E Flashcards
(240 cards)
0
Q
earnest
A
(adj) showing serious feeling or intentions. Earnestly (adv), earnestness (n). In earnest: seriously, not jokingly; with determination, intensively.
1
Q
earmark
A
(n) a distinguishing mark. (v)1. To put a distinguishing mark on. 2. To set aside for a particular purpose.
2
Q
earshot
A
(n) range of hearing.
3
Q
eat one’s heart out
A
to suffer greatly with vexation or longing.
4
Q
eat one’s words
A
to be obliged to withdraw what one has said.
5
Q
eaves
A
(pl n) the overhanging edge of a roof.
6
Q
eavesdrop
A
(v)(eavesdropped, eavesdropping) to listen secretly to a private conversation. Eavesdropper (n).
7
Q
ebullient
A
(adj) exuberant, bubbling over with high spirits. Ebullience (n).
8
Q
eccentric
A
(adj)1. Unconventional in appearance or behaviour. 2. (of circles) not concentric, (of orbits) not circular, (of a pivot or shaft) not placed centrally. Eccentric (n): 1. An eccentric person. Eccentrically (adv), eccentricity (n).
9
Q
echelon
A
(n)1. A formation of troops or aircraft etc. like a series of steps, with each unit to the right (or left) of the one in front of it. 2. A level of rank or authority, (the upper echelons of the Civil Service).
10
Q
eclectic
A
(adj) choosing or accepting from various sources.
11
Q
economise
A
(v) to be economical, to use or spend less than before, (economise on fuel).
12
Q
ecstasy
A
(n) a feeling of intense delight. Ecstatic (adj), ecstatically (adv).
13
Q
be on edge
A
to be tense and irritable
14
Q
have the edge on
A
(informal) to have an advantage over.
15
Q
take the edge off
A
to dull or soften; (take the edge off one’s appetite), to make one’s hunger less acute.
16
Q
edgy
A
(adj) with nerves on edge, irritable.
17
Q
edict
A
(n) an order proclaimed by an authority.
18
Q
edifice
A
(n) a large building.
19
Q
edify
A
(v)(edifice, edifying) to be an uplifting influence on the mind of (a person). Edification (n).
20
Q
editorial
A
(adj) of an editor, (editorial work). (n) a newspaper article giving the editor’s comments on current affairs.
21
Q
efface
A
(v) to rub out, to obliterate. Effacement (n). Efface oneself: to make oneself inconspicuous.
22
Q
in effect
A
in fact, really, (it is, in effect, a refusal).
23
Q
take effect
A
to produce its effect(s); to become operative.
24
to that effect
with that implication, (words to that effect).
25
with effect from
coming into operation at (a stated time).
26
effeminate
(adj) unmanly, having qualities associated with women.
27
effervesce
(v) to give off small bubbles of gas. Effervescent (adj), effervescence (n).
28
efficacious
(adj) producing the desired result. Efficacy (n).
29
effigy
(n) a sculpture or model of a person.
30
effluent
(adj) flowing out. (n) something that flows out, especially sewage.
31
effrontery
(n) shameless insolence.
32
effusive
(adj) expressing emotions in an unrestrained way. Effusively (adv), effusiveness (n).
33
egocentric
(adj) self-centred.
34
egregious
(adj) outstandingly bad, (egregious folly).
35
elapse
(v) (of time) to pass away.
36
elated
(adj) feeling very pleased or proud. Elation (n).
37
election
(n)1. Choosing or being chosen, especially by vote. 2. The process of electing representatives, especially Members of Parliament.
38
electorate
(n) the whole body of electors.
39
electrify
(v)(electrified, electrifying)1. To charge with electricity. 2. To convert (a railway, farm, etc.) to the use of electric power. 3. To startle or excite suddenly. Electrification (n).
40
elegy
(n) a sorrowful or serious poem.
41
elephantine
(adj) 1. Of or like elephants. 2. Very large or clumsy.
42
elicit
(v) to draw out (information, a response, etc.)
43
elixir
(n)1. A fragrant liquid used as a medicine or flavouring. 2. A remedy believed to cure all ills.
44
elongate
(v) to lengthen, to prolong. Elongation (n).
