Set 2 Flashcards

Question

cringeworthy

Answer 1

cringe·wor·thy /ˈkrin(d)ZHˌwərT͟Hē/ so embarrassing, awkward, or upsetting as to cause one to cringe ...The play’s cast was excellent, but the dialogue was unforgivably **cringeworthy**. \> **cringe (v.)**: 1570s, "to bend or crouch, especially with servility or fear," variant of crenge, crenche "to bend" (c. 1200), from causative of Old English cringan "yield, give way, fall (in battle); become bent," from Proto-Germanic *krank- "bend, curl up" (source also of Old Norse kringr, Dutch kring, German Kring "circle, ring"). Related: Cringed; cringing. As a noun from 1590s. Cringe-worthy (adj.) is attested by 1990. \> Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Etymonline

Answer 2

pass over **1** → pass sb over If someone **is passed over for** a job or position, they do not get the job or position and someone younger or less experienced is chosen instead. ...This is the second time I’ve **been passed over for promotion** (=someone else has been given a higher job instead of me). GRAMMAR **Pass over** is usually passive in this meaning. **2** → pass over sth to skip, ignore, or disregard (someone or something). ...I'm sorry, but the board **passed** your idea **over** in favor of something more traditional. ...I think we’d better **pass over** that last remark. \> Collins English Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, The Free Dictionary

Answer 3

pare **1** to cut off the outer layer of something, using a sharp knife; When you **pare** something, or **pare** part of it **off** or **away**, you cut off its skin or its outer layer: CUT (OFF), trim (off), peel (off), shave (off), strip (off), clip (off), skin ...**pare** apples ...**paring** his nails ...**pared** the stray branches on the tree ...**Pare** the rind from the fruit. **2** to diminish or reduce by or as if by paring; If you **pare** something **down** or **back**, or if you **pare** it, you reduce it: REDUCE, diminish, decrease, cut, cut back/down, make cutbacks in, whittle away/down, salami-slice, trim, slim down, prune, lower, lessen, retrench, curtail ...The company has to find a way to **pare** expenses. ...The novel was **pared down** to 200 pages. ...The number of Ministries has been **pared down** by a third. ...The firm has not been able to **pare** costs fast enough to match competitors. ...Instead, merchants from big-box retailers like Walmart and Target to more specialized sellers like Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods have **pared back** their inventories while trying to focus their supply chains more tightly on products that shoppers want. —Liz Young, *WSJ*, 27 Nov. 2023 ...But the two worked together to **pare down** her ideas, landing on a tight collection that combines her aesthetic with the jeweler’s heritage. —Tori Latham, *Robb Report*, 14 Nov. 2023 \> Middle English: from Old French parer ‘adorn, prepare’, also ‘peel, trim’, from Latin parare ‘prepare’. ~ Oxford Dictionary of English \> c. 1300, paren, "peel (fruit), cut off the crust (of bread)," from Old French parer "arrange, prepare; trim, adorn," and directly from Latin parare "make ready, prepare, furnish, provide, arrange, order; contrive, design, intend, resolve; procure, acquire, obtain, get; get with money, buy, purchase" (related to parire "produce, bring forth, give birth to"), from PIE *par-a-, suffixed form of root *pere- (1) "to produce, procure." From late 14c. in the more general sense of "trim by cutting or scraping off an outer layer;" meaning "to reduce something little by little" is from 1520s. Pare down "reduce by cutting or striking off" is from late 15c. Related: Pared; paring. ~ Etymonline \> Collins English Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus , Etymonline

Answer 4

in the clutch INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN in a very important or critical situation especially during a sports competition. ...He is known for his ability to come through **in the clutch**. ...She scored a basket **in the clutch**. ...Why are some athletes able to perform **in the clutch** while others choke? \> The slang modifier *clutch*, for “done well in a crucial situation,” appears to originate in sports, particularly baseball. A sports *clutch*, in noun form, is a high-pressure moment that can determine the outcome of a game. This dates back to at least the 1920s and is metaphorical, i.e., the moment at which something has or is in something’s *clutch*, or “grip” or “control.” https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/clutch/ \> Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Dictionary.com

Answer 5

@coffee-shop

Answer 6

ditto as before or aforesaid : in the same manner —used to indicate that a previous statement also applies to something or someone else ...‘I hated school.’ ‘**Ditto**.’ \> 1620s, "in the month of the same name," Tuscan dialectal ditto "(in) the said (month or year)," literary Italian detto, past participle of dire "to say," from Latin dicere "speak, tell, say" (from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). Italian used the word to avoid repetition of month names in a series of dates, and in this sense it was picked up in English. Its generalized meaning of "the aforesaid, the same thing, same as above" is attested in English by 1670s. In early 19c. a suit of men's clothes of the same color and material through was ditto or dittoes (1755). Dittohead, self-description of followers of U.S. radio personality Rush Limbaugh, attested by 1995. dittoship is from 1869. \> Merriam-Webster, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Etymonline

Answer 7

svelte Someone who is **svelte** is slim and looks attractive and elegant: SLENDER, slim, graceful, elegant, willowy ...**svelte** swimsuit models ...She has a **svelte** figure. ...the **svelte** dancer seemed to float across the stage \> "slender, lithe," 1817, svelt, from French svelte "slim, slender" (17c.), from French svelte, from Italian svelto (“stretched out”), past participle of svellere (“to pluck out, root out”), from Vulgar Latin *exvellere, from ex + vellere (“to pluck, stretch”). \> Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 8

on the shelf **1** if something is left on the shelf, it is not used or considered ...first-rate plans which sit **on the shelf** ...The album stayed **on the shelf** for several years, until it was finally released. **2** DATED•INFORMAL past an age when one might expect to have the opportunity to marry (typically used of a woman). ...In those days, if you hadn’t married by the time you were 30, you were definitely **on the shelf**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary

Answer 9

snag noun **1** INFORMAL a problem or disadvantage, especially one that is not very serious, which you had not expected; A **snag** is a small problem or disadvantage: OBSTACLE, DIFFICULTY, complication, catch, hitch, stumbling block, pitfall, unseen problem, problem ...There’s a **snag** – I don’t have his number. ...It’s an interesting job. **The** only **snag is that** it’s not very well paid. → hit/run into a snag to encounter an unexpected problem or delay. ...The grand opening **hit a snag** when no one could find the key. ...A police clampdown on car thieves **hit a snag** when villains stole one of their cars. **2** a part of a dead tree that sticks out, especially one that is under water and can be dangerous **3** a sharp part of something that sticks out and holds or cuts things that touch it verb **1** to damage something by getting it stuck on something sharp; If you **snag** part of your clothing **on** a sharp or rough object or if it **snags**, it gets caught on the object and tears: CATCH, TEAR, rip, hole ...Oh no! I’ve **snagged** my stockings. ...She **snagged** a heel **on** a root and tumbled to the ground. ...Local fishermen's nets kept **snagging on** underwater objects. **2** INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN to succeed in getting something, especially something difficult to get ...I **snagged** a parking space in the last row. \> From earlier snag (“stump or branch of a tree”), from Middle English *snagge, *snage, from Old Norse snagi (“clothes peg”) (compare Old Norse snag-hyrndr (“snag-horned, having jagged corners”)), perhaps ultimately from a derivative of Proto-Germanic *snakk-, *snēgg, variations of *snakaną (“to crawl, creep, wind about”). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 10

tumble \> c. 1300, "to perform as an acrobat," also "to fall down," from Middle English tumben (“to fall, leap, dance”), from a frequentative form of Old English tumbian "dance about, tumble, leap." This is of unknown origin but apparently related to Middle Low German tummelen "to turn, dance," Dutch tuimelen "to tumble," Old High German tumon, German taumeln "to turn, reel." Transitive sense from late 14c. Related: Tumbled; tumbling. \> Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 11

lit‧a‧ny /ˈlɪtəni/ **1** a long list of problems, excuses etc – used to show disapproval: RECITAL, recitation, repetition, enumeration **1a** a resonant or repetitive chant ...a **litany of** cheering phrases ~ Herman Wouk **1b** a usually lengthy recitation or enumeration ...a familiar **litany of** complaints **1c** a sizable series or set ...a **litany of** problems ...The drug has a **litany of** possible side effects. **2** A **litany** is part of a church service in which the priest says a set group of words and the people reply, also using a set group of words: PRAYER, invocation, petition, supplication \> c. 1200, "solemn prayer of supplication," from Old French letanie (13c., Modern French litanie) and directly from Medieval Latin letania, Late Latin litania (source also of Spanish letania, Italian litania), from Greek litaneia "prayer, an entreating," from lite "prayer, supplication, entreaty," a word of unknown origin. From the notion of monotonous enumeration of petitions in Christian prayer services came the generalized sense of "repeated series" (early 19c.), which originated in French. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 12

off-putting provoking uneasiness, dislike, annoyance, or repugnance; disturbing or disagreeable: UNPLEASANT, unappealing, uninviting, unattractive, disagreeable, offensive, distasteful, unsavory, unpalatable, unappetizing, objectionable, nasty, disgusting, obnoxious, repellent; DISCOURAGING, disheartening, demoralizing, dispiriting, daunting, dismaying, forbidding, intimidating, frightening, formidable; *informal* horrid, horrible \> Dictionary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 13

bear/bore/borne down **1** → bear down on sb/sth When used with **on** or **upon**, as in **to bear down on**, this can also mean to quickly move towards something; If someone or something **bears down on** you, they move quickly towards you in a threatening way: ADVANCE ON, close in on, move in on, converge on ...A group of half a dozen men entered the pub and **bore down on** the bar. ...a storm **bearing down on** the island ...I could see a police car **bearing down on** us. **2** → bear down on sb/sth to take strict measures to deal with; to behave in a threatening or controlling way towards a person or group ...Federal regulators have been **bearing down on** campaign contributors. **3** → bear down (on sth) To **bear down on** something means to push or press downwards with steady pressure. ...The roof support structure had collapsed and the entire weight was **bearing down on** the ceiling. \> This first meaning comes from nautical origins, as in a ship bearing down upon a smaller ship, or a storm bearing down upon the sailors. ~ [Writing Explained](https://writingexplained.org/idiom-dictionary/bear-down) \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Macmillan Dictionary

Answer 14

erst‧while /ˈɜːstwaɪl $ ˈɜːrst-/ former or in the past: FORMER, old, past, one-time, sometime, as was, ex-, late, then; previous, prior, foregoing ...**Erstwhile** workers may have become managers. ...She found herself ostracized by **erstwhile** friends. ...My **erstwhile** friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion. \> 1560s, "formerly," from erst "first, at first; once, long ago; till now" (13c.), earlier erest from Old English ærest "soonest, earliest," superlative of ær (see ere) + while (adv.). As an adjective, "former," from 1903. Cognate with Old Saxon and Old High German erist, German erst. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 15

sal‧u‧ta‧ry /ˈsæljətəri $ -teri/ /**sa**·lyuh·teh·ree/ FORMAL producing a beneficial effect; a salutary experience or warning is one that has a good effect although it is unpleasant; A **salutary** experience is good for you, even though it may seem difficult or unpleasant at first: BENEFICIAL, good, good for one, advantageous, profitable, productive, helpful, useful, of use, of service, valuable → salutary experience/lesson/reminder etc ...a **salutary warning** that resulted in increased production ...The low interest rates should have a **salutary effect** on business. ...The accident should be a **salutary lesson** to be more careful. ...It was a **salutary lesson** to see the whole team so easily defeated. ...Losing money in this way taught young Jones a **salutary lesson**. ...On that front, expanding accessibility and workforce diversity initiatives should play a **salutary** role, creating new opportunities for skilled and promising practitioners. —Ben Croll, *Variety*, 23 Nov. 2023 USAGE NOTES: - **Salutary** describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant. - a *salutary* warning that resulted in increased production \> "wholesome, healthful, healing," late 15c. (Caxton), from Old French salutaire "beneficial," or directly from Latin salutaris "healthful," from salus (genitive salutis) "good health" (from PIE root *sol- "whole, well-kept"). By 19c. also in a general sense, "contributing to some beneficial purpose." Earlier as a noun, salutari, "a remedy," (early 15c.), from Latin salutaris (n.). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 16

in‧ex‧tric‧a‧ble /ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbəl◂, ɪnˈekstrɪk-/ **1** impossible to disentangle or separate; If there is an **inextricable** link between things, they cannot be considered separately: INSEPARABLE, impossible to separate, indivisible, entangled, tangled, ravelled, mixed up, confused ...The past and the present are **inextricable**. ...Meetings are an **inextricable** part of business. **2** impossible to escape from: INESCAPABLE, impossible to escape from, unavoidable, unpreventable ...an **inextricable** situation \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 17

sizzling **1** very hot: EXTREMELY HOT, red-hot ...a **sizzling** afternoon **2** very exciting, especially in a sexual way: PASSIONATE, torrid, amorous, ardent, sexy, lustful, erotic, steamy, hot, red-hot ...a **sizzling** sex scene \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Collins English Dictionary

Answer 18

div‧vy /ˈdɪvi/ verb → divvy sth up to divide up and share; to share something between several people ...We can **divvy up** the profits between us. ...We **divvied up** the chores. ...Money is easier to **divvy up** than property, … —Susan E. Kuhn ...Since then, Canada has **divvied up** C$30 billion in initial funding amongst its provinces with the goal of creating 250,000 new childcare spaces that will cost parents only C$10 a day by March 2026. —Gretchen Cuda Kroen, *cleveland*, 7 May 2023 noun **1** short for dividend, esp (formerly) one paid by a cooperative society **2** INFORMAL•BRITISH If you call someone a **divvy**, you are saying in a humorous way that you think they are rather foolish. \> "to divide (up)," 1877, American English, originally a noun (1865), a slang shortening of dividend. The verb is primary now (the noun is not in "Webster's New World Dictionary"), leading some (such as "Webster's") to think the word is a slang alteration of divide. Related: Divvying. In early 20c. British slang the same word was a shortening of divine (adj.). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 19

du‧plic‧i‧ty doo·**pli**·suh·tee /djuːˈplɪsəti $ duː-/ deceitfulness; double-dealing; dishonest behavior that is intended to deceive someone: DECEITFULNESS, deceit, deception, deviousness, two-facedness, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty ...She accused him of **duplicity** in the negotiations. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 20

rift **1** A **rift** between people or countries is a serious quarrel or disagreement that stops them having a good relationship: BREACH, division, split; quarrel, squabble, disagreement, difference of opinion, falling-out, fight, row, altercation, argument; ESTRANGEMENT, alienation, schism → rift between/with ...The interview reflected a growing **rift between** the President and the government. ...The fight will only widen the **rift with** his brother. ...They hope to **heal** the **rift with** their father. → rift over ...Today’s announcement could lead to a further **rift over** public spending. **2** a crack or narrow opening in a large mass of rock, cloud etc: CRACK, fault, flaw, split ...a deep **rift** in the Antarctic ice ...We could see some stars through the **rifts** in the clouds. \> early 14c., "a split, a breaking, an act of tearing or rending," from a Scandinavian source (compare Danish and Norwegian rift "a cleft," Old Icelandic ript (pronounced "rift") "breach;" related to Old Norse ripa, rifa "to tear apart, break a contract" (see **riven**). Probably influenced in Middle English by **rive** (v.). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 21

confound **1** to confuse and surprise people by being unexpected; If someone or something **confounds** you, they make you feel surprised or confused, often by showing you that your opinions or expectations of them were wrong: AMAZE, astonish, dumbfound, stagger, surprise, startle, stun, stupefy, daze, nonplus; throw, shake, unnerve, disconcert, discompose, dismay, bewilder, set someone thinking, baffle, mystify, bemuse, perplex, puzzle, confuse ...The choice of Governor may **confound** us all. ...The tragic news **confounded** us all. USAGE NOTES: **Confound** implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement. **2** to prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong: INVALIDATE, negate, contradict, counter, go against, discredit, give the lie to, drive a coach and horses through; quash, explode, demolish, shoot down, destroy; disprove, prove wrong, prove false, falsify ...The rise in prices **confounded** expectations. ...This new evidence **confounds** your theory. \> c. 1300, "to condemn, curse," also "to destroy utterly;" from Anglo-French confoundre, Old French confondre (12c.) "crush, ruin, disgrace, throw into disorder," from Latin confundere "to confuse, jumble together, bring into disorder," especially of the mind or senses, "disconcert, perplex," properly "to pour, mingle, or mix together," from assimilated form of com "together" (see **con-**) + fundere "to pour" (from nasalized form of PIE root *gheu- "to pour"). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Macmillan Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 22

in‧ex‧tric‧a‧ble /ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbəl◂, ɪnˈekstrɪk-/ **1** impossible to disentangle or separate; If there is an **inextricable** link between things, they cannot be considered separately: INSEPARABLE, impossible to separate, indivisible, entangled, tangled, ravelled, mixed up, confused ...The past and the present are **inextricable**. ...Meetings are an **inextricable** part of business. **2** impossible to escape from: INESCAPABLE, impossible to escape from, unavoidable, unpreventable ...an **inextricable** situation in‧ex‧tric‧a‧bly /ˌɪnɪkˈstrɪkəbli, ɪnˈekstrɪk-/ If two or more things are **inextricably** linked, they cannot be considered separately: INSEPARABLY, totally, intricately, irretrievably → be inextricably linked/bound up/mixed etc ...For many top executives, golf and business **are inextricably linked**. ...Physical health **is inextricably linked** to mental health. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 23

flip out to lose one's reason or composure *or* become very angry. ...She's going to **flip out** when she sees the great present I got her! ...She would have **flipped out** if someone had done this to her. ...I nearly **flipped out** when she told me she and David were getting married. ...He **flipped out** on the server when they messed up his wife's order. —Ajani Bazile \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary

Answer 24

for‧ay /ˈfɒreɪ $ ˈfɔː-, ˈfɑː-/ **1** an initial and often tentative attempt to do something in a new or different field or area of activity → foray into ...It will be my first **foray into** local government. ...Wright is about to **make** his first **foray into** the music business. **2** a short sudden attack by a group of soldiers, especially in order to get food or supplies: RAID, attack, assault, incursion, swoop, strike → foray into ...their nightly **forays into** enemy territory **3** a short journey somewhere in order to get something or do something: TRIP → foray into/to ...We **make** regular **forays to** France to buy wine. verb **1** to make a raid or brief invasion ...**forayed into** enemy territory **2** to do or attempt something outside one's accustomed sphere; to enter into a new or different field or area of activity ...Tesla, known for its high-end electric cars, has **forayed into** the trucking industry with a Nov. 16 reveal of its latest prototype, the Tesla Semi. —Meagan Nichols \> late 14c., "predatory incursion," Scottish, from the verb (14c.), perhaps a back-formation of Middle English forreyer "raider, forager" (mid-14c.), from Old French forrier, from forrer "to forage," from forrage "fodder; foraging; pillaging, looting" (see **forage** (n.)). Disused by 18c.; revived by Scott. As a verb from 14c. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Etymonline

Answer 25

con‧jure /ˈkʌndʒə $ ˈkɑːndʒər, ˈkʌn-/ If you **conjure** something **out of** nothing, you make it appear as if by magic: MAKE SOMETHING APPEAR, produce, materialize, magic, summon, generate, whip up ...The magician **conjured** a rabbit **out of** his hat. ...Thirteen years ago she found herself having to **conjure** a career **from** thin air. ...They managed to **conjure** a victory. conjure sth up **1** to bring a thought, picture, idea, or memory to someone’s mind → conjure up images/pictures/thoughts etc (of something) ...She had forgotten how to **conjure up the image of** her mother’s face. **2** to make something appear when it is not expected, as if by magic ...Somehow we have to **conjure up** another $10,000. \> Middle English (also in the sense ‘oblige by oath’): from Old French conjurer ‘to plot or exorcise’, from Latin conjurare ‘band together by an oath, conspire’ (in medieval Latin ‘invoke’), from con- ‘together’ + jurare ‘swear’. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 26

flair USAGE NOTES: skill for doing something, especially something that needs imagination and creativity **1** [singular] a natural ability to do something very well; If you **have a flair** for a particular thing, you have a natural ability to do it well: APTITUDE, talent, gift, knack, instinct, natural ability, ability, capability, capacity, faculty, facility, skill, bent, feel, genius ...She **has a flair** for languages. **2** [uncountable] stylishness and originality; If you have **flair**, you do things in an original, interesting, and stylish way: STYLE, stylishness, panache, verve, dash, elan, finesse, poise, elegance, sparkle, brio; inventiveness, creativity; taste, good taste, discernment, discrimination → artistic/creative flair ...a job for which **artistic flair** is essential ...Irwin has real **entrepreneurial flair**. \> mid-14c., "an odor," from Old French flaire "odor or scent," especially in hunting, "fragrance, sense of smell," from flairier "to give off an odor; stink; smell sweetly" (Modern French flairer), from Vulgar Latin *flagrare, a dissimilation of Latin fragrare "emit (a sweet) odor" (see **fragrant**). Sense of "special aptitude" is American English, 1925, probably from hunting and the notion of a hound's ability to track scent. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 27

absolutely

Answer 28

flout /flaʊt/ to treat with contemptuous disregard; to deliberately disobey a law, rule etc, without trying to hide what you are doing; If you **flout** something such as a law, an order, or an accepted way of behaving, you deliberately do not obey it or follow it: DEFY, refuse to obey, go against, rebel against, scorn, spurn, scoff at ...illegal campers who persist in **flouting** the law ...Building regulations have been habitually **flouted**. ...Some companies **flout** the rules and employ children as young as seven. ...The union had **openly flouted** the law. ...Despite repeated warnings, they have continued to **flout** the law. ...an able-bodied motorist openly **flouting** the law and parking in a space reserved for the disabled ...Uber has often **flouted** local laws in its drive for growth. —Newley Purnell, *WSJ*, 3 Aug. 2017 ...The state is slow to discipline doctors even when they are accused of **flouting** board rules. —Stephen Hobbs, *Sun-Sentinel.com*, 27 Oct. 2017 ...Donald Trump **flouts** norms and ignores conventions and tells lies all the time. —Jay Willis, *GQ*, 18 Oct. 2017 ...When one side regularly **flouts** norms, the other side pays the price for striving to uphold them. —Alex Shephard, *New Republic*, 24 Jan. 2018 ...The rapid pace of the trial reflected, in part, the fact that the case turned on a straightforward question, whether Mr. Navarro had willfully defied lawmakers in **flouting** a subpoena. —Zach Montague, *New York Times*, 8 Sep. 2023 ...At recent state party conventions, right-leaning delegates have begun **flouting** the wishes of the party by going against the governor's picks for key statewide offices. —Kayla Dwyer, *The Indianapolis Star*, 18 Aug. 2023 USAGE NOTES: If you flout a rule or societal norm, you ignore it without hiding what you're doing, or showing fear or shame. The similar-sounding word flaunt is sometimes used in the same way, though that word's older and more common meaning is "to display ostentatiously." Critics have been complaining about the confusion of these two words since the early 1900s, but use of flaunt with the meaning "to treat with contemptuous disregard" is found in even polished, edited writing, and so that meaning is included in our and other dictionaries as an established use of the word. Nonetheless, you may want to avoid it: there are still many who judge harshly those who fail to keep these two words distinct. - **Flout** stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed. - *flouted* the conventions of polite society \> "treat with disdain or contempt" (transitive), 1550s, intransitive sense "mock, jeer, scoff" is from 1570s; of uncertain origin; perhaps a special use of Middle English flowten "to play the flute" (compare Middle Dutch fluyten "to play the flute," also "to jeer"). Related: Flouted; flouting. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 29

mull usually **mull sth over** to think about (a fact, proposal, or request) deeply and at length; If you **mull** something, you think about it for a long time before deciding what to do: PONDER, consider, think over/about, reflect on, contemplate, deliberate, turn over in one's mind, chew over, weigh up, cogitate on, meditate on, muse on, ruminate over/on, brood on, have one's mind on, give some thought to ...Last month, a federal grand jury began **mulling** evidence in the case. ...She began to **mull over** the various possibilities. ...He’s **mulling over** the proposals before making any changes. ...McLaren had been **mulling over** an idea to make a movie. ...I'll leave you alone here so you can **mull** it **over**. ...Barney sat there for a while, **mulling** things **over**. ...The Commerce Department has issued extensive trade restrictions on sales of chips, software and machinery to China’s semiconductor industry and is **mulling** an expansion of those rules that could be issued soon after Ms. Raimondo returns to Washington. —Ana Swanson, *New York Times*, 26 Aug. 2023 ...The Fed is still **mulling** one last rate hike this year, even though the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — rose 3% in June from a year earlier. —Bryan Mena, *CNN*, 6 Aug. 2023 \> "ponder, turn over in one's mind," 1873, perhaps from a figurative use of mull (v.) "grind to powder" (which survived into 19c. in dialect), from Middle English mullyn, mollen "grind to powder, soften by pulverizing," also "to fondle or pet" (late 14c.), from Old French moillier and directly from Medieval Latin molliare,mulliare, from Latin molere "to grind," from PIE root *mele- "to crush, grind." \> **melə-**: Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to crush, grind," with derivatives referring to ground or crumbling substances and crushing or grinding instruments. It forms all or part of: **amyl**; **amyloid**; **blintz**; **emmer**; **emolument**; **immolate**; **maelstrom**; **mall**; **malleable**; **malleolus**; **mallet**; **malleus**; **maul**; **meal** (n.2) "edible ground grain;" **mill** (n.1) "building fitted to grind grain;" **millet**; **mola**; **molar** (n.); **mold** (n.3) "loose earth;" **molder**; **ormolu**; **pall-mall**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 30

bum sb out INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN to disappoint, annoy, or upset someone; to depress, sadden, dispirit ...He's been really **bummed out** since his girlfriend moved to California. ...It really **bummed** me **out** that she could have helped and didn't. \> From bum (“unpleasant, depressing”). \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Collins English Dictionary, Dictionary.com, Wiktionary

Answer 31

bereave **1** to deprive and make desolate, especially by death (usually followed by *of*): DEPRIVE, dispossess, rob, divest, strip. ...Illness **bereaved** them **of** their mother. **2** to deprive ruthlessly or by force (usually followed by of) ...The war **bereaved** them **of** their home. \> From Middle English bireven, from Old English berēafian (“to bereave, deprive of, take away, seize, rob, despoil”), from Proto-Germanic *biraubōną, and Old English berēofan (“to bereave, deprive, rob of”); both equivalent to be- +‎ reave. Cognate with Dutch beroven (“to rob, deprive, bereave”), German berauben (“to deprive, rob, bereave”), Danish berøve (“to deprive of”), Norwegian berøve (“to deprive”), Swedish beröva (“to rob”), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐍂𐌰𐌿𐌱𐍉𐌽 (biraubōn). \> Middle English bireven, from Old English bereafian "to deprive of, take away by violence, seize, rob," from **be**- + reafian "rob, plunder," from Proto-Germanic *raubōjanan, from PIE *runp- "to break" (see **corrupt** (adj.)). A common Germanic formation; compare Old Frisian biravia "despoil, rob, deprive (someone of something)," Old Saxon biroban, Dutch berooven, Old High German biroubon, German berauben, Gothic biraubon. \> Dictionary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 32

skirt noun ... verb **1** Something that **skirts** an area is situated around the edge of it: BORDER, edge, lie alongside, line ...We raced across a large field that **skirted** the slope of a hill. **2** If you **skirt** something, you go around the edge of it: GO ROUND, bypass, walk round, circumvent ...We shall be **skirting** the island on our way. ...She **skirted** round the edge of the room to the door. **3** to attempt to ignore; to avoid dealing with; If you **skirt** a problem or question, you avoid dealing with it. ...He **skirted** the hardest issues, concentrating on areas of possible agreement. ...He **skirted round** his main differences with her. ...a disappointing speech that **skirted around** all the main **issues** \> Collins English Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 33

de‧fraud /dɪˈfrɔːd $ -ˈfrɒːd/ to deprive of something by deception or fraud; to trick a person or organization in order to get money from them; If someone **defrauds** you, they take something away from you or stop you from getting what belongs to you by means of tricks and lies: SWINDLE, CHEAT, ROB, deceive, dupe, hoodwink, double-cross, fool, trick; *informal* CON, bamboozle, do, sting, diddle, rip off, shaft, bilk, rook, take for a ride, pull a fast one on, pull the wool over someone's eyes, put one over on, take to the cleaners, gull, finagle, milk; *British informal* fiddle, swizzle, sell a pup to ...He faces charges of theft and **conspiracy to defraud**(=a secret plan to cheat someone, made by two or more people). → defraud sb of sth ...She **defrauded** her employers **of** thousands of pounds. ...Investors in the scheme were **defrauded of** their life savings. ...allegations that he **defrauded** taxpayers **of** thousands of dollars \> late 14c., defrauden, "deprive of right, by deception or breech of trust or withholding," from Old French defrauder, from Latin defraudare "to defraud, cheat," from de- "thoroughly" + fraudare "to cheat, swindle" (see **fraud**). Related: Defrauded; defrauding. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 34

rel‧ish /ˈrelɪʃ/ verb **1** to enjoy greatly; If you **relish** something, you get a lot of enjoyment from it: ENJOY, delight in, love, like, adore, be pleased by, take pleasure in, rejoice in, appreciate, savor, revel in, luxuriate in, glory in; GLOAT OVER, feel self-satisfied about, crow about; *informal* get a kick out of, get a thrill out of ...I **relish** the challenge of doing jobs that others turn down. ...He ate quietly, **relishing** his meal. ...He took particular **relish** in pointing out my error. **2** relish the prospect/thought/idea If you **relish the idea, thought, or prospect of something**, you are looking forward to it very much: LOOK FORWARD TO, fancy, long for, hope for ...He **relished the idea** of getting some cash. noun **1** [uncountable] great enjoyment of something: ENJOYMENT, gusto, delight, pleasure, glee, rapture, satisfaction, contentment, contentedness, gratification, happiness, exhilaration, excitement, titillation, appreciation, liking, fondness, enthusiasm, appetite, zest → with relish ...I ate **with great relish**, enjoying every bite. **2** [countable, uncountable] a thick spicy sauce made from fruits or vegetables, and usually eaten with meat: CONDIMENT /ˈkɒndəmənt $ ˈkɑːn-/, accompaniment, sauce, dressing, flavoring, seasoning, dip. \> **relish (n.)**: 1520s, "a sensation of taste, a flavor distinctive of anything," alteration of reles "scent, taste, aftertaste," (c. 1300), from Old French relais, reles, "something remaining, that which is left behind," from relaisser "to leave behind," from Latin relaxare "loosen, stretch out," from re- "back" (see **re-**) + laxare "loosen" (from PIE root *sleg- "be slack, be languid"). Especially "a pleasing taste," hence "pleasing quality" in general. The meaning "enjoyment of the taste or flavor of something" is attested from 1640s. The sense of "condiment, that which is used to impart a flavor to plain food to increase the pleasure of eating it" is recorded by 1797, especially a piquant sauce or pickle: The modern stuff you put on hot dogs (or don't) is a sweet green pickle relish. \> **relish (v.)**: 1560s (implied in relished), "give flavor to, give an agreeable taste to," from relish (n.). The sense of "to enjoy, like the taste or flavor of, take pleasure in" is from 1590s (compare sense reversals in other similar "taste" verbs: like, please, disgust, etc.). Related: Relishing. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 35

slip sb's mind If something **slips your mind**, you forget it: ...I'm sorry I forgot your birthday - it just **slipped my mind**. ...Her birthday completely **slipped my mind**. ...I meant to pick up the wine but it **slipped my mind**. ...I'm sorry I didn't call you back sooner, it totally **slipped my mind**. \> Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, The Free Dictionary

Answer 36

com‧mis‧e‧rate /kəˈmɪzəreɪt/ to feel or express sympathy; If you **commiserate with** someone, you show them pity or sympathy when something unpleasant has happened to them: OFFER SYMPATHY TO, be sympathetic to, express sympathy for ...After the layoffs, we all went to the bar to **commiserate**. ...She went over to **commiserate with** Rose on her unfortunate circumstances. ...They **commiserated with** him **over** the loss of his job. commiseration UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [also NOUN in plural] ...After half an hour's **commiseration**, we turned to more practical matters. ...We have sent the team our **commiserations**. \> late 16th century: from Latin commiserat- ‘commiserated’, from the verb commiserari, from com- ‘with’ + miserari ‘to lament’ (from miser ‘wretched’). \> Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, Vocabulary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 37

snarl **1** When an animal **snarls**, it makes a fierce, rough sound in its throat while showing its teeth. snarl at ...The dog growled and **snarled at** me. **2** If you **snarl** something, you say it in a fierce, angry way. ...‘Shut up,’ he **snarled**. ...'Aubrey.' Hyde seemed almost to **snarl** the name. snarl at ...I vaguely remember **snarling at** someone who stepped on my foot. \> "growl and bare the teeth," as an angry dog or wolf, 1580s, perhaps from Dutch or Low German snarren "to rattle," which are probably of imitative origin (compare German schnarren "to rattle," schnurren "to hum, buzz"). The meaning "speak in a harsh, quarrelsome manner" is recorded by 1690s. Related: Snarled; snarling. snarl sth up **1** to entangle or impede (something): TANGLE, entangle, entwine, enmesh, ravel, knot, twist, intertwine, jumble, muddle, foul ...The bus got **snarled up** in the downtown traffic. ...Recurring wildcat labor actions by union members **snarled** freight traffic at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle nearly 40% of the U.S. imports from Asia and together make up the nation's largest cargo container complex. —Ronald D. White, *Los Angeles Times*, 1 Sep. 2023 ...Heavy rains in the California desert collapsed a bridge on Interstate 10 eight years ago, **snarling** traffic for about five days on the key route linking Southern California and Arizona. —Russ Wiles, *The Arizona Republic*, 19 Aug. 2023 **2** to make excessively complicated: COMPLICATE, confuse, muddle, jumble, throw into disorder, embroil, make difficult; *informal* mess up ...A heavy backlog of cases has **snarled up** the court process. \> late 14c., snarlen, "tangle, catch in a snare or noose" (transitive; literal and figurative), from the obsolete noun snarl "a snare, a noose" (late 14c.), which is probably a diminutive of **snare** (n.1). The intransitive sense of "become twisted or entangled" is from c. 1600. Related: Snarled; snarling. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 38

re‧course /rɪˈkɔːs $ ˈriːkɔːrs/ FORMAL If you achieve something **without recourse to** a particular course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action. To have **recourse to** a particular course of action means to have to do that action in order to achieve something. **1a** : a turning to someone or something for help or protection ...settled the matter without **recourse to** law ...It enabled its members to settle their differences **without recourse to** war. **1b** : a source of help or strength : RESORT ...The public believes its only **recourse** is to take to the streets. ...If the company won’t pay me, the only **recourse** left to me is to sue them. \> "act of relying on someone or something," late 14c., recours, from Old French recours (13c.), from Latin recursus "a return, a retreat," literally "a running back, a going back," from past-participle stem of recurrere "run back, return," from re- "back, again" (see **re-**) + currere "to run" (from PIE root **kers-** "to run"). Especially in **have recourse** (late 14c.) "apply for help, rely on for aid." As the word for the thing applied to for help, by late 15c. Sometimes in Middle English it also was used in an etymological sense of "a returning" from one state or place to another; "a flowing back," but these are obsolete. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster

Answer 39

deal breaker

Answer 40

trin‧ket /ˈtrɪŋkɪt/ a small decorative object, or a piece of jewellery that is cheap or of low quality: KNICKKNACK, BAUBLE, ORNAMENT, piece of bric-a-brac, bibelot, curio, trifle, toy, novelty, gimcrack, gewgaw ...She always returns from vacation with a few souvenirs, mostly just cheap **trinkets**. \> Old English trenket (“a sort of knife”), hence, probably, a toy knife worn as an ornament; probably from an Old French dialectal form of trenchier (“to cut”). Compare trench. \> Cambridge Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 41

skul‧dug‧ge‧ry, skullduggery /ˌskʌlˈdʌɡəri/ secretly dishonest or illegal activity – also used humorously; underhanded or unscrupulous behavior; **Skulduggery** is behavior in which someone acts in a dishonest way in order to achieve their aim: TRICKERY, swindling, machinations, duplicity, fraudulence, double-dealing, sharp practice, unscrupulousness, underhandedness, chicanery; *informal* shenanigans, funny business, hanky-panky, monkey business; *British informal* monkey tricks, jiggery-pokery; *North American informal* monkeyshines. ...a firm that investigates commercial **skulduggery** ...He is serving a prison sentence for financial **skulduggery**. ...The company's apparently healthy bottom line was merely an illusion, the result of years of accounting **skulduggery**. \> "underhanded dealings, roguish intrigue," 1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery" (1713), via sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity, grossness, unchastity" (1821), a euphemism of uncertain origin but probably popularized in English via Scott. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 42

id‧i‧o‧syn‧cra‧sy /ˌɪdiəˈsɪŋkrəsi/ a peculiarity of constitution or temperament; If you talk about the **idiosyncrasies** of someone or something, you are referring to their rather unusual habits or characteristics: PECULIARITY, individual/personal trait, oddity, eccentricity, foible, crotchet, habit, characteristic, speciality, quality, feature; individuality; unconventionality, unorthodoxy ...Her habit of using “like” in every sentence was just one of her **idiosyncrasies**. ...one of the many **idiosyncrasies** of English spelling ...The book is a gem of Victorian **idiosyncrasy**. \> c. 1600, from French idiosyncrasie, from Latinized form of Greek idiosynkrasia "a peculiar temperament," from idios "one's own" (see **idiom**) + synkrasis "temperament, mixture of personal characteristics," from syn "together" (see **syn-**) + krasis "mixture," from PIE root *kere- "to mix, confuse; cook". Originally in English a medical term meaning "physical constitution of an individual;" mental sense "peculiar mixture" of the elements in one person that makes up his character and personality first attested 1660s. In modern use, loosely, one's whims, habits, fads, or tastes. Sometimes confused in spelling with words in -cracy, but it is from krasis not kratos. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 43

a‧wry /əˈraɪ/ **1** away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course: AMISS, wrong, not right → go awry If something **goes awry**, it does not happen in the way it was planned. ...She was in a fury over a plan that had **gone awry**. ...My carefully laid plans had already **gone awry**. **2** out of the normal or correct position: ASKEW, crooked /ˈkro͝okəd/, lopsided ...He rushed out, hat **awry**. ...His dark hair was all **awry**. \> late 14c., "crooked, askew, turned or twisted to one side," from **a-** (1) "on" + **wry** (adj.). also from late 14c. \> **wry (adj.)**: 1520s, "distorted, somewhat twisted to one side," from obsolete verb wry "to contort, to twist or turn," from Old English wrigian "to turn, bend, move, go," from Proto-Germanic *wrig- (source also of Old Frisian wrigia "to bend," Middle Low German wrich "turned, twisted"), from PIE *wreik- "to turn" (source also of Greek rhoikos "crooked," Lithuanian raišas "lame, limping"), from root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." Of words, thoughts, etc., from 1590s. The original sense is preserved in awry. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 44

el‧i‧gi‧ble /ˈelɪdʒəbəl/ **1** qualified to participate or be chosen; Someone who is **eligible to** do something is qualified or able to do it, for example because they are old enough: ENTITLED, permitted, allowed, qualified; ACCEPTABLE, suitable, appropriate, fit, fitting → eligible for ...Students on a part-time course are not **eligible** for a loan. → eligible to do sth ...Over 500,000 18-year-olds will become **eligible to vote** this year. **2** [only before noun] an eligible man or woman would be good to marry because they are rich, attractive, and not married \> early 15c., "fit or proper to be chosen," from Old French eligible "fit to be chosen" (14c.), from Late Latin eligibilis "that may be chosen," from Latin eligere "choose" (see **election**). Related: Eligibly. \> **election (n.)**: c. 1300, eleccioun, "act of choosing" someone to occupy a position, elevation to office" (whether by one person or a body of electors); also "the holding of a vote by a body of electors by established procedure; the time and place of such a vote," from Anglo-French eleccioun, Old French elecion "choice, election, selection" (12c.), from Latin electionem (nominative electio) "a choice, selection," noun of action from past-participle stem of eligere "pick out, select," from ex "out" (see **ex-**) + -ligere, combining form of legere "to choose," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather." \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 45

noun **1** **Rapture** is a feeling of extreme happiness or pleasure: ECSTASY, bliss, euphoria, elation, exaltation, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, cloud nine, seventh heaven, transport, rhapsody, enchantment, delight, exhilaration, happiness, pleasure, ravishment; *informal* the top of the world ...His speech was received with **rapture** by his supporters. ...The boys gazed up at him in **rapture**. **2** → be in raptures/go into raptures to express or feel great pleasure and happiness about something; If you are **in raptures** or go **into raptures** about something, you are extremely impressed by it and enthusiastic about it: ENTHUSE, rhapsodize, rave, gush, wax lyrical, express intense pleasure/enthusiasm; heap praise on, praise to the skies, make much of; *informal* go wild/mad/crazy. ...The critics **went into raptures** about her performance. ...His goal sent the crowd **into raptures**. \> late 16th century (in the sense ‘seizing and carrying off’): borrowed from Middle French rapture, from Latin raptūra, future active participle of rapiō (“snatch, carry off”). \> Collins English Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 46

hunker down

Answer 47

get your shit together

Answer 48

on the cusp at the point when something is about to change to something else ...The country was **on the cusp of** economic expansion. ...She is **on the cusp of** being a star. ...**on the cusp between** childhood and adolescence ...Lloyd’s students are seventeen years old, high-school students **on the cusp of** adulthood. — Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 11 July 2023 \> Merriam-Webster, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary

Answer 49

foil verb to prevent something bad that someone is planning to do; If you **foil** someone's plan or attempt to do something, for example to commit a crime, you succeed in stopping them from doing what they want: THWART, frustrate, counter; stop, check, block, prevent, defeat, nip in the bud; *informal* mess up, screw up, stymie, cook someone's goose ...A massive arms-smuggling plan has been **foiled** by the CIA. ...A brave police chief **foiled** an armed robbery on a jeweler's by grabbing the raider's shotgun. GRAMMAR **Foil** is often used in the passive. noun **1** very thin sheet metal **2** → be a foil to/for sb/sth a person or thing that contrasts with and so emphasizes and enhances the qualities of another; If you refer to one thing or person as **a foil for** another, you approve of the fact that they contrast with each other and go well together, often in a way that makes the second thing or person seem better or less harmful: CONTRAST, background, setting, relief, antithesis; COMPLEMENT ...He thought of her serenity as **a foil for** his intemperance. ...The simple stone floor is **the perfect foil for** the brightly colored furnishings. \> **foil (v.)**: From Middle English foilen (“spoil a scent trail by running over it”), from Old French fouler (“tread on, trample”), ultimately from Latin fullō (“I trample, I full”). Compare **full** (v.). Hence, "to overthrow, defeat" (1540s; as a noun in this sense from late 15c.); "frustrate the efforts of" (1560s). Related: Foiled; foiling. Foiled again! as a cry of defeat and dismay is from at least 1847. \> **foil (n.1)**: "very thin sheet of metal," early 14c., foile, from Old French foil, fueill, fueille "leaf; foliage; sheet of paper; sheet of metal" (12c., Modern French feuille), from Latin folia, plural (mistaken for fem. singular) of folium "leaf" (from PIE root \*bhel- (3) "to thrive, bloom"). \> **foil (n.2)**: The sense of "one who enhances another by contrast" (1580s) is from the practice of backing a gem with metal foil to make it shine more brilliantly. The meaning "light sword used in fencing" (1590s) could be from this sense, or from **foil** (v.). The sense of "metallic food wrap" is from 1897. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 50

what makes somebody tick If you talk about **what makes someone tick**, you are talking about the beliefs, wishes, and feelings that make them behave in the way that they do. ...He wanted to find out what made them tick. ...I'm interested in how people tick. \> Collins English Dictionary

Answer 51

get hold of

Answer 52

home and dry INFORMAL•BRITISH : sure of succeeding, winning, etc. : no longer in danger of failing; having successfully achieved or being within sight of achieving one's objective; If you say that someone is, in British English **home and dry**, or in American English **home free**, you mean that they have been successful or that they are certain to be successful. ...If we can meet this next deadline, we’ll be **home and dry**. ...We just have to finish this section, then we’re **home and dry**. ...We’re not **home and dry** yet. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary

Answer 53

qualm /kwɑːm $ kwɑːm, kwɑːlm/ noun [countable usually plural] an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving; If you have no **qualms** about doing something, you are not worried that it may be wrong in some way: MISGIVING, doubt, reservation, second thought, worry, concern, anxiety; (**qualms**) hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, apprehension, trepidation, disquiet, disquietude, unease, uneasiness ...Military regimes generally **have** no **qualms** about controlling the press. ...The manager **has** no **qualms** about dropping players who do not perform well. ...Did she see him as capable of murder? She had used the word without a **qualm**. \> Perhaps from Middle English qualm, cwalm (“death, sickness, plague”), which is from Old English cwealm (West Saxon: "death, disaster, plague"), ūtcwalm (Anglian: "utter destruction"), from Proto-West Germanic *kwalm (“killing, death, destruction”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH- (“to stick, pierce; pain, injury, death”), whence also quell. Although the sense development is possible, this has the problem that there are no attestations in intermediate senses before the appearance of "pang of apprehension, etc." in the 16th century. The alternative etymology is from Dutch kwalm or German Qualm (“steam, vapor, mist”) earlier “daze, stupefaction”, which is from the root of German quellen (“to stream, well up”). The sense “feeling of faintness” is from 1530; “uneasiness, doubt” from 1553; “scruple of conscience” from 1649. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 54

impinge on/upon sb/sth **1** to affect (something) in a way that is unwanted : to have a bad effect on (something); Something that **impinges on** you affects you to some extent: AFFECT, have an effect on, have a bearing on, touch, influence, exert influence on, make an impression on ...Her work is **impinging on** her social life. ...Personal problems experienced by students may **impinge on** their work. ...The government's spending limits will seriously **impinge on** the education budget. ...the cuts in defense spending that have **impinged on** two of the region's largest employers ...Given their short career expectancy, NFL players inevitably feel anxiety when injuries or coaching decisions **impinge on** their financial outlook. —Childs Walker, *Baltimore Sun*, 20 July 2023 **2** to advance over an area belonging to someone or something else; encroach: ENCROACH ON, intrude on, infringe, invade, trespass on, obtrude into, make inroads into; violate; *informal* muscle in on. ...The site **impinges on** a greenbelt area. \> mid 16th century: from Latin impingere 'to drive something in or at; to dash against; to impinge', from in- 'into' + pangere 'to fix, drive'. The word originally meant 'thrust at forcibly', then 'come into forcible contact'; hence 'encroach' (mid 18th century). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Meirram-Webster, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 55

temper sth with sth or temper sth by sth to make something less severe or extreme. ...The heat in this coastal town is **tempered by** cool sea breezes. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Answer 56

fore‧stall /fɔːˈstɔːl $ fɔːrˈstɒːl/ to prevent something from happening or prevent someone from doing something by doing something first: PREVENT, stop, frustrate, anticipate, preempt, get in before, get ahead of ...Large numbers of police were in the square to **forestall** any demonstrations. ...Many doctors prescribe aspirin to **forestall** second heart attacks. USAGE NOTES: **Forestall** implies a getting ahead so as to stop or interrupt something in its course. \> late 14c. (implied in forestalling), "to lie in wait for;" also "to intercept goods before they reach public markets and buy them privately," which formerly was a crime (mid-14c. in this sense in Anglo-French), from Old English noun foresteall "intervention, hindrance (of justice); an ambush, a waylaying," literally "a standing before (someone)," from fore- "before" + steall "standing position" (see **stall** (n.1)). Modern sense of "to anticipate and delay" is from 1580s. Related: Forestalled; forestalling. \> **stall (n.1)**: The word stall comes from Old English steall, meaning “standing place, stable, fishing ground”. It is related to other Germanic words with similar meanings, such as Old Norse stallr and German Stall. The word may have been influenced by French estal, which also means “station, position, stall”. The sense of "booth or bench for selling merchandise, money-changing, etc." is by late 14c. The meaning "partially enclosed fixed seat in a choir" is attested from c. 1400; that of "urinal or divided compartment in a series in a lavatory" is by 1967. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 57

cobble together (*also* cobble up) to make or put together roughly or hastily; to quickly produce or make something that is useful but not perfect; If you say that someone has **cobbled** something **together**, you mean that they have made or produced it roughly or quickly: PREPARE ROUGHLY/HASTILY, make roughly/hastily, put together roughly/hastily, scribble, improvise, devise, contrive, rig (up), patch together, jerry-build, throw together, whip up ...**cobble together** an agreement ...**cobble up** a temporary solution ...The diplomats **cobbled** an agreement **together**. ...She **cobbled together** a tent from a few pieces of string and a sheet. ...The group had **cobbled together** a few decent songs. \> late 15th century: back-formation from cobbler(=a person who mends shoes as a job). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 58

vile adjective: **vile**; comparative adjective: **viler**; superlative adjective: **vilest** **1** INFORMAL extremely unpleasant or bad: FOUL, nasty, unpleasant, bad, disageeable, horrid, horrible ...This coffee **tastes** really **vile**. ...The weather was consistently **vile**. ...She was in too **vile** a mood to work. **2** evil or immoral ...a **vile** act of betrayal ...Nothing is so **vile** as intellectual dishonesty. \> late 13c., "morally repugnant; morally flawed, corrupt, wicked; of no value; of inferior quality; disgusting, foul, ugly; degrading, humiliating; of low estate, without worldly honor or esteem," from Anglo-French ville, Old French vil "shameful, dishonorable; low-born; cheap; ugly, hideous," from Latin vilis "cheap, worthless, base, common," of uncertain origin, perhaps from PIE root *wes- (1) "to buy, sell" (see **venal**). Related: Vilely; vileness; vilety (early 13c.). \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 59

touché → used to acknowledge a hit in fencing or the success or appropriateness of an argument, an accusation, or a witty point; You say **'touché'** when you want to admit that the other person in an argument has won a point, usually with a short and witty remark. ..."You say we should support British industries, but you always drink French wines." "**Touché.**" \> exclamation acknowledging a hit in fencing, 1902, from French touché, past participle of toucher "to hit," from Old French touchier "to hit" (see **touch** (v.)). Extended (non-fencing) use by 1907. \> Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 60

u‧surp /juːˈzɜːp $ -ˈsɜːrp/ to take control of a position of power, especially without having the right to; If you say that someone **usurps** a job, role, title, or position, they take it from someone when they have no right to do this: SEIZE, take over, expropriate, take possession of, take, appropriate, steal, wrest, arrogate, commandeer, annex, assume, lay claim to ...There were a couple of attempts to **usurp** the young king. ...Some senators fear the organization will **usurp** congressional power. ...Some people have accused city council members of trying to **usurp** the mayor's power. ...The Congress wants to reverse the reforms and **usurp** the power of the presidency. ...Competitors have jockeyed to **usurp** Twitter’s fading influence since Musk’s takeover. —*WIRED*, 6 Nov. 2023 ...Beijing, however, wants to **usurp** both spiritual and temporal authority in Tibet. —Lobsang Sangay, *Foreign Affairs*, 6 Nov. 2023 \> early 14c., from Old French usurper "to (wrongfully) appropriate" (14c.), from Latin usurpare "make use of, seize for use," in later Latin "to assume unlawfully, trespass on," from usus "a use" (see **use** (v.)) + rapere "to seize" (see **rapid** (adj.)). Related: Usurped; usurping. \> Other descendants of *rapere* in English include **rapacious** /rəˈpeɪʃəs/ ("always wanting more money, goods etc than you need or have a right to"), **rapine** /ˈrapɪn $ ˈræpən/ ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), **rapt** (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and **ravish** (one meaning of which is "to seize and take away by violence"). \> *Usurp* was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French word *usorper*, which in turn derives from the Latin verb *usurpare*, meaning "to take possession of without a legal claim." *Usurpare* itself was formed by combining *usu* (a form of *usus*, meaning "use") and *rapere* ("to seize"). Other descendants of *rapere* in English include **rapacious** ("given to seizing or extorting what is coveted"), **rapine** ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), **rapt** (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and **ravish** (one meaning of which is "to seize and take away by violence"). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 61

tren‧chant /ˈtrentʃənt/ **1** FORMAL severe, expressing strong criticism or forceful opinions; expressed very strongly, effectively, and directly without worrying about offending people: INCISIVE, cutting, pointed, piercing, penetrating, sharp, keen, acute, razor-sharp, razor-edged, rapierlike; vigorous, forceful, strong ...He was shattered and bewildered by this **trenchant** criticism. ...His most **trenchant** criticism is reserved for the party leader, whom he describes as "the most incompetent and ineffectual the party has known". **2** vigorously effective and articulate ...a **trenchant** analysis \> early 14c., "cutting, sharp," from Old French trenchant "cutting, sharp" (literal and figurative), present participle of trenchier "to cut" (see **trench**). Figurative sense in English is from c. 1600. \> There’s much to know about the word *trenchant*, but we’ll cut to the chase. The word *trenchant* comes from the Anglo-French verb *trencher*, meaning “to cut.” Hence, a trenchant sword is one with a keen edge. Nowadays, *trenchant* mostly describes things that don’t cut deep literally, but that are still felt: a trenchant remark is one that cuts close to the bone, and a trenchant observation is one that cuts to the heart of the matter. In addition to meaning “caustic” and “sharply perceptive,” *trenchant* also carries a sense meaning “very strong, clear, and effective” that may be used, for instance, to describe a persuasive essay written with intellectual rigor. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 62

ridiculous

Answer 63

solvent 1 If a person or a company is solvent, they have enough money to pay all their debts: FINANCIALLY SOUND, secure, in the black, solid ...They're going to have to show that the company is now **solvent**. 2 A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve other substances: resolvent, dissolvent [rare] ...a small amount of cleaning **solvent** ...industrial **solvents** \> mid 17th century: from Latin solvent- ‘loosening, unfastening, paying’, from the verb solvere . \> Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 64

the lion's share the largest part or most of something: ...Reputable charities spend **the lion's share of** donations on aid and a tiny fraction on administration. ...Military and nuclear research have received **the lion's share of** public funding. ...William was appointed editor, which meant that he did **the lion's share of** the work. \> From Aesop’s fable The Lion's Share, in which a lion claims the full amount of the spoil after hunting with a number of other beasts. In one version of the fable, the lion claims three-quarters of the kill rather than the whole, leaving the three other animals to fight over the remainder. \> Cambridge Dictionary, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Wiktionary

