D_05/04/21(RC: 108 - 155:5lb) Flashcards
performative
adjective
involving an artistic or acting performance:
performative art based on story-telling
LANGUAGE specialized
having the effect of performing an action:
Performative language is not primarily about exchanging information.
Flaunt
- VERB
If you say that someone flaunts their possessions, abilities, or qualities, you mean that they display them in a very obvious way, especially in order to try to obtain other people’s admiration.
[disapproval]
They drove around in Rolls-Royces, openly flaunting their wealth. [VERB noun]
One secret he learned very early on was not to flaunt his success. [VERB noun] - VERB
If you say that someone is flaunting themselves, you disapprove of them because they are behaving in a very confident way, or in a way that is intended to attract sexual attention.
[disapproval]
…tourists flaunting themselves in front of the castle guards in bra and shorts. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
unbeknownst
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
If something happens unbeknownst to you or unbeknown to you, you do not know about it.
Unbeknownst to her father, she began taking dancing lessons.
bystander
COUNTABLE NOUN
A bystander is a person who is present when something happens and who sees it but does not take part in it.
It looks like an innocent bystander was killed instead of you.
Synonyms: onlooker, passer-by, spectator, witness
etiquette
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Etiquette is a set of customs and rules for polite behaviour, especially among a particular class of people or in a particular profession.
This was such a great breach of etiquette, he hardly knew what to do.
…the rules of diplomatic etiquette.
Synonyms: good or proper behaviour, manners, rules, code
onlooker
COUNTABLE NOUN
An onlooker is someone who watches an event take place but does not take part in it.
A handful of onlookers stand in the field watching.
Synonyms: spectator, witness, observer, viewer
Vocal
- ADJECTIVE
You say that people are vocal when they speak forcefully about something that they feel strongly about.
He has been very vocal in his displeasure over the results. [+ in]
A public inquiry earlier this year produced vocal opposition from residents.
Synonyms: outspoken, frank, blunt, forthright More Synonyms of vocal
vocally ADVERB [usually ADVERB with verb]
Both these proposals were resisted by the developed countries, most vocally by the United States. - ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Vocal means involving the use of the human voice, especially in singing.
…a wider range of vocal styles.
…vocal training.
vocally ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
Vocally, it is often a very accomplished performance.
I then begin to improvise melodies vocally.
instigate
VERB
Someone who instigates an event causes it to happen.
Jenkinson instigated a refurbishment of the old gallery. [VERB noun]
The violence over the last forty-eight hours was instigated by ex-members of the secret police. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: provoke, start, encourage, move More Synonyms of instigate
instigation (ɪnstɪgeɪʃən) UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
The talks are taking place at the instigation of Germany. [+ of]
At Kukhar’s instigation he joined the restaurant as an apprentice chef.
Synonyms: prompting, urging, bidding, incentive
robe
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A robe is a loose piece of clothing which covers all of your body and reaches the ground. You can describe someone as wearing a robe or as wearing robes.
[formal]
The Pope knelt in his white robes before the simple altar.
…a fur-lined robe of green silk.
Synonyms: gown, cape, costume, cloak More Synonyms of robe - COUNTABLE NOUN
A robe is a piece of clothing, usually made of towelling, which people wear in the house, especially when they have just got up or had a bath.
Ryle put on a robe and went down to the kitchen.
Synonyms: dressing gown, wrapper, bathrobe, negligée
pedestrian
- COUNTABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun]
A pedestrian is a person who is walking, especially in a town or city, rather than travelling in a vehicle.
In Los Angeles a pedestrian is a rare spectacle.
More than a third of all pedestrian injuries are to children.
Synonyms: walker, foot-traveller, footslogger More Synonyms of pedestrian - ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as pedestrian, you mean that it is ordinary and not at all interesting.
[disapproval]
His style is so pedestrian that the book becomes a real bore.
I drove home contemplating my own more pedestrian lifestyle.
