2024 Flashcards
abbreviation111
a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB (Ultraviolet B) rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer
SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a measure of how much UV radiation it takes to produce sunburn on skin with sunscreen compared to how much UV exposure it takes for unprotected skin to get sunburned.
For example, if it takes 300 seconds for skin to burn with SPF 60 sunscreen, and 10 seconds to burn without it, the SPF is 60 because 300 divided by 10 equals 30. However, this doesn’t mean you can stay in the sun 60 times longer than without sunscreen.
abbreviation
a type of ultraviolet radiation that is responsible for delayed tanning, sunburns, and most skin cancers
UVB (Ultraviolet B)
UVB (Ultraviolet B) is a type of ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 280 and 320 nm. Here are some key facts about UVB rays: UVB rays make up only 5% of the UV rays from the sun, but they are very high energy.
noun
a violent attack:
Crime and punishment C1
assault
/əˈsɑːlt/
- He was charged with sexual assault.
- an assault on a police officer
noun [ C ] CHEMISTRY specialized
a type of chemical commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, and food, and is known to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and yeast
paraben
/ˈpær.ə.bən/
- Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics and food.
- Some beauty products are labelled “paraben-free”.
- The biggest concern with parabens is that some studies show that they disrupt hormones in your body. Once in your body, parabens can act like the hormone estrogen in both males and females. This could have an effect on things like fertility, reproductive development, and birth outcomes.(Source)
noun [ C or U ]
a substance that is an important part of skin and connective tissue (= material that supports and connects organs and joints in the body), and that is used in some products and treatments intended to make the skin healthy and attractive:
hyaluronic acid
/ˌhaɪ.ə.ləˌrɑː.nɪk ˈæs.ɪd/
- Saliva is rich in naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, a molecule that binds to the surface of a cell, making it easier for the cell to move around.
- The procedure involves injections of 20 compounds - drugs, vitamins and hyaluronic acids - to get rid of cellulite.
- UV light depletes skin of hyaluronic acid (which gives skin its plumpness).
- A hyaluronic acid gel is injected beneath the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and creases.
idiom literary
when you were very young
at your mother’s knee
I learnt these songs at my mother’s knee.
adjective (literary)
that cannot be trusted; unable to be trusted, or showing no loyalty:
SYNONYM treacherous
perfidious
/pərˈfɪdiəs/
But lurking among these delightfully sweet fruits is a perfidious predator
adjective
1.extremely painful or bad
2.extremely boring or embarrassing:
3.(of pain) extremely strong:
excruciating
/ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/
- 1.excruciating pain an excruciating pain in the lower back
- Once caught, the victom has not the slightest chance of escape; the mantis will eat it alive. This excruciating procedure can take hours.
- 2.excruciating boredom
- 3.an excruciating headache
NOTE: If something is extremely painful, you can say that it is excruciating or agonizing
noun
insect with long back legs, that can jump very high and that makes a sound with its legs
TOPICS Insects, worms, etc. C2
grasshopper
/ˈɡræshɑːpər/
Idioms
knee-high to a grasshopper
(informal, humorous) very small; very young
noun [ C ]
a large insect found in hot areas that flies in large groups and destroys plants and crops:
TOPICS Insects, worms, etc. C2
locust
/ˈloʊ.kəst/
- a swarm of locusts
- The locusts have destroyed a lot of the crops.
noun
a brown or black insect that makes short, loud noises by rubbing its wings together
TOPICS Insects, worms, etc. C2
cricket
/ˈkrɪk.ɪt/
- the chirping of crickets
- The only sound was a cricket chirping.
verb [intransitive]
- to become less determined, strong, etc.
- to finally agree to something after refusing
TOPICS Discussion and agreement C2
relent
/rɪˈlent/
- 1.After two days the rain relented.
- 1.The police will not relent in their fight against crime.
- 2.The government has relented on this issue.
noun (anatomy)
(in a person or animal, the lower) jawbone
TOPICS Body C2
mandible
/ˈmændɪbl/
grasshopper has razor like mandibles and can kill powerful mantis
adjective
causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult:
C2
formidable
/fɔːrˈmɪd.ə.bəl/
- a formidable obstacle/task
- a formidable adversary/enemy/opponent
NOTE: from Latin formidare ‘to fear’.
adjective
(of people and things) small and pretty in a way that people find attractive
TOPICS Appearance C2
SYNONYM delicate
dainty
(comparative daintier, superlative daintiest)
/ˈdeɪnti/
- dainty feet
- a dainty porcelain cup
[ U ] US offensive slang
a man’s outer sexual organs:
junk
/dʒʌŋk/
If a woman wants to see a picture of your junk, Let her ask for it.
“Don’t touch my junk” is a phrase that became popular in the United States in 2010 as a criticism of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) patdowns.
verb [ T ]
to suddenly release a violent force that cannot be controlled:
unleash
/ʌnˈliːʃ/
At worst, nuclear war could be unleashed.
Rachel’s arrival on the scene had unleashed passions in him that he could scarcely control.
verb
to cause or believe race to be an important feature of a group of people, of society, or of a problem:
racialize
/ˈreɪ.ʃə.laɪz/
- Racialized community or visible minority.
- Immigrants and their children are put into a racialized category.
- He warned against racializing the housing issue.
(UK usually: racialise)
noun
the amount of an ingredient such as salt, sugar or fat which optimizes deliciousness (in the formulation of food products).
bliss point
/blɪs pɔɪnt/
The food industry goes to great lengths to figure out what makes us crave a product. The exact combination of ingredients it calls the “bliss point”. Source: The Secrets of Sugar. CBC documantary
noun [ C or U ]
any of various types of organisms that get their food from decaying material or other living things:
fungus
plural fungi /ˈfʌŋ.ɡaɪ/ funguses
/ˈfʌŋ.ɡəs/
- Mushrooms and mould are fungi/ˈfʌŋ.ɡəs/.
- Mushrooms and mould are funguses/ˈfʌŋ.ɡəs/.
- Fungus can be poisonous.
a species of psychedelic mushroom that contains psilocybin and psilocin, the compounds responsible for its mind-altering effects. It is also known as the magic mushroom, shroom, gold cap, or cube. It is widely distributed in warm and humid regions of the world, and it is easy to cultivate at home
Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis
verb [transitive, intransitive]
- to have difficulty speaking because you cannot stop yourself from repeating the first sound of some words several times
SYNONYM stammer - [intransitive] (of a vehicle or an engine) to move or start with difficulty, making short sharp noises or movements
stutter
/ˈstʌt̬.ɚ.ɪŋ/
- speech ‘W-w-what?’ he stuttered.
- stutter (something) I managed to stutter a reply.
- The car stuttered along in first gear.
noun
- a small amount of something that shows what the rest of it is like SYNONYM sample
- a single example of something, especially an animal or a plant
- (Biology C1) a small quantity of blood, urine, etc. that is taken from somebody and tested by a doctor
SPECIMEN
/ˈspesɪmən/
- Astronauts have brought back specimens of rock from the moon. / Can you give me a specimen of your handwriting?
- Redwood trees can live for a long time; one specimen is 4 000 years old.
- to provide/take a specimen
idiom old-fashioned
something that you say when it is raining heavily
It’s “raining cats and dogs”
or
“raining dogs and cats”
“I can’t believe it’s raining cats and dogs! My picnic is ruined!”
Mythology: Norse mythology has Odin, the god of storms, associated with dogs and wolves (symbols of wind). Sailors might have linked black cats (witches’ companions) with storms, creating a connection between cats and heavy rain.
adjective
(of people) able to do many different things or to adjust to new conditions, or (of things) able to be used for many different purposes:
C2
versatile
/ˈvɜr·sə·t̬əl/
- Leopard are the most versatile of all the big cats, adapt at finding cover in the most unpromising places.
