Week 4 Vocab

Question 1

rue

Answer 1

(n) regret, sorrow;
(v) to regret, to feel remorse
(n) a bitter herb used medicinally

Question 2

equivocal

Answer 2

(adj. ) Undecided, ambivalent
(adj. ) Open to multiple interpretations, often with the intent to deceive or mislead; of uncertain or dubious nature

Question 3

verisimilar

Answer 3

(adj.) Probably, likely, or appearing to be true

Question 4

hoodwink

Answer 4

(v) To deceive or trick, especially using a misleading or false appearance

Question 5

misanthrope

Answer 5

(n) One with hate or distrust for humankind

Question 6

teetotaler

Answer 6

(n) One who abstains totally from alcohol

Question 7

apathetic

Answer 7

(adj. ) Showing or feeling little emotion
(adj. ) Without interest or concern; indifferent

Question 8

pedantic

Answer 8

(adj.) Excessively, narrowly, often ostentatiously focused on formal rules or book learning; unimaginative

Question 9

indelible

Answer 9

(adj. ) Permanent; Impossible to remove, erase, or wash away
(adj. ) Memorable, unforgettable, making a lasting impression

Question 10

scotch

Answer 10

(v) To put an end to (the storm scotched our plans)

Question 11

coda

Answer 11

(n) Something that concludes, finishes, or rounds out, often with a summary of what has gone before (example: an unpleasant after-hours voicemail from your boss would be a coda to an awful workday)

Question 12

homogeneous

Answer 12

(adj.) Similar in kind; composed of similar or uniform parts

Question 13

fatuous

Answer 13

(adj.) Complacently foolish or silly

Question 14

inveterate

Answer 14

(adj. ) Established through long practice or precedent
(adj. ) Habitual or ingrained

Question 15

permeable

Answer 15

(adj.) Capable of being permeated or penetrated; porous so as to admit liquid

Question 16

philanthropic

Answer 16

(adj.) Of, related to, characterized by, involved with, or providing charitable or humanitarian aid or assistance

Question 17

ostracize

Answer 17

(v) To exclude; to exile from a group by general consent

Question 18

propagate

Answer 18

(v) To multiply or breed; to pass (traits) to offspring
(v) To extend or spread to a greater area or number
(v) To foster wider knowledge or spread word of; to publicize

Question 19

fidelity

Answer 19

(n) The state or quality of being faithful or loyal
(n) Accuracy or exactness (as in “high fidelity”)

Question 20

abstain

Answer 20

(v) To refrain or hold oneself back

Question 21

inhibit

Answer 21

(v) To prevent, prohibit, or forbid
(v) To restrain, dampen, hold back, or check

Question 22

facetious

Answer 22

(adj. ) Joking or jocular (often inappropriately), not meaning to be serious
(adj. ) Intended to be humorous, rather than serious

Question 23

ingenuous

Answer 23

(adj.) Lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness; straightforward, candid, frank

Question 24

affable

Answer 24

(adj.) Pleasant and easy to talk to; approachable

Question 25

adhere

Answer 25

(v) To stay attached, stick to
(v) To be devoted in support or allegiance
(v) To remain committed to

Question 26

slack

Answer 26

(adj.) 1. Negligent, careless, or lax; slow, sluggish, lacking energy; lacking tautness or tightness; weak; inactive, not busy

(v) 1. To become slack, to loosen or make slower
2. To shirk or evade work ; to be careless or inattentive in doing

Question 27

diverge

Answer 27

(v) To turn aside from a path or course; to branch off from a single point
(v) To differ in opinion, form, or character

Question 28

frequent

Answer 28

(adj. ) Happening often
(v) To visit

Question 29

fringe

Answer 29

(n) A margin, periphery, or outer edge

Question 30

egress

Answer 30

(n) The act of going out or exiting
(n) An exit or way out

Question 31

ascend

Answer 31

(v) To move or slope upward; to rise from a lower level or station
(v) To go back in time or genealogical progression
(v) To become king or queen

Question 32

laudable

Answer 32

(adj.) Praiseworthy

Question 33

rent

Answer 33

(adj.) Having been torn; violently lacerated; or wrested from

(n) 1. A tear or opening created by rending
2. A rift or breach in relations

Question 34

volatile

Answer 34

(adj.) Widely varying, fickle, inconstant, or even prone to violence

Question 35

aseptic

Answer 35

(adj. ) Free from or protecting against infection by pathogenic microorganisms
(adj. ) Without animation or emotion

Question 36

skullduggery

Answer 36

(n) Deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous behavior

Question 37

predilection

Answer 37

(n) A preference or partiality for something

Question 38

divestiture

Answer 38

(n) The act of divesting (opposite of “investing”), or stripping someone of property
(n) The sale or liquidation of assets

Question 39

prologue

Answer 39

(n) An introduction, esp. to a poem, play, novel

Question 40

gossamer

Answer 40

(adj.) Extremely light, delicate, or sheer

Question 41

dormant

Answer 41

(adj.) Lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive (esp. temporarily inactive)

Question 42

grate

Answer 42

(v) To shred (such as cheese) by rubbing against an abrasive surface; To cause to make a harsh sound through grinding (as teeth); To persistently annoy

Question 43

gratuitous

Answer 43

(adj. ) Done, given, or obtained without payment; unearned
(adj. ) Unwarranted, unjustified, uncalled-for

Question 44

hegemony

Answer 44

(n) Dominance or influence of one group or force over others

Question 45

rift

Answer 45

(n) A narrow fissure in rock
(n) A break in an interpersonal relationship

Question 46

grievous

Answer 46

(adj. ) Causing great pain, suffering, or grief
(adj. ) Serious, dire, severe, or extremely harmful; oppressive, burdensome

Question 47

ephemeral

Answer 47

(adj. ) Short-lived or lasting only a brief period
(adj. ) Lasting only one day

Question 48

aspersion

Answer 48

(n) A false, derogatory claim meant to injure someone’s reputation
(n) The act of making such a claim
(n) A sprinkling with water, especially as part of a religious ceremony

Question 49

halcyon

Answer 49

(adj. ) Calm, peaceful, or tranquil
(adj. ) Prosperous or wealthy