Lessons 15-16

Question 1

ascertain

Answer 1

v. find out for certain

Question 2

chastise

Answer 2

v. punish by beating; rebuke or criticize severely

Question 3

cull

Answer 3

v. select and remove weak or inferior members from

Question 4

defer

Answer 4

v. pull off or postpone; yield to out of respect for the knowledge or authority of another
(deference) n. submitting to the wishes of another because of respect

Question 5

desist

Answer 5

v. refrain from continuing something

Question 6

discredit

Answer 6

v. hurt the reputation of; destroy confidence or trust in

Question 7

encroach

Answer 7

v. advance little by little beyond the usual limits or boundaries

Question 8

foreboding

Answer 8

n. strong feeling that something bad is about to happen

Question 9

humane

Answer 9

adj. compassionate, kind to other human beings or to animals

Question 10

irrational

Answer 10

adj. lacking sound judgment; not governed by reason

Question 11

lurid

Answer 11

adj. causing horror; extremely gruesome; glowing with the redness of flames seen through a haze

Question 12

perpetuate

Answer 12

v. cause to continue indefinitely

Question 13

restive

Answer 13

adj. showing impatience because of restrictions or delays

Question 14

stamina

Answer 14

n. physical strength or courage to resist hardship, illness, or fatigue

Question 15

surveillance

Answer 15

n. close observation of a person or area

Question 16

alleviate

Answer 16

v. relieve or make more bearable

Question 17

antidote

Answer 17

n. remedy that relieves the effects of a poison; anything that offers relief from an undesirable condition

Question 18

bedlam

Answer 18

n. very confused and noisy scene

Question 19

cajole

Answer 19

v. urge with gentle and repeated requests; coax

Question 20

glib

Answer 20

adj. marked by an ease in speaking or writing that often shows lack of concern or sincerity

Question 21

haggard

Answer 21

adj. having a tired look; worn out

Question 22

immaculate

Answer 22

adj. perfectly clean; spotless; without a flaw; faultless

Question 23

incessant

Answer 23

adj. going on without interruption; continual

Question 24

indulgent

Answer 24

adj. inclined to give in easily; lenient

(indulge) v. give in too easily to the wishes of; yield to

Question 25

loll

Answer 25

v. sit back in a relaxed way; sprawl; hang loosely; droop

Question 26

pittance

Answer 26

n. very small amount, especially of money

Question 27

pungent

Answer 27

adj. having a sharp smell or taste; sharply critical; painfully direct

Question 28

rue

Answer 28

v. feel regret or sorrow over

Question 29

strident

Answer 29

adj. harsh and grating; loud and shrill

Question 30

vehement

Answer 30

adj. expressing strong feeling; intense