Vocabulary #1: The Joy Luck Club

Question 0

Visceral

Answer 0

(Adj) of or pertaining to the viscera (inner organs). Characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect. Characterized by or dealing with coarse or base emotions, crude.

Question 1

Precipitous

Answer 1

(Adj) dangerously high or steep. Sudden and dramatic. Done without careful consideration.

Question 2

Nondescript

Answer 2

(Adj) of no recognized, definite, or particular type or kind. Undistinguished or uninteresting; dull or insipid.

Question 3

Insolent

Answer 3

(Adj) rude, disrespectful, arrogant

Question 4

Auspicious

Answer 4

(Adj) favorable; well timed

Question 5

Acrid

Answer 5

(Adj) sharp or biting to the taste or smell; bitterly pungent; irritating to the eyes, nose, etc. Extremely or sharply stinging.

Question 6

Lament

Answer 6

(V) to feel or express sorrow or regret for. To mourn deeply. (N) an expression of grief or sorrow.

Question 7

Listless

Answer 7

(Adj) having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent.

Question 8

Pungent

Answer 8

(Adj) a sharp, strong penetrating smell

Question 9

Benevolent

Answer 9

(Adj) kindly, good-heartedly

Question 10

Elude

Answer 10

(V) evade or escape from danger, typically in a skillful or cunning way. Fail to be grasped or remembered by someone. Fail to be attained by someone.

Question 11

Chagrin

Answer 11

(V) to vex by disappointment or humiliation. (N) a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation.

Question 12

Verbatim

Answer 12

(Adv) in exactly the same words; word for word. (Adj) corresponding word for word to the original source or text.

Question 13

Acquiesce

Answer 13

(V) to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent.

Question 14

Disparage

Answer 14

(V) to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle. To bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of.

Question 15

Guileless

Answer 15

(Adj) free from guile; sincere; honest; straightforward; frank. Innocent.

Question 16

Innuendo

Answer 16

(N) an indirect intimation or suggestion about a person or thing, especially of a disparaging or derogatory nature.

Question 17

Adulterate

Answer 17

(V) to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of stuff

Question 18

Augment

Answer 18

(V) to make larger; enlarge in size, number, strength, or extent; increase. To become larger.

Question 19

Bereft

Answer 19

(Adj) deprived of or lacking something (esp. A nonmaterial asset). Lonely and abandoned (esp. through someone’s death or departure).