vocab 2a

Question 1

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

Answer 1

ameliorate

Question 2

(n.) poise, assurance, great confidence; perpendicularity

Answer 2

aplomb

Question 3

(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

Answer 3

bombastic

Question 4

(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

Answer 4

callow

Question 5

(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; (v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly

Answer 5

drivel

Question 6

(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

Answer 6

epitome

Question 7

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

Answer 7

exhort

Question 8

(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office

Answer 8

ex officio

Question 9

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

Answer 9

infringe

Question 10

(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)

Answer 10

ingratiate

Question 11

(n.) one who moves where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder

Answer 11

interloper

Question 12

(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

Answer 12

intrinsic

Question 13

(v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval

Answer 13

inveigh

Question 14

(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

Answer 14

lassitude

Question 15

(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy

Answer 15

millennium

Question 16

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural

Answer 16

occult

Question 17

(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

Answer 17

permeate

Question 18

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process

Answer 18

precipitate

Question 19

(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

Answer 19

stringent

Question 20

(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof

Answer 20

surmise