45
eloquence
(n) fluent and powerful speaking. Eloquent (adj): speaking fluently and powerfully. Eloquently (adv).
46
elucidate
(v) to throw light on (a problem), to make clear. Elucidation (n).
47
elusive
(adj)1. Eluding, escaping. 2. Eluding a person's understanding or memory. Elusiveness (n).
48
emaciated
(adj) having become very thin from illness or starvation. Emaciation (n).
49
emanate
(v) to issue or originate from a source. Emanation (n).
50
emancipate
(v) to set free from slavery or some form of restraint. Emancipation (n), emancipator (n).
51
embalm
(v) to preserve (a corpse) from decay by using spices or chemicals.
52
embargo
(n)(pl embargoes) an order forbidding commerce or other activity.
53
embassy
(n)1. An ambassador and his staff. 2. His official headquarters. 3. A deputation (a body of people appointed to go on a mission on behalf of others) sent to a foreign government.
54
embellish
(v)1. To ornament. 2. To improve (a story etc.) by adding details that are entertaining but invented. Embellishment (n).
55
embers
(pl n) small pieces of live coal or wood in a dying fire.
56
embezzle
(v) to take fraudulently for one's own use money or property placed in one's care. Embezzlement (n), embezzler (n).
57
emblazon
(v) to ornament with heraldic or over devices.
58
emblematic
(adj) serving as an emblem, symbolic.
59
embody
(v)(embodied, embodying)1. To express principle or ideas in a visible form, (the house embodied her idea of a home). 2. To incorporate, to include, (parts of the old treaty are embodied in the new one). Embodiment (n).
60
embolden
(v) to make bold, to encourage.
61
embroil
(v) to involve in an argument or quarrel etc.
62
eminence
(n)1. The state of being famous or distinguished, (a surgeon of great eminence). 2. A piece of rising ground. 3. A cardinal's title, His Eminence. Eminent (adj), eminently (adv).
63
emir
(n) the title of various Muslim rulers. Emirate (n): the territory of an emir.
64
emissary
(n) a peon sent to conduct negotiations.
65
emollient
(adj) softening or soothing the skin. (n) an emollient substance.
66
emolument
(n) a fee received, a salary.
67
emotive
(adj) rousing emotion.
68
empathy
(n) the ability to identify oneself mentally with a person or thing and so understand his feelings or its meaning.
69
emphatic
(adj) using or showing emphasis, expressing oneself with emphasis. Emphatically (adv).
70
emporium
(n) (pl emporia) 1. A centre of commerce. 2. A large shop.
71
emulate
(v) to try to do as well as or better than. Emulation (n), emulator (n).
72
enactment
(n) a law enacted.
73
enamoured
(adj) fond, (he was enamoured of the sound of his own voice).
74
en bloc
In a block, all at the same time.
75
encamp
(n) to settle in a camp. Encampment (n).
76
encircle
(v) to surround. Encirclement (n).
77
enclave
(n) a small territory wholly within the boundaries of another.
78
encompass
(v) to surround, to encircle.
79
encroach
(v)1. To intrude upon someone's territory or rights or time. 2. To advance beyond the original or proper limits, (the sea encroached gradually upon the land). Encroachment (n).
80
encrust
(v)1. To cover with a crust of hard material. 2. To ornament with a layer of jewels etc. Encrustation (n)
81
encumber
(v) to be a burden to, to hamper.
82
endear
(v) to cause to be loved, (endeared herself to us all). Endearing (adj): inspiring affection.
83
endeavour
(v)1. To attempt, to try. (n)1. An attempt. 2. Striving to achieve something.
84
endemic
(adj) commonly found in a particular country or district or group of people, (the disease is endemic in Africa).
85
endorse
(v)1. To sign or add a comment on (a document), to sign the back of (a cheque) in order to obtain the money indicated. 2. To make an official entry on (a licence) about an offence by the holder. 3. To confirm (a statement), to declare one's approval of. Endorsement (n).
86
endowment
(n) 1. Endowing (providing with a permanent income; providing with a power or ability or quality). 2. An endowed income. 3. A natural ability.
87
endurance
(n) ability to withstand pain or hardship or prolonged use or strain.
