Michael Sec 2 Vol I (Adv Vacab Part 1) Flashcards

Question

induct /ɪnˈdʌkt/ (inductor, inductee)

Answer 1

to give somebody a job or position, to officially introduce somebody into an organization, especially the army "He had been inducted into the church as a priest in the previous year." "He was inducted into the US Army in July."

Answer 2

a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, a political party, etc. "He challenged the Christian doctrine of Original Sin." "He was deeply committed to political doctrines of social equality." "The party's strategy is based firmly in Marxist-Leninist doctrine."

Answer 3

a long angry speech criticizing somebody/something or accusing somebody of something "She launched into an angry/furious tirade about how she had been unfairly treated." "The rest of his speech was a violent and insolent tirade."

Answer 4

1. (disapproving) the fact that a person spends too much time doing or thinking about a particular thing "She has a fetish about cleanliness." "He makes a fetish of luxury watches - it's quite obsessive." 2. a sexual interest in an object "He has a fetish for high heels."

Answer 5

to make a book, play, or piece of writing shorter by removing details and information that is not important "She has been asked to abridge the novel for radio." "The book was abridged for children." [adj] abridged OPPOSITE unabridged [noun] abridgement

Answer 6

deplore [verb] to criticize something publicly, because you think it is very bad.SYN lambast "I deplore and condemn this killing." "We deplore all use of violence and provocation." deplorable [adj] ery bad and unacceptable, often in a way that shocks people SYNONYM appalling "They were living in the most deplorable conditions." "I thought his behaviour was absolutely deplorable."

Answer 7

the quality of using few words OR lasting only a short time "His essays are models of clarity and brevity." "Charles Dickens was not known for his brevity." "For the sake of brevity, I’d like to make just two points." "the brevity of life"

Answer 8

deliberately not expressing your opinion or intentions clearly; not showing which side of an argument you agree with "The doctor was non-committal about when I could drive again." committal [noun] the process of sending someone to a psychiatric hospital or prison "The psychiatric team decided that committal would not be beneficial in her case." "The prospect of a committal to prison did not frighten her."

Answer 9

to try to do something as well as somebody else because you admire them "She hopes to emulate her sister's sporting achievements."

Answer 10

(of a female animal or woman) to have a baby developing inside the body "Female elephants gestate for a staggering 22 months." gestation [noun] "a baby born at 38 weeks’ gestation" "His book was nearly twenty years in gestation."

Answer 11

an amount of money that is paid to somebody for the work they have done "Generous remuneration packages are often attached to overseas postings." "They demanded adequate remuneration for their work."

Answer 12

abase yourself: to make yourself seem to be less important or to not deserve respect; belittle oneself "he abased himself before the king" "He wanted first to see his wife, to abase himself before her." abasement [noun]

Answer 13

(disapproving) open and without shame, obvious, without any attempt to be hidden. SYNONYM shameless "They showed a brazen disregard for the law." "There were several instances of brazen cheating." "He told me a brazen lie."

Answer 14

(of clothes, cars, etc.) fashionable, bright and modern, and attracting your attention SYNONYM jazzy, smart "He’d booked us a table in a snazzy restaurant." "Paula's wearing a very snazzy pair of shoes!"

Answer 15

refusing to obey orders or show respect for somebody who has a higher rank "We shall take action against city employees who are insubordinate, or who are discourteous to the public." "In industry, a worker who is grossly insubordinate is threatened with discharge." subordinate: having less power or authority

Answer 16

(formal) hating and avoiding other people misanthropy /mɪˈsænθrəpi/ [noun]: a feeling of hating people in general anthropo- /ænθrəpəʊ/ connected with humans "anthropology"

Answer 17

a well-known phrase expressing a general truth about people or the world SYNONYM saying "According to the old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words."

Answer 18

things that people collect because they once belonged to a famous person, or because they are connected with a particular interesting place, event or activity "The book contains previously unseen letters and memorabilia."

Answer 19

psychiatry /saɪˈkaɪətri/ the study and treatment of mental illnesses psychiatrist: a doctor who studies and treats mental illnesses psychiatric [adj] relating to psychiatry or to mental illnesses "a psychiatric hospital/nurse/patient"

Answer 20

podiatrist /pəˈdaɪətrɪst/ (US) chiropodist /kɪˈrɒpədɪst/ (UK) a person whose job is the care and treatment of people’s feet

Answer 21

1. When people such as immigrants assimilate into a community or when that community assimilates them, they become an accepted part of it. "The Vietnamese are trying to assimilate themselves and become Americans." "As a Chinese teen I tried to assimilate into Canadian culture." 2. If you assimilate new ideas, techniques, or information, you learn them or adopt them. "I am still trying to assimilate the enormity of what he'd told me." "Some people can only assimilate change gradually."

Answer 22

1. A subsidiary or a subsidiary company is a company which is part of a larger and more important company. "Offshore banks are often formed as a subsidiary of an international bank." 2. connected with something but less important than it SYNONYM additional "The economics ministry has increasingly played a subsidiary role to the finance ministry."

Answer 23

things that you have heard from another person but do not (definitely) know to be true "We can't make a decision based on hearsay and guesswork." "They started to piece the story together from hearsay."

Answer 24

to accept financial responsibility for an activity by providing money to cover any losses "The British government ended up underwriting the entire project." "The record company may underwrite the costs of a band’s first tour."

Answer 25

1. (geometry) a straight line that touches the outside of a curve but does not cross it 2. a subject or activity that is different than the one you are talking about or doing "We were talking about exercise and got off on a tangent."

Answer 26

congruous: the same as, or in agreement with "His conclusion is congruous with one previously drawn by Mayer." incongruous: strange, and not suitable in a particular situation. SYNONYM inappropriate "The two of them made an incongruous couple." "It seems incongruous to have a woman as the editor of a men's magazine."

Answer 27

1. to plan secretly and dishonestly for something to happen that will be to your advantage: "Officials were accused of conniving with the company in the supply of oil" 2. to allow something bad to happen although you know about it "She knew that if she said nothing she would be conniving in an injustice."

Answer 28

a photographer who follows famous people around in order to get interesting photographs of them to sell to a newspaper (plural) paparazzi

Answer 29

[noun] a person who is able to suffer pain or trouble without complaining or showing what they are feeling [adj] = stoical: able to suffer pain or trouble without complaining or showing what you are feeling "They tried to be as stoic as their parents in this tragic situation."

Answer 30

(of a wound or part of the body) containing harmful bacteria that cause infection "I had my ears pierced and one of them went septic."

Answer 31

1. the period of time when somebody holds an important job, especially a political one "his four-year tenure as president" 2. the right to stay permanently in your job, especially as a teacher at a university "She has been granted tenure at Leeds University." 3. the legal right to live in a house or use a piece of land "When you rent a house here, you don’t have security of tenure."

Answer 32

galoshes /ɡəˈlɒʃɪz/: rubber shoes that are worn over normal shoes in wet weather loafers: flat leather shoes with no straps or laces.

Answer 33

delirium: a mental state where somebody becomes excited and not able to think or speak clearly, usually because of illness "He mumbled in delirium all night." delirious: /dɪˈlɪriəs/ in an excited state and not able to think or speak clearly, usually because of a high temperature "By the time she was rescued, she was delirious with cold and fear."

Answer 34

1. (disapproving) to suggest indirectly that something unpleasant is true "The article insinuated that he was appointed because of family connections." 2. (disapproving) to succeed in gaining somebody’s respect, trust, etc. so that you can use the situation to your own advantage "to insinuate oneself into another's favor" "He gradually insinuated himself into her life."

Answer 35

an officer on a ship who is responsible for taking care of the passengers, and for the accounts

Answer 36

a person who knows a lot about and enjoys one of the arts, or food, drink, etc. and can judge quality and skill in that subject "This is a gift that any wine connoisseur would love." "a connoisseur of Italian painting" "He was also a connoisseur of Renaissance art." "Only the true connoisseur could tell the difference between these two wines."

Answer 37

/ˈtʊənɪkeɪ/ (UK) /ˈtɜːrnəkət/ (US) a piece of cloth, etc. that is tied tightly around an arm or a leg to stop the loss of blood from a wound "Apply a tight tourniquet above the wound." "If it continues to bleed, you may have to apply a tourniquet to the limb."

Answer 38

a statement which gives reasons that something or accusation is not true SYNONYM refutation "The accusations met with a firm rebuttal." "She issued a point-by-point rebuttal of the company's accusations." [verb] rebut /rɪˈbʌt/ to argue that a statement or claim is not true "The defendants were unable to rebut the charges of negligence." "This presumption can be rebutted by evidence showing the contrary."

Answer 39

/ˈepɪkjʊə(r)/ a person who enjoys food and drink of high quality and knows a lot about it "He himself was the best of company and a knowledgeable epicure."

Answer 40

a drug made from opium. Opiates are used in medicine to reduce severe pain. "The pain was so severe she had to take opiates to control it."

Answer 41

[noun] [verb] 1. (to make) a long and determined attempt to achieve something that you believe in strongly "a moral crusade against drugs" "She crusaded against sex and violence on television." 2. one of the religious wars (= crusades) fought by Christians, mostly against Muslims in Palestine, in the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 17th centuries

Answer 42

to hold or wave something in the air, especially a weapon, in an aggressive/threatening or excited way "He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife." "She brandished a saucepan at me so I ran out of the kitchen."

Answer 43

[ˈbleɪz(ə)n] to print or decorate something with a design, a symbol or words so that people will notice it easily "He had the word ‘Cool’ blazoned across his chest." "Cars emblazoned with the company logo"

Answer 44

/əˈsʌndə(r)/ into forcefully separated pieces: "Their lives were torn asunder by the tragedy." "The world is an integrated economy which simply cannot be split asunder."

Answer 45

/əˈbɑːft/ /əˈbæft/ 1. at the back of or behind a ship or boat 2. to the rear of; behind "located just abaft the bridge"

Answer 46

a violent man, especially one who commits crimes SYNONYM thug, hooligan "Is there any point whatever in having diplomatic relations with these ruffians?"

Answer 47

[nun] [verb] (US) someone at a hotel or restaurant who puts your car in a parking space for you "a car valeting service" (UK) a male servant who looks after his employer by doing things such as caring for clothes and cooking.

Answer 48

an aircraft such as an airship or hot-air balloon that is filled with a gas "The upper chamber is filled with helium and provides the aerostat's lifting capability."

Answer 49

/ˈeərəsɒl/ a liquid such as paint or hairspray that is kept under pressure in a metal container and released as a spray "Aerosol cans are banned from aircraft cabins."

Answer 50

a sailing boat with two parallel hulls that are held in place by a single deck "We headed out on a large catamaran."

Answer 51

a large device used in wars in the past for throwing large rocks, for example at the walls of a castle that was being attacked "The action of a trebuchet was similar to that of a giant catapult."

Answer 52

a fishing boat that uses large nets that it drags through the sea behind it

Answer 53

the fact of not complaining or showing what you are feeling when you are suffering "She endured her long illness with stoicism." "She showed great stoicism through all the pain."

