D_22/02/21(Manhattan 8 --> TC --> Drill Hard ) Flashcards
renounce
- VERB
If you renounce a belief or a way of behaving, you decide and declare publicly that you no longer have that belief or will no longer behave in that way.
You must renounce your old ways of thinking. [VERB noun]
A substantial minority, unable to renounce Marxism, left to form a new party called Communist Refoundation. [VERB noun] - VERB
If you renounce a claim, rank, or title, you officially give it up.
He renounced his claim to the French throne. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: disclaim, deny, decline, give up
vagrant
noun [ C ] LAW formal or specialized
a person who is poor, does not have a home or job, and moves from place to place:
The town has shelters and food handouts for vagrants.
myrmidon
noun [ C ] formal
someone who follows and obeys a powerful person or authority, even when this means doing bad things for them:
They each claimed that they were only doing their job - the standard reply from the myrmidons of authoritarian regimes everywhere.
proselyte
noun [ C ]
someone who has been persuaded to change their religious or political beliefs:
Moody was a Catholic proselyte.
malefactor
noun [ C ] formal
a person who does bad or illegal things
crotchet
noun [ C ] MUSIC UK
a musical note with a time value equal to two quavers or half a minim
a peculiar whim or stubborn notion
awl
noun [ C ]
a pointed tool for making small holes in wood or leather
opus
- COUNTABLE NOUN
An opus is a piece of classical music by a particular composer. Opus is usually followed by a number which indicates at what point the piece was written. The abbreviation op. is also used.
…Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in E minor, Opus 90. - COUNTABLE NOUN
You can refer to an artistic work such as a piece of music or writing or a painting as an opus.
…the new opus from Peter Gabriel.
commodious
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A commodious room or house is large and has a lot of space.
[written]
Synonyms: roomy, large, comfortable, extensive
Meaning of propinquity in English
propinquity
noun [ U ] formal
the fact of being near something:
Don’t let geographical propinquity determine your choice.
NOUN
- nearness in place or time
- nearness in relationship
Definition of propinquity
1: nearness of blood : KINSHIP
2: nearness in place or time : PROXIMITY
reciprocity
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Reciprocity is the exchange of something between people or groups of people when each person or group gives or allows something to the other.
[formal]
They gave assurances they would press for reciprocity with Greece in the issuing of visas.
reciprocal
ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A reciprocal action or agreement involves two people or groups who do the same thing to each other or agree to help each another in a similar way.
[formal]
They expected a reciprocal gesture before more hostages could be freed.
Many countries have reciprocal agreements for health care.
Synonyms: mutual, corresponding, reciprocative, reciprocatory
letup
noun
a pause or reduction in the intensity of something dangerous, difficult, or tiring.
“there had been no let-up in the eruption”
lumber
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Lumber consists of trees and large pieces of wood that have been roughly cut up.
[mainly US]
It was made of soft lumber, spruce by the look of it.
He was going to have to purchase all his lumber at full retail price.
Synonyms: junk, refuse, rubbish, discards More Synonyms of lumber - VERB
If someone or something lumbers from one place to another, they move there very slowly and clumsily.
He turned and lumbered back to his chair. [VERB adverb/preposition]
The truck lumbered across the parking lot toward the road. [VERB adverb/preposition]
He looked straight ahead and overtook a lumbering lorry. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: plod, shuffle, shamble, trudge
trudge
VERB
If you trudge somewhere, you walk there slowly and with heavy steps, especially because you are tired or unhappy.
We had to trudge up the track back to the station. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: plod, trek, tramp, traipse [informal]
sidle
VERB
If you sidle somewhere, you walk there in a quiet or cautious way, as if you do not want anyone to notice you.
A young man sidled up to me and said, ‘May I help you?’ [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: edge, steal, slink, inch
traipse
- VERB
If you traipse somewhere, you go there unwillingly, often because you are tired or unhappy.
If traipsing around shops does not appeal to you, perhaps using a catalogue will. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Joyce traipsed from one doctor to another, praying that someone would listen. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: trudge, trail, tramp, slouch More Synonyms of traipse - VERB
If you talk about people traipsing somewhere, you mean that they are going there or moving about there in a way that annoys someone or gets in their way.
[disapproval]
You will have to get used to a lot of people traipsing in and out of your home. [VERB preposition/adverb]
She doesn’t want security men traipsing round with her every minute of the day.
circumambulate
- to walk around (something)
- (intransitive)
to avoid the point
nugatory
adjective formal
worth nothing or of little value:
a nugatory amount
sumptuous
ADJECTIVE
Something that is sumptuous is grand and obviously very expensive.
…a sumptuous feast.
She produces elegant wedding gowns in a variety of sumptuous fabrics.
Synonyms: luxurious, rich, grand, expensive
shelling
the act of bombing a place with artillery shells
Out on the streets, the shelling continued.
woebegone
ADJECTIVE Someone who is woebegone is very sad. [written] She sniffed and looked woebegone. Synonyms: gloomy, low, blue, troubled
effulgent
radiant; brilliant
haggard
adjective
looking ill or tired, often with dark skin under the eyes:
He’d been drinking the night before and was looking a bit haggard.
crescendo
noun [ C usually singular ]
a gradual increase in loudness, or the moment when a noise or piece of music is at its loudest:
The music reached a crescendo.
an increase in excitement, danger, or action:
There has been a rising crescendo of violence in the region.
diocese
COUNTABLE NOUN
A diocese is the area over which a bishop has control.
Synonyms: bishopric, see
epaulet
COUNTABLE NOUN [usu pl]
Epaulets are decorations worn on the shoulders of certain uniforms, especially military ones.
cognoscenti
noun [ plural ] formal
a group of people who have a great knowledge and understanding of a particular subject, especially one of the arts:
Not being one of the cognoscenti, I failed to understand the ballet’s subtler points.
illuminati
noun [ plural ] formal
people who claim to have a special understanding or knowledge of something:
There seems to be a subtext to this passage, intended for the illuminati only.
neophyte
noun [ C ] formal
someone who has recently become involved in an activity and is still learning about it
easy to exchange or trade for something else of the same type and value:
fungible goods/commodities
fungible assets/bonds
COMMERCE, LAW
fungible goods are easy to exchange for others of the same type and value:
Technological advances have given gas the potential to be a fungible global commodity like oil.
heteromorphic
occurring in two or more different forms, especially at different stages in the life cycle.
cult
a religious group, often living together, whose beliefs are considered extreme or strange by many people:
Their son ran away from home and joined a religious cult.
[ C ]
a particular system of religious belief:
the Hindu cult of Shiva
uninitiated
PLURAL NOUN
You can refer to people who have no knowledge or experience of a particular subject or activity as the uninitiated.
For the uninitiated, Western Swing is a fusion of jazz, rhythm & blues, rock & roll and country music.
Its appeal may not be immediately obvious to the uninitiated.
Uninitiated is also an adjective.
For those uninitiated in scientific ocean drilling, the previous record was a little over 4 km. [+ in]
This may not be visible to the uninitiated eye, but the experienced quarryman sees it.
condone
VERB
If someone condones behaviour that is morally wrong, they accept it and allow it to happen.
I have never encouraged nor condoned violence. [VERB noun]
I couldn’t condone what she was doing. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: overlook, excuse, forgive, pardon
palliate
verb [ T ]
to reduce the bad effects of something:
They tried to palliate the hardship of their lives.
MEDICAL specialized
to reduce pain without curing its cause:
The drugs palliate pain but have no effect on inflammation.
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
disposition
- COUNTABLE NOUN
Someone’s disposition is the way that they tend to behave or feel.
The rides are unsuitable for people of a nervous disposition.
He was a man of decisive action and an adventurous disposition.
…his friendly and cheerful disposition.
Synonyms: character, nature, spirit, make-up More Synonyms of disposition - SINGULAR NOUN [usually NOUN to-infinitive]
A disposition to do something is a willingness to do it.
[formal]
This has given him a disposition to consider our traditions critically.
They show no disposition to improvise or to take risks.
Synonyms: tendency, inclination, propensity, habit - SINGULAR NOUN
If you refer to the disposition of a number of objects, you mean the pattern in which they are arranged or their positions in relation to each other.
[formal]
…to understand the buildings from the disposition of walls and entrances.
Synonyms: arrangement, grouping, ordering, organization More Synonyms of disposition - COUNTABLE NOUN
The disposition of money or property is the act of giving or distributing it to a number of people.
