zrceng 19

chicken-hearted

Chicken-hearted Chicken-hearted , a. Timid; fearful; cowardly. --Bunyan.

stiff-arm

I. intransitive verb Date: 1909 straight-arm transitive verb 1. straight-arm 2. to treat with disdain or neglect ; slight, snub <ed his advice> II. noun Date: 1927 straight-arm

eyelet

['ailit] noun [count] a small hole in cloth surrounded by a metal ring, for putting a string or rope through

biosphere

['baiәsfiә] noun [sing.] (technical) the part of the earth's surface and atmosphere in which plants and animals can live

bathos

['beiθɒs] noun [uncount] LINGUISTICS a sudden change in speech or writing from a serious or important subject to one that is silly or ordinary

beverage

['bevәridʒ] noun [count] FORMAL a drink

billow

['bilәu] verb [intransitive] 1 to be filled with air and swell out like a sail: The sheets billowed on the clothes line. billow out: His cloak billowed out behind him. 2 if smoke or steam billows, it rises or moves in clouds: Smoke was billowing from the campfire. noun [count] 1 a moving cloud of something such as smoke or steam: billow of: billows of gray smoke from the exhaust pipe 2 LITERARY a large wave in the ocean

busybody

['bizibɒdi] noun [count] INFORMAL someone who is very interested in other people's private lives and activities and tries to get involved in them in a way that is annoying: She's such an interfering busybody.

blueprint

['blu:'print] noun [count] 1 a drawing that shows how to build something such as a building or a machine, often printed with white lines on blue paper 2 a detailed plan for doing something new, or something that is a model for how something should be done: blueprint for: The document was seen as a public relations exercise rather than a blueprint for change.

bloodcurdling

['blʌd,kә:dliŋ] adjective making you feel very frightened: a bloodcurdling scream a bloodcurdling tale

ballad

['bælәd] noun [count] 1 a popular love song 2 a long poem that tells a story

bastard

['bæstәd] noun [count] 1 OFFENSIVE an insulting word for an unpleasant or annoying man 2 IMPOLITE used after an adjective for talking to or about someone in a funny or sympathetic way: a lucky/poor bastard 3 OLD-FASHIONED someone whose parents are not married to each other. This word is now considered to be offensive. 4 MAINLY BRITISH IMPOLITE something that is very difficult or annoying

balderdash

['bɒ:ldәdæʃ] noun [uncount] OLD-FASHIONED nonsense

bumptious

['bʌmpʃәs] adjective behaving in an annoying way that shows you think you are very important

boding

['bәudiŋ] noun Date: 13th century fore

dynamo

['dainәmәu] noun [count] 1 INFORMAL someone with a lot of energy and determination 2 a piece of equipment that changes the movement of an engine or machine into electricity 2a. BRITISH a piece of equipment on a bicycle that changes the movement of the wheels into electricity to make the lights work

diver

['daivә] noun [count] 1 someone who swims under water, especially as their job: Police divers are searching the river bed. 2 someone who DIVES into water, for example as a sport

downcast

['daunkɑ:st] adjective 1 sad or upset 2 downcast eyes are looking downward, especially because you are sad, embarrassed, or shy

debit

['debit] noun [count] 1 an amount of money taken from a bank account 2 an amount of money that you owe, especially when it is recorded in a company's accounts or on a BANK STATEMENT opposite CREDIT verb [transitive] 1 if a bank debits your account, it takes money out of it for a particular purpose 2 to show that an amount of money is owed by recording it in a company's accounts or on a BANK STATEMENT opposite CREDIT

debris

['deibri:] noun [uncount] the broken pieces that are left when something large has been destroyed, especially by an explosion, fire, or accident a. garbage or pieces of useless material that make a place messy

decorate

['dekәreit] verb [transitive] 1 to make something look more attractive by putting nice things on it or in it: Have you decorated your Christmas tree yet? decorate something with something: The room had been decorated with balloons. 1a. used about the thing you put on something: Framed prints decorate every wall. 2 to give someone a MEDAL because they have done something brave or good: They were decorated for their bravery.

demigod

['demigɒd] noun [count] 1 an important person who is admired by people as if they were a god. This word shows that you think people are silly for treating someone like this. 2 a god who is less important than other gods, especially one who is partly a god and partly a human being

diptych

['diptik] noun Date: 1622 1. a 2-leaved hinged tablet folding together to protect writing on its waxed surfaces 2. a picture or series of pictures (as an altarpiece) painted or carved on two hinged tablets 3. a work made up of two matching parts

draggy

['drægi] adjective (draggier; -est) Date: 15th century sluggish, dull

dwelling

['dweliŋ] noun [count] FORMAL a house, apartment, or other shelter in which someone lives

dappled

['dæpld] adjective 1 covered with or forming areas of lighter and darker color or light and shadow: the dappled sunlight of the forest 2 a dappled horse or other animal has a coat with spots of different colors

dominate

['dɒmineit] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to control something or someone, often in a negative way, because you have more power or influence: As a boy, he was dominated by his mother. She tends to dominate the conversation. He had been a dominating figure in her life. 2 [transitive] if an object dominates a place, it is so big or high that it is easy to notice: a little room dominated by a huge fireplace Chicago's skyline is dominated by the country's tallest skyscraper. 3 [intransitive or transitive] to be the most important issue, activity, problem, etc. in a particular situation: The earthquake once again dominated the news. Don't allow the computer to dominate your child's life. Constitutional issues have become the dominating concern over the last few months. 4 [intransitive or transitive] to play much better than your opponents in a game or sport: The Dodgers completely dominated the first half of the game.

domicile

['dɒmisail] noun [count] FORMAL someone's home

dotage

['dɒtidʒ] noun HUMOROUS in your dotage in the period of time when you are old

jarring

['dʒɑ:riŋ] adjective 1 surprising or slightly shocking: The only jarring note was the presence of his ex-wife. 2 making your body move suddenly and unexpectedly: a jarring thud 3 a jarring noise is unpleasant and starts suddenly and unexpectedly

justifiable

['dʒʌstifaiәbl] adjective if something is justifiable, there is a good reason for it: Can such violence ever be justifiable? justifiably adverb: My father was justifiably proud of his family.

egotism

['egәutizm] noun [uncount] FORMAL a feeling that you are more important than other people and need not care about them

apiculture

['eipikʌltʃә] noun Date: 1864 the keeping of bees especially on a large scale • apicultural adjective • apiculturist noun

apiary

['eipjәri] noun [count] a place where BEES are kept so that their HONEY can be collected

expurgate

['ekspә:geit] verb [VN] [usually passive] (formal) to remove or leave out parts of a piece of writing or a conversation when printing or reporting it, because you think those parts could offend people: She gave an expurgated account of what had happened.

extradite

['ekstrәdait] verb [transitive] to send a criminal back to the country or state where a crime was committed for a trial: He was extradited to Britain on charges of terrorism.

ecstasy

['ekstәsi] noun [uncount] an illegal drug that young people take, especially in NIGHTCLUBS. Ecstasy is often called E. noun [count or uncount] 1 a feeling of great happiness and pleasure, often sexual pleasure 2 MAINLY LITERARY an extreme emotional religious state during which you do not realize what is happening around you be in ecstasies or go into ecstasies to talk in a very excited way about something that you like or admire

escrow

['eskrәu] noun [uncount] LEGAL money, property, or a legal document that is kept by someone until a particular thing has happened a. in escrow kept by someone until a particular thing has happened

festal

['festәl] adjective Date: 15th century of or relating to a feast or festival ; festive • ly adverb

figure

['figә] noun 1 number/amount 2 important person 3 drawing in a book 4 mathematical shape 5 person or person's shape + PHRASES 1 [count often plural] an official number that has been counted or calculated: Government figures show a continued decline in unemployment. This year's sales figures were excellent. The final inflation figure was 6.5% for the year. 1a. a number: She sat and stared at the figures on the page. single/double figures (=a number above/below 10): Inflation has reached double figures for the first time in 15 years. 1b. an amount of money: What kind of figure are we looking at for this project? put a figure on something: It's difficult to put an exact figure on the rebuilding work. three/four/five/six figures: The chairman's bonus payment could well reach six figures this year. 1c. figures [plural] calculations that you do using numbers 2 [count] someone who is important in some way: a prominent/key/leading figure She was the dominant figure in British politics in the 1980s. 2a. a father/mother figure someone who is considered by others to be like a father or mother 3 [count] a drawing in a book that gives information: ILLUSTRATION, DIAGRAM: Figure 8 illustrates changing patterns of employment over the years. 4 [count] TECHNICAL a shape in mathematics: a five-sided figure 5 [count] used for talking about someone you do not know, when you are referring to the shape of their body: A small figure appeared in the doorway. 5a. a picture or model of someone: There are three figures in the foreground. a stone figure of a man 5b. the shape of a woman's body, for example whether she is fat or thin: How to achieve the perfect figure without dieting. Now in her fifties, she still has a fabulous figure. keep your figure (=stay thin): After a certain age, you have to work hard to keep your figure. watch your figure (=be careful about what you eat so that you do not become fat): No cake for me, thanks, I have to watch my figure. a figure of fun BRITISH someone who is laughed at by other people FINE1 verb 1 [intransitive] to be an important part of something: figure in: Marriage doesn't figure in their plans. figure prominently: This issue will figure prominently in the next election. 2 [intransitive or transitive] INFORMAL to believe that something is true, although you do not know for certain: figure (that): I figured that Joe would have received my letter by now. it/that figures SPOKEN 1 used for saying that something seems reasonable 2 used for saying that you are not surprised when something bad happens to you: It figures that I'd break my leg as soon as the ski season started. ,figure `out phrasal verb [transitive] 1 to be able to understand something or solve a problem: We had to figure out the connection between the two events. figure out how/what/who etc.: I couldn't figure out what the teacher was talking about. 2 figure someone out to understand what someone is like and why they behave in the way they do

filial

['filiәl] adjective FORMAL concerning sons and daughters and their relationship to their parents

flannel

['flænl] noun 1 [uncount] soft cotton cloth used for making clothes and sheets 1a. [uncount] soft cloth made from wool, used for making clothes 1b. [count] BRITISH a small piece of cloth used for washing yourself. American washcloth 2 flannels [plural] pants made of wool flannel 3 [uncount] BRITISH INFORMAL talk that deliberately avoids dealing with a subject honestly or directly

flatcar

['flætkɑ:] noun [count] AMERICAN a railroad car with no roof or walls, used for carrying large or heavy goods

facile

['fæsil] adjective too simple to deal with the difficulties of a real situation: facile conclusions

falsehood

['fɒ:lshud] noun FORMAL 1 [count] a statement that is not true: LIE 2 [uncount] the fact of being not true opposite TRUTH

formative

['fɒ:mәtiv] adjective [usually before noun] strongly influencing the development of someone's character and beliefs: Her first year at college was a formative experience. I spent my formative years in the Middle East.

folderol

['fɒldәrɒl] also falderal noun Date: circa 1820 1. a useless ornament or accessory ; trifle 2. nonsense

forage

['fɒridʒ] verb [intransitive] 1 to search in a wide area for something, especially food: They spend their days foraging for food around the city. 2 to use your hands to search inside something, for example a pocket or a bag noun [uncount] food for animals, especially crops grown for horses and cows

gamy

['geimi] adjective with the strong flavor of a wild animal or bird

grumpy

['grʌmpi] adjective unhappy and dissatisfied, often for no obvious reason grumpily adverb

gangrene

['gæŋgri:n] noun [uncount] a serious medical condition in which a part of someone's body decays when the blood stops flowing to it because of an injury or disease

garnish

['gɑ:niʃ] verb [transitive] 1 to add something to a dish of food to make it look more attractive: garnish something with something: Garnish the fish with lemon slices. 2 garnish or garnishee to take a part of the money that someone earns in order to pay a DEBT that they owe: They're garnishing his salary for child support. noun [count] something that you add to a dish of food to make it look more attractive: Use some of the parsley as a garnish.

garnishment

['gɑ:niʃmәnt] noun Date: 1550 1. ornament, garnish 2. a legal summons or warning concerning the attachment of property to satisfy a debt 3. a stoppage of a specified sum from wages to satisfy a creditor or a legal obligation (as child support)

gobble

['gɒbl] verb 1 gobble or gobble down or gobble up [intransitive or transitive] to eat something quickly and often noisily 2 [intransitive] to make the sound made by a TURKEY ,gobble `up phrasal verb [transitive] INFORMAL 1 to use a lot of something very quickly: The military gobbles up all the money. 2 if a large company or organization gobbles up a smaller one, it takes control of it 3 same as GOBBLE 1: The cakes had all been gobbled up. ,gobble `down phrasal verb [transitive] same as GOBBLE 1: He gobbled down his lunch and left.

goblin

['gɒblin] noun [count] a creature in children's stories that looks like a small person and enjoys causing trouble

godly

['gɒdli] adjective showing respect for God and living according to religious rules

goggle

['gɒgl] verb [intransitive] INFORMAL to look at someone or something in a way that shows you are very surprised or impressed by them: He goggled at Al in disbelief.

hindmost

['haindmәust] adjective Date: 14th century farthest to the rear ; last

humid

['hju:mid] adjective hot and wet in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable

whisper

['hwispә] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to say something very quietly so that other people cannot hear you: When can I see you again? he whispered softly. Stop whispering, you two! Over here! she whispered urgently. whisper (something) to someone: Pop whispered a warning to us to keep quiet. whisper (something) in someone's ear: That's Tim, she whispered in my ear. 2 [intransitive or transitive] to tell other people a piece of news or information that may or may not be true: The workers have been whispering about more layoffs. whisper that: Some people have whispered that he offered her a job in return for her silence. 3 [intransitive] LITERARY to make a quiet gentle sound noun [count] 1 a very quiet way of saying something so that other people cannot hear you: Elizabeth's voice dropped to a low whisper. His voice was little more than a whisper. in a whisper/in whispers: The two men began talking in whispers. 2 MAINLY LITERARY something that someone says that may or may not be true: RUMOR: Whispers of a divorce soon started to circulate. 3 [singular] whisper of LITERARY a quiet gentle sound: the whisper of the wind in the trees

hapless

['hæplis] adjective a hapless person is someone you feel sorry for because bad things have happened to them

herbicide

['hә:bisaid] noun [count or uncount] a chemical used for killing weeds (=plants that are not wanted)

homestead

['hәumsted] noun [count] AMERICAN 1 a farm, including the FARMHOUSE and any other buildings on the land 2 an area of land that was given to people in the past by the U.S. government to live on and farm verb [intransitive] AMERICAN in the past, to live and work on land given by the U.S. government homesteader noun [count]

ecosystem

['i:kәu,sistәm] noun [count] SCIENCE all the plants and animals in a particular area, considered as a system with parts that depend on one another

imbricate

['imbrikeit] I. adjective Date: circa 1610 lying lapped over each other in regular order < scales> II. transitive verb (-cated; -cating) Date: 1784 overlap; especially to overlap like roof tiles

implicate

['implikeit] verb [transitive often passive] 1 to show or suggest that someone is involved in something illegal or morally wrong: implicate someone in something: Three top officials have been implicated in the scandal. 2 to make something seem likely to be the cause of something bad: Smoking has been implicated as a cancer risk factor.

introvert

['intrәuvә:t] noun [count] someone who tends to concentrate on their own thoughts and feelings instead of communicating with other people opposite EXTROVERT

earmark

['iәmɑ:k] verb [transitive] to decide to use something, especially money, for a particular purpose: Some funds are earmarked for anti-drug programs. noun [count usually plural] AMERICAN a quality or feature that is typical of someone or something

unify

['ju:nifai] verb 1 [transitive] to unite people or countries so that they will work together: They're trying to find a candidate who will unify all factions. 1a. [intransitive] to become united: If the party unifies, the bill might become law. 2 [transitive] to make things work well together: The theory unifies two fundamental forces. unifying adjective

unity

['ju:niti] noun [uncount] 1 a situation in which people, groups, or countries join together or agree about something: The aim was to create an impression of party unity. 2 the state of being complete and having all the separate parts connected: It is a theory that lacks unity.

