List #1

Question 1

Barbarism-

Answer 1

1. a) the use of words and expressions not standard in a language b) a word or expression of this sort
2. the state of being primitive or lacking civilization
3. a crude or coarse taste or manner
   ~The use of the word “youse” for “you” is considered a linguistic barbarism.

Question 2

Cadence-

Answer 2

1. the fall of the voice in speaking
2. inflection or modulation in tone
3. any rhythmic flow of sound
   ~The dramatic cadence of the speaker’s voice as she recited Poe’s “The Raven” contributed to our intense emotional reaction.

Question 3

Debris-

Answer 3

1. Rough, broken bits and pieces of stone, wood, grass, etc., as after destruction; rubble
2. Bits and pieces of rubbish; litter
3. (pl.) a heap of rock fragments, as that deposited by glaciers
   ~It’s important to properly dispose of construction debris since some building materials can be toxic as well as hazardous.

Question 4

Edifice-

Answer 4

1. a building, esp. a large imposing one
2. any elaborately constructed institution, organization, etc.
   My grandmother believes that the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful edifice on the face of the earth.

Question 5

Fallacy-

Answer 5

1. Deception
2. aptness to mislead; deception or delusive quality [the fallacy of senses]
3. A false or mistaken idea, opinion, etc.: error
   ~The masterfully painted façades on the backdrop of the set contributed to the artistic fallacy of the drama.

Question 6

Gallery-

Answer 6

1. a) a covered walk open to one side or having the roof supported by pillars; colonnade b) [Chiefly South] a veranda or porch
2. a long, narrow balcony on the outside of a building
3. a platform projecting at either quarter or around the stern of an early sailing ship
   I can imagine the brown-robed monks of centuries past walking prayerfully along the gallery of the Mission San Juan.

Question 7

Habitat-

Answer 7

1. the region where a plant or animal naturally grows or lives; native environment
2. the place where a person or thing is originally found
   Environmentalists work to protect endangered species and their natives habitats.

Question 8

Idiomatic-

Answer 8

1. in accordance with individual nature of the language, characteristic of a particular language
2. using or having many idioms
3. of, or having nature of, an idiom or idioms
   To English language learners, idiomatic statements such as “get off my back” could prove troublesome to comprehend

Question 9

Jaunty-

Answer 9

1. in fashion; stylish, chic
2. light-hearted and merry; sprightly; perky
   The jaunty angle of the boy’s baseball cap annoys his parents who dislike Hip Hop style.

Question 10

Laconic-

Answer 10

1. brief or terse in speech or expression; using few words; concise
   Mrs. Willet should learn to be a bit more laconic. I hear she tends to go on and and on.

Question 11

Maligner-

Answer 11

1. to pretend to be ill or otherwise incapacitated in order to escape duty or work; shirk
   It’s tempting to malinger, but please don’t succumb to that self-destructive impulse. Habitual “slackers” aren’t respected and might be shunned or fired from their jobs.

Question 12

Navigator-

Answer 12

1. Person who navigates; esp., one skilled or employed in plotting the course for a ship or aircraft
2. an explorer
3. [Brit.] NAVVY
   Since I have a terrible time reading maps, you should choose someone else to serve as your navigator.

Question 13

Obsession-

Answer 13

1. the act of an evil spirit in possessing or ruling a person
2. a) such a persistent idea, desire, emotion, etc. b) such a persistent idea, desire, emotion, etc., esp. one that cannot be gotten rid of by reasoning
   Anyone who suffers from an obsession for that elusive ideal known as “perfection” will lead a frustrating and stressful life.

Question 14

Palatial-

Answer 14

1. of, suitable for, or like a palace
2. large and ornate; magnificent; stately
   The palatial estate included a main house with thirty bedrooms, two fully-appointed guest houses, stables, tennis courts, an Olympic-sized pool, a greenhouse, and servants’ quarters.

Question 15

Quavering-

Answer 15

1. shaking or trembling
2. acting tremulously: said of voice
3. Music making a trill or trills in singing or playing
   The rustling of the quavering leaves and the swaying of the saplings heralded the arrival of the Santa Ana winds.

Question 16

Vague-

Answer 16

1. not clearly, precisely, or definitely expressed or stated
2. indefinite in shape, form, or character; hazily or indistinctly seen or sensed
3. not sharp, certain or precise in thought, feeling, or expression [vague in his answer, a vague hope]
   Her vague response of “maybe…” doesn’t help. We need an answer and we need it now.

