Word List 19

Question 1

hypotenuse

Answer 1

the side of a right-angled triangle that is opposite of the right angle
the length of a hypotenuse

Question 2

hysteria

Answer 2

a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic, sensory, vasomotor, and visceral functions
behavior exhibiting overwhelming or unmanageable gear or emotional excess

e.g. Wartime hysteria led to many unfair accusation of treachery.

Question 3

iconoclast

Answer 3

a person who destroys religious images or opposes their veneration
a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

e.g. Notorious as an iconoclast, that music critic isn’t afraid to go after sacred cows.

Question 4

idiom

Answer 4

the language peculiar to a people or to a district, community, or class; dialect
an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself
a style or form of artistic expression that is characteristic; broadly, manner, style

e.g. the modern jazz idiom
a new culinary idiom

Question 5

idle

Answer 5

lacking worth or basis; vain
not occupied or employed
shiftless, lazy; having no evident lawful means of support
to spend time in idleness; to move idly
to make idle

e.g. There has been a lot of idle speculation about what might happen, but no one really knows.
idle pleasure/workers/farmland
She left the engine idling for a few seconds before she turned it off.
workers idled by a strike

Question 6

idolater

Answer 6

a worshiper of idols

a person that admires intensely and often blindly one that is not usually a subject of worship

Question 7

idyllic

Answer 7

pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity
of, relating to, or being an idyll

e.g. an idyllic retreat in the countryside

Question 8

igneous

Answer 8

of, relating to, or resembling fire; fiery
relating to, resulting from, or suggestive of the intrusion or extrusion of magma or volcanic activity
formed by solidification of magma

e.g. igneous rocks

Question 9

ignoble

Answer 9

of low birth or common origin; plebeian
characterized by baseness, lowness, or meanness

e.g. an ignoble child who would one day grow up to a prince among playwrights
Such an ignoble act is completely unworthy of a military officer.

Question 10

ignominious

Answer 10

marked with or characterized by disgrace or shame; dishonorable
deserving or shame or infamy; despicable
humiliating, degrading

e.g. Some of his friends considered the job of janitor to be ignominious fate for the laid-off executive.
The prison guards degraded themselves with their inhumane, ignominious treatment of the prisoners.

Question 11

ignominy

Answer 11

deep personal humiliation and disgrace
disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action

e.g. She had to endure the ignominy of being forced to resign.

Question 12

illegitimate

Answer 12

not recognized as lawful offspring
not rightly deduced or inferred; illogical
departing from the regular; erratic
not sanctioned by law; illegal

e.g. They were fired from their jobs for illegitimate reasons.

Question 13

illicit

Answer 13

not permitted; unlawful

e.g. illicit copes of the software
an illicit affair

Question 14

illiterate

Answer 14

having little or no education; unable to read or write
showing or marked by a lack of familiarity with language and literature
showing or marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge

e.g. She is politically illiterate and has never voted in an election.
an illiterate magazine

Question 15

illuminati

Answer 15

(cap.) any of various groups claiming special religious enlightenment
persons who are or who claim to be unusually enlightened
elite

e.g. a book launching party to which only New York’s cultural illuminati were invited
members of the academic illuminati

Question 16

imbibe

Answer 16

to receive into the mind and retain
to assimilate or take into solution
drink; to take in or up

e.g. imbibe moral principles
imbibe vast quantities of coffee

Question 17

imbroglio

Answer 17

a confused mess
an intricate or complicated situation; an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding
embroilment; scandal

e.g. a celebrated imbroglio involving some big names in the New York literary scene

Question 18

imbue

Answer 18

to permeate or influence as if by dyeing
to provide with something freely or naturally; endow

e.g. A feeling of optimism imbues her works.
Her training at the school for the deaf imbues her with a sense of purpose that she had never known before.

Question 19

immaculate

Answer 19

having no stain or blemish; pure
containing no flaw or error

e.g. an immaculate record of service

Question 20

macula

Answer 20

spot, blotch; macule

an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues; especially, macula lutea

Question 21

immanent

Answer 21

indwelling, inherent
being within the limits of possible experience or knowledge

e.g. Beauty is not something imposed but something immanent.
A question as to whether altruism is immanent in all individuals or is instead acquired from without.

