Lessons 13-14

Question 1

abut

Answer 1

v. be next to; border on

Question 2

adjure

Answer 2

v. command solemnly; advise sincerely

Question 3

descry

Answer 3

v. catch sight of a distance object after looking carefully; detect or discover

Question 4

desecrate

Answer 4

v. misuse or violate something sacred

Question 5

dillettante

Answer 5

n. person with only a superficial interest and slight knowledge of an art or other field of knowledge

Question 6

equivocal

Answer 6

adj. having more than one meaning or interpretation, usually intended to confuse; uncertain or undecided
(equivocate) v. speak in a way that deliberately obscures one’s position

Question 7

exhume

Answer 7

v. dig out of the ground; recover from neglect; revive

Question 8

extirpate

Answer 8

v. destroy completely; wipe out

Question 9

foible

Answer 9

n. small fault or weakness in a person’s character

Question 10

insolvent

Answer 10

adj. without the means to pay what is owed; bankrupt

Question 11

jocose

Answer 11

adj. given to joking; humorous and playful

Question 12

portal

Answer 12

adj. door or entrance, especially one that is large and imposing

Question 13

progenitor

Answer 13

n. direct ancestor

Question 14

propitiate

Answer 14

v. overcome distrust or hostility; appease

Question 15

restitution

Answer 15

n. paying back for what has been lost or damaged

Question 16

acerbic

Answer 16

adj. bitter or sour to the taste; biting or stinging in tone; sarcastic

Question 17

canard

Answer 17

n. groundless report or story, often one made up deliberately to deceive

Question 18

debonair

Answer 18

adj. elegant in appearance and charming in manner

Question 19

deign

Answer 19

v. lower oneself in one’s own estimation; condescend

Question 20

dotage

Answer 20

n. mental deterioration associated with advanced age

Question 21

foist

Answer 21

v. impose something unwanted or unneeded on an unwilling recipient

Question 22

insipid

Answer 22

adj. tasteless; lacking excitement; uninteresting

Question 23

misconstrue

Answer 23

v. misunderstand or misinterpret

Question 24

narcissism

Answer 24

n. excessive admiration of oneself

Question 25

overweening

Answer 25

adj. excessively proud; lacking restraint; immoderate

Question 26

paean

Answer 26

n. hymn of joy, praise, or appreciation

Question 27

repartee

Answer 27

n. conversation marked by quick and witty verbal exchanges

Question 28

repine

Answer 28

v. express deep sadness or discontent; long for something lost

Question 29

sartorial

Answer 29

adj. relating to clothing, especially tailored clothing

Question 30

svelte

Answer 30

adj. slender and graceful; having sleek lines