usage

['ju:sidʒ] noun 1 [uncount] the way words are used by people when they speak and write their language: There are some major differences between British and American usage. in common usage: technical terms that are now in common usage 1a. [count] a particular meaning of a word: This usage was first recorded in the 19th century. 2 [uncount] the process of using something: We charge a monthly usage fee of £6. 2a. the amount of something that you use

utilize

['ju:tilaiz] verb [transitive] FORMAL to use something: This room is mainly utilized for training purposes. What criteria do you utilize in selecting employees? utilization noun [uncount]

caper

['keipә] noun [count] 1 a food with a strong flavor that consists of a small green flower BUD preserved in salt or VINEGAR 2 INFORMAL an activity that is not honest or not very serious: How did you get involved in that caper? verb [intransitive] LITERARY to run or jump around happily

kitty

['kiti] noun [count usually singular] 1 a way of talking to or about a cat: Here, kitty. 2 an amount of money collected by a group, to be spent on a particular thing 2a. an amount of money collected by the people playing a game, to be paid to the winner

cumulus

['kju:mjulәs] noun [uncount] TECHNICAL a mass of large low white clouds that are round at the top and flat at the bottom

cleavage

['kli:vidʒ] noun [count] 1 the space between a woman's breasts 2 FORMAL a division between two groups of people or things

clarify

['klærifai] verb [transitive] 1 FORMAL to explain something more clearly so that it is easier to understand: Could you clarify your remarks? He is expected to clarify his position today. clarify what: It is important to clarify what the change in the law will mean. 2 to make a liquid, especially butter, clear and pure, by using heat: clarified butter

quintuple

['kwintjupl] I. adjective Date: 1570 1. being five times as great or as many 2. having five units or members 3. marked by five beats per measure < meter> • noun II. verb (d; quintupling) Date: 1639 transitive verb to make five times as great or as many intransitive verb to become five times as much or as numerous

quarrelsome

['kwɒrәlsәm] adjective tending to argue with people

calcium

['kælsiәm] noun [uncount] a white chemical element that is an important part of bones and teeth and is found in some types of rock

cataclysm

['kætәklizm] noun [count] LITERARY 1 a sudden violent change, especially a social or political one 2 a sudden natural event that causes a lot of damage, for example a flood or an EARTHQUAKE

chasm

['kæzәm] noun [count] 1 a very big difference that separates one person or group from another: between: a widening between town and country 2 a very deep crack in rock or ice

chorus

['kɒ:rәs] noun 1 [count] the part of a song that does not change and is repeated several times: He encouraged the audience to join in the chorus. 1a. a piece of music that is sung by a large group of people 2 [count] a large group of people who sing together: the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus 2a. a group of singers and dancers who perform together in a show but who are not the main performers: Her first job was in the chorus and now she plays the leading role. 3 [count] in ancient Greek plays, a group of actors who all speak the same words, describing the action and making comments about it 4 [count or uncount] a group of people speaking together: in chorus: Good morning, Mrs. Fulton, the children answered in chorus. 4a. [count] a group of people expressing the same opinion: The government's proposals have been met with a growing chorus of disapproval. DAWN CHORUS verb [transitive] LITERARY when people chorus something, they say it together

coxcomb

['kɒkskәum] noun [count] an old word meaning a man who is too interested in his clothes and appearance

commissary

['kɒmisәri] noun [count] AMERICAN 1 a supermarket for members of the military 2 a restaurant in a large organization, especially in a movie or television STUDIO

compliment

['kɒmplimәnt] noun [count] 1 something nice that you say to praise someone: It is a compliment to be compared to her. pay/give someone a compliment: He kept paying me compliments on my cooking. take something as a compliment (=consider it to be a compliment, even if it was not intended to be): Mom says I'm stubborn, but I'll take that as a compliment. 1a. something that shows you approve of someone or respect them: pay someone the compliment of: He paid me the compliment of inviting me to sing at his wedding. opposite INSULT 2 compliments [plural] OLD-FASHIONED used for greeting someone, or giving them your good wishes compliments to someone used for praising someone: Compliments to the chef, that lobster was delicious! fish for compliments to try to make someone give you a compliment, without asking them directly return the compliment to do something for someone in return for something that they did for you with someone's compliments or with the compliments of someone used for showing that you do not have to pay for something: Please accept this wine with the compliments of the management. with compliments used for showing that you do not have to pay for something someone has sent you verb [transitive] to say something nice to or about someone: Her parents never praised or complimented her. compliment someone on something: Everybody complimented her on the way she handled the emergency.

conduit

['kɒndit] noun [count] 1 a pipe or passage that water flows through to go from one place to another 2 a plastic tube that covers and protects wires 3 FORMAL a person, place, or system that is used for passing goods or information from one group of people to another

confluence

['kɒnfluәns] noun [singular] FORMAL 1 a place where two rivers join 2 a situation in which two or more things come together

cultivated

['kʌltiveitid] adjective 1 a cultivated person is well educated and knows how to behave politely: a cultivated man/voice/accent 2 cultivated land is used for growing crops or plants 2a. developed from wild crops or plants and grown on farms or in gardens: wild and cultivated flowers

customary

['kʌstәmәri] adjective usual in a particular society or situation: It is customary to offer the repairman a cup of coffee. a. usual for a particular person: Michael worked with his customary thoroughness and care. customarily adverb

currish

['kә:riʃ] adjective Date: 15th century 1. ignoble 2. resembling a cur ; mongrel • ly adverb

cogent

['kәudʒәnt] adjective FORMAL a cogent argument is reasonable and sensible cogently adverb

levy

['levi] noun [count] an amount of money that you have to pay, for example as a tax verb [transitive] to officially request payment of a tax

leakage

['li:kidʒ] noun 1 [uncount] the process of leaking a liquid or gas 1a. [count or uncount] an amount of gas or liquid that leaks out of something 2 [count] an occasion when secret or private information is told to reporters

libertine

['libәti:n] noun [count] LITERARY someone who behaves in an immoral way, especially someone who has a lot of sexual relationships

linear

['liniә] adjective FORMAL 1 consisting of lines or a straight line: a linear design 1a. capable of being shown by a straight line, for example on a GRAPH: Students' reading does not always progress in a linear fashion. linear growth 1b. relating to the length of a line: a linear measurement 2 involving ideas or events that are directly connected and follow one after the other: The plot has a simple linear structure. linearity noun [uncount]

lariat

['læriәt] noun [count] AMERICAN 1 a LASSO used for catching horses, cows, etc. 2 a rope used for tying a horse to a post while it is eating grass in a field

lavish

['læviʃ] adjective something that is lavish exists, is spent, or is given in a very large amount, especially if it costs a lot of money: a lavish dinner/lifestyle/garden lavish presents be lavish with something to give something generously: He is always lavish with his praise. lavishly adverb: a lavishly decorated ballroom verb [transitive] to give someone a lot of something, for example money, love, or attention: lavish something on/upon someone: They lavished attention on their grandchildren. lavish someone with something: He thought he would win her by lavishing her with expensive gifts.

laughingstock

['lɑ:fiŋstɒk] noun Date: 1533 an object of ridicule

menial

['mi:niәl] adjective menial work is boring or dirty and is considered to be of low status: a menial job in the kitchens noun [count] someone who does menial work

milksop

['milksɒp] noun [count] OLD-FASHIONED an insulting word for a boy or man who is not brave

magistrate

['mædʒistreit] noun [count] a judge in a court for minor crimes

marital

['mæritәl] adjective relating to marriage: marital problems/difficulties

mutter

['mʌtә] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to talk in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear, especially because you are annoyed or embarrassed, or are talking to yourself: He muttered an apology and then left. That's a matter of opinion, she muttered under her breath. mutter (something) about someone/something: Her husband muttered something about going out to find her. mutter to yourself: He turned and went upstairs, muttering to himself. 2 [intransitive] to complain indirectly or unofficially: mutter about: People began muttering about the unfair way he was being treated. noun [count] muttering noun [count or uncount]

nectar

['nektә] noun 1 [count or uncount] a thick juice that comes from some fruits: peach nectar 1a. [uncount] a sweet liquid that some flowers make and that insects and birds drink 2 [uncount] a drink that tastes very good 2a. nectar of the gods HUMOROUS used for saying that a drink tastes extremely good

nuisance

['nju:sns] noun 1 [count usually singular] something that is annoying and is a continuing problem: The bugs in the software were a nuisance. What a nuisance that we can't use the school hall. a bit of a nuisance: These flies are a bit of a nuisance. 1a. a person who causes some difficulty or trouble for someone else: Most people found him an awful nuisance. I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone. 1b. make a nuisance of yourself to do something that causes difficulty or trouble for other people: I hope the kids didn't make too much of a nuisance of themselves. 2 [count or uncount] LEGAL illegal behavior that is annoying or offensive to other people

natty

['næti] adjective INFORMAL attractive and fashionable: SMART

nautical

['nɒ:tikәl] adjective relating to ships and sailing nautically adverb

peddle

['pedl] verb [transitive] 1 to sell something on the street or by going to customers, instead of in a store: He's peddling T-shirts on the beach. 1a. to sell something illegal or harmful, especially drugs 2 to try to make people believe a story, explanation, or idea, especially when it is wrong: He's traveled all over Europe peddling his racist views. peddle your influence to get money from people by saying you can help them by using your influence or friendship with someone in authority

pedant

['pedәnt] noun [count] someone who gives too much importance to details and formal rules, especially of grammar. This word shows that you dislike people like this.

pathos

['peiθɒs] noun [uncount] a quality in a person or situation that makes you feel sad or sorry for them

pestilent

['pestilәnt] or pestilential adjective 1 LITERARY very annoying 2 FORMAL relating to or causing a pestilence

piecemeal

['pi:smi:l] adjective made or done in separate stages rather than being planned and done as a whole: a piecemeal approach to the problem adverb

peon

['pi:әn] noun [count] 1 AMERICAN HUMOROUS used for describing someone who works hard for little money or who feels they are not respected in their job 2 a farm worker in Latin America, especially one who is very poor and does hard physical work

pistol

['pistl] noun [count] a small gun that you hold in one hand

puberty

['pju:bәti] noun [uncount] the period in life when a child changes physically into an adult and is able to have children

purity

['pjuәrәti] noun [uncount] 1 the condition of being pure, especially in moral behavior: There was a purity and a peace in his life. opposite IMPURITY 2 a clear or beautiful quality in sound, writing, music, etc.: purity of: I enjoy the purity and beauty of his writing. 3 a state of being clean and free from anything harmful: the purity of spring water

pregnant

['pregnәnt] adjective 1 if a woman is pregnant, she has a baby developing inside her body: You should not smoke if you are pregnant. I was eight months' pregnant at the time. get/become pregnant: She's been trying to get pregnant for a year now. pregnant with: I remember I was pregnant with Jenny when we moved here. get someone pregnant: He had started seeing a girl called Freda and got her pregnant. heavily pregnant (=at a late stage in the pregnancy): a heavily pregnant woman 2 full of meaning or possibilities that have not yet happened or been expressed: pregnant with: The situation was pregnant with possibilities. pregnant pause/silence: OK, let's move on, said Bartlett after a long and pregnant pause.

prickle

['prikl] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to feel something sharp and uncomfortable on your skin or to cause this feeling: She felt frost prickling her face. His new wool pants prickled his legs. 2 [intransitive] to experience a burning or cold feeling caused by a strong emotion: His cheeks prickled with embarrassment. noun [count] 1 an uncomfortable stinging feeling on your skin caused by something sharp: She felt the prickle of his beard against her face. 1a. an uncomfortable feeling on your skin caused by an emotion: a prickle of fear/anxiety 2 MAINLY BRITISH a sharp pointed part on a plant or animal: STICKER

proctor

['prɒktә] noun [count] AMERICAN someone who is in charge of a group of students who are taking an examination verb [intransitive or transitive]

protege

['prәutәʒei] (feminine protegee) noun (from French) a young person who is helped in their career and personal development by a more experienced person: a protege of the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin

pushy

['puʃi] adjective INFORMAL extremely determined to get what you want, even if it annoys other people: children with pushy parents pushily adverb pushiness noun [uncount]

pasteurize

['pæstәraiz] (BrE also pasteurise) verb [VN] to heat a liquid, especially milk, to a particular temperature and then cool it, in order to kill harmful bacteria: pasteurized milk pasteurization, pasteurisation noun [U]

pauper

['pɒ:pә] noun [count] OLD-FASHIONED a very poor person

porridge

['pɒ:ridʒ] noun [uncount] BRITISH OATMEAL

popinjay

['pɒpindʒei] noun [count] MAINLY LITERARY an old word meaning a young man who cares too much about his appearance

pulverize

['pʌlvәraiz] verb [transitive] 1 to crush something into very small pieces, or powder, or a nearly liquid substance 2 INFORMAL to defeat an opponent completely: Our team was pulverized by the defending champions.

pungent

['pʌndʒәnt] adjective 1 a pungent taste or smell is very strong and sharp 2 pungent comments or remarks criticize something in a direct and effective way pungency noun [uncount] pungently adverb

perjure

['pә:dʒә] verb LEGAL perjure yourself to lie when you are giving evidence in a court of law perjurer noun [count]

personage

['pә:snidʒ] noun [count] FORMAL 1 an important or famous person 2 someone in a book, play, or movie, or in history

potable

['pәutәbl] adjective VERY FORMAL potable water is safe to drink

reckless

['reklis] adjective not thinking about the possible bad effects of your actions: Don't do anything reckless. She showed a reckless disregard for her own safety. recklessly adverb recklessness noun [uncount]

relegate

['religeit] verb [transitive] to move someone or something to a less important position: relegate someone/something to something: They've relegated us to this dark little office. be relegated BRITISH to be moved into a lower DIVISION opposite PROMOTE relegation noun [uncount]

ridicule

['ridikju:l] noun [uncount] remarks or behavior intended to make someone or something seem silly by making fun of them in an unkind way: The idea met with such ridicule that it was dropped. object of ridicule (=someone or something that people make fun of): Her old-fashioned ideas risk making her an object of ridicule. hold someone/something up to ridicule (=make them look silly in public): The government could be held up to ridicule if the project goes ahead unchanged. verb [transitive] to try to make someone or something seem silly by making fun of them in an unkind way: Oliver felt he was being ridiculed by the students.

riffraff

['rifræf] noun [uncount] an insulting word for people who are considered to belong to a low social and economic group and are thought not to know how to behave correctly in social situations

ragged

['rægid] adjective 1 MAINLY LITERARY torn and dirty: a pair of ragged shorts Ragged posters hung on the walls. 1a. ragged people are wearing old dirty clothes and look very poor: ragged children playing in the street 2 with edges that are not straight or smooth: the ragged appearance of a bite wound 3 not skillful or organized: It was a pretty ragged performance from the champions. 4 not smooth or regular: He took a few ragged breaths and began to run again. run someone ragged INFORMAL to make someone feel extremely tired by forcing them to do a lot of work: Doctors and nurses were run ragged during the recent flu epidemic. raggedly adverb

rally

['ræli] noun 1 public meeting 2 an increase in value 3 in tennis etc. 4 car race 5 improvement 1 [count] a public meeting that a lot of people go to in order to support something or protest against something: a pro-democracy rally hold/stage a rally (=make it happen): Environmental groups held a rally in Washington last week. mass rally (=one that a lot of people go to): a mass rally in support of the strike 2 [singular] an increase in the value of something after a period when its value has been low: There has been a sharp rally in the price of gold. 3 [count] an occasion when two players in a game such as tennis hit the ball to each other several times before either of them wins the point 4 [count] a car race on public roads or land: a rally driver the ParisDakar rally 5 [count] an improvement in the way a team is playing after they have played badly 5a. an improvement in someone's health after they have been sick verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to join other people in order to support someone or something when they are having problems: rally to someone's defense/assistance/support: Parents rallied to the defense of the school. rally behind: Supporters have been quick to rally behind the team. rally to the cause (=join other people in order to support something specific): Animal rights groups have rallied to the cause of this endangered species. rally support (for something) (=encourage people to support something): A demonstration is planned to rally support for the workforce. 2 [intransitive] if things such as prices rally, they improve and increase in value after being low: World financial markets rallied after the announcement. 3 [intransitive] if a player or team rallies, they improve and start to play well after playing badly: Cleveland rallied late in the game to beat Detroit 54. 3a. if you rally, your health improves and you get better after being sick: She had showed no signs of rallying since the operation. ,rally a`round or ,rally `round phrasal verb [intransitive or transitive] INFORMAL to work with other people to help someone in a difficult situation: Friends and neighbors rallied around to help.

