In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives,choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word.
Altercation
Answer: C
It is heated dispute.
An altercation is a noisy argument, from the Latin altercari, to dispute. Choice belongs to alternative, the word it is most often confused with.
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Bigamy
Answer: B
It is having two wives or husbands living.
Bigamy is the offence of marrying while already married, from the Greek and Latin for twice married. Ambiguity, from a different root, means doubleness of meaning.
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Refund
Answer: D
It is reimburse.
To refund is to pay back money received. Deduct and penalty move in the opposite direction, and receive is the other side of the transaction.
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Deterrent
Answer: D
It is restraint of action.
A deterrent is something that discourages an action by the fear of consequences. Encouragement and incentive are its opposites.
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Lachrymose
Answer: D
It is mournful.
Lachrymose means tearful or inclined to weep, from the Latin lacrima, a tear. Moist is a literal near-miss; the word is about grief, not wetness.
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Slake
Answer: D
It is quench.
To slake is to satisfy a thirst or a desire, and also to treat lime with water - slaked lime. Agitate is its opposite in effect.
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Amalgamate
Answer: B
It is to unite.
To amalgamate is to combine into one, from the amalgam, an alloy of mercury with another metal. Disconnect and separate are its opposites.
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Coeval
Answer: A
It is of the same age.
Coeval means existing at the same period, from the Latin co-aevum, of the same age. Corresponding and duplicate describe likeness rather than contemporaneity.
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Vendetta
Answer: A
It is feud.
A vendetta is a blood feud pursued between families, from the Italian and ultimately the Latin for vengeance. Friendship and harmony are its opposites.
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Trumpery
Answer: D
It is rubbish.
Trumpery means showy but worthless things, from the French tromper, to deceive - the same root as trumpery's cousin, trompe l'oeil.
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