hew
	[ intransitive verb, transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	1. (tr.v.) to fell with an axe 2. (tr.v.) to deliver blows with a sharp instrument 3. (intr.v.) to cut by striking with a sharp instrument 4. (intr.v.) to obey the rules
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He hewed down the tree with a mighty stroke.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	I have imagined how satisfying it might be just to walk into the forest with only a rifle and an axe, hew out logs for a rough shack and, by courage and cleverness. make a life. BBC, State Of The Union: Changes in the high country, Charles Gusewelle, 4 October 2004
husk
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. the dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds 2. the worthless part
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The husks of rice were collected as they made excellent fodder for cattle.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Extracted from the germ and inner husk of rice, this oil's very high smoke point (254°C) makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking. The Telegraph, The rapeseed revolution, Lydia Bell, 1 June 2009
immaculate
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	1. pure, without any blemish 2. without any errors 3. free form sin
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	His immaculate appearance at all times amazed his colleagues.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Either their homes are absolutely immaculate and look like something out of a House and Gardens magazine, or are a complete mess as they never have the time and the enthusiasm when they get home! BBC, EastEnders - Characters & Cast - Interviews, Kirsten Dudley, 2 July 2009
imperative
	[ noun, adjective ]
	MEANING :
	1. (adj.) Impossible to prevent or avoid 2. (adj.) having the authority to command 3. (n.) a responsibility 4. (n.) a command
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The political advisor said that it was imperative to take action during the window of opportunity or else they would have to switch to plan B.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	It is imperative for a new team of leadership to take over, clean house, and immediately restore accountability, which has been absent for too long. CNN, NYC rabbi resigns amid accusations about jail bar mitzvah, Jesse Solomon, 17 June 2009
implosion
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. an inward blast 2. a demolition technique where a controlled blast causes the structure to cave in and not blow up or explode outwards.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The teacher explained that this chemical reaction would cause an implosion rather than an explosion.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	The demolition, a job valued at $1 million, was done for free with 10 pounds of explosives by Controlled Demolition Inc. of Phoenix, Md., in exchange for the right to videotape the implosion for promotional purposes. CNN, Gettysburg tower imploded, Melia Bowie, 5 July 2000

heresy
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine of a religious system.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He was arrested for propagating heresy which was a crime in the Victorian Era.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	It astonished his imagination but repelled and frightened him with its tempting heresy of Manichaean dualism – the idea that a creator might be evil. The Telegraph, When the naked green lady sings, Christopher Howse, 27 June 2009
hoodwink
	[ transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	to deceive or cheat by misleading
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He was hoodwinked by the art thief who made him give up his prized possessions.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	If Iran thinks it can hoodwink its people and the international community by bullying Britain into accepting responsibility for the domestic crisis on the mullahs’ plates, then Whitehall needs to show Tehran some serious teeth. The Telegraph, Iran: Tackling Tehran’s aggression requires bold measures, Tarsem King, 3 July 2009
illicit
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	1. unlawful improper or immoral
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The illicit trade was brought to a halt after the traders were arrested by the local policemen.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Opioid prescriptions have skyrocketed since the mid '90s and with this we have seen dramatic increases in illicit diversion of the drugs, addiction treatment admissions, emergency room visits for opioid overdoses and deaths. CNN, Commentary: Danger in your pill bottle, Marvin. D. Sepala, 12 August 2009
impending
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	1. something bad is about to take place
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	His prophecy of impending doom was a hoax.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	They will be able to claim the money if they are told of the impending delay before the train departs The Telegraph, Passengers to get more compensation for train delays, David Millward, 17 August 2009
impiety
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. a display of disrespect for God 2. an act of irreverence for sacred items
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	A hundred years ago, his act of impiety would have resulted in him being flogged publicly.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Charged with impiety and corrupting the young, the Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death by the judges of democratic Athens in 399 BC. The Telegraph, The epitome of Socratic ambivalence, Duncan Fallowell, 9 August 2007

