3 Flashcards
Holy Writ
(N.)
Writing or instructions that people treat as if it were completely true in every detail
The Bible
Verbose
(Adj.)
Using or containing too many words
Sinew
(N.)
(HUMAN ANIMALS)
A part of your body that connects a muscle to a bone
(The sinews of something) (literary)
Something that gives strength or support to a government, country, or system
Gridiron
(N.)
An open frame of metal bars for cooking meat or fish over a very hot fire
(AmE)
A field marked in white lines for American football
Mordant
(Adj.)
Mordant wit/satire/humour(formal)
Unkind and insulting humour etc that is also funny
SYN biting
Valorous
(Adj.)
brave, gallant, valiant
Precise
(Adj.)
Precise information, details etc are exact, clear, and correct
SYN exact
Used to emphasize that you are referring to an exact thing
SYN exact
Someone who is precise is very careful about small details or about the way they behave
Glimpse
(N.)
A quick look at someone or something that does not allow you to see them clearly
A short experience of something that helps you begin to understand it
Fortitude
(N.) (formal)
Courage shown when you are in great pain or experiencing a lot of trouble
SYN strength
Requisite
(Adj.) (formal)
Needed for a particular purpose
SYN necessary,
required
Subside
(V.)
If a feeling, pain, sound etc subsides, it gradually becomes less and then stops
SYN die down
(formal) If a building or an area of land subsides, it gradually sinks to a lower level
If bad weather conditions subside, they gradually return to a normal state
If water, especially flood water, subsides, it gradually goes underground or back to a normal level
Impromptu
(Adj.)
Done or said without any preparation or planning
impromptu speech/party/meeting etc
Flank
(N.)
The side of an animal’s or person’s body, between the ribs and the hip
The side of an army in a battle, or a sports team when playing
The side of a hill, mountain, or very large building
Command
(N.)
The control of a group of people or a situation
An order that should be obeyed
An instruction to a computer to do something
Command of something:knowledge of something, especially a language, or ability to use something
have a good/excellent/poor etc command of something
Commend
(V.) (formal)
To praise or approve of someone or something publicly
commend somebody for something
To tell someone that something is good or that it deserves attention
SYN recommend
Commend itself to somebody (formal)
if something commends itself to you, you approve of it
Perforce
(Adv) (literary)
because it is necessary بهناچار به زور به اجبار ناگزیر
Impeccable
(Adj.)
Without any faults and impossible to criticize
SYN perfect
Pristine
(Adj.)
Extremely fresh or clean
Something that is pristine is in the same condition as when it was first made
Not spoiled or damaged in any way
Dazzling
(Adj.)
A light that is dazzling is very bright and makes you unable to see properly for a short time
Very impressive and attractive
Appalling
(Adj.)
Very unpleasant and shocking SYN terrible Very bad SYN atrocious
Grave
(Adj.)
Grave problems, situations, or worries are very great or bad>serious
Looking or sounding quiet and serious, especially because something important or worrying has happened
SYN sombre
Devastated
(Adj.)
Feeling extremely shocked and sad
Atrocious
(Adj.)
Extremely bad
SYN awful
atrociously adverb
Furious
(Adj.)
Very angry
furious at/ about
furious with
furious that
Done with a lot of energy, effort, or speed
furiously (adv.)
fury (n.)
Rapture
(N.)
(literary)
Great excitement and happiness
be in raptures/go into raptures (BrE) (formal)
To express or feel great pleasure and happiness about something
rapture over/about/at
Dram
(N.)
A small alcoholic drink, especially whisky – used especially in Scotland
Sciential
(Adj.)
possessing knowledge, knowledgeable; pertaining to science, scientific; pertaining to knowledge
Approbation
(N.)
formal
Official praise or approval
Lunette
(N.)
Crescent-shaped object or opening; crescent shaped space (especially over a door or window)
Perennial
(Adj.)
Continuing or existing for a long time, or happening again and again
A plant that is perennial lives for more than two years
annual
perennially adverb
Immure
(V.)
(formal) (literary)
To shut someone in a place so that they cannot get out
Vitiate
(V.) (formal)
To make something less effective or spoil
Solstice
(N.)
The time when the sun is furthest north or south of the equator
the summer/winter solstice= the longest or shortest day of the year
equinox
Mingle
(V.)
If two feelings, sounds, smells etc mingle, they mix together with each other
mingle with
be mingled with something
If you mingle at a party, you move around the room and talk to lots of different people
mingle with
Mirth
(N.)
(literary)
Happiness and laughter
mirthful adjective
Uplift
(V.) (formal)
To make someone feel happier
To make something higher
Spirit
(N.)
The qualities that make someone live the way they do, and make them different from other people
in spirit
independent/proud/free etc spirit= a person with a particular type of character
Spirits:the way someone feels at a particular time, for example if they are happy or sad
>mood
The part of someone that you cannot see, that consists of the qualities that make up their character, which many people believe continues to live after the person has died >soul
Overloaded
(V.)
