D_19/07/20(SE: 16-40;5lb) Flashcards
monarch
COUNTABLE NOUN
The monarch of a country is the king, queen, emperor, or empress.
Synonyms: ruler, king or queen, sovereign, tsar
pessimist
COUNTABLE NOUN
A pessimist is someone who thinks that bad things are going to happen.
I’m a natural pessimist; I usually expect the worst.
It looks as if the pessimists are being proved right.
Synonyms: defeatist, cynic, melancholic, worrier
expedition
- COUNTABLE NOUN
An expedition is an organized journey that is made for a particular purpose such as exploration.
…Byrd’s 1928 expedition to Antarctica. [+ to]
Synonyms: journey, exploration, mission, voyage
aggravated
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
Aggravated is used to describe a serious crime which involves violence.
[law]
He was jailed for aggravated assault.
flabbergasted
ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
If you say that you are flabbergasted, you are emphasizing that you are extremely surprised.
[emphasis]
Everybody was flabbergasted when I announced I was going to emigrate to Australia.
Synonyms: astonished, amazed, stunned, overcome
bedazzled
ADJECTIVE
If you are bedazzled by someone or something, you are so amazed and impressed by them that you feel confused.
Many people are bedazzled by fame. [+ by]
to impress someone very much, because of being very intelligent, beautiful, etc.:
She had bedazzled him with her knowledge and beauty.
to make someone slightly confused, and not able to think clearly:
The strange atmosphere in the room had bedazzled her.
xenophobia
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Xenophobia is strong and unreasonable dislike or fear of people from other countries.
[formal]
Synonyms: racism, nationalism, bigotry, isolationism
indoctrinate
VERB
If people are indoctrinated, they are taught a particular belief with the aim that they will reject other beliefs.
[disapproval]
They have been completely indoctrinated. [be VERB-ed]
I wouldn’t say that she was trying to indoctrinate us. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: brainwash, school, train, teach
prone
adjective
likely to suffer from an illness or show a particular negative characteristic:
I’ve always been prone to headaches.
He was prone to depression even as a teenager.
She’s prone to exaggerate, that’s for sure.
More examples
This stretch of road is prone to foggy patches.
Our window boxes were prone to vandalism.
He is rather prone to making tactless remarks.
disposed
- ADJECTIVE
If you are disposed to do something, you are willing or eager to do it.
[formal]
We passed one or two dwellings, but were not disposed to stop.
I might have been disposed to like him in other circumstances.
He is then more generously disposed to admit the validity of opposing views.
Synonyms: inclined, given, likely, subject
chaff
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Chaff is the outer part of grain such as wheat. It is removed before the grain is used as food. - See to separate the wheat from the chaff
triage
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [oft NOUN noun]
Triage is the process of quickly examining sick or injured people, for example after an accident or a battle, so that those who are in the most serious condition can be treated first.
[medicine]
…the triage process.
requite
VERB
(transitive)
to make return to (a person for a kindness or injury); repay with a similar action
respond to (love or affection). "she did not requite his love"
return a favour to (someone).
“to win enough to requite my friends”
dogged
ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe someone’s actions as dogged, you mean that they are determined to continue with something even if it becomes difficult or dangerous.
They have gained respect through sheer dogged determination.
…his dogged insistence on their rights.
Synonyms: determined, steady, persistent, stubborn
uncouth
ADJECTIVE If you describe a person as uncouth, you mean that their behaviour is rude, noisy, and unpleasant. [disapproval] ...that oafish, uncouth person. Synonyms: coarse, rough, gross, awkward
sustainability
NOUN
1. economics
the ability to be sustained, without causing problems such as inflation
doubts about the sustainability of the current economic expansion
2. ecology
(of economic development, energy sources, etc) the ability to be maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage
the growing concern about environmental sustainability
radical
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Radical changes and differences are very important and great in degree.
The country needs a period of calm without more surges of radical change.
The Football League has announced its proposals for a radical reform of the way football is run in England. - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Radical people believe that there should be great changes in society and try to bring about these changes.
…threats by left-wing radical groups to disrupt the proceedings.
…political tension between radical and conservative politicians.
Synonyms: revolutionary, reforming, extreme, militant
abridge
- to reduce the length of (a written work) by condensing or rewriting
- to curtail; diminish
- archaic
to deprive of ( privileges, rights, etc)
Crete
a mountainous island in the E Mediterranean, the largest island of Greece: of archaeological importance for the ruins of Minoan civilization. Pop: 601 131 (2001). Area: 8331 sq km (3216 sq miles)
Modern Greek name: Kríti
deify
VERB [usually passive]
If someone is deified, they are considered to be a god or are regarded with very great respect.
[formal]
Valentino was virtually deified by legions of female fans. [be VERB-ed]
distort
- VERB
If you distort a statement, fact, or idea, you report or represent it in an untrue way.
The media distorts reality; categorises people as all good or all bad. [VERB noun]
The minister has said his remarks at the weekend have been distorted. [VERB noun]
distorted ADJECTIVE
These figures give a distorted view of the significance for the local economy.
