PD_22/07/20(SE: 109-139 ; 5lb) Flashcards

Question

retort

Answer 1

VERB To retort means to reply angrily to someone. [written] Was he afraid, he was asked. 'Afraid of what?' he retorted. [VERB with quote] Others retort that strong central power is a dangerous thing in Russia. [VERB that]

Answer 2

COUNTABLE NOUN A rejoinder is a reply, especially a quick, witty, or critical one, to a question or remark. [formal] Synonyms: reply, answer, response, counter

Answer 3

strongly felt or believed and very difficult to change or get rid of: a deep-seated faith in God

Answer 4

1. VERB If you fancy something, you want to have it or to do it. [mainly British, informal] What do you fancy doing, anyway? [VERB verb-ing] Do you fancy going to see a movie sometime? [VERB verb-ing] I just fancied a drink. [VERB noun] Synonyms: wish for, want, desire, would like 3. VERB If you fancy someone, you feel attracted to them, especially in a sexual way. [informal] I think he thinks I fancy him or something. [VERB noun] Synonyms: be attracted to, find attractive, desire, lust after 1. VERB If you relish something, you get a lot of enjoyment from it. I relish the challenge of doing jobs that others turn down. [VERB noun] He ate quietly, relishing his meal. [VERB noun] Synonyms: enjoy, like, prefer, taste More Synonyms of relish Relish is also a noun. The three men ate with relish. 2. VERB If you relish the idea, thought, or prospect of something, you are looking forward to it very much. Jacqueline is not relishing the prospect of another spell in prison. [VERB noun] He relished the idea of getting some cash. [VERB noun] Synonyms: look forward to, fancy [informal], long for, delight in More Synonyms of relish

Answer 5

VERB If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so. [formal] It is always vital to ascertain the cause of a continual headache. [VERB noun] Once they had ascertained that he was not a spy, they agreed to release him. [VERB that] Take time to ascertain what services your bank is providing, and at what cost. [VERB wh] Synonyms: find out, learn, discover, determine

Answer 6

1. COUNTABLE NOUN A doodle is a pattern or picture that you draw when you are bored or thinking about something else. 2. VERB When someone doodles, they draw doodles. He looked across at Jackson, doodling on his notebook. [VERB] [Also VERB noun]

Answer 7

COUNTABLE NOUN If you describe someone as a disciplinarian, you mean that they believe in making people obey strict rules of behaviour and in punishing severely anyone who disobeys. He has a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian. Synonyms: authoritarian, tyrant, despot, stickler

Answer 8

COUNTABLE NOUN If you are a stickler for something, you always demand or require it. I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy. Lucy was a stickler for perfection, and everything had to be exactly right. [+ for] Synonyms: fanatic, nut [slang], maniac [informal], purist

Answer 9

1. ADJECTIVE Someone, usually a young person, who is delinquent repeatedly commits minor crimes. ...remand homes for delinquent children. Synonyms: unruly, wild, rebellious, anarchic

Answer 10

COUNTABLE NOUN If you refer to someone as a luminary, you mean that they are an expert in a particular subject or activity. [literary] ...the political opinions of such luminaries as Sartre or de Beauvoir. Synonyms: celebrity, star, expert, somebody

Answer 11

mainly disapproving controlling someone or something to your own advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly: They have been accused of fraud and stock market manipulations. There's been so much media manipulation of the facts that nobody knows the truth of the matter. The country's opposition party claims the president returned to power through political manipulation.

