Garcia_cui

contemporary

1.someone living during the same period as someone else. Was he a contemporary of Shakespeare's? 2. a person who is of the same age as you. She didn't mix with her contemporaries, preferring the company of older people. eg: Pierce could try to make peace with both anti- and pro-slavery extremists. Giving the extremists jobs in his administration would be the easy way to satisfy their demands. And that was the policy Pierce chose. "Contemporaries at the time predicted that this attempt to share the plums would wreck the party, and it did."

pilgrim

a person who makes a journey, which is often long and difficult, to a special place for religious reasons. eg:Hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims are in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala. They are gathered there for the annual Ashura observance. They have done so even though there is a continuing threat of Sunni extremist attacks. Iraq's security forces have deployed tens of thousands of troops to protect the travelers, or pilgrims. They are observing the 7th century death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein. He is one of Shi'ite Islam's most respected people. His death marks the split between Shi'ite and Sunni Islam.

stoic

A person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.

cannon

a large, powerful gun fixed to two or four wheels, which fires heavy stone or metal balls, and which was used in the past.

huddled

standing or sitting close together. We stood huddled together for warmth. eg:Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

prone

likely to suffer from an illness or show a particular negative characteristic

neglect

to give not enough care or attention to people or things that are your responsibility

revelation

when something is made known that was secret, or a fact that is made known. VOA senior analyst Andre de Nesnera joins On Assignment's Philip Alexiou to discuss the lingering effects of the revelations by U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden.

prescribe

(of a doctor) to say what medical treatment someone should have eg: If you are bitten by a snake,you should try to note its appearance so that the correct antidote can be prescribed based on what species of snake bit you.

standby

1.something which is always ready for use, especially if a regular one fails.eg:Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad. 2.When a person or a thing is on standby, they are ready to be used if necessary.eg:Hospitals are on standby ready to deal with casualties from the crash. eg:Please standby for the EOA authorization that our team will send.

score

20 or approximately 20. He lived to be three score years and ten (= until he was 70 years old). eg:Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

abide

If you can't abide someone or something, you dislike them very much.He couldn't abide laziness. eg:Obama: Russia Not Abiding by Geneva Agreement with Ukraine

broom

a brush with a long handle, used for cleaning the floor. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, sweeps an a road with a broom along with civic workers in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014.

complex

a large building with various connected rooms or a related group of buildings. a shopping/sports and leisure complex. US They live in a large apartment complex. eg:Indian Space Research Organization scientists and other officials celebrate the success of Mars Orbiter Mission at their Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network complex in Bangalore, India, Sept. 24, 2014.

tribunal

a special court or group of people who are officially chosen, especially by the government, to examine (legal) problems of a particular type；

stride

an important positive development.The West made impressive strides in improving energy efficiency after the huge rises in oil prices during the seventies.The group has made strides to expand internationally.

measles

an infectious disease which produces small red spots all over the body.

circuitry

n. a system or group of circuits—or paths. eg:

condolence

sympathy and sadness for the family or close friends of a person who has recently died, or an expression of this, especially in written form

couture

the designing, making and selling of expensive fashionable clothing, or the clothes themselves a couture show/collection/house. eg: "I find inspiration in Korean poetry, architecture and natural landscapes, but I'm equally fascinated by the construction of traditional Parisian couture and, at the moment, by the women of New York and the way in which they approach fashion,'' he said.

scam

an illegal plan for making money

as the crow flies

describes a distance when measured in a straight line between two points or places.

serious

Are you ready for some serious studying?

usurpation

In the former Soviet Union, corruption scandals can spark usurpation.

slander

a false spoken statement about someone which damages their reputation, or the making of such a statement

fortnight

a period of two weeks

high-profile

attracting a lot of attention in the media.

glamorous

attractive in an exciting and special way

sanction

an official order, such as the stopping of trade, which is taken against a country in order to make it obey international law

aye

another word for 'yes'. "Would you prefer not to work?" "Oh aye, I'd stop tomorrow if I could." All those who support this proposal say "Aye". eg:Radio cannot show the faces in the pictures. But you can get an idea about their feelings by the names of some of the popular songs of the period. One of the most famous was "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." Another was "He Is One-Aye in the Army, and He's One-Aye in My Heart." And one of the most hopeful songs was "When the Lights Go on Again All Over the World."

bold

brave; not fearing danger. She was a bold and fearless climber. The newspaper made the bold move/took the bold step of publishing the names of the men involved. eg:John Wilkes Booth carried a notebook. He wrote in it every day. On the day Lincoln was killed, he wrote: "For six months we had worked to kidnap Lincoln. But with the Confederacy being almost lost, something decisive and great must be done. I struck boldly."

enormously

extremely or very much. She worked enormously hard on the project. The show was enormously popular. Blood levels can vary enormously throughout a 24-hour period.

indefinitely

for a period of time with no fixed end.eg:Schwarck said that "party members detained for corruption are usually held under a form of extra-legal detention known as shuanggui." He said shuanggui is "separate from standard law enforcement procedure in that detainees can be stripped of their rights and assets and locked up indefinitely."

strapped

not having enough money. I'd love to come to Malaysia with you, but I'm afraid I'm a bit strapped (for cash) at the moment. eg:Russia, cut off from Western capital by sanctions, will struggle to pay for it. The countries on the route are also cash-strapped, and Brussels is unlikely to provide financing. The EU's energy chief has said the Russian idea is economically flawed and in breach of legally binding contracts.

indiscriminately

not showing careful thought or planning, especially so that harm results an indiscriminate terrorist attack on civilians An Israeli government spokesman said Hamas fighters have been indiscriminately targeting civilians. "Hamas has indiscriminately targeted men, women and children. And in so doing, Hamas has not only shown its total disregard for Israeli life, but has shown it has no qualms whatsoever about once again endangering and bringing tragedy upon the civilian population of Gaza," said Regev.

par

on a par (with sb/sth). the same as or equal to someone or something. As the world's second-largest economy, China is "on par with Algeria and El Salvador in per capita terms.

narrowly

only by a small amount. She narrowly missed winning an Oscar. eg:Adolf Hitler was in serious trouble. Allied forces were attacking from the west. Soviet troops were passing through Poland and moving in from the east. And at home, several German military officials tried to assassinate him. The German leader narrowly escaped death when a bomb exploded in a meeting room.

across from

opposite. "she sat across from me". Some 2,000 African asylum seekers live at the Holot detention center, in the southern Israeli desert. They can leave during the day, but must report back three times a day. Across the street from the detention center is the Saharonim prison, where more than 1,000 Africans are held. They cannot leave.

preserve

to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed; to conserve; eg:to preserve the environment; eg: Font and formatting (like bold and the red color) preserved. When you paste in

shrink

to move away from someone or something because you are frightened. The child shrank behind the sofa as his father shouted at him. eg:Although Roosevelt himself could not fight, four of his sons went into battle. One -- his youngest son Quentin -- did not return. When he received news of his son's death, Roosevelt wrote these words to honor him:"Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die. And none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life. Both life and death are parts of the same great adventure. All of us who give service and stand ready for sacrifice are torch bearers. We run with the torches until we fall, satisfied if we can then pass them to the hands of other runners.

stumble

to walk in a way which does not seem controlled. eg:When people stumble in their use of Microsoft Project, frequently the problem stems from a lack of understanding of how task types work. If you understand that, then Project can become the most powerful weapon in your project management arsenal(a building where weapons and military equipment are stored).

palatial

(adj.) very large and impressive; like a palace. Ukrainians were shocked when protesters in February forced open the entrance to Mezhigirya (mih-zhi-GEAR-ee-uh), Mr. Yanukovych's private residence. The property is opulent, luxurious and estimated to be worth over one billion U.S. dollars. Such a high estimate only proves what many Ukrainians believed all along - that their country's leaders were corrupt.

attorney

Brings legal action on behalf of the state; heads the state's legal office

hesitant

If you are hesitant, you do not do something immediately or quickly because you are nervous or not certain.You seemed a bit hesitant about recommending that restaurant - is something wrong with it?The president is not known for his hesitancy in such matters. eg: Marine traffic control transcripts, released Sunday, showed that the crew was hesitant to order passengers to abandon ship.

scaly anteater

Pangolins are often called scaly anteaters. They are sometimes hunted for food and medicine. Those abilities have led them to become the most often seized mammal in Asia's wildlife trade. The Worldwatch Institute says that has caused a great loss of their populations in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

mosque

a building for Islamic religious activities and worship. Hamas fighters in Gaza fired rockets across the border, sending residents of southern Israel running for bomb shelters. Israeli military sources said Israeli warplanes hit mosques, weapons depots and training facilities in Gaza.

drawback

a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation.eg: Some benefits and drawbacks of Microsoft Project. eg: One of the drawbacks of living with someone is having to share a bathroom.

mural

a large picture that has been painted on the wall of a room or building. eg:At the German embassy in Moscow, a photographic exhibit explores the meaning of the Berlin Wall. Among the artists showing work there is Dmitry Vrubel. He painted one of the most famous graffiti murals on the Berlin Wall. He calls it, "My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love."

saddles

a seat, often made of leather, used on a horse, bicycle, motorcycle, etc.. eg: The cowboy has told his own story in many songs and ballads. Hundreds of these have come from cowboys whose names are not known. They just sang these songs as they rode on the saddles of their horses across the cattle lands. Or, as they sat at their campfires at night.

vinegar

a sharp-tasting liquid, made especially from sour wine, malt or cider, which is used to add flavour to or to preserve food.

Protestant

a member of the parts of the Christian Church which separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century. eg:Ms. Cesari compared current religious and ethnic tensions in the Middle East to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland in the late 20th century.

diligent

done in a careful and detailed way. eg:The discovery was made after years of diligent research.

bliss

perfect happiness Lying on a sunny beach is my idea of sheer bliss. wedded/domestic bliss

hygiene

the degree to which people keep themselves or their environment clean, especially to prevent diseas.eg:Poor standards of hygiene mean that the disease spreads fast.eg: health and hygiene regulations eg: dental/personal hygiene.eg:ISS would also conduct spot checks and home visits to premises to assess the hygiene, home environment and safety condition.

surgeon

a doctor who is specially trained to perform medical operations

cubicle

a small space with walls or curtains around it, that is separate from the rest of a room and where you can be private when taking clothes off, etc. a shower cubicle. I was getting undressed in one of the cubicles. In this 2007 file photo, employees of PayPal work in their cubicles in La Vista, Nebraska.

voracious

Desiring or consuming great quantities

toll

The amount of loss or destruction caused by a disaster eg: Local officials said 39 people were killed, bringing the three-day __ to at least 69 fatalities.

choreograph

The ballet was choreographed by Ashton. eg: The atmosphere was more festive at the other two sites. About 80 protesters sang and danced around the occupied section of Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay, while onlookers in Nathan Road, Mong Kok, were treated to an umbrella dance choreographed by Mui Cheuk-yin.

feminine

acting, or having qualities which are traditionally considered to be suitable for a woman. The current style in evening wear is soft, romantic and feminine. her is for feminine.

sabre-rattling

talking and behaving in a way that threatens military action. eg:Back in 1997, China's defense budget was $10 billion. Last year, it was $144 billion and there's been a lot of saber-rattling over disputed territories between the two countries. So, the rising China narrative and concerns about its hegemonic ambitions in Asia are pushing the United States and Japan closer. And Abe is keen to secure a U.S. commitment to back it in the event of some contingency over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

plywood

n. a strong board that is made by joining thin sheets of wood with glue. eg:So a large, non-governmental environmental protection group is helping the fishermen rebuild their boats using a material made of glass and plastic. The material is called fiberglass. The group says fiberglass lasts longer than the wood and plywood materials the fishermen have traditionally used to build their boats.

exclusively

only; eg: This offer is available exclusively to our established customers.

incongruous

unusual or different from what is around or from what is generally happening

trajectory

the curved path that an object follows after it has been thrown or shot the air. eg:the trajectory of a bullet/missile

as though

used to describe how a situation seems to be. I felt as though I'd been lying in the sun for hours. eg: Manchester wrote, "Families moving in found that their new friends were happy to help them get settled. Children in the suburbs exchanged toys and clothes almost as though they were group property. If little Bobby out-grew his clothes, his mother gave them to little Billy across the street. Front doors were not locked. Friends felt free to enter without knocking or asking permission."

chagrin

disappointment or anger, especially when caused by a failure or mistake

incipient

just beginning;beginning to come being or to become apparent

put on hold

Synonym v.put off , delay , postpone , adjourn , defer. eg:Last year, the U.S. charged five Chinese military officers with stealing trade secrets from the computers of several American nuclear, metal and solar companies. China denounced the charges and put on hold talks with the U.S. about fighting cyber crimes.

pneumonia

a serious illness in which one or both lungs become red and swollen and filled with liquid People who are bedridden can easily get pneumonia.

In plain sight

"In plain sight" is referring to something being in front of you without any type of obstructions blocking sight of it..eg:"In plain sight, Russia continues to fund, coordinate and fuel a heavily armed separatist movement in Donetsk. Meanwhile, Russian leaders are making increasingly outrageous claims to justify their action," said Kerry.

spotlight

(of a person) receiving a lot of public attention.eg:The senator has been in the spotlight recently since the revelation of his tax frauds. eg:Hong Kong Demo Shines Spotlight on Refugee Suffering.In downtown Hong Kong, refugees continue a six-week protest outside the social welfare department of the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Denied the right to work, living on food handouts and apparently housed in accommodations unfit for humans, the protest is focusing attention on the harsh conditions faced by refugees and asylum seekers in the one of the world's wealthiest cities. About 6,000 asylum seekers live in Hong Kong, perhaps hoping one day to share in the prosperity of a city in which the World Bank calculates per capita GDP exceeds that of the United States. Barred from seeking employment even if granted refugee status, Refugee Union leader Saeid Mohammadi says asylum seekers in Hong Kong are marginalized and destitute. In 21 years, he says, the government has approved asylum for only 11 out of 13,000 victims of torture. He says he has been in a stateless limbo since fleeing Afghanistan seven years ago. "Hong Kong signed the [U.N.] torture convention. But their policy is to keep refugees in extreme poverty, destroy them mentally so they will commit some crime. Then the police will arrest them and reject their case because they broke the law - this is what [they] want," said Mohammadi. Early morning commuters rush to offices in downtown skyscrapers as a pregnant Nepali refugee emerges from a tent pitched on the sidewalk. Lama Inu, 30, and dozens of her peers occupy a protest camp outside Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department. Their aim is to highlight the plight of refugees forced to choose between living in poverty in Hong Kong or returning to countries where their lives may be in danger. In a city often cited as the most expensive in the world, most refugees survive on a rental allowance of $200 a month, and three monthly food parcels from the Social Welfare Department. Food and rent are provided under a $26 million contract won by Swiss-headquartered NGO, International Social Services. The food is cheap and often rancid, the refugees allege. And last month, a judge issued an injunction ordering International Social Services to fulfill its obligations when its staff failed to pay Inu's rent. "My landlord kicked me out. I begged them: we had no home, clothes, nothing. For four days I did not change my dress or take a shower. The doctor admitted me to hospital because I might have a problem with my baby. We are suffering. But I will fight," said Inu. While International Social Services did not comment, a Social Welfare Department statement said its contractor has been providing [refugees] with in-kind services on its behalf since 2006. It said this was "to prevent [refugees] becoming destitute ... while not creating a magnet effect" that draws more refugees to Hong Kong. The Social Welfare Department added that before providing rent, "ISS would also conduct spot checks and home visits to premises to assess the hygiene, home environment and safety condition [sic]." But traveling into the countryside with advocacy group Vision First, VOA was introduced to South Asian refugees housed in a run down pigsty. Asylum seeker Shahzad Khan, from Pakistan, points to his mattress lying beside a feeding trough. Electrical wires dangle under a holed roof and an open sewer runs nearby. "We do not need anything from them, money or food. We just want work. When I came here I went to work, but spent 15 months in prison [as a result]. You can see, this place is for animals. There is no future here," said Khan. Angered by our presence, we are set upon by the landlords of the pigsty Khan shares with 15 other refugees. While we are forced to leave, like thousands of other asylum seekers, Khan does not know how long he will be trapped in one of the wealthiest cities on Earth.

bearing

.a person's way of standing or moving. "a man of precise military bearing" synonyms:posture, stance, carriage, gait, deportment; He said to Shi,"I haven't traveled three thousand li to rescue you in vain.I believe you have the bearing and aura to be ruler of the Central Plains.I'll make you Emperor.

coverage

The coverage of something in the news is the reporting of it. ⇒ Now a special TV network gives live coverage of most races. eg:The U.S. has started to train the Syrian rebels and give them military equipment. But Mr. Logan says Republicans want the Obama administration to do more. "There's a program in place. It's not being conducted the way Senator McCain would like it to be conducted. So I think the, the change here might really be how the conversation goes, what sorts of hearings happen, and how Republicans in the Senate can affect, sort of, the press coverage -- what's said about the president's policies."

resemble

to look like or be like someone or something.after the earthquake, the city resembled a battlefield.The look and form of the phone is designed to resemble the playful nature of the xylophone. .

complement

to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it. eg: Strawberries and cream complement each other perfectly. eg:The music complements her voice perfectly. eg: The non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, has launched a new, malaria prevention campaign in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa aimed at protecting the illnesses' most vulnerable population - children under the age of five. During the campaigns at the height of malaria season - from July to October - young children will be offered so-called chemoprevention drugs. Small children are at highest risk of dying from malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic illness that claimed the lives of some three-quarters of a million people in 2012, most of them children and babies in sub-Saharan Africa. Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, is planning to roll out mass seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns, known as SMCs, in the Sahel sub-region to prevent new cases of the disease in countries where malaria is widespread. These nations include Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Burkino Faso and Mali. In a 2013 SMC trial in Niger, the organization treated more than 200,000 children between the ages of three and 59 months with chemoprevention drugs. Trials of the chemoprevention strategy in the last two years have shown a reduction of up to 83 percent in simple malaria cases; there's a similar percentage reduction in the number of cases of severe malaria. Estrella Lasry, tropical medicine adviser for the group, says the campaign was launched at the urging of the World Health Organization. "And what we do is we give drugs once a month that protect and they protect the children for about a month during those four months of high transmission," said Lasry. In Niger, during a trial in 2013, the anti-malaria compounds were made available in remote locations at health facilities, in the homes of village chiefs and in areas where public health workers go door-to-door. The organization deployed some 2,000 community health care workers to educate families about the benefits of chemoprevention and to encourage them to take their children to a distribution site. Lasry says MSF chemoprevention campaigns do not use artemisinin-based drugs that are currently the "gold standard" to treat malaria infection. "We try to use different drugs so that even if we can potentially cause resistance, we are not causing resistance to the most effective drugs we have for treatment," she said. If they find malaria in any of the children, Lasry says they treat it. But she says there's a shortage of rapid diagnostic tests in Niger, for example, hampering efforts to treat malaria in endemic regions. While not a "miracle cure," officials say prevention drugs complement other malaria control strategies, including insecticide-treated bed nets.

mundane

very ordinary and therefore not interesting

staggering

very shocking and surprising.eg:It costs a staggering $50 000 per week to keep the museum open to the public.eg:The staggering sum seized is said to larger than any other corruption related action yet taken by Beijing.

genocide

the murder of a whole group of people, especially a whole nation, race or religious group

capsule

the part of a spacecraft in which the people on it live. eg: NASA's new space capsule has 'flawless' first flight. eg: Mark Geyer is the Program Manager for Orion. He told reporters that the test flight would cost over $370 million. The capsule will be reused for another test flight. He noted that Orion is still in the development stage.

detention

when someone is officially detained.eg:Schwarck said that "party members detained for corruption are usually held under a form of extra-legal detention known as shuanggui."

boost

when something is boosted. The lowering of interest rates will give a much-needed boost to the economy. Passing my driving test was such a boost to my confidence. eg:At the Waldorf Astoria, Stanley Wong, a Cantonese-speaking senior concierge, says more Chinese tourists will be a boost for retail across the region.

vanquish

to defeat an opponent, especially in war. eg:Napoleon was vanquished at the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

baggage

all the cases and bags that you take with you when you travel; luggage;eg: Please go ahead with the baggage. I will meet you at the ticket counter.

haunting

beautiful, but in a sad way and often in a way which cannot be forgotten. a haunting melody. the haunting beauty of Africa

rich

containing a lot of exciting events or experiences and therefore very interesting. He has written a book about the island's rich history. She had a rich and varied life and met many famous and exciting people. eg: Millions of tourists visit China each year, and their impressions of the country can vary widely based on a short exposure time. For people like Jim Hammond, the experience was much deeper and the understanding of the Middle Kingdom much richer.

essay

a short piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one done by students as part of the work for a course

bullet point

a symbol, often a small black circle, used in text to show separate things in a list

probe

to try to discover information that other people do not want you to know, by asking questions carefully and not directly

tentative

(of a plan or idea) not certain or agreed, or (of a suggestion or action) said or done in a careful but uncertain way because you do not know if you are right. eg:I have made tentative plans to take a trip to Seattle in July.

badger

To pester, nag, annoy persistently

compensation

money that is paid to someone in exchange for something that has been lost or damaged or for some problem.She received £40 000 in compensation for a lost eye.

inaugurate

to put someone into an official position with a ceremony American presidents are always inaugurated on January 20th. Abraham Lincoln and scene from his inauguration.

at sight

used to say that an amount of money must be paid as soon as the document showing the amount owed is received by the person paying: The bank draft was marked "at sight". a bill that is payable at sight. eg:D/P after sight . D/P: Documents against Payment.

Poaching

Poaching has traditionally been defined as the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. eg: ine Chinese fishermen will go on trial this week in the Philippines for allegedly poaching in Filipino territorial waters and catching a protected turtle species. Their arrest has angered the Beijing government, which says the fishermen were in China's territory. Some analysts say the trial highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

slightly

Someone who is slightly built is thin and delicate .Arthur,a sightly built young man,has a disinclination to participate in sports involving physical contact.

sun's corona

The corona is the final (and exterior) layer of the three regions that make up the sun's atmosphere. The corona is the widest of all three regions of the sun's atmosphere, and it extends for several million miles from the photosphere and chromosphere. At an average of 2 million degrees Kelvin, the corona is by far the hottest of the sun's layers. Scientists are still unable to explain why it's so hot. The corona is best seen in X-ray images of the sun and during solar eclipses.

outfox

To surpass (another) in cleverness or cunning; outsmart. eg:The general devised a cunning strategy to outfox the enemy

Forward Transactions

Transaction in the foreign exchange market may be either spot or forward.

jumper

UK (US sweater) a piece of clothing made from wool which covers the upper part of the body and the arms , and which does not open at the front.US a dress which does not cover the arms and is usually worn over another piece of clothing which does cover the arms

pressurize

UK usually pressurise.to strongly persuade someone to do something they do not want to do He was pressurized into signing the agreement.

brigade

[C] a large group of soldiers in an army.

apocalypse

[S or U] a very serious event resulting in great destruction and change. The book offers a vision of the future in which there is a great nuclear apocalypse. the Apocalypse [S], in the Bible, the total destruction and end of the world.

play

[T] to compete against a person or team in a game. Who are Aston Villa playing next week? eg:The city of San Francisco, California, is home to the Giants Major League Baseball team. The team is playing the Kansas City Royals for the 2014 World Series championship. The best-of-seven-games series begins at Kauffman Stadium in the Midwest state of Missouri. The fans of both teams are known for their deep and loyal support. For example, two San Francisco radio stations have banned Lorde's song "Royals" from airplay. The stations tweeted that the song is off their playlists until the series is over. In Kansas City, on the other hand, a pop radio station is doing just the opposite. It says it will play "Royals" every hour until the start of the first game.

ivory

[U] the hard yellowish-white substance that forms the tusks of some animals such as elephants, used especially in the past to make decorative objects intricately carved ivory earrings a ban on ivory trading

possession

[U] when you have or own something. The possession of large amounts of money does not ensure happiness. I have in my possession a letter which may be of interest to you. He was found in possession of explosives.

encyclopedia

a book or set of books containing many articles arranged in alphabetical order which deal either with the whole of human knowledge or with a particular part of it

condo

a condominium

shootout

a fight in which two people or two groups of people shoot at each other with guns.eg: Ukraine Shootout Casts Doubt on Geneva Deal

lightning

a flash of bright light in the sky which is produced by electricity moving between clouds or from clouds to the ground. thunder and lightning. a flash of lightning. That tree was struck by lightning. She changed her clothes with lightning speed (= extremely quickly). eg: Germany attacked Denmark and Norway, defeating them easily. In May, Nazi forces struck like lightning through Belgium and Holland. Within one day, they were in France. British and French forces were unable to stop the Germans from moving deep into northern France. The British forces finally were forced to flee from the European continent in small boats. They sailed from the French town of Dunkerque back to Britain.

mortar

a large gun with a short wide barrel (= part shaped like a tube) which fires bombs or other explosives very high into the air, or an explosive device shot from such a gun. Mortar Bombs Land in Saudi Arabia Near Iraq Border

breeze

a light and pleasant wind. a warm/cool breeze. She let the gentle breeze cool her face. eg:She had never before been alone in the forest as late as this. The air was soft and sweet. Sylvie felt as if she were a part of the gray shadows and the silver leaves that moved in the evening breeze.

voyage

a long journey, especially by ship. eg:In 1502, Columbus made his final voyage to what some by then were calling the New World. He stayed on the island of Jamaica until he returned home two years later.

millennium

a period of 1000 years, or the time when a period of 1000 years ends

harmony

a pleasant musical sound made by different notes being played or sung at the same time singing in harmony It is a simple melody with complex harmonies.

sapphire

a precious stone, usually bright blue, that is often used in jewellery: a ring with a large sapphire a sapphire ring/bracelet Why Apple went for glass instead of sapphire on the iPhone 6

nursery school

a school for children between the ages of two and five. eg: The obstinate toddler clung to her mother,wailing and refusing to get on the bus to go to nursery school.

grudge

a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, which often lasts for a long time I don't bear any grudge against you.

assault

a violent attack He was charged with sexual assault. UK The number of indecent assaults has increased alarmingly over the past year. an assault on a police officer. Ms. Murray said the U.S. needs to have stronger laws about teaching children to use guns safely. She adds that American movies, video games and language create a culture of gun violence. "Given that there are many societal influences on violence, I mean, it's bound to happen, you know, something like Newtown shooting is bound to happen with all that influence and easy access to guns and assault rifles."

tempest

a violent storm. 1.A tempest is a very violent storm. 2.You can refer to a situation in which people are very angry or excited as a tempest. ⇒ I hadn't foreseen the tempest my request would cause. eg: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

dam

a wall built across a river which stops the river's flow and collects the water, especially to make a reservoir (= an artificial lake) which provides water for an area The Aswan High Dam is on the River Nile in Egypt. eg: Iraqi and Kurdish forces backed by U.S. aircraft battled Sunni extremists in northern Iraq Tuesday, as the United Nations prepared a massive aide operation for hundreds of thousands of civilian refugees. A day after retaking control of the country's biggest dam near Mosul, Iraqi forces pressed toward the northern city of Tikrit, where witnesses said they met stiff resistance from Islamic state fighters. Authorities said the Iraqi advance stalled by mid-afternoon Tuesday.

gerund

a word that ends in '-ing' which is made from a verb, and which is used like a noun. In the sentence 'Everyone enjoyed Tyler's singing', the word 'singing' is a gerund. eg:Welcome to another episode of Everyday Grammar on VOA Learning English. English learners have difficulty with gerunds and infinitives. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions the same as a noun. For example, "Running is fun." In this sentence, "running" is the gerund. It acts just like a noun.

articulate

able to express thoughts and feelings easily and clearly, or showing this quality.an intelligent and highly articulate young woman

defunct

adj.no longer existing, living, or working correctly. eg:humorous I think this kettle is defunct! eg:Pushilin said Ukraine, Belarus and Russia - states that formed the core of the now defunct Soviet Union - belonged in a restored historic union.

metabolism

all the chemical processes in your body, especially those that cause food to be used for energy and growth. Exercise is supposed to speed up your metabolism. metabolic,adjective, The athletes had taken pills to stimulate their metabolic rate (= the speed at which their bodies used energy). eg: It appears that the cheetah is vulnerable to attacks by other animals because of its physiology -- the way its body operates. The cat simply burns a lot of calories -- the energy produced by food. "Because these cheetahs have a fast metabolism - they have huge lungs and a strong heart -- their resting metabolic rate is really high. So just the act of walking already for a cheetah is pretty expensive. And then the longer they look for food, the more energy they need to invest in finding the food."

forgo

also forego.to not have or do something enjoyable. eg: DWIGHT EISENHOWER: "Now, where will a new administration begin. It will begin with its president taking a firm, simple resolution. That resolution will be to forego the diversions of politics and to concentrate on the job of ending the Korean War, until that job is honorably done. That job requires a personal trip to Korea. Only in that way could I learn how best to serve the American people in the cause of peace. I shall go to Korea."

betrayal

an act of betraying someone or something, or when someone or something is betrayed. I felt a sense of betrayal when my friends refused to support me. eg:More conservative American Jews sometimes consider criticism of Israeli actions by some American Jews as a betrayal. "The idea that you can't criticize Israel because to do so is anti-Semitic means that Israel as a state has carte blanche to do anything."

illuminate

archaic : brightened with light. eg: But the bulk of them are fact, so far as history in general can be called fact, it having been our design to cull from the annals of the nations some of their more stirring and romantic incidents, and present them as a gallery of pictures that might serve to adorn the entrance to the temple of history, of which this work is offered as in some sense an illuminated ante-chamber. As such, it is hoped that some pilgrims from the world of readers may find it a pleasant halting-place on their way into the far-extending aisles of the great temple beyond.

reigning

being the most recent winner of a competition. She's the reigning champion at Wimbledon. eg:Reigning men's singles world and Olympic champion Zhang Jike kicked an advertising hoarding next to the court, breaking it, after beating fellow Chinese player Ma Long in the Liebherr Men's World Cup final in Dusseldorf on Sunday. He than ran to the opposite side of the arena and shattered a second advertising board with a flying kick, before stripping off his shirt and throwing it into the crowd. Zhang fought back from three games down to overcome Olympic teammate Ma in a seven-game match, handing Ma his first defeat this year.

minimalist

belonging or relating to a style in art, design and theatre that uses the smallest range of materials and colours possible, and only very simple shapes or forms minimalist painting The set for the ballet is minimalist - white walls and a chair. eg:While expanding into the U.S. market, these designers are keeping a foothold in Asia, where China is set to overtake the United States as the world's largest apparel market by 2017, according to market research firm Euromonitor. "I don't want to shift my focus away from any one market, but it's important for me to expand the brand's reach,'' said South Korea's Son Jung Wan, who launched in New York three years ago. Wan said she strives for a balance between Asian and Western cultural expressions, using rough-textured fabrics in soft, feminine silhouettes. "I think people are interested in the softness of Oriental minimalism,'' she said.

rigorous

careful to look at or consider every part of something to make certain it is correct or safe. eg: "Most of the kids were forced to come there, they didn't know where they were going," said Hilla Medalia, co-director of Web Junkie. "Some of them were drugged, one of our kids thought he was going skiing and found himself behind bars at the center." Once there, the patients are required to participate in rigorous exercises, medication and therapy. Sometimes patients are also placed in isolation for as long as 10 days. The living conditions are Spartan, according to Medalia.

alienate

cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged. an urban environment that would alienate its inhabitants. eg:At a recent congressional hearing, he said China's "quest for development and global influence has come at a high cost of alienating partners and allies alike. There are cracks in the foundation, and imbalances remain politically, economically and militarily."

viral

caused by a virus.viral infections eg:Researchers from Africa and Europe compared viral DNA from this outbreak to previous episodes. eg:The study also found that many people do not know about the problem. And, the researchers say many people believe antibiotics are effective against viral infections. The organization says this misunderstanding causes antibiotics to be used even when they will not work. The resulting overuse can cause resistance.

provocative

causing an angry reaction, usually intentionally.a provocative question/remark.In a deliberately provocative speech, she criticised the whole system of government. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Burma, also known as Myanmar, for talks with Southeast Asian foreign ministers about tensions in the South China Sea and other multilateral issues. Kerry began the day Saturday by meeting with the senior diplomats from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, assembled in the administrative capital of Naypyidaw for an annual security conference. The United States had submitted a proposal for a freeze on provocative acts in the disputed region. However, the ASEAN members say they have not discussed the plan because they signed an agreement with China on "self restraint" in 2002. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the U.S. of exaggerating the dispute and repeated that China has a right to safeguard its own sovereignty. China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea. However, ASEAN member states Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea. Taiwan also has claims in the area. The delegates say it is up to ASEAN to deal directly with China on any sovereignty disputes.

contentious

causing or likely to cause disagreement. a contentious decision/policy/issue/subject. eg:I think on the security side, you're likely to see Senator McCain taking over the Armed Forces Committee in the Senate, and I think that that may be contentious in terms of defense spending and, and some of our military activities in the Middle East and elsewhere.

carte blanche

complete freedom to do something [+ to infinitive] Her husband has given her carte blanche to redecorate the living room. eg: More conservative American Jews sometimes consider criticism of Israeli actions by some American Jews as a betrayal. "The idea that you can't criticize Israel because to do so is anti-Semitic means that Israel as a state has carte blanche to do anything."

outright

completely or immediately. I think cigarette advertising should be banned outright. The driver and all three passengers were killed outright. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power used even more forceful language to condemn Russia. At an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, Power said Moscow has "outright lied" about its involvement in Ukraine. "At every step, Russia has come before this council to say everything except the truth. It has manipulated. It has obfuscated. It has outright lied. So we have learned to measure Russia by its actions and not by its words. In the last 48 hours, Russia's actions have spoken volumes," said Powers.

deliberation

considering or discussing something. eg:After much deliberation, she decided to accept their offer. eg: After five days of deliberations, the jury decided on a verdict.

relentless

continuing in a severe or extreme way.relentless criticism/pressure. eg: James Polk was a very fascinating man. Very hard-working. Relentless in his pursuit of goals. He was not a particularly likable human being. He was somewhat suspicious of other people. But he had a way of figuring out what he needed to do to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish, and he was very good at it, and that served him very well throughout his life.

defense

defence.(a) protection or support against attack, criticism or infection. The rebels' only form of defence against the soldiers' guns was sticks and stones. The war has ended but government spending on defence (= the country's armed forces) is still increasing. When Helen criticized me, Chris came/rushed to my defence (= quickly supported me). The book is a closely argued defence of (= something that supports) the economic theory of Keynes. The towers were once an important part of the city's defences. A good diet helps build the body's natural defences. eg:One week after Clay first proposed the compromise, he rose in the Senate to speak in its defense. The Senate hall was crowded. People had come from as far away as Boston and New York to hear Clay speak. Some senators said there had not been such a crowd in the capitol building since the day Clay said goodbye to the Senate eight years earlier.

rumoured

describes a fact that people are talking about, which might be true or invented

abrupt

describes something that is sudden and unexpected, and often unpleasant.Our conversation came to an abrupt end when George burst into the room.

resolute

determined in character, action or ideas. Their resolute opposition to new working methods was difficult to overcome. She's utterly resolute in her refusal to apologise. eg:Resolute Occupy protesters raise umbrellas to commemorate firing of tear gas.

overwhelming

difficult to fight against;very great or very large; eg: She felt an overwhelming urge/desire/need to tell someone about what had happened. eg: Authorities in southern China said a station where parents are able to anonymously leave their unwanted children has been forced to close because of an overwhelming number of abandoned babies. eg:Despite overwhelming evidence, Russia denies it has such forces in Ukraine.

reckless

doing something dangerous and not worrying about the risks and the possible results. He was found guilty of reckless driving. eg:But Moon said it is unlikely that North Korea would use its weapons recklessly. She said the government is more reasonable and practical than people think.

intense

extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong. eg: intense cold/heat/hatred; an intense flavour/colour

anguish

extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering. eg:Amid the anguish some family members lashed out at journalists. As one family member cried, another yelled at a reporter, telling him to stop asking questions.

desperately

extremely or very much. eg:She always seems to be desperately busy!

savage

extremely violent, wild or frightening. a savage dog/beast. a brutal and savage attack eg:Antietam was a violent, savage battle -- the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. But the North's victory there made it easier for Abraham Lincoln to make an important announcement. eg:Historian Daniel Feller at the University of Tennessee is an expert on Andrew Jackson. He says the charges about Jackson's marriage made a good story for people to talk about. But he says other accusations were more serious. These were about Jackson's career. "The attacks that really hit home were about Jackson's unauthorized, and perhaps directly-against-orders, conquest of Florida in 1819. His sometimes savage disciplinary measures against his own troops. His declaring martial law in New Orleans and maintaining martial law in New Orleans and arresting people in New Orleans well after the War of 1812 was actually over."

dentures

false teeth fixed to a small piece of plastic or similar material, which fits inside the mouth of someone who does not have their own teeth. eg:Dentists made him sets of dentures from uncomfortable metal and springs. Some of the teeth were from hippopotamus ivory. Mr. Ellis says Washington even paid some of his slaves for their teeth. "About six of the teeth in his mouth in his latter years, when he is president, are actually from slaves at Mount Vernon."

stiff

firm or hard. not easily bent or moved. If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff, your muscles hurt when they are moved. Sitting still at a computer terminal all day can give you a stiff neck. A day after retaking control of the country's biggest dam near Mosul, Iraqi forces pressed toward the northern city of Tikrit, where witnesses said they met stiff resistance from Islamic state fighters. Authorities said the Iraqi advance stalled by mid-afternoon Tuesday. Authorities say the U.N. relief operation will target an estimated 1.2 million displaced Iraqis. The operation is set to start with a four-day airlift from neighboring Jordan into the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil. It is designed to supply tents, water, fuel and other critical supplies to refugees holed up in schools, mosques and other facilities.

austere

forbiddingly stern;severely simple and unornamented. eg: Monasteries are austere places designed to encourage prayer and reflection.

hang around

hang around (with someone) and go around (with someone),to spend a lot of time with someone; to waste away time with someone. eg:With the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), still pushing for the reinstatement of corruption charges against President Zuma, Grootes said the charges will certainly catch up with him someday. "I think that they will certainly hang around him until he has his day in court which he said so many times he wanted and yet he has tried not to have," he stated. Many agree that when he is gone, President Zuma will always be remembered as a giant who survived scandals that brought all others down.

rosy

having a colour between pink and red. Your rosy cheeks always make you look so healthy. eg:Among the ladies Ichabod taught was one Katrina Van Tassel. She was the only daughter of a rich Dutch farmer. She was a girl in bloom...much like a round red, rosy apple. Ichabod had a soft and foolish heart for the ladies, and soon found himself interested in Miss Van Tassel. Ichabod's eyes opened wide when he saw the riches of Katrina's farm: the miles of apple trees and wheat fields, and hundreds of fat farm animals. He saw himself as master of the Van Tassel farm with Katrina as his wife.

unrivalled

having no equal; better than any other of the same type.

spike

impale on or pierce with a sharp point. eg: On Friday morning, PM 2.5 readings in most of Beijing's observatory stations spiked more than 300 micrograms per cubic metre, far above the 25 micrograms considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

adamant

impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision;Vladimir Makovich, speaker of the presidium of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic, remains adamant. He says the only way he and his men will leave peacefully is if the government in Kyiv resigns.

good faith

in good faith, If something is done in good faith, it is done sincerely and honestly

sedentary

involving little exercise or physical activity. a sedentary job/occupation. Mr. Katzmarzyk says studying this problem has inspired his team to make a few changes in their own lives. "As a university professor, you know, it is a very sedentary occupation. We're chained to a desk in terms of writing papers and doing research. We really try to limit the amount of time we spend doing that.".

eternal

lasting forever or for a very long time. The company is engaged in the eternal search for a product that will lead the market. Will you two never stop your eternal arguing! eg:So, in 1841, the remaining thirty or so members of the Amistad captives got on a ship called The Gentleman and returned to West Africa. Howard Jones says the incident was the only time he knows that black people who had been brought to the new world as slaves actually made it back home. "And how they do it? By winning in the American court system. This was just unheard of. But the decision was basically that it doesn't matter whether you are black, white, purple, green or whatever color you are, you have been kidnapped. And so therefore you have — and Joseph Story said this in his decision, which really opened the door for a lot of arguments — that under the eternal principles of justice, you have the inherent right of self-defense, even if you must kill your captors." Howard Jones says the Supreme Court decision also gave the abolitionists a new sense of power. "And the abolitionists immediately printed pamphlets, leaflets, had talks, everything they could to show that these people went free, and their implication was, this is what's going to happen to slavery itself. That this is a great victory for the black man."

tread

mainly UK to put your foot on something or to press something down with your foot. I kept treading on his toes when we were dancing. Yuck! Look what I've just trodden in! A load of food had been trodden into the carpet. Before the days of automation, they used to tread grapes to make wine. ( literary) to walk 午饭后我总喜欢散散步。 He trod heavily and reluctantly up the stairs. I sometimes see him flash past in his sports car as I tread my weary way (= walk in a tired way) to work. eg:Here captain! Dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will. The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult o shores, and ring o bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

artificial insemination

member of the family of the couple seeking to have a child. No surrogacy by artificial insemination would be permitted for same-sex couples or those who are not married.

clean

morally acceptable. It's all good clean fun. clean living. eg:Germany did not want war with the United States. It already faced a strong fight against the European Allies. It promised not to sink any more civilian ships without warning. And it offered regrets for the Lusitania incident.President Wilson accepted Germany's apology. Like most Americans, he hoped to stay out of the bloody European struggle. And he also knew that the record of the Allies was not completely clean. For example, he was troubled by reports of mass hunger in Germany. He and other Americans felt the British food blockade was cruel. They also were shocked by the way British forces brutally crushed a rebellion in Ireland at the time.

overriding

more important than anything else. The government's overriding concern is to reduce inflation. eg:

sensor

n. a device that responds to a physical stimulus such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion and then sends a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control) This commission controls sensors and other equipment that watch for possible violations of the Nuclear Test ban treaty. Some of the devices are seismic, meaning they measure the movement of the Earth. Others are hydroacoustic, meaning they measure the sounds in the Earth's oceans. The Commission also uses ultrasound and radionuclide sensors.

mortality

n. the quality or state of being a person or thing that is alive and therefore certain to die. "This is a relatively new area of study - studies that have assessed the relationship between sitting and mortality or television viewing and mortality are very rare. There's only been a few of them, actually five or six now, in the last four or five years." Mr. Karzmarzyk and his colleagues used the few rare studies available to them. They found that cutting television time to less than two hours a day could add one-point four years to life.

current

n.a movement of water, air or electricity, in a particular direction. to swim against/with the current. He was swept out to sea by the strong current. eg:In the Pacific Ocean, currents collect that plastic into a huge slowly spinning garbage patch where it poses a major environmental threat to sea life.

consulate

noun [C] the office where a consul works. the Cuban consulate in Mexico City.

the accused

noun.the person who is on trial in a court, or the people on trial in a court. eg:The accused protested her innocence.eg: Judge Jaroon Intachan announced the ruling against Yingluck, who was Thailand's first female prime minister. "In this case, the accused committed what is prohibited in the constitution in section 368 and 266/1(2 and 3). It is applicable to the position of the minister which is to be terminated. And according to the constitution section 182/1(7), the accused cannot remain in position," said Jaroon.

asylum

protection or safety, especially that given by a government to foreigners who have been forced to leave their own countries for political reasons.to seek/apply for political asylum. eg:North Korea announced Friday that an American had arrived there April 10 and was being held for "rash behavior" while passing through customs. The North Korean government also said Miller had demanded asylum.

biometric

referring to detailed information about someone's body, such as the patterns of colour in their eyes, that can be used to prove who they are: biometric data; a biometric passport;Returning original employment and dependant biometric cards to the Ministry of Manpower

reflection

serious and careful thought.On reflection (= After considering it), I decided I had been wrong .After thirty years as a judge , her reflections on/about justice were well worth listening to. eg: Monasteries are austere places designed to encourage prayer and reflection.

biased

showing an unreasonable like or dislike for a person based on personal opinions.eg:The newspapers gave a very biased report of the meeting. eg:Moscow called the U.N. report biased and unfounded. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power dismissed the Russian criticism, saying there is substantial evidence of Russian involvement in the unrest in eastern Ukraine. She called it a well-orchestrated professional campaign of incitement and sabotage.

silly

showing little thought or judgment; foolish. My silly victor he forgets everything.

proficient

skilled and experienced; eg: She's proficient in two languages.

gimmick

something which is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something;

rigid

stiff or fixed; not able to be bent, moved, changed or persuaded.a rigid steel and concrete structure;eg: In the times of the emperors, the formality within the Forbidden City was rigid beyond belief.

twine

strong string made of two or more pieces of string twisted together. eg: Another favorite item is President Lincoln's eyeglasses. She says, "The arm on it had broken off at some point and he clearly still wanted to use them so he used a little piece of twine to tie it back together, and to me that just humanizes him so much and makes you realize how humble he still remained even though he was the president of the United States."

surveillance

the careful watching of a person or place , especially by the police or army , because of a crime that has happened or is expected.More banks are now installing surveillance cameras .

mass

the ordinary people who form the largest group in a society. He was popular with the aristocracy but failed to win the support of the masses. eg:Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

prospect

the possibility that something good might happen in the future. Is there any prospect of the weather improving? There seems little prospect of an end to the dispute. eg:Many Senate Republicans say they will not support an agreement that permits Iran to continue enriching any uranium. Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons. However, President Obama already has the power to end, or waive, sanctions without approval from Congress. Justin Logan is a foreign policy expert at the Cato Institute, a research group. He says Republicans could take that power from the president. "There's some prospect that a large Republican wave and takeover of the Senate could raise the prospect of sanctions bills against Iran without that waiver authority. But that requires Congress to sort of take responsibility for the policy and leave its fingerprints on the policy. And historically they've been very wary of doing that." eg: Nevertheless, as long as there is a prospect the route will be built, it will hamper rival projects by creating uncertainty that will make it harder to attract investors to fund them.

siege

the surrounding of a place by an armed force in order to defeat those defending it The siege of Mafeking lasted for eight months. The soldiers laid siege to (= started a siege of) the city. The castle was under siege for months. figurative That whole weekend at Cannes, Brigitte Bardot was under siege by photographers. eg: In Iraq, residents of Amerli celebrate end of militant siege eg:Grant agreed to let the Confederate soldiers go home. He and Pemberton signed the surrender agreement on July fourth. The siege of Vicksburg had lasted forty-seven days.

chemotherapy

the treatment of diseases using chemicals.Chemotherapy is often used in the treatment of cancer. eg:Trial: Malaria Chemoprevention Protects Children

slender

thin and delicate, often in a way that is attractive. He put his hands around her slender waist. The plant's leaves are long and slender. eg:Suddenly Sylvie's dark gray eyes caught a flash of white that grew larger and larger. A bird with broad white wings and a long slender neck flew past Sylvie and landed on a pine branch below her. The white heron smoothed its feathers and called to its mate, sitting on their nest in a nearby tree. Then it lifted its wings and flew away.

pessimistic

thinking that bad things are more likely to happen or emphasizing the bad part of a situation。 The tone of the meeting was very pessimistic. The doctors are pessimistic (= not hopeful) about his chances of recovery. eg: "So people now are generally very pessimistic about the future viability of the model."

harmonize

to add harmonies to a tune

sauté

to cook food in oil or fat over heat, usually until it is brown. eg: You can also lightly sauté kale with garlic, some hot pepper and a little salt for a simple, delicious and healthy side dish. A side dish is a smaller dish that goes with the main meal. Sautéed kale with nuts also goes well with fish. Kale is tasty when sautéed with foods like tomatoes or red peppers. You can mix or drizzle kale with olive oil and bake it for 15 minutes until it gets crispy. These are called kale chips. You can also bake it on top of pizza for a healthy topping.

evolve

to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually.Humans evolved from apes.Bacteria are evolving resistance to antibiotics. eg:In addition to the evolving Chinese economy, social factors are driving people to buy more of these products than ever before.

evict

to force someone to leave somewhere

dedicate

to give your energy, time, etc. completely. He has dedicated his life to scientific research. The new President said she would dedicate herself to protecting the rights of the old, the sick and the homeless. eg: It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work for which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

contain

to keep something harmful within limits and not allow it to spread. ore police were sent to help contain the violence. Nixon said Saturday the state of emergency was not to silence people but to contain a handful of looters who are endangering the community.

vow

to make a determined decision or promise to do something

motion

to make a signal to someone, usually with your hand or head. eg: Still smiling, the man opened the door of his house and motioned to me. I went inside and could not believe my eyes. I had been living for weeks in rough mining camps with other gold miners. We slept on the hard ground, ate canned beans from cold metal plates and spent our days in the difficult search for gold.

exacerbate

to make something which is already bad worse. eg:His spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters the secretary-general is concerned that Sunday's referendum declaring Crimea independent from Ukraine will only exacerbate the situation.

align

to put two or more things a straight line: When you've aligned the notch on the gun with the target, fire!

reiterate

to say something again, once or several times

traumatize

to shock and upset someone severely and for a long time She was completely traumatized by the death of her mother. The whole experience left him traumatized. eg:Schumacher suffered severe head injuries in a ski accident in Meribel in the French Alps on Dec. 29 and was transferred by ambulance to Lausanne in June after emerging from a coma. He underwent nearly three months of treatment in an outdoor section of the hospital known as "Jardin des Sens" or Garden of the Senses, shielded from view. It specialises in the recovery of severely traumatised neurological patients by exposing them to water, scents and other elements.

pressure

to strongly persuade someone to do something they do not want to do. Thailand Media Pressured Under Military Rule

cut to the chase

to talk about or deal with the important parts of a subject and not waste time with things that are not important I didn't have long to talk so I cut to the chase and asked whether he was still married.

monolithic

too large, too regular or without interesting differences, and unwilling or unable to be changed. eg: monolithic state-run organizations Political campaigns are urging people across the United States to vote in the November 4th elections. In the Los Angeles area, campaign volunteers are contacting likely voters, including many Asian Americans. Tanzila Ahmed is a voting expert. She says it is overly simplistic to think of Asian Americans as a single group. "One of the biggest issues, people think Asians are this big monolithic group and we're not. We're so different."

upstate

towards or of the northern parts of a state in the US, especially those which are far from cities where a lot of people live. eg: upstate New York.eg:We're going upstate for our vacation.eg:The song, "Fixin' To Die Rag," was performed by Country Joe and the Fish at Woodstock, a giant music festival that was held in upstate New York in 1969. According to Les Waffen, "it became extremely popular as a song that said everything about the public's antagonism against the war and it sort of reflected what public opinion was all about."

hysterical

unable to control your feelings or behaviour because you are extremely frightened, angry, excited. eg: Most of the passengers were Chinese. Their families are extremely frustrated with the investigation, accusing Malaysian authorities of lying. Police forcibly carried out hysterical and sobbing relatives from a government briefing on Wednesday.

confederate

united in or part of a confederacy confederate states In late 1860 and early 1861, South Carolina and other southern states withdrew from the Union. They formed a new nation called the Confederate States of America.

voila

used when showing to other people something that you have just made or got and are pleased with. He thought, why not combine all the things he loves most - - biology, paleontology and beer? So, he took a sample, an example, of the yeast from this really old whale bone. Yeast is the most important ingredient for making beer. And voila! Here it is! A new beer is born.

phase out

v. stopping something gradually over a period of time in a planned series of steps or phases. eg:If you have a choice, take the iBT if it is not too pricey. The Paper-based test is being phased out. It will eventually disappear. eg:It is easy to find study guides for the iBT. Pearson, Barron's, ETS, and Kaplan all produce quality materials. Take a practice test once or twice a month. The best study guides will have explanations in the answer key. PBT study guides are difficult to find because the test is being phased out.

kindle

verb [T] (FIRE) to cause a fire to start burning by lighting paper, wood etc. William Bradford,a famous Pilgrim leader at Plymouth,wrote in of Plymouth Plantation,"Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by his hand that made all things of nothing,and gives being to all things that are;and,as one small candle may light a thousand,so the light here kindled hath shone unto many,yea,in some sort to our whole nation."

edge

verb.to move slowly with gradual movements or in gradual stages, or to make someone or something move in this way. A long line of traffic edged its way forward. Inflation has edged up to 5% over the last two years. Those who disagreed with the director's viewpoint were gradually edged out of (= forced to leave) the company. eg: Stan Greenberg is a public opinion expert for Democrats. He says the president's popularity may have recently increased because of his decision to attack Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. "We'll look at what happened with ISIS and Syria and Iraq, and it might represent a point in which the president edged up nationally."

comb

verb: to search a place or an area very carefully in order to find something. noun: to tidy your hair using a comb. eg: The police combed the whole area for evidence. eg: Five search planes were combing the remote area as part of an international effort to locate possible debris from Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. The plane disappeared March 8 with 239 people on board.

leading

very important or most important. a leading expert on the country's ecology. the world's leading manufacturer of audio equipment. eg:The chief justice of the United States swore-in Johnson a few hours after Lincoln's death. Most of Lincoln's cabinet was there, together with leading members of Congress.

mighty

very large, powerful or important. In the next game they will face the mighty Redskins. the mighty River Po. eg:His once mighty army now had less than fifty thousand men. These men were tired and hungry. And they had to defend a line almost sixty kilometers long, from Richmond to the city of Petersburg.

conspicuous

very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted. eg:In China, her blonde hair was conspicuous. eg:Historian Joseph Ellis says one of the best things about George Washington was his ability to give up power. "One of his greatest assets was he was a great aficionado of exits, of giving up power. You could trust Washington with power because he was so conspicuously willing to give it up."

mournful

very sad. a mournful expression. mournful music. eg:Here captain! Dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will. The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult o shores, and ring o bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

plankton

very small plants and animals which float on the surface of the sea and on which other sea animals feed. eg: Oceanic churning quickly reduces much of the plastic to a chemical sludge, says Allen Clark of Hawaii's East-West Center. In that particular form, he says, it become even more dangerous to marine life, since tiny plankton organisms consume the particles.

skinny

very thin. You should eat more, you're much too skinny. eg: She says, "I want them to develop and be tall. I don't want them to be too skinny."

suspension

when a person is temporarily not allowed to work, go to school or take part in an activity, as a punishment. The footballer is likely to receive a three-match suspension following an incident in yesterday's game. eg: Janay Rice has also used social media in connection with the video. On Instagram she wrote, "To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing." She also criticizes her husband's dismissal from the Ravens and the NFL suspension. Janay Rice is not the only one who feels that her husband's suspension went too far.

spiral

when a price, etc. is becoming lower, or when a situation is getting worse and is difficult to control because one bad event causes another. eg: But she said there was still time to avoid "a negative spiral" in the situation, urging Russia to withdraw its forces from Crimea.

conviction

when someone is officially found to be guilty of a particular crime .eg:The conviction of the three demonstrators has caused public outrage locally. eg: "There are procedures under U.S. law which provide for the freezing or seizure of assets prior to criminal conviction," said former U.S. Department of Justice official Nathaniel Edmonds. "Typically, there needs to be a relation [between the seized assets] to a specified unlawful activity which could include corruption or fraud."

sighting

when you see something or someone, especially that is rare or trying to hide. eg:Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier described the sightings as "significant" in the search for the Malaysian flight MH370 with 239 passengers and crew, bound for Beijing on March 8.

irrespective

without considering; not needing to allow for. eg: The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone's ethnic origins. eg:With down payments or down payment requests which reference a purchase order, the commitment item is always transferred from the purchase order irrespective of which commitment item is assigned to the given reconciliation accounts.

unscathed

without injuries or damage being caused.Her husband died in the accident but she, amazingly, escaped unscathed. eg:Some magazines contain nothing but scandal and gossip. eg: South African President Zuma Unscathed by Scandals.

sans

without.eg: The non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, has launched a new, malaria prevention campaign in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa aimed at protecting the illnesses' most vulnerable population - children under the age of five.

marquis

(the title of) a British man of high social rank, between a duke and an earl. eg: It was not long before American soldiers reached the European continent. They marched in a parade through the streets of Paris. The people of France gave them a wild welcome. They cheered the young Americans. They threw flowers at the soldiers and kissed them.The Americans marched to the burial place of the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was the French military leader who had come to America's aid during its war of independence from Britain. The United States wanted to repay France for its help more than a hundred years earlier.

seaweed

a green, brown or dark red plant that grows in the sea or on land very close to the sea. kelp - n. a kind of brown seaweed.

monopoly

(an organization or group which has) complete control of something, especially an area of business, so that others have no share The government is determined to protect its tobacco monopoly. Is Microsoft a monopoly? eg:Those solutions would threaten Russia's role as a virtual monopoly supplier to southeast Europe, so the Kremlin urgently needs to find a way to get its gas to the region while bypassing Ukraine.

rampant

(of something bad) getting worse quickly and in an uncontrolled way

synonym

he words ' small ' and 'little' are synonyms.

tarmac

...

erupt

1. When a volcano erupts, it explodes and flames and rocks come out of it; 2.Anti-government protests erupted in November, after Yanukovych backed away from a trade deal with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia.

band

1.a group of musicians who play modern music together.a jazz/rock band. eg: Flamenco music is often associated with Spain. Gypsies from north India brought the music to Europe in the 18th century. But one American band is adding Arabic traditions, too. La Ruya includes sounds from Turkey, the Black Sea, Persia and North Africa. Christopher Cruise tells about their music. Can you hear the Spanish guitar and heeled shoes in this music? They are some of the classic sounds of flamenco music. But a California band called La Ruya is transforming flamenco. One of the band's founding members is Sam Foster. He is a drummer who became interested in Arabic and Turkish drumming. From there, he learned about flamenco. He brought in flamenco dancer Melissa Cruz and other musicians to create the unusual sound of La Ruya. eg: The former president still has a small band of supporters. eg: A small band of guerrillas has blown up a train in the mountains. eg: Lincoln's supporters organized a loud and colorful campaign. It included marching bands and signs. But Lincoln was silent. He said, "It has been my decision since becoming a candidate to make no speeches. I am here only to see you and to let you see me." 2.a thin flat piece of cloth, elastic, metal or other material put around something to fasten or strengthen it, or a long narrow piece of colour, light, etc. that is different from what surrounds it. eg: Tracey Avant is Curator of Exhibitions at Ford's Theatre. She says one of the objects on display shows that tender side. It is his signature top hat. The hat is in the exhibit "Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination." She says, "It's a beautiful, iconic piece; everyone thinks of Abraham Lincoln with a top hat. But what I love about it is it's got this beautiful band that he put on it to remember his son Willie who had died in 1862 of typhoid fever. It still remained on the hat in 1865 and to me, I'm a parent, it speaks to how deeply he felt that loss."

affection

a feeling of liking for a person or place eg: According to psychologists,some antagonism between siblings is natural as each child seekd parental affection and approval

baton

a thick heavy stick used as a weapon by police officers.

handful

an amount of something that can be held in one hand He pulled out a handful of coins from his pocket.

vigilant

always being careful to notice things, especially possible danger

Colonel

an officer of high rank in the army or air force. Colonel is the military rank between lieutenant-colonel and brigadier. eg: Wilson's top adviser at the Paris peace conference was Colonel Edward House. Colonel House had continued negotiations while Wilson was back in the United States.

violent

describes a situation or event in which people are hurt or killed. violent religious extremists.

crispy

describes food that is hard enough to be broken easily. eg:You can mix or drizzle kale with olive oil and bake it for 15 minutes until it gets crispy. These are called kale chips. You can also bake it on top of pizza for a healthy topping.

bounce

to (cause a cheque to) not be paid or accepted by a bank because there is no money in the account. eg: Bounced Check A check that the bank refuses to pay because of insufficient funds in the customer's account. eg: Doreen decided to curtail her spending after she bounced a check.

curator

a person in charge of a museum, library, etc. Paul Johnston is curator of Maritime History at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History here in Washington, D.C. The museum displays the gold nugget Mr. Marshall found.

universal suffrage

the right of all adults to vote. suffrage: the right to vote in an election, especially for representatives in a parliament or similar organization.

yeast

(n.) a type of fungus that is used in making alcoholic drinks (such as beer and wine). The brewers offered it to the public at a special event at Lost Rhino's drinking room. The debut went well. People buying the beer, the customers, said great things about the taste of Bone Dusters Paleo Ale. "It is fantastic. It is a pretty courageous move to strike that yeast and kind of develop some[thing] unique." "I am not usually a yeasty, hoppy beer drinker. But it is really good." "It is not over hopped; there is not much competing with yeast for flavor. So it really comes through. It's very drinkable."

loot

(usually of large numbers of people during a violent event) to steal from shops and houses During the riot shops were looted and cars damaged or set on fire. Nixon said Saturday the state of emergency was not to silence people but to contain a handful of looters who are endangering the community.

interfere in no way

I, Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States and commander in chief of the Army and Navy, do hereby declare that on the first day of January, 1863, all persons held as slaves within any state then in rebellion against the United States, shall then become and be forever free. The government of the United States, including the military and naval forces, will recognize and protect the freedom of such persons, and will interfere in no way with any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

hyperactive

Someone who is hyperactive has more energy than is normal, gets excited easily and cannot stay still or think about their work. Hyperactive children often have poor concentration and require very little sleep. eg:Five million American children and teenagers have Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD.

double-decker

The best way to see the sights is from a double-decker bus. a tall bus with two levels. eg: Hitachi will install a total of 95 elevators at the tower, including two of the superfast lifts, as well as slower machines such as double-decker lifts, the statement said.

sun's chromosphere

The chromosphere is the middle of the three regions that make up the sun's atmosphere. It is extremely wide and extends 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) above the photosphere. Temperatures in the chromosphere increase from 4,500 degrees Kelvin to about 10,000 degrees Kelvin. Scientists believe that the chromosphere is heated by the friction caused by the turbulent convection currents in the photosphere. Accordingly, the churning gases in the photosphere produce spikes of hot gas called spicules that rise up to 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) into the chromosphere.

scalawag

US also for scallywag.someone, especially a child, who has behaved badly but who is still liked. eg:The radicals did not rest with changes in the law. They also sent their supporters south to organize blacks for the Republican Party. Many southern whites hated these men from the North. They had a special name for them: carpetbaggers. The name arose because many of the northerners who went south arrived with all their possessions in a carpet handbag. Southerners also had a name for their own people who cooperated with the carpetbaggers. They called them scalawags. Neither name was friendly.

tariff

a charge or list of charges either for services or on goods entering a country. eg:As the population of the North had grown large, he noted, that part of the country seized political and economic control. The North passed tariff bills the South opposed. It had filled most of the offices in the federal government. It closed the new territories to southern slaveholders. And, said Calhoun, it viciously attacked the southern institution of slavery.

doll

a child's toy in the shape of a small person or baby

pastry

a food made from a mixture of flour, fat and water, which is rolled flat and wrapped round or put over or under other foods and baked. eg: shortcrust/puff/filo/choux/flaky pastry Ann makes delicious pastry - you should try her apple pie.

plantation

a large farm, especially in a hot part of the world, on which a particular type of crop is grown.

storey

a level of a building.Their new house has four storeys including the attic. eg: Their new house has four storeys including the attic.

xylophone

a musical instrument consisting of flat wooden bars of different lengths which you hit with a pair of sticks that have hard, round ends made from wood or plastic

neuron

a nerve cell that carries information between the brain and other parts of the body.

neutrality

a neutral position, especially in a war. Sweden isn't likely ever to abandon its traditional neutrality. The Queen has maintained political neutrality throughout her reign. eg: Protesters demonstrate across the street from the Comcast Center Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Philadelphia calling for net neutrality.

prig

a person who obeys the rules of correct behaviour and considers himself or herself to be morally better than other people

plot

a secret plan made by several people to do something that is wrong, harmful or not legal, especially to do damage to a person or a government The plot was discovered before it was carried out. [+ to infinitive] The police have foiled a plot to assassinate the president. eg: The raid on Harpers Ferry increased the bitterness of the national dispute over slavery. Members of the Democratic Party called the raid a plot by the Republican Party. Republican leaders denied the charge. They said the raid was the work of one man -- one madman. Still, they said, John Brown had acted for good reason: to end slavery in America.

feature

a special article in a newspaper or magazine, or a part of a television or radio broadcast, that deals with a particular subject. eg: Television programs such as Saturday Night Liver feature satirical comedy that pokes fun at modern society.

turmoil

a state of confusion, uncertainty or disorder

cask

a strong, round, wooden container used for storing liquid. a cask of water/wine. The Cask of Amontillado.

critical of

adj. expressing disapproval. Human Rights Watch says Mr. Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party are taking steps to control the media and the Internet. It also claims they are clamping down on those who are critical of the government.

coarse

adj. made up of large pieces; not fine. rough and not smooth or soft, or not in very small pieces. coarse sand/breadcrumbs. Linen is a coarse-grained fabric. eg:The Channel Islands are considered a Marine Protected Area. That means people can dive, travel by boat and dive with snorkel equipment in and around the islands. But fishing is banned during some times. The Reef Check volunteers examine reef conditions year round. They note, for example, any changes in size and shape. Their duties include characterizing - describing - the reef. For example, it may contain small life forms or algae. They also note the composition of the reef. Is it sand? How coarse are the sand's grains?

repeal

adj. to officially cancel a law.If a government repeals a law, it causes that law no longer to have any legal force. eg:If Republicans do gain control of both houses, the president could face new disputes over his health care reform law. Millions of people receive health insurance under the plan. However, Republicans have called for the law to be repealed. They say it gives the government too much control over health care.

fishery

an area of water where fish are caught so they can be sold. an offshore fishery. eg: Marco Lambertini is the WWF's International Director-General. He spoke to VOA about the report. "This is about losing natural habitats. This is about converting forests, grasslands, and wetlands into agriculture mainly, and it is about unsustainable use of wildlife. So, wildlife traffic, hunting, and unsustainable hunting practices like that. Poaching, as you mention, has been actually increasing over the last 10 years and is definitely a driving force for extinction, particularly of large species. But, also as you mention, there are dimensions to poaching that are related to timber, illegal logging and also fisheries."

curiosity

an eager wish to know or learn about something. to arouse/excite/satisfy someone's curiosity I'm burning with curiosity - you must tell me who's won! She decided to call her ex-boyfriend out of curiosity. "Why do you ask?" "Oh, just idle curiosity (= for no particular reason)."

brigadier

an officer in the British army whose rank is above a colonel and below a major-general , and who is in charge of a brigade

assassinate

murder (an important person) in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons. synonyms:murder, kill, slaughter; "I think it had an incendiary effect," he said on CBS' Face the Nation, adding police "clearly are attempting to besmirch a victim of a shooting." Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Brown's family, said in a statement issued on Friday that the family was "beyond outraged" at the police attempts to "assassinate the character of their son." eg: a plot to assassinate the Queen. eg: Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the spring. That is the time of year when lilac plants burst into flower throughout much of the United States.

scavenger hunt

n. a game in which players try to find specified items within a particular period of time. eg: Anna: What kind of game? Dan: You have to find things that aren't really there. Anna: How can you find things that aren't really there? Dan: They're in your phone. See? Anna: I see. It's like a scavenger hunt. Dan: That's right!

ultrasound

n. a method of producing images by using a machine that produces sound waves which are too high to be heard

meteor

n. a piece of rock or metal that burns and glows brightly in the sky as it falls from outer space into the Earth's atmosphere. eg: The meteor was obliterated when it collided with the Moon.

fast track

n. a process or way of proceeding that produces a desired result quickly. eg:Some key government officials are calling for a careful study among interest groups before a new law is passed. Dr. Somsak Lolekha says if the legislation is put on a fast track, it will affect the future of thousands of babies now carried for foreigners by Thai surrogates.

trade surplus

n. the monetary value by which a country's exports are greater than a country's imports. China holds about $1.2 trillion dollars in United States treasury securities. While these investments are safe, they do not give high returns, or yields. China has increasingly looked for other ways to invest its huge trade surplus with the U.S.

vital

necessary for the success or continued existence of something; extremely important. eg: The kidney plays a vital role/part in the removal of waste products from the blood. eg: Also Monday, the U.S. Pacific Command said it is sending a specialized locator to assist in the recovery of the vital "black box" flight recorder in the hope a debris field is located.

backbreaking

needing a lot of hard physical effort and making you feel extremely tired. Digging the garden was backbreaking work. eg:The first rail line to cross the nation was completed in 1869. It was built by two companies. One company started from the east and went west. The other went in the opposite direction. Finally, after six years of back-breaking labor, the two work teams met in northern Utah. They connected the rail lines with a golden spike.

prevalent

prevalence,existing very commonly or happening often; eg:These diseases are more prevalent among young children. eg:the prevalence of smoking amongst teenagers

monetary

relating to the money in a country. monetary policy. monetary control. The monetary unit of the UK is the pound.

punch line

the last part of a story or a joke which explains the meaning of what has happened previously or makes it funny. eg:The amateur comedian was so ponderous in his delivery that by the time he got to the punch line of his story he had lost the attention of most of his audience

elite

the richest, most powerful, best educated or best trained group in a society. eg :in addition to the evolving Chinese economy, social factors are driving people to buy more of these products than ever before. Fabinyi claims the luxurious banquet culture among the country's elite is a large reason why the high-end market for seafood like live reef fish, sea cucumbers and shark fins is thriving.

take something in (one's) stride

to accept advances or setbacks as the normal course of events. She faced a serious problem, but she was able to take it in her stride. I'll just take it in stride. We were afraid that success would spoil her, but she just took it in stride. eg: She's has songs written about her. She's had Photoshopped images of her go viral. She's had a verb named in her honor. In some parts of the Russian-language blogosphere, she's become a minor celebrity. Not in a good way. Jen Psaki is the face of the U.S. State Department, seen in daily briefings fielding questions from reporters from around the world, trying to articulate U.S. foreign policy. She's also the target of a relentless and unrivaled swirl of derision, mockery and outright insults coming from Russian bloggers, newscasters and state-run media, which operate under the thumb of the Kremlin. "I take it as a badge of honor," Psaki told VOA's Russian Service. "It is funny and entertaining that there has been a lot of time spent dedicated to Photoshopping pictures and different attacks on me over the course of time." "I am in a good company: U.S. officials. In fact, many women who are U.S. officials over time who also have been victims of the same Russian propaganda machine, so I take it all in stride," she said. That one of the top public officials of the U.S. government is being mocked isn't new. What's new is how personalized and vitriolic the attacks are, coming mainly via services such as Twitter and LiveJournal. The campaign appears to have gotten at least a wink and a nudge, if not imprimatur, from the Kremlin. It also reflects the harsh rhetoric and accusations that have been slung back and forth by Washington and Moscow on the crisis in Ukraine. Moscow asserts that the government that took over after Viktor Yanukovych's ouster as president in February was populated by Nazis and radical nationalists, and that Washington was directly backing it. Washington, for its part, has asserted that Moscow is directly funding and managing the insurgency roiling eastern Ukraine.

bungle

to do something wrong, in a careless or stupid way

cede

to give something such as ownership to someone else, especially unwillingly or because forced to do so. Hong Kong was ceded to Britain after the Opium War. eg:Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States.

moan

to make a long low sound of pain, suffering or another strong emotion He moaned with pain before losing consciousness. "Let me die," he moaned. eg: By the time I laid the first row of stones Fortunato was no longer drunk. I heard him moaning inside the tiny room for ten minutes. Then there was a long silence.

soothe

to make someone feel calm or less worried. eg: to soothe a crying baby

circulate

to move around or through something, or to make something move around or through something.eg:The strain of Ebola virus that has killed 121 people in West Africa may have been circulating there undetected for some time, according to a new study. This is the first reported outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. But the new study in the New England Journal of Medicine said this strain of the virus may not be new to the area.

walk sb through sth

to slowly and carefully explain something to someone or show someone how to do something: She walked me through the six-page document. He'll walk you through the procedure.

rally

v. gather as a group. n.a public meeting of a large group of people, especially supporters of a particular opinion. 5000 people held an anti-nuclear rally. an election/campaign rally eg: In the first few hours of the battle, Union forces were winning. They attacked with artillery and pushed the Confederate forces back. Some of the southern soldiers began to run. One Confederate officer, trying to prevent his troops from moving back, pointed to a group led by General T. J. Jackson of Virginia. "Look!" he shouted. "There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!"

surpass

v., to be better or greater than (someone or something). eg: But young people in mainland China are pushed harder to compete. The reason: their parents and schools. Tony Phoo is an economist in Taipei. He says Taiwan now risks being surpassed by China. China is already a less costly manufacturing base and a larger consumer market.

irate

very angry

possessive adjectives

we are going to see possessive adjectives in english

atrocity

when someone does something extremely violent and shocking；atrocious

yet

still; until the present time. Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, late Friday to protest the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The protests led by opposition leader Imran Khan and Muslim cleric Tahir ul-Qadri constitute the biggest challenge yet to Mr. Sharif's year-old government. Khan and Qadri say the government is corrupt.

upholster

to cover a chair or other type of seat with suitable cloth and fill it with a suitable substance.

emblazon

to print or decorate something in a very noticeable way. eg: Malaysia's biggest English-language daily, The Star, ran a stark wrap-around cover emblazoned with the words "MH370 R.I.P." The names of the victims, rendered in small print, made up the letters of the headline.

cast a spell

to use words thought to be magic, especially in order to have an effect on someone. The old woman cast a spell on the prince and he turned into a frog. figurative At 17 jazz cast its spell on me (= I started to like it very much). Jack Ma's dynamism and boundless scope for ideas "cast a spell on people.

strut

to walk in a proud way trying to look important The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby. eg: We were amazed to see Bob,who has always been such a modest guy,acting in such a pretentious way;he's strutting down the street like he owns the whole town.

rappel

US for abseil.to go down a very steep slope by holding on to a rope which is fastened to the top of the slope She abseiled down the rock face. eg: Field plant expert Steve Perlman has led protection of Hawaii's endangered species for more than 40 years. He is one of the state's first 'rock star' botanists. In the 1970s, he rappelled using ropes around his body to swing down from high cliffs to save the Brighamia insignis. People call this rare Hawaiian plant Alula.

dean

a high-ranking official in a college or university who is responsible for the organization of a department or departments. eg:She is the new dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

connoisseur

a person who knows a lot about and enjoys one of the arts, or food, drink, etc. and can judge quality and skill in that subject. a wine/art connoisseur. a connoisseur of ballet/cigars. eg: The pastry connoisseur was able to discern Swiss from Belgian chocolate.

wax

a solid substance containing a lot of fat that softens and melts when warm. She watched the wax as it dripped down the side of the candle. eg:For example, there was a play put on in New York City called the Black Schooner that was based on the Amistad incident, and there were many, many people who went to see it. It became a popular event. And wax figures of the captives were exhibited in various places in the United States, and artists drew pictures of them.

exploit

a striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act: the exploits of Alexander the Great.

pension

a sum of money paid regularly by the government or a private company to a person who does not work any more because they are too old or they have become ill They find it hard to live on their state pension. He won't be able to draw (= receive) his pension until he's 65.

fungus

any of various types of organism which get their food from decaying material or other living things. Mushrooms and mould are funguses. Fungus can be poisonous.

intensive

involving a lot of effort or activity in a short period of time.two weeks of intensive training.an intensive course in English.Intensive bombing had reduced the city to rubble. eg:Putting together an educational slide show doesn't have to be labor intensive. Using PowerPoint's Photo Album tool, you can quickly assemble a series of screen shots and text slides for distribution as a training resource or as part of an informational package.

influx

the arrival of a large number of people or things at the same time. Turkey is expecting an influx of several thousand refugees over the next few days. eg: "With the influx of men, women are needed to serve as wives," Ms. Saltman said.

accession

the time when a country officially joins a group of countries or signs an agreement. eg: Poland's accession to the EU. eg: Mr Putin, who signed an order on Monday recognising Crimean independence, also approved a draft bill on the accession.

stand trial

to be put on trial in a court of law.Two other men are to stand trial next month for their part in the bombing .

condemn

to criticize something or someone strongly, usually for moral reasons

defame

to damage the reputation of a person or group by saying or writing bad things about them which are not true.He claims the remarks were highly defamatory.

impeach

to make a formal statement saying that a public official is guilty of a serious offence in connection with their job, especially in the US. eg:The great impeachment trial began on March fifth, 1868. The President refused to attend. But his lawyers were there to defend him. One by one, the Senators swore an oath to be just. They promised to make a fair and honest decision on the guilt or innocence of Andrew Johnson.

commission

to formally choose someone to do a special piece of work. eg:According to a review commissioned by the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer group, there were 303 crash fatalities in which air bags did not inflate tied to two recalled car models.

be predicated on sth

If an idea or argument is predicated on something, it depends on the existence or truth of this thing.eg: The sales forecast is predicated on the assumption that the economy will grow by four per cent.

clearing bank

a bank which exchanges cheques with other banks through a central organization called a clearing house

mausoleum

a building in which the bodies of dead people are buried. eg:People attend a ceremony at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Republic's founder, marking the anniversary of his death in Ankara, Turkey.

sawmill

a factory where trees are cut up into pieces with machines.

entente

a friendly agreement or relationship between two countries. eg: On one side were the Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary. On the other side were the Triple Entente Allies: France, Britain, and Russia. Many other nations took sides. Bulgaria and Turkey joined the Central Powers. Italy, Romania, Portugal, and Greece joined the Allies.The United States hoped to stay out of the war. President Wilson immediately declared American neutrality. He said: "It is a war with which we have nothing to do, whose causes cannot touch us."

consensus

a generally accepted opinion or decision among a group of people. The general consensus in the office is that he's useless at his job. Could we reach a consensus on this matter? Let's take a vote. eg:"Ideally we would have an international consensus so perhaps Western liberal democracies, who are the targets of this type of hostage-taking, could agree to not pay ransoms. But then you run into sovereignty issues and you can't tell other governments how best to protest their citizens."

barn

a large building on a farm in which hay (= dried grass)and grain are kept. eg:There seemed to be no strong Democratic candidate who could unite the party. At one extreme were the supporters of former President Martin Van Buren -- New York Democrats opposed to slavery. They were called "Barnburners." They got this name from their opponents, who claimed they were willing to burn down the entire barn to remove pro-slavery rats.

banquet

a large formal meal for many people, often followed by speeches in honour of someone.Medieval banquets are held in the castle once a month. eg: In addition to the evolving Chinese economy, social factors are driving people to buy more of these products than ever before. Fabinyi claims the luxurious banquet culture among the country's elite is a large reason why the high-end market for seafood like live reef fish, sea cucumbers and shark fins is thriving.

herd

a large group of animals of the same type that live and feed together. a herd of cattle/elephants/goats. eg:Early in 1866, a group of Texas cattlemen decided to try this. They put together a huge herd of more than two hundred sixty-thousand cattle and set out for Sedalia.

chest

a large strong box, usually made of wood, which is used for storing valuable goods or possessions or for moving possessions from one place to another. eg:Rosetta is named after the stone that helped unlock the hieroglyphic language of the ancient Egyptians. ESA Director Thomas Reiter has this to say about the mission: "It's aim, of course, to unlock the secrets hidden within the icy treasure chest of a 4.6 billion years (old) object, to study its make-up and its history. To search for clues as to our own origins."

ransom

a large sum of money which is demanded in exchange for someone who has been taken prisoner, or sometimes for an animal. n. money that has been paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped. a ransom demand/note. They demanded a huge ransom for the return of the little girl whom they had kidnapped. eg: West Trades Accusations Over Hostage Ransoms.

staple

a main product or part of something. eg: Shortages mean that even staples (= basic foods) like bread are difficult to find. eg: Romantic fiction and reference books are a staple of many public libraries. eg:Phosphate has been a staple of this area for many years. eg: Pork has always been a staple in China, but as the middle class in the country grows and has more money to spend, its consumption of this traditional meat-as well as others-is increasing rapidly.

scar

a mark left on part of the body after an injury, such as a cut, has healed. a prominent/noticeable/ugly scar. eg:Yim explained that her novel shows universal themes about identity and reinvention. She said the book is about how a person survives a traumatic loss. "You can be brutal and you can bring terror and you can become a dictator but that's not going to kill the human spirit and that's what I want my book to show," Yim said. Yim added that she wrote the book for her children so they will know what happened. She also wrote the book for Cambodians, so that they will know that the genocide may have left a scar but does define them as a people.

Roman Catholic

a member of the Roman Catholic Church. eg:A significant number of people are switching from Catholicism to Protestantism. Experts say that from 1900 to the 1960s, at least 90 percent of Latin Americans were Catholic. But the new Pew study suggests that membership in the Catholic Church has decreased as much as 20 percent.

soap opera

a series of television or radio programmes about the lives and problems of a particular group of characters. The series continues over a long period and is broadcast (several times) every week. eg:"The Young and the Restless," "Days of Our Lives" and "Guiding Light." These are the names of three popular programs in the United States called "soap operas." A soap opera is a television or radio program that tells stories about the lives and problems of a group of people. They are popular in many countries, including Thailand. Prayuth Chan-ocha is the head of government for Thailand. Recently, he said television soap operas in his country cause fighting, and divide Thai society. He wants scripts for the programs to tell about peaceful ends to conflict.

essay

a short piece of writing on a particular subject , especially one done by students as part of the work for a course. eg: For homework I want you to write an essay on endangered species .eg: While the Writing (grammar + essay) portion is counted in the overall score, many top colleges still weigh the importance of the Critical Reading & Math sections more heavily.

proverb

a short sentence, etc., usually known by many people, stating something commonly experienced or giving advice The appetite, says the proverb, grows with eating. There is an old Arab proverb that everything you write or speak should pass through three gates: Is this kind? Is this necessary? Is this true?

raid

a short sudden attack, usually by a small group of people. eg:The raid on Harpers Ferry increased the bitterness of the national dispute over slavery. Members of the Democratic Party called the raid a plot by the Republican Party. Republican leaders denied the charge. They said the raid was the work of one man -- one madman. Still, they said, John Brown had acted for good reason: to end slavery in America.

grenade

a small bomb thrown by hand or shot from a gun.Security officials in Egypt say gunmen armed with rocket-propelled grenades have killed at least 20 guards near the border with Libya.

panel

a small group of people chosen to give advice, make a decision, or publicly discuss their opinions as entertainment

badge

a small piece of metal, plastic, cloth, etc., with words or a picture on it, that is pinned or sewn to your clothing, often to show your support for a political organization or belief, or your rank, or membership of a group.

cage

a space surrounded on all sides by bars or wire, in which animals or birds are kept. eg:Sebastian Aduko has worked in the mining business for 13 years. He says the risk is undeniably dangerous, but can be lessened if mines are built the right way. "The moment we are all rushing to collect what we all wanted from the ground there. So definitely it will collapse. So that's why we can explain that the other side, we heard that maybe this hole have collapse, maybe three, 10 people have died through there. Because, if we are watching that, there's not anything that look like a cage that we are using like here."

panic

a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action. a state of panic. Panic spread through the crowd as the bullets started to fly. Carmel was in a panic about her exam. He got in(to) a panic that he would forget his lines on stage. eg: Japan's destruction at Pearl Harbor was so complete that officials in Washington did not tell the full details immediately to the American people. They were afraid the nation might panic if it learned the truth about the loss of so much American military power.

flurry

a sudden, short period of activity, excitement or interest. The prince's words on marriage have prompted a flurry of speculation in the press this week. a flurry of activity. eg:A meeting between the Hungarian and Turkish prime ministers on Tuesday was the latest in a flurry of recent contacts between states on the planned route; all have been countries that have kept warm ties with Russia despite the Ukraine crisis.

narcotic

an illegal drug such as heroin or cocaine He faces three years in jail for selling narcotics.

bayonet

long sharp blade fixed on to a rifle (= gun). eg:So destructive now became their fire that the British soldiers rushed upon them in rage,seeking to break their line by a bayonet charge.they were boldly met,and a hand-to-hand death-struggle began.

scavenger

n. an organism (as a vulture or hyena) that usually feeds on dead or decaying matter. eg:Holding a human rib bone in her gloved hand, Baylor University Anthropology Professor Lori Baker notes signs of postmortem damage -- damage done after death. "This would be indicative of vulture damage." The bone is part of a skeleton, a set of bones. It was found in the lower Rio Grande River valley of Texas, close to the Mexican border. People dying in the desert, their remains being eaten by scavenger birds such as vultures, are realities of Ms. Baker's work.

latent

present but needing particular conditions to become active, obvious or completely developed. eg: Recent developments in the area have brought latent ethnic tension out into the open. eg: We're trying to bring out the latent artistic talents that many people possess without realising it.

opaque

preventing light from travelling through, and therefore not transparent or translucent. The next two steps involve setting the color of the gradient to match the background of the slide so it obscures part of the apple, and adjusting the transparency of the gradient so that a fade is created revealing a part of the apple. Here the background of the slide and the image is white, so we go with white for both the stops. To "flow" the gradient and create the fade effect, you will need to set the transparency of one of the gradient stops (select one of the gradient stops and move the slider for transparency) while keeping the other one opaque. Experiment with the sliders and create the fade effect as per the requirements of the slide. Here's what I got for my image of the apple.

pretty

quite, but not extremely. eg: I've got a pretty good idea of how to get there. The house has four bedrooms, so it's pretty big.

martial

relating to soldiers, war or life in the armed forces. eg:Historian Daniel Feller at the University of Tennessee is an expert on Andrew Jackson. He says the charges about Jackson's marriage made a good story for people to talk about. But he says other accusations were more serious. These were about Jackson's career. "The attacks that really hit home were about Jackson's unauthorized, and perhaps directly-against-orders, conquest of Florida in 1819. His sometimes savage disciplinary measures against his own troops. His declaring martial law in New Orleans and maintaining martial law in New Orleans and arresting people in New Orleans well after the War of 1812 was actually over."

whipping

the punishment of being hit by a whip. eg:Harriet Smith said her owners treated her well. But she heard about slaves who were mistreated. "Yes, I know of times they, when, when they mistreated people, they did, and I hear our folks talk, you know, about them whipping, you know, till they had to grease their back to take the holes from the, the back." Some slaves were beaten so badly, she said, they had to repair the holes in their backs with grease.

choreography

the skill of combining movements into dances to be performed. a flamboyant style of choreography.

custody

the state of being kept in prison, especially while waiting to go to court for trial. eg: Phil Robertson is the deputy Asia Director for Human Rights Watch. He says many Vietnamese have complained about abuse of detainees by police. "This is a report about farmers, and businessmen, local merchants, students, and others who ended up in police custody for activities that you or I would not consider to be out of the ordinary and, in fact, where laws were broken these were invariably minor infractions -- yet these people ended up dead or injured from beatings inflicted on them by police while they were being held in police custody."

evolution

the way in which living things change and develop over millions of years Darwin's theory of evolution a gradual process of change and development the evolution of language eg: The final decision of the European Union on furthering the economic sanctions against Russia will depend on the evolution of the situation in Ukraine, said the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy.

thaw

to (cause to) change from a solid, frozen state to a liquid or soft one, because of an increase in temperature Allow the meat to thaw properly before cooking it. The sun came out and thawed the ice. It's beginning to thaw (= The weather is warm enough for snow and ice to melt). eg: The chancellor shared the stage at Peking University with London's mayor - Boris Johnson. Their high-profile visits are a sign of a diplomatic thaw between the two countries. Beijing was furious after the prime minister met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader - the Dalai Lama - last year. The chancellor's announcement to relax visa rules for Chinese nationals will be welcomed by British businesses. They've been calling on the government to ease restrictions as a way of encouraging more high-spending Chinese tourists to visit the UK.

scatter

to (cause to) move far apart in different directions. The protesters scattered at the sound of gunshots. The soldiers came in and scattered the crowd.

perpetrate

to commit a crime, or a violent or harmful act：In Britain, half of all violent crime is perpetrated by people who have been drinking alcohol.

take on

to compete against, oppose, or fight: I will take him on at tennis; I'll take him on any time. Friday, European Union governments agreed to support individual country decisions to arm Kurdish fighters taking on Islamist State militants in Iraq. They also offered strong backing for the new Iraqi government.

burgeon

to develop or grow quickly. Love burgeoned between them.. The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry. eg: The firm O'Melveny & Myers handles anything from corporate law - company and business law - to intellectual property law. It also operates a strong pro bono program worldwide. "The notion is burgeoning and growing. We're doing a lot of pro bono work through our office in London and Brussels and lawyers in our Hong Kong and Singapore and Beijing offices are getting more and more involved in pro bono pursuits."

grieve

to feel or express great sadness, especially when someone dies. eg:A relative of one of the Chinese passengers aboard flight MH370 grieves after being told of the latest news in Beijing, March 24, 2014.

repell

to force something or someone to move away or stop attacking you.After a third day of Israeli ground operations in the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers Saturday said they repelled a cross-border tunnel raid and uncovered more than a dozen tunnels into Israeli.

wield

to hold a weapon or tool and look as if you are going to use it. She was confronted by a man wielding a knife. eg:Emma Sinclair Webb studies Turkey for Human Rights Watch. She also wrote the group's new report on the country. She says the changes there are very concerning. "Basically over the last year, we've seen the Turkish government respond to political opposition with an extremely heavy-handed approach, which basically is willing to sacrifice the rule of law, to erode judicial independence and to really tear up the rule book and wield the stick against political oppositionists."

foil

to prevent someone or something from being successful The prisoners' attempt to escape was foiled at the last minute when police received a tip-off. eg: The police have foiled a plot to assassinate the president.

forestall

to prevent something from happening by acting first. The government forestalled criticism by holding a public enquiry into the matter. eg: This is an undated portrait of American congressman & orator, Daniel Webster (1782-1852). Webster of Massachusetts was accused of ``scarlet infamy'' in 1851 when he backed a North-South compromise that forestalled the dissolution of the Union. (AP Photo)

haul

to pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty. They hauled the boat out of the water. She hauled herself up into the tree. eg: A miner uses a shovel to haul dirt at the Atunso Cocoase small-scale mine in Atunso, Ghana, Oct. 16, 2014.

enact

to put something into action, especially to change something into a law. A package of economic sanctions is to be enacted against the country. eg:Presidential spokesman Josh Earnest says the Obama administration is studying the constitution. But he is leaving open the possibility of Congress taking action. "The president has indicated that he would happily throw away whatever, any executive actions that did not enact in favor of bipartisan legislation."

recap

to repeat the main points of an explanation or description. eg:Finally, the teacher recapped the main points of the lesson.

holler

to shout loudly. He was hollering something about seeing a snake. He let out a holler as he fell. "To a community in Ferguson that is rightly hurting and looking for answers, let me call once again for us to seek some understanding rather than simply holler at each other. Let's seek to heal rather than to wound each other. As Americans we've gotta use this moment to seek our shared humanity that's been laid bare by this moment."

ponder

to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time. She sat back for a minute to ponder her next move in the game. eg:President Obama praised disabled military veterans as he officially opened a memorial in their honor earlier this month. The president said the new memorial recognizes two centuries of Americans who were physically or mentally injured while fighting for the United States. "From this day forward, Americans will come to this place and ponder the immense sacrifice on their behalf, the heavy burden born by few so that we might live in freedom and peace."

exotic

unusual and often exciting because of coming (or seeming to come) from a far, especially tropical country.exotically dressed dancers. exotic flowers/food/designs. eg:The traditional Chinese dinner plate is getting a makeover as tastes in the country begin to change. Exotic seafood and different meats are now being purchased at increasing rates.

tribune

used in the titles of some newspapers: The New York Tribune. eg:Some of these moderate Republicans broke away from President Grant and the radicals. They called themselves Liberal Republicans and formed a new political party. They held their own presidential nominating convention for the election of 1872. They nominated Horace Greeley as their candidate. Greeley published the "New York Tribune" newspaper.

tragic

very sad, often involving death and suffering. His friends were deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of his death. The bomb explosion resulted in a tragic loss of life. Hospital authorities admitted that a tragic mistake/error had taken place. It is tragic that the theatre has had to close. eg: The bombs left Japan's rulers with no choice. In less than one week, they surrendered. Truman always defended his decision strongly. "I understand the tragic importance of the atomic bomb," he told the world by radio shortly after the two bombings. "We knew our enemies also were searching for this secret. And we know the disaster that would have come to this nation and to all peaceful nations if they had found it. "Having found the bomb," said Truman, "we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us. And we have used it to shorten the suffering of war, and to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans."

diminutive

very small.Alibaba will float on the New York Stock Exchange in what's set to be the biggest debut in history. Credit: Alibaba He's a diminutive man and a former English teacher from Hangzhou, in eastern China.

maturity

when an insurance agreement or investment becomes ready to be paid. The investment reaches maturity after ten years. eg: hold to maturity

notion

(a) belief or idea. The programme makers reject the notion that seeing violence on television has a harmful effect on children.

testimony

(an example of) spoken or written statements that something is true, especially those given in a court of law;to be clear proof of something

binding

(especially of an agreement) which cannot be legally avoided or stopped. a binding agreement. The contract wasn't legally binding. eg:Russia, cut off from Western capital by sanctions, will struggle to pay for it. The countries on the route are also cash-strapped, and Brussels is unlikely to provide financing. The EU's energy chief has said the Russian idea is economically flawed and in breach of legally binding contracts. "At the moment, this is just a fairy tale,'' said Attila Holoda, managing director of Hungary-based energy consulting firm Aurora Energy Kft, who considers the scheme a "classic Russian bluff'."

babble

(of a stream) to make the low, continuous noise of water flowing over stones. They rested a while by a babbling brook.

rancid

(of butter, oil, etc.) tasting or smelling unpleasant because not fresh. Lama Inu, 30, and dozens of her peers occupy a protest camp outside Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department. Their aim is to highlight the plight of refugees forced to choose between living in poverty in Hong Kong or returning to countries where their lives may be in danger. In a city often cited as the most expensive in the world, most refugees survive on a rental allowance of $200 a month, and three monthly food parcels from the Social Welfare Department. Food and rent are provided under a $26 million contract won by Swiss-headquartered NGO, International Social Services. The food is cheap and often rancid, the refugees allege. And last month, a judge issued an injunction ordering International Social Services to fulfill its obligations when its staff failed to pay Inu's rent. "My landlord kicked me out. I begged them: we had no home, clothes, nothing. For four days I did not change my dress or take a shower. The doctor admitted me to hospital because I might have a problem with my baby. We are suffering. But I will fight," said Inu. While International Social Services did not comment, a Social Welfare Department statement said its contractor has been providing [refugees] with in-kind services on its behalf since 2006. It said this was "to prevent [refugees] becoming destitute ... while not creating a magnet effect" that draws more refugees to Hong Kong. The Social Welfare Department added that before providing rent, "ISS would also conduct spot checks and home visits to premises to assess the hygiene, home environment and safety condition [sic]." But traveling into the countryside with advocacy group Vision First, VOA was introduced to South Asian refugees housed in a run down pigsty. Asylum seeker Shahzad Khan, from Pakistan, points to his mattress lying beside a feeding trough. Electrical wires dangle under a holed roof and an open sewer runs nearby. "We do not need anything from them, money or food. We just want work. When I came here I went to work, but spent 15 months in prison [as a result]. You can see, this place is for animals. There is no future here," said Khan. Angered by our presence, we are set upon by the landlords of the pigsty Khan shares with 15 other refugees. While we are forced to leave, like thousands of other asylum seekers, Khan does not know how long he will be trapped in one of the wealthiest cities on Earth.

reciprocal

A reciprocal action or arrangement involves two people or groups of people who behave in the same way or agree to help each other and give each other advantages. eg: The point of hedging a position is to reduce the volatility of the overall portfolio. Hedge accounting has the same effect except that it's used on financial statements. For example, when accounting for complex financial instruments, such as derivatives, the value is adjusted by marking to market; this creates large swings in the profit and loss account. Hedge accounting treats the reciprocal hedge and the derivative as one entry so that the large swings are balanced out.

clearing house

a central office used by banks to collect and send out money and cheques

brainchild

a clever and original idea, plan or invention. The project was the brainchild of one of the students. This beer is the brainchild of Jason Osborne. Jason is a non-professional, or amateur, paleontologist. For fun, he explores old bones, or fossils, in his free time. He was exploring a swamp in the U.S. state of Virginia when he found a 35-million-year-old- fossilized whale bone.

syndrome

a combination of medical problems that commonly go together, which might show the existence of a particular disease or mental condition. eg: Scientists are investigating a mysterious kind of pneumonia. They call it Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Most of the cases have been among health care workers in Hong Kong, Hanoi and Singapore. These workers were directly involved in the care of people infected with the disease. Family members of those infected have also gotten sick. Several people have died.

household name

a famous person that most people know of. He was a household name in the 1950s. eg:The work of some of the most-famous photographers in U.S. history is included in the iBook. But Ms. Hess says most of the pictures are from people like you and me. "The bulk of the book are these unknown photographers, and their photographic contributions are just as important and just as interesting and compelling as, you know, these, these household names, so I think it's really nice that we're giving them their due."

connotation

a feeling or idea that is suggested by a particular word although it need not be a part of the word's meaning , or something suggested by an object or situation. eg: The word ' lady ' has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive .eg: Because it's impossible to know what words might be tested on the PSAT/SAT, start to figure out if words have a positive or negative connotation. Knowing roots can help you: Instead of learning one word at a time, you can learn a group of words that contain a certain root. They'll be related in meaning, so if you remember one, it will be easier to remember the others. Try to decode a new vocab word by its root. If you can recognize a familiar root, chances are you'll get enough of an idea to answer the question.

meadow

a field with grass and often wild flowers in it. There was a path through the meadow to the village. eg:A horse walks in the early morning at meadow in Luehnde near Hannover, northern Germany.

tassel

a group of short threads or ropes held together at one end, which is used as a hanging decoration on hats, curtains, furniture, etc.

fist

a hand with the fingers and thumb held tightly in. She clenched her fists. Protestors were shaking their fists at the soldiers. eg:Jackson met the young woman, Rachel, at her mother's home near Nashville, Tennessee. Rachel and her husband, Lewis Robards, were living there at the time. They were having marriage problems. Robards argued with his wife about Jackson. He said she and Jackson seemed too close. Robards reportedly wanted to fight Jackson with his fists. Jackson said he would face Robards not in a fistfight but in a gunfight, if Robards wished to fight like a gentleman. Robards rejected the invitation to a duel, and nothing more happened between the two men.

cache

a hidden store of things, or the place where they are kept: an arms cache a cache of explosives/weapons/drugs Residents in the Wadajir neighborhood of southwest Mogadishu were awakened Friday by heavy gunfire. Colonel Ali Aden Humad, a spokesman for the African Union force AMISOM, told VOA his troops and Somali forces were trying to secure an arms cache near the home of former warlord Ahmed Hassan Adow when Adow's militia attacked. "So what happened is when we decided to come to that target, some militia fired on AMISOM troops." The ex-warlord, also known as Ahmed Da'i, told VOA's Somali service the clashes began when government forces attacked his home before dawn.

mob

a large angry crowd, especially one which could easily become violent The angry mob outside the jail was/were ready to riot. The first train of Union troops passed without incident. But a mob blocked the rail line and threw stones at the second train. Shots were fired. Four soldiers and twelve civilians were killed.

castle

a large strong building, built in the past by a ruler or important person to protect the people inside from attack.an ancient ruined castle.

bison

a large wild animal, similar to a cow but having a larger head and shoulders covered in hair, found especially in North America. eg: The Indians of the western grasslands were different. They refused to give up their way of life. These plains Indians were always on the move, because they hunted buffalo -- the American bison. They followed great groups of the animals across the grassy plains. At that time, there were millions of these animals in the American west.

trust

a legal arrangement in which a person or organization controls property and/or money for another person or organization. Under the terms of the trust he receives interest on the money, but he cannot get at the money itself. The money that her father left her is being held/kept in trust (= being controlled) for her until she's 30. eg:n 1879, a new form of business organization was developed -- the trust. In a trust, stock owners of many competing companies give control of their stock to a committee, or group, of trustees. The trustees operate all the companies as one and pay profits to the stockholders. The profits would be high, because there would be no competition to drive down prices. One Of the first trusts was formed by John D. Rockefeller in the oil industry. The stockholders of seventy-seven oil companies gave control of their stock to nine trustees of Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. The nine men controlled ninety per cent of the nation's oil production.

crusade

a long and determined attempt to achieve something which you believe in strongly。 They have long been involved in a crusade for racial equality. a moral crusade against drugs。 反毒品的正义运动 [C often plural] (also Crusade) a holy war fought by the Christians against the Muslims, often in Palestine, in the 11th, 12th, 13th and 17th centuries。 eg: In the 11th century, Europe was beginning a period of great change. One reason was the religious wars known as the Crusades. These were military campaigns by Christians to force Muslims out of the Holy Land in the Middle East. The Crusades began at the end of the 11th century. They continued for about 200 years.

harpoon

a long heavy spear (= long sharp weapon) fixed to a rope, used for killing whales. eg: Stephan Ulamec, of the German Aerospace Center, announced the news. He said the landing equipment and a special device meant to secure the spacecraft to the comet had deployed. "Philae is talking to us, first things he told us is that the harpoons have been fired, rewound and that the landing gear has been moved inside, so we are sitting on the surface, Philae is talking to us, more data to come."

ridge

a long narrow raised part of a surface, especially a high edge along a mountain We walked along the narrow mountain ridge. figurative A ridge (= narrow area) of high pressure will bring good weather this afternoon. eg:Field plant expert Steve Perlman has led protection of Hawaii's endangered species for more than 40 years. He is one of the state's first 'rock star' botanists. In the 1970s, he rappelled using ropes around his body to swing down from high cliffs to save the Brighamia insignis. People call this rare Hawaiian plant Alula. "A lot of the botanists in the old days, at least for the first couple hundred years working in Hawaii, would be able to hike around the ridges and the valleys and find their species. But no one had ever really looked at the cliffs." Then Mr. Perlman started to use those same methods of climbing and hanging from cliffs to get to other plants. He is now in his 60s. But he is still rappelling off cliffs to save endangered plants. The rescued plants are varieties, or kinds, that have established themselves in places where hungry animals like goats and pigs could not get them. He says it is worth it to see a species survive. "We know the Amazon is losing all these species. But Hawaii is losing species. There's an extinction crisis going on here, and we've already had over 100 species go extinct." eg:There were few Confederate soldiers at Lookout Mountain. That end of the line fell easily. The center of the line was along a low hill called Missionary Ridge. It held for a while. Then Union soldiers -- acting without orders -- forced their way to the top of the hill. The Confederate line broke. Southern soldiers threw down their guns and ran for their lives.

corridor

a long passage in a building or train, especially with rooms on either side Her office is at the end of the corridor. Western and Ukrainian officials have said Russia is trying to break Ukrainian forces' siege of Luhansk, and also battling to open a supply corridor from border to nearby Donetsk.

quest

a long search for something that is difficult to find, or an attempt to achieve something difficult. Nothing will stop them in their quest for truth. She went to India on a spiritual quest. [+ to infinitive] She does aerobics four times a week in her quest to achieve the perfect body. eg:Matt Salmon of Arizona is a member of the House of Representatives. At a recent congressional hearing, he said China's "quest for development and global influence has come at a high cost of alienating partners and allies alike. There are cracks in the foundation, and imbalances remain politically, economically and militarily."

guerrilla

a member of an unofficial military group that is trying to change the government by making sudden, unexpected attacks on the official army forces. A small band of guerrillas has blown up a train in the mountains. eg: Missouri, too, would remain in the Union. Missouri and Kentucky -- along with Delaware, Maryland, and eventually West Virginia - were called border states. They all stayed in the Union. But many people in these areas supported the Confederacy. Historian Amy Murrell Taylor says the border states seemed to fight their own civil war. "We have towns that divide, cities that divide, communities, families that divide from one another." Some of the worst guerrilla violence of the war happened in the border states. As she observed, they were "fought over, fought through, and fought in."

pseudonym

a name that a person, such as a writer, uses instead of their real name, especially on their work: She writes under a pseudonym. George Orwell was a pseudonym - his real name was Eric Blair. eg:Field symbols are like pointers in C. (Technically, they are not the same, using this analogy just to get the picture). They just point to fields. They are like place holders or pseudonyms or alias for other fields.

offender

a person who is guilty of a crime. eg:She said some of the freest nations are some of the worst privacy and content offenders. She said the U.S. National Security Agency spies on Internet users without legal search orders.

deserter

a person who leaves the armed forces without permission. eg: The law said a man who was drafted could stay out of the army by doing one of two things. He could pay the government three hundred dollars. Or he could pay another man to serve in his place. If a drafted man could not do either thing, then he must join the army or be shot as a deserter.

adherent

a person who strongly supports a particular person, principle or set of ideas. She has long been an adherent of the Communist Party. eg:Pierce was a passionately loyal adherent of the Democratic Party and of its principles of negative governance domestically and spread eagle expansionism in foreign affairs.

shower

a short period of rain or snow showers of rain, hail and sleet You're soaked! Did you get caught in the shower? There will be thundery/wintry showers over many parts of the country. Snow showers are expected at the end of the week.

tin

a silvery-coloured metal, often combined with other metals or used to cover and protect other metals. eg:The United States was also very concerned about protecting its imports of oil, tin, and natural rubber from southeast Asia. This area of the world was a major supplier of these natural materials in the 1930s. The Middle East had not yet become a leading producer of oil.

sitcom

a situation comedy. I'm sure sitcom is becoming easier.

coma

a state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken, which is caused by damage to the brain after an accident or illness He's been in a coma for the past six weeks. She went into a deep coma after taking an overdose of sleeping pills. eg:For two days, the president remained in a coma. Then his condition changed. He regained consciousness and was able to talk. He rested and became stronger.

marijuana

a usually illegal drug made from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, which produces a feeling of pleasant relaxation if smoked or eaten. eg:Marijuana Becomes Legal in the Nation's Capital and in Oregon

paralysed

adjective UK (US paralyzed) . unable to move or act. The accident left her paralysed from the waist down. The government seems paralysed by/with indecision. She was paralysed with fear.

irritated

adjective. annoyed. Ben began to get increasingly irritated by/at her questions.

flawed

adjective.not perfect, or containing mistakes: Diamonds are still valuable, even when they are flawed. His argument is deeply flawed. flawed beauty. eg:Another problem facing the new government is the Afghan economy. Some observers say the economy is in serious trouble. U.S. officials warn that corruption and the illegal drug trade are strong. Andrew Wilder says there is a reason for this. "What is really going to de-legitimize this government, I think, even more so than a flawed election process will be if it can't pay salaries, can't provide social services and the economy collapses." eg:Russia, cut off from Western capital by sanctions, will struggle to pay for it. The countries on the route are also cash-strapped, and Brussels is unlikely to provide financing. The EU's energy chief has said the Russian idea is economically flawed and in breach of legally binding contracts.

acronym

an abbreviation consisting of the first letters of each word in the name of something, pronounced as a word. AIDS is an acronym for 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome'. American scientists are calling the device MAVEN. That is an acronym -- a name made from a series of letters or parts of a group of words. MAVEN's real name is the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft.

mule

an animal whose mother is a horse and whose father is a donkey, which is used especially for transporting goods. eg:Weeks passed. The Union army shelled the city. The Confederate army answered from time to time. Food supplies dropped. There was little to eat except corn bread and the meat of mules. Some people caught rats and ate them.

ailment

an illness.Treat minor ailments yourself. Most medicines that can be bought over the counter only mitigate the effects of an ailment,they don't cure ailment itself.

instrument

an object, such as a piano, guitar or drum, which is played to produce musical sounds.eg:Which instrument do you play?

mammal

any animal of which the female gives birth to babies, not eggs, and feeds them on milk from her own body. Humans, dogs, elephants and dolphins are all mammals, but birds, fish and crocodiles are not. eg:The WWF says it is worried about the loss of and damage to Earth's environment. The report provides information about more than 10,000 animal populations from 1970 to 2010. These populations are called "vertebrate species," or animals with backbones -- like fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The report says these populations have dropped by 52 percent in just 40 years. It says freshwater species have fallen by 76 percent. That is almost twice the loss of land and ocean species. Most of these losses are in the tropics. The report says the biggest drop has been in Latin America.

blatant

describes something bad that is very obvious or intentional. a blatant lie The whole episode was a blatant attempt to gain publicity.

embryo

n. a human or animal in the early stages of development before it is born. Some seek local Thai doctors who will create embryos from donors or from a person who wants to become a parent. The embryos are then implanted in young Thai women. These women become paid surrogates. They offer their wombs to carry the babies until they are born.

modest

not usually talking about or making obvious your own abilities and achievements. He's very modest about his achievements.

purple

of a dark reddish blue colour. purple plums. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the color to represent it is purple. The non-profit National Network to End Domestic Violence has asked NFL football teams to wear the color purple for the month of October. The group hopes the action will help increase recognition of the problem.

forensic

related to scientific methods of solving crimes, involving examining the objects or substances that are involved in the crime. eg:Dr. Lori Baker, a forensic scientist at Baylor University, seen here in this Aug. 29, 2003 file photo, launched a project to try to match unidentified remains found along the border. eg:A team of student volunteers helps Professor Baker. The volunteers take part in the hard, sad work of digging up bodies for the forensics. But they say they also share Prof. Baker's sense of mission.

autonomous

self-governing 1. In the American system of government,states are not autonomous;many power are reserved to the central government. 1. In the American system of government,states are not autonomous;many power are reserved to the central government. 2.After the fall of Soviet Union,many of its former republics became autonomous nation-state. 3.With the issuance of the declaration of independence in 1776,the United states asserted its right to be an autonomous nation. eg: Monday, the U.S. military helped Iraqi and Kurd forces recapture a strategic dam in the north from the Sunni extremists. U.S. President Barack Obama said if the militants had breached the Mosul Dam, it would have brought "catastrophic" floods to northern Iraq, killing thousands. Obama said the U.S. is seeing important progress in Iraq, helping push back the militants and providing arms and aid to Kurdish and Iraqi forces. In Geneva, the United Nations refugee agency said it is preparing a massive operation to provide aid to 500,000 people displaced in northern Iraq. The agency said tents and other supplies will be airlifted to Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, starting Wednesday.

entrepreneurial

someone who starts their own business, especially when this involves seeing a new opportunity. He was one of the entrepreneurs of the eighties who made their money in property. eg:The cabinet includes technical experts, business people and a few others credited with being reformers. Keith Loveard is with Concorde Consulting, a company that advises businesses. He describes the cabinet appointments as a "wait and see" cabinet. "The tone of the cabinet, certainly there are some elite members there and there are some people with questionable human rights backgrounds, as one would expect in Indonesia. But there is also this new blood as it were, a new spirit of entrepreneurial talent," he said.

commitment

something that you must do or deal with that takes your time. family/work commitments. I've got too many commitments at the moment to do an evening class. Children are such a commitment. eg: The report tells about the CIA's use of coercive techniques to question at least 119 people. They were detained between late 2001 and January of 2009. Senator Feinstein defended the release of the report. "History will judge us by a commitment to a just society governed by law and a willingness to face an ugly truth and say never again."

traffic

to buy and sell goods illegally. eg: The Philippines' National Police Special Boat Unit patrols the waters around the island province of Palawan. The United States gave Philippine authorities six fast ships to help fight various types of crime, as the unit's captain Osmundo Salito explains. "Narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, piracy, smuggling, poaching and other forms of criminality," said Salito. eg: people are still executed for some non-violent crimes, such as drug trafficking and corruption.

snare

to catch an animal using a snare. We used to snare small birds such as sparrows and robins. <figurative>She grew up in the days when a woman's main aim was to snare a rich husband. eg: They both got snared again by poachers. So that's the main issue in Cambodia is the hunting. It's just the forests aren't safe at the moment for releasing bears. And in the forests which probably, we might be able to ((release animals)) are full of mines.

spawn

to cause something new, or many new things, to grow or start suddenly The new economic freedom has spawned hundreds of new small businesses. Her death spawned countless films and books. 'Electronic Heroin' Spawns Chinese Internet Addiction Camps

dismiss

to decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering. eg:Allison's painting met with plaudits from the critics, who had dismissed her earlier work.

startle

to do something unexpected which surprises and sometimes worries a person or animal She was concentrating on her book and his voice startled her. The noise of the car startled the birds and the whole flock flew up into the air. Her article on diet startled many people into changing their eating habits.

reenter

to enter a place again, or to join an activity again: [T] She reentered the game shortly after being injured. reentry,noun eg:NASA scientists used the flight to test the launch, control and reentry systems of the new exploration vehicle. NASA scientists were especially interested in how the spaceship's heat shield would perform as it faced temperatures of 2,200 degrees Celsius during reentry.

despise

to feel a strong dislike for someone or something because you think they are bad or have no value. The two groups despise each other. She despised him for the way he treated her sister. He despised himself for being such a coward. eg:"He despised most of the politicians he met in Congress because he found them to be ignorant and self-serving, with no sense of patriotism and sense of obligation to the nation."

resent

to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like. She bitterly resented her father's new wife. He feels/harbours (a) deep resentment against/towards his parents for his miserable childhood.

rape

to force someone to have sex when they are unwilling, using violence or threatening behaviour. eg:She was pulled from the car and raped.eg:South African President Jacob Zuma has been described by many as the luckiest head of state. Throughout his career, Zuma has been able to escape serious scandals, including rape charges, corruption charges and now misuse of state funds for developments at his private home. Popularly known for his singing and dancing talent, Zuma's art of escaping serious scandals have left many people dumbfounded.

bind sb to sth

to force someone to keep a promise His sister had been bound to secrecy. We are bound to the original contract.

secure

to get something, sometimes with difficulty. He was disappointed by his failure to secure the top job with the bank. The change in the law will make it harder for the police to secure convictions. eg:Back in 1997, China's defense budget was $10 billion. Last year, it was $144 billion and there's been a lot of saber-rattling over disputed territories between the two countries. So, the rising China narrative and concerns about its hegemonic ambitions in Asia are pushing the United States and Japan closer. And Abe is keen to secure a U.S. commitment to back it in the event of some contingency over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

heckle

to interrupt a public speech or performance with loud unfriendly statements or questions A few angry locals started heckling (the speaker). eg:he thinks the heckling of Li was intended mainly to express the humiliation and resentment of Hong Kong's people.

cast in one's lot with

to join with voluntarily and share the fortunes of.to choose to share in whatever happens to another person or a group If I'm going to cast my lot with this team, I'm going to try to make them as good as possible any way I can. After a period of observation, Yelu Deguang finally concluded that Shi Jingtang had indeed cast in his lot with him.

rationalize

to make a company, way of working, etc. more effective, usually by combining or stopping particular activities, or (of a company, way of working, etc.) to become more effective in this way. We rationalized the production system so that one operator could control all three machines. The recession is forcing the company to rationalize. eg: helps you utilize existing rationalization and enables you to automate typical processes.

overcome

to prevent someone from being able to act or think in the usual way. Overcome with/by emotion, she found herself unable to speak for a few minutes. eg: Cassandra was overcome with euphoria when she met her long-lost sister.

tremble

to shake slightly, usually because you are cold, frightened, or very emotional. When he came out of the water, he was trembling with cold. eg:"Hello, little girl," a young man called out cheerfully. "How far is it to the main road?" Sylvie was trembling as she whispered "two miles." She came out of the bushes and looked up into the face of a tall young man carrying a gun.

address

to speak or write to someone. eg: President Obama will address the nation Nov. 20 to lay out the executive actions he plans to take to change the U.S. immigration system.

float

to start selling shares in a business or company for the first time. Alibaba - have you heard of it, know the name or what it is, or care what it does? Because you might want to. It's China's largest online shopping empire. It controls 80% of web sales in a nation of 1.4 billion people. It does more trade than Amazon and eBay combined, and its estimated value is $160 billion. The company is about to be floated on the New York Stock Exchange in what's set to be the biggest debut in history, and it's creator is Jack Ma.

narrate

to tell a story, often by reading aloud from a text, or to describe events as they happen. eg: Defoe skilfully narrated the adventures of Robinson Crusoe on his desert island.

in favor of

to the benefit of : in support of <a verdict in favor of the accused>. eg:Presidential spokesman Josh Earnest says the Obama administration is studying the constitution. But he is leaving open the possibility of Congress taking action. "The president has indicated that he would happily throw away whatever, any executive actions that did not enact in favor of bipartisan legislation."

slash

to very much reduce something, such as money or jobs. eg:Over the past 20 years, China has slashed its tuberculosis rate by more than 50 percent by broadly applying the World Health Organization's strategy for TB elimination. Experts say the outcome is proof tuberculosis can be vanquished through an aggressive treatment program.

sprinting

v. running or going very fast for a short distance. eg: Just about everyone knows that cheetahs are fast. Some studies have measured their speed at about 95 kilometers an hour over distances of about 366 meters. So it seems reasonable that all that sprinting would rob the wild cheetah of some of its energy. It seems that all that exercise would make the big, spotted cat a likely target of attack. But until recently no one ever really measured how much energy a cheetah uses up.

weird

very strange and unusual, unexpected or not natural. He was sitting alone by a window with a weird contraption on the bench in front of him. Her boyfriend's a bit weird but she's all right. That's weird - I thought I'd left my keys on the table but they're not there. There is nothing to rival the weird and wonderful things that come out on the streets at carnival time.

forge

If one person or institution forges an agreement or relationship with another, they create it with a lot of hard work, hoping that it will be strong or lasting. The Prime Minister is determined to forge a good relationship with America's new leader... The programme aims to forge links between higher education and small businesses... The Community was trying to forge a common foreign and security policy.

reprehensible

If someone's behaviour is reprehensible, it is extremely bad or unacceptable reprehensible conduct/actions Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott said August 29 that if Russian armed forces had moved into eastern Ukraine, then it was an "invasion." "Clearly, if, as seems to have been the case, Russian armed forces have simply moved across the border, that is an invasion and it is utterly reprehensible. It is an absolutely clear-cut case of a larger country bullying a smaller country, and this should have no place in our world. You cannot have an international order if might is right. You cannot have a safe and secure world if powerful countries are able to take what they want. Plainly, what we have seen in Ukraine over the last six months or so, is an increasingly aggressive role by Russia and it seems that Russia is now stepping out of the shadows and overtly trying to achieve its objects of domination in Ukraine and it is completely, absolutely and utterly unacceptable,"

rector

US the person in charge of a university or school. eg: A number of observers have praised the nomination of Pratikno as State Secretary. He has served as the rector, or head, of Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. The president chose the rector at Paramadina University, Anies Baswedan, as the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.

coronary

an extremely dangerous medical condition in which the flow of blood to the heart is blocked by a blood clot (= a mass of blood) He's in hospital after having a coronary last week.

volatile

likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly or suddenly become violent or angry.eg: Food and fuel prices are very volatile in a war situation; He had a rather volatile temper and can't have been easy to live with.

tarmac

n. the area covered by pavement at an airport. eg:

convulse

(cause to) shake violently with sudden uncontrolled movements

pile

A pile of things is a mass of them that is high in the middle and has sloping sides. a pile of sand. eg: President McKinley had a difficult decision to make. He did not want war. As he told a friend: "I fought in our Civil War. I saw the dead piled up. I do not want to see that again." But McKinley also knew many Americans wanted war. If he refused to fight Spain, his Republican Party could lose popular support.

conception

Artist's conception of NASA's MAVEN arriving at Mars. (NASA)

civil service test

In Taiwan, the number of people taking the civil service test for first-time government jobs nearly doubled between 2002 and 2012. About half a percent of those who took the first exam last year were offered employment.

inadvertently

Inadvertently is defined as something done accidentally or unintentionally. When you address a letter to the wrong address, this is an example of a situation where you inadvertently make an error.

acidification

Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. eg: In a statement accompanying the report, WMO chief Michel Jarraud warned that "past, present and future carbon dioxide emissions will have a cumulative impact on global warming and ocean acidification." He said the "laws of physics are non-negotiable."

jaw

On Monday, March 4th, the Senate was crowded when Calhoun entered. One by one, friends came to speak to him. The old man's long, gray hair fell to his shoulders. His face was thin and white. But his eyes were bright and his jaw firm. Calhoun was too weak to read his speech. He asked another senator to read it for him.

OTC Market

Over the Counter Market

upend

The findings upend an impression of alarming low numbers left by a 2011 Stanford University study which led to petitions by conservationists to add white sharks to state and federal endangered lists, Burgess said.

connote

To me, chocolate connotes pleasure and indulgence .

rhinoceros

a very large thick-skinned animal from Africa or Asia, which has one or two horns on its nose a population of black/white rhinoceros

controversial

causing disagreement or discussion. eg: controversial referendum.

utter

complete or extreme utter confusion/misery/chaos utter nonsense/rubbish/drivel The meeting was a complete and utter waste of time. Lying back in the hot bath was utter bliss.

brutal

cruel, violent and completely without feelings

deal a blow to

deal a blow to sb/sth (also deal sb/sth a blow).to cause someone or something, usually a plan or hope, to fail or to be affected very badly: The latest trade figures have dealt a severe blow to hopes of an early economic recovery. The fighting which resumed Friday after a three-day pause in the month-long war dealt a blow to Egyptian-led efforts to secure a long-term cease-fire between the bitter enemies.

charismatic

describes a person who has charisma. Few were able to resist this charismatic and persuasive leader.

subsidy

money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen

noble

moral in an honest, brave and not selfish way. a noble gesture. His followers believe they are fighting for a noble cause. eg: Tapping the new spirit, there can be no nobler nor more ambitious task for America to undertake on this day of a new beginning than to help shape a just and peaceful world that is truly humane.

emeritus

no longer having a position, especially in a college or university, but keeping the title of the position. eg: She became Emeritus Professor of Linguistics when she retired. eg:Former U.S. state and defense department official Leslie Gelb, also a president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, says China is the first major world power in history to fall short of being a global military power.

involuntary

not done by choice; done unwillingly, or without the decision or intention of the person involved. A sharp tap on the knee usually causes an involuntary movement of the lower leg. eg:It is not unusual to see people swimming in the height of summer in Seattle, Washington. But this is autumn. The salt water of Puget Sound is 13 degrees Celsius. And, the air is not much warmer. That is why you can hear the involuntary sounds at the start of a group swim.

shell

o fire shells at something. Shelling of enemy lines continued all day . Palestinian medics report that more Israeli air strikes and shelling have killed 25 more Palestinians.

artery

one of the thick tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body Hardening of the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack. The country of Georgia reported the highest rate of death from cardiovascular problems. Almost 2,000 of every million of the country's people died from heart and arterial diseases. Dr. Dariush Mozzafarian led the Tufts study. He notes the rates of stroke are huge throughout China, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

flawless

perfect or without mistakes. a flawless complexion. a flawless performance. eg:The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, launched the Orion spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Less than five hours later, Orion landed in the Pacific Ocean near Baja California. The spacecraft had completed two orbits before returning to Earth. NASA called the test "nearly flawless," or without mistakes.

polymorphism

polymorphism:When the same method is implemented differently in different classes. This can be done using inheritance, by redefining a method from the superclass in subclasses and implement it differently.

armoured

protected by a strong covering, or using military vehicles protected by strong covering. Ukrainian national security spokesman Col. Andriy Lysenko said a group of Russian soldiers had crossed the border in armored personnel carriers and a truck and entered the town of Amvrosiyivka, not far from where Ukraine detained 10 Russian soldiers on Monday.

provision

supplies of food and other necessary things;eg: provisions for the journey make provision for sth : to make arrangements to deal with something, often financial arrangements eg: He hasn't made any provision for his retirement yet.

the gift of the gab

the ability to speak easily and confidently in a way that makes people want to listen to you and believe you. She's got the gift of the gab - she should work in sales and marketing. eg: Jack Ma's dynamism and boundless scope for ideas "cast a spell on people." That's what Duncan Clark - an investment advisor in China who's known Jack for 15 years - told me. He's a very charismatic man. The one thing that stands out both in English and Chinese is that he has the gift of the gab. He can charm a room. He knows how to read a room, whether it's investors or customers or government people. He knows how to delight people. He's a charmer. He's a chancer. He's what we all think of as an entrepreneur, with a rags to riches story.

climax

the most important or exciting point in a story or situation, which usually happens near the end. The climax of the air show was a daring flying display. The election campaign reaches its climax next week. eg: How frequently do you engage in coitus? Do you normally have this much trouble climaxing?

assassination

the murder of someone famous or important. an assassination attempt. the assassination of the opposition leader. eg: The lack of control, lack of worker safety and working environment are appalling. And Turkey is ranked number one in Europe in terms of work accidents, and apparently number three after Algeria and El Salvador in the world. Observers qualify these work accidents as work assassinations.

complexion

the natural appearance of the skin on a person's face, especially its colour or quality. a dark/fair complexion. a healthy/clear/spotty complexion.

ground rules

the principles on which future behaviour is based. eg: In all relationships a few ground rules have to be established.

urbanization

the process by which more and more people leave the countryside to live in cities. eg: "This is part of a broader change in food consumption patterns in China that include a shift to a greater consumption of meat," said Fabinyi. "Some of the broader, larger factors contributing to this shift are urbanization and increased incomes."

intriguing

very interesting because of being unusual or mysterious. an intriguing possibility/question. She has a really intriguing personality.

bailout

when someone helps a person or organization that is in difficulty, usually by giving or lending them money. eg: anti-government demonstrations kicked off late last year after President Yanukovych, under pressure from the Kremlin, turned away from a European trade and political deal and sealed a $15 billion bailout from Russia. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. In the weeks that followed, the protests transformed a broader outcry against official corruption and police violence.

prosecution

when someone is prosecuted. eg:Doctors guilty of neglect are liable to prosecution.

defeat

when someone loses against someone else in a fight or competition, or when someone or something is made to fail. eg: She admitted/conceded defeat well before all the votes had been counted.

categorical

without any doubt or possibility of being changed; certain. a categorical statement/reply/assurance. Badran says Hamas is negotiating with a finger on the trigger, and will not raise the white flag. Israel has categorically rejected Hamas's demand for a seaport, saying it will not allow Gaza to be flooded with weapons. Israeli officials also say they will not negotiate under fire. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has choked the Gazan economy and kept Palestinians from traveling. U.S. President Barack Obama says Gaza cannot sustain itself and is not capable of providing jobs and economic growth. He says the territory cannot remain permanently closed off from the world.

funnel

Liquid transfer; Separation techniques. eg: Ukraine hosts a number of key pipelines that funnel Russian natural gas to Europe. Russian state-owned gas company OAO Gazprom meets a quarter of the EU's gas needs, the bulk of which flows via Ukraine. Ukraine itself receives the bulk of its natural-gas supplies from Russia, and Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of using its control over gas pipelines that lead Ukraine as a political bargaining chip. Payment disputes led Gazprom to cut flows to Ukraine in 2006 and 2009, which also interrupted the flows of gas to other European countries. eg:Davutoglu said Turkey was open to dialogue about funneling Russian gas onward to southeast Europe.

drift

1. [C] a pile of snow or something similar, formed by the wind. The snow lay in deep drifts. 2. [S or U] a general development or change in a situation The downward drift in copper prices looks set to continue. eg:Dump trucks wait to unload snow removed from neighborhoods after heavy lake-effect snowstorms at the Central Terminal in Buffalo, New York. A snowfall that brought huge drifts and closed roads finally ended Friday.

cousin

1.a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation 2. member of a group of people with similar origins. eg:On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary sat in the presidential box at Ford's Theatre in Washington. They were watching a play, "Our American Cousin."

out of

1.indicating the source or derivation of something; from. eg: a bench fashioned out of a fallen tree trunk" 2.from among (a number). eg: "nine times out of ten"; eg: only 5-6 client out of 400 has implemented SAP.

injunction

A judicial order forcing a person or group to refrain from doing something; an official order given by a court of law, usually to stop someone from doing something. eg: The court has issued an injunction to prevent the airline from increasing its prices. eg:The food is cheap and often rancid, the refugees allege. And last month, a judge issued an injunction ordering International Social Services to fulfill its obligations when its staff failed to pay Inu's rent.

walk away

ACCIDENT. to escape an accident without being badly hurt She overturned the car, but walked away from it without a scratch. The southwest Iranian city of Ahvaz walked away with the unfortunate distinction of having the highest measured level of airborne particles smaller than 10 micrometers.

unmolested

ADJ If someone does something unmolested, they do it without being stopped or interfered with.Like many fugitives, he lived in Argentina unmolested for many years. Although a civil court has now ruled authorities cannot use force to disperse demonstrators, many protesters are skeptical they will be unmolested.

balsamic vinegar

After you massage your kale, add a little more olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar as a dressing - or your own favorite salad dressing. Add your favorite toppings for a healthy and delicious salad.

forex

foreign exchange.

municipality

a city or town with its own local government, or the local government itself eg: Beijing has been under heavy smog since noon on Thursday. The municipality's office for severe air pollution emergency issued a yellow alert that day,

flirtation

a short period of being interested in something or doing something. That was just a flirtation with the internet. In 1999, his incredible vision then inspired him and 17 friends, all cramped in his one-bedroom apartment, to set up Alibaba.

low tide

Protester Pa Sha has been camping out in central Hong Kong. He is with a group called Socialist Action. He says the demonstrations will continue even if police successfully clear the streets. "There might be a period of low tide, but that eventually there will be a recurrence of the movement."

resigned

accepting that something you do not like will happen because you cannot change it. eg:After learning of Inmarsat's conclusions, Malaysia's prime minister informed relatives of passengers of the data telling of the plane's fate. The announcement seems to indicate that the government is resigned that all aboard have perished.

tactic

[C usually plural] a planned way of doing something These bomb attacks represent a change of tactics by the terrorists.

predominantly

mostly or mainly. eg:She is predominantly a dancer, but she also sings. eg:Experience working predominantly as a Trainer within a Global SAP Environment

bleeding-edge

relating to or describing systems , devices or ideas that are so modern that they are still being developed.bleeding-edge technology. eg: Bleeding edge techniques with Asynchronous I/O and Event-driven programming.

obstinate

unreasonably determined, especially to act in a particular way and not to change at all, despite what anyone else says. He can be very obstinate at times. her obstinate refusal to compromise. eg:"She told her son that if you do not grow up to be a great leader of this country, it will be because of your own laziness and obstinacy. She and her husband, John Adams, at that point decided to raise their son to be the president of the United States."

exclamation mark

Linguists have problems in agreeing how to define the word sentence. For this web page, sentence will be taken to mean: 'a sequence of words whose first word starts with a capital letter and whose last word is followed by an end punctuation mark (period/full stop or question mark or exclamation mark)'. On the basis of this definition, some of the sentences written by ESL students (indeed by all writers) will be correct, and other sentences will be problematic. Good readers (English teachers, for example!) can quickly see the difference between a correct and a problematic sentence.

procuratorates

Officials who investigate and prosecute official crimes.eg:The People's Procuratorates and the public security organs, may, as required by investigation crimes, inquire into or freeze criminal suspects' deposits or remittances according to regulations,

strain

(Microbiology and virology)A strain is a genetic variant or subtype of a micro-organism (e.g. virus or bacterium or fungus). For example, a "flu strain" is a certain biological form of the influenza or "flu" virus. eg:New Ebola Strain Causing West Africa Outbreak.

garbage

(UK rubbish) waste material or unwanted things that you throw away. eg:Ministers, lawmakers and school leaders also picked up brooms and trash cans to sweep streets and clear garbage. They hoped to bring attention to the issue of better sanitation. Traditionally in India, cleaning is considered a task to be done by people in a lower social class or caste.

marvellous

(US marvelous)extremely good Now, you wait here. Your father has a marvelous surprise for you。 Ooh, what is it? If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise。If you tell me, I'll still act surprised。You are such a naughty boy。

lucrative

(especially of a business, job or activity) producing a lot of money. The merger proved to be very lucrative for both companies. The newest designers to arrive are Asian-born and Asian-trained, looking to make inroads in the lucrative U.S. fashion market.

numb

1. If a part of your body is numb, you are unable to feel it, usually for a short time 2.not able to feel any emotions or to think clearly, because you are so shocked or frightened. When she first heard the news, she was numb with disbelief. Ever since his girlfriend left him he has felt numb. eg:Then, Linda found an organization called Bet Tzedek. Bet Tzedek provides free legal help to those who cannot pay a lawyer. The staff connected Linda with pro bono lawyers from a large legal group who accepted her case. After a year of fighting, Linda finally won guardianship of Michael. She says the shock of finally having Michael legally in her home left her numb -- feeling almost senseless. "I was kind of numb for a while and until I said, my goodness it happened. It finally happened. Now he's with me. Now I can go home and say to Michael, we have a home, Michael."

corps

1. a group of people who are connected because they are involved in a particular activity. the diplomatic corps. the press corps. A corps of technicians is/are accompanying the band on their tour. eg:Roosevelt and the Congress created a new civilian conservation corps to put young men to work in rural areas to protect the nation's natural resources. These young men planted trees, improved parks, and protected natural water supplies. They also worked with farmers to develop crops and farming methods to protect soil from wind and rain.

on tap

1. describes beer which is served from a barrel through a tap. 2. available for use at any time. Working in a library as I do, I have all this information on tap. eg:Favio Garcia is also an owner of Lost Rhino. He says the brewery stays innovative by debuting, or introducing, a new kind of beer every couple of weeks. He also says you have to take risks to make progress. But he admits that the risks he takes are calculated risks. He weighs the good with the bad before going forward. "Well, we have 16 beers on tap right now. You have to take a risk to move forward. So it is a calculated risk. But we are happy to take it and create something new and interesting with it."

lay

1.[+ object] : to place (something) into position on or along a surface : to build or set (something) on or in the ground or another surface When will they lay the foundation for the addition? lay tracks for the new railroad lay pipe/cable/lines laying bricks eg:Russia Lays Groundwork for New Gas Pipeline in Europe 2.to prepare a plan or a method of doing something. Even the best laid plans go wrong sometimes. eg:The militia,despite the well-laid surprise attack into which they had marched,were the winners,but they had been so severely handled that they were unable to accomplish their design,the relief of the fort.

bound

1.certain or extremely likely to happen. eg:These two young musicians are bound for international success (= are certain to be successful). eg: Ms. Murray said the U.S. needs to have stronger laws about teaching children to use guns safely. She adds that American movies, video games and language create a culture of gun violence. "Given that there are many societal influences on violence, I mean, it's bound to happen, you know, something like Newtown shooting is bound to happen with all that influence and easy access to guns and assault rifles." 2.DIRECTION,going to eg: he was on a plane bound for Moscow when she became ill. eg:Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier described the sightings as "significant" in the search for the Malaysian flight MH370 with 239 passengers and crew, bound for Beijing on March 8.

severance

1.money paid by an employer to an employee whose job the employer has had to bring to an end. eg: The management have offered employees one week's severance (pay) for each six months they have worked at the company.2.the act of ending a connection, relationship, etc. or of being separated from a person, place, etc. eg: The minister announced the severance of aid to the country.

defiant

1.proudly refusing to obey authority a defiant attitude/gesture The protesters blocking the entrance to the offices remained defiant this morning. 2. not willing to accept criticism or disapproval The Prime Minister was in defiant mood in the House of Commons. eg:Hong Kong Democracy Movement Defiant Over Free Elections

demolish

1.to completely destroy a building, especially in order to use the land for something else. A number of houses were demolished so that the supermarket could be built. 2. to say or prove that an argument or theory is wrong. He completely demolished all her arguments. eg: A woman takes a photo of a fire that was set to demolished huts at Taghyeer (Change) Square, where pro-democracy protesters had camped to demand a regime change in 2011, in Sana, Yemen.

mount

1.to fix something on a wall, in a frame etc., so that it can be viewed or used.The children's work has been mounted on cards and put up on the walls of the classroom. The CCTV camera is mounted above the main door. 2.to organize and begin an activity or event to mount an attack/campaign/challenge/protest to mount an exhibition/display Our football team was listless in the first half and fell behind 28 to 7,but in the second half they came back to life and mounted a comeback.

meteor shower

A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky. The yearly Perseid meteor shower will reach peak intensity in the skies over Earth on the night of August 12 and 13. Although the moon will be unusually bright, there should still be a good show from this famous meteor shower. Much of the world will be able to see the Perseids after the sky becomes fully dark. The best viewing time is expected to take place early on the morning of August 13, between 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. your local time. Addtional information can be found from the NASA website.

make a fuss

Cause a needless commotion or display, as in I'm sure he'll be here soon; please don't make a fuss . eg: All day along he says "Shush" to audacious climbers making a fuss

claim a life

Cause the loss of (someone's life).[for something] to take the life of someone. eg:the attacks claimed the lives of five people. eg: The killer tornado claimed the lives of six people at the trailer park. eg: The athlete's life was claimed in a skiing accident. eg: During the campaigns at the height of malaria season - from July to October - young children will be offered so-called chemoprevention drugs. Small children are at highest risk of dying from malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic illness that claimed the lives of some three-quarters of a million people in 2012, most of them children and babies in sub-Saharan Africa.

never~than~

I'm never happier than when learning English. My wife is never happier than when reading books. The son is never happier than when riding a bicycle. eg: Johnson strongly defended the use of American soldiers in Vietnam. In a speech to a group of lawmakers he said: "Since World War Two, this nation has met and has mastered many challenges -- challenges in Greece and Turkey, in Berlin, in Korea, in Cuba. We met them because brave men were willing to risk their lives for their nation's security. And braver men have never lived than those who carry our colors in Vietnam this very hour."

compulsory

If something is compulsory, you must do it because of a rule or law.Swimming was compulsory at my school.Wearing seat belts in cars is compulsory by law. eg:Of the 62 secondary schools, 38 said they did not admit such pupils because either most of their lessons were taught in Chinese, or the subject was compulsory in their curriculum.

groundbreaking

If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type: His latest movie is interesting, but not groundbreaking. The EFSET is unique and innovative and really groundbreaking in the sense that it gives free online access very much like a MOOC [Massive Open Online Course] would to anyone who interested in measuring their English proficiency level.

pit

The verb to pit means to put two people or groups in confrontation or conflict. eg: "Thaksin was removed from office in a 2006 military coup. The billionaire businessman is still very influential in Thailand. He is living in exile to escape corruption charges. The conflict pits Bangkok's urban middle class and royalist elite against the mostly poor, rural supporters of Yingluck and Thaksin."

anesthetic

US for anaesthetic, a substance that makes you unable to feel pain. The operation is performed under anaesthetic. eg:As the boat moved slowly up the East River in New York, the doctors put President Cleveland to sleep with an anesthetic drug.

tire

US for tyre.a thick rubber ring, often filled with air, which is fitted around the outer edge of the wheel of a vehicle, allowing the vehicle to stick to the road surface and to travel over the ground more easily. eg:In one photograph from the state of North Carolina, a group of men are standing in front of old rubber tires collected from automobiles. They are planning to give the tires to the Army to be fixed and used for army vehicles.

labourer

US laborer. In 2010, at age 24, Cutter Hodierne went to Kenya and made a shorter version of Fishing Without Nets. He used Somali refugees to play the parts. These untrained actors included day laborers, fishermen and truck drivers. They were all living in Mombasa, Kenya at the time. "We would set up these informal auditions in restaurants and just like hangouts where Somalis would sit around and chew khat and drink tea, and we would audition people there."

paralyse

US paralyze. to cause a person, animal or part of the body to lose the ability to move or feel. The leader of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, Alex Chow, said the protesters had planned to paralyze, or disable, government headquarters. In his words, "The plan was a failure on the whole, given that even if some places were occupied, they were cleared by the police immediately."

plough

US plow.a large farming tool with blades which digs the earth in fields so that seeds can be planted. eg:Cattlemen also had problems with farmers and sheepmen. Farmers coming west would claim grassland used by the cattle growers. They would put up fences and plow up the land to plant crops. Other settlers brought huge herds of sheep to compete with cattle for the grass, and the sheep always won. Cattle would not eat grass where sheep had eaten.

shatter

[I or T] to (cause something to) break suddenly into very small pieces. The glass shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. His leg was shattered in the accident.

bet

[I or T] to risk money on the result of an event or a competition, such as a horse race, in the hope of winning more money. e regularly goes to the races and bets heavily. She bet £500 000 on the horse which came in second. [+ two objects, + (, that, )] I bet you $25 that I'll get there before you. eg:"It's the combination of this being, I think, dramatic figures speaking at what was really a dramatic time. I mean this is a time period where society is really changing."

current account

a bank account that you can take money from at any time and which usually earns little or no interest.

lilac

a bush or small tree with sweet-smelling purple or white flowers. eg：Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in the spring. That is the time of year when lilac plants burst into flower throughout much of the United States.

projection

a calculation or guess about the future based on information that you have. The latest population estimates appear in a report published in Science magazine. The findings replace the most recent U.N. projections, which were released in July.

grievance

a complaint or a strong feeling that you have been treated unfairly. eg:Bill still harbours/nurses a grievance against his employers for not promoting him. eg:Carney gave credit to Kyiv authorities for what he said were efforts to address grievances of residents of Ukraine's east through negotiations. Holding "illegal referendums" and "annexing parts of countries" is not a way forward, he added. Kyiv and Western governments have been accusing Moscow of orchestrating the current unrest in Ukraine's east and south.

commonwealth

a country or part of a country that is governed by its people or representatives elected by its people. formal, a group of countries with the same political or economic aims eg: Judith Zoungnana, a Burkina Faso policewoman, smiles during a graduation ceremony from a security training course that included participants from several African and Commonwealth countries in Cairo, Egypt.

incinerator

a device for burning things which are no longer wanted. eg: The protests were against plans to build a large waste incinerator in the eastern city of Hangzhou.

dismay

a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment. eg:The Tories and regulars,dismayed by their flight,quickly followed,the bullets of the patriots adding the wings to their speed.

financial instrument

a financial asset that can be bought or sold, such as a bond, share, or other security (= an investment that can be traded) eg: Hedge accounting attempts to reduce the volatility created by the repeated adjustment of a financial instrument's value, known as marking to market. This reduced volatility is done by combining the instrument and the hedge as one entry, which offsets the opposing movements.

kayak

a light narrow canoe with a covering over the top. eg:More than 10 swimmers are in the group. They follow an orange kayak for a one and a half kilometer salt-water swim. Guila Muir paddles the first of the support boats. "A swim excursion is not a race. That's the primary differentiation (first difference). It's an expedition. It's an adventure."

sash

a long narrow piece of cloth worn round the waist and fastened at the back, or a strip of cloth worn over the shoulder, which is often worn with a uniform at official ceremonies. eg:Lee rose early on the appointed day. He put on a new grey coat and a bright red sash. He looked as if he were going to a parade. His officers wondered. Then Lee explained: "I probably will be General Grant's prisoner. I thought I should look my best."