Synonyms: deformed, bent, twisted, crooked - VERB
If something you can see or hear is distorted or distorts, its appearance or sound is changed so that it seems unclear.
A painter may exaggerate or distort shapes and forms. [VERB noun]
His size was persistently distorted by the cartoonists. [VERB noun]
This caused the sound to distort. [VERB]
distorted ADJECTIVE
Sound was becoming more and more distorted through the use of hearing aids.
Synonyms: deformed, bent, twisted, crooked
defame
VERB
If someone defames another person or thing, they say bad and untrue things about them.
[formal]
Sgt Norwood complained that the article defamed him. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: slander, smear, libel, discredit
parrot
- VERB
If you disapprove of the fact that someone is just repeating what someone else has said, often without really understanding it, you can say that they are parroting it.
[disapproval]
Generations of students have learnt to parrot the standard explanations. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: repeat, echo, imitate, copy
compatriot
COUNTABLE NOUN [usually poss NOUN]
Your compatriots are people from your own country.
Chris Robertson of Australia beat his compatriot Chris Dittmar in the final.
Synonyms: fellow countryman, countryman, fellow citizen
putative
adjective [ before noun ] formal
generally thought to be or to exist, even if this may not really be true:
The putative leader of the terrorist cell was arrested yesterday.
generally considered or reputed to be.
“the putative author of the book”
subterfuge
VARIABLE NOUN
Subterfuge is a trick or a dishonest way of getting what you want.
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.
The party has predictably rejected the proposals as a subterfuge.
Synonyms: trick, dodge, ploy, shift
upstanding
Upstanding people behave in a morally acceptable way.
[formal]
…a fine, upstanding and decent Irish citizen.
You look like a nice upstanding young man.
Synonyms: honest, principled, upright, honourable
nemesis
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [oft with poss]
The nemesis of a person or thing is a situation, event, or person which causes them to be seriously harmed, especially as a punishment.
…Harry Potter’s evil nemesis, Voldemort.
Yet the imminent crisis in its balance of payments may be the President’s nemesis.
overt
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An overt action or attitude is done or shown in an open and obvious way.
His recent productions have been beautifully crafted works with little overt political content.
Although there is no overt hostility, Black and White students do not mix much.
Synonyms: open, obvious, plain, public
sobriety
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Sobriety is serious and thoughtful behaviour.
[formal]
…the values society depends upon, such as honesty, sobriety and trust.
Synonyms: seriousness, gravity, steadiness, restraint - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Sobriety is the state of being sober rather than drunk.
[formal]
vivacious
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as vivacious, you mean that they are lively, exciting, and attractive.
[written, approval]
She’s beautiful, vivacious, and charming.
Synonyms: lively, spirited, vital, gay [old-fashioned]
mirth
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Mirth is amusement which you express by laughing.
[literary]
That caused considerable mirth amongst pupils and sports masters alike.
It was all he could do to stop tears of mirth falling down his cheeks.
Synonyms: merriment, amusement, fun, pleasure
allegation
COUNTABLE NOUN
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong.
The company has denied the allegations.
Allegations of brutality and theft have been levelled at the army. [+ of]
Synonyms: claim, charge, statement, profession
preferential
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you get preferential treatment, you are treated better than other people and therefore have an advantage over them.
Despite her status, the Duchess will not be given preferential treatment.
Synonyms: privileged, favoured, superior, better
solemn
- ADJECTIVE
Someone or something that is solemn is very serious rather than cheerful or humorous.
His solemn little face broke into smiles.
He looked solemn.
Synonyms: serious, earnest, grave, sober
scathing
adjective
criticizing someone or something in a severe and unkind way:
scathing criticism
He was very scathing about the report, saying it was inaccurate.
Synonyms
critical (NOT PLEASED)
disparaging
vituperative formal
fictitious
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Fictitious is used to describe something that is false or does not exist, although some people claim that it is true or exists.
We’re interested in the source of these fictitious rumours.
citizenry
SINGULAR NOUN [with singular or plural verb]
The people living in a country, state, or city can be referred to as the citizenry.
[US, also British, formal]
He used the medium of radio when he wanted to reassure the citizenry.
I think we lack a citizenry that is adequately willing to take responsibility.
unduly
adverb formal
undulate
more than is necessary, acceptable, or reasonable:
There’s no need to be unduly pessimistic about the situation.
He believes this approach would unduly harm the nation’s economy.
VERB
Something that undulates has gentle curves or slopes, or moves gently and slowly up and down or from side to side in an attractive manner.
[literary]
As we travel south, the countryside begins to undulate. [VERB]
His body slowly undulated in time to the music. [VERB]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: wave, roll, surge, swell
venal
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as venal, you disapprove of them because they are prepared to do almost anything in return for money, even things which are dishonest or immoral.
[disapproval]
Government propaganda made the radicals appear at best deluded, at worst venal.
…venal politicians.
Synonyms: corrupt, bent [slang], crooked [informal], prostituted [old-fashioned, derogatory]
