Unit 2 Vocabulary

Question 1

ameliorate

Answer 1

( v ) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming.

synonyms: amend, better
antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate

Question 2

aplomb

Answer 2

( n ) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

synonyms: compose, self-possession, levelheadedness
antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment

Question 3

bombastic

Answer 3

( adj ) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
synonyms: inflated,

Question 4

callow

Answer 4

( adj. ) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers.

synonyms: green, raw, unfledged, inexperience
antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated

Question 5

drivel

Answer 5

( n ) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; ( v ) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly.
synonyms: ( n ) balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot; ( v ) slaver

Question 6

epitome

Answer 6

( n ) a summary, condensed account, an instance that represents a larger reality
synonyms: abstract, digest, model, archetype

Question 7

exhort

Answer 7

( v ) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure
antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate

Question 8

ex officio

Answer 8

( adj, adv ) by virtue of holding a certain office

Question 9

infringe

Answer 9

( v ) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude, poach
antonyms: stay in bounds

Question 10

ingratiate

Answer 10

( v ) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others ( sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense )

synonyms: cozy up curry favor with
antonyms: alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify oneself

Question 11

interloper

Answer 11

( n ) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky

Question 12

intrinsic

Answer 12

( adj ) belonging to someone or something but it’s very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

synonyms: immanent, organic
antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward

Question 13

inveigh

Answer 13

( v ) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

synonyms: rail, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate
antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol

Question 14

lassitude

Answer 14

( n ) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor
antonyms: energy vitality, animation, liveliness

Question 15

millennium/millennia

Answer 15

( n ) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy

synonyms: golden age, prosperity, peace, chiliad
antonyms: doomsday, day of judgement

Question 16

occult

Answer 16

( adj ) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view, not detectable by ordinary means; ( v ) to hide, conceal; eclipse; ( n ) matters involving the supernatural

synonyms: ( adj ) supernatural, esoteric, abstruse, arcane
antonyms: ( adj ) mundane, common, public, exoteric

Question 17

permeate

Answer 17

( v ) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

Question 18

precipitate

Answer 18

( v ) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct from to; ( adj ) characterized by excessive haste; ( n ) moisture; the product of an action or process

synonyms: ( v ) provoke, produce; ( adj ) reckless, impetuous
antonyms: ( adj ) wary, cautious, circumspect

Question 19

stringent

Answer 19

( adj ) strict, severe, rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative
antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive

Question 20

surmise

Answer 20

( v ) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; ( n ) likely idea that lacks definite proof
synonyms: ( v ) infer, gather; ( n ) inference, presumption