H Flashcards
(282 cards)
0
Q
habit
A
(n) 1. A settled way of behaving, something done frequently and almost without thinking, something that is hard to give up. 2. The long dress worn by a monk or nun. 3. A woman’s riding-dress.
1
Q
haberdasher
A
(n) a shopkeeper dealing in accessories for dress and in sewing-goods. Haberdashery: (n) these goods.
2
Q
habitable
A
(adj) suitable for living in.
3
Q
habitual
A
(adj) 1. Done constantly, like or resulting from a habit. 2. Regular, usual (in his habitual place). 3. Doing something as a habit (a habitual smoker). Habitually (adv).
4
Q
habituate
A
(v) to accustom. Habituation (n).
5
Q
with his hackles up
A
(of a person) angry and ready to fight.
6
Q
Hades
A
(n) 1. (in Greek mythology) the underworld, the place where the spirits of the dead go. 2. Hell.
7
Q
hag
A
(n) an ugly old woman.
8
Q
haggard
A
(adj) looking ugly from prolonged worry or illness or exhaustion.
9
Q
haggle
A
(v) to argue about price or terms when settling a bargain.
10
Q
split hairs
A
To make distinctions of meaning that are too small to be of any real importance.
11
Q
hairy
A
(adj) (hairier, hairiest) 1. Having much hair. 2. (slang) hair-raising, difficult. Hairiness (n).
12
Q
halcyon
A
(adj) (of a period) happy and prosperous. (Named after a bird formerly believed to have the power of calming wind and waves while it nested on the sea.)
13
Q
hale
A
(adj) strong and healthy (hale and hearty).
14
Q
half-mast
A
(n) a point half-way up a mast, to which a flag is lowered as a mark of respect for a dead person.
15
Q
half measures
A
A policy lacking thoroughness.
16
Q
half-truth
A
(n) a statement conveying only part of the truth.
17
Q
hallucination
A
(n) 1. The illusion of seeing or hearing something when no such thing is present. 2. The thing seen or heard in this way.
18
Q
halting
A
(adj) 1. Walking slowly as if unsure of oneself. 2. Spoken hesitantly.
19
Q
halve
A
(v) 1. To divide or share equally between two. 2. To reduce by half.
20
Q
hamlet
A
(n) a small village, usually without a church.
21
Q
hammer out
A
To devise (a plan) with great effort.
22
Q
at hand
A
Close by; about to happen.
23
Q
by hand
A
By a person (not a machine); delivered by a messenger, not through the post.
24
hand in glove with
Working in close association with.
25
hand in hand
Holding each other's hand; closely associated, linked together.
26
hand-out
(n) something distributed free of charge; a prepared statement issued to the press etc.
27
hand over
To put into the custody or control of another person; to present.
28
hand-picked
(adj) carefully chosen.
29
hands down
(of a victory won) easily, completely.
30
live from hand to mouth
To supply only one's immediate needs without provision for the future.
31
on hand
Available.
32
out of hand
Out of control; without delay or preparation (rejected it out of hand).
33
to hand
Within reach.
34
handful
(n) (handfuls) 1. A quantity that fills the hand. 2. A small number of people or things. 3. (informal) a person who is difficult to control, a troublesome task.
35
handler
(n) 1. A person who handles something. 2. One in charge of a trained police dog.
36
handmaid
(n) (old use) a female servant.
37
handy
(adj) (handier, handiest) 1. Convenient to handle or use. 2. Conveniently placed for being reached or used. 3. Clever with one's hands. Handiness (n).
38
handyman
(n) (handymen) a person who is clever at doing household repairs etc. or who is employed to do odd jobs.
39
hang back
To show reluctance to take action or to advance.
40
hang together
(of people) to help or support one another; (of statements) to fit well together, to be consistent.
41
hang-up
(n) (slang) a difficulty, an inhibition.
42
hangar
(n) a shed for housing aircraft.
43
hanker
(v) to crave, to feel a longing.
44
hanky-panky
(n) (slang) 1. Trickery, dishonest dealing. 2. Naughtiness.
45
hapless
(adj) unlucky.
46
happening (n)
Something that happens, an event.
47
happy-go-lucky
(adj) taking events cheerfully as they happen.
48
happy hunting-ground
A good place for finding things.
49
happy medium
Something that achieves satisfactory avoidance of extremes.
50
hara-kiri
(n) a suicide involving disembowelment, formerly practised by Japanese army officers when in disgrace or under sentence of death.
51
harangue
(n) a lengthy earnest speech. (v) to make a harangue to.
