Upwords & Downwords VII Trivia Quiz

Answer: vortex

The word 'vortex' is used to describe a whirlpool or eddying mass, especially of water, air, or fire. It derives from the root 'vertere' meaning 'to turn'.

Answer: trove

The word 'trove' derives from the past participle of the Old French word 'trover', which means 'to find'. It is often used in combined form with 'treasure' to make 'treasure-trove'. In the United States, trove is considered part of one's gross income, and is therefore subject to federal taxation.

Answer: veto

Pocket veto is a veto brought about by failure on the part of the President (or other chief executive) to sign a bill into law within a given period of time before the legislative body adjourns.

Answer: toe

The big toe is the only one that is given a Latin name, 'hallux'. It is the innermost toe of the foot and is considered digit 1.

Some animal species walk on their toes, and are called digitigrade. Humans are plantigrade, since they walk on the soles of their feet (plantar).

Answer: oe

A digraph or ligature is a character consisting of two or more letters run together to represent a single sound. The ligature of 'o' and 'e' was called 'ešel' in Old English, in the Lin and French scripts 'oethel', and elsewhere 'oegule'. In English, 'oe' has generally been replaced by 'oe' as in the word 'phoenix' or with 'e' as in 'federal'.

Answer: O

In humans, blood type is determined by the presence or absence of inherited antigens on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). Antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins or glycolipids. Exposure to antigens not present on the cell-surface of recipient RBCs will trigger an immunological response that initiates production of antibodies to that antigen. The recipient will thus form an immunologic memory against that antigen.

For example, a person with Type A blood will have A antigens and Anti-B antibodies. That person could be transfused with Type A and O blood, but not Type B or AB blood.

In individuals with Type O blood, the RBCs lack A and B cell surface antigens, but their blood serum contains Anti-A and Anti B antibodies. They can therefore receive blood only from other Type O individuals. Type O individuals are universal donors because they lack the A and B antigens that Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies in all other blood types would target.

Answer: Co

Cobalt (atomic #27) is a hard, brittle, silver-grey metallic element that is used in magnetic, water-resistant, high-strength, and high-temperature alloys. Its salts are used for glass and ceramic pigmentation, and the production of inks, paints, and varnishes.

Answer: hoc

An ad hoc committee is one that is formed for a specific purpose or end. It is derived from Latin, and literally means 'for this (specific purpose)'.

Answer: chop

The term 'chop' is applied to meats such as mutton, lamb, pork, and veal, but is not generally used to describe similar cuts of beef. What is essentially the beef loin chop is called a T-bone steak, and the beef rib chop is called a rib steak. The chop is a cut that generally includes a rib or part of a vertebra, but may also be boneless (sometimes alternatively called a cutlet).

Answer: porch

A porch is a covered structure attached to the outside of a building, and external to the main walls, that is either open or enclosed.