D_15/08/20 --> Tc --> 5LB-->101-110 Flashcards
antagonism
VARIABLE NOUN
Antagonism between people is hatred or dislike between them. Antagonisms are instances of this.
There is still much antagonism between trades unions and the oil companies. [+ between]
Old antagonisms resurfaced.
Synonyms: hostility, competition, opposition, conflict
confer
insofar as
VERB
When you confer with someone, you discuss something with them in order to make a decision. You can also say that two people confer.
He conferred with Hill and the others in his office. [VERB + with]
His doctors conferred by telephone and agreed that he must get away from his family for a time. [VERB]
Synonyms: discuss, talk, consult, deliberate
VERB
To confer something such as power or an honour on someone means to give it to them.
[formal]
The constitution also confers large powers on Brazil’s 25 constituent states. [VERB noun + on]
An honorary doctorate of law was conferred on him by Newcastle University. [VERB noun on noun]
Never imagine that rank confers genuine authority. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: grant, give, present, accord
PHRASE
You use insofar as to introduce a statement which explains and adds to something you have just said.
[formal]
Looking back helps insofar as it helps you learn from your mistakes.
flagrant
Patent
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use flagrant to describe an action, situation, or someone’s behaviour that you find extremely bad or shocking in a very obvious way.
[disapproval]
The judge called the decision ‘a flagrant violation of international law’.
His failure to turn his attention to flagrant wastes of public money is inexcusable.
Synonyms: outrageous, open, blatant, barefaced
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A patent is an official right to be the only person or company allowed to make or sell a new product for a certain period of time.
P&G applied for a patent on its cookies. [+ on]
He held a number of patents for his many innovations. [+ for]
It sued Centrocorp for patent infringement.
Synonyms: copyright, licence, franchise, registered trademark More Synonyms of patent - VERB
If you patent something, you obtain a patent for it.
He patented the idea that the atom could be split. [VERB noun]
The invention has been patented by the university. [VERB noun]
…a patented process for disinfecting liquids. [VERB-ed] - ADJECTIVE
You use patent to describe something, especially something bad, in order to indicate in an emphatic way that you think its nature or existence is clear and obvious.
[emphasis]
This was patent nonsense.
…a patent lie.
Synonyms: obvious, apparent, evident, blatant
unfathomable
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as unfathomable, you mean that it cannot be understood or explained, usually because it is very strange or complicated.
For some unfathomable reason, there are no stairs where there should be.
How odd life was, how unfathomable, how profoundly unjust. - ADJECTIVE
If you use unfathomable to describe a person or the expression on their face, you mean that you cannot tell what they are thinking or what they intend to do.
[literary]
…a strange, unfathomable and unpredictable individual.
…the dark eyes that right now seemed opaque and unfathomable.
lard
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Lard is soft white fat obtained from pigs. It is used in cooking.
…lard or beef fat. - VERB
If speech or writing is larded with particular types of words, it contains a lot of them or too many of them.
Official speeches in recent days have been larded with promises of democracy. [be V-ed with n]
…a long phone call, larded with ‘darlings’ and a sickening amount of baby-talk. [VERB-ed]
soar
- VERB
If the amount, value, level, or volume of something soars, it quickly increases by a great deal.
[journalism]
Insurance claims are expected to soar. [VERB]
Shares soared on the stock exchange. [VERB]
Figures showed customer complaints had soared to record levels and profits were falling. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The temperature in the south will soar into the hundreds. [VERB preposition/adverb]
…soaring unemployment. [VERB-ing] - VERB
If your spirits soar, you suddenly start to feel very happy.
[literary]
For the first time in months, my spirits soared. [VERB]
arcade
- COUNTABLE NOUN
An arcade is a covered passage where there are shops or market stalls.
…a shopping arcade.
Synonyms: complex, centre, precinct More Synonyms of arcade - COUNTABLE NOUN
An arcade is the same as an amusement arcade.
…13 year-olds spending their pocket money on fruit machines in arcades.
arch
noun [ C ]
a structure, consisting of a curved top on two supports, that holds the weight of something above it:
In many churches the side aisles are separated from the central aisle by a row of arches.
Passing through the arch, you enter an open courtyard.
The vines were trained over an arch, providing shade as well as fruit.
The temple’s grand white arches rose conspicuously over the dirty decaying city.
The abbey is known for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows.
The town is dominated by the massive arches of a viaduct.
parable
COUNTABLE NOUN
A parable is a short story, which is told in order to make a moral or religious point, like those in the Bible.
…the parable of the Good Samaritan. [+ of]
The story is a pleasing parable of the problems created by an excess of wealth.
Synonyms: lesson, story, fable, allegory
hyperbole
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If someone uses hyperbole, they say or write things that make something sound much more impressive than it really is.
[technical, formal]
…the hyperbole that portrays him as one of the greatest visionaries in the world.
Synonyms: exaggeration, hype [informal], overstatement, enlargement
innuendo
insinuate
VARIABLE NOUN
Innuendo is indirect reference to something rude or unpleasant.
The report was based on rumours, speculation, and innuendo.
