Words 751 - 775

Question 1

plausible

Answer 1

appearing worthy of belief

adjective

He studied all the data and then came up with a plausible theory that took all factors into account.

Question 2

plenitude

Answer 2

a great sufficiency

noun

My grandmother was overwhelmed by the plenitude of tomatoes her garden yielded this season.

Question 3

plethora

Answer 3

an ample amount

noun

The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high.

Question 4

pliable

Answer 4

supple enough to bend freely without breaking

adjective

Aircraft wings are designed to be somewhat pliable so they do not break in heavy turbulence.

Question 5

poignant

Answer 5

designed to make an impression

adjective

My teacher actually cried after reading to us the poignant final chapter of the novel.

Question 6

polemic

Answer 6

an aggressive refutation of the opinions of another

noun

My brother launched into a polemic against my arguments that capitalism was an unjust economic system.

Question 7

portent

Answer 7

something that foreshadows a coming event

noun

When a black cat crossed my sister’s path while she was walking to school, she took it as a portent that she would do badly on her spelling test.

Question 8

potable

Answer 8

suitable for drinking

adjective

During sea voyages it is essential that ships carry a supply of potable water because salty ocean water makes anyone who drinks it sick.

Question 9

potentate

Answer 9

one who wields great power

noun

All the villagers stood along the town’s main road to observe as the potentate’s procession headed towards the capital.

Question 10

pragmatic

Answer 10

concerned with practical rather than intellectual or artistic matters

adjective

The politician argued that while increased security measures might not fit with the lofty ideals of the nation, they were a pragmatic necessity to ensure everyone’s safety.

Question 11

precipice

Answer 11

a very steep or overhanging place

noun

The mountain climber hung from a precipice before finding a handhold and pulling himself up.

Question 12

preclude

Answer 12

to rule out in advance

verb

My grandfather’s large and vicious guard dog precluded anyone from entering the yard.

Question 13

precocious

Answer 13

exceptionally early in development

adjective

Derek was so academically precocious that by the time he was ten years old, he was already in the ninth grade.

Question 14

predilection

Answer 14

an established preference for something

noun

François has a predilection for eating scrambled eggs with ketchup, though I prefer to eat eggs without any condiments.

Question 15

preponderance

Answer 15

a superiority in importance

adjective

Britain’s preponderance of naval might secured the nation’s role as a military power.

Question 16

prepossessing

Answer 16

tending to create a favorable impression

adjective

His prepossessing appearance made it impossible for me to think of anything else.

Question 17

presage

Answer 17

something that foreshadows a future event

noun

When my uncle’s old war injury ached, he interpreted it as a presage of bad weather approaching.

Question 18

prescient

Answer 18

having foreknowledge of events

adjective

Questioning the fortune cookie’s prediction, Ray went in search of the old hermit who was rumored to be prescient.

Question 19

prescribe

Answer 19

to lay down a rule

verb

The duke prescribed that from this point further all of the peasants living on his lands would have to pay higher taxes.

Question 20

presumptuous

Answer 20

overstepping due bounds

adjective

The princess grew angry after the presumptuous noble tried to kiss her, even though he was far below her in social status.

Question 21

pretense

Answer 21

professed rather than real intention

noun

Though he actually wanted to use his parents’ car to go on a date, Nick borrowed his parents’ car under the pretense of attending a group study session.

Question 22

primeval

Answer 22

relating to the earliest ages

adjective

The first primates to walk on two legs, called Australopithecus, were the primeval descendants of modern man.

Question 23

privation

Answer 23

the state of being deprived

noun

After decades of rule by an oppressive government that saw nothing wrong with stealing from its citizens, the recent drought only increased the people’s privation.

Question 24

probity

Answer 24

adherence to the highest ideals

noun

Because he was never viewed as a man of great probity, no one was surprised by Mr. Samson’s immoral behavior.

Question 25

proclivity

Answer 25

an inclination toward something

noun

In a sick twist of fate, Harold’s childhood proclivity for torturing small animals grew into a desire to become a surgeon.