Answer 54

willingness to do things that bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself; unselfish concern for other people's happiness and welfare. "Politicians are not necessarily motivated by pure altruism."

Answer 55

lasting a very long time, or happening repeatedly or all the time "We face the perennial problem of not having enough money." "There's a perennial shortage of teachers with science qualifications. "

Answer 56

to make a hole or holes through something "The explosion perforated his eardrum." "Keep good apples in perforated polythene bags."

Answer 57

a building in which the bodies of dead people are burned (cremated), where cremation happens

Answer 58

a building or room with special spaces for holding urns containing the ashes of dead people

Answer 59

Morgues are areas in hospitals and medical centres where the bodies of the deceased are stored and autopsied. "They found his body lying in the city morgue, with the autopsy done."

Answer 60

Mortuaries are where the bodies of the deceased are prepared for funeral and burial.

Answer 61

[verb] to admire and respect somebody/something very much SYNONYM idolize "He is now revered as a national hero." [adj] revered: respected, venerated venerate: to honour or very much respect a person or thing "Jerusalem is Christianity's most venerated place."

Answer 62

When national leaders or organizations ratify a treaty or written agreement, they make it official by giving their formal approval to it, usually by signing it or voting for it. "The parliaments of Australia and Indonesia have yet to ratify the treaty." "Many countries have now ratified the UN convention on the rights of the child."

Answer 63

to show, say, or prove that something exists or is true "Police records attest to his long history of violence. " "His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university. " "Thousands of people came out onto the streets to attest their support for the democratic opposition party."

Answer 64

very thin and weak, usually because of illness or lack of food "There were pictures of emaciated children on the cover of the magazine." "He was thirty, but looked fifty, with pale skin, hopeless eyes and an emaciated body, covered in sores." [verb] emaciate: to become or cause to become abnormally thin

Answer 65

(uncommon) to fail to appreciate the value of; undervalue or disparage /dɪˈspærɪdʒ/

Answer 66

1. to cut or tear something, especially flesh 2. to cause someone great emotional pain "The sharp branches lacerated my bare arms." "To think of his own friends betraying him lacerated him." "Their cruel laughter lacerated my heart."

Answer 67

someone who studies or collects coins, or medals [adj] numismatic /ˌnjuːmɪzˈmætɪk/ [noun] numismatics /ˌnjuːmɪzˈmætɪks/ the study of coins and medals

Answer 68

a person who studies the shape of the human head, which some people think is a guide to a person's character phrenology: the study of the shape of the human head, which some people think is a guide to a person’s character

Answer 69

often angry; always complaining "...a cantankerous old man. " "He's getting a bit cantankerous in his old age."

Answer 70

Someone who is perverse deliberately does things that are unreasonable or that result in harm for themselves. "She finds a perverse pleasure in upsetting her parents." "She took a perverse pleasure in hearing that her sister was getting divorced." [adv] "She was perversely pleased to be causing trouble." [noun] "It would be wrong to continue out of perversity."

Answer 71

(of liquids, etc.) very clear and transparent SYNONYM transparent "...limpid blue eyes." "She gave him a look of limpid honesty." "He thought the speech a model of its kind, limpid and unaffected."

Answer 72

(of a person, typically one who is relatively small) strong, forceful, determined and not afraid of arguing with people "He launched a feisty attack on the government." "The soldier looked incredulously at the feisty child."

Answer 73

1. to spread an idea, a belief or a piece of information among many people "Television advertising propagates a false image of the ideal family." "The government had tried to propagate the belief that this is a just war." "Such lies are propagated in the media." 2. to produce new plants from a parent plant "The plant can be propagated from seed." "Plants won't propagate in these conditions."

Answer 74

reminisce /ˌremɪˈnɪs/ to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past "We spent a happy evening reminiscing about the past." reminiscence /ˌremɪˈnɪsns/ SYNONYM memory, recollection "The book is a collection of his reminiscences about the actress." "Her music is full of reminiscences of African rhythms." reminiscent [adj] making you remember a particular person, event, or thing "The way he laughed was strongly reminiscent of his father." "That song is so reminiscent of my adolescence."

Answer 75

an indirect and usually bad result of an action or event that may happen some time afterwards SYNONYM consequence "The collapse of the company will have repercussions for the whole industry." "President Kennedy's assassination had far-reaching repercussions."

Answer 76

A deciduous tree or bush is one that loses its leaves in the autumn, and grows new ones in the spring every year. "Under the sunnier side of a deciduous shrub it could do well."

Answer 77

Lacerations are deep cuts on your skin. "He had lacerations on his back and thighs."

Answer 78

to steal things from a place, especially using force during a time of war SYNONYM pillage "The troops crossed the country, plundering and looting as they went." "The abbey (a large church) had been plundered of its valuables." "Tragically, the graves were plundered and the contents scattered."

Answer 79

to have a continuous up and down shape or movement, like waves on the sea "The road undulates for five miles before a steep climb." "His body slowly undulated in time to the music. "

Answer 80

to officially state that somebody is not guilty of something, OR is not responsible for something wrong, "The police report exonerated Lewis from all charges of corruption." "The report exonerated the crew from all responsibility for the collision."

Answer 81

to give a large sum of money to a school, a college or another institution to provide it with an income "In her will, she endowed a scholarship in the physics department." "This hospital was endowed by the citizens in the 16th century."

Answer 82

knowing, using or written in more than one language SYNONYM multilingual "She was reading a polyglot bible, with the text in English, Latin and Greek." "New York is an exciting polyglot city."

Answer 83

consisting of several different tunes that are played or sung at the same time "a 32-voice polyphonic synthesizer"

Answer 84

a lie detector (a piece of electronic equipment used to detect if someone is telling lies) "Hill's lawyers announced she had taken and passed a polygraph test."

Answer 85

(of a word) having more than one meaning "a highly polysemous word such as "play" "The term "right" is polysemic and ambiguous."

Answer 86

malinger /məˈlɪŋɡə(r)/ to pretend to be ill, especially in order to avoid work "And is he really ill or just malingering?" +er: a person who pretends to be ill, especially in order to avoid work "It can be difficult for commanders to tell the malingerers from the truly ill."

Answer 87

a group of people who travel with an important person to provide help and support SYNONYM entourage/ˈɒnturɑːʒ/ "The president travels with a large retinue of aides and bodyguards."

Answer 88

[noun] the money system of the UK, based on the pound "You can be paid in pounds sterling or American dollars." "The stamps had to be paid for in sterling. " [adj] very good in quality; used to describe someone's work or character "Those are sterling qualities to be admired in anyone. ' "...his years of sterling service."

Answer 89

1. to treat yourself, your wishes, or your beliefs as being less important than other people or their wishes or beliefs "She subjugated herself to her mother's needs." "Health, common sense, and self-respect are subjugated to the cause of looking 'hot'." 2. to defeat people or a country and rule them in a way that allows them no freedom "People in the region are fiercely independent and resist all attempts to subjugate them."

Answer 90

to escape from a place that you are not allowed to leave without permission "She absconded from every children’s home they placed her in." "Two prisoners absconded last night." "He was ordered to appear the following day, but absconded."

Answer 91

to break a law or moral rule:; to go beyond the limit of what is morally or legally acceptable "They had transgressed the bounds of decency." "Those are the rules, and anyone who transgresses will be severely punished." "...a monk who had transgressed against the law of celibacy." celibacy /ˈselɪbəsi/: the state of not being married and never having sex, especially for religious reasons "I was practising celibacy at the time." "I was practising celibacy at the time."

Answer 92

to refuse to obey a person, decision, law, situation, etc. "I wouldn't have dared to defy my teachers." "Hundreds of people today defied the ban on political gatherings."

Answer 93

to make yourself very comfortable or safe in a place or position "He ensconced himself in my bedroom as if he owned it." "After dinner, I ensconced myself in an armchair with a book." "She is now happily ensconced in a new relationship."

Answer 94

a natural desire or need that makes you tend to behave in a particular way, especially a bad way. SYNONYM inclination "She's inherited from her father a propensity to talk too much." "Mr Bint has a propensity to put off decisions to the last minute." "There is an increased propensity for people to live alone."

Answer 95

saying or doing things that tell people things that should be secret or that embarrass people "They have been rather indiscreet about their affair." " It was indiscreet of him to disclose that information." <> discreet: careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping something secret

Answer 96

the state of feeling, or the act of expressing, strong, unreasonable beliefs or opinions "religious/racial bigotry" "He deplored (criticized publicly) religious bigotry. " bigot: a person who is bigoted.

Answer 97

to attack or criticize severely, usually in public. "Grey took every opportunity to lambast Thompson and his organization."

Answer 98

to walk somewhere slowly often felling tired and bored "We spent the afternoon traipsing around the town." "I’m not traipsing all that way just to see your sister." "Joyce traipsed from one doctor to another, praying that someone would listen."

Answer 99

a person who rules a country, for example a king or a queen "Queen Victoria was England's longest reigning monarch." "The constitutional monarch , as head of state, has limited powers."

Answer 100

[verb] fawn on/over somebody: to try to please somebody by praising them or paying them too much attention "He seemed unaware of the girl’s fawning admiration." "Why is everybody fawning over him as if he were a national hero?" [noun] a deer less than one year old [adj] a yellowish light brown color

Answer 101

to take a slow walk or journey around a place, especially for pleasure "very evening the local people perambulate around the park." "It was time now to end our perambulation here"

Answer 102

[adj] /kəˈmenʃərət/ matching something in size, importance, quality, etc. "Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience." "Her low salary is not commensurate with her abilities."

Answer 103

languor [noun] /ˈlæŋɡə(r)/ the pleasant state of feeling lazy and without energy "She, in her languor, had not troubled to eat much. " "She missed Spain and the languor of a siesta on a hot summer afternoon." (siesta /siˈes.tə/ a rest or sleep taken in the early afternoon, especially in hot countries) languorous [adj] /ˈlæŋɡərəs/ pleasantly lazy and without energy "I felt warm and languorous." "...languorous morning coffees on the terrace."

Answer 104

willingness to give money; OR money given to poor people by rich people "She is not noted for her largesse (= she is not generous)." "The medical foundation will be the main beneficiary of the millionaire's largesse."

Answer 105

profligacy [noun] /ˈprɒflɪɡəsi/ the act of spending the act of spending / using money, time, materials, etc. in a careless way "How can such profligacy be justified?" "Years of fiscal profligacy have left the country deeply in debt." profligate [adj] /ˈprɒflɪɡət/ using money, time, materials, etc. in a careless way. SYNONYM wasteful "She is well-known for her profligate spending habits." "The opposition criticized the government’s profligate spending plans."

Answer 106

a female chicken that is less than a year old "I bought half a dozen hens and half a dozen pullets."

Answer 107

1. a thin board with a hole in it for the thumb to go through, used by an artist for mixing colours on when painting "He showed his student how to prepare a palette." 2. the colours used by a particular artist "Greens and browns are typical of Ribera's palette."

Answer 108

1. a flat wooden structure that heavy goods are put onto so that they can be moved using a fork-lift truck 2. a cloth bag filled with straw, used for sleeping on "Servants slept on straw pallets thrown on the floor."

