SAT 生词及短语

open-plan

adjective (of a room or building) having large rooms with few or no internal dividing walls. an open-plan office.

cogent

adjective (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing. they put forward cogent arguments for British membership. the newspaper's lawyers must prepare a cogent appeal.

nefarious

adjective (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal: the nefarious activities of the organized-crime syndicates.

elitist

An "elitist" believes that certain persons deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority.

flamboyant

adjective 1 (of a person or their behaviour) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness: the band's flamboyant lead singer. • bright, colourful, and very noticeable: a flamboyant bow tie. 2 Architecture of or denoting a style of French Gothic architecture marked by wavy flame-like tracery and ornate decoration. Compare with rayonnant.

unwitting

adjective 1 (of a person) not aware of the full facts: an unwitting accomplice. 2 not done on purpose; unintentional: we are anxious to rectify the unwitting mistakes made in the past

strident

adjective 1 (of a sound) loud and harsh; grating: his voice had become increasingly strident. • Phonetics another term for sibilant. 2 presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively forceful way: public pronouncements on the crisis became less strident.

resilient

adjective 1 (of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. a shoe with resilient cushioning. 2 (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions: babies are generally far more resilient than new parents realize | the fish are resilient to most infections.

catch (someone) on

Irishbecome aware of something: catch yourself on, Michael, people don't get arrested for no reason.

catch (yourself) on

Irishbecome aware of something: catch yourself on, Michael, people don't get arrested for no reason.

put the arm on

N. Amer. informal attempt to force or coerce (someone) to do something: she started putting the arm on them for donations.

impinge on/upon

Physics strike: the gases impinge on the surface of the liquid.

vivacious

adjective (especially of a woman) attractively lively and animated. her vivacious and elegant mother. she was dark-haired and vivacious.

dapper

adjective (of a man) neat and trim in dress and appearance: he looked very dapper in a dark silk suit.

quizzical

adjective (of a person's expression or behaviour) indicating mild or amused puzzlement: she gave me a quizzical look. • rare amusingly odd or strange. one of the most quizzical movies ever made.

sonorous

adjective (of a person's voice or other sound) imposingly deep and full. he read aloud with a sonorous and musical voice. • capable of producing a deep or ringing sound: the alloy is sonorous and useful in making bells. • (of a speech or style) using imposing language: he relished the sonorous words of condemnation.

serendipitous

adjective occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way: a serendipitous encounter. Synonyms: chance, accidental; lucky, fortuitous; unexpected, unanticipated, unforeseen, unlooked-for; coincidental

posthumous

adjective occurring, awarded, or appearing after the death of the originator: he was awarded a posthumous Military Cross | a posthumous collection of his articles. • (of a child) born after the death of its father. Newton was the posthumous son of an illiterate yeoman.

maroon

adjective of a brownish-red colour. ornate maroon and gold wallpaper. noun 1 [ mass noun ] a brownish-red colour. the hat is available in either white or maroon. [ count noun ] : cold pinks, purples, and maroons. 2 chiefly Brit.a firework that makes a loud bang, used as a signal or warning.[early 19th cent.: so named because the firework makes the noise of a chestnut (see below) bursting in the fire.]

importunate

adjective persistent, especially to the point of annoyance: importunate creditors.

lucrative

adjective producing a great deal of profit: a lucrative career as a stand-up comedian.

combative

adjective ready or eager to fight or argue: he made some enemies with his combative style.

docile

adjective ready to accept control or instruction; submissive: a cheap and docile workforce | she's a black Labrador, gentle and docile.

bureaucratic

adjective relating to a system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives: well-established bureaucratic procedures. • over-concerned with procedure at the expense of efficiency or common sense: the scheme is overly bureaucratic and complex.

instinctive

adjective relating to or prompted by instinct; done without conscious thought: an instinctive distaste for conflict. • (of a person) doing or being a specified thing apparently naturally or automatically: he was an instinctive cook. Synonyms:intuitive, natural, innate, inborn, inherent, inbred, instinctual, unconscious, subconscious, subliminal

dilatory

adjective slow to act: he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor. • intended to cause delay: they resorted to dilatory tactics, forcing a postponement of peace talks.

fetid

adjective smelling extremely unpleasant: the fetid water of the marsh. Synonyms:stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, evil-smelling, malodorous, stinking to high heaven, reeking, pungent, acrid

inimitable

adjective so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique: they took the charts by storm with their inimitable style. Synonyms: unique, distinctive, individual, special, idiosyncratic, quirky, exclusive, rare; incomparable, unparalleled

arresting

adjective striking; eye-catching: at 6 ft 6 in he was an arresting figure.

vigorous

adjective strong, healthy, and full of energy: a tall, vigorous, and muscular man. • characterized by or involving physical strength, effort, or energy: vigorous aerobic exercise. • (of language) forceful: a vigorous denial.

morose

adjective sullen and ill-tempered: she was morose and silent when she got home. Synonyms: sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, in a bad mood, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, unsmiling

specious

adjective superficially plausible, but actually wrong: a specious argument. • misleading in appearance, especially misleadingly attractive: the music trade gives Golden Oldies a specious appearance of novelty.

impartial

adjective treating all rivals or disputants equally: the minister cannot be impartial in the way that a judge would be. Synonyms: unprejudiced, neutral, non-partisan, non-discriminatory, disinterested, uninvolved

facetious

adjective treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant: a facetious remark.

implacable

adjective unable to be appeased or placated: he was an implacable enemy of Ted's. • unable to be stopped; relentless: the implacable advance of the enemy.

indisputable

adjective unable to be challenged or denied: a far from indisputable fact.

ineluctable

adjective unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable: the ineluctable facts of history.

off-putting

adjective unpleasant, disconcerting, or repellent: his scar is somewhat off-putting.

declamatory

adjective vehement or impassioned in expression: a long declamatory speech.

noteworthy

adjective worth paying attention to; interesting or significant: noteworthy features | [ with clause ] : it is noteworthy that no one at the Bank has accepted responsibility for the failure.

achy

adjective (achier, achiest) suffering from continuous dull pain: she felt tired and achy.

choppy

adjective (choppier, choppiest) 1 (of a sea, lake, or river) having many small waves. sea conditions are often very choppy. heavy, choppy seas. 2 having a disjointed or jerky quality: the choppy, electronic beat of hip hop.

dogdy

adjective (dodgier, dodgiest) Brit. informal dishonest or unreliable: a dodgy second-hand car salesman. • potentially dangerous: activities like these could be dodgy for your heart. • of low quality: Spurs' dodgy defence had thrown away a 2-0 lead.

hardy

adjective (hardier, hardiest) capable of enduring difficult conditions; robust: a hardy breed of cattle. • (of a plant) able to survive outside during winter. a favourite flowering shrub for early spring, vigorous and hardy. Synonyms:robust, healthy, fit, strong, sturdy, tough, rugged, hearty, lusty, vigorous, hale and hearty

varicose

adjective [ attrib. ] (of a vein, especially in the leg) swollen, twisted, and lengthened, as a result of poor circulation.

crisp

adjective 1 (of a substance) firm, dry, and brittle: crisp bacon | the snow is lovely and crisp. • (of a fruit or vegetable) firm and juicy: a crisp lettuce. • (of paper or cloth) stiff and uncreased: £65 in crisp new notes. • (of hair) having tight curls. 2 (of the weather) cool, fresh, and invigorating: a crisp autumn day. 3 (of a way of speaking) briskly decisive and matter-of-fact, without hesitation or unnecessary detail: her answer was crisp. noun 1 (also potato crisp)Brit.a wafer-thin slice of potato fried or baked until crisp and eaten as a snack. cut down on fatty snacks such as crisps. 2 a dessert of fruit baked with a crunchy topping of brown sugar, butter, and flour: rhubarb crisp. verb [ with obj. ] 1 give (food) a crisp surface by placing it in an oven or under a grill: crisp the pitta in the oven. • [ no obj. ] (of food) develop a crisp surface in an oven or under a grill. open the foil so that the bread browns and crisps. 2 archaic curl (something) into short, stiff, wavy folds or crinkles. there is a cooling breeze which crisps the broad clear river.

coherent

adjective 1 (of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent: they failed to develop a coherent economic strategy. • (of a person) able to speak clearly and logically: she was lucid and coherent and did not appear to be injured. 2 forming a unified whole: the arts could be systematized into one coherent body of knowledge. 3 Physics (of waves) having a constant phase relationship.

voluminous

adjective 1 (of clothes) very loose or full; having much fabric: a voluminous purple cloak. • (of a piece of furniture) large and accommodating: he sank into a voluminous armchair. 2 (of writing) very lengthy and detailed: we all scribbled down voluminous notes. • (of a writer) producing many books.

incoherent

adjective 1 (of spoken or written language) expressed in an incomprehensible or confusing way; unclear: he screamed some incoherent threat. • (of a person) unable to speak intelligibly: he was incoherent with sentiment. 2 not logical or internally consistent: the film is ideologically incoherent. 3 Physics (of waves) having no definite or stable phase relationship.

rambling

adjective 1 (of writing or speech) lengthy and confused or inconsequential. a rambling six-hour speech. Scott's letter was long and rambling. 2 (of a plant) putting out long shoots and growing over walls or other plants: rambling roses. • (of a building or path) spreading or winding irregularly in various directions: a big old rambling house. noun [ mass noun ] the activity of walking in the countryside for pleasure: [ as modifier ] : a rambling club.

redolent

adjective 1 (redolent of/with) strongly reminiscent or suggestive of: names redolent of history and tradition. • literary strongly smelling of: the church was old, dark, and redolent of incense. 2 archaic or literary fragrant or sweet-smelling: a rich, inky, redolent wine.

sporting

adjective 1 [ attrib. ] connected with or interested in sport: a major sporting event. 2 fair and generous in one's behaviour or treatment of others, especially in a contest: it was jolly sporting of you to let me have first go.

apt

adjective 1 appropriate or suitable in the circumstances: the theme could not be more apt. 2 [ predic., with infinitive ] having a tendency to do something: he is apt to be swayed by irrational considerations. 3 quick to learn: she proved an apt pupil.

provisional

adjective 1 arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later: a provisional government | provisional bookings. • Brit.(of a driving licence) to be obtained before starting to learn to drive and upgraded to a full licence on passing a driving test. Norman as yet had only a provisional licence. • (of a postage stamp) put into circulation temporarily, usually owing to the unavailability of the definitive issue. 2 (Provisional)denoting the unofficial wings of the IRA and Sinn Fein established in 1969 and advocating terrorism. the Provisional IRA.

conservative

adjective 1 averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values: they were very conservative in their outlook. • (of dress or taste) sober and conventional: a conservative suit. 2 (in a political context) favouring free enterprise, private ownership, and socially conservative ideas. • (Conservative)relating to the Conservative Party of Great Britain or a similar party elsewhere. the Conservative government. 3 (of an estimate) purposely low for the sake of caution: police placed the value of the haul at a conservative £500,000. 4 (of surgery or medical treatment) intended to control rather than eliminate a condition, with existing tissue preserved as far as possible. noun 1 a person who is averse to change and holds traditional values. he remains a conservative in constitutional matters. 2 (Conservative)a supporter or member of the Conservative Party of Great Britain or a similar party elsewhere.

cynical

adjective 1 believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity: he was brutally cynical and hardened to every sob story under the sun. • doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile: most residents are cynical about efforts to clean mobsters out of their city. • contemptuous; mocking: he gave a cynical laugh. 2 concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted standards in order to achieve them: a cynical manipulation of public opinion.

sensational

adjective 1 causing great public interest and excitement: a sensational murder trial. • presenting information in a way that is intended to provoke public interest and excitement, at the expense of accuracy: cheap sensational periodicals. 2 informal very good indeed; very impressive or attractive: you look sensational | a sensational view. 3.excessively dramatic

generic

adjective 1 characteristic of or relating to a class or group of things; not specific: chèvre is a generic term for all goats' milk cheese. • (of goods, especially medicinal drugs) having no brand name; not protected by a registered trademark. 2 Biology relating to a genus.

slipshod

adjective 1 characterized by a lack of care, thought, or organization: he'd caused many problems with his slipshod management. 2 archaic (of shoes) worn down at the heel. his slipshod heels.

ebullient

adjective 1 cheerful and full of energy: she sounded ebullient and happy. 2 archaic (of liquid or matter) boiling or agitated as if boiling: misted and ebullient seas.

fulsome

adjective 1 complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree: the press are embarrassingly fulsome in their appreciation. 2 of large size or quantity; generous or abundant: the fulsome details of the later legend.

precipitous

adjective 1 dangerously high or steep: the track skirted a precipitous drop. • (of a change to a worse situation or condition) sudden and dramatic: a precipitous slide in the government's popularity. 2 (of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration: precipitous intervention.

throwaway

adjective 1 denoting or relating to products that are intended to be discarded after being used once or a few times: a throwaway camera | we live in a throwaway society. 2 (of a remark) expressed in a casual or understated way: some people overreacted to a few throwaway lines. noun a thing intended to be discarded after brief use. the song is hardly even a throwaway.

sensible

adjective 1 done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit: I cannot believe that it is sensible to spend so much | a sensible diet. • (of a person) possessing or displaying prudence: he was a sensible and capable boy. 2 (of an object) practical and functional rather than decorative: Mum always made me have sensible shoes. 3 archaic readily perceived; appreciable: it will effect a sensible reduction in these figures. • (sensible of/to) able to notice or appreciate; not unaware of: we are sensible of the difficulties he faces.

gratuitous

adjective 1 done without good reason; uncalled for: gratuitous violence. 2 given or done free of charge. solicitors provide a form of gratuitous legal advice.

solemn

adjective 1 formal and dignified: a solemn procession. • not cheerful or smiling; serious: Tim looked very solemn. 2 characterized by deep sincerity: he swore a solemn oath to keep faith.

inchoate

adjective 1 just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary: a still inchoate democracy. • confused or incoherent: inchoate proletarian protest. 2 Law (of an offence, such as incitement or conspiracy) anticipating or preparatory to a further criminal act.

careful

adjective 1 making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious: I begged him to be more careful | be careful not to lose her address. • (careful of/about) anxious to protect (something) from harm or loss; solicitous: he was very careful of his reputation. • prudent in the use of something, especially money: his mother had always been careful with money. 2 done with or showing thought and attention: a careful consideration of the facts.

equable

adjective 1 not easily disturbed or angered; calm and even-tempered. he could look sterner than his equable temperament would suggest. 2 not varying or fluctuating greatly: an equable climate.

innocent

adjective 1 not guilty of a crime or offence: the prisoners were later found innocent | he is innocent of Sir Thomas's death. • (innocent of) without experience or knowledge of: a man innocent of war's cruelties. • (innocent of) without; lacking: a street quite innocent of bookshops. 2 [ attrib. ] not responsible for or directly involved in an event yet suffering its consequences: an innocent bystander. 3 free from moral wrong; not corrupted: an innocent child. • simple; naive: she is a poor, innocent young creature. 4 not involving or intended to cause harm or offence; harmless: an innocent mistake. noun 1 a pure, guileless, or naive person: a young innocent abroad. 2 a person involved by chance in a situation, especially a victim of crime or war: they are prepared to kill or maim innocents in pursuit of a cause. • (the Innocents) the young children killed by Herod after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 2:16).

substantial

adjective 1 of considerable importance, size, or worth: a substantial amount of cash. • strongly built or made: a row of substantial Victorian villas. • (of a meal) large and filling. breakfast is a substantial buffet. the first meal of the day should be substantial. • important in material or social terms; wealthy: a substantial Devon family. 2 concerning the essentials of something: there was substantial agreement on changing policies. 3 real and tangible rather than imaginary: spirits are shadowy, human beings substantial.

diplomatic

adjective 1 of or concerning diplomacy: diplomatic relations with Britain were broken. • having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and tactful way: he tried his best to be diplomatic. 2 (of an edition or copy) exactly reproducing an original version: a diplomatic transcription.

cerebral

adjective 1 of the cerebrum of the brain: a cerebral haemorrhage | the cerebral cortex. • intellectual rather than emotional or physical: she excelled in cerebral pursuits. 2 Phonetics another term for retroflex.

anterior

adjective 1 technical nearer the front, especially in the front of the body, or nearer to the head or forepart: the veins anterior to the heart. The opposite of posterior. • Botany (of a part of a flower or leaf) situated further away from the main stem. • Phonetics pronounced with an obstruction located in front of the palato-alveolar region of the mouth, e.g. b, p, d, t. 2 formal coming before in time; earlier: an incident anterior to her troubles.

divergent

adjective 1 tending to be different or develop in different directions: divergent interpretations | varieties of English can remain astonishingly divergent from one another. • Psychology (of thought) using a variety of premises, especially unfamiliar premises, as bases for inference, and avoiding common limiting assumptions in making deductions. 2 Mathematics (of a series) increasing indefinitely as more of its terms are added.

visionary

adjective 1 thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom: a visionary leader. • archaic (of a scheme or idea) not practical. 2 relating to or having the ability to see visions in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition: visionary dreams. • archaic existing only in a vision or in the imagination. Synonyms:inspired, imaginative, creative, inventive, insightful, ingenious, enterprising, innovative, perceptive

candid

adjective 1 truthful and straightforward; frank: his responses were remarkably candid | a candid discussion. Synonyms: frank, outspoken, forthright, blunt, open, honest, truthful, sincere, direct, straightforward 2 (of a photograph of a person) taken informally, especially without the subject's knowledge. it is better to let the photographer mingle among the guests and take candid shots. Synonyms: unposed, informal, uncontrived, unstudied, impromptu

indolent

adjective 1 wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy. they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure. 2 Medicine (of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain. • (especially of an ulcer) slow to develop, progress, or heal; persistent.

cordial

adjective 1 warm and friendly: the atmosphere was cordial and relaxed. 2 strongly felt: I earned his cordial loathing. noun 1 Brit.a sweet fruit-flavoured drink. wine cups and fruit cordials. [ mass noun ] : a tall glass of blackcurrant cordial. • N. Amer. another term for liqueur. 2 a pleasant-tasting medicine.

palpable

adjective able to be touched or felt: the palpable bump at the bridge of the nose. • (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible: a palpable sense of loss. • plain to see or comprehend: to talk of dawn raids in the circumstances is palpable nonsense.

emaciated

adjective abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food: she was so emaciated she could hardly stand.

redemptive

adjective acting to save someone from error or evil: the healing power of redemptive love.

empirical

adjective based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic: they provided considerable empirical evidence to support their argument.

coquettish

adjective behaving in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction; flirtatious: a coquettish grin.

uproarious

adjective characterized by or provoking loud noise or uproar: an uproarious party. • provoking loud laughter; very funny. uproarious humour.

aesthetic

adjective concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty: the pictures give great aesthetic pleasure. • giving or designed to give pleasure through beauty: the law applies to both functional and aesthetic objects. noun [ in sing. ] a set of principles underlying the work of a particular artist or artistic movement: the Cubist aesthetic. Synonyms: decorative, ornamental, graceful, elegant, exquisite, beautiful

unorthodox

adjective contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox: he frequently upset other scholars with his unorthodox views.

reprehensible

adjective deserving censure or condemnation: his complacency and reprehensible laxity.

disparate

adjective essentially different in kind; not able to be compared: they inhabit disparate worlds of thought. • containing elements very different from one another: a culturally disparate country. noun (disparates) archaic things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison.

quixotic

adjective exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical: a vast and perhaps quixotic project.

exuberant

adjective full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness: a noisy bunch of exuberant youngsters. • characterized by a vigorously imaginative artistic style: exuberant, over-the-top sculptures. • literary growing luxuriantly or profusely: exuberant foliage.

magnanimous

adjective generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person: she should be magnanimous in victory.

unstinting

adjective given or giving without restraint; unsparing: he was unstinting in his praise.

perspicacious

adjective having a ready insight into and understanding of things: it offers quite a few facts to the perspicacious reporter. keen or having acute mental abilities.

avid

adjective having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something: an avid reader of science fiction. • (avid for) having an eager desire for: she was avid for information about the murder inquiry.

peevish

adjective having or showing an irritable disposition: a thin peevish voice.

inept

adjective having or showing no skill; clumsy: the referee's inept handling of the match. Synonyms:incompetent, unskilful, unskilled, inexpert, amateurish, crude, rough; clumsy, awkward

stait-laced

adjective having or showing very strict moral attitudes: his strait-laced parents were horrified.

prosaic

adjective having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality: prosaic language can't convey the experience. • commonplace; unromantic: the masses were too preoccupied by prosaic day-to-day concerns.

judicious

adjective having, showing, or done with good judgement or sense: the judicious use of public investment.

reckless

adjective heedless of danger or the consequences of one's actions; rash or impetuous: you mustn't be so reckless | reckless driving.

pristine

adjective in its original condition; unspoilt: pristine copies of an early magazine. • clean and fresh as if new; spotless: a pristine white shirt. Synonyms: immaculate, in perfect condition, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoilt, spotless, flawless, clean

fervidly

adjective intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree: a letter of fervid thanks. • literary burning, hot, or glowing.

scholarly

adjective involving or relating to serious academic study: scholarly journals | a scholarly career. • having or showing knowledge, learning, or devotion to academic pursuits: a scholarly account of the period | an earnest, scholarly man.

irksome

adjective irritating; annoying: an irksome journey | petty regulations were becoming very irksome.

vigilant

adjective keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties: the burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbours.

disjointed

adjective lacking a coherent sequence or connection: piecing together disjointed fragments of information.

desultory

adjective lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm: a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion. • (of conversation or speech) going from one subject to another in a half-hearted way: the desultory conversation faded. • occurring randomly or occasionally: desultory passengers were appearing.

humdrum

adjective lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous: humdrum routine work.

extravagant

adjective lacking restraint in spending money or using resources: it was rather extravagant to buy both. • resulting from or showing a lack of restraint in spending money or resources: extravagant gifts like computer games. • exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; excessive or elaborate: extravagant claims about the merchandise.

inane

adjective lacking sense or meaning; silly: don't badger people with inane questions.

idylic

adjective like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque: an attractive hotel in an idyllic setting.

frolicsome

adjective lively and playful.

lugubrious

adjective looking or sounding sad and dismal: his face looked even more lugubrious than usual.

tumultuous

adjective making an uproar or loud, confused noise: tumultuous applause. • excited, confused, or disorderly: a tumultuous crowd | a tumultuous personal life.

multifarious

adjective many and of various types: multifarious activities. • having many varied parts or aspects: a vast multifarious organization.

sparing

adjective moderate; economical: physicians advised sparing use of the ointment.

unprecedented

adjective never done or known before: the government took the unprecedented step of releasing confidential correspondence. Synonyms: unparalleled, unequalled, unmatched, unrivalled, without parallel, without equal; extraordinary

obstreperous

adjective noisy and difficult to control: the boy is cocky and obstreperous. Synonyms: unruly

sanctimonious

adjective derogatory making a show of being morally superior to other people: what happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first? Synonyms:self-righteous, holier-than-thou, churchy, pious, pietistic, moralizing, unctuous, smug

jaw-dropping

adjective informal amazing: jaw-dropping displays of genius.

overnight

adverb for the duration of a night: they refused to stay overnight. • during the course of a night: you can recharge the battery overnight. • instantly or very quickly: the picture made Wallis famous overnight. adjective [ attrib. ] done, happening, or for use overnight: an overnight stay | an overnight bag. • instant: Tom became an overnight celebrity. verb [ no obj., with adverbial of place ] stay for the night in a particular place: I overnighted at the Beverly Wilshire. • [ with obj. ] N. Amer.convey (goods) at night, so that they arrive the next day: Forster overnighted the sample to headquarters by courier.

patently

adverb [ often as submodifier ] clearly; without doubt: these claims were patently false | the Government's approach had patently failed to address the problem.

asprawl

adverb& adjective sprawling: [ as predic. adj. ] : she lay, legs and arms asprawl.

crop up*

appear, occur, or come to one's notice unexpectedly: some urgent business had cropped up.

turn against (or turn someone against)

become (or cause someone to become) hostile towards: public opinion turned against him.

weigh someone/thing up

carefully assess someone or something: the coach weighed up his team's opponents.

opt out

choose not to participate in something: you can opt out of the state pension scheme. • Brit.(of a school or hospital) decide to withdraw from local authority control. opting out might allow schools greater freedom.

amount to

come to be (the total) when added together: losses amounted to over 10 million pounds. • be regarded or classified as; be the equivalent of: their actions amounted to a conspiracy | what this guy was doing clearly did amount to persecution. • develop into; become: you'll never amount to anything.

lark about/around

enjoy oneself by behaving in a playful and mischievous way: he's always joking and larking about in the office.

binoculars

adjective adapted for or using both eyes: a binocular microscope.

take up (or throw down) the gauntlet

accept (or issue) a challenge.[from the medieval custom of issuing a challenge by throwing one's gauntlet to the ground; whoever picked it up was deemed to have accepted the challenge.]

unshakable

adjective (of a belief, feeling, or opinion) strongly felt and unable to be changed: my unshakeable faith in the goodness of mankind. • unable to be disputed or questioned: an unshakeable alibi.

lullaby

noun (pl.lullabies) a quiet, gentle song sung to send a child to sleep.

pipe down

[ often in imperative ] informal stop talking; be less noisy. pipe down, will you, I'm on the phone.

dorsal

adjectiveAnatomy, Zoology, & Botany on or relating to the upper side or back of an animal, plant, or organ: a dorsal view of the body | the dorsal aorta. Compare with ventral.

redoubtale

adjectiveoften humorous (of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent: he was a redoubtable debater | the redoubtable ladies.

to cap it all

as the final unfortunate incident in a long series: she was on edge, her nerves taut, and to cap it all, she could feel the beginnings of a headache.

run out on you

be mad at you scold you

be keyed up

be nervous, tense, or excited, especially before an important event: he was keyed up at the thought of seeing Rosemary.

sable

black

defiant

bold and disobedient

aspen

noun a poplar tree with small rounded long-stalked leaves that tremble in the breeze.

hinge on

depend entirely on: the future of the industry could hinge on the outcome of next month's election.

draw a blank

elicit no successful response; fail: the search drew a blank.

juxtapose

erb [ with obj. ] place or deal with close together for contrasting effect: black-and-white photos of slums were starkly juxtaposed with colour images.

tut-tut

exclamation expressing disapproval or annoyance: tut-tut, Robin, you disappoint me. noun an exclamation of disapproval or annoyance: tut-tuts of disapproval.

ineptitude

incompetence

let(or blow) off steam

informal get rid of pent-up energy or strong emotion. the kids can let off steam in the gardens while mum and dad have a relaxing drink. sometimes it's good to let off steam by having a good whinge.

keen on

interested in or attracted by (someone or something): Bob makes it obvious he's keen on her.

short of

less than: he died at sixty-one, four years short of his pensionable age. • not reaching as far as. a rocket failure left a satellite tumbling in an orbit far short of its proper position. • without going so far as (some extreme action): short of putting out an all-persons alert, there's little else we can do.

round on

make a sudden verbal attack on: she rounded on me angrily.

square the circle

make an overall assessment of a particular situation, typically before making a decision: he needed a period of peace and quiet in order to take stock of his life.

cloying

means excessively sweet and sentimental.

demurral

mild expression of disapproval

bugaboo

nounchiefly N. Amer. an object of fear or alarm; a bogey. one of the favourite bugaboos, the ticking biological clock.

bank on

rely on confidently: the prime minister cannot bank on their support.

astute

shrewd or clever.

to appoint

sometimes means to provide with furnishings or equipment

in (the) light of

taking (something) into consideration: the exorbitant prices are explainable in the light of the facts.

on edge

tense, nervous, or irritable. never had she felt so on edge before an interview.

fizzle out

their romance will just fizzle out: 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; archaic remit. ANTONYMS flourish.

to conscript

to enroll into service verb |kənˈskrɪpt| [ with obj. ] enlist (someone) compulsorily, typically into the armed services: they were conscripted into the army.

to redeem

to exchange for something of value

ride pillion

travel seated behind a motorcyclist.

synergistic

two or more things working together to create something powerful.

at the behest of

under the command of

etch against

• cause to stand out or be clearly defined or visible: the outline of the town was etched against the sky.

lay

偏意： not associated with a profession or any other particular knowledge.

close call

死里逃生

mantra

noun (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. a mantra is given to a trainee meditator when his teacher initiates him. • a Vedic hymn. her high, sweet voice began chanting the mantra of life. • a statement or slogan repeated frequently: the environmental mantra that energy has for too long been too cheap.

cavalier

noun 1 (Cavalier) historical a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War. 2 archaic a courtly gentleman, especially one acting as a lady's escort. • a horseman, especially a cavalryman. 3 (also Cavalier King Charles)a small spaniel of a breed with a long snout. adjective showing a lack of proper concern; offhand: Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude.

divan

noun 1 (also divan bed)Brit.a bed consisting of a base and mattress but no footboard or headboard. 2 a long, low sofa without a back or arms. 3 historical a legislative body, council chamber, or court of justice in the Ottoman Empire or elsewhere in the Middle East.

latch on to

informal 1 attach oneself to (someone) as a constant and usually unwelcome companion: he spent the whole evening trying to latch on to my friends. • take up (an idea or trend) enthusiastically: the newspapers latched on to the idea of healthy eating. • Brit.(of a football or rugby player) take advantage of (another player's move) when attacking: Nevin latched on to a miscued header to smash home the winning goal. • (of one substance) cohere with (another). the DNA chain latches on to its counterpart. 2 understand the meaning of (something): [ with clause ] : she'll soon latch on to what is happening.

clam up

informal abruptly stop talking. as soon as I ask if any of this can go on the record, he clams up.

snap out of

informal get out of (a bad or unhappy mood) by a sudden effort: come on, Fran—snap out of it!

poke around/about

informal look around a place, typically in search of something: she poked about in the cupboard for a minute or two.

out of the blue

informal without warning; unexpectedly: she phoned me out of the blue.[with reference to a 'blue' (i.e. clear) sky, from which nothing unusual is expected.]

the penny dropped

informal, chiefly Brit.used to indicate that someone has finally realized something. I was about to ask Jack who it was, when the penny suddenly dropped.

whereabouts

interrogativeadverb |wɛːrəˈbaʊts| where or approximately where: whereabouts do you come from?

drown out

(of a sound) make (another sound) inaudible by being much louder: his voice was drowned out by the approaching engine noise.

aft

adverb& adjective at, near, or towards the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft: [ as adv. ] : Travis made his way aft | [ as adj. ] : the aft cargo compartment.

askew

adverb& adjective not in a straight or level position: [ as predic. adj. ] : her hat was slightly askew. • wrong; awry: [ as adv. ] : the plan went sadly askew.

bureaucratization

bureaucratize |bjʊ(ə)ˈrɒkrətʌɪz| (also bureaucratise) verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj.bureaucratized) govern (a state or organization) by an excessively complicated administrative procedure: impersonal and bureaucratized welfare systems.

tease something out

find something out from a mass of irrelevant information: a historian who tries to tease out the truth.

in force

in great strength or numbers: birdwatchers were out in force.

All(just) the same

in spite of this; nevertheless: she knew they had meant it kindly, but it had hurt all the same. • in any case; anyway: thanks all the same, but I've something better to do.

take stock

make an overall assessment of a particular situation, typically before making a decision: he needed a period of peace and quiet in order to take stock of his life.

tamarin

noun a small forest-dwelling South American monkey of the marmoset family, typically brightly coloured and with tufts and crests of hair around the face and neck.

siestas

noun an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate. everyone had a siesta for a few hours.

scowl

noun an angry or bad-tempered expression. she stamped into the room with a scowl on her face. verb [ no obj. ] frown in an angry or bad-tempered way: she scowled at him defiantly.

injunction

noun an authoritative warning or order. • Law a judicial order restraining a person from beginning or continuing an action threatening or invading the legal right of another, or compelling a person to carry out a certain act, e.g. to make restitution to an injured party.

haste

noun [ mass noun ] excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry: working with feverish haste | I write in haste.

vacillaition

noun [ mass noun ] the inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision: the First Minister's vacillation over the affair.

tarpaulin

noun 1 [ mass noun ] heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally of tarred canvas. a stretch of roof is covered with tarpaulin. • [ count noun ] a sheet or covering of tarpaulin. large tarpaulins were pulled over the hold. 2 historical a sailor's tarred or oilskin hat. • archaic a sailor.

boon

noun 1 [ usu. in sing. ] a thing that is helpful or beneficial: the route will be a boon to many travellers. 2 archaic a favour or request.

conduit

noun 1 a channel for conveying water or other fluid: a conduit for conveying water to the power plant. • a person or organization that acts as a channel for the transmission of something: the office acts as a conduit for ideas to flow throughout the organization. 2 a tube or trough for protecting electric wiring: the gas pipe should not be close to any electrical conduit.

chum

noun 1 a close friend. she shared the cake with her chums. an old school chum. 2 used as a friendly or familiar form of address between men or boys: it's your own fault, chum. verb (chums, chumming, chummed) [ no obj. ] form a friendship with someone: his sister chummed up with Sally. • [ with obj. ] Scottishaccompany (someone) somewhere: I'll chum you down the road.

bluebottle

noun 1 a common blowfly with a metallic blue body, the female of which often comes into houses searching for a suitable food source on which to lay her eggs. ●Calliphora vomitoria, family Calliphoridae. 2 Austral. & S. Africanthe Portuguese man-of-war.[so named because of its blue balloon-like float.] 3 Brit.the wild cornflower. 4 Brit. informal, dated a police officer.

hassock*

noun 1 a cushion for kneeling on in church, while at prayer. he collected the prayer books and straightened the hassocks. • N. Amer.a footstool. 2 a firm clump of grass or matted vegetation in marshy or boggy ground.

throttle

noun 1 a device controlling the flow of fuel or power to an engine: the engines were at full throttle. 2 archaic a person's throat, gullet, or windpipe. verb [ with obj. ] 1 attack or kill (someone) by choking or strangling them: she was sorely tempted to throttle him | figurative : the revolution has throttled the free exchange of information and opinion. 2 control (an engine or vehicle) with a throttle. it has two engines that can be throttled. • [ no obj. ] (throttle back or down) reduce the power of an engine or vehicle by use of the throttle. the pitch of the engine fell as the driver throttled back.

let-down

noun 1 a disappointment: the election was a bit of a let-down. 2 [ mass noun ] the release of milk in a nursing mother or lactating animal as a reflex response to suckling or massage. in order to aid let-down do not feed at this time. 3 Aeronautics the descent of an aircraft or spacecraft prior to landing. you might well commence a let-down miles away.

penhouse

noun 1 a flat on the top floor of a tall building, typically one that is luxuriously fitted. 2 archaic an outhouse or shelter with a sloping roof, built on to the side of a building.

undertaking

noun 1 a formal pledge or promise to do something: I give an undertaking that we shall proceed with the legislation. • [ mass noun ] the action of undertaking to do something: the knowing undertaking of an obligation. 2 a task that is taken on; an enterprise: a mammoth undertaking that involved digging into the side of a cliff face. • a company or business: national transport undertakings. 3 [ mass noun ] the business of managing funerals.

syndic

noun 1 a government official in various countries. 2 (in the UK) a business agent of certain universities and corporations, especially a member of a senate committee at Cambridge University.

dipstick

noun 1 a graduated rod for measuring the depth of a liquid, especially oil in a vehicle's engine. 2 informal a stupid or inept person.

jingle

noun 1 a light ringing sound such as that made by metal objects being shaken together. the jingle of a bridle. 2 a short slogan, verse, or tune designed to be easily remembered, especially as used in advertising. he makes up advertising jingles. 3 (also jingle shell)a bivalve mollusc with a fragile, slightly translucent shell.

sedan

noun 1 (also sedan chair)chiefly historical an enclosed chair for conveying one person, carried between horizontal poles by two porters.sedan chair sedan chair 2 chiefly N. Amer.a car for four or more people.

tenement

noun 1 (especially in Scotland or the US) a room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of flats. • (also tenement house)a house divided into and let as separate residences. 2 a piece of land held by an owner. • Law any kind of permanent property, e.g. lands or rents, held from a superior.

one's long suit

noun 1 (in bridge or whist) a holding of several cards of one suit in a hand, typically 5 or more out of the 13. 2 [ usu. with negative ] (one's long suit) one's outstanding personal quality or achievement: tact was not his long suit.

trammel

noun 1 (trammels) literary restrictions or impediments to freedom of action: we will forge our own future, free from the trammels of materialism. 2 (also trammel net)a three-layered dragnet, designed so that a fish entering through one of the large-meshed outer sections will push part of the finer-meshed central section through the large meshes on the further side, forming a pocket in which the fish is trapped. 3 an instrument consisting of a board with two grooves intersecting at right angles, in which the two ends of a beam compass can slide to draw an ellipse.[early 18th cent.: so named because the motion of the beam is 'restricted' by the grooves.] • a beam compass. 4 USa hook in a fireplace for a kettle. verb (trammels, trammelling, trammelled; UStrammels, trammeling, trammeled) [ with obj. ] deprive of freedom of action: those less trammelled by convention than himself.

bib

noun 1 a piece of cloth or plastic fastened round a child's neck to keep its clothes clean while eating. • a loose-fitting sleeveless garment worn on the upper body for identification, especially by competitors and officials at sporting events. the sponsor's name printed on our bibs. • the part above the waist of the front of an apron or pair of dungarees. • a patch of colour on the throat of a bird or other animal. a black bird with a white bib.

diffidence

noun [ mass noun ] modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence: I say this with some diffidence. Synonyms: shyness, bashfulness, unassertiveness, modesty, modestness, self-effacement, humility

outing

noun 1 a trip taken for pleasure, especially one lasting a day or less: a family outing to Weston-super-Mare. • a brief journey from home: her daily outing to the shops. • informal an appearance in something, especially a sporting event or film: Madonna's first screen outing in three years. 2 [ mass noun ] the practice of revealing the homosexuality of a prominent person. the outing of gays by the press.

thug

noun 1 a violent person, especially a criminal: he was attacked by a gang of thugs. 2 (Thug) historical a member of an organization of robbers and assassins in India. Devotees of the goddess Kali, the Thugs waylaid and strangled their victims, usually travellers, in a ritually prescribed manner. They were suppressed by the British in the 1830s.

burg

noun 1 an ancient or medieval fortress or walled town. 2 N. Amer. informal a town or city.

vestibule

noun 1 an antechamber, hall, or lobby next to the outer door of a building. • an enclosed entrance compartment in a railway carriage. 2 Anatomy a chamber or channel opening into another, in particular: • the central cavity of the labyrinth of the inner ear. • the part of the mouth outside the teeth. • the space in the vulva into which both the urethra and vagina open.

compariot

noun a fellow citizen or national of a country. Stich defeated his compatriot Boris Becker in the quarter-finals.

tamborine

noun a percussion instrument resembling a shallow drum with metal discs in slots around the edge, played by being shaken or hit with the hand.

