May 30 - Common Words II (part b)

Question 1

Predilection

Answer 1

A strong liking
- Monte had a predilection for the fine things in life: Cuban cigars, 200 dollar bottles of wine, and trips to the French Riviera.

Question 2

Mitigate

Answer 2

make less severe or harsh

lessen the severity of an offense

Question 3

Audacious

Answer 3

Willing to be bold in social situations or to take risks

Question 4

Fortuitous

Answer 4

Occurring by happy chance; having no cause or apparent cause

Question 5

Obscure

Answer 5

Make unclear

Known by only a few

Question 6

Apathetic

Answer 6

marked by a lack of interest

Question 7

Entrenched

Answer 7

fixed firmly or securely

Question 8

Aesthetic

Answer 8

concerned with the appreciation of beauty

Question 9

Gall

Answer 9

the trait of being rude and impertinent

Question 10

Inexorable

Answer 10

impossible to stop or prevent

Question 11

Didactic

Answer 11

Instructive (especially excessively)

Question 12

Diffident

Answer 12

Showing no modest reserve ; lacking self-confidence

Question 13

Dogmatic

Answer 13

highly opinionated, not accepting that your belief may not be correct

Question 14

Meticulous

Answer 14

marked by extreme care in treatment of details

Question 15

Chortle

Answer 15

to chuckle, laugh merrily, often in a breathy, muffled way

Question 16

Recondite

Answer 16

difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge

Question 17

Exacerbate

Answer 17

make worse

Question 18

Vociferous

Answer 18

Conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry

Question 19

Torpor

Answer 19

inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy

Question 20

Concede

Answer 20

Acknowledge defeat
Admit (to a wrongdoing)
Give over, surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another

Question 21

Gossamer

Answer 21

characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

Question 22

Conspicuous

Answer 22

Without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious

Question 23

Eschew

Answer 23

Avoid and stay away from deliberately

Stay clear of

Question 24

Querulous

Answer 24

habitually complaining

Question 25

Impudent

Answer 25

Improperly forward or bold