Vocab list 2

Question 1

Acappella

Answer 1

Performance of music by unaccompanied voices
The chorus performed a cappella

Question 2

Bona fide

Answer 2

genuine or real
The painting is a bona fide original

Question 3

Au courant

Answer 3

aware of what is going on; well informed
She is au courant with international affairs.

Question 4

Elan

Answer 4

vigorous spirit or enthusiasm
She played the cello with great elan.

Question 5

De jure

Answer 5

By law or by right
The car on the through street has the right of way de jure.

Question 6

Dotage

Answer 6

The period of life in which a person is old and weak
He must look after his grandmother, who is in her dotage.

Question 7

Intrinsic

Answer 7

Belonging naturally
Reading is intrinsic to learning

Question 8

Pince-nez

Answer 8

A popular style of glasses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that is clipped to the nose
Teddy Roosevelt is known for wearing pince-nez

Question 9

Timidity

Answer 9

Lack of courage or confidence
He cannot overcome his timidity in time to give the speech

Question 10

Congeal

Answer 10

To solidify or coagulate
The jello congealed as it cooled

Question 11

Verdant

Answer 11

Green with grass or vegetation
The countryside is verdant in the spring.

Question 12

Magniloquent

Answer 12

Using high-flown or bombastic language
The speakers magniloquent diction made him sound pretentious

Question 13

Convocation

Answer 13

A group formally assembled for a special purpose
The convocation for the school was held in the auditorium.

Question 14

Emanation

Answer 14

an abstract but perceptible thing that originates from a source
The speech emanated despair and sorrow
Warmth emanates from the sun.

Question 15

Burlesque

Answer 15

an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something
The hilarious play was obviously a burlesque of Romeo and Juliet.

Question 16

Vis-a-vis

Answer 16

In relation, in regard to
The company needs to have a meeting, vis-a-vis cost decreases.

Question 17

Semper fidelis

Answer 17

always faithful
Semper fidelis is the motto of the Marine Corps

Question 18

Aficionado

Answer 18

A person who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about something
Charles is an aficionado on war history.

Question 19

Ranine

Answer 19

frog like
The person was hopping in a ranine manner.

Question 20

Al fresco

Answer 20

In the open air
We ate al fresco at the restaurant.

Question 21

Bete noire

Answer 21

A person or thing one particularly dislikes
Bubblegum is my bete noire.

Question 22

Carte blanche

Answer 22

complete freedom to do or act as one wishes
We were given carte blanche for the project.

Question 23

Faux pas

Answer 23

an embarrassing act or remark in a social occasion
She could not recover socially from her faux pas at the party.

Question 24

Aria

Answer 24

melody or tune
The aria of the opera was lovely.

Question 25

Avant-garde

Answer 25

an experimental genre of art
The designer was known for avant-garde work.

Question 26

Eclat

Answer 26

Brilliant display or effect
The show was a brilliant eclat.

Question 27

Chiaroscuro

Answer 27

The treatment of light and shade in drawing or painting
The artist uses chiaroscuro to create drama in his paintings.

Question 28

Simper

Answer 28

Smile in an affectedly coy manner
She simpered once he had turned his back.

Question 29

Unctuous

Answer 29

excessively flattering; oily
His manner was off-puttingly unctuous.

Question 30

Eclectic

Answer 30

Deriving ideas, style, or taste, from a broad range of sources
Her interior design style was very eclectic.