UNIT1

-account (to sb ) for sth phrasal verb to explain the reason for something or the cause of something .Can you account
for your absence last Friday? She was unable to account for over $5 000 (= she could not explain .where the money was)
. He has to account to his manager for (= tell his manager about and explain) all his movements.

account for sth phrasal verb to form the total of something .Students account for the vast majority of our customers.

-alert /lt/ /-lt/ adjective quick to see, understand and act in a particular situation .I'm not feeling very alert today -

not enough sleep last night! A couple of alert readers wrote in to the paper pointing out the mistake. Parents should be
alert to sudden changes in children's behaviour.

-amount to sth phrasal verb [ not continuous ] BE

2. to be the same as something, or to have the same effect as something

His behaviour amounted to serious professional misconduct.
He gave what amounted to an apology on behalf of his company.
-approachable adjective CHARACTER 1. friendly and easy to talk to

Graham's always very approachable - why don't you talk the problem over with him?
approachable / -/ adjective PLACE

2. If a place is approachable, you can reach it or get near to it

It's one of the few lakeside villages approachable by car.
approbation /p.r be. n/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

approval or agreement, often given by an official group; praise

The council has finally indicated its approbation of the plans.
-arrogant adjective

unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people
I found him arrogant and rude.
arrogance noun [ U ]
He has a self-confidence that is sometimes seen as arrogance.
arrogantly adverb
The authorities had behaved arrogantly, she said.
arrogate verb [ T ] FORMAL
to take something without having the right to do so
They arrogate to themselves the power to punish people.
-assume / verb [ T ] ACCEPT
 1. to accept something to be true without question or proof
[ + ( that ) ] I assumed (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school.
Let's assume (that) they're coming and make plans on that basis.
[ + to infinitive ] We can't assume the suspects to be guilty simply because they've decided to remain silent.
We mustn't assume the suspects' guilt.
assume / verb [ T ] PRETEND

2. to pretend to have a different name or be someone you are not, or to express a feeling falsely
Moving to a different town, he assumed a false name.
During the investigation, two detectives assumed the identities of antiques dealers.
He assumed a look of indifference but I knew how he felt.
assume / verb [ T ] TAKE CONTROL

3. to take or begin to have responsibility or control, sometimes without the right to do so,
or to begin to have a characteristic
The new President assumes office at midnight tonight.
The terrorists assumed control of the plane and forced it to land in the desert.
The issue has assumed considerable political proportions (= has become a big political
problem) .
as suming (that) conjunction

accepting as true without question or proof

Even assuming that smokers do see the health warnings, I doubt they'll take any notice.
assumption noun
1. [ C ] something that you accept as true without question or proof

People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability.
These calculations are based on the assumption that prices will continue to rise.
assumption noun
2. assumption of power/responsibility, etc.
[ U ] when someone takes a position of power/responsibility, etc.
The revolutionaries' assumption of power took the army by surprise.

-asylum / noun PROTECTION

1. [ U ] protection or safety, especially that given by a government to foreigners who have

been forced to leave their own countries for political reasons
to seek/apply for political asylum
asylum / noun HOSPITAL

2. [ C ] OLD USE a hospital for people with mental illnesses

 a lunatic asylum
asylum-seeker / noun [ C ]

someone who leaves their own country for their safety, often for political reasons or
because of war, and who travels to another country hoping that the government will protect
them and allow them to live there
genuine/bogus asylum-seekers
A record number of asylum-seekers arrived in the UK last month.
-calamity noun [ C ] a serious accident or bad event causing damage or suffering . A series of calamities ruined them -
floods, a failed harvest and the death of a son.

-choke verb STOP BREATHING

1. [ I or T ] If you choke, or if something chokes you, you stop breathing because something is blocking your
throat
She choked to death on a fish bone.
Children can choke on peanuts.
Peanuts can choke a small child.
2. [ T ] to make someone stop breathing by pressing their throat with the hands
choke / verb FILL

3. [ T usually passive ] ( ALSO choke up ) to fill something such as a road or pipe, so that nothing can pass
through
At lunchtime the streets were choked with traffic.
choke / verb FAIL

4. [ I ] ( ALSO choke it ) INFORMAL (usually in sports) to fail to do something at a time when it is urgent, usually
because you suddenly lose confidence
He could score points at will during the qualifying matches, but in the final he completely choked.
choke sth back phrasal verb [ M ]
If you choke back feelings or tears, you force yourself not to show how angry or upset you are
Choking back my anger, I tried to speak calmly.
"John has had an accident, " she said, choking back the tears .
choke / noun [ C or U ]

a device in a motor vehicle, that changes the amount of air going into the engine, allowing more fuel compared to
air to go in and therefore making the engine easier to start
choked / adjective [ after verb ]

unable to speak because you are upset

She tried to say a few words but found herself choked.
choker / noun [ C ]

a narrow strip of cloth or a necklace that fits very closely around a woman's neck
a pearl choker
-clasp / verb [ T ]

to hold someone or something firmly in your hands or arms

He was clasping the vase tightly, terrified of dropping it.
Lie on your back, clasp your knees and pull them down towards your chest.
She clasped her son in her arms.
clasp / noun

1. [ S ] a tight hold with your hand or arms

She held the child's hand in a firm clasp as they crossed the road.
2. [ C ] a small metal device which is used to fasten a belt, bag or a piece of jewellery
clasp knife noun [ C ] ( US USUALLY pocketknife )

a knife with one or more folding blades

-complement verb [ T ]

to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it
Strawberries and cream complement each other perfectly.
The music complements her voice perfectly.
complementary adjective
useful or attractive together
complementary colours/flavours/skills
My family and my job both play an important part in my life, fulfilling separate but
complementary needs.
comple mentary angle noun [ C usually plural ]

one of two angles which together add up to 90

-cordon noun [ C ]

a line of police, soldiers, vehicles, etc. positioned around a particular area in order to
prevent people from entering it
There was a police cordon around the building.
cordon verb
cordon sth/somewhere off phrasal verb [ M ]
If people in authority, such as the police, cordon off a building or area, they put something
around it in order to stop people from entering it
 They've cordoned off the whole area because of a suspected bomb.
cordon bleu / adjective

1. describes food prepared to the highest standard

cordon bleu cuisine
2. describes people who are able to cook food to the highest standard
a cordon bleu chef
cordon sanitaire / / noun [ C ]

a guarded area around a place or country which prevents people entering or leaving it
Nato was accused of trying to throw a cordon sanitaire around Russia.
-depart / / verb [ I ] FORMAL

to go away or leave, especially on a journey

The plane departs at 6.00 a.m.
The train for London departs from Platform 2.
depart this life
to die
In loving memory of my dear husband, who departed this life on May 5, 1978.
depart from sth phrasal verb
to be different from the usual or expected way of doing or thinking about something
I see no reason for us to depart from our usual practice.
At this point in the speech, the minister departed from his prepared text.
-descendant noun [ C ]

a person who is related to someone and who lives after them, such as their child or
grandchild
He has no descendants.
They claim to be descendants of a French duke.
We owe it to our descendants (= people younger than us who will live after we have died)
to leave them a clean world to live in.
Compare ancestor
descent
-discrimination / / noun [ U ] DIFFERENT TREATMENT

1. treating a person or particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you
treat other people, because of their skin colour, religion, sex, etc.
racial/sex/age discrimination
 Until 1986 most companies would not even allow women to take the examinations, but such blatant
discrimination is now disappearing.
discrimination / noun [ U ] SEEING A DIFFERENCE

2. FORMAL the ability to see the difference between two things or people
-disperse / verb [ I or T ]

to spread across or move away over a large area, or to make something do this
When the rain came down the crowds started to disperse.
Police dispersed the crowd that had gathered.
-dose / noun [ C ]

1. a measured amount of something such as medicine

a high/low dose
a dose of penicillin
The label says to take one dose three times a day.
Twenty or thirty of these pills would be a lethal dose (= enough to kill you) .
2. an amount or experience of something bad or unpleasant
The government received a hefty dose of bad news this week.
She's got a nasty dose of flu.
3. UK SLANG a case of gonorrhea (= a disease of the sexual organs)
in small doses
for short periods of time
I can only stand opera in small doses.
like a dose of salts UK INFORMAL
very quickly
The medicine went through me like a dose of salts.
dose / / verb [ T ]

to give someone a measured amount of medicine

INFORMAL He dosed him self ( up ) with valium to calm his nerves.

-enhance verb [ T ]

to improve the quality, amount or strength of something

These scandals will not enhance the organization's reputation.

enhancement noun [ C or U ]
-enhancing suffix
Several athletes tested positive for illegal performance -enhancing drugs.
enhancer / noun [ C ]

something which is used to improve the quality of something. Enhancer is usually used as a
combining form
Music can be a mood enhancer.
I don't like to use artificial flavour enhancers in my cooking.
-entrepreneur noun [ C ]

someone who starts their own business, especially when this involves seeing a new opportunity
He was one of the entrepreneurs of the eighties who made their money in property.
entrepreneurial / adjective

She'll make money - she's got that entrepreneurial spirit .

-filter / / noun [ C ] EQUIPMENT FOR REMOVING STH

1. any of several types of equipment or devices for removing solids from liquids or gases, or for removing
particular types of light
a water filter
a dust filter
I like to experiment with different light filters on my camera.
Ozone is the Earth's primary filter for ultraviolet radiation.
See picture filter
filter / / noun [ C ] TRAFFIC

2. UK a green arrow-shaped light which is part of a set of traffic lights and which tells drivers when they can turn
left or right
a traffic filter
a left/right filter
filter / verb APPEAR GRADUALLY

1. [ I + adverb or preposition ] to appear or happen gradually or to a limited degree

News filtered down to us during the day.
Reports about an accident began to filter in .
Sunlight filtered through the branches.
filter / verb REMOVE

2. [ T ] to remove solids from liquids or gases, or to remove particular types of light, using special equipment
The water is filtered to remove any impurities.
Devices in the two chimneys would filter (out) (= remove) radioactive dust.
filter in phrasal verb UK
to join a line of moving traffic without causing other vehicles to slow down
-harassment / noun [ U ]

behaviour that annoys or upsets someone

sexual harassment
-indulge / verb

1. [ I or T ] to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially

more than is good for you
The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs.
[ R ] I love champagne but I don't often indulge myself.
We took a deliberate decision to indulge in a little nostalgia.
2. [ T ] to give someone anything they want and not to mind if they behave badly
My aunt indulges the children dreadfully.
indulgence / / noun

1. [ C or U ] when you allow someone or yourself to have something enjoyable, especially

more than is good for you
Chocolate is my only indulgence.
All the pleasures and indulgences of the weekend are over, and I must get down to some
serious hard work.
His health suffered from over- indulgence in (= too much) rich food and drink.
See also self-indulgence
-inferiority noun [ U ]

His ill treatment as a child had given him a strong sense of inferiority.
Compare superiority
inferi ority complex noun [ C ]

a feeling that you are not as good, as intelligent, as attractive, etc. as other people
He's always had an inferiority complex about his height.
-literacy / noun [ U ]

1. the ability to read and write

Far more resources are needed to improve adult literacy.
2. knowledge of a particular subject, or a particular type of knowledge
Computer literacy is becoming as essential as the ability to drive a car.
literal / adjective

The literal meaning of a word is its original, basic meaning

 The literal meaning of 'television' is 'seeing from a distance'.
You need to demonstrate to the examiners that you have more than a literal understanding
of the text.
Her translation is too literal (= done one word at a time) , resulting in heavy, unnatural
prose.
Compare figurative
-nominate / verb [ T ] SUGGEST

1. to officially suggest someone for an election, job, position or honour

He's been nominated by the Green Party as their candidate in the next election.
Would you like to nominate anyone for/as director?
2. to state officially that a film, song, programme, etc. will be included in a competition for a prize
The film was nominated for an Academy Award.
nominate / verb [ T ] CHOOSE

3. to officially choose someone for a job or to do something

She was nominated as the delegation's official interpreter.
[ + to infinitive ] President Yeltsin nominated acting prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko to head the government.
-pass as/for sth/sb phrasal verb

to appear to be someone or something else, or to cause people to believe that they are
I really want to go and see the film, but I don't think I'd pass for 18.
Do you think this jacket and trousers will pass as a suit? They're almost the same colour.
pass away/on phrasal verb
POLITE EXPRESSION FOR die (STOP LIVING)
She's terribly upset because her father passed away last week.
pass sb by phrasal verb
If an event or opportunity passes you by, you do not notice it, or get pleasure or an advantage from it
Do you ever feel that life is passing you by?
pass sth down phrasal verb [ M often passive ]
to teach or give something to someone who will be alive after you have died
His is a family trade, passed down from generation to generation.
pass off phrasal verb [ + adverb ] UK ( US come off )
to happen
The pop festival passed off peacefully, despite the fears of local residents.
pass sth/sb off as sth/sb phrasal verb [ M ]
to pretend that something or someone is a particular thing or person when they are not
The dealer was trying to pass off fakes as valuable antiques.
 It's hard to believe anyone would try to pass this nonsense off as literature.
pass sth on phrasal verb [ M ] TELL
1. to tell someone something that another person has told you
If he provided us with any information, no one passed it on to me.
-pavement /pev.mnt/ noun [ C ]

1. UK ( US sidewalk ) a path with a hard surface on one or both sides of a road, that people
walk on
Keep to the pavement, Rosie, there's a good girl.
2. US the surface of a road when it has been covered with concrete or tarmac
pavement artist noun [ C ] UK ( US sidewalk artist )

a person who draws pictures on a pavement using coloured chalks , especially so that
people who walk past will give small amounts of money

-philanthropic / adjective FORMAL

helping poor people, especially by giving them money

philanthropist / noun [ C ]

a person who helps the poor, especially by giving them money

a donation from a wealthy 19th-century philanthropist
philanthropy / / noun [ U ]

philatelist noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a person who collects or studies stamps and postal history
-quaint adjective

1. attractive because of being unusual and especially old-fashioned

a quaint old cottage
2. Quaint can also be used to show that you do not approve of something, especially an
opinion, belief or way of behaving, because it is strange or old-fashioned
"What a quaint idea!" she said, laughing at him.
-quota / noun [ C ]

a fixed, limited amount or number that is officially allowed

The country now has a quota on immigration.
FIGURATIVE The class contains the usual quota (= number) of troublemakers.
quotation / noun [ C ] ( INFORMAL quote ) SAID
 1. a phrase or short piece of writing taken from a longer work of literature, poetry, etc. or
what someone else has said
At the beginning of the book there's a quotation from Abraham Lincoln.
quotation / noun [ C ] ( INFORMAL quote ) PRICE

2. the price that a person says they will charge to do a piece of work
-segregate / / verb [ T ]

1. to keep one group of people apart from another and treat them differently, especially because of race or sex
a segregated school/society
Blacks were segregated from whites in every area of life.
2. to keep one thing separate from another
The systems will have to be able to segregate clients' money from the firm's own cash.
segregated / adjective

segregated schools
The psychiatric section is segregated (= separated) from the rest of the prison.
segregation / noun [ U ]

The system of racial segregation that used to exist in South Africa was called apartheid.
-slam /slm/ verb -mm-

1. [ I or T ] to (cause to) move against a hard surface with force and usually a loud noise
The wind made the door/window slam (shut).
Close the door carefully, don't slam it.
He slammed the brakes on (= used them quickly and with force) when a child ran in front of his car.
I had to stop suddenly, and the car behind slammed into the back of me.
2. [ T ] INFORMAL to criticize
Although the reviewers slammed the play, the audience loved it.
slam / / noun [ S ]

a sudden loud noise

The door shut with a slam.
-standstill / / noun [ S ]

a condition in which all movement or activity has stopped

The runaway bus eventually came to a standstill when it rolled into a muddy field.
Fighting and shortages have brought normal life to a virtual standstill in the city.
stand-up / / adjective [ before noun ]

describes comedy performed by a single person telling jokes

 stand-up comedy
a stand-up comedian
stand-up / / noun [ C ]

a person who performs stand-up comedy ; a stand-up comedian

-stump / noun PART LEFT

stump
1. [ C ] the part of something such as tree, tooth, arm or leg which is left after most of it has been removed
the stump of a tree
Her smile broadened to reveal two rows of brown stumps.
stump /stmp/ noun CRICKET

2. stumps
the three vertical wooden poles at which the ball is thrown in cricket
stump /stmp/ verb NO ANSWER

1. be stumped INFORMAL
to be unable to answer a question or solve a problem because it is too difficult
I'm completely stumped - how did she manage to escape?
-tremble /trem.bl/ verb [ I ]

to shake slightly, usually because you are cold, frightened, or very emotional
When he came out of the water, he was trembling with cold.
Her bottom lip trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.
His voice started to tremble and I thought he was going to cry.
tremble to think
If you say that you tremble to think about a possible future event, you are worried or frightened about it
I tremble to think what will happen when he finds out.
tremble / / noun [ C or U ]

when something or someone trembles

There was a slight tremble in her voice as she recalled her husband.
-trunk /k/ noun MAIN PART

1. [ C ] the thick main stem of a tree, from which its branches grow
See picture trunk
2. [ C ] the main part of a person's body, not including the head, legs or arms
He's got a thick trunk.
See picture trunk
trunk /trk/ noun NOSE

3. [ C ] an elephant's nose which is long, shaped like a tube and can bend easily
See pictures trunk , animals 1
trunk / noun CASE

4. [ C ] a large strong case that is used for storing clothes and personal possessions, often when travelling or going
to live in a new place
See picture trunk
trunk / / noun CLOTHES

5. trunks ( UK ALSO swimming trunks )

a piece of men's clothing that covers the hips and bottom and the top part of the legs and is worn when swimming
See pictures trunk , clothes 3
trunk /trk/ noun CAR

6. [ C ] US ( UK boot ) a covered space at the back of a car, for storing things in

I always keep a blanket and a toolkit in the trunk for emergencies.
Her husband's dismembered body was later discovered in the trunk of her car.
See picture car exterior
-umpteen /m p tin/ , /--/ determiner , pronoun INFORMAL

very many; a lot (of)

We've been there umpteen times and she still can't remember the way.
umpteenth /m p tin/ , /--/ determiner INFORMAL

I drank my umpteenth cup of coffee.

For the umpteenth time, Anthony, knives and forks go in the middle drawer!
-uptight /ptat/ adjective INFORMAL

worried or nervous and not able to relax

Don't get uptight about the exam - just do your best.
-widescreen /wad.skrin/ adjective

1. having a wider than usual screen which shows very clear pictures
widescreen televisions
2. made to be shown on a screen that is wider than usual
a widescreen version of the movie
widespread /wadspred/ adjective

existing or happening in many places and/or among many people

There are reports of widespread flooding in northern France.
 Malnutrition in the region is widespread - affecting up to 78% of children under five years
old.
The campaign has received widespread support.
-bead /bid/ noun [ C ]

1. a small coloured often round piece of plastic, wood, glass, etc. with a hole through it. It
is usually put on a string with a lot of others to make jewellery
She wore a necklace of brightly coloured wooden beads.
2. a very small amount of liquid
Beads of sweat stood out on his forehead.
beaded /bi.dd/ adjective

1. decorated with beads

She wore an elaborately beaded twenties-style dress.
2. beaded with sweat/perspiration etc.
covered with small drops of sweat or a similar liquid
After an hour of aerobics your face will be beaded with sweat.
-beckon /bek. n/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to move your hand or head in a way that tells someone to come nearer
The customs official beckoned the woman to his counter.
"Hey you!", she called, beckoning me over with her finger.
He beckoned to me, as if he wanted to speak to me.
2. [ I ] If something beckons, it attracts people
For many young people, the bright lights of London beckon, though a lot of them end up sleeping on the streets.
3. [ I ] If an event or achievement beckons, it is likely to happen
She's an excellent student, for whom a wonderful future beckons.
-bewilder /bwl.d r / /-d/ verb [ T ]

to confuse someone
The instructions completely bewildered me.
bewildered /bwl.dd/ /-dd/ adjective

Arriving in a strange city at night, I felt alone and bewildered.

bewildering /bwl.d r./ /-d./ adjective

1. confusing and difficult to understand

He gave me directions to his house, but I found them utterly bewildering.
2. making you feel confused because you cannot decide what you want
 The college offers a bewildering range of courses.
bewilderment /bwl.d.mnt/ /-d-/ noun [ U ]

confusion
a state of bewilderment
As he walked through the door, she stared at him in utter bewilderment.
-bloke /blk/ /blok/ noun [ C ] UK INFORMAL

a man, often one who is considered to be ordinary

Paul's a really good bloke (= I like him a lot) .
He's a funny (sort of) bloke (= slightly strange) .
blokeish , blokish /bl.k/ /blo-/ adjective UK INFORMAL

describes a man who behaves in the way people traditionally think ordinary men behave
when they are together
He's too blokeish for me - always talking about football and cars.
-bloom /blum/ verb [ I ] PRODUCE FLOWERS

1. When a flower blooms, it opens or is open, and when a plant or tree blooms it produces flowers
These flowers will bloom all through the summer.
bloom /blum/ verb [ I ] DEVELOP

2. to grow or develop successfully

Rimbaud's poetic genius bloomed early.
bloom /blum/ noun FLOWER

1. [ C ] a flower on a plant
2. be in bloom
to be producing flowers
The apple trees are in full bloom (= completely covered in flowers) .

3. come into bloom

to start to produce flowers
The roses are just coming into bloom.
bloom /blum/ noun GOOD HEALTH

4. [ S or U ] LITERARY health, energy and good looks

He was nineteen, in the full bloom of youth.
bloomer /blu.m r / /-m/ noun [ C ] MISTAKE

1. UK OLD-FASHIONED SLANG a silly or embarrassing mistake which does not have serious
results
-bump /bmp/ verb HIT

bump
1. [ I + adverb or preposition ] to hit something with force
She bumped into his tray, knocking the food onto his lap.
2. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to hurt part of your body by hitting it against something hard
I bumped my head on the shelf as I stood up.
bump /bmp/ verb TRAVEL

3. [ I + adverb or preposition ] to travel, usually in a vehicle, in an uncomfortable way because the surface you are
moving over is rough
We bumped along the track in our car holding on to our seats.
bump into sb phrasal verb
to meet someone you know when you have not planned to meet them
We bumped into Alison when we were in London last week.
bump sb off phrasal verb [ M ] SLANG
to murder someone
bump sth up phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
to increase the amount or size of something
The distributors will probably bump up the price of the software when the next version is released.
bump /bmp/ noun [ C ] RAISED AREA

1. a round, raised area on a surface or on the body

Her bicycle hit a bump in the road and threw her off.
Tim had a nasty bump on his head from when he'd fallen over.
-charitable /tr..t.bl/ /ter..t-/ adjective GIVING

1. [ before noun ] giving money, food or help free to those who are in need because they
are ill, poor or have no home
a charitable foundation/organization/trust
The entire organization is funded by charitable donations.
The school has charitable status (= It is officially a charity) .
charitable /tr..t.bl/ /ter..t-/ adjective KIND

2. kind, and not judging other people in a severe way

Some critics said the show was good in parts - those less charitable said the whole thing
was a disaster.
charitably /tr..t.bli/ /ter..t-/ adverb
 in a kind way, not judging other people in a severe way
She described him, rather charitably, as quiet whereas I would have said he was boring.
-cloak /klk/ /klok/ noun PIECE OF CLOTHING

1. [ C ] a loose outer piece of clothing without sleeves, which fastens at the neck, and is worn instead of a coat
See picture cloak
cloak /klk/ /klok/ noun HIDE

2. [ S or U ] something which hides, covers or keeps something else secret

The restaurant he owned was just a cloak for (= hid) his drug-dealing activities.
They left the house under cloak of darkness.
cloak /klk/ /klok/ verb [ T ]

to cover or hide something

He has always kept his love affairs cloaked in secrecy (= kept them secret) .
The river is often cloaked in mist in the early morning.
cloak-and-dagger /klk.ndg. r / /klok.ndg./ adjective

describes an exciting story involving secrecy and mystery, often about spies , or something
which makes you think of this
I'm tired of all these cloak-and-dagger (= secretive) meetings - let's discuss the issues
openly.
cloakroom /klk.rm/ , /-rum/ /klok-/ noun [ C ]

1. ( US ALSO checkroom ) a room in a public building such as a restaurant, theatre, etc.

where coats, bags, and other personal things can be left while their owners are in the building
2. UK POLITE WORD FOR toilet, especially one in a public building
I went to the cloakroom in the first interval.
-conceal /knsil/ verb [ T ]

to prevent something from being seen or known about; to hide something

The listening device was concealed in a pen.
I tried to conceal my surprise when she told me her age.
It was said that the police concealed vital evidence.
Is there something you're concealing from me?
concealed /knsild/ adjective

The robbery had been recorded on a concealed security camera.

He was carrying a concealed weapon.
The room had concealed lighting.
concealment /knsil.mnt/ noun [ U ]

when something is hidden

the concealment of evidence/facts/weapons
-contempt /kntem p t/ noun [ U ] NO RESPECT

1. a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something

At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.
You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve.
She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her) !
2. hold sb/sth in contempt
to feel contempt for someone or something
contempt /kntem p t/ noun [ U ] NOT OBEYING

3. ( ALSO contempt of court ) LEGAL behaviour that is illegal because it does not obey or respect the rules of a
law court
The tobacco companies may be guilty of contempt of court for refusing to produce the documents.
-convey /knve/ verb [ T ] COMMUNICATE

1. to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people

His poetry conveys a great sense of religious devotion.
If you see James, do convey my apologies ( to him).
[ + question word ] I tried to convey in my speech how grateful we all were for his help.
You don't want to convey the impression that we're not interested.
convey /knve/ verb [ T ] TAKE

2. to take or carry someone or something to a particular place

The goods are usually conveyed by sea.
Could you convey a message to Mr Merrick for me, please?
-cork /kk/ /krk/ noun

1. [ U ] the light soft bark (= outer covering) of a Mediterranean tree

2. [ C ] a short cylindrical piece of cork, or sometimes plastic or rubber, which is put into the top of a bottle,
especially a wine bottle, to close it
I can't get the cork out of the bottle - can you try?
See picture corkscrew, cork
cork /kk/ /krk/ verb [ T ]

to close a bottle by putting a cork in it

If you've drunk enough, I'll cork the bottle and we can have the rest later.
cork sth up phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
 to not allow yourself to express your anger, worry or sadness
-courteous /k.ti.s/ /k.ti-/ adjective

polite and respectful; well-mannered

Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous.
courteously /k.ti..sli/ /k.ti-/ adverb

He's always behaved courteously toward my family.

courtesan /k.tzn/ , /---/ /kr.t-/ noun [ C ]

a woman, usually with a high social position, who in the past had sexual relationships with
rich or important men in exchange for money
-crafty /krf.ti/ /krf-/ adjective

clever, especially in a dishonest or secret way

I've had a crafty idea for getting round the regulations.
She was a crafty old woman.
-deed /did/ noun [ C ] ACTION

1. an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one

It seems to me that a lot of evil deeds are done in the name of religion.
She's always helping people and doing other good deeds.
deed /did/ noun [ C ] DOCUMENT

2. LEGAL a legal document which is an official record of an agreement or official proof of

ownership of land or of a building
deed box noun [ C usually singular ]

a metal box that can be locked, in which important documents are kept
-diagnose /da.g.nz/ /da.gnoz/ verb [ T ]

to recognize and name the exact character of a disease or a problem, by examining it

The specialist diagnosed cancer.
His condition was diagnosed as some sort of blood disorder.
She was diagnosed with/as hav ing diabetes.
The electrician has diagnosed a fault in the wiring.
-dispirited /dspr..td/ /-td/ adjective

not feeling hopeful about a particular situation or problem

The troops were dispirited and disorganised.
dispiriting /dspr..t/ /-t/ adjective

It was a bit dispiriting to see so few people arriving for the meeting.
-disposition /ds.pz. n/ noun

1. [ C usually singular ] the particular type of character which a person naturally has
She is of a nervous/cheerful/sunny disposition.
2. [ S + to infinitive ] FORMAL a natural tendency to do something, or to have or develop
something
a disposition to deceive
dispossess /ds.pzes/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to take property, especially buildings or land, away from someone or a group of people
A lot of people were dispossessed of their homes during the civil war.
Compare repossess
-distract /dstrkt/ verb [ T ]

to make someone stop giving their attention to something

Don't distract her ( from her studies).
He tried to distract attention from his own illegal activities.
distracting /dstrk.t/ adjective

Please turn your music down - it's very distracting.

distracted /dstrk.td/ adjective

nervous, worried or confused because you are worried about something

Gill seems rather distracted at the moment - I think she's worried about her exams.
-dough /d/ /do/ noun FLOUR

1. [ C or U ] flour mixed with water and often yeast, fat or sugar so that it is ready for baking
bread dough
pastry dough
She kneaded the dough and left it to rise.
dough /d/ /do/ noun MONEY

2. [ U ] OLD-FASHIONED SLANG money

I don't want to work but I need the dough.
-drizzle /drz.l/ noun RAIN

1. [ U ] rain in very small light drops

Tomorrow will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle.
drizzle /drz.l/ noun LIQUID

2. [ S ] a small amount of liquid that is lightly poured over something

Serve the pasta hot with a drizzle of olive oil.
drizzle /drz.l/ verb POUR

1. [ T ] to pour liquid slowly over something, especially in a thin line or in small drops
Drizzle the syrup over the warm cake.
drizzle /drz.l/ verb RAIN

2. [ I ] to rain in small light drops

It 's been drizzling all day.
drizzly /drz.li/ adjective

describes weather when it is raining in small light drops

a drizzly afternoon
-earnest /.nst/ /-/ adjective

1. serious or determined, especially too serious and unable to find your own actions funny
He was a very earnest young man.
2. in deadly earnest
completely serious
These fanatics are in deadly earnest when they say they want to destroy all forms of government.
3. in earnest
When something begins in earnest, it has already started but is now being done in a serious and complete way
The election campaign has begun in earnest.
4. be in earnest
to be speaking honestly
I thought he was joking - I didn't realize he was in earnest.
-exotic /gzt.k/ /-z.tk/ adjective

unusual and often exciting because of coming (or seeming to come) from a far, especially tropical country
exotic flowers/food/designs
exotically adverb
exotically dressed dancers
-fig /fg/ noun [ C ]

fig
a sweet, soft, purple or green fruit with many seeds, or a tree on which these grow
not care/give a fig OLD-FASHIONED
 to not be at all worried by or interested in something
They can say what they like. I don't give a fig.
-gloomy /glu.mi/ adjective WITHOUT HOPE

1. unhappy and without hope

a gloomy person/expression
The cemetery is a gloomy place.
2. with no positive opinions or expectations about a situation
The vet is rather gloomy about my cat's chances of recovery.
a gloomy economic forecast
gloomy /glu.mi/ adjective DARK

3. dark in a way that is unpleasant and makes it difficult to see

What gloomy weather we're having!
We waited in a gloomy waiting-room.

-gut /gt/ noun BOWELS

1. [ U ] the long tube in the body of a person or animal, through which food moves during digestion
Meat stays in the gut longer than vegetable matter.
2. [ C ] INFORMAL a person's stomach when it is extremely large
He's got a huge beer gut (= large stomach caused by drinking beer) .
3. guts
bowels
My guts hurt.
He got a knife in the guts.
4. gut feeling/reaction INFORMAL
a strong belief about someone or something which cannot completely be explained and does not have to be
decided by reasoning
I have a gut feeling that the relationship won't last.
5. [ U ] a strong thread made from an animal's bowels used, especially in the past, for making musical instruments
and sports rackets
gut /gt/ noun BRAVERY

6. guts
INFORMAL bravery; the ability to control fear and to deal with danger and uncertainty
[ + to infinitive ] It takes a lot of guts to admit to so many people that you've made a mistake.
have sb's guts for garters UK INFORMAL
If you say you will have someone's guts for garters, you mean that you will punish them severely
 If that boy has taken my bike again, I'll have his guts for garters!
-haughty /h.ti/ /h.ti/ adjective DISAPPROVING

unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people

She has a rather haughty manner.
-idle /a.dl/ adjective NOT WORKING

1. not working or being used

Half these factories now stand idle.
It's crazy to have 7000 sitting idle in the bank.
2. An idle moment or period of time is one in which there is no work or activity
If you have an idle moment, call me.
3. without work; unemployed
Almost half of the workforce are now idle.
idle /a.dl/ adjective NO PURPOSE

4. [ before noun ] without any particular purpose

idle chatter/gossip/speculation
an idle glance
This is no idle threat.
idle /a.dl/ adjective LAZY

5. lazy and not willing to work

He's a very able student, he's just bone idle (= very lazy) .
idleness /a.dl.ns/ noun [ U ]

idle /a.dl/ verb [ I ] ( UK ALSO tick over )

If an engine or machine idles, it runs slowly but does not move or do any work
He left the engine idling and ran into the shop.
idle sth away phrasal verb [ M ]
to spend a period of time relaxing and doing very little
We idled away the hours drinking and playing cards.
-immaterial /m.t.ri.l/ /-tr.i-/ adjective

not important, or not relating to the matter you are interested in

Whether the book is well or badly written is immaterial ( to me) - it has an important
message.
immature /m.t r / /-tr/ adjective
 1. DISAPPROVING not behaving in a way which is as calm and wise as people expect from
someone of your age
Stop being so silly and immature, Ben!
She's rather immature for her age, don't you think?
2. DISAPPROVING not experienced in a particular matter
politically immature
3. SPECIALIZED not yet completely grown or developed
While the animals are still immature, they do not breed.
-impenetrable /mpen..tr.bl/ adjective

1. impossible to see through or go through

Outside, the fog was thick and impenetrable.
an impenetrable barrier
2. impossible to understand
Some of the lyrics on their latest album are completely impenetrable.
impenetrably /mpen..tr.bli/ adverb

impenitent /mpen..t nt/ /-t nt/ adjective FORMAL

not sorry or ashamed about something bad you have done

To this day she remains impenitent about her criminal past.
-inarticulate /n.tk.j.lt/ /-r-/ adjective

unable to express feelings or ideas clearly, or expressed in a way that is difficult to

understand
When it comes to expressing their emotions, most men are hopelessly inarticulate.
His speech was inarticulate and it was obvious he had been drinking.
inarticulately /n.tk.j.lt.li/ /-r-/ adverb

inarticulacy /n.tk..l.si/ /-r-/ noun [ U ] ( ALSO inarticulateness )

inasmuch as /.nsmt.z/ conjunction FORMAL

used to introduce a phrase which explains why or how much something described in
another part of the sentence is true
Inasmuch as you are their commanding officer, you are responsible for the behaviour of these men.