To put too many things or people on or into something
be/ become overloaded with something
To put too much electricity through an electrical system or piece of equipment
To give someone too much work or information to deal with
be/ become overloaded with something
Genre
(N.)
(formal)
A particular type of art, writing, music etc, which has certain features that all examples of this type share
genre of
Upbeat
(Adj.)
Positive and making you feel that good things will happen
OPP downbeat
Down-to-earth
(Adj.)
Practical and direct in a sensible honest way
Stream
(N.)
A natural flow of water that moves across the land and is narrower than a river
>downstream,upstream
A long and almost continuous series of events, people, objects etc
stream of
steady/ constant/ endless etc stream
A flow of water, air, smoke etc, or the direction in which it is flowing
Come on stream:To start working or producing something
A level of ability within a group of students of the same age
Acclaimed
(Adj.)
Publicly praised by a lot of people
highly/ widely/ universally acclaimed
Hail from somewhere
Phrasal verb
Old-fashioned
to have been born in a particular place
Make a killing
(N.)(informal)
To make a lot of money in a short time
Maintaine
(V.)
To make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before
To make a level or rate of activity, movement etc stay the same
To strongly express your belief that something is true
SYN claim
maintain that
maintain your innocence =say that you did not commit a crime
Somewhat
(Adv.)
More than a little but not very
somewhat larger/ higher/ newer etc
somewhat of
Low-profile
(Adj.)
Not receiving or wanting any attention
OPP high-profile
(BrE) Designed to be lower than other things of the same type
Impressive
(Adj.)
Something that is impressive makes you admire it because it is very good, large, important etc
Treasure (N.)
(N.)
A group of valuable things such as gold, silver, jewels etc
buried/ hidden/ sunken treasure
A very valuable and important object such as a painting or ancient document
(informal) Someone who is very useful or important to you
Fortune
(N.)
A very large amount of money
Chance or luck, and the effect that it has on your life
The good or bad things that happen in life
Tell somebody’s fortune:to tell someone what will happen to them in the future by looking at their hands, using cards etc
Attend
(V.) (formal)
To go to an event such as a meeting or a class
To go regularly to a school, church etc
(formal) To happen or exist at the same time as something
To look after someone, especially because they are ill
Gifted
(Adj.)
Having a natural ability to do one or more things extremely well>talented
gifted musician/ artist/ teacher etc
academically/ musically/ athletically etc gifted
gifted child =one who is extremely intelligent
gifted with
Compose
(V.)
Be composed of something:to be formed from a number of substances, parts, or people
SYN consist of
(formal) To combine together to form something
SYN make up
To write a piece of music
composer, composition
Compose a letter/ poem/ speech etc:to write a letter, poem etc, thinking very carefully about it as you write it
Strum
(V.)
To play an instrument such as a guitar by moving your fingers up and down across its strings
Lyric
(N.) lyrics:the words of a song (also lyric poem) (technical) a poem, usually a short one, written in a lyric style
Catchy
(Adj.)
A catchy tune or phrase is easy to remember
Sizeable
Sizable
(Adj.)
Fairly large
sizeable amount/ number
sizeable proportion/ portion/ minority (of something)
Break
(N.)
A period of time when you stop working in order to rest, eat etc
A time when you leave a person or group, or end a relationship with someone
(informal) A sudden or unexpected chance to do something that allows you to become successful in your job
The place where a bone in your body has broken
Hit
(N.) Something such as a film, play, song etc that is very popular and successful a hit single/ show/ record etc a big/ smash/ number 1 etc hit be a hit with somebody =be liked by them An occasion when something that is aimed at something else touches it, reaches it, or damages it
Debut
(N.)
The first public appearance of an entertainer, sports player etc or of something new and important somebody's debut film/ acting/ directorial etc debut debut album/ CD/ single etc debut match/ performance/ etc
Contemporary
(Adj.)
Belonging to the present time
SYN modern
contemporary music/ art/ dance etc
Happening or done in the same period of time
contemporary with
Off-key
(Adj.)
Music that is off-key sounds unpleasant because it is played slightly above or below the correct pitch
>in tune
(Adv.)
Musical instrument
(N.)
Something that you use for playing music, such as a piano or guitar
SYN instrument
Abstract
(Adj.)
Based on general ideas or principles rather than specific examples or real events
SYN theoretical
abstract idea/ concept etc
Existing only as an idea or quality rather than as something real that you can see or touch
OPP concrete
Abstract paintings, designs etc consist of shapes and patterns that do not look like real people or things
Harmony
(N.)
