small steps count. Flashcards
(43 cards)
pithy
≠ long-winded
a series of pithy quotations
mirage
illusion/ an effect caused by hot air in a desert, which makes you think that you can see objects when they are not actually there
despair
to feel that there is no hope at all
Despite his illness, Ron never despaired.
mighty
very strong and powerful, or very big and impressive
high and mighty
talking or behaving as if you think you are better or more important than other people
Don’t get high and mighty with me.
aphorism
a short phrase that contains a wise idea
trivial
not serious, important, or valuable
trivial problem/matter/complaint etc
top-down
a top-down way of understanding or explaining something starts with a general idea and adds details later
representational
a representational painting or style of art shows things as
they actually appear in real life SYN figurative
probe
to ask questions in order to find things out, especially things that other people do not want you to know
probe into
I don’t want to probe too deeply into your personal affairs.
Police probed claims that he had sold drugs.
deficit(n)
a temporary or permanent lack in someone’s ability to operate normally
cognitive deficits
deficit in speech production
rehabilitation / rehab
the process of returning to a healthy or good way of life, or the process of helping someone to do this after they have been in prison, been very ill
a rehab clinic (for drugs)
Many amputees in the early stages of their rehabilitation feel despair.
nuance
a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc.:
nuance of The painter has managed to capture every nuance of the woman’s expression.
intact (adj)
not broken, damaged, or spoiled
Only the medieval tower had remained intact
wrinkle (v)(n)
[intransitive] if a piece of clothing wrinkles, it
gets small untidy folds in it SYN crease
4) The trouble with linen is that it wrinkles so easily.
introspection (n)
the process of thinking deeply about your own thoughts, feelings, or behaviour
prosthesis (prostheses)
medical an artificial leg, tooth, or other part of the body which takes the place of a missing part
subject
subject somebody/something to something
to force someone or something to experience something very unpleasant, especially over a long time
Police subjected him to hours of questioning.
subject somebody to an ordeal/abuse/harassment
Barker subjected his victim to awful abuse.
hostile
angry and deliberately unfriendly towards someone, and ready to argue with them
prudent
sensible and careful, especially by trying to avoid unnecessary risks
prudent house buyers
it is prudent (for somebody) to do something
It might be prudent to get a virus detector for the network.
you are very good at covert ops
someone is very good at keeping secrets or handling situations discreetly without drawing attention.
cumulative
increasing gradually as more of something is added or happens
Learning is a cumulative process.
cumulative effect (of something)
Depression is often caused by the cumulative effects of stress and overwork.
stifle
to stop something from happening or developing OPP encourage
rules and regulations that stifle innovation
How can this party stifle debate on such a crucial issue?
insensitive
not noticing, or not taking the care to notice, other people’s feelings, and not realizing when they are upset or when something that you do will upset them
unprejudiced
able to be fair because you are not influenced by an unreasonable opinion of someone or something: