English 26. LANGUAGE AND EXPRESSION (complete)
CONGRATULATING
FÉLICITER
You're forgiven.
Tu es pardonné.
the tense
le temps (conjugaison)
the subjunctive mood = the subjunctive [səb'dʒʌŋktɪv] NB : peut aussi signifier "a verb in this mood". NB : "subjunct" ['sʌbdʒʌŋkt] = a type of adverb (or sentense adverb) that expresses a condition or hypothesis.
le (mode) subjonctif (deux possibilités)
'blackmail
le chantage
This won't happen again.
Cela ne se reproduira plus.
Hats off !
Chapeau (bas) !
to be easily influenced
être influençable
to be above reproach = to be beyond reproach
être irréprochable
to be bound by oath NB : OATH an oath is a formal promise, especially a promise to be loyal to a person or country (e.g : He took an oath of loyalty to the government. He swore an oath promising to uphold and protect the country's laws and constitution.)
être lié par serment
an acute accent [ə'kju:t]
un accent aigu
a whisper = a murmur
un murmure (deux possibilités)
a ,never-'ending quarrel
une querelle qui n'en finit pas
a mystery ['mɪstri] (sic) NB : ['mɪstəri] est possible.
un mystère
a noun
un nom (gram.)
an abstract noun ['æbstrækt] NB : c'est la seule prononciation de ce mot.
un nom abstrait
a concrete noun ['kɒŋkri:t] NB : ['kɒn-] est possible. Ces deux prononciations sont les seules possibles au sens de "not abstract". NB : a noun that refers to a material object, as for example "horse".
un nom concret
a countable noun = a 'count noun
un nom dénombrable (deux possibilités)
an un,countable 'noun [,ʌn'kaʊntəbəl] = an non-,count 'noun = an uncount noun = a mass noun NB : [,ʌŋ-] est possible.
un nom indénombrable (quatre possibilités)
a neologism [ni'ɒlə,dʒɪzəm] NB : ['ni:ə-] est possible.
un néologisme
an orator ['ɒrətə] NB : il n'y a pas d'autre possibilité !
un orateur
an impassioned orator
un orateur passionné
a consonant ['kɒnsənənt]
une consonne
a voiced consonant
une consonne sonore / voisée
an unvoiced consonant
une consonne sourde / non voisée
"Quote... Unquote." (informal) NB : an expression used before or part before and part after a quotation to identify it as such, and sometimes to dissociate the writer or speaker from it (e.g : The second sentence says, quote, there has never been a better time to invest in the commodities market, unquote. The brochure describes the view as, quote, unquote, unforgettably breathtaking. He paused and said, quote, I don't care, unquote.)
"Ouvrez les guillemets... Fermez les guillemets." "Je cite" (informel)
EXPLAINING
EXPLIQUER
ELOQUENCE ['eləkwəns]
L'ÉLOQUENCE
State your case.
Présentez vos arguments.
COMPLAINING
SE PLAINDRE
If you want my advice,...
Si vous voulez mon avis,...
REQUESTING AND GRANTING
DEMANDER ET ACCORDER
DISCUSSING
DISCUTER
AGREEING
DONNER SON ACCORD
From my point of view
De mon point de vue
Such arguments carry conviction. NB : to carry conviction = to be convincing.
De tels arguments emportent l'adhésion.
to center sth
centrer qqch
to advise sb to do sth
conseiller à qq de faire qqch
Such arguments carry little conviction. NB : to carry conviction = to be convincing.
De tels arguments sont peu convaincants.
STATING, ANNOUNCING, MENTIONING
DÉCLARER, ANNONCER, MENTIONNER
EXPRESSING GRATITUDE
EXPRIMER LA GRATITUDE
She is in a ,self-'pitying mood.
Elle est d'humeur à s'apitoyer sur elle-même.
thanks to
grâce à
Italian-speaking
italianophone (adj.)
morphology [mɔ:'fɒlədʒi]
la morphologie
to threaten
menacer
to keep one's voice down
parler doucement
to offer an explanation
proposer une explication
to translate
traduire
This should be discussed behing closed door.
On doit discuter de cela à huis clos.
a figure of speech
une figure de rhétorique
With love to you all,...
Affectueusement à tous.
Give my love to John.
Embrasse John pour moi.
I've heard (it said) that...
J'ai appris / entendu dire que...
thankfully = gratefully
avec reconnaissance (deux possibilités)
remorsefully
avec des remords
to await an answer
attendre une réponse
to be ashamed
avoir honte
shame
la honte
Spanish-speaking
hispanophone (adj.)
unacceptable
inacceptable
forgivingness
l'indulgence (tendance à pardonner)
gossip
les commérages
to persuade [pə'sweɪd]
persuader
to answer a question
répondre à une question
to apologise to sb for (doing) sth
s'excuser auprès de qq pour (avoir fait) qqch
a word
un mot
a dash
un tiret
a sentence
une phrase
VOCABULARY [vəʊ'kæbjʊləri]
LE VOCABULAIRE
"New paragraph."
"À la ligne."
(in)coherence
(in)cohérence
(in)coherent [kəʊ'hɪərənt]
(in)cohérent
complimentary NB : if you are complimentary about something, you express admiration, praise or approval for it (e.g : The staff have been very complimentary, and so have the customers. We often get complimentary remarks regarding the cleanliness of our patio. Jennie was very complimentary about Kath's riding. Complimentary remarks.) - a complimentary seat, ticket, or book is given to you free (e.g : He had complimentary tickets to take his wife to see the movie. A complimentary copy of Dr Sherwood's recently published book. A complimentary bottle of wine)
- flatteur, élogieux - gratuit, offert à titre gracieux
to account for sth NB : - if something accounts for a particular fact or situation, it causes or explains it (e.g : Now, the gene they discovered today doesn't account for all those cases.) - if you can account for something, you can explain it or give the necessary information about it (e.g : How do you account for the company's alarmingly high staff turnover? He said only 200 of the train's 600 passengers had been accounted for. He was brought before the Board to account for his behaviour.) - if someone has to account for an action or policy, they are responsible for it, and may be required to explain it to other people or be punished if it fails (e.g : The President and the President alone must account for his government's reforms.)
- expliquer, donner l'explication de - répondre de
to depend (up)on NB : - if you say that one thing depends on another, you mean that the first thing will be affected or determined by the second (e.g : The cooking time needed depends on the size of the potato. What happened later would depend on his talk with De Solina. How much it costs depends upon how much you buy.) - if you depend on someone or something, you need them in order to be able to survive physically, financially, or emotionally (e.g : They may hate what he does but their survival depends on him. He depended on his writing for his income. They had grown to depend on each other. Choosing the right account depends on working out your likely average balance.) - if you can depend on a person, organization, or law, you know that they will support you or help you when you need them (e.g : 'You can depend on me,' Cross assured him.)
- dépendre de - compter sur, être assuré de
to 'highlight NB : - to draw special attention to (e.g : The issues highlighted by the report. A moving ballad which highlighted the plight of the homeless. Once again, the 'Free Press' prefers not to highlight these facts. Two events have highlighted the tensions in recent days.) - to highlight a piece of text means to mark it in a different colour, either with a special type of pen or on a computer screen (e.g : Highlight the chosen area by clicking and holding down the left mouse button. The relevant maps with the route highlighted in yellow.)
- (propre) surligner - (figuré) souligner, mettre l'accent sur
"I do apologise." "That's quite all right."
- Je suis vraiment désolé. - Je vous en prie, ce n'est rien.
"Thank you very much for..." "You're welcome." NB : used as a polite response to thanks.
- Merci beaucoup pour... - Je vous en prie. / De rien.
"Sorry !" "It's all right. Forget it." NB : IT'S ALL RIGHT an answer to someone who has just thanked you for something or just said sorry for something they have done (e.g : "Thank you for the flowers." "It's all right (= there's no need to thank me). I thought they might cheer you up." // "I'm sorry I broke the vase." "Oh, that's all right (= it's not important). It wasn't very expensive." // "Thanks so much for picking up the kids for me." "Oh, that's all right." // "Sorry I didn't call you yesterday." "Oh, it's all right. I'd forgotten all about it." // "I'm so sorry for inconveniencing you like this." "That's all right, I wasn't in any rush." // "Rebecca ! Don't touch the gentleman's computer !" "That's all right, it's in standby right now, so she can't do anything to it.") - "Forget it." : said when insisting to someone that there is no need for apology or thanks, that something is not important and not to worry about it (e.g : "I'm so sorry about that cup." "Oh, forget it - I've got plenty.")
- Pardon ! - Ce n'est pas grave.
WAYS OF SPEAKING
LES MANIÈRES DE PARLER
acceptance [ək'septəns] NB : [æk-] et [ɪk-] sont possibles. NB : - acceptance of an offer or a proposal is the act of saying yes to it or agreeing to it (e.g : The Party is being degraded by its acceptance of secret donations. I sent them more than 6,000 cartoons before I had my one and only acceptance by them. Several shareholders have withdrawn earlier acceptances of the offer. A letter of acceptance. His acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize.) - if there is acceptance of an idea, most people believe or agree that it is true (e.g : A theory that is steadily gaining acceptance. There was a general acceptance that the defence budget would shrink.) - your acceptance of a situation, especially an unpleasant or difficult one, is an attitude or feeling that you cannot change it and that you must get used to it (e.g : Their acceptance of the system will probably determine its long-term fate. His calm acceptance of whatever comes his way.) - if there is acceptance of a new product, people start to like it and get used to it (e.g : Customer acceptance of this technology has been outstanding. Avant-garde music to this day has not found general public acceptance.) - acceptance of someone into a group means beginning to think of them as part of the group and to act in a friendly way towards them (e.g : An effort to ensure that people with disabilities achieve real acceptance.)
- acceptation - reconnaissance, adoption, adhésion
- to admit sth [əd'mɪt] + [æd-] - to admit doing sth NB : - admit sth : idée d'admettre, reconnaître une vérité - admit to sth : idée d'avouer un crime NB : - to confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance (e.g : I am willing to admit that I do make mistakes. Up to two-thirds of drivers admit to driving while feeling tired. I'd be ashamed to admit feeling jealous. None of these people will admit responsibility for their actions. I have to admit I was relieved when he left. He admits to having lied. [sic])
- admettre / avouer qqch - admettre / avouer que l'on a fait qqch
to petition (sb) for sth NB : if you petition someone in authority, you make a formal request to them (e.g : Couples petitioning for divorce. All the attempts to petition the Congress had failed. Twenty-five of his supporters petitioned him to restore the monarchy. She's petitioning to regain custody of the child.)
- adresser une pétition (à qq) pour obtenir qqch - déposer une demande officielle auprès de...
to have a tiff with sb NB : a tiff is a small unimportant quarrel, especially between two close friends or between lovers.
- avoir une prise de bec avec qq - avoir une querelle d'amoureux
to summon sb ['sʌmən] NB : - if you summon someone, you order them to come to you or be present (e.g : Howe summoned a doctor and hurried over. Suddenly we were summoned to the interview room. He has been summoned to appear in court on charges of incitement to law-breaking. A waiter was summoned.) - to urgently demand (help) (e.g : She summoned medical assistance.)
- convoquer qq - citer qq à comparaître
to discuss sth with sb [dɪs'kʌs] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : - if people discuss something, they talk about it, often in order to reach a decision (e.g : I will be discussing the situation with colleagues tomorrow. The cabinet met today to discuss how to respond to the ultimatum. I discussed the matter with my wife. They were discussing where to go for a drink.) - talk or write about (a topic) in detail, taking into account different ideas and opinions (e.g : In Chapter Six I discuss problems that arise in applying Darwin's ideas. I will discuss the role of diet in cancer prevention in Chapter 7.)
- discuter (de) qqch avec qq - débattre de qqch avec qq
- to deny sth - to deny having done sth NB : [dɪ'naɪ] + [də-]. NB : - when you deny something, you state that it is not true (e.g : She denied both accusations. The government has denied that there was a plot to assassinate the president. They all denied ever having seen her.) - if you deny someone or something, you say that they have no connection with you or do not belong to you (e.g : I denied my father because I wanted to become someone else.)
- démentir / nier / refuser d'admettre qqch - démentir / nier / refuser d'admettre avoir fait qqch
meaningless NB : - if something that someone says or writes is meaningless, it has no meaning, or appears to have no meaning (e.g : The sentence "kicked the ball the man" is meaningless. She is fascinated by algebra while he considers it meaningless nonsense.) - something that is meaningless in a particular situation is not important or relevant (e.g : Widespread political and economic disarray threatens to make the constitution meaningless. Fines are meaningless to guys earning millions.) - if something that you do is meaningless, it has no purpose and is not at all worthwhile (e.g : They seek strong sensations to dull their sense of a meaningless existence.)
- dénué de sens - insignifiant
to dry up NB : (informal) if you dry up when you are speaking, you stop in the middle of what you were saying, because you cannot think what to say next (e.g : If you ask her what she's good at she will dry up after two minutes. Then he dried up, and Phil couldn't get another word out of him. Oh, dry up already ! I'm sick of hearing you [sic] complain.)
- être à court d'arguments, être à court de mots - avoir un blanc (soudainement), sécher - la mettre en veilleuse
to chatter NB : - if you chatter, you talk quickly and continuously, usually about things which are not important (e.g : Everyone's chattering away in different languages. Erica was friendly and chattered about Andrew's children. He listened to chattering maids as they passed by. Idle chatter. Lila kept up a steady stream of chatter. - if your teeth chatter, they keep knocking together because you are very cold or very nervous (e.g : She was so cold her teeth chattered.) - if objects chatter, they make short repeated sounds (e.g : The telex chattered all day and night with news bulletins. The chatter of radios and the noise of the helicopter overhead.) - when birds (parrots,...) or animals (monkeys,...) chatter, they make high-pitched noises (e.g : Birds were chattering somewhere.)
- jacasser (oiseaux, animaux, bavardages) - claquer (dents)
oratory ['ɒrətəri] NB : - (mass noun) oratory is the art of making formal speeches which strongly affect people's feelings and beliefs (e.g : He displayed determination as well as powerful oratory. The gift of persuasive oratory.) - an oratory is a room or building where Christians go to pray (e.g : The wedding will be at the Brompton Oratory next month.)
- l'art oratoire - le talent oratoire
compliance [kəm'plaɪəns] NB : - the action or fact of complying with a wish or command (e.g : The way in which the state maintains order and compliance.) - the state or fact of according with or meeting rules or standards (e.g : Inspectors were sent to visit nuclear sites and verify compliance with the treaty. The company says it is in full compliance with U.S. labor laws. The Security Council aim to ensure compliance by all sides, once an agreement is signed.) - (physics) the property of a material of undergoing elastic deformation or (of a gas) change in volume when subjected to an applied force. It is equal to the reciprocal of stiffness.
- la conformité (avec une règle), le respet (d'une règle) - la docilité, la complaisance NB : complaisance = (ici) action de s'accomoder au sentiment, au goût de qq pour lui plaire.
curiosity [,kjʊəri'ɒsəti] NB : [,kjɔ:r-] et [-ɪti] sont possibles. NB : - a strong desire to know or learn sth (e.g : Filled with curiosity, she peered through the window. Curiosity got the better of me, so I called him.) - a curiosity is something that is unusual, interesting, and fairly rare (e.g : There is much to see in the way of castles, curiosities, and museums. He showed them some of the curiosities of the house.)
- la curiosité - une curiosité (chose à voir, rare, intéressante)
derivation [,derɪ'veɪʃən] NB : - the formation of a word from another word or from a root in the same or another language. - the derivation of something, especially a word, is its origin or source (e.g : The derivation of its name is obscure. The word is of old French derivation.)
- la dérivation (lexicale) - l'origine (d'un mot)
conviction(s) NB : - a conviction is a strong belief or opinion (e.g : It is our firm conviction that a step forward has been taken. Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms. She takes pride in stating her political convictions. His conviction that the death was no accident was stronger.) - if you have conviction, you have and show great confidence in your beliefs or opinions (e.g : 'We shall, sir,' said Thorne, with conviction. She had been speaking for some five minutes with force and conviction.)
- la/les conviction(s) (auxquelles on croit) - la conviction (avec laquelle on s'exprime)
to hint at sth NB : if you hint at something, you suggest it in an indirect way (e.g : She suggested a trip to the shops and hinted at the possibility of a treat of some sort. Criticism is hinted at, but never made explicit. The papers also hinted that the problem was really his private life. The President hinted he might make some changes in the government. She hinted that she might prefer our company to theirs.)
- laisser entendre qqch - faire allusion à - laisser entendre qqch, insinuer
scandal ['skændəl] NB : - a scandal is a situation or event that is thought to be shocking and immoral and that everyone knows about (e.g : A financial scandal.) - (uncount noun) Scandal is talk about the shocking and immoral aspects of someone's behaviour or something that has happened (e.g : He loved gossip and scandal.) - if you say that something is a scandal, you are angry about it and think that the people responsible for it should be ashamed (e.g : It is a scandal that a person can be stopped for no reason by the police.)
- le scandale (indén.) - un scandale (dén.) - les ragots (indén.)
regretfully = regrettably = with regret NB : REGRET if someone expresses regret about something, they say that they are sorry about it (e.g : He expressed great regret and said that surgeons would attempt to reverse the operation. She has accepted his resignation with regret.) REGRETFULLY - in a regretful manner (e.g : He sighed regretfully.) - regrettably ; it is regrettable that (e.g : Regretfully, mounting costs and diminishing traffic forced the line to close.) NB : notes d'usage : - regretful = feeling or showing regret (e.g : She shook her head with a regretful smile.) - regrettable = giving rise to regret, undesirable (e.g : The loss of jobs is regrettable.) - the adverbs "regretfully" and "regrettably" have not preserved the same distinction. "regretfully" means "in a regretful manner" (He sighed regretfully.) but also "it is regrettable that..." (e.g : Regretfully, the trustees must turn down your request.), in which latter use it is synonymous with "regrettably". Regretful and regretfully are sometimes wrongly used where regrettable and regrettably are meant: he gave a regretful smile; he smiled regretfully; this is a regrettable (not regretful) mistake; regrettably (not regretfully), I shall be unable to attend.
- malheureusement - à regret NB : trois possibilités.
to qualify ['kwɒlɪfaɪ] NB : [-ləf-] est possible. NB : - (gram.) to modify the meaning of (a noun, for example) - to make less harsh or severe ; moderate (e.g : I qualified my criticism to avoid offending anyone.)
- nuancer - qualifier (un nom)
to offend sb [ə'fend] NB : - if you offend someone, you say or do something rude which upsets or embarrasses them (e.g : He apologizes for his comments and says he had no intention of offending the community. The survey found almost 90 percent of people were offended by strong swearwords. Television censors are cutting out scenes which they claim may offend. Viewers said they had been offended by bad language.) - to be displeasing to (e.g : He didn't smoke and the smell of ash offended him.) - (intr.) if someone offends, they commit an illegal act or a crime (e.g : A small hard core of young criminals who offend again and again. In Western countries girls are far less likely to offend than boys.)
- offenser qq (langage, contenu) - déranger, gêner qq (odeur forte,...)
on the grounds of... on the grounds that... NB : if something is grounds for a feeling or action, it is a reason for it. If you do something on the grounds of a particular thing, that thing is the reason for your action (e.g : The court overturned that decision on the grounds that the Prosecution had withheld crucial evidence. Owen was against it, on the grounds of expense. They called for a retrial on the grounds of the new evidence.)
- pour cause de..., en raison de... (prép.) - parce que (conj.)
to drone NB : - if you say that someone drones, you mean that they keep talking about something in a boring way, that they speak tediously in a dull monotonous tone (e.g : Chambers' voice droned, maddening as an insect around his head. The droning murmur of the doctor's voice in the bedroom had ceased. The minister's voice was a relentless drone. He reached for another beer while Jim droned on.) - to make a continuous low humming sound (e.g : In the far distance a machine droned. Above him an invisible plane droned through the night sky. A virtually non-stop droning noise in the background.)
- radoter, blablater, ne pas arrêter de parler d'un ton monocorde (traductions de wordreference) - ronronner (moteur)
to vouch for sb / sth ['vaʊtʃ] NB : - if you say that you can or will vouch for someone, you mean that you can guarantee their good behaviour (e.g : Kim's mother agreed to vouch for Maria and get her a job.) - if you say that you can vouch for something, you mean that you have evidence from your own personal experience that it is true or correct (e.g : He cannot vouch for the accuracy of the story. They say New York is the city that never sleeps, and I can certainly vouch for that.)
- répondre de qq / qqch, se porter garant de - garantir, attester
remorseless NB : - if you describe something, especially something unpleasant, as remorseless, you mean that it goes on for a long time and cannot be stopped (e.g : The remorseless pressure of recession and financial constraint. General Sherman's remorseless progress through Georgia.) - someone who is remorseless is prepared to be cruel to other people and feels no pity for them (e.g : The capacity for quick, remorseless violence. Remorseless thieves.)
- sans remords, sans pitié (adj.) - implacable
to clash with sb over sth
- se heurter à qq (les forces de l'ordre) - s'affronter (armées) - se disputer (violemment) avec qq à propos de qqch
to underline [,ʌndə'laɪn] NB : ['ʌndə,laɪn] est possible. NB : - if one thing, for example an action or an event, underlines another, it draws attention to it and emphasizes its importance (e.g : The report underlined his concern that standards were at risk. The decision to keep him in hospital underlines the seriousness of his injury. But the incident underlines how easily things can go wrong.) - if you underline something such as a word or a sentence, you draw a line underneath it in order to make people notice it or to give it extra importance (e.g : Underline the following that apply to you. Take two coloured pens and underline the positive and negative words.)
- souligner, mettre en évidence - souligner (d'un trait)
to have a hold on / over sb NB : - a hold is a particular way of keeping someone in a position using your own hands, arms, or legs (e.g : Use of an unauthorized hold on a handcuffed suspect.) - if you have a hold over someone, you have power or control over them, for example because you know something about them you can use to threaten them or because you are in a position of authority (e.g : It's always useful to have a hold over a fellow like Carl May. He had ordered his officers to keep an exceptionally firm hold over their men. Because he once loved her, she still has a hold on him.)
- tenir (qq / qqch) fermement (physiquement) - avoir prise sur qq, avoir une / de l'emprise sur qq, contrôler qq
to insist on doing sth NB : - if you insist that something should be done, you say so very firmly and refuse to give in about it. If you insist on something, you say firmly that it must be done or provided (e.g : My family insisted that I should not give in, but stay and fight. She insisted on being present at all the interviews. She insists on all her employees coming to the Christmas lunch she gives every year. I didn't want to join in, but Kenneth insisted.) - to persist in doing sth ; to keep doing something, even if it annoys other people, or people think it is not good for you (e.g : The heavy studded boots she insisted on wearing. I don't know why you insist on talking about it.)
- tenir à faire qqch, insister pour faire qqch - persister à faire qqch, s'entêter à faire qqch
an argument ['ɑ:gjumənt] NB : [-jə-] est possible. NB : - an argument is a statement or set of statements that you use in order to try to convince people that your opinion about something is correct (e.g : There's a strong argument for lowering the price. The doctors have set out their arguments against the proposals. It is better to convince by argument than seduce by example. There is a strong argument for submitting a formal speech. He rejected the argument that keeping the facility would be costly.) - an argument is a discussion or debate in which a number of people put forward different or opposing opinions (e.g : The incident has triggered fresh arguments about public spending. The issue has caused heated political argument.) - an argument is a conversation in which people disagree with each other angrily or noisily (e.g : Anny described how she got into an argument with one of the marchers. A heated argument. I've had an argument with my father.) - if you accept something without argument, you do not question it or disagree with it (e.g : He complied without argument. It should of course be given back. There is no argument about that.)
- un argument - une dispute
a drone NB : - a continuous low humming noise (e.g : He nodded off to the drone of the car engine) - (informal) a monotonous speech (e.g : Only twenty minutes of the hour-long drone had passed.)
- un ronronnement (moteur) - un discours interminable et ennuyeux
a vow [vaʊ] NB : - a vow is a serious and solemn promise or decision to do a particular thing (e.g : I made a silent vow to be more careful in the future. I had to admire David's vow that he would leave the programme.) - vows are a particular set of serious promises, such as the promises two people make when they are getting married (e.g : I took my marriage vows and kept them. A nun who had taken final vows. He had broken his vow of poverty.)
- un serment - un vœu, des vœux (de religieux, de personnes qui se marient)
a summons (pl. : summonses) NB : - a summons is an order to come and see someone (e.g : I received a summons to the Palace.) - a summons is an official order to appear in court (e.g : She had received a summons to appear in court.) - if someone is summonsed, they are officially ordered to appear in court (e.g : The men were summonsed and last week 30 appeared before Hove magistrates. She has been summonsed to appear at St Albans magistrates' court.) - an authoritative or urgent call to someone to be present or to do sth (e.g : They might receive a summons to fly to France next day.)
- une assignation à comparaître - une sommation
a conference ['kɒnfərəns] NB : - a conference is a meeting, often lasting a few days, which is organized on a particular subject or to bring together people who have a common interest (e.g : The President summoned all the state governors to a conference on education. The Conservative Party conference. Last weekend the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland held a conference, attended by 450 delegates.) - a conference is a meeting at which formal discussions take place (e.g : They sat down at the dinner table, as they always did, before the meal, for a conference. Her employer was in conference with two lawyers and did not want to be interrupted. The teacher held a conference for parents to introduce the curriculum.)
- une conférence - une réunion, un entretien
a criticism ['krɪtɪ,sɪzəm] NB : [-təs-] est possible. NB : - criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval (e.g : This policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism on Capitol Hill. Unfair criticism of his tactics. The criticism that the English do not truly care about their children was often voiced.) - (uncount) criticism is a serious examination and judgment of something such as a book or play (e.g : She has published more than 20 books including novels, poetry and literary criticism.)
- une critique (désapprobation) - la critique (littéraire, filmique)
a petition [pə'tɪʃən] NB : [pɪ-] est possible. NB : - a petition is a document signed by a lot of people which asks a government or other official group to do a particular thing (e.g : We recently presented the government with a petition signed by 4,500 people.) - a petition is a formal request made to a court of law for some legal action to be taken (e.g : His lawyers filed a petition for all charges to be dropped. The court rejected their petition. A divorce petition.) - an appeal or request to a deity or a superior (e.g : A steady stream of petitions to Allah were audible.)
- une pétition (avec signatures), une - une demande, requête (auprès d'un tribunal : divorce,...)
a root NB : a morpheme, not necessarily surviving as a word in itself, from which words have been made by the addition of prefixes or suffixes or by other modification (e.g : Many European words stem from this linguistic root. The root form of the word. The word 'secretary' comes from the same Latin root as the word 'secret'.)
- une racine (d'un état ancien de la langue) - un radical (base lexicale)
a complaint [kəm'pleɪnt] NB : - a complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation (e.g : There's been a record number of complaints about the standard of service on Britain's railways. People have been reluctant to make formal complaints to the police. If you feel you have any cause for complaint about the service you should write to the Hospital Administrator.) - a complaint is a reason for complaining (e.g : If you have a complaint about shoes bought from a shop covered by the Footwear Code, there are several ways of putting the matter right. I've got no complaints about them. My main complaint is that we can't go out on the racecourse anymore.) - you can refer to an illness as a complaint, especially if it is not very serious (e.g : Eczema is a common skin complaint which often runs in families.)
- une réclamation - une plainte
a suggestion NB : - if you make a suggestion, you put forward an idea or plan for someone to think about (e.g : The dietitian was helpful, making suggestions as to how I could improve my diet. Perhaps he'd followed her suggestion of a stroll to the river. I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.) - a suggestion is something that a person says which implies that something is the case (e.g : We reject any suggestion that the law needs amending. There are suggestions that he might be supported by the Socialists.) - if there is no suggestion that something is the case, there is no reason to think that it is the case (e.g : There is no suggestion whatsoever that the two sides are any closer to agreeing. There is absolutely no suggestion of any mainstream political party involvement.)
- une suggestion, une proposition - une indication (qui laisserait entendre qqch)
a rendering = a rendition [ren'dɪʃən] NB : RENDERING - a translation (e.g : A literal rendering of an idiom.) - an artistic depiction of something (e.g : A trompe l'oeil rendering of Mount Rushmore.) - a performance of a piece of music or drama (e.g : A lively rendering of "Ilkley Moor".) RENDITION - a visual representation or reproduction (e.g : A pen-and-ink rendition of Mars with his sword drawn.) - a translation or transliteration (e.g : "Iroquois" is a French rendition of an Algonquian word for "rattlesnake".) - a performance or interpretation, especially of a dramatic role or piece of music (e.g : A wonderful rendition of "Nessun Dorma".)
- une traduction - une représentaiton (picturale) - une interprétation (musique, pièce) NB : deux possibilités.
considering... (prép.) considering that... (conj.) NB : you use "considering (that)" to indicate that you are thinking about a particular fact when making a judgment or giving an opinion (e.g : Considering that you are no longer involved with this man, your response is a little extreme. He must be hoping, but considering the situation in June he may hoping for too much too soon. The former hostage is in remarkably good shape considering his ordeal.)
- étant donné... (prép.), compte tenu de - étant donné que... (conj.), vu que, compte tenu du fait que
to go along with sb NB : - if you go along with a rule, decision, or policy, you accept it and obey it (e.g : Whatever the majority decided I was prepared to go along with.) - if you go along with a person or an idea, you agree with them (e.g : 'I don't think a government has properly done it for years.' - 'I'd go along with that.') - to accompany or join sb (e.g : Can I go along with you to the mall ?)
- être d'accord avec qq, abonder dans le sens de qq - accompagner qq, aller avec qq
To my (great) regret,... = Regretfully,...
A mon grand regret,... (trois possibilités)
ADMITTING AND DENYING
AVOUER ET NIER
It's my fault.
C'est de ma faute.
None of these arguments stand up to scrutiny. ['skru:tɪni] NB : [-təni] est possible. NB : - to stand up : (of an argument, claim, evidence,...) remain valid after close scrutiny or analysis (e.g : But will your story stand up in court ?) - to stand up to : to withstand or endure (wear, criticism,...)
Aucun de ces arguments ne résiste à l'analyse.
Strange though it may seem = Strange as it may seem
Aussi étrange que cela puisse paraître (deux possibilités)
It has to do with... It has something to do with... NB : to be connected with (e.g : His illness has a lot to do with his failing the exam. John's got nothing to do with that terrible murder. Half the country believed rock 'n' roll had something to do with national decline.)
C'est lié à..., Ça a à voir avec...
He is in command.
C'est lui qui commande.
That's a promise.
C'est promis. / Je ne reviendrai pas là-dessus.
Best regards. = (With) Kind regards. NB : a common, semi-formal valediction. (strictement équivalentes)
Bien amicalement. Toutes mes amitiés. Bien cordialement. (trois possibilités)
Good for you ! = Good on you ! = Well done ! NB : - Good for / on you ! : used to express praise or approval of sth said or done, or enjoyment in a person's success or good fortune (e.g : "I'm having driving lessons and taking my test next month." "Good for you !" Good on you for standing your ground.) - Well done ! : used to express congratulations or approval (e.g : Well done - you've worked very hard !)
Bravo ! (trois possibilités)
It's a matter of opinion.
C'est une affaire / question d'opinion.
ADVISING
CONSEILLER
The fact cannot be disputed.
Ce fait ne peut être contesté.
This word comes from a Latin word.
Ce mot vient d'un mot latin.
This is a wrong approach to the problem.
Ce n'est pas la bonne façon d'aborder le problème.
I'm not to blame (for it). NB : if someone is to blame for something bad that has happened, they are responsible for causing it (e.g : If their forces were not involved, then who is to blame? The policy is partly to blame for causing the worst unemployment in Europe.)
Ce n'est pas ma faute. (deux possibilités)
This is strictly off the record ! NB : if something that you say is off the record, you do not intend it to be considered as official, or published with your name attached to it (e.g : May I speak off the record? All this is off the record. At the end of the lunch, I said I had some off-the-record comments.) NB : trad. wordreference : confidentiel, officieux.
Ceci doit rester entre nous !
It calls for an explanation. NB : if something calls for a particular action or quality, it needs it or makes it necessary (e.g : It's a situation that calls for a blend of delicacy and force.) NB : wordreference traduit "call for" par "requérir".
Cela demande à être expliqué. Cela requiert une explication.
It's hardly worth mentioning.
Cela mérite à peine qu'on en parle.
It requires no explaining.
Cela n'a pas besoin d'être expliqué.
It's not worth mentioning.
Cela ne mérite pas qu'on en parle.
Shush ! [ʃʊʃ] NB : [ʃʌʃ] est possible.
Chut !
What's the English (word) for... ?
Comment dit-on... en anglais ? (deux possibilités)
Oddly enough
Curieusement,...
She cajoled him into yielding. [kə'dʒəʊl] = She wheedled him into yielding. = She coaxed him into yielding. [kəʊks] NB : CAJOLE persuade sb to do sth by sustaining coaxing or flattery (e.g : He hoped to cajole her into selling the house. She pleaded and cajoled as she tried to win his support. It was he who had cajoled Garland into doing the film. He cajoled Mr Dobson to stand for mayor.) WHEEDLE - if you say that someone wheedles, you mean that they try to persuade someone to do or give them what they want, for example by saying nice things that they do not mean (e.g : Cross decided to beg and wheedle a bit. He managed to wheedle his way into the offices. An opportunity to wheedle more money out of Wilson. 'Why don't you try to read on past page 21,' I wheedled and sat down again. She wheedled her way on to the guest list. She had wheedled us into employing her brother. "Please, for my sake," he wheedled.) COAX gently and persistently try to persuade sb to do sth (e.g : The trainees were coaxed into doing boring work. He was coaxing me to walk a bit further. "Come on now," I coaxed. Start trying to coax the rabbit out of its hutch. The government coaxed them to give up their strike.) NB : wordreference traduit : - coax : amadouer, embobiner - cajole : cajoler, amadouer, persuader - wheedle : flatter
Elle l'a fait céder en l'amadouant. (trois verbes possibles)
She didn't reply anything. = She gave no reply.
Elle n'a rien répondu. (deux possibilités)
She is neither clever nor utterly stupid. NB : UTTERLY completely and without qualification ; absolutely (e.g : He looked utterly ridiculous. Everything about the country seemed utterly different from what I'd experienced before. The new laws coming in are utterly ridiculous. Such an allegation is utterly without foundation.)
Elle n'est ni intelligente ni complètement idiote.
She can be manipulative. She is manipulative.
Elle n'hésite pas à manipuler les gens. (deux formulations)
She is a woman of few words. NB : = not talkative.
Elle parle peu.
She wallows in ,self-'pity. ['wɒləʊ] NB : - if you say that someone is wallowing in an unpleasant situation, you are criticizing them for being deliberately unhappy (e.g : His tired mind continued to wallow in self-pity. I wanted only to wallow in my own grief.) - if a person or animal wallows in water or mud, they lie or roll about in it slowly for pleasure (e.g : Never have I had such a good excuse for wallowing in deep warm baths. Dogs love splashing in mud and hippos wallow in it. There were watering places where buffalo [sic] liked to wallow.)
Elle se complaît dans l'apitoiement sur elle-même.
Forgive me for (not) + V-ing
Excusez-moi d'avoir (de ne pas avoir)...
Speech is silver but silence is golden.
La parole est d'argent mais le silence est d'or.
The question is whether...
La question est de savoir si...
He owned up to his mistake.
Il a reconnu son erreur.
He's just splitting hairs.
Il coupe les cheveux en quatre.
He is as good as his word. NB : = he does what he has promised to do.
Il est digne de confiance, il tiendra sa promesse.
It's a pity / shame that...
Il est dommage que... (deux possibilités)
His voice is breaking. NB : to break (of the male voice) = to undergo a change in register, quality, and range at puberty.
Il est en train de muer.