Chauvinist

noun a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism. • a person displaying excessive or prejudiced support for their own cause, group, or sex: she wrote off all the local males as hopeless chauvinists. Synonyms: jingoistic, chauvinistic, excessively patriotic, excessively nationalistic, sectarian, isolationis

entrant

noun a person or group that enters, joins, or takes part in something.

nuisance

noun a person or thing causing inconvenience or annoyance: it's a nuisance having all those people clomping through the house | I hope you're not going to make a nuisance of yourself. • Law an act which is harmful or offensive to the public or a member of it and for which there is a legal remedy. See also private nuisance, public nuisance.

paragon

noun a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality: it would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel viciously jealous. • a person or thing viewed as a model of excellence: your cook is a paragon. • a perfect diamond of 100 carats or more.

captor

noun a person that catches or confines another. he managed to escape from his captors two nights later.

saboteur

noun a person who engages in sabotage.

runaway

noun a person who has run away, especially from their family or an institution. • [ often as modifier ] an animal or vehicle that is running out of control: a runaway train. • [ as modifier ] denoting something happening or done quickly, easily, or uncontrollably: the runaway success of the book.

whistle-blower

noun a person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity.

stickler

noun a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behaviour: he's a stickler for accuracy | I'm a stickler when it comes to timekeeping. a person who insists on something unyieldingly.

imposter

noun a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain. the charity has warned anyone approached by the impostor to contact police immediately.

purveyor

noun a person who sells or deals in particular goods: a purveyor of large luxury vehicles. • a person or group who spreads or promotes an idea, view, etc.: a purveyor of traditional Christian values. Synonyms:seller, vendor, trader, retailer, supplier, provider, stockist, tout, trafficker

demagogue

noun a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument. the Senator was a gifted demagogue, with particular skill in manipulating the press. • (in ancient Greece and Rome) a leader or orator who espoused the cause of the common people. the Athenian demagogues had definite and valuable functions within the state. Synonyms: political agitator, agitator, soapbox orator, firebrand; troublemaker, incendiary

offprint

noun a printed copy of an article that originally appeared as part of a larger publication.

tryst

noun a private romantic rendezvous between lovers: a moonlight tryst. verb [ no obj. ] keep a private, romantic rendezvous with a lover: (as nountrysting) : a trysting place.

regulars

noun a regular customer, member of a team, etc.: pub regulars | the absence of four first-team regulars. • a regular member of the armed forces. the garrison consisted of 200 regulars. • Christian Church one of the regular clergy.

encore

noun a repeated or additional performance of an item at the end of a concert, as called for by an audience. everybody got up on stage for the final encore. Synonyms: repeat performance, extra performance, additional performance, replay

outcrop

noun a rock formation that is visible on the surface: dramatic limestone outcrops.

colonnade

noun a row of evenly spaced columns supporting a roof, an entablature, or arches. • a row of trees or other tall objects.

ringside seat

noun a seat immediately adjacent to a boxing ring. • an advantageous position from which to observe or monitor something. when the war in the air got under way, the site of the bungalow gave an awesome ringside seat of events.

otter

noun a semiaquatic fish-eating mammal of the weasel family, with an elongated body, dense fur, and webbed feet.

stairwell

noun a shaft in a building in which a staircase is built. the stairwell echoed with the sounds of pounding feet.

fanfare

noun a short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments, typically to introduce something or someone important. a specially composed fanfare announced the arrival of the Duchess. • [ mass noun ] media attention or elaborate ceremony: the studio released this film with great fanfare but no commercial success.

privet

noun a shrub of the olive family, with small white heavily scented flowers and poisonous black berries.

sumac

noun a shrub or small tree with compound leaves, reddish hairy fruits in conical clusters, and bright autumn colours.

smattering

noun a slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject: Edward had only a smattering of Welsh. • a small amount of something: a smattering of snow.

clipboard

noun a small board with a spring clip at the top, used for holding papers and providing support for writing. • Computing a temporary storage area where material cut or copied from a file is kept for pasting into another file.

pallet

noun a straw mattress. • a crude or makeshift bed.

spire

noun a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, typically a church tower.spire1 spire1 • the continuation of a tree trunk above the point where branching begins, especially in a tree of a tapering form. • a long tapering object: spires of delphiniums.

mote

noun a tiny piece of a substance; a speck: the tiniest mote of dust.

stork

noun a very tall long-legged wading bird with a long heavy bill and typically with white and black plumage.

catchphrase

noun a well-known sentence or phrase, especially one that is associated with a particular famous person. the movie gave the world the catchphrase 'I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse'.

undercarriage

noun a wheeled structure beneath an aircraft, typically retracted when not in use, which supports the aircraft on the ground. the undercarriage collapsed on landing. • the supporting frame under the body of a vehicle. security guards checked the BMW's undercarriage with a large mirror.

wisecrack

noun a witty remark or joke. she could pinpoint the absurdity of every situation with a snappy wisecrack. verb [ no obj. ] (often as nounwisecracking) make a witty remark or joke: his boisterousness and constant wisecracking.

treatise

noun a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject: his treatise on Scottish political theory.

fledgling

noun a young bird that has just fledged. • [ usu. as modifier ] a person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped: the country's fledgling democracy.

ruse

noun an action intended to deceive someone; a trick: Emma tried to think of a ruse to get Paul out of the house.

confab

noun an informal private conversation or discussion. the men clustered together for a quick confab. • N. Amer.a meeting or conference of members of a particular group. the annual American Booksellers Association confab.

clearing

noun an open space in a forest, especially one cleared for cultivation.

lout

noun an uncouth and aggressive man or boy. he ended up brawling with a lout outside a curry house. drunken louts.

gaffe

noun an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder. in my first few months at work I made some real gaffes. his comments are a major diplomatic gaffe. Synonyms:blunder, mistake, error, slip; indiscretion, impropriety, breach of etiquette, miscalculation

lark

noun something done for fun, especially something mischievous or daring; an amusing adventure or escapade: I only went along for a lark. • [ usu. with modifier ] Brit. informal an activity regarded as foolish or a waste of time: he's serious about this music lark. verb [ no obj. ] (lark about/around) Brit. enjoy oneself by behaving in a playful and mischievous way: he's always joking and larking about in the office.

pigments

noun the natural colouring matter of animal or plant tissue. carotenoid pigments are red, orange, or yellow. [ mass noun ] : the loss of pigment in the skin. • a substance used for colouring or painting, especially a dry powder, which when mixed with oil, water, or another medium constitutes a paint or ink. all the frescoes are painted with earth pigments.

lapel

noun the part on each side of a coat or jacket immediately below the collar which is folded back on either side of the front opening.

circumlocution

noun the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive: his admission came after years of circumlocution | he used a number of poetic circumlocutions.

ballad

noun 1 a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next. 2 a slow sentimental or romantic song.

scaffold

noun 1 a raised wooden platform used formerly for the public execution of criminals. 2 a structure made using scaffolding. [ as modifier ] : scaffold boards. verb [ with obj. ] attach scaffolding to (a building): (as adj.scaffolded) : the soot-black scaffolded structure.

cupola

noun 1 a rounded dome forming or adorning a roof or ceiling.cupola cupola a square tower crowned by a cupola. the gilded cupola was supported by caryatids. 2 a gun turret. 3 (also cupola furnace)a cylindrical furnace for refining metals, with openings at the bottom for blowing in air and originally with a dome leading to a chimney above.

hangover

noun 1 a severe headache or other after-effects caused by drinking an excess of alcohol. 2 a custom, habit, feeling, etc. that survives from the past: this feeling of insecurity was in part a hangover from her schooldays.

antipathy

noun (pl.antipathies) [ mass noun ] a deep-seated feeling of aversion: his fundamental antipathy to capitalism.

bogeyman

noun (pl.bogeymen) an imaginary evil spirit, used to frighten children. • a person or thing that is widely regarded as an object of fear: nuclear power is the environmentalists' bogeyman.

codice

noun (pl.codices |ˈkəʊdɪsiːz, ˈkɒd-| or codexes) 1 an ancient manuscript text in book form. [ in names ] : the great legal compilation known as the Codex Euricianus. 2 an official list of medicines, chemicals, etc.

eulogy

noun (pl.eulogies) a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to someone who has just died: a eulogy to the Queen Mother.

eventuality

noun (pl.eventualities) a possible event or outcome: be prepared for all eventualities. Synonyms:event, incident, occurrence, happening, development, phenomenon, thing, situation, circumstance, case

faculty

noun (pl.faculties) 1 an inherent mental or physical power: her critical faculties | the faculty of sight. • an aptitude for doing something: his faculty for taking the initiative. 2 a group of university departments concerned with a major division of knowledge: the Faculty of Arts | the law faculty. • [ in sing. ] the teaching or research staff of a group of university departments, or (N. Amer.) of a university or college, viewed as a body. there were then no tenured women on the faculty. • dated the members of a particular profession, especially medicine, considered collectively. 3 a licence or authorization from a Church authority. the vicar introduced certain ornaments without the necessary faculty to do so.

farrago

noun (pl.farragosor USfarragoes) a confused mixture: a farrago of fact and myth about Abraham Lincoln.

felicity

noun (pl.felicities) [ mass noun ] 1 intense happiness: domestic felicity. 2 the ability to find appropriate expression for one's thoughts: he exposed the kernel of the matter with his customary elegance and felicity. • [ count noun ] a particularly effective feature of a work of literature or art: a book full of minor felicities.

folly

noun (pl.follies) 1 [ mass noun ] lack of good sense; foolishness: an act of sheer folly. • [ count noun ] a foolish act, idea, or practice: the follies of youth. 2 a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park. 3 (Follies)a theatrical revue with glamorous female performers: [ in names ] : the Ziegfeld Follies. Synonyms:foolishness, foolhardiness, stupidity, idiocy, imbecility, silliness, inanity, lunacy, madness

hypocrisy

noun (pl.hypocrisies) [ mass noun ] the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case. his target was the hypocrisy of suburban life. she was irritated to be accused of hypocrisy. spokesmen unversed in the smoother hypocrisies of diplomacy.

monstrosity

noun (pl.monstrosities) 1 a thing, especially a building, which is very large and unsightly: the shopping centre, a multi-storey monstrosity of raw concrete. • a grossly malformed animal or plant. 2 a thing which is outrageously evil or wrong: how could anyone be capable of such monstrosities? 3 [ mass noun ] the state or fact of being monstrous. had my tone of reason in the face of monstrosity finally registered?

rumpus

noun (pl.rumpuses) informal a noisy disturbance; a row: he caused a rumpus with his flair for troublemaking.

synopsize

noun (pl.synopses |-siːz| ) a brief summary or general survey of something: a synopsis of the insurance cover provided is set out below. • an outline of the plot of a play, film, or book.

vagary

noun (pl.vagaries) (usu. vagaries) an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behaviour: the vagaries of the weather. Synonyms: quirk, idiosyncrasy, peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, unpredictability, fluctuation, foible, whim

brunt

noun (the brunt) the worst part or chief impact of a specified action: education will bear the brunt of the cuts.

gamut

noun (the gamut) 1 the complete range or scope of something: the whole gamut of human emotion. 2 Music a complete scale of musical notes; the range of a voice or instrument. the orchestral gamut. • historical a scale consisting of seven overlapping hexachords, containing all the recognized notes used in medieval music, covering almost three octaves from bass G to treble E. • historical the lowest note in the gamut scale. Synonyms:range, spectrum, span, sweep, compass, scope, area, breadth

aspersion

noun (usu. aspersions) an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something: I don't think anyone is casting aspersions on you.

avant-garde

noun (usu. the avant-garde) new and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature: he has been called a promoter of the avant-garde. • a group of artists, musicians, or writers working with new and experimental ideas and methods: works by artists of the Russian avant-garde.

non-com

noun Military, informal a non-commissioned officer.

dressing-down

noun [ in sing. ] informal a severe reprimand: the secretary received a public dressing-down.

ambrosia

noun [ mass noun ] 1 Greek & Roman Mythology the food of the gods. • something very pleasing to taste or smell: the tea was ambrosia after the slop I'd been suffering. 2 a fungal product used as food by ambrosia beetles. 3 another term for bee bread.

umbrage

noun [ mass noun ] 1 offence or annoyance: she took umbrage at his remarks. 2 archaic shade or shadow, especially as cast by trees.

dross

noun [ mass noun ] 1 something regarded as worthless; rubbish: there are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross. 2 foreign matter, dregs, or mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal. alchemists tried to create gold from dross.

consumption

noun [ mass noun ] 1 the action of using up a resource: industrialized countries should reduce their energy consumption. • the action of eating or drinking something: liquor is sold for consumption off the premises. • [ in sing. ] an amount of something which is used up or ingested: a daily consumption of 15 cigarettes. • the purchase of goods and services by the public. industry faced a serious challenge in trying to stimulate consumption. • the reception of information or entertainment by a mass audience: his confidential speech was not meant for public consumption. 2 dated a wasting disease, especially pulmonary tuberculosis. his mother had died of consumption.

scum

noun [ mass noun ] a layer of dirt or froth on the surface of a liquid: green scum found on stagnant pools. • informal a worthless or contemptible person or group of people: you drug dealers are the scum of the earth. verb (scums, scumming, scummed) [ with obj. ] form a layer of dirt or froth on (a liquid): litter scummed the surface of the water. • [ no obj. ] (of a liquid) become covered with a layer of dirt or froth: the lagoon scummed over.

pathos

noun [ mass noun ] a quality that evokes pity or sadness: the actor injects his customary humour and pathos into the role.

nostalgia

noun [ mass noun ] a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past: I was overcome with acute nostalgia for my days at university. • something done or presented in order to evoke feelings of nostalgia: an evening of TV nostalgia. Synonyms:wistfulness, longing/yearning/pining for the past, regret, regretfulness

respite

noun [ mass noun ] a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant: the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [ in sing. ] : a brief respite from the heat. • a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out. a Letter of Licence, by which creditors agreed to postpone claims, brought only temporary respite. verb. postpone (a sentence, obligation, etc.): the execution was only respited a few months. • archaic grant a respite to (someone, especially a person condemned to death). some poor criminal ... from the gibbet or the wheel, respited for a day. Synonyms:rest, break, breathing space, interval, intermission, interlude, recess, lull

indigence

noun [ mass noun ] a state of extreme poverty; destitution: he did valuable work towards the relief of indigence. Synonyms:poverty, penury, impoverishment, impecuniousness, impecuniosity, destitution, pennilessness

pedantry

noun [ mass noun ] excessive concern with minor details and rules: to object to this is not mere pedantry.

debauchery

noun [ mass noun ] excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol, or drugs.

bereavement

noun [ mass noun ] the action or condition of being bereaved: there is no right way to experience bereavement | [ count noun ] : the family suffered a sad bereavement. Synonyms: loss, deprivation, dispossession, privation; grief, sorrow, sadness, suffering, hurt, trauma

alteration

noun [ mass noun ] the action or process of altering or being altered: careful alteration of old buildings | [ count noun ] : alterations had to be made. Synonyms:change, adjustment, adaptation, modification, variation, conversion, revision, amendment

innovation

noun [ mass noun ] the action or process of innovating. innovation is crucial to the continuing success of any organization. • [ count noun ] a new method, idea, product, etc.: technological innovations designed to save energy. Synonyms:change, alteration, revolution, upheaval, transformation, metamorphosis

penmanship

noun [ mass noun ] the art or skill of writing by hand. exercises in penmanship. • a person's handwriting.

anthropomorphism

noun [ mass noun ] the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object.

prescience

noun [ mass noun ] the fact of knowing something in advance; foreknowledge: with extraordinary prescience, Jung actually predicted the Nazi eruption.

complicity

noun [ mass noun ] the fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong: they were accused of complicity in the attempt to overthrow the government.

banter

noun [ mass noun ] the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks: there was much good-natured banter. verb [ no obj. ] exchange remarks in a good-humoured teasing way: the men bantered with the waitresses | (as adj.bantering) : a bantering tone.

desirability

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being desirable: we agree on the desirability of a negotiated settlement. Synonyms: attractiveness, allure; agreeableness, worth, eligibility

prudence

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being prudent; cautiousness: we need to exercise prudence in such important matters. Synonyms:wisdom, judgement, good judgement, judiciousness, sagacity

tranquility

noun [ mass noun ] the quality or state of being tranquil; calm: passing cars are the only noise that disturbs the tranquillity of rural life.

cartography

noun [ mass noun ] the science or practice of drawing maps.

asseveration

noun [ mass noun ] the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something: I fear that you offer only unsupported asseveration | [ count noun ] : the dogmatic outlook marks many of his asseverations.

disrepute

noun [ mass noun ] the state of being held in low esteem by the public: one of the top clubs in the country is bringing the game into disrepute.

mendacity

noun [ mass noun ] untruthfulness: people publicly castigated for past mendacity. Synonyms: lying, untruthfulness, dishonesty, deceit, deceitfulness, deception, dissembling, insincerity, disingenuousness, hypocrisy, fraud, fraudulence

perfidy

noun [ mass noun ] the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy. it was an example of his perfidy. Hapsburg perfidy. Synonyms:duplicity, deceit, perfidiousness, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness

quicksand

noun [ mass noun ] (also quicksands) loose wet sand that yields easily to pressure and sucks in anything resting on or falling into it. it's best to travel with a local as there are quicksands. • a bad or dangerous situation from which it is hard to escape: John found himself sinking fast in financial quicksand.

spelunking

noun [ mass noun ] N. Amer. the exploration of caves, especially as a hobby. Neil spoke of the virginal spelunking in the mountains. [ as modifier ] : a spelunking tour at Luray Caverns.

styrofoam

noun [ mass noun ] trademark a kind of expanded polystyrene used especially for making food containers. [ as modifier ] : styrofoam burger boxes.

penchant

noun [ usu. in sing. ] a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something: he has a penchant for adopting stray dogs.

crackdown

noun [ usu. in sing. ] severe measures to restrict or discourage undesirable or illegal people or behavior: a crackdown on crime and corruption.

cave in (or cave something in)

(with reference to a roof or similar structure) subside or collapse, or cause something to do this: the tunnel walls caved in | storms caved the roof in. Len's club would have caved his skull in. • yield or submit under pressure: the manager caved in to his demands.

whip something up

1 cause water, sand, etc., to rise up and be flung about in a violent manner: the sea was whipped up by a force-nine gale. • stimulate a particular feeling in someone: we tried hard to whip up interest in the products. 2 make or prepare something, typically something to eat, very quickly.

out of bounds

1 outside the part of a sports field or court in which play is conducted. he hit his third shot out of bounds at the 17th. 2 outside the limits of where one is permitted to be: his kitchen was out of bounds to me at mealtimes. • beyond what is acceptable: Paul felt that this conversation was getting out of bounds.

despair

1.noun [ mass noun ] the complete loss or absence of hope: a voice full of self-hatred and despair | in despair, I hit the bottle. 2.verb [ no obj. ] lose or be without hope: we should not despair | she despaired of finding a good restaurant nearby. Synonyms: hopelessness, desperation, distress, anguish, pain, unhappiness

get up to

Brit. informal be involved in (typically something illicit or surprising): what did you get up to last weekend?

much around/about

Brit. informal behave in a silly or aimless way: we just muck around in training and have a laugh.

bucket down

Brit. informal rain heavily. it was still bucketing down.

be cut out for (or to be)

[ usu. with negative ] informal have exactly the right qualities for a particular role or job: I'm just not cut out to be a policeman.

duplicitous

adjective 1 deceitful: a duplicitous philanderer. 2 Law (of a charge or plea) containing more than one allegation.

cheeky

adjective (cheekier, cheekiest) impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way: a cheeky grin.

set on(or upon)

attack (someone) violently: he and his friends were set upon by a gang.

set off

begin a journey: they set off together in the small car.

have a go at

chiefly Brit.attack or criticize (someone). she's always having a go at me.

mop something up (also mop up)

complete the military conquest of an area by capturing or killing remaining enemy troops: troops mopped up the last pockets of resistance.

squirrel sth away

hide money or something of value in a safe place: the money was squirrelled away in foreign bank accounts.

to the fore

in or to a conspicuous or leading position: the succession issue came to the fore.

be tuned in to

informal be sensitive to or able to understand something: it's important to be tuned in to your child's needs.

strive for oneself

manage as best one can without help.

hassock

noun 1 a cushion for kneeling on in church, while at prayer. he collected the prayer books and straightened the hassocks. • N. Amer.a footstool. 2 a firm clump of grass or matted vegetation in marshy or boggy ground.

comber

noun 1 a long curling sea wave. the combers, glassy blue-green, moved slowly in. 2 a person or machine that prepares cotton or wool for manufacture by separating and straightening the fibres.

rucksack

noun a bag with shoulder straps which allow it to be carried on someone's back, typically made of a strong, waterproof material and widely used by hikers.

dirge

noun a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. • a mournful song, piece of music, or sound. singers chanted dirges. figurative : the wind howled dirges around the chimney. • informal a song or piece of music that is considered too slow, miserable, or boring. after his ten-minute dirge, the audience booed.

hangar

noun a large building with an extensive floor area, typically for housing aircraft. verb [ with obj. ] house (an aircraft) in a hangar.

charlatan

noun a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill. a self-confessed con artist and charlatan.

exhibitionistic

noun a person who behaves in an extravagant way in order to attract attention: I am something of an exhibitionist.

tipster

noun a person who gives tips, especially about the likely winner of a race or contest, and especially for a fee.

hypochondriac

noun a person who is abnormally anxious about their health.

philistine

noun a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them: I am a complete philistine when it comes to paintings. adjective hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts: a philistine government | there were displays to inspire even the most philistine of visitors.

pin-up

noun a poster showing a famous or attractive person. • a person featured in a pin-up.

trinket

noun a small ornament or item of jewellery that is of little value.

culvert

noun a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway. verb [ with obj. ] channel (a stream or drain) through a culvert. we have asked for the river to be culverted. (as adj. culverted) : a culverted drain.

hearse

noun a vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral.

sidearms

noun a weapon worn at a person's side, such as a pistol or formerly a sword.

spiel

noun an elaborate or glib speech or story, typically one used by a salesperson. he delivers a breathless and effortless spiel in promotion of his new novel. verb [ with obj. ] reel off; recite: he solemnly spieled all he knew. • [ no obj. ] speak glibly or at length. the barman spiels on the phone to his girlfriends.

skirmish

noun an episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, especially between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets. the unit was caught in several skirmishes and the commanding officer was killed. • a short argument: there was a skirmish over the budget. verb [ no obj. ] (often as nounskirmishing) engage in a skirmish: reports of skirmishing along the border.

emcumbrance

noun an impediment or burden. the horse raised its hind leg as if to rid itself of an encumbrance. [ mass noun ] : for parents, childhood is too long a period of encumbrance. • Law a mortgage or other claim on property or assets. details of encumbrances on property. • archaic a person, especially a child, who is dependent on someone else for support Synonyms: hindrance, obstruction, obstacle, impediment, restraint, constraint, handicap, inconvenience

dusk

noun the darker stage of twilight: dusk was falling rapidly | working the land from dawn to dusk. • [ mass noun ] literary semi-darkness: the dusk of the vestry.

twaddle

noun trivial or foolish speech or writing; nonsense: he dismissed the novel as self-indulgent twaddle. verb [ no obj. ] archaic talk or write in a trivial or foolish way: what is that old fellow twaddling about?

conumdrum

noun (pl. conundrums) a confusing and difficult problem or question: one of the most difficult conundrums for the experts. • a question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a riddle.

itinerary

noun (pl. itineraries) a planned route or journey. • a travel document recording these.

consonance

noun [ mass noun ] agreement or compatibility between opinions or actions: consonance between conservation measures and existing agricultural practice | a constitution in consonance with the people's customs. • the recurrence of similar-sounding consonants in close proximity, especially in prosody. the abrupt quality of the sound is echoed in the final 't' consonance of 'discreet' and 'shut'. • Music a combination of notes which are in harmony with each other due to the relationship between their frequencies. all music creates tension and release, dissonance and consonance. [ count noun ] : the tendency to place strong consonances in lower parts.

acrimony

noun [ mass noun ] bitterness or ill feeling: the AGM dissolved into acrimony. Synonyms:bitterness, rancour, resentment, ill feeling, ill will, bad blood, animosity, hostility, enmity, antagonism

rancor

noun [ mass noun ] bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long standing: he spoke without rancour.

equanimity

noun [ mass noun ] calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation: she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity.

xenophobia

noun [ mass noun ] intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. racism and xenophobia are steadily growing in Europe.

malfeasance

noun [ mass noun ] Law wrongdoing, especially (US) by a public official.

settee

nounBrit. a long upholstered seat for more than one person, typically with a back and arms.

reel something off

say or recite something very rapidly and without apparent effort: she proceeded to reel off the various dishes of the day.

to conflate

to join/to combine

to denude

to make bare

bide one's time

wait quietly for a good opportunity to do something: she patiently bided her time before making an escape bid.

avocation

noun formal a hobby or minor occupation. they are basically doctors, and negotiators by avocation.

behest

noun literary a person's orders or command: they had assembled at his behest.

ornament

noun |ˈɔːnəm(ə)nt| 1 a thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine: tables covered with ornaments and books. • [ mass noun ] decoration added to embellish something: Gothic buildings notable for their finely detailed ornament. • a quality or person adding grace, beauty, or honour to something: sense of humour is an ornament to character. • (ornaments) Music embellishments made to a melody. the composer marked the vocal part with many aspirations, accents, and other ornaments. 2 (usu. ornaments) Christian Church the accessories of worship, such as the altar, chalice, and sacred vessels.

pogo

noun(also pogo stick) (pl.pogos) a toy for jumping about on, consisting of a long, spring-loaded pole with a handle at the top and rests for a person's feet near the bottom. verb (pogoes, pogoing, pogoed) [ no obj. ] informal jump up and down as if on a pogo stick as a form of dancing to rock music, especially punk. everyone was pogoing like crazy to The Sex Pistols. (as noun pogoing) : old favourites went down well with much thumping of the air and pogoing.

bum

nounN. Amer. 1 a vagrant. bums had been known to wander up to their door and ask for a sandwich. • a lazy or worthless person: you ungrateful bum! 2 [ in combination ] a person who devotes a great deal of time to a specified activity: a ski bum. verb (bums, bumming, bummed) 1 [ no obj. ] (usu. bum around) travel with no particular purpose: he bummed around Florida for a few months. • pass one's time idly: students bumming around at university. 2 [ with obj. ] get by asking or begging: they tried to bum quarters off us. 3 [ with obj. ] (usu. be bummed out) N. Amer.make (someone) feel upset or disappointed. everybody was totally bummed out because I wasn't there. (as adj. bummed-out) : Johnny is a rebel—a busted, bummed-out rebel.

plebe

nounUS informal a newly entered cadet or freshman, especially at a military or naval academy. [ as modifier ] : my plebe year was the only year in which I did not feel like an unwelcome minority.

accidental

occurring unexpectedly or by chance. adjective 1 happening by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly: a verdict of accidental death | the damage might have been accidental. 2 incidental; subsidiary: the location is accidental and contributes nothing to the poem. 3 Philosophy (in Aristotelian thought) relating to or denoting properties which are not essential to a thing's nature. noun 1 Music a sign indicating a momentary departure from the key signature by raising or lowering a note. horn parts are usually written without key signature, the necessary accidentals being added. 2 Ornithology another term for vagrant.

on the spur of the moment

on impulse; without planning in advance: I don't generally do things on the spur of the moment | [ as modifier ] : a spur-of-the-moment decision.

mill around/about

people were milling about in the streets: throng, swarm, seethe, crowd, stream, surge.

bushwhack

verb 1 [ no obj. ] (often as nounbushwhacking) N. Amer. & Austral./NZlive or travel in bush country. I have not seen a bear yet after seven days of bushwhacking. • [ with adverbial of direction ] cut or push one's way through dense vegetation: he'd bushwhacked down the steep slopes. • work clearing scrub and felling trees in bush country. 2 [ no obj. ] N. Amer.engage in guerrilla warfare. • [ with obj. ] surprise (someone) by attacking them from a hidden place; ambush.

belch

verb 1 [ no obj. ] emit wind noisily from the stomach through the mouth. pardon me for belching. 2 [ with obj. ] (especially of a chimney) send out large amounts of (smoke or flames): a factory chimney belches out smoke. • [ no obj. ] (belch from) (of smoke or flames) pour out from (a chimney or other opening): flames belch from the wreckage.

incubate

verb 1 [ with obj. ] (of a bird) sit on (eggs) in order to keep them warm and bring them to hatching. • (in a laboratory or other controlled situation) keep (eggs, bacteria, embryos, etc.) at a suitable temperature so that they develop. the samples were incubated at 80°C for 3 minutes. • N. Amer.give support and aid the development of (a new small business). 2 (be incubating something) be developing an infectious disease before symptoms appear: the possibility that she was incubating early syphilis. • [ no obj. ] develop slowly without outward or perceptible signs: the BSE bug incubates for around three years.

to confer

to give to/to bestow upon verb (confers, conferring, conferred) 1 [ with obj. ] grant (a title, degree, benefit, or right): the Minister may have exceeded the powers conferred on him by Parliament. 2 [ no obj. ] have discussions; exchange opinions: the officials were conferring with allies.

to deprive

to take away or withhold

out of the question

too impracticable or unlikely to merit discussion.

trundle

verb (with reference to a wheeled vehicle or its occupants) move or cause to move slowly and heavily: [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] : ten vintage cars trundled past | [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] : we trundled a wheelbarrow down to the river and collected driftwood. • [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (of a person) move heavily and slowly: she heard him coughing as he trundled out. noun [ in sing. ] an act of moving slowly or heavily. the journey was just a trundle around the Northern line.

contend

verb 1 [ no obj. ] (contend with/against) struggle to surmount (a difficulty): she had to contend with his uncertain temper. • (contend for) compete with others in a struggle to achieve (something): factions within the government were contending for the succession to the presidency. 2 [ with clause ] assert something as a position in an argument: he contends that the judge was wrong.

swoop

verb 1 [ no obj. ] (especially of a bird) move rapidly downward through the air: the barn owl can swoop down on a mouse in total darkness | the aircraft swooped in to land. • carry out a sudden attack, especially in order to make a capture or arrest: investigators swooped on the Graf family home. 2 [ with obj. ] informal seize with a sweeping motion: she swooped up the hen in her arms. noun a swooping or snatching movement or action: four members were arrested following a swoop by detectives on their homes.

snog

verb (snogs, snogging, snogged) [ no obj. ] kiss and cuddle amorously: the pair were snogging on the sofa | [ with obj. ] : he snogged my girl at a party.

swig

verb (swigs, swigging, swigged) [ with obj. ] drink in large draughts: Dave swigged the wine in five gulps | [ no obj. ] : Ratagan swigged at his beer.

whinge

verb (whinges, whingeing or whinging, whinged) [ no obj. ] complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way: stop whingeing and get on with it! | (as adj.whingeing) : a whingeing killjoy. noun an act of complaining persistently and peevishly: she let off steam by having a good whinge.

relapse

verb [ no obj. ] (of a sick or injured person) deteriorate after a period of improvement. two of the patients in remission relapsed after 48 months. • (relapse into) return to (a less active or a worse state): he relapsed into silence. noun |also ˈriːlaps| a deterioration in someone's state of health after a temporary improvement: he responded well to treatment, but then suffered a relapse.

wallow

verb [ no obj. ] 1 (chiefly of large mammals) roll about or lie in mud or water, especially to keep cool or avoid biting insects: there were watering places where buffalo liked to wallow. • (of a boat or aircraft) roll from side to side: a ship wallowing in stormy seas. 2 (wallow in) (of a person) indulge in an unrestrained way in (something that one finds pleasurable): I was wallowing in the luxury of the hotel | he had been wallowing in self-pity. noun 1 an act of wallowing: a wallow in nostalgia. 2 a depression containing mud or shallow water, formed by the wallowing of large mammals. a buffalo wallow.

dote

verb [ no obj. ] 1 (dote on/upon) be extremely and uncritically fond of: she doted on her two young children. 2 archaic be silly or feeble-minded, especially as a result of old age: the parson is now old and dotes.

rankling

verb [ no obj. ] 1 (of a comment or fact) cause continuing annoyance or resentment: the casual manner of his dismissal still rankles. • [ with obj. ] annoy or irritate (someone): Lisa was rankled by his assertion. 2 archaic (of a wound or sore) continue to be painful; fester. the wound is but skinned over and rankles still at the bottom.

stoop

verb [ no obj. ] 1 bend one's head or body forwards and downwards: he stooped down and reached towards the coin | Linda stooped to pick up the bottles | [ with obj. ] : the man stoops his head. • have the head and shoulders habitually bent forwards: he tends to stoop when he walks | (as adj.stooping) : a thin, stooping figure | (as adj.stooped) : a stooped old man. 2 lower one's moral standards so far as to do something reprehensible: Craig wouldn't stoop to thieving | she was unwilling to believe that anyone could stoop so low as to steal from a dead woman. • [ with infinitive ] archaic condescend to do something: the princes now and then stooped to pay a nominal homage. 3 (of a bird of prey) swoop down on a quarry. we witnessed an eagle stooping on its prey.

aquiesce

verb [ no obj. ] accept something reluctantly but without protest: Sara acquiesced in his decision.

conspire

verb [ no obj. ] make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act: they conspired against him | [ with infinitive ] : they deny conspiring to defraud the Inland Revenue. • [ with infinitive ] (of events or circumstances) seem to be working together to bring about a particular negative result: everything conspires to exacerbate the situation.

dispatch

verb [ with obj. ] 1 send off to a destination or for a purpose: he dispatched messages back to base | [ with obj. and infinitive ] : the government dispatched 150 police to restore order. 2 deal with (a task or opponent) quickly and efficiently: the Welsh team were dispatched comfortably by the opposition. • kill: he dispatched the animal with one blow. noun 1 [ mass noun ] the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose: a resolution authorizing the dispatch of a peacekeeping force. • promptness and efficiency: the situation might change, so he should proceed with dispatch. 2 an official report on state or military affairs: in his battle dispatch he described the gunner's bravery. • a report sent in from abroad by a journalist. he conducted meetings for the correspondents and censored their dispatches. 3 [ mass noun ] the killing of someone or something: the executioner's merciful dispatch of his victims.

bolster

verb [ with obj. ] 1 support or strengthen: the fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confidence. 2 provide (a seat) with padded support: (as adj.bolstered) : I snuggled down into the heavily bolstered seat Synonyms: strengthen, support, reinforce, make stronger, boost, fortify, give a boost to; prop up, buoy up, shore up

exalt

verb [ with obj. ] 1 think or speak very highly of (someone or something): the party will continue to exalt their hero. 2 raise to a higher rank or position: this naturally exalts the peasant above his brethren in the same rank of society. • make noble in character; dignify: romanticism liberated the imagination and exalted the emotions.

corroborate

verb [ with obj. ] confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding): the witness had corroborated the boy's account of the attack. Synonyms:confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, back, uphold, stand by

juggle

verb [ with obj. ] continuously toss into the air and catch (a number of objects) so as to keep at least one in the air while handling the others: Charles juggled five tangerines, his hands a frantic blur | [ no obj. ] : he can't juggle. • cope with by adroitly balancing (several activities): she works full time, juggling her career with raising children. • organize (information or figures) in order to give a particular impression: the average first-time buyer spends many hours juggling figures as they try to budget for their first home. defence chiefs juggled the figures on bomb tests.

absolution

verb [ with obj. ] declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment: the pardon absolved them of any crimes. • (in church use) give absolution for (a sin). she asked the bishop to absolve her sins.

disconcert

verb [ with obj. ] disturb the composure of; unsettle: the abrupt change of subject disconcerted her | (as adj.disconcerted) : Keith looked momentarily disconcerted.

compartmentalize

verb [ with obj. ] divide into discrete sections or categories: he had the ability to compartmentalize his life.

solemnize

verb [ with obj. ] duly perform (a ceremony, especially that of marriage). they needed only to find a priest to solemnize their marriage. the sacred theatre in which rites of initiation were solemnized. • mark (an event) with a formal ceremony. she made the promise which was solemnized by the local 'witch doctor'. Synonyms:perform, celebrate, ceremonialize; formalize

incite

verb [ with obj. ] encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior): the offense of inciting racial hatred. • urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: he incited loyal subjects to rebellion.

paraphrase

verb [ with obj. ] express the meaning of (something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity: you can either quote or paraphrase literary texts. noun a rewording of something written or spoken. scattered here and there in the text are frank paraphrases of lines from Virgil, Cicero, and Quintilian. [ mass noun ] : it is characteristic of poetic metaphors that they are not susceptible to paraphrase.

renounce

verb [ with obj. ] formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession): Isabella offered to renounce her son's claim to the French Crown. • [ no obj. ] Law refuse or resign a right or position, especially one as an heir or trustee: there will be forms enabling the allottee to renounce. • refuse to continue to recognize or abide by: these agreements were renounced after the fall of the Tsarist regime. • reject or abandon (a cause, bad habit, or way of life): they renounced the armed struggle | he renounced alcohol completely. PHRASES renounce the world completely withdraw from society in order to lead a more spiritually fulfilling life. she renounced the world and went to work in a leper colony.

extricate

verb [ with obj. ] free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty: he was trying to extricate himself from official duties.

invigorate

verb [ with obj. ] give strength or energy to: the shower had invigorated her. Synonyms: energize, refresh, revive, vivify, brace, rejuvenate, enliven, liven up, perk up, wake up, animate, galvanize

embroil

verb [ with obj. ] involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation: the organization is currently embroiled in running battles with pressure groups | the film's about a journalist who becomes embroiled with a nightclub owner. • archaic bring into a state of confusion or disorder. what merit do you claim for having embroiled everything in which you are concerned?

exasperate

verb [ with obj. ] irritate intensely; infuriate: this futile process exasperates prison officials | (as adj. exasperated) : she grew exasperated with his inability to notice anything.

asphyxiate

verb [ with obj. ] kill (someone) by depriving them of air: they were asphyxiated by the carbon monoxide fumes. • [ no obj. ] die by being deprived of air: they slowly asphyxiated. Synonyms:choke (to death), suffocate, smother, stifle; kill; throttle, strangle, strangulate

bequeath

verb [ with obj. ] leave (property) to a person or other beneficiary by a will: he bequeathed his art collection to the town. • pass (something) on or leave (something) to someone else: he ditched the unpopular policies bequeathed to him.

maroon*

verb [ with obj. ] leave (someone) trapped and alone in an inaccessible place, especially an island: a novel about schoolboys marooned on a desert island.

impoverish

verb [ with obj. ] make (a person or area) poor: the wars had impoverished him | (as adj.impoverished) : impoverished villages. • exhaust the strength or vitality of: the soil was impoverished by annual burning | (as adj.impoverished) : an impoverished and debased language.

exacerbate

verb [ with obj. ] make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse: rising inflation was exacerbated by the collapse of oil prices. Synonyms:aggravate, make worse, worsen, inflame, compound; intensify, increase, heighten, magnify, add to, amplify

rejuvenate

verb [ with obj. ] make (someone or something) look or feel better, younger, or more vital: a bid to rejuvenate the town centre | (as adj.rejuvenating) : the rejuvenating effects of therapeutic clay. • (often as adj.rejuvenated) restore (a river or stream) to a condition characteristic of a younger landscape. a rejuvenated stream.

incriminating

verb [ with obj. ] make (someone) appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing: he refused to answer questions in order not to incriminate himself | (as adj.incriminating) : incriminating evidence. Synonyms:implicate, involve; blame, accuse, denounce, inform against, blacken the name of; entrap; informal frame, set up

placate

verb [ with obj. ] make (someone) less angry or hostile: they attempted to placate the students with promises.

embellish

verb [ with obj. ] make (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features: blue silk embellished with golden embroidery. • make (a statement or story) more interesting by adding extra details that are often untrue: followers often embellish stories about their heroes.

assail

verb [ with obj. ] make a concerted or violent attack on: the Scots army assailed Edward's army from the rear. • (of an unpleasant feeling or physical sensation) come upon (someone) suddenly and strongly: she was assailed by doubts and regrets. • criticize strongly. he assailed a group of editors for their alleged excesses.

divulge

verb [ with obj. ] make known (private or sensitive information): I am too much of a gentleman to divulge her age. Synonyms:disclose, reveal, make known, tell, impart, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim

constrict

verb [ with obj. ] make narrower, especially by encircling pressure: chemicals that constrict the blood vessels | (as adj.constricted) : constricted air passages. • [ no obj. ] become narrower: he felt his throat constrict. • (of a snake) coil round (prey) in order to asphyxiate it. boas constrict and suffocate their prey. • inhibit or restrict: the fear and the reality of crime constrict many people's lives.

emulate

verb [ with obj. ] match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation: most rulers wished to emulate Alexander the Great. • imitate: hers is not a hairstyle I wish to emulate. • Computing reproduce the function or action of (a different computer, software system, etc.). the adaptor is factory set to emulate a Hercules graphics board.

customization

verb [ with obj. ] modify (something) to suit a particular individual or task: the software can be customized to the developing needs of your students | (as adj.customized) : many caterers offer private tastings and customized menus.

commandeer

verb [ with obj. ] officially take possession or control of (something), especially for military purposes: a nearby house had been commandeered by the army. • take possession of (something) by force: the truck was commandeered by a mob. • [ with obj. and infinitive ] enlist (someone) to help in a task: he commandeered the men to find a table.

demonize

verb [ with obj. ] portray as wicked and threatening: seeking to demonize one side in the conflict.

forestall

verb [ with obj. ] prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action: they will present their resignations to forestall a vote of no confidence. • act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them from doing something: he would have spoken but David forestalled him. • historical buy up (goods) in order to profit by an enhanced price. Synonyms:pre-empt, get in before, get ahead of, steal a march on, anticipate, second-guess

jolt

verb [ with obj. ] push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly: a surge in the crowd behind him jolted him forwards. • give a surprise or shock to (someone) in order to make them act or change: she tried to jolt him out of his depression. • [ no obj., with adverbial ] move with sudden lurches: the train jolted into motion. noun an abrupt rough or violent movement. he felt a jolt when the plane started to climb. • an unpleasant surprise or shock: that information gave her a severe jolt.

commemorate

verb [ with obj. ] recall and show respect for (someone or something): a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the war dead | a stone commemorating a boy who died at sea. • mark or celebrate (an event or person) by doing or producing something: the victory was commemorated in songs. Synonyms:celebrate, pay tribute to, pay homage to, honour, salute, toast; remember

disparage

verb [ with obj. ] regard or represent as being of little worth: he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors.

disparage

verb [ with obj. ] regard or represent as being of little worth: he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors. Synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, downgrade, play down, deflate, trivialize, minimize, make light of, treat lightly, undervalue, underrate

defuse

verb [ with obj. ] remove the fuse from (an explosive device) in order to prevent it from exploding. explosives specialists tried to defuse the grenade. • make (a situation) less tense or dangerous: a scheme that teaches officers how to defuse potentially explosive situations.

