28/8/20(princeton,tc,set-7) Flashcards
scribble
verb [ I or T ]
to write or draw something quickly or carelessly:
The baby’s just scribbled all over my new dictionary!
[ + two objects ] I’ll just scribble Dad a note/scribble a note to Dad to say we’re going out.
veteran
noun [ C ]
a person who has had a lot of experience of a particular activity:
a 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department
C2 (US informal vet) someone who has been in the armed forces during a war: a Vietnam veteran the surviving veterans of World War II
dubious
adjective
thought not to be completely true or not able to be trusted:
These claims are dubious and not scientifically proven.
He has been associated with some dubious characters.
Ruth Ellis has the dubious (= bad) distinction of being the last woman to be hanged in Britain.
C2
feeling doubt or not feeling certain:
I’m dubious about his promises to change his ways.
wrought
adjective formal
made or done in a careful or decorative way:
The new album contains some carefully wrought new songs and a number of familiar hits.
Her poems are well-wrought and intensely personal.
- VERB [only past]
If something has wrought a change, it has made it happen.
[journalism, literary]
Events in Paris wrought a change in British opinion towards France and Germany. [VERB noun]
perilous
adjective formal
extremely dangerous:
The country roads are quite perilous.
purist
noun [ C ]
someone who believes in and follows very traditional rules or ideas in a subject:
Although purists may object to split infinitives, like “to boldly go”, the fact is, they are commonly used.
Purists eat smoked salmon with nothing more than lemon and black pepper.
licentious
ADJECTIVE
If you describe a person as licentious, you mean that they are very immoral in their sexual behaviour.
[formal, disapproval]
…alarming stories of licentious behaviour.
Synonyms: promiscuous, immoral, lewd, debauched
supplant
VERB
If a person or thing is supplanted, another person or thing takes their place.
[formal]
He may be supplanted by a younger man. [be VERB-ed]
By the 1930s the wristwatch had almost completely supplanted the pocket watch. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: replace, oust, displace, supersede
refulgent
adjective literary
shining with a bright light:
the beauty of her refulgent face
plaintiff
COUNTABLE NOUN
A plaintiff is a person who brings a legal case against someone in a court of law.
accusation
noun [ C or U ]
a statement saying that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind, or the fact of accusing someone:
You can’t just make wild accusations like that!
He glared at me with an air of accusation.
[ + that ] What do you say to the accusation that you are unfriendly and unhelpful?
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
commensurate
adjective formal
in a correct and suitable amount compared to something else:
a salary that is commensurate with skills and experience
commensurate
adjective formal
in a correct and suitable amount compared to something else:
a salary that is commensurate with skills and experience
pervade
VERB
If something pervades a place or thing, it is a noticeable feature throughout it.
[formal]
The smell of sawdust and glue pervaded the factory. [VERB noun]
…the corruption that pervades every stratum of the country. [VERB noun]
Throughout the book there is a pervading sense of menace. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: spread through, fill, affect, penetrate