lit terms ch 8

Question 1

Duplicity

Answer 1

Intentional deceit in speech or conduct
Ex: His duplicity became obvious when he absent-mindedly arranged to meet both his wife and his mistress at the same restaurant.

Question 2

Belie

Answer 2

To falsely represent
Ex: Tara’s yawn belied her genuine interest in the concert

Question 3

Droll

Answer 3

Amusing in an odd or whimsical way
Ex: Xander had a droll manner of telling stories that kept everyone entertained.

Question 4

Abate

Answer 4

To lessen violence or intensity
Ex: when the winds abated, the helicopter was able to land.

Question 5

Gilb

Answer 5

Preformed with such ease and skill as to appear insincere
Ex: Andy’s glib apology to his sister seemed too easy for it to have been genuine

Question 6

Abhor

Answer 6

To detest, to hate strongly
Ex: I abhor doing my laundry, so I have it professionally cleaned

Question 7

Journeyman

Answer 7

A fully trained and qualified worker
Ex: Mark was a journeyman for twenty years before he gained enough skills to be promoted to craftsman

Question 8

Dole

Answer 8

To distribute, to give out sparingly
Ex: At the crowded Red Cross shelter, food was doled out carefully to the earthquake victims.

Question 9

Protean

Answer 9

Readily changeable in form, shape, or meaning.
Ex: The international spy maintained a protean identity that enabled her to adapt to and succeed in almost any situation imaginable, anywhere in the world.

Question 10

Gamut

Answer 10

The whole range or extent
Ex: Carmela’s gamut of friends includes both overzealous socialists and greedy capitalists

Question 11

Decorum

Answer 11

Conformity to accepted standards of conduct and proper behavior.
Ex: The usually restless toddler surprised everyone with his decorum during the ceremony.

Question 12

Extrovert

Answer 12

One who is out going, one who is energized rather than drained by interactions with others.
Ex: As an extrovert, Liz loved parties and preferred entertaining to spending a quiet night alone.

Question 13

Effigy

Answer 13

A crude dummy or image representing a hated person or group.
Ex: The repressed people burned an effigy of their tyrannous ruler.

Question 14

Propagate

Answer 14

To spread or transmit, especially by reproduction
Ex: The computer virus propagated itself and caused the hard drive to fail

Question 15

Austere

Answer 15

Stern, severe plain
Ex: The judge was as austere in her courtroom manner as she was in her lifestyle and dress.