castration

verb [ with obj. ] remove the testicles of (a male animal or man). • deprive of power, vitality, or vigour: a restrictive classicism would have castrated England's literature

rescind

verb [ with obj. ] revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement): the government eventually rescinded the directive. Synonyms:revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, abrogate, overturn, overrule, override, annul, nullify, declare null and void

sated

verb [ with obj. ] satisfy (a desire or an appetite) to the full: sate your appetite at the resort's restaurant. • supply (someone) with as much as or more of something than is desired or can be managed: he was sated with flying.

squander

verb [ with obj. ] waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner: £100m of taxpayers' money has been squandered on administering the tax. • allow (an opportunity) to pass or be lost: the team squandered several good scoring chances.

brandish

verb [ with obj. ] wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement: a man leaped out brandishing a knife.

swaddle

verb [ with obj. ] wrap (someone, especially a baby) in garments or cloth: she swaddled the baby tightly | figurative : they have grown up swaddled in consumer technology.

expurgate

verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj. expurgated) remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or account): the expurgated Arabian Nights.

enjoin

verb [ with obj. and infinitive ] instruct or urge (someone) to do something: the code enjoined members to trade fairly. • [ with obj. ] prescribe (an action or attitude) to be performed or adopted: the charitable deeds enjoined on him by religion. • [ with obj. ] (enjoin someone from) Law prohibit someone from performing (a particular action) by issuing an injunction. he was enjoined from using the patent.

reckon

verb 1 [ with obj. ] establish by calculation: his debts were reckoned at £300,000 | the Byzantine year was reckoned from 1 September. • (reckon someone/thing among) include someone or something in (a class or group): the society can reckon among its members males of the royal blood. 2 [ with clause ] informal be of the opinion: he reckons that the army should pull out entirely | I reckon I can manage that. • [ with obj. and complement ] consider or regard in a specified way: the event was reckoned a failure. • [ no obj. ] (reckon on/to) informal have a specified view or opinion of: 'What do you reckon on this place?' she asked. • [ with obj. ] Brit. informal rate highly: I don't reckon his chances. 3 [ no obj. ] (reckon on) rely on or be sure of: they had reckoned on a day or two more of privacy. • [ with infinitive ] informal expect to do a particular thing: I reckon to get away by two-thirty. PHRASES a —— to be reckoned with (or to reckon with)a thing or person that is not to be ignored or underestimated: the trade unions were a political force to be reckoned with. PHRASAL VERBS reckon with (or without)take (or fail to take) into account: they hadn't reckoned with a visit from Eunice. reckon with archaic settle accounts with. figurative : God will reckon with us roundly for the abuse.

ostracize

verb 1 [ with obj. ] exclude from a society or group: she was declared a witch and ostracized by the villagers. 2 (in ancient Greece) banish (an unpopular or overly powerful citizen) from a city for five or ten years by popular vote. Themistocles was indeed out of favour at Athens by the end of the 470s, when he was ostracized.

pelt

verb 1 [ with obj. ] hurl missiles repeatedly at: two boys pelted him with rotten apples. • hurl (something) at someone or something: she spotted four boys pelting stones at ducks. • [ no obj. ] (pelt down) (of rain, hail, or snow) fall quickly and very heavily: the rain was pelting down. 2 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] informal run somewhere very quickly: I pelted across the road. noun archaic an act of hurling something at someone. PHRASES (at) full pelt as fast as possible: I ran downstairs at full pelt.

retract

verb draw or be drawn back or back in: [ with obj. ] : she retracted her hand as if she'd been burned | [ no obj. ] : the tentacle retracted quickly. • [ with obj. ] withdraw (a statement or accusation) as untrue or unjustified: he retracted his allegations. • [ with obj. ] withdraw or go back on (an undertaking or promise): the parish council was forced to retract a previous resolution.

beset

verb (besetting; past and past participlebeset) [ with obj. ] 1 (of a problem or difficulty) trouble (someone or something) persistently: the social problems that beset the UK | she was beset with self-doubt. • surround and harass: I was beset by clouds of flies. • hem in: the ship was beset by ice and finally sank. 2 (be beset with) archaic be covered or studded with: springy grass all beset with tiny jewel-like flowers.

con

verb (cons, conning, conned) [ with obj. ] persuade (someone) to do or believe something by lying to them: I conned him into giving me your home number | she was jailed for conning her aunt out of £500,000. noun an instance of deceiving or tricking someone: the Charter is a glossy public relations con | [ as modifier ] : a con artist.

decry

verb (decries, decrying, decried) [ with obj. ] publicly denounce: they decried human rights abuses. Synonyms: condemn, criticize, censure, damn, attack, fulminate against, rail against, inveigh against, blame, carp at

discredit

verb (discredits, discrediting, discredited) [ with obj. ] harm the good reputation of: his remarks were taken out of context in an effort to discredit him | (as adj.discredited) : a discredited government. • cause (an idea or account) to seem false or unreliable: his explanation for the phenomenon was soon discredited. noun [ mass noun ] loss or lack of reputation or respect: they committed crimes which brought discredit upon the administration. • [ count noun ] a person or thing that is a source of disgrace: the ships were a discredit to the country.

enthral

verb (enthrals, enthralling, enthralled) [ with obj. ] 1 capture the fascinated attention of: she had been so enthralled by the adventure that she had hardly noticed the cold. 2 (also inthrall) archaic enslave. it is as hard and dangerous to inthrall a people that would live free. Synonyms:captivate, charm, enchant, bewitch, fascinate, beguile, entrance, enrapture, delight, attract

flag

verb (flags, flagging, flagged) [ with obj. ] 1 mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way: the spellcheck program flags any words that are not in its dictionary. • draw attention to: cancer was flagged up as a priority area for research. 2 (flag someone/thing down) signal to a vehicle or driver to stop, especially by waving one's arm: she flagged down a police patrol car. • (flag someone/thing off) wave a flag at someone or something as a starting signal: the vintage car fiesta will be flagged off by the minister for tourism. • [ no obj. ] (of an official) raise a flag to draw the referee's attention to a breach of the rules in soccer, rugby, and other sports: the goalkeeper brought down Hendrie and a linesman immediately flagged. 3 provide or decorate with a flag or flags. • register (a vessel) in a particular country, under whose flag it then sails.

foreseen

verb (foresees, foreseeing, foresaw |-ˈsɔː| ; past participleforeseen |-ˈsiːn| ) [ with obj. ] be aware of beforehand; predict: we did not foresee any difficulties | [ with clause ] : it is impossible to foresee how life will work out. Synonyms: predict, forecast, expect, envisage, envision, see, think likely; foretell, prophesy, divine, prognosticate

impinge

verb (impinges, impinging, impinged) [ no obj. ] have an effect, especially a negative one: several factors impinge on market efficiency. • advance over an area belonging to someone or something else; encroach: the proposed fencing would impinge on a public bridleway.

justify

verb (justifies, justifying, justified) [ with obj. ] 1 show or prove to be right or reasonable: the person appointed has fully justified our confidence. • be a good reason for: the situation was grave enough to justify further investigation. 2 Theology declare or make righteous in the sight of God. one of the elect, justified by faith. 3 Printing adjust (a line of type or piece of text) so that the print fills a space evenly or forms a straight edge at the margin. in most European languages you justify text by adding space between letters and words.

lug

verb (lugs, lugging, lugged) [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] carry or drag (a heavy or bulky object) with great effort: she began to lug her suitcase down the stairs. • be encumbered with: he had lugged his poor wife round for so long. noun a box or crate used for transporting fruit. a truck piled high with wooden lugs of grapes.

nag

verb (nags, nagging, nagged) [ with obj. ] harass (someone) constantly to do something that they are averse to: she constantly nags her daughter about getting married | [ with infinitive ] : she nagged him to do the housework | [ no obj. ] : he's always nagging at her for staying out late. • [ no obj. ] be persistently painful or worrying to: something nagged at the back of his mind. noun a person who nags someone to do something. • a persistent feeling of anxiety: he felt a little nag of doubt.

purify

verb (purifies, purifying, purified) [ with obj. ] remove contaminants from: the filtration plant is able to purify 70 tons of water a day | (as adj.purified) : purified linseed oil | figurative : they set out to purify art by reviving the spirit and style of early religious painting. • (purify something from) extract something from: genomic DNA was purified from whole blood. • make ceremonially clean: a ritual bath to purify the soul.

keen to

his publishers were keen to capitalize on his success: eager, anxious, impatient, determined, desirous, longing, wishing, itching, dying, yearning, ambitious, ready; intent on; informal raring. ANTONYMS reluctant.

hedgehog

noun a small nocturnal Old World mammal with a spiny coat and short legs, able to roll itself into a ball for defence.

turnkey

noun (pl.turnkeys) archaic a jailer.

hashish

noun [ mass noun ] cannabis.

realtor

nounN. Amer. trademark an estate agent.

to venerate

to honor/to regard something with respect

rusticate

verb 1 [ no obj. ] go to, live in, or spend time in the country. 2 [ with obj. ] fashion (masonry) in large blocks with sunk joints and a roughened surface: (as adj. rusticated) : the stable block was built of rusticated stone. 3 [ with obj. ] Brit. suspend (a student) from a university as a punishment (used chiefly at Oxford and Cambridge).

naysayer

verb say no to; deny or oppose: I'm not going to naysay anything he does. a person who opposes in order to take a pessimistic view.

mollify

verb (mollifies, mollifying, mollified) [ with obj. ] appease the anger or anxiety of (someone): nature reserves were set up around the power stations to mollify local conservationists. • rare reduce the severity of (something). the women hoped to mollify the harsh wilderness environment.

unhinged

verb (unhinges, unhinging, unhinged) [ with obj. ] 1 make (someone) mentally unbalanced: the loneliness had nearly unhinged him. • deprive of stability; throw into disorder. a chain of events unhinges the structure of his family. 2 take (a door) off its hinges.

antagonize

verb [ with obj. ] 1 cause (someone) to become hostile: the aim was to antagonize visiting supporters. 2 Biochemistry (of a substance) act as an antagonist of (a substance or its action). two other drugs antagonized the antidepressant-like effect. Synonyms:arouse hostility in, alienate, set someone against someone else, estrange, disaffect

wheedle

verb [ no obj. ] use endearments or flattery to persuade someone to do something or give one something: she wheedled her way on to the guest list | [ with obj. ] : she had wheedled us into employing her brother | [ with direct speech ] : 'Please, for my sake,' he wheedled.

counterpose

verb [ with obj. ] set against or in opposition to. his book counterposes the darkness of formal religion to the inner light of personal spirituality.

enervate

verb |ˈenərˌvāt| [ with obj. ] cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken. adjective |ˈenərvit| literary lacking in energy or vitality: the enervate slightness of his frail form.

pontificate

verb |pɒnˈtɪfɪkeɪt| [ no obj. ] 1 express one's opinions in a pompous and dogmatic way: he was pontificating about art and history. 2 (in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass. he pontificated at three Christmas Masses.

rehash

verb |riːˈhaʃ| [ with obj. ] reuse (old ideas or material) without significant change or improvement: he endlessly rehashes songs from his American era. • chiefly N. Amer.consider or discuss (something) at length after it has happened: is it really necessary to rehash that trauma all over again?

bib-alls

背带裤

croak

2 informal die: the dog finally croaked in 1987.

screw

3 informal a prisoner's derogatory term for a warder. she was frightened by the look of the screws.

for the nonce

for the nonce for the present; temporarily: the room had been converted for the nonce into a nursery.

hew to

hew to the old standard/hew to the rules

leave someone in the lurch

leave an associate or friend abruptly and without assistance or support when they are in a difficult situation. he left you in the lurch when you needed him most.

in the offing

likely to happen or appear soon: there are several initiatives in the offing.

backside

noun 1 informal a person's buttocks. 2 chiefly N. Amer.the reverse or rear side of something: the backside of the hill.

whoreson

noun archaic an unpleasant or greatly disliked person. [ as modifier ] : you whoreson dog!

consort

noun |ˈkɒnsɔːt| 1 a wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch. Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert. 2 a ship sailing in company with another. verb |kənˈsɔːt| [ no obj. ] (consort with) habitually associate with (someone), typically with the disapproval of others: you chose to consort with the enemy. • (consort with/to) archaic agree or be in harmony with. it did not consort with his idea of scientific government. Synonyms: associate, keep company, mix, mingle, go around, spend time, socialize, fraternize, have dealings

progress

noun |ˈprəʊgrɛs| [ mass noun ] 1 forward or onward movement towards a destination: the darkness did not stop my progress | they failed to make any progress up the estuary. • [ count noun ] archaic a state journey or official tour, especially by royalty. 2 development towards an improved or more advanced condition: we are making progress towards equal rights. verb |prəˈgrɛs| [ no obj. ] 1 move forward or onward in space or time: as the century progressed the quality of telescopes improved. • [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj.progressed) Astrology calculate the position of (a planet) or of all the planets and coordinates of (a chart) according to the technique of progression. 2 develop towards an improved or more advanced condition: work on the pond is progressing. • [ with obj. ] cause (a task or undertaking) to make progress: I cannot predict how quickly we can progress the matter.

piddle about/around

spend time in trifling activities; potter: I piddled around the house all day.

strike out

start out on a new or independent course or endeavor: after two years he was able to strike out on his own.

give someone/thing a wide berth

steer a ship well clear of something while passing it. ships are advised to give the islands a wide berth. • stay away from someone or something. I'd sworn to give women a wide berth.

hold something/someone up

support and prevent something from falling: concrete pillars hold up the elevated section of the railway. 2 display something by holding it above one's waist or head: he held up the book so she could see the cover. • present or expose someone or something as an example or for particular treatment: they were held up to public ridicule. 3 delay or block the movement or progress of someone or something: our return flight was held up for seven hours. 4 rob someone or something using threats or violence: a masked raider held up the post office. 5 Bridge refrain from playing a winning card for tactical reasons.

harp on

talk or write persistently and tediously on (a particular topic): I don't want to harp on about the past.

anonymity

the state of being unknown or unidentified noun [ mass noun ] the condition of being anonymous: the official spoke on condition of anonymity. • lack of outstanding, individual, or unusual features; impersonality: the anonymity of big city life definitely has its advantages.

gang up

they all ganged up to put me down: conspire, cooperate, work together, act together, combine, join up, join forces, team up, club together, get together, unite, ally; rare coact.

to relegate

to assign to a place of insignificance verb [ with obj. ] assign an inferior rank or position to: they aim to prevent women from being relegated to a secondary role. • Brit.transfer (a sports team) to a lower division of a league: United were relegated to division two.

precipitate

verb |prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt| [ with obj. ] 1 cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely: the incident precipitated a political crisis. • [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] cause to move suddenly and with force: suddenly the ladder broke, precipitating them down into a heap. • (precipitate someone/thing into) send someone or something suddenly into a particular state or condition: they were precipitated into a conflict for which they were quite unprepared. 2 Chemistry cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution. cell proteins were then precipitated and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid. • cause (drops of moisture or particles of dust) to be deposited from the atmosphere or from a vapour or suspension. excess moisture is precipitated as rain, fog, mist, or dew. adjective |prɪˈsɪpɪtət| done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration: I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate. • occurring suddenly or abruptly: a precipitate decline in Labour fortunes.

in any case

whatever happens or may have happened. perhaps you'll let me know tomorrow—in any case I'll talk to you then. • moreover: he wasn't allowed out yet, and in any case he wasn't well enough.

jive-talk

(also jive talk) [ mass noun ] a form of slang associated with black American jazz musicians.

go off

(of a gun, bomb, or similar device) explode or fire. the pistol suddenly went off. • (of an alarm) begin to sound. 2 Brit.(of food or drink) begin to decompose and become inedible. milk went off so quickly in hot weather. 3 Brit. informal begin to dislike: I went off men after my husband left me. 4 go to sleep. 5 gradually cease to be felt: I had a bad headache but it's going off now.

under the counter(table)

(with reference to goods bought or sold) surreptitiously and typically illegally: hard porn is legally banned, but still available under the counter | [ as modifier ] : an under-the-counter deal.

catch on

1 (of a practice or fashion) become popular. the idea of linking pay to performance has caught on. 2 understand what is meant or how to do something: I caught on to what it was the guy was saying.

chip (something) in

1 contribute something as one's share of a joint activity, cost, etc.: Rollie chipped in with nine saves and five wins | the council will chip in a further £30,000 a year. 2 informal make an interjection: [ with direct speech ] : 'He's right,' Gloria chipped in.

put something out

1 extinguish something that is burning: fire crews from Grangetown put out the blaze. • turn off a light. he dashed over to the door and put out the light. 2 lay something out ready for use: she put out glasses and paper napkins. 3 issue or broadcast something: a limited-edition single was put out to promote the album. 4 dislocate a joint: she fell off her horse and put her shoulder out. 5 (of a company) allocate work to a contractor or freelancer to be done off the premises. a big agency might put the work out to an independent merchandizing company. 6 (of an engine or motor) produce a particular amount of power: the non-turbo is expected to put out about 250 bhp.

in store

1 in a safe place while not being used or displayed: items held in store. 2 coming in the future; about to happen: he did not yet know what lay in store for him.

play up

1 informal (of a child) misbehave: I hadn't had much sleep - the kids had been playing up. • fail to function properly: his phone line was constantly playing up. 2 put all one's energy into a game. the captain told his team to play up.

tell someone off

1 informal reprimand or scold someone: my parents told me off for coming home late. 2 archaic assign a member of a group to a particular task: there used to be a chap told off every day to fetch us beer.

step out

1 leave a room or building for a short time. Mrs Giraud has had to step out for a while, but make yourself at home. 2 N. Amer. informal go out with: he was stepping out with a redheaded waitress. 3 walk with long or vigorous steps: she enjoyed the outing, stepping out manfully.

dispense with

I think we can dispense with the formalities: waive, omit, drop, leave out, forgo, give up, relinquish, renounce; ignore, disregard, pass over, brush aside; do away with, put a stop to, put an end to; informal cut out, give something a miss, knock something on the head. ANTONYMS include. 2 he was able to dispense with his crutches: get rid of, throw away, throw out, cast aside, do away with, dispose of, discard, shed; manage without, do without, cope without; informal ditch, scrap, axe, junk, dump, chuck out, chuck away, get shut of; Brit. informal get shot of; N. Amer. informal trash. ANTONYMS keep.

see to

I'll go and see to the sitting-room fire: attend to, deal with, see about, take care of, look after, sort out, fix up, get together, organize, arrange, be responsible for, be in charge of, direct, run, manage, conduct, administer, administrate.

Make someone's hackles rise

Make someone angry or indignant Ex: his impatient reply made her hackles rise.

Hackle

Noun 1 (hackles) erectile hairs along an animal's back, which rise when it is angry or alarmed. the dog continued to growl, its hackles raised. 2 a long, narrow feather on the neck or saddle of a domestic cock or other bird. • Fishing a feather wound around a fishing fly so that its filaments are splayed out. • [ mass noun ] fly-fishing feathers collectively. raising birds for hackle. • a bunch of feathers in a military headdress, for example of a regiment of fusiliers or the Black Watch. 3 a steel comb for dressing flax. Verb. dress or comb (flax) with a hackle. taking each section separately the student should lightly hackle the extreme ends.

toils late into the night

The 61-year-old President rises before dawn and toils late into the night.

tack

a method of dealing with a situation or problem; a course of action or policy: as she could not stop him from going she tried another tack and insisted on going with him.

nodding acquaintance

a slight acquaintance with a person or knowledge of a subject: students will need a nodding acquaintance with three other languages.

ramshackle

adjective (especially of a house or vehicle) in a state of severe disrepair: a ramshackle cottage. Synonyms: dilapidated, derelict, ruinous, falling to pieces, decrepit, neglected, gone to rack and ruin, run down

untenable

adjective (especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection: this argument is clearly untenable.

pervasive

adjective (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people: ageism is pervasive and entrenched in our society.

diaphanous

adjective (especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent: a diaphanous dress of pale gold

retroactive

adjective (especially of legislation) taking effect from a date in the past: a big retroactive tax increase.

precocious

adjective (of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected: a precocious, solitary boy. • (of behaviour or ability) having developed at an earlier age than is usual or expected: a precocious talent for computing. • (of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.

autonomous

adjective (of a country or region) having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs: the federation included sixteen autonomous republics. • having the freedom to act independently: school governors are legally autonomous. • (in Kantian moral philosophy) acting in accordance with one's moral duty rather than one's desires. Compare with heteronomous. An "autonomous" character is self-directing or independent.

palliative

adjective (of a medicine or medical care) relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition. orthodox medicines tend to be palliative rather than curative. • (of an action) intended to alleviate a problem without addressing the underlying cause: short-term palliative measures had been taken. noun a palliative medicine, measure, etc. antibiotics and other palliatives. social projects presented as palliatives for the urban crisis. Synonyms:soothing, alleviating, sedative, calmative, calming; rare alleviative, alleviatory

labyrinthine

adjective (of a network) like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting: labyrinthine streets and alleys. • (of a system) intricate and confusing: labyrinthine plots and counterplots.

ungainly

adjective (of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy: an ungainly walk. Synonyms:awkward, clumsy, ungraceful, graceless, inelegant, gawky, gangling, maladroit, gauche

philanthropic

adjective (of a person or organization) seeking to promote the welfare of others; generous and benevolent: they receive financial support from philanthropic bodies.

unprincipled

adjective (of a person or their behaviour) not acting in accordance with moral principles: an unprincipled womanizer.

petulant

adjective (of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered: he was moody and petulant | a petulant shake of the head.

incredulous

adjective (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something: an incredulous gasp.

ingenious

adjective (of a person) clever, original, and inventive: he was ingenious enough to overcome the limited budget. • (of a machine or idea) cleverly and originally devised and well suited to its purpose. ingenious devices. his theory, while ingenious, is most assuredly incorrect.

tractable

adjective (of a person) easy to control or influence: she has always been tractable and obedient, even as a child. • (of a situation or problem) easy to deal with: trying to make the mathematics tractable.

voluble

adjective (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly: she was as voluble as her husband was silent. • (of speech) characterized by fluency and readiness of utterance: an excited and voluble discussion. Synonyms: talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, long-winded, wordy, chatty, chattery, gossipy

laconic

adjective (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words: his laconic reply suggested a lack of interest in the topic. Synonyms:concise, terse, succinct, short, economical, elliptical, crisp, pithy, to the point, incisive, short and sweet, compendious

hackneyed

adjective (of a phrase or idea) having been overused; unoriginal and trite: hackneyed old sayings. Synonyms: worn out, time-worn, platitudinous, vapid, stale, tired, threadbare; trite, banal, hack

windswept

adjective (of a place) exposed to strong winds: the windswept moors. • untidy after being exposed to the wind: his windswept hair.

squalid

adjective (of a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect: the squalid, overcrowded prison. • showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards: a squalid attempt to save themselves from electoral embarrassment.

sun-drenched

adjective (of a place) receiving a great deal of sunlight: the sun-drenched beaches of Southern California.

latent

adjective (of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed: they have a huge reserve of latent talent. • Biology lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation. axillary buds or eyes in the leaf axils are latent growth buds. • (of a disease) not yet manifesting the usual symptoms. diabetes may be latent for some years before diagnosis. the latent stage of syphilis. • Physiology (of a microorganism, especially a virus) present in the body without causing disease, but capable of doing so at a later stage, or when transmitted to another body.

panoramic

adjective (of a view or picture) with a wide view surrounding the observer; sweeping: on a clear day there are panoramic views. • including all aspects of a subject; wide-ranging: his panoramic vision of post-World War I peace.

flagrant

adjective (of an action considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive: a flagrant violation of the law. Synonyms:blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, evident, conspicuous; naked, barefaced, shameless, brazen, audacious, brass-necked

dormant

adjective (of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep: dormant butterflies | figurative : the event evoked memories that she would rather had lain dormant. • (of a plant or bud) alive but not actively growing. • (of a volcano) temporarily inactive. • (of a disease) causing no symptoms but not cured and liable to recur. the disease may remain dormant and undetected until transmitted to other fish. • [ usu. postpositive ] Heraldry (of an animal) depicted lying with its head on its paws.

implausible

adjective (of an argument or statement) not seeming reasonable or probable; failing to convince: this is a blatantly implausible claim.

convivial

adjective (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable: a convivial cocktail party. • (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial: she was relaxed and convivial.

blatant

adjective (of bad behaviour) done openly and unashamedly: blatant lies. • completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious: she forced herself to resist his blatant charm.

stertorous

adjective (of breathing) noisy and laboured. the breathing was becoming less stertorous. a stertorous sigh.

luscious

adjective (of food or drink) having a pleasingly rich, sweet taste: a luscious and fragrant dessert wine. • appealing strongly to the senses; pleasingly rich: the luscious brush strokes and warm colours of these late masterpieces. • (of a woman) very sexually attractive. he'll fall for a luscious Spanish girl who can match him in passion.

torrential

adjective (of rain) falling rapidly and in copious quantities: a torrential downpour. • (of water) flowing rapidly and with force. they plunged into the torrential waters.

effectual

adjective (of something inanimate or abstract) successful in producing a desired or intended result; effective: tobacco smoke is the most effectual protection against the midge. • Law (of a legal document) valid or binding

convoluted

adjective 1 (especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow: the film is let down by a convoluted plot in which nothing really happens. 2 chiefly technical intricately folded, twisted, or coiled: walnuts come in hard and convoluted shells. Synonyms: complicated, complex, involved, intricate, elaborate, impenetrable, serpentine, labyrinthine

commanding

adjective 1 (in military contexts) having a position of authority: a commanding officer. • indicating or expressing authority; imposing: a man of commanding presence | her style is commanding. • possessing or giving superior strength: a commanding 13-6 lead. 2 (of a place or position) dominating from above; giving a wide view of an area. the castle is built in a commanding position on a hill looking out over the sea

prohibitive

adjective 1 (of a law or rule) forbidding or restricting something: prohibitive legislation. • preventing someone from doing something: books made browser-proof with prohibitive cellophane wrapping. 2 (of a price or charge) so high as to prevent something being done or bought: the cost of converting existing power stations is likely to be prohibitive.

stilted

adjective 1 (of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural: we made stilted conversation. 2 standing on stilts: villages of stilted houses. • Architecture (of an arch) with pieces of upright masonry between the imposts and the springers.

transparent

adjective 1 (of a material or article) allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen: transparent blue water | fine transparent fabrics. 2 easy to perceive or detect: the residents will see through any transparent attempt to buy their votes | the meaning of the poem is by no means transparent. • having thoughts or feelings that are easily perceived; open: you'd be no good at poker—you're too transparent. • (of an organization or its activities) open to public scrutiny: if you had transparent government procurement, corruption would go away. 3 Computing (of a process or interface) functioning without the user being aware of its presence. 4 Physics transmitting heat or other radiation without distortion. CFCs and water vapour are virtually transparent to incoming short-wave solar radiation.

incisive

adjective 1 (of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking: she was an incisive critic. • (of an account) accurate and sharply focused: the songs offer incisive pictures of American ways. 2 (of an action) quick and direct: the most incisive move of a tight match.

unctuous

adjective 1 (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily: he seemed anxious to please but not in an unctuous way. 2 (chiefly of minerals) having a greasy or soapy feel.

demonstrative

adjective 1 (of a person) unrestrained in showing feelings, especially those of affection. we were a very physically demonstrative family. 2 serving as conclusive evidence of something. demonstrative evidence. • involving demonstration, especially by scientific means: the possibility of a demonstrative science of ethics. 3 Grammar (of a determiner or pronoun) indicating the person or thing referred to (e.g. this, that, those). noun Grammar a demonstrative determiner or pronoun.

nominial

adjective 1 (of a role or status) existing in name only: Thailand retained nominal independence under Japanese military occupation. • relating to or consisting of names. the streets have names like Third Avenue, but the resemblance to Manhattan is only nominal. a nominal roll of the Grenadier Company shows a total of 86 men. 2 (of a price or charge) very small; far below the real value or cost: they charge a nominal fee for the service. 3 (of a quantity or dimension) stated or expressed but not necessarily corresponding exactly to the real value: EU legislation allowed variation around the nominal weight (that printed on each packet). • Economics expressed in terms of current prices or figures, without making allowance for changes over time: the nominal exchange rate. 4 Grammar relating to or functioning as a noun: a nominal group. 5 informal (chiefly in the context of space travel) functioning normally or acceptably.

hermetic

adjective 1 (of a seal or closure) complete and airtight. a hermetic seal that ensures perfect waterproofing. • insulated or protected from outside influences: a hermetic society. 2 (also Hermetic)relating to an ancient occult tradition encompassing alchemy, astrology, and theosophy. some saw in the Hermetic texts an anticipation of Christianity. • difficult to understand because intended for a small number of people with specialized knowledge: obscure and hermetic poems.

stridency

adjective 1 (of a sound) loud and harsh; grating: his voice had become increasingly strident. • Phonetics another term for sibilant. 2 presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively forceful way: public pronouncements on the crisis became less strident.

rickety

adjective 1 (of a structure or piece of equipment) poorly made and likely to collapse: we went carefully up the rickety stairs | figurative : a rickety banking system. 2 affected by rickets. poverty was evident in undernourished faces or rickety legs. Synonyms:shaky, unsteady, unsound, unsafe, tottering, crumbling, decaying, disintegrating, tumbledown, broken-down

abrasive

adjective 1 (of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding. the wood should be rubbed down with fine abrasive paper. don't use abrasive kitchen cleaners. • tending to rub or graze the skin: the trees were abrasive to the touch. 2 showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh: her abrasive and arrogant personal style won her few friends. noun a substance used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a hard surface. the refrigerator is easily damaged by abrasives.

prone

adjective 1 (prone to/to do something) likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something unpleasant or regrettable: farmed fish are prone to disease | [ in combination ] : he was written off by many as too injury-prone. 2 lying flat, especially face downwards: I was lying prone on a foam mattress | a prone position. • technical denoting the position of the forearm with the palm of the hand facing downwards. • archaic with a downward slope or direction.

versatile

adjective 1 able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities: a versatile sewing machine | he was versatile enough to play on either wing. 2 archaic changeable; inconstant. Synonyms: adaptable, flexible, all-round, multifaceted, multitalented, many-sided, resourceful, protean; adjustable

impulsive

adjective 1 acting or done without forethought: they'd married as impulsive teenagers | he regretted his impulsive offer. 2 Physics acting as an impulse. the approaching waves contain an impulsive component. Synonyms: impetuous, spontaneous, hasty, passionate, emotional, uninhibited, unrepressed, abandoned,spontaneous, unpremeditated

appealing

adjective 1 attractive or interesting: village life is somehow more appealing. 2 showing or expressing a desire for help or sympathy: an appealing look.

figurative

adjective 1 departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical: a figurative expression. 2 (of an artist or work of art) representing forms that are recognizably derived from life.

eclectic

adjective 1 deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources: universities offering an eclectic mix of courses. 2 (Eclectic)Philosophy denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought. noun a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

retrograde

adjective 1 directed or moving backwards: a retrograde flow. • Astronomy & Astrology (of the apparent motion of a planet) in a reverse direction from normal (from east to west), resulting from the relative orbital progress of the earth and the planet. The opposite of prograde. • Astronomy (of the orbit or rotation of a planet or planetary satellite) in a reverse direction from that normal in the solar system. the outer satellites move in retrograde orbits. 2 reverting to an earlier and inferior condition: to go back on the progress that has been made would be a retrograde step. 3 (of the order of something) reversed; inverse: the retrograde form of these inscriptions. 4 Geology (of a metamorphic change) resulting from a decrease in temperature or pressure. noun rare a degenerate person. verb [ no obj. ] 1 archaic go back in position or time: our history must retrograde for the space of a few pages. • revert to an earlier and inferior condition. people cannot habitually trample on law and justice without retrograding toward barbarism. 2 Astronomy show retrograde motion. all the planets will at some time appear to retrograde.

compliant

adjective 1 disposed to agree with others or obey rules, especially to an excessive degree; acquiescent: a compliant labour force. 2 (often compliant with) meeting or in accordance with rules or standards: food which is compliant with safety regulations. 3 Physics & Medicine having the property of compliance. the conversion of the gel to a much less compliant, rigid glass.

effusive

adjective 1 expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner: an effusive welcome. 2 Geology (of igneous rock) poured out when molten and later solidified. • of or relating to the eruption of large volumes of molten rock.

exquisite

adjective 1 extremely beautiful and delicate: exquisite, jewel-like portraits. 2 intensely felt: the most exquisite kind of agony. • highly sensitive or discriminating: her exquisite taste in painting. noun literary a man who is affectedly concerned with his clothes and appearance; a dandy.

ecstatic

adjective 1 feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement: ecstatic fans filled the stadium. 2 involving an experience of mystic self-transcendence: an ecstatic vision of God. noun a person subject to mystical experiences.

commodious

adjective 1 formal (especially of furniture or a building) roomy and comfortable. 2 archaic convenient.

commodious

adjective 1 formal roomy and comfortable: they moved to a more commodious dwelling. 2 archaic convenient.

bracing

adjective 1 fresh and invigorating: the bracing sea air. 2 [ attrib. ] (of a support) serving to brace a structure: bracing struts.

vibrant

adjective 1 full of energy and life: a vibrant cosmopolitan city. • (of colour) bright and striking: a huge room decorated in vibrant blues and greens. • (of sound) strong or resonating: his vibrant voice. 2 quivering; pulsating: Rose was vibrant with anger.

cryptic

adjective 1 having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure: he found his boss's utterances too cryptic. • (of a crossword) having difficult clues which indicate the solutions indirectly. 2 Zoology (of coloration or markings) serving to camouflage an animal in its natural environment. cryptic plumage is thought to minimize predation.

constructive

adjective 1 having or intended to have a useful or beneficial purpose: constructive advice. 2 Law not obvious or stated explicitly; derived by inference: constructive liability. 3 Mathematics relating to, based on, or denoting mathematical proofs which show how an entity may in principle be constructed or arrived at in a finite number of steps.

dubious

adjective 1 hesitating or doubting: I was rather dubious about the whole idea. 2 not to be relied upon; suspect: extremely dubious assumptions. • morally suspect: timeshare has been brought into disrepute by dubious sales methods. • of questionable value: he holds the dubious distinction of being relegated with every club he has played for.

derivative

adjective 1 imitative of the work of another artist, writer, etc., and usually disapproved of for that reason: an artist who is not in the slightest bit derivative. • originating from, based on, or influenced by: Darwin's work is derivative of the moral philosophers. 2 [ attrib. ] (of a financial product) having a value deriving from an underlying variable asset: equity-based derivative products. Synonyms: imitative, unoriginal, uninventive, non-innovative, unimaginative, uninspired; copied

benighted

adjective 1 in a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance: they saw themselves as bringers of culture to poor benighted peoples. 2 overtaken by darkness: a storm developed and we were forced to wait benighted near the summit. Synonyms:ignorant, unenlightened, uneducated, unschooled, untutored, illiterate, unlettered, unlearned, unscholarly

concordant

adjective 1 in agreement; consistent: the answers were roughly concordant. • Music in harmony. • Geology corresponding in direction with the planes of adjacent or underlying strata. 2 Medicine (of twins) inheriting the same genetic characteristic.

nebulous

adjective 1 in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy: a giant nebulous glow. • another term for nebular. 2 (of a concept) vague or ill-defined: nebulous concepts like quality of life.

comprehensive

adjective 1 including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something: a comprehensive list of sources. • of large content or scope; wide-ranging: a comprehensive collection of photographs. • (of a victory or defeat) achieved or suffered by a large margin: a comprehensive victory for Swansea. • (of motor-vehicle insurance) providing cover for most risks, including damage to the policyholder's own vehicle. 2 Brit.relating to or denoting a system of secondary education in which children of all abilities from a particular area are educated in one school: a comprehensive school. 3 archaic relating to understanding. nounBrit. a comprehensive school. he trained as an accountant after leaving the local comprehensive. when I was 14 I was at comprehensive. Synonyms:inclusive, all-inclusive, complete; thorough, full, extensive, all-embracing, overarching, umbrella

affected

adjective 1 influenced or touched by an external factor: affected areas. 2 pretentious and designed to impress: the gesture appeared both affected and stagy. 3 [ predic. ] archaic disposed or inclined in a specified way: you might become differently affected towards him.

extraneous

adjective 1 irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with: one is obliged to wade through many pages of extraneous material. 2 of external origin: when the transmitter pack is turned off no extraneous noise is heard. • separate from the object to which it is attached: other insects attach extraneous objects or material to themselves.

uncouth

adjective 1 lacking good manners, refinement, or grace: he is unwashed, uncouth, and drunk most of the time. • (of art or language) lacking sophistication or delicacy. uncouth sketches of peasants. 2 archaic (of a place) wild, remote, or spartan. his uncouth cell in Fleet prison.

susceptible

adjective 1 likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing: patients with liver disease may be susceptible to infection. • (of a person) easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive: they only do it to tease him—he's too susceptible. 2 (susceptible of) capable or admitting of: the problem is not susceptible of a simple solution.

random

adjective 1 made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision: apparently random violence. • Statistics governed by or involving equal chances for each item: a random sample of 100 households. • (of masonry) with stones of irregular size and shape. 2 informal odd, unusual, or unexpected: the class was hard but he was so random that it was always fun.

salient

adjective 1 most noticeable or important: it succinctly covered all the salient points of the case. • prominent; conspicuous: the salient object in my view. 2 (of an angle) pointing outwards. The opposite of re-entrant. 3 [ postpositive ] Heraldry (of an animal) standing on its hind legs with the forepaws raised, as if leaping. noun a piece of land or section of fortification that juts out to form an angle. • an outward bulge in a line of military attack or defence. this decisive battle broke the Germans' ability to attack any further into the Kursk salient.

orderlies

adjective 1 neatly and methodically arranged: an orderly arrangement of objects. • (of a person or group) well behaved. the crowd was quiet and orderly. 2 [ attrib. ] Military charged with the conveyance or execution of orders: the orderly sergeant. noun (pl.orderlies) 1 an attendant in a hospital responsible for the non-medical care of patients and the maintenance of order and cleanliness. 2 a soldier who carries orders or performs minor tasks for an officer.

oblique

adjective 1 neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; slanting: we sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace. • Geometry (of a line, plane figure, or surface) inclined at other than a right angle. • Geometry (of an angle) acute or obtuse. • Geometry (of a cone, cylinder, etc.) with an axis not perpendicular to the plane of its base. • Anatomy (especially of a muscle) neither parallel nor perpendicular to the long axis of a body or limb. an oblique abdominal muscle. 2 not expressed or done in a direct way: he issued an oblique attack on the President. 3 Grammar denoting any case other than the nominative or vocative. noun 1 Brit. another term for slash1 ( sense 2 of the noun). 2 an oblique muscle. it is the obliques and abdominals which create the well-trained look.

impervious

adjective 1 not allowing fluid to pass through: an impervious layer of basaltic clay. 2 (impervious to) unable to be affected by: he worked, apparently impervious to the heat.

deficient

adjective 1 not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient: this diet is deficient in vitamin B. • insufficient or inadequate: the documentary evidence is deficient. 2 (also mentally deficient) offensive having mental disabilities. Synonyms:lacking, wanting, defective, inadequate, insufficient, limited, poor, scant

pivotal

adjective 1 of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else: Japan's pivotal role in the world economy. 2 fixed on or as if on a pivot: a sliding or pivotal motion.

functional

adjective 1 of or having a special activity, purpose, or task: a functional role. • relating to the way in which something works or operates: there are important functional differences between left and right brain. • (of a disease) affecting the operation, rather than the structure, of an organ. functional diarrhoea. • (of a mental illness) having no discernible organic cause: functional psychosis. 2 designed to be practical and useful, rather than attractive: a small, functional bathroom. 3 in operation; working: the museum will be fully functional from the opening of the festival. 4 Mathematics relating to a variable quantity whose value depends upon one or more other variables. using functional notation, we can write—where L is the transactions demand for money.

quotidian

adjective 1 of or occurring every day; daily: the car sped noisily off through the quotidian traffic. • ordinary or everyday; mundane: his story is an achingly human one, mired in quotidian details. 2 Medicine denoting the malignant form of malaria.

byzatine

adjective 1 of or relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church. • of an ornate artistic and architectural style that developed in the Byzantine Empire and spread especially to Italy and Russia. The art is generally rich and stylized (as in religious icons) and the architecture typified by many-domed, highly decorated churches. 2 (also byzantine)(of a system or situation) excessively complicated, typically involving a great deal of administrative detail: Byzantine insurance regulations. • characterized by deviousness or underhanded procedure: Byzantine intrigues | he has the most Byzantine mind in politics.

egregious

adjective 1 outstandingly bad; shocking: egregious abuses of copyright. 2 archaic remarkably good.

feasible

adjective 1 possible and practical to do easily or conveniently: the Dutch have demonstrated that it is perfectly feasible to live below sea level. 2 likely; probable: the most feasible explanation.

original

adjective 1 present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest: the original owner of the house | the plasterwork is probably original. 2 created personally by a particular artist, writer, musician, etc.; not a copy: original Rembrandts. 3 not dependent on other people's ideas; inventive or novel: a subtle and original thinker. Synonyms:indigenous, native, aboriginal; first, earliest, early, initial, primary, primordial, primal

temperate

adjective 1 relating to or denoting a region or climate characterized by mild temperatures. sage can be grown outdoors in cool, temperate climates. Chile has one of the largest temperate forests in the southern hemisphere. 2 showing moderation or self-restraint: Charles was temperate in his consumption of both food and drink.

prescriptive

adjective 1 relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method: these guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive. • Linguistics attempting to impose rules of correct usage on the users of a language: a prescriptive grammar book. Often contrasted with descriptive. 2 (of a right, title, or institution) having become legally established or accepted by long usage or the passage of time: a prescriptive right of way. • archaic arising from long-standing custom or usage: for her own mother she felt no more than a prescriptive affection.

visceral

adjective 1 relating to the viscera: the visceral nervous system. 2 relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect: the voters' visceral fear of change.

cosmetic

adjective 1 relating to treatment intended to restore or improve a person's appearance: cosmetic surgery. • serving to improve the appearance of the body, especially the face: cosmetic creams. 2 affecting only the appearance of something rather than its substance: the reform package was merely a cosmetic exercise. noun (usu. cosmetics) a preparation applied to the body, especially the face, to improve its appearance. the range covers everything from the latest cosmetics to skin and hair care.

instrumental

adjective 1 serving as a means of pursuing an aim: the Society was instrumental in bringing about legislation. • relating to something's function as a means to an end: a very instrumental view of education and how it relates to their needs. 2 (of music) performed on instruments, with no vocals: a largely instrumental piece. • relating to musical instruments: brilliance of instrumental colour. 3 relating to an implement or measuring device: instrumental error | instrumental delivery of a baby. 4 Grammar denoting or relating to a case of nouns and pronouns (and words in grammatical agreement with them) indicating a means or instrument.

stark

adjective 1 severe or bare in appearance or outline: the ridge formed a stark silhouette against the sky. • unpleasantly or sharply clear: his position is in stark contrast to that of Curran | the stark reality of life for deprived minorities. 2 [ attrib. ] complete; sheer: he came running back in stark terror. • rare completely naked. 3 archaic or literary stiff, rigid, or incapable of movement: a human body lying stiff and stark by the stream. • physically strong or powerful: the dragoons were stark fellows.

insensitive

adjective 1 showing or feeling no concern for others' feelings: an insensitive remark. 2 not sensitive to a physical sensation: she was remarkably insensitive to pain. • not aware of or able to respond to something: both were in many ways insensitive to painting.

slight

adjective 1 small in degree; inconsiderable: a slight increase | a slight ankle injury | the chance of success is very slight. • (especially of a creative work) not profound or substantial; rather trivial or superficial: a slight romantic comedy. 2 (of a person or their build) not sturdy; thin or slender: she was slight and delicate-looking. verb [ with obj. ] 1 insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention: he was desperate not to slight a guest. 2 archaic raze or destroy (a fortification). a Council determined whether the Fort should be kept or slighted.

nonplussed

adjective 1 so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react: Henry looked completely nonplussed. 2 N. Amer. informal not disconcerted; unperturbed.

scintillating

adjective 1 sparkling or shining brightly: the scintillating sun. 2 brilliantly and excitingly clever or skilful: the audience loved his scintillating wit | the team produced a scintillating second-half performance. lively and witty.

besotted

adjective 1 strongly infatuated: he became besotted with a local barmaid. 2 archaic intoxicated; drunk. synonyms:infatuated with, smitten with, in love with, head over heels in love with, hopelessly in love with, obsessed with, passionate about, consumed with desire for, devoted to, doting on, greatly enamoured of, very attracted to, very taken with, charmed by

contigent

adjective 1 subject to chance: the contingent nature of the job. • (of losses, liabilities, etc.) that can be anticipated to arise if a particular event occurs. 2 (contingent on/upon) occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent on: his fees were contingent on the success of his search. 3 Philosophy true by virtue of the way things in fact are and not by logical necessity. that men are living creatures is a contingent fact. noun a group of people sharing a common feature, forming part of a larger group. a contingent of Japanese businessmen attending a conference. • a body of troops or police sent to join a larger force. six warships were stationed off the coast with a contingent of 2,000 marines.

mercurial

adjective 1 subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind: his mercurial temperament. 2 of or containing the element mercury. gels containing organic mercurial compounds. 3 (Mercurial)of the planet Mercury. noun a drug or other compound containing mercury. for twenty years organic mercurials were the most potent diuretics in clinical use.

gravid

adjective 1 technical carrying eggs or young; pregnant. the retroverted gravid uterus. 2 full of meaning or a specified quality: the scene is gravid with unease.

immaterial

adjective 1 unimportant under the circumstances; irrelevant: the difference in our ages is immaterial. 2 Philosophy spiritual, rather than physical: we have immaterial souls.

