Wordsmith – Test your wordpower

Published on Aug 12, 2011 in Quizzes, Trivia

Improve and test your wordpower by matching each of the words below to one of the multiple possible definitions…

Vocabulary Ratings
20-19 correct	…………………..	excellent
18-16 correct	…………………..	good
15-14 correct	…………………..	fair

(1) epitome {ep IT oh mi} A: centre of attention B: embodiment C: historic period D: theory

B: Embodiment of a quality or idea. Looking altogether an epitome of the world’s health and vigour.” Greek epi- (into) and temnein (to cut).

(2) scruple A: to refuse. B: question. C: hesitate. D: wrangle.

C: To hesitate, from moral doubt. “He did not scruple publicly to insult Mr Clare.” Latin scrupulus (small weight).

(3) mendacious {men DAY shus} A: un-truthful. B: starving. C: unhealthy. D: arrogant.

A: Untruthful. “The mendacious family chronicles.” Latin mendax (speaking falsely).

(4) furlough {FER loh} A: economic depression B: subterfuge C: leave of absence D: uproar

C: Leave of absence, usually from military duty. “It might be Sergeant Troy home on furlough.” Dutch verlof.

(5) taciturn {TASS i tern} A: sentimental B: uncommunicative C: diplomatic D: calculating

B: Uncommunicative, saying little. “Elizabeth, being instructed by nods and motions from the taciturn landlord.” Latin tacere (to be silent).

(6) lineal {LIN i al} A: unconnected. B: isolated. C: directly descended. D: wrinkled.

C: Directly descended. “You are the lineal representative of the ancient and knightly family of the d’Urbervilles.” Latin linea (line).

(7) proxy A: agent. B: spouse. C: witness. D: assistant.

A: Agent, someone authorized to act for another. “Bathsheba’s decision to be a farmer in her own person and by proxy no more.” Latin procurator (agent).

(8) alluring {al EWR ing} A: deceptive. B: contentious. C: sensible. D: enticing.

D: Enticing, tempting. “The inside of the hut… was cosy and alluring.” Old French a- (to) and lure (falconer’s bait).

(9) somnambulist {som NAM bew list} A: sleep-walker. B: escapologist. C: soothsayer. D: hypnotist.

A: Sleep-walker. “Bold-wood, more like a somnambulist than a wakeful man.” Latin somnus (sleep) and ambulare (to walk).

(10) vituperation {vi/vy tew per AY shun} A: derision. B: abuse. C: confusion. D: relief.

B: Abuse, vicious censure. The “speech brought down a torrent of vituperation… upon fair Tess’s unlucky head.” Latin vituperare (to revile).

(11) legible {LEJ i b'l} A: readable. B: permissible. C: suitable. D: justifiable.

A: Readable. “She inserted the words in a small though legible hand-writing.” Latin legere (to read).

(12) transcend {tran SEND} A: to elevate. B: remove. C: change. D: go beyond.

D: To go beyond. “She was plunged into a misery which transcended that of the child’s simple loss.” Latin trans- (across) and scandere (to climb).

(13) primeval {pry MEE v'l} A: wicked. B: ancient. C: leading. D: profane.

B: Ancient, of earliest times. “The primeval yews and oaks of The Chase.” Latin primus (first) and aevum (age).

(14) preternatural {pre ter NAT ew rol} A: unbelievable B: extravagant C: overconfident D: extraordinary

D: Extraordinary, outside the normal course of nature. “Elizabeth-Jane’s face being arranged to an expression of preternatural composure.” Latin praeter (beyond) and natura (nature).

(15) candour {KAN der} A: frankness. B: zeal. C: vitality. D: power to inspire.

A: Frankness, openness, “She had not told. Her instinct of self-preservation was stronger than her candour.” Latin candere (to shine).

(16) piqued {peek'd} A: tired. B: self-pitying. C: irritated. D: pessimistic.

C: Irritated. “Gabriel, perhaps a little piqued by the comely traveller’s indifference.” French piquet (to prick).

(17) attenuated {at EN ew ayt'd} A: coarse. B: anxious. C: thin. D: eager

C: Thin, reduced in size or strength. “The little attenuated voices of the children.” Latin tenuis (thin).

(18) extraneous {ex TRAY ni us} A: sensitive B: beyond reason C: immoderate D: coming from outside

D: Coming from outside, foreign. “Total absence of conversation allowed every extraneous sound to be heard.” Latin extra (outside).

(19) parlance {par lunss} A: manner of speaking B: dialogue C: bargaining D: empty words

A: Manner of speaking. “She is not what in common parlance is called a lady.” Old French parler (to speak).

(20) latent {LAY t'nt} A: delayed B: wide-ranging. C: permanent. D: hidden.

D: Hidden, dormant. “There yet existed certain latent prejudices of theirs.” Latin latere (to be hidden).