Barron's 175 Words (Cram) Flashcards
1
Q
bring about
phr. v.
A
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.
2
Q
acute
adj.
A
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.
3
Q
apparent
adj.
A
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.
4
Q
attribute
(noun)
A
an identifying characteristic or feature of something
aspect, trait, quality
One of Thomas Edison’s most famous attributes was his persistence.
5
Q
dwelling
n.
A
a building where one resides
abode, home, lodging
- The Hopi Indians carved their dwellings into large stone cliffs.
6
Q
to encompass
A
to contain or include certain parts
consist of, contain, embody
- The field of linguistics encompasses the areas of social, applied and theoretical language study.
7
Q
every so often
adv. exp
A
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.
8
Q
to contrast
A
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.
9
Q
to get rid of
A
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.
10
Q
indicative of
adj.
A
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.
11
Q
to melt
A
to change from a solid state to a liquid state
liquefy,thaw
- Water melts at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
12
Q
heyday
n.
A
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.
13
Q
to portray
A
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.
14
Q
to put on the back burner
exp.
A
to postpone to a future time
defer, delay, suspend
- Due to lack of funding, the transportation project was put on the back burner.
15
Q
recover
v.
A
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.
16
Q
slender
adj.
A
the quality of being thin
slim, skinny
- Snakes have long, slender bodies
17
Q
staple
adj.
A
a principal ingredient or major element of something
chief, essential, prime
- Corn, beans and squash were staple foods of the Hopi Indian diet.
18
Q
to take on
A
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.
19
Q
user–friendly
adj.
A
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.
20
Q
to broaden
A
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.
21
Q
to check out
A
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.
22
Q
adjacent to
prep.
A
very close to something; near or next to
adjoining, nearby, neighboring
- Many home buyers prefer houses that are adjacent to park lands
23
Q
to deny
A
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.
24
Q
dim
adj
A
not bright; lacking light; being weak
faint, soft, weak
- The dim light of the setting sun gave a peaceful feeling to the evening.
25
**easygoing**
adj
not easily bothered; peaceful
**carefree, relaxed, laid–back, tasasız**
* The engineer's _easygoing_ personality makes him an ideal team leader.
26
**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.
27
**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.
28
**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.
29
**minuscule**
## Footnote
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.
30
**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.
31
**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.
32
**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.
33
**sole**
## Footnote
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.
34
**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.
35
**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.
36
**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.
37
**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.
38
**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_.
39
**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
40
**outspoken**
## Footnote
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.
41
**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
42
**recognition**
## Footnote
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.
43
**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.
44
**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.
45
**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
46
**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.
47
**to enhance**
to increase in value or strength
**develop, enrich, improve**
* The young teacher's pleasant personality _enhanced_ her ability to manage her classes.
48
**conspicuous**
## Footnote
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.
49
**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.
50
**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.
51
**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
52
**beneath**
prep.
under
**below, under, underneath**
* Modern submarines can remain _beneath_ the ocean's surface for months at a time.
53
**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:
54
**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.
55
**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.
56
**decay**
## Footnote
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_.
57
**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.\
58
**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
59
**shift**
## Footnote
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.
60
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.
61
**to pinpoint**
to find the precise location of something
**identify, isolate, locate**
* The newest Doppler radar systems can _pinpoint the location of_ bad weather.
62
**provided that**
## Footnote
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.
63
**nevertheless**
## Footnote
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.
64
**to fond of**
to like very much
**attached to, like, partial to**
* Americans are especially _fond of_ three sports: baseball, football and basketball.
65
**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.
66
**in the event**
## Footnote
exp.
what someone should do in case a specific unexpected event occurs
**in case**
* _In the event of_ rain, the game will be postponed.
67
**to uphold**
to defend or support law, principle or policy
**defend, support, sustain**
* The Supreme Court either _upholds_ or rejects lower court decisions.