Trenchant

adjective 1 vigorous or incisive in expression or style: the White Paper makes trenchant criticisms of health authorities. 2 archaic or literary (of a weapon or tool) having a sharp edge: a trenchant blade. keen or sharply perceptive.

venerable

adjective accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character: a venerable statesman. • (in the Anglican Church) a title given to an archdeacon. • (in the Roman Catholic Church) a title given to a deceased person who has attained a certain degree of sanctity but has not been fully beatified or canonized. Synonyms: respected, venerated, revered, reverenced, worshipped, honoured, esteemed

brisk

adjective active and energetic: a good brisk walk | business appeared to be brisk. • showing a wish to deal with things quickly; slightly brusque: she adopted a brisk, businesslike tone. • (of wind or the weather) cold but pleasantly invigorating. the sea was shimmering and heaving beneath the brisk breeze. verb [ with obj. ] (brisk something up) quicken something: Mary brisked up her pace.

lightheartedness

adjective amusing and entertaining: a light-hearted speech. • (of a person) cheerful or carefree.

furtive

adjective attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her. • suggestive of guilty nervousness: the look in his eyes became furtive. Synonyms: secret, surreptitious; sly, sneaky, wily, underhand, under the table; clandestine, hidden

winsome

adjective attractive or appealing in a fresh, innocent way: a winsome smile.

enticing

adjective attractive or tempting; alluring: an enticing prospect.

cantankerous

adjective bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative: he can be a cantankerous old fossil at times. Synonyms:irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, tetchy, testy, crusty, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered

illusory

adjective based on illusion; not real: she knew the safety of her room was illusory. Synonyms: delusory, delusional, delusive; illusionary, imagined, imaginary, fancied, non-existent, unreal, hallucinatory; sham

supercilious

adjective behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others: a supercilious lady's maid. Synonyms: haughty, conceited, disdainful, overbearing, pompous, condescending, superior, patronizing

egalitarian

adjective believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities: a fairer, more egalitarian society.

agalitarian

adjective believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities: a fairer, more egalitarian society. noun a person who advocates or supports the principle of equality for all people. he was a social and political egalitarian.

evocative

adjective bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind: powerfully evocative lyrics | the building's cramped interiors are highly evocative of past centuries.

inevitability

adjective certain to happen; unavoidable: war was inevitable. • informal so frequently experienced or seen that it is completely predictable: the inevitable letter from the bank.

euphoric

adjective characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness: a euphoric sense of freedom.

ostentatious

adjective characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress: a simple design that is glamorous without being ostentatious. Synonyms: showy, pretentious, conspicuous, obtrusive, flamboyant, gaudy, garish

rapturous

adjective characterized by, feeling, or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm: he was greeted with rapturous applause.

belated

adjective coming or happening later than should have been the case: a belated apology.

dutifully

adjective conscientiously or obediently fulfilling one's duty: a dutiful daughter. • motivated by duty rather than desire or enthusiasm: dutiful applause | a dutiful visit.

lewd

adjective crude and offensive in a sexual way: she began to gyrate to the music and sing a lewd song.

droll

adjective curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement: his unique brand of droll self-mockery.

halcyon

adjective denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful: the halcyon days of the mid 1980s, when profits were soaring.

sectarian

adjective denoting or concerning a sect or sects: the city's traditional sectarian divide. • (of an action) carried out on the grounds of membership of a sect, denomination, or other group: sectarian killings. • rigidly following the doctrines of a sect or other group. the sectarian Bolshevism advocated by Moscow.

anomalous

adjective deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected: an anomalous situation | sentences which are grammatically anomalous. Synonyms:abnormal, atypical, non-typical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre

disaffected

adjective dissatisfied, especially with people in authority or a system of control: a military plot by disaffected elements in the army.

far-flung

adjective distant or remote: the far-flung corners of the world. • widely distributed: newsletters provided an important link to a far-flung membership.

macabre

adjective disturbing because concerned with or causing a fear of death: a macabre series of murders.

indiscriminate

adjective done at random or without careful judgment: the indiscriminate killing of civilians. • (of a person) not using or exercising discrimination: she was indiscriminate with her affections.

laboured

adjective done with great effort and difficulty: his breathing was laboured. • (especially of humour or a performance) not spontaneous or fluent: one of Alan's laboured jokes.

pugnacious

adjective eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight: the increasingly pugnacious demeanour of right-wing politicians. Synonyms: combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike

gullible

adjective easily persuaded to believe something; credulous: an attempt to persuade a gullible public to spend their money Synonyms:credulous, over-trusting, over-trustful, trustful, easily deceived/led, easily taken in

hedonistic

adjective engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent: a hedonistic existence of booze, drugs, and parties.

pedantic

adjective excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous: his analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never pedantic.

garrulous

adjective excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters: a garrulous cab driver.

histrionic

adjective excessively theatrical or dramatic in character or style: a histrionic outburst. • formal of or concerning actors or acting: histrionic talents. • Psychiatry denoting a personality disorder marked by shallow volatile emotions and attention-seeking behaviour. noun 1 (histrionics) melodramatic behaviour designed to attract attention: by now, Anna was accustomed to her mother's histrionics. • archaic dramatic performances; the theatre. he loved the theatre and everything which savoured of histrionics. 2 archaic an actor.

variegated

adjective exhibiting different colours, especially as irregular patches or streaks: variegated yellow bricks. • Botany (of a plant or foliage) having or consisting of leaves that are edged or patterned in a second colour, especially white as well as green. the variegated form of philadelphus. variegated foliage. • marked by variety: his variegated and amusing observations.

inherent

adjective existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute: any form of mountaineering has its inherent dangers. • Law vested in (someone) as a right or privilege. • Linguistics (of an adjective) having the same meaning in both attributive and predicative uses.

execrable

adjective extremely bad or unpleasant: execrable cheap wine. Synonyms:appalling, awful, dreadful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, very bad, lamentable; disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful

vertiginous

adjective extremely high or steep: vertiginous drops to the valleys below. • relating to or affected by vertigo.

diminutive

adjective extremely or unusually small: a diminutive figure dressed in black. • (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or imputed to convey affection, scorn, etc. (e.g. teeny, -let, -kins). noun a smaller or shorter thing, in particular: • a diminutive word or suffix. • a shortened form of a name, typically used informally: 'Nick' is a diminutive of 'Nicholas'. • Heraldry a charge of the same form as an ordinary but of lesser size or width.

evenhanded

adjective fair and impartial in treatment or judgement: an even-handed approach to industrial relations.

intrepid

adjective fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect): our intrepid reporter.

jubilant

adjective feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph: a large number of jubilant fans ran on to the pitch. Synonyms:exultant, triumphant, joyful, jumping for joy, rejoicing, cock-a-hoop, exuberant

vitriolic

adjective filled with bitter criticism or malice: vitriolic attacks on the politicians | vitriolic outbursts.

tranquil

adjective free from disturbance; calm: her tranquil gaze | the sea was tranquil.

capricious

adjective given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour: a capricious and often brutal administration. • changing according to no discernible rules; unpredictable: a capricious climate. Synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, unstable, mercurial, volatile, erratic, vacillating

luminous

adjective giving off light; bright or shining: the luminous dial on his watch | a luminous glow | figurative : her eyes were luminous with joy. • very bright in colour; lurid: he wore luminous green socks. • Physics relating to light as it is perceived by the eye, rather than in terms of its actual energy. luminous intensity.

propitious

adjective giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable: the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious. • archaic favourably disposed towards someone. there were points on which they did not agree, moments in which she did not seem propitious.

fortuitous

adjective happening by chance rather than intention: the similarity between the paintings may not be simply fortuitous. • happening by a lucky chance; fortunate: the ball went into the goal by a fortuitous ricochet.

spent

adjective having been used and unable to be used again: a spent matchstick. • having no power or energy left: the movement has become a spent force.

indulgent

adjective having or indicating a readiness or over-readiness to be generous to or lenient with someone: indulgent parents. • self-indulgent: sheer indulgent nostalgia. Synonyms:permissive, easy-going, broad-minded, liberal, tolerant, forgiving, forbearing, lenient, merciful, clement

bombastic

adjective high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated: bombastic rhetoric | bombastic music that drowned out what anyone was saying. Synonyms: pompous, blustering, ranting, blathering; verbose, wordy, turgid, periphrastic, euphuistic

inextricable

adjective impossible to disentangle or separate: the past and the present are inextricable. • impossible to escape from: an inextricable situation.

inscrutable

adjective impossible to understand or interpret: Guy looked blankly inscrutable.

decorous

adjective in keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained: Charlotte gave David a decorous kiss. Synonyms:proper, seemly, decent, becoming, befitting, tasteful, in good taste; tactful, correct

seditious

adjective inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch: the letter was declared seditious.

exhaustive

adjective including or considering all elements or aspects; fully comprehensive: the guide outlines every bus route in exhaustive detail. Synonyms:comprehensive, all-inclusive, complete, full, full-scale, all-embracing, all-encompassing, encyclopedic, thorough

conciliatory

adjective intended or likely to placate or pacify: a conciliatory approach.

didactic

adjective intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive: a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice. • in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to appear patronizing: his tone ranged from didactic to backslapping.

rudimentary

adjective involving or limited to basic principles: he received a rudimentary education. • relating to an immature, undeveloped, or basic form: a rudimentary stage of evolution.

insipid

adjective lacking flavour; weak or tasteless: mugs of insipid coffee. • lacking vigour or interest: many artists continued to churn out insipid, shallow works.

stalwart

adjective loyal, reliable, and hard-working: he remained a stalwart supporter of the cause. • dated strongly built and sturdy: he was of stalwart build. noun a loyal, reliable, and hard-working supporter of or participant in an organization or team: the stalwarts of the Labour Party.

boisterous

adjective noisy, energetic, and cheerful: a group of boisterous lads. • (of weather or water) wild or stormy: the boisterous wind was lulled.

incontrovertible

adjective not able to be denied or disputed: incontrovertible proof.

spurious

adjective not being what it purports to be; false or fake: separating authentic and spurious claims. • (of a line of reasoning) apparently but not actually valid: this spurious reasoning results in nonsense. • archaic (of offspring) illegitimate.

disingenuous

adjective not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does: this journalist was being somewhat disingenuous as well as cynical. Synonyms:dishonest, deceitful, underhand, underhanded, duplicitous, double-dealing, two-faced, dissembling

placid

adjective not easily upset or excited: a placid, contented man. • calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity: the placid waters of a small lake.

indeterminate

adjective not exactly known, established, or defined: the date of manufacture is indeterminate. • (of a judicial sentence) such that the convicted person's conduct determines the date of release. • Mathematics (of a quantity) having no definite or definable value. • Medicine (of a condition) from which a diagnosis of the underlying cause cannot be made: indeterminate colitis. • Botany (of a plant shoot) not having all the axes terminating in a flower bud and so producing a shoot of indefinite length.

aloofness

adjective not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant: they were courteous but faintly aloof | an aloof and somewhat austere figure. • conspicuously uninvolved: he stayed aloof from the bickering.

innocuous

adjective not harmful or offensive: it was an innocuous question.

frivolous

adjective not having any serious purpose or value: frivolous ribbons and lacy frills | rules to stop frivolous lawsuits. • (of a person) carefree and superficial: the frivolous, fun-loving flappers of the twenties. DERIVATIVES

incongruous

adjective not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something: the duffel coat looked incongruous with the black dress she wore underneath.

dispassionate

adjective not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational and impartial: she dealt with life's disasters in a calm, dispassionate way. Synonyms:unemotional, non-emotional, unsentimental, emotionless, impassive, nonchalant, cool; objective, detached, neutral, disinterested, uninvolved, impersonal, impartial

redundant

adjective not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous: an appropriate use for a redundant church | many of the old skills had become redundant. • Brit.no longer in employment because there is no more work available: eight permanent staff were made redundant. • Engineering (of a component) not strictly necessary to functioning but included in case of failure in another component. the modules are linked using a redundant fibre-optic cable.

obtrusive

adjective noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome or intrusive way: a large and obtrusive works where ammonia is produced.

annual

adjective occurring once every year: the sponsored walk became an annual event | an annual report. • calculated over or covering a period of a year: an annual rate of increase | his basic annual income. • (of a plant) living only for a year or less, perpetuating itself by seed. annual weeds. Compare with biennial, perennial. noun 1 a book or magazine that is published once a year under the same title but with different contents. a Christmas annual. trade journals, annuals, and directories. 2 an annual plant. sow annuals in spring.

momentous

adjective of great importance or significance, especially in having a bearing on future events: a period of momentous changes in East-West relations | a momentous decision.

polemical

adjective of or involving strongly critical or disputatious writing or speech: a polemical essay.

spectral

adjective of or like a ghost: a spectral, menacing face.

portentous

adjective of or like a portent; of momentous significance: this portentous year in Canadian history. • done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress: the author's portentous moralizings.

serpentine

adjective of or like a serpent or snake: serpentine coils. • winding and twisting like a snake: serpentine country lanes. • complex, cunning, or treacherous: his charm was too subtle and serpentine for me. noun 1 [ mass noun ] a dark green mineral consisting of hydrated magnesium silicate, sometimes mottled or spotted like a snake's skin. 2 (the Serpentine) a winding lake in Hyde Park, London, constructed in 1730. 3 a riding exercise consisting of a series of half-circles made alternately to right and left. for young horses, suppleness and control were built with serpentines. 4 historical a kind of cannon, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. verb [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] move or lie in a winding path or line. fresh tyre tracks serpentined back towards the hopper.se

vapid

adjective offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland: tuneful but vapid musical comedies. Synonyms: insipid, uninspired, colourless, uninteresting, feeble, flat, dead, dull, boring, tedious, tired

tattered

adjective old and torn; in poor condition: an old woman in tattered clothes | figurative : the tattered remnants of my pride.

equivocal

adjective open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous: the equivocal nature of her remarks. • (of a person) using ambiguous or evasive language: he has always been equivocal about the meaning of his lyrics. • uncertain or questionable in nature: the results of the investigation were equivocal.

reactionary

adjective opposing political or social progress or reform: reactionary attitudes toward women's rights. noun (pl.reactionaries) a reactionary person. he was later to become an extreme reactionary. Synonyms:right-wing, conservative, rightist, ultra-conservative; blimpish, diehard; traditionalist, conventional

spontaneous

adjective performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus: the audience broke into spontaneous applause | a spontaneous display of affection. • having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner. • (of a process or event) occurring without apparent external cause: spontaneous miscarriages. • Biology (of movement or activity in an organism) instinctive or involuntary: the spontaneous mechanical activity of circular smooth muscle. • archaic (of a plant) growing naturally and without being tended or cultivated. Synonyms:voluntary, unconstrained, unprompted, unbidden, unsolicited, unplanned

taxing

adjective physically or mentally demanding: they find the work too taxing. Synonyms:exacting, challenging, burdensome, arduous, onerous, difficult, hard, tough, heavy, laborious

preliminary

adjective preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important: a preliminary draft | the discussions were seen as preliminary to the policy paper. noun (pl.preliminaries) a preliminary action or event: the bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack. • (preliminaries) business or talk, especially of a formulaic or polite nature, taking place before an action or event: she began speaking, without preliminaries. • a preliminary round in a sporting competition. • (preliminaries) the prelims of a text.

martial

adjective relating to fighting or war: martial bravery.

sophomoric

adjective relating to or characteristic of a sophomore: my sophomoric years. • pretentious or juvenile: sophomoric double entendres. very immature and poorly informed.

fictional

adjective relating to or occurring in fiction; invented for the purposes of fiction: fictional texts | a fictional character. Synonyms: fictitious, invented, imaginary, imagined, made up, make-believe, unreal, fabricated, concocted, devised

demographic

adjective relating to the structure of populations: the demographic trend is towards an older population.

qualitative

adjective relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity: a qualitative change in the undergraduate curriculum. Often contrasted with quantitative. • Grammar (of an adjective) describing the quality of something in size, appearance, value, etc. Such adjectives can be submodified by words such as very and have comparative and superlative forms. Contrasted with classifying.

strenuous

adjective requiring or using great effort or exertion: the government made strenuous efforts to upgrade the quality of the teaching profession. Synonyms:arduous, difficult, hard, tough, taxing, demanding, exacting, uphill, stiff, formidable, heavy, exhausting, tiring

sodden

adjective saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through: his clothes were sodden. • [ in combination ] having drunk an excessive amount of a particular alcoholic drink: a whisky-sodden criminal. verb [ with obj. ] archaic saturate (something) with water. the rains have soddened the earth.

daunting

adjective seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating: a daunting task.

altruistic

adjective showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish: it was an entirely altruistic act. I question how altruistic his motives were.

punctilious

adjective showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour: he was punctilious in providing every amenity for his guests.

meticulous

adjective showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise: the designs are hand-glazed with meticulous care | he had always been so meticulous about his appearance. Synonyms:careful, conscientious, diligent, ultra-careful, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, demanding, exacting, accurate

complacent

adjective showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements: you can't afford to be complacent about security.

well-worn

adjective showing the signs of extensive use or wear: a well-worn leather armchair. • (of a phrase, idea, or joke) used or repeated so often that it no longer has interest or significance.

demented

adjective suffering from dementia. • informal, chiefly Brit.behaving irrationally due to anger, distress, or excitement: she was demented with worry.

lavish

adjective sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious: a lavish banquet. • (of a person) very generous or extravagant: he was lavish with his hospitality. • spent or given in profusion: lavish praise. verb [ with obj. ] (lavish something on) bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on: the media couldn't lavish enough praise on the film. • (lavish someone with) give someone generous amounts of: he was lavished with gifts.

tenacious

adjective tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely: a tenacious grip. • not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined: this tenacious defence of local liberties | you're tenacious and you get at the truth. • persisting in existence; not easily dispelled: a tenacious local legend.

loquacious

adjective tending to talk a great deal; talkative. never loquacious, Sarah was now totally lost for words. Synonyms: talkative, garrulous, voluble, over-talkative, long-winded, wordy, verbose, profuse, prolix, effusive

sparse

adjective thinly dispersed or scattered: areas of sparse population. • scanty; in short supply: information on earnings is sparse.

baleful

adjective threatening harm; menacing: Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction. • having a harmful or destructive effect: the baleful influence of Rasputin.

tedious

adjective too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous: a tedious journey.

genuine

adjective truly what something is said to be; authentic: genuine 24-carat gold. • (of a person, emotion, or action) sincere: a genuine attempt to put things right | there was genuine affection in his voice.

intransigent

adjective unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something. her father had tried persuasion, but she was intransigent.

intuitive

adjective using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive: his intuitive understanding of the readers' real needs. • (chiefly of computer software) easy to use and understand. Synonyms: instinctive, intuitional, instinctual; innate, inborn, inherent, untaught, unlearned, natural

intricate

adjective very complicated or detailed: an intricate network of canals. Synonyms: complex, complicated, convoluted, tangled, entangled, ravelled, twisted, knotty, maze-like, labyrinthine

tenuous

adjective very weak or slight: the tenuous link between interest rates and investment. • very slender or fine; insubstantial: a tenuous cloud.

circumspect

adjective wary and unwilling to take risks: the officials were very circumspect in their statements.

complaisant

adjective willing to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest: he went to join his apparently complaisant wife for Christmas.

draughty

adjective (draughtier, draughtiest; draftier, draftiest) (of an enclosed space) cold and uncomfortable because of currents of cool air: anyone would get pneumonia living in that draughty old house. • (of a door or window) ill-fitting and allowing in currents of cool air. fix plastic foam strips around draughty windows.

flaky

adjective (flakier, flakiest) 1 breaking or separating easily into flakes: she ate flaky rolls spread with cherry jam. 2 informal liable to act in an unconventional or eccentric way: a game-show host with a penchant for flaky blondes. • (of a device or software) prone to break down; unreliable.

flimsy

adjective (flimsier, flimsiest) insubstantial and easily damaged: a flimsy barrier. • (of clothing) very light and thin: the flimsy garment fell from her. • (of a pretext or account) weak and unconvincing: a pretty flimsy excuse. noun (pl.flimsies) Brit. a document, especially a copy, made on very thin paper: credit-card flimsies. • [ mass noun ] very thin paper: sheets of yellow flimsy. Synonym:thin, light, lightweight, fine, ultra-fine, diaphanous, sheer, delicate, insubstantial

fussy

adjective (fussier, fussiest) fastidious about one's needs or requirements; hard to please: he is very fussy about what he eats. • showing excessive or anxious concern about detail: Eleanor patted her hair with quick, fussy movements. • full of unnecessary detail or decoration: I hate fussy clothes.

grubby

adjective (grubbier, grubbiest) dirty; grimy: the grubby face of a young boy. • disreputable; sordid: grubby little moneylenders.

huffy

adjective (huffier, huffiest) annoyed or irritated and quick to take offence at petty things. ask writers for more than a second draft and they get huffy. the old ladies made a huffy pretence of being uninterested.

bated

adjective (in phrase with bated breath) in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly: he waited for a reply to his offer with bated breath.

intense

adjective (intenser, intensest) 1 of extreme force, degree, or strength: the job demands intense concentration | the heat was intense | an intense blue. • (of an action) highly concentrated: a phase of intense activity. 2 having or showing strong feelings or opinions; extremely earnest or serious: an intense young woman, passionate about her art | a burning and intense look.

mealy

adjective (mealier, mealiest) resembling or containing meal: a mealy flavour | mealy puddings. • (of a person's complexion, an animal's muzzle, or a bird's plumage) pale. in its dark colour and mealy muzzle the Exmoor pony resembles the tarpan. • (of part of a plant or fungus) covered with granules resembling meal. mealy leaves.

murky

adjective (murkier, murkiest) 1 dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist: the sky was murky and a thin drizzle was falling. • (of liquid) dark and dirty; not clear: the murky silt of a muddy pond. 2 obscure or morally questionable: a government minister with a murky past.

nosy

adjective (nosier, nosiest) showing too much curiosity about other people's affairs: nosy neighbours | stop being so nosy! verb (nosies, nosying or noseying, nosied) [ no obj., with adverbial ] pry into something: they don't nosy into your business like some people.

obscure

adjective (obscurer, obscurest) 1 not discovered or known about; uncertain: his origins and parentage are obscure. • not important or well known: a relatively obscure actor. 2 not clearly expressed or easily understood: obscure references to Proust. • hard to make out or define; vague: grey and obscure on the horizon rose a low island | I feel an obscure resentment. verb [ with obj. ] keep from being seen; conceal: grey clouds obscure the sun. • make unclear and difficult to understand: the debate has become obscured by conflicting ideological perspectives. • keep from being known: none of this should obscure the skill and perseverance of the workers.

paltry

adjective (paltrier, paltriest) (of an amount) very small or meagre: she would earn a paltry £33 more a month. • petty; trivial: naval glory struck him as paltry.

potty

adjective (pottier, pottiest) informal, chiefly Brit. 1 mad; crazy: he's driving me potty. • [ predic. ] extremely enthusiastic about or fond of someone or something: she's potty about you. 2 [ attrib. ] insignificant or feeble: a potty little place.

preachy

adjective (preachier, preachiest) informal having or showing a tendency to give moral advice in a tedious or self-righteous way: his patriotic pictures had a preachy tone. Synonyms:moralistic, moralizing, sanctimonious, self-righteous, holier-than-thou, priggish, sententious

frissly

adjective (prissier, prissiest) fussily and excessively respectable: a middle-class family with two prissy children.

reedy

adjective (reedier, reediest) 1 (of a sound or voice) high and thin in tone: Franco's reedy voice. 2 (of water or land) full of or edged with reeds: low reedy islands. 3 (of a person) tall and thin: a reedy twelve-year-old.

robust

adjective (robuster, robustest) 1 (of an object) sturdy in construction: a robust metal cabinet. • strong and healthy; vigorous: the Caplan family are a robust lot. • (of a system, organization, etc.) able to withstand or overcome adverse conditions: the country's political system has continued to be robust in spite of its economic problems. • uncompromising and forceful: he took quite a robust view of my case. 2 (of wine or food) strong and rich in flavour or smell: a robust mixture of fish, onions, capers and tomatoes.

rocky

adjective (rockier, rockiest) 1 consisting or full of rock or rocks: a rocky crag above the village | hillsides of dry, rocky soil. 2 tending to rock or shake; unsteady. older types of sash windows are a bit rocky. 3 difficult and full of problems: the marriage seemingly got off to a rocky start | the rocky road to success. 4 relating to or characteristic of rock music: rocky and acoustic folk bands.

saucy

adjective (saucier, sauciest) informal 1 chiefly Brit.sexually suggestive in a light-hearted and humorous way. saucy postcards. • cheeky or impertinent. 2 chiefly N. Amer.having or expressing a bold, lively, or spirited manner. the beret was perched at a saucy angle on her blonde hair.

shabby

adjective (shabbier, shabbiest) 1 in poor condition through long use or lack of care: a conscript in a shabby uniform saluted the car. • dressed in old or worn clothes: a shabby fellow in slippers and an undershirt. 2 (of behaviour) mean and unfair: Snooping, was he? That's a shabby trick.

smarmy

adjective (smarmier, smarmiest) informal ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is regarded as insincere or excessive: a smarmy, unctuous reply.

snooty

adjective (snootier, snootiest) informal showing disapproval or contempt towards others, especially those considered to belong to a lower social class: snooty neighbours.

soppy

adjective (soppier, soppiest) Brit. informal 1 self-indulgently sentimental: I look at babies with a soppy smile on my face. 2 lacking spirit and strength of character; feeble: my little sisters were too soppy for our adventurous games.

sprightly

adjective (sprightlier, sprightliest; spritelier, spriteliest) (especially of an old person) lively; full of energy: she was quite sprightly for her age.

steely

adjective (steelier, steeliest) 1 resembling steel in colour, brightness, or strength: a steely blue. 2 coldly determined; hard: there was a steely edge to his questions.

subtle

adjective (subtler, subtlest) 1 (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe: his language expresses rich and subtle meanings. • (of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated: subtle lighting. • capable of making fine distinctions: a subtle mind. • arranged in an ingenious and elaborate way. the German plan was simple yet subtle. 2 making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something: he tried a more subtle approach. 3 archaic crafty; cunning: the subtle fiend dissembled.

tawdry

adjective (tawdrier, tawdriest) showy but cheap and of poor quality: tawdry jewellery. • sordid or unpleasant: the tawdry business of politics. noun [ mass noun ] archaic cheap and gaudy finery.

unruly

adjective (unrulier, unruliest) disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control: a group of unruly children | figurative : Kate tried to control her unruly emotions.

unwieldy

adjective (unwieldier, unwieldiest) (of an object) difficult to move because of its size, shape, or weight: huge, unwieldy arc lamps. • (of a system) too large or disorganized to function efficiently. the benefits system is unwieldy and unnecessarily complex. Synonym: cumbersome, unmanageable, unhandy, unmanoeuvrable; awkward, difficult, clumsy

wobbly

adjective (wobblier, wobbliest) tending to move unsteadily from side to side: the car had a wobbly wheel. • (of a person) weak and unsteady from illness, tiredness, or anxiety. she still felt a bit wobbly on her legs. • uncertain, wavering, or insecure: the evening got off to a wobbly start. • (of a person or voice) tending to move out of tone or slightly vary in pitch. a wobbly soprano. • (of a line or handwriting) not straight or regular.

woozy

adjective (woozier, wooziest) informal unsteady, dizzy, or dazed: I still felt woozy from all the pills.

ballistic

adjective [ attrib. ] 1 of or relating to projectiles or their flight. 2 moving under the force of gravity only.

sundry

adjective [ attrib. ] of various kinds; several: lemon rind and sundry herbs. as pl.noun (sundries) various items not important enough to be mentioned individually: a drugstore selling magazines, newspapers, and sundries.

ostensible

adjective [ attrib. ] stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so: the real dispute which lay behind the ostensible complaint.

veritable

adjective [ attrib. ] used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor: the early 1970s witnessed a veritable price explosion.

rugose

adjective chiefly Biology wrinkled; corrugated: rugose corals.

sanctimony

adjective derogatory making a show of being morally superior to other people: what happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?

rambunctious

adjective informal, chiefly N. Amer. uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous. a rambunctious tyke.

stellate

adjective technical arranged in a radiating pattern like that of a star. stellate cells. a stellate pattern of strands.

deliberate

adjective |dɪˈlɪb(ə)rət| 1 done consciously and intentionally: a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict. 2 careful and unhurried: a conscientious and deliberate worker. • fully considered; not impulsive: a deliberate decision. Synonyms: intentional, calculated, conscious, done on purpose, intended, planned, meant, considered, studied, knowing

abstract

adjective |ˈabstrakt| 1 existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence: abstract concepts such as love or beauty. • dealing with ideas rather than events: the novel was too abstract and esoteric to sustain much attention. • not based on a particular instance; theoretical: we have been discussing the problem in a very abstract manner. • (of a noun) denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object. 2 relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures. abstract pictures. verb |əbˈstrakt| [ with obj. ] 1 (abstract something from) consider something theoretically or separately from (something else): to abstract science and religion from their historical context can lead to anachronism. 2 (usu. abstract something from) extract or remove (something): applications to abstract more water from streams. • used euphemistically to indicate that someone has stolen something: his pockets contained all he had been able to abstract from the flat. • (abstract oneself) withdraw: as our relationship deepened you seemed to abstract yourself. 3 make a written summary of (an article or book): staff who abstract material for an online database.

covert

adjective |ˈkʌvət, ˈkəʊvəːt| not openly acknowledged or displayed: covert operations against the dictatorship. noun |ˈkʌvət, ˈkʌvə| 1 a thicket in which game can hide. 2 Ornithology a feather covering the base of a main flight or tail feather of a bird. Synonyms:ecret, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, stealthy, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hole-in-the-corner, closet, behind-the-scenes

helter-skelter

adjective& adverb in disorderly haste or confusion: [ as adj. ] : the helter-skelter dash to unity | [ as adv. ] : hurtling helter-skelter down the pavement. noun 1 Brit.a fairground amusement consisting of a tall spiral slide winding around a tower. 2 [ in sing. ] disorder; confusion: the helter-skelter of a school day.

gutted

adjective. informal bitterly disappointed or upset: I know how gutted the players must feel.

sorted

adjectiveBrit. informal organized, arranged, or dealt with satisfactorily: 'And your social commitments?' 'They're well sorted' | he's working on that old car he's been trying to get sorted. • (of a person) confident, organized, and emotionally well balanced: after a while, you realize they're not as sorted as they seem | a pretty sorted kind of bloke. • (of a person) prepared for or provided with something (especially illegal drugs). Are you sorted? This is good stuff—it'll keep you going all night.