Answer 65

rat‧i‧fy /ˈrætɪfaɪ/ to approve and sanction formally; to make a written agreement official by signing it; 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: CONFIRM, approve, sanction, endorse, agree to, accept, consent to, assent to, affirm, uphold ...We hope that the republics will be willing to **ratify** the treaty. ...Many countries have now **ratified** the UN convention on the rights of the child. ...The decision will have to be **ratified** (= approved) by the executive board. ...Voters in the two districts must **ratify** the commission’s decision in an election. —Deborah Sullivan Brennan, *San Diego Union-Tribune*, 11 July 2023 \> mid-14c., ratifien, "confirm, approve, sanction, validate by formal act of approval," from Old French ratifier (13c.), from Medieval Latin ratificare "confirm, approve," literally "fix by reckoning," from Latin ratus "fixed by calculation; determined; approved; certain, sure; valid" (past-participle adjective from reri "to reckon, think;" from PIE root *re- "to reason, count") + combining form of facere "to make" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put"). Related: Ratified; ratifying. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 66

be‧he‧moth /bəˈhiːmɒθ $ -mɑːθ/ **1** a huge or monstrous creature **2** something of monstrous size, power, or appearance; If you refer to something as a **behemoth**, you mean that it is extremely large, and often that it is unpleasant, inefficient, or difficult to manage: GIANT, monster, mammoth, titan ...a **behemoth** truck ...Shoppers are now more loyal to their local stores than to faceless **behemoths**. ...In addition, a federal judge in the U.S. recently refused to block the deal to create a video game **behemoth** on grounds Microsoft’s ownership of Activision won’t suppress competition in the video game library subscription and cloud gaming markets. —Etan Vlessing, *The Hollywood Reporter*, 19 July 2023 \> late 14c., huge biblical beast (Job xl.15), from Latin behemoth, from Hebrew *b'hemoth*, usually taken as plural of intensity of *b'hemah* "beast." But the Hebrew word is perhaps a folk etymology of Egyptian *pehemau*, literally "water-ox," the name for the hippopotamus. Used in modern English for any huge beast. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 67

faze /feɪz/ INFORMAL to disturb the composure of; If a new or difficult situation **fazes** you, it makes you feel confused or shocked, so that you do not know what to do: DISCONCERT, DAUNT ...John was embarrassed, but it didn’t **faze** Mike a bit. ...No one is **fazed** by the sight of guns here any more. USAGE NOTES: **Faze** is generally used only as a verb, and means “to daunt or disconcert.” It often appears in negative expressions such as “it didn’t faze her a bit” or “nothing fazes him.” \> 1830, American English, said to be a variant of Kentish dialect feeze "to alarm, discomfit, frighten" (mid-15c.), from Old English fesian, fysian "to chase, drive away; put to flight; discomfit, frighten, terrify," from Proto-Germanic *fausjan (source also of Swedish fösa "drive away," Norwegian föysa). Related: Fazed; fazing. Bartlett (1848) has it as to be in a feeze "in a state of excitement." There also is a nautical verb feaze "to unravel" (a rope), from 1560s. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 68

scut‧tle /ˈskʌtl/ **1** When people or small animals **scuttle** somewhere, they run there with short quick steps: SCAMPER, scurry, scramble, bustle, skip, trot, hurry, hasten, make haste, rush, race, dash, run, sprint ...A mouse **scuttled** across the floor. \> "run hurriedly, scamper, scurry," mid-15c. (implied in scuttling), probably related to or a frequentative form of **scud** (v.). **2** to ruin or end someone’s plans or chance of being successful – used especially in news reports: WRECK /rek/, destroy, ruin, overwhelm ...Such threats could **scuttle** the peace conference. **3** to sink a ship by making holes in the bottom, especially in order to prevent it being used by an enemy ...He personally had received orders from the commander to **scuttle** the ship. \> **scuttle (v.1)**: "run hurriedly, scamper, scurry," mid-15c. (implied in scuttling), probably related to or a frequentative form of **scud** (v.). Also compare **scut** (n.1). Related: Scuttled. \> **scuttle (v.3)**: "cut a hole in the bottom or sides of a ship," especially to sink it, 1640s, from skottell (n.) "small, square hatchway or opening in a ship's deck" (late 15c.), from French escoutille (Modern French écoutille) or directly from Spanish escotilla "hatchway," diminutive of escota "opening in a garment," from escotar "cut (clothes to fit), cut out." This is perhaps from e- "out" (see **ex-**) + a word borrowed from a Germanic language (ultimately from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut"). Figurative sense of "deliberately sink or destroy one's own effort or project" is by 1888. Related: Scuttled; scuttling. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 69

quaint /kweɪnt/ **1** unusual and attractive, especially in an old-fashioned way ...a small, **quaint** town with narrow streets **2** Quaint can also be used to show that you do not approve of something, especially an opinion, belief, or way of behaving, because it is strange or old-fashioned ..."What a **quaint** idea!" she said, laughing at him. USAGE NOTES: **Quaint** suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness: a *quaint* fishing village \> c. 1200, cointe, cwointe, "cunning, artful, ingenious; proud," in both good and bad senses, from Old French cointe, queinte "knowledgeable, well-informed; clever; arrogant, proud; elegant, gracious," from Latin cognitus "known, approved," past participle of cognoscere "get or come to know well" (see **cognizance**). Modern spelling is from early 14c. (see **Q**). \> Later in English, quaint came to mean "elaborate, skillfully made" (c. 1300); "strange and clever, fanciful, odd whimsical" (mid-14c.). The sense of "unusual or old-fashioned but charming or agreeable" is attested by 1782, and at that time could describe the word itself, which had become rare after c. 1700 (though it soon recovered popularity in this secondary sense). Related: Quaintly; quaintness. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 70

a‧ghast /əˈɡɑːst $ əˈɡæst/ FORMAL struck with terror, amazement, or horror; If you are **aghast**, you are filled with horror and surprise: HORRIFIED, appalled, astounded, shocked, stunned ...The news left her **aghast**. ...Tania stared at him **aghast**, unable to speak. → aghast at ...Everyone was **aghast at** the verdict. \> c. 1300, agast, "terrified, suddenly filled with frightened amazement," past participle of Middle English agasten "to frighten" (c. 1200), from a- intensive prefix (see **a-** (1)) + Old English gæstan "to terrify," from gæst "spirit, ghost" (see **ghost** (n.)). The unetymological -gh- is perhaps a Flemish influence, or after ghost, etc., and became general after 1700. \> If you are aghast, you might look like you've just seen a ghost, or something similarly shocking. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 71

slan‧der /ˈslɑːndə $ ˈslændər/ verb To **slander** someone means to say untrue things about them in order to damage their reputation: DEFAME, smear, libel, slur ...She was accused of **slandering** her former boss. noun **Slander** is an untrue spoken statement about someone which is intended to damage their reputation. ....She is being **sued for slander**. ...He was a target of **slander**. ...We've heard countless unsupported **slanders** about her. USAGE NOTES: **Slander** stresses the suffering of the victim. ...Town gossips *slandered* their good name. \> **slander (v.)**: late 13c., sclaundren, "defame, caluminate, accuse falsely and maliciously," from Anglo-French esclaundrer, Old French esclandrer, from Old French esclandre "scandalous statement". Related: Slandered; slandering; slanderer. In early biblical translations also sometimes closer to the Latin literal sense, or with a notion of "stumbling block to faith, grace, etc." \> **slander (n.)**: late 13c., sclaundre, "state of impaired reputation; disgrace or dishonor;" c. 1300, "a false tale or report spread maliciously; the fabrication and dissemination of false tales to discredit someone," from Anglo-French esclaundre, Old French esclandre "scandalous statement," alteration ("with interloping l" [Century Dictionary]) of escandle, escandre "scandal," from Latin scandalum "cause of offense, stumbling block, temptation" (see **scandal**). \> Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 72

an‧nals /ˈænlz/ noun [plural] **1** : a record of events arranged in yearly sequence ...the **annals** of the twentieth century **1a** → in the annals of something in the whole history of something ...one of the most unusual cases **in the annals of** crime ...There really hadn’t been anything like it **in the annals of** modern art before. —*Los Angeles Times*, 7 Feb. 2023 ...The bank also insisted that the Justice Department’s prosecution of the bank was without precedent **in the annals of** American history. —Matt Ford, *The New Republic*, 17 Jan. 2023 **2** used in the titles of official records of events or activities ...It was published in the '**Annals** of Internal Medicine'. \> "chronicle of events year-by-year," 1560s, from Latin annales libri "chronicles, yearlies," literally "yearly books," plural of noun use of annalis "pertaining to a year," from annus "year" (see **annual** (adj.)). In the early Roman republic, the Pontifex Maximus each year would record public events on tablets called Annales Maximi, hence Latin historical works were called annales. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 73

intriguing

Answer 74

in‧del‧i‧ble /ɪnˈdeləbəl/ **1** If you say that something leaves an **indelible** impression, you mean that it is very unlikely to be forgotten: PERMANENT, lasting, enduring, ingrained ...My visit to India in 1986 left an **indelible** impression on me. **2** → indelible ink/pencil/marker etc ink etc that makes a permanent mark which cannot be removed —indelibly adverb ...The horrors he experienced are imprinted, perhaps **indelibly**, in his brain. \> late 15th century (as indeleble ): from French, or from Latin indelebilis, from in- ‘not’ + delebilis (from delere ‘efface, delete’). The ending was altered under the influence of -ible. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 75

peter out If something **peters out**, it gradually comes to an end: FIZZLE OUT, fade (away), die away/out, dwindle, diminish, taper off, tail off, trail away/off, wane, ebb, melt away, evaporate, disappear, come to nothing, fail, fall through, come to a halt, come to an end, run out, give out; decrease, subside ...The six-month strike seemed to be **petering out**. ...The road **petered out** into a rutted track. \> Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 76

tar‧nish /ˈtɑːnɪʃ $ ˈtɑːr-/ \> mid-15c. ternishen, "become tarnished; discolor," from Old French terniss-, present-participle stem of ternir "dull the luster or brightness of, make dim" (15c.), probably from terne (adj.) "dull, dark," which according to Diez is from a Germanic source cognate with Old High German tarnjan "to conceal, hide," Old English dyrnan "to hide, darken," from Proto-Germanic *darnjaz (see **dern**), but there are difficulties of form, sense, and date. Figurative sense is from 1690s. Related: Tarnished; tarnishing. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Etymonline

Answer 77

lau‧re‧ate /ˈlɔːriət/ someone who has been given an important prize or honour, especially the Nobel prize \> "crowned with laurels" (as a mark of distinction), late 14c., earliest reference is to poetic distinction, from Latin laureatus "crowned with laurels," from laurea "laurel crown" (emblematic of victory or distinction in poetry), from fem. of laureus "of laurel," from laurus "laurel" (see **laurel** (n.)). laur‧el /ˈlɒrəl $ ˈlɔː-, ˈlɑː-/ **1** 월계수 **2** a tree or shrub that resembles the true laurel especially : MOUNTAIN LAUREL **3a** a crown of laurel awarded as an honor **3b** a recognition of achievement : HONOR —usually used in plural \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 78

Hail Mary **1** A prayer calling for the intercession of the Virgin Mary. **2** A risky last-ditch effort with great benefit but little chance of success; one whose success would require divine intervention ...The only potential cure is a stem-cell transplant, when you take somebody else’s immune system and put it into yours. But right now that’s kind of a **Hail Mary pass**. \> Wiktionary, Merriam-Webster

Answer 79

es‧chew /ɪsˈtʃuː/ to deliberately avoid doing or using something; If you **eschew** something, you deliberately avoid doing it or becoming involved in it: ABSTAIN FROM /əbˈsteɪn/, refrain from, give up, forgo, forswear, shun, renounce, swear off, abjure, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, give a wide berth to ...He firmly **eschewed** political involvement. ...We won't have discussions with this group unless they **eschew** violence. ...The leaders of the organization **eschewed** the term "union," preferring "guild." USAGE NOTES: **Eschew** implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. ...a playwright who *eschews* melodrama \> *Eschew* derives from the Anglo-French verb *eschiver* and is akin to the Old High German verb *sciuhen* ("to avoid, escape"), an ancestor of our word *shy*. \> "to refuse to use or participate in; stand aloof from; shun; avoid," mid-14c., from Old French eschiver "shun, eschew, avoid, dispense with," from Frankish *skiuhan "dread, avoid, shun," from Proto-Germanic *skeukhwaz (source also of Old High German sciuhen "to avoid, escape," German scheuen "to fear, shun, shrink from," scheu "shy, timid"); see shy (adj.). Related: Eschewed; eschewing; eschewal; eschewance. Italian schivare "to avoid, shun, protect from," schivo "shy, bashful" are related loan words from Germanic. For e-, see e-. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 80

par·a·bol·ic /ˌper-ə-ˈbä-lik/ **1** of, having the form of, or relating to a parabola ...motion in a **parabolic** curve **2** of or expressed in parables. ...**parabolic** teaching \> **parabolic (a.2)**: mid-15c., parabolik, "figurative, allegorical, of or pertaining to a parable or a parabole," from Medieval Latin parabolicus, from late Greek parabolikos "figurative," from parabolē "comparison" (see **‌parable**). \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 81

crimp verb **1** If you **crimp** something such as a piece of fabric or pastry, you make small folds in it: FLUTE, pleat, corrugate, ruffle, furrow, groove, ridge, crease, wrinkle, crinkle, crumple ...**Crimp** the edges to seal them tightly. **2** to make your hair slightly curly by using a special heated tool: CURL, CRINKLE, kink, frizz, frizzle, coil, corkscrew, wave ...**crimped** blonde hair **3** to be an inhibiting or restraining influence on; to prevent (something) from happening or proceeding in the usual or desired way ...economic problems that have been **crimping**(=putting a crimp in) sales in the computer industry ...Farmers complain that the drought could **crimp** their income potential. noun **1** a curl, wave, or folded or compressed edge ...This cascade of delicate **crimps** depends on a perm. ...The wool had too much **crimp** to be used in weaving. **2** something that cramps or inhibits: RESTRAINT, CURB **put a crimp in** INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN to have an adverse effect on; to prevent (something) from happening or proceeding in the usual or desired way : to affect (something) badly ...The storm **put a crimp in** our travel plans. ...The extra expenses **put a crimp in** the company's budget. ...Well, that **puts a crimp in** my theory. \> **crimp (v.)**: late 14c., "cause to contract or be wrinkled or wavy." Old English had gecrympan "to crimp, curl," but the modern word probably is from Middle Dutch or Low German crimpen "to shrink, to be contracted, be drawn together." Sense of "bend back or inward, draw together" is from 1712. Related: Crimped; crimping. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Britannica, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 82

wry **1** cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous; A **wry** remark or piece of writing refers to a bad situation or a change in a situation in an amusing way: IRONIC, sardonic, satirical, mocking, scoffing, sneering, derisive, scornful, sarcastic, double-edged, dry, droll, witty, humorous; *British informal* sarky. ...‘Was it as bad as you expected?’ Travis gave a **wry** smile. ...His **wry** humor made her laugh. ...His books are noted for their **wry** humor. ...When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a **wry** smile and said, “Pretty tired.” —wryly adverb ...As Carr **wryly** notes, 'Being freed up sounds a lot more pleasant than being fired.' **2** (of a person's face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance ...He sipped his cold coffee and made a **wry** face. \> 1520s, "distorted, somewhat twisted to one side," from obsolete verb wry "to contort, to twist or turn," from Old English wrigian "to turn, bend, move, go," from Proto-Germanic *wrig- (source also of Old Frisian wrigia "to bend," Middle Low German wrich "turned, twisted"), from PIE *wreik- "to turn" (source also of Greek rhoikos "crooked," Lithuanian raišas "lame, limping"), from root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend." Of words, thoughts, etc., from 1590s. The original sense is preserved in **awry**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 83

ensnare **1** to trap someone in an unpleasant or illegal situation, from which they cannot escape; If a bad situation ensnares someone, they are unable to escape from it → ensnare in ...Young girls were **ensnared in** prostitution rings. ...They were **ensnared in** downtown traffic. **2** to trick someone in an unpleasant way and get control of them **3** If an animal is **ensnared**, it is caught in a trap: TRAP, catch, capture, seize ...The spider must wait for prey to be **ensnared on** its web. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English

