Defining Words Cryptically Trivia Quiz

Answer: ballot

Workshop = LAB (backed or reversed) = BAL + many = LOT. Answer = BALLOT (Vote).

A ballot is a system of voting, allowing the voter to cast a secret vote. It is used extensively in voting for a government party or head of government.

In the 1540s, a ballot was a small ball used in voting, and it also referred to a secret vote taken by these ballots. It came to English from Italian 'pallotte', for "little balls". In 1776, it had come (especially in America) to mean the tickets or sheets of paper used in secret voting.

Answer: bandit

Group = BAND + computer expert = IT. Answer = BANDIT (Armed outlaw)

A bandit is normally described as a robber or outlaw in a gang and usually operating in a remote or lawless area.

Answer: basalt

MastaBAS ALTered = BASALT (which is a dark volcanic rock).

Basalt is a black or nearly black rock formed by volcanic activity. It sometimes has a columnar structure.

Also Josiah Wedgwood developed a form of black stoneware which he called 'Basalt'.

Answer: carrot

Vehicle = CAR + breakdown = ROT = CARROT (a vegetable).

A carrot is a tapering root vegetable, usually bright orange in colour. It is a member of the parsley family, and has feathery fern shaped leaves.

Answer: gadget

Double definition. Inspector Gadget was an animated TV character, a gadget is a useful tool.

A gadget is a small device or tool, sometimes hand-operated, but more mechanical and electronic gadgets are appearing. It usually (but not always) represents assistance in performing everyday tasks.

Answer: garret

BudgeriGAR RETurned. GARRET.

A garret is an attic room, usually cold and dismal, according to some operas and romantic novels.

Answer: jacket

JACK is a pet form of John, + ET is the lovable Extra-Terrestrial. Answer = JACKET

A jacket is usually a coat falling only to the waist or hips, being completely open at the front, where it can be fastened together.

A jacket also describes a sheath or outer layer for something, such as a metal jacket for a boiler.

Answer: lament

A bit weak = LAME + Northern Territory = NT. Answer = LAMENT

A lament was traditionally a wail of sorrow, or sometimes a sad song describing the death of a loved one or a hero.

It can now also be an expression of sorrow or disappointment over some small mishap or loss.

Answer: maggot

Wise man (almost) is MAG(E). + the word GOT = MAGGOT.

Maggots are insect larvae. The word is typically applied to flies (house flies, blowflies, etc.) rather than to other insects such as mosquitoes.

Due to their preference for eating dead and decaying flesh, maggots have been used in the past to clean up infected wounds - particularly in battlefield conditions. Some soldiers would carry around their own supply of maggots in case of injury.

Answer: mascot

M is shorthand for married + Tosca (in disarray means to anagram the word) = MASCOT.

Mascots can be people, objects, or animals, or increasingly, people dressed as a symbol. Armed forces units would often adopt an animal such as a goat, which would be succeeded by a younger replacement carrying the same name when the original animal died.