68
**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.
69
**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
70
**succinct**
## Footnote
(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
71
**symbolic**
| (adj)
representing something else by an association
**illustrative, representative**
* A county's national flag _is symbolic of_ its culture and people
72
**thanks to**
| (exp)
because of
**as a result of, due to, on account of**
* _Thanks to_ increased spending in drug research, many new medicines and treatments have been developed.\
73
**to unravel**
to separate the parts from a whole to make something clear
**resolve, solve, sort out**
* Scientists have just begun to _unravel the mysteries of_ the human body.
74
**to vanish**
to disappear
** fade away, perish**
* Experts cannot agree on why some ships _vanish_ while passing through the Bermuda Triangle
75
**source**
the place from which something comes
**origin, fount\*, root**
* Close, positive family relationships are an important _source of_ happiness in life.
76
**struggle**
n.
an **arduous**\* fight or effort
**battle, effort, labor**
* The Boston Tea Party was a key event in the USA' _struggle_ for independence from England.
77
**proficient**
## Footnote
(adj)
thoroughly skilled in doing an activity
**capable, competent, skillful**
* Language experts believe that learning a third language is easier after _becoming proficient in_ a second language
78
**scattered**
## Footnote
(adj)
spread out over a large area; not found in all places
**dotted, spread out**
* Areas of _scattered_ showers usually arrive long before a hurricane reaches land.
79
**haphazard**
## Footnote
(adj)
done with little or no thought or attention
**arbitrarily, carelessly, randomly**
* Some cities grow _haphazardly_ because of improper planning
80
**to long for**
| (exp)
to want something very much
**to crave\*, desire, yearn for**
* During the economic depression of the 1930s, many people _longed for_ a return to the successful years of the 1920s.
81
**moist**
## Footnote
(adj)
adj. a little wet
**damp, humid, wet**
* The fern is a plant that typically grows best under shady, _moist_ conditions.
82
**to emerge**
to come from somewhere or someone
**appear, become known, materialize**
* The sport of soccer _emerged from_ England during the 1830s.
83
**to exceed**
to be greater than an expected number or amount
**go above, go beyond, surpass\***
* The number of professors at the meeting _exceeded_ everyone's _expectations_.
84
**firsthand**
## Footnote
(adj)
directly from the original source
**direct, personal**
* Although knowledge of facts and procedures is very important, there is no substitute for _firsthand experience_.
85
**to advocate**
to support or defend a certain way of doing something
**promote, support, to back**
* Automobile safety groups have _advocated_ seat belt use so successfully that now almost every state has a seat belt law.
86
**barely**
| (adv)
almost not existing or happening
**hardly, just, scarcely**
* Most people who went looking for gold in California during the 1840s found _barely enough to_ meet their living expenses.
87
**to conceal**
to prevent from being known or seen
**cover–up, hide, mask**
* The insects known as Walking Sticks use their similarity to tree branches to _conceal_ themselves _from_ predators.
88
**to be prone to**
having a natural tendency or likelihood to do something
**have a tendency to, be inclined to, likely to**
* Many people _are prone to _misunderstand the difficulty of learning a second language.
89
**cohesive**
## Footnote
(adj)
closely joined; being together in harmony
**consistent, unified, united**
* Team sports require _cohesive groups of people_ who are willing to work together to reach a common goal.
90
**confidence**
## Footnote
n.
the act of having faith in a person's ability to do something
**belief, faith, trust**
* Athletes must _have confidence in_ their ability to reach their training goals.
91
**against one's will**
## Footnote
(exp)
been forced to do something that you do not want to do
**forced, involuntarily, unwillingly**
* The early colonists paid taxes to England _against their will_.
92
**ascent**
## Footnote
n.
the act of going up or rising
**ascension, climb, rise**
* Davy Crockett's _popularity made a fast ascent_ due to his successes as a war hero and politician for the common citizen.
93
**to encounter**
to meet something or someone unexpectedly
**come across, find, meet**
**bump into**
* When Christopher Columbus _encountered_ native Americans, he believed that he was in India and that the natives were Indian.