Negro

a member of a race of humankind native to Africa and classified according to physical features (as dark skin pigmentation). eg: There was something else that deeply troubled working men in the North. Anti-war activists told them that the war was not being fought to save the Union, but to free Negro slaves. The activists said the freed Negroes would move north and take jobs away from whites. Many men believed this. They said they would not fight.

traitor

a person who is not loyal or stops being loyal to their own country, social class, beliefs, etc. eg:Most Democrats regarded him as a traitor who had jumped from the Jackson party and joined the Whigs, however temporarily."

coward

a person who is too eager to avoid danger, difficulty or pain. They branded her a coward for informing on her colleagues during the interrogation. eg:"I thought first we would take only Manila. Then Luzon. Then other islands, perhaps. I walked the floor of the White House many nights. More than once, I went down on my knees and asked God to help me decide. "And one night," said McKinley, "It came to me this way: "That we could not give the Philippines back to Spain. That would be cowardly and dishonorable. We could not turn them over to France or Germany, our trading competitors in Asia. That would be bad business. We could not leave them to themselves. They were not ready for self-government. So, there was nothing for us to do but to take them all. And to educate the Filipinos, to civilize them, and make Christians of them. "With that decision," said McKinley, "I went to bed and slept well."

paramedic

a person who is trained to do medical work, especially in an emergency, but who is not a doctor or nurse. eg:Paramedics were on hand at Beijing's Lido Hotel, where many Chinese families have been gathered since plane went missing. After hearing the news, several were taken away on stretchers.

recluse

a person who lives alone and avoids going outside or talking to other people.He is a millionaire recluse who refuses to give interviews. eg:The State Department said it was aware of Miller's detention and was working with the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang on the issue. The Swedish Embassy often represents the interests of American citizens in the reclusive state, as Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.

companion

a person you spend a lot of time with either because you are friends or because you are travelling together. a travelling companion. eg:No one at the time seemed much impressed by Lincoln's speech. That night, on the train back to Washington, Lincoln bay stretched out on a seat, tired and discouraged. He said to a companion, "That speech was a flat failure, and the people are disappointed." Most of the newspapers seemed to feel the same way. They called the speech unimportant, even foolish. One writer went so far as to say that every American should feel ashamed that the President of the United States had to express himself in such a stupid manner.

egghead

a person, especially a man, who is very clever and interested only in studying and other mental activities. eg:There was no question that the Democratic candidate, Adlai Stevenson, had a brain. He was known as an intellectual or "egghead". When he launched his campaign, he dismissed some traditional political advisers and replaced them with eggheads. Communism was the biggest issue in the campaign. Governor Stevenson said America needed to guard against it. Yet he repeatedly criticized the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. For years, the senator had been denouncing government officials and others as communists.

outpost

a place, especially a small group of buildings or a town, which keeps going the authority or business interests of a government or company that is far away. a police/military/colonial outpost. eg:"You're just there at an outpost getting shot at with those guys." He says that kind of closeness is difficult to find when soldiers return to the United States.

prefecture

a political region or local government area in some countries, for example Japan, France, and Italy. Upon his accession Shijingtang immediately ceded the sixteen prefectures to the Khitans,as promised.

rally

a public meeting of a large group of people, especially supporters of a particular opinion

penalty

a punishment, or the usual punishment, for doing something that is against a law

chamber

a room used for a special or official purpose, or a group of people who form (part of) a parliament. Meetings of the council are held in the council chamber. a torture chamber. There are two chambers in the British parliament - the House of Commons is the lower chamber, and the House of Lords is the upper chamber. eg:The former commissioner says even the threat of new rules is bad for the investments needed to support innovation on the Internet. Some Republican members of Congress and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are in agreement with Mr. Furchtgott-Roth. The Chamber of Commerce speaks for many major businesses. The issue will likely be fought over by regulators, the courts and Congress.

tether

a rope or chain used to tie especially an animal to a post or other fixed place, usually so that it can move freely within a small area. eg: How to Reverse Tether: Share Your Laptop's Internet Connection with Your Phone

reel

a round wheel-shaped object on which sewing thread, fishing wire, film, etc. can be rolled, or the amount of thread, etc. stored on one of these.

curfew

a rule that everyone must stay at home between particular times, usually at night, especially during a war or a period of political trouble. to impose/lift a curfew. He was shot for breaking (= not obeying) the curfew. Angry protesters again took to the streets in Ferguson, Missouri, late Sunday, following the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. Television footage showed heavily armed police officers apparently firing tear gas at the protesters who tried marching toward them. The police are preparing to enforce a curfew for the second straight night. The curfew begins at midnight local time and runs until 5 a.m.

autocrat

a ruler with unlimited power, or someone who demands that people completely obey them; eg: One observer, Chris Phillips of Queen Mary University, London, says Russia is defending Syria's right to govern itself. "The Russians have always backed the principle of state sovereignty. As they see it, the Syrians have the right to conclude their affairs inside Syria as they wish. Russia itself is an autocratic regime and his not very keen on any major attempts to undermine the principle of state sovereignty, and they are going to stand by that."

roller coaster

a situation which changes from one extreme to another, or in which a person's feelings change from one extreme to another. eg:He was on an emotional roller coaster for a while when he lost his job. eg:After 17 days of riding an emotional roller coaster the grief for many was too much to bear.

warrior

a soldier, usually one who has both experience and skill in fighting, especially in the past. eg:Today, we begin a new series from a book by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. The book is called "A Princess of Mars." It is the first book in a series that Burroughs wrote about a man who travels to Mars during the last years of the eighteen hundreds. There, the man meets strange beings and sees strange sights. At first he is a captive, then a warrior, and after many battles, a prince of a royal family.

feast

a special meal with very good food or a large meal for many people. The official TAP news agency reported Thursday the attackers targeted soldiers on Mount Chaambi on the Algerian border as they were holding their sundown feast Wednesday night as part of the Ramadan Muslim holy month.

chaos

a state of total confusion with no order. eg:The head of Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, Alexei Pushkov, says Russia has never and will never interfere directly in Ukrainian affairs. Pushkov told a news conference in Moscow that the European Union, the United States and former Ukrainian opposition parties should be held responsible for the current chaos. Fighting between Ukrainian security forces and pro-Russia militants in eastern Ukraine has left at least five militants dead, with Russian President Vladimir Putin calling it a "crime" and threatening "consequences." Ukraine's Interior Ministry said Thursday that its forces, together with army units, had killed five pro-Russia militants and destroyed three of their checkpoints in the eastern city of Slovyansk.

narrative

a story or a description of a series of events. It's a moving narrative of wartime adventure. eg:Atilla Yesilada says even before the new legislation was written, investors were worried about the lack of progress on democratic reforms and the threat of the Islamic State on Turkey's border. "There are a lot of unconnected stories that are hitting the news wires which are sort of touching the nerve endings of investors. They haven't reached a point where there is a coherent negative Turkish narrative, as it's coalesced in Putin's Russia years ago or has happened in Venezuela. But I think there is concern. They are watching. And if there are any applications of these laws to companies, I am afraid the investor sentiment may change very rapidly."

fountain

a stream of water that is forced up into the air through a small hole, especially for decorative effect, or the structure in a lake or pool from which this flows. eg:The first of these Spanish explorers was Juan Ponce de Leon. He landed in North America in 1513. He explored the eastern coast of what is now the state of Florida. He was searching for a special kind of water that Europeans believed existed. They believed that this water could make old people young again. Ponce de Leon never did find the fountain of youth.

scarf

a strip, square or triangle of cloth, worn around the neck, head or shoulders to keep you warm or to make you look attractive.a knitted/woollen/silk scarf. eg:Witnesses said a second man may have been working with the shooter. The shooter and another man wore scarves of the same design on their heads.

contempt

a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something. At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers. You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve. She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)!

yearning

a strong feeling of wishing for something, especially something that you cannot have or get easily. I suppose it's because I live in a city that I have this yearning for open spaces. eg:

fad

a style, activity or interest which is very popular for a short period of time. the latest health fad. There was a fad for wearing ripped jeans a few years ago. eg: Many Americans remember the 1950s as the fad years. A fad is something that is extremely popular for a very short time one fad from the 1950s was the Hula Hoop. The Hula Hoop was a colorful plastic tube joined to form a big circle. To play with it, you moved your hips in a circular motion. This kept it spinning around your body. The motion was like one used by Polynesian people in their native dance, the hula.

seasoning

a substance that is added to savoury food to improve its flavour. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper as desired. eg: The vegetable kale can be tough or hard. But it keeps more nutrients if you don't cook it too much. Here is a trick. Simply rub or massage the kale leaves with olive oil and seasonings. The leaves will break down and soften. The stems, or stalks, will remain tough. But you can sauté them or place them in soup for added vitamins and taste.

fuel

a substance which is used to provide heat or power, usually by being burned. eg:Is Ukraine divided?Mr Yanukovych fled to Ukraine's Russian-speaking east on Saturday, where heavy industry fueled by Russian gas dominates the economy. In the west, where some regions were once part of Poland and Austria's empire, most people speak Ukrainian and feel closer to Europe, where many have jobs. Despite these differences, there are few signs the country is in danger of a split.

cosmonaut

an astronaut (= a person who travels into space) from Russia. eg: cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was launched in the vehicle known as Vostok.

floorwalker

an employee of a retail store who supervises sales personnel and helps with customer problems

hatred

an extremely strong feeling of dislike. What is very clear in these letters is Clark's passionate hatred of his father. The motive for this shocking attack seems to be racial hatred. eg: Religious and Ethnic Hatred Seen as Biggest Threat

mutiny

an occasion when a group of people, especially soldiers or sailors, refuses to obey orders and/or attempts to take control from people in authority. Conditions on the ship were often very bad, and crews were on the point of mutiny. There were rumours of mutiny among the troops. Soldiers crushed mutinies in three jails. eg:The films had exciting new actors. Spencer Tracy. Bette Davis. Katharine Hepburn. The young Shirley Temple. The most famous film of the period was "Gone with the Wind" with actor Clark Gable and actress Vivien Leigh. Directors in the 1930s also produced such great films as "It Happened One Night," "Mutiny on the Bounty," and "The Life of Emile Zola."

repressive

controlling what people do, especially by using force; preventing people from expressing their feelings;eg:China is among the most repressive nations in the world concerning free speech, cracking down on dissent, blocking many news and online sites, and censoring Internet news that Beijing considers objectionable.

tantalizing

describes something that causes desire and excitement in you, but which is unlikely to provide a way of satisfying that desire. I caught a tantalizing glimpse of the sparkling blue sea through the trees. eg: Spacecraft Sends 'Tantalizing' Information from Mars.

sceptical

doubting that something is true or useful eg: Although a civil court has now ruled authorities cannot use force to disperse demonstrators, many protestors are sceptical they will be unmolested.

vertebrate

having a spine (= back bone). The WWF says it is worried about the loss of and damage to Earth's environment. The report provides information about more than 10,000 animal populations from 1970 to 2010. These populations are called "vertebrate species," or animals with backbones -- like fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The report says these populations have dropped by 52 percent in just 40 years. It says freshwater species have fallen by 76 percent. That is almost twice the loss of land and ocean species. Most of these losses are in the tropics. The report says the biggest drop has been in Latin America.

lie with

lie with someone if something such as responsibility or blame for something lies with someone, they are responsible for it or they should be blamed for it There is evidence to suggest that some blame lies with the police. if something such as power or a decision lies with someone, they have power or the right to make a decision Unfortunately, the decision doesn't lie with our department. eg: Lance Armstrong, the former cycling champion, has admitted to using drugs to improve his performance for the first time. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey on her OWN Network, Armstrong said he had used drugs during all seven of his Tour de France wins, from 1999 to 2005. From Washington, here's the BBC's correspondent Ben Wright: The confession took a long time to come. Despite being stripped of his Tour de France titles last year following a doping investigation, Lance Armstrong always denied cheating. But he had been lying. The 41-year-old American cyclist told Oprah Winfrey he used performance enhancing drugs in every Tour de France contest he won. He took banned substances and used blood transfusions to boost his performance. Without them, he said, it wouldn't have been possible to win. Armstrong said he kept repeating "one big lie" and conceded that his admission would be "too late" for most people. "All the fault and all the blame lies with me," Lance Armstrong said. But he claimed his actions had not felt like cheating at the time and denied having pressurised other members of his team to dope.

inroads

make inroads › to start to have a direct and noticeable effect (on something). The government is definitely making inroads into the problem of unemployment. The newest designers to arrive are Asian-born and Asian-trained, looking to make inroads in the lucrative U.S. fashion market.

corridor

n. a narrow area of land used for something such as transportation or trade. eg:Both countries want to discuss the China Pakistan Economic Corridor during the visit. The corridor is a system of roads, railroads, and gas and oil pipelines linking southwestern China to the Pakistani port of Gwadar. China wants to renew the ancient Silk Road. The goal is to expand road and sea links between southwest Asia and China from the time of the Han Dynasty.

deal

n. an official agreement. eg: Leaders from Russia and Ukraine are still working to reach a deal for the payment of gas supplies for Ukraine. eg:U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday there had been no deal between the United States and North Korea for the release of American citizen Jeffrey Fowle. North Korea's official news agency said the government released Mr. Fowle from prison after "repeated requests" from President Barack Obama. The news agency also reported that leader Kim Jong-Un ordered the release.

might

noun. power, strength or force. Pizarro defeated the might of the Inca Empire with only a few hundred men. She struggled with all her might to get free. eg: Germany continued to seem strong during the first months after the United States entered the war in Europe. But the situation began to change. German strength and control were greatest in November 1942. After then, the mighty German military machine began to slow down.

damp

slightly wet, especially in a way that is not pleasant or comfortable. "But my friend," I protested, "it is late. The wine is in my wine cellar, underneath the palace. Those rooms are very damp and cold and the walls drip with water."

premises

the land and buildings owned by someone, especially by a company or organization.eg:ISS would also conduct spot checks and home visits to premises to assess the hygiene, home environment and safety condition.

semantics

the study of meanings in a language. eg:The messages that are exchanged are in the form of IDocs or Intermediate Documents. IDocs act like a container or envelope for the application data. An IDOC is created as a result of execution of an Outbound ALE. In an Inbound ALE an IDOC serves as an input to create application document. In the SAP system IDocs are stored in the database tables. They can be used for SAP to SAP and SAP to non-SAP process communication as long as the participating processes can understand the syntax and semantics of the data.

bombard

to attack a place with continuous shooting or bombs. The troops bombarded the city, killing and injuring hundreds. eg:Print based on the painting called Hancock at Gettysbug by Thure de Thulstrup. Shows Major General Winfield S. Hancock riding along the Union lines during the Confederate bombardment prior to Pickett's Charge.

outnumber

to be greater in number than someone or something. In our office, the women outnumber the men 3 to 1. eg:On November 9th, 1989, days of protests resulted in crowds gathering on both sides of the Berlin Wall. Border guards were outnumbered, and for the first time since 1961, Berliners from East and West mixed freely.

haunt

to cause repeated suffering or anxiety.eg:Thirty years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction. eg:Feinerman said "If there is a concern at the top that no one wants to do to Zhou what might come back to haunt them should they fall out of favor, then they might be unwilling to make a huge deal about Zhou himself."

rout

to defeat an enemy completely and force them to run away. a situation in which sb is defeated easily and completely in a battle or competition figurative The Russian chess team have routed all the rest. eg:We put the enemy to rout. eg:What makes the prospect of a bond-market rout more frightening

devastate

to destroy a place or thing completely or cause great damage. eg: The regime tries to devastate what they have promised for the people, I think universal suffrage means there should be no censorship on the candidates on any election eg:When Typhoon Haiyan devastated Philippines' Leyte Island one year ago, many local fishermen lost their wooden boats.

lift

to end a rule or law The restrictions on water usage have been lifted now that the river levels are normal. At last they've lifted the ban on jeans at the club. lift the ban. to impose/lift a curfew. Hamas says it will not stop fighting until Israel lifts its seven-year blockade of Gaza. Israel says it will end the blockade only after Gaza is de-militarized, a condition Hamas rejects. Hamas denied firing rockets first. It said Israel failed to meet its demands at cease-fire talks in Cairo, namely the lifting of a crippling blockade on Gaza and construction of a seaport. Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran says now the group is playing by different rules.

earmark

to keep or intend something for a particular purpose. eg: Five billion dollars of this year's budget is already earmarked for hospital improvements. eg: Earmarked Funds

crack

to make a joke or clever remark.He's always cracking jokes. We were surprised to see our usually serious math teacher in a jocular mood,cracking jokes a -mile-a-minute.

demystify

to make something easier to understand. eg: What I need is a book that will demystify the workings of a car engine for me. eg: Demystifying SAP's Ramp-Up process

tap

to make use of a source of energy, knowledge, etc. that already exists. eg:For some time, there is no reason for the meditation, trying to tap something deep. eg: KENNEDY: "Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce ... Let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved."

outpace

to move or develop faster than someone or something else. John Wilmoth says the pressure of feeding the rising population is likely to be less than might be expected. "The relatively good news is that the world has been winning the race between population growth and food production. If you look back historically over the last 50 years, certainly for the world as a whole and for many, most individual countries and regions, the increase in food production has outpaced the increase of population."

creep

to move slowly, quietly and carefully, usually in order to avoid being noticed. She turned off the light and crept through the door. Someone was creeping around outside my window. The spider crept up the wall. The traffic was creeping along at a snail's pace. eg:Grant closed in with men and artillery. As one soldier wrote: "The circle of Union forces around the city was so tight that a cat could not have crept out without being discovered. "

rule sth out

to prevent something from happening.This recent wave of terrorism has ruled out any chance of peace talks. eg:The Obama administration has ruled out lethal military assistance to Kyiv, and said it stands ready to expand existing sanctions against Russia and order new ones. While Obama again ruled out U.S. military action, he said Washington will stand firm with its European allies to address the crisis and warned Moscow will likely face additional economic sanctions from the West.

contemplate

to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way. [+ -ing verb] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year. You're not contemplating a change of job, are you? It's too awful/horrific/dangerous to contemplate. eg: Protest leaders hope the ceremonies will inject fresh momentum into their civil disobedience campaign and reverse its loss of direction and leadership. Protesters on the ground are also contemplating what to do, with most determined to stay put.

go viral

to spread rapidly via the Internet, e-mail, or other media: Footage of the candidate's off-color remarks went viral within minutes. eg: She's has songs written about her. She's had Photoshopped images of her go viral. She's had a verb named in her honor. In some parts of the Russian-language blogosphere, she's become a minor celebrity. Not in a good way. Jen Psaki is the face of the U.S. State Department, seen in daily briefings fielding questions from reporters from around the world, trying to articulate U.S. foreign policy. She's also the target of a relentless and unrivaled swirl of derision, mockery and outright insults coming from Russian bloggers, newscasters and state-run media, which operate under the thumb of the Kremlin.

slather

to spread something thickly on something else. She slathered lotion on/all over her body. She slathered her toast with butter. eg: So Monroe came out of the War of 1812 as a hero. And he and his wife, his beautiful wife Elizabeth, moved into what was the blackened hulk of a presidential mansion. And workers slathered on, really slathered on these thick, thick coats of white paint, and really, so thick that it gleamed white.

sour

unfriendly or easily annoyed Overnight, it seemed, their relationship had turned sour. eg: It's still in a very sour political state. The relationship is still at its lowest point.

parole

when a prisoner is released before their period in prison is finished, with the agreement that they will behave well. He's been released on parole. She hopes to be eligible for parole in 3 years. Reynolds was sentenced to life without parole. eg:The two commanders met under a white flag of truce. Grant demanded unconditional surrender. Pemberton rejected the demand. Pemberton's men were to be prisoners. That was a fact. But Pemberton wanted them released immediately on parole. He told Grant that his men would promise to stay out of the war if permitted to return to their homes. If not, he said, they would continue to fight.

ballad

a song or poem that tells a story, or (in popular music) a slow love song. eg: The cowboy has told his own story in many songs and ballads. Hundreds of these have come from cowboys whose names are not known. They just sang these songs as they rode on the saddles of their horses across the cattle lands. Or, as they sat at their campfires at night.

karate

a sport originally from Japan in which people fight using their arms, legs, hands and feet. The level of skill a person has is shown by what colour belt they wear. eg:4 Turkey's team competes in the third-place fight at the Men's Kata Team competition at the 22nd Karate World Championships in Bremen, Germany.

thrift store

a store that sells used things such as clothes, books, and furniture.

clarinet

a tube-shaped musical instrument which is played by blowing through a single reed and pressing the metal keys to produce different notes. eg:The most popular sound of the 1930s was a new kind of music -- "swing" music. And the "King of Swing" was a clarinet player named Benny Goodman.

ragtime

a type of popular music, developed by black musicians in North America in the early 1900s, with tunes that are not on regular beats. eg: The 1920s also were an exciting time for black music. Black musicians playing the piano developed the ragtime style of music. Singers and musicians produced a sad, emotional style of playing that became known as the blues. And most important, music lovers began to play and enjoy a new style that was becoming known as jazz.

broccoli

a vegetable with a thick green stem and a tree-like dark green top.

ranch

a very large farm on which animals are kept, especially in North and South America. eg: Settlers and cattle ranchers pushed the Indians out of their homelands. The result was a series of wars between the tribes and the federal government.

conjecture

a guess about something based on how it seems and not on proof. adj. without proof There's been a lot of conjecture in the papers recently about the marriage. eg:China said Friday charges of its involvement are irresponsible. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Beijing hopes the U.S. would be "less suspicious and stop making any unverified allegations." He spoke at a regular news briefing. "We know that hacker attacks are conducted anonymously, across nations, and that it is hard to track the source," Hong said. "It is irresponsible and unscientific to make conjectural, trumped-up allegations without deep investigation."

predicate

a part of a sentence containing a verb that makes a statement about the subject of the verb, such as went home in John went home.

concert

a performance of music by one or more musicians or singers. eg:Swing music was not the only kind of music that radio helped make popular. The 1930s also saw increasing popularity for traditional, classical music by Beethoven, Bach, and other great musicians. In 1930, the Columbia Broadcasting System began a series of concerts by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday afternoons. The next year, the National Broadcasting Company, NBC, began weekly opera concerts.

schooner

a sailing ship with two or more masts and with its sails parallel to the length of the ship, rather than across it. eg:For example, there was a play put on in New York City called the Black Schooner that was based on the Amistad incident, and there were many, many people who went to see it. It became a popular event. And wax figures of the captives were exhibited in various places in the United States, and artists drew pictures of them.

greed

a very strong wish to continuously get more of something, especially food or money I don't know why I'm eating more - it's not hunger, it's just greed! He was unsympathetic with many house sellers, complaining that they were motivated by greed. eg: You have to look at the negative side, and that is the fact that it is based on greed. Greed is of course a weakness of humanity that is from the very beginning of mankind. I think that you can't have a government that is based on greed and expect it to survive. I think the people inherently have an ethical basis from the past to judge the government.

breakaway

an act of separating from a group, especially because of disagreement. The sports association accepted the inevitability of a breakaway by the elite clubs. The breakaway group formed a new political party. Ukraine's President said Friday, his country's armed forces had destroyed part of a Russian military column that had crossed the border in an escalation of the conflict over Ukraine's breakaway eastern regions. The self-styled prime minister for the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, tells VOA the claim is untrue and the pro-Moscow separatists hit a Ukrainian military column, seizing weapons in the clash.

foe

an enemy. The two countries have united against their common foe. They were bitter foes for many years. Foes of the government will be delighting in its current difficulties. eg:.As a professional soldier,Colonel Gunn bore no personal rancor toward his foe;for him,the enemy was purely a force to be destroyed.

regimen

any set of rules about food and exercise that someone follows, especially in order to improve their health. eg:fter his heart attack the doctor put him on a strict regimen. eg:Treatment for tuberculosis requires patients to take a number of drugs daily for six to nine months. Adherence to the regimen is difficult, and often uneven.But with DOTS, health care workers visit patients in their homes every day, making sure they swallow each dose of the prescribed pills.

cumbersome

awkward because of being large, heavy or not effective. cumbersome equipment cumbersome bureaucracy But the professor notes Chinese government concerns about dual citizenship. "For example, when a Chinese [citizen] who holds an American passport commits a crime, or has confrontation with the Chinese government, in case he or she is detained or tried in China, the Chinese government will have to inform and work with the U.S. on his case. This is not only a cumbersome process, but also gives foreign countries excuses to interfere with China's internal affairs."

indicative

being or relating to a sign that something exists, is true, or is likely to happen Resumption of the talks is indicative of an improving relationship between the countries. And so, I think that's indicative of what I think we're seeing from the Chinese that they see themselves as sort of the heir apparent to the global power that the United States is today.

textured

describes something that has a surface that is not smooth but has a raised pattern on it textured wallpaper. eg: Wan said she strives for a balance between Asian and Western cultural expressions, using rough-textured fabrics in soft, feminine silhouettes. "I think people are interested in the softness of Oriental minimalism,'' she said.

hasty

describes something that is done in a hurry, sometimes without the necessary care or thought. He warned against making hasty decisions. Now let's not leap to any hasty conclusions. We saw the rain and made a hasty retreat into the bar. I think perhaps we were a little hasty in judging him. eg: At the moment a crack of thunder broke from the skies.Down poured the rain in heavy showers.Lightning filled the air.Crash after crash of thunder rolled through the sky.Checked in their blood-thirst by the fury of the elements,the soldiers hastily separated and ran for the shelter of the trees.

rhetorical

describes speech or writing which is intended to seem important or influence people. eg:"You want to know what courage is?" he asked rhetorically. eg: THE United States has once again twisted itself a rhetorical pretzel. As when it threatened military action against Syria if a "red line" was crossed, the Obama administration's rhetoric about Russia and Ukraine goes far beyond what it will be willing and able to enforce. Earlier this month, President Obama warned that America would "isolate Russia" if it grabbed more land, and yesterday, he suggested that more sanctions were possible. Likewise, Secretary of State John Kerry said the Group of 7 nations were "prepared to go to the hilt" in order to isolate Russia.But Washington's rhetoric is dangerously excessive, for three main reasons: Ukraine is far more important to Vladimir V. Putin than it is to America; it will be hard for the United States and Europe to make good on their threats of crippling sanctions; and other countries could ultimately defang them.

mercy

n. kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly. She appealed to the judge to have mercy on her husband. The prisoners pleaded for mercy. The gunmen showed no mercy, killing innocent men and women. eg:Laurence Meysy sat on the edge of the bed and lit a cigarette. "Misses Mindon sent for me," he said. Mister Mindon could not help feeling proud of Millicent. She had done the right thing. Meysy continued. "She showed me your letter. She asks you for mercy." Meysy paused, and then said: "The poor woman is very unhappy. And we have come here to ask you what you plan to do."

roundup

the act of gathering together people, animals, or things;a roundup of local news stories.There are dozens of online tools that either work with PowerPoint files or let you start from scratch to create and deliver presentations that will wow your audience. This roundup includes tools that are free (or have a free level) and excludes tools whose primary purpose is creating video. Here's the roundup.

assailant

a person who attacks another person.The ministry said the assailant used automatic rifles and rocket launchers.

welfare

help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially because they do not have enough money

leap year

one year in every four years when February has 29 days instead of 28

militia

n. an army of citizens instead of professional soldiers. Jim Tuttle is a reporter. He researched U.S. gun culture for a project called News21. One of the groups he visited was a citizen militia in the state of Mississippi. "The folks that I met in the militia especially, they want their kids to be able to defend themselves if there's, you know, a home intruder or a home invasion or something like that."

lingering

lasting a long time. eg: Such lingering military tensions were likely a topic to come up during meetings later Tuesday between Rice and Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan.

bridge

to make the difference or division between two things smaller or less severe We must bridge the gap between labour and management. eg: Teens Help Seniors Bridge Technology Gap

backed

used to form adjectives that describe who is providing support, especially financial support. government-backed contracts. eg: It comes after a referendum on Sunday in which Crimean officials say 97% of voters backed splitting from Ukraine.

refrain

to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something. eg:The U.N. chief has refrained from pronouncing the referendum illegitimate. Ukraine's interim authorities and their international supporters say it violated the country's constitution. But Ban has called on all parties in the country and those with influence to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

antonym

word which means the opposite of another word.Two antonyms of ' light ' are ' dark ' and ' heavy '.eg: Everyone would benefit from studying 5 SAT words a night. Maybe this is something you can do first thing in the morning with your breakfast, or right before you go to bed at night. Study with flash cards each week. Group synonyms. Know their antonyms. Each week I quiz my students on 35 words. Quiz yourself or have someone quiz you.

bent on

determined to do or have something eg: The subsidy program has been mired in allegations of corruption and faced growing losses, becoming a target of a Bangkok-based protest movement __ ousting Yingluck and the caretaker government she has led since December.

nemesis

Someone's nemesis is a person or thing that is very difficult for them to defeat.

broker

to arrange something such as a deal, agreement, etc. between two or more groups or countries eg: Talks between government and opposition representatives were brokered by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland.

surprise

to find, catch or attack someone when they are not expecting it. The robbers had just opened the safe when they were surprised by the police. [+ -ing verb] His mother surprised him helping himself to her gin. eg:This resistance did not stop government efforts to get the Black Hills for the miners. The War Department sent General George Crook to punish the Indians and force them back to their reservation. Crook led a large force into Sioux country. He surprised an Indian village, capturing hundreds of horses.

charge

to move forward quickly and violently, especially towards something that has caused difficulty or anger; eg: When the bell sounded, K.O. Mullins responded with alacrity. He sprang from his stool and charged across the ring, showing disdain for the champion's strength. Although this belligerent attitude impressed the referee, it failed to intimidate the champ. That intrepid battler laid the hapless* Mullins low with an adroit* feint and an uppercut.

credit

1.used to show that you think a person deserves a lot of praise for something that they have done. 2. [C or U] money in your bank account. I was relieved to see from my statement that my account was in credit. eg: One time, Swanson's bicycle was not returned on time. He was happy with Spinlister's response. "They were so good about it, they gave me a credit, and they were very helpful, like immediate responses. Part of that might be the size; they're still pretty small, I believe, and you get a lot more personal attention with that." 3.to pay money into a bank account. They credited my account with $20 after I pointed out the mistake.

left

If something leaves something else, a part or effect of it stays after it has gone or been used. His shoes left muddy marks on the floor. There's some food left over from the party. [+ two objects] If I give you £10 that won't leave me enough cash to pay the bill. [+ obj + adj ] Far from improving things the new law has left many people worse off (= they are now in a worse situation) than before. eg: Dakis Voultsis is a businessman. He agrees with Suzanna Steiner. He says the government should have been left to do its work. But, he says, now that early elections are set for January 25, Greeks will have to decide whom to vote for.

deliberately

intentionally, I'm sure he says these things deliberately to annoy me. The official says the plane was likely deliberately targeted by someone who may have mistaken it for a military transport plane.

clung

past simple and past participle of cling

intestine

(either of the two parts of) a long tube through which food travels from the stomach and out of the body while it is being digested. His younger brother and sister died of the intestinal disease diarrhea that could have been treated. But no medicine or hospital was available.

amateur

1.taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job. an amateur astronomer/boxer/historian. He was an amateur singer until the age of 40, when he turned professional. → Compare professional adjective 2.relating to an activity, especially a sport, where the people taking part do not receive money. amateur athletics. eg:Oyuna Batuyeva, right, 23, of Buryatia and Anna Schelukhina, 20, of Krasnoyarsk region, prepare backstage before the final show of the 8th Miss Asia-Siberia international amateur beauty and talents contest in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

tropical

A warm air mass that forms in the tropics and has low air pressure.(extremely hot and feeling wet).tropical fish; eg:The Amazon river basin contains the world's largest tropical rainforest. eg:The weather was positively tropical last summer.eg: Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, is planning to roll out mass seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaigns, known as SMCs, in the Sahel sub-region to prevent new cases of the disease in countries where malaria is widespread. These nations include Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Burkino Faso and Mali. In a 2013 SMC trial in Niger, the organization treated more than 200,000 children between the ages of three and 59 months with chemoprevention drugs. Trials of the chemoprevention strategy in the last two years have shown a reduction of up to 83 percent in simple malaria cases; there's a similar percentage reduction in the number of cases of severe malaria. Estrella Lasry, tropical medicine adviser for the group, says the campaign was launched at the urging of the World Health Organization.

frontier

A zone separating two states in which neither state exercises political control.a border between two countries. eg: Some of the frontier between Germany and Poland follows the course of the river Oder. eg: The non-governmental organization Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres, has launched a new, malaria prevention campaign in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa aimed at protecting the illnesses' most vulnerable population - children under the age of five. eg: In a telephone call with Putin, Germany's Angela Merkel said reports of a new Russian military incursion into Ukrainian territory had to be cleared up, a spokesman for the chancellor said in a statement. "The latest reports of the presence of Russian soldiers on Ukrainian territory must be explained," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday. "She emphasized Russia's major responsibility for de-escalation and watching over its own frontiers." eg:A group representing hundreds of French students sent this message: "In President Lincoln we mourn a fellow citizen. There are no longer any countries shut up in narrow frontiers. Our country is everywhere where there are neither masters nor slaves. Wherever people live in liberty or fight for it. We look to the other side of the ocean to learn how a people which has known how to make itself free...knows how to preserve its freedom."

Curriculum Vitae

CV. Having reviewed your Curriculum Vitae, I am writing to inform you that we will not be asking you to attend an interview with us on this occasion.

oil spillages

Extinction of many rare plant and animal species and substantial reduction in number of wildlife species cause concern. Many of these species are in great danger. Some species become objects of poaching such as lions or rhinos. Human population is more and more increasing. It consume too much food than animal and fish populations. Many environmental changes are the result of human activity. Oil spillage and toxic chemicals lead to the pollution of habitats.

nuclear-tipped

Forbes described Mr. Putin as "the undisputed, unpredictable and unaccountable head of an energy-rich, nuclear-tipped state, no one would ever call him weak."

fury

Fury is violent or very strong anger. ⇒ She screamed, her face distorted with fury and pain. eg:Faulkner wrote about the special problems and ways of life in the American south. His books explored the emotional tension in a society still suffering from the loss of the Civil War sixty years before. Some of Faulkner's best books were "The Sound and The Fury," "As I Lay Dying" and "Absalom, Absalom." Like Hemingway, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

acute

If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage She felt acute embarrassment/anxiety/concern at his behaviour. The problem of poverty is particularly acute in rural areas. eg: Scientists are investigating a mysterious kind of pneumonia. They call it Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.

unanimous

If a group of people are unanimous, they all agree about one particular matter or vote the same way, and if a decision or judgment is unanimous, it is formed or supported by everyone in a group. eg: The jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty after a short deliberation. eg:The Bangkok court on Wednesday unanimously ruled that Prime Minister Yingluck in 2011 improperly reassigned her then national security chief. It said the move was unconstitutional and done for her own benefit.

revolt

If a large number of people revolt, they refuse to be controlled or ruled, and take often violent action against authority. The people revolted against foreign rule and established their own government. eg:Nearly two months later, the food and water on the Amistad were gone. Several of the Africans took a small boat to land to get more supplies. The captain of a government ship saw them. He brought the Africans and the Amistad into port in the northern state of Connecticut. The Cuban middlemen told their side of the story. They said the Africans were slaves who had revolted and claimed the ship's passengers as property.

fare

If you say that someone or something fares well or badly, you are referring to the degree of success they achieve in a particular situation or activity. ⇒ [v adv] It is unlikely that the marine industry will fare any better in September. eg: How is Ukraine's economy faring during this turmoil? Ukraine is currently in recession, and it suffers from a wide current-account deficit, which means it buys more goods from abroad than it sells. The Ukrainian government said one reason it turned down the EU deal was that it needed to fix relations with its former Soviet master to avoid significant economic hardship. The political turmoil has put markets in Ukraine under pressure.

latency

Latency problems occur when it takes too long for the packet to complete its trip.

secede

Noun,secession.Adj secessionist.to become independent of a country or area of government. eg: There is likely to be civil war if the region tries to secede from the south. eg:White House spokesman Jay Carney offered the assessment at a press briefing on Monday, a day after pro-Russia separatists held votes in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions claiming overwhelming popular support for the regions' secession from Ukraine.

plural

The possessive adjectives never change ,they stay the same whether the noun is singular or plural.my book,my books,OK?

leave

Transitive verb. [T] If you leave something in a particular condition you do not touch it, move it or act to change it in any way, so that it stays in the same condition. Leave that chair where it is. He left most of his dinner (= did not eat much of it). [+ obj + adj ] The family were left (= became and continued to be) homeless. I'll have to go back - I think I've left the iron on. You can leave the window open. Leave your sister alone (= Stop annoying her). eg: National Atmospheric and Space Administration officials say MAVEN will study the planet's upper atmosphere. They say it is the first spacecraft designed to do so. NASA scientists say MAVEN will measure the rates at which gases leave the Martian atmosphere. They hope the information it gathers will help them learn how the climate of Mars has changed over time.

wagon

UK also waggon, a vehicle with four wheels, usually pulled by horses or oxen, used for transporting heavy goods, especially in the past. eg:But it left behind thousands and thousands of dead and wounded. Confederate doctors treated their own men, then tried to help the wounded soldiers of the other side. General Lee permitted northern medical wagons to return to the battlefield. And they began to carry the wounded back to Centreville.

swarm

When insects swarm, they come together in a large group.

worship

[T] to have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God or a god. In the various regions of India, Hindus worship different gods and observe different religious festivals. eg:Mr. Unger says they extended American territory into the northwest edge of the continent, to what are now the states of Washington and Oregon. In other words, he says, Monroe moved the American frontier to the Pacific Ocean. "He really stretched the nation into an empire that reached from sea to shining sea." With the new growth of the nation, tens of thousands of people began moving west. They built houses, started farms, and created towns. "And it was the first time in world history, really, that any sovereign state had granted so much land to people that were not of noble birth. And this expanded the strength of the Americans population. For the first time now thousands, tens of thousands, of Americans became landowners. With ownership of land, these people were now Americans. Thousands of them were able to vote for the first time, were able to run for office for the first time, and really direct the course of their communities and their nations. It empowered the American people and they absolutely worshiped Monroe for his efforts."

armament

[U] the process of increasing the number and strength of a country's weapons As the country prepares for war, more and more money is being spent on armament. armaments [plural]: weapons or military equipment the country's armaments programme Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Thursday that Russian soldiers and armaments had crossed into eastern Ukraine and seized the port town of Novoazovsk.

scout

[pl] an organization (officially called the Scout Association ) originally for boys, which trains young people in practical skills and does a lot of activities with them, for example camping. eg:There were boy scout groups for the boys. Girl scout groups for the girls. The parent-teachers association at the school. Barbecue parties where families gathered to cook and eat outside. Historian William Manchester described life in the suburbs in this way: "The new suburbs were free, open, and honestly friendly to anyone except black people, whose time had not yet come."

sight bill

a bill of exchange that must be paid immediately: When a sight bill is presented to the importer he has to make the payment immediately, or within 7 days at most.

archbishop

a bishop of the highest rank who is in charge of churches and other bishops in a particular large area. The Archbishop of Canterbury holds the highest position in the Church of England.

rib

a bone that curves round from your back to your chest. My son broke a rib when he fell off a ladder. eg:Holding a human rib bone in her gloved hand, Baylor University Anthropology Professor Lori Baker notes signs of postmortem damage -- damage done after death. "This would be indicative of vulture damage."

guilt

a feeling of worry or unhappiness that you have because you have done something wrong, such as causing harm to another person. eg:Jackson explained that it was his duty, as president, to enforce the laws of the land. Even, as Daniel Feller says, if he had to use force. "It's going to come to a test of arms, and this I can quote. And it was in italics, underlined, emphasized in the printed version of the proclamation. 'Disunion by armed force is treason. Are you really read to incur its guilt?'"

Yugoslavia

a former country in southeastern Europe. eg:Relations between the Soviet Union and the western Allies were mixed. On the one hand, Hitler's invasion deep into the Soviet Union had forced Stalin and other Soviet leaders to make victory their top goal. On the other hand, shadows of future problems already could be seen. The Soviet Union was making clear its desire to keep political control over Poland. And it was supporting communist fighters in Yugoslavia and Greece.

stockpile

a large amount of food, goods or weapons which are kept ready for future use,eg: They have a _ of weapons and ammunition that will last several months.

crow

a large black bird with a loud unpleasant cry. eg: as the crow flies

volley

a large number of bullets (seeming to be) fired at the same time. eg: Occupy protesters in Admiralty observe an 87-second silence to mark a month since police fired 87 volleys of tear gas.

rheumatism

a medical condition that causes stiffness and pain in the joints (= places where two bones are connected) or muscles of the body. She suffers from rheumatism. I can't play the piano any more because I have rheumatism in my fingers. eg: He suffered from painful attacks of inflammatory rheumatism and from a serious ear infection. He had difficulty in hearing and could not walk. But the old man was still cheerful.

blend

a mixture of different things or styles.eg:Their music is a blend of jazz and African rhythms.

lute

a musical instrument which has a body with a round back and a flat top, a long neck and strings which are played with the fingers.

probation

a period of time when a criminal must behave well and not commit any more crimes in order to avoid being sent to prison;a period of time at the start of a new job when you are watched and tested to see if you are suitable for the job;US a period of time in which a student who has behaved badly must improve their work or behaviour in order to stay in a school;eg:He served a year in prison and was then let out on probation.eg:During probation, follow local legal requirements. eg:You have three month probation.

pedestrian

a person who is walking, especially in an area where vehicles go. On a recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Waibel said it is "not very pedestrian-friendly and there are no bicycle lanes to my knowledge."

fanatic

a person whose strong admiration for something is considered to be extreme or unreasonable. a fitness/film fanatic. eg:A small group of activists wanted to totally end slavery. They believed slavery was a sin. But in the 1830s, most Americans did not support these anti-slavery activists, known as abolitionists. "Most Americans first of all were racists and, secondly, saw these people as utter fanatics who were intent on destroying the union."

priest

a person, usually a man, who has been trained to perform religious duties in the Christian Church, especially the Roman Catholic Church, or a person with particular duties in some other religions

resort

a place where many people go for rest, sport or another stated purpose. a tourist resort. Novoazovsk, a resort town of 40,000, is strategically located on the road linking Russia to Mariupol and, further west, the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed on March.

cellar

a room under the ground floor of a building, usually used for storage. "But my friend," I protested, "it is late. The wine is in my wine cellar, underneath the palace. Those rooms are very damp and cold and the walls drip with water."

polio

a serious infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis (= being unable to move the body). a polio vaccination programme. Now 95 per cent of UK babies are immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. eg:Roosevelt had been re-elected to that office just two years before by a large vote. He came from a rich and famous family, but was seen as a friend of the common man. Roosevelt was conservative in his economic thinking. But he was a progressive in his opinion that government should be active in helping citizens. He had suffered polio and could not walk. But he seemed to enjoy his life and his work. eg:The next year, Roosevelt suffered a personal tragedy. He was sailing during a holiday with his family. Suddenly, his body became cold. He felt severe pain in his back and legs. Doctors came. But the pain got worse. For weeks, Roosevelt was forced to lie on his back. Finally, doctors discovered that Roosevelt was a victim of the terrible disease poliomyelitis. He lost control of his legs. He would never walk again.

motto

a short sentence or phrase that expresses a belief or purpose

squirrel

a small animal covered in fur with a long tail with a lot of fur, which climbs trees and feeds on nuts and seeds. eg:I think it was a squirrel..

plum

a small round fruit with a thin smooth red, purple or yellow skin, sweet soft flesh, and a single large hard seed. plum jam. a plum tree. eg:Pierce could try to make peace with both anti- and pro-slavery extremists. Giving the extremists jobs in his administration would be the easy way to satisfy their demands. And that was the policy Pierce chose. "Contemporaries at the time predicted that this attempt to share the plums would wreck the party, and it did."

commotion

a sudden short period of noise, confusion or excited movement.He looked up to see what all the commotion was about.His arrival caused quite a commotion.

charity

a system of giving money, food or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor or have no home, or any organization which has the purpose of providing money or helping in this way She does a lot of work for charity. People tend to give to (= give money to) charity at Christmas time. Proceeds from the sale of these cards will go to (= be given to) local charities. UNICEF is an international charity. They did a charity performance on the first night, to raise money for AIDS research.

taxicab

a taxi. He sat at the table and wrote a letter to Millicent. One of the servants came into the room. "Did you call, sir?" he asked. "No," Mister Mindon replied. "But since you are here, please telephone for a taxi cab at once."

isosceles triangle

a triangle with two sides of equal length.

satire

a way of criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, or a piece of writing or play which uses this style. political satire. Her play was a biting/cruel satire on life in the 80s. eg:But with Sinclair Lewis, it became simply burning satire.

skylight

a window built into a roof to allow light in. Putting in a skylight made the attic seem big and bright. eg:Light shines through the skylight above the pavilion entrance of the Fulton Center transit hub on the day of its official opening in New York City.

lethal

able to cause or causing death; extremely dangerous.In the car the police found guns, knives and other lethal weapons (= weapons which can kill). A 59-year-old man was executed by lethal injection (= by having a poisonous substance put into his body) this morning. eg:The Obama administration has ruled out lethal military assistance to Kyiv, and said it stands ready to expand existing sanctions against Russia and order new ones.

undeniably

adj. clearly true; impossible to deny. eg: Sebastian Aduko has worked in the mining business for 13 years. He says the risk is undeniably dangerous, but can be lessened if mines are built the right way.

antimicrobial

adj. destroying or slowing the growth of microorganisms. eg:The World Health Assembly is now meeting in Geneva to discuss a Global Action Plan to fight antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance.

chilly

adjective (COLD) . (of weather, conditions in a room, or parts of the body) cold. The bathroom gets chilly in the winter. I felt a bit chilly so I put on a jacket. a chilly October day. eg: Swimmers enter the water for a mid-October chilly swim at Alki Beach in Seattle.

pretty much/well

almost. I've pretty much finished here. She knows pretty well everything there is to know on the subject. eg:The fill light slider brightens the dark bits and pretty much leaves everything else alone unlike brightness and exposure which lighten everything at once. Adjusting fill light can be a good way to lighten a photo without clipping the highlights.

wilderness

an area of land that has not been used to grow crops or had towns and roads built on it, especially because it is difficult to live in as a result of its extremely cold or hot weather or bad earth. a beautiful mountain wilderness. Alaska is the last great wilderness. mainly US It's a wilderness area, under the protection of the Parks Department. eg:After two days of marching, the Army of the Potomac reached the wilderness. It was a thickly-wooded area west of Fredericksburg, Virginia. That was where the Union army had lost a battle to the Confederates one year before. That was where the two armies would fight again.

shot

an attempt to do or achieve something that you have not done before. I thought I'd have a shot at making my own wine. I've never tried bowling before, but I thought I'd give it a shot. eg:Tim Groeling is chairman of the university's Communications Department. He says the audio, or sound, recordings are from an important period in history. "It's the combination of this being, I think, dramatic figures speaking at what was really a dramatic time. I mean this is a time period where society is really changing." The recordings were left in storage areas and forgotten until recently, when Tim Groeling discovered an old tape player by chance. "I was at a thrift store and saw an old reel-to-reel unit for 20 bucks ($20). That, I'm like, 'I bet that fits with the tapes, and (for) 20 bucks (I) might as well give it a shot." He bought the tape player from the store. Then he asked a former student, Derek Bolin, to help make digital versions of the recordings. "I felt very good about doing this because I felt like I was preserving a piece of history."

admiral

an officer of very high rank in the navy. eg: Admiral George Dewey commanded the Pacific Fleet. Dewey had received a message from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt. If war broke out, it said, he was to attack the Spanish naval force in the Philippines. The Spanish force was commanded by Admiral Patricio Montojo.

toe

any of the five separate parts at the end of the foot. If you are sitting down listening to this Health Report, stand up. Move your legs. Touch your toes, if you can. Do anything but sit.

recrimination

arguments between people who are blaming each other.eg:The peace talks broke down and ended in bitter mutual recrimination(s). eg:Russia and the European Union have exchanged recriminations since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March and financial aid to Ukraine became a hot topic at a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of 20 leading nations.

thus far

as far as this or until now. We haven't had any problems thus far. eg: It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work for which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

prudent

avoiding risks and uncertainties; careful. [+ to infinitive] It's always prudent to read a contract properly before signing it. eg:Mr. Xi told Mr. Abe that China hopes Japan will continue the path of peaceful development and accept what he called prudent military and security policies. China's Xinhua news agency reported his comment. eg:And that was probably the right position from the standpoint of prudence, political prudence or maybe diplomatic prudence. But it was the wrong position from the standpoint of where the American people were politically at that time.

in (the) light of

because or as a result of:In light of the problems we're having, we have no choice but to close the business. eg: The tasks of Funds Management are to budget all revenues and expenditures for individual responsibility areas, monitor future funds movements in light of the budget available, and prevent budget overruns.

naval

belonging to a country's navy, or relating to military ships. eg: "We can put modern aircraft carriers into the (Asia-Pacific) area. They are backwards in the most important naval kind of power," Gelb says.

pornography

books, magazines, films, etc. with no artistic value which describe or show sexual acts or naked people in a way that is intended to be sexually exciting but would be considered unpleasant or offensive by many people.a campaign against pornography

fiery

bright red, like fire. eg:The years just before and after 1920 were difficult for blacks. It was a time of racial hatred. Many whites joined the Ku Klux Klan organization. The Klan often terrorized blacks. Klan members sometimes burned fiery crosses in front of the houses of black families. And they sometimes beat and murdered blacks.

debris

broken or torn pieces of something larger. Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a large area. eg: A huge garbage patch in the north Pacific Ocean traps debris from both hemispheres and is a major environmental threat to sea life.Researchers in Honolulu are tracking the trash.

smolder

burn slowly with smoke but no flame.Witness and reports say body parts and smolder debris are scattered across a charred field.

charred

burnt and black.

transparent

clear and easy to understand or recognize.I think we should try to make the instructions more transparent. eg: The United States says it does not recognize the results of "so-called" referendums held on Sunday in eastern Ukraine, viewing them as "a transparent attempt to create disorder."

delicately

delicate.delicate situation/matter/point, etc. a situation or matter, etc. that needs to be dealt with carefully in order to avoid trouble or offence. I need to speak to you about a rather delicate matter. The pay negotiations have reached a delicate point/stage. Teachers need to strike a delicate (= carefully achieved) balance between instructing their pupils and letting them discover things for themselves. delicately.adverb. I thought you handled the situation very delicately (= in a way that avoided causing offence). The pudding was delicately flavoured with vanilla. eg:President Lincoln wanted Kentucky firmly on the side of the Union. But he decided not to put Kentucky under military rule, as he had done in Maryland. Historian Amy Murrell Taylor says Lincoln wanted to treat the situation "delicately."

authoritarian

demanding that people totally obey and refusing to allow them freedom to act as they wish.adj. enforcing strict obedience to authority. an authoritarian regime/government/ruler. His manner is extremely authoritarian. Human Rights Watch has warned that Turkey is becoming more authoritarian. The group says the rule of law is slowly breaking down under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And it accuses him of launching a campaign against opponents and media freedom.

plenary

describes a meeting at which all the members of a group or organization are present, especially at a conference. a plenary session of the UN Security Council. a plenary session of the UN Security Council eg: International and Zimbabwean non-governmental organizations boycotted a plenary session of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme that opened Monday in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in protest of the watchdog organization's failure to deal decisively with human rights issues in Zimbabwe's Marange diamond field.

glorious

deserving great admiration, praise and honour a glorious victory. a memorial to the glorious dead of two world wars. gloriously We've had gloriously sunny weather. They looked gloriously happy. Douglas expected Lincoln to win the election. But he knew a Lincoln victory would create problems. If Lincoln became president, some people who strongly supported slavery threatened to take the Southern states out of the union. So Douglas turned his efforts to a campaign for the union itself. He said, "The election of a man to the presidency by the American people, under the Constitution, is no reason for any attempt to dissolve this glorious nation."

parity

equality, especially of pay or position: British nurses would like to see pay parity with nurses in other major European countries. eg:To compare the buying power of currencies in different countries, economists have developed a method called purchasing power parity, PPP for short. Instead of using the exchange rate of currencies to the U.S. dollar or a group of currencies, PPP compares the buying power of currencies for important products. Data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development show that some countries like Poland or Hungary, with lower minimum wages, have relatively high buying power. Countries with very high minimum wages like Luxembourg or Australia have less buying power in PPP terms.

fascinated

extremely interested. I was fascinated to hear about his travels in Bhután. eg: He is opening a New York shop in October. "I find inspiration in Korean poetry, architecture and natural landscapes, but I'm equally fascinated by the construction of traditional Parisian couture and, at the moment, by the women of New York and the way in which they approach fashion,'' he said.

infamous

famous for something considered bad. eg:Susan Booysen, political analyst and senior lecturer at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, said Zuma's ability to escape scandals has baffled everyone. "President Zuma has had an amazing act of escaping charges, from years ago hundreds of charges relating to South Africa's infamous arms deal to personal charges about sexual behavior. Yet each time he has escaped it," she said.

underlying

fundamental; basic. eg: the underlying cause of their discontent. eg: To understand these, you have to learn the underlying formula used by the scheduling engine:

tyranny

government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the people in their country or state and use it unfairly and cruelly. This, the president promised us, was a war against tyranny. eg:Lady liberty stood holding her torch high for freedom. Under her feet were the broken chains of tyranny. Below the statue was a poem. It called to the poor and oppressed people of the world. It told them to come to America to find a land of hope and freedom. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door. The Statue of Liberty was a great success. It was one of the great engineering wonders of its time. And it filled Americans with pride in their tradition of freedom and openness to people from all lands.

masculine

having characteristics that are traditionally thought to be typical of or suitable for men. a masculine appearance/voice. his for masculine.

faded

having lost freshness or brilliance of color. eg:The controversy appears to have faded for many voters. Modi has since cast himself as an able administrator and decisive leader who has energized the economy of Gujarat and holds the promise of doing the same for the rest of the country.

historic figure

historic figure

raises the stakes

idiom, an expression meaning increasing the importance, probability or danger of. eg:She noted that in an earlier police operation, officers used tear gas against the protesters. She says that use of force led hundreds of thousands of people to join the demonstrators. This, she adds, raises the stakes for any future clashes.

in due course

if you say that something will happen in due course, you mean that it will happen at a suitable time in the future You will receive notification of the results in due course. eg:Prince Mashele, executive director at the Center for Politics and Research, a think tank and research institute, said Zuma has strategically made the survival of those around him, dependent on him, hence their reluctance to act against him. "There is a great deal of loyalty towards the ANC, So people will be voting for the ANC even though they don't like Zuma. But Zuma will benefit from that," said Mashele. "Secondly, a majority of them by the way, they know that if Zuma were to go down, they will also go down, so they will protect Zuma. By protecting Zuma they are protecting themselves." Booysen said, however, President Zuma's scandals are hurting his party in a big way. "The ANC is losing much credibility which in due course will be reflected in the electoral support as well," he said.

multilateral

involving more than two groups or countries.Seven countries are taking part in the multilateral talks..U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in Burma, also known as Myanmar, for talks with Southeast Asian foreign ministers about tensions in the South China Sea and other multilateral issues.

unilateral

involving only one group or country. eg:The party leader has actually declared her support for unilateral nuclear disarmament (= giving up her country's nuclear weapons without first waiting for other countries to do the same).eg: President Barack Obama has reaffirmed the U.S. treaty commitment to defend Japan, including a group of East China Sea islands claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. Following a Thursday meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Obama explicitly stated the Senkaku Islands fall under the treaty obliging the United States to defend Japan if attacked. Obama stressed the U.S. does not take a position on the sovereignty of the islands, known in China as Diaoyu, but noted that they are administered by Japan and that should not be changed unilaterally.

hoppy

like hops (= dried fruit used to make beer). "It is fantastic. It is a pretty courageous move to strike that yeast and kind of develop some[thing] unique." "I am not usually a yeasty, hoppy beer drinker. But it is really good." "It is not over hopped; there is not much competing with yeast for flavor. So it really comes through. It's very drinkable."

in the lap of luxury

living in very comfortable conditions because you have a lot of money. eg: This is easier to do when the leader of your country is forced to flee a revolution. Just ask Ukrainians. When Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, Ukrainians were finally able to see the lap of luxury in which the former president lived.

commercial paper

loans that a company takes out for a short period of time from investors who have no security (= property that can be taken if they do not pay back a loan): Without access to commercial paper, companies struggle to pay salaries and buy supplies.

lodge against

lodge something against someone,to place a charge against someone. The neighbors lodged a complaint against us for walking on their grass. I want to lodge an assault charge against Randy. eg:"He has tight control over the Justice Department, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Intelligence Services and there has always been a suspicion that he is so interested in those parts of government because he is worried the charges that were withdrawn against him could be lodged against him again, in other words he could still face a trial," said Grootes.

tended by

looked after by. On South Africa's Robben Island, famous for its jail, volunteers are harvesting vines planted in a garden once tended by its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela.

unaccounted

lost or unpaid, without explanation.Millions of dollars are still unaccounted for.Much of the cost of environmental degradation goes unaccounted for. One woman who previously had been listed as unaccounted for was found at work Friday morning. eg: The recovery operation, involving hundreds of divers, ships and aircraft, brought the total death toll to 58 Sunday, with 246 still unaccounted for. Most of the victims are high school students.

allegiance

loyalty and support for a ruler, country, group or belief.eg:Soldiers must swear allegiance to the Crown/the King. eg:He predicts that "Zhou's trial could be quite destabilizing, in that other senior party members may begin to question their allegiance to a system that no longer guarantees their security."

apparel

mainly US clothes of a particular type when they are being sold in a shop sports apparel eg: While expanding into the U.S. market, these designers are keeping a foothold in Asia, where China is set to overtake the United States as the world's largest apparel market by 2017, according to market research firm Euromonitor.

pediatrician

mainly US for paediatrician.a doctor who has special training in medical care for children. eg:Peter Levine is a doctor of children's medicine in California. The pediatrician specializes in treating children with ADHD. He says there are many misunderstandings about the disorder.

racketeering

making money from a dishonest or illegal activity. They have been accused of racketeering. eg: In 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority finally dropped hundreds of fraud, corruption, racketeering, money laundering and tax evasion charges against Mr. Zuma citing evidence of political manipulation of his case. This cleared the way for him to be elected president in May, 2009.

humiliating

making you feel ashamed or stupid. Losing my job was the most humiliating thing that ever happened to me. The government suffered a humiliating defeat in yesterday's debate. He found it humiliating to have to ask for money. eg:She says that like many people with ADD or ADHD life can be a roller coaster ride - a life with many ups and downs, high points and low points. "I, like many people with ADD, had a roller coaster of a life. For instance, I got sued for 11-million dollars for a reporting error that I made in one of my first years as a newspaper reporter. And two years later, I won a Pulitzer Prize. So these are the kinds of things that often happen when you got this disorder; you're capable of really amazing things and very humiliating, terrible things."

insane

mentally ill. For the last ten years of his life he was clinically insane. informal I sometimes think I'm going insane (= I feel very confused). eg:The assassin was Charles Guiteau. When he fired the gun, he shouted that he supported Roscoe Conkling's political machine. Charles Guiteau was insane. He believed God had ordered him to kill the president. But the words he shouted caused many people to wonder if others might be involved. After all, the vice president -- Chester Arthur -- supported Roscoe Conkling, too. If James Garfield died, Chester Arthur would become president.

exceptional

much greater than usual, especially in skill, intelligence, quality, an exceptional student. exceptional powers of concentration. The company has shown exceptional growth over the past two years. eg: President Obama noted in a statement that no nation is perfect. But he also said, "one of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better."

closure

n. a feeling that a bad experience (such as a divorce or the death of a family member) has ended and that you can start to live again in a calm and normal way. eg:From January to September of this year an estimated 230 migrants died trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. This is according to a new report released by the International Organization for Migration. The organization says that number might be higher. The exact number of victims is not known. Their names are also not known. But a university professor in Texas is trying to give closure to families who have lost relatives on the border.

kelp

n. a kind of brown seaweed.a large brown plant that grows in the sea, used in some foods and medicines. eg:The state of California has one of the best habitats for sea life in the world. But the same four factors are endangering California's rocky reefs and kelp forests. Erica Fellins is with Reef Check -- an international non-profit group. "I've seen the kelp go from really thick to really, really thin. But is important to monitor it. Erica Fellins and hundreds of other volunteer divers are trained to examine the health of kelp forests and coral and rocky reefs around California. This past summer, her group documented a 25-percent decrease in more than 20 different fish populations since 1970.

incompetent

not having the ability or skill to do something as it should be done an incompetent teacher/doctor He has described the government as corrupt and incompetent.

petty

not important and not worth giving attention to. Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions. eg:The team has performed very badly this season due to petty jealousies (= feelings of jealousy about unimportant things) among the players.

instrument

noun.an investment in a company or in government debt which can be traded on the financial markets: They trade in the debt instruments of developing countries. increasingly complex financial instruments. eg: OTC interest rate instrument

humble

ordinary; not special or very important. At that time she was just a humble mechanic. humorous Welcome to our humble abode (= our home). eg:A month after humble item became their shield and symbol, protesters hold them up for 87 seconds to mark firing of 87 rounds of tear gas

dealt

past simple and past participle of deal verb. "The militia have dealt the enemy their first naval defeat," Igor Strelkov, a former separatist military commander, said on the social media network VKontakte.

benign

pleasant and kind.describes a growth that is not likely to cause death. eg:a benign tumour. eg: Most Americans see China as benign.

psychometric testing

psychometric ,designed to show someone's personality, mental ability, opinions, etc. Mr. Tran believes that EFSET meets the highest values in language testing. The test has been through years of research and psychometric analysis. Psychometrics is the method or process of mental measurement.

ministerial

relating to or involving a minister (= senior member of parliament);eg:In 2013, the Guptas, a wealthy Indian family with close ties to President Zuma, landed a private plane full of wedding guests at an air force base. But a ministerial task force found that the president did not influence the landing.

well off

rich. Her family was very well off. eg: After the government's move to phase out the English Schools Foundation's annual HK$283 million subsidy takes effect in 2016, schools under the foundation will become more expensive for middle-class expatriate families who are not too well-off, Chapman said.

blunt

saying what you think without trying to be polite or considering other people's feelings.I'll be blunt - that last piece of work you did was terrible. eg: But the blunt words began even before Obama's plane touched down in Tokyo.

stern

severe, or showing disapproval.Journalists received a stern warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.She is her own sternest critic.eg: austere: forbiddingly stern;

outrageous

shocking and morally unacceptable.The judge criticized the "outrageous greed" of some of the lawyers.It is outrageous that these buildings remain empty while thousands of people have no homes.These prices are just outrageous (= much too high).eg:"In plain sight, Russia continues to fund, coordinate and fuel a heavily armed separatist movement in Donetsk. Meanwhile, Russian leaders are making increasingly outrageous claims to justify their action," said Kerry.

conformist

someone who conforms. Puritan reformers fell into two main groups.The first was the Non-conformists,who wanted to change the Church of England from within.They were smaller group and were very difficult.The second type of Puritans were Separatists.They wanted to separate from the Church of England.

intruder

someone who enters a place without permission in order to commit a crime Intruders had entered the house through a back window.

figurehead

someone who has the position of leader in an organization but who has no real power. The President of this company is just a figurehead - the Chief Executive has day-to-day control. eg:When George Washington was sworn in as president in 1789, the idea of a truly united states was still just an idea. Americans were unconnected social, economic and ethnic groups. For example, a quarter of the people in the state of Pennsylvania spoke only German. The new president would have to establish a social and political union under the Constitution. But the Constitution did not say in detail how the president could do that. Doug Bradburn, founding director of the Washington Library at Mount Vernon, says George Washington invented the job of president. "I think that what people don't estimate in their scale of judging his skill as a political figure is just how fragile the country was, that the chances it would even survive were probably very, very slim." Mr. Bradburn says President Washington set many important precedents for all the presidents who followed him. First, he was not just a figurehead but a decision maker.

captive

someone who is captured and kept as a prisoner;someone who is captured and kept as a prisonera person or animal whose ability to move or act freely is limited by being closed in a space; a prisoner, especially a person held by the enemy during a war.captive soldiers.hold/take sb captive. to keep someone as a prisoner or make someone a prisoner. eg: The terrorists were holding several British diplomats captive. eg: A U.S. businessman who was held captive by his Chinese employees for nearly a week has been allowed to leave a suburban Beijing factory after the two sides settled a wage dispute. Chip Starnes, the co-owner of Specialty Medical Supplies, said his company has agreed to give severance packages to about 100 workers who had trapped him in the factory since Friday. The workers demanded the severance packages after a series of recent lay-offs at the factory led them to believe their own jobs were also in jeopardy, despite Starnes' insistence this was not the case. eg:Human Rights Watch said the boys described beatings given to anyone who tried to escape or did anything their captors considered misbehavior. The boys were also barred from speaking Kurdish, forced to pray five times a day and to watch videos of captives being killed.

aficionado

someone who is very interested in and enthusiastic about a particular subject. eg:an aficionado of French cinema eg:

commuter

someone who regularly travels between work and home.eg:Early morning commuters rush to offices in downtown skyscrapers as a pregnant Nepali refugee emerges from a tent pitched on the sidewalk.

sniper

someone who shoots at people from a place where they cannot be seen

tribute

something that you say, write or give which shows your respect and admiration for someone, especially on a formal occasion. eg:Malaysian papers turn black in tribute to crashed jet

dumb

stupid and annoying. I am more confident today than I was before. Today I have more hands-on. Working with young people makes it wonderful because that's all they know and they didn't make me feel that I was old or dumb."

hedging

the activity of reducing the risk of losing money on shares, bonds, etc. that you own, for example, by buying futures (= agreements to sell shares for a particular price at a date in the future) or options (= the rights to buy or sell shares for a particular price within a particular time period): Originally hedge funds took a more traditional approach to hedging: they bought shares they thought would rise in companies they expected to do well. Hedging instruments such as futures contracts are priced in dollars. a hedging policy/strategy/programme

hulk

the body of an old ship, car or very large piece of equipment, which is broken and no longer used. Here and there the rusted hulk of an abandoned car dots the landscape. eg:So Monroe came out of the War of 1812 as a hero. And he and his wife, his beautiful wife Elizabeth, moved into what was the blackened hulk of a presidential mansion. And workers slathered on, really slathered on these thick, thick coats of white paint, and really, so thick that it gleamed white.

genome

the complete set of genetic material of a human, animal, plant or other living thing. eg:A report in the journal "Nature Communications" describes the findings. It says the researchers examined the remains of 26 people. Their bodies were kept at the Dominican Church in Vacs, Hungary. The remains were mummified - that is, they had not broken down. The researchers say 8 of the 26 bodies had signs of tuberculosis bacteria. In fact, researchers were able to identify 14 different TB genomes among the remains. Five of the mummies were infected with more than one kind of TB.

spine

the line of bones down the centre of the back that provides support for the body and protects the spinal cord. eg:Its back was topped with spines shaped like sails. These bony structures were connected by skin and measured two meters tall. They stood partly out of the water as Spinosaurus swam after food targets including fish the size of an automobile.

catwalk

the long, narrow stage that models walk along in a fashion show. Asian names are well established on the fashion catwalks in America, and a new wave of Asian designers already accomplished at home hopes to follow suit at New York Fashion Week.

perimeter

the outer edge of an area of land or the border around it. Protesters cut a hole in the perimeter fence. A river runs along one side of the field's perimeter. eg: Week after week, more U.N. forces arrived. Yet by August, they had been pushed back to the Pusan perimeter. This was a battle line around an area near the port city of Pusan in the southeast corner of Korea.

