The adjective arrant most nearly means:

The adjective arrant most nearly means:

• A. Extremely cautious
• B. Very slow
• C. Complete and utter
• D. Muted and subtle

Answer: (C)

Arrant signals totality and absoluteness, an extreme emphasis that’s often used with a negative edge. It’s the kind of word you put before a noun to mean absolutely or completely. That’s why “complete and utter” fits best—arrant always conveys that sense of total, unqualified extent. The other options describe traits that aren’t about totality: extreme caution points to carefulness, very slow or muted and subtle describe pace or quietness, neither of which captures the intense, all-encompassing sense arrant conveys.

Arrant signals totality and absoluteness, an extreme emphasis that’s often used with a negative edge. It’s the kind of word you put before a noun to mean absolutely or completely. That’s why “complete and utter” fits best—arrant always conveys that sense of total, unqualified extent. The other options describe traits that aren’t about totality: extreme caution points to carefulness, very slow or muted and subtle describe pace or quietness, neither of which captures the intense, all-encompassing sense arrant conveys.