Words 7 Flashcards
behaving in a nervous way because you are anxious about something
twitch‧y / twɪtʃi / adjective
I was very twitchy about the way things would turn out.
to protect information by putting it into a special code that only some people can read, especially information that is on a computer → decrypt
en‧crypt / ɪnkrɪpt / verb [ transitive ]
— encryption / ɪnkrɪpʃ ə n / noun [ uncountable ] :
secure encryption of data
— encrypted adjective :
files stored in encrypted form
able to be believed or imagined OPP in___________:
con‧ceiv‧a‧ble AC / kənsivəb ə l / adjective
It is conceivable that you may get full compensation, but it’s not likely.
We were discussing the problems from every conceivable angle.
— conceivably adverb :
Conceivably, interest rates could rise very high indeed.
1 [ transitive ] to stop something from happening or developing OPP encourage
2 [ transitive ] to stop a feeling from being expressed
3 [ intransitive, transitive usually passive ] if you are ________d by something, it stops you breathing comfortably → suffocate
sti‧fle / staɪf ə l / verb
1 rules and regulations that stifle innovation
How can this party stifle debate on such a crucial issue?
2 He stifled an urge to hit her.
stifle a yawn/smile/grin etc
I tried to stifle my laughter.
3 He was almost stifled by the fumes.
to prevent something from continuing in its usual way by causing problems
dis‧rupt / dɪsrʌpt / verb [ transitive ]
Traffic was disrupted by a hoax bomb.
Climate change could disrupt the agricultural economy.
1 saying how something should or must be done, or what should be done
2 stating how a language should be used, rather than describing how it is used OPP descriptive
3 ____________ right British English law
a right that has existed for so long that it is as effective as a law
— prescriptively adverb
pre‧scrip‧tive / prɪskrɪptɪv / adjective
1 prescriptive teaching methods
2 prescriptive grammar
3 prescriptive right British English law
— prescriptively adverb
1 to try to remove something from a river, ocean etc by pulling a rope, line etc through the water
2 to try to obtain something by searching, asking people etc SYN trawl British English
troll 2 verb [ intransitive and transitive ] American English
1 Ships towing huge magnets trolled the ocean floor.
troll for
I would troll for fish from the rowboat.
2 troll (something) for something Stewart spent hours trolling the Web for information.
1 [ transitive ] to make someone move quickly, especially by pushing them roughly
2 [ intransitive ] American English to do something with a lot of energy and determination
3 [ intransitive ] American English to hurry in doing something or going somewhere
4 [ intransitive and transitive ] American English to sell or obtain things in an illegal or dishonest way
5 [ intransitive ] American English informal to work as a prostitute , or to be in charge of prostitutes
hus‧tle 1 / hʌs ə l / verb ( past tense and past participle hustled , present participle hustling )
1 hustle somebody into/out of/through etc something
I was hustled out of the building by a couple of security men.
hustle somebody away
He was hustled away by police officers.
2 Cindy’s not a great player, but she really hustles.
3 We need to hustle if we’re going to make this flight.
4 thieves hustling stolen goods on the street
hustle American English informal to hurry when you are doing something or going somewhere : You better hustle or you’re going to miss the school bus.
1 [ linking verb ] to consist of particular parts, groups etc
2 [ transitive ] to form part of a larger group of people or things SYN constitute , make up
com‧prise W3 AC / kəmpraɪz / verb [ not in progressive ] formal
1 The house comprises two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.
be comprised of somebody/something
The committee is comprised of well-known mountaineers. ► Do not say that something ‘comprises of’ things or people.
2 Women comprise a high proportion of part-time workers.
comprise / kəmpraɪz / formal to consist of the things mentioned. Comprise can also be used to talk about the people or things which form something : The event comprises a champagne reception, two-course lunch, and a fashion show. | Men still comprise the majority of people who have the disease.
a part in a car engine that produces an electric spark to make the petrol mixture start burning
spark plug ( also sparking plug British English ) noun [ countable ]
1 [ intransitive usually in progressive ] if business, trade, or a particular area is ____ing, it is increasing and being very successful
2 ( also ____ out ) [ transitive ] to say something in a loud deep voice
3 ( also ____ out ) [ intransitive ] to make a loud deep sound
boom 2 verb
1 Business was booming , and money wasn’t a problem.
Tourism on the island has boomed.
2 ( also boom out ) ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ his voice boomed out.
3 ( also boom out ) Guns boomed in the distance.
— booming adjective :
a booming economy
to compete very hard with someone in order to get something
vie / vaɪ / verb ( past tense and past participle vied , present participle vying , third person singular vies ) [ intransitive ]
vie for
Simon and Julian were vying for her attention all through dinner.
vie with
There are at least twenty restaurants vying with each other for custom.
vie to do something
All the photographers vied to get the best pictures.
