D_20/07/20(SE: 41-80;5lb) Flashcards
(123 cards)
1
Q
wallow
A
- VERB
If you say that someone is wallowing in an unpleasant situation, you are criticizing them for being deliberately unhappy.
[disapproval]
His tired mind continued to wallow in self-pity. [VERB + in]
I wanted only to wallow in my own grief. [VERB in noun] - VERB
If a person or animal wallows in water or mud, they lie or roll about in it slowly for pleasure.
Never have I had such a good excuse for wallowing in deep warm baths. [VERB + in]
Dogs love splashing in mud and hippos wallow in it. [VERB in noun]
2
Q
stoic/stoical
A
COUNTABLE NOUN
If you say that someone is a stoic, you approve of them because they do not complain or show they are upset in bad situations.
[formal, approval]
3
Q
mired
A
ADJECTIVE 1. made muddy or dirty The wind was brisk, the road mired in mud. 2. involved, esp in difficulties be/become mired (down) in sth
to be involved in a difficult situation, especially for a long period of time:
The peace talks are mired in bureaucracy.
4
Q
curtail
A
VERB
If you curtail something, you reduce or limit it.
[formal]
NATO plans to curtail the number of troops being sent to the region. [VERB noun]
I told Louie that old age would curtail her activities in time. [VERB noun]
His powers will be severely curtailed. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: reduce, cut, diminish, decrease
5
Q
lobby
A
- VERB
If you lobby someone such as a member of a government or council, you try to persuade them that a particular law should be changed or that a particular thing should be done.
Carers from all over the U.K. lobbied Parliament last week to demand a better financial deal. [VERB noun]
Gun control advocates are lobbying hard for new laws. [VERB + for]
The union has attacked the plan and threatened to lobby against it. [Vfor/against n]
It must be terribly frustrating to lobby and get absolutely nowhere. [VERB]
[Also V + against]
6
Q
instigate
A
VERB
Someone who instigates an event causes it to happen.
Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery. [VERB noun]
The violence over the last forty-eight hours was instigated by ex-members of the secret police. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: provoke, start, encourage, move
7
Q
obviate
A
VERB
To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary.
[formal]
Our old-fashioned push-mower, for instance, obviates the needs for extension leads. [VERB noun]
This deferral would obviate pressure on the rouble exchange rate. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: avert, avoid, remove, prevent
8
Q
lethal
A
- ADJECTIVE
A substance that is lethal can kill people or animals.
…a lethal dose of sleeping pills.
…chemicals lethal to fish and aquatic mammals.
Synonyms: deadly, terminal, fatal, deathly
9
Q
pantheon
A
COUNTABLE NOUN
You can refer to a group of gods or a group of important people as a pantheon.
[written]
…the birthplace of Krishna, another god of the Hindu pantheon. [+ of]
…the Communist Party’s pantheon of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin.
10
Q
plethora
A
SINGULAR NOUN
A plethora of something is a large amount of it, especially an amount of it that is greater than you need, want, or can cope with.
[formal]
A plethora of new operators will be allowed to enter the market. [+ of]
Synonyms: excess, surplus, glut, profusion
11
Q
bon mot
A
COUNTABLE NOUN A bon mot is a clever, witty remark. [written] ...a cheeky bon mot. Synonyms: joke, sally, gag [informal], quip
12
Q
lookout
A
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A lookout is a place from which you can see clearly in all directions.
Troops tried to set up a lookout post inside a refugee camp.
Synonyms: watchtower, post, tower, beacon - COUNTABLE NOUN
A lookout is someone who is watching for danger in order to warn other people about it.
13
Q
shady
A
- ADJECTIVE
You can describe a place as shady when you like the fact that it is sheltered from bright sunlight, for example by trees or buildings.
After flowering, place the pot in a shady spot in the garden.
The rooms are admirably cool and shady after the hot brown monotony of the countryside.
Synonyms: shaded, cool, shadowy, dim - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You can describe activities as shady when you think that they might be dishonest or illegal. You can also use shady to describe people who are involved in such activities.
[disapproval]
The company was notorious for shady deals.
Joseph watched a shady-looking bunch playing cards aboard a Mississippi steamer.
14
Q
con
A
- VERB
If someone cons you, they persuade you to do something or believe something by telling you things that are not true.
