Chapter 1 Flashcards
Whisky
to blend quickly so that air is mixed in
whisk up/together, whisk sb away, =whip
When you have finished whisking the eggs, you need to add some sugar.
Enlist
(v.) persuade sb to help you do sth
If you have time tomorrow, I’d like to enlist your help to clean the office.
booked solid
(phr.) everything (rooms, tickets) have been sold
Valerie couldn’t get on the flight to Cancun because it was booked solid.
Clue
(n.) information that explains a situation
clueless, give/find a clue, be clued in
The police found some hair and a few other clues at the crime scene.
engulf
I. verb — [with obj.] 1. (of a natural force) sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely • the cafe was engulfed in flames • ‹figurative› Europe might be engulfed by war. 2. eat or swallow (something) whole. II. derivatives engulfment noun
assent
I. noun
1. the expression of approval or agreement • a loud murmur of assent • he nodded assent.
2. official agreement or sanction • the governor has power to withhold his assent from a bill.
II. verb — [no obj.]
1. express approval or agreement, typically officially • Roosevelt assented to the agreement • [with direct speech] “Guest house, then,” Frank assented cheerfully. III. derivatives assenter noun
flippant
adjective not showing a serious or respectful attitude
a flippant remark.
assent
I. noun
1. the expression of approval or agreement • a loud murmur of assent • he nodded assent. 2. official agreement or sanction • the governor has power to withhold his assent from a bill. II. verb — [no obj.] 1. express approval or agreement, typically officially • Roosevelt assented to the agreement • [with direct speech] “Guest house, then,” Frank assented cheerfully. III. derivatives assenter noun
diminish
I. verb 1. make or become less [with obj.] • a tax whose purpose is to diminish spending • [no obj.] the pain will gradually diminish.
2. [with obj.] — make (someone or something) seem less impressive or valuable • the trial has aged and diminished him. II. phrases (the law of) diminishing returns used to refer to a point at which the level of profits or benefits gained is less than the amount of money or energy invested.
III. derivatives diminishable / adjective
neat
I. adjective 1. (of a place or thing) arranged in an orderly, tidy way • the books had been stacked up in neat piles. 2. (of a person) habitually tidy, well groomed, or well organized • her daughter was always neat and clean. 3. having a pleasing shape or appearance; well formed or regular • Alan noted down the orders in his neat, precise script. 4. (N. Amer.) ‹informal› very good or pleasant; excellent • I’ve been taking lessons in tracking from this really neat Indian guide. 5. done with or demonstrating skill or efficiency • Howard’s neat, precise tackling. 6. tending to disregard specifics for the sake of convenience; slick or facile • this neat division does not take into account a host of associated factors. 7. (of liquid, especially liquor) not diluted or mixed with anything else • he drank neat Scotch.
notwithstanding
I. preposition in spite of • notwithstanding the evidence, the consensus is that the jury will not reach a verdict • [postpositive] this small contretemps notwithstanding, they both had a good time. II. adverb nevertheless; in spite of this • she tells us she is an intellectual; notwithstanding, she faces the future as unprovided for as a beauty queen. III. conjunction although; in spite of the fact that • notwithstanding that the hall was packed with bullies, our champion played on steadily and patiently.
shallow
I. adjective 1. of little depth • serve the noodles in a shallow bowl • being fairly shallow, the water was warm. 2. situated at no great depth • the shallow bed of the North Sea. 3. varying only slightly from a specified or understood line or direction, especially the horizontal • a shallow roof. 4. not exhibiting, requiring, or capable of serious thought • a shallow analysis of contemporary society. 5. (of breathing) taking in little air. II. noun — (shallows) 1. an area of the sea, a lake, or a river where the water is not very deep. III. verb — [no obj.] 1. (of the sea, a lake, or a river) become less deep over time or in a particular place • the boat ground to a halt where the water shallowed. IV. derivatives shallowly/ adverb
crease
I. noun 1. a line or ridge produced on paper or cloth by folding, pressing, or crushing it • khaki trousers with knife-edge creases. 2. a wrinkle or furrow in the skin, typically of the face, caused by age or a particular facial expression. 3. (usu. the crease) — an area around the goal in ice hockey or lacrosse that attacking players may not normally enter unless the puck or ball has already done so. 4. [Cricket] any of a number of lines marked on the pitch at specified places, especially the position of a batsman. II. verb — [with obj.] 1. make a crease in (cloth or paper) • he sank into the chair, careful not to crease his dinner jacket • (as adj. creased) a creased piece of paper. 2. cause a crease to appear temporarily in (the face or its features), typically as a result of the expression of an emotion or feeling • a small frown creased her forehead. 3. (of a bullet) graze (someone or something), causing little damage • a bullet creased his thigh.
premises
(n.) the buildings and land for a restaurant, school, or company
Playing baseball is not allowed anywhere on these premises.
concerned
(adj.) to be worried about sth
as far as sb is concerned
Why are you so concerned about your son?
crushed
(adj.) pressed so hard that it breaks
crushed to death, a crushing blow
Crushed nuts make a great topping for ice cream.