Vocabulary Semester I (List 3, 4, 5)

Question 1

affinity

Answer 1

n) natural attraction to a person or liking for a thing. Harvey’s affinity for math led him to excel in our computer course.

Question 2

assuage

Answer 2

v) to calm or soothe; to satisfy. Mother hastened to the bedroom to assuage Beth’s fear of the dark.

Question 3

chronic

Answer 3

adj) lasting a long time; constant; habitual. When Dad’s cough became chronic, we coaxed him into getting a chest x-ray.

Question 4

distraught

Answer 4

adj) in a state of mental conflict and confusion; distracted. Ophelia’s distraught brother flung himself into her grave and uttered a challenge to Hamlet.

Question 5

tirade

Answer 5

(n) a long, angry or scolding speech; a harangue; a chastisement. Senator Jones yelled at his opponent in a tirade that included every fault and weakness he could think of.

Question 6

Lucid

Answer 6

(adj) easily understood; rational; clear-mindedExample Sentence:After a few moments of unintelligible ravings, Mr. Turner became _______ again.

Question 7

Prolific

Answer 7

(adj) producing many offspring; producing much; abundant; fruitfulExample Sentence:Irving Berlin was a _______ songwriter.

Question 8

Spurious

Answer 8

(adj) lacking authenticity; counterfeit; falseExample Sentence:The witnesses’ _______ story about the incident was torn apart by cross-examination.

Question 9

Trepidation

Answer 9

(n) a trembling; apprehension; dreadExample Sentence:John was filled with _______ as he waited for his cue to go on stage.

Question 10

Writhe

Answer 10

(v) to twist or squirm, as in painExample Sentence:When we saw the child _______ in pain, we rushed him to the hospital.

Question 11

guile

Answer 11

crafty; deceit; cunning; sly trickery

Question 12

Ambiguous

Answer 12

(adj) permitting more than one interpretation; not clearly definedExample Sentence: Archer’s _______ remarks about the problem confused us.

Question 13

Capricious

Answer 13

(adj) changeable; fickle; unpredictableExample Sentence:Our weather is so _______ that it’s difficult to make weekend plans.

Question 14

Coalesce

Answer 14

(v) to grow together; to combine; mixExample Sentence:If the competing groups could _______, they would control the election.

Question 15

Elucidate

Answer 15

(v) to make clear; explainExample Sentence:Students asked the teacher to _______ the complicated assignment.

Question 16

Hyperbole

Answer 16

(n) an exaggerated statement used as a figureof speech for greater effect; extreme exaggeration (Ex. “ a mile-high ice cream cone”)Example Sentence:The tributes at Adrian’s retirement dinner werefilled with flagrant _______.

Question 17

Zealot

Answer 17

(n) a person who shows great enthusiasm for a cause; fanaticExample Sentence:A _______for political reform will go to any lengths to further his cause.

Question 18

Aesthetic

Answer 18

showing an appreciation of beauty in nature or art; artistic

Question 19

Analogous

Answer 19

similar in certain qualities ; comparable

Question 20

Capitulate

Answer 20

to surrender; to cease resisting

Question 21

Dissipated

Answer 21

indulging excessively in sensual pleasures; to spend or use wastefully; to scatter in various directions

Question 22

Lethargic

Answer 22

drowsy; dull; sluggish; indifferent

Question 23

Garner

Answer 23

to gather and store away ; collect

Question 24

Terse

Answer 24

using only a few words, but clear and to the point ; compact

Question 25

Aberration

Answer 25

a deviating from the right path or usual course of action

Question 26

Caustic

Answer 26

stinging, biting, corrosive

Question 27

Disparage

Answer 27

to discredit; to belittle

Question 28

Formidable

Answer 28

hard to overcome; to be dreaded

Question 29

scrutinize

Answer 29

to look at very carefully; to inspect minutely