Repeat Offender

Question 1

ABDICATE, ABJURE

Answer 1

to give up, often in a formal manner

King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson, a divorced American.

Question 2

ABERRANT

Answer 2

unusual

My dog displayed aberrant behavior when he refused to greet me at the door or eat any of the treats I offered.

Question 3

ABEYANCE

Answer 3

temporary suspension

The council voted to place the decision in abeyance for a month while more research was conducted.

Question 4

ABSTEMIOUS

Answer 4

sparing in consumption, especially of food and drink
Abby’s emaciated figure was the result of her abstemious lifestyle; she never ate breakfast or lunch, and rarely ate
dinner.

Question 5

EMACIATED

Answer 5

abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
“she was so emaciated she could hardly stand”

Question 6

ACCRETION

Answer 6

an increase

Akeem’s gradual accretion of duties at work did not go unnoticed; he was given a raise for taking on the extra work.

Question 7

ACIDULOUS

Answer 7

sour; sharp

Her acidulous criticism of my paper on Shakespeare was disappointing since I had invested many hours in research.

Question 8

ACME, PINNACLE, ZENITH

Answer 8

the highest point
The Roman Empire reached its acme of power around 11 AD, but a slow decline occurred over the next four
centuries.

Question 9

AERIE

Answer 9

a nest; a home high on a mountain

Our aerie atop Roan Mountain was a cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Question 10

AFFABLE

Answer 10

friendly
In the fable, the affable princess was adored by all except for her three stepsisters who were angered by her
friendliness.

Question 11

AFFECTED, PRETENTIOUS, OSTENTACIOUS

Answer 11

fake; phony

Afton had never traveled outside of the United States, but he used an affected French accent to attract attention.

Question 12

AGGRANDIZE

Answer 12

increase in size

Agatha, an avid baseball enthusiast, used her inheritance to aggrandize her collection of baseball cards.

Question 13

ALCHEMY. MAGIC, SORCERY

Answer 13

magical power; the process of turning base metals into gold

Al uses alchemy in the kitchen, turning simple ingredients into delicious culinary works of art.

Question 14

AMORTIZE

Answer 14

to eliminate debt by making payments

For most borrowers, it takes thirty years to amortize their mortgage.

Question 15

AMULET

Answer 15

magical charm to ward off evil

Amos placed a small amulet in his pocket, a charm that he believed helped him advance to the state tennis finals.

Question 16

ANALGESIC ; ANODYNE

Answer 16

capable of relieving pain
Although Andy was in the most painful stages of the disease, his daughter’s visit was analgesic; he was so happy to
see her that his pain was significantly reduced.

something that relieves pain
The comedy club was an anodyne to Annika’s grief; while she was there, she could forget her pain and sadness.
Word Form: anodynic

Question 17

ANTHROPOCENTRISM

Answer 17

theory that regards humans as the central element of the universe
People who support the theory of anthropocentrism have a difficult time believing in intelligent life on other planets.