WOD 201

Question 1

evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone.

synonyms: obtain, bring out, draw out, extract, evoke, bring about, bring forth, induce, excite, give rise to, call forth, prompt, generate, engender, spark off, trigger, kindle

Answer 1

elicit

“I tried to elicit a smile from Joanna”

Question 2

feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.

synonyms: enraptured, elated, transported, in transports, in raptures, euphoric; More
2.
involving an experience of mystic self-transcendence.

Answer 2

ecstatic

“ecstatic fans filled the stadium”
“an ecstatic vision of God”

Question 3

prevent from happening; make impossible.

synonyms: prevent, make it impossible for, make it impracticable for, rule out, put a stop to, stop, prohibit, debar, interdict, block, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude, disqualify, forbid; estop

(of a situation or condition) prevent someone from doing something.

Answer 3

preclude

“the secret nature of his work precluded official recognition”
“his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life”
“his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life”

Question 4

1.
a request made in an urgent and emotional manner.

synonyms: appeal, entreaty, supplication, petition, prayer; More
2.
LAW
a formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply.

Answer 4

plea

“he made a dramatic plea for disarmament”
“he changed his plea to not guilty”

Question 5

an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.

synonyms: tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, susceptibility, liability, disposition

Answer 5

propensity

“his propensity for violence”

Question 6

is a cognitive bias in which people of low ability have illusory superiority and mistakenly assess their cognitive ability as greater than it is.

Answer 6

the Dunning–Kruger effect

Question 7

government by the wealthy.

a state or society governed by the wealthy.
plural noun: plutocracies

an elite or ruling class whose power derives from their wealth.

Answer 7

plutocracy

“the attack on the Bank of England was a gesture against the very symbol of plutocracy”
“no one can accept public policies which turn a democracy into a plutocracy”
“officials were drawn from the new plutocracy”

Question 8

think about (a fact, proposal, or request) deeply and at length.

synonyms: ponder, consider, think over/about, reflect on, contemplate, deliberate, turn over in one’s mind, chew over, weigh up, consider the pros and cons of, cogitate on, meditate on, muse on, ruminate over/on, brood on, have one’s mind on, give some thought to, evaluate, examine, study, review, revolve

Answer 8

mull

“she began to mull over the various possibilities”

Question 9

1.
an indefinite and very long period of time.

synonyms: age, epoch, generation, year, time, long period; More
2.
PHILOSOPHY
(in Neoplatonism, Platonism, and Gnosticism) a power existing from eternity; an emanation or phase of the supreme deity.

Answer 9

aeon

“he reached the crag aeons before I arrived”

Question 10

set (something) on fire.
synonyms: light, ignite, set alight, set light to, set on fire, set fire to, put a match to, set burning, get going, start, touch off, spark; informaltorch

arouse or inspire (an emotion or feeling).
synonyms: rouse, arouse, wake, waken, awaken, quicken; More
(of an emotion) be aroused.
synonyms: rouse, arouse, wake, waken, awaken, quicken

Answer 10

kindle

“he kindled a fire of dry grass”
“a love of art was kindled in me”
“she hesitated, suspicion kindling within her”

Question 11

make more beautiful or attractive.

synonyms: embellish, decorate, furnish, ornament

Answer 11

adorn

“pictures and prints adorned his walls”

Question 12

adjective
1.
(of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.

synonyms: convenient, advantageous, in one’s own interests, to one’s own advantage, useful, of use, of service, beneficial, of benefit, profitable, gainful, effective, helpful; More
noun
1.
a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but possibly improper or immoral.
synonyms: measure, means, method, stratagem, scheme, plan, course of action, solution, move, tactic, manoeuvre, recourse, resource, device, tool, contrivance, ploy, plot, machination, trick, ruse, artifice, invention

Answer 12

expedient

“either side could break the agreement if it were expedient to do so”
“the current policy is a political expedient”

Question 13

verb
1.
(of a river or road) follow a winding course.

synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake
“the river meandered gently through the meadow”
noun
1.
a winding curve or bend of a river or road.

synonyms: bend, loop, curve, twist, turn, turning, coil, zigzag, oxbow, convolution

Answer 13

meandere

“a river that meandered gently through a meadow”
“the river flows in sweeping meanders”

Question 14

the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.

the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning.
plural noun: etymologies

synonyms: derivation, word history, development, origin, source

Answer 14

etymology

“the etymology of the word ‘devil’”
“the decline of etymology as a linguistic discipline”

Question 15

(of a man) having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive.

synonyms: manly, masculine, male, all-male; More
having or characterized by strength and energy.

Answer 15

virile (we-rile) Virility (we-reelity)

“he was a powerful, virile man”
“a strong, virile performance of the Mass”

Question 16

so as to give the impression of having a certain quality; apparently.

synonyms: apparently, on the face of it, to all appearances, as far as one can see/tell, on the surface, to all intents and purposes, outwardly, evidently, superficially, supposedly, avowedly, allegedly, professedly, purportedly; More
according to the facts as one knows them; as far as one knows.

Answer 16

seemingly

“a seemingly competent and well-organized person”
“it’s touch-and-go, seemingly, and she’s asking for you”

Question 17

inability to interpret sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.

Answer 17

agnosia

“visual agnosia”

Question 18

1.
having or displaying a passionate intensity.

synonyms: impassioned, passionate, intense, vehement, ardent, fervid, sincere, feeling, profound, deep-seated, heartfelt, deeply felt, emotional, animated, spirited

Answer 18

fervent

“a fervent supporter of the revolution”

Question 19

a fleet of warships.

synonyms: fleet, flotilla, squadron, navy, naval force, (naval) task force
“an armada of forty-five warships”

Answer 19

armada

“an armada of destroyers, minesweepers, and gunboats”

Question 20

noun
1.
a check or restraint on something.
synonyms:	restraint, restriction, check, brake, rein, control, limitation, limit, constraint, stricture; More
2.
a type of bit with a strap or chain attached which passes under a horse's lower jaw, used as a check.
verb
1.
restrain or keep in check.

synonyms: restrain, hold back, keep back, hold in, repress, suppress

Answer 20

curb

“plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing”
“she promised she would curb her temper”

Question 21

noun
an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.

synonyms: insinuation, implication, hint, suggestion, intimation, overtone, undertone, whisper, allusion, nuance, reference, imputation, aspersion, slur

Answer 21

innuendo

“she’s always making sly innuendoes”
“he became the butt for their smutty innuendoes”

Question 22

neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting.

synonyms: slanting, slanted, sloping, at an angle, angled, diagonal, aslant, slant, slantwise, sloped, inclined, inclining, tilted, tilting, atilt, skew, on the skew, askew; More
2.
not expressed or done in a direct way.

synonyms: indirect, inexplicit, roundabout, circuitous, circumlocutory, implicit, implied, elliptical, evasive, backhanded; More

Answer 22

oblique

“we sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace”
“he issued an oblique attack on the President”

Question 23

inclined or willing.
synonyms: inclined, predisposed, minded More
having a specified attitude to or towards.

Answer 23

disposed
“James didn’t seem disposed to take the hint”
“he is favourably disposed towards the proposals”

Question 24

(of a person) in a very unhappy or unfortunate state.

synonyms: miserable, unhappy, sad, broken-hearted, heartbroken, grief-stricken, grieving, sorrowful, sorrowing, mourning, anguished, distressed, desolate, devastated, despairing, inconsolable, disconsolate, downcast, down, downhearted, dejected, crestfallen, cheerless, depressed, melancholy, morose, gloomy, glum, mournful, doleful, dismal, forlorn, woeful, woebegone, abject, low-spirited, long-faced; More
of poor quality; very bad.

synonyms: harsh, hard, grim, stark, difficult; More
used to express anger or annoyance.

synonyms: despicable, contemptible, beyond contempt, reprehensible, base, low, vile, mean, scurvy, abominable, loathsome, hateful, detestable, odious, disreputable, depraved, debased, infamous, villainous, ignoble, shameful, shabby, worthless

Answer 24

wretched

“I felt so wretched because I thought I might never see you again”
“she disliked the wretched man intensely”
“the wretched conditions of the slums”

Question 25

noun
1.
a point of transition between two different states.

2.
a pointed end where two curves meet.

Answer 25

cusp

“those on the cusp of adulthood”

Question 26

become or make more cheerful, lively, or interesting.

synonyms: cheer up, brighten (up), become more cheerful, become livelier, feel happier, take heart, be heartened, liven up, revive

Answer 26

perk

“she’d been depressed, but she seemed to perk up last week”

Question 27

outward behaviour or bearing.

synonyms: manner, air, attitude, appearance, look, aspect, mien, cas

Answer 27

demeanour

“his happy demeanour”

Question 28

a simple device for calculating, consisting of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid.

Answer 28

abacus (aba-koes)

Question 29

noun
1.
a person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.

synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissentient, dissident, rebel; More
adjective
1.
dissatisfied and complaining or rebellious.

synonyms: disaffected, discontented, dissatisfied, disgruntled

Answer 29

malcontent

“it was too late to stop the malcontents with a show of force”
“the malcontent generals saw their role as leaders of this counter-revolution”

Question 30

make someone liable or inclined to a specified attitude, action, or condition.

synonyms: make susceptible, make liable, make prone, lay open, make vulnerable, put at risk of, leave open, make subject

Answer 30

predispose

“lack of exercise may predispose an individual to high blood pressure”

Question 31

noun
1.
a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable.

adjective
1.
denoting or relating to a consonant.

2.
in agreement or harmony with.

synonyms: in agreement with, agreeing with, consistent with, in accordance with, accordant with, consilient with, in harmony with, compatible with, congruous with, in tune with, reconcilable with

Answer 31

consonant

“fricatives are by far the largest group of English consonants”
“the findings are consonant with other research”
“a consonant phoneme”

Question 32

struggle to surmount (a difficulty).

synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against; More
2.
assert something as a position in an argument.

synonyms: assert, maintain, hold, claim, argue, profess, affirm, aver, avow, insist, state, declare, pronounce, allege, plead

Answer 32

contend

“she had to contend with his uncertain temper”
“he contends that the judge was wrong”
“the plaintiffs contended that their business plan was confidential”

Question 33

stroke or caress lovingly or erotically.

synonyms: caress, stroke, pat, pet, pull, finger, touch, tickle, twiddle

Answer 33

fondle

“he kissed and fondled her”

Question 34

trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.

synonyms:	cut back, trim, thin, thin out, pinch back, crop, clip, shear, pollard, top, dock; More
cut away (a branch or stem) from a tree, shrub, etc.

synonyms: cut off, lop (off), chop off, hack off, clip, snip (off), nip off, dock, sever, detach, remove

reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts.

synonyms: reduce, cut, cut back, cut down, cut back on, pare, pare down, slim down, make reductions in, make cutbacks in, trim, whittle away/down, salami-slice, decrease, diminish, axe, shrink, minimize; More
remove (superfluous or unwanted parts) from something.