I. Which word comes closest in meaning? 1. Arraign a. Exculpate b. Reign c. Accuse d. Free 2. Propitiate a. Appease b. Hassle c. Aggravate d. Annoy 3. Obloquy a. Credit b. Blame c. Castigate d. Respect 4. Puerile a. Mature b. Adult c. Responsible d. Childish 5. Bauble a. Trinket b. Precious c. Vivacious d. Resplendent 6. Munificent a. Penurious b. Parsimonious c. Magnanimous d. Niggardly 7. Succinct a. Epigrammatic b. Discursive c. Maundering d. Prolix 8. Traduce a. Extol b. Defence c. Honour d. Calumniate 9. Chagrin a. Exultation b. Distress c. Ridicule d. Rankle 10. Facetious a. Adroit b. Solemn c. Lugubrious d. Jocose	II. Name the opposite 1. Cipher a. Naught b. Obscurity c. Code d. Infinity 2. Pertinacity a. Compliance b. Obstinacy c. Demure d. Flippant 3. Unctuous a. Perceptive b. Obsequious c. Brusque d. Servile 4. Foible a. Quirk b. Forte c. Fault d. Frailty 5. Peremptory a. Decisive b. Precise c. Docile d. Precise 6. Immanent a. Inherent b. Indigenous c. Extraneous d. Unsullied 7. Laic a. Pastoral b. Secular c. Profane d. Civil 8. Recalcitrant a. Refractory b. Intractable c. Ungovernable d. Malleable 9. Obstreperous a. Refractory b. Clamourous c. Restrained d. Mulish 10. Perspicacious a. Vacuous b. Discerning c. Sagacious d. Acute
III . Spell them right 1. Earn (ornamental vase) 2. Cain (walking stick) 3. Exilarate (feel lively) 4. Ascent (to comply or agree) 5. Alley (Associate or collaborator) 6. Babble (Tumult or confusion) 7. Foible (a short story) 8. Idle (object of worship) 9. Disease ( to die) 10. Pail ( light in colour)
ANSWERS Section I  1. c. Accuse 2. a. Appease 3. b. Blame 4. d. Childish 5. a. Trinket 6. c. Magnanimous 7. a. Epigrammatic 8. d. Calumniate 9. b. Distress 10. d. Jocose Section II 1. d. Infinity 2. a. Compliance 3. c. Brusque 4. b. Forte 5. c. Docile 6. c. Extraneous 7. a. Pastoral 8. d. Malleable 9. c. Restrained 10. a. Vacuous Section III 1. Urn 2. Cane 3. Exhilarate 4. Assent 5. Ally 6. Babel 7. Fable 8. Idol 9. Decease 10. Pale

heinous
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	hateful, totally reprehensible
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The judge said that such a heinous act required a death sentence.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	"Composite dialogue cannot begin unless and until terrorist heads which shook Mumbai are properly accounted for, [and] perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book." BBC, India puts Pakistan talks on hold, 16 July 2009
homiletics
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	the skill of sermonizing
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He was taught homiletics as a part of his degree course.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	What is true in the field of education, linguistics, ethnomusicology, marching bands, psychology and culture is also true in the field of homiletics, hermeneutics, biblical studies, black sacred music and black worship. CNN, Transcript of Jeremiah Wright's speech to NAACP, 28 April 2008
idyll
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. a narrative of a sequence of events in verse or prose 2. an episode of idyllic appeal 3. a short-lived romantic affair 4. a sentimental musical composition
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	She narrated their life story in the form of an idyll.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Her clothes were for ordinary women, but they carried in their abundant floral folds the promise of some bucolic idyll far removed from the urban cool of Biba. The Telegraph, Laura Ashley florals celebrated in new book, Judy Rumbold, 21 August 2009, accessed 26 August 2009.
impediment
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. an obstruction to progress 2. a defect which prevents clear enunciation
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The general made it clear that all impediments to the peace process had to be dealt with.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Barack is saying that settlements are an impediment and an independent Palestinian state indispensable to peace. Chronicles Magazine, Breaking Bibi, Patrick J. Buchanan, 5 June 2009
impetuous
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	1. of or relating to impulsive action 2. acting without giving much thought to 3. with violent motion
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The manager's impetuous actions resulted in the company suffering a loss.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	The Delaware senator, introduced Saturday as Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's running mate, has a well-earned reputation for impetuous and brutally honest remarks. CNN, Biden is experienced and, sometimes, too frank, 23 August 2008

