15/8/20(princeton,tc,set-4,set-5) Flashcards
loath
ADJECTIVE
If you are loath to do something, you do not want to do it.
She is loath to give up her hard-earned liberty.
The new finance minister seems loth to cut income tax. [+ to-infinitive]
Synonyms: unwilling, against, opposed, counter
swindlers
VERB
If someone swindles a person or an organization, they deceive them in order to get something valuable from them, especially money.
A City businessman swindled investors out of millions of pounds. [V n + out of]
An oil executive swindled £250,000 out of his firm. [V n out of n]
Synonyms: cheat, do [slang], con, skin [slang] More Synonyms of swindle
Swindle is also a noun.
He was jailed for running a £4.5 million international investment swindle.
swindler
Word forms: plural swindlers
COUNTABLE NOUN
Swindlers have cheated investors out of £12 million.
Synonyms: cheat, fraud [informal], hustler [US, informal], conman or woman
pervasive
ADJECTIVE
Something, especially something bad, that is pervasive is present or felt throughout a place or thing.
[formal]
…the pervasive influence of the army in national life.
She lives with a pervasive sense of guilt.
Synonyms: widespread, general, common, extensive
sacrilegious
ADJECTIVE
If someone’s behaviour or actions are sacrilegious, they show great disrespect towards something holy or towards something that people think should be respected.
A number of churches were sacked and sacrilegious acts committed.
Synonyms: profane, irreverent, blasphemous, unholy
Philately
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Philately is the hobby of collecting and learning about postage stamps
numismatist
a person who studies or collects coins, medals, etc
philanderer
OUNTABLE NOUN
If you say that a man is a philanderer, you mean that he has a lot of casual sexual relationships.
[disapproval]
Synonyms: womanizer [informal], playboy, Don Juan, Casanova
stratagem
COUNTABLE NOUN
A stratagem is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular effect, often by deceiving people.
[formal]
Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.
Synonyms: trick, scheme, manoeuvre, plan
proboscis
NOUN
Word forms: plural -cises or -cides (-sɪˌdiːz, US English -skɪˌdiːz)
1. a long flexible prehensile trunk or snout, as of an elephant
2. the elongated mouthparts of certain insects, adapted for piercing or sucking food
3. any similar part or organ
4. informal, facetious
a person’s nose, esp if large
pugnacious
ADJECTIVE
Someone who is pugnacious is always ready to quarrel or start a fight.
[formal]
…the pugnacious little Scouse striker who terrorised defences across the North West in a prolific playing career.
Synonyms: aggressive, contentious, irritable, belligerent
pristine
DJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Pristine things are extremely clean or new. [formal] Now the house is in pristine condition. ...pristine white shirts. Synonyms: new, pure, virgin, immaculate
harbinger
COUNTABLE NOUN
Something that is a harbinger of something else, especially something bad, is a sign that it is going to happen.
[literary]
The November air stung my cheeks, a harbinger of winter. [+ of]
Synonyms: sign, indication, herald [literary], messenger
tarnish
- VERB
If you say that something tarnishes someone’s reputation or image, you mean that it causes people to have a worse opinion of them than they would otherwise have had.
The affair could tarnish the reputation of the prime minister. [VERB noun]
His image was tarnished by the savings and loan scandal. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: damage, taint, blacken, sully More Synonyms of tarnish
tarnished ADJECTIVE
He says he wants to improve the tarnished image of his country. - VERB
If a metal tarnishes or if something tarnishes it, it becomes stained and loses its brightness.
It never rusts or tarnishes. [VERB]
Wear cotton gloves when cleaning silver, because the acid in your skin can tarnish the metal. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: stain, dull, discolour, spot More Synonyms of tarnish
tarnished ADJECTIVE
…its brown surfaces of tarnished brass.
3. UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Tarnish is a substance which forms on the surface of some metals and which stains them or causes them to lose their brightness.
The tarnish lay thick on the inside of the ring.
Synonyms: stain, taint, discoloration, spot
peruse
VERB
If you peruse something such as a letter, article, or document, you read it.
[formal]
We perused the company’s financial statements for the past five years. [VERB noun]
She found the information while she was perusing a copy of Life magazine. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: read, study, scan, check
Papal
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Papal is used to describe things relating to the Pope.
…the doctrine of papal infallibility.
epithet
COUNTABLE NOUN
An epithet is an adjective or short phrase which is used as a way of criticizing or praising someone.
[formal]
…the religious issue which led to the epithet ‘bible-basher’.
Tenure
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Tenure is the legal right to live in a particular building or to use a particular piece of land during a fixed period of time.
Lack of security of tenure was a reason for many families becoming homeless.