52
harass
(v) 1. To trouble and annoy continually. 2. To make repeated attacks on (an enemy). Harassment (n).
53
harbinger
(n) a person or thing whose presence announces the approach of another.
54
harbour
(n) a place of shelter for ships. (v) 1. To give shelter to, to conceal (a criminal etc.). 2. To keep in one's mind (harbour a grudge).
55
hard and fast rules
Rules that cannot be altered to fit special cases.
56
hard by
Close by.
57
hard cash
Coins and bank notes, not a cheque or a promise to pay later.
58
hard core
The stubborn unyielding nucleus of a group.
59
hard-headed
(adj) practical, not sentimental.
60
hard-hearted
(adj) unsympathetic
61
hard line
unyielding adherence to a firm policy.
62
hard of hearing
slightly deaf.
63
hard up
(informal) short of money; (hard up for ideas), short of these.
64
hard-wearing
(adj) able to stand much wear.
65
hardstanding
(n) an area with a hard surface for a vehicle to stand on.
66
hare-brained
(adj) wild and foolish, rash.
67
harem
(n)1. The women of a Muslim household living in a separate part of the house. 2. Their apartments.
68
hark back
to return to an earlier subject.
69
harp on
to talk repeatedly and tiresomely about (a subject).
70
harridan
(n) a bad-tempered old woman.
71
harrow(n) a heavy frame wibmetal spikes or discs for breaking up closes, coving seed etc. (v)1. to draw a harrow over seed, etc. 2. To distress greatly.
harry
72
harry
(v)(harried, harrying) to harass.
73
has-been
(pl has-beens) (informal) a person or thing that is no longer as famous or successful as formerly.
74
hassle
(n)(informal) a quarrel or struggle. (v)(informal)1. To quarrel. 2. To jostle, to harass.
75
hatch
(n)1. An opening in a door or floor or ceiling, an opening in a ship's deck. 2. A movable cover over any of these. 3. An opening in a wall between two rooms.
76
hatchet
(n) a light short-handled axe.
77
haughty
(adj)(haughtier, haughtiest) proud of oneself and looking down on others. Haughtily (adv), haughtiness (n).
78
haul (n)
(v)1. To pull or drag forcibly. 2. To transport by a truck etc., to cart. 3. To turn a ship's course.
79
had better
would find it wiser.
80
have had it
(informal) to have missed one's chance; to be near death, no longer usable, etc.
81
have it out
to settle a problem by frank discussion.
82
haves and have-nots
people with and without wealth or privilege.
83
play havoc with
to create havoc (widespread destruction, great disorder) in.
84
hawk (1)
(n)1. A bird of prey with rounded wings shorter than a falcon's. 2. A person who favours an aggressive policy.
85
haywire
(adj) (informal) badly disorganised, out of control.
86
keep one's head
to remain calm in a crisis.
87
come to a head
(of matters) to reach a crisis.
88
lose one's head
to act foolishly.
89
off one's head
crazy.
90
put heads together
to pool ideas.
91
headlong
(adv & adj)1. Falling or plunging with the head first. 2. In a hasty and rash way.
92
headroom
(n) clearance above the head of a person or the top of a vehicle etc.
93
headstrong
(n) self-willed and obstinate.
94
headway
(n) progress.
95
heady
(adj)(headier, headiest) 1. (of drinks) likely to intoxicate people. 2. (of success etc.) likely to cause conceit.
96
heaps
(pl n)(informal) a great amount.
97
not hear of
to refuse to allow, (won't hear of my paying for it).
98
hearsay
(n) things heard in rumours or gossip.
99
hearse
(n) a vehicle for carrying the coffin at a funeral.
100
after one's own heart
exactly to one's liking
101
at heart
basically.
102
change of heart
a change of feeling towards something.
103
have the heart to
to be hard-hearted enough to (do something).
104
heart-break
(n) overwhelming unhappiness.
105
heart-rending
(adj) very distressing.
106
heart-searching
(n) examination by oneself of one's own feelings and motives.
107
heart-strings
(pl n) one's deepest feelings of love or pity.
108
heart-to-heart
(adj) frank and personal, (a heart-to-heart talk).
109
heart-warming
(adj) causing people to rejoice.
110
his heart was in his mouth
he was violently alarmed.
111
set one's heart on
to desire eagerly.
112
take to heart
to be deeply troubled by.
113
to one's heart's content
as much as one wishes.
114
heartfelt
(adj) felt deeply or earnestly.
115
hearthrug
(n) a rug laid in front of a fireplace.
116
heartily
(adv)1. In a hearty way. 2. Very, (heartily sick of it).