Answer 34

prune

“now is the time to prune roses”
“prune back the branches”
“the workforce was pruned”
“Eliot deliberately pruned away details”

Question 35

outward behaviour or bearing.

synonyms: manner, air, attitude, appearance, look, aspect, mien, cast

Answer 35

demeanour (the mean er)

“his happy demeanour”

Question 36

a non-profit organization that operates independently of any government, typically one whose purpose is to address a social or political issue.

Answer 36

NGO

Question 37

1.
formal and dignified.

synonyms: dignified, ceremonious, ceremonial, stately, courtly, majestic, imposing, impressive, awe-inspiring, portentous, splendid, magnificent, grand, important, august, formal

2.
characterized by deep sincerity.

synonyms: sincere, earnest, honest, genuine, firm, committed, unconditional, heartfelt, wholehearted, sworn, formal

Answer 37

solemn

“a solemn procession”
“a solemn occasion”
“a solemn promise”
“he swore a solemn oath to keep faith”

Question 38

open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.

synonyms: compliant, acquiescent, biddable, manageable, controllable, governable, persuadable, tractable, responsive, pliant, flexible, malleable, complaisant, accommodating, docile, submissive, obedient, tame, meek, easily handled; rarepersuasible

capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible.
“cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment”
synonyms: susceptible, receptive, responsive, reactive, vulnerabl

Answer 38

amenable (a mean able)

“parents who have amenable children”
“an easy-going, amenable child”

Question 39

is a logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with.

Answer 39

circular reasoning

Question 40

never changing.

synonyms: unvarying, unchanging, changeless, unvaried, invariant

Answer 40

invariable

“his routine was invariable”

Question 41

able to repel a particular thing; impervious to a particular substance.

synonyms: impermeable, impervious, resistant; More
2.
causing disgust or distaste.

synonyms: revolting, repulsive, disgusting, repugnant, sickening, nauseating, stomach-turning, stomach-churning, nauseous, emetic, vile, nasty, foul, appalling, abominable, hideous, horrible, awful, dreadful, terrible, obnoxious, loathsome, offensive, objectionable, off-putting, distasteful, disagreeable, uninviting
noun
1.
a substance that deters insects or other pests from approaching or settling.

2.
a substance used to treat something, especially fabric or stone, so as to make it impervious to water.

Answer 41

repellent

“water-repellent nylon”
“the idea was slightly repellent to her”

“a flea repellent”

Question 42

required by law or a rule; obligatory.

synonyms: obligatory, mandatory, required, requisite, necessary, essential, statutory, prescribed; More
involving or exercising compulsion; coercive.
“the abuse of compulsory powers”

Answer 42

compulsory

“compulsory military service”

Question 43

formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).

synonyms: put an end to, do away with, get rid of, scrap, end, stop, terminate, eradicate, eliminate, exterminate, destroy, annihilate, stamp out, obliterate, wipe out, extinguish, quash, expunge, extirpate

Answer 43

abolish

“the tax was abolished in 1977”
“‘It is not a matter of freeing labour but rather of abolishing it.’
“

Question 44

(with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially as a manifestation of extreme anger.

noun
1.
a contraction or tightening of part of the body.
synonyms: contraction, tightening, tensing, tension, constricting, cramp

Answer 44

clench

“she clenched her fists, struggling for control”
“she saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists”

“she felt a clench in her stomach”

Question 45

lack of harmony among musical notes.

synonyms: inharmoniousness, discordance, atonality, cacophony; More
lack of agreement or harmony between people or things.

synonyms: incongruity, disparity, discrepancy, disagreement, tension

Answer 45

dissonance

“an unusual degree of dissonance for such choral styles”
“the party faithful might be willing to put up with such dissonance among their candidates”

Question 46

leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others.
synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, ascendancy, predominance, primacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty

Answer 46

hegemony

“Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871”

Question 47

noun
1.
a sudden attack or incursion into enemy territory, especially to obtain something; a raid.
synonyms: raid, attack, assault, incursion, swoop, strike, charge, sortie, sally, rush, onrush, push, thrust, onslaught, offensive, bombardment; More
verb
1.
make or go on a foray.
“the place into which they were forbidden to foray”

Answer 47

Foray

“the garrison made a foray against Richard’s camp”
“the place into which they were forbidden to foray”

Question 48

very surprising, astonishing, or remarkable.

synonyms: surprising, astonishing, amazing, unexpected, unforeseen, staggering, shocking, stunning;

Answer 48

startling

“he bore a startling likeness to their father”

Question 49

the decisive or most important point at issue.
synonyms: nub, heart, essence, most important point, central point, main point, essential part, core, centre, nucleus, kernel; informalthe bottom line
a particular point of difficulty.
plural noun: cruces; plural noun: cruxes

Answer 49

crux

“the crux of the matter”
“both cruces can be resolved by a consideration of the manuscripts”

Question 50

exaggerated or aggressive patriotism.

synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, excessive loyalty, flag-waving, xenophobia, racism, racialism, racial prejudice, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity
excessive or prejudiced support for one’s own cause, group, or sex.
plural noun: chauvinisms

synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, blind patriotism, excessive nationalism, sectarianism, isolationism, excessive loyalty, flag-waving, xenophobia, racism, racialism, racial prejudice, ethnocentrism, ethnocentricity

Answer 50

chauvinism

“public opinion was easily moved to chauvinism and nationalism”
“we stand together to stamp out chauvinism and bigotry”

Question 51

noun
1.
a thing of little value or importance.

synonyms: unimportant thing/matter, trivial thing/matter, triviality, thing/matter of no consequence, thing/matter of no importance, bagatelle, inessential, nothing

1.
treat without seriousness or respect.
synonyms: treat in a cavalier fashion, treat lightly, treat frivolously, treat casually, play ducks and drakes with;

Answer 51

trifle

“we needn’t trouble the headmaster over such trifles”
“he is not a man to be trifled with”

Question 52

1.
overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).
synonyms:	overcome, conquer, get over, prevail over, triumph over, get the better of, beat, vanquish, master; More
2.
stand or be placed on top of.

synonyms: cap, top, crown, tip

Answer 52

surmount

“all manner of cultural differences were surmounted”
“the tomb was surmounted by a sculptured angel”

Question 53

untruthfulness.

synonyms: lying, untruthfulness, dishonesty, deceit, deceitfulness, deception, dissembling, insincerity, disingenuousness, hypocrisy, fraud, fraudulence, double-dealing, two-timing, duplicity, perjury, perfidy

Answer 53

mendacity

“people publicly castigated for past mendacity”

Question 54

(of an action, idea, or aim) deserving praise and commendation.

synonyms: praiseworthy, commendable, admirable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, creditable, worthy of admiration, estimable, of note, noteworthy, exemplary, reputable, honourable, excellent, sterling; rareapplaudable

Answer 54

laudable

“laudable though the aim might be, the results have been criticized”
“a laudable attempt to get more women into Parliament”

Question 55

the quality of being fair and impartial.

synonyms: fairness, fair-mindedness, justness, justice, equitableness, fair play; More
2.
the value of the shares issued by a company.
synonyms: value, worth, valuation

Answer 55

equity

“equity of treatment”
“he owns 62% of the group’s equity”

Question 56

1.
take hold of suddenly and forcibly.

synonyms: grab, grasp, snatch, seize hold of, grab hold of, take hold of, lay hold of, lay (one’s) hands on, get one’s hands on, take a grip of, grip, clutch, take, pluck

2.
take (an opportunity) eagerly and decisively.

Answer 56

seize

“she jumped up and seized his arm”
“a protester seized the microphone”
“he seized his chance to attack as Carr hesitated”

Question 57

require as a precondition of possibility or coherence.

synonyms: require, necessitate, imply, entail, mean, involve, assume, suppose, have as a necessary condition, have as a precondition

tacitly assume at the beginning of a line of argument or course of action that something is the case.

synonyms: presume, assume, take it for granted, take it, take it as read/given, suppose, surmise, think, accept, consider, postulate, posit

Answer 57

presuppose

“their original prediction presupposed a universe only three billion years old”
“the following course of action presupposes the existence of a policy-making group”
“your argument presupposes that it does not matter who is in power”
“I had presupposed that theme parks make people happy”

Question 58

existing or operating within; inherent.

synonyms: inherent, intrinsic, innate, built-in, latent, essential, fundamental, basic, ingrained, natural

(of God) permanently pervading and sustaining the universe.
synonyms: pervasive, pervading, permeating; More

Answer 58

immanent

“the protection of liberties is immanent in constitutional arrangements”
“the material insecurity immanent in the forced commodification of labour”

Question 59

in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate.

Answer 59

inextricably

“for many top executives, golf and business are inextricably linked”

Question 60

reach inside a receptacle and search for something.

synonyms: rummage (about/around/round) in, search (through), hunt through, scrabble about/around in, root about/around in, ferret (about/around) in, fish about/around in, poke about/around in, dig in, grub about/around in, go through, burrow in; More
2.
ARCHAIC
dig; excavate.

Answer 60

delve

“she delved in her pocket”

“when Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?”

Question 61

very cold in temperature.

synonyms: very cold, bitterly cold, bitter, freezing, frozen, frosty, icy, icy-cold, ice-cold, chilly, wintry, bleak, sub-zero, arctic, Siberian, polar, glacial; More
(especially of a woman) unable or unwilling to be sexually aroused and responsive.

synonyms: sexually unresponsive, unresponsive, undemonstrative, unaffectionate, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, passionless, unfeeling, unemotional, unloving, uncaring

stiff or formal in behaviour or style.

synonyms: stiff, formal, stony, steely, flinty, wooden, impersonal, indifferent, unresponsive, unemotional, unfeeling, unsmiling, unenthusiastic, austere, distant, aloof, remote, reserved, unapproachable

Answer 61

frigid

“frigid water”
“my ex told everyone I was frigid”
“the frigid elegance of the new Opera Bastille”

Question 62

1.
surround or close off on all sides.

synonyms: surround, circle, ring, encompass, encircle, circumscribe, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe, hem, line, flank; More
2.
place (something) in an envelope together with a letter.

synonyms: include, insert, put in, enfold

Answer 62

enclose

“the entire estate was enclosed with walls”
“I enclose a copy of the job description”

Question 63

adjective
1.
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.

synonyms: binding, obligatory, mandatory, necessary, compulsory, required, requisite, essential, imperative

2.
(of an official or regime) currently holding office.

synonyms: current, existing, present, in office, in power; reigning
“the incumbent President had been defeated”
noun
1.
the holder of an office or post.

synonyms: holder, bearer, occupant;

Answer 63

incumbent

“the government realized that it was incumbent on them to act”
“it is incumbent on the government to give a clear lead”

“the incumbent President was defeated”
“the present incumbent will soon be retiring”

Question 64

deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.

synonyms: deduce, reason, work out, conclude, come to the conclusion, draw the inference, conjecture, surmise, theorize, hypothesize

Answer 64

infer

“from these facts we can infer that crime has been increasing”

Question 65

nounLITERARY•PHILOSOPHY

an ultimate object or aim.