Synonyms: occupancy, holding, occupation, residence More Synonyms of tenure - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Tenure is the period of time during which someone holds an important job.
…the three-year tenure of the President. [+ of]
He was in the middle of his tenure as Oxford Professor of Poetry and at the height of his fame.
Synonyms: term of office, term, incumbency, period in office More Synonyms of tenure - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you have tenure in your job, you have the right to keep it until you retire.
Junior staff have only a slim chance of getting tenure.
investiture
COUNTABLE NOUN
An investiture is a ceremony in which someone is given an official title.
…Edward VIII’s investiture as Prince of Wales in 1911.
Synonyms: installation, ordination, inauguration, investment
zenith
- SINGULAR NOUN [usually with poss]
The zenith of something is the time when it is most successful or powerful.
His career is now at its zenith.
The zenith of Perugia’s influence came with the defeat of Siena in 1358.
Synonyms: height, summit, peak, top More Synonyms of zenith - SINGULAR NOUN
The zenith is the point at which the sun or moon is directly above you and seems to be at its highest. Compare nadir.
The sun rises, reaches its zenith and sets.
perigee
NOUN the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or an artificial satellite is nearest the earth Compare apogee (sense 1)
feckless
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as feckless, you mean that they lack determination or strength, and are unable to do anything properly.
[formal, disapproval]
He regarded the young man as feckless and irresponsible.
Synonyms: irresponsible, useless [informal], hopeless [informal], incompetent
intemperate
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone’s words as intemperate, you are critical of them because they are too forceful and uncontrolled.
[formal, disapproval]
The tone of the article is intemperate.
Synonyms: excessive, extreme, over the top [slang], wild
resplendent
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone or something as resplendent, you mean that their appearance is very impressive and expensive-looking.
[formal]
Bessie, resplendent in royal blue velvet, was hovering beside the table. [+ in]
…the resplendent hotel banqueting-room.
Synonyms: brilliant, radiant, splendid, glorious
Temporal
- ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Temporal powers or matters relate to ordinary institutions and activities rather than to religious or spiritual ones.
[formal]
…their spiritual and temporal leader.
He firmly believed the clergy should not become pre-occupied with temporal matters. - ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
The temporal parts of your brain are the parts near the sides of your head.
[medicine]
…a small but important area of the temporal lobe of the brain. - ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Temporal means relating to time.
[formal]
One is also able to see how specific acts are related to a temporal and spatial context.
The present world crisis should in principle be analysed from different temporal perspectives.
Synonyms: time-related, of time, relating to time
stoical
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone behaves in a stoical way, you approve of them because they do not complain or show they are upset in bad situations.
[formal, approval]
He never made excuses, maintaining a stoical silence.
He had been stoical at their parting.
Synonyms: resigned, long-suffering, phlegmatic, philosophic
mediocrity
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you refer to the mediocrity of something, you mean that it is of average quality but you think it should be better.
[disapproval]
…the mediocrity of most contemporary literature.
Fashion today is sloppy mediocrity.
Synonyms: insignificance, indifference, inferiority, meanness More Synonyms of mediocrity - COUNTABLE NOUN
If you refer to someone as a mediocrity, you think that they are not very good at what they do.
[disapproval]
Surrounded by mediocrities, he can seem a towering intellectual.
Synonyms: nonentity, nobody, lightweight [informal], second-rater
malleable
- ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is malleable, you mean that they are easily influenced or controlled by other people.
[written]
She was young enough to be malleable.
Synonyms: manageable, adaptable, compliant, impressionable More Synonyms of malleable - ADJECTIVE
A substance that is malleable is soft and can easily be made into different shapes.
Silver is the most malleable of all metals.
…using clay, plasticine or another malleable material.
Synonyms: workable, soft, plastic, tensile
salutary
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A salutary experience is good for you, even though it may seem difficult or unpleasant at first.
[formal]
It was a salutary experience to be in the minority.
The letter had a particularly salutary effect.
Synonyms: beneficial, useful, valuable, helpful
presumptuous
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you describe someone or their behaviour as presumptuous, you disapprove of them because they are doing something that they have no right or authority to do.
[disapproval]
It would be presumptuous to judge what the outcome will be.
Synonyms: pushy [informal], forward, bold, arrogant
profiteer
COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
If you describe someone as a profiteer, you are critical of them because they make large profits by charging high prices for goods that are hard to get.
[disapproval]
…a new social class composed largely of war profiteers and gangsters.
Synonyms: racketeer, exploiter, extortionist, bloodsucker
idolatrous
ADJECTIVE
- of, or having the nature of, idolatry
- worshiping an idol or idols
- having or showing excessive admiration or devotion
salutary
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A salutary experience is good for you, even though it may seem difficult or unpleasant at first.
