December Flashcards
more careful attention, especially in order to notice possible danger:
Two individuals reported _______ behaviors : watching people, and looking up and down the street to see if someone was outside.
The police said that it was thanks to the _____ of a neighbor that the fire was discovered before it could spread.
I am always ______ thanks to my dearest friend, paranoia.
Vigilance (vigilant)
behaving in a pleasant, polite, calm way:
He provided not only extensive advice, but also ______ sent several volumes of supporting literature.
He was ______ enough to thank me.
I despise ______ since it is a waste of time.
She impressed others as a person of extraordinary _____ and kindness.
Gracious (graciousness)
seriousness:
I don’t think you quite understand the _____ of our financial problems.
Straights will never understand the ______ of queer problems.
This is a school for children with ____ learning difficulties.
Severity (severe)
the quality of being very unkind or unpleasant:
The _____ of the punishment should match the seriousness of the crime.
The president is currently facing _____ criticism.
Severity (severe)
completely plain and without decoration (often disapproving)
I don’t like these ____ modern buildings.
“she wore another _____ suit, grey this time”
Severe
to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant:
So ______ for the big reveal. She’s about my height when she’s not in heels.
The passengers were told to ________ (= to press their bodies hard against something or hold them very stiff) for a crash landing.
The next few days might be quite challenging so I’d better _______.
Brace oneself
the sound of people clapping their hands repeatedly to show enjoyment or approval of something such as a performance or speech:
It’s not Mrs. Clause, it’s time for _____. It’s coming out the closet.
His speech met with (= received) loud ______.
So let’s have a round of _________, please, for (= please _____) a very talented young lady who is going to sing for us.
Applause (applaud)
a boy kept for homosexual practices.
To engage in a homoerotic relationship involving a boy and an older man.
I am not just gay. I am a _______ @ Craig.
I picked up Ben from the college bar, and he stayed with me as my ______ until he graduated.
Catamite
to cause someone to become interested or involved in an activity, or to attract someone’s interest:
If a book doesn’t ____ my interest in the first few pages, I don’t usually continue reading it.
He wrote about things that _____ him.
Sensitivity and flexibility are needed for _____ with individual families, but accurate measurement is needed for systems control.
Engage
to attack or begin to fight someone:
Enemy planes _______ the troops as they advanced into the mountains.
He ordered his men to ____ the enemy.
Engage
to employ someone:
I have ______ a secretary to deal with all my paperwork.
They have _____ accountancy firm Ernst & Young to approach financial institutions for funding on their behalf.
It would be prudent to ____ the services of a lawyer to help with this matter.
Engage
to make one part of a machine fit into and move together with another part of a machine:
When the large gear wheel _______ (with the smaller one), the mill stone will start to go round.
You need to ______ second gear.
______ the clutch before selecting a gear.
Engage
without any delay; immediately.
I realized the lack of sense in my existence _____.
He was arrested _______.
On the spot
Someone who is put ________ is forced to do or say something the person would rather not do or say:
I’m not trying to put you ______, but could you explain why you did that?
Due to my hypocrite nature, a myriad of people put me ________ daily.
On the spot
a friendly attitude in which you wish that good things happen to people:
Releasing the hostages has been seen as a gesture of ____ (a ______ gesture).
We hope the negotiations will take place in an atmosphere of openness and ____.
As always in times of retrenchment, elected officials have needed to win the ____ of voters and interest groups for these unpopular cutbacks.
Goodwill