Mars

the planet fourth in order of distance from the Sun, after the Earth and before Jupiter.Mars is sometimes called the Red Planet because of its distinctive colour.On the show today, we look into the future of space exploration. The American space agency NASA has announced plans for a new effort to study the sun. And, NASA scientists are considering new technologies for a possible human trip to the planet Mars. Newly released information about space radiation means the trip needs to take less time than is currently possible.

merit

the quality of being good and deserving praise. an entertaining film with little artistic merit. Her ideas have merit. Brierley's book has the merit of being both informative and readable. eg:It really depends on the university what kind of financial aid is available. There are a lot of opportunities out there for international students. There are some universities that have merit-based scholarships. Many have scholarships in general for international students. There are athletic scholarships, scholarships based on a specific talent. It really depends on the individual university, but if the students give themselves sufficient time and really do their research, I think that they can find a university that fits their financial profile, that might have scholarships available, different, you know, work opportunities on campus for individual students.

contour

the shape of a mass of land or other object, especially its surface or the shape formed by its outer edge. the rugged contour of the coast. He studied the contours of her face. Her latest collection of swimwear shows off the contours of the human body to perfection. eg:The planned new pipeline route traces the contours of Russia's surviving friendships in Europe.

eminence

the state of being famous, respected or important. eg:his eminence as a film director

implode

to fail suddenly and completely and be unable to operate。 Their economy is in danger of imploding. eg:China's Banks Are Getting Ready For A Debt Implosion.

precipitate

to make something happen suddenly or sooner than expected. eg:An invasion would certainly precipitate a political crisis. eg:Fear of losing her job precipitated (= suddenly forced) her into action. eg:Similar moves precipitated Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in March.

jeopardize

to put something such as a plan or system in danger of being harmed or damaged.eg:She knew that by failing her exams she could jeopardize her whole future.

pretentious

trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art and literature.a pretentious art critic. eg: A bombastic piece of writing many impress some readers,but others will surely conclude that its author is an insincere and pretentious person.

honestly

used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, however surprising it may seem. eg:This conservative opposition to Roosevelt grew steadily throughout 1935 and thirty-six. Many Americans were honestly worried that Roosevelt's expansion of government was the first step to dictatorship.

spin

verb .to (cause to) turn around and around, especially fast. The Earth spins on its axis. eg:As Mister Mindon read it, he felt as if his mind was spinning out of control. He sat down heavily in the chair near his wife's little writing table. eg:In the Pacific Ocean, currents collect that plastic into a huge slowly spinning garbage patch where it poses a major environmental threat to sea life.

gorgeous

very beautiful or pleasant. What a gorgeous room/dress/colour! The bride looked gorgeous. The weather was so gorgeous. She's always gorgeously dressed. she has gorgeous red hair and she was a very good friend of mine.

blockade

when a country or place is surrounded by soldiers or ships to stop people or goods from going in or out. an air and sea blockade. The Soviet blockade of Berlin was lifted in May 1949. There is still some hope that the economic blockade will work and make military intervention unnecessary. eg: The blockade by Britain and the other allies was very successful. Germany faced possible starvation. Its navy was not strong enough to break the blockade with surface ships. Its only hope was to break the blockade with another naval weapon: submarines.

anonymity

when someone's name is not given or known.

barbecue

written abbreviation BBQ,a metal frame on which meat, fish or vegetables are cooked outside over a fire. eg:There were boy scout groups for the boys. Girl scout groups for the girls. The parent-teachers association at the school. Barbecue parties where families gathered to cook and eat outside. Historian William Manchester described life in the suburbs in this way: "The new suburbs were free, open, and honestly friendly to anyone except black people, whose time had not yet come."

unalienable

→ inalienable. unable to be removed. an inalienable right.. eg: The 1964 Civil Rights Act was a law to help guarantee equal chances for jobs for all Americans. It also helped guarantee equal treatment for minorities in stores, eating places, and other businesses. When Johnson signed the bill, he said: JOHNSON: "We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment. We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those rights. We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings -- not because of their own failures -- but because of the color of their skin."

constituency

(the group of people who can vote belonging to) any of the official areas of a country that elect someone to represent them nationally.

straddle

Something that straddles a line, such as a border or river, exists on each side of it or goes across it. Our farm straddles the railway line. eg:IS militants control territory straddling Syria and Iraq. Kobane is one of their strategic objectives, and fierce fighting has raged in the town for weeks, forcing the evacuation of most of its civilian inhabitants.

convoy

a group of vehicles or ships which travel together, especially for protection.

euphemism

a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word

munitions

military weapons such as guns and bombs

affliction

something that makes you suffer Malnutrition is one of the common afflictions of the poor. eg: In 2008, China, which has over 20 million Internet addicts, became one of the first countries to declare the affliction a clinical disorder. Internet addiction has spawned the creation of over 250 camps within China designed to treat addicted youth.

clash

to fight or argue

subject

1.bring (a person or country) under one's control or jurisdiction, typically by using force;cause or force to undergo (a particular experience of form of treatment). 2.a person who lives in or who has the right to live in a particular country, especially a country with a king or queen. He is a British subject. eg:He also arrested two British subjects. The two men were tried by a military court. They were found guilty of spying and giving guns to the Indians. Both were executed. President Monroe called a cabinet meeting as soon as he learned of Jackson's actions. All the ministers, except Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, believed that Jackson had gone too far. But they decided not to denounce him in public. Secretary Adams prepared messages to Britain and Spain about the incidents. His message to Britain carefully stated the activities of the two British subjects in Florida and explained why they were executed. Britain agreed not to take any action.

lieutenant

(the title of) an officer of middle rank in the armed forces. first/second lieutenant. eg:But a military officer says the formation of the regional task force weakened the guerrilla group. The task force has several bases in Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. All four countries offered troops for operations against the LRA. Lieutenant General Samuel Karuma talks about efforts to stop the group. "We've been reducing their strength; that is by killing some of them and capturing some of them. To the level of killing the number two in the hierarchy of their leadership and so many other top commanders, and some of the top commanders also have defected."

contraception

(the use of) any of various methods intended to prevent a woman becoming pregnant They offer impartial advice on contraception. What is the most reliable form/method of contraception? eg:John Wilmoth is director of the United Nations Population Division. He says that in the past, researchers thought population growth in Africa would be similar to that of other areas. They expected slower growth rates as birth control use became more widespread. But he says those estimates were wrong. "The level of contraception use has continued to increase but slowly - more slowly than expected - and fertility therefore has been falling less rapidly than expected, and the population therefore continues to grow somewhat more rapidly than we expected."

squirt

(to force a liquid) to flow out through a narrow opening in a fast stream. eg:"A tablet of cyanide is dissolved in a water bottle which is then squirted by a diver into the coral that stuns the fish," said Fabinyi. "Then, the fish are scooped up and revived when taken back up to the surface. Because this is a much more efficient method than hook and line, it obviously is a large contributor to fishing pressure, apart from the effects that the cyanide has on the coral reefs."

petition

a document signed by a large number of people demanding or requesting some action from the government or another authority. eg: The findings upend an impression of alarming low numbers left by a 2011 Stanford University study which led to petitions by conservationists to add white sharks to state and federal endangered lists, Burgess said.

poodle

a dog with curly hair that is usually cut short, except on its head, tail and legs. eg: Other fads in the 1950s involved clothes or hair. Some women, for example, cut and fixed their hair to look like the fur of a poodle dog. Actress Mary Martin made the poodle cut famous when she appeared in the Broadway play, "South Pacific."

conceive

1.to imagine something. I think my uncle still conceives of me as a four-year-old. He couldn't conceive of a time when he would have no job. [+ question word] I can't conceive (= It is too shocking to imagine) how anyone could behave so cruelly. [+ that] I find it hard to conceive (= It is too shocking to imagine) that people are still treated so badly. eg: He thought, why not combine all the things he loves most - - biology, paleontology and beer? So, he took a sample, an example, of the yeast from this really old whale bone. Yeast is the most important ingredient for making beer. And voila! Here it is! A new beer is born. "So the idea was conceived, it was basically a brainchild idea of mine to mix molecular biology, paleontology, and beer together. It's three things that I love." 2.to become pregnant, or to cause a baby to begin to form. eg:Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

sewer

A pipe, normally underground, that carries wastewater and refuse.eg:Asylum seeker Shahzad Khan, from Pakistan, points to his mattress lying beside a feeding trough. Electrical wires dangle under a holed roof and an open sewer runs nearby.

teaser

A short introductory advertisement for a product that stimulates interest by remaining cryptic. eg:Bruce Jakosky leads the mission. He is a professor in the geological sciences department at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He said Tuesday that seven of the spacecraft's eight instruments are already providing information to scientists. He says much more will be received from the instruments in the next few weeks. "What we're seeing so far is really just a tantalizing teaser of what's to come."

teeming

If a place is teeming, it is full of people. the teeming metropolis(a very large city, often the most important city in a large area or country). eg:Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

dock

If a ship docks, it arrives at a dock and if someone docks a ship, they bring it into a dock. Hundreds of people turned up to see the ship dock at Southampton. The Russians and Americans docked (= joined together in space) (their spacecraft) just after one o'clock this morning. eg:Later that year, 1965, the United States tried to have one spacecraft get very close to another spacecraft while in orbit. This was the first step in getting spacecraft to link, or dock, together. Docking would be necessary to land men on the moon. The plan called for a Gemini spacecraft carrying two astronauts to get close to an unmanned satellite.

complimentary

If tickets, books, etc. are complimentary, they are given free, especially by a business. eg: I have managed to arrange a complimentary airport transfer for you.Please note that the driver, Michael will be waiting for you at the lobby of Espada at 6.00 a.m. on 4 May 2014 to send you to the airport.

in a timely fashion

It means in a reasonable, acceptable mount of time. For example, if a friend calls you and you don't call them back for a week, you did not call back in a timely fashion. The phrase in timely fashion means quickly, promptly, within a reasonable time frame. One might also hear in a timely manner, which has the same meaning. Asked on CNN's program State of the Union on Sunday how long the curfew in the St. Louis suburb would continue, Nixon said the duration would be "judged by the community." Nixon also said on Sunday that he appreciates the parallel investigation into the police shooting death that is being conducted by the U.S. Justice Department. "I think that having the dual investigations will guarantee that it gets done in a timely fashion, that it's done thoroughly and that it gets justice," Nixon said. Earlier Sunday, scores of demonstrators had remained in the streets after the curfew took effect. Law enforcement officials used loudspeakers to warn protesters to disperse immediately. Officers, equipped with gas masks and full-length shields, stood among and on top of armored vehicles. Nixon said Saturday the state of emergency was not to silence people but to contain a handful of looters who are endangering the community.

Spot Transactions

Spot transaction the seller of goods can be sold, the buyer can only be sold to pay cash, which is trading stock trading program.

poignancy

The poem has a haunting poignancy.

amortize

UK usually amortise. to reduce a debt by paying small regular amounts. The value of the machinery is amortized over its estimated useful life.

Yankee

US an American who comes from the Northern US. eg:One Confederate officer, trying to prevent his troops from moving back, pointed to a group led by General T. J. Jackson of Virginia. "Look!" he shouted. "There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!" The fighting was fierce. The air was full of flying bullets. A newspaper reporter wrote the whole valley was boiling with dust and smoke. A Confederate soldier told his friend, "Them Yankees are just marching up and being shot to hell."

get right

Understand accurately or do correctly, as in If I get it right, you're not leaving until tomorrow, or The faucet works perfectly; the plumber finally got it right. eg:At the center of all the action was Harry Truman. It was not long before he showed Americans and the world that he had the ability to be a good president. He was honest, strong, and willing to make decisions. "I was sworn-in one night and the next morning I had to get right to the job at hand," Truman remembered years later. "I was afraid. But, of course, I didn't let anybody know that. And I knew that I would not be called on to do anything that I was not able to do. That's something I learned from reading history. "People in the past have had much bigger problems. Somehow, the best of them just went ahead and did what they had to do. And they usually did all right. "The job I had in the White House was not so very different from other jobs," Truman said. "I didn't let it worry me. Worrying never does you any good. So I have never worried about things much. "

runoff

[C] a second or final election held when no one got enough votes to win an earlier election. The political battle ended earlier this week when Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah agreed on a power-sharing deal. The deal requires election officials to keep the results of the June runoff vote secret.

landmine

a bomb which is put on or under the ground and explodes when a person steps on it or a vehicle drives over it. On Tuesday, Iraqi forces halted an advance designed to retake the hometown of executed former dictator Saddam Hussein after facing fierce resistance from Islamic State militants, officers in the operations room told Reuters. Iraqi forces came under heavy machinegun and mortar fire south of Tikrit, while to the west landmines and snipers undermined efforts to get closer to a town they have tried to retake several times, said the officers. Resident of central Tikrit said by telephone Islamic State fighters were firmly in control of their positions and were running patrols along main streets. Officials said the offensive began early Tuesday.

rehabilitation

a drug rehabilitation clinic; the rehabilitation of derelict buildings eg:But some of the disciplinary measures at the camps have become overly harsh, and deaths have been reported. According to a 2012 Xinhua story, "instructors who resort to violence while treating addicts at Internet addiction rehabilitation centers will be disqualified from continuing their job."

imperfection

a fault or weakness. eg: President Obama noted in a statement that no nation is perfect. But he also said, "one of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better."

lottery

a game, often organized by the state or a charity in order to make money, in which tickets with numbers are sold to people who then have a chance of winning a prize if their number is chosen. eg:US 'Green Card Lottery' Ending November 3

junta

a government, especially a military one, that has taken power in a country by force and not by election The military junta has/have today broadcast an appeal for calm.

pepper

a greyish black or creamy coloured powder produced by crushing dry peppercorns, which is used to give a spicy hot taste to food freshly ground black pepper salt and pepper eg: Local media said three others were arrested for disorderly conduct at a separate demonstration, which police dispersed using pepper spray.

electoral college

a group of people whose job is to choose a political or religious leader. Election Day was November 6. The popular vote was close; the vote in the Electoral College was not. Lincoln received 180 electoral votes. Breckinridge received 72. Bell received 39. And Douglas received just 12.

encampment

a group of tents or temporary shelters put in one place. eg: Earlier this month, California police cleared what was said to be the largest homeless encampment in the United States. About 200 homeless people were living at the camp in San Jose, California. Officials said police officers and city workers acted because the area was unclean.

trinity

a group of three things or people. British culture now appears to revolve around the unholy trinity of sport, shopping and sex. Above all Amenabar worships the trinity of Hitchcock, Kubrick and Spielberg. eg:When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night, I mourned, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring. Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring, Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west, And thought of him I love. . . Coffin that passes through lanes and streets, Through day and night with the great cloud darkening the land. . . With the countless torches lit, Wiith the silent sea of faces and the unbared heads. . . With the tolling, tolling bells' perpetual clang, here, coffin that slowly passes, I give you my sprig of lilac.

hike

a long walk, especially in the countryside. Field plant expert Steve Perlman has led protection of Hawaii's endangered species for more than 40 years. He is one of the state's first 'rock star' botanists. In the 1970s, he rappelled using ropes around his body to swing down from high cliffs to save the Brighamia insignis. People call this rare Hawaiian plant Alula. "A lot of the botanists in the old days, at least for the first couple hundred years working in Hawaii, would be able to hike around the ridges and the valleys and find their species. But no one had ever really looked at the cliffs."

shaft

a long, either vertical or sloping, passage through a building or through the ground. eg: They will be able to travel the length of the 440 metre shaft - from the first to 95th floor - in a stomach-churning 43 seconds.

archduke

a man of the highest rank, especially in the past in the Austrian royal family. eg: The assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the city of Sarajevo was the spark that set off the explosion.

adulterer

a married man who has sex with a woman who is not his wife, or a man who has sex with another man's wife. Her husband was a compulsive adulterer. eg:For his part, Lewis Robards began preparations for a divorce. He allowed Rachel's family to believe that he and Rachel were no longer married. But, in fact, he did not complete the necessary legal action to make the divorce final. Jackson returned from Natchez after several months. His opponents later claimed that he had married Rachel while in Natchez. They said she was still another man's wife at the time. Opponents said the couple's relationship was both immoral and illegal. They said Jackson was an adulterer for having a relationship with a married woman. And they said Rachel was a bigamist for having two husbands.

canister

a metal, usually cylindrical, container for gases or dry things. The police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd. Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, who was named by the governor this week to oversee security in the town, said protesters weren't the reason for the escalated police reaction early Sunday morning. Johnson said they responded strongly Sunday out of fear for officers' safety. Johnson said canisters of smoke and later tear gas were fired as part of police attempts to reach the victim of a shooting at a restaurant, "and not in relation to the curfew." The person shot at a restaurant during the night was in critical condition, Johnson said. Police were unable to identify the victim, whom Johnson said was not shot by police. The wounded person was taken to hospital by bystanders before police could reach him. Johnson also said someone had shot at a passing police car but was not apprehended. He said a city curfew will run each night from midnight until 5 a.m. until further notice. The governor told CNN on Sunday tensions in Ferguson were likely to remain high, citing the community response as "raw and appropriate."

fort

a military building consisting of an area surrounded by a strong wall, in which soldiers live and which is designed to be defended from attack. Major Robert Anderson led the small force of U.S. soldiers at Fort Sumter. Anderson could not use his most powerful cannons to answer the Confederate attack. The cannons were in the open at the top of the fort, where the gunners were not protected. Too many of his men would be lost if his force tried to fire these guns. So Anderson had his men fire smaller cannons from better-protected positions. These, however, did not do much damage to the Confederate guns. A big cloud of smoke rose high in the air over Fort Sumter.

eureka moment

a moment at which a person realizes or solves something. eg:The scientists may have recorded the first snapshots of a Eureka moment.

volcano

a mountain with a large circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock) gases, steam and dust are or have been forced out. an extinct/dormant volcano. an active volcano. Erupting volcanoes discharge massive quantities of dust into the stratosphere. The volcano is quiescent now,but it erupts the village surrounding it will be destroyed.

chancellor

a person in a position of the highest or high rank, especially in a government or university. Helmut Kohl became the first Chancellor of a united Germany in 1990. A former politician has been appointed Chancellor of the university. eg: In a telephone call with Putin, Germany's Angela Merkel said reports of a new Russian military incursion into Ukrainian territory had to be cleared up, a spokesman for the chancellor said in a statement. "The latest reports of the presence of Russian soldiers on Ukrainian territory must be explained," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said Wednesday. "She emphasized Russia's major responsibility for de-escalation and watching over its own frontiers." eg: In a speech at China's top university the chancellor said there should be no limits on the number of Chinese students and tourists able to visit Britain if they want to. He also stressed that there was no country in the west more open to Chinese investment than the UK. eg: Germany's Chancellor answered that his government did accept the proposals.

populist

a person or a politician who is mainly interested in the problems and needs of ordinary people: His populist ideas appeal to both poor and middle class workers. eg: Eighteen ninety-two was a presidential election year in the United States. In that year, most parts of the American economy were expanding. But one part was not doing well: agriculture. The result was the birth of a new political party. It was called the People's Party. Its members were called Populists.

anarchist

a person who believes in anarchism. He was a poet, an anarchist and a vegan. eg: The immigration law of 1882 put other limits on immigration. It closed the country to criminals, the mentally ill, and persons who could not support themselves. Later, others were added to this list. Persons with diseases. Anarchists. Alcoholics.

libertarian

a person who believes that people should be free to think and behave as they want and should not have limits put on them by governments. Civil libertarians are worried about what they see as government censorship. eg:But Mr. Ayres says nobody is a clear choice to be the Republican nominee. "Whoever wins it will demonstrate an ability to join Tea Party, Libertarian, establishment, social conservative and internationalist Republicans all in one coalition and get enough each of those groups to build a majority."

courier

a person who carries important messages or documents for someone else.I want to have this package delivered by motorcycle courier.

logger

a person who cuts down trees for wood. An aerial view of a tract of Amazon jungle recently cleared by loggers and farmers near the city of Novo Progresso, Para state, Brazil, Sept. 22, 2013.

veteran

a person who has had a lot of experience of a particular activity. Police in the U.S. state of Missouri say the unarmed black teenager whose shooting death by a police officer sparked days of protests was a robbery suspect. The police chief of the town of Ferguson, Thomas Jackson, identified the officer who shot and killed Brown as Darren Wilson, a 6-year veteran of the force with no disciplinary record. eg:War veteran realises dream by voting for independence

treasurer

a person who is responsible for an organization's money.

patriot

a person who loves their country and, if necessary, will fight for it. eg:Abigail and John Adams were strong patriots. They were one of the founding families of America. Harlow Giles Unger says Abigail Adams raised John Quincy to serve his country. "She told her son that if you do not grow up to be a great leader of this country, it will be because of your own laziness and obstinacy. She and her husband, John Adams, at that point decided to raise their son to be the president of the United States."

minion

a person who only exists in order to do what another person orders them to do. He sent one of his minions to do something about it. eg: Click on the batteries to see how much work our minions had to perform in each area making it more resilient to attacks.

tenant

a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building. eg: the current tenant is breaking the lease and needs someone to take over the lease. The liable tenant may be willing to offer concessions to whoever takes over the lease. eg:Reconstruction changed the economy of the South, too. White land-owners broke up their big farms into smaller pieces of land. They rented these to black farmers. With the land came seed, tools, and enough supplies for a year. In exchange for this, the owner would get a large share of the crop raised by the tenant farmer.

eyewitness

a person who saw something happen, for example a crime or an accident. According to an eyewitness account, the thieves abandoned their vehicle near the scene of the robbery. Despite Moscow's denials, Russian support for separatists since the rebellion began in April has been all but confirmed by eyewitness accounts, intelligence reports and types of weaponry being utilized in rebels' fight against Ukrainian troops.

parachute

a piece of equipment made of a large piece of special cloth which is fastened to someone or something that is dropped from an aircraft, in order to make them fall slowly and safely to the ground. eg:But attack they did. On the night of June fifth, airplanes dropped thousands of Allied parachute soldiers behind German lines. Then Allied planes began dropping bombs on German defenses. And in the morning, thousands of ships approached the beaches, carrying men and supplies.

forward

a player who is in an attacking position in a team. eg: Our school's all-state forward turned in a virtuoso performance last night,scoring thirty-two points,dishing out eight assists,pulling down twelve rebounds,and forcing six turnovers.

synod

a regular meeting of church members for the discussion of religious matters. eg:Many Catholics believe some of the church's teachings do need to be changed. About 65 percent of Catholics questioned in the study say the church should permit birth control. Around 60 percent say the church should end its ban on divorce. Last month, Pope Francis convened a two-week synod to discuss the church's teachings. Even without any change, some observers believe the synod was a signal that the church might ease its position eventually.

cult

a religious group, often living together, whose beliefs are considered extreme or strange by many people. They should name it as it deserves to be called a cult of terror.

cafeteria

a restaurant (often in a factory, a college or an office building) where people collect food and drink from a serving area and take it to a table themselves after paying for it. eg:At the back of the line in the cafeteria yesterday was a large brown dog with a yellow collar around its neck!

the Persian Gulf

a sea in western Asia the area and countries around the Persian Gulf. eg:The leader of Portugal's exploration efforts was Prince Henry, a son of King John the First. He was interested in sea travel and exploration. He became known as Henry the Navigator. Prince Henry brought experts to his country and studied the sciences involved in exploration. He built an observatory to study the stars. Portuguese sea captains sailed their ships down the west coast of Africa hoping to find a path to India and East Asia. They finally found the end of the African continent, the area called the Cape of Good Hope. It took the Portuguese only about fifty years to take control of the spice trade. They established trading colonies in Africa, the Persian Gulf, India and China.

motorcade

a series of cars and other motor vehicles which moves slowly along a road carrying someone important, especially during an official ceremony. eg: Unidentified gunmen have fired on the motorcade of Pakistan's prime minister, but officials said he was not in his vehicle at the time of the attack.

tuberculosis

a serious disease which is infectious and can attack many parts of a person's body, especially their lungs. eg: President Truman explained why there had to be a Marshall Plan. People were starving, he said. There had been food riots in France and Italy. People were cold. There was not enough fuel. And people were sick. Tuberculosis was breaking out. "Something had to be done," Truman said later. "The British had no money. They were pulling out of Greece and Turkey. They could not help. The United States had to do it, had to do it all." eg:Researchers have found tuberculosis bacteria in 200-year-old human remains. The researchers say the discovery is surprising.

counteroffensive

a set of attacks which defend against enemy attacks. Russian heavy weaponry has reportedly crossed the border into southern Ukraine, U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Wednesday, aiding rebels in what appeared to be a major counteroffensive in a new front along the border with Russia.

stake

a share or a financial involvement in something such as a business. If you have a stake in something which is important to you, you have a personal interest or involvement in it. eg: What is at stake for the EU and Russia?Ukraine, a country of 46 million, straddles Western and Eastern Europe and has become a battleground for political and economic influence from the European Union and Russia. Having Ukraine as a clear political ally is critical for Russian President Vladimir Putin's quest to integrate and regain influence over ex-Soviet states. Ukraine has been an important target for an EU program aimed at encouraging democratic change in the region in return for free-trade agreements.

impasse

a situation in which further development is impossible. The dispute had reached an impasse, as neither side would compromise. eg: Zhu said the crisis showed the need to strengthen the financial capacity of the IMF and that China hoped the U.S. Congress could move quickly to break an impasse on the issue.

turmoil

a state of confusion, uncertainty or disorder. eg:The dramatic collapse of Ukraine's government in recent days comes after months of political turmoil and social unrest. Demonstrators have been rallying against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych.

soy sauce

a strong-tasting dark brown liquid made from fermented soya beans and used especially in Chinese and Japanese cooking. There is good reason for the popularity of salt: It can add to the taste of food. And it protects against loss of needed body fluids during extreme heat. But a new study finds more than 99 percent of the adult population of the world eats too much salt. The World Health Organization says people in many places use twice as much salt as they need. The World Health Organization warns especially about too much use of soy sauce, spicy meat dishes and processed food. And it says pouring a lot of salt on food over long periods can lead to death.

undergraduate

a student who is studying for their first degree at college or university. eg:The study also demonstrates trends over the past 15 years. It shows that since 2000, the number of international students in the U.S. has grown by 72 percent. Students from China in undergraduate programs are mainly responsible for this trend.

catastrophe

a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction. They were warned of the ecological catastrophe to come. n. a terrible disaster; a momentous tragic event. eg: United States officials are considering several plans designed to help religious minorities in northern Iraq. Islamic State militants captured the area during the night. The militants asked the Yazidis, a minority Christian group, to accept Islam, leave their homes or face death. The Islamic State was formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. As many as 40,000 people are reported trapped on a mountaintop in northern Iraq. They have little food or water. A spokesman for President Barack Obama said "the situation is nearing a humanitarian catastrophe." But the spokesman noted, "there are no American military solutions to the problems in Iraq." eg: Russian President Vladimir Putin once described the fall of the Soviet Union as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, says there are important differences in the thinking of modern Russians. "The fall of the Soviet Union (was), unlike the collapse of Communism - those are two different things. The fall of the Soviet Union was seen as a catastrophe by a lot of people. It was not so much the empire that collapsed, but the entire order, the welfare state, the way of life."

shovel

a tool consisting of a wide square metal or plastic blade, usually with slightly raised sides, fixed to a handle, for moving loose material such as sand, coal or snow. Should I put another shovelful of coal on the fire? eg: "Ah yes," I said, "the cask of Amontillado." I leaned over and began pushing aside the pile of bones against the wall. Under the bones was a basket of stone blocks, some cement and a small shovel. I had hidden the materials there earlier. I began to fill the doorway of the tiny room with stones and cement. eg: A miner uses a shovel to haul dirt at the Atunso Cocoase small-scale mine in Atunso, Ghana, Oct. 16, 2014.

puppet

a toy in the shape of a person or animal that you can move with strings or by putting your hand inside. a person or group whose actions are controlled by someone else. eg: Western powers have been accused of trying to establish a puppet government/regime in the divided country.

jungle

a tropical forest in which trees and plants grow very closely together. An aerial view of a tract of Amazon jungle recently cleared by loggers and farmers near the city of Novo Progresso, Para state, Brazil, Sept. 22, 2013. eg:For six months, the two sides fought for control of the island. Historian Samuel Eliot Morrison later described the action this way: "For us who were there," Morrison wrote, "Guadalcanal is not a name but an emotion. Remembering terrible fights in the air. Fierce naval battles. Bloody fighting in the jungle. Nights broken by screaming bombs and the loud explosions of naval guns."

triumph

a very great success, achievement or victory (= when you win a war, fight or competition), or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this. The book celebrates the hostages' remarkable triumph over appalling adversity. The signing of the agreement was a personal triumph for the Prime Minister. It was the Republican Party's third election triumph in a row. The eradication of smallpox by vaccination was one of medicine's greatest triumphs. The constitutional changes have been hailed as a triumph for democracy. The match ended in triumph for the French team. He returned in triumph from the sales with a half-price stereo system. eg: Historic painting of Christopher Columbus. He and his sailors stand in triumph at least on San Salvador, the Bahamas, on Oct. 12, 1492.

granite

a very hard, grey, pink and black rock, which is used for building. eg: I finished the second and third rows of stone blocks. As I began the fourth row, I heard Fortunato begin to shake the chains that held him to the wall. He was trying to pull them out of the granite wall.

whale

a very large sea mammal that breathes air through a hole at the top of its head. This beer is the brainchild of Jason Osborne. Jason is a non-professional, or amateur, paleontologist. For fun, he explores old bones, or fossils, in his free time. He was exploring a swamp in the U.S. state of Virginia when he found a 35-million-year-old- fossilized whale bone.

viability

ability to work as intended or to succeed. specialized ability to continue to exist or develop as a living being., Ability of the fetus to survive outside the womb. eg:Rising costs are threatening the viability of many businesses. eg: As the world population of Hawaiian geese has shrunk to very small numbers, the bird's continuing viability is in doubt. eg: A deadly shootout in eastern Ukraine has cast doubt on the viability of an accord between Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union aimed at pacifying Ukraine's restive eastern territories. The parties reached the deal in Geneva on Thursday.

multlingual

adj. of, having, or expressed in several languages. eg:A recent survey by Gallup showed that only one in four Americans is multilingual, or able to speak more than one language. And most multilingual Americans are immigrants or the children of immigrants. For most Americans, Brits, and Australians, learning a foreign language is a choice, not a necessity. China Daily estimates that 400 million Chinese are studying English. That means China has more English learners than the U.S. has English speakers.

stacked

adjective. covered or filled with a large amount of things. The fridge is stacked with food. All of Hong Kong's chief executives have been chosen by a small election committee stacked with pro-Beijing loyalists drawn mostly from business sectors.

pursuit

an activity that you spend time doing, usually when you are not working. I enjoy outdoor pursuits, like hiking and riding. I don't have much opportunity for leisure pursuits these days. eg:Lincoln answered that the Republican Party was not trying to force the South to end slavery. Nor, he said, did he want political and social equality between whites and blacks. But Lincoln said they both had the natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence: the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

forward rate agreement

an agreement to buy a currency at a fixed price for delivery on a particular date in the future: You can protect yourself against future rises in interest rates by means of a hedging instrument known as a forward rate agreement, or FRA.

disbursement

an amount of money given for a particular purpose. eg:

ape

an animal like a large monkey which has no tail and uses its arms to swing through trees. eg:Gibbons - a kind of ape - call across the 2,400 hectares of protected forest. Their voices sometimes can be heard joining with those of rare birds and other endangered animals.

prey

an animal that is hunted and killed for food by another animal. A hawk hovered in the air before swooping on its prey.

coral reef

an area of coral, the top of which can sometimes be seen just above the sea. eg: Michael Fabinyi, a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, notes substantial socioeconomic trends are influencing what people eat in the Middle Kingdom. "This is part of a broader change in food consumption patterns in China that include a shift to a greater consumption of meat," said Fabinyi. "Some of the broader, larger factors contributing to this shift are urbanization and increased incomes."

commodore

an officer of high rank in the navy, or the person in charge of a sailing organization. eg:Until the late 1800s, Japan had been a nation with ancient political traditions and little contact with the Western world. Visits by Commodore Matthew Perry and American warships helped open Japan to trade with the United States and other nations in the 1850s. And in the years that followed, Japan took giant steps toward becoming a modern industrial nation.

verdict

an opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial. eg: The jury reached/returned a unanimous verdict of (not) guilty. eg: Voters gave their verdict on the government's economic record last night by voting overwhelmingly for the opposition. eg: Thailand's caretaker cabinet has appointed a new acting prime minister, Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan, after a verdict from the nation's Constitutional Court forced Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and several members of her cabinet to step down from office.

qualm

an uncomfortable feeling of doubt about whether you are doing the right thing She had no qualms about lying to the police.

back in the days

at a particular time in the past. eg: The most important question was Poland. Hitler's attack on Poland back in 1939 had started the war. Roosevelt and Churchill believed strongly that the Polish people should have the right to choose their own leaders after victory was won. Churchill supported a group of Polish resistance leaders who had an office in London.

unscrupulous

behaving in a way that is dishonest or unfair in order to get what you want an unscrupulous financial adviser Graft, a form of political corruption, is the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. The term has its origins in the medical procedure where by tissue is removed from one location and attached to another for which it was not originally intended. Similarly, political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected in order to maximize the benefits to private interests.

behoove

behove.it behoves sb to It is right for someone to do something. It ill behoves you to (= You should not) speak so rudely of your parents. eg;China, for its part, has approached the U.S. to work in tandem on infrastructure and development projects in Africa. That being said, it would behoove Americans for U.S. companies to invest even more in Africa. Studies show that firms that invest abroad are more likely to spend money and create jobs at home as well. Furthermore, American companies are likely to export more to countries with which they already have a history of partnership.

genetic

belonging or relating to genes (= parts of the DNA in cells) received by each animal or plant from its parents. a genetic defect/disease. eg:Under Thai medical regulations, surrogate mothers are paid only for their expenses. Also, the mother should be a relative of one of the possible parents. Still, medical officials say current medical rules permit surrogacy by a woman unrelated to the genetic parents on a case-by-case basis.

Baltic

belonging to or relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it. eg: In the months that followed, Hitler and his allies won one victory after another. German and Soviet troops captured Poland quickly in September 1939. Then Soviet forces invaded the small Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. In late November, they attacked Finland. Fighting between Finland and the Soviet Union continued through the winter, until Finland accepted Russia's demands.

fed up

bored, annoyed or disappointed, especially by something that you have experienced for too long. I'm fed up with my job. He got fed up with all the travelling he had to do. eg: .Mr.Larsen was so fed up with his children's prodigal spending that he cut their allowances in half.

dignity

calm, serious and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you. He is a man of dignity and calm determination. She has a quiet dignity about her. He longs for a society in which the dignity of all people is recognized. I think everyone should be able to die with dignity. eg:It has also become personal for Lori Baker. She says she hopes to give human respect, or dignity, to those who have died trying to cross the border. "I hope that through the work we do we will be able to restore some human dignity to that person by giving them a name." Ms. Baker and her volunteers have worked with more than 170 bodies and have identified three. She has spoken to family members of these people and knows firsthand how much it means to them. The final goal for Lori Baker is to return identified remains to their families. Then at least they can have a burial place where they can say prayers and leave flowers.

perpetual

continuing forever in the same way. They lived in perpetual fear of being discovered and arrested. He has hard, cold eyes and his mouth is set in a perpetual sneer. a perpetual student. eg: When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night, I mourned, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring. Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring, Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west, And thought of him I love. . . Coffin that passes through lanes and streets, Through day and night with the great cloud darkening the land. . . With the countless torches lit, Wiith the silent sea of faces and the unbared heads. . . With the tolling, tolling bells' perpetual clang, here, coffin that slowly passes, I give you my sprig of lilac.

vibrant

energetic, exciting and full of enthusiasm a vibrant young performer a vibrant personality a vibrant city The hope is that this area will develop into a vibrant commercial centre. eg: Free Lawyers? What's The Catch? But why work for free? Mr. Lash says there are many reasons law firms offer free legal help. And some of those reasons come from self-interest. "In order to really maintain a competitive edge, major law firms really need to have vibrant pro bono programs. They're invaluable ways to train young lawyers; they are great recruiting tools when we're all interviewing at the top law schools."

clear of charges

escape without penalty;To free from a legal charge or imputation of guilt; acquit: cleared the suspect of the murder charge. eg:Controversy has swirled around the BJP prime ministerial candidate since 2002, when he led India's Gujarat state. Hindu-Muslim rioting there killed more than 1,000 people. India's Supreme Court cleared Modi of charges that he incited the violence.

wrath

extreme anger. The people feared the wrath of God. eg:But a number of writers in the 1930s did produce books that were both profitable and of high quality. One was Sinclair Lewis. His book, "It Can't Happen Here," warned of the coming dangers of fascism. John Steinbeck's great book, "The Grapes of Wrath," helped millions understand and feel in their hearts the troubles faced by poor farmers.

blistering

extremely fast. The runners set off at a blistering pace. eg:John Wilson took part in the cheetah research. He says cheetahs can easily deal with those energy outbursts. "Like any cat, basically, they rest for most of the day. And they have only brief periods of activity. So, for example, a cheetah would only hunt in the morning for a few hours - in the afternoon for a few hours. We assume they expend a lot of energy during these chases. They offset those high-energy expenditures by resting for most of the day. So these blistering speeds that they run for short periods do not really have an effect on the cheetahs over the entire day."

fascinating

extremely interesting. The book offers a fascinating glimpse of the lives of the rich and famous. I found the whole film fascinating. Below are a few fascinating facts and findings about dreams. Fascinating facts about the butterfly have been drawing Dr. Taylor's attention. eg:James Polk was a very fascinating man. Very hard-working. Relentless in his pursuit of goals. He was not a particularly likable human being. He was somewhat suspicious of other people. But he had a way of figuring out what he needed to do to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish, and he was very good at it, and that served him very well throughout his life.

If at all

from yahoo answer,"If at all" means that the condition you gave doesn't usually happen or doesn't need to happen, but CAN happen. eg:Senator Henry Cabot lodge of Massachusetts urged Congress to pass such a law. In a Senate speech, lodge said: "if we care for the welfare, the wages, or the standard of life of American workingmen, we should take immediate steps to limit foreign immigration. There is no danger to our workingmen from the coming of skilled workers or of trained and educated men. But there is a serious danger from the flood of unskilled, ignorant foreign labor. "This labor not only takes lower wages, but accepts a standard of living so low that the American workingman cannot compete with it." Senator Lodge continued. "A literacy test will bear very lightly, if at all, upon English-speaking immigrants or Germans, Scandinavians, and French. The races which would suffer most under a literacy test would be those with which the English-speaking people have never united, and who are most different from the great majority of the people of the United States."

ominous

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious. "there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead"

grocery

grocery shop, US also grocery store. As people are aging, their worlds get a little smaller. Some of them can no longer drive, some of them don't get out to make long trips to see their relatives. And it brings them back out into Facebook, into Skype and just to be able to communicate. They can do everything from ordering things from Amazon now, to ordering groceries or meals.

counterproductive

having an effect which is opposite to the one that is intended or wanted Improved safety measures in cars can be counterproductive as they encourage people to drive faster. eg:Israel says it is appropriating 400 hectares of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, possibly 1 of the biggest seizures for the Jewish state in decades. Israel's army says it is declaring that the land is "state-owned" under orders from political leaders. It is in reaction to the kidnapping and murders of 3 Israeli teenagers in June in Bethlehem. The U.S. State Department is calling the Israeli land takeover "counterproductive" in peace efforts and is asking Israel to reconsider. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is condemning the move as part of what he calls Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people. eg:Thirty-eight-year-old Alexander Zakharchenko was sworn in as prime minister of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic. Speaking in Vienna, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the election "unfortunate and counterproductive." He said the situation in Ukraine remains an issue of great concern.

virtuous

having good moral qualities and behaviour. He described them as a virtuous and hard-working people. eg:Jackson believed those accusations were a cause of Rachel's death. His anger is expressed on the stone above Rachel's grave. One line of the inscription says, "A being so gentle and so virtuous, slander might wound but could not dishonor."

spellbound

having your attention completely held by something, so that you cannot think about anything else The children listened to the story spellbound. He held his audience spellbound. eg: The orator held the crowd spellbound with his fascinating speech and exciting way of speaking.

jeopardy

in danger of being damaged or destroyed; eg: The lives of thousands of birds are in _ as a result of the oil spillage. eg: A U.S. businessman who was held captive by his Chinese employees for nearly a week has been allowed to leave a suburban Beijing factory after the two sides settled a wage dispute. Chip Starnes, the co-owner of Specialty Medical Supplies, said his company has agreed to give severance packages to about 100 workers who had trapped him in the factory since Friday. The workers demanded the severance packages after a series of recent lay-offs at the factory led them to believe their own jobs were also in jeopardy, despite Starnes' insistence this was not the case.

cattle

large farm animals kept for their milk or meat; cows and bulls. beef/dairy cattle. eg: Special railroad cars kept the meat cold, so it would remain fresh until sold. As the meat industry grew, the demand for fresh meat increased. More and more cattle were needed. There were millions of cattle in Texas, but no way to get them to the eastern markets. The closest point on the railroad was Sedalia, Missouri, more than one thousand kilometers away. Some cattlemen believed it might be possible to walk cattle to the railroad, letting them feed on the open grassland along the way.

rote

learning something in order to be able to repeat it from memory, rather than in order to understand it. eg:Attending schools outside of China also means an escape from the intense competition at schools inside China. Memorization by rote is common there. This method of learning through memory exercises uses up a lot a time. It can keep students from taking part in sports or interest groups.

aquatic

living or growing in, happening in, or connected with water. eg:"It ate sharks. But it probably included all kinds of aquatic animals in its prey. And the size of these aquatic animals is probably one of the factors that drove the evolution of the giant-body size in Spinosaurus."

icon

n. a person who is very successful and admired. a very famous person or thing considered as representing a set of beliefs or a way of life. Marilyn Monroe and James Dean are still icons for many young people. eg:

snap

noun (BREAKING NOISE) . [C usually singular] a sudden loud sound like something breaking or closing. She broke the stick over her knee with a loud snap. eg:In the movie "The Last Patrol," filmmaker Sebastian Junger travels with two war veterans and a photographer who has worked in war zones. The four men walk 640 kilometers from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The film shows how difficult it is for former soldiers to return to civilian life. "Until you hear the snap of a bullet go by your head, there is nothing like it."

egregious

often of mistakes, extremely bad. It was an egregious error for a statesman to show such ignorance. eg:Nicole Etcheson says many American elections in the 1800s had examples of violence, bad behavior, and wrongdoing. But the pro-slavery Missourians were extreme. "It was obvious, obvious that there was egregious fraud in the elections in Kansas territory." She says population counts at the time showed fewer than 3,000 voters in Kansas territory. But pro-slavery candidates received up to 6,000 votes!

thruster

one that thrusts; especially : an engine (as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles. eg:Early on Wednesday, ground controllers at the European Space Agency operations center in Germany confirmed that Philae had separated from the Rosetta ship. The probe then began a tense trip toward the comet and landed on its surface hours later. The attempt to land on the comet was considered risky not only because scientists were unsure of the surface, but because of problems with thrusters used to land the probe.

photon

photon - n. physics : a tiny particle of light or electromagnetic radiation; eg: China's Xinhua news agency said that during its two year mission, Micius will establish 'hack-proof' communications. It will do this by using un-crackable codes. It explained that a quantum photon, or subatomic particle, is impossible to wiretap, intercept, hack or crack.

inmate

prisoner.a person who is kept in a prison or a hospital for people who are mentally ill. The poignant fruits of a prison courtyard. On South Africa's Robben Island, famous for its jail, volunteers are harvesting vines planted in a garden once tended by its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela. Over the years many people have been accused of trying to cash in on the Mandela brand but the participants in this scheme see it as a way of cherishing his memory.

ubiquitous

seeming to be in all places. Just the opposite, says Peter Katzmarzyk. He is a scientist at the University of Louisiana in the southern United States. He says that sitting is ubiquitous in our lives, meaning it is something we do all the time, everywhere. But, he adds, that does not make sitting good for us. "Sitting is ubiquitous in our lives today. You know, we sit while we're eating, we sit in the car, we sit while we watch TV. And many of us sit for many hours at work. So on average, Americans report that they sit between four and a half to five hours a day."

audacious

showing a willingness to take risks or offend people. He described the plan as ambitious and audacious. an audacious remark/suggestion. eg:Cutter Hodierne directed the film. It is his first full-length movie. News about Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean had caught his interest. He was especially fascinated by the subject from the viewpoint of the gunmen. "I just was so intrigued by what would lead somebody to that point of doing something so desperate and also so kind of audacious."

reticent

silent; reserved;unwilling to speak about your thoughts or feelings.He is very reticent about his past. eg:Most people in his school are too reticent to communicate with him in English or to teach him Cantonese, Santos said.

spartan

simple and severe with no comfort a spartan diet/meal spartan living conditions They lead a rather spartan life, with very few comforts and no luxuries. eg: Once there, the patients are required to participate in rigorous exercises, medication and therapy. Sometimes patients are also placed in isolation for as long as 10 days. The living conditions are Spartan, according to Medalia.

embarkation

the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft.You'll be asked for those documents on embarkation. eg: Following online cancellation, 30-day Visit Passes/Embarkation Forms will be granted to you so that you may present the forms to Immigration when leaving Singapore.

burial

the act of putting a dead body into the ground, or the ceremony connected with this. eg: The valley known as Sleepy Hollow hides from the world in the high hills of New York state. There are many stories told about the quiet valley. But the story that people believe most is about a man who rides a horse at night. The story says the man died many years ago during the American Revolutionary War. His head was shot off. Every night he rises from his burial place, jumps on his horse and rides through the valley looking for his lost head.

disarmament

the act of taking away or giving up weapons. She said she supported nuclear disarmament. the disarmament of the militia. eg: The next month, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev made another move toward better relations. He sent Kennedy a message. The message said that disarmament would be a great joy for all people on earth.

neighbourhood

the area of a town that surrounds someone's home, or the people who live in this area. There were lots of kids in my neighbourhood when I was growing up. They live in a wealthy/poor/friendly neighbourhood. eg:Israeli police say two Palestinians have killed at least four rabbis and wounded six others in an attack at a Jewish holy place in Jerusalem. Police killed the two attackers. The attack took place at a synagogue in West Jerusalem. The synagogue is in a Jewish neighborhood with a large number of Western immigrants.

infinitive

the basic form of a verb that usually follows 'to'. In the sentences 'I had to go' and 'I must go', 'go' is an infinitive. 'Go' is the infinitive form. eg:Welcome to another episode of Everyday Grammar on VOA Learning English. English learners have difficulty with gerunds and infinitives. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions the same as a noun. For example, "Running is fun." In this sentence, "running" is the gerund. It acts just like a noun. eg:We can use either the infinitive without to or the -ing form after the object of verbs such as hear, see, notice, watch. The infinitive without to often emphasises the whole action or event which someone hears or sees. The -ing form usually emphasises an action or event which is in progress or not yet completed. He saw her drive off with a young man in the passenger seat. The speaker observed the whole event. Maria heard him coming up the stairs towards her room, and felt scared. The action was in progress, happening, but not completed. eg：infinitive - n. the basic form of a verb; usually used with to except with modal verbs like should and could and certain other verbs like see and hear

autopsy

the cutting open and examination of a dead body in order to discover the cause of death. The body arrived for autopsy at the Dallas hospital.

grassroots

the grassroots, the ordinary people in a society or an organization, especially a political party. eg:Jack Martin is with a group called the Federation for American Immigration Reform. He says immigration is a complex political issue for both sides. "It falls right at the intersection of the efforts of the Democrats to solidify their support from the Latino community, that is the most interested in the immigration issue, and the problem for the Republicans of balancing grass-roots interests and business interests, as well as interest in attracting the Latino vote." Observers say an order from the office of President Obama would be general guidance - one that could be a model for executive orders for future presidents.

Back office

the part of a business company that is concerned with running the company and that does not deal directly with customers or the public : I worked for several years as an administrator in the back office of a large corporation. We provide back-office services for several companies.

gossip column

the part of a newspaper in which you find stories about the social and private lives of famous people. eg: The story about the actress in the gossip column was a distortion of the truth.

synapse

the point at which electrical signals move from one nerve cell to another. The American computer company IBM says it has developed a microprocessor -- a computer chip -- that works much like the human brain. IBM calls the chip TrueNorth. It is the size of a postage stamp. The chip has 5.4 billion tiny parts that work like the human brain's neurons and synapses. Neurons and synapses are the cells and electric forces that carry messages to and from the brain. TrueNorth has 1 million neurons and 256 million synapses. The human brain has 100 billion neurons and up to 150 trillion synapses. IBM says it can program the new chip to understand difficult problems and then solve them as humans would.

conservation

the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity；a conservation area. eg: The World Wildlife Fund says more than half of the world's wildlife population has been lost. The conservation group says this has placed the health of the planet at risk.

dynamism

the quality of being dynamic. She has a freshness and dynamism about her. eg:But, he said the U.S. should not underestimate the imagination and dynamism of Chinese leaders in meeting international economic problems. He said one example of this is the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and related organizations.

cockpit

the small closed space where the pilot sits in an aircraft, or where the driver sits in a racing car. eg:The New Straits Times' darkened front page showed an aircraft above the words "Goodnight, MH370" - a reference to the last message from the cockpit, "All right, good night", before the Malaysia Airlines jet lost contact on March 8.

prominence

the state of being easily seen or well known. Most of the papers give prominence to (= put in a noticeable position) the same story this morning. It's the first time that a lawyer of such prominence (= fame and importance) has been given the freedom to air his views on TV. Elton was one of the comedians who came to/rose to/gained prominence in the 1980s. eg:English rose to prominence through the British Empire in the nineteenth century. American dominance in the twentieth century spread the language even further. Dube says American pop culture is one reason for English's popularity as a foreign language. "American movies, music, television, video games have wide audiences...So far China's success in this realm has been very limited. Chinese films, Chinese television shows, Chinese music doesn't have a huge following outside of China."

starvation

the state of having no food for a long period, often causing death

palaeontology

the study of fossils as a way of getting information about the history of life on Earth and the structure of rocks. This beer is the brainchild of Jason Osborne. Jason is a non-professional, or amateur, paleontologist. For fun, he explores old bones, or fossils, in his free time. He was exploring a swamp in the U.S. state of Virginia when he found a 35-million-year-old- fossilized whale bone.

genetics

the study of how, in all living things, the characteristics and qualities of parents are given to their children by their genes. eg:This investment would help make the United States the world's leader in such fields as computer science, genetics, and space travel.

clay

thick, heavy soil that is soft when wet, and hard when dry or baked, used for making bricks and containers. eg:For weeks, the Union soldiers worked on the canal. They dug through mud and wet clay. Many died of disease. After more than a month of digging, engineers decided that the canal would not work. Grant ordered the men to build another canal. Then another. They did not work, either.

swirl

to (cause to) move quickly with a twisting circular movement

loath

to be unwilling to do something

apprehend

to catch and arrest someone who has not obeyed the law. The police have finally apprehended the killer. Johnson also said someone had shot at a passing police car but was not apprehended.

acquit

to decide officially in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a particular crime.Five months ago he was acquitted on a shoplifting charge.She was acquitted of all the charges against her. eg:In 2006, Zuma was tried at the High court for allegedly raping an HIV positive family friend. He was however acquitted after convincing the court that the two had consensual sex.

swing

to move easily and without interruption backwards and forwards or from one side to the other, especially from a fixed point, or to cause something or someone to do this. eg: His mood swings between elation and despair.

chant

to repeat or sing a word or phrase continuously. The crowd were chanting the name of their football team. Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans in the square. eg:You are listening to Muk-gai beating on a drum and chanting. He says the sounds will ease the suffering of the spirits that he says visit the cemetery. He beats his small drum as he walks past the headstones. The remains of 769 North Korean soldiers are buried on the grounds. The soldiers came to fight South Korea. But Muk-gai does not think of them as enemies. The monk says once they are dead, we should forgive everything they did in life. He says that is an Eastern tradition.

irrigate

to supply land with water so that crops and plants will grow. eg: The Pentagon said it carried out 15 more airstrikes Monday against Islamic State militants near the dam, destroying more of their fighting positions and weapons. The Mosul Dam is crucial to northern Iraq, providing electricity and irrigation for much of the region. The United States first launched airstrikes earlier this month against the insurgents, in part to prevent the killing of thousands of minority Yazidis stranded on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq.

engulf

to surround and cover something or someone completely.The flames rapidly engulfed the house.Northern areas of the country were engulfed by a snowstorm last night.The war is threatening to engulf the entire region. eg: Russian and Ukrainian officials traded accusations of responsibility for the shootout and the worsening chaos engulfing eastern Ukraine.

bribe

to try to make someone do something for you by giving them money, presents or something else that they want. He bribed immigration officials and entered the country illegally. [+ to infinitive] They bribed the waiter to find them a better table. eg:Later in his term, Buchanan insisted that Congress support a pro-slavery government in Kansas territory. He even offered Congress a bribe to accept the territory's pro-slavery constitution. But most Kansans did not accept the territory's government or want a pro-slavery constitution. And many in Buchanan's own political party disagreed with his efforts.

woo

to try to persuade someone to support you or to use your business. The party has been trying to woo the voters with promises of electoral reform. eg: The EU, which as a whole depends on Russia for about a third of its oil and gas, has imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Moscow over its role in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. But it faces a difficult challenge to persuade its 28 nations to keep up the pressure, a task made harder as President Vladimir Putin woos EU members like Hungary with the prospect of plentiful Russian gas on attractive terms.

break the bank

to use up all one's money. (Alludes to casino gambling, in the rare event when a gambler wins more money than the house has on hand.) It will hardly break the bank if we go out to dinner just once. Buying a new dress at a discount price won't break the bank.

launder

to wash, dry and iron clothes, sheets;freshly laundered sheets;eg: In 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority finally dropped hundreds of fraud, corruption, racketeering, money laundering and tax evasion charges against Mr. Zuma citing evidence of political manipulation of his case.

pompous

too serious and full of importance.He's a pompous old prig who's totally incapable of taking a joke .

jealous

unhappy and angry because someone has something or someone you want, or because you think they might take something or someone that you love away from you. He had always been very jealous of his brother's good looks. Anna says she feels jealous every time another woman looks at her boyfriend. eg: Ichabod was happy dancing with Katrina as Brom looked at them with a jealous heart. The night passed. The music stopped, and the young people sat together to tell stories about the revolutionary war.

incredibly

used for saying that something is very difficult to believe. eg:"In an ideal world, rhinos wouldn't be under the extreme pressure they are facing today and there wouldn't be any need for trophy hunting, but the reality is that wildlife conservation is incredibly expensive." Not every country in Africa permits trophy hunting. Kenya has had a policy against it for a long time. The Kenyan government banned the sport in 1977 describing it as a "barbaric" part of its colonial past.

well

used to emphasize some prepositions. eg: The results are well above/below what we expected. eg:It cost well over £100.eg:he admitted/conceded defeat well before all the votes had been counted.

prestigious

very much respected and admired, usually because of being important. eg: Obama made the comments Tuesday during a speech to Chinese students at a prestigious high school in the southwestern province of Sichuan. She said that in America, hard-working people can succeed "no matter where you live or how much your parents have...or what race, religion, or ethnicity you are." eg: Michelle Obama Tours School, Forbidden City on First Day of China Trip. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by her Chinese counterpart, Peng Liyuan, visited a school on the first day of Mrs. Obama's five-day trip to China.The two participated in a calligraphy demonstration Friday before visiting the former Imperial Palace in Beijing's Forbidden City. During their travels, the first lady, along with her mother and two daughters, will also visit the Great Wall of China, the famed Terra Cotta Warriors and a panda preserve. Mrs. Obama is scheduled to deliver a speech Saturday at the Stanford Center of the prestigious Peking University. She will also meet the staff and families of the American embassy in Beijing.

pronounced

very noticeable or certain I'm told I have a very pronounced English accent when I speak French. She's a woman of very pronounced views which she is not afraid to air.

mockery

when you mock someone or something.

shattered

1. broken into very small pieces.2.extremely upset. eg:Shattered glass lay all over the road.The family were shattered at the news of Annabel's suicide. eg: Although much is unclear about Sunday's gun battle at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian separatists, the incident shattered an Easter truce and appeared to dash already-scant hopes for a swift end to the unrest.

alight

1. to land on something. eg: A butterfly alighted gently on the flower. eg:1 Stops later alight at Woodlands Regional Centre, woodlands Reg Int. (B46009),9 Stops later alight at Admiralty Road West, bef British American Tobacco. (B47071) 2.to find or unexpectedly see something. eg:As she glanced round the room her eyes alighted upon a small child.

maritime

1.connected with human activity at sea Amalfi and Venice were important maritime powers. Make sure you visit the maritime museum if you're interested in anything to do with ships or seafaring. eg: Paul Johnston is curator of Maritime History at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History here in Washington, D.C. The museum displays the gold nugget Mr. Marshall found. 2. near the sea or coast The temperature change in winter is less pronounced in maritime areas.

Available for sale (AFS)

Available for sale (AFS) is an accounting term used to classify financial assets. AFS is one of the three general classifications, along with held for trading and held to maturity, under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).

graft

Illegal use of political influence for personal gain.eg: China Corruption Case Against Zhou Yongkang Exposes Scale of Graft . Graft, a form of political corruption, is the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. The term has its origins in the medical procedure where by tissue is removed from one location and attached to another for which it was not originally intended. Similarly, political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected in order to maximize the benefits to private interests. eg: So far, it looks like he is going to be successful in combating a lot of corruption and graft.

pumpkin

a large round vegetable with hard yellow or orange flesh. pumpkin pie. They walked all across the valley. They saw the foot marks of Ichabod's horse as it had raced through the valley. They even found Ichabod's old hat in the dust near the bridge. But they did not find Ichabod. The only other thing they found was lying near Ichabod's hat. It was the broken pieces of a round orange pumpkin.

stairway

a passage in a public place with a set of steps that leads from one level to another. I took two large candles, lit them and gave one to Fortunato. I started down the dark, twisting stairway with Fortunato close behind me. At the bottom of the stairs, the damp air wrapped itself around our bodies.

guardian

a person who has the legal right and responsibility of taking care of someone who cannot take care of themselves, such as a child whose parents have died. The child's parents or guardians must give their consent before she has the operation. eg: Today we tell about the Statue of Liberty. The huge, green statue celebrates American freedom. It has served as the guardian of New York Harbor for more than a century.

civilian

a person who is not a member of the police or the armed forces. The bomb killed four soldiers and three civilians. The army has been criticized for attacking the unarmed civilian population. eg:In the movie "The Last Patrol," filmmaker Sebastian Junger travels with two war veterans and a photographer who has worked in war zones. The four men walk 640 kilometers from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The film shows how difficult it is for former soldiers to return to civilian life.

defector

a person who leaves his or her own country or group to join an opposing one. eg:She was one of many Communist Party defectors. eg:Some North Koreans who fled to the South say they are sad about that. Park Gun-ha is a North Korean defector. Like most other men in the North, he served in his country's military. He says the soldiers in the graveyard should be returned home.

indictment

a reason for giving blame;statement of accusing someone;The charges on the indictment include murder and attempted murder . The indictment that the grant jury returned today charges the defendant with numerous counts,among them:conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction resulting in death.indictment,it details what the person will stand trial for in a U.S . court of law.

ground

a reason, cause or argument. She is suing the company on grounds of unfair dismissal. Do you have any ground for suspecting them? [+ to infinitive] We have grounds to believe that you have been lying to us. [+ that] He refused to answer on the grounds that she was unfairly dismissed. eg: During the campaign, Lincoln was advised to begin peace talks with the south. End the war, he was told. Bring southern states back into the Union. Settle the question of slavery later. Lincoln, however, believed his policies were right for the nation. He would not surrender them, even if they meant his defeat in the election. Lincoln hated the war. But he would not end it until military victory ended slavery and guaranteed political union. In August, 1864, Lincoln wrote: "For some days past, it seems that this administration probably will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to cooperate with the president-elect to save the Union. We must do this between election day and inauguration day. For he will have been elected on such ground that he cannot possibly save the Union afterwards."

etymology

the study of the origin and history of words, or a study of this type relating to one particular word. eg: At university she developed an interest in etymology.

tangle

to become or form, or to make something into, an untidy disorganized mass. eg: Rapunzel, Rapunzel,let down your hair,but please make sure not to drag it through the mud and sticks when you do so!Watch the animated version of how one creative mind believes the movie Tangled should have ended.

repudiate

to refuse to accept something or someone as true, good or reasonable

infamy

when someone or something is famous for something considered bad. Franklin D. Roosevelt described the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 as 'a day that will live in infamy'. eg:This is an undated portrait of American congressman & orator, Daniel Webster (1782-1852). Webster of Massachusetts was accused of ``scarlet infamy'' in 1851 when he backed a North-South compromise that forestalled the dissolution of the Union. (AP Photo)

campaign

a planned group of especially political, business or military activities which are intended to achieve a particular aim. The protests were part of their campaign against the proposed building development in the area. This is the latest act of terrorism in a long-standing and bloody campaign of violence. The endless public appearances are an inevitable part of an election campaign. She's the campaign organizer for the Labour Party. The government have just launched (= begun) their annual Christmas campaign to stop drunken driving. a controversial new advertising campaign. eg: On national issues, President Kennedy supported efforts to guarantee a better life for African-Americans. One man who pushed for changes was his younger brother, Robert. Robert Kennedy was attorney general and head of the Justice Department at that time. The Justice Department took legal action against Southern states that violated the voting rights acts of 1957 and 1960. The administration also supported a voter registration campaign among African-Americans. The campaign helped them to record their names with election officials so they could vote. As attorney general, Robert Kennedy repeatedly called on National Guard troops to protect black citizens from crowds of angry white citizens. Incidents took place when blacks tried to register to vote and when they tried to attend white schools. President Kennedy said the situation was causing a moral crisis in America. He decided it was time to propose a new civil rights law. The measure would guarantee equal treatment for blacks in public places and in jobs. It would speed the work of ending racial separation in schools. Kennedy wanted the new legislation badly. But Congress delayed action. It did not pass a broad civil rights bill until 1964, after his presidency. eg: in 1957, Communist rebels -- Vietcong -- began a campaign of terrorism in South Vietnam. They were supported by the government of North Vietnam and later by North Vietnamese troops. Their goal was to overthrow the anti-Communist government in the South.

repo

Repurchase agreement

unveil

1.to remove a covering like a curtain from a new statue, etc. at a formal ceremony in order to show the opening or finishing of a new building or work of art The memorial to those who had died in the war was unveiled in 1948 by the Queen. eg: Iraqi Forces Battle Extremists as UN Unveils Relief Operation 2. If you unveil something new, you show it or make it known for the first time A new government policy on forests is due to be unveiled in April. eg: Indonesian President Joko Widodo shakes hands with members of his new cabinet after they were unveiled at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Oct. 26, 2014.

desperate

If you are desperate for something or desperate to do something, you want or need it very much indeed. ⇒ They'd been married nearly four years and June was desperate to start a family. 1.very serious or bad. 2.very great or extreme. 3.feeling that you have no hope and are ready to do anything to change the bad situation you are in. giving little hope of success; tried when everything else has failed. The doctors made one last desperate attempt/effort to save the boy's life. Desperate measures are needed to deal with the growing drug problem. They made a desperate plea for help. eg: Cutter Hodierne directed the film. It is his first full-length movie. News about Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean had caught his interest. He was especially fascinated by the subject from the viewpoint of the gunmen. "I just was so intrigued by what would lead somebody to that point of doing something so desperate and also so kind of audacious." eg:While Willkie and Roosevelt began campaign battles with words, German and British planes were fighting real battles with bullets over the English channel. Winston Churchill sent a desperate message to Roosevelt. The British prime minister said Britain could not fight alone much longer. It needed help immediately. eg:Gansevoort,despairing of further successful resistance,had decided upon a desperate attempt to cut through the enemy's lines.

per capita

If you state an amount per capita, you mean that amount for each person. France and Germany invest far more per capita in public transport than Britain. eg:Additionally, China has plenty of domestic affairs to worry about, says Etzioni. It has to address its widening income inequality, environmental degradation and aging population. As the world's second-largest economy, China is "on par with Algeria and El Salvador in per capita terms." It also has "four times more people than the US to feed, clothe, house, and otherwise keep satisfied."