[law]
Judge Stacks was appointed to oversee the disposition of funds. [+ of]
Synonyms: control, management, direction, regulation
bulk
- SINGULAR NOUN
You can refer to something’s bulk when you want to emphasize that it is very large.
[written, emphasis]
The truck pulled out of the lot, its bulk unnerving against the dawn.
…the shadowy bulk of an ancient barn. [+ of]
Synonyms: size, volume, dimensions, magnitude More Synonyms of bulk - SINGULAR NOUN [usually poss NOUN]
You can refer to a large person’s body or to their weight or size as their bulk.
Bannol lowered his bulk carefully into the chair.
Despite his bulk, he moved lightly on his feet.
Synonyms: weight, size, mass, heaviness - QUANTIFIER
The bulk of something is most of it.
The bulk of the text is essentially a review of these original documents. [+ of]
The vast bulk of imports and exports are carried by sea. [+ of]
Bulk is also a pronoun.
They come from all over the world, though the bulk is from the Indian subcontinent. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN [in NOUN, NOUN noun]
If you buy or sell something in bulk, you buy or sell it in large quantities.
Buying in bulk is more economical than shopping for small quantities.
…bulk purchasing.
pamphlet
COUNTABLE NOUN
A pamphlet is a very thin book, with a paper cover, which gives information about something.
Synonyms: booklet, leaflet, brochure, circular
regimen
COUNTABLE NOUN
A regimen is a set of rules about food and exercise that some people follow in order to stay healthy.
Whatever regimen has been prescribed should be rigorously followed.
risible
ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as risible, you mean that it is ridiculous and does not deserve to be taken seriously.
[formal, disapproval]
Synonyms: ridiculous, ludicrous, laughable, farcical
costive
- having constipation; constipated
- sluggish
- niggardly
1a: affected with constipation
b: causing constipation
2: slow in action or expression
3: not generous : STINGY
sluggish
ADJECTIVE
You can describe something as sluggish if it moves, works, or reacts much slower than you would like or is normal.
The economy remains sluggish.
Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.
…the sluggish pace of reforms.
Synonyms: inactive, slow, lethargic, listless More Synonyms of sluggish
sluggishly GRADED ADVERB [ADVERB after verb, also ADVERB adjective]
The company has responded sluggishly to these changes in technology.
sluggishness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
…the sluggishness of Britain’s economic recovery.
Synonyms: inactivity, lethargy, drowsiness, apathy
niggardly
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as niggardly, you are criticizing them because they do not give or provide much of something.
[disapproval]
It seems a little niggardly not to include any photographs.
…a niggardly supply of hot water.
1: grudgingly mean about spending or granting : BEGRUDGING
… management was being niggardly with raises.
— Dana Canedy
2: provided in meanly limited supply
… niggardly funding of planetary science.
— Richard Wolkomir
bathos
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
In literary criticism, bathos is a sudden change in speech or writing from a serious or important subject to a ridiculous or very ordinary one.
[technical]
Synonyms: anticlimax, disappointment, sentimentality, letdown
suave
adjective
A suave man is very polite, pleasant, and usually attractive, often in a way that is slightly false:
He’s very suave and sophisticated.
He’s a suave Texas-bred lawyer.
georgic
- literary
agricultural
NOUN - a poem about rural or agricultural life
natty
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe clothes, especially men’s clothes, as natty, you mean that they are smart and neat.
[informal, approval]
…a natty pin stripe suit.
Cliff was a natty dresser.
Synonyms: smart, sharp [informal], dashing [old-fashioned], elegant More Synonyms of natty - ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe something as natty, you think it is smart and cleverly designed.
[informal, approval]
…natty little houses.
drab
- ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as drab, you think that it is dull and boring to look at or experience.
Mary was wearing the same drab grey dress.
…his drab little office.
The rest of the day’s activities often seemed drab or depressing.
Synonyms: dull, grey, gloomy, dismal More Synonyms of drab
drabness UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
…the dusty drabness of nearby villages. [+ of]
Synonyms: dullness, gloom, sobriety, monotony
penury
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Penury is the state of being extremely poor.
[formal]
He was brought up in penury, without education.
Synonyms: poverty, want, need, privation [formal]
malaise
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Malaise is a state in which there is something wrong with a society or group, for which there does not seem to be a quick or easy solution.
[formal]
There is no easy short-term solution to Britain’s chronic economic malaise.
Unification has brought soaring unemployment and social malaise. - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Malaise is a state in which people feel dissatisfied or unhappy but feel unable to change, usually because they do not know what is wrong.
[formal]
He complained of depression, headaches and malaise.
Synonyms: unease, illness, depression, anxiety
sophistry
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Sophistry is the practice of using clever arguments that sound convincing but are in fact false.
[formal]
Political selection is more dependent on sophistry and less on economic literacy.
Synonyms: fallacy, quibble, casuistry, sophism
grandstanding
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Grandstanding means behaving in a way that makes people pay attention to you instead of thinking about more important matters.
flagitious
ADJECTIVE
atrociously wicked; vicious; outrageous
deluge
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually singular]
A deluge of things is a large number of them which arrive or happen at the same time.
A deluge of manuscripts began to arrive in the post. [+ of]
This has brought a deluge of criticism. [+ of] - VERB [usually passive]
If a place or person is deluged with things, a large number of them arrive or happen at the same time.
During 1933, Papen’s office was deluged with complaints. [beV-ed + with/by]
Synonyms: overwhelm, swamp, engulf, overload More Synonyms of deluge - COUNTABLE NOUN
A deluge is a sudden, very heavy fall of rain.
About a dozen homes were damaged in the deluge.
Synonyms: flood, spate, overflowing, torrent More Synonyms of deluge - VERB
If rain deluges a place, it falls very heavily there, sometimes causing floods.
[written]
At least 150 people died after two days of torrential rain deluged the capital. [VERB noun]
antediluvian
ADJECTIVE
Antediluvian things are old or old-fashioned.
[humorous]
…antediluvian attitudes to women.
platitude
COUNTABLE NOUN
A platitude is a statement which is considered meaningless and boring because it has been made many times before in similar situations.
[disapproval]
Why couldn’t he say something original instead of spouting the same old platitudes?
…a stream of platitudes, outlining many problems but offering few solutions.
dictate
- VERB
If you dictate something, you say or read it aloud for someone else to write down.
Sheldon writes every day of the week, dictating his novels in the morning. [VERB noun]
Everything he dictated was signed and sent out the same day. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB] - VERB
If someone dictates to someone else, they tell them what they should do or can do.
We don’t want to dictate to anyone how to live their lives. [VERB to noun]
What right has one country to dictate the environmental standards of another? [VERB noun]
He cannot be allowed to dictate what can and cannot be inspected. [VERB wh]
What gives them the right to dictate to us what we should eat? [VERB + to]
The officers were more or less able to dictate terms to successive governments. [VERB noun + to]
The rules of court dictate that a defendant is entitled to all evidence which may help his case. [VERB that] - VERB
If one thing dictates another, the first thing causes or influences the second thing.
The film’s budget dictated a tough schedule. [VERB noun]
The way in which they dress is dictated by very rigid fashion rules. [VERB noun]
Of course, a number of factors will dictate how long an apple tree can survive. [VERB wh]
Circumstances dictated that they played a defensive rather than attacking game. [VERB that]
Synonyms: determine, demand, command, establish More Synonyms of dictate - VERB
You say that reason or common sense dictates that a particular thing is the case when you believe strongly that it is the case and that reason or common sense will cause other people to agree.
Commonsense now dictates that it would be wise to sell a few shares. [VERB that] - COUNTABLE NOUN
A dictate is an order which you have to obey.
Their job is to ensure that the dictates of the Party are followed. [+ of] - COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
Dictates are principles or rules which you consider to be extremely important.
We have followed the dictates of our consciences and have done our duty. [+ of]
Synonyms: principle, law, rule, standard
dissuade
VERB
If you dissuade someone from doing or believing something, you persuade them not to do or believe it.
[formal]
Doctors had tried to dissuade patients from smoking. [VERB noun + from]
She maintained that her son was innocent, and nothing could dissuade her from that belief. [V n from -ing/n]
He considered emigrating, but his family managed to dissuade him. [VERB noun]
spur on
spur on
To urge, encourage, or goad someone onward in some task or activity. Likened to applying the spurs on one’s boots to compel a horse to move forward or go faster. A noun or pronoun can be used between “spur” and “on.”