[informal]
He claimed that the business director had conned him of £10,000. [V n + of/out of]
White conned his way into a job as a warehouseman. [VERB noun + into]
The British motorist has been conned by the government. [be VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: swindle, trick, cheat, rip off [slang]
15
Q
alluring
A
ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is alluring is very attractive.
Why are the contents of the next person’s shopping trolley always more alluring than one’s own?
…the most alluring city in South-East Asia.
Synonyms: attractive, fascinating, enchanting, seductive
16
Q
contraband
A
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun]
Contraband refers to goods that are taken into or out of a country illegally.
The ship was found not to be carrying any contraband.
Most of the city markets were flooded with contraband goods.
Synonyms: smuggling, trafficking, black-marketing, moonshine
17
Q
impasse
A
SINGULAR NOUN
If people are in a difficult position in which it is impossible to make any progress, you can refer to the situation as an impasse.
The company says it has reached an impasse in negotiations with the union.
Synonyms: deadlock, stalemate, standstill, dead end
18
Q
stalemate
A
- VARIABLE NOUN
Stalemate is a situation in which neither side in an argument or contest can win or in which no progress is possible.
The President has ended the stalemate over cutting the country’s budget deficit.
He said the war had reached a stalemate and that a political accord was the only solution.
Synonyms: deadlock, draw, tie, impasse - VARIABLE NOUN
In chess, stalemate is a position in which a player cannot make any move which is allowed by the rules, so that the game ends and no one wins.
19
Q
timeout
A
- any time taken for rest or not counted toward a work record, score, etc.
20
Q
venerability
A
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A venerable person deserves respect because they are old and wise.
Her Chinese friends referred to the Empress as their venerable ancestor.
…a venerable old man with white hair.
Synonyms: respected, august, sage, revered
21
Q
forte
A
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
You can say that a particular activity is your forte if you are very good at it.
Originality was never his forte.
Synonyms: speciality, strength, talent, strong point
22
Q
strong suit
A
something that one excels in
23
Q
breadth
A
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
The breadth of something is the distance between its two sides.
The breadth of the whole camp was 400 paces. [+ of]
Synonyms: width, spread, beam, span - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
The breadth of something is its quality of consisting of or involving many different things.
Older people have a tremendous breadth of experience. [+ of]
His breadth of knowledge filled me with admiration. [+ of]
24
Q
draconian
A
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Draconian laws or measures are extremely harsh and severe.
[formal]
…draconian measures to lower U.S. healthcare costs.
…draconian censorship laws.
25
cloak
1. COUNTABLE NOUN
A cloak is a long, loose, sleeveless piece of clothing which people used to wear over their other clothes when they went out.
4. VERB
To cloak something means to cover it or hide it.
[written]
...the decision to cloak major tourist attractions in unsightly hoardings. [VERB noun + in]
A fire could have been deliberately started to cloak small coordinated troop movements. [VERB noun]
The beautiful sweeping coastline was cloaked in mist. [V-ed + in]
Synonyms: cover, coat, wrap, blanket
26
painstaking
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A painstaking search, examination, or investigation is done extremely carefully and thoroughly.
Forensic experts carried out a painstaking search of the debris.
Synonyms: thorough, careful, meticulous, earnest
27
yippie
a young politically active hippie
28
antics
| noun [ plural ]
funny, silly, or strange behaviour:
But the rock star, whose stage antics used to include smashing guitars, is older and wiser now.
The crowds were once again entertained by the number-one tennis player's antics on and off the court.
29
flout
VERB
If you flout something such as a law, an order, or an accepted way of behaving, you deliberately do not obey it or follow it.
...illegal campers who persist in flouting the law. [VERB noun]
Building regulations have been habitually flouted. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: defy, scorn, spurn, scoff at
30
riot
1. COUNTABLE NOUN
When there is a riot, a crowd of people behave violently in a public place, for example they fight, throw stones, or damage buildings and vehicles.
Twelve inmates have been killed during a riot at the prison.
Synonyms: disturbance, row, disorder, confusion
31
anarchism
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Anarchism is the belief that the laws and power of governments should be replaced by people working together freely.
He advocated anarchism as the answer to social problems.
32
Confucian
| adjective
based on or believing in the ideas of the Chinese philosopher Confucius:
In Confucian tradition, 60th birthdays are particularly significant.
