A FunTrivia Vocabulary Quiz

Answer: vesication

Vesication is a blister on the skin. The root of the word comes from the Latin word "vesicula" meaning little bladder. Another term similar and interchangeable with a vesication is an abscess. A boil is also similar to a vesication with the exception that boils have a thinner layer of skin on top.

Now, if you were to mess with a vespiary you likely would end up with a vesication. A vespiary is a wasps' nest! The meaning of videlicet is that is to say or it is permitted to see. Most often videlicet will be seen in its abbreviated form, "viz." Finally, victual means food or provision or anything that can be eaten.

Answer: Capricious

Capricious would describe a sudden change in behavior or mood. The origin of the English word is the French word "capricieux", meaning whimsical. The French word in turn is derived from the Italian word, "capriccio." Interestingly, the Italian word is a compound of "capo" meaning head, and "riccio" meaning hedgehog! The implication is that when a person is suddenly afraid their hair might stand on end like a hedgehog!

To be picky is to be very choosy and exceedingly fastidious. Steadfast is to be unwavering even when pressured to change. The term erudite would describe many of the members of FunTrivia, showing great knowledge or learning.

Answer: Hydra

The hydra was the many-headed monster that Hercules had to fight as one of his Twelve Labors. Every time a piece would be cut off a whole new creature could grow in its place! Yikes! "Hydra" has its etymology in the Greek word for water snake, while very close to that is "hydor", which is the Greek word for water.

Mothra is a more recent beast and as the name suggests is a giant moth. Mothra battled Godzilla in a 1964 film. Jormungandr was a giant serpent of Norse mythology that grew so large it could encircle the whole Earth and grab its tail. A mantra is a word or phrase that expresses one's personal beliefs.

Answer: Removal of unwanted superfluous parts

The odd one out here is removing unwanted superfluous parts, which is the definition for prune. Birds will preen their feathers, especially after a visit to the bird bath. As for humans, an image that comes to mind is a young person getting ready for a date and admiring their efforts to make themself look attractive. Another definition for preen is to behave in an obvious, prideful self-admiring way.

One of the origins of the word preen is the Middle English word "prene", meaning to pin, pierce or fasten with a pin. The use of preen to describe birds comes from the late Middle Ages when falconry was a popular sport. Preen already existed for the other definitions, but ironically the most common use today is to describe a bird straightening its feathers.

Answer: Haversack

A haversack is a single-strap bag used by soldiers. Interestingly, the word has its roots in the German word "hafersack", meaning an oat bag. So originally the bag was used to carry horse fodder.

A fanny pack is much smaller and commonly used in place of a purse. A gunny sack is a coarse, burlap sack for carrying agricultural products. A carryall bag is similar to a suitcase and is used to carry all that a person needs for a trip.

Answer: Seine

A seine is a large fishing net with weights on one side and floats on the other end resulting in the net hanging vertically. The corners of the net can then be reeled into a boat or on shore to capture the fish trapped by the net. The etymology of the word seine goes back to the Greek word "sagene", meaning a fishing net or a dragnet.

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world from the stamen of the crocus flower. Silt is the mineral-rich dirt carried on the bottom of a river. Nile River silt was critical for Egyptian crop development. A tarpaulin is a waterproof tarp often made of cloth and used as a cover or blanket.

Answer: Languish

The word languish describes being forced to remain in an unpleasant situation. It has its roots in the Latin word "languere", meaning to be weak or faint. By the fourteenth century, languish was used to describe someone who was gravely ill and approaching death. Interestingly, the current definition is closer to the original Latin than the medieval English usage.

A barricade is to prevent someone from entering an area. An example of a barricade might be the Bastille during the French Revolution or the Alamo during the war for Texas independence. Entrench is to be in a strong, defendable position or more literally within a trench! To despise is to hold scorn or contempt for someone or something.

Answer: Beck

A beck is a gesture of the hand or head meant to summon a person. Most commonly beck is used with the phrase "beck and call", meaning to be available at any time one is needed. The noun beck has its origins from the Middle English verb "bekken", with the word meaning a slight mute gesture of the body to take the place of a verbal command.

The word summon is used in a slightly different manner, as it is an order to come but may not involve any physical gestures. Gawp is an informal British word used in the same way as to gawk, or to stare. Cajole is to convince a reluctant person to do something they are not eager to do.

Answer: Vermillion

Vermillion is a red color with hints of orange. The word vermillion has its origins in the word "vermis", which is Latin for worm. While that may sound strange, the dye color in the Middle Ages was derived from the Kernes vermilio, an insect that eats wood.

Puce is a mixture between red, purple, and brown. The rather unpleasant name comes from an unpleasant origin of being the stain left behind from flea droppings on bedsheets. Periwinkle is a bluish purple named after the flower. Gamboge is a mustardy yellow color derived from a Cambodian tree. Interestingly, gamboge has its roots in the Latin word for Cambodia.

Answer: Serendipity

Serendipity is a happy or fortuitous chance occurrence. The term was coined by Horace Walpole in his fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip." In the story, the three adventurers have the remarkable fortune of finding things they were not looking for, but were exactly what they needed.

Synchronicity is two simultaneous events that look like they would be related but are not. Symbiosis is the mutual benefit of two organisms like healthy gut bacteria in the digestive tract. Finally, serenity is being in a peaceful untroubled state.