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the fifth-most-populous city in the United States. eg: America's biggest city in 1950 was New York, with almost eight-million persons. Second was Chicago, with more than three-and-a-half million. Then came Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Saint Louis.

mobilize

UK also mobilise. 1.[T] to organize or prepare something, such as a group of people, for a purpose Representatives for all the main candidates are trying to mobilize voter support. 2. [I or T] to prepare to fight, especially in a war The government has mobilized several of the army's top combat units. Troops have been mobilising for the past three weeks. eg:Sean Blaschke is a health systems specialist at UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. He explains how Uganda has excelled in providing quick containment. "You can see with the case of Marburg here how quickly the country mobilized, and suspected cases were followed up in hours and it didn't move beyond a single index patient. So I think Uganda really does show and provide a model for the rest of the world on how you can build a national sustainable health systems architecture...We are very excited because these tools that are now being scaled up in West Africa, originated in Uganda, were built by Ugandans...These solutions came from Africa and are being used in Africa."

surrogate

[C] something that replaces or is used instead of something else. For some people, reading travel books is a surrogate for actual travel. (also surrogate mother) a woman who has a baby for another woman who is unable to become pregnant or have a baby herself. She has agreed to act as a surrogate mother for her sister. eg:Thailand is campaigning against commercial surrogacy, one of the world's most unregulated industries. In this industry, infertile foreign couples pay Thai women to bear children. Experts report that the market is growing. They say the business produces hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Over the past several months, Thailand has been an uncontrolled base for overseas surrogacy. Childless men and women from around the world use agencies based in Thailand that advertise for surrogates over the Internet. Some seek local Thai doctors who will create embryos from donors or from a person who wants to become a parent. The embryos are then implanted in young Thai women. These women become paid surrogates. They offer their wombs to carry the babies until they are born. But in August, police reportedly stopped two same-sex Australian couples and two American couples at a Bangkok airport. The couples were prevented from leaving the country with surrogate babies born to Thai women. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation made the report.

agitator

someone who tries to make people join in protests and political activity

menace

something that is likely to cause harm.Drunk drivers are a menace to everyone.Tymoshenko, who also met with Donetsk business leaders, had planned to hold a news conference outside the regional government offices. But an air of menace from gathering masked militants, a scuffle and the arrival of pro-Russian babushukas (elderly women) persuaded her aides to move to a nearby hotel.

follow suit

to do the same thing as someone else. When one airline reduces its prices, the rest soon follow suit. Asian names are well established on the fashion catwalks in America, and a new wave of Asian designers already accomplished at home hopes to follow suit at New York Fashion Week.

topple

to (cause to) lose balance and fall down The statue of the dictator was toppled (over) by the crowds. The tree toppled and fell. eg: Increasing violence has wracked Libya in the 3 years since long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled.

mired

to be involved in a difficult situation, especially for a long period of time； eg: The subsidy program has been _ in allegations of corruption and faced growing losses, becoming a target of a Bangkok-based protest movement bent on ousting Yingluck and the caretaker government she has led since December.

tough sth out

to deal with a difficult period or situation without becoming any less certain or determined in your plans or opinions It's a difficult situation, but if we can just tough it out, things are bound to get better soon.

don

to put on a piece of clothing He donned his finest coat and hat. Gaming appears to be the most addictive Internet behavior, with some gamers donning diapers so as to avoid bathroom breaks.

marvel

to show or experience great surprise or admiration. We paused to marvel at the view. [+ that] 'I often marvel that humans can treat each other so badly. [+ speech] "Just look at that waterfall! Isn't it amazing?" she marvelled. eg:.we marveled at the ornately carved chair created by the master furniture maker.

destitute

without money, food, a home or possessions.The floods left thousands of people destitute. eg:About 6,000 asylum seekers live in Hong Kong, perhaps hoping one day to share in the prosperity of a city in which the World Bank calculates per capita GDP exceeds that of the United States. Barred from seeking employment even if granted refugee status, Refugee Union leader Saeid Mohammadi says asylum seekers in Hong Kong are marginalized and destitute. In 21 years, he says, the government has approved asylum for only 11 out of 13,000 victims of torture. He says he has been in a stateless limbo since fleeing Afghanistan seven years ago. "Hong Kong signed the [U.N.] torture convention. But their policy is to keep refugees in extreme poverty, destroy them mentally so they will commit some crime. Then the police will arrest them and reject their case because they broke the law - this is what [they] want," said Mohammadi.

diarrhoea

（US diarrhea) an illness in which the body's solid waste is more liquid than usual and comes out of the body more often.eg: A UNICEF spokeswoman said children in Syria do not have safe water and good sanitation. These conditions put them at risk of diarrhea, measles and other diseases.

avarice

"Have a rice cracker;you're in luck-it's only ten bucks!"(what avarice!);greediness for wealth; 1.According to psychologists,many gamblers are motivated not by avarice but by a need for excitement. 2.It was not avarice that motivated Joe to work hard to become wealthy so much as a desire for financial security. 3.Although Lou was not really an avaricious person,he did find the idea of winning the twenty million dollar lottery prize attractive.

endeavour

(US endeavor) 1.noun an attempt to achieve a goal. 2.verb try hard to do or achieve something. an attempt to do something. artistic endeavour. Crossing the North Pole on foot was an amazing feat of human endeavour. eg: Wish you all the best in your future endeavours. eg:Crossing the North Pole on foot was an amazing feat of human endeavour. eg:"The popular focus on China's vast economic endeavors in Africa ... seems to suggest that Africa is somehow 'critical' for China. In reality, Africa accounts for only a tiny percentage of China's overall foreign economic activities: China's investment in and trade with Africa represents 3 percent and 5 percent of its global investment and trade, respectively."

accord

(a formal) agreement.On 31 May the two leaders signed a peace accord. eg: Kislyak said Russia remains committed to last week's international accord that called for disarming militants in eastern Ukraine. Even before Sunday's shootout, U.S. President Barack Obama said he was not sure the deal would work. eg: In this March 26, 1979 file photo, from left, Egyptian President Anwar, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin clasp hands after signing the Camp David Accords. The historic agreement negotiated by Carter ended the hostilities between Israel and Egypt.

commando

(a member of) a small group of soldiers that are specially trained to make attacks on enemy areas which are very dangerous or difficult to attack. eg:In addition to holding the North Korean soldiers who died during the Korean War, the cemetery also has the remains of men who came to fight the South many years later. They include the "commandos" who attempted to take the life of South Korea's president in 1968.

Scandinavian

(a person) coming from Sweden, Norway or Denmark, often also Iceland, Finland or the Faroe Islands。 eg:In our last program, we told how the flow of immigration to the United States began to change in the 1880s. Before then, most of the immigrants came from central and northern Europe. From Britain, Ireland, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries.

sectarian

(a person) strongly supporting a particular religious group, especially in such a way as not to be willing to accept other beliefs. Sectarian means having something to do with groups or sects. Sectarian violence is the term commonly used to describe fighting among groups or sects. He called on terrorists on both sides of the sectarian divide to end the cycle of violence.

fabric

(a type of) cloth or woven material dress fabric seats upholstered in hard-wearing fabric cotton fabrics eg: Wan said she strives for a balance between Asian and Western cultural expressions, using rough-textured fabrics in soft, feminine silhouettes. "I think people are interested in the softness of Oriental minimalism,'' she said.

veto

(a) refusal to allow something to be done. The Ministry of Defence has the power of veto over all British arms exports. In theory the British government could use its veto to block this proposal. The Senate voted to override the President's veto of the proposed measures. mainly UK Mum has put a veto on our watching television for more than two hours an evening. eg:The bill passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This left President Adams with a difficult decision. Should he sign it into law? Or should he veto it? If he signed the bill, it would show he believed that the Constitution allowed protective duties. That decision would create even more opposition to him in the South. If he vetoed it, then he would lose support in the West and Northeast. Adams signed the bill. But he made clear that Congress was fully responsible for it.

trauma

(a) severe emotional shock and pain caused by an extremely upsetting experience. the trauma of marriage breakdown. He had psychotherapy to help him deal with his childhood traumas. eg:"One important concern was the fact that more than 50 percent of girls and more than 90 percent of boys feel very hard [difficult] to tell about situations of violence; they don't tell to anybody, they keep it to themselves and the trauma just keeps growing. And this is one of the reasons why in so many places we see the intergenerational transmission of violence.". eg: Sometimes writing a fictional work can help the writer deal with painful trauma. That was Variny Yim's experience when she wrote her first novel, The Immigrant Princess. Yim is Cambodian-American. Her book tells about three generations of women from Cambodia's ruling family who try to rebuild their lives in the United States.

opulent

(adj.) very comfortable and very expensive. This is easier to do when the leader of your country is forced to flee a revolution. Just ask Ukrainians. When Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, Ukrainians were finally able to see the lap of luxury in which the former president lived. Before we tell you more about the property where he once lived, you will need some adjectives, words like opulent, extravagant, palatial and luxurious. Those words even sound expensive!

humid

(of air and weather conditions) containing extremely small drops of water in the air. eg: Weather: Becoming less humid with some showers New York is very hot and humid in the summer.

extravagant

(adj.) very expensive and not necessary. This is easier to do when the leader of your country is forced to flee a revolution. Just ask Ukrainians. When Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, Ukrainians were finally able to see the lap of luxury in which the former president lived. Before we tell you more about the property where he once lived, you will need some adjectives, words like opulent, extravagant, palatial and luxurious. Those words even sound expensive!

grange

(also Grange) a large house in the countryside with farm buildings connected to it. Chiltern Grange. eg:Farmers began to unite in local social and cultural groups called "granges." As more and more farmers joined granges, the groups began to act on economic problems.

Caribbean

(also the Caribbean Sea) the sea which is east of Central America and north of South America; The researchers also believe that North America, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean area will have a total population of below one billion.

Mediterranean

(also the Mediterranean Sea, informal the Med) the sea surrounded by southern Europe , northern Africa and the Middle East.Italy's navy has rescued more than 1 000 migrants from multiple boats intercepted crossing the Mediterranean over the past 24 hours.they are seeking asylum in Europe and their number are growing.

homicide

(an act of) murder.n. the act of killing another person. He was convicted of homicide. The number of homicides in the city has risen sharply. eg:A South Korean court has found the captain of a passenger boat guilty of negligence in a deadly sinking in April. The court sentenced Lee Jun-Seok to 36 years in prison. The Sewol sank in April while carrying hundreds of people, mostly schoolchildren. Video recovered later showed members of the Sewol crew leaving the sinking boat while many schoolchildren were still on board. 295 bodies have been recovered in the seven months since the sinking. Judges cleared the captain of a homicide charge that could have resulted in the death penalty. The ferry's chief engineer was found guilty of homicide for not helping two injured crew members. He received a sentence of 30 years in prison. Another 13 crew members received sentences from five to 20 years.

scandal

(an action or event that causes) a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval; a situation that is extremely bad;eg:a financial/political/sex scandal;The scandal broke (= became public knowledge) right at the beginning of the Conservative Party Conference;If there is the slightest suggestion/hint of scandal, the public will no longer trust us. eg:Some magazines contain nothing but scandal and gossip. eg: South African President Zuma Unscathed by Scandals.

swamp

(an area of) very wet soft land. eg: The expedition faced a choice:Go the long way around the vast swamp and lost precious time or go through it and risk having their vehicles get stuck in a quagmire.

landfall

(an arrival on) the first land that is reached or seen at the end of a journey across the sea or through the air. eg:The last known position of a ping was way over the southern Indian Ocean, with no landfall and no long runways, obviously, around it

ribbon

(computing, graphical user interface) A toolbar that incorporates tabs and menus.A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.The definition of a ribbon is a thin strip of silk or rayon fabric with finished images. An example of a ribbon is what a young girl might use to tie up her hair.

hegemony

(especially of countries) the position of being the strongest and most powerful and therefore able to control others. The three nations competed for regional hegemony. eg:Back in 1997, China's defense budget was $10 billion. Last year, it was $144 billion and there's been a lot of saber-rattling over disputed territories between the two countries. So, the rising China narrative and concerns about its hegemonic ambitions in Asia are pushing the United States and Japan closer. And Abe is keen to secure a U.S. commitment to back it in the event of some contingency over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

ratify

(especially of governments or organizations) to make an agreement official. eg: Once signed, the bill must be approved by the constitutional court and then ratified by parliament. The process is expected to be completed this week. eg:China said on Saturday it backed IMF financial support for Ukraine, but expressed concern about the global lender's funding capacity given the failure of the U.S. Congress to ratify a program of reforms for the institution. eg: During his administration, for example, a separate Department of Labor was established. Two Constitutional amendments won congressional approval and were sent to the states for ratification.

wretched

(formal) Someone who feels wretched feels very unhappy. ⇒ I feel really confused and wretched. unhappy, unpleasant or of low quality. a wretched childhood. The house was in a wretched state. eg:

ammunition

(informal ammo) objects that can be shot from a weapon such as bullets or bombs a good supply of ammunition a shortage of ammunition Western reporters around Novoazovsk said Ukrainian forces were abandoning vehicles and ammunition as they retreated from the advancing forces. eg:Radio cannot show the faces in the pictures. But you can get an idea about their feelings by the names of some of the popular songs of the period. One of the most famous was "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." Another was "He Is One-Aye in the Army, and He's One-Aye in My Heart." And one of the most hopeful songs was "When the Lights Go on Again All Over the World."

media outlet

(media) A publication or broadcast program that provides news and feature stories to the public through various distribution channels. Media outlets include newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. eg:Russia's State Duma has just adopted a new bill which if enacted would broadly restrict the rights of all high-profile bloggers and social media users by treating them, in essence, as mass media outlets. The new law, billed as a measure against terrorism, will apply to anyone whose blogs or personal websites attract 3,000 or more viewers a day. It passed a second reading by lawmakers this week and is expected to be adopted next week and handed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for signing. If all goes according to plan, bloggers would be mandated to publish their last names and initials, as well as their email addresses. They would also be required to register with the government and follow the same rules as any other media outlet, i.e., verify the accuracy of anything they publish and set age guidelines for content. Violators will face fines with a fine of as much as $1,000 for individuals and $10,000 for "legal entities." Repeat offenders would have their site's suspended. Local media says the purpose of the bill is to ensure that blogs and other personal websites are not used to commit crimes, divulge state secrets or promote extremism, pornography or violence. Bloggers would also be banned from using foul language.

ingredient

(n.) one of the things that are used to make a food, product, etc. To satisfy this taste for strange beer, many small, or micro, brewers are trying anything they can to stand out from the crowd - to be different. Some are even making their beer with ingredients that are old -- really, really old. Like 35 million years old. A brewery, a place that makes beer, in the Washington D.C. area has joined with a couple of scientists to make a beer with a most unusual ingredient. The beer is made using bacteria from a 35-million-year-old bone.

appraisal

(n.) the act of judging the value, condition, or importance of something. Some Ukrainians still do not trust government officials. The man still controlling the estate is commandant Denis Tarahkotelyk. He refuses to surrender the property over to the government. He says two conditions must be met. First, the officials would need to take inventory, meaning recording details of everything on the grounds. Second is the appraisal, knowing what everything is worth. That way, he says, if something goes missing they will know who is responsible.

inception

(n.) the beginning, start, earliest stage of some process, institution, etc.eg: Since its inception in 1968, the company has been at the forefront of computer development. eg:Not every project is the same. In fact, most of them are very different. But they all have the common components of Inception, Elaboration, Construction, and Transition (depending on the methodology used by your company, the names vary but the purposes are the same). By spending some of your time creating a few basic templates, you can decrease the time needed to set up the fundamentals over and over. This lets you focus on outlining what you need to get done. Microsoft even has some templates, available for download, to get you started. Click here to see some of the templates.

domestic violence

(n.) the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another. Twenty-five percent of American women will experience domestic violence, that is, physical abuse by a partner. Most cases are never reported to police. But recently such violence was captured on video tape.

robust

(of a person or animal) strong and healthy, or (of an object or system) strong and unlikely to break or fail. eg: He looks robust and healthy enough. eg:a robust economy .eg:According to the Microsoft's website "Microsoft Office Project Standard 2007 gives you robust project management tools with the right blend of usability, power, and flexibility, so you can manage projects more efficiently and effectively.

foolproof

(of a plan or machine) so simple and easy to understand that it is unable to go wrong or be used wrongly.I don't believe there's any such thing as a foolproof scheme for making money. eg:Bear in mind that this isn't foolproof. A user on your network could just change their device's DNS server to bypass the filtering. Young children wouldn't think to do this, but teenagers could likely foil it — just like most parental controls.

muffled

(of a sound) not very loud or clear. This muffled creak is what researchers heard repeatedly when they listened to giant South American river turtles swimming together. It could help explain how the animals coordinate their behaviour so well in the nesting season, when females gather in large groups at beaches before laying their eggs. The researchers used microphones above and below the water to record the turtles at different stages in the season. And when the newly hatched turtles and adults were together in the river, scientists heard a different sound. This, they think, is parents guiding newly hatched babies on their first migration. The researchers also say that their study shows how vulnerable turtles could be to man-made noise disturbing this quiet but seemingly vital chatter.

informal

(of situations) not formal or official, or (of clothing, behaviour, speech) suitable when you are with friends and family but not for official occasions. eg: The World Bank says that in Pakistan, roughly 70 percent work in the so-called informal sector, a part of the economy that is unregulated and untaxed. VOA's Sharon Behn reports from Islamabad on how the informal sector impact's the Pakistani economy.

pro bono

(relating to work that is done, especially by a lawyer) without asking for payment: pro bono cases/lawyers/work He takes on some charity cases pro bono. eg: Legal advice can cost a lot. A person with little money does not have the same ability to get legal help as a richer person. But in recent years, a growing number of law firms do pro bono work. They work for free. Lawyers who offer free legal help for their clients, the people they represent, are usually called pro bono lawyers.

spring

(sprang or US ALSO sprung, sprung) to move quickly and suddenly towards a particular place. I sprang out of bed to answer the door. The organization is ready to spring into action (= start taking action) the moment it receives its funding. He always springs to his feet when she walks in the room. figurative I noticed the way you sprang to his defence when Caroline started joking about his clothes. The lid of the box sprang shut. eg:

treason

(the crime of) showing no loyalty to your country, especially by helping its enemies or attempting to defeat its government. Guy Fawkes was executed for treason after he took part in a plot to blow up the British Parliament building. eg: President Pierce said the actions of the Free State Party seemed revolutionary. He said that if party members attacked any government property or official, party leaders should be charged with treason. Pierce gave the pro-slavery governor of Kansas control of troops at two army bases in the territory. The situation threatened to turn violent at any time. eg:Jackson explained that it was his duty, as president, to enforce the laws of the land. Even, as Daniel Feller says, if he had to use force. "It's going to come to a test of arms, and this I can quote. And it was in italics, underlined, emphasized in the printed version of the proclamation. 'Disunion by armed force is treason. Are you really read to incur its guilt?'"

physiology

(the scientific study of) the way in which the bodies of living things work. eg:It appears that the cheetah is vulnerable to attacks by other animals because of its physiology -- the way its body operates. The cat simply burns a lot of calories -- the energy produced by food. "Because these cheetahs have a fast metabolism - they have huge lungs and a strong heart -- their resting metabolic rate is really high. So just the act of walking already for a cheetah is pretty expensive. And then the longer they look for food, the more energy they need to invest in finding the food."

ferment

(v.) to go through a chemical change that results in the production of alcohol. eg: Jason Osborne got help from his microbiologist friend Jasper Akerboom. Mr. Akerboom studies very small life forms and works as a brewing scientist at Lost Rhino. He says at first, he was not sure this was going to work. But, like a good scientist, he decided to experiment. "We took out 20 samples from all kinds of fossilized materials. This was all done in Calvert Marine Museum in Maryland. And one of the samples started to ferment." The result was surprising. "It tastes very good. It tastes very fruity, very earthy. It is very dry." So the brewers decided to brew a larger amount for buyers. eg: Mr. Cohen added that many authoritarian governments were able to continue steady economic growth. He said China is no exception. But he added, "The very economic progress leads to the kind of ferment that we are beginning to witness in China."

racial

1. happening between people of different races racial discrimination/prejudice He had a vision of a society living in racial harmony. 2.connected with someone's race They are members of a racial minority. The racial violence in the city of Ferguson, Missouri is an important issue for Barack Obama, the first African-American president. Mr. Obama has asked protestors to stop fighting with police. And he has called for calm and understanding. But violent protests continue.

contest

1. If you contest a formal statement, a claim, a judge's decision, or a legal case, you say formally that it is wrong or unfair and try to have it changed. We will certainly contest any claims made against the safety of our products. 2. a competition to do better than other people, usually in which prizes are given. a dance/sports contest. She's won a lot of beauty contests. eg:She also says the large number of voters surprised many critics and angered the Taliban. Gaining popular support is important for defeating rebel groups. But, she says, the power-sharing agreement makes the Taliban less likely to negotiate an end to the war. "And what we have got now, all that goodwill, that freshness, that motivation, I would say has been lost. I would say at the moment the main problem with getting the Taliban to stop fighting is that whereas earlier on in the year the Afghan state looked like it was going to emerge strong, united with a popular democratic mandate . . .as an opponent that was to be feared. What's instead happened is that the state is a lot weaker, a lot more contested. And if you're the Taliban and you are making a political calculation as to what will suit you best, earlier in the year you might have been thinking about talks, now I am sure you'll be thinking about fighting."

grip

1. control over something or someone.2.to hold very tightly. eg:The baby gripped my finger with her tiny hand.Rebels have tightened their grip on the city.eg:Susan Booysen, political analyst and senior lecturer at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, said Zuma's ability to escape scandals has baffled everyone. "President Zuma has had an amazing act of escaping charges, from years ago hundreds of charges relating to South Africa's infamous arms deal to personal charges about sexual behavior. Yet each time he has escaped it," she said. Stephen Grootes, political reporter at Eye Witness News, argues that having a tight grip on state security organs might have helped President Zuma to survive this long. "He has tight control over the Justice Department, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Intelligence Services and there has always been a suspicion that he is so interested in those parts of government because he is worried the charges that were withdrawn against him could be lodged against him again, in other words he could still face a trial," said Grootes.

proprietary

1. relating to ownership, or relating to or like an owner. I just assumed he owned the place - he had a proprietary air about him. 2. describes goods which are made and sent out by a particular company whose name is on the product. eg:A pooled table in R/3 has a many-to-one relationship with a table in the database. For one table in the database, there are many tables in the R/3 Data Dictionary. The table in the database has a different name than the tables in the DDIC, it has a different number of fields, and the fields have different names as well. Pooled tables are an SAP proprietary construct. When you look at a pooled table in R/3, you see a description of a table. However, in the database, it is stored along with other pooled tables in a single table called a table pool. A table pool is a database table with a special structure that enables the data of many R/3 tables to be stored within it(in database, it is only one table). It can only hold pooled tables. R/3 uses table pools to hold a large number (tens to thousands) of very small tables (about 10 to 100 rows each).

appalling

1. shocking and very bad. appalling injuries Prisoners were kept in the most appalling conditions. 2. very bad appalling weather The journey home was appalling. appallingly. The number of casualties was appallingly high in both wars. The whole play was appallingly (= very badly) acted. eg: The lack of control, lack of worker safety and working environment are appalling. And Turkey is ranked number one in Europe in terms of work accidents, and apparently number three after Algeria and El Salvador in the world. Observers qualify these work accidents as work assassinations.

cherish

1. to love, protect and care for someone or something that is important to you Freedom of speech is a cherished (= carefully protected) right in this country. 2.to keep hopes, memories or ideas in your mind because they are important to you and bring you pleasure I cherish the memories of the time we spent together. The poignant fruits of a prison courtyard. On South Africa's Robben Island, famous for its jail, volunteers are harvesting vines planted in a garden once tended by its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela. Over the years many people have been accused of trying to cash in on the Mandela brand but the participants in this scheme see it as a way of cherishing his memory.

exploit

1. to use something for advantage. eg: We need to make sure that we exploit our resources as fully as possible.2.to use someone or something unfairly for your own advantage. eg:Laws exist to stop companies exploiting their employees. eg: "The evidence is that these (problems) are related to both technology and globalization, but globalization (and China) get most of the attention," Spence says. "One strand of thought also says (the Chinese) are hurting (the United States) because they exploit workers and have unsafe and environmentally unsound (working) conditions."

return

1.(Of an electorate) elect (a person or party) to office: the city of Glasgow returned eleven Labour MPs.(MP stands for Member of Parliament). At the first election for a Legislative Assembly in 1856 he was returned for the electorate of Murrumbidgee. eg: Half of the legislature's 70 seats are returned by functional constituencies, mostly based on trades and professional sectors. To pass, any motion initiated by lawmakers must receive majority support from both geographical constituency and functional constituency legislators. 2.to give, do or get something in exchange. The terrorists started shooting and the police returned fire (= started shooting back). eg: They crossed to the Italian mainland. The Germans fought hard, returning bullet for bullet. And for some time, they prevented the allied troops from breaking out of the coastal areas.

caucus

1.(a meeting of) a small group of people in a political party or organization who have a lot of influence, or who have similar interests. 2. in the US, a meeting held to decide which candidate a political group will support in an election eg:That is because Asian American voters are having an influence on election results nationwide. California Congresswoman Judy Chu heads the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

strike

1.(struck, struck) If a thought or idea strikes you, you suddenly think of it. [+ that] It's just struck me that I still owe you for the concert tickets. Sitting at her desk, she was struck by the thought that there must be something more to life. 2.to discover a supply of oil, gas or gold underground The first person to strike oil in the US was Edwin Laurentine Drake. eg:The brewers offered it to the public at a special event at Lost Rhino's drinking room. The debut went well. People buying the beer, the customers, said great things about the taste of Bone Dusters Paleo Ale. "It is fantastic. It is a pretty courageous move to strike that yeast and kind of develop some[thing] unique." "I am not usually a yeasty, hoppy beer drinker. But it is really good." "It is not over hopped; there is not much competing with yeast for flavor. So it really comes through. It's very drinkable." Mr. Garcia hopes new ideas, or innovations, like this will help Lost Rhino compete in the growing local beer movement. The brewers at Lost Rhino do not just talk about the importance of science. They put their money where their mouths are. Lost Rhino will give part of the profits made from the sale of Bone Dusters beer to science programs at schools that are lacking money. eg:The enemy might strike their trail in the morning light.

coordinating conjunction

1.A coordinating conjunction joins two things that are more or less equal in importance. 2.add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. 3.The coordinate sentence: contains two clauses joined by a linking word called coordinating conjunction. eg: Compound: Contains two independent clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction. (The most common coordinating conjunctions are: but, or, and, so.)

faculty

1.An inherent mental or physical power :her critical faculties the faculty of sight 2. A group of university departments concerned with a major division of knowledge: the Faculty of Arts.the law faculty. eg:"We deliberately invented a language that was almost devoid of many of the technical details that were present in other languages," said Kurtz. BASIC translated English commands, such as IF...THEN, or GO...TO, into the numerical language computers could understand. Kurtz said the response was overwhelming. "Not only our students loved getting onto the computer any time they wanted to, for whatever purpose they wanted to, but even the faculty got interested. Of course not everybody, but many of them," he said. 2.(US)the people who teach in a department in a college. eg: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently surprised Chinese students when he spoke to them in Chinese. In a talk at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Zuckerberg spoke Chinese for about 30 minutes. Although his Mandarin was far from perfect, students and faculty cheered his effort.

coherent

1.If an argument, set of ideas or a plan is coherent, it is clear and carefully considered, and each part of it connects or follows in a natural or sensible way. 2. If someone is coherent, you can understand what they say. When she calmed down, she was more coherent (= able to speak clearly and be understood). eg:Atilla Yesilada says even before the new legislation was written, investors were worried about the lack of progress on democratic reforms and the threat of the Islamic State on Turkey's border. "There are a lot of unconnected stories that are hitting the news wires which are sort of touching the nerve endings of investors. They haven't reached a point where there is a coherent negative Turkish narrative, as it's coalesced in Putin's Russia years ago or has happened in Venezuela. But I think there is concern. They are watching. And if there are any applications of these laws to companies, I am afraid the investor sentiment may change very rapidly." eg: Good writing consists not only of a string of varied, correctly-structured sentences. The sentences must also lead from one to the next so that the text is cohesive and the writer's ideas are coherent.

buck

1.a dollar. Can I borrow a couple of bucks? He charged me twenty bucks for a new hubcap. 一个新的毂盖他要了我20美元。 2. used in a number of expressions about money, usually expressions referring to a lot of money. He earns mega-bucks (= a lot of money) working for an American bank. So what's the best way to make a fast buck (= earn money easily and quickly)? eg:"It's the combination of this being, I think, dramatic figures speaking at what was really a dramatic time. I mean this is a time period where society is really changing."

convention

1.a large formal meeting of people who do a particular job or have a similar interest, or a large meeting for a political party. the national Democratic convention. Where are they holding their party convention? eg: Their representatives met in Montgomery, Alabama. They agreed to create a new nation. It would be an independent republic called the Confederate States of America. The convention approved a constitution for the new nation. The document was like the Constitution of the United States, but with major changes. The Confederate Constitution gave greater importance to the rights of states. And it said there could be no laws against slavery. eg: Missouri was another slave state in question. Its governor tried hard to take Missouri out of the Union. He called a convention to decide the question. But a majority of the delegates refused to vote for secession. 2.a formal agreement between country leaders, politicians and states on a matter which involves them all. the Geneva Convention. a convention on human rights. eg: Peace Democrats demanded an immediate end to the Civil War. They did not care if the north and south remained apart permanently. The party's statement contained these words: "After four years of failure to restore the Union by war. . . justice, humanity, liberty, and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made to end the fighting. Let us look to a convention of states -- or other peaceable means -- to restore the Union."

perfume

1.a liquid with a pleasant smell, usually made from oils taken from flowers or spices, which is often used on the skin. What perfume are you wearing? She adores French perfume. 2. [U] a pleasant natural smell. eg: When the European crusaders returned home, they brought with them some new and useful products. These included spices, perfumes, silk cloth and steel products. These goods became highly valued all over Europe. The increased trade with the East led to the creation and growth of towns along the supply roads. It also created a large number of rich European businessmen.

trophy

1.a prize, such as a gold or silver cup, which is given to the winner of a competition or race, and often returned after a year to be given to the winner of the competition in the following year He's an excellent snooker player, but he's never won a major trophy. The Duchess of Kent will be presenting the trophies. 2.something used as a symbol of success from hunting or war That stuffed pike above the fireplace is Pat's trophy from a fishing holiday. eg:Trophy Hunting Is Big Business in South Africa

excursion

1.a short journey usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people.Next week we're going on an excursion.2. a short involvement in a new activity.A teacher by profession, this is her first excursion into writing. eg:Uri Tours expects no further difficulties in continuing its North Korea excursions, Dantzler-Wolfe said. The company had communicated with its North Korean tour partners and was cooperating with diplomatic authorities to resolve Miller's detention, he said. eg:On this day, Mr. Tanner has paid to join a guided group called a "swim excursion." Most of the people wear wetsuits to cover more of their bodies than traditional swimsuits.

passage

1.a short piece of writing or music which is part of a larger piece of work.Several passages from the book were printed in a national newspaper before it was published .eg: The Critical Reading section of the SAT is comprised of vocabulary, short reading passages, and longer reading passages. 2.(also passageway) a usually long and narrow part of a building with rooms on one or both sides, or a covered path which connects places. A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden. The bathroom's on the right at the end of the passage. eg:During all his trips, Columbus explored islands and waterways, searching for that passage to the Indies. He never found it. Nor did he find spices or great amounts of gold. Yet, he always believed that he had found the Indies. He refused to recognize that it really was a new world. Evidence of this was all around him -- strange plants unknown in either Europe or Asia. And a different people who did not understand any language spoken in the East. Columbus' voyages, however, opened up the new world. Others later explored all of North America.

wrinkle

1.a small line or fold in cloth eg:Grant did not look like a great military leader, the chief of all Union armies. He was dressed simply. His clothes were the same as those worn by the lowest soldiers in his army. His boots and pants were covered with mud. His blue coat was dirty and wrinkled. But on its shoulders were the three gold stars of the Union's highest general. 2.a small line in the skin caused by old age. fine wrinkles around the eyes. anti-wrinkle creams.

surge

1.a sudden and great increase. An unexpected surge in electrical power caused the computer to crash. There has been a surge in house prices recently. → See also resurgence 2. a sudden and great movement forward At the end of the game, there was a surge of fans onto the field. A tidal surge (= sudden and great rise in the level of the sea) caused severe flooding in coastal areas. 3.a sudden increase of an emotion She was overwhelmed by a surge of remorse. eg: outburst - n. a surge of activity or growth

inaugural

1.an inaugural speech is the first speech someone gives when starting an important new job. the President's inaugural address to the nation. 2. an inaugural event is the first in a series of planned events. the inaugural meeting of the archaeological society. eg:President-elect Adams focused his inaugural address on unity. Adams said the Constitution and the representative democracy of the United States had proved a success. The nation was free and strong and stretched across the continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. He noted that during the past 10 years, political party differences had eased. So now, he said, it was time for the people to settle their differences and make a truly national government.

sphere

1.an object shaped like a round ball.eg: The American space agency is making final preparations for a project to study the sun. NASA scientists hope to observe the way solar material gathers energy and heats up as it moves through the sun's lower atmosphere. Katherine Cole has more about the Interface Regional Imaging Spectrograph, also called IRIS. The outer layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, is thousands of times hotter than the surface of the sun. Solar material heats up as it rises through the inner atmosphere to the corona. Researchers want to know why this is. So they are preparing a mission to study what scientists call the sun's "interface region." This is the area between the corona and the sun's photosphere. 2.a subject or area of knowledge, work, etc. the political sphere. exchanges with other countries, particularly in cultural, scientific and economic spheres. eg: Other countries were interested in this market, too. Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia all claimed special rights in parts of China. They began to divide the country into areas called "spheres of influence. " It seemed these areas could become foreign colonies. Then the United States would be cut off from trading directly with China.

in tandem

1.at the same time The heart and lungs will be transplanted in tandem. 2. If two pieces of equipment, people, etc. are working in tandem, they are working together, especially well or closely I want these two groups to work/operate in tandem on this project. eg:This is in stark contrast with the sort of rhetoric that the president himself has used, as he has often talked about the need to "win the future" by out-educating, out-innovating, and out-competing the Indians and the Chinese. And it's not just the Obama Administration that likes to paint China as a competitor rather than a collaborator, as American politicians tend to describe the world in stark, competitive terms during election season and during high profile events like the State of the Union. But the president appears to understand that the world is a bit more complicated than an economic football game. The above quote suggests that he believes that African economic development would be good for America even if it's not American firms doing the development, as a vibrant Africa could be an excellent destination for American exports. China, for its part, has approached the U.S. to work in tandem on infrastructure and development projects in Africa.

bitter

1.describes a person who is angry and unhappy because they cannot forget bad things which happened in the past I feel very bitter about my childhood and all that was denied me. She'd suffered terribly over the years but it hadn't made her bitter. 2.describes an experience that causes deep pain or anger. Failing the final exams was a bitter disappointment for me. She learnt through bitter experience that he was not to be trusted. 3. expressing a lot of hate and anger. a bitter fight/row. bitter recriminations. He gave me a bitter look. eg:Clay had left the Senate in 1842, but returned in 1849. He was surprised to find how bitter the North and South had grown toward each other in his seven years out of the Senate. Clay urged his friends in the "border states" -- those between the northern and southern states -- to work to build public support for the Union. He believed their support would help prevent the South from seceding.

elegant(elegance)

1.graceful and attractive in appearance or behaviour. an elegant woman.It was her natural elegance that struck me. 2. describes an idea, plan or solution that is clever but simple, and therefore attractive. It looks as if it has no relation to Smart Art. But, you'll learn how to create this elegant diagram using a SmartArt object called 'Segmented Cycle'. The transformation you're about to create is:

barbed

1.having a sharp point which curves backwards. 2.unkind and criticizing. She made some rather barbed comments about my lifestyle. eg:Most of the settlers, however, were strong people. They did not expect an easy life. And as time passed, they found solutions to most of the problems of farming on the great plains. Railroads were built across the west. They brought wood for homes. Wood and coal for fuel. Technology solved many of the problems. New equipment was invented for digging deep wells. Better pumps were built to raise the water to the surface. Some of the pumps used windmills for power. The fence problem was solved in 1874. That was the year "barbed wire" was invented. The sharp metal barbs tore the skin of the men who stretched it along fence tops. But they prevented cattle from pushing over the fences and destroying crops.

sunken

1.having fallen to the bottom of the sea. They're diving for sunken treasure. 2.at a lower level than the surrounding area. It was a luxurious bathroom, with a sunken bath. 3.(of eyes or cheeks) seeming to have fallen further into the face, especially because of tiredness, illness or old age. She looked old and thin with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes. eg: At the same time, many Democrats did not like the president either. "Most Democrats regarded him as a traitor who had jumped from the Jackson party and joined the Whigs, however temporarily." Michael Holt says even Tyler's appearance made him seem difficult and unpleasant. "You look at this guy and he's sort of aesthetically thin, and with sunken cheeks, and a long pointed nose. He just looks like he's unhappy with the world."

frankly

1.in an honest and direct way She spoke very frankly about her experiences. 2.used when giving an honest and direct opinion, often one that might upset someone Quite frankly, I think this whole situation is ridiculous. That's a frankly absurd suggestion. "Quite frankly we disagree deeply. I think for two reasons, number one to attempt, in essence, to disparage the character of this victim in the middle of a process like this is not right. It's just not right. And secondarily, it did put the community and quite frankly the region and the nation on alert again," Nixon said.

vis-a-vis

1.in relation to I've got to speak to James Lewis vis-a-vis the arrangements for Thursday. 2. in comparison with The decline in the power of local authorities vis-a-vis central government is worrying. eg: Al Haj Abdur Rashid is a community activist and Islamic religious leader -- an imam. He is the president of the Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York. He says the lack of trust between police and black and poor people in America is not new. He says it has existed since the time of the Civil War -- the mid 1800s. "Anyone who studies American history, there has always been a consistent national problem between law enforcement and its abusive tactics vis-a-vis people of color generally and poor people in particular. And law enforcement still hasn't gotten it right."

tuition

1.mainly UK teaching, especially when given to a small group or one person, such as in a college or university. All students receive tuition in logic and metaphysics. tuition fees 2.mainly US the money paid for this type of teaching. Few can afford the tuition of $12 000 a term. eg:Evan Ryan, Assistance Secretary of State for Education says enrollment of students from abroad also adds to the U.S. economy. "This year, $27 billion dollars was contributed to our economy at the local state and national levels, through payments for tuition, housing and other costs."

mean

1.meant.to intend. eg:Stephan Ulamec, of the German Aerospace Center, announced the news. He said the landing equipment and a special device meant to secure the spacecraft to the comet had deployed. 2. to have a particular result. Lower costs mean lower prices. [+ that] Advances in electronics mean that the technology is already available. [+ -ing verb] If we want to catch the 7.30 train, that will mean leaving the house at 6.00. eg:During the campaign, Lincoln was advised to begin peace talks with the south. End the war, he was told. Bring southern states back into the Union. Settle the question of slavery later. Lincoln, however, believed his policies were right for the nation. He would not surrender them, even if they meant his defeat in the election.

righteous

1.morally correct He was regarded as a righteous and holy man. an outburst of righteous anger. 2.the righteous, people who behave in a way that is morally correct. eg: The attacks were led by a secret group called "Righteous, Harmonious Fists." Foreigners called its members "Boxers." Boxers hated all foreign influence in China. They organized in areas where foreign influence was strongest. They killed Christian missionaries and Chinese who had accepted the Christian religion. They also destroyed foreign industries, especially railroads.

incumbent

1.officially having the named position. The incumbent president faces problems which began many years before he took office. eg:Charlie Cook writes about political campaigns. He says some Democratic senators running for re-election are telling voters they no longer strongly support President Obama. "What are midterm elections about, particularly second term midterm elections? It is a referendum on the incumbent president. You know, I am going to use a technical political science term here. This is a bummer (bad) environment for Democrats." 2.be incumbent on/upon sb to be necessary for someone. She felt it incumbent upon/on her to raise the subject at their meeting. eg:In the fourth debate, they expressed widely different opinions about whether the United States was making progress. Kennedy believed there had been little progress under Eisenhower and Nixon. He said: KENNEDY: "Franklin Roosevelt said in 1936 that that generation of Americans had a rendezvous with destiny. I believe in nineteen sixty and sixty-one and two and three, we have a rendezvous with destiny. And I believe it incumbent upon us to be defenders of the United States and the defenders of freedom. And to do that, we must give this country leadership. And we must get America moving again."

cosmic

1.relating to the universe and the natural processes that happen in it.2.very great. eg: Humans traveling on a spacecraft to Mars would be exposed to two kinds of radiation. One is low-energy particles called Galactic Cosmic Rays, or GCRs. The other is solar particle radiation, which depends on sun spot activity. Mr. Zeitlin says improvements in protective equipment might help keep astronauts safe from the solar radiation. But he says the cosmic rays are a bigger problem. "They can typically go through several inches of solid matter shielding without being attenuated (reduced) very much. So astronauts in deep space will get a continuous low radiation dose."

literacy

1.the ability to read and write Far more resources are needed to improve adult literacy. 2. knowledge of a particular subject, or a particular type of knowledge. Computer literacy is becoming as essential as the ability to drive a car. eg:"Some people think that ecoliteracy is just a green form of science literacy. And what I have tried to ask is whether that's enough. In other words, what an ecologically-literate person needs to know might include things like the cycles and the flows, the energy systems, all of those kind of things that we would call the science of ecology."

skeleton

1.the frame of bones supporting a human or animal body. eg:Paleontologists learned to build the skeleton of Spinosaurus. That led to a life-size replica or copy of the ancient creature. Scientists say it grew bigger than a more famous dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus Rex. eg:Holding a human rib bone in her gloved hand, Baylor University Anthropology Professor Lori Baker notes signs of postmortem damage -- damage done after death. "This would be indicative of vulture damage." The bone is part of a skeleton, a set of bones. It was found in the lower Rio Grande River valley of Texas, close to the Mexican border. People dying in the desert, their remains being eaten by scavenger birds such as vultures, are realities of Ms. Baker's work.

patronage

1.the support given to an organization by someone. The Conservative Party enjoys the patronage of much of the business community. 2.the power of a person to give someone an important job or position. Patronage is a potent force if used politically. eg:John Garnaut spoke with VOA reporter Michael Lipin. He says Mr. Leung is caught between what he calls two "completely different" masters. "One is in Beijing, who cares primarily about loyalty, who operates in an underground, you know, old underground, revolutionary fashion - all about patronage and secrets, including underhand money dealings. And there is, of course, the Hong Kong people, which is a completely different tier. It is a pluralistic, democratic society, people demanding open representation, and demanding that politicians answer questions. So C.Y. Leung is caught in between these two different systems."

offspring

1.the young of an animal In the case of the guinea pig, the number of offspring varies between two and five. 2.humorous or formal,a person's children Tom's sister came round on Saturday with her numerous offspring.

concede

1.to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true. eg: The Government has conceded (that) the new tax policy has been a disaster.2.to allow someone to have something, even though you do not want to.eg:The president is not expected to concede these reforms. eg:Britain conceded (= allowed) independence to India in 1947.3. to admit that you have lost in a competition. eg: She conceded even before all the votes had been counted. eg: Yingluck, who defended herself before the court on Tuesday, conceded defeat in a Wednesday speech, but maintained that she has done nothing wrong. eg: Opposition candidate Narendra Modi will be the next prime minister of India, with early election results on Friday showing the pro-business Hindu nationalist and his party headed for the biggest victory the country has seen in 30 years. India's ruling Congress party conceded defeat Friday. Congress party spokesmen told reporters the party had accepted that the country decided to vote against them.

marshal

1.to bring together or organize people or things in order to achieve a particular aim The fighting in the city followed reports of the rebels marshalling their forces in the countryside. The company is marshalling its forces/resources for a long court case. They had marshalled an armada of 1000 boats and a squadron of 70 aircraft to help clear up the oil. It is unlikely that the rebels will be able to marshal as much firepower as the government troops. 。 NATO said about 1,000 Russian troops are operating inside of eastern Ukraine, with about 20,000 more marshaled on the border. Officials also released satellite images that they say show Russian combat forces engaged in military operations inside Ukraine. 2. a title used for important officers in the armed forces of some countries. a field marshal/air vice marshal. eg:On the morning of November eighth, a German delegation went to Allied military headquarters to discuss terms.The Germans were met by the Supreme Allied Commander, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France. Foch greeted them coldly. And he did not offer peace terms until they officially asked for a ceasefire. Germany -- not the Allies -- had to put down its weapons first.

melt away

1.to disappear slowly. As the police sirens were heard, the crowd started to melt away. 2.If a strong feeling melts away, you feel it less strongly and it disappears. Her anger melted away when she read the letter. eg: Other issues melted away as Americans began to consider what to do about the darkening world situation. Some Americans, led by newspaper publisher William Allen White, called for the United States to help Britain immediately. But other groups, like the America First Committee, demanded that the United States stay out of another bloody European conflict.

pump sth up

1.to fill something with air using a pump Have you pumped up the balloons yet? I must pump the tyres up on my bike. 2. informal to increase something by a large amount The US was able to pump up exports. Let's pump up the volume a bit! eg:Brightness is commonly known as the slider that adjusts the midtones. And although many people think that this is all the brightness sliders do, there's a little more to it. All of the settings still change when utilising the brightness slider, but it preserves the highlights better than simply dialing up the exposure. And it affects the midtones more nicely than pumping up the exposure.

expel

1.to force someone to leave a school, organisation or country. The new government has expelled all foreign diplomats. My brother was expelled from school for bad behaviour. 2.to force air or liquid out of something. She took a deep breath, then expelled the air in short blasts. When you breathe out, you expel air from your lungs. eg:Mr. Modi began the "Clean India" campaign on the birth anniversary of Mohandas Gandhi. He had called good sanitation more important than independence. Mr. Gandhi urged his followers not to associate cleaning with something only done by people of a lower class. Another important part of the campaign will be to build toilets. Studies suggest more than half of Indians expel bodily waste outside. This can spread diseases like diarrhea. And, women are exposed to the risk of sexual attack when they go into the fields after dark. A World Bank study estimates that poor sanitation costs India $54 billion in treatments for illnesses, early deaths and lost work time.

tweak

1.to pull and twist something with a small sudden movement: Standing in front of the mirror she tweaked a strand of hair into place. 2.to change something slightly, especially in order to make it more correct, effective, or suitable: The software is pretty much there - it just needs a little tweaking. You just need to tweak the last paragraph and then it's done. eg: While getting my hands dirty tweaking your system settings,I noticed and removed stale directives from the software.

harbour

1.to think about or feel something, usually over a long period He's been harbouring a grudge against her ever since his promotion was refused. There are those who harbour suspicions about his motives. Powell remains non-committal about any political ambitions he may harbour. 2.an area of water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter eg:U.S. Navy sailors could see the smoke a few miles outside Charleston Harbor. They were protecting a ship bringing food for the men at Sumter. But neither the sailors nor the food could reach the fort to help Major Anderson. Confederate boats blocked the entrance to the harbor. And powerful Confederate guns could destroy any ship that tried to enter.

manifest

1.verb. to show something clearly, through signs or actions The workers chose to manifest their dissatisfaction in a series of strikes. The illness first manifested itself in/as severe stomach pains. Lack of confidence in the company manifested itself in a fall in the share price. 2.adjective, easily noticed or obvious. manifest relief. manifest lack of interest. eg: In the 1840s, many Americans liked the idea of expanding the country. They believed in "manifest destiny" -- the idea that God wanted America to expand west, all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and dominate the continent. "It was a very powerful concept. And it was not just a powerful concept, but it was a powerful impulse of America at that time."

desert

1.verb.to leave the armed forces without permission and with no intention of returning.Soldiers who deserted and were caught were shot. eg:Authorities have confirmed that the ship's captain was in his quarters, leaving the inexperienced third mate at the helm. The captain, the third mate and one other crew member were arrested Saturday on charges of deserting their passengers as the ferry was sinking. 2.noun.an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants. eg: We had to cross a large area of arid, featureless desert. eg: Defoe skilfully narrated the adventures of Robinson Crusoe on his desert island.

attorney general

A country's Attorney General is its chief law officer, who advises its government or ruler. eg:On national issues, President Kennedy supported efforts to guarantee a better life for African-Americans. One man who pushed for changes was his younger brother, Robert. Robert Kennedy was attorney general and head of the Justice Department at that time. The Justice Department took legal action against Southern states that violated the voting rights acts of 1957 and 1960. The administration also supported a voter registration campaign among African-Americans. The campaign helped them to record their names with election officials so they could vote.

Aerial photography

Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Platforms for aerial photography include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, multirotor Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), balloons, blimps and dirigibles, rockets, kites, parachutes, stand-alone telescoping and vehicle mounted poles. Mounted cameras may be triggered remotely or automatically; hand-held photographs may be taken by a photographer.

massacre

an act of killing a lot of people. eg:Late at night, Brown and the other men went to a settlement near Pottawatomie Creek. They went to three homes and seized five pro-slavery men. "Took these five men out of their beds, defenseless, unarmed, and hacked them to death with broad swords." Historian Nicole Etcheson explains that Brown's group seized the men, murdered them, and left their bodies next to the creek. The event became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre.

decisive blow

Confederate General Robert E. Lee saw the northern anti-war movement as a sign of weakness. He also saw it as an opening for a military victory. Lee hoped for a final, decisive blow that would bring the war to an end.

conjugate

If a verb conjugates, it has different forms depending on number, tense, etc., and if you conjugate a verb, you list its various forms. The verb 'to be' conjugates irregularly. eg:Martinez says that English is seen as a more neutral language than Chinese. Unlike Chinese, it is not associated with one country. He says even the ideas of equality are built into English grammar. "If you study German, if you study Spanish, if you study Russian, there are many languages where the "you" form and how you conjugate verbs is very different depending on whether you're talking to a grandparent or a boss versus one of your children or an employee or a close friend...If I'm talking to President Obama or if I'm talking to my closest friend or my son, its 'you.'"

spill ove

If an activity or situation spills over, it begins to affect another situation or group of people, especially in an unpleasant or unwanted way. I try not to let my work spill over into my life outside the office. The conflict threatens to spill over into neighbouring regions. eg:Conflict in Korea Spills Over Into Eisenhower's Presidency.

populate

If an area is populated by people or animals, they live in that area. The inner cities are no longer densely populated. The river is populated mainly by smaller species of fish. eg: The 1850s were an increasingly tense time in the United States. Most of the population lived east of the Mississippi River. But more and more people were moving west. As western areas became populated they became official territories, and then new states. The settlement of these areas once again raised the issue of slavery.

traumatic

If an experience is traumatic, it causes you severe emotional shock and upset Some of the most disturbed children had witnessed really traumatic things, such as rape and murder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is caused by a frightening event, either witnessed or experienced. Signs of the disorder may include depression, bad dreams and severe nervousness. Thoughts about the event may be uncontrollable. eg:Lori Baker says that in most cases, the people died of the heat. "There are a few traumatic things we need to look at, but, all in all, most of the individuals that we see die of heat exhaustion."

catch up with sb

If someone in authority catches up with you, they discover that you have been doing something wrong and often punish you for it: They had been selling stolen cars for years before the police caught up with them.eg: Zhou is the highest ranking former Chinese official caught up in President Xi's anti-corruption crackdown. He has been under house arrest since late 2013, and multiple reports indicate that formal charges against him may be brought up in coming weeks.One of the most recent officials allied with Zhou caught up in this probe is Ji Wenlin, just removed as vice governor of Hainan province.

curt

If someone's manner or speech is curt, it is rude as a result of being very quick.Steve answered curtly and turned his back on me.Claire's curtness made him wonder what he'd done wrong.eg: The decision was delivered in a curt, one-sentence letter from Dmitry Kiselyov, who heads the Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) Information Agency, responding from the BBG's request to renew its long-standing contract to broadcast in Russia. Dmitry Kiselyov, the head of media conglomerate Rossiya Segodnya (Russia Today) smiles as he attends a joint session of Russian parliament on Crimea's incorporation into Russia at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV "We are not going to cooperate," the letter read. This means that the last VOA programming, which includes news and English-language lessons-has stopped airing on local Moscow frequency 810 AM. "Moscow has chosen to do the wrong thing and restrict free speech," said BBG Chairman Jeff Shell. "This is a fundamental value shared by many countries around the world." Shell pointed out that Russian programming, including Russia Today television, continues to air in the United States. "We urge Mr. Kiselev and other Russian authorities to open Russian airwaves to more of our programs and those of other international broadcasters," Shell added. "We're asking for an even playing field."

rest on/upon sth

If something rests on a particular idea, belief or fact, it is based on it or needs it in order for it to be true. Christianity rests on the belief that Jesus was the son of God. eg: JOHNSON: "The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all. It demands an end to poverty and racial injustice, to which we are totally committed in our time. But that is just the beginning. The great society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. "

prohibitive

If the cost of something is prohibitive, it is too expensive for most people. adj. so high that people are prevented from using or buying something. Hotel prices in the major cities are high but not prohibitive. eg:For example, it costs $175 to take the TOEFL Internet-based test in Cambodia. The World Bank says the average Cambodian worker earns only about $1,000 per year. That means the cost of taking the TOEFL is about 17.5 percent of the average worker's yearly wages. It is not just individuals who find the test pricey. Some governments find the costs to be prohibitive.

coalesce

If two or more things coalesce, they come or grow together to form one thing or system. the process of coalescing. eg:The country's attempt to join the EU has been temporarily stopped. Experts say EU officials do not want the process to begin again because they believe Turkey is moving farther away from democracy. Atilla Yesilada says even before the new legislation was written, investors were worried about the lack of progress on democratic reforms and the threat of the Islamic State on Turkey's border. "There are a lot of unconnected stories that are hitting the news wires which are sort of touching the nerve endings of investors. They haven't reached a point where there is a coherent negative Turkish narrative, as it's coalesced in Putin's Russia years ago or has happened in Venezuela. But I think there is concern. They are watching. And if there are any applications of these laws to companies, I am afraid the investor sentiment may change very rapidly."

withhold

If you withhold something that someone wants, you do not let them have it. ⇒ Police withheld the dead boy's name yesterday until relatives could be told. to refuse to give something or to keep back something. to withhold information/support. During the trial, the prosecution was accused of withholding crucial evidence from the defence. Police are withholding the dead woman's name until her relatives have been informed. She withheld her rent until the landlord agreed to have the repairs done. The government is planning to withhold benefit payments from single mothers who refuse to name the father of their child. eg: John Kennedy stood to help him. Still, the poet could not continue. Those in the crowd felt concerned for the eighty-six-year-old man. Suddenly, he stopped trying to say his special poem. Instead, he began to say the words of another one, one he knew from memory. It was called "The Gift Outright." Here is part of that poem by Robert Frost, read by Stan Busby: The land was ours before we were the land's. She was our land more than a hundred years before we were her people ... Something we were withholding made us weak Until we found out that it was ourselves We were withholding from our land of living ... Such as we were we gave ourselves outright.

grand jury

In 2010, at age 24, Cutter Hodierne went to Kenya and made a shorter version of Fishing Without Nets. He used Somali refugees to play the parts. These untrained actors included day laborers, fishermen and truck drivers. They were all living in Mombasa, Kenya at the time. "We would set up these informal auditions in restaurants and just like hangouts where Somalis would sit around and chew khat and drink tea, and we would audition people there." The short film won a Sundance Festival grand jury prize. At that point, Vice Media provided two million dollars to finance a feature-length version of the film.

Belie

Jason tried to belie the fact he was a lousy worker by showing up early at the office. In an attempt to belie the vehicle's high mileage, the car salesman turned back the speedometer on the car. The woman hoped her excessive shopping would fool her friends and belie the truth about her empty bank account. Because the large man wanted to belie his gentle personality, he often spoke in a rough tone of voice. Janice hoped her smile would belie the sadness she felt. When the editor realized the article did nothing but belie the facts about the trial, he made a hasty decision to replace the piece with an article that was more authentic. The small size of the weapon does not belie the amount of danger it can inflict upon a person. If you look at the porch closely, you will see that the rotten porch boards belie the stability of the house's entryway. Kim's blonde hair and strange behavior often belie the fact she is a very intelligent woman who graduated at the top of her college class. In order to belie the truth about his illness, Jack always pretends to be healthy and happy at work.

lease breakage

Kindly advise lease breakage and applicable fees since I will be moving out of the apartment earlier than planned. The lease is the agreement you made with the apartment owners, set down in legal terms (contract) and signed by both sides of the agreement. "Breaking the lease" is another term for "breaking the agreement". As part of the agreement, you said you would stay in the apartment for a certain length of time. If you are moving out earlier, you are breaking the agreement you signed. The lease contract will contain info on fees. Some lease contracts have ways that you can get out early. One often found is that you are moving more than some distance away - often 50 miles or more. If you don't fit into any of those lease cancellation terms, then you are probably going to get hit with the fees listed in the contract.

lenient

Mild or tolerant The judge issued a lenient sentence because it was Frank's first offense.

trick

an action which is intended to deceive, either as a way of cheating someone, or as a joke or form of entertainment.My niece was showing me all the tricks that she's learned to do with her new magic set.For a moment I thought you had a patch of grey hairs, but it's just a trick of the light.

salient

The salient facts about something or qualities of something are the most important things about them. She began to summarize the salient features/points of the proposal. The article presented the salient facts of the dispute clearly and concisely. eg:As soon as it became clear in the American consciousness that Polk's aim in the Mexican War was to gain Southwestern territory—California and what's now the American Southwest—then the slavery question becomes very, very salient in a powerful way that it had been kept under wraps for 20, 25 years.

thrive

To grow vigorously; flourish: "the wild deer that throve here" .eg:In addition to the evolving Chinese economy, social factors are driving people to buy more of these products than ever before. Fabinyi claims the luxurious banquet culture among the country's elite is a large reason why the high-end market for seafood like live reef fish, sea cucumbers and shark fins is thriving.

honorable

US for honourable. honest and fair, or deserving praise and respect. eg:Clay also began to think about a compromise that might settle the differences between the two sections of the country. He once said: "I go for honorable compromise whenever it can be made. Life itself is but a compromise between death and life. The struggle continues through our whole existence until the great destroyer finally wins. All legislation, all government, all society is formed upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, and courtesy. Upon these, everything is based." eg:Senator Clay began his speech by talking of the serious crisis that faced the nation. He said that never before had he spoken to a group as troubled and worried as the one he spoke to now. Clay listed his eight resolutions. Then he said: "No man on earth is more ready than I am to surrender anything which I have proposed and to accept in its place anything that is better. But I ask the honorable senators whether their duty will be done by simply limiting themselves to opposing any one or all of the resolutions I have offered." "If my plan of peace and unity is not right, give us your plan. Let us see how all the questions that have arisen out of this unhappy subject of slavery can be better settled more fairly and justly than the plan I have offered. Present me with such a plan, and I will praise it with pleasure and accept it without the slightest feeling of regret."

diaper

US for nappy.a square of thick soft paper or cloth which is fastened around a baby's bottom and between its legs to absorb its urine and solid waste. eg:For workers, increased pay is welcome. Edgar Gonzalez, a young father, says the move will make a difference for him. "It will mean a lot. It will help me out with the rent. It will help me out with diapers. It will help me out with having a better life."

pajamas

US for pyjamas. soft loose clothing which is worn in bed and consists of trousers and a type of shirt. pyjama bottoms (= trousers ) a pyjama top.loose trousers that are tied around the waist and worn by men and women in some Asian countries.I need a new pair of pyjamas.

sulfur

US for sulphur. a pale yellow element which exists in various physical forms. It burns with a blue flame and a strong smell and is used in medicine and industry. eg:The list, which relies on country-reported data over the past several years, measures the levels of airborne particles smaller than 10 micrometers — so-called PM10s — for almost 1,100 cities. WHO recommends an upper limit of 20 micrograms for PM10s, which can cause serious respiratory problems in humans. They are mostly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from power plants, auto exhausts and industry.

solar flares

Violent eruptions of particles and radiation from the surface of the Sun. eg: On the show today, we look into the future of space exploration. The American space agency NASA has announced plans for a new effort to study the sun. And, NASA scientists are considering new technologies for a possible human trip to the planet Mars. Newly released information about space radiation means the trip needs to take less time than is currently possible. The American space agency is making final preparations for a project to study the sun. NASA scientists hope to observe the way solar material gathers energy and heats up as it moves through the sun's lower atmosphere. Katherine Cole has more about the Interface Regional Imaging Spectrograph, also called IRIS. The outer layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, is thousands of times hotter than the surface of the sun. Solar material heats up as it rises through the inner atmosphere to the corona. Researchers want to know why this is. So they are preparing a mission to study what scientists call the sun's "interface region." This is the area between the corona and the sun's photosphere. The energy and matter, called plasma, that flow through the interface region have a major effect on Earth. This area is the source of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. The radiation affects Earth's climate. It also can influence the space environment near our planet. The energy that passes into the interface region is also responsible for solar wind. Scientists believe the Interface Regional Imaging Spectrograph can help them understand the process. IRIS is a small satellite that can perform complex solar observations. Alan Title is the IRIS lead investigator. He is based at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center in California. "What we want to discover is what the basic physical processes are that transfer energy and material from the surface of the sun out to the outer atmosphere to the corona. And remember, the corona extends throughout the heliosphere. We live in the sun's outer atmosphere." IRIS will provide highly detailed images that will show even individual structures of energy as they stretch away from the sun. NASA officials say the images will be three to four times as detailed as those from the agency's Solar Dynamics Observatory. IRIS will also provide spectra. Spectra measures different wavelengths of light at once. NASA says IRIS will observe temperatures extending from about 5,000 to 65,000 degrees Celsius. That number will rise to about ten million degrees during solar flares. But, lead investigator Alan Title notes IRIS will keep a safe distance from the sun. "IRIS flies around the Earth so it only gets about 600 kilometers closer to the sun than here we are on Earth, and that's only about 92 million miles away. So it's really not very much closer to the sun." The IRIS mission is expected to last two years and cost more than 180 million dollars. But scientists say the solar explorer could keep going much longer. IRIS is set to launch on a Pegasus XL rocket from a military base in California on June 26. I'm Katherine Cole.

roller coaster

When life has many ups and downs we call it a roller coaster, just like the amusement park ride. eg: She says that like many people with ADD or ADHD life can be a roller coaster ride - a life with many ups and downs, high points and low points. "I, like many people with ADD, had a roller coaster of a life. For instance, I got sued for 11-million dollars for a reporting error that I made in one of my first years as a newspaper reporter. And two years later, I won a Pulitzer Prize. So these are the kinds of things that often happen when you got this disorder; you're capable of really amazing things and very humiliating, terrible things."

lame duck

an unsuccessful person or thing. eg: When Theodore Roosevelt won the election of 1904, he announced he would not be a candidate in 1908. He had completed the term of President McKinley. He would serve a full term of his own. That was enough. Later, he said: "I would be willing to cut off my hand if I could call back that statement."During his last year in office, Roosevelt was a "lame duck" president. Everyone knew he would not be back. There was little political reason to support him.

synagogue

a building in which Jewish people worship and study their religion.Authorities had banned protests in many French cities because of the violence last week at a similar protest in Paris which included attacks on a pair of synagogues. eg:Israeli police say two Palestinians have killed at least four rabbis and wounded six others in an attack at a Jewish holy place in Jerusalem. Police killed the two attackers. The attack took place at a synagogue in West Jerusalem. The synagogue is in a Jewish neighborhood with a large number of Western immigrants.

carnival

[C or U] (a special occasion or period of) public enjoyment and entertainment involving wearing unusual clothes, dancing, and eating and drinking, usually held in the roads of a city There's a real carnival atmosphere in the streets. eg: Late one evening during carnival season, I happened to meet Fortunato on the street. He was going home alone from a party. Fortunato was beautiful in his silk suit made of many colors: yellow, green, purple and red. On his head he wore an orange cap, covered with little silver bells. I could see he had been drinking too much wine. He threw his arms around me. He said he was glad to see me.

trench

[C usually plural] a deep hole dug by soldiers and used as a place from which they can attack the enemy while being hidden. the trenches of World War I. trench warfare. eg:While the Union army marched and then rested, Confederate troops built a complex system of trenches. By the time the Union army was prepared to attack, Lee's men were ready behind these defenses. eg: There were celebrations along the battle lines, too. But these were quiet. Soldiers from both sides climbed out of long trenches dug in the ground. They met the men who, a short while earlier, had been their deadly enemy.

course

[C usually singular, U] the direction in which a vehicle, especially an aircraft, spacecraft or ship, moves, or the path along which a river flows. The pilot avoided a collision by changing course. Changing the course of the river would cause serious environmental damage to the whole valley. figurative The debate completely changed course after Liz made her speech. eg:The second attack was so successful it seemed the Germans might push the British all the way back to the sea. The British commander, Field Marshal Douglas Haig, ordered his men not to withdraw. Haig said: "There is no other course open to us, but to fight it out."

bleed

[I] to lose blood. At first, the Confederates pushed Grant's Union army back. But in the thick of the struggle, General Johnston was shot in the leg. The bullet cut through an artery. Johnston bled to death before help arrived.

doctrine

a belief or set of beliefs, especially political or religious, taught and accepted by a particular group. Christian doctrine. eg:The king of Spain did not want the United States to recognize the colonies' independence. And, Spain asked European countries to help it put down the rebellions. Britain wanted no part of the Spanish proposal. It was trading heavily with these new Latin American countries. Spanish or even French control of this area would destroy or limit this trade. So Britain proposed a joint statement with the United States to say that neither country wanted any of Spain's territory in the New World. Britain also wanted the United States to join in opposing the handover of any of Spain's American territories to any other power in Europe. Most of President Monroe's advisers urged him to accept the British offer. Secretary of State Adams opposed it. He did not believe the United States should tie itself to any European power, even Britain. Monroe accepted the advice of his secretary of state. He included Adams' ideas in his message to Congress in December 1823. This part of the message became known as the Monroe Doctrine. eg: South Carolina refused to pay the tax. Calhoun wrote a long statement defending South Carolina's action. In the statement, he developed what was called the Doctrine of Nullification. The doctrine declared that the power of the federal government was not supreme.

ferry

a boat or ship for taking passengers and often vehicles across an area of water, especially as a regular service.We're going across to France by/on the ferry. eg: Nearly 300 people remain missing after a ferry capsized off the southern coast of South Korea Wednesday with more than 462 people on board, most of them high school students. Coast guard officials say 174 people have been rescued, and four are confirmed dead. Many are feared trapped in the submerged ship or stranded in 12 degree (C) water. South Korean Navy SEALs are continuing their search inside the sunken vessel, but officials warn those trapped inside may not have survived. Dozens of helicopters and ships are involved in the search and rescue effort. Officials from the U.S. Navy say an amphibious assault vessel is on standby and ready provide support as requested. The boat set off from Incheon city Tuesday night for a 14-hour trip to the resort island of Jeju when it capsized. Officials say they are not sure what caused the ship to sink, but some survivors reported hearing a loud impact before the vessel rolled to its side.

knock-off

a cheap copy of a popular product. But China may not become a military rival for the US for decades to come, says Etzioni. "Many of China's latest military acquisitions are either upgraded knock-offs of old Soviet equipment or purchased from the former USSR—hardly state-of-the-art technologies. Others are unlikely to achieve full operational capability for years to come, including the headline-grabbing Chinese stealth fighter, the J-20. And perhaps the greatest perceived Chinese military threat, anti-aircraft—a.k.a. "carrier-killer"—ballistic missiles, have yet to be publicly tested over water against a maneuvering target."

transformation

a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that they are improved. eg: Local people have mixed feelings about the planned transformation of their town into a regional capital. eg:I'd never seen Carlo in smart evening clothes before - it was quite a transformation. eg:Governmental and non-governmental pressure clamps down on transformations of civil society in all sorts of ways

institution

a custom or tradition that has existed for a long time and is accepted as an important part of a particular society. the venerable institution of marriage. (figurative)Mrs Daly is an institution - she's been with the company 40 years and knows absolutely everyone. eg:Secretary Calhoun's reply to Britain went public. He defended slavery in the American South. He said what was called slavery was really a political institution necessary for the peace, safety and economic strength of those states where it existed. Ending slavery in Texas, he said, would be a danger to the American South and to the Union itself.

silhouette

a dark shape seen against a light surface The silhouette of the bare tree on the hill was clear against the winter sky.

fatality

a death caused by an accident or by violence, or someone who has died in either of these ways

fatality

a death caused by an accident or by violence, or someone who has died in either of these ways; eg: Britain has thousands of road fatalities (= deaths on roads) every year.

camaraderie

a feeling of friendliness towards people that you work or share an experience with. When you've been climbing alone for hours, there's a tremendous sense of camaraderie when you meet another climber. eg:She questions why anyone would pay to swim in a community pool. "Why pay to swim when you just can go down and jump in yourself? It's for the camaraderie. As, you can see the incredible enthusiasm, the feeling of support..." She spoke during a stop at a beach. There the group gathered around a small fire to warm up after their swim. They ate fish and chips and drank hot chocolate. The establishment of Ms. Muir's business three years ago shows the increased interest in open water swimming in the northwest United States. Kelly Reynolds of Seattle is one of the newest converts to the sport. She says she swam in college two years ago. But she does not want to race in swimming pools anymore. She says she does not want to see how slow she is.

