16/8/20(princeton,tc,set-5) Flashcards
tentative
পরীক্ষামূলক tentative, piloted পরীক্ষণ tentative পরীক্ষামূলক প্রস্তাব বা কাজ tentative
garner
VERB
If someone has garnered something useful or valuable, they have gained it or collected it.
[formal]
Mr Abbott could not garner enough votes to snatch power. [VERB noun]
He has garnered extensive support for his proposals. [VERB noun]
His priceless collection of Chinese art and artefacts was garnered over three decades. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: collect, assemble, gather, accumulate
nigh
- ADVERB [be ADVERB]
If an event is nigh, it will happen very soon.
[old-fashioned]
The end of the world may be nigh, but do we really care?
The storm must still be nigh, she thought.
Synonyms: almost, about, nearly, close to More Synonyms of nigh - See also well-nigh
- See nigh on
defendant
COUNTABLE NOUN
A defendant is a person who has been accused of breaking the law and is being tried in court.
Synonyms: accused, respondent, appellant, litigant
squander
VERB
If you squander money, resources, or opportunities, you waste them.
Hooker didn’t squander his money on flashy cars or other vices. [VERB noun + on]
He had squandered his chances to win. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: waste, spend, fritter away, blow [slang]
reap
- VERB
If you reap the benefits or the rewards of something, you enjoy the good things that happen as a result of it.
You’ll soon begin to reap the benefits of being fitter. [VERB noun]
We are not in this to reap immense financial rewards. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: get, win, gain, obtain More Synonyms of reap - VERB
To reap crops means to cut them down and gather them.
The painting depicted a group of peasants reaping a harvest of fruits and vegetables. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: collect, gather, bring in, harvest
3.to obtain or receive something as a result of your own actions:
[ T ] They didn’t reap any benefits from that deal.
extolled
VERB
If you extol something or someone, you praise them enthusiastically.
Now experts are extolling the virtues of the humble potato. [VERB noun]
They kept extolling my managerial skills. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: praise, acclaim, applaud, pay tribute to
repudiate
VERB
If you repudiate something or someone, you show that you strongly disagree with them and do not want to be connected with them in any way.
[formal, or written]
Leaders urged people to turn out in large numbers to repudiate the violence. [VERB noun]
Cavour later repudiated what he regarded as his youthful follies. [VERB noun]
repudiation (rɪpjuːdieɪʃən )
Word forms: plural repudiations
VARIABLE NOUN
…his public repudiation of the conference decision. [+ of]
Synonyms: rejection, reversal, abandonment, disowning
porous
- ADJECTIVE
Something that is porous has many small holes in it, which water and air can pass through.
The local limestone is very porous.
Synonyms: permeable, absorbent, spongy, absorptive More Synonyms of porous - GRADED ADJECTIVE
If something such as a defence or a barrier is porous, it can be penetrated or crossed easily.
[mainly journalism]
Up to 10,000 troops led by 10 generals had crossed the porous border.
Perhaps the most worrying aspect of England’s performance was their porous defence.
fortuitous
ADJECTIVE
You can describe something as fortuitous if it happens, by chance, to be very successful or pleasant.
Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of circumstances.
countenance
- VERB
If someone will not countenance something, they do not agree with it and will not allow it to happen.
[formal]
Jake would not countenance Janis’s marrying while still a student. [VERB noun]
…the military men who refused to countenance the overthrow of the president. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: tolerate, sanction, endorse, condone More Synonyms of countenance - COUNTABLE NOUN
Someone’s countenance is their face.
[literary]
He met each inquiry with an impassive countenance.
Synonyms: face, features, expression, look
wittingly
DVERB [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
জ্ঞাতসারে
If you do something wittingly, you are fully aware of what you are doing and what its consequences will be.
[formal]
The private sector would never wittingly expose itself to substantial risk.
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.
irresolute
ADJECTIVE
Someone who is irresolute cannot decide what to do.
[formal]
The worst reason to launch an attack would be a fear of seeming irresolute.
I stood irresolute beside my car.
Synonyms: indecisive, weak, hesitating, doubtful
genial
ADJECTIVE
Someone who is genial is kind and friendly.
[approval]
Bob was always genial and welcoming.
He was a warm-hearted friend and genial host.
Synonyms: friendly, kind, kindly, pleasant More Synonyms of genial
genially ADVERB
‘If you don’t mind,’ Mrs. Dambar said genially.
geniality (dʒiːniælɪti ) UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
He soon recovered his habitual geniality.
Synonyms: friendliness, kindness, cheerfulness, good nature
nascent
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Nascent things or processes are just beginning, and are expected to become stronger or to grow bigger.
[formal]
…Kenya’s nascent democracy.
…the still nascent science of psychology.
