Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 19 - Day 3

Word List
  • parsimonious [pär´ sə mō nē əs]
    miserly
    → “His parsimonious thrift was relieved by a few generous impulses.” V. L. Parrington, Main Currents in American Thought
  • pecuniary [pi kyü´ nē er´ ē]
    financial
    → “The most unpleasant thing of all was that his pecuniary interests should enter into the question of his reconciliation with his wife.” Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
  • dismantle [dis man´ tl]
    to strip of covering, take apart
    → “Wayne Huizenga’s move to dismantle the World Series Marlin squad has hurt the Florida team at the box office.” Ralph Kiner, baseball announcer, Fox Sports [adapted]
  • sumptuous [sump´ chü əs]
    lavish
    → “In the summer the table was set, and the sumptuous meals—well, it makes me cry to think of them.” Mark Twain, Autobiography
  • underwrite [un´ dər rīt´]
    agree to finance
    → “We are pleased to feature those local businesses who help to underwrite our programs.” Patterns, monthly magazine of WILL, Champaign, Illinois

In order to improve Ruritania’s financial position, an astute* but parsimonious treasurer was installed and given wide pecuniary powers. He tried to get the little country back on its feet by slashing all waste from its budget, dismantling King Andre’s sumptuous palaces, and firing all incompetents. In addition, Prince Schubert was able to get the United States to underwrite a substantial loan that would enable him to start a program of public works. Even so, Ruritania was still in desperate trouble.

Sample Sentences Prove that you are not a flash in the pan* by using the new words correctly in the following sentences.

  1. I plan to __________ the stereo set and clean all the components.*
  2. The __________ feast was prepared with impeccable* care.
  3. Unless my boss modifies* his __________ attitude, a fractious* picket line is going to be erected.
  4. Clarence Day deemed* that __________ matters are best handled by men.
  5. When our rivals agreed to __________ the cost of our trip, a myriad* of suspicions began to form in my mind.

Definitions If you made mistakes above, you can now save face* by matching the new words correctly with their meanings.

  1. a. agree to finance
  2. b. financial
  3. c. to strip of covering, take apart
  4. d. miserly
  5. e. lavish
  1. parsimonious __________
  2. pecuniary __________
  3. dismantle __________
  4. sumptuous __________
  5. underwrite __________

Answer Key
to know the ropes—to be fully acquainted with the procedures
The president of the senior class knew the ropes and quickly taught me my duties.

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