88
enervate
(v) to cause to lose vitality, (an enervating climate).
89
enforce
(v) to compel obedience to, to impose by force or compulsion, (the law was firmly enforced). Enforcement (n).
90
engender
(v) to give rise to
91
enigma
(n) something very difficult to understand.
92
enlighten
(v) to give knowledge to, to inform. Enlightenment (n). Enlightened (adj): freed from ignorance or prejudice, (in these enlightened days).
93
enlist
(v)1. To take into or join the armed forces, (enlist as a soldier). 2. To secure as a means of help or support, (enlisted their sympathy). Enlistment (n).
94
enliven
(v) to make more lively. Enlivenment (n).
95
en masse
all together.
96
enmity
(n) hostility between enemies.
97
enormity
(n)1. Great wickedness, (the enormity of this crime). 2. A serious crime, (these enormities). 3. Enormous size, hugeness, (the enormity of their task). (not really acceptable)
98
enrage
(v) to make furious.
99
enrich
(v)1. To make richer. 2. To improve the quality of by adding things, (this food is enriched with vitamins). Enrichment (n).
100
en route
on the way, (met him en route from Rome to London).
101
ensconce
(v) to establish securely or comfortably.
102
enshroud
(v) to cover completely.
103
enslave
(v) to make a slave of. Enslavement (n).
104
ensue
(v) to happen afterwards or as a result, (a quarrel ensued).
105
entail
(v)1. To make necessary, to involve, (these plans entail great expense). 2. To leave (land) to a line of heirs so that none of en can give it away or sell it. (n) the entailing of landed property, the property itself.
106
enterprise
(n)1. An undertaking, especially a bold or difficult one. 2. Initiative. 3. Business activity, (private enterprise). Enterprising (adj): full of initiative.
107
enthral
(v)(enthralled, enthralling) to hold spellbound.
108
enthuse
(v)1. To show enthusiasm. 2. To fill with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm (n), enthusiast (n), enthusiastic (adj), enthusiastically (adv).
109
entity
(n) something that exists as a separate thing.
110
entomb
(v) to place in a tomb, to bury.
111
entomology
(n) the scientific study of insects. Entomological (adj), entomologist (n).
112
entourage
(n) the people accompanying an important person.
113
entrails
(pl n) the intestines.
114
entrance (2)
(v) to fill with intense delight.
115
entrench
(v) to establish firmly in a well-defended position; (entrenched ideas), ideas firmly fixed in the mind.
116
entrepôt
(n) a warehouse for temporary storage of goods that are in transit.
117
entrepreneur
(n)1. A person who organises and manages a commercial undertaking, especially one involving commercial risk. 2. A contractor acting as intermediary. Entrepreneurial (adj).
118
entwine
(v) to twine round, to interweave.
119
enumerate
(v) to count, to mention (items) one by one. Enumeration (n).
120
enunciate
(v)1 to pronounce (words). 2. To state clearly. Enunciation (n).
121
environmentalist
(n) one who seeks to protect or improve the environment.
122
environs
(pl n) the surrounding districts, especially round a town.
123
envisage
(v)1. To visualise, to imagine. 2. To foresee.
124
envoy
(n)1. A messenger or representative. 2. A diplomatic minister ranking below an ambassador.
125
ephemeral
(adj) lasting only a very short time.
126
epic
(n)1. A long poem or other literary work telling of heroic deeds or history. 2. A book or film resembling this. 3. A subject fit to be told in an epic. (adj) of or like an epic, on a grand scale.
127
epicentre
(n) the point at which an earthquake reaches the earth's surface.
128
epicure
(n) one who enjoys food and drink.
129
epidemic
(n) an outbreak of a disease etc. spreading rapidly through a community.
130
epigram
(n) a short witty saying.
131
epilogue
(n) a short concluding section in a literary work.
132
episcopal
(adj) of a bishop or bishops, governed by bishops.
133
epitaph
(n) words inscribed on a tomb or describing a dead person.
134
epithet
(n) a descriptive word or phrase eg, 'the Great' in Alfred the Great.
135
epitome
(n) something that shows in a small scale the qualities of something much larger, a person who embodies a quality, (she is the epitome of kindness).