Synonyms: developing, beginning, dawning, evolving
Repulse
- VERB [usually passive]
If you are repulsed by something, you think that it is horrible and disgusting and you want to avoid it.
Evil has charisma. Though people are repulsed by it, they also are drawn to its power. [be VERB-ed] - VERB
If an army or other group repulses a group of people, they drive it back using force.
The armed forces were prepared to repulse any attacks. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: drive back, check, defeat, fight off
natty
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe clothes, especially men’s clothes, as natty, you mean that they are smart and neat.
[informal, approval]
…a natty pin stripe suit.
Cliff was a natty dresser.
Synonyms: smart, sharp [informal], dashing [old-fashioned], elegant More Synonyms of natty - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as natty, you think it is smart and cleverly designed.
[informal, approval]
…natty little houses.
rapacious
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a person or their behaviour as rapacious, you disapprove of their greedy or selfish behaviour.
[formal, disapproval]
He had a rapacious appetite for bird’s nest soup.
…a rapacious exploitation policy.
Synonyms: greedy, grasping, insatiable, ravenous
sententious
ADJECTIVE
- characterized by or full of aphorisms, terse pithy sayings, or axioms
- constantly using aphorisms, etc
- tending to indulge in pompous moralizing
fickle
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as fickle, you disapprove of them because they keep changing their mind about what they like or want.
[disapproval]
The group has been notoriously fickle in the past.
fickleness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
…the fickleness of businessmen and politicians. [+ of]
Synonyms: inconstancy, volatility, unpredictability, unfaithfulness More Synonyms of fickle - ADJECTIVE
If you say that something is fickle, you mean that it often changes and is unreliable.
Orta’s weather can be fickle.
elegiac
ADJECTIVE
Something that is elegiac expresses or shows sadness.
[literary]
The music has a dreamy, elegiac quality.
Synonyms: lamenting, sad, melancholy, nostalgic
panegyric
COUNTABLE NOUN
A panegyric is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something.
[formal]
…Prince Charles’s panegyric on rural living. [+ on]
Synonyms: tribute, praise, homage, accolade
fervor
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Fervor for something is a very strong feeling for or belief in it.
[formal]
They were concerned only with their own religious fervor.
Synonyms: ardour, passion, enthusiasm, excitement
nihilism
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Nihilism is a belief which rejects all political and religious authority and current ideas in favour of the individual.
Why should a great community like a university be afraid of nihilism?
nihilist
Word forms: plural nihilists
COUNTABLE NOUN
Why wasn’t Weber a nihilist?
Synonyms: cynic, sceptic, atheist, pessimist More Synonyms of nihilism
Synonyms: anarchist, revolutionary, extremist, agitator
forswear
VERB
If you forswear something, you promise that you will stop doing it, having it, or using it.
[formal, or literary]
The party was offered a share of government if it forswore violence.
felicitous
ADJECTIVE
If you describe a remark or idea as felicitous, you approve of it because it seems particularly suitable in the circumstances.
[formal, approval]
Her prose style is not always felicitous; she tends to repetition.
Synonyms: fitting, timely, appropriate, inspired
appraisal
- VARIABLE NOUN
If you make an appraisal of something, you consider it carefully and form an opinion about it.
What is needed in such cases is a calm appraisal of the situation. [+ of]
Self-appraisal is never easy.
Synonyms: assessment, opinion, estimate, judgment More Synonyms of appraisal - VARIABLE NOUN
Appraisal is the official or formal assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of someone or something. Appraisal often involves observation or some kind of testing.
Staff problems should be addressed through training and appraisals.
…an appraisal of your financial standing.
fortification
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
Fortifications are buildings, walls, or ditches that are built to protect a place and make it more difficult to attack.
The government has started building fortifications along its eastern border.
prescience
NOUN
knowledge of events before they take place; foreknowledge
evasive
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as evasive, you mean that they deliberately avoid giving clear direct answers to questions.
He was evasive about the circumstances of his first meeting with Stanley Dean. [+about]
Direct questions would almost certainly result in evasive answers.
Synonyms: deceptive, misleading, indirect, cunning
ouster
NOUN
property law
the act of dispossessing of freehold property; eviction; ejection
outcry
VARIABLE NOUN
An outcry is a reaction of strong disapproval and anger shown by the public or media about a recent event.
The killing caused an international outcry.
There was public outcry from those opposed to abortion.
Synonyms: protest, complaint, objection, cry
spur
. VERB
If one thing spurs you to do another, it encourages you to do it.
It’s the money that spurs these fishermen to risk a long ocean journey in their flimsy boats. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
His friend’s plight had spurred him into taking part. [V n + to/into]
Synonyms: incite, drive, prompt, press More Synonyms of spur
Spur on means the same as spur.
