write off an asset

Question 49

Anachronism

Answer 49

Something that is not in its correct historical time; a mistake in chronology, such as by assigning a person or event to the wrong time period

Question 50

Analgesia

Answer 50

Pain relief; inability to feel pain