I was in a SAT Prep class this year in my homeschool co-op, and every week my teacher would hand out vocabulary quizzes. On each one, there was a list of definitions and then a list of words to match them with. They were fun, and they really helped me in both expanding my personal vocabulary, and understanding words and their origins better. For instance, the word "somnolent", which was one of my words just today, means "sleepy or inducing sleep". I figured that word out because of the word part "som" or "somn". Since
"som" is in the word "insomnia" which means "inability to sleep", I figured out that the definition probably had to do with sleep, and I was right.
So the quizzes help with figuring out word roots and connecting them to other words, so that there's less chance you'll guess the meaning of a word and be wrong.

So this won't only help you in your writing, but it also ought to be fun.

Here are the rules:

1. No dictionaries allowed. You're on the honor code (and I may have minions watching you...)

2. I will post a word and the word type.

3. You will guess the meaning of the word.

4. You will post your guess.

5. The first person to guess right gets to pick the next word.

Sound fun? Good, jump right in!

The first word is:

Acerbic (adj.)

Um...Um...Um...*Watches for minions as he looks at the word*

"Acerbic"...Meaning...A disease someone gets after swallowing acid? ...

A disease would be a noun. Acerbic is an adjective.

*Thinks he has forgot the difference*

* scrunchie up face * I love the idea for this game...it's right up my alley...but – but I think that vocabulary tests use multiple choice questions for a reason (much as I dislike multiple choice questions). I know what acerbic means – but I don't have time to think up and write out a definition.

Uhhhh... UHHHH... *has mental breakdown*
Wasn't that like... sassy? Or sarcastic? Something like that?

Am I close?

Something either sharp or rough or generally not likened to pillows?

Okay, not a very refined definition... But I'm going for aspects of the word...

Irritating, perhaps?

(I guess we could go the multiple-choice route, if y'all want.)

Acerbic:
1. easy to speak to; also, gracious
2. lasting a very short time
3. bitter; sharp in taste or temper
4. fierce; savage; ferocious
5. frugal to excess

Three.

I'll go with three, too.

Y'all are right!
Acerbic: bitter; sharp in taste or temper

Since Kitra got it right, she gets to pick the next word.
(You don't have to if you don't want to. You can always throw the ball back to me. I have plenty of words.)

*wonders what Riniel will pick*

Do I have to give multiple choice too?

I don't know. I wasn't going to give multiple choice in the first place, but I did it because someone suggested it. I don't think it's necessary. If someone asks, you can edit them in, or I will. But for now let's just go with the word.

Parsimony. (n.)

Penny-pinching. Miserliness. Having a rubber band around your wallet. Tight purse strings. You get the idea.

Parsimony: extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; niggardliness.

You were right! Now you can pick a word.

Hmm...okay....

Susurration (n)

Like a whisper? (It sounds like it could be derived from a similar sounding word in Spanish...)

Noun: a soft murmur; whisper.

You got it! Your turn.

Since it's been a while, I'll put up another word (sorry, Mist!)

Banal (adjective)

I know it, but I'll give someone else a turn.

You can go ahead. This thread isn't exactly buzzing.

Fine then.

Banal: utterly ordinary, unimpressive. Something you see every day and don't give a whit about anymore.

Banal: devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite

You're right! Your turn.

Obfuscation (noun or verb)

A hold up or hang up. Something that gets in the way.

Causing confusion?

Obfuscation:
1. to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy.
2. to make obscure or unclear: to obfuscate a problem with extraneous information.
3. to darken.

I think Jonathan's definition was the closest. Your turn, Jonathan!

Coniferous (adj.)

........Tree? :|

Cone-bearing, as in a plant, like a pine tree?

(Please specify the type of word when you post one. Thanks! )

Correct. Your turn.

Yay!

Spurious (adj.)

Um...of doubtful origin?

Hm... overly much/unnecessary?

Spurious: not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit

Good guess! Your turn!

Tilly-fally (noun)

Something non-important/superfluous?

Basically worthless stuff or nonsense. XD

Your turn!

Since it's been a few days, I'll post another.
Lissom (adj.)

Lithe, bendable, pliant.

Awesome! Your turn, Juliet.

Um...'Corpuscle'.

Sorry for not posting a word before; I missed the fact that I won

A capsule/container of some sort?

Fat? Something to do with fat?

* shakes head to both of you *

A blend between a corpse and a popsicle?