- He is a very versatile actor.
- We want all our staff to be versatile.
verb [ T ]
to change the colour of something using a special liquid:
TOPICS Appearance B2, Colours and Shapes B2
dye
present participle dyeing | past tense and past participle dyed
/daɪ/
- [ + obj + adj ] He dyed his hair black.
- dye something + adj. She dyed her hair blonde.
noun [ C ]
a trained person whose job is to improve the appearance and health of a customer’s skin:
esthetician
UK spelling: aesthetician
/ˌes.θəˈtɪʃ.ən/
- She gets a facial every two weeks from a well-known aesthetician.
- The centre’s aestheticians offer treatments such as micro peels, which can help with age spots and sun spots.
noun [uncountable]
the belief that God or gods do not exist
TOPICS Religion and festivals C2
atheism
OPPOSITE theism
/ˈeɪθiɪzəm/
Soft atheism is the lack of belief in any god or gods, without asserting that there are none. Hard atheism is the belief that no god or gods exist, and that there is evidence or argument to support this claim Soft atheists may be agnostic, meaning that they do not think that the existence or non-existence of god or gods can be known or proven. Hard atheists may reject the concept of god or gods as irrational, harmful, or incompatible with science and human rights.
from Greek atheos, from a- ‘without’ + theos ‘god’.
verb
- [intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) (of a person) to move by jumping on one foot
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. (of an animal or a bird) to move by jumping with all or both feet together
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. (informal) to go or move somewhere quickly and suddenly
- (North American English) to get on a plane, bus, etc.
- to change from one activity or subject to another
TOPICS Birds C1
TOPICS Transport by bus and train C2
hop
/hɑːp/
- I couldn’t put my weight on my ankle and had to hop everywhere.
- The frog hopped towards him.
- Hop in, I’ll drive you home.
- I hopped a plane for New York.
- I like to hop from channel to channel when I watch TV.
noun [ C ]
a painful swelling in the mouth
canker sore
(also canker)
(British English mouth ulcer)
/ˈkæŋ.kɚ ˌsɔːr/
Unlike cold sores, canker sores don’t occur on the surface of your lips and they aren’t contagious.
verb
to give new life, vigor, energy, activity, or success to something:
revitalize
(British English also revitalise)
/ˌriːˈvaɪtəlaɪz/
In the context of skincare, when a product claims to “revitalize”, it means that it aims to restore or improve the appearance, health, and vitality of the skin. In your case, the “revitalizing vitamin E” in the cream is intended to rejuvenate the skin, making it look fresher and more vibrant.
verb
to make somebody/something look or feel younger, more lively or more modern
rejuvenate
/rɪˈdʒuːvəneɪt/
- His new job seemed to rejuvenate him.
- special creams to rejuvenate the skin
adjective
famous for something considered bad:
TOPICS Personal qualities C1
Synonym notorious
infamous
/ˈɪn.fə.məs/
- a general who was infamous for his brutality
- the most infamous concentration camp
- (humorous) the infamous British sandwich
phrasal verb
to write something quickly
TOPICS Literature and writing C1
jot down
/dʒɑːt daʊn/
- I’ll just jot down the address for you.
- I carry a notebook so that I can jot down any ideas.
- You can listen to the “ESL Podcast” on platforms like Spotify. As you listen, jot down any new vocabulary, idioms, or expressions that you come across.
verb , adjective
- (as a verb) to become or make something become longer, and often thinner:
- (as an adjective) having a shape that is much longer than it is wide:
elongate
/ɪˈlɑːŋ.geɪt/8
- (as a verb)The cells elongate as they take in water. Synonym
stretch - (as an adjective) Eels, such as the Snipe Eel, are known for their extremely elongated bodies.
verb
to remove the soap from something with clean water after washing it
rinse
/rɪns/
- rinse something Always rinse your hair thoroughly.
- rinse something out Make sure you rinse all the soap out.
noun . [uncountable]
a type of plant with thick pointed leaves, or the thick liquid found in the leaves that is used to treat damaged skin
Aloe Vera
/ˌæl.oʊ ˈvɪr.ə/
noun
it forms when microorganisms decompose certain plants over centuries. what is left behind is a dark, resinous substance known as
Shilajit
The word “shilajit” has its roots in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language. In Sanskrit, “shilajit” is derived from the combination of two words: “shila,” meaning rock, and “jit,” meaning conquered or won. Therefore, “shilajit” can be translated to mean “conqueror of mountains” or “rock-invincible.”
verb [ T ]
to persuade someone gently to do something or go somewhere, by being kind and patient, or by appearing to be:
coax
/koʊks/
coax someone into doing something Perhaps you could coax your father into taking you to the station.
coax someone to do something I coaxed her to eat a little bit.
A mother was coaxing her reluctant child into the water.
a coaxing voice
Synonyms
cajole
inveigle formal
wheedle disapproving
adj formal
acting as a result of a decision or choice; done because someone has decided or chosen to do it:
volitional
/vəˈlɪʃ.ən.əl/
- We can ask questions like “Can people detect between spontaneous, or real laghter, and volitional, on demand alughter ?
- mental processes over which we have volitional control.
- The action is not mechanical; it is volitional.
adverb
immediately
instantaneously
/ˌɪnstənˈteɪniəsli/
- The show sold out instantaneously.
- Electronic copies can be sent around the world almost instantaneously.
adjective
- “unusual or different from what is around or from what is generally happening” (Cambridge dictionary)
- “strange, and not suitable in a particular situation” (Oxford Learner’s dictionary) SYNONYM inappropriate
incongruous
/ɪnˈkɑːŋ.ɡru.əs/
- The new computer looked incongruous in the dark book-filled library.
- seem incongruous It seems incongruous to have a woman as the editor of a men’s magazine.
adjective
not giving or having a result or decision:
TOPICS Preferences and decisions C1
inconclusive
/ˌɪn.kəŋˈkluː.sɪv/
- The evidence is inconclusive.
- The medical tests were inconclusive, and will need to be repeated.
- Opposite : conclusive
verb . [intransitive]
to make a long, loud, high noise because you are sad or in pain
TOPICS Feelings C2
wail
/weɪl/
- The little girl was wailing miserably.
- Homophones wail | whale
verb
a sudden and large reduction in value or amount:
Money C2
plummet
/ˈplʌmɪt/
House prices have plummeted in recent months.
noun [ C ]
the season of heavy rain during the summer in hot Asian countries:
monsoon
/mɑːnˈsuːn/
The failure of the monsoon would destroy harvests on which a billion people rely.
(adj monsoonal): the sound of the pouring monsoonal rain
adjective
Skilled; able to do or finish something successfully; highly successful
TOPICS Personal qualities C1
accomplished
/əˈkɑm·plɪʃt/
- Homo Erectus was perhaps one of our most accomplished predecessors: They walked upright, used tools and had brains roughly the size of our own.
- She was an elegant and accomplished woman.
verb [ I or T ]
- to bring back swallowed food into the mouth:
- If you ……. facts or information, you just repeat what you have heard without thinking about it: (disapproving)
TOPICS BiologyC2
Synonym: vomit
regurgitate
/rɪˈɡɝː.dʒə.teɪt/
- Owls regurgitate partly digested food to feed their young.
- Many students simply regurgitate what they hear in lectures.
noun [ U ] informal
- (as a noun) practical knowledge and ability:
- (asa an adjective) having or showing practical knowledge and experience:
savvy
/ˈsæv.i/
- She’s very intelligent, but hasn’t got much savvy.
- Teenagers are savvier about handling their digital information than adults. (savvy - savvier - savviest)
adjective
- (of the ground or the sea) extremely dangerous, esp. because of bad weather conditions:
- (of a person) guilty of deceiving someone who trusts you: SYNONYM deceitful
treacherous
/ˈtretʃ·ər·əs/
- Freezing rain made driving treacherous.