-indiscretion /n.dskre. n/ noun

1. [ U ] when a person or their behaviour is indiscreet

Jones was censured for indiscretion in leaking a secret report to the press.
 2. [ C ] something, especially a sexual relationship, that is considered embarrassing or
morally wrong
We should forgive him a few youthful indiscretions.
indiscriminate /n.dskrm..nt/ adjective

not showing careful thought or planning, especially so that harm results

an indiscriminate terrorist attack on civilians
The indiscriminate use of fertilizers can cause long-term problems.
indiscriminately /n.dskrm..nt.li/ adverb

They fired indiscriminately into the crowd.

-manky /m.ki/ adjective UK INFORMAL

describes an object that is unpleasantly dirty, usually because it is old or has been used a
lot
a manky tissue
manky old carpets
manly /mn.li/ adjective APPROVING

having the qualities which people think a man should have

He has such a manly voice.
My mother used to tell me it wasn't manly for little boys to cry.
-mesmerize , UK USUALLY mesmerise /mez.m.raz/ verb

1. [ T often passive ] to have someone's attention completely so that they cannot think of
anything else
I was completely mesmerized by the performance.
2. [ T ] OLD-FASHIONED FOR hypnotize
mesmerizing , UK USUALLY mesmerising /mez.m.ra.z/ adjective

very attractive, in a mysterious way, making you want to keep looking

He had the most mesmerizing blue eyes.
-meticulous /mtk.j.ls/ adjective APPROVING

very careful and with great attention to every detail

Many hours of meticulous preparation have gone into writing the book.
meticulously /mtk.j.l.sli/ adverb

The entire project was meticulously planned.

meticulousness /mtk.j.l.sns/ noun [ U ]
metier /met..e/ /met-/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO mtier ) FORMAL

the type of work that you have a natural ability to do well

Rose tried painting but found her metier in music.
-overbearing /.vbe.r/ /o.vber./ adjective DISAPPROVING

too confident and too determined to tell other people what to do, in a way that is
unpleasant
Milligan had a pompous, overbearing father.
overbid /.vbd/ /o.v-/ verb [ I or T ] overbidding , overbid , overbid

to offer more money than someone in an attempt to buy something, or to offer too much
money in an attempt to buy something
They were overbid by a Japanese firm.
The Commission felt the company were overbidding and gave the franchise to their
competitors instead.
overblown /.vbln/ /o.vblon/ adjective DISAPPROVING

bigger or more important than it should be

an overblown news story
-pat /pt/ verb [ T ] -tt-

to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat
He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
I bent down to pat the little puppy.
pat sb on the back
to praise someone for doing something good
pat /pt/ noun [ C ] TOUCH

1. when you pat a person or animal

I gave the little boy a pat on the head.
pat /pt/ noun [ C ] PIECE

2. a small flat piece, especially of butter

-patronizing , UK USUALLY patronising /pt.r.na.z/ /pe.tr n-/ , /pt.r n-/ adjective

speaking or behaving towards someone as if they are stupid or not important

It's that patronizing tone of hers that I can't bear.
patron saint noun [ C ]
 a Christian saint who is believed to give special help to a particular place, activity, person
or type of object
St. John Bosco is the patron saint of Turin.
-paw /p/ /p/ noun

1. [ C ] the foot of an animal which has claws or nails, such as a cat, dog or bear
I found paw prints in the kitchen.
Compare hoof
2. [ C usually plural ] INFORMAL HUMOROUS a human hand
Take your filthy paws off my nice clean washing!
paw /p/ /p/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to touch something with a paw

When their dog heard them it began pawing (at) the ground in excitement.
2. [ T ] INFORMAL to feel or touch someone roughly with the hands, especially in an unpleasant sexual way
-pinch /pn t / verb PRESS

1. [ I or T ] to squeeze something, especially someone's skin, strongly between two hard things such as a finger
and a thumb, usually causing pain
Ouch! Stop pinching (me)!
These shoes are too tight, they pinch (my feet).
2. pinch yourself INFORMAL
You say that you have to pinch yourself if you cannot really believe something that has happened because it is so
good or so strange
I can't believe that he's back from Canada and he's mine - I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I'm not
dreaming.
pinch /pn t / verb STEAL

3. [ T ] INFORMAL to steal something

Right, who's pinched my chair?
-plough UK , US plow /pla/ noun [ C ]

plough
1. a large farming tool with blades which digs the earth in fields so that seeds can be planted
See also snowplough
2. under the plough FORMAL
describes land on which crops are grown
These fields have been under the plough for centuries.
plough UK , US plow /pla/ verb [ I or T ]
 to dig land with a plough
Farmers start ploughing in the spring.
We're going to plough the top field next week.
Large areas of grazing land have been ploughed up to grow wheat.
plough sth back/in phrasal verb
to dig the roots and other remaining parts of a crop into the earth to make the soil more healthy
plough sth back phrasal verb [ M ]
to spend the money that a business has earned on improving that business
All the profits are being ploughed back into the company.
plough into sth/sb phrasal verb
If a vehicle ploughs into something or someone, it hits the object or person with great force
Many people were injured when the train came off the rails and ploughed into the bank.
plough sth into sth phrasal verb INFORMAL
to invest (= give money hoping to get more back) money in a business, especially to help make it successful or to
make more money
They ploughed all their savings into their daughter's business.
plough on phrasal verb
to continue doing something although it is difficult or boring
He could see that she didn't like what he was saying, but he ploughed on (= continued
talking) regardless.
It would be a mistake to plough on with this scheme - it'll never work.
plough through sth phrasal verb
1. INFORMAL to go through a substance or an area of something with difficulty
We ploughed through the mud.
2. to finish reading, eating or dealing with something with difficulty
I've got an enormous pile of papers to plough through.
You'll never manage to plough through all that food.
the Plough /pla/ noun [ S ] UK ( US the Big Dipper )

a group of seven bright stars, which can only be seen in the northern part of the world
-reside /rzad/ verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] FORMAL

to live, have your home or stay in a place

The family now resides in southern France.
reside in sth/sb phrasal verb
If a power or quality resides in someone or something, they have that power or quality
The power to sack employees resides in the Board of
-scrabble /skrb.l/ verb [ I + adv/prep ]

1. to use your fingers to quickly find something that you cannot see
He was scrabbling about in the sand searching for the ring.
2. to try to get something quickly that is not easily available
The government is scrabbling around for ways to raise revenue without putting up taxes.
3. INFORMAL to climb quickly and without care
Paul scrabbled up the cliff, dislodging several small stones.
We were scrabbling over the rocks as fast as we could.
Scrabble /skrb.l/ noun [ U ] TRADEMARK

a game played on a board covered in squares in which players win points by creating words
from letters with different values and connecting these words with ones already on the board
-shrew /ru/ noun [ C ] ANIMAL

1. an animal like a small mouse but with a longer pointed nose and small eyes
shrew /ru/ noun [ C ] WOMAN

2. OLD-FASHIONED DISAPPROVING an unpleasant woman who is easily annoyed and who argues a lot
shrewish /ru./ adjective DISAPPROVING

-spinal /spa.n l/ adjective

of the spine
a spinal injury
spinal column noun [ C ]

the spine
spinal cord noun [ C ]

the set of nerves inside the spine that connect the brain to other nerves in the body
spin bowler noun [ C ]

a cricket player who bowls (= throws) the ball in such a way that it turns around and
around and changes direction when it hits the ground
-stumble /stm.bl/ verb WALK

1. [ I ] to step awkwardly while walking or running and fall or begin to fall

Running along the beach, she stumbled on a log and fell on the sand.
In the final straight Meyers stumbled, and although he didn't fall it was enough to lose him first place.
2. [ I usually + adverb or preposition ] to walk in a way which does not seem controlled
We could hear her stumbling about/around the bedroom in the dark.
 He pulled on his clothes and stumbled into the kitchen.
stumble /stm.bl/ verb PAUSE

3. [ I ] to make a mistake, such as repeating something or pausing for too long, while speaking or playing a piece
of music
When the poet stumbled over a line in the middle of a poem, someone in the audience corrected him.
-stumble across/on/upon sth/sb phrasal verb

to discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance

Workmen stumbled upon the mosaic while digging foundations for a new building.
stumbling block noun [ C ]

something which prevents action or agreement

Lack of willingness to compromise on both sides is the main/major stumbling block to
reaching a settlement.
stump /stmp/ noun PART LEFT

stump
1. [ C ] the part of something such as tree, tooth, arm or leg which is left after most of it
has been removed
the stump of a tree
Her smile broadened to reveal two rows of brown stumps.
-thwart /wt/ /wrt/ verb [ T ]

to stop something from happening or someone from doing something

My holiday plans have been thwarted by the strike.
-timid /tm.d/ adjective

shy and nervous; without much confidence; easily frightened

Lucy is a rather timid child.
My horse is a bit timid and is easily frightened by traffic.
-tuck /tk/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] TIDY

1. to push a loose end of a piece of clothing or material into a particular place or position, especially to make it
tidy or comfortable
Should I tuck my shirt into my trousers?
He tucked the bottom of the sheet under the mattress.
tuck /tk/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] STORE SAFELY

2. to put something into a safe or convenient place

Tuck your gloves in your pocket so that you don't lose them.
 She had a doll tucked under her arm.
Eventually I found the certificate tucked under a pile of old letters.
Tuck your chair in (= put it so that the seat of it is under the table) so that no one trips over it.
tuck /tk/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] BODY

3. to hold part of your body in a particular position

Stand up straight, tuck your tummy in and tuck your bottom under .
She sat with her legs tucked under her.
tuck /tk/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] HIDDEN

4. be tucked away/along, etc.

to be in a place which is hidden or where few people go
Tucked along/down this alley are some beautiful timber-framed houses.
A group of tiny brick houses is tucked away behind the factory.
tuck sth away phrasal verb [ M ]
to put something in a private, safe place
Grandma always kept a bit of money tucked away in case there was an emergency.
-utmost /t.mst/ /-most/ adjective [ before noun ] ( FORMAL uttermost /t.mst/ /.tmost/ )

used to emphasize how important or serious something is

a matter of the utmost importance
The situation needs to be handled with the utmost care.
utmost /t.mst/ /-most/ noun [ S ] ( ALSO uttermost )

the greatest amount or extent possible

The new model of the car offers the utmost in power and performance.
do/try your utmost
to do something as well as you can by making a great effort
She did her utmost to finish on time.
-ward /wd/ /wrd/ noun [ C ] HOSPITAL/PRISON

1. one of the parts or large rooms into which a hospital is divided, usually with beds for patients
a geriatric/maternity/psychiatric ward
2. US one of the parts into which a prison is divided
ward /wd/ /wrd/ noun [ C ] CITY AREA

3. (in many countries) one of the areas into which a city, town or village is divided, having its own elected
political representative or its own organizations for managing services
ward /wd/ /wrd/ noun [ C ] CHILD

4. LEGAL a person, especially a child, who is legally put under the protection of a court of law or a guardian
 The girl was made a ward of court to stop her father taking her out of the country.
-whisk /wsk/ verb REMOVE

1. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to take something or someone somewhere else suddenly and quickly
Our coffees were whisked away before we'd even finished them.
We only had half an hour to see her before she was whisked off to some exotic location.
Her husband whisked her off to Egypt for her birthday.
whisk /wsk/ verb BEAT FOOD

2. [ T ] to beat eggs, cream, etc. with a special tool in order to add air and make the food light
Whisk the egg whites until stiff.
Remove mixture from heat and whisk in the brandy and vanilla essence.
whisk /wsk/ noun [ C ]

whisk
a kitchen tool which you use for beating food such as eggs and cream in order to add air
and make it light
an electric whisk
a hand-held whisk
whisker /ws.k r / /-k/ noun

1. [ C ] any of the long, stiff hairs growing on the face of a cat, mouse or other mammal
He watched the cat cleaning the milk off her whiskers.
2. whiskers OLD-FASHIONED OR HUMOROUS
the hair growing on a man's face, especially the sides and/or the lower part
by a whisker
by a very small amount
Last time she raced against the Brazilian, she won by a whisker.
-witty /wt.i/ /wt-/ adjective

using words in a clever and funny way

a witty comment/remark
He was witty and very charming.
-amass /ms/ verb [ T ]

to get a large amount of something, especially money or information, by collecting it over a long period
She has amassed a huge fortune from her novels.
Some of his colleagues envy the enormous wealth that he has amassed.
-benevolent /bnev. l. nt/ adjective
 kind and helpful
He was a benevolent old man, he wouldn't hurt a fly.
benevolence /bnev. l. n t s/ noun [ U ]

benevolently /bnev. l. nt.li/ adverb

She smiled benevolently at me.

be nevolent so ciety noun [ C ]

an organization which gives money to and helps a particular group of people in need
a benevolent society for sailors' widows
-chronic /krn.k/ /kr.nk/ adjective LONG LASTING

1. (especially of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time

chronic diseases/conditions
chronic arthritis/pain
a chronic invalid
There is a chronic shortage of teachers.
chronic /krn.k/ /kr.nk/ adjective BAD

2. UK INFORMAL very bad

The acting was chronic.
chronically /krn..kli/ /kr.n-/ adverb

care for the chronically ill

-compassionate /kmp. n.t/ adjective APPROVING

showing compassion
The public's response to the crisis appeal was generous and compassionate.
-deem /dim/ verb [ T not continuous ] FORMAL

to consider or judge something in a particular way

[ + object + noun or adjective ] The area has now been deemed safe.
[ + noun or adjective ] We will provide help whenever you deem it appropriate.
[ + object + to infinitive ] Anyone not paying the registration fee by 31 March will be deemed to have withdrawn
from the scheme.
-deprivation /dep.rve. n/ noun [ C or U ]

when you do not have things or conditions that are usually considered necessary for a
pleasant life
They used sleep deprivation as a form of torture.
 There is awful deprivation in the shanty towns.
There were food shortages and other deprivations during the Civil War.
deprive /dprav/ verb [ T ]

to take something, especially something necessary or pleasant, away from someone

He claimed that he had been deprived of his freedom/rights.
You can't function properly when you're deprived of sleep.
deprive sb of your company HUMOROUS
to prevent someone from being with you
Where have you been? We've been deprived of your company for far too long!
deprived /dpravd/ adjective

not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food or
good living conditions
She had a deprived childhood/comes from a deprived background.
a deprived area
-dilemma /d a lem./ noun [ C ]

a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two different things you could
do
The President is clearly in a dilemma about/over how to tackle the crisis.
She faces the dilemma of disobey ing her father or los ing the man she loves.
a moral/ethical dilemma
dilettante /dl.tn.ti/ noun [ C ] plural dilettantes or dilettanti USUALLY DISAPPROVING

a person who is or seems to be interested in a subject, but whose understanding of it is not

very deep
He's a bit of a dilettante as far as wine is concerned.
diligent /dl..d nt/ adjective

1. APPROVING careful and using a lot of effort

a diligent student
Leo is very diligent in/about his work.
Their lawyer was extremely diligent in prepar ing their case.
2. done in a careful and detailed way
The discovery was made after years of diligent research.
diligence /dl..d n t s/ noun [ U ]

She hoped that her diligence would be noticed at work.

-downturn /dan.tn/ /-tn/ noun [ C usually singular ]

a reduction in the amount or success of something, such as a country's economic activity

the continuing economic downturn
There is evidence of a downturn in the housing market.
Compare upturn
down vest noun [ C ] US

a short warm jacket without sleeves which is filled with the soft feathers of a duck or a
goose
downward /dan.wd/ /-wd/ adjective

moving towards a lower position

a downward trend
The country's economy is on a downward spiral .
Compare upward
-ecstasy /ek.st.si/ noun EMOTION

1. [ C or U ] a state of extreme happiness, especially when feeling pleasure

She threw her head back as if in ecstasy.
sexual ecstasy
ecstasy /ek.st.si/ noun DRUG

2. [ U ] ( ABBREVIATION E ) a powerful drug which makes you feel very active and can cause
you to hallucinate (= see or hear things that do not exist)
be/go into ecstasies about/over sth INFORMAL
to be or become very excited about something
She went into ecstasies about the food there.
ecstatic /kstt.k/ /-stt-/ adjective

extremely happy
The new president was greeted by an ecstatic crowd.
-feedback /fid.bk/ noun [ U ] OPINION

1. information or statements of opinion about something, such as a new product, that provide an idea of whether it
is successful or liked
Have you had any feedback from customers about the new soap?
positive/negative feedback
feedback /fid.bk/ noun [ U ] MACHINE
 2. the sudden, high, unpleasant noise sometimes produced by an amplifier when sound it produces is put back into
it
Jimi Hendrix loved to fling his guitar around to get weird and wonderful sounds from the feedback.
3. SPECIALIZED the return back into a machine or system of part of what it produces, especially to improve what is
produced
Feedback from the sensors ensures that the car engine runs smoothly.
-foremost /f.mst/ /fr.most/ adjective

most important or best; leading

This is one of the country's foremost arts centres.
She's one of the foremost experts on child psychology.
forename /f.nem/ /fr-/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

the name which is chosen for you at birth and goes before your family name
forensic /fren.zk/ adjective [ before noun ]

related to scientific methods of solving crimes, involving examining the objects or

substances that are involved in the crime
forensic evidence/medicine/science
Forensic examination revealed a large quantity of poison in the dead man's stomach.
-fraudulent /fr.dj.l nt/ /fr-/ adjective CRIME

1. dishonest and illegal

A worrying trend for insurers has been a rise in fraudulent claims .
fraudulent /fr.dj.l nt/ /fr-/ adjective FALSE

2. intended to deceive
They claim that the fall in unemployment is based on a fraudulent manipulation of statistics.
-gadget /gd.t/ noun [ C ]

a small device or machine with a particular purpose

kitchen gadgets
Have you seen this handy little gadget - it's for separating egg yolks from whites.
gadgetry /gd..tri/ noun [ U ]

We've got a juicer, a blender, a coffee grinder - in fact all manner of kitchen gadgetry.
-gaze /gez/ verb [ I usually + adv/prep ]

to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise, admiration or because you are thinking
about something else
Annette gazed admiringly at Warren as he spoke.
 He spends hours gazing out of the window when he should be working.
gaze /gez/ noun [ S ]

a long look, usually of a particular kind

a steady gaze
an innocent/ admiring gaze
LITERARY As I looked out, my gaze fell on a small child by the road.
-gimmick /gm.k/ noun [ C ] MAINLY DISAPPROVING

something which is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or
interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something
a publicity gimmick
They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.
gimmicky /gm..ki/ adjective DISAPPROVING

gimmicky foods/fashions
gimmickry /gm..kri/ noun [ U ] MAINLY DISAPPROVING

when gimmicks are used, especially in order to make a product or activity more successful
-bust /bst/ adjective [ after verb ] ( US ALSO busted ) INFORMAL BROKEN

1. broken
I think my watch is bust.
bust /bst/ adjective [ after verb ] ( US ALSO busted ) INFORMAL BUSINESS

2. go bust
If a company goes bust, it is forced to close because it is financially unsuccessful.
More than twenty companies in the district went bust during the last three months.
buster /bs.t r / /-t/ noun [ as form of address ] US INFORMAL

used to address a man or a boy you do not like

Cut it out, buster!
-greed /grid/ noun [ U ]

a very strong wish to continuously get more of something, especially food or money
I don't know why I'm eating more - it's not hunger, it's just greed!
He was unsympathetic with many house sellers, complaining that they were motivated by
greed.
greedy /gri.di/ adjective

wanting a lot more food, money, etc. than you need

 greedy, selfish people
He's greedy for power/success.
greedily /gri.d.li/ adverb

He ate the bread greedily.

-hassle /hs.l/ noun [ C or U ] INFORMAL

(a situation causing) difficulty or trouble

I can't face the hassle of moving house again.
My boss has been giving me a lot of hassle this week.
It's one of the few bars that women can go to and not get any hassle from men.
It was such a hassle trying to get my bank account changed that I nearly gave up.
I should have taken it back to the shop but I just didn't think it was worth (all) the hassle.
hassle /hs.l/ verb [ T ]

to annoy someone, especially by repeatedly asking them something

I'll do it in my own time - just stop hassling me!
[ + to infinitive ] The children keep hassling me to take them to Disneyland.
-idiosyncrasy /d.i.s.kr.si/ noun [ C usually plural ]

a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving or feature that someone or something has
She often cracks her knuckles when she's speaking - it's one of her little idiosyncrasies.
One of the idiosyncrasies of this printer is that you can't stop it once it has started to print.
idiosyncratic /d.i..skrt.k/ /-krt-/ adjective

The film, 3 hours long, is directed in his usual idiosyncratic style.

idiot /d.i.t/ noun [ C ]

a stupid person or someone who is behaving in a stupid way

Some idiot left the tap running in the bathroom and there's water everywhere.
-idiotic /d.it.k/ /-.tk/ adjective

stupid
idiotically /d.it..kli/ /-.t-/ adverb

idiot-proof /d.i.tpruf/ adjective

extremely easy to use

The DVD player comes with idiot-proof instructions.
-incur /nk r / /-k/ verb [ T ] -rr- SLIGHTLY FORMAL
 to experience something, usually something unpleasant, as a result of actions you have
taken
to incur debts/fines/bills
The play has incurred the wrath/anger of both audiences and critics.
Please detail any costs/expenses incurred by you in attending the interview.
incurable /nkj.r.bl/ /-kjr.-/ adjective DISEASE

1. not able to be healed or cured

Parkinson's disease is a debilitating and incurable disease of the nervous system.
-legacy /leg..si/ noun [ C ]

1. money or property that you receive from someone after they die
An elderly cousin had left her a small legacy.
2. something that is a part of your history or which stays from an earlier time
The Greeks have a rich legacy of literature.
The war has left a legacy of hatred.
-logo /l.g/ /lo.go/ noun [ C ] plural logos

a design or symbol used by a company to advertise its products

a corporate logo
The players wore shirts with the sponsor's logo.
loin /ln/ noun

1. [ C or U ] (a piece of) meat from the back of an animal near the tail or from the top part
of the back legs
See also sirloin (steak)
2. loins LITERARY OR HUMOROUS
the part of the body which is above the legs and below the waist, especially the sexual
organs
the fruit of your loins (= your child/children)
-manic /mn.k/ adjective

very excited or anxious (= worried and nervous) in a way that causes you to be very
physically active
He's a bit manic - I wish he'd calm down.
manic de pression noun [ U ]

a mental illness causing someone to change from being extremely happy and excited to
being extremely sad
 He suffers from manic depression.
manic de pressive noun [ C ]

a person who has manic depression

manicure /mn..kj r / /-kjr/ noun [ C or U ]

(a) treatment for the hands which involves softening the skin and making the nails look better
by cutting, smoothing and possibly painting them Compare pedicure

-muster /ms.t r / /-t/ verb [ I or T ] PRODUCE

1. to produce or encourage especially an emotion or support

She managed to muster the courage to ask him to the cinema.
The team will need all the strength they can muster to win this game.
Opponents are unlikely to be able to muster enough votes to override the veto.
muster /ms.t r / /-t/ verb [ I or T ] TOGETHER

2. (especially of soldiers) to come together, especially in preparation for fighting, or to cause to do this
The twelfth division mustered on the hill.
The general mustered his troops .
muster your forces FORMAL
to make great arrangements and efforts, usually to prepare for an attack or event
-notion /n. n/ /no-/ noun [ C or U ]

(a) belief or idea

[ + that ] The programme makers reject the notion that seeing violence on television has a
harmful effect on children.
I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living.
have/take a notion to do sth OLD-FASHIONED
to suddenly want to do something
I had a notion to write them a letter.
notional /n. n. l/ /no-/ adjective FORMAL

existing only as an idea, not in reality

Almost everyone will have to pay a higher tax bill than the notional amount suggested by
the Government.
-obese / bis/ /o-/ adjective

extremely fat
-penalize , UK USUALLY penalise /pi.n.laz/ verb [ T ] CAUSE DISADVANTAGE
 1. to cause someone a disadvantage
The present tax system penalizes poor people.
The scheme should ensure that borrowers are not penalized by sudden rises in mortgage
rates.
penalize , UK USUALLY penalise /pi.n.laz/ verb [ T ] PUNISH

2. to punish someone for breaking a rule

He was penalized early in the match for dangerous play.
penal re form noun [ C or U ]

the attempt to improve the system of legal punishment

She is a spokesperson for the Howard League for Penal Reform.
-plummet /plm.t/ verb [ I ]

to fall very quickly and suddenly

House prices have plummeted in recent months.
Several large rocks were sent plummeting down the mountain.
She plummeted to the ground.
plummy /plm.i/ adjective SPEECH

1. describes a low voice or way of speaking using long vowels, of a type thought to be
typical of the British upper social class
a plummy voice
a plummy Home Counties accent
plummy /plm.i/ adjective FRUIT

2. having the taste or dark reddish purple colour of plums

This wine has an almost plummy flavour.
-polish /pl./ /p.l/ verb [ T ]

to rub something using a piece of cloth or brush to clean it and make it shine
to polish the furniture
Polish your shoes regularly to protect the leather.
polish sth off phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
to finish something quickly and easily, especially a lot of food or work
He polished off the whole pie.
I polished off three essays in one week.
polish sth/sb off phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
to defeat a competitor easily
Arsenal polished off Chelsea 5-0 in Saturday's match.
polish sb off phrasal verb [ M ] MAINLY US INFORMAL
to kill someone
He was accused of polishing off his former partner.
polish sth up phrasal verb [ M ] OBJECT
1. to rub or brush an object to make it shine, especially a metal or wooden object
Robert was polishing up some old silver candlesticks.
polish sth up phrasal verb [ M ] SKILL
2. to improve a skill, especially when you have allowed it to become less good over a period of time
I really must polish up my Japanese before we visit Japan next year.
polish /pl./ /p.l/ noun CLEANING

1. [ S ] when you clean something by rubbing it

I'll just give my shoes a quick polish.
2. [ C or U ] a cream or other substance that you use to clean something
shoe/furniture/silver polish
polish /pl./ /p.l/ noun SKILL

3. [ U ] skill or quality
It's a lively, good-hearted film but it lacks a little polish.
This is a musical with polish and wit.
Polish /p.l/ /po-/ adjective

Someone or something Polish is from Poland

-prosperous /prs.p r.s/ /pr.sp-/ adjective

successful, usually by earning a lot of money

In a prosperous country like this, no one should go hungry.
prosperously /prs.p r..sli/ /pr.sp-/ adverb

prostate (gland) /prs.tetglnd/ /pr.stet-/ noun [ C ]

an organ in male mammals situated near to the penis, which produces a liquid that mixes
with and carries sperm
He has prostate trouble.
prostate cancer
-quid /kwd/ noun [ C ] plural quid UK INFORMAL

a pound; 1
Could you lend me twenty quid (= 20) , mate?
be quids in
 to be making a profit
If this deal goes ahead, we'll be quids in.
quid pro quo /kwd.prkw/ /-prokwo/ noun [ C usually singular ] plural quid pro quos FORMAL

something that is given to a person in return for something they have done
The government has promised food aid as a quid pro quo for the stopping of violence.
quiescent /kwies. nt/ adjective FORMAL

temporarily quiet and not active

The political situation was now relatively quiescent.
-relent /rlent/ verb [ I ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL

to act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to
allow before
Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
The security guard relented and let them through.
relentless /rlent.ls/ adjective

continuing in a severe or extreme way

relentless criticism/pressure
relentless heat
relentlessly /rlent.l.sli/ adverb

She has campaigned relentlessly for her husband's release from prison.
-sacred /se.krd/ adjective

1. considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god
sacred relics/temples
This area is sacred to the Apaches.
2. connected with religion
sacred music/writings
3. considered too important to be changed
His daily routine is absolutely sacred to him.
HUMOROUS The cricketers wore blue, not their usual white - is nothing sacred?
-satiate /se.i.et/ verb [ T often passive ] FORMAL

to completely satisfy yourself or a need, especially with food or pleasure, so that you could not have any more
He drank greedily until his thirst was satiated.
-stalemate /stel.met/ noun [ C or U ]
 1. a situation in which neither group involved in an argument can win or get an advantage and no action can be
taken
Tomorrow's meeting between the two leaders is expected to break a diplomatic stalemate that has lasted for ten
years.
Despite long discussions, the workers and the management remain locked in stalemate.
2. in chess , a position in which one player is unable to move, but their king is not being attacked, which means
that neither of the two players wins
Compare checkmate
-subservient /sbs.vi.nt/ /-s-/ adjective DISAPPROVING

willing to do what other people want, or considering your wishes as less important than
those of other people
to adopt a subservient role/position
The government was accused of being subservient to the interests of the pro-Europe
campaigners.
subservience /sbs.vi.n t s/ /-s-/ noun [ U ]

subserviently /sbs.vi.nt.li/ /-s-/ adverb

subset /sb.set/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a set (= group of similar numbers, objects or people) that is part of another, larger set
tabloid /tb.ld/ adjective , noun [ C ]

(of or relating to) a type of popular newspaper with small pages which has many pictures
and short simple reports
the tabloid press
a tabloid newspaper
taboo /tbu/ noun [ C ] plural taboos

(an action or word) avoided for religious or social reasons

In this society there is a taboo on/against any sort of public display of affection.
For some people, death is a taboo subject.
-tumble /tm.bl/ verb [ I ]

1. to fall quickly and without control

I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs.
At any moment the whole building could tumble down .
He lost his balance and tumbled over .
2. to fall a lot in value in a short time
Share prices tumbled yesterday.
 3. to move in an uncontrolled way, as if falling or likely to fall
An excited group of children tumbled out of school/the bus.
tumble to sth phrasal verb UK OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL
to suddenly understand something
I think he's tumbled to our plan.
-virtual /v.tju.l/ /v-/ adjective ALMOST

1. [ before noun ] almost a particular thing or quality

Ten years of incompetent government had brought about the virtual collapse of the
country's economy.
virtual /v.tju.l/ /v-/ adjective COMPUTER

2. describes something that can be done or seen using a computer and therefore without
going anywhere or talking to anyone
virtual shopping
virtually /v.tju..li/ /v-/ adverb

almost
Their twins are virtually identical.
That wine stain on my shirt has virtually disappeared.
-workload /wk.ld/ /wk.lod/ noun [ C ]

the amount of work to be done, especially by a particular person or machine in a period of

time
Teachers are always complaining about their heavy workloads.
Students do find that their workload increases throughout the course.
workman /wk.mn/ /wk-/ noun [ C ]

a man who uses physical skill and especially his hands in his job or trade
We'll have to get a workman in to fix the plumbing/window/roof.
workmanlike /wk.mn.lak/ /wk-/ adjective

1. APPROVING skilful
The Australian side turned in a very workmanlike performance .
-yearn /jn/ /jn/ verb [ I ]

to wish very strongly, especially something that you cannot have or something that is very
difficult to have
Despite his great commercial success he still yearns for critical approval.
[ + to infinitive ] Sometimes I just yearn to be alone.
yearning /j.n/ /j-/ noun [ C or U ]

a strong feeling of wishing for something, especially something that you cannot have or get
easily
I suppose it's because I live in a city that I have this yearning for open spaces.
yeast /jist/ noun [ C or U ]

a type of fungus which is used in making alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, and for
making bread swell and become light
dried/fresh yeast
yeast extract
-absorb /bzb/ /-zrb/ verb [ T ] TAKE IN

1. to take something in, especially gradually

Plants absorb carbon dioxide.
In cold climates, houses need to have walls that will absorb heat.
Towels absorb moisture.
The drug is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Our countryside is increasingly being absorbed by/into the large cities.
2. to reduce the effect of a physical force, shock or change
The barrier absorbed the main impact of the crash.
absorb /bzb/ /-zrb/ verb [ T ] UNDERSTAND

3. to understand facts or ideas completely and remember them

It's hard to absorb so much information.
absorb /bzb/ /-zrb/ verb [ T ] INTEREST VERY MUCH

4. If someone's work, or a book, film, etc. absorbs them, or they are absorbed in it, their
attention is given completely to it
Simon was so absorbed in his book, he didn't even notice me come in.
See also self-absorbed
absorbent /bz.b nt/ /-zr-/ adjective

able to take liquid in through the surface and to hold it

absorbent paper
absorbency /bz.b n t .si/ /-zr-/ noun [ U ]

the ability to absorb liquid

absorbing /bz.b/ /-zr-/ adjective

describes something that is very interesting and keeps your attention

I read her last novel and found it very absorbing.
absorption /bzp. n/ /-zrp-/ noun [ U ] TAKING IN

1. the process of taking something into another substance

Some poisonous gases can enter the body by absorption through the skin.
absorption /bzp. n/ /-zrp-/ noun [ U ] INTEREST VERY MUCH

2. complete interest in something

Her absorption in her work is so great that she thinks about nothing else.
See also self-absorption
-addict /d.kt/ noun [ C ]

a person who cannot stop doing or using something, especially something harmful
a drug/heroin addict
a gambling addict
HUMOROUS I'm a chocolate/shopping addict.
addictive /dk.tv/ adjective

1. An addictive drug is one which you cannot stop taking once you have started
Tobacco is highly addictive.
2. describes an activity or food that you cannot stop doing or eating once you have started
The problem with video games is that they're addictive.
These nuts are addictive - I can't stop eating them.
3. addictive personality
a set of characteristics which mean that you very quickly become addicted to drugs, food,
alcohol, etc.
He's got an addictive personality.
addicted /dk.td/

By the age of 14 he was addicted to heroin.

