Lesson 3

Question 0

Portent

Answer 0

A sign or forewarning

The stock market crash was a portent of the coming of a depression.

Question 1

Ponderous

Answer 1

Very heavy, unwieldy from weight

SYN: Cumbersome
The ponderous furniture was hard to move, and thus became a burden.

Question 2

Potent

Answer 2

Powerful, having a strong effect

They gave me a potent pain killer to stop the throbbing sensation in my leg.

Question 3

Prate

Answer 3

To talk idly or foolishly at great length

We want a speaker who will talk of important issues, not one who will orate about himself.

Question 4

Precept

Answer 4

A rule guiding conduct or imposing a standard

A favorite precept by which many people live is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Question 5

Prodigal

Answer 5

Wasteful, a person given to extravagance

SYN: Lavish, luch, luxuriant, profuse
The prodigal son squandered his inheritance.

Question 6

Profane

Answer 6

Showing contempt toward sacred things

Profane language will not be tolerated on the tennis court.

Question 7

Prologue

Answer 7

Introductory remarks in a speech, play or literary work, introductory

The play had a prologue that set the scene for the opening act.

Question 8

Promontory

Answer 8

Land or rock projecting into a body of water

A promontory is an ideal place for a lighthouse.

Question 9

Quaint

Answer 9

Unusual in character or appearance

SYN: eccentric, peculiar, queer, unique
When we go to New England, we like to stay in a quaint old inn that gives us the flavor of the area.