Vocab 8

Question 1

Ad hoc

Answer 1

Ad hoc – for particular purpose only, as necessary, without general application

(Latin: ad hoc = to this; for this)

Question 2

Vacuous

Answer 2

Vacuous – empty, lacking content

ALSO deprived of ideas

or intelligence, mindless

Question 3

Austere

Answer 3

Austere – simple, plain in appearance OR severe, strict, stern in manner

Question 4

Stark

Answer 4

Stark – plain, bare, in appearance ALSO harsh, blunt or complete

Question 5

Pensive

Answer 5

Pensive – deeply, seriously thoughtful (often with melancholy or sadness)

Question 6

Melancholic

Answer 6

Melancholic – intense, pensive, thoughtful sadness, depressive state

Question 7

Fable

Answer 7

Fable – short story with moral lesson (often with animals as characters), ALSO fiction or a lie

Question 8

Innuendo

Answer 8

Innuendo – indirect reference to something rude or unpleasant, hint or insinuation

(Latin: by pointing to)

(In law: explanation of defamatory words)

Question 9

Expurgate

Answer 9

Expurgate – censor, remove objectionable sections from artistic work, writing or media

(Latin: expurgāre = clean out; purgāre = purify)

Question 10

Auspicious &

Inauspicious

Answer 10

Auspicious – likely to succeed, prosperous, fortunate

(Latin: auspex = bird seer who discover omens or signs)

Inauspicious – unpromising, unlucky

Question 11

Propitious

Answer 11

Propitious – likely to succeed, favourably inclined

(Latin: propitius = well disposed)

Question 12

Myopic

Answer 12

Myopic – lacking foresight or intellectual insight, narrow-minded, short-sighted

Question 13

Dissillusioned

Answer 13

Disillusioned – disappointed in something discovered to be less good than believed

(E.g. “The minority groups were completely disillusioned with the party.”)

Question 14

Persona non grata

Answer 14

Persona non grata – unwelcome person, primarily for diplomatic officials expelled from host country due to committed crimes

(Latin: not pleasing person)

Question 15

Gerrymander

Answer 15

Gerrymander – manipulate or adapt to one’s advantage

(Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts + salamander – similarity between salamander and the shape of new voting district favouring his party, (map with claws, wings, and fangs added) was published in the Boston Weekly Messenger titled The Gerry-Mander)

Question 16

Scrupulous

Answer 16

Scrupulous – careful, precise, extremely attentive to details, thorough; morally right

(E.g. “The research has been carried out with scrupulous attention to detail.”)

Question 17

Pedantic

Answer 17

Pedantic – overly concerned with accuracy & precision (often in teaching), overscrupulous

Question 18

Barba tenus sapientes

Answer 18

Barba tenus sapientes – wise only in appearance

(Latin: wise as far as the beard)

Barba non facit philosophum = beard does’nt make a philosopher