I'm addicted to (= I very often eat/drink) chocolate/lattes.
I know that if I start watching a soap opera I immediately become hopelessly addicted.
addiction /dk. n/

drug addiction
his addiction to alcohol
addition /d. n/ noun

1. [ U ] the process of adding numbers or amounts together

Twice a week the children are tested in basic mathematical skills such as addition (=
calculating the total of different numbers put together) and subtraction.
 2. in addition (to)
as well (as)
In addition to his flat in London, he has a villa in Italy and a castle in Scotland.
3. [ C ] something that has been added to something else
A secretary would be a welcome/useful addition to our staff.
HUMOROUS I hear you're expecting a small addition to the family (= you are going to have a
baby) !
4. [ C ] the act of adding a substance or thing to something else
Most working environments are improved by the addition of (= adding) a few plants and
pictures.
additional /d. n. l/ adjective

extra
additional costs/problems
There will be an extra charge for any additional passengers.
additionally /d. n. l.i/ adverb

Additionally (= also) , we request a deposit of $200 in advance.

additive /d..tv/ /-.tv/ noun [ C ]

a substance which is added to food in order to improve its taste or appearance or to

preserve it
food additives
This margarine is full of additives - just look at the label!
addle /d.l/ verb [ T ] MAINLY HUMOROUS

to make someone feel confused and unable to think clearly

I think my brain's been addled by the heat!
addled /d.ld/ adjective MAINLY HUMOROUS

I'm afraid my sun-addled (= confused) brain couldn't make any sense of the instructions.
add-on /d.n/ /-n/ noun [ C ]

1. a piece of equipment which can be connected to a computer to give it an extra use

A modem is a useful add-on.
2. an extra part which is added, especially to an officially organized plan, system,
agreement, etc.
Legal expenses cover is often sold
-admit /dmt/ verb -tt- ACCEPT
 1. [ I or T ] to agree that something is true, especially unwillingly
He admitted his guilt/mistake.
[ + ( that ) ] She admitted (that) she had made a mistake.
[ + -ing verb ] She admitted mak ing a mistake.
At first he denied stealing the money but he later admitted (to) it.
I wasn't entirely honest with him, I admit, but I didn't actually tell him any lies.
[ + to infinitive ] The new law was generally admitted to be difficult to enforce.
2. admit defeat
to accept that you have failed and give up
After several attempts to untie the knot, I admitted defeat and cut through it with a knife.
admit

3. [ T ] to allow someone to enter a place

Each ticket admits one member and one guest.
Men will not be admitted to the restaurant without a tie.
LITERARY A gap between the curtains admitted the faint glimmer of a street lamp.
4. [ T ] to allow a person or country to join an organization
Spain was admitted to the European Community in 1986.
5. [ T ] to allow someone to enter a hospital because they need medical care
She was admitted to hospital ( US to the hospital ) suffering from shock.

admit of sth phrasal verb FORMAL

to allow something or make it possible
The present schedule does not admit of modification (= it cannot be changed) .
The latest events admit of several interpretations.
admittance /dmt. n t s/ /-mt-/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

permission to enter a place

The sign read 'Private - no admittance'.
The enquiry centred on how the assassin had gained admittance to (= succeeded in
entering) the building.
admittedly /dmt.d.li/ /-mt-/ adverb

used when you are agreeing that something is true, especially unwillingly
Admittedly, I could have tried harder but I still don't think all this criticism is fair.
-banish /bn./ verb [ T ]
 1. to send someone away, especially from their country, and forbid (= refuse to allow)
them to come back
He was banished to an uninhabited island for a year.
They were banished (= sent out) from the library for making a noise.
2. to get rid of something completely
You must try to banish all thoughts of revenge from your mind.
banishment /bn..mnt/ noun [ U ]

banister /bn..st r / /-st/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO banisters )

the row of poles at the side of stairs and the wooden or metal bar on top of them
-bestow /bst/ /-sto/ verb [ T often passive ] FORMAL

to give something as an honour or present

The Chancellorship of the University was bestowed upon her in 1992.
The George Cross is a decoration that is bestowed on British civilians for acts of great
bravery.
bestowal /bst. l/ /-sto-/ noun [ U ]

Her father's blessing represented a bestowal of consent upon her marriage.

best practice noun [ C or U ]

a working method, or set of working methods, which is officially accepted as being the best
to use in a particular business or industry, usually described formally and in detail
to develop a model for best practice in medicine/electronic commerce
a best-practice policy/programme
-brat /brt/ noun [ C ] INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

a child, especially one who behaves badly

She's behaving like a UK spoilt / US spoiled brat.
bravado /brv.d/ /-do/ noun [ U ]

a show of bravery, especially when unnecessary and dangerous, to make people admire
you
It was an act of bravado that made him ask his boss to resign.
-brutal /bru.t l/ /-t l/ adjective

1. cruel, violent and completely without feelings

a brutal dictator
He had presided over a brutal regime in which thousands of people had 'disappeared'.
 He was imprisoned in 1945 for the brutal murder of a 12-year old girl.
2. not considering someone's feelings
She spoke with brutal honesty - I was too old for the job.
brutally /bru.t l.i/ /-t l-/ adverb

The old man had been brutally attacked/murdered .

To be brutally honest/frank , you look fat in that dress.
brutality /brutl..ti/ /-ti/ noun [ C or U ]

behaviour that is very cruel or violent showing no feelings for others, or an act of this type .
the brutalities of war
Seeing so much brutality towards prisoners had not hardened them to it.
brutalize , UK USUALLY brutalise /bru.t l.az/ /-t l-/ verb [ T ]

to treat someone in a cruel and violent way

The police in that country routinely brutalize prisoners.
brute /brut/ noun [ C ]

1. DISAPPROVING a rough and sometimes violent man

[ as form of address ] Take your hands off me, you brute!
2. an animal, especially a large one
Your dog's an ugly brute, isn't it?
The oldest elephant was lame, poor brute.

-contempt /kntem p t/ noun [ U ] NO RESPECT

1. a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something

At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.
You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve.
She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her) !
2. hold sb/sth in contempt
to feel contempt for someone or something
contempt /kntem p t/ noun [ U ] NOT OBEYING

3. ( ALSO contempt of court ) LEGAL behaviour that is illegal because it does not obey or respect the rules of a
law court
The tobacco companies may be guilty of contempt of court for refusing to produce the documents.
-coverage /kv. r.d/ /--/ noun [ U ] REPORT

1. the reporting of a particular important event or subject

 What did you think of the BBC's election coverage?
coverage /kv. r.d/ /--/ noun [ U ] DEALING WITH

2. when something deals with or directs attention to something

These books give very good grammar coverage (= They deal with grammar very well) .
coveralls /kv..rlz/ /-.lz/ plural noun

US FOR boiler suit

-cult /klt/ noun RELIGION

1. [ C ] a religious group, often living together, whose beliefs are considered extreme or strange by many people
Their son ran away from home and joined a religious cult.
2. [ C ] a particular system of religious belief
the Hindu cult of Shiva
cult /klt/ noun POPULARITY

3. [ S ] someone or something that has become very popular with a particular group of people
the cult of celebrity
See also personality cult
cult /klt/ adjective [ before noun ]

liked very much by a particular group of people

The singer had a cult following in the 1970's.
a cult figure/movie
-curb /kb/ /kb/ verb [ T ]

to control or limit something that is not wanted

The Government should act to curb tax evasion.
curb /kb/ /kb/ noun [ C ] CONTROL

1. a limit on something that is not wanted

You must try to put a curb on your bad temper/spending habits.
curb /kb/ /kb/ noun [ C ] EDGE

2. US SPELLING OF kerb
-decadent /dek..d nt/ adjective

A decadent person or group has low moral standards

a decadent society
the decadent court surrounding the king
HUMOROUS Champagne and chocolates for breakfast - how decadent!
decaf /di.kf/ noun [ C or U ]
 INFORMAL FOR decaffeinated coffee
a cup of decaf
decaffeinated /dikf..ne.td/ /dkf..ne.td/ adjective

describes coffee or tea from which the caffeine (= a chemical substance) has been removed
-delve /delv/ verb [ I ]

to search, especially as if by digging, in order to find a thing or information

She delved into her pocket to find some change.
delve into sth phrasal verb
to examine something carefully in order to discover more information about someone or something
It's not always a good idea to delve too deeply into someone's past.
-entangle /nt.gl/ verb [ T usually passive ]

1. to cause something to become caught in something such as a net or ropes

The dolphin had become entangled in/with the fishing nets.
2. entangled in/with sth/sb
involved with something or someone in a way that makes it difficult to escape
He went to the shop to buy bread, and got entangled in/with a carnival parade.
The mayor and the city council are anxious to avoid getting entangled in the controversy.
She seems to be romantically entangled with some artist in Rome.
entanglement /nt.gl.mnt/ noun

1. [ C ] a situation or relationship that you are involved in and that is difficult to escape
from
The book describes the complex emotional and sexual entanglements between the
members of the group.
-envy /en.vi/ verb [ T ]

to wish that you had something that another person has

I envy her ability to talk to people she's never met before.
[ + two objects ] I don't envy you the job of cooking for all those people.
envy /en.vi/ noun [ U ]

1. the feeling that you wish you had something that someone else has
I watched with envy as she set off for the airport.
Compare jealousy
2. be the envy of sb
to be liked and wanted by a lot of people
 Her hair is the envy of the office.
-expel /kspel/ verb [ T ] -ll- MAKE LEAVE

1. to force someone to leave a school, organisation or country

The new government has expelled all foreign diplomats.
My brother was expelled from school for bad behaviour.
expel /kspel/ verb [ T ] -ll- AIR/LIQUID

2. to force air or liquid out of something

She took a deep breath, then expelled the air in short blasts.
When you breathe out, you expel air from your lungs.
-ghastly /gs t .li/ /gs t -/ adjective

1. INFORMAL unpleasant and shocking

Today's newspaper gives all the ghastly details of the murder.
2. INFORMAL extremely bad
What ghastly weather !
It was all a ghastly mistake .
I thought her outfit was ghastly.
3. LITERARY describes someone who looks very ill or very shocked, especially with a very pale face
You look ghastly - are you okay?
-glamorous , UK ALSO glamourous /glm. r.s/ /--/ adjective ( MAINLY UK INFORMAL glam )

attractive in an exciting and special way

a glamorous woman/outfit
a glamorous job
She was looking very glam.
-glitter /glt. r / /glt./ verb [ I ]

1. to produce a lot of small bright flashes of reflected light

Her diamond necklace glittered brilliantly under the spotlights.
2. LITERARY If someone's eyes glitter, they look bright and express strong feeling
His dark eyes glittered with anger behind his spectacles.
All that glitters is not gold. SAYING
said about something that seems to be good on the surface, but might not be when you look at it more closely
glitter /glt. r / /glt./ noun [ U ] EXCITEMENT

1. the excitement and attractive quality connected with rich and famous people
He was attracted by the glitter of Hollywood.
glitter /glt. r / /glt./ noun [ U ] BRIGHT LIGHT

2. when something glitters

the glitter of the fireworks
3. very small pieces of shiny material used to decorate the skin or used by children to make pictures
-gossip /gs.p/ /g.sp/ noun

1. [ S or U ] (a) conversation or reports about other people's private lives which might be unkind, disapproving or
not true
Her letter was full of gossip.
Jane and Lyn sat in the kitchen having a good gossip about their friends.
I don't like all this idle gossip.
I've got some juicy gossip for you.
Have you heard the (latest) gossip?
2. [ C ] DISAPPROVING ( MAINLY UK gossipmonger ) someone who enjoys talking about other people and
their private lives
She's a terrible gossip.
gossipy /gs..pi/ /g.s-/ adjective

a gossipy letter
gossipy people
-gruesome /gru.sm/ adjective

extremely unpleasant and shocking, and usually dealing with death or injury
The newspaper article included a gruesome description of the murder.
-humiliate /hjuml.i.et/ verb [ T ]

to make someone feel ashamed or lose their respect for themselves

How could you humiliate me by questioning my judgment in front of everyone like that?
England were humiliated (= completely defeated) in last night's match.
humiliation /hjuml.ie. n/ noun [ C or U ]

After the humiliation of last week's defeat, the Mets were back on form.
Imagine the humiliation of having to apologize.
humiliated /hjuml.i.e.td/ /-td/ adjective

describes someone who has been made to feel ashamed or stupid

I've never felt so humiliated in my life.
-immortal /m.t l/ /-mr.t l/ adjective

1. living or lasting forever

 immortal God
The priest said he was endangering his immortal soul.
2. very special and famous and therefore likely to be remembered for a long time
In the immortal words of Samuel Goldwyn, "Include me out".
immortality /m.tl..ti/ /-rtl..ti/ noun [ U ]

FIGURATIVE The Wright brothers achieved immortality with the first powered flight in 1903.
immortal /m.t l/ /-mr.t l/ noun LITERARY

1. [ C ] someone who is so famous that they are remembered for a long time after they are
dead
She is one of the immortals of classical opera.
2. the immortals
the Greek or Roman gods
immortalize , UK USUALLY immortalise /m.t l.az/ /-mr.t l-/ verb [ T often passive ]

to make someone or something so famous that they are remembered for a very long time
Marlene Dietrich was immortalized through her roles in films like 'The Blue Angel'.
-indulge /ndld/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to allow yourself or another person to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you
The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs.
[ R ] I love champagne but I don't often indulge myself.
We took a deliberate decision to indulge in a little nostalgia.
2. [ T ] to give someone anything they want and not to mind if they behave badly
My aunt indulges the children dreadfully.
-insatiable /nse..bl/ adjective

(especially of a desire or need) too great to be satisfied

Like so many politicians, he had an insatiable appetite/desire/hunger for power.
Nothing, it seemed, would satisfy his insatiable curiosity .
insatiably /nse..bli/ adverb

inscribe /nskrab/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to write words in a book or carve (= cut) them on an object

The prize winners each receive a book with their names inscribed on the first page.
The wall of the church was inscribed with the names of the dead from the Great War.
-intact /ntkt/ adjective

1. complete and in the original state

 The church was destroyed in the bombing but the altar survived intact.
2. not damaged
It's difficult to emerge from such a scandal with your reputation still intact.
intake /n.tek/ noun BREATH

1. [ C ] an act of taking in something, especially breath

I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me.
intake /n.tek/ noun AMOUNT

2. [ U ] the amount of a particular substance which is eaten or drunk during a particular

time
It says on the packet that four slices of this bread contains one half of your recommended
daily intake of fibre.
-intimate /n.t.mt/ /-t-/ adjective PERSONAL

1. having, or being likely to cause, a very close friendship or personal or sexual relationship
intimate relationships
The restaurant has a very intimate atmosphere .
He's become very intimate with an actress.
intimate /n.t.mt/ /-t-/ adjective EXPERT

2. expert, detailed and obtained from a lot of studying or experience

She has an intimate knowledge of Tuscany, where she has lived for twenty years.
intimately /n.t.mt.li/ /-t-/ adverb

Well, I know who she is although I'm not intimately (= closely) acquainted with her.
She's been intimately involved in the project since it began.
-loathe /l/ /lo/ verb [ T ]

to hate someone or something

From an early age the brothers have loathed each other.
"Do you like fish?" "No, I loathe it."
[ + -ing verb ] I loathe do ing housework.
loathing /l./ /lo./ noun [ S or U ] FORMAL

strong hatred
The thought of him touching her filled her with deep loathing.
He approached his rival with fear and loathing.
loathsome /l.sm/ /lo-/ adjective

extremely unpleasant
 He's a loathsome man.
-maid /med/ noun [ C ] SERVANT

1. a woman who works as a servant in a hotel or in someone's home

In the beach resort, the apartments and villas have daily maid service .
In California many illegal immigrants work as maids, nannies and gardeners.
maid /med/ noun [ C ] GIRL

2. OLD USE a girl or young woman who is not married, or has not had sex
maiden /me.d n/ noun [ C ] WOMAN

1. LITERARY a girl or young woman

In the story, the prince woos and wins the fair maiden.
-mercy /m.si/ /m-/ noun KINDNESS

1. [ U ] kindness and forgiveness shown towards someone you have authority over
She appealed to the judge to have mercy on her husband.
The prisoners pleaded for mercy.
The gunmen showed no mercy, killing innocent men and women.
2. be at the mercy of sb/sth
to be in a situation where someone or something has complete power over you
Poor people are increasingly at the mercy of money-lenders.
mercy /m.si/ /m-/ noun EVENT/SITUATION

3. [ S ] an event or situation which you are grateful for because it stops something unpleasant
After months of suffering, his death was a mercy.
They were on a mercy mission to take food to the refugees when they were attacked.
-mesmerize , UK USUALLY mesmerise /mez.m.raz/ verb

1. [ T often passive ] to have someone's attention completely so that they cannot think of
anything else
I was completely mesmerized by the performance.
2. [ T ] OLD-FASHIONED FOR hypnotize
mesmerizing , UK USUALLY mesmerising /mez.m.ra.z/ adjective

very attractive, in a mysterious way, making you want to keep looking

He had the most mesmerizing blue eyes.
-misdeed /msdid/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

an act that is criminal or bad

 She's been making up for her past misdeeds by doing a lot of voluntary work.
misdemeanor /ms.dmi.n r / /-n/ noun [ C ] US LEGAL

a crime considered to be one of the less serious types of crime

misdemeanour UK , US misdemeanor /ms.dmi.n r / /-n/ noun [ C ]

an action which is slightly bad or breaks a rule but is not a crime

sexual/youthful misdemeanours
Every week, as children, we were beaten for some minor misdemeanour.
-vanish /vn./ verb [ I ]

to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way

The child vanished while on her way home from school.
We rushed out of the shop in hot pursuit, but the thief had vanished into thin air (= had
completely disappeared) .
Cheap rural housing is vanishing in the south of the country.
vanished /vn.t/ adjective

not now present or existing

The temple ruins are a distant reminder of a vanished empire.
vanishing /vn../ adjective

beginning to disappear
They expressed worry about the district's current budget crisis and its vanishing middle-
class work force.
-newsworthy /njuzw.i/ /nuzw-/ adjective

interesting enough to be described in a news report

Nothing newsworthy ever happens around here. It's so boring.
newsy /nju.zi/ /nu-/ adjective

INFORMAL containing a lot of news that is personal or not very serious

I got a lovely long newsy letter from Bec.
newt /njut/ /nut/ noun [ C ]

a small animal which has a long thin body and tail and short legs, and lives both on land
and in water
-obsess /bses/ verb [ I or T ]

If something or someone obsesses you, or if you obsess about something or someone, you
think about them all the time
 The whole relationship obsessed me for years.
She used to obsess about her weight.
obsessed /bsest/ adjective

unable to stop thinking about something; too interested in or worried about something
Why are people so obsessed with money?
As a society we're obsessed by sex.
obsession /bse. n/ noun [ C or U ]

something or someone that you think about all the time

an unhealthy obsession with death
her chocolate obsession
He's always wanted to find his natural mother but recently it's become an obsession.
obsessive /bses.v/ adjective ( ALSO obsessional )

1. thinking about something or someone, or doing something, too much or all the time
He's obsessive about punctuality.
2. like, typical of, or caused by an obsession
obsessive secrecy
obsessional behaviour
-ogle /.gl/ /o-/ verb [ I or T ]

to look at someone with obvious sexual interest

I saw you ogling the woman in the red dress!
ogre /.g r / /o.g/ noun [ C ]

1. a large frightening character in children's stories who eats children

2. INFORMAL a fierce and frightening person
The headmaster at my junior school was a real ogre.
-omnipresent /m.nprez. nt/ /m-/ adjective FORMAL

present or having an effect everywhere at the same time

So how did a diminutive Australian soap star get to be an omnipresent icon of style and beauty?
-perspiration /p.sp re. n/ /p.spre-/ noun [ U ]

POLITE WORD FOR sweat (= colourless liquid passed through the skin)
During the break between games, she had a drink of water and wiped the perspiration off
her face and arms with a towel.
Beads (= Drops) of perspiration glistened on his brow.
perspire /pspa r / /pspa/ verb [ I ]

FORMAL OR POLITE WORD FOR sweat (= to pass liquid through the skin)
He was perspiring in his thick woollen suit.
The journalists and camera crews began to perspire in the heat as they stood waiting for
the president to appear.
-plague /pleg/ verb [ T ]

1. to cause worry, pain or difficulty to someone or something over a period of time

Financial problems have been plaguing their new business partners.
My shoulder's been plaguing me all week.
2. to annoy someone, especially by asking repeated questions
The children plagued him with questions all through lunch.
He's been plaguing me for a loan of the book.
plague /pleg/ noun [ C or U ]

1. bubonic plague or (an attack of) any serious disease which kills many people
2. a plague of sth
a large number of things which are unpleasant or likely to cause damage
a plague of insects
HUMOROUS A plague of journalists descended on the town.
-pursuit /psjut/ /psut/ noun ACTIVITY

1. [ C usually plural ] an activity that you spend time doing, usually when you are not working
I enjoy outdoor pursuits, like hiking and riding.
I don't have much opportunity for leisure pursuits these days.
pursuit /psjut/ /psut/ noun FOLLOWING

2. [ C or U ] when you follow someone or something to try to catch them

Three people have been killed in high-speed pursuits by the police recently.
The robbers fled the scene of the crime, with the police in pursuit.
pursuit /psjut/ /psut/ noun ATTEMPT

3. [ U ] when you try to achieve a plan, activity or situation, usually over a long period of time
the pursuit of happiness
The company is ruthless in its pursuit of profit.
The union is on strike in pursuit of (= the act of trying to achieve) a 10% pay increase.
-relish /rel./ verb [ T ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL

1. to like or enjoy something

I always relish a challenge.
 [ + -ing verb ] I don't relish tell ing her that her son has been arrested.
2. If you relish the idea or thought of something, you feel pleasure that it is going to happen
She's relishing the prospect of studying in Bologna for six months.
relish /rel./ noun SAUCE

1. [ C or U ] a type of sauce which is eaten with food to add flavour to it

tomato and onion relish
Would you like relish on your burger?
relish /rel./ noun ENJOYMENT

2. [ U ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL the enjoyment you get from doing something

She ate her cake slowly and with relish.
I have no relish for hunt ing and kill ing animals.
relive /rilv/ verb [ T ]

to remember clearly an experience that happened in the past

Whenever I smell burning, I relive the final moments of the crash.
-reverence /rev. r. n t s/ /-. n t s/ noun [ U ]

a feeling of respect or admiration for someone or something

She has/shows/feels great reverence for her professors.
Reverend /rev. r. nd/ , /-rnd/ /-. nd/ noun ( WRITTEN ABBREVIATION Rev/Revd )

a title for a priest of the Christian church

the Reverend H. Clark
reverent /rev. r. nt/ /-. nt/ adjective

showing great respect and admiration

A reverent silence fell over the crowd.
Opposite irreverent
reverently /rev. r. nt.li/ /-. nt-/ adverb

He laid the wreath reverently in front of the memorial.

-ridicule /rd..kjul/ noun [ U ]

unkind words or actions that make someone or something look stupid

She was treated with scorn and ridicule by her colleagues when she applied for the job.
He's become an object of ridicule (= a person that everyone thinks is stupid and criticizes or laughs at) .
hold sb/sth up to ridicule
to laugh unkindly and publicly at someone or something, or make them seem stupid
Her plans were held up to ridicule.
lay yourself open to ridicule
to make it easy for people to laugh unkindly at you
You lay yourself open to ridicule wearing clothes like that.
ridicule /rd..kjul/ verb [ T ]

to laugh at someone in an unkind way

She rarely spoke her mind out of fear of beng ridiculed.

-scrutinize , UK USUALLY scrutinise /skru.t.naz/ /-t n.az/ verb [ T ]

to examine something very carefully in order to discover information

He scrutinized the men's faces carefully/closely, trying to work out who was lying.
scrutiny /skru.t.ni/ /-t n.i/ noun [ U ]

the careful and detailed examination of something in order to get information about it
The Government's record will be subjected to/come under (close) scrutiny in the weeks
before the election.
-sitcom /st.km/ /-km/ noun [ C or U ]

a situation comedy
sit-down /st.dan/ adjective [ before noun ] MEAL

1. describes a meal served to people who are sitting at a table

We're having a sit-down meal at our wedding, rather than a buffet.
sit-down /st.dan/ adjective [ before noun ] REFUSE TO WORK

2. describes a strike in which workers refuse to leave their place of work until their
employers have agreed to their demands
The workers are holding a sit-down strike .
-skid /skd/ verb [ I ] -dd-

(especially of a vehicle) to slide along a surface so that you have no control

Trevor's bus skidded on some ice and hit a tree.
skid /skd/ noun [ C ]

1. an uncontrollable sliding movement

She was riding too fast on a wet road, and the motorbike went into a skid.
2. one of two long flat pieces under some aircraft such as helicopters , which help the aircraft to land
3. a support, often made of wood, for raising heavy objects off the ground or for moving them
-slaughter /sl.t r / /sl.t/ noun

1. [ S or U ] the killing of many people cruelly and unfairly, especially in a war

 Hardly anyone in the town escaped the slaughter when the rebels were defeated.
We must find ways of reducing the slaughter which takes place on our roads (= death of many people in motor
accidents) every year.
2. [ U ] the killing of animals for meat
The geese are being fattened for slaughter.
See also slaughterhouse
3. [ S ] when one team is very easily defeated by the other
Saturday's game was an absolute slaughter.
-slaughter /sl.t r / /sl.t/ verb [ T ]

1. to cruelly and unfairly kill a lot of people

Thousands of people were slaughtered in the civil war.
2. to kill an animal for meat
The animals are slaughtered in abattoirs.
3. to defeat someone very easily
England slaughtered Germany 5-1 at football.
-soundbite /san d .bat/ noun [ C ]

a short sentence or phrase that is easy to remember, often included in a speech made by a
politician and repeated in newspapers and on television and radio
Most politicians want to master the art of the soundbite.
soundboard /san d .bd/ /-brd/ noun [ C ]

a thin sheet of wood on a musical instrument such as a guitar which the strings go over
and which helps to produce the sound
sound card noun [ C ]

a circuit board (= small piece of electronic equipment) inside a computer that allows it to
record and play sounds
-spite /spat/ noun DESPITE

1. in spite of sth
(used before one fact that makes another fact surprising) despite
In spite of his injury, Ricardo will play in Saturday's match.
2. in spite of yourself
used when you do something which you do not intend to do and which you are trying not to do
She started to laugh, in spite of herself .
spite /spat/ noun HURT
 3. [ U ] a feeling of anger towards someone that makes a person want to annoy, upset or hurt them, especially in a
small way
He's the sort of man who would let down the tyres on your car just out of/from spite.
-stalk /stk/ /stk/ noun [ C ]

1. the main stem of a plant, or the narrow stem that joins leaves, flowers or fruit to the main stem of a plant
She trimmed the stalks of the tulips before putting them in a vase.
2. a narrow structure that supports a part of the body in some animals
The eyes of shrimps are on movable stalks.
eyes out on stalks UK HUMOROUS
If your eyes are out on stalks, they are wide open with surprise
His eyes were out on stalks as he watched his neighbour drive past in a brand new Porsche.
-stalk /stk/ /stk/ verb FOLLOW

1. [ T ] to follow an animal or person as closely as possible without being seen or heard, usually in order to catch
or kill them
The police had been stalking the woman for a week before they arrested her.
2. [ I or T ] to illegally follow and watch someone, usually a woman, over a period of time
He was arrested for stalking.
3. [ T ] LITERARY If something unpleasant stalks a place, it appears there in a threatening way
When night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city.
stalk /stk/ /stk/ verb WALK

4. [ I + adverb or preposition ] to walk in an angry or proud way

She refused to accept that she was wrong and stalked furiously out of the room.

stalker
a person who illegally follows and watches someone, especially a woman, over a period of time
Several well-known women have been troubled by stalkers recently.
-thrust /rst/ verb [ I or T usually + adv/prep ] thrust , thrust

to push suddenly and strongly

She thrust the money into his hand.
They thrust a microphone in front of me and fired questions at me.
She thrust the papers at me (= towards me) .
The bodyguards thrust past the crowd to get at the cameraman.
thrust sth on/upon sb phrasal verb [ often passive ]
to force someone to accept or deal with something
Fatherhood had been thrust on him.
thrust /rst/ noun IDEA

1. [ S ] the main idea, subject or opinion that is discussed or written about

The main thrust of her argument was that women are compromised by the demands of
childcare.
thrust /rst/ noun PUSH

2. [ C ] a strong push
3. [ U ] SPECIALIZED the driving force produced by, for example, an aircraft engine
thud /d/ noun [ C ]

the sound that is made when something heavy falls or hits something else
The boy fell to the ground with a thud.
I could hear the thud of horses' hooves down the track.
-trendy /tren.di/ adjective INFORMAL

modern and influenced by the most recent fashions or ideas

trendy clothes
a trendy nightclub
He writes for some trendy magazine for the under-30s.
trendy /tren.di/ noun [ C ] INFORMAL MAINLY DISAPPROVING

a person who is very influenced by the most recent ideas and fashions
This is where all the North London trendies go for a night out.
-voyage /v.d/ verb [ I ] OLD USE OR LITERARY

to travel
In their little boat they planned to voyage to distant lands.
voyager /v..d r / /-d/ noun [ C ]

a person who goes on a long and sometimes dangerous journey

Those voyagers who first ventured into space certainly showed courage.
voyeur /vwj r / /-j/ noun [ C ] DISAPPROVING

a person who gets sexual pleasure from secretly watching other people in sexual situations,
or (more generally) a person who watches other people's private lives
I felt like a voyeur visiting the war zone and seeing badly injured people being dragged
from their bomb-shattered homes.
-write back phrasal verb

to reply to someone's letter

I'll write back and tell her we're coming.
write sth down phrasal verb [ M ]
to write something on a piece of paper so that you do not forget it
Did you write down Jo's phone number?
write in phrasal verb
to write a letter to a newspaper, television company or other organization, to state an opinion or ask something
[ + to infinitive ] People have written in to complain about the show.
[ + -ing verb ] Thousands of people wrote in to the BBC ask ing for an information sheet.
write sb in phrasal verb [ M ] US
to add someone's name to the official list for an election in order to show that you want to vote for them
a write-in candidate/campaign
write sth into sth phrasal verb [ often passive ]
to add a particular detail or rule to a document
An agreement to produce five novels a year was written into her contract.
write sth off phrasal verb [ M ] MONEY
1. to accept that an amount of money has been lost or that a debt will not be paid
The World Bank is being urged to write off debts from developing countries.
write sth off phrasal verb [ M ] VEHICLE
2. UK to damage a vehicle so badly that it cannot be repaired
His car was completely written off in the accident.
write-off /ra.tf/ /-tf/ noun [ C usually singular ] UK

She wasn't hurt, but the car's a complete write-off.

write sb/sth off phrasal verb [ M ]
to decide that a particular person or thing will not be useful, important or successful
A lot of companies seem to write people off if they're over 50.
write off/away for sth phrasal verb
to write a letter to an organization asking them to send you something
Did you write off for tickets?
write sb out of sth phrasal verb
to change the story of a regular television or radio programme so that a particular character is not in it any more
write sth up phrasal verb [ M ]
to write something in a complete or final form using notes that you have made
Have you written up that report yet?
write sb up phrasal verb [ M ] US
to report someone for not obeying a law or rule
The cop said he'd have to write me up for not stopping at the red light.
-alley /l.i/ noun [ C ]
 ( ALSO alleyway ) a narrow road or path between buildings, or a path in a park or garden,
especially with trees or bushes on both sides
up/down your alley US AND AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH
to be the type of thing that you are interested in or that you enjoy doing
Kate loves dancing, so salsa lessons would be right up her alley.
alliance /la. n t s/ noun

1. [ C ] a group of countries, political parties or people who have agreed to work together
because of shared interests or aims
a military alliance
NATO is sometimes called the Atlantic Alliance.
2. [ C ] an agreement to work with someone else to try to achieve the same thing
The three smaller parties have forged/formed an alliance against the government.
Some of us feel that the union is in alliance with management against us.
-anxiety /za..ti/ /-ti/ noun WORRY

1. [ U ] an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in
the future
Children normally feel a lot of anxiety about their first day at school.
That explains his anxiety over his health.
Her son is a source of considerable anxiety.
2. [ C ] something that causes a feeling of fear and worry
job anxieties
anxiety /za..ti/ /-ti/ noun EAGERNESS

3. [ U + to infinitive ] eagerness to do something

Peter's leaving at the end of this week - hence his anxiety to get his work finished.
-armistice /.m.sts/ /r-/ noun [ S ]

an agreement between two countries or groups at war to stop fighting for a particular time, especially to talk about
possible peace
A two-week armistice has been declared between the rival factions.
-gunpoint /gn.pnt/ noun

at gunpoint
experiencing or using a threat of killing with a gun
The family were held at gunpoint for an hour while the men raided their house.
gunpowder /gnpa.d r / /-d/ noun [ U ]
 an explosive mixture of substances in the form of a powder, used for making explosive
devices and fireworks
gun-runner /gnrn. r / /-/ noun [ C ]

a person who illegally brings guns into a country

gun-running /gnrn./ noun [ U ]

the activity of bringing guns and other weapons into a country illegally, especially for use
against the government
-bash /b/ verb HIT

1. [ I or T ] INFORMAL to hit hard

He bashed his arm against a shelf.
I could hear her bashing away on a typewriter (= hitting the keys loudly) .
bash /b/ verb CRITICIZE

2. [ T ] to criticize someone severely

He kept bashing local government officials.
bash on phrasal verb UK INFORMAL
to continue doing something that is difficult, boring or takes a long time
Oh well, that's enough chatting. I suppose I'd better bash on with this essay.
bash /b/ noun HIT

1. [ C usually singular ] INFORMAL a hit

a bash on the head
bash /b/ noun PARTY

2. [ C ] INFORMAL a party
He had a big bash for his 18th birthday.
bash /b/ noun ATTEMPT

3. have a bash UK INFORMAL

to try to do something you have not done before
I've never been skiing before, but I'm prepared to have a bash ( at it).
-bizarre /bz r / /-zr/ adjective

very strange and unusual

a bizarre situation
bizarre behaviour
-blush /bl/ verb [ I ]

to become pink in the face, usually from embarrassment

 I always blush when I speak in public.
I blush to think of what a fool I made of myself.
blush noun [ C ]
A blush of shame crept up his face.
-bud /bd/ noun [ C ] PLANT PART

1. a small part of a plant, that develops into a flower or leaf

2. in bud
covered with buds
It was springtime and the fruit trees were in bud.
-boast /bst/ /bost/ verb SPEAK PROUDLY

1. [ I or T ] DISAPPROVING to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own
He didn't talk about his exam results in case people thought he was boasting.
Parents enjoy boasting about their children's achievements.
[ + that ] They boasted that they had never lost a single game.
boast /bst/ /bost/ verb HAVE

2. [ T not continuous ] to have or own something to be proud of

Ireland boasts beautiful beaches, great restaurants and friendly locals.
boast /bst/ /bost/ noun [ C ] DISAPPROVING

something you are proud of and like to tell people about

[ + that ] It is her proud boast that she has never missed a single episode of the soap
opera.
boastful /bs t .f l/ /bos t -/ adjective DISAPPROVING

praising yourself and what you have done

-bumpy /bm.pi/ adjective

not smooth
We drove along a narrow, bumpy road .
It might be a bumpy flight (= an uncomfortable and rough flight) because there's a lot of air turbulence ahead.
have a bumpy ride INFORMAL
to have a difficult time
She's had a bumpy ride at work over the last few months.
-catapult /kt..plt/ /kt-/ noun [ C ]

1. a device which can throw objects at a high speed

In the past, armies used catapults to hurl heavy stones at enemy fortifications.
 On that type of aircraft carrier, a catapult was used to help launch aircraft.
2. UK ( US slingshot , AUSTRALIAN ALSO shanghai ) a Y-shaped stick or piece of metal with a piece of
elastic (= material that stretches) fixed to the top parts, used especially by children for shooting small stones
catapult /kt..plt/ /kt-/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ]

1. to throw someone or something with great force

When the two vehicles collided, he was catapulted forwards .
2. be catapulted into sth
to suddenly experience a particular state, such as fame
The award for best actress meant that almost overnight she was catapulted into the limelight.
- couch po tato noun [ C ] INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

a person who watches a lot of television and does not have an active style of life
-crawl /krl/ /krl/ verb MOVE

crawl
1. [ I ] to move slowly or with difficulty, especially (of a person) with the body stretched out along the ground or
on hands and knees
The child crawled across the floor.
The injured soldier crawled to safety.
The lorry crawled noisily up the hill.
Megan has just learned to crawl.
crawl /krl/ /krl/ verb TRY TO PLEASE

2. [ I ] INFORMAL DISAPPROVING to try hard to please in order to get an advantage

I don't like people who crawl.
UK He crawled to the group leader because he wanted a promotion.
-curiosity /kj.ris..ti/ /kjr.i.s.ti/ noun INTEREST

1. [ U ] an eager wish to know or learn about something

to arouse/excite/satisfy someone's curiosity
I'm burning with curiosity - you must tell me who's won!
She decided to call her ex-boyfriend out of curiosity.
"Why do you ask?" "Oh, just idle curiosity (= for no particular reason) ."
curiosity /kj.ris..ti/ /kjr.i.s.ti/ noun STRANGE OBJECT

2. [ C ] something that is interesting because it is rare and unusual

Cars like mine are curiosities nowadays.
I kept this old pot for its curiosity value (= the interest it has because it is unusual) .
Curiosity killed the cat. SAYING
 said to warn someone not to ask too many questions about something
-dim /dm/ adjective dimmer , dimmest NOT CLEAR

1. not giving or having much light

The lamp gave out a dim light.
He sat in a dim corner of the waiting-room.
We could see a dim (= not easily seen) shape in the fog.
2. LITERARY If your eyes are dim, you cannot see very well.
3. a dim memory/recollection, etc.
something that you remember slightly, but not very well
I had a dim recollection of having met her before.
dim /dm/ adjective dimmer , dimmest NOT CLEVER

4. INFORMAL not very clever

He's a nice chap, but a little dim.
Don't be dim!
dim /dm/ adjective dimmer , dimmest NOT POSITIVE

5. not likely to succeed

The company's prospects for the future are rather dim.

