02

Question 1

amorphous

Answer 1

adjective
without a clearly defined shape or form: amorphous blue forms and straight black lines.
• vague; ill-organized; unclassifiable: make explicit the amorphous statements.
• (of a group of people or an organization) lacking a clear structure or focus: an amorphous and leaderless legislature.

Question 2

anodyne

Answer 2

adjective
not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so: anodyne New Age music | I attempted to keep the conversation as anodyne as possible.
noun
a painkilling drug or medicine.

Question 3

anathema

Answer 3

noun
1 something or someone that one vehemently dislikes: racial hatred was anathema to her.
2 a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.
• literary a strong curse: the sergeant clutched the ruined communicator, muttering anathemas.

Question 4

ancillary

Answer 4

adjective
providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system: the development of ancillary services to support its products.
• additional; subsidiary: paragraph 19 was merely ancillary to paragraph 16.
noun (plural ancillaries)
a person whose work provides necessary support to the primary activities of an organization, institution, or industry: the employment of specialist teachers and ancillaries.
• something which functions in a supplementary or supporting role: undergraduate courses of three main subjects with related ancillaries.a

Question 5

anemic

Answer 5

adjective
suffering from anemia.
• lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.

Question 6

anesthetic

Answer 6

noun
1 a substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
2 (anesthetics) [treated as singular] the study or practice of anesthesia.

Question 7

animate

Answer 7

verb | ˈanəˌmāt | [with object]
1 bring to life: the desert is like a line drawing waiting to be animated with color.
• give inspiration, encouragement, or renewed vigor to: she has animated the nation with a sense of political direction.
adjective | ˈanəmət |
alive or having life: all of creation, animate and inanimate.
• lively and active; animated: party photos of animate socialites.

Question 8

animus

Answer 8

noun
1 hostility or ill feeling: the author’s animus toward her.
2 motivation to do something: the reformist animus came from within the Party.
3 Psychoanalysis Jung’s term for the masculine part of a woman’s personality. Often contrasted with anima.

Question 9

annul

Answer 9

verb (annuls, annulling, annulled) [with object]
declare invalid (an official agreement, decision, or result): the elections were annulled by the general amid renewed protests.
• declare (a marriage) to have had no legal existence: her first marriage was finally annulled by His Holiness.

Question 10

anomalous

Answer 10

adjective
deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected: an anomalous situation | sentences that are grammatically anomalous.

Question 11

antagonize

Answer 11

verb [with object]

cause (someone) to become hostile: he antagonized many colleagues during the budget wars.

Question 12

antediluvian

Answer 12

adjective [attributive]
of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood: gigantic bones of antediluvian animals.
• chiefly humorous ridiculously old-fashioned: they maintain antediluvian sex-role stereotypes.

Question 13

anterior

Answer 13

adjective
1 technical nearer the front, especially situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head: the veins anterior to the heart. The opposite of posterior.
2 formal coming before in time; earlier: there are few examples of gold and silver work anterior to the dynasty of the Romanoffs.

Question 14

apathy

Answer 14

noun

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern: widespread apathy among students.a

Question 15

aphorism

Answer 15

noun
a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”.
• a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author.

Question 16

apocalyptic

Answer 16

adjective
describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world: the apocalyptic visions of ecologists.
• resembling the end of the world; momentous or catastrophic: the struggle between the two countries is assuming apocalyptic proportions.
• of or resembling the biblical Apocalypse: apocalyptic imagery.

Question 17

apocryphal

Answer 17

adjective
(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true: an apocryphal story about a former president.
• (also Apocryphal) of or belonging to the Apocrypha: the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas.

Question 18

apostasy

Answer 18

noun

the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.

Question 19

appall

Answer 19

verb (appalls, appalling, appalled) [with object]
greatly dismay or horrify: bankers are appalled at the economic incompetence of some officials | (as adjective appalled) : Alison looked at me, appalled.

Question 20

apposite

Answer 20

adjective
apt in the circumstances or in relation to something: an apposite quotation | the observations are apposite to the discussion.