Question 22

immemorial

Answer 22

extending or existing since beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition

e.g. the immemorial roots of human spirituality
stories passed down from time immemorial

Question 23

immerse

Answer 23

to plunge into something that surrounds or covers; especially, to plunge or dip into a fluid
engross, absorb

e.g. She had immersed herself in writing short stories.

Question 24

imminent

Answer 24

ready to take place; especially, hanging threateningly over one’s head

e.g. in imminent danger of being run over
There patients are facing imminent death.

Question 25

immolate

Answer 25

to offer in sacrifice; especially, to kill as a sacrificed victim to kill or destroy often by fire e.g. a man who immolated himself as an act of protest a ceremony in which they immolated their cherished possessions so that the gods would send rain

Question 26

immure

Answer 26

to enclose within or as if within walls; imprison to build into a wall; especially, to entomb in a wall e.g. Scientists at the research station in Alaska are immured by the frozen wastelands that surround them. Immured by a controlling, possessive mother, the young woman had no outside social life.

Question 27

demure

Answer 27

reserved, modest affectedly modest, reserved, or serious; coy e.g. the demure charm of the cottage

Question 28

imp

Answer 28

a small demon; fiend a mischievous child; urchin e.g. a story about a crumbling mansion infested with a brood of imps

Question 29

demur

Answer 29

to disagree politely with another person's statement or suggestion to politely refuse to accept a request or suggestion (often used with to or at) e.g. She suggested that he would win easily, but he demurred, saying he expected the election to be close. Don't hesitate to demur to the idea if you have any qualms.

Question 30

exception

Answer 30

the act of excepting; exclusion one that is excepted; especially, a case to which a rule does not apply question, objection e.g. There will be no exceptions to this rule. I take strong exception to your assessment of his singing ability.

Question 31

impair

Answer 31

to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing in some material respect e.g. His health was impaired by overwork.

Question 32

impale

Answer 32

to pierce with or as if with something pointed; especially, to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake to fix in an inescapable or helpless position

Question 33

impalpable

Answer 33

incapable of being felt by touch; intangible so finely divided that no grains or grit can be felt not readily discerned by the wind e,g. The rich colors used in the wall coverings and furniture give the room an impalpable warmth. An difference between the two sounding systems is impalpable to all but the most discerning audiophiles.

Question 34

palpitate

Answer 34

to beat rapidly and strongly; throb e.g. My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.

Question 35

impart

Answer 35

to give, convey, or grant fro or as if from a store to communicate the knowledge of; disclose e.g. Her presence imparted a sense of importance to the meeting. impart his scheme to no one

Question 36

impasse

Answer 36

a predicament affording no obvious escape deadlock an impassable road or way; cul-de-sac e.g. An arbitrator was called in to break the impasse. She had reached an impasse in her career.

Question 37

impassioned

Answer 37

filled with passion or zeal; showing great warmth or intensity of feeling e.g. an impassioned plea for justice

Question 38

impassive

Answer 38

unsusceptible to physical feeling; insensible unsusceptible to or destitute of emotion; apathetic giving no sign of feeling or emotion; expressionless e.g. Her face remained impassive throughout the trial.

Question 39

overwrought

Answer 39

extremely excited; agitated elaborated to excess; overdone e.g. The witness became overwrought as she described the crime.

Question 40

impeach

Answer 40

to bring an accusation against to charge with a crime or misdemeanor to remove from office especially for misconduct to cast doubt on; especially, to challenge the credibility or validity of e.g. impeach the president The defense lawyers tried to impeach the witness's testimony by forcing him to admit that he had changed his story.

Question 41

impeccable

Answer 41

not capable of sinning or liable to sin free from fault or blame; flawless e.g. spoke impeccable French The etiquette was celebrated for her absolutely impeccable manners.

Question 42

peccadillo

Answer 42

a slight offense

Question 43

impecunious

Answer 43

having very little or no money usually habitually; penniless e.g. They were so impecunious that they couldn't afford to give one another even token Christmas gifts.