There were times when she wanted to give up, but her desire to beat her rival in the championship spurred her on.
Analysts think the president’s recent actions have spurred on the economy.
hypochondriac
COUNTABLE NOUN
A hypochondriac is a person who continually worries about their health, although there is really nothing wrong with them.
She’s a terrible hypochondriac - she’s always at the doctor’s.
Synonyms: neurotic, valetudinarian, cyberchondriac
gingerly
ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
If you do something gingerly, you do it in a careful manner, usually because you expect it to be dangerous, unpleasant, or painful.
[written]
She was touching the dressing gingerly with both hands.
I drove gingerly past the security check points.
Synonyms: cautiously, carefully, reluctantly, suspiciously
imposing
ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone or something as imposing, you mean that they have an impressive appearance or manner.
He was an imposing man.
…the imposing wrought-iron gates at the entrance to the estate.
Synonyms: impressive, striking, grand, august
convalescence
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Convalescence is the period or process of becoming healthy and well again after an illness or operation.
[formal]
Synonyms: recovery, rehabilitation, recuperation, return to health
embezzle
VERB
If someone embezzles money that their organization or company has placed in their care, they take it and use it illegally for their own purposes.
One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds. [VERB noun]
pilfer
VERB
If someone pilfers, they steal things, usually small cheap things.
Staff were pilfering behind the bar. [VERB]
When food stores close, they go to work, pilfering food for resale on the black market. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: steal, take, rob, lift [informal]
malefaction
wrongdoing; crime
peccadillo
COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
Peccadilloes are small, unimportant sins or faults.
[written]
People are prepared to be tolerant of extra-marital peccadilloes by public figures.
Synonyms: misdeed, slip, error, lapse
trespass
- VERB
If someone trespasses, they go onto someone else’s land without their permission.
They were trespassing on private property. [VERB preposition]
You’re trespassing! [VERB]
Synonyms: intrude, infringe, encroach, enter without permission More Synonyms of trespass
Trespass is the act of trespassing.
You could be prosecuted for trespass.
…trespasses and demonstrations on privately-owned land.
trespasser
Word forms: plural trespassers
COUNTABLE NOUN
Trespassers will be prosecuted.
Synonyms: sinner, criminal, offender, delinquent More Synonyms of trespass
Synonyms: intruder, unwelcome visitor, invader, poacher More Synonyms of trespass - VERB
If you say that someone is trespassing on something, you mean that they are involving themselves in something that is not their concern.
They were acting to prevent the state from trespassing on family matters such as sex education. [VERB preposition]
[Also VERB]
risqué
ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as risqué, you mean that it is slightly rude because it refers to sex.
The script is incredibly risqué - some marvellously crude lines.
Synonyms: suggestive, blue, daring, naughty
exploit
- VERB
If you say that someone is exploiting you, you think that they are treating you unfairly by using your work or ideas and giving you very little in return.
Critics claim he exploited Black musicians for personal gain. [VERB noun]
…the plight of the exploited sugar cane workers. [VERB-ed]
exploitation (eksplɔɪteɪʃən ) UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent exploitation.
Synonyms: misuse, abuse, manipulation, imposition More Synonyms of exploit - VERB
If you say that someone is exploiting a situation, you disapprove of them because they are using it to gain an advantage for themselves, rather than trying to help other people or do what is right.
[disapproval]
The government and its opponents compete to exploit the troubles to their advantage. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: make the best use of, use, make use of, utilize More Synonyms of exploit
exploitation SINGULAR NOUN
…the exploitation of the famine by local politicians. [+ of]
Synonyms: misuse, abuse, manipulation, imposition More Synonyms of exploit
Synonyms: capitalization, utilization, using to good advantage, trading upon More Synonyms of exploit - VERB
If you exploit something, you use it well, and achieve something or gain an advantage from it.
You’ll need a good aerial to exploit the radio’s performance. [VERB noun]
Cary is hoping to exploit new opportunities in Europe. [VERB noun]
So you feel that your skills have never been fully appreciated or exploited? [VERB noun] - VERB
To exploit resources or raw materials means to develop them and use them for industry or commercial activities.
I think we’re being very short sighted in not exploiting our own coal. [VERB noun]
exploitation UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
…the planned exploitation of its potential oil and natural gas reserves. [+ of]
Synonyms: misuse, abuse, manipulation, imposition More Synonyms of exploit
5. COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural, with poss]
If you refer to someone’s exploits, you mean the brave, interesting, or amusing things that they have done.