Answer 109

(old-fashioned or formal) the state of being a slave or prisoner. SYNONYM slavery "Masters sometimes allowed their slaves to buy their way out of bondage." "All people, she said, lived their lives in bondage to hunger, pain and lust."

Answer 110

a formal agreement or promise between two or more people "The tenant failed to repair the damage and was in breach of covenant." "The contract contained a restrictive covenant against building on the land."

Answer 111

(sometimes disapproving) polite, respectable and well-mannered, often in an exaggerated way; from, or pretending to be from, a high social class "Her genteel accent irritated me." "He took elocution lessons to try to make his accent sound more genteel." "The mansion had an atmosphere of genteel elegance and decay."

Answer 112

(of people) enjoy or liking to be with other people "Emma's a gregarious, outgoing sort of person." "She can be as engaging at public events as her gregarious husband." "Snow geese are very gregarious birds."

Answer 113

(informal) (of events or a situation) to develop in a particular way "I'm happy with the way things have panned out."

Answer 114

having or showing a deep respect for God and religion SYNONYM devout OPPOSITE impious "He was brought up by pious female relatives. " "She is a pious follower of the faith, never missing her prayers."

Answer 115

polite and appropriate in a particular social situation SYNONYM proper "His manner, as ever, was decorous." "He sipped his drink decorously."

Answer 116

serious, boring, dull, and rather old-fashioned. "The museum is trying to get rid of its staid image." "In an attempt to change its staid image, the newspaper has created a new section aimed at younger readers."

Answer 117

[noun] have the gall to do something: to criticize somebody for behaving in a rude or disrespectful way, and the person behaving badly is not embarrassed "Considering that he never even bothers to visit my parents, I'm amazed that Tim has the gall to ask them for money!" [verb] to make someone feel annoyed "It galls him to take orders from a younger and less experienced colleague."

Answer 118

the organs inside the body of a person or an animal, especially the stomach SYNONYM entrails, guts "Fear twisted her innards in knots."

Answer 119

[noun] liaison /liˈeɪ.zɒn/ communication OR someone who helps groups to work effectively with each other "He blamed the lack of liaison between the various government departments." "She served as a liaison between the different groups." [verb] liaise /liˈeɪz/: to work closely with OR act as a link between two or more people or groups "He had to liaise directly with the police while writing the report." "Her job is to liaise between students and teachers."

Answer 120

litigation: the process of taking a case to a court of law so that a judgment can be made "High litigation costs stopped her from taking the company to court." "The company has consistently denied responsibility, but it agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense of lengthy litigation." litigate [verb] to take a claim or disagreement to court "...the cost of litigating personal injury claims in the county court." "If we have to litigate, we will. "

Answer 121

to involve somebody/something in a bad situation that it is not easy to escape from "The whales are caught by being enmeshed in nets." "She has become enmeshed in a tangle of drugs and petty crime."

Answer 122

1. [usually plural] a level or rank in an organization or society "Corruption was increasingly a problem within the upper echelons." "These salary increases will affect only the highest echelons of local government." 2. An echelon is a military formation in which soldiers, vehicles, ships, or aircraft follow each other but are spaced out sideways so that they can see ahead.

Answer 123

a line of cars or people moving along slowly at a funeral "The public will pay their respects as the funeral cortege passes."

Answer 124

[noun] a structure made of stone or brick that sticks out from and supports a wall of a building [verb] to build buttresses to support a building or structure "It was decided to buttress the crumbling walls." "The arguments for change are buttressed by events elsewhere."

Answer 125

to prove that something is wrong SYNONYM rebut "She tried to think how to refute the argument on moral grounds." "This study cannot provide data to confirm or refute this hypothesis."

Answer 126

connected with schools and education " her scholastic achievement."

Answer 127

getting pleasure, sometimes sexual pleasure, from hurting other people and making them suffer physically or mentally. "He took sadistic pleasure in taunting the boy." "The prisoners rioted against mistreatment by sadistic guards." sadist /ˈseɪdɪst/ a person who is sadistic sadism /ˈseɪdɪzəm/ the sadistic activities

Answer 128

[verb] to show something clearly, through signs or actions "The workers chose to manifest their dissatisfaction in a series of strikes." "The illness first manifested itself in/as severe stomach pains." "Lack of confidence in the company manifested itself in a fall in the share price." [adj] clearly true, easy to see or understand "The anger he felt is manifest in his paintings."

Answer 129

thinking deeply about something, especially because you are sad or worried "She sat with a pensive expression on her face." ""She became withdrawn and pensive, hardly speaking to anyone. "Angela stared pensively out of the window."

Answer 130

seeming attractive, but really false or of little value "He claims that a lot of journalism is meretricious and superficial." "there is a certain meretricious attraction in this suggestion." "It is a rather meretricious argument"

Answer 131

[adj] excellent, of the highest quality; the best "a superlative performance" "We went to a superlative restaurant." [noun] (grammar) ""Richest" is the superlative of "rich"."

Answer 132

very skilful and quick in the way you think or move SYNONYM skilful "She became adroit at dealing with difficult questions." "She is a remarkably adroit and determined politician. " adroitness [noun] the quality of being clever and having skill

Answer 133

a mixture or variety of different things (from French mélange) "a melange of different cultures" "Her book presents an interesting mélange of ideas." "The dessert was described as "a mélange of summer fruits in a light syrup"."

Answer 134

to make more vivid or striking; to bring to life; animate "These dramatizations were included in order to vivify annual celebrations."

Answer 135

(informal) (especially in the Middle East and South Asia) a small amount of money or a present that is given to someone as a bribe, to persuade them to do something

Answer 136

a type of restaurant, often one in a French style that is not very expensive, that serves cheap and simple food "We would not be able to visit a café or brasserie."

Answer 137

someone who is employed in a hotel, private club, or similar place to help guests with anything they need "The concierge can help guests with luggage and to book restaurants and taxis." "She worked as a concierge in the first-class lounge at Dulles International Airport."

Answer 138

also known as a monkey cap. a tight woollen hood that covers every part of your head except your face, only with eyes visible "The two attackers were wearing balaclavas."

Answer 139

boring and always the same SYNONYM dull, tedious "The use of computers to perform humdrum tasks" "...a lawyer, trapped in a humdrum but well-paid job." "His arrival brought some variety into the humdrum life at the gallery."

Answer 140

a floor that is built between two floors of a building and is smaller than the other floors "The station has two mezzanines, four open staircases, three closed staircases, and one escalator."

Answer 141

(also) porch "She stood in the porch and rang the doorbell."

Answer 142

an area outside a house with a solid floor but no roof, used in good weather for relaxing, eating, etc.: "In the summer we have breakfast out on the patio." "His book was found under a patio bench."

Answer 143

decorum [noun] /dɪˈkɔːrəm/ [uncountable] (formal) polite behaviour that is appropriate in a social situation SYNONYM propriety "He is not known for his sense of decorum." "The celebrations were carried off with style and decorum." "As young ladies we were expected to behave with proper decorum." decorous [adj] /ˈdekərəs/ polite and appropriate in a particular social situation SYNONYM proper "a decorous kiss" "They go for decorous walks every day in parks with their nanny." "He sipped his drink decorously."

Answer 144

(formal) no longer existing, operating or being used "He was the leader of the now defunct Social Democratic Party." "They bought all their equipment from a defunct brewery in Manhattan."

Answer 145

[uncountable, singular] (formal) a general feeling of being ill or having no energy, or an uncomfortable feeling that something is wrong, especially with society, and that you cannot change the situation "He complained of depression, headaches and malaise." "Unification has brought soaring unemployment and social malaise." "The latest crime figures are merely symptomatic of a wider malaise in society."

Answer 146

weakness or illness over a long period, might because of old age "They may face sickness or infirmity." "She suffered from a long list of infirmities." "It is based on health and leisure rather than infirmity and poverty."

Answer 147

1. a dangerous and infectious disease that can be caught by animals, especially dogs 2. a kind of paint sometimes used for painting walls, used especially in the past

Answer 148

to use something slowly or carefully because you only have a small amount of it "There wasn't much food left, but we just managed to eke it out." "For years he eked out a miserable existence in a dreary bedsit in Bristol." bedsit = bedsitter: a room that a person rents and uses for both living and sleeping in

Answer 149

[verb] to suggest an idea for people to discuss. SYNONYM propose, put forward "The plan was first mooted at last week’s meeting." "The idea was first mooted as long ago as the 1840s." "His name was mooted as a possible successor." [adj] unlikely to happen and therefore not worth considering "He argued that the issue had become moot since the board had changed its policy."

Answer 150

[used before noun] a very happy or successful period in the past "She recalled the halcyon days of her youth." "It was all a far cry from those halcyon days in 1990, when he won three tournaments on the European tour."

Answer 151

1. (of weather) uncomfortably warm and with air that is slightly wet "We went out into the still, sultry heat of the afternoon." 2. (especially of a woman) sexually attractive; seeming to have strong sexual feelings "She's the sultry blonde in that new chocolate commercial."

Answer 152

(disapproving) very boring, ordinary and containing nothing that is interesting or important "He just sat there making banal remarks all evening." "Bland, banal music tinkled discreetly from hidden loudspeakers."

Answer 153

typical of a king or queen, and therefore impressive "the regal splendour of the palace" "He sat with such regal dignity. " "She dismissed him with a regal gesture."

Answer 154

ordinary people in society or in an organization, rather than the leaders or people who make decisions "We need support at grassroots level." "The feeling among the grassroots of the Party is that the leaders are not radical enough."

Answer 155

belonging to a class of people who hold high social rank "His aristocratic manner alienated many voters." aristocrat /ˈærɪstəkræt/ [noun] a person of high social rank who belongs to the aristocracy: "Many aristocrats were killed in the French Revolution." aristocracy: a class of people who hold high social rank "the shift of power from the aristocracy to the bourgeoisie"

Answer 156

the middle classes in society (the social group between the rich and the poor) "the rise of the bourgeoisie in the nineteenth century" "His father, who was a wealthy merchant and farmer, belonged to the local bourgeoisie."

Answer 157

(formal) to complain or say that you are not happy about something "They sat bemoaning the fact that no one would give them a chance." "Researchers at universities are always bemoaning their lack of funds."

Answer 158

a sudden attack on or act of going into a place, especially across a border "incursions into enemy territory" "Border patrols were increased to deter further incursions by foreign forces."

Answer 159

burgeoning [adj] /ˈbɜːdʒənɪŋ/: beginning to grow or develop rapidly "today's burgeoning market for organic products" "The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry." burgeon [verb] /ˈbɜːdʒən/ to begin to grow or develop rapidly "Love burgeoned between them." "A new wave of running clubs have burgeoned over the past decade."

Answer 160

to cut skin or part of the body with something sharp ""To think of his own friends betraying him lacerated him." "Their cruel laughter lacerated my heart."

Answer 161

[usually before noun] (formal): very poor "Apparently estate agents are urging indigent owners to sell now." "We are a non-profit agency that provides legal services to indigent clients."

