Deck011 Flashcards
pro·scribe
verb
BrE /prəˈskraɪb/
NAmE /proʊˈskraɪb/
proscribe something (formal) to say officially that something is banned
proscribed organizations
Membership of any proscribed organization is a serious matter.
Officials promptly proscribed the procedure.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘to outlawʼ): from Latin proscribere, from pro- ‘in front ofʼ + scribere ‘writeʼ.
pro·pi·tious
adjective
BrE /prəˈpɪʃəs/
NAmE /prəˈpɪʃəs/
propitious (for something/somebody) (formal) likely to produce a successful result
It was not a propitious time to start a new business.
Circumstances could hardly have been less propitious for a strike.
This did not seem a propitious moment for launching into a lengthy explanation.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Old French propicieus or Latin propitius ‘favourable, graciousʼ.
prob·ity
```
noun
BrE /ˈprəʊbəti/
NAmE /ˈproʊbəti/
[uncountable]
formal
~~~
the quality of being completely honest
financial probity
It should not be necessary to emphasize the need for probity among the legal profession.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin probitas, from probus ‘goodʼ.
pres·age
verb
BrE /ˈpresɪdʒ/ , /prɪˈseɪdʒ/
NAmE /ˈpresɪdʒ/ , /prɪˈseɪdʒ/
presage something (literary) to be a warning or sign that something will happen, usually something unpleasant
Nothing had presaged the dreadful fate about to befall him.
Heavy clouds were forming, presaging rain.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (as a noun): via French from Latin praesagium, from praesagire ‘forebodeʼ, from prae ‘beforeʼ + sagire ‘perceive keenlyʼ.
plati·tude
noun
BrE /ˈplætɪtjuːd/
NAmE /ˈplætɪtuːd/
disapproving
a comment or statement that has been made very often before and is therefore not interesting
a political speech full of platitudes and empty promises
▼︎ Word Origin
early 19th cent.: from French, from plat ‘flatʼ.
per·tin·acious
adjective
BrE /ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs/
NAmE /ˌpɜːrtnˈeɪʃəs/
formal
determined to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties or opposition
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Latin pertinax, pertinac- ‘holding fastʼ + -ous.
pen·chant
noun
BrE /ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/
NAmE /ˈpentʃənt/
penchant for something a special liking for something
➔ SYNONYM fondness
She has a penchant for champagne.
▼︎ Word Origin
late 17th cent.: from French, ‘leaning, incliningʼ, present participle of the verb pencher.
pel·lu·cid
adjective
BrE /pəˈluːsɪd/
NAmE /pəˈluːsɪd/
literary
extremely clear
➔ SYNONYM transparent
The light was so pellucid, so dazzling that she reached for her sunglasses.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Latin pellucidus, from perlucere ‘shine throughʼ.
out·cast
noun
BrE /ˈaʊtkɑːst/
NAmE /ˈaʊtkæst/
a person who is not accepted by other people and who sometimes has to leave their home and friends
People with the disease were often treated as social outcasts.
Her criminal past made her an outcast.
an outcast from society
par·iah
noun
BrE /pəˈraɪə/
NAmE /pəˈraɪə/
a person who is not acceptable to society and is avoided by everyone
➔ SYNONYM outcast
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Tamil paṛaiyar, plural of paṛaiyan ‘(hereditary) drummerʼ, from paṛai ‘a drumʼ.
para·mount
adjective
BrE /ˈpærəmaʊnt/
NAmE /ˈpærəmaʊnt/
1 more important than anything else
This matter is of paramount importance.
Safety is paramount.
The welfare of the child must always be the courtʼs paramount consideration.
▼︎ Language Bank
vital
Saying that something is necessary
It is vital that journalists can verify the accuracy of their reports.
Journalists play a vital/crucial role in educating the public.
Public trust is a crucial issue for all news organizations.
The ability to write well is essential for any journalist.
The Internet has become an indispensable tool for reporters.
In journalism, accuracy is paramount/…is of paramount importance.
It is imperative that journalists maintain the highest possible standards of reporting.
2 (formal) having the highest position or the greatest power
Chinaʼs paramount leader
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘highest in jurisdictionʼ in the phrases lord paramount and paramount chief): from Anglo-Norman French paramont, from Old French par ‘byʼ + amont ‘aboveʼ.
pana·cea
noun
BrE /ˌpænəˈsiːə/
NAmE /ˌpænəˈsiːə/
panacea (for something) something that will solve all the problems of a particular situation
There is no single panacea for the problem of unemployment.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek panakeia, from panakēs ‘all-healingʼ, from pan ‘allʼ + akos ‘remedyʼ.
pana·cea
noun
BrE /ˌpænəˈsiːə/
NAmE /ˌpