Speak, Memory and Pnin

Question 1

Trite

Answer 1

Adj. (of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little importance; lacking originality or freshness

Question 2

Ichneumon

Answer 2

Wasp type

Question 3

Prostrate

Answer 3

Adj. lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downward

Question 4

Apache

Answer 4

Noun. A violent street ruffian

Question 5

Pallid

Answer 5

Adj. pale, usually because of poor health

Question 6

Elegy

Answer 6

Noun. A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead

Question 7

Effusive

Answer 7

Adj. expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

Question 8

Languid

Answer 8

Adj. slow and relaxed, weak and fatigued

Question 9

Glissando

Answer 9

Noun. An upwards or downwards continuous slide between notes

Question 10

Ghyll

Answer 10

Noun. Deep, wooded ravine

Question 11

Censure

Answer 11

Noun. The expression of formal disapproval

Question 12

Jejune

Answer 12

Adj. naive, simplistic, superficial

Question 13

Tepid

Answer 13

Adj. Lukewarm, showing little enthusiasm

Question 14

Insipid

Answer 14

Adj. lacking flavor, lacking interest or vigor

Question 15

Hiemal

Answer 15

Adj. pertaining to winter

Question 16

Vicissitude

Answer 16

Noun. A change in circumstances or events, usually one that is unwelcome

Question 17

Ribald

Answer 17

Adj. referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way

Question 18

Caryatid

Answer 18

Noun. A sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar supporting an entablature on her head

Question 19

Scabrous

Answer 19

Adj. rough and covered with, or as if with, scabs

Question 20

Congenial

Answer 20

Adj. pleasant due to commons interests/tastes/inclinations

Question 21

Hassock

Answer 21

Noun. A thick, firmly padded cushion

Question 22

Erudite

Answer 22

Adj. having or showing great knowledge or learning

Question 23

Topiary

Answer 23

Noun. The art or practice of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes

Question 24

Glabella

Answer 24

Noun. Skin between the eyes and above the nose

Question 25

Platitude

Answer 25

Noun. Trite, uninteresting statement due to its overuse, cliche

Question 26

Engender

Answer 26

Verb. Cause or give rise to

Question 27

Cathetus

Answer 27

Noun. Sides of triangle adjacent to the right angle

Question 28

Balustrade

Answer 28

Noun. A railing

Question 29

Sonorous

Answer 29

Adj. imposing and deep sound

Question 30

Facetious

Answer 30

Adj. treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

Question 31

Jocose

Answer 31

Adj. playful or humorous

Question 32

Squalid

Answer 32

Adj. extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect

Question 33

Inexorable

Answer 33

Adj. impossible to stop or prevent

Question 34

Ebullience

Answer 34

Noun. The quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance

Question 35

Diaphanous

Answer 35

Adj. light, delicate, and translucent

Question 36

Matador

Answer 36

Noun. A bullfighter

Question 37

Abet

Answer 37

Verb. Encourage or assist someone to do something wrong

Question 38

Lugubrious

Answer 38

Adj. looking or sounding sad and dismal

Question 39

Inauspicious

Answer 39

Adj. not conducive to success, unpromising

Question 40

Lurid

Answer 40

Adj. very vivid in color, as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect

Question 41

Coeval

Answer 41

Adj. having the same age or date of origin; contemporary

Question 42

Impecunious

Answer 42

Adj. having little or no money

Question 43

Circumspect

Answer 43

Adj. prudent or cautious

Question 44

Sacrosanct

Answer 44

Adj. regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with

Question 45

Ablution

Answer 45

Noun. The act of washing oneself

Question 46

Cavort

Answer 46

Verb. To jump or dance around excitedly

Question 47

Torus

Answer 47

Noun. Shape; the surface generated by revolving a circle about an axis

Question 48

Disgorge

Answer 48

Verb. To cause to pour out