3.10.M - Lesson: Module 3/4 Vocabulary

Question 1

ablution

Answer 1

n.
1. A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.
2. The liquid so used.

Question 2

approbation

Answer 2

n.
1. An expression of warm approval; praise.
2. Official approva

Question 3

blithe

Answer 3

adj. blith·er, blith·est
1. Carefree and lighthearted.
2. Lacking or showing a lack of due concern; casual: spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation.

Question 4

broach

Answer 4

tr.v. broached, broach·ing, broach·es
1.
a. To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate.
b. To announce: We broached our plans for the new year.
2. To pierce in order to draw off liquid: broach a keg of beer.
3. To draw off (a liquid) by piercing a hole in a cask or other container.
4. To shape or enlarge (a hole) with a tapered, serrated tool.
n.
1.
a. A tapered, serrated tool used to shape or enlarge a hole.
b. The hole made by such a tool.
2. A spit for roasting meat.
3. A mason’s narrow chisel.
4. A gimlet for tapping or broaching casks.
5. Variant of brooch.

Question 5

buffet

Answer 5

n.
1. A large sideboard with drawers and cupboards.
2.
a. A counter or table from which meals or refreshments are served.
b. A restaurant having such a counter.
3. A meal at which guests serve themselves from various dishes displayed on a table or sideboard.
adj.
Informally served: a buffet luncheon.

Question 6

capacious

Answer 6

adj.
Capable of containing a large quantity; spacious or roomy: a capacious office building. See Synonyms at spacious.

Question 7

complacent

Answer 7

adj.
1. Satisfied with the current situation and unconcerned with changing it, often to the point of smugness: “a geologic cautionary tale for a complacent world accustomed to reliable infusions of cheap energy” (Paul Roberts).
2. Eager to please; complaisant.

Question 8

credence

Answer 8

n.
1.
a. Acceptance as true or valid; belief: I wouldn’t put too much credence in that story. See Synonyms at belief.
b. Credibility; plausibility: “A number of other details … lend credence to her account” (Jane Mayer).
2. Recommendation; credentials: a letter of credence.
3. A small table or shelf for holding the bread, wine, and vessels of the Eucharist when they are not in use at the altar.

Question 9

cupidity

Answer 9

n.
Excessive desire, especially for wealth; covetousness or avarice.

Question 10

dexterous

Answer 10

adj.
1. Skillful in the use of the hands.
2. Having mental skill or adroitness.
3. Done with dexterity: a dexterous maneuver.

Question 11

discursive

Answer 11

adj.
1. Covering a wide field of subjects; rambling.
2. Proceeding to a conclusion through reason rather than intuition.

Question 12

disgorge

Answer 12

v.tr.
1. To bring up and expel from the throat or stomach; vomit.
2. To discharge violently; spew.
3. To surrender (stolen goods or money, for example) unwillingly.
v.intr.
To discharge or pour forth contents.

Question 13

dissuade

Answer 13

tr.v. dis·suad·ed, dis·suad·ing, dis·suades
To prevent (someone) from a purpose or course of action by persuasion: dissuaded my friend from pursuing such a rash scheme.

Question 14

dubious

Answer 14

adj.
1. Fraught with uncertainty or doubt; undecided.
2. Arousing doubt; doubtful: a dubious distinction.
3. Of questionable character: dubious profits.

Question 15

flaccid

Answer 15

adj.
1. Lacking firmness; hanging limply: flaccid muscles.
2. Lacking force, vigor, or effectiveness: a flaccid acting performance.

Question 16

impregnable

Answer 16

adj.
1. Impossible to capture or enter by force: an impregnable fortress.
2. Difficult or impossible to attack, challenge, or refute with success: an impregnable argument.

Question 17

impudent

Answer 17

adj.
1. Offensively bold or disrespectful; insolent or impertinent. See Synonyms at shameless.
2. Obsolete Immodest.

Question 18

indelible

Answer 18

adj.
1. Impossible to remove, erase, or wash away; permanent: indelible ink.
2. Making a mark not easily erased or washed away: an indelible pen for labeling clothing.
3. Unable to be forgotten; memorable: an indelible memory.

Question 19

infirmity

Answer 19

n. pl. in·fir·mi·ties
1.
a. The condition of being infirm, often as associated with old age; weakness or frailty: the infirmity brought on by the disease.
b. A bodily ailment or weakness: complained about his infirmities.
2.
a. Weakness of resolution or character: the infirmity inherent in human nature.
b. A moral failing or defect in character: the infirmities and depravities of corrupt nobles.

Question 20

maudlin

Answer 20

adj.
Effusively sad or full of self-pity; extremely sentimental: “displayed an almost maudlin concern for the welfare of animals” (Aldous Huxley). See Synonyms at sentimental.

Question 21

meritorious

Answer 21

adj.
Deserving reward or praise; having merit.

Question 22

ostentatious

Answer 22

adj.
Characterized by or given to ostentation. See Synonyms at showy.

Question 23

querulous

Answer 23

adj.
Characterized by or given to ostentation. See Synonyms at showy.

Question 24

reiterate

Answer 24

tr.v. re·it·er·at·ed, re·it·er·at·ing, re·it·er·ates
To say or do again or repeatedly. See Synonyms at repeat.

Question 25

remuneration

Answer 25

n. 1. The act of remunerating. 2. Something, such as a payment, that remunerates.

Question 26

repression

Answer 26

n. 1. The act of repressing or the state of being repressed. 2. Psychology The unconscious exclusion of painful impulses, desires, or fears from the conscious mind.

Question 27

repudiate

Answer 27

tr.v. re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing, re·pu·di·ates 1. To reject the validity or authority of: "Chaucer ... not only came to doubt the worth of his extraordinary body of work, but repudiated it" (Joyce Carol Oates). 2. To reject emphatically as unfounded, untrue, or unjust: repudiated the accusation. 3. To refuse to recognize or pay: repudiate a debt. 4. a. To disown (a child, for example). b. To refuse to have any dealings with.

Question 28

stratagem

Answer 28

n. 1. A scheme or maneuver designed to achieve an objective, as in surprising an enemy or deceiving someone. See Synonyms at wile. 2. The devising or execution of such schemes or maneuvers: "This devious, insinuating creature, whose every word and movement seemed part of the spinning of some invisible net of stratagem" (Richard Adams).

Question 29

supercilious

Answer 29

adj. Feeling or showing haughty disdain. See Synonyms at arrogant.

Question 30

supplicant

Answer 30

n. One who is asking humbly and earnestly; beseeching adj. Supplicating.

Question 31

vagrant

Answer 31

n. 1. a. One who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or a means of livelihood. b. Archaic A wanderer; a rover. 2. One who lives on the streets or constitutes a public nuisance. 3. An animal occurring beyond its normal range; an accidental. adj. 1. Wandering from place to place and lacking any means of support. 2. Living on the streets or constituting a public nuisance. 3. Inconstant or capricious; wayward: "She was resolved to win my vagrant fancy" (Frank Harris). 4. Moving in a random fashion; having no fixed direction or pattern: vagrant ice floes; a vagrant aroma. 5. Being beyond its normal range; accidental. Used of animals.