Vocab 15

Question 1

Proficuous

Answer 1

Proficuous (from profit) – profitable, useful, advantageous

Question 2

Akin

Answer 2

Akin – similar OR related by blood

(English: of kin)

(E.g. “Species of birds akin to those of Africa also occur in Celebes.”)

Question 3

Scintilla

Answer 3

Scintilla – small thing, trace, particle, iota

(Latin: scintilla = particle of fire, spark)

(E.g. “Give me a scintilla of evidence, and I am ready to jump at them.”)

Question 4

Bugle

Answer 4

Bugle – small trumpet often used for military signals

Question 5

Obviate

Answer 5

Obviate – avoid, prevent OR remove

(Latin: obviate = prevented)

(E.g. “The new medical treatment obviates the need for surgery.”)

Question 6

Insidious

Answer 6

Insidious – gradual yet harmful, cunning

(E.g. “He experienced the insidious influence of the corporate culture.”)

Question 7

Susurrus

Answer 7

Susurrus – sound of whispering or rustling

(Latin: susurrare = murmur, hum)

(E.g. “I did not see a paper, or hear so much as a susurrus of news during that whole time.”)

Question 8

Excogitate

Answer 8

Excogitate – plan, devise

(Latin: excōgitātus = devise, invent)

(E.g. “All the rubrics, forms, and functions remained to be excogitated.”)

Question 9

Pusillanimous

Answer 9

Pusillanimous – lacking courage or determination, fearful, timid

(Latin: pusillus = very small + animus = mind)

(E.g. “He’s too pusillanimous to stand up to his opponents.”)

Question 10

Intransigent

Answer 10

Intransigent – uncompromising, ​refusing to agree or change one’s views

(Latin: in = not, transigere = come to understanding)

(E.g. “Her father had tried persuasion, but she was intransigent.”)

Question 11

Panem et circensēs

Answer 11

Panem et circensēs – bread & circuses, now bread & entertainment = basic needs & desires

(from Latin)

Question 12

Tenet

Answer 12

Tenet – principle or belief

(Latin: “he holds”)

(E.g. “God exists is the tenet of most religions.”)

Question 13

Obdurate

Answer 13

Obdurate – stubbornly persistent, OR not easily moved by feelings

(Latin: obdurus = hard in opposition)

(E.g. “I argued this point with him, but he was obdurate.”)

Question 14

Obstinate

Answer 14

Obstinate – stubbornly persistent, adhering to opinion, unyielding

(Latin: obstinatus = persist)

(E.g. “Her obstinate determination to pursue a career in radio.”)

Question 15

Capricious

Answer 15

Capricious – impulsive, unpredictable, changeable, subject to caprices = sudden desires

(E.g. “It’s terrible to feel our livelihood hinges on a capricious boss.”)

Question 16

Prevaricate

Answer 16

Prevaricate – ambiguous, evasive or unclear in order to mislead, deceive

(E.g. “He seemed to prevaricate when journalists asked pointed questions.”)

Question 17

Anachronism

Answer 17

Anachronism – something that doesn’t fit its time period

(Greek: ana = backwards, khronos = time)

(E.g. “The town is a throwback to medieval times, an anachronism that has survived the passing years.”)

Question 18

Deference

Answer 18

Deference – respect, polite submission

(E.g. “He addressed her with the deference due to age.”)

Question 19

Suave

Answer 19

Suave – charming, elegant, polite, sophisticated (typically of a man)

(E.g. “All the waiters were suave and deferential.”)

Deferential = respectful