He is a disgrace to his family. [dɪs'greɪs] NB : [dɪz-] et [dəs-] sont possibles. NB : - loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonorable action (e.g : He left the army in disgrace. If he'd gone back it would have brought disgrace on his family. His vice president also had to resign in disgrace.) - (sing.) a person or thing regarded as shameful and unacceptable (e.g : He's a disgrace to the legal profession. The way the sales were handled was a complete disgrace. The national airline is a disgrace. Republican leaders called him a disgrace to the party. What went on was a scandal. It was a disgrace to Britain. )
Il est la honte de sa famille. Il jette l'opprobre sur sa famille. NB : opprobre (m.) = très grande honte publique ; déshonneur
He is either stupid or mad.
Il est soit stupide soit fou.
Over my dead body ! NB : if you reply 'Over my dead body' when a plan or action has been suggested, you are emphasizing that you dislike it, and will do everything you can to prevent it (e.g : 'Let's invite her to dinner.' - 'Over my dead body!')
Il faudra me passer sur le corps !
This analysis should be qualified. NB : QUALIFY if you qualify a statement, you make it less strong or less general by adding a detail or explanation to it (e.g : I would qualify that by putting it into context. She felt obliged to qualify her first short answer.)
Il faudrait nuancer cette analyse.
It must be borne in mind that...
Il faut garder à l'esprit que... Il ne faut pas perdre de vue que...
We / One should mention...
Il faut mentionner...
It needs saying that...
Il faut préciser que...
You should be aware that... (sic) NB : if you are aware of something, you know about it (e.g : Smokers are well aware of the dangers to their own health. He should have been aware of what his junior officers were doing. Some people may not be aware that this was a problem.)
Il faut savoir que...
He wouldn't give me a straight answer. = He wouldn't say yes or no.
Il m'a fait une réponse de Normand. Il n'a pas voulu me répondre clairement. (deux possibilités)
It seems to me that...
Il me semble que...
It is out of the question !
Il n'en est pas question !
We / You / One should bear in mind that... = It is important to bear in mind that... NB : bear in mind = keep in mind = remember.
Il ne faut pas oublier que... (deux possibilités)
He couldn't put it into words.
Il ne trouvait pas les mots pour s'exprimer.
It follows that... NB : if it follows that a particular thing is the case, that thing is a logical result of something else being true or being the case (e.g : Just because a bird does not breed one year, it does not follow that it will fail the next. If the explanation is right, two things follow. It is easy to see the conclusions described in the text follow from this equation.)
Il s'ensuit que...
It would appear that... = Seemingly... NB : SEEMINGLY - if something is seemingly the case, you mean that it appears to be the case, even though it may not really be so (e.g : A seemingly endless line of trucks waits in vain to load up. Bread made from a seemingly limitless variety of ingredients. He has moved to Spain, seemingly to enjoy a slower style of life. He is a man with seemingly not an ounce of malice in him. A seemingly competent and well-organised person.)
Il semblerait que... = Apparement (deux possibilités)
It goes without saying that...
Il va sans dire que...
There's a strong case against it.
Il y a beaucoup d'arguments contre.
They have a good case.
Ils ont de bons arguments.
They appealed to her sense of justice.
Ils ont fait appel à son sens de la justice.
I regret to inform you that...
J'ai le regret de vous informer que...
I should like to know who / whether...
J'aimerais savoir qui / si...
That's just 'hair,splitting.
J'appelle cela couper les cheveux en quatre.
I talked her out of her plan. NB : if you talk someone out of doing something they want or intend to do, you persuade them not to do it (e.g : My mother tried to talk me out of getting a dog. People tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted.) (talk sb out of [doing] sth = dissuader qq)
Je l'ai persuadée de renoncer à son projet.
My word is my bond. NB : = I always keep my promises (e.g : I promise that I'll be there in time with the money for the deposit ; my word is my bond.) NB : peut s'employer à d'autres personnes (e.g : His word is his bond.)
Je n'ai qu'une parole.
I have no objection to your friends.
Je n'ai rien contre tes amis.
I have nothing to reproach myself for / with.
Je n'ai rien à me reprocher.
I didn't mean to + V.
Je n'avais pas l'intention de..., Je n'ai pas voulu...
I can't agree with that.
Je ne suis pas d'accord sur ce point. Je ne peux vous suivre sur ce point.
I won't hear of it.
Je ne veux pas en entendre parler.
Might is right.
La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.
I can assure you Let me assure you NB : you use phrases such as I can assure you or let me assure you to emphasize the truth of what you are saying (e.g : I can assure you that the animals are well cared for. This may sound trivial, but I assure you it is quite important ! And let me assure you I will use whatever force is necessary to restore order.)
Je peux vous assurer que... (deux possibilités)
I'm sorry I did this. = I shouldn't have done this.
Je regrette d'avoir fait ça. (deux possibilités)
I suggest that we + V
Je suggère que nous + subj.
I see eye to eye with you. NB : to be in full agreement (e.g : Mr Trumble and I do not always see eye to eye. The boss and I do not always see eye to eye.)
Je suis entièrement de votre avis. Je suis d'accord avec vous.
(With) love from...
Je t'embrasse. Bien affectueusement.
I should like to say a word about... NB : - you use should in expressions such as "I should like" and "I should be happy" to show politeness when you are saying what you want to do, or when you are requesting, offering, or accepting something (e.g : I should be happy if you would bring them this evening. 'I should like to know anything you can tell me,' said Kendal. I should like a word with the carpenter. I should like to ask you to come with us for a quiet supper. That is very kind of you both. I should like to come. 'You can go and see her if you like.'—'I should be delighted to do so.' She thought, 'I should like her for a friend.') - (in the first person) expressing a polite request or acceptance (e.g : 'I should like some more, if I may.' 'We should be grateful for your advice.')
Je voudrais dire un mot sur...
I beg your pardon. NB : - (formal) used to express polite apology (e.g : I beg your pardon for intruding. // Did I step on your toe ? Oh, I beg your pardon ! // Oh, I beg your pardon. I wasn't looking where I was going.) - you say ' Pardon?' or 'I beg your pardon?' or, in American English, 'Pardon me?' when you want someone to repeat what they have just said because you have not heard or understood it (e.g : 'Will you let me open it?' - 'Pardon?' - 'Can I open it?' // 'Does it have wires coming out of it?' - 'Pardon me?' - 'Does it have wires coming out of it?' // I beg your pardon - I'm afraid I didn't catch that.) - used to express one's anger or indignation at what someone has just said (e.g : "I beg your pardon !" Beecham snapped. // I beg your pardon ! I'd rather you didn't refer to my father as "that fat man".)
Je vous demande pardon ? (pour faire répéter)
I owe you an apology.
Je vous dois des excuses.
I give you my word of honour.
Je vous donne ma parole d'honneur.
Granted. NB : CONJ. you use "granted" or "granted that" at the beginning of a clause to say that something is true, before you make a comment on it (e.g : Granted that the firm has not broken the law, is the law what it should be?) ADV. Granted is also an adverb : it is true (used to introduce a factor which is opposed to the main line of argument but is not regarded as so strong as to invalidate it) (e.g : Granted, he doesn't look too bad for his age, but I don't fancy him. Granted, sitting around the house may not be your idea of the perfect retirement, but what's your choice when inflation is eroding the value of your nest egg ?)
Je vous l'accorde.
Yours faithfully. = Yours sincerely. NB : - Yours faithfully (GB, formal, written) : used at the end of a formal letter before you sign your name, when you have addressed somebody as "Dear Sir / Dear Madam" and not by their name - Yours sincerely (GB, formal, written) (Am. : "Sincerely [yours]") : used at the end of a formal letter before you sign your name, when you have addressed somebody by their name.
Je vous prie d'agréer l'expression de ma considération distinguée. (deux possibilités, non équivalentes)
I thank you warmly / heartily. NB : HEARTY - hearty people or actions are loud, cheerful, and energetic (e.g : Wade was a hearty, bluff, athletic sort of guy. He gave a hearty laugh. A hearty and boisterous character. He sang in a hearty baritone. + He laughed heartily.) - hearty feelings or opinions are strongly felt or strongly held (e.g : With the last sentiment, Arnold was in hearty agreement. He expressed his hearty agreement. Hearty congratulations. + I heartily agree with her favourable comments on Germany and France. Most of the city's inhabitants are heartily sick of war.) - a hearty meal is large, wholesome, substantial, and very satisfying (e.g : The men ate a hearty breakfast. A hearty soup delicately flavoured with nutmeg. Evening meals of good, hearty Swiss cooking + I ate heartily and always cleared my plate.) - (of a person) strong and healthy (e.g : a formidably hearty spinster of fifty-five) - (of a person's appetite) robust and healthy (e.g : Jim goes for a long walk to work up a hearty appetite for dinner.)
Je vous remercie chaleureusement. (deux adv. possibles)
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Je vous remercie du fond du cœur.
I deeply appreciate + N. + gérondif [ə'pri:ʃieɪt] = I'm very grateful for + N. + gérondif NB : [-'pri:s-] est possible. NB : APPRECIATE if you appreciate something that someone has done for you or is going to do for you, you are grateful for it (e.g : Peter stood by me when I most needed it. I'll always appreciate that. // Thanks, lads. I appreciate it. // I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention it.)
Je vous suis très reconnaissant de...
THE EPISTOLARY ART [ɪ'pɪstələri] NB : [əp-], [ep-] et [,epɪs'tɒləri]
L'ART ÉPISTOLAIRE
The argument put forward is specious. ['spi:ʃəs]
L'argument avancé est spécieux. NB : spécieux = qui a une apparence de vérité et de justice, mais qui n'en a, effectivement, que l'apparence (e.g : Oserais-je appeler vertu le plus naturel penchant de mon cœur ? O sophisme attrayant ! invitation spécieuse ! mirage insidieux du bonheur !)
LINGUISTICS [lɪŋ'gwɪstɪks]
LA LINGUISTIQUE
(PER)SUASION = INFLUENCING PEOPLE
LA PERSUATION = INFLUENCER AUTRUI
PUNCTUATION [,pʌŋktʃu'eɪʃən] NB : [-tju-] est possible.
LA PONCTUATION
SYNTAX ['sɪntæks]
LA SYNTAXE
TRANSLATING [træns'leɪt-] NB : [trɑ:ns-], [trænz-], [trɑ:nz-], [trəns-] et [trənz-] sont possibles.
LA TRADUCTION
THE PARAGRAPH ['pærəgrɑ:f] NB : [-græf] est possible, et n'est pas noté faux comme pour "fast".
LE PARAGRAPHE
Let me get a word in. NB : GET IN if you get something in, you eventually succeed in saying it, usually when a lot of people are talking at the same time or one person is talking without stopping (e.g : It was hard to get a word in.)
Laissez-moi placer un mot. / Laisse-moi en placer une.
Let me give you a word. = Let me give you a piece of advice. = Let me give you some advice.
Laissez-moi vous donner un conseil. (trois noms possibles)
There's no excuse for my behaviour.
Ma conduite est inexcusable.
Thank you for your letter of + jour
Merci pour votre lettre du + jour
My warmest congratulations on your success.
Mes plus sincères félicitations pour votre réussite.
The least said (about it), the better. = The less said (about it), the better. NB : it is best to say as little about a difficult or unfortunate topic or situation as possible (to avoid making it worse or dwelling on it for too long). Can also be structured as "the less said about (something), the better." (e.g : And when it comes to the company's previous failed product, well, the less said, the better. Look, I don't like their plan either, but moping about it won't solve anything. The less said about it, the better.)
Moins on en parle, mieux ça vaut.
Mum's the word ! NB : say nothing of the secret you know (e.g : Mum's the word on the surprise party.)
Motus et bouche cousue !
We talked them into coming. NB : if you talk a person into doing something they do not want to do, especially something wrong or stupid, you persuade them to do it (e.g : He talked me into marrying him. He also talked me into having a baby. I was a fool to have let her talk me into it.)
Nous les avons persuadés / convaincus de venir.
We are pleased to announce that...
Nous sommes heureux d'annoncer que...
ORDERING
ORDONNER
It should be noted that...
On doit / Il faut signaler que...
It cannot be denied that...
On ne peut nier que...
Open inverted commas. Close inverted commas.
Ouvrez les guillemets. Fermez les guillemets. (instructions, dictée)
SPEAKING
PARLER
SPEAKING LANGUAGES
PARLER DES LANGUES
PROMISING AND COMMITTING ONESELF
PROMETTRE ET S'ENGAGER
He was threatened into / out of selling the land.
Par la menace, on l'a forcé à vendre / ne pas vendre le terrain.
He was blackmailed into / out of selling the land.
Par le chantage, on l'a forcé à vendre / ne pas vendre le terrain.
No way !
Pas question !
I beg to differ. ['dɪfə] NB : you say 'I beg to differ' when you are politely emphasizing that you disagree with someone.
Permettez-moi de ne pas être d'accord / de ne pas partager votre avis.
Personally, I believe that... = My personal opinion is that...
Personnellement, je pense que... (deux possibilités)
Peter sends his love.
Peter t'envoie ses amitiés. Peter t'embrasse.
To sum it all up,... = And to summarise,... NB : SUMMARISE if you summarize something, you give a summary of it (e.g : Table 3.1 summarizes the information given above. Basically, the article can be summarized in three sentences. To summarise, this is a clever approach to a common problem.)
Pour résumer,... (deux possibilités)
Why did you do this ?
Pourquoi avez-vous fait cela ?
Why don't you do this ?
Pourquoi ne faites-vous pas cela ?
Would you please elaborate ? [ɪ'læbəreɪt] NB : [əl-] est possible. NB : if you elaborate on something that has been said, you say more about it, or give more details (e.g : A spokesman declined to elaborate on a statement released late yesterday. Would you care to elaborate? He would not elaborate on his news. The key idea of the book is expressed in the title and elaborated in the text.)
Pourriez-vous (voudriez-vous bien) donner plus de précisions ?
a circumflex accent ['sɜ:kəmfleks] = a circumflex
un accent circonflexe (deuxpossibilités)
Could you be more specific about... ? [spə'sɪfɪk] NB : [spɪ-] est possible. NB : if someone is specific, they give a description or make a statement or issue instructions that are precise and exact. You can also use specific to describe their description (e.g : I asked him to be more specific. She's from the USA, Boston to be more specific. When ordering goods be specific. This report offered the most specific and accurate description of the problems.)
Pourriez-vous préciser un peu plus... ?
May I be excused ? NB : - a polite way of asking if one may leave some place (e.g : Mrs Watson, may I be excused ? My stomach is really bothering me. // I'm full, mum. May I be excused ? - (used esp. by school pupils) used to ask to be allowed to leave the room, esp. to go to the bathroom
Puis-je être dispensé de... ? Puis-je m'absenter ? Puis-je sortir ?
QUESTIONING AND ANSWERING
QUESTIONNER ET RÉPONDRE
What do you think ?
Qu'en pensez-vous ?
As far as I am concerned = For my part NB : FOR SB'S PART when you are describing people's thoughts or actions, you can say for her part or for my part, for example, to introduce what a particular person thinks or does (e.g : For my part, I feel elated and close to tears. The soldiers, for their part, agreed not to disrupt the election campaign.)
Quant à moi, pour ma part (deux possibilités)
What a pity ! = What a shame ! NB : SHAME if you say that something is a shame, you are expressing your regret about it and indicating that you wish it had happened differently ; you are expressing that it is a regrettable or unfortunate situation or action (e.g : It's a crying shame that police have to put up with these mindless attacks. They did not have enough money to adopt a child. It was such a shame. What a shame Ellie won't be here. It is a shame that they are not better known.) NB : wordreference traduit "a crying shame" par "vraiment dommage" ou "une grande honte". PITY if you say that it is a pity that something is the case, you mean that you feel disappointment or regret about it (e.g : It is a great pity that all pupils in the city cannot have the same chances. Pity you haven't got your car, isn't it. It seemed a pity to let it all go to waste.)
Quel dommage ! (deux possibilités)
What's your opinion (on this subject) ?
Quelle est votre opinion (sur ce point / sujet) ?
Who asked you to chip in with your opinion ? NB : CHIP IN if someone chips in during a conversation, they interrupt it in order to say something (e.g : 'That's true,' chipped in Quaver. He chipped in before Clements could answer. "He's right," Gloria chipped in.)
Qui t'a demandé ton avis ?
REFUSING AND PROTESTING
REFUSER ET PROTESTER
REGRETTING AND APOLOGISING
REGRETTER ET PRÉSENTER DES EXCUSES
BLAMING AND REPROACHING
REPROCHER
QUARRELLING
SE QUERELLER
a free translation NB : free = not exact or literal (e.g : a free translation).
une traduction libre
His actions belie his words. [bɪ'laɪ] NB : [bə-] est possible. NB : BELIE - (of an appearance) if one thing belies another, it hides the true situation and so creates a false idea or image of someone or something (e.g : His lively, alert manner belied his years. His youthful face belies his 80 years.) - if one thing belies another, it proves that the other thing is not true or genuine (e.g : The facts of the situation belie his testimony.)
Ses actes donnent un démenti à ses paroles.
In your place, I would... = If I were you, I would... NB : in sb's place = in another's position or situation NB : you say 'I should', usually with the expression 'if I were you', when you are giving someone advice by telling them what you would do if you were in their position (e.g : I should look out if I were you! James, I should refuse that consultancy with Shapiro, if I were you. I should go if I were you.)
Si j'étais vous, je... (deux possibilités)
Smog is a portmanteau word. [(,)pɔ:t'mæntəʊ] = Smog is a blend. NB : BLEND also called "portmanteau word" : a word formed by joining together the beginning and the end of two other words (e.g : "brunch" is a blend of "breakfast" and "lunch")
Smog est un mot-valise. (deux possibilités)
a literal translation ['lɪtərəl]
une traduction littérale
Let's suppose that... = Let's assume that...
Supposons que... (deux possibilités)
I object to your friends.
Tes amis ne me plaisent pas.
a word-for-word translation
une traduction mot à mot ; du mot à mot
a lexical item
une unité lexicale
You're holding something back. NB : if you hold something back, you do not include it in the information you are giving about something (e.g : You seem to be holding something back.)
Tu ne dis pas tout.
You're holding back on me. NB : l'expression n'apparaît pas dans les dictionnaires, mais se rencontre sur des forums où l'on s'interroge sur son sens et où l'on répond que cela veut bien dire "ne pas tout dire à qq", "avoir des secrets pour qq".
Tu ne me dis pas tout.
Please give Mrs Smith our thanks for...
Veuillez transmettre à Mme Smith nos remerciements pour...
You should have acted differently.
Vous auriez dû agir autrement.
It was wrong of you to do that. NB : wrong = not considered morally acceptable by most people (e.g : Children should be taught that violence is wrong. It was wrong of her to lie to you. What's wrong with having a little fun?)
Vous avez eu tort de faire cela.
You have a point there. NB : if you say that someone has a point, or if you take their point, you mean that you accept that what they have said is important and should be considered (e.g : 'If he'd already killed once, surely he'd have killed Sarah?' She had a point there. Oh I take your point, John, about that.)
Vous avez raison sur ce point-là. Ça n'est pas faux. Là, tu as raison.
You're entirely to blame for it.
Vous en êtes entièrement responsable.
You shouldn't have done this.
Vous n'auriez pas dû faire cela.
You have no one to blame but yourself.
Vous n'avez à vous en prendre qu'à vous-même.
You can take my word for it. NB : take someone's word for it = accept or believe what someone says.
Vous pouvez me croire sur parole.
In view of the fact that... = Seeing that... = Seeing as... (informal) = Seeing as how... (non standard) NB : SEEING THAT you can use seeing that or seeing as to introduce a reason for what you are saying (e.g : She had to support him, seeing that she had chosen him herself against the opinion of many. Seeing as this man is a doctor, I would assume he has a modicum of intelligence.) IN VIEW OF you use in view of when you are taking into consideration facts that have just been mentioned or are just about to be mentioned ; because or as a result of (e.g : In view of the fact that Hobson was not a trained economist, his achievements were remarkable. In view of this, the decision may not be easy.)
Vu que,... = Étant donné que... NB : quatre possibilités.
a comma ['kɒmə]
une virgule
to accede to sb's wishes [ək'si:d] NB : [æk-] et [ɪk-] sont possibles.
accéder au voeux de qq
to abbreviate [ə'bri:vieɪt]
abréger
stress
accent tonique
to stress (a word, a syllable)
accentuer (un mot, une syllabe)
to agree to do sth
accepter de faire qqch
to accept sth [ək'sept] NB : [æk-] et [ɪk-] sont possibles. NB : - if you accept something that you have been offered, you say yes to it or agree to take it (e.g : Eventually Sam persuaded her to accept an offer of marriage. Your old clothes will be gratefully accepted by jumble sale organisers. All those invited to next week's peace conference have accepted.) - if you accept an idea, statement, or fact, you believe that it is true or valid (e.g : I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in British science. I don't think they would accept that view. He did not accept this reply as valid. A workforce generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe.) - if you accept a plan or an intended action, you agree to it and allow it to happen (e.g : Accepting the report's proposals would mean a change in church law. The Council will meet to decide if it should accept his resignation.) - if you accept an unpleasant fact or situation, you get used to it or recognize that it is necessary or cannot be changed (e.g : Some people can accept suffering that can be shown to lead to a greater good. Urban dwellers often accept noise as part of city life. I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.) - if a person, company, or organization accepts something such as a document, they recognize that it is genuine, correct, or satisfactory and agree to consider it or handle it (e.g : We advised newspapers not to accept the advertising. Cheques can only be accepted up to the value guaranteed on the card. Proof of postage will not be accepted as proof of receipt.) - if an organization or person accepts you, you are allowed to join the organization or use the services that are offered (e.g : All-male groups will not be accepted. Incentives to private landlords to accept young people as tenants.)
accepter qqch
to agree to sth NB : if you agree to do something, you say that you will do it. If you agree to a proposal, you accept it (e.g : He agreed to pay me for the drawings. Donna agreed to both requests. All 100 senators agree to a postponement.)
accepter qqch (offre, propostion, requête)
to agree that...
accepter que...
to cheer
acclamer
compliant [kəm'plaɪənt] NB : - if you say that someone is compliant, you mean they willingly do what they are asked to do, that they are disposed to agree with others or obey rules, esp. to an excessive degree (e.g : She was much naughtier than her compliant brother. A docile and compliant workforce.) - (compliant with) meeting or in accordance with rules or standards (e.g : Policies compliant with federal legislation and regulations. Food that is compliant with safety regulation.) - (physics, medicine) having the property of compliance (e.g : The conversion of the gel to a much less compliant, rigid glass.)
accommodant, conciliant, docile
agreement NB : - an agreement is a formal decision about future action which is made by two or more countries, groups, or people (e.g : It looks as though a compromise agreement has now been reached. The two countries signed an agreement to jointly launch satellites. A new defence agreement between Greece and the United States.) - agreement on something is a joint decision that a particular course of action should be taken (e.g : The two men had not reached agreement on any issues. But instead of ending in agreement, the talks broke up in acrimony at the end of the week.) - agreement with someone means having the same opinion as they have (e.g : The judge kept nodding in agreement. There was general agreement that every effort should be made to prevent the war from spreading.)
accord
to grant sb sth [grɑ:nt]
accorder qqch à qq
accusing NB : if you look at someone with an accusing expression or speak to them in an accusing tone of voice, you are showing that you think they have done something wrong (e.g : The accusing look in her eyes conveyed her sense of betrayal.)
accusateur (adj.)
to accuse sb of sth
accuser qq de qqch
to accede to sb's claims NB : CLAIM a demand or request for sth considered one's due (e.g : The court had denied their claims to asylum.) ACCEDE if you accede to someone's request, you do what they ask (e.g : Britain would not accede to France's request. I never understood why he didn't just accede to our demands at the outset.)
accéder aux demandes de qq qui réclame qqch qu'il pense lui être dû
to accede to sb's demands
accéder aux exigences de qq
to acquiesce (in sth) [,ækwi'es] NB : - if you acquiesce in something, you agree to do what someone wants or to accept what they do (e.g : Steve seemed to acquiesce in the decision. He has gradually acquiesced to the demands of the opposition. When her mother suggested that she stay, Alice willingly acquiesced.) - to accept sth reluctantly but passively or without protest (e.g : Sara acquiesced in his decision. Socrates acquiesced in his own execution.)
acquiescer (à qqch)
to admit / confess readily ['redɪli] NB : [-əli] est possible. NB : readily : - without hesitation or reluctance ; willingly (e.g : He readily admits that the new car surpasses its predecessors. I asked her if she would allow me to interview her, and she readily agreed. When I was invited to the party, I readily accepted.) - you also use readily to say that something can be done or obtained quickly and easily. For example, if you say that something can be readily understood, you mean that people can understand it quickly and easily (e.g : The components are readily available in hardware shops. I don't readily make friends. Illegal fireworks are readily available.)
admettre / avouer facilement, sans faire de difficulté, sans hésiter
to admit / confess spontaneously [(,)spɒn'teɪniəsli] NB : [spən-] est possible.
admettre / avouer spontanément
to admire sb for (doing) sth
admirer qq pour (avoir fait) qqch
affirmative [ə'fɜ:mətɪv] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : not containing negation.
affirmatif
to argue that... ['ɑ:gju:] NB : If you argue that something is true, you state it and give the reasons why you think it is true (e.g : His lawyers are arguing that he is unfit to stand trial. It could be argued that the exam questions were too difficult.)
affirmer que, soutenir que
to assert [ə'sɜ:t] = to affirm [ə'fɜ:m] NB : ASSERT - if someone asserts a fact or belief, they state it firmly (e.g : Mr. Helm plans to assert that the bill violates the First Amendment. The defendants, who continue to assert their innocence, are expected to appeal. Altman asserted, "We were making a political statement about western civilisation and greed.") - if you assert your authority, you make it clear by your behaviour that you have authority (e.g : After the war, the army made an attempt to assert its authority in the south of the country. The people have asserted their power and that will be very difficult to reverse.) - if you assert your right or claim to something, you insist that you have the right to it (e.g : The republics began asserting their right to govern themselves.) AFFIRM - if you affirm that something is true or that something exists, you state firmly and publicly that it is true or exists (e.g : The courts have affirmed that the act can be applied to social media. A speech in which he affirmed a commitment to lower taxes. "This place is a dump," affirmed Miss T.) - if an event affirms something, it shows that it is true or exists (e.g : Everything I had accomplished seemed to affirm that opinion.)
affirmer, déclarer (deux possibilités)
ungrammatical
agrammatical, incorrect (du point de vue de la grammaire)
to go to sb for advice
aller demander conseil à qq, aller consulter qq
to start a new paragraph
aller à la ligne
ambiguous [æm'bɪgjuəs] NB : - (of language) open to more than one interpretation ; having a double meaning (e.g : ambiguous phrases ; the question is rather ambiguous) - unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made (e.g : The election result was ambiguous. This whole society is morally ambiguous.)
ambigu
a grave accent [grɑ:v] NB : seule prononciation possible en GB. En US, on recommande [greɪv], mais [grɑ:v] est possible.
un accent grave
to analyse ['ænəlaɪz] NB : resolve (a sentence) into its grammatical elements ; parse.
analyser (une phrase)
to announce NB : - if you announce something, you tell people about it publicly or officially (e.g : He will announce tonight that he is resigning from office. When they announced their engagement, no one was surprised. It was announced that the groups have agreed to a cease-fire.) - if you announce a piece of news or an intention, especially something that people may not like, you say it loudly and clearly, so that everyone you are with can hear it (e.g : Peter announced that he had no intention of wasting his time at any university. "I'm having a bath and going to bed," she announced, and left the room.) - if an airport or railway employee announces something, they tell the public about it by means of a loudspeaker system (e.g : Station staff announced the arrival of the train over the tannoy. They announced his plane was delayed.) - if a letter, sound, or sign announces something, it informs people about it (e.g : The next letter announced the birth of another boy. His entrance was announced by a buzzer connected to the door.) - if a meal or a guest is announced by a servant at a formal party, the servant says clearly that the meal is ready or the guest has arrived (e.g : Dinner was announced, and served.)
annoncer
antonymous (with) [æn'tɒnəməs] NB : [-ɪm-] est possible.
antonyme de (adj.)
to approve sth = to approve of sth NB : APPROVE STH if someone in a position of authority approves a plan or idea, they formally agree to it and say that it can happen (e.g : The Russian Parliament has approved a program of radical economic reforms. MPs approved the Bill by a majority of 97. The budget was approved by Congress.) APPROVE OF - if you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it (e.g : Not everyone approves of the festival. I approved of the proposal. I don't approve of the way she pampers my father and brothers.) - if you approve of someone or something, you like and admire them (e.g : You've never approved of Henry, have you? I didn't approve of his manner.)
approuver qqch (deux constructions avec nuances)
to reach a compromise = to come to a compromise = to work out a compromise NB : WORK OUT if you work out a solution to a problem or mystery, you manage to find the solution by thinking or talking about it (e.g : Negotiators are due to meet later today to work out a compromise. It took me some time to work out what was causing this. 'How will you contact me?' - 'We haven't worked that out yet.')
arriver à / trouver un compromis (trois verbes possibles)
to articulate [ɑ:'tɪkjuleɪt] NB : [-jə-] est possible. NB : - (intr.) to speak or enunciate (words, syllables,...) clearly and distinctly - (intr.) to utter a speak sound - (tr.) to pronounce distincly and carefully ; to enunciate
articuler
to assure sb of sth [ə'ʃɔ:] NB : [-ʃʊə] est possible. NB : - if you assure someone that something is true or will happen, you tell them that it is definitely true or will definitely happen, often in order to make them less worried (e.g : He hastened to assure me that there was nothing traumatic to report. 'Are you sure the raft is safe?' she asked anxiously. 'Couldn't be safer,' Max assured her confidently. Government officials recently assured Hindus of protection.) - to assure someone of something means to make certain that they will get it (e.g : Real Madrid's 2-1 victory has all but assured them of the title. Ways must be found to assure our children a decent start in life.)
assurer qq de qqch, assurer à qq que
an unqualified denial
un démenti sans nuances
to expect an answer NB : - if you are expecting something or someone, you believe that they will be delivered to you or come to you soon, often because this has been arranged earlier (e.g : I am expecting several important letters but nothing has arrived. I wasn't expecting a visitor. We were expecting him home again any day now.) - if you expect something, or expect a person to do something, you believe that it is your right to have that thing, or the person's duty to do it for you (e.g : He wasn't expecting our hospitality. I do expect to have some time to myself in the evenings. I wasn't expecting you to help. Is this a rational thing to expect of your partner, or not? She realizes now she expected too much of Helen.)
attendre une réponse (par lettre, soit qu'elle doive arriver prochainement, soit qu'on exige qu'elle nous soit envoyée)
to attest that... [ə'test] NB : to attest something or attest to something means to say, show, or prove that it is true (e.g : Police records attest to his long history of violence. I can personally attest that the cold and flu season is here. His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university.)
attester que...
to blame sth on sb = to put / lay the blame for sth on sb NB : BLAME STH ON SB (même définition que blame sb for) e.g : The bank blamed the error on technological failings. PUT / LAY THE BLAME ON SB (les deux prép. vont) e.g : The president put the blame squarely on his opponent.
attribuer (qqch de mal) à qq, rejeter (la faute) sur qq, faire porter le chapeau à qq (trois possibilités)
in the comparative
au comparatif
at the head of the sentence
au début de la phrase
basically NB : - in the most essential respects ; fundamentally (e.g : We started from a basically simple idea.) - you use basically to show that you are describing a situation in a simple, general way, and that you are not concerned with less important details (e.g : Basically you've got two choices. It's basically a vegan diet. Battery charging systems remain basically the same as those in use half a century ago. I basically played the same tunes every night.)
au fond, en gros
by means of... NB : if you do something by means of a particular method, instrument, or process, you do it using that method, instrument, or process (e.g : This is a two year course taught by means of lectures and seminars. The trailer was connected to the car by means of a complicated system of hoses, pipes and rods.)
au moyen de...
in the superlative
au superlatif
to authorise sth ['ɔ:θəraɪz]
autoriser qqch
to put forward an argument
avancer un argument
ungratefully
avec ingratitude
in double-spacing = double-spaced
avec interligne double (deux possibilités)
in single-spacing = single-spaced NB : to single-space (tr.) = to type (copy) without leaving a space between the lines
avec interligne simple (deux possibilités)
to warn sb not to do sth = to warn sb against doing sth
avertir qq de ne pas faire qqch (deux constructions possibles)
to warn sb about sth
avertir qq de qqch
to have ascendancy over sb [ə'sendənsi] NB : ASCENDANCY if one group has ascendancy over another group, it has more power or influence than the other group, or they occupy a position of dominant power or influence (e.g : Although geographically linked, the two provinces have long fought for political ascendancy. The extremists are gaining ascendancy. The poor have a moral ascendancy over the rich. The ascendancy of good over evil.)
avoir de l'ascendant sur qq
to be good at repartee
avoir de la répartie
to hold strong / definite views on sth NB : STRONG if you have strong opinions on something or express them using strong words, you have extreme or very definite opinions which you are willing to express or defend (e.g : It was hard to find a jury who did not already hold strong views on the tragedy. There has been strong criticism of the military regime. I am a strong supporter of the NHS. The newspaper condemned the campaign in extremely strong language. It's bad judgment, but it's not treason. I think treason is too strong a word.)
avoir des opinions bien arrêtées / tranchés sur qqch
to have regrets / remorse
avoir des regrets / remords (deux noms possibles)
to have the gift of (the) gab NB : the gift of the gab (informal) = the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency (e.g : My friend had the gift of the gab and gradually defused the situation.) ; the ability to speak to others in a self-assured, persuasive manner (e.g : Alexis really has the gift of gab, so she should be the one to address the potential investors. His gift of gab made him a wonderful salesman.) NB : - gab (informal, mass noun) : chatter, talk - to gab (informal, intr.) : talk at length, typically about trivial matters (e.g : Franny walked past a woman gabbing on the phone. It seems they were too busy gabbing about their weekend to actually help a customer.)
avoir du bagout, avoir la langue bien pendue
to have the impression that... = to get the impression that... NB : e.g : I got the impression that he was sorely disappointed. When I first met him I got/had the impression that he was a shy sort of person.
avoir l'impression que... (deux verbes possibles)
to have a strong accent
avoir un accent prononcé
to have a broad accent NB : broad : - a broad accent is strong and noticeable ; strikingly regional or dialectal (e.g : A Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent. A broad Southern accent.)
avoir un accent régional marqué
to have a good accent
avoir un bon accent
to have a poor accent
avoir un mauvais accent
to exchange views on sth
avoir un échange d'opinion sur qqch
to have a good / bad influence on sb
avoir une bonne / mauvaise influence sur qq
to own up to sth = to confess sth to sb [kən'fes] NB : OWN UP TO STH if you own up to something wrong or embarrassing that you have done, you admit that you did it (e.g : The headmaster is waiting for someone to own up. They fear losing face by owning up to what they have done. He owns up to few mistakes.) OWN TO STH (formal) to admit or acknowledge that sth is the case or that one feels a certain way (e.g : She owned to a feeling of profound jealousy. He was reluctant to own that he was indebted.) CONFESS TO STH / CONFESS THAT - to admit that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way (e.g : He confessed that he had attacked the old man. He wants to confess to Caroline's murder. "I damaged your car," she confessed. Once apprehended, they would confess their guilt [sic sans 'to']. I must confess that I was slightly surprised. He confessed to a lifelong passion for food. "I needed to see you, too," he confessed.) - (tr.) to declare (one's religious faith) (e.g : 150 people confessed faith in Christ.) - (tr. ou intr.) to declare one's sins formally to a priest (e.g : I could not confess all my sins to the priest. He gave himself up after confessing to a priest.)
avouer qqch à qq (deux possibilités)
to stutter NB : - talk with continued involuntary spasmodic repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants (e.g : The child was stuttering in fright. - say something with difficulty, repeating the initial consonants of words (e.g : She shyly stuttered out an invitation to the cinema. "W-what's happened?" she stuttered.)
