Daffy Definitions Trivia Quiz

Answer: Property by which light produces chemical changes

Perhaps the adjective, actinic, would have sounded more familiar? The property of actinism is best illustrated in photographic film, in which chemical changes form an image in response to light. The clue 'bright idea' was intended to give you the comic book idea of a light bulb.
The 'artistic movement' and 'infective mechanism' are inventions; the 'combined power' is a loose description of synergy.

Answer: Deep-red cooking apple

Ever heard of an 'apple-pied' bed? Who said this was supposed to be easy?
It is the apple, and the false options are all imaginary.

Answer: White lead especially used as a cosmetic

White lead in cosmetics? Sounds like a really bad idea, doesn't it? Well, yes, it was - but back in the days when they used ceruse, they didn't yet know about lead poisoning.
Cerise (not ceruse) is a clear, light or pale red colour (possibly even pink!); the mashed onion and the love poem are products of my fevered brain.

Answer: Remnant of tobacco in smoked pipe

Pipe smokers often use the heel of their shoe as an 'anvil' against which to knock the dottle out of their pipes. The wrong answers are all complete fictions.

Answer: Surgical antiseptic and yellow dye

Historically, barbers were the surgeons of their day; however, this was before the discoveries of antisepsis or anasthaesia...
Once again, the red herrings are plausible inventions. The word 'flavin' is derived from the Latin for yellow.

Answer: Twist of silk (or something similar) with cord or wire running through it

The nursery rhyme or counting game phrase is 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor'
(also used in John Le Carré's novel title as 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.')
I figured that if you arrived at 'Tailor' you would be able to guess the right answer.
A 'brand or stamp' would be a hallmark, and a 'secret peephole' is a spyhole.
The 'momentary image' is a glimpse.

Answer: Piece of land attached to a church position; part of a 'living'

It's not a grebe (a diving water bird); not a glade (valley); not a glede (a hot coal); and the 'small coin' is entirely a figment of imagination.
A priori is meant to be a clue in pun: 'a priory'. Philosophically, the phrase refers to what is objectively known to be true, e.g. All parrots are birds.
Historically, clergy appointed to certain church positions acquired a 'living' which came with that position. This often included the income derived from a piece of land or property. While ownership remained with the church, the clergyman was entitled to keep the income, and was often responsible for managing the asset.

Answer: Parching African land-wind

Why Karen? Because she wrote the rather well-known book, 'Out of Africa', which should have directed you to the right answer, although the Harmattan is West African rather than East African. The wrong answers are all made up.

Answer: Make a sound as if about to vomit

I don't think many will get this one. The right definition is just too far-fetched to be a real word. (Which is what makes it perfect for this game!)
Of course, learning words like this is one good reason to do quizzes like this one!
Once again, I have invented the wrong alternatives.

Answer: Explosive used in artillery shells

One who opposes technology is a 'Luddite', after Ned Ludd, who opposed the job-destroying Industrial Revolution in England in the early 19th century.
The spike in a candle holder is known as the spike in a candle holder, and
so far as I know, the Lydians never existed (at least not as a Coptic group).
In military histories and war stories (especially those set in the Great War) one does read of 'lyddite fumes' in artillery bombardments. Lyddite is a generic English name for the explosive picric acid compounds used in munitions between, say, 1890 and 1930.