Barron's 175 Words (Cram) Flashcards
bring about
phr. v.
to cause to happen; produce an effect
cause, lead to, result in
- The creation of a national railroad system brought about big changes in the economy of the Midwest and west.
acute
adj.
adj. having the characteristics of being very serious or intense; reaching the point of crisis
critical, crucial, desperate
- Natural disasters often produce acute needs for medicine, food and water.
apparent
adj.
easily seen or perceived; easily understood
clear–cut, evident, obvious
- The apparent failure of dinosaurs to adjust to changes in the weather caused their extinction.
attribute
(noun)
an identifying characteristic or feature of something
aspect, trait, quality
One of Thomas Edison’s most famous attributes was his persistence.
dwelling
n.
a building where one resides
abode, home, lodging
- The Hopi Indians carved their dwellings into large stone cliffs.
to encompass
to contain or include certain parts
consist of, contain, embody
- The field of linguistics encompasses the areas of social, applied and theoretical language study.
every so often
adv. exp
referring to events that occur occasionally or at no specific time
every now and then, once in a while, now and again
sık sık
- Every so often the Colima volcano in Mexico sends huge clouds of smoke into the air.
to contrast
to point out differences between two or more things or people by comparing the characteristics of each
balanced against, compared to, distinguished from
- In the 1960s, suburban growth, contrasted with that of urban areas, showed a movement away from cities.
to get rid of
to discard, to cast aside, to reject
dispose of, throw away, discard
- Medieval authorities generally got rid of the belief that the world was round.
indicative of
adj.
serving as proof or a symbol of something
evidence of, representative of, verification of
- The students’s lab results were indicative of the high quality of their research methods and their creative problem–solving strategies.
to melt
to change from a solid state to a liquid state
liquefy,thaw
- Water melts at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
heyday
n.
the high point of power, success or popularity
apex, pinnacle, zenith
The West experienced its nineteenth century economic heyday during the famous California gold rush of the 1840s.
to portray
to describe someone or something in a specific way
depict, render, represent
- Some historians portray the development of the Internet as one of the most important scientific advancements of the twentieth century.
to put on the back burner
exp.
to postpone to a future time
defer, delay, suspend
- Due to lack of funding, the transportation project was put on the back burner.
recover
v.
to rebuild or return to a previous condition or state
recoup, recuperate, regain
- The economy recovered its strength after a long period of poor economic growth.
slender
adj.
the quality of being thin
slim, skinny
- Snakes have long, slender bodies
staple
adj.
a principal ingredient or major element of something
chief, essential, prime
- Corn, beans and squash were staple foods of the Hopi Indian diet.
to take on
to take the first steps in doing something
initiate, commence, undertake
- Because of the doctor’s busy schedule, she is not sure if she should take on another research project.
user–friendly
adj.
referring to something that is easy to use, learn or operate
simple, uncomplicated
- User–friendly computer programs are the most popular in today’s software marketplace.
to broaden
to increase a person’s knowledge, experience or interests
enlarge, expand, widen
- The transcontinental railway system, completed in 1869, broadened the possibility for economic growth in all parts of the country.
to check out
to determine if something is correct or true; to examine carefully
examine, investigage, research
- During a trip to Pery, archaeologist Johan Reinhard discovered a frozen female mummy while checking out what he thought was a mountain climber’s backpack.
adjacent to
prep.
very close to something; near or next to
adjoining, nearby, neighboring
- Many home buyers prefer houses that are adjacent to park lands
to deny
to insist that something is not true; to not allow something to happen
rebuff, refute, reject
- Opponents of the “greenhouse effect” theory deny that human activity could cause a major change in the Earth’s climate.
dim
adj
not bright; lacking light; being weak
faint, soft, weak
- The dim light of the setting sun gave a peaceful feeling to the evening.
easygoing
adj
not easily bothered; peaceful
carefree, relaxed, laid–back, tasasız
- The engineer’s easygoing personality makes him an ideal team leader.
to factor in
to consider or include information used to make conclusions
add in, include, incorporate
- The price of raw material and the costs of production and transportation are factored in to the store price of an item.
to gather
to collect or come together
assemble, congregate, meet
- On August 28, 1963, more than 100,000 citizens gathered in Washington to demonstrate their support for civil rights.
life span
n.
the amount of time that a living thing is expected to live
lifetime, natural life
- The average life span of people born in the twenty–first century is more than double that of people who were born in the nineteenth century.
minuscule
adj.
being of very small size
diminutive, minute, tiny
- Camels require only minuscule amounts of water, with many living up to six months in cooler seasons without taking a drink.
radical
adj.
causing fundamental, basic change that results in something very different from the original thing or idea
complete, thorough, total
- In general, human beings dislike radical changes.
to render
to cause something to change or develop in a certain way
cause to be, develop into, make
kılmak,hale getirmek
- Pure ice is completely clear, but if air bubbles are present, they render it cloudy
v2. to melt the fat of an animal as you cook it: - Steam the goose to render some of the fat.
to run into
to meet, sometimes unexpectedly
come across, encounter, meet
- Scientists have run into many challenges in their efforts to produce an alternative to the gas–powered automobile motor.
sole
adj.
the only one of its kind
exclusive, lone, single
- At his death in 1959, Walter Williams, who was 117 years old, was the sole survivor of the four million soldiers who fought in the US Civil War.
worthwhile
adj.
having value in doing sth or being of benefit
meaningful, useful, valuable,rewarding
- While preparing for the TOEFL, it is worthwhile to work on building a large English vocabulary.
to stem from
to have its origins in; to develop from a specific condition or situation
arise form, develop from, originate from
- Cancun, Mexico is a famous resort city whose popularity among tourists stems from its ideal climate and beautiful beaches.