Hence

adverb 1 as a consequence; for this reason: many vehicle journeys (and hence a lot of pollution) would be saved. 2 from now (used after a period of time): two years hence they might say something different. 3 (also from hence) archaic from here: hence, be gone. Synonyms:in consequence, consequently, as a consequence, for this reason

properly

adverb 1 correctly or satisfactorily: ensuring the work is carried out properly | a properly drafted agreement. • appropriately for the circumstances; suitably or respectably: I'm trying to get my mother to behave properly. 2 [ sentence adverb ] in the strict sense; exactly: algebra is, properly speaking, the analysis of equations. 3 [ usu. as submodifier ] informal, chiefly Brit.thoroughly; completely: on the first day she felt properly well, Millie sat out on the front steps.

afield

adverb 1 to or at a distance: competitors from as far afield as Aberdeen. 2 in the field (in reference to hunting): the satisfaction of a day afield.

aside

adverb to one side; out of the way: he pushed his plate aside | they stood aside to let a car pass | she must put aside all her antagonistic feelings. • in reserve; for future use: she set aside some money for rent. • used to indicate that one is dismissing a topic or changing to a new subject: joking aside, I've certainly had my fill. noun a remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but is supposed to be unheard by the other characters in the play. Shakespeare's use of asides and soliloquies. • an incidental remark, or one not intended to be heard by everyone present: 'Does that make him a murderer?' whispered Alice in an aside to Fred.

crop up

appear, occur, or come to one's notice unexpectedly: some urgent business had cropped up.

snap off

break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound: [ no obj. ] : guitar strings kept snapping | [ with obj. ] : dead twigs can be snapped off.

broadside

broadside |ˈbrɔːdsʌɪd| noun 1 a fierce verbal attack: he launched a broadside against the economic reforms. 2 historical a firing of all the guns from one side of a warship. • the set of guns which can fire on each side of a warship. • the side of a ship above the water between the bow and quarter. 3 a sheet of paper printed on one side only, forming one large page: a broadside of Lee's farewell address. adverb with the side turned in a particular direction: the yacht was drifting broadside to the wind. • on the side: her car was hit broadside by another vehicle.

come to terms with

come to accept (a new and painful or difficult event or situation); reconcile oneself to: she had come to terms with the tragedies in her life.

on the mend

improving in health or condition; recovering: the economy is on the mend.

just the same

nevertheless: I put on my raincoat and big straw hat. But we got soaked just the same.

leviathan

noun (in biblical use) a sea monster, identified in different passages with the whale and the crocodile (e.g., Job 41, Ps. 74:14), and with the Devil (after Isa. 27:1). • a very large aquatic creature, especially a whale: the great leviathans of the deep. • a thing that is very large or powerful, especially a ship. • an autocratic monarch or state.[with allusion to Hobbes' Leviathan (1651).]

ogre

noun (in folklore) a man-eating giant. • a cruel or terrifying person. it is clear that I am no ogre.

chattel

noun (in general use) a personal possession. • Law an item of property other than freehold land, including tangible goods (chattels personal) and leasehold interests (chattels real). See also goods and chattels.

gut

noun 1 (also guts) the stomach or belly: the terrible pain in his gut. • Medicine & Biology the lower alimentary canal or a part of this; the intestine: microbes which naturally live in the human gut. • (guts) entrails that have been removed or exposed in violence or by a butcher. • informal a fat stomach. • (guts) the inner parts or essence of something: the guts of a modern computer. • (guts) [ with modifier ] used to form names attributing negative characteristics to people: what's the matter with you, misery guts? | greedy guts. 2 [ often as modifier ] informal used in reference to a feeling or reaction based on an instinctive emotional response rather than considered thought : I had a gut feeling that something was wrong | I could feel it in my guts - he was out there, watching me. 3 (guts) informal personal courage and determination; toughness of character: he didn't have the guts to tell the truth. 4 [ mass noun ] fibre made from the intestines of animals, used especially for violin or racket strings or for surgical use. 5 a narrow passage or strait. verb (guts, gutting, gutted) [ with obj. ] remove the intestines and other internal organs from (a fish or other animal) before cooking it. • remove or destroy completely the internal parts of (a building or other structure): the fire gutted most of the factory.

docent

noun 1 (in certain US and European universities and colleges) a member of the teaching staff immediately below professorial rank. 2 a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.

rounder

noun 1 (in rounders) a complete run of a player through all the bases as a unit of scoring. 2 N. Amer. informal a habitual criminal or disreputable person.

jitter

noun 1 (jitters) feelings of extreme nervousness: a bout of the jitters. 2 [ mass noun ] slight irregular movement, variation, or unsteadiness, especially in an electrical signal or electronic device. picture jitter. verb 1 [ no obj. ] act nervously: an anxious student who jittered at any provocation. 2 (of a signal or device) suffer from jitter. the episode is only available as a jittering videotape version.

contours

noun 1 (usu. contours) an outline representing or bounding the shape or form of something: she traced the contours of his face with her finger | figurative : challenges that have shaped the contours of European integration. • an outline of a natural feature such as a hill: the road climbs steadily, following the contours of the hillside. • short for contour line. below the 1200-ft contour is a belt of limestone. • a line joining points on a diagram at which some property has the same value. the figure shows contours of 21-cm line emission of atomic hydrogen. 2 a way in which something varies, especially the pitch of music or the pattern of tones in an utterance. verb [ with obj. ] 1 mould into a specific shape, especially one designed to fit into something else: the compartment has been contoured with smooth rounded corners | (as adj.contoured) : the contoured leather seats. 2 mark (a map or diagram) with contour lines: (as adj.contoured) : a huge contoured map. 3 (of a road or railway) follow the outline of (a topographical feature), especially along a contour line: the road contours the hillside.

dimension

noun 1 (usu. dimensions) a measurable extent of a particular kind, such as length, breadth, depth, or height: the final dimensions of the pond were 14 ft x 8 ft | [ mass noun ] : the drawing must be precise in dimension. • a mode of linear extension of which there are three in space and two on a flat surface, which corresponds to one of a set of coordinates specifying the position of a point. • Physics an expression for a derived physical quantity in terms of fundamental quantities such as mass, length, or time, raised to the appropriate power (acceleration, for example, having the dimension of length × time−2). 2 an aspect or feature of a situation: we must focus on the cultural dimensions of the problem. verb [ with obj. ] cut or shape (something) to particular measurements. • (usu. as adj.dimensioned) mark (a diagram) with measurements.

scruple

noun 1 (usu. scruples) a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action: I had no scruples about eavesdropping | [ mass noun ] : without scruple, politicians use fear as a persuasion weapon. 2 historical a unit of weight equal to 20 grains, used by apothecaries. give, daily, one scruple of sulphate of quinine. • archaic a very small amount of something, especially a quality. in the choice of a second wife, one scruple of prudence is worth a pound of passion. verb [ no obj., with infinitive ] [ usu. with negative ] hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong: she doesn't scruple to ask her parents for money.

tribunal

noun 1 Brit.a body established to settle certain types of dispute: an industrial tribunal ruled that he was unfairly dismissed. 2 a court of justice: an international war crimes tribunal. • a seat or bench for a judge or judges.

rota

noun 1 Brit.a list showing when each of a number of people has to do a particular job: a cleaning rota. Compare with roster. 2 (the Rota)the supreme ecclesiastical and secular court of the Roman Catholic Church.

sachet

noun 1 Brit.a small sealed bag or packet containing a small quantity of something: a sachet of sugar. 2 a small bag containing dried scented material such as lavender, used to scent clothes. • [ mass noun ] archaic dried, scented material for use in scenting clothes.

bromide

noun 1 Chemistry a compound of bromine with another element or group, especially a salt containing the anion Br− or an organic compound with bromine bonded to an alkyl radical. 2 a trite statement that is intended to soothe or placate: feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem-solving. • dated a sedative preparation containing potassium bromide. 3 a reproduction or piece of typesetting on bromide paper.

quadriangle

noun 1 Geometry a four-sided plane figure, especially a square or rectangle. 2 a square or rectangular space or courtyard enclosed by buildings.

occlusion

noun 1 Medicine the blockage or closing of a blood vessel or hollow organ. • Phonetics the momentary closure of the passage of breath during the articulation of a consonant. 2 Meteorology a process in which the cold front of a rotating low-pressure system overtakes the warm front, forcing the warm air upward above a wedge of cold air. • an occluded front. 3 Dentistry the position of the teeth when the jaws are closed.

drift

noun 1 [ in sing. ] a continuous slow movement from one place to another: there was a drift to the towns. • [ mass noun ] the deviation of a vessel, aircraft, or projectile from its intended or expected course as the result of currents or winds: the pilot had not noticed any appreciable drift. • a steady movement or development from one thing towards another that is perceived as unwelcome: the drift towards a more repressive style of policing. • [ mass noun ] a state of inaction or indecision. after so much drift, any expression of enthusiasm is welcome. • Motor Racing a controlled skid, used in taking bends at high speeds. 2 [ in sing. ] the general intention or meaning of an argument or someone's remarks: maybe I'm too close to the forest to see the trees, if you catch my drift. he didn't understand much Greek, but he got her drift. 3 a large mass of snow, leaves, or other material piled up or carried along by the wind. four sheep were dug out of the drift. • [ mass noun ] Geology glacial and fluvioglacial deposits left by retreating ice sheets. • a large spread of flowering plants growing together: a drift of daffodils. 4 Mining a horizontal or inclined passage following a mineral vein or coal seam. the drift led to another smaller ore chamber. 5 Brit. historical an act of driving cattle or sheep. • an act of herding cattle within a forest to a particular place on an appointed day in order to determine ownership or to levy fines. 6 S. Africana ford.

flair

noun 1 [ in sing. ] a special or instinctive aptitude or ability for doing something well: she had a flair for languages | [ mass noun ] : none of us had much artistic flair. 2 [ mass noun ] stylishness and originality: she dressed with flair.

backlash

noun 1 [ in sing. ] a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development: a public backlash against racism. 2 [ mass noun ] recoil arising between parts of a mechanism. • degree of play between parts of a mechanism. typical gearbox backlash in these systems is 2°. Synonyms:adverse reaction/response, counteraction, counterblast, comeback, recoil; retaliation

wainscot

noun 1 [ in sing. ] an area of wooden panelling on the lower part of the walls of a room. • [ mass noun ] Brit. historical imported oak of fine quality, used mainly to make panelling. 2 a drab yellowish to brown-coloured European moth.

solitaire

noun 1 [ mass noun ] Brit.a game for one player played by removing pegs one at a time from a board by jumping others over them from adjacent holes, the object being to be left with only one peg. • N. Amer.the card game patience. 2 a diamond or other gem set in a piece of jewellery by itself. [ with modifier ] : a diamond solitaire. [ as modifier ] : a solitaire ring. • a ring set with a solitaire diamond or other gem. 3 either of two large extinct flightless birds related to the dodo, found on two of the Mascarene Islands until they were exterminated in the 18th century.

lather

noun 1 [ mass noun ] a frothy white mass of bubbles produced by soap, washing powder, etc. when mixed with water. she rinsed off the lather and dried her hands. • heavy sweat visible on a horse's coat as a white foam. 2 (a lather) informal a state of agitation or nervous excitement: Dad had got into a right lather by the time I got home. verb 1 form or cause to form a lather: [ no obj. ] : soap will not lather in hard water. • [ with obj. ] rub soap on to (the body) until a lather is produced: she was lathering herself languidly beneath the shower. • (be/become lathered) (of a horse) be or become covered with sweat: his horse was lathered up by the end of the day. 2 [ with obj. ] spread (a substance) thickly or liberally: we lathered the cream on our scones. • cover (something) with liberal amounts of a substance: she lathered a slice of toast with butter. 3 [ with obj. ] informal thrash (someone). my mother caught me by the back of the neck and lathered me up the steps.

marble

noun 1 [ mass noun ] a hard crystalline metamorphic form of limestone, typically white with coloured mottlings or streaks, which may be polished and is used in sculpture and architecture. the spotless white marble of the Taj Mahal. [ as modifier ] : a marble floor. • used figuratively to refer to something with the smoothness, hardness, or colour of marble: her shoulders were as white as marble. • [ count noun ] a marble sculpture. a pair of dramatic marbles showing dogs attacking a buck. 2 a small ball of coloured glass or similar material used as a toy. • (marbles) [ treated as sing. ] a game in which marbles are rolled along the ground with the aim of hitting those of one's opponent. a couple of girls were playing marbles. 3 (one's marbles) informal one's mental faculties: I thought she'd lost her marbles, asking a question like that. verb [ with obj. ] stain or streak (something) so that it looks like marble: the stone walls were marbled with moss and lichen.

damask

noun 1 [ mass noun ] a rich, heavy silk or linen fabric with a pattern woven into it, used for table linen and upholstery. the walls are covered with faded red damask. [ count noun ] : silks and damasks. [ as modifier ] : a heavy damask tablecloth. 2 short for damask rose. 3 (also damask steel) [ mass noun ] historical another term for Damascus steel. adjective literary having the velvety pink or light red colour of a damask rose. her damask cheek. verb [ with obj. ] literary decorate with or as if with a variegated pattern: flowers damask the fragrant seat.

musk

noun 1 [ mass noun ] a strong-smelling reddish-brown substance which is secreted by the male musk deer for scent-marking and is an important ingredient in perfumery. 2 (also musk plant)a relative of the monkey flower, formerly cultivated for a musky fragrance which has been lost in the development of modern varieties.

credence

noun 1 [ mass noun ] belief in or acceptance of something as true: psychoanalysis finds little credence among laymen. • the likelihood of something being true; plausibility: being called upon by the media as an expert lends credence to one's opinions. 2 [ usu. as modifier ] a small side table, shelf, or niche in a church for holding the elements of the Eucharist before they are consecrated: a credence table.

finesse

noun 1 [ mass noun ] impressive delicacy and skill: orchestral playing of great finesse. • great subtlety and tact in handling or manipulating people or difficult situations: clients want advice and action that calls for considerable finesse. 2 (in bridge and whist) an attempt to win a trick with a card that is not a certain winner, typically by playing it as the third card in a trick in the hope that any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played. verb [ with obj. ] 1 bring about or deal with (something) by using great delicacy and skill: Karen spent ten months finessing the financing for the property. • chiefly N. Amer.slyly attempt to avoid blame or censure when dealing with (a situation or problem): despite the administration's attempts to finesse its mishaps, the public remained wary. 2 (in bridge and whist) play (a card) in the hope of winning a trick with it because any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played.

dominion

noun 1 [ mass noun ] sovereignty or control: man's attempt to establish dominion over nature. • another term for dominium. 2 (usu. dominions) the territory of a sovereign or government: the Angevin dominions. • (Dominion) historical each of the self-governing territories of the British Commonwealth. Great Britain, together with her Dominions and Colonies. 3 (dominions) another term for domination ( sense 2).

foresight

noun 1 [ mass noun ] the ability to predict what will happen or be needed in the future: he had the foresight to check that his escape route was clear. 2 the front sight of a gun. 3 Surveying a sight taken forwards. Synonyms: forethought, anticipation, planning, forward planning, provision, prescience, circumspection

ingress

noun 1 [ mass noun ] the action or fact of going in or entering; the capacity or right of entrance. • a place or means of access; an entrance. • [ mass noun ] the unwanted introduction of water, foreign bodies, contaminants, etc. 2 Astronomy & Astrology the arrival of the sun, moon, or a planet in a specified constellation or part of the sky. • the beginning of a transit.

cachet

noun 1 [ mass noun ] the state of being respected or admired; prestige: no other shipping company had quite the cachet of Cunard. 2 a distinguishing mark or seal. special cachets are applied to cards sold at the stands. 3 a flat capsule enclosing a dose of unpleasant-tasting medicine.

commitment

noun 1 [ mass noun ] the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.: the company's commitment to quality | I could not fault my players for commitment. • [ count noun ] a pledge or undertaking: I cannot make such a commitment at the moment. 2 an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action: with so many business commitments time for recreation was limited.

cohort

noun 1 [ treated as sing. or pl. ] an ancient Roman military unit, comprising six centuries, equal to one tenth of a legion. 2 [ treated as sing. or pl. ] a group of people banded together or treated as a group: a cohort of civil servants patiently drafting legislation. • a group of people with a common statistical characteristic: the 1940-44 birth cohort of women. 3 often derogatory a supporter or companion.

lot

noun 1 [ treated as sing. or pl. ] informal a particular group or set of people or things: it's just one lot of rich people stealing from another | he will need a second lot of tills to handle the second currency. • [ with adj. ] chiefly Brit.a group of a specified kind (used in a derogatory or dismissive way): an inefficient lot, our Council. 2 an item or set of items for sale at an auction: nineteen lots failed to sell. 3 [ mass noun ] the making of a decision by random selection, especially by a method involving the choice of one from a number of pieces of folded paper, one of which has a concealed mark: officers were elected rather than selected by lot. • [ in sing. ] the choice resulting from deciding something by lot: eventually the lot fell on the King's daughter. 4 [ in sing. ] a person's luck, situation, or destiny in life: schemes to improve the lot of the disadvantaged. 5 chiefly N. Amer.a plot of land assigned for sale or for a particular use: a vacant lot. • (also parking lot)a car park. • an area of land near a film studio where outside filming may be done. • the area at a car dealership where cars for sale are kept.

ham*

noun 1 [ usu. as modifier ] an excessively theatrical actor: ham actors. • [ mass noun ] excessively theatrical acting. 2 (also radio ham) informal an amateur radio operator. verb (hams, hamming, hammed) [ no obj. ] informal overact: she hammed it up for the cameras.

rail

noun 1 a bar or series of bars fixed on upright supports or attached to a wall or ceiling, serving as part of a barrier or used to hang things on: a curtain rail. • (the rails) the inside boundary fence of a racecourse. 2 a steel bar or continuous line of bars laid on the ground as one of a pair forming a railway track: the goods train left the rails. • [ mass noun ] [ often as modifier ] railways as a means of transport: rail fares | travelling by rail. 3 a horizontal piece in the frame of a panelled door or sash window. Compare with stile2. 4 the edge of a surfboard or sailboard. 5 Electronics a conductor which is maintained at a fixed potential and to which other parts of a circuit are connected. the anode must be connected to the positive supply rail. verb 1 [ with obj. ] provide or enclose (a space or place) with a rail or rails: the altar is railed off from the nave. 2 [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] convey (goods) by rail: perishables were railed into Manhattan. 3 [ no obj. ] (in windsurfing) sail the board on its edge. the more you pull down on the boom, the more you rail.

ledger

noun 1 a book or other collection of financial accounts: the total balance of the purchases ledger. 2 a flat stone slab covering a grave. [ as modifier ] : the ledger stone of William Averie. 3 a horizontal scaffolding pole, parallel to the face of the building. 4 a weight used on a fishing line without a float, to anchor the bait in a particular place: [ as modifier ] : ledger tackle.

vignette

noun 1 a brief evocative description, account, or episode: a classic vignette of embassy life. 2 a small illustration or portrait photograph which fades into its background without a definite border. 3 a small ornamental design filling a space in a book or carving, typically based on foliage.

effects

noun 1 a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause: the lethal effects of hard drugs | [ mass noun ] : politicians have some effect on the lives of ordinary people. • [ mass noun ] the state of being or becoming operative. • [ mass noun ] the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect. • [ with modifier ] Physics a physical phenomenon, typically named after its discoverer: the Renner effect. • an impression produced in the mind of a person: gentle music can have a soothing effect. 2 (effects) the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play, film, or broadcast: the production relied too much on spectacular effects. 3 (effects) personal belongings: the insurance covers personal effects.

gouge

noun 1 a chisel with a concave blade, used in carpentry, sculpture, and surgery.gouge 1 gouge 1 2 an indentation or groove made by gouging. verb [ with obj. ] 1 make (a groove, hole, or indentation) with or as if with a gouge: the channel had been gouged out by the ebbing water. • make a rough hole or indentation in (a surface), especially so as to mar or disfigure it: he had wielded the blade inexpertly, gouging the grass in several places. • (gouge something out) cut or force something out roughly or brutally: one of the young man's eyes had been gouged out. • [ no obj. ] Austral.dig for minerals, especially opal. he was gouging for ore. 2 N. Amer. informal overcharge or swindle (someone): drugs sold by the same manufacturers who are gouging patients in this country. • (gouge something out) obtain money by swindling or extortion: he'd gouged wads out of Morty.

correspondence

noun 1 a close similarity, connection, or equivalence: there is a simple correspondence between the distance of a focused object from the eye and the size of its image on the retina. 2 [ mass noun ] communication by exchanging letters: the organization engaged in detailed correspondence with local MPs. • letters sent or received: his wife dealt with his private correspondence.

clown

noun 1 a comic entertainer, especially one in a circus, wearing a traditional costume and exaggerated make-up. a circus clown. • a playful, extrovert person: Martin was always the class clown. • a foolish or incompetent person: we need a serious government, not a bunch of clowns. 2 archaic an unsophisticated country person; a rustic. verb [ no obj. ] behave in a comical or playful way: Harvey clowned around pretending to be a dog.

lump

noun 1 a compact mass of a substance, especially one without a definite or regular shape: there was a lump of ice floating in the milk. • a swelling under the skin, especially one caused by injury or disease: he was unhurt apart from a huge lump on his head. • a small cube of sugar. • informal a heavy, ungainly, or slow-witted person: I won't stand a chance against a big lump like you. 2 (the lump) Brit. informal the state of being self-employed and paid without deduction of tax, especially in the building industry: 'Working?' 'Only on the lump, here and there' | [ as modifier ] : lump labour.

draught

noun 1 a current of cool air in a room or other confined space: heavy curtains at the windows cut out draughts. 2 a single act of drinking or inhaling: she downed the remaining beer in one draught. • the amount swallowed or inhaled in a draught: he took deep draughts of oxygen into his lungs. • literary or archaic a quantity of a liquid with medicinal properties: a sleeping draught. 3 the depth of water needed to float a ship: the shallow draught enabled her to get close inshore. 4 the drawing in of a fishing net. • the fish taken at one drawing; a catch. adjective [ attrib. ] 1 denoting beer or cider served from a barrel or tank rather than from a bottle or can: draught ale. 2 denoting an animal used for pulling heavy loads: a draught horse.

prototype

noun 1 a first or preliminary version of a device or vehicle from which other forms are developed: the firm is testing a prototype of the weapon. • the first, original, or typical form of something; an archetype: these objects are the prototypes of a category of rapidly spinning neutron stars. 2 Electronics a basic filter network with specified cut-off frequencies, from which other networks may be derived to obtain sharper cut-offs, constancy of characteristic impedance with frequency, etc. the construction of bandpass networks from low-pass prototypes. verb [ with obj. ] make a prototype of (a product). Mercedes is prototyping a car sunroof which changes from clear to tinted.

breaker

noun 1 a heavy sea wave that breaks into white foam on the shore. 2 a person or thing that breaks something: [ in combination ] : a rule-breaker. • chiefly Brit.a person who breaks up disused machinery. those steam engines were now gone to the breaker's yard. • short for circuit breaker. 3 a person who interrupts a conversation on a Citizens' Band radio channel, indicating that they wish to transmit a message. • any CB radio user. 4 a break dancer.

impediment

noun 1 a hindrance or obstruction in doing something: a serious impediment to scientific progress. 2 (also speech impediment)a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stammer.

bunker

noun 1 a large container or compartment for storing fuel: a coal bunker. 2 a reinforced underground shelter, typically for use in wartime. 3 a hollow filled with sand, used as an obstacle on a golf course. verb [ with obj. ] 1 fill the fuel containers of (a ship); refuel. 2 (be bunkered) Golf (of a player) have one's ball lodged in a bunker: he was bunkered at the fifth hole. • hit (the ball) into a bunker: he bunkered his second shot. • Brit. informal cause difficulties to; hinder the progress of: he may find his new sporting pursuits bunkered by activities he hadn't planned on. 3 [ no obj. ] take refuge in a bunker or other shelter: his family had bunkered down inside their home | the former Governor has spent four days bunkered down at Government House.

spate

noun 1 a large number of similar things coming in quick succession: a spate of attacks on holidaymakers. 2 chiefly Brit.a sudden flood in a river. PHRASES in (full) spate (of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood. • used to refer to a person or action that is continuing with vigour and without pause: the headmaster was in full spate.

monolith

noun 1 a large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument. we passed Stonehenge, the strange stone monoliths silhouetted against the horizon. • a very large and characterless building: the 72-storey monolith overlooking the waterfront. • a large block of concrete sunk in water, e.g. in the building of a dock. 2 a large, impersonal political, corporate, or social structure regarded as indivisible and slow to change: independent voices have been crowded out by the media monoliths.

echelon

noun 1 a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society: the upper echelons of the business world. 2 Military a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, or vehicles in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting further than the one in front. the regiment lined up shoulder to shoulder in three tight echelons. [ mass noun ] : there are two planes, lying in echelon with one another. • [ often with modifier ] a part of a military force differentiated by position in battle or by function: the rear echelon. verb [ with obj. ] Military arrange in an echelon formation. the Task Force would take the left, echeloned to be able to sweep in from the west. (as noun echeloning) : the echeloning of fire teams.

cordon

noun 1 a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing access to or from an area or building: the crowd was halted in front of the police cordon. 2 a fruit tree trained to grow as a single stem. 3 Architecture a projecting course of brick or stone on the face of a wall. verb [ with obj. ] (cordon something off) prevent access to or from an area or building by surrounding it with police or other guards: the city centre was cordoned off after fires were discovered in two stores.

gash

noun 1 a long, deep cut or wound: a bad gash in one leg became infected. • a cleft made as if by a slashing cut: the blast ripped a 25-foot gash in the hull. 2 vulgar slang a woman's vulva. • [ mass noun ] offensive women collectively regarded in sexual terms. verb [ with obj. ] make a long, deep cut in: the jagged edges gashed their fingers.

shaft

noun 1 a long, narrow part or section forming the handle of a tool or club, the body of a spear or arrow, or similar: the shaft of a golf club | the shaft of a feather. • an arrow or spear. • a column, especially the main part between the base and capital. • a long cylindrical rotating rod for the transmission of motive power in a machine. • each of the pair of poles between which a horse is harnessed to a vehicle. the shafts of a horse-drawn wagon. 2 a ray of light or bolt of lightning: a shaft of sunlight. • a sudden flash of a quality or feeling: a shaft of inspiration. • a remark intended to be witty, wounding, or provoking: he directs his shafts against her. 3 a long, narrow, typically vertical hole that gives access to a mine, accommodates a lift in a building, or provides ventilation. 4 vulgar slang a man's penis. • (the shaft) N. Amer. informal harsh or unfair treatment: the executives continue to raise their pay while the workers get the shaft. verb 1 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (of light) shine in beams: brilliant sunshine shafted through the skylight. 2 [ with obj. ] vulgar slang (of a man) have sexual intercourse with (a woman). • informal treat (someone) harshly or unfairly: I suppose she'll get a lawyer and I'll be shafted.

streamer

noun 1 a long, narrow strip of material used as a decoration or symbol: plastic party streamers | figurative : a streamer of smoke. • [ usu. as modifier ] a banner headline in a newspaper: a streamer head in the student paper. • [ usu. as modifier ] Fishing a fly with feathers attached: a streamer fly. • Astronomy an elongated mass of luminous matter, e.g. in aurorae or the sun's corona. above active sunspot regions coronal streamers may travel 140 million km into space. 2 Computing short for tape streamer.

stringer

noun 1 a longitudinal structural piece in a framework, especially that of a ship or aircraft. 2 informal a newspaper correspondent who is retained on a part-time basis to report on events in a particular place. papers relied increasingly on locally based stringers and news agencies. 3 [ in combination ] a reserve sports player holding a specified position in an order of preference: six of the team's 24 first-stringers are Canadian. 4 N. Amer.a chain with hooks on which caught fish are strung. 5 a stringboard.

gob

noun 1 a lump of a viscous or slimy substance: a gob of phlegm. • N. Amer.a small lump. 2 (gobs of) N. Amer.a large amount of: they pumped gobs of money into the candidates' election coffers. verb (gobs, gobbing, gobbed) [ no obj. ] Brit. spit.

shredder

noun 1 a machine or other device for shredding something. • a device for reducing documents to small unreadable strips: most shredders can handle at least five sheets of paper at a time. 2 a musician who plays a very fast, intricate style of rock lead guitar: the guitarists are skilled, but not the fastest shredders around. 3 informal a snowboarder.

squire

noun 1 a man of high social standing who owns and lives on an estate in a rural area, especially the chief landowner in such an area: the squire of Radbourne Hall | [ as title ] : Squire Trelawny. • Brit. informal used by a man as a friendly or humorous form of address to another man. sorry, squire, but I know my limitations. • US archaic a title given to a magistrate, lawyer, or judge in some rural districts. 2 historical a young nobleman acting as an attendant to a knight before becoming a knight himself. 3 Austral.a subadult snapper fish (Chrysophrys auratus). verb [ with obj. ] (of a man) accompany or escort (a woman): she was squired around Rome by a reporter. • dated (of a man) have a romantic relationship with (a woman). he was still squiring Doreen, his high-school sweetheart.

run-up

noun 1 a marked rise in the value or level of something: a sharp run-up of land and stock prices. 2 the period preceding a notable event: an acrimonious run-up to legislative elections. 3 an act of running briefly to gain momentum before performing a jump in track and field or other sports: high jumper Steve Smith will use his shortened five-stride run-up. 4 an act of running an engine or turbine to prepare it for use or to test it. 5 Golf a low approach shot that bounces and runs forward.

knocker

noun 1 a metal or wooden object hinged to a door and rapped by visitors to attract attention and gain entry. • informal a person who buys or sells from door to door, especially with intent to deceive. 2 informal a person who continually finds fault. 3 (knockers) informal a woman's breasts.

junta

noun 1 a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force: the country's ruling military junta. 2 historical a deliberative or administrative council in Spain or Portugal.

foible

noun 1 a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character: they have to tolerate each other's little foibles. 2 Fencing the part of a sword blade from the middle to the point. Compare with forte1.

visor

noun 1 a movable part of a helmet that can be pulled down to cover the face. a plastic safety helmet with a transparent visor. • a screen for protecting the eyes from unwanted light, especially one at the top of a vehicle windscreen. the phone fits in the driver's visor. • N. Amer.a stiff peak at the front of a cap. [ as modifier ] : a visor cap. 2 historical a mask.

conglomeration

noun 1 a number of different things, parts or items that are grouped together; collection: a loose conglomeration of pieces. 2 [ mass noun ] the process of forming a conglomerate: the practice of media conglomeration. Synonyms:collection, cluster, assortment, mix, variety, medley, mixed bag, pot-pourri

remnants

noun 1 a part or quantity that is left after the greater part has been used, removed, or destroyed: the bogs are an endangered remnant of a primeval landscape. • a piece of cloth left when the greater part has been used or sold. he sat sewing patchwork cushions with all the remnants. • a surviving trace: a remnant of the past. 2 Christian Theology a small minority of people who will remain faithful to God and so be saved (in allusion to biblical prophecies concerning Israel). if any one ceases to be a witness, he ceases to be one of the remnant.

minimalist

noun 1 a person who advocates or practises minimalism. 2 a person advocating moderate reform in politics. adjective(also minimalistic) 1 relating to minimalism. • lacking decoration or adornment; deliberately simple or basic in design or style: his recently renovated minimalist Conran kitchen. 2 advocating moderate political reform.

iconoclast

noun 1 a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or institutions. 2 a destroyer of images used in religious worship, in particular: • historical a supporter of the 8th- and 9th-century movement in the Byzantine Church which sought to abolish the veneration of icons and other religious images. • historical a Puritan of the 16th or 17th century. Synonyms:sceptic, questioner; heretic, nonconformist, dissident

stoic

noun 1 a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining. 2 (Stoic)a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism.

champion

noun 1 a person who has surpassed all rivals in a sporting contest or other competition: [ as modifier ] : a champion hurdler. 2 a person who vigorously supports or defends a person or cause: he became the determined champion of a free press. • historical a knight who fought in single combat on behalf of the monarch. verb [ with obj. ] vigorously support or defend the cause of: he championed the rights of the working class and the poor. Synonyms: advocate, proponent, promoter, proposer, supporter, standard-bearer, torch-bearer, defender

huckster

noun 1 a person who sells small items door-to-door or from a stall. a door-to-door huckster. • a person who sells in an aggressive or ruthless way. 2 N. Amer.a publicity agent or advertising copywriter. verb [ no obj. ] N. Amer. bargain; haggle. they were clearly embarrassed at having to huckster for cash. • [ with obj. ] promote or sell (something, typically a product of questionable value). he was huckstering a video.

mosaic

noun 1 a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, glass, etc.: mosaics on the interior depict scenes from the Old Testament | [ mass noun ] : the walls and vaults are decorated by marble and mosaic. • a colourful and variegated pattern: the bird's plumage was a mosaic of slate-grey, blue, and brown. • a combination of diverse elements forming a more or less coherent whole: a cultural mosaic. • an arrangement of photosensitive elements in a television camera. 2 Biology an individual (especially an animal) composed of cells of two genetically different types. 3 (also mosaic disease)a virus disease that results in leaf variegation in tobacco, maize, sugar cane, and other plants. verb (mosaics, mosaicking, mosaicked) [ with obj. ] decorate with a mosaic: (as adj.mosaicked) : the mosaicked swimming pool. • combine (distinct or disparate elements) to form a picture or pattern. the digital data were combined, or mosaicked, to delineate counties. adjective Biology denoting an individual composed of cells of two genetically different types.

outlet

noun 1 a pipe or hole through which water or gas may escape. • the mouth of a river. • a point in an electrical circuit from which current may be drawn. 2 a place from which goods are sold or distributed: a fast-food outlet. • a market for goods: the indoor markets in Moscow were an outlet for surplus collective-farm produce. • a retail store offering discounted merchandise, especially overstocked or irregular items. 3 a means of expressing one's talents, energy, or emotions: writing became the main outlet for his energies.

camp

noun 1 a place with temporary accommodation of huts, tents, or other structures, typically used by soldiers, refugees, or travelling people. • a complex of buildings for holiday accommodation, with recreational facilities. • (also summer camp)N. Amer.a summer holiday programme for children, offering a range of activities. he became the dramatic counselor at camp. • [ mass noun ] temporary overnight lodging in tents: we pitched camp at a fine spot. • Archaeology, Brit.an enclosed or fortified prehistoric site, especially an Iron Age hill fort. 2 the supporters of a particular party or doctrine regarded collectively: both the liberal and conservative camps were annoyed by his high-handed manner. 3 S. Africana fenced field or enclosed area for grazing. • Austral./NZa place where livestock regularly congregate or where a mustered herd is assembled. verb [ no obj. ] 1 live for a time in a tent, especially while on holiday: holiday parks in which you can camp or stay in a chalet. • lodge temporarily, especially in an inappropriate or uncomfortable place: we camped out for the night in a mission schoolroom. • remain persistently in one place: the press will be camping on your doorstep once they get on to this story. 2 Austral./NZ(of livestock) assemble together for rest. 3 [ with obj. ] S. Africandivide (land) and enclose with fences.

trooper

noun 1 a private soldier in a cavalry or armoured unit. • a cavalry horse. • chiefly Brit.a troopship. 2 chiefly USa mounted police officer. • USa state police officer.

shingle

noun 1 a rectangular wooden tile used on walls or roofs. 2 dated a woman's short haircut in which the hair tapers from the back of the head to the nape of the neck.[so named because of the layering.] 3 N. Amer.a small signboard, especially one found outside a doctor's or lawyer's office.

spine

noun 1 a series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the small of the back, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen; the backbone. a soft voice that sent a shiver down her spine. • the central feature or main source of strength of something: players of high quality who will form the spine of our side | Puerto Rico's mountainous spine. • [ mass noun ] resolution or strength of character. 2 the part of a book's jacket or cover that encloses the inner edges of the pages, facing outwards when the book is on a shelf and typically bearing the title and the author's name. 3 Zoology & Botany any hard, pointed defensive projection or structure, such as a prickle of a hedgehog, a spike-like projection on a sea urchin, a sharp ray in a fish's fin, or a spike on the stem of a plant. 4 (also pay spine)a linear pay scale operated by some large organizations that allows flexibility for local and specific conditions. 5 Geology a tall mass of viscous lava extruded from a volcano. the Mt Pelee spine was exceptional only for its extreme height—over 300 metres.

hashmark

noun 1 a service stripe worn on the left sleeve of an enlisted person's uniform to indicate three years of service in the army or four years in the navy. • a service stripe on any uniform. 2 Football one of a series of marks made along parallel lines that delineate the middle of the field, used to spot the ball after a play ends outside these lines. 3 the symbol #.

tint

noun 1 a shade or variety of a colour: the sky was taking on an apricot tint. • Printing an area of faint even colour printed as a half-tone, used for highlighting overprinted text. • a set of parallel engraved lines to give uniform shading. • a trace of something: a tint of glamour. 2 an artificial dye for colouring the hair. • an application of hair dye: peering into the mirror to see if any white hair showed after her last tint. verb [ with obj. ] colour (something) slightly; tinge: her skin was tinted with delicate colour | (as adj.tinted) : a black car with tinted windows. • dye (someone's hair) with a tint. they spent hours having their hair tinted and set.

chopper

noun 1 a short axe with a large blade. • a butcher's cleaver: a meat chopper. • a machine for chopping something: a straw chopper. • a device for regularly interrupting an electric current or a beam of light or particles. • (choppers) informal teeth. he flashes his choppers back at me. 2 informal a helicopter. fog had delayed the landing of his chopper. 3 informal a type of motorcycle with high handlebars and the front-wheel fork extended forwards. 4 Brit. vulgar slang a man's penis.

toot

noun 1 a short, sharp sound made by a horn, trumpet, or similar instrument. an accidental toot from the saxophonist. the blue van's familiar toots. 2 informal a snort of a drug, especially cocaine. he still likes a toot. • [ mass noun ] cocaine. you won't have me to supply you with free toot. 3 N. Amer. informal a spell of drinking and lively enjoyment; a spree: a sales manager on a toot. verb [ with obj. ] 1 sound (a horn or similar) with a short, sharp sound: an impatient motorist tooted a horn. • [ no obj. ] make a toot: a car tooted at us. 2 informal snort (cocaine). the drawbacks of tooting cocaine.

nick

noun 1 a small cut or notch. a small nick on his wrist. 2 (the nick) Brit. informal prison. he'll end up in the nick for the rest of his life. • a police station: he was being fingerprinted in the nick. 3 the junction between the floor and side walls in a squash court or real tennis court.

lodge

noun 1 a small house at the gates of a park or in the grounds of a large house, occupied by a gatekeeper, gardener, or other employee. • a small country house occupied in season for sports such as hunting, shooting, or skiing. a hunting lodge. • [ in names ] a large house or hotel: Cumberland Lodge. • a porter's quarters at the main entrance of a college or other large building. • the residence of a head of a college, especially at Cambridge. he dined at the Master's Lodge. • an American Indian tent or wigwam. • a beaver's den. 2 a branch or meeting place of an organization such as the Freemasons. [ in names ] : the foundation of the Grand Lodge of England. verb 1 [ with obj. ] present (a complaint, appeal, claim, etc.) formally to the proper authorities: he has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal. • (lodge something in/with) leave money or a valuable item in (a place) or with (someone) for safekeeping. the money is lodged in a bank. 2 [ with adverbial of place ] make or become firmly fixed or embedded in a place: [ with obj. ] : they had to remove a bullet lodged near his spine | [ no obj. ] figurative : the image had lodged in her mind. 3 [ no obj., with adverbial ] rent accommodation in another person's house: the man who lodged in the room next door. • [ with obj. and adverbial ] provide (someone) with accommodation in return for payment. she was lodged in the same hall. 4 [ with obj. ] (of wind or rain) flatten (a standing crop): (as adj.lodged) : rain that soaks standing or lodged crops.

maggot

noun 1 a soft-bodied legless larva of a fly or other insect, found in decaying matter. the maggots attack the roots of the developing cabbages. 2 archaic a whimsical or strange idea.

halter

noun 1 a strap or rope placed around the head of a horse or other animal, used for leading or tethering it.halter top halter top • archaic a rope with a noose for hanging a person. 2 [ usu. as modifier ] a strap around the neck that holds a dress or top in place, leaving the shoulders and back bare: tourists in halter tops and shorts.

partisan

noun 1 a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person. partisans of the exiled Stuarts. 2 a member of an armed group formed to fight secretly against an occupying force, in particular one operating in German-occupied Yugoslavia, Italy, and parts of eastern Europe in the Second World War. the partisans opened fire from the woods. [ as modifier ] : it is not in the nature of partisan warfare to produce victory in the field. adjective prejudiced in favour of a particular cause: newspapers have become increasingly partisan.

buttress

noun 1 a structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it: the cathedral's massive buttresses. • a projecting portion of a hill or mountain. 2 a source of defence or support: the political police were the main buttress of the regime. verb [ with obj. ] 1 provide (a building or structure) with buttresses: (as adj.buttressed) : a buttressed wall. 2 increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce: authority was buttressed by religious belief.

boot

noun 1 a sturdy item of footwear covering the foot and ankle, and sometimes also the lower leg: a pair of walking boots. • a covering to protect the lower part of a horse's leg. • historical an instrument of torture encasing and crushing the foot. • US short for Denver boot. 2 informal a hard kick: he got a boot in the stomach. 3 Brit.an enclosed space at the back of a car for carrying luggage or other goods. 4 (also boot-up) [ usu. as modifier ] the process of starting a computer and putting it into a state of readiness for operation: a boot disk. verb [ with obj. ] 1 [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] kick (something) hard in a specified direction: he ended up booting the ball into the stand. • (boot someone off) informal force someone to leave a vehicle unceremoniously: a guard booted two children off a train. • (boot someone out) informal force someone to leave a place or job unceremoniously: she had been booted out of school. 2 start (a computer) and put it into a state of readiness for operation: the menu will be ready as soon as you boot up your computer | [ no obj. ] : the system won't boot from the original drive.[ from bootstrap ( sense 2 of the noun).] 3 USplace a wheel clamp on (an illegally parked car). once a car is booted, the owner must pay all fines plus a fee to have the boot removed.

whim

noun 1 a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained: she bought it on a whim | [ mass noun ] : he appeared and disappeared at whim. 2 archaic a windlass for raising ore or water from a mine. Synonyms: impulse, urge, notion, fancy, whimsy, foible, idea, caprice, conceit, vagary, kink, megrim

urn

noun 1 a tall, rounded vase with a stem and base, especially one used for storing the ashes of a cremated person.urn 1 urn 1 • an ornamental sculpture shaped like an urn. a weathered stone urn. 2 a large metal container with a tap, in which tea or coffee is made and kept hot, or water for making such drinks is boiled: a tea urn.

concession

noun 1 a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands: the government was unwilling to make any further concessions. • [ mass noun ] the action of conceding or granting something: this strict rule was relaxed by concession. • (a concession to) a gesture made in recognition of a demand or prevailing standard: her only concession to fashion was her ornate silver ring. 2 a preferential allowance or rate given by an organization: tax concessions. • Brit.a reduction in the price of something for a certain category of person. railcard holders can obtain concessions. there are concessions on party bookings. 3 the right to use land or other property for a specified purpose, granted by a government, company, or other controlling body: new logging concessions. • a commercial operation set up by agreement within the premises of a larger concern. the concessions will offer photo processing and a pharmacy. • the right, given by a company, to sell goods, especially in a particular place. • Canadiana piece of land into which surveyed land is divided.

vestige

noun 1 a trace or remnant of something that is disappearing or no longer exists: the last vestiges of colonialism. • [ usu. with negative ] the smallest amount: he waited patiently, but without a vestige of sympathy. 2 Biology a part or organ of an organism which has become reduced or functionless in the course of evolution.

anorak

noun 1 a waterproof jacket, typically with a hood, of a kind originally used in polar regions. 2 Brit. informal, derogatory a studious or obsessive person with unfashionable and largely solitary interests. with his thick specs, shabby shoes, and grey suit, he looks a bit of an anorak.

pantheon

noun 1 all the gods of a people or religion collectively: the deities of the Hindu pantheon. • (especially in ancient Greece and Rome) a temple dedicated to all the gods. 2 a group of famous or important people: the pantheon of the all-time greats. • a building in which the illustrious dead of a nation are buried or honoured.

burlesque

noun 1 an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody: a novel which is a burlesque of the literary life | [ mass noun ] : the argument descends into music-hall burlesque. 2 a variety show, typically including striptease: [ as modifier ] : burlesque clubs. verb (burlesques, burlesquing, burlesqued) [ with obj. ] parody or imitate in an absurd or comically exaggerated way: a mock-heroic farce that burlesques the affectations of Restoration heroic drama. Synonyms: parody, caricature, travesty, pastiche, take-off, skit, imitation, satire

snatch

noun 1 an act of snatching or quickly seizing something: a quick snatch of breath. • informal a kidnapping or theft. a bag snatch. 2 a short spell of doing something: brief snatches of sleep. • a fragment of song or talk: picking up snatches of conversation. 3 Weightlifting the rapid raising of a weight from the floor to above the head in one movement. 4 vulgar slang a woman's genitals.

compromise

noun 1 an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions: eventually they reached a compromise | [ mass noun ] : the secret of a happy marriage is compromise. • an intermediate state between conflicting alternatives reached by mutual concession: a compromise between the freedom of the individual and the need to ensure orderly government. 2 [ mass noun ] the expedient acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable: sexism should be tackled without compromise. verb [ no obj. ] 1 settle a dispute by mutual concession: in the end we compromised and deferred the issue. 2 expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable: we were not prepared to compromise on safety. • [ with obj. ] weaken or harm by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable: he won't accept any decisions which compromise his principles. • [ with obj. ] bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behaviour: situations in which his troops could be compromised.