Confucian scholars
33
acculturation
NOUN Sociology
1. the process of conditioning a child to the patterns or customs of a culture
2. the process of becoming adapted to a new or different culture with more or less advanced patterns
3. the mutual influence of different cultures in close contact
34
investiture
COUNTABLE NOUN
An investiture is a ceremony in which someone is given an official title.
...Edward VIII's investiture as Prince of Wales in 1911.
Synonyms: installation, ordination, inauguration, investment
35
caricature
1. COUNTABLE NOUN
A caricature of someone is a drawing or description of them that exaggerates their appearance or behaviour in a humorous or critical way.
The poster showed a caricature of him with a devil's horns and tail. [+ of]
Synonyms: parody, cartoon, distortion, satire
36
squalid
1. ADJECTIVE
A squalid place is dirty, untidy, and in bad condition.
He followed her up a rickety staircase to a squalid bedsit.
The migrants have been living in squalid conditions.
Synonyms: dirty, filthy, seedy, sleazy
37
defendant
COUNTABLE NOUN
A defendant is a person who has been accused of breaking the law and is being tried in court.
Synonyms: accused, respondent, appellant, litigant
38
juror
COUNTABLE NOUN
| A juror is a member of a jury.
39
culpable
ADJECTIVE
If someone or their conduct is culpable, they are responsible for something wrong or bad that has happened.
[formal]
Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.
...manslaughter resulting from culpable negligence.
Synonyms: blameworthy, wrong, guilty, to blame
40
accomplished
ADJECTIVE
If someone is accomplished at something, they are very good at it.
[formal]
She is an accomplished painter.
...one of the most accomplished composers of our time.
Synonyms: skilled, able, professional, expert
41
peril
```
1. VARIABLE NOUN
Perils are great dangers.
[formal]
...the perils of the sea. [+ of]
In spite of great peril, I have survived.
We are in the gravest peril.
```
42
concerted
1. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
A concerted action is done by several people or groups working together.
Martin Parry, author of the report, says it's time for concerted action by world leaders.
Synonyms: coordinated, united, joint, combined
2. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you make a concerted effort to do something, you try very hard to do it.
He made a concerted effort to win me away from my steady, sweet but boring boyfriend.
43
stipulate
| verb [ T ] formal
to say exactly how something must be or must be done:
She agreed to buy the car, but stipulated racing tyres and a turbo-powered engine.
[ + that ] The law stipulates that new cars must have seat belts for the driver and every passenger.
[ + question word ] We have signed a contract which stipulates when the project must be completed.
44
chagrin
| noun [ U ] formal
disappointment or anger, especially when caused by a failure or mistake:
My children have never shown an interest in music, much to my chagrin.
45
bipartisan
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Bipartisan means concerning or involving two different political parties or groups.
...a bipartisan approach to educational reform.
46
divisive
ADJECTIVE
Something that is divisive causes unfriendliness and argument between people.
Abortion has always been a divisive issue.
A referendum would be divisive.
Synonyms: disruptive, unsettling, alienating, troublesome
47
dialectical
| adjective SOCIAL SCIENCES specialized
discovering what is true by considering opposite theories:
dialectical materialism/logic
the dialectal method of questioning established thought
48
unintelligible
ADJECTIVE
Unintelligible language is impossible to understand, for example because it is not written or pronounced clearly, or because its meaning is confused or complicated.
He muttered something unintelligible.
I did my best to join in, but the conversation was largely unintelligible.
...the unintelligible phrases and images of his earlier poems.
Synonyms: incomprehensible, incoherent, inarticulate, meaningless
49
cursive
| adjective
Cursive writing is written with rounded letters that are joined together.
50
callous
ADJECTIVE
A callous person or action is very cruel and shows no concern for other people or their feelings.
...his callous disregard for human life.
Synonyms: heartless, cold, harsh, hardened
51
penitential
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Penitential means expressing deep sorrow and regret at having done something wrong.
[formal]
...penitential psalms.
52
messianic
1. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Messianic means relating to the belief that a divine being has been born, or will be born, who will change the world.
The cult leader saw himself as a Messianic figure.
2. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Messianic means relating to the belief that there will be a complete change in the social order in a country or in the world.
The defeated radicals of the French Revolution were the first to have this messianic vision in 1794.
53
ally
1. COUNTABLE NOUN
A country's ally is another country that has an agreement to support it, especially in war.
Washington would not take such a step without its allies' approval.
