Week 6 Words

Question 1

perch

Answer 1

n.
a stick serving as a resting place for birds.
The parakeet swung back and forth on its perch.

v.
to roost; to sit as birds do.
There is a robin perched on one of the branches of the tree.

Question 2

persecute

Answer 2

v.
to cause people to suffer unfairly, usually for religious or racial reasons.
The conquered people of Holland, Norway, and Denmark were persecuted by the Nazis.

Question 3

personnel

Answer 3

n.
the staff of an organization; a group of employees.
The hiring of all personnel in our company is handled by our employment manager.

Question 4

pertinent

Answer 4

adj.
related to the discussion.
After a thorough search, the district attorney unearthed evidence that was pertinent to the case.

Question 5

petty

Answer 5

adj.
having little importance; small; mean.
He was reprimanded by his superior for a series of petty offenses.

Question 6

plausible

Answer 6

adj.
seeming to be fair and reasonable.
The suspect gave a plausible account of his actions on the night of the crime, but the detective still was not convinced.

Question 7

posterity

Answer 7

n.
descendants; future generations.
Many letters written by George Washington have been preserved for posterity.

Question 8

preamble

Answer 8

n.
an introduction to writing or speech.
The preamble to our Constitution tells why the Constitution was written.

Question 9

preliminary

Answer 9

adj.
leading up to something more important.
We watched a preliminary game before the Boston Celtics played the Lakers.

Question 10

premature

Answer 10

adj.
happening too soon.
Our joy was premature, since our team lost the lead in the last minute of the game.

Question 11

proclamation

Answer 11

n.
public and official declaration.
Each November, the President issues a proclamation of Thanksgiving.

Question 12

procure

Answer 12

v.
to obtain by care or effort; bring about; cause.
After searching in several bookstores, I finally procured the book that I had been looking for.

Question 13

rank

Answer 13

n.
high station or position.
A colonel is of higher rank than a major.

Question 14

rapidity

Answer 14

n.
swiftness; quickness; speed.
The rapidity of the magician’s movements made it impossible for us to see how he did his tricks.

Question 15

quiver

Answer 15

v.
to tremble; shake.
The children huddled in the corner, quivering with cold.

n.
a case for carrying arrows.
Robin Hood drew an arrow from his quiver and took careful aim.

Question 16

recuperation

Answer 16

n.
recovery of health and strength.
After an operation, people need a period of recuperation at home.