Answer 65

telos

“in the hedonistic life, people lose some moral purpose, a telos which provides the moral justification for the society”

Question 66

analyse and develop (an idea or principle) in detail.

synonyms: explain, explain in detail, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out; More
analyse (a literary work) in order to reveal its meaning.

Answer 66

explicate

“an attempt to explicate the relationship between crime and economic forces”
“these essays seek to explicate and contextualize Kristeva’s writings”

Question 67

though.

Answer 67

albeit (all-be-it)

“he was making progress, albeit rather slowly”

Question 68

1.
not openly acknowledged or displayed.

synonyms: secret, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, stealthy, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hole-in-the-corner, closet, behind-the-scenes, backstairs, back-alley, under-the-table, hugger-mugger, concealed, hidden, private; More
noun

1.
a thicket in which game can hide.

Answer 68

covert

“covert operations against the dictatorship”

Question 69

noun
an image or representation of someone or something.

an unsatisfactory imitation or substitute.

Answer 69

simulacrum (simu-lakerum)

“a small-scale simulacrum of a skyscraper”
“a bland simulacrum of American soul music”

Question 70

adjective
1.
of the highest quality or degree.

synonyms: excellent, magnificent, wonderful, glorious, marvellous, brilliant, supreme, consummate, outstanding, prodigious, dazzling, remarkable, formidable, fine, choice, sterling, first-rate, first-class, of the first water, of the first order, of the highest order, premier, prime, unsurpassed, unequalled, unparalleled, unrivalled, unbeatable, peerless, matchless, singular, unique, transcendent, best, greatest, worthiest, pre-eminent, perfect, faultless, flawless

noun

an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of praise.

Answer 70

superlative

“a superlative piece of skill”
“the critics ran out of superlatives to describe him”

Question 71

the policy or practice on the part of people in authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to or otherwise dependent on them in their supposed interest.

Answer 71

paternalism

“attitudes in society reinforce a degree of paternalism among doctors”

Question 72

adjective
1.
concerning interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts.
noun
1.
a method or theory of interpretation.

Answer 72

hermeneutic

Question 73

hold the complete attention of (someone) as though by magic; fascinate.

synonyms: fascinating, enthralling, entrancing, bewitching, captivating, intriguing, riveting, transfixing, engrossing, gripping, very interesting, very exciting, thrilling, absorbing, compelling, compulsive, mesmerizing, mesmeric, hypnotic, magical

Answer 73

spellbind

“the singer held the audience spellbound”

past tense: spellbound

Question 74

adjective
(of a person) pleasing or liked on account of having qualities or interests that are similar to one’s own.

synonyms: like-minded, compatible, kindred, well suited, easy to get along with; More
(of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to one’s taste or inclination.

synonyms: pleasant, pleasing, to one’s liking, agreeable, enjoyable, pleasurable, nice, appealing, engaging, satisfying, gratifying, fine, charming, delightful, relaxing, snug, welcome, welcoming, hospitable;

Answer 74

congenial

“his need for some congenial company”

“he went back to a climate more congenial to his cold stony soul”

Question 75

nounFORMAL
1.
a large, imposing building.
synonyms:	building, structure, construction, erection, pile, complex, assembly; More
2.
a complex system of beliefs.

Answer 75

edifice

“the concepts on which the edifice of capitalism was built”

Question 76

interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

synonyms: interpret, understand, read, see, take, take to mean, parse, render, analyse, explain, elucidate, gloss, decode

Answer 76

construe

“his words could hardly be construed as an apology”
“his actions could be construed as an admission of guilt”

Question 77

torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable.

excite the senses or desires of (someone).

synonyms: tease, torment, torture, bait

Answer 77

tantalize

“such ambitious questions have long tantalized the world’s best thinkers”
“she still tantalized him”

Question 78

unambiguously explicit and direct.

synonyms: unqualified, unconditional, unequivocal, unreserved, absolute, explicit, unambiguous, definite, certain, direct, downright, outright, complete, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, emphatic, positive, express, point-blank, wholehearted, conclusive, undiluted, unalloyed, unadulterated

Answer 78

categorical

“a categorical assurance”

Question 79

belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.

synonyms: dissension, dissent, dissidence, blasphemy, nonconformity, unorthodoxy, heterodoxy, apostasy, freethinking, schism, faction; More
opinion profoundly at odds with what is generally accepted.

Answer 79

heresy

“Huss was burned for heresy”
“the heresy of being uncommitted to the right political dogma”

Question 80

having or showing no skill; clumsy.

synonyms: incompetent, unskilful, unskilled, inexpert, amateurish, crude, rough

Answer 80

inept

“the referee’s inept handling of the match”

Question 81

verb
1.
refuse to accept; reject.

synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, forswear, give up, turn one’s back on, have nothing more to do with, wash one’s hands of, have no more truck with, abjure, disavow, recant, desert, discard, disown, cast off, lay aside, cut off, rebuff
2.
deny the truth or validity of.

synonyms: deny, refute, contradict, rebut, dispute, disclaim, disavow; More

Answer 81

repudiate

“she has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders”
“the minister repudiated allegations of human rights abuses”

Question 82

open resistance; bold disobedience.

synonyms: resistance, opposition, confrontation; More
antonyms: submission, obedience

Answer 82

defiance

“an act of defiance”

Question 83

occur as an interruption or change to an existing situation.

Answer 83

supervene

“he had appendicitis and as complications supervened, refrained from work for months”

Question 84

1.
lacking the ability or strength to move.

synonyms: unmoving, motionless, immobile, still, stock-still, stationary, static, dormant, sleeping; More
2.
chemically inactive.
synonyms: chemically inactive

Answer 84

inert

“she lay inert in her bed”
“the inert gases in meteorites”

Question 85

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

synonyms: dilemma, plight, predicament, state of uncertainty, state of perplexity, unfortunate situation, difficult situation, awkward situation; More
a difficult situation; a practical dilemma.

Answer 85

quandry

“Kate was in a quandary”
“a legal quandary”

Question 86

provide or serve as clear evidence of.

Answer 86

attest

“his status is attested by his becoming an alderman”

Question 87

relating to signs and symbols.

relating to semiotics.
adjective: semeiotical

Answer 87

semiotic

“the gestures, images, and objects notated in his scripts share a semiotic importance equal to the spoken text”
“a semiotic approach to popular music can reveal aspects of its structure that may be overlooked by more traditional methodologies”

Question 88

a great difference.

synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, imbalance, inequality, incongruity, unevenness, disproportion;

Answer 88

disparity

“economic disparities between different regions of the country”

Question 89

adjective
1.
subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty.

synonyms: debatable, open to debate, open to discussion, arguable, questionable, at issue, open to question, open, doubtful, open to doubt, disputable, contestable, controvertible, problematic, problematical, controversial, contentious, vexed, disputed, unresolved, unsettled, up in the air, undecided, yet to be decided, undetermined, unconcluded

2.
having little or no practical relevance, typically because the subject is too uncertain to allow a decision.
“the whole matter is becoming increasingly moot”
verb
1.
raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility).

synonyms: raise, bring up, broach, mention, put forward, introduce, advance, present, propose, suggest, submit, propound, air, ventilate

Answer 89

moot

“whether the temperature rise was mainly due to the greenhouse effect was a moot point”
“whether the temperature rise is due to the greenhouse effect is a moot point”
“the scheme was first mooted last October”
“the idea was first mooted in the 1930s”

Question 90

not having any serious purpose or value.

synonyms: flippant, glib, waggish, joking, jokey, light-hearted, facetious, fatuous, inane, shallow, superficial, senseless, thoughtless, ill-considered, non-serious; More
(of a person) carefree and superficial.
“the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties”
synonyms: giddy, silly, foolish, facetious, zany, light-hearted, merry, superficial, shallow, lacking seriousness, non-serious, light-minded, whimsical, skittish, flighty, irresponsible, thoughtless, lacking in sense, feather-brained, empty-headed, pea-brained, birdbrained, vacuous, vapid

Answer 90

frivolous

“frivolous ribbons and lacy frills”

Question 91

1.
an unfounded rumour or story.

2.
a small winglike projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing to provide extra stability or control, sometimes replacing the tail.

Answer 91

canard

“the old canard that LA is a cultural wasteland”

Question 92

make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear.

synonyms: banish, eliminate, dismiss, chase away, drive away, drive off, get rid of, dissipate, disperse, scatter, disseminate

Answer 92

dispel

“the brightness of the day did nothing to dispel Elaine’s dejection”

Question 93

begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.

synonyms: grow rapidly, increase rapidly/exponentially, expand, spring up, shoot up, swell, explode, boom, mushroom, proliferate, snowball, multiply, become more numerous, escalate, rocket, skyrocket, run riot, put on a spurt

Answer 93

burgeon (like burden)

“manufacturers are keen to cash in on the burgeoning demand”

Question 94

diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength.

synonyms: diminish, decrease, reduce, get smaller, become smaller, grow smaller, become less, grow less, lessen, wane, contract, shrink, fall off, taper off, tail off, drop, fall, go down, sink, slump, plummet

Answer 94

dwindle

“traffic has dwindled to a trickle”

Question 95

having or showing great knowledge or learning.

synonyms: learned, scholarly, well educated, knowledgeable, well read, widely read, well versed, well informed, lettered, cultured, cultivated, civilized, intellectual

Answer 95

erudite

“Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion”

Question 96

repeat aloud or declaim (a poem or passage) from memory before an audience.

synonyms:	repeat from memory, say aloud, read aloud, declaim, quote, speak, deliver, render; More
say aloud (a series of names, facts, etc.).

synonyms: enumerate, list, detail, itemize, reel off, rattle off

Answer 96

recite

“he recited passages of Dante”
“she recited the dates and names of kings and queens”

Question 97

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

synonyms: parable, analogy, metaphor, symbol, emblem; More
a symbol.

Answer 97

allegory

“Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of the spiritual journey”

Question 98

adjective
1.
of a brownish-red colour.

noun
1.
a brownish-red colour.