Their attitude, rather than reining him back, only seemed to spur Philip on. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
We may not like criticism, but it can spur us on to greater things. [VERB noun PARTICLE + to]
[Also V P n (not pron), V n P to-inf]
2. VERB
If something spurs a change or event, it makes it happen faster or sooner.
[journalism]
The administration may put more emphasis on spurring economic growth. [VERB noun]
The trade pacts will spur an exodus of U.S. businesses to Mexico. [VERB noun]
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
Something that acts as a spur to something else encourages a person or organization to do that thing or makes it happen more quickly.
…a belief in competition as a spur to efficiency. [+ to]
Redundancy is the spur for many to embark on new careers.
Synonyms: stimulus, incentive, impetus, motive More Synonyms of spur - COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
Spurs are small metal wheels with sharp points that are attached to the heels of a rider’s boots. The rider uses them to make their horse go faster. - COUNTABLE NOUN
The spur of a hill or mountain is a piece of ground which sticks out from its side. - See on the spur of the moment
- See win one’s spurs/earn one’s spurs
misanthropy
Misanthropy is a general dislike of people.
[formal]
Synonyms: cynicism, scepticism, inhumanity, malevolence
officious
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as officious, you are critical of them because they are eager to tell people what to do when you think they should not.
[disapproval]
They wouldn’t welcome any officious interference from the police.
When people put on uniforms, their attitude becomes more confident and their manner more officious.
Synonyms: interfering, bustling, meddling, intrusive
limning
VERB (transitive) 1. to represent in drawing or painting 2. archaic to describe in words 3. an obsolete word for illuminate
jingoistic
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Jingoistic behaviour shows a strong and unreasonable belief in the superiority of your own country.
[disapproval]
The press continued its jingoistic display.
unfettered
DJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun, verb-link ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE after verb]
If you describe something as unfettered, you mean that it is not controlled or limited by anyone or anything.
[formal]
…unfettered free trade.
Unfettered by the bounds of reality, my imagination flourished. [+ by]
He demanded unfettered access to a new nuclear facility.
Synonyms: uncontrolled, free, unlimited, unchecked
immutable
ADJECTIVE
Something that is immutable will never change or cannot be changed.
[formal]
…the eternal and immutable principles of right and wrong.
Synonyms: unchanging, fixed, permanent, stable
sway
- VERB
When people or things sway, they lean or swing slowly from one side to the other.
The people swayed back and forth with arms linked. [VERB adverb/preposition]
The whole boat swayed and tipped. [VERB]
…a coastal highway lined with tall, swaying palm trees. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: move from side to side, rock, wave, roll More Synonyms of sway - VERB
If you are swayed by someone or something, you are influenced by them.
Don’t ever be swayed by fashion. [be VERB-ed]
…last minute efforts to sway the voters in tomorrow’s local elections. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: influence, control, direct, affect More Synonyms of sway - See to hold sway
- See under the sway of sb/sth
defer
- VERB
If you defer an event or action, you arrange for it to happen at a later date, rather than immediately or at the previously planned time.
Customers often defer payment for as long as possible. [VERB noun/verb-ing]
I’m not going to defer decisions just because they are not immediately politically popular. [VERB noun/-ing]
Synonyms: postpone, delay, put off, suspend More Synonyms of defer - VERB
If you defer to someone, you accept their opinion or do what they want you to do, even when you do not agree with it yourself, because you respect them or their authority.
Doctors are encouraged to defer to experts. [VERB + to]
deplete
VERB
To deplete a stock or amount of something means to reduce it.
[formal]
…substances that deplete the ozone layer. [VERB noun]
They fired in long bursts, which depleted their ammunition. [VERB noun]
Most native mammal species have been severely depleted. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: use up, reduce, drain, exhaust
crafty
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as crafty, you mean that they achieve what they want in a clever way, often by deceiving people.
…a crafty, lying character who enjoys plotting against others.
A crafty look came to his eyes.
That was my crafty little plan.
Synonyms: cunning, scheming, sly, devious More Synonyms of crafty
juror
COUNTABLE NOUN
A juror is a member of a jury.
odious
ADJECTIVE
If you describe people or things as odious, you think that they are extremely unpleasant.
Herr Schmidt is certainly the most odious man I have ever met.
The judge described the crime as odious.
Synonyms: offensive, nasty, foul, disgusting
tyranny
- VARIABLE NOUN
A tyranny is a cruel, harsh, and unfair government in which a person or small group of people have power over everyone else.
He described these regimes as tyrannies and dictatorships.
Self-expression and individuality are the greatest weapons against tyranny. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you describe someone’s behaviour and treatment of others that they have authority over as tyranny, you mean that they are severe with them or unfair to them.
I’m the sole victim of Mother’s tyranny.
Synonyms: oppression, cruelty, dictatorship, authoritarianism More Synonyms of tyranny - COUNTABLE NOUN
You can describe something that you have to use or have as a tyranny if you think it is undesirable or unpleasant.
