Vocab 11

Question 1

Obverse &

Reverse

Answer 1

Obverse – front face of object (coin) = opposite

Reverse – back face of object (coin) = opposite, go back

Question 2

Misantrophic

Answer 2

Misanthropic – hatred, contempt or distrust to humankind, antisocial

(Greek: mīsos = hatred, ānthropos = man, human)

Question 3

Crossing Rubicon

Answer 3

Crossing Rubicon – (metaphor) passing point of no return, action taken that can’t be reversed

(Roman general Julius Caesar crossing Italian river Rubicon with his army causing Roman Civil War)

Question 4

Treacherous

Answer 4

Treacherous – betrayal or deception, OR hidden danger

(Old French: trechier = to cheat)

(E.g. “A treacherous Gestapo agent.”)

Question 5

Pecuniary

Answer 5

Pecuniary – relating to or consisting of money

(Latin: pecu = cattle, money; pecunia = money)

Question 6

Black humour

Answer 6

Black humour (comedy) – joking about serious, painful or taboo subjects

Question 7

Moiety

Answer 7

Moiety – a half, 1 of 2 approximately equal parts

(Old French: moite, Latin: medietas = middle)

(E.g. “The tax was to be delivered in two moieties.”)

Question 8

Piety

Answer 8

Piety – religious, reverent, dutiful devotion to God, pious, devout

(Latin: pietas = dutifulness)

Question 9

Bereaved or Bereft

Answer 9

Bereaved or Bereft – deprived of, parted from (esp. through death)

(Old English: be-, reave = deprive of)

Question 10

Prudent

Answer 10

Prudent – sensible, careful, showing care or thought for the future

Question 11

Clemency

Answer 11

Clemency – merciful, mercy, lenience

(Latin: clēmēns = gentle, merciful)

Question 12

Nefarious

Answer 12

Nefarious – criminal, evil, immoral action

(Latin: nefas = wrong)

Question 13

Plenary

Answer 13

Plenary – unqualified, complete, absolute, ALSO fully attended gathering with entitled members

Question 14

Apathetic

Answer 14

Apathetic – indifferent, unconcerned, emotionless

(Greek: not sensitive)

(E.g. “It’s really easy to feel apathetic about politics and forget how much they affect our daily lives.”

Question 15

Pathetic

Answer 15

Pathetic – evoking pity & feelings ALSO inadequate

(Greek: sensitive)

(E.g. “She looked so pathetic that I bent down to comfort her.”

“The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie.”)

Question 16

Obtuse

Answer 16

Obtuse – emotionally insensitive or slow to understand

(E.g. “He wondered if the doctor was being deliberately obtuse.”)

Question 17

Lackadaisical

Answer 17

Lackadaisical – lacking enthusiasm & determination, carelessly lazy

(E.g. “David has a rather lackadaisical approach to his work.”)

Question 18

Erroneous

Answer 18

Erroneous – incorrect, inaccurate, wrong

(E.g. “Employers sometimes make erroneous assumptions.”)

Question 19

Chastity

Answer 19

Chastity – celibacy, purity, abstinence from sex