raucous

['rɒ:kәs] adjective 1 rude, noisy, and violent: a raucous gang of teenagers 2 a raucous voice or noise is loud and sounds rough: Raucous laughter came from inside. raucously adverb

rarefy

['rєәrifai] also rarify verb (-fied; -fying) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to make rare, thin, porous, or less dense ; to expand without the addition of matter 2. to make more spiritual, refined, or abstruse intransitive verb to become less dense

centaur

['sentɒ:] noun [count] a creature in ancient Greek stories with the head, arms, and chest of a man, and the body and legs of a horse

cerebral

['seribrәl] adjective 1 MEDICAL relating to or affecting your brain 2 FORMAL dealing with complicated ideas rather than with emotions: INTELLECTUAL: her rather cerebral style of fiction

senile

['si:nail] adjective someone who is senile is confused, forgets things, or behaves in a strange way, because they are old senility noun [uncount]

sibling

['sibliŋ] noun [count] FORMAL your siblings are your brothers and sisters

sycophant

['sikәfәnt] noun [count] FORMAL an insulting word for someone who praises rich or powerful people in order to gain an advantage sycophancy noun [uncount] sycophantic adjective: He expects sycophantic devotion from his staff.

cynical

['sinikәl] adjective 1 someone who is cynical believes that people care only about themselves and are not sincere or honest 2 someone who is cynical expects things not to be successful or useful: cynical about: I know that some of you are very cynical about the proposals. 3 willing to let other people be harmed so that you can get an advantage: Democrats said it was a cynical attempt to smear the President's reputation. cynically adverb

scissor

['sizә] verb [transitive] 1 to move something, especially your legs, backward and forward in the way that scissors move 2 to cut something using scissors

serial

['siәriәl] noun [count] a story that is broadcast or published in a series of separate parts: a three-part adventure serial for children adjective [only before noun] 1 doing something or happening several times in the same way 1a. used for describing criminals or crimes: serial murders 1b. used for describing a person or their behavior, often in a humorous way: a serial flirt 2 arranged in a series or forming part of a series: serial files serially adverb

pseudonym

['sju:dәnim] noun [count] a name that someone uses that is not their real name, especially for writing a book

squalor

['skwɒlә] noun [uncount] dirty and uncomfortable conditions that people live or work in

scurrilous

['skʌrilәs] adjective FORMAL containing unkind statements about someone that are not true and could spoil that person's reputation scurrilously adverb scurrilousness noun [uncount]

slippage

['slipidʒ] noun [uncount] the action of slipping or moving, or the amount by which something slips or moves a. a situation in which something is delayed or not achieved when it should be: Some slippage is acceptable as long as the final deadline is met.

snuggle

['snʌgl] verb [intransitive or transitive] to put yourself into a warm, comfortable, and safe position, for example by sitting with your body against someone else's body, or sliding your body down under the covers on a bed: an evening snuggling together on the couch snuggle down/under/into etc.: I snuggled down into my sleeping-bag.

spatula

['spætʃәlә] noun [count] a kitchen tool with a handle at one end and a wide flat part at the other for lifting hot foods or for spreading soft substances a. a similar tool used for applying paint or some other substance to a surface

spongy

['spʌndʒi] adjective 1 light and full of holes: a spongy texture 2 with a surface that sinks when you push it, then returns to its original shape: spongy ground sponginess noun [uncount]

stately

['steitli] adjective 1 stately movement is slow and steady 2 a stately person has an impressive appearance and moves in a slow steady manner stateliness noun [uncount]

sticky

['stiki] adjective 1 a sticky substance sticks to other things: a heavy sticky soil The dough should be soft but not sticky. 1a. sticky objects are covered with a substance that sticks to things: I licked my sticky fingers. sticky with: His hair was sticky with blood. 1b. sticky food contains a lot of sugar and has a sticky surface: sticky caramel/candy/doughnuts 1c. sticky paper or plastic has glue on one side so that it sticks to a surface: sticky labels STICKER 2 sticky weather is hot and DAMP (=with a lot of water in the air): HUMID: a warm and sticky summer afternoon 2a. if you feel sticky, your skin feels hot and slightly wet: SWEATY 3 a sticky situation is difficult or dangerous: TRICKY come to/meet a sticky end BRITISH INFORMAL to die or suffer badly, especially when this is deserved have sticky fingers INFORMAL to be likely to steal something stickily adverb stickiness noun [uncount]

steward

['stju:wәd] noun [count] 1 a man whose job is to take care of the passengers on an airplane, train, or ship, especially serving them with food and drink 1a. a man whose job is to provide food and drink in a club, college, etc. 2 someone who takes care of something and protects it: the steward of the club's funds 3 someone who helps to organize people at an event such as a soccer game or a horse race 4 someone whose job was to take care of a house or land for someone else in the past SHOP STEWARD

stratagem

['strætidʒәm] noun [count] FORMAL a plan for achieving something or tricking someone

stalwart

['stɒ:lwәt] adjective 1 a stalwart friend or supporter is very loyal 2 LITERARY used for describing a person who looks very strong noun [count]

stodgy

['stɒdʒi] adjective 1 boring and not easy to read 1a. boring and not willing to do things 2 solid and not pleasant to eat

sanctify

['sæŋktifai] verb [transitive] to make something or someone holy, especially in a religious ceremony sanctification noun [uncount]

sojourn

['sɒdʒә:n] noun [count] LITERARY a stay in a place that is longer than a vacation but not permanent verb [intransitive] LITERARY to stay for a period of time in a place that is not your home

sophistry

['sɒfistri] noun [count or uncount] FORMAL arguments or explanations that seem clever and correct but are really false and used for tricking people

solitary

['sɒlitәri] adjective 1 tending to spend a lot of time alone: a largely solitary bird 1a. in a place or situation where there are no other people: the solitary inhabitant of the island A solitary police officer stood at the gate. 1b. done or experienced by someone who is alone: Mathematical research is a largely solitary pursuit. 2 [always in negatives] used for emphasizing that there is not even one person or thing: He didn't say a single solitary word to me all evening. noun [uncount] INFORMAL SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

suffrage

['sʌfridʒ] noun [uncount] the right to vote: She was a strong advocate of women's suffrage. universal suffrage (=voting by all people in a country): The presidential election was Taiwan's first by universal suffrage.

summon

['sʌmәn] verb [transitive] 1 FORMAL to officially order someone to come to a place, especially a court of law: summon someone to something: He was urgently summoned to Washington for consultations. summon someone to do something: She has been summoned to appear in court for non-payment of taxes. 1a. to ask or order someone to come to you: Maria summoned a waiter and ordered a drink. 1b. to arrange a formal meeting and tell people to come to it: summon a meeting/council/assembly: The bank summoned a meeting of creditors. 1c. to ask for something that you need in an emergency: Phone this number if you need to summon help. A fire crew arrived, took one look, and summoned an ambulance. 2 summon or summon up to manage to produce a quality or a reaction that helps you deal with a difficult situation: He couldn't summon the strength to carry on fighting. She could barely summon up a smile.

timeworn

['taimwɒ:n] adjective damaged or spoiled by being used a lot or by becoming old

tenor

['tenә] noun 1 [uncount] the middle and higher range of musical notes written for men to sing: Eric sings tenor. 1a. [count] a man who sings this range of musical notes 1b. [count] a musical instrument that plays a middle range of musical notes: a tenor saxophone 2 [singular] tenor of the feeling, mood, or main message that you get from a book, person, situation, etc.: I think the tenor of the discussions has been pretty positive.

tinny

['tini] adjective 1 a tinny sound is high and unpleasant: a cheap radio playing tinny music 2 tinny objects are made from thin metal of bad quality: a tinny little car

tumid

['tju:mid] adjective Date: 1541 1. marked by swelling ; swollen, enlarged <a badly infected leg> 2. protuberant, bulging <sails in the breeze> 3. bombastic, turgid

tutor

['tju:tә] noun [count] 1 someone who gives private lessons in a particular subject: my daughter's violin tutor 2 someone who teaches and advises a group of students at a university verb [transitive] FORMAL to teach someone

trowel

['trauәl] noun [count] 1 a small tool with a curved blade that is used in gardens for digging small holes or removing plants 2 a small tool with a flat blade used for spreading substances such as CEMENT or PLASTER onto bricks or walls

truancy

['tru:әnsi] noun [uncount] the act or habit of staying away from school without permission

truant

['tru:әnt] noun [count] a child who stays away from school without permission play truant BRITISH to stay away from school without permission: Parents often don't know their children are playing truant. adjective

trundle

['trʌndl] verb 1 [intransitive] trundle along/back/off/through to roll slowly on wheels 1a. [transitive] to push or pull something slowly on wheels 2 [intransitive] trundle in/off/past to move slowly with regular heavy steps: He got up from his chair and trundled off to bed. ,trundle `out phrasal verb [transitive] to give information, reasons, or a list of things that you have given many times before: TROT OUT: The same old arguments were trundled out to support their claim.

tadpole

['tædpәul] noun [count] a small animal that lives in water and develops into a FROG

checkpoint

['tʃekpɒint] noun [count] a place where traffic can be stopped by soldiers or police

chatty

['tʃæti] adjective 1 someone who is chatty enjoys talking a lot in a friendly way: Rosie is certainly in a chatty mood today. 2 a chatty writing style is friendly and informal: a bright, chatty letter

chancy

['tʃɑ:nsi] adjective INFORMAL involving a risk and not certain to be successful: RISKY: Buying a used car is always a little chancy.

turret

['tʌrit] noun [count] 1 a high part on a military ship or vehicle where guns are attached. You can turn it in order to shoot the guns in any direction. 2 a small tower on the top of a building such as a castle turreted adjective

turbulent

['tә:bjulәnt] adjective 1 turbulent air or water moves suddenly and violently in different directions 2 a turbulent situation, place, or period is one in which there is a lot of uncontrolled change: the recent turbulent history of the Russian people

venison

['venizn] noun [uncount] the meat from a DEER

verify

['verifai] verb [transitive] FORMAL to check or prove that something is true or correct: There was no way to verify his claims. a. to say that something is true or correct: His story has been verified by other witnesses. verification noun [uncount]: We need verification of your new address.

vicious

['viʃәs] adjective 1 extremely violent: a vicious attack/assault a vicious act of violence a vicious thug/killer a vicious animal He had a cruel and vicious streak. 2 extremely unkind or unpleasant: It was only a vicious rumor. He had a vicious temper. Her tone was vicious. viciously adverb viciousness noun [uncount]

vanguard

['vængɑ:d] noun [singular] 1 the people who introduce and develop new ways of thinking, new technologies, etc.: The students consider themselves the vanguard of the independence movement. 1a. in the vanguard in a leading position: Microprocessor technology is in the vanguard of modern production techniques. 2 the part of an army or navy that leads a battle

vulpine

['vʌlpain] adjective (formal) of or like a FOX: a vulpine grin

votary

['vәutәri] noun [count] FORMAL someone who is a very enthusiastic follower of a particular religion

wigwag

['wigwæg] I. verb Date: 1892 transitive verb 1. to signal by ging 2. to cause to intransitive verb 1. to send a signal by or as if by a flag or light waved according to a code 2. to make a signal (as by waving the hand or arm) II. noun Date: 1893 the art or practice of ging

wanderlust

['wɒndәlʌst] noun [singular or uncount] a strong wish to travel

warren

['wɒrәn] noun [count] 1 a RABBIT WARREN 2 a place that is very difficult to find your way around because there are so many ways you could go

axis

['æksis] (plural axes ) noun [count] 1 an imaginary line that passes through the middle of a planet or other round object and that the object seems to spin around: The Earth rotates barely perceptibly on its axis. 1a. an imaginary line that divides a square, circle, or other regular shape into two equal halves: an axis of symmetry 2 in mathematics one of the two fixed lines used for showing measurements or finding the position of points on a GRAPH: the vertical/horizontal axis 3 an agreement between two or more countries or people that gives them power or influence: the Paris-Berlin axis

aquiline

['ækwәlain] adjective FORMAL 1 relating to or like an EAGLE (=a large bird) 2 an aquiline nose is large and curved

angular

['æŋgjulә] adjective 1 an angular part of your body is not covered by much flesh so that you can see the shape of the bones: a tall man with an angular face 2 containing a lot of angles: angular handwriting

offing

['ɒ:fiŋ] noun in the offing likely to happen very soon: We have several projects in the offing.

awkward

['ɒ:kwәd] adjective 1 difficult to deal with and embarrassing: After he spoke there was an awkward silence. Luckily nobody asked any awkward questions about what he was doing there. It's a little awkward, because he's my friend but I'm still his boss. 1a. something that is awkward is difficult to deal with or use because of its shape or position: The crates were much too heavy and awkward for one person to carry. 1b. BRITISH someone who is awkward is difficult to deal with or please, and causes problems, often deliberately 2 not comfortable, relaxed, or confident: He stood there looking stiff and awkward in his uniform. feel awkward about (doing) something: She felt awkward about asking to borrow more money. 3 slightly wrong and not attractive or graceful: She had arranged all the furniture at awkward angles. awkwardness noun [uncount]

orifice

['ɒrifis] noun [count] FORMAL a hole, especially one in your body such as your mouth

otter

['ɒtә] noun [count] an animal that has a long body covered in brown fur and that can swim very well

chevron

['ʃevrәn] noun [count] a shape like a V a. a symbol in the shape of an upside-down V that soldiers, police officers, etc. wear on their sleeve to show their rank

shortchange

['ʃɒ:t'tʃeindʒ] verb [transitive] 1 INFORMAL to treat someone or something in an unfair way by not giving them enough of the praise, opportunities, attention, etc. that they need or deserve: Many people in the office felt that they had been shortchanged by their performance evaluations. 2 if you shortchange someone who is paying for something, you do not give them back enough money when they have paid more than the price of the thing: I'm sure they shortchanged me at the bar.

chauffeur

['ʃәufә] noun [count] someone whose job is to drive a rich and important person around in their car, usually wearing a special uniform verb [transitive] to drive a rich and important person around in their car as your job, usually wearing a special uniform

underling

['ʌndәliŋ] noun [count] an insulting word for someone who is less important or has lower status in an organization than someone else: SUBORDINATE

upgrade

['ʌpgreid] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to make a computer or other machine more powerful or effective: The system has been upgraded to meet customers' needs. upgrade to: You'll need to upgrade to 128Mb RAM to run these programs. upgrade from: Existing users can upgrade from the previous version free of charge. 1a. [transitive] to improve the quality of a service or product: £1.5 million is being spent on upgrading security procedures. 2 [transitive] to officially give someone or something a higher status: Four of the five regions have now been upgraded to republics. noun [count] a piece of equipment or software designed to make a computer more powerful: hardware upgrades a. the process of upgrading a computer

thrifty

['θrifti] adjective careful about how you spend money so that you do not waste any

thorny

['θɒ:ni] adjective 1 a thorny issue, problem, subject, etc. is one that is difficult to deal with: the thorny issue of land ownership Now we come to the thorny question of cost. 2 covered with thorns

aerosol

['єәrәusɒl] noun [count] a container in which a liquid such as paint or PERFUME is kept under high pressure so that it can be SPRAYED (=forced out in very small drops): an aerosol can/spray

outsmart

[,aut'smɑ:t] verb [transitive] to gain an advantage over someone, especially by using a clever or dishonest trick: OUTWIT

ballyhoo

[,bæli'hu:] noun [uncount] INFORMAL a lot of excitement or arguing about something, especially something that does not deserve the attention it is getting

detrimental

[,detri'mentәl] adjective harmful or damaging: Overexposure to sunlight can have a detrimental effect on the skin. detrimentally adverb

deportation

[,di:pɒ:'teiʃәn] noun [count or uncount] a situation in which someone is deported from a country: the deportation of illegal workers

disillusion

[,disi'lu:ʒәn] verb [transitive] to make someone disappointed by showing them that someone or something is not as good as they had believed

disembody

[,disim'bɒdi] transitive verb Date: 1714 to divest of a body, of corporeal existence, or of reality

disproportion

[,disprә'pɒ:ʃәn] noun [count or uncount] FORMAL a situation in which things are not equal, or bigger or smaller than they should be in comparison to each other

epicurean

[,epikju'ri:әn] adjective LITERARY relating to the enjoyment of things such as good food and drink

esoteric

[,esәu'terik] adjective known about or understood by very few people: a rather esoteric debate about European tax rules

fusillade

[,fju:zi'leid] noun [count] 1 a series of shots fired from several guns at the same time 2 a lot of complaints, criticisms, questions, etc. coming quickly one after another

hitherto

[,hiðә'tu:] adverb VERY FORMAL until the present time: PREVIOUSLY: Wight's book includes hitherto unpublished material.