Answer 162

1. (of a disease or poison) extremely dangerous or harmful and quick to have an effect "a particularly virulent flu germ" "A particularly virulent strain of flu has recently claimed a number of lives in the region." 2. (formal) full of hate and violent opposition "She is a virulent critic of US energy policy." "Now he faces virulent attacks from the Italian media."

Answer 163

to make someone return for trial to another country or state where they have been accused of doing something illegal "He will be extradited to Arizona from Florida." "The British government attempted to extradite the suspects from Belgium." "The courts have refused to extradite the suspects from Spain."

Answer 164

to believe or say that something is caused by something else. SYNONYM attribute "He ascribed his failure to bad luck." "This play is usually ascribed to Shakespeare." "To what do you ascribe your phenomenal success?"

Answer 165

to act or speak for another person, especially at work "I'm deputizing for (= doing the job of) the director during his absence." "Ms Green has asked me to deputize for her at the meeting."

Answer 166

If an event or series of events culminates in something, it ends with it, having developed until it reaches this point "Months of hard work culminated in success." "My arguments with the boss got worse and worse, and finally culminated in my resignation." "Their many years of research have finally culminated in a cure for the disease."

Answer 167

[verb] /kəˈrɒbəreɪt/ to provide evidence or information that supports a statement, theory, etc. SYNONYM confirm "The evidence was corroborated by two independent witnesses." [adj] "Is there any corroborative evidence for this theory?" [noun] "The prosecution provided corroboration for her allegation."

Answer 168

the act of giving back to a person something that was lost or stolen, or of paying them money for the loss. "The victims are demanding full restitution. " "We have asked that they rehire the people they fired and make restitution to them." "The company has a legal duty to make restitution to passengers for any inconvenience caused."

Answer 169

1. worried about small details and are difficult to please. SYNONYM fussy "Even the most finicky eater will find something appetizing here. " 2. needing a lot of attention to detail. SYNONYM fiddly Repairing watches must be a very finicky job.

Answer 170

(informal, disapproving) talking a lot, especially about things that are not important "He learned the art of narrative from his gabby grandfather." "John is a gabby salesman; Ian, his friend, is a shy and introverted priest." "A family phone plan is often the cheapest option, but one gabby family member can use up all the minutes."

Answer 171

[adj] having practical knowledge and understanding of something "Teenagers are savvier about handling their digital information than adults." "Most of his clients were financially savvy enough to know a good deal when they saw one." [noun] practical knowledge and ability "political savvy" "He is known for his business savvy and strong management skills."

Answer 172

a meal with a variety of hot and cold savoury dishes, from which people serve themselves.

Answer 173

not having or showing courage SYNONYM cowardly OPPOSITE brave "...his craven obedience to his boss." "I felt a craven desire to escape the whole situation." "Politicians are too craven to tackle this problem."

Answer 174

representing a perfect or typical example of something "Everybody thinks of him as the quintessential New Yorker." "He is the quintessential tragic music teacher, wild hair and too many kittens."

Answer 175

(formal) lasting for only a short time; temporary SYNONYM fleeting, temporary "...the transient nature of high fashion. " "In most cases, pain is transient." "The weakness was transient, and soon I was feeling strong again."

Answer 176

[[adj] unconventional and independent, and do not think or behave in the same way as other people. "She is more maverick while I am slightly more conventional." [noun] a person who is maverick "He was too much of a maverick ever to hold high office."

Answer 177

lasting for only a short time, then disappearing quickly and being forgotten "Talk is evanescent, writing leaves footprints." "It was years later when Mark began to phone suddenly, out of the vaporous, evanescent blue."

Answer 178

a speech or piece of writing that praises somebody or something highly "In this, both as to the acting and singing part, she is truly above all encomium."

Answer 179

[verb] to speak loudly and angrily in a way that criticizes somebody/something or tries to persuade people to do something "A drunk in the station was haranguing passers-by." "He walked to the front of the stage and began to harangue the audience." [noun] a long loud angry speech that criticizes somebody/something or tries to persuade people to do something

Answer 180

the practice of using clever arguments that sound convincing but are in fact false. 诡辩 "Convincing myself that I had gained in some way from my loss was just pure sophistry." "It is the kind of sophistry we have seen before."

Answer 181

(formal) connected with saying goodbye, especially at a formal occasion "The outgoing secretary general will deliver his valedictory address on Friday." valediction: the act of saying goodbye, especially in a formal speech. v.s. farewell (farewell is related to a ceremony)

Answer 182

a star, especially the Pole Star, used to help find direction (literary) an example or principle that people want to follow "The party manifesto is no longer the lodestar it used to be."

Answer 183

1. an area of soft, wet ground that you sink into if you try to walk on it "The heavy rain soon turned the field into a quagmire." 2. a difficult, complicated, or unpleasant situation which is not easy to avoid or escape from SYNONYM morass /məˈræs/ "Since the coup, the country has sunk deeper into a quagmire of violence and lawlessness." "We have no intention of being drawn into a political quagmire."

Answer 184

(disapproving) lack of energy; lack of desire or ability to move or change "This might help you overcome inertia. " "I can't seem to throw off this feeling of inertia." "She lapsed into inertia and lay there as if asleep." "The organization is stifled by bureaucratic inertia." "Projects were frequently abandoned through sheer inertia." 2. (physics) Inertia is the tendency of a physical object to remain still or to continue moving, unless a force is applied to it.

Answer 185

to make somebody do something by talking to them and being very nice to them. Cajole may stress deceit (as by flattering or making specious promises) SYNONYM coax, wheedle " I managed to cajole his address out of them." "I managed to cajole her out of leaving too early." "The most effective technique is to cajole rather than to threaten."

Answer 186

Wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of soft words, artful flattery, or seductive appeal SYNONYM coax, cajole "she could wheedle the soul out of a saint" "She'll wheedle out your secret if you are not careful."

Answer 187

/ɪnˈkrəʊtʃ/ [intransitive] 1. (disapproving) to begin to affect or use up too much of somebody’s time, rights, personal life, etc. "He never allows work to encroach upon his family life." "Gradually the negative feelings encroached into her work." 2. to slowly begin to cover more and more of an area "Farmers encroached on forest land to grow crops." "New housing is starting to encroach upon the surrounding fields."

Answer 188

a large brass musical instrument that you play by blowing, and that produces low notes. 大号

Answer 189

(usually of a woman) tall and beautiful in an impressive way; like a statue "She was a statuesque brunette."

Answer 190

having a very bright or beautiful appearance, in an impressive and expensive way "He glimpsed Sonia, resplendent in a red dress." "Palaces within the Forbidden City are grand and resplendent."

Answer 191

not able to control the bladder and bowels (unable to prevent urine or faeces coming out of their body.) "Many of our patients are incontinent." "His diseased bladder left him incontinent." continent [adj]: able to control the bladder and bowels; able to control your sexual desires

Answer 192

[noun] /ˈriːlæps/ the fact of becoming ill again after making an improvement "A wide range of emotionally stressful events may trigger a relapse." "She had/suffered a relapse over the weekend" [verb] /rɪˈlæps/ to go back into a previous condition or into a worse state after making an improvement "The financial markets will soon relapse into panic." "He relapsed into his old bad habits." "She managed to stop using drugs for a month, but then relapsed." "He looked happy for a brief while, before relapsing into silent misery."

Answer 193

/ˈækrɪməni/ angry bitter feelings or words "The dispute was settled without acrimony." "Her response was surprisingly free of acrimony." "Mediation can help divorcing couples keep acrimony at a minimum."

Answer 194

the fact of being extremely unwilling to spend money SYNONYM meanness "Her stepfather's parsimony was well known." "Due to official parsimony, only the one machine was built." "She's too parsimonious to heat the house properly." "I think that politicians are often parsimonious with the truth."

Answer 195

[noun] /ˈælɪməni/ the money that a court orders somebody to pay regularly to their former wife, when the marriage is ended "He has to pay alimony to his ex-wife." "A great deal of Jeff's money went in alimony to his three former wives."

Answer 196

/ˌriːkəˈpɪtʃuleɪt/ to repeat or give a summary of what has already been said, decided, etc. SYN: recap "Let's just recapitulate the essential points." "Now, it is being recapitulated in a way that shouldn't surprise me, but does." capitulate: to accept defeat, or to give up or give in "I capitulated and let my daughter go with her friends."

Answer 197

/ˈrɪɡmərəʊl/ a long and complicated process that is annoying and seems unnecessary "I couldn't face the whole rigmarole of getting a work permit again." "The customs officials made us go through the (whole) rigmarole of opening up our bags for inspection." "She turned up an hour late with some rigmarole (a long and complicated story )about catching the wrong train."

Answer 198

looking pale and weak "She gave me a wan smile (= showing no energy or enthusiasm)." "the wan sunlight of a winter’s morning"

Answer 199

moving slowly in an attractive way, not needing energy or effort [adj] /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/ showing little energy or interest and are very slow and casual in movements, often in an attractive way "a languid wave of the hand" "a languid afternoon in the sun" "To his delight a familiar, tall, languid figure appeared in the hall" "Time spent at Jumby Bay can be as energetic or as languid as you wish."

Answer 200

two pieces of leather which are placed at the side of a horse's eyes so that it can only see straight ahead.

Answer 201

a sudden strong and violent wind, often with rain or snow during a storm "A sudden vicious squall knocked her to the ground." "We got caught in a sudden squall of rain." "Violent squalls signalled the approach of the hurricane."

Answer 202

to weigh someone or something down, or to make it difficult for someone to do something "The police operation was encumbered by crowds of reporters." "Today, thankfully, women tennis players are not encumbered with/by long, heavy skirts and high-necked blouses." "I'm sure we all wish to be less encumbered by rules which we think unnecessary and restricting."

Answer 203

the state of being famous for being bad in some way; notorious "She achieved notoriety for her affair with the senator." "This make of car has a certain notoriety for rust problems." "The public is unhappy about the notoriety of the mayor."

Answer 204

a dead human body. SYNONYM corpse

Answer 205

[adj] [disapproval] not caring enough about something important or about the feelings of other people "The government takes a cavalier attitude to the problems of prison overcrowding." "The Editor takes a cavalier attitude to the concept of fact checking."

Answer 206

an old man, especially one who is strange or humorous in some way "This music is very loud for codgers like us."

Answer 207

a large number of things, which are usually unpleasant, that happen suddenly within a short period of time "The bombing was the latest in a spate of terrorist attacks." "Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area."

Answer 208

[noun[, flowing out or a thing that flows out; an ending

Answer 209

[adj] [verb] beginning to grow or develop rapidly "a burgeoning population of writers" "the burgeoning number of books devoted to the game" "The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry." "A new wave of running clubs have burgeoned over the past decade."

Answer 210

having a lot of problems or difficulties; or surrounded by enemies "The beleaguered party leader was forced to resign." "here have been seven coup attempts against the beleaguered government." "The rebels continue their push towards the beleaguered capital."

Answer 211

all the people who will live in the future "Posterity will remember him as a great man." "It remains to be seen how posterity will judge her actions." "Every attempt is being made to ensure that these works of art are preserved for posterity."