His wartime exploits were later made into a film.
Synonyms: feat, act, achievement, enterprise
chronicle
- VERB
To chronicle a series of events means to write about them or show them in broadcasts in the order in which they happened.
The series chronicles the everyday adventures of two eternal bachelors. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB wh]
Synonyms: record, tell, report, enter More Synonyms of chronicle
chronicler
Word forms: plural chroniclers
COUNTABLE NOUN
…the chronicler of the English civil war. [+ of]
Synonyms: recorder, reporter, historian, narrator More Synonyms of chronicle - COUNTABLE NOUN
A chronicle is an account or record of a series of events.
…this vast chronicle of Napoleonic times. [+ of]
Synonyms: record, story, history, account More Synonyms of chronicle - COUNTABLE NOUN
Chronicle is sometimes used as part of the name of a newspaper.
…the San Francisco Chronicle.
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
catharsis
UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Catharsis is getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way.
He wrote out his rage, which gradually became a form of catharsis.
inconclusive
- ADJECTIVE
If research or evidence is inconclusive, it has not proved anything.
Research has so far proved inconclusive.
I find the evidence inconclusive.
Synonyms: uncertain, vague, ambiguous, open More Synonyms of inconclusive - ADJECTIVE
If a contest or conflict is inconclusive, it is not clear who has won or who is winning.
The past two elections were inconclusive.
…eight years of bloody and inconclusive war.
upheaval
noun [ C or U ]
a great change, especially causing or involving much difficulty, activity, or trouble:
Yesterday’s coup brought further upheaval to a country already struggling with famine.
I’m not sure it’s worth the upheaval of moving to gain just a little more space.
plodding
adjective
slow, continuous and not exciting:
I’ll try not to bore you with lots of plodding details.
The novel is heavy and plodding, with little excitement in it.
en route
adverb (US also enroute)
on the way to or from somewhere:
I stopped en route (to the party) and got some wine.
The bomb exploded while the plane was en route from Paris to Tokyo.
stringent
- ADJECTIVE
Stringent laws, rules, or conditions are very severe or are strictly controlled.
[formal]
He announced that there would be more stringent controls on the possession of weapons.
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
Synonyms: strict, tough, rigorous, demanding More Synonyms of stringent
stringently ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
He is determined to see the Act enforced more stringently. - ADJECTIVE
Stringent financial conditions are difficult and strictly controlled because there is not much money.
[formal]
More stringent financial regulations were approved and introduced in September.
substantial
- ADJECTIVE [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Substantial means large in amount or degree.
[formal]
The party has just lost office and with it a substantial number of seats.
That is a very substantial improvement in the present situation.
important
Synonyms: big, significant, considerable, goodly More Synonyms of substantial - GRADED ADJECTIVE
A substantial building is large and strongly built.
[formal]
…those fortunate enough to have a fairly substantial property to sell.
Synonyms: solid, sound, sturdy, strong
insubstantial
ADJECTIVE
Something that is insubstantial is not large, solid, or strong.
Mars has an insubstantial atmosphere, consisting almost entirely of carbon dioxide.
Her limbs were insubstantial, almost transparent.
Synonyms: flimsy, thin, weak, slight
profundity
- UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
Profundity is great intellectual depth and understanding.
The profundity of this book is achieved with breathtaking lightness. [+ of] - UNCOUNTABLE NOUN
If you refer to the profundity of a feeling, experience, or change, you mean that it is deep, powerful, or serious.
…the profundity of the structural problems besetting the country. [+ of]
Synonyms: intensity, strength, depth, seriousness More Synonyms of profundity - COUNTABLE NOUN
A profundity is a remark that shows great intellectual depth and understanding.
His work is full of profundities and asides concerning the human condition.
charitable
- ADJECTIVE [ADJECTIVE noun]
A charitable organization or activity helps and supports people who are ill or very poor, or who have a disability.
…charitable work for cancer awareness. - ADJECTIVE [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
Someone who is charitable to people is kind or understanding towards them.
