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Quiz about Hows Your Vocabulary
Quiz about Hows Your Vocabulary

How's Your Vocabulary? Trivia Quiz


Come and test your vocabulary! I'll give you fifteen interesting words, see if you know what they mean.
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author benji512

A multiple-choice quiz by stedman. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
stedman
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
28,929
Updated
Oct 27 23
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
13 / 15
Plays
887
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Neelac (8/15), mcpoorboy (11/15), CEM9644 (13/15).
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Question 1 of 15
1. What word means the state of being inactive or dormant? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. Which of these fabric patterns features droplet shapes, often in bright colours? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. Which term is an adjective that can be used to describe a repellent or unattractive person? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Which of these words refers to a particularly noxious smell? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. The act of stretching and yawning, as one does in the morning, can be described by which of these words? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Which of these words means a warmed-up dish of food? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Which of these words is a synonym of coarse or stupid? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. Any sudden outburst might be referred to as what? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. Which of these is specifically a container for relics? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. A person who tells anecdotes interestingly might be called which of these? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. A discussion or conference (often between two enemies) could also be called which of these? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Which word describes praise acknowledging an achievement? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. Which of these words means a curse or swear word? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. What is a word that refers specifically to an ornament that is inserted in the lip? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. A container where an ancient Roman might store scrolls is called what? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What word means the state of being inactive or dormant?

Answer: Quiescence

"Quiescence" is derived from the Latin root "quiescere", meaning "to rest".

Lassitude means fatigue or lethargy. A gregarious person is one who is fond of the company of other people, while insipid means tasteless or lacking in flavour.
2. Which of these fabric patterns features droplet shapes, often in bright colours?

Answer: Paisley

"Paisley" cloth is named after the town of that name in Scotland where it was first manufactured.

Plaid is a fabric with a tartan pattern, while gingham is a cotton cloth usually with a checked pattern. Houndstooth is also a checked pattern often seen in woollen tweed clothing.
3. Which term is an adjective that can be used to describe a repellent or unattractive person?

Answer: Rebarbative

Rebarbative has its origin in the Old French "se rebarber", implying an aggressive "beard to beard" confrontation.

Assiduous means diligent, bounteous means generous, and a merchant is someone who sells and buys goods.
4. Which of these words refers to a particularly noxious smell?

Answer: Stench

"Stench" is derived from the Old English "stenc", meaning a smell (not necessarily unpleasant).

Veracious means truthful, while pallid means pale. Livid originally meant a bluish colour like that of a bruise but is now more often used colloquially to mean very angry.
5. The act of stretching and yawning, as one does in the morning, can be described by which of these words?

Answer: Pandiculation

"Pandiculation" is derived from the Latin "pendere", meaning to stretch.

Palpitation is throbbing or trembling, while exasperation means a state of frustration. Externalisation is the act of giving external form to something.
6. Which of these words means a warmed-up dish of food?

Answer: Rechauffe

"Rechauffe" is from the French "réchauffer", meaning to reheat.

A picnic is any meal eaten outside. Lunch is a meal normally eaten at around the middle of the day, while dinner is usually taken in the evening.
7. Which of these words is a synonym of coarse or stupid?

Answer: Crass

"Crass" has its origins in the Latin "crassus", which means solid or dense, and began to mean "coarsely stupid" in the seventeenth century.

Insidious means cunning or crafty, while sinister means malignant or evil-looking. Meaningful means significant or important.
8. Any sudden outburst might be referred to as what?

Answer: Paroxysm

The word "paroxysm" has come to English via French and has its origins in the Latin "paroxynein", meaning to provoke or stimulate.

A passacaglia is a musical piece consisting of variations played over a bass line. A flitch is a side of cured and salted pork, while syllabub is a dessert of thickened cream or milk.
9. Which of these is specifically a container for relics?

Answer: Reliquary

A relic is either a part of the physical remains of a saint or other religious figure, or an object associated with them. If you had a spare relic lying around the house, you could, I suppose, put it in a crate, box or cupboard, but the proper place for it would be a reliquary.
10. A person who tells anecdotes interestingly might be called which of these?

Answer: Raconteur

"Raconteur" traces its roots back to the Old French "raconteur", which means "to tell".

An apothecary is an old word for someone who dispenses drugs, while a mendicant is a beggar. A manifesto is a statement of policy, for example by a political party.
11. A discussion or conference (often between two enemies) could also be called which of these?

Answer: Parley

"Parley" comes from the French term "pourparler", which is derived from the verb "parler", to speak.

A retinue is a group of people attending on a famous or important people. A convoy is a line of vehicles such as ships or lorries travelling together. Jargon is words or language used by a particular group that is not generally understood by outsiders.
12. Which word describes praise acknowledging an achievement?

Answer: Kudos

"Kudos" is derived from an Ancient Greek word meaning fame or glory.

To put the kibosh on something means to put a stop to it. Kohlrabi is a vegetable of the cabbage family, while a kinkajou is a South American mammal.
13. Which of these words means a curse or swear word?

Answer: Expletive

An expletive is the sort of rude word that is often represented in print by random symbols such as "%@*£!"

An exclamation is any word uttered in anger of surprise. A euphemism is a mild word or expression used in place of a harsh or blunt one. An incantation is a spell or charm, usually spoken out loud.
14. What is a word that refers specifically to an ornament that is inserted in the lip?

Answer: Labret

A labret gets its name because it is inserted in the "labrum" (the Latin word for lip).

The other options are all related to different parts of the body that can have items inserted. A septum piercing is in the nose, while a tragus is in a particular part of the ear. Piercings in the navel are also popular.
15. A container where an ancient Roman might store scrolls is called what?

Answer: Scrinium

The correct term for the cylindrical container used in Roman times to hold rolls of papyrus is a "scrinium". The incorrect options are all other containers of some sort.
Source: Author stedman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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