Answer 12

ADJECTIVE If you describe someone as crafty, you mean that they achieve what they want in a clever way, often by deceiving people. ...a crafty, lying character who enjoys plotting against others. A crafty look came to his eyes. That was my crafty little plan. Synonyms: cunning, scheming, sly, devious

Answer 13

1. VERB When people or things sway, they lean or swing slowly from one side to the other. The people swayed back and forth with arms linked. [VERB adverb/preposition] The whole boat swayed and tipped. [VERB] ...a coastal highway lined with tall, swaying palm trees. [VERB-ing] Synonyms: move from side to side, rock, wave, roll 2. VERB If you are swayed by someone or something, you are influenced by them. Don't ever be swayed by fashion. [be VERB-ed] ...last minute efforts to sway the voters in tomorrow's local elections. [VERB noun] Synonyms: influence, control, direct, affect

Answer 14

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Discourse is spoken or written communication between people, especially serious discussion of a particular subject. ...a tradition of political discourse. Synonyms: conversation, talk, discussion, speech

Answer 15

1. ADJECTIVE If someone feels impotent, they feel that they have no power to influence people or events. The aggression of a bully leaves people feeling hurt, angry and impotent. In impotent rage he got up and stalked up and down the flat. Synonyms: powerless, weak, helpless, unable 2. ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE] If a man is impotent his penis fails to get hard or stay hard.

Answer 16

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN If you refer to speech or writing as rhetoric, you disapprove of it because it is intended to convince and impress people but may not be sincere or honest. [disapproval] What is required is immediate action, not rhetoric. The harsh rhetoric had so soured officials that the two sides were barely speaking.

Answer 17

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Posthumous is used to describe something that happens after a person's death but relates to something they did before they died. His family and supporters have campaigned for many years for a posthumous pardon. ...the posthumous publication of his first novel.

Answer 18

(in the Roman Catholic Church) to announce officially that a dead person is a saint

Answer 19

wise and showing the ability to make the right decisions: It would not be politic for you to be seen there. Synonyms: wise, diplomatic, sensible, discreet

Answer 20

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] A raucous sound is loud, harsh, and rather unpleasant. They heard a bottle being smashed, then more raucous laughter. ...the raucous cries of the sea-birds. ...a raucous crowd of 25,000 delirious fans. Synonyms: harsh, rough, loud, noisy

Answer 21

VERB If one thing is offset by another, the effect of the first thing is reduced by the second, so that any advantage or disadvantage is cancelled out. The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity. [be VERB-ed] The move is designed to help offset the shortfall in world oil supplies. [VERB noun] Synonyms: cancel out, balance, set off, make up for

Answer 22

ADJECTIVE If an event, especially a cultural event, is eagerly anticipated, people expect that it will be very good, exciting, or interesting. ...the most eagerly anticipated rock event of the year. ...one of the conference's most keenly anticipated debates. The long-anticipated study drew criticism from the tobacco industry.

Answer 23

1. VERB When a government or authority enacts a proposal, they make it into a law. [technical] The authorities have failed so far to enact a law allowing unrestricted emigration. [VERB noun] The bill would be submitted for public discussion before being enacted as law. [VERB noun] Synonyms: establish, order, pass, command 2. VERB If people enact a story or play, they perform it by acting. She often enacted the stories told to her by her father. [VERB noun] Synonyms: perform, play, act, present 3. VERB [usually passive] If a particular event or situation is enacted, it happens; used especially to talk about something that has happened before. [journalism] It was a scene which was enacted month after month for eight years. [be VERB-ed]

Answer 24

VERB If someone renovates an old building, they repair and improve it and get it back into good condition. The couple spent thousands renovating the house. [VERB noun] She lives in a large, renovated farmhouse. [VERB-ed] Synonyms: restore, repair, refurbish, do up [informal]

Answer 25

ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE] If you say that something is dear, you mean that it costs a lot of money, usually more than you can afford or more than you think it should cost. [mainly British, informal, disapproval] Clothes here are much dearer than in the States. They're too dear.