- He was treacherous, or at least sneaky.
noun [ C usually singular ]
a place where a wild animal lives, often underground and hidden, or a place where a person hides:
Synonym: den, hideout
TOPICS Animals C2
lair
/ler/
a fox’s lair
the thieves’ lair
verb , noun , adj
- to meet someone, especially secretly, at a particular place and time
- a place where a particular group of people often go or meet, by arrangement or habit:
- an arrangement to meet someone, especially secretly, at a particular place and time, or the place itself:
rendezvous
plural rendezvous
/ˈrɑːn.deɪ.vuː/
- The police arranged to rendezvous with their informant at a disused warehouse.
- This restaurant is a popular rendezvous for local artists.
- We have a rendezvous for next week, don’t we?
ETYMOLOGY: from French rendez-vous! ‘present yourselves!’,
verb , noun
- (verb)to protect something and prevent it from being changed or destroyed; Synonym:
husband formal - (noun) a type of jam in which the fruit is whole or in large pieces:
TOPICS The environment C1
conserve
/kənˈsɜːrv/
- new laws to conserve wildlife in the area
- apricot/strawberry conserve
verb (formal)
to fill something up again:
SYNONYM top up; refill
replenish
/rɪˈplenɪʃ/
- to replenish food and water supplies
- Allow me to replenish your glass.
- Does your glass need replenishing?
- Hyaluronic acid line deeply hydrates and replenishes skin moisture barrier.
noun
a person who is considered old enough, by law, to decide whether they should agree to have sex; a person who has agreed to have sex
consenting adult
/kənˌsentɪŋ əˈdʌlt/
/kənˌsentɪŋ ˈædʌlt/
What consenting adults do in private is their own business.
adjective LAW specialized
agreeing to a particular activity by free choice, and considered able to do this, for example because of being old enough or able to think, understand, or communicate clearly:
consenting
/kənˈsen.tɪŋ/
- Consenting adults (= people who are considered old enough to agree to something, especially sexual activity) who engage in these sexual acts in private would not be prosecuted.
- This is a straightforward contract between consenting parties.
- If they want to dig on the land, and the owner is consenting, they can.
- consenting intercourse/sex/sexual activity
noun , verb
Noun: [uncountable] permission to do something, especially given by somebody in authority
Verb: to agree to something or give your permission for something
TOPICS Permission and obligation C1
consent
/kənˈsent/
(noun)
* The written consent of a parent is required.
* consent to something: Children under 16 cannot give consent to medical treatment.
* to refuse/withhold your consent
* without (somebody’s) consent: He is charged with taking a car without the owner’s consent. ——————————————————-
(verb)
* When she told them what she intended, they readily consented.
* consent to something: He reluctantly consented to the proposal.
* consent to do something: She finally consented to answer our questions.
noun [singular]
the age at which somebody is legally old enough to agree to have a sexual relationship
TOPICS Law and justice C2
age of consent
/ˌeɪdʒ əv kənˈsent/
The girl was under the age of consent.
Noun (formal)
- a statement or an idea that forms the basis for a reasonable line of argument
- a statement or proposition that is assumed to be true or valid for the sake of an argument or inference.
TOPICS Opinion and argument C1
premise
(also British English, less frequent premiss)
/ˈpremɪs/
- For example, in the argument “All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; therefore, Socrates is mortal”, the first two statements are premises and the last one is the conclusion.
- The argument rests on a false premise.
verb
- to laugh at somebody and make jokes about them, either in a friendly way or in order to annoy them or make them embarrassed
- when you are playfully giving someone a hard time
- [intransitive, transitive] tease (somebody) (disapproving) to make somebody sexually excited, especially when you do not intend to have sex with them
TOPICS Feelings B2
tease
/tiːz/
- Don’t get upset—I was only teasing.
- She teased the men with an expression that was both innocent and knowing.
noun
a flaw in reasoning : something that weaken or destroy an argument
fallacy
/ˈfæləsi/
(plural fallacies)
one of few genes that is related to this uniquely human characersitic speech and language
Foxp2
Mutations in Foxp2 can cause a type of speech disorder called apraxia, which makes it difficult to produce sequences of sound
adjective, (IN AGREEMENT)
similar to or in agreement with something, so that the two things can both exist or can be combined without problems:
TOPICS Maths and measurement C2
congruent
/ˈkɑːŋ.ɡru.ənt/
Our goals are congruent; there is no conflict.
We need the freedom to direct funds in a way that is congruent with local priorities.
adjective
- clearly very much better than what is usual:
- not yet paid, solved, or done:
B2
= (EXCELLENT)
Outstanding
/ˌaʊtˈstæn.dɪŋ/
- Introduction: Why Outstanding Conversation Skills Will Change Your Life
- an outstanding debt / balance
- the most successful human in history
- an early form of human that was able to walk on two legs (OLD) - oxford learner’s dictionary
- (Cambridge dictionary) !-NO RESAULT
Homo Erectus
/ˌhoʊmoʊ əˈrɛktəs/
an early form of human that was able to walk on two legs.
he term “Homo Erectus” comes from Latin, meaning “upright man” or “standing man”5. The name was given by Eugène Dubois, a Dutch surgeon, who found the first Homo erectus individual in Indonesia in 1891.
- Extinct human ancestor species known for walking upright.
- Lived in Africa and Asia from about 2 million to 100,000 years ago.
- Believed to be the first hominin to use fire and make simple tools.
Homo Erectus
/ˈhoʊmoʊ ɪˈrɛktəs/
Brain Evolution and Tool Use: This article from Nature explores the connection between brain size, tool complexity, and the potential cognitive abilities of Homo erectus.
the condition where sexes of the same species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction
SEXUAL DIFORMISM
For example, many birds show at least some dimorphism in color, the female being cryptically colored to remain concealed on the nest while the more-colorful male uses display in courtship and territorial behaviors2. Pronounced size differences may occur between the sexes. For example, male baboons are more than twice as large as females2.
Sexual dimorphism can lead to exaggerated dimorphic traits that are used predominantly in competition over mates1. The increased fitness resulting from ornamentation offsets its cost to produce or maintain, suggesting complex evolutionary implications1.
The opposite of dimorphism is monomorphism, when both biological sexes are phenotypically indistinguishable from each other
Reference book translating words between two languages.
bilingual dictionary
/baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl ˈdɪkʃənˌɛri/
Lexicographers are responsible for compiling and editing bilingual dictionaries, ensuring accurate translations.
noun [ C ]
a type of dictionary in which words with similar meanings are arranged in groups
thesaurus
/θɪˈsɔːr.əs/
plural thesauruses or formal thesauri /-ˈsɔːr.
I couldn’t find the word in the thesaurus.
noun
a popular reference book, originally written by Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869) and first published in 1852.
Roget’s Thesaurus
/rəʊˌʒeɪz θɪˈsɔːrəs/
(also also informal Roget)
Roget was a scientist and inventor who started work on the thesaurus when he retired as Secretary of the Royal Society in 1848. It contains English words or phrases arranged together in groups according to their meaning, and is still used today by people looking for the most appropriate word or phrase to use in a piece of writing. New editions of Roget are published regularly.
treasure of words
thesaurus
a sensation of mental fatigue accompanied by reduced cognitive functioning. It can manifest as:
Unusual forgetfulness
Fuzzy memory or sluggishness when trying to remember names, dates, or where you put your keys
Difficulty paying attention or focusing
Confusion or spaciness
Challenges with processing information
Brain fog
(also known as mental fog)
verb
to give something out to several people, or to spread or supply something:
B2
distribute
/dɪˈstrɪb.juːt/
Viruses are often distributed via email.