94
**to exclude**
to keep out or leave out; to omit
**eliminate, keep out, shut out**
* All bacteria must be _excluded from_ the operating rooms of hospitals to reduce the possibility of infection
95
**to flourish**
to grow in a healthy way; to be active and vigorous
**burgeon, prosper, thrive**
* Hong Kong is an international center of business and finance where free trade _flourishes_
96
**device**
## Footnote
n.
a machine or tool
**apparatus, implement, instrument**
* Guglielmo Marconi invented a _device_ known as a spark transmitter, which led to the invention of modern radio communication
97
**mixed bag**
## Footnote
(exp)
a variety
**assortment, combination, variety**
* Encyclopedias provide _a mixed bag of information_ on a variety of subjects.
98
**on the spot**
## Footnote
(exp)
being at the right place at the exact moment of need
**at once, immediately, instantly**
* When an emergency situation arises on US highways, help usually _arrives on the spot_ within a short time.
99
**to overlook**
to notice or see, but to pretend not to see
**ignore, excuse, forgive**
* Many managers _overlook the mistakes_ of younger, less experienced employees.
100
**harsh**
| (adj)
causing excessive pain or suffering; being extremely difficult to deal with
**difficult, severe**
* Researches have studied the effects of _harsh climatic conditions_ and high altitudes on the human body.
101
**interference**
## Footnote
n.
an act of involvement, usually unwanted
**obstruction, obstacle**
* Solar activity sometimes _causes interference in_ radio communications.
102
**soaring**
| (adj)
rising very quickly
**elevated, high, lofty**
* During periods of rising costs, salaries seldom keep up with _soaring prices_ for life's necessities.
103
**prominent**
## Footnote
(adj)
very visible or noticeable; standing out from others
**eye–catching, famous, well–known**
* The North Star, Polaris, is one of the most _prominent stars_ in the northern sky.
104
**realm**
## Footnote
n.
a world or area of activity
**dominion, empire, world**
* Ants can carry up to fifty times their weight, making them the superstar _weightlifters of their realm._
105
**to subscribe to**
## Footnote
(exp)
to agree with a principle or idea
**accept, agree with, join**
* The writers of the Declaration of Independence _subscribed to the idea_ that all people are created equal.
106
**swift**
## Footnote
(adj)
fast
**fast, rapid, quick**
* Jet airplanes provide _a means of swift_, efficient travel over long distances.
107
**threatening**
## Footnote
(adj)
having the characteristic of possibly causing destruction or damage
**foreboding, frightening, ominous**
* _Threatening clouds_ and lightning are factors that require the postponement of field sporting events.
108
**to think little of**
## Footnote
(exp)
to give almost no credit or respect to an idea or person
**fail to appreciate, undervalue, underrate**
* Most people living in the 1800s _thought little of the idea_ that humans might someday create a flying machine.
109
turmoil
n.
a situation where there is much trouble, conflict, or worry
**chaos, confusion, disorder**
* The end of slavery in 1860s _brought about much turmoil in_ the economy of the southern states.
110
**vast**
| (adj)
extremely large
**enormous, gigantic, huge**
* Mount Saint Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, creating _a vast cloud of ashes_ that covered a large part of the USA.
111
**to subject to**
## Footnote
(exp)
to be most probably affected by something else
**conditional on, dependent on**
* Farming is always _subject to the influence_ of weather conditions during the growing season.
112
**to float**
to discuss an idea among a group of people to get their reactions to the idea
**propose, suggest, promote**
* Lawmakers _floated the idea of_ the tax increase among their colleagues to get their opinions on the matter.
113
hardship
n.
something that makes a person's life difficult, such as health problem or lack of money
**adversity, difficulty, suffering**
* The United States' social security system is designed to reduce _the financial hardships of citizens_ during their retirement years.