-entrance /en.trn t s/ noun

1. [ C ] a door, gate, etc. by which you can enter a building or place

There are two entrances - one at the front and one round the back.
Compare exit
2. [ C usually singular ] when an actor or dancer comes onto a stage
He makes a spectacular entrance in act two draped in a gold sheet.
3. [ C usually singular ] the act of a person coming into a room in an ordinary situation, although often because
there is something noticeable about it
I noticed her entrance because she slipped and fell in the doorway.
4. [ U ] the right to enter a place
The management reserve the right to refuse entrance.
-fate /fet/ noun

1. [ C usually singular ] what happens to a particular person or thing, especially something final or negative, such
as death or defeat
We want to decide our own fate.
His fate is now in the hands of the jury.
The disciples were terrified that they would suffer/meet the same fate as Jesus.
 2. [ U ] a power that some people believe causes and controls all events, so that you cannot change or control the
way things will happen
When we met again by chance in Cairo, I felt it must be fate.
Fate has brought us together.
-fury /fj .ri/ /fj.i/ noun [ S or U ]

extreme anger
He could hardly contain his fury.
She flew into a fury at the suggestion.
like fury OLD-FASHIONED
with great energy and determination
I've been working like fury these past few days to catch up.
fuse /fjuz/ noun [ C ] SAFETY PART

1. a small safety part in an electrical device or piece of machinery which causes it to stop
working if the electric current is too high, and so prevents fires or other dangers
My hairdrier's stopped working - I think the fuse has blown/ UK ALSO gone (= broken) .
Have you tried changing the fuse?
-gorgeous /g.ds/ /gr-/ adjective

very beautiful or pleasant

What a gorgeous room/dress/colour!
The bride looked gorgeous.
The weather was so gorgeous.
gorgeously /g.d.sli/ /gr-/ adverb

She's always gorgeously dressed.

-esticulate /destk.j.let/ verb [ I ] FORMAL

to make movements with your hands or arms, to express something or to emphasize what you are saying
There was a man outside the window gesticulating wildly .
-graze /grez/ verb SURFACE

1. [ T ] to break the surface of the skin by rubbing against something rough

He fell down and grazed his knee .
He was lucky, the bullet just grazed his leg.
2. [ T ] If an object grazes something, it touches its surface lightly when it passes it
The aircraft's landing gear grazed the treetops as it landed.
graze /grez/ verb FOOD
 3. [ I or T ] to (cause animals to) eat grass
The cows were grazing.
The farmer grazes cattle on this land in the summer months.
4. [ I ] INFORMAL to eat small amounts of food many times during the day instead of sitting down to eat meals at
particular times
No dinner for me, thanks - I've been grazing all day.
-haphazard /hphz.d/ /-d/ adjective DISAPPROVING

not having an obvious order or plan

He tackled the problem in a typically haphazard manner.
haphazardly /hphz.d.li/ /-d-/ adverb DISAPPROVING

hapless /hp.ls/ adjective [ before noun ] FORMAL

unlucky and usually unhappy

Many children are hapless victims of this war.
-haste /hest/ noun [ U ] DISAPPROVING

(too much) speed

Unfortunately the report was prepared in haste and contained several inaccuracies.
[ + to infinitive ] In her haste to get up from the table, she knocked over a cup.
His father had just died and he didn't want to marry with indecent haste.
make haste OLD USE
hurry up
Make haste!
More haste less speed. UK SAYING
said to mean that if you try to do things too quickly, it will take you longer in the end
-flesh /fle/ noun

1. [ U ] the soft part of the body of a person or animal which is between the skin and the bones, or the soft inside
part of a fruit or vegetable
The thorn went deep into the flesh of my hand.
The flesh of the fruit is white.
Vegetarians don't eat animal flesh (= meat) .
2. the flesh
LITERARY the physical body and not the mind or the soul
This left him plenty of time to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh (= physical pleasures, such as sex or eating) .
See also fleshpot
be (only) flesh and blood
 to have normal human limits, needs, etc
Of course I find pretty young women attractive - I'm only flesh and blood.
be sb's own flesh and blood
to be someone's relation
I couldn't send him away - he's my own flesh and blood.
in the flesh
in real life, and not on TV, in a film, in a picture, etc
I've seen her perform on television, but never in the flesh.
make your flesh crawl/creep
to make someone very worried or frightened
I don't mind spiders but worms make my flesh crawl.
put flesh on (the bones of) sth
to add more details to a plan, idea, argument, etc. to make it better or more complete
flesh sth out phrasal verb [ M ]
to add more details or information to something
These plans need to be fleshed out with some more figures.
flesh-coloured UK AND AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH , US flesh-colored /flekl.d/ /-kl.d/ adjective

approximately the colour of white people's skin

a pair of flesh-coloured tights
fleshly /fle.li/ adjective LITERARY

relating to the physical body, not the mind or the soul

He is someone who finds it difficult to curb his fleshly (= sexual) desires .
-indignation /n.dgne. n/ noun [ U ]

anger about a situation that you think is wrong or not fair

indignity /ndg.n.ti/ /-n.ti/ noun [ C or U ]

a loss of respect or self-respect, or something which causes this

They were subjected to various indignities and discomforts, including having to get dressed
and undressed in public.
Clint suffered the indignity of being called 'Puppy' in front of his girlfriend.
-intent /ntent/ adjective

1. giving all your attention to something

an intent stare
She had an intent look on her face.
intent /ntent/ adjective
 2. be intent on sth /doing sth
to be determined to do or achieve something
I've tried persuading her not to go but she's intent on it.
He seems intent on upsetting everyone in the room!
intent /ntent/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

when you want and plan to do something

I spent half the morning on the phone, which wasn't really my intent.
[ + to infinitive ] It was not his intent to hurt anyone.
LEGAL She was charged with possessing weapons with intent to endanger life.
to/for all intents and purposes
in all the most important ways
For all intents and purposes, the project is completed.
-lease /lis/ verb [ T ]

to make a legal agreement by which money is paid in order to use land, a building, a vehicle or a piece of
equipment for an agreed period of time
The estate contains 300 new homes, about a third of which are leased to the council.
[ + two objects ] It was agreed they would lease the flat to him/lease him the flat.
lease /lis/ noun [ C ]

a legal agreement in which you pay money in order to use a building, piece of land, vehicle, etc. for a period
He has the flat on a long lease.
The lease runs out/expires in two years' time.
We signed a three-year lease when we moved into the house.
leaseback /lis.bk/ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

a legal agreement by which the owner of a thing allows the previous owner to continue to
use it for a regular amount of money
leasehold /lis.hld/ /-hold/ noun [ C or U ]

the legal right to live in or use a building, piece of land, etc. for an agreed period of time
His family held the leasehold/ had the property on leasehold.
Compare freehold
-mane /men/ noun [ C ]

1. the long thick hair that grows along the top of a horse's neck or around the face and
neck of a lion
See picture animals 1
2. thick long hair on a person's head
 The painting depicts a beautiful young man with a flowing mane of red hair.
man-eater /mni.t r / /-t/ noun [ C ] WOMAN

1. HUMOROUS a woman who uses men to have a series of sexual relationships without loving
them
man-eater /mni.t r / /-t/ noun [ C ] ANIMAL

2. an animal that can kill and eat a person

-modesty /md..sti/ /m.d-/ noun [ U ] QUIET SUCCESS

1. APPROVING when someone doesn't usually talk about or make obvious their abilities and achievements
She does a lot of work for charities, but her modesty forbids her from talking about it.
2. in all modesty APPROVING
said when you want to say something good about yourself, but do not want to seem to think you are too important
Quite frankly, and in all modesty, we'd probably have lost the game if I hadn't been playing.
modesty /md..sti/ /m.d-/ noun [ U ] CLOTHES/BEHAVIOUR

3. OLD-FASHIONED the quality, in women, of dressing or behaving in a way which is intended to avoid attracting
sexual interest
-mug /mg/ noun [ C ] CUP

mug
1. a large cup with straight sides used for hot drinks
I made myself a large mug of cocoa (= enough to fill a mug) and went to bed.
2. beer mug
MAINLY US a heavy glass with a handle and usually with patterns cut into its side, out of which you drink beer
mug /mg/ noun [ C ] STUPID PERSON

3. MAINLY UK INFORMAL a person who is stupid and easily deceived

He's such a mug, he believes everything she tells him.
mug /mg/ noun [ C ] FACE

4. INFORMAL MAINLY DISAPPROVING someone's face his ugly mug

-pal /pl/ noun [ C ] INFORMAL

1. a friend
You're my best pal.
It's my old pal Pete!
2. sometimes used when talking to a man who is annoying you
Look, pal, you're asking for trouble.
-reassurance /ri..rn t s/ /-r. n t s/ noun [ C or U ]
 words of advice and comfort intended to make someone feel less worried
I felt I couldn't cope with the situation and was in desperate need of some reassurance.
Despite her father's reassurances, she was still frightened of the dark.
reassure /ri. r / /-r/ verb [ T ]

to comfort someone and stop them from worrying

[ + to infinitive ] I was nervous on my first day at college, but I was reassured to see some
friendly faces.
[ + ( that ) ] He reassured me (that) my cheque would arrive soon.
-repent /rpent/ verb [ I ] FORMAL

to be very sorry for something bad you have done in the past and wish that you had not
done it
He repented ( of his sins) just hours before he died.
repentance /rpen.t n t s/ noun [ U ]

This was an extremely violent crime, for which the boy showed no repentance.
repentant /rpen.t nt/ adjective FORMAL

feeling sorry for something that you have done

Opposite unrepentant
-retrieve /rtriv/ verb [ T ]

to find and bring back something

We taught our dog to retrieve a ball.
Computers are used to store and retrieve information efficiently.
retrieval /rtri.v l/ noun [ U ]

the storage and retrieval of information

retriever /rtri.v r / /-v/ noun [ C ]

a large dog with thick black or light brown fur

-ridiculous /rdk.j.ls/ adjective

stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be laughed at

Do I look ridiculous in this hat?
Don't be so ridiculous! I can't possibly afford to go on holiday.
It's ridiculous to expect a two-year-old to be able to read!
ridiculously /rdk.j.l.sli/ adverb

Hotel rooms in the city are ridiculously overpriced.

riding /ra.d/ noun [ U ]

the sport or activity of riding horses

Have you ever been riding?
She goes riding on Saturdays.
riding boots and a riding hat
-sarcasm /s.kz. m/ /sr-/ noun [ U ]

the use of remarks which clearly mean the opposite of what they say, and which are made in order to hurt
someone's feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way
"You have been working hard, " he said with heavy sarcasm, as he looked at the empty page.
Compare irony
-scorn /skn/ /skrn/ noun [ U ]

a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something that you think is stupid or has no value
She has nothing but scorn for the new generation of politicians.
Why do you always pour/heap scorn on (= criticize severely and unfairly) my suggestions?
scorn /skn/ /skrn/ verb [ T ]

1. to show scorn for someone or something

So does he respect the press and media, or does he secretly scorn them?
You scorned all my suggestions.
2. to refuse advice or an offer because you are too proud
She scorned all my offers of help.
-scramble /skrm.bl/ verb MOVE QUICKLY

1. [ I usually + adverb or preposition ] to move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using your hands to help
you
She scrambled up the steep hillside and over the rocks.
He scrambled into his clothes (= put them on quickly) and raced to fetch a doctor.
As the burning plane landed, the terrified passengers scrambled for the door (= tried to reach the door quickly) .
2. [ I ] to compete with other people for something there is very little of
[ + to infinitive ] People are scrambling to buy property before prices rise even further.
scramble /skrm.bl/ verb CHANGE SIGNAL

3. [ T ] to change a radio or telephone signal so that it can only be understood using a special device
-spur /sp r / /sp/ verb [ T ] -rr- ENCOURAGE

1. to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster

Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth.
 Spurred (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapid succession.
spur /sp r / /sp/ verb [ T ] -rr- SHARP OBJECT

2. to push spurs into the side of a horse to make it go faster

He spurred his horse on and shouted "Faster! Faster!"
-stunning /stn./ adjective BEAUTIFUL

1. extremely beautiful or attractive

a stunning dress
a stunning view over the bay of Saint Tropez
stunning /stn./ adjective SHOCKING

2. shocking or very impressive

All the ideas have a stunning simplicity.
stunningly /stn..li/ adverb

a stunningly beautiful/attractive woman

He's stunningly naive for a person of his age.
-thrill /rl/ noun [ C ]

a feeling of extreme excitement, usually caused by something pleasant

the thrill of winning a competition
So why do people still go hunting - is it the thrill of the chase?
It gave me a real thrill to see her again after so many years.
The video shows the thrills and spills (= excitement and accidents) of motor racing.
thrill /rl/ verb [ I or T ]

to make someone feel very excited and pleased

Ballesteros thrilled the golf world with his performance.
-weird /wd/ /wrd/ adjective

very strange and unusual, unexpected or not natural

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

1. [ I or T ] to cut or damage a surface or your skin slightly with or on something sharp or rough
We scratched the paintwork trying to get the bed into Martha's room.
[ R ] Be careful not to scratch yourself on the roses.
 A few chickens were scratching about/around (= searching with their beaks) in the yard for grain.
2. [ T ] If you scratch something on or off a surface, you add it or remove it by scratching
People have been scratching their names on this rock for years.
I'm afraid I scratched some paint off the door as I was getting out of the car.
3. [ I ] If an animal scratches, it rubs something with its claws (= sharp nails)
The dog's scratching at the door - he wants to be let in.
-axe , US ALSO ax /ks/ noun [ C ] 1. a tool used for cutting wood and which consists of a heavy iron or steel blade at

the end of a long wooden handle .Julian used an axe to chop down the old apple tree.

-backlash /bk.l/ noun [ C ] a strong feeling among a group of people in reaction to a change or recent events in

society or politics

the Sixties backlash against bourgeois materialism

the backlash against feminism
-binge /bnd/ noun [ C ] INFORMAL

an occasion when an activity is done in an extreme way, especially eating, drinking or spending money
a drinking/eating/spending binge
The annual office binge (= party) is in December.
He went on a five day drinking binge.
-booze /buz/ noun [ U ] INFORMAL

alcohol
The party's at Kate's on Friday night - bring some booze.
on the booze UK INFORMAL
drinking a lot of alcohol
Every Friday night Rick would go out on the booze.
booze /buz/ verb [ I ] INFORMAL

to drink alcohol
Have you been out boozing again?
-breach /brit/ noun [ C ] BROKEN PROMISE/RULE

1. an act of breaking a law, promise, agreement or relationship

They felt that our discussions with other companies constituted a breach of/in our agreement.
He was sued for breach of contract .
There have been serious security breaches (= breaks in our security system) .
2. (a) breach of the peace LEGAL
(an example of) illegal noisy or violent behaviour in a public place
 3. be in breach of sth FORMAL
to be breaking a particular law or rule
The cinema was in breach of the Health and Safety Act for having no fire doors.
breach /brit/ noun [ C ] OPENING

4. FORMAL a hole that is made in a wall or another structure used for protection during an attack
A cannon ball had made a breach in their castle walls.
-detox /di.tks/ /-tks/ noun [ S or U ]

1. when you stop taking unhealthy or harmful foods, drinks or drugs into your body for a period of time, in order
to improve your health
She went on a 48-hour detox, eating nothing but grapes.
a detox diet
2. medical treatment in a special hospital to stop someone drinking too much alcohol or taking harmful drugs
He'd spent 18 months in detox/at a detox centre fighting drug addiction.
detox /di.tks/ /-tks/ verb [ I or T ]

1. to stop taking unhealthy or harmful foods, drinks and other substances into your body for a period of time, in
order to improve your health
If you have skin problems or feel sluggish and run-down, then it may be time to detox.
2. to have medical treatment in a special hospital in order to stop drinking too much alcohol or taking harmful
drugs
-dismiss /dsms/ verb FORGET

1. [ T ] to decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering
I think he'd dismissed me as an idiot within five minutes of meeting me.
Let's not just dismiss the idea before we've even thought about it.
Just dismiss those thoughts from your mind - they're crazy and not worth thinking about.
dismiss /dsms/ verb END JOB

2. [ T often passive ] to remove someone from their job, especially because they have done something wrong
He has been dismissed from his job for incompetence.
-embezzle /mbez.l/ verb [ I or T ]

to secretly take money that is in your care or that belongs to an organization or business you work for
She embezzled thousands of dollars from the charity.
-fulfilled /flfld/ adjective

feeling happy because you are getting everything that you want from life
For the first time in my life, I feel really fulfilled.
-fulfilling /flfl./ adjective

making you feel happy and satisfied

Nursing is hard work, but it can be very fulfilling.
-harrow (n)a large piece of equipment which is pulled behind a tractor (= farm vehicle) to break the earth into small
pieces ready for planting

-haul /hl/ /hl/ verb [ T ]

to pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty

They hauled the boat out of the water.
She hauled herself up into the tree.
haul ass US OFFENSIVE
to move very quickly to a different place
When the shooting started we hauled ass out of there.
haul sb up phrasal verb [ M often passive ] INFORMAL
to force someone to go somewhere or see someone in order to be punished or to answer questions about their
behaviour
He was hauled up in court/in front of a magistrate.
-havoc /hv.k/ noun [ U ]

confusion and lack of order, especially causing damage or trouble

The storm wreaked (= caused) havoc in the garden, uprooting trees and blowing a fence down.
The delay played (= caused) havoc with their travel arrangements.
-illicit /ls.t/ adjective

illegal or disapproved of by society

illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis
the illicit trade in stolen vehicles
an illicit love affair
-inconspicuous /n.knspk.ju.s/ adjective

not easily or quickly noticed or seen; not attracting attention

This type of bird is very inconspicuous because of its dull feathers.
At parties, he always stands in a corner and tries to look inconspicuous.
-lousy /la.zi/ adjective INFORMAL

very bad
lousy food/service
 a lousy film
I had a lousy weekend.
I feel lousy (= very ill) - I'm going home.
All he offered me was a lousy 20 (= a small amount of money) !
-outbreak /at.brek/ noun [ C ]

a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous
or unpleasant
an outbreak of cholera/food poisoning/rioting/war
Last weekend saw further thundery outbreaks.
outbuilding /atbl.d/ noun [ C ]

a usually small building near to and on the same piece of land as a larger building
The stables and other outbuildings were sold together with the main house.
outburst /at.bst/ /-bst/ noun [ C ]

a sudden forceful expression of emotion, especially anger

a violent outburst
an outburst of creative activity
Her comments provoked an outburst of anger from the boss.

-offshoot /f.ut/ /f-/ noun [ C ]

something which has developed from something larger which already existed
It's an offshoot of a much larger company based in Sydney.
offshore /f r / /fr/ adjective , adverb

away from or at a distance from the coast

offshore engineering
an offshore breeze
The wind was blowing offshore.
offshore /f r / /fr/ adjective

(of companies and banks) based in a different country with different tax rules that cost
them less money
offshore banking/funds
Compare onshore
-outfit /at.ft/ noun CLOTHES

1. [ C ] a set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity

 I've got a cowboy outfit for the fancy dress party.
outfit /at.ft/ noun GROUP

2. [ C + singular or plural verb ] INFORMAL an organization, company, team, military unit, etc
He has recently set up his own research outfit, which has as yet no name.
outfit /at.ft/ verb [ T often passive ] outfitting , outfitted , outfitted

to provide someone or something with equipment or clothes

The ambulances have all been outfitted with new radios.
-prey /pre/ noun [ U ]

an animal that is hunted and killed for food by another animal

A hawk hovered in the air before swooping on its prey.
be easy prey
to be easy to deceive or be taken advantage of
Homeless young people are easy prey for drug-dealers and pimps.
be/fall prey to sth
to be hurt or deceived by someone or something bad
Small children are prey to all sorts of fears.
prey /pre/ verb

prey on sth phrasal verb

If an animal preys on another animal, it catches and eats it
The spider preys on small flies and other insects.
prey on your mind
If a problem preys on your mind, you think about it and worry about it a lot
I lost my temper with her the other day and it's been preying on my mind ever since.
prey on sb phrasal verb
to hurt or deceive a group of people, especially people who are weak or can easily be hurt or deceived
He would attack at night, preying on lone women in their twenties or thirties.
It's particularly contemptible that these sort of people prey on the elderly.
-skirmish /sk.m/ /sk-/ noun [ C ]

1. a fight between a small number of soldiers which is usually short and not planned, and which happens away
from the main area of fighting in a war
2. a short argument
There was a short skirmish between the political party leaders when the government announced it was to raise
taxes.
-stray /stre/ verb [ I ]
 1. to travel along a route that was not originally intended, or to move outside a limited area
A herd of cattle had strayed into the road.
They got lost when they strayed too far from the footpath.
The ship strayed off course during the storm.
2. to start thinking or talking about a different subject from the one you should be giving attention to
I think we've strayed too far from our original plan.
Sorry - I've strayed from the subject .
stray /stre/ noun [ C ]

a pet that no longer has a home or cannot find its home

a stray dog
"Who owns that cat?" "I don't know. I think it must be a stray."
stray /stre/ adjective [ before noun ]

Stray things have moved apart from similar things and are not in their expected or intended place
There are still a few stray spots of paint on the window pane.
Several journalists have been killed or injured by stray bullets while reporting on the civil war.
-subtlety /st.l.ti/ /st.l.ti/ noun APPROVING

1. [ U ] the quality of being subtle

Listening to the interview, I was impressed by the subtlety of the questions.
2. [ C ] a small but important detail
All the subtleties of the music are conveyed in this new recording.
-succumb /skm/ verb [ I ] FORMAL

1. to lose the determination to oppose something; to accept defeat

The town finally succumbed last week after being pounded with heavy artillery for more than two months.
I'm afraid I succumbed to temptation and had a piece of cheesecake.
I felt sure it would only be a matter of time before he succumbed to my charms.
2. to die or suffer badly from an illness
Thousands of cows have succumbed to the disease in the past few months.
-swoop /swup/ verb [ I ]

1. to move very quickly and easily through the air, especially down from a height in order to attack
The eagle swooped down to snatch a young rabbit.
2. INFORMAL to make a sudden attack on a place or group of people in order to surround and catch them
Undercover police swooped on three houses in Bristol at 5 a.m. this morning.
-therapy /er..pi/ noun [ C or U ]

a treatment which helps someone feel better, grow stronger, etc., especially after an illness
 occupational therapy
speech therapy
group therapy
Joining a club can be a therapy for loneliness.
-upkeep /p.kip/ noun [ U ]

the cost or process of keeping something, such as a building, in good condition

The upkeep of larger old properties is very expensive.
Council employees are responsible for the upkeep of the gardens.
upland /p.lnd/ adjective

describes an area of land that is situated high up, such as on a hill or mountain
The whole plateau comprises one vast upland plain.
uplift /p.lft/ noun [ U ] IMPROVEMENT

1. SLIGHTLY FORMAL improvement of a person's moral or spiritual condition

We are counting on your speech, bishop, to give some moral uplift to the delegates.
uplift /p.lft/ noun [ U ] SUPPORT

2. support for a woman's breasts that is provided by her clothes

uplift /plft/ verb [ T ] IMPROVE

1. to improve a person's moral or spiritual condition

uplift /plft/ verb [ T ] RAISE

2. SPECIALIZED to raise something to a higher position

uplift /plft/ verb [ T ] COLLECT

3. SCOTTISH to collect goods or people from one place, in order to take them to another
Coaches will set down and uplift passengers only as directed by the police in the streets
mentioned.
uplifted /plf.td/ adjective SLIGHTLY FORMAL

raised
With uplifted arms, he ran towards them.
uplifting /plf.t/ adjective SLIGHTLY FORMAL

making someone feel better

For me it was a marvellously uplifting performance.
urine /j.rn/ /jr.n/ noun [ U ]

the yellowish liquid waste which is released from the body when you go to the toilet
-drawback /dr.bk/ /dr-/ noun [ C ]
 a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation
One of the drawbacks of living with someone is having to share a bathroom.
drawbridge /dr.brd/ /dr-/ noun [ C ]

a bridge that can be raised or brought down in order to protect a castle from attack or to
allow big boats to go under it
-abuse /bjuz/ verb [ T ] BEHAVE BADLY

1. to use or treat someone or something wrongly or badly, especially in a way that is to your own advantage
She is continually abusing her position/authority by getting other people to do things for her.
I never expected that he would abuse the trust I placed in him.
Several of the children had been sexually/physically/emotionally abused.
abuse /bjuz/ verb [ T ] SPEAK RUDELY

2. to speak to someone rudely or cruelly

The crowd started abusing him after he failed to save a goal.
-astound /stand/ verb [ T ]

to surprise or shock someone very much

The news astounded me.
astounded /stan.dd/ adjective

very surprised or shocked

[ + to infinitive ] I was astounded to hear that Tim had left.
astounding /stan.d/ adjective

very surprising or shocking

an astounding fact/decision/revelation
an astounding (= very great) victory/achievement/success
-chic /ik/ adjective

stylish and fashionable

I like your haircut - it's very chic.
a chic restaurant
-clich /kli.e/ /--/ noun [ C or U ]

a comment that is very often made and is therefore not original and not interesting
My wedding day - and I know it's a clich - was just the happiest day of my life.
clichd /kli.ed/ adjective

He made some clichd remark about the birth of his first child completely changing his life.
clich-ridden /kli.erd. n/ /----/ adjective

containing a lot of clichs

a clich-ridden speech
-clutch /klt/ verb [ I or T ]

to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry or pain
Silent and pale, she clutched (onto) her mother's hand.
Clutching the money to his chest, he hurried to the bank.
He collapsed, clutching his stomach.
clutch at sth phrasal verb
to try very hard to hold something
Feeling herself fall, she clutched at a branch.
-clutch /klt/ noun MACHINE PART

1. [ C usually singular ] a device which allows turning movement to be sent from one part of a machine to another
I've booked the car into the garage because the clutch is slipping .
2. [ C usually singular ] the pedal or handle in a vehicle that is used to operate the engine's clutch
Push the clutch in , put the car into gear, rev the engine and then gently let the clutch out .
clutch /klt/ noun GROUP

3. [ C + singular or plural verb ] a small group of eggs produced by the same bird, especially in a nest
4. [ C + singular or plural verb ] a small group of people or things
a fresh clutch of students
clutch /klt/ noun CONTROL

5. sb's clutches HUMOROUS

[ plural ] the control of someone
He is in /has fallen into the clutches of that woman.
-contradict /kn.trdkt/ /kn-/ verb [ I or T ]

(of people) to state the opposite of what someone else has said, or (of one fact or statement) to be so different
from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong
If you're both going to lie, at least stick to the same story and don't contradict each other!
[ R ] He kept contradicting him self when we were arguing - I think he was a bit confused.
How dare you contradict (me)!
Recent evidence has tended to contradict established theories on this subject.
-cradle /kre.dl/ noun [ C ] BED

1. a small bed for a baby, especially one that swings from side to side
 The nurse rocked the cradle.
cradle /kre.dl/ noun [ C ] TELEPHONE

2. the object that you put a mobile phone, camera, PDA , etc. into in order to recharge (= put power into) its
batteries or connect it to a computer
cradle /kre.dl/ noun [ C ] EQUIPMENT

3. UK ( US scaffold ) a frame which hangs on the side of a building, ship, etc. for people to work from
the cradle of sth LITERARY
the place where something started
Fossil records indicate that Africa was the cradle of early human evolution.
the cradle of civilisation
from (the) cradle to (the) grave
for all of a person's life
She lived in the same village from the cradle to the grave.
The hand that rocks the cradle (rules the world). SAYING
said to emphasize that women have a strong influence on events through their children
cradle /kre.dl/ verb [ T ]

to hold something or someone gently, especially by supporting with the arms

dart /dt/ /drt/ noun WEAPON

1. [ C ] a small thin object with a sharp point which is thrown by hand in a game, or shot from a gun or blown
from a tube when used as a weapon
Compare arrow
2. darts
darts
[ U ] a game in which darts are thrown at a circular board. The number of points won depends on where the darts
land on the board
a game of darts
a darts tournament
dart /dt/ /drt/ noun SEWN FOLD

3. [ C ] a small fold becoming narrower towards one end which is sewn into a piece of clothing to make it fit
better
-dart /dt/ /drt/ noun QUICK MOVEMENT

4. [ C usually singular ] a quick, sudden movement

We made a dart for (= moved quickly towards) the exit.
dart /dt/ /drt/ verb [ I + adv/prep ]

1. to move quickly or suddenly

 I darted behind the sofa and hid.
2. dart a glance/look at sb
to look quickly at someone
She darted an angry look at me.
-dawn /dn/ /dn/ noun [ C or U ]

1. the period in the day when light from the sun begins to appear in the sky
We woke at dawn.
We left as dawn was breaking (= starting) .
We left at the break of dawn.
Twenty-three people were arrested and large quantities of heroin were seized in a dawn raid (= when police
officers suddenly enter a building, in an attempt to catch people involved in illegal activities) .
2. the dawn of sth
LITERARY the start of a period of time or the beginning of something new
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the dawn of a new era in European history.
3. from dawn to dusk
from early morning until night
We worked from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
-dyslexic /dslek.sk/ adjective , noun [ C ]

(someone) having dyslexia

dyspepsia /dspep.si./ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

pain in the stomach; indigestion

dyspeptic /dspep.tk/ adjective

1. SPECIALIZED having problems with digestion

2. LITERARY always angry or easily annoyed
E plural E's ( OR Es ) /i/ noun LETTER

1. ( ALSO e plural e's ) [ C ] the 5th letter of the English alphabet

-glorious /gl.ri.s/ /glr.i-/ adjective DESERVING ADMIRATION

1. deserving great admiration, praise and honour

a glorious victory
a memorial to the glorious dead of two world wars
glorious /gl.ri.s/ /glr.i-/ adjective BEAUTIFUL/NICE

2. very beautiful
The beetroot had turned the soup a glorious pink.
Your roses are glorious!
 3. describes weather that is very pleasant, especially weather that is hot and sunny
They had glorious weather for their wedding.
It was a glorious winter day - crisp and clear.
4. very enjoyable or giving great pleasure
This wine is absolutely glorious.
We had a glorious time in the south of France last summer.
-haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ verb [ T ] REPEATEDLY TROUBLE

1. to cause repeated suffering or anxiety

Fighting in Vietnam was an experience that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Thirty years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction.
haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ verb [ T ] SPIRIT

2. (of a ghost ) to appear in a place repeatedly

A ghostly lady is said to haunt the stairway looking for her children.
haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ noun [ C ]

a place often visited

This pub used to be one of your old haunts, didn't it Jim?