bagayer (répétition de l'initiale)
to put sth well = to phrase sth well NB : PUT when you put an idea or remark in a particular way, you express it in that way (e.g : You can use expressions like to put it simply and to put it bluntly before saying something when you want to explain how you are going to express it. I had already met him a couple of times through-how should I put it-friends in low places. He doesn't, to put it very bluntly, give a damn about the woman or the baby. If I was auditioning for a vocalist, let me put it this way, he wouldn't get to sing in my band. He admitted the security forces might have made some mistakes, as he put it. You can't put that sort of fear into words.)
bien exprimer / tourner qqch
well-phrased
bien formulé, bien dit, bien tourné
to hurt sb's feelings
blesser / froisser qq, faire de la peine à qq
blameworthy ['bleɪm,wɜ:ði] NB : deserving disapproval or censure.
blâmable, fautif, condamnable
to bawl NB : - if you bawl, you shout in a very loud voice, for example because you are angry or you want people to hear you (e.g : When I came back to the hotel Laura and Peter were shouting and bawling at each other. Then a voice bawled: "Lay off! I'll kill you, you little rascal!" He tried to direct the video like a fashion show, bawling instructions to the girls.) - if you say that a child is bawling, you are annoyed because it is crying loudly (e.g : One of the toddlers was bawling, and the other had a runny nose. A bawling baby.)
brailler (bébé, ou véhémence)
brief
bref
briefly
brièvement
a stentorian voice [sten'tɔ:riən] NB : a stentorian voice is very loud and strong (e.g : He bellowed in a stentorian voice.)
une voix de stentor
to slander ['slɑ:ndə] = to calumniate [kə'lʌmnieɪt] NB : SLANDER to slander someone means to say untrue things about them in order to damage their reputation (e.g : He has been questioned on suspicion of slandering the Prime Minister.) CALUMNIATE = to slander.
calomnier (qq) (deux possibilités)
emphatic [ɪm'fætɪk] = categorical [,kætə'gɒrɪkəl] NB : - emphatic : [em-] est possible. - categorical : [-tɪg-] est possible. NB : EMPHATIC - forceful and definite in expression ; expressing sth forcibly and clearly (e.g : The rebels are emphatic that this is not a surrender. He is especially emphatic about the value of a precise routine. The children were emphatic that they would like to repeat the experience. An emphatic movement of his hand.) - an emphatic win or victory is one in which the winner has won by a large amount or distance (e.g : Yesterday's emphatic victory was their fifth in succession. An emphatic World Cup win.)
catégorique, appuyé, véhément, emphatique (deux possibilités)
the point at issue = the matter in hand NB : POINT AT ISSUE the question or point at issue is the question or point that is being argued about or discussed (e.g : The problems of immigration were not the question at issue. One of the main points at issue is that the Community wants the representatives to be based in East Jerusalem.) THE MATTER IN HAND (UK) the subject or situation being considered (e.g : Do these figures have any bearing on the matter in hand?) NB : US = the matter at hand. NB : in hand = receiving or requiring immediate attention (e.g : He threw himself into the work in hand.) ; in progress (e.g : Negotiations are now well in hand.)
ce dont il est question (deux possibilités)
to change one's opinion about sth = to change one's mind about sth = to have a change of heart about sth NB : CHANGE ONE'S MIND if you change your mind, or if someone or something changes your mind, you change a decision you have made or an opinion that you had (e.g : I was going to vote for him, but I changed my mind. She's very young. She might change her mind about what she wants to do. It would be impossible to change his mind.) CHANGE OF HEART a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc NB : your outlook is your general attitude towards life (e.g : The illness had a profound effect on his outlook. I adopted a positive outlook on life. We were quite different in outlook, Philip and I.)
changer d'opinion / d'avis sur qqch (trois possibilités)
to change sides
changer de camp
to pick a quarrel with sb NB : if you pick a fight or quarrel with someone, you deliberately cause one, typically by acting or speaking toward them in an aggressive or antagonistic way so as to provoke them into an argument or fight (e.g : I don't know why she was so critical of me tongiht - it's like she was trying to pick a quarrel or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick a quarrel with other members. After ten years of working in this bar, I know how to spot a patron looking to pick a quarrel with people.) NB : a troll = a person who makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post ; a deliberately offensive or provocative online post. NB : troll [trɒl] recommandé, [trəʊl] possible.
chercher querelle à qq
to seek an explanation = to look for an explanation
chercher une explication (deux verbes possibles)
to cavil at sth ['kævəl] = to quibble over sth NB : cavil : [-ɪl] est possible. NB : CAVIL if you say that someone cavils at something, you mean that they make criticisms of it that you think are unimportant or unnecessary (e.g : Let us not cavil too much. I don't think this is the time to cavil at the wording of the report. They caviled at the cost.) QUIBBLE when people quibble over a small matter, they argue about it even though it is not important (e.g : Council members spent the day quibbling over the final wording of the resolution. Let's not quibble. They are always quibbling about the amount they are prepared to pay.) NB : - UK : cavilled, cavilling - US : caviled, caviling
chicaner, ergoter, pinailler sur qqch (deux possibilités)
clear
clair
clearly
clairement
clarification [,klærəfɪ'k-] NB : [-rɪf-] est possible. NB : (mass or count noun) the action of making a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible (e.g : Please advise us if you require further clarification. The remaining changes are small clarifications.)
clarification, précision, explication, éclaircissement
to clarify sth ['klærəfaɪ] NB : [-rɪf-] est possible.
clarifier qqch
to command that sth be done [kə'mɑ:nd]
commander / ordonner que qqch soit fait
to command sb to do sth [kə'mɑ:nd]
commander / ordonner à qq de faire qqch
as the saying goes
comme dit le proverbe, comme on dit
as... NB : you can use as to mean 'because' or 'since' when you are explaining the reason for something (e.g : They are regularly sent booklets, but they barely read them as they have so much paperwork to deal with. Enjoy the first hour of the day. This is important as it sets the mood for the rest of the day. I must stop now as I have to go out.)
comme..., puisque...
to compliment sb on sth ['kɒmplɪmənt] NB : [-plə-] est possible. Peut être accentué sur la dernière syllabe.
complimenter qq pour qqch
to rely on sb NB : - if you rely on someone or something, you need them and depend on them in order to live or work properly (e.g : They relied heavily on the advice of their professional advisers. The Association relies on member subscriptions for most of its income. The charity has to rely entirely on public donations.) - if you can rely on someone to work well or to behave as you want them to, you can trust them to do this (e.g : I know I can rely on you to sort it out. The Red Cross are relying on us. - depend on with full trust or confidence (e.g : I know I can rely on your discretion.)
compter sur qq
concise [kən'saɪs] NB : il n'y a pas d'alternative.
concis
to concede sth / that... [kən'si:d]
concéder qqch / que...
apologetic [ə,pɒlə'dʒetɪk] NB : if you are apologetic, you show or say that you are sorry for causing trouble for someone, for hurting them, or for disappointing them (e.g : The hospital staff were very apologetic but that couldn't really compensate. They were almost apologetic about the improvements they'd made. 'I don't follow football,' she said with an apologetic smile. She was very apologetic about the whole incident.).
confus, désolé, contrit
to conjugate ['kɒndʒugeɪt] NB : [-əg-] est possible.
conjuguer
to counsel sb ['kaʊnsəl] NB : - if you counsel someone to take a course of action, or if you counsel a course of action, you advise that course of action (e.g : My advisers counselled me to do nothing. The prime minister was right to counsel caution about military intervention. He was counseled by his supporters to return to Germany. He counseled us to be prudent.) - if you counsel people, you give them advice about their problems (e.g : A psychologist who counsels people with eating disorders. Crawford counsels her on all aspects of her career. He was being counseled for depression.) NB : - UK : counselling, counselled - US : counseling, counseled.
conseiller qq (en tant que professionnel)
to advise sb about / sth [əd'vaɪz] NB : if an expert advises people about / on a particular subject, he or she gives them help and information on that subject (e.g : An officer who advises undergraduates on money matters. A family doctor will be able to advise on suitable birth control. We can advise parents about education. We will be happy to advise on any financial matters.)
conseiller qq à propos de qqch
to advise sb against sth
conseiller à qq de ne pas faire qqch
advisable [əd'vaɪzəbəl] NB : if you tell someone that it is advisable to do something, you are suggesting that they should do it, because it is sensible or is likely to achieve the result they want (e.g : Because of the popularity of the region, it is advisable to book hotels in advance. It's not advisable to swim immediately after eating. Early booking is advisable.)
conseillé, recommandé
to consent to sth [kən'sent] = to assent to sth [ə'sent] NB : CONSENT if you consent to something, you agree to do it or to allow it to be done (e.g : He finally consented to go. The patient must consent to the surgery. I was a little surprised when she consented.) ASSENT if you assent to something, you agree to it or agree with it, typically officially (e.g : I assented to the request of the American publishers to write this book. 'But it's good grub,' he added. 'You're right,' Pantieri assented. "Guest house, then," Frank assented cheerfully. Roosevelt assented to the agreement.)
consentir à qqch, donner son accord (deux possibilités)
to consider that... [kən'sɪdə] NB : - if you consider a person or thing to be something, you have the opinion that this is what they are (e.g : We don't consider our customers to be mere consumers; we consider them to be our friends. I had always considered myself a strong, competent woman. I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural. Barbara considers that pet shops which sell customers these birds are very unfair.) - if you consider something, you think about it carefully (e.g : The jury was asked to consider the credibility of his evidence. You do have to consider the feelings of those around you. Consider how much you can afford to pay for a course, and what is your upper limit.)
considérer que...
to observe [əb'zɜ:v] NB : seule prononciation possible.
constater, observer
to consult sb [kən'sʌlt] NB : US : consult with sb
consulter qq
to contest sth [kən'test] NB : ['kɒntest] est possible. NB : if you contest a statement or decision, you object to it formally because you think it is wrong or unreasonable (e.g : Your former employer has to reply within 14 days in order to contest the case. Gender discrimination is a hotly-contested issue. The former chairman contests his dismissal.)
contester qqch
phonology [fəʊ'nɒlədʒi] NB : the study of the sound system of a language or of languages in general. The study of the distribution and patterning of speech sounds in a language and of the tacit rules governing pronunciation.
la phonologie
contradictory [,kɒntrə'dɪktəri] NB : - if two or more facts, ideas, or statements are contradictory, they state or imply that opposite things are true (e.g : Customs officials have made a series of contradictory statements about the equipment. The public are capable of holding a number of apparently contradictory attitudes. Advice that sometimes is contradictory and confusing. The two attitudes are contradictory.) - containing elements which are inconsistent or in conflict (e.g : The committee rejected the policy as too vague and internally contradictory.)
contradictoire
to antagonise sb [æn'tægənaɪz] NB : if you antagonize someone, you make them feel angry or hostile towards you (e.g : He didn't want to antagonize her. He antagonized many colleagues during the budget wars. He antagonized his officemates with his rude behaviour.)
contrarier qq, se mettre qq à dos, s'attirer l'hostilité de qq NB : wordreference confirme toutes ces traductions.
to contradict sth / sb [,kɒntrə'dɪkt] NB : - deny the truth of (a statement) by asserting the opposite (e.g : The survey appears to contradict the industry's claims. He did not contradict what he said last week.) - assert the opposite of a statement made by (sb) (e.g : He did not contradict her but just said nothing. Within five minutes he had contradicted himself twice.)
contredire qqch / qq
to give the lie to sth NB : if something gives the lie to a statement, claim, or theory (seemingly apparent or previously stated or believed), it suggests or proves that it is not true (e.g : This survey gives the lie to the idea that the country is moving towards economic recovery. These figures give the lie to the notion that Britain is excessively strike-ridden.)
contredire qqch, faire mentir qqch (chiffres, événements,...)
convincing NB : if you describe someone or something as convincing, you mean that they make you believe that a particular thing is true, correct, or genuine (e.g : This is the first convincing evidence that the ageing process can be slowed. He sounded very convincing.)
convaincant
to convince [kən'vɪns]
convaincre
to prevail on sb (not) to do sth [prɪ'veɪl] NB : [prə-] est possible. NB : - if you prevail upon someone to do something, you succeed in persuading them to do it (e.g : We must, each of us, prevail upon our congressman to act. Do you think she could be prevailed upon to do those things?) - if a proposal, principle, or opinion prevails, it gains influence or is accepted, often after a struggle or argument (e.g : We hope that common sense would prevail. Rick still believes that justice will prevail. Political and personal ambitions are starting to prevail over economic interests.) - if one side in a battle, contest, or dispute prevails, it wins (e.g : He appears to have the votes he needs to prevail. I do hope he will prevail over the rebels.) - if a situation, attitude, or custom prevails in a particular place at a particular time, it is normal or most common in that place at that time (e.g : A similar situation prevails in America. The confusion which had prevailed at the time of the revolution. How people bury their dead says much about the prevailing attitudes toward death.)
convaincre / persuader qq de (ne pas) faire qqch
to correspond [,kɒrəs'pɒnd] NB : [-rɪsp-] est possible. NB : if you correspond with someone, you write letters to them. You can also say that two people correspond (e.g : She still corresponds with American friends she met in Majorca nine years ago. We corresponded regularly.)
correspondre (par lettres)
to heap reproaches on sb NB : if you heap praise or criticism on someone or something, you give them a lot of praise or criticism (e. g: The head of the navy heaped scorn on both the methods and motives of the conspirators.)
couvrir / accabler qq de reproches
to heap praises on sb NB : peut être "mass noun" ou se mettre au pluriel.
couvrir qq d'éloges
to shout for help
crier au secours
to shout with enthusiasm
crier d'enthousiasme
to scream one's head off NB : "one's head off" = loudly or excessively (e.g : The baby cried its head off.)
crier à tue-tête
to yell NB : if you yell, you shout loudly, usually because you are excited, delighted, angry, frightened, surprised, or in pain (e.g : "Eva!" he yelled. I'm sorry I yelled at you last night. Christian pushed him away, yelling abuse. He was out there shouting and yelling.)
crier, hurler (colère, douleur, surprise, colère, enthousiasme)
to scream NB : - when someone screams, they make a very loud, high-pitched cry, for example because they are in pain or are very frightened (e.g : People were screaming; some of the houses nearest the bridge were on fire. If I hear one more joke about my hair, I shall scream. He staggered around the playground, screaming in agony. To play in front of 40,000 screaming fans was a great experience. Hilda let out a scream. Screams of terror.) - if you scream something, you shout it in a loud, high-pitched voice (e.g : "Brigid!" she screamed. "Get up!" // I was screaming at them to get out of my house. They started screaming abuse at us.)
crier, hurler (cri perçant de douleur, peur, excitation)
critical ['krɪtɪkəl] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : - a critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important (e.g : The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city's pollution is its population. He says setting priorities is of critical importance. How you finance a business is critical to the success of your venture.) - a critical situation is very serious and dangerous (e.g : The authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical. Its day-to-day finances are in a critical state.) - if a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill (e.g : Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition.) - to be critical of someone or something means to criticize them (e.g : His report is highly critical of the trial judge. A few dozen intellectuals who've been critical of the regime. He has apologised for critical remarks he made about the referee.) - a critical approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully (e.g : We need to become critical text-readers. Marx's work was more than a critical study of capitalist production. The critical analysis of political ideas. critically adverb Wyman watched them critically.) - if something or someone receives critical acclaim, critics say that they are very good (e.g : The film met with considerable critical and public acclaim. The show was also a resounding critical success.)
critique (adj.) (tous sens)
to criticise sb / sth = to find fault with sb /sth NB : CRITICISE if you criticise someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them (e.g : His mother had rarely criticised him or any of her children. The minister criticised the police for failing to come up with any leads. The regime has been harshly criticised for serious human rights violations.) FIND FAULT WITH if you find fault with something or someone, you look for mistakes and complain about them, you make adverse criticism or objection, sometimes unfairly (e.g : I was disappointed whenever the cook found fault with my work. He finds fault with everything I do.)
critiquer qq / qqch (deux possibilités)
to criticise sb for sth = to find fault with sb for sth
critiquer qq pour qqch (deux possibilités)
to believe sth [bɪ'li:v] NB : [bə-] est possible.
croire qqch
to believe that...
croire que...
curious ['kjʊəriəs] NB : ['kjɔ:r-] est possible. NB : - eager to know or learn sth (e.g : I began to be curious about the whereabouts of the bride and groom. She was curious to know what had happened.) - expressing curiosity (e.g : a curious stare) - if you describe something as curious, you mean that it is unusual or difficult to understand. (e.g : There is a curious thing about her writings in this period. The pageant promises to be a curious mixture of the ancient and modern. The naval high command's response to these developments is rather curious.A curious sensation overwhelmed her.)
curieux
topical ['tɒpɪkəl] NB : (of a subject) topical is used to describe something that concerns or relates to events that are happening at the present time (e.g : The magazine's aim is to discuss topical issues within a Christian framework. The sinking of the tanker has made aspects of marine pollution particularly topical. A wide variety of subjects of topical interest.)
d'actualité, actuel (sujet)
discontentedly
d'un air mécontent
by common / mutual consent = by common agreement (semble très rare) BY COMMON / MUTUAL CONSENT - if something happens by common consent or by mutual consent, it happens as the result of an agreement between the people or groups involved (e.g : By common consent their talk avoided the reason for their being there at all. He left the company by mutual consent last September.) - with the agreement of all ; as agreed to by most people (e.g : This restaurant is, by common consent, the best in the city. It was, by common consent, our finest performance.)
d'un commun accord
in business parlance
dans le jargon des affaires
in legal parlance
dans le jargon juridique
persuasively
de façon convaicante
convincingly NB : e.g : He argued forcefully and convincingly that they were likely to bankrupt the budget. They won convincingly in the third Test in Perth.
de façon convaincante
tensely
de façon crispée
congratulatory [kən,grætʃu'leɪtəri] NB : [kəŋ-], [-tʃə-] et [-tju-] sont possibles ; [kən'grætʃələtəri] existe. NB : a congratulatory message expresses congratulations (e.g : He sent Kim a congratulatory letter. As well as a congratulatory message from the Queen, Elsie received many cards and flowers. A congratulatory handshake to mark four years of community success.)
de félicitations [sic] (adj.)
concisely
de manière concise, avec concision
succinctly
de manière succincte, succinctement
shamelessly
de manière éhontée
by his own admission
de son propre aveu
deep / keen regrets [rɪ'grets] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : KEEN a keen interest or emotion is one that is very intense (e.g : He had retained a keen interest in the progress of the work. His keen sense of loyalty.)
de vifs regrets (deux adj. possibles)
deep / keen remorse [rɪ'mɔ:s] NB : [rə-] est possible.
de vifs remords (deux adj. possibles)
to ask sb's advice
demander conseil à qq
to propose to sb
demander qq en mariage
to ask sb sth NB : if you ask someone something, you say something to them in the form of a question because you want to know the answer (e.g : 'How is Frank?' he asked. I asked him his name. I wasn't the only one asking questions. She asked me if I'd enjoyed my dinner. If Daniel asks what happened in court we will tell him. You will have to ask David about that. 'I'm afraid to ask what it cost.'—'Then don't ask.')
demander qqch à qq (pour connaître la réponse à la question)
to ask sb for sth
demander qqch à qq (requête)
debatable [dɪ'beɪt-] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : if you say that something is debatable, you mean that it is not certain, that it is open to discussion or argument (e.g : Whether we can stay in this situation is debatable. It is debatable whether or not antibiotics would make any difference. Whether this product can lift wrinkles is a debatable point.)
discutable, contestable, sujet à controverse
to ask whether... = to enquire whether... (UK) = to inquire whether... NB : - enquire : [ɪn'kwaɪə] + [en-], [ən-] - inquire : [ɪn'kwaɪə] + [ən-]. INQUIRE if you inquire about something, you ask for information about it (e.g : 'Is something wrong?' he enquired. 'Who are you?' he enquired of the first man. I rang up to inquire about train times. He inquired whether there had been any messages for him. He was so impressed that he inquired the young shepherd's name.) NB : pour l'entrée ENQUIRE, les mêmes exemples sont donnés, avec l'orthographe "enquire".
demander si... (trois possibilités)
cheers
des acclamations
(im)partial criticism
des critiques (im)partiales
unkind criticism
des critiques méchantes
harsh criticism = severe criticism [sɪ'vɪə] NB : [sə-] est possible. NB : HARSH harsh actions or speech are unkind and show no understanding or sympathy ; unpleasant, unkind, cruel, or more severe than is necessary (e.g : He said many harsh and unkind things about his opponents. Harsh criticism. The children had had a harsh upbringing. He said some harsh words [= spoke unkindly] about his brother. We thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offence.)
des critiques sévères (deux adjectifs possibles)
directions [daɪ(ə)'rekʃənz] (triphtongue : 15%) NB : [də-](15%) et [dɪ-](15%) sont possibles.
des directives
an apology [ə'pɒlədʒi]
des excuses (i.e regrets)
instructions NB : - an instruction is something that someone tells you to do (e.g : Two lawyers were told not to leave the building but no reason for this instruction was given. He issued instructions to the sheriff. He was acting on my instructions.) - if someone gives you instruction in a subject or skill, they teach it to you (e.g : Each candidate is given instruction in safety. All schoolchildren must now receive some religious instruction.) - instructions are clear and detailed information on how to do something (e.g : Always read the instructions before you start taking the medicine. Always study the instructions supplied.)
des instructions, des indications
ellipsis UK [ɪ'lɪpsɪs] + [ə-], [e-] = suspension points US [səs'penʃən] = dot dot dot (informal) NB : ELLIPSIS three dots in a printed text that show where one or more words have been intentionally left out SUSPENSION POINTS one of a group of dots, usually three, used in written material to indicate the omission of a word or words.
des points de suspension (trois possibilités)
false promises
des promesses mensongères
praise [preɪz] (sic n. et v.) NB : peut être "mass noun" ou se mettre au pluriel.
des éloges
a colon ['kəʊlən] NB : [-ɒn] est possible. NB : ces deux prononciations sont valables pour le signe de ponctuation et pour la partie de l'intestin.
deux points
to digress [daɪ'gres] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : if you digress, you move away from the subject you are talking or writing about and talk or write about something different for a while (e.g : I've digressed a little to explain the situation so far, so let me now recap. She digressed from her prepared speech to pay tribute to the President.)
digresser
to speak one's mind NB : to express one's opinions frankly and plainly.
dire ce que l'on pense
to excuse oneself NB : - if you excuse yourself, you use a phrase such as 'Excuse me' as a polite way of saying that you are about to leave (e.g : He excused himself and went up to his room. I had to excuse myself and go out of the room.) - (dans un dictionnaire américain) to ask for permission to leave
dire poliment que l'on va s'absenter
to give sb a piece of one's mind NB : (informal) to tell sb what one thinks of them, esp. in anger (e.g : Some youths were making a noise and she went out to give them a piece of her mind.)
dire ses quatre vérités à qq
to tell sb to do sth
dire à qq de faire qqch
well-phrased speech
discours bien tourné
relevant speech
discours pertinent
in answer to = in reply to
en réponse à (deux possibilités)
as a token of my gratitude
en témoignage de ma gratitude
to confer with sb about sth [kən'fɜ:] NB : when you confer with someone, you discuss something with them in order to make a decision. You can also say that two people confer (e.g : He conferred with Hill and the others in his office. His doctors conferred by telephone and agreed that he must get away from his family for a time. The officials were conferring with allies.)
discuter avec qq, s'entretenir avec qq au sujet de qqch
to talk sth over with sb NB : if you talk something over, you discuss it thoroughly and honestly (e.g : He always talked things over with his friends. We should go somewhere quiet, and talk it over. Talk over problems, don't bottle them up inside. Collins wanted to talk over our arrangements for doing the work.)
discuter de qqch avec qq, débattre de qqch avec qq, parler de qqch avec qq (et faire le tour de la question)
to dissuade sb from doing sth [dɪ'sweɪd]
dissuader qq de faire qqch
therefore ['ðeəfɔ:]
donc
to give / issue directions NB : issue = formally send out or make known (e.g : The minister issued an statement.)
donner des directives (deux verbes possibles)
to give directions to sb on doing sth NB : advice and information about how to do or use sth, often written in a book or on the side of a container (e.g : They need clear instructions on what to do next.)
donner des directives à qq pour qu'il fasse qqch (non pas des ordres, mais des indications)
to give orders that...
donner des ordres afin que...
to dictate to sb [(,)dɪk'teɪt] NB : if someone dictates to someone else, they tell them what they should do or can do (e.g : We don't want to dictate to anyone how to live their lives. What right has one country to dictate the environmental standards of another ? He cannot be allowed to dictate what can and cannot be inspected. What gives them the right to dictate to us what we should eat? The officers were more or less able to dictate terms to successive governments. The rules of court dictate that a defendant is entitled to all evidence which may help his case. That doesn't give you the right to dictate to me.)
donner des ordres à qq, régenter qq
to give sb the order to do sth
donner l'ordre à qq de faire qqch
to license sb to do sth NB : - grant a licence to (e.g : A pub has to be licensed by the local justices. He ought not to have been licensed to fly a plane. A proposal that would require the state to license guns. Under the agreement, the council can license a U.S. company to produce the drug.) - (dated) to permit (sb) to do sth (e.g : He was licensed to do no more than send a message.) NB : in British English, "licence" is "an acceptable variant spelling of the verb".
donner licence à qq de faire qqch, autoriser qq à faire qqch
to give (sb) one's word = to pledge (sb) one's word NB : TO PLEDGE - commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise (e.g : The government pledged itself to deal with environmental problems. They were pledged to secrecy.) - formally declare or promise that something is or will be the case (e.g : The Prime Minister pledged that there would be no increase in VAT. He pledged allegiance.)
donner sa parole (à qq) (deux possibilités)
to give one's approval NB : if you win someone's approval for something that you ask for or suggest, they agree to it (e.g : Efforts to win congressional approval for an aid package for Moscow. The chairman has also given his approval for an investigation into the case. The proposed modifications met with widespread approval.)
donner son approbation
to give one's assent
donner son assentiment
to give one's consent
donner son consentement
giving one's opinion
donner son opinion
to give an order / command = to issue an order / command
donner un ordre (deux verbes possibles, deux noms possibles)
to give sb a tip
donner un tuyau à qq
to give sb one's assurance that... [ə'ʃɔ:rəns] NB : [-ʃʊər-] est possible. NB : assurance = a statement, assertion, etc..., intended to inspire confidence or give encouragement (e.g : She was helped by his assurance that she would cope. // to give one's assurance that a job will be done // They accepted his assurance that patients would be treated as soon as possible.)
donner à qq l'assurance que...
'word-blindness = dyslexia [(,)dɪs'leksiə] NB : the nontechnical name for "dyslexia".
dyslexie (deux possibilités)
'word-blind = dyslexic [(,)dɪs'leksɪk] NB : word-blind = the non-technical name for "dyslexic".
dyslexique (deux possibilités)
to debate sth [dɪ'beɪt] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : - if people debate a topic, they discuss it fairly formally, putting forward different views. You can also say that one person debates a topic with another person (e.g : The United Nations Security Council will debate the issue today. The causes of anorexia are much debated. Scholars have debated whether or not Yagenta became a convert. He likes to debate issues with his friends.) - if you debate whether to do something or what to do, you think or talk about possible courses of action before deciding exactly what you are going to do (e.g : Taggart debated whether to have yet another coffee. At the moment we are debating what furniture to buy for the house. I debated going back inside, but decided against it.)
débattre de qqch
in a word
en un mot
(to put it) in a nutshell
en un mot, pour résumer (deux possibilités)
to come to the point = to get to the point NB : e.g : Hurry up and get to the point !
en venir au fait
to encode [ɪn'kəʊd] NB : [en-], [ɪŋ-] et [eŋ-] sont possibles.
encoder
to guide sb NB : - to show or indicate the way to sb (e.g : He guided her to the front row and sat beside her.) - to direct or have an influence on the course of action of sb or sth (e.g : He guided the team to a second successive win in the tournament.)
guider qq (moralement, intellectuellement)
to declare [dɪ'kleə] = to state NB : [də-] est possible. NB : DECLARE - say something in a solemn and emphatic manner (e.g : Speaking outside Ten Downing Street, she declared that she would fight on. "I'm absolutely thrilled to have done what I've done," he declared. He declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world. - pronounce or assert (a person or thing) to be something specified (e.g : Glasses of Madeira wine were brought to us. We declared it delicious. // He turned up in northern Cyprus, declaring himself happy to be home.) - formally announce the beginning of (a state or condition) (e.g : The government is ready to declare a permanent ceasefire. His lawyers are confident that the judges will declare Mr Stevens innocent. The U.N. has declared it to be a safe zone. On striking his sword on the stone, he declared himself Lord of the City. You may have to declare that you have had an HIV test. Spain declared war on Britain in 1796.) STATE - express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing (e.g : Clearly state your address and telephone number. The police report stated that he was arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer. "Our relationship is totally platonic," she stated. Buyers who do not apply within the stated period can lose their deposits. People will be invited to state their views. The report stated that more than 51 per cent of voters failed to participate.)
déclarer (deux possibilités)
to decline a word [dɪ'klaɪn] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : (in the grammar of Latin, Greek, and certain other languages) state the forms of (a noun, pronoun, or adjective) corresponding to case, number, and gender.
décliner un mot
to decode [di:'kəʊd]
décoder
to describe sth [dɪ-] NB : [də-] est possible.
décrire qqch
to decree [dɪ'kri:] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : if someone in authority decrees that something must happen, they decide or state this officially (e.g : The U.N. Security Council has decreed that the election must be held by May. The king decreed a general amnesty.)
décréter
to define (words,...) [dɪ'faɪn] NB : [də-] est possible.
définir (des mots,...)
to demonstrate sth ['demənstreɪt]
démontrer qqch
to run sb / sth down = to denigrate sb / sth ['denɪgreɪt] NB : RUN DOWN if you run people or things down, you criticize them strongly (e.g : He last night denounced the British 'genius for running ourselves down'. That chap who was running down state schools.)
dénigrer qq / qqch (deux possibilités)
to denounce sb for sth
dénoncer qq pour qqch
to denounce sth NB : - if you denounce a person or an action, you criticize them severely and publicly because you feel strongly that they are wrong or evil (e.g : The letter called for civil rights, but did not openly denounce the regime. German leaders denounced the attacks and pleaded for tolerance. Some 25,000 demonstrators denounced him as a traitor.) - if you denounce someone who has broken a rule or law, you report them to the authorities (e.g : Informers who might denounce you at any moment. Priests denounced him to the King for heresy.)
dénoncer qqch
deplorable [dɪ'plɔ:rəbəl] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : - deserving strong condemnation ; very bad and unacceptable (e.g : The deplorable conditions in which most prisoners are held. Many of them live under deplorable conditions. The Chief Constable said that sexual harassment was deplorable.) - shockingly bad in quality (e.g : Her spelling was deplorable.)
déplorable
to deplore sth [dɪ'plɔ:] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : to feel or express strong disapproval of (sth) (e.g : We deplore this act of violence.)
déplorer qqch
to derive from [dɪ'raɪv] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : if you say that something such as a word or feeling derives or is derived from something else, you mean that it comes from that thing (e.g : Anna's strength is derived from her parents and her sisters. The word Easter derives from Eostre, the pagan goddess of spring.)
dériver de, venir de (mot)
puzzling NB : TO PUZZLE if something puzzles you, you do not understand it and feel confused (e.g : My sister puzzles me and causes me anxiety. His letter poses a number of puzzling questions.)
déroutant, déconcertant mystérieux, inexplicable
to puzzle sb NB : to puzzle sb = to cause sb to feel confused because they cannot understand or make sense of sth (e.g : One remark he made puzzled me.)
dérouter qq
to ,disap'prove of sth
désapprouver qqch
e acute (sic postposé) NB : you refer to a letter with an acute accent as, for example, e acute. For example, there is an acute accent over the letter 'e' in the French word 'café'.
e accent aigu
to use a word ['ju:z] NB : il n'y a pas d'autre prononciation possible pour ce verbe.
employer un mot
in apposition (to...) [,æpə'zɪʃən]
en apposition (à...)
in consultation with sb [,kɒnsəl'teɪʃən] NB : [-ʌl-] est possible. NB : - a consultation is a meeting which is held to discuss something (e.g : Consultation is discussion about something. Next week he'll be in Florida for consultations with the President. The plans were drawn up in consultation with the World Health Organisation. The strike was called in protest at the government's lack of consultation with the unions.) - a consultation with a doctor or other expert is a meeting with them to discuss a particular problem and get their advice (e.g : Consultation is the process of getting advice from a doctor or other expert. A personal diet plan is devised after a consultation with a nutritionist. Fees paid for consultation and advice in tax matters.)
en concertation avec qq
in common parlance (formal) NB : used by many people in ordinary conversation (e.g : terms that are now in common parlance) ; expressed in the words that most people use (e.g : These schemes are known in common parlance as 'private pensions'.)
en langage courant
in acknowledgement of = in recognition of
en reconnaissance de (deux possibilités)
to bid sb do sth (arch. or lit.) NB : if you bid someone do something, you ask or invite them to do it (e.g : They all smiled at him and bade him eat. I dare say he did as he was bidden. He bad his companions enter.)
enjoindre à qq de faire qqch, prier qq de faire qqch NB : en français, seul "enjoindre à qq de faire qqch" est approuvé par les autorités normatives. Mais on trouve assez fréquemment "enjoindre qq à faire qqch" et "enjoindre qq de faire qqch".
to enrich one's vocabulary [ɪn'rɪtʃ] NB : [en-] et [ən-] sont possibles.
enrichir son vocabulaire
to bury the hatchet
enterrer la hache de guerre
in other words
entre d'autres termes, autrement dit
in quotation marks = in inverted commas (UK) = in quotes
entre guillemets (trois possibilités)
in / between parentheses = in / between brackets (UK)
entre parenthèses (deux possibilités)
to come into conflict with sb ['kɒnflɪkt] NB : e.g : The two companies came into conflict.
entrer en conflit avec qq
to keep up a correspondence with sb NB : KEEP UP - if you keep something up, you continue to do it or provide it (e.g : I was so hungry all the time that I could not keep the diet up for longer than a month. They risk losing their homes because they can no longer keep up the repayments.) - if you keep something up, you prevent it from growing less in amount, level, or degree (e.g : There will be a major incentive among TV channels to keep standards up. Opposition forces are keeping up the pressure against the government.)
entretenir une correspondance avec qq
to drop sb a line
envoyer un petit mot à qq
to send a reply
envoyer une réponse
argumentative [,ɑ:gju'mentətɪv] NB : [-jə-] est possible. NB : someone who is argumentative is always ready to disagree or start quarrelling with other people. (e.g : You're in an argumentative mood today ! An argumentative child.)
ergoteur, qui a l'esprit de contradiction (adj.)
to exaggerate [ɪg'zædʒəreɪt] = to overstate [,əʊvə'steɪt] NB : les deux mots sont bien synonymes. NB : exaggerate : [eg-], [əg-], [ɪk-], [ek-], [ək-] sont possibles. NB : EXAGGERATE - if you exaggerate, you indicate that something is, for example, worse or more important than it really is (e.g : He thinks I'm exaggerating. Don't exaggerate. Sheila admitted that she did sometimes exaggerate the demands of her job.) - if something exaggerates a situation, quality, or feature, it makes the situation, quality, or feature appear greater, more obvious, or more important than it really is (e.g : These figures exaggerate the loss of competitiveness.) OVERSTATE if you say that someone is overstating something, you mean they are describing it in a way that makes it seem more important or serious than it really is, that they state it too strongly (e.g : The authors no doubt overstated their case with a view to catching the public's attention. The importance of health education cannot be overstated. I overstated my case to make my point.)
