CONTEXT CLUES
A RAPIER is a slender, two-edged sword.
slender, two edged sword
Gandhi used Thoreau's technique of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE; that is Gandhi passively refused to comply with government regulations that affected his personal life.
passively refusing
The PHAETON and BAROUCHE, two types of horse-drawn carriages are one and the same.
horse drawn carriages
The speaker's remarks were DEROGATORY. For instance, he charged the opposing candidate with being insensitive to the problems of unemployment and insincere about lowering income taxes.
show disrespectful attitude
Like other mental illnesses, PARANOIA can prevent a person from living a normal life.
delusions, not normal
This change in policy could have an CATACLYSMIC and effect on the down town area as an earthquake would.
violent natural event, bad effect
Mr. Morris introduced Mr. Smith with words of high praise, although in private his words concerning Mr. Smith had been quite DISPARAGIN.
BAD, NEGATIVE
He had lived a life of RECTITUDE in the service of the public, but his biographer uncovered some private wrongdoings.
virtue, honor
Like a latter day Benedict Arnold, the PERFICIOUS general was caught red handed selling secrets to a foreign agent.
untrustworthy
To operate in the black, a private college must have a sizeable ENDOWMENT; that is, it must supplement tuition income with income from private donors.
private donations
PROJECTILES include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.
things shot forward
The professor was a favorite among the students at the college. His SAGACITY was helpful to them as they pursued their degrees. The professor was known to use his experience, insight, and common sent to help students pursue their education.
WISDOM, INSIGHT, KNOWLEDGE
Famous CONQUISTADORS include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizarro, who conquered Inca Peru.
conquerors
A SLEUTH, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.
detective
competition with 5 events
Katie appeared INFALLIABLE in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong.
NEVER WRONG, PERFECT, KNOWLEDGEABLE, SMART
The tornado ANNIHILATED the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing.
destroyed
We could tell by the rotten smell that something PUTRID was in our trash can.
rotten, gross, dead, decomposing
happy
The INSIDIOUS burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.
sneaky
The voters were so upset about the outcome of the election that a SKIRMISH broke out and the police had to break it up.
fight
The book of logic contained many CONSUNDRUM-mind building exercises.
puzzles
Jackie was filled with MORTIFICATION, or shame because of her careless remark.
SHAME
The events for the conference were listed in CHRONOLOGICAL order. They began with the first event of the day and ended with the closing ceremonies in the evening.
in order
His RANCOR, or hatred, of his brother has caused hi to live his life as a lonely person.
hatred