Answer 26

ADJECTIVE If something is firm, it does not change much in shape when it is pressed but is not completely hard. Fruit should be firm and in excellent condition. Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs. Synonyms: hard, solid, compact, dense

Answer 27

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Discretionary things are not fixed by rules but are decided on by people in authority, who consider each individual case. Magistrates were given wider discretionary powers. Check whether you are entitled to a discretionary grant for your course. Synonyms: optional, arbitrary [law], unrestricted, the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information. "she knew she could rely on his discretion"elective

Answer 28

ADJECTIVE If something that has happened was unforeseen, it was not expected to happen or known about beforehand. Radiation may damage cells in a way that was previously unforeseen. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this year's show has been cancelled. Ring regularly to check that no unforeseen problems have arisen. Synonyms: unexpected, unanticipated, unpredicted, surprise

Answer 29

ADJECTIVE Someone who is repentant shows or says that they are sorry for something wrong they have done. He was feeling guilty and depressed, repentant and scared. ...a repentant criminal. Synonyms: regretful, sorry, ashamed, apologetic

Answer 30

COUNTABLE NOUN A synopsis is a summary of a longer piece of writing or work. For each title there is a brief synopsis of the book. Synonyms: summary, review, résumé, outline

Answer 31

ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE] If a conclusion or method is unsound, it is based on ideas that are wrong. The thinking is good-hearted, but muddled and fundamentally unsound. The national tests were educationally unsound. Synonyms: flawed, faulty, weak, false 2. ADJECTIVE If something or someone is unsound, they are unreliable. No sensible person would put his money in a bank he knew to be unsound. 3 . ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE] If a building or other structure is unsound, it is in poor condition and is likely to collapse. The church was structurally unsound. Synonyms: unstable, shaky, insecure, unsafe

Answer 32

ADJECTIVE If someone is complicit in a crime or unfair activity, they are involved in it. [journalism] He did not witness her execution, yet he and the others are complicit in her death. [+ in] A mother who does not report the abuse is said to be complicit. showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. "you can't afford to be complacent about security"

Answer 33

the fact of being officially recognized, accepted, or approved of, or the act of officially recognizing, accepting, or approving of something: The college was given full accreditation in 1965. The committee has established new procedures for the accreditation of degrees.

Answer 34

VERB If you cower, you bend forward and downwards because you are very frightened. The hostages cowered in their seats. [VERB] Synonyms: cringe, shrink, tremble, crouch

Answer 35

ADJECTIVE If you say that a person's behaviour or a system is lax, you mean they are not careful or strict about maintaining high standards. One of the problem areas is lax security for airport personnel. There have been allegations from survivors that safety standards had been lax. I was lax in my duties. Synonyms: slack, casual, careless, sloppy [informal]

Answer 36

If you pander to someone or to their wishes, you do everything that they want, often to get some advantage for yourself. [disapproval] He has offended the party's traditional base by pandering to the rich and the middle classes. [VERB + to] ...books which don't pander to popular taste. [VERB to noun] ``` think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. "I pondered the question of what clothes to wear for the occasion" ```

Answer 37

VERB If you commiserate with someone, you show them pity or sympathy when something unpleasant has happened to them. When I lost, he commiserated with me. [VERB + with] Synonyms: sympathize, pity, feel for, console

Answer 38

VERB If you recoil from doing something or recoil at the idea of something, you refuse to do it or accept it because you dislike it so much. People used to recoil from the idea of getting into debt. [VERB + from] She recoiled at the number of young girls who came forward. [VERB + at] Synonyms: draw back, shrink, falter, shy away VERB If something makes you recoil, you move your body quickly away from it because it frightens, offends, or hurts you. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. I recoiled in horror. [VERB] We are attracted by nice smells and recoil from nasty ones. [VERB + from]

Answer 39

1. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] If you describe something bad as glaring, you are emphasizing that it is very obvious and easily seen or noticed. [emphasis] I never saw such a glaring example of misrepresentation. Synonyms: obvious, open, outstanding, patent

Answer 40

too large, too regular, or without interesting differences, and unwilling or unable to be changed: monolithic state-run organizations

Answer 41

ADJECTIVE A pliant person can be easily influenced and controlled by other people. She's proud and stubborn, you know, under that pliant exterior. Synonyms: impressionable, susceptible, manageable, adaptable

