How robust is your college vocabulary?

Someone who is "tenacious" clings fiercely to what they believe or want to do. It can also refer to a substance that is particularly clingy or difficult to separate into parts.

It can also describe evasive wording meant to avoid the heart of an argument, and to focus instead on minor grievances. A quibble is often a silly, small argument.

"Camaraderie" is frequently used when describing the relationships within groups of friends, a close-knit unit of troops, and other such congregations. It's been in use since the mid-1800s.

"Bombastic" is an explosive word, used to describe someone who exaggerates and rants, filling their speech with important-sounding but empty words. While it's tempting to think it's an extension of the word "bomb," it's actually derived from a word that described cotton stuffing.

A person is "opulent" if that person is exceedingly wealthy and/or glamorous; a place or thing is opulent if it's decorated expensively. The word is most often used in reference to objects that are showy and clearly costly.

A path that doubles back on itself could be described as "circuitous," just as a fuzzy line of reasoning or evasive argument could be described as "circuitous."

"Abashed" refers to a person's demeanor when they are ashamed or embarrassed by their actions or by a situation. A child caught red-handed in the cookie jar, for example, might be abashed.

This word comes from the Greek for "kingfisher." It was believed that a halycon could bring calm seas during nesting, which is why the adjective describes conditions that are calm and peaceful.

The adjective "scintillating" describes something that is delightfully clever, witty, or interesting. Its earliest known use dates from the late 1700s.

A facetious statement is meant as a joke or as sarcasm. It can also be used to describe an insensitive statement spoken as though to be humorous.

Someone who equivocates uses noncommittal language and pushes off a decision. It may be done deceptively, or the person might just have a hard time making decisions.

An "aspersion" is a falsehood told about someone in order to harm their reputation. The root word means "to sprinkle" or "to scatter," so "aspersion" is also used to describe the sprinkling of water in religious ceremonies.

The term comes from a movement to destroy icons, the religious images used by Eastern Christians. Now, it also refers to someone who challenges established beliefs and practices.

The Moulin Rouge is a classic example of a milieu, which is a specific place and atmosphere where something takes place. It can also refer to the social setting; for example, a milieu could describe the favorite "hangout" for a bunch of hipster teenagers.

Someone who is dispassionate is not moved by personal feelings or is relatively unattached with regard to a certain subject. Judges, for example, are expected to be dispassionate during the cases over which they preside.

The word "mellifluous" comes from the Latin words for "honey" and "flow." It can be used to describe someone's voice, or as an adjective for food.

Anything prosaic is boring, bland or just plain ordinary. Historically, "prosaic" was simply used to distinguish between texts that were not poetry (prosaic) and texts that were poetic.

Something evanescent is something that vanishes (often without a trace) in a short period of time. Smoke, a light morning fog and a mirage are all examples of evanescent phenomena.

The adjective "florid" is typically used to describe writing or a style that is particularly flowery and fancy. It's also used to describe something red; someone red in the face would have a "florid" complexion, for example.

Due to its similarity to the word "quarrelsome," it's tempting to think that "querulous" describes someone who gets into arguments. However, someone who is querulous just whines a lot.

Someone "sagacious" often understands people's motives and makes sound judgments when needed. Surprisingly, the word sagacious is not closely related to the word "sage," which means "wise."

The word "lugubrious" describes something that is mournful or dismal and dark, especially if it is arranged in a showy way. You might describe a group of goths as lugubrious.

"Mercurial" can describe anything that is changeable and unpredictable, from someone's temperament to the stock market. This word comes from the Greek god of thievery and travelers, Mercury.

"Raiment" has a straightforward meaning: it describes your clothing! Garb, apparel and attire are also suitable synonyms.

Someone who is "diffident" tends to refrain from or pause before speech and actions because of self-doubt or second-guessing. Such a person may be insecure and hesitant.

Spies frequently engage in "subterfuge." It comes from Latin words which meant underneath and to flee, so the meaning has evolved a bit over time.

The word "convivial" comes from the Latin "convivium," which means "banquet." A convivial person is usually outgoing and loves having people over.

Someone who is "nonchalant" might be whistling in a carefree way, but the indifferent attitude is characteristic of being nonchalant. The word comes from the French "nonchaloir," which means "to disregard."

Someone who is "perfidious" is someone who engages in deceptive, traitorous behavior; such a person is disloyal.

"Spurious reasoning" is false or poor reasoning, and something which is "spurious" is misleading or insincere. Spurious does not refer to something that comes up at the last minute or is suggested on a whim.

Something "banal" is trite, overused and not at all novel. It comes from a French word, "ban," that refers to a call to arms.

To "obviate" something is to make it unnecessary or obsolete. For example, a measles vaccine should obviate the need to treat measles.

While the word "asylum" might conjure up images of white walls and straitjackets, the term actually refers to a safe space. Many have sought asylum, or refuge, in times of need.

Someone who is "sedulous" is diligent and earnest in their undertakings. The Latin phrase, "se dolus," meaning, "without guile," eventually transformed into the word we use today.

In use since the mid-1500s, the word "renege" means going back on a promise or duty, such as failing to pay up when you lose a bet or violating a treaty. Reneging on your loans, for example, would mean failing to pay back your loans.