The idea here is a verb meaning to set right or remove errors, essentially to correct or rectify something. That sense points to words like correct, rectify, amend, or remedy. Looking at the options given, each one has a different, unrelated meaning: to deride means to mock, deference means respect or esteem, diffident means lacking self-confidence, and dilettante refers to someone who engages in an activity superficially without deep commitment. Because none of these convey the sense of making something right or freeing it from error, the listed choices don’t match the target meaning. If you encountered this on a test, the correct match would be a term like rectify or correct. The provided option aligns with none of these definitions.

Proliferate captures the idea of increasing in number quickly. It means to multiply or spread rapidly, as in a population or set of ideas expanding at a fast rate. The other words describe manners or practicality rather than growth: pragmatic means practical and sensible, propriety refers to proper behavior or etiquette, and prudence means cautious good sense. So the best fit for “to increase in number quickly” is proliferate.

A funeral hymn or mournful speech is called a dirge. Dirge refers to a slow, lamenting piece of music or poetry specifically associated with funerals and mourning. The other terms don’t fit this sense: to disabuse means to correct a mistaken belief; desultory means lacking a clear plan or purpose; deference means respectful submission or regard. So the word that captures the idea of a funeral lament is dirge.

The main idea is recognizing a word that means challenging the truth of a claim. To refute something is to argue against it and show that it’s false, effectively denying its validity. The option that expresses this exact sense is the best fit because it directly defines the act of rejecting a claim’s validity—refuting the claim with evidence or contradiction. For contrast, the other descriptions point to unrelated ideas: lofty or grand describes scale or nobility; deceptively attractive refers to something that seems appealing but misleads; sharp and irritating describes a biting or abrasive quality. So the precise concept here is refuting a claim by demonstrating its falsehood.