to surpass
to exceed expectations; to become greater or better
better, exceed, go beyond
- It is a goal of most teachers to develop students whose knowledge and skills will one day surpass their own abilities.
to take up
to start a new activity or project
embark on*,engage in, start
- Health experts often suggest taking up activities that reduce stress and improve physical condition.
stamina
n.
mental or physical strength spent over a long period of time
endurance, resistance, staying power
- Among the important goals of long–distance runners are those of developing both mental and physical stamina.
to take after
to look or behave like someone else
be similar to, look like, resemble
- The popularity of gorilla exhibits at zoos is due to the fact that their behavior so closely takes after that of human beings
outspoken
adj.
expressing honest opinions directly despite the negative effects they may have on other people
blunt*, candid*, forthright*
- African–American journalist William Monroe Trotter was an outspoken supporter of civil rights in the early twentieth century.
to procure
to obtain something usually something hard to find
acquire, attain, obtain
- A strong password, which cannot be procured by others, should be used to protect important computer files
recognition
n.
praise or appreciation of a person’s work or achievements
acknowledgment, credit, gratitude*
- Vicent van Gogh’s paintings did not receive the recognition that they deserved until well after his death.
to nourish
to give the food or encouragement necessary to grow
to encourage, nurture, support
- Governments tend to nourish a feeling of national identity, but people more often identify with their region than with their country.
to foster
to encourage the development of an idea or policy
** advance, promote, further**
- Respect for the law fosters peace and security in a society.
inasmuch as
conj.
in a limited way something is true
because of the fact that, insofar as, since
- Thomas Edison was persistent, inasmuch as he conducted more than one thousand experiments to create the electric lightbulb until he was successful.
2. used to explain the way in which, what you are saying is true - Ann is guilty, inasmuch as she knew what the others were planning
due to
exp.
as a result of
a consequence of, because of, an account of
- New York City’s success as a center of world commerce and finance is due to its perfect location on the east coast.
to enhance
to increase in value or strength
develop, enrich, improve
- The young teacher’s pleasant personality enhanced her ability to manage her classes.
conspicuous
adj.
easy to observe because it is different or unusual
evident, obvious, noticeable
- The conspicuous absence of rainfall caused farmers to worry about their crops.
to diminish
to make less important or smaller
decrease, lessen, reduce
- New methods of communication will probably diminish the need to use communication devices such as the telephone.
bold
adj.
showing courage or lack of fear
courageous, gallant*, valiant
- The bold leadership style of the president changed the mood of the county’s people.
to attach importance to
to believe that something is important or deserves attention
attribute, ascribe*, confer**
- At first, the residents of Pompei did not attach much importance to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
beneath
prep.
under
below, under, underneath
- Modern submarines can remain beneath the ocean’s surface for months at a time.
to collaborate (in)
to work together to achieve a certain goal or objective
join forces, pool resources, work together
- Since 1990, large numbers of scientists have collaborated in the recording of the human genome.\n\nRelated:
to aim
the act of setting a mission, goal or objective
endeavor, goal, intention
- One aim of public health care organizations is to offer education programs to the public.
to ascertain
to discover through an investigation; to find out something
determine, establish, verify
- Before the Hublle space telescope was sent into space on April 24, 1990, scientists could not ascertain if black holes actually existed.
decay
n.
been destroyed by natural processes; become less important
atrophy, decomposition, deterioration
- It is a well–known fact that foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay.
to devise
to make a plan designed to achieve a goal or serve a purpose
develop, formulate, plan
- Data from the Mesopotamia civilization show that people had already devised mathematical rules by the year 3100 B.C.\
to exert
to make a strong effort to influence; to cause to happen
apply, exercise, put forth
- Newspapers and magazines exert a lot of influence on a person’s views of world events.
- the moon exerts a force on the Earth
- he needs to exert himself to try to find an answer
shift
n.
changes in the way people think or do things
alteration, change, modification
- Recently, there has been a shift away from hard–wired telephone systems to wireless cellular telephones.
outburst
n.
a sudden and powerful action or expression of emotion
eruption, explosion, outbreak
- Security removed the man whose outbursts of disapproval disturbed the meeting.
to pinpoint
to find the precise location of something
identify, isolate, locate
- The newest Doppler radar systems can pinpoint the location of bad weather.
provided that
exp.
if one event is to happen, then another must also happen
only if, on condition that, providing
- Teachers may work in any state provided that they meet the license requirements set by that state.
nevertheless
adv.
despite what has been mentioned or what has occurred
all the same, nonetheless, on the other hand
- Nursing schools have waiting lists. Nevertheless, a shortage of health care workers is predicted through the year 2020.
to fond of
to like very much
attached to, like, partial to
- Americans are especially fond of three sports: baseball, football and basketball.
to harvest
to collect or gather, especially a crop or seafood
collect, gather, reap
- The blue crap is harvested from the Chesapeake Bay from early spring to late fall.
in the event
exp.
what someone should do in case a specific unexpected event occurs
in case
- In the event of rain, the game will be postponed.
to uphold
to defend or support law, principle or policy
defend, support, sustain
- The Supreme Court either upholds or rejects lower court decisions.
whereas
(adv)
although something is not true of one thing, it is true of another
but, on the other hand, while
Most liquids contract when frozen, whereas water expands.
stable
(adj)
not likely to change; steady
constant, firm, steady
- The stable economic growth of the 1990s created thousands of new jobs across the country
succinct
(adj)
clearly explained with a small number of words7
brief, concise, to the point
- The professor gave a succinct explanation of the Aztec civilization’s influence on Mexican Spanish vocabulary