importune

[,impɒ:'tju:n] verb [transitive] VERY FORMAL to keep asking someone for something in a determined and annoying way

innuendo

[,inju:'endәu] (plural innuendoes or innuendos) noun [count or uncount] 1 the use of statements with a second possible meaning, usually referring to sex and intended as a joke, or one of these statements: a comic act full of sexual innuendo 2 the use of insulting or negative comments about someone that are suggested instead of stated directly, or one of these comments: The president was brought down through gossip and innuendo.

incoherent

[,inkәu'hiәrәnt] adjective 1 badly organized or expressed and therefore difficult to understand: disconnected, incoherent sentences 2 unable to express yourself clearly: incoherent with rage incoherence noun [uncount] incoherently adverb

insincerity

[,insin'seriti] noun see insincere

insufficient

[,insә'fiʃәnt] adjective not enough: There are insufficient funds in your account. The police had insufficient evidence to arrest him. insufficiently adverb opposite SUFFICIENT

intumescence

[,intju:'mesns] noun Date: 1650 a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal; also the process of swelling up or enlarging

interdict

[,intә'dikt] noun [count] 1 LEGAL an order from a court of law that officially tells someone not to do something 2 TECHNICAL an order from the Roman Catholic Church that officially prevents someone from taking part in its services

interlace

[,intә'leis] verb [intransitive or transitive] to weave things together by making them pass under and over each other, or to be woven together in this way: interlaced branches

interregnum

[,intә'regnәm] noun [count usually singular] FORMAL a period of time in which there is temporarily no king or queen ruling a country a. a period of time when there is temporarily no one in charge of a country or large organization

irritation

[,iri'teiʃәn] noun 1 [uncount] a feeling of being annoyed or impatient: He could barely contain his irritation at their rudeness. 1a. [count] something that annoys you, especially over a period of time: the noise and irritations of modern life 2 [count or uncount] a painful feeling in a part of the body, often with red skin or swelling: drugs that can cause stomach irritation

unilateral

[,ju:ni'lætәrәl] adjective done or decided by one country, group, or person, often with no concern for what other countries, etc. think or want: Such unilateral action violates international trade rules. a unilateral ceasefire compare BILATERAL, MULTILATERAL unilaterally adverb

castigation

[,kæsti'geiʃәn] noun see castigate

consanguinity

[,kɒnsæŋ'gwiniti] noun [U] (formal) relationship by birth in the same family: different degrees of consanguinity

connotation

[,kɒnәu'teiʃәn] noun [count] an additional idea or emotion that a word suggests to you, that is not part of its usual meaning: the negative connotations of the word feminist

legislation

[,ledʒis'leiʃәn] noun [uncount] a law or set of laws: Under current legislation, factories must keep noise to a minimum. legislation to do something: She has called for legislation to eliminate handguns. a piece of legislation: a complex piece of legislation introduce/pass/enact/adopt legislation: The government should enact legislation to limit the powers of the police in such cases.

mutineer

[,mju:ti'niә] noun [count] someone who takes part in a MUTINY

malapropos

[,mæl'æprәpәu] adverb Date: 1668 in an inappropriate or inopportune way • adjective

mathematician

[,mæθәmә'tiʃәn] noun [count] someone who studies or teaches mathematics

modulation

[,mɒdju'leiʃәn] noun Date: 1501 1. an inflection of the tone or pitch of the voice; specifically the use of stress or pitch to convey meaning 2. a regulating according to measure or proportion ; tempering 3. a change from one musical key to another by modulating 4. the process of modulating a carrier or signal (as in radio); also the result of this process

peroration

[,perә'reiʃәn] noun [count] FORMAL 1 the end of a speech, in which the speaker repeats the main points 2 a long boring formal speech

predetermine

[,pri:di'tә:min] verb [VN] (formal) to decide sth in advance so that it does not happen by chance: The sex of the embryo is predetermined at fertilization. * The way in which surveys are carried out often predetermines the results that are obtained. predetermined adjective: An alarm sounds when the temperature reaches a predetermined level.

proposition

[,prɒpә'ziʃәn] noun [count] 1 statement 2 offer/suggestion 3 someone/something to be dealt with 4 suggested law 5 in mathematics/logic 1 a statement that people can examine in order to decide whether it is true: proposition that: the proposition that all religions are equally valid 2 an offer or suggestion, especially involving business or politics: I have a business proposition to put to you. 2a. an offer to have sex with someone, especially when the offer is considered offensive 3 something or someone that you have to deal with, described as having a particular quality: Finishing the run in the rain wasn't a very attractive proposition. 4 AMERICAN a suggested law or change in a law that citizens vote for or against 5 TECHNICAL a problem or statement in mathematics or LOGIC that must be solved or proved true or false verb [transitive] to offer to have sex with someone, especially in an offensive way

prosecution

[,prɒsi'kju:ʃәn] noun 1 [count or uncount] the process or act of accusing someone of a crime and asking a court of law to judge them: He could face prosecution over the incident. escape prosecution: She narrowly escaped prosecution. prosecution for: an increase in the number of prosecutions for violent crime 1a. the prosecution the lawyers who try to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty: a witness for the prosecution 2 [uncount] FORMAL the act of continuing something, especially a war

paranoia

[,pærә'nɒiә] noun [uncount] 1 the worried feeling that other people do not like you and are trying to harm you, although you have no proof of this 2 MEDICAL a mental illness that makes people believe that other people do not like them and want to harm them

persevere

[,pә:si'viә] verb [intransitive] to continue trying to achieve something difficult: persevere in/with: Police negotiators will persevere with their efforts to free the hostages.

retrospective

[,retrә'spektiv] adjective 1 relating to or considering things that happened in the past: a retrospective study/analysis 2 a retrospective law or decision affects things that have happened since a particular date in the past, before the law was introduced or the decision was made retrospectively adverb noun [count] an exhibit that includes examples of a particular artist's work from their whole career: a Norman Rockwell retrospective

rarefaction

[,rєәri'fækʃәn] noun Date: 1572 1. the action or process of rarefying 2. the quality or state of being rarefied 3. a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium traversed by compressional waves (as sound waves) • al adjective

souvenir

[,su:vә'niә] noun [count] something that you buy on vacation or at a special event to remind you later of being there

surreptitious

[,sʌrәp'tiʃәs] adjective done or made secretly, so that others will not notice: a surreptitious glance

antiseptic

[,ænti'septik] noun [count or uncount] a substance used for cleaning injured skin and preventing infections adjective

anthropologist

[,ænθrә'pɒlәdʒist] noun a person who studies anthropology

anatomical

[,ænә'tɒmikl] adjective relating to the physical structure of an animal or plant: an anatomical model anatomically adverb

appellation

[,æpә'leiʃәn] noun [count] FORMAL a name or title

avaricious

[,ævә'riʃәs] adjective Date: 15th century greedy of gain ; excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches Synonyms: see covetous • ly adverb • ness noun

avoirdupois

[,ævәdә'pɒiz] noun [U] the system of weights based on the pound

unfold

[,ʌn'fәuld] verb 1 [transitive] to open something that was folded: Lewis unfolded the note and read it quickly. We need to unfold the chairs before everyone arrives. 1a. [intransitive] to become open after being folded: The first bright red blossoms were unfolding in the field. 2 [intransitive] to happen or develop: We stood and watched the drama unfold. 2a. to become more clear as details become known: The scandal is still unfolding, and it may be weeks before it is settled.

uncouth

[,ʌn'ku:θ] adjective behaving in a way that polite people consider rude or offensive

underdog

[,ʌndә'dɒg] noun [count] a person, team, or group that seems least likely to win a game, competition, election, etc. a. a person or group that has very little money, power, or social status

undercover

[,ʌndә'kʌvә] adjective working or done secretly in order to catch criminals, get secret information, etc.: an undercover drug investigation undercover police officers adverb

overturn

[,әuvә'tә:n] verb 1 [transitive] to turn something so that its bottom or side is upward: The dogs have overturned our trash cans again. 1a. [intransitive] to turn over in this way: The truck overturned and fell off the bridge. 2 [transitive] to say officially that something such as a decision or law is wrong and change it: The appeal court refused to overturn the lower court's decision.

overawe

[,әuvәr'ɒ:] verb [VN] [usually passive] to impress sb so much that they feel nervous or frightened: The younger players were overawed by the occasion and played badly.

beige

[beiʒ] adjective very pale brown in color: a jacket noun [uncount]

befall

[bi'fɒ:l] (past tense befell ; past participle befallen ) verb [intransitive or transitive] LITERARY if something unpleasant befalls you, it happens to you

berate

[bi'reit] verb [transitive] FORMAL to talk to someone in an angry way because they have done something wrong: berate someone for (doing) something: Their teacher berated them for being late.

bereaved

[bi'ri:vd] adjective a bereaved person is someone whose close friend or family member has recently died

barge

[bɑ:dʒ] noun [count] a long flat boat used on rivers and CANALS verb [intransitive] barge past/through/out etc. to move in a fast careless way, often hitting people or things: He barged past me without looking. ,barge `in phrasal verb [intransitive] to enter a room suddenly and noisily, usually interrupting someone in a rude way: The kids just barge in without knocking. barge in on: He just barged in on us in the middle of a meeting.

budge

[bʌdʒ] verb [intransitive or transitive usually in negatives] to move, or to move something, especially something that is very heavy or is stuck: I pulled again, but the wheel wouldn't budge. It was wedged between two stones and we couldn't it. from: They couldn't her (=persuade her to move) from his office until she got an answer. not budge to refuse to change your opinion or decision about something: We've tried everything but they won't on the price. INCH1 ,`up phrasal verb [intransitive] BRITISH INFORMAL to move so that there is space for someone else

bulk

[bʌlk] noun [count usually singular] something that is very large, wide, and solid: She heaved her formidable bulk off the frail chair. We looked up at the great dark bulk of the cathedral. a. [uncount] the fact of being large: Despite its bulk and weight, the Mercedes handles like a small car. the bulk of something the majority or largest part of something: Women still undertake the bulk of domestic work in the home. in bulk bought or sold in large quantities: large companies that buy and sell in bulk adjective [only before noun] relating to the sale, production, or transportation of goods in large quantities: a producer of bulk agricultural chemicals bulk order: a bulk order for 100 Christmas trees bulk buying/purchasing/selling etc.: Co-op members get the price benefit of bulk buying. verb ,bulk `out phrasal verb [transitive] to add something to something else to make it bigger or more satisfactory: You can always bulk out a meal with bread or rice. ,bulk `up phrasal verb [intransitive] to become bigger and heavier: After bulking up for his last movie role, he's now down to a slim 75 kilos.

dilute

[dai'lju:t] verb [transitive] 1 to make a liquid less strong by adding water or another liquid: dilute something in something: Dilute the bleach in a gallon of water. dilute something with something: He was drinking a glass of wine diluted with water. 2 to make something less strong or effective: Nervousness diluted her excitement slightly. adjective a dilute liquid has been mixed with another liquid to make it less strong

dent

[dent] noun [count] a place where a surface has been pushed or knocked inward make a dent in something INFORMAL to reduce the amount of something verb [transitive] 1 to make a dent in a surface: The impact had dented the car's front bumper. 2 to have a bad effect on something: Their confidence had been badly dented by the defeat.

decamp

[di'kæmp] verb [intransitive] to leave a place in order to live or work somewhere else a. to leave a place quickly because you have done something wrong

decant

[di'kænt] verb [transitive] to pour wine out of one container and into another so that the SEDIMENT is left behind

delete

[di'li:t] verb [transitive] 1 to remove or CROSS OUT something that has been written: delete something from something: Several names had been deleted from the list. 2 to remove information stored in a computer: Your records have been deleted from our database.

deplore

[di'plɒ:] verb [transitive] FORMAL to dislike something very much, often because you think it is immoral

dissect

[di'sekt] verb [transitive] 1 to cut the body of a dead person or animal into parts in order to examine them 2 to think about or discuss the details of something in order to understand it completely dissection noun [count or uncount]

deceit

[di'si:t] noun [count or uncount] dishonest behavior that is intended to trick someone: The whole relationship was based on lies and deceit.

decentralize

[di:'sentrәlaiz] verb [transitive] to take power from a central government or organization and give it to several smaller and more local ones decentralization noun [uncount]

disclaimer

[dis'kleimә] noun [count] a written statement in which a company or person says that they do not take responsibility for something bad

displace

[dis'pleis] verb [transitive] 1 to force someone to leave their own country and live somewhere else 2 to take the place of someone or something: Investment in the nationalized industries has simply displaced private investment. 3 to force something out of its position or space: The device displaces the air inside the container.

dispatch

[dis'pætʃ] verb [transitive] FORMAL 1 to send someone or something somewhere: The goods are dispatched from a warehouse. 2 to kill a person or animal 3 to get rid of someone or something in a fast and effective way noun [count] 1 a report that a military officer sends from a BATTLEFIELD (=a place where a battle is being fought) or a government official sends from a foreign country 2 MAINLY JOURNALISM a report that a reporter sends to a newspaper office mentioned in dispatches BRITISH if a soldier is mentioned in dispatches, a senior officer sends a report to say that the soldier has fought well and should receive a MEDAL with dispatch VERY FORMAL as soon and as fast as possible

distraught

[dis'trɒ:t] adjective extremely worried, upset, or confused

disown

[dis'әun] verb [transitive] to say that you no longer want to be connected with someone or something, for example because you are ashamed of them: I think my parents would disown me if I ever got a tattoo.

dart

[dɑ:t] noun 1 [count] a small pointed object that you throw at a dartboard in order to score points in the game of DARTS 1a. [count] a small pointed object that you fire from a gun or throw as a weapon . Darts often contain poison or a drug to make wild animals become unconscious. 2 [singular] a sudden, quick, and usually short movement: make a dart for: The cat made a dart for the door as he came in. 3 [singular] dart of LITERARY a sudden, quick, and usually short feeling of fear, anger, etc. 4 [count] a narrow pointed fold made in a piece of clothing by sewing so that it has a better shape or fits better verb 1 [intransitive] dart across/forward/into/off etc. to make a sudden quick movement somewhere: She darted forward and snatched the bag away from the girl. A child darted out in front of our car. 2 [intransitive or transitive] dart something around/across/at etc. if you dart a look or a GLANCE, or if your eyes dart somewhere, you look there suddenly and for a very short time: He darted nervous glances around the auditorium.

gesticulation

[dʒe,stikju'leiʃәn] noun Date: 15th century 1. the act of making gestures 2. gesture; especially an expressive gesture made in showing strong feeling or in enforcing an argument

gin

[dʒin] noun [uncount] a strong clear alcoholic drink made from grain and small fruits called JUNIPER BERRIES to add flavor a. [count] a glass of gin GIN RUMMY

deluxe

[dә'luks] adjective used about things that are better in quality and more expensive than other things of the same type: LUXURY: a deluxe hotel/model/version

dearth

[dә:θ] noun [singular] FORMAL of a situation in which there is not enough of something: LACK

ace

[eis] noun [count] 1 in card games, a card with only one symbol and either the highest or lowest value in a SUIT: the ace of hearts 2 in tennis, a very fast SERVE (=first hit of the ball) that your opponent cannot reach with their RACKET 3 AMERICAN in golf, an occasion in which a player hits the ball into the hole with one shot 4 INFORMAL someone who is very good at doing something: an ace at solving puzzles an ace in the hole AMERICAN INFORMAL a secret or hidden advantage that you can use when you need it hold/have all the aces to have a big advantage over other people within an ace of doing something almost doing something, or nearly succeeding in doing it verb [transitive] AMERICAN 1 INFORMAL to get the best grade possible on a test, a piece of written work, etc.: I'm sure I aced that geography test. 2 to hit an ace in tennis or golf adjective 1 [only before noun] INFORMAL very skillful: an ace pilot/player/skier 2 SPOKEN very good: Their new song is ace!

