Vocab 18

Question 1

Encroachment

Answer 1

Encroachment – intrusion on rights or territory, gradual advance beyond acceptable limits

(E.g. “Minor encroachments on our individual liberties.”)

Question 2

Untenable

Answer 2

Untenable – not able to be defended against attack or objection

(E.g. “This argument is clearly untenable.”)

Question 3

Fiddle

Answer 3

Fiddle – violin OR act of cheating or falsifying

Question 4

Meretricious

Answer 4

Meretricious – apparently attractive but having no real value

Question 5

Crescendo

Answer 5

Crescendo – gradual increase in loudness or intensity

(Latin: crescere = grow)

Question 6

Loiter

Answer 6

Loiter – wait around without apparent purpose

Question 7

Propaganda

Answer 7

Propaganda – info of biased or misleading nature, to promote political cause or point of view

(E.g. “He was charged with distributing enemy propaganda.”)

Question 8

Plausible

Answer 8

Plausible – reasonable, probable, credible (of argument or statement)

(E.g. “A plausible explanation.”)

Question 9

Inadvertently & Advertently

Answer 9

Inadvertently – accidentally, unknowingly, without intention

(E.g. “He had already inadvertently caused her enough problems.”)

Advertently – deliberatly, mindfully

Question 10

Fornicate

Answer 10

Fornicate – sexual intercourse with someone one is not married to

Question 11

Profligate

Answer 11

Profligate – recklessly wasteful or extravagant in use of resources, licentious, dissolute

(E.g. “Profligate consumers of energy.”)

Question 12

Dissolute

Answer 12

Dissolute – overindulging in sensual pleasures (person or lifestyle)

Don’t confuse with desolate = uninhabited

(E.g. “She married a dissolute and brutal actor of the name of Reddish.”)

Question 13

Licentious &

Promiscuous

Answer 13

Licentious – unprincipled in sexual matters & promiscuous

Promiscuous – characterized by many transient sexual relationships

Question 14

National Anti-Vivisection Society

Answer 14

National Anti-Vivisection Society

– national, not-for-profit, animal welfare organisation

Question 15

Espousing

Answer 15

Espousing – adopt or support (cause, belief)

(E.g. “She espoused the causes of justice and freedom for all.”)

Question 16

Cartoon

Answer 16

Cartoon – simple drawing showing features of its subjects

in humorously, exaggerated way, (especially satirical one

in newspaper or magazine)

Question 17

Capitalism

Answer 17

Capitalism – economic & political system where country’s trade & industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by state

Question 18

Discourse

Answer 18

Discourse – written or spoken communication or debate

(E.g. “The language of political discourse.”)