-huddle /hd.l/ verb [ I usually + adv/prep ]

to come close together in a group, or to hold your arms and legs close to your body, especially because of cold or
fear
Everyone huddled round the fire to keep warm.
It was so cold that we huddled together for warmth.
Sophie was so frightened by the noise of the fireworks that she huddled (up) in a corner of the room.
huddle /hd.l/ noun [ C ] SMALL GROUP

1. a small group of people or things that are close together

A small group of people stood in a huddle at the bus stop.
2. go into a huddle
get into a group in order to talk secretly
The judges went into a huddle to decide the winner.
huddle /hd.l/ noun [ C ] AMERICAN FOOTBALL

3. US a group formed by the members of a team in American football before they separate
and continue to play
huddled /hd.ld/ adjective

standing or sitting close together

 We stood huddled together for warmth.
-hung-over /h.v r / /-o.v/ adjective [ after verb ]

feeling ill with a bad pain in the head and often wanting to vomit after having drunk too much alcohol
That was a great party last night, but I'm (feeling) really hung-over this morning.
See also hangover
-incessant /nses. nt/ adjective

never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way

incessant rain/noise/complaints
incessantly /nses. nt.li/ adverb

She talked incessantly about the most trivial things.

incest /n.sest/ noun [ U ]

sexual activity involving people who are closely related and not legally allowed to marry
a victim of incest
incestuous /nses.tju.s/ adjective

1. involving incest
The film is about Auteil's incestuous love for his sister.
2. DISAPPROVING involving only a close or limited group of people, who do not communicate or do business with
people outside the group
Journalists and politicians often have a rather incestuous relationship .
-intertwine /n.ttwan/ /-t-/ verb [ I or T ]

to twist or be twisted together, or to be connected so as to be difficult to separate

The town's prosperity is inextricably intertwined with the fortunes of the factory.
The trees' branches intertwined to form a dark roof over the path.
interval /n.t.v l/ /-t-/ noun [ C ] SPACE

1. a period between two events or times, or the space between two points
We see each other at regular intervals - usually about once a month.
There's often a long interval between an author completing a book and it appearing in the
shops.
2. UK ( US intermission ) a short period between the parts of a performance or a sports
event
There will be two twenty-minute intervals during the opera.
He scored his first goal of the match three minutes after the interval.
-limp /lmp/ verb PERSON/ANIMAL
 1. [ I ] to walk slowly and with difficulty because of having an injured or painful leg or foot
Three minutes into the match, Jackson limped off the pitch with a serious ankle injury.
limp /lmp/ verb PROCESS/THING

2. [ I + adverb or preposition ] INFORMAL to move or develop slowly and with difficulty

The little boat limped slowly towards the shore.
After limping along for almost two years, the economy is starting to show signs of recovery.
-limp /lmp/ adjective

soft and neither firm nor stiff

a limp lettuce leaf/salad
a limp handshake
-malnutrition /ml.njutr. n/ /-nu-/ noun [ U ]

physical weakness and bad health caused by having too little food, or too little of the types
of food necessary for good health
Many of the refugees are suffering from severe malnutrition.
malodorous /ml.d r.s/ /-o.d-/ adjective FORMAL

having an unpleasant smell

The town is built on a malodorous swamp.
malpractice /mlprk.ts/ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

failure to act correctly or legally when doing your job, often causing injury or loss
They are accused of medical/financial/electoral malpractice.
-misery /mz. r.i/ /--/ noun UNHAPPY FEELING

1. [ C or U ] great unhappiness
We have witnessed the most appalling scenes of human misery.
Ten years of marriage to him have made her life a misery.
misery /mz. r.i/ /--/ noun UNHAPPY PERSON

2. [ S ] UK INFORMAL DISAPPROVING ( ALSO misery guts ) someone who is often very unhappy and is always
complaining about things
Oh come on, don't be such a misery!
Stop being such an old misery guts!
put sth out of its misery
to kill an animal because it is in great pain, so that it does not have to suffer any more
-nappy /np.i/ noun [ C ] UK ( US diaper )
 a square of thick soft paper or cloth which is fastened around a baby's bottom and between its legs to absorb its
urine and solid waste
disposable/reusable nappies
nappy cream
She was changing the baby's nappy.
I knew William when he was still in nappies (= when he was a baby) .
-ointment /nt.mnt/ noun [ U ]

a thick oily substance, usually containing medicine, which is put on the skin where it is sore or where there is an
injury, in order to cure it
-omit / mt/ /o-/ verb [ T ] -tt-

to fail to include or do something

She was omitted from the list of contributors to the report.
The Prince's tour conveniently omitted the most deprived areas of the city.
[ + to infinitive ] FORMAL She omitted to mention that she was going to Yorkshire next week.
-pawn /pn/ /pn/ noun GAME PIECE

1. [ C ] any one of the eight least valuable pieces in the game of chess which are all the same
2. [ C ] a person who does not have any real power but is used by others to achieve something
The refugees are pawns in an international political dispute.
pawn /pn/ /pn/ noun MONEY

3. in pawn
left with a pawnbroker
She had to put her ring in pawn to pay the bills.
pawn /pn/ /pn/ verb [ T ]

to leave a possession with a pawnbroker, for which they give money but which they can also sell if the money is
not paid back within a particular time
-ransack /rn.sk/ verb [ T ]

to search a place or container in a violent and careless way

The burglars ransacked the house but found nothing valuable.
I ransacked the cupboard for my ski boots.
ransom /rn t .s m/ noun [ C or U ]

a large sum of money which is demanded in exchange for someone who has been taken
prisoner, or sometimes for an animal
a ransom demand/note
 They demanded a huge ransom for the return of the little girl whom they had kidnapped.
The gang held the racehorse to/for ransom.
-relevance /rel..v n t s/ noun [ U ] ( ALSO relevancy )

the degree to which something is related or useful to what is happening or being talked
about
What relevance does that point have to the discussion?
Opposite irrelevance
relevant /rel..v nt/ adjective

1. connected with what is happening or being discussed

Education should be relevant to the child's needs.
For further information, please refer to the relevant leaflet.
The point is highly relevant to this discussion.
I'm sorry but your personal wishes are not relevant (= important) in this case.
Opposite irrelevant
2. correct or suitable for a particular purpose
plans to make schooling more relevant to life beyond school
-restrain /rstren/ verb [ T ]

to control the actions or behaviour of someone by force, especially in order to stop them
from doing something, or to limit the growth or force of something
When he started fighting, it took four police officers to restrain him.
[ R ] She was so angry that she could hardly restrain her self .
You should try to restrain your ambitions and be more realistic.
Growth in car ownership could be restrained by increasing taxes.
restrained /rstrend/ adjective

1. acting in a calm and controlled way

I was expecting him to be furious but he was very restrained.
2. controlled
a more restrained policy on mortgage lending
The tone of his poetry is restrained and unemotional.
-rhetorical /rtr..k l/ /-tr.-/ adjective

describes speech or writing which is intended to seem important or influence people

repetition, that tedious rhetorical device
rhetorically /rtr..kli/ /-tr.-/ adverb
 "You want to know what courage is?" he asked rhetorically.
rhe torical question noun [ C ]

a question that is asked in order to make a statement and which does not expect an
answer
"Why do these things always happen to me?" is a rhetorical question.
rhetorician /ret.r. n/ /ret-/ noun [ C ]

1. FORMAL a person who is good at speaking in public, especially someone who is able to
influence people
2. SPECIALIZED a person who teaches the skill of speaking and writing in an effective way
which influences people
Lucian was a famous Greek rhetorician.
rheu matic fever noun [ U ]

a serious disease that causes fever, swelling of the joints (= places where two bones are
connected) , and possible heart damage
rheumatism /ru.m.t.z m/ noun [ U ]

a medical condition that causes stiffness and pain in the joints (= places where two bones
are connected) or muscles of the body
She suffers from rheumatism.
I can't play the piano any more because I have rheumatism
-snowbound /sn.band/ /sno-/ adjective

(of vehicles or people) unable to travel because of heavy snow, or (of roads) not able to be travelled on or reached
because of heavy snow
Hundreds of vehicles have become snowbound.
-somersault /sm..slt/ /-.slt/ noun [ C ]

a rolling movement or jump, either forwards or backwards, in which you turn over completely, with your body
above your head, and finish with your head on top again
She was so happy she turned three somersaults on the lawn.
-steer /st r / /str/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to control the direction of a vehicle

She carefully steered the car around the potholes.
This car is very easy to steer.
2. [ I or T ] If a vehicle steers, it follows a particular route or direction
The ship passed Land's End, then steered towards southern Ireland.
 3. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to take someone or something, or cause them to go, in the direction in
which you want them to go
She steered her guests into the dining room.
I'd like to steer our discussion back to our original topic.
The main task of the new government will be to steer the country towards democracy.
-
-supple /sp.l/ adjective BENDING

1. bending or able to be bent easily; not stiff

I'm not supple enough (= My body doesn't bend easily enough) to be able to touch the floor with my hands while
I'm standing up.
The gloves were made of very supple leather.
supple /sp.l/ adjective ABLE TO CHANGE

2. LITERARY able to change quickly and successfully to suit different conditions

She has shown that she has a supple mind.
We need a more supple monetary policy.
-terror /ter. r / /-/ noun

1. [ C or U ] (violent action which causes) extreme fear

They fled from the city in terror.
There was sheer/abject terror in her eyes when he came back into the room.
Lots of people have a terror of spiders.
What he said struck terror in my heart (= made me very frightened) .
The separatists started a campaign of terror (= violent action causing fear) to get independence.
Heights have/hold no terrors for me (= do not frighten me) .
2. [ C ] INFORMAL someone, especially a child, who behaves badly and is difficult to control
My brother is a little terror.
-tyrannize , UK USUALLY tyrannise /tr. n.az/ verb [ T ]

to treat someone cruelly, controlling everything that they do

He was one of those school bullies who tyrannized the whole playground.
tyrannosaurus /trn.s.rs/ , /ta-/ /-sr.s/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO tyrannosaur )

a frightening dinosaur with large, powerful back legs, small front legs and a long tail
tyranny /tr. n.i/ noun [ U ]

1. government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the
people in their country or state and use it unfairly and cruelly
This, the president promised us, was a war against tyranny.
 2. when a situation or person controls how you are able to live, in an unfair way
Women, the play seems to suggest, must resist the tyranny of domesticity.
tyrant /ta .r nt/ /ta-/ noun [ C ]

a ruler who has unlimited power over other people, and uses it unfairly and cruelly
Tamir, one of several sons of the exiled ruler, vowed he would liberate his country from the
tyrant.
FIGURATIVE HUMOROUS Overnight my boss seems to have turned into a tyrant.
-veer /v r / /vr/ verb [ I + adv/prep ]

to change direction
All of a sudden, the car veered off the road.
Moments before crashing, the jet was seen veering sharply to the right.
Three men were feared dead last night after a helicopter veered off course into an oil
platform.
Our talk soon veered onto the subject of football.
veg /ved/ noun [ U ] , plural noun UK INFORMAL

vegetables
a fruit and veg stall
He still prefers the old-fashioned British meal of meat and two veg.
-vivid /vv.d/ adjective

1. Vivid descriptions, memories, etc. produce very clear, powerful and detailed images in the mind
He gave a very vivid and often shocking account/description of his time in prison.
He's one of those people with a very vivid imagination - every time he hears a noise he's convinced it's someone
breaking in.
2. very brightly coloured
She was wearing a vivid pink shirt.
-weep /wip/ verb wept , wept CRY

1. [ I or T ] LITERARY to cry tears

People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced.
She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left.
weep /wip/ verb wept , wept INJURY

2. [ I ] (of an injury) to produce liquid such as pus

The sore is still weeping a lot so you'll have to change the dressing once a day.
weep noun [ S ] LITERARY
 It might help you to have a good weep.
-willpower /wl.pa r / /-par/ noun [ U ]

the ability to control your own thoughts and the way in which you behave; determination
It took a lot of willpower to stay calm.
I don't have the willpower to diet.
willy /wl.i/ noun [ C ]

a willie
willy-nilly /wl.inl.i/ adverb INFORMAL

1. If something happens willy-nilly, it happens whether the people who are involved want it
to happen or not
Both sides were drawn, willy-nilly, into the conflict.
2. without any order
She threw her clothes willy-nilly into a drawer.
-abstract /b.strkt/ adjective GENERAL

1. existing as an idea, feeling or quality, not as a material object

Truth and beauty are abstract concepts.
2. describes an argument or discussion that is general and not based on particular examples
This debate is becoming too abstract - let's have some hard facts!
3. the abstract
general ideas
I have difficulty dealing with the abstract - let's discuss particular cases.
So far we've only discussed the question in the abstract (= without referring to any real examples) .
abstract /b.strkt/ adjective ART

4. describes a type of painting, drawing or sculpture which tries to represent the real or imagined qualities of
objects or people by using shapes, lines and colour, and does not try to show their outer appearance as it would be seen in
a photograph
abstract art
an abstract painter
abstract /b.strkt/ noun [ C ] SHORT DOCUMENT

1. a shortened form of a speech, article, book, etc., giving only the most important facts or ideas
There is a section at the end of the magazine which includes abstracts of recent articles/books.
abstract /b.strkt/ noun [ C ] ART

2. a painting which represents the qualities of something, not its outer appearance
airbrush /e.br/ /er-/ noun [ C ]
 a machine that scatters paint using air pressure, which is used for painting or for delicate improvement work on
photographs
airbrush /e.br/ /er-/ verb [ T ]

to use an airbrush to cover or improve the appearance of something

It's so obvious in the photo that her wrinkles have been airbrushed out (= removed from the photograph with an
airbrush) .
-arty /.ti/ /r.ti/ adjective

( US artsy ) INFORMAL USUALLY DISAPPROVING being or wishing to seem very interested in

everything connected with art and artists
She hangs out with a lot of arty types.
arty-crafty /.tikrf.ti/ adjective ( US artsy-craftsy /rt.sikrft.si/ ) INFORMAL

interested or involved in making decorative objects

an arty-crafty market/gift-shop
arty-farty /.tif.ti/ adjective ( US artsy-fartsy /rt.sifrt.si/ ) INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

describes someone who tries too hard to make other people admire their artistic knowledge
and ability
Phil and his arty-farty friends
-asparagus /spr..gs/ /-sper-/ noun [ U ]

asparagus
a plant with pale green juicy stems that are cooked and eaten as a vegetable
asparagus spears
aspartame /s.p.tem/ /-p-/ noun [ U ] ( TRADEMARK NutraSweet )

a very sweet substance which contains very little energy and is used instead of sugar to
sweeten drinks and foods
-overshadow /.vd./ /o.vd.o/ verb [ T often passive ]

1. to cause someone or something to seem less important or less happy

Karen has always felt overshadowed by her famous elder sister.
My happiness was overshadowed by the bad news.
2. (of a building) to be much taller than another building and therefore block the sun from
it
Grand Central Station in New York is overshadowed by the PanAm building.
overshoes /.v.uz/ /o.v-/ plural noun ( US ALSO galoshes )
 waterproof shoes, usually made of rubber, for wearing over an ordinary shoe in the rain or
snow
-benevolent /bnev. l. nt/ adjective

kind and helpful

He was a benevolent old man, he wouldn't hurt a fly.
benevolence /bnev. l. n t s/ noun [ U ]

benevolently /bnev. l. nt.li/ adverb

She smiled benevolently at me.

be nevolent so ciety noun [ C ]

an organization which gives money to and helps a particular group of people in need
a benevolent society for sailors' widows
-betray /btre/ verb [ T ] NOT LOYAL

1. to not be loyal to your country or a person, often by doing something harmful such as helping their enemies
He was accused of betraying his country during the war.
She felt betrayed by her mother's lack of support.
For years they betrayed Britain's secrets to Russia.
FORMAL He promised never to betray her (= never to leave her for another person) .
2. FORMAL If someone betrays something such as a promise, they do not do what they said they would
The government has been accused of betraying its election promises.
By staying out so late, they have betrayed my trust (= disappointed me because I had trusted them to not be late) .
3. to show feelings, thoughts or a particular characteristic without intending to
If he is nervous on stage, he does not betray it.
Although she often seems quite cold and harsh, her smiling eyes betray her true nature.
-blaze /blez/ verb [ I ]

1. to burn brightly and strongly

The sun was blazing down that afternoon.
2. LITERARY to be brightly lit or full of colour
Isaac's eyes suddenly blazed with anger.
blaze a trail
to do something that has never been done before
Elvis Presley blazed a trail in pop music.
blaze /blez/ noun [ C ] FIRE

1. a large strong fire

 Firefighters took two hours to control the blaze.
blaze /blez/ noun [ C ] STRONG EFFECT

2. a blaze of sth
something that has a sudden very powerful or noticeable effect
The garden is a blaze of colour in autumn.
His book was launched in a blaze of publicity .
blaze /blez/ noun [ C ] MARK

3. a white mark on the face of a horse or other animal

go to blazes OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL
used to tell someone to go away
-blossom /bls. m/ /bl.s m/ verb [ I ]

1. When a tree or plant blossoms, it produces flowers before producing fruit which can be eaten
The cherry tree is beginning to blossom.
2. When people blossom, they become more attractive, successful or confident, and when good feelings or
relationships blossom, they develop and become stronger
She has really blossomed recently.
She is suddenly blossoming into a very attractive woman.
Sean and Sarah's friendship blossomed into love.
blossom /bls. m/ /bl.s m/ noun [ C or U ]

a small flower, or the small flowers on a tree or plant

apple/cherry blossom
-brunt /brnt/ noun [ S ]

the brunt of sth

the main force of something unpleasant
The infantry have taken/borne the brunt of the missile attacks.
Small companies are feeling the full brunt of the recession.
-catnap /kt.np/ noun [ C ]

a short sleep
catnap verb [ I ] -pp-
cat-o'-nine-tails /kt.nan.telz/ /kt-/ noun [ S ] ( INFORMAL cat )

a whip made from rope that has nine ends, and was used especially in the past for hitting
people to punish them
cat's cradle /ktskre.dl/ noun [ C or U ]

in children's games, a special pattern or series of patterns made by weaving string around
the fingers of both hands
-chore /t r / /tr/ noun [ C ]

a job or piece of work which is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly
I'll go shopping when I've done my chores (= done the jobs in or around the house) .
I find writing reports a real chore (= very boring) .
choreography /kr.ig.r.fi/ /kr.i.gr-/ noun [ U ]

the skill of combining movements into dances to be performed

a flamboyant style of choreography
choreograph /kr.i..grf/ /kr.i..grf/ verb [ T ]

The ballet was choreographed by Ashton.

-collage /kl./ /k.l/ noun [ C or U ]

(the art of making) a picture in which various materials or objects, for example paper, cloth
or photographs, are stuck onto a larger surface
The children made a collage of postcards.
Compare assemblage
collagen /kl..dn/ /k.l-/ noun [ U ]

1. a protein found especially in the joints (= places where two bones are connected) of
humans and animals
2. collagen implant/injection
an injection of collagen into the lips or skin to make the lips appear larger or the skin
appear younger and smoother
-collapse /klps/ verb FALL

1. [ I ] to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support

Thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The chair collapsed under her weight .
FIGURATIVE He thought his whole world had collapsed when his wife died.
2. [ I ] If someone collapses, they fall down because they are ill or weak
He collapsed and died of a heart attack.
3. [ I or T ] to fold something into a smaller shape, usually so it can be stored, or (especially of furniture) to fold
in this way
All chairs collapse for easy storage.
-collapse /klps/ verb FAIL

4. [ I ] (of people and business) to suddenly be unable to continue or work correctly

Lots of people lost their jobs when the property market collapsed.
Talks between management and unions have collapsed.
Share prices collapsed (= became lower suddenly) after news of poor trading.
collapse /klps/ noun FAILURE

1. [ C or U ] the sudden failure of a system, organization, business, etc.

I don't know what caused the collapse of her marriage.
A poor economy has caused the collapse of thousands of small businesses.
Negotiations between the two countries are on the brink/verge of collapse (= very soon going to fail) .
He suffered a mental/nervous collapse after ten years' teaching.
-collapse /klps/ noun FALL

2. [ S or U ] when a person or structure becomes too weak to stand and suddenly falls
He was taken to hospital after his collapse on the pitch.
the collapse of a tower block during the earthquake
collapsed /klpst/ adjective

describes a lung or blood vessel (= tube which carries blood in the body) which is not able
to work because disease or injury has caused it to become flat
collapsible /klp.s.bl/ adjective

describes furniture that can be folded, usually so it can be put or stored in a smaller space
collapsible chairs
-commodity /kmd..ti/ /-m.d.ti/ noun [ C ]

1. a substance or product that can be traded, bought or sold

The country's most valuable commodities include tin and diamonds.
the international commodities market
2. a valuable quality
If you're going into teaching, energy is a necessary commodity.
commodore /km..d r / /k.m.dr/ noun [ C ]

an officer of high rank in the navy, or the person in charge of a sailing organization
-bumpkin /bm p .kn/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO country bumpkin ) INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

a person from the countryside who is considered to be awkward and stupid

bump start noun [ C ]
 push start
bumptious /bm p .s/ adjective DISAPPROVING

unpleasantly confident
a bumptious young man
-dash /d/ verb MOVE QUICKLY dash sth off phrasal verb [ M ]

to write something quickly, putting little effort into it

She dashed the letter off in five minutes.

1. [ I ] to go somewhere quickly
I've been dashing around all day.
I must dash - I've got to be home by seven.
dash /d/ verb HIT

2. [ I or T usually + prep ] to hit with great force, especially causing damage

The tidal wave dashed the ship against the rocks.
Waves dashed against the cliffs.
dash sb's hopes
to destroy someone's hopes
Saturday's 2-0 defeat dashed their hopes of reaching the final.
-devote /dvt/ /-vot/ verb

devote sth to sth/sb phrasal verb

1. to give all of something, especially your time, effort or love, or yourself, to something you believe in or to a
person
He left government to devote more time to his family.
She has devoted all her energies/life to the care of homeless people.
[ R ] At the age of 25, he decided to devote him self to God.
2. [ passive ] to use a space, area, time, etc. for a particular purpose
Over half his speech was devoted to the issue of unemployment.
The report recommends that more resources be devoted to teach ing four year olds.
devoted /dv.td/ /-vo.td/ adjective

extremely loving and loyal

a devoted fan/husband
Lucy is devoted to her cats.
-diagnose /da.g.nz/ /da.gnoz/ verb [ T ]
 to recognize and name the exact character of a disease or a problem, by examining it
The specialist diagnosed cancer.
His condition was diagnosed as some sort of blood disorder.
She was diagnosed with/as hav ing diabetes.
The electrician has diagnosed a fault in the wiring.
diagnosis /da.gn.ss/ /-no-/ noun [ C or U ] plural diagnoses

a judgment about what a particular illness or problem is, made after examining it
"What was the diagnosis?" "Arthritis in both joints."
The doctor has made an initial diagnosis.
Diagnosis of the disease (= saying what it is) is difficult in the early stages.
-dissuade /dswed/ verb [ T ]

to persuade someone not to do something

I tried to dissuade her from leav ing .
-dye /da/ verb [ T ] dyeing , dyed , dyed

to change the colour of something using a special liquid

For a change, why not dye your T-shirts?
[ + object + adjective ] He's dyed his hair black.
dye /da/ noun [ C or U ]

a substance used to change the colour of something

She dipped the material into the dye.
There are dozens of different dyes to choose from.
dyed-in-the-wool /da.dn.wl/

If someone has dyed-in-the-wool opinions, they hold them strongly and will not change
them
He's a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist where cooking is concerned - he won't have any
modern gadgets in the kitchen.
-filthy /fl.i/ adjective DIRTY

1. extremely or unpleasantly dirty

Wash your hands - they're filthy!
Look at this cloth - it's filthy!
I've never smoked - it's a filthy habit .
FIGURATIVE That girl just gave me a filthy look (= looked at me in a very unpleasant, disapproving way) .
UK He was in a filthy (= a very bad) temper/mood .
filthy /fl.i/ adjective OFFENSIVE

2. containing sexually offensive words or pictures

filthy language
a filthy joke
HUMOROUS You've got a filthy mind!
filthy /fl.i/ adverb

1. filthy dirty
extremely dirty
-fuss /fs/ noun TOO MUCH OF A FEELING

1. [ S or U ] a show of anger, worry, lack of satisfaction or excitement, usually one which is greater than the
situation deserves
She made such a fuss when Richard spilt a drop of wine on her blouse!
It's all a fuss about nothing .
I don't see what the fuss is about - he seems like a fairly ordinary looking guy to me.
We tried to arrange a ceremony with as little fuss as possible.
2. make a fuss of/over sb
to give someone a lot of attention and treat them well
She doesn't see her grandchildren very often so she makes a real fuss of them when she does.
fuss /fs/ noun ATTENTION

3. [ U ] attention given to small matters which are not important

The article was entitled 'Making up with the minimum of fuss: a five-minute beauty routine that every busy woman
should know'.
-fuss /fs/ verb GIVE ATTENTION TO

1. [ I ] to give too much attention to small matters which are not important, usually in a way which shows that you
are worried and not relaxed
Please, stop fussing - the food's cooking and there's nothing more to do until the guests arrive.
It irritates me the way she's always fussing with her hair!
fuss /fs/ verb MAKE NERVOUS/ANGRY

2. [ T ] US to make someone nervous and angry by trying to get their attention when they are very busy
Don't fuss me, honey, I've got a whole pile of work to do.
fuss over sb/sth phrasal verb
to give someone or something too much attention because you want to show that you like them
She's always fussing over that son of hers as if he were a little boy.
-harmonious /hm.ni.s/ /hrmo-/ adjective MUSIC
 1. having a pleasant tune or harmony
harmonious /hm.ni.s/ /hrmo-/ adjective PLEASANT

2. friendly and peaceful

harmonious relations between the country's ethnic groups
-idyllic adjective

An idyllic place or experience is extremely pleasant, beautiful or peaceful

an idyllic childhood/summer. an idyllic village in the Yorkshire Dales
-immense /men t s/ adjective

1. extremely large in size or degree

immense wealth/value
They spent an immense amount of time getting the engine into perfect condition.
2. SLANG extremely good
He's an immense goalkeeper.
immensely /men t .sli/ adverb

extremely
He was immensely popular in his day.
She's an immensely talented young athlete.
immensity /men t .s.ti/ /-ti/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

the extremely large size of something

The immensity of the task is daunting.
-retrospect /ret.r .spekt/ /-r-/ noun

in retrospect
thinking now about something in the past
In retrospect, I think my marriage was doomed from the beginning.
I'm sure my university days seem happier in retrospect than they really were.
retrospection /ret.r spek. n/ /-r-/ noun [ U ]

a time/mood of retrospection
retrospective /ret.r spek.tv/ /-r-/ noun [ C ]

a show of the work an artist has done in their life so far

a Hockney retrospective/a retrospective of Hockney's work
-indecisive /n.dsa.sv/ adjective

1. not good at making decisions

 He is widely thought to be an indecisive leader.
2. not having a clear meaning or producing a decision
indecisively /n.dsa.sv.li/ adverb

indecorous /ndek. r.s/ /--/ adjective FORMAL

behaving badly or rudely

-repress /rpres/ verb [ T ]

1. to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed

He repressed a sudden desire to cry.
2. to control what people do, especially by using force
repressed /rprest/ adjective

having feelings which you do not express

repressed anger/sexuality
English people are notoriously repressed and don't talk about their feelings.
repression /rpre. n/ noun [ U ]

1. when people are controlled severely, especially by force

The political repression in this country is enforced by terror.
-lug /lg/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] -gg- INFORMAL

to carry or pull something with effort or difficulty because it is heavy

I'm exhausted after lugging these suitcases all the way across London.
I don't want to lug these shopping bags around with me all day.
lug /lg/ noun [ C ] EAR

1. UK SLANG a lughole (= ear)

lug /lg/ noun [ C ] PERSON

2. US SLANG an awkward or stupid man

3. US SLANG a way of talking to a man you like
Come over here and give me a kiss, you big lug.
-marble /m.bl/ /mr-/ noun ROCK

1. [ U ] a type of very hard rock which has a pattern of lines going through it, feels cold and becomes smooth and
shiny when cut and polished
a marble floor/statue
marble /m.bl/ /mr-/ noun GLASS BALL

2. [ C ] a small ball usually made of coloured or transparent glass which is used in children's games
 3. marbles
[ U ] a children's game in which small round glass balls are rolled along the floor
-moan /mn/ /mon/ verb [ I ] SOUND

1. to make a long low sound of pain, suffering or another strong emotion

He moaned with pain before losing consciousness.
"Let me die," he moaned.
moan /mn/ /mon/ verb [ I ] COMPLAIN

2. INFORMAL DISAPPROVING to make a complaint in an unhappy voice, usually about something which does not
seem important to other people
Thelma's always moaning ( about something), and forgets how lucky she actually is.
[ + speech ] "I don't like potatoes," he moaned.
[ + ( that ) ] First she moans (that) she's too hot, and then that she's too cold.
-moan /mn/ /mon/ noun [ C ] SOUND

1. a long low sound of pain, suffering or another strong emotion

We could hear the moans of someone trapped under the rubble.
moans of ecstasy/agony
moan /mn/ /mon/ noun [ C ] COMPLAINT

2. INFORMAL DISAPPROVING when someone complains about something or a complaint

Apart from a slight moan about the waiter, he seemed to enjoy the meal.
-nasty /n.sti/ /ns.ti/ adjective

1. bad or very unpleasant

a nasty shock/surprise
There's a nasty smell in here.
He had a nasty cut above the eye.
She has a nasty habit of picking on people in meetings.
2. unkind
Don't be so nasty to your brother - he's four years younger than you!
3. dangerous or violent
In an emergency you could get out through a window, but it would be a nasty drop.
The situation could turn (= become) nasty at any moment.
4. rude or offensive
She said some quite nasty things about him.
-nostalgia /nstl.d/ /nstl-/ noun [ U ]
 a feeling of pleasure and sometimes slight sadness at the same time as you think about
things that happened in the past
Some people feel nostalgia for their schooldays.
Hearing that tune again filled him with nostalgia.
a wave (= sudden strong feeling) of nostalgia
nostalgic /nstl.dk/ /nstl-/ adjective

feeling happy and sometimes slightly sad at the same time as you think about things that
happened in the past
Talking about our old family holidays has made me feel quite nostalgic.
We'll take a nostalgic look at the musical hits of the '60s.
nostalgically /nstl.d.kli/ /nstl-/ adverb

to look back/talk/think nostalgically

-sensation /sense. n/ noun FEELING

1. [ C or U ] the ability to feel something physically, especially by touching, or a physical feeling that results from
this ability
a burning sensation
I had no sensation of pain whatsoever.
The disease causes a loss of sensation in the fingers.
2. [ C usually singular ] a general feeling caused by something that happens to you, especially a feeling which you
cannot describe exactly
[ + ( that ) ] I had the odd sensation (that) someone was following me.
I can remember the first time I went sailing - it was a wonderful sensation.
sensation /sense. n/ noun EXCITEMENT

3. [ S ] something very exciting or interesting, or something which causes great excitement or interest
Their affair caused a sensation. The books have been a publishing sensation on both sides of the Atlantic.

The show was an overnight sensation (= was very successful immediately) .

-peach /pit/ noun FRUIT

peach
1. [ C or U ] a round fruit with sweet yellow flesh that has a lot of juice, a slightly furry red and yellow skin and a
large seed in its centre
Would you like peaches and cream for dessert?
peach /pit/ noun EXCELLENT

2. [ S ] INFORMAL someone or something which is excellent or very pleasing

peach /pit/ noun COLOUR

3. [ U ] a pale colour between pink and orange

-peach /pit/ adjective

having a pale colour between pink and orange

peach Melba /pitmel.b/ noun [ C or U ]

a sweet food made from half a peach, ice cream and pressed raspberries
peachy /pi.ti/ adjective INFORMAL

very good
peacock /pi.kk/ /-kk/ noun [ C ]

-plunge /plnd/ verb [ I or T usually + adv/prep ]

to (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down or into something
We ran down to the beach and plunged into the sea.
The car went out of control and plunged over the cliff.
Cook the peas by plunging them into boiling water.
Niagara Falls plunges 55.5 metres.
The fall in demand caused share prices to plunge.
Our income has plunged dramatically.
plunge in/plunge into sth phrasal verb
to suddenly start doing something actively or enthusiastically
Two months before his exams, he suddenly plunged into his studies.
He took a deep breath and plunged into his speech.
plunge (sb/sth) into sth phrasal verb [ often passive ]
to suddenly experience a bad situation or unhappiness, or to make someone or something suddenly experience a
bad situation or unhappiness
plunge /plnd/ noun [ C ]

1. a sudden movement or fall forward, down or into something

I really enjoyed my plunge (= jumping in and swimming) in the pool.
2. a sudden and large fall in value or level
We are expecting a plunge in profits this year.
take the plunge
to make a decision to do something, especially after thinking about it for a long time
They're finally taking the plunge and getting married.
plunger /pln.d r / /-d/ noun [ C ]
 1. a suction device consisting of a cup-shaped piece of rubber on the end of a stick, used to
get rid of things that are blocking pipes
2. a part of a device which you push down into it
He pressed down the plunger of his cafetiere.
-porthole /pt.hl/ /prt.hol/ noun [ C ]

a small usually round window in the side of a ship or aircraft

portico /p.t.k/ /pr.t.ko/ noun [ C ] plural porticoes or porticos

a covered entrance to a building, usually a large and splendid building, which is supported
by columns
portion /p. n/ /pr-/ noun [ C ]

1. a part or share of something larger

A large/major portion of the company's profit goes straight back into new projects.
I accept my portion of the blame.
2. the amount of a particular food that is served to one person, especially in a restaurant or
a shop which sells food ready to be eaten
The portions are very generous in this restaurant.
-portray /ptre/ /pr-/ verb [ T ]

1. to represent or describe someone or something in a painting, film, book or other artistic work
The painting portrays a beautiful young woman in a blue dress.
The writer portrays life in a small village at the turn of the century.
2. portray sb as sth
If a person in a film, book, etc. is portrayed as a particular type of character, they are represented in that way
The father in the film is portrayed as a fairly unpleasant character.
portrayal /ptre. l/ /pr-/ noun [ C ]

His latest film is a fairly grim portrayal of war-time suffering.

