Word List 13

Question 1

Demagogue (n)

Answer 1

person who appeals to people’s prejudice; false leader

He was accused of being a demagogue because he made promises that aroused futile hopes in his listeners

Question 2

Demoniac (adj)

Answer 2

fiendish

Gleeful at the success of his fiendish plot, the Joker howled with demoniac laughter

Question 3

Denigrate (v)

Answer 3

blacken, to tarnish

Question 4

Denouement (n)

Answer 4

outcome; final development of the plot

The denouement was obvious to sophisticate theatregoers as early as the middle of first act

Question 5

Deprecate (v)

Answer 5

express disapproval of; protest against; belittle

Question 6

Derelict (adj)

Answer 6

abandoned; negligent

The derelict craft was a menace to navigation

Question 7

Derogatory (adj)

Answer 7

expressing a low opinion

Question 8

Desecrate (v)

Answer 8

profane; violate the sanctity of

Shattering the altar and trampling the holy objects underfoot, the invaders desecrated the sanctuary

Question 9

Desiccate (v)

Answer 9

dry up

Question 10

Despondent (adj)

Answer 10

depressed; gloomy

Question 11

Despot (n)

Answer 11

tyrant; harsh, authorities ruler

Question 12

Desuetude (n)

Answer 12

state of disuse

The folk dance fell into desuetude until they were rediscovered during the early twentieth century

Question 13

Desultory (adj)

Answer 13

aimless; haphazard; digressing at random

In prison, he set himself the task of reading, to him, reading was purposeful, not desultory

Question 14

Dialectical (adj)

Answer 14

relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal

The debate coach’s students grew to develop great forensic and dialectical skill

Question 15

Diatribe (n)

Answer 15

bitter scolding; incentive

Luther’s vitriolic diatribes against the Jews are part of the history that leads to Kristallnacht