Vocab quiz #3

Question 1

Acuity

Answer 1

the sharpness of the senses/mind.

Owls make use of their excellent visual acuity to chase their prey at night.

Question 2

Delineate

Answer 2

to point out/highlight or describe.

Computer programs which can delineate faces are very helpful to law enforcement agencies.

Question 3

Depraved

Answer 3

evil, corrupt and lacking morals.

Although Linda was raised in a religious household, she now lives a depraved life.

Question 4

Emend

Answer 4

to correct errors in (something written)

Professor Dinglebutton emended my essay on several points, but I had been fairly correct, on the whole.

Question 5

Enervate

Answer 5

to weaken or make less; cause to feel drained of energy or vitality

If the hurricane comes near the city, the storm surge may enervate the flood walls and cause them to crumble.

Question 6

Esoteric

Answer 6

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.

The medical research was so esoteric that only a few physicians could actually understand the results.

Question 7

Fecund

Answer 7

producing or able to produce many babies, young animals, or plants; fertile.

The fecund breed of cattle is known to give birth to triplets or quadruplets frequently.

Question 8

Fiat

Answer 8

an authoritative and oftentimes arbitrary decree or command.

The restaurant manager issued a fiat stating employees could not place their vehicles in the parking area.

Question 9

Figment

Answer 9

a fabrication of the mind.

Thus far, the invisible human being has been nothing more than a figment of fantasy writers.

Question 10

Garner

Answer 10

to acquire or gather through effort, to earn

The actor hopes to garner interest in his film by promoting it on several talk shows.

Question 11

Hallow

Answer 11

to set apart as sacred or holy.

The medicine man hallows the chief’s body as it is prepared for its final rest.

Question 12

Idiosyncrasy

Answer 12

a peculiarity that distinguishes individuals.

While my father had many peculiar habits, his biggest idiosyncrasy was collecting his own toenail clippings

Question 13

Ignominy

Answer 13

usually public shame or embarrassment; disgrace.

Because he was given a dishonorable discharge from the military, Carl had no choice but to return home in ignominy.

Question 14

Mundane

Answer 14

ordinary, common, boring, practical.

My mundane life of working at a dead-end job for the last decade is getting old.

Question 15

Nuance

Answer 15

a subtle or slight variation in color, tone, or meaning etc

To perfect his game, the rookie golfer watched every nuance of his mentor’s swing.

Question 16

Overweening

Answer 16

too confident or proud; excessive, presumptuous, conceited.

The overweening heiress did not believe she should have to wait in line for anything.

Question 17

Penchant

Answer 17

a tendency, a knack, or inclination.

To be an exceptional baseball player, you must have skill and a penchant for the game itself.

Question 18

Prevaricate

Answer 18

to avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question.

Government officials prevaricate about the real costs of the project, and speak only about its potential benefits.

Question 19

Reputed

Answer 19

said to be true according to reputation.

Don’t eat those berries because they are reputed to cause diarrhea!

Question 20

Sophistry

Answer 20

the use of reasoning that seems plausible, but isn’t (BS).

Although the cult leader knew he was being dishonest with his group members, he hoped they would believe his sophistry.

Question 21

Sumptuous

Answer 21

costly, deliciously rich, magnificent.

As I sank into the sumptuous seats of the luxury vehicle, I knew I was going to enjoy the long road trip.

Question 22

Ubiquitous

Answer 22

existing everywhere.

If you have not noticed, computers have become ubiquitous in society.