Notes of music combined together in a pleasant way
in harmony
When people live or work together without fighting or disagreeing with each other
peace and harmony
live/ work etc in harmony
Be in harmony with something (formal):to agree with another idea, feeling etc, or look good with other things
The pleasant effect made by different things that form an attractive whole
Appealing
(Adj.)
Attractive or interesting OPP unappealing Appealing look expression voice etc:a look etc that shows that someone wants help or sympathy
Suppose
(V.) (spoken phrases)
I suppose:used to say you think something is true, although you are uncertain about it
SYN I guess
I don’t suppose (that):used to ask a question in an indirect way, especially if you think the answer will be no
Be supposed to do/be something
Used to say what someone should or should not do, especially because of rules or what someone in authority has said
Used to say what was or is expected or intended to happen, especially when it did not happen
Used to say that something is believed to be true by many people, although it might not be true or you might disagree
Tempo
(N.)
The speed at which music is played or should be played
The speed at which something happens
Scorching
(Adj.) (Adv.)
Extremely hot
Sultry
(Adj.)
Weather that is sultry is hot with air that feels wet
SYN humid
A woman who is sultry makes other people feel strong sexual attraction to her
Bulky
(Adj.)
Something that is bulky is bigger than other things of its type, and is difficult to carry or store
Someone who is bulky is big and heavy
Down jacket
(N.)
A down jacket is a jacket which has been insulated with the soft and warm under feathers from duck or geese. Down is a fantastic insulator as the loft (or fluffiness) of down creates thousands of tiny air pockets which trap warm air and retain heat, thus helping to keep the wearer very warm in cold winter weather
Soft hair like a baby’s
The soft fine feathers of a bird
One of the four chances that an American football team has to move forward when it is their turn to have the ball
The downs:low round hills covered with grass, as in the south of England
Have a down on somebody(BrE) (informal)
to dislike or have a bad opinion of someone
Longing
(N.)
A strong feeling of wanting something or someone
longing for
longing to
Bright
(Adj.)
Shining strongly, or with plenty of light
If the weather is bright, the sun is shining and there is a lot of light
OPP dull
Intelligent and able to learn things quickly
brightly adv
brightness noun
Bask
(V.)
To enjoy sitting or lying in the heat of the sun or a fire
If a place basks in the sun, it is sunny and warm
To enjoy the approval or attention that you are getting from other people
bask in
Sweltering
(Adj.)
Extremely hot and uncomfortable
Oppressive
(Adj.)
Powerful, cruel, and unfair
Weather that is oppressive is unpleasantly hot with no movement of air
A situation that is oppressive makes you unhappy, worried, or uncomfortable
oppressively adverb
Humid
(Adj.)
If the weather is humid, you feel uncomfortable because the air is very wet and usually hot
humidity
humid air/ climate etc
Scattered
(Adj.)
Spread over a wide area or over a long period of time
scattered over/ throughout/ across/ around etc
Torrential
(Adj.)
Torrential rain:very heavy rain
Let up
Phrasal verb
To become less severe or harmful
To be less severe, unkind, or violent towards someone
To stop working as hard as you were
However
(Adv.)
Used when you are adding a fact or piece of information that seems surprising, or seems very different from what you have just said
SYN nevertheless
Used to say that it does not matter how big, good, serious etc something is because it will not change a situation in any way
SYN no matter how
(especially BrE) Used to show surprise when you ask how something happens or how someone does something
Air conditioning
Air conditioner
(N.)
written abbreviation AC
A system that makes the air in a room or building cooler and drier
So far
(Adv.)
(also thus far formal)
Until now
Mess up
Phrasal verb (informal) mess something ↔ up
To spoil or ruin something, especially something important or something that has been carefully planned
To make something dirty or untidy
To make a mistake and do something badly
To make someone have emotional or mental problems
(AmE) (informal)
To hurt someone especially by hitting them
Tanned
(Adj.)
Having a darker skin colour because you have been in the sun
Pleasing
(Adj.) (formal)
Giving pleasure, enjoyment, or satisfaction
pleasing to
Breeze
(N.)
A gentle wind
breezy
Be a breeze (informal)
to be very easy
Prediction
(N.)
A statement about what you think is going to happen, or the act of making this statement
prediction of
Variety
(N.) (plural varieties)
a variety of something
a lot of things of the same type that are different from each other in some way
(Grammar
If you are using a variety of before a plural noun, it is better to use a plural verb, although a singular verb is sometimes used)
The differences within a group, set of actions etc that make it interesting
Marvel
(V.)
marvelled, marvelling (BrE), marveled, marveling (AmE)
To feel or express great surprise or admiration at something, especially someone’s behaviour
marvel at/ over
marvel that
Squeezed into
(V.)
To press something firmly together with your fingers or hand
To get liquid from something by pressing it
squeeze something out
squeeze something on/ onto something
To try to make something fit into a space that is too small, or to try to get into such a space SYN squash squeeze into squeeze through/ past squeeze somebody/ something in
Trigger
Trigger off
(V.)
