Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

intercede

Answer 1

(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement.

asked me to intercede with the coach on his behalf

Question 2

hackneyed

Answer 2

(adj.) used so often as to lack freshness or originality

a dull and hackneyed plot

Question 3

approbation

Answer 3

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval or sanction

greeted by smiles of approbration

Question 4

innuendo

Answer 4

(n.) a hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)

tarnished my reputation by innuendo

Question 5

coalition

Answer 5

(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

a coalition of many community organizations

Question 6

elicit

Answer 6

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

attempt to elicit information

Question 7

hiatus

Answer 7

(n.) a gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)

puzzled by the hiatus in his story

Question 8

assuage

Answer 8

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put and end to, appease, satisfy, quench

assuage her hurt feelings

Question 9

decadence

Answer 9

(n.) decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self-indulgence

an example of decadence in modern painting

Question 10

expostulate

Answer 10

(v.) to attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning

found it useless to expostulate with the stubborn referee

Question 11

simulate

Answer 11

(v.) to make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of

to simulate interest in her problems

Question 12

jaded

Answer 12

(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)

jaded from too many parties

Question 13

umbrage

Answer 13

(n.) foliage giving shade; shade cast by trees; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion

took umbrage at such vile treatment

Question 14

prerogative

Answer 14

(n.) a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

the prerogative of a veteran employee

Question 15

lurid

Answer 15

(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

spare us the lurid details

Question 16

transcend

Answer 16

(v.) to rise above or beyond, exceed

ideas that transcend our comprehension

Question 17

provincial

Answer 17

(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind our outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier form a province or colony

amused by their provincial manners

Question 18

petulant

Answer 18

(adj.) peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

will not indulge the petulant child

Question 19

unctuous

Answer 19

(adj.) fatty, oily, and pliable; excessively smooth or smug; trying to hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety

offended by his uncutous manner

Question 20

meritorious

Answer 20

(adj.) worthy, deserving recognition and praise

rewarded after many years of meritorious service