Question 44

peculate

Answer 44

embezzle

Question 45

pecuniary

Answer 45

consisting of or measured in money of or relating to money e.g. That makes good pecuniary sense. The judge recused himself from the case because he had a pecuniary interest in the company that was being sued.

Question 46

impediment

Answer 46

- impede | e. g. It is tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads.

Question 47

impel

Answer 47

to urge or drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong moral pressure; force to impart motion to; propel e.g. She felt impelled to give a speech after the performance.

Question 48

impend

Answer 48

to hover threatening; menace to be about to occur e.g. For confirmed pessimists, some disaster always seems to be impending.

Question 49

impenetrable

Answer 49

incapable of being penetrated or pierced inaccessible to knowledge, reason, or sympathy; impervious incapable of being comprehended; inscrutable

Question 50

impenitent

Answer 50

not penitent ; not feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses e.g. an impenitent criminal who said he'd do it all over again, given the chance

Question 51

rueful

Answer 51

exciting pity or sympathy; pitiable mournful, regretful e.g. rueful squalid poverty by every wayside troubled her with a rueful disquiet

Question 52

imperative

Answer 52

expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation having power to restrain, control, and direct not to be avoided or evaded; necessary e.g. an imperative duty

Question 53

imperator

Answer 53

a commander in chief or emperor of the ancient Romans

Question 54

imperial

Answer 54

of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor sovereign; regal, imperious of superior or unusual size or excellence e.g. a member of the imperial family envisioned an imperial city that would rival the capitals of Europe for beauty and magnificence

Question 55

imperious

Answer 55

befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments; commanding, dominant marked by arrogant assurance; domineering intensely compelling; urgent e.g. an imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of princess

Question 56

impersonate

Answer 56

to assume or act the character of; personate e.g. a comedian with a talent for impersonating famous politicians and actors

Question 57

impertinence

Answer 57

irrelevance, inappropriateness incivility, insolence an instance of impertinence e.g. A disciplinarian of the old school, he refused to tolerate any impertinence from his children. the impertinence of deliberately ignoring waiting customers while they finished their conversation

Question 58

imperturbable

Answer 58

marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness; serene e.g. Although he seems outwardly imperturbable, he can get very angry at times.

Question 59

restive

Answer 59

stubbornly resisting control; balky marked by impatience or uneasiness; fidgety e.g. The restive horse threw his head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward. spend a restive night worrying about the next day's exam

Question 60

impervious

Answer 60

not allowing entrance or passage; impenetrable not capable of being damaged or harmed not capable of being affected or disturbed e.g. a coat impervious to rain a carpet impervious to rough treatment a man impervious to criticism The rain forest is impervious to all but the most dedicated explorers.

Question 61

impetuous

Answer 61

marked by impulsive vehemence or passion marked by force and violence of movement or action e.g. an impetuous temperament an impetuous wind

Question 62

impetus

Answer 62

a driving force; impulse, incentive, stimulus e.g. His discoveries have given impetus to further research. The reward money should be enough impetus for someone to come forward with information about the robbery.

Question 63

impinge

Answer 63

to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision to have an effect; make an impression encroach, infringe e.g. I heard the rain impinge upon the earth. waiting for the gem of a new idea to impinge upon my wind impinge on other people's rights

Question 64

implant

Answer 64

to fix or set securely or deeply to set permanently in the consciousness or habit patterns; inculcate e.g. a hearing aid surgically implanted in the ear a music teacher who stove to implant within his students a love of the classics

Question 65

implausible

Answer 65

not plausible; provoking disbelief e.g. He gave an implausible excuse for showing up late for work.

Question 66

verisimilar

Answer 66

having the appearance of truth; probable | depicting realism

Question 67

replete

Answer 67

fully or abundantly provided or filled fat, stout; complete e.g. a book replete with delicious details

Question 68

implicate

Answer 68

to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference; imply to bring into intimate or incriminating connection to involve in the nature or operation of something e.g. His business partner was implicated in the theft.

Question 69

implicit

Answer 69

capable of being understood from something else though unexpressed; implied involved in the nature or essence of something though not revealed, expressed, or developed; potential being without doubt or reserve; unquestioning e.g. There is a sense of moral duty implicit in her writings. A sculptor may see different figures implicit in a block of stones. I have implicit trust in her honesty.

