Word List 32

Question 1

Myriad (n)

Answer 1

very large number

Question 2

Nadir (n)

Answer 2

lowest point

Although few people realised it, the Dow-Jones averages had reached their nadir and would soon begin an upward surge

Question 3

Nascent (adj)

Answer 3

incipient; coming into being
If we could identify revolutionary movements in their nascent state, we would be able to eliminate serious trouble in later years

Question 4

Nebulous (adj)

Answer 4

vague; hazy; cloudy

Phil and Dave tried to come up with a clear, intelligible business plan, not some hazy, nebulous proposal

Question 5

Nefarious (adj)

Answer 5

very wicked

The villain’s crimes, though various, were one and all nefarious

Question 6

Neologism (n)

Answer 6

new or newly coined word or phrase
As we invent new techniques and professions, we must also invent neologisms such as microcomputer and astronaut to describe them

Question 7

Neophyte (n)

Answer 7

recent convert; beginner

This mountain slope contains slides that will challenge experts as well as neophytes

Question 8

Nettle (v)

Answer 8

annoy; vex

Do not let her nettle you with her sarcastic remarks

Question 9

Nihilist (n)

Answer 9

nothingness; one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic
In his final days. Hitler revealed himself a power mad nihilist, ready to annihilate all of Western Europe, even to destroy Germany itself

Question 10

Nip (v)

Answer 10

stop something’s growth or development; snip off; bite

The gardener nipped off a lovely rose and nipped their plan in the bud

Question 11

Noisome (adj)

Answer 11

foul-smelling; unwholesome
The noisome atmosphere downwind of the oil refinery not only stank but also damaged the lungs of everyone living in the area

Question 12

Nonchalance (n)

Answer 12

indifference; lack of concern; composure

Cool, calm an collected under fire, James Bond shows remarkable nonchalance in the face of danger

Question 13

Nonentity (n)

Answer 13

person of no importance; nonexistence

Question 14

Nonplus (v)

Answer 14

bring to a halt by confusion; perplex

Jack’s uncharacteristic rudeness nonplussed Jill, leaving her uncertain how to react

Question 15

Noxious (adj)

Answer 15

harmful

We must trace the source of these noxious gases before they asphyxiate us

Question 16

Nuptial (adj)

Answer 16

related to marriage
Reluctant to be married in a traditional setting, they decided to hold their nuptial ceremony at the carousel in Golden Gate Park

Question 17

Obdurate (adj)

Answer 17

stubborn
In this retelling of Barrie’s Peter Pan, Fiona Button as Wendy is hearbrealing in her stoical disappointment at Peter’s obdurate refusal to grow up

Question 18

Obfuscate (v)

Answer 18

confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex
Was the president’s spokesman trying to clarify the Whitewater mystery, or was he trying to obfuscate the issue so the voters would never figure out what went on?

Question 19

Obsequious (adJ)

Answer 19

slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic
Helen valued people who behaved as if they respected themselves, nothing irritated her more than an excessively obsequious waiter or a fawning salesclerk

Question 20

Obstinate (adj)

Answer 20

stubborn; hard to control or treat

We tried to persuade him to give up smoking, but he was obstinate and refused to change

Question 21

Obstreperous (adj)

Answer 21

boisterous; noisy
What do you do when an obstreperous horde of drunken policemen carouses through your hotel, crashing into potted plants and singing vulgar songs?

Question 22

Obtrude (v)

Answer 22

push (oneself or one’s ideas) forward or intrude; butt in; stick out or extrude