Question 21

appreciable

Answer 21

adjective

large or important enough to be noticed: tea and coffee both contain appreciable amounts of caffeine.

Question 22

apprehension

Answer 22

noun
1 anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen: he felt sick with apprehension | she had some apprehensions about the filming.
2 understanding; grasp: the pure apprehension of the work of art.
3 the action of arresting someone: they acted with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

Question 23

apprise

Answer 23

verb [with object]

inform or tell (someone): I thought it right to apprise Chris of what had happened.

Question 24

approbation

Answer 24

noun formal

approval or praise: the opera met with high approbation.

Question 25

appropriate

Answer 25

``` verb | əˈprōprēˌāt | [with object] 1 take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission: his images have been appropriated by advertisers. 2 devote (money or assets) to a special purpose: there can be problems in appropriating funds for legal expenses. ```

Question 26

apropos

Answer 26

preposition with reference to; concerning: she remarked apropos of the initiative, “It's not going to stop the abuse.”. adverb [sentence adverb] (apropos of nothing) used to state a speaker's belief that someone's comments or acts are unrelated to any previous discussion or situation: Isabel kept smiling apropos of nothing. adjective [predicative] very appropriate to a particular situation: the composer's reference to child's play is apropos.

Question 27

apt

Answer 27

adjective 1 appropriate or suitable in the circumstances: an apt description of her nature. 2 [predicative, with infinitive] (apt to do something) having a tendency to do something: she was apt to confuse the past with the present. 3 quick to learn: he proved an apt scholar.

Question 28

archetype

Answer 28

noun a very typical example of a certain person or thing: the book is a perfect archetype of the genre. • an original that has been imitated: the archetype of faith is Abraham. • a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology: mythological archetypes of good and evil. • Psychoanalysis (in Jungian psychology) a primitive mental image inherited from the earliest human ancestors, and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious.

Question 29

ardor

Answer 29

noun | enthusiasm or passion: they felt the stirrings of revolutionary ardor.

Question 30

arduous

Answer 30

adjective | involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring: an arduous journey.

Question 31

anthropogenic

Answer 31

adjective (chiefly of environmental pollution and pollutants) originating in human activity: anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide.

Question 32

arrest

Answer 32

verb [with object] 2 stop or check (progress or a process): the spread of the disease can be arrested | (as adjective arrested) : arrested development may occur. • [no object] suffer a heart attack: they were trying to resuscitate a patient who had arrested. 3 attract the attention of (someone): his attention was arrested by a strange sound. noun 2 a stoppage or sudden cessation of motion: a respiratory arrest.

Question 33

arresting

Answer 33

adjective 1 striking; eye-catching: at 6 feet 6 inches he was an arresting figure. 2 a person or agency that seizes and detains (someone or something) by legal authority: the arresting officer.

Question 34

arrhythmic

Answer 34

adjective | not rhythmic; without rhythm or regularity: the arrhythmic clip-clop of pony steps.

Question 35

ascendant

Answer 35

adjective 1 rising in power or influence: ascendant moderate factions in the party. 2 Astrology (of a planet, zodiacal degree, or sign) just above the eastern horizon.

Question 36

ascetic

Answer 36

adjective characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons: an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor | a narrow, humorless, ascetic face. noun a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention.

Question 37

aseptic

Answer 37

adjective free from contamination caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. • [attributive] (of surgical practice) aiming at the complete exclusion of harmful microorganisms.

Question 38

askew

Answer 38

adjective [predicative] not in a straight or level position: her hat was slightly askew | the door was hanging askew on one twisted hinge. • wrong; awry: the plan went sadly askew | the judging was a bit askew.

Question 39

aspect

Answer 39

2 [usually in singular] the positioning of a building or thing in a specified direction: a greenhouse with a southern aspect. • the side of a building facing a particular direction: the front aspect of the hotel was unremarkable.

Question 40

asperity

Answer 40

noun (plural asperities) harshness of tone or manner: he pointed this out with some asperity. • (asperities) harsh qualities or conditions: the asperities of a harsh and divided society. • (usually asperities) a rough edge on a surface: the asperities of the metal surfaces.

