Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know (MCQ Test + PDF) Week 2 - Day 1
NEW WORDS
- laconic [lə kon´ ik]
“The dialogue is clipped, laconic, understated to convey simmering underneath.” John Simon, “The Worst Noël,” New York, 6/21/99
- throng [thrông]
“When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton began to toll the bell.” Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Minister’s Black Veil”
- intrepid [in trep´ id]
“Scientists and support staff began celebrating the new year along with a planeload of tourists and seven intrepid skiers.” Malcolm Browne, “Absence of Midnight Doesn’t Darken Spirits,” New York Times, 1/1/00
- accost [ə kôst´]
Sir Toby: “You mistake, knight: accost is front her, board her, woo her, assail her.” William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
- reticent [ret´ ə sənt]
“He was as inquisitive about the country as he was reticent about his business there.” Frances Gilchrist Woods, “Turkey Red”
TODAY’S IDIOM
the sword of Damocles—any imminent danger (a king seated one of his subjects underneath a sword that was hanging by a hair, in order to teach him the dangers a king faces)
Although the president of the company seemed quite secure, he always complained that there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