fig

[fig] noun [count] a soft fruit with purple or green skin and a lot of small seeds inside. It grows on a tree. not give a about/for something BRITISH INFORMAL OLD-FASHIONED to not care at all about something not worth a fig worth nothing

fume

[fju:m] verb [intransitive] 1 to feel or show a lot of anger: Citizens are fuming over the latest gas shortages. 2 to send out smoke or gas

flax

[flæks] noun [uncount] 1 a plant with small blue flowers that is grown for the fibers in its stem and the oil in its seeds 2 the fibers from the stem of a plant, used for making LINEN (=a strong cloth)

flub

[flʌb] verb [intransitive or transitive] AMERICAN INFORMAL to make a mistake or do something badly: I'm afraid I might my lines. noun [count]

foe

[fou] abbreviation FRIENDS OF THE EARTH noun [count] MAINLY LITERARY an enemy

frail

[freil] adjective 1 physically weak and not very healthy: He is frail, but still manages to walk with a cane. 2 not strong and therefore likely to be damaged or destroyed: a garden with a wooden fence around it attempts to rebuild the economy

foregone

[fɒ:'gʌn] adjective IDIOMS a foregone conclusion if you say that sth is a foregone conclusion, you mean that it is a result that is certain to happen: The outcome of the vote is a foregone conclusion.

ford

[fɒ:d] verb [transitive] to cross a stream or river by walking or driving through the water noun [count] a place in a stream or river where the water is not deep and you can walk or drive across

fanatic

[fә'nætik] noun [count] 1 someone who has very strong religious or political beliefs that often make them behave in an unreasonable way: attacks by religious fanatics 2 someone who likes a sport or activity very much: a movie/football/crossword fanatic: Ask George, he's a movie fanatic. adjective AMERICAN FANATICAL: fanatic ideologists

farrago

[fә'rɑ:gәu] noun [usually sing.] (plural farragoes or farragos) (formal, disapproving) a confused mixture of different things: The film is a farrago of trite emotions, one-note acting and embarrassing lines.

facetious

[fә'si:ʃәs] adjective trying to be funny in a way that is not appropriate: I wasn't being facetious. facetious comments facetiously adverb facetiousness noun [uncount]

fold

[fәuld] verb 1 [transitive] to bend a piece of paper or cloth and press one part of it over another part: Carrie folded the note and slid it into her purse. fold something in half/two: Fold the paper in half diagonally. fold something neatly/carefully: She folded the towel neatly and hung it over the rail. 1a. to cover something by bending a piece of paper or cloth around it: fold something in something: She picked up the insect and gently folded it in a handkerchief. fold something around something: He folded the blanket carefully around the baby. 2 [intransitive or transitive] if something folds or you can fold it, you can bend part of it so that it becomes smaller and easier to carry or store: Jed folded the pocketknife and put it into his front pocket. fold (something) up/down/away: The bed folds away conveniently for storage. fold (something) flat: The table folds flat for easy storage. 3 fold or fold up [intransitive] if a business folds, it closes because it is not able to make enough money 4 [intransitive] if your legs fold, they suddenly become weak and unable to support your weight, so that you fall to the ground: Sue felt her legs folding under her, then she fainted. fold your arms/hands to cross one arm or hand over the other: The border guard folded his arms across his chest and glared. fold someone in your arms MAINLY LITERARY to put your arms around someone ,fold `in or ,fold `into phrasal verb [transitive] fold something in/into something 1 to use a spoon or knife to add something slowly and gently to a mixture: Fold the cocoa into the cake batter. 2 to combine things that were previously separate so they can be dealt with together: The bill would fold three agencies into the State Department in a cost-saving plan. ,fold `up phrasal verb 1 [transitive] to make something smaller by bending it over on itself more than once: His clothes were neatly folded up on a chair. 2 [intransitive] same as FOLD1 3: Two months later the company folded up. noun 1 [count] a bend or line on a piece of paper or cloth that you make when you press one part of it over another: Make a second fold 5 inches above the first. Open the paper flat and cut along the fold. 2 [count usually plural] a curved piece of cloth that hangs in a loose way: the soft folds of the curtain Her elegant legs were hidden in the folds of her skirt. 2a. [count] an area of skin that hangs in a loose way on someone's body: folds of fat flesh 3 the fold a group of people who share the same ideas or goals or who live or work together: in the fold: He is now firmly back in the conservative fold. return/come back to the fold: Emily longed to return to the family fold. bring someone back to the fold: We are hoping that these policies will bring reluctant voters back to the fold. leave/stray from the fold: Many Western Marxists left the Communist fold in the 1970s. 4 [count] a small area enclosed by a fence or wall in a field, used for keeping sheep

glimpse

[glimps] noun [count] 1 an occasion when you see someone or something for a moment only: glimpse of: The crowd were anxious for a glimpse of the President. Every so often she got a fleeting (=very quick) glimpse of the church steeple through the trees. catch/get/have a glimpse: I only caught a glimpse, but I think it was a badger. 2 an experience that gives you an idea of what something is like: glimpse of/into: In the villages you'll have a fascinating glimpse of Turkish country life. verb [transitive] to see someone or something for a moment or not completely: CATCH SIGHT OF: He glimpsed a short white-haired figure heading for the back gate. a. MAINLY LITERARY used for saying that you have a short opportunity to understand someone or something: For a moment Jonathan glimpsed the solitude of the true artist.

graft

[grɑ:ft] noun 1 [uncount] AMERICAN INFORMAL dishonest or illegal activities in politics or business that involve giving people money or advantages in exchange for their help or support 2 [uncount] BRITISH INFORMAL effort needed for doing hard work 3 [count] a piece of skin, bone, etc. from one part of your body used to replace or repair a damaged part of your body: skin grafts for burns victims 3a. a piece taken from a plant and joined to a cut made in another plant so that it can grow there verb 1 [transitive] to take a piece of skin or bone, etc. from one part of someone's body and use it to replace or repair a damaged part of their body: graft something onto something: Skin was grafted onto the wound to help it heal. 1a. to take a piece from a plant and join it to a cut made in another plant so that it can grow there: graft something onto something: The frozen samples will be grafted onto existing trees. 1b. to add something and make it become a part of another thing: graft something onto something: Many different peoples have settled here and grafted their own cultures onto native Malaysian culture. 2 [intransitive] BRITISH to work very hard `graft off phrasal verb [transitive] AMERICAN INFORMAL graft off someone to use your position in business or politics in a dishonest way in order to obtain money or advantages from someone

heave

[hi:v] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to push, pull, or lift a heavy object using a lot of effort: He put his shoulder against the stone and heaved. Lydia heaved herself to the other side of the bed. heave at: She heaved at the garage door, which flew up. 2 [intransitive] to move up and down with large regular movements: Her chest heaved as she struggled to control her breathing. 3 [intransitive] INFORMAL to VOMIT: When I saw the disgusting mess they'd left behind, I almost heaved. heave a sigh to let out a deep breath, for example, because you are upset or because you are pleased about something: Rose heaved a sigh of relief at her luck. heave into sight/view MAINLY LITERARY to become able to be seen. The past tense and past participle is hove. ,heave `to phrasal verb [intransitive] MAINLY LITERARY if a ship heaves to, it stops moving. The past tense and past participle is hove to. noun [count] a strong pulling, pushing, or lifting movement

hitch

[hitʃ] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] INFORMAL to travel by asking other people to take you in their car, by standing on the side of a road and holding out your thumb or a sign: We managed to hitch a ride to Abilene with a truck driver. As a student, Lisa had hitched across the U.S. 2 hitch or hitch up [transitive] to fasten something such as a TRAILER to the back of a car 2a. to fasten a horse to something such as a post or WAGON 3 [transitive] to move a part of your body or something that you are carrying to a higher position: He hitched his backpack onto his shoulder and set off. get hitched INFORMAL to get married ,hitch `up phrasal verb [transitive] 1 to pull something that you are wearing to a higher position: She hitched up her skirt and ran. 2 same as HITCH1 2: They can just hitch up their horses and head off. noun [count] a problem that is not very serious: The airplane was delayed due to a last-minute hitch. without a hitch: I managed to install the program without a hitch.

humiliate

[hju:'milieit] verb [transitive] to make someone feel very embarrassed and ashamed

hut

[hʌt] noun [count] a small simple shelter: a village of stone huts a beach hut

herbaceous

[hә'beiʃәs] adjective a herbaceous plant has soft leaves that die each winter

elysium

[i'liʒiәm] Elysium noun [U] (ALSO the Elysian fields ) LITERARY a state of great happiness: Everything was perfect. She was in Elysium.

epistemology

[i,pisti:'mɒlәdʒi] /-ˈmɑː.lə-/ noun [U] SPECIALIZED the part of philosophy that is about the study of how we know things

aesthetic

[i:s'θetik] adjective 1 relating to beauty or to the study of the principles of beauty, especially in art: aesthetic qualities/theories/ideals 2 FORMAL nice to look at: The design isn't particularly aesthetic, but at least it's practical. aesthetically adverb: an aesthetically pleasing performance noun 1 [singular] the set of principles on which an artist's work is based 2 aesthetics [uncount] the study of the nature of beauty, especially in arts such as painting and ARCHITECTURE 2a. [plural] the beautiful qualities of something

exuberance

[ig'zju:bәrәns] noun Date: 1631 1. the quality or state of being exuberant <youthful > 2. an exuberant act or expression

exactitude

[ig'zæktitju:d] noun [uncount] VERY FORMAL the fact that something is exact or has been done very carefully

exhort

[ig'zɒ:t] verb [transitive] FORMAL to try to persuade someone to do something: URGE exhortation noun [count or uncount]

exclusive

[ik'sklu:siv] adjective 1 very expensive, and therefore available only to people who have a lot of money: an exclusive store/restaurant/neighborhood 2 limited to a particular person or group and not shared with others: The road is for the exclusive use of residents. They have exclusive rights to market the drug in Africa. exclusive to: This special offer is exclusive to our readers. 3 published or reported by only one newspaper, magazine, television station, etc.: She managed to get an exclusive interview with the star. exclusive of something not including something: The cost is $20 exclusive of shipping and handling. exclusiveness noun [uncount] exclusivity noun [uncount] MUTUALLY noun [count] a piece of news that is published or reported by only one newspaper, magazine, television station, etc.

expend

[ik'spend] verb [transitive] FORMAL to use time, energy, money, etc. doing something: We've already expended too much energy on this project.

extemporize

[ik'stempәraiz] verb [intransitive or transitive] FORMAL to perform or produce something without preparing or practicing

expostulation

[ik,spɒstʃә'leiʃәn] noun Date: 1540 an act or an instance of expostulating • expostulatory adjective

impregnable

[im'pregnәbl] adjective 1 a place that is impregnable is very well protected and difficult to attack 2 someone who is in an impregnable position is very difficult to defeat or remove: The President's position is no longer impregnable. 3 impregnable opinions or feelings are very difficult to change

impassable

[im'pɑ:sәbl] adjective an impassable road, path, etc. is impossible to travel along, especially because the weather is too bad

impermeable

[im'pә:miәbl] adjective SCIENCE something that is impermeable does not let liquid or gas pass through it

impersonal

[im'pә:sәnәl] adjective 1 not showing any friendly feelings or interest in someone: His manner was cold and impersonal. 1a. used about large institutions that do not think about people's individual needs and situations: an alternative to giving unwanted children to large, impersonal state orphanages 1b. used about a place that does not seem friendly because their are no personal features: The hotel room was a little impersonal. 2 LINGUISTICS an impersonal verb or sentence usually has the word it as its subject. The word it is an impersonal pronoun. impersonally adverb

impertinence

[im'pә:tinәns] noun Date: 1603 1. the quality or state of being impertinent: as a. irrelevance, inappropriateness b. incivility, insolence 2. an instance of

impermeability

[im,pә:miә'biliti] noun see impermeable

indictment

[in'daitmәnt] noun 1 [count] indictment of something that shows how bad or wrong something is: This incident is an indictment of the way the health service is being run. 2 [count or uncount] LEGAL an official statement accusing someone of committing a serious crime, or the document with which this is done: CHARGE

indenture

[in'dentʃә] noun [count] LEGAL a contract, especially one in the past, to work for an employer for a fixed period of time

induct

[in'dʌkt] verb [transitive] FORMAL 1 AMERICAN to officially accept someone into a group 1a. AMERICAN to officially take someone into the military: induct someone into something: Hammer was inducted into the German army in October 1942. 2 to officially give someone a new job 3 to teach someone about something

enjoin

[in'dʒɒin] verb [transitive] a. enjoin someone to do something FORMAL to strongly advise or order someone to do something b. enjoin someone from something LEGAL to legally order someone not to do something

inflict

[in'flikt] verb [transitive] to cause something unpleasant to happen: Such a policy would inflict severe hardship and suffering. inflict something on someone/something: the environmental damage we are inflicting on the Earth inflict yourself on someone HUMOROUS to be with someone who does not want to be with you: the relatives who usually inflict themselves on you at Christmas infliction noun [uncount]

infatuate

[in'fætjueit] I. adjective Date: 15th century being in an d state or condition II. transitive verb (-ated; -ating) Date: 1533 1. to cause to be foolish ; deprive of sound judgment 2. to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration • infatuation noun

informer

[in'fɒ:mә] noun [count] someone who secretly gives information about someone to the police or someone in authority

infernal

[in'fә:nl] adjective 1 used for emphasizing how unpleasant or annoying someone or something is: What's the meaning of this infernal nonsense? 2 LITERARY relating to HELL (=the place where bad people are sometimes believed to go when they die)

engage

[in'geidʒ] verb 1 [transitive] FORMAL to attract and keep someone's interest or attention: A good radio script should be able to engage the listener. 1a. to start to employ someone or use their services: The company is to engage a new sales director. engage someone to do something: A magician has been engaged to provide entertainment. 2 [intransitive or transitive] if a part of a machine engages, or you engage it, it fits into another part so that they work together: A microswitch in the gear shift automatically engages and disengages the clutch. The mechanism failed to engage, causing a fault. opposite DISENGAGE 3 [intransitive or transitive] FORMAL to start to fight with an enemy in battle en`gage in phrasal verb [transitive] FORMAL engage in something to take part in a particular activity, especially something that takes a lot of time or effort: He is currently engaged in a dispute with his former business partner. engage someone in conversation to start having a conversation with someone en`gage with phrasal verb [transitive] FORMAL 1 engage with someone/something to make an effort to understand and deal with someone or something: She is accused of failing to engage with the problems of her staff. 2 engage with someone to start to fight an enemy in battle

inhibit

[in'hibit] verb [transitive often passive] 1 to make it difficult for a process to start or continue in a normal way: Economic growth has been inhibited by the lack of investment. factors that inhibit the development of artistic talent Drinking coffee inhibits the absorption of iron from your diet. 1a. inhibit someone from doing something to make it difficult for someone to do something: tax rules that inhibit some people from working 2 to make someone feel too embarrassed or not confident enough to behave or speak in a normal way: The presence of police officers inhibited them. inhibit someone from doing something: Students may be inhibited from coming to him with their problems.

enrage

[in'reidʒ] verb [transitive] to make someone extremely angry enraged adjective

insensible

[in'sensәbl] adjective FORMAL 1 unconscious 2 lacking physical feeling 3 not caring about or sympathetic to someone or something 3a. not realizing or noticing something: insensible of: insensible of the dangers/risks insensibility noun [uncount]

insignia

[in'signiә] (plural insignia) noun [count] a mark or sign that shows someone's rank or status, or what organization they belong to a. a mark on an object that shows who made it, who it belongs to, or what organization it is connected with

insipid

[in'sipid] adjective FORMAL 1 boring, dull, or pale, with no interesting features: The walls were painted an insipid beige color. 2 not enjoyable to eat or drink because of having very little taste: BLAND

inspection

[in'spekʃәn] noun [count or uncount] an official process of checking that things are in the correct condition or that people are doing what they should: All countries must allow international inspection of their nuclear weapons sites. We expect inspections of schools to take place every four or five years. a. an action of looking at something carefully, especially in order to check that it is satisfactory: The documents are available for public inspection. The organization is responsible for the maintenance and inspection of offshore structures. b. an occasion when a military officer inspects a group of soldiers c. on closer/close inspection when you look at or think about something more carefully: On closer inspection, a number of problems emerge.

