1. 2. 3. 4. 5. adduce confound construe conundrum cryptic 6. equivocate 7. paradox 8. patent 9. perspicacity 10. rudimentary a) To cite as an example or means of proof in an argument; bring forward for consideration. Ex: In her lecture the chemist adduced gasoline as one of the best- known carbon compounds. a) b) To cause a person to become confused; bewilder. To fail to distinguish; mix up Related Word: confounded Ex: The strange results of the experiment confounded the scientist. a) To place a certain meaning on; interpret. Ex: Allison construed her cousin’s silence as support of her plan. a) b) c) A problem with no satisfactory solution. A difficult and complicated problem. A riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun Ex: The cause of the epidemic was a conundrum for state health officials. a. b. Having an ambiguous or hidden meaning; enigmatic. Of a secret nature; mystifying. Related Words: cryptically Ex: Scholars have provided several interpretations of the ancient poet’s cryptic verses. a) b) To use ambiguous and misleading language intentionally; hedge. To avoid making an explicit statement. Related Words: equivocal; equivocally; equivocation. Ex: The witness equivocated to such an extent that members of the jury were unable to evaluate the validity of his testimony. A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true. b) An assertion that is essentially self contradictory, although based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises. c) A person with inexplicable or contradictory qualities. Related Words: paradoxical; paradoxically Ex: William Wordsworth’s assertion that “The child is father of the man” is an example of a paradox. a) a) Obvious; plain. Related Words: patently Ex: Afraid of their reaction, Morgan made patent attempts to avoid his friends. a) Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding. Related Words: perspicacious; perspicaciously Ex: For a twelve-year-old, Rafaela’s perspicacity about human motivation is quite amazing. a) b) Of or relating to basic facts or principles that must be learned first; elementary; fundamental. In the earliest stages of development; incipient. Related Words: rudiment Ex: Before going into detail, Mrs. Ling outlined the rudimentary aspects of advertising.