Unit 9 vocabulary

Question 1

acclamation

Answer 1

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

SYNONYMS: ovation, cheering, plaudits
ANTONYMS: booing, hissing, jeers, catcalls

Question 2

bucolic

Answer 2

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

SYNONYM: rustic
ANTONYM: metropolitan

Question 3

calumniate

Answer 3

(v.) to slander; accuse falsely and maliciously

SYNONYMS: defame, libel
ANTONYMS: flatter, whitewash, praise

Question 4

chary

Answer 4

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident

SYNONYM: skittish
ANTONYMS: heedless, reckless, incautious

Question 5

collusion

Answer 5

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation

SYNONYMS: conspiracy, plot, connivance

Question 6

dilettante

Answer 6

(n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way; (adj.) superficial

SYNONYM: amateur
ANTONYM: professional

Question 7

imperturbable

Answer 7

(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady

SYNONYMS: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled
ANTONYM: excitable

Question 8

increment

Answer 8

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition

SYNONYM: accretion
ANTONYMS: reduction, decrease

Question 9

mandate

Answer 9

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order

SYNONYM: (n.) directive
ANTONYMS: (v.) forbid, ban, outlaw

Question 10

paltry

Answer 10

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy

SYNONYMS: measly, meager, piddling, trivial
ANTONYMS: gigantic, immense

Question 11

paroxysm

Answer 11

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

SYNONYMS: fit, seizure

Question 12

pedantry

Answer 12

(n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details

SYNONYMS: nit-picking, pettifoggery

Question 13

peregrination

Answer 13

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country

SYNONYMS: journey, wandering, odyssey

Question 14

redolent

Answer 14

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

SYNONYMS: evocative, reminiscent, aromatic
ANTONYMS: unevocative, odorless

Question 15

refulgent

Answer 15

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent

SYNONYM: splendid
ANTONYMS: dim, dark, obscure, dingy, dull

Question 16

shibboleth

Answer 16

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism

SYNONYMS: password, slogan

Question 17

tyro

Answer 17

(n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill

SYNONYM: neophyte
ANTONYMS: veteran, past master, expert

Question 18

unremitting

Answer 18

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless

SYNONYMS: incessant, unrelenting
ANTONYMS: desultory, intermittent

Question 19

vacillate

Answer 19

(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will

SYNONYMS: fluctuate, oscillate
ANTONYM: persevere

Question 20

vituperative

Answer 20

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding

SYNONYMS: abusive, scurrilous, insulting
ANTONYMS: complimentary, laudatory, flattering