bbc articles vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

credentials

A

qualifications or achievements that indicate someone’s suitability for a particular role or status

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2
Q

haemorrhaged

A

to bleed heavily

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3
Q

counterintuitive

A

contrary to what one would intuitively expect

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4
Q

unprecedented

A

never done or known before

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5
Q

mononymous

A

known by a single name

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6
Q

joie de vivre

A

exuberant enjoyment of life

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7
Q

flogging

A

selling or promoting aggressively

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8
Q

disposable

A

designed to be used once or only a few times and then throw away

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9
Q

precision-made

A

made with great accuracy and attention to detailt

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10
Q

ruthlessly

A

without pity or compassion; mercilessly

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11
Q

sartorial

A

related to tailoring, clothes or style of dress.

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12
Q

morphing

A

undergoing a gradual transformation

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13
Q

connoisseur

A

an expert judge in matters of taste

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14
Q

introspective

A

characterised by or given to introspection; examining one’s own thoughts and feelings.

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15
Q

sentimental

A

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia.

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16
Q

nurture

A

to care for and encourage the growth development ofe

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17
Q

elusive

A

difficult to find, catch or achieve

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18
Q

prime

A

to prepare (someone or something) for a particular purpose or activity

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19
Q

innate

A

inborn, natural

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20
Q

hampered

A

hindered or impeded

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21
Q

scenarios

A

a postulated sequence or development of events

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22
Q

routinely

A

regularly

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23
Q

conformity

A

compliance with standards, rules, or laws

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24
Q

primed

A

prepared or made ready for a particular purpose or activity

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25
Q

implementing

A

putting (a decision, plan, agreement, etc…) into effect

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25
Q

intervene

A

come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events

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26
Q

thrive

A

to grow or develop well or vigorously

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27
Q

ideating

A

forming ideas or concepts

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28
Q

novel

A

new or unusual in an interesting way

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29
Q

divergent

A

tending to be different or develop in different directions

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30
Q

mellow

A

pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness

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31
Q

unfettered

A

unrestrained or uninhibited

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32
Q

rote

A

mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned

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33
Q

curriculums

A

the subjects compromising a course of study in a school or college

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34
Q

scrambling

A

moving hurriedly or clumsily from or to an action

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35
Q

alloted

A

given or assigend as a share or portion

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35
Q

stringent

A

strict, precise, and exacting

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36
Q

whittle

A

to reduce something in size, amount or extend by gradual series of steps

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37
Q

primitive

A

relating to the earliest age or stage, very basic or unsophisticated

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38
Q

anomaly

A

something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected

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39
Q

sophisticated

A

developed to a high degree of complexity

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40
Q

predates

A

exists or occurs at a date earlier than something

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41
Q

carbohydrates

A

organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues, including sugars, starch and cellulose

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42
Q

subsistence

A

the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level

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43
Q

fertility

A

the quality of being fertile; productiveness

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44
Q

inflammation

A

a localised physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection

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45
Q

neutralise

A

to make something ineffective by applying an opposite force or effect

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46
Q

scoured

A

cleaned or brightened the surface by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive or detergent

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47
Q

concentric

A

denoting circles, arcs or other shapes that share the same centre, the larger often completely surrounding the smaller

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47
Q

percussion

A

the striking of one solid object with or against another with some degree of force

