Vocabulary

Question 1

Abate

Answer 1

To decrease in form or intensity

Verb

(The people were waiting for the storm to abate before they could travel)

Question 2

Abide

Answer 2

To follow/tolerate

Verb

The man abided by the rules of the king

Question 3

Adduce

Answer 3

To offer as example, reason, or proof

Verb

The lawyer adduced evidence for the judge to prove his innocence

Question 4

Assertion

Answer 4

The act of asserting (declaration)

Noun

His assertion of the house was very rude

Question 5

Assail

Answer 5

To attack violently/assault

Verb

The Man was assailed by the attackers

Question 6

Bemusing

Answer 6

Confusing or bewildering

Adjective

“His bemusing explanation left everyone more puzzled than before.”

Question 7

Bereft

Answer 7

Deprived of or lacking something, especially a nonmaterial asset.

Adjective

“He felt bereft of hope after the tragic news.”

Question 8

Chide

Answer 8

To scold or rebuke.

Verb

“She chided him for arriving late.”

Question 9

Conflagration

Answer 9

A large, destructive fire.

Noun

“The conflagration destroyed several homes in the neighborhood.”

Question 10

Cower

Answer 10

To crouch down in fear.

Verb

“The dog cowered under the table during the thunderstorm.”

Question 11

Cull

Answer 11

To select and remove weaker or inferior members from a group.

Verb

“The farmer decided to cull the herd to ensure only the healthiest animals remained.”

Question 12

Demur

Answer 12

To raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.

Verb

“She demurred when asked to join the exclusive club.”

Question 13

Deplorable

Answer 13

Deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad in quality.

Adjective

“The living conditions in the shelter were deplorable.”

Question 14

Enigmatic

Answer 14

Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.

Adjective

“She gave him an enigmatic smile.”

Question 15

Ephemeral

Answer 15

Lasting for a very short time.

Adjective

“The waiting period was only ephemeral.”

Question 16

Furtive

Answer 16

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble.

Adjective

“She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder.”

Question 17

Forge

Answer 17

To create something strong, enduring, or successful.

Verb

“The alliance was forged through years of cooperation.”

Question 18

Genus

Answer 18

A specific type or group, often used taxonomically.

Noun

“The genus Panthera includes lions, tigers, and leopards.”

Question 19

Haggard

Answer 19

Looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.

Adjective

“He appeared haggard after working three double shifts in a row.”

Question 20

Impudence

Answer 20

The quality of being impudent; impertinence.

Noun

“She was shocked by the impudence of the student’s reply.”

Question 21

Impute

Answer 21

To attribute or ascribe (something, especially something discreditable) to someone.

Verb

“She imputed the errors to her assistant’s carelessness.”

Question 22

Insatiable

Answer 22

Impossible to satisfy (especially of an appetite or desire).

Adjective

“He had an insatiable hunger for knowledge.”

Question 23

Insidious

Answer 23

Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.

Adjective

“The disease has an insidious onset and can remain undetected for years.”

Question 24

Malign

Answer 24

To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.

Verb

“They were quick to malign her reputation with false rumors.”

Question 25

Meretricious

Answer 25

Apparently attractive but having no real value or integrity. | Adjective ## Footnote "The show was full of meretricious glitz and glamor."

Question 26

Mete

Answer 26

To dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment. | Verb ## Footnote "The judge meted out severe penalties to the offenders."

Question 27

Mood

Answer 27

The atmosphere or emotional condition created by the piece, within the setting. | Noun ## Footnote "The mood of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' is dark and melancholic."

Question 28

Orisons

Answer 28

Prayers | Noun ## Footnote "He knelt down to say his orisons before bedtime."

Question 29

Palpable

Answer 29

Able to be touched or felt; clear to the mind or plain to see. | Adjective ## Footnote "There was a palpable tension in the room."

Question 30

Pensive

Answer 30

Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought. | Adjective ## Footnote "He sat by the window, looking pensive."

Question 31

Penury

Answer 31

Extreme Poverty | Noun ## Footnote "The family lived in penury after losing their home in the fire."

Question 32

Peremptorily

Answer 32

In a manner that leaves no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperatively. | Adverb ## Footnote "The judge peremptorily dismissed the case."

Question 33

Preposterous

Answer 33

Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous. | Adjective ## Footnote "The idea that pigs can fly is preposterous."

Question 34

Prudence

Answer 34

The quality of being prudent; cautiousness. | Noun ## Footnote "His prudence saved him from making a risky investment."

Question 35

Rancor

Answer 35

Bitter resentment or ill-will. | Noun ## Footnote "Their old rancor resurfaced during the heated argument."

Question 36

Scruple

Answer 36

A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action. | Noun ## Footnote "She had no scruples about lying to get the job."

Question 37

Subterfuge

Answer 37

Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal. | Noun ## Footnote "They obtained the documents by subterfuge."

Question 38

Surreptitiously

Answer 38

In a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively. | Adverb ## Footnote "The man surreptitiously sneaked by the guards."

Question 39

Vain

Answer 39

Vain

Question 40

Ubiquitous

Answer 40

Everywhere at once