Deck010 Flashcards
in·vet·er·ate
```
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈvetərət/
NAmE /ɪnˈvetərət/
[usually before noun]
formal, often disapproving
~~~
1 (of a person) always doing something or enjoying something, and unlikely to stop
an inveterate liar
He was an inveterate traveller.
2 (of a bad feeling or habit) done or felt for a long time and unlikely to change
inveterate hostility
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (referring to disease, in the sense ‘of long standing, chronicʼ): from Latin inveteratus ‘made oldʼ, past participle of inveterare (based on vetus, veter- ‘oldʼ).
inure
verb
BrE /ɪˈnjʊə(r)/
NAmE /ɪˈnjʊr/
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English inure, enure, from an Anglo-Norman French phrase meaning ‘in use or practiceʼ, from en ‘inʼ + Old French euvre ‘workʼ (from Latin opera).
Phrasal Verbs
iˈnure somebody/yourself to something
(formal) to make somebody/yourself get used to something unpleasant so that they/you are no longer strongly affected by it
The prisoners quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.
in·un·date
verb
BrE /ˈɪnʌndeɪt/
NAmE /ˈɪnʌndeɪt/
[usually passive]
1 inundate somebody (with something) to give or send somebody so many things that they cannot deal with them all
➔ SYNONYM overwhelm, swamp
We have been inundated with offers of help.
2 inundate something (formal) to cover an area of land with a large amount of water
➔ SYNONYM flood
Flood waters inundate the river plain each spring.
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent.: (earlier (late Middle English) as inundation) from Latin inundat- ‘floodedʼ, from the verb inundare, from in- ‘into, uponʼ + undare ‘to flowʼ (from unda ‘a waveʼ).
in·su·lar
adjective
BrE /ˈɪnsjələ(r)/
NAmE /ˈɪnsələr/
1 (disapproving) only interested in your own country, ideas, etc. and not in those from outside
The British are often accused of being insular.
2 (specialist) connected with an island or islands
the coastal and insular areas
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent. (as a noun denoting an islander): from late Latin insularis, from insula ‘islandʼ.
in·so·lent
adjective
BrE /ˈɪnsələnt/
NAmE /ˈɪnsələnt/
extremely rude and showing a lack of respect
an insolent child/smile
Her tone grew insolent.
▼︎ Synonyms
rude
cheeky insolent disrespectful impolite impertinent discourteous
These are all words for people showing a lack of respect for other people.
rude having or showing a lack of respect for other people and their feelings: Why are you so rude to your mother Itʼs rude to speak when youʼre eating.
cheeky (British English, informal) (especially of children) rude in an amusing or an annoying way: You cheeky monkey! a cheeky grin
insolent (rather formal) very rude, especially to somebody who is older or more important
Insolent is used especially to talk about the behaviour of children towards adults.
disrespectful (rather formal) showing a lack of respect for somebody/something: Some people said he had been disrespectful to the President in his last speech.
impolite (rather formal) not behaving in a pleasant way that follows the rules of society: Some people think it is impolite to ask someoneʼs age.
Impolite is often used in the phrases It seemed impolite and It would be impolite.
impertinent (rather formal) not showing respect for somebody who is older or more important
Impertinent is often used by people such as parents and teachers when they are telling children that they are angry with them for being rude: Donʼt be impertinent!
discourteous (formal) having bad manners and not showing respect: He didnʼt wish to appear discourteous.
Patterns
rude/cheeky/disrespectful/impolite/discourteous to somebody
rude/impolite/impertinent to do something
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (also in the sense ‘extravagant, going beyond acceptable limitsʼ): from Latin insolent- ‘immoderate, unaccustomed, arrogantʼ, from in- ‘notʼ + solent- ‘being accustomedʼ (from the verb solere).
in·imi·cal
adjective
BrE /ɪˈnɪmɪkl/
NAmE /ɪˈnɪmɪkl/
formal
1 inimical to something harmful to something; not helping something
These policies are inimical to the interests of society.
