List 2 - Feb. 24th

Question 1

Avocation

Answer 1

an occupation pursued in addition to one’s primary job, especially for enjoyment; a hobby

ex. He’s a professional musician, but his avocation is photography.

Question 2

Capricious

Answer 2

prone to sudden changes of mood or behavior; unpredictable.

ex. “it’s terrible that our livelihood hinges on a capricious boss”

Question 3

Disparity

Answer 3

a noticeable and usually significant difference, especially one that is unfair.

ex. income disparities

Question 4

Efficacy

Answer 4

the ability to produce a desired effect.

ex. the efficacy of a treatment

Question 5

Epistle

Answer 5

a formal letter

Question 6

Hospice

Answer 6

1. a lodging for travelers, especially when maintained by a religious order.
2. providing in-home care for the terminally ill.

ex. the monks run a hospice for travelers in their mountain retreat.

Question 7

Impetus

Answer 7

the force that makes something happen

ex. the market crash of 1929 was the impetus for the Great Depression.

Question 8

Moribund

Answer 8

1. approaching death
2. lacking vigor

ex. the moribund real estate market

Question 9

Reticent

Answer 9

1. restrained in expression, or inclined to be silent in speech

ex. she was reticent about her personal affairs.

Question 10

Vacillate

Answer 10

to waver in will or feeling; hesitate in choice of opinions or courses

ex. I vacillated between UNC and UVA.

Question 11

Akin

Answer 11

essentially similar

ex. her interests are akin to mine

Question 12

Corroborate

Answer 12

to support with evidence or authority

ex. the expert witness corroborated the detective’s conclusions.

Question 13

Inexorable

Answer 13

impossible to be persuaded or stopped.

ex. the inexorable rise of social media

Question 14

Insipid

Answer 14

1. lacking flavor
2. lacking interesting qualities

ex. insipid books

Question 15

Nefarious

Answer 15

wicked or criminal

ex. the nefarious activities of the Mafia

Question 16

Physiognomy

Answer 16

1. judging character based on someone’s appearance

Question 17

Retinue

Answer 17

a group of attendants to an important person

ex. POTUS’s retinue of Secret Service and personal chefs.

Question 18

Suppliant

Answer 18

making a humble plea, especially to someone in power

Question 19

Tedium

Answer 19

the state of being tedious (dull)

ex. cousins filled the tedium of winter nights with many tales.

Question 20

Torrid

Answer 20

1. very hot and dry
2. full of passionate emotions
3. difficult

ex. the torrid Arizona summers