Lesson 06

Question 1

elixir

Answer 1

(noun) a supposed remedy for all ailments

The elixir that Mrs. Higgins used for colds was a secret that had been handed down in her family from generation to generation.

syn: medicine; panacea

Question 2

elucidate

Answer 2

(verb) to make clear

To elucidate and bolster his argument, he drew a large chart on the board.

syn: explain, clarify
ant: obscure

Question 3

emanate

Answer 3

(verb) to come forth; to send forth

She tried to control her anger, but harsh words began to emanate from her lips.

syn: rise, emerge

Question 4

emendation

Answer 4

(noun) a correction

The last edition of the book contains many emendations.

Question 5

empathy

Answer 5

(noun) an understanding of another’s feelings

As Laurie’s face became redder by the minute, I felt a certain empathy for her.

Question 6

empirical

Answer 6

(adj.) based on practical experience rather than theory

He was the first to present empirical data to support the argument that smoking is harmful.

syn: observable
ant: theoretical

Question 7

endemic

Answer 7

(adj.) confined to a particular country or area

Once it had been endemic to Africa, but now it is becoming a world-wide epidemic.

Question 8

enervate

Answer 8

(verb) to weaken

Because the hot, humid weather enervated the boys, they were content to sit in the shade.

syn: devitalize, exhaust
ant: energize, strengthen

Question 9

ennui

Answer 9

(noun) boredom; a weariness resulting from a lack of interest

Because the speaker sensed a feeling of ennui settling over the audience, he told a joke.

ant: excitement, interest

Question 10

ephemeral

Answer 10

(adj.) lasting only a brief time; short-lived

The celebrity who doesn’t realize that fame is ephemeral is in for a rude awakening when people no longer know or care who the person is.

syn: transient, fleeting
ant: permanent

Question 11

epitome

Answer 11

(noun) a typical example; a condensed account

As he saw to the comfort of his guests, he was the epitome of Southern hospitality.

syn: representative; summary

Question 12

ergo

Answer 12

(conj.) therefore

I am broke; ergo, I can’t pay the rent this week.

syn: consequently; hence

Question 13

erotic

Answer 13

(adj.) pertaining to sexual love

The statues in the museum were thought to be too erotic to allow young children to view them.

Question 14

eschew

Answer 14

(verb) to keep away from; to avoid; to shun

Embrace virtue and eschew sin was the theme of the minister’s sermon.

ant: to embrace, welcome

Question 15

facetious

Answer 15

(adj.) comical; jocular; flippant

Her facetious comments were beginning to get tiresome.

syn: joking, witty, jocose
ant: solemn, serious