Answer 84

vis‧ce‧ral /ˈvɪsərəl/ **1** relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect; **Visceral** feelings are feelings that you feel very deeply and find it difficult to control or ignore, and that are not the result of thought: INSTINCTIVE, innate, instinctual, gut, deep-down, deep-seated, deep-rooted, inward; emotional; animal ...his **visceral** hatred of the ruling class ...the sheer **visceral** joy of being alive **2** felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body : DEEP ...a **visceral** conviction **3** of, relating to, or located on or among the viscera /ˈvɪsərə/: SPLANCHNIC ...**visceral** organs \> 1570s, "affecting inward feelings," from French viscéral and directly from Medieval Latin visceralis "internal," from Latin viscera, plural of viscus "internal organ, inner parts of the body"; further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *weys- (“to rotate, turn”)) + -ālis (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 85

i‧noc‧u‧late /ɪˈnɒkjəleɪt $ ɪˈnɑː-/ **1** to protect someone against a disease by putting a weak form of the disease into their body using a needle: IMMUNIZE, vaccinate, inject; protect from, shield from, safeguard from; informal give someone a jab, give someone a shot → inoculate sb against sth ...All the children had been **inoculated against** hepatitis. **2** to introduce (an infective agent) into an organism ...The microorganism can be **inoculated into** laboratory animals. **3** to introduce (cells or organisms) into a culture medium ...0.5 ml of the specimen was **inoculated into** each tissue culture flask. \> mid-15c., "implant a bud into a plant," from Latin inoculatus, past participle of inoculare "graft in, implant a bud or eye of one plant into another," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + oculus "bud," originally "eye" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). Meaning "implant germs of a disease to produce immunity" is from **inoculation**, originally in reference to smallpox, after 1799, often used in sense of "to inoculate with a vaccine." Related: Inoculated; inoculating. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 86

hit the ground running If you **hit the ground running**, you start a new activity with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and do not waste any time. ...We want our students to **hit the ground running** after they graduate. \> Collins English Dictionary

Answer 87

tan‧gen‧tial /tænˈdʒenʃəl/ **1** of, relating to, or of the nature of a tangent; If something is **tangential to** something else, it is at a tangent to it. ...point T, where the demand curve is **tangential to** the straight line L ...the street **tangential to** the courthouse square. **2** FORMAL **2a** touching lightly : INCIDENTAL, PERIPHERAL ...**tangential** involvement **2b** *also* : of little relevance; If you describe something as **tangential**, you mean that it has only a slight or indirect connection with the thing you are concerned with, and is therefore not worth considering seriously ...Too much time was spent discussing **tangential** issues. tangential to ...arguments **tangential to** the main point ...Their romance is **tangential to** the book's main plot. ...The reforms were **tangential to** efforts to maintain a basic standard of life. ...They thought the whole thing was a side-show, **tangential to** the real world of business. \> tangent +‎ -ial. \> **tangent (adj.)**: From Latin tangentem (nominative tangens), present participle of tangere "to touch," from PIE root *tag- "to touch, handle." First used by Danish mathematician Thomas Fincke in "Geomietria Rotundi" (1583). Extended sense of "slightly connected with a subject" is first recorded 1825. Related: Tangence; tangency \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 88

brim noun **1** the projecting rim of a hat: PEAK, visor, bill, projection, shield, shade ...Rain dripped from the **brim** of his baseball cap. ...touched the **brim** of his cap by way of salute **2** the top edge of a container: RIM, lip, brink, edge, margin → filled/full to the brim (=completely full) ...The cup was **filled to the brim** with coffee. ...She **filled** each glass **to the brim**. verb **1** to be or become full often to overflowing; When your eyes **are brimming with** tears, they are full of fluid because you are upset, although you are not actually crying: FILL, fill up, fill to capacity, overflow ...eyes **brimming with** tears ...Michael looked at him imploringly, eyes **brimming with** tears. **2** → be brimming (over) with sth to have a lot of a particular thing, quality, or emotion; If someone or something **is brimming with** a particular quality, they are full of that quality: BE FULL, be filled up, be filled to the top, be full to capacity, be packed with, overflow, run/well over ...Her heart **was brimming with** happiness. ...England **are brimming with** confidence after two straight wins in the tournament. ...The show **brims with** excitement. **Brim over** means the same as brim. ...I noticed Dorabella **was brimming over with** excitement. ...Her heart **brimmed over with** love and adoration for Charles. \> **brim (n.)**: "brink, edge, margin," c. 1200, brymme "edge (of the sea), bank (of a river)," a word of obscure origin, chiefly Northern, which is probably from or related to dialectal German bräme "margin, border, fringe," from PIE *bhrem- "point, spike, edge." It was extended by 1520s to the upper or projecting edge of anything hollow (cups, basins, hats). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 89

call sth off

Answer 90

fiz‧zle /ˈfɪzəl/ verb **1** to make a feeble hissing or spluttering sound: CRACKLE, sputter, buzz, hiss, crack; rare sibilate, crepitate ...oozing gobs of grease, a pair of fatty burgers **fizzled** on the grill **2** to end or fail in a weak or disappointing way; If something **fizzles**, it ends in a weak or disappointing way after starting off strongly: PETER OUT, die off, blow over, ease off, cool off, let up; tail off, taper off, trail away/off, wither away, grind to a halt; ebb, wane, wilt; come to nothing, fall through, come to grief; *informal* flop, fold, flatline ...Interest in the project **fizzled** after the funding was withdrawn. ...Our relationship **fizzled into** nothing. **Fizzle out** means the same as fizzle: PETER OUT ...The railway strike **fizzled out** on its second day as drivers returned to work. noun **1** a feeble hissing or spluttering sound: HISS, hissing, buzz, buzzing, crackle, crackling, sputter, sputtering, crack ..the electric **fizzle** of the waves **2** INFORMAL a failure: FAILURE, fiasco, debacle, catastrophe, disaster, blunder; *British* damp squib; *informal* flop, washout, letdown, botch, hash, foul-up, screwup, dead loss, dead duck, lead balloon, lemon; *British informal* cock-up, pig's ear; *North American informal* snafu, clinker; *vulgar slang* fuck-up; *British vulgar slang* balls-up ...We'll look ridiculous if the whole thing turns out to be a **fizzle**. ...The home team's unexpected **fizzle** in that last game cost them the championship. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 91

dox (*also* doxx) to publish the personal information of (an individual) without their consent; to publicly identify or publish private information about (someone) especially as a form of punishment or revenge ...Hackers and online vigilantes routinely **dox** both public and private figures. ...Facebook, like other platforms, wants to prevent users from being **doxed** or otherwise targeted for harassment … —Karissa Bell ...This isn't the first time the LAPD has been **doxxed**. In 2011, a group affiliated with the online hackers Anonymous claimed responsibility for posting personal information of more than 40 officers, including their home addresses, campaign contributions, property records, and names of family members after they claimed the LAPD oppressed them by shutting down the Occupy L.A. Movement. —Christine Pelisek \> Phonetic respelling of docs, which is a short form of documents. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary

Answer 92

not bothered

Answer 93

be‧hove /bɪˈhəʊv $ bɪˈhoʊv/ *British English*, behoove /bɪˈhuːv/ *American English* : to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for **it behoves sb to do sth** FORMAL used to say that someone should do something because it is right or necessary, or it will help them; If it **behooves** you **to** do something, it is right, necessary, or useful for you to do it: BE INCUMBENT ON, be obligatory for, be required of, be appropriate for, be expected of, be advisable for, be sensible for, be wise for, befit, become, suit, be fitting to, be suitable for, be seemly for, be proper for, be decorous for ...It **behooves** us **to** think of these dangers. ...That **behooved** the Fed **to** take a close look at all the banks. —Michael Hiltzik, *Los Angeles Times*, 13 Mar. 2023 \> Middle English bihoven, from Old English behofian "to have need of, have use for," verbal form of the ancient compound word represented by **behoof** (q.v.). From c. 1200 as "be fit or meet for, be necessary for," now used only in the third person, with it as subject. Related: Behooved; behooving. \> **behoof (n.)**: c. 1200, "use, benefit, advantage," from Old English *bihof "advantage, utility" (implied by bihoflic "useful," and compare **behoove**), from Proto-Germanic *bi-hof "that which binds, requirement, obligation" (source also of Old Frisian bihof "advantage," Dutch behoef, Middle High German bihuof "useful thing," German Behuf "benefit, use, advantage," Danish behov "need, necessity"). In the common Germanic compound, the first element, likely intensive, is cognate with **be-** and the second with Old English hof, past tense of hebban "to raise" (see **heave** (v.)). The original sense is perhaps, then, "taking up (for oneself)." \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 94

punc‧ture /ˈpʌŋktʃə $ -ər/ noun ... verb **1** [intransitive, transitive] if a tyre punctures, or if you puncture it, a small hole appears in it **2** [transitive] to make a small hole in something **3** [transitive] to interrupt a period of silence by making a noise ...There was a stunned silence, **punctured** by shrill laughter. **4** [transitive] to cause a sudden collapse of (mood or feeling); to suddenly destroy someone’s hopes or beliefs, making them feel unhappy, embarrassed, or confused: PUT AN END TO, cut short, reverse, prick, deflate, flatten, reduce ...The earlier mood of optimism was **punctured**. ...He wasn’t hurt, but his dignity was **punctured**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 95

\#useful-phrases

Answer 96

aus‧pi‧cious /ɔːˈspɪʃəs $ ɒː-/ FORMAL showing or suggesting that future success is likely: FAVORABLE /ˈfeɪvərəbəl/, PROPITIOUS, promising, full of promise, bright, rosy, good, optimistic, hopeful, encouraging; OPPORTUNE, timely, well timed, lucky, fortunate, providential, felicitous, advantageous, beneficial ...An **auspicious** day was chosen for the wedding. ...His acclaimed first novel was an **auspicious** debut. → auspicious start/beginning ...made an **auspicious beginning** ...Saccani’s excellent recording is an **auspicious start** to what promises to be a distinguished musical career. ...The baseball season got off to an **auspicious start** with two good wins for the Tokyo Giants. USAGE NOTES: - **Favorable** implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous. - *favorable* weather conditions - **Auspicious** applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event. - an *auspicious* beginning - **Propitious** may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition. - a *propitious* time for starting a business \> 1590s, "of good omen" (implied in auspiciously), from Latin auspicium "divination by observing the flight of birds," from **auspex** “augur” + **-ous**. Related: Auspiciousness. \> **auspex (n.)**: "one who observes flights of birds for the purpose of taking omens," 1590s, from Latin auspex "interpreter of omens given by birds," from PIE *awi-spek- "observer of birds," from root **awi-** "bird" + root **spek-** "to observe." Compare Greek oionos "bird of prey," also "bird of omen, omen," and ornis "bird," which also could mean "omen." ~ Etymonline \> *auspicious* comes from Latin *auspex*, which literally means “bird seer” (from the words *avis*, meaning “bird,” and *specere*, meaning “to look at”). In ancient Rome, these “bird seers” were priests or augurs who studied the flight and feeding patterns of birds, then delivered prophecies based on their observations. The right combination of bird behavior indicated favorable conditions, but the wrong patterns spelled trouble. The English noun *auspice*, which originally referred to this practice of observing birds to discover omens, also comes from Latin *auspex*. Today, the plural form *auspices* is often used with the meaning “kindly support and guidance.” ~ Merriam-Webster \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Britannica, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 97

ab‧sorb‧ing /əbˈsɔːbɪŋ, -ˈzɔː- $ -ɔːr-/ fully taking one's attention: FASCINATING, interesting, captivating, gripping, engrossing ...an **absorbing** novel ...'Two Sisters' is an **absorbing** read. ...Shell collecting can be so **absorbing** that you don't notice the tide coming in. \> 1670s, "soaking up, swallowing," present-participle adjective in a figurative sense from **absorb** (v.). Originally in medicine. Figurative sense of "engrossing" is by 1826. Related: Absorbingly. \> **absorb (v.)**: "to drink in, suck up, take in by absorption," early 15c., from Old French absorbir, assorbir (13c., Modern French absorber), from Latin absorbere "to swallow up, devour," from ab "off, away from" (see **ab-**) + sorbere "suck in," from PIE root *srebh- "to suck, absorb". Figurative meaning "to completely grip (one's) attention" is from 1763. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 98

lan‧guish /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃ/ **1** If someone **languishes** somewhere, they are forced to remain and suffer in an unpleasant situation: WASTE AWAY, rot, decay, wither away, molder, be abandoned, be neglected, be forgotten, suffer; be disregarded, experience hardship ...Shaw **languished in jail** for fifteen years. ...No one knows for certain how many refugees **languish in camps** without a permanent place of settlement. **2** to be weak or fail to improve; If something **languishes**, it is not successful, often because of a lack of effort or because of a lot of difficulties: WASTE AWAY, suffer, rot, be abandoned ...The housing market continues to **languish**. ...Without the founder's drive and direction, the company gradually **languished**. ...The shares are **languishing** at just 46p after yesterday’s fall. ...Oil prices continue to **languish** at $10.79 a barrel. ...West Ham United are currently **languishing** at the bottom of the league. \> early 14c., "fail in strength, exhibit signs of approaching death," from languiss-, present participle stem of Old French languir "be listless, pine, grieve, fall ill" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *languire, from a variant of Latin languere ‘to be faint, unwell’, related to laxus ‘loose, lax’. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 99

be on a roll The phrase "be on a roll" means to be experiencing a period of success or good luck, especially in a game or activity. For example, you might say "I'm on a roll today, I've won three games in a row" or "She's on a roll with her writing, she's finished two chapters this week". The origin of this phrase is not very clear, but there are some possible explanations. One is that it comes from the game of dice, where rolling the dice can result in winning or losing. If someone is on a roll, they are getting lucky numbers and winning repeatedly. Another is that it comes from the game of bowling, where rolling the ball can result in knocking down all the pins. If someone is on a roll, they are getting strikes and scoring high. A third is that it comes from the idea of rolling downhill, where momentum and gravity make it easier and faster to move. If someone is on a roll, they are making progress and achieving their goals with ease. Source: (1) roll | Etymology, origin and meaning of roll by etymonline. https://www.etymonline.com/word/roll. (2) We’re on a roll! (Everyday idioms in newspapers) - About Words. https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2018/05/09/were-on-a-roll-everyday-idioms-in-newspapers/. (3) Roll Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/roll. (4) On the History of the 'Rolling Stone' | Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/rolling-stone-phrase-origin.

Answer 100

dry spell **1** a prolonged period of dry weather. ...The flowers died during a **dry spell**. **2** a period characterized by a lack of success or productivity ...Through the 1940s, Ebsen's movie career hit a terrible **dry spell**. ...Fears remain that the industry's **dry spell** could last longer than expected. ...For a portion of the fall season, the play-maker underwent a **dry spell** not scoring a goal or providing an assist. \> Originated around 1885–1890, from dry +‎ spell (“a period of time”). \> Dictionary.com, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary

Answer 101

get on sb's nerves INFORMAL to irritate or annoy someone; If someone or something **gets on** your **nerves**, they annoy or irritate you, especially by doing something all the time: IRRITATE, annoy, irk, anger, bother, vex, provoke, displease, upset, exasperate, infuriate, gall, get/put sb's back up, put out, ruffle sb's feathers, stroke someone's hair the wrong way, make someone's hackles rise; jar on, grate on; *British* rub up the wrong way; *informal* aggravate, get, get to, bug, miff, peeve, rile, get under someone's skin, get in someone's hair, hack off, get someone's goat; *British informal* nark, get on someone's wick, give someone the hump, wind up, get across, get up someone's nose; *North American informal* rankle, ride, gravel; vulgar slang piss off; *British vulgar slang* get on someone's tits ...Lately he's not done a bloody thing and it's **getting on my nerves**. ...His constant humming is really beginning to **get on my nerves**. ...The noise from the apartment upstairs was beginning to **get on my nerves**. ...Nick's whining is really starting to **get on my nerves**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Macmillan Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 102

tranche /trɑːnʃ/ **1** BUSINESS•BRITISH [countable] part of a larger sum of money or group of shares ...The second **tranche** of the loan would be repaid over three years. ...The government has traded 200 million Eurobonds in two **tranches**. **2** FORMAL [countable] A **tranche** of something is a piece, section, or part of it. A **tranche** of things is a group of them. ...They risk losing the next **tranche of** funding. ...The next **tranche of** managers consists of assistant general managers and board directors. ...According to Elliptic, a large **tranche of** the funds have flowed to the Russian exchange Garantex, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department last year but continues to operate. —*WIRED*, 17 June 2023 ...Trump’s legal team turned over a new **tranche of** classified documents to the Department of Justice in December and January. —Brian Bushard, *Forbes*, 17 Mar. 2023 \> c. 1500, from French tranche "a cutting," from trancher, trencher "to cut," Old French trenchier "to cut, carve, slice" (see trench). Economic sense is from 1930. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Etymonline

Answer 103

bout /baʊt/ **a spell or period of activity: such as** **a** an athletic match (as of boxing) ...He fought 350 **bouts**, losing only nine times. **b** an attack of illness or strong emotion of a specified kind : OUTBREAK, ATTACK ...a **bout of** pneumonia ...frequent **bouts of** depression ...survived her **bout** with cancer **c** a short period of time during which you do something a lot, especially something that is bad for you : SESSION ...a drinking **bout** ...a **bout of** unemployment \> mid 16th century (denoting a curve or circuit, hence later a ‘turn’ of activity): from Middle English bught, probably from Old English *buht (“bend, turn”), an unrecorded variant of Old English byht (“a bend, curve”), from Proto-West Germanic *buhti, from Proto-Germanic *buhtiz (“a bend”). Doublet of *bight* and *bought*. The sense evolved from "a circuit of any kind" (as of a plow) to "a round at any kind of exercise" (1570s), "a round at fighting" (1590s), "a fit of drinking" (1660s), and "a fit of illness" (by 1938). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary, Etymoline