Question 41

aspersion

Answer 41

noun (usually aspersions) | an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something: I don't think anyone is casting aspersions on you.

Question 42

aspirant

Answer 42

adjective [attributive] (of a person) having ambitions to achieve something, typically to follow a particular career: an aspirant politician. noun a person who has ambitions to achieve something: an aspirant to the throne.

Question 43

assent

Answer 43

noun the expression of approval or agreement: a loud murmur of assent | he nodded assent. • official agreement or sanction: the governor has power to withhold his assent from a bill. verb [no object] express approval or agreement, typically officially: [with direct speech] : “Guest house, then,” Frank assented cheerfully | Roosevelt assented to the agreement.a

Question 44

assertive

Answer 44

adjective | having or showing a confident and forceful personality: patients should be more assertive with their doctors.

Question 45

assess

Answer 45

* (usually be assessed) calculate or estimate the price or value of: the damage was assessed at $5 billion. * set the value of a tax, fine, etc., for (a person or property) at a specified level: all empty properties will be assessed at 50 percent.

Question 46

assiduous

Answer 46

adjective | showing great care and perseverance: she was assiduous in pointing out every feature.

Question 47

assuage

Answer 47

verb [with object] make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense: the letter assuaged the fears of most members. • satisfy (an appetite or desire): an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge.

Question 48

astounding

Answer 48

adjective | surprisingly impressive or notable: the summit offers astounding views.

Question 49

astute

Answer 49

adjective having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage: an astute businessman.

Question 50

asunder

Answer 50

adverb archaic or literary apart; divided: those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. • into pieces: the desk burst asunder.

Question 51

atone

Answer 51

verb [no object] | make amends or reparation: he was being helpful, to atone for his past mistakes.

Question 52

atrocious

Answer 52

adjective horrifyingly wicked: atrocious cruelties. • of a very poor quality; extremely bad or unpleasant: he attempted an atrocious imitation of my English accent | atrocious weather.

Question 53

attenuate

Answer 53

verb | əˈtenyəˌwāt | [with object] reduce the force, effect, or value of: her intolerance was attenuated by a rather unexpected liberalism. • reduce the amplitude of (a signal, electric current, or other oscillation). • (usually as adjective attenuated) reduce the virulence of (a pathogenic organism or vaccine): attenuated strains of rabies virus. • reduce in thickness; make thin: the trees are attenuated from being grown too close together.

Question 54

audacious

Answer 54

adjective 1 showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks: a series of audacious takeovers. 2 showing an impudent lack of respect: an audacious remark.

Question 55

augur

Answer 55

verb [no object] (augur well/badly/ill) (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome: the end of the cold war seemed to augur well | the return to the gold standard augured badly for industry. • [with object] portend or bode (a specified outcome): a new coalition would not augur a new period of social reforms. noun (in ancient Rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behavior of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action.

Question 56

avarice

Answer 56

noun | extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Question 57

aver

Answer 57

verb (avers, averring, averred) [reporting verb] formal state or assert to be the case: [with clause] : he averred that he was innocent of the allegations | [with direct speech] : ‘I don't have to do anything—it's his problem,’ he averred.

Question 58

averse

Answer 58

adjective [predicative] (averse to) [usually with negative] having a strong dislike of or opposition to something: as a former CIA director, he is not averse to secrecy | [in combination] : the bank's approach has been risk-averse.

Question 59

avid

Answer 59

adjective having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something: an avid reader of science fiction | she took an avid interest in the project. • (avid for) having an eager desire for: she was avid for information about the murder inquiry.

Question 60

awash

Answer 60

adjective [predicative] covered or flooded with water, especially seawater or rain: the boat rolled violently, its decks awash. • containing large numbers or amounts of someone or something: the city was awash with journalists. • level with the surface of water, especially the sea, so that it just washes over: a rock awash outside the reef entrance.

Question 61

awe

Answer 61

