Vocabulary Quiz: Words and Meanings

Study Notes

Vocabulary Quiz

Let's start with a vocabulary quiz! Can you guess the meanings of these words? We will go over each word and its definition.

Valise

Valise is synonymous with suitcase. A valise is a luggage case, particularly one used for travel with clothing and personal items inside it. The word comes from French, meaning bag or pocket. In English, we also have a homophone called valise, which refers to a small leather case attached to a riding whip, often carried by a mounted military officer.

Customary

Customary means habitual; usual or normal in behavior. It can refer to something done without specific authorization or legal obligation, or established by common usage in a group or society. For example, in some countries, people might bow as a greeting, which is considered customary but not legally required.

Courtesy

Courtesy encompasses respectful and polite behavior and manners towards others. Common gestures associated with courtesy include opening doors, pulling out chairs, or offering a seat to someone else when seating yourself. Verbal courtesies like saying "please," "thank you," and "excuse me" are also examples of courtesy.

Palpably

Palpably means easily perceived or understood by the senses, especially touch. For example, if a person is palpably drunk, their intoxication can be perceived through observing their actions and speech.

Slanders

Slanders refer to defamatory statements about someone's character or reputation. They are false statements that harm an individual's reputation in society. An example would be when someone falsely claims another person stole money even though they did not. Slanders can lead to lawsuits and damage relationships.

Perceive

To perceive means to recognize or become aware of something through the senses or intuition. For instance, when you see a bird fly by and recognize it as a sparrow, you have perceived it visually. Perception can also involve interpreting information based on prior knowledge or experiences.

Preconceived

A preconceived notion is an opinion or belief formed beforehand, often without sufficient knowledge of the subject at hand. Preconceptions can influence how information is interpreted or perceived afterward. They can sometimes result in biased thinking or judgments.

Illiterate

Illiteracy refers to the lack of ability to read and write fluently. This term describes individuals who cannot read or write due to various factors such as education, socioeconomic status, or cultural barriers. Illiteracy affects millions worldwide, hindering their access to education, employment opportunities, and basic knowledge necessary for functioning effectively within society.

Chauvinistic

Chauvinism is characterized by extreme loyalty and support for one's own country, religion, race, or gender, typically combined with disdain for those outside the group. Such attitudes often involve a belief that one's group is superior to others. It can manifest as arrogance, boastfulness, or even hostility towards outsiders.