Vocabulary List # 9: The Grapes of Wrath

Question 1

Bemuse

Answer 1

(v-with object) To bewilder or confuse (someone)

Question 2

Fallow

Answer 2

(adj.) (Of land) plowed and left unseeded for a season or more; uncultivated. Not in use; inactive
(n) Land that has undergone plowing and harrowing and has been left unseeded for one or more growing seasons
(v-with object) to make (land) fallow for agricultural purposes

Question 3

Wane

Answer 3

(v-without object) To decrease in strength, intensity
To draw to a close; approach an end
To decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon
(n) The drawing to a close of life, an era, a period

Question 4

Beseech

Answer 4

(v-with object) To implore urgently
To beg eagerly for; solicit
(v-without object) To make urgent appeal

Question 5

Cantankerous

Answer 5

(adj.) Disagreeable to deal with; contentious; peevish

Question 6

Pique

Answer 6

(v) To affect with sharp irritation and resentment, especially by some wound to pride
To excite ( interest, curiosity, etc)
To pride (oneself) (usually followed by on or upon)

Question 7

Conjecture

Answer 7

(n) The formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof.
An opinion or theory so formed by expressed; guess; speculation
(v-with object) to conclude or suppose from grounds or evidence insufficient to ensure reliability
(v-without object) To form conjectures.

Question 8

Imperturbable

Answer 8

(adj.) Incapable of being upset or agitated; not easily excited; calm

Question 9

Malice

Answer 9

(n) Desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness

Question 10

Assail

Answer 10

(v-with object) To attack vigorously or violently; assault.

To attack with arguments, criticism, ridicule, abuse

Question 11

Eminent

Answer 11

(adj.) High in station, rank, or repute; prominent; distinguished.
Conspicuous, signal, or noteworthy.
Lofty; high.
Prominent; projecting; protruding

Question 12

Refuse

Answer 12

(n) Something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage
(adj. ) Rejected as worthless; discarded

Question 13

Relinquish

Answer 13

(v-with object) To renounce or surrender ( a possession, right, etc.)
To give up; put aside or desist from.
To let go; release

Question 14

Unbridled

Answer 14

(adj.) Not controlled or restrained. Not fitted with a bridle

Question 15

Vivacious

Answer 15

(adj.) Lively; animated; gay

Question 16

Zenith

Answer 16

(n) The point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer.
A highest point or state; culmination

Question 17

Derelict

Answer 17

(adj.) Left or deserted, as by the owner or guardian; abandoned
Neglectful of duty; delinquent; negligent
(n) A person abandoned by society, especially a person without a permanent home and means os support

Question 18

Querulous

Answer 18

(adj.) Full of complaints; complaining. Characterized by or uttered in complaint; peevish

Question 19

Vagrant

Answer 19

(n) A person who wanders about idly and has no permanent home or employment; vagabond; tramp; wandered; rover
(adj.) Of, pertaining to, or characteristics of vagrant.
Not fixed or settled, especially in course; moving hither and thither.

Question 20

Ostracize

Answer 20

(v-with object) to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges. 
To banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate