Unit 7

Question 1

argot

Answer 1

n. specialized vocabulary used by a group

Writers of crime fiction often use the argot of criminals and detectives to create a realistic atmosphere.

Question 2

arrest

Answer 2

v. to stop; to seize

Temporary arrest of the patient’s respiration made it easier for the doctor to perform surgery on him.

Question 3

artifact

Answer 3

n. item made by human craft

Marxists contend that appreciation of art has declined because capitalism has trained people to perceive human artifacts as commodities.

Question 4

artless

Answer 4

adj. guileless; natural

The source of meaning of artless as guileless is the poet John Dryden, who wrote of William Shakespeare.

Question 5

ascetic

Answer 5

n. one who practices self-denial

Muslim ascetics consider the internal battle against human passions a greater jihad than the struggle against infidels.

adj. self-denying or austere

Question 6

asperity

Answer 6

n. severity; harshness; irritability

In his autobiography Gerald Trywhitt encountered a woman with some asperity, who said, “ I see you are painting MY view.”

Question 7

aspersion

Answer 7

n. slander; false rumor

The Republic of Singapore is a young democracy, and its leaders often respond strongly to journalists and others who cast aspersions on their integrity.

Question 8

assiduous

Answer 8

adj. diligent; hard-working

The assiduous people of Hong Kong live in a territory with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Question 9

assuage

Answer 9

v. to make less severe

The doctor tried to assuage the patient’s pain.

Question 10

astringent

Answer 10

adj. harsh; severe

Bob tends to nick himself when he shaves, so he uses an astringent aftershave to stop the bleeding.