WW12 Lesson 18 (Fifi)

Question 1

abortive

Answer 1

(adj)

Failing in purpose; unsuccessful.

• After several _abortive_ attempts to lower the undercarriage, the pilot was forced to make a crash landing.

Question 2

arrogate

Answer 2

(v)

To lay claim to without possessing the right to do so.

• The writer Kurt Vonnegut warns of a government _arrogating_ to itself rights that belong to the people.

Question 3

cadaver

Answer 3

(n)

A dead animal or human body.

• Medical students dissect _cadavers_ as part of their training.

Question 4

cerebral

Answer 4

(adj)

1. Relating to the brain or intellect.
   * A person is declared brain-dead when _cerebral_ activity ceases.
2. Appealing to the intellect, as opposed to the emotions.
   * When savants of science meet for a discussion, the colloquy is predictable _cerebral_.

Question 5

coma

Answer 5

(n)

A state of profound consciousness caused by disease or injury.

• The victim was in a _coma_ for seven days after being struck on the head.

(adj)

comatose

Question 6

consanguinity

Answer 6

(n)

A relationship derived from a common ancestor.

• A genealogy shows the degrees of _consanguinity_ within a family.

(adj)

consanguineous

Question 7

ghoul

Answer 7

(n)

A gruesome and revolting creature.

• The horror movie about _ghouls_ coming out of graveyards at midnight was risible rather than terrifying.

(adj)

ghoulish

Question 8

infringe

Answer 8

(v)

1. To violate.
   * Publishing material without the author’s consent _infringes_ international copyright law.
2. (used with on or upon) To exceed the limits of; to encroach upon.
   * By taking an extra ten minutes to finish their set, the players _infringed_ upon our court time.

Question 9

lassitude

Answer 9

(n)

A feeling of weariness; listlessness.

• _Lassitude_ usually accompanies a fever and is a sign that a person’s body needs rest.

Question 10

nadir

Answer 10

(n)

The lowest point.

• Toy sales reach their _nadir_ in January and do not usually pick up again after Thanksgiving.

Question 11

nuptials

Answer 11

(n)

A wedding ceremony.

• Annie and Stephen are planning an August wedding and will hold the _nuptials_ on the beach.

(adj)

nuptial

Of or relating to a wedding.

Question 12

onus

Answer 12

(n)

Something that must be borne; a burden.

• In a criminal case, the _onus_ of proof rests with the prosecution.

Question 13

protocol

Answer 13

(n)

1. A correct code of conduct; etiquette.
   * Royal _protocol_ requires that no one leaves before Her Majesty is ready to depart.
2. A standard procedure for a medical treatment or a scientific experiment.
   * The _protocol_ for the pharmaceutical research required a double-blind test.

Question 14

refractory

Answer 14

(adj)

1. Failing to yield to treatment.
   * The _refractory_ nature of the disease indicates that the virus is resistant to antibiotics.
2. Hard to manage; unruly.
   * The leaders became alarmed when the concerned group turned into a _refractory_ crowd.

Question 15

sanguine

Answer 15

(adj)

1. Of a healthy red color.
   * Her _sanguine_ complexion was the result of a brisk jog around the park.
2. Cheerful and optimistic.
   * Her _sanguine_ personality was a welcome addition to the gloomy atmosphere at the meeting.