Item 2 Flashcards
subtle
|ˈsətl|
adj
(esp. of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.
merely
|ˈmi(ə)rlē|
adverb
just;
only.
preclude
|priˈklo͞od|
verb [ with obj. ]
Ex: The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition.
prevent from happening; make impossible:
preclude someone from doing smth
Ex: His difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life.
prevent someone from doing something.
unwieldy ( unwieldier, unwieldiest ), adjective
|ˌənˈwēldē|
Ex: The first mechanical clocks were large and unwieldy.
difficult to carry or move because of its size, shape, or weight.
• (of a system or bureaucracy) too big or badly organized to function efficiently.
invariant, adjective
|inˈve(ə)rēənt|
Ex: The pattern of cell divisions was found to be invariant.
never changing.
noun (Mathematics)
a function, quantity, or property that remains unchanged when a specified transformation is applied.
impose, verb
1 [ with obj. ]
Ex: The decision was theirs and was not imposed on them by others.
Ex: Sanctions imposed on South Africa.
(impose oneself) Ex: The director was unable to impose himself on the production.
2 [ no obj. ] Ex: : she realized that she had imposed on Miss Hatherby’s kindness.
3 [ with obj. ]
1 [ with obj. ] force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be accepted or put in place.
• forcibly put (a restriction) in place.
• require (a duty, charge, or penalty) to be undertaken or paid.
• exert firm control over something.
2 [ no obj. ] take advantage of someone by demanding their attention or commitment.
3 [ with obj. ] Printing arrange (pages of type) so that they will be in the correct order after printing and folding.
tweak
|twēk|
verb [ with obj. ]
Ex. He tweaked the boy’s ear.
Ex: Engineers tweak the car’s operating systems during the race.
1 twist or pull (something) sharply.
2 informal improve (a mechanism or system) by making fine adjustments to it.
suffice , verb
|səˈfīs|
[ no obj. ] Ex: A quick look should suffice.
[ with infinitive ] Ex: Two examples should suffice to prove the contention.
[ with obj. ] Ex: Simple mediocrity cannot suffice them.
[ no obj. ] be enough or adequate.
[ with infinitive ]
• [ with obj. ] meet the needs of.
PHRASES
suffice ( it ) to say
Ex: Suffice it to say that they were not considered suitable for this project.
used to indicate that one is saying enough to make one’s meaning clear while withholding something for reasons of discretion or brevity.
fraught, adjective
|frôt|
Ex: (fraught with) Marketing any new product is fraught with danger.
Ex: There was a fraught silence | she sounded a bit fraught.
1 [ predic. ] (of a situation or course of action) filled with or destined to result in (something undesirable).
2 causing or affected by great anxiety or stress.
handful , noun ( pl. handfuls )
|ˈhan(d)ˌfo͝ol|
Ex: A small handful of fresh coriander.
Ex: One of a handful of attorneys in the Southwest who specialize in water-rights laws.
informal
Ex: The kids could be such a handful.
1 a quantity that fills the hand.
• a small number or amount.
2 informal a person who is very difficult to deal with or control.
verbose, adjective
|vərˈbōs|
Ex: Much academic language is obscure and verbose.
using or expressed in more words than are needed.
obsolete , adjective
|ˌäbsəˈlēt|
Ex: The disposal of old and obsolete machinery.
Ex: The phrase was obsolete after 1625.
1 no longer produced or used; out of date. 2 Biology (of a part or characteristic of an organism) less developed than formerly or in a related species; rudimentary; vestigial.
obsolete , verb [ with obj. ]
|ˌäbsəˈlēt|
Ex: We’re trying to stimulate the business by obsoleting last year’s designs.
replace a product or idea with something new.
