Speak with Authority

New Herald-Guide vocabulary builder

BOUTTE - Experts agree that when you learn a new word, your world becomes a bigger and more interesting place.

Just read the vocabulary words below and choose the correct definition from the four choices that we give you.

Watch out - three are completely bogus. Only one is accurate and the definition is taken directly from Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.

Check your answers at the end of column. If you get five or more right, congratulations - that's a superior score. Anything less, well, sorry: You need to dust off the old dictionary and get to work.

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Finite: a) druggist; b) limited; c) quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument; d) obligatory.

2. Badger: a) pester; annoy; b) object to be thrown or projected; c) drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; d) malleability; flexibility.

3. Turncoat: a) informal discussion; b) circular building or hall covered with a dome; c) discourage; d) traitor.

4. Debacle: a) breaking up, downfall b) confuse, puzzle; c) attribute, ascribe; d) without feeling.

5. Cauterize: a) fitness, talent; b) burn with hot iron or caustic; c) not to be taken away, nontransferable; d) serious or fatal accident.

6. Squabble: a) small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests; b) disloyal; c) minor quarrel, bickering; d) waste.

7. Vulpine: a) reduce, exhaust; b) projection; conjecture; c) lavish expenditure, overabundant condition; d) like a fox, crafty.

Challenge yourself weekly and before long, you'll be speaking more fluently, making more sense - and understanding more.

For this week’s answers, turn page upside down and read the legend below.