Answer 42

``` 1. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] A variegated leaf or plant has different colours on it. [technical] The leaves are a variegated red. 2. ADJECTIVE Something that is variegated consists of many different parts or types. [formal] ...our variegated dialects. ```

Answer 43

1. VERB If your arms or legs flail or if you flail them about, they wave about in an energetic but uncontrolled way. His arms were flailing in all directions. [VERB] He gave a choked cry, flailed his arms wildly for a moment, and then went over the edge. [VERB noun] Synonyms: thrash, beat, windmill, thresh More Synonyms of flail Flail around means the same as flail. He starting flailing around and hitting Vincent in the chest. [VERB PARTICLE] 2. COUNTABLE NOUN A flail is a tool which consists of a piece of wood or metal that can swing freely from a handle. Flails are used to beat crops such as corn in order to separate the grain from the rest of the plant.

Answer 44

1. VERB To ennoble someone or something means to make them more dignified and morally better. [literary] ...the enduring fundamental principles of life that ennoble mankind. [VERB noun] Synonyms: dignify, honour, enhance, elevate 2 . VERB [usually passive] If someone is ennobled, they are made a member of the nobility. [formal] ...the son of a financier who had been ennobled. [be VERB-ed] He was ennobled in the New Year's Honours List. [VERB-ed]

Answer 45

1. COUNTABLE NOUN A rapier is a very thin sword with a long sharp point. 2. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun] If you say that someone has a rapier wit, you mean that they are very intelligent and quick at making clever comments or jokes in a conversation. The journalist is famous for her precocity and rapier wit.

Answer 46

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] If you describe someone as strapping, you mean that they are tall and strong, and look healthy. [approval] He was a bricklayer–a big, strapping fellow. Synonyms: well-built, big, powerful, robust

Answer 47

1. VERB [usually passive] If something is sheathed in a material or other covering, it is closely covered with it. [literary] The television was sheathed in a snug coverlet. [be VERB-ed + in] ...his long legs, sheathed in black leather trousers. [VERB-ed] 2. VERB When someone sheathes a knife, they put it in its sheath. [literary] He sheathed the knife and strapped it to his shin. [VERB noun]

Answer 48

VERB If you brandish something, especially a weapon, you hold it in a threatening way. He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife. [VERB noun] Synonyms: wave, raise, display, shake

Answer 49

1. VERB If you wield a weapon, tool, or piece of equipment, you carry and use it. ...a lone assailant wielding a kitchen knife. [VERB noun] Synonyms: brandish, flourish, manipulate, swing More Synonyms of wield 2. VERB If someone wields power, they have it and are able to use it. She remains chairwoman, but wields little power at the company. [VERB noun] Synonyms: exert, hold, maintain, exercise

Answer 50

VERB If a doctor cauterizes a wound, he or she burns it with heat or with a chemical in order to close it up and prevent it from becoming infected. He cauterized the wound with a piece of red-hot iron. [VERB noun]

Answer 51

1. COUNTABLE NOUN A sheath is a covering for the blade of a knife. 2. COUNTABLE NOUN A sheath is a rubber covering for a man's penis and is used during sex as a contraceptive or as a protection against disease. [British]

Answer 52

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] A fervent person has or shows strong feelings about something, and is very sincere and enthusiastic about it. ...a fervent admirer of Morisot's work. ...the fervent hope that matters will be settled promptly. Synonyms: ardent, earnest, enthusiastic, fervid

Answer 53

VERB When a liquid congeals, it becomes very thick and sticky and almost solid. The blood had started to congeal. [VERB] ...spilled wine mingled with congealed soup. [VERB-ed] Synonyms: thicken, set, freeze, harden

Answer 54

ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Centrist policies and parties are moderate rather than extreme. He had left the movement because it had abandoned its centrist policies. A centrist is someone with centrist views.

Answer 55

ADJECTIVE If you describe someone or something as imposing, you mean that they have an impressive appearance or manner. He was an imposing man. ...the imposing wrought-iron gates at the entrance to the estate. Synonyms: impressive, striking, grand, august

Answer 56

ADJECTIVE A lucrative activity, job, or business deal is very profitable. Thousands of ex-army officers have found lucrative jobs in private security firms. Synonyms: profitable, rewarding, productive, fruitful

