Word List 4

Question 1

arid

Answer 1

dry; barren

Question 2

aristocracy

Answer 2

hereditary nobility; privileged class

Question 3

arraign

Answer 3

charge in court; indict

Question 4

array

Answer 4

marshal; draw up in order / clothe, adorn

Question 5

arrears

Answer 5

being in debt

Question 6

arrhythmic

Answer 6

lacking rhythm or regularity

Question 7

articulate

Answer 7

effective; distinct

Question 8

artifact

Answer 8

object made by human beings, either handmade or mass-produced

Question 9

artifice

Answer 9

deception; trickery

Question 10

artless

Answer 10

without guile; open and honest

Question 11

ascendancy

Answer 11

controlling influence

Question 12

ascertain

Answer 12

find out for certain

Question 13

ascetic

Answer 13

practicing self-denial; austere

Question 14

ascribe

Answer 14

refer; attribute; assign

Question 15

asperity

Answer 15

sharpness (of temper)

Question 16

aspersion

Answer 16

slanderous remark

Question 17

assail

Answer 17

assault

Question 18

assay

Answer 18

analyze; evaluate

Question 19

assent

Answer 19

agree; accept

Question 20

assiduous

Answer 20

diligent

Question 21

assimilate

Answer 21

absorb; cause to become homogenous

Question 22

assuage

Answer 22

ease or lesson (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)

Question 23

assurance

Answer 23

promise or pledge; certainty; self-confidence

Question 24

astringent

Answer 24

binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe

Question 25

astute

Answer 25

wise; shrewd; keen

Question 26

asylum

Answer 26

place of refuge or shelter; protection

Question 27

atone

Answer 27

make amends for; pay for

Question 28

atrocity

Answer 28

brutal deed

Question 29

atrophy

Answer 29

wasting away

Question 30

attenuate

Answer 30

make thinner; weaken or lessen (in density, force, degree)

Question 31

attrition

Answer 31

gradual decrease in numbers; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment

Question 32

audacious

Answer 32

daring, bold

Question 33

audit

Answer 33

examination of accounts

Question 34

augment

Answer 34

increase; add to

Question 35

august

Answer 35

impressive; majestic

Question 36

auspicious

Answer 36

favoring success

Question 37

austere

Answer 37

forbiddingly stern; severely simple and un-ornamented