2.
BRITISH
a firework that makes a loud bang, used as a signal or warning.

Answer 98

maroon

“ornate maroon and gold wallpaper”
“the hat is available in either white or maroon”

Question 99

1.
pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.

synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despondent, disconsolate, wretched, abject, morose, regretful, broken-hearted, heartbroken, down, downcast, dispirited, downhearted, heavy-hearted, crestfallen, depressed, melancholy, blue, gloomy, glum, mournful, despairing, doleful, woebegone, woeful, tearful, long-faced, joyless, cheerless, out of sorts; More
2.
(of an aim or endeavour) unlikely to succeed or be fulfilled.

synonyms: hopeless, with no chance of success, beyond hope

Answer 99

forlorn

“forlorn figures at bus stops”
“a forlorn attempt to escape”

Question 100

1.
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.

synonyms: offhand, indifferent, casual, dismissive, insouciant, uninterested, unconcerned

Answer 100

“Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude”

Question 101

a person or thing causing inconvenience or annoyance.

synonyms: source of annoyance/irritation, annoyance, inconvenience, bore, bother, irritant, problem, difficulty, trouble, trial, burden

Answer 101

nuisance

“it’s a nuisance having all those people clomping through the house”

Question 102

verb
beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something.

synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, pray, ask, request, solicit, supplicate, importune, call on

Answer 102

implore

Question 103

a substance such as salt, mustard, or pickle that is used to add flavour to food.

Answer 103

condiment

Question 104

noun
1.
(in the Christian Church) a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting divine grace, such as baptism, the Eucharist and (in the Roman Catholic and many Orthodox Churches) penance and the anointing of the sick.
2.
(in Roman Catholic use) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, especially the bread or Host.

Answer 104

sacrament

“he heard Mass and received the sacrament”

Question 105

synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, send into a rage, inflame, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, gall, pique, try someone’s patience, get on someone’s nerves, make someone’s blood boil, make someone’s hackles rise, make someone see red, get someone’s back up, rub up the wrong way, ruffle someone’s feathers, drive to distraction; More
antonyms: please, delight, pleasing, delightful

Answer 105

exasperate

“this futile process exasperates prison officers”

Question 106

noun
1.
either of a pair of upright poles with supports for the feet enabling the user to walk at a distance above the ground.
2.
a long-billed wading bird with predominantly black and white plumage and very long slender reddish legs.

Answer 106

stilt

Question 107

until now or until the point in time under discussion.

synonyms: previously, formerly, earlier, so far, thus far, before, beforehand, to date, as ye

Answer 107

hitherto (heather-two)

“hitherto part of French West Africa, Benin achieved independence in 1960”

Question 108

extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable.

estimate or conclude (something) by extrapolating.
“the figures were extrapolated from past trends”

Answer 108

extrapolate

“the results cannot be extrapolated to other patient groups”

Question 109

showing a skilful use of underhand tactics to achieve goals.

synonyms: underhand, underhanded, deceitful, dishonest, dishonourable, disreputable, unethical, unprincipled, immoral, unscrupulous, fraudulent, cheating, dubious, dirty, unfair, treacherous, duplicitous, double-dealing, Janus-faced, below the belt, two-timing, two-faced, unsporting, unsportsmanlike; More
2.
(of a route or journey) longer and less direct than the most straightforward way.

synonyms: circuitous, roundabout, indirect, meandering, winding, serpentine, tortuous, rambling; rareanfractuous

Answer 109

devious

“he’s as devious as a politician needs to be”
“they arrived at the town by a devious route”
“the A832 is a devious route around the coastal fringes”

Question 110

adjective
1.
(especially of wrongdoing) very obvious and unacceptable.

synonyms: flagrant, blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, evident, conspicuous; More
2.
(of income, profit, or interest) without deduction of tax or other contributions; total.

synonyms: total, whole, entire, complete, full, overall, comprehensive, aggregate; More
adverb
1.
without tax or other contributions having been deducted.

verb
1.
produce or earn (an amount of money) as gross profit or income.

synonyms: earn, make, bring in, take, get, receive, fetch, draw, collect; More
noun

2.
a gross profit or income.

Answer 110

gross

“gross human rights abuses”
“the gross amount of the gift was £1,000”
“if the value of your Bond is £50,000 or more the interest will be paid gross”
“the film went on to gross $8 million”
“the box office grosses mounted”

Question 111

reject with disdain or contempt.

synonyms: refuse, decline, say no to, reject, rebuff, scorn, turn down, turn away, repudiate, treat with contempt, disdain, look down one’s nose at, despise

Answer 111

spurn

“he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be spurned”

Question 112

1.
move in a quivering way; flicker.

synonyms: flicker, quiver, tremble, twinkle, glimmer, wink, blink

2.
become weaker; falter.

synonyms: become unsteady, falter, wobble, tremble, hesitate

be undecided between two opinions or courses of action.

synonyms: be undecided, be irresolute, be indecisive, hesitate, dither, equivocate, vacillate, fluctuate, see-saw, yo-yo;

Answer 112

waver

“the flame wavered in the draught”
“the candlelight in the room wavered in a warm draught”

“his voice wavered with a hint of uncertainty”
“she never wavered from her intention”
“his love for her had never wavered”

Question 113

.
a severe flood.

synonyms: flood, flash flood, torrent; spate

verb
1.
overwhelm with a flood.

synonyms: flood, inundate, engulf, submerge, swamp, drown

Answer 113

deluge (de lee uge)

“this may be the worst deluge in living memory”
“many homes were swept away by the deluge”

“caravans were deluged by the heavy rains”
“caravans were deluged by the heavy rains”

Question 114

verb
1.
walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps.

synonyms: trudge, walk heavily, clump, stomp, stump, tramp, drag oneself, lumber, slog; More
noun
1.
a slow, heavy walk.

Answer 114

plod

“we plodded back up the hill”
“he settled down to a steady plod”

Question 115

concern and distress caused by something unexpected.

synonyms: alarm, shock, surprise, consternation, concern, perturbation, disquiet, disquietude, discomposure, distress, upset, anxiety, trepidation, fear

verb
1.
cause (someone) to feel concern and distress.

synonyms: appal, horrify, shock, shake, shake up

Answer 115

dismay

“to his dismay, she left him”
“they were dismayed by the U-turn in policy”
“they greeted his decision with great dismay”

Question 116

inflicting or intended as punishment.

synonyms: penal, disciplinary, corrective, correctional, retributive; More
(of a tax or other charge) extremely high.

synonyms: harsh, severe, stiff, austere, cruel, savage, stringent, burdensome, demanding, draconian, drastic, swingeing, crushing, crippling

Answer 116

punitive

“he called for punitive measures against the Eastern bloc”
“a current punitive interest rate of 31.3 per cent”

Question 117

relating to, affecting, or involving the whole world; worldwide.

Answer 117

mondial

Question 118

1.
jump or dive quickly and energetically.

synonyms: jump, dive, hurl oneself, throw oneself, fling oneself, launch oneself, catapult oneself, cast oneself, pitch oneself

2.
push or thrust quickly.

synonyms: thrust, stick, ram, drive, jab, stab, push, shove, force, sink

noun
1.
an act of jumping or diving into water.
"fanatics went straight from the hot room to take a cold plunge"
synonyms:	jump, dive

Answer 118

plunge

“our little daughters whooped as they plunged into the sea”
“Joy stripped her clothes off and plunged into the sea”
“he plunged his hands into his pockets”
“he plunged the dagger into the man’s back”

Question 119

1.
digressing from subject to subject.

synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy; More
2.
relating to discourse or modes of discourse.

Answer 119

discursive

“students often write dull, second-hand, discursive prose”
“the attempt to transform utterances from one discursive context to another”

Question 120

noun
1.
a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.

synonyms: record, written account, history, annals, archive(s), register; More
verb
1.
record (a series of events) in a factual and detailed way.

synonyms: record, put on record, write down, set down, document, register, report, enter

Answer 120

chronicle

“a vast chronicle of Spanish history”
“his work chronicles 20th-century migration”

Question 121

assign an inferior rank or position to.

synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down

Answer 121

relegate

“they aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role”

Question 122

1.
a doctrine which identifies God with the universe, or regards the universe as a manifestation of God.
2.
the worship or tolerance of many gods.

Answer 122

pantheism

Question 123

1.
characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to be suggestive of the Devil.

synonyms: devilish, fiendish, satanic, Mephistophelian, demonic, demoniacal, hellish, infernal, evil, wicked, ungodly, unholy; rarecacodemonic

2.
INFORMAL•BRITISH
disgracefully bad or unpleasant.

synonyms: very bad, poor, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, disgraceful, shameful, lamentable, deplorable, appalling, atrocious

Answer 123

diabolical

“his diabolical cunning”
“his diabolical skill”
“a singer with an absolutely diabolical voice”

Question 124

adjective
1.
of a rich deep red colour inclining to purple.

noun
1.
a rich deep red colour inclining to purple.

verb
1.
(of a person’s face) become flushed, especially through embarrassment.

Answer 124

crimson

“she blushed crimson with embarrassment”
“a pair of corduroy trousers in livid crimson, they were horrid to behold”
“my face crimsoned and my hands began to shake”

Question 125

an organism or inorganic object or material which takes various forms.

Answer 125

polymorph

Question 126

noun
1.
a thing that existed before or logically precedes another.

synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor

2.
a person’s ancestors or family and social background.

synonyms: ancestor, forefather, forebear, predecessor, progenitor
adjective
1.
preceding in time or order; previous or pre-existing.

synonyms: previous, earlier, prior, foregoing, preceding, precursory

Answer 126

antecedent (antee-ceedent)

“some antecedents to the African novel might exist in Africa’s oral traditions”
“music composed for vihuela (the guitar’s lute-like antecedent)”
“her early life and antecedents have been traced”
“antecedent events”

Question 127

mad; insane.

Answer 127

deranged

“a deranged gunman”

Question 128

original or primitive.

first or earliest.

Answer 128

proto

“prototherian”
“protomartyr”

Question 129

a distinguishing badge or emblem of military rank, office, or membership of an organization.

synonyms: badge, crest, emblem, symbol, sign, device, mark, seal, colours; More
a sign or token of something.

Answer 129

insignia

“a khaki uniform with colonel’s insignia on the collar”
“the ruins are devoid of moss and ivy, the romantic insignia of age and decay”

Question 130

1.
make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.

synonyms: suffocate, choke, asphyxiate; More
2.
restrain (a reaction) or stop oneself acting on (an emotion).

synonyms: suppress, smother, restrain, keep back, hold back, hold in, fight back, choke back, gulp back, withhold, check, keep in check, swallow, muffle, quench, curb, silence, contain, bottle up

Answer 130

stifle

“those in the streets were stifled by the fumes”
“she stifled a giggle”

Question 131

noun
1.
a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material.

2.
DENTISTRY
a crown in which the restoration is placed over the prepared surface of a natural crown.
verb
1.
cover (something) with a decorative layer of fine wood.

