Proficient — Set 84

Set 84 of Proficient covers 5 words: equivocation, penchant, animosity, plutocracy, lethargy. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. equivocation · noun/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/

   the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself

   The politician's equivocation made it hard to know his true opinion on the issue.

   Synonyms: ambiguity, evasiveness, vagueness

   Origin: From Latin 'aequivocatio', which originates from 'aequivocare' meaning 'to call by the same name'.

2. penchant · noun/ˈpɛnʧənt/

   a strong or habitual liking for something or a tendency to do something

   She has a penchant for painting beautiful landscapes.

   Synonyms: fondness, liking, preference

   Origin: French 'penchant', meaning 'a leaning or inclination'

3. animosity · noun/ˌæn.əˈmɑː.sɪ.ti/

   strong hostility or hatred

   There was a lot of animosity between the two rival teams.

   Synonyms: hostility, hatred, enmity

   Origin: from Latin 'animositas', meaning 'spirit, courage, high-spiritedness', from 'animus', meaning 'mind, spirit'

4. plutocracy · noun/pluˈtɑkrəsi/

   a system of government in which the wealthy hold power

   In a plutocracy, the wealthy have most of the power and influence over the government.

   Synonyms: oligarchy, elite rule, wealth rule

   Origin: from the Greek 'ploutokratia', where 'ploutos' means wealth and 'kratos' means power or rule

5. lethargy · noun/ˈlɛθ.ər.dʒi/

   a state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy

   After staying up too late, I felt a deep lethargy that made it hard to get out of bed.

   Synonyms: sluggishness, inactivity, apathy

   Origin: from the Greek 'lēthargos', meaning 'forgetful, uncaring' (from 'lēthē' meaning 'forgetfulness' and 'argos' meaning 'idle, lazy')