2 unfriendly
an inimical stare
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus, from in- ‘notʼ + amicus ‘friendʼ.
in·genu·ous
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈdʒenjuəs/
NAmE /ɪnˈdʒenjuəs/
(formal, sometimes disapproving)
honest, innocent and willing to trust people
➔ SYNONYM naive
Youʼre too ingenuous.
an ingenuous smile
It is ingenuous to suppose that money did not play a part in his decision.
➔ COMPARE disingenuous
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent.: from Latin ingenuus literally ‘native, inbornʼ, from in- ‘intoʼ + an element related to gignere ‘begetʼ. The original sense was ‘noble, generousʼ, giving rise to ‘honourably straightforward, frankʼ, hence ‘innocently frankʼ (late 17th cent.).
in·geni·ous
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/
NAmE /ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/
1 (of an object, a plan, an idea, etc.) very suitable for a particular purpose and resulting from clever new ideas
an ingenious device
ingenious ways of saving energy
His plots are always very ingenious.
2 (of a person) having a lot of clever new ideas and good at inventing things
an ingenious cook
Sheʼs very ingenious when it comes to finding excuses.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from French ingénieux or Latin ingeniosus, from ingenium ‘mind, intellectʼ; compare with engine.
in·ex·or·able
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈeksərəbl/
NAmE /ɪnˈeksərəbl/
formal
(of a process) that cannot be stopped or changed
➔ SYNONYM relentless
the inexorable rise of crime
This is where the inexorable logic of the theory breaks down.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- ‘notʼ + exorabilis (from exorare ‘entreatʼ).
in·dom·it·able
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈdɒmɪtəbl/
NAmE /ɪnˈdɑːmɪtəbl/
formal, approving
not willing to accept defeat, even in a difficult situation; very brave and determined
an indomitable spirit
an indomitable campaigner for human rights
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 17th cent. (in the sense ‘untameableʼ): from late Latin indomitabilis, from in- ‘notʼ + Latin domitare ‘to tameʼ.
in·di·gent
adjective
BrE /ˈɪndɪdʒənt/
NAmE /ˈɪndɪdʒənt/
[usually before noun]
(formal)
very poor
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin indigent- ‘lackingʼ, from the verb indigere, from indi- (strengthened form of in- ‘intoʼ) + egere ‘to needʼ.
in·cipi·ent
```
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈsɪpiənt/
NAmE /ɪnˈsɪpiənt/
[usually before noun]
formal
~~~
just beginning
signs of incipient unrest
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent. (as a noun denoting a beginner): from Latin incipient- ‘undertaking, beginningʼ, from the verb incipere, from in- ‘into, towardsʼ + capere ‘takeʼ.
im·pugn
verb
BrE /ɪmˈpjuːn/
NAmE /ɪmˈpjuːn/
impugn something (formal) to express doubts about whether something is right, honest, etc.
➔ SYNONYM challenge
There were no real grounds for impugning the decision.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (also in the sense ‘assault, attack physicallyʼ): from Latin impugnare ‘assailʼ, from in- ‘towardsʼ + pugnare ‘fightʼ.
im·per·vi·ous
adjective
BrE /ɪmˈpɜːviəs/
NAmE /ɪmˈpɜːrviəs/
1 impervious to something not affected or influenced by something
impervious to criticism/pain
She was impervious to his charms.
2 (specialist) not allowing a liquid or gas to pass through
an impervious rock/layer
impervious to something impervious to moisture
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 17th cent.: from Latin impervius (from in- ‘notʼ + pervius ‘permeableʼ) + -ous.
vil·ify
verb
BrE /ˈvɪlɪfaɪ/
NAmE /ˈvɪlɪfaɪ/
vilify somebody/something (as something) | vilify somebody/something (for something/for doing something) (formal) to say or write unpleasant things about somebody/something so that other people will have a low opinion of them
➔ SYNONYM malign, revile
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘lower in valueʼ): from late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis ‘of low valueʼ.
ob·stin·ate
adjective
BrE /ˈɒbstɪnət/
NAmE /ˈɑːbstɪnət/
1 (often disapproving) refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this
➔ SYNONYM stubborn
He can be very obstinate when he wants to be!
her obstinate refusal to comply with their request
Their position remains one of obstinate denial, even in face of the new evidence.