Answer 212

(mostly amenities ) something, such as a swimming pool or shopping centre, that is intended to make life more pleasant or comfortable for the people in a town, hotel, etc. "Many of the houses lacked even basic amenities (= baths, showers, hot water, etc.)." "The hotel has excellent amenities." "The new leisure centre will be an amenity for local residents."

Answer 213

fallacy [noun] a false idea that many people believe is true "It is a fallacy to say that the camera never lies." fallacious /fəˈleɪʃəs/ wrong; based on a false idea "a fallacious argument"

Answer 214

a place where people keep bees, especially a collection of hives kept to provide honey "The apiary was nearby; half a dozen hives faced south down the slope."

Answer 215

/ˈskæbəd/ a cover for a sword that is made of leather or metal, usually attached to a belt SYNONYM sheath "Mostly, the sword remains safely within its scabbard."

Answer 216

[verb] to spend time drinking alcohol, laughing and enjoying yourself in a noisy way with other people "We'd been up carousing till the early hours and were exhausted." ""The singing and carousing did not end until after midnight.

Answer 217

1) to dance or move your body quickly with circular movements. "They began gyrating to the music." "...a room stuffed full of gasping, gyrating bodies." 2) to turn round and round in a circle, usually very fast "The leaves gyrated slowly to the ground." "The aeroplane was gyrating about the sky in a most unpleasant fashion." 3) (price) move up and down in a rapid and uncontrolled way "...the gyrations of the stock markets. " "The world's currencies are gyrating wildly as fears grow about economic imbalances."

Answer 218

to stop someone taking an active and important part in something "The vice-president is increasingly being sidelined." [sports] to prevent somebody from playing in a team "he player has been sidelined by a knee injury."

Answer 219

a man who takes people from one place to another in a gondola /ˈɡɒndələ/ (a long boat with a flat bottom and high parts at each end)

Answer 220

the person who is in charge SYNONYM boss "Who's the head honcho around here?"

Answer 221

having a strong desire to argue or fight with other people SYNONYM bellicose /ˈbelɪkəʊs/ "I found him pugnacious and arrogant." "When drinking, he becomes pugnacious and rude." "His pugnacity and controversial business dealings had made him unpopular."

Answer 222

debut: /ˈdeɪbjuː/ /deɪˈbjuː/ to make a first public appearance "The young star made his international debut on Wednesday. " "The ballet will debut next month in New York." "They will debut the products at the trade show." debutante /ˈdebjuːtɑːnt/ A debutante is a young woman from the upper classes who has started going to social events debutant /ˈdebjuːtɑːnt/ a person who is making their first public appearance, especially in sport or films

Answer 223

/ˈdekəɡən/ a flat shape with ten straight sides and ten angles /ˌdekəˈhiːdrən/ a solid shape with ten flat sides (compare polyhedron)

Answer 224

1. a very large, upright piece of stone, especially one that was put in place in ancient times. 2. (disapproving) a single, very large organization that is very slow to change and not interested in individual people "A deal between the two powerful institutions would have created a banking monolith."

Answer 225

contrive /kənˈtraɪv/ to arrange a situation or event, or arrange for something to happen, using clever planning / tricking "Couldn't you contrive a meeting between them? I think they'd really like each other." "Somehow she contrived to get tickets for the concert." contrivance /kənˈtraɪvəns/ "The film is spoilt by unrealistic contrivances of plot." "I think the meeting happened more by contrivance than chance."

Answer 226

[noun] a liquid that is painted on wood or metal and forms a hard, shiny surface when it dries [verb] to cover something such as wood or metal with lacquer "a lacquered Chinese table" "(fig) The speech tended to lacquer over the terrible conditions"

Answer 227

a group of military aircraft or ships forming a section of a military force "a squadron of Navy jets" "He commanded a squadron of six warships."

Answer 228

a false statement about a person that is made to damage their reputation SYNONYM slander "He accused the press of publishing vicious calumnies." "a campaign of gossip and calumny" "He was subjected to the most vicious calumny, but he never complained and never sued."

Answer 229

1. no longer not active or successful (about to come to an end) 2. in a very bad condition; dying "...the moribund economy." "How can the department be revived from its present moribund state?" "a moribund patient"

Answer 230

[adj] /ˈrɪbld/, /ˈraɪbɔːld/ (of language or behaviour) referring to sex in a rude but humorous way SUN: bawdy "ribald comments/jokes/laughter" "He entertained us with ribald stories."

Answer 231

evangelize: to try to persuade people to become Christians; or to talk about how good you think something is "The Church has a mission to evangelize and spread the faith" "I wish she would stop evangelizing about the virtues of free market economics." evangelistic [adj] "She held an evangelistic rally in Fort Worth." "They had just attended an evangelistic meeting."

Answer 232

having low morale standards, interested mainly in pleasure "the decadent court surrounding the king" ""There was something very decadent about filling ourselves with so much rich food. decadence: [noun] "The empire had for years been falling into decadence."

Answer 233

to express or show the most important facts about something SYNONYM sum up "The poem encapsulates many of the central themes of her writing" " It was very difficult to encapsulate the story of the revolution in a single one-hour documentary."

Answer 234

intrinsic: belonging to or part of the real nature of something/somebody "Maths is an intrinsic part of the school curriculum." "Small local shops are intrinsic to the town's character." extrinsic: coming from outside, or not related to something "Nowadays there are fewer extrinsic pressures to get married." "She was motivated by the idea of extrinsic rewards such as salary rather than intrinsic ones such as pride and self-respect."

Answer 235

unabated [adj] without becoming any less strong "The rain continued unabated." "They danced all night with unabated energy." abate [verb] to become less intense or severe "The storm showed no signs of abating." "They waited for the crowd’s fury to abate."

Answer 236

lasting or used for only a short period of time SYNONYM short-lived "Fame in the world of rock and pop is largely ephemeral." "The earthly pleasures are ephemeral. "

Answer 237

refusing to change your opinions or behaviour SYNONYM stubborn "They put pressure on the Government to change its intransigent stance. " "The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent. "

Answer 238

(usually of a woman or a girl) behaving in a quiet, shy way and well behaved, usually in a way that you like and find appealing SYNONYM modest "She's very demure and sweet." "She gave him a demure smile."

Answer 239

text in a formal agreement that is printed smaller than the rest of the text, sometimes in the hope that it will not be noticed "Make sure you examine the fine print before you sign the contract.'

Answer 240

(medical) (plural) prostheses /prɒsˈθiːsiːz/ an artificial body part, such as an arm, foot, or tooth, that replaces a missing part "The woman whose leg had been amputated could get a prosthesis and learn to walk on it."

Answer 241

to praise somebody/something enthusiastically "hey kept extolling my managerial skills." "Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat." "'She is forever extolling the virtues of her children.

Answer 242

to prevent a dead body from decaying by treating it with special substances to preserve it "His body was embalmed."

Answer 243

humorous or liking to play: "His jocose manner was unsuitable for such a solemn occasion."

Answer 244

words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group of people, and are difficult for others to understand "Try to avoid using too much technical jargon." "Her emails are always couched in jargon."

Answer 245

to speak or say something quickly in a way that is difficult to understand SYNONYM gabble "What is he jabbering about now?" "The girl jabbered incomprehensibly."

Answer 246

without money, food and the other things necessary for life "When he died, his family was left completely destitute." "The floods left thousands of people destitute."

Answer 247

a man or boy who behaves in a rude and aggressive way SYNONYM yob "We were woken by a group of drunken louts singing in the street outside." "He claimed that he had been abused by drunken teenage louts."

Answer 248

/ˈækjəmən/, /əˈkjuːmən/ the ability to understand and decide things quickly and well "He had demonstrated considerable business acumen." "The physical acumen learned from dance meant he also excelled at cricket."

Answer 249

1. a very large fire that destroys a lot of land or buildings "The incident has raised fears of a new regional conflagration." "The fire services were not adequate to deal with major conflagrations." 2. a large and violent event, such as a war, involving a lot of people "The government has turned a minor local problem into a full-blown regional conflagration."

Answer 250

/ˈwɒnəbi/ a person who behaves, dresses, etc. trying very hard to be like another person, usually unsuccessfully "...wannabe musicians who don't know which way up to hold their guitars. " "The bar is frequented by wannabe actresses and film directors."

Answer 251

man who lives near a frontier (border between cultivated land), especially in the past in the US:

Answer 252

picket: a worker or group of workers who protest outside a building to prevent other workers from going inside, especially because they have a disagreement with their employers "There were pickets outside the factory gates." "The miners went on strike and picketed the power stations." picketer: a person who takes part in a picket

Answer 253

[verb] [noun] to have or express opinions that are different from those that are officially accepted "Political dissent would no longer be tolerated." "There are likely to be many dissenting voices." dissenter: a person who does not agree with opinions that are officially or generally accepted "The dissenters at the meeting were shouted down."

Answer 254

difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply "an abstruse philosophical essay" "His theorising is neither abstruse nor detached from a firm base"

Answer 255

conciliatory [adj] showing willingness to end a disagreement, or trying to make someone less angry [noun] conciliation, conciliator "She had been too conciliatory towards her staff." "The next time he spoke he used a more conciliatory tone." conciliate [verb] SYNONYM pacify "These changes have been made in an attempt to conciliate critics of the plan."

Answer 256

a phrase or an idea that has been used so often that it no longer has much meaning and is not interesting "She trotted out the old cliché that ‘a trouble shared is a trouble halved.’" "My wedding day - and I know it's a cliché - was just the happiest day of my life."

Answer 257

tassels are bunches of threads that are tied together at one end and hang from cushions, curtains, clothes, etc. as a decoration

Answer 258

(old-fashioned, informal) a person’s heart

Answer 259

barb [noun] the point of an arrow or a hook that is curved backwards to make it difficult to pull out. (fig) a remark that is meant to hurt somebody’s feelings "I tried to ignore their barbs about my new jacket." "The accusation that she did not trust him was a barb that hurt more than she wanted to admit." barbed [adj] "She made some rather barbed comments about my lifestyle."

Answer 260

barbarity /bɑːˈbærəti/: behaviour that deliberately causes extreme physical or mental pain or difficulty to others "The dictatorship has been responsible for countless barbarities." barbaric [adj] /bɑːˈbærɪk/ cruel and violent and not as expected from people who are educated and respect each other "The way these animals are killed is barbaric." barbarous /ˈbɑːbərəs/ [adj] extremely cruel and making you feel shocked "the barbarous treatment of these prisoners of war" barbarians: (in ancient times) a member of a people who did not belong to one of the great civilizations (Greek, Roman, Christian)

Answer 261

/klænˈdestɪn/, /ˈklændəstaɪn/ done secretly or kept secret, esp for something that is not officially allowed "A clandestine meeting was held between leaders of the two parties." "She could see no future in her clandestine relationship." "He has been having a clandestine affair with his secretary for three years."

Answer 262

cheerful and friendly in atmosphere or character, making you feel happy and welcome: SYNONYM sociable "We passed a convivial evening at the McCabes’ house." "...the conviviality of the restaurant."