136
epoch
(n)1. A particular period of history.
137
equanimity
(n) calmness of mind or temper.
138
equestrian
(adj) of horse-riding; (an equestrian statue), a statue of a person on a horse. (n) a person who is skilled at horse-riding.
139
equitable
(adj) fair and just. Equitably (adv).
140
equivocal
(adj)1. Able to be interpreted in two ways, ambiguous. 2. Questionable, suspicious. Equivocally (adv). Equivocate (v) to use ambiguous words in order to conceal the truth, to avoid committing oneself, equivocation (n).
141
era
(n)1. A period of history; (the Christian era), the period reckoned from the birth of Christ. 2. One of the major divisions of time in geology.
142
eradicate
(v) to get rid of, to remove all traces of. Eradication (n).
143
erode
(v) to wear away gradually, especially by rubbing or corroding. Erosion (n), erosional (adj).
144
err
(v)(erred, erring) 1. To make a mistake, to be incorrect. 2. To sin.
145
errant
(adj)1. Misbehaving. 2. Travelling in search of adventure, (a knight errant).
146
erratic
(adj) irregular or uneven in movement, quality, habit, etc. (n) an erratic block or boulder. Erratically (adv).
147
erroneous
(adj) mistaken, incorrect. Erroneously (adv).
148
erstwhile
(adj & adv) former, formerly.
149
erudite
(adj) having or showing great learning. Erudition (n).
150
escalate
(v) to increase or cause to increase in intensity or extent. Escalation (n).
151
escalope
(n) a slice of boneless meat, especially veal.
152
escapade
(n) a piece of reckless or mischievous conduct.
153
escarpment
(n) a steep slope at the edge of a plateau.
154
eschew
(v) to avoid or abstain from (certain action or food etc.)
155
esoteric
(adj) intended only for people with special knowledge or interest.
156
espionage
(n) spying or using spies to obtain secret information.
157
esplanade
(n) a level area of ground where people may walk or ride for pleasure.
158
espouse
(v)1. To give support to (a cause). 2. To marry, to give (a woman) in marriage. Espousal (n).
159
esprit de corps
loyalty and devotion uniting the members of a group.
160
espy
(v)(espied, espying) to catch sight of.
161
esteem
(v)1. To think highly if. 2. To consider or regard, (I should esteem it an honour). (n) a favourable opinion, respect.
162
estimable
(adj) worthy of esteem.
163
estrange
(v) to cause (people formerly friendly or loving) to become unfriendly or indifferent. Estrangement (n).
164
estuary
(n) the mouth of a large river where its flow is affected by ebb and flow of tides. Estuarial (adj), estuarine (adj).
165
etch
(v)1. To make (a pattern or picture) by engraving a metal plate with acids or corrosive substances, especially so that copies can be printed from this. 2. To impress deeply, (the scene is etched on my mind). Etcher (n). Etching (n).
166
ethics
(n) moral philosophy. (pl n) moral principles; (medical ethics), those observed by the medical profession. Ethical (adj). Ethically (adv).
167
ethos
(n) the characteristic spirit and beliefs of a community, person, or literary work.
168
etymology
(n)1. An account of the origin and development of a word and its meaning. 2. The study of words and their origins. Etymological (adj).
169
eulogy
(n) a speech or piece of writing in praise of a person or thing. Eulogise (v), eulogistic (adj).
170
euphemism
(n) a mild or roundabout expression substituted for one considered improper or too blunt, ('pass away' is a euphemism for 'die'). Euphemistic (adj), euphemistically (adv).
171
euphony
(n) pleasantness of sounds, especially in words. Euphonious (adj).
172
euthanasia
(n) the bringing about of easy death for a person suffering from a painful in curable disease.
173
evacuate
(v)1. To send (people) away from a place considered dangerous, to remove the occupants of (a place). 2. To empty (a vessel) of air etc. 3. To empty the contents of (the bowel or other organ). Evacuation (n). Evacuee (n): an evacuated person.
174
evade
(v) to avoid (a person or thing) by cleverness or trickery; (evade the question), avoid giving a direct answer to it. Evasion (n), evasive (adj), evasively (adv). Evasiveness (n).
