Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 2 - Day 1

Word List
  • laconic [lə kon´ ik]
    expressing much in few words
    → “The dialogue is clipped, laconic, understated to convey simmering underneath.” John Simon, “The Worst Noël,” New York, 6/21/99
  • throng [thrông]
    crowd
    → “When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch, the sexton began to toll the bell.” Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Minister’s Black Veil”
  • intrepid [in trep´ id]
    brave
    → “Scientists and support staff began celebrating the new year along with a planeload of tourists and seven intrepid skiers.” Malcolm Browne, “Absence of Midnight Doesn’t Darken Spirits,” New York Times, 1/1/00
  • accost [ə kôst´]
    to approach and speak to
    → Sir Toby: “You mistake, knight: accost is front her, board her, woo her, assail her.” William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
  • reticent [ret´ ə sənt]
    silent
    → “He was as inquisitive about the country as he was reticent about his business there.” Frances Gilchrist Woods, “Turkey Red”

Calvin Coolidge, our thirtieth president, was named “Silent Cal” by reporters because of his laconic speech. One Sunday, after Mr. Coolidge had listened to an interminable* sermon, a throng of newsmen gathered around him. An intrepid reporter accosted the Chief Executive: “Mr. President, we know that the sermon was on the topic of sin. What did the minister say?” “He was against it,” the reticent Coolidge replied.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in the following sentences:

  1. His speech was usually rambling, but this time I found it brief and __________ .
  2. If a surly panhandler should __________ you, keep on walking.
  3. Even under repeated questioning, the witness remained __________ .
  4. A howling __________ of teenage girls surrounded the rap artists.
  5. The corporal received the Silver Star for his __________ deeds in combat.

Definitions Match the new words with their dictionary meanings.

  1. a. expressing much in few words
  2. b. brave
  3. c. to approach and speak to
  4. d. crowd
  5. e. silent
  1. laconic __________
  2. throng __________
  3. intrepid __________
  4. accost __________
  5. reticent __________

Answer Key
the sword of Damocles—any imminent danger (a king seated one of his subjects underneath a sword that was hanging by a hair, in order to teach him the dangers a king faces)
Although the president of the company seemed quite secure, he always complained that there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

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