They were rather less than charitable towards the referee. [+ towards]
charitably (tʃærɪtəbli ) GRADED ADVERB [ADVERB with verb]
Still, he reflected charitably, it was hardly her fault.
sneer
VERB
If you sneer at someone or something, you express your contempt for them by the expression on your face or by what you say.
There is too great a readiness to sneer at anything the Opposition does. [VERB + at]
If you go to a club and you don’t look right, you’re sneered at. [VERB at noun]
‘Hypocrite,’ he sneered. [VERB with quote]
Although some may sneer, working as a secretary can be a route to career success. [VERB]
[Also VERB that]
Synonyms: scorn, mock, ridicule, laugh
iota
noun
an extremely small amount:
I haven’t seen one iota of evidence to support his claim.
veneer
- SINGULAR NOUN [adjective NOUN]
If you refer to the pleasant way that someone or something appears as a veneer, you are critical of them because you believe that their true, hidden nature is not good.
[disapproval]
He was able to fool the world with his veneer of education.
His super-clean image gave a veneer of respectability to the new professional set-up. [+ of]
Synonyms: mask, show, façade, front [informal] More Synonyms of veneer - VARIABLE NOUN
Veneer is a thin layer of wood or plastic which is used to improve the appearance of something.
The wood was cut into large sheets of veneer.
Only the finest timbers and veneers are used.
medley
- COUNTABLE NOUN
In music, a medley is a collection of different tunes or songs that are played one after the other as a single piece of music.
…a medley of traditional songs. [+ of]
Synonyms: mixture, confusion, jumble, assortment More Synonyms of medley - COUNTABLE NOUN
In sport, a medley is a swimming race in which the four main strokes are used one after the other.
He won the Men’s 200 metres Individual Medley. - COUNTABLE NOUN [usually NOUN of noun]
A medley of different foods or other things is a mixture of them.
…a medley of four fish in a cream sauce.
We communicated in a medley of foreign words and universal gestures.
tome
COUNTABLE NOUN
A tome is a very large, heavy book.
[formal]
Synonyms: book, work, title, volume
toothsome
ADJECTIVE
If you describe food as toothsome, you mean that it tastes very good.
…the toothsome honey-sweetened gingerbread.
Synonyms: appetizing, nice, sweet, tempting
puissant
powerful
imppuissant
powerless
emend/amend
verb
to make corrections or improvements in (a text) by critical editing
allay
VERB
If you allay someone’s fears or doubts, you stop them feeling afraid or doubtful.
[formal]
He did what he could to allay his wife’s fears. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: reduce, quiet, relax, ease
prolepsis
- a rhetorical device by which objections are anticipated and answered in advance
- use of a word after a verb in anticipation of its becoming applicable through the action of the verb, as flat in hammer it flat
rescind
VERB
If a government or a group of people in power rescind a law or agreement, they officially withdraw it and state that it is no longer valid.
[formal]
Trade Union leaders have demanded the government rescind the price rise. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: annul, recall, reverse, cancel
protract
verb [ T ] formal
to make something last for a long time or last longer than necessary:
I have no desire to protract the process.
Their guest did not protract his stay an hour longer.
deduce
VERB
If you deduce something or deduce that something is true, you reach that conclusion because of other things that you know to be true.
Alison had cleverly deduced that I was the author of the letter. [VERB that]
The date of the document can be deduced from references to the Civil War. [be VERB-ed + from]
She hoped he hadn’t deduced the reason for her visit. [VERB noun]
[Also V n from n, V with quote]
Synonyms: work out, reason, understand, gather
occlude
- (transitive)
to block or stop up (a passage or opening); obstruct - (transitive)
to prevent the passage of - (transitive) chemistry
(of a solid) to incorporate (a substance) by absorption or adsorption - meteorology
to form or cause to form an occluded front - dentistry
to produce or cause to produce occlusion, as in chewing
gauntlet
- COUNTABLE NOUN [usually plural]
Gauntlets are long, thick, protective gloves.
…a pair of black leather driving gauntlets.
cast on
— phrasal verb with cast verb
in knitting, to make special stitches to start the thing you are making
animadversion
criticism or censure.
“her animadversion against science”
a comment or remark, especially a critical one.
plural noun: animadversions
“animadversions that the poet receives quite humbly”
condign
adjective formal
Condign punishment is suitable or right for a particular crime:
Expropriation of property seemed condign punishment for treason.