intrinsic

[in'trinsik] adjective FORMAL relating to the essential qualities or features of something or someone: the intrinsic beauty of the Italian language intrinsic to: Providing service to the customer is intrinsic to a successful business. intrinsically adverb: He's an intrinsically honest man.

inter

[in'tә:] verb [transitive] FORMAL to bury a dead person

interminable

[in'tә:minәbl] adjective continuing for a long time in a boring or annoying way: an interminable speech/wait/meeting interminably adverb

inviolability

[in,vaiәlә'biliti] noun see inviolable

unique

[ju:'ni:k] adjective 1 very special, unusual, or good: You will be given the unique opportunity to study with one of Europe's top chefs. 2 not the same as anything or anyone else: Each person's DNA is unique. They have a totally unique approach to staff training. 3 unique to only existing or happening in one place or situation: The problem is not unique to British students. uniqueness noun [uncount]

utensil

[ju:'tensl] noun [count] something that you use to cook or eat with: a range of stainless steel cooking utensils

utopia

[ju:'tәupiә] noun [count or uncount] an imaginary place or situation in which everything in society is perfect

crag

[kræg] noun [count] a very steep rough part of a cliff or mountain

cord

[kɒ:d] noun 1 [count] an electrical wire that connects a machine to the main supply of electricity 2 [count or uncount] strong thick string: a length of cord Tie it with a nylon cord. 2a. gold string that is used as decoration on uniforms or furniture 3 [count] a measured quantity of wood sold for FIREWOOD cut the cord 1 to cut the UMBILICAL CORD that joins a baby to its mother 2 to end your connection with someone, or stop depending on their support CORDS

collected

[kә'lektid] adjective able to control your nervous or confused feelings: She tried to stay calm and collected. someone's collected works/poems/letters etc all of someone's work/poetry etc published together

chameleon

[kә'mi:liәn] noun [count] 1 a type of small LIZARD with skin that changes color to match the colors around it 2 someone who changes their opinions, ideas, or behavior to fit any situation

communicate

[kә'mju:nikeit] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to express thoughts, feelings, or information to someone else, for example, by speaking or writing: How do whales communicate? communicate something to someone: The information was verbally communicated to officials in July 1981. communicate with: They communicate with each other via e-mail. communicate to someone that: Can you somehow communicate to him that we're not interested? 1a. [intransitive or transitive] to make someone understand an emotion or idea without expressing it in words: She has an amazing ability to communicate enthusiasm. communicate something to someone: He could communicate a feeling of intense excitement to his audiences. 1b. [intransitive] to let someone know what you are feeling or thinking, so that you have a good relationship: She says that they no longer seem to communicate. 2 [intransitive] if one room communicates with another or if two rooms communicate, you can get into one room from the other: The two rooms communicate via a hidden doorway. 3 [transitive usually passive] MEDICAL to pass a disease from one person or animal to another

canary

[kә'nєәri] noun [count] a small yellow bird that is kept as a pet, known for its beautiful singing

capricious

[kә'priʃәs] adjective suddenly and unexpectedly changing your opinion or behavior without any good reason capriciously adverb

compensatory

[kәm'pensәtәri] adjective FORMAL 1 intended to change or remove the bad result of something 2 paid as compensation to someone who has suffered injury or loss

compulsory

[kәm'pʌlsәri] adjective something that is compulsory must be done because of a rule or law: A school outfit is no longer compulsory. opposite OPTIONAL

confute

[kәn'fju:t] verb [VN] (rare, formal) to prove a person or an argument to be wrong

confirm

[kәn'fә:m] verb 1 [transitive] to prove that something is true: The study confirms the findings of earlier research. Please bring something with you that confirms your identity. confirm (that): The doctor may run a test to confirm that you are pregnant. 1a. to make you feel sure that an idea or belief is right or true: confirm someone's suspicions: Their strange behavior was enough to confirm my suspicions. confirm someone's fears: When she saw the letter her worst fears were confirmed. confirm someone in their belief/view/determination etc.: His words confirmed me in my belief that our cause was right. 1b. to say that something is definitely true because you know about it: We cannot confirm the number of jobs that will be lost. confirm that: The principal confirmed that two pupils had been expelled. 2 [intransitive or transitive] to tell someone, usually by writing or telephoning, that something will definitely happen at the time or in the way that has been arranged: You can make an appointment now, and then call nearer the time to confirm. The date of the meeting is still to be confirmed. 3 [transitive] to formally support something and allow it to happen: The parliament's decision still has to be confirmed in a referendum. 3a. to formally accept someone new in an important position: Nigel Hill was yesterday confirmed as the new chief executive. 4 [transitive usually passive] to formally accept someone into the Christian Church or a Reform Jewish Church in a special ceremony

concussion

[kәn'kʌʃәn] noun [uncount] a head injury that makes someone feel sick or become unconscious for a short time

concinnity

[kәn'siniti] noun (plural -ties) Date: 1531 harmony or elegance of design especially of literary style in adaptation of parts to a whole or to each other

constituent

[kәn'stitjuәnt] noun [count] 1 one of the parts that form something when they combine: The main constituents of wine are acid, tannin, alcohol, and sugar. 2 someone who lives in a constituency and is allowed to vote in elections adjective [only before noun] forming part of something: constituent parts

constrict

[kәn'strikt] verb FORMAL 1 [intransitive or transitive] to become smaller or narrower, or make something do this: His throat constricted making it difficult for him to speak. 2 [transitive] to limit what someone is able or allowed to do: Fear of crime constricts many people's lives. constriction noun [count or uncount]

conservative

[kәn'sә:vәtiv] adjective 1 not willing to accept much change, especially in the traditional values of society: The small farm communities are predominantly conservative. 2 conservative clothing or styles are traditional and without decoration 3 a conservative guess is usually less than the actual amount: At a conservative estimate, 2.5 million people die each year from smoking. conservatively adverb: She dresses very conservatively. noun [count] someone who is not willing to accept much change, especially in the traditional values of society

colt

[kәult] noun [count] a young male horse

lees

[li:z] noun [plural] the thick substance that forms at the bottom of a bottle of wine

linguistics

[liŋ'gwistiks] noun [uncount] the study of language and how it works

loft

[lɒft] noun [count] 1 an upper floor in a factory or similar building that has been made into apartments: a loft apartment 1a. the upper floor in a farm building used for storing HAY: a hay loft 1b. an upper floor built out from the wall in a church, where the organ is often found: an organ loft 1c. a small floor, PLATFORM, or BALCONY above the main floor in a room 1d. a space under the roof of a building, often used for storing things: I've put all the baby equipment up in the loft. 2 a shelter in which PIGEONS are kept verb [transitive] to hit a ball high into the air, especially in golf

lull

[lʌl] verb [transitive] 1 to make someone relaxed enough to sleep: The sound of rain falling soon lulled him to sleep. 2 to make someone feel relaxed or confident so that they are not prepared for anything unpleasant: Their reports lulled us into a false sense of security. noun [count] a quiet period during a very active or violent situation: a lull in the fighting a. a situation in which there is not enough success or activity: The award helped the British music scene out of its lull.

lush

[lʌʃ] adjective 1 a lush plant looks very green and healthy 1a. used about places where many plants grow: lush gardens 2 INFORMAL very comfortable and expensive: PLUSH: a lush, five-star hotel 3 INFORMAL sexually attractive noun [count] INFORMAL an insulting word for someone who drinks a lot of alcohol

lament

[lә'ment] verb [intransitive or transitive] to show publicly that you feel sad or disappointed about something: lament over/for: a family lamenting over their mother's death in the earthquake People clearly lament the loss of community. We'll have to redo all the work, Sarah lamented. noun [count] 1 a song, poem, piece of music, etc. in which sadness is expressed about a death or loss: lament for: a young mother's lament for the death of her son 2 something that people say that shows sadness or disappointment: Things were better then is an often-repeated lament.

mime

[maim] verb [intransitive or transitive] 1 to tell a story or express yourself without words, using only the movements of your body and face 2 to pretend to sing or play an instrument while a piece of recorded music is being played noun [uncount] the use of only the movements of your body and face to tell a story or express yourself a. [count] a play performed using mime b. [count] an actor who performs using mime

mewl

[mju:l] verb [intransitive] LITERARY if an animal or child mewls, it cries with a soft high sound

malaise

[mæ'leiz] noun [singular or uncount] FORMAL 1 a general feeling of being worried, unhappy, or not satisfied 1a. a feeling that you are slightly sick, although you cannot say what exactly is wrong 2 a situation in which a society or organization is not operating effectively: economic and social malaise

mart

[mɑ:t] noun [count] a STORE or MARKET. Mart is often used in the names of stores.

march

[mɑ:tʃ] noun [count or uncount] the third month of the year, between February and April: His birthday is in March. The concert is on 29. They had a baby last March. verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] if soldiers march, they walk in a group with each person matching the speed and movements of the others: They made us march for hours. He told the sergeant to march us for another five miles. 1a. [intransitive] to walk along a road as part of a group of people protesting about something: Health workers are today marching through the center of London in protest at government cuts. march on something (=toward it): The day before, 50,000 demonstrators had marched on the Pentagon. 2 [intransitive] march into/out of/up to etc. to walk somewhere quickly and in a determined, confident, or angry way: She marched into the room without knocking. 3 [transitive] march out of/off/to etc. to force someone to walk somewhere with you, for example by holding their arm: Both men were marched out of the restaurant. 4 [intransitive] march on/onward MAINLY LITERARY to continue to happen, develop, or make progress and be impossible to stop: Time marches on. noun [count] 1 a walk by a group of soldiers in which each person matches the speed and movements of the others 1a. the distance to a place measured as the time it takes soldiers to march there: The camp was two days' march away. 2 a walk by a group of people to a place in order to protest about something: a peace/protest march go on a march: We're all going on the march against racism this Saturday. 3 a piece of music with a strong beat that matches the steps taken by marching soldiers be on the march 1 to be marching to a new position 2 if something such as an idea or opinion is on the march, it is steadily becoming more popular 3 to be making steady progress the march of something MAINLY LITERARY the way that something continues to happen, develop, or make progress and is impossible to stop: the march of time/history the march of progress/science MARCHES, STEAL1

mulct

[mʌlkt] I. noun Date: 1591 fine, penalty II. transitive verb Date: 1611 1. to punish by a fine 2. a. to defraud especially of money ; swindle b. to obtain by fraud, duress, or theft

molt

[mәult] verb [intransitive] if an animal molts, it loses its outer layer of skin, feathers, etc. so that a new layer can replace it

necropolis

[ne'krɒpәlis] noun [count] a large place in a city where dead people were buried in the past

negate

[ni'geit] verb [transitive] FORMAL to make something have no effect

knead

[ni:d] verb [transitive] 1 to prepare DOUGH or clay by pressing it continuously: Knead the dough until smooth. 2 to rub or press someone's muscles hard

narcotic

[nɑ:'kɒtik] noun [count] 1 a drug that people use when they are very sick in order to feel less pain and sleep better 2 [often plural] any illegal drug, especially one that is ADDICTIVE (=that someone depends on): Both parents were addicted to narcotics. 2a. narcotics [only before noun] relating to illegal drugs: narcotics abuse (=taking illegal drugs) narcotics trafficking (=selling narcotics) adjective 1 MEDICAL able to make you feel less pain and help you sleep: a narcotic drug/effect 2 relating to a narcotic, especially when used illegally: narcotic drugs

notch

[nɒtʃ] noun [count] 1 a small cut on the edge or surface of something, especially a cut shaped like the letter V 2 INFORMAL if you move up or down a notch, you move up or down to the next level, for example in a job or in your ability to do something: He's a player who can always raise his game a notch or two when he's in difficulty. verb [transitive] INFORMAL to make a notch in something ,notch `up phrasal verb [transitive] INFORMAL to win or achieve something: The company notched up over $1 million in profits last year.

pest

[pest] noun [count] 1 INFORMAL something annoying that you have to do: PAIN 1a. someone who keeps annoying you, especially a child 2 an insect or small animal that damages plants or supplies of food

pubescent

[pju:'besnt] adjective a pubescent child is at a stage in their life when their body is changing and they are becoming an adult

plush

[plʌʃ] adjective 1 expensive, comfortable, and attractive: a plush apartment 2 made from or covered with a soft thick cloth similar to VELVET: a red plush carpet noun [uncount] a soft thick cloth similar to VELVET

preclude

[pri'klu:d] verb [transitive] FORMAL if one thing precludes another, the first thing prevents the second one from happening: This policy precludes the routine use of pesticides. Tercek's interviewing style precluded any long-winded answers.

precise

[pri'sais] adjective 1 exact and accurate: Lara was able to tell me everything that had happened in precise detail. There is no precise definition of a storm. Can you be a little more precise? The precise date and place of his birth are unknown. 1a. someone who is precise is always careful to be accurate and to behave correctly 2 [only before noun] used for emphasizing that something is definite or clearly true: At that precise moment, someone came around the corner. The result of the reforms was the precise opposite of the emperor's intention. to be precise used for saying that the information you are giving about something is more exact than what you have said before: EXACT: It's her 70th birthday soon, in March to be precise. preciseness noun [uncount]

presenter

[pri'zentә] noun [count] 1 AMERICAN someone who gives a speech or gives someone a prize at a ceremony 2 BRITISH the HOST or ANNOUNCER on a television or radio program

precipitation

[pri,sipi'teiʃәn] noun [uncount] 1 TECHNICAL rain, snow, HAIL, etc. 2 SCIENCE the process by which a solid substance separates or is separated from a liquid it is in 3 FORMAL a way of behaving in which someone does something too quickly and without enough thought

prognosticate

[prɒg'nɒstikeit] verb [transitive] VERY FORMAL to say what you think will happen in the future prognostication noun [count or uncount]

provisional

[prә'viʒәnl] adjective intended to be temporary, and likely to be changed when other arrangements are made: a provisional government a. if an arrangement is provisional, the people involved have not yet said that they definitely want to do it: We've made a provisional reservation for next week. provisionally adverb

pan

[pæn] noun [count] 1 container for cooking 2 part of set of scales 3 steel drum 4 for separating gold 5 part of toilet + PHRASES 1 a round metal container used for cooking, with a handle and usually a lid. A saucepan has tall sides and a frying pan is wider with shorter sides and usually no lid: Heat the oil in a pan and cook the onion over a gentle heat. pots and pans: There was plenty of space in the kitchen for storing pots and pans. 1a. the contents of a pan, or the amount that a pan holds: a pan of boiling water 1b. AMERICAN a metal container used for baking. British tin: a cake pan BEDPAN, DUSTPAN 2 a container shaped like a dish on a set of SCALES used for holding things you want to weigh 3 a STEEL DRUM. This word is used mainly by people who play these drums. 4 a large flat bowl used for separating gold from other substances in the ground using water 5 BRITISH the BOWL of a toilet (go) down the pan BRITISH INFORMAL to fail or be spoiled FLASH2 verb 1 [transitive] INFORMAL to criticize someone or something very strongly 2 [intransitive or transitive] if a camera pans or you pan it, it moves sideways slowly to film something else or to follow something that is moving 3 [intransitive] to try to find small pieces of gold among stones by washing the stones in a pan ,pan `out phrasal verb [intransitive] INFORMAL if a situation pans out in a particular way, it develops in that way: Let's see how things pan out before we decide.

perspire

[pә'spaiә] verb [intransitive] to produce liquid on your skin as a result of being hot, sick, or nervous: SWEAT

paternal

[pә'tә:nl] adjective 1 [only before noun] relating to being a father 2 [only before noun] a paternal relative is related to you through your father 3 typical of a kind and caring father paternally adverb

pervert

[pә:'vә:t] verb [transitive] 1 to affect something good or right in a negative way so that it becomes bad or wrong: an attempt to pervert the meaning of an innocent story 2 to influence someone to behave sexually in a way that is considered to be wrong or not normal pervert the course of justice MAINLY BRITISH LEGAL to prevent the true facts about a court case from being known noun [count] an insulting word for someone whose sexual behavior you consider to be wrong or not normal

rendition

[ren'diʃәn] noun [count] a particular way of performing a song, poem, piece of music, etc.

