Vocabulary Unit 10

Question 1

Askance (Adv.)

Answer 1

With suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

Question 2

Attenuate (Verb)

Answer 2

To make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

Question 3

Benign (Adj)

Answer 3

Gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant

Question 4

Cavil (Verb or Noun)

Answer 4

(V) to find fault in a petty way, carp; (N) a trivial objection or criticism

Question 5

Charlatan (Noun)

Answer 5

One who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, imposter, or quack

Question 6

Decimate (Verb)

Answer 6

To kill or destroy a large part of

Question 7

Foible (Noun)

Answer 7

A weak point, failing, or minor flaw

Question 8

Forgo (Verb)

Answer 8

To do without, abstain from, or give up

Question 9

Fraught (Adj)

Answer 9

Full or or loaded with; accompanied by

Question 10

Inure (Verb)

Answer 10

To toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure

Question 11

Luminous (Adj)

Answer 11

Emitting or reflecting light; flowing, illuminating

Question 12

Obsequious (Adj)

Answer 12

Marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons

Question 13

Obtuse (Adj)

Answer 13

Blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding; measuring between 90 degrees and 180 degrees; not causing a sharp impression

Question 14

Oscillate (Verb)

Answer 14

To swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waiver

Question 15

Penitent (Adj or Noun)

Answer 15

(Adj) Regretful for one’s mistakes; (Noun) One who is sorry for wrongdoing

Question 16

Peremptory (Adj)

Answer 16

Having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute

Question 17

Rebuff (Verb or Noun)

Answer 17

(V) To snub to repel, drive away; (N) a curt rejection, a check

Question 18

Reconnoiter (Verb)

Answer 18

To engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection

Question 19

Shambles (Noun)

Answer 19

A slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess

Question 20

Sporadic (Adj)

Answer 20

Occurring at irregular intervals; having not set plan or order