Answer 104

por‧tend /pɔːˈtend $ pɔːr-/ to be a sign that something is going to happen, especially something bad; If something **portends** something, it indicates that it is likely to happen in the future: PRESAGE /**preh**·suhj/, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; BE A SIGN OF, be a warning of, warn of, be an omen of, be an indication of, be a harbinger of; indicate, herald, signal, bode ...The distant thunder **portended** a storm. ...Countries such as Germany and France are concerned by what such a shift would **portend** for EU immigration and climate policies. —Ciarán Giles and Joseph Wilson, *Chicago Tribune*, 23 July 2023 por‧tent /ˈpɔːtent $ ˈpɔːr-/ **1** a sign or warning that something is going to happe; A **portent** is something that indicates what is likely to happen in the future: OMEN, SIGN, indication, presage, warning, forewarning, harbinger, augury, signal, promise, threat, menace, ill omen, forecast, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, straw in the wind, writing on the wall, hint, auspice; premonition, presentiment, feeling, vague feeling, funny feeling, feeling in one's bones, foreboding, misgiving ...The **portents** for future publication are good, since we continue to receive a steady flow of good manuscripts. → portent of ...Some people believe the raven is a **portent of** death. **2** future significance: SIGNIFICANCE, importance, import, consequence, meaning, meaningfulness, moment, momentousness, weight, weightiness, cruciality ...The word “plague” carries terrifying **portent**. \> **portend (v.)**: "to presage, foreshadow, signify in advance," early 15c., portenden, from Latin portendere "foretell, reveal; point out, indicate," originally "to stretch forward," from por- (variant of pro-; see **pro-**) "forth, forward" + tendere "to stretch, extend," from PIE root *ten- "to stretch." The literal Latin sense "stretch forth, extend" was occasional in English 17c.-18c. Related: Portended; portending. \> So you might imagine portend as having a literal meaning of “stretching forward to predict.” \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 105

cov‧et /ˈkʌvɪt/ to have a very strong desire to have something that someone else has; If you **covet** something, you strongly want to have it for yourself: DESIRE, be consumed with desire for, crave, have one's heart set on; WANT, LONG FOR, wish for, yearn for, dream of, aspire to, hanker for, hanker after, hunger after/for, thirst for, ache for, fancy, burn for, pant for ...She **coveted** his job so openly that conversations between them were tense. ...The Michelin Awards are **coveted** by restaurants all over the world. ...The Booker Prize is the most **coveted** British literary award. USAGE NOTES: **Covet** implies strong envious desire. ...*covets* his rise to fame \> mid-13c., "to desire or wish for inordinately or without regard for the rights of others," from Old French coveitier "covet, desire, lust after" (12c., Modern French convoiter, influenced by con- words), probably ultimately from Latin cupiditas "passionate desire, eagerness, ambition," from cupidus "very desirous," from cupere "long for, desire" (see **cupidity**). From mid-14c. in a good sense, "desire or wish for eagerly, desire to obtain or possess." Related: Coveted; coveting. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 106

por‧ten‧tous /pɔːˈtentəs $ pɔːr-/ **1** showing that something important is going to happen, especially something bad: OMINOUS, warning, foreshadowing, predictive, premonitory, prognosticatory, momentous, fateful ...Recent developments are as **portentous** as the collapse of the Berlin Wall. ...An eerie and **portentous** stillness hung over the camp the night before the battle. **2a** being a grave or serious matter ...**portentous** decisions **2b** self-consciously solemn or important; If someone's way of speaking, writing, or behaving is **portentous**, they speak, write, or behave more seriously than necessary because they want to impress other people: POMPOUS, bombastic, self-important, pontifical, ponderous, solemn, sonorous, grandiloquent, declamatory, overblown, overripe, inflated, rhetorical, oratorical ...**portentous** prose \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 107

sizzle **1** (of food) make a hissing sound when frying or cooking ...The bacon began to **sizzle** in the pan. **2** INFORMAL to be very hot ...Arizona **sizzles** in the summer. **3** INFORMAL to be interesting or exciting ...Discover how love can **sizzle** between you and your partner. ...The second act **sizzles** with brilliant special effects. **4** INFORMAL to be very sexually attractive: ...Jessica Simpson **sizzles** in a low-cut silver dress. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary

Answer 108

dis‧in‧gen‧u‧ous /ˌdɪsənˈdʒenjuəs◂/ lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere; Someone who is **disingenuous** is slightly dishonest and insincere in what they say: DISHONEST, deceitful, underhand, underhanded, duplicitous, double-dealing, two-faced, dissembling, insincere, false, lying, untruthful, mendacious; not candid, not frank, not entirely truthful; artful, cunning, crafty, wily, sly, sneaky, tricky, scheming, calculating, designing, devious, unscrupulous; *informal* shifty, foxy; *humorous* economical with the truth, terminologically inexact ...Her excuse was rather **disingenuous**. ...It was **disingenuous** of her to claim she had no financial interest in the case. ...It would be **disingenuous** of us to pretend ignorance of our book's impact. —disingenuously adverb ...He **disingenuously** remarked that he knew nothing about strategy. \> "lacking in candor, insincere; not open, frank, or candid," 1650s, from **dis-** "opposite of" + **ingenuous**. Related: Disingenuously; disingenuousness; disenginuity (1640s). \> **ingenuous (adj.)**: 1590s, "noble in nature, high-minded; honorably straightforward," from Latin ingenuus "with the virtues of freeborn people, of noble character, frank, upright, candid," originally "native, freeborn," literally "born in (a place)," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + PIE *gen(e)-wo-, suffixed form of root gene- "to give birth, beget, produce" (see **genus**). Sense of "artless, innocent" is 1670s, via evolution from "honorably open, straightforward," to "innocently frank." Related: Ingenuously; ingenuousness. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Dictionary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 109

convalesce

Answer 110

cli‧en‧tele /klai·uhn·**tel**/ The **clientele** of a place or organization are its customers or clients: CLIENTS; CUSTOMERS, buyers, purchasers, shoppers, consumers, users; patients; patrons, regulars, habitués, frequenters; patronage, public, market, trade, business; *British informal* punters ...This pub had a mixed **clientele**. ...I have built up a loyal **clientele** for my clothes. ...Bryant estimates her shop’s **clientele** is about 60 percent women and 40 percent men; on a recent Friday morning, an even split walked inside. —Michael Brice-Saddler, *Washington Post*, 12 Aug. 2023 \> 1560s, "body of professed adherents, clients collectively under the patronage of someone," from French clientèle (16c.), from Latin clientela "relationship between dependent and patron; body of clients," from clientem (nominative cliens, "follower, retainer;" see **client**). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 111

pre‧text /ˈpriːtekst/ /**pree**·tekst/ a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs; A **pretext** is a reason which you pretend has caused you to do something: EXCUSE, false excuse, ostensible reason, alleged reason, plea, supposed grounds; guise, ploy, pretense, ruse, semblance, show, blind, pose, masquerade, mask, cloak, veil, veneer, smokescreen, camouflage, cover, travesty, parody, charade → pretext for ...They wanted a **pretext for** subduing the region by force. ...The incident **provided** the **pretext for** war. → on/under the pretext of doing sth ...Tom called at her apartment **on the pretext of** asking for a book. → on/under the pretext that ...She went back to her friend's house **on the pretext that** she had forgotten her purse. ...Russia still bans protests **on the pretext that** mass gatherings are a health hazard. —Ann M. Simmons, *WSJ*, 11 Nov. 2023 \> "that which is assumed as a cloak or means of concealment," 1510s, from French prétexte, from Latin praetextum "a pretext, outward display," noun use of neuter past participle of praetexere "to disguise, cover," literally "weave in front" (for sense, compare *pull the wool over (someone's) eyes*); from prae- "in front" (see **pre-**) + texere "to weave" (from PIE root *teks- "to weave," also "to fabricate"). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 112

in‧cum‧bent /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/ adjective **1** imposed as a duty; If it is **incumbent upon** you **to** do something, it is your duty or responsibility to do it: BINDING, OBLIGATORY, mandatory, necessary, compulsory, required, requisite **it is incumbent upon/on sb to do sth** ...**It is incumbent on** the government **to** give a clear lead. ...**It is incumbent upon**(= necessary for) all of us **to** create a safe community. ...**It is incumbent on** them **to** pay their own debts. **2** having the status of an incumbent: CURRENT, existing, present, in office, in power; reigning ...the only candidate who defeated an **incumbent** senator noun someone who has been elected to an official position, especially in politics, and who is doing that job at the present time; An **incumbent** is someone who holds an official post at a particular time: HOLDER, bearer, occupant; office-holder, office-bearer, officer, functionary, official. ...In the June elections, Morris easily defeated the **incumbent**, Tom Smith. ...The **incumbent** has been awarded the airline's new advertising contract, despite stiff competition from other agencies. \> **incumbent (n.)**: early 15c., "person holding a church position," from Medieval Latin incumbentem (nominative incumbens) "holder of a church position," noun use of present participle of incumbere "to obtain or possess," from Latin incumbere "recline on," figuratively "apply oneself to," from in- "on" (from PIE root *en "in") + -cumbere "lie down," related to cubare "to lie" (see **cubicle**). Extended to holders of any office from 1670s. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Vocabulary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 113

ra‧pa‧cious /rəˈpeɪʃəs/ **1** FORMAL : excessively grasping or covetous /ˈkʌvɪtəs/; always wanting more money, goods etc than you need or have a right to; If you describe a person or their behavior as **rapacious**, you disapprove of their greedy or selfish behavior: GRASPING, GREEDY, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous, mercenary, materialistic, insatiable, predatory, voracious, usurious, extortionate; *informal* money-grubbing; *North American informal* grabby ...**rapacious** real estate developers ...Activist groups saw the move as a way to sell off public housing to **rapacious** developers, who would treat residents as expendable. —*Curbed*, 9 Jan. 2024 ...Viewed one way, it’s moved antitrust law forward in significant ways and provided the Biden administration with a big victory—all while setting up future prosecutions against the country’s most **rapacious** companies. —Alex Shephard, *The New Republic*, 3 Nov. 2022 **2** : living on prey **3** : RAVENOUS /ˈrævənəs/ ...a **rapacious** appetite USAGE NOTES: **Voracious, Gluttonous, Ravenous, Rapacious** mean excessively greedy. - **Voracious** applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink. - teenagers are often *voracious* eaters - **Gluttonous** applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety. - an admiral who was *gluttonous* for glory - **Ravenous** implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite. - a nation with a *ravenous* lust for territorial expansion - **Rapacious** often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice. - *rapacious* developers indifferent to environmental concerns \> late 16th century: from Latin rapax, rapacii- (from rapere ‘to snatch; seize’) + -ous. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 114

in‧fa‧my /ˈɪnfəmi/ **1** FORMAL the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed; **Infamy** is the state of being infamous: NOTORIETY, disrepute, disreputableness, ill repute, ill fame, loss of reputation, disgrace, discredit, shame, dishonor, ignominy, scandal, censure, blame, disapprobation, condemnation, contempt; humiliation, loss of face ...These acts brought him fame and **infamy**. ...He enjoyed exaggerating his **infamy**. ...He never escaped the **infamy** his crimes had earned him. **2** an evil or wicked act: WICKEDNESS, evil, baseness, sordidness, vileness, iniquity, iniquitousness, depravity, degeneracy, turpitude, immorality, unscrupulousness, corruption, dissolution ...one of the greatest acts of **infamy** in history \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 115

men‧ace /ˈmenɪs/ noun **1** **Menace** is a quality or atmosphere that gives you the feeling that you are in danger or that someone wants to harm you. *an atmosphere full of menace*: THREAT, ominousness, intimidation, warning, ill-omen. **2** If you say that someone or something is a **menace** to other people or things, you mean that person or thing is likely to cause serious harm. *the snakes are a menace to farm animals*: DANGER, peril, risk, hazard, threat; jeopardy, source of apprehension/dread/fright/fear/terror. **3** *the child next door is a menace*: NUISANCE, pest, source of annoyance, annoyance, plague, torment, troublemaker, mischief-maker, a thorn in someone’s side/flesh. verb **1** *serious bush fires menaced the suburbs of Sydney*: THREATEN, be a danger to, put at risk, jeopardize, imperil, loom over. **2** *she menaced me with a fire extinguisher*: BULLY, intimidate, issue threats to, threaten, frighten, scare, alarm, terrify; browbeat, cow, terrorize. \> **menace (n.)**: c. 1300, "declaration of hostile intent," also (early 14c.) "a threat or act of threatening," from Old French menace "menace, threat" (9c.), from Vulgar Latin minacia "threat, menace" (also source of Spanish amenaza, Italian minaccia), singular of Latin minaciæ "threatening things," from minax (genitive minacis) "threatening," from minari "threaten; jut, project," from minæ "threats; projecting points," from PIE root *men- (2) "to project." Applied to persons from 1936. \> Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 116

com‧men‧su‧rate /kəˈmenʃərət/ corresponding in size or degree; in proportion; If the level of one thing is **commensurate with** another, the first level is in proportion to the second: EQUIVALENT, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional, commensurable, appropriate to, in keeping with, in line with ...This explosion in popularity has not led to a **commensurate** spike in rigorous research. —*WIRED*, 31 July 2023 ...But with rising rents and wages that aren’t **commensurate**, that dream has become increasingly out of reach. —Brittny Mejia, *Los Angeles Times*, 7 July 2023 → commensurate with ...Salary will be **commensurate with** age and experience. ...Employees are paid salaries **commensurate with** those of teachers. ...athletes are rewarded **commensurate with** their fame, not their intrinsic talent … —Frank Deford, *Sports Illustrated*, 21 Dec. 1987 ...Because the effects of tobacco are slow—and iterative—and produce diseases that have other causes and explanations, often later in life, they seldom arouse fear **commensurate with** their impact. —Allan M. Brandt, *The Cigarette Century*, (2007) 2009 —commensurately adverb ...As life expectancy continues to rise, the demand for care services expands **commensurately**. ...The gain will be **commensurately** modest. \> 1640s, "corresponding in amount, degree, or magnitude," also "of equal size" (on the notion of "having the same boundaries"), from Late Latin commensuratus, from Latin com "with, together" (see **com-**) + Late Latin mensuratus, past participle of mensurare "to measure," from Latin mensura "a measuring, a measurement; thing to measure by," from mensus, past participle of metiri "to measure; to determine the extent of," from PIE root *me- (2) "to measure." Meaning "reducible to a common measure, commensurable" is from 1680s. Related: Commensurately. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 117

per‧co‧late /ˈpɜːkəleɪt $ ˈpɜːr-/ **1** If an idea, feeling, or piece of information **percolates** through a group of people or a thing, it spreads slowly through the group or thing: SPREAD, be disseminated, filter, pass, go; penetrate, permeate, pervade, infiltrate ...The message has begun to **percolate through** the organization. ...Democratic principles would, of course, take time to **percolate through** a population accustomed to autocracy. **2** To **percolate** somewhere means to pass slowly through something that has very small holes or gaps in it: FILTER, drain, drip, ooze, seep, trickle, dribble, strain, leak, leach ...Rainwater will only **percolate through** slowly. \> 1620s, "to strain through" (transitive), a back-formation from **percolation**, or else from Latin percolatus, past participle of percolare "to strain through." Figurative sense by 1670s. Intransitive sense of "to pass through small interstices" is from 1680s. Related: Percolated; percolating. \> **percolation (n.)**: "the act of straining or filtering through some porous material," 1610s, from Latin percolationem (nominative percolatio) "a straining through; the act of filtering," noun of action from past-participle stem of percolare "to strain through, filter," from per "through" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + colare "to strain," from colum "a strainer," which is of uncertain origin. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 118

neck and neck /ˌnek (ə)n ˈnek/ very close (as in a race); In a competition, especially an election, if two or more competitors are **neck and neck**, they are level with each other and have an equal chance of winning: EQUAL, tied, nip and tuck, side by side, with nothing to choose between them, close together; British level, level pegging; *informal* even-steven(s) ...We have six contestants who are **neck and neck**. ...The two boys ran toward the finish line **neck and neck**. ...The latest polls indicate that the two main parties are **neck and neck**. ...The party is running **neck-and-neck with** Labour. ...In fact, this one was a little friendlier on fine and natural hair than the Dyson was, though both were **neck and neck** in this test. —Alyssa Brascia, *Peoplemag*, 26 May 2023 \> In a neck and neck horse race, the horse's necks are right next to each other, because no one has been able to pull ahead. This phrase applies to other types of competition that are also tight. If two baseball teams are tied, they're in a neck and neck race for best in the division. Two applicants for a job could be neck and neck if their qualifications are excellent and similar. A neck and neck election can't be predicted. \> Oxford Dictionary of English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Vocabulary.com, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 119

me·an·der·ing /mēˈandəriNG/ adjective **1** taking a winding or indirect course: ...The city of Budapest is divided into two parts by the **meandering** Danube River, spanned by several stunning bridges. **2** wandering aimlessly; proceeding seemingly without direction; rambling: ...I'm unsure how I will condense a **meandering** narrative of my experiences into a thirty-second elevator pitch. ...Things proceed in a **meandering** way between them, until suddenly their relationship comes to a devastatingly emotional climax. noun the act of wandering or proceeding aimlessly or by a winding or indirect course: ...I digress—but I blame it on the mental **meandering** of age. ...After a coffee and some **meandering** among the displays on the hotel mezzanine, I left the convention. \> Meander comes from Greek Maiandros, an old name for a winding river in Asia Minor that is now known as the Menderes. Despite this origin, the word is more commonly used to refer to a person's wandering course than a river's. \> Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com

Answer 120

un‧as‧sail‧able /ˌʌnəˈseɪləbəl◂/ not able to be criticized, made weaker, or beaten: IMPREGNABLE, INVULNERABLE, invincible, secure ...an **unassailable** argument ...The party’s **position** looked **unassailable**. ...His legal **position** is **unassailable**. ...That was enough to give her an **unassailable lead**. ...Liverpool football club are still looking **unassailable**. ...By then, Hoover was the most **unassailable** figure in American public life, a true untouchable, beyond criticism, genuflected to by Republican and Democratic politicians alike. —Thomas Doherty, *The Hollywood Reporter*, 7 July 2023 \> 1590s, from **un-** (1) "not" + assailable (see **assail** (v.)). Related: Unassailably. \> **assail (v.)**: "attack violently," c. 1200, from Old French assalir "attack, assault, assail" (12c., Modern French assaillir), from Vulgar Latin *adsalire "to leap at," from Latin ad "to, toward" (see **ad-**) + salire "to jump, leap" (see **salient** (adj.)). The figurative use, of mental states, emotions, etc., is from mid-14c.; the meaning "attack with arguments, abuse, criticism, etc." is from c. 1400. Related: Assailed; assailing; assailable. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 121

prime sb/sth with sth (phr.) to prepare someone or something by providing necessary information or resources in advance ##Footnote - The lawyer decided to prime the witness with key details before the trial began. - The coach primed the team with motivational speeches before the big game. - You'll need to prime the lawn mower with three pumps of gasoline before you will be able to start it. - He primed me with various pieces of advice and information ahead of my meeting with the prime minister. \> The Free Dictionary