Synonyms: dull, flat, ordinary, boring
antagonize
VERB
If you antagonize someone, you make them feel angry or hostile towards you.
He didn’t want to antagonize her. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: annoy, anger, insult, offend
improvisation
the act or an instance of improvising(1. VERB
If you improvise, you make or do something using whatever you have or without having planned it inadvance.
You need a wok with a steaming rack for this; if you don’t have one, improvise. [VERB]
The vet had improvised a harness. [VERB noun]
…an improvised stone shelter. [VERB-ed]
…tents improvised from sheets of heavy plastic draped over wooden poles. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: devise, contrive, make do, concoct More Synonyms of improvise
improvisation (ɪmprəvaɪzeɪʃən, US -vɪz-)
Word forms: plural improvisations
VARIABLE NOUN
Funds were not abundant and clever improvisation was necessary.
Synonyms: invention, spontaneity, ad-libbing, extemporizing )
a performance that an actor, musician, etc. has not practised or planned:
a blues/jazz improvisation
There are classes in movement, dance, and improvisation.
the act of making or doing something with whatever is available at the time:
I’m afraid we don’t have all the necessary equipment, so a little improvisation might be required.
align
- VERB
If you align yourself with a particular group, you support them because you have the same political aim.
There are signs that the prime minister is aligning himself with the liberals. [V pron-refl prep]
He has attempted to align the Socialists with the environmental movement. [VERB noun preposition]
[Also VERB preposition]
Synonyms: ally, side, join, associate More Synonyms of align - VERB
If you align something, you place it in a certain position in relation to something else, usuallyparallel to it.
A tripod will be useful to align and steady the camera. [VERB noun]
Keep the rough edge of the fabric aligned with the raw edge of the piping. [VERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: line up, even, order, range
synopsis
COUNTABLE NOUN
A synopsis is a summary of a longer piece of writing or work.
For each title there is a brief synopsis of the book.
Synonyms: summary, review, résumé, outline
revocation
the act of saying officially that an agreement, law, etc. is no longer in effect:
The complaint against the bar could lead to revocation of its licence.
They were working to reduce probation and parole revocations for offenders.
Halt
- VERB
When a person or a vehicle halts or when something halts them, they stop moving in the direction they were going and stand still.
They halted at a short distance from the house. [VERB]
The engine note changed as the aircraft landed, taxied and halted. [VERB]
She held her hand out flat, to halt him. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: stop, draw up, pull up, break off More Synonyms of halt - VERB
When something such as growth, development, or activity halts or when you halt it, it stops completely.
Striking workers halted production at the auto plant yesterday. [VERB noun]
He criticised the government for failing to halt economic decline. [VERB noun]
The flow of assistance to Vietnam’s fragile economy from its ideological allies has virtually halted. [VERB]
Synonyms: hold back, end, check, block
Fidelity
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Fidelity is loyalty to a person, organization, or set of beliefs.
[formal]
I had to promise fidelity to the Queen. [+ to]
Synonyms: loyalty, faith, integrity, devotion More Synonyms of fidelity - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Fidelity to a sexual partner is not having a sexual relationship with anyone else.
Wanting fidelity implies you’re thinking about a major relationship. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [with poss]
The fidelity of something such as a report or translation is the degree to which it is accurate.
[formal]
…the fidelity of these early documents. [+ of]
Synonyms: accuracy, precision, correspondence, closeness
wreak
- VERB
Something or someone that wreaks havoc or destruction causes a great amount of disorder or damage.
[journalism, literary]
Violent storms wreaked havoc on the French Riviera, leaving three dead and dozens injured. [VERB noun]
Who knows if the volcano might once again wreak destruction? [VERB noun]
…the devastation wrought by a decade of fighting. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: create, work, cause, visit More Synonyms of wreak - VERB
If you wreak revenge or vengeance on someone, you do something that will harm them very much to punish them for the harm they have done to you.