114
**minute**
## Footnote
(adj)
extremely small or unimportant
**insignificant, minuscule, tiny**
* _A minute amount of poison_ from the Fierce Snake of Australia is enough to kill more than fifty adult humans.
115
**to distinguish**
to notice the difference between two similar things or people
**discern, identify, recognize**
* It is difficult for some people _to distinguish the colors_ red, blue and green.
116
**to empower**
to give someone the authority or the right to do something
**allow, authorize, sanction**
* Modern computers have _empowered people to organize_ their lives and discover new ways to solve problems.
117
to excel (+in)
to do something very well; to do something much better than most people
* In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prizes are awarded to professionals who _excel in economics,_ literature, chemistry, physics and medicine.
118
**courageous**
## Footnote
(adj)
showing no fear; not afraid
**brave, bold, daring**
* Scientist Charles Darwin is known for the _courageous theory_ on the evolution of human beings.
119
**crude**
## Footnote
(adj)
not refined, advanced or very well developed
**basic, rough, simple**
* The first cotton gin, which was _a crude machine_ used to separate cotton from its seeds, was invented by Ely Whitney in 1793.
120
**to barter**
to exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money
** bargain, swap, trade**
* Before the invention of paper money by the Chinese in the eighth century, people _bartered to get_ what they needed.
121
**to afford**
to be able to give or provide
**allow, give, offer**
* Modern day vaccines _afford protection_ from diseases that just thirty years ago caused many people to suffer
122
**to arrange**
to put a group of people or things in a special order or position
**coordinate, organize, set up**
* The Dewey Decimal System _arranges library books_ by dividing all knowledge into ten areas, each with its own specific identifying number.
123
**strain**
## Footnote
n.
a difficultly that is caused by too much stress or excessive demands
**burden, pressure, stress**
* Many airports are not prepared to handle the _strain of increased passenger traffic._
124
**surplus**
n.
having more of something than is required or needed
**excess, extra, spare**
* The school _system's budget surplus_ was used to increase teacher salaries.
125
**to take advantage of**
## Footnote
(exp)
a situation or condition that benefits you
**exploit, profit from, make the most of**
* It is necessary for a country to have an educated work force in order _to take advantage of modern technology._
126
**to undertake**
to begin a project or a job for which you are responsible
**assume, commence, start**
* The automobile industry _has undertaken studies_ to find out if hydrogen powered cars can be built and sold at a profit.
127
**to yield**
to produce something
**to bear, furnish, generate**
* A typical beehive can _yield up to fifty–five pounds of honey_ every year.
128
**to be prized for**
| (exp)
used to refer to the characteristics of something that make it important and valuable
**recognized, valued, well–known**
* A diamond _is prized for its brilliance_, clarity and color.
129
**rampant**
## Footnote
(adj)
out of control; affecting a large area
**uncontrolled, unchecked, widespread**
* _Rampant price increases_ cause economic hardships.
130
**to rescue**
to save from danger
** liberate, set free**
* _The rescue of the crew_ of the Apollo 13 moon mission was one of the most dramatic in the history of the space program.
131
**to saturate with**
to make something wet; to be completely full of something
** douse, drench, soak**
* Dew occurs when warm air, which is fully _saturated with_ water, cools, leaving drops of water on grassy areas.
132
**somewhat**
## Footnote
(adv)
a little; just slightly
**a bit, to some extent**
* The rules of many card games _differ somewhat_ from country to country.
133
**to halt**
to stop
**discontinue, finish, freeze**
* Jonas Salk developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis, which _halted the spread_ of the serious disease in 1950s.
134
**inhabitant**
## Footnote
n.
a person who lives in a specific area
**dweller, occupant, resident**
* Among the most important early _inhabitants of western Alaska_ were the Eskimo.
135
**to linger**
to remain in a place longer than usual
**hang back, remain, stay behind**
* Even in the summer, snow frequently _lingers on the tops_ of Hawaii's highest mountains.
