Unit 4 vocabulary

Question 1

atrophy

Answer 1

(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away

SYNONYMS: (n.) degeneration, deterioration; (v.) wither
ANTONYMS: (n.) growth; (v.) mature

Question 2

bastion

Answer 2

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

SYNONYMS: citadel, rampart, parapet

Question 3

concord

Answer 3

(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant

ANTONYMS: disagreement, strife, discord

Question 4

consummate

Answer 4

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection

SYNONYMS: (adj.) masterful; (v.) clinch, conclude
ANTONYMS: (adj.) launch, initiate, begin, kick off

Question 5

disarray

Answer 5

(n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder

SYNONYMS: (n.) disorganization; (v.) dishevel, mess up
ANTONYMS: (n.) organization, order, tidiness

Question 6

exigency

Answer 6

(n., often pl.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

SYNONYMS: requirement, crisis

Question 7

flotsam

Answer 7

(n.) floating debris; unimportant or discarded material

SYNONYMS: floating wreckage, debris

Question 8

frenetic

Answer 8

(adj.) frenzied, highly agitated

SYNONYMS: frantic, overwrought
ANTONYMS: calm, controlled, relaxed, leisurely

Question 9

glean

Answer 9

(v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers

SYNONYMS: cull, pick up

Question 10

grouse

Answer 10

(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v.) to complain, grumble

SYNONYMS: (v.) kvetch, bellyache

Question 11

incarcerate

Answer 11

(v.) to imprison, confine, jail

SYNONYM: intern
ANTONYMS: liberate, free

Question 12

incumbent

Answer 12

(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

SYNONYMS: (adj.) mandatory, necessary
ANTONYMS: (adj.) optional, unnecessary

Question 13

jocular

Answer 13

(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

SYNONYMS: waggish, facetious, droll
ANTONYMS: solemn, grave, earnest, grim

Question 14

ludicrous

Answer 14

(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd

SYNONYMS: risible, preposterous
ANTONYMS: heartrending, poignant, pathetic

Question 15

mordant

Answer 15

(adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh

SYNONYMS: acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing
ANTONYMS: bland, mild, gentle, soothing

Question 16

nettle

Answer 16

(n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely

SYNONYMS: (v.) peeve, annoy, incense, gall
ANTONYMS: (v.) please, delight, soothe, pacify

Question 17

pecuniary

Answer 17

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

SYNONYM: monetary

Question 18

pusillanimous

Answer 18

(adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

SYNONYM: lily-livered
ANTONYMS: stouthearted, courageous

Question 19

recumbent

Answer 19

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting

SYNONYMS: prone, supine, inactive
ANTONYMS: erect, energetic, dynamic

Question 20

stratagem

Answer 20

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

SYNONYMS: trick, ploy, subterfuge