zenith [ ZEN-ith; ZEE-nith ]
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. the point on the celestial sphere that is directly above the observer 2. the point of culmination; the peak
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	While he boasted of having reached the zenith of his career someone remarked that now the poor guy had nowhere to go but down.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Unsurprisingly, anti-nuclear protests reached their zenith during the decade. CNN, Fueling the future, Matthew Knight, 25 April 2008.
gullible
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	credulous, easily cheated, tricked or duped
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He promised his parents that he would protect his gullible sister from harm.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Some consumer watchdog groups say it's too simplistic to say that people are gullible. CNN, How I got taken by a work-at-home scam, John Blake, 7 January 2009
gush
	[ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	1. (tr.v.)to flow with force 2. (intr.v.) to convey with exaggerated feeling 3. (n.) a sudden abundant outflow
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The water gushed over the temporary dam made of sacks of sand and logs.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Tenants attack a housing association's response after recent flash floods gush through their homes. BBC, Residents unhappy at flood relief, 20 August 2004
harrow
	[ noun, transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	1. (n.) a tool used in farming to loosen and level soil 2. (tr.v.) to turn over the soil using a harrow 3. (tr.v.)to cause torment to
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	A harrow is an important tool during the harvesting season.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	The harrow, the comb of my field, must be fitted with large teeth to harrow the holy field. University of Oxford, The song of the ploughing oxen: translation, 30 November 2006
heed
	[ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	1. (tr.v.) to attentively listen 2. (intr.v.) to pay attention 3. (n.) keen attention
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	She heeded to the warning given by her parents about not speaking with strangers.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	The public should pay attention to what is happening nearby and heed the guidance of local health officials regarding school, work and public events. CNN, Regular flu season precautions advised in current outbreak, Andrea Kane, 26 April2009

junket [ JUHNG-kit ]
	[ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	1. (n.) a custard-like dessert that's made of sweetened flavoured milk that has been set using rennet 2. (n.) a party, picnic, trip or outing 3. (intr.v.) to go on a junket 4. (tr.v.) to fete, feast or party
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The children at the orphanage would get junket for dessert only on Sunday.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Critics question whether U.S. taxpayers are bankrolling a campaign junket. CNN, McCain arrives in Baghdad with fellow senators, 16 March 2008.
avow [ uh'VOU ]
	[ transitive verb ]
	MEANING :
	to boldly acknowledge, own up, confess or admit
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	He avowed that he was not the best captain but would strive in the future to be so.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Critics from the left have complained about its merchandising; critics from the right disliked its avowed commitment to diversity. CNN, How do you get to 'Sesame Street'? Todd Leopold, 11 February 2009.
deviance [ DEE-vee-uh’ ns ]
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	aberration or deviant behaviour or state
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	Guidance counsellors look out for deviance in the behaviour patterns of school children.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Of course we need to punish for deviance but what do we do with these women when they come back - if they are not well integrated then we find ourselves looking at repeat offenders. BBC, Hard return for Jamaica drugs mule, Lucy Ash, 19 January 2006.
unimpeachable [ uhn-im-PEE-chuh’-buh’l ]
	[ adjective ]
	MEANING :
	beyond reproach; above suspicion
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	The unimpeachable character of the municipal commissioner contradicted his appearance.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	However, the CEO must set the standard for unimpeachable professional and personal behavior. CNN, Boeing fires CEO over relationship, 7 March 2007.
zealot [ ZEL-uh’t ]
	[ noun ]
	MEANING :
	1. a fanatic 2. a fervent and militant proponent of something
	USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
	When he denied that he was a zealot his friends told him that he should live and let live.
	USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
	Afghanistan's former Justice Minister is a religious zealot known for ruthlessly implementing the Taleban's strict laws. BBC, Profile: Nuruddin Turabi, 8 January 2002.