Cannanbis in Greek, Marijuana in Mexican, Gangja in Hindi or Bhanga in Sanskrit
adjective
extremely unpleasant and causing horror
SYNONYM appalling, disgusting
abominable
/əˈbɑːmɪnəbl/
[Enistien] The crime of the Germans is truely the most abominable ever to be recorded in the history of so-called civilized nations.
noun [ C ]
a set of newspapers or magazines published at the same time or a single copy of a newspaper or magazine:
B1
issue
/ˈɪʃ.uː/ /ˈɪs.juː/
- There’s an article on motorbikes in the latest/next issue.
- An old issue of “Homes and Gardens” lay on the table.
- “I was looking for previous issues of the ‘Psychology Now’ magazine at the main library branch.”
idiom. (informal)
to frighten someone very much:
scare someone to death
- Thunderstorms scare her to death.
- Spiders frighten him to death.
*
noun
- The part of the ego which does the criticizing is the … .
- [uncountable, countable] a guilty feeling about something you have done or failed to do
TOPICS Personal qualities C1
وجدان، ضمیر، باطن، دل
conscience
/ˈkɑːn.ʃəns/
- This is a matter of individual conscience (= everyone must make their own judgement about it).
- I have a terrible conscience about it.
a concentration of fragrance oils ranging from 15% to 20%. It is less concentrated than perfume extract but still offers a long-lasting scent.
eau de parfum
Eau de parfum is a term used to describe a type of fragrance concentration. It is not specifically designed for either men or women; rather, it can be worn by anyone. The concentration of essential oils in eau de parfum is typically higher than that in eau de toilette, resulting in a longer-lasting scent experience. Whether you’re male or female, feel free to enjoy the delightful fragrances offered by eau de parfum!
Typically contains 5-15% fragrance oils. It is lighter and less concentrated than Eau de Parfum, making it suitable for everyday use.
Eau de Toilette (EDT)
Usually has a concentration of 2-5% fragrance oils. It is the lightest and least concentrated type of perfume and is often used as a refreshing body splash.
Eau de Cologne (EDC)
noun [ C ] BIOLOGY specialized
a structure at the end of a chromosome that protects it
telomere
/ˈte.lə.mɪr/
As we age, our telomeres become shorter and shorter and finally it can’t protect chromosomes against damages and this leads to diseases and finally death.
ETYMOLOGY The term “telomere” comes from the Ancient Greek words τέλος (télos) meaning ‘end’, and μέρος (méros) meaning ‘part’.
noon [C]
a very small hole in the skin of people or other animals, or a similar hole on the surface of plants or rocks:
pore
/pɔːr/ /pɔːr/
adverb
- in a sudden, unexpected and often unpleasant way
- in a way that seems rude and unfriendly, without taking time to say more than is necessary
SYNONYM brusquely, curtly
abruptly
/əˈbrʌptli/
- The interview ended abruptly. / He left abruptly.
- ‘Come here!’ she said abruptly.
noun
a protein found in connective tissues, providing strength and elasticity to the skin.
Collagen
/ˈkɒlədʒən/
“Collagen fibers give our skin its firmness and resilience.”
Greek word “kolla,” which means “glue.”
The suffix “-gen” denotes “producing” or “giving birth to.”
noun
It maintains skin elasticity and allows tissues to stretch and return to their original shape.
Elastin
/ɪˈlæstɪn/
“Elastin fibers help our skin bounce back after being stretched.”
verb [ I or T ] formal
to suggest a theory, idea, etc. as a basic principle from which a further idea is formed or developed:
SYNONYM posit
Suggestions and advice C2
postulate
/ˈpɑːs.tʃə.leɪt/
it has been postulated that homo naledi were given funerary rites, carried into the chamber, and intentionally placed there. The discovery of Homo naledi expands our understanding of hominin variation and challenges conventional assumptions about brain size and evolutionary advantage.
Discovered fossils date back to the Middle Pleistocene, around 335,000 to 236,000 years ago.
Species: Homo naledi
Discovery: Found in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa.
Habitat: Believed to have occupied both woodland and grassland environments. Believed they buried their lost members.
Morphology: Mix of primitive and modern human-like features.
Significance: Raises questions about human evolution, as the fossils exhibit a unique combination of traits.
noun (informal)
an attempt to calculate something that is based more on guessing than on information
TOPICS Doubt, guessing and certainty C2
guesstimate
(also guestimate)
/ˈɡestɪmət/
adj
changing often and suddenly; unpredictable and changeable nature
fickle
/ˈfɪk.əl/
- Avocados are very fickle.
- The weather here is notoriously fickle.
verb [ T ] informal
- to drink quickly, eagerly, and usually in large amounts
- to use large amounts of petrol very quickly
guzzle
/ˈɡʌz.əl/
- He guzzled his beer and ordered another.
- The car guzzles a gallon of gas every 15 miles.
noun
Confidence or trust without empirical evidence.
B1
faith
/feɪθ/
Epistemic Faith: Belief without evidence.
Religious Faith: Trust in divine or supernatural entities.
Faith and Reason: Debated relationship; compatible or opposed.
Kierkegaard’s Leap of Faith: True faith requires risk and commitment.
Critiques of Faith: Can lead to dogmatism and hinder critical thinking.
verb [ T ]
- to cause something, especially something that contains different people or opinions, to divide into two completely opposing groups:
- [PHYSICS specialized] to make light waves move in one direction only, or mainly in one direction:
- to treat glass with a substance that reduces the amount of reflected light:
ploraize
(UK usually polarise)
/ˈpəʊləraɪz/
Solar Shield® Classic Fits Over sunglasses are made to wear over your eyeglasses or readers for convenient polarized sun-protection.
[uncountable, countable]
a thick substance, usually containing medicine, that is put on the skin where it is sore or where there is an injury, in order to cure it
SYNONYM cream
TOPICS Healthcare C2
ointment
/ˈɔɪntmənt/
eye ointment
antiseptic ointment
He put some ointment on the cut.
noun
- area of hard skin at the base of the nails on the fingers and toes
- the outer part of a hair, consisting of dead cells
- (BIOLOGY) the outer layer of a plant, which protects it.
TOPICS Body C2
**cuticle**
| /ˈkjuːtɪkl/
noun [ U ] formal
severe criticism and blame
opprobrium
/əˈproʊ.bri.əm/
- With decades of legal and social opprobrium fading fast, marijuana has become an extremely popular commercial product with more than 48 million users across the U.S. Scientific American
- The bombing has attracted international opprobrium.
noun
the butt of a marijuana cigarette.
roach
/roʊtʃ/
informal for cockroach
verb [intransitive]
to make a long deep sound or series of sounds
TOPICS Weather C2
rumble
/ˈrʌmbl/
- thunder rumbling in the distance
- Please excuse my stomach rumbling - I haven’t eaten all day.
adjective [not usually before noun]
not conscious of something, especially what is happening around you:
oblivious
/əˈblɪv.i.əs/
“Many consumers remain oblivious to the immense animal suffering that occurs in factory farms before the meat reaches their plates.”
noun
a large area of land, especially in a hot country, where crops such as coffee, sugar, rubber, etc. are grown
TOPICS Farming C1
plantation
/plænˈteɪʃn/
- a banana/coffee plantation
- plantation workers/owners
- Hundreds of enslaved people used to work on the plantations.
noun
smoke, gas, or something similar that smells strongly or is dangerous to breathe in
fumes
/fjuːm/
Some of the unluckiest slaves in Ancient Greece worked in mines, digging in tunnels that seeped out poisonous fumes.
verb
to show that an idea, a belief, etc. is false;
to show that something is not as good as people think it is
debunk
/diːˈbʌŋk/
New science debunks the myth that men evolved to hunt and women to gather. Scientific American, Nov 2023
adjective
- (with somebody/something) having a very strong feeling of love or attraction for somebody/something so that you cannot think clearly and in a sensible way (OLD)
- having a very strong but not usually lasting feeling of love or attraction for someone or something (CambridgeD)
TOPICS Family and relationships C2,
SYNONYM besotted
infatuated
/ɪnˈfætʃueɪtɪd/
- She was completely infatuated with him.