-profound /prfand/ adjective EXTREME

1. felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way

His mother's death when he was aged six had a very profound effect on him.
The invention of the contraceptive pill brought about profound changes in the lives of women.
Those two lines of poetry express perfectly the profound sadness of loss.
My grandfather has a profound mistrust of anything new or foreign.
There was a note of profound irritation in his voice.
profound /prfand/ adjective SHOWING UNDERSTANDING
 2. showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters
profound truths/wisdom
The review that I read said that it was 'a thoughtful and profound film'.
"Dying is easy - it's living that's the problem." "That was very profound of you, Steven."
profoundly /prfand.li/ adverb

deeply or extremely
Society has changed so profoundly over the last fifty years.
We are all profoundly grateful for your help and encouragement.
profundity /prfn.d.ti/ /-d.ti/ noun FORMAL SHOWING UNDERSTANDING

1. [ U ] the quality of showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters

the profundity of his remarks
2. [ C usually plural ] a remark or thought that shows, or is intended to show, great
understanding
We would sit up all night exchanging profundities.
-ramble /rm.bl/ verb WALK

1. [ I usually + adverb or preposition ] to walk for pleasure, especially in the countryside

I love to ramble through the fields and lanes in this part of the country.
Shall we go rambling tomorrow?
ramble /rm.bl/ verb TALK/WRITE

2. [ I ] DISAPPROVING to talk or write in a confused way, often for a long time

Sorry, I'm rambling ( on ) - let me get back to the point.
ramble /rm.bl/ verb SPREAD

3. [ I ] (especially of a plant) to go in many different directions

An old clematis rambles over the garden wall.
-quilt /kwlt/ noun [ C ]

1. a decorative cover for a bed

2. UK a duvet
quilted /kwl.td/ /-td/ adjective

(especially of clothes) filled with thick soft material which is sewn in place
She wore a quilted satin jacket.
quince /kwn t s/ noun [ C or U ]

a hard fruit that looks like an apple and has a strong sweet smell
quince jam
-ridge /rd/ noun [ C ]

1. a long narrow raised part of a surface, especially a high edge along a mountain
We walked along the narrow mountain ridge.
FIGURATIVE A ridge (= narrow area) of high pressure will bring good weather this afternoon.
2. the part of a roof where the sloping sides join at the top
have been around the ridges AUSTRALIAN
If you have been around the ridges, you have a lot of experience.
ridicule /rd..kjul/ noun [ U ]

unkind words or actions that make someone or something look stupid

She was treated with scorn and ridicule by her colleagues when she applied for the job.
He's become an object of ridicule (= a person that everyone thinks is stupid and criticizes
or laughs at) .
-RIP

WRITTEN ABBREVIATION FOR rest in peace

See at rest
rip /rp/ verb -pp- TEAR

1. [ I or T ] to pull apart; to tear or be torn violently and quickly

His new trousers ripped when he bent down.
I ripped my shirt on a nail.
[ + object + adjective ] She excitedly ripped the parcel open .
The wind ripped the flag to/into shreds (= into little pieces) .
2. [ T + adverb or preposition ] to remove something quickly, without being careful
I wish the old fireplaces hadn't been ripped out .
We ripped up the carpets and laid a new wooden floor.
-rip /rp/ verb -pp- COPY

3. [ T ] to copy pictures or sounds from a CD or DVD onto a computer

How do I rip a DVD movie to my hard drive?
rip sb off phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
to cheat someone by making them pay too much money for something
Bob's tickets cost much less than ours - I think we've been ripped off.
rip sth off phrasal verb [ M ] REMOVE
1. to remove something very quickly and carelessly
They ripped off their clothes and ran into the sea.
rip sth off phrasal verb [ M ] STEAL
 2. SLANG to steal something
He rips stuff off from supermarkets to pay for his heroin.
rip through sth phrasal verb
to move very powerfully through a place or building, destroying it quickly
The explosion ripped through the hotel.
A hurricane ripped through the Caribbean.
rip sth up phrasal verb [ M ]
to tear something into small pieces
She ripped up his letters and burned the pieces.
rip /rp/ noun [ C ] -pp- TEAR

1. a tear in a piece of cloth or paper

Your sleeve has got a rip in it.
rip /rp/ noun [ C ] -pp- COPY

2. a copy of a CD or DVD that you make on a computer

illegal rips of copyrighted music
-scar /sk r / /skr/ noun [ C ]

1. a mark left on part of the body after an injury, such as a cut, has healed
a prominent/noticeable/ugly scar
That burn will leave a nasty scar.
scar tissue
Compare scab
2. a sign of damage to a person's mental state
His early years in the refugee camp left a deep psychological scar.
3. a sign of physical destruction in a place
Every village bears the scars of war .
-serenity /sren..ti/ /-.ti/ noun [ U ]

I admired her serenity in the midst of so much chaos.

serf /sf/ /sf/ noun [ C ]

a member of a low social class in medieval times who worked on the land and was the
property of the person who owned that land
serfdom /sf.dm/ /sf-/ noun [ U ]

the state of being a serf or the system by which the serfs worked on the land
serge /sd/ /sd/ noun [ U ]

a strong cloth made from wool which is used especially to make jackets and coats
-shift /ft/ verb MOVE OR CHANGE

1. [ I or T ] to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another,
especially slightly
She shifted (her weight) uneasily from one foot to the other.
The wind is expected to shift ( to the east) tomorrow.
Media attention has shifted recently onto environmental issues.
2. [ T ] MAINLY US to move the gears of a vehicle into different positions in order to make it go faster or slower
In cars that are automatics, you don't have to bother with shifting gears .
shift /ft/ verb GET RID OF

3. [ T ] UK INFORMAL to get rid of something unwanted, or to sell something

Modern detergents will shift most stains.
The people at the toy shop expect to shift a lot of stock in the run-up to Christmas.

-shift yourself

If you shift yourself when you have a job to do, you hurry to do the job as quickly as possible
Come on, there's work to be done - shift yourself.
shift (your) ground
to change your opinion
He's annoying to argue with because he keeps shifting his ground.
shift for yourself phrasal verb [ R ] OLD-FASHIONED
to earn your own income or buy and cook your own food, etc.
He left home at 18 and had to shift for himself.
-shift /ft/ noun GROUP

1. [ C + singular or plural verb ] a group of workers who do a job for a period of time during the day or night, or
the period of time itself
As the night shift leave/leaves, the day shift arrive/arrives.
Are you on the night shift or the day shift (= Do you work during the night period or the day period) ?
shift /ft/ noun CHANGE

2. [ C ] a change in position or direction

a shift in the wind/temperature
The shift in the balance of power in the region has had far-reaching consequences.
There has been a dramatic shift in public opinion towards peaceful negotiations.
shift /ft/ noun DRESS

3. [ C ] a simple dress that hangs straight from the shoulders

shifting /f.t/ adjective
 always changing or moving
They lost their way in the shifting sands of the Sahara.
shift key noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a key on a computer or a typewriter which you press at the same time as you press a letter
key in order to produce a capital letter
See picture computer
shiftless /ft.ls/ adjective DISAPPROVING

lazy and not having much determination or a clear purpose

He called the young people shiftless, lazy and good-for-nothing.
shiftwork /ft.wk/ /-wk/ noun [ U ]

when different groups of workers work somewhere at different times of the day and night
The factory is run on shiftwork.
I hate shiftwork.
shifty /f.ti/ adjective

looking or seeming dishonest

He's got shifty eyes.
You're looking very shifty. What have you been up to?
There's a couple of shifty -looking people standing on the street corner.
-sissy /ss.i/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO cissy ) INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

a boy who other boys dislike and laugh at because they think he is weak or interested in activities girls usually
like, or a person who is weak and cowardly (= not brave)
Kevin is such a sissy.
[ as form of address ] Can't you climb that tree, you big sissy?
-sketch /sket/ noun [ C ] SIMPLE SHAPE/FORM

1. a simple, quickly-made drawing which does not have many details

My mother made a (pencil) sketch of my brother reading a book.
2. a short written or spoken story which does not have many details
sketch /sket/ noun [ C ] HUMOROUS PERFORMANCE

3. a short humorous part of a longer show on stage, television or radio

I thought the sketch about Queen Victoria was very funny.
sketch /sket/ verb [ I or T ]

to make a sketch of something

The art students were told to sketch the landscape.
 When I have some spare time, I like to sketch.
The artist has sketched out a design for the new school.
sketch sth out phrasal verb
to give a short description of something, containing few details
She sketched out the plan in a few brief sentences.
sketcher /sket. r / /-/ noun [ C ]

someone who makes sketches (= drawings)

-sneak /snik/ verb sneaked or US ALSO snuck , sneaked or US ALSO snuck MOVE SECRETLY

1. [ I or T usually + adverb or preposition ] to go somewhere secretly, or to take someone or something

somewhere secretly
I managed to sneak in through the back door while she wasn't looking.
Jan hasn't got a ticket but I thought we might sneak her in .
I thought I'd sneak up on him (= move close to him without him seeing) and give him a surprise.
sneak /snik/ verb sneaked or US ALSO snuck , sneaked or US ALSO snuck TELL SECRETLY

2. [ I ] UK SLANG DISAPPROVING to secretly tell someone in authority, especially a teacher, that someone else has
done something bad, often in order to cause trouble
She was one of those dreadful children who was always sneaking on other kids in the class.
-spark /spk/ /sprk/ noun CAUSE

1. [ S ] a first small event or problem which causes a much worse situation to develop
That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.
spark /spk/ /sprk/ noun FIRE/ELECTRICITY

2. [ C ] a very small piece of fire which flies out from something that is burning or which is made by rubbing two
hard things together, or a flash of light made by electricity
Sparks were flying out of the bonfire and blowing everywhere.
You can start a fire by rubbing two dry pieces of wood together until you produce a spark.
3. spark of anger/inspiration/life, etc.
a very small amount of a particular emotion or quality in a person
-stern /stn/ /stn/ adjective

1. severe, or showing disapproval

a stern look/warning/voice
She is her own sternest critic.
Journalists received a stern warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.
2. If something, such as a job, is stern, it is difficult
The President is facing the sternest test of his authority since he came to power five years ago.
sternness /stn.ns/ /stn-/ noun [ U ]

made of sterner stuff

If someone is described as being made of sterner stuff, they are very strong and determined
I was ready to give up the fight, but Nicky was made of sterner stuff and wanted us to carry on.
-stride /strad/ noun DEVELOPMENT

1. [ C ] an important positive development

The West made impressive strides in improving energy efficiency after the huge rises in oil prices during the
seventies.
The group has made strides to expand internationally.
stride /strad/ noun STEP

2. [ C ] a long step when walking or running

She attributes her record-breaking speed to the length of her stride.
stride /strad/ noun CLOTHES

3. strides AUSTRALIAN INFORMAL

trousers
a new pair of strides
-torment /t.ment/ /tr-/ noun

1. [ U ] great mental suffering and unhappiness, or great physical pain

The family said they had endured years of torment and abuse at the hands of the neighbours.
Waiting for the result of the medical tests was sheer torment.
He spent the night in torment, trying to decide what was the best thing to do.
2. torments
great mental suffering and unhappiness
Nothing can describe the torments we went through while we were waiting for news.
3. [ C ] something or someone that causes great suffering or anger
The tax forms were an annual torment to him.
-torment /tment/ /tr-/ verb [ T ]

to cause a person or animal to suffer or worry

The animals are tormented mercilessly by flies and mosquitoes.
The camera focused on a group of women whose faces were tormented by/with (= showed that they were
suffering) grief.
It tormented me all day - did I remember to lock the door when I left the house?
-torment /tment/ /tr-/ verb [ T ]
 to cause a person or animal to suffer or worry
The animals are tormented mercilessly by flies and mosquitoes.
The camera focused on a group of women whose faces were tormented by/with (= showed that they were
suffering) grief.
It tormented me all day - did I remember to lock the door when I left the house?
-torment /tment/ /tr-/ verb [ T ]

to cause a person or animal to suffer or worry

The animals are tormented mercilessly by flies and mosquitoes.
The camera focused on a group of women whose faces were tormented by/with (= showed that they were
suffering) grief.
It tormented me all day - did I remember to lock the door when I left the house?
-aerial /e.ri.l/ /er.i-/ noun [ C ] ( US ALSO antenna )

a structure made of metal rods or wires which receives or sends out radio or television
signals
See picture car exterior
aerial /e.ri.l/ /er.i-/ adjective

in or from the air, especially from an aircraft

Meanwhile, the massive aerial bombardment/bombing of military targets continued
unabated.
aerial photography
aerial root noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a root that grows down to the ground from above the ground
aerie /.ri/ /r.i/ noun [ C ]

MAINLY US FOR eyrie

-antenna /nten./ noun ORGAN

1. [ C ] plural antennae either of a pair of long thin organs which are found on the heads of insects and
crustaceans (= animals with hard outer shells) and which are used to feel with
antenna /nten./ noun NOTICING

2. [ C usually plural ] plural antennae or antennas the natural ability to notice things and understand their
importance
Her finely-tuned political antennae helped her to sense problems that less-experienced politicians might not
detect
-ash // noun POWDER

1. [ U ] the soft grey or black powder that is left after a substance, especially tobacco, coal or wood, has burnt
cigarette ash
2. ashes
[ plural ] what is left of something after it has been destroyed by fire, especially what is left of a human body after
it has been burnt
Her ashes were scattered at sea.
Allied bombing left Dresden in ashes in 1945.
ash // noun TREE

3. [ C ] a forest tree which has a smooth grey bark (= outer covering) , small greenish flowers and seeds shaped
like wings
4. [ U ] the wood from an ash tree
-buoy /b/ /bu.i/ noun [ C ]

a floating object on the top of the sea, which is used for directing ships and warning them of possible danger
buoy /b/ /bu.i/ verb FLOAT

1. [ T ] to prevent someone or something from sinking

The very salty water buoyed her (up) as she swam.
buoy /b/ /bu.i/ verb MAKE HAPPIER

2. [ T usually passive ] to make someone feel happier or more confident about a situation
She was buoyed (up) by the warm reception her audience gave her.
buoy /b/ /bu.i/ verb MAKE SUCCESSFUL

3. [ T usually passive ] to support something and make it more successful

House prices have been buoyed (up) in the area by the possibility of a new factory opening.
-carol /kr. l/ /ker-/ noun [ C ]

a happy or religious song, usually one sung at Christmas

a carol concert
'Silent Night' is my favourite (Christmas) carol.
carol /kr. l/ /ker-/ verb [ I ] -ll- or US USUALLY -l-

to sing songs, especially carols, in a loud and happy way

carol singer noun [ C ] UK ( US caroler )

a member of a group of people who go from house to house singing carols at Christmas
-cart /kt/ /krt/ noun [ C ]
 1. a vehicle with either two or four wheels which is pulled by a horse, and which is used for carrying goods
a horse and cart.
2. US FOR trolley (FOR CARRYING)
put the cart before the horse
to do things in the wrong order
Aren't you putting the cart before the horse by deciding what to wear for the wedding before you've even been
invited to it?
cart /kt/ /krt/ verb [ T + adv/prep ]

to take something or someone somewhere, especially using a lot of effort

We carted all the rubbish to the bottom of the garden and burned it.
Council workers have carted away all the dead leaves that had collected at the side of the road.
-coarse /ks/ /krs/ adjective ROUGH

1. rough and not smooth or soft, or not in very small pieces

coarse sand/breadcrumbs
Linen is a coarse -grained fabric.
coarse /ks/ /krs/ adjective RUDE

2. rude and offensive

a coarse joke
coarse language
coarsely /k.sli/ /kr-/ adverb

coarseness /k.sns/ /kr-/ noun [ U ]

The coarseness of the cloth irritated her skin.

She can't abide coarseness and stupidity.
-cockpit /kk.pt/ /kk-/ noun [ C ]

the small closed space where the pilot sits in an aircraft, or where the driver sits in a racing
car
See picture planes
cockroach /kk.rt/ /kk.rot/ noun [ C ]

a flat brown or black insect sometimes found in the home

cockscomb /kks.km/ /kks.kom/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO comb )

the soft red growth on the head of a male chicken

cocksure /kk r / /kk/ adjective INFORMAL DISAPPROVING

too confident, in a way that is slightly unpleasant or rude

 a cocksure young man
-compatriot /kmpt.ri.t/ /-pe.tri-/ noun [ C ]

1. FORMAL a person who comes from the same country

2. US a friend or someone you work with
compel /kmpel/ verb [ T ] -ll-

1. to force someone to do something

[ + to infinitive ] As a school boy he was compelled to wear shorts even in winter.
FORMAL The new circumstances compelled a change in policy.
See also compulsion
2. FORMAL to produce a strong feeling or reaction, sometimes unwillingly
Over the years her work has compelled universal admiration and trust.
-cordial /k.di.l/ /kr.dl/ adjective FRIENDLY

1. friendly, but formal and polite

a cordial smile/greeting/welcome/reception
Relations between the two leaders are said to be cordial.
cordial /k.di.l/ /kr.dl/ adjective STRONG

2. FORMAL (of a feeling, especially dislike) strong

The two statesmen are known to have a cordial dislike for each other.
cordially /k.di..li/ /kr.d.-/ adverb FORMAL

You are cordially invited to attend our annual wine-tasting evening.

On a personal level, they came to be cordially disliked .
cordial /k.di.l/ /kr.dl/ noun [ U ]

1. UK a sweet drink made from fruit, to which water is usually added

lime cordial
2. US liqueur
cordiality /k.dil..ti/ /krdjl..ti/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

behaviour that is friendly, but formal and polite

cordite /k.dat/ /kr-/ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

a type of explosive, especially used in bullets

-corny /k.ni/ /kr-/ adjective INFORMAL

(especially of jokes, films, stories, etc.) showing no new ideas and not sincere; too often
repeated and therefore not funny or interesting
 corny jokes
I couldn't watch the whole movie - it was just too corny.
corolla /krl./ /-ro.l/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

all of the petals of a flower as a group

corollary /krl. r.i/ /kr..ler.i/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

something that results from something else

Unfortunately, violence is the inevitable corollary of such a revolutionary change in society.
-deploy /dpl/ verb [ T ]

1. to use something or someone, especially in an effective way

The company is reconsidering the way in which it deploys its resources/staff .
My job doesn't really allow me fully to deploy my skills/talents.
2. to move soldiers or equipment to a place where they can be used when they are needed
The decision has been made to deploy extra troops /more powerful weapons .
-epoch /i.pk/ /-pk/ noun [ C ] plural epochs

a long period of time, especially one in which there are new developments and great
change
The president said that his country was moving into a new epoch which would be one of
lasting peace.
epoch-making /i.pkme.k/ /-pk-/ adjective [ after verb ]

An event might be described as epoch-making if it has a great

[ C ] FORMAL
the name of an object or activity which is also the name of the person who first produced
the object or did the activity effect on the future.
eponym /ep..nm/ noun

-exult /gzlt/ verb [ I ] FORMAL

to express great pleasure or happiness, especially at someone else's defeat or failure

They exulted at/over their victory.
She seems to exult in her power.
exultation
exultant /gzl.t nt/ adjective FORMAL

very happy, especially at someone else's defeat or failure

an exultant cheer
 an exultant crowd
-goody /gd.i/ noun INFORMAL PLEASANT THING

1. [ C usually plural ] an object which people want or enjoy, often something nice to eat
All the children were given a bag of goodies - mostly sweets and toys.
goody /gd.i/ noun INFORMAL PERSON

2. [ C ] someone, especially in a film or story, who is good

It's one of those films where you don't know until the last moment who are the goodies and who are the baddies.
goody /gd.i/ exclamation ( OLD-FASHIONED goody gumdrops ) INFORMAL OR CHILD'S WORD

used to show pleasure

Oh goody! Chocolate cake.
-grudge /grd/ noun [ C ]

a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, which often lasts for a long
time
I don't bear any grudge against you.
Philippa still has/holds a grudge against me for refusing to lend her that money.
grudge /grd/ verb [ T ]

1. to not want to spend time or money on someone or something, or to not want to give something to someone
She grudged every hour she spent helping him.
2. to think that someone does not deserve something good that they have
[ + two objects ] I don't grudge you your holiday, it's just that you've chosen a bad time to go.
-haul to pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty They hauled the boat out of the water. She hauled herself up
into the tree.

haul ass US OFFENSIVE to move very quickly to a different place When the shooting started we hauled ass out of there.
haul sb up phrasal verb [ M often passive ] INFORMAL to force someone to go somewhere or see someone in order to
be punished or to answer questions about their behaviour . He was hauled up in court/in front of a magistrate.
-hoarse adjective (of a voice or a person) having a rough voice, often because of a sore throat or a cold. a hoarse
voice She sounded a bit hoarse. You'll make your self hoarse if you keep shouting like that!

-jettison verb [ T ] 1. to get rid of something or someone that is not wanted or needed The
station has jettisoned educational broadcasts. 2. to decide not to use an idea or plan We've had
to jettison our holiday plans because of David's accident. 3. to throw goods, fuel or equipment
from a ship or aircraft to make it lighter .The captain was forced to jettison the cargo and make
an emergency landing.
jetty noun [ C ] a wooden or stone structure which is built in the water at the edge of a sea or
lake and is used by people getting on and off boats

-odour , US odor noun [ C or U ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL a smell, often one that is unpleasant. Inside the
room there was the unmistakable odour of sweaty feet. FIGURATIVE The odour of hypocrisy hung
about everything she said.

odourless , US odorlessadjective FORMAL without a smell an odourless gas

odyssey noun [ C usually singular ] LITERARY a long exciting journey.The film follows one man's
odyssey to find the mother from whom he was separated at birth. FIGURATIVE a spiritual odyssey
-ornate adjective 1. having a lot of complicated decoration a room with an ornate ceiling and gold
mirrors 2. MAINLY DISAPPROVING Language which is ornate contains too many complicated words
or phrases .Some students are put off studying his work because of the ornate language of the
poetry.

ornately adverb a pair of ornately carved doors

ornery adjective US likely to get angry and argue with people .He had been in an ornery mood all
day, rowing with his wife and his boss.
-perpendicular adjective 1. FORMAL at an angle of 90 to a horizontal line or surface .We scrambled up the nearly
perpendicular side of the mountain. 2. SPECIALIZED at an angle of 90 to another line or surface .The wheel rotates about
an axis which is perpendicular to the plane.

perpendicularly adverb FORMAL OR SPECIALIZED perpendicular noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED 1. a perpendicular

line .Draw a perpendicular from the vertex of the triangle to its base.
-perpendicular1. FORMAL at an angle of 90 to a horizontal line or surface .We scrambled up the nearly perpendicular
side of the mountain. 2. SPECIALIZED at an angle of 90 to another line or surface .The wheel rotates about an axis which
is perpendicular to the plane.

-plunge verb [ I or T usually + adv/prep ] to (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a
long way forward, down or into something .We ran down to the beach and plunged into the sea. .The car went out of
control and plunged over the cliff. Cook the peas by plunging them into boiling water. Niagara Falls plunges 55.5 metres.
The fall in demand caused share prices to plunge. Our income has plunged dramatically.

plunge in/plunge into sth phrasal verb to suddenly start doing something actively or enthusiastically .Two months
before his exams, he suddenly plunged into his studies. He took a deep breath and plunged into his speech.
plunge (sb/sth) into sth phrasal verb [ often passive ] to suddenly experience a bad situation or unhappiness, or to
make someone or something suddenly experience a bad situation or unhappiness
-rash noun SKIN CONDITION 1. [ C or U ] a lot of small red spots on the skin I've got an itchy rash all over my
chest. He came out/up in a rash after he fell in a patch of nettles. If you stay in the sun too long you'll get (a) heat rash.
rash noun LARGE NUMBER 2. a rash of sth a large number of unpleasant events of the same type There has been a
rash of robberies/accidents/complaints in the last two months.
rash adjective careless or unwise, without thought for what might happen or result That was a rash decision - you
didn't think about the costs involved. [ + to infinitive ] I think it was a bit rash of them to get married when they'd only
known each other for a few weeks.
-rattle /rt.l/ /rt-/ noun

1. [ S ] a sound similar to a series of quickly repeated knocks

From across the town came the rattle of machine-gun fire.
2. [ C ] a toy which makes a noise like a series of knocks
The baby was waving around a plastic rattle.
3. [ C ] a wooden device that when turned round and round produces a noise like a series of knocks
4. [ C ] the part of a rattlesnake's tail that produces a noise
rattle /rt.l/ /rt-/ verb WORRY

1. [ T ] to worry someone or make someone nervous

The creaking upstairs was starting to rattle me.
2. [ I or T ] to (cause to) make a noise like a series of knocks
The explosion rattled the cups on the table.
The dying man's voice rattled in his throat.
[ + adverb or preposition ] The car rattled over the cobblestones.
My car engine is making a strange rattling noise.
rattle sth off phrasal verb [ M ] INFORMAL
to say or read aloud very quickly a list of names or things, or something you have learned
She rattled off the names of the people who were coming to the party.
rattle on/away phrasal verb INFORMAL
to talk for a long time, especially about things that are not important
She was on the phone for hours last night, just rattling on to her friends.
-recede /rsid/ verb [ I ]

to move further away into the distance, or to become less clear or less bright
As the boat picked up speed, the coastline receded into the distance until finally it became
invisible.
The painful memories gradually receded in her mind.
re ceding hairline noun [ C usually singular ]

If a man has a receding hairline, he is losing the hair from the front of his head.
-rifle /ra.fl/ noun [ C ]
rifle
a type of gun with a long barrel (= part shaped like a tube) , which is fired from the shoulder and is designed to be
accurate at long distances
rifle /ra.fl/ verb [ I or T ]

to search quickly through something, often in order to steal something

The safe had been rifled and the diamonds were gone.
He rifled through the papers on the desk, but couldn't find the photographs.
-sentry /sen.tri/ noun [ C ]

a soldier who guards a place, usually by standing at its entrance

My squad were on sentry duty last night.
sentry box noun [ C ]

a small shelter in which a sentry stands while guarding a place

sepal /sep.l/ /si.p l/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

one of the parts that form the outer part of a flower, which surrounds the petals and are
usually small and green
-shriek /rik/ noun [ C ]

a short, loud, high cry, especially one produced suddenly as an expression of a powerful
emotion
shrieks of delight
He suddenly let out a piercing shriek.
shriek /rik/ verb [ I or T ]

to make such a cry

We shrieked with laughter when we realized how stupid we'd been.
I tried to apologize, but he just shrieked abuse at me.
[ + speech ] "Don't you dare do that ever again!" she shrieked.
shrill /rl/ adjective

1. having a loud and high sound that is unpleasant or painful to listen to

She had a shrill high-pitched voice.
2. DISAPPROVING describes a way of arguing or criticizing that seems too forceful
He launched a shrill attack on the Prime Minister.
-slant /slnt/ /slnt/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to (cause to) lean in a position that is not vertical; to (cause to) slope
Italic writing slants to the right.
 The evening sun slanted (= shone with the light moving in a slope) through the narrow window.
2. [ T ] OFTEN DISAPPROVING to present information in a particular way, especially showing one group of people,
one side of an argument, etc. in such a positive or negative way that it is unfair
The police claimed that reports in the media were slanted against/towards the defendant.
slant /slnt/ /slnt/ noun

1. [ S ] a position that is sloping

The house is built on/at a slant.
2. [ C usually singular ] a particular way of showing or viewing something

-strand /strnd/ noun [ C ] THREAD

1. a thin thread of something, often one of a few twisted around each other to make a string or rope
a strand of cotton
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears.
strand /strnd/ noun [ C ] PART

2. a part which combines with other parts to form a whole story, subject or situation
There are so many different strands to the plot that it's quite hard to follow.
strand /strnd/ noun [ C ] COAST

3. LITERARY a shore
stranded /strn.dd/ adjective

unable to leave somewhere because of a problem such as not having any transport or money
He left me stranded in town with no car and no money for a bus.
If the tide comes in, we'll be stranded on these rocks.
-suck /sk/ verb PULL IN

1. [ I or T ] to pull in liquid or air through your mouth without using your teeth, or to move the tongue and
muscles of the mouth around something inside your mouth, often in order to dissolve it
She was sitting on the grass sucking lemonade through a straw.
I sucked my thumb until I was seven.
I tried sucking (on) a mint to stop myself coughing.
They used to give you sweets to suck on ( UK ALSO at ) in aeroplanes to stop your ears from going pop.
2. [ T + adverb or preposition ] Something which sucks a liquid or an object in a particular direction pulls it with
great force
The waves came crashing over my head and I could feel myself being sucked under by the currents.
FIGURATIVE Continued rapid growth in consumer spending will suck in (= encourage) more imports.
suck /sk/ verb BE BAD
 3. [ I ] MAINLY US SLANG If someone or something sucks, they are bad or unpleasant
Man, this job sucks!
While my brother was sick, I had to do all of his chores and it sucked.
suck sb/sth dry
to remove all useful, valuable qualities or possessions from a person, thing or place
That firm sucks its new programmers dry after five years and then sacks them.
London has sucked the surrounding towns dry of local talent.
sucking diesel SLANG
feeling good
"How are you this morning?" "Sucking diesel, mate, sucking diesel."
suck it and see UK INFORMAL
to try something to find out if it will be successful
I'm not sure whether this paint is the right colour for the bedroom - we'll just have to suck it and see.
suck sb/sth in/suck sb/sth into sth phrasal verb [ M often passive ]
to cause someone or something to gradually become involved in an unpleasant situation or harmful activity
I really don't want any part in this whole argument, but I can feel myself being sucked into it.
suck sb off phrasal verb [ M ] OFFENSIVE
to use the tongue, lips and mouth on someone's sexual organs to give them pleasure
suck up to sb phrasal verb INFORMAL DISAPPROVING
to try to make someone who is in authority approve of you by doing and saying things that will please them
"Why do you think he offered to take all that work home?" "Ah, he's just sucking up to the boss."
-swarm /swm/ /swrm/ noun

1. [ C ] a large group of insects all moving together

a swarm of bees/wasps/ants/locusts
The dead sheep was covered with swarms of flies.
2. [ C + singular or plural verb ] a large group of people all moving together
A swarm of /Swarms of journalists followed the film star's car.
swarm /swm/ /swrm/ verb [ I ]

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

2. When people swarm somewhere, they move there in a large group or in large numbers
After the game, thousands of football fans swarmed onto the pitch.
-toss /ts/ /ts/ verb THROW

1. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to throw something carelessly

He glanced at the letter and then tossed it into the bin.
The bull tossed him up into the air.
[ + two objects ] Andrew tossed him the ball.
toss /ts/ /ts/ verb FOOD

2. [ T ] When you toss food you shake or mix small pieces of it together with a sauce or dressing
a tossed salad
carrots tossed in butter
3. toss a pancake
UK to quickly and suddenly lift the pan in which a pancake (= thin, flat round cake) is cooking so that the pancake
goes up into the air and turns over before falling back into the pan
-toss /ts/ /ts/ verb MOVE

4. [ T ] If you toss your hair or a part of your body you move it up and back suddenly
She tossed her head in annoyance.
She tossed back her hair.
5. toss and turn
[ I ] to move about from side to side or turn a lot in bed, especially because you cannot sleep
I was tossing and turning all night.
-traverse /trvs/ /-vs/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to move or travel through an area

Stanley traversed the continent from west to east.
Bounded on the east by Lake Winnebago, the county is traversed by the Wolf and Fox
rivers.
travesty /trv..sti/ noun [ C ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL

something which fails to represent the values and qualities that it is intended to represent,
in a way that is shocking or offensive
Their production of 'Macbeth' was quite the worst I've ever seen - it was a travesty.
Langdale described the court ruling as a travesty of justice .
Compare parody
-trench /tren t / noun

1. [ C ] a narrow hole which is dug into the ground

A workman was killed when the sides of the trench he was working in collapsed.
2. [ C usually plural ] a deep hole dug by soldiers and used as a place from which they can attack the enemy while
being hidden
the trenches of World War I
trench warfare
Compare foxhole
-truce /trus/ noun [ C ]
 a short interruption in a war or argument, or an agreement to stop fighting or arguing for a
period of time
After years of rivalry, the two companies have UK agreed / US agreed to a truce.
We've got to spend the weekend together, so we might as well call (= have) a truce.
Following last month's riots, the two big gangs in Los Angeles have finally declared a
truce, ending years of bloodshed.
The fragile truce between the two sides is not expected to last long.
truck /trk/ noun VEHICLE

truck
1. [ C ] ( UK ALSO lorry ) a large road vehicle which is used for transporting large amounts
of goods
The road was completely blocked by an overturned truck. impede /mpid/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to slow down or cause problems for the achievement or finishing of something

Although he's shy, it certainly hasn't impeded his career in any way.
impediment /mped..mnt/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible

In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress.
See also speech impediment
upright /p.rat/ adjective STRAIGHT

1. straight up or vertical
Please return your seat to an upright position and fasten your belt.
2. describes something which is taller than it is wide
an upright freezer/vacuum cleaner
upright /p.rat/ adjective MORAL

3. APPROVING honest, responsible and moral

She behaved as any upright citizen would have under the circumstances.
upright /p.rat/ adverb

vertical and as straight as possible

to sit/stand upright
The sound of breaking glass made her sit bolt upright (= sit with her back straight) .

a truck driver
See also dumper truck
See also picture cars and trucks 1
 2. [ C ] UK ( US car ) a part of a train that is used for carrying goods or animals
Hundreds of refugees were herded into cattle trucks for the gruelling ten-hour journey.
truck /trk/ noun INVOLVEMENT

3. have no truck with sth/sb INFORMAL

to refuse to become involved with something or someone because you do not approve of
them
truck /trk/ verb [ T usually + adv/prep ] MAINLY US

to transport something somewhere in a truck

Most of the aid is being trucked into the city, although some is arriving by boat.
-upright /p.rat/ noun [ C ]

1. a vertical part of something that supports other parts

Firmly secure the two uprights to opposite walls in the alcove and then slot the shelves in between them.
2. UK INFORMAL FOR goalpost
3. ( ALSO upright piano ) a piano in which the strings are vertical
Compare grand piano
-vale /vel/ noun [ C ]

1. used in the name of some valleys

the Vale of Evesham
2. OLD-FASHIONED OR LITERARY a valley
a cloud that floats on high o'er hills and vales
this vale of tears LITERARY
This vale of tears is the world we live in, seen as sad and difficult.
-wail /wel/ verb

1. [ I or T ] MAINLY DISAPPROVING to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness
The women gathered around the coffin and began to wail, as was the custom in the region.
[ + speech ] "My finger hurts, " wailed the child.
2. [ I ] INFORMAL to complain loudly or strongly
[ + that ] Business people wailed that their trade would be ruined.
wail /wel/ noun [ C ]

a long, high, loud cry, especially because of something unpleasant

a wail of anguish
the wail of the police sirens
-whirl /wl/ /wl/ verb [ I or T ]
 to (cause something to) turn around in circles
She saw a mass of bodies whirling round on the dance floor.
He stepped out into the night and the whirling snow.
He whirled her round until she felt quite sick.
head/mind is whirling
If your head/mind is whirling, your mind is full of thoughts and images and you are so excited that you cannot
relax.
whirl /wl/ /wl/ noun ACTIVITY

1. [ S ] a continuous and exciting period of activity

The next two days passed in a whirl of activity.
I found myself swept up in the social whirl of college life and scarcely had time for work.
-accolade /k..led/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

praise and approval

This is his centennial year and he's been granted the ultimate accolade - his face on a set of three postage stamps.
Her approval was the highest accolade he could have received.
-adrenalin , adrenaline /dren. l.n/ noun [ U ]

a hormone produced by the body when you are frightened, angry or excited, which makes
the heart beat faster and prepares the body to react to danger
These arguments always get my adrenalin going (= make me excited or angry) .
adrift /drft/ adjective [ after verb ]

1. If a boat is adrift, it is moving on the water but is not controlled by anyone because of a
problem
He spent three days adrift on his yacht.
2. If a person is adrift, they do not have a clear purpose in life and do not know what they
want to do
Da Silva plays a bright, lonely student from New York, adrift in small-town Arizona.
3. go/come adrift
INFORMAL to become loose
The hem of my skirt's come adrift again.
-agony /g..ni/ noun [ C or U ]

extreme physical or mental pain or suffering

She lay there screaming in agony.
I was in an agony of suspense.
We've both suffered agonies of guilt over what happened.
 agony aunt noun [ C usually singular ] UK

a person, usually a woman, who publicly gives advice to people with personal problems,
especially in a regular magazine or newspaper article
agony column noun [ C usually singular ] UK

the part of a magazine or newspaper where letters from readers about their personal
problems are printed, together with advice about how to deal with them
She wrote into an agony column.
-alter /l.t r / /l.t/ verb CHANGE