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48
Q

microlith

A

a minute, shaped flint or stone tool

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48
Q

fastidious

A

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

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48
Q

rudimentary

A

involving or limited to basic principles; elementary

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49
Q

indigenous

A

originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native

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49
Q

extenuating

A

making an offence or mistake seem less serious or more forgivable

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49
Q

wherewithal

A

the money or other means needed for a particular purpose

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49
Q

contentious

A

causing or likely to cause an argument, controversial

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49
Q

ruefully

A

expressing sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous way

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49
Q

deviation

A

the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard

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50
Q

derided

A

mocked or laughed at in a contemptuous manner

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50
Q

ratified

A

formally approved and accepted

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51
Q

extensively

A

covering a large area or involving a large number of things

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51
Q

mnemonic

A

a device or technique used to aid memory

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51
Q

circadian

A

relating to biologival processes that occur in a 24-hour cycle

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52
Q

relishing

A

enjoying or savouring something greatly

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52
Q

inaugural

A

making the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office

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53
Q

fervour

A

intense and passionate feeling

54
Q

innocuous

A

not harmful or offensive

55
Q

genial

A

friendly and cheerful

56
Q

kitsch

A

art or objects of a gaudy or lowbrow nature that are considered to be in poor taste

56
Q

courtly

A

polite and respectful, often in a formal or elaborate manner

57
Q

proscenium

A

the part of a theatre stage in front of a curtain

57
Q

smorgasbord

A

a wide range or variety of something

58
Q

functionary

A

a person who performs official duties or has a specific role

58
Q

lugubrious

A

looking or sounding sad and dismal

58
Q

unenviable

A

not desirable; something that others would not want to have

58
Q

popcorn revolution

A

a metaphorical term for the dominance of commercially driven blockbuster films, often at the expense of more meaningful or diverse storytelling

58
Q

sanctimony

A

the appearance of being morally superior to other people

59
Q

tedious

A

too long, slow or dull; tiresome or monotonous

59
Q

japes

A

practical jokes or mischievous acts

59
Q

an anorak

A

a person with an obsessive interest in something often seen dull by others

59
Q

mundane

A

lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary

59
Q

solitary

A

done or existing alone; without others

60
Q

sinuous

A

having many curves and turns; winding or gracefully curving

60
Q

sustain

A

to keep something going continuously over time

60
Q

obscure

A

not well known or difficult to understand

60
Q

grandiose

A

impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, often in an exaggerated way

60
Q

vestiges

A

traces or remnants of something that is disappearing or no longer exists

61
Q

aficionado

A

a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about a particular activity, subject or pastime

61
Q

quirky characterised by peculiar or unexpected traits

A
62
Q

surreally

A

in a way that is bizarre or dreamlike, often evoking a sense of unreality

62
Q

androgynous

A

having both male and female characteristics; appearing neither distinctly male nor female

63
Q

suffused

A

gradually spread through or over; permeated

63
Q

semi-autobiographed

A

partly based on the author’s own life, containing elements of personal experience and fiction

63
Q

transcended

A

went beyond the limits of something, often rising above in a superior or significant way

63
Q

notorious

A

famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed

63
Q

existential crisis

A

a moment in which an individual questions the meaning, purpose or value of their life

64
Q

rendition

A

a particular interpretation or version of something, often an artistic work

64
Q

avant-garde

A

new and experimental ideas and methods in art, culture, or society, often unconventional and forward-thinking

64
Q

ubiquity

A

the state of being everywhere or very common

64
Q

fraternising

A

associating or forming a friendship with someone, often in a friendly way or familiar way

64
Q

melancholy

A

a deep, long-lasting sadness; a pensive or gloomy state of mind

64
Q

anguish

A

severe mental or physical pain or suffering

65
Q

existential

A

relating to human existence, often dealing with themes of purpose, choice, and freedom

65
Q

notoriety

A

the state of being famous or well-known for some bad quality or deed

65
Q

hallmarks

A

distinctive features or characteristics of something

65
Q

pelagic

A

relating to the open sea, especially away from the coast

65
Q

harboured

A

to hold or contain, often secretly or with I’ll intent

66
Q

endemic

A

native or restricted to a particular region or environment

67
Q

incongruous

A

not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings; out of place

67
Q

furore

A

a sudden outburst of anger or excitement; a commotion

67
Q

placate

A

to calm or pacify, especially by making concessions

68
Q

solace

A

comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness

68
Q

sustainability

A

the ability to maintain or preserve resources or conditions over the long term

68
Q

macabre

A

relating to death or the grim, horrifying aspects of it

69
Q

conceived

A

to imagine or from an idea in the mind

69
Q

menagerie

A

a diverse collection of animals, often kept for display

69
Q

esteemed

A

held in high regard; respected and admired

69
Q

draw

A

an attraction or appeal

70
Q

quintessential

A

representing the most perfect or typical example of something

70
Q

galvanism

A

the use of electricity to stimulate biological tissues, often associated with early experiments in reanimation

