Advanced book Flashcards
vicarious
experienced as a result of watching, listening to, or reading about the activities of other people, rather than by doing the activities yourself:
She took vicarious pleasure in her friend’s achievements.
despondent
unhappy and with no hope or enthusiasm:
He became/grew increasingly despondent when she failed to return his phone calls.
She started to feel despondent about ever finding a job.
instigate
to cause an event or situation to happen by making a set of actions or a formal process begin:
The government will instigate new measures to combat terrorism.
The revolt in the north is believed to have been instigated by a high-ranking general.
anchor
anchor noun [C] (SUPPORT)
C2 someone or something that gives support when needed:
She was my anchor when things were difficult for me.
This treaty has been called the anchor (= strongest part) of their foreign policy.
2) to act as the anchorman or anchorwoman of a programme:
She will anchor the new morning news show.
3) C2 [ T ] to make something or someone stay in one position by fastening him, her, or it firmly:
We anchored ourselves to the rocks with a rope.
scoff
to laugh and talk about a person or idea in a way that shows that you think they are stupid or silly:
The critics scoffed at his paintings.
Years ago people would have scoffed at the idea that cars would be built by robots.
squelch
o make a sucking sound like the one produced when you are walking on soft, wet ground:
He got out of the car and squelched through the mud to open the gate.
2) (STOP)
[ T ] US to quickly end something that is causing you problems:
A spokeswoman at the White House has squelched rumors about the president’s ill health.
[ T ] US to silence someone by criticizing them:
The senator thoroughly squelched the journalist who tried to interrupt him during his speech.
henceforth
starting from this time:
Henceforth, the said building shall be the property of Brendan Duggan.
venerate
to honour or very much respect a person or thing:
Robert Burns is Scotland’s most venerated poet.
dissident
a person who publicly disagrees with and criticizes their government:
political dissidents
embellish
[ T ] to make something more beautiful by adding something to it:
The ceiling was embellished with flowers and leaves.
2) [ I or T ] to add or change some details of a story, usually to make it more interesting or exciting:
He couldn’t resist embellishing the story of his accident a little.
fritter something away
to waste money, time, or an opportunity:
If I’ve got money in my pocket, I tend to fritter it away.
She fritters so much money away on expensive make-up.
inane
extremely silly or with no real meaning or importance:
He’s always making inane remarks.
There are too many inane quiz shows on television these days.
sporadic
happening sometimes; not regular or continuous:
sporadic gunfire
a sporadic electricity supply
More than 100 people have been killed this year in sporadic outbursts of ethnic violence.
berate
to criticize or speak in an angry manner to someone:
As he left the meeting, he was berated by angry demonstrators.
Doctors are often berated for being poor communicators, particularly when they have to give patients bad news.
estrange
to cause someone to no longer have a friendly relationship with another person or other people:
Her lifestyle estranged her from her parents.
to cause you to feel that you do not understand someone or something, or do not have any connection with him, her, or it:
Cultural changes can estrange the reader from old texts.