exagérer, grossir (deux possibilités)
exaggerated = overstated
exagéré (deux possibilités)
to excuse sb for (doing) sth [ɪk'skju:z] (sic !) NB : [ek-] et [ək-] sont possibles. NB : TO EXCUSE - to excuse someone or excuse their behaviour means to provide reasons for their actions, especially when other people disapprove of these actions (e.g : He excused himself by saying he was 'forced to rob to maintain my wife and cat'. That doesn't excuse my mother's behaviour.) - if you excuse someone for something wrong that they have done, you forgive them for it (e.g : Many people might have excused them for shirking some of their responsibilities. You must excuse my sister.) - if someone is excused from a duty or responsibility, they are told that they do not have to carry it out (e.g : She is usually excused from her duties during the school holidays. She was excused duties on Saturday.) - to excuse sth : to attempt to lessen the blame attaching [sic] to (a fault or offense. He did nothing to hide or excuse Jacob's cruelty.) - to be excused : (used esp. by school pupils) be allowed to leave the room, esp. to go to the bathroom (e.g : Please, can I be excused ?)
excuser qq de (avoir fait) qqch
to exert an influence on sb [ɪg'zɜ:t] NB : [eg-], [əg-], [ɪk-], [ek-] et [ək-] sont possibles. NB : EXERT if someone or something exerts influence, authority, or pressure, they use it in a strong or determined way, especially in order to produce a particular effect (e.g : He exerted considerable influence on the thinking of the scientific community on these issues. The cyst was causing swelling and exerting pressure on her brain.)
exercer une influence sur qq
to urge sb to do sth = to exhort sb to do sth [ɪg'zɔ:t] NB : [eg-], [əg-], [ɪk-], [ek-] et [ək-] sont possibles. NB : URGE - if you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it (e.g : They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme. Firemen urged them to go to the shelter.) - if you urge a course of action, you strongly advise that it should be taken (e.g : He urged restraint on the security forces. We urge vigorous action to be taken immediately.)
exhorter qq à faire qqch (deux verbes possibles)
to demand sth [dɪ'mɑ:nd] NB : [də-] est possible.
exiger qqch
to demand that sth be done [dɪ'mɑ:nd] NB : [də-] est possible.
exiger que qqch soit fait
to demand an explanation
exiger une explication
to explain sth to sb [ɪk'spleɪn] NB : [ek-] et [ək-] sont possibles.
expliquer qqch à qq
to show / express one's gratitude
exprimer sa gratitude (deux verbes possibles)
to air an opinion / a point of view = to express an opinion / a point of view = to give an opinion / a point of view = to state an opinion / a point of view = to voice an opinion / a point of view NB : AIR if you air your opinions, you make them known to people (e.g : They sat for more than six hours, and both sides agreed they had aired all their differences. The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting. A meeting in which long-standing grievances were aired.) VOICE if you voice something such as an opinion or an emotion, you say what you think or feel (e.g : Some scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed on to humans. This is a criticism frequently voiced by opponents.)
exprimer une opinion / un point de vue (cinq verbes possibles)
to carry out an order = to execute an order ['eksɪkju:t] NB : [-ksək-] est possible.
exécuter un ordre (deux noms possibles)
to apply (to sb) for sth NB : to make a formal application or request (e.g : You need to apply to the local authority for a grant. A number of people have applied to vote by proxy.)
faire (à qq) la demande de qqch, déposer (auprès d'une autorité) une demande de...
to allude to sth [ə'lu:d] NB : [-'lju:d] est possible.
faire allusion à qqch
to take out a summons against sb NB : TAKE STH OUT to get a licence or summons issued (e.g : According to a source, the pair took out a license on Tuesday morning.)
faire assigner qq en justice
to gossip
faire des commérages
to 'blackmail sb
faire du chantage à qq
to get sb to do sth = to have sb do sth NB : - get : to induce or prevail upon sb to do sth (e.g : They got her to sign the consent form.) - have : to tell or arrange for sb to do sth for one (e.g : He had his bodyguards throw Chris out. She's always having the builders in to do something or other.)
faire faire qqch à qq
to shame sb NB : - if something shames you, it causes you to feel shame (e.g : Her son's affair had humiliated and shamed her.) - if you shame someone close to you, you make people lose their respect for that person, by behaving in an unacceptable way (e.g : I wouldn't shame my father by trying that.)
faire honte à qq
to pull strings (sic) NB : to make use of one's influence and contacts to gain an advantage unofficially or unfairly ; to exercise personal influence, esp. secretly or unofficially (e.g : He tried to pull strings with people he knew to avoid being called up.)
faire jouer ses relations (pour obtenir qqch)
to parse sth NB : - to break (a sentence) down into its component parts of speech with an explanation of the form, function, and syntactical relationship of each part - to describe (a word) by stating its part of speech, form, and syntactical relationships in a sentence (ce deuxième sens est peu donné par les dictionnaires)
faire l'analyse grammaticale de qqch
to arouse criticism = to stir up criticism NB : AROUSE if something arouses a particular reaction or attitude in people, it causes them to have that reaction or attitude (e.g : We left in the daytime so as not to arouse suspicion. The deep public anger you have aroused.) STIR UP if you stir up a particular mood, feeling, trouble or situation, usually a bad one, you cause it (e.g : As usual, Harriet is trying to stir up trouble. He said senior government officials were trying to stir up ethnic tension. I thought at first that Jay had been stirring things up. He accused me of trying to stir up trouble.)
faire naître / susciter la / des critique(s) (deux verbes possibles)
to get one's ideas across NB : when an idea gets across or when you get it across, you succeed in making other people understand it (e.g : Officers felt their point of view was not getting across to ministers. I had created a way to get my message across while using as few words as possible.)
faire passer / comprendre ses idées
to put pressure on sb
faire pression sur qq
to show regrets / remorse
faire preuve de regrets / remords (deux noms possibles)
to point out sth to sb NB : - if you point out an object or place, you make people look at it or show them where it is (e.g : They kept standing up to take pictures and point things out to each other. They'd already driven along the wharf so that she could point out her father's boat.) - if you point out a fact or mistake, you tell someone about it or draw their attention to it (e.g : Critics point out that the prince, on his income, should be paying tax. I should point out that these estimates cover just the hospital expenditures. We all too easily point out our mothers' failings.)
faire remarquer qqch à qq, indiquer qqch à qq, attirer l'attention de qq sur qqch
to refer to sth [rɪ'fɜ:] NB : [rə-] est possible.
faire référence à qqch
the infinitive mood = the infinitive [ɪn'fɪnətɪv] NB : [-ɪt-] est possible.
le (mode) infinitif (deux possibilités)
to make a speech = to deliver a speech NB : DELIVER if you deliver a lecture or speech, you give it in public (e.g : The president will deliver a speech about schools. It is shocking that only one woman has delivered the lecture in 44 years. He will deliver a lecture on endangered species.)
faire un discours (deux verbes possibles)
to drop a hint, to drop hints NB : give a hint or hints as if casually or unconsciously (e.g : He was dropping hints that in future he would be taking a back seat in politics. He dropped a few hints about some gifts he'd like to get.)
faire une allusion, laisser entendre
to make a formal application (for sth)
faire une demande en bonne et due forme
to make a complaint NB : e.g : People have been reluctant to make formal complaints to the police. I intend to make an official complaint.
faire une réclamation
to vow sth [vaʊ] NB : if you vow to do something, you make a serious and solemn promise or decision that you will do it (e.g : While many models vow to go back to college, few do. I solemnly vowed that someday I would return to live in Europe. 'I'll kill him,' she vowed. They have vowed a quick and decisive response. The rebels vowed to continue fighting. I vowed that my family would never go hungry. "Never again!" I vowed.)
faire vœu / serment de qqch
colloquial [kə'ləʊkwiəl] NB : colloquial words and phrases are informal and are used mainly in conversation (e.g : A colloquial expression. His stumbling attempts at colloquial Russian amused her.)
familier, parlé (langage)
to fax a reply
faxer une réponse
to disagree with sb about sth [,dɪsə'gri:]
ne pas être d'accord avec qq à propos de qqch
to mould public opinoin [məʊld] = to mould people's opinion NB : MOULD - if you mould a soft substance such as plastic or clay, you make it into a particular shape or into an object (e.g : Using 2 spoons, mould the cheese mixture into small balls or ovals. Before we left the camp, my twin brother and I moulded a chair out of mud.) - to mould someone or something means to change or influence them over a period of time so that they develop in a particular way (e.g : She was only 17 at the time and the experience moulded her personality. Here we outline some of the sometimes conflicting forces moulding the debate. Too often we try to mold our children into something they do not wish to be.)
façonner / former / forger l'opinion publique (deux possibilités)
to make sb do sth NB : compel sb to do sth (e.g : She bought me a brandy and made me drink it.)
forcer qq à faire qqch
to coin a word / a phrase NB : = invent (a new word or phrase).
forger, inventer un mot / une expression
to word sth = to phrase sth [freɪz] NB : WORD to word something in a particular way means to choose or use particular words to express it (e.g : If I had written the letter, I might have worded it differently. He words his request in a particularly ironic way. A strongly worded letter of protest.) PHRASE if you phrase something in a particular way, you express it in words in that way (e.g : I would have phrased it quite differently. The speech was carefully phrased. They phrased it as a question. It's important to phrase the question correctly.)
formuler qqch (deux verbes possibles)
to provide an explanation [prə'vaɪd] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible.
fournir une explication
congratulations [kən,grætʃu'leɪʃən] NB : [kəŋ-], [-tʃə-] et [-tju-] sont possibles.
félicitations
to congratulate sb on doing sth
féliciter qq d'avoir fait qqch
to congratulate sb on sth [kən'grætʃuleɪt] NB : [kəŋ-], [-tʃə-] et [-tju-] sont possibles. NB : e.g : She congratulated him on the birth of his son. He had taken the chance to congratulate him on his marriage.
féliciter qq de qqch
to guarantee sth / that... [,gærən'ti:] NB : - if one thing guarantees another, the first is certain to cause the second thing to happen (e.g : Surplus resources alone do not guarantee growth. A man whose fame guarantees that his calls will nearly always be returned.) - If you guarantee something, you promise that it will definitely happen, or that you will do or provide it for someone (e.g : Most states guarantee the right to free and adequate education. All students are guaranteed campus accommodation for their first year. We guarantee that you will find a community with which to socialise. We guarantee to refund your money if you are not delighted with your purchase. A guaranteed income of £3.6 million.) - if a company guarantees its product or work, they provide a guarantee for it (e.g : Some builders guarantee their work. All Dreamland's electric blankets are guaranteed for three years. Parts of guaranteed quality.)
garantir qqch / que...
German-speaking
germanophone (adj.)
grammatical [grə'mætɪkəl]
grammatical
to scold sb for sth = to chide sb for sth NB : SCOLD if you scold someone, you speak angrily to them because they have done something wrong (e.g : If he finds out, he'll scold me. Later she scolded her daughter for having talked to her father like that. 'You should be at school,' he scolded.) CHIDE if you chide someone, you speak to them angrily because they have done something wicked or foolish (e.g : Cross chided himself for worrying. He gently chided the two women. She chided him for his bad manners.)
gronder / tancer qq pour qqch (deux possibilités)
to whine about sth = to moan about sth NB : TO WHINE - if something or someone whines, they make a long, high-pitched noise, especially one which sounds sad or unpleasant (e.g : He could hear her dog barking and whining in the background. The engines whined.) - if you say that someone is whining, you mean that they are complaining in an annoying way about something unimportant (e.g : They come to me to whine about their troubles. Children who whine that they are bored. 'Why can't you tell me?' I whined. It's just a scratch. Stop whining. A pleading, whining voice.) MOAN - to make a long, low sound expressing physical or mental suffering or sexual pleasure (e.g : Just then their patient moaned and opened his eyes. "Oh God," I moaned.) - (informal) to complain or grumble, typically about sth trivial (e.g : He joked and moaned about members of his family. My husband moans that I'm not as slim as when we first met.) - (literary) to lament (e.g : When a young poet fails to find the words he can moan and wail and lament his wanton muse, gone off and left him bereft and lonesome. And again there was weeping and moaning throughout the land for the hero was saddened by his friend's illness.)
gémir, geindre, se lamenter (sur qqch) (deux possibilités)
homonymous (with) [hə'mɒnɪməs] NB : [hɒ-] et [-əm-] sont possibles. Ces trois prononciations sont les seules possibles en GB. Aux US, seule [hoʊ'mɑ:n-] est possible.
homonyme de (adj.)
shamefully NB : in a manner worthy of or causing shame or disgrace (e.g : The government has acted shamefully.)
honteusement
shameful NB : if you describe a person's action or attitude as shameful, you think that it is so bad that the person ought to be ashamed (e.g : The most shameful episode in U.S. naval history. A shameful accusation).
honteux (acte, comportement)
to howl NB : - if an animal such as a wolf or a dog howls, it makes a long, loud, crying sound (e.g : Somewhere in the streets beyond a dog suddenly howled, baying at the moon. The dog let out a savage howl and, wheeling round, flew at him.) - if a person howls, they make a long, loud cry expressing pain, anger, or unhappiness (e.g : He howled like a wounded animal as blood spurted from the gash. The baby was howling for her 3am feed. With a howl of rage, he grabbed the neck of a broken bottle and advanced.) - when the wind howls, it blows hard and makes a loud noise (e.g : The wind howled all night, but I slept a little. It sank in a howling gale.) - if you howl something, you say it in a very loud voice. (e.g : "Get away, get away, get away," he howled. The crowd howled its approval.) - if you howl with laughter, you laugh very loudly (e.g : Joe, Pink, and Booker howled with delight. The crowd howled, delirious. His stories caused howls of laughter.)
hurler (douleur, chagrin, colère, rire, vent)
to howl / scream in anger
hurler de colère (deux verbes possibles)
to howl / scream with pain
hurler de douleur (deux verbes possibles)
to howl / scream in delight
hurler de joie (deux verbes possibles)
to shriek NB : - when someone shrieks, they make a short, very loud cry, for example because they are suddenly surprised, are in pain, or are laughing (e.g : She shrieked and leapt from the bed. Miranda shrieked with laughter. Sue let out a terrific shriek and leapt out of the way. The groans of the wounded, or the shrieks of the dying. A shriek of joy.) - if you shriek something, you shout it in a loud, high-pitched voice (e.g : "Stop it! Stop it!" shrieked Jane. He was shrieking obscenities and weeping.)
hurler, pousser un cri perçant (aigu, souvent frénétique, rire, surprise, douleur)
unforgiving NB : - if you describe someone as unforgiving, you mean that they are unwilling to forgive other people (e.g : He was an unforgiving man who never forgot a slight. He finds human foibles endearing, but is unforgiving of pretension. He was always a proud and unforgiving man.) - if you describe a situation or activity as unforgiving, you mean that it causes a lot of people to experience great difficulty or failure, even people who deserve to succeed ; it's harsh and hostile (e.g : Business is a competitive activity. It is very fierce and very unforgiving. // The moor can be a wild and unforgiving place in bad weather.)
impitoyable, implacable, qui ne pardonne pas (tout sens)
forgiving NB : - someone who is forgiving is willing to forgive (e.g : Voters can be remarkably forgiving of presidents who fail to keep their campaign promises. I don't think people are in a very forgiving mood. Taylor was in a forgiving mood. He was definitely not inclined to be forgiving of anyone spearing his cattle. Perry is surprisingly forgiving of his stepfather.) - (of a thing) easy or safe to deal with (e.g : Snow is a forgiving surface on which to fall.) (à ce sens, wordreference traduit par "flexible")
indulgent, clément (qui a tendance à pardonner)
inexplicable = unaccountable NB : [,ɪnɪk'splɪkəbəl] + [-ek-] et [-ək-]. NB : INEXPLICABLE if something is inexplicable, you cannot explain why it happens or why it is true (e.g : His behaviour was extraordinary and inexplicable. For some inexplicable reason, the investors decided to pull out.) UNACCOUNTABLE something that is unaccountable does not seem to have any sensible explanation (e.g : For some unaccountable reason, it struck me as extremely funny. He had an unaccountable change of mind.)
inexplicable (deux possibilités)
to influence ['ɪnfluəns]
influencer
influential [,ɪnflu'enʃəl] (e.g : Her work is influential in feminist psychology.)
influent
ungrateful
ingrat
unpronounceable
inprononçable
to insinuate [ɪn'sɪnjueɪt] NB : = to suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way (e.g : He was insinuating that I had no self-control. The libel claim followed an article which insinuated that the President was lying. Are you insinuating that I smell ?)
insinuer
to deny vehemently ['vi:əməntli] (sic sans h) NB : ['veɪ-], ['vi:ɪm-], [-həm-], [-hɪm-] sont possibles.
nier avec véhémence
insistent NB : - someone who is insistent keeps insisting that a particular thing should be done or is the case (e.g : Stalin was insistent that the war would be won and lost in the machine shops. He is most insistent on this point. // 'When can I see him?' Her tone was insistent now.) - an insistent noise or rhythm keeps going on for a long time and holds your attention (e.g : The insistent rhythms of the Caribbean and Latin America.)
insistant, pressant
to insist on sth
insister sur qqch
to interpret [ɪn'tɜ:prɪt] NB : [-prət] est possible. NB : - if you interpret something in a particular way, you decide that this is its meaning or significance (e.g : The whole speech might well be interpreted as a coded message to the Americans. The judge quite rightly says that he has to interpret the law as it's been passed. Both approaches agree on what is depicted in the poem, but not on how it should be interpreted.) - if you interpret what someone is saying, you translate it immediately into another language (e.g : The chambermaid spoke little English, so her husband came with her to interpret. Interpreters found they could not interpret half of what he said.)
interpréter (traduire ce qui est dit en langue étrangère, ou se faire une idée du sens de quelque chose)
to interpret an event [ɪn'tɜ:prɪt] NB : [-ət] est possible.
interpréter un événement
to interrupt [,ɪntə'rʌpt] NB : - if you interrupt someone who is speaking, you say or do something that causes them to stop (e.g : Turkin tapped him on the shoulder. 'Sorry to interrupt, Colonel.' He tried to speak, but she interrupted him.) - if someone or something interrupts a process or activity, they stop it for a period of time (e.g : He has rightly interrupted his holiday in Spain to return to London. The match took nearly three hours and was interrupted at times by rain.)
interrompre
to intervene [,ɪntə'vi:n] NB : - if you intervene in a situation, you become involved in it and try to change it (e.g : The situation calmed down when police intervened. The Government is doing nothing to intervene in the crisis.) - if you intervene, you interrupt a conversation in order to add something to it (e.g : Hattie intervened and told me to stop it. 'I've told you he's not here,' Irena intervened.)
intervenir (i.e : s'interposer, ou interrompre qq qui parle)
untranslatable
intraduisible
uncompromising = intransigent [sic] [ɪn'trænsɪdʒənt] NB : [-'trænz-], [-'trɑ:ns-], [-'trɑ:nz-] et [-ədʒ-] sont possibles.
intransigeant [sic] (deux possibilités)
to make excuses for sth NB : to give false reasons why you cannot do sth (e.g : You're always making excuses for not helping me. If you stop making excuses and do it you'll wonder what took you so long.)
inventer des excuses pour qqch
to heap shame on sb [hi:p] = to heap opprobrium on sb [ə'prəʊbriəm] NB : opprobrium = harsh criticism or censure (e.g : His films and the critical opprobrium they have generated.) ; the public disgrace arising from someone's shameful conduct (e.g : The opprobrium of being closely associated with thugs and gangsters.)
jeter l'opprobre sur qq
to swear sth
jurer qqch
to swear that...
jurer que...
to justify ['dʒʌstɪfaɪ] NB : [-təf-] est possible. NB : to justify a decision, action, or idea means to show or prove that it is reasonable or necessary (e.g : No argument can justify a war. Ministers agreed that this decision was fully justified by economic conditions.)
justifier
meaninglessness
l'absurdité, l'absence de sens
concord ['kɒŋkɔ:d] = agreement NB : ['kɒn-] est possible. NB : CONCORD agreement between words in person, number, gender, or case. AGREEMENT the condition of having the same number, gender, case, and/or person as another word.
l'accord (grammatical) (deux possibilités)
topicality [,tɒpɪ'kæləti] NB : [-ɪti] est possible. NB : the attribute of being of interest at the present time (e.g : The library had to discard books that had lost their topicality. The book has all the lively topicality of first-rate journalism.)
l'actualité (d'un sujet), le fait d'être d'actualité ou d'un intérêt lié à l'actualité
ambiguity [,æmbɪ'gju:əti] NB : [-bə-] et [-ɪti] sont possibles.
l'ambiguïté
analysis [ə'næləsɪs] NB : [-ɪsɪs] est possible. NB : pluriel -ses [-si:z]
l'analyse
discourse analysis ['dɪskɔ:s] NB : il est possible d'accentuer sur la deuxième syllabe, avec les mêmes phonèmes. NB : a method of analysing the structure of texts or utterances longer than one sentence, taking into account both their linguistic content and their sociolinguistic context; analysis performed using this method.
l'analyse du discours
sentence analysis NB : l'expression n'apparaît pas dans les dictionnaires, mais des livres et articles en ligne traitent de ce sujet. L'un d'eux propose : "the student will be proficient in English analysis at sentence, clause and phrase level and have a solid understanding of the traditional terms and concepts of English syntax".
l'analyse syntaxique
antagonism [æn'tægə,nɪzəm] NB : antagonism between people is active hostility, hatred, or opposition between them. Antagonisms are instances of this (e.g : There is still much antagonism between trades unions and the oil companies. Old antagonisms resurfaced. The antagonism between them. His antagonism toward the local people. Petty antagonisms and jealousies.)
l'antagonisme
antonymy [æn'tɒnəmi] NB : [-ɪm-] est possible.
l'antonymie
approval [ə'pru:vəl] NB : - if you win someone's approval for something that you ask for or suggest, they agree to it (e.g : Efforts to win congressional approval for an aid package for Moscow. The chairman has also given his approval for an investigation into the case. The proposed modifications met with widespread approval.) - approval is a formal or official statement that something is acceptable (e.g : The testing and approval of new drugs will be speeded up.) - if someone or something has your approval, you like and admire them (e.g : His son had an obsessive drive to gain his father's approval. The president's approval rating had risen.)
l'approbation
the definite article ['defənət] NB : [-ɪn-], [-ɪt] sont possibles.
l'article défini
the indefinite article
l'article indéfini
acquiescence [,ækwi'esəns] NB : - acquiescence is agreement to do what someone wants, or acceptance of what they do even though you do not agree with it (e.g : Deirdre smiled her acquiescence. Diana raised her left hand to her forehead, as if to signal her acquiescence to his instructions.) - the reluctant acceptance of sth without protest (e.g : In silent acquiescence, she rose to her feet.)
l'assentiment, l'acceptation, l'acquiescement (passive ou sans protestation)
word association NB : the spontaneous and unreflective production of other words in response to a given word, as a game, a prompt to creative thought or memory, or a technique in psychiatric evaluation.
l'association d'idées par les mots
misusage = misuse [,mɪs'ju:s] NB : - misusage : incorrect or improper usage, as of words - misuse : erroneous, improper, or unorthodox use (e.g : misuse of words) NB : il n'y a pas d'autre prononciation de "misuse".
l'emploi abusif (deux possibilités)
repartee [,repɑ:'ti:] NB : a skill in making sharp witty replies or conversation (e.g : He had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee.)
l'esprit de répartie, la répartie (que l'on a)
homonymy [hə'mɒnɪmi] NB : [hɒ-] et [-əm-] sont possibles. Ces trois prononciations sont les seules possibles en GB. Aux US, seule [hoʊ'mɑ:n-] est possible.
l'homonymie
the infinitive [ɪn'fɪnətɪv] NB : [-nɪt-].
l'infinitif
influence
l'influence
ingratitude = ungratefulness
l'ingratitude (deux possibilités)
in'sistence
l'insistance
interpreting
l'interprétariat
interpretation NB : - an interpretation of something is an opinion about what it means (e.g : The government put a different interpretation on the figures. Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.) - a performer's interpretation of something such as a piece of music or a role in a play is the particular way in which they choose to perform it (e.g : Her full-bodied interpretation of the role of Micaela.)
l'interprétation
obscurity [əb'skjʊərəti] NB : [ɒb-], [-skjɔ:r-] et [-ɪti] sont possibles. NB : obscurity is the quality of being difficult to understand. An obscurity is something that is difficult to understand (e.g : 'How can that be?' asked Hunt, irritated by the obscurity of Henry's reply. Whatever its obscurities, the poem was clear on at least one count. Poems of impenetrable obscurity. The obscurities in his poems and plays.).
l'obscurité NB : - défaut de clarté dans les idées, dans les expressions (e.g : L'obscurité du commentaire fut loin de lui nuire. Le quiétisme, tant accusé d'obscurité, n'avait été que trop clair.) - (au pl.) passages difficiles à comprendre ; points douteux (e.g : une science embarrassée d'obscurités inutiles).
opposition [,ɒpə'zɪʃən]
l'opposition
usage ['ju:sɪdʒ] NB : ['ju:z-] est possible (28%).
l'usage (en langue)
etymology [,etɪ'mɒlədʒi] NB : [-tə-] est possible.
l'étymologie
the first / second / third person plural
la 1ère / 2ème / 3ème personne du pluriel
the first / second / third person singular
la 1ère / 2ème / 3ème personne du singulier
good faith
la bonne foi
brevity ['brevəti] NB : [-ɪt-] est possible.
la brièveté
slander ['slɑ:ndə] = calumny ['kæləmni] NB : peut être dénombrable ou indénombrable. NB : SLANDER slander is an untrue spoken statement about someone which is intended to damage their reputation (e.g : Dr. Bach is now suing the company for slander.) CALUMNY calumny or a calumny is an untrue statement made about someone in order to reduce other people's respect and admiration for them (e.g : He was the victim of calumny.)
la calomnie, la diffamation (deux possibilités)
clarity ['klærəti] NB : [-rɪt-] est possible.
la clarté
conjugation [,kɒndʒu'geɪʃən] NB : [-əg-] est possible. NB : - the inflection of a verb for person, number, tense, voice, mood,... (e.g : It was the conjugation of verbs he found most difficult.) - the complete set of the inflections of a given verb - The class in which a verb is put according to the manner of this variation (e.g : A past participle of the first conjugation.)
la conjugaison
correspondence (sic) [,kɒrəs'pɒndəns] NB : [-rɪsp-] est possible.
la correspondance (par lettres)
discord ['dɪskɔ:d]
la discorde
dissuasion
la dissuasion
faithfulness
la fidélité, la loyauté
persuasiveness
la force / le pouvoir de persuasion
wording = phrasing ['freɪz-] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : WORDING the words used to express something; the way in which something is expressed (e.g : The standard form of wording for a consent letter." I like the thought but not the wording.) PHRASING the phrasing of something that is said or written is the exact words that are chosen to express the ideas in it (e.g : The phrasing of the question was vague. A letter to the Pope, which necessitates careful phrasing.)
la formulation (deux possibilités)
grammar
la grammaire
thankfulness = gratefulness = gratitude ['grætɪtju:d] NB : [-tət-] est possible.
la gratitude (trois possibilités)
the vernacular [və'nækjʊlə] NB : [-jə-] est possible. NB : - the vernacular is the language or dialect that is most widely spoken by ordinary people in a region or country (e.g : Books or plays written in the vernacular. To use the vernacular of the period, Peter was square. Most of these new sermons were recorded in literary Sanskrit rather than in vernacular language.) - vernacular architecture is the style of architecture in which ordinary people's houses are built in a particular region (e.g : The island's vernacular architecture. The untouched vernacular buildings in superb limestone.)
la langue vernaculaire
manipulation [,mə'nɪpju'leɪʃən] NB : [-pjə] est possible.
la manipulation
bad faith NB : - intention to deceive; treachery or dishonesty (esp in the phrase in bad faith) - (in existentialist philosophy) self-deception, as when an agent regards his or her actions as conditioned by circumstances or conventions in order to evade the responsibility for choosing them freely ; refusal to confront facts or choices.
la mauvaise foi
the command of the language NB : COMMAND (uncount noun) your command of something, such as a foreign language, is your knowledge of it and your ability to use this knowledge (e.g : His command of English was excellent. A singer with a natural command of melody. He had a brilliant command of English.)
la maîtrise de la langue
irrelevance
la non-pertinence, le manque de pertinence
persuasion [pə'sweɪʒən] = suasion ['sweɪʒən] NB : suasion = a rare formal word for 'persuasion' (e.g : The clearing banks found the use of both moral suasion and direct controls particularly irksome.)
la persuasion, la force de conviction (deux possibilités)
relevance
la pertinence
philology [fɪ'lɒlədʒi] NB : [fə-] est possible.
la philologie
phonetics [fə'netɪks] NB : [fəʊ-] est possible. NB : the science concerned with the study of speech processes, including the production, perception, and analysis of speech sounds from both an acoustic and a physiological point of view. This science, though capable of being applied to language studies, technically excludes linguistic considerations.
la phonétique
pomposity [pɒm'pɒsəti] NB : [-ɪti] est possible.
la pomposité
pragmatics [præg'mætɪks] NB : the branch of linguistics dealing with language in use and the contexts in which it is used, including such matters as deixis, the taking of turns in conversation, text organization, presupposition, and implicature.
la pragmatique (lingu.)
pronunciation [prə,nʌnsi'eɪʃən]
la prononciation
the main clause
la proposition principale
the blame NB : The blame for something bad that has happened is the responsibility for causing it or letting it happen (e.g : Some of the blame for the miscarriage of justice must be borne by the solicitors. The president put the blame squarely on his opponent. His players had to take the blame. They are trying to put the blame on us.) NB : pas d'autre définition.
la responsabilité, la faute
meaning
la signification
sincerity [sɪn'serəti] NB : [sən-] et [-ɪti] sont possibles.
la sincérité
synonymy [sɪ'nɒnəmi] NB : [sə-] et [-ɪm-] sont possibles.
la synonymie
semantics [sə'mæntɪks] NB : [sɪ-] est possible. NB : - the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning. The two main areas are logical semantics, concerned with matters such as sense and reference and presupposition and implication, and lexical semantics, concerned with the analysis of word meanings and relations between them. - the meaning of a word, phrase, or text (e.g : Such quibbling over semantics may seem petty stuff.)
la sémantique
semiotics
la sémiotique
tension = tenseness NB : TENSION - tension is the feeling that is produced in a situation when people are anxious and do not trust each other, and when there is a possibility of sudden violence or conflict (e.g : The tension between the two countries is likely to remain. Continued tension over the killing of demonstrators. The years of his government are remembered for political tension and conflict.) - tension is a feeling of worry and anxiety which makes it difficult for you to relax (e.g : She has done her best to keep calm but finds herself trembling with tension and indecision. Smiling and laughing has actually been shown to relieve tension and stress.) - if there is a tension between forces, arguments, or influences, there are differences between them that cause difficulties (e.g : The film explored the tension between public duty and personal affections.) TENSENESS if you are tense, you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax (e.g : McKay walked slowly toward this screen, feeling a growing tenseness.)
la tension (émotionnelle)
terminology [,tɜ:mɪ'nɒlədʒi]
la terminologie
translation
la traduction
wordiness = verbosity [vɜ:'bɒsəti] NB : [-ɪti] est possible.
la verbosité
the voice (gramm.)
la voix (gramm.)
the active voice = the active
la voix active
the passive voice ['pæsɪv] = the passive NB : "passive" (n.) : - a passive form of a verb - ("the passive") the passive voice.
la voix passive, le passif (deux possibilités)
terse = laconic [lə'kɒnɪk] NB : TERSE a terse statement or comment is brief and unfriendly or abrupt (e.g : He issued a terse statement. His tone was terse as he asked the question.) LACONIC (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words, and therefore seeming casual or unfriendly (e.g : His laconic reply suggested a laci of interest in the topic. Usually so laconic in the office, Dr. Lahey seemed less guarded, more relaxed. 'At least we weren't kidnapped.'—'I'm glad of that,' was the laconic response.)
laconique (deux possibilités)
to leave a blank
laisser un blanc
to level criticism at sb ['levəl] NB : - if an accusation or criticism is levelled at someone, they are accused of doing wrong or they are criticized for something they have done (e.g : Allegations of corruption were levelled at him and his family. He leveled bitter criticism against the U.S.) - if you level an object at someone or something, you lift it and point it in their direction (e.g : He said thousands of Koreans still levelled guns at one another along the demilitarised zone between them.)
lancer des accusations / critiques à qq
to appeal (to sb) for sth NB : - if you appeal to someone to do something, you make a serious and urgent request to them (e.g : The Prime Minister appealed to young people to use their vote. He will appeal to the state for an extension of unemployment benefits. The United Nations has appealed for help from the international community.) - if you appeal to someone in authority against a decision, you formally ask them to change it. In British English, you appeal against something. In American English, you appeal something (e.g : He said they would appeal against the decision. We intend to appeal the verdict. Maguire has appealed to the Supreme Court to stop her extradition.)
lancer un appel (à qq) pour obtenir qqch
the conditional mood = the conditional
le (mode) conditionnel (deux possibilités)
the imperative mood = the imperative [ɪm'perətɪv] NB : peut aussi signifier "a verb in this mood".
le (mode) impératif (deux possibilités)
the indicative mood = the indicative [ɪn'dɪkətɪv]
le (mode) indicatif (deux possibilités)
command [kə'mɑ:nd] NB : COMMAND (v.) an officer who commands part of an army, navy, or air force is responsible for controlling and organizing it (e.g : The French general who commands the U.N. troops in the region. He didn't just command. He personally fought in several heavy battles.) COMMAND (n.) command is also a noun (e.g : A small garrison under the command of Major James Craig. He took command of 108 Squadron.)
le commandement (autorité, surtout militaire)
the complement ['kɒmplɪmənt] NB : [-pləm-] est possible.
le complément
the object ['ɒbdʒekt] NB : [-ɪkt] est possible. NB : in grammar, the object of a verb or a preposition is the word or phrase which completes the structure begun by the verb or preposition.
le complément d'objet
consent [kən'sent] NB : if you give your consent to something, you give someone permission to do it (e.g : Pollard finally gave his consent to the search. Can my child be medically examined without my consent?)
le consentement
assent [ə'sent] NB : if someone gives their assent to something that has been suggested, they formally agree to it (e.g : He gave his assent to the proposed legislation. Without their assent a political settlement cannot be reached. A loud murmur of assent. He nodded assent. The governor has power to withhold his assent from a bill.)
le consentement, l'assentiment, l'acquiescement, l'accord
The Queen's Speech = The King's Speech = The Speech from the Throne
le discours d'ouverture de la session parlementaire (trois possibilités)
the future
le futur
gender : masculine, feminine or neuter ['mæskjʊlɪn] ['femənɪn] ['nju:tə] NB : - masculine ['mɑ:sk-] [-jəl-] - feminine : [-ɪn-] sont possibles.
le genre : masculin, féminin, ou neutre
'brainwashing
le lavage de cerveau
lexis ['leksɪs] NB : the totality of vocabulary in a language, including all forms having lexical meaning or grammatical function.
le lexique (par opposition à la morphologie)
the mood [mu:d]
le mode
number : singular and plural ['sɪŋgjʊlə] ['plʊərəl] NB : - singular : [-gjə-] - plural : ['plɔ:rəl] sont possibles. NB : ce sens de "number" est confirmé par le dictionnaire.
le nombre : singulier et pluriel
chatter NB : idle, trivial talk
le papotage, le jacassement
forgiveness NB : if you ask for forgiveness, you ask to be forgiven for something wrong that you have done (e.g : I offered up a short prayer for forgiveness. A spirit of forgiveness and national reconciliation. She is quick to ask forgiveness [sic sans prép.] when she has overstepped the line.) NB : if you ask someone's permission, opinion, or forgiveness, you try to obtain it by putting a request to them (e.g : Please ask permission from whoever pays the phone bill before making your call.)
le pardon
the past participle
le participe passé
the present participle [,prezənt 'pɑ:tɪsɪpəl] NB : [-təs-], [-səp-], et [pɑ:'tɪs-] sont possibles.
le participe présent
the past = the preterit(e) ['pretərɪt] NB : [-rət] est possible. NB : les deux orthographes sont possibles.