Answer 131

veneer

“a fine-grained veneer”
“factories employed cabinetmakers to veneer looking glasses”

Question 132

appear as a vague form, especially one that is large or threatening.

synonyms: emerge, appear, become visible, come into view, take shape, materialize, reveal itself, appear indistinctly, come to light, take on a threatening shape

(of an event regarded as threatening) seem about to happen.

synonyms: be imminent, be on the horizon, impend, be impending, be close, be ominously close, threaten, be threatening, menace, brew, be just around the corner

Answer 132

loom

“vehicles loomed out of the darkness”
“ghostly shapes loomed out of the fog”
“there is a crisis looming”
“without reforms, disaster looms”

Question 133

verb
1.
express to (someone) one’s disapproval of or disappointment in their actions.

noun
1.
the expression of disapproval or disappointment.

synonyms: rebuke, reproof, reproval, admonishment, admonition, scolding, reprimand, remonstration, lecture, upbraiding, castigation, lambasting, criticism, censure, disapproval, disapprobation

Answer 133

reproach

“her friends reproached her for not thinking enough about her family”
“he gave her a look of reproach”

Question 134

adjective
1.
expressing contempt or disapproval.

synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libellous, abusive, insulting, slighting, vituperative, disapproving, contemptuous; More
noun
1.
a word expressing contempt or disapproval.

Answer 134

pejorative

“permissiveness is used almost universally as a pejorative term”
“most of what he said was inflammatory and filled with pejoratives”

Question 135

a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one.

synonyms: cliff face, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, cliff, crag, bluff, height, escarpment, scarp, escarp, scar

Answer 135

precipice

“we swerved toward the edge of the precipice”

Question 136

a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.

synonyms: din, racket, noise, discord, dissonance, discordance, caterwauling, raucousness, screeching, jarring, stridency, grating, rasping

Answer 136

cacophony

“a cacophony of deafening alarm bells”
“despite the cacophony, Rita slept on”

Question 137

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.

Answer 137

interlocutor

Question 138

noun
1.
a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts.

synonyms: disease, canker, infestation, fungus, mildew, mould, rot, decay

2.
a thing that spoils or damages something.

synonyms: affliction, scourge, bane, curse, plague, menace, evil, misfortune, woe, calamity, trouble, ordeal, thorn in one’s flesh/side, trial, tribulation, visitation, nuisance, pest, pollution, contamination, cancer, canker

verb
1.
have a severely detrimental effect on.

synonyms: ruin, wreck, spoil, disrupt, undo, mar, play havoc with, make a mess of, put an end to, end, bring to an end, put a stop to, prevent, frustrate, crush, quell, quash, dash, destroy, scotch, shatter, devastate, demolish, sabotage; More
2.
infect (plants) with blight.

synonyms: infect, wither, shrivel, blast, mildew, nip in the bud, kill, destroy
“a peach tree blighted by leaf curl”

Answer 138

blight

“the vines suffered blight and disease”
“the vacant properties are a blight on the neighbourhood”
“potato blight”

“the government are protecting people from the blight of aircraft noise”
“the scandal blighted the careers of several leading politicians”
“a peach tree blighted by leaf curl”

Question 139

conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.

synonyms: banter, badinage, witty conversation, bantering, raillery, witticism, crosstalk, wordplay, patter;

Answer 139

repartee

“he had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee”

Question 140

perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.

synonyms: clean, spotless, pristine, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied, speckless, ultra-clean

Answer 140

immaculate

Question 141

(of a person or animal) move about restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey.

synonyms: move stealthily, slink, skulk, steal, nose, pussyfoot, sneak, sidle, stalk, creep

Answer 141

prowl

“lions prowling in the bush”
“I met her once on one of my off-duty bookshop prowls”

Question 142

the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.
the quality of being self-centred or selfish.

Answer 142

solipsism

Question 143

behave uncontrollably and disruptively.

synonyms: go berserk, get out of control, rampage, run riot, riot, rush wildly/madly about, go on the rampage

Answer 143

amok

“stone-throwing anarchists were running amok”

Question 144

a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem.
a person or thing regarded as being symbolic or representative of a particular quality or concept.

Answer 144

totem

“the fast food chains have become totems of Western economic development”

Question 145

a trace of a bad or undesirable substance or quality.

synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge, tincture; More
something with a contaminating influence or effect.

verb: taint; 3rd person present: taints; past tense: tainted; past participle: tainted; gerund or present participle: tainting

contaminate or pollute (something).

synonyms: contaminate, pollute, adulterate, infect, blight, befoul, spoil, soil, ruin, destroy

antonyms: clean
affect with a bad or undesirable quality.

synonyms:tarnish, sully, blacken, stain, besmirch, smear, blot, blemish, stigmatize, mar, corrupt, defile, soil, muddy, foul, dirty, damage, injure, harm, hurt, debase, infect, poison, vitiate

Answer 145

taint

“the lingering taint of creosote”
“the taint that threatens to stain most of the company’s other partners”
“the air was tainted by fumes from the cars”
“his administration was tainted by scandal”
“fraudulent firms need to be weeded out, lest they taint the reputation of all firms”
“the world’s last great wilderness is being tainted by pollution”

Question 146

(of an animal, especially a pig) make a low, short guttural sound.

(of a person) make a low inarticulate sound, typically to express effort or indicate assent.

Answer 146

grunt

“an enormous pig grunted and shuffled in a sty outside”
“the men cursed and grunted as they lassoed the steer”

Question 147

noun
1.
a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling.
synonyms: warren, tunnel, hole, lair, set, den, earth, retreat, excavation, cave, dugout, hollow, scrape

verb
1.
(of an animal) make a hole or tunnel, typically for use as a dwelling.

synonyms: tunnel, dig (out), excavate, grub, mine, bore, drill, channel

Answer 147

burrow

“the rabbits’ burrow”
“moles burrowing away underground”

Question 148

marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.

synonyms: sardonic, ironic, ironical, satirical; derisive, scornful, contemptuous, mocking, ridiculing, sneering, jeering, scoffing

Answer 148

sarcastic

“making sarcastic comments”

Question 149

a large snake.
a biblical name for Satan (see Gen. 3, Rev. 20).
noun: Serpent; noun: the Serpent
a dragon or other mythical snake-like reptile.

2.
a sly or treacherous person, especially one who exploits a position of trust in order to betray it.

Answer 149

serpent

“fire-breathing, flying serpents”

Question 150

1.
a sudden strong rush of wind.
synonyms: flurry, blast, puff, blow, rush, squall
a sudden burst of something such as rain, sound, or emotion.

synonyms: outburst, burst, outbreak, gale, effusion, eruption, explosion, storm, surge, peal, howl, hoot, shriek, roar; More
verb

1.
(of the wind) blow in gusts.

synonyms: bluster, flurry, blow, blast, roar

Answer 150

gust

“a sudden gust of wind”

“the wind was gusting through the branches of the tree”
“the wind gusted around chimneys”
“gusts of rain and snow flurried through the open door”

Question 151

1.
walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction.

synonyms: march, stalk, pace, tread, step, walk
walk about or along (a street or other place) with long, decisive steps.

2.
cross (an obstacle) with one long step.

a long, decisive step.
synonyms: step, long step, large step, pace, footstep

Answer 151

stride

“he strode across the road”
“she came striding down the garden path”
“a woman striding the cobbled streets”
“he crossed the room in a couple of strides”
“the speaker was getting into his stride”

Question 152

unpleasantly bitter or pungent.

synonyms: pungent, bitter, sharp, sour, tart, harsh, acid, acidic, acidulated, vinegary, acerbic, acetic, acetous

Answer 152

acrid (like act)

acrid tang
“acrid smoke”

Question 153

not clear or sharply defined.

synonyms: blurred, out of focus, fuzzy, hazy, misty, foggy, cloudy, shadowy, smoky, dim, nebulous; More
antonyms: distinct, clear, legible, loud

Answer 153

indistinct

“his speech was slurred and indistinct”

Question 154

an enemy or opponent.
synonyms: enemy, adversary, opponent, rival, nemesis, antagonist, combatant, challenger, competitor, opposer, hostile party

Answer 154

foe

“his work was praised by friends and foes alike”

Question 155

a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.
a group of four lines in some Greek and Latin metres.

Answer 155

stanza

Question 156

is a French expression, traditionally referring to a child who is terrifyingly candid by saying embarrassing things to parents or others. However, the expression has drawn multiple usage in careers of art, fashion, music, and other creative arts

Answer 156

Enfant terrible

Question 157

a large rodent with defensive spines or quills on the body and tail.

Answer 157

porcupine

Question 158

archaic : a person sent ahead to provide lodgings
2a : one that initiates a major change : a person or thing that originates or helps open up a new activity, method, or technology : PIONEER

b : something that foreshadows a future event : something that gives an anticipatory sign of what is to come

Answer 158

harbinger (ger like german)

-the great legal harbinger of the New Deal revolution
-a harbinger of nanotechnology
the harbingers of peace to a hitherto distracted … people
-robins, crocuses, and other harbingers of spring

Question 159

changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.
synonyms: capricious, changeable, variable, volatile, mercurial, vacillating, fitful, irregular

Answer 159

fickle

“celebs trying to appeal to an increasingly fickle public”

Question 160

an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.

2.
(in ancient Greece) an epic poem, or part of a poem, of a suitable length for recitation at one time.

Answer 160

rhapsody

“rhapsodies of praise”

Question 161

a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.

a gloss or sheen on a surface resulting from age or polishing.
the impression or appearance of something.

Answer 161

patina

“the dining table will acquire a warm patina with age”
“he carries the patina of old money and good breeding”

Question 162

uncontrolled; unconstrained.

synonyms: unrestrained, unconstrained, uncontrolled, uninhibited, unrestricted, unchecked, uncurbed, rampant, runaway, irrepressible, unstoppable, uncontainable, unquenchable

Answer 162

unbridled

“a moment of unbridled ambition”

Question 163

1.
a bright green precious stone consisting of a chromium-rich variety of beryl.

2.
a bright green colour.

Answer 163

emerald

“an emerald necklace”
“the sea glistened in shades of emerald and jade”

Question 164

(of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.
synonyms: shake, shiver, tremble, quiver, quaver, vibrate, palpitate, flutter, quake, heave, convulse

Answer 164

shudder

“she still shuddered at the thought of him”
“she still shuddered at the thought of him”

Question 165

damage the purity or appearance of; mar or spoil.
synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade;
desecrate or profane (something sacred).
synonyms: desecrate, profane, violate, treat sacrilegiously

Answer 165

defile

“the land was defiled by a previous owner”
“the tomb had been defiled and looted”

Question 166

showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.

synonyms: disrespectful, disdainful, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, disparaging

Answer 166

irreverent

“she is irreverent about the whole business of politics”

Question 167

1.
an inscription on a building, statue, or coin.
2.
a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme

Answer 167

epigraph

Question 168

1.
sovereignty or control.
synonyms: supremacy, ascendancy, dominance, domination, superiority, predominance, pre-eminence, primacy, hegemony, authority, mastery, control, command, direction, power, sway, rule, government, jurisdiction, sovereignty, suzerainty, lordship, overlordship; More
2.
the territory of a sovereign or government.
synonyms: dependency, colony, protectorate, territory, province, outpost, satellite

Answer 168

dominion

“man’s attempt to establish dominion over nature”
“the Angevin dominions”

Question 169

giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen; threateningly inauspicious.
synonyms: threatening, menacing, baleful, forbidding, sinister, doomy, inauspicious, unpropitious, portentous, unfavourable, dire, unpromising

Answer 169

ominous

“there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead”

Question 170

goodbye until we meet again.