It was assumed that Germany would not want to bring such a powerful ally of Britain into the war
54
premeditate
| VERB
(especially of a crime or something unpleasant) done after being thought about or carefully planned:
premeditated murder
a premeditated attack
The assault was premeditated and particularly brutal.
55
enrapture
VERB
If something or someone enraptures you, you think they are wonderful or fascinating.
[literary]
The place at once enraptured me. [VERB noun]
The 20,000-strong audience listened, enraptured. [VERB-ed]
...an enraptured audience. [VERB-ed]
56
swamp
1. VARIABLE NOUN
A swamp is an area of very wet land with wild plants growing in it.
Synonyms: bog, marsh, quagmire,
57
blandishments
PLURAL NOUN [oft with poss]
Blandishments are pleasant things that someone says to another person in order to persuade them to do something.
[formal]
At first Lewis resisted their blandishments.
58
enthuse
1. VERB
If you enthuse about something, you talk about it in a way that shows how excited you are about it.
She enthuses about the taste, fragrance and character of Provencal cuisine. [V + about/over]
'I've found the most wonderful house to buy!' she enthused. [VERB with quote]
59
slam
1. VERB
If you slam a door or window or if it slams, it shuts noisily and with great force.
She slammed the door and locked it behind her. [VERB noun]
I was relieved to hear the front door slam. [VERB]
He slammed the gate shut behind him. [VERB noun adjective]
Synonyms: bang, crash, smash, thump
3. VERB
To slam someone or something means to criticize them very severely.
[journalism]
The famed film-maker slammed the claims as 'an outrageous lie'. [VERB noun]
Britain has been slammed by the United Nations for having one of the worst race relations records in the world. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: criticize, attack, blast, pan
60
denounce
1. VERB
If you denounce a person or an action, you criticize them severely and publicly because you feel strongly that they are wrong or evil.
The letter called for civil rights, but did not openly denounce the regime. [VERB noun]
German leaders denounced the attacks and pleaded for tolerance. [VERB noun]
Some 25,000 demonstrators denounced him as a traitor. [VERB noun + as]
61
stem from sth
| — phrasal verb with stem verb [ T ]
to start or develop as the result of something:
Her problems stem from her difficult childhood.
Their disagreement stemmed from a misunderstanding.
62
epitomize
to be a perfect example of a quality or type of thing:
| With little equipment and unsuitable footwear, she epitomizes the inexperienced and unprepared mountain walker.
63
typify
VERB
If something or someone typifies a situation or type of thing or person, they have all the usual characteristics of it and are a typical example of it.
These two buildings typify the rich extremes of Irish architecture. [VERB noun]
... the Hollywood "misfit" typified by James Dean. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: represent, illustrate, sum up, characterize
64
-monger
a person who encourages a particular activity, especially one that causes trouble:
They're nothing but a bunch of war-mongers.
seller. For example : cheese-monger
65
apocalyptic
1. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Apocalyptic means relating to the total destruction of something, especially of the world.
...the reformer's apocalyptic warnings that the nation was running out of natural resources.
66
saccharine
| adjective disapproving
too sweet or too polite:
I don't trust her, with her saccharine smiles.
saccharine love songs
67
adversarial
| adjective formal
involving people opposing or disagreeing with each other:
| In the old days of two-party adversarial politics, voting was easy.
68
abate
VERB
If something bad or undesirable abates, it becomes much less strong or severe.
[formal]
The storms had abated by the time they rounded Cape Horn. [VERB]
...a crime wave that shows no sign of abating. [VERB]
69
slouch
| verb [ I ]
to stand, sit, or walk with the shoulders hanging forward and the head bent slightly over so that you look tired and bored:
Straighten your back - try not to slouch.
A couple of boys were slouched over the table reading magazines.
A group of teenagers were slouching around outside the building.
70
murderous
| adjective
extremely dangerous and likely to commit murder:
He was a murderous gangster.
She gave me a look of murderous hatred.
71
lax
| adjective
without much care, attention, or control:
| The subcommittee contends that the authorities were lax in investigating most of the cases.
72
barbarous
| adjective formal
extremely cruel or unpleasant, or failing to reach acceptable social standards:
His murder was an outrageous and barbarous act.
How can they forgive such barbarous behaviour?
73
dissonance
| noun [ U ]
a combination of sounds or musical notes that are not pleasant when heard together:
the jarring dissonance of Klein's musical score
74
euphony
| noun [ U ] LANGUAGE, LITERATURE specialized
the quality of having a pleasant sound:
| The poet has chosen her words more for euphony than factual accuracy.