117
heartland
(n) the central or most important part of an area.
118
hearty
(adj)(heartier, heartiest)1. Showing warmth of feeling, enthusiastic. 2. Vigorous, strong. 3. (of meals or appetites) large. (n) a hearty person. Heartiness (n).
119
heat wave
a period of very hot weather.
120
heathen
(n) a person who is not a believer in any of the world's chief religions, especially one who is neither Christian, Jew, nor Muslim.
121
heavyweight
(n)1. A person of more than average weight. 2. The heaviest boxing weight; (light heavyweight), 81 kg. 3. A person of great influence. (adj) having great weight or influence.
122
heck
(n)(informal, in oaths) hell.
123
heckle
(v) to interrupt and harass (a public speaker) with aggressive questions and abuse. Heckler (n).
124
hedonist
(n) one who believes that pleasure is the chief good in life.
125
heebie-jeebies
(pl n)(slang) nervous anxiety or depression.
126
heed
(v) to pay attention to. (n) careful attention, (take heed).
127
on the heels of
following closely after.
128
take to one's heels
to run away.
129
well-heeled
(adj) rich.
130
hefty
(adj)(heftier, heftiest)1. (of a person) big and strong. 2. (of a thing) large and heavy, powerful.
131
heighten
(v) to make or become higher or more intense.
132
heinous
(adj) very wicked.
133
hell's angels
violent lawless young motor-cyclists.
134
hellish
(adj) very unpleasant.
135
helm
(n) the tiller or wheel by which a ship's rudder is controlled. At the helm: in control.
136
hemp
(n)1. A plant from which coarse fibres are obtained for the manufacture of rope and cloth. 2. A narcotic drug made from this plant. Hempen (adj).
137
henchman
(n)(pl henchmen) a trusty supporter.
138
henpecked
(adj)(of a husband) nagged by a domineering wife.
139
herbicide
(n) a substance that is poisonous to plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
140
herculean
(adj)1. As strong as Hercules, a hero in Greek mythology. 2. Needing great strength or effort, (a herculean task).
141
hereabouts
(adv) somewhere near here.
142
hereby
(adv) by this means, by this act or decree etc.
143
heresy
(n)1. An opinion that is contrary to the accepted beliefs of the Christian Church or to those on any subject. 2. The holding of such an opinion. Heretic (n), heretical (adj).
144
hermit
(n) a person (especially a man in early Christian times) who has withdrawn from human society and lives in solitude.
145
hesitant
(adj) hesitating. Hesitantly (adv). Hesitancy (n).
146
heuristic
(adj) seeking to find out or discover things, learning by trial and error.
147
hew
(v)(hewed, hewn, hewing) to chop or cut with an axe or sword etc., to cut into shape. Hewer (n). Hewn (adj): made or shaped by hewing.
148
heyday
(n) the time of greatest success or prosperity, (it was in its heyday).
149
hiatus
(n)(pl hiatuses) a break or gap in a sequence or series.
150
hideous
(adv) very ugly, revolting to the senses or the mind. Hideously (adv), hideousness (n).
151
hidebound
(adj) narrow-minded, refusing to abandon old customs and prejudices.
152
hierarchy
(n) a system with grades of status or authority ranking one above another in a series. Hierarchical (adj): of or arranged in a hierarchy.
153
higgledy-piggledy
(adj & adv) completely mixed up, in utter disorder.
154
high and dry
aground; stranded; isolated.
155
high and low
everywhere, (hunted high and low).
156
high-handed
(adj) using authority arrogantly.
157
high life/ living
a luxurious way of living.
158
high-minded
(adj) having high moral principles.
159
high-powered
(adj) using great power or energy, forceful.
160
high seas
the open seas not under any country's jurisdiction.
161
high season
the period when a resort etc. regularly has most visitors.
162
high-spirited
(adj) in high spirits, happy and lively.
163
high water
high tide.
164
highbrow
(adj) very intellectual, cultured. (n) a highbrow person.
165
highlands
(pl n) mountainous country; (the Highlands), that of northern Scotland.
166
highly-strung
(adj)(of a person) easily upset.
167
Highway Code
a set of rules issued officially for the guidance of road-users.
168
hijack
(v) to seize control of (a vehicle or aircraft in transit) in order to steal its goods or take its passengers hostage or force it to a new destination. (n) hijacking. Hijacker (n).
169
to the hilt
completely, (his guilt was proved up to the hilt).
170
hindrance
(n)1. Something that hinders. 2. Hindering, being hindered, (went forward without hindrance).