136
**misgiving about**
## Footnote
n.
a feeling of uncertainty or fear that something will not happen as planned or expected
**doubt, hesitation, worry**
* As Vice President under Ronald Reagan, George Bush did not discuss _his misgivings about the President's economic plan_.
137
**cosmetic**
## Footnote
(adj)
something done very quickly, with little attention to quality or detail
**baştansağma,hasty, rapid, superficial**
* Many home owners _make cosmetic repairs to_ their homes before selling them.
* Many MPs denounced the resolution as a cosmetic exercise
2. intended to make your hair, skin, body etc look more attractive
* the cosmetic industry
* cosmetic products
* Are you on the diet for health or cosmetic reasons?
138
**feasible**
adj.
likely to happen; possible and probable
**realistic, reasonable, viable**
* The use of rubber _wheels was not feasible_ until 1839, when Charles Goodyear invented a process that made rubber stronger.
139
**boost**
## Footnote
n.
something that causes growth or improvement
**enhance, improve, increase**
* The landing of a manned spacecraft on the moon in 1969 _gave a boost to_ the United States space program during the 1970s.
140
**burst**
n.
an unexpected short period of intense or increased
**related: eruption, spurt, surge**
* Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to thirty miles per hour, with _occasional bursts of_ up to forty miles per hour.
141
**chore**
## Footnote
n.
an activity that is performed regularly especially around the house
**duty, job, task**
* Before Florence Nightingale improved the image of nursing, the jobs of nurses were considered _simple chores for women_ with little or no education.
142
**blend**
## Footnote
n.
a mixture
**assortment, combination, mixture**
* The population of the USA is _a blend of people_, language and cultures from all over the world.
143
**to cease**
to stop
**to conclude, end, finish**
* Many scientists agree that the _destruction_ of tropical rain forests _must cease in order to_ protect the earth's most important producers of oxygen.
144
**to come across**
## Footnote
(exp)
to find, usually unintentionally
**come upon, encounter, fall upon**
* While exploring the Grand Canyon National Park, tourists _come across one astounding view_ after another.
145
**acclaim**
## Footnote
n.
something that deserves praise for its high quality or standing
**applause, approval, commendation**
* Albert Einstein _received international acclaim_ after his theory of relativity was accepted by the Royal Society of London in 1919.
146
**astounding**
## Footnote
(adj)
very surprising; unbelievable
**amazing, astonishing, surprising**
* The amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls is _an astounding 600,000 gallons of water_ per second.
147
**deliberately**
## Footnote
(adv)
done on purpose; done with a prior plan
**by design, intentionally, purposely**
* By using genetic engineering, genes can _be deliberately changed to_ produce new types of fruits and vegetables.
148
**diligent**
## Footnote
(adj)
hard–working; paying attention to details
**conscientious, meticulous, thorough**
* Bertrand Russell was _a diligent mathematician_ and philosopher.
149
**drawback**
## Footnote
n.
a disadvantage
**downside, problem, shortcoming**
* One _drawback of electric–powered cars_ is their short battery life.
150
**to engage in**
to participate in an activity
**take part in, undertake**
* To be well prepared for college, a student should not earn good grades but also _engage in after–school activities._
151
**to map**
to produce a plan, usually involving many steps
to chart, plot
* In order for students to be successful in their studies, they should _map out strategies_ that will lead them to academic success
152
**noticeably**
| (adj)
something that is easily seen or understood
**clearly, evidently, visibly**
* After summer thunderstorms, the air temperature is _noticeably cooler_.
153
**forefront of**
## Footnote
n.
something in the first or highest position
**front, head, vanguard**
* Japanese auto makers are in _the forefront of developing cars_ that operate on both gas and electricity.
154
**hence**
| (adv)
as a result; therefore
**consequently, thus**
* The flowers and leaves of a plant found in Eurasia produce a spray that can be burned; **_henc_**e the names "gas plant" and "burning bush" were given to the plant
155
**to reveal**
to show; to make something known to others
**isclose, expose, make public, ?**
* fall approaches and trees stop producing chlorophyll, their leaves _reveal their true col_ors: yellow, orange, purple and gold.