le passé = le prétérit (deux possibilités)
'string-,pulling NB : the use of one's influence with other people to get things done, often unfairly (e.g : Such string-pulling outrages him. Recent news stories have raised questions about whether he engaged in the kind of string-pulling and backroom deal-making that he accuses his opponents of.)
le piston
the pluperfect [,plu:'pɜ:fɪkt] = the ,past 'perfect NB : [-ekt] est possible.
le plus-que-parfait (deux possibilités)
the pros and cons [prəʊz]
le pour et le contre
the ,present 'perfect ['pɜ:fɪkt] NB : [-ekt] est possible.
le present perfect
the present ['prezənt] NB : seule prononciation possible pour "adj. + gift + time now".
le présent
the present continuous [kən'tɪnjuəs] = the present progressive [prəʊ'gresɪv]
le présent progressif (deux possibilités)
the past continuous = the past progressive
le prétérit progressif (deux possibilités)
pedantry ['pedəntri]
le pédantisme
(a) rejection NB : e.g : The rejection of such initiatives indicates that voters are unconcerned about the environment. His rejection of our values. Be prepared for lots of rejections before you land a job. These feelings of rejection and hurt remain. A special drug which stops rejection of transplanted organs.)
le rejet / un rejet
remorse [rɪ'mɔ:s] NB : [rə-] est possible.
le remords [sic]
the subject ['sʌbdʒekt] NB : [-ɪkt] est possible.
le sujet
the consonant system
le système consonantique
the vowel system
le système vocalique
'word ,processing NB : ['prəʊses-], ['prɒs-], [-ɪs] sont possibles. NB : word processing is the work or skill of producing printed documents using a computer.
le traitement de texte (activité)
specialist vocabulary NB : ici, "specialist" est un nom utilisé comme "modifier".
le vocabulaire spécialisé
technical vocabulary
le vocabulaire technique
advice [əd'vaɪs]
les conseils
quotation marks [kwəʊ'teɪʃən] = inverted commas (UK) = quotes NB : [kwə-] est possible. NB : QUOTATION MARKS quotation marks are punctuation marks that are used in writing to show where speech or a quotation begins and ends. They are usually written or printed as "..." or, in Britain, '...' (e.g : Should one put colloquialisms in quotation marks in all that one writes?) QUOTES quotes are the same as quotation marks (e.g : The word 'remembered' is in quotes.) INVERTED COMMAS if you say in inverted commas after a word or phrase, you are indicating that it is inaccurate or unacceptable in some way, or that you are quoting someone else (e.g : They're asked to make objective, in inverted commas, evaluations of these statements.)
les guillemets (trois possibilités)
ancient languages ['eɪn(t)ʃənt]
les langues anciennes
dead languages
les langues mortes
modern languages = living languages NB : MODERN LANGUAGE a living or modern-day language as a subject of study, as contrasted with classical Latin and Greek (e.g : Pupils were allowed to choose whether or not to take a modern language. He studied modern languages at Trinity College.) LIVING LANGUAGE still spoken and used.
les langues vivantes (deux possibilités)
lexical ['leksɪkəl]
lexical
linguistic NB : - of or relating to language - of or relating to linguistics
linguistique (adj.)
loquacious [ləʊ'kweɪʃəs] NB : [lɒ-] est possible.
loquace
to praise sb / sth [preɪz]
louer qqch / qq, faire l'éloge de qqch / qq
faithful
loyal, fidèle
my mother tongue = my native language
ma langue maternelle (deux possibilités)
to misuse [,mɪs'ju:z]
mal employer, employer abusivement
tu put / phrase sth badly
mal exprimer / tourner qqch
to misinterpret
mal interpréter
to ,misin'terpret an event
mal interpréter un événement
to mistranslate sth [,mɪstrænz'leɪt] (sic) NB : [-trɑ:nz-], [-trɑ:ns-], [-træns-], [-trəns-] et [trənz-] sont possibles.
mal traduire qqch
mistranslated
mal traduit
unfortunately
malheureusement
to demonstrate ['demənstreɪt]
manifester (dans la rue)
to give a nod of agreement / consent / approval = to nod one's agreement / consent / approval
manifester son accord / consentement / approbation d'un signe de tête (deux constructions)
manipulative [mə'nɪpjʊlətɪv] NB : [-pjə-] est possible.
manipulateur/-trice (adj.)
to manipulate sb [mə'nɪpjuleɪt] NB : [-pjə] est possible.
manipuler qq
to break one's promise / word
manquer à sa promesse / parole (deux noms possibles)
to mutter about sth NB : if you mutter, you speak very quietly so that you cannot easily be heard, often because you are complaining about something ; you talk or grumble in secret or in private (e.g : 'God knows what's happening in that madman's mind,' she muttered. She can hear the old woman muttering about consideration. He sat there shaking his head, muttering to himself. She was staring into the fire muttering. Back-benchers were muttering about the next reshuffle.)
marmonner, maugréer, grommeler à propos de qqch
to mention sth to sb
mentionner qqch à qq
to settle a quarrel = to settle a dispute [dɪs'pju:t] NB : dispute [dɪs'pju:t] (recommandé, 62%) + [də-] + ['dɪspju:t] (38%). NB : SETTLE if people settle an argument or problem, or if something settles it, they solve it, for example by making a decision about who is right or about what to do (e.g : They agreed to try to settle their dispute by negotiation. Both sides are looking for ways to settle their differences. Tomorrow's vote is unlikely to settle the question of who will replace their leader.)
mettre fin à une querelle (deux noms possibles)
to lay stress / emphasis on sth
mettre l'accent sur qqch (deux possibilités)
persuasive [pə'sweɪsɪv] = suasive NB : [pə'sweɪzɪv] est possible. NB : - persuasive = good at persuading sb to do or believe sth through reasoning or the use of temptation (e.g : an informative and persuasive speech) - suasive = rare formal word for "persuasive".
persuasif (deux possibilités, avec nuances)
to stress sth = to 'emphasise sth NB : STRESS if you stress a point in a discussion, you put extra emphasis on it because you think it is important (e.g : The spokesman stressed that the measures did not amount to an overall ban. They stress the need for improved employment opportunities. 'We're not saying we're outside and above all this,' he stresses.) EMPHASISE to emphasize something means to indicate that it is particularly important or true, or to draw special attention to it (e.g : It's been emphasized that no major policy changes can be expected. Discuss pollution with your child, emphasizing how nice a clean street, lawn, or park looks.)
mettre l'accent sur qqch, souligner qqch, insister sur (deux possibilités)
to inform sb of sth = to acquaint sb with sth NB : if you acquaint someone with something, you tell them about it so that they know it. If you acquaint yourself with something, you learn about it (e.g : Efforts to acquaint the public with their rights under the new law. I want to acquaint myself with your strengths and weaknesses.) (traduit sur wordreference par "se familiariser avec")
mettre qq au courant de qqch (deux possibilités)
to challenge sb NB : - if you challenge someone, you invite them to fight or compete with you in some way (e.g : A mum challenged her to a fight after their daughters fell out. He left a note at the scene of the crime, challenging detectives to catch him. We challenged a team who called themselves 'College Athletes'. He challenged one of my men to a duel.) - to invite (sb) to do sth that one thinks will be difficult or impossible ; to dare sb (e.g : I challenged them to make up their own minds.)
mettre qq au défi
to challenge sth NB : if you challenge ideas or people, you question their truth, value, or authority (e.g : Democratic leaders have challenged the president to sign the bill. The move was immediately challenged by two of the republics. I challenged him on the hypocrisy of his political attitudes.)
mettre qqch en question, remettre qqch en cause
to bracket sth NB : enclose (words or figures) in brackets (e.g : I have bracketed the phrase "of contrary qualities" in the translation, since it is not explicit in the Greek.)
mettre qqch entre parenthèses (ponctuation)
'word wrapping NB : in computing, word wrapping is a process by which a word which comes at the end of a line is automatically moved onto a new line in order to keep the text within the margins.
mise à la ligne automatique des mots
to modify ['mɒdɪfaɪ] NB : [-dəf-] est possible.
modifier
moderate ['mɒdərət] NB : [-ɪt] est possible. NB : - moderate political opinions or policies are not extreme (e.g : He was an easygoing man of very moderate views. Both countries have called for a moderate approach to the use of force.) - you use moderate to describe people or groups who have moderate political opinions or policies (e.g : A moderate Democrat. The moderate wing of the army. A moderate is someone with moderate political opinions. If he presents himself as a radical, he risks scaring off the moderates. A moderate reform programme.) - you use moderate to describe something that is neither large nor small in amount or degree (e.g : While a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can exhaust you. He walked at a moderate pace.)
modéré
morphological [,mɔ:fə'lɒdʒɪkəl]
morphologique
linking word = link word (UK)
mot de liaison (deux possibilités)
mysterious [mɪ'stɪəriəs] NB : [mə-] est possible.
mystérieux
discontented NB : if you are discontented, you are not satisfied with your situation (e.g : The government tried to appease discontented workers. Farmers discontented with low prices for their produce.)
mécontent
discontent [,dɪskən'tent]
mécontentement
to object to sth [əb'dʒekt] NB : if you object to something, you express your dislike or disapproval of it (e.g : A lot of people will object to the book. Cullen objected that his small staff would be unable to handle the added work. We objected strongly but were outvoted. Residents object to the volume of traffic.)
ne pas accepter qqch, être en désaccord avec qqch, s'opposer à qqch, être contre qqch
to be a poor speaker = to be inarticulate = to express oneself with difficulty
ne pas savoir bien s'exprimer (trois possibilités)
to be at a loss for words
ne pas savoir quoi dire, ne pas trouver les mots
to deny categorically [,kætə'gɒrɪkəli] = to deny flatly NB : [-tɪg-] est possible. NB : FLAT a flat denial or refusal is definite and firm, and is unlikely to be changed (e.g : The Foreign Ministry has issued a flat denial of any involvement. She is likely to give you a flat refusal.) ADV. : e.g : Michael flatly denied virtually every rumour. He flatly refused to discuss it. I could use some money, Sarah told him flatly.
nier catégoriquement (deux adverbes possibles)
ir'relevant
non- pertinent, hors de propos
to note that...
noter / remarquer / constater que...
negative ['negətɪv]
négatif
negotiation [nɪ,gəʊʃi'eɪʃən] NB : [nə-] et [-'gəʊsi-] sont possibles.
négociation(s)
to negotiate sth with sb [nɪ'gəʊʃieɪt] NB : [nə-] et [-'gəʊsi-] sont possibles.
négocier qqch avec qq
to object that... NB : to say sth to express one's disapproval of or disagreement with sth (e.g : 'Hey, I don't know what you're talking about,' Russo objected. The boy's father objected that the police had arrested him unlawfully.Residents object to the volume of traffic. The boy's father objected that the police had arrested him unlawfully. "It doesn't seem natural," she objected.)
objecter que...
obscure [əb'skjʊə] NB : [ɒb-] et [-skjɔ:] sont possibles. NB : something that is obscure is difficult to understand or deal with, usually because it involves so many parts or details (e.g : The contracts are written in obscure language. Richard's statement was disgracefully obscure.)
obscur NB : qui n'est pas clair, qui est inintelligible, qui ne se fait pas comprendre ou se fait difficilement comprendre.
to elicit an answer NB : [ɪ'lɪsɪt] + [ə-], [i:-]. NB : - if you elicit a response or a reaction, you do or say something which makes other people respond or react (e.g : He spoke for a long time, trying to elicit some comment or response from Hanuman. I tried to elicit a smile from Joanna. The work elicited enormous public interest.) - if you elicit a piece of information, you get it by asking the right questions (e.g : Phone calls elicited no further information.) NB : wordreference traduit : arracher (un sourire), provoquer (une réaction), susciter (de l'intérêt, une réaction), obtenir (des informations, une réponse)
obtenir une réponse
to obey orders
obéir aux ordres
to order sb to do sth = to direct sb to do sth [(,)daɪ(ə)'rekt] = to ins'truct sb to do sth NB : [də-] et [dɪ-] sont possibles. NB : en US, on recommande [də'rekt], et [daɪ-] est possible. NB : ORDER give an authoritative direction or instruction to do sth (e.g : She ordered me to leave. "Stop frowning," she ordered. The judge ordered a retrial. The court ordered that the case should be heard at the end of August. Her father ordered her back home.) DIRECT (v.) if you are directed to do something, someone in authority tells you to do it (e.g : They have been directed to give special attention to the problem of poverty. The Bishop directed the faithful to stay at home.) INSTRUCT if you instruct someone to do something, you formally tell them to do it (e.g : The family has instructed solicitors to sue Thomson for compensation. 'Go and have a word with her, Ken,' Webb instructed. I want you to instruct them that they've got three months to get the details sorted out. She instructed him to wait. "Look at me," he instructed. I instructed that she be given hot, sweet tea.)
ordonner / donner l'ordre à qq de faire qqch (trois verbes possibles)
'consequently [-sɪkw-] NB : [-səkw-] est possible.
par conséquent
by presidential decree [,prezɪ'denʃəl] NB : [-zəd-] est possible.
par décret présidentiel
by royal decree
par décret royal
for lack of... = for want of... NB : WANT a want of something is a lack or deficiency of it (e.g : A want of manners and charm. The men were daily becoming weaker from want of rest. Victorian houses which are in want of repair. For want of a better location we ate our picnic in the cemetery.)
par manque de..., faute de... (deux possibilités)
to forgive sb (for sth) [fə'gɪv] NB : in formal style, sometimes [fɔ:-].
pardonner (qqch) à qq
to forgive sb for doing sth
pardonner à qq d'avoir fait qqch
to speak with a French accent ['æksənt] NB : ['æksent] est possible en GB, et est la seule possibilité en US.
parler avec un accent français
to speak in an aside NB : an aside = a remark not intended to be heard by everyone present (e.g : "Does that make him a murderer?" whispered Alice in an aside to Fred.)
parler en aparté
to speak fluent English ['flu:ənt] = to speak English fluently NB : someone who is fluent in a particular language can speak the language easily and correctly. You can also say that someone speaks fluent French, Chinese, or some other language (e.g : She studied eight foreign languages but is fluent in only six of them. He speaks fluent Russian. He spoke three languages fluently.)
parler l'anglais couramment (deux possibilités)
to gabble NB : if you gabble, you say things so quickly that it is difficult for people to understand you (e.g : Marcello sat on his knee and gabbled excitedly. Jacub gabbled on about computer games. One of the soldiers gabbled something and pointed at the front door.)
parler vite et de manière inintelligible
to speak sotto voce [,sɒtəʊ'vəʊtʃi] (sic) = to speak under one's breath NB : il n'y a pas d'autre prononciation. NB : SOTTO VOCE in soft tones, so as not to be overheard ; in an undertone ; (music) in very soft tones (used chiefly as a direction) UNDER ONE'S BREATH in a whisper
parler à voix basse (deux possibilités)
to share sb's view(s)
partager l'opinion de qq
to take part in a debate = to con'tribute to a debate NB : to contribute = to give one's views in a discussion (e.g : He did not contribute to the meetings.)
participer à un débat, intervenir dans un débat (deux verbes possibles)
to come to an agreement with sb over sth = to reach an agreement with sb over sth NB : "come to an agreement" est défini dans le macmillan comme "make a decision after a lot of discussion" (e.g : We finally came to an agreement : I would cook and Ann would clean.) Le même dictionnaire donne, pour "reach ar argument", l'exemple suivant : "Management announced that it had reached an agreement with the unions." Les deux expressions semblent donc strictement synonymes.
parvenir à un accord avec qq sur qqch = se mettre d'accord avec qq sur qqch NB : deux verbes possibles)
to tick sb off (UK, informal) = to tell sb off (informal) = to give sb a (good) scolding = to give sb a ,dressing-'down = to give sb a rap on the knuckles NB : TICK SB OFF if you tick someone off, you speak angrily to them because they have done something wrong (e.g : His mum ticked him off at home. Abdel felt free to tick him off for smoking too much. Traffic police ticked off a pensioner for jumping a red light.) TELL SB OFF if you tell someone off, you speak to them angrily or seriously because they have done something wrong (e.g : He never listened to us when we told him off. I'm always being told off for being so awkward. Dutch police told off two of the gang, aged 10 and 11.) A SCOLDING an angry rebuke or reprimand (e.g : She'd get a scolding from Victoria.) GIVE SB A DRESSING-DOWN if someone gives you a dressing-down, they speak angrily to you because you have done something bad or foolish (e.g : I gave him a good dressing-down.) A RAP ON THE KNUCKLES a mild reprimand or light sentence NB : a rap = a sharp quick blow or the sound produced by such a blow ; a sharp rebuke or criticism.
passer un savon à qq (cinq possibilités, avec nuances d'intensité)
to permit sth [pə'mɪt] = to allow sth NB : PERMIT - if someone permits something, they allow it to happen. If they permit you to do something, they allow you to do it (e.g : He can let the court's decision stand and permit the execution. The guards permitted me to bring my camera. Employees are permitted to use the golf course during their free hours. No outside journalists have been permitted into the country. If they appear to be under 12, then the doorman is not allowed to permit them entry to the film.) - if a situation permits something, it makes it possible for that thing to exist, happen, or be done or it provides the opportunity for it (e.g : He sets about creating an environment that doesn't just permit experiment, it encourages it. Try to go out for a walk at lunchtime, if the weather permits. This method of cooking also permits heat to penetrate evenly from both sides.) - if you permit yourself something, you allow yourself to do something that you do not normally do or that you think you probably should not do (e.g : Captain Bowen permitted himself one cigar a day. Only once in his life had Douglas permitted himself to lose control of his emotions.) ALLOW - if someone is allowed to do something, it is all right for them to do it and they will not get into trouble (e.g : The children are not allowed to watch violent TV programmes. The Government will allow them to advertise on radio and television. They will be allowed home. Smoking will not be allowed.) - if you are allowed something, you are given permission to have it or are given it. Gifts like chocolates or flowers are allowed (e.g : He should be allowed the occasional treat.) - if you allow something to happen, you do not prevent it (e.g : He won't allow himself to fail. If the soil is allowed to dry out the tree could die.) - if one thing allows another thing to happen, the first thing creates the opportunity for the second thing to happen (e.g : The compromise will allow him to continue his free market reforms. An attempt to allow the Tory majority a greater share of power. She said this would allow more effective planning.)
permettre qqch (deux possibilités)
to permit sb to do sth = to give sb permission to do sth
permettre à qq de faire qqch = donner la permission à qq de faire qqch (deux possibilités)
to the point = relevant ['reləvənt] NB : [-lɪv-] est possible. NB : TO THE POINT something that is to the point is relevant to the subject that you are discussing, or expressed neatly without wasting words or time (e.g : Mr. Baker was smiling and to the point. The description which he had been given was brief and to the point.)
pertinent
philological [,fɪləʊ'lɒdʒɪkəl]
philologique
phonetic
phonétique (adj.)
to pull strings for sb
pistonner qq
remorseful NB : filled with remorse, sorry (e.g : The defendant was remorseful for what he had done.)
plein de remords
to bemoan sth [bɪ'məʊn] NB : [bə-] est possible. NB : if you bemoan something, you express sorrow or dissatisfaction about it (e.g : Universities and other research establishments bemoan their lack of funds. It was no use bemoaning her lot.)
pleurer sur qqch, se lamenter sur qqch
to bemoan a loss
pleurer une perte
pompous ['pɒmpəs]
pompeux
to punctuate ['pʌŋktʃueɪt] NB : [-tju-] est possible. NB : - to provide (a text) with punctuation marks (e.g : They should be shown how to set out and punctuate direct speech. Style manuals tell you how to punctuate.) - to occur or interrupt at intervals throughout (an area or period) (e.g : Lectures punctuated by questions and discussions. The country's history has been punctuated by coups.) - to give emphasis to
ponctuer
to lodge / 'register a complaint about sth, against sb ['redʒɪstə] NB : [-dʒəst-] est possible. NB : to lodge = to present (a complaint, appeal, claim,...) formally to the proper authorities (e.g : He has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal.)
porter plainte au sujet de qqch, contre qq
to praise sb/sth to the skies
porter qq aux nues
to ask a question
poser une question
to put a question to sb NB : when you put a question to someone, you ask them the question (e.g : Is this fair? Well, I put that question today to the deputy counsel. He thinks that some workers may be afraid to put questions publicly.)
poser une question a qq
pragmatic [præg'mætɪk] NB : - a pragmatic way of dealing with something is based on practical considerations, rather than theoretical ones. A pragmatic person deals with things in a practical way (e.g : Robin took a pragmatic look at her situation. A pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America.) - relating to philosophical or political pragmatism - (ling.) relating to pragmatics
pragmatique (adj.)
to take counsel with sb about sth
prendre conseil de qq à propos de qqch
to gain ascendancy over sb
prendre de l'ascendant sur qq
to speak up for sb / sth NB : = speak in support of (e.g : There was no independent body to speak for press freedoms. [sic])
prendre la défense de qq / qqch
to take sides with sb = to side with sb
prendre parti pour qq (deux possibilités)
to make a commitment NB : e.g : I cannot make such a commitment at the moment.
prendre un engagement
to proclaim [prə'kleɪm] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible.
proclamer
to promise sb the moon
promettre monts et merveilles à qq
to promise sth ['prɒmɪs]
promettre qqch
to promise sb to do sth
promettre à qq de faire qqch
to give sb one's promise that... NB : e.g : You gave me your promise I could use the car tonight.
promettre à qq que...
to promise sb that...
promettre à qq que...
to offer sth to sb NB : - if you offer something to someone, you ask them if they would like to have it or use it (e.g : He has offered seats at the conference table to the Russian leader and the president of Kazakhstan. The number of companies offering them work increased. Rhys offered him an apple. Western governments have offered aid. - if you offer to do something, you say that you are willing to do it (e.g : Peter offered to teach them water-skiing. 'Can I get you a drink?' she offered. May I offer you a drink ? He offered to fix the gate. "Can I help you, dear ?" a kindly voice offered.)
proposer / offrir qqch à qq
to propose sth to sb [prə'pəʊz] NB : to put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others (e.g : He proposed a new nine-point peace plan. I proposed that the government should retain a 51 percent stake in the company. We propose to be away for six months. Britain is about to propose changes to some institutions. It was George who first proposed that we dry clothes in that locker.)
proposer qqch à qq (une idée, un plan)
to protest against / about sth [prə'test] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible.
protester contre qqch (deux prépositions possibles)
to protest that...
protester que...
provocative [prə'vɒkətɪv] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible. NB : - if you describe something as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make people react angrily or argue against it (e.g : He has made a string of outspoken and sometimes provocative speeches in recent years. His behavior was called provocative and antisocial.) - if you describe someone's clothing or behaviour as provocative, you mean that it is intended to make someone feel sexual desire (e.g : Provocative black lace.)
provocateur (adj.)
to provoke criticism [prə'vəʊk] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible. NB : if something provokes a reaction, it causes it (e.g : His election success has provoked a shocked reaction.)
provoquer la / des critique(s)
to provoke sb [prə'vəʊk] NB : [prəʊ-] est possible.
provoquer qq
to arouse a discusison / conversation / debate = to provoke a discusison / conversation / debate = to stir up a discusison / conversation / debate
provoquer un(e) discussion / conversation / débat
to offer one's congratulations to sb
présenter ses félicitations à qq
to claim = to maintain [meɪn'teɪn] NB : [men-] (sic) (6%) et [mən-] (4%) sont possibles. NB : CLAIM - if you say that someone claims that something is true, you mean they say that it is true but you are not sure whether or not they are telling the truth (e.g : He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him. A man claiming to be a journalist threatened to reveal details about her private life. 'I had never received one single complaint against me,' claimed the humiliated doctor. He claims a 70 to 80 per cent success rate.) MAINTAIN if you say that someone maintains that something is true, you mean that they have stated their opinion strongly but not everyone agrees with them or believes them (e.g : He has maintained that the money was donated for international purposes. Prosecutors maintain no deal was made. 'Not all feminism has to be like this,' Jo maintains. He had always maintained his innocence.)
prétendre, soutenir que... (deux possibilités)
to 'issue an official denial
publier un démenti officiel
since...
puisque...
pedantic [pɪ'dæntɪk] NB : [pə-] et [pe-] sont possibles. NB : - characterised by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for unimportant detail in connection with academic knowledge and formal rules (e.g : A pedantic attention to details. His lecture was so pedantic and uninteresting.) - excessively concerned with minor details or rules ; overscrupulous (e.g : His analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never pedantic.)
pédant NB : qui fait étalage de son savoir de manière prétentieuse (eg. : Il est instruit, mais outrageusement pédant.)
quarrelsome NB : a quarrelsome person often gets involved in arguments (e.g : Benedict had been a wild boy and a quarrelsome young man. A moody, quarrelsome man)
querelleur (adj.)
to question sb about sth NB : if you question someone, you ask them a lot of questions about something (e.g : This led the therapist to question Jim about his parents.)
questionner, interroger qq sur / à propos de qqch (série de questions)
inarticulate [,ɪnɑ:'tɪkjʊlət] NB : if someone is inarticulate, they are unable to express themselves easily or well in speech (e.g : Inarticulate and rather shy, he had always dreaded speaking in public. Kempton made an inarticulate noise at the back of his throat as if he were about to choke.)
qui ne sait pas s'exprimer
,well-'spoken = articulate [ɑ:'tɪkjʊlət] NB : [-kjə-] et [-ɪt] sont possibles. NB : WELL-SPOKEN (of a person) - speaking in an educated and refined manner (e.g : a young, well-spoken Englishwoman) - a well-spoken person speaks in a polite correct way and with an accent which is considered socially acceptable (e.g : I remember her as a quiet, hard-working and well-spoken girl.) ARTICULATE if you describe someone as articulate, you mean that they are able to express their thoughts and ideas easily, fluently, coherently, well (e.g : She is an articulate young woman. The child was unable to offer an articulate description of what she had witnessed. An articulate account of their experiences. He was not very articulate.)
qui sait bien s'exprimer (deux possibilités)
to advocate sth ['ædvəkeɪt] NB : publicly recommend or support (e.g : They advocated an ethical foreign policy.)
recommander / préconiser /prôner qqch
to ,recom'mend sth to sb
recommander qqch à qq
recognition [,rekəg'nɪ-] = acknowledgement [ək'nɒlɪdʒmənt] NB : [æk-] et [ɪk-] (sic) sont possibles.
reconnaissance (de qqch) (deux possibilités)
thankful = grateful THANKFUL - expressing gratitude and relief - when you are thankful, you are very happy and relieved that something has happened (e.g : Most of the time I'm just thankful that I've got a job. I was so thankful for his support. She's thankful to be alive. They were thankful that the war was finally over. I was very thankful to be alive.) NB : wordreference traduit "thankful" par "reconnaissant, soulagé".
reconnaissant (deux possibilités)
to recognise sth / that... ['rekəgnaɪz] = to acknowledge sth / that... [ək'nɒlɪdʒ] NB : acknowledge : [æk-] et [ɪk-] (sic) sont possibles. NB : RECOGNISE if someone says that they recognize something, they acknowledge that it exists or that it is true or valid (e.g : I recognize my own shortcomings. Well, of course I recognize that evil exists. It is important to recognize that a variety of indirect forms of discrimination operate. To recognize a problem.) ACKNOWLEDGE if you acknowledge a fact or a situation, you accept or admit that it is true or that it exists (e.g : We have to acknowledge that something is wrong with the system. Belatedly, the government has acknowledged the problem. There is an acknowledged risk of lung cancer from radon. The plight of the refugees was acknowledged by the authorities. The governement acknowledged that the tax was unfair. "That's true," she acknowledged.)
reconnaître qqch / que... (deux possibilités)
to refuse to do sth
refuser de faire qqch
to be non-committal about sth [,nɒnkə'mɪtəl] NB : you can describe someone as noncommittal when they deliberately do not express their opinion or intentions clearly (e.g : Mr Hall is non-committal about the number of jobs that the development corporation has created. Sylvia's face was noncommittal. A very bland non-committal answer. Her tone was noncommittal, and her face gave nothing away.) NB : wordreference traduit "noncommittal" par "évasif, réservé".
refuser de s'engager sur qqch
to refuse sth [rɪ'fju:z] NB : [rə-] est possible.
refuser qqch
to refuse sb sth NB : e.g "The old lady was refused admission to four hospitals."
refuser qqch à qq
to decline an offer = to turn down an offer NB : [dɪ'klaɪn] + [də-]. NB : DECLINE politely refuse (an invitation or offer) (e.g : He declined their invitation. The band declined to comment on the story. He offered the boys some coffee. They declined politely.) TURN DOWN if you turn down a person or their request or offer, you refuse their request or offer (e.g : Before this I'd have smiled and turned her down. I thanked him for the offer but turned it down. Would you turn down $7,000,000 to appear nude in a magazine?) NB : to turn sb down = to reject an offer or application made by sb (e.g : The RAF turned him down on medical grounds.)
refuser une offre (deux possibilités)
regrettable [rɪ'gretəbəl] = unfortunate [ʌn'fɔ:tʃənət] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : [-nɪt] est possible. NB : REGRETTABLE you describe something as regrettable when you think that it is bad and that it should not happen or have happened (e.g : An investigation into what the army described as a regrettable incident. It is regrettable that strike leaders seem intent on spoiling holidays.) UNFORTUNATE - if you describe someone as unfortunate, you mean that something unpleasant or unlucky has happened to them (e.g : You can also describe the unpleasant things that happen to them as unfortunate. Some unfortunate person passing below could all too easily be seriously injured. Apparently he had been unfortunate enough to fall victim to a gang of thugs. Through some unfortunate accident, the information reached me a day late. It was unfortunate for Davey that his teacher did not take kindly to him.) - if you describe something that has happened as unfortunate, you think that it is inappropriate, embarrassing, awkward, or wrong (e.g : It really is desperately unfortunate that this should have happened just now. The unfortunate incident of the upside-down Canadian flag. The store's former executive made some unfortunate remarks about fat customers.) - you can describe someone as unfortunate when they are poor or have a difficult life (e.g : Every year we have charity days to raise money for unfortunate people. The unfortunate inhabitants of the East End slums.) NB : an unfortunate is someone who is unfortunate (e.g : Dorothy was another of life's unfortunates.)
regrettable (deux possibilités)
to regret [rɪ'gret] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (sth that has happened or been done, esp. a loss or missed opportunity) (e.g : She immediately regretted her words. I regretted that he did not see you.)
regretter
to be sorry for doing sth
regretter d'avoir fait qqch, être désolé d'avoir fait qqch
to reject sb / sth [rɪ'dʒekt] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : - if you reject something such as a proposal, a request, or an offer, you do not accept it or you do not agree to it (e.g : The British government is expected to reject the idea of state subsidy for a new high speed railway. Seventeen publishers rejected the manuscript before Jenks saw its potential.) - if you reject a belief or a political system, you refuse to believe in it or to live by its rules (e.g : The children of Eastern European immigrants who had rejected their parents' political and religious beliefs.) - if someone is rejected for a job or course of study, it is not offered to them (e.g : One of my most able students was rejected by another university.) - if someone rejects another person who expects affection from them, they are cold and unfriendly towards them (e.g : You make friends with people and then make unreasonable demands so that they reject you. People who had been rejected by their lovers.) - if a person's body rejects something such as a new heart that has been transplanted into it, it tries to attack and destroy it (e.g : It was feared his body was rejecting a kidney he received in a transplant four years ago.)
rejeter qq / qqch
to hyphenate ['haɪfəneɪt] NB : to divide or connect (syllables, word elements, or names) with a hyphen.
relier par un trait d'union, mettre un trait d'union à
hyphenated
relié par un trait d'union
to thank sb for doing sth
remercier qq d'avoir fait qqch
to thank sb for sth
remercier qq de qqch
to question sth
remettre qqch en question
to put off a question = to (,)post'pone a question NB : PUT OFF if you put something off, you delay doing it (e.g : Women who put off having a baby often make the best mothers. The Association has put the event off until October. They can't put off a decision much longer.)
remettre une question à plus tard (deux verbes possibles)
to have it out with sb (informal) NB : (informal) to attempt to resolve a dispute or misunderstanding by confronting someone and engaging in a frank discussion or argument (e.g : Give her the chance of a night's rest before you have it out with her.)
s'expliquer avec qq (i.e résoudre un conflit ou malentendu par une discussion)
to render NB : - represent or depict artistically (e.g : The eyes and the cheeks are exceptionally well rendered.) - to render something in a particular language or in a particular way means to translate it into that language or in that way (e.g : 'Zensho shimasu,' which the translator rendered literally as, 'I will do my best.' All the signs and announcements were rendered in English and Spanish. Joyce has attempted to render what our participation in life is like.)
rendre (i.e "exprimer, traduire")
to give an account of sth NB : ACCOUNT an account is a written or spoken report of something that has happened (e.g : He gave a detailed account of what happened on the fateful night. And that, according to some accounts I have read, is why he adopted the name. A detailed account of what has been achieved.).
rendre compte de qqch ; raconter qqch ; faire le récit de qqch
to blame sb for sth = to reproach sb with sth [rɪ'prəʊtʃ] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : REPROACH - if you reproach someone, you say or show that you are disappointed, upset, or angry because they have done something wrong (e.g : She is quick to reproach anyone who doesn't live up to her own high standards. She had not even reproached him for breaking his promise. His wife reproaced him with cowardice.) BLAME if you blame a person or thing for something bad, you believe or say that they are responsible for it or that they caused it (e.g : The commission is expected to blame the army for many of the atrocities. If it wasn't Sam's fault, why was I blaming him?)
reprocher qqch à qq, accuser qq de qqch (deux possibilités)
to request sth = to make a request for sth = to put in a request for sth NB : [rɪ'kwest] + [rə-], quelle que soit la nature. NB : REQUEST - if you request something, you ask for it politely or formally (e.g : Mr Dennis said he had requested access to a telephone. She had requested that the door to her room be left open. He received the information he had requested.) - if you request someone to do something, you politely or formally ask them to do it (e.g : They requested him to leave. Students are requested to park at the rear of the Department. The chairman requested that the reports be considered. The letter requested him to report to London.) MAKE A REQUEST if you make a request, you politely or formally ask someone to do something (e.g : France had agreed to his request for political asylum. Vietnam made an official request that the meeting be postponed.) PUT IN A REQUEST if you put in a request or put in for something, you formally request or apply for that thing (e.g : The ministry ordered 113 of these and later put in a request for 21 more. I decided to put in for a job as deputy secretary.)
requérir, demander, solliciter qqch (trois possibilités)
to break up with sb NB : - to end a romantic relationship with sb (e.g : I'm so sad to hear that Mara broke up with John - I thought those two would be together forever. I was heartbroken when we broke up. My girlfriend had broken up with me. He felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up.) - if a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up, the marriage ends and the partners separate (e.g : MPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up. Fred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage.)
rompre avec qq (couple)
to break with sb NB : BREAK WITH SB - to quarrel or cease relations with sb (e.g : He had broken with his family long before. He had broken with his family long before.) - to cease communicating with a person or group, esp. because of distance or hostility (e.g : Ultimately, she had to break with her family and their dysfunctional ways in order to be healthy. I broke with my colleagues for years after our big argument.) BREAK WITH STH to discontinue sth that has been ongoing or continuous (e.g : This year we broke with tradition and did not get a pumpkin for Halloween. I'm starting to break with the religious tradition I was raised in. I'm from a family of doctors, so I really broke with tradition when I went to art school.)
rompre les relations avec qq (sa famille,...)
to grumble about sth = to mumble about sth = to grouse about sth [graʊs] (sic) NB : GRUMBLE - if someone grumbles, they complain about something in a bad-tempered way (e.g : I shouldn't grumble about Mum - she's lovely really. Taft grumbled that the law so favored the criminal that trials seemed like a game of chance. 'This is inconvenient,' he grumbled. It's simply not in her nature to grumble. His father was grumbling that he hadn't heard from him.) - if something grumbles, it makes a low continuous rumbling sound (e.g : It was quiet now, the thunder had grumbled away to the west. The dogs made a noise, a rough, grumbling sound. Thunder was grumbling somewhere in the distance.) MUMBLE if you mumble, you speak very quietly and not at all clearly with the result that the words are difficult to understand (e.g : Her grandmother mumbled in her sleep. He mumbled a few words. 'Today of all days,' she mumbled. He mumbled sth she didn't catch. "Sorry," she mumbled.) GROUSE if you grouse, you complain about sth trivial, you grumble (e.g : 'How come we never know what's going on?' he groused. When they groused about the parking regulations, they did it with good humor. She heard him grousing about his assistant.)