Answer 57

1. COUNTABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun] A pedestrian is a person who is walking, especially in a town or city, rather than travelling in a vehicle. In Los Angeles a pedestrian is a rare spectacle. More than a third of all pedestrian injuries are to children. Synonyms: walker, foot-traveller, footslogger 2. ADJECTIVE If you describe something as pedestrian, you mean that it is ordinary and not at all interesting. [disapproval] His style is so pedestrian that the book becomes a real bore. I drove home contemplating my own more pedestrian lifestyle. Synonyms: dull, flat, ordinary, boring

Answer 58

1. ADJECTIVE If something such as a business or society is stagnant, there is little activity or change. [disapproval] He is seeking advice on how to revive the stagnant economy. Mass movements are often a factor in the awakening and renovation of stagnant societies. Synonyms: inactive, declining, stagnating, flat 2. ADJECTIVE Stagnant water is not flowing, and therefore often smells unpleasant and is dirty.

Answer 59

ADJECTIVE If you describe someone as accommodating, you like the fact that they are willing to do things in order to please you or help you. [approval] Synonyms: obliging, willing, kind, friendly

Answer 60

2. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Appropriation of something that belongs to someone else is the act of taking it, usually without having the right to do so. [formal] Other charges include fraud and illegal appropriation of land. [+ of] Synonyms: seizure, taking, takeover, assumption 1. COUNTABLE NOUN An appropriation is an amount of money that a government or organization reserves for a particular purpose. [formal] The government raised defence appropriations by 12 per cent. Synonyms: setting aside, assignment, allocation, earmarking

Answer 61

ADJECTIVE Someone who is studious spends a lot of time reading and studying books. I was a very quiet, studious little girl. Synonyms: scholarly, academic, intellectual, serious

Answer 62

ADJECTIVE Someone or something that is atypical is not typical of its kind. The economy of the province was atypical because it was particularly small. Synonyms: unusual, exceptional, uncommon, singular

Answer 63

1. VERB If you hobble, you walk in an awkward way with small steps, for example because your foot is injured. He got up slowly and hobbled over to the coffee table. [VERB adverb/preposition] The swelling had begun to go down, and he was able, with pain, to hobble. [VERB] Synonyms: limp, stagger, stumble, shuffle

Answer 64

2. VERB If you hamstring someone, you make it very difficult for them to take any action. If he becomes the major opposition leader, he could hamstring a conservative-led coalition. [VERB noun] Synonyms: thwart, stop, block, prevent 1. COUNTABLE NOUN A hamstring is a length of tissue or tendon behind your knee which joins the muscles of your thigh to the bones of your lower leg. Webster has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening game.

Answer 65

to make someone unhappy and angry: | Years later, this unfairness still aggrieves him.

Answer 66

1. COUNTABLE NOUN An incumbent is someone who holds an official post at a particular time. [formal] In general, incumbents have a 94 per cent chance of being re-elected. Incumbent is also an adjective. ...the only candidate who defeated an incumbent senator.

Answer 67

VARIABLE NOUN If you have a grievance about something that has happened or been done, you believe that it was unfair. They had a legitimate grievance. The main grievance of the drivers is the imposition of higher fees for driving licences. ...a deep sense of grievance. Synonyms: injustice, wrong, injury 1. VERB If you grieve over something, especially someone's death, you feel very sad about it. He's grieving over his dead wife and son. [VERB preposition] I didn't have any time to grieve. [VERB] Margery's grieving family battled to come to terms with their loss. [VERB-ing] Synonyms: mourn, suffer, weep, ache More Synonyms of grieve 2. VERB If you are grieved by something, it makes you unhappy or upset. He was deeply grieved by the sufferings of the common people. [be V-ed + by/at] I was grieved to hear of the suicide of James. [be VERB-ed to-infinitive] It grieved me to see the poor man in such distress. [VERB noun to-infinitive] [Also VERB noun] Synonyms: sadden, hurt, injure, distress

Answer 68

1. COUNTABLE NOUN In a court of law, the verdict is the decision that is given by the jury or judge at the end of a trial. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Three judges will deliver their verdict in October. Synonyms: decision, finding, judgment, opinion 2. COUNTABLE NOUN [oft with poss] Someone's verdict on something is their opinion of it, after thinking about it or investigating it. The doctor's verdict was that he was entirely healthy. The critics were too quick to give their verdict on us.