1 the entrance to a room or building, or the area of floor or ground at the entrance
2 the level at which something starts to happen or have an effect
3 at the beginning of a new and important event or development SYN brink
thresh‧old / θreʃhəʊld, -ʃəʊld $ -oʊld / noun [ countable ]
1 She opened the door and stepped across the threshold.
2 Eighty percent of the vote was the threshold for approval of the plan.
a high/low pain/boredom etc threshold (= the ability or inability to suffer a lot of pain or boredom before you react to it )
3 be on the threshold of something
The creature is on the threshold of extinction.
COLLOCATIONS
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + threshold
sb’s pain threshold (= your ability or inability to deal with pain ) ‘Will it hurt?’ ‘That all depends on your pain threshold.’
sb’s boredom threshold (= whether you do or do not get bored easily ) She loves challenges and admits she has a low boredom threshold.
a tax threshold The Conservatives promised to help the lower paid by increasing the tax threshold.
a high threshold Professional football players have a pretty high pain threshold.
a low threshold I know that young children have very low boredom threshold.
verbs
exceed a threshold The value of many family homes far exceeds the inheritance tax threshold.
lower a threshold the demand to lower the retirement threshold to 60
raise a threshold They should raise the threshold to at least £245 a week.
cross the threshold Such a person has sufficiently crossed the threshold of criminality to justify punishment.
1 [ transitive ] to rub a layer of ___ into a floor, surface etc to protect it or make it shine
2 ___ sentimental/eloquent/lyrical etc
to talk with extreme feeling, liking, or pleasure about something – used humorously
3 [ intransitive ] when the moon ___es, it seems to get bigger each night OPP wane
4 ___ and wane
to increase and decrease over time
5 [ transitive ] if you ___ your legs, arms etc, you remove the hair from them using ___
wax 2 verb
2 wax sentimental/eloquent/lyrical etc
wax sentimental/eloquent/lyrical etc about
Journalists wax lyrical about the band.
4 wax and wane
Interest in the show has waxed and waned.
not involved in a particular situation, and therefore able to give a fair opinion or piece of advice SYN fair OPP biased
im‧par‧tial / ɪmpɑʃ ə l $ -ɑr- / adjective
We offer impartial advice on tax and insurance.
an impartial inquiry into the deaths
an impartial observer
— impartially adverb
— impartiality / ɪmpɑʃiæləti, ɪmpɑʃiælɪti $ -ɑr- / noun [ uncountable ]
1 successful, respected, and admired
2 dressed in neat and attractive clothes that are worn by adults, not looking like a young person
dis‧tin‧guished / dɪstɪŋɡwɪʃt / adjective
1 a long and distinguished career
2 a tall distinguished figure in a dark suit
formal
the way in which members of a family are descend ed from other members → line , ancestry
lin‧e‧age / lɪni-ɪdʒ / noun [ uncountable and countable ]
formal
a family of ancient lineage
1 [ uncountable ] a lack of importance in a particular situation
2 [ countable ] someone or something that is not important in a particular situation
ir‧rel‧e‧vance AC / ɪreləvəns, ɪrelɪvəns / ( also ir‧rel‧e‧van‧cy / -vənsi / ) noun
2 irrelevance of
debates on the irrelevance of the education system
20 a) to ____ like a typical person of a particular type
b) to perform well and seem likely to be successful – used in sports reports
look the part
a) In his smart suit, he certainly looked the part.
b) He’s beginning to look the part on the soccer field.
1 cut [ countable ]
a small cut on someone’s skin
2 mark [ countable ]
a thin mark or cut on the surface of something
3 from _______
if you start something from _______ , you begin it without using anything that existed or was prepared before
4 up to _________ British English informal
good enough for a particular standard
5 rub [ singular ] especially British English
when you rub part of your body with your nails because it feels uncomfortable
6 sound [ countable ]
a sound made by something sharp or rough being rubbed on a hard surface
scratch 2 noun
1 There were deep scratches all over her face.
Don’t worry, it’s only a scratch (= not a serious injury ) .
She was unharmed apart from a few cuts and scratches.
2 There was a big scratch on the car door.
3 from scratch
We had to start again from scratch .
He had built the business up from scratch .
4 up to scratch British English informal
Some of this work isn’t up to scratch.
bring/get something up to scratch
We spent thousands of pounds getting the house up to scratch.
5 He stretched and had a scratch .
He brushed his hair and gave his scalp a good scratch .