To make something happen very quickly, especially a series of events
trigger a memory =make you suddenly remember something
To make something such as a bomb or electrical system start to operate
SYN set off
Passion
(N.)
A very strong feeling of sexual love>desire
passion for
Very strong belief or feeling about something
with passion
A very strong liking for something
passion for
Fly into a passion (literary)to suddenly become very angry
Driving
(Adj.)
Driving rain/ snow
rain or snow that falls very hard and fast
Driving force
someone or something that strongly influences people and makes them do something
driving behind
Driving ambition
a very great desire to do or achieve something
Flurry
(N.) (plural flurries)
A time when there is suddenly a lot of activity and people are very busy
flurry of
A small amount of snow or rain that is blown by the wind
flurry of
Plough
Plow (AmE)
(V.)
To turn over the earth using a plough so that seeds can be planted
To move with a lot of effort or force
plough through/ up/ across etc
plough a lonely/ lone furrow(BrE) (literary)
To do a job or activity that is different from those done by other people, or to do it alone
Swirl
(V.)
To move around quickly in a twisting circular movement, or to make something do this
swirl around/ round
swirl something around/ round
If stories or ideas swirl around a place, a lot of people start to talk about them – used especially in news reports
SYN circulate
swirl around
Icy
(Adj.) Rxtremely cold SYN frosty Covered in ice An icy remark, look etc shows that you feel annoyed with or unfriendly towards someone >icily iciness noun
Die down
phrasal verb
If something dies down, it becomes less strong, active, or violent
Pick up
Phrasal verb
Pick something somebody ↔ up: to lift something or someone up
Pick yourself up: to get up from the ground after you have fallen
Pick something ↔ up (AmE): to make a room or building tidy
Pick something ↔ up (informal): a)to get or win something.b)to buy something or get it from a shop etc
If the wind picks up, it increases or grows stronger
Slight
(Adj.)
Small in degree
OPP big
Not the slightest chance doubt difference etc: no chance, doubt etc at all
Someone who is slight is thin and delicate
OPP stocky
Not in the slightest (BrE) (spoken):
not at all
Blast
(N.)
A sudden strong movement of wind or air
blast of
An explosion, or the very strong movement of air that it causes
in the blast
bomb/ shotgun/ nuclear etc blast
A sudden very loud noise, especially one made by a whistle or horn
blast on
long/ short blast
Gust
(N.)
A sudden strong movement of wind, air, rain etc gust of gust of laughter a sound of loud laughter
Unseasonably
(Adv.)
unseasonably warm/ cold/ hot etc Used for saying that the weather is warmer, colder etc than usual at a particular time of year
unseasonable adjective
Lousy
(Adj.)
(especially spoken) Of very bad quality
SYN awful,
terrible
(spoken) Feel lousy
if you feel lousy, you feel ill
(spoken) Not very good at doing something
SYN hopeless,
terrible
lousy at/ with
(spoken) Small, useless, or unimportant
be lousy with something (AmE old-fashioned)
a) a place that is lousy with people of a particular kind is too full of them
b) someone who is lousy with money has a lot more of it than they need
Miserable
(Adj.)
Extremely unhappy, for example because you feel lonely, cold, or badly treated
Making you feel very unhappy, uncomfortable
Miserable weather is cold and dull, with no sun shining
Very small in amount, or very bad in quality
miserably adv
Nasty
(Adj.)
Nasty behaviour or remarks are extremely unkind and unpleasant
Someone who is nasty behaves in an unkind and unpleasant way
A nasty experience, feeling, or situation is unpleasantnasty shock surprise
Having a bad appearance, smell, taste etc
Severe or very painful
A nasty substance is dangerous
Superb
(Adj.)
Extremely good
SYN excellent
superbly adverb
Gloomy
(Adj.)
Making you feel that things will not improve
SYN depressing
OPP bright
Sad because you think the situation will not improve
SYN depressed
OPP cheerful
Dark, especially in a way that makes you feel sad
OPP bright
gloomily adverb
Dismal
(Adj.)
If a situation or a place is dismal, it is so bad that it makes you feel very unhappy and hopeless
Bad and unsuccessful
dismally adverb
Muggy
(Adj.)
(informal) muggy weather is unpleasantly warm and the air seems wet
SYN humid
Harsh
(Adj.)
Harsh conditions are difficult to live in and very uncomfortable
SYN severe
harsh winter/ weather/ climate
Severe, cruel, or unkind
harsh criticism/ treatment/ punishment etc
Unpleasantly loud and rough
OPP soft
harsh voice/ laugh/ tone etc
Unpleasantly bright
OPP soft
Couple
(N.) A couple a)two things or people of the same kind SYN a few couple of b)a small number of things couple of Two people who are married or having a sexual or romantic relationship