156
**to set off**
to cause a series of actions to start
**to begin, cause, trigger**
* The government's tax cut _set off strong consumer spending_, hence improving the nation's economy.
157
**shortage of**
n.
something that is not found in sufficient quantities; a lack
**deficiency, dearth, scarcity**
In many areas of the world there is _a shortage of clean drinking water_.
158
**outcome of**
## Footnote
n.
the result of an action or activity
**consequence, effect, end result**
* One of _the outcomes of the United States Civil War_ was the end to slavery.
159
**to recall**
to remember; to bear in mind
**call to mind, recollect, remind**
* People who suffer from amnesia cannot _recall events of the past._
160
**tangible**
## Footnote
(adj)
something that is real; can be sensed
**actual, concrete, substantial**
* The _tangible results of_ a daily exercise program are increased energy, more flexibility and improved strength.
161
**to urge**
to strongly encourage someone to follow a suggestion or advice
**compel, drive, push**
* The professor _urged his students not to_ wait until the last minute to complete their laboratory work.
162
**wholesome**
## Footnote
(adj)
something that is healthy or good for someone (conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.)
**clean, decent, moral**
* A _wholesome lifestyle_ improves a person's quality of life in his or her latter years.,
* the food is plentiful and very wholesome
163
**ample**
## Footnote
(adj)
having more than enough of something; sufficient
**abundant, plentiful, substantial**
* Because farming families of the early 1900s were large, their houses had to have _ample living space_ for all family members.
164
**to apply in**
something that is important to or appropriate for a situation
**be relevant, pertain to, relate to**
* English rules of grammar cannot be _applied in all cases_ due to the fact that there are many exceptions to the rules.
165
**discreetly**
## Footnote
(adv)
something done in a quiet, private way with great skill
**cautiously,prudently, tactfully**
* When a manager must tell an employee that his job has been eliminated, the situation _must be handled discreetly._
166
**to eager**
to be excited about doing something
**enthusiastic, ready, willing**
* Harriet Tubman, founder of Underground Railroad, was _eager to help_ slaves escape from their owners and lead them to freedom
167
**landmark**
## Footnote
(adj)
an important change, discovery, or event
**breakthrough, innovative, milestone**
* The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence was _a landmark historical event_.
168
**to grasp**
to come to an understanding
**comprehend, follow**
* It is very difficult to _grasp the enormous size of the galaxy._
169
**to hinder**
to block or interfere with a process
**hamper, interfere, obstruct**
* The unplanned growth of cities often _hinders the development_ of public roads and transportation systems.
170
**to put up with**
## Footnote
**(exp)**
to tolerate; to accept a bad situation without complaining
**to bear, endure, suffer**
* Immigrants must often _put up with difficult adjustments to life_ in their new land.
171
**ominous**
## Footnote
(adj)
being of the feeling that something bad is going to happen
**foreboding, menacing, threatening**
* One of the _ominous signs_ that a forest is under attack by an insect is the appearance of large groups of dead trees.
172
**to turn into**
to become; to turn out to be
**to convert into, develop into, grow to be**
* After a butterfly pupa breaks out of its cocoon, it _turns into a beautiful butterfly_.
173
**to withstand**
to successfully endure a condition; to accept
**survive, tolerate**
* Modern jet engines, which can _withstand long periods of operation_, make trans–Pacific air travel possible.
174
**stature**
## Footnote
n.
a certain high standing among other people or things
**prominence, rank, status**
* John Steinbeck _earned stature_ as a great American author for his ability to describe the real lives of ordinary people of the early 1900s.
175
**to take to**
to like something or someone, usually right away
**become fond of, enjoy, take pleasure in**
* Although life was difficult for the early settlers of the West, they quickly _took to their homeland_ and its lifestyle.