Answer 170

“here’s hoping it is au revoir and not goodbye”

Question 171

a large cage, building, or enclosure for keeping birds in.

Answer 171

aviary

Question 172

a notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, typically including a brief biography of the deceased person.

synonyms: death notice,

Answer 172

obituary

“his obituary of Samuel Beckett”

Question 173

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died.
synonyms: accolade, speech of praise, panegyric, paean, encomium, tribute, testimonial, compliment, commendation

Answer 173

eulogy

“a eulogy to the Queen Mother”

Question 174

noun
1.
great enthusiasm and energy.
synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervour, ardour, passion, love, enjoyment, joy, delight, excitement; More
2.
the outer coloured part of the peel of citrus fruit, used as flavouring.
synonyms: rind, peel, skin, covering, outer layer; More
verb
1.
scrape off the outer coloured part of the peel of (a piece of citrus fruit) for use as flavouring.

Answer 174

zest

“they campaigned with zest and intelligence”
“add 3 tablespoons of lemon zest”
“zest the orange and lemon, taking care to discard all of the white pith”

Question 175

verb
1.
push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly.
synonyms:	push, thrust; More
noun
1.
an abrupt rough or violent movement.
synonyms:	bump, bounce, shake, jerk, lurch, vibratio

Answer 175

jolt

“a surge in the crowd behind him jolted him forwards”
“he felt a jolt when the plane started to climb”

Question 176

adjective
1.
sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.

synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, luxuriant, lush, gorgeous, costly, opulent, grand, elaborate, splendid, rich, regal, ornate, expensive; More
verb
1.
bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.
synonyms: give freely, spend, expend, heap, shower, pour, deluge, give generously, give unstintingly, bestow freely; informal blow

Answer 176

lavish

“a lavish banquet”
“the media couldn’t lavish enough praise on the film”
“she has always lavished money on her children”

Question 177

make (a person or area) poor.
synonyms: make poor, make penniless, reduce to penury, reduce to destitution, bring to ruin, bring someone to their knees, bankrupt, ruin, make insolvent; More
antonyms: make wealthy, rich, wealthy
exhaust the strength or vitality of.
synonyms: weaken, sap, exhaust, drain, empty, diminish, deplete, enervate, suck dry; More
antonyms: strengthen, enrich, rich, fertile

Answer 177

impoverish

“the wars had impoverished him”
“the soil was impoverished by annual burning”

Question 178

an unorthodox or independent-minded person.

synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, unconventional person, original, trendsetter, bohemian, eccentric, outsider; More
antonyms: conformist

Answer 178

maverick

“he’s the maverick of the senate”

Question 179

a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened.

synonyms: afterword, postscript, PS, coda, codicil, appendix, tailpiece, supplement, addendum, postlude, rider, back matter; More
a final or concluding act or event.

Answer 179

epilogue

“the meaning of the book’s title is revealed in the epilogue”
“a disastrous epilogue to the rest of his career”

Question 180

noun
1.
a comb or tuft of feathers, fur, or skin on the head of a bird or other animal.

synonyms: comb, plume, tuft, topknot, mane; More
2.
the top of a mountain or hill.
synonyms: summit, peak, highest point, top, mountaintop, tip, pinnacle, brow, crown, head, cap, brink, apex, vertex, apogee, zenith; More
verb
1.
reach the top of (a hill or wave).

2.
(of a wave) form a curling foamy top.

Answer 180

crest

“a large game bird with a conspicuous erect red crest”
“she reached the crest of the hill”
“she crested a hill and saw the valley spread out before her”
“the swell begins to curl and crest”

Question 181

of or denoting circles, arcs, or other shapes which share the same centre, the larger often completely surrounding the smaller.

Answer 181

concentric

“concentric circles indicate distances of 1 km, 2 km, and 3 km from the centre”

Question 182

a stately or impressive building housing a tomb or group of tombs.

synonyms: tomb, sepulchre, crypt, vault, charnel house, burial chamber, catacomb, undercroft

Answer 182

mausoleum

“the cathedral was built in 1517 as a royal mausoleum”

Question 183

1.
cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by not according with their expectations.

synonyms: amaze, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, startle, stun, stupefy, daze, nonplus; More
2.
mix up (something) with something else.

Answer 183

confound

“the inflation figure confounded economic analysts”
“he was forever confounding managerialism with idealism”

Question 184

the force or energy with which a body moves.

synonyms: momentum, propulsion, impulsion, impelling force, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust, continuing motion; More
something that makes a process or activity happen or happen more quickly.
plural noun: impetuses
synonyms: motivation, stimulus, incitement, incentive, inducement, inspiration, encouragement, boost

Answer 184

impetus

“hit the booster coil before the flywheel loses all its impetus”

“the ending of the Cold War gave new impetus to idealism”

Question 185

[…] is a term used in cultural criticism to critique the view that works of creative art, literature or music can be interpreted as reflections of the life of their authors.

Answer 185

The biographical fallacy

Question 186

a feeling or state of extreme happiness.

synonyms: elation, exultation, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, rapture, ecstasy, bliss, happiness, delight, gladness, glee, exuberance, exhilaration, excitement; transports

antonyms: sadness
2.
the action of elevating someone in rank or power.

synonyms: elevation, raising, rise, promotion, advancement, upgrading, ennoblement, aggrandizement

antonyms: lowering
3.
the action of praising someone or something highly.

synonyms: praise, praising, extolment, acclamation, glory, glorification, glorifying, reverence, revering, veneration, venerating, worship, worshipping, hero-worship, hero-worshipping, adoration, idolization, idolizing, lionization, lionizing, deification, deifying; More
antonyms: disparagement

Answer 186

exaltation

“she was in a frenzy of exaltation and terror”
“the exaltation of Jesus to the Father’s right hand”
“her heart was full of exaltation”
“the exaltation of the army as a place for brotherhood”

Question 187

(of an outcome or course of action) decided or determined beforehand; predestined.

Answer 187

preordained

“a divinely preordained plan of creation”

Question 188

feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.

synonyms: feel remorse for, regret, be sorry for, rue, reproach oneself for, be ashamed of, feel contrite about, wish that one had not done something; More
view or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse.

Answer 188

repent

“the Padre urged his listeners to repent”
“Marian came to repent her hasty judgement”

Question 189

(especially of a smell) spread through and be perceived in every part of.

synonyms: spread through, permeate, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, extend throughout, be disseminated through, flow through, run through; More
be present and apparent throughout.

Answer 189

pervade

“a smell of stale cabbage pervaded the air”
“the sense of crisis which pervaded Europe in the 1930s”

Question 190

contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event.

synonyms: foresee, predict, forecast, foretell, anticipate, expect, think likely, envision; More
form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known).

Answer 190

envisage

“the Rome Treaty envisaged free movement across frontiers”
“he knew what he liked but had difficulty envisaging it”

Question 191

encourage the development of (something, especially something desirable).
synonyms: encourage, promote, further, stimulate, advance, forward, cultivate, nurture, strengthen, enrich, help, aid, abet, assist, contribute to, support, endorse, champion, speak for, proselytize, sponsor, espouse, uphold, back, boost, give backing to, facilitate More
2.
bring up (a child that is not one’s own by birth).
synonyms: bring up, rear, raise, care for, take care of, look after, nurture

Answer 191

foster

“the teacher’s task is to foster learning”
“a person who would foster Holly was found”

Question 192

disappear like vapor
After you lose a loved one, often you’re gripped with a fear of […], or the rapid fading from sight or memory of that person. It comes from the Latin […]meaning “disappear, vanish.” Something that possesses qualities of disappearing or vanishing.

Answer 192

evanescence

the evanescence of a rainbow detracts not a whit from its beauty

Question 193

warm and friendly.
synonyms: friendly, warm, genial, affable, amiable, pleasant, fond, affectionate, warm-hearted, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, welcoming; More
2.
strongly felt.

synonyms: intense, strong, acute, violent, fierce, keen, fervent, fervid, ardent, passionate

Answer 193

cordial

“the atmosphere was cordial and relaxed”
“I earned his cordial loathing”

Question 194

open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.

(of a person) using ambiguous or evasive language.

synonyms: ambiguous, indefinite, non-committal, vague, indeterminate, imprecise, inexact, indistinct, inexplicit, blurry, hazy, foggy, nebulous, borderline; More
uncertain or questionable in nature.

Answer 194

equivocal (equi-vecal)

“the equivocal nature of her remarks”
“he has always been equivocal about the meaning of his lyrics”
“the results of the investigation were equivocal”

Question 195

noun
1.
comfort or consolation in a time of great distress or sadness.

synonyms: comfort, consolation, cheer, support, relief

Answer 195

solace

“she sought solace in her religion”
“they tried to find solace in pictures of their little girl as they wanted to remember her”
“the soundlessness of nature impressed and solaced her”
“Miss Wharton was driven home to be solaced with tea and sympathy”

Question 196

characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of time.

synonyms: a little at a time, piece by piece, bit by bit, gradually, slowly, in stages, in steps, step by step, little by little, by degrees, in/by fits and starts, in bits

Answer 196

piecemeal

“the village is slowly being killed off by piecemeal development”

Question 197

1.
a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children.

synonyms: fit, seizure, paroxysm, spasm, attack, muscular contractions; More
2.
a violent social or political upheaval.

synonyms: upheaval, eruption, turmoil, turbulence, disruption, agitation, disturbance, unrest, disorder, furore, upset, tumult, chaos

Answer 197

convulsion

“toxic side effects like convulsions”
“the convulsions of 1939–45”

Question 198

noun
1.
a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.

synonyms: dissenter, heretic, nonconformist; More
adjective
1.
abandoning a religious or political belief or principle.

Answer 198

apostate

“after fifty years as an apostate he returned to the faith”
“an apostate Roman Catholic”

Question 199

verb
1.
stare in an angry or fierce way.

synonyms: stare angrily, scowl, glower, look daggers, frown, lour, give someone a black look, look threateningly/menacingly; More
2.
(of the sun or an electric light) shine with a strong or dazzling light.

synonyms: blaze, be dazzling, be blinding, shine brightly, flare, flame, beam

2.
strong and dazzling light.

synonyms: strong light, dazzling light, blaze, dazzle, shine, beam, flare

Answer 199

glare

“she glared at him, her cheeks flushing”
“the sun glared out of a clear blue sky”
“Murray narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sun”

Question 200

1.
smell strongly and unpleasantly; stink.

synonyms: stink, smell, smell bad/disgusting, give off a bad smell, stink/smell to high heaven

1.
a foul smell.

synonyms: stink, bad smell, foul smell, stench, taint, effluvium; More
2.

