Day 28 Flashcards
Representative
someone who speaks or does something officially for another person or group of people:
- The firm has representatives in every major city.
To root for
to agree with and give encouragement to someone or something because you want him, her, or it to succeed:
My father supported the Labour Party all his life.
The majority of people in the town strongly support the plans to build a new school.
I think it’s important to support local businesses by buying locally.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] We will always do our best to support our students to succeed.
Prong
one of two or more long, sharp points on an object, especially a fork
Presently
now; at the present time:
- Of 200 boats, only 20 are presently operational.
- Three sites are presently under consideration for the new hotel.
Rendezvous
an arrangement to meet someone, especially secretly, at a particular place and time, or the place itself:
- We have a rendezvous for next week, don’t we?
The lovers met at a secret rendezvous in the park.
a place where a particular group of people often go or meet, by arrangement or habit:
- This restaurant is a popular rendezvous for local artists.
To disguise
To give a new appearance to a person or thing, especially in order to hide its true form:
He disguised himself by wearing a false beard.
- Minor skin imperfections can usually be disguised with a spot of make-up.
- We tried to disguise the fact that it was just a school hall by putting up coloured lights and balloons.
C2
to hide an opinion, a feeling, etc.:
- I couldn’t disguise my disappointment.
Adjudicator
a person or group that makes an official decision about something, especially about who is right in a disagreement:
- She acted as adjudicator in the dispute.
Utmost
used to emphasize how important or serious something is:
a matter of the utmost importance
- The situation needs to be handled with the utmost care.
Impartiality
the fact of not supporting any of the sides involved in an argument:
- The state must ensure the independence and impartiality of the justice system.
- He is often chosen as a mediator, reflecting his reputation for impartiality.
Stance
a way of thinking about something, especially expressed in a publicly stated opinion:
- The doctor’s stance on the issue of abortion is well known.
To expound
to give a detailed explanation of something:
- He’s always expounding on what’s wrong with the world.
- She uses her newspaper column to expound her views on environmental issues.
To cultivate
to prepare land and grow crops on it, or to grow a particular crop:
- Most of the land there is too poor to cultivate.
- The villagers cultivate mostly maize and beans.
To induce
to persuade someone to do something:
- They induced her to take the job by promising editorial freedom.
- Nothing could induce me (= I definitely cannot be persuaded) to climb a mountain/ride a bike.
Impetus
something that encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic or effective:
- The recent publicity surrounding homelessness has given (a) fresh impetus to the cause.
To nurture
to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something, especially young children or plants, and help him, her, or it to develop:
- She wants to stay at home and nurture her children.
a carefully nurtured garden
Not bat an eye/eyelash
to show no sign of surprise or worry when something unexpected happens:
- She told him she’d spent all her savings but he didn’t bat an eye.
To comply
to act according to an order, set of rules, or request:
- He’s been ordered to have the dog destroyed because it’s dangerous, but he refuses to comply.
- There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
Superficial
(of a person) never thinking about things that are serious or important:
- He’s fun to be with, but he’s very superficial.
Unsound
If a person’s activities or judgment are unsound, they are not good enough, acceptable, or able to be trusted:
- unsound accounting practices
- unsound police evidence
Precedent
an action, situation, or decision that has already happened and can be used as a reason why a similar action or decision should be performed or made:
- There are several precedents for promoting people who don’t have formal qualifications.
- Some politicians fear that agreeing to the concession would set a dangerous precedent.
[ U ]
the way that something has been done in the past that therefore shows that it is the correct way:
- Would it be breaking with precedent for the bride to make a speech?
[ C ] law specialized
a decision about a particular legal case that makes it likely that other similar cases will be decided in the same way:
- The judgment on pension rights has established/set a precedent.
To revoke
to say officially that an agreement, permission, a law, etc. is no longer in effect:
- The authorities have revoked their original decision to allow development of this rural area.
To surmise
to guess something, without having much or any proof:
- [ + (that) ] The police surmise (that) the robbers have fled the country.
Riled
angry because of something someone has done or said:
- He is still too easily riled by the words and deeds of others.
- The general public gets riled up by so many motorists parking for free.
To captivate
to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive:
- With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.
To sustain
to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time:
- The economy looks set to sustain its growth into next year.
- He seems to find it difficult to sustain relationships with women.
US The judge sustained (= accepted) the lawyer’s objection.
C2
to keep alive:
- The soil in this part of the world is not rich enough to sustain a large population.