2 [usually before noun] difficult to get rid of or deal with
➔ SYNONYM stubborn
the obstinate problem of unemployment
an obstinate stain
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare ‘persistʼ.
in·cor·ri·gible
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbl/
NAmE /ɪnˈkɔːrɪdʒəbl/ , /ɪnˈkɑːrɪdʒəbl/
disapproving or humorous
having bad habits which cannot be changed or improved
➔ SYNONYM incurable
Her husband is an incorrigible flirt.
Youʼre incorrigible!
There were new allegations against his incorrigible wife.
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin incorrigibilis, from in- ‘notʼ + corrigibilis (from Latin corrigere ‘to correctʼ).
per·fidi·ous
adjective
BrE /pəˈfɪdiəs/
NAmE /pərˈfɪdiəs/
literary
that cannot be trusted
➔ SYNONYM treacherous
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent.: from Latin perfidiosus, from perfidia ‘treacheryʼ.
par·si·mony
```
noun
BrE /ˈpɑːsɪməni/
NAmE /ˈpɑːrsəmoʊni/
[uncountable]
formal
~~~
the fact of being extremely unwilling to spend money
➔ SYNONYM meanness
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin parsimonia, parcimonia, from parcere ‘be sparingʼ.
ven·er·able
adjective
BrE /ˈvenərəbl/
NAmE /ˈvenərəbl/
1 (formal) venerable people or things deserve respect because they are old, important, wise, etc.
a venerable old man
a venerable institution
2 the Venerable… [only before noun] (in the Anglican Church), a title of respect used when talking about an archdeacon
the Venerable Martin Roberts
3 the Venerable… [only before noun] (in the Roman Catholic Church), a title given to a dead person who is very holy but who has not yet been made a saint
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin venerabilis, from the verb venerari.
in·transi·gent
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt/
NAmE /ɪnˈtrænzɪdʒənt/
formal, disapproving
(of people) unwilling to change their opinions or behaviour in a way that would be helpful to others
➔ SYNONYM stubborn
an intransigent attitude
▼︎ Word Origin
late 19th cent.: from French intransigeant, from Spanish los intransigentes (a name adopted by the extreme republicans in the Cortes (Spanish parliment), 1873–4); based on Latin in- ‘notʼ + transigere ‘come to an understandingʼ.
ves·tige
noun
BrE /ˈvestɪdʒ/
NAmE /ˈvestɪdʒ/
formal
1 a small part of something that still exists after the rest of it has stopped existing
➔ SYNONYM trace
the last vestiges of the old colonial regime
2 usually used in negative sentences, to say that not even a small amount of something exists
Thereʼs not a vestige of truth in the rumour.
His report offered not a vestige of comfort.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from French, from Latin vestigium ‘footprintʼ.
ver·dant
adjective
BrE /ˈvɜːdnt/
NAmE /ˈvɜːrdnt/
literary
(of grass, plants, fields, etc.) fresh and green
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent.: perhaps from Old French verdeant, present participle of verdoier ‘be greenʼ, based on Latin viridis ‘greenʼ.
um·brage
noun
BrE /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/
NAmE /ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (originally referring to shade or shadow): from Old French, from Latin umbra ‘shadowʼ. An early sense was ‘shadowy outlineʼ, giving rise to ‘ground for suspicionʼ, which led to the current notion of ‘offenceʼ.
Idioms
take ˈumbrage (at something)
(formal or humorous) to feel offended, insulted or upset by something, often without a good reason
➔ SYNONYM offence
He took umbrage at her remarks.