…magazines which are full of sexual innuendo.
Synonyms: insinuation, suggestion, hint, implication
- VERB
If you say that someone insinuates that something bad is the case, you mean that they say it in an indirect way.
[disapproval]
The libel claim followed an article which insinuated that the President was lying. [VERB that]
Are you insinuating that I smell? [VERB that]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, indicate More Synonyms of insinuate
insinuation (ɪnsɪnjueɪʃən)
Word forms: plural insinuations
VARIABLE NOUN
He speaks with rage of insinuations that there’s a ‘gay mafia’ in Hollywood.
I just don’t think it’s right to bring a good man down by rumour and insinuation.
Synonyms: implication, suggestion, hint, allusion More Synonyms of insinuate - VERB
If you say that someone insinuates themselves into a particular situation, you mean that they manage very cleverly, and perhaps dishonestly, to get into that situation.
[disapproval]
He gradually insinuated himself into her life. [V pron-refl + into]
[Also VERB noun preposition]
justifiable
ADJECTIVE
An action, situation, emotion, or idea that is justifiable is acceptable or correct because there is a good reason for it.
The violence of the revolutionary years was justifiable on the grounds of political necessity. [+ on]
…the country’s strong and justifiable desire for independence.
Synonyms: reasonable, right, sound, fit
give teeth to (something)
To make something stronger or more effective, especially a rule or piece of legislation.
Senators are hoping to give teeth to the healthcare bill by attaching the threat of huge fines to insurance companies that don’t comply.
You’ll never give teeth to the regulations if officers are not allowed to make arrests.
keep (someone or something) at bay
To keep someone or something at a distance or from reaching full potency, especially in order to prevent harm to oneself.
During my college years, the only things I had to keep hunger at bay were beans, rice, and plain pasta.
You have to start meeting your minimum monthly repayments if you want to keep your creditors at bay.
These tree frogs have a powerful poison on their backs that helps keep predators at bay.
contrived
contrive
- ADJECTIVE
If you say that something someone says or does is contrived, you think it is false and deliberate, rather than natural and not planned.
[disapproval]
There was nothing contrived or calculated about what he said.
It mustn’t sound like a contrived compliment.
Synonyms: forced, planned, laboured, strained
artificial and difficult to believe:
I enjoyed the film, but felt the ending was a bit contrived.
His excuse sounded a bit contrived.
- ADJECTIVE
If you say that something someone says or does is contrived, you think it is false and deliberate, rather than natural and not planned.
[disapproval]
There was nothing contrived or calculated about what he said.
It mustn’t sound like a contrived compliment.
Synonyms: forced, planned, laboured, strained More Synonyms of contrived - ADJECTIVE
If you say that the plot of a play, film, or novel is contrived, you mean that it is unlikely and unconvincing.
[disapproval]
The plot seems contrived.
counterpoint
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
Something that is a counterpoint to something else contrasts with it in a satisfying way.
[journalism]
Paris is just a short train journey away, providing the perfect counterpoint to the peace and quiet of Reims. [+ to] - VERB
If one thing counterpoints another, it contrasts with it in a satisfying way.
[journalism]
A good sharp dressing counterpointed the sweetness of the dried fruit. [VERB noun] - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
In music, counterpoint is a technique in which two or more different tunes are played together at the same time.
…lessons in counterpoint and harmony.
crumble
- VERB
If something crumbles, or if you crumble it, it breaks into a lot of small pieces.
Under the pressure, the flint crumbled into fragments. [VERB]
Roughly crumble the cheese into a bowl. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: crush, fragment, crumb, pulverize - VARIABLE NOUN [usually noun NOUN]
A crumble is a baked pudding made from fruit covered with a mixture of flour, butter, and sugar.
[British]
…apple crumble.
empirical
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Empirical evidence or study relies on practical experience rather than theories.
There is no empirical evidence to support his thesis.
Synonyms: first-hand, direct, observed, practical
bode
Candor
VERB
If something bodes ill, it makes you think that something bad will happen in the future. If something bodes well, it makes you think that something good will happen.
[formal]
She says the way the bill was passed bodes ill for democracy. [V adv + for]
Grace had dried her eyes. That boded well. [VERB adverb]
Synonyms: augur, portend, threaten, predict
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Candor is the quality of speaking honestly and openly about things.
…a brash, forceful man, noted both for his candor and his quick temper.
Synonyms: honesty, simplicity, fairness, sincerity
millennium
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A millennium is a period of one thousand years, especially one which begins and ends with a year ending in ‘000’, for example the period from the year 1000 to the year 2000.
[formal] - SINGULAR NOUN
Many people refer to the year 2000 as the Millennium.
…the eve of the Millennium.
…the cost of Millennium celebrations and festivals.
elude
verb [ T ]
If something that you want eludes you, you do not succeed in achieving it:
The gold medal continues to elude her.
They had minor breakthroughs but real success eluded them.
humble
adjective
not proud or not believing that you are important:
He’s very humble about his success.
formal Please accept our humble apologies for the error.