refresh

[ri'freʃ] verb [transitive] 1 to make you feel that you have more energy again, especially when you are tired or hot: REVITALIZE 2 to make something look or feel fresher or brighter: Refresh your face with some cologne. 3 INFORMAL if you refresh an Internet document in which information is changing all the time, you click on a button that makes the most recent information appear refresh someone's memory to make someone remember something

rehearse

[ri'hә:s] verb [intransitive or transitive] to practice a play, concert, opera, etc. before giving a performance: We've been rehearsing for weeks. a. to practice something you are going to say or do: Angie rehearsed what she was going to say on the phone. well-rehearsed (=carefully planned): I figured I'd better be prepared with a well-rehearsed explanation.

recluse

[ri'klu:s] noun [count] someone who lives alone and avoids seeing other people

religion

[ri'lidʒәn] noun 1 [uncount] the belief in the existence of a god or gods: Religion is something we always argue about. 1a. [count or uncount] a system of beliefs in a god or gods that has its own ceremonies and traditions: the Christian/Hindu/Muslim religion I like the fact that the children are learning about different cultures and religions. 2 [singular] INFORMAL an activity or goal that is extremely important to you: As students, socialism was our religion. get religion INFORMAL to become religious, especially suddenly and in a way that you claim makes you a morally better person

remove

[ri'mu:v] verb [transitive] 1 to take something or someone away from a place: Sally looked down at her sleeve and removed a small speck of dirt. remove someone/something from something: Rescue crews removed two people from the collapsed building. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool. The area has now been removed from the list of dangerous destinations. 2 to get rid of a problem, difficulty, or something that annoys you: The bill is intended to remove obstacles that may discourage investors. 2a. to get rid of dirty spots on clothing, curtains, cloth, etc.: Soap and cold water will remove most food stains. 3 to take off clothing: She removed her jacket and hung it over the chair. 4 to take away someone's power or position, especially in politics: Officials who were involved in the scandal were removed from office.

rescind

[ri'sind] verb [transitive] FORMAL to state officially that something such as a law or agreement has ended and no longer has legal authority

responsive

[ri'spɒnsiv] adjective 1 quick to react in the way that is needed, appropriate, or right for a particular situation: This car's steering is extremely responsive. responsive to: The employer was quite responsive to our safety concerns. It is difficult to assess whether this type of skin problem would be equally responsive to treatment. 2 showing interest or emotion in reaction to someone or something: an energetic and responsive baby 3 willing to reply to a question or to talk about something: She wasn't very responsive when I asked her how the interview had gone. responsively adverb responsiveness noun [uncount]

restore

[ri'stɒ:] verb [transitive] 1 to cause a particular situation to exist again, especially a positive one: By Sunday, electricity had been restored. restore order/peace/calm: The lesson continued when order had been restored. restore something to something: Every effort was made to get peace restored to the area. 1a. to start using something such as a law or custom again: New York became the 38th state to restore the death penalty. 1b. to make someone have a particular feeling again: The government is trying to restore confidence in the country's economy. 1c. to make it possible for someone to see, hear, etc. again: Doctors say there's a possibility that his sight can be restored. 2 restore to to make someone or something start being in a particular situation again: Within minutes the kitchen had been restored to its former tidiness. I'm sure you'll soon be fully restored to health. The President was restored to power after five years in exile. 3 to clean and repair something old and dirty or damaged so that it looks the same as it did originally: The church has now been beautifully restored. 4 to give something that has been lost, taken, or stolen, back to the person it belongs to: Most of the agricultural land has been restored to its original owners.

resurgent

[ri'sә:dʒәnt] adjective [usually before noun] (formal) becoming stronger or more popular again: a resurgent economy * resurgent nationalism

retiring

[ri'tairiŋ] adjective 1 someone who is retiring tends to avoid social activities because they are shy: a shy retiring young man 2 [only before noun] about to stop doing a particular job soon: Retiring Police Commissioner Paul Strachan refused to comment.

rewarding

[ri'wɒ:diŋ] adjective giving you satisfaction, pleasure, or profit: Do you find your work rewarding? Our trip to the Yukon was a very rewarding experience. a rewarding investment

reel

[ri:l] noun [count] 1 the part of a FISHING ROD that you turn to make the line longer or shorter 2 an object shaped like a WHEEL that you wind string, THREAD, wire, or FILM around in order to store it: a reel of cotton 2a. the amount of string, etc. on one reel 2b. the part of a movie that is on one reel 3 a traditional SCOTTISH dance verb [intransitive] 1 to move backward quickly: He reeled under the shock of the punch. 2 to move in a way that is not steady, for example because of being drunk: LURCH 3 to feel very shocked, upset, or confused: reel from: The banks were reeling from the unexpectedly large losses. reel at: Local people are still reeling at the news of his death. ,reel `in phrasal verb [transitive] to bring a fish towards you by winding the reel of a FISHING ROD ,reel `off phrasal verb [transitive] to say a list of things quickly and without much effort

sedulity

[si'dju:liti] noun Date: 1542 sedulous activity ; diligence

celerity

[si'leriti] noun [uncount] LITERARY great speed

seam

[si:m] noun [count] 1 a line of stitches that joins two pieces of cloth: The at the back of your skirt has split. 1a. a line where two pieces of metal, wood, etc. have been joined 2 a long thin layer of something such as coal under the ground be bursting/bulging at the seams INFORMAL to be very full of people or things come/fall apart at the seams INFORMAL 1 to stop being useful or effective: The healthcare system is coming apart at the seams. 2 to be unable to deal with ordinary situations

sincere

[sin'siә] adjective talking and acting in a way that shows you really mean what you say and do: He is a modest and sincere man. a. sincere words, feelings, ways of behaving, etc. are true and honest: I want to express my sincere apologies for what I said.

squeak

[skwi:k] verb 1 [intransitive] to make a short, high noise: Their shoes squeaked on the tiled floor. The door squeaked open. 2 [intransitive or transitive] to speak in a high voice, especially because you are upset or excited `squeak ,through phrasal verb [intransitive] to only just be successful, or only just be accepted: The legislation is likely to squeak through. noun [count] a squeaking noise: the squeak of a mouse not hear a squeak from/out of someone used for emphasizing that someone has not spoken or made any sound

squeeze

[skwi:z] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to press something firmly, especially with your hands: Ruth smiled, squeezing his hand affectionately. I took a firm grip and squeezed tightly, but nothing happened. Kara squeezed the bottle, and the water rushed out. 1a. [transitive] to press something such as a liquid out of something: She squeezed some cream onto her hands. freshly-squeezed orange juice 2 [intransitive] to get through or into a small space: He had squeezed through a hole in the fence. She squeezed past the desk and sat on the bed. Passengers were trying to squeeze onto the bus. 2a. [transitive] to fit or move something into a small space: We can only squeeze one more thing into the bag. The letters were squeezed together so you could hardly read them. 3 [transitive] to make someone have financial trouble, for example by raising prices, cutting a supply of money, or increasing competition: Supermarkets are accused of squeezing both customers and suppliers. Education is often the first to be squeezed at a time of cuts. 4 [transitive] if you squeeze your eyes shut, you close them tightly ,squeeze `in phrasal verb [transitive] to be able to do something, even though you do not have much time: I can squeeze a meeting in early tomorrow morning. Nevin squeezed in a third goal just before the end of the game. ,squeeze `out phrasal verb [transitive] 1 if one business or part of a system squeezes out another, the first one becomes so important or successful that the other cannot succeed or continue to exist: The company tried hard to squeeze out competitors and raise prices. Music instruction is slowly being squeezed out of the curriculum. 2 squeeze something out of someone to make someone tell you something even though they do not want to: They made one final attempt to squeeze concessions out of us. noun 1 action of squeezing 2 small amount 3 someone/something in small space 4 strict control on something 5 boyfriend/girlfriend 1 [count] the action of squeezing something: He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. 2 [count] a small amount of something that is squeezed out of something: a squeeze of lemon juice 3 [singular] a situation in which a lot of people or things are squeezed into a space: It was a squeeze to get everyone into the car. 4 [singular] a situation in which there is strict control over money or goods: a squeeze on costs/profits/wages put a/the squeeze on someone/something: The government's putting the squeeze on business profits. feel the squeeze: The economy is said to be improving, but many of us are still feeling the squeeze. 5 [count] AMERICAN INFORMAL a boyfriend or girlfriend

scar

[skɑ:] noun [count] 1 a permanent mark on your skin where you have been injured: He has long hair and a scar under his left eye. 1a. a mark on something where it has been damaged: The bombing left scars on buildings throughout the city. 2 a permanent effect on someone's mind, caused by an unpleasant experience they have had: She bore the scars of an unhappy childhood. verb 1 [transitive usually passive] to leave a permanent mark on someone's skin as the result of an injury: Rachel was badly scarred in a car accident. 1a. [transitive usually passive] to leave permanent marks on something, especially as a result of damage: Her suitcase was scarred and battered from years of use. The land was badly scarred by chemical waste. 1b. scar or scar over [intransitive] if a cut or other injury on your body scars, it forms a scar as it becomes better 2 [transitive usually passive] if an unpleasant experience scars someone, it has a permanent effect on the way they think and live: emotionally scarred Their lives were scarred by poverty and illness. scar someone for life 1 to leave a permanent physical mark on someone's body 2 to have a permanent emotional effect on someone

scud

[skʌd] verb [intransitive] LITERARY if clouds across the sky, they move quickly

skunk

[skʌŋk] noun 1 [count] a small black-and-white North American animal with a long thick tail. It produces a bad smell when it is threatened. 2 [count] INFORMAL an extremely unpleasant person 3 [uncount] VERY INFORMAL a powerful form of the illegal drug CANNABIS verb [transitive] AMERICAN INFORMAL to defeat an opponent in a sport, especially by preventing them from scoring

slough

[slau] verb [transitive] slough or slough off TECHNICAL to remove an outer layer of skin ,slough `off phrasal verb [transitive] 1 LITERARY to get rid of something you do not want 2 TECHNICAL same as SLOUGH: Snakes slough off their dead skins. noun 1 [singular] LITERARY an emotional condition in which you feel extremely sad or have lost all your hope 2 [count] an area of land covered with water that does not move

sludge

[slʌdʒ] noun [uncount] thick soft MUD a. a thick soft substance that remains when liquid has been removed from something in an industrial process sludgy adjective

smart

[smɑ:t] adjective 1 intelligent 2 clever/funny but rude 3 about weapons etc 4 tidy/clean/fashionable 5 connected with the rich 6 quick and full of energy 1 intelligent: Sophie is a smart, hard-working student. If you were smart, you'd buy now before prices go up. They're smart enough to ask all the right questions. 1a. done with intelligence or careful thought: Starting a pension scheme now would be a smart move. a smart question 2 speaking or behaving in a clever or funny way that shows a lack of respect: boys who are punished for being smart in class a smart answer/attitude get smart with someone: Don't get smart with me! 3 smart machines, especially weapons, use computer technology to make them effective: smart mines/bombs 4 MAINLY BRITISH clean and tidy in appearance and dressed in nice fashionable clothes, especially in a slightly formal way: Sandy's looking very smart today. 4a. used about someone's clothes: a smart blue suit 5 MAINLY BRITISH connected with rich fashionable people: We spent a few hours on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills' smart shopping district. the smart set (=fashionable people): a restaurant popular with the smart set 6 a smart movement is quick and full of force or energy: a smart rap on the knuckles smartly adverb: a smartly dressed young man Profits are rising smartly under new management. smartness noun [uncount] verb [intransitive] 1 to hurt with a sudden sharp pain: The smoke made my eyes smart. 2 [usually progressive] to become very upset by something that has happened or that someone has said or done: smart from: The senator was still smarting from his defeat in the vote. noun [singular] 1 a short sharp pain 2 a feeling of being upset by something that has happened or that someone has said or done SMARTS

snipe

[snaip] noun [count] a bird with a long thin beak that lives mainly in wet areas verb [intransitive] 1 snipe at to shoot at someone from a hidden place 2 to criticize someone

snag

[snæg] noun [count] 1 a problem or disadvantage that you have not planned for: Peace talks have hit a snag. 2 a small damaged area in a piece of clothing, caused by something rough or sharp 2a. something rough or sharp that can cause damage verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to damage something, especially clothing, with something sharp or rough 2 [transitive] AMERICAN INFORMAL to get something or someone you want, especially by acting quickly: Did you snag some tickets for us?

snort

[snɒ:t] verb 1 [intransitive] to make a sudden loud noise through your nose, for example because you are angry or laughing: Michael snorted indignantly. snort with: Angela snorted with laughter. 2 [transitive] if someone snorts a drug such as COCAINE, they breathe it in quickly through their nose noun [count] a sudden loud noise you make through your nose, for example because you are angry or laughing

snub

[snʌb] verb [transitive] to insult someone by ignoring them or being rude to them noun [count] an action or remark intended to snub you

spent

[spent] adjective 1 used, and no longer useful: spent nuclear fuel 2 LITERARY very tired a spent force MAINLY BRITISH something or someone that does not have the influence they had in the past A the past tense and past participle of spend

stake

[steik] noun 1 [count] a wooden or metal post with a pointed end that is used for supporting or marking something 1a. the stake a thick wooden pole that someone was tied to and burned in the past as a punishment: be burned at the stake: Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. 2 [count] an amount of money that you risk losing when you try to guess the result of a race or competition: He liked gambling, but only for small stakes. 2a. stakes [plural] the things you can gain or lose by taking a risk, for example in business or politics: high stakes (=a lot that could be won or lost): With such high stakes, the atmosphere was tense. raise the stakes (=risk gaining or losing more): The Americans have raised the stakes in a bitter fight over imports. 3 [count] BUSINESS the part of a business that you own because you have invested money in it: stake in: They took a 40% stake in the company last year. a majority/minority stake (=more/less than half): RCS Video has bought a majority stake in Majestic Films International. 3a. [usually singular] the degree to which you are involved in something and want it to succeed: have a stake in (doing) something: He has a huge stake in making the peace process work. 4 stakes [plural] used in the names of some horse races: the Pimlico Stakes 4a. used for talking about a competition or comparison that seems like a race: Who are the main contenders in the party leadership stakes? in the popularity/fitness/beauty etc. stakes: They're running neck and neck in the popularity stakes. at stake 1 likely to be lost or damaged if something fails: People's lives are at stake. 2 used about important issues that are involved in a situation or could be decided by it: Few voters had any idea of the issues at stake. There are ancient rivalries at stake. go to the stake for/over something MAINLY BRITISH to defend a belief or idea even if you suffer as a result pull up stakes AMERICAN INFORMAL to leave a place and go to live somewhere else. British up sticks verb [transitive] to risk losing or damaging something valuable in order to obtain or achieve something: GAMBLE: stake something on something: The government has staked its reputation on eliminating the deficit. a. to risk money by BETTING it on the result of a race, competition, game, etc.: stake something on something: They have staked a lot of money on the favorite. stake a claim (to something) to say or show clearly that you consider something is or should be yours: Both sides were staking a claim to the land. stake your life on something used for saying that you are completely sure about something: I'd stake my life on his loyalty. ,stake `out phrasal verb [transitive] 1 to stay outside a building and watch it, especially because something exciting or illegal is happening: The police are staking out his home in case he returns. 2 stake out something to explain your opinion clearly and defend it in a determined way: Political leaders are busy staking out their positions on this issue. 3 to mark an area with fences or posts to show that it belongs to someone: The settlers would arrive in a place and immediately stake out their territory.

strife

[straif] noun [uncount] FORMAL fighting or disagreement between people or groups

stooge

[stu:dʒ] noun [count] 1 someone who is used by someone else to do a difficult or unpleasant job 2 a STRAIGHT MAN

stance

[stæns] noun [count usually singular] 1 an attitude or view about an issue that you state clearly: POSITION: on/toward/against: Tell us what your is on capital punishment. adopt/take a stance: We need to take a more positive toward globalization. change/alter/modify/maintain your stance: The bombing was unlikely to force the government to change its stance. 2 a way of standing or holding your body, especially for a particular purpose: POSITION: Danny's upright made him appear the taller of the two. She took up a fighting stance.