râler, rouspéter, ronchonner, grommeler, récriminer à propos de qqch (trois possibilités)
to claim sth = to call for sth NB : TO CLAIM to formally request or demand ; to say that one owns or has earned sth (e.g : If no one claims the items, they will become Crown property. Now they are returning to claim what was theirs.) TO CALL FOR - if you call for something, you demand that it should happen (e.g : They angrily called for Robinson's resignation. The ceasefire resolution calls for the release of all prisoners of war. The report calls for an audit of endangered species.) - if something calls for a particular action or quality, it needs it or makes it necessary (e.g : It's a situation that calls for a blend of delicacy and force. Work that calls for patience.)
réclamer qqch (deux possibilités, avec nuances)
to 'brainwash sb
soumettre qq à un lavage de cerveau
to reconcile sb with sb ['rekənsaɪl] NB : - if you are reconciled with someone, you become friendly with them again after a quarrel or disagreement (e.g : He never believed he and Susan would be reconciled. Devlin was reconciled with the Catholic Church in his last few days.) - if you reconcile two people, you make them become friends again after a quarrel or disagreement (e.g : My attempt to reconcile him with Toby.)
réconcilier qq avec qq
to refute sth [rɪ'fju:t] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : to prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false (e.g : These claims have not been convincingly refuted.) ; to prove that sb is wrong (e.g : His voice challenging his audience to rise and refute him.)
réfuter qqch
to reiterate [ri'ɪtəreɪt] NB : [ri:-] est possible. NB : if you reiterate something, you say it again, usually in order to emphasize it or for clarity (e.g : He reiterated his opposition to the creation of a central bank. I want to reiterate that our conventional weapons are superior. "I just want to forget it all," he reiterated. He reiterated the points made in his earlier speech. She reiterated that the government would remain steadfast in its support.)
réitérer, répéter (que...) (uniquement oralement) NB : "réitérer" est possible à ce sens en français (réitérer une promesse, une demande, une question. Je vous réitère de passer votre chemin.)
to answer sth / that... = to reply sth / that... NB : REPLY when you reply to something that someone has said or written to you, you say or write an answer to them (e.g : 'That's a nice dress,' said Michael. 'Thanks,' she replied solemnly. // He replied that this was absolutely impossible. Grace was too terrified to reply. I've not replied to Lee's letter yet. To their surprise, hundreds replied to the advertisement.)
répndre qqch / que... (à une question, à une lettre) (deux possibilités)
to make an answer (to a question, problem, action,...)
répondre à (une question, un problème, un acte...)
to answer sb = to reply to sb
répondre à qq (deux possibilités)
to reprimand sb ['reprɪmɑ:nd] NB : [-prəm-] et [,reprɪ'mɑ:nd] sont possibles. NB : if someone is reprimanded, they are spoken to angrily or seriously for doing something wrong, usually by a person in authority (e.g : He was reprimanded by a teacher for talking in the corridor. Her attempts to reprimand him were quickly shouted down.)
réprimander qq
to take sb to task (for...) NB : to reprimand or criticise sb severely for a fault or mistake (e.g : He took some military experts to task for their optimistic predictions.)
réprimander qq, prendre qq à partie (pour...)
reproachful = reproving [rɪ'pru:v-] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : REPROACHFUL reproachful expressions or remarks show that you are disappointed, upset, or angry because someone has done something wrong (e.g : She gave Isabelle a reproachful look. He turned to Alex and his tone was reproachful.) REPROVING if you give someone a reproving look or speak in a reproving voice, you show or say that you think they have behaved in a wrong or foolish way (e.g : 'Flatterer,' she said giving him a mock reproving look.)
réprobateur (adj.) (deux possibilités)
objectionable [əb'dʒek-] NB : if you describe someone or something as objectionable, you consider them to be extremely offensive and unacceptable (e.g : I don't like your tone young woman, in fact I find it highly objectionable. Such power is politically dangerous and morally objectionable.)
répréhensible
to retort [rɪ'tɔ:t] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : to retort means to reply to someone in a sharp, angry or witty manner (e.g : Was he afraid, he was asked. 'Afraid of what?' he retorted. // Others retort that strong central power is a dangerous thing in Russia. // "No need to be rude," retord Isabel. He retorted that this was nonsense.)
rétorquer
to cancel an order ['kænsəl] = to countermand an order [,kaʊntə'mɑ:nd] (formal) = to revoke an order [rɪ'vəʊk] (UK, formal) NB : - countermand : peut être accentué sur la première syllabe. - revoke : [rə-] est possible. NB : COUNTERMAND if you countermand an order, you cancel it, usually by giving a different order (e.g : I can't countermand an order Winger's given.) REVOKE when people in authority revoke something such as a licence, a law, or an agreement, they cancel it (e.g : The government revoked her license to operate migrant labor crews.)
révoquer un ordre (trois verbes possibles)
to reveal [rɪ'vi:l] NB : [rə-] est possible.
révéler
to be a good speaker = to be articulate = to express oneself with ease
s'avoir s'exprimer, bien parler (trois possibilités)
to stick to the point NB : STICK TO if you stick to something, you continue doing, using, saying, or talking about it, rather than changing to something else (e.g : Perhaps he should have stuck to writing. Lionel, you just tell the cops what you saw; stick to your story.)
s'en tenir au sujet, ne pas changer de sujet, ne pas digresser
to commit oneself [kə'mɪt] NB : - to pledge or bind (a person or an organisation) to a certain course or policy (e.g : They were reluctant to commit themselves to an opinion. Try it out before you commit to a purchase. The treaty commits each party to defend the other.) - if you commit yourself to something, you say that you will definitely do it. If you commit yourself to someone, you decide that you want to have a long-term relationship with them (e.g : They could not commit themselves to any definite course of action. I'd like us to be closer but I don't want to commit myself too soon. You don't have to commit to anything over the phone.)
s'engager
to enter into a commitment NB : ENTER INTO if you enter into something such as an agreement, discussion, commitment, or relationship, you become involved in it and you undertake to bind yourself by it. You can also say that two people enter into something (e.g : The council entered into an agreement with a private firm. I have not entered into any financial agreements with them. We entered into meaningful discussions with them weeks ago. The United States and Canada may enter into an agreement that would allow easier access to jobs across the border. When a mutually beneficial contract is freely entered into by two adults. No correspondence will be entered into.)
s'engager
to commit / bind oneself to doing sth NB : BIND ONSELF (formal) make a contractual or enforceable undertaking (e.g : The government cannot bind itself as to the form of subsequent legislation.)
s'engager à faire qqch (deux verbes possibles)
to take offence at sth NB : if someone takes offence at something you say or do, they feel upset, insulted, offended, or humiliated, often unnecessarily, because they think you are being rude to them (e.g : I know your jokes were made completely in jest, but I couldn't help taking offence at them. I noticed your parents leaving in a bit of a huff earlier ; I do hope they haven't taken offence. Instead of taking offense, the woman smiled.)
s'offusquer de qq, se formaliser de qqch, se vexer de qqch
to oppose sb [ə'pəʊz] NB : - to disapprove of and attempt to prevent, esp. by argument (e.g : Those of you who oppose capital punishment. Mr Taylor was not bitter towards those who had opposed him. Many parents oppose bilingual education in schools.) - actively resist or refuse to comply with (a person or a system) (e.g : ,Off-'roaders who adamantly opposed new trail restrictions.) - to compete against sb in a contest (e.g : a candidate to oppose the leader in the presidential contest) NB : off-roading = the activity or sport of driving a motor vehicle over rough terrain.
s'opposer à qq
to oppose a measure [ə'pəʊz]
s'opposer à une mesure
to clear one's throat
s'éclaircir la voix
to speak up against sb / sth NB : to end one's silence and speak negatively and publicly about someone or something (e.g : She finally spoke up against her cruel boss We all felt like we had to speak up and denounce this tyrant.) TO SPEAK UP if you speak up, you express your opinion or you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing (e.g : Uncle Herbert never argued, never spoke up for himself. Don't be afraid of speaking up. I am not suggesting that individuals never speak up about wrong-doing. If you disagree, please speak up.)
s'élever contre qq / qqch
to take a/the hint NB : if you take a hint, you understand something that is suggested to you indirectly, and you act on it (e.g : 'I think I hear the phone ringing.' - 'Okay, I can take a hint.' I keep making jokes to my secretary about her coming to work late every day, but she never takes the hint. She tried to put him off but he didn't take the hint.)
saisir / comprendre l'allusion
groundless NB : if you say that a fear, accusation, or story is groundless, you mean that it is not based on evidence and is unlikely to be true or valid (e.g : Fears that the world was about to run out of fuel proved groundless. A ministry official described the report as groundless.)
sans fondement, infondé
... not to mention... = ... let alone... NB : LET ALONE let alone is used after a statement, usually a negative one, to indicate that the statement is even more true of the person, thing, or situation that you are going to mention next (e.g : It is incredible that the 12-year-old managed to even reach the pedals, let alone drive the car.)
sans parler de... (deux possibilités)
remorselessly
sans remords (adv.), sans état d'âme
unequivocal [,ʌnɪ'kwɪvəkəl] = unambiguous [,ʌnæm'bɪgjuəs] NB : unequivocal : [-əkw-] est possible.
sans équivoque (adj.) (deux possibilités)
unequivocally = unambiguously
sans équivoque (adv.) (deux possibilités)
to leave a line
sauter une ligne
to fall out with sb NB : - if you fall out with someone, you have an argument and stop being friendly with them. You can also say that two people fall out (e.g : She fell out with her sister. Mum and I used to fall out a lot. He had fallen out with his family.) - to fall out with sb = to have one's relationship with sb completely diminished, typically due to an argument or umpleasant incident (e.g : Apparently, Gina fell out with Dave last week, and now they're not talking to each other at all.)
se brouiller avec qq, se fâcher avec qq
to squabble with sb ['skwɒbəl] = to bicker with sb NB : SQUABBLE when people squabble, they quarrel noisily about something that is not really important (e.g : They are devoted to each other although they squabble all the time. The children were squabbling over the remote-control gadget for the television. My four-year-old squabbles with his friends. The boys were squabbling over a ball.) BICKER when people bicker, they argue or quarrel about unimportant things (e.g : I went into medicine to care for patients, not to waste time bickering over budgets. The two women bickered constantly. As states bicker over territory. He is still bickering with the control tower over admissible approach routes. Whenever the phone rings, they bicker over who must answer it. The constant bickering between Edgar and his mother.)
se chamailler avec qq (deux possibilités)
to comply with sb's wishes COMPLY WITH act in accordance with a wish or command (e.g : We are unable to comply with your request. The commander said that the army would comply with the ceasefire. Some beaches had failed to comply with European directives on bathing water. There are calls for his resignation, but there is no sign yet that he will comply.)
se conformer / se soumettre aux désirs de qq
to argue with sb about sth = to have an argument with sb = to have a row with sb
se disputer avec qq à propos de qqch (trois possibilités)
to form an opinion
se faire une opinion
to bemoan one's fate
se lamenter sur son sort
to show reluctance to do sth [rɪ'lʌktəns] NB : [rə-] est possible.
se montrer réticent à faire qqch
to complain to sb about sth [kəm'pleɪn]
se plaindre à qq de qqch
to quarrel with sb about / over sth ['kwɒrəl]
se quereller avec qq à propos de qqch (deux prépositions possibles)
to quarrel ['kwɒrəl] = to argue NB : QUARREL to have a heated argument or disagreement (e.g : Stop quarreling with your sister. At one point we quarrelled, over something silly. My brother quarrelled with my father.) ARGUE if one person argues with another, they speak angrily to each other about something that they disagree about. You can also say that two people argue (e.g : The committee is concerned about players' behaviour, especially arguing with referees. They were still arguing; I could hear them down the road.) NB : - UK : quarrelled, quarrelling - US : quarreled, quarreling.
se quereller, se disputer (deux possibilités)
to make (it) up = to be reconciled (with sb) = to patch things up (coll.) NB : MAKE (IT) UP if two people make up or make it up after a quarrel or disagreement, they become friends again (e.g : She came back and they made up. They never made up the quarrel. They should make up with their ex-enemy in the West. I'll make it up with him again. Let's kiss and make up. Will you two ever make it up ? The Sweeneys argue a lot but they always make up before going to sleep.) PATCH THINGS UP if you patch up a quarrel or relationship, you try to be friendly again and not to quarrel any more, you restore peaceful or friendly relations (e.g : They have gone on holiday to try to patch up their marriage. He has now patched up his differences with the Minister. I did my best to patch things up with her but it didn't seem to work. They managed to patch it up. Any ill feeling could be patched up with a phone call. They sent him home to patch things up with his wife.)
se réconciler (avec qq), se rabibocher (trois possibilités)
to feel indebted to sb
se sentir redevable à qq
to shut up (informal) NB : if someone shuts up or if someone shuts them up, they stop talking. You can say 'shut up' as an impolite way to tell a person to stop talking (e.g : Just shut up, will you? I don't feel like shutting up; I think statements about injustice should be made. A sharp put-down was the only way to shut her up.)
se taire, la fermer
according to her
selon elle
to lecture sb ['lektʃə] NB : ['lekʃə] est possible. NB : if someone lectures you about something, they criticize you or tell you how they think you should behave (e.g : He used to lecture me about getting too much sun. Chuck would lecture me, telling me to get a haircut. She was no longer interrogating but lecturing.)
sermonner qq, faire la morale à qq, faire la leçon à qq
to act as interpreter for sb NB : to act as = if someone or something acts as a particular thing, they have that role or function (e.g : He acted as the ship's surgeon. A layer of warmer air acted like a lid that trapped any air pollution on the ground.)
servir d'interprète à qq
to bring sth to sb's attention = to call / draw sb's attention to sth NB : call = attract (attention)
signaler qqch à qq, attirer l'attention de qq sur qqch (trois possibilités)
to sign
signer
to sign one's initials
signer de ses initiales
to sign one's name NB : SIGN (tr. ou intr.) write (one's name) for purposes of identification or authorization (e.g : She signed her name in the book. She signed herself Imogen. He signed on the dotted line.)
signer de son nom
meaningful NB : - having great meaning or validity (e.g : a meaningful discussion) - showing or conveying meaning, esp. without words ; eloquent, expressive (e.g : a meaningful glance ; a meaningful silence)
significatif ; lourd de sens ; éloquent (i.e qui en dit long)
sincere [sɪn'sɪə] NB : [sən-].
sincère
to seek sb's advice
solliciter l'avis de qq
to ask sb's forgiveness
solliciter le pardon de qq
to solicit sth from sb [sə'lɪsɪt] = to seek sth from sb NB : SOLICIT - if you solicit money, help, support, or an opinion from someone, you ask them for it or try to obtain it (e.g : He's already solicited their support on health care reform. No tuition was charged by the school, which solicited contributions from the society's members.) - when prostitutes solicit, they offer to have sex with people in return for money (e.g : Prostitutes were forbidden to solicit on public roads and in public places.) SEEK - when someone seeks something, they try to obtain it (e.g : The prosecutors have warned they will seek the death penalty. Haemophiliacs are seeking compensation for being given contaminated blood.) - if you seek someone's help or advice, you contact them in order to ask for it (e.g : Always seek professional legal advice before entering into any agreement. On important issues, they seek a second opinion. The couple have sought help from marriage guidance counsellors.)
solliciter qqch de qq (deux possibilités) NB : en français, solliciter peut signifier "demander fortement, avec insistance".
to summon sb to sth to summon sb to do sth NB : to order or instruct to do sth or call to sth (e.g : The bell summoned them to their work. The captain was summoned to surrender.)
sommer qq de faire qqch
to bring up a question = to raise a question NB : TO BRING STH UP to raise a matter for discussion or consideration (e.g : She tried repeatedly to bring up the subject of marriage. He brought up a subject rarely raised during the course of this campaign. Why are you bringing it up now?) TO RAISE if an event raises a particular emotion or question, it makes people feel the emotion or consider the question (e.g : The agreement has raised hopes that the war may end soon. The accident again raises questions about the safety of the plant. A joke that raised a smile on everyone's lips.) QUESTION a question is a problem, matter, or point which needs to be considered (e.g : But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one. That decision raised questions about the fairness of his procedure. The question is: Is this what we really want? If the security question is not resolved. It was just a question of having the time to re-adjust.)
soulever une question (deux possibilités)
under the influence of drink NB : DRINK drink is alcohol, such as beer, wine, or whisky (e.g : Too much drink is bad for your health.)
sous l'emprise de l'alcool
succinct [sək'sɪŋkt] NB : [sʌk-] est possible.
succinct
to suggest sth to sb [sə'dʒest] NB : 77% des Am. disent [səg'dʒest], forme US recommandée, inexistante en UK. NB : if you suggest something, you put forward a plan or idea for someone to think about (e.g : He suggested a link between class size and test results of seven-year-olds. I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past. I suggested to Mike that we go out for a meal with his colleagues. No one has suggested how this might occur. 'Could he be suffering from amnesia?' I suggested. So instead I suggested taking her out to dinner for a change.)
suggérer qqch à qq
to hint at sth NB : if you hint at something, you suggest it in an indirect way (e.g : She suggested a trip to the shops and hinted at the possibility of a treat of some sort. Criticism is hinted at, but never made explicit. The papers also hinted that the problem was really his private life. The President hinted he might make some changes in the government.)
suggérer qqch, faire une allusion à qqch
to plead with sb to do sth = to beg sb to do sth = to entreat sb to do sth [ɪn'tri:t] + [en-], [ən-] = to beseech sb to do sth (formal) [bɪ'si:tʃ] + [bə-] = to implore sb to do sth [ɪm'plɔ:] NB : - [ɪn'tri:t] + [en-], [ən-] - [bɪ'si:tʃ] + [bə-] NB : TO PLEAD WITH SB TO DO STH if you plead with someone to do something, you ask them in an intense, emotional way to do it (e.g : The woman pleaded with her daughter to come back home. He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy. 'Do not say that,' she pleaded. I pleaded to be allowed to go.) ENTREAT to ask sb earnestly or anxiously to do sth ; to ask sb politely and seriously to do sth (e.g : His friends entreated him not to go. Trevor entreated them to delay their departure.) BESEECH - to beseech (lit.) : to ask sb urgently, eagerly, anxiously and fervently to do sth ; to implore ; to entreat (e.g : They beseeched him to stay. "You have got to believe me," Violet beseeched him. They earnestly beseeched his forgiveness. She beseeched him to cut his drinking and his smoking. 'Please stay and read to me, mummy,' he beseeched.)
supllier / implorer qq de faire qqch (cinq possibilités)
on the orders of NB : e.g : They were later arrested and executed on the orders of Stalin.
sur les ordres de
synonymous with [sɪ'nɒnəməs] NB : [sə-] et [-ɪm-] sont possibles.
synonyme de (adj.)
semantic
sémantique
semiotic [,semi'ɒtɪk] NB : [,si:m-] est possible.
sémiotique (adj.)
reliable [rɪ'laɪəbəl] = dependable [dɪ'pendəbəl] NB : [rəl-] et [dəp-] sont possibles. NB : RELIABLE - people or things that are reliable can be trusted to work well or to behave in the way that you want them to (e.g : She was efficient and reliable. Japanese cars are so reliable.) - information that is reliable or that is from a reliable source is very likely to be correct (e.g : There is no reliable information about civilian casualties. It's very difficult to give a reliable estimate. We have reliable sources. A reliable source of information.) DEPENDABLE if you say that someone or something is dependable, you approve of them because you feel that you can be sure that they will always act consistently or sensibly, or do what you need them to do (e.g : He was a good friend, a dependable companion.)
sûr, fiable, sur qui l'on peut compter, en qui l'on peut avoir confiance (deux possibilités)
tense NB : - a tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next (e.g : This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks. After three very tense weeks he phoned again. There was a tense silence.) - if you are tense, you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax (e.g : Dart, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed.) - if your body is tense, your muscles are tight and not relaxed (e.g : She lay, eyes shut, body tense. A bath can relax tense muscles.)
tendu, crispé (muscle, personne, situation)
to heed sth = to take heed of sth = to pay heed to sth / sb NB : HEED (v.) if you heed someone's advice or warning, you pay attention to it and do what they suggest (e.g : But few at the conference in London last week heeded his warning. Chris would have been well advised to heed the old saying 'Never bite the hand that feeds you.' He should have heeded the warnings.) TAKE / PAY HEED if you take heed of what someone says or if you pay heed to them, you pay attention to them and consider carefully what they say (e.g : He pays too much heed these days to my nephew Tom, and Tom is no great thinker. But what if the government takes no heed ? If he heard, he paid no heed. We must take heed of the suggestions.)
tenir compte de qqch, bien écouter qqch (deux possibilités)
to hold one's tongue NB : if you hold your tongue, you do not say anything even though you might want to or be expected to, because it is the wrong time to say it (e.g : Douglas held his tongue, preferring not to speak out on a politically sensitive issue.)
tenir sa langue
to keep one's promise / one's word
tenir sa promesse / parole (deux noms possibles)
to sit on the fence NB : - to avoid making a decision or choice - not to make a decision or take a side when presented with two or more options or possibilities (e.g : You can't sit on the fence any longer - you need to choose who of these two we need to fire. The government has been sitting on the fence about legalising marijuana for the past several years.) - not to take sides in a dispute ; not to make a clear choice between two possibilities (e.g : When Jane and Tom argue, it is best to sit on the fence and not make either of them angry. No one know which of the candidates Joan will vote for. She's sitting on the fence.)
tergiverser, ne pas prendre position, être indécis
to take one's hat off to sb
tirer son chapeau à qq
an auxiliary verb = an auxiliary
un (verbe) auxiliaire
to fall under sb's influence
tomber sous l'influence de qq
to beat about the bush NB : to discuss a matter without coming to the point (e.g : He never beat about the bush when something was annoying him.)
tourner autour du pot
to convey [kən'veɪ] NB : to convey information or feelings means to cause them to be known or understood by someone (e.g : When I returned home, I tried to convey the wonder of this machine to my partner. In every one of her pictures she conveys a sense of immediacy. He also conveyed his views and the views of the bureaucracy. A look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension.)
traduire (i.e "exprimer")
translatable
traduisible
to compromise ['kɒmprəmaɪz] NB : - to settle a dispute by mutual concession (e.g : In the end we compromised and deferred the issue. The government has compromised with its critics over monetary policies. 'Nine,' said I. 'Nine thirty,' tried he. We compromised on 9.15. Israel had originally wanted $1 billion in aid, but compromised on the $650 million.) - to accept standards that are lower than is desirable (e.g : We were not prepared to compromise on safety.) (= mettre en danger, compromettre)
transiger, accepter des accommodements, faire des compromis
to make a good case for... NB : the case for or against a plan or idea consists of the facts and reasons used to support it or oppose it (e.g : He sat there while I made the case for his dismissal. Both these facts strengthen the case against hanging. She argued her case.) NB : wordreference traduit "case" par "arguments", et "make a case" par "faire valoir un argument", et "make the case" par "plaider en faveur de, défendre".
trouver les arguments en faveur de...
a possessive adjective = a possessive
un (adjectif) possessif
a derivative [dɪ'rɪvətɪv] + [də-] = a derived word NB : DERIVATIVE a word formed from another by derivation.
un (mot) dérivé (deux possibilités)
a demonstrative pronoun [dɪ'mɒnstrətɪv] = a demonstrative NB : [də-] est possible.
un (pronom) démonstratif
an interrogative pronoun [,ɪntə'rɒgətɪv] = an interrogative
un (pronom) interrogatif
a possessive pronoun [pə'zesɪv] = a possessive
un (pronom) possessif
a relative pronoun = a relative
un (pronom) relatif
(a) stress = (an) emphasis NB : EMPHASIS - emphasis is special or extra importance that is given to an activity or to a part or aspect of something (e.g : Too much emphasis is placed on research. Grant puts a special emphasis on weather in his paintings.) - emphasis is extra force that you put on a syllable, word, or phrase when you are speaking in order to make it seem more important (e.g : 'I might have known it!' Miss Burnett said with emphasis. The emphasis is on the first syllable of the last word.)
un accent, l'accent (sur qqch)
an acronym ['ækrənɪm]
un acronyme
an adjective ['ædʒɪktɪv] NB : [-ekt-] et [-əkt-] sont possibles.
un adjectif
a compound adjective ['kɒmpaʊnd]
un adjectif composé
an adverb ['ædvɜ:b]
un adverbe
an antagonist [æn'tægənɪst] = an adversary ['ædvəsəri] + [-eri] = an opponent [ə'pəʊnənt] NB : ANTAGONIST a person who actively opposes or is hostile to sb or sth ; an adversary (e.g : He turned to confront his antagonist. Spassky had never previously lost to his antagonist.) ADVERSARY your adversary is someone you are competing with, or arguing or fighting against (e.g : Elliott crossed the finish line just half a second behind his adversary. His political adversaries were creating a certain amount of trouble for him. Davis beat his old adversary in the quarterfinals.) OPPONENT - a politician's opponents are other politicians who belong to a different party or who have different aims or policies (e.g : Mr Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest. He described the detention without trial of political opponents as a cowardly act.) - an a sporting contest, your opponent is the person who is playing against you (e.g : Norris twice knocked down his opponent in the early rounds of the fight. He's the best opponent I've come across this season, a great player.) - the opponents of an idea or policy do not agree with it and do not want it to be carried out (e.g : Opponents of the spread of nuclear weapons. He became an outspoken opponent of the government.)
un adversaire (trois possibilités)
an affix ['æfɪks]
un affixe
an English speaker
un anglophone
an antonym (of) ['æntənɪm]
un antonyme (de)
an appeal NB : - an appeal is a serious, urgent or heartfelt request (e.g : His main message was an appeal for unity in the face of the great weather challenge. Romania's government issued a last-minute appeal to him to call off his trip. His mother made an appeal for the return of the ring.) - an appeal is a formal request for a decision to be changed (e.g : Heath's appeal against the sentence was later successful. The jury agreed with her, but she lost the case on appeal.)
un appel (supplication, demande instante)
an appeal for help
un appel au secours, une demande d'aide
an appeal for funds
un appel de fonds
an 'archaism ['ɑ:keɪ,ɪzəm]
un archaïsme
an article ['ɑ:tɪkəl] NB : seule prononciation possible.
un article (gram.)
an asterisk ['æstərɪsk]
un astérisque NB : ce mot est bien masculin en français.
a modal auxiliary [,məʊdəl ɔ:g'zɪliəri]
un auxiliaire modal
a warning
un avertissement
a confession NB : - a confession is a signed statement by someone in which they admit that they have committed a particular crime (e.g : They forced him to sign a confession.) - confession is the act of admitting that you have done something that you are ashamed of or embarrassed about (e.g : The diaries are a mixture of confession and observation. I have a confession to make.) - if you make a confession of your beliefs or feelings, you publicly tell people that this is what you believe or feel (e.g Tatyana's confession of love.) - in the Catholic church and in some other churches, if you go to confession, you privately tell a priest about your sins and ask for forgiveness (e.g : He never went to Father Porter for confession again.)
un aveu
an admission [əd'mɪ-] + [æd-] NB : an admission is a statement that something bad, unpleasant, or embarrassing is true (e.g : By his own admission, he is not playing well. She wanted some admission of guilt from her father. An admission of guilt. A tacit admission that things had gone wrong. A man who, by his own admission, fell in love easily.)
un aveu
a gabbler
un bavard, quelqu'un qui ne s'arrête jamais de parler et de façon rapide et inintelligible, un moulin à parole
a chatterer NB : = a chatterbox.
un bavard, une personne qui aime parler avec les autres
a blank NB : an empty space or place, esp. an empty space on a document to be filled in
un blanc
a loan translation = a calque [kælk] NB : the adoption by one language of a phrase or compound word whose components are literal translations of the components of a corresponding phrase or compound in a foreign language (e.g : English "fifth column" is a loan translation from Spanish "quinta columna")
un calque
a quibbler
un chicaneur, un ergoteur, un pinailleur
a denial [dɪ'naɪəl] NB : [də-]. NB : - a denial of something is a statement that it is not true, does not exist, or did not happen (e.g : Despite official denials, the rumours still persist. Denial of the Mafia's existence is nothing new. She shook her head in denial. His denial that he was having an affair.) - the denial of something to someone is the act of refusing to let them have it (e.g : The denial of visas to international relief workers. This does not justify the denial of constitutional protection.) - in psychology, denial is when a person cannot or will not accept an unpleasant truth (e.g : With traumas like losing a loved one, the mind's first reaction is denial. An addict who is in denial about his addiction. You're living in denial.)
un démenti, une dénégation, déni
a determiner [dɪ'tɜ:mɪnə] NB : [də-] est possible.
un déterminant
cliché ['kliːʃeɪ] = a stereotype ['steriətaɪp] = a stock word = a stock phrase NB : cliché : en US, accent sur la deuxième syllabe. NB : ['stɪə-] est possible. NB : CLICHE a cliché is an idea or phrase which has been used so much that it is no longer interesting or effective or no longer has much meaning, as for example the phrase "it's got to get worse before it gets better" (e.g : I've learned that the cliche about life not being fair is true. It's a cliche but true that pubs are the lifeblood of many communities.) STEREOTYPE a stereotype is a fixed general image or set of characteristics that a lot of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing (e.g : There's always been a stereotype about successful businessmen. Many men feel their body shape doesn't live up to the stereotype of the ideal man.) STOCK a stock answer, expression, or way of doing something is one that is very commonly used, especially because people cannot be bothered to think of something new (e.g : My boss had a stock response - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" National security is the stock excuse for keeping things confidential. A stock answer.).
un cliché = un stéréotype (quatre possibilités) NB : - cliché = "lieu commun, expression rebattue". - stéréotype = "association stable d'éléments, groupe de mots formant une unité devenue indécomposable, réemployée après avoir perdu toute expressivité et avec une fréquence anormale".
a code
un code
a scandalmonger ['skændəl,mʌŋgə] NB : [-mɒŋ-] est possible. NB : a person who spreads or enjoys scandal, gossip, etc.
un colporteur de ragots, une mauvaise langue
a comparative [kəm'pærətɪv] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : - (n.) a comparative adjective or adverb - the comparative = the middle degree of comparison, the comparative degree - (adj.) (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a higher degree of a quality, but not the highest possible (e.g. braver; more fiercely) (e.g : What I'm interested in is how the comparative adjective form wronger is pronounced.) ; (of a clause) involving comparison (e.g. He's not as good as he was.).
un comparatif (i.e : un adj. ou adv. au comparatif)
a compromise ['kɒmprəmaɪz]
un compromis
a full account / description
un compte-rendu / une description complet(-ète)
a detailed account / description ['di:teɪld] NB : [dɪ'teɪld] et [də-] sont possibles.
un compte-rendu / une description détaillé(e)
an accurate account / description ['ækjərət] NB : [-jʊr-] et [-ɪt] sont possibles. NB : accurate = correct in all details ; exact.
un compte-rendu / une description exact(e)
a ,first-'hand account / description
un compte-rendu / une description fait(e) par un témoin direct
an unbiased account / description
un compte-rendu / une description objectif (-ve)
a vivid account / description ['vɪvɪd] NB : seule prononciation possible. NB : if you describe memories and descriptions as vivid, you mean that they are very clear and detailed (e.g : People of my generation who lived through World War II have vivid memories of confusion and incompetence. On Wednesday night I had a very vivid dream which really upset me.)
un compte-rendu / une description saisissant(e), net(te) et détaillé(e)
a biased / ,one-'sided account / description
un compte-rendu / une description subjectif (-ve) (deux possibilités)
a true account / description
un compte-rendu / une description véridique
a counsellor ['kaʊnsələ] NB : - a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems (e.g : a marriage counsellor) - a person who gives advice on a specified subject (e.g : a debt counsellor)
un conseiller (professionnel)
a 'pen-friend (UK) = a pen-pal (US) NB : a pen-friend is someone you write friendly letters to and receive letters from, although the two of you may never have met.
un correspondant (auquel on écrit souvent) (deux possibilités)
a correspondent [,kɒrəs'pɒndənt] NB : [-rɪsp-] est possible. NB : - a person who communicates by letter or by letters. - a person employed by a newspaper, etc, to report on a special subject or to send reports from a foreign country
un correspondant (par lettre, ou journaliste)
a shriek
un cri perçant
a bracket (US) = a square bracket (UK) NB : SQUARE BRACKET - either of a pair of characters [ ], used to enclose a section of writing or printing to separate it from the main text - (also bracket) either of these characters used as a sign of aggregation in mathematical or logical expressions indicating that the expression contained in the brackets is to be evaluated first and treated as a unit in the evaluation of the whole.
un crochet ( [ ] )
a dialect ['daɪəlekt]
un dialecte
a speech
un discours
a clear speech
un discours clair
a coherent speech
un discours cohérent
an impassioned speech [ɪm'pæʃənd] NB : an impassioned speech or piece of writing is one in which someone expresses their strong feelings about an issue in a forceful way (e.g : He made an impassioned appeal for peace. She made an impassioned plea for help.)
un discours passionné
a debate [dɪ'beɪt] NB : [də-] est possible.
un débat
a decree [dɪ'kri:] NB : [də-] est possible.
un décret
a strong denial
un démenti affirmé
a flat denial = an outright denial ['aʊtraɪt] NB : OUTRIGHT - you use outright to describe behaviour and actions that are open and direct, rather than indirect (e.g : Kawaguchi finally resorted to an outright lie. Outright condemnation. An outright refusal.) - outright means complete and total (e.g : She had failed to win an outright victory. The response of the audience varied from outright rejection to warm hospitality. The outright abolition of th death penalty.)
un démenti catégorique (deux adj. possibles)
a commitment NB : - commitment is a strong belief in an idea or system (e.g : Commitment to the ideals of Bolshevism.) - a commitment is something which regularly takes up some of your time because of an agreement you have made or because of responsibilities that you have (e.g : I've got a lot of commitments. Work commitments forced her to uproot herself and her son from Reykjavik.) - if you make a commitment to do something, you promise that you will do it (e.g : We made a commitment to keep working together. They made a commitment to peace.)
un engagement
a space NB : (printing) one of the blank pieces of type or other means used for separating words or characters.
un espace
gabble
un flot de paroles inintelligibles
a forum ['fɔ:rəm] NB : - a forum is a place, meeting, situation, group or medium in which people exchange ideas and discuss issues, especially important public issues (e.g : Members of the council agreed that it still had an important role as a forum for discussion. The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed. It will be a forum for consumers to exchange their views on medical research.) - in ancient Roman towns, the forum was a square where people met to discuss business and political matters.
un forum, un lieu de débat
a French speaker NB : speaker (usually with modifier or in combination) a speaker of a particular language is a person who speaks it, especially one who speaks it as their first language (e.g : Most viewers are not native English speakers. She teaches English to speakers of other languages. He is a fluent English and French speaker.)
un francophone
a grammarian [grə'meəriən]
un grammairien
a grievance NB : - if you have a grievance about something that has happened or been done, you believe that it was unfair (e.g : They had a legitimate grievance. The main grievance of the drivers is the imposition of higher fees for driving licences. A deep sense of grievance. He was nursing a grievance.) - an official statement of a complaint over sth believed to be wrong or unfair (e. g: Three pilots have filed grievances against the company.)
un grief, un sujet de mécontentement, une raison de se plaindre, une doléance
a gerund ['dʒerənd] NB : [-ʌnd] est possible.
un gérondif
a clash NB : CLASH (v.) when people clash, they fight, argue, or disagree with each other (e.g : A group of 400 demonstrators clashed with police. Behind the scenes, Parsons clashed with almost everyone on the show. The working groups have also clashed over genetically modified crops.) CLASH (n.) e.g : There have been a number of clashes between police in riot gear and demonstrators. There have been minor clashes with security forces.