[journalism, literary]
He threatened to wreak vengeance on the men who toppled him a year ago. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: unleash, express, indulge, vent
havoc
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Havoc is great disorder, and confusion.
Rioters caused havoc in the centre of the town.
Synonyms: devastation, damage, destruction, waste
Induce
- VERB
To induce a state or condition means to cause it.
Doctors said surgery could induce a heart attack. [VERB noun]
…an economic crisis induced by high oil prices. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: cause, produce, create, begin More Synonyms of induce - VERB
If you induce someone to do something, you persuade or influence them to do it.
I would do anything to induce them to stay. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
More than 4,000 teachers were induced to take early retirement. [be VERB-ed to-infinitive]
Synonyms: persuade, encourage, influence, get More Synonyms of induce - VERB
If a doctor or nurse induces labour or birth, they cause a pregnant woman to start giving birth by using drugs or other medical means.
[medicine]
He might decide that it is best to induce labour. [VERB noun]
induction SINGULAR NOUN
…if there are obvious medical reasons for induction.
Synonyms: inference, conclusion, generalization
repertoire
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
A performer’s repertoire is all the plays or pieces of music that he or she has learned and can perform.
Meredith D’Ambrosio has thousands of songs in her repertoire. - SINGULAR NOUN
The repertoire of a person or thing is all the things of a particular kind that the person or thing is capable of doing.
…Mike’s impressive repertoire of funny stories. [+ of]
This has been one of the most successful desserts in my repertoire.
Synonyms: range, list, stock, supply More Synonyms of repertoire - SINGULAR NOUN [with supplement]
You can refer to all the plays or music of a particular kind as, for example, the classical repertoire or the jazz repertoire.
It is no coincidence that the works in the ‘standard repertoire’ tend to have names.
senescence
the fact of becoming older, and therefore being in less good condition and less able to function well:
Senescence refers to gradual deterioration with age and in animals is typically very obvious under zoo conditions.
Discourse
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Discourse is spoken or written communication between people, especially serious discussion of a particular subject.
…a tradition of political discourse.
Synonyms: conversation, talk, discussion, speech More Synonyms of discourse - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun]
In linguistics, discourse is natural spoken or written language in context, especially when complete texts are being considered.
[technical]
The Centre has a strong record of research in discourse analysis.
…our work on discourse and the way people talk to each other. - COUNTABLE NOUN
A discourse is a serious talk or piece of writing which is intended to teach or explain something.
[formal]
Hastings responds with a lengthy discourse on marketing strategies. [+ on]
Synonyms: speech, talk, address, essay
Stymie
VERB [usually passive]
If you are stymied by something, you find it very difficult to take action or to continue what you are doing.
[informal]
Companies have been stymied by the length of time it takes to reach an agreement. [be VERB-ed]
Relief efforts have been stymied in recent weeks by armed gunmen. [be VERB-ed]
Synonyms: frustrate, defeat, foil, thwart
not pull your punches
to speak very honestly and directly about something even if it upsets people
He had never lied to me in the past and he didn’t pull his punches now. He told me that in his opinion, Robin would be dead in nine months.
Scathing
criticizing someone or something in a severe and unkind way:
scathing criticism
He was very scathing about the report, saying it was inaccurate.
ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone is being scathing about something, you mean that they are being very critical of it.
His report was scathing about all terror groups. [+ about]
He then launched a scathing attack on previous leaders.
Synonyms: critical, cutting, biting, harsh
Brunt of sth
infantry
the main force of something unpleasant:
The infantry has taken/borne the brunt of the missile attacks.
Small companies are feeling the full brunt of the recession.
: the main force or effect of (something harmful or dangerous)
Cities on the coast felt/bore the brunt of the storm.
His troops took the brunt of the enemy attack.
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [with singular or plural verb]
Infantry are soldiers who fight on foot rather than in tanks or on horses.
The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.
The enemy infantry was hiding.
…an infantry division.
…regiments of infantry.
Synonyms: infantrymen, foot soldiers
verbatim
ADVERB [ADVERB after verb]
If you repeat something verbatim, you use exactly the same words as were used originally.
The President’s speeches are regularly reproduced verbatim in the state-run newspapers.
Synonyms: exactly, to the letter, word for word, closely
psyche
COUNTABLE NOUN
In psychology, your psyche is your mind and your deepest feelings and attitudes.
[technical]
‘It probably shows up a deeply immature part of my psyche,’ he confesses.
His exploration of the myth brings insight into the American psyche.
Synonyms: soul, mind, self, spirit
decadent
ADJECTIVE
If you say that a person or society is decadent, you think that they have low moral standards and are interested mainly in pleasure.
[disapproval]
…restrictions on the number of decadent western films that were allowed to be shown.
…the excesses and stresses of their decadent rock ‘n’ roll lifestyles.
Synonyms: degenerate, abandoned, corrupt, degraded
erstwhile
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use erstwhile to describe someone that used to be the type of person indicated, but no longer is.
[formal]
Erstwhile workers may have become managers.
He fled to America with Phyllis Burton, an erstwhile friend of his wife’s.
Synonyms: former, old, late, previous
protégé
COUNTABLE NOUN The protégé of an older and more experienced person is a young person who is helped and guided by them over a period of time. He had been a protégé of Captain James. ...Klimt's young protégé, Egon Schiele. Synonyms: charge, student, pupil, ward
protagonist
- COUNTABLE NOUN
Someone who is a protagonist of an idea or movement is a supporter of it.
[formal]
…the main protagonists of their countries’ integration into the world market. [+ of] - COUNTABLE NOUN
A protagonist in a play, novel, or real event is one of the main people in it.
[formal]
…the protagonist of J. D. Salinger’s novel ‘The Catcher in the Rye’. [+ of]
Synonyms: leading character, lead, principal, central character
Pool
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A pool is the same as a swimming pool.
…a heated indoor pool.
During winter, many people swim and the pool is crowded.
Synonyms: swimming pool, lido, swimming bath(s) [British], bathing pool [archaic] More Synonyms of pool - COUNTABLE NOUN
A pool is a fairly small area of still water.
The pool had dried up and was full of bracken and reeds.
…beautiful gardens filled with pools, fountains and rare birds.
Synonyms: pond, lake, mere, tarn More Synonyms of pool - See also rock pool
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A pool of liquid or light is a small area of it on the ground or on a surface.
She was found lying in a pool of blood. [+ of]
It was raining quietly and steadily and there were little pools of water on the gravel drive.
The lamps on the side-tables threw warm pools of light on the polished wood. [+ of]
Synonyms: puddle, drop, patch, splash More Synonyms of pool - COUNTABLE NOUN
A pool of people, money, or things is a quantity or number of them that is available for an organization or group to use.
The available pool of healthy manpower was not as large as military officials had expected.
The new proposal would create a reserve pool of cash. [+ of] - See also car pool
- VERB
If a group of people or organizations pool their money, knowledge, or equipment, they share it or put it together so that it can be used for a particular purpose.
We pooled ideas and information. [VERB noun]
Philip and I pooled our savings to start up my business. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: combine, share, merge, put together More Synonyms of pool - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Pool is a game played on a large table covered with a cloth. Players use a long stick called a cue to hit a white ball across the table so that it knocks coloured balls with numbers on them into six holes around the edge of the table.
We played pool together and were good mates.
He was shooting pool with two other men. - PLURAL NOUN
If you do the pools, you take part in a gambling competition in which people try to win money by guessing correctly the results of football matches.
[British]
The odds of winning the pools are about one in 20 million.
Sizeable
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Sizeable means fairly large.
Harry inherited the house and a sizeable chunk of land.
Savers with a sizeable chunk of cash would do better to leave their money elsewhere.
Synonyms: large, considerable, substantial, goodly