Answer 263

1. a very large white seabird 2. a thing that causes problems or prevents you from doing something "The national debt is an albatross around the president’s neck." "Privatization could become a political albatross for the ruling party." "Her own party members see her as an albatross who could lose them the election."

Answer 264

Someone or something that is alarmist causes unnecessary fear or anxiety that something unpleasant or dangerous is going to happen. "The danger is not as great as the alarmists are saying." "Contrary to the more alarmist reports, he is not going to die. "

Answer 265

a factory where a substance such as oil is refined (= made pure) "He works at the town’s oil refinery."

Answer 266

A locale is a small area, for example the place where something happens or where the action of a book or film is set. "The majority of people in this locale work in agriculture." "We choose our tour guides mainly on their knowledge of the locale." "The book's locale is a coastal town in the summer of 1958." "An amusement park is the perfect locale for all sorts of adventures."

Answer 267

[noun] the thick covering of wool on a sheep, or this covering used to make a piece of clothing [verb] If you fleece someone, you get a lot of money from them by tricking them or charging them too much. "That restaurant really fleeced us!" "Some local shops have been fleecing tourists."

Answer 268

[noun] a piece of underwear for women, worn around the waist and bottom, that stretches to shape the body [verb] to surround something "a garden girdled by oak trees" "A chain of volcanoes girdles the Pacific." "Weather satellites have observed a ring of volcanic ash girdling the earth."

Answer 269

the distance around the outside of a thick or fat object, like a tree or a body "He was a man of massive girth." "A girl he knew had upset him by commenting on his increasing girth." "He rested his hands on his broad girth (= his large stomach)."

Answer 270

/rɪˈpɒzətri/ A repository is a place where something is kept safely, in large quantities. OR a person or book that is full of information "A church in Moscow became a repository for police files." "My father is a repository of family history."

Answer 271

a poem that has 14 lines, each containing 10 syllables, and a fixed pattern of rhyme "Shakespeare’s sonnets"

Answer 272

a official decision/statement that allows political prisoners to go free "The president granted a general amnesty for all political prisoners." "They announced a general amnesty for crimes committed during the war."

Answer 273

a poisonous substance in tobacco that people become addicted to, so that it is difficult to stop smoking "Nicotine is a stimulant and will interfere with sleep." "The nicotine stains on his fingers told me he was under stress."

Answer 274

showing a wish to help or bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself "I doubt whether her motives for donating the money are altruistic - she's probably looking for publicity."

Answer 275

[adj] (of a sound or somebody talking) unpleasant or annoying to listen to "The sound of his grating voice complaining all day was driving me crazy." [noun] a flat frame with metal bars across it, used to cover a window, a hole in the ground, "The entrance to the drain is covered by a heavy iron grating."

Answer 276

[adj] (of a crime or bad action) planned in advance OPP: unpremeditated: (of a crime or bad action) not planned in advance "The killing had not been premeditated." "This was a callous, premeditated attack on a defenceless young man." premeditation [noun] the act of considering and planning a crime or bad action in advance "There was clear evidence of premeditation in the murder."

Answer 277

precedent [noun] /ˈpresɪdənt/ something happened before, and this can be regarded as an argument for doing it again. "The ruling set a precedent for future libel cases." "The judge based his decision on precedents set during the Middle Ages." precedence [noun] /ˈpresɪdəns/ If one thing takes precedence over another, it is regarded as more important than the other. "You should give your schoolwork precedence." "Have as much fun as possible at college, but don't let it take precedence over study."

Answer 278

If you abjure something such as a belief or way of life, you state publicly that you will give it up or that you reject it. SYNONYM renounce "He abjured his religion and became a free thinker" "He abjure to give up the job." abjuration: renunciation upon oath

Answer 279

a worried, sad & anxious feeling after you have received an unpleasant surprise SYNONYM dismay "The announcement of her retirement caused consternation among tennis fans.' "The thought of meeting him filled me with consternation." "Sam stared at him in consternation." "The prospect of so much work filled him with consternation."

Answer 280

the process of taking a case to a court of law so that a judgment can be made "The payment was made to avoid threatened litigation." "High litigation costs stopped her from taking the company to court." "The company has been in litigation with its previous auditors for a full year."

Answer 281

a narrow hole or gap. In photography, the aperture of a camera is the size of the hole through which light passes to reach the film. "The bell ropes passed through apertures in the ceiling." "Binoculars of this aperture are very expensive."

Answer 282

[verb] to pretend to be someone else, esp. in order to deceive other people. "He masqueraded as a doctor and fooled everyone. " "(figurative) The local paper is full of gossip masquerading as news." [noun] an attempt to deceive people about the true nature or identity of something. "He was tired of the masquerade and wanted the truth to come out." "He told a news conference that the elections would be a masquerade."

Answer 283

a group of three books, films, etc. that have the same subject or characters

Answer 284

threats or force that are used to make somebody do something "He claimed that he signed the confession under duress.." "The promise was obtained by duress on the part of her husband."

Answer 285

/ˈjuːlədʒaɪz/ to praise somebody/something very highly, in a speech or writing 'He was eulogized as a hero." "Critics everywhere have eulogized her new novel.' eulogy [noun] a speech or piece of writing praising somebody/something very much "The song was a eulogy to the joys of travelling." "He gave the eulogy at Aunt Louise’s funeral." "He was the most self-effacing of men - the last thing he would have relished was a eulogy."

Answer 286

not making yourself noticeable, or not trying to get the attention of other people "He was the most self-effacing of men - the last thing he would have relished was a eulogy." "The captain was typically self-effacing when questioned about the team's successes, giving credit to the other players." efface: to destroy or remove completely

Answer 287

a false reason that you give for doing something, usually something bad, in order to hide the real reason; an excuse "He left the party early on the pretext of having work to do." "Under the pretext of checking her identity, the man had copied down her credit card details." "They would now find some dubious pretext to restart the war. "

Answer 288

+ sth or on sth: to explain something by talking about it in detail "He expounded his views on the subject to me at great length." "We listened as she expounded on the government's new policies." "He's always expounding on what's wrong with the world."

Answer 289

/ˈɡrændiəʊs/ seeming very impressive but too large, complicated, expensive, etc. to be practical or possible "Not one of Kim's grandiose plans has even begun." "He could no longer live the grandiose lifestyle to which he had become accustomed.' [noun] grandiosity

Answer 290

Crass behaviour is stupid and does not show consideration for other people. "He made crass comments about her worn-out clothes." "I thought his comments were somewhat crass."

Answer 291

a journey or visit made for pleasure by an official that is paid for by someone else or with public money "He took frequent junkets with friends to exotic locales." "The senator is off on another junket to Hawaii at taxpayers’ expense."

Answer 292

a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, a political party, etc. "She rejected the traditional Christian doctrines."

Answer 293

existing often hidden and not obvious at the moment, but which may develop further in the future. "These children have a huge reserve of latent talent." "We're trying to bring out the latent artistic talents that many people possess without realizing it."

Answer 294

not recognized or understood by the conscious mind, but still having an influence on it (affecting your mind even though you are not aware of it) "There are strict laws against subliminal advertising." "Colour has a profound, though often subliminal influence on our senses and moods. " "I have read many books, perhaps they influenced me subliminally."

Answer 295

ostentatious (disapproving) showing your wealth or status in a way that is intended to impress people SYNONYM showy "They criticized the ostentatious lifestyle of their leaders." OPP: unostentatious "As a leader he was modest and unostentatious."

Answer 296

a person who believes in and follows the teachings of a religious or political leader SYNONYM follower "a disciple of the economist John Maynard Keynes" "...a disciple of Freud. " "...one of the disciples of Christ. "

Answer 297

help, advice, or teaching about how to do something SYNONYM tuition "Under his tutelage, she started reading widely again." "Several well known names passed under his tutelage."

Answer 298

spontaneous: not planned but done because you suddenly want to do it "His jokes seemed spontaneous, but were in fact carefully prepared beforehand." "The audience broke into spontaneous applause." spontaneity /ˌspɒntəˈneɪəti/ the quality of being spontaneous "The spontaneity of a night out is non-existent when you have a child"

Answer 299

nuance [noun] a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc. "He was aware of every nuance in her voice." "Do you understand the nuances of British humour?" nuanced [adj] with very slight differences in meaning or expression "As her career progressed, her work became more complex and nuanced."

Answer 300

getting pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, from hurting other people "He took sadistic pleasure in taunting the boy." sadism [noun] /ˈseɪdɪzəm/ sadist [noun] /ˈseɪdɪst/

Answer 301

chauvinism /ˈʃəʊvɪnɪzəm/ 1) an aggressive and unreasonable belief that your own country is better than all others "The war stimulated an intense national chauvinism." 2) the belief that men are more important, more intelligent or better than women "The chance remark that revealed his deep-rooted chauvinism and basic male insensitivity." chauvinist: a person of chauvinism "It is a deeply chauvinist community where the few women who have jobs are ridiculed."

Answer 302

Someone who is dissolute does not care at all about morals and lives in a way that is considered to be wicked and immoral. "He led a dissolute life, drinking, and womanizing till his death." dissolution: the act or process of ending an official organization or legal agreement: "the dissolution of parliament" "the dissolution of their marriage"

Answer 303

an angry speech or piece of writing that severely criticizes something or someone "He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation." " He launched into a long diatribe against the lack of action in Congress." "The book is a diatribe against the academic left."

Answer 304

strong disagreement within an organization, especially a religious one, that makes its members divide into separate groups "The disagreement eventually led to a schism within the Church." "The church seems to be on the brink of schism."

Answer 305

prolific /prəˈlɪfɪk/ producing a great number or amount of something "He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation." "She is a prolific writer of novels and short stories." proliferate: /prəˈlɪfəreɪt/ to increase rapidly in number or amount SYNONYM multiply "...the proliferation of nuclear weapons." "Time passed and animal life proliferated."

Answer 306

(usually of men) confident, charming, and well-dressed. "a debonair appearance/manner" "He was a handsome, debonair, death-defying racing-driver."

Answer 307

(especially of a man) confident, attractive and polite, sometimes in a way that does not seem sincere "The manager was suave and sophisticated." "Special skills are needed to deal suavely with a company's senior managers"

Answer 308

[adj] very fashionable and attractive SYNONYM stylish "She was dazzling, witty and terrifyingly chic." "They found a chic little bar." "Her gown was very French and very chic." [noun] "a perfectly dressed woman with an air of chic that was unmistakably French"

Answer 309

stupid or silly; with no meaning "The last question was especially inane." "I wish you’d stop making these inane remarks!" inanity [noun] "...the inanity of the conversation."

Answer 310

a name or nickname "She's the author of three detective novels under the moniker of Janet Neel. "

Answer 311

used when giving the name that a person is generally known by, after giving their real name Liu Mingwei, alias WIlliam Liu "After her escape from prison, Claire Potter adopted the alias Margaret Smith."

Answer 312

(formal) to deliberately avoid or keep away from something "He had eschewed politics in favour of a life practising law." "We won't have discussions with this group unless they eschew violence."