171
hindsight
(n) wisdom about an event after it has occurred.
172
hinge (v)
(v)1. To attach or be attached by a hinge or hinges. 2. To depend on, (everything hinges on this meeting).
173
hinterland
(n) a district lying behind a coast etc. or served by a port or other centre.
174
hippie
(n)(slang) a young person who joins with other in adopting an unconventional style of dress etc, rejecting conventional ideas and organised society and often using (or thought to be using) hallucinogenic drugs.
175
Hippocratic oath
an oath taken by those beginning medical practice, to observe the code of professional behaviour.
176
hirsute
(adj) hairy, shaggy.
177
make history
to do something memorable, to be the first to do something.
178
histrionic
(adj)1. Of acting. 2. Dramatic or theatrical in manner. Histrionics (pl n): theatricals; dramatic behaviour intended to impress people.
179
hit back
to retaliate.
180
hit it off
to get on well (with a person).
181
hit man
(Amer.) a hired assassin.
182
hit on
to discover suddenly or by chance.
183
hit-or-miss
(adj) Aimed or done carelessly.
184
hit the nail on the head
to guess right, to express the truth exactly.
185
hither
(adv) to or towards this place. Hither and thither: to and fro.
186
hoard
(n) carefully saved and guarded store of money or food or treasured objects. (v) to save and store. Hoarder (n).
187
hoarding
(n) a fence of light boarding, often used for displaying advertisements.
188
hoax
(v) to deceive jokingly.
189
hob-nob
(v)(hob-nobbed, hob-nobbing) to spend time together in a friendly way.
190
Hobson's choice
a situation in which there is no alternative to the thing offered. (Thomas Hobson (17th century) hired out horses and made people take the one nearest to the stable door.)
191
hocus-pocus/ hokey-pokey
(n) trickery.
192
hoe
(n) a tool with a blade on a long handle, used for loosening soil or scraping up weeds etc. (v)(hoed, hoeing) to dig or scrape with a hoe.
193
go the whole hog
(slang) to do something thoroughly.
194
hoi polloi
the common people, the masses.
195
hoist
(v) to raise or haul up, to lift with ropes and pulleys etc. (n)1. An apparatus for hoisting things. 2. A pull or haul up. 3. (Austral.) a rotary clothes-line that can be hoisted up and lowered.
196
get hold of
to acquire; to make contact with (a person).
197
hold off
to wait, not to begin, (the rain held off).
198
hold one's ground
to stand firm, to refuse to yield.
199
hold one's peace
to keep silent.
200
hold out
to offer (an inducement or hope); to continue one's resistance; to last, (if supplies hold out).
201
hold over
to postpone; (holds the threat over him), exerts influence on him by this threat.
202
hold the fort
to act as a temporary substitute, to cope in an emergency.
203
hold up
to hinder; to stop by the use of threats or force for the purpose of robbery.
204
hold water
(of reasoning) to be sound.
205
no holds barred
all methods are permitted.
206
take hold
to grasp; to become established.
207
hole up
(Amer. slang) to hide oneself.
208
holocaust
(n) large-scale destruction, especially by fire; the Holocaust, mass murder of Jews by Nazis in 1939-45.
209
holster
(n) a leather case for a pistol or revolver, fixed to the belt or saddle or under the arm.
210
homage
(n)1. Things said as a mark of respect, (paid homage to his achievements). 2. A formal expression of loyalty to a ruler etc.
211
home-coming
(n) arrival at home.
212
home-grown
(adj) grown at home.
213
home rule
government of a country by its own citizens.
214
home truth
an unpleasant truth affecting himself that a person is made to realise.
215
homely
(adj)1. Simple and informal, not pretentious. 2. (Amer., of a person's appearance) plain, not beautiful. Homeliness (n).
216
homestead
(n) a farmhouse or similar building with the land and buildings round it.
217
homey
(adj) home-like, homely.
218
homicide
(n) the killing of one person by another. Homicidal (adj).
219
homogeneous
(adj) of the same kind as the others, formed of parts that are all of the same kind.
220
hone
(n) a fine-grained stone used for sharpening razors and tools. (v) to sharpen on this.
221
honorary
(adj)1. Given as an honour, (an honorary degree). 2. Unpaid, (the honorary treasurer).
222
hoodlum
(n) a hooligan, a young thug.
223
off the hook
freed from a difficulty.
224
hooked
(n)(Amer. slang) truant, (play hookey).
225
hooligan
(n) a young ruffian. Hooliganism (n).
226
hopping mad
(informal) very angry.
227
hoping against hope
hoping for something that is barely possible.
