Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

Adjunct

Answer 1

something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential (noun)

Question 2

Bellwether

Answer 2

the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader (noun)

Question 3

Caterwaul

Answer 3

to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel (verb)

Question 4

Chimerical

Answer 4

absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible (adjective)

Question 5

Effete

Answer 5

lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted (adjective)

Question 6

Fait accompli

Answer 6

an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact or action (noun)

Question 7

Hidebound

Answer 7

narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices (adjective)

Question 8

Hierarchy

Answer 8

any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc. (noun)

Question 9

Laissez-faire

Answer 9

a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference (adjective)

Question 10

Liturgy

Answer 10

a religious service or rite (noun)

Question 11

Morass

Answer 11

a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which on is entrapped, as in quicksand

Question 12

Noisome

Answer 12

offensive or disgusting (adjective)

Question 13

Oblivious

Answer 13

forgetful; unaware (adjective)

Question 14

Poltroon

Answer 14

a base coward (noun)

Question 15

Proselyte

Answer 15

a convert; a disciple (noun)

Question 16

Quasi

Answer 16

resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely (adjective)

Question 17

Raillery

Answer 17

good-humored ridicule; teasing (noun)

Question 18

Ribald

Answer 18

irreverently mocking; course, vulgar, or indecent in language (adjective)

Question 19

Supine

Answer 19

lying flat on one’s back; listless or lethargic, apathetic or passive (adjective)

Question 20

Vignette

Answer 20

a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off (noun)