Week #2

Question 1

Define

Laconic

(lə konˊik)

Answer 1

Expressing much in few words

His speech was usually rambling, but this time I found
it brief and laconic.

Question 2

Define

Throng

(thrông)

Answer 2

Crowd

A howling throng or teenage girls surrounded The
Beatles.

Question 3

Define

Intrepid

(in trepˊid)

Answer 3

Brave

The corporal received the Silver Star for his intrepid
deeds in combat.

Question 4

Define

Accost

(ə kôstˊ)

Answer 4

To approach and speak to

When accosted by a salesman, my mother always buys something.

Question 5

Define

Reticent

(retˊə sənt)

Answer 5

Silent

Even under repeated questioning, the witness remained reticent.

Question 6

Define

The Sword of Damocles

Answer 6

Any imminent danger

Although the president of the company seemed quite secure, he always complained that there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

Question 7

Define

Furtive

(fėrˊtiv)

Answer 7

Secret
Stealthy

In a furtive manner she removed her shoes and tiptoed up to her room.

Question 8

Define

Felon

(felˊən)

Answer 8

A person guilty of a major crime

Since the boss learned that Bob associates with a known felon, he fired him.

Question 9

Define

Plethora

(plethˊə rə)

Answer 9

Excess

When the teacher asked why the homework had not
been done, he was greeted by a plethora of incredible
alibis.

Question 10

Define

Hapless

(hapˊlis)

Answer 10

Unfortunate

The hapless contest winner was unable to locate the lucky ticket.

Question 11

Define

Irate

(iˊ rāt or i rātˊ)

Answer 11

Angry
Incensed

My uncle was irate when the drunken driver swerved in front of us.

Question 12

Define

Pyrrhic Victory

Answer 12

A too costly victory

In heavy fighting the troops managed to recapture the
hill, but it could only be considered a Pyrrhic victory.

Question 13

Define

Pretext

(preˊtekst)

Answer 13

An excuse

Her pretext of being tired did not fool us for an instant.

Question 14

Define

Fabricate

(fabˊrə kāt)

Answer 14

To lie
To construct

Most fishermen can fabricate a story about the size of the one that got away.

Question 15

Define

Adroit

(ə droitˊ)

Answer 15

Skillful

My nephew is quite adroit at making model airplanes.

Question 16

Define

Gesticulate

(jes tikˊūāt)

Answer 16

Move the arms energetically

I often marvel as I watch the traffic policeman gesticulate at the onrushing cars.

Question 17

Define

Vigilant

(vijˊə lənt)

Answer 17

Watchful

Because the teacher was extremely vigilant no one could cheat on a test.

Question 18

Define

A Wet Blanket

Answer 18

One who spoils your fun

Everyone wanted the party to go on, but Ronnie, the wet blanket, decided to go home to bed.

Question 19

Define

Avid

(avˊid)

Answer 19

Eager

FDR was an avid reader of mystery stories.

Question 20

Define

Cajole

(kə jōlˊ)

Answer 20

Coax

The parakeet refused to be cajoled into entering her cage.

Question 21

Define

Rudimentary

(rü də menˊ tə ēr)

Answer 21

Elementary

Since my grasp of algebra is rudimentary, I cannot solve the problem.

Question 22

Define

Enhance

(in hansˊ)

Answer 22

Intensify
Heighten

It will enhance your enjoyment of an opera if you know
what the plot is about in advance.

Question 23

Define

Nuance

(nü änsˊ)

Answer 23

Slight variation in meaning, tone, etc.

In reading the satires of Jonathan Swift , one must be
vigilant in order to catch each nuance.

Question 24

Define

To Beard The Lion In His Den

Answer 24

To visit and oppose a person on
his own
grounds

Having decided to beard the lion, I stormed into the
manager’s office to ask for a raise.