Unit 22

Question 1

Diffidence

Answer 1

(n) shyness; lack of confidence

e. g. I say this with some diffidence.

Question 2

Diffuse

Answer 2

(v) to spread out
(adj) wordy; rambling; spread out

e.g. The idea of equality and liberty diffused through society after the French Revolution.

Question 3

Digression

Answer 3

(n) act of straying from the main point

e. g. Let’s return to the main topic after that brief digression.

Question 4

Dirge

Answer 4

(n) funeral hymn

e. g. The music critic described the movement of the symphony portraying the hero’s last days as dirgelike.

Question 5

Disabuse

Answer 5

(v) to free from a misconception

e. g. He quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions.

Question 6

Discerning

Answer 6

perceptive; exhibiting keen insight and good judgement
- Discern (v): to perceive something obscure

e.g. The brasserie attracts discerning customers.

Question 7

Discomfit

Answer 7

(v) to make uneasy; disconcert

e. g. The young mas was discomfited being the only male in the play.

Question 8

Discordant

Answer 8

(adj) not in tune

e. g. In a pluralistic society there exists a cacophony of discordant voices. each shouting to be heard.

Question 9

Discredit

Answer 9

(v) to dishonor; to disgrace; cause to be doubted

e. g. The candidate’s attempt to discredit his opponent by spreading damaging rumors about him failed.

Question 10

Discrepancy

Answer 10

(adj) difference between

e. g. There’s a discrepancy between your account and his.