Nightly Vocab

Question 1

Pernicious

Answer 1

extremely destructive, harmful

:The last two had a pernicious effect on Cuba, draining it of horses, money and of men.

Question 2

ineffable

Answer 2

Indescribable, unspeakable

:From generation to generation, the wonder evoked by this ineffable mystery never ceases.

Question 3

pulchritude

Answer 3

physical beauty

:Although this actress is not a woman of great pulchritude, her vast talent has won her more awards than anyone else in the business.

Question 4

meretricious

Answer 4

flashy, showy beauty

; Adding those flamboyant earrings to such a colorful skirt gives your entire outfit a meretricious effect.

Question 5

desultory

Answer 5

sloppy, unplanned, sporadic,

:When I complain about the messy condition of my daughter’s bedroom, she usually makes a desultory attempt to tidy up her space.

Question 6

myopic

Answer 6

short-term perspective, narrow, ignorant

:The myopic politician only considered immediate voter satisfaction, ignoring the potential negative effects of their policies on future generations.

Question 7

Cognizant

Answer 7

Aware of, on knowledgeable on

:Parents and teachers need to be cognizant of the nature of the child’s dysfunction.

Question 8

mendacious

Answer 8

Deliberately dishonest, deceitful

:The journalist was fired for her mendacious reporting, spreading false information to manipulate public opinion.

Question 9

to inure

Answer 9

Become immune to unpleasant events or situations

The soldiers had to undergo intense training to inure themselves to the harsh conditions of combat.

Question 10

assiduous

Answer 10

Hard working, constant application

She achieved success through her assiduous efforts and unwavering dedication.

Question 11

despondant

Answer 11

overwhelmed, depressed

Question 12

fatuous (fat-chew-iss)

Answer 12

Silly, devoid of intelligence (illogical)

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the conspiracy theorist continued to promote his fatuous claims about alien invasions and mind control.

Question 13

Azimuth

Answer 13

Longetude/latitude

Question 14

bocage

Answer 14

Hedgerows, of trees

Question 15

elucidate

Answer 15

Clarify a complex matter

Question 16

Specious (Speesh-us)

Answer 16

Seems true, but isn’t (deceptive) misleadingly attractive

Question 17

Bombastic

Answer 17

Extremely confident

Question 18

abstruse

Answer 18

hard to comprehend

Question 19

pussillanimous

Answer 19

lacking courage

Question 20

sybarite (Si-buh-right)

Answer 20

person devoted to pleasure and luxury

Question 21

dither

Answer 21

to be indecisive

Question 22

blithe

Answer 22

carefree

Question 23

Sycophant

Answer 23

Someone who flatters for self-gain

Question 24

Seraphic

Answer 24

angelic. sweet

Question 25

Curmudgeon

Answer 25

Cranky old Person

Question 26

sanguine

Answer 26

optimistic, cheery, confident

Question 27

forbearance

Answer 27

patience, restraint

Question 28

compunction

Answer 28

distress caused by guilt, self-doubt

Question 29

Ethereal

Answer 29

heavenly, exceptionally delicate

Question 30

prurient

Answer 30

overly interested in sex

Question 31

trepidation

Answer 31

Fear or anxiety about what may happen

Question 32

diffident

Answer 32

shy, hesitancy in expression (demeanor)

Question 33

temerity

Answer 33

reckless audacity

Question 34

phlegmatic

Answer 34

slow and stolid temperment

Question 35

puerile

Answer 35

childish

Question 36

Lachrymose

Answer 36

Easily brought to tears