Question 17

Wrest-

Answer 17

1. to turn or twist; esp. to pull or force away violently with a twisting motion
2. to take or extract by force; usurp; extort; wring
3. to distort or change the true meaning, purpose, use, etc. of; pervert; twist
   We had to wrest the paring knife from the stubborn toddler’s grip.

Question 18

Yoke-

Answer 18

1. A wooden frame or bar with loops or bows at either end, fitted around the necks of a pair of oxen, etc. for harnessing them together.
2. a pair of animals harnessed together [a yoke or oxen]
3. a( a device symbolizing a yoke, as an arch of spears, under which the conquered were forced to pass in ancient times b) any mark or symbol of bondage or servitude c) subjection; bondage; servitude
   The farmer hitched together his prize pair of oxen using an antique yoke that had been hand-carved from oak and fastened with heavy iron fittings.

Question 19

Zealous-

Answer 19

1. full of, characterized by, or showing zeal; ardently devoted to a purpose; fervent; enthusiastic
   The zealous fans rocked the stadium with their chants and cheers.

Question 20

Adjunct-

Answer 20

1. a thing added to something else, but secondary or not essential to it
2. a) a person connected with another as a helper or subordinate associate b) an adjunct teacher, professor, etc.
3. (Gram) A word or phrase that qualifies or modified another word or other words
   An adjunct to the laboratory, the chemistry professor’s office was situated right next door.

Question 21

Analogy-

Answer 21

1. similarity in some respects between things other wise unlike; partial resemblance
2. the likening of one thing to another on the basis of some similarity between the two
3. (biol) similarity in a function between parts dissimilar in origin and structure, as the wing of a bird and that of an insect
   Aptitude tests often include a section of analogies that requires the exam taker to understand and describe the similarities between different objects or concepts.

Question 22

Apparent-

Answer 22

1. readily seen; visible
2. readily understood or perceived; evident, obvious
3. appearing (but not necessarily) true or real; seeming
   After a few more days, it will be apparent to your teacher whether or not Honors English 1A is the right course for you.

Question 23

Aspect-

Answer 23

1. the way a person appears; looks; mien
2. the appearance of a thing as seen from a specific point; view
3. a) any of the possible ways in which an idea, problem, etc. may be regarded [consider all aspects of war] b) a component part or quality; element [aspects of her personality]
   Before you make a decision about your action, please think long and hard about all the various aspects of the situation and consider all the possible consequences as well.

Question 24

Aspiration-

Answer 24

1. a) a strong desire or ambition, as for advancement, honor, etc. b) the thing so desired
2. breathing in, as dust into the lungs
3. (med) removal of fluid or gas by suction as from a body cavity
   I hope your personal aspirations are noble and good.

Question 25

Candid-

Answer 25

1. free from prejudice or bias; fair; just; impartial
2. very honest or frank in what one says or writes
3. unposed and informal [a candid photograph]
   The judges worked diligently to to score the performances of the contestants as candidly as they could.

Question 26

Capricious-

Answer 26

1. subject to caprices; tending to change abruptly and without apparent reason; erratic, flighty
2. [obs] showing wit or fancifulness; SYN - inconstant
   The capricious actions of the endearing “free spirit” mystified her more practical and methodical friends.

Question 27

Cogent-

Answer 27

1. forceful and to the point, as a reason or argument; compelling; convincing
   The Tesoro High School student attorney argued her case so cogently that the county judges gave her the first place ribbon.

Question 28

Complacency-

Answer 28

1. Quiet satisfaction; contentment; often, specific, self-satisfaction or smugness
   An immature complacency may contribute to an otherwise excellent student’s poor performance and subsequent regret.

Question 29

Concept-

Answer 29

1. an idea or thought, esp. a generalized idea or a thing or class’s of things; abstract notion 2. a) and original idea, design, etc.; conception b) a central or unifying idea or theme (often used attributively)
   lWe are only able to understand complex concepts after much experience and practice with simpler forms of systems of thought.

Question 30

Abate-

Answer 30

1. to make less in amount, degree, force, etc.
2. to deduct
3. Law to put a stop to (a suit or claim), end (a nuisance), etc; terminate
   ~To the relief of the residents, the violent winds abated as the hurricane passed through the region.