un heurt, un affrontement, un différend
a homonym of ['hɒmənɪm] NB : ['həʊm-] est possible.
un homonyme (de)
an ideogram ['ɪdiəgræm] NB : ['aɪd-] et [-diəʊgr] sont possibles.
un idéogramme
an interpreter
un interprète
parlance ['pɑ:ləns] = cant [kænt] NB : PARLANCE - a particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest (e.g : Dated terms that were once in common parlance. Medical parlance. Legal parlance.) CANT language specific to a particular group or profession (thieves, journalists, lawyers) and regarded with disparagement (e.g : Thieves' cant.)
un jargon, le vocabulaire spécifique à un métier (deux possibilités)
a court order
un jugement / une ordonnance du tribunal
a wordbook NB : a study book containing lists of words and meanings or other related information (e.g : Among the reference books on display at the exhibition are several popular dictionaries and wordbooks, all aimed at increasing vocabulary and improving communication skills.)
un lexique (mini dictionnaire)
a wordlist
un lexique, une liste de mots
a lexeme ['leksi:m]
un lexème
a linguist ['lɪŋgwɪst]
un linguiste
a grammar book
un livre de grammaire, une grammaire
a modal ['məʊdəl]
un modal
a modifier NB : a word, phrase, or clause that limits or qualifies the sense of another word or word group.
un modificateur (gram.)
a morphologist
un morphologue
a morpheme ['mɔ:fi:m]
un morphème
an archaic word
un mot archaïque
a compound word = a compound NB : que "compound" soit employé comme nom ou comme adjectif, il se prononce ['kɒmpaʊnd]. NB : COMPOUND a word made up of two or more existing words.
un mot composé (deux possibilités)
an obsolete word ['ɒbsəli:t] NB : [,ɒbsə'li:t] est possible. NB : = no longer in use ; outmoded.
un mot obsolète
an obsolescent word [,ɒbsə'lesənt] NB : obsolescent = being in the process of passing out of use or usefulness ; becoming obsolete (e.g : Obsolescent equipment. Obsolescent slang.)
un mot vieilli, un mot démodé
a keyword
un mot-clef
a command [kə'mɑ:nd] NB : COMMAND (v.) if someone in authority commands you to do something, they tell you that you must do it (e.g : He commanded his troops to attack. 'Get in your car and follow me,' he commanded. He commanded that roads be built to link castles across the land. 'Don't panic,' I commanded myself.) COMMAND (n.) command is also a noun (e.g : The tanker failed to respond to a command to stop. I closed my eyes at his command. The note of command in his voice.)
un ordre (autoritaire)
a panel ['pænəl] NB : a small group of people brought together to discuss, investigate, or decide on a particular matter, especially in the context of business or government (e.g : We assembled a panel of experts.)
un panel, un comité (experts,...)
a patois ['pætwɑ:] NB : pl. ['pætwɑ:z] NB : a regional dialect, esp. one without a literary tradition ; nonstandard speech ; an unwritten regional dialect of a language, esp. of French, usually considered substandard
un patois
a permit ['pɜ:mɪt] NB : an official document giving someone authorisation to do sth (e.g : He is only in Britain on a work permit.)
un permis
a note = a line (surtout dans "drop sb a line") NB : - "drop someone a line" = send someone a note or letter in a casual manner (e.g : I'll drop you a line. Just a line to say thank you. Drop me a line at the usual address.) - note : a brief letter, usually of an informal nature (e.g : He sent a note to the child's teacher. Stevens wrote him a note asking him to come to his apartment. I'll have to leave a note for Karen.) NB : "line" tout seul n'apparaît pas à ce sens, sauf dans "drop sb a line".
un petit mot (très courte lettre) (deux possibilités)
a philologist
un philologue
a phonologist [id.]
un phonologue
a phoneme ['fəʊni:m]
un phonème
a phonetician [,fəʊnɪ'tɪʃən] NB : [fɒn-] et [-nət-] sont possibles.
un phonéticien
a full stop (UK) NB : = a period (US)
un point (ponctuation)
an exclamation mark UK [,eksklə'meɪʃən] NB : US = exclamation point.
un point d'exclamation
a question mark = a query ['kwɪəri] NB : query : - "American Heritage" dit "a notation, usually a question mark, calling attention to an item in order to question its validity or accuracy". - "Collins" dit : "a less common name for question mark". NB : "query" = a question, esp. one expressing doubt, uncertainty, or an objection.
un point d'interrogation (deux possibilités)
a point of view
un point de vue
a semicolon [,semi'kəʊlən] NB : [-ɒn] est possible.
un point-virgule
a postscript ['pəʊstskrɪpt] NB : a postscript is something written at the end of a letter after you have signed your name. You usually write ' PS' in front of it. (e.g : A brief, hand-written postscript lay beneath his signature.)
un post-scriptum
an issue ['ɪʃu:] (49%) = a question ['kwestʃən] = a problem ['prɒbləm] NB : - issue : ['ɪsju:] (30%) , ['ɪʃju:] (21%) (US : toujours ['ɪʃu:]) - question : ['kweʃ-], [-tjən] - problem : [-lɪm], [-lem] sont possibles. NB : ISSUE : - an issue is an important subject that people are arguing about or discussing (e.g : Agents will raise the issue of prize-money for next year's world championships. Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues ? The issue of global warming.) - if something is the issue, it is the thing you consider to be the most important part of a situation or discussion (e.g : I was earning a lot of money, but that was not the issue. She avoided the issue by ordering a turkey sandwich. Do not draw it on the chart, however, as this will confuse the issue. The real issue was never addressed.) - (issues) problems or difficulties (personal, or with a facility) (e.g : A nice guy with a great sense of humor and not too many issues. Emotions and intimacy issues that were largely dealt with through alcohol. I like him, though I have some issues with the guy. A small number of users are experiencing connectivity issues.) QUESTION : a question is a problem, matter, or point which needs to be considered (e.g : But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one. That decision raised questions about the fairness of his procedure. The question is: Is this what we really want? If the security question is not resolved. It was just a question of having the time to re-adjust. It was not simply a question of age and hierarchy.)
un problème, une question (trois possibilités)
a pronoun ['prəʊnaʊn] NB : seule prononciation possible.
un pronom
a personal pronoun NB : n'existe pas sans "pronoun".
un pronom personnel
a prefix ['pri:fɪks]
un préfixe
(a) refusal [rɪ'fju:zəl] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : someone's refusal to do something is the fact of them showing or saying that they will not do it, allow it, or accept it (e.g : Her refusal to accept change. His letter in response to her request had contained a firm refusal. The Council's refusal of planning permission for a major shopping centre. We would appreciate confirmation of your refusal of our invitation to take part.)
un refus / le refus
a flat refusal NB : flat = (of a denial, contradiction, or refusal) completely definite and firm ; absolute (e.g : His statement was a flat denial that he had misbehaved.)
un refus catégorique
an adamant refusal ['ædəmənt] NB : if someone is adamant about something, they are determined not to change their mind about it (e.g : The prime minister is adamant that he will not resign. Sue was adamant about that job in Australia.)
un refus déterminé / catégorique
an indignant refusal [ɪn'dɪgnənt]
un refus indigné
a polite refusal [pə'laɪt] NB : seule prononciation possible.
un refus poli
a clear explanation NB : CLEAR something that is clear is easy to understand, see, or hear (e.g : The book is clear, readable and adequately illustrated. The space telescope has taken the clearest pictures ever of Pluto. He repeated his answer, this time in a clear, firm tone of voice.)
une explication claire
a peremptory refusal [pə'remptəri] NB : [pɪ-] est possible. Le Longman donne aussi ['perəmpt-] et précise "both stressings are in use among English lawyers". NB : - (esp. of a person's manner or actions) insisting on immediate attention or obedience, esp. in a brusquely imperious way (e.g : "Just do it!" came the peremptory reply. Peremptory manner. With a brief, almost peremptory gesture he pointed to a chair.) - (law) not open to appeal or challenge ; final (e.g : There has been no disobedience of a peremptory order of the court.)
un refus sec et définitif
a regret [rɪ'gret] NB : [rə-] est possible.
un regret
a reproach [rɪ'prəʊtʃ] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : - (mass or count noun) the expression of disapproval or disappointment (e.g : He gave her a look of reproach. A farrago of warnings and pained reproaches. He looked at her with reproach. Public servants and political figures must be beyond reproach.) - if you consider someone's actions or behaviour to be a reproach to a group of people, you consider them to be harmful or insulting to that group (e.g : The shootings and bombings were 'a scandal and reproach to all of us'.) - a thing that makes the failings of (someone or something else) more apparent (e.g : His elegance is a living reproach to our slovenly habits.)
un reproche
an intonation pattern [,ɪntə'neɪʃən] NB : [-təʊ-] est possible.
un schéma intonatif
a lecture NB : e.g : Our captain gave us a stern lecture on safety.
un sermon, une leçon (quand on fait la morale à qq)
(a set of) initials [ɪ'nɪʃəlz] = an initialism NB : an initialism = an acronym in which each letter is pronounced separately, rather than thae acronym being pronounced as a word.
un sigle (trois possibilités)
a punctuation mark
un signe de ponctuation
a pen
un stylo
a suffix ['sʌfɪks]
un suffixe
a subject ['sʌbdʒekt] = a topic ['tɒpɪk] NB : [-dʒɪkt] est possible. NB : SUBJECT : the subject of something such as a conversation, letter, or book is the thing that is being discussed or written about (e.g : It was I who first raised the subject of plastic surgery. The president's own views on the subject. Steering the conversation round to his favourite subject.) TOPIC : a topic is a particular subject that you discuss or write about (e.g : The weather is a constant topic of conversation in Britain. The main topic for discussion is political union. They offer tips on topics such as home safety. Sleep deprivation became a frequent topic of conversation.)
un sujet (que l'on traite, d'actualité) (deux possibilités)
a burning issue NB : A burning issue or question is a very important or urgent one that people feel very strongly about (e.g : The burning question is: whose taxes should be raised? The burning question of independence. Democracy remains a burning issue.)
un sujet brûlant
a superlative [su'pɜ:lətɪv] NB : [sju-] est possible.
un superlatif
a synonym of / for ['sɪnənɪm] NB : les deux prépositions sont bien possibles.
un synonyme de
a semanticist [sə'mæntəsɪst] NB : [sɪ-] et [-ɪs-] sont possibles.
un sémanticien
a term NB : a term is a word or expression with a specific meaning, especially one which is used in relation to a particular subject (e.g : Myocardial infarction [sic] is the medical term for a heart attack.)
un terme
a grammatical term
un terme grammatical
a translator
un traducteur
a hyphen ['haɪfən]
un trait d'union
an umlaut ['ʊmlaʊt] = a diaeresis [daɪ'ɪərəsɪs] (sic) = dieresis NB : [-'er-] et [-ɪsɪs] sont possibles. NB : UMLAUT a mark (¨) used over a vowel, especially in German, to indicate a different vowel quality. DIAERESIS - a mark (¨) placed over a vowel to indicate that it is sounded separately, as in naïve, Brontë. - the separate pronunciation of the two vowels in a diphthong for the sake of meter - a natural rhythmic break in a line of verse where the end of a metrical foot coincides with the end of a phrase ; a pause in a line of verse occurring when the end of a foot coincides with the end of a word. NB : "diaeresis / dieresis" a aussi le sens poétique.
un tréma (deux possibilités, avec nuances)
a verb
un verbe
a dynamic verb = a nonstative verb = a nonstative
un verbe d'action (trois possibilités)
a stative verb ['steɪtɪv] = a stative = linking verb NB : e.g : Statives are often less easily interpreted as habitual than other types of verbs.
un verbe d'état (trois possibilités)
a lexical verb
un verbe lexical
repartee [,repɑ:'ti:] NB : repartee is conversation that consists of quick, witty comments and replies (e.g : She was good at repartee. Quick-fire repartee.)
un échange plein de réparties
a lively discussion / conversation / debate = spirited discussion / conversation / debate = animated discussion / conversation / debate NB : LIVELY a lively discussion has lots of interesting and exciting things being said in it, it's intellectually stimulating (e.g : It turned out to be a very interesting session with a lively debate.) SPIRITED full of energy, enthusiasm, and determination (e.g : A spirited campaigner for women's rights. This television program provoked a spirited debate in the United Kingdom.)
un(e) discussion / conversation / débat animé(e) (trois adj. possibles)
a translation
une traduction
a frank discussion / conversation / debate = a straightforward discussion / conversation / debate NB : STRAIGHTFORWARD if you describe a person or their behaviour as straightforward, you approve of them because they are honest and direct, and do not try to hide their feelings (e.g : She is very blunt, very straightforward and very honest. I was impressed by his straightforward intelligent manner.)
un(e) discussion / conversation / débat franc(he) NB : deux adj. possibles.
a heated discussion / conversation / debate NB : a heated discussion or quarrel is one where the people involved are angry and excited, with passion or conviction (e.g : It was a very heated argument and they were shouting at each other. Our discussions were rather heated. She had a heated argument with an official.)
un(e) discussion / conversation / débat passionné(e), houleux(-se), animé(e)
a serious discussion / conversation / debate
un(e) discussion / conversation / débat sérieux (-se)
a lengthy discussion / conversation / debate NB : LENGTHY (especially in reference to time) of considerable or unusual length, especially so as to be tedious (e.g : Lengthy delays.)
un(e) discussion / conversation / débat très long(ue), qui a des longueurs, trop long
an abbreviation [ə,bri:vi'eɪʃən] NB : je n'ai trouvé "short form" nullepart. Mais j'ai trouvé "short for" = "an abbreviation of" (e.g : Ed is short for Edward.)
une abréviation
a brace (US) = curly brace (US) = a curly bracket (UK) NB : braces or curly braces are a pair of written marks that you place around words, numbers, or parts of a computer code, for example to indicate that they are connected in some way or are separate from other parts of the writing or code. NB : in UK, usually use curly brackets.
une accolade (ponctuation) (deux possibilités)
an accusation [,ækju'zeɪʃən] NB : - if you make an accusation against someone, you criticize them or express the belief that they have done something wrong (e.g : Kim rejects accusations that Country music is over-sentimental. I do not believe for a single second the accusations levelled against my husband. She was surprised that he had no words of blame or accusation for her.) - an accusation is a statement or claim by a witness or someone in authority that a particular person has committed a crime, although this has not yet been proved (e.g : People who have made public accusations of rape. The government denied the accusation that it was involved in the murders.)
une accusation
an assertion [ə'sɜ:ʃən] = an affirmation [,æfə'meɪʃən]
une affirmation (deux possibilités)
an allusion
une allusion
a hint NB : a hint is a suggestion about something that is made in an indirect way (e.g : The Minister gave a strong hint that the government were thinking of introducing tax concessions for mothers. I'd dropped a hint about having an exhibition of his work up here. The statement gave no hint as to what the measures would be. He has given no hint of his views.)
une allusion, une indication indirecte (qui laisse entendre qqch)
a grammatical analysis
une analyse grammaticale
an announcement NB : - an announcement is a statement made to the public or to the media which gives information about something that has happened or that will happen (e.g : Sir Robert made his announcement after talks with the President. There has been no formal announcement by either government.) - the announcement of something that has happened is the act of telling people about it (e.g : The announcement of their engagement. There has been no official announcement of the arrests.) - an announcement in a public place, such as a newspaper or the window of a shop, is a short piece of writing telling people about something or asking for something (e.g : An announcement in The Times listed the forthcoming marriage.)
une annonce, une déclaration
an apostrophe [ə'pɒstrəfi] NB : - an apostrophe is the mark ' when it is written to indicate that one or more letters have been left out of a word, as in 'isn't' and 'we'll'. It is also added to nouns to form possessives, as in 'Mike's car'. - an exclamatory passage in a speech or poem addressed to a person (typically one who is dead or absent) or thing (typically one that is personified) ; a digression from a discourse, esp. an address to an imaginary or absent person or a personification.
une apostrophe
an authorisation [,ɔ:θəraɪ'zeɪʃən] NB : [-ərɪ-] est possible.
une autorisation
a slash = a stroke = a solidus (UK, technical) ['sɒlɪdəs] = a virgule ['vɜ:gju:l] NB : solidus = technical name. [-ədəs] est possible. SLASH You say slash to refer to a sloping line that separates letters, words, or numbers. For example, if you are giving the number 340/2/ K you say "Three four zero, slash two, slash K." STROKE A short printed or written diagonal line typically separating characters or figures. SOLIDUS (pl. : solidi [-ɪdaɪ] + [-əd-], [-di:] a technical name for "slash". VIRGULE another name for solidus or slash.
une barre oblique, un slash (quatre possibilités)
a good / bad opinion of sb
une bonne / mauvaise opinion de qq
a grammatical category
une catégorie grammaticale
a collocation [,kɒlə'keɪʃən] NB : [-ləʊk-] est possible.
une collocation
a gossip
une commère
a concession NB : - if you make a concession to someone, you agree to let them do or have something, especially in order to end an argument or conflict (e.g : The King made major concessions to end the confrontation with his people.) - a concession is a special right or privilege that is given to someone (e.g : The government has granted concessions to three private telephone companies. Tax concessions for mothers who stay at home with their children.) - (UK) a concession is a special price which is lower than the usual price and which is often given to old people, students, and the unemployed (e.g : Open daily; admission £1.10 with concessions for children and OAPs.) (à ce sens : US = reduction)
une concession
a conjunction [kən'dʒʌŋkʃən]
une conjonction
a coordinating conjunction [kəʊ'ɔ:dɪneɪt-]
une conjonction de coordination
a subordinating conjunction
une conjonction de subordination
a contradiction [,kɒntrə'dɪk-] NB : - a combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another (e.g : The proposed new system suffers from a set of internal contradictions. The phrase 'an unmarried husband' is a contradiction in terms.) - a person, thing, or situation in which inconsistent elements are present (e.g : The paradox of using force to overcome force is a real contradiction.) - the statement of a position opposite to one already made (e.g : The second sentence appears to be in flat contradiction of [sic] the first. The experiment provides a contradiction of the hypothesis.) - the state of being contradicted (e.g : A supervisor who cannot tolerate contradiction from any subordinate.)
une contradiction
a conversation NB : if you have a conversation with someone, you talk with them, usually in an informal situation, and you exchange news and ideas (e.g : He's a talkative guy, and I struck up a conversation with him. I waited for her to finish a telephone conversation. She picked up the phone and held a conversation in French. The two men were deep in conversation.)
une conversation (informelle, pour échanger nouvelles et idées)
a talk a conversation between two people, esp. a relatively serious one, often about a particular subject (e.g : I asked him to have a talk with his mother about his plan. My mother had a talk with Louis.)
une conversation (sérieuse, pendant laquelle on s'explique)
a cedilla [sə'dɪlə] NB : [sɪ-] est possible.
une cédille
an application [,æplɪ'keɪʃən] NB : [-plə-] est possible. NB : a formal request to be considered for a position or to be allowed to do or have sth, submitted to an authority, institution, or organisation (e.g : an application for leave ; licences are available on application ; an application form).
une demande ; une candidature
a description [dɪ-] NB : [də-] est possible.
une description
a digression [daɪ'greʃən] NB : seule prononciation possible.
une digression
a diphthong ['dɪfθɒŋ] (sic) NB : ['dɪp-] est possible.
une diphtongue
a discussion [dɪs'kʌ-] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : - if there is discussion about something, people talk about it, often in order to reach a decision (e.g : There was a lot of discussion about the wording of the report. Council members are due to have informal discussions later on today. The whole question of school curriculum is up for discussion. The plan may well be over-ambitious, and is clearly open to discussion. The specific content of the legislation was under discussion. Discussions about environmental improvement programs.) - a discussion of a subject is a piece of writing or a lecture in which someone talks about it in detail (e.g : For a discussion of biology and sexual politics, see chapter 4. See Appendix One, for a more detailed discussion.)
une discussion, un débat
a declaration [,deklə'reɪʃən] = a statement NB : DECLARATION - a declaration is an official announcement or statement (e.g : They will sign the declaration tomorrow. The opening speeches sounded more like declarations of war than offerings of peace. The issues arising from their declaration of independence.) - a declaration is a firm, emphatic statement which shows that you have no doubts about what you are saying (e.g : She needed time to adjust to Clive's declaration. Declarations of undying love.) - a declaration is a written statement about something which you have signed and which can be used as evidence in a court of law (e.g : On the customs declaration, the sender labeled the freight as agricultural machinery. They will ask you to sign a declaration allowing your doctor to disclose your medical details.) STATEMENT - a statement is something that you say or write which gives information in a formal or definite way (e.g : Andrew now disowns that statement, saying he was depressed when he made it. "Things are moving ahead." - I found that statement vague and unclear.) - a statement is an official or formal announcement that is issued on a particular occasion (e.g : The statement by the military denied any involvement in last night's attack.) - you can refer to the official account of events which a suspect or a witness gives to the police as a statement (e.g : The 350-page report was based on statements from witnesses to the events.)
une déclaration (deux possibilités)
a declension [dɪ'klenʃən] NB : [də-] est possible.
une déclinaison
a demonstration [,demən'streɪ-]
une démonstration
a denunciation [dɪ,nʌnsi'eɪʃən] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : - denunciation of someone or something is severe public criticism of them (e.g : On September 24, he wrote a stinging denunciation of his critics. He has been scathing in his denunciation of corrupt and incompetent politicians.) - denunciation is the act of reporting someone who has broken a rule or law to the authorities (e.g : The denunciation of Jews to the Nazis during the Second World War.)
une dénonciation
an exaggeration [ɪg,zædʒə'reɪʃən] = an ,over'statement NB : - exaggeration : [eg-], [əg-], [ɪk-], [ek-], [ək-] sont possibles ; - 'over,statement est possible.
une exagération (deux possibilités)
an excuse [ɪk'skju:s] (sic !) NB : [ek-] et [ək-] sont possibles. NB : a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense (e.g : There can be no possible excuse for any further delay. No one will have the excuse that they didn't know.)
une excuse (i.e prétexte / justification)
an exhortation [,egzɔ:'teɪʃən] NB : [eks-] est possible.
une exhortation
a demand [dɪ'mɑ:nd] NB : [də-] est possible. NB : a demand is a firm request for something (e.g : There have been demands for services from tenants up there. They consistently rejected the demand to remove U.S. troops. He grew ever more fierce in his demands.)
une exigence, une demande
an explanation [,eksplə'neɪʃən] NB : seule prononciation possible.
une explication
a lucid explanation ['lu:sɪd] NB : ['lju:sɪd] est possible. NB : LUCID lucid writing or speech is clear and easy to understand (e.g : A lucid account of the history of mankind. His prose as always lucid and compelling. Lucid instructions. This was a reassuringly lucid explanation.)
une explication claire, limpide
a rational explanation
une explication rationnelle
a 'time-,honoured phrase NB : a time-honoured tradition or way of doing something is one that has been used and respected for a very long time (e.g : The eldest son was named, in time-honoured fashion, after his father. The beer is still brewed in the time-honoured way.) NB : "time-honoured" est traduit par "consacré" sur wordreference. NB : cette expression n'apparaît pas dans les dictionnaires, mais est bien employée dans des documents sérieux en ligne, comme un google book sur la bureaucratie qui dit : "Their petitions usually opened with the time-honoured phrase : 'May it please Your Lordships'."
une expression consacrée (par l'usage)
a colloquialism NB : a colloquialism is a colloquial word or phrase.
une expression familière
a set phrase NB : an unvarying phrase having a specific meaning, such as "raining cats and dogs", or being the only context in which a word appears, for example "amends" in "make amends".
une expression figée, une expression toute faite
an idiom ['ɪdiəm] = an idiomatic phrase [,ɪdiə'mætɪk] NB : [-iəʊ-] est possible. NB : IDIOM - an idiom is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately (e.g : Proverbs and idioms may become worn with over-use. She is, in fact, a perfect illustration of the French idiom "to be comfortable in one's own skin.") - idiom of a particular kind is the language that people use at a particular time or in a particular place (e.g : And nothing was so irritating as the confident way he used archaic idiom. Her command of the Chinese idiom. Legal idiom.).
une expression idiomatique
a phrase [freɪz] NB : seule prononciation possible !
une expression, une locution, un syntagme
an innuendo [,ɪnju'endəʊ] NB : innuendo is indirect reference to something rude or unpleasant (e.g : The report was based on rumours, speculation, and innuendo. Magazines which are full of sexual innuendo. She's always making sly innuendoes. A constant torrent of innuendo, gossip, lies, and half-truths.)
une insinuation, un sous-entendu (généralement grossier ou déplaisant)
a hint
une insinuation, une indication, une allusion
an interpretation
une interprétation
a misinterpretation
une interprétation erronée
an interruption [,ɪntə'rʌpʃən] NB : e.g : - The sudden interruption stopped Beryl in mid-flow. - Interruptions in the supply of food and fuel. Motherhood did not constitute much of an interruption to her career. I was able to get on with my work without interruption.
une interruption
an intervention [,ɪntə'venʃən]
une intervention (fait de s'interposer, ou d'interrompre qq)
an 'interview NB : - a meeting of people face to face, esp. for consultation - an interview is a conversation in which a journalist puts questions to someone such as a famous person or politician (e.g : Allan gave an interview to the Chicago Tribune newspaper last month. There'll be an interview with Mr Brown after the news. A half-hour interview with the prime minister.) - an interview is a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out if they are suitable for a job or a course of study (e.g : When I went for my first interview for this job I arrived extremely early. The interview went well. Not everyone who writes in can be invited for interview. I am pleased to advise you that you have been selected for an interview.)
une interview / une entrevue
a justification [,dʒʌstɪfɪk-] NB : [-təf-] est possible.
une justification
a foreign language ['fɒrən] NB : [-ɪn] est possible.
une langue étrangère
a letter
une lettre
a loose translation / interpretation NB : loose words or expressions are not exact but rather vague (e.g : A loose translation. He despised loose thinking.)
une traduction / interprétation floue ou approximative
a strict translation / interpretation
une traduction / interprétation précise, rigoureuse
a licence (UK) = a license (US) NB : - a licence is an official document which gives you permission to do, use, or own something (e.g : Payne lost his driving licence a year ago for drink-driving. The painting was returned to Spain on a temporary import licence. It gained a licence to operate as a bank from the Bank of England in 1981. A gun licence, a television licence fee) - (mass noun) formal or official permission to do sth (e.g : a subsidiary company manufactured cranes under licence from a Norwegian firm) - (mass noun) freedom to behave as one wishes, esp. in a way which results in excessive or unacceptable behaviour (e.g : The government was criticised for giving the army too much licence.) - a writer's or artist's freedom to deviate from fact, or from conventions such as grammar, for effect (e.g : artistic licence) - licentiousness - (a licence to do sth) a reason or excuse to do sth unacceptable (e.g : Police say that the lenient sentence is a licence to assault. "Dropping the charges has given racists a licence to kill," said Jim's aunt.) NB : in British English, "licence is the correct spelling for the noun".
une licence
a line
une ligne
an ,under'statement NB : 'under,statement est possible. NB : - if you say that a statement is an understatement, you mean that it does not fully express the extent to which something is true (e.g : To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. He was getting very hard to live with, and that's the understatement of the year.) - understatement is the practice of suggesting that things have much less of a particular quality than they really have (e.g : He informed us with massive understatement that he was feeling disappointed. Typical British understatement.)
une litote, un euphémisme, une minimisation
a demonstration [,demən'streɪ-] = a protest march = a demo ['deməʊ] NB : PROTEST MARCH another name for "protest demonstration". DEMO (Br.) a public meeting or march protesting against sth or expressing views on a political issue.
une manifestation, une manif (trois possibilités)
a speech pattern NB : a distinctive manner of oral expression (e.g : She had a very clear speech pattern. A slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels.)
une manière de parler
a threat
une menace
an objection [əb'dʒek-]
une objection
an observation [,ɒbzə'veɪʃən] NB : [-bs-] est possible.
une observation
an offence (UK) [ə'fens] NB : - an offence is a crime that breaks a particular law and requires a particular punishment (e.g : Thirteen people have been charged with treason - an offence which can carry the death penalty. In Britain the Consumer Protection Act makes it a criminal offence to sell goods that are unsafe. Neither offense violates any federal law.) - offence or an offence is behaviour which causes people to be upset, embarrassed or annoyed, which can be a perceived insult to or disregard for them or their standards or principles (e.g : The book might be published without creating offense. Privilege determined by birth is an offence to any modern sense of justice. I didn't intend to give offence. He went out, making it clear that he'd taken offence.) NB : US = offense.
une offense
an objectionable offer
une offre inacceptable
an offer NB : an offer is something that someone says they will give you or do for you (e.g : The offer of talks marks a significant change from their previous position. 'I ought to reconsider her offer to move in,' he mused. He had refused several excellent job offers.)
une offre, une proposition
an opinion [ə'pɪnjən] = a view NB : VIEW - your views on something are the beliefs or opinions that you have about it, for example whether you think it is good, bad, right, or wrong (e.g : Neither of them had strong views on politics. I take the view that she should be stopped as soon as possible. My own view is absolutely clear. What I did was right. You should also make your views known to your local MP.) - your view of a particular subject is the way that you understand and think about it (e.g : The drama takes an idealistic, even a naive view of the subject. The whole point was to get away from just one specific view of religion. In the old animistic world view, people believed that nature was organised by invisible souls.)
une opinion, un avis (deux possibilités)
a parenthesis [pə'renθəsɪs] = a bracket (UK) ['brækɪt] NB : [-ɪsɪs] est possible. Pour "bracket" : seule prononciation possible. NB : PARENTHESIS - parentheses are a pair of curved marks that you put around words or numbers to indicate that they are additional, separate, or less important. (This sentence is in parentheses.) - a parenthesis is a remark that is made in the middle of a piece of speech or writing, and which gives a little more information about the subject being discussed. BRACKET brackets are a pair of written marks ( ) [ ] { } 〈 〉 that you place round a word, expression, or sentence in order to indicate that you are giving extra information. In British English, curved marks like these are also called brackets, but in American English, they are called parenthesis (e.g : The prices in brackets are special rates for the under 18s. My annotations appear in square brackets.)
une parenthèse NB : - signe de ponctuation (pour les deux termes) - contenu de la parenthèse (pour un seul des deux)
a particle ['pɑ:tɪkəl] NB : seule prononciation possible.
une particule
a proclamation [,prɒklə'meɪʃən]
une proclamation
a promise ['prɒmɪs]
une promesse
a vain / idle promise NB : VAIN having no likelihood of fulfilment ; empty (e.g : A vain boast.) IDLE you refer to an idle threat or boast when you do not think the person making it will or can do what they say (e.g : It was more of an idle threat than anything. His statement isn't merely an idle boast.)
une promesse en l'air (deux adj. possibles)
a solemn promise ['sɒləm] NB : seule prononciation possible.
une promesse solennelle
a mistranslation [,mɪstrænz'leɪʃən] (sic) NB : [-trɑ:nz-], [-trɑ:ns-], [-træns-], [-trəns-] et [trənz-] sont possibles.
une traduction erronée
a faithful translation NB : a faithful account, translation, or copy of something represents or reproduces the original accurately (e.g : Colin Welland's screenplay is faithful to the novel. Faithful copies of household items used in the mid-1800s.)
une traduction fidèle
a proposal = a proposition NB : PROPOSAL - a proposal is a plan or an idea, often a formal or written one, which is suggested for people to think about and decide upon (e.g : The President is to put forward new proposals for resolving the country's constitutional crisis. The government's proposals to abolish free health care. The Security Council has rejected the latest peace proposal.) - a proposal is the act of asking someone to marry you (e.g : After a three-weekend courtship, Pamela accepted Randolph's proposal of marriage.) PROPOSITION - a proposition is a statement or an idea which people can consider or discuss to decide whether it is true (e.g : The proposition that democracies do not fight each other is based on a tiny historical sample. The proposition that all religions are equally valid. They were debating the proposition that "All people are created equal.") - an offer or a suggestion that someone makes to you, usually concerning some work or business that you might be able to do together (e.g : You came to see me at my office the other day with a business proposition. I want to make you a proposition. A detailed investment propostion.) - (informal) an offer of sexual intercourse made to a person with whom one is not involved, especially one that is made in an unsubtle way (e.g : Needless to say, she refused his frank sexual proposition.) NB : wordreference traduit "proposition" par "proposition, offre" et "avances", et "proposal" par "proposition, offre, projet" et "demande [en mariage]".
une proposition (deux possibilitiés, avec nuances)
a clause
une proposition (gram.)
an objectionable proposal
une proposition inacceptable
an ,inde,pendent 'clause [,ɪndɪ'pendənt]
une proposition indépendante
a relative clause
une proposition relative
a subordinate clause [sə'bɔ:dɪnət] NB : [-ənət], [-ɪt] sont possibles.
une proposition subordonnée
a protest about / against... ['prəʊtest] NB : seule prononciation possible pour le nom.
une protestation à propos de / contre (deux prépositions possibles)
a provocation [,prɒvə'keɪʃən] NB : [-vəʊk-] est possible.
une provocation
a preposition [,prepə'zɪʃən]
une préposition
a lovers' tiff
une querelle d'amoureux
a family quarrel
une querelle de famille
a ,long-'standing quarrel NB : on peut aussi écrire "longstanding". NB : having existed or continued for a long time (e.g : A long-standing tradition. They are on the brink of resolving their long-standing dispute over money. Long-standing economic links between Europe and much of Africa.).
une querelle de longue date
a furious quarrel ['fjʊəriəs] NB : ['fjɔ:r-] est possible.
une querelle furieuse
a violent quarrel
une querelle violente
a bitter quarrel NB : BITTER in a bitter argument or conflict, people argue very angrily or fight very fiercely (e.g : The scene of bitter fighting during the Second World War. A bitter attack on the Government's failure to support manufacturing. On the eve of the poll, campaigning was bitter.)
une querelle âpre, acerbe
a quarrel = an argument
une querelle, une dispute (deux possibilités)
a question
une question
a clear question / answer
une question / réponse claire
a direct question / answer NB : [(,)daɪ'rekt], + [dɪ-] ou [də-] NB : DIRECT (of a person or their behaviour) going straight to the point; frank (e.g : He is very direct and honest.)
une question / réponse directe
- a frank question / answer - a ,straight'forward question / answer NB : STRAIGHTFORWARD - if you describe something as straightforward, you approve of it because it is easy to do or understand (e.g : Disposable nappies are fairly straightforward to put on. The question seemed straightforward enough. Simple straightforward language.) - if you describe a person or their behaviour as straightforward, you approve of them because they are honest and direct, and do not try to hide their feelings (e.g : She is very blunt, very straightforward and very honest. I was impressed by his straightforward intelligent manner.)
une question / réponse franche (deux adj. possibles)
a spontaneous question / answer NB : [(,)spɒn'teɪniəs] + [spən-].
une question / réponse spontanée
an evasive question / answer NB : [ɪ'veɪsɪv] + [ə-].
une question / réponse évasive, vague
a recommendation [,rekəmen'deɪʃən] NB : [-mən-] est possible.
une recommandation
a refutation [,refju'teɪʃən]
une réfutation
a reference ['refərəns]
une référence
a retort [rɪ'tɔ:t] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : e.g : His sharp retort clearly made an impact.
une réplique, une riposte
an answer = a reply NB : a reply is something that you say or write when you answer someone or answer a letter or advertisement (e.g : I called out a challenge, but there was no reply. David has had 12 replies to his ad. They went ahead without waiting for a reply from the Germans. He said in reply that the question was unfair.)
une réponse (deux possibilités)
an unsatisfactory explanation
une réponse non satisfaisante
a satisfactory explanation
une réponse satisfaisante
a non-committal reply
une réponse évasive
a reprimand ['reprɪmɑ:nd] NB : [-prəm-] est possible.
une réprimande
a revelation [,revə'leɪʃən]
une révélation
a signature ['sɪgnətʃə] NB : [-gnɪ-] est possible.
une signature
an ending
une terminaison
a vowel [vaʊəl] NB : [vaʊl] est possible.
une voyelle
a close vowel NB : close = (said of certain vowels) articulated with the tongue relatively high in the mouth, near the palate
une voyelle fermée
an open vowel NB : a vowel pronounced with the lips relatively wide apart.
une voyelle ouverte
an elucidation [ɪ,lu:sɪ'deɪ-] NB : [ə-], [i:-], [-lju:s-] et [-səd-] sont possibles.
une élucidation, une explication
an enigma [ɪ'nɪgmə] NB : [e-] et [ə-] existent aussi. NB : if you describe something or someone as an enigma, you mean they are mysterious or difficult to understand (e.g : Iran remains an enigma for the outside world. A story which makes clear the modern enigma of spirituality.) NB : il n'y a pas d'autre sens.
une énigme (chose ou personne difficile à comprendre ou déconcertante)
a puzzle NB : a puzzle : - a puzzle is a question, game, or toy which you have to think about carefully in order to answer it correctly or put it together properly (e.g : A word puzzle. A jigsaw puzzle.) - you can describe a person or thing that is hard to understand as a puzzle (e.g : Voyager II has presented astronomers with a puzzle about why our outermost planet exists. She was a puzzle.)
une énigme (à résoudre)
wordy = verbose [vɜ:'bəʊs] NB : seule possibilité de prononciation. NB : - wordy : using or expressed in rather too many words (e.g : a wordy and repetitive account) - verbose : using or expressed in more words than are needed.
verbeux (deux possibilités) NB : - qui s'exprime en trop de mots - (péj.) qui a pour défaut un excès de mots.
to live in infamy ['ɪnfəmi] NB : the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed (e.g : A day that will live in infamy [sic]. He enjoyed exaggerating his infamy.)
vivre dans l'opprobre / la honte
to signify ['sɪgnɪfaɪ] + [-gnə-] = to mean NB : SIGNIFY - if an event, a sign, or a symbol signifies something, it is a sign of that thing or represents that thing (e.g : Fever accompanied by a runny nose usually signifies a cold. The symbol displayed outside a restaurant signifies there's excellent cuisine inside. A red traffic light signifies that traffic must stop. The test results will signify how serious the problem is. The surge in housing starts signifies an upturn in the economy.) - if you signify something, you make a sign or gesture in order to communicate a particular meaning (e.g : The U.N. flag was raised at the airport to signify that control had passed into its hands. He signified his disagreement with a frown.)
vouloir dire, signifier (deux possibilités)
If we are to believe him,... If we are to believe..., ... NB : BE TO used to indicate something that is due, planned, or destined to happen, that must happen (e.g : Construction is to begin next summer. His mum was never to see him win. The talks are to begin tomorrow. It was to be Johnson's first meeting with the board in nearly a month. You must take the whole project more seriously if you are to succeed. You are to answer to Brian, to take your orders from him.)