noun a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder: they gazed in awe at the small mountain of diamonds | the sight filled me with awe | his staff members are in awe of him. • archaic capacity to inspire awe: is it any wonder that Christmas Eve has lost its awe? verb [with object] (usually be awed) inspire with awe: they were both awed by the vastness of the forest.a

Question 62

awry

Answer 62

adjective [predicative] away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss: I got the impression that something was awry | many youthful romances go awry. • out of the normal or correct position; askew: he was hatless, his silver hair awry.

Question 63

axiomatic

Answer 63

adjective | self-evident or unquestionable: it is axiomatic that dividends have to be financed.

Question 64

babble

Answer 64

verb [no object] talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way: he would babble on in his gringo Spanish. • (usually as adjective babbling) (of a stream) make the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing over stones: a gently babbling brook. noun [in singular] the sound of people talking quickly and in a way that is difficult or impossible to understand: a babble of protest. • the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing over stones in a stream: the babble of a brook. • background disturbance caused by interference from conversations on other telephone lines.

Question 65

backhanded

Answer 65

adjective 1 made with the back of the hand facing in the direction of movement: a backhanded pass. 2 indirect; ambiguous or insincere: coming from me, teasing is a backhanded compliment. adverb with the back of the hand or with the hand turned backward: Frank hit him backhanded.b

Question 66

badger

Answer 66

noun 1 a heavily built omnivorous nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, typically having a gray and black coat. verb [with object] ask (someone) repeatedly and annoyingly for something; pester: journalists badgered him about the deals | Tom had finally badgered her into going | [with object and infinitive] : his daughter was always badgering him to let her join.

Question 67

badinage

Answer 67

noun | humorous or witty conversation: cultured badinage about art and life.

Question 68

bale

Answer 68

noun a bundle of paper, hay, cotton, etc., tightly wrapped and bound with cords or hoops: the fire destroyed 500 bales of hay. • the quantity in a bale as a measure, especially 500 pounds of cotton. verb [with object] make (something) into bales: they baled a lot of good hay | (as noun baling) : most baling and field work have been finished.

Question 69

baleful

Answer 69

adjective threatening harm; menacing: Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction | the baleful light cast trembling shadows. • having a harmful or destructive effect: drug money has had a baleful impact on the country.

Question 70

balk

Answer 70

verb [no object] 1 hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking: any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden. • [with object] thwart or hinder (a plan or person): the utmost of his influence will be invoked to balk the law. • [with object] (balk someone of) prevent a person or animal from having (something): the lions, fearing to be balked of their prey. • (of a horse) refuse to go on.

Question 71

balky

Answer 71

adjective (balkier, balkiest) chiefly US | reluctant; uncooperative: he was trying to get his balky horse to move.

Question 72

balderdash

Answer 72

noun | senseless talk or writing; nonsense: she dismissed talk of plots as “bunkum and balderdash.”.

Question 73

balm

Answer 73

noun 1 a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin. • something that has a comforting, soothing, or restorative effect: the murmur of the water can provide balm for troubled spirits. 2 a tree which yields a fragrant resinous substance, especially one used in medicine. • the resinous substance yielded by a balm. • used in names of other aromatic herbs of the mint family, e.g. bee balm.

Question 74

banal

Answer 74

adjective | so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring: songs with banal, repeated words.

Question 75

bane

Answer 75

noun [usually in singular] a cause of great distress or annoyance: the bane of the decorator is the long, narrow hall | the depressions that were the the bane of her existence.

Question 76

banish

Answer 76

verb [with object] send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment: they were banished to Siberia for political crimes. • forbid, abolish, or get rid of (something unwanted): all thoughts of romance were banished from her head | it's perfectly feasible to banish the smoke without banning smoking.

Question 77

banter

Answer 77

noun the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks: there was much singing and good-natured banter. verb [no object] talk or exchange remarks in a good-humored teasing way: the men bantered with the waitresses | (as adjective bantering) : a bantering tone.