70
Q

guise

A

an external appearance, often used to conceal the true nature of something

70
Q

ingrained

A

firmly fixed or established; difficult to change

71
Q

revulsion

A

a strong feeling of disgust or repulsion

71
Q

versatile

A

able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities

72
Q

neurosis

A

a mild mental disorder characterised by excessive anxiety, obsession or distress

73
Q

grotesque

A

comically or repulsively ugly or disorted

73
Q

celluloid

A

pertaining to cinema or motion pictures

74
Q

sombre

A

gloomy or serious in mood or tone

74
Q

pathos

A

an element in experience or in artistic representation that evokes pity or compassion

74
Q

dormancy

A

a state of inactivity or rest

75
Q

extravaganza

A

a spectacular and elaborate show or event

75
Q

unnerving

A

causing one to feel uneasy or disturbed

76
Q

transgressing

A

violating or exceeding limits, typically those of moral or social boundaries

77
Q

gullibiltiy

A

the tendency to be easily persuaded to believe something that is not true

78
Q

necrotising fasciitis

A

a severe bacterial infection that destroys skin, fat, and tissue covering the muscles

79
Q

quelling

A

putting an end to something, typically by force or authority

80
Q

decrying

A

publicly denouncing or condemning

81
Q

pervasive

A

spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people, often negatively

82
Q

absentmindedness

A

a lack of attention to present circumstances due to preoccupation or distraction

83
Q

intuition

A

the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning

84
Q

frivolous

A

lacking in seriousness or importance

85
Q

propensity

A

a natural tendency to behave in a particular way

85
Q

credibility

A

the quality of being trusted and being believed in

86
Q

infectious

A

likely to spread or influence others rapidly

87
Q

cognitive fluency

A

the ease with which information is processed, often influencing belief and decision-making

88
Q

conviction

A

a firmly held belief or opinion

89
Q

frailties

A

weaknesses or vulnerabilities, especially in character or behaviour

89
Q

debunked

A

exposed as false or exaggerated

89
Q

erroneous

A

wrong or incorrect

90
Q

miserliness

A

a tendency to be overly cautious or sparing in cognitive effort, often leading to superficial thinking

91
Q

deceptive

A

giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading

92
Q

prescient

A

having or showing knowledge of events before they take place; foresightful

93
Q

arraignment

A

the act of formally accusing or condemning someone, typically in a court or moral context

93
Q

fetishistic

A

obsessively fixated on or devoted to something, often irrationally

94
Q

inquisition

A

an intense investigation or interrogation, often with a connotation of unfairness or excessive scrutiny

95
Q

blithely

A

casually and indifferently, often in a way that shows a lack of concern or seriousness

96
Q

sentient

A

capable of perceiving and feeling; having consciousness or ability to experience sensations

97
Q

regimentation

A

the strict organisation and control of individuals or activities, often in a rigid or militaristic manner

98
Q

conscription

A

mandatory enlistment in the armed forces; compulsory military services

98
Q

entrepreneurial

A

related to the ability to innovate, take risks, and manage business ventures

99
Q

intervention

A

the act of becoming involved in a situation to change its outcome, particularly in a medical or social context

100
Q

metaphysical

A

concerned with abstract concepts such as existence, reality, and the nature of the universe

101
Q

empowered

A

given authority or control, particularly in the context of rights, consent or self-determination

102
Q

frown on (phrasal verb)

A

to disapprove of something, often morally or socially