The telephone is one of the great tyrannies of modern life. [+ of]
coddle
VERB
To coddle someone means to treat them too kindly or protect them too much.
[disapproval]
She coddled her youngest son madly. [VERB noun]
The warders’ union has been denouncing the government for coddling prisoners. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: pamper, spoil, indulge, cosset
canine
1. ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun] Canine means relating to dogs. ...research into canine diseases. 2. COUNTABLE NOUN Canine teeth or canines are pointed teeth near the front of the mouth of humans and of some animals.
indulge
- VERB
If you indulge in something or if you indulge yourself, you allow yourself to have or do something that you know you will enjoy.
We had enough time to indulge in a bit of window shopping. [VERB + in]
He returned to Britain so that he could indulge his passion for football. [VERB noun]
You can indulge yourself without spending a fortune. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
[Also VERB]
indulgent
ADJECTIVE
If you are indulgent, you treat a person with special kindness, often in a way that is not good for them.
His indulgent mother was willing to let him do anything he wanted.
Synonyms: lenient, liberal, kind, kindly
groundbreaking
adjective
If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type:
His latest movie is interesting, but not groundbreaking.
culpable
adjective formal
deserving to be blamed or considered responsible for something bad:
He was held culpable (= blamed) for all that had happened.
nascent
adjective formal
only recently formed or started, but likely to grow larger quickly:
a nascent political party
a nascent problem
fragment
noun [ C ]
a small piece or a part, especially when broken from something whole:
The road was covered with fragments of glass from the shattered window.
Literary scholars are piecing together her last unpublished novel from fragments of a recently discovered manuscript.
elegiac
ADJECTIVE
Something that is elegiac expresses or shows sadness.
[literary]
The music has a dreamy, elegiac quality.
Synonyms: lamenting, sad, melancholy, nostalgic
welter
A welter of something is a large quantity of it which occurs suddenly or in a confusing way.
[written]
…patients with a welter of confusing symptoms. [+ of]
…the welter of publicity that followed his engagement. [+
Arcadian
adjective literary
showing or relating to an image or idea of perfect countryside life:
He described a scene of Arcadian tranquillity.
His friends flocked to his country house, drawn by the Arcadian atmosphere there.
unfettered
adjective formal
not limited by rules or any other controlling influence:
Poets are unfettered by the normal rules of sentence structure.
outright
adverb
completely or immediately:
I think cigarette advertising should be banned outright.
The driver and all three passengers were killed outright.
limn
- to represent in drawing or painting
- archaic
to describe in words - an obsolete word for illuminate
asseverate
verb
to assert or declare emphatically or solemnly
ouster
noun [ C or U ] US
the process of removing someone from an important position or job:
The committee’s chairperson is facing a possible ouster.
abnegation
noun [ U ] formal
the act of not allowing yourself to have something, especially something you like or want:
They believe it is the duty of women to live for others in complete abnegation of themselves.
It is a heart-warming tale of courage and abnegation.
vacillate
verb [ I ] disapproving
to be uncertain what to do, or to change often between two opinions:
Her mood vacillated between hope and despair.
asceticism
noun [ U ]
the practice of living a simple life without physical pleasures, often for religious reasons:
He believed a closer relationship with God could be found through strict asceticism.
It seems unfair to judge her by the asceticism of the office that she moved into less than six months ago.
misanthropy
noun [ U ]
the fact or quality of not liking other people:
In much of his work there is a sour, disappointed misanthropy.
The only way I can express my misanthropy is through humour.
See
accretion
noun [ C or U ] formal
a gradual increase or growth by the addition of new layers or parts:
The fund was increased by the accretion of new shareholders.
The room hadn’t been cleaned for years and showed several accretions of dirt and dust.
adumbration
noun [ U or C ] formal
the act of giving the main facts and not the details about something, or something that gives these main facts:
I admit that my adumbration of yesterday’s meeting was scant.
The “people’s budget” of 1909 was an early adumbration of the British welfare state.
welter
QUANTIFIER
A welter of something is a large quantity of it which occurs suddenly or in a confusing way.
[written]
…patients with a welter of confusing symptoms. [+ of]
…the welter of publicity that followed his engagement. [+ of]
vacillation
VERB
If you vacillate between two alternatives or choices, you keep changing your mind.
[formal]
She vacillates between studying economics and languages. [V + between]
We cannot vacillate on the question of the party’s leadership. [+ on , VERB]
Synonyms: waver, hesitate, dither [mainly British], haver More Synonyms of vacillate
vacillation (væsɪleɪʃən )
Word forms: plural vacillations
VARIABLE NOUN
He accused the President of vacillation and retreat.
…Stalin’s miscalculations and vacillations.
Synonyms: indecisiveness, hesitation, irresolution, wavering