Answer 69

ADJECTIVE Someone or something that is deficient is not good enough for a particular purpose. [formal] ...deficient landing systems. Synonyms: unsatisfactory, poor, inadequate, weak

Answer 70

1. ADJECTIVE If you describe an object as unwieldy, you mean that it is difficult to move or carry because it is so big or heavy. They came panting up to his door with their unwieldy baggage. Synonyms: bulky, massive, hefty, clumsy 2. ADJECTIVE If you describe a system as unwieldy, you mean that it does not work very well as a result of it being too large or badly organized. His firm must contend with the unwieldy Russian bureaucracy. ...an unwieldy legal system. Synonyms: awkward, cumbersome, inconvenient, burdensome

Answer 71

1. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] A resounding sound is loud and clear. There was a resounding slap as Andrew struck him violently across the face. She got a resounding round of applause. The answer, Segal says, was a resounding yes! Synonyms: echoing, full, sounding, rich 2. ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] You can refer to a very great success as a resounding success. [emphasis] The good weather helped to make the occasion a resounding success. Synonyms: huge, striking, outstanding, tremendous

Answer 72

1 . A hurdle is a problem, difficulty, or part of a process that may prevent you from achieving something. Two-thirds of candidates fall at this first hurdle and are packed off home. The weather will be the biggest hurdle so I have to be ready. Synonyms: obstacle, block, difficulty, barrier 2. COUNTABLE NOUN [with singular or plural verb] Hurdles is a race in which people have to jump over a number of obstacles that are also called hurdles. You can use hurdles to refer to one or more races. He won the 400m. hurdles.

Answer 73

2. VARIABLE NOUN If you do something as insurance against something unpleasant happening, you do it to protect yourself in case the unpleasant thing happens. The country needs a defence capability as insurance against the unexpected. [+ against] 1. VARIABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun] Insurance is an arrangement in which you pay money to a company, and they pay money to you if something unpleasant happens to you, for example if your property is stolen or damaged, or if you get a serious illness. The insurance company paid out for the stolen jewellery and silver. We recommend that you take out travel insurance on all holidays. [+ on]

Answer 74

the fact that people who have a disease or condition also have one or more other diseases or conditions(the occurrence of more than one illness or condition at the same time): The study suggests that there may be greater comorbidity between the two conditions than has been acknowledged.

Answer 75

ADJECTIVE If you describe a person or their interest in something as morbid, you mean that they are very interested in unpleasant things, especially death, and you think this is strange. [disapproval] Some people have a morbid fascination with crime. ...morbid curiosity about the convicted murderer. Synonyms: gruesome, sick [informal], dreadful, ghastly

Answer 76

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Probation is a period of time during which a person who has committed a crime has to obey the law and be supervised by a probation officer, rather than being sent to prison. The thief was put on probation for two years. 2. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Probation is a period of time during which someone is judging your character and ability while you work, in order to see if you are suitable for that type of work. Employee appointment will be subject to a term of probation of 6 months. [+ of] After a further four-month extension of her probation period, she was sacked. Synonyms: trial period, test, trial, examination UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Probity is a high standard of correct moral behaviour. [formal] He asserted his innocence and his financial probity. Synonyms: integrity, worth, justice, honour 1. VERB If you probe into something, you ask questions or try to discover facts about it. The more they probed into his background, the more inflamed their suspicions would become. [VERB + into] For three years, I have probed for understanding. [VERB + for] The Office of Fair Trading has been probing banking practices. [VERB noun] The form asks probing questions. [VERB-ing] Synonyms: examine, research, go into, investigate More Synonyms of probe Probe is also a noun. ...a federal grand-jury probe into corruption within the FDA. probing Word forms: plural probings COUNTABLE NOUN If he remains here, he'll be away from the press and their probings. 