The Arts of Dropping Letters... Quiz

Answer: Reproduction

In art, a reproduction is a copy, duplicate or replication of something designed previously. It isn't necessarily a bad thing as it can include the repetition of past fashions and styles in modern designs or the creation of copies of a well-known or popular work so that people can own their own version of it, while the original hangs in a museum, gallery, or the private collection of someone who is very rich!

Outside of the arts, reproduction is also the scientific term for how new individuals of a species are created.

Answer: Incorrupted

REPRODUCTION - O = INCORRUPTED

If someone is incorrupted then their moral character hasn't been corrupted - i.e. it hasn't been tainted, debased, sullied or otherwise damaged by poor behaviour or intentions. Incorrupted might not be the most common word employed for someone in this situation - others such as pure, honest or moral might be more likely to be used instead.

Answer: Introducer

INCORRUPTED - P = INTRODUCER

An introducer is someone who makes a connection between two people who were previously unknown to each other. The term is also used to refer to someone who brings something to a place or area where it previously wasn't found - such as as someone who introduces an animal or plant species to a non-native environment. In the latter case such a person is unlikely to be popular as the introduced species can often eliminate native species and cause damage to the new environment that isn't naturally designed to support them.

Answer: Reduction

INTRODUCER - R = REDUCTION

Aside from referring to the act of making something smaller, reduction has a scientific meaning which - somewhat counterintuitively - relates to a chemical reaction that adds electrons to an atom or group of atoms. The explanation for the apparently confusing term is that the addition of electrons causes a loss, or reduction, of oxygen.

Answer: Trounced

REDUCTION - I = TROUNCED

If you have been trounced then you have been beaten by a large margin, usually in an embarrassing manner. It also has a more general meaning away from sports or competition related to being severely punished or beaten physically.

Answer: Counter

TROUNCED - D = COUNTER

A counter can be loads of different things. In addition to being a long bar or a gaming piece, it can refer to: a person tasked with counting things; acting in opposition to an event or approach; a return punch in boxing; a response to a challenge; the rear part of a shoe; or part of the stern of a ship.

Answer: Cornet

COUNTER - U = CORNET

The cornet is a brass instrument that is shorter and more compact than a trumpet and produces a different tone that is more mellow than its more famous cousin. The term cornet also refers to a former rank of army officer - in the British army this was the lowest commissioned officer rank in a cavalry unit who had the responsibility for carrying the regimental colours or flags (and was nothing to do with the musical instrument of the same name).

Answer: Tenor

CORNET - C = TENOR

The tenor is usually the highest pitched male singing voice heard in a standard choir, although countertenor generally cover a higher range of notes and falsetto voices are usually higher still. Famous tenor singers include "The Three Tenors" - Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras.

Answer: Note

TENOR - R = NOTE

The word note has lots of possible meanings, but in music it refers to a specific tone with a particular pitch - usually labelled A-G with halftones between them indicated by sharps and flats. A note can also be a formal or informal record of a discussion, a short letter or written communication, a piece of paper with a certain monetary value, or the recognition of an act or event.

Answer: Atone

NOTE + A = ATONE

Atoning means doing something to make reparations for the harm caused by a previous action - whether intentional or otherwise. This could be in the form of monetary compensation or undertaking a task that repairs the damage or provides some other benefit. The important point though is that the action represents repentance for the original error.

Answer: Ornate

ATONE + R = ORNATE

If something is ornate that it could be described as intricately or elaborately decorated. The term also applies in both writing and music; an ornate language style is characterised by the use of complicated syntax or unusual vocabulary, while ornate musical style might contain a lot of trills and flourishes.

Answer: Baronet

ORNATE + B = BARONET

The title of Baronet has been part of the British honours system for centuries, with the "modern" version dating back to the reign of King Charles II when it was conferred in exchange for a promise to pay for the upkeep of a certain number of soldiers. However, while it is a hereditary title passed from father to son, it does not entitle the holder to be considered a member of the peerage and hence gives the title of "Sir" rather than "Lord". The lowest title belonging to the peerage is a Baron.

Answer: Baritone

BARONET + I = BARITONE

Baritone is the term for the male voice range between tenor and bass. It is also applied in a similar way to musical instruments; for example the baritone saxophone is pitched lower than a tenor saxophone, but higher than a bass saxophone.

Answer: Brominate

BARITONE + M = BROMINATE

The element with the atomic number 35 is bromine, so the term for adding bromine to a substance or combining something with a bromine compound is "brominate". While a small amount of bromine is thought to be beneficial to some biological processes, it is toxic to humans. Coming into direct contact with bromine in its elemental form causes chemical burns and consuming too much bromine from food or supplements can cause an unpleasant disease called bromism.

Answer: Tambourine

BROMINATE + U = TAMBOURINE

Tambourines date back to ancient times and are basically a shallow drum with slots in the side containing metal discs that jingle and rattle when it is shaken. While it is commonly played by being struck, tapped or shaken by hand, it can also be mounted as part of a drum kit and struck using a drum stick.