Answer 200

reek

“the yard reeked of wet straw and horse manure”
“the reek of cattle dung”
“the whole place reeked of cheap perfume”

Question 201

walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance.

synonyms: paddle, wallow, dabble, slop, squelch, trudge, plod; More

Answer 201

wade

“he waded out to the boat”

Question 202

(of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline.

synonyms: serious, unsmiling, frowning, poker-faced, severe, forbidding, grim, unfriendly, sombre, grave, sober, austere, dour, stony, flinty, steely, unrelenting, unyielding, unforgiving, unbending, unsympathetic, disapproving; More
(of an act or statement) strict and severe.

synonyms: strict, severe, stringent, harsh, drastic, hard, tough, fierce, extreme, rigorous, rigid, exacting, demanding, uncompromising, unsparing, inflexible, authoritarian, draconian; More
(of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure.

Answer 202

stern

“a smile transformed his stern face”
“stern measures to restrict vehicle growth”
“the past year has been a stern test of the ability of British industry”

Question 203

arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.

synonyms: interim, temporary, pro tem; More

Answer 203

provisional

“a provisional government”

Question 204

criticize (someone or something) harshly.

synonyms: criticize, castigate, chastise, censure, condemn, take to task, harangue, attack, rail at, rant at, revile, fulminate against, haul/call over the coals;

Answer 204

lambast

“they lambasted the report as a gross distortion of the truth”

Question 205

make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly.
synonyms: speed up, accelerate, hurry, hasten, step up, quicken, precipitate, rush; More

Answer 205

expedite

“he promised to expedite economic reforms”

Question 206

extremely bad; appalling.

synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, woeful, hopeless, lamentable, laughable, substandard, poor, inadequate, inferior, unsatisfactory; More
antonyms: superb

Answer 206

abysmal

“the quality of her work is abysmal”

Question 207

calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.

synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic, unemotional, calm, placid, unexcitable; More

Answer 207

stolid

Question 208

1.
a person who is new to a subject or activity.

Similar:
beginner
learner
novice
newcomer
new member
new entrant
new recruit
raw recruit
new boy/girl
initiate
tyro
fledgling
trainee
apprentice
probationer
rookie
new kid
newbie
newie

2.
a new convert to a religion.

Answer 208

neophyte

“four-day cooking classes are offered to neophytes and experts”

Question 209

INFORMAL

a name.

Answer 209

moniker

“his real moniker is Dave Kennedy”

Question 210

a tiny piece of a substance; a speck.

Similar:
speck
particle
grain
spot
fleck
atom

Answer 210

mote

“the tiniest mote of dust”

Question 211

a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, especially in a book or other publication.

Similar:
collection
compilation
anthology
treasury
digest
summary
synopsis
precis
résumé
outline
summarization
round-up
summing-up
companion
handbook
manual
vade mecum
conspectus
summa
epitome
a collection or set of similar items.
"a compendium of tools"
a package of stationery for writing letters.

Answer 211

compendium

“an invaluable compendium of useful information about language”

Question 212

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.

Answer 212

curlish

“it seems churlish to complain”

Question 213

sit or stand with one leg on either side of.

Similar:
mount
get on
noun
1.
an act of sitting or standing with one's legs wide apart.

Answer 213

straddle

“he turned the chair round and straddled it”

Question 214

noun
1.
the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination.

2.
ASTRONOMY
the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is furthest from the earth.

Answer 214

apogee

“a film which was the apogee of German expressionist cinema”

Question 215

a detailed written study of a single specialized subject or an aspect of it.

Answer 215

monograph

“they are publishing a series of monographs on music in late medieval and Renaissance cities”

Question 216

1.
the action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body.

Similar:
cessation
conclusion
end
ending
finish
termination
break-up
split-up
winding up/down
discontinuation
suspension
disbandment
disbanding
disestablishment
disunion
separation
dispersal
scattering
prorogation
recess

Answer 216

dissolution

“the dissolution of their marriage”
“he came running back in stark terror”

Question 217

the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something.

Similar:
disbelief

Answer 217

incredulity

“he stared down the street in incredulity”

Question 218

severe or bare in appearance or outline.

Similar:
sharply delineated
sharp
sharply defined
well focused
crisp
distinct
obvious
evident
clear
clear-cut
graphic
striking
desolate
bare
barren
arid
vacant
empty
forsaken

Opposite:
fuzzy
indistinct
pleasant
comfortable
ornate
2.
complete; sheer.

Similar:
sheer
utter
complete
absolute
total
pure

Answer 218

stark

“the ridge formed a stark silhouette against the sky”

Question 219

a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines round any suitable support.
something resembling a xxxx, especially a slender curl or ringlet of hair.

Answer 219

tendril

“the wind fitfully moved the dark tendrils around her forehead”

Question 220

a system of society or government ruled by a woman or women.

a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line.
the state of being an older, powerful woman in a family or group.

Answer 220

matriarchy

“a matriarchy run by morally superior women”
“she cherished a dream of matriarchy—catered to by grandchildren”

Question 221

1.
a small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest.

2.
a period of time when the proceedings of a parliament, committee, court of law, or other official body are temporarily suspended.
verb
1.
attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed.

2.
NORTH AMERICAN
(of formal proceedings) be temporarily suspended.

Answer 221

recess

“a table set into a recess”
“talks resumed after a month’s recess”
“recessed ceiling lights”
“the talks recessed at 2.15”

Question 222

(of a young bird) develop wing feathers that are large enough for flight.

bring up (a young bird) until its wing feathers are developed enough for flight.

Answer 222

fledge

“the young fledge around four weeks after hatching”
“they fledged twenty-four chicks in fourteen months”

Question 223

find a way around (an obstacle).
Similar:
avoid
get round
find a way round
evade
get past
bypass
sidestep
dodge
overcome
outwit
outmanoeuvre
foil
end-run
duck
overcome (a problem or difficulty), typically in a clever and surreptitious way.

Answer 223

circumvent

“if you come to an obstruction in a road you can seek to circumvent it”
“I found it quite easy to circumvent security”

Question 224

a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force.
BRITISH
a large, heavy vehicle, especially an articulated lorry.

Answer 224

juggernaut

“the juggernaut of public expenditure”
“the juggernaut thundered through the countryside”

Question 225

put forward as fact or as a basis for argument.
Similar:
postulate
put forward
advance
propound
submit
predicate
hypothesize
take as a hypothesis
set forth
propose
pose
assert
presuppose
assume
presume
2.
put in position; place.

PHILOSOPHY
a statement which is made on the assumption that it will prove to be true.

Answer 225

posit

“the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature”
“the Professor posits Cohen in his second category of poets”

Question 226

unusually or disproportionately large; excessive.
Similar:
excessive
undue
unreasonable
unjustifiable
unwarrantable

Answer 226

inordinate

“the case had taken up an inordinate amount of time”

Question 227

stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
Similar:
apparent
seeming
outward
surface
superficial
professed

Answer 227

ostensible

“the real dispute which lay behind the ostensible complaint”

Question 228

tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion.
Similar:
tremble
shake
shiver
quaver
quake
shudder
convulse
flutter
agitate
vibrate
flap
beat
noun
a slight trembling movement or sound, especially one caused by a sudden strong emotion.

Answer 228

quiver

“the tree’s branches stopped quivering”
“she couldn’t help the quiver in her voice”

Question 229

critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.

Similar:
interpretation
explanation
exposition
explication
elucidation

Answer 229

exegesis

“the task of biblical exegesis”

Question 230

the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Similar:
force
compulsion
constraint
duress
oppression
enforceme

Answer 230

coercion

Question 231

(of a word or term) having only one possible meaning; unambiguous.

Answer 231

univocal

“a univocal set of instructions”

Question 232

physical or mental effort.

Similar:
effort
strain
struggle
toil
endeavour
hard work
labour
industry
blood
sweat
and tears
pains
assiduity
assiduousness
exercise

2.
the application of a force, influence, or quality.

Similar:
use
application
appliance
bringing to bear
exercise

Answer 232

exertion

“she was panting with the exertion”
“the exertion of authority”

Question 233

a thing that someone believes to be real but that exists only in their imagination.

Similar:
invention
production
creation
concoction
fabrication

Answer 233

figment

“it really was Ross and not a figment of her overheated imagination”

Question 234

be filled with love for.

Similar:
in love with
infatuated with
besotted with
smitten with
love-struck by
captivated by
charmed by
enchanted by
fascinated by
bewitched by
beguiled by
enthralled by
entranced by
enraptured by

Opposite:
indifferent to
have a liking or admiration for.

Answer 234

enamour

“it is not difficult to see why Edward is enamoured of her”
“she was truly enamoured of New York”

Question 235

verb
lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing.

noun
a fine or penalty for wrongdoing.

Similar:
penalty
financial penalty
fine
fee
charge
sanction
punitive action
penance
damages
confiscation
loss
relinquishment

adjective
lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing.

Answer 235

forfeit

“those unable to meet their taxes were liable to forfeit their estates”
“the loser must pay a forfeit”
“his possessions were declared forfeit”

Question 236

1.the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
Similar:
everyday language
spoken language
colloquial speech
native speech
conversational language
common parlance
non-standard language
jargon
-speak
cant
slang
idiom
dialect
localism
provincialism
lingo
2.
architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings.

adjective
1.
(of language) spoken as one’s mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language.
2.
(of architecture) concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings.

Answer 236

vernacular

“he wrote in the vernacular to reach a larger audience”
“buildings in which Gothic merged into farmhouse vernacular”
“vernacular buildings”

Question 237

(of a seed or spore) begin to grow and put out shoots after a period of dormancy.
Similar:
sprout
put forth shoots
shoot
shoot up
bud
put forth buds
form/develop buds
develop
grow
spring up
swell

come into existence and develop.

Similar:
develop
take root
grow
spring up
arise
emerge
evolve

Answer 237

germinate

“the idea germinated and slowly grew into an obsession”

Question 238

conformity to facts; accuracy.

Similar:
truthfulness
truth
accuracy
accurateness
correctness
exactness
precision
preciseness
realism
authenticity
faithfulness
fidelity
reputability
honesty
sincerity
trustworthiness
reliability
dependability
scrupulousness
ethics
morality

Answer 238

veracity

“officials expressed doubts concerning the veracity of the story”

“voters should be concerned about his veracity and character”

Question 239

verb
play or move about in a cheerful and lively way.