2. VERB If a doctor or dentist probes, he or she uses a long instrument to examine part of a patient's body. The surgeon would pick up his instruments, probe, repair and stitch up again. [VERB] Dr Amid probed around the sensitive area. [VERB preposition/adverb] A doctor probed deep in his shoulder wound for shrapnel. [VERB preposition/adverb] Synonyms: explore, examine, poke, prod More Synonyms of probe 3. COUNTABLE NOUN A probe is a long thin instrument that doctors and dentists use to examine parts of the body. ...a fibre-optic probe. 4. VERB If you probe a place, you search it in order to find someone or something that you are looking for. A flashlight beam probed the underbrush only yards away from their hiding place. [VERB noun] I probed around for some time in the bushes. [VERB adverb/preposition] 5. VERB In a conflict such as a war, if one side probes another side's defences, they try to find their weaknesses, for example by attacking them in specific areas using a small number of troops. [journalism] He probes the enemy's weak positions, ignoring his strongholds. [VERB noun] Squads of prison officers have been probing the rioters' defences. [VERB noun] Probe is also a noun. Small probes would give the allied armies some combat experience. 6. COUNTABLE NOUN [usually noun NOUN] A space probe is a spacecraft which travels into space with no people in it, usually in order to study the planets and send information about them back to earth. Its rings were discovered by telescope from Earth, but space probes later found that spectacular rings surround some other planets. The Pioneer probes have on board ultra-violet instruments which are measuring light that we can't measure on the earth.

Answer 77

1. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN Virulence is great bitterness and hostility. [formal] The virulence of the café owner's anger had appalled her. [+ of] 2. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN The virulence of a disease or poison is its ability to harm or kill people or animals. Medical authorities were baffled, both as to its causes and its virulence.

Answer 78

ADJECTIVE If you describe actions, events, or changes as far-reaching, you mean that they have a very great influence and affect a great number of things. The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. Synonyms: extensive, important, significant, sweeping

Answer 79

1. VERB If you affirm that something is true or that something exists, you state firmly and publicly that it is true or exists. [formal] The courts have affirmed that the act can be applied to social media. [VERB that] ...a speech in which he affirmed a commitment to lower taxes. [VERB noun] 'This place is a dump,' affirmed Miss T. [VERB with quote] [Also VERB noun to-infinitive] Synonyms: declare, state, maintain, swear

Answer 80

involving only one group or country: The party leader has actually declared her support for unilateral nuclear disarmament (= giving up her country's nuclear weapons without first waiting for other countries to do the same).

Answer 81

acting together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone: There was evidence of collusive behaviour between the banks. They exchanged collusive smiles.

Answer 82

VERB If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so. [formal] It is always vital to ascertain the cause of a continual headache. [VERB noun] Once they had ascertained that he was not a spy, they agreed to release him. [VERB that] Take time to ascertain what services your bank is providing, and at what cost. [VERB wh] Synonyms: find out, learn, discover, determine

Answer 83

to include different types of things: | The festival is to encompass everything from music, theatre, and ballet to literature, cinema, and the visual arts.

Answer 84

affecting many things or people; large: It is obvious that sweeping changes are needed in the legal system. We need to make sweeping cuts to our budget. sweeping statement/generalization disapproving something that you say or write that is too general and that has not been carefully thought about: Sweeping generalizations about this complex and difficult situation are not helpful.

Answer 85

A remedial action is intended to correct something that is wrong or to improve a bad situation: to take urgent/immediate remedial action The bill requires owners to undertake remedial work on dilapidated buildings. formal Remedial exercises are intended to improve someone's health when they are ill.

PD_22/07/20(SE: 109-139 ; 5lb) Flashcards

(109 cards)