relief

a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended. [+ to infinitive] It was such a relief to hear that Marta was found safe and well. After the exam, I felt an incredible sense of relief. "James can't come tonight." "Well, that's a relief!" to seek/find/provide relief from the heat/cold/pain/noise. eg: Kate Clark is with the Afghanistan Analysts Network. She has studied Afghan politics for many years. She worries that the deal will not bring good governance and lasting peace to the country. "There is relief that it's over for now but that is very, very short term relief. There is not a great—there is not a great sense of optimism that this will work out very well. It's felt like people in charge, the politicians are actually more concerned about getting their own seats, getting their own positions than they have been about the future of the country, that's the impression that has been given."

jealousy

a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something or someone that you want. He broke his brother's new bike in a fit of jealousy. She was consumed by/eaten up with jealousy (= She was very jealous) when she heard that he had been given a promotion. The team has performed very badly this season due to petty jealousies (= feelings of jealousy about unimportant things) among the players. eg:Mr. Ross studied ethnic-related conflict in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. He said international observers there identified the presence of intense hatred. But when researchers spoke to people one-on-one, the subjects did not often describe feelings of hatred. Instead, Mr. Ross found, they talked about a number of feelings, including jealousy, pride and hopelessness.

chick flick

a film about relationships, romance, etc. that attracts mainly women. eg: A lot of guys find "chick flicks" soporific because there's too much talk and not enough action.

propulsion

a force that pushes something forward.wind propulsion. eg: NASA experts are considering these numbers on radiation levels in their early planning for a mission to Mars. Some scientists say the answer might be improvements in the driving force of spacecraft. They say new propulsion technologies are needed to shorten the time it takes to get to Mars. This would reduce the time a person is exposed to the radiation along the way.

waterboarding

a form of torture in which the victim is immobilized and has water poured on his or her face, producing a severe gag reflex, to simulate drowning. eg:The report says the CIA used a number of harsh or severe methods against captured al-Qaida and other militants to get information. The methods included ice baths, sexual threats and waterboarding. In waterboarding, water is poured over a cloth covering the face of a captive. It makes the individual feel as if he or she is drowning.

nitrogen

a gas with no colour or taste which forms about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere and is a part of all things which live. eg: The list, which relies on country-reported data over the past several years, measures the levels of airborne particles smaller than 10 micrometers — so-called PM10s — for almost 1,100 cities. WHO recommends an upper limit of 20 micrograms for PM10s, which can cause serious respiratory problems in humans. They are mostly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from power plants, auto exhausts and industry. Ahvaz's annual average of PM10s was 372 micrograms per cubic meter. The study found that the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator had an annual average PM10s density of 279 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by another west Iranian city, Sanandaj, with 254 micrograms. Cities in Pakistan and India, such as Quetta and Kanpur, as well as Botswana's capital Gaborone, also ranked high on the pollution scale. WHO said the reasons for the high pollution levels varied, but that often rapid industrialization and the use of poor quality fuels for transportation and electricity generation are to blame. At the other end of the list are cities in Canada and the United States, which benefit from lower population density, favorable climates and stricter air pollution regulation. Yukon territory's capital Whitehorse had a yearly average of just 3 micrograms of PM10s per cubic meter, while Santa Fe, New Mexico, measured 6 micrograms. Washington, D.C., had a level of 18 micrograms, Tokyo measured 23 micrograms, and Paris had 38 micrograms of PM10s per cubic meter. eg: The report also notes what it calls the world's "Ecological Footprint." That is the effect of human activities on the planet. Mr. Lambertini says there has been an increase in carbon dioxide gases and the pouring of nitrogen into oceans and rivers from fertilizers used in agriculture. He says this cannot continue. "So, we are consuming on average every year about the equivalent of about 1.5, one-and-a half times the resources available to the planet. That means we are cutting trees more quickly than they can be restored. We are fishing the oceans more quickly than fishing stocks can reproduce, and we are emitting in the atmosphere more CO2 than the natural systems can actually absorb. This is clearly not sustainable."

tissue

a group of connected cells in an animal or plant that are similar to each other, have the same purpose and form the stated part of the animal or plant human tissue plant tissue brain/lung/muscle/fat tissue His face is covered with scar tissue where he was badly burned. eg:Graft, a form of political corruption, is the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. The term has its origins in the medical procedure where by tissue is removed from one location and attached to another for which it was not originally intended. Similarly, political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected in order to maximize the benefits to private interests. eg:Not until after Garfield's death did doctors find the bullet that killed him. It lay only a few centimeters from the wound. Tissue had grown around it. The bullet itself would not have killed the president. What killed him was the effort made by doctors to find the bullet. Their instruments had spread infection throughout his body.

musket

a gun with a long barrel, used in the past. eg:Historian Harlow Giles Unger wrote a biography of John Quincy Adams - "Quinzy" incidentally is how the family pronounced it. The historian tells this story about Abigail Adams and her son in 1775 in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War. "When her first-born son John, John Quincy, was seven, they heard the cannon fire in the distance and they went up to the top of the hill behind their farm house and could look across Boston Harbor and see the Battle of Bunker Hill. And she took her boy by the hand and they went back down to the house and she started melting down the family pewter, with John Quincy helping her, and making musket balls for the American revolutionary troops."

cliff

a high area of rock with a very steep side, often on a coast. Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall. the cliff edge. eg: Field plant expert Steve Perlman has led protection of Hawaii's endangered species for more than 40 years. He is one of the state's first 'rock star' botanists. In the 1970s, he rappelled using ropes around his body to swing down from high cliffs to save the Brighamia insignis. People call this rare Hawaiian plant Alula. "A lot of the botanists in the old days, at least for the first couple hundred years working in Hawaii, would be able to hike around the ridges and the valleys and find their species. But no one had ever really looked at the cliffs." Then Mr. Perlman started to use those same methods of climbing and hanging from cliffs to get to other plants. He is now in his 60s. But he is still rappelling off cliffs to save endangered plants. The rescued plants are varieties, or kinds, that have established themselves in places where hungry animals like goats and pigs could not get them. He says it is worth it to see a species survive. "We know the Amazon is losing all these species. But Hawaii is losing species. There's an extinction crisis going on here, and we've already had over 100 species go extinct." eg:Union General Ulysses Grant had been trying to seize Vicksburg for several months. It was not easy. Vicksburg lay on the east side of the Mississippi River. It was built high above the water on a rocky cliff. As the river flowed past Vicksburg, it turned in sharply at the base of the cliff and then continued on to the gulf of Mexico. The Confederates had placed cannon all along the sharp turn in the river. Enemy boats sailing past made easy targets.

fairground

a large outside area used for a fair. There was a small fairground just by the river, with a carousel, a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel. eg:The president was taken to an emergency hospital on the fairgrounds. He was not conscious. The bullet had damaged his stomach, pancreas, and one kidney. But doctors did not believe he was in danger of dying.

alligator

a large reptile with a hard skin that lives in and near rivers and lakes in the hot, wet parts of America and China. It has a long nose that is slightly wider and shorter than that of a crocodile. eg:For weeks, the Union soldiers worked on the canal. They dug through mud and wet clay. Many died of disease. After more than a month of digging, engineers decided that the canal would not work. Grant ordered the men to build another canal. Then another. They did not work, either. By this time, the Union soldiers had become experts at digging canals. One of them said: "As soon as the canals at Vicksburg are finished, we are going to cut a canal across the upper part of Florida. We will cut that state off from the Confederacy, and give it to the alligators!"

eagle

a large strong bird with a curved beak which eats meat and can see very well. eg: On the 49th ballot, Pierce won the Democratic nomination. He would be the party's candidate for president. "Pierce was a passionately loyal adherent of the Democratic Party and of its principles of negative governance domestically and spread eagle expansionism in foreign affairs." Historian Michael Holt wrote a book about Franklin Pierce. Mr. Holt describes Pierce as someone who was like most Democrats at the time. In other words, he did not think the federal government should intervene much in efforts to help build up and develop the nation. But he wanted the United States to play a big and powerful role internationally. eg:The Apollo nine spacecraft had two vehicles. One was the command module. It could orbit the moon, but could not land on it. The other was the lunar module. On a flight to the moon, it would separate from the command module and land on the moon's surface. Apollo ten astronauts unlinked the lunar module and flew it close to the moon's surface. After those flights, everything was ready. On July sixteenth, 1969, three American astronauts lifted off in Apollo eleven. On the twentieth, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin entered the lunar module, called the Eagle. Michael Collins remained in the command module, the Columbia.

coat

a layer of a particular substance that covers something. eg:Historian Harlow Giles Unger has written more than 20 books, including one about James Monroe. Mr. Unger says Monroe was one of America's most beloved presidents. He had been secretary of state and secretary of war at the same time under President Madison. He had also been a diplomat under President Thomas Jefferson and helped carry out the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the country. And, Monroe had fought in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. "So Monroe came out of the War of 1812 as a hero. And he and his wife, his beautiful wife Elizabeth, moved into what was the blackened hulk of a presidential mansion. And workers slathered on, really slathered on these thick, thick coats of white paint, and really, so thick that it gleamed white."

beacon

a light or fire on the top of a hill that acts as a warning or signal.eg:She was a beacon of hope in troubled times. eg:In the case of Air France 447 it took two years and they found it and of course the locator beacon had been dead for a long time

dressing

a liquid mixture, often containing oil, vinegar and herbs, which is added to food, especially salads. eg:After you massage your kale, add a little more olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar as a dressing - or your own favorite salad dressing. Add your favorite toppings for a healthy and delicious salad. Steaming kale on the stovetop is a really healthy way of cooking this leafy green vegetable. First boil a pot of water and steam the kale on top in a steamer container. You can also lightly sauté kale with garlic, some hot pepper and a little salt for a simple, delicious and healthy side dish. A side dish is a smaller dish that goes with the main meal.

pedestal

a long thin column which supports a statue, or a tall structure like a column on which something rests. eg: In 1875, the French established an organization to raise money for Bartholdi's creation. Two years later, an American group was formed to raise money to pay for a pedestal. American architect Richard Morris Hunt was chosen to design this support structure. The pedestal would stand 47 meters high.

indignity

a loss of respect or self-respect, or something which causes this They were subjected to various indignities and discomforts, including having to get dressed and undressed in public. Whenever any of the Khitan bigwigs was less than satisfied,they would immediately send Shi Jingtang messengers to take hime to task,and Shi would unfailingly give abject and reverent apologies.Envoys of the Jin would frequently suffer indignities and insults from the insolent Khitan officials who received them.This humiliating experience would be recounted back in the capital Bian.The entire Jin court felt the pain of humiliation,except Shi Jingtang,who remained unconcerned and unaffected.

asthma

a medical condition which makes breathing difficult by causing the air passages to become narrow or blocked。

antibiotic

a medicine or chemical that can destroy harmful bacteria in the body or limit their growth. I'm taking antibiotics for a throat infection. a one-month course of antibiotics Some types of antibiotic are used to promote growth in farm animals. He's on antibiotics for an ear infection. The UN Children's Fund says fast food, sugary drinks and lack of interest in exercise have caused the rate of overweight children in Vietnam to increase by six times since 2000. But another reason might be milk. Vietnamese now believe it is important for children to drink milk in addition to eating more-traditional foods like rice and noodles. People were happy that milk had vitamin D and calcium. But they did not talk about other things that milk had, such as hormones, antibiotics, allergens, fat and sugar. And it had lactose, which causes problems for some people.

encumbrance

a mortgage or other charge on a property, or the fact of a property having a mortgage, etc.something that makes it difficult to do things. FM is a process that allows classification and tracking of revenues and expenditures in terms of a budget structure The FM module contains several core master data elements: Fund - Source and use of financing Fund Center - Organizational Structure Commitment Item - Expenses and Revenues Functional Area - Program or Activity Fund Type - Description Funded Program - Lower level internal programs or activity Fund: Represent the lowest level source of funding used for tracking, controlling and reporting on available financial resources. A full set of financial reports is possible for each fund. Funds Center: Represent the lowest level areas of responsibility for budgetary assignment, monitoring and control. Can be one to one with cost centers. Commitment Items: Represent the categories or classifications of fund equity, revenues, expenses and encumbrances at the lowest level of detail necessary for internal and external reporting. These have a one to one relationship with GL accounts. Functional Area: Structures that identify and classify financial transactions by overall purpose, objective, function and/or mission for accomplishing major services or regulatory responsibilities. Fund Types: Determine Budget scope. Some assignments are Overall budget, Annual budget and Not Assigned Funded Programs: Represent lower-level internal programs or initiatives, which represent a plan or system under which actions may be taken to achieve specific goals.

isthmus

a narrow piece of land with water on each side which joins two larger areas of land. the Isthmus of Panama. eg:Also in 1515, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and reached the Pacific Ocean. In 1519, Hernan Cortes landed an army in Mexico. His army destroyed the ancient empire of the Aztec Indians. That same year Ferdinand Magellan began his three-year voyage around the world. And in the 1530s, the forces of Francisco Pizarro destroyed the Inca Indian empire in Peru. Ten years later, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado had marched as far north as what is now the American state of Kansas and then west to the Grand Canyon. About the same time, Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River.

renaissance

a new growth of activity or interest in something, especially art, literature or music. Opera in Britain is enjoying a long-awaited renaissance. eg: The European Renaissance of the 14th century was a time of great technological development.Tools like the compass and printing press helped educate many people about sea travel.

sermon

a part of a Christian church ceremony in which a priest gives a talk on a religious or moral subject, often based on something written in the Bible. The Reverend William Cronshaw delivered/preached the sermon. Today's sermon was on the importance of compassion. eg: She was an intelligent,stubborn,and talkative women,and the mother of fourteen children.She angered male religious leaders because she preached her own sermon s to others.

gene

a part of the DNA in a cell which contains information in a special pattern received by each animal or plant from its parents, and which controls its physical development, behaviour, The illness is believed to be caused by a defective gene. eg: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is caused by a frightening event, either witnessed or experienced. Signs of the disorder may include depression, bad dreams and severe nervousness. Thoughts about the event may be uncontrollable. Soldiers who have seen a lot of death and destruction in armed conflict, survivors of natural disasters and rape victims often suffer from PTSD. Even with treatment, the brain disorder is difficult to cure. But someday, a blood test may show if a person is threatened by PTSD or already suffers from it. Researchers at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have identified a blood marker that appears linked to PTSD. The researchers used rats and cat waste in their work. They saw a pattern of gene activity involved in the operation of the stress hormone corticosterone in the brain tissue of the rats. The activity took place after the rats smelled the urine of cats for 10 minutes. The liquid waste was in cat litter, a material that lines a waste box for indoor cats. Loud noises caused the rats to show anxiety - fear - when they were tested. And they were easily startled. Then, the stressed rats were given corticosterone an hour after they smelled the cat litter. The researchers found that one week after seeing the litter, the treated rats showed little interest and nervousness compared to untreated rats. Icahn scientist Nikolaos Daskalakis said Swiss doctors noted that the hormone corticosterone calmed people who received it after a car accident. He said the finding may lead to the development of a test for PTSD risk. The test would measure what is called glucocorticoid receptor activity in the blood. The receptors are genes that become "turned on" in the presence of stress. Corticosterone is produced naturally by the body. The hormone connects to the receptor and has a calming effect. But in some rats and in some people, the pathway appears to be ineffective. This puts them at higher risk for PTSD. Scientist Daskalakis says PTSD does not just affect the brain. He says it involves the whole body. He says this is why identifying common regulators is extremely important. He also says more detailed studies in humans and in animals are needed in order to one day have a treatment.

sea lane

a particular route across the sea regularly used by ships. eg:We need to peacefully manage differences closer to home, including overlapping maritime claims, without increasing tensions. Recent developments have raised concerns about the South China Sea - and given the importance of its sea lanes to international trade, it is natural that almost any occurrence there will attract global attention. ASEAN must address these developments in a proactive, but also in a positive and constructive way.

missionary

a person who has been sent to a foreign country to teach their religion to the people who live there. He did missionary work for the Presbyterian Church in Alaska. eg:Abolitionism did influence other movements, however. One was the missionary movement. Julie Roy Jeffrey says Christian missionaries had already been going to Africa, hoping to persuade people to follow their religion. But the Amistad case and abolitionism made more people want to share their beliefs with others. eg:The attacks were led by a secret group called "Righteous, Harmonious Fists." Foreigners called its members "Boxers." Boxers hated all foreign influence in China. They organized in areas where foreign influence was strongest. They killed Christian missionaries and Chinese who had accepted the Christian religion. They also destroyed foreign industries, especially railroads.

captor

a person who has captured a person or animal and refuses to release them. eg:Human Rights Watch said the boys described beatings given to anyone who tried to escape or did anything their captors considered misbehavior. The boys were also barred from speaking Kurdish, forced to pray five times a day and to watch videos of captives being killed.

philanthropist

a person who helps the poor, especially by giving them money. a donation from a wealthy 19th-century philanthropist. eg:Philanthropist Lois Pope began campaigning for the memorial almost 20 years ago after she met with soldiers at a rehabilitation center. She is the co-founder of an organization that raised more than $80 million dollars for the memorial. She gave $10 million dollars of her own money to help build the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

prophet

a person who is believed to have a special power which allows them to say what a god wishes to tell people, especially about things that will happen in the future.eg:an Old Testament prophet . eg:Malaysia has joined other Muslim nations in banning the biblical motion picture Noah, saying actor Russell Crowe's visual depiction of the prophet is against the laws of Islam. The chairman of Malaysia's Film Censorship Board, Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid, said in a statement Monday that the movie could not be shown in the country because Islam prevents the visual depiction of any prophet. Noah is an important figure in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Some Christian organizations in the U.S. have also been angered by the film, saying the plot strays too far from the biblical portrayal of Noah. eg:Hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite pilgrims are in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala. They are gathered there for the annual Ashura observance. They have done so even though there is a continuing threat of Sunni extremist attacks. Iraq's security forces have deployed tens of thousands of troops to protect the travelers, or pilgrims. They are observing the 7th century death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein. He is one of Shi'ite Islam's most respected people. His death marks the split between Shi'ite and Sunni Islam.

homestead

mainly US a house and the surrounding area of land usually used as a farm. eg:All the settlers found it easy to get land in the west. In 1862, Congress had passed the Homestead Act. This law gave every citizen, and every foreigner who asked for citizenship, the right to claim government land. The law said each man could have sixty-five hectares. If he built a home on the land, and farmed it for five years, it would be his. He paid just ten dollars to record the deal.

scapegoat

a person who is blamed for something that someone else has done.eg: The captain was made a scapegoat for the team's failure. eg:"There is a Chinese proverb about 'killing the chicken to scare the monkeys,' which suggests that scapegoating one of many may send a signal to others to clean up their acts," said Feinerman . "The campaign against him [Zhou] also stems from a wider effort by Mr. Xi to eliminate powerful interest groups within China's state owned enterprises, which are key opponents of the [president's] economic reform agenda." Schwarck said. "Given Zhou's former role as 'Godfather' of China's 'Big Oil,' he has been left vulnerable on this front as well."

fugitive

a person who is running away or hiding from the police or a dangerous situation. Thousands of fugitives are fleeing from the war-torn area. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were fugitives from justice (= they ran away to avoid being tried in court). eg: The Compromise of 1850 made escaping slavery even harder. One of the bills Congress passed was the Fugitive Slave Act. It said anyone who helped a fugitive -- that is, an escaped slave -- would be fined. And, it said fugitive slaves must be returned to their owner, even if they had escaped to a free state. Fugitive slaves had no right to a trial. Because they could not defend themselves in court, even freed blacks could be kidnapped and enslaved. eg:He proposed that no more slaves be sold in the District of Columbia for use outside the federal district. But he also said that slavery should not be ended in the district unless its citizens and those of Maryland approved. Clay said a better law was needed for the return of fugitive slaves to their owners.

peer

a person who is the same age or has the same social position or the same abilities as other people in a group.eg:Do you think it's true that teenage girls are less self-confident than their male peers? eg:He wasn't a great scholar, but as a teacher he had few peers (= not as many people had the same ability as him). eg:Lama Inu, 30, and dozens of her peers occupy a protest camp outside Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department.

pirate

a person who sails in a ship and attacks other ships in order to steal from them. eg:'Fishing Without Nets,' Somali Pirates Story. eg:Hollywood directors often make films about people who get persuaded to take part in a crime because they need money. There is a new look to this old story in a film called Fishing Without Nets. This time, the central character is a Somali fisherman who cannot support his family. And the crime is piracy - attacking ships on the high seas. eg: Many American citizens protested, too. They called President Roosevelt a pirate. They said he had acted shamefully. Some members of Congress questioned the administration's deal with the French canal company in Panama. Several investigations examined the deal. Theodore Roosevelt did not care. He was proud of his success in getting the canal started. He said: "I took the canal zone and let Congress debate. And while the debate goes on...so does work on the canal."It took ten years for the United States to complete the Panama Canal. The first ship passed through it in August, 1914.

garment

a piece of clothing. eg:At the beginning of this year, Cambodian garment workers gained an increase in the minimum monthly wage from $100 to $128. The increase was a compromise set by the government. It came at the price of deadly violence between protesters and security forces in 2014.

rug

a piece of thick heavy cloth smaller than a carpet, used for covering the floor or for decoration. My dog loves lying on the rug in front of the fire. eg:I saw a bright rug on the shining wooden floor. Pictures hung all around the room. And on little tables there were seashells, books and china vases full of flowers. A woman had made this house into a home.

hangout

a place where someone spends a lot of time or where they live The café is a favourite hangout of artists. eg:In 2010, at age 24, Cutter Hodierne went to Kenya and made a shorter version of Fishing Without Nets. He used Somali refugees to play the parts. These untrained actors included day laborers, fishermen and truck drivers. They were all living in Mombasa, Kenya at the time. "We would set up these informal auditions in restaurants and just like hangouts where Somalis would sit around and chew khat and drink tea, and we would audition people there."

oath

a promise, especially that you will tell the truth in a law court. Medieval knights took an oath of allegiance/loyalty to their lord. The witness placed her hand on the Bible and took the oath (= promised to tell the truth). eg:Presidents-elect used to give their inaugural address before their swearing in. So, after his speech, John Quincy Adams took the oath of office that made him the sixth president of the United States. eg:Inauguration day in 1933 began with clouds and a dark sky. Roosevelt went to church in the morning. And then he drove with President Hoover from the White House to the Capitol. Roosevelt tried to talk with Hoover as they drove. But Hoover said little. He just waved without emotion at the crowd. The two men arrived at the Capitol building. A huge crowd of people waited. Millions more Americans listened to a radio broadcast of the ceremony. The Chief Justice, Charles Evans Hughes, gave the oath of office to Roosevelt.

denomination

a religious group which has slightly different beliefs from other groups which share the same religion. Protestantism and Roman Catholicism are both denominations of the Christian faith. eg:Most new Protestants are members of Pentecostal denominations. Pentecostals believe in what they call "gifts of the Holy Spirit." These gifts include things like divine healing and exorcism-- the practice of forcing an evil spirit to leave a certain place or a person's body. Many say they have seen or experienced a sudden cure from illness or injury by a divine healing. Another of these gifts is 'speaking in tongues' - an act that many Pentecostals believe is a personal conversation with God.

Ranger

a soldier who is trained to make quick attacks in enemy areas. eg:In January, 1959, the Soviets launched a series of unmanned Luna rockets. The third of these flights took pictures of the far side of the moon. This was the side no one on Earth had ever seen. The United States planned to explore the moon with its unmanned Ranger spacecraft. There were a number of failures before Ranger Seven took pictures of the moon. These pictures were made from a distance. The world did not get pictures from the surface of the moon until the Soviet Luna nine landed there in February, 1966. For the next few years, both the United States and Soviet Union continued their exploration of the moon. Yet the question remained: which one would be the first to put a man there. In December, 1968, the United States launched Apollo eight with three astronauts. The flight proved that a spacecraft could orbit the moon and return to Earth safely.

appeal

a request especially to a court of law to change a previous decision. The case went to the court of appeal/the appeal court. He won his appeal and the sentence was halved. She has lodged (= made) an appeal against the severity of the fine. eg: The film's director, Tan Pin Pin, has asked the Media Development Authority to lift the ban. Ms. Pin Pin told VOA in an e-mail that she has not agreed to any private screenings of the film in Singapore, "because the film is under appeal."

scuffle

a short and sudden fight, especially one involving a small number of people. Two police officers were injured in scuffles with fans at Sunday's National Football League contest. eg:Police blocked their buses from leaving, so they left the buses and walked there themselves, with scuffles then erupting outside the diplomatic mission.

slogan

a short easily remembered phrase, especially one used to advertise an idea or a product. a campaign slogan. Without a coherent set of policies to persuade the electorate, the Republicans have resorted to sloganeering and empty rhetoric.

audition

a short performance that an actor, musician, dancer, etc. gives in order to show their ability and suitability for a particular play, film, show, etc. His audition went well and he's fairly hopeful about getting the part. The director is holding auditions next week for the major parts. eg:In 2010, at age 24, Cutter Hodierne went to Kenya and made a shorter version of Fishing Without Nets. He used Somali refugees to play the parts. These untrained actors included day laborers, fishermen and truck drivers. They were all living in Mombasa, Kenya at the time. "We would set up these informal auditions in restaurants and just like hangouts where Somalis would sit around and chew khat and drink tea, and we would audition people there."

episode

a single event or group of related events.eg:This latest eg:episode in the fraud scandal has shocked a lot of people. eg:The drugs, the divorce and the depression - it's an episode in his life that he wants to forget. eg: Researchers from Africa and Europe compared viral DNA from this outbreak to previous episodes.

standoff

a situation in which agreement in an argument does not seem possible;eg: Obama's last stop will be the Philippines, which is also involved in a territorial standoff with China and has deepened its military cooperation with Washington as a result.

a level playing field

a situation in which everyone has the same chance of succeeding. Economic and legal environment in which all competitors, irrespective of their size or financial strength, follow the same rules and get equal opportunity to compete.If the tax systems are different in each European country, how can industries start on a level playing field? eg: "We urge Mr. Kiselev and other Russian authorities to open Russian airwaves to more of our programs and those of other international broadcasters," Shell added. "We're asking for an even playing field."

napkin

a small square piece of cloth or paper used while you are eating for protecting your clothes or to clean your mouth or fingers Please put napkins on the table,Victor!

hut

a small, simple building, usually consisting of one room. a mountain hut. a row of beach huts. eg:A woman takes a photo of a fire that was set to demolished huts at Taghyeer (Change) Square, where pro-democracy protesters had camped to demand a regime change in 2011, in Sana, Yemen.

sergeant

a soldier of middle rank. eg:r. Roels does not yet know what to do as a civilian. Brendan O' Byrne also served in the armed forces, as an army sergeant. He, too, is still looking for purpose in civilian life. Sebastian Junger says Mr. O'Byrne was a good soldier and leader. "And then he comes home to the United States and he's a mess -- drank way too much, very self-destructive. But when we started doing 'The Last Patrol,' all of a sudden, I would see the old Brendan that I remembered from Afghanistan."

trooper

a soldier who belongs to the lowest rank in the part of an army that fights in strong military vehicles or on horses. State trooper in charge.

mercenary

a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them. eg:For months, American forces tried without success to find him. Finally, with the help of a tribe of Filipino mercenary soldiers called the Maccabebe Scouts, they captured him. Aguinaldo signed an agreement to support the United States.

nugget

a solid lump of a valuable metal (such as gold). James Marshall found the gold nugget in January 1848. Mr. Marshall was building a sawmill near the American River in central California. When he looked in the water, he saw shiny pieces of metal. One of them was about the size of a fingernail. Mr. Marshall took the piece and put it in his mouth.

equilibrium

a state of balance.the country's economic equilibrium. eg:FMBCS allows you to budget all revenues & expenditures, monitor commitments and actuals in light of the budget available, and prevent budget overruns.FMBCS is a tool to maintain the financial equilibrium of your business, by identifying potential deficits. eg:Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia all are moving to reduce oil price supports, or subsidies, which are often a major part in government spending. Last month Indonesian President Joko Widodo raised subsidized fuel prices by over 30 percent. Trade unions and opposition parties criticized the move. The Indonesian government says it is providing social assistance to over 15 million people to ease the effect of higher fuel costs. But some experts say it is a matter of time before prices recover. Jack Gerard is president of the American Petroleum Institute. He says demand for oil will rise, and prices will find an equilibrium.

turbulence

a state of confusion without any order. The era was characterized by political and cultural turbulence. There are signs of turbulence ahead for the economy. eg:Of course, if the ruling party and government's governance deteriorates, or if they make major policy mistakes, no one can guarantee that a revolution will not break out. Besides, even if a nationwide upheaval can be avoided, fierce social turbulence might still arise locally. If the ruling party fails to cope with these outbursts, they could snowball into a revolution.

round-up

a statement on the radio or television of the main points of the news. eg:In the next four years, more than one-and-a-half-million cattle were moved north over the Chisholm trail to Kansas. Other trails were found as the railroad moved farther west. Trail drives usually began with the spring "round-up." Cattlemen would send out cowboys to search the open grasslands for their animals.

rider

a statement that is added to what has already been said or decided, or an addition to a government bill (= a written plan for a law). I should like to add a rider to the judgment of the court. eg: For example, the United States Constitution gives the president power to veto bills passed by Congress. In the 1800s, Congress tried to prevent presidential vetoes. It used a method of attaching "riders" to legislative proposals. This is how the method works: Congress considers a bill the president believes is necessary. Then it joins that bill to a measure the president would veto if passed separately. The extra measure is called a "rider" to the first bill. To get the bill he wants, the president must accept the "rider," too. President Hayes refused to sign any bills with riders. So the Congress during his administration stopped using the method. Congresses since then have used it successfully.

monument

a statue or building that is built to honour a special person or event. eg: A French historian and political leader, Edouard-Rene Lefebvre de Laboulaye, had the idea for the statue. In 1865, he suggested that the French and the Americans build a monument together to celebrate freedom. Bartholdi agreed to design it.

dread

a strong feeling of fear or worry. The prospect of working full-time fills me with dread. I live in dread of bumping into her in the street. eg:The charges against the Amistad Africans were serious. They were accused of being murderers and pirates. If they were found guilty, they could be enslaved for the rest of their lives or put to death. But the abolitionists claimed the Amistad Africans were something entirely different. They said the Africans were captives who had been kidnapped illegally. The Africans should not be punished, the abolitionists said, but returned to Africa. Historian Howard Jones says the abolitionists looked forward to presenting the case in court. They also hoped Sengbe Pieh and the others could help with their communication problems. They wanted the Amistad Africans to tell Americans what life in Africa was like. "But more important than that, what it was like on the dread African slave trade, that Middle Passage, those thousands of miles of crossing the ocean to the new world. And then by extension throw a dark light on what slavery was like itself."

aerial

a structure made of metal rods or wires which receives or sends out radio or television signals. eg: In its latest purchase of high-tech companies, Google has acquired a manufacturer of solar-powered drones that can stay in the air almost indefinitely, relaying broadband Internet connection to remote areas. It is seen as yet another step in the U.S.-based Web giant's bid to bring Internet to the whole world. Even as it experiments with self-driving cars on the ground, Google has been acquiring companies that manufacture pilotless flying vehicles - aircraft that can stay aloft for very long periods of time, such as solar-powered balloons and drones. The Internet giant aims to bring Web access to remote areas of the world, which it says could help speed disaster relief or monitor environmental damage. And it says atmospheric satellites could also provide high-resolution aerial images for its Google Earth service. Its newest acquisition, the 20-employee, New Mexico-based company Titan Aerospace, plans to manufacture a larger version of its successful solar-powered drone Solara. Chief Technical Officer, Maximus Yaney, says it will be as efficient as a satellite, but much less expensive to operate - just one-hundredth of the cost. "What we're focusing on from a capability perspective is being able to provide these kinds of services as an alternate or adding to satellite platform capabilities," he said. He says the new drone, Solara 50, will be able to fly almost 20 kilometers above the earth, providing the Internet signal in a radius of almost 420 kilometers... and stay aloft for almost five years. "Solar-powered, you have the capability of staying up there effectively indefinitely, you're simply limited by the rechargeable batteries," he said. Other technology companies are also interested in the potential of drones. Earlier this year, Internet-based giant Facebook acquired the British drone manufacturer Ascenta, while the Internet retail company Amazon is experimenting with drones for package deliveries

spice

a substance made from a plant, which is used to give a special flavour to food. eg:When the European crusaders returned home, they brought with them some new and useful products. These included spices, perfumes, silk cloth and steel products. These goods became highly valued all over Europe. The increased trade with the East led to the creation and growth of towns along the supply roads. It also created a large number of rich European businessmen.

prairie

a wide area of flat land without trees in Canada and the northern US. eg:The wild prairie lands were not friendly to men or animals. It was a lonely land. And the howling of wolves and winds at night made it more so. Across this strange land, no man in the early days of the west knew just where death was waiting for him. A listener hears the mournful feeling cowboys had for the prairie in this song called, "The Dying Cowboy." He does not want to be buried out in these wild lands -- in the lone prairie -- as the song says. Still, the dying cowboy does not get his wish. There is no choice. He can be buried only in the lone prairie in a narrow grave six by three. . . Six feet deep and three feet wide.

cheetah

a wild animal of the cat family, with yellowish brown fur and black spots, which can run faster than any other animal. Cheetahs are mainly found in Africa. In 1900, about 100,000 cheetahs lived in the world. Today there are only 10,000 of the animals.

fluid

a substance which flows and is not solid. bodily fluids . The strain of Ebola virus that has killed 121 people in West Africa may have been circulating there undetected for some time, according to a new study. This is the first reported outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. But the new study in the New England Journal of Medicine said this strain of the virus may not be new to the area. Researchers from Africa and Europe compared viral DNA from this outbreak to previous episodes. They confirmed that it is a member of the Zaire species, which kills most of its victims. Strains of that virus have caused outbreaks previously in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But this virus is a new strain, a previously unknown sister in the Zaire family. Virologist Jens Kuhn at the National Institutes of Health said there may be more. "There might be a lot of variety in these viruses. They might be in many different countries in West Africa and East Africa where we have not heard anything of outbreaks so far," said Kuhn. Kuhn was not part of this research. He leads the top NIH lab studying the world's most dangerous viruses, and he is working on ways to treat and prevent infection with them. Kuhn said there is a lesson in this outbreak. "This is a warning that the variability of these viruses is greater than we knew. And so it's very important that we develop something that is broadly based and not protects only against a particular virus that we knew of before," said Kuhn. Right now, the best protection is to avoid contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person.

incursion

a sudden attack on or act of going into a place, especially across a border incursions into enemy territory With battles raging to the north - near the rebel-held city of Luhansk, and southeast of the city of Donetsk — the fighting near Novoazovsk, a southern town along the Sea of Azov, appeared to be the most blatant incursion by Russian forces to date.

catastrophic

a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction. eg:Investigators are not ruling out anything, including catastrophic mechanical failure or terrorism.

outburst

a sudden forceful expression of emotion, especially anger. a violent outburst. an outburst of creative activity. Her comments provoked an outburst of anger from the boss. eg: She says she is now paying more attention to her son, spending more time with him, being less judgmental and giving him more positive feedback. And Buzz is reacting well to these changes. He has fewer outbursts at home and at school. He is more centered on school work. And he has a new interest - playing tennis.

coup

a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by (part of) an army a military coup eg: Supinya Klangnarong is a media rights activist and a member of the National Broadcasting Commission. She says the media are fearful over the future. "A climate of fear is spreading at the national level and also the organizational level because of the coup and the martial law and all the criminalization of acts, especially up to the official, even at the NBTC - public figures - especially the officials are more sensitive - they could not tolerate criticism." eg:Emma Sinclair Webb says that, since the unrest, there have been more restrictions on the media and the Internet, and stronger punishments for protesters. "Then there are some very serious prosecutions of protesters, for even attempting a coup against the government. They face a possible life imprisonment. So you've got still with the crackdown against the Gezi protesters continuing, a year on, and very little justice for those who were victims of the massive police violence during Gezi protests." eg: Emma Sinclair Webb is a top researcher on Turkey for Human Rights Watch. She says she is worried about the possibility the government will abuse the power the legislation gives it by making charges that cannot be proven -- just so it can seize property. "Now, of course, coup plotting is a very serious charge but in Turkey it's a rather widely-used charge. We have seen it used against a group of football supporters for participating in protests. So I think increasing the power to seize assets is part of the government wanting to arm itself to crack down more on opponents."

grant

a sum of money given especially by the government to a person or organization for a special purpose. eg: They gave/awarded her a grant to study abroad for one year.

appropriation

a sum of money to be used for a particular purpose. eg: The committee approved an appropriation of £10,000.

hegemon

a supreme leader. eg: "When Americans hear words like Senkaku and Diaoyu, they think, this has nothing to do with me," Daly says. "It is questionable if Americans realize what it would mean for the United States and other countries should China become the hegemon of the Western Pacific."

bandit

a thief with a weapon, especially one belonging to a group that attack people travelling through the countryside. eg:Early in 1866, a group of Texas cattlemen decided to try this. They put together a huge herd of more than two hundred sixty-thousand cattle and set out for Sedalia. There were many problems on that first cattle drive. The country was rough; grass and water sometimes hard to find. Bandits and Indians followed the herd trying to steal cattle. Farmers had put up fences in some areas, blocking the way.

pamphlet

a thin book with only a few pages which gives information or an opinion about something. Most people did not know very much about Abraham Lincoln, so the Republican Party published many books and pamphlets about him. They told the story of a poor farm boy who educated himself. Through hard work and honesty, they said, he had become a candidate for president.

needle

a thin metal pin, used in sewing, which is pointed at one end and has a hole called an eye at the other end for thread a needle and thread Here, your eyes are better than mine - could you thread (= put thread through) this needle for me? eg: Researchers said infections rates are rising in young people who sell sex for money and who use needles to put drugs into their bodies. Young men who have unprotected sex with other men are also increasingly infected with HIV.

knot

a tight mass, for example of hair or string. Alice's hair is always full of knots and tangles. eg: Although her stomach was in knots, the actress appeared perfectly composed when she took the stage.

flute

a tube-shaped musical instrument with a hole that you blow across at one end while holding the tube out horizontally to one side of you. eg: "We have oud, which is the Middle Eastern lute. We have a flute player... The cajon, the box drum. And darbouka, the gourd drum, also known as dumbek."

sarcoma

a type of cancerous lump in the bones, muscles or joints (= places where two bones are connected) A Chinese boy with bone cancer has become the first patient with a spinal part from a three-dimensional printer. Twelve-year-old Qin has Ewing's sarcoma. The sometimes deadly bone cancer usually attacks children and young adults, causing severe pain. Doctors at Beijing University removed a small part of Qin's backbone and replaced it with a 3-D printer copy. The part is made of titanium.

satin

a type of cloth, sometimes made of silk, which is smooth and shiny on one side but not on the other. a cream satin dress. eg:Sari embellished the plain curtains with satin ribbons and tassels.

dinosaur

a type of reptile which stopped existing about 60,000,000 years ago. There were many different types of dinosaur, some of which were extremely large. eg: The dinosaur lay undiscovered for perhaps 77 million years after it died. Then, in 2005, an American scientist found some of its fossilized remains in the Patagonia area of southern Argentina. Kenneth Lacovara says the first bones he saw were just a collection of small pieces. But additional digging resulted in the recovery of huge bones. Mr. Lacovara is both a paleontologist and a geologist. He realized his find was something enormous. The dinosaur may be among the largest land animals that ever lived.

centimetre

a unit of length equal to 0.01 of a metre. The country of Brazil is home to the world's largest rainforest - the Amazon. A rainforest is a kind of forest that receives at least 254 centimeters of rain each year. But the Brazilian government recently said the Amazon rainforest is being destroyed faster than had been estimated. Deforestation is the destruction of forests and wooded areas. Brazilian officials say deforestation of the Amazon increased by 29 percent in 2013. That is a large increase after gains that have taken place since 2009.

modal verbs

a verb, such as 'can', 'might' and 'must', that is used with another verb to express an idea such as possibility that is not expressed by the main verb of a sentence. The first verb in the following sentence is a modal: We ought to pay the gas bill. eg：infinitive - n. the basic form of a verb; usually used with to except with modal verbs like should and could and certain other verbs like see and hear

mansion

a very large expensive house. The street is lined with enormous mansions where the rich and famous live. eg:Historian Harlow Giles Unger has written more than 20 books, including one about James Monroe. Mr. Unger says Monroe was one of America's most beloved presidents. He had been secretary of state and secretary of war at the same time under President Madison. He had also been a diplomat under President Thomas Jefferson and helped carry out the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the country. And, Monroe had fought in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. "So Monroe came out of the War of 1812 as a hero. And he and his wife, his beautiful wife Elizabeth, moved into what was the blackened hulk of a presidential mansion. And workers slathered on, really slathered on these thick, thick coats of white paint, and really, so thick that it gleamed white." eg: Everyone tried to get in at once. Clothing was torn. Glasses and dishes were broken. Chairs and tables were damaged. Never had there been a party like this at the president's mansion.

iceberg

a very large mass of ice that floats in the sea. eg: So the tip of the iceberg that we know about is very frightening, and it is not different from region to region. But in this particular region we are encouraged by a number of factors. Most countries have been giving to this topic a very high attention in policies that are being put in place."

indispensable

adj. extremely important and necessary usage. Something or someone that is indispensable is so good or important that you could not manage without them。 This book is an indispensable resource for researchers. His long experience at the United Nations makes him indispensable to the talks. eg:Doug Bradburn says Washington was the right man to be the father of the country and first president. Mr. Bradburn, like many historians, calls George Washington the "indispensable man." He made ideas about American freedom and government real, and he showed that even the president would operate under the rule of law.

harmonious

adj. not experiencing disagreement or fighting. eg:people who keep their harmonious attitude in a rage have a high spirit. eg:Mr. Carter said the end of his presidency was the beginning of a new life of "fighting disease, building hope, and waging peace" as head of the Carter Center. "I look upon the Carter Center work as an extension of what I tried to do as president. You know, we brought peace between Israel and Egypt. We opened up a harmonious relationship with Latin America with the Panama Canal Treaty. We opened up diplomatic relations with China and things of that kind. And so what I have done since then has been kind of an extension. But I don't think there's any doubt that when I won the Nobel Peace Prize, for instance, it was because of the work of the Carter Center. So, I would be perfectly satisfied to have a legacy based on peace and human rights. I mean, who wouldn't?"

wary

adj. not having or showing complete trust in someone or something that could be dangerous or cause trouble. I'm a bit wary of/about giving people my address when I don't know them very well. eg:Many Senate Republicans say they will not support an agreement that permits Iran to continue enriching any uranium. Enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons. However, President Obama already has the power to end, or waive, sanctions without approval from Congress. Justin Logan is a foreign policy expert at the Cato Institute, a research group. He says Republicans could take that power from the president. "There's some prospect that a large Republican wave and takeover of the Senate could raise the prospect of sanctions bills against Iran without that waiver authority. But that requires Congress to sort of take responsibility for the policy and leave its fingerprints on the policy. And historically they've been very wary of doing that."

unaccountable

adj. not required to explain actions or decisions. eg:The U.S. business magazine Forbes has again named Russian President Vladimir Putin the most powerful person in the world. He was the magazine's choice last year as well. The magazine said candidates included President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Forbes described Mr. Putin as "the undisputed, unpredictable and unaccountable head of an energy-rich, nuclear-tipped state, no one would ever call him weak."

seismic

adj. of or relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth and its crust

tough

adj. very difficult to do or deal with. eg:In Iran, the United States and five other world powers will continue to try to reach a nuclear agreement. A November deadline passed without an agreement. Now, negotiators are hoping to reach an agreement by July. Secretary of State John Kerry says the negotiations will be difficult. "These talks aren't going to suddenly get easier just because we extend(ed) them. They're tough. And they've been tough. And they're gonna stay tough."

nefarious

adj., evil or immoral. eg:Mr. Idiz says that means Turkish politicians will seek to use public fears and increased nationalism to win support in general elections. The voting is to take place by June of next year. He said there is a feeling that Turkish leaders are guarding the country against plans by hostile outsiders. "It is fact that politicians in Turkey also use this to their advantage. There is a perception that they are guarding Turkey against nefarious outside plans. Erdogan himself was reviving imagery pertaining to the First World War, so as you see we have this being utilized at the highest level of the policy in Turkey." Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Western interference in the area was like Lawrence of Arabia, the famous World War One British army officer. This man led an Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

grave

adj.seriously bad. eg:I made a grave mistake when I ate that Haggis. It looked good, but it tasted like ass. eg: In an interview with VOA, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, Yuriy Sergeyev, says it is time for tougher sanctions against Russia for its interference in Ukraine. "Naturally, we expect that the reaction of the democratic world will be solid, and the action could be done, including the serious economic sanctions, including the political sanctions," said Sergeyev. Speaking to reporters at the State Department, Kerry said if Russia continues to destabilize Ukraine, "it will not just be a grave mistake, it will be an expensive mistake." "President Putin and Russia face a choice. If Russia chooses the path of de-escalation, the international community, all of us, will welcome it. If Russia does not, the world will make sure that the costs for Russia will only grow," said Kerry. But Duma chief Pushkov says sanctions are a mistake. Sanctions he says will bring huge losses not only to Russia, but also to European countries that have close economic and trade cooperation with Russia. What's more, he says, sanctions cannot help resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

incendiary

adjective (CAUSING ANGER) likely to cause violence or strong feelings of anger incendiary remarks "I think it had an incendiary effect," he said on CBS' Face the Nation, adding police "clearly are attempting to besmirch a victim of a shooting."

sound

adjective (GOOD CONDITION) not broken or damaged; healthy; in good condition. It's an old building but it's still structurally sound. Considering his age, his body is quite sound. Was she of sound mind (= not mentally ill) at the time of the incident? eg:Patrick Vincent Co manages the bancas rebuilding project for the WWF. He and his employees are teaching fishermen how to build boats with fiberglass. "We feel that this is simply the next step forward, both out of necessity and out of practicality to use fiberglass rather than wood and plywood, and also something that is essentially ecologically sound."

unbare

adjective, exposed or laid bare verb (transitive),to expose or to make bare. It means they were wearing hats. To bare their heads would be a sign of respect. eg:When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night, I mourned, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring. Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring, Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west, And thought of him I love. . . Coffin that passes through lanes and streets, Through day and night with the great cloud darkening the land. . . With the countless torches lit, Wiith the silent sea of faces and the unbarred heads. . . With the tolling, tolling bells' perpetual clang, here, coffin that slowly passes, I give you my sprig of lilac.

stuck

adjective. 1. unable to move, or fixed in a particular position, place or way of thinking. eg: The expedition faced a choice:Go the long way around the vast swamp and lost precious time or go through it and risk having their vehicles get stuck in a quagmire. 2.in a difficult situation, or unable to change or get away from a situation. We'd be stuck if your sister hadn't offered to come round and look after the children tonight.

infertile

adjective.An infertile person, animal or plant cannot reproduce. It has been estimated that one in eight couples is infertile. Infertile land or soil is not good enough for plants or crops to grow well there. Poor farmers have little option but to try to grow food on these infertile soils. eg:Dr. Somsak Lolekha is chairman of the Medical Council of Thailand. He told VOA the proposed legislation will have an immediate effect. "Most doctors stopped doing this because they worry. It's not clear whether they will be put in jail -- or not -- as a criminal. We have to discuss with the government when they pass a law. It's our duty to help the infertile people to have kids."

scholarship

an amount of money given by a school, college, university or other organization to pay for the studies of a person with great ability but little money. He got/won a scholarship to Eton. Paula went to the Royal College of Music on a scholarship. eg:There are two major versions of the TOEFL test. The first is the iBT, or Internet-based Test. It is offered in most of the world and accepted by nearly every university and scholarship program in the United States. The other version of the test is called the Paper-based Test or PBT. It is still used in some developing countries. Scholarship programs provide money for a student to continue his or her education. Many scholarship programs will accept the PBT results when a student first asks for financial aid. However, they may require students to take the iBT before official admission. The PBT is less costly to take and does not require use of the Internet. Some businesses and government offices use the PBT to test the English language skills of their employees.

reptile

an animal that produces eggs and uses the heat of the sun to keep its blood warm. eg:The WWF recently released its 10th Flagship Living Planet Report. The group warns the condition of the world's animals is worse than its earlier reports showed. It says worldwide action is needed. The WWF says it is worried about the loss of and damage to Earth's environment. The report provides information about more than 10,000 animal populations from 1970 to 2010. These populations are called "vertebrate species," or animals with backbones -- like fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

turtle

an animal which lives in or near water and has a thick shell covering its body into which it can move its head and legs for protection eg:Anchored at the dock of the Special Boat Unit's station is a 30-meter long ship. The maritime police say they picked up its crew of 11 Chinese nationals as well as 5 Filipino accomplices while catching endangered sea turtles. eg: This muffled creak is what researchers heard repeatedly when they listened to giant South American river turtles swimming together. It could help explain how the animals coordinate their behaviour so well in the nesting season, when females gather in large groups at beaches before laying their eggs. The researchers used microphones above and below the water to record the turtles at different stages in the season. And when the newly hatched turtles and adults were together in the river, scientists heard a different sound. (Turtle sounds) This, they think, is parents guiding newly hatched babies on their first migration. The researchers also say that their study shows how vulnerable turtles could be to man-made noise disturbing this quiet but seemingly vital chatter. eg: More than 2,000 rare turtles were returned to their native wild home in Indonesia in February. These creatures were taken from wildlife traffickers. They had been seized a month earlier in Hong Kong.

amphibian

an animal, such as a frog, which lives both on land and in water but must produce its eggs in water. These populations are called "vertebrate species," or animals with backbones -- like fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

ghetto

an area of a city, especially a very poor area, where people of a particular race or religion live closely together and apart from other people. As a child she lived in one of New York's poorest ghettos. eg:But what exactly is home? And how can war veterans feel good about returning to the United States? That is one of the reasons Mr. Junger and the three men went on their long walk. The movie shows them sleeping and cooking in the woods, bathing in rivers and dealing with changing weather conditions. "(The) thing about (a) railroad line is, it goes straight through farms, woods, ghettoes, suburbs, inner city, industry -- it goes straight through the middle of everything. And on the way we were asking Americans that we met, how America was doing. 'How do you think America is doing? What's the thing you like best about this country? What do you like worst about it?' And we just did this 400-mile assessment of where my country's at right now, and where we are at." Here, Mr. Junger speaks to a crowd. "We're trying to figure out what the best thing about America is. What do you think? What do you think is the best thing about this country?" "That you're free -- freedom of speech." "Freedom of speech, man, freedom of religion." "It's free -- free country!"

realm

an area of interest or activity. Her interests are in the realm of practical politics. eg:English rose to prominence through the British Empire in the nineteenth century. American dominance in the twentieth century spread the language even further. Dube says American pop culture is one reason for English's popularity as a foreign language. "American movies, music, television, video games have wide audiences...So far China's success in this realm has been very limited. Chinese films, Chinese television shows, Chinese music doesn't have a huge following outside of China."

rendezvous

an arrangement to meet someone, especially secretly, at a particular place and time, or the place itself. We have a rendezvous for next week, don't we? The lovers met at a secret rendezvous in the park. eg:n the fourth debate, they expressed widely different opinions about whether the United States was making progress. Kennedy believed there had been little progress under Eisenhower and Nixon. He said: KENNEDY: "Franklin Roosevelt said in 1936 that that generation of Americans had a rendezvous with destiny. I believe in nineteen sixty and sixty-one and two and three, we have a rendezvous with destiny. And I believe it incumbent upon us to be defenders of the United States and the defenders of freedom. And to do that, we must give this country leadership. And we must get America moving again."

rear admiral

an officer of very high rank in the navy The Pentagon says Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu has assured U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that no Russian military personnel are part of a humanitarian convoy that is being inspected at the Ukraine border. Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said Friday the two discussed the situation in Ukraine by phone on Friday. Meanwhile, Russia is denying reports that a column of Russian military vehicles crossed into eastern Ukraine late Thursday and was destroyed by Ukrainian troops. Jamie Dettmer has more. Ukraine's President said Friday, his country's armed forces had destroyed part of a Russian military column that had crossed the border in an escalation of the conflict over Ukraine's breakaway eastern regions. The self-styled prime minister for the Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, tells VOA the claim is untrue and the pro-Moscow separatists hit a Ukrainian military column, seizing weapons in the clash. eg:Barack Obama faces many challenges as he enters his final two years as president. In December, Mr. Obama marked the end of America's longest war. "After more than 13 years, our combat mission in Afghanistan will be over." But the Department of Defense says that does not mean America will no longer help Afghanistan. Rear Admiral John Kirby is a department spokesman. He spoke to reporters before 2014 ended. "It's not like on December 31st we're just gonna walk away. We aren't. We're going to remain."

toast

an expression of good wishes or respect for someone which involves holding up and then drinking from a glass of alcohol, especially wine, after a short speech. eg:Finally, the speeches were finished. It was time for toasts. President Jackson made the first one. He stood up, raised his glass, and looked straight at Vice President John C. Calhoun. He waited for the cheering to stop. "Our union," he said, "it must be preserved." Calhoun rose with the others to drink the toast. He had not expected Jackson's opposition to nullification. His hand shook, and he spilled some of the wine from his glass.

smallpox

an extremely infectious disease which causes a fever, spots on the skin and often death. eg:In November, eighteen-sixty-three, President Lincoln traveled to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He spoke at the opening of a military cemetery. He felt very tired by the time he got back to Washington. Doctors thought he had a cold. Later, they said he had a weak form of smallpox. The president remained in bed. Few visitors could see him. There was a danger the smallpox could spread. Lincoln got better after a few weeks. He began working on his yearly message to Congress. After two-and-a-half years of war, he had good news to report. Union armies had gained two important victories at about the same time.

cyanide

an extremely powerful poison. eg:Fabinyi explained the environmental problem of over-fishing spans beyond China affecting countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia which are seafood suppliers-especially when ultra-effective methods are used to catch fish. "A tablet of cyanide is dissolved in a water bottle which is then squirted by a diver into the coral that stuns the fish," said Fabinyi. "Then, the fish are scooped up and revived when taken back up to the surface. Because this is a much more efficient method than hook and line, it obviously is a large contributor to fishing pressure, apart from the effects that the cyanide has on the coral reefs."

nonsense

an idea, something said or written, or behaviour that is silly or stupid；This report is nonsense and nothing but a waste of paper. eg:"The government's argument that it should not have to support a non-local curriculum is nonsense when you consider that senior civil servants' children are educated either overseas or in international schools here at taxpayers' expense," Chapman said.

typhoid (fever)

an infectious disease spread by dirty water and food, causing a high body temperature, red spots on the upper body, severe pains in the bowels and sometimes death. eg: Tracey Avant is Curator of Exhibitions at Ford's Theatre. She says one of the objects on display shows that tender side. It is his signature top hat. The hat is in the exhibit "Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination." She says, "It's a beautiful, iconic piece; everyone thinks of Abraham Lincoln with a top hat. But what I love about it is it's got this beautiful band that he put on it to remember his son Willie who had died in 1862 of typhoid fever. It still remained on the hat in 1865 and to me, I'm a parent, it speaks to how deeply he felt that loss."

statue

an object made from a hard material, especially stone or metal, to look like a person or animal. eg: South Africa's President Jacob Zuma addresses the media after unveiling a bronze statue of the late former President Nelson Mandela as part of the Day of Reconciliation Celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Dec. 16, 2013.

insurgency

an occasion when a group of people attempt to take control of their country by force. Putin's statement did not address increasingly pointed accusations by Kyiv and the West that Russia is directly intervening in the insurgency. But he praised the rebellion's "serious successes in stopping the armed operation by Kyiv," which he said threatens the lives of civilians

major

an officer of middle rank in the British, US and many other armed forces such as the US Air Force Her father was a major in the Scots Guards. I met Major Jones last year. eg:Major Robert Anderson led the small force of U.S. soldiers at Fort Sumter. Anderson could not use his most powerful cannons to answer the Confederate attack. The cannons were in the open at the top of the fort, where the gunners were not protected. Too many of his men would be lost if his force tried to fire these guns. eg:Print based on the painting called Hancock at Gettysburg by Thure de Thulstrup. Shows Major General Winfield S. Hancock riding along the Union lines during the Confederate bombardment prior to Pickett's Charge.

plight

an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad or difficult one .Few of us can be unmoved by the plight of the Romanian orphans. eg:Their aim is to highlight the plight of refugees forced to choose between living in poverty in Hong Kong or returning to countries where their lives may be in danger.In a city often cited as the most expensive in the world, most refugees survive on a rental allowance of $200 a month, and three monthly food parcels from the Social Welfare Department.

miracle

an unusual and mysterious event that is thought to have been caused by a god, or any very surprising and unexpected event. eg:Most passengers on board were Chinese. For nearly three weeks, the Chinese families of passengers have been hoping for a miracle. eg: can't promise a miracle cure, but I think we can improve things.eg: In Niger, during a trial in 2013, the anti-malaria compounds were made available in remote locations at health facilities, in the homes of village chiefs and in areas where public health workers go door-to-door. The organization deployed some 2,000 community health care workers to educate families about the benefits of chemoprevention and to encourage them to take their children to a distribution site. Lasry says MSF chemoprevention campaigns do not use artemisinin-based drugs that are currently the "gold standard" to treat malaria infection. "We try to use different drugs so that even if we can potentially cause resistance, we are not causing resistance to the most effective drugs we have for treatment," she said. If they find malaria in any of the children, Lasry says they treat it. But she says there's a shortage of rapid diagnostic tests in Niger, for example, hampering efforts to treat malaria in endemic regions. While not a "miracle cure," officials say prevention drugs complement other malaria control strategies, including insecticide-treated bed nets.

reluctance

an unwillingness to do something.I accepted his resignation with great reluctance.eg:Prince Mashele, executive director at the Center for Politics and Research, a think tank and research institute, said Zuma has strategically made the survival of those around him, dependent on him, hence their reluctance to act against him. "There is a great deal of loyalty towards the ANC, So people will be voting for the ANC even though they don't like Zuma. But Zuma will benefit from that," said Mashele. "Secondly, a majority of them by the way, they know that if Zuma were to go down, they will also go down, so they will protect Zuma. By protecting Zuma they are protecting themselves." Booysen said, however, President Zuma's scandals are hurting his party in a big way. "The ANC is losing much credibility which in due course will be reflected in the electoral support as well," he said. With the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), still pushing for the reinstatement of corruption charges against President Zuma, Grootes said the charges will certainly catch up with him someday. "I think that they will certainly hang around him until he has his day in court which he said so many times he wanted and yet he has tried not to have," he stated. Many agree that when he is gone, President Zuma will always be remembered as a giant who survived scandals that brought all others down.

grease

animal or vegetable fat that is soft after melting, or more generally, any thick oily substance. The dinner plates were thick with grease. eg:Harriet Smith said her owners treated her well. But she heard about slaves who were mistreated. "Yes, I know of times they, when, when they mistreated people, they did, and I hear our folks talk, you know, about them whipping, you know, till they had to grease their back to take the holes from the, the back." Some slaves were beaten so badly, she said, they had to repair the holes in their backs with grease.

monster

any imaginary frightening creature, especially one which is large and strange. a sea monster. prehistoric monsters. the Loch Ness monster. eg:There, in the dark woods on the side of the river where the bushes grow low, stood an ugly thing. Big and black. It did not move, but seemed ready to jump like a giant monster. eg:The Virginia could not move fast. It took almost 30 minutes to turn around. Still, there seemed to be no way to stop this iron monster. It already had destroyed two Union warships. And it was coming back for more. The Union ship chosen to fight the Virginia was the Monitor. It, too, was covered with iron. But it was much smaller than the Virginia. And it carried only two cannons.

treadmill

n. an exercise machine which has a large belt that moves around while a person walks or runs on it. Change is already coming to some offices, especially in the design of desks. A "standing desk" lets people stand while they work. Another new design is called the "treadmill desk." A treadmill is an exercise machine that lets you walk in one place. Even some U.S. schools are beginning to experiment with desks that are part bicycle to keep children moving.

hormone

any of various chemicals made by living cells which influence the development, growth, sex, etc. of an animal and are carried around the body in the blood male and female hormones growth hormones

clumsy

awkward in movement or manner. eg:Sylvie's bare feet and tiny fingers grabbed the tree's rough trunk. Sharp dry branches scratched at her like cat's claws. The pine tree's sticky sap made her fingers feel stiff and clumsy as she climbed higher and higher.

tenure

being the legal owner of land, a job or an official public position, or the period of time during which you own it. eg:Xu's critics claim that during his tenure, the buying and selling of military ranks was widespread in the defense establishment.eg: During his tenure as dean, he had a real influence on the students.

detrimental

causing harm or damage;These chemicals have a detrimental effect/impact on the environment. eg: the foreigner shall not engage in any activity which, in the opinion of the Controller of immigration,is detrimental to the security and well-being of Singapore.

poignant

causing or having a very sharp feeling of sadness. The photograph awakens poignant memories of happier days. It is especially poignant that he died on the day before the wedding. The poem has a haunting poignancy. Eg: The poignant fruits of a prison courtyard. On South Africa's Robben Island, famous for its jail, volunteers are harvesting vines planted in a garden once tended by its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela. Over the years many people have been accused of trying to cash in on the Mandela brand but the participants in this scheme see it as a way of cherishing his memory.

footing

n., kind of relationship. eg: Ms. Cesari compared current religious and ethnic tensions in the Middle East to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland in the late 20th century. "We have now knowledge that it was not about belief, it was something about being part of the same nation on an equal footing."

clinical

describes medical work or teaching that relates to the examination and treatment of ill people clinical tests/training the Department of Clinical Medicine Clinical trials of the new drug may take five years. clinically This toothpaste has been clinically proven (= has been shown in experiments) to protect your teeth. Doctors pronounced him clinically dead (= judged him to be dead by examining his body). disapproving Should doctors always remain clinically detached from (= express no emotion towards) their patients?

assay

to perform an examination on a chemical in order to test how pure it is. Paul Johnston is curator of Maritime History at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History here in Washington, D.C. The museum displays the gold nugget Mr. Marshall found. "And you can see Mr. Marshall actually bit down on it. You can see the molar marks, his bite mark on it as well a little chip taken out of the upper left hand corner for assaying, or testing the purity of the gold."

compromise

to allow your principles to be less strong or your standards or morals to be lower. Don't compromise your beliefs/principles for the sake of being accepted. If we back down on this issue, our reputation will be compromised. His political career ended when he compromised himself by accepting bribes. eg:OPM said it identified the security breach in April. Then it took what it called an "aggressive effort" to put tougher controls into place. The agency will offer help to the employees whose information may have been compromised.

be/get bogged down

to be/become so involved in something difficult or complicated that you cannot do anything else. Let's not get bogged down with individual complaints. UK Try not to get too bogged down in the details. eg:The defense lawyer introduced so much evidence that the trial became bogged down in a quagmire of irrelevant information.

solid

describes a metal or a colour which is pure, and does not have anything else mixed together with it.a white rose on a solid blue background.By fade, I mean blending the image into the background color or another solid color of your choice. You may have thought you needed Photoshop to create a fade effect with your images. However, you can achieve a fade effect directly in PowerPoint using an object with a blended transparent gradient fill.

poverty-stricken

describes a person or place suffering from the effects of being extremely poor. Some beggars are neither poverty-stricken nor homeless. There are few jobs for the peasants who have flooded into the cities from the poverty-stricken countryside in search of work. eg: Since the poverty-stricken countries are facing serious civic problems, The human right institutions should particularly focus on addressing the difficulties in these countries.

fully-fledged

completely developed or trained.What started as a small business is now a fully-fledged company.After years of study, Tim is now a fully-fledged architect.eg:The Vietnam War took place at an unusual time in United States history. A record number of U.S. women gave birth in the years 1946 to 1959, and the largest part of that "Baby Boom" was of fighting age when the war began. The "Baby Boomers" had also created a full-fledged youth culture by that time, a culture based largely on music. So when public sentiment turned against the war, so did popular songs.

publication

countable noun. A publication is a book or magazine that has been published. ⇒ They have started legal proceedings against two publications which spoke of an affair. eg:The person who did the most to help blacks understand this was black historian Carter G. Woodson. Woodson received his training at two leading universities: Harvard in Massachusetts and the Sorbonne in France. He launched a new publication, The Journal of Negro History, in which he and other experts wrote about black life and history. Historians today call Woodson the father of the scientific study of black history.

unpalatable

describes a fact or idea that is unpleasant or shocking and therefore difficult to accept.the unpalatable truth/facts about the war. eg:But in China, these animals are being exposed to the elements as well as insects, mice and other carriers of dangerous illnesses. Gale said the effects of these conditions on the environment have many Chinese worried about food safety. "As the marketing chain distance between the consumer and the pigs increases, the consumers don't really know where their pork came from or what's in it," said Gale. "There are a lot of things like this on the Chinese internet where a local person, in some village, is complaining about the big farms near his house and how they dump all this manure in the water making it undrinkable." But not every aspect of getting these increasingly popular foods to the dinner table is unpalatable. Fabinyi argues fishing opportunities for people living on islands with poor agricultural potential provide a livelihood for a population that has few other natural resources to draw from. "The trade in live-fish has been a massively important economic stimulus to local communities," said Fabinyi. "Relative to where they were previously, many households have been able to improve their standards of living from assistance-level only to being able to invest in basic-level education for their children, some level of healthcare and material goods that have resulted in the improved standard of living." Chinese eaters are becoming more adventurous than ever before. In turn, as the flavors they seek grow in complexity, so do the effects of the country's massive consumption. Food experts claim both the positive and negative consequences of China's changing diet are already beginning to cross borders, become international issues and will continue to do so as consumption grows.

vicious

describes people or actions that show an intention or wish to hurt someone or something very badly. a vicious thug. a vicious dog. The police said that this was one of the most vicious attacks they'd ever seen. He gave her a vicious look. eg:Later, in the 1828 presidential election, Jackson's opponents made Rachel's honor a campaign issue. Jackson could not duel everyone who questioned his wife's honor. So he asked a special committee of citizens to investigate his marriage and make a public report. Many people on the committee were his friends or supporters. The committee found that the Jacksons were not at fault for getting married before Rachel and her first husband were legally divorced. The pro-Jackson newspaper in Washington published the committee's report. Pro-Jackson papers also began to print vicious stories about President Adams and his wife.

divisive

describes something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people.The Vietnam war was an extremely divisive issue in the US. eg:Today, April 30, marks the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. On this date in 1975, Marines evacuated the last Americans from the embassy in Saigon, bringing to a close America's most divisive foreign conflict - a division expressed in street protests and in song.

ruined

destroyed or spoilt.an ancient ruined castle. eg: company's brand should not be ruined or defamed just because we are not doing a good job in implementing these corporate requirement.

dwindle

to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number. The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size in the last two years. Her hopes of success in the race dwindled last night as the weather became worse. eg:Iraqi officials say their forces have ended a siege by Islamic militants on the northern town of Amerli, where 1000s of people have been trapped for over 2 months with dwindling food, water and medical supplies.

aboveboard

easily seen, honest, not trying to deceive: The discussions were completely open and aboveboard. eg:Caspar Peek is the U.N. Population Fund's representative in Thailand. He says legislation should protect the rights of the child, in his words, "first and foremost." Mr. Peek also said legislation should protect the surrogate mother. And he said the law should protect the people who want to be parents whose genetic material -- or DNA -- is being used. "(Because) once it becomes commercial then the motivations of women to accept this (commercial surrogacy) will change. You may get the wrong people into this; you may get very young girls, you may get very poor women, you may get women who are undernourished and of course that creates a risk to their health as well. And of course there are people who will make money on this -- and then it's all not aboveboard anymore."

straightforward

easy to understand or simple；He explained quite straightforwardly that there wasn't enough work for us all.if the image in question is a vector image (e.g., WMF), it may be very easy to customize the clip art image. However, if the image is a bitmap image (e.g., PNG, JPG, GIF), then you cannot simply "ungroup" the image and edit it as you want. If you own Photoshop and you're proficient with it, this task may be fairly straightforward for you. However, many business users don't have access to this expensive photo editing software or if they do, they may not know how to use it.

mourning

eg:Shops will be closed today as a sign of mourning for the king. eg:On China's social media sites, some were calling on the Chinese government to mark a national day of mourning for those on board MH 370.

nostril

either of the two openings in the nose through which air moves when you breathe. Spinosaurus had a nostril on the back of its head. That made it possible for the creature to breathe when part of its head was under water. Its long neck and short, powerful back legs helped it swim. But on land, it probably did not walk standing up like other meat-eating dinosaurs.

endemic

especially of a disease or a condition, regularly found and very common among a particular group or in a particular area;eg: Malaria is endemic in many of the hotter regions of the world. eg: The disease is endemic among British sheep/to many British flocks. eg: There is endemic racism/poverty/violence in many of the country's cities. eg:"We try to use different drugs so that even if we can potentially cause resistance, we are not causing resistance to the most effective drugs we have for treatment," she said. If they find malaria in any of the children, Lasry says they treat it. But she says there's a shortage of rapid diagnostic tests in Niger, for example, hampering efforts to treat malaria in endemic regions. While not a "miracle cure," officials say prevention drugs complement other malaria control strategies, including insecticide-treated bed nets.

