Sunshine Vocab Day 2

Question 1

apologist

ex: We were surprised to discover that a few of the history professors seemed to be apologists for fascism

Answer 1

apo-(away) + logos(word, study)
Def: [n] one who argues for a particular, often controversial position
Forms: apology = an argument for a particular position
Root Family: [apo-][log]

Question 2

buttress
ex: Each buttress on the cathedral was over forty feet long; The prince’s claim to the throne was buttressed by a papal decree

Answer 2

Def: [n] a projecting support for a building, usually of stone or brick; any strong support
Synonyms: bulwark
Def: [v] to provide with support or justification
synonyms: Fortify, augment, bolster

Question 3

cajole

Ex: Theo could not be cajoled into accepting the position

Answer 3

Def: [v] to persuade through flattery or coaxing
Form: cajolery = flattery designed to persuade
Synonyms: Wheedle, coax, inveigle

Question 4

circumlocutory
ex: We expected the candidate to give a circumlocutory and politically correct answer to the question, but were surprised to hear her give a direct and candid response

Answer 4

circum(around) + loqui(to talk)
Def: [adj]inclined to speak evasively; speaking as if to avoid the subject
Form: circumlocution = evasive speech 
Synonym: periphrastic
Root Family: [circum][loqu, locu]

Question 5

cursory

ex: Marco was only able to take a cursory glance at the report before making his presentation

Answer 5

currere(to run)
Def: [adj]hasty and superficial
Synonyms: perfunctory, desultory
Root Family: [cur]

Question 6

delineate

ex: the committee delineated the rules by which future officers would be chosen

Answer 6

de-(completely) + lineare(to create with lines)
Def: [v] to describe or portray precisely
Form: delineation = the process or act of describing something precisely
Root Family: [line]

Question 7

disputatious
ex: Ron was ostracized form the group because of his disputatious attitude; the meetings became more disputatious over time, forcing the group to disband

Answer 7

Def: [adj] (of a person) fond of having heated arguments
Def: [adj] (of a situation) likely to start an argument

Question 8

elucidate

ex: the mysterious disappearance was elucidated by the discovery of the ransom note

Answer 8

lux(light)
Def: [v] to make clear; to shed light on
Synonyms: explicate
Root Family: [luc,lum]

Question 9

enumerate

ex: We calmly enumerated our complaints to the committee

Answer 9

e-(out) + numerus(number)
Def: [v] to list one by one
Form: Enumeration = the process of listing one by one
Synonym: itemize
Root Family: [numer]

Question 10

equivocate

ex: Sheila complained about her boyfriend’s tendency to equivocate when the conversation turned to marriage

Answer 10

equi-(same) + vocare(to call)
Def: [v] to speak ambiguously so as to avoid commitment
Forms: Equivocation = the use of noncommittal language
Synonyms: dither, waver, waffle
Root Family: [voc, vok]