Question 70

implode

Answer 70

to burst inward to undergo violent compression; to collapse inward as if from external pressure; also, to become greatly reduced as if from collapsing to break down or fall apart from within; self-destruct e.g. a controlled demolition during which the entire building imploded in a matter of seconds The firm imploded from greed and factionalism.

Question 71

implore

Answer 71

to call upon in supplication; beseech to call or pray for earnestly; entreat e.g. implored the crowd to be quiet

Question 72

deplore

Answer 72

to feel or express grief for; to regret strongly to consider unfortunate or deserving of deprecation e.g. Many critics deplore his methods.

Question 73

impolitic

Answer 73

not politic; unwise

Question 74

imponderable

Answer 74

not ponderable; incapable of being weighed or evaluated with exactness e.g. the imponderable beauties of Beethoven's sonatas

Question 75

import

Answer 75

to bear or convey as meaning or portent; signify imply importance; especially, relative importance purport, signification

Question 76

importune

Answer 76

troublesomely urgent; overly persistent in request or demand; troublesome; importunate to press or urge with troublesome persistence annoy, trouble e.g. He stood on the street corner, importuning passersby for help.

Question 77

dispose

Answer 77

to give a tendency to; incline to put in place; set in readiness; arrange bestow e.g. Faulty diet disposes one to sickness. disposing troops for withdrawal

Question 78

imposing

Answer 78

impressive in size, bearing, dignity, or grandeur e.g. The president of the back is exactly the sort of imposing figure that one might expect.

Question 79

impostor

Answer 79

one that assumes false identity or title for the purpose of deception

Question 80

imposture

Answer 80

the act or practice of deceiving by means of an assumed character or name an instance of imposture e.g. He was accused of imposture.

Question 81

impoverish

Answer 81

to make poor to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility, by depleting or draining of something essential e.g. Poor farming practices impoverished the soil.

Question 82

impregnable

Answer 82

incapable of being taken by assault; unconquerable unassailable; also, impenetrable e.g. an impregnable fortress that had foiled one invader after another over the centuries

Question 83

impresario

Answer 83

the promoter, manager, or conductor of an opera or concert a person who puts on or sponsors an entertainment (as a television show or sports event) manager, director

Question 84

impressionable

Answer 84

capable of being easily influenced e.g. The teacher was accused of forcing his political beliefs on impressionable teenagers.

Question 85

improvident

Answer 85

not provident; not foreseeing and providing for the future e.g. the improvident view that the wearing away of the ozone layer need not concern us Her improvident habits left her with no retirement savings.

Question 86

imprudent

Answer 86

not prudent; lacking discretion, wisdom, or good judgment e.g. It's politically imprudent to stir up such controversy during an election year. a very sweet girl, but so imprudent that no one trusts her with a secret

Question 87

impudent

Answer 87

marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others; insolent e.g. the guest's impudent inquiries about the cost of just about everything we had in the house

Question 88

impugn

Answer 88

to assail by words or arguments; oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity e.g. He impugned his rival's character.

Question 89

pugnacious

Answer 89

having a quarrelsome or combative nature; truculent e.g. There's one pugnacious member on the committee who won't agree to anything.

Question 90

impuissance

Answer 90

weakness, powerlessness

Question 91

vindicate

Answer 91

avenge to free from allegation or blame; to provide justification or defense for; justify confirm, substantiate to maintain a right to e.g. These discoveries vindicate their theory. She will be completely vindicated by the evidence.

Question 92

impunity

Answer 92

exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss e.g. She mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity Law were flouted with impunity.

Question 93

punitive

Answer 93

inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment e.g. The federal government will take punitive actions against the company that polluted the river.

Question 94

inadvertent

Answer 94

not focusing the mind on a matter; inattentive unintentional e.g. an inadvertent omission an inadvertent encounter with a rattlesnake in the brush

Question 95

inalienable

Answer 95

incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred e.g. inalienable rights

Question 96

inane

Answer 96

empty, insubstantial lacking significance, meaning, or point; silly e.g. The film's plot is inane and full of cliches.

