WW12 Lesson 12 (Fifi)

Question 1

apprise

Answer 1

(v)

To make aware of; to inform.

• Marcia _apprised_ her employer of her intention of leaving at the end of the year.

Question 2

beatific

Answer 2

(adj)

Marked by a joyful appearance; blissful.

• The _beatific_ expression of a child at play is captured in this series of photographs.

Question 3

cogent

Answer 3

(adj)

Forceful, to the point, and convincing.

• The reporter’s _cogent_ argument convinced the editor to give her the assignment.

Question 4

colloquy

Answer 4

(n)

A conversation or dialogue, especially on a serious subject.

• When our _colloquy_ became contentious, we decided it was time we took a break.

Question 5

deprave

Answer 5

(v)

To corrupt morally; to debase.

• Absolute power so _depraved_ the Roman emperor Caligula that he committed unimaginable cruelties.

(n)

depravity

Question 6

discrete

Answer 6

(adj)

Unconnected to other parts; separate and distinct.

• Sand is composed of tiny, _discrete_ particles of rock.

Question 7

efface

Answer 7

(v)

1. To remove clear evidence of; to rub out or erase.
   * The weather over time had partially _effaced_ the mural.
2. To make (oneself) inconspicuous.
   * One actor expected the other actors to _efface_ themselves so that he could be the star of the show.

Question 8

elucidate

Answer 8

To make clear by explanation; to clarify.

• The professor _elucidated_ Bohr’s theory so well that the structure of the atom became quite clear to the class.

Question 9

inferno

Answer 9

(n)

Hell or a fiery place that seems like hell; a place of destruction or great suffering.

• Within three minutes of the fire starting, the factory was a raging _inferno_.

(adj)

infernal

Question 10

lachrymose

Answer 10

(adj)

Tearful; tending to induce tears; melancholic.

• The _lachrymose_ tone of the novel caused me to read only the first chapter.

Question 11

morbid

Answer 11

(adj)

1. Marked by gloomy or unwholesome thoughts.
   * My grandmother’s daily reading of the obituary page indicated not _morbid_ curiosity, but concern for her neighbors.
2. Affected by or caused by disease.
   * Removing the _morbid_ tissue from his liver cured the patient.

Question 12

omniscient

Answer 12

(adj)

Aware of everything that is going on; all-knowing.

• Professor Wu doesn’t pretend to be omniscient, but she knows a great deal about almost every subject.

(n)

omniscience

Question 13

palliative

Answer 13

(adj)

Serving to make less painful or severe.

• The hospice program delivers _palliative_ services to those who are gravely ill.

(n)

palliative

Question 14

preternatural

Answer 14

(adj)

Beyond what is normal or natural; incapable of being explained or understood.

• Either he possesses _preternatural_ power that enables him to bend spoons without touching them, or he is a charlatan.

Question 15

salutary

Answer 15

(adj)

1. Promoting a beneficial effect.
   * The idea of losing telephone privileges had a _salutary_ effect on Kit’s doing her homework.
2. Healthful.
   * Wearing sunblock will have a _salutary_ effect on your skin.