75
stridency
| noun [ U ]
the fact of being expressed, or of expressing things, in forceful language that does not try to avoid upsetting other people:
The stridency of his remarks show how rattled he is.
As the situation becomes more desperate, there is a growing stridency in the appeals for aid.
76
bask
1. VERB
If you bask in the sunshine, you lie somewhere sunny and enjoy the heat.
All through the hot, still days of their holiday Amy basked in the sun. [VERB + in]
Crocodiles bask on the small sandy beaches. [VERB]
Synonyms: lie, relax, lounge, sprawl
77
lurk
1. VERB
If someone lurks somewhere, they wait there secretly so that they cannot be seen, usually because they intend to do something bad.
He thought he saw someone lurking above the chamber during the address. [VERB]
Synonyms: hide, sneak, crouch, prowl
78
dally
1. VERB
If you dally, you act or move very slowly, wasting time.
[old-fashioned]
The bureaucrats dallied too long. [VERB]
He did not dally over the choice of a partner. [VERB + over]
[Also V + with]
Synonyms: waste time, delay, fool (about or around), linger
79
tarry
1. VERB
If you tarry somewhere, you stay there longer than you meant to and delay leaving.
[old-fashioned]
Two old boys tarried on the street corner, discussing cattle. [VERB]
Synonyms: linger, remain, loiter, wait
80
skulk
VERB
If you skulk somewhere, you hide or move around quietly because you do not want to be seen.
You, meanwhile, will be skulking in the safety of the car. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Harry skulked off. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: lurk, hide, lie in wait, loiter
81
simile
| noun [ C or U ]
(the use of) an expression comparing one thing with another, always including the words "as" or "like":
The lines "She walks in beauty, like the night..." from Byron's poem contain a simile.
A simile is an expression which describes a person or thing as being similar to someone or something else. For example, the sentences 'She runs like a deer' and 'He's as white as a sheet' contain similes.
82
legion
| noun [ C ]
a large group of soldiers who form a part of an army, especially the ancient Roman army:
Caesar's legions marched through France and crossed into Britain.
83
appellation
| noun [ C ] formal
a name or title:
| As a child, he received the appellation "Mouse".
84
sobriquet
| noun [ C ] formal (also soubriquet)
a name given to someone or something that is not their or its real or official name:
These charms have earned the television show's host the sobriquet "the thinking woman's heartthrob".
85
misnomer
noun [ C ]
scruffy
a name that does not suit what it refers to, or the use of such a name:
It was the scruffiest place I've ever stayed in, so "Grand Hotel" was a complete misnomer.
It's something of a misnomer to refer to these inexperienced boys as soldiers.
ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is scruffy is dirty and untidy.
...a young man, pale, scruffy and unshaven.
...a scruffy basement flat in London.
Synonyms: shabby, untidy, ragged, rundown
86
kudos
| noun [ U ]
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Kudos is admiration or recognition that someone or something gets as a result of a particular action or achievement.
...a new hotel chain that has won kudos for the way it treats guests. [+ for]
Synonyms: prestige, regard, honour, praise
87
evince
| verb [ T ] formal
to make something obvious or show something clearly:
They have never evinced any readiness or ability to negotiate.
In all the years I knew her, she never evinced any desire to do such a thing.
88
arid
| adjective
C2 ENVIRONMENT specialized
very dry and without enough rain for plants:
The desert is so arid that nothing can grow there.
formal
not interesting and showing no imagination:
I found his writing extremely arid.
formal
unsuccessful:
After several arid years, the company has started to become successful.
89
desolate
adjective
Dissolute
Dissolution
A desolate place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it:
The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
(of a person) extremely sad and feeling alone:
When her son left for a year abroad, she felt desolate.
ADJECTIVE
Someone who is dissolute does not care at all about morals and lives in a way that is considered to be wicked and immoral.
[disapproval]
Synonyms: corrupt, wild, abandoned, loose [old-fashioned]
1. VARIABLE NOUN [oft a NOUN]
Dissolution is the act of breaking up officially an organization or institution, or of formally ending a parliament.
[formal]
He stayed on until the dissolution of the firm in 1948.
Politicians say it could lead to a dissolution of parliament.
Synonyms: ending, end, finish, conclusion More Synonyms of dissolution
2. VARIABLE NOUN [oft a NOUN]
Dissolution is the act of officially ending a formal agreement, for example a marriage or a business arrangement.