Question 97

inanity

Answer 97

- inane | e. g. the jaw-dropping inanity of the singer's comments on the awards show

Question 98

inanimate

Answer 98

not endowed with life or spirit lacking consciousness or power of motion not animated or lively; dull e.g. "Pathetic fallacy" is the literary term for the ascription of human feelings or motives to inanimate natural elements.

Question 99

inappreciable

Answer 99

to small to be perceived e.g. an inappreciable change in the temperature

Question 100

inaugurate

Answer 100

to induct into an office with suitable ceremonies to dedicate ceremoniously; observe formally the beginning of to bring about the beginning of e.g. inaugurate a new school inaugurated the college's athletic program for women

Question 101

augury

Answer 101

divination from auspices or omens; also, an instance of this omen, portent e.g. Some people believe that a broken mirror is an augury of seven years' bad luck.

Question 102

inborn

Answer 102

present from or as if from birth hereditary, inherited e.g. an inborn talent for music

Question 103

incandescent

Answer 103

white, glowing, or luminous with intense heat marked by brilliance especially of expression characterized by glowing zeal; ardent e.g. the incandescent coals of our campfire a speaker incandescent with righteous anger over the treatment of the refugees incandescent wit

Question 104

incantation

Answer 104

a use of spells or verbal charms spoken or sung as a part of ritual or magic; also, a written or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular effect

Question 105

incarcerate

Answer 105

to put in prison | to subject to confinement

Question 106

incarnate

Answer 106

invested with bodily and especially human nature and form made manifest or comprehensible; embodied red; incarnadine also e.g. a fiend incarnate No one culture incarnates every important human value. the general view that Hitler incarnated extreme egotism and indeed evil itself

Question 107

carnage

Answer 107

the flesh of slain animals or men | great and usually bloody slaughter or injury (as in battle)

Question 108

carnal

Answer 108

relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites bodily, corporeal; worldly e.g. The preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven. a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns

Question 109

incendiary

Answer 109

a person who commits arson; arsonist a substance or weapon used to start fires a person who excites factions, quarrels, or sedition; agitator also extremely hot e.g. incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government reckless incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions incendiary chili peppers

Question 110

incense

Answer 110

pleasing attention; flattery to arouse the extreme anger or indignation e.g. count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the headquarter

Question 111

propitiate

Answer 111

to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of; appease e.g. The temple was once the site of sacrifices - both to honor the gods in times of plenty and to propitiate them in times of trouble.

Question 112

inception

Answer 112

an act, process, or instance of beginning; commencement e.g. The project has been shrouded in controversy from its inception. from inception to completion

Question 113

incessant

Answer 113

continuing or following without interruption; unceasing e.g. The incessant noise from an outside repair crew was a real distraction during the test.

Question 114

inchoate

Answer 114

not completely formed or developed yet; incipient, formless, incoherent e.g. inchoate feelings of affection for a man whom she had, up till now, thought of as only a friend

Question 115

incipient

Answer 115

beginning to come into being or to become apparent e.g. an incipient solar system I have an incipient dislike and distrust of that guy, and I only met his this morning

Question 116

incise

Answer 116

to cut into to carve figures, letters, or devices into; engrave e.g. The clay is incised to create a design.

Question 117

incisive

Answer 117

impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation) e.g. an incisive analysis an incisive unsentimental writer She's known for her incisive mind and quick wit.

Question 118

inclement

Answer 118

physically severe; stormy (archaic) severe in temper or action; unmerciful e.g. The weather reporter warned that the holiday weekend would be spoiled by inclement weather.

Question 119

incogitant

Answer 119

thoughtless, inconsiderate not having the faculty of thought e.g. incogitant litterbugs

Question 120

incommensurate

Answer 120

lacking a basis or comparison in respect to a quality normally subject to comparison; incommensurable inadequate disproportionate e.g. a confidence incommensurate with their ability

Question 121

cogitate

Answer 121

to ponder or meditate (on) usually intently e.g. cogitate about chances of failing cogitate on her career plans

Question 122

inconsequential

Answer 122

illogical irrelevant of no significance; unimportant e.g. an inconsequential problem compared to the other issues an inconsequential error that does nothing to lessen the value of the report