Words Beginning With "Ant" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Antibiotic

Antibiotics are also known as antibacterials. However, antibiotics cover a broader range of the antimicrobial products. The term antibiotic was created by an American biochemist, Selman Waksman, in 1942. His research into organic substances led to the discovery of Streptomycin and the development of other antibiotics followed on from this.

Answer: Antagonist

The main character in a play or movie or literary work is known as the protagonist. Most of the events in the work are centred around this character with whom the audience identifies. The antagonist, on the other hand, represents the force or the opposition in the work, against whom the protagonist must struggle.

The antagonist can also represent some overwhelming event or disaster which the hero has come up against. The old movies featuring a goodie and a baddie are examples of the protagonist and the antagonist. If you prefer a more concrete example, Shakespeare's Othello was the hero in the play of the same name, and his secret antagonist was the villainous Iago.

Answer: Anticipate

The word anticipate has two main meanings. The first is the one we are most familiar with and that is to look forward with excitement to some upcoming event. The second lesser well known use of the word means to act before an event occurs, in order to prevent it happening in some way, or to change the course of its unfolding.

Answer: Antioxidant

Oxidation occurs when chemical carriers transfer electrons to oxidizing agents. This can set off chain reactions in cells, for example, which eventually cause the failure or death of those cells. Antioxidants put a stop to the chain reactions. The use of antioxidants can help, say, in the treatment of strokes and other neurological processes where degeneration occurs.

Answer: Anteater

Anteaters look weird I'm sure you'll agree,
I definitely wouldn't invite one for tea,
Although - let me think - they'd be handy no doubt,
Especially if those pesky ants were about.

Answer: Anthem

This word also means a form of church music, but today we recognise it more as one that is associated with pride in one's country. Extolling the praises of that country, it is usually bellowed out somewhat tunelessly at large public events, several beats behind the actual music. If you live in Australia however, it is mumbled (also tunelessly and behind the beat) with looks of acute embarrassment, and shuffling feet, at having to sing in public at all, added to which is the fact that few Australians actually know all the words to our country's national anthem to begin with. Tsk.

Answer: Anthrax

Anthrax can affect both animals and humans, and it can be lethal if left untreated. The bacterium, when present, forms spores wherever it occurs and these can survive for centuries in some cases, until an unlucky victim happens along to inhale, ingest, or come into contact with it in some way.

It usually targets wild herbivores which consume it while grazing. If carnivores eat the infected herbivore, they too can become affected however. Humans pick up the disease either by direct contact with the diseased animal, or by (shudder) eating its diseased flesh. Hamburger, anyone?

Answer: Antipodes

The United Kingdom, for example, is diametrically opposite Australia and New Zealand, but more New Zealand than Australia if one wishes to split hairs. You need to visualise the countries on a globe to grasp the meaning of this word. The United Kingdom is in the North Atlantic, while Australia and New Zealand are in the South Pacific.

These latter two countries were commonly referred to as The Antipodes by the British for many years. Another example of two antipodal (adjective for antipodes) countries would be China and Chile.

Answer: Anthology

This collection of its author can consist of either short stories, short extracts from longer works, or plays and so forth. The word derives from the Greek, with its original meaning meaning a bouquet of blooms. The works included in an anthology would usually be the cream of the crop.

Answer: Antelope

Antelopes are found in Africa, Asia and North America. They travel in groups called herds for protection from predators. In North America, the antelope is an introduced species. These are known as the pronghorn antelope and they have horns which branch out and which are shed once a year.

The "true" antelope has two horns only and these are never shed. Most antelopes are native to Africa and of all this family of animals world wide, there are ninety-one different species. These can range in size from 950 kilograms to just one and a half kilograms. How cute is this? Some antelopes have a white patch on their backsides, which, with the action of their muscles if they run, flashes a warning to other herd members that a predator is nearby. Just like natural traffic lights. Sadly, in many parts of the world, the antelope is hunted almost to extinction for its horns, which are said to possess aphrodisiac properties. Goodness me, what is it with mankind and aphrodisiacs? Just about everything except Vegemite seems to be a target.