Words I Don’t Know 8

Question 1

Prolixity

Answer 1

Adj, the state of being quick to talk but very boring

Ex: Unfortunately, prolixity runs rampant in scientific seminar classes when the bores have a captive audience.

Question 2

Prosaic

Answer 2

Adj, having prose, lacking poetic beauty
Ex: As I slow read through yet another prosaic discussion section, I swore my first publication would bring some artistry back to science.

Question 3

Illiberality

Answer 3

Adj, a disposition not liberal or prodigal with money, stingy, maybe ungenerous
Ex: My boyfriend’s illiberality with me made it much easier to justify splurging on a special birthday gift for myself.

Question 4

Incongruous

Answer 4

Adj, not in harmony with the surroundings.
Ex: I did a good job planning my front yard’s landscaping; the fruit trees weren’t at all incongruous with the native species I planted around them.

Question 5

Temperance

Answer 5

Adverb, abstinence from alcohol, or general moderation and self-restraint.
Ex: During the term, my temperance is the only reason I can maintain such a punishing schedule of homework, lab time, and gym sessions.

Question 6

Hackneyed

Answer 6

Adj, lacking significance through having been overused or overplayed.
Ex: At this point, feminist artists painting portraits with period blood is so hackneyed I would find Crayola water colors more shocking.

Question 7

Mercurial

Answer 7

Adj, subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mind or mood.
Ex: Fifi’s mercurial flips between needing attention and hating my presence never ceases to amuse me.

Question 8

Apocryphal

Answer 8

Of a story, doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.
Ex: Unlike the truth of Bigfoot sightings, I found the stories about the Jersey devil to be a bit apocryphal.

Question 9

Eminence

Answer 9

To have fame or recognized superiority, to rise about the rest.
Ex: The eminence of Dr. Sampath in the field of lipids brought a lot of attention to my publications with her.

Question 10

Invective

Answer 10

Noun, an insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.
Ex: I knew my thesis wasn’t perfect, but considering my poor history with Dr. Smith, her criticisms came across not so much as constructive feedback as invective.

Question 11

Extirpate

Answer 11

Verb, to root out and destroy completely

Ex: I was determined to extirpate those foul blackberry vines invading my garden.

Question 12

Ulema

Answer 12

Noun, a body of Muslim scholars recognized for having special knowledge of the Quran, Islamic law, and theology
Ex: It was inspiring seeing the coalition of rabbis and Palestinian ulema come together to denounce the Israeli government.

Question 13

Incorrigible

Answer 13

Adj, not able to be corrected, reformed, improved
Ex: Despite the best efforts of my dance instructor, my incorrigible rhythm prevented me from mastering the choreography.

Question 14

Ascetic

Answer 14

Adj, characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, generally for religious reasons.
Ex: The Skupdates lifestyle involves an ascetic rejection of frivolous diets and sloth.

Question 15

Ablution

Answer 15

Noun, the act of washing oneself, generally in an exaggeratedly formal way, used for humorous effect.
Ex: Prior to collecting the mice feces, I performed my ablutions, as if I wasn’t about to promptly cover my hands in germs.

Question 16

Dispassionate

Answer 16

Adj, not influenced by strong emotion, so capable of being rational/impartial
Ex: I had always been ambivalent to the cats’ existence, so when it came time to put them down, I was the only one dispassionate enough to pull the trigger.

Question 17

Inveterate

Answer 17

Adj, firmly and long established, deep rooted, habitual
Ex: I preferred to think of my morning coffee as an integral part of inveterate wake-up ritual, rather than as the crippling caffeine addiction it is.

Question 18

Placid

Answer 18

Adj, not easily upset or excited, or calm and peaceful

Ex: Once the hurricane finally abated, the sea returned to its placid state.

Question 19

Ephemeral

Answer 19

Adj, lasting for a very short time

Ex: My ADHD makes my attention span ephemeral and impossible to maintain.

Question 20

Strident

Answer 20

Adj, loud and harsh, grating, or presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively unpleasant, forceful way.
Ex: Though he claimed to not relish being the bearer of bad news, his strident delivery implied otherwise.