Lesson 07 (with audio)

Question 1

factious

(fákʹ shǝs)

Answer 1

(adj.) causing disagreement

We tried not to be factious, but we just couldn’t agree with the speaker.

Question 2

fastidious

(fā stĭdʹ ē ǝs)

Answer 2

(adj.) hard to please; fussy

My neighbor is a fastidious housekeeper.

• syn: meticulous, exacting*
• ant: casual, lax*

Question 3

fatuous

(fachʹ ōō ǝs)

Answer 3

(adj.) foolish, inane

Her fatuous simperings began to grate on our nerves.

syn: sillyant: sensible, wise

Question 4

fecund

(fēʹ kǝnd)

Answer 4

(adj.) fertile, productive

The rabbits were very fecund, and we now have two dozen of them.

syn: prolificant: sterile

Question 5

ferret

(fĕrʹ it)

Answer 5

• (noun)* a small animal of the weasel family
• (verb)* to search or drive out

Although John knew the answer was in the text, he just couldn’t ferret it out.

Question 6

fervent

(fûrʹ vǝnt)

Answer 6

(adj.) eager, earnest

We made a fervent attempt to capture the stallion, but he was too quick for us.

• syn: burning, passionate, ardent*
• ant: apathetic*

Question 7

fetish

(fĕtʹ ĭsh)

Answer 7

(noun) an object that receives respect or devotion

The primitive tribes made a fetish of their totem poles.

syn: charm, talisman

Question 8

finesse

(fĭ nĕsʹ)

Answer 8

(noun) diplomacy; tact; artful management

The diplomat was given the task because his superiors felt he had the necessary finesse.

• syn: skill, cunning*
• ant: tactlessness*

Question 9

fiscal

(fĭsʹ kǝl)

Answer 9

(adj.) pertaining to finances

This was the accountant’s busiest time because it was the end of the company’s fiscal year.

Question 10

fissure

(fĭshʹ ǝr)

Answer 10

(noun) an opening; a groove; a split

The small fissure in the tank was cause for great alarm.

Question 11

flaccid

(flăkʹ sĭd)

Answer 11

(adj.) flabby

The retired athlete now had flaccid muscles because he refused to work out.

• syn: weak, feeble*
• ant: solid, taut*

Question 12

flagellate

(flăjʹ ǝ lāt)

Answer 12

(verb) to whip; to lash

The boy’s father never beat him, but would flagellate him verbally.

syn: flog

Question 13

flaunt

(flônt)

Answer 13

(verb) to show off

Some people flaunt their wealth.

• syn: to boast, exhibit*
• ant: conceal*

Question 14

flout

(flout)

Answer 14

(verb) to ridicule; to show contempt for

He broke the rules and flouted all authority, and now he has to pay.

• syn: mock, scoff*
• ant: esteem, revere*

Question 15

foment

(fō mĕnt)

Answer 15

(verb) to stir up; to incite

At the convention, people were hired to foment disruptions during the senator’s speech.

• syn: instigate; arouse*
• ant: quell, curb*