Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know » Week 46 - Day 3

Word List
  • tyro [tī rō]
    beginner, novice
    → “The computer training center will soon turn a tyro into a successful user.” Senior News, 9/99
  • sophistry [sof´ ə strē]
    false reasoning or argument
    → “No amount of sophistry could disguise the obvious fact that the legislation was biased against one particular office holder.” New York Times, 9/2/99
  • factitious [fak tish´ əs]
    sham, artificial
    → “The opposition was challenged by a factitious outpouring of what appeared to be popular support for the government.” Robert Kaplan, Balkan Tragedy
  • encomium [en kō´ mē əm]
    high praise
    → “Isn’t it sad that we receive our highest encomiums after we are gone and unable to enjoy them?” James Farley, quoted in Ruffles and Flourishes
  • obloquy [ob´ lə kwē]
    disgrace, shame, dishonor
    → “Hitler and his Nazis showed how evil a conspiracy could be which was aimed at destroying a race by exposing it to contempt, derision, and obloquy.” Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, decision, 10/52

The feuding between the rival sons reached its pinnacle* in 1532; at that moment Francisco Pizarro came onto the scene. A native of Spain, he was sojourning* in Panama when he heard of the riches to be found in that far off land. Overwhelmed with cupidity,* but still a tyro when it came to wresting* power and wealth from hapless* people, he joined with an inveterate* adventurer. They gathered a small band of mercenaries.* The first two attempts failed, and Pizarro returned to Spain to request authority and money in order to conquer the West Coast of South America. Whether by sophistry or cajolery,* he was given the requisite* aid. With a force of 180 men, the dregs* of society, he invaded Inca territory. He reached the city where the current ruler, Atahualpa, was holding court. The Incas welcomed Pizarro who, in a factitious display of friendship, heaped encomiums upon Atahualpa. Unknown to the Incas, Pizarro had brought guns that were still beyond the technology* of these people. The obloquy of his next act, ambushing the Incas and taking Atahualpa prisoner, will live in the history books that are replete* with tales of conquest.

Sample Sentences Use the new words in these sentences.

  1. Although he was erudite* about a copious* number of things, he was a naive,* callow* __________ when it came to relating to girls.
  2. John Wilkes Booth’s egregious* act remains an infamous* __________ .
  3. Her __________ made use of every glib* artifice.*
  4. In the office he played the __________ role of a martinet,* while at home he was filled with compassion*.
  5. The modest prodigy* treated the fervid* __________ that followed his performance as though they were a mere bagatelle.*

Definitions Match the new words with their definitions.

  1. a. high praise
  2. b. beginner, novice
  3. c. false reasoning or argument
  4. d. sham, artificial
  5. e. disgrace, shame, dishonor
  1. tyro __________
  2. sophistry __________
  3. factitious __________
  4. encomium __________
  5. obloquy __________

Answer Key
to draw in one’s horns—to become cautious
He knew he was out of his depth,* so he drew in his horns and quit the poker game.

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