[formal]
...the statutory requirement for granting dissolution of a marriage. [+ of]
Synonyms: breaking up, parting, divorce, separation More Synonyms of dissolution
3. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [also a N, oft NOUN of noun]
Dissolution is a process in which something becomes weaker and then disappears.
[formal]
...the dissolution of traditional family life.
Synonyms: disintegration, fall, decline, degradation
90
lush
3. GRADED ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person or thing as lush, you mean that they are very attractive or appealing.
[informal]
Supermodel Kate Moss explains how she looks lush for every party.
1. ADJECTIVE
Lush fields or gardens have a lot of very healthy grass or plants.
...the lush green meadows bordering the river.
The beautifully landscaped gardens sprawl with lush vegetation.
Synonyms: abundant, green, flourishing, lavish
91
teeming
| adjective
If a place is teeming, it is full of people:
| the teeming metropolis
92
extemporaneous
| adjective formal
done or said without any preparation or thought:
| an extemporaneous speech
93
lubricious
| adjective formal
having or showing too great an interest in sex, especially in an unpleasant way
94
impromptu
| adjective
done or said without earlier planning or preparation:
| an impromptu party/performance
95
vexing
| adjective
annoying, worrying, or causing problems :
| The shortage of qualified teachers remains a vexing problem.
96
memorandum
| noun [ C ] specialized
BUSINESS
a short written report prepared specially for a person or group of people that contains information about a particular matter:
Michael Davis has prepared a memorandum outlining our need for an additional warehouse.
LAW
an informal legal agreement:
The three countries have signed a memorandum pledging to work together.
97
jeopardize
VERB
To jeopardize a situation or activity means to do something that may destroy it or cause it to fail.
He has jeopardised the future of his government. [VERB noun]
The talks may still be jeopardized by disputes. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: endanger, threaten, put at risk, put in jeopardy
98
depose
VERB [usually passive]
If a ruler or political leader is deposed, they are forced to give up their position.
Mr Ben Bella was deposed in a coup in 1965. [be VERB-ed]
...the deposed dictator. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: oust, dismiss, displace, degrade
99
forgo
| verb [ T ] formal (also forego)
to not have or do something enjoyable:
| I shall have to forgo the pleasure of seeing you this week.
100
breach
an act of breaking a law, promise, agreement, or relationship:
They felt that our discussions with other companies constituted a breach of/in our agreement.
He was sued for breach of contract.
There have been serious security breaches (= breaks in our security system).
101
heed
1. VERB
If you heed someone's advice or warning, you pay attention to it and do what they suggest.
[formal]
But few at the conference in London last week heeded his warning. [VERB noun]
Chris would have been well advised to heed the old saying 'Never bite the hand that feeds you.' [VERB noun]
Synonyms: pay attention to, listen to, take notice of, follow
102
contravene
verb [ T ] formal
intervene
to do something that a law or rule does not allow, or to break a law or rule:
The company knew its actions contravened international law.
take part in something so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events.
"he acted outside his authority when he intervened in the dispute"
Similar:
intercede
extend or occur between events.
"seizures typically recur at regular intervals, with weeks or months intervening between seizures"
103
tenet
| noun [ C ] formal
one of the principles on which a belief or theory is based:
| It is a tenet of contemporary psychology that an individual's mental health is supported by having good social networks.
104
restitution
| noun [ U ]
formal
the return of objects that were stolen or lost:
They are demanding the restitution of ancient treasures that were removed from the country in the 16th century.
105
smitten
| adjective [ after verb ]
having suddenly started to like or love something or someone very much:
The story's about a man smitten with love for his wife's cousin.
He was so smitten by her that he promised to move to Argentina to be near her.
106
perplexing
| adjective
confusing, often because you do not know how to solve something:
They find the company's attitude perplexing and unreasonable.
The rise in childhood mental illness is perplexing.
107
wane
| verb [ I ]
to become weaker in strength or influence:
| By the late 70s the band's popularity was beginning to wane.
108
fleeting
| adjective
short or quick:
a fleeting glimpse
This is just a fleeting visit.
109
vestigial
| adjective
[ before noun ]
being a small remaining part or amount
MEDICAL specialized
used to describe something, especially a part of the body, that has not developed completely, or has stopped being used and has almost disappeared:
a vestigial organ/limb/tail
110
contemplate
| verb [ I or T ]
to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way:
[ + -ing verb ] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.
