Proficient — Set 74

Set 74 of Proficient covers 5 words: spawn, purge, purport, expatiate, cadge. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. spawn · verb/spɔn/

   to produce or generate in large quantities

   The idea to create new games can spawn many fun stories.

   Synonyms: produce, create, generate

   Origin: Middle English 'spawn', from Old French 'espongier', from Latin 'spāwan', meaning 'to scatter, shed'.

2. purge · verb/pɜrdʒ/

   to remove or eliminate something undesirable or unwanted

   The teacher wanted to purge all the outdated books from the classroom.

   Synonyms: clear, remove, get rid of

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'purger', from Latin 'purgare' meaning 'to cleanse'

3. purport · verb/pərˈpɔrt/

   to claim or present something as true, often falsely

   The advertisement purports to show the product's amazing results, but many people found it misleading.

   Synonyms: claim, assert, pretend

   Origin: Middle English purporten, from Latin purportare 'to carry through'

4. expatiate · verb/ɪkˈspeɪʃiˌeɪt/

   to speak or write at length or in detail

   The teacher was happy to expatiate on the topic of wildlife conservation during the class.

   Synonyms: describe, elaborate, explain

   Origin: from Latin 'expatiari' meaning 'to wander or to roam out' (ex- 'out' + patiari 'to tread').

5. cadge · verb/kædʒ/

   to obtain something by asking or begging

   He tried to cadge some money from his friends for lunch.

   Synonyms: beg, scrounge, mooch

   Origin: The word 'cadge' comes from the early 17th century, possibly from the term 'cadger,' which referred to someone who delivers goods or perhaps from the Scottish word 'cadge' meaning to carry.