Week Twenty Two Flashcards
Juxtapose
V: to put things that are not similar next to each other
Example:
The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso’s early drawings with some of his later works.
Plight
N: an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one; predicament; dangerous situation
Example:
the plight of the poor/homeless
Few of us can be unmoved by the plight of the refugees.
Inexact
Adj: not exact or not known in detail
Example:
Estimates of the numbers involved remain inexact.
Covert
Adj: hidden or secret
Example:
-covert actions
-The government was accused of covert military operations against the regime.
Cope
V: to deal successfully with a difficult situation; to be a match for; to be able to handle
Example:
-It’s only been a year since he died - how’s she coping (= how is she)?
-He had so much pressure on him in his job that eventually he just couldn’t cope.
-cope with It must be really hard to cope with four children under 5.
Incompatibility
N: the state of not being able to exist or work with another person or thing because of basic differences; quality of being mismated, lack of harmony
Example:
-An incompatibility problem prevents the two pieces of software from being used together.
-They stopped dating due to basic incompatibility.
Asperity
N: the quality of being severe in the way that you speak and behave; harshness
Example:
the asperity of her manner
Reprehensible
Adj: If someone’s behaviour is reprehensible, it is extremely bad or unacceptable; deplorable; disgraceful
Example:
reprehensible conduct/actions
Incapacitated
Adj: unable to work or do things normally, or unable to do what you intended to do; disabled; made unfit
Example:
-The illness left her temporarily incapacitated.
-The idea of a Taser is to keep an attacker incapacitated, so a person can get away safely.
Fabricate
V: to invent or produce something false in order to deceive someone; to lie; concoct
Example:
He was late, so he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble.
He claims that the police fabricated evidence against him.
Attribute
V: to say or think that something is the result of a particular thing
Example:
attribute sth to sth: Her success can be attributed to three main factors.
Connubial
Adj: connected with marriage
Example:
connubial bliss
Demur
V: to express disagreement or refuse to do something; to object
Example:
The lawyer requested a break in the court case, but the judge demurred.
Appellation
N: a name or title
Example:
As a child, he received the appellation “Mouse”.
Alibi
N: an excuse for something bad or for a failure
Example:
After eight years in power, the government can no longer use the previous government’s policy as an alibi for its own failure.
Adroitly
Adv: in a way that is very skilful, and quick in thinking or movement
Example:
-She adroitly avoided the question.
-He adroitly slipped the money into his pocket.
Reminisce
V: to talk or write about past experiences that you remember with pleasure
Example:
My grandfather used to reminisce about his years in the navy.
Nefarious
Adj: (especially of activities) morally bad; evil; villainous
Example:
The company’s CEO seems to have been involved in some nefarious practices/activities.
Escalation
N: a situation in which something becomes greater or more serious
Example:
-escalation in: It’s difficult to explain the recent escalation in violent crime.
-escalation of: The country was not prepared for the rapid escalation of the war.
-Price escalations for building materials caused the project to be cancelled.
Indifference
N: lack of interest in someone or something; lack of concern
Example:
-Many native speakers of a language show indifference to/towards grammatical points.
-His attitude was one of bored indifference.
Potential
Adj: possible when the necessary conditions exist
Example:
-A number of potential buyers have expressed interest in the company.
-Many potential customers are waiting for a fall in prices before buying.
Contributory
Adj: helping to cause something
Example:
contributory factor: Too little exercise is a contributory factor in heart disease.
Cumulative
Adj: increasing by one addition after another; accumulated
Example:
cumulative effect: The cumulative effect of using so many chemicals on the land could be disastrous.
Taper off
Phrasal verb: to become gradually smaller or weaker, or happen less often
Example:
-Her voice tapered off as she realized everyone was listening.
-Sales have gradually tapered off.
