Unit 3

Question 1

aggrandize

Answer 1

v. to make larger or greater

One of the concerns of the framers of the U.S. Constitution was that one branch of government would try to aggrandize itself at the expense of the others.

Question 2

aggregate

Answer 2

adj. amounting to a whole; total

The aggregate wealth of a country includes private as well as public resources and possessions.

Question 3

alacrity

Answer 3

n. cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed

The football coach was please to see the team get to work on the task of improving its tackling skills with alacrity.

Question 4

alchemy

Answer 4

n. medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation

Alchemy was the forerunner of the modern science of chemistry.

Question 5

allay

Answer 5

v. to lessen; ease; soothe

Improvements in antivirus software have allayed many people’s fears of having their computers “infected” with malicious software

Question 6

alleviate

Answer 6

v. to relieve, improve partially

Tylenol helps alleviate pain.

Question 7

alloy

Answer 7

n. a combination; a mixture of two or more metals

Scientists formulate alloys to create properties that are not possessed by natural metals or other substances.

Question 8

allure

Answer 8

n. the power to entice by charm

Political groups in the United States often lobby Congress to use the allure of America’s vast market as an incentive for countries to pursue policies in accordance with American policies.

Question 9

amalgamate

Answer 9

v. to combine into a unified whole

In early 1999, six municipalities were amalgamated into an enlarged city of Toronto, Canada.

Question 10

ambiguous

Answer 10

adj. unclear or doubtful in meaning

The gender of the Buddhist deity Avalokitesuara, the god of infinite mercy, is ambiguous in both China and Japan.