- He’s behaving like an infatuated teenager.
BOOK
How do we meet each other’s deep, emotional need to feel loved?
If we can learn that and choose to do it, then the love we share will be exciting beyond anything we ever felt when we were … .
The 5 love languages , By Gary Chapman, 1992, pg 35
infatuated
/ɪnˈfætʃ.u.eɪ.t̬ɪd/
- (with somebody/something) having a very strong feeling of love or attraction for somebody/something so that you cannot think clearly and in a sensible way (OLD)
- having a very strong but not usually lasting feeling of love or attraction for someone or something (CambridgeD)
Feelings C2
adjective
large in amount, value or importance
B2
SYNONYM considerable
substantial
/səbˈstænʃl/
Presently 40 percent of first
marriages in this country end in divorce. Sixty percent of second marriages and 75 percent of third marriages end the same way. Apparently the prospect of a happier marriage the second and third time around is not substantial.
Book
Presently 40 percent of first
marriages in this country end in divorce. Sixty percent of
second marriages and 75 percent of third marriages end
the same way. Apparently the prospect of a happier
marriage the second and third time around is not
… .
The 5 love languages , By Gary Chapman, 1992, pg 30
substantial
/səbˈstænʃl/
large in size, value, or importance
adjective (often disapproving)
based on imagination and not facts or reason
fanciful
/ˈfænsɪfl/
- Admittedly, this may be a fanciful and unrealistic goal.
- During their mission, they encounter all kinds of bizarre and fanciful creatures.
BOOK
The reason we can do that so freely is that we sincerely believe that our lover feels the same way towardus. We believe that she is committed to meeting our needs, that he loves us as much as we love him and would never do anything to hurt us.
That thinking is always … .
The 5 love languages , By Gary Chapman, 1992, pg 41
fanciful
/ˈfænsɪfl/
based on imagination and not facts or reason
adjective (formal)
caring about the needs and happiness of other people and being willing to do things to help them, even if it brings no advantage to yourself
altruistic
/ˌæltruˈɪstɪk/
altruistic behaviour
The euphoria of the “in love” state gives us the illusion
that we have an intimate relationship. We feel that we
belong to each other. We believe we can conquer all
problems. We feel … toward each other.
The 5 love languages , By Gary Chapman, 1992, pg 41
altruistic
/ˌæltruˈɪstɪk/
caring about the needs and happiness of other people and being willing to do things to help them, even if it brings no advantage to yourself
- [intransitive] to break into small parts or pieces and be destroyed
- [intransitive] to become much less strong or united and be gradually destroyed
SYNONYM fall apart
disintegrate
- The wall just disintegrated in a shower of fragments and dust.
- The authority of the central government was rapidly disintegrating.
adjective [only before noun] (informal)
(of ideas, plans, etc.) strange or crazy
crackpot
/ˈkrækpɑːt/
crackpot ideas/theories
adjective
involving two people or groups who agree to help each other or behave in the same way to each other
reciprocal
/rɪˈsɪprəkl/
- The two colleges have a reciprocal arrangement whereby students from one college can attend classes at the other.
- a reciprocal relationship between citizens and the state
noun (formal)
- [uncountable, countable] a definite or public statement that something is true or that you support something strongly
SYNONYM confirmation - [uncountable] emotional support or approval
تاکید، تصدیق، اثبات، تصریح، اظهار قطعی
affirmation
/ˌæfərˈmeɪʃn/
- Some people need frequent affirmations of love from their partners.
- The children were constantly looking for affirmation from their parents.
quote by Mark Twain
i can live for two months on a good … .
compliment
/ˈkɑːmplɪmənt/
[countable] a comment that expresses praise or approval of somebody
Idioms
a comment that seems to express approval but could also be understood as expressing a poor opinion of somebody/something
a left-handed compliment
(North American English also backhanded compliment)
In a left-handed compliment she said he looked very good for his age! .
Or: “You’re quite articulate for your age!”.
Book
I am not suggesting verbal flattery in order to get your spouse to do something you want. The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the well-being of the one you love. It is a fact, however, that when we receive affirming words we are far more likely to be motivated to ………. and do something our spouse desires.
The 5 love languages , By Gary Chapman, 1992, pg 40
reciprocate
/rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/
to share the same feelings as someone else, or to behave in the same way as someone else:
quote by Solomon: (the ancient Hebrew Wisdom Literature)
“The … has the power of life and death.”
Proverbs 18:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
tongue
/tʌŋ/
verb
to give somebody support, courage or hope
encourage
/ɪnˈkɜːrɪdʒ/
“Giving verbal compliments is only one way to express words of affirmation to your spouse. Another dialect is encouraging words. The word encourage means “to inspire courage.” All of us have areas in which we feel insecure. We lack courage, and that lack of courage often hinders us from accomplishing the positive things that we would like to do. The latent potential within your spouse in his or her areas of insecurity may await your encouraging words.”
― Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, pg 40
verb [ T ]
to limit the ability of someone to do something, or to limit the development of something:
C2
hinder
/ˈhɪn.dɚ/
“Giving verbal compliments is only one way to express words of affirmation to your spouse. Another dialect is encouraging words. The word encourage means “to inspire courage.” All of us have areas in which we feel insecure. We lack courage, and that lack of courage often hinders us from accomplishing the positive things that we would like to do. The latent potential within your spouse in his or her areas of insecurity may await your encouraging words.” ― Gary Chapman, The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, pg 40
adjective
difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy:
arduous
/ˈɑːr.dʒu.əs/
- an arduous climb/task/journey
- She is an excellent writer, but it took the encouraging words from her husband to inspire her to take the first step in the arduous process of getting an article published.
adjective
producing a large amount of money; making a large profit
Synonyms successful
TOPICS Jobs C1
lucrative
/ˈluːkrətɪv/
- a lucrative business/contract/market
- Had the plan worked it would have proved highly lucrative.
verb
to improve something or make it stronger
bolster
/ˈbəʊlstər/
She tried to bolster my confidence/morale (= encourage me and make me feel stronger) by telling me that I had a special talent.
ADJECTIVE
- [only before noun] (formal or law) relating to young people who are not yet adults
- (formal) relating to young birds and animals
- (disapproving) silly and more typical of a child than an adult - SYNONYM childish
TOPICS Life stages C1, Law and justice C1
juvenile
from Latin juvenis ‘young, a young person’.
/ˈdʒuːvənl/
- juvenile crime/employment
- the prey of juvenile owls
- Religion can mean believing that God is the source and the goal of life, or that this is at best a juvenile distraction; (world religions the great faiths explored and explained. DK 2006)
juvenile behaviour …. / … Don’t be so juvenile!
book
It can mean believing that God is the source and the goal of life, or that this is at best a … distraction;
(world religions the great faiths explored and explained. DK 2006)
juvenile
/ˈdʒuːvənl/
(disapproving) silly and more typical of a child than an adult - SYNONYM childish
verb [ T ]
“To expel a person from a religious community (in a church or synagogue) by a formal sentence, depriving them of their spiritual privileges.”
excommunicate
/ˌek.skəˈmjuː.nə.keɪt/
- It can mean believing that God is the source and the goal of life, or that this is at best a juvenile distraction; loving one’s neighbor as oneself, or excommunicating him or her to a fate far worse than death; (world religions the great faiths explored and explained. DK 2006. pg 7)
- The Bahá’í Faith rarely excommunicates members but reserves it for suppressing organized dissent that threatens unity.
noun
- a young bird that has just learnt to fly
- new and without experience
fledgling
(British English also fledgeling)
/ˈfledʒlɪŋ/
- Tiger sharks travel a thousand kilometers to get to Laysan island, arriving just in time for the fledging season. (Our planet II, S01E02)
- fledgling democracies
noun informal (DRUG)
- marijuana, or, more generally, any type of illegal drug:
- a silly person:
- information, especially secret or hidden information:
- (adjective) very good:
dope
/doʊp/
- They were arrested for smoking/selling/buying dope.