They were contemplating a move to California.
It's too awful/horrific/dangerous to contemplate.
111
persuasion
| noun
the action of persuading someone or of being persuaded:
It took a lot of persuasion to convince the committee of the advantages of the new plan.
She will help you - she just needs a little gentle persuasion.
The occasion will be a test of the senator's powers of persuasion (= his ability to persuade people).
112
tacit
| adjective
understood without being expressed directly:
| tacit agreement/approval/support
113
implicit
1. ADJECTIVE
Something that is implicit is expressed in an indirect way.
This is seen as an implicit warning not to continue with military action.
The specific reference to the latter phenomenon was only implicit in the text.
Synonyms: implied, understood, suggested, hinted at
3. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you say that someone has an implicit belief or faith in something, you mean that they have complete faith in it and no doubts at all.
He had implicit faith in the noble intentions of the Emperor.
Synonyms: absolute, full, complete, total
114
pathologize
VERB (transitive)
to view something as medically or psychologically unhealthy
this pathologizing of parenthood
115
magnify
`2. VERB
To magnify something means to increase its effect, size, loudness, or intensity.
Poverty and human folly magnify natural disasters. [VERB noun]
Their noises were magnified in the still, wet air. [VERB noun]
...using bank loans to magnify his buying power. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: make worse, exaggerate, intensify, worsen
116
bogged down
to be/become so involved in something difficult or complicated that you cannot do anything else:
Let's not get bogged down with individual complaints
UK Try not to get too bogged down in the details.
117
conspicuous
. ADJECTIVE
If someone or something is conspicuous, people can see or notice them very easily.
He spent his money in a conspicuous way on fast cars and luxury holidays.
You may feel tearful in situations where you feel conspicuous.
conspicuously ADVERB [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
118
vindictive
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is vindictive, you are critical of them because they deliberately try to upset or cause trouble for someone who they think has done them harm.
[disapproval]
How can you be so vindictive?
...a vindictive woman desperate for revenge against the man who loved and left her.
Synonyms: vengeful, malicious, spiteful, relentless
119
outlaw
1. VERB
When something is outlawed, it is made illegal.
In 1975 gambling was outlawed. [be VERB-ed]
The German government has outlawed some fascist groups. [VERB noun]
...the outlawed political parties. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: ban, bar, veto, forbid More Synonyms of outlaw
2. COUNTABLE NOUN
An outlaw is a criminal who is hiding from the authorities.
[old-fashioned]
Jesse was an outlaw, a bandit, a criminal.
Synonyms: bandit, criminal, thief, crook [informal]
120
Inhospitable
1. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An inhospitable place is unpleasant to live in.
...the Earth's most inhospitable regions.
...the island's inhospitable climate.
Synonyms: bleak, empty, bare, hostile More Synonyms of inhospitable
2. ADJECTIVE
If someone is inhospitable, they do not make people welcome when they visit.
121
perpetrates
VERB
If someone perpetrates a crime or any other immoral or harmful act, they do it.
[formal]
A high proportion of crime in any country is perpetrated by young males. [VERB noun]
Tremendous wrongs were being perpetrated on the poorest and least privileged human beings. [be V-ed on/against n]
You begin to ask yourself what kind of person perpetrated this crime. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: commit, do, perform, carry out More Synonyms of perpetrate
perpetration (pɜːʳpɪtreɪʃən) SINGULAR NOUN
...a very small minority who persist in the perpetration of these crimes. [+ of]
perpetrator
Word forms: plural perpetrators
122
Unaffected
2. ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as unaffected, you mean that they are natural and genuine in their behaviour, and do not act as though they are more important than other people.
[approval]
...this unaffected, charming couple.
Synonyms: natural, genuine, unpretentious, simple
1. ADJECTIVE [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If someone or something is unaffected by an event or occurrence, they are not changed by it in any way.
She seemed totally unaffected by what she'd drunk. [+ by]
The strike shut down 50 airports, but most international flights were unaffected.
Synonyms: impervious to, unchanged, untouched, unimpressed
123
Flummox
VERB [usually passive]
If someone is flummoxed by something, they are confused by it and do not know what to do or say.
The two leaders were flummoxed by the suggestion. [be VERB-ed]
Synonyms: baffle, confuse, stump, perplex