sand

[sænd] noun 1 [uncount] a loose pale brown substance that you find at a beach or in the desert, formed from very small pieces of rock: The children spent most of the morning playing in the sand. a grain of sand 2 sands [plural] an area of sand bury your head in the sand to pretend that a problem does not exist a house built on sand an idea or plan that is not very sensible or practical and is likely to fail the sands of time LITERARY a way of referring to time, especially when you are talking about it passing very quickly verb [intransitive or transitive] to make something such as wood very smooth by rubbing it with SANDPAPER

sash

[sæʃ] noun [count] 1 a long wide piece of cloth that you wrap around your waist like a belt 1a. a long narrow piece of cloth that you wear over one shoulder and across your chest as part of a uniform or as a mark of honor 2 TECHNICAL a piece of glass in a wooden frame that forms part of a SASH WINDOW

psalm

[sɑ:m] noun [count] a song or poem that praises God, especially one from the Book of Psalms in the Bible

saliva

[sә'laivә] noun [uncount] the liquid produced by GLANDS in your mouth

solemnity

[sә'lemniti] noun 1 [uncount] the seriousness of someone's behavior or attitude 2 solemnities [plural] ceremonies held to celebrate a serious and important occasion

solidify

[sә'lidifai] verb [intransitive or transitive] 1 to become solid or make something solid: When the mixture begins to solidify, shape it into balls. 2 to become more definite or make something more definite: It has solidified its position as a leading company.

salubrity

[sә'lu:briti] noun see salubrious

temptation

[temp'teiʃәn] noun [count or uncount] a strong feeling of wanting to have or do something, especially something that is bad for you: temptation to do something: The temptation to gamble is great, so he stays home. give in/yield/succumb to (the) temptation (=get or do the thing you want): She nearly gave in to the temptation to open the letter. resist the temptation to do something: I will resist the temptation to go into detail here. a. something that tempts you: Wearing a lot of jewelry is a powerful temptation to thieves or muggers. The streets of New York have many temptations for young people.

tremendous

[tri'mendәs] adjective 1 [usually before noun] used for emphasizing that something such as an amount, achievement, or feeling is extremely great, important, or strong: a tremendous success I have tremendous respect for my parents. The result was a tremendous disappointment. We have a tremendous amount of work to get through. 2 something that is tremendous is extremely good: We had a tremendous evening together. tremendously adverb: a tremendously important person They played tremendously well.

transport

[træns'pɒ:t] verb [transitive] 1 to move people or things from one place to another, usually in a vehicle: We will need a big truck to transport all the boxes. transport someone to/from something: A shuttle bus transports all employees from their homes. Volunteers will be transported to the island by boat. 2 to make you imagine or feel like you are in a different place or time: transport someone to something: The show transported Alvin back to nightclubs of the 1920s. noun 1 [uncount] the process of moving people or things from one place to another, usually in a vehicle: The article discussed the illegal transport and dumping of dangerous chemicals. transport of: They have succeeded in stopping the transport of live animals. 2 [uncount] MAINLY BRITISH the business of moving people or things from one place to another, usually using buses or trains 2a. [uncount] MAINLY BRITISH a method of traveling or moving things from one place to another 2b. [count] an airplane, ship, or vehicle used for moving people or equipment, especially in the military a transport of joy/delight/rapture LITERARY a state of great happiness or excitement

twitch

[twitʃ] verb 1 [intransitive or transitive] to make a sudden quick movement: One of the curtains twitched slightly. 1a. [intransitive] used about a sudden slight uncontrolled movement of your body: A muscle in her neck twitched. 2 [transitive] to pull something with a sudden quick movement noun [count] 1 a sudden slight uncontrolled movement of your body: His mouth gave a twitch of annoyance. 2 a sudden pull

torrential

[tɒ'renʃәl] adjective torrential rain falls hard and fast

tot

[tɒt] noun [count] 1 INFORMAL a small child 2 MAINLY BRITISH a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink verb ,tot `up phrasal verb [transitive] INFORMAL to add numbers together

tong

[tɒŋ] I. noun Date: 1883 a secret society or fraternal organization especially of Chinese in the United States formerly notorious for gang warfare II. verb Etymology: s Date: 1868 transitive verb to take, gather, hold, or handle with s < oysters> intransitive verb to use s especially in taking or gathering something • er noun

charm

[tʃɑ:m] noun 1 [uncount] a personal quality that attracts people to you and makes them like you: Even journalists succumbed to Roosevelt's easy charm. great/considerable/immense charm: She is a woman of great personal charm. turn on the charm (=use it to influence someone or achieve something): They were reluctant to let us in until Sue turned on the charm. 1a. charms [plural] pleasant or attractive qualities or features: Visitors are delighted by the village's more rustic charms. The place held no charms for me it was bare and isolated. 1b. [uncount] the quality of being pleasant or attractive: The building has been modernized but retains its traditional charm. a classic children's tale that has lost none of its charm 2 [count] something that people believe brings them luck: a good-luck charm 2a. a small object worn on a piece of jewelry: a gold charm a charm bracelet 3 [count] something believed to have magic power, especially a magic phrase 3a. work like a charm to be very effective verb [transitive] 1 to give someone pleasure or enjoyment: The children clearly charmed the audience with their enthusiastic singing. She was charmed by Henry's thoughtfulness. 2 to deliberately make someone like you so that they do what you want them to do: He was able to charm my mother into helping him financially. 3 to use magic to influence or control someone or something

vouch

[vautʃ] verb `for phrasal verb [transitive] 1 for something to say that something is true, correct, or good based on your own knowledge or experience: We can for the software everyone here uses it. 2 for someone to say that you believe someone is good and will behave well in future: Are you willing to for him?

veil

[veil] noun [count] 1 a thin piece of cloth worn over a woman's head and often partly over her face 1a. the veil the practice of wearing a veil for covering the face, followed by women in Islamic countries 2 a layer of something such as rain that prevents you from seeing very far 3 [usually singular] a lack of knowledge or information, that prevents you from discovering the truth: a veil of secrecy/ignorance/silence: A veil of secrecy has been thrown over the final preparations. 3a. draw a veil over something FORMAL to avoid talking about something because it is embarrassing or unpleasant: Both sides sought to draw a veil over the argument. take the veil OLD-FASHIONED to become a NUN verb [transitive] 1 to cover something with a veil 2 to hide something behind something else veiled in secrecy/mystery not known about by many people

vexation

[vek'seiʃәn] noun FORMAL [uncount] the feeling of being annoyed, confused, or worried a. [count] something that causes this feeling

vim

[vim] noun [uncount] OLD-FASHIONED energy

voluminous

[vә'lju:minәs] adjective FORMAL 1 voluminous clothing has a lot of material in it and is loose on your body 2 a voluminous container is able to hold a large amount 3 a voluminous document is long and detailed

accrete

[æ'kri:t] verb (d; accreting) Date: 1784 intransitive verb to grow or become attached by accretion transitive verb to cause to adhere or become attached; also accumulate

ambivalence

[æm'bivәlәns] noun [uncount] the feeling or state of being ambivalent

antipathy

[æn'tipәθi] noun [uncount] FORMAL a strong feeling of not liking someone or something: antipathy for/to/toward: She found it hard to hide her antipathy toward her colleagues. antipathetic adjective

anterior

[æn'tiәriә] adjective MEDICAL near the front of a part of your body

athletics

[æθ'letiks] noun [uncount] 1 AMERICAN sports and other physical activities 2 BRITISH TRACK AND FIELD

automaton

[ɒ:'tɒmәtәn] noun [count] 1 a machine that can move and do things without being controlled by someone 2 someone who behaves like a machine and shows no feelings

orthography

[ɒ:'θɒgrәfi] noun [uncount] LINGUISTICS the system of spelling that a language uses orthographical adjective orthographically adverb

thug

[θʌg] noun [count] a man who is violent, especially a criminal

oblige

[ә'blaidʒ] verb 1 [transitive usually passive] FORMAL to force someone to do something because it is the law, a rule, or a duty: be/feel obliged to do something: Employers are legally obliged to pay the minimum wage. They felt obliged to offer him hospitality. 2 [intransitive or transitive] to help someone by doing something that they have asked you to do: The neighbors asked to borrow our ladder, and I duly obliged. happy/glad/willing to oblige: If there's anything else I can do, I'm always happy to oblige. much obliged FORMAL used for thanking someone politely: I'm much obliged to you. I would be obliged (if) VERY FORMAL used when you are asking someone politely to do something: I would be obliged therefore to receive your instructions on this matter.

adaptable

[ә'dæptәbl] adjective adaptable people can change their behavior or ideas easily in order to deal with new situations: We need adaptable workers who are willing to learn new skills. a. adaptable things can be used in different situations or for different purposes: adaptable office furniture Most people want insurance policies that are adaptable to changing circumstances. adaptability noun [uncount]

affected

[ә'fektid] adjective used for describing behavior that is not natural but is done to impress other people: His affected manner annoyed her. affectedly adverb

acquaintance

[ә'kweintәns] noun 1 [count] someone you know a little, who is not a close friend: He recognized Mr. Hunter as an old business acquaintance from his years in banking. 2 [uncount] FORMAL knowledge of or experience with a person or subject: of someone's acquaintance: the only writer of my acquaintance a passing acquaintance (=a little knowledge or experience): I'm afraid I have only a passing acquaintance with Baroque music. 2a. make someone's acquaintance to meet someone for the first time: I'd been looking forward to making her acquaintance for a long time.

accommodating

[ә'kɒmәdeitiŋ] adjective helpful and easy to work with: OBLIGING: I found the staff accommodating and knowledgeable. We expected a more accommodating attitude during discussions.

accomplice

[ә'kʌmplis] noun [count] someone who helps another person do something illegal or wrong: She's serving life for acting as an accomplice to murder.

allege

[ә'ledʒ] verb [transitive] to say that something is true or that someone has done something wrong or illegal even though this has not been proved: allege that: The defense alleges that Jones was beaten up while in police custody. be alleged to have done something: He is alleged to have ordered the murder of a U.S. citizen.

alluvial

[ә'lu:viәl] adjective TECHNICAL made of earth and sand left by rivers or floods

ascendent

[ә'sendәnt] I. noun see ascendant I II. adjective see ascendant II

assess

[ә'ses] verb [transitive] 1 to carefully consider a situation, person, or problem in order to make a judgment: We tried to assess his suitability for the job. 2 to calculate what something costs or is worth: Our agent will assess the value of your property.

assault

[ә'sɒ:t] noun 1 [count or uncount] a physical attack on someone, or the crime of physically attacking someone: an assault on a young student He was charged with assault. guilty of sexual assault 2 [count] an attack by the military: a NATO air assault assault on: the assault on Pohang-dong 2a. [only before noun] used in a military assault: an assault rifle/vehicle/weapon 3 [count] a strong criticism: The article was a vicious assault on Bell's integrity. 4 [count] FORMAL a serious attempt to achieve something difficult verb [transitive] 1 to attack someone violently: An elderly woman was robbed and sexually assaulted. 2 MAINLY LITERARY if a noise, smell, or sight assaults you, you notice it immediately because it is very unpleasant or offensive

obsequious

[әb'si:kwiәs] adjective too eager to please someone, in a way that does not seem sincere: obsequious waiters obsequiously adverb obsequiousness noun [uncount]

obscurantism

[әb'skjurәntizm] noun [uncount] VERY FORMAL the practice of deliberately making things more confusing or complicated, so that people do not discover the truth obscurantist adjective

obstruct

[әb'strʌkt] verb [transitive] 1 to block a path, passage, door, etc. so that it is difficult or impossible for someone or something to move along or through it: Tenants must not obstruct access to fire equipment. Seven people were arrested for allegedly obstructing a highway. The child must have swallowed something that's obstructing his windpipe. 1a. to physically prevent someone or something from moving along or through a path, passage, door, etc. by blocking it: An accident is obstructing the traffic at junction 14. 1b. to prevent you from seeing something by being between you and the object you want to see: The trees in their garden obstruct our view of the ocean. 2 to take action in order to prevent someone from doing something or to prevent something from happening: He disliked the project but had not actively obstructed it.

obtrude

[әb'tru:d] verb [intransitive or transitive] FORMAL to attract attention or to attract attention to something in a way that is not pleasant or welcome

adherent

[әd'hiәrәnt] noun [count] FORMAL a supporter of a set of ideas, an organization, or a person: adherents of Islam

admire

[әd'maiә] verb [transitive] 1 to have a feeling of great respect for someone or something: I've always admired her work. He was loved and admired by all of us. admire someone for something: Altman is much admired for his technical skills. 2 to look at someone or something that you think is beautiful or attractive: We stopped and admired the view.

advisable

[әd'vaizәbl] adjective if something is advisable, it is a good idea to do it, especially in order to avoid problems: It is advisable to wear sunscreen when out in the sun. advisability noun [uncount]

opine

[әu'pain] verb [transitive] VERY FORMAL to state your opinion

mecca

a holy city in Saudi Arabia where the PROPHET Mohammed was born. Muslims face Mecca when they pray and try to visit there once in their lives. noun [count or uncount] a place that a lot of people visit, because it is famous for something they want to see or do: Nevada's gambling mecca provides fun and variety for all age groups.

recherche

adjective (from French, formal, usually disapproving) unusual and not easy to understand, chosen in order to impress people

well-bred

adjective 1 OLD-FASHIONED someone who is well bred has been taught good manners and given a good education: a young lady 2 a animal has good qualities because of good BREEDING

fancy-free

adjective able to behave as you like because you are not married or involved in a relationship with anyone

feisty

adjective full of energy and lively determination: feisty young women

run-of-the-mill

adjective ordinary and not interesting

cosmopolitan

adjective showing the influence of many different countries and cultures: a cosmopolitan atmosphere a. used about a place where people from many different countries and cultures live: this great cosmopolitan city b. used about someone who has traveled a lot and knows about different societies and cultures: modern progressive people with a truly cosmopolitan outlook noun [count] someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience of many different countries and cultures

underdone

adjective underdone food has not been cooked for long enough opposite OVERDONE

nefarious

adjective FORMAL evil or dishonest

parsimonious

adjective FORMAL not willing to give or spend money parsimoniously adverb parsimony noun [uncount]

estranged

adjective MAINLY JOURNALISM 1 an estranged husband or wife is no longer living with their partner 1a. not seeing friends or relatives very often, especially because of having fought with them 2 feeling that you do not belong to a group or community: ALIENATED

hierarchic

adjective see al

bench warrant

bench warrant noun Date: 1696 a warrant issued by a presiding judge or by a court against a person guilty of contempt or indicted for a crime

rumbling

noun 1 [usually plural] talk or signs of people being unhappy with a situation: There are rumblings in the banking sector that the system isn't working. 2 [count usually singular] a continuous deep sound: rumbling of: The rumbling of heavy artillery could be heard in the distance.

freshet

noun Date: 1596 1. archaic stream 1 2. a. a great rise or overflowing of a stream caused by heavy rains or melted snow b. a swelling quantity ; influx <summer brings a of tourists>

petulance

noun Date: 1610 the quality or state of being petulant ; peevishness

monologue

noun [count] 1 a speech made by someone who talks for a long time and does not let anyone else say anything: He kept up a steady monologue during the whole trip. 2 a long speech made as entertainment, or made by a character in a play or movie compare SOLILOQUY

matriarch

noun [count] a female leader of a family or community

supremacist

noun [count] someone who believes their own race is much better than others, and believes they should have power and control: a white supremacist group

byline

noun [count] the writer's name printed at the top of an article in a magazine or newspaper: I like seeing my byline when I open the newspaper.

bugaboo

noun [count] AMERICAN something that worries people, especially something you think they are silly to worry about: that old 90s bugaboo, low self-esteem

fathead

noun [count] INFORMAL someone who is stupid fatheaded adjective

sanitation

noun [uncount] conditions and processes relating to people's health, especially the systems that supply water and deal with human waste

clangor

noun [uncount] MAINLY LITERARY 1 a loud noise that continues for a long time 2 the noise made when metal is hit

fatidic

or al adjective Date: 1607 of or relating to prophecy

distension

or distention noun Date: 15th century the act of distending or the state of being distended especially unduly or abnormally

straw vote

straw vote noun Date: 1866 an unofficial vote taken (as at a chance gathering) to indicate the relative strength of opposing candidates or issues — called also straw poll

hector

verb [intransitive or transitive] FORMAL to speak to someone in an angry way, especially continuously

overplay

verb [transitive] to treat something as being more important or severe than it really is overplay your hand to believe you are in a stronger situation or position than you really are and fail as a result

stymie

verb [transitive] INFORMAL to stop someone from achieving a goal, or stop some process from continuing: Richard's attitude completely stymied her. positions that have stymied progress