À l'en croire,... À en croire..., ...
In my opinion = As I see it = To my mind
À mon avis (trois possibilités)
On the subject of... = In connection with... = Concerning... = With regard to... = In regard to... = As regards... = Regarding... = With reference to... = In reference to... NB : ON THE SUBJECT OF e.g : While we're on the subject of books, has anyone read "The Corrections" ? IN CONNECTION WITH if you write or talk to someone in connection with something, you write or talk to them about that thing (e.g : I am writing in connection with Michael Shower's letter. 13 men have been questioned in connection with the murder.) CONCERNING you use concerning to indicate what a question or piece of information is about (e.g : For more information concerning the club contact I. Coldwell. Various questions concerning pollution and the environment.) WITH / IN REGARD TO you can use with regard to or in regard to to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about (e.g : The department is reviewing its policy with regard to immunisation.) AS REGARDS you can use as regards to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about (e.g : As regards the war, Haig believed in victory at any price.) REGARDING you can use regarding to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about (e.g : He refused to divulge any information regarding the man's whereabouts.) WITH / IN REFERENCE TO you use with reference to or in reference to in order to indicate what something relates to (e.g : I am writing with reference to your article on salaries for scientists. I'm calling in reference to your series on prejudice.)
À propos de... / En ce qui concerne... / Concernant... / Au sujet de... (neuf possibilités)
to listen to sb
écouter qq
shameless
éhonté
eloquent ['eləkwənt] NB : - speech or writing that is eloquent is well expressed and effective in persuading people (e.g : I heard him make a very eloquent speech at that dinner.) - a person who is eloquent is good at speaking and able to persuade people (e.g : He was eloquent about his love of books. ...one particularly eloquent German critic.) - clearly expressing or indicating sth (e.g : The bus journey alone is eloquent of class inequality.)
éloquent NB : - qui a de l'éloquence, du talent à s'exprimer, en parlant d'une personne - (par extension) se dit de tout ce qui est capable de faire la même impression, de produire les mêmes effets qu'un discours éloquent (e.g : Des larmes éloquentes. Silence éloquent.)
to elucidate sth [ɪ'lu:sɪdeɪt] NB : [ə-], [i:-], [-'lju:s-] et [-səd-] sont possibles. NB : if you elucidate something, you make it clear and easy to understand, you explain it (e.g : Haig went on to elucidate his personal principle of war. There was no need for him to elucidate. In what follows I shall try to elucidate what I believe the problems to be.) NB : "elucidate a mystery" existe, mais semble très rare.
élucider, expliquer, expliciter qqch
enigmatic [,enɪgmætɪk] NB : seule possibilité de prononciation. NB : someone or something that is enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand (e.g : Haley studied her, an enigmatic smile on his face. She starred in one of Welles's most enigmatic films.)
énigmatique
to feel regrets / remorse
éprouver des regrets / remords (deux noms possibles)
etymological [,etɪmə'lɒdʒɪkəl] NB : [-təm-] est possible.
étymologique
to be bilingual [(,)baɪ'lɪŋgwəl] NB : [-'lɪŋgjuəl] (sic) est possible.
être bilingue
to be against
être contre
to be in agreement with sb about sth NB : if you are in agreement with someone, you have the same opinion as they have (e.g : Not all scholars are in agreement with her, however. We were in basic agreement on this point. Since we are all in agreement, let's proceed.)
être d'accord avec qq sur qqch, être du même avis que qqch sur qqch
to agree with sb about sth NB : if people agree with each other about something, they have the same opinion about it or say that they have the same opinion (e.g : Both have agreed on the need for the money. So we both agree there's a problem? I see your point but I'm not sure I agree with you. I agree with you that the open system is by far the best. 'It's appalling.' - 'It is. I agree.' I agree that the demise of London zoo would be terrible. I agree with every word you've just said. 'Frankly I found it rather frightening.' 'A little startling,' Mark agreed.)
être d'accord avec qq à propos de qqch
to be of the opinion that... NB : if someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe (e.g : Frank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.)
être d'avis que...
to hold the view that...
être d'avis que...
to be in conflict with sb ['kɒnflɪkt] = to conflict sb [kən'flɪkt] NB : pour le verbe, ['kɒn-] est possible (donc : comme le nom). NB : BE IN CONFLICT if two people or groups are in conflict, they have had a serious disagreement or argument and have not yet reached agreement (e.g : Employees already are in conflict with management over job cuts.) TO CONFLICT - to be incompatible or at variance ; to clash (e.g : Parents' and children's interests sometimes conflict. Those tournament dates would have conflicted with Memorial Day. Personal ethics and professional ethics sometimes conflict. He held firm opinions which usually conflicted with my own. There are conflicting reports about the identity of the hostage. Three powers with conflicting interests.) - to fight or disagree actively (e.g : If the two sides conflict with each other again, it will be disastrous for party unity.)
être en conflit avec qq (deux possibilités)
to be on bad terms with sb NB : on...terms = in a specified relation or on a specified footing (e.g : We are all on friendly terms.)
être en mauvais termes avec qq
to be faithful to one's promise / word / commitment [sic sing.]
être fièle à sa promesse / parole / à ses engagments [sic pl.]
to be monolingual [,mɒnəʊ'lɪŋgwəl] NB : [-'lɪŋgjuəl] (sic) est possible. NB : using or knowing only one language ; knowing or expressed in only one language. NB : en tant que nom, "monolingual" = a monolingual person.
être monolingue
to be in favour of = to be for BE FOR if you are for something, you agree with it or support it (e.g : Are you for or against public transport? I'm for a government that the people respect and that respects the people. No, I'm not for abolishing prizes and denying novelists their money.)
être pour, être favorable à (deux possibilités)
to be multilingual [,mʌlti'lɪŋgwəl] = to be polyglot ['pɒliglɒt] NB : [-'lɪŋgjuəl] (sic) est possible. NB : - multilingual means involving several different languages (e.g : A multilingual country. Multilingual dictionaries.) - a multilingual person is able to speak more than two languages very well (e.g : He recruited two multilingual engineers.)
être poyglotte (deux possibilités)
to be unwilling to do sth = to be reluctant to do sth [rɪ'lʌktənt] NB : [rə-] est possible. NB : UNWILLING if you are unwilling to do something, you do not want to do it and will not agree to do it ; you are not ready, eager, or prepared to do it (e.g : Initially the government was unwilling to accept the defeat. For months I had been either unwilling or unable to go through with it. He was unwilling to take on that responsibility. Unwilling conscripts.) RELUCTANT If you are reluctant to do something, you are unwilling to do it and hesitate before doing it, or do it slowly and without enthusiasm (e.g : Mr Spero was reluctant to ask for help. The police are very reluctant to get involved in this sort of thing.)
être réticent / peu disposé à faire qqch (deux possibilités)
to be at daggers drawn with sb NB : if you say that two people are at daggers drawn, you mean they are having an argument and are still very angry with each other (e.g : She and her mother were at daggers drawn.)
être à couteaux tirés avec qq
communicative [kə'mju:nɪkətɪv] NB : [-nək-] est possible. NB : inclined to communicate readily ; talkative NB : someone who is communicative talks to people, for example about their feelings, and tells people things ; willing, eager, or able to talk or impart information (e.g : She has become a lot more tolerant and communicative. Lew [sic] was a very communicative chap.)
communicatif, expansif, locace, qui parle facilement
to stammer NB : - to speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words - (Medicine) to speak or say (sth) in a hesitant way, esp. as a result of a speech disorder or through fear, stress,... - say something with difficulty, repeating the initial letters of words and with sudden involuntary pauses (e.g : "I ... I can't," Isabel stammered. I stammered out my history.)
- bégayer (pauses involontaires et aussi répétition des initiales) - balbutier
to croak [krəʊk] NB : - when a frog or crow croaks, it makes a harsh, low sound (e.g : Thousands of frogs croaked in the reeds by the riverbank. The guttural croak of the frogs.) - if someone croaks something, they say it in a low, rough voice similar to a croak [hoarse sound] (e.g : Tiller moaned and managed to croak, "Help me." She croaked something unintelligible.)
- coasser (grenouilles) - croasser (corbeaux) - parler d'une voix rauque
to lower one's voice NB : if you lower your voice or if your voice lowers, you speak more quietly (e.g : The man moved closer, lowering his voice. His voice lowers confidentially. She lowered her voice to a whisper.) NB : quiet = someone or something that is quiet makes only a small amount of noise (e.g : Tania kept the children reasonably quiet and contented. A quiet murmur passed through the classroom. The airlines have invested enormous sums in new, quieter aircraft.)
baisser la voix
talkative = chatty NB : - talkative : given to talking a great deal - chatty : full of trivial conversation ; friendly and talkative ; informal and friendly, gossipy, full of or in the style of informal talk (e.g : a chatty letter)
bavard (deux possibilités)
to say sth to sb = to tell sb sth NB : SAY : - to speak, pronounce, utter - to express (an idea) in words ; tell (e.g : We asked his opinion but he refused to say.) - to state (an opinion, fact,...) positively ; to declare ; to affirm - to recite (e.g : to say grace) - to report or allege (e.g : they say we shall have rain today.) - to take as an assumption ; to suppose (e.g : Let us say that he is lying.) - to convey by means of artistic expression (e.g : "The artist in this painting is saying that we should look for hope.) TELL : - to let know or notify (e.g : He told me that he would go.) - to order or instruct (s.o to do sth) (e.g : I told her to send the letter airmail.) - (tr., or intr. followed by "of") to give an account or narration of sth (e.g : She told me her troubles.) - to communicate by words ; to utter (e.g : to tell the truth) - (intr. followed by "of") to serve as an indication (e.g : Her blush told of her embarrassment.) - (tr., used with "can") to comprehend, to discover, or discern (e.g : I can tell what is wrong.) - (tr., used with "can") to distinguish or discriminate (e.g : He couldn't tell chalk from cheese.) - (tr.) to assure (e.g : I tell you, I've had enough !)
dire qqch à qq (deux possibilités)
to voice sth NB : - if you voice something such as an opinion or an emotion, you say what you think or feel (e.g : Some scientists have voiced concern that the disease could be passed on to humans. This is a criticism frequently voiced by opponents. To voice a complaint.) - to articulate (a speech sound) with voice
exprimer qqch (l'émettre avec la voix)
to grunt NB : - the characteristic low short gruff of pigs,... (e.g : The sound of a pig grunting.) - if you grunt, you make a low sound, especially because you are annoyed or not interested in something (e.g : The driver grunted, convinced that Michael was crazy. "Rubbish," I grunted. He grunted his thanks.)
grogner (cochon / son de désintéressement ou de contrariété)
to talk NB : - (intr., to / with) to express one's thoughts, feelings, or desires by means of words (to sb) ; to speak (to sb) - to communicate or exchange thoughts by other means (e.g : lovers talk with their eyes) - (intr., about) to exchange ideas, pleasantries, or opinions (about sth) (e.g to talk about the weather) - to articulate words, to verbalise (e.g : the baby can talk) - (tr.) to give voice to, to utter (e.g : to talk rubbish) - (tr.) to hold a conversation about, to discuss (e.g : to talk business) - (intr.) to reveal information (e.g : the prisoner talked after torture) - (tr.) to know how to communicate in (a language or idiom) (e.g he talks English) - (intr.) to spreak rumours or gossip (e.g : we don't want the neighbours to talk)
parler ; discuter
the tone NB : - (linguistics) any of the pitch levels or pitch contours at which a syllable may be pronounced, such as high tone, falling tone,... - the quality or character of a sound (e.g : a nervous tone of voice) - general aspect, quality, or style (e.g : I don't like the tone of his speech.)
le ton
to mispro'nounce [,mɪsprə'naʊns]
mal prononcer
dumb (offensive) = mute NB : - dumb : (offensive) someone who is dumb is completely unable to speak (e.g : young deaf and dumb man.) ; if someone is dumb on a particular occasion, they cannot speak because they are angry, shocked, or surprised (e.g : We were all struck dumb for a minute.) - mute : (offensive) someone who is mute is unable to speak (e.g : Marianna, the duke's daughter, became mute after a shock.) NB : wordreference donne "unable to speak" et "profoundly deaf" comme équivalents neutres de "muet". NB : using "deaf-and-dumb", "deaf-mute", or "deaf without speech" to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive, and should be avoided. The phrase "profoundly deaf" is a suitable alternative in many contexts
muet, silencieux (deux possibilités) NB : - de façon permanente => les deux sont "offensive" ; - temporairement => les deux sont "lit.".
to whisper = to murmur ['mɜ:mə] NB : WHISPER (tr. or intr.) - when you whisper, you say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your throat, so that only one person can hear you (e.g : "Keep your voice down," I whispered. She sat on Rossi's knee as he whispered in her ear. He whispered the message to David. Somebody whispered that films like that were illegal. She whispered his name. Men were talking in whispers in every office.) - if people whisper about a piece of information, they talk about it, although it might not be true or accurate, or might be a secret (e.g : We hit it off so well that everyone started whispering about us. It is whispered that he intended to resign. But don't whisper a word of that.) MURMUR (tr. or intr.) if you murmur something, you say it very quietly, so that not many people can hear what you are saying (e.g : He turned and murmured something to the professor. She murmured a few words of support. "How lovely," she murmured. Murmuring softly that they must go somewhere to talk, he led her from the garden.)
murmurer (deux possibilités)
to drawl NB : if someone drawls, they speak slowly and not very clearly, with long vowel sounds (e.g : "I guess you guys don't mind if I smoke?" he drawled. He has a deep voice and he drawls slightly. Jack's southern drawl.)
parler d'une voix traînante
to talk through one's nose
parler du nez, parler d'une voix nasillarde
to ,out'talk sb NB : to talk more, longer, or louder than (s.o)
parler plus que qq
uncommunicative
peu bavard, renfermé, peu communicatif
to pronounce [prə'naʊns] NB : - (tr.) to utter or articulate (a sound or sequence of sounds) - (tr.) to say clearly, correctly, or in a given manner (e.g : learning to pronounce French ; He pronounced my name wrong.) - (tr.) to make a phonetic transcription of (sounds or words), to represent (a word) in phonetic symbols - to declare officially or formally (e.g : He was pronounced dead on arrival. I now pronounce you man and wife.) - to declare as one's judgment (e.g : to pronounce the death sentence upon s.o)
prononcer
to utter sth NB : if someone utters sounds or words, they say them (e.g : He uttered a snorting laugh. They departed without uttering a word. He uttered a cry. He uttered "yes".)
prononcer qqch, dire, proférer
mispronunciation
prononciation incorrecte
pronounceable [prə'naʊnsəbəl]
prononçable
to keep silent ['saɪlənt] = to keep quiet = to keep mute = to keep mum NB : - silent = tending to speak very little or not at all - quiet = if you are quiet, you are not saying anything (e.g : I told them to be quiet and go to sleep. I just went quiet, embarrassed, and couldn't answer. They were both quiet for a while. Then Charlie said: "I must go." Then a voice called out, "Quiet, everybody, please!") - mute = someone who is mute is silent for a particular reason and does not speak (e.g : He was mute, distant, and indifferent. I threw a mute look of appeal at Paula. He could watch her standing mute by the phone. He sat mute, speechless with ecstasy, gazing into the sky.) - mum = keeping information to oneself ; not verbalising ; silent
rester silencieux, se taire (quatre possibilités)
to speak NB : - (intr.) to produce words by means of sounds ; talk (e.g : Can the baby speak yet ?) - (intr.) to express thoughts or feelings to convey information in speech or writing (e.g : He spoke of his desire to travel.) - (intr.) to convey information or ideas in text (e.g : Their book speaks about adopting children). - (intr.) to engage in conversation (e.g : Can we speak for a minute about the assignment ?) - (intr.) to be friendly or willing to communicate ; to be on speaking terms (e.g : They are no longer speaking.) - (intr.) to deliver an address or lecture (e.g : The mayor spoke at the rally.) - (intr.) to act as spokesman (e.g : I speak for the entire staff.) - (intr.) to convey a message by nonverbal means (e.g : Actions speak louder than words) - (intr.) to give an indication or suggestion (e.g : His manners spoke of good upbringing.) - (intr.) to be appealing (e.g : His poetry speaks to one's heart.) - (intr.) to make a reservation or request (used with "for") (e.g : Has anyone spoken for the last piece of pizza ? Is that seat spoken for ?) - (tr.) to know how to talk in (a language or dialect) (e.g : He does not speak German.) - (tr.) to say with the voice ; to pronounce or utter (e.g : She spoke the words with a French accent.) - (tr.) to express in words ; to tell (e.g : to speak the truth) - (tr.) ton convey by nonverbal means (e.g : His eyes spoke volumes.) Usage : "When saying that someone is using his or her voice to produce words, you usually say that they are "speaking". If two or more people are having a conversation, you usually say that they are "talking". You don't say that they are "speaking". If you have a conversation with someone, you can say that you "speak to" them or "talk to" them. In American English, it is common to say that you "speak with" someone or "talk with" someone. When you make a telephone call, you ask if you can "speak to" someone. You don't ask if you can "talk to" them.
parler (faire usage de la parole)
a speech defect ['di:fekt] = a speech impediment [ɪm'pedɪmənt] + [-dəm-] NB : [dɪ'fekt] et [də'fekt] sont possibles. NB : IMPEDIMENT - something that is an impediment to a person or thing makes their movement, development, or progress difficult (e.g : He was satisfied there was no legal impediment to the marriage.) - someone who has a speech impediment has a disability which makes speaking difficult (e.g : John's slight speech impediment made it difficult for his mother to understand him.)
un trouble du langage (deux possibilités)
an utterance ['ʌtərəns] NB : - someone's utterances are the things that they say (e.g : The Queen's public utterances. A host of admirers who hung on her every utterance. - utterance is the expression in words of ideas, thoughts, and feelings (e.g : I will give free utterance to my complaint. - the act or power of uttering or the ability to utter (e.g : as long as I have utterance) - a manner of speaking (e.g : He argued with forceful utterance.)
une déclaration, un énoncé, énonciation
an inflection + inflexion GB NB : - an inflection in someone's voice is a change in its tone or pitch as they are speaking (e.g : The man's voice was devoid of inflection. 'Seb?' he said, with a rising inflection.) - (gramm.) a change in the form of a word, usu. modification or affixation, signalling change in such grammatical functions as tense, voice, mood, gender, person, number, or case
une inflexion (de voix ou grammaticale)
an ,inter'jection NB : - an interjection is something you say which interrupts someone else who is speaking (e.g : The moronic and insensitive interjections of the disc jockey.) - an interjection is a word or expression which you use to express a strong feeling such as surprise, pain, or horror.
une interjection
a saying
un dicton
to enunciate [ɪ'nʌnsieɪt] NB : [ən-] et [-'nʌnʃ-](sic) sont possibles. NB : - when you enunciate a word or part of a word, you pronounce it clearly (e.g : His voice was harsh as he enunciated each word carefully. She enunciates very slowly and carefully.) - when you enunciate a thought, idea, or plan, you express it very clearly and precisely (e.g : He was ever ready to enunciate his views to all who would listen.)
articuler ; énoncer
to sigh
soupirer
to moan = to groan NB : MOAN - if you moan, you make a low sound expressing physical or mental suffering or sexual pleasure (e.g : Tony moaned in his sleep and then turned over on his side. "My head, my head," he moaned. "I can't see." Just then their patient moaned and opened his eyes.) - (informal) to moan means to complain or speak in a way which shows that you are very unhappy ; to complain or grumble, typically about something trivial. (e.g : I used to moan if I didn't get at least six hours' sleep at night. Moaning about the weather. They moan on a lot about money. Passengers moaned about overcrowded coaches. My friend always moans that I never make her a cake.) GROAN - make a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain, despair, pleasure, etc. (e.g : Marty groaned and pulled the blanket over his head. Slowly, he opened his eyes. As he did so, he began to groan with pain. They glanced at the man on the floor, who began to groan.) - say something in a despairing or miserable tone (e.g : "Oh no!" I groaned. "My leg - I think it's broken," Eric groaned.) - complain ; grumble (e.g : They were moaning and groaning about management. His parents were beginning to groan about the price of college tuition.)
- gémir, geindre - se lamenter, rouspéter, râler NB : deux possibilités.
articulation [ɑ:,tɪkjuleɪʃən] NB : [-jə-] est possible. NB : - the action of putting into words an idea or feeling (e.g : It would involve the articulation of a theory of the just war. The speaker's articulation of the proposal convinced the board of directors to approve it.) - The formation of clear and distinct sounds in speech (e.g : The articulation of vowels and consonants.)
- l'articulation, la prononciation (d'un son) - l'expression, la formulation
'diction NB : - (linguistics) the choice and use of words in writing or speech (e.g : Wordsworth campaigned against exaggerated poetic diction.) - (phonetics) the manner of uttering or enunciating words and sounds (e.g : His diction wasn't very good. Clear diction is important.)
- la diction - le style, le langage
to speak up NB : - if you speak up, you say something, especially to defend a person or protest about something, rather than just saying nothing (e.g : Uncle Herbert never argued, never spoke up for himself. Don't be afraid of speaking up. I am not suggesting that individuals never speak up about wrong-doing.) - if you ask someone to speak up, you are asking them to speak more loudly (e.g : I'm quite deaf-you'll have to speak up.)
- parler plus fort - parler franchement, dire ce que l'on pense, s'exprimer
to splutter NB : - make a series of short explosive spitting or choking sounds (e.g : She coughed and spluttered, tears coursing down her face.) - if someone splutters, they say something rapidly, indistinctly, and with a spitting sound, as a result of anger, embarrassment, or another strong emotion. (e.g : "But it cannot be," he spluttered. Molly leapt to her feet, spluttering and howling with rage. He began to splutter excuses. "How dare you ?" she spluttered.) - if something splutters, it makes a series of short, sharp sounds (e.g : Suddenly the engine coughed, spluttered and died.) - to spit out (saliva, food particles,...) from the mouth noisily and in small splashes, as through choking or laughing (e.g : Spluttering brackish [sic] water, he struggled to regain his feet.)
- postillonner, crachoter, tousser (parce qu'on s'étouffe,...) - bredouiller, bafouiller, balbutier (sous le coup de l'émotion)
voiceless = speechless = wordless NB : VOICELESS : - a voiceless speech sound is one that is produced without vibration of the vocal cords (e.g : The voiceless 'th'.) - someone who is voiceless is unable to speak (e.g : His voiceless lips formed the words 'Thank you'.) - if a group of people is voiceless, it does not have the power or the legal right to express their opinions (e.g : He spent his life fighting for the rights of the voiceless and the underprivileged. Millions of Americans feel voiceless and powerless to bring positive change to the political system.) SPEECHLESS if you are speechless, you are temporarily unable to speak, usually because something has shocked you (e.g : Alex was almost speechless with rage and despair.) WORDLESS - you say that someone is wordless when they do not say anything, especially at a time when they are expected to say something (e.g : She stared back, now wordless. The two women live in wordless isolation. Gil downed his food wordlessly, his attention far away.) - if someone makes a wordless sound, they make a sound that does not seem to contain any words (e.g : Wordless chant. He shrieked a long, wordless cry.)
- sans voix - muet (momentanément) NB : trois possibilités.
a moan = a groan NB : MOAN - a long, low sound made by a person expressing physical or mental suffering or sexual pleasure (e.g : She gave a low moan of despair. Suddenly she gave a low, choking moan and began to tremble violently. Her moan of sorrow.) - (informal) A complaint which is perceived as trivial and not taken seriously by others (e.g : There were moans about the car's feeble ventilation. His tiresome moans about his boss.) GROAN - a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain, despair, pleasure, etc. (e.g : "She lay back with a groan.) - a complaint (e.g : Listen to everyone's moans and groans.)
- un gémissement - une plainte NB : deux possibilités.
vocal ['vəʊkəl] NB : - vocal means involving the use of the human voice, especially in singing (e.g : Wider range of vocal styles. Vocal training. Vocal music. Vocal noises. Vocal organs) - you say that people are vocal when they speak forcefully about something that they feel strongly about (e.g : He has been very vocal in his displeasure over the results. A public inquiry earlier this year produced vocal opposition from residents. A vocal minority.)
- vocal - qui se fait entendre (groupe,...)
NOT TO SPEAK
NE PAS PARLER
voice training NB : the process of training and improving vocal ability (e.g : A woman who does voice training told me I could train myself by controlling my breathing. She underwent voice training and performed in an occasional concert.)
cours de chant, formation vocale
to shout NB : if you shout, you say something very loudly, usually because you want people a long distance away to hear you or because you are angry (e.g : He had to shout to make himself heard above the near gale-force wind. "She's alive!" he shouted triumphantly. Andrew rushed out of the house, shouting for help. You don't have to shout at me. I shouted at mother to get the police. The driver managed to escape from the vehicle and shout a warning.)
crier (forte émotion, colère, ou pour être entendu de loin)
speech NB : the faculty or act of speaking ; the faculty or act of expressing or describing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words.
la parole
to snarl = a growl [graʊl] NB : SNARL - when an animal snarls, it makes a fierce, rough sound in its throat while showing its teeth (e.g : He raced ahead up into the bush, barking and snarling. The dogs snarled at the intruders.) - if you snarl something, you say it in a fierce, angry way (e.g : "Let go of me," he snarled. I vaguely remember snarling at someone who stepped on my foot. // "Aubrey." Hyde seemed almost to snarl the name.) GROWL - when a dog or other animal growls, it makes a low noise in its throat, usually because it is angry (e.g : The dog was biting, growling and wagging its tail. Growl is also a noun. The bear exposed its teeth in a muffled growl.) - if someone growls something, they say something in a low, rough, and angry voice (e.g : His fury was so great he could hardly speak. He growled some unintelligible words at Pete. "I should have killed him," Sharpe growled.) - if you say that something growls, you mean that it makes a deep low noise (e.g : My stomach growled. The car growls along rutted streets.)
grogner, gronder (deux possibilités) NB : - animal : en montrant les dents - personne : avec méchanceté, colère, hostilité, menace
enunciation [ɪ,nʌnsi'eɪʃən] NB : [-,nʌnʃ-](sic) est possible. NB : the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience.
l'articulation, l'énonciation
intonation [,ɪntə'neɪʃən] NB : [-təʊ-] est possible.
l'intonation
speech therapy ['θerəpi] NB : speech therapy is the treatment of people who have speech and language problems (e.g : A stammering child can benefit from speech therapy.)
l'orthophonie
elision [ɪ'lɪʒən] NB : [ə-] est possible, mais rien d'autre.
l'élision
loquacity [ləʊ'kwæsəti] = talkativeness NB : [lɒ-] est possible.
la loquacité (deux possibilités)
the voice
la voix
garrulousness
la volubilité
oral ['ɔ:rəl] NB : - spoken or verbal (e.g : an oral agreement) - (Medicine) relating to, affecting, or for use in the mouth (e.g : an oral thermometer) - (Medicine) denoting a drug to be taken by mouth (e.g : an oral contraceptive) - of, relating to, or using spoken words - (psychoanalysis)
oral (adj.)
a 'tongue ,twister NB : a sequence of words or sounds, typically of an alliterative kind, that are difficult to pronounce quickly and correctly, as for example "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper".
un mot ou phrase difficile à prononcer
a thin voice NB : a voice or sound that is thin is high-pitched and not very loud (e.g : Her thin voice rose high in complaint.)
un filet de voix, une petite voix, une voix fluette
,deaf-and-'dumb NB : - adj. : unable to hear or speak - n. : a deaf person without speech NB : using "deaf-and-dumb", "deaf-mute", or "deaf without speech" to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive, and should be avoided. The phrase "profoundly deaf" is a suitable alternative in many contexts
sourd et muet (n. et adj., offensive)
taciturn ['tæsɪtɜ:n] NB : [-ə-] est possible. NB : a taciturn person does not say very much and can seem unfriendly ; reserved or uncommunicative in speech (e.g : A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables. After such gatherings she would be taciturn and morose.)
taciturne
a grunt
un grognement
a snarl = a growl NB : SNARL - a vicious growl - a vicious, hostile utterance GROWL - the low, guttural, menacing sound made by an animal (e.g : the growl of a dog) - a gruff surly utterance (e.g : The desk officer answered my greeting with a growl.)
un grondement, un grognement (deux possibilités)
a speech therapist
un orthophoniste
a sigh
un soupir
a stammerer, a stutterer
un bègue (deux termes, mais il y a une nuance)
a liaison [li'eɪzən] NB : [laɪ-], [-ɒn] et "on" français sont possibles. NB : - (in the phonology of several languages, esp French) the pronunciation of a normally silent consonant at the end of a word immediately before another word commencing with a vowel, in such a way that the consonant is taken over as the initial sound of the following word. - liaison is co-operation and the exchange of information between different organizations or between different sections of an organization (e.g : Liaison between police forces and the art world is vital to combat art crime. The courses are designed by universities in liaison with employers.) - if someone acts as liaison with a particular group, or between two or more groups, their job is to encourage co-operation and the exchange of information (e.g : I have a professor on my staff here as liaison with our higher education institutions. She acts as a liaison between patients and staff.) - you can refer to a sexual or romantic relationship between two people as a liaison (e.g : She embarked on a series of sexual liaisons with society figures.)
une liaison
a ,high-'pitched voice NB : a high-pitched sound is shrill and high in pitch (e.g : A woman squealed in a high-pitched voice.)
une voix aiguë / haut perchée
a soft voice NB : something that is soft is very gentle and has no force. For example, a soft sound or voice is quiet and not harsh. A soft light or colour is pleasant to look at because it is not bright. (e.g : There was a soft tapping on my door. When he woke again he could hear soft music. A soft Irish accent. Soft muted colours. A soft spring rain had fallen all day.)
une voix douce
a piping voice NB : piping = having a high-pitched sound (e.g : the piping voices of children)
une voix flûtée NB : qui rappelle le son doux et coulé de la flûte.
a loud voice
une voix forte / sonore
a ,low-'pitched voice
une voix grave
a deep voice NB : a deep sound is low in pitch (e.g : His voice was deep and mellow. They heard a deep, distant roar.)
une voix grave, profonde
a faltering voice ['fɔ:ltərɪŋ] NB : ['fɒlt-] est possible. NB : TO FALTER : - if your voice falters when you are speaking, you hesitate or pause, because you are unsure about what you are saying or are upset (e.g : Her voice faltered and she had to stop a moment to control it.) - if something falters, it loses power or strength in an uneven way, or no longer makes much progress (e.g : Normal life is at a standstill, and the economy is faltering. The car was out of sight around a bend in moments, but the engine did not falter or slow down. The faltering economy has affected the new party's popularity.) - if you falter, you lose your confidence and stop doing something or start making mistakes (e.g : I have not faltered in my quest for a new future. As he neared the house his steps faltered.)
une voix hésitante, tremblante, entrecoupée
a melodious voice [mə'ləʊdiəs] NB : [mɪ-] et [me-] sont possibles.
une voix mélodieuse
a muffled voice = a muted voice NB : - to muffle : if something muffles a sound, it makes it quieter and more difficult to hear, esp. by wrapping (e.g : Blake held his handkerchief over the mouthpiece to muffle his voice. She heard a muffled cough behind her. The sand muffled the hoofbeats.) - to mute : if you mute a noise or sound, you lower its volume or make it less distinct (e.g : They begin to mute their voices, not be as assertive. At first the wooded hillsides muted the sounds.)
une voix sourde, feutrée (deux adj. possibles) NB : sourd (ici) : qui est peu sonore, qui rend un son étouffé (salle sourde, piano sourd, voix sourde, bruit sourd, de sourds gémissements)
a shrill voice NB : a shrill sound is high-pitched and unpleasant (e.g : Shrill cries and startled oaths flew up around us as pandemonium broke out. The shrill whistle of the engine. Mary Ann's voice grew shrill.)
une voix stridente
a drawl
une voix traînante
a quavering voice ['kweɪvərɪŋ] NB : (of a person's voice) shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion (e.g : His voice quavered with rage. "I'm not safe here, am I?" she said in a quavering voice.)
une voix tremblante, chevrotante
to raise one's voice NB : if you raise your voice, you speak more loudly, usually because you are angry (e.g : Don't you raise your voice to me, Henry Rollins! Anne raised her voice in order to be heard.)
élever la voix, hausser la voix, parler plus fort
to elide [ɪ'laɪd] NB : [ə-] et [i:-] sont possibles.
élider
to be 'tongue-tied NB : if someone is tongue-tied, they are unable to say anything because they feel shy, nervous or embarrassed (e.g : In their presence I became self-conscious and tongue-tied.)
être incapable de dire un mot, muet (timidité, embarras, nervosité)
garrulous ['gærələs] NB : [-jʊl-] (sic !!!) est possible. NB : if you describe someone as garrulous, you mean that they talk a great deal, especially about unimportant things (e.g : A garrulous old woman.)
volubile
to lisp = to have a lisp = to speak with a lisp NB : - if someone has a lisp, they pronounce the sounds 's' and 'z' as if they were 'th'. For example, they say 'thing' instead of ' sing' (e.g : He has a slight lisp. - if someone lisps, they say something with a lisp or speak with a lisp (e.g : The little man, upset, was lisping badly. Bochmann lisped his congratulations. Her low, lisping voice.)
zézayer, zozoter (trois possibilités)