Beginning Vocab

Question 1

Abyss

Answer 1

an extremely deep hole

Question 2

Ameliorate

Answer 2

to make better; improve

Question 3

Abscond

Answer 3

to leave secretly

Question 4

Anachronism

Answer 4

Something out of place in time

Question 5

Aggrandize

Answer 5

to increase in power, reputation, and influence

Question 6

Amalgamate

Answer 6

to combine; to mix together

Question 7

Ambiguous

Answer 7

doubtful; uncertain

Question 8

Archaic

Answer 8

ancient and old-fashioned

Question 9

Attenuate

Answer 9

to reduce in force; to weaken

Question 10

Antipathy

Answer 10

extreme dislike

Question 11

Cacophony

Answer 11

harsh, jarring noise

Question 12

Chicanery

Answer 12

deception by means of craft or guile

Question 13

Austere

Answer 13

severe or stern in appearence

Question 14

Audacious

Answer 14

fearless and daring

Question 15

Caustic

Answer 15

sarcastic in a bitter way

Question 16

Adulterate

Answer 16

to make impure

Question 17

Abate

Answer 17

to reduce in amount degree or severity

Question 18

Arbitrate

Answer 18

to judge a dispute between two opposing parties

Question 19

Capricious

Answer 19

Changing one’s mind quickly and often

Question 20

Banal

Answer 20

predictable and boring

Question 21

Bolster

Answer 21

to support; to prop up

Question 22

Ardor

Answer 22

intense and passionate feeling

Question 23

Deference

Answer 23

respect, courtesy

Question 24

Anomaly

Answer 24

deviation from what is normal

Question 25

Chauvinist

Answer 25

someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

Question 26

Crescendo

Answer 26

steadily increasing volume or force

Question 27

Castigate

Answer 27

to punish / criticize harshly

Question 28

Analogous

Answer 28

similar or alike in some way

Question 29

Diffident

Answer 29

lacking in self confidence

Question 30

Desiccate

Answer 30

to dry out thoroughly

Question 31

Bombastic

Answer 31

pompous in speech and manner

Question 32

Catalyst

Answer 32

something that brings about a change in something else

Question 33

Cogent

Answer 33

convincing and well reasonsed

Question 34

Dirge

Answer 34

a funeral hymn / mournful speech

Question 35

Diatribe

Answer 35

an abusive, condemnatory speech