Accolade

noun 1 an award or privilege granted as a special honour or as an acknowledgement of merit: the hotel has won numerous accolades. • an expression of praise or admiration. poignant accolades and urgent testimonials of thanks. 2 a touch on a person's shoulders with a sword at the bestowing of a knighthood.

pundit

noun 1 an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give their opinions to the public: political pundits were tipping him for promotion. 2 variant spelling of pandit.

spoon

noun 1 an implement consisting of a small, shallow oval or round bowl on a long handle, used for eating, stirring, and serving food. • the contents of a spoon: three spoons of sugar. • (spoons) a pair of spoons held in the hand and beaten together rhythmically as a percussion instrument. 2 a thing resembling a spoon in shape, in particular: • (also spoon bait)a fishing lure designed to wobble when pulled through the water. • an oar with a broad curved blade. • Golf, dated a club with a slightly concave wooden head. verb 1 [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] put (food) into or on something with a spoon: Rosie spooned sugar into her mug. 2 [ no obj. ] informal, dated (of two people) behave in an amorous way; kiss and cuddle: I saw them spooning on the beach. • (of two people) lie close together sideways and front to back, so as to fit together like spoons. 3 [ with obj. ] hit (a ball) up into the air with a soft or weak stroke: he spooned his shot high over the bar.

landmark

noun 1 an object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance, especially one that enables someone to establish their location: the spire was once a landmark for ships sailing up the river. • historical the boundary of an area of land, or an object marking this. 2 an event, discovery, or change marking an important stage or turning point in something: the birth of a child is an important landmark in the lives of all concerned | [ as modifier ] : a landmark decision.

overture

noun 1 an orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, play, etc. the overture to Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'. Overture and Incidental Music for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. • an independent orchestral composition in one movement. Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture'. 2 an introduction to something more substantial: the talks were no more than an overture to a long debate. 3 (usu. overtures) an approach or proposal made to someone with the aim of opening negotiations or establishing a relationship: he began making overtures to British merchant banks.

ram

noun 1 an uncastrated male sheep. • (the Ram) the zodiacal sign or constellation Aries. 2 a battering ram. • historical a beak or other projecting part of the bow of a warship, for piercing the sides of other ships. 3 the falling weight of a piledriving machine. 4 a hydraulic water-raising or lifting machine. • the piston of a hydrostatic press. verb (rams, ramming, rammed) [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] 1 roughly force (something) into place: he rammed his stick into the ground. • [ with obj. ] (of a vehicle or vessel) be driven violently into (another vehicle or vessel) in an attempt to stop or damage it: their boat was rammed by a Japanese warship. • [ no obj., with adverbial ] crash violently against something: the stolen car rammed into the front of the house. • [ with obj. ] (often as adj.rammed) beat (earth) with a heavy implement to make it hard and firm. the walls are made of rammed earth. 2 (be rammed) Brit. informal (of a place) be very crowded: the club is rammed to the rafters every week.

crypt

noun 1 an underground room or vault beneath a church, used as a chapel or burial place. 2 Anatomy a small tubular gland, pit, or recess. Synonyms:tomb, vault, mausoleum, burial chamber, sepulchre, catacomb, ossuary, undercroft

snag

noun 1 an unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback: there's one small snag. 2 a sharp, angular, or jagged projection: keep an emery board handy in case of nail snags. • a rent or tear in fabric caused by a snag. 3 N. Amer.a dead tree. dozens of species of birds and mammals use standing snags for nesting. verb (snags, snagging, snagged) [ with obj. ] 1 catch or tear (something) on a sharp projection: thorns snagged his sweater. • [ no obj. ] become caught on a sharp projection: radio aerials snagged on bushes and branches. 2 N. Amer. informal catch or obtain: it's the first time they've snagged the star for a photo.

oversight

noun 1 an unintentional failure to notice or do something: he had simply missed Parsons out by an oversight | [ mass noun ] : was the mistake due to oversight? 2 [ mass noun ] the action of overseeing something: effective oversight of the financial reporting process.

maverick

noun 1 an unorthodox or independent-minded person: he's the maverick of the senate. 2 N. Amer.an unbranded calf or yearling. one that resists adherence to a group.

parlour

noun 1 dated a sitting room in a private house. they had lunch in the parlour. [ as modifier ] : she knocked on the parlour door. 2 a room in a public building for receiving guests: the mayor's parlour. • a room in a monastery or convent that is set aside for conversation. 3 [ usu. with modifier ] chiefly N. Amer.a shop or business providing specified goods or services: an ice-cream parlour | a funeral parlour. 4 (also milking parlour)a room or building equipped for milking cows.

rib

noun 1 each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine (twelve pairs in humans), protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs. he had several broken ribs. • a rib of an animal with meat adhering to it used as food; a joint consisting of animal ribs. a lunch of ribs, wings, and blueberry pie. [ mass noun ] : 1,300 lb of beef rib. 2 a long raised piece of strengthening or supporting material, in particular: • Architecture a curved member supporting a vault or defining its form. stone is used only for ribs, piers, and windows. [ as modifier ] : a rib vault. • a curved transverse strut of metal or timber in a ship, extending up from the keel and forming part of the framework of the hull. the hull was stiffened with 26 ribs. • each of the curved pieces of wood forming the body of a lute or the sides of a violin. • each of the hinged rods supporting the fabric of an umbrella. • Aeronautics a structural member in an aerofoil, extending back from the leading edge and serving to define the contour of the aerofoil. 3 a vein of a leaf or an insect's wing. a spinach-type leaf with red ribs. • a ridge of rock or land. the final rib gives pleasant climbing. 4 [ mass noun ] Knitting a combination of alternate plain and purl stitches producing a ridged, slightly elastic fabric. knit twenty rows of rib. [ count noun ] : knit a new rib. verb (ribs, ribbing, ribbed) [ with obj. ] 1 mark with or form into ridges: the road was ribbed with furrows of slush. • provide with ribs. the aisle vaults are lower, but are also ribbed and painted. 2 informal tease good-naturedly: the first time I appeared in the outfit I was ribbed mercilessly.

castor

noun 1 each of a set of small swivelling wheels fixed to the legs or base of a heavy piece of furniture so that it can be moved easily. 2 a small container with holes in the top, especially one used for sprinkling sugar or pepper.

clout

noun 1 informal a heavy blow with the hand or a hard object: a clout round the ear. 2 [ mass noun ] informal influence or power, especially in politics or business: I knew she carried a lot of clout. 3 archaic a piece of cloth or article of clothing. 4 Archery a target twelve times the usual size, placed flat on the ground with a flag marking its centre and used in long-distance shooting. • a long-distance shot that hits a clout . 5 short for clout nail. verb [ with obj. ] 1 informal hit (someone or something) hard: I clouted him round the head. 2 archaic mend with a patch. he helps the women clout their pans.

anathema

noun 1 something or someone that one vehemently dislikes: racial hatred was anathema to her. 2 a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine. • literary a strong curse: the sergeant clutched the ruined communicator, muttering anathemas.

hub

noun 1 the central part of a wheel, rotating on or with the axle, and from which the spokes radiate. 2 the effective centre of an activity, region, or network: the city has always been the financial hub of the country. the kitchen was the hub of family life. • a central airport or other transport facility from which many services operate: the airport authority's policy promotes Manchester as an international hub. the city's major transportation hub for bus and rail. [ as modifier ] : major hub airports have grown up all over the world.

implication

noun 1 the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated: the implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible. • a likely consequence of something. many people are unaware of the implications of such reforms. her victory had important political implications. 2 [ mass noun ] the action or state of being involved in something: our implication in the problems.

rump

noun 1 the hind part of the body of a mammal or the lower back of a bird. the harrier is distinguished by its prominent white rump. he slapped the horse on the rump. [ mass noun ] : a medium-rare slice of rump. • chiefly humorous a person's buttocks. he removed his hand from Shirley's rump. 2 a small or unimportant remnant of something originally larger: once the profitable enterprises have been sold the unprofitable rump will be left | [ as modifier ] : the rump Yugoslavia.

grub

noun 1 the larva of an insect, especially a beetle. my onions are ruined by small grubs eating the roots. • a maggot or small caterpillar. 2 [ mass noun ] informal food: a popular bar serving excellent pub grub. verb (grubs, grubbing, grubbed) [ no obj., with adverbial ] 1 dig or poke about in soil: the damage done to pastures by badgers grubbing for worms. • [ with obj. ] (grub something up/out) remove something from the earth by digging it up: many miles of hedgerows were grubbed up. 2 search in a clumsy and unmethodical manner: I began grubbing about in the waste-paper basket to find the envelope. 3 work hard, especially at a dull or demeaning task: she has achieved independence without having to grub for it. • [ with obj. ] achieve or acquire (something) by doing demeaning work: they were grubbing a living from garbage pails.

snout

noun 1 the projecting nose and mouth of an animal, especially a mammal. a sea lion balanced a ball on its snout. • informal a person's nose. a guard with a pair of vicious piggy eyes above a snarling snout. • the projecting front or end of something such as a pistol. he was stopped by the snout of her pistol. 2 Brit. informal a cigarette. • [ mass noun ] tobacco. 3 Brit. informal a police informer. his arrest had been the work of some anonymous snout. 4 (also snout moth)a European moth with long palps that extend in front of the head like a snout.

rafter

noun a beam forming part of the internal framework of a roof. the rafters above his bed. a vaulted hall with exposed rafters.

walloping

noun a beating: she gave him a good walloping. adjective [ attrib. ] large and powerful: a walloping shock.

spin off

noun a by-product or incidental result of a larger project: the commercial spin-off from defence research. • a product marketed by its association with a popular television programme, film, personality, etc.: [ as modifier ] : spin-off merchandising. • a subsidiary of a parent company that has been sold off, creating a new company.

coop

noun a cage or pen in which poultry are kept. • Brit.a basket used in catching fish. verb [ with obj. ] 1 (usu. be cooped up) confine in a small space: being cooped up indoors all day makes him fidgety. 2 put or keep (poultry) in a cage or pen. our free-range chickens roam the barnyard instead of staying cooped up in a henhouse.

hatchback

noun a car with a door across the full width at the back end that opens upwards to provide easy access for loading.

rapport

noun a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well: she was able to establish a good rapport with the children | she had an instant rapport with animals | [ mass noun ] : there was little rapport between them.

lounger

noun a comfortable chair for relaxing on, especially an outdoor chair that adjusts or extends, allowing a person to recline. Kate was lying on a lounger beside a pool. • a person spending their time lazily or in a relaxed way. the loungers in the beer parlour catcalled at him.

swivel

noun a coupling between two parts enabling one to revolve without turning the other. verb (swivels, swivelling, swivelled; USswivels, swiveling, swiveled) [ often with adverbial ] turn around a point or axis or on a swivel: [ no obj. ] : he swivelled in the chair | [ with obj. ] : she swivelled her eyes round.

ploy

noun a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage: the president has dismissed the referendum as a ploy to buy time. • an activity done for amusement: the eternal cross-stitch I was set to do before I could indulge my own ploys.

mudguard

noun a curved strip or cover over a wheel of a vehicle, especially a bicycle or motorcycle, designed to protect the vehicle and rider from water and dirt thrown up from the road.

bringdown

noun a disappointment or letdown; comedown.

portal

noun a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one. • an Internet site providing access or links to other sites.

carnation

noun a double-flowered cultivated variety of clove pink, with grey-green leaves and showy pink, white, or red flowers.

blob

noun a drop of a thick liquid or viscous substance: blobs of paint. • a spot of colour: the town is much more than a brown blob on the map. • an indeterminate roundish mass or shape: a big pink blob of a face was at the window. • informal a score of 0 in a game. he made a string of blobs then hit a hundred. verb (blobs, blobbing, blobbed) [ with obj. ] put small drops of thick liquid or spots of colour on: her nose was blobbed with paint.

mannequin

noun a dummy used to display clothes in a shop window. • dated a person employed by a designer, costumier, etc., to model clothes.

masquerade

noun a false show or pretence: I doubt he could have kept up the masquerade for long. • [ mass noun ] the wearing of disguise: dressing up, role playing, and masquerade. • chiefly N. Amer.a masked ball. verb [ no obj. ] pretend to be someone one is not: a journalist masquerading as a man in distress. • be disguised or passed off as something else: idle gossip that masquerades as news.

metaphoric

noun a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable: when we speak of gene maps and gene mapping, we use a cartographic metaphor | [ mass noun ] : her poetry depends on suggestion and metaphor. • a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else: the amounts of money being lost by the company were enough to make it a metaphor for an industry that was teetering.

rictus

noun a fixed grimace or grin: their faces were each frozen in a terrified rictus.

trestle

noun a framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs, used in pairs to support a flat surface such as a table top. • short for trestle table. • (also trestlework)an open braced framework used to support an elevated structure such as a bridge. • (also trestletree)each of a pair of horizontal pieces on a sailing ship's lower mast supporting the topmast.

suntan

noun a golden-brown colouring of the skin caused by exposure to the sun: he had acquired quite a suntan.

tic

noun a habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles, most often in the face.

waif

noun a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child: she is foster-mother to various waifs and strays. • a person who appears thin or poorly nourished. skimpily clad waifs pranced down the catwalk. • an abandoned pet animal.

stagecoach

noun a large closed horse-drawn vehicle formerly used to carry passengers and often mail along a regular route between two places.

multitude

noun a large number of people or things: a multitude of medical conditions are due to being overweight | Father Peter addressed the multitude. • (the multitude) the mass of ordinary people without power or influence: placing ultimate political power in the hands of the multitude. • [ mass noun ] archaic the state of being numerous: they would swarm over the river in their multitude.

sledgehammer

noun a large, heavy hammer used for such jobs as breaking rocks and driving in fence posts. • [ as modifier ] powerful; forceful: sledgehammer blows. • [ as modifier ] ruthless, insensitive, or using unnecessary force: under his sledgehammer direction, anything of subtlety is swamped. verb [ with obj. ] hit with a sledgehammer. the jailhouse door was sledgehammered. figurative : he sledgehammers obduracy with scholarship and invective.

fib

noun a lie, typically an unimportant one: why did you tell him such a dreadful fib?

invoice

noun a list of goods sent or services provided, with a statement of the sum due for these; a bill. verb [ with obj. ] send an invoice to (someone). • send an invoice for (goods or services provided).

pew

noun a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the congregation. • Brit. informal a seat: 'Take a pew. What'll you have?'.

barge

noun a long flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight on canals and rivers, either under its own power or towed by another. • a long ornamental boat used for pleasure or ceremony. • a boat used by the chief officers of a warship. verb 1 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] move forcefully or roughly: we can't just barge into a private garden. • (barge in) intrude or interrupt rudely or awkwardly: sorry to barge in on your cosy evening. • [ with obj. ] (chiefly in a sporting context) run into and collide with (someone), typically intentionally. you can use this method to barge an opponent. just barge the other skater off the ball. 2 [ with obj. ] convey (freight) by barge.

monologue

noun a long speech by one actor in a play or film, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast programme. he was reciting some of the great monologues of Shakespeare. he had a long and exacting monologue at the end of the film. • a long, tedious speech by one person during a conversation: Fred carried on with his monologue as if I hadn't spoken.

slit

noun a long, narrow cut or opening: make a slit in the stem under a bud | arrow slits. verb (slits, slitting, slit) [ with obj. ] 1 make a long, narrow cut in: give me the truth or I will slit your throat | [ with obj. and complement ] : he slit open the envelope. • cut (something) into strips: a wide recording head magnetizes the tape before it is slit to domestic size. 2 (past and past participleslitted) form (one's eyes) into slits; squint. she slitted her eyes to look at him. (as adj. slitted) : slitted eyes.

tusk

noun a long, pointed tooth, especially one specially developed so as to protrude from the closed mouth, as in the elephant, walrus, or wild boar. • a long, tapering object or projection resembling a tusk.

plume

noun a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers used by a bird for display or worn by a person for ornament: a hat with a jaunty ostrich plume. • Zoology a part of an animal's body that resembles a feather: the antennae are divided into large feathery plumes. • a long cloud of smoke or vapor resembling a feather as it spreads from its point of origin: as he spoke, the word was accompanied by a white plume of breath. • a mass of material, typically a pollutant, spreading from a source: a radioactive plume. • (also mantle plume)Geology a localized column of hot magma rising by convection in the mantle, believed to cause volcanic activity in hot spots, such as the Hawaiian Islands, away from plate margins.

hoot

noun a low, wavering musical sound which is the typical call of many kinds of owl. • a raucous sound made by a horn, siren, or steam whistle. • a shout expressing scorn or disapproval: there were hoots of derision. • a short outburst of laughter: the audience broke into hoots of laughter. • (a hoot) informal an amusing situation or person: your mum's a real hoot. verb [ no obj. ] (of an owl) utter a hoot. owls hooted, the new moon rose. • (with reference to a car horn, siren, etc.) make or cause to make a hoot: a car horn hooted, frightening her | [ with obj. ] : Sam hooted his horn. • shout loudly in scorn, disapproval, or merriment: she began to hoot with laughter. • (hoot something down) express loud scornful disapproval of something: his questions were hooted down or answered obscenely.

backhoe

noun a mechanical excavator which draws towards itself a bucket attached to a hinged boom.

aristocrat

noun a member of the aristocracy. a decadent old blue-blooded aristocrat. figurative : the trout is the aristocrat of freshwater fish. Synonyms:nobleman, noblewoman, lord, lady, peer, peeress, peer of the realm, patrician, grandee

populist

noun a member or adherent of a political party seeking to represent the interests of ordinary people. • a person who supports or seeks to appeal to the concerns of ordinary people. she is something of a populist—her views on immigration resemble those of the right-wing tabloid press. adjective relating to or characteristic of a populist or populists: populist tabloid newspapers.

goose step

noun a military marching step in which the legs are not bent at the knee.

gangplank

noun a movable plank, typically with cleats nailed on it, used by passengers to board or disembark from a ship or boat.

armrest

noun a padded or upholstered arm of a chair or other seat on which a sitter can comfortably rest their arm.

ticker tape

noun a paper strip on which messages are recorded in a telegraphic tape machine. • [ as modifier ] denoting a parade or other celebratory event in which ticker tape or similar material is thrown from windows. he got a ticker-tape welcome in New York.

beach

noun a pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the sea between high- and low-water marks: fabulous sandy beaches. verb [ with obj. ] run or haul up (a boat or ship) on to a beach: at the water's edge a rowing boat was beached. • (of an angler) land (a fish) on a beach. he managed to beach a fine trout. • (also be beached) [ no obj. ] (of a whale or similar animal) become stranded out of the water: we don't know what causes whales to beach. • leave (someone) at a loss: competitive procurement seems to have beached several firms.

pedestrian

noun a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle. the road is so dangerous pedestrians avoid it. [ as modifier ] : a pedestrian bridge. adjective lacking inspiration or excitement; dull: disenchantment with their pedestrian lives. Synonyms: plodding, boring, tedious, monotonous, uneventful, unremarkable, tiresome, wearisome

anarchist

noun a person who believes in or tries to bring about anarchy. adjective relating to or supporting anarchy or anarchists: an anarchist newspaper. an advocate of political disorder and confusion.

burglar

noun a person who commits burglary.

renegade

noun a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles. an agent who later turns out to be a renegade. • archaic a person who abandons religion; an apostate. renegades and Deserters of Heaven, who renounce their God for the Favour of Man. • a person who behaves in a rebelliously unconventional manner: he was a renegade and social malcontent. adjective having treacherously changed allegiance: a renegade bodyguard. • archaic having abandoned one's religious beliefs: a renegade monk.

bungler

noun a person who habitually bungles things; an amateur: the government is evidently a bunch of bunglers. a person who is clumsy or inept in behavior.

sybarite

noun a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury.

apologist

noun a person who offers an argument in defence of something controversial: an enthusiastic apologist for fascism in the 1920s. Synonyms: defender, supporter, upholder, advocate, proponent, exponent, propagandist, apostle, champion

snob

noun a person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and looks down on those regarded as socially inferior. her mother was a snob and wanted a lawyer as a son-in-law. [ as modifier ] : extra snob appeal. • [ with adj. or noun modifier ] a person who believes that their tastes in a particular area are superior to those of other people: a musical snob.

caricature

noun a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect: a crude caricature of the Prime Minister | [ mass noun ] : there are elements of caricature in the portrayal of the hero. • a ludicrous or grotesque version of someone or something: he looked a caricature of his normal self. verb [ with obj. ] make or give a caricature of: he was famous enough to be caricatured by Private Eye.

lair

noun a place where a wild animal lives. the badgers carried the food back to their lair. • a secret or private place in which a person seeks concealment or seclusion. he led the police to the criminals' lair.

predilection

noun a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something: my predilection for Asian food.

balustrade

noun a railing supported by balusters, especially one forming an ornamental parapet to a balcony, bridge, or terrace.

daredevil

noun a reckless person who enjoys doing dangerous things. spectators watched in horror as the nineteen-year-old daredevil smashed into the ground. adjective reckless and daring. a daredevil skydiver. a person who is recklessly bold.

canister

noun a round or cylindrical container used for storing such things as food, chemicals, or rolls of film. • a cylinder of pressurized gas, typically one that explodes when thrown or fired from a gun: riot police fired tear-gas canisters into the crowd. • [ mass noun ] historical small bullets packed in cases that fit the bore of a gun: another deadly volley of canister.

fusillade

noun a series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession: marchers had to dodge a fusillade of missiles.

incantation

noun a series of words said as a magic spell or charm: an incantation to raise the dead. • [ mass noun ] the use of words as a magic spell: there was no magic in such incantation.

wheelbarrow

noun a small cart with a single wheel at the front and two supporting legs and two handles at the rear, used typically for carrying loads in building work or gardening.

sauna

noun a small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body: figurative : the air-con was broken—the place was like a sauna. • a session in a sauna. I went home and took a sauna for an hour and a half.

swatch

noun a small sample of fabric intended to demonstrate the look of a larger piece. colour swatches. • a collection of fabric samples, especially in the form of a book. • a sample of paint, makeup, etc. applied to a surface or one's skin to test or demonstrate the colour: red lipstick swatches | the walls were covered with multicoloured paint swatches. • a patch or area of a material or surface: the sunset had filled the sky with swatches of deep orange. verb [ with obj. ] apply a sample of (paint, makeup, etc.) to a surface or one's skin to test or demonstrate the colour: I got the polishes yesterday, and I've swatched them all.

lemming

noun a small, short-tailed, thickset rodent related to the voles, found in the Arctic tundra. • a person who unthinkingly joins a mass movement, especially a headlong rush to destruction.

mainstay

noun a stay which extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing ship. • someone or something on which something else is based or relies: whitefish are the mainstay of the local industry.

trove

noun a store of valuable or delightful things: the cellar contained a trove of rare wines.

premonition

noun a strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant: he had a premonition of imminent disaster.

surge

noun a sudden powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd or by a natural force such as the tide: flooding caused by tidal surges. • a sudden large increase, typically a temporary one: the firm predicted a 20% surge in sales. • a major deployment of military forces to reinforce those already in a particular area. • a powerful rush of an emotion or feeling: Sophie felt a surge of anger. • a sudden marked increase in voltage or current in an electric circuit. verb [ no obj., usu. with adverbial ] 1 (of a crowd or a natural force) move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward: the journalists surged forward. • increase suddenly and powerfully: shares surged to a record high. • (of an emotion or feeling) affect someone powerfully and suddenly: indignation surged up within her. • (of an electric voltage or current) increase suddenly. 2 Nautical (of a rope, chain, or windlass) slip back with a jerk.

dowager

noun a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband: [ as modifier ] : the dowager duchess | [ postpositive ] : the queen dowager. • informal a dignified elderly woman. a handsome dowager was standing in front of the mirror.

charade

noun an absurd pretence intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance: talk of unity was nothing more than a charade. • (charades) a game in which players guess a word or phrase from a written or acted clue given for each syllable and for the whole item.

somersault

noun an acrobatic movement in which a person turns head over heels in the air or on the ground and lands or finishes on their feet: a backward somersault | figurative : Paula's stomach turned a somersault.

reprisal

noun an act of retaliation: three youths died in the reprisals which followed | [ mass noun ] : the threat of reprisal. • [ mass noun ] historical the forcible seizure of a foreign subject or their goods as an act of retaliation.

truce

noun an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time: the guerrillas called a three-day truce.

buoy

noun an anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for mooring. verb [ with obj. ] 1 (often be buoyed up) keep (someone or something) afloat: the creatures could swim, both buoyed up and cooled by the water. • make (someone) cheerful and confident: she was buoyed up by his praise. • cause (a price) to rise to or remain at a high level: shares were up 4p, buoyed by his cut-and-thrust management style. 2 (usu. as adj.buoyed) mark with an anchored float: a buoyed channel.

bluff

noun an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or is going to do something: the offer was denounced as a bluff | [ mass noun ] : his game of bluff. verb [ no obj. ] try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions: he's been bluffing all along | they bluffed their way past the sentries | [ with obj. ] : the object is to bluff your opponent into submission. • (bluff it out) survive a difficult situation by maintaining a pretence. there's no point in trying to bluff it out.

craze

noun an enthusiasm for a particular activity or object which appears suddenly and achieves widespread but short-lived popularity: the new craze for step aerobics. verb [ with obj. ] 1 (usu. as adj.crazed) make (someone) wildly insane or out of control: a crazed killer. 2 produce a network of fine cracks on (a surface): the loch was frozen over but crazed with cracks. • [ no obj. ] develop fine cracks. internal stresses often caused the glue to craze.

snort

noun an explosive sound made by the sudden forcing of breath through one's nose, used to express indignation, derision, or incredulity: he gave a snort of disgust. • a snorting sound made by an animal, typically when excited or frightened. she could hear the occasional snort of a pony. • informal a quantity of an illegal drug, especially cocaine, inhaled in powdered form through the nose: they were high on a few snorts. • informal a measure of an alcoholic drink: a bottle of rum was opened and they took a good long snort. verb [ no obj. ] make a sudden explosive sound through one's nose, especially to express indignation or derision: she snorted with laughter | [ with direct speech ] : 'How perfectly ridiculous!' he snorted. • (of an animal) make a sudden explosive sound through the nose, especially when excited or frightened. the horse came to a halt, snorting. • [ with obj. ] informal inhale (the powdered form of an illegal drug, especially cocaine) through the nose. Debbie had spent the evening snorting cocaine and drinking.

harrowed

noun an implement consisting of a heavy frame set with teeth or tines which is dragged over ploughed land to break up clods, remove weeds, and cover seed. verb [ with obj. ] 1 draw a harrow over (land). they ploughed and harrowed the heavy clay. 2 cause distress to: Todd could take it, whereas I'm harrowed by it. Synonyms:distress, trouble, afflict, grieve, torment, torture, crucify, rack, sear, pain, wound, mortify

pissant

noun an insignificant or contemptible person or thing.

gibe

noun an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt: a jibe at his old rivals. verb [ no obj. ] make insulting or mocking remarks; jeer: some cynics in the media might jibe.

infatuation

noun an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something: he had developed an infatuation with the girl. I hope this is merely a passing infatuation. [ mass noun ] : the thrill of infatuation.

hubris

noun excessive pride or self-confidence. • (in Greek tragedy) excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis.

rote

noun mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned: a poem learned by rote in childhood.

alarmist

noun someone who exaggerates a danger and so causes needless worry or panic. the problem is a fabrication by alarmists. adjective creating needless worry or panic: alarmist rumours.

lark (2)

noun something done for fun, especially something mischievous or daring; an amusing adventure or escapade: I only went along for a lark. • [ usu. with modifier ] Brit. informal an activity regarded as foolish or a waste of time: he's serious about this music lark. verb [ no obj. ] (lark about/around) Brit. enjoy oneself by behaving in a playful and mischievous way: he's always joking and larking about in the office.

enticement

noun something used to attract or to tempt someone; a lure: financial enticements. • [ mass noun ] the quality of being attractive or tempting: despite the enticement of low prices, sales fell sharply from 2000's record level.

capitulation

noun the action of surrendering or ceasing to resist an opponent or demand: the victor sees it as a sign of capitulation | a capitulation to wage demands. • (capitulations) historical an agreement or set of conditions.

shin

noun the front of the leg below the knee. • a cut of beef from the lower part of a cow's leg. verb (shins, shinning, shinned) [ no obj. ] (shin up/down) climb quickly up or down by gripping with one's arms and legs: he shinned up a tree.

maw

noun the jaws or throat of a voracious animal: a gigantic wolfhound with a fearful, gaping maw. • informal the mouth or gullet of a greedy person. I was cramming large pieces of toast and cheese down my maw.

noun (pl. dinghies) a small boat for recreation or racing, especially an open boat with a mast and sails. • a small, inflatable rubber boat. • the smallest of a ship's boats.

noun (pl. dinghies) a small boat for recreation or racing, especially an open boat with a mast and sails. • a small, inflatable rubber boat. • the smallest of a ship's boats.

lorry

noun (pl. lorries) Brit. a large, heavy motor vehicle for transporting goods or troops; a truck.

alibi

noun (pl.alibis) a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place: she has an alibi for the whole of yesterday evening. • informal an excuse or pretext: a catch-all alibi for failure and inadequacy.

antithesis

noun (pl.antitheses |-siːz| ) 1 a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else: love is the antithesis of selfishness. • a contrast or opposition between two things: the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities. • [ mass noun ] a rhetorical or literary device in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed. figures of speech such as antithesis. [ count noun ] : his sermons were full of startling antitheses. 2 [ mass noun ] (in Hegelian philosophy) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning. Compare with synthesis.

austerity

noun (pl.austerities) [ mass noun ] 1 sternness or severity of manner or attitude: he was noted for his austerity and his authoritarianism. • plainness and simplicity in appearance: the room was decorated with a restraint bordering on austerity. • [ count noun ] (usu. austerities) a feature of an austere way of life: his uncle's austerities had undermined his health. 2 difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce public expenditure: the country was subjected to acute economic austerity | [ count noun ] (austerities) : the austerities of post-war London.

contingency

noun (pl.contingencies) a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty: a detailed contract which attempts to provide for all possible contingencies. • a provision for a possible event or circumstance: stores were kept as a contingency against a blockade. • an incidental expense. allow an extra fifteen per cent on the budget for contingencies. • [ mass noun ] the absence of certainty in events: the island's public affairs can occasionally be seen to be invaded by contingency. • [ mass noun ] Philosophy the absence of necessity; the fact of being so without having to be so. Synonyms:eventuality, (chance) event, incident, happening, occurrence, juncture

cranny

noun (pl.crannies) a small, narrow space or opening. bugs and spiders conceal themselves in crannies of the bark. PHRASES every nook and cranny see nook.

currency

noun (pl.currencies) 1 a system of money in general use in a particular country: the dollar was a strong currency | [ mass noun ] : travellers cheques in foreign currency. 2 [ mass noun ] the fact or quality of being generally accepted or in use: the term gained wider currency after the turn of the century. • the time during which something is in use or operation: no claim had been made during the currency of the policy.

dictum

noun (pl.dicta |-tə| or dictums) a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source: the dicta of High Court Judges. • a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle: the old dictum 'might is right'. • Law short for obiter dictum.

dignitary

noun (pl.dignitaries) a person considered to be important because of high rank or office. the guests included former shareholders, local dignitaries, and many of the people directly involved with the project. I presented bouquets to visiting dignitaries at my prep school.

dilettante

noun (pl.dilettanti |-ti| or dilettantes) a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge. • archaic a person with an amateur interest in the arts. Synonyms:dabbler, potterer, tinkerer, trifler, dallier; amateur

emporium

noun (pl.emporia |-rɪə| or emporiums) a large retail store selling a wide variety of goods. • archaic a centre of commerce; a market.

gallantry

noun (pl.gallantries) [ mass noun ] 1 courageous behaviour, especially in battle: a medal awarded for outstanding gallantry during the raid. 2 polite attention or respect given by men to women. no young man offers to carry this burden for her: such gallantry is out of fashion. • [ count noun ] (gallantries) gallant actions or words. I courted her with all the genteel gallantries of a minstrel. • archaic sexual intrigue. what men call gallantry, and the gods adultery.

hostility

noun (pl.hostilities) [ mass noun ] hostile behaviour; unfriendliness or opposition: their hostility to all outsiders. • (hostilities) acts of warfare: he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

indemnity

noun (pl.indemnities) [ mass noun ] security or protection against a loss or other financial burden: no indemnity will be given for loss of cash. • security against or exemption from legal responsibility for one's actions: a deed of indemnity | [ count noun ] : even warranties and indemnities do not provide complete protection. • [ count noun ] a sum of money paid as compensation, especially one paid by a country defeated in war as a condition of peace.

jockey

noun (pl.jockeys) a person who rides in horse races, especially as a profession. a former champion jockey. verb (jockeys, jockeying, jockeyed) [ no obj. ] struggle by every available means to gain or achieve something: both men will be jockeying for the two top jobs. • [ with obj. and adverbial ] handle or manipulate (someone or something) in a skilful manner: he jockeyed his machine into a dive.

patio

noun (pl.patios) a paved outdoor area adjoining a house. the dining room looks out to a small patio. [ as modifier ] : a patio table and chairs. • a roofless inner courtyard in a Spanish or Spanish-American house.

profanity

noun (pl.profanities) [ mass noun ] blasphemous or obscene language: an outburst of profanity. • [ count noun ] a swear word; an oath. a man with bloodied chin mouthing profanities. • irreligious or irreverent behaviour.

Salvo

noun (pl.salvos or salvoes) a simultaneous discharge of artillery or other guns in a battle. a deafening salvo of shots rang out. another salvo crashed nearer to the German positions. • a number of weapons released from one or more aircraft in quick succession. • a sudden, vigorous, or aggressive act or series of acts: the pardons provoked a salvo of accusations. forceful assault

rendezvous

noun (pl.same |-vuːz| ) a meeting at an agreed time and place: Edward turned up late for their rendezvous. • a meeting place. you'd be welcome to use this place as a rendezvous. • a bar, restaurant, or similar establishment that is used as a popular meeting place. a lively West End restaurant rendezvous. verb (rendezvouses |-vuːz| , rendezvousing |-vuːɪŋ| , rendezvoused |-vuːd| ) [ no obj. ] meet at an agreed time and place: I rendezvoused with Bea as planned.

stimulus

noun (pl.stimuli |-lʌɪ, -liː| ) a thing or event that evokes a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue: areas of the brain which respond to auditory stimuli. • a thing that arouses activity or energy in someone or something; a spur or incentive: if the tax were abolished, it would act as a stimulus to exports. • [ in sing. ] an interesting and exciting quality: she loved the stimulus of the job.

summons

noun (pl.summonses) an order to appear before a judge or magistrate, or the writ containing such an order: a summons for non-payment of a parking ticket. • an authoritative or urgent call to someone to be present or to do something: [ with infinitive ] : they might receive a summons to fly to France next day. verb [ with obj. ] chiefly Law serve (someone) with a summons: [ with obj. and infinitive ] : he has been summonsed to appear in court next month.

superfluity

noun (pl.superfluities) an unnecessarily or excessively large amount or number of something: a superfluity of unoccupied time. • an unnecessary thing: they thought the garrison a superfluity. • [ mass noun ] the state of being superfluous: servants who had nothing to do but to display their own superfluity.

swathe

noun (pl.swathes |sweɪðz| or swaths |sweɪðz, swɒθs| ) 1 a row or line of grass, corn, or other crop as it falls or lies when mown or reaped. if the day is windy, the swathes should be high and narrow. swathes of barley. • a strip left clear by the passage of a mowing machine or scythe: the combine had cut a deep swathe around the border of the fields. 2 a broad strip or area of something: vast swathes of countryside | figurative : a significant swathe of popular opinion.

topography

noun (pl.topographies) [ mass noun ] 1 the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area: the topography of the island. • [ count noun ] a detailed description or representation on a map of the physical features of an area. 2 Anatomy & Biology the distribution of parts or features on the surface of or within an organ or organism.

tête-à-tête

noun (pl.tête-à-têtes pronunc. same) 1 a private conversation between two people. it so happened that their tête-à-tête was in earshot. 2 an S-shaped sofa on which two people can sit face to face. adjective& adverb involving or happening between two people in private: [ as adj. ] : a tête-à-tête meal | [ as adv. ] : his business was conducted tête-à-tête.

demise

noun [ in sing. ] 1 a person's death: Mr Grisenthwaite's tragic demise. • the end or failure of an enterprise or institution: the demise of industry. 2 [ mass noun ] Law conveyance or transfer of property or a title by will or lease. verb [ with obj. ] Law convey or grant (an estate) by will or lease. the manor and the mill were demised for twenty-one-year terms. (as adj. demised) : the demised property. • transmit (a sovereign's title) by death or abdication.

gist

noun [ in sing. ] 1 the substance or general meaning of a speech or text: it was hard to get the gist of Pedro's talk. 2 Law the real point of an action. damage is the gist of the action and without it the plaintiff must fail.

ethic

noun [ in sing. ] a set of moral principles, especially ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct: the puritan ethic was being replaced by the hedonist ethic.

recourse

noun [ in sing. ] a source of help in a difficult situation: surgery may be the only recourse. • [ mass noun ] (recourse to) the use of (someone or something) as a source of help in a difficult situation: a means of solving disputes without recourse to courts of law | all three countries had recourse to the IMF for standby loans. • [ mass noun ] the legal right to demand compensation or payment: the bank has recourse against the exporter for losses incurred. PHRASES without recourse Finance a formula used to disclaim responsibility for future non-payment, especially of a negotiable financial instrument. the drawer of funds is not liable and can discount without recourse.

resurgence

noun [ in sing. ] an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence: a resurgence of interest in religion.

upshot

noun [ in sing. ] the final or eventual outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events: the upshot of the meeting was that he was on the next plane to New York.

paucity

noun [ in sing. ] the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities or amounts: a paucity of information.

blight

noun [ mass noun ] 1 a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts: the vines suffered blight and disease | potato blight. 2 [ in sing. ] a thing that spoils or damages something: her remorse could be a blight on that happiness. • the degeneration of a landscape or urban area as a result of neglect: the city's high-rise social housing had become synonymous with urban blight. verb 1 [ with obj. ] infect (plants) with blight. a peach tree blighted by leaf curl. 2 spoil, harm, or destroy: the scandal blighted the careers of several leading politicians. • (usu. as adj.blighted) subject (an urban area) to neglect: plans to establish enterprise zones in blighted areas.

agitation

noun [ mass noun ] 1 a state of anxiety or nervous excitement: she was wringing her hands in agitation. 2 brisk stirring or disturbance of a liquid. the techniques mostly involve agitation by stirring. 3 the arousing of public concern about an issue and pressing for action on it: widespread agitation for social reform. • [ count noun ] Indiana public demonstration.

vitriol

noun [ mass noun ] 1 bitter criticism or malice: her mother's sudden gush of fury and vitriol. 2 archaic or literary sulphuric acid. it was as if his words were spraying vitriol on her face. • in names of metallic sulphates, e.g. blue vitriol (copper sulphate) and green vitriol (ferrous sulphate).

concord

noun [ mass noun ] 1 formal agreement or harmony between people or groups: a pact of peace and concord. • [ count noun ] a treaty. a concord was to be drawn up. 2 Grammar agreement between words in gender, number, case, person, or any other grammatical category which affects the forms of the words. 3 [ count noun ] Music a chord that is pleasing or satisfactory in itself.

poise

noun [ mass noun ] 1 graceful and elegant bearing in a person: poise and good deportment can be cultivated. • composure and dignity of manner: at least he had a moment to think, to recover his poise. 2 archaic balance; equilibrium. the balance has passed the point where the spring is in poise. verb be or cause to be balanced or suspended: [ no obj. ] : he poised motionless on his toes | [ with obj. ] figurative : the world was poised between peace and war. • (be poised) be ready and prepared to do something: [ with infinitive ] : teachers are poised to resume their attack on government school tests.

induction

noun [ mass noun ] 1 the action or process of inducting someone to a post or organization: induction into membership of a Masonic brotherhood. • [ usu. as modifier ] a formal introduction to a new job or position: an induction course. • USenlistment into military service. 2 the process or action of bringing about or giving rise to something: the induction of malformations by radiation. • Medicine the process of bringing on the birth of a baby by artificial means, typically by the use of drugs. 3 Logic the inference of a general law from particular instances. the admission that laws of nature cannot be established by induction. Often contrasted with deduction. • the production of facts to prove a general statement. • (also mathematical induction)Mathematics a means of proving a theorem by showing that if it is true of any particular case it is true of the next case in a series, and then showing that it is indeed true in one particular case. 4 the production of an electric or magnetic state by the proximity (without contact) of an electrified or magnetized body. See also magnetic induction. • the production of an electric current in a conductor by varying the magnetic field applied to the conductor. 5 the stage of the working cycle of an internal-combustion engine in which the fuel mixture is drawn into the cylinders.

discretion

noun [ mass noun ] 1 the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information: she knew she could rely on his discretion | I'll be the soul of discretion. 2 the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation: local authorities should use their discretion in setting the charges | honorary fellowships may be awarded at the discretion of the council. the ability to make responsible decisions.

restitution

noun [ mass noun ] 1 the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner: the ANC had demanded the restitution of land seized from blacks. 2 recompense for injury or loss: he was ordered to pay £6,000 in restitution. 3 the restoration of something to its original state: restitution of the damaged mucosa. • Physics the resumption of an object's original shape or position through elastic recoil. the coefficient of restitution.

synchoronicity

noun [ mass noun ] 1 the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection: such synchronicity is quite staggering. 2 another term for synchrony ( sense 1).