Answer 122

en‧gross /ɪnˈɡrəʊs $ -ˈɡroʊs/ to take or engage the whole attention of : occupy completely; If something engrosses you, it interests you so much that you do not notice anything else: PREOCCUPY, absorb, engage ...ideas that have **engrossed** the minds of scholars for generations → engross yourself in sth ...Take your mind off it by **engrossing yourself in** a good book. —engrossed adjective ...Dad was **engrossed in** the paper. ...Who’s that guy Ally’s been **engrossed in conversation with** all night? \> The word "engross" has two main meanings: one is "to buy up the whole stock of" and the other is "to absorb the whole attention of". The origin of both meanings can be traced back to the same root: the Old French phrase "en gros", which means "in bulk, in a large quantity, at wholesale". \> The first meaning of "engross" came from the practice of buying up all the available goods in a market to create a monopoly or to sell them at a higher price. This sense of "engross" was recorded in Anglo-French from around 1300 and in English from around 1400. \> The second meaning of "engross" came from the idea of writing something in large letters, as opposed to in detail. This sense of "engross" was also recorded in Anglo-French from around 1400, but it was probably influenced by another Old French word, "engrosser", which means "to write in large (letters)". This word was derived from the Medieval Latin word "ingrossare", which literally means "(written) in large (letter)". The figurative sense of "engross" as "to occupy completely" or "to fascinate" is a later development, first attested in 1709. It is related to the notion of being so focused on something that one ignores everything else. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 123

sti‧pend /ˈstaɪpend/ a fixed sum of money paid periodically for services or to defray expenses. ...an **annual/monthly stipend** ...An $80-a-month **stipend** covers each volunteer’s personal expenses. ...In addition to their regular salaries, the coaches **receive a stipend** of up to $6,000 a year. ...As a student advisor, she gets a monthly **stipend** from the college. ...He receives a small **stipend** for his work as a research fellow. ...The **stipend** you'll receive as an intern will just barely cover your housing costs. ...The state is boosting payments for youths in extended foster care who live independently and who receive a basic **stipend** that is inadequate in the face of the state’s soaring housing market. —Greg Moran, *San Diego Union-Tribune*, 1 July 2023 \> The noun is derived from Late Middle English stipend, stipende (“salary, wage”) [and other forms], from Old French stipende, stipendie, from Latin stīpendium (“contribution; dues; impost, tax; tribute; military pay or stipend; military service”), from *stipipendium, *stippendium, from stips (“alms /ä(l)mz/; contribution, donation, gift”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steyp- (“erect; stiff”)) + pendere (the present active infinitive of pendō (“to cause to hang down or suspend; to weigh, weigh out; (hence) to pay”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pend- (“to pull; to spin; to stretch”)) + -ium (suffix forming abstract nouns). \> The first element apparently is related to Latin stipula "stalk, straw, reed." De Vaan writes, "The noun stip- must have developed from a concrete object that was used for payments, but the nature of the object is unknown: a certain stalk of a plant? a measure of com? Since the root meant 'to be stiff, erect', the meaning 'stalk' is attractive." That could connect it to stipes "log, stock, trunk of a tree" (see **stipe**) and ultimately to the source of English **stiff** (adj.). For financial use of Latin pendere, compare pound (n.1). As a verb from late 15c., "pay by settled wages." \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 124

fi‧nesse /fəˈnes/ \> 1520s, "fineness" (obsolete); 1530s, "artifice, delicate stratagem," from French finesse "fineness, subtlety," from Old French fin "subtle, delicate" (see fine (adj.)). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Etymonline

Answer 125

Having said that

Answer 126

scup‧per /ˈskʌpə $ -ər/ verb **1** to prevent from happening or succeeding; to ruin someone’s plans or chance of being successful – used especially in news reports: RUIN, SCUTTLE, wreck, destroy, devastate, wreak havoc on, damage ...The snowstorm **scuppered** our plans for the evening. ...The latest information could **scupper** the peace talks. ...China may have wanted to **scupper** the deal to reciprocate U.S. pressure on the country’s own domestic semiconductor industry. —Peter Vanham, *Fortune*, 17 Aug. 2023 ...That may **scupper** the Move Forward Party leader’s chances of contesting the prime ministerial election in parliament, which may well drag into next week. —*Time*, 12 July 2023 **2** to deliberately sink your own ship noun a hole in the side of a ship that allows water to flow back into the sea \> "opening in a ship's side at deck level to let the water flow out," early 15c. (implied in scoper-nail "nail used to attach scupper leathers to a ship"), perhaps from Old French escopir "to spit out," because the water seems to spit out of it. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 127

mensch /menʃ/ a person of integrity and honor; a good person ...My Justin, who will always be the face of the Dodgers, was a **mensch**, a real human being, who along with his wife, Kourtney, did marvelously caring services for the entire Los Angeles community. —*Los Angeles Times*, 23 Dec. 2022 ...Jonah is a **mensch** for engaging constructively with his critics. —Ed Yong, *Discover Magazine*, 31 Mar. 2012 ...If you were a real **mensch**, you just locked yourself in a room and sweated it out. Be a **mensch**! ...You've been a real **mensch**. \> "person of strength and honor," 1907, from Yiddish, from German Mensch, literally "man, person," from Old High German mennisco "human," from Proto-Germanic adjective *manniska- "human," from *manna- (from PIE root *man- (1) "man"). Middle English had cognate menske "honor, reputation" (c. 1200, from Old Norse mennska "human nature"), which, as modern mense "propriety, decorum," lingered in Scottish and North of England dialect long enough to be in Scott and Burns. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 128

ta‧cit /ˈtæsɪt/ understood without being expressed directly *or* not expressing or talking about something directly or openly; If you refer to someone's **tacit** agreement or approval, you mean they are agreeing to something or approving it without actually saying so, often because they are unwilling to admit to doing so: IMPLICIT, understood, implied, inferred, hinted, suggested, insinuated; UNSPOKEN, unstated, undeclared, unsaid, unexpressed, unmentioned, unvoiced, silent, mute, wordless, not spelled out; taken for granted, taken as read ...The decision to settle out of court was seen as a **tacit** admission of guilt. ...There was a **tacit** understanding that we didn't want to see each other again. ...She felt that she had her parents' **tacit** approval to borrow the car. ...While they got a frosty public response, officials say the private message was a **tacit** green light. —Mark Thompson, *Time*, 16 Nov. 1998 —tacitly adverb ...He **tacitly** admitted that the government had breached regulations. \> early 17th century (in the sense ‘wordless, noiseless’): from Latin tacitus, past participle of tacere ‘be silent’. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

Answer 129

beat a dead horse **1** to keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided ...I don't mean to **beat a dead horse**, but I still don't understand what happened. **2** to waste time and effort trying to do something that is impossible ...Is it just **beating a dead horse** to ask for another recount of the votes? \> Merriam-Webster

Answer 130

beg to differ

Answer 131

for‧age /ˈfɒrɪdʒ $ ˈfɑː-, ˈfɔː-/ verb **1** When animals **forage**, they search for food. ...We disturbed a wild boar that had been **foraging** by the roadside. ...The cat **forages for** food. **2** If someone **forages for** something, they search for it in a busy way: SEARCH, hunt, scavenge, cast about ...They were forced to **forage for** clothing and fuel. noun food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing; **Forage** is crops that are grown as food for cattle and horses: FODDER, food, feed, foodstuffs ...The grass serves as **forage** for livestock. \> From Middle English forage, from Old French fourage, forage, a derivative of fuerre (“fodder, straw”), from Frankish *fōdar (“fodder, sheath”), from Proto-Germanic *fōdrą (“fodder, feed, sheath”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂- (“to protect, to feed”). Cognate with Old High German fuotar (German Futter (“fodder, feed”)), Old English fōdor, fōþor (“food, fodder, covering, case, basket”), Dutch voeder (“forage, food, feed”), Danish foder (“fodder, feed”), Icelandic fóðr (“fodder, sheath”). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary

Answer 132

raise the blinds vs. lower the blinds

Answer 133

Do you get cold easily?

Answer 134

sub‧vert /səbˈvɜːt $ -ˈvɜːrt/ **1** to overturn or overthrow from the foundation; To **subvert** something means to destroy its power and influence: DESTABILIZE, OVERTURN, unsettle, overthrow; bring down, bring about the downfall of, topple, depose, oust, supplant, unseat, dethrone, disestablish, dissolve; disrupt, wreak havoc on, sabotage, ruin, upset, destroy, annihilate, demolish, wreck, undo, undermine, undercut, weaken, impair, damage ...Scanlan said the former president — who faces four criminal indictments, including two that pertain to his attempts to **subvert** democracy after the 2020 election — is entitled to due process. —Steven Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023 **2** to pervert or corrupt by an undermining of morals, allegiance, or faith: CORRUPT, pervert, warp, deprave, defile, debase, distort, contaminate, poison, embitter; vitiate. ...He tried to **subvert** the minds of innocent teenagers. \> late 14c., "to raze, destroy, overthrow, undermine, overturn," from Old French subvertir "overthrow, destroy" (13c.), or directly from Latin subvertere "to turn upside down, overturn, overthrow," from sub "under" (see **sub-**) + vertere "to turn, turn back, be turned; convert, transform, translate; be changed" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend"). Related: Subverted; subverting. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 135

dearth /dɜːθ $ dɜːrθ/ a scarcity or lack of something; If there is **a dearth of** something, there is not enough of it: LACK, scarcity, scarceness, shortage, shortfall ...There is **a dearth of** evidence. ...There is **a dearth of** properly trained specialists. ...There was **a dearth of** usable firewood at the campsite. ...The **dearth of** salesclerks at the shoe store annoyed us. ...It may also be a respite for booksellers, who have been grumbling for several years about sluggish sales and **a dearth of** dependable blockbuster fiction. —Julie Bosman, *New York Times*, 19 Oct. 2006 ...AirNet, which hauls bank checks and other time-critical freight, used to require that its pilots have at least 1,200 hours of flight experience. Then, faced with **a dearth of** experienced applicants, it dropped the requirement to 500 hours. Now, it has no minimum. —Scott McCartney, *Wall Street Journal*, 10 Aug. 2000 \> c. 1300, derthe "scarcity of food," of other situations of scarcity by mid-14c., abstract noun from root of Old English deore "precious, costly" (see **dear**) + abstract noun suffix -th (2). A common Germanic formation, though not always with the same sense (Old Saxon diurtha "splendor, glory, love," Middle Dutch dierte, Dutch duurte, Old High German tiurida "glory"). *Dearth*, in one form or another, has been used to describe things that are in short supply since at least the 13th century, when it often referred to a shortage of food. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 136

pur‧vey /pɜːˈveɪ $ pɜːr-/ **1** FORMAL to supply goods, services, information etc to people; If someone **purveys** goods or services, they provide them: SELL, supply, provide, furnish, cater, retail, deal in; *informal* flog ...a shop **purveying** handmade merchandise ...They have two restaurants that **purvey** dumplings and chicken noodle soup. ...The corporations **purveying** these services are thriving in a context of obscurity and regulatory neglect. —*WIRED*, 22 June 2023 **2** FORMAL to spread or promote (an idea, view, etc.); If you **purvey** something such as information, you tell it to people: PASS ON, transmit, broadcast, disseminate, spread, put around, circulate; provide, supply, furnish, make available, peddle ...one who would, for a hefty fee, **purvey** strategic advice to private corporations ...We didn’t want to **purvey** gloom and doom. ...There seems to be no shame among those who continue to **purvey** the election lie — even at the risk of court punishment. —Marnie Hunter, *CNN*, 9 Aug. 2021 ...These platforms work overtime to hijack our attention by **purveying** information that arouses curiosity, outrage, or anger. —Anastasia Kozyreva, *Fortune*, 21 Feb. 2023 \> c. 1300, purveien, "make previous arrangements," also "think beforehand, consider" (senses now obsolete); early 14c. as "prepare (something), make (something) ready;" late 14c. as "provide, supply (a necessity), furnish (what is needed)," from Anglo-French porveire, purveire and directly from Old French porveoir "to provide, prepare, arrange" (Modern French pourvoir), from Latin providere "look ahead, prepare, supply, act with foresight," from pro "ahead" (see **pro-**) + videre "to see" (from PIE root *weid- "to see"). Compare **provide**, which now usually replaces it. Related: Purveyed; purveying. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 137

make ends meet

Answer 138

**edge** to advance by short moves; to move gradually with several small movements, or to make something do this; If someone or something **edges** somewhere, they move very slowly in that direction: INCH, ease, creep, worm ...He **edged** closer to the phone, ready to grab it. ...He is **edging** ahead in the opinion polls. Tim was edging away from the crowd. ...She **edged** closer to get a better look. ...He **edged** her towards the door. → edge your way into/round/through etc sth ...Christine **edged** her way **round** the back of the house. \> **edge (v.)**: late 13c., "to give an edge to" (implied in past participle egged), from **edge** (n.). Intransitive meaning "to move edgeways (with the edge toward the spectator), advance slowly" is from 1620s, originally nautical. Meaning "to defeat by a narrow margin" is from 1953. The meaning "urge on, incite" (16c.) often must be a mistake for **egg** (v.). Related: Edger. \> Collins English Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 139

a‧nes‧the‧tize /əˈniːsθətaɪz $ əˈnes-/ to give someone an anaesthetic so that they do not feel pain ...The doctor **anesthetized** the patient by an intravenous injection. ...She was **anesthetized** before the operation. \> **anesthesia (n.)**: /ˌænəsˈθiːziə $ -ʒə/ 1721, "loss of feeling," medical Latin, from Greek anaisthēsia "want of feeling or perception, lack of sensation (to pleasure or pain)," abstract noun from an- "without" (see **an-** (1)) + aisthēsis "feeling" (from PIE root *au- "to perceive"). For the abstract noun ending, see **-ia**. As "a procedure for the prevention of pain in surgical operations," attested from 1846. Aesthesia "capacity for feeling" is attested in English from 1853, perhaps a back-formation. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Etymonline

Answer 140

un‧e‧quiv‧o‧cal /ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəl◂/ completely clear and without any possibility of doubt; leaving no doubt : CLEAR, UNAMBIGUOUS ...Whether or not Bernstein saw wedlock as cover is left open to interpretation, but his love for Felicia is **unequivocal**. —David Rooney, *The Hollywood Reporter*, 2 Sep. 2023 ...Though officials say the United States would be reluctant to go that far, Mr. Blinken was **unequivocal**. —Declan Walsh, *New York Times*, 29 July 2023 \> 1784, from **un-** (1) "not" + **equivocal**. Related: Unequivocally. \> **equivocal (adj.)**: "of doubtful signification, capable of being understood in different senses," c. 1600, with **-al** (1) + Late Latin aequivocus "of identical sound, of equal voice, of equal significance, ambiguous, of like sound," past participle of aequivocare, from aequus "equal" (see **equal** (adj.)) + vocare "to call," which is related to vox (genitive vocis) "voice" (from PIE root *wekw- "to speak"). Earlier in same sense was equivoque (late 14c.). Related: Equivocally (1570s). \> Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 141

grav‧i‧tas /ˈɡrævɪtæs/ high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the treatment of a subject); If you say that someone has **gravitas**, you mean that you respect them because they seem serious and intelligent: DIGNITY, SERIOUSNESS, solemnity, gravity, loftiness, grandeur, decorum, sobriety, sedateness ...a man of **gravitas** ...The new leader has an air of **gravitas** that commands respect. ...a comic actress who lacks the **gravitas** for dramatic roles ...The new leader has a certain **gravitas**. ...Henriksen plays his part to the hilt here, bringing a **gravitas** that few actors would consider bringing to the role of a shoot-'em-up movie villain. —Declan Gallagher, *EW.com*, 11 Jan. 2023 ...Some fiction podcasts ape true crime, borrowing that genre’s structure and tropes in order to achieve a suspenseful **gravitas**. —Katy Waldman, *The New Yorker*, 14 July 2022 ...Baseball holds a particular **gravitas** in the world of sports. —Aj Willingham, *CNN*, 8 May 2022 \> Borrowed from Latin gravitās (“weight, heaviness”). Doublet of *gravity*. This word comes to us straight from Latin. Among the Romans, gravitas was thought to be essential to the character and functions of any adult (male) in authority. Even the head of a household or a low-level official would strive for this important quality. We use *gravitas* today to identify the same solemn dignity in men and women. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 142

ad‧dle /ˈædl/ verb to make (someone) unable to think clearly; confuse; If something **addles** someone's mind or brain, they become confused and unable to think properly: CONFUSE, bewilder, mix up, muddle ...All that drink has **addled** his brains! ...A few cocktails later, enough to **addle** my memory, I found myself in bed with Bob. ...I suppose the shock had **addled** his poor old brain. ...Their brains were **addled** with fear. ...Instead, cocaine-**addled** Rafe (Drew Starkey) — brother to John B.’s girlfriend Sarah (Madelyn Cline) — is the true killer. —Ariana Romero, *refinery29.com*, 20 Apr. 2020 ...Erich von Stroheim stars in this eerie low-budget thriller, as a vaudeville marksman whose aim is **addled** by lust for his young assistant (Mary Beth Hughes). —Richard Brody, *The New Yorker*, 10 Apr. 2020 adjective ...My brain grew more and more **addle** as I made my way through the tax instructions. \> **addle (a.)**: Middle English adel- (in adel eye "putrid egg"), attributive use of Old English adela "filth, filthy or foul-smelling place," going back to Germanic *adela-, *adelōn- (whence Middle Dutch ael "liquid manure," Middle Low German ādel, ādele, Middle High German —east Upper German— adel, regional Swedish adel, al "animal urine"), of obscure origin \> **addle (v.)**: probably back-formation from **addled.** "become putrid," hence "be spoiled, be made worthless or ineffective," 1640s (implied in addled), from archaic addle (n.) "urine, liquid filth," from Old English adela "mud, mire, liquid manure" (cognate with East Frisian adel "dung," Old Swedish adel "urine," Middle Low German adel "mud," Dutch aal "puddle"). From this phrase, since c. 1600 the noun in English was mistaken as an adjective meaning "putrid," and thence given a figurative extension to "empty, vain, idle," also "confused, muddled, unsound" (1706), then back-formed into a verb in that sense. Related: Addling. Popular in forming derogatory compounds 17c. and after, such as addle-headed "stupid, muddled" (1660s); addle-pated (1630s); addle-pate "stupid bungler" (c. 1600); addle-plot "spoil-sport, person who spoils any amusement" (1690s). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Etymonline

Answer 143

liberal In some regions, such as the United States, liberal is also used as a noun to refer to a person who supports the policies and principles of the Democratic Party, which is generally more progressive and left-leaning than the Republican Party. In other regions, such as Europe, liberal can refer to a person who supports free-market capitalism and individual rights, which are often associated with the political right. Therefore, it is important to consider the context and the source when encountering the word liberal.