228
horde
(n) a large group or crowd.
229
horn-rimmed
(adj)(of spectacles) with frames made of a material like horn or tortoise-shell.
230
horrendous
(adj)(informal) horrifying.
231
horrific
(adj) horrifying. Horrifically (adv).
232
hors-d'oeuvre
food served as an appetiser at the start of a meal.
233
straight from the horse's mouth
(of information) from a first-hand source.
234
horseplay
(n) boisterous play.
235
hosiery
(n)(in shops) stockings and socks.
236
hospice
(n)1. A lodging for travellers, especially one kept by a religious order. 2. A home for destitute or sick people.
237
hospitable
(adj) giving and liking to give hospitality. Hospitably (adv).
238
hospitality
(n) friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests.
239
hostage
(n) a person held as security that the holder's demands will be satisfied.
240
hostility
(n) being hostile, enmity. Hostilities (pl n): acts of warfare.
241
hot under the collar
angry, resentful, or embarrassed.
242
in hot water
(informal) in trouble or disgrace.
243
hotbed
(n)1. A bed of earth heated by fermenting manure. 2. A place favourable to the growth of something evil.
244
hotchpotch
(n) a jumble.
245
hotelier
(n) a hotel-keeper.
246
hotfoot
in eager haste. Hot footing it, (hurrying eagerly).
247
hothead
(n) an impetuous person.
248
hound
(n)1. A dog used in hunting, a foxhound. 2. A contemptible man. (v)1. To harass or pursue. 2. To urge, to incite, (hound them on).
249
like a house on fire
vigorously, excellently.
250
on the house
(of drinks) at the innkeeper's expense.
251
household word
a familiar saying or name.
252
housekeeper
(n) a woman employed to look after a household.
253
hub
(n)1. The central part of a wheel, from which spokes radiate. 2. A central point of activity, (the hub of the universe).
254
hubbub
(n) a loud confused noise of voices.
255
huddle
(v)1. To heap or crowd together into a small space. 2. To curl one's body closely, to nestle. (n) a confused mass; (go into a huddle), to hold a close conference.
256
hue and cry
(n) a general outcry of alarm or demand or protest.
257
hullabaloo
(n) an uproar.
258
hum and haw
to hesitate.
259
human rights
those held to be claimable by any living person.
260
humane
(adj) kind-hearted, compassionate, merciful. Humanely (adv).
261
humanitarian
(adj). Concerned with human welfare and the reduction of suffering. (n) a humanitarian person.
262
humanity
(n)1. The human race, people, (crimes against humanity). 2. Being human. 3. Being humane, kind-heartedness. Humanities (pl n): arts subjects as opposed to the sciences.
263
eat humble pie
to make a humble apology.
264
humbug
(n)1. Misleading behaviour or talk that is intended to win support or sympathy. 2. A person who behaves or talks in this way. 3. A kind of hard boiled sweet usually flavoured with peppermint.
265
humdrum
(adj) dull, commonplace, monotonous.
266
humus
(n) a rich dark organic material, formed by the decay of dead leaves and plants etc. and essential to the fertility of soil.
267
hunch
(v) to bend into a hump. (n)1. A hump, a hunk. 2. A feeling based on intuition.
268
hung parliament
one that cannot reach decisions because there is no clear majority in voting.
269
hunger strike
(n) refusal of food, as a form of protest. Hunger-striker (n).
270
hurl
(v)1. To throw violently. 2. To utter vehemently, (hurl insults). (n) a violent throw.
271
hurly-burly
(n) a rough bustle of activity.
272
hurtle
(v) to move or hurl rapidly.
273
husbandry
(n)1. Farming. 2. Management of resources.
274
hush-hush
(adj)(informal) kept very secret.
275
husky (1)
(adj)(huskier, huskiest) 1. Dry, like husks. 2. (of a person or his voice) dry in the throat, hoarse. 3. Big and strong, burly. Huskily (adv), huskiness (n).
276
hustings
(n) parliamentary election proceedings. (Originally a temporary platform from which candidates for parliament could address the electors.)
277
hydroponics
(n) the art of growing plants without soil, in sand etc. containing water to which nutrients have been added.
278
hyperbole
(n) an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally, eg. (a stack of work a mile high).
279
hypermarket
(n) a very large self-service store with a sales area of at least 5000 sq. metres, selling a wide range of goods and a number of services (eg. hairdressing), usually situated outside a town.
280
hypocrisy
(n) falsely pretending to be virtuous, insincerity.
281
hysteria
(n) wild uncontrollable emotion or excitement.
