Unit 4 Vocab

Question 1

Affinity

Answer 1

(n.) a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connect

Synonyms: inclination, penchant
Antonyms: distaste, aversion

Question 2

Bilious

Answer 2

(adj.) peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant

Synonyms: choleric, irascible, peevish, splenetic
Antonyms: sweet-tempered, genial, pleasant, delightful

Question 3

Cognate

Answer 3

(adj.) closely related in origin, essential nature, or function; (n.) such a person or thing

Synonyms: (adj.) allied, affiliated; (n.) relative
Antonyms: (adj.) dissimilar, unrelated

Question 4

Corollary

Answer 4

(n.) a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; (adj.) resultant or consequent

Synonyms: (n.) deduction, conclusion
Antonyms: (n,) axiom, postulate, premise

Question 5

Cul-de-sac

Answer 5

(n.) a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse

Question 6

Derring-do

Answer 6

(n.) valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)

Synonyms: audacity, bravado, pyrotechnics
Antonyms: cowardice, timidity, poltroonery

Question 7

Divination

Answer 7

(n.) the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge

Synonyms: prophecy, augury

Question 8

Elixir

Answer 8

(n.) a potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely; a panacea; a sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines

Synonyms: cure-all, nostrum, tonic

Question 9

Folderol

Answer 9

(n.) foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle

Synonyms: hoopla, gibberish
Antonyms: sense, significance

Question 10

Gamut

Answer 10

(n.) an entire range or series

Synonyms: scope, compass, sweep

Question 11

Hoi Polloi

Answer 11

(n.) the common people, the masses

Synonyms: rank and file
Antonyms: aristocracy, elite, upper class

Question 12

Ineffable

Answer 12

(adj.) not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered

Synonyms: inexpressible, indescribable

Question 13

Lucubration

Answer 13

(n.) laborious study or though, especially at night; the result of such work

Synonyms: burning the midnight oil, deep thought

Question 14

Mnemonic

Answer 14

(adj.) relating to or designed to assist the memory; (n.) a device to aid the memory

Synonyms: (n.) reminder, cue

Question 15

Obloquy

Answer 15

(n.) public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment

Synonyms: discredit, opprobrium, ignominy, dishonor
Antonyms: praise, acclaim, approbation

Question 16

Parameter

Answer 16

(n.) a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary

Question 17

Pundit

Answer 17

(n.) a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions

Synonyms: expert, authority, savant
Antonyms: layman, amateur, dilettante

Question 18

Risible

Answer 18

(adj.) pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable

Synonyms: droll, ludicrous
Antonyms: depressing, poignant, heartrending

Question 19

Symptomatic

Answer 19

(adj.) typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease

Synonym: indicative

Question 20

Volte-face

Answer 20

(n.) an about-face; a complete reversal

Synonym: turnabout