- You shouldn’t have told him, you dope!
- His blog is a must-read for anyone who wants the inside dope on the tech world.
- This music is dope.
adjective
extremely bad, worrying, or without hope:
TOPICS Health problems C2
grim
/ɡrɪm/
(comparative grimmer, superlative grimmest)
If toadlets are not quick enough, their fates is grim; They are consumed whole by giant leeches. LINK
noun
- a product that is bought and sold
- formal a useful quality or thing
commodity
/kəˈmɑːdəti/
(plural commodities)
- rice, flour and other basic commodities.
- Time is a precious commodity.
phrasal verb
- to suddenly try to hit somebody/something
- to criticize somebody in an angry way
lash out (at somebody/something)
/læʃ/
- She suddenly lashed out at the boy.
- In a bitter article he lashed out at his critics.
Coined by Gary Chapman in “The 5 Love Languages,”
it represents our emotional need for love. Keeping it full is crucial for lasting relationships.
Love Tank
From the book:
* “Keeping your partner’s love tank full is crucial for a lasting relationship.”
* ““Much of the misbehavior of children is motivated by the cravings of an empty ‘love tank’.”
verb
remove the Nazi influence from (an area or institution).
denazify
dēˈnätsəˌfī/
Putin (2022 after attacking Ukrain): “We are seeking to demilitarize and denazify Ukrain.”
“Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill agree to denazify Germany”
[uncountable, countable]
- a cloud of very small drops of water in the air just above the ground, that make it difficult to see
- a thin layer of liquid on the surface of something that makes it difficult to see
- [singular] a fine spray of liquid, for example from an aerosol can
TOPICS Weather C1
make a sentence
mist
/mɪst/
- The origins of the story are lost in the mists of time (= forgotten because it happened such a long time ago).
- Through a mist of tears, I watched his train pull out of the station.
- “After applying a nourishing serum, it’s advisable to follow up with a gentle facial mist to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.”
noun
animal like a large rabbit with very strong back legs, that can run very fast
TOPICS Animals C1
hare
/her/
Scientists are studying the unique adaptations of desert hares, such as their ability to conserve water and survive in hot, arid environments.
two part words
Talking down to someone, implying superiority
condescending manner
/kənˌdɪˈsɛndɪŋ ˈmænər/
- Explains things as if listener lacks knowledge
- Uses dismissive tone or body language
- Offers unsolicited, patronizing advice
noun [uncountable]
the period of a person’s life during which their sexual organs develop and they become capable of having children
TOPICS Life stages C2
puberty
/ˈpjuːbərti/
During puberty, hormonal variations trigger the development of secondary sex characteristics, with girls experiencing breast growth and menarche (first period) while boys see testicular enlargement and voice deepening.
from Latin puber ‘adult’, related to pubes ‘pubic hair, groin, genitals’.
adjective
making a short, high sound;
squeaky
/ˈskwiː.ki/
(squeakier, squeakiest)
- squeaky floorboards
- Puberty often brings a characteristically squeaky voice in boys due to laryngeal development.
1. Noun [ C ],
- a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, especially one that lasts for a long time:
- to do or give something unwillingly SYNONYM begrudge
- to think that somebody does not deserve to have something
SYNONYM begrudge
TOPICS Preferences and decisionsC2, Feelings C2
grudge
/ɡrʌdʒ/
- He has a grudge against the world.
-
grudge doing something I grudge having to pay so much tax.
grudge something He grudges the time he spends travelling to work. - You surely don’t grudge her her success?
adjective
(of people) willing to use their power to do dishonest or illegal things in return for money or to get an advantage
corrupt
/kəˈrʌpt/
- Romania is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe.
- Scientific: Corrupt data sets can lead to unreliable scientific conclusions.
- Academic: Many political science courses explore the concept of corruption and its impact on governance.
- Historical: The Roman Empire’s decline is often attributed to widespread political corruption.
noun
an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting for an agreed period of time; the period of time that this lasts
TOPICS Discussion and agreementC1, War and conflict C1
truce
/truːs/
to call/break a truce
truth and truce are homophones
imperative sentence
When someone tells you to “… …,” they are advising you to exercise self-discipline, avoid impulsive behavior, or prevent yourself from doing something you might want to do but should not.
“restrain yourself”
It’s about exercising self-control and not giving in to immediate desires or urges. For example, if you’re angry, you might need to restrain yourself from yelling or reacting aggressively.
noun [uncountable]
the fact of being strange, mysterious and frightening
eeriness
/ˈɪrinəs/
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), looks peacful now, but underneath this, there is eeriness . Link: The hidden village just metres from North Korea | BBC News)
the eeriness of an empty city
noun [ U ]
the act or process of forcing people by law to join the armed services:
TOPICS War and conflict C2
conscription
/kənˈskrɪp.ʃən/
Conscription has always been a controversial topic. Opponents argue it infringes on individual liberties and can be unfair. Proponents see it as a necessary tool for national defense and fostering social cohesion.
Conscription comes from Latin “con-scribere” meaning “to write down together” - basically enrolling someone (for military service).
adjective
- extremely slow and sluggish
- extremely unfriendly
- extremely cold
glacial
/ˈɡleɪʃl/
- It would take the FDA nearly six months to get the Purity First off the market. A response Dr.Spaeth calls “glacial”
- She gave me a glacial stare.
- glacial temperatures/period
adjective
Having a disagreeable odor or taste caused by oxidation of fats and oils.
rancid
/ˈrænsɪd/
rancid butter
rancid breath
History
also known as Norsemen or Northmen, were seafaring raiders, traders, and explorers from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) during the 8th to 11th centuries CE.
The Vikings
/ˈvaɪ.kɪŋ/
The Vikings famously raided and colonized parts of Europe, reaching as far as Newfoundland in North America.
Etymology: From Old Norse *víkingr (“ raider, seafarer”). The root is uncertain, possibly related to *vik (“bay, inlet”) suggesting their connection to the sea.
History
a legendary Viking king and hero who appears in various Norse sagas. The historical accuracy of these tales is debated, but Ragnar is depicted as a fearless warrior and ruler who led raids on England and France.
Ragnar Lodbrok (d. 845 CE)
verb
To destroy completely; to put an end to something by killing all the members or examples of it.
exterminate
/ɪkˈstərˌmɪˌnet/
- When the cockle grows amongst the barley, there is only one way to purify the field. Therefore, tonight, I order that all Vikings living on this island… be exterminated.
- The government is trying to exterminate the invasive insect species.
- “Exterminate” has a strong connotation of complete and final destruction. It’s often used in serious contexts, such as genocide, pest control, or science fiction.
verb [ I or T ]
To move silently and stealthily, often in search of prey. This is a common way to describe how a predator, like a lion or a cat, moves.
prowl
/praʊl/
- if that Jesus bunch caught you prowling around over there, you’ll be lucky to get back.
- At night, adult scorpions prowl the desert for (= trying to catch) insects.
- A person who worships a god or gods other than the one God of Christianity or Judaism.
- An adherent of a polytheistic religion.
pagan
/ˈpeɪɡən/
- Some people today practice pagan religions, such as Wicca or Druidism.
