ch 1 vocab

Question 1

What does ‘assuage’ mean?

Answer 1

Make an unpleasant feeling less intense

Used often in contexts related to emotions or discomfort.

Question 2

Define ‘malevolent’.

Answer 2

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others

Often used to describe characters in literature or individuals with harmful intentions.

Question 3

What does ‘vapid’ refer to?

Answer 3

Boring; offering nothing stimulating or challenging

Commonly used to describe dull conversations, activities, or experiences.

Question 4

What is a ‘predilection’?

Answer 4

A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something

Indicates a tendency towards certain choices or opinions.

Question 5

What is a ‘flivver’?

Answer 5

A cheap car in bad condition

Often used informally to describe old or unreliable vehicles.

Question 6

Define ‘apothecary’.

Answer 6

Person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs

An early term for what we now refer to as a pharmacist.

Question 7

What does ‘piety’ mean?

Answer 7

Quality of being religious or reverent; feeling/showing deep and solemn respect

Relates to devotion and spirituality.

Question 8

What does it mean to be ‘impotent’?

Answer 8

Unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless

Can refer to physical, social, or emotional contexts.

Question 9

Define ‘taciturn’.

Answer 9

Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little

Often describes individuals who are quiet or prefer not to speak much.

Question 10

What does ‘tyrannical’ mean?

Answer 10

Exercising power in a cruel way

Typically associated with oppressive leadership or governance.