175
evaluate
(v) to find out or state the value of, to assess. Evaluation (n).
176
evangelise
(v) to preach or spread the gospel to, to win over to Christianity. Evangelisation (n), evangelist (n), evangelical (adj), evangelism (n).
177
eventful
(adj) full of incidents.
178
eventide
(n)(old use) evening.
179
eventual
(adj) coming at last, ultimate, (his eventual success). Eventually (adv). Eventuality (n): a possible event.
180
evict
(v) to expel (a tenant) by legal process. Eviction (n).
181
evince
(v) to indicate, to show that one has (a quality).
182
evoke
(v) to call up or produce or inspire (memories, feelings, a response, etc). Evocation (n). Evocative (adj).
183
evolve
(v)1. To develop or work out gradually, (evolve a plan). 2. To develop or modify by evolution. Evolvement (n). Evolution (n)1. The process by which something develops gradually into a different form. 2. The origination of living things by development from earlier firms, not by special creation. Evolutionary (adv).
184
ewe
(n) a female sheep. Ewe lamb: one's most cherished possession.
185
exacerbate
(v)1. To make (pain, disease, anger, etc.) worse. 2. To irritate (a person). Exacerbation (n).
186
exactitude
(n) exactness
187
exalt
(v)1. To raise (a person) in rank or power or dignity. 2. To praise highly. Exaltation (n).
188
exasperate
(v) to annoy greatly. Exasperation.
189
excavate
(v)1. To make (a hole or channel) by digging, to dig out (soil). 2. To reveal or extract by digging. Excavation (n). Excavator (n).
190
excise
(n) duty or tax levied on certain goods and licences etc. (v) To remove by cutting out or away; excision (n).
191
excitable
(adj) (of a person) easily excited. Excitability (n).
192
exclusive
(adj)1. Not admitting something else; (the schemes are mutually exclusive), if you accept one you must reject the other. 2. (of groups or societies) admitting only certain carefully selected people to membership. 3. (of shops or their goods) high class, catering only for the wealthy, expensive. 4. (of terms etc.) excluding all but what is specified. 5. (of an article in a newspaper or goods in a shop) not published or obtainable elsewhere. 6. Done or held etc. so as to exclude everything else, (his exclusive occupation); (we have the exclusive rights), not shared with others. (not counting, (20 men exclusive of our own)). Exclusively (adv), exclusiveness (n).
193
excruciating
(adj) intensely painful.
194
excusable
(adj) ably to be excused. Excusably (adv).
195
execute
(v)1. To carry out (an order), to put (a plan etc) into effect. 2. To perform (an action or manoeuvre). 3. Executing a condemned person. Executioner (n): one who executes a condemned person. Executive (n): a person or group that has administrative or managerial powers in a business or commercial organisation, or with authority to put the laws or agreements etc. of a government into effect. (adj) having the powers to execute plans or to put laws or agreements etc. into effect.
196
exemplary
(adj) serving as an example; (exemplary conduct), very good, an example to others.
197
exfoliate
(v)1. (of tissue or mineral etc) to come off in scales or layers. 2. (of a tree) to throw off layers of bark. Exfoliation (n).
198
exhilarate
(v) to make very happy or lively. Exhilaration (n).
199
exhort
(v) to urge or advise earnestly. Exhortation (n).
200
exhume
(v) to dig up (something buried), eg. for examination. Exhumation (n).
201
exigency
(n)1. An urgent mood, (the exigencies of the situation). 2. An emergency. Exigent (adj)1. Urgent. 2. Exacting, requiring much; exigently (adv).
202
exile
(n)1. Being sent away from one's country as a punishment. 2. Long absence from one's country or home. 3. An exiled person. (v) to send (a person) into exile.
203
exodus
(n)1. A departure of many people. 2. (Exodus), the second book of the Old Testament, telling of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
204
exonerate
(v) to free from blame, to declare (a person) to be blameless. Exoneration (n).
205
exorbitant
(adj) (of a price or demand) much too great.
206
exorcise
(v)1. To drive out (an evil spirit) by prayer. 2. To free (a person or place) of evil spirits. Exorcism (n), exorcist (n).