inherent

existing as a natural or basic part of something There are dangers/risks inherent in almost every sport. I have an inherent distrust of lawyers. There's nothing inherently wrong with his ideas. eg:You have to look at the negative side, and that is the fact that it is based on greed. Greed is of course a weakness of humanity that is from the very beginning of mankind. I think that you can't have a government that is based on greed and expect it to survive. I think the Chinese people inherently have an ethical basis from the past to judge the government. eg:So, in 1841, the remaining thirty or so members of the Amistad captives got on a ship called The Gentleman and returned to West Africa. Howard Jones says the incident was the only time he knows that black people who had been brought to the new world as slaves actually made it back home. "And how they do it? By winning in the American court system. This was just unheard of. But the decision was basically that it doesn't matter whether you are black, white, purple, green or whatever color you are, you have been kidnapped. And so therefore you have — and Joseph Story said this in his decision, which really opened the door for a lot of arguments — that under the eternal principles of justice, you have the inherent right of self-defense, even if you must kill your captors."

prevalent

existing very commonly or happening often. eg: These diseases are more prevalent among young children. eg: When the deadline is so tight that it's the primary driver for the duration of the task. You have to make it work within the available timeframe. This situation has been prevalent in most of the organizations I've worked with.

frills

extra things that are added to something to make it more pleasant or more attractive, but that are not necessary.a cheap, no frills airline. eg: Other DNS services don't offer this feature. For example, Google Public DNS does not include any content-filtering features, as it aims to just function as a fast DNS service without any of the frills.

furious

extremely angry. The chancellor shared the stage at Peking University with London's mayor - Boris Johnson. Their high-profile visits are a sign of a diplomatic thaw between the two countries. Beijing was furious after the prime minister met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader - the Dalai Lama - last year. eg:The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in states held by the Confederates. For political reasons, the proclamation did not free slaves in the states that supported the Union. Nor did it free slaves in the areas around Norfolk, Virginia, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Lincoln personally agreed that all slaves should be freed. But he did not believe that the Constitution gave him that power. He said the Emancipation Proclamation was a military measure made under his wartime powers as commander in chief. As such, it was legal only in enemy territory. He hoped the emancipation of slaves in all the states could be done slowly, during peacetime. People in the South were furious about the proclamation. Southern newspapers accused the president of trying to create a slave rebellion in states he could not occupy with troops.

stunning

extremely beautiful or attractive. eg: Ms Tymoshenko, known for her sharp tongue and peasant-style braid, was a leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution that thwarted Mr Yanukovych's first run at the presidency. He staged a stunning comeback in to defeat her after a bitter campaign. She was then jailed in October 2011 for abuse of office for allegedly ordering a subordinate to sign a natural gas deal with Russia in 2009, which prosecutors said led to huge losses for Ukraine. She has denied any wrongdoing, calling the case part of a political witch-hunt.

crucial

extremely important or necessary. eg: It is crucial that the problem is tackled immediately. eg:Earlier Thursday, Obama held a private meeting with Emperor Akihito at Tokyo's Imperial Palace. A military honor guard, and children holding U.S. and Japanese flags, greeted the president. He will later attend a state dinner and tour the historic Meiji Shrine before heading to Seoul, where his talks are expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program. In Tokyo, Obama said North Korea represents "the most dangerous, destabilizing situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region." He said Japan, South Korea and the United States should work together to pressure Pyongyang, noting that China's participation is crucial. eg:The Pentagon said it carried out 15 more airstrikes Monday against Islamic State militants near the dam, destroying more of their fighting positions and weapons. The Mosul Dam is crucial to northern Iraq, providing electricity and irrigation for much of the region. The United States first launched airstrikes earlier this month against the insurgents, in part to prevent the killing of thousands of minority Yazidis stranded on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq.

blindingly

extremely. It's blindingly obvious that she's not happy at school. eg: One of the speakers at the ceremony was Robert Frost. He was perhaps America's most popular poet at the time. Robert Frost planned to read from a long work he wrote especially for the ceremony. But he was unable to read much of it. The bright winter sun shone blindingly on the snow. The cold winter wind blew the paper in his old hands.

heritage

features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages or buildings, which still exist from the past and which have a historical importance These monuments are a vital part of the cultural heritage of South America. eg:The newest designers to arrive are Asian-born and Asian-trained, looking to make inroads in the lucrative U.S. fashion market. Their early predecessors, by comparison, had Asian heritage but were U.S.-born and U.S.-trained designers. One of the best known is Vera Wang, known for her wedding gowns and who recently designed one for celebrity Kim Kardashian. Then came designers born in Asia but trained in the United States, such as Jason Wu, whose styles have been worn by first lady Michelle Obama. The newest wave brings a stronger sense of their own cultures, mixed with Western sensibilities, said Lie Sang Bong, who founded his brand Lie Sangbong in 1985 in South Korea.

retreat

to go away from a place or person in order to escape from fighting or danger. Western reporters around Novoazovsk said Ukrainian forces were abandoning vehicles and ammunition as they retreated from the advancing forces. The U.S. State Department said Russian military hardware crossing the border included tanks and rocket launchers and there were reports of separatists shelling residential areas in the port city of Mariupol, west of Novoazovsk. Heavy fighting had also erupted at the Donetsk airport.

gag rule

gag order. an official order not to discuss something, esp. a legal case: The jurors can't tell us anything because they remain under a gag order. The judge issued a gagging order to prevent the witnesses from speaking to the press. eg:The abolitionists had not as yet received major support from the people of the North. Many northerners were hostile to them. But in eighteen thirty-six, the House of Representatives declared that it would not listen to any anti-slavery petitions. This became known as the "gag rule." The Senate did not pass such a rule. But the Senate still made it almost impossible for anti-slavery petitions to come before it. Former President John Quincy Adams, who was then a congressman, rose up in protest. He was not an abolitionist. But he led a campaign against the gag rule. Adams said the rule was a violation of the constitutional right to petition Congress. The gag rule made great numbers of people in the North very angry. Because of it, these people began to support the abolitionist movement.

stress

great worry caused by a difficult situation, or something which causes this condition. People under a lot of stress may experience headaches, minor pains and sleeping difficulties. Yoga is a very effective technique for combating stress. the stresses and strains of the job. stress-related illness. eg: Mr. Wilson says that while this has not affected the number of cheetah cubs being born, it can affect their survival. He remembers seeing a female cheetah in a desert. "This mom is under stress already looking for food for herself. Then she needs to look for food for her cub. And if she needs to move further and further, the mother is under more strain and then that puts even more strain on the cub.

coincidental

happening by coincidence.The highest scorers, coincidentally, were all women. eg:Kiselyov's letter to the BBG was dated March 21-which, coincidentally, was the same day that the EU froze his assets and banned his travel. The EU called him a "central figure of the government propaganda supporting the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine," according to a list published today in Brussels. This is the same gentleman who, on his recent television show, boasted that Russia has the capability to turn the US into "radioactive ashes."

intricate

having a lot of small parts or details that are arranged in a complicated way and are therefore sometimes difficult to understand, solve or produce The watch mechanism is extremely intricate and very difficult to repair. Police officers uncovered an intricate web of deceit.

well-fed

having a lot to eat. It should be possible to be warm and well-fed, and to enjoy all the good things of life, while respecting the needs of the planet. eg:An unemployed auto worker in the manufacturing city of Detroit described the situation this way: "Before daylight, we were on the way to the Chevrolet factory to look for work. The police were already there, waving us away from the office. They were saying, 'Nothing doing! No jobs! No jobs!' So now we were walking slowly through the falling snow to the employment office for the Dodge auto company. A big, well-fed man in a heavy overcoat stood at the door. 'No! No!' he said. There was no work."

triumphant

having achieved a great victory (= winning a war or competition) or success, or feeling very happy and proud because of such an achievement. It seemed as though the whole city had turned out for their team's triumphant homecoming. She emerged triumphant from the court after all the charges against her were dropped because of a lack of evidence. She made a triumphant return to the stage after several years working in television. triumphantly . Bob triumphantly announced his promotion. eg:Wagons were hurried from the fort,camp equipment,British flags,papers,and the effects of the offices loaded into them,and twenty-one loads of this useful spoil triumphantly carried off.

shrewd

having or based on a clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, resulting in an advantage. eg: Former Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a long-time political figure known for her shrewd political maneuvering and a signature peasant-style braid, has announced she is running in the country's May 25 presidential election.

industrious

having the characteristic of regularly working hard.an industrious worker.She's extremely competent and industrious.How industrious.

hop

hops [plural]. the dried fruits of a climbing plant which are used to give a bitter flavour to beer. "It is fantastic. It is a pretty courageous move to strike that yeast and kind of develop some[thing] unique." "I am not usually a yeasty, hoppy beer drinker. But it is really good." "It is not over hopped; there is not much competing with yeast for flavor. So it really comes through. It's very drinkable."

quarters

housing available for people to live in. a room or house that has been provided, especially for servants or soldiers and their families, to live in.The army's married quarters are just outside the town. eg:But crew members told traffic controllers that their attempts to order an evacuation were stymied by a faulty announcement system. Tracking data shows the ship took a sharp turn while navigating a group of small islands off South Korea's southwestern coast. There are 174 known survivors, with no one rescued since Wednesday. South Korean prosecutors say the ferry was being steered by a 26-year-old third mate who was navigating the area for the first time. Authorities have confirmed that the ship's captain was in his quarters, leaving the inexperienced third mate at the helm.

hit it out of the park

idiom to be very successful (from baseball, when a player hits a homerun and the ball leaves the ball park). eg:He hit it out of the park, just by talking about our forty-year friendship and making me seem more human.

as a last resort

if all other methods fail British police are supposed to use guns only as a last resort. eg: Harwit said the parents of Internet-addicted youth are desperate to cure their offspring. Some even resort to drugging their kids to take them to the camps. "They look to [the camps] as a kind of last resort for reforming their children, especially if it's one child, the only child that they have, and giving them a chance to break their addiction to Internet games and hopefully then return to school and become more academically capable," he said.

outwit

v. to defeat or trick (someone) by being more intelligent or clever. eg: The bottom line is, the best way to do well on the TOEFL is to know English well. Do not depend on informal advice or tricks. Do not try to outwit the test maker. Think of reading, listening, speaking, writing, and grammar as a single connected concept-communication. The real goal of the test is to measure how well a student can communicate in English-speaking classroom. Immerse yourself in English on a daily basis and improvement is sure to follow.

situated

in a particular position.The school is situated near to the station. eg: The centre will be the tallest building in Guangzhou, complete with office, hotel and residential space. It will be situated on the Zhujiang East Road and will have a gross floor area of 398,000 square metres. At 530 metres tall, it is lower than China's current highest tallest building, the 632-metre-tall Shanghai Tower, and the proposed 700-metre-tall Suzhou Zhongnan Centre, which began construction this year. These are all eclipsed by the world's current highest building, the 828-metre-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and the proposed 1000-metre-high Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, due to be completed in 2019. The world's fastest elevator uses a newly developed permanent magnet motor that achieves both a thin profile and a high output, the statement said. It is also equipped with a braking system capable of withstanding the terrific heat that might be generated if a malfunction ever develops. China accounts for about 60 per cent of global demand for elevators and is at the centre of fierce competition among the world's elevator makers, a Hitachi official said. The world's fastest elevator currently in operation is the 60.6 kilometre per hour lift at Taipei 101, in Taiwan's main city, he said.

drizzle

v. to pour a small amount of liquid onto or over something. You can mix or drizzle kale with olive oil and bake it for 15 minutes until it gets crispy. These are called kale chips. You can also bake it on top of pizza for a healthy topping.

changing

in a state of becoming different;the rapidly changing world of politics;eg: But in China, these animals are being exposed to the elements as well as insects, mice and other carriers of dangerous illnesses. Gale said the effects of these conditions on the environment have many Chinese worried about food safety. "As the marketing chain distance between the consumer and the pigs increases, the consumers don't really know where their pork came from or what's in it," said Gale. "There are a lot of things like this on the Chinese internet where a local person, in some village, is complaining about the big farms near his house and how they dump all this manure in the water making it undrinkable." But not every aspect of getting these increasingly popular foods to the dinner table is unpalatable. Fabinyi argues fishing opportunities for people living on islands with poor agricultural potential provide a livelihood for a population that has few other natural resources to draw from. "The trade in live-fish has been a massively important economic stimulus to local communities," said Fabinyi. "Relative to where they were previously, many households have been able to improve their standards of living from assistance-level only to being able to invest in basic-level education for their children, some level of healthcare and material goods that have resulted in the improved standard of living." Chinese eaters are becoming more adventurous than ever before. In turn, as the flavors they seek grow in complexity, so do the effects of the country's massive consumption. Food experts claim both the positive and negative consequences of China's changing diet are already beginning to cross borders, become international issues and will continue to do so as consumption grows.

legitimize

make something legal or acceptable. The government fears that talking to terrorists might legitimize their violent actions. eg:Another problem facing the new government is the Afghan economy. Some observers say the economy is in serious trouble. U.S. officials warn that corruption and the illegal drug trade are strong. Andrew Wilder says there is a reason for this. "What is really going to de-legitimize this government, I think, even more so than a flawed election process will be if it can't pay salaries, can't provide social services and the economy collapses."

irritating

making you feel annoyed. an irritating habit. eg:Writing that contains mostly short, simple sentences can be uninteresting or even irritating to read. Writing that consists of mostly long, complex sentences is usually difficult to read. Good writers, therefore, use a variety of sentence types. They also occasionally start complex (or compound-complex) sentences with the dependent clause and not the independent clause.

prosecutor

n. a lawyer who represents the side in a court case that accuses a person of a crime and who tries to prove that the person is guilty. eg:Atilla Yesilada is a political expert in Turkey. He says Turkish and foreign investors are worried about the possible effects of the legislation. He says they are worried about the government having the power to seize property and money before an individual or company is found guilty. "The burden of proof has almost shifted from the prosecutor to the defendant, simply because it takes just reasonable suspicion for the court to confiscate assets, for maybe years."

ahead

in or into the future; before. She has a difficult time ahead of her. He couldn't bear to think of the lonely year ahead. eg: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was forced to resign. The British people turned to a new leader, Winston Churchill. Churchill would prove to be strong and brave in the long months ahead.

Apache

n. a member of a Native American people of the southwestern U.S. eg:Suddenly I heard shots far ahead of me. I hurried ahead as fast as I could. Soon I came to a small camp. Several hundred Apache Indians were in the center of the camp. I could see Powell on the ground. I did not even think about what to do, I just acted. I pulled out my guns and began shooting. The Apaches were surprised and fled. I forced my horse into the camp and toward Powell. I reached down and pulled him up on the horse by his belt. I urged the horse to greater speed. The Apaches by now realized that I was alone and quickly began to follow. We were soon in very rough country.

behind bars

in prison He's spent most of his life behind bars. eg:This follows a ruling last month, in which a Palawan court found 12 other Chinese fishermen guilty of poaching in a protected coral reef zone. Those men were sentenced to between 6 and 12 years behind bars. eg:"Most of the kids were forced to come there, they didn't know where they were going," said Hilla Medalia, co-director of Web Junkie. "Some of them were drugged, one of our kids thought he was going skiing and found himself behind bars at the center."

cyborg

in science fiction stories, a creature that is part human and part machine. Researchers are trying to develop ways for humans and computers to work together more closely. Someday, humans and computers may be joined. The combination of a human and a computer is called a cyborg. Jonathan Mugan has written a book about the relationship between humans and computers, called "The Curiosity Cycle." He told VOA by email that it is time to prepare for a future where computers have more control over our lives.

sort of

in some way or to some degree. I was sort of hoping to leave early today. It's sort of silly, but I'd like a copy of the photograph. eg: The U.S. has started to train the Syrian rebels and give them military equipment. But Mr. Logan says Republicans want the Obama administration to do more. "There's a program in place. It's not being conducted the way Senator McCain would like it to be conducted. So I think the, the change here might really be how the conversation goes, what sorts of hearings happen, and how Republicans in the Senate can affect, sort of, the press coverage -- what's said about the president's policies."

sheriff

in the US, an official whose job is to be in charge of performing the orders of the law courts and making certain that the laws are obeyed within a particular county. eg:Ms. Baker understands the problems local officials face in rural U.S. counties. They have little money. A coalition of Texas sheriffs-- law officers --says each dead migrant they find costs a county $5,000 to remove, examine and bury.

major league

in the US, the league of professional sports teams at the highest level, especially in baseball. eg: The city of San Francisco, California, is home to the Giants Major League Baseball team. The team is playing the Kansas City Royals for the 2014 World Series championship. The best-of-seven-games series begins at Kauffman Stadium in the Midwest state of Missouri. The fans of both teams are known for their deep and loyal support. For example, two San Francisco radio stations have banned Lorde's song "Royals" from airplay. The stations tweeted that the song is off their playlists until the series is over. In Kansas City, on the other hand, a pop radio station is doing just the opposite. It says it will play "Royals" every hour until the start of the first game.

airborne

in the air, or carried by air or wind or by an aircraft; flying The airborne radioactive particles have covered a huge area of Russia. Airborne troops were dropped by parachute behind enemy lines. The old plane had great difficulty getting airborne (= rising into the air). eg: The southwest Iranian city of Ahvaz walked away with the unfortunate distinction of having the highest measured level of airborne particles smaller than 10 micrometers.

in the thick of sth

in the most active or dangerous part of a particular situation or activity . He was always right there, in the thick of it when the fighting started. She loves being in the thick of the action. eg:At first, the Confederates pushed Grant's Union army back. But in the thick of the struggle, General Johnston was shot in the leg. The bullet cut through an artery. Johnston bled to death before help arrived.

meteorite

n. a meteor that reaches the surface of the earth without being completely destroyed

henceforth

starting from this time Henceforth, the said building shall be the property of Brendan Duggan. Michael Schumacher has left hospital to continue his recovery at home but the former Formula One champion faces "a long and difficult road ahead" after his skiing accident last year, a statement said on Tuesday. "Henceforth, Michael's rehabilitation will take place at his home. Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months," said the brief statement issued by manager Sabine Kehm. "There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.

propaganda

information, ideas, opinions or images, often only giving one part of an argument, which are broadcast, published or in some other way spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions.political/wartime propaganda .At school we were fed communist/right-wing propaganda. One official dismissed the ceasefire as a mere propaganda exercise. eg: The EU called him a "central figure of the government propaganda supporting the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine. Vietnamese now believe it is important for children to drink milk in addition to eating more-traditional foods like rice and noodles. People were happy that milk had vitamin D and calcium. But they did not talk about other things that milk had, such as hormones, antibiotics, allergens, fat and sugar. And it had lactose, which causes problems for some people. Roger Mathisen is a nutrition specialist for UNICEF in Hanoi. He said part of the problem is people in Vietnam believe advertising is a source of facts. He said they do not realize that sometimes it is, in his words, "propaganda."

cemetery

n. a place where dead people are buried. eg:Local officials have found hundreds of unidentified bodies in south Texas alone. They have buried them in mass graves in local cemeteries. Families have no bodies to bury, no graves to visit. To help them get closure, Professor Baker and her students have been digging up bodies to try to identify them. Lori Baker says that in most cases, the people died of the heat. eg:South Korean Monk Cares for Cemetery of Enemy Soldiers. eg:Finally, she remembered a country cemetery they had visited. At the time, her husband had said: "When I am gone, lay my remains in some quiet place like this." So Misses Lincoln decided that the president's final resting place would be in the quiet, beautiful Oak Ridge Cemetery outside their home town of Springfield, Illinois.

proposition

n. a statement to be proved, explained or discussed . Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

intimidating

making you feel frightened or nervous.She can be very intimidating when she's angry. eg:U.S. President Barack Obama said he was not sure the deal would work. "My hope is that we actually do see follow-through over the next several days," Obama said. "But I don't think given past performance that we can count on that, and we have to be prepared to potentially respond to what continue to be efforts of interference by the Russians in Eastern and Southern Ukraine." Some U.S. lawmakers are urging the administration to take additional steps to pressure Russia. Appearing on NBC, Republican Senator Bob Corker said U.S. sanctions have had no effect on Moscow. "To me, unless they [Russia] immediately begin moving the 40,000 troops on the border, which are intimidating people in Ukraine, unless they begin immediately moving them away, I really do believe we should be sanctioning some of the [Russian] companies in the energy sector -- Gazprom and others," Corker said. "I think we should hit some of the large banks there. And certainly we should beef up our security relationships with Ukraine."

regrettable

making you feel sad and sorry about something. eg:This will create much more difficulty for President Obama to make the kind of progress that he's wanted to see in both the Iranian negotiations -- Iran's nuclear negotiations -- and the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. Both of those issues have regrettably been used over the years as a partisan football on Capitol Hill.

daunting

making you feel slightly frightened or worried about your ability to achieve something.A bureau spokesman said the list was meant to give expatriate parents information on all types of schools to facilitate their decision-making in applying for places for their children. All public-sector schools, including direct subsidy ones, will receive extra resources to give their non-Chinese-speaking pupils school-based support, he said. But even if these children do enter the local school system, they face daunting challenges in handling the language. eg: AutoHotkey scripts are a great way to customize your computer, but may seem daunting at first. Don't worry - getting started is much easier than it looks! Read on to see.

landmark

n. a structure or object on the land that is easily recognized; a building or other structure that is historically important. The Waldorf Astoria was named a New York City landmark in 1993. Other landmarks are the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.

outburst

n. a surge of activity or growth. eg: John Wilson took part in the cheetah research. He says cheetahs can easily deal with those energy outbursts.

circuitry

n. a system or group of circuits—or paths. eg: The strategy permitted researchers to find patterns within the brain's huge circuitry. It showed that having genes that are "friends" of both brain-related and autism-related genes can increase a person's risk for autism.

heron

n. a large bird that has long legs and a long neck and bill. eg:"So Sylvie knows all about birds. Maybe she can help me then," the young man said. "I saw a white heron not far from here two days ago. I've been looking for it ever since. It's a very rare bird, the little white heron. Have you seen it, too?" He asked Sylvie. But Sylvie was silent. "You would know it if you saw it," he added. "It's a tall, strange bird with soft white feathers and long thin legs. It probably has its nest at the top of a tall tree."

proclamation

n. an official statement or announcement . Lincoln decided to recognize that slavery was, in fact, a major issue in the war. On September 22, 1862, he announced a new policy on slavery in the rebel southern states. His announcement became known as the Emancipation Proclamation. American newspapers printed the Emancipation Proclamation. This is what it said: I, Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States and commander in chief of the Army and Navy, do hereby declare that on the first day of January, 1863, all persons held as slaves within any state then in rebellion against the United States, shall then become and be forever free. The government of the United States, including the military and naval forces, will recognize and protect the freedom of such persons, and will interfere in no way with any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in states held by the Confederates. For political reasons, the proclamation did not free slaves in the states that supported the Union. Nor did it free slaves in the areas around Norfolk, Virginia, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Lincoln personally agreed that all slaves should be freed. But he did not believe that the Constitution gave him that power. He said the Emancipation Proclamation was a military measure made under his wartime powers as commander in chief. As such, it was legal only in enemy territory. He hoped the emancipation of slaves in all the states could be done slowly, during peacetime. People in the South were furious about the proclamation. Southern newspapers accused the president of trying to create a slave rebellion in states he could not occupy with troops. In the North, most people cheered the new policy. The Emancipation Proclamation changed the nature of the Civil War. No longer was it a struggle over southern rights. Now it was a struggle for human freedom.

excavator

n. earth-moving equipment; a person who digs up things that have been buried for a long time . eg: The rivers in Ghana's Ashanti area have a sickly brown color. The land has gashes, holes cut by excavators. The air is filled with the sound of mining equipment. Small mining operations are a common sight in central Ghana. Here, mine workers dig deep into the earth in search of bullion. But not everyone returns alive.

tarmac

n. the area covered by pavement at an airport. eg: she said. "I was too young to understand what was happening, and I remember walking up the stairs to the airplane and looking back on the tarmac and my father waived at us. What I didn't realize was that would be the last time that I would ever see my father's face."

mandate

n. the power to act that voters give to their elected leaders. the authority given to an elected group of people, such as a government, to perform an action or govern a country. At the forthcoming elections, the government will be seeking a fresh mandate from the people. [+ to infinitive] The president secured the Congressional mandate to go to war by three votes. eg:The African Union approved the task force, but did not provide an order or mandate for it. That means there is no financial support, and donors must provide everything needed. eg:She also says the large number of voters surprised many critics and angered the Taliban. Gaining popular support is important for defeating rebel groups. But, she says, the power-sharing agreement makes the Taliban less likely to negotiate an end to the war. "And what we have got now, all that goodwill, that freshness, that motivation, I would say has been lost. I would say at the moment the main problem with getting the Taliban to stop fighting is that whereas earlier on in the year the Afghan state looked like it was going to emerge strong, united with a popular democratic mandate . . .as an opponent that was to be feared. What's instead happened is that the state is a lot weaker, a lot more contested. And if you're the Taliban and you are making a political calculation as to what will suit you best, earlier in the year you might have been thinking about talks, now I am sure you'll be thinking about fighting."

well-being

n. the state of being happy, healthy, or successful. eg:The federal government will provide the children with financial support if they stay in the United States. But Ms. Sandigo says sometimes caregivers of these children left in the U.S. are afraid to seek help from government agencies. Carol Emig operates Child Trends, a child research and information center. She supports Ms. Sandigo's efforts. But she says Ms. Sandigo cannot provide all that the children need. "She is not able, in her situation I think, to provide the kinds of protection that a well-functioning child welfare system would provide. So, there isn't a case worker who is checking on the well-being of the kids with the foster parents or the guardian."

amnesty

n., a decision that a group of people will not be punished or that prisoners will be allowed to go free. eg: A number of Republicans accused Mr. Obama of preparing an illegal amnesty and abusing his presidential powers. Among them is John Cornyn, a U.S. Senator from the state of Texas, which borders on Mexico. "Now I can understand that he (Mr. Obama) can prioritize prosecution and deportation, and he has. But where does the president get the authority to issue work permits for millions of people? " But a number of Democratic Party lawmakers praised the president for what they termed his courage. They said he is supporting family values by stopping families from being torn apart. Senator Dick Durbin is a Democrat from Illinois. He rejected charges that the executive order is amnesty. "Doing nothing, leaving the current system in place, is amnesty. What the president is calling for is accountability."

documentary

n., a movie or television program that tells the facts about actual people and events. eg:The documentary film, "To Singapore, with Love" tells about political dissidents from Singapore. The official website says the film explores the stories of nine people who left Singapore between the 1960s and the 1980s. It says they fled to escape persecution by the government -- first, from Singapore's British colonial rulers and, later, by the Singapore government.

being a sheep

n., a person who follows or copies others, without thought. eg:In October, a Taiwan negotiator to China warned that Taiwanese lacked what he called aggressiveness and an enterprising spirit. He warned against "being a sheep" -- following others -- in the face of fast-growing China. The rarely heard criticism by a public official points to growing concern in Taiwan that young people are more likely to prefer a safe job to starting their own business. This way of thinking is different from that of their parents and modern mainland Chinese. This preference for safe jobs threatens new business startups on the island. Officials say such businesses are important for Taiwan's future as an exporter of goods from plastics to electronic products. Officials want Taiwanese to keep inventing and investing so they can remain competitive against other areas.

extinction

n., the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely. eg:Marco Lambertini is the WWF's International Director-General. He spoke to VOA about the report. "This is about losing natural habitats. This is about converting forests, grasslands, and wetlands into agriculture mainly, and it is about unsustainable use of wildlife. So, wildlife traffic, hunting, and unsustainable hunting practices like that. Poaching, as you mention, has been actually increasing over the last 10 years and is definitely a driving force for extinction, particularly of large species. But, also as you mention, there are dimensions to poaching that are related to timber, illegal logging and also fisheries."

culprit

n.someone who has done something wrong. a fact or situation that is the reason for something bad happening. eg:Children in this country are getting much too fat, and sugar and sweets are the main culprits. eg:The culprit, researchers say, is plastic. Coming from virtually everywhere — a veritable river of garbage winding its way into the world's oceans — the trash concentrates in five of the Earth's ocean gyres, which are naturally occurring circular currents, according to University of Hawaii marine scientist Dave Karl. "As you get closer and closer to the central axis of that feature, the waters become more quiescent [calm]," says Karl, who is part of a team of Honolulu-based researchers tracking the huge Pacific trash patch and monitoring its impact on marine life. "So they tend to trap floating debris."

delicate

needing careful treatment , especially because easily damaged.Molly's health has always been delicate (= She becomes ill easily ).Delicate plants need to be kept in a greenhouse during the winter . eg:President Abraham Lincoln feared that if Kentucky seceded, Missouri and Maryland might withdraw from the Union, too. The Confederacy would then become too powerful to fight, he thought. President Lincoln wanted Kentucky firmly on the side of the Union. But he decided not to put Kentucky under military rule, as he had done in Maryland. Historian Amy Murrell Taylor says Lincoln wanted to treat the situation "delicately." "It's about maintaining that support of Kentuckians." Lincoln sent people to Kentucky to urge newspapers to publish pro-union statements. Lincoln's administration also provided weapons and supplies for home guard forces -- local, pro-Union militias.

secular

not having any connection with religion. We live in an increasingly secular society, in which religion has less and less influence on our daily lives. secular education. a secular state. eg:Rise of Turkish Islamic Schooling Upsets Secular Parents

impartial

not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument. impartial advice. A trial must be fair and impartial. eg:A Senator from Maine was one who felt the pressure. But he refused to let it force him to do what others wished. He answered one letter this way: "Sir, I wish you and all my other friends to know that I, not they, am sitting in judgment upon the President. I, not they, have sworn to do impartial justice. I, not they, am responsible to God and man for my action and its results."

mild

not violent, severe or extreme. She can't accept even mild criticism of her work. He has suffered a mild heart attack - nothing too serious. eg:Mr. Landon was the governor of the farm state of Kansas. He was a successful oil producer with conservative business views. But he was open to some of the social reforms of Roosevelt's New Deal. Republicans hoped he would appeal to average Americans who supported mild reforms, but feared Roosevelt's social policies.

reluctant

not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it. I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave. Many parents feel reluctant to talk openly with their children. eg:Morris Levy teaches political science at the University of Southern California. He says many Asian Americans do not identify with any party. "So even among voters who were voting Democrat in the last few elections, many are reluctant to say 'I identify myself as a Democrat.'"

expulsion

noun [C or U] (MAKE LEAVE). (the act of) forcing someone, or being forced, to leave a school, organisation or country. They threatened him with expulsion from school. This is the second expulsion of a club member this year. eg:The order temporarily blocks expulsion of some undocumented immigrants from the United States and gives them work permits. But the immigrants must have been living in the country longer than five years. They also must pass a criminal investigation and have U.S.-born children.

clamp down

v. to prevent something, typically in a harsh way. The government is clamping down on teenage drinking. eg:Human Rights Watch says Mr. Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party are taking steps to control the media and the Internet. It also claims they are clamping down on those who are critical of the government.

blessing

noun [C] (LUCKY SITUATION) . something which is extremely lucky or makes you happy. It was a blessing that no one was killed in the accident. eg:Ron Hope is head of the group Disabled American Veterans. He says the country's recognition of disabled veterans is a long time coming. "I think this memorial is going to be a place that not only the disabled veterans themselves, but their families, their survivors, their caregivers, especially their caregivers, and their dependents can come and reflect upon what it cost every day for their blessings and their freedoms in this country." A blessing is something good that you are grateful for. ⇒ Rivers are a blessing for an agricultural country. eg: The 1964 Civil Rights Act was a law to help guarantee equal chances for jobs for all Americans. It also helped guarantee equal treatment for minorities in stores, eating places, and other businesses. When Johnson signed the bill, he said: JOHNSON: "We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment. We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those rights. We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings -- not because of their own failures -- but because of the color of their skin."

dedication

noun [U] (TIME/ENERGY) . when you give a lot of time and energy to something because it is important. He has always shown great dedication to the cause. She thanked the staff for their dedication and enthusiasm. eg:The ceremonies began with a prayer. Then a former senator and governor from Massachusetts rose to speak. Edward Everett was a well-known speaker. He had been invited to give the dedication address. Everett spoke for almost two hours. He closed his speech with the hope that the nation would come out of the war with greater unity than ever before.

carcinogen

noun. a substance which causes cancer. The American government classifies both asbestos and environmental tobacco smoke as class one carcinogens. eg: Oceanic churning quickly reduces much of the plastic to a chemical sludge, says Allen Clark of Hawaii's East-West Center. In that particular form, he says, it become even more dangerous to marine life, since tiny plankton organisms consume the particles. "[The particles] are eaten by things like jellyfish, who turn out to be one of the favorite food of larger fish, and then you go through the food chain to tuna and things of this nature," he says. "All of this material, and particularly the carcinogens, which get broken down by the animals into the constituent parts that are really bad, that gets concentrated in the fatty tissues of the fish."

tuna

noun.a large fish which lives in warm seas. shoals of tuna. eg:Oceanic churning quickly reduces much of the plastic to a chemical sludge, says Allen Clark of Hawaii's East-West Center. In that particular form, he says, it become even more dangerous to marine life, since tiny plankton organisms consume the particles. "[The particles] are eaten by things like jellyfish, who turn out to be one of the favorite food of larger fish, and then you go through the food chain to tuna and things of this nature," he says. "All of this material, and particularly the carcinogens, which get broken down by the animals into the constituent parts that are really bad, that gets concentrated in the fatty tissues of the fish."

charming

pleasant and attractive. We had dinner with our director and his charming wife. What a charming street this is. eg:Franklin Pierce was 48 years old when he took office. He was the youngest man yet to be elected president. He was charming and made friends easily. But those who knew Pierce best worried about him. They knew that under all his friendly charm, he was a weak man. They feared the duties and problems of the presidency would be too great for him to deal with. eg: Sylvie spent the next day in the forest with the young man. He told her a lot about the birds they saw. Sylvie would have had a much better time if the young man had left his gun at home. She could not understand why he killed the birds he seemed to like so much. She felt her heart tremble every time he shot an unsuspecting bird as it was singing in the trees. But Sylvie watched the young man with eyes full of admiration. She had never seen anyone so handsome and charming. A strange excitement filled her heart, a new feeling the little girl did not recognize...love.

courtesy

polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark. You might get on better with your parents if you showed them some courtesy. [+ to infinitive] He could at least have had the courtesy to say sorry. The President welcomed the Queen with the usual courtesies. eg:Clay had left the Senate in 1842, but returned in 1849. He was surprised to find how bitter the North and South had grown toward each other in his seven years out of the Senate. Clay urged his friends in the "border states" -- those between the northern and southern states -- to work to build public support for the Union. He believed their support would help prevent the South from seceding. Clay also began to think about a compromise that might settle the differences between the two sections of the country. He once said: "I go for honorable compromise whenever it can be made. Life itself is but a compromise between death and life. The struggle continues through our whole existence until the great destroyer finally wins. All legislation, all government, all society is formed upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, and courtesy. Upon these, everything is based." eg:Conkling charged that President Garfield had failed to observe the policy of "Senatorial Courtesy. " Traditionally, the president does not fill federal jobs in a state until he discusses them with the senators from that state. This long-time policy gave senators firm control over local federal jobs. They were quick to attack any changes in the method.

carpetbagger

someone who tries to become a politician in a place away from their home because they think there is a greater chance of succeeding there. eg:The radicals did not rest with changes in the law. They also sent their supporters south to organize blacks for the Republican Party. Many southern whites hated these men from the North. They had a special name for them: carpetbaggers.

reactive

reacting to events or situations rather than acting first to change or prevent something Unfortunately, the police have dealt with the problem of car theft in a reactive rather than a proactive way. eg: Ms. Jacobs also says that the NFL has been merely reacting to events. She says the NFL's history on domestic violence issues is questionable. When asked if the NFL has changed, Ms. Jacobs says that remains to be seen. "Well, that's still to be determined. Every single action by the NFL from the new domestic violence policy to Rice's indefinite suspension has been reactive. The League still seems to be incompetent when it comes to understanding domestic violence. So, it's very hard to say what has changed when really nothing has."

-wise

relating to a particular thing. eg: What shall we do foodwise - do you fancy going out to eat? eg: Moneywise, of course, I'm much better off than I used to be. eg: What do we need to take with us clothes-wise? eg: We were very lucky weather-wise yesterday. eg: Funds represent internal/external funds that are limited time-wise (financing period) and functionally (application of funds), which have been designated for a specific expenditure. They may also be used as administration or accounting units to separate activities so as to facilitate further analyses or reporting.

ecological

relating to ecology or the environment.The destruction of the rain forests is an ecological disaster. eg: Monty Hempel is a professor of environmental sciences at Redlands University in California. He studies ecological literacy -- or ecoliteracy, for short. Ecoliteracy is the ability to think about and understand the natural processes that make life possible. "Some people think that ecoliteracy is just a green form of science literacy. And what I have tried to ask is whether that's enough. In other words, what an ecologically-literate person needs to know might include things like the cycles and the flows, the energy systems, all of those kind of things that we would call the science of ecology."

primitive

relating to human society at a very early stage of development, with people living in a simple way without machines or a writing system. Primitive races colonized these islands 2000 years ago. primitive man. eg:Mr. Lee says the balloon launch is "a primitive humanitarian activity for human rights which opens the eyes, ears and mouths of the North Korean people that have been closed by the North Korean regime."

neurological

relating to nerves neurological disease/damage Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder. eg:He underwent nearly three months of treatment in an outdoor section of the hospital known as "Jardin des Sens" or Garden of the Senses, shielded from view. It specialises in the recovery of severely traumatised neurological patients by exposing them to water, scents and other elements.

barometer

something that can show how a particular situation is developing, or how people's opinions on a particular matter are changing;This survey is considered to be a reliable barometer of public opinion. eg: Can you please take a couple of minutes to complete the Project Barometer survey

cardiovascular

relating to the heart and blood vessels (= tubes that carry blood around the body) cardiovascular disease Researchers from Tufts University in Massachusetts studied people from 181 countries where information was available. They found that they used an average of 3.95 grams of sodium each day in 2010. The WHO suggests that people use no more than two grams of sodium. An estimated 1.65 million people die every year from overuse of sodium. The study noted that 40 percent of those deaths happen in people younger than age 70. The great majority of early deaths happened among people from non-wealthy countries. But there is some good news from the study. People in Kenya, Cameroon and Gabon used the least salt. And Kenya had the lowest death rate from heart disease and stroke. The country of Georgia reported the highest rate of death from cardiovascular problems. Almost 2,000 of every million of the country's people died from heart and arterial diseases. Dr. Dariush Mozzafarian led the Tufts study. He notes the rates of stroke are huge throughout China, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

radical

relating to the most important parts of something or someone; complete or extreme We need to make some radical changes to our operating procedures. She has had to undergo radical surgery (= aimed at removing the cause of a disease). Barker introduced some radically new ideas. "It is a deeply serious situation and we have to show real resolve, real resilience in demonstrating to Russia that if she carries on in this way, the relationship between Europe and Russia, Britain and Russia, America and Russia will be radically different in the future," said Cameron.

amphibious

relating to vehicles which operate both on land or in water. Many are feared trapped in the submerged ship or stranded in 12 degree (C) water. South Korean Navy SEALs are continuing their search inside the sunken vessel, but officials warn those trapped inside may not have survived. Dozens of helicopters and ships are involved in the search and rescue effort. Officials from the U.S. Navy say an amphibious assault vessel is on standby and ready provide support as requested.

meteorological

relating to weather conditions. Accurate meteorological records began 100 years ago. The United Nations says surging carbon dioxide emissions sent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to record levels last year. In its annual report on greenhouse gas concentrations released Tuesday, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said carbon dioxide levels between 2012 and 2013 marked the largest yearly increase since reliable global records began 30 years ago.

patriotic

showing love for your country and being proud of it.eg:Pro-Russian separatists have occupied the regional government offices in Donetsk since April 7. The Soviet-era music and patriotic Russian songs blaring out of speakers may give the feel of a festival, but inside, the militants are preparing in earnest for the government to try to oust them, and there is a sense here of foreboding. eg:One of Ukraine's earliest monasteries once occupied the grounds. Because of the religious importance many feel that the property should be kept as a national park. Henadiy works as a guide with Smile Tours. "It is important for tourism because it gives a patriotic and religious education to people. Not only to Ukrainians but also because it started the spreading of our orthodox faith."

litter

small pieces of rubbish that have been left lying on the ground in public places. About 2% of fast-food packaging ends up as litter.

fluid

smooth and continuous.fluid movements. Unlike their counterparts of past generations, students at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Journalism learn to deliver news across all platforms, including television, radio and the Web. And that's not all, said Willow Bay, director of the School of Journalism. "Today we expect journalists to be able to use all sorts of technological tools to research stories, to vet that research, to analyze that research. We expect them to be fluid in multimedia storytelling skills. We expect them increasingly to be their own marketing and distribution arms, to get their stories in front of audiences and to spread those stories as far as they can," said Bay.

dumbfounded

so shocked that you cannot speak.He was dumbfounded by the allegations.eg:South African President Jacob Zuma has been described by many as the luckiest head of state. Throughout his career, Zuma has been able to escape serious scandals, including rape charges, corruption charges and now misuse of state funds for developments at his private home. Popularly known for his singing and dancing talent, Zuma's art of escaping serious scandals have left many people dumbfounded.

manure

solid waste from animals, especially horses, which is spread on the land in order to make plants grow well. eg: Problems associated with sourcing food are also an issue on land. Disease is affecting the increasing number of pigs imported from the United States. Most western breeds are not meant to be raised in outdoor areas. But in China, these animals are being exposed to the elements as well as insects, mice and other carriers of dangerous illnesses. Gale said the effects of these conditions on the environment have many Chinese worried about food safety. "As the marketing chain distance between the consumer and the pigs increases, the consumers don't really know where their pork came from or what's in it," said Gale. "There are a lot of things like this on the Chinese internet where a local person, in some village, is complaining about the big farms near his house and how they dump all this manure in the water making it undrinkable."

poacher

someone who catches and kills animals illegally. Asian countries, like Thailand, are fighting to contain the illegal ivory trade and the killing of elephants by illegal hunters known as poachers. However, South Africa has a tourism industry that permits people to hunt big game animals such as the elephant, rhinoceros and lion. Many people object to this blood sport. But some argue that hunting big game animals creates income needed to save the country's population of big animals. In many sports, when you win or do well, you get a trophy. This trophy could be a medal, as in the Olympics, or it could be a cup or a small statue. In hunting, especially big game hunting, the trophies are parts of the animal that is killed. In their homes hunters may show the skins, heads and horns of the animals they kill.

smuggler

someone who smuggles. She says that smugglers often leave immigrants in unpopulated areas where there is no water or shelter. Ms. Baker says that it is hard to know how many have died. "So there are probably a lot more individuals who have died and just have not been found." Families in Mexico and Central America have spent many years looking for lost loved ones. Often, officials say, immigrants carry no identification. If they die, they are gone without leaving a trace.

imperialist

someone who supports imperialism. eg:They organized anti-imperialist groups in many cities to oppose the treaty. They made speeches and published newspapers explaining their opposition. Imperialism, they said, had ruined ancient Rome. And it would ruin the American republic.

liar

someone who tells lies. He's such a liar - you can't trust a word he says. eg: Seymour's supporters spent most of their time answering Republican charges. They struck back by accusing Grant of being a liar. They said he was controlled by extremists. They said he would rule from the White House like a dictator. The democratic attacks failed. Grant got more popular votes and electoral votes than Seymour. He won the election. It was a great victory for the military hero. Yet it also was the start of an administration that would suffer many problems. Ulysses Grant would prove to be much less successful in politics than in war.

distraction

something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention. something that amuses or entertains you so that you do not think about problems, work, etc. a state in which you are very annoyed or upset. when you are very bored or annoyed.That dreadful noise is driving me to distraction. eg: Secretary of State John Kerry says Russia is "stoking instability" in Ukraine, and the Obama administration will impose additional sanctions against Moscow if it does not keep promises made last week to help de-escalate the crisis. Kerry says the world has rightly judged that authorities in Kyiv are working in good faith to de-escalate the crisis, while Moscow "has put its faith in distraction, deception and destabilization." eg: Dealing with Distractions and Overreactions.

impediment

something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible. In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress. eg: to move within the country. "This is not, no longer a problem. Even though they have that household registration system still in place, but this not a major impediment." Like most international migrants, immigrants within China are seeking better jobs and richer opportunities.

diversion

something that takes your attention away from something else. Shoplifters often work in pairs, with one creating a diversion (= an action that takes someone's attention away from something) to distract the shop assistants while the other steals the goods. eg: DWIGHT EISENHOWER: "Now, where will a new administration begin. It will begin with its president taking a firm, simple resolution. That resolution will be to forego the diversions of politics and to concentrate on the job of ending the Korean War, until that job is honorably done. That job requires a personal trip to Korea. Only in that way could I learn how best to serve the American people in the cause of peace. I shall go to Korea."

shelf

specialized a flat area of rock under water or on a cliff. Antarctica is covered with ice that extends past the land and floats on the sea in thick shelves. But those ice shelves are melting quickly. As they melt, the sea level rises, increasing the risk of damaging floods.

sleight of hand

speed and skill of the hand when performing tricks. skilful hiding of the truth in order to win an advantage.By some statistical sleight of hand the government have produced figures showing that unemployment has recently fallen. eg: The image fade technique is a bit like a sleight of hand where you use another invisible object to hide a part of the main image and thus combine them to give the appearance of a fade.

logging

the activity of cutting down trees for wood. logging companies. eg:Marco Lambertini is the WWF's International Director-General. He spoke to VOA about the report. "This is about losing natural habitats. This is about converting forests, grasslands, and wetlands into agriculture mainly, and it is about unsustainable use of wildlife. So, wildlife traffic, hunting, and unsustainable hunting practices like that. Poaching, as you mention, has been actually increasing over the last 10 years and is definitely a driving force for extinction, particularly of large species. But, also as you mention, there are dimensions to poaching that are related to timber, illegal logging and also fisheries."

partisan

strongly supporting a person, principle or political party, often without considering or judging the matter very carefully. The audience was very partisan, and refused to listen to her speech. partisan politics. eg:This will create much more difficulty for President Obama to make the kind of progress that he's wanted to see in both the Iranian negotiations -- Iran's nuclear negotiations -- and the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. Both of those issues have regrettably been used over the years as a partisan football on Capitol Hill. eg: At the end of March, 1968, the president spoke to the American people on television. He told of his proposal to end American bombing of North Vietnam. He told of the appointment of a special ambassador to start peace negotiations. And he told of his decision about his own future: LYNDON JOHNSON: "I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office -- the presidency of your country. Accordingly, I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president."

hawkish

supporting the use of force in political relationships rather than discussion or other more peaceful solutions. The president is hawkish on foreign policy. eg:Mr. Fortier says it will be difficult to defeat her. He says other Democrats surely will challenge her. And he says they probably will try to make the argument from the left - the more liberal side of the party. He also says she may be criticized for being too hawkish about foreign policy.

the Pilgrim Fathers

the group of English people who sailed to North America on the ship 'Mayflower' where they formed Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in 1620. eg: The Pilgrims chose Plymouth Bay for their new home.This area was outside the area of the Virginia Company,so the Pilgrims had no legal right to the land,and no ability to form q goverment. Still on the ship,the Pilgrim Fathers created the short Mayflower Compact.It was a simple agreement to form a government,governed by the majority.

acidity

the amount of acid in a substance or in your stomach. This low pH level clearly shows the acidity of the soil here. eg:"Reefs are really sensitive to temperature and ocean acidity. So with global climate change happening, you are having rising sea levels, warming water, and increased acidification...So it just serves as a proxy for marine health."

morale

the amount of confidence felt by a person or group of people, especially when in a dangerous or difficult situation. A couple of victories would improve the team's morale enormously. There have been a lot of recent redundancies so morale is fairly low. eg:General Karuma says there are many issues because the LRA fighters are always on the move. "We need the mobility. We need to cater for our troops for morale purposes and other things that make the force to operate. And manpower. If we could get the original projected force of 5,000, yes. But now we are operating at about 2,000. And these countries are huge in terms of size."

fitness

the condition of being physically strong and healthy. I'm trying to improve my fitness by cycling to work. eg:As we said earlier, running is hard on your body. So physical fitness experts suggest some form of cross training to improve muscle balance and to help you stay injury free. They say swimming, cycling, and yoga are good exercises to combine with running. These exercises are easier on the body.

bigamy

the crime of marrying a person while already legally married to someone else. In court, he admitted that he had committed bigamy. eg:They said Jackson was an adulterer for having a relationship with a married woman. And they said Rachel was a bigamist for having two husbands. eg:For instance, a man once accused Jackson of cheating on a horse racing bet. Then the man called his wife a bigamist. Jackson killed the man in a duel.

seashell

the empty shell of a small sea creature, often one found lying on the beach. eg: Here in this little house, my spirit seemed to come to life again. I saw a bright rug on the shining wooden floor. Pictures hung all around the room. And on little tables there were seashells, books and china vases full of flowers. A woman had made this house into a home.

establishment

the establishment ,the important and powerful people who control a country or an organization, especially those who support the existing situation. Critics said judges were on the side of the establishment. eg:But Mr. Ayres says nobody is a clear choice to be the Republican nominee. "Whoever wins it will demonstrate an ability to join Tea Party, Libertarian, establishment, social conservative and internationalist Republicans all in one coalition and get enough each of those groups to build a majority."

tilt

to (cause to) move into a sloping position.He tilted his chair backwards and put his feet up on his desk.The front seats of the car tilt.Anna looked up at him with her head tilted to one side. eg:Authorities have not established the cause of the disaster, but some survivors report hearing a loud impact noise before the vessel tilted and began sinking. On Friday, Yonhap quoted investigators as saying the ferry's sudden turn may have caused 180 vehicles and nearly 1,200 tons of freight to shift, causing the vessel to tilt to one side.

credibility

the fact that someone can be believed or trusted: His arrest for lewd behaviour seriously damaged his credibility as a religious leader. He complained that we had tried to undermine his credibility within the company. eg:I know that rankings matter to a lot of parents and students worldwide, but here in the U.S. we pay very little attention to rankings. The rankings that are produced are actually the opinion of several different magazines. They're not really official government rankings. The U.S. doesn't have a universal ranking system. So the way that we see it is that rankings are, just produced by several magazines. Usually the same schools are typically listed as the top 10 or top 20 year after year. So in the U.S., they don't really have that much credibility. With that said, we know that to many families abroad and outside the United States, rankings are very important.

suspense

the feeling of excitement or nervousness which you have when you are waiting for something to happen and are uncertain about what it is going to be. She kept him in suspense for several days before she said that she would marry him. eg:The short film won a Sundance Festival grand jury prize. At that point, Vice Media provided two million dollars to finance a feature-length version of the film. It was filmed again in Mombasa with many of the same Somali non-actors. Again, they invented their own speeches. Mr. Hodierne used a translator - a language expert - to tell them only basic facts about what should happen in each scene. "So, they knew what was going to happen within a scene, and then they would improvise all the dialogue (talk) within that scene, so that it was in their voice. And they were amazing at that; they added so much to it that I couldn't have written on a page, so I consider them almost co-writers of the movie." Mr. Hodierne likes to describe Fishing Without Nets as an action film for theaters that show artistic films. He says the "unlikely combination of suspense and reflectiveness" works well. One critic described the movie with words like "powerful, deliberate and absolutely beautiful." The full-length film won a grand jury directing award at the Sundance Festival earlier this year. It will be released to some theaters in the United States and then available on video-on demand.

friction

the force which makes it difficult for one object to slide along the surface of another or to move through a liquid or gasWhen you rub your hands together the friction produces heat. eg:Following Tibetan riots in 2008 that left parts of Lhasa in ruins, Frenchmen Eric Meyer and Laurent Zylberman were the only freelance journalists Beijing allowed into Tibet. They witnessed the friction between Han Chinese helping to usher in a modern culture and Tibetans seeking to hold on to centuries-old traditions.Through a day-to-day narrative of their visit, analysis of what they saw, and in stunning black and white photographs, they portray changes, clashes and emotions in a new book: Tibet, The Last Cry. Eric Meyer told VOA's Jim Stevenson of both what he sees as lament and optimism for the future of Tibet.

cavalry

the group of soldiers in an army who fight in tanks, or (especially in the past) on horses. eg：Grant gave the paper to Lee. Lee read it slowly. When he finished, Grant asked if the Confederate General wished to propose any changes. Lee was silent for a moment. "There is one thing," he said. "The cavalrymen and artillerymen in our army own their own horses. I would like to understand if these men will be allowed to keep their horses. eg:Many of them were bitter. They wanted to continue to fight. They spoke of guerrilla war against the Yankees. But most of the Confederate commanders opposed this. Many, like cavalry General Nathan Bedford Forrest, urged their men to accept defeat. Said Forrest in a farewell speech to his men: "It is a clear fact that we are beaten. We would be foolish to try to fight further. The government which we tried to establish is at an end. Civil War -- such as you have just passed through -- naturally causes feelings of bitterness and hatred. We must put these feelings aside. Whatever your responsibilities may be, meet them like men. You have been good soldiers. You can be good citizens."

judiciary

the part of a country's government which is responsible for its legal system and which consists of all the judges in the country's courts of law. eg:Emma Sinclair Webb says the government wants to have control of judiciary powers -- the courts and judges. "And they basically have shown signs of wanting to have prosecutors and judges who simply do the government's bidding and simply act according to the government's interests. Once you start creating a judiciary that does that you lose all independence of the judiciary, and you fundamentally undermine the rule of law."

infantry

the part of an army that fights on foot.The infantry was/were sent into battle . eg: We're talking about a considerable number of forces, at least, from what I understand, five infantry brigades, a large amount of armored tanks, combat engineers, and of course they're all supported by aerial drones, the navy and a good amount of artillery. eg:When Pickett's charge began with its 13,000 troops, there were less than 6,000 Union infantry soldiers to encounter them.

trump sth up

to accuse someone of something they have not done in order to have an excuse for punishing them. trumped-up .adj. something done or created to make someone appear to be guilty of a crime She was imprisoned on trumped-up corruption charges. eg:China said Friday charges of its involvement are irresponsible. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Beijing hopes the U.S. would be "less suspicious and stop making any unverified allegations." He spoke at a regular news briefing. "We know that hacker attacks are conducted anonymously, across nations, and that it is hard to track the source," Hong said. "It is irresponsible and unscientific to make conjectural, trumped-up allegations without deep investigation."

emancipation

the process of giving people social or political freedom and rights. women's/female emancipation black emancipation eg:Antietam was a violent, savage battle -- the bloodiest one-day battle in American history. But the North's victory there made it easier for Abraham Lincoln to make an important announcement. Lincoln decided to recognize that slavery was, in fact, a major issue in the war. On September 22, 1862, he announced a new policy on slavery in the rebel southern states. His announcement became known as the Emancipation Proclamation.

grandeur

the quality of being very large and special or beautiful. the silent grandeur of the desert. the grandeur of Wagner's music. Hilton Worldwide is selling the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City to a Chinese company for $1.95 billion. The buyer -- Anbang Insurance Group -- will pay one of highest prices ever for a U.S. hotel. Hilton Worldwide says it will use the money from the sale to buy other hotels in the United States. As part of the deal, Hilton will continue to operate the Waldorf Astoria for the next 100 years. The Chinese buyer has said it will invest in remodeling the famous property on Park Avenue to bring it back to its "historical grandeur."

effort

the result of an attempt to produce something, especially when its quality is low or uncertain. eg:Do you want to have a look at his exam paper? It's a fairly poor effort. eg:He also expressed concern over apparent efforts to disrupt Ukraine's presidential elections, scheduled for May 25, saying that international efforts should now be centered on allowing Ukraine to hold a free and fair poll. Carney gave credit to Kyiv authorities for what he said were efforts to address grievances of residents of Ukraine's east through negotiations. Holding "illegal referendums" and "annexing parts of countries" is not a way forward, he added. Kyiv and Western governments have been accusing Moscow of orchestrating the current unrest in Ukraine's east and south.

the Irish Sea

the sea between Britain and Ireland. eg: When a German submarine sank a British ship in the Irish Sea, one of the victims was an American citizen.

spectrum

the set of colours into which a beam of light can be separated, or a range of waves, such as light waves or radio waves. eg: The colours of the spectrum - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet - can be seen in a rainbow. eg: The energy and matter, called plasma, that flow through the interface region have a major effect on Earth. This area is the source of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. The radiation affects Earth's climate. It also can influence the space environment near our planet. The energy that passes into the interface region is also responsible for solar wind. Scientists believe the Interface Regional Imaging Spectrograph can help them understand the process. IRIS is a small satellite that can perform complex solar observations. Alan Title is the IRIS lead investigator. He is based at Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Center in California. "What we want to discover is what the basic physical processes are that transfer energy and material from the surface of the sun out to the outer atmosphere to the corona. And remember, the corona extends throughout the heliosphere. We live in the sun's outer atmosphere." IRIS will provide highly detailed images that will show even individual structures of energy as they stretch away from the sun. NASA officials say the images will be three to four times as detailed as those from the agency's Solar Dynamics Observatory. IRIS will also provide spectra. Spectra measures different wavelengths of light at once.

curriculum

the subjects studied in a school, college, etc. and what each subject includes; an integrated course of academic studies;eg: The government's argument that it should not have to support a non-local curriculum is nonsense when you consider that senior civil servants' children are educated either overseas or in international schools here at taxpayers' expense。 The effort is being led by a group called Scholarism, which was established three years ago by 15- and 16-year-old high school students in opposition to nationalistic curriculum.

stoke

to add fuel to a large closed fire and move the fuel around with a stick so that it burns well and produces a lot of heat. to encourage bad ideas or feelings in a lot of people.He's been accused of stoking up racial hatred in the region.eg: Kerry Threatens More Sanctions, Says Russia is 'Stoking Instability' in Ukraine

admit

to allow someone to enter a place.The Education Bureau's website lists 83 direct subsidy schools under the category "Education services for non-Chinese-speaking students". Direct subsidy schools, unlike government-funded ones, can charge fees and have greater freedom to implement different curriculums. The South China Morning Post called all the schools on the list to find out their admission requirements for non-Chinese-speaking children. Of the 62 secondary schools, 38 said they did not admit such pupils because either most of their lessons were taught in Chinese, or the subject was compulsory in their curriculum. Ten out of the 21 primary schools said the same, but many of the remaining 11 that did enrol non-Chinese-speaking pupils said parents should expect their children to encounter difficulties in the subject.