- In ancient Rome, there were many pagan gods and goddesses, such as Jupiter, Juno, and Mars.
noun
a term used to describe a variety of religions that are not considered part of the major world religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, or Buddhism.
paganism
/ˈpeɪ.ɡən.ɪ.zəm/
Pagan religions are often characterized by a belief in multiple deities (polytheism), a reverence for nature, and a focus on ritual and magic.
noun [ C ]
- Worshipper of Idols
- Excessive Admiration
idolater
/aɪˈdɑː.lə.t̬ɚ/
- An idolater is someone who worships a physical object (idol) as if it were a god or deity. This is often used in the context of Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) where worshipping one God is central. In these religions, idols are seen as false gods and idolatry is forbidden.
- This is a more figurative meaning. An idolater can also be someone who admires or reveres someone or something excessively, often to the point of worshipping them. This usage isn’t necessarily negative. For instance, a teenager who idolizes a musician might have their walls plastered with posters and spend all their free time listening to their music.
noun
- a deep narrow valley with steep sides SYNONYM canyon
- ……… (yourself) (on something) to eat a lot of something, until you are too full to eat any more
TOPICS Geography C1
TOPICS Feelings C2
gorge
/ɡɔːrdʒ/
- the Rhine Gorge
- If you gorge yourself on snacks like that, you won’t eat your dinner.
verb
To turn something upside down, or make it stand on its end.
upend
/ʌpˈend/
Imagine your favorite toy truck. Normally, it sits on its wheels. If you upended it, the wheels would be pointing straight up in the air!
Here are some other ways to think about “upend”:
Tipping something over: You might upend a bucket of sand if you’re not careful while carrying it.
Emptying something completely: You could upend a bag of chips to get the very last crumb out.
noun
- small pieces of rubbish that have been left lying on the ground in public places:
- a group of animals that are born at the same time and have the same mother:
B2
litter
/ˈlɪt̬.ɚ/
- About two percent of fast-food packaging ends up as litter.
- Female Pikas can have up to three litters per year.
Small mammal related to the rabbit and similar to a guinea pig
Found in rocky areas of western North America
Known for their high-pitched calls
Diurnal (active during the day)
Herbivore (eats plants)
American Pika
adjective
(biology) (of animals) active during the day
OPPOSITE nocturnal
diurnal
/daɪˈɜːrnl/
- Unlike most other bats, this species is diurnal.
verb (formal)
to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else
covet
/ˈkʌvət/
He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician.
They are this year’s winners of the coveted trophy (= that everyone would like to win).
multi-word expression.
Do what you want.
Suit Yourself
- I don’t have a preference. (Neutral tone): “Coffee or tea: Suit yourself.”)
- Fine, but don’t complain later. (Passive-aggressive tone): “You won’t wear a jacket? Suit yourself. Don’t complain if you get cold.”)
- Good luck with that. (Sarcastic tone): I suggest studying for the exam. Suit yourself if you want to fail.”)
Generally: A person who does not follow a religion considered to be true by the speaker, especially one who follows a polytheistic religion.
More nuanced meanings:
Someone considered uncultured or uncivilized.
Derogatory term for someone who behaves immorally.
Heathen
/hīðən/
Examples:
Historical: “The Vikings were considered heathens by the Christians.”
Neutral: “Some scholars believe the ancient Greeks were a heathen culture.” (This usage is less common today)
Offensive: “That man’s behavior is so heathen!” (This usage is discouraged as it can be disrespectful)
Norse mythology
- In Norse mythology, is a majestic hall located in Asgard, the realm of the gods.
- It serves as a glorious afterlife for warriors who die bravely in battle.
- Einherjar, these chosen warriors, feast, train, and prepare for Ragnarök, the final battle between gods and giants.
Valhalla
/vəˈhalə/
Mythology: “The brave Viking warrior hoped to reach Valhalla after his death.”
Figurative: “The athletes trained with such intensity, it felt like they were preparing for Valhalla.” (This usage metaphorically compares a place of intense training or competition to Valhalla)
Etymology: Old Norse Valhöll (“hall of the slain”).
Valr (meaning “slain warrior”) and höll (meaning “hall”).
adjective [ before noun ]
- more advanced in time; later; nearer to the end of a period of time than the beginning
- used to refer to the second of two things or people mentioned
Opposite former
latter
/ˈlæt̬.ɚ/
- Bands of these fearsome warriors from modern-day Scandinavia crossed the seas in their unique longboats - sail thrashing in the wind- to conduct terrifying raids in much of Europe and lands to the East from 800 AD to the latter part of the 11th century.
the latter part of the 11th century: refers to a period closer to the end of the 11th century, likely somewhere between the years 1070 and 1100. - He chose the latter option. / The latter point is the most important.
noun
- [usually singular] a person who rescues somebody/something from a dangerous or difficult situation
- the …. : [singular] used in the Christian religion as another name for Jesus Christ
saviour
/ˈseɪvjər/
(US English savior)
- The new manager has been hailed as the saviour of the club.
- Religious Context: In many religions, a savior is a figure who is believed to rescue humanity from suffering or sin. The most well-known example is Jesus Christ in Christianity, who is believed to be the Son of God who died for humanity’s sins.
noun
- The postponement of a punishment, esp. of death.
- A temporary respite from something unpleasant or difficult.
reprieve
/riˈpriːv/
“The King did graunt him a Reprieve for a certaine time.” (Edward Coke, Institutes of the Laws of England, 1642)
from the Middle French word “repriver,” which means “to take back” or “to revoke.”
Norse Mythology
Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and magic.
Ruler of the afterlife field Fólkvangr, where half of those who die in battle reside
**Freya**
(also spelled Freyja, Freia)
| frei.ja
## Footnote
The most beautiful of the Asynjur goddesses, **Freya** was considered second in rank only to Frigg, Odin’s wife, with whom she was sometimes confused. Freya was also the goddess of a form of magic, called seiyr, which she taught to Odin and the other Aesir.
VERB
- to search a place or thing carefully and completely in order to find somebody/something SYNONYM comb
- to clean something by rubbing its surface hard with rough material
scoure
/ˈskaʊ.ɚ/
- A young wolf, Cedar, has been Scouring the coast for days. looking for food, leftovers, anything.
- I had to scour out the pans.
noun
a small ball of wire or stiff plastic used for cleaning pans
scourer
(also scouring pad)
/ˈskaʊərər/
adjective (formal)
making people feel very frightened
fearsome
/ˈfɪrsəm/
- a fearsome dinosaur
- He has a fearsome reputation as a fighter.
- a fearsome expression/sight
noun [plural]
large amounts of money and valuable or beautiful possessions
riches
/ˈrɪtʃɪz/
- a career that brought him fame and riches
- material riches
- She was a famous model whose looks were her riches.
- all the riches of the world’s oceans
noun [uncountable] (old use)
a promise to be loyal to somebody and show them your support, especially a king or queen
fealty
/ˈfiːəlti/
The Vikings were not a “race” linked by ties of common ancestry or patriotism- and in fact, their fealty was to the cheiftain of their particular tribe.
- Norse explorer
- Credited with leading the first European voyages to North America (around 1000 AD)
- Son of Erik the Red, who founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland
- Religion: Christianity (converted by King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway)
- Nicknames: Leif the Lucky, Leif the Discoverer
Leif Erikson
While there is some debate about who the absolute “first” European explorer might have been, Leif Erikson is widely credited with leading the first sustained European voyages to North America, pre-dating Columbus by nearly 500 years. This represents a significant achievement in exploration and navigation.
adjective
- (of a liquid) not clear; dark or dirty with mud or another substance
SYNONYM cloudy - (of air, light, etc.) dark and unpleasant because of smoke, fog, etc.
- (disapproving or humorous) (of people’s actions or character) not clearly known and suspected of not being honest
murky
/ˈmɜːrki/
(comparative murkier, superlative murkiest)
- She gazed into the murky depths of the water.
