Reading HW Flashcards
shallow (adj) shallower, shallowest
not having much distance between the top or surface and the bottom
a shallow dish/pan/bowl, sea/lake/pool/pond
“They played in the shallow end of the pool.”
“These fish are found in shallow waters around the coast.”
also: “Tony seemed very shallow and immature.”
rut (n)
a deep track that a wheel makes in soft ground / a boring way of life that does not change
“It was difficult to walk in the muddy ruts left by the tractor.”
“I gave up my job because I felt I was stuck in a rut.”
underpin (v)
underpin something (formal) to support or form the basis of an argument, a claim, etc./ to support a wall and make it stronger by putting metal, concrete etc. under it
“…our capacity to engage in the quieter, attentive modes of thought that underpin contemplation, reflection and introspection”
“The report is underpinned by extensive research”
untermauern
undermine (v)
undermine something/somebody to make something, especially somebody’s confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective
“The director saw this move as an attempt to undermine his authority.”
untergraben, unterminieren
feeble (adj), feebler, feeblest
very week / not effective, not showing energy or effort
“The patient appears feeble and emaciated.(=abgemagert)”
“She made a feeble attempt to explain what had happened.”
“Don’t be so feeble! Tell her you don’t want to go.”
shun (v)
to avoid somebody/something
“They not only serve technophobes and diehart novelists who shun PCs…”
“The company has long been shunned by ethical investors.”
scheuen, meiden
