Choose the word from the questions given below that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the given word: Frequency A. periodicity B. rarity C. gradualness D. persistency

GATE 2011 · General Aptitude · Opposite · medium

Answer: B. rarity

1. Define the given word: Frequency = the rate at which something occurs; high frequency means something happens often or repeatedly. The opposite should indicate something that happens rarely or seldom.
2. Evaluate each option: A. periodicity = recurrence at regular intervals (related to frequency, not opposite). B. rarity = the state of occurring seldom — directly opposes 'frequency'. C. gradualness = slow progression over time (unrelated to occurrence rate). D. persistency = continuing steadily over time (suggests high frequency, not the opposite).