207
exotic
(adj)1. (of plants, words, or fashions) introduced from abroad, not native. 2. Striking and attractive through being colourful or unusual. Exotically (adv).
208
expanse
(n) a wide area or extent of open land or space, etc.
209
expatriate (2)
(adj) expatriated (withdrawn oneself from one's native country and living abroad), living abroad. (n) an expatriate person.
210
expectant
(adj) filled with expectation (expecting, looking forward with hope or pleasure). Expectantly (adv), expectancy (n). Expectant mother: a woman who is pregnant.
211
expedient
(adj)1. Suitable for a particular purpose. 2. Advantageous rather than right or just. (n) a means of achieving something. Expediently (adv), expediency (n).
212
expedite
(v) to help or hurry the progress of (business etc), to perform (business) quickly.
213
expendable
(adj)1. Able to be expended (expend: (v) to spend (money, time, care, etc), to use up). 2. Not worth preserving, suitable for sacrificing in order to gain an objective.
214
expiate
(v) to make amends for (wrongdoing). Expiation (n).
215
expire
(v)1. To breathe out (air). 2. To breathe one's last, to die. 3. To come to the end of its period of validity, (this licence has expired). Expiration (n). Expiry (n): the termination of a period of validity, eg. of a licence or contract.
216
expletive
(n) a violent or meaningless exclamation, an oath.
217
explicable
(adj) able to be explained.
218
explicit
(adj) stating something in exact terms, not merely implying things. Explicitly (adv), explicitness (n).
219
exploit
(n) a bold or notable deed. (v)1. To work or develop (mines and other natural resources). 2. To take full advantage of, to use (workers, colonial possessions, etc) for one's own advantage and their disadvantage. Exploitation (n).
220
exponent
(n)1. A person who sets out the facts or interprets something. 2. One who favours a particular theory or policy. 3. (mathematical)...
221
exposition
(n)1. Expounding, an explanatory account of a plan or theory etc. 2. A large public exhibition. 3. The first part of a sonata, in which the two main theme are presented.
222
expostulate
(v) to make a friendly protest, to reason or argue with a person. Expostulation (n).
223
expound
(v) to set forth or explain in detail.
224
expulsion
(n) expelling, being expelled. Expulsive (adj).
225
expunge
(v) to wipe or rub out, to delete.
226
exquisite
(adj)1. Having special beauty. 2. Having excellent discrimination, (exquisite taste in dress). 3. Acute, keenly felt, (exquisite pain). Exquisitely (adv).
227
extent
(n)1. the space over which a thing extends. 2. The range or scope of something, (the full extent of his power). 3. A large area, (an extent of marsh).
228
extenuated
(v) to make (a person's guilt or offence) seem less great by providing a partial excuse, (there were extenuating circumstances). Extenuation (n).
229
exterminate
(v) to get rid of by destroying all members or examples of (a race, disease, etc). Extermination (n), exterminator (n).
230
extol
(v)(extolled, extolling) to praise enthusiastically.
231
extort
(v) to obtain by force or threats or intimidation etc. Extortion (n): extorting (especially money). Extortioner (n). Extortionate (adj) excessively high in price; of demands, excessive. Extortionately (adv).
232
extradite
(v)1. To hand over (a person accused or convicted of a crime) to the country where the crime was committed. 2. to obtain (such a person) for trial or punishment. Extradition (n).
233
extraneous
(adj)1. Of external origin. 2. Not belonging to the matter or subject in hand.
234
extrapolate
(v) to make an estimate of (something unknown and outside the range of one's data) on the basis of available data. Extrapolation (n).
235
extremist
(n) a person who holds extreme views, especially in politics.
236
extremity
(n)1. An extreme point, the end of something. 2. An extreme degree of feeling or need or danger etc. Extremities (pl n): the hands and feet.
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extricate
(v) to disentangle or release from an entanglement or difficulty etc. Extrication (n).
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exuberant
(adj)1. Full of high spirits, very lively. 2. Growing profusely. Exuberantly (adv), exuberance (n).
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exude
(v)1. To ooze out, to give off like sweat or a smell. 2. To show (pleasure, confidence etc) freely. Exudation (n).
