WL 37

Question 1

palimpsest

Answer 1

n. parchment used for second time after original writing has been erased

Question 2

palliation

Answer 2

n. act of making less severe or violent

Question 3

panoply

Answer 3

n. full set of armor

Question 4

paramour

Answer 4

n. illicit lover

Question 5

paranoiac

Answer 5

n. mentally unsound person suffering from delusions

Question 6

parapet

Answer 6

n. low wall at edge of roof or balcony

Question 7

parity

Answer 7

n. equality close resemblance

Question 8

parlous

Answer 8

adj. dangerous; perilous

Question 9

parturition

Answer 9

n. delivery; childbirth

Question 10

passé

Answer 10

adj. old-fashioned; past the prime

Question 11

pastiche

Answer 11

n. imitation of another’s style in musical composition or in writing

Question 12

pathological

Answer 12

adj. pertaining to disease

Question 13

patina

Answer 13

n. green crust on old bronze works; tone slowly taken by varnished painting

Question 14

patois

Answer 14

n. local or provincial dialct

Question 15

peculation

Answer 15

n. embezzlement; theft

Question 16

pedant

Answer 16

n. scholar who overemphasizes book learning or technicalities

Question 17

pediment

Answer 17

n. triangular part above columns in Greek buildings

Question 18

pejorative

Answer 18

adj. having a deteriorating or depreciating effect on the meaning of a word

Question 19

pendulous

Answer 19

adj. hanging ; suspended

Question 20

pennate

Answer 20

adj. having wings or feathers

Question 21

peregrinations

Answer 21

n. journey

Question 22

perigee

Answer 22

n. point of moon’s orbit when it is nearest the earth

Question 23

peristyle

Answer 23

n. series of columns surrounding a building or yard

Question 24

peroration

Answer 24

n. conclusion of an oration

Question 25

perquisite

Answer 25

n. any gain above stipulated salary

Question 26

personable

Answer 26

adj. attractive

Question 27

perspicuity

Answer 27

n. clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity

Question 28

perspicuous

Answer 28

adj. plainly dressed

Question 29

pharisaical

Answer 29

adj. pertaining to the Pharisees; self-righteous; hypocritical

Question 30

phobia

Answer 30

n. morbid fear

Question 31

physiological

Answer 31

adj. pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms

Question 32

picaresque

Answer 32

adj. pertaining to rogues in literature

Question 33

piebald

Answer 33

adj. mottled; spotted

Question 34

plangent

Answer 34

adj. plaintive; resounding sadly

Question 35

platonic

Answer 35

adj. purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire

Question 36

plausible

Answer 36

adj. having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious

Question 37

plebicite

Answer 37

n. expression of the will of a people by direct election

Question 38

plentitude

Answer 38

n. abundance; commpleteness

Question 39

polemic

Answer 39

n. controversy; argument in support of point of view

Question 40

polity

Answer 40

n. form of government of nation or state

Question 41

porphyry

Answer 41

n. ingenious rock containing feldspar or quartz crystals

Question 42

postprandial

Answer 42

adj. after dinner

Question 43

potable

Answer 43

adj. suitable for drinking

Question 44

preciosity

Answer 44

n. over-refinement in art or speech

Question 45

preempt

Answer 45

v. appropriate beforehand

Question 46

prehensile

Answer 46

adj. capable of grasping or holding

Question 47

premonitory

Answer 47

adj. serving to warn

Question 48

preponderance

Answer 48

n. superiority of power, quantity, etc.

Question 49

prerogative

Answer 49

n. privilege; unquestionable right

Question 50

prestige

Answer 50

n. impression produced by achievements or reputation

Question 51

preternatural

Answer 51

adj. beyond that which is normal in nature

Question 52

primogeniture

Answer 52

n. seniority by birth

Question 53

probe

Answer 53

v. explore with tools

Question 54

prognathous

Answer 54

adj. having projecting jaws

Question 55

projectile

Answer 55

n. missile

Question 56

proletarian

Answer 56

n. member of the working class

Question 57

propellants

Answer 57

n. substances which propel or drive worward

Question 58

prophylactic

Answer 58

adj. used to prevent disease