(figurative) The meaning of this sentence remains murky - a murky night
The light was murky and it was difficult to see ahead. - He had a somewhat murky past.
He was involved in the murky world of arms dealing.
noun [uncountable, singular]
violence; aggressive behaviour.
ferocity
/fəˈrɑːsəti/
- The police were shocked by the ferocity of the attack.
- She fought back with a ferocity that matched his own
- The speed and ferocity of the Vikings’ movements over oceans and continents - in just a little more than two and half centuries - changed the world forever.
(especially North American English, offensive, slang)
B.S stands for..
bullshit
/ˈbʊlʃɪt/
- I am Marni and I am going to give you the no bs insider information about the women.
- That guy’s full of BS.
JIMMY CARTER in Tehran DEC 31, 1977
“Iran, because of the great leadership of the Shah, is an island of ……… in one of the more troubled areas of the world.”
JIMMY CARTER
39th President of the United States: 1977 ‐ 1981
Toasts of the President and the Shah at a State Dinner in Tehran, Iran
December 31, 1977
stability
/stəˈbɪləti/
“Iran, because of the great leadership of the Shah, is an island of stability in one of the more troubled areas of the world.”
JIMMY CARTER
39th President of the United States: 1977 ‐ 1981
Toasts of the President and the Shah at a State Dinner in Tehran, Iran
December 31, 1977
noun
The sovereign or supreme male monarch of an empire.
TOPICS History B2, People in society B2
Emperor
SEE ALSO empress
/ˈempərər/
Newsweek article on 2023: “Why Jimmy Carter Owes the Iranian People an Apology” addressed the last shah of Iran: Emperor!.
“Regarding the title, the Shah of Iran was indeed a king, not an emperor. The distinction between these titles is significant. While an emperor typically rules over multiple nations or territories, a king’s authority is usually limited to a single kingdom. In the case of the Shah, his title was that of a monarch who ruled Iran. The use of the term “emperor” would not accurately describe his position.”
noun
the act of recalling or recollecting past experiences.
TOPICS Life stages C2
نشانه، یاداوری، یادداشت، یادبود، خاطره
reminiscence
/ˌremɪˈnɪsns/
The role of reminiscence in family history research should never be underestimated.
Etymology: The Latin verb reminisci means “to remember” or “recall to mind.”
It combines the prefix “re-” (meaning “again”) and the root “mens” (which signifies “mind”).
Verb
to make a place more able to resist attack, especially by building high walls
fortify something (against somebody/something)
/ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/
a fortified town
They fortified the area against attack.
verb
to make repeated short, high sounds
SYNONYM warble
TOPICS Language C2
trill
/trɪl/
- A phone trilled on the desk.
- Crickets trill by rubbing their wings together.
- Grasshoppers also produce trilling sounds using their wings.
- Cicadas create a loud trill by vibrating their tymbals (specialized structures on their abdomen).
adjective
very clever and quick at seeing what to do in a particular situation, especially how to get an advantage
SYNONYM shrewd
TOPICS Personal qualities C2
astute
/əˈstuːt/
an astute businessman/politician/observer
verb
to order somebody to leave a place, especially a country, as a punishment
SYNONYM exile
TOPICS Crime and punishment C2
banish somebody (from…) (to…)
/ˈbænɪʃ/
- He was banished to Australia, where he died five years later.
- The children were banished from the dining room.
- He pleaded with the Queen not to banish him.
noun
[singular, uncountable] an end to a disagreement or conflict with somebody and the start of a good relationship again
TOPICS Discussion and agreement C2
reconciliation
/ˌrekənsɪliˈeɪʃn/
- The pair are bravely attempting a reconciliation.
- reconciliation with somebody: Their change of policy brought about a reconciliation with Britain.
- reconciliation between A and B: He is striving to bring about a reconciliation between the two conflicting sides.
phrasal verb
To become inconspicuous or indistinguishable from the surroundings or people around one.
blend in
/blɛnd ˈɪn/
- Scientific: Chameleons are masters of blending in by changing their skin color to match their environment.
- Academic: Social psychology studies how people use clothing and behavior to blend in with different social groups.
- Historical: During wartime, soldiers might wear camouflage uniforms to blend in with the landscape and avoid enemy detection.
verb
to rise; to go up; to climb up
OPPOSITE descend
ascend
While some in Iran may remember Churchill as a hero, he was also involved in various plots against Iran.
His actions included helping Reza Shah Pahlavi ascend the throne, occupying Iran during World War II, imposing sanctions after oil nationalization, and dispatching warships to threaten Iran.
verb
to surprise somebody suddenly in a way that slightly shocks or frightens them
Synonyms surprise
TOPICS Feelings C2
startle
/ˈstɑːrtl/
- startle somebody/something I didn’t mean to startle you.
- The explosion startled the horse.
I was startled by her question.
She was startled into a little cry of surprise.
it startles somebody to do something : It startled me to find her sitting in my office.
adjective
(of people) strong, determined and not afraid of arguing with people
TOPICS Opinion and argument C2
feisty
/ˈfaɪsti/
(comparative feistier, superlative feistiest)
(informal, appro
The Adélie penguin is known as the feistiest penguin species in the world. They are common along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent, which is the only place where they are found. Despite their small size, these birds are quite feisty. They’ve been known to take on potential predators such as seals or large seabirds, and even researchers who get too close. It’s thought there may be over 10 million Adélies in Antarctica.
noun
Field combining biology, computer science, and statistics.
Uses AI, data analysis to understand biological data (DNA, genes, proteins).
Bioinformatics
/ˌbaɪ.oʊ.ɪn.fərˈmæt.ɪks/
Analyzing DNA sequences to identify genes or predict protein functions: Bioinformatics tools can analyze the sequence of nucleotides in DNA to identify genes, understand their regulation, and predict potential mutations.
noun
a tropical tree that grows in mud or at the edge of rivers and has roots that are above ground
mangrove
/ˈmænɡrəʊv/
-
mangrove swamps
*
noun
- A place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted.
- A habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species
- A specialized market.
niche
/nɪtʃ/
- She finally found her niche in graphic design.
- With too much competition from predators on land, fishing cats were forced a new niche in order to survive. They turned to tthe swamp.
- The company targets the niche market of organic pet food.
verb
- [transitive] to mix two or more substances together
- [intransitive] to form a mixture with something
- to combine with something in an attractive or effective way; to combine something in this way
- blend something to produce something by mixing different types together
Cooking and eating C1
blend
-
blend A with B: Blend the flour with the milk to make a smooth paste.
blend A and B (together) Blend together the eggs, sugar and flour. -
blend with something Oil does not blend with water.
blend (together) Oil and water do not blend. -
blend (something) (together) The old and new buildings blend together perfectly.
blend something (and/with something) Their music blends traditional and modern styles. - blended whisky/tea
verb [often passive]
- to impress somebody a lot with your beauty, skill, etc.
- if a strong light dazzles you, it is so bright that you cannot see for a short time
SYNONYM blind
dazzle
/ˈdæzl/
- He was dazzled by the warmth of her smile./
She knows a lot of famous people and tried to dazzle me with their names. - He was momentarily dazzled by the strong sunlight.
verb
to shine with a soft, gentle light that seems to move slightly.
shimmer
- As the peacock displays his tail, the shimmering eyespots dynamically shift through a spectrum of blues, greens, and golds depending on the viewing angle.
- The sea was shimmering in the sunlight.
- The surface of the road shimmered in the midday heat.
- She was wearing a shimmering white gown.
noun
- a large feather
- a cloud of something that rises and curves upwards in the air
TOPICS The environment C2
plume
/pluːm/
- male Peacock’s Colors and plumes come at a cost; The immense tail makes flying difficult.
- a plume of smoke