Answer 144

flip‧pant /ˈflɪpənt/ lacking proper respect or seriousness; If you describe a person or what they say as **flippant**, you are criticizing them because you think they are not taking something as seriously as they should: FRIVOLOUS, superficial, shallow, glib, thoughtless, carefree, irresponsible; DISRESPECTFUL, irreverent, facetious, cheeky, pert, overfamiliar, impudent, impertinent; *informal* flip; *British informal* saucy; *North American informal* sassy ...Don't be **flippant**, damn it! This is serious! ...He now dismisses that as a **flippant** comment. ...He made a **flippant** response to a serious question. —flippantly adverb ...He answered carelessly and **flippantly**. —flippancy noun : FRIVOLOUSNESS, levity, superficiality, shallowness, glibness, thoughtlessness, carefreeness, irresponsibility, insouciance, offhandedness; DISRESPECT, irreverence, facetiousness, cheek, cheekiness, pertness, overfamiliarity; *British informal* sauciness; *North American informal* sassiness. ...She detected **flippancy** in his tone, and said, 'I wish you'd take this seriously'. \> 1595, from Northern English dialectal flippand (“prattling, babbling, glib”), present participle of flip (“to babble”), of North Germanic origin. Cognate with Icelandic fleipa (“to babble, prattle”), Swedish dialectal flepa (“to talk nonsense”). Alteration of -and suffix (a variant of the participial -ing) to -ant probably due to influence from words in -ant. \> *Flippant* is believed to come from flip, which, in turn, is a supposed imitation of the sound of something flipping. The earliest senses of the adjective are "nimble" and "limber." One can be flippant not only on one's feet but in speech—that is to say, their words flow easily. Such flippancy was considered a good thing at first; however, people who speak freely can sometimes seem too talkative, and even impertinent. The positive sense of *flippant* has slipped from use, but the "disrespectful" sense still flows. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary

Answer 145

spec‧ter /ˈspektə $ -ər/ **1** [countable] *literary* a ghost ...feeling so terrified that every shadow became a **specter** **2** → specter of sth something that haunts or perturbs the mind; If you refer to the **specter of** something unpleasant, you are referring to something that you are frightened might occur. ...The recession is again raising the **specter of** unemployment. ...The prospect of such telecoms competition raises the **specter of** intervention by government or the courts. ...The arrests raised the **specter of** revenge attacks. ...The **specter of** climate change can feel overwhelming. —Karim Doumar, *Los Angeles Times*, 28 Aug. 2023 \> early 17th century (in the sense ‘specter’): from Latin, literally ‘image, apparition’, from specere ‘to look’. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster

Answer 146

involving businesses competing very strongly with each other, for example by offering lower prices which may force some businesses to fail; marked by unprincipled practices : RUTHLESS ...**Cutthroat** competition is keeping ticket prices low. ...a **cutthroat** battle for market share ...**cutthroat** business practices intended to drive competitors out of business ...While the recent Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed a slight decline in job openings from 10.6 million to 9.9 million, the competition for the very top employees remains **cutthroat**, especially for startups trying to poach talent from seasoned tech giants. —Lucy Brewster, *Fortune*, 6 Apr. 2023 ...In the Wallace family, Trivial Pursuit, skeet shooting, and mini golf matches can be equally **cutthroat**. —Andrew Goldman, *Town & Country*, 28 Sep. 2020 ...The interactions between straight-talking, foul-mouthed Jim, with his grounding in **cutthroat** corporate culture, and the Doug crew, whose work ethic comes a distant second to their enthusiasm for movie nights and idle web-surfing, provides some of BlackBerry's most amusing scenes. —David Rooney, *The Hollywood Reporter*, 17 Feb. 2023 \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster

Answer 147

rise/rose/risen

Answer 148

hind‧sight /ˈhaɪndsaɪt/ perception of the nature of an event after it has happened \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster

Answer 149

up‧end /ʌpˈend/ **1** to turn something over so that it is upside down ...When he **upended** the bottle of water over his sleeping sister, the lid popped off and surprised them both. ...**upend** the box and empty the contents **2** (figurative) to destroy, invalidate, overthrow, or defeat ...The scientific evidence **upended** the popular myth. **3** to affect or upset drastically ...By the middle of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic **upended** normal life for virtually all Americans. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster, Wiktionary

Answer 150

faze /feɪz/ INFORMAL if a new or difficult situation fazes you, it makes you feel confused or shocked, so that you do not know what to do ...John was embarrassed, but it didn’t **faze** Mike a bit. un‧fazed /ʌnˈfeɪzd/ not confused or shocked by a difficult situation or by something bad that has happened ...The protestors were **unfazed by** the prospect of arrest. ...The company seemed **unfazed by** the protest and is sticking with the mandate. —Bysteve Mollman, *Fortune*, 11 June 2023 ...Several hours after dozens of enemy drones infiltrated the Russian capital, damaging two residential buildings, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared **unfazed** before reporters, acting as if nothing unusual had happened. —Isobel Koshiw, *Washington Post*, 31 May 2023 ...The Rams do not require an answer until the opener, but Bennett showed promise during training camp workouts. Bennett, who led Georgia to consecutive national titles, appeared **unfazed** by mistakes. —Gary Klein, *Los Angeles Times*, 11 Aug. 2023 \> 1933, American English, from **un-** (1) "not" + past participle of **faze** (v.). \> **faze (v.)**: 1830, American English, said to be a variant of Kentish dialect feeze "to frighten, alarm, discomfit" (mid-15c.), from Old English fesian, fysian "drive away, send forth, put to flight," from Proto-Germanic *fausjan (source also of Swedish fösa "drive away," Norwegian föysa). Related: Fazed; fazing. Bartlett (1848) has it as to be in a feeze "in a state of excitement." There also is a nautical verb feaze "to unravel" (a rope), from 1560s. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Merriam-Webster

Answer 151

cut one's teeth on sth to begin; to gain early experience; to get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills; to gain experience with something, especially at a young age (when one's teeth would be coming in); If you say that someone **cut** their **teeth** doing a particular thing, at a particular time, or in a particular place, you mean that that is how, when, or where they began their career and learned some of their skills. ...He **cut his teeth** flying model airplanes as a child, so aeronautical engineering came naturally. ...I **cut my teeth on** this kind of layout. ...He **cut his eyeteeth on** magazine editing. ...director John Glen, who **cut his teeth on** Bond movies ...She had **cut her teeth** at local radio stations, but made her name on a reality show. ...Oh, I **cut my teeth on** those kinds of equations! Give me a challenging problem for a change! ...Jen may be young, but she **cut her teeth** at a prestigious journal, so her perspective and expertise will be invaluable to us. \> This term alludes to the literal verb to cut teeth, meaning “to have teeth first emerge through a baby's gums,” a usage dating from the late 1600s. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Dictionary.com, The Free Dictionary

Answer 152

knack **1** [singular] a natural skill or ability; A **knack** is a particularly clever or skillful way of doing something successfully, especially something which most people find difficult: GIFT, talent, flair, genius, instinct, faculty, ability, capability, capacity, aptitude, aptness, bent, forte, know-how, the hang of something knack for doing something ...Some people seem to have a **knack for** making money. knack of doing something ...Thomson’s **knack of** scoring vital goals makes him important to the team. **2** → have a knack of doing sth INFORMAL•BRITISH ...He has a **knack of** saying the wrong thing. \> mid-14c., "a deception, trick, device," a word of uncertain origin. Perhaps from or related to a Low German word meaning "a sharp sounding blow" (compare Middle English knak, late 14c.; German knacken "to crack;" also **knap**) and of imitative origin. Sense of "special skill" (in some specified activity) is first recorded 1580s, if this is in fact the same word. In old slang (mid-18c. to mid-19c.) nacky meant "full of knacks; ingenious, dexterous." \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 153

sty‧mie /ˈstaɪmi/ INFORMAL to prevent or hinder the progress of; to prevent someone from doing what they have planned or want to do; If you **are stymied by** something, you find it very difficult to take action or to continue what you are doing: IMPEDE, interfere with, hamper, hinder, obstruct, inhibit, frustrate, thwart, foil, spoil, stall, shackle, fetter, stop, check, block, cripple, handicap, scotch; *informal* put paid to, put the kibosh on, snooker; *British informal* scupper, throw a spanner in the works of; *North American informal* throw a monkey wrench in the works of ...The changes must not be allowed to **stymie** new medical treatments. ...Companies have been **stymied** by the length of time it takes to reach an agreement. ...Relief efforts have been **stymied** in recent weeks by armed gunmen. ...In our search for evidence, we were **stymied** by the absence of any recent documents. ...Progress on the project has been **stymied** by lack of money. ...The raging blizzard **stymied** the rescuers' attempts to find the stranded mountain climbers. \> 1857, in golf, "put a player in the position where an opponent's ball is directly in the line of approach to the hole;" from stymie (n.) "condition in which an opponent's ball blocks the line of approach to the hole" (1834). It is of uncertain origin, perhaps from Scottish *stymie* "person who sees poorly," from *stime* "the least bit" (early 14c.), as in *unable to see a stine*, itself of uncertain origin. The general sense of "block, hinder, thwart" is by 1902. Related: Stymied. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Cambridge Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 154

**1** to poke or stir up (a fire, flames, etc.) : supply with fuel; If you **stoke** a fire, you add coal or wood to it to keep it burning: ADD FUEL TO, mend, keep burning, tend, fuel ...She was **stoking** the stove with sticks of maple. **2** to increase the activity, intensity, or amount of; If you **stoke** something such as a feeling, you cause it to be felt more strongly. ...Rising oil prices **stoked** inflation. ...Poor revenue figures have **stoked** concerns about possible layoffs. ...The new ad campaign has helped to **stoke** sales. ...He has sent his proposals in the hope of **stoking up** interest for the idea. ...Despite the workforce cuts, Salesforce’s chat subsidiary, Slack, set its sights on rehiring former staff in June, all in pursuit of **stoking** the fires of its generative AI aspirations. —Bykylie Robison, *Fortune*, 15 Sep. 2023 → stoke fear/anger/envy etc ...The scandal has **stoked** public outrage. **3** INFORMAL to feed abundantly; to consume a large quantity of food or drink to give one energy ...Carol was at the coffee machine, **stoking up** for the day. stoked /stəʊkt $ stoʊkt/ SPOKEN•NORTH AMERICAN very pleased and excited; If you are **stoked about** something, you are very excited about it. ..."I can't wait to get there," she said. "I am so **stoked about** this trip." ...I'm **stoked about** getting a new car. ...The kids were happy, the crowds were **stoked**. \> 1680s, "to feed and stir up" (a fire in a fireplace or furnace), a back-formation from **stoker** "one who maintains a fire in a furnace" (1650s); ultimately from Dutch stoken "to stoke," from Middle Dutch stoken "to poke, thrust," related to stoc "stick, stump," from Proto-Germanic *stok- "pierce, prick" (from PIE *steug-, extended form of root *(s)teu- (1) "to push, stick, knock, beat;" see **steep** (adj.)). Later especially in reference to fire used as a boiler for a steam engine. The figurative meaning "to stir up, rouse" (feelings, etc.) is from 1837. **Stoked** "enthusiastic" is recorded in surfer slang by 1963, but the extension of the word to persons is older, originally "to eat, to feed oneself up" (1882). \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary of English, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Etymonline

Answer 155

dole sth out

Answer 156

so‧lic‧i‧tous /səˈlɪsɪtəs/ **1** manifesting or expressing solicitude; very concerned about someone’s safety, health, or comfort: CONCERNED, caring, attentive, mindful, interested, considerate, thoughtful; anxious, worried ...a **solicitous** inquiry about his health ...I appreciated his **solicitous** inquiry about my health. ...He had always been **solicitous** for the welfare of his family. **2** full of concern or fears : APPREHENSIVE ...**solicitous** about the future **3** meticulously careful ...**solicitous** in matters of dress **4** full of desire : EAGER —solicitously adverb ...He took her hand in greeting and asked **solicitously** how everything was. \> **solicitous (adj.)**: "anxious, concerned, apprehensive," 1560s, also "very desirous" (1640s), from Latin sollicitus "restless, uneasy, careful, full of anxiety" (see **solicit**). Related: Solicitously; solicitousness. \> **solicit (v.)**: From Old French solliciter, from Latin sollicitare ‘to agitate’, from sollicitus ‘anxious’, from sollus ‘entire’ + citus (past participle of ciere ‘set in motion’) \> From Middle English soliciten, solliciten, from Old French soliciter, solliciter, from the present active participle of Latin sollicitō (“stir, disturb; look after”), from sollicitus (“agitated, anxious, punctilious”, literally “thoroughly moved”), from sollus "whole, entire" (from PIE root *sol- "whole, well-kept") + citus "aroused," past participle of ciere "shake, excite, set in motion" (from PIE root *keie- "to set in motion"). \> **keie-**: also *keiə-*, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to set in motion." It might form all or part of: **behest**; **cinema**; **cinematography**; **citation**; **cite**; **excite**; **hest**; **hight**; **hyperkinetic**; **incite**; **kinase**; **kinematics**; **kinesics**; **kinesiology**; **kinesis**; **kinesthesia**; **kinesthetic**; **kinetic**; **kineto-**; **kino-**; **oscitant**; **recital**; **recitation**; **recite**; **resuscitate**; **solicit**; **solicitous**; **suscitate**; **telekinesis**. \> Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Collins English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus, Wiktionary, Etymonline

Answer 157

(n.) inflammation of the appendix, often causing severe abdominal pain and requiring surgery ##Footnote She was rushed to the hospital with a suspected case of appendicitis.

Answer 158

(v.) to include or take into account when making a calculation or decision ##Footnote When planning the outdoor event, we need to factor in the possibility of rain.

Answer 159

(adv.) in a way that is understood or implied without being directly expressed ##Footnote By not objecting to the proposal, the board tacitly approved the new policy.

Answer 160

(n.) a natural ability or skill, especially in learning ##Footnote Her aptitude for mathematics was evident from an early age, as she easily grasped complex concepts.

Answer 161

(n.) a rushing or swirling sound or movement; also a curved symbol or design ##Footnote A swoosh of wind blew through the open window.

Answer 162

(phr.) by means of ##Footnote He succeeded in the competitive business world by dint of his relentless determination and innovative ideas.

Answer 163

(v.) to run away from a place or situation of danger ##Footnote As the forest fire approached, residents were ordered to flee their homes immediately.

Answer 164

(n.) the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient ##Footnote The patient's comorbidity of diabetes and hypertension required careful management.

Answer 165

(adj.) relating to the sea, especially in connection with seafaring commercial or military activity ##Footnote The maritime industry plays a crucial role in global trade.

Answer 166

(adv.) in a way that is clearly visible or obvious ##Footnote The bright red sports car was conspicuously out of place in the quiet suburban neighborhood.

Answer 167

(v.) to add a component or accessory to something that did not have it when originally manufactured ##Footnote They decided to retrofit the old building with modern energy-efficient windows.

Answer 168

(n.) loyalty or commitment to a group, cause, or individual ##Footnote The soldiers swore their allegiance to the country and its flag.

Answer 169

(adj.) not shortened; complete in its original form ##Footnote She preferred to read the unabridged version of the novel to experience the full story.

Answer 170

(n.) a cage or small enclosure for keeping poultry or small animals ##Footnote The chickens were safely inside their coop for the night.

Answer 171

(phr.) to come to a natural end or conclusion after a period of time ##Footnote The doctor advised letting the illness run its course rather than taking medication.

Answer 172

(n.) the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words ##Footnote The phrase "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" is an example of alliteration.

Answer 173

(adj.) originating from or caused by external factors ##Footnote The economist argued that the recession was due to exogenous shocks, such as global trade disruptions.

Answer 174

(n.) an opening, hole, or gap, especially one that lets in light ##Footnote The photographer adjusted the camera's aperture to capture more light in the shot.

Answer 175

(n.) a collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject ##Footnote The detective compiled a detailed dossier on the suspect's activities over the past month.

Answer 176

(n.) a person who has broken the law and is hiding or living outside legal protection ##Footnote The infamous outlaw was wanted in several states for bank robbery.

Answer 177

(n.) a route or track between one place and another; a course of action or way of achieving something ##Footnote - The garden had a winding stone pathway leading to a small pond. - Education is often considered a pathway to success.