[formal]
It was a salutary experience to be in the minority.
The letter had a particularly salutary effect.
Synonyms: beneficial, useful, valuable, helpful
vituperate
VERB
to berate or rail (against) abusively; revile
roundabout
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A roundabout is a circular structure in the road at a place where several roads meet. You drive round it until you come to the road that you want.
[British]
REGIONAL NOTE:
in AM, use traffic circle - COUNTABLE NOUN
A roundabout at a fair is a large, circular mechanical device with seats, often in the shape of animals or cars, on which children sit and go round and round.
[British]
REGIONAL NOTE:
in AM, use merry-go-round, carousel - COUNTABLE NOUN
A roundabout in a park or school play area is a circular platform that children sit or stand on. People push the platform to make it spin round.
[British]
REGIONAL NOTE:
in AM, use merry-go-round - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you go somewhere by a roundabout route, you do not go there by the shortest and quickest route.
The party took a roundabout route overland. - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you do or say something in a roundabout way, you do not do or say it in a simple, clear, and direct way.
We made a bit of a fuss in a roundabout way.
…using indirect or roundabout language in place of a precise noun. - round about
- swings and roundabouts
loquaciousness
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as loquacious, you mean that they talk a lot.
[formal]
The normally loquacious Mr O’Reilly has said little.
Synonyms: talkative, chattering, babbling, chatty
perspicacity
ADJECTIVE
Someone who is perspicacious notices, realizes, and understands things quickly.
[formal]
…one of the most perspicacious and perceptive historians of that period.
Synonyms: perceptive, aware, sharp, keen More Synonyms of perspicacious
perspicacity (pɜːʳspɪkæsɪti ) UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Channel 4’s overseas buyers have foreseen the audience demand with their usual perspicacity.
Synonyms: insight, discrimination, penetration, acumen
succinctness
ADJECTIVE
Something that is succinct expresses facts or ideas clearly and in few words.
[approval]
The book gives an admirably succinct account of the technology and its history.
If you have something to say make sure that it is accurate, succinct and to the point.
Synonyms: brief, to the point, concise, compact More Synonyms of succinct
succinctly ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
He succinctly summed up his manifesto as ‘Work hard, train hard and play hard’.
sanctimonious
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is sanctimonious, you disapprove of them because you think that they are trying to appear morally better than other people.
[disapproval]
He writes smug, sanctimonious rubbish.
You sanctimonious little hypocrite!
Synonyms: pious, smug, hypocritical, pi [British, slang] More Synonyms of sanctimonious
sanctimoniousness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
She displays none of the sanctimoniousness often associated with spirituality.
seditious
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A seditious act, speech, or piece of writing encourages people to fight against or oppose the government.
He fell under suspicion for distributing seditious pamphlets.
Synonyms: revolutionary, dissident, subversive, rebellious
tenuous
পাতলা
thin, dilute, sleazy, slender, tenuous, flimsy
কৃশ
thin, gaunt, emaciated, attenuate, peaked, tenuous
অতি সূক্ষ্ম
ethereal, impalpable, tenuous, etherial
rancor
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Rancour is a feeling of bitterness and anger.
[formal]
‘That’s too bad,’ Teddy said without rancour.
Synonyms: hatred, hate, spite, hostility
facetiousness
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is being facetious, you are criticizing them because they are making humorous remarks or saying things that they do not mean in a situation where they ought to be serious.
[disapproval]
The woman eyed him coldly. ‘Don’t be facetious,’ she said.
Synonyms: flippant, funny, amusing, witty
hubris
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you accuse someone of hubris, you are accusing them of arrogant pride.
[formal]
It was an act of hubris that was to cost him dear.
Synonyms: pride, vanity, arrogance, conceit
quarterback
COUNTABLE NOUN
In American football, a quarterback is the player on the attacking team who begins each play and who decides which play to use.
erstwhile
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use erstwhile to describe someone that used to be the type of person indicated, but no longer is.
[formal]
Erstwhile workers may have become managers.
He fled to America with Phyllis Burton, an erstwhile friend of his wife’s.
Synonyms: former, old, late, previous
probity
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Probity is a high standard of correct moral behaviour.
[formal]
He asserted his innocence and his financial probity.
Synonyms: integrity, worth, justice, honour
recidivism
NOUN
habitual relapse into crime
recumbent
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A recumbent figure or person is lying down.
[formal]
He looked down at the recumbent figure.
Synonyms: lying down, lying, resting, flat
fetid
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Fetid water or air has a very strong unpleasant smell.
[formal]
…the fetid river of waste.
…the fetid stench of vomit.
Synonyms: stinking, rank, offensive, foul