1. [ I or T ] to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change

We've had to alter some of our plans.
Although long-distance phone calls are going up, the charge for local calls will not alter.
Giving up our car has radically altered our lifestyle.
2. [ T ] to change the size of clothes so that they fit better
I took the coat back to the shop to have it altered.
alter /l.t r / /l.t/ verb REMOVE ORGANS

3. [ T ] US POLITE WORD FOR castrate or spay

-armpit /m.pt/ /rm-/ noun [ C ]

the hollow place under your arm where your arm joins your body
sweaty/hairy armpits
See picture body
be the armpit of sth HUMOROUS
to be an extremely unpleasant, often dirty, place
the armpit of the North
armrest /m.rest/ /rm-/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO arm )

the part of a chair that supports the arm

-authentic /en.tk/ /en.tk/ adjective

If something is authentic, it is real, true, or what people say it is

an authentic 1920s dress
authentic Italian food
He was there and saw what happened, so his is the only authentic account.
authentically /en.tk.li/ /en.tk-/ adverb

authenticate /en.t.ket/ /en.t-/ verb [ T ]

 to prove that something is real, true, or what people say it is
They used carbon dating tests to authenticate the claim that the skeleton was 2 million
years old.
-barrier /br.i. r / /-/ noun [ C ] FENCE

1. a long pole, fence, wall or natural feature, such as a mountain or sea, that stops people from going somewhere
Barriers have been erected all along the route the Pope will take.
The mountains acted as a natural barrier to the spread of the disease.
2. a gate in some railway stations through which you must go to get on a train
Passengers are requested to show their tickets at the barrier.
barrier /br.i. r / /-/ noun [ C ] PREVENTING

3. anything that prevents people from being together or understanding each other
Despite the language barrier (= not speaking the same language) , they soon became good friends.
Shyness is one of the biggest barriers to mak ing friends (= something that makes this difficult) .
-besotted /bst.d/ /-s.td/ adjective

completely in love with someone and always thinking of them

He was so completely besotted with her that he couldn't see how badly she treated him.
besought /bst/ /-st/ verb

PAST SIMPLE AND PAST PARTICIPLE OF beseech

bespattered /bspt.d/ /-spt.d/ adjective [ after verb ]

covered with spots of liquid

The backs of my legs were bespattered with mud after walking home in the rain.
-bespeak /bspik/ verb [ T ] bespoke , bespoken FORMAL

to suggest or show
His letter bespeaks his willingness to help.
bespectacled /bspek.t.kld/ adjective FORMAL

wearing glasses
a small, bespectacled man in a drab suit
bespoke /bspk/ /-spok/ adjective UK FORMAL ( US custom-made )

specially made for a particular person

a bespoke suit
bespoke furniture
-bloke /blk/ /blok/ noun [ C ] UK INFORMAL
 a man, often one who is considered to be ordinary
Paul's a really good bloke (= I like him a lot) .
He's a funny (sort of) bloke (= slightly strange) .
-bouquet /bke/ , /b-/ /bo-/ noun FLOWERS

1. [ C ] a group of flowers that have been fastened together and attractively arranged so that they can be given as a
present or carried on formal occasions
a bouquet of flowers
Chris sent me a lovely bouquet when I was ill.
bouquet /bke/ , /b-/ /bo-/ noun SMELL

2. [ C or U ] SPECIALIZED the characteristic smell of a wine or liqueur

This wine has a rich, oaky bouquet.
-calf /kf/ /kf/ noun [ C ] plural calves ANIMAL

1. a young cow, or the young of various other large mammals such as elephants and whales
See also calve
2. in calf
If a cow is in calf, it is pregnant.
calf /kf/ /kf/ noun [ C ] plural calves LEG

3. the thick curved part at the back of the human leg between the knee and the foot
She's been unable to play since January because of a torn calf muscle .
See picture body
-canvas /kn.vs/ noun

1. [ U ] strong, rough cloth used for making tents, sails, bags, strong clothes, etc.
2. [ C ] a piece of this cloth used by artists for painting on, usually with oil paints, or the
painting itself
These two canvases by Hockney would sell for 500 000.
3. under canvas
in a tent
I love sleeping under canvas.
canvass /kn.vs/ verb GET SUPPORT

1. [ I or T ] to try to get political support or votes, especially by visiting all the houses in an
area
I've been out canvassing for the Labour Party every evening this week.
-canvass /kn.vs/ verb ASK
 2. [ T ] to try to discover information or opinions by asking people
The council has been canvassing local opinion /local people to get their thoughts on the proposed housing
development.
canvass /kn.vs/ verb SUGGEST

3. [ T ] UK FORMAL to suggest an idea or plan to be considered

Wind and wave power are now being seriously canvassed as the solution to our energy problems.
-convey /knve/ verb [ T ] COMMUNICATE

1. to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people

His poetry conveys a great sense of religious devotion.
If you see James, do convey my apologies ( to him).
[ + question word ] I tried to convey in my speech how grateful we all were for his help.
You don't want to convey the impression that we're not interested.
convey /knve/ verb [ T ] TAKE

2. to take or carry someone or something to a particular place

The goods are usually conveyed by sea.
Could you convey a message to Mr Merrick for me, please?
-crumple /krm.pl/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to become, or cause something to become, full of folds that are not equal in size
This shirt crumples easily
2. [ I ] If someone's face crumples, it becomes full of lines because of a strong emotion
Her face crumpled with laughter.
3. [ I ] If someone crumples, they fall to the ground suddenly
The bullet hit him and he crumpled into a heap on the floor.
crumple sth up phrasal verb [ M ]
to crush a piece of paper until all of it is folded
Sylvie crumpled up the letter and threw it in the bin.
-curtsy , curtsey /kt.si/ /kt-/ verb [ I ]

When a girl or woman curtsies, she bends quickly at the knees, with one foot in front of the other, often while
holding her skirt, especially to show respect to a king or queen, etc.
She curtseyed to the Queen.
Compare bow 1

curtsy , curtsey /kt.si/ /kt-/ noun [ C ]

when a girl or woman bends quickly at the knees, with one foot in front of the other, especially to show respect
She gave a curtsy before presenting the flowers to the princess.
-dedication /ded.ke. n/ noun TIME/ENERGY

1. [ U ] when you give a lot of time and energy to something because it is important
He has always shown great dedication to the cause.
She thanked the staff for their dedication and enthusiasm.
dedication /ded.ke. n/ noun BOOK, ETC

2. [ C ] a statement which says in whose honour something has been written, made, performed, etc.
The dedication at the front of the book read 'For my Father'.
dedication /ded.ke. n/ noun BUILDING

3. [ C ] a ceremony in which a building, especially a religious building, is opened for use and its purpose is stated
-deuce /djus/ /dus/ noun [ U ]

1. the score in tennis when both players have 40 points

2. the word for 'two' in some card and dice games
3. the deuce
OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL used in questions to express anger or surprise
What the deuce do you think you're doing?
-diabetic /dabet.k/ /-bet-/ noun [ C ]

a person who has diabetes

diabetic /dabet.k/ /-bet-/ adjective

1. relating to diabetes
a diabetic coma
2. made for diabetic people to eat
diabetic chocolate/jam
diabolical /dabl..k l/ /-b.l.k l/ adjective ( US ALSO diabolic )

1. INFORMAL extremely bad or shocking

Conditions in the prison were diabolical.
His driving is diabolical!
2. evil, or caused by the Devil
-diagnose /da.g.nz/ /da.gnoz/ verb [ T ]

to recognize and name the exact character of a disease or a problem, by examining it

The specialist diagnosed cancer.
His condition was diagnosed as some sort of blood disorder.
She was diagnosed with/as hav ing diabetes.
 The electrician has diagnosed a fault in the wiring.
diagnosis /da.gn.ss/ /-no-/ noun [ C or U ] plural diagnoses

a judgment about what a particular illness or problem is, made after examining it
"What was the diagnosis?" "Arthritis in both joints."
The doctor has made an initial diagnosis.
Diagnosis of the disease (= saying what it is) is difficult in the early stages.
-disquiet /dskwat/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

worry
The leader's decline in popularity is causing disquiet among supporters.
disquieting /dskwa.t/ /-t/ adjective FORMAL

causing worry
The disquieting situation between these two neighbouring countries looks set to continue.
disquisition /ds.kwz. n/ noun [ C ] FORMAL

a long and detailed explanation of a particular subject

-dribble /drb.l/ verb [ I or T ] FLOW SLOWLY

1. to (cause a liquid to) flow very slowly in small amounts

The water was barely dribbling out of the tap.
Dribble the remaining olive oil over the tomatoes.
dribble /drb.l/ verb [ I or T ] FROM MOUTH

2. to have liquid slowly coming out of your mouth

Babies dribble constantly.
dribble /drb.l/ verb [ I or T ] MOVE BALL

3. (in football or hockey ) to move a ball along the ground with repeated small kicks or hits, or (in basketball) to
move a ball by repeatedly hitting it against the floor with your hand
He dribbled the ball to the edge of the pitch.
His speed allows him to easily dribble past defenders.
-earl /l/ /l/ noun [ C ]

(the title of) a British man of high social rank, between a marquis and a viscount
the Earl of Northumberland
earldom /l.dm/ /l-/ noun [ C ]

the rank or lands of an earl or countess

earlobe /.lb/ /r.lob/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO lobe )
 the soft round part at the bottom of the ear
-forehand /f.hnd/ /fr-/ noun [ C ]

(in sports such as tennis) a hit in which the palm of the hand which is holding the racket
faces the same direction as the hit itself, or the player's ability to perform this hit
a forehand volley
His forehand is his weakest shot.
serve to her forehand
Compare backhand
forehead /fr.d/ , /f.hed/ /f.rd/ noun [ C ]

the flat part of the face, above the eyes and below the hair
She's got a high forehead.
See picture head
-frisk /frsk/ verb

1. [ T ] to use your hands to search someone's body when they are wearing clothes for
hidden illegal objects or weapons
We were all frisked at the airport.
frisk /frsk/ verb

2. [ I ] to move around in a happy, energetic way

a postcard with a picture of lambs frisking in the fields
frisky /frs.ki/ adjective INFORMAL

(of a person or an animal) playful or full of activity

It's a beautiful horse but a bit too frisky for an inexperienced rider.
-gladiator /gld.i.e.t r / /-t/ noun [ C ]

in ancient Rome, a man who fought another man or an animal, usually until one of them
died, for public entertainment
gladiatorial /gld.i.t.ri.l/ /-tr.i-/ adjective LITERARY

relating to violent fighting in which only one person or group can win
gladiatorial combat
gladiolus /gld.i.ls/ /-o-/ noun [ C ] plural gladioli or gladioluses ( US USUALLY gladiola )

a garden plant which has a long stem along which grow many brightly coloured flowers
-groin /grn/ noun [ C ] BODY
 1. the place where your legs meet the front of your body
He pulled a muscle in his groin.
a groin strain
See picture body
2. the male sex organs
He was kicked in the stomach and the groin.
groin /grn/ noun [ C ] SEA

3. a groyne
groom /grum/ verb [ T ] CLEAN

1. to clean an animal, often by brushing its fur

Polly spends hours in the stables grooming her pony.
-groom /grum/ verb [ T ] PREPARE

2. to prepare someone for a special job or activity

She was being groomed for leadership.
[ + to infinitive ] My boss is grooming me to take over his job next year.
groom /grum/ verb [ T ] SEX

3. to become friends with a child, especially over the Internet, in order to try to persuade them to have a sexual
relationship with you
groom /grum/ noun [ C ] MAN

1. a bridegroom
The bride and groom walked down the aisle together.
groom /grum/ noun [ C ] HORSES

2. a person whose job is to take care of and clean horses

-handy /hn.di/ adjective USEFUL

1. useful or convenient
a handy container/tool
First-time visitors to France will find this guide particularly handy.
It's a nice house and it's handy for (= near) the station.
INFORMAL Don't throw those bottles away - they'll come in handy (= be useful) for the
picnic next Sunday.
handy /hn.di/ adjective SKILFUL

2. [ after verb ] able to use something skilfully

Jonathan's good at wallpapering but he's not so handy with a paintbrush.
 Susannah's very handy (= good at doing things which need skilled use of the hands) about
the house.
handyman /hn.di.mn/ noun [ C ]

a man who is skilled at repairing and making things inside or outside the house and who
does this in his own home or as a job
-heel /hil/ noun [ C ] BODY PART

1. the rounded back part of the foot

See also well-heeled
See picture foot
2. the part of a sock or shoe which covers the heel of the foot
3. the raised part at the back of a shoe, under your heel
heel /hil/ noun [ C ] PERSON

4. OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL a person who treats other people badly and unfairly
I felt like a real heel when I saw how I'd upset her.
heel /hil/ noun [ C ] HAND

5. the raised part of the palm of your hand nearest the wrist
heel /hil/ noun [ C ] END PART

6. the end part of something, especially of a loaf of bread, that is usually left after the rest has been eaten or used
bring/call sth/sb to heel
1. to order a dog to come close to you
2. to force someone to obey you
come to heel
If a person or organization comes to heel, they agree to obey, usually because they have been forcefully persuaded
to do so.
-hence /hen t s/ adverb FORMAL THEREFORE

1. that is the reason or explanation for; therefore

His mother was Italian, hence his name - Luca.
hence /hen t s/ adverb FORMAL FROM NOW

2. from this time

The project will be completed at the end of the decade, two years hence.
henceforth /hen t sf/ /-fr/ adverb ( ALSO henceforward ) FORMAL OR LEGAL

starting from this time

Henceforth, the said building shall be the property of Brendan Duggan.
-hip /hp/ noun [ C ] BODY PART

1. the area below the waist and above the legs at either side of the body, or the joint which connects the leg to the
upper part of the body
This exercise is designed to trim your hips and stomach.
The skirt was a bit tight across the hips.
See pictures body , body positions 3
hip /hp/ noun [ C ] FRUIT

2. MAINLY UK FOR rose hip

hip /hp/ adjective hipper , hippest INFORMAL

fashionable
The bars and cafs in the old part of the town are frequented by hip young students.
hip /hp/ exclamation

Hip, hip hooray/hurray!

an expression that is called out, often by a group of people at the same time, to express approval of someone
Three cheers for the bride and groom! Hip, hip, hooray!
-implicate /m.pl.ket/ verb [ T ]

to show that someone is involved in a crime or partly responsible for something bad that
has happened
Have they any evidence to implicate him in the robbery?
implication /m.plke. n/ noun

1. [ C or U ] when you seem to suggest something without saying it directly

[ + that ] From what she said, the implication was that they were splitting up.
She accused the party and, by implication, its leader too.
2. [ C usually plural ] the effect that an action or decision will have on something else in
the future
The company is cutting back its spending and I wonder what the implications will be for our
department.
What are the implications of the new law?
-impoverish /mpv. r./ /-p.v-/ verb [ T ] Excessive farming had impoverished the soil. The new law is likely to

further impoverish single parents.

-inning /n./ noun [ C ] one of the nine playing periods in a game of baseball

innings /n.z/ noun [ C ] plural innings

 the period in a game of cricket in which a team or a player bats (= tries to hit the ball)
innit /n.t/ short form UK SLANG

isn't it. Used in a non-standard way at the end of a statement for emphasis
"It's wrong, innit?"
"They're such a wicked band, innit."
-testine /ntes.tn/ noun [ C usually plural ]

(either of the two parts of) a long tube through which food travels from the stomach and
out of the body while it is being digested
Antibodies from the mother's milk line the baby's intestines and prevent infection.
intestinal /ntes.t.nl/ , /n.testa-/ adjective

intestinal surgery
intimacy /n.t.m.si/ /-t-/ noun

1. [ U ] when you have a close friendship or sexual relationship with someone

Intimacy between teachers and students is not recommended.
2. [ C usually plural ] things which are said or done only by people who have a close
relationship with each other
It was obvious from their witty intimacies that they had been good friends for many years.
-kidney /kd.ni/ noun

1. [ C ] either of a pair of small organs in the body which take away waste matter from the blood to produce urine
kidney failure
2. [ C or U ] these organs from an animal, used as food
steak and kidney pie
-knighthood /nat.hd/ noun [ C or U ]

the rank of knight

knightly /nat.li/ adjective LITERARY

of or suitable for a knight in the past, especially involving bravery, honour, etc
knightly virtue
-knuckle /nk.l/ noun [ C ]

one of the joints in the hand where your fingers bend, especially where your fingers join on to the main part of
your hand
See picture hand 1
near the knuckle UK INFORMAL
 about sex and so likely to offend people
Some of his jokes were a bit near the knuckle.
knuckle /nk.l/ verb

knuckle down phrasal verb INFORMAL

to start working or studying hard
You're going to have to really knuckle down ( to your work) if you want to pass your exams.
uckle under phrasal verb INFORMAL
to accept someone's power over you and do what they tell you to do
-lithe /la/ adjective

young, healthy, attractive and able to move and bend smoothly

He had the lithe, athletic body of a ballet dancer.
lithely /la.li/ adverb

lithium /l.i.m/ noun [ U ]

a soft, silver metal

lithograph /l. .grf/ /-o.grf/ noun [ C ]

a picture printed using a stone or metal block on which an image has been drawn with a
thick oily substance that attracts ink
-medicated /med..ke.td/ /-td/ adjective

containing a medical substance

medicated lotion/shampoo/tissues
medication /med.ke. n/ noun [ C or U ]

a medicine, or a set of medicines or drugs used to improve a particular condition or illness

He is currently on/taking medication for his heart.
In the study, patients were taken off their usual medications.
-numb /nm/ adjective

1. If a part of your body is numb, you are unable to feel it, usually for a short time
I had been lying awkwardly and my leg had gone numb.
My fingers were numb with cold.
2. not able to feel any emotions or to think clearly, because you are so shocked or frightened, etc
When she first heard the news, she was numb with disbelief.
Ever since his girlfriend left him he has felt numb.
numb /nm/ verb [ T ]

to make something or someone feel numb

 The extreme cold numbed her face and hands.
The children are still numbed by their father's death.
-osteopath /s.ti. .p/ /.sti.o-/ noun [ C ]

a person who is trained to treat injuries to bones and muscles using pressure and
movement
osteopathy /s.tip..i/ /.sti.p-/ noun [ U ]

the treatment of injuries to bones and muscles using pressure and movement
osteoporosis /s.ti..pr.ss/ /.sti.o.pro-/ noun [ U ]

a disease which causes the bones to become weaker and easily broken
Osteoporosis afflicts many older women.
-pat /pt/ verb [ T ] -tt-

to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat
He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
I bent down to pat the little puppy.
pat sb on the back
to praise someone for doing something good
pat /pt/ noun [ C ] TOUCH

1. when you pat a person or animal

I gave the little boy a pat on the head.
pat /pt/ noun [ C ] PIECE

2. a small flat piece, especially of butter

-posture /ps.t r / /ps.t/ noun POSITION OF BODY

1. [ C or U ] the way in which someone usually holds their shoulders, neck and back, or a particular position in
which someone stands, sits, etc
She's got very good/bad posture.
He always adopts/assumes (= moves into) the same posture for the cameras.
posture /ps.t r / /ps.t/ noun OPINION

2. [ C usually singular ] a way in which a government or other organization thinks about and/or deals with a
particular matter
For the third time this week the opposition has attacked the government's posture on defence.
The tone of the feminist speakers suggested they were adopting a rather defensive posture.
-proliferate /prlf. r.et/ /-.ret/ verb [ I ] FORMAL
 to increase a lot and suddenly in number
Small businesses have proliferated in the last ten years.
proliferation /prlf. re. n/ /-re-/ noun [ U ]

The past two years have seen the proliferation of TV channels.

prolific /prlf.k/ adjective

producing a great number or amount of something

He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
Rabbits and other rodents are prolific (= have a lot of babies) .
-prominence /prm..nn t s/ /pr.m-/ noun [ U ]

the state of being easily seen or well known

Most of the papers give prominence to (= put in a noticeable position) the same story this
morning.
It's the first time that a lawyer of such prominence (= fame and importance) has been
given the freedom to air his views on TV.
Elton was one of the comedians who came to/rose to/gained prominence in the 1980s.
prominent /prm..nnt/ /pr.m-/ adjective FAMOUS

1. very well known and important

a prominent Democrat
a prominent member of the Saudi royal family
The government should be playing a more prominent role in promoting human rights.
-putt /pt/ verb [ I or T ]

to hit a golf ball gently across an area of short and even grass towards or into a hole
Palmer putted the ball straight into the hole.
You need to use a special club for putting.
putt /pt/ noun [ C ]

a gentle hit across short grass which sends a ball towards or into a hole
She won the competition with an impressive six-metre putt.
putter /pt. r / /pt./ verb RELAX

1. [ I usually + adverb or preposition ] US ( UK potter ) to move about without hurrying

and in a relaxed and pleasant way
He really enjoys puttering around in the garden.
-quench /kwen t / verb [ T ]
 1. to satisfy your thirst by having a drink
When it's hot, it's best to quench your thirst with water.
2. LITERARY to cause a fire to stop burning with water
The flames were quenched by heavy rain.
3. to satisfy a need or wish
Her thirst for knowledge will never be quenched.
querulous /kwer. j .ls/ adjective

often complaining, especially in a weak high voice

He became increasingly dissatisfied and querulous in his old age.
-rehearse /rhs/ /-hs/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to practise a play, a piece of music, etc. in order to prepare it for public

performance
The musicians rehearsed (the symphony) for the concert.
FIGURATIVE On her way to her interview she silently rehearsed what she would say.
2. [ T ] FORMAL When someone rehearses a story or an argument, they repeat it with all the
details
These are arguments that I've heard rehearsed at meetings many times before.
rehouse /rihaz/ verb [ T ]

to move someone to a new and usually better place to live

The local residents demanded to be rehoused.
-renown /rnan/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

the state of being famous

a woman of great renown
Her renown spread across the country.
renowned /rnand/ adjective

famous for something

The region is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
Marco Polo is a renowned explorer/is renowned as an explorer.
-rib /rb/ noun BONE

1. [ C ] a bone that curves round from your back to your chest

My son broke a rib when he fell off a ladder.
See picture skeleton
2. [ C or U ] a piece of meat taken from this part of an animal
 He cooked rib of lamb for Sunday lunch.
See also spare ribs
3. [ C ] one of the curved pieces of metal or wood which support the structure of a boat or roof
rib /rb/ noun PATTERN

4. [ U ] a method of knitting that makes a pattern of raised parallel lines

See also ribbed
-poke/dig sb in the ribs

to push your finger quickly into someone's chest, usually to make them notice something or
to stop them from doing or saying something
rib /rb/ verb [ T ] -bb- INFORMAL

to joke and laugh at someone in a friendly way about something

His brothers ribbed him about his new girlfriend.
See also ribbing
ribald /rb. ld/ , /ra.b ld/ /ra.bld/ adjective OLD-FASHIONED

describes language that refers to sex in a rude but humorous way

He entertained us with ribald stories.
-rub /rb/ verb [ I or T ] -bb-

to press or be pressed against something with a circular or up and down repeated movement
She yawned and rubbed her eyes sleepily.
He rubbed (at) the stain on his trousers and made it worse.
We rubbed some polish into the surface of the wood.
She gently rubbed the ointment in .
First rub the baking tray well with butter.
[ + object + adjective ] Alice rubbed the blackboard clean for the teacher.
Your cat keeps on rubbing itself ( up ) against my leg.
She was rubbing her hands (together) at the thought of winning.
The branches rubbed against each other in the wind.
The chair legs have rubbed holes in the carpet.
My new shoes are rubbing ( against/on my toe) and now I've got blisters.
These marks will never rub off (= be cleaned off) .
Alice rubbed the sums off (= cleaned them off) the blackboard for the teacher.
-sacrifice /sk.r.fas/ verb GIVE UP

1. [ T ] to give up something that is valuable to you in order to help another person

Many women sacrifice interesting careers for their family.
sacrifice /sk.r.fas/ verb KILL

2. [ I or T ] to kill an animal or a person and offer them to a god or gods

-scroll /skrl/ /skrol/ noun [ C ]

1. a long roll of paper or similar material with usually official writing on it

The ancient Egyptians stored information on scrolls.
2. a decoration that looks like a roll of paper
The tops of the marble pillars were decorated with scrolls.
scroll /skrl/ /skrol/ verb [ I usually + adv/prep ]

to move text or other information on a computer screen in order to view a different part of it
Scroll to the end of the document.
-shove /v/ verb PUSH

1. [ I or T ] to push someone or something forcefully

She was jostled and shoved by an angry crowd as she left the court.
Just wait your turn - there's no need to shove.
Reporters pushed and shoved as they tried to get close to the princess.
shove /v/ verb PUT

2. [ T + adverb or preposition ] INFORMAL to put something somewhere in a hurried or careless way

I'll just shove this laundry in the washer before we go out.
"Where should I put this suitcase?" "Shove it down there for the moment."
They can't just shove motorways anywhere they like, you know.
-slender /slen.d r / /-d/ adjective

1. thin and delicate, often in a way that is attractive

He put his hands around her slender waist.
The plant's leaves are long and slender.
2. small in amount or degree
a man of slender means (= without much money)
The chances of settling this dispute through talks seem increasingly slender.
-spine /span/ noun [ C ] BONE

1. the line of bones down the centre of the back that provides support for the body and protects the spinal cord
She injured her spine in a riding accident.
FIGURATIVE The Apennine mountains form the spine (= central row of mountains) of Italy.
See pictures spine , back , skeleton
spine /span/ noun [ C ] POINT
 2. a long sharp point like a needle growing out of an animal such as a hedgehog or a plant such as a cactus
See picture spine
spine /span/ noun [ C ] BOOK PART

3. the narrow strip where the cover of a book is joined to the pages, usually with the title and writer's name printed
on it
See picture spine
-spit /spt/ verb spitting , spat or US ALSO spit , spat or US ALSO spit FORCE OUT

1. [ I or T ] to force out the contents of the mouth, especially saliva

Bob Ewell spat contemptuously right in the lawyer's face.
He spat the meat out in disgust.
They bought watermelons and ate them as they walked, spitting out the seeds.
2. [ I or T ] LITERARY to say or shout words quickly and angrily
[ + speech ] 'Get out!' she spat, when Ace appeared in the doorway.
3. [ I ] If something hot, such as a fire, spits, it produces short sharp noises and throws out little pieces.
-spontaneous /spnte.ni.s/ /spn-/ adjective

happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced
His jokes seemed spontaneous, but were in fact carefully prepared beforehand.
APPROVING She's such a spontaneous, lively woman.
spontaneity /spn.tne..ti/ /spn.tne..ti/ noun [ U ] APPROVING

The script has a refreshing spontaneity and sparkle.

spontaneously /spnte.ni..sli/ /spn-/ adverb

The liquid spontaneously ignited.

-stiff /stf/ adjective FIRM

1. firm or hard
stiff cardboard
a stiff collar
His clothes were stiff with dried mud.
This hair spray has made my hair stiff.
Mix the powder and water into a stiff paste.
2. not easily bent or moved
The handle on this door is rather stiff.
The man's body was (as) stiff as a board when it was found in the snow.
3. If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff, your muscles hurt when they are moved
Sitting still at a computer terminal all day can give you a stiff neck.
-strenuous /stren.ju.s/ adjective

needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy

He rarely does anything more strenuous than changing the channels on the television.
His doctor advised him not to take any strenuous exercise .
Strenuous efforts were made throughout the war to disguise the scale of civilian casualties.
strenuously /stren.ju..sli/ adverb

He strenuously denies all the allegations against him.

Most local residents strenuously object to the building proposals.
-thrill /rl/ noun [ C ]

a feeling of extreme excitement, usually caused by something pleasant

the thrill of winning a competition
So why do people still go hunting - is it the thrill of the chase?
It gave me a real thrill to see her again after so many years.
The video shows the thrills and spills (= excitement and accidents) of motor racing.
thrill /rl/ verb [ I or T ]

to make someone feel very excited and pleased

Ballesteros thrilled the golf world with his performance.
-toenail /t.nel/ /to-/ noun [ C ]

the hard slightly curved part that covers and protects the end of a toe
She was cutting/painting her toenails.
See picture nail
toerag /t.rg/ /to-/ noun [ C ] UK INFORMAL

an extremely unpleasant person

toff /tf/ /tf/ noun [ C ] UK OLD-FASHIONED

a rich person from a high social class

Gone are the days when champagne-drinking was just for toffs.
toffee /tf.i/ /t.fi/ noun [ C or U ]

a hard, chewy , often brown sweet that is made from sugar boiled with butter
-ubiquitous /jubk.w.ts/ /-w.ts/ adjective FORMAL OR HUMOROUS

seeming to be in all places

Leather is very much in fashion this season, as of course is the ubiquitous denim.
 The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the ubiquitous
spread of English.
The radio, that most ubiquitous of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to enter a new
age.
ubiquitously /jubk.w.t.sli/ /-w.t-/ adverb

ubiquity /jubk.w.ti/ /-w.ti/ noun [ U ] FORMAL

when something or someone seems to be everywhere

the ubiquity of fast-food outlets
-worship /w.p/ /w-/ verb -pp- or US ALSO -p- RELIGION

1. [ T ] to have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God or a god
In the various regions of India, Hindus worship different gods and observe different religious festivals.
2. [ I ] to go to a religious ceremony
They work for the same company, socialise together and worship in the same mosque.
The poll showed that over 40% of Americans worship on a weekly basis.
worship /w.p/ /w-/ verb -pp- or US ALSO -p- ADMIRE

3. [ T ] to love, respect and admire someone or something very much, often without noticing their bad qualities
Her parents worship her.
As a child, I worshipped my older brother.
-wrist /rst/ noun [ C ]

the part of the body between the hand and the arm
I sprained my wrist playing squash.
See picture hand 1
wristband /rst.bnd/ noun [ C ]

1. a piece of material which goes around the wrist (= the part of your body between your
hand and your arm) , for example to hold a watch
2. a band that people wear around their wrists to show that they support a particular
organization or idea
wristwatch /rs t .wt/ /-wt/ noun [ C ]

a watch that is worn on the wrist

-annex /neks/ verb [ T ]

to take possession of an area of land or a country, usually by force or without permission

Britain annexed this small island west of Scotland in 1955.
 annexation /n.ekse. n/ noun [ C or U ]

annexe UK , US annex /n.ks/ noun [ C ]

an extra building added to a larger building

Delicate and valuable books are kept in an air-conditioned annexe to the main library.
-appal -ll- , US USUALLY appall /pl/ /-pl/ verb [ T ]

to make someone have strong feelings of shock or of disapproval

I was appalled at/by the lack of staff in the hospital.
The state of the kitchen appalled her.
appalled /pld/ /-pld/ adjective

an appalled silence/fascination
appalling /p.l/ /-p-/ adjective

1. shocking and very bad

appalling injuries
Prisoners were kept in the most appalling conditions.
2. very bad
appalling weather
The journey home was appalling.
-autonomous /tn..ms/ /t.n-/ adjective

independent and having the power to make your own decisions

an autonomous region/province/republic/council
autonomy /tn..mi/ /t.n-/ noun [ U ]

the right of a group of people to govern itself, or to organize its own activities
Demonstrators demanded immediate autonomy for their region.
The universities are anxious to preserve their autonomy from central government.
-blaze /blez/ verb [ I ]

1. to burn brightly and strongly

The sun was blazing down that afternoon.
2. LITERARY to be brightly lit or full of colour
Isaac's eyes suddenly blazed with anger.
blaze a trail
to do something that has never been done before
Elvis Presley blazed a trail in pop music.
-bloodthirsty /bld.sti/ /--/ adjective
 eager to see or take part in violence and killing
a bloodthirsty killer
blood ties plural noun

the relationships that exist by birth rather than through marriage

blood trans fusion noun [ C ]

a process in which blood that has been taken from one person is put into another person's
body, especially after an accident or during an operation
blood type noun [ C ] ( UK ALSO blood group )

one of the groups that human blood is divided into

a rare/common blood type
-burette /bjret/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a glass tube with measurements printed on it and with a small tap at the base, used for
adding a measured quantity of liquid into something
burgeoning /b.d n./ /b-/ adjective

developing quickly
The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning communications industry.
burgeon /b.d n/ /b-/ verb [ I ] LITERARY

to develop or grow quickly

Love burgeoned between them.
-carve /kv/ /krv/ verb [ I or T ]

1. to make something by cutting into especially wood or stone, or to cut into the surface of stone, wood, etc.
This totem pole is carved from/out of a single tree trunk.
He carved her name on a tree.
Some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural, some were carved out (= cut into the rock) by soldiers for defensive
purposes.
2. to cut thin pieces from a large piece of cooked meat
Would you like me to carve (the chicken)?
-comprise /kmpraz/ verb [ T L only + noun not continuous ] FORMAL

to have as parts or members, or to be those parts or members

The course comprises a class book, a practice book and an audio tape.
The class is comprised mainly of Italian and French students.
Italian students comprise 60% of the class.
compromise /km.pr.maz/ /km-/ noun [ C or U ]

an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change
their opinion in order to agree
It is hoped that a compromise will be reached in today's talks.
In a compromise between management and unions, a 4% pay rise was agreed in return
for an increase in productivity.
-depict /dpkt/ verb [ T ]

to represent or show something in a picture or story

Her paintings depict the lives of ordinary people in the last century.
In the book, he depicts his father as a tyrant.
[ + -ing verb ] People were shocked by the advertisement which depicted a woman beat
ing her husband.
depiction /dpk. n/ noun [ C or U ]

the way that something is represented or shown

The painter's depictions of the horror of war won her a worldwide reputation.
I disapprove of the depiction of violence on television.
-dialect /da..lekt/ noun [ C or U ]

a form of a language that people speak in a particular part of a country, containing some
different words and grammar, etc.
a regional dialect
The poem is written in northern dialect.
dialectic /da.lek.tk/ noun [ U ] ( ALSO dialectics ) SPECIALIZED

a way of discovering what is true by considering opposite theories

-dock /dk/ /dk/ noun FOR SHIPS

1. [ C ] an area of water in a port that can be closed off and that is used for putting goods onto and taking them off
ships or repairing ships
Compare harbour
2. docks
[ plural ] a group of these areas of water in a port and the buildings around them
The strike has led to the cancellation of some ferry services and left hundreds of passengers stranded at the docks.
3. [ C ] US a long platform built over water where passengers can get on or off a boat or where goods can be put
on and taken off
dock /dk/ /dk/ noun LAW
 4. the dock MAINLY UK
the place in a criminal law court where the accused person sits or stands during the trial
The defendant seemed nervous as he left the dock and stepped up to the witness box.