Answer 313

[formal, disapproval] behaviour that is bold, rude, or disrespectful, Insolent or impertinent. "He had the effrontery to accuse me of lying!" "One could only gasp at the sheer effrontery of the man." "He was silent all through the meal and then had the effrontery to complain that I looked bored!"

Answer 314

a person who makes formal speeches in public or is good at public speaking "Lenin was the great orator of the Russian Revolution."

Answer 315

to stop something before it is finished, or to reduce or limit something "His powers will be severely curtailed." "The lecture was curtailed by the fire alarm going off." "With all the snow, our daily walks have been severely curtailed." "NATO plans to curtail the number of troops being sent to the region."

Answer 316

munificence /mjuːˈnɪfɪsns/ the quality of being extremely generous "I thanked them for their munificence." "If the millionaire wants to keep his munificence so mysterious, why's he doing it on television?" munificent /mjuːˈnɪfɪsnt/ extremely generous "...a munificent donation." "He enjoys being munificent on a princely scale." "A former student has donated a munificent sum of money to the college."

Answer 317

baron: 1) a low-ranking male member of the nobility (= group of people from a high social class) 2) an extremely powerful person in a particular area of business: "a press baron", "the oil barons of Texas" baroness: 1) a low-ranking female member of the nobility 2) the wife of a baron

Answer 318

[verb] to provide a machine with a part, or a place with equipment, that it did not originally have when it was built "Voice recorders were retrofitted into planes already in service." "They retrofitted the plane with improved seating." [noun] an act when a machine or place is retrofitted "The company is planning $19 million plant retrofit." "Many hospitals are struggling to pay for the retrofits." "A retrofit may involve putting in new door jambs."

Answer 319

valor: great courage, especially in war SYNONYM bravery "He showed valour and skill on the battlefield." "The purpose of the award is to recognize acts of valour by members of the armed services." valorous [adj] showing great courage, especially in war "She will receive the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally valorous actions while under enemy fire."

Answer 320

1) (informal) to annoy somebody "Stop bugging me!" "He's been bugging me all morning." 2) to place or hide a listening device inside something "She suspected that her phone had been bugged."

Answer 321

(literary) often changing or reacting in a way that is unexpected SYNONYM volatile "Emily's mercurial temperament made her difficult to live with." "She was entertaining but unpredictable, with mercurial mood swings." (related to mercury)

Answer 322

looking bright and attractive but in fact cheap and of low quality "Some districts in the city are downright tawdry." "tawdry jewellery"

Answer 323

obscene [adj] /əbˈsiːn/ 1) connected with sex in a way that most people find offensive "The book was declared obscene." "These photographs are obscene." "Somebody's been posting obscene messages in this chat room." 2) morally wrong, often describing something that is wrong because it is too large "The salaries some bankers earn are obscene." obscenity [noun] /əbˈsenəti/ obscene language or behaviour "The editors are being prosecuted for obscenity."

Answer 324

venal [adj] /ˈviːnl/ prepared to do things that are not honest or moral in return for money SYNONYM corrupt "...venal politicians." "venal journalists" "The venal politician accepted bribes in exchange for favors." venality [noun] /viːˈnæləti/ the act of being venal "a reputation for venality and corruption" "His reputation has been defined by allegations of corruption and venality."

Answer 325

a person who claims to have knowledge or skills that they do not really have, especially in medicine "He was exposed as a charlatan." "He knows nothing about medicine—he’s a complete charlatan."

Answer 326

1) to arrange or write a piece of music so that it can be played by an orchestra "He was orchestrating the second act of his opera. " 2) to organize a complicated plan or event very carefully or secretly "...a carefully orchestrated campaign." "The group is accused of orchestrating violence at demonstrations." "Their victory was largely a result of their brilliantly orchestrated election campaign."

Answer 327

1) to produce a substance by means of chemical or biological processes "There are many vitamins that the body cannot synthesize itself." 2) to put separate facts, etc. together to form a single piece of work "The findings from the five separate studies have been synthesized in the report."

Answer 328

[noun] something that is very helpful and makes life easier for you "Online classes proved a boon to students during this period." "Guide dogs are a great boon to the partially sighted." "This battery booster is a boon for photographers."

Answer 329

seismology [noun] /saɪzˈmɒlədʒi/ the scientific study of earthquakes seismologist /ˌsaɪzˈmɒlədʒɪst/ a scientist who studies earthquakes seismological [adj] /ˌsaɪzməˈlɒdʒɪkl/ connected with the scientific study of earthquakes "the National Seismological Institute"

Answer 330

a difficult situation in which no progress can be made because the people involved cannot agree what to do SYNONYM deadlock "Negotiations have reached an impasse, as neither side would compromise." "The Governor attempted to resolve Minnesota’s current budget impasse."

Answer 331

[noun] a trick or a secret & dishonest way of achieving something "Journalists often use subterfuge to obtain material for stories." "It was clear that they must have obtained the information by subterfuge." "The party has predictably rejected the proposals as a subterfuge."

Answer 332

unnecessarily done without any good reason or purpose and often having harmful effects "...his insistence on offering gratuitous advice." "It was a completely gratuitous insult " "A lot of viewers complained that there was too much gratuitous sex and violence in the film." "This is gratuitously offensive."

Answer 333

[adv] If something is done or provided gratis, it does not have to be paid for. "David gives the first consultation gratis." "I'll give it to you, gratis!" "I knew his help wouldn't be given gratis." [adj] done or given without having to be paid for. Free. "a gratis copy of a book" "Drinks were gratis."

Answer 334

[noun] an unusually high voice, especially the voice that men use to sing very high notes "He sang to himself in a soft falsetto. " "...a falsetto voice. " "For his role as a young boy, he had to speak in a high falsetto."

Answer 335

1) of the present time, existing or happening now "I wanted to update my kitchen and put in something more contemporary." "Although the play was written hundreds of years ago, it still has a contemporary feel to it." 2) belonging to the same period, or to a stated period in the past "Almost all of the contemporary accounts of the event have been lost." "She used only strictly contemporary documents to research the book." "a composer contemporary with Beethoven"

Answer 336

happening or existing at the same time or same period of time "How do we know that the signature is contemporaneous with the document?" "The confession was not a precise record taken down contemporaneously during the interview. " "The two events were more or less contemporaneous, with only months between them."

Answer 337

clever and funny comments and replies that are made quickly "She engaged him in witty repartee." "She was good at repartee." "Oscar Wilde's plays are full of witty repartee."

Answer 338

[noun] a general feeling of being ill, unhappy or not satisfied, or that something is wrong in society, without being able to explain or identify what is wrong "The latest crime figures are merely symptomatic of a wider malaise in society." "We were discussing the roots of the current economic malaise."

Answer 339

[noun] /ˌtʊr də ˈfɔːrs/ an achievement or performance that shows great skill and attracts admiration "a technical/musical/political tour de force" "The painting/book/film is a tour de force." "It was described as a ‘literary tour de force’."

Answer 340

a group of boats or small ships sailing together "These are the boats too large to sail with the rest of the flotilla."

Answer 341

You can refer to a sudden great increase in wealth, success, or luck as a bonanza. "The expected sales bonanza hadn't materialised. " "April was a bonanza month for car sales." "The improved economy was a bonanza for local stores."

Answer 342

[verb] to suggest an idea for people to discuss SYNONYM propose, put forward "The plan was first mooted at last week’s meeting." "His name was mooted as a possible successor." [adj] unlikely to happen and therefore not worth considering "He argued that the issue had become moot since the board had changed its policy." "We don't have enough money to go, so it's all moot anyway."

Answer 343

existing in all parts of a place or thing; spreading gradually to affect all parts of a place or thing "The influence of Freud is pervasive in all her books." "She lives with a pervasive sense of guilt." pervasiveness "...the pervasiveness of computer technology."

Answer 344

representing a perfect or typical example of something "Everybody thinks of him as the quintessential New Yorker. "

Answer 345

1. the quality or standard of something, especially a person’s ability "He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job." "The firm needs more people of your calibre." 2. The calibre of a gun is the width of the inside of its barrel. "...a .22 calibre rifle. " "...a small-calibre pistol."

Answer 346

1. calibrate an instrument or tool: you mark or adjust it so that you can use it to measure something accurately. "...instructions on how to calibrate a thermometer." 2. If you calibrate something, you measure it accurately. [noun] calibration

Answer 347

Someone's mettle is their ability to do something well in difficult circumstances. "The next game will be a real test of their mettle." "She really showed her mettle under pressure." "The team showed/proved its mettle in the final round."

Answer 348

the act of delaying something until a later time. SYN: deferral "He did not seek deferment from military service." "I was granted a deferment on my education loans." "A shortage of vaccine forced deferment of booster shots."

Answer 349

You use flaccid to describe a part of someone's body when it is unpleasantly soft and not hard or firm. "I picked up her wrist. It was limp and flaccid." "The penis is usually in a flaccid state." "(fig) The programme included a lacklustre and flaccid performance of Berg's violin concerto."

Answer 350

(of someone's face or skin) pale and unhealthy, especially because of illness or fear "the deathly pallor of her face" "The pallor of his skin contrasted with his dark hair."

Answer 351

If you describe something such as a book or joke as salacious, you think that it deals with sexual matters in an unnecessarily detailed way. "The newspapers once again filled their columns with salacious details. " "...a wildly salacious novel. "a salacious joke/comment"

Answer 352

done secretly or kept secret, often because it is not officially allowed. "The group held weekly clandestine meetings in a church." "He has been having a clandestine affair with his secretary for three years." "She undertook several clandestine operations for the CIA."

Answer 353

to treat or study somebody using psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is the treatment of someone who has mental problems by asking them about their feelings and their past in order to try to discover what may be causing their condition. "Sigmund Freud is known as the father of psychoanalysis."

Answer 354

criminal, wicked and immoral. "They can hack your account and use the information for nefarious purposes." "Why make a whole village prisoner if it was not to some nefarious purpose?"

Answer 355

a person who is forced or paid by someone in authority to do an unpleasant or secret job for them "The newly appointed mayor is widely regarded as a government stooge." "The latter had for decades acted largely as a stooge for the party leaders."

Answer 356

1. The people on the payroll of a company or an organization are the people who work for it and are paid by it. "They had 87,000 employees on the payroll." 2. the total amount paid in wages by a company "The firm is growing fast with a monthly payroll of $1 million."

Answer 357

1. (of people) very difficult to control or influence. "an intractable child" "What can be done to reduce the influence of intractable opponents? " 2. (of problems or situations) very difficult to deal with. "The economy still faces intractable problems." "Unemployment was proving to be an intractable problem." tract·able adjective (of a person) easy to control or influence:

Answer 358

causing sadness or emotional suffering or involving pain or sorrow Synonym: tearful "A dolorous town where mourners are going about the street." "With a broken - hearted smile, he lifted a pair of dolorous eyes."

Answer 359

behaving in an angry or sulky, childish way, especially because you cannot do or have what you want SYNONYM pettish "He behaved like a petulant child and refused to cooperate." "Her tone of voice became abrupt and petulant." "'I don't need help,' he said petulantly."