6 I heard the scratch of an animal’s claws on the door.
to give a college, hospital etc a large sum of money that provides it with an income
____- somebody/something ____ something phrasal verb formal
1 to make someone or something have a particular quality, or to believe that they have it
2 be _____ed with something
to naturally have a good feature or quality
3 to give someone something
en‧dow / ɪndaʊ / verb [ transitive ]
endow somebody/something with something phrasal verb formal
1 Her resistance to the Nationalists endowed her with legendary status.
2 be endowed with something
She was endowed with good looks.
3 → well-endowed
1 move forward [ intransitive ]
to move towards someone or something, especially in a slow and determined way – used especially to talk about soldiers
2 develop [ intransitive and transitive ]
if scientific or technical knowledge _______s, or if something _______s it, it develops and improves
3 money [ transitive ] to give someone money before they have earned it
4 _______ your career/a cause/your interests etc
to do something that will help you achieve an advantage or success for yourself or someone else
5 price [ intransitive ]
if the price or value of something _______s, it increases – used especially when talking about the stock exchange
6 time/date [ transitive ] formal
to change the time or date when an event should happen to an earlier time or date
7 machine [ intransitive and transitive ] formal
if you _______ a film, clock, musical recording etc, or if it _______s, it goes forward
advance 2 W3 verb
1 A line of US tanks slowly advanced.
advance on
Troops advanced on the rebel stronghold (= moved towards it in order to attack it ) .
advance across/through/towards
The army advanced across the plain.
2 Our understanding of human genetics has advanced considerably.
The group’s research has done much to advance our knowledge of the HIV virus.
3 advance somebody something
Will they advance you some money until you get your first paycheck?
advance something to somebody
I advanced $1,500 to Kramer last Thursday.
4 advance your career/a cause/your interests etc Jameson agreed to the deal in an effort to advance his political career.
6 The meeting has been advanced to ten o’clock.
7 machine [ intransitive and transitive ] formal
→ advancing
covered with a dome or shaped like a dome
domed / dəʊmd $ doʊmd / adjective
a high domed ceiling
1 the building in Washington, D.C. where the US Congress meets
2 the building that each US state has in its capital city, where government officers meet to discuss new laws and make decisions for that state
Cap‧i‧tol, the / kæpət ə l, kæpɪt ə l /
a tall pointed stone pillar , built to remind people of an event or of someone who has died
ob‧e‧lisk / ɒbəlɪsk $ ɑ-, oʊ- / noun [ countable ]
1 break [ intransitive and transitive ]
to break with a sudden sharp noise, or to make something do this
2 move into position [ intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition ]
to move into a particular position suddenly, making a short sharp noise, or to make something move like this
3 say something angrily [ intransitive and transitive ]
to say something quickly in an angry way
4 become angry/anxious etc [ intransitive ]
to suddenly stop being able to control your anger, anxiety, or other feelings in a difficult situation
5 animal [ intransitive ]
if an animal such as a dog ____s, it tries to bite you
6 photograph [ intransitive and transitive ] informal
to take a photograph
7 ____ your fingers
to make a short sharp noise by moving one of your fingers quickly against your thumb, for example in order to get someone’s attention or to mark the beat of music
8 ____ to it spoken
used to tell someone to hurry and do something immediately
9 stop [ transitive ] American English
to end a series of events – used especially in newspapers
10 ____ to attention
if soldiers ____ to attention, they suddenly stand very straight
snap 1 W3 / snæp / verb ( past tense and past participle snapped , present participle snapping )
1 A twig snapped under my feet.
The wind snapped branches and power lines.
snap (something) off (something)
I snapped the ends off the beans and dropped them into a bowl.
snap (something) in two/in half (= break into two pieces )
The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece.
2 snap together/back etc
The pieces just snap together like this.
The policeman snapped the handcuffs around her wrist.
snap (something) open/shut
She snapped her briefcase shut.
3 ‘What do you want?’ Mike snapped.
snap at
He snapped at Walter for no reason.
4 The stress began to get to her, and one morning she just snapped.
Something inside him snapped , and he hit her.
5 snap at
The dog started snapping at my heels.
6 Dave snapped a picture of me and Sonia.
7 snap your fingers
8 snap to it spoken
Come on, snap to it – get that room cleaned up!
9 The Rockets snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating Portland.
10 snap to attention
→ snap-on
1 to lie or sit with your arms or legs stretched out in a lazy or careless way
2 if buildings _____, they spread out over a wide area in an untidy and unattractive way
sprawl 1 / sprɔl $ sprɒl / ( also sprawl out ) verb [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ]
1 He sprawled out on the sofa.
I tripped on a stone and went sprawling on the pavement.
a blow which sent him sprawling
2 The town seemed to sprawl for miles.
an animal, plant, or person that lives or is found in a particular place
den‧i‧zen / denəz ə n, denɪz ə n / noun [ countable + of ] literary
to remove a leader or ruler from a position of power
de‧pose / dɪpəʊz $ -poʊz / verb [ transitive ]
literary a ruler in the past, who had great power over his people
po‧ten‧tate / pəʊt ə nteɪt $ poʊ- / noun [ countable ]
to kill someone
bump somebody ↔ off phrasal verb informal
to have been born in a particular place
hail from something phrasal verb old-fashioned
And where do you hail from?