Similar:
frisk
gambol
cavort
caper
cut capers
dance

noun
a playful and lively movement or activity.

antic
caper
game
romp
stunt
escapade
exploit
revel
spree
sport
fling
prank
jape
giggle

Answer 239

frolic

“Edward frolicked on the sand”
“his injuries were inflicted by the frolics of a young filly”

Question 240

deprived of or lacking (something).
Similar:
deprived of
robbed of
stripped of
denuded of
cut off from
parted from
devoid of
destitute of
bankrupt of
wanting
in need of
lacking
without
free from
low on

2.
(of a person) sad and lonely, especially through someone’s death or departure.

Answer 240

bereft

“her room was stark and bereft of colour”
“his death in 1990 left her bereft”

Question 241

noun
1.
BIOLOGY•CHEMISTRY
a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one.
2.
the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.

Answer 241

osmosis

“by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public”

Question 242

an event regarded as a portent of good or evil.

prophetic significance.

Similar:
portent
sign
signal
token
forewarning
warning
foreshadowing

Answer 242

omen

“the ghost’s appearance was an ill omen”
“the raven seemed a bird of evil omen”

Question 243

is a memory error defined as the production of fabricated, distorted, or misinterpreted memories about oneself or the world.

Answer 243

confabulation

Question 244

1a: DEVISE, PLAN
b: to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner

2: to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : MANAGE
construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up)

Answer 244

contrive

Native Americans contrived weapons out of stone, wood, and bone.
contrive ways of handling the situation
The prisoners contrived a way to escape.
contrived household utensils from stone

Question 245

1: to give, convey, or grant from or as if from a store
2: to communicate the knowledge of : DISCLOSE

communicate, conduct, convey, give, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit

Answer 245

impart

her experience imparted authority to her words
the flavor imparted by herbs

imparted my scheme to no one

Question 246

1: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
2: ASSORTMENT

album, collectanea, compendium, compilation, florilegium, miscellany

Answer 246

anthology

an anthology of American poetry
… an anthology of threadbare clichés of … bistro cuisine …

Question 247

1: of, relating to, or determining norms or standards
2: conforming to or based on norms
3: prescribing (see PRESCRIBE sense 1) norms

Answer 247

normative

normative tests
normative behavior
normative judgments
normative rules of ethics
normative grammar

Question 248

1: a little man : MANIKIN
2: a miniature adult that in the theory of preformation is held to inhabit the germ cell and to produce a mature individual merely by an increase in size

Answer 248

homunculus

Question 249

: an extended usually written treatment of a subject

specifically : one submitted for a doctorate

Answer 249

dissertation

wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet

Question 250

In philosophy, is a puzzle or state of puzzlement. In rhetoric, it is a useful expression of doubt
an irresolvable internal contradiction or logical disjunction in a text, argument, or theory.

Answer 250

aporia

“the celebrated aporia whereby a Cretan declares all Cretans to be liars”

Question 251

a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.

synonyms: heathen, infidel, idolater/idolatress, atheist, non-theist, irreligious person, agnostic, sceptic, heretic, apostate

Answer 251

pagan

“a Muslim majority had to live in close proximity to large communities of Christians and pagans”

“in prehistoric times, pagans used to worship the sun gods”

Question 252

an object or feature which imitates the design of a similar artefact made from another material.

Answer 252

skeuomorph

“the pottery box with a square lid is a skeuomorph of a twilled basketry container”

Question 253

a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.

synonyms: gullibility, gullibleness, credulousness, naivety, naiveness, blind faith, trustfulness, over-trustfulness, lack of suspicion, innocence

Answer 253

credulty

“moneylenders prey upon their credulity and inexperience”

Question 254

verb
1.
send off to a destination or for a purpose.
send
send off
post
mail
ship
freight

2.
deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently.

Similar:
deal with
finish
dispose of
conclude
settle
sort out
discharge
execute
perform
expedite
push through
accelerate

verb
2.
an official report on state or military affairs.

communication
communiqué
bulletin
release
report

Answer 254

dispatch

“he dispatched messages back to base”
“the Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition”
verb
“in his battle dispatch he described the gunner’s bravery”

Question 255

very unwilling to spend money or use resources.

mean
miserly
ungenerous
illiberal

Answer 255

parsimonious

“even the parsimonious Joe paid for drinks all round”

Question 256

PHILOSOPHY
relating to or involving the explanation of phenomena in terms of the purpose they serve rather than of the cause by which they arise.

relating to the doctrine of design and purpose in the material world.

Answer 256

teleological

“teleological narratives of progress”
“a teleological view of nature”

Question 257

in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
Similar:
disheartened
discouraged
dispirited
downhearted
low-spirited

Answer 257

despondent

“she grew more and more despondent”

Question 258

a feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired; disillusionment.

disillusionment
disappointment
dissatisfaction
discontent

Answer 258

disenchantment

“their growing disenchantment with the leadership”

Question 259

an acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence, occurring in intoxication, fever, and other disorders.

derangement
dementia
temporary madness/insanity
incoherence
opposite:
lucidity
coherence

wild excitement or ecstasy.

Answer 259

delirium

“somewhere a patient shouted in delirium”
“a chorus of delirium from the terrace”

Question 260

refer to a kind of psychological relationship experienced by an audience in their mediated encounters with performers in the mass media, particularly on television.

Answer 260

parasocial

Question 261

(especially of something undesirable) of common occurrence; widespread.
Similar:
widespread
general
common
universal
extensive

Answer 261

rife

“male chauvinism was rife in medicine”

Question 262

(of a person) not aware of the full facts.

Similar:
unknowing
unconscious
unsuspecting
oblivious
unaware
innocent
unmindful
uninformed
ignorant

2.
not done on purpose; unintentional.

Similar:
unintentional
unintended
inadvertent
involuntary
unmean

Answer 262

unwitting

“an unwitting accomplice”
“we are anxious to rectify the unwitting mistakes made in the past”

Question 263

a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth.

assist (a woman) during childbirth.

Answer 263

midwife

“these women midwifed her”

Question 264

a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.
entitlement
right
privilege
advantage
due
birthright

Answer 264

prerogative

“in some countries, higher education is predominantly the prerogative of the rich”

Question 265

(especially of a child or animal) play roughly and energetically.

a spell of rough, energetic play.

play
frolic
frisk
gambol
jump about/around
spring about/around
bound about/around
skip

Answer 265

romp

the noisy pack of children romped around the gardens”
“a romp in the snow”

Question 266

the process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.

Answer 266

osmosis

“by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public”

Question 267

a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock.

Similar:
deadlock
dead end
stalemate
checkmate
stand-off
standstill

Answer 267

impasse

“the current political impasse”

Question 268

a piece of enclosed land planted with fruit trees.

Answer 268

orchard (ch like chair)

“an apple orchard”

Question 269

(in ethology) the world as it is experienced by a particular organism.

Answer 269

umwelt

“the worlds they perceive, their Umwelten, are all different”

Question 270

the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length (about 22 September and 20 March).

Answer 270

equinox

Question 271

a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.

Answer 271

polemic

“his polemic against the cultural relativism of the Sixties”

Question 272

a man who practises witchcraft; a sorcerer.
Similar:
sorcerer
wizard

Answer 272

warlock

Question 273

make (something abstract) more concrete or real.
…is a complex idea for when you treat something immaterial — like happiness, fear, or evil — as a material thing. This can be a way of making something concrete and easier to understand.

Answer 273

reify

“these instincts are, in man, reified as verbal constructs”

Question 274

the prevailing fashion or style at a particular time.
fashion
mode
style
trend
taste
adjective
popular; fashionable.

Answer 274

vogue

“the vogue is to make realistic films”
“‘citizenship’ was to be the government’s vogue word”

Question 275

1.
(of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.
penetrating
acute
sharp
sharp-witted

2.
(of an action) quick and direct.

Answer 275

incisive

“she was an incisive critic”
“the most incisive move of a tight match”

Question 276

making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.
good for
helpful to
instrumental in
calculated to produce
productive of

Answer 276

conducive

“the harsh lights and cameras were hardly conducive to a relaxed atmosphere”

Question 277

praise enthusiastically.

Answer 277

extoll

“he extolled the virtues of the Russian peoples”

Question 278

a Hindu or Buddhist mystical or magical text, dating from the 7th century or earlier.
adherence to the doctrines or principles of the …., involving mantras, meditation, yoga, and ritual.

Answer 278

tantra

Question 279

reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.

Similar:
reduce
cut
cut down
cut back
decrease
lessen
diminish

Answer 279

curtail

“civil liberties were further curtailed”

Question 280

express one's opinions in a pompous and dogmatic way.
preach
dogmatize
sermonize
moralize
lecture

2.
(in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass.

Answer 280

pontificate

“he was pontificating about art and history”
“he pontificated at three Christmas Masses”

Question 281

1a: to petition for help or support
b: to appeal to or cite as authority
2: to call forth by incantation : CONJURE
3: to make an earnest request for : SOLICIT
4: to put into effect or operation : IMPLEMENT
5: BRING ABOUT, CAUSE

Answer 281

invoke

“the antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England”

Question 282

explanation that makes something clear; clarification.
Similar:
explanation
clarification
illumination
commentary
interpretation

Answer 282

elucidation

“work that led to the elucidation of the structure of proteins”

Question 283

involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong.

Answer 283

complicit

“the careers of those complicit in the cover-up were blighted”

Question 284

either of the two times in the year, the summer solstice and the winter solstice, when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, marked by the longest and shortest days.

Answer 284

solstice (souls-tis)

Question 285

a man’s head covering consisting of a long length of material wound around a cap or the head, worn especially by Sikhs and Muslims.

Answer 285

turban (tuerban)

Question 286

1.
involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.
Similar:
sleazy
unsavoury
shoddy
vile
foul
corrupt
dishonest
dishonourable
disreputable
despicable
discreditable
contemptible
abhorrent
abominable
2.
dirty or squalid.
filthy
mucky
grimy
muddy
grubby
shabby

Answer 286

sordid

“the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams”
“the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading”

Question 287

ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
Similar:
implore
beg
entreat
importune
plead with
appeal to
exhort

Answer 287

beseech

“they beseeched him to stay”

Question 288

the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Answer 288

recidivism

“the prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism”

Question 289

recover from illness or exertion.
get better
recover
convalesce
get well
mend
revive
perk up
2.
recover or regain (something lost or taken).
Similar:
get back
regain
recover
win back
recoup
retrieve

Answer 289

recuperate

“she has been recuperating from a knee injury”
“they will seek to recuperate the returns that go with investment”

Question 290

deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously.
created or arranged in a way that seems artificial and unrealistic.
Similar:
forced
strained
studied
artificial
affected
put-on

Answer 290

contrived

“the ending of the novel is too pat and contrived”

Question 291

1.
relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
2.
occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.

Answer 291

liminal

like the space between conscious and subconscious