sludge

noun [ mass noun ] 1 thick, soft, wet mud or a similar viscous mixture of liquid and solid components, especially the product of an industrial or refining process. the dumping of sewage sludge. [ count noun ] : miscellaneous chemicals and treated sludges. • dirty oil, especially in the sump of an internal-combustion engine. 2 [ usu. as modifier ] an unattractive muddy shade of brown or green: a sludge green. 3 sea ice newly formed in small pieces.

pique

noun [ mass noun ] a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride: he left in a fit of pique. verb (piques, piquing, piqued) 1 [ with obj. ] arouse (interest or curiosity). with his scientific curiosity piqued, he was looking forward to being able to analyse his find. 2 (be piqued) feel irritated or resentful: she was piqued by his curtness. 3 (pique oneself) archaic pride oneself. men, who are thought to pique themselves upon their Wit.

melancholy

noun [ mass noun ] a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause: an air of melancholy surrounded him. he had an ability to convey a sense of deep melancholy and yearning through much of his work. at the centre of his music lies a profound melancholy and nostalgia. Synonyms:sad, sorrowful, desolate, melancholic, mournful, lugubrious, gloomy, pensive; despondent, dejected

abhorrence

noun [ mass noun ] a feeling of revulsion; disgusted loathing: the thought of marrying him filled her with abhorrence.

complacency

noun [ mass noun ] a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements: the figures are better, but there are no grounds for complacency.

gossamer

noun [ mass noun ] a fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders, seen especially in autumn. • a light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate material or substance: [ as modifier ] : a fine gossamer fabric that clung to her skin.

malaise

noun [ mass noun ] a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify: a general air of malaise | [ in sing. ] : a society afflicted by a deep cultural malaise.

pin money

noun [ mass noun ] a small sum of money for spending on inessentials. working two days a week in the boutique gave her a little pin money.

ado

noun [ mass noun ] a state of agitation or fuss: this is much ado about almost nothing. • dated trouble or difficulty: I hastened there without delay or ado.

ease

noun [ mass noun ] absence of difficulty or effort: she gave up smoking with ease | ease of use. • absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise: I was always vexed by her self-contained ease. • freedom from worries or problems: a life of wealth and ease. verb 1 [ with obj. ] make (something unpleasant or intense) less serious or severe: a huge road-building programme to ease congestion. • [ no obj. ] become less serious or severe: the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours. • [ no obj. ] (ease off/up) do something with more moderation: I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you. • make (something) happen more easily; facilitate: Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making. 2 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] move carefully or gradually: I eased down the slope with care | [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] : she eased off her shoes. • [ with obj. ] (ease someone into) introduce someone gradually to (an activity): he brought in someone new and eased them into the job. • [ with obj. ] (ease someone out) gradually exclude someone from a post, especially by devious or subtle manoeuvres: after the scandal he was eased out of his job. • (ease something away/down/off) Nautical slacken a rope or sail slowly or gently. 3 [ no obj. ] (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount: shares eased 6p to 224p.

belligerence

noun [ mass noun ] aggressive or warlike behaviour. Mortimer was eyeing Guy with belligerence. a blatant act of belligerence.

bonhomie

noun [ mass noun ] cheerful friendliness; geniality: he exuded good humour and bonhomie.

chrome

noun [ mass noun ] chromium plate as a decorative or protective finish on motor-vehicle fittings and other objects: [ as modifier ] : a chrome bumper. • [ as modifier ] denoting compounds or alloys of chromium: chrome dyes. • short for chrome yellow.

brevity

noun [ mass noun ] concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. the staff will edit manuscripts with a view to brevity and clarity. for brevity, it is worth using these little symbols. • shortness of time: the brevity of human life.

artistry

noun [ mass noun ] creative skill or ability: the artistry of the pianist. Synonyms: creative skill, creativity, art, skill, ability, accomplishment, talent, genius, brilliance, expertness

hype

noun [ mass noun ] extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion: his first album hit the stores amid a storm of hype. • [ count noun ] a deception carried out for the sake of publicity. is his comeback a hype? verb [ with obj. ] promote or publicize (a product or idea) intensively, often exaggerating its benefits. an industry quick to hype its products. they were hyping up a new anti-poverty idea.

avarice

noun [ mass noun ] extreme greed for wealth or material gain. he was rich beyond the dreams of avarice. Synonyms:greed, acquisitiveness, cupidity, covetousness, avariciousness, rapacity, rapaciousness, graspingness

parsimony

noun [ mass noun ] extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources: a great tradition of public design has been shattered by government parsimony. Synonyms:meanness, miserliness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penuriousness, penny-pinching

silt

noun [ mass noun ] fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbour. • [ count noun ] a bed or layer of silt. • technical sediment whose particles are between clay and sand in size (typically 0.002-0.06 mm). verb [ no obj. ] become filled or blocked with silt: the river's mouth had silted up | (as nounsilting) : the silting of the river estuary. • [ with obj. ] fill or block with silt. the soil ends up silting up the stream. (as adj. silted) : the silted mouth of the river.

elation

noun [ mass noun ] great happiness and exhilaration: Richard's elation at regaining his health was short-lived. Synonyms:happiness, exhilaration, joy, joyousness, delight, glee; excitement, animation, jubilation

virtuosity

noun [ mass noun ] great skill in music or another artistic pursuit: a performance of considerable virtuosity. Synonyms:skill, skilfulness, mastery, expertise, expertness, prowess, proficiency, ability, aptitude, adroitness

cupidity

noun [ mass noun ] greed for money or possessions. new wealth, however tainted by cupidity and egoism, tends to be favourable for the arts.

infighting

noun [ mass noun ] hidden conflict or competitiveness within an organization. infighting between departments grew worse. the split was designed to end political infighting. • boxing closer to an opponent than at arm's length.

hearsay

noun [ mass noun ] information received from other people which cannot be substantiated; rumour: according to hearsay, Bez had managed to break his arm. • Law the report of another person's words by a witness, which is usually disallowed as evidence in a court of law: [ as modifier ] : hearsay evidence.

effrontery

noun [ mass noun ] insolent or impertinent behaviour: one juror had the effrontery to challenge the coroner's decision. offensive boldness

hassle

noun [ mass noun ] irritating inconvenience: the hassle of child care | [ count noun ] : travelling can be a hassle. • deliberate harassment: when I told them I would not work on Sundays I got hassle. • [ count noun ] N. Amer.a disagreement or quarrel. an election-year hassle with farmers. verb [ with obj. ] harass; pester: you want to sit and relax and not get hassled.

cowardice

noun [ mass noun ] lack of bravery. my cowardice got the better of me and I crept out of the room. Synonyms:faint-heartedness, spiritlessness, spinelessness, timidity, timorousness

legislation

noun [ mass noun ] laws, considered collectively: housing legislation. • the process of making or enacting laws. it will require legislation to change this situation.

gangarene

noun [ mass noun ] localized death and decomposition of body tissue, resulting from obstructed circulation or bacterial infection. gangrene set in, and her leg was amputated.

remuneration

noun [ mass noun ] money paid for work or a service. they work in excess of their contracted hours for no additional remuneration. Synonyms: payment, pay, salary, wages; earnings, fee(s), stipend, emolument(s), honorarium, remittance

forbearance

noun [ mass noun ] patient self-control; restraint and tolerance: his unfailing courtesy and forbearance under great provocation. • Law the action of refraining from exercising a legal right, especially enforcing the payment of a debt. Synonyms:tolerance, toleration, patience, resignation, endurance, fortitude, stoicism, long-sufferingness, leniency

crockery

noun [ mass noun ] plates, dishes, cups, and other similar items, especially ones made of earthenware or china.

tutelage

noun [ mass noun ] protection of or authority over someone or something; guardianship: the organizations remained under firm government tutelage. • instruction; tuition: he felt privileged to be under the tutelage of an experienced actor.

denunciation

noun [ mass noun ] public condemnation of someone or something. denunciation of his reckless methods. [ count noun ] : a denunciation of the bombing. • the action of informing against someone.

retribution

noun [ mass noun ] punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act: settlers drove the Navajo out of Arizona in retribution for their raids. Synonyms:punishment, penalty, nemesis, fate, doom, one's just deserts, due reward, just reward

ecotage

noun [ mass noun ] sabotage carried out for ecological reasons.

asceticism

noun [ mass noun ] severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons: acts of physical asceticism. Synonyms: austerity, self-denial, abstinence, abstemiousness, non-indulgence, self-discipline, frugality, simplicity

jargon

noun [ mass noun ] special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand: legal jargon. • archaic a form of language regarded as barbarous, debased, or hybrid.

luck

noun [ mass noun ] success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions: it was just luck that the first kick went in | they're supposed to bring good luck. • chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen. • something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things: I don't like Friday—it's bad luck. verb [ no obj. ] (luck into/upon) informal chance to find or acquire: he lucked into a disc-jockey job. • (luck out) N. Amer.achieve success or advantage by good luck: I lucked out and found a wonderful woman.

commiseration

noun [ mass noun ] sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; compassion: the other actors offered him clumsy commiseration. • (commiserations) expressions of sympathy and sorrow for another: our commiserations to those who didn't win.

intuition

noun [ mass noun ] the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning: we shall allow our intuition to guide us. • [ count noun ] a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning: your insights and intuitions as a native speaker are positively sought.

obstruction

noun [ mass noun ] the action of obstructing or the state of being obstructed: walkers could proceed with the minimum of obstruction. • [ count noun ] a thing that impedes or prevents passage or progress; an obstacle or blockage: the tractor hit an obstruction. • (in various sports) the action of unlawfully obstructing a player in the opposing team. • Medicine blockage of a bodily passage, especially the gut: they presented with severe intestinal obstruction. • Law the action of impeding the movement of traffic on a highway. they were held for obstruction and other public order offences. • Law the action of deliberately hindering the police in their duties. he was charged with obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty.

blackmail

noun [ mass noun ] the action, treated as a criminal offence, of demanding money from someone in return for not revealing compromising information which one has about them. they were acquitted of charges of blackmail. [ as modifier ] : she recounted the blackmail threats. • money demanded by a person or group engaged in blackmail: we do not pay blackmail. • the use of threats or the manipulation of someone's feelings to force them to do something: some people use emotional blackmail. verb [ with obj. ] demand money from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising information about them. they use this fact to blackmail him, trying to force him to vote for their candidate. • force (someone) to do something by using threats or manipulating their feelings: he had blackmailed her into sailing with him.

philanthropy

noun [ mass noun ] the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. he acquired a considerable fortune and was noted for his philanthropy. • [ count noun ] N. Amer.a philanthropic institution; a charity. a philanthropy was incorporated to help oldsters obtain benefits like pension rights.

disdain

noun [ mass noun ] the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect: her upper lip curled in disdain | an aristocratic disdain for manual labour. verb [ with obj. ] consider to be unworthy of one's consideration: he disdained his patients as an inferior rabble. • refuse to do (something) from feelings of pride or superiority: she remained standing, pointedly disdaining his invitation to sit down | [ with infinitive ] : he disdained to discuss the matter further.

hospitality

noun [ mass noun ] the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Scotland is renowned for its hospitality. • [ as modifier ] relating to or denoting the business of entertaining clients, conference delegates, or other official visitors: the BBC's hospitality suite. Synonyms:friendliness, hospitableness, welcome, warm reception, helpfulness, neighbourliness, warmth

ingenuity

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being clever, original, and inventive. considerable ingenuity must be employed in writing software. the ingenuity of Haydn's scoring.

allure

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating: people for whom gold holds no allure. verb [ with obj. ] powerfully attract or charm; tempt: will sponsors really be allured by such opportunities?

sagacity

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being sagacious: a man of great political sagacity.

myopia

noun [ mass noun ] the quality of being short-sighted. he wore spectacles to correct a mild degree of myopia. • lack of foresight or intellectual insight: the company's corporate myopia.

tenacity

noun [ mass noun ] the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip: the sheer tenacity of the limpet. • the quality or fact of being very determined; determination: you have to admire the tenacity of these two guys. • the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence: the tenacity of certain myths within the historical record.

obsession

noun [ mass noun ] the state of being obsessed with someone or something: she cared for him with a devotion bordering on obsession. • [ count noun ] an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind. he was in the grip of an obsession he was powerless to resist. Synonyms:fixation, ruling/consuming passion, passion, mania, idée fixe, compulsion, preoccupation, enthusiasm

transience

noun [ mass noun ] the state or fact of lasting only for a short time; transitoriness: the transience of life and happiness.

degeneration

noun [ mass noun ] the state or process of being or becoming degenerate; decline or deterioration: overgrazing has caused serious degeneration of grassland. • Medicine deterioration and loss of function in the cells of a tissue or organ: degeneration of the muscle fibres. Synonyms:deterioration, decline, decay, debasement, degradation, slide, sinking, descent, drop

tarmac

noun [ mass noun ] ( trademark in the UK) material used for surfacing roads or other outdoor areas, consisting of broken stone mixed with tar. [ as modifier ] : the tarmac path. • (the tarmac) a runway or other area surfaced with tarmac or a similar material. verb (tarmacs, tarmacking, tarmacked) [ with obj. ] surface (a road or other outdoor area) with tarmac or a similar material: (as adj.tarmacked) : there are no tarmacked roads.

narcolepsy

noun [ mass noun ] Medicine a condition characterized by an extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings.

scholock

noun [ mass noun ] N. Amer. informal cheap or inferior goods or material; trash. mass-produced schlock. televisual schlock.

taxonomy

noun [ mass noun ] chiefly Biology the branch of science concerned with classification, especially of organisms; systematics. • the classification of something, especially organisms: the taxonomy of these fossils. • [ count noun ] a scheme of classification: a taxonomy of smells.

jingoism

noun [ mass noun ] chiefly derogatory extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy. ex: the popular jingoism that swept the lower-middle classes. Synonyms: extreme patriotism, blind patriotism, chauvinism, extreme nationalism, flag-waving, excessive loyalty to one's country, xenophobia

edifice

noun formal 1 a large, imposing building. 2 a complex system of beliefs: the concepts on which the edifice of capitalism was built. Synonyms: building, structure, construction, erection, pile, complex, assembly; property, development, premises

honky-tonk

noun informal 1 N. Amer.a cheap or disreputable bar, club, or dance hall. a neighbourhood of honky-tonks, ethnic restaurants, and decaying apartment buildings. • [ as modifier ] squalid and disreputable: a honky-tonk beach resort. 2 [ mass noun ] [ often as modifier ] ragtime piano music. honky-tonk piano.

cruncher

noun informal 1 a critical or vital point; a crucial or difficult question. the big cruncher—have you got anything to contribute to skating? 2 a computer, system, or person able to perform very large or complex operations: a global information cruncher. See also number cruncher.

tiff

noun informal a petty quarrel, especially one between friends or lovers: Joanna had a tiff with her boyfriend.

bust-up

noun informal, chiefly Brit. a serious quarrel: the diplomatic bust-up with Germany. • a fight or brawl: a touchline bust-up.

goop

noun informal, chiefly N. Amer. sloppy or sticky semifluid matter, typically something unpleasant. • mawkish sentiment.

T-junction

nounBrit. a junction in the shape of a 'T', in particular a road junction at which one road joins another at right angles without crossing it. turn right at the T-junction.

fortnight

nounBrit. a period of two weeks. • informal (preceded by a specified day) used to indicate that something will take place two weeks after that day.

sort-out

nounBrit. an act of tidying or organizing things by separating them into categories: start your kitchen reorganization with a sort-out.

layabout

nounBrit. derogatory a person who habitually does little or no work. 'How'd you get mixed up with that layabout?'.

advert

nounBrit. informal an advertisement.

lien

nounLaw a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged. they shall be entitled to a lien on any lot sold. make sure there are no liens against the car. [ as modifier ] : they may assert a lien claim on your property.

row

nounchiefly Brit. 1 a noisy acrimonious quarrel: they had a row and she stormed out of the house. • a serious dispute: the director is at the centre of a row over policy decisions. • informal a severe reprimand: I always got a row if I left food on my plate. 2 a loud noise or uproar: if he's at home he must have heard that row. verb [ no obj. ] have a quarrel: they rowed about who would receive the money from the sale | she had rowed with her boyfriend the day before. • [ with obj. ] Brit.rebuke severely: she was rowed for leaving her younger brother alone. PHRASES make (or kick up) a row informal, chiefly Brit.make a noise or commotion. people who lived near where they met used to complain about the row they made. • make a vigorous protest. I was quite comfortable—I kicked up a row out of sheer boredom.

out of whack

out of order; not working: all their calculations were out of whack.

antics

plural noun foolish, outrageous, or amusing behaviour: the antics of our political parties.

somnolent

sleepy; drowsy. • causing or suggestive of drowsiness: a somnolent summer day.

flourish

verb 1 [ no obj. ] (of a living organism) grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly congenial environment: wild plants flourish on the banks of the lake. • develop rapidly and successfully: the organization has continued to flourish. • [ with adverbial ] be working or at the height of one's career during a specified period: the caricaturist and wit who flourished in the early years of this century. 2 [ with obj. ] wave (something) about to attract attention: 'Happy New Year!' he yelled, flourishing a bottle of whisky. noun 1 a bold or extravagant gesture or action, made especially to attract attention: with a flourish, she ushered them inside. • an elaborate rhetorical or literary expression. • an ornamental flowing curve in handwriting or scrollwork: letters with an emphatic flourish beneath them. 2 an impressive and successful act or period: United produced a late second-half flourish. 3 Music a fanfare played by brass instruments: a flourish of trumpets. • an ornate musical passage. • an extemporized addition played especially at the beginning or end of a composition.

advance

verb 1 [ no obj. ] move forwards in a purposeful way: he advanced towards the dispatch box | the troops advanced on the capital. • move forward in time: as the nineteenth century advanced. • [ with obj. ] change the date of (an event) so as to occur earlier than planned: I advanced the schedule by several weeks. 2 make or cause to make progress: [ no obj. ] : our knowledge is advancing all the time | [ with obj. ] : it was a chance to advance his own interests. • [ no obj. ] (of shares) increase in price. the food group advanced 12p to 639p. 3 [ with obj. ] put forward (a theory or suggestion): the hypothesis I wish to advance in this article. 4 [ with two objs ] lend (money) to (someone): the building society advanced them a loan. • pay (money) to (someone) before it is due: he advanced me a month's salary. noun 1 a forward movement: the rebels' advance on Madrid was well under way | figurative : the advance of civilization. 2 a development or improvement: advances in engineering techniques | [ mass noun ] : decades of great scientific advance. • an increase in amount or price: share prices showed significant advances. 3 an amount of money paid before it is due or for work only partly completed: the author was paid a £250,000 advance. • a loan: an advance from the bank. 4 (usu. advances) an approach made to someone with the aim of initiating sexual or amorous relations: her tutor made advances to her. adjective [ attrib. ] done, sent, or supplied beforehand: advance notice.

hunker

verb 1 [ no obj. ] squat or crouch down low: he hunkered down beside her. • bend the top of one's body forward; hunch. she hunkered over the heater. 2 (hunker down) apply oneself seriously to a task: students hunkered down to prepare for the examinations.

riffle

verb 1 [ no obj. ] turn over something, especially the pages of a book, quickly and casually: he riffled through the pages | [ with obj. ] : she opened a book and riffled the pages. • (riffle through) search quickly through (something): she riffled through her leather handbag. • [ with obj. ] disturb the surface of; ruffle: there was a slight breeze that riffled her hair. 2 [ with obj. ] shuffle (playing cards) by flicking up and releasing the corners or sides of two piles of cards so that they intermingle and may be slid together to form a single pile. he riffled the deck of cards. noun 1 [ usu. in sing. ] an act or sound of riffling through something. just a riffle through the books. the loudest sound was the constant riffle of paper as people looked at the agendas. 2 chiefly N. Amer.a rocky or shallow part of a stream or river where the water flows brokenly. the river's sweeping riffles and deep pools provide a superb habitat for salmon. • a patch of waves or ripples.

slouch

verb 1 [ no obj., with adverbial ] stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way: he slouched against the wall | the lads slouched about the place resentfully | (be slouched) : he was slouched in his chair. (as adj.slouching) : a peculiar slouching gait. 2 [ with obj. ] dated bend one side of the brim of (a hat) downwards. a travelling hat slouched over his eyes. noun [ in sing. ] 1 a lazy, drooping posture or movement: his stance was a round-shouldered slouch. 2 [ usu. with negative ] informal an incompetent person: my brother was no slouch at making a buck. he's no slouch on the guitar. 3 a downward bend of a hat brim.

slew/slue

verb 1 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] turn or slide violently or uncontrollably: [ no obj. ] : the Renault slewed from side to side in the snow | [ with obj. ] : he slewed the aircraft round before it settled on the runway. 2 [ no obj. ] (of an electronic device) undergo slewing. noun [ in sing. ] a violent or uncontrollable sliding movement. I was assaulted by the thump and slew of the van.

acknowledge

verb 1 [ reporting verb ] accept or admit the existence or truth of: [ with obj. ] : the plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities | [ with clause ] : the government acknowledged that the tax was unfair | [ with direct speech ] : 'That's true,' she acknowledged. 2 [ with obj. ] recognize the importance or quality of: the art world has begun to acknowledge his genius | the hotel is widely acknowledged as one of Cornwall's finest. • express gratitude for or appreciation of: he received a letter acknowledging his services. • accept the validity or legitimacy of: Henry acknowledged Richard as his heir. 3 [ with obj. ] show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting: she refused to acknowledge my presence. • confirm (receipt of something). I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter. Synonyms:admit, accept, grant, allow, concede, confess, own, appreciate, recognize, realize

frisk

verb 1 [ with obj. ] (of a police officer or other official) pass the hands over (someone) in a search for hidden weapons, drugs, or other items. he raised his arms to permit the officer to frisk him. I was frisked and released without charge. 2 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] skip or leap playfully; frolic: spaniels frisked around me.

mince

verb 1 [ with obj. ] (often as adj.minced) cut up (food, especially meat) into very small pieces, typically in a machine: minced beef. 2 [ no obj. ] walk with short quick steps in an affectedly dainty manner: there were plenty of secretaries mincing about. noun [ mass noun ] Brit. minced meat, especially beef. stir in the mince and fry until browned.

vamp

verb 1 [ with obj. ] (vamp something up) informal repair or improve something: the production values have been vamped up. 2 [ no obj. ] repeat a short, simple passage of music: the band was vamping gently behind his busy lead guitar. 3 [ with obj. ] attach a new upper to (a boot or shoe).

revoke

verb 1 [ with obj. ] officially cancel (a decree, decision, or promise): the men appealed and the sentence was revoked. 2 [ no obj. ] (in bridge, whist, and other card games) fail to follow suit despite being able to do so.

stalk

verb 1 [ with obj. ] pursue or approach stealthily: a cat stalking a bird. • harass or persecute (someone) with unwanted and obsessive attention: for five years she was stalked by a man who would taunt and threaten her. • chiefly literary move silently or threateningly through (a place): the tiger stalks the jungle | figurative : fear stalked the camp. 2 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] stride somewhere in a proud, stiff, or angry manner: without another word she turned and stalked out.

reciprocate

verb 1 [ with obj. ] respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one: the favour was reciprocated | [ no obj. ] : perhaps I was expected to reciprocate with some remark of my own. • feel (affection or love) for someone in the same way that they feel it for oneself: her passion for him was not reciprocated. 2 [ no obj. ] (usu. as adj.reciprocating) (of a part of a machine) move backwards and forwards in a straight line: a reciprocating blade.

encompass

verb 1 [ with obj. ] surround and have or hold within: this area of London encompasses Piccadilly to the north and St James's Park to the south. • include comprehensively: no studies encompass all sectors of medical care. 2 archaic cause to take place: an act designed to encompass the death of the king.

parch

verb 1 make or become dry through intense heat: [ with obj. ] : a piece of grassland parched by the sun | [ no obj. ] : his crops parched during the last two summers | (as adj.parching) : a fierce parching heat has set in. • [ with obj. ] roast (corn, peas, etc.) lightly. 2 (as adj.parched) informal extremely thirsty: I'm parched—I'll die without a drink.

whack

verb [ with obj. ] strike forcefully with a sharp blow: his attacker whacked him on the head | [ no obj. ] : she found a stick to whack at the branches. • defeat in a contest: [ with obj. and complement ] : the team were whacked six-nil. • [ with obj. and adverbial ] put or push (something) roughly or carelessly in a specified place or direction: he whacks a tape into the cassette recorder. • N. Amer.murder: he was whacked while sitting in his car. noun 1 a sharp or resounding blow. with a few whacks and some loud whistles, they drove the animals away. 2 a try or attempt: we decided to take a whack at spotting the decade's trends. 3 Brit.a specified share of or contribution to something: motorists pay a fair whack for the use of the roads through taxes. 4 N. Amer.a large quantity or amount.

taper

verb diminish or reduce in thickness towards one end: [ no obj. ] : the tail tapers to a rounded tip | [ with obj. ] : David asked my dressmaker to taper his trousers | (as adj.tapering) : the five tapering fingers of her hand. • [ no obj. ] (taper off) gradually lessen: the impact of the dollar's depreciation started to taper off. noun 1 a slender candle. he lit the tapers in the silver candelabra. • a wick coated with wax, used for conveying a flame. 2 a gradual narrowing: the strong taper of her back | [ mass noun ] : a small degree of taper.

withstand

verb remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist: the structure had been designed to withstand winds of more than 100 mph. • offer strong resistance or opposition to: Constantinople withstood the eastern invaders.

levitate

verb rise or cause to rise and hover in the air, typically by means of supposed magical powers: [ no obj. ] : I swear to God he levitated over the bar | [ with obj. ] : I focused on levitating the rucksack.

belie

verb (belies, belying, belied) [ with obj. ] 1 (of an appearance) fail to give a true impression of (something): his lively, alert manner belied his years. 2 fail to fulfil or justify (a claim or expectation): the quality of the music seems to belie the criticism.

classify

verb (classifies, classifying, classified) [ with obj. ] 1 arrange (a group of people or things) in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics: mountain peaks are classified according to their shape. • assign to a particular class or category: elements are usually classified as metals or non-metals. 2 designate (documents or information) as officially secret: government officials classified 6.3 million documents in 1992.

codify

verb (codifies, codifying, codified) [ with obj. ] arrange (laws or rules) into a systematic code. • arrange according to a plan or system: Verdi helped codify an international operatic culture.

imbue

verb (imbues, imbuing, imbued) [ with obj. ] (often be imbued with) inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality): his works are invariably imbued with a sense of calm and serenity. Synonyms:permeate, saturate, diffuse, suffuse, pervade; impregnate, inject, inculcate, instil

levy

verb (levies, levying, levied) [ with obj. ] 1 impose (a tax, fee, or fine): a tax of two per cent was levied on all cargoes. • impose a tax, fee, or fine on: there will be powers to levy the owner. • [ no obj. ] (levy on/upon) seize (property) to satisfy a legal judgement. there were no goods to levy upon. 2 archaic enlist (someone) for military service. he sought to levy one man from each vill for service. • begin to wage (war). they then proceeded without further ceremony to levy war upon the king. noun (pl.levies) 1 an act of levying a tax, fee, or fine: police forces receive 49 per cent of their funding via a levy on the rates. • a tax raised by levying. we all pay a fossil fuel levy in our electricity bills. • a sum collected as a supplement to an existing subscription: the trade-union political levy. • an item or items of property seized to satisfy a legal judgement. 2 historical an act of enlisting troops. Edward I and Edward II had made substantial use of the feudal levy for raising an army. • (usu. levies) a body of troops that have been enlisted: lightly armed local levies.

nag*

verb (nags, nagging, nagged) [ with obj. ] harass (someone) constantly to do something that they are averse to: she constantly nags her daughter about getting married | [ with infinitive ] : she nagged him to do the housework | [ no obj. ] : he's always nagging at her for staying out late. • [ no obj. ] be persistently painful or worrying to: something nagged at the back of his mind. noun a person who nags someone to do something. • a persistent feeling of anxiety: he felt a little nag of doubt.

ossify

verb (ossifies, ossifying, ossified) [ no obj. ] 1 turn into bone or bony tissue: these tracheal cartilages may ossify. 2 (often as adj.ossified) cease developing; stagnate: ossified political institutions. Synonyms: become inflexible, become rigid, fossilize, harden, rigidify, stagnate

forecast

verb (past and past participleforecast or forecasted) [ with obj. ] predict or estimate (a future event or trend): rain is forecast for Scotland | [ with obj. and infinitive ] : coal consumption in Europe is forecast to increase. noun a calculation or estimate of future events, especially coming weather or a financial trend. Synonyms:redict, prophesy, prognosticate, augur, divine, foretell, foresee, forewarn: prophecy, forewarning, prognostication, augury, divination, prognosis, projection

grind

verb (past and past participleground |graʊnd| ) 1 [ with obj. ] reduce (something) to small particles or powder by crushing it: grind some black pepper over the salad | she ground up the rice prior to boiling. • sharpen, smooth, or produce (something) by crushing or by friction: power from a waterwheel was used to grind cutlery. • operate (a mill or machine) by turning the handle: she was grinding a coffee mill. • [ no obj. ] (of a mill or machine) work with a crushing action. the old mill was grinding again. 2 rub or cause to rub together gratingly: [ no obj. ] : tectonic plates that inexorably grind against each other | [ with obj. ] : he keeps me awake at night, grinding his teeth. • [ with obj. ] press or rub (something) into a surface: she ground a half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray. • [ no obj., with adverbial ] move noisily and laboriously: the truck was grinding slowly up the hill. 3 [ no obj. ] informal (of a dancer) gyrate the hips erotically: go-go girls grinding to blaring disco. • Brit. vulgar slang, dated have sexual intercourse. noun 1 a crushing or grating sound or motion: the crunch and grind of bulldozers | figurative : the slow grind of the US legal system. • the size of ground particles: only the right grind gives you all the fine flavour. 2 hard dull work: relief from the daily grind. • US informal an excessively hard-working student. • Irisha private tuition class: experienced teacher offers grinds in Maths and Irish, to all levels. 3 informal a dancer's erotic gyration of the hips. a bump and grind. • Brit. vulgar slang, dated an act of sexual intercourse. PHRASES grind to a halt (or come to a grinding halt)slow down gradually and then stop completely. in summer traffic all but grinds to a halt. the surge of modernism finally seemed to grind to a halt.

heave

verb (past and past participleheavedor chiefly Nauticalhove |həʊv| ) 1 [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] lift or haul (something heavy) with great effort: she heaved the sofa back into place | he heaved himself out of bed. • informal throw (something heavy): she heaved half a brick at him. 2 [ with obj. ] produce (a sigh): he heaved a euphoric sigh of relief. 3 [ no obj. ] rise and fall rhythmically or spasmodically: his shoulders heaved as he panted. • make an effort to vomit; retch: my stomach heaved. 4 [ with obj. ] Nautical pull, raise, or move (a boat or ship) by hauling on a rope or ropes. Martin thought he might be able to heave the lifeboat in closer. noun 1 an act of heaving. with that last heave, Maurice's anchor wrenched clear of the mud. 2 Geology a sideways displacement in a fault. 3 (heaves) another term for COPD in horses.

hew

verb (past participlehewn |hjuːn| or hewed) 1 [ with obj. ] chop or cut (something, especially wood or coal) with an axe, pick, or other tool. master carpenters would hew the logs with an axe. he had hewn down the famous elm tree. • make or shape by cutting a hard material such as wood: a seat hewn out of a fallen tree trunk. 2 [ no obj. ] (hew to) N. Amer.conform or adhere to: his administration would hew to high ethical standards.

mow

verb (past participlemowed or mown) [ with obj. ] cut down (grass) with a machine: Roger mowed the lawn | (as adj.mown) : the delicious smell of newly mown grass. • chiefly historical cut down (grass or a cereal crop) with a scythe. (as adj. mown) : their job was to rake the mown corn ready for carting. PHRASAL VERBS mow someone down kill someone with a fusillade of bullets or other missiles: he was mown down in a hail of machine-gun bullets. • recklessly knock down someone with a car or other vehicle: a father-of-four was mown down and killed as he cycled home from work.

underwrite

verb (pastunderwrote; past participleunderwritten) [ with obj. ] 1 sign and accept liability under (an insurance policy), thus guaranteeing payment in case loss or damage occurs. the policy, underwritten at Lloyd's, indemnifies trustees against loss arising from wrongful acts. (as noun underwriting) : the individuals whose assets support underwriting at Lloyd's. • accept (a liability or risk) in this way. the insurance companies have underwritten just over half the risk. 2 (of a bank or other financial institution) engage to buy all the unsold shares in (an issue of new shares). the purchase is being paid for by a share issue, which has been underwritten. • undertake to finance or otherwise support or guarantee (something): they were willing to underwrite, in part, the construction of a ship. 3 archaic write (something) below something else, especially other written matter. each subscriber should underwrite his reason for the place he allots his candidate.

rap

verb (raps, rapping, rapped) 1 [ with obj. ] strike (a hard surface) with a series of rapid audible blows, especially in order to attract attention: he stood up and rapped the table | [ no obj. ] : she rapped on the window. • strike (something) several times against a hard surface: she rapped her stick on the floor. • strike sharply with a stick or similar implement: she rapped my fingers with a ruler. • informal criticize severely: certain banks are to be rapped for delaying interest rate cuts. • say sharply or suddenly: the ambassador rapped out an order. 2 [ no obj. ] informal, chiefly N. Amer.talk or chat in an easy and familiar manner: we could be here all night rapping about spiritualism. 3 [ no obj. ] perform rap music. he raps under the name of Mr T. noun 1 a quick, sharp knock or blow: there was a confident rap at the door. • informal a sharp criticism: social services were smarting from an Ombudsman's rap. 2 [ mass noun ] a type of popular music of US black origin in which words are recited rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing. the label specializes in rap and modern soul. [ as modifier ] : rap artists. • [ count noun ] a piece of rap, or the words themselves. the track's a surprisingly lyrical rap. 3 informal, chiefly N. Amer.a lengthy or impromptu conversation: dropping in after work for a rap over a beer. 4 [ usu. with adj. or noun modifier ] N. Amer. informal a criminal charge, especially of a specified kind: he's just been acquitted on a murder rap. 5 N. Amer. informal a person's reputation, typically a bad one: why should drag queens get a bad rap?

repel

verb (repels, repelling, repelled) [ with obj. ] 1 drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away: government units sought to repel the rebels. • (of a magnetic pole or electric field) force (something similarly magnetized or charged) away from itself: electrically charged objects attract or repel one another | [ no obj. ] : like poles repel and unlike poles attract. • (of a substance) resist mixing with or be impervious to (another substance): boots with good-quality leather uppers to repel moisture. 2 be repulsive or distasteful to: she was repelled by the permanent smell of drink on his breath. 3 formal refuse to accept (something, especially an argument or theory): the alleged right of lien led by the bankrupt's solicitor was repelled.

ricochet

verb (ricochets, ricocheting |-ʃeɪɪŋ| , ricocheted |-ʃeɪd| or ricochets, ricochetting |-ʃɛtɪŋ| , ricochetted |-ʃɛtɪd| ) [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (of a bullet or other projectile) rebound off a surface: a bullet ricocheted off a nearby wall. • [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] cause to rebound off a surface: they fired off a couple of rounds, ricocheting the bullets against a wall. • appear to move with a series of ricochets: the sound ricocheted around the hall. noun a shot or hit that rebounds off a surface. she was hit by a ricochet in the leg. • [ mass noun ] the action or movement of a bullet or other projectile when ricocheting. the practice of low-level skip bombing relied on ricochet for effect.

sidestep

verb (sidesteps, sidestepping, sidestepped) [ with obj. ] avoid (someone or something) by stepping sideways: as she walked she sidestepped the many cracks in the pavement. • avoid dealing with or discussing (something problematic or disagreeable): he neatly sidestepped the questions about riots. • [ no obj. ] Skiing climb or descend by lifting alternate skis while facing sideways on the slope. noun a step taken sideways, typically to avoid someone or something.

slur

verb (slurs, slurring, slurred) [ with obj. ] 1 speak (words) indistinctly so that the sounds run into one another: he was slurring his words like a drunk. • [ no obj. ] (of words or speech) be slurred: his speech was beginning to slur. • pass over (a fact or aspect) so as to conceal or minimize it: essential attributes are being slurred over or ignored. 2 Music perform (a group of two or more notes) legato: (as adj.slurred) : a group of slurred notes. • mark (notes) with a slur. 3 chiefly USmake damaging or insulting insinuations or allegations about: try and slur the integrity of the police to secure an acquittal. noun 1 an insinuation or allegation about someone that is likely to insult them or damage their reputation: the comments were a slur on staff at the hospital. 2 an act of speaking indistinctly so that sounds or words run into one another or a tendency to speak in such a way: there was a trace of a slur in his voice. 3 Music a curved line used to show that a group of two or more notes are to be sung to one syllable or played or sung legato.

snub

verb (snubs, snubbing, snubbed) [ with obj. ] 1 rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully: he snubbed faculty members and students alike | they snubbed his invitation to a meeting of foreign ministers. 2 check the movement of (a horse or boat), especially by a rope wound round a post: a horse snubbed to a tree. noun an act of rebuffing or ignoring someone or something: the move was a snub to the government.

twig

verb (twigs, twigging, twigged) [ no obj. ] Brit. informal understand or realize something: it was amazing that Graham hadn't twigged before. • [ with obj. ] archaic perceive; observe: nine days now since my eyes have twigged any terra firma.

wallop

verb (wallops, walloping, walloped) [ with obj. ] strike or hit very hard: they walloped the back of his head with a stick | figurative : they were tired of getting walloped with income taxes. • heavily defeat (an opponent). we were walloped by Milan. noun 1 a heavy blow or punch. I gave it a wallop with my boot. • [ in sing. ] chiefly N. Amer.a powerful effect: the script packs a wallop. 2 [ mass noun ] Brit.alcoholic drink, especially beer. an endless supply of free wallop.

cackle

verb [ no obj. ] (of a bird, especially a hen or goose) give a raucous clucking cry: the hen was cackling as if demented | (as adj.cackling) : cackling, whooping cries. • laugh in a loud, harsh way: she cackled with laughter. • informal talk at length without acting on what is said. corporate luminaries cackle on about the importance of quality. noun the raucous clucking cry of a bird such as a hen or a goose. ducks have a harsh growling cackle. • a loud, harsh laugh: her delighted cackle. Synonyms: laugh loudly, laugh uproariously, guffaw, crow, chortle, chuckle, giggle

bellow

verb [ no obj. ] (of a person or animal) emit a deep loud roar, typically in pain or anger: he bellowed in agony. • [ reporting verb ] shout something with a deep loud roar: [ with obj. ] : he bellowed out the order | [ with direct speech ] : 'Not sausage and mash again!' he bellowed. • [ with obj. ] sing (a song) loudly and tunelessly: a dozen large men were bellowing 'Jerusalem'.

pounce

verb [ no obj. ] (of an animal or bird of prey) spring or swoop suddenly so as to catch prey: as he watched, a mink pounced on the vole. • (of a person) spring forward suddenly so as to attack or seize someone or something: the gang pounced on him and knocked him to the ground. • notice and take swift advantage of a mistake or sign of weakness: the paper pounced on her admission that she is still a member of CND. noun 1 a sudden swoop or spring. 2 archaic a bird's claw.

sough

verb [ no obj. ] (of the wind in trees, the sea, etc.) make a moaning, whistling, or rushing sound. (as noun soughing) : the soughing of the wind in the canopy of branches. noun [ in sing. ] a moaning, whistling, or rushing sound as made by the wind in the trees or the sea.

champ

verb [ no obj. ] 1 (of a horse) make a noisy biting or chewing action. • munch or chew enthusiastically or noisily: he champed on his sandwich. 2 fret impatiently: he was already on the plane, champing to get off to Lagos.

troll

verb [ no obj. ] 1 carefully and systematically search an area for something: a group of companies trolling for partnership opportunities | [ with obj. ] : I spent tonight trolling the Internet for expensive lighting gear. • fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat: we trolled for mackerel. 2 informal submit a deliberately provocative posting to an online message board with the aim of inciting an angry response: if people are obviously trolling then I'll delete your posts and do my best to ban you | [ with obj. ] : you folks taking this opportunity to troll me, you really need to reassess your values in your life. 3 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] chiefly Brit.walk in a leisurely way; stroll: we all trolled into town. 4 [ with obj. ] sing (something) in a happy and carefree way: he trolled a note or two. noun 1 informal a deliberately provocative online posting intended to incite an angry response. • a person who submits a deliberately provocative posting. one solution is to make a troll's postings invisible to the rest of community once they've been recognized. 2 a line or bait used in trolling for fish.

mushroom

verb [ no obj. ] 1 increase, spread, or develop rapidly: environmental concern mushroomed in the 1960s. 2 form a shape resembling that of a mushroom: the grenade mushroomed into red fire as it hit the hillside. • (of a bullet) expand and flatten on reaching its target. these are high-performance bullets which mushroom upon impact. 3 (usu. as nounmushrooming) gather mushrooms. he went mushrooming with his father.