In my humble opinion (= I want to emphasize that I think that) we should never have bought the car in the first place.
to make someone understand that they are not as important or special as they thought:
He was humbled by the child’s generosity.
The world champion was humbled (= unexpectedly defeated) by an unknown outsider in last night’s race.
dwindle
verb [ I ]
Wax
to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number:
The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size in the last two years.
Her hopes of success in the race dwindled last night as the weather became worse.
- VARIABLE NOUN
Wax is a solid, slightly shiny substance made of fat or oil which is used to make candles and polish. It melts when it is heated.
There were coloured candles which had spread pools of wax on the furniture.
She loved the scent in the house of wax polish. - VERB
If you wax a surface, you put a thin layer of wax onto it, especially in order to polish it.
We’d have long talks while she helped me wax the floor. [VERB noun]
…all those Sundays spent washing and waxing the car. [VERB noun] - VERB
If you have your legs waxed, you have the hair removed from your legs by having wax put on them and then pulled off quickly.
She has just had her legs waxed at the local beauty parlour. [have noun VERB-ed]
She would wax her legs, ready for the party. [VERB noun] - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Wax is the sticky yellow substance found in your ears.
stir
- VERB
If you stir a liquid or other substance, you move it around or mix it in a container using something such as a spoon.
Stir the soup for a few seconds. [VERB noun]
There was Mrs Bellingham, stirring sugar into her tea. [VERB noun + into]
You don’t add the peanut butter until after you’ve stirred in the honey. [V n with in]
Synonyms: mix, blend, whisk, beat More Synonyms of stir - VERB
If you stir, you move slightly, for example because you are uncomfortable or beginning to wake up.
[written]
Eileen shook him, and he started to stir. [VERB]
The two women lay on their backs, not stirring. [VERB]
Synonyms: move, change position - VERB
If you do not stir from a place, you do not move from it.
[written]
She had not stirred from the house that evening. [VERB + from]
There’s something you could study without stirring from this room. [VERB from noun]
patriarch
plea
- COUNTABLE NOUN
A patriarch is the male head of a family or tribe.
The patriarch of the house, Mr Jawad, rules it with a ferocity renowned throughout the neighbourhood. [+ of]
Joseph Kennedy, the clan’s patriarch, communicated with Bobby in a series of notes. - COUNTABLE NOUN & TITLE NOUN
A patriarch is the head of one of a number of Eastern Christian Churches.
The head of the Russian Orthodox church at that time was Patriarch Alexei the Second. - COUNTABLE NOUN [NOUN to-infinitive]
A plea is an appeal or request for something, made in an intense or emotional way.
[journalism]
Mr Nicholas made his emotional plea for help in solving the killing. [+ for]
…an impassioned plea to mankind to act to save the planet.
Synonyms: appeal, request, suit, prayer More Synonyms of plea - COUNTABLE NOUN [usually adjective NOUN, N of adj]
In a court of law, a person’s plea is the answer that they give when they have been charged with a crime, saying whether or not they are guilty of that crime.
The judge questioned him about his guilty plea.
We will enter a plea of not guilty.
Her plea of guilty to manslaughter through provocation was rejected.
Synonyms: suit, cause, action, allegation More Synonyms of plea - COUNTABLE NOUN
A plea is a reason which is given, to a court of law or to other people, as an excuse for doing something or for not doing something.
The jury rejected his plea of insanity. [+ of]
Mr Dunn’s pleas of poverty are only partly justified.
stratagem
infirmity
noun [ C or U ] formal
impassioned
COUNTABLE NOUN
A stratagem is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular effect, often by deceiving people.
[formal]
Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.
Synonyms: trick, scheme, manoeuvre, plan
illness, especially for long periods or because of old age:
an advanced state of infirmity
She suffered from a long list of infirmities.
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An impassioned speech or piece of writing is one in which someone expresses their strong feelings about an issue in a forceful way.
[journalism, written]
He made an impassioned appeal for peace.
Synonyms: intense, heated, passionate, warm
imperil
VERB
Something that imperils you puts you in danger.
[formal]
You imperilled the lives of other road users by your driving. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: endanger, risk, hazard, jeopardize
peril
1. VARIABLE NOUN Perils are great dangers. [formal] ...the perils of the sea. [+ of] In spite of great peril, I have survived. We are in the gravest peril.
titillation
noun [ U ] usually disapproving
the act of intentionally making someone slightly excited, usually with sexual images or descriptions:
We’ve certainly seen an increase on TV of foul language and sexual titillation.
There’s more going on in this film than cheap titillation.
abettor
noun [ C ]
someone who helps or encourages another person to do something wrong or illegal:
They are all aiders and abettors.
He sounds like every other abettor of terrorism.
compliment
complement
praise
complementary
Simulacrum
something that looks like or represents something else
albatross
- COUNTABLE NOUN
An albatross is a very large white seabird. - COUNTABLE NOUN
If you describe something or someone as an albatross around your neck, you mean that they cause you great problems from which you cannot escape, or they prevent you from doing what you want to do.
[disapproval]
Privatization could become a political albatross for the ruling party.