1 if you ____ ___ a place or for something, you miss it a lot and wish you could be there or have it again
2 if you ____ ___ someone, you feel very unhappy because they are not with you
pine for somebody/something phrasal verb
1 After two months in France I was pining for home.
2 Karen had been pining for her friends back home in Colorado.
1 moving slowly and involving very little energy
2 slow and not involving any activity
lan‧guid / læŋɡwɪd / adjective literary
1 He greeted Charles with a languid wave of his hand.
2 We spent a languid afternoon by the pool.
— languidly adverb
if clouds ____ across the sky, they move quickly
scud / skʌd / verb ( past tense and past participle scudded , present participle scudding ) [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ] literary
1 an exact copy of a picture, piece of writing etc
2 formal a fax
fac‧sim‧i‧le / fæksɪməli, fæksɪmɪli / noun [ countable ]
if something is ……. true, people say that it is true but it is not really true SYN supposedly
os‧ten‧si‧bly / ɒstensəbli, ɒstensɪbli $ ɑ- / adverb
She stayed behind at the office, ostensibly to work.
1 to use your power, influence etc in order to make something happen
2 _____ yourself
to work very hard and use a lot of physical or mental energy
ex‧ert / ɪɡzɜt $ -ɜrt / verb [ transitive ]
1 They exerted considerable influence within the school.
Environmental groups are exerting pressure on the government to tighten pollution laws.
2 exert yourself
He has exerted himself tirelessly on behalf of the charity.
COLLOCATIONS
nouns
exert pressure Did Democratic leaders exert pressure on their colleagues to vote for the new law?
exert influence These large companies exert considerable influence over the government.
exert control The state should not exert control over the media.
exert power He exerts considerable power within the family.
exert authority It is every parent’s responsibility to exert their authority by laying down some firm rules.
exert discipline Exerting discipline is essential, especially when there are problem students in the class.
exert effort We exerted every effort to get there on time.
exert your will (= make something happen in the way that you want ) The army exerted its will by arresting anti-government supporters.
1 increase gradually
if something _____s __ somewhere, or if you _____ it __, it gradually becomes bigger or greater
2 develop
_____ something ↔ __ to make something develop or form
3 feeling
if a feeling _____s __, or if you _____ it __, it increases gradually over a period of time
4 make healthy
_____ somebody/something ↔ __
to make someone well and strong again, especially after an illness
5 praise
_____ somebody/something ↔ __
to praise someone or something so that other people think they are really good, or so that they have more confidence
6 _____ __ sb’s hopes ( also _____ somebody’s hopes __)
to unfairly encourage someone to think that they will get what they hope for
_____ __ __ something phrasal verb
to prepare for a particular moment or event
build up phrasal verb
1 the rate at which the pension builds up
build something ↔ up
The museum has built up a fine art collection. → build-up
2 build something ↔ up into
He’s built up the family firm into a multinational company.
3 If you don’t express your feelings, frustration and anger can build up.
build up something
You have to build up trust.
4 Taking exercise will build up your strength.
5 build somebody/something ↔ up
The coach has been building his men up before the match.
6 build up sb’s hopes ( also build somebody’s hopes up )
Don’t build your hopes up too much.
build up to something phrasal verb
I could tell she was building up to some kind of announcement.
3 a fairly large number or amount
3 quite a lot/bit/few
He’s got quite a lot of friends.
Quite a few towns are now banning cars from their shopping centres.
1 to try hard to please someone, especially because you want something from them
2 _____ danger/death etc formal
to behave in a way that makes danger etc more likely
3 be _____ing old-fashioned
if a man and a woman are _____ing, they are having a romantic relationship and may get married
4 old-fashioned if a man ____s a woman, he spends time being nice to her because he hopes to marry her
court 2 verb [ transitive ]
1 His campaign team have assiduously courted the media.
2 court danger/death etc formal
To have admitted this would have courted political disaster .
3 be courting old-fashioned
That was back in the 1960s when we were courting.
someone who is ____ is careful because they think something might be dangerous or harmful
war‧y / weəri $ weri / adjective
be wary of (doing) something
I’m a bit wary of driving in this fog.
wary of
We must teach children to be wary of strangers.
Keep a wary eye on the weather before you set sail.
She had a wary expression on her face.
— wariness noun [ singular, uncountable ] :
a wariness in her voice
— warily adverb :
She eyed him warily .
