Lesson 05 (with audio)

Question 1

deride

(dĭ rīdʹ)

Answer 1

(verb) to ridicule, to mock

The professor was unpopular because he derided his students if they made a mistake.

• syn: to scorn*
• ant: to praise*

Question 2

desiccated

(dĕsʹ ĭ kātʹ d)

Answer 2

(adj.) dried up

When she opened the old Bible, one yellow, desiccated rose fell to the floor.

Question 3

despicable

(dĕsʹ pĭ kǝ bǝl)

Answer 3

(adj.) contemptible, hateful

Only a despicable cad would behave so horribly.

• syn: vile, base*
• ant: laudable, worthy*

Question 4

desultory

(dĕsʹ ǝl tôr ē)

Answer 4

(adj.) wandering from subject to subject

He gave his talk in such a desultory fashion it was hard to understand.

syn: disconnected; rambling

Question 5

deviate

(dēʹ vē āt)

Answer 5

(verb) to turn aside

Sometimes it’s better to deviate from the truth rather than hurt someone’s feelings.

syn: digress, stray

Question 6

diadem

(dīʹ ǝ demʹ)

Answer 6

(noun) a crown

Peter referred to his wife’s blonde hair as her golden diadem.

Question 7

diaphanous

(dīʹ ăfʹ ǝ nǝs)

Answer 7

(adj.) very sheer and light

The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn’t sure she had the nerve to wear it.

• syn: transparent, gossamer*
• ant: opaque*

Question 8

dichotomy

(dī kotʹ ǝ mĭ)

Answer 8

(noun) a division into two parts

While most of us see a dichotomy between the real and the unreal, some people contend that there is an overlapping.

Question 9

ebullient

(ĭ bŭlʹ yǝnt)

Answer 9

(adj.) enthusiastic

The ebullient crowd cheered as the royal family appeared.

• syn: exuberant, lively*
• ant: dejected, dispirited*

Question 10

eclectic (ĕ klĕkʹ tĭk)

Answer 10

(adj.) choosing from various sources

The room was furnished in an eclectic manner, but it all came together very well.

• syn: discriminating, selective, catholic*
• ant: narrow*

Question 11

edify

(ĕdʹ ǝ fī)

Answer 11

(verb) improve someone morally

The sermon was meant to edify the congregation.

Question 12

effete

(e fĕtʹ)

Answer 12

(adj.) worn out; barren

Although worn down by age and a life of hard work, the man was far from effete.

• syn: exhausted; spent and sterile*
• ant: vital, vigorous*

Question 13

egregious

(ĭ grēʹ jǝs)

Answer 13

(adj.) remarkably bad; outrageous

His remark was so egregious that it shocked everyone at the party.

• syn: flagrant, gross*
• ant: moderate*

Question 14

elegy

(ĕlʹ ǝ jē)

Answer 14

(noun) a sad or mournful poem

Although she liked all poetry, she particularly liked those elegies that made her cry.

Question 15

elicit

(ĭ lĭsʹ ĭt)

Answer 15

(verb) to draw forth; to call forth

The attorney tried to elicit a response from his client, but the man remained mute.