The company will find itself in the dock (= in court) if it continues to ignore the pollution regulations.
-embodiment /mbd..mnt/ /-b.d-/ noun

the embodiment of sth

someone or something that represents a quality or an idea exactly
He was the embodiment of the English gentleman.
She was portrayed in the papers as the embodiment of evil.
embody /mbd.i/ /-b.di/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

1. to represent a quality or an idea exactly

She embodied good sportsmanship on the playing field.
2. to include as part of something
Kennett embodied in one man an unusual range of science, music and religion.
-exotic /gzt.k/ /-z.tk/ adjective

unusual and often exciting because of coming (or seeming to come) from a far, especially
tropical country
exotic flowers/food/designs
exotically adverb
exotically dressed dancers
exoticism /gzt..s.z m/ /-z.t-/ noun [ U ]

exotica /gzt..k/ /-z.t-/ plural noun

unusual objects, often ones that have come from a far country
Collectors of eighteenth century exotica are our main customers.
-exquisite /kskwz.t/ adjective BEAUTIFUL

1. very beautiful; delicate

an exquisite piece of china
Look at this exquisite painting
She has exquisite taste.
exquisite /kskwz.t/ adjective SHARP

2. LITERARY describes feelings such as pleasure or pain that are extremely strong, or qualities that are extremely
good; great
exquisite joy
 The pain was quite exquisite.
a vase of exquisite workmanship
A good comedian needs to have an exquisite sense of timing.
exquisitely /kskwz.t.li/ adverb

Their house is exquisitely (= beautifully) furnished.

an exquisitely painful disease
-far-flung /ffl/ /fr-/ adjective LITERARY

describes places that are a great distance away, or something that is spread over a very
large area
The news spread to all corners of our far-flung empire.
far-gone /fgn/ /frgn/ adjective INFORMAL

very drunk, ill, or in some other advanced and bad state

He was so far-gone that he could hardly walk.
-fertile /f.tal/ /f.t l/ adjective LAND

1. describes land that can produce a large number of good quality crops
Compare barren
fertile /f.tal/ /f.t l/ adjective PEOPLE/ANIMALS/PLANTS

2. describes animals or plants that are able to produce (a lot of) young or fruit
People get less fertile as they get older.
Opposite infertile
3. describes a seed or egg that is able to develop into a new plant or animal
-fling /fl/ verb flung , flung THROW

1. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to throw something or someone suddenly and with a lot of force
He crumpled up the letter and flung it into the fire.
"And you can take your ring back too!" she cried, flinging it down on the table.
INFORMAL Could you fling the paper over here (= give me the paper) ?
fling /fl/ verb flung , flung MOVE/DO

2. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to move or do something quickly and energetically

She flung her arms around his neck.
The door was flung open by the wind.
Sergei flung himself down on the sofa.
INFORMAL Let me just fling (= quickly put) a few things into my bag, and I'll be right with you.
INFORMAL They were flung (= quickly put) in prison.
-fling /fl/ verb flung , flung SAY ANGRILY

3. [ I or T usually + adverb or preposition ] to say something angrily

They were flinging bitter accusations at each other.
[ + speech ] "I don't care what you think", she flung (back) at him.
fling up your hands
to show that you are very shocked or frightened
They flung up their hands in horror at the cost of the trip.
fling yourself at sb phrasal verb [ R ] INFORMAL DISAPPROVING
to make it very obvious to someone that you want to have a sexual relationship with them
fling yourself into sth phrasal verb [ R ]
to do something with a lot of enthusiasm
Tom has really flung himself into his work this year.
fling sth on/off phrasal verb [ M ]
to quickly put on/remove something, especially a piece of clothing
We were so hot we flung off our clothes and dived into the swimming pool.
fling sth/sb out phrasal verb [ M ] MAINLY UK INFORMAL
to get rid of something you do not want, or to make someone leave a place when they do not want to
I think it's about time we flung out these old magazines.
They were flung out of the pub for fighting.
fling /fl/ noun [ C usually singular ] INFORMAL

a short period of enjoyment

The students are having a final/last fling before they leave university and start work.
-lib /glb/ adjective glibber , glibbest

speaking or spoken in a confident way, but without careful thought or honesty

He's a glib, self-centred man.
No one was convinced by his glib answers/explanations .
-gorgeous /g.ds/ /gr-/ adjective

very beautiful or pleasant

What a gorgeous room/dress/colour!
The bride looked gorgeous.
The weather was so gorgeous.
gorgeously /g.d.sli/ /gr-/ adverb

She's always gorgeously dressed.

gorgeousness /g.d.sns/ /gr-/ noun [ U ]
gorgon /g.gn/ /gr-/ noun [ C ] INFORMAL

a woman whose appearance and behaviour causes fear

Our teacher is a real gorgon!
-granite /grn.t/ noun [ U ]

a very hard, grey, pink and black rock, which is used for building
granny , grannie /grn.i/ noun [ C ]

INFORMAL FOR grandmother

granny , grannie /grn.i/ adjective UK INFORMAL

used of something that you wear, to mean having a style like those worn by old women
granny glasses/shoes
granny flat noun [ C ] UK

a set of rooms, often connected to or part of a relation's house, in which an old person lives
-harsh /h/ /hr/ adjective UNKIND

1. unpleasant, unkind, cruel or unnecessarily severe

harsh criticism
The children had had a harsh upbringing.
We thought the punishment was rather harsh for such a minor offence.
"There is no alternative, " she said in a harsh voice.
He said some harsh words (= spoke unkindly) about his brother.
harsh /h/ /hr/ adjective TOO STRONG

2. too strong, bright, loud, etc

harsh chemicals/lighting
harshly /h.li/ /hr-/ adverb

I thought she'd been treated rather harshly.

-haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ verb [ T ] REPEATEDLY TROUBLE

1. to cause repeated suffering or anxiety

Fighting in Vietnam was an experience that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Thirty years after the fire he is still haunted by images of death and destruction.
haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ verb [ T ] SPIRIT

2. (of a ghost ) to appear in a place repeatedly

A ghostly lady is said to haunt the stairway looking for her children.
haunt /hnt/ /hnt/ noun [ C ]
 a place often visited
This pub used to be one of your old haunts, didn't it Jim?
-hay /he/ noun [ U ]

grass which is cut, dried and used as animal food or as covering material
Make hay while the sun shines. SAYING
said to mean that you should make good use of an opportunity while it lasts
hay fever noun [ U ]

an illness like a cold, caused by pollen

She gets really bad hay fever.
hay fever sufferers
haystack /he.stk/ noun [ C ]

a large tall pile of hay in a field

haywire /he.wa r / /-war/ adjective INFORMAL

go haywire
to stop working, often in a way that is very sudden and noticeable
The television's gone haywire.
hazard /hz.d/ /-d/ noun [ C ]

something that is dangerous and likely to cause damage

a health/fire hazard
The busy traffic entrance was a hazard to pedestrians.
-hazard /hz.d/ /-d/ verb [ T ]

1. to risk doing something, especially making a guess, suggestion, etc

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess .
2. FORMAL to risk doing something which might cause harm to someone or something else
The policy hazarded the islands and put the lives of the inhabitants at risk.
hazardous /hz..ds/ /--/ adjective

dangerous
a hazardous journey/occupation
-impeccable /mpek..bl/ adjective

perfect, with no problems or bad parts

impeccable taste/manners/credentials
His English is impeccable.
 impeccably /mpek..bli/ adverb

She was impeccably dressed.

impecunious /m.pkju.ni.s/ adjective FORMAL

having very little money; poor

I first knew him as an impecunious student living in a tiny bedsit.
impede /mpid/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to slow down or cause problems for the achievement or finishing of something

-lace /les/ noun MATERIAL

1. [ U ] a decorative cloth which is made by weaving thin thread in delicate patterns with holes in them
lace curtains
lace /les/ noun STRING

2. [ C usually plural ] a string which you use to fasten openings, especially in shoes, by putting it through two
lines of small holes and tying the ends together
Your shoe laces are undone.
lace /les/ verb [ T ] ADD ALCOHOL

1. to add alcohol or drugs to food or drink, often secretly

coffee laced with brandy
lace /les/ verb [ T ] STRING

2. to put the lace of a shoe or boot through its holes, or to fasten a shoe or boot by tying a lace
lace sth up phrasal verb [ M ]
to fasten shoes, boots or a piece of clothing by tying the laces
She can lace up her shoes and she's only five!
lace-up shoes
latter /lt. r / /lt./ adjective [ before noun ]

near or towards the end of something

Building of the new library should begin in the latter part of next year.
In the latter stages of the fight he began to tire.
latter /lt. r / /lt./ noun [ S ]

1. the latter
the second of two people, things or groups previously mentioned
She offered me more money or a car and I chose the latter.
Compare the former
2. NOT STANDARD the last of more than two people, things or groups previously mentioned
latter-day /lt..de/ /lt.-/ adjective [ before noun ]
 describes a person or thing that is similar to someone or something that existed in the past
the evil actions of a latter-day Caligula
latterly /lt..li/ /lt.-/ adverb FORMAL

recently
Latterly, her concentration hasn't been so good.
lattice /lt.s/ /lt-/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO latticework )

a structure made from strips of wood or other material which cross over each other with
spaces between
-nifty /nf.ti/ adjective INFORMAL

good, pleasing or effective

a nifty piece of work/footwork
a nifty little gadget
-obscure /bskj r / /-skjr/ adjective NOT KNOWN

1. not known to many people

an obscure island in the Pacific
an obscure 12th-century mystic
obscure /bskj r / /-skjr/ adjective NOT CLEAR

2. not clear and difficult to understand or see

Official policy has changed, for reasons that remain obscure.
His answers were obscure and confusing.
obscure /bskj r / /-skjr/ verb [ T ]

1. to prevent something from being seen or heard

Two new skyscrapers had sprung up, obscuring the view from her window.
The sun was obscured by clouds.
-obscurity /bskj.r.ti/ /-skjr..ti/ noun [ U ] NOT KNOWN

1. when someone or something is not known to many people

He was briefly famous in his twenties but then sank into obscurity.
He rose from relative obscurity to worldwide recognition.
obscurity /bskj.r.ti/ /-skjr..ti/ noun [ U ] NOT CLEAR

2. when something is not clear and difficult to understand or see

The story is convoluted and opaque, often to the point of total obscurity.
obsequious /bsi.kwi.s/ adjective FORMAL DISAPPROVING

too eager to praise or obey someone

 She is almost embarrassingly obsequious to anyone in authority.
-ostrich /s.trt/ /.strt/ noun [ C ] BIRD

ostrich
1. a very large bird from Africa which cannot fly
The ostrich is the fastest animal on two legs.
ostrich /s.trt/ /.strt/ noun [ C ] PERSON

2. INFORMAL someone who says that a problem does not exist, because they do not want to deal with it
If you're an ostrich about your debts, you're only going to make matters worse: it would be much better to take
your head out of the sand and face facts, however unpleasant.
-philatelist /flt. l.st/ /-lt-/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED

a person who collects or studies stamps and postal history

philately /flt. l.i/ /-lt-/ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

the collecting and study of stamps and postal history as a hobby

-phile /-fal/ /-fl/ suffix

someone who enjoys a particular thing or has it as a hobby, or who likes a particular place
A bibliophile likes books and an oenophile enjoys wine.
An Anglophile likes England or Britain.
-plain /plen/ adjective WITH NOTHING ADDED

1. not decorated in any way; with nothing added

She wore a plain black dress.
We've chosen a plain carpet (= one without a pattern) and patterned curtains.
He prefers plain food - nothing too fancy.
We're having plain blue walls in the dining room.
a catalogue sent in a plain brown envelope
a plain style of architecture
plain (= with no added fruit or sugar) yoghurt
2. plain paper
paper which has no lines on it
a letter written on plain paper
plain /plen/ adjective CLEAR

3. obvious and clear to understand

It 's quite plain that they don't want to speak to us.
The reason is perfectly plain.
 I made it quite plain (that) (= explained clearly that) I wasn't interested.
-raindrop /ren.drp/ /-drp/ noun [ C ]

a single drop of rain

rainfall /ren.fl/ /-fl/ noun [ U ]

rain, or the amount of rain that falls

Heavy rainfall ruined the match.
The average annual rainfall in this region: 750 mm.
rainforest MAINLY UK , MAINLY US rain forest /ren.fr.st/ /-fr-/ noun [ C or U ]

a forest in a tropical area which receives a lot of rain

a tropical rainforest
-reef /rif/ noun [ C ]

a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to
ships
a dangerous offshore reef
a coral reef
See picture reef
reefer /ri.f r / /-f/ noun [ C ] CIGARETTE

1. OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL a cigarette that you roll yourself containing the drug cannabis
reefer /ri.f r / /-f/ noun [ C ] JACKET

2. ( ALSO reefer jacket ) a jacket made of thick material and often worn by sailors
reef knot noun [ C ] ( US ALSO square knot )

a type of strong knot that is tied twice and cannot easily be unfastened
reek /rik/ verb [ I ] INFORMAL

to have a strong unpleasant smell

Her breath reeked of garlic.
-ripen /ra.p n/ verb

1. [ I or T ] to (cause to) become ripe

The summer sunshine ripened the melons.
These melons are ripening nicely.
2. [ I ] to develop to a suitable condition for something to happen
My plans are ripening - now all I need is official approval.
-dune /djun/ /dun/ noun [ C ]
 a small hill of sand near a beach or in a desert
dung /d/ noun [ U ]

solid waste from animals, especially cattle and horses; manure

dungarees /d.griz/ plural noun

1. UK ( US overalls ) a pair of trousers with an extra piece of cloth that covers the chest
and is held in place by a strap over each shoulder
See picture clothes 2
2. US OLD-FASHIONED trousers made of denim (= strong blue cotton cloth)
-scrabble /skrb.l/ verb [ I + adv/prep ]

1. to use your fingers to quickly find something that you cannot see
He was scrabbling about in the sand searching for the ring.
2. to try to get something quickly that is not easily available
The government is scrabbling around for ways to raise revenue without putting up taxes.
3. INFORMAL to climb quickly and without care
Paul scrabbled up the cliff, dislodging several small stones.
We were scrabbling over the rocks as fast as we could.
Scrabble /skrb.l/ noun [ U ] TRADEMARK

a game played on a board covered in squares in which players win points by creating words
from letters with different values and connecting these words with ones already on the board
-snorkel /sn.k l/ /snr-/ noun [ C ]

a tube that you hold in your mouth to help you breathe if you are swimming with your face
under water
snorkelling UK , US snorkeling /sn.k l./ /snr-/ noun [ U ]

the activity of swimming while using a snorkel

We went snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef.
snort /snt/ /snrt/ verb

1. [ I ] to make an explosive sound by forcing air quickly up or down the nose

He did an impression of a horse snorting.
Camille snorts when she laughs.
INFORMAL By this time I was snorting with laughter (= laughing a lot and loudly) .
-stripe /strap/ noun [ C ] COLOURED STRIP

1. a strip on the surface of something which is a different colour from the surrounding surface
 The zebra is a wild African horse with black and white stripes.
See picture stripe
stripe /strap/ noun [ C ] ON UNIFORM

2. ( US ALSO bar ) a strip of material that is sewn onto the arm of a military uniform to show the rank of the
person wearing it
By the age of 25 he'd already got his third stripe and become a sergeant.
See picture bar
-sunstroke /sn.strk/ /-strok/ noun [ U ]

an illness caused by spending too much time in strong heat and light from the sun
Someone who is suffering from sunstroke feels dizzy and has a high temperature, but does
not sweat.
suntan /sn.tn/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO tan )

when your skin has turned darker because you have been in the sun
She's on the beach all day, trying to get a really deep suntan.
Compare sunburn
-syndrome /sn.dr m/ /-drom/ noun

1. [ C ] a combination of medical problems that commonly go together, which might show the existence of a
particular disease or mental condition
See also Down's syndrome
2. [ U ] used in the names of various illnesses
irritable bowel syndrome
3. [ C ] a type of negative behaviour or mental state that is typical of a person in a particular situation
It's a classic case of the bored-housewife syndrome - she's got nothing to do all day except drink and go shopping.
-terrace /ter.s/ noun GROUND

1. [ C ] a flat raised area

2. a flat area of stone or grass outside a house, where people sit and sometimes eat
3. one of several narrow strips of land which are built like steps on the slope of a hill and which are used for
growing crops on
4. the terraces UK SPECIALIZED
wide steps on which people stand to watch a football match
terrace /ter.s/ noun HOUSE

5. [ C ] UK ( US row ) a row of often small houses joined together along their side walls
See picture houses and homes
-thatch /t/ verb [ T ]
 to make a roof for a building with straw or reeds
thatched /tt/ adjective

They live in a thatched cottage /a cottage with a thatched roof .

See picture houses and homes
thatch /t/ noun [ U ]

1. straw or reeds used to make roofs

See picture thatch
2. thatch of hair
a mass of thick or untidy hair
-thrive /rav/ verb [ I ] thrived or US ALSO throve , thrived or US ALSO thriven

to grow, develop or be successful

His business thrived in the years before the war.
She seems to thrive on stress.
-untapped /ntpt/ adjective

If a supply of something valuable is untapped, it is not yet used or taken advantage of

untapped assets/resources/markets/talent
untenable /nten..bl/ adjective FORMAL

1. describes a theory or argument that cannot be supported or defended against criticism

2. describes a situation that cannot continue as it is
If three people in four no longer support the government, isn't this an untenable situation?
-windswept /wn d .swept/ adjective

(of places) open to and not protected from strong winds, or (of people) having hair that is
untidy because it has been blown in different directions by the wind
We drove down to the windswept Atlantic coast of Portugal.
windswept hair
wind tunnel noun [ C usually singular ]

a closed passage or room through which currents of air are forced in order to study the
effects of moving air on aircraft and other vehicles
wind turbine noun [ C ]

a tall structure with blades that are blown round by the wind and produce power to make
electricity
-antiquated /n.t.kwe.td/ /-t.kwe.td/ adjective
 old-fashioned or unsuitable for modern society
It will take many years to modernise these antiquated industries.
Compared with modern satellite dishes, ordinary TV aerials look positively antiquated.
antiquated ideas/attitudes/values
antiquated laws/machinery/technology
antique /ntik/ noun [ C ]

something made in an earlier period and collected and valued because it is beautiful, rare,
old or of high quality
You can't give away Granny's old bookcase - it's a valuable antique.
My mother collects antiques
-biased , UK ALSO biassed /ba.st/ adjective

showing an unreasonable like or dislike for a person based on personal opinions

The newspapers gave a very biased report of the meeting.
I think she's beautiful but then I'm biased since she's my daughter.
Opposite unbiased
-bigot /bg.t/ noun [ C ] DISAPPROVING

a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs and who thinks that anyone who does not have the same beliefs is
wrong
a religious bigot
He was known to be a loud-mouthed, opinionated bigot.
bigoted /bg..td/ /-td/ adjective

She's so bigoted that she refuses to accept anyone who doesn't think like her.
-chestnut /tes t .nt/ noun

1. [ C ] a large shiny reddish-brown nut, or the tree on which the nuts grow
A man in the street was selling bags of roast chestnuts.
a 200-year-old chestnut tree
See also horse chestnut
2. [ C ] a reddish-brown horse
3. [ U ] a reddish-brown colour
-chronology /krnl..di/ /-n.l-/ noun [ C or U ]

the order in which a series of events happened, or a list or explanation of these events in the order in which they
happened
I'm not sure of the chronology of events.
-coy /k/ adjective SECRET

1. intentionally keeping something secret

She's very coy about her age.
coy /k/ adjective MODEST

2. (especially of women) being or pretending to be shy, modest or childish , or to have no confidence

She gave me a coy look from under her schoolgirl's fringe.
-dogged /dg.d/ /d.gd/ adjective

very determined to do something, even if it is very difficult

Her ambition and dogged determination ensured that she rose to the top of her profession.
doggedly /dg.d.li/ /d.gd-/ adverb

I kept at it, doggedly and patiently until finally I could skate.

-elastic /ls.tk/ adjective

1. describes material that is able to stretch and be returned to its original shape or size
A lot of sportswear is made of very elastic material.
2. able or likely to be changed
The project has only just started so any plans are still very elastic.
In this country, time is an elastic concept.
elastic /ls.tk/ noun [ U ]

a type of rubber that is able to stretch and be returned to its original shape or size
His trousers were held up with a piece of elastic.
-enormity /n.m.ti/ /-nr.m.ti/ noun SIZE

1. [ U ] very great size or importance

Nobody fully understands the enormity and complexity of the task of reviving the country's economy.
I don't think you realize the enormity of the problem.
enormity /n.m.ti/ /-nr.m.ti/ noun EVIL ACT

2. [ C or U ] FORMAL an extremely evil act or the quality of being extremely evil

-euphemism /ju.f.m.z m/ noun [ C or U ]

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

'Senior citizen' is a euphemism for 'old person'.
The article made so much use of euphemism that often its meaning was unclear.
-everlasting /ev.l.st/ /-ls.t/ adjective
 lasting forever or for a long time
I wish someone would invent an everlasting light bulb.
Their contributions to science have earned them an everlasting place in history.
evermore /ev.m r / /-mr/ adverb LITERARY

always in the future

Their name will live on for evermore.
-fatuous /ft.ju.s/ adjective FORMAL

stupid, not correct, or not carefully thought about

a fatuous idea
-flaw /fl/ /fl/ noun [ C ]

a fault, mistake or weakness, especially one that happens while something is being planned
or made, or which causes something not to be perfect
I returned the material because it had a flaw in it.
There's a fatal flaw in your reasoning.
This report is full of flaws.
a character flaw
flaw /fl/ /fl/ verb [ T ]

to cause something to be not perfect

A tiny mark flawed the otherwise perfect silk shirt.
flawed /fld/ /fld/ adjective

not perfect, or containing mistakes

Diamonds are still valuable, even when they are flawed.
His argument is deeply flawed.
flawed beauty
-frank /frk/ adjective

honest, sincere and telling the truth, even when this might be awkward or make other people uncomfortable
a full and frank discussion
There followed a frank exchange of views.
The magazine, which gives frank advice about sex and romance, is aimed at the teenage market.
To be perfectly frank with you, I don't think she's the woman for the job.
frank /frk/ verb [ T ]

to print a mark on a stamp so that the stamp cannot be used again, or to print a mark on an envelope to show that
the cost of sending it has been paid
-frenetic /frnet.k/ /-net-/ adjective

involving a lot of movement or activity; extremely active, excited or uncontrolled

After weeks of frenetic activity , the job was finally finished.
There was frenetic trading on the Stock Exchange yesterday.
-grieve /griv/ verb

1. [ I ] to feel or express great sadness, especially when someone dies

He is still grieving for/over his wife.
2. [ T ] FORMAL to make you feel sad and angry
[ + object + to infinitive ] It grieves me to see all this food going to waste.
grieving /gri.v/ adjective

feeling very sad because someone has died

grieving relatives
grievous /gri.vs/ adjective FORMAL

having very serious effects or causing great pain

Her death is a grievous loss to the whole of the community.
grievous wounds
-immaculate /mk.j.lt/ adjective APPROVING

1. perfectly clean or tidy

dressed in an immaculate white suit
an immaculate garden
2. perfect and without any mistakes
He gave an immaculate performance as the aging hero.
immaculately
-immense /men t s/ adjective

1. extremely large in size or degree

immense wealth/value
They spent an immense amount of time getting the engine into perfect condition.
2. SLANG extremely good
He's an immense goalkeeper.
immensely /men t .sli/ adverb

extremely
He was immensely popular in his day.
 She's an immensely talented young athlete.
-impeccable /mpek..bl/ adjective

perfect, with no problems or bad parts

impeccable taste/manners/credentials
His English is impeccable.
impeccably /mpek..bli/ adverb

She was impeccably dressed.

impecunious /m.pkju.ni.s/ adjective FORMAL

having very little money; poor

I first knew him as an impecunious student living in a tiny bedsit.
-introspective /n.trspek.tv/ adjective

examining and considering your own ideas, thoughts and feelings, instead of talking to
other people about them
She is famous for her introspective songs about failed relationships.
introspectively /n.trspek.tv.li/ adverb

introvert /n.tr.vt/ /-vt/ noun [ C ]

someone who is shy, quiet and unable to make friends easily

Compare extrovert
-relevant /rel..v nt/ adjective

1. connected with what is happening or being discussed

Education should be relevant to the child's needs.
For further information, please refer to the relevant leaflet.
The point is highly relevant to this discussion.
I'm sorry but your personal wishes are not relevant (= important) in this case.
Opposite irrelevant
2. correct or suitable for a particular purpose
plans to make schooling more relevant to life beyond school
-miraculous /mrk.j.ls/ adjective

very effective or surprising or difficult to believe

The diet promised miraculous weight-loss.
Well, you've made a miraculous recovery since last night!
miraculously /mrk.j.l.sli/ adverb
mirage /mr/ noun [ C ]

1. an image, produced by very hot air, of something which seems to be far away but does
not really exist
2. LITERARY a hope or wish that has no chance of being achieved
Electoral victory is just a distant mirage.
-mislead /mslid/ verb [ T ] misled , misled

to cause someone to believe something that is not true

He has admitted misleading the police about his movements on the night of the murder.
misleading /msli.d/ adjective

causing someone to believe something that is not true

misleading information/statements
Adverts must not create a misleading impression .
misleadingly
-officialdom /f. l.dm/ noun [ U ] DISAPPROVING

used to refer to those people who have a position of authority, especially in government,
usually when they are preventing you from doing what you want to do or are slow or not
effective
officialese /f. liz/ noun [ U ] US

the language often used in government documents which is formal and often difficult to
understand
-paralyse UK , US paralyze /pr. l.az/ /per-/ verb [ T ]

1. to cause a person, animal or part of the body to lose the ability to move or feel
The drug paralyses the nerves so that there is no feeling or movement in the legs.
2. to cause a person, group or organization to stop working or acting normally
A sudden snowstorm paralysed the city.
-penniless /pen.i.ls/ adjective

having no money
She fell in love with a penniless artist.
-petty /pet.i/ /pet-/ adjective DISAPPROVING

1. [ before noun ] not important and not worth giving attention to

Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
2. [ after noun ] complaining too much about things which are not important
 Don't be so petty!
pettiness /pet..ns/ /pet-/ noun [ U ]

It was the pettiness of their arguments that irritated her.

-pilgrim /pl.grm/ noun [ C ]

a person who makes a journey, which is often long and difficult, to a special place for
religious reasons
pilgrimage /pl.gr.md/ noun [ C or U ]

1. a special journey made by a pilgrim

Most Muslims try to make a pilgrimage/ go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their
life.
2. a journey to a place which is considered special, and which you visit to show your
respect
For many football fans, the national ground is a place of pilgrimage.
-prestigious /prest d .s/ adjective

very much respected and admired, usually because of being important

a prestigious literary award
a prestigious university
prestressed /pristrest/ adjective

describes concrete or a similar material that has been made stronger by having tightly
stretched wires put inside it
-racist /re.sst/ noun [ C ] ( UK OLD-FASHIONED racialist ) DISAPPROVING

someone who believes that other races are not as good as their own and therefore treats them unfairly
Two of the killers are known to be racists.
racist /re.sst/ adjective DISAPPROVING

believing that other races are not as good as your own and therefore treating them unfairly
He furiously denied being racist.
They were the victims of a vicious racist attack.
-raid /red/ noun [ C ]

1. a short sudden attack, usually by a small group of people

The commandos made/staged/carried out a daring raid ( on the enemy).
planes on a bombing raid
2. when people enter a place by force in order to steal from it
 Millions of dollars were stolen in a bank raid last night.
3. when the police enter a place suddenly in order to find someone or something
The drugs were found during a police raid on the house.
raid /red/ verb [ T ]

1. to attack a place suddenly

The nomads raided the enemy camp and captured over 100 camels.
2. to enter a place illegally and usually violently, and steal from it
The post office was raided late at night.
3. (of the police) to enter a place suddenly in order to find someone or something
Police officers from the organized crime branch have raided solicitors' offices in central London.
4. INFORMAL to take something from a place, usually secretly
I caught Toby raiding the fridge .
-rational /r. n. l/ adjective

showing clear thought or reason

He was too upset to be rational.
a rational course of action/argument/explanation
rationality /r. nl..ti/ /-.ti/ noun [ U ]

rationale /r.nl/ /-nl/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL

the reasons or intentions for a particular set of thoughts or actions

I don't understand the rationale behind the council's housing policy.
-recede /rsid/ verb [ I ]

to move further away into the distance, or to become less clear or less bright
As the boat picked up speed, the coastline receded into the distance until finally it became invisible.
The painful memories gradually receded in her mind.
-reverential /rev. ren t . l/ /-ren t -/ adjective FORMAL

caused by, or full of respect and admiration

He opened the ancient book with reverential care.
-sanctuary /sk.t.ri/ /-tu.er.i/ noun

1. [ C usually singular U ] protection or a safe place, especially for someone or something being chased or hunted
Illegal immigrants found/sought/took sanctuary in a local church.
The chapel became a sanctuary for the refugees.
FIGURATIVE If I want some peace and quiet, I take sanctuary in my study.
2. [ C ] a place where birds or animals can live and be protected, especially from hunters or dangerous conditions
 a wildlife/bird sanctuary
3. [ C ] the most holy part of a religious building
-scent /sent/ noun

1. [ C ] a pleasant natural smell

the scent of roses
2. [ C ] a smell produced by an animal which acts as a signal to other animals
The hounds had lost the scent of the fox near the river.
3. [ C or U ] a pleasant-smelling liquid that people put on their skin; perfume
a bottle of scent
-sigh /sa/ verb [ I ]

1. to breathe out slowly and noisily, expressing tiredness, sadness, pleasure, etc.
She sighed deeply and sat down.
[ + speech ] "I wish he was here, " she sighed (= she said with a sigh) .
2. If the wind sighs, it makes a long, soft sound as it moves through trees
I lay on my back, listening to the sound of the wind sighing in the trees.
sigh /sa/ noun [ C ]

a slow noisy breath

He leaned back in his seat with a sigh.
"Ah, you're here, " she said and heaved/let out/gave a sigh of relief .
-slippery /slp. r.i/ /--/ adjective

1. wet, smooth or oily so that it slides easily or causes something to slide

slippery soap
a slippery floor
The road was wet and slippery.
2. INFORMAL DISAPPROVING Someone who is slippery cannot be trusted
He's as slippery as an eel - you can never get a straight answer out of him.
He's a slippery customer (= person) , that Tim, I've never felt comfortable with him.
-sly /sla/ adjective slyer , slyest

1. deceiving people in a clever way in order to get what you want

He's a sly old devil - I wouldn't trust him with my money.
2. [ before noun ] seeming to know secrets
"You'll find out eventually," said Mary with a sly smile .
slyly /sla.li/ adverb

She grinned slyly and refused to tell me where the money came from.
-spin /spn/ verb spinning , spun , spun , UK ALSO span TURN

1. [ I or T ] to (cause to) turn around and around, especially fast

The Earth spins on its axis.
The roulette players silently watched the wheel spin around/round .
He was killed when his car hit a tree and spun off the road.
Spin the ball (= Make it turn around and around as you throw it) and it will change direction when it hits the
ground.
2. head/room spins
If your head or the room spins you feel as if it is turning around and around, and you cannot balance
The room started spinning and I felt faint.
-spin /spn/ verb spinning , spun , spun , UK ALSO span MAKE THREAD

3. [ I or T ] to make thread by twisting fibres , or to produce something using thread

The final stage of the production of cotton is when it is spun into thread.
Spiders spin webs.
spin /spn/ verb spinning , spun , spun , UK ALSO span

4. spin ( sb ) a story/tale/yarn
to tell a story, either to deceive someone or for entertainment
He spun some tale about needing to take time off work because his mother was ill.
[ + two objects ] They spun us a story about being in desperate need of money.
stigma /stg.m/ noun FEELING

1. [ C usually singular U ] when people disapprove of something, especially when this is

unfair
There is no longer any stigma to being divorced.
Being an unmarried mother no longer carries the social stigma that it used to.
stigma /stg.m/ noun FLOWER PART

2. [ C ] the top of the central female part of a flower, where pollen is received
stigmata /stg.m.t/ , /stgm-/ /stgm./ plural noun

marks that appear on a person's body in the same places as those made on Jesus Christ's
body when he was fastened to a cross with nails
-stretcher /stret. r / /-/ noun [ C ]

stretcher
a light frame made from two long poles with a cover of soft material stretched between them, used for carrying
people who are ill, injured or dead
 She was carried off the track on a stretcher.
-surreal /srl/ adjective

strange; not like reality; like a dream

Driving through the total darkness was a slightly surreal experience.
Buuel's films have a surreal quality.
Surrealism /sr.l.z m/ noun [ U ] SPECIALIZED

a type of 20th century art and literature in which unusual or impossible things are shown
happening
-swift /swft/ adjective

happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way
The local police took swift action against the squatters.
Thank you for your swift reply.
The gazelle is one of the swiftest and most graceful of animals.
-transact /trnzkt/ verb [ T ] FORMAL

to do and complete a business activity

The sale was transacted in conditions of the greatest secrecy.
transaction /trnzk. n/ noun [ C or U ]

when someone buys or sells something, or when money is exchanged

a business transaction
Each transaction at the foreign exchange counter seems to take forever.
We need to monitor the transaction of smaller deals.
-trivial /trv.i.l/ adjective

1. having little value or importance

I don't know why he gets so upset about something that is utterly trivial.
Sexual harassment in the workplace is not a trivial matter .
2. describes a problem that is easy to solve
Getting computers to understand human language is not a trivial problem.
triviality /trv.il..ti/ /-ti/ noun

1. [ C usually plural ] something that is not important

I'm a busy man - don't bother me with trivialities.
2. [ U ] state of not being important
The prison sentence seemed rather harsh, considering the triviality of the offence.
-wheelchair /wil.te r / /-ter/ noun [ C ]

a chair on wheels which people who are unable to walk use for moving around
He spent the last ten years of his life in a wheelchair after a fall which left him paralysed
from the waist down.
The building isn't designed very well from the point of view of wheelchair access.
wheel clamp noun [ C ] UK ( US (Denver) boot )

a metal device fixed to the wheel of an illegally parked car which will only be removed
when the owner pays an amount of money
I hope we're not going to find a wheel clamp on my car when we get back.
-winkle noun [ C ] ( US USUALLY periwinkle ) a small sea snail that can be eaten