Answer 360

(of a process) that cannot be stopped or prevented SYNONYM relentless "Aging is an inexorable process." "the inexorable rise of crime" "...the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment. " "...his steady, inexorable decline."

Answer 361

When you masticate food, you chew it (to bite food many times as you eat it) "Don't gulp everything down without masticating." "This animal eats fruit from several trees but does not masticate the food." "Her mouth was working, as if she was masticating some tasty titbit."

Answer 362

If you do something with alacrity, you do it quickly and eagerly. "As you can imagine, I accepted the offer with alacrity." "He invited us all to visit, and we agreed with alacrity." "It was an interesting challenge and I responded with alacrity."

Answer 363

exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss; not getting punished for sth done. "Those involved in such attacks often enjoy complete impunity." "Criminal gangs are terrorizing the city with apparent impunity." "She mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity"

Answer 364

1. a statue of a famous person, a saint or a god "stone effigies in the church" 2. a model often ugly or amusing, that represents someone you hate or feel contempt for "Crowds marched through the streets carrying burning effigies of the president."

Answer 365

(of a person or place) dirty and untidy; in a bad condition; or having a bad reputation "a seedy bar" "the seedy world of prostitution" "a seedy-looking man" "We were staying in a seedy hotel close to the red light district." "They suck you in to their seedy world." "He didn't like the look of the seedy characters who were hanging around outside the bar."

Answer 366

1. (of a place) dirty and badly cared for, not socially acceptable "a sleazy bar" "a sleazy neighbourhood" "The basement is sleazy and sweaty. " 2. (of something or somebody) not respectable and rather disgusting "...sex shops and sleazy magazines. " "The accusations are making the government's conduct appear increasingly sleazy. "

Answer 367

1. (of behaviour) immoral or dishonest "She listened to Kate's explanation of the sordid affair." "He sat with his head buried in his hands as his sordid double life was revealed. " 2. (of a place) dirty, unpleasant, or depressing SYNONYM squalid "...the attic windows of their sordid little rooms." "These were the urban poor, living in the sordid back streets and alleys"

Answer 368

1. (of places and living conditions) very dirty and unpleasant SYNONYM filthy "squalid housing" "Conditions in the camp were squalid." 2. (of situations or activities) low moral standards, unpleasant or dishonest "They called the bill 'a squalid measure'. " "...the squalid pursuit of profit." "It's the usual squalid rock star tale of drugs, sex, and overdoses."

Answer 369

happening by chance, especially a lucky chance that brings a good result. (emphasizing by chance) SYN: serendipitous (esp on discovery) "Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of circumstances." "The timing of the meeting is certainly fortuitous." "The collapse of its rivals was a fortuitous opportunity for the company."

Answer 370

(of an event) happening or (of a discovery)found by chance in an interesting or pleasant way SYN: fortuitous "About half of all great discoveries are purely serendipitous." "Reading should be an adventure, a personal experience full of serendipitous surprises." He returned to his home country to start a company, and the move proved serendipitous.

Answer 371

untrue and unfair, very rude and offensive, and intended to damage somebody’s reputation "a scurrilous remark/attack/article" "Scurrilous and untrue stories were being invented. " "He wrote a scurrilous piece about me in the local press."

Answer 372

[verb] (of blood vessels or the pupils) become wider, larger or further open "The pupils of the eyes dilate as darkness increases" "Exercise dilates blood vessels on the surface of the brain." "Horses sometimes dilate their nostrils when anxious."

Answer 373

a period of time that you spend working somewhere or doing a particular activity "He did a stint abroad early in his career." "He hated his two-year stint in the Navy." "I’ve done my stint in the kitchen for today." "He's doing a brief stint at the World Bank in Washington." "His résumé includes a stint as a professor of physics." "He is returning to Singapore after a five-year stint in Hong Kong."

Answer 374

[noun] a short period of time when somebody does too much of a particular activity, especially eating or drinking alcohol PHRASE: go on a binge "He went on a five day drinking binge." "I had a shopping binge with my credit card." [verb] "When she's depressed she binges on chocolate."

Answer 375

the condition of being senile /ˈsiːnaɪl/ If old people become senile, they become confused, can no longer remember things, and are unable to look after themselves. "My father was on the verge of senility before he passed away" "He was showing unmistakable signs of senility. " "Her senile grandfather lives with them." "He spent many years caring for his senile mother." "I'm always losing my keys these days. I think I must be going senile."

Answer 376

1. lack of energy; lack of desire or ability to move or change "I can't seem to throw off this feeling of inertia." "Projects were frequently abandoned through sheer inertia." "The forces for change in the government are not sufficient to overcome bureaucratic inertia." 2. (physics) Inertia is the tendency of a physical object to remain still or to continue moving, unless a force is applied to it.

Answer 377

joints in someone's body are swollen and painful. "It is unclear why some people develop arthritis." [adj] arthritic /ɑːˈθrɪtɪk/ affected or caused by arthritis

Answer 378

most important or easy to notice "She pointed out the salient features of the new design." "He summarized the salient points." "Chronic fatigue is also one of the salient features of depression."

Answer 379

unpleasant or morally wrong, involving unpleasant aspects of life such as crime, sex, or violence. SYNONYM sordid "a seamy sex scandal" "Every city has its seamy neighborhood." "The film vividly portrays the seamy side of life in London in the early 1970s."

Answer 380

[noun] 1. a comfortable or suitable role, job, way of life, etc. "women who dared question their niche in society" "Simon Lane quickly found his niche as a busy freelance model maker. " 2. (business) a small section of the market for a particular kind of product or service "They spotted a niche in the market, with no serious competition." "There's a niche for a small stylish car." [adj] (of products, services or interests) appealing to only a small section of the population "a film intended for a niche audience" ""Niche markets almost inevitably mean small volumes.""

Answer 381

very fashionable and expensive in a way that is intended to impress people & draw admiration "We stayed in a swanky hotel." "They have bought swanky offices and swanky computers, but have no idea where to begin." "I'm sick of his swanky talk. (behaving too confidently:)"

Answer 382

[noun] 1) power and influence "a politician with enormous clout" "The King may have privilege, but he has no real political clout." [noun] 2) a hard hit with the hand or a hard object "If the photocopier stops working, just give it a clout." [verb] to hit somebody hard, especially with your hand "He started to clout me round the head, yelling at the top of his voice." "Something clouted me on the left shoulder."

Answer 383

a situation in which many people leave a place at the same time "the mass exodus from HK to the UK in the past 2 years" "There has been a mass exodus of workers from the villages to the towns." "The medical system is facing collapse because of an exodus of nurses."

Answer 384

If a quality emanates from you, or if you emanate a quality, you give people a strong sense that you have that quality. "Her face emanated sadness." "He emanates power and confidence." "Intelligence and cunning emanated from him." "He emanates sympathy."

Answer 385

to increase rapidly in number or amount SYNONYM multiply "Smoking triggers off cell proliferation." "Small businesses have proliferated in the last ten years." "Books and articles on the subject have proliferated over the last year."

Answer 386

[verb] to burn the surface of something slightly, with changing colour but no fire "The iron's too hot, you'll singe the dress." "My sweater started to singe when I leaned over a burning candle." "Toast the dried chillies in a hot pan until they start to singe." "The cook singed the plucked chicken by passing the fowl over an open fire, to remove the tiny pinfeathers""

Answer 387

[noun] farming animals, especially when it is done carefully and well. "He gave a lecture on crop and animal husbandry."

Answer 388

[UK] (abbreviation CV) [US] résumé "Applicants are invited to send their curriculum vitae and names and addresses of three referees." "He sends me through his curriculum vitae to give me a better idea of his areas of expertise."

Answer 389

1. someone who does not know, or believes that it is impossible to know, if a god exists "Although he was raised a Catholic, he was an agnostic for most of his adult life." "The group includes atheists and agnostics as well as religious believers." 2. someone who does not have a strong opinion about an activity or topic "He claims to be an agnostic on the question of man-made global warming." [adj] "He is agnostic on the existence of God." "I’m largely agnostic on this issue as I know so little about it."

Answer 390

unfriendly, rude or very unpleasant or impolite. "It would be churlish to refuse such a generous offer." "She would think him churlish if he refused. "

Answer 391

(formal) very sorry for something bad that you have done "She was instantly contrite. 'Oh, I am sorry! You must forgive me.'" "She seemed genuinely contrite when she apologized." contrition SYNONYM remorse "The next day he'd be full of contrition, weeping and begging forgiveness."

Answer 392

tending to cry easily; making you cry SYN: tearful "She was pink-eyed and lachrymose." "The film is a lachrymose melodrama."

Answer 393

[adj] (formal, disapproving) not having or showing courage SYNONYM cowardly "They condemned the deal as a craven surrender." "I felt a craven desire to escape the whole situation." "Politicians are too craven to tackle this problem."

Answer 394

[noun] the study or practice of growing flowers, fruit and vegetables "Research has shown that horticulture enhances feelings of wellbeing." "The area is rich in water resources and horticulture is one of the main activities."

Answer 395

If you say that someone has a jocular manner, you mean that they are cheerful and often make jokes or try to make people laugh. "He was in a less jocular mood than usual. " "The song was written in a light-hearted jocular way. " "She explained in a jocular fashion that I was the problem."

Answer 396

a person who performs music in a public place and asks for money from people passing by

Answer 397

[noun] [adj] living by asking people for money and food, a beggar / begging "She abandoned her job and her career, and lived as a homeless mendicant on the streets of Philadelphia." "The paintings were once used by mendicant monks as a preaching aid."

Answer 398

alcohol (esp whiskey) that is made illegally moonshiner: a person who illegally makes or smuggles distilled spirits (alcoholic beverage)

Answer 399

sad and serious SYNONYM doleful /ˈdəʊlfl/ SYNONYM mournful "...a tall, thin man with a long and lugubrious face. " "He plays some passages so slowly that they become lugubrious." "The dog gazed at us lugubriously for a few minutes. "

Answer 400

1. the last drops of a liquid, mixed with little pieces of solid material that are left in the bottom of a container "I wanted a last drink of coffee, but there were only dregs left." "She had drunk her coffee down to the dregs" "He finally drained the dregs from his cup. " (fig) "She was still suffering from the dregs of a flu virus." 2. the worst parts of something that have no use or value "He sees dissidents as the dregs of society."

Answer 401

going from one thing to another, done in an unplanned and disorganized way, and without enthusiasm. "I wandered about in a desultory fashion." "She made a desultory attempt at conversation." "He wandered around, cleaning up in a desultory way." "The man continued talking. She answered him desultorily."

Answer 402

juxtapose [verb] to put things that are not similar next to each other "In the exhibition, abstract paintings are juxtaposed with shocking photographs." "The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso's early drawings with some of his later works." juxtaposition [noun] "he juxtaposition of realistic and surreal (/səˈriːəl/ )situations in the novel"

Answer 403

having or showing a desire to argue or fight or start a war SYNONYM aggressive, warlike "The general made some bellicose statements about his country's military strength." "He expressed alarm about the government's increasingly bellicose statements. "

Michael Sec 2 Vol I (Adv Vacab Part 1) Flashcards

(428 cards)