October

Question 1

gumption

Answer 1

1. shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness.
2. “the president would hire almost any young man who had the gumption to ask for a job”
3. I wish I had your gumption

Question 2

Irrefutable

Answer 2

1. impossible to deny or disprove.
2. irrefutable evidence
3. Her authenticity is irrefutable
4. refutable = debatable

Question 3

A phrase to mean ruthless and agressive in the pursuit of an objective.

Answer 3

To take no prisoners

(i.e. to kill everybody)

Question 5

redouble

Answer 5

1. to make or become much greater
2. “we will redouble our efforts to reform agricultural policy”
3. I will redouble my efforts in expanding my vocabulary
4. etymology - as it sounds

Question 6

cordial

Answer 6

1. warm and friendly
2. the atmosphere was cordial and relaxed
3. the dinner was perfectly cordial

Question 7

Frenetic

Answer 7

1. Fast and energetic in an uncontrolled way
2. She was working at a frenetic pace
3. Tonight I will frenetically pack my suitcase.
4. There was much frenetic activity in the ED.
5. Phren = mind (Greek), phrenitis = delirium

(because the mind was once thought to lie in the diaphragm!).

Question 8

self-effacing

Answer 8

1. not claiming attention for oneself; retiring and modest
2. His demeanour was self-effacing
3. Being too self-effacing hinders me in networking
4. efface = to erase (a mark) from a surface

Question 9

contrite

Answer 9

1. (Adj) feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.
2. A contrite tone
3. She appeared contrite when she was speaking
4. “Quick contrition”

Question 10

obscene

Answer 10

1. adjective (of the portrayal or descirption of sexual matters) offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality or decency
2. he makes obscene jokes

Question 11

laud

Answer 11

1. To praise a person or their achievements highly
2. The movie was lauded by the public
3. Her achievements should be lauded

Question 12

Ingenuous

Answer 12

1. (of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting
2. “he eyed her with wide, ingenuous eyes”
3. I know that, at times, I can be a little ingenuous.

Question 13

what is the origin of the word exponentially?

Answer 13

An exponent:

Question 14

flagrant

Answer 14

1. (of an action considered wrong or immoral) conspicuoulsy or obviously offensive
2. a flagrant violation of the law
3. her flagrant comments
4. flagrant (latin) - blazing

Question 15

Ingénue

Answer 15

An innocent or unsophisticated young woman, especially in literature.

Ingénue may also refer to a new young actress or one typecast in such roles.

Question 16

Describe someone as a beginner?

Answer 16

An ingénue.

Not having the prerequisite notches in one’s belt.

Question 17

Describe buying coffee for your colleagues

Answer 17

A perfectly normal social transaction

Question 19

comeuppance

Answer 19

1. a punishment or fate that someone deserves
2. he got his comeuppance in the end

Question 20

circumlocution

Answer 20

1. the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.
2. Her admission came only after hours of circumlocution
3. I wish to use fewer, stornger, more precise words to express myself
4. circum = around, loqu = speech