Attorney General

the top legal officer in some countries, who advises the leader of the government. eg: The protestors are angry about the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown on August 9th. The president returned to the White House this week in the middle of a planned vacation. He met with Attorney General Eric Holder. Mr. Holder is leading the federal civil rights investigation of the shooting. After the meeting, the president spoke about the problems of race relations in America. "To a community in Ferguson that is rightly hurting and looking for answers, let me call once again for us to seek some understanding rather than simply holler at each other. Let's seek to heal rather than to wound each other. As Americans we've gotta use this moment to seek our shared humanity that's been laid bare by this moment." eg: Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts was named Attorney General. Although a northerner, Cushing was a friend of many southerners. He was a very able man, but his loyalties were not clear. James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was named Minister to Britain.

malice

the wish to harm or upset other people. There certainly wasn't any malice in her comments. formal I bear him no malice (= do not want to harm or upset him). eg:"We hope -- and we pray -- that this terrible war may pass away quickly. But God may wish it otherwise. He may have it continue until the riches earned from two hundred fifty years of slavery are gone. It may continue until every drop of blood made by the slaveowner's whip is paid for by another made by the soldier's sword. "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right -- as God gives us to see the right -- let us strive on to finish the work we are in. Let us heal the nation's wounds. Let us do all possible to get and keep a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

prostitution

the work of a prostitute Poverty drove her to prostitution. Health workers say women who work in Thailand's prostitution centers are better-protected from HIV. Women in these centers understand how to avoid the virus. And they take steps to keep from getting infected. However, the UNICEF study found that female sex workers in Thailand who are not Thai often cannot use the country's free health services. They also may not get important information about how to prevent HIV. And another group of young women is at a higher risk of getting the virus: those who have sex for money but do not work all the time as sex workers. Mr. Gass says this group includes university students and young girls. He says they meet the people they will have sex with on the street or at bars. He says they "really don't have the life skills and negotiating ability to ensure that the partners that they spend time with are using condoms." Researchers estimate about 500,000 people in Thailand are living with HIV. At one time AIDS was the top killer in the country. Now the disease is number five. It is responsible for four percent of all deaths in Thailand.

capsize

to (cause a boat or ship to) turn upside down by accident while on water.When the boat capsized we were trapped underneath it. Nearly 300 people remain missing after a ferry capsized off the southern coast of South Korea Wednesday with more than 462 people on board, most of them high school students. eg: Divers continue to pull bodies from the sunken South Korean ferryboat, as authorities widened their inquiry and released transcripts capturing the confusion as the ship capsized five days ago.

orchestrate

to arrange something carefully, and sometimes unfairly, so as to achieve a wanted result.eg:Their victory was largely a result of their brilliantly orchestrated election campaign.eg:U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power dismissed the Russian criticism, saying there is substantial evidence of Russian involvement in the unrest in eastern Ukraine. She called it a well-orchestrated professional campaign of incitement and sabotage. Masked pro-Russians seized armored vehicles from the Ukrainian army Wednesday near Slovyansk. The Ukrainian troops did not resist. There are reports of some Ukrainian soldiers switching sides when confronted by the pro-Russians. Russian speakers have taken over Ukrainian government buildings in nearly a dozen eastern towns and cities. The Ukrainian army has launched what it calls an anti-terrorist operation to retake the buildings, but it is unclear how much fighting is actually taking place. eg: He also expressed concern over apparent efforts to disrupt Ukraine's presidential elections, scheduled for May 25, saying that international efforts should now be centered on allowing Ukraine to hold a free and fair poll. Carney gave credit to Kyiv authorities for what he said were efforts to address grievances of residents of Ukraine's east through negotiations. Holding "illegal referendums" and "annexing parts of countries" is not a way forward, he added. Kyiv and Western governments have been accusing Moscow of orchestrating the current unrest in Ukraine's east and south.

interrogate

to ask someone a lot of questions for a long time in order to get information, sometimes using threats or violence. Thousands of dissidents have been interrogated or imprisoned in recent weeks. eg: The report provides details of what the intelligence agency's critics have called harsh interrogation techniques. Dianne Feinstein is chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. She says the agency had violated U.S. law and American values.

solicit

to ask someone for money, information or help. to solicit donations for a charity. It is illegal for public officials to solicit gifts or money in exchange for favours. eg:Mr. Cooper says if people get a letter or an e-mail stating they have won, and asking for money, it is not from the U.S. government. He says the State Department does not contact winners that way. He says although winners must pay for their visa and related costs, they do not have to pay money to enter the lottery. "No cost whatsoever. They will never receive any solicitation for any money by mail or e-mail from the U.S. government. All of this is done through that website -- at dvlottery.state.gov. They will have a registration number that they will use to check the status of their case themselves from that website. And we'll never send them anything saying 'Congratulations you've been accepted,' or 'Send us some money here.' It's all gotta be through that website and they'll be protected in that way."

dodge

to avoid being hit by something by moving quickly to one side.to avoid something unpleasant.The minister dodged questions about his relationship with the actress. eg:"'Draft Dodger Rag' was a very important, influential song. And it was recorded by many folk singers and groups. And the lyrics were filled with ways to dodge the draft," Waffen added. Draft dodging songs, like "Draft Dodger Rag" or David Crosby's "Draft Morning," mostly talked about the unfairness of the draft. "The 'Fortunate Son' song had several lines in it that referred to privileged youth who are able to avoid the draft and not have to participate in the war," Waffen said

pertain to sth

to be connected with a particular subject, event or situation. We are only interested in the parts of the proposals that pertain to local issues. eg:Mr. Idiz says that means Turkish politicians will seek to use public fears and increased nationalism to win support in general elections. The voting is to take place by June of next year. He said there is a feeling that Turkish leaders are guarding the country against plans by hostile outsiders. "It is fact that politicians in Turkey also use this to their advantage. There is a perception that they are guarding Turkey against nefarious outside plans. Erdogan himself was reviving imagery pertaining to the First World War, so as you see we have this being utilized at the highest level of the policy in Turkey."

slate

to be expected to happen in the future or to be expected to be or do something in the future.Geoff is slated to be the next captain of the football team.Tymoshenko, who also met with Donetsk business leaders, had planned to hold a news conference outside the regional government offices. But an air of menace from gathering masked militants, a scuffle and the arrival of pro-Russian babushukas (elderly women) persuaded her aides to move to a nearby hotel. Eastern Ukraine is not a political stronghold for the former prime minister. And although Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted that she is his favorite among all the candidates in Ukraine's presidential elections slated for next month, Tymoshenko remains unpopular here. Despite that, some political analysts suspect Tymoshenko, who is trailing badly in opinion polls, hopes to pick up votes in the east and to present herself as the only candidate who can appeal to both ethnic Ukrainians and Russians. Some pro-Ukrainian activists are angry she held talks with pro-Russian separatists. Their disappointment increased later Tuesday when news broke that a local politician and member of Tymoshenko's own Fatherland Party was found dead, with his body showing signs of torture. The Kyiv government suspects that pro-Russian militants were behind the killing. The murder has prompted Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov to threaten to re-launch an anti-terrorist operation in the east of the country and forcibly evict pro-Russian separatists from the buildings they have occupied. Tymoshenko says it is important to continue to negotiate. However, negotiations don't appear to be resolving the crisis. Vladimir Makovich, speaker of the presidium of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic, remains adamant. He says the only way he and his men will leave peacefully is if the government in Kyiv resigns.

call the shots

to be in the position of being able to make the decisions which will influence a situation. The company was more successful when just one or two people were calling the shots. "Who is calling the shots in this house?" eg: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein told NBC television Sunday she believes the situation in Ukraine is deeply personal for Putin, and she said he may be calling the shots himself. "People say, 'Just wait till the sanctions bite and the economy slips.' I don't think so. I think if Russians follow him, and ... they are following him ... the Russians are very brave and very long suffering, and they will tough out any economic difficulty," she said.

be/get bogged down

to be/become so involved in something difficult or complicated that you cannot do anything else. Let's not get bogged down with individual complaints. UK Try not to get too bogged down in the details. The defense lawyer introduced so much evidence that the trial became bogged down in a quagmire of irrelevant information.

flatter yourself

to believe something good about yourself although it might not be true. [+ that] Clive flatters himself that he's an excellent speaker. eg:Yet others saw in the speech what later served to establish it as a part of English literature, namely, the simple and direct style, the expression in almost perfect language of the central idea for which Lincoln lived and died. Edward Everett's opinion was typical of this point of view when, the next day, he wrote the following note to Lincoln, "I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came to near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes." Lincoln's answer was also typical. He replied to Everett, saying. "You could not have been excused to make a short address, nor I a long one. I am pleased to know that, in your judgment, the little I did say was not entirely a failure. "

sigh

to breathe out slowly and noisily, expressing tiredness, sadness, pleasure, etc.: She sighed deeply and sat down. [+ speech] "I wish he was here," she sighed (= she said with a sigh). If the wind sighs, it makes a long, soft sound as it moves through trees: I lay on my back, listening to the sound of the wind sighing in the trees. eg: "Where is she now?" I asked. "Oh, she is away," the man sighed, putting the picture back on the little black shelf. "She went to visit her parents. They live forty or fifty miles from here. She has been gone two weeks today." eg:Sylvie gave a long sigh. She knew the wild bird's secret now. Slowly she began her dangerous trip down the ancient pine tree. She did not dare to look down and tried to forget that her fingers hurt and her feet were bleeding. All she wanted to think about was what the stranger would say to her when she told him where to find the heron's nest.

bear(bore,borne)

to carry and move something to a place. eg: At Christmas the family descend on the house bearing gifts. eg: Countless waiters bore trays of drinks into the room. eg: The sound of the ice-cream van was borne into the office on the wind. eg: During the campaigns at the height of malaria season - from July to October - young children will be offered so-called chemoprevention drugs. Small children are at highest risk of dying from malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic illness that claimed the lives of some three-quarters of a million people in 2012, most of them children and babies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Well after

to carry on for an extended period of time after the actual event or something already happened. eg:Historian Daniel Feller at the University of Tennessee is an expert on Andrew Jackson. He says the charges about Jackson's marriage made a good story for people to talk about. But he says other accusations were more serious. These were about Jackson's career. "The attacks that really hit home were about Jackson's unauthorized, and perhaps directly-against-orders, conquest of Florida in 1819. His sometimes savage disciplinary measures against his own troops. His declaring martial law in New Orleans and maintaining martial law in New Orleans and arresting people in New Orleans well after the War of 1812 was actually over." eg:After the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson was accused of arresting people and violating people's rights for many more months. He was supposed to stop doing that right after the war ended but he refused. He continued to inflict pains and sufferings on soldiers and enemies for a long time without any respect for the law. These bad actions and decisions were well after (a long time after) the war ended.

provoke

to cause a reaction, especially a negative one. The prospect of increased prices has already provoked an outcry. Test results provoked worries that the reactor could overheat. Her comments provoked an outburst of anger from the boss.

entangle

to cause something to become caught in something such as a net or ropes The dolphin had become entangled in/with the fishing nets. entangled in/with sth/sb. involved with something or someone in a way that makes it difficult to escape He went to the shop to buy bread, and got entangled in/with a carnival parade. The mayor and the city council are anxious to avoid getting entangled in the controversy. She seems to be romantically entangled with some artist in Rome. eg: They do not want to get too involved overseas or entangled with foreign countries or foreign problems.

go ahead (with something)

to continue with something; to continue with plans to do something. Can we go ahead with our party plans? Let's go ahead with it. eg: A U.S. tourism company that organized a trip for the American citizen detained earlier this month in North Korea said it will go ahead with further trips there for Americans. "Given the facts of the case, we have decided to just go ahead with all of our scheduled tours," said John Dantzler-Wolfe, director of the New Jersey-based Uri Tours. The detention of 24-year-old Matthew Todd Miller is "a pretty unique situation," Dantzler-Wolfe said. Dantzler-Wolfe said the company's tour partners in the communist country told him that Miller had ripped up his visa and declared he was not a tourist. Uri Tours expects no further difficulties in continuing its North Korea excursions, Dantzler-Wolfe said. The company had communicated with its North Korean tour partners and was cooperating with diplomatic authorities to resolve Miller's detention, he said. North Korea announced Friday that an American had arrived there April 10 and was being held for "rash behavior" while passing through customs. The North Korean government also said Miller had demanded asylum. The State Department said it was aware of Miller's detention and was working with the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang on the issue. The Swedish Embassy often represents the interests of American citizens in the reclusive state, as Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.

disparage

to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not respect or value them. Brown's family and supporters have demanded for days that the officer who shot Brown be held accountable. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the shooting for any civil rights violations, and the St. Louis County Police department is also investigating the shooting. For days, police repeatedly refused to identify the officer involved, citing concerns for his safety. On Friday, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson gave in to community pressure and identified Darren Wilson, 28, as the officer involved. But at the same time, Jackson added to the community's outrage when he announced Brown had been a suspect in the robbery of a convenience store at the time he was shot. Jackson later told a news conference that when Wilson shot Brown, the officer did not know the teen was a suspect in the robbery. There was no connection between the shooting and the alleged robbery, Jackson said. Nixon said the release of the video was "not right." "Quite frankly we disagree deeply. I think for two reasons, number one to attempt, in essence, to disparage the character of this victim in the middle of a process like this is not right. It's just not right. And secondarily, it did put the community and quite frankly the region and the nation on alert again," Nixon said. "I think it had an incendiary effect," he said on CBS' Face the Nation, adding police "clearly are attempting to besmirch a victim of a shooting." Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Brown's family, said in a statement issued on Friday that the family was "beyond outraged" at the police attempts to "assassinate the character of their son." Other law enforcement agencies have criticized the Ferguson police department for trying to make the alleged robbery an issue connected to the shooting, and for releasing a video from inside the store that shows Brown violently shoving a store clerk before he walks out the door. The U.S. Justice Department asked Ferguson police on Thursday not to release the video, out of a concern it would roil the community further, but on Friday it was released over the objections of federal officials, said a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity.

denounce

to criticize something or someone strongly and publicly. The government's economic policy has been denounced on all sides. We must denounce injustice and oppression. eg:Clay said he did not want to debate, but wished that the senators would think carefully about his proposals. He said he hoped they would decide on them only after careful study. He asked them to see the proposals as a system of compromise, not as separate bills. Clay expected extremists on both sides to denounce the compromise. But he believed the more reasonable leaders of the North and South would accept it.

weep

to cry tears. People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced. She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left. eg:Lee got on his horse and rode slowly back to his army. As he entered Confederate lines, men began to cheer. But the cheering died when the soldiers saw the pain and sorrow in Lee's face. Tears filled the old man's eyes. He could not speak. Soldiers removed their hats and watched silently as Lee rode past. Many wept.

hack

to cut into pieces in a rough and violent way, often without aiming exactly. Three villagers were hacked to death in a savage attack. Don't just hack (away) at the bread - cut it properly! The butcher hacked off a large chunk of meat. figurative The article had been hacked about (= carelessly changed) so much it was scarcely recognizable. If you hack something or hack at it, you cut it with strong, rough strokes using a sharp tool such as an axe or a knife. An armed gang barged onto the train and began hacking and shooting anyone in sight. Matthew desperately hacked through the leather. eg:So John Brown persuaded four of his sons, his son-in-law, and two other men to answer the sack of Lawrence. Brown believed that the battle against the forces of slavery must continue. And he believed that God had chosen him to lead it. Late at night, Brown and the other men went to a settlement near Pottawatomie Creek. They went to three homes and seized five pro-slavery men. "Took these five men out of their beds, defenseless, unarmed, and hacked them to death with broad swords." Historian Nicole Etcheson explains that Brown's group seized the men, murdered them, and left their bodies next to the creek. The event became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre.

cope

to deal successfully with a difficult situation. It must be difficult to cope with three small children and a job. The tyres on my car don't cope very well on wet roads. He had so much pressure on him in his job that eventually he just couldn't cope. eg:Mr. Levine says the first step in dealing with ADHD is getting the facts straight. "In America, the diagnosis rate in children generally is quoted in the range of about 3 to 7 percent of children. It's more common in boys, by about three to one. This is a highly inheritable disorder. They can't get over ADHD. I mean it's not something that you can make go away. As many as two-third of the children who have problems with ADHD will have difficulties as adults. You can't cure it. You have to find ways of coping with it."

bluff

to deceive someone by making them think either that you are going to do something when you really have no intention of doing it, or that you have knowledge that you do not really have, or that you are someone else. Is he going to jump or is he only bluffing? Tony seems to know a lot about music, but sometimes I think he's only bluffing. She bluffed the doorman into thinking that she was a reporter. eg:Russia, cut off from Western capital by sanctions, will struggle to pay for it. The countries on the route are also cash-strapped, and Brussels is unlikely to provide financing. The EU's energy chief has said the Russian idea is economically flawed and in breach of legally binding contracts. "At the moment, this is just a fairy tale,'' said Attila Holoda, managing director of Hungary-based energy consulting firm Aurora Energy Kft, who considers the scheme a "classic Russian bluff'."

crush

to defeat someone completely.The president called upon the army to help crush the rebellion. eg:The president and the generals in Vietnam told Americans back home that the U.S. was winning the war. But in January 1968, North Vietnamese soldiers attacked positions deep inside South Vietnam, including the U.S. embassy. Though the offensive was soon crushed, it left Americans doubting what they were being told.

uphold

to defend or keep a principle or law, or to state that a decision which has already been made, especially a legal one, is correct。 As a police officer you are expected to uphold the law whether you agree with it or not. Judge Davis upheld the county court's decision. eg: Because Mr. Scott was not a citizen, he had no right to ask the court even to hear his case.Jean Harvey Baker is a historian. She explains the decision this way: "The court ruled that blacks had no rights in the United States that the white man was bound to uphold."

formulate

to develop all the details of a plan for doing something. U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel to Wales this week for a NATO summit that will address the crisis and formulate a strategy aimed at deterring what is widely seen as Russia's territorial overreach.

resort to sth

to do something that you do not want to do because you cannot find any other way of achieving something I had to resort to violence/threats to get my money. [+ -ing verb] When she didn't answer the telephone, I resorted to standing outside her window and calling up to her. eg: Harwit said the parents of Internet-addicted youth are desperate to cure their offspring. Some even resort to drugging their kids to take them to the camps.

dissolve

to end an official organization or a legal arrangement Parliament has been dissolved. Their marriage was dissolved in 1968. Douglas expected Lincoln to win the election. But he knew a Lincoln victory would create problems. If Lincoln became president, some people who strongly supported slavery threatened to take the Southern states out of the union. So Douglas turned his efforts to a campaign for the union itself. He said, "The election of a man to the presidency by the American people, under the Constitution, is no reason for any attempt to dissolve this glorious nation."

fizzle out

to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way. They went off to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out. eg:The task force countries promised a total of 5,000 soldiers. 2,000 from Uganda, and 1,000 from each of the other three countries. But a Ugandan commander says none of the countries has been able to provide the promised troops. Colonel Mike Kabagno heads the Uganda force in the CAR. "As we speak now, Uganda is at 1,500. We were at 2,000, but (with) other commitments, we keep on going up and down. Central Africa, nil. When (President Francois) Bozize was overthrown, everyone fizzled out. DRC, 100, 500. It keeps up and down. South Sudan, the same thing. They have problems, so they have to come in and out. The figure now (is) 100, 200."

try

to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a court of law by asking them questions and considering known facts, and then decide if they are guilty Because of security implications the officers were tried in secret. eg: But the professor notes Chinese government concerns about dual citizenship. "For example, when a Chinese [citizen] who holds an American passport commits a crime, or has confrontation with the Chinese government, in case he or she is detained or tried in China, the Chinese government will have to inform and work with the U.S. on his case. This is not only a cumbersome process, but also gives foreign countries excuses to interfere with China's internal affairs." eg: Eisenhower chose Senator Richard Nixon of California as his vice presidential candidate. By that time, Mr. Nixon was known throughout the United States for his strong opposition to communism. Earlier, as a member of the House of Representatives, he had led the investigation of a former State Department official, Alger Hiss. Hiss was accused of helping provide secret information to the Soviet Union. Hiss denied the accusation. He was never officially charged with spying. But he was tried and found guilty of lying to a grand jury and was sentenced to prison.

wage

to fight a war or organize a series of activities in order to achieve something Surely the President needs Congress' permission to wage war on another country? They've been waging a long campaign to change the law. For his part, Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin accused the Kyiv government of "waging war against its own people" in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. Churkin, however, did not deny the involvement of Russian forces in the area.

nitpick

to find faults in details which are not important. Must you nitpick all the time? eg: Ms. Hess says she expected criticism of her choices -- questions such as "Why did you choose that photograph?" or "Why didn't you include this one?" But they never came. "You know, you can't please everyone with a book like this -- especially when there's just so much material I could have included. But actually it's been more, the comments have been more positive, just 'Oh wow, these images are amazing.' A lot of readers, you know, have said they had no idea that the Library of Congress had images like this. And so that, that's, you know, exactly what we wanted -- we wanted people to realize that we have these in our collection, and that these images are for everybody, they're for the public. You know, they're, you can use these images. So, it, it's been really positive. Nobody's really complained about, or nitpicked. I think people are just happy that we did it."

inflict

to force someone to experience something very unpleasant. These new bullets are capable of inflicting massive injuries. The suffering inflicted on these children was unimaginable. eg: Phil Robertson is the deputy Asia Director for Human Rights Watch. He says many Vietnamese have complained about abuse of detainees by police. "This is a report about farmers, and businessmen, local merchants, students, and others who ended up in police custody for activities that you or I would not consider to be out of the ordinary and, in fact, where laws were broken these were invariably minor infractions -- yet these people ended up dead or injured from beatings inflicted on them by police while they were being held in police custody."

forge

to form or make, especially by concentrated effort: to forge a friendship through mutual trust. eg:The chief of the French air force was honoured by Singapore on Thursday for his role in helping to forge relations between the air forces of both countries.

eradicate

to get rid of completely or destroy something bad. eg: Analysts note Chinese regulations, recently put in place to eradicate government corruption, are diminishing the effects of banquet culture but high-end seafood and pork consumption are continuing to grow overall. eg: Mr. Carter has spoken many times with the Voice of America. In one of those interviews, he said he is most pleased with the center's work in reducing the threat of Guinea Worm disease. "There's only been one disease in the history of humankind ever eradicated, and that was smallpox, more than 30 years ago. So Guinea Worm is going to soon be the second disease in history to be wiped off the face of the earth." eg:KENNEDY: "Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce ... Let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved."

purge

to get rid of people from an organization because you do not agree with them. Party leaders have undertaken to purge the party of extremists. Hard-liners are expected to be purged from the administration. eg:FORD: "Our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. ... As we bind up the internal wounds of Watergate -- more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars -- let us restore the 'Golden Rule' to our political process and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and of hate."

christen

to give a baby a name at a Christian ceremony and make him or her a member of the Christian Church. She's being christened in June. [+ noun] She was christened Maria. eg:Maria Helena de Almeida is a member of one Pentecostal denomination in Brazil. She says she turned away from Catholicism as a teenager because she wanted to become closer to God. "I was baptized and christened, but I was empty inside and I knew something was lacking. Even though I was Catholic, I never prayed to idols, because I believed there was a Supreme Being - God! And I used to talk to Him. When I was a child, my neighbor used to take me to a Protestant church, and that's where I met God. That's why, at age 18, I became a Protestant."

dub

to give something or someone a particular name, especially describing what you think of them. She was dubbed by the newspapers 'The Angel of Death'. eg:Yesterday, silence descended on the sites in Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok at 5.57pm - the time when riot police fired the first canisters of tear gas in Admiralty on September 28 after extensive use of pepper spray failed to bring protesters under control. At the time, protesters used umbrellas to shield themselves, turning the humble item into the symbol of Occupy Central and prompting overseas media to dub it the "umbrella movement". eg:Alternative schemes include a gas connector between Greece and Bulgaria, and a project, dubbed "Eastring,'' to connect southeastern Europe to Slovakia's gas network via Ukraine and Romania.

be supposed to

to have to; to have a duty or a responsibility to. The children are supposed to be at school by 8.45 a.m. What are you doing out of bed - you're supposed to be asleep. You're not supposed (= allowed) to park here. eg: Ivory trafficking - the illegal trade - follows established trade routes. It usually begins in the country's own reserves, or wildlife areas, that are supposed to be protected.

hug

to hold someone or something close to your body with your arms, usually to show that you like, love or value them. Have you hugged your child today? eg:His mother, Katherine Ellison, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter. She did not understand why he behaved the way he did. And she admits that her behavior was only making the situation worse. "I was making things worse often by being anxious or being impatient or not understanding him. And I realized at some point that I really hadn't hugged him in a while. And I wasn't smiling when he came into the room because we were just having such a hard time."

retaliate

to hurt someone or do something harmful to them because they have done or said something harmful to you. eg:Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state television that Russia would retaliate against threats to its interests the same way as it did in South Ossetia in 2008, which led to a brief war between Russia and an overmatched Georgia. Hundreds of U.S. Army paratroopers landed in Poland Wednesday to, in the words of the Pentagon, "send a message" to Moscow and reassure nervous U.S. allies. Ukraine has also decided to resume what it calls "anti-terrorist" operations against pro-Russians in the east. Pro-Russian gunmen are demanding the right to hold referendums on splitting with Ukraine and joining Russia. A vote last month in Crimea led to the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

pick up

to increase or improve. The truck picked up speed slowly. The wind always picks up in the evening. The number of applicants will pick up during the autumn. His spirits picked up when he got the good news. Her career only began to pick up when she was in her forties. eg: Chris Lewa is a rights activist and researcher on the ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar's western Arakine state. She says that many attempts to flee did not happen until recently. She says more people appear ready now to risk their lives at sea. "(It is) very worrying and the fact that, I think, the situation that it is not going to stop now. Since the 10th of August, we noticed again several boats leaving in a short span of time and that means that probably going to continue increase again as the (sailing) season continues (to) really picks up."

improvise

to invent or make something, such as a speech or a device, at the time when it is needed without already having planned it. I hadn't prepared a speech so I suddenly had to improvise. eg: It was filmed again in Mombasa with many of the same Somali non-actors. Again, they invented their own speeches. Mr. Hodierne used a translator - a language expert - to tell them only basic facts about what should happen in each scene. "So, they knew what was going to happen within a scene, and then they would improvise all the dialogue (talk) within that scene, so that it was in their voice. And they were amazing at that; they added so much to it that I couldn't have written on a page, so I consider them almost co-writers of the movie." Mr. Hodierne likes to describe Fishing Without Nets as an action film for theaters that show artistic films. He says the "unlikely combination of suspense and reflectiveness" works well. One critic described the movie with words like "powerful, deliberate and absolutely beautiful." The full-length film won a grand jury directing award at the Sundance Festival earlier this year. It will be released to some theaters in the United States and then available on video-on demand.

crucify

to kill someone by tying or fastening them with nails to a cross and leaving them there to die. eg:Bryan spoke emotionally during the convention debate. He said he represented America's farmers, laborers, and small businessmen who wanted a silver standard. Bryan ended his speech with a line that became famous during the campaign. It called to mind the torture and death of Jesus Christ. Bryan said gold supporters could not force their money system on silver supporters. "You shall not," he said, "crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

master

to learn to control an emotion or feeling. I finally mastered my fear of flying. eg:Johnson strongly defended the use of American soldiers in Vietnam. In a speech to a group of lawmakers he said: "Since World War Two, this nation has met and has mastered many challenges -- challenges in Greece and Turkey, in Berlin, in Korea, in Cuba. We met them because brave men were willing to risk their lives for their nation's security. And braver men have never lived than those who carry our colors in Vietnam this very hour."

defect

to leave a country, political party, etc., especially in order to join an opposing one. When the national hockey team visited America, half the players defected. The British spy, Kim Philby, defected to the Soviet Union/defected from Britain in 1963. eg:But a military officer says the formation of the regional task force weakened the guerrilla group. The task force has several bases in Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. All four countries offered troops for operations against the LRA. Lieutenant General Samuel Karuma talks about efforts to stop the group. "We've been reducing their strength; that is by killing some of them and capturing some of them. To the level of killing the number two in the hierarchy of their leadership and so many other top commanders, and some of the top commanders also have defected."

vacate

to leave a room, building, chair, etc. so that it is available for other people Hotel guests are requested to vacate their rooms by noon. Denis vacates his job at the end of the week. eg:[As Islamist militia groups in Libya say] An Islamist militia group in Libya says it's taken control of the residential annex of the vacated U.S. embassy in Tripoli, that is, a month after American diplomats fled to escape the violent clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital. News agencies reported on Sunday that the Dawn of Libya, an umbrella group for Islamist militias, said it had been in control of the U.S. compound for about a week, seizing it from a rival militia after weeks of fighting for control of Tripoli and its international airport.

tempt

to make someone want to have or do something, especially something that is unnecessary or wrong. The offer of a free car stereo tempted her into buying a new car. [+ to infinitive] They tempted him to join the company by offering him a large salary and a company car. eg:Earlier this year, Pope Francis met with a group of Protestants in southern Italy. He wanted to apologize on behalf of Catholics around the world who treated those converting to Pentecostalism unfairly. "I am the shepherd of the Catholics and I ask you to forgive my Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil," he said.

contaminate

to make something less pure or make it poisonous Much of the coast has been contaminated by nuclear waste. The food which had been contaminated was destroyed. The infection was probably caused by swimming in contaminated water/water contaminated with sewage.

confine

to limit an activity, person or problem in some way. eg: Let's confine our discussion to the matter in question, please! eg:Please confine your use of the telephone to business calls. eg: Funds are used to represent funds from secondary sources. They represent funds that are limited as to time available or function, which have been made available to cover specific expenditures. In the system, a funds represents the whole organizational and functional structure of your organization (funds center and commitment item hierarchy). You can use a Budget Structure to confine this structure to particular responsibility areas (funds centers) and expenditure categories (commitment items). You thus determine which responsibility area receives the promised funds, which have usually come from a particular source to cover a particular project and can only be disbursed on particular types of expenditure. You can create an overall budget to cover the whole period in question: you can apportion this to the financial years affected. Budget is used up as postings are made to the fund. Funds reservations and business transactions entered in the feeder systems (such as financial accounting and materials management) also affect the budget.

destabilize

to make a government, area or political group lose power or control, or to make a political or economic situation less strong or safe, by causing changes and problems.eg:They uncovered a plot to destabilize the government. eg:The United States says it will look for any signs Russia is serious about de-escalating the tensions in Ukraine at Thursday's emergency talks on the crisis in Geneva. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the U.S. is prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia. In an interview Wednesday with CBS, President Barack Obama said there will be consequences each time Russia takes steps to destabilize Ukraine and violate its sovereignty. But Obama said he is convinced Russia is not looking for a war. Moscow has said it has the right to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine. It accuses the new Ukrainian leadership of being anti-Russian and anti-Semitic and of threatening the rights of pro-Russians. But senior U.N. human rights official Ivan Simonvic told the Security Council Wednesday that during two trips to Ukraine in March, his team found no widespread attacks against ethnic-Russians.

shepherd

to make a group of people move to where you want them to go, especially in a kind, helpful and careful way. He shepherded the old people towards the dining room. eg:Earlier this year, Pope Francis met with a group of Protestants in southern Italy. He wanted to apologize on behalf of Catholics around the world who treated those converting to Pentecostalism unfairly. "I am the shepherd of the Catholics and I ask you to forgive my Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil," he said.

nullify

to make a legal agreement or decision have no legal force. The state death penalty law was nullified in 1977. eg:South Carolina refused to pay the tax. Calhoun wrote a long statement defending South Carolina's action. In the statement, he developed what was called the Doctrine of Nullification. The doctrine declared that the power of the federal government was not supreme.

wail

to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness: The women gathered around the coffin and began to wail, as was the custom in the region. [+ speech] "My finger hurts," wailed the child. The obstinate toddler clung to her mother,wailing and refusing to get on the bus to go to nursery school.

warrant

to make a particular activity necessary. Obviously what she did was wrong, but I don't think it warranted quite such severe punishment. It's a relatively simple task that really doesn't warrant a great deal of time being spent on it. eg:Daniel Russel is the top United States diplomat for East Asia. He says China's temporary deployment of an oil platform in disputed waters has increased tension in the area. "China, as a large and powerful nation, has a special responsibility to show restraint. There is a big footprint that comes with military strength and it warrants setting your feet very, very carefully -- treading very gingerly when you are in a sensitive area." Secretary of State John Kerry plans to attend the conference in Myanmar. A U.S. diplomat says Secretary Kerry will urge China and its neighbors to agree to voluntarily end actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.

undermine

to make someone less confident, less powerful or less likely to succeed, or to make something weaker, often gradually The President has accused two cabinet ministers of working secretly to undermine his position/him.eg: Obama told the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper that islands fall under the U.S.- Japan Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty and Washington opposes any "unilateral attempts to undermine Japan's administration of the islands." eg: One observer, Chris Phillips of Queen Mary University, London, says Russia is defending Syria's right to govern itself. "The Russians have always backed the principle of state sovereignty. As they see it, the Syrians have the right to conclude their affairs inside Syria as they wish. Russia itself is an autocratic regime and his not very keen on any major attempts to undermine the principle of state sovereignty, and they are going to stand by that." eg: On Tuesday, Iraqi forces halted an advance designed to retake the hometown of executed former dictator Saddam Hussein after facing fierce resistance from Islamic State militants, officers in the operations room told Reuters. Iraqi forces came under heavy machinegun and mortar fire south of Tikrit, while to the west landmines and snipers undermined efforts to get closer to a town they have tried to retake several times, said the officers. Resident of central Tikrit said by telephone Islamic State fighters were firmly in control of their positions and were running patrols along main streets. eg:The political agreement solved the current situations but undermined the credibility and all the achievements regarding the technical process. It hurt the process; it hurt the transparency and it hurt the principles for the elections."

baptize

to make someone officially a member of the Christian Church in a service of baptism. [+ obj + noun ] Were you baptized a Catholic? eg:Maria Helena de Almeida is a member of one Pentecostal denomination in Brazil. She says she turned away from Catholicism as a teenager because she wanted to become closer to God. "I was baptized and christened, but I was empty inside and I knew something was lacking. Even though I was Catholic, I never prayed to idols, because I believed there was a Supreme Being - God! And I used to talk to Him. When I was a child, my neighbor used to take me to a Protestant church, and that's where I met God. That's why, at age 18, I became a Protestant."

divulge

to make something secret known. eg:Local media says the purpose of the bill is to ensure that blogs and other personal websites are not used to commit crimes, divulge state secrets or promote extremism, pornography or violence. Bloggers would also be banned from using foul language.

commuting

to make the same journey regularly between work and home. eg: PM2.5 refers to the diameter measured in microns of particulates such as ammonia, carbon, nitrates and sulfate -- which are small enough to pass into the bloodstream and cause diseases such as emphysema and cancer. The WHO data echoes an earlier study this year which found that air pollution in New Delhi is now worse than Beijing. No Chinese cities ranked in the top 20 most polluted cities, despite thick, gray smog filling its cities and millions of residents commuting behind surgical masks. Beijing reported 56 micrograms of PM2.5. This year, Chinese leaders have declared "war on pollution."

assuage

to make unpleasant feelings less strong. Also Wednesday, NATO said it was stepping up exercises in Eastern Europe, as a way to assuage concerns of the alliance's newer members - Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, among others, who fear Russian threats. Alliance chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he expects NATO members next week will approve sending temporary forces into the region.

penetrate

to move into or through something. Amazingly, the bullet did not penetrate his brain. In a normal winter, the frost penetrates deeply enough to kill off insect eggs in the soil. The organization had been penetrated by a spy. The company has been successful in penetrating overseas markets this year.

betray

to not be loyal to your country or a person, often by doing something harmful such as helping their enemies. He was accused of betraying his country during the war. She felt betrayed by her mother's lack of support. For years they betrayed Britain's secrets to Russia. formal He promised never to betray her (= never to leave her for another person). eg: But Soviet leader Josef Stalin betrayed the Poles. He knew that many members of the Polish underground forces opposed communism as much as they opposed the Germans. He feared they would block his efforts to establish a new Polish government that was friendly to Moscow. For this reason, Stalin held his forces outside Warsaw. He waited while the Germans and Poles killed each other in great numbers. The Germans finally forced the citizens of Warsaw to surrender. eg:The Soviet actions were a direct threat to the west. Truman had three difficult choices. If he did nothing, the world would think the United States was weak and unable to stop Soviet aggression. If he fought the blockade with armed force, he might start a third world war. But there was another choice. That was to fly supplies to the city. The American military commander in Germany proposed the idea of dropping thousands of kilograms of food, fuel, and other goods to the people of Berlin by parachute. Not just once, but every day, as long as the Russians continued their blockade.

indenture

to officially agree that someone, often a young person, will work for someone else, especially in order to learn a job. eg:He was indentured to a carpenter. eg:In Project a summary line is a line that has other task lines indentured under it. In your example, Major task 1 and minor task 1 are both summary lines. Minor task 2 may or may not be a summary depending on whether there are other tasks indentured under it. If you import the outline level the indenture will be automatically picked up by Project. A summary line is not really a task even though it is called that. It simply summarized the data from the indentured tasks under it. For the most part, Project calculates the values for a summary line (e.g. start and finish dates). That's why start and finish dates should NOT be imported for summary lines. As a best practice summary lines should have neither dependencies nor resources assigned to it. Project will allow either and in some very unique circumstances a summary line may have dependencies and/or resources but generally using those attributes on a summary line causes problems. One of those problems is circular relationships. Because Project has some very unique structural rules, importing data must be done with a lot of thought and care.

consecrate

to officially make something holy and able to be used for religious ceremonies. The new cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1962. eg:Then Lincoln stood up. He looked out over the valley, then down at the papers in his hand. He began to read. "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot hallow, this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work for which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

draft

to order people by law to join the armed forces. He was drafted (into the army) at eighteen. eg: Many Americans in northern states did not support the war policies of Union President Abraham Lincoln. Some said openly that they did not care who won the war. They just wanted to be left alone. Coal miners in Pennsylvania protested against a law drafting men into the Union army. They rioted and attacked officials who tried to take them. Soldiers were sent to Pennsylvania to put down the riots. Farmers in Ohio also protested. They refused to be drafted. They attacked soldiers who were sent to arrest them. The worst anti-war riots, however, took place in New York City.

repay

to pay back or to reward someone or something. He had to sell his car to repay the bank loan. She repaid the loan to her mother. [+ two objects] She repaid her mother the loan. How can I ever repay you for all your kindness? eg:Roosevelt was worried because some Latin American countries were having difficulty re-paying loans from European banks. He did not want the issue of non-payment used as an excuse for European countries to seize new territory in the western hemisphere. Roosevelt said the United States was responsible for making sure the debts were paid. His policy led to further United States involvement in Latin America.

coerce

to persuade someone forcefully to do something which they are unwilling to do. eg:Joao Vitor Passos dos Santos is an exchange student at CUHKFAA Chan Chun Ha Secondary School in Ma On Shan. The 16-year-old came from Brazil last year hoping to learn Cantonese but has not managed to pick up much so far. Most people in his school are too afraid to communicate with him using English and to teach him Cantonese, he said. He cannot learn much about his other school subjects either, because most of his teachers - except his maths teacher - use Chinese as their teaching medium, Santos said. Tanya Hart, who came to the city from Australia 12 years ago, has put her seven-year-old son through the local school system since kindergarten, because the boy was interested in learning Cantonese. Although her son has been doing well, Hart said she felt a lack of support from the school for non-Chinese-speaking parents, citing Chinese-only school reports, notices and homework. Hart and Chapman agreed that it was possible for non-local children to study in local schools if the schools made more effort to respect and understand their cultures and languages rather than coercing them to integrate into the local system. "There will come a point where it is impossible for us to pay those international school fees," Chapman said. "We have a choice, because we can leave Hong Kong. But many local people don't have the option of good English-language education because they cannot afford it."

conspire

to plan secretly with other people to do something bad, illegal or against someone's wishes. He felt that his colleagues were conspiring together to remove him from his job. As girls, the sisters used to conspire with each other against their brother. eg: In a report the environmental watchdog says Chinese-led criminal gangs conspired with corrupt Tanzanian officials to traffic huge amounts of ivory,

hail sb/sth as sth

to praise a person or an achievement by saying that they are similar to someone or something very good. She's being hailed as one of the best up-and-coming young dancers today. The film was hailed as a masterpiece in its day. eg: The book reviewer hailed the new novel as "celebrating the vitality,exuberance,and optimism of the American people." eg:Chief Executive Tim Cook said that China's expanding middle class is fueling iPhone sales there, which is the bulk of the company's sales. The iPhone 6 was launched last autumn in China with a number of carriers. Wall Street hailed the results but share reaction was muted. Its shares rose 1.6 percent in after-hours trading to $134.52.

flatter

to praise someone in order to make them feel attractive or important, sometimes in a way that is not sincere. I knew he was only flattering me because he wanted to borrow some money. eg:Yet others saw in the speech what later served to establish it as a part of English literature, namely, the simple and direct style, the expression in almost perfect language of the central idea for which Lincoln lived and died. Edward Everett's opinion was typical of this point of view when, the next day, he wrote the following note to Lincoln, "I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came to near to the central idea of the occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes." Lincoln's answer was also typical. He replied to Everett, saying. "You could not have been excused to make a short address, nor I a long one. I am pleased to know that, in your judgment, the little I did say was not entirely a failure. "

mummify

to preserve a dead body as a mummy. eg:A report in the journal "Nature Communications" describes the findings. It says the researchers examined the remains of 26 people. Their bodies were kept at the Dominican Church in Vacs, Hungary. The remains were mummified - that is, they had not broken down. The researchers say 8 of the 26 bodies had signs of tuberculosis bacteria. In fact, researchers were able to identify 14 different TB genomes among the remains. Five of the mummies were infected with more than one kind of TB.

avert

to prevent something bad from happening; avoid.to avert a crisis/conflict/strike/famine.Ukrainian presidential hopeful Yulia Tymoshenko held private talks with pro-Russian separatist leaders in eastern Ukrainian Tuesday, in a bid to break the deadlock between them and the government in Kyiv. She says more dialogue will be needed for a clash to be averted.

stymie

to prevent something from happening or someone from achieving a purpose.n our search for evidence, we were stymied by the absence of any recent documents. eg: According to the transcript, Jindo Vessel Traffic Services instructed the crew to get passengers off the boat as other boats rushed to save them after the ferry carrying 476 people began to capsize. But crew members told traffic controllers that their attempts to order an evacuation were stymied by a faulty announcement system.

stifle

to prevent something from happening, being expressed or continuing. She stifled a cough/yawn/scream/sneeze. I don't know how I managed to stifle my anger. We should be encouraging new ideas, not stifling them. eg: "You don't have anybody on the Internet stifling speech in English, censoring speech in English. And most of the dominant English-language countries internally also have a tradition of freedom of speech." Martinez says that English is seen as a more neutral language than Chinese. Unlike Chinese, it is not associated with one country. He says even the ideas of equality are built into English grammar. "If you study German, if you study Spanish, if you study Russian, there are many languages where the "you" form and how you conjugate verbs is very different depending on whether you're talking to a grandparent or a boss versus one of your children or an employee or a close friend...If I'm talking to President Obama or if I'm talking to my closest friend or my son, its 'you.'"

interfere with sth

to prevent something from working effectively or from developing successfully. eg:Congress passed several other bills giving the federal government power to protect the rights of blacks in the southern states. President Johnson vetoed these bills, too. He said they interfered with the rights of the states.

cater for sb/sth

to provide what is wanted or needed by someone or something. The club caters for children between the ages of 4 and 12. eg: General Karuma says there are many issues because the LRA fighters are always on the move. "We need the mobility. We need to cater for our troops for morale purposes and other things that make the force to operate. And manpower. If we could get the original projected force of 5,000, yes. But now we are operating at about 2,000. And these countries are huge in terms of size."

cement

to put cement on a surface or stick things together using cement.to make something such as an agreement or friendship stronger. eg:Fabinyi claims the luxurious banquet culture among the country's elite is a large reason why the high-end market for seafood like live reef fish, sea cucumbers and shark fins is thriving. "It's a way of cementing social ties with important business and government partners," said Fabinyi. "Often, people who are in high level positions in government or the private sector attend several banquets a week as part of their work obligations. During these banquets, hosts are expected to impress their guests by serving very high status foods like these types of seafood."

sow

to put seeds in or on the ground so that plants will grow. Sow the seeds in pots. We'll sow this field with barley. eg:But even if it only exists on paper, it may undermine funding for rival projects and, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, sow division among EU members over the extent to which the bloc should rely on Russia for energy in the future.

peruse

to read through something, especially in order to find the part you are interested in. eg: He opened a newspaper and began to peruse the personal ads.

diminish

to reduce or be reduced in size or importance. eg: I don't want to diminish her achievements, but she did have a lot of help. eg: If you can master the concept of task types, you'll be well on your way to fully understanding how Project works and how to use its capabilities to your best advantage — and your frustrations will diminish.

defy

to refuse to obey a person , decision , law , situation , etc .As Israel continued its ground offensive in Gaza, 1000s of pro-Palestinian protesters marched against the violence in cities across France, defying a government ban on the demonstrators.

demobilize

to release someone from one of the armed forces, especially at the end of a war. eg:He was demobilized in March 1946.eg: this is to confirm that your demobilisation date from project is 02nd May 2014

unleash

to release suddenly a strong, uncontrollable and usually destructive force. At worst, nuclear war could be unleashed. Rachel's arrival on the scene had unleashed passions in him that he could scarcely control. eg:Some consumer groups and Internet companies oppose the plan. So do a majority of people questioned in a new University of Delaware study. President Barack Obama also dislikes the proposed changes. He spoke recently about how the Internet should be organized around ideas like openness, fairness and freedom. "Ever since the Internet was created, it has been organized around basic principles of openness, fairness and freedom. There are no gatekeepers deciding which sites you get to access, there are no toll roads on the information superhighway. This set of principles, the idea of net neutrality, has unleashed the power of the Internet and given innovators the chance to thrive. Abandoning these principles would end the Internet as we know it."

commemorate

to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building. Gathered all together in this church, we commemorate those who lost their lives in the great war. A statue has been built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poet's birthday. eg:Resolute Occupy protesters raise umbrellas to commemorate firing of tear gas.

phase sth out

to remove or stop using something gradually or in stages. eg: After the government's move to phase out the English Schools Foundation's annual HK$283 million subsidy takes effect in 2016, schools under the foundation will become more expensive for middle-class expatriate families who are not too well-off, Chapman said. "The government's argument that it should not have to support a non-local curriculum is nonsense when you consider that senior civil servants' children are educated either overseas or in international schools here at taxpayers' expense," she said.

cover

to report the news about a particular important event. She's covering the American election for BBC television. eg:Also yesterday, a 50-year-old man turned himself in to police and was arrested over an assault in Tsim Sha Tsui on Saturday. Four journalists were attacked while covering an anti-Occupy rally. The man, suspected to have pulled the tie of a TVB reporter, was in custody last night. Two other men arrested in connection with the case have been released on police bail.

rehabilitate

to return someone or something to a good or healthy condition, state or way of living The prison service should try to rehabilitate prisoners so that they can lead normal lives when they leave prison. Physiotherapy is part of rehabilitating accident victims. After 20 years in official disgrace, she's been rehabilitated (= given a positive public image again).

soar

to rise very quickly to a high level. All night long fireworks soared into the sky. Temperatures will soar into the eighties over the weekend say the weather forecasters. House prices had soared a further twenty per cent. eg:Apple's iPhone sales in China soared, increasing its revenue in the country 71 percent to $16.8 billion, although that was helped by gift-buying for Chinese New Year.

curse

to say a word or an expression which is not polite and shows that you are very angry. We could hear him cursing and swearing as he tried to get the door open. I could curse her for losing my key! eg:He was right. The trial of Andrew Johnson was an important turning-point in the making of the American nation. His removal from office would have established the idea that the President could serve only with the approval of Congress. The President would have become, in effect, a Prime Minister. He would have to depend on the support of Congress to remain in office. Johnson's victory kept alive the idea of an independent presidency.

besmirch

to say bad things about someone to influence other people's opinion of them. His accusations were false, but they served to besmirch her reputation. "I think it had an incendiary effect," he said on CBS' Face the Nation, adding police "clearly are attempting to besmirch a victim of a shooting."

repatriate

to send or bring someone, or sometimes money or other property, back to their own country. eg: We need to have one of your managers raise the end of assignment request in the system in order for us to kick start with the repatriation process. Once the EOA request is raised in the system, I will provide you with an EOA checklist which should guide you to a smooth repatriation back to your home country.

emit

to send out a beam, noise, smell or gas. The alarm emits infra-red rays which are used to detect any intruder. eg:The report also notes what it calls the world's "Ecological Footprint." That is the effect of human activities on the planet. Mr. Lambertini says there has been an increase in carbon dioxide gases and the pouring of nitrogen into oceans and rivers from fertilizers used in agriculture. He says this cannot continue. "So, we are consuming on average every year about the equivalent of about 1.5, one-and-a half times the resources available to the planet. That means we are cutting trees more quickly than they can be restored. We are fishing the oceans more quickly than fishing stocks can reproduce, and we are emitting in the atmosphere more CO2 than the natural systems can actually absorb. This is clearly not sustainable." Mr. Lambertini warns climate change affects almost everyone on the planet. He says whole species may disappear if the world does not reduce the effects of humans on the climate.

implicate

to show that someone is involved in a crime or partly responsible for something bad that has happened.Have they any evidence to implicate him in the robbery? eg:In 2005, then Vice President Zuma's financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud and corruption charges related to a government arms deal. Though Zuma was implicated and investigated in connection with Shaik's charges, he survived.

permeate

to spread through something and be present in every part of it. Dissatisfaction with the government seems to have permeated every section of society. A foul smell of stale beer permeated the whole building. The table has a plastic coating which prevents liquids from permeating into the wood beneath. eg："Now, that whole notion that anybody could run a computer permeates the whole world. And I would say that is not the immediate legacy of BASIC but it is a part of what was involved in building up on BASIC," said Kidwell. Kurtz and Kemeny released BASIC to the public, free of charge, so the language quickly became widespread. Kurtz says they hoped it would solve what they saw as a major upcoming problem. "That is to say, the computer is going to be very important in the world and most people didn't know anything about it because it was in the hands of experts," he said. eg: Ivory trafficking - the illegal trade - follows established trade routes. It usually begins in the country's own reserves, or wildlife areas, that are supposed to be protected. Tanzania's Selous Reserve is among parks where poachers carry out attacks. These hunters kill the animals inside the parks. The ivory then is collected in villages and taken to the port of Dar es Salaam. The material is shipped to Asia. Finally, in China, people cut and shape the ivory and sell it as a decoration. EIA wildlife campaigner Shruti Suresh says all these activities would be impossible if Tanzanian officials did not cooperate. "Because of the scale (size) of this, and seeing that there are several tons of ivory going through government posts, past government officials, it is clear that this corruption permeates through the highest levels of government."

slouch

to stand, sit or walk with the shoulders hanging forward and the head bent slightly over so that you look tired and bored.Straighten your back - try not to slouch.A couple of boys were slouched over the table reading magazines.A group of teenagers were slouching around outside the building.Thanks to the image editing features in PowerPoint 2010 (and also in 2013 which is due to arrive soon), you really don't need to look elsewhere to handle graphic jobs. Photoshop and industry standard graphic editors can do a lot of heavy lifting, but PowerPoint isn't a slouch either. Another benefit is that the learning curve in PowerPoint isn't as steep as in something like Photoshop.

stagnate

to stay the same and not grow or develop The electronics industry is showing signs of stagnating after 15 years of tremendous growth. eg: It makes sense that the U.S. government and American firms would want to invest in Africa, given that it is home to 7 of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world over the past 10 years. But while Thursday's announcement represents a step forward for American engagement in the region, it pales in comparison to what China is doing, especially when you take into account the fact that the U.S. economy is still twice as large as China's. China surpassed the U.S. as Africa's largest trade partner right around the time of the financial crisis, and trade between China and Africa has increased ever since. Trade between Africa and the U.S., on the other hand, has stagnated, as you can see in the chart below from Yun Sun, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who focuses on China's relations with Africa. eg:Pakistan's adviser on the economy, Sartaj Aziz, hopes new investments from China will help Pakistan's economy. "So this investment over an 8-10 year period of $4 billion a year, would certainly step up the investment rate, GDP ration as well as growth rate, which has somehow stagnated between three and four percent for the last seven, eight years."

cling

to stick onto or hold something or someone tightly, or to refuse to stop holding them We got so wet that our clothes clung to us. They clung together in terror as the screams grew louder. One little girl was clinging onto a cuddly toy. She clung to the handrail as she walked down the slippery steps.

thwart

to stop something from happening or someone from doing something. My holiday plans have been thwarted by the strike. eg: Thwarted in one attempt to build a gas pipeline to southeast Europe, the Kremlin is working with a small circle of allies to lay the groundwork for an alternative that would help it maintain leverage in its rivalry with the West.

confiscate

to take a possession away from someone when you have the right to do so, usually as a punishment and often for a limited period, after which it is returned to the owner. Miss Edwards has confiscated my comics till the end of term! His passport was confiscated by the police to prevent him from leaving the country. eg:n this May 15, 2014 file photo, confiscated ivory is displayed at a chemical waste treatment center in Hong Kong. eg:Atilla Yesilada is a political expert in Turkey. He says Turkish and foreign investors are worried about the possible effects of the legislation. He says they are worried about the government having the power to seize property and money before an individual or company is found guilty. "The burden of proof has almost shifted from the prosecutor to the defendant, simply because it takes just reasonable suspicion for the court to confiscate assets, for maybe years."

foster

to take care of a child, usually for a limited time, without being the child's legal parent. Would you consider fostering (a child)? eg:Carol Emig operates Child Trends, a child research and information center. She supports Ms. Sandigo's efforts. But she says Ms. Sandigo cannot provide all that the children need. "She is not able, in her situation I think, to provide the kinds of protection that a well-functioning child welfare system would provide. So, there isn't a case worker who is checking on the well-being of the kids with the foster parents or the guardian."

assimilate

to take in, fit into, or become similar (to). The European Union should remain flexible enough to assimilate more countries quickly. You shouldn't expect immigrants to assimilate into an alien culture immediately. It's hard to assimilate (= learn and understand) so much information. In this form vitamins can be easily assimilated by the body. eg:The two main parties are seeking to capture the support of Asian Americans. Shawn Steel is with the Republican National Committee. "The most successful group of immigrants to have ever assimilated in America, the quickest and the most effective. It's perfect material for the changing Republican Party, not merely to have them vote but to have them lead the Republican Party."

sue

to take legal action against a person or organization, especially by making a legal claim for money because of some harm that they have caused you He was so furious about the accusations in the letter that he threatened to sue. She sued the paper for (= in order to get) damages after they wrongly described her as a prostitute. She is suing her husband for (= in order to get a) divorce. The lawyer is an opportunist; she approaches people injured in car accidents and asks them if they'd like her help in suing other parties involved.

annex

to take possession of an area of land or a country, usually by force or without permission; eg: Analyst Laurenti says there have been several annexations since the U.N. was established in 1945 that have lingered unrecognized by the international community, and Crimea is likely to be added to the list. a building joined to or associated with a main building, providing additional space or accommodations. [As Islamist militia groups in Libya say] An Islamist militia group in Libya says it's taken control of the residential annex of the vacated U.S. embassy in Tripoli, that is, a month after American diplomats fled to escape the violent clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital. News agencies reported on Sunday that the Dawn of Libya, an umbrella group for Islamist militias, said it had been in control of the U.S. compound for about a week, seizing it from a rival militia after weeks of fighting for control of Tripoli and its international airport.

appropriate

to take something for your own use, usually without permission He lost his job when he was found to have appropriated some of the company's money. eg: Israel says it is appropriating 400 hectares of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, possibly 1 of the biggest seizures for the Jewish state in decades. Israel's army says it is declaring that the land is "state-owned" under orders from political leaders. It is in reaction to the kidnapping and murders of 3 Israeli teenagers in June in Bethlehem. The U.S. State Department is calling the Israeli land takeover "counterproductive" in peace efforts and is asking Israel to reconsider. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is condemning the move as part of what he calls Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

whisk

to take something or someone somewhere else suddenly and quickly.Our coffees were whisked away before we'd even finished them.Her husband whisked her off to Egypt for her birthday. eg:World's fastest elevator will whisk Chinese businessmen up at speeds of 72km/h

oversees

to watch or organize a job or an activity to make certain that it is being done correctly.As marketing manager, her job is to oversee all the company's advertising. eg:In one more example of escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over Russia's annexation of Crimea, Russia has cut off all programming by the Voice of America, a move which the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the organization that oversees VOA, has strongly condemned.

bulky

too big and taking up too much space. bulky equipment. eg:Aimee Hess says the technology of e-publishing enables the Library of Congress to make a book that more people can buy and with more images than a printed version would have. "If we had done this book in print, I think it likely would have contained fewer than half as many photos and it would have been one of those big, bulky, heavy art books. And, you know, I estimate that would probably sell for about $75." Ms. Hess says she hopes that, in the future, the iBook will also be available as an eBook. That way, people who do not use Apple computers or other Apple devices will be able to enjoy it.

vitriolic

violent hate and anger expressed through severe criticism.He is a writer who has often been criticized by the press but never before with such vitriol.He launched a vitriolic attack on the prime minister, accusing him of shielding corrupt friends. eg: That one of the top public officials of the U.S. government is being mocked isn't new. What's new is how personalized and vitriolic the attacks are, coming mainly via services such as Twitter and LiveJournal.

cohesive

united and working together effectively.a cohesive group.cohesive forces. eg: Flamenco music is often associated with Spain. Gypsies from north India brought the music to Europe in the 18th century. But one American band is adding Arabic traditions, too. La Ruya includes sounds from Turkey, the Black Sea, Persia and North Africa. Christopher Cruise tells about their music. Can you hear the Spanish guitar and heeled shoes in this music? They are some of the classic sounds of flamenco music. But a California band called La Ruya is transforming flamenco. One of the band's founding members is Sam Foster. He is a drummer who became interested in Arabic and Turkish drumming. From there, he learned about flamenco. He brought in flamenco dancer Melissa Cruz and other musicians to create the unusual sound of La Ruya. "We are taking forms and in some cases actual songs from other parts of the world and flamenco-izing them, so you have something new, a sound I haven't heard before." "We have oud, which is the Middle Eastern lute. We have a flute player... The cajon, the box drum. And darbouka, the gourd drum, also known as dumbek." And, says Melissa Cruz, they have the palmas. "Palmas are flamenco hand claps. And typically it is the flamenco singer and the flamenco dancer who are doing the palmas." Wherever La Ruya performs, they find an interested audience. "Flamenco is really improvisational, so there aren't any strict rules or regulations. The point is to create one cohesive piece of music." Some say traditional Spanish flamenco should stay the way it is. But Melissa Cruz says La Ruya's style -- with its Arabic rhythms and instruments -- is not changing flamenco. Instead, it is bringing the music back to its Moorish roots. eg:Good writing consists not only of a string of varied, correctly-structured sentences. The sentences must also lead from one to the next so that the text is cohesive and the writer's ideas are coherent.

avail

use, purpose, advantage, or profit We tried to persuade her not to resign, but to no avail (= did not succeed). My attempts to improve the situation were of little/no avail. eg:Identified only as Linda, a 65-year-old woman has been fighting for a year to gain guardianship of a child relative, her grandnephew Michael. But all her efforts failed. They were to no avail. Nothing worked. "Because of the abuse that was occurring and the neglect, and I tried many times to get guardianship through the courts and to no avail."

veritable

used to describe something as another, more exciting, interesting or unusual thing, as a way of emphasizing its character. My garden had become a veritable jungle by the time I came back from holiday. eg:The culprit, researchers say, is plastic. Coming from virtually everywhere — a veritable river of garbage winding its way into the world's oceans — the trash concentrates in five of the Earth's ocean gyres, which are naturally occurring circular currents, according to University of Hawaii marine scientist Dave Karl.

rags to riches

used to describe what happens to a person who was poor but becomes rich. a rags-to-riches story. eg:Jack Ma's dynamism and boundless scope for ideas "cast a spell on people." That's what Duncan Clark - an investment advisor in China who's known Jack for 15 years - told me. He's a very charismatic man. The one thing that stands out both in English and Chinese is that he has the gift of the gab. He can charm a room. He knows how to read a room, whether it's investors or customers or government people. He knows how to delight people. He's a charmer. He's a chancer. He's what we all think of as an entrepreneur, with a rags to riches story. - DUNCAN CLARK SPEAKS TO ITV NEWS

sheer

used to emphasize how very great, important or powerful a quality or feeling is; nothing except The suggestion is sheer nonsense. His success was due to sheer willpower/determination. It was sheer coincidence that we met.

dairy

used to refer to cows that are used for producing milk, rather than meat, or to foods which are made from milk, such as cream, butter and cheese. eg:USDA agricultural economist Fred Gale said Deng Xiaoping-one of China's first post-Mao leaders who focused on directing the country toward a market economy-made it a point to support the changing diet to keep the Chinese people competitive in the global marketplace. "[Deng Xiaoping] stated, we must fundamentally change the racist food structure-increasing the meat and dairy intake in our diet to improve the physique of the Chinese people," said Gale. "So, they will rank among the excellent members of humanity. At this point, meat and dairy became a nationalistic thing and promoting production became a major national policy goal." Regardless of the Chinese Communist Party's intentions, negative effects associated with the increase of pork and seafood consumption are leaving a bad taste in some peoples' mouths. Environmentalists argue there are ecological problems occurring on land and at sea within these animal populations.

after sight

used to say that an amount of money must be paid within a particular number of days, months, etc. after the document showing the amount owed is received by the person paying: The bill read "30 days after sight." a draft payable at two months after sight

sarcastic

using sarcasm. a sarcastic comment/remark. Are you being sarcastic? eg:Sixty second adventures in astronomy. Number one, the big bang. Just how big was the Big Bang? The idea that the universe is expanding as the result of a single explosion wasn't always universally popular. In fact, the term 'Big Bang' was coined in 1949 by astronomer Fred Hoyle as a way of sarcastically dismissing it. But thanks to Edwin Hubble we now know our observable universe is expanding, and extrapolating backwards we can tell that 13.7 billion years ago it was all compacted into one super-dense ball. And this 'singularity' expanded and cooled to become everything in the universe that we see around us. So though the Big Bang involved everything in existence - its beginnings were really quite small. And after measuring the background radiation in the universe, astronomers have worked out that the Big Bang was only around 120 decibels - about the volume of an average rock concert. So, while the Big Bang still has a lot to teach us about the universe, we do know, at least to start with, it wasn't particularly big. And it wasn't much of a bang either.

pilot

v. done as a test to see if a larger program, study, should be done. The new test was tested, or piloted, on thousands of students. The EFSET uses special computer software that makes the questions easier or harder, depending on one's performance. The EFSET measures all English levels, while the IELTS and TOEFL only measure from moderate to advanced.

excel

v. to be better than others. eg:Sean Blaschke is a health systems specialist at UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. He explains how Uganda has excelled in providing quick containment. "You can see with the case of Marburg here how quickly the country mobilized, and suspected cases were followed up in hours and it didn't move beyond a single index patient. So I think Uganda really does show and provide a model for the rest of the world on how you can build a national sustainable health systems architecture...We are very excited because these tools that are now being scaled up in West Africa, originated in Uganda, were built by Ugandans...These solutions came from Africa and are being used in Africa."

salvage

v. to remove (something) from a place so that it will not be damaged, destroyed, or lost. to save goods from damage or destruction, especially from a ship that has sunk or been damaged or a building that has been damaged by fire or a flood. eg: They mounted a salvage operation after the fire. eg:Michael Crosby lives at a homeless campsite in the California community of Santa Clarita. He has been trying to protect himself from the rain. "(It's) clean and tidy, except for lately when this storm came in I spent most of the night coverin' up stuff, and tryin' to salvage what we can, and stay dry." He says the nearby river threatens him and others. "If any more comes down at a higher rate, it's gonna fork off and wash us away, so..."

trade

verb [T] (EXCHANGE) . to exchange something, or to stop using or doing something and start using or doing something else instead. The children traded comics. [+ two objects] I'll trade you some of my chocolate for some of your ice cream. I wouldn't trade you for the world (= I do not want a different partner). eg: Increased numbers of swimmers are trading warm, calm pool water for exercise in open water. These people are known as "wild swimmers."

wind up

verb.close.end. eg: But, they noted, party officials have been known to wind up in the hospital when troubled by political problems. eg :And the cycle is completed, as this micro-plastic ends up on beaches, in the wildlife and even in the food that winds up on the dinner table. According to Karl, plastic ocean trash is mostly invisible. Some is in fluid form and some sinks to the bottom and cannot be seen, so, until recently, it was hard to measure.

compelling

very exciting and interesting and making you want to watch or listen. I found the whole film very compelling. a compelling story. eg: The work of some of the most-famous photographers in U.S. history is included in the iBook. But Ms. Hess says most of the pictures are from people like you and me. "The bulk of the book are these unknown photographers, and their photographic contributions are just as important and just as interesting and compelling as, you know, these, these household names, so I think it's really nice that we're giving them their due."

iconic

very famous or popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time. John Lennon gained iconic status following his death. eg: Tracey Avant is Curator of Exhibitions at Ford's Theatre. She says one of the objects on display shows that tender side. It is his signature top hat. The hat is in the exhibit "Silent Witnesses: Artifacts of the Lincoln Assassination." She says, "It's a beautiful, iconic piece; everyone thinks of Abraham Lincoln with a top hat. But what I love about it is it's got this beautiful band that he put on it to remember his son Willie who had died in 1862 of typhoid fever. It still remained on the hat in 1865 and to me, I'm a parent, it speaks to how deeply he felt that loss."

terrific

very good. a terrific opportunity. You look terrific! eg:So, the mother and son teamed to write a book about their experience. Ms. Ellison says she was happy that ADHD became a project for them instead of a fight between them. "My son and I started out by writing a contract together, which was terrific because it changed the perspective from being a shameful problem that we had to a joint business project. And I also knew that he would cooperate with me. He wanted a percentage of the profits from the book. I was willing to do that because all of a sudden we're partners rather than antagonists."

state-of-the-art

very modern and using the most recent ideas and methods. a state-of-the-art computer. eg:But China may not become a military rival for the US for decades to come, says Etzioni. "Many of China's latest military acquisitions are either upgraded knock-offs of old Soviet equipment or purchased from the former USSR—hardly state-of-the-art technologies. Others are unlikely to achieve full operational capability for years to come, including the headline-grabbing Chinese stealth fighter, the J-20. And perhaps the greatest perceived Chinese military threat, anti-aircraft—a.k.a. "carrier-killer"—ballistic missiles, have yet to be publicly tested over water against a maneuvering target." eg:First of all, I'll say that American education is expensive for Americans. I spent the good part of my twenties working to pay off college loan debt. So, American education is very expensive, but you're getting a high-quality education from some of the best professors in the world with some of the best resources and facilities in the world. American universities have state-of-the-art laboratories, computers, research systems, classrooms and all that is expensive. And also at many U.S. universities, you're learning from leading researchers and people who are at the top of the line in their field so it's also expensive for universities to have those people as professors. So, you're paying for a quality product—that's why it's very expensive.

badly

very much. He needs the money really badly. They are badly in need of help. eg:Until now, Lee's face had shown no emotion. But for a moment, his self-control weakened. Grant could see how badly Lee wanted this. "Well," said Grant, "I did not know that any private soldiers owned their horses. But I think that this will be the last battle of the war. I sincerely hope so. I think that the surrender of this army will be followed soon by that of all the others. "I take it that most of your soldiers are small farmers and will need the horses to put in a crop that will carry themselves and their families through the next winter. I will not change the terms as they are written. But I will tell my officers to let all the men who claim to own a horse or mule take the animals home with them to work their little farms."

grain

very small piece of a hard substance. grains of sand. eg:The Channel Islands are considered a Marine Protected Area. That means people can dive, travel by boat and dive with snorkel equipment in and around the islands. But fishing is banned during some times. The Reef Check volunteers examine reef conditions year round. They note, for example, any changes in size and shape. Their duties include characterizing - describing - the reef. For example, it may contain small life forms or algae. They also note the composition of the reef. Is it sand? How coarse are the sand's grains?

weary

very tired, especially after working hard for a long time: I think he's a little weary after his long journey. Here, sit down and rest your weary legs. eg: The pages of the record of man's doings are frequently illustrated by entertaining and striking incidents, relief points in the dull monotony of every-day events, stories fitted to rouse the reader from languid weariness and stir a new in his veins the pulse of interest in human life.

captivity

when a person or animal is kept somewhere and is not allowed to leave. All the hostages, when released from captivity, looked remarkably fit and well. Animals bred in captivity would probably not survive if they were released into the wild. eg:The Phnom Tamao Rescue Center is home to about 100 sun bears. That is the largest population of sun bears in captivity. A number of moon bears also live there. One expert says the whole protected area would support only a single bear in the wild. That is the opinion of Anuradha Jayasinghe, technical adviser with a group called Free the Bears.Two bears were set free after they regained their health over time in another part of the country. They did well for about three months. But then: "They both got snared again by poachers. So that's the main issue in Cambodia is the hunting. It's just the forests aren't safe at the moment for releasing bears. And in the forests which probably, we might be able to ((release animals)) are full of mines."

repression

when people are controlled severely, especially by force. The political repression in this country is enforced by terror. Phil Robertson is with the New York-based Human Rights Watch. He says the bans on news reports send a clear message to the Thai media. "Well, I think there's a deepening repression of critical media bringing out points of view that the military junta disagree with. You know, what we're seeing is increased banning of reports, blocking of websites, issued warning to media both print and electronic media not to step across a line that only the military junta really knows where that line is."

division

when people disagree about something. eg:Disagreements about defence cuts have opened up deep divisions within the military. eg:Americans hoped that the new president would be able to bring the North and South together again. But Taylor really had no policy. He could not support a bill to keep slavery out of the territories. That might start a quick revolt among the southern states. He could not support a bill to let slavery spread into the territories. That would make the North rise in anger. Taylor tried to be neutral. He hoped the problem of slavery would solve itself. But the problem would not solve itself. The growing division between North and South will be our story next week.

admission

when someone is given permission to enter a place, or the money that you pay to enter a place. Admission to the exhibition will be by invitation only. How much do they charge for admission. The admission charge/fee is £2. There's a notice outside the building which says 'No admission before 12 noon'. eg:Many foreign students are frightened of the TOEFL because it is risky. Good test results on the TOEFL will open many doors. But a low TOEFL score will limit your choices for financial aid and admission to top schools. The most competitive universities generally expect an Internet-based test score of 90 or above. Others accept lower scores, and some do not require a TOEFL score at all. Most universities do not publicize an actual cutoff score, but a high score will always help.

derision

when someone or something is laughed at and considered stupid or of no value.They treated his suggestion with derision.Her speech was met with hoots/howls of derision.

debut

when someone performs or presents something to the public for the first time She made her professional stage debut in Swan Lake. He started as an actor, making his debut as a director in 1990. her debut (= first) album eg:Two designers to make their New York debut are Zhuliang Li with his Shanghai-based luxury brand Oudifu, which has 200 retail stores in China, and Tao Wang, designer at Broadcast, one of China's top 10 labels, which has 800 stores. Born in China and trained in Japan, Wang is launching her own collection Taoray Wang with plans for a showroom in New York. "I've been in this industry for over 20 years, and it's time for me to seriously look at the business rather than to show my creativity. I want a platform for the brand,'' Wang said, adding that the global buyers are in New York, rather than in China. eg: The company is about to be floated on the New York Stock Exchange in what's set to be the biggest debut in history, and it's creator is Jack Ma.

hype

when something is advertised and discussed in newspapers, on television, etc. all the time in order to attract everyone's interest ; eg:Thursday marks the first time that Xiaomi had revealed the number of phones it sold, in response to criticism that its popularity here might be more gimmick than real as it did not reveal Singapore sales numbers previously. Some netizens had said that the Chinese firm might have been hyping up its sales here by releasing very small batches of phones, which can then sell out quickly. eg: Council on Foreign Relations analyst Economy says U.S. media often portray China with a lot of hype, emphasizing its status as the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt. "The media also have a tendency to frame U.S.-China economic issues as competitive," she says. "So (they ask,) 'who is winning the clean energy race?', or 'whose infrastructure is better?'"

destruction

when something is destroyed. Many people are very concerned about the destruction of the rainforests. Unusually high winds left a trail of destruction over southern Britain. weapons of mass destruction (= those which kill or hurt large numbers of people). eg:Japan's destruction at Pearl Harbor was so complete that officials in Washington did not tell the full details immediately to the American people. They were afraid the nation might panic if it learned the truth about the loss of so much American military power.

speculation

when you guess possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain Rumours that they are about to marry have been dismissed as pure speculation. Speculation about his future plans is rife. [+ that] The Prime Minister's speech fuelled/prompted speculation that an election will be held later in the year. eg: So the numbers, while worrying (air bags should ideally work all of the time), may not be directly tied to the ignition switch issue that this recall specifically addresses—only to the models that were recalled. A spokesperson for GM said that "without rigorous analysis, it is pure speculation to attempt to draw any meaningful conclusions." eg:"We ask that the privacy of Michael's family continue to be respected, and that speculations about his state of health are avoided." A spokesman for the university hospital in Lausanne, confirmed that the 45-year-old German, a seven-times world champion, had been discharged earlier in the day. No details were given on Schumacher's condition.

mocking

when you laugh at someone or something in an unkind way.a mocking voice. eg:Today, April 30, marks the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. On this date in 1975, Marines evacuated the last Americans from the embassy in Saigon, bringing to a close America's most divisive foreign conflict - a division expressed in street protests and in song. The Vietnam War took place at an unusual time in United States history. A record number of U.S. women gave birth in the years 1946 to 1959, and the largest part of that "Baby Boom" was of fighting age when the war began. The "Baby Boomers" had also created a full-fledged youth culture by that time, a culture based largely on music. So when public sentiment turned against the war, so did popular songs. Vietnam War Protests Influenced Popular Music America's involvement in Vietnam started slowly - only 5,000 soldiers in 1960. So at first, people in the U.S. weren't paying very close attention. But the protest movement was starting even then. Within two years of the 1963 song, "Soldier's Letter," the number of Americans in Vietnam would increase dramatically. America didn't have an all-volunteer army back then. In 1962 the government implemented the Selective Service, or "The Draft." "When you registered for the selective service system, you were assigned a draft number. And if your number came up, then you were in the Army," said Leslie Waffen, the retired head of the motion picture, sound, and video branch at the National Archives and also an expert on the music of the Vietnam War. "'Draft Dodger Rag' was a very important, influential song. And it was recorded by many folk singers and groups. And the lyrics were filled with ways to dodge the draft," Waffen added. Draft dodging songs, like "Draft Dodger Rag" or David Crosby's "Draft Morning," mostly talked about the unfairness of the draft. "The 'Fortunate Son' song had several lines in it that referred to privileged youth who are able to avoid the draft and not have to participate in the war," Waffen said The president and the generals in Vietnam told Americans back home that the U.S. was winning the war. But in January 1968, North Vietnamese soldiers attacked positions deep inside South Vietnam, including the U.S. embassy. Though the offensive was soon crushed, it left Americans doubting what they were being told. The song, "Fixin' To Die Rag," was performed by Country Joe and the Fish at Woodstock, a giant music festival that was held in upstate New York in 1969. According to Les Waffen, "it became extremely popular as a song that said everything about the public's antagonism against the war and it sort of reflected what public opinion was all about." Even more important, Waffen says: The song also became popular with the soldiers who were fighting in Vietnam. "There would be DJs in certain zones who would set up their own radio station and begin to broadcast the songs that you were not going to hear on Armed Forces Radio," he said. Of course there were also songs in favor of the war. In 1965 and 1966 the most popular song in America was "The Ballad of the Green Berets." And those celebrating soldiers also sang songs mocking those who found ways not to have to fight, as in "The Yellow Beret" by Bob Seeger. America is a place of diverse opinions. It's also a place that offers citizens the right to express those opinions -- even when they go against the government, even in the middle of a war.

pat

when you pat a person or animal. I gave the little boy a pat on the head. eg:One of the pictures on the wall was not hanging straight. He noticed it and went to fix it. He stepped back several times to make sure the picture was really straight. Then he gave it a gentle touch with his hand. "She always does that," he explained to me. "It is like the finishing pat a mother gives her child's hair after she has brushed it. I have seen her fix all these things so often that I can do it just the way she does. I don't know why I do it. I just do it."

defiance

when you refuse to obey someone or something. The demonstration is a pointless act/gesture of defiance against the government. In defiance of the ceasefire, rebel troops are again firing on the capital. eg:If President Obama acts in defiance of the people and imposes his will on the country, Congress will act. We're considering a variety of options. But make no mistake. Make no mistake. When the newly elected representatives of the people take their seats, they will act.

game

wild animals and birds that are hunted for food or sport. game birds

outrage

(especially of an unfair action or statement) to cause someone to feel very angry, shocked or upset eg: The White House said Thursday it was "outraged by the images of Ukrainian security forces firing automatic weapons on their own people."

wane

to become weaker in strength or influence eg: Protests against Thailand's caretaker government show no sign of waning now that judges have ruled authorities cannot use force to disperse them. Occupy Central leaders admitted Tuesday that support from Hong Kong's people is waning. But Wednesday, pro-democracy supporters continued to rally for support.

Paradox

A statement that at first seems to be absurd or self-contradictory but which may in fact turn out to be true.

on the back of

While many rice farmers are expected to remain loyal to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who swept to power in 2011 __ rural votes generated in part by the subsidies, a slump in prices that could be blamed on her leadership would erode her support base and be another blow for her embattled government.

minority

any small group in society that is different from the rest because of their race, religion or political beliefs, or a person who belongs to such a group

eligible

having the necessary qualities or satisfying the necessary conditions. Are you eligible for early retirement/maternity leave? You might be eligible for a grant. Only people over 18 are eligible to vote. eg: This year, like last year, the U.S. government is refusing to consider people from 19 countries for a visa. That is because more than 50,000 people from each of those nations have come to the United States legally in the past five years. Included on the list are Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam. Sean Cooper says the same countries have been on the "not eligible" list for years. "Well, it changes from time to time. But actually, many of these countries that are included on the list that are not eligible for the diversity visa program this year -- and weren't last year as well -- are from traditionally large sources of immigration to the United States. So for some of them, it's not likely that they're going to fluctuate again and become less than 50,000 over the last five years. For others, it might be. And each year what the law requires is that we review 'Alright how many people emigrated?' and if they fall into that they would then join the 'eligible' list."

confession

when you admit that you have done something wrong or illegal. I've got a bit of a confession to make - I've lost that book you lent me. I can't ask for help. It feels like a confession of failure. Confession is the first stage of coming to terms with what you've done. He made a full confession to the police. eg: We'll also be giving a writing prompt on our blog, Confessions of an English Learner. Hope you enjoy reading and listening to this story!