Word List 15

Question 1

abraded

Answer 1

worn away; eroded

Question 2

apposite

Answer 2

fitting; suitable

Question 3

diatribe

Answer 3

tirade; violent denunciation; stream of criticism

Question 4

gerontocracy

Answer 4

government by the aged

Question 5

maculated

Answer 5

spotted; stained

Question 6

quisling

Answer 6

traitor

Question 7

sedulity

Answer 7

thoroughness; perseverance

Question 8

seine

Answer 8

type of fishing net

Question 9

tender

Answer 9

to offer

Question 10

waffle

Answer 10

talk nonsense

Question 11

burlesque

Answer 11

comic play; lampoon

Question 12

homiletics

Answer 12

art of preaching and giving sermons

Question 13

impugn

Answer 13

challenge; question someone’s honor

Question 14

incubus

Answer 14

encumbrance; nightmarish thing

Question 15

lope

Answer 15

run with long strides

Question 16

macerate

Answer 16

soften or break up by soaking; weaken

Question 17

nostrum

Answer 17

remedy

Question 18

saw

Answer 18

wise saying

Question 19

sibyl

Answer 19

prophetess

Question 20

brook

Answer 20

tolerate

Question 21

limpid

Answer 21

transparently clear

Question 22

liturgy

Answer 22

form of worship

Question 23

nexus

Answer 23

connection

Question 24

purchase

Answer 24

grip

Question 25

quotidian

Answer 25

daily; routine

Question 26

seminal

Answer 26

essential; formative

Question 27

agog

Answer 27

amazed; wide-eyed with enthusiasm

Question 28

amortize

Answer 28

pay off a debt in installments

Question 29

curmudgeon

Answer 29

grumpy person

Question 30

efficacy

Answer 30

effectiveness

Question 31

epithet

Answer 31

phrase used as a label or to express the essential nature of

Question 32

fracas

Answer 32

fight; disturbance

Question 33

jamb

Answer 33

door post

Question 34

chorales

Answer 34

simple hymns

Question 35

frieze

Answer 35

decorative border

Question 36

latent

Answer 36

hidden; real but undeveloped

Question 37

plodding

Answer 37

uninspired

Question 38

endow

Answer 38

give gift; provide with money

Question 39

esoterica

Answer 39

obscure details

Question 40

prattle

Answer 40

mindless talk

Question 41

prohibitive

Answer 41

exorbitantly expensive

Question 42

purist

Answer 42

conservative; one who insists on correct forms of language

Question 43

quack

Answer 43

charlatan; fake

Question 44

arresting

Answer 44

attracting attention; striking

Question 45

barrage

Answer 45

dam across river; overwhelming quantity of information

Question 46

chantey

Answer 46

type of song sung by sailors

Question 47

orate

Answer 47

speak in a pompous manner

Question 48

psychosis

Answer 48

severe mental disturbance

Question 49

table

Answer 49

put down for future discussion

Question 50

underwrite

Answer 50

give guarantee; insure

Question 51

dissident

Answer 51

person who disagrees

Question 52

enigmatic

Answer 52

puzzling

Question 53

foolhardy

Answer 53

reckless

Question 54

personification

Answer 54

a concrete example of

Question 55

vagary

Answer 55

something uncomfortable; freak

Question 56

discountenance

Answer 56

disallow

Question 57

imperative

Answer 57

must be obeyed

Question 58

nadir

Answer 58

lowest point

Question 59

prudence

Answer 59

caution; wisdom

Question 60

resuscitation

Answer 60

revival from unconsciousness

Question 61

teetotalism

Answer 61

total abstinence from alcohol

Question 62

cataclysmic

Answer 62

violently disruptive

Question 63

impropriety

Answer 63

inappropriate behavior

Question 64

pith

Answer 64

center; soft part of stem; essence

Question 65

primordial

Answer 65

present from beginning of time

Question 66

sinistral

Answer 66

left-handed; counterclockwise

Question 67

undermine

Answer 67

subvert; attempt to overthrow