swoon

verb [ no obj. ] 1 literary faint, especially from extreme emotion: Frankie's mother swooned and had to be helped to the headmaster's office. 2 be overcome with admiration, adoration, or other strong emotion: women swoon over his manly, unaffected ways.

crouch

verb [ no obj. ] adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down, typically in order to avoid detection or to defend oneself: we crouched down in the trench | (be crouched) : Leo was crouched before the fire. noun [ in sing. ] a crouching stance or posture. he dropped into a defensive crouch.

supplicate

verb [ no obj. ] ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly: [ with infinitive ] : the plutocracy supplicated to be made peers.

drowse

verb [ no obj. ] be half asleep; doze intermittently: he was beginning to drowse in his chair. • [ with obj. ] archaic make sleepy. any birds which the heat has not utterly drowsed. • archaic be sluggish or inactive. let not your prudence drowse. noun [ in sing. ] a light sleep; a condition of being half asleep. she awoke from a light drowse.

grift

verb [ no obj. ] engage in petty or small-scale swindling. how long have you been grifting? noun a petty or small-scale swindle. a Sixth Avenue palmistry grift.

snigger

verb [ no obj. ] laugh in a half-suppressed, typically scornful way: the boys at school were sure to snigger at him behind his back | [ with direct speech ] : 'Doesn't he look a fool?' they sniggered. noun a half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh. we heard the sniggers caused by their little jokes.

chortle

verb [ no obj. ] laugh in a noisy, gleeful way: he chortled at his own execrable pun. noun a noisy, gleeful laugh: Thomas gave a chortle.

peep

verb [ no obj. ] look quickly and furtively at something, especially through a narrow opening: his door was ajar and she couldn't resist peeping in. • (peep out) come gradually or partially into view: the sun began to peep out. noun [ usu. in sing. ] a quick or furtive look: Jonathan took a little peep at his watch. • a momentary or partial view of something: black curls and a peep of gold earring.

wince

verb [ no obj. ] make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress: he winced at the disgust in her voice. noun an instance of wincing.

squelch

verb [ no obj. ] make a soft sucking sound such as that made by treading heavily through mud: bedraggled guests squelched across the lawns. • informal forcefully silence or suppress: property developers tried to squelch public protest. noun 1 a soft sucking sound made when pressure is applied to liquid or mud: the squelch of their feet. 2 (also squelch circuit)Electronics a circuit that suppresses the output of a radio receiver if the signal strength falls below a certain level.

stray

verb [ no obj. ] move away aimlessly from a group or from the right course or place: dog owners are urged not to allow their dogs to stray | the military arrested anyone who strayed into the exclusion zone. • [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (of the eyes or a hand) move idly or casually: her eyes strayed to the telephone. • be unfaithful to a spouse or partner: men who stray are seen as more exciting and desirable. • [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] literary wander or roam: over these mounds the shepherd strays. adjective [ attrib. ] 1 not in the right place; separated from the group or target: he pushed a few stray hairs from her face | she was killed by a stray bullet. • (of a domestic animal) having no home or having wandered away from home: stray dogs. 2 Physics (of a physical quantity) arising as a consequence of the laws of physics, but unwanted and usually having a detrimental effect on the operation of equipment: stray capacitance. noun 1 a stray person or thing, especially a domestic animal. 2 (strays) electrical phenomena interfering with radio reception.

recant

verb [ no obj. ] say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical: heretics were burned if they would not recant | [ with obj. ] : Galileo was forced to recant his assertion that the earth orbited the sun.

stammer

verb [ no obj. ] speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words. he turned red and started stammering. • [ with obj. ] utter (words) in such a way: I stammered out my history | [ with direct speech ] : 'I ... I can't,' Isabel stammered. noun [ in sing. ] a tendency to stammer: as a young man, he had a dreadful stammer.

floundering

verb [ no obj. ] struggle or stagger clumsily in mud or water: he was floundering about in the shallow offshore waters. • struggle mentally; show or feel great confusion: she floundered, not knowing quite what to say. • be in serious difficulty: many firms are floundering.

rove

verb [ no obj. ] travel constantly without a fixed destination; wander: a quarter of a million refugees roved around the country. • [ with obj. ] wander over or through (a place) without a destination: children roving the streets. • (usu. as adj. roving) travel for one's work, having no fixed base: he trained as a roving reporter. • (of eyes) look in changing directions in order to see something thoroughly: the policeman's eyes roved around the bar. noun [ in sing. ] chiefly N. Amer. a journey, especially one with no specific destination; an act of wandering: a new exhibit will electrify campuses on its national rove.

equivocate

verb [ no obj. ] use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself: the government have equivocated too often in the past. Synonyms:prevaricate, be evasive, be non-committal, be vague, be ambiguous, evade/dodge the issue

dawdle

verb [ no obj. ] waste time; be slow: she mustn't dawdle—she had to make the call now. • [ with adverbial of direction ] move slowly and idly in a particular direction: Ruth dawdled back through the wood.

acclimatize

verb [ no obj. ] (often acclimatize to or be/become acclimatized to) become accustomed to a new climate or new conditions; adjust: it's unknown whether people will acclimatize to increasingly warm weather. • Biology respond physiologically or behaviourally to changes in a complex of environmental factors. Compare with acclimate. • [ with obj. ] Botany & Horticulture harden off (a plant).

dodder

verb [ no obj. ] (often as adj.doddering) tremble or totter, typically because of old age: that doddering old fool.

encroach

verb [ no obj. ] (usu. encroach on/upon) intrude on (a person's territory, rights, personal life, etc.): rather than encroach on his privacy she might have kept to her room. • advance gradually beyond usual or acceptable limits: the sea has encroached all round the coast.

gawp

verb [ no obj. ] Brit. informal stare openly in a stupid or rude manner: what are you gawping at?

dicker

verb [ no obj. ] chiefly N. Amer. 1 engage in petty argument or bargaining: Sam advised him not to dicker over the extra fee. 2 toy or fiddle with: the company was still dickering with its pricing schedule.

boggle

verb [ no obj. ] informal (of a person or their mind) be astonished or baffled when trying to imagine something: the mind boggles at the spectacle. • [ with obj. ] cause (a person or their mind) to be astonished: the inflated salary of a star boggles the mind. • (boggle at) (of a person) hesitate to do or accept: you never boggle at plain speaking.

scutter

verb [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (especially of a small animal) move hurriedly with short steps: a little dog scuttered up from the cabin. noun [ in sing. ] an act or sound of scuttering. there was no sound in the wood, no scutter of tiny beast.

tramp

verb [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] walk heavily or noisily: he tramped about the room. • walk over a long distance wearily or reluctantly: he had tramped all over the city. • [ with obj. ] tread or stamp on: one of the few wines still tramped by foot. noun 1 a person who travels from place to place on foot in search of work or as a vagrant or beggar. 2 [ in sing. ] the sound of heavy steps: the tramp of marching feet. 3 [ in sing. ] a long walk, typically a tiring one: she was freshly returned from a tramp round Norwich. 4 [ usu. as modifier ] a cargo vessel that carries goods between many different ports rather than sailing a fixed route: a tramp steamer. 5 informal, chiefly N. Amer.a promiscuous woman. 6 a metal plate protecting the sole of a boot used for digging. • the top of the blade of a spade.

nestle

verb [ no obj., with adverbial of place ] settle or lie comfortably within or against something: the baby nestled in her arms | [ with obj. ] : she nestled her head against his shoulder. • (of a place) be situated in a half-hidden or sheltered position: picturesque villages nestle in the wooded hills.

extenuate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 (as adj.extenuating) (of a factor or situation) acting in mitigation to lessen the seriousness of guilt or an offence: hunger and poverty are not treated by the courts as extenuating circumstances. 2 (usu. as adj.extenuated) literary make (someone) thin: drawings of extenuated figures.

prescribe

verb [ with obj. ] 1 (of a medical practitioner) advise and authorize the use of (a medicine or treatment) for someone, especially in writing: her doctor prescribed sleeping tablets | [ with two objs ] : he was prescribed a course of antibiotics. • recommend (a substance or action) as something beneficial: marriage is often prescribed as a universal remedy. 2 state authoritatively or as a rule that (an action or procedure) should be carried out: rules prescribing five acts for a play are purely arbitrary.

abridge

verb [ with obj. ] 1 (often as adj.abridged) shorten (a book, film, speech, etc.) without losing the sense: an abridged text of his speech. 2 Law curtail (a right or privilege). even the right to free speech can be abridged.

engrossing

verb [ with obj. ] 1 (often be engrossed in) absorb all the attention or interest of: they seemed to be engrossed in conversation | the notes totally engrossed him | (as adj.engrossing) : the most engrossing parts of the book. • archaic gain or keep exclusive possession of. the country had made the best of its position to engross trade. 2 Law produce (a legal document, especially a deed or statute) in its final form. the solicitors will submit a draft conveyance and engross the same after approval.

rationalize

verb [ with obj. ] 1 attempt to explain or justify (behaviour or an attitude) with logical reasons, even if these are not appropriate: she couldn't rationalize her urge to return to the cottage. 2 Brit.make (a company, process, or industry) more efficient, especially by dispensing with superfluous personnel or equipment: if we rationalize production, will that mean redundancies? • reorganize (a process or system) so as to make it more logical and consistent: Parliament should seek to rationalize the country's court structure. 3 Mathematics convert (a function or expression) to a rational form.

epitomize

verb [ with obj. ] 1 be a perfect example of: the company epitomized the problems faced by British industry. 2 archaic give a summary of (a written work). for the benefit of our readers, we will epitomize the pamphlet.

approach

verb [ with obj. ] 1 come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time: the train approached the main line | [ no obj. ] : winter was approaching | (as adj.approaching) : an approaching car. • come close to (a number, level, or standard) in quality or quantity: the population will approach 12 million by the end of the decade. • archaic bring nearer: all those changes shall serve to approach him the faster to the blest mansion. 2 speak to (someone) for the first time about a proposal or request: the department had been approached about funding. 3 start to deal with (a situation or problem) in a certain way: one must approach the matter with caution. noun 1 a way of dealing with a situation or problem: we need a whole new approach to the job. 2 an initial proposal or request made to someone: the landowner made an approach to the developer. • (approaches) dated behaviour intended to propose personal or sexual relations with someone: feminine resistance to his approaches. 3 [ in sing. ] the action of coming near or nearer to someone or something in distance or time: the approach of winter. • (approach to) an approximation to something: the past is impossible to recall with any approach to accuracy. • the part of an aircraft's flight in which it descends gradually towards an airfield or runway for landing. I used to trim the plane back to about 50 mph for the final approach. • (usu. approaches) a road, sea passage, or other way leading to a place: the northern approaches to London.

clinch

verb [ with obj. ] 1 confirm or settle (a contract or bargain): the Texan wanted to impress him to clinch a business deal. • conclusively settle (an argument or debate): these findings clinched the matter. • confirm the winning or achievement of (a match, competition, or victory): Johnson scored the goals which clinched victory. 2 [ no obj. ] grapple at close quarters, especially (of boxers) so as to be too closely engaged for full-arm blows. • (of two people) embrace. 3 secure (a nail or rivet) by driving the point sideways when it has penetrated. • fasten (a rope or angling line) with a clinch knot. noun 1 a struggle or scuffle at close quarters. breaking from a clinch, he crossed with his right. • an embrace, especially an amorous one: we went into a passionate clinch on the sofa. 2 (also clinch knot)a knot used to fasten ropes or angling lines, using a half hitch with the end seized back on its own part.

grill

verb [ with obj. ] 1 cook (food) using a grill: grill the trout for five minutes. 2 informal subject (someone) to intense questioning or interrogation: my father grilled us about what we had been doing | (as noun grilling) : they faced a grilling over the latest results.

garnish

verb [ with obj. ] 1 decorate or embellish (something, especially food): garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream. 2 Law serve notice on (a third party) for the purpose of legally seizing money belonging to a debtor or defendant. • seize (money, especially part of a person's salary) to settle a debt or claim: the IRS garnished his earnings. noun a small amount of food used to decorate other food. reserve a few watercress leaves for a garnish. [ mass noun ] : some flowers are edible and make attractive salad garnish.

foster

verb [ with obj. ] 1 encourage the development of (something, especially something desirable): the teacher's task is to foster learning. • develop (a feeling or idea) in oneself: appropriate praise helps a child foster a sense of self-worth. 2 bring up (a child that is not one's own by birth). a person who would foster Holly was found. • Brit.(of a parent or authority) assign (a child) to be brought up by someone other than its parents: when fostering out a child, placement workers will be looking for a home similar to their own.

infiltrate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually, especially in order to acquire secret information: the organization has been infiltrated by informers. • introduce (someone) into an organization, place, etc. surreptitiously, in order for them to acquire secret information. they infiltrated an agent into the factory. • Medicine (of a tumour, cells, etc.) spread into or invade (a tissue or organ). one of the tumours infiltrated the submucosa. 2 (of a liquid) permeate (something) by filtration: virtually no water infiltrates deserts such as the Sahara. • cause (a liquid) to permeate something by filtration: lignocaine was infiltrated into the wound. 3 gradually permeate or become a part of: computing has infiltrated most professions now. nounMedicine an infiltrating substance or a number of infiltrating cells. a chest radiograph revealed a patchy infiltrate in the left lower lobes. Synonyms: invade, intrude on, insinuate oneself into, worm one's way into, sneak into

efface

verb [ with obj. ] 1 erase (a mark) from a surface: with time, the words are effaced by the frost and the rain | figurative : his anger was effaced when he stepped into the open air. 2 (efface oneself) make oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.

irridiate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 expose (someone or something) to radiation. • expose (food) to gamma rays to kill microorganisms. 2 illuminate (something) by or as if by shining light on it: happiness filled her, irradiating her whole face.

skirt

verb [ with obj. ] 1 go round or past the edge of: he did not go through the city but skirted it. • be situated along or around the edge of: the fields that skirted the highway were full of cattle. • [ no obj. ] (skirt along/around) go along or around (something) rather than directly through or across it: the river valley skirts along the northern slopes of the hills. 2 attempt to ignore; avoid dealing with: they are both skirting the issue | [ no obj. ] : the treaty skirted around the question of political cooperation.

manipulate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 handle or control (a tool, mechanism, information, etc.) in a skilful manner: he manipulated the dials of the set. • alter, edit, or move (text or data) on a computer. the pupils can manipulate the data or screen image. • examine or treat (a part of the body) by feeling or moving it with the hand. this system of healing is based on manipulating the ligaments of the spine. 2 control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly or unscrupulously: the masses were deceived and manipulated by a tiny group. • alter or present (data) so as to mislead. nations may still be able to manipulate their own data.

weld

verb [ with obj. ] 1 join together (metal parts) by heating the surfaces to the point of melting with a blowpipe, electric arc, or other means, and uniting them by pressing, hammering, etc.: steel plates were being welded | the truck had spikes welded to the back. • forge (an article) by welding. • unite (pieces of plastic or other material) by melting or softening of surfaces in contact. 2 cause to combine and form a harmonious or effective whole: cross-curricular themes would weld the curriculum together.

alienate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 make (someone) feel isolated or estranged: an urban environment which would alienate its inhabitants | (as adj.alienated) : an alienated, angst-ridden twenty-two-year-old. • make (someone) become unsympathetic or hostile: the association does not wish to alienate its members. 2 Law transfer ownership of (property rights) to another person or group. they defended the Masai against attempts to alienate their land. Synonyms:estrange, turn away, set apart, drive apart, isolate, detach, distance, put at a distance

administer

verb [ with obj. ] 1 manage and be responsible for the running of (a business, organization, etc.): each school was administered separately. • be responsible for the implementation or use of (law or resources): a Health and Safety agency would administer new regulations. 2 dispense or apply (a remedy or drug): paramedic crews are capable of administering drugs. • deal out or inflict (punishment): retribution was administered to those found guilty. 3 (of a priest) perform the rites of (a sacrament). he administered the sacraments to the flock. 4 archaic or Law direct the taking of (an oath). he administered the Oath of Supremacy to Thomas Percy.

cull

verb [ with obj. ] 1 reduce the population of (a wild animal) by selective slaughter: some of the culled deer will be used for scientific research | (as nounculling) : kangaroo culling. • send (an inferior or surplus farm animal) to be slaughtered. unproductive animals can be identified and culled. 2 select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources: anecdotes culled from Greek and Roman history. • archaic pick (flowers or fruit): (as adj.culled) : fresh culled daffodils. noun a selective slaughter of animals. fishermen are to campaign for a seal cull. • an inferior or surplus livestock animal selected for culling. he keeps his female calves and sells only male calves and herd culls. [ as modifier ] : a cull cow.

repudiate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 refuse to accept; reject: she has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders. • chiefly Law refuse to fulfil or discharge (an agreement, obligation, or debt): breach of a condition gives the other party the right to repudiate a contract. • (in the past or in non-Christian religions) disown or divorce (one's wife). Philip was excommunicated in 1095 because he had repudiated his wife. 2 deny the truth or validity of: the minister repudiated allegations of human rights abuses.

anticipate

verb [ with obj. ] 1 regard as probable; expect or predict: she anticipated scorn on her return to the theatre | [ with clause ] : it was anticipated that the rains would slow the military campaign. • guess or be aware of (what will happen) and take action in order to be prepared: they failed to anticipate a full-scale invasion. • look forward to: Stephen was eagerly anticipating the break from the routine of business. 2 act as a forerunner or precursor of: he anticipated Bates's theories on mimicry and protective coloration. • come or take place before (an event or process expected or scheduled for a later time). this is to anticipate the argument. Synonyms:expect, foresee, predict, think likely, forecast, prophesy, foretell, contemplate the possibility of

reconcile

verb [ with obj. ] 1 restore friendly relations between: the king and the archbishop were publicly reconciled | she wanted to be reconciled with her father. • settle (a quarrel): advice on how to reconcile the conflict. • make or show to be compatible: the agreement had to be reconciled with the city's new international relations policy. • (reconcile someone to) make someone accept (a disagreeable or unwelcome thing): he was reconciled to leaving. 2 make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed: it is not necessary to reconcile the cost accounts to the financial accounts.

circumscribe

verb [ with obj. ] 1 restrict (something) within limits: the minister's powers are circumscribed both by tradition and the organization of local government. 2 Geometry draw (a figure) round another, touching it at points but not cutting it. if a hexagon is circumscribed about a circle the lines joining opposite vertices meet in one point. Compare with inscribe.

scavenge

verb [ with obj. ] 1 search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste: people sell junk scavenged from the garbage | the city dump where the squatters scavenge to survive. • (of an animal) search for (carrion) as food. the feral cat preferred to scavenge carrion from the forest floor. [ no obj. ] : bears and wolves scavenged for carcasses. • search for discarded items or food in (a place): the mink is still commonly seen scavenging the beaches of California. 2 remove (combustion products) from an internal-combustion engine cylinder on the return stroke of the piston. solid lead deposits of combustion would be scavenged from the engine. 3 Chemistry combine with and remove (molecules, radicals, etc.) from a particular medium. chlorine molecules can scavenge ozone at a very fast rate.

train

verb [ with obj. ] 1 teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behaviour through sustained practice and instruction: the scheme trains people for promotion | [ with obj. and infinitive ] : the dogs are trained to sniff out illegal stowaways. • [ no obj. ] be taught through sustained practice and instruction: he trained as a plumber. • (usu. as adj.trained) develop and improve (a mental or physical faculty) through instruction or practice: an alert mind and trained eye give astute evaluations. 2 [ no obj. ] undertake a course of exercise and diet in order to reach or maintain peak physical fitness in preparation for a specific sport or event: she trains three times a week. • [ with obj. ] prepare (a person or animal) in this way: the horse was trained in Paris. • (train down) reduce one's weight through diet and exercise in order to be fit for a particular event: he trained down to heavyweight. 3 (train something on/at) point or aim something, typically a gun or camera, at: the detective trained his gun on the side door. 4 cause (a plant) to grow in a particular direction or into a required shape: they trained crimson ramblers over their houses. 5 [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] dated go by train: Charles trained to London with Emma. 6 archaic entice (someone). noun 1 a series of connected railway carriages or wagons moved by a locomotive or by integral motors: a freight train | the journey took two hours by train. • a series of gears or other connected parts in machinery. a train of gears. 2 a number of vehicles or pack animals moving in a line: a camel train. • a retinue of attendants accompanying an important person. a minister and his train of attendants. 3 a series of connected events or thoughts: the train of events leading to Pascoe's death | I failed to follow his train of thought. 4 a long piece of material attached to the back of a formal dress or robe that trails along the ground. the bride wore a cream silk dress with a train. 5 a trail of gunpowder for firing an explosive charge. PHRASES in train (of arrangements) in progress: an investigation is in train. in the train of following behind. there appeared in his train two of his servants carrying a portmanteau. • as a consequence of: unemployment brings great difficulties in its train.

baffle

verb [ with obj. ] 1 totally bewilder or perplex: an unexplained occurrence that baffled everyone. 2 restrain or regulate (a fluid, sound, etc.). to baffle the noise further, I pad the gunwales. noun a device used to restrain the flow of a fluid, gas, etc. or to prevent the spreading of sound or light in a particular direction. you can cut out glare from a strip light by concealing it behind a baffle. [ as modifier ] : a baffle plate.

traverse

verb [ with obj. ] 1 travel across or through: he traversed the forest. • extend across or through: a moving catwalk that traversed a vast cavernous space. • [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] cross a rock face by means of a series of sideways movements from one practicable line of ascent or descent to another. I often use this route, eventually traversing around the headwall. • ski diagonally across (a slope), losing only a little height. ski patrol workers traverse the slope. • consider the whole extent of (a subject). he would traverse a number of subjects and disciplines. 2 [ with obj. and adverbial of direction ] move back and forth or sideways: a probe is traversed along the tunnel. • turn (a large gun or other device on a pivot) to face a different direction. 3 Law deny (an allegation) in pleading. the plaintiff must assert certain facts which, if traversed, he would be put to prove. • archaic oppose or thwart (a plan). noun 1 an act of traversing something. high-level walks in the Dolomites often involve steep, exposed climbs, traverses, and descents. • a rock face where traversing is necessary: a narrow traverse made lethal by snow and ice. • a movement following a diagonal course made by a skier descending a slope. I make long gentle traverses down the steepest sections. • a zigzag course taken by a ship because winds or currents prevent it from sailing directly towards its destination. 2 a part of a structure that extends or is fixed across something. there were three jewels in the traverse of the cross and four in the body. • a gallery extending from side to side of a church or other building. 3 a mechanism enabling a large gun to be turned to face a different direction. they had been practising firing at multiple targets, using the power traverse. • [ mass noun ] the sideways movement of a part in a machine. 4 a single line of survey, usually plotted from compass bearings and chained or paced distances between angular points. • an area surveyed in this way. 5 Military a pair of right-angled bends incorporated in a trench to avoid enfilading fire. he crept up and threw a grenade over the traverse. 6 variant spelling of travers.

stoke

verb [ with obj. ] add coal or other solid fuel to (a fire, furnace, boiler, etc.): he stoked up the barbecue. • encourage or incite (a strong emotion or tendency): his composure had the effect of stoking her anger | the Chancellor was stoking up a consumer boom. • [ no obj. ] informal consume a large quantity of food or drink to give one energy: Carol was at the coffee machine, stoking up for the day.

strafe

verb [ with obj. ] attack repeatedly with bombs or machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft: military aircraft strafed the village. noun an attack from low-flying aircraft. next morning they were to carry out a strafe of airfields in southern Greece.

inaugurate

verb [ with obj. ] begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period): he inaugurated a new policy of trade and exploration. • admit (someone) formally to office. the new President will be inaugurated on January 20. • mark the beginning or first public use of (an organization or project) with a special event or ceremony: the museum was inaugurated on September 12.

instigate

verb [ with obj. ] bring about or initiate (an action or event): they instigated a reign of terror | I will be instigating legal proceedings. • (instigate someone to/to do something) incite someone to do something, especially something bad: instigating men to refuse allegiance to the civil powers. Synonyms:set in motion, put in motion, get under way, get going, get off the ground, get in operation, start, begin, initiate

perpetrate

verb [ with obj. ] carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action): a crime has been perpetrated against a sovereign state.

derail

verb [ with obj. ] cause (a train or tram) to leave its tracks accidentally: a train was derailed after it collided with a herd of cattle. • [ no obj. ] (of a train or tram) accidentally leave the tracks. the trams had a tendency to derail on sharp corners. • [ with obj. ] obstruct (a process) by diverting it from its intended course: the plot is seen by some as an attempt to derail the negotiations.

entangle

verb [ with obj. ] cause to become twisted together with or caught in: fish attempt to swim through the mesh and become entangled. • involve (someone) in difficulties or complicated circumstances from which it is difficult to escape: they were suspicious of becoming entangled in a civil war.

vindicate

verb [ with obj. ] clear (someone) of blame or suspicion: hospital staff were vindicated by the inquest verdict. • show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified: more sober views were vindicated by events.

stonewall

verb [ with obj. ] delay or obstruct (a request, process, or person) by refusing to answer questions or by being evasive: she has also stonewalled queries about her love life | (as nounstonewalling) : a master in the art of stonewalling and political intimidation. • [ no obj. ] Cricket bat extremely defensively. noun an act of delaying or obstructing a person, request, or process. I have repeatedly given him the opportunity to clear this matter up, but the estate has met with stonewall after stonewall.

flaunt

verb [ with obj. ] display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance: newly rich consumers eager to flaunt their prosperity. • (flaunt oneself) dress or behave in a sexually provocative way. Synonyms:show off, display ostentatiously, draw attention to, make a (great) show of, put on show

impugn

verb [ with obj. ] dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question: the father does not impugn her capacity as a good mother.

allocate

verb [ with obj. ] distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose: in past years we didn't allocate enough funds to infrastructure maintenance | [ with two objs ] : students are allocated accommodation on a yearly basis. Synonyms:allot, assign, issue, award, grant, administer, devote; share out, apportion, portion out

outmaneuver

verb [ with obj. ] evade (an opponent) by moving faster or with greater agility: the YF-22 can outmanoeuvre any fighter flying today. • use skill and cunning to gain an advantage over: he hoped he would be able to outmanoeuvre his critics.

debunk

verb [ with obj. ] expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief): she debunks all the usual rubbish about acting. • reduce the inflated reputation of (someone): comedy takes delight in debunking heroes.

deride

verb [ with obj. ] express contempt for; ridicule: the decision was derided by environmentalists. Synonyms:ridicule, mock, jeer at, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory

hamper

verb [ with obj. ] hinder or impede the movement or progress of: their work is hampered by lack of funds. noun [ mass noun ] Nautical necessary but cumbersome equipment on a ship. Synonyms:hinder, obstruct, impede, inhibit, retard, baulk, thwart, foil, curb, delay, set back, slow down, hold back

aggrandize

verb [ with obj. ] increase the power, status, or wealth of: an action intended to aggrandize the Frankish dynasty. • enhance the reputation of (someone) beyond what is justified by the facts: he hoped to aggrandize himself by dying a hero's death.

unnerve

verb [ with obj. ] make (someone) lose courage or confidence: (as adj.unnerving) : an unnerving experience. Synonyms:discourage, dishearten, dispirit, deject, daunt, cow, alarm, frighten, unman, dismay

debilitate

verb [ with obj. ] make (someone) very weak and infirm: he was severely debilitated by a stomach upset | (as adj.debilitated) : a debilitated patient. • hinder, delay, or weaken: hard drugs destroy families and debilitate communities. Synonyms:make weak, make feeble, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, tire, fatigue

mitigated

verb [ with obj. ] make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful: drainage schemes have helped to mitigate this problem. • lessen the gravity of (an offence or mistake): (as adj.mitigating) : he would have faced a prison sentence but for mitigating circumstances. Synonyms:alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease

downplay

verb [ with obj. ] make (something) appear less important than it really is: this report downplays the seriousness of global warming.

perpetuate

verb [ with obj. ] make (something) continue indefinitely: the confusion was perpetuated through inadvertence | a monument to perpetuate the memory of those killed in the war.

iterate

verb [ with obj. ] perform or utter repeatedly. (as adj. iterated) : the bird's call is a monotonously iterated single note. • [ no obj. ] make repeated use of a mathematical or computational procedure, applying it each time to the result of the previous application; perform iteration.

eulogize

verb [ with obj. ] praise highly in speech or writing: he was eulogized as a rock star | a plaque that eulogizes the workers. Synonyms:praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of

preclude

verb [ with obj. ] prevent from happening; make impossible: the secret nature of his work precluded official recognition. • (preclude someone from) (of a situation or condition) prevent someone from doing something: his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life.

nudge

verb [ with obj. ] prod (someone) gently with one's elbow in order to attract attention: people were nudging each other and pointing at me. • touch or push (something) gently or gradually: the canoe nudged a bank of reeds. • coax or gently encourage (someone) to do something: we have to nudge the politicians in the right direction. • approach (an age, figure, or level) very closely: both men were nudging fifty. noun a light touch or push: he gave her shoulder a nudge | figurative : she appreciated the nudge to her memory.

promulgate

verb [ with obj. ] promote or make widely known (an idea or cause): these objectives have to be promulgated within the organization. • put (a law or decree) into effect by official proclamation: in January 1852 the new Constitution was promulgated.

refute

verb [ with obj. ] prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove: these claims have not been convincingly refuted. • prove that (someone) is wrong. his voice challenging his audience to rise and refute him. • deny or contradict (a statement or accusation): a spokesman totally refuted the allegation of bias.

admonish

verb [ with obj. ] regard or represent as being of little worth: he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors.

quash

verb [ with obj. ] reject as invalid, especially by legal procedure: his conviction was quashed on appeal. • put an end to; suppress: a hospital executive quashed rumours that nursing staff will lose jobs.

obfuscation

verb [ with obj. ] render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible: the spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins. • bewilder (someone): it is more likely to obfuscate people than enlighten them.

garble

verb [ with obj. ] reproduce (a message, sound, or transmission) in a confused and distorted way: (as adj.garbled) : garbled directions. noun a garbled account or transmission. most readers assumed the word was a typographical garble. [ mass noun ] : upon winning a race a driver spews out a litany of commercial garble.

salvage

verb [ with obj. ] rescue (a wrecked or disabled ship or its cargo) from loss at sea: an emerald and gold cross was salvaged from the wreck. • retrieve or preserve (something) from potential loss or adverse circumstances: it was the only crumb of comfort he could salvage from the ordeal. noun [ mass noun ] the rescue of a wrecked or disabled ship or its cargo from loss at sea: [ as modifier ] : a salvage operation was under way. • the cargo saved from a wrecked or sunken ship: salvage taken from a ship that had sunk in the river. • the rescue of property or material from potential loss or destruction. surgery resulted in the salvage of damaged myocardium. • Law payment made or due to a person who has saved a ship or its cargo.

emcumber

verb [ with obj. ] restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult: she was encumbered by her heavy skirts | they had arrived encumbered with families. Synonyms: burden, load, weigh down, saddle; tax, overtax, stress, strain, overwhelm

repeal

verb [ with obj. ] revoke or annul (a law or act of parliament): the legislation was repealed five months later. noun [ mass noun ] the action of revoking or annulling a law or act of parliament: the House voted in favour of repeal.

countermand

verb [ with obj. ] revoke or cancel (an order): an order to arrest the strike leaders had been countermanded. • revoke or cancel an order issued by (another person): he was already countermanding her. • declare (a vote or election) invalid. the election commission has countermanded voting on the grounds of intimidation. noun an order revoking a previous one. I forthwith mounted, and went off, lest I should receive a countermand.

intersperse

verb [ with obj. ] scatter among or between other things; place here and there: deep pools interspersed by shallow shingle banks. • diversify (a thing or things) with other things at intervals: the debate was interspersed with angry exchanges.

upend

verb [ with obj. ] set or turn (something) on its end or upside down: she upended a can of soup over the portions | (as adj.upended) : an upended box. • [ no obj. ] (of a swimming duck or other waterbird) submerge the head and foreparts in order to feed, so that the tail is raised in the air. a pair of swans were feeding by upending.

provokecast

verb [ with obj. ] stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone: the decision provoked a storm of protest from civil rights organizations. • stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger in them: a teacher can provoke you into working harder. • deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry: Rachel refused to be provoked.

biff

verb [ with obj. ] strike (someone) roughly or sharply with the fist: he biffed me on the nose.

bash

verb [ with obj. ] strike hard and violently: she bashed him with the book | [ no obj. ] : people bashed on the doors. • (bash something in) damage or break something by striking it violently. the car's rear window had been bashed in. • [ no obj. ] (bash into) collide with: the other vehicle bashed into the back of them. • fiercely criticize or oppose: the dispute will be used as an excuse to bash the unions. noun 1 a heavy blow: a bash on the head. 2 a party or social event: a birthday bash. 3 [ in sing. ] Brit.an attempt: have a bash at this quiz.

defile

verb [ with obj. ] sully, mar, or spoil: the land was defiled by a previous owner. • desecrate or profane (something sacred): the tomb had been defiled and looted. • archaic violate the chastity of (a woman).

supplant

verb [ with obj. ] supersede and replace: domestic production has been supplanted by imports and jobs have been lost.

razz

verb [ with obj. ] tease (someone) playfully. his co-workers razz him about it.

marginalize

verb [ with obj. ] treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral: attempting to marginalize those who disagree | (as adj. marginalized) : members of marginalized cultural groups.

pester

verb [ with obj. ] trouble or annoy (someone) with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions: she constantly pestered him with telephone calls.

relinquish

verb [ with obj. ] voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up: he relinquished his managerial role to become chief executive.

fluster

verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj.flustered) make (someone) agitated or confused: Rosamund seemed rather flustered this morning. noun [ in sing. ] an agitated or confused state: the main thing is not to get all in a fluster.

politicized

verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj.politicized) cause (an activity or event) to become political in character: wage bargaining in the public sector became more politicized. • make (someone) politically aware: we successfully politicized a generation of women. • [ no obj. ] engage in or talk about politics. we talk and squabble and politicize about education as a vote-catching agency.

befuddle

verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. befuddled) make (someone) unable to think clearly: he has an air of befuddled unworldliness.

bemuse

verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. bemused) puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone): her bemused expression | she was accepted with bemused resignation by her parents as a hippie.

premeditated

verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj.premeditated) think out or plan (an action, especially a crime) beforehand: premeditated murder

immortalize

verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be immortalized in) confer enduring fame upon: he will be forever immortalized in the history books.

condone

verb [ with obj. ] [ often with negative ] accept (behaviour that is considered morally wrong or offensive): the college cannot condone any behaviour that involves illicit drugs. • approve or sanction (something), especially with reluctance: those arrested were released and the exhibition was officially condoned a few weeks later.

indict

verb [ with obj. ] chiefly N. Amer. formally accuse of or charge with a crime: his former manager was indicted for fraud.

etherize

verb [ with obj. ] chiefly historical anaesthetize (a person or animal) with ether. the blood samples were obtained from a pair of etherized frogs. figurative : I read it, feeling faintly etherized.

castigate

verb [ with obj. ] formal reprimand (someone) severely: he was castigated for not setting a good example.

evince

verb [ with obj. ] formal reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling); indicate: the news stories evinced the usual mixture of sympathy and satisfaction.

vitiate

verb [ with obj. ] formal spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of: development programmes have been vitiated by the rise in population. • destroy or impair the legal validity of. the insurance is vitiated because of foolish acts on the part of the tenant.

sock

verb [ with obj. ] informal hit forcefully: Jess socked his father across the face.

finagle

verb [ with obj. ] informal, chiefly US obtain (something) by devious or dishonest means: Ted attended all the football games he could finagle tickets for. • [ no obj. ] act in a devious or dishonest manner: they wrangled and finagled over the fine points.

sunder

verb [ with obj. ] literary split apart: a universe sundered ages ago in a divine war.

heft

verb [ with obj. and adverbial ] lift or carry (something heavy): he lifted crates and hefted boxes. • lift or hold (something) in order to test its weight: Anne hefted the gun in her hand. noun [ mass noun ] N. Amer. the weight of someone or something. he was buckle-kneed from the heft of his staggering load. • ability or influence: they lacked the political heft to get the formulation banned.

oblige

verb [ with obj. and infinitive ] make (someone) legally or morally bound to do something: doctors are obliged by law to keep patients alive while there is a chance of recovery. • [ with obj. ] do as (someone) asks or desires in order to help or please them: oblige me by not being sorry for yourself | [ no obj. ] : tell me what you want to know and I'll see if I can oblige. • (be obliged) be indebted or grateful: if you can give me a few minutes of your time I'll be much obliged. • [ with obj. ] archaic bind (someone) by an oath, promise, or contract. my father had obliged me to the improvement of my stock.

derogate

verb formal 1 [ no obj. ] (derogate from) detract from: this does not derogate from his duty to act honestly and faithfully. 2 [ no obj. ] (derogate from) deviate from (a set of rules or agreed form of behaviour): one country has derogated from the Rome Convention. 3 [ with obj. ] disparage (someone or something): it is typical of him to derogate the powers of reason.

off

verb informal 1 [ no obj. ] leave: supposedly loyal workers suddenly upped and offed to the new firms. 2 [ with obj. ] N. Amer.kill; murder: she might off a cop, but she wouldn't shoot her boyfriend.

permit

verb |pəˈmɪt| (permits, permitting, permitted) [ with obj. and infinitive ] officially allow (someone) to do something: the law permits councils to monitor any factory emitting smoke | [ with two objs ] : he would not permit anybody access to the library. • [ with obj. ] authorize or allow (something): the country is not ready to permit any rice imports. • [ with obj. ] provide an opportunity or scope for (something) to take place; make possible: the car park was too rutted and stony to permit ball games | [ no obj. ] : weather permitting, guests can dine outside on the veranda. cycle parking stands are being installed, where space permits, at most rail stations. • [ no obj. ] (permit of) formal allow for; admit of: the camp permits of no really successful defence. Synonyms:allow, let, authorize, give someone permission/authorization/leave, sanction, grant

rampage

verb |ramˈpeɪdʒ| [ no obj., with adverbial of direction ] (especially of a large group of people) move through a place in a violent and uncontrollable manner: several thousand demonstrators rampaged through the city. noun |ramˈpeɪdʒ, ˈrampeɪdʒ| [ usu. in sing. ] a period of violent and uncontrollable behaviour by a group of people: thugs went on the rampage and wrecked a classroom.

exploit

verb |ɪkˈsplɔɪt, ɛk-| [ with obj. ] 1 make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource): 500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology. 2 make use of (a situation) in a way considered unfair or underhand: the company was exploiting a legal loophole. • benefit unfairly from the work of (someone), typically by overworking or underpaying them: women are exploited in the workplace. noun |ˈɛksplɔɪt| a bold or daring feat. despite a series of colourful exploits, his agents obtained little intelligence of value.

designate

verb |ˈdɛzɪgneɪt| [ with obj. ] appoint (someone) to a specified office or post: he was designated as prime minister. • officially give a specified status or name to: [ with obj. and complement ] : the Wye Valley is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty | certain schools are designated 'science schools'. adjective |ˈdɛzɪgnət| [ postpositive ] appointed to an office or post but not yet installed: the Director designate.

mediate

verb |ˈmiːdɪeɪt| 1 [ no obj. ] intervene in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation: Wilson attempted to mediate between the powers to end the war. • [ with obj. ] intervene in (a dispute) to bring about an agreement. set up a tribunal to arbitrate and mediate disputes. • [ with obj. ] bring about (an agreement or solution) by intervening in a dispute: efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution of the conflict. 2 [ with obj. ] technical bring about (a result such as a physiological effect): the right hemisphere plays an important role in mediating tactile perception of direction. • be a means of conveying: this important ministry of mediating the power of the word. • form a link between: structures which mediate gender divisions. adjective |ˈmiːdɪət| connected indirectly through another person or thing; involving an intermediate agency: public law institutions are a type of mediate state administration.

implicate

verb |ˈɪmplɪkeɪt| [ with obj. ] 1 show (someone) to be involved in a crime: he implicated his government in the murders of three judges. • (be implicated in) bear some of the responsibility for (an action or process, especially a criminal or harmful one): viruses are known to be implicated in the development of certain cancers. 2 [ with clause ] convey (a meaning) indirectly through what one says, rather than stating it explicitly: by saying that coffee would keep her awake, Mary implicated that she didn't want any.

whack off

vulgar slang masturbate.

gullible, credulous

■ A gullible person is easy to deceive because they are too ready to believe or trust someone (professional manipulators intent on pulling the wool over the eyes of a gullible public). They are particularly likely to believe something that would be to their advantage or that they want to be true. Gullible carries a note of scornful pity at someone's foolish failure to examine the evidence critically. ■ Credulous also describes people who are too ready to believe or accept what they are told (the very incomprehensibility of the modern world has made us even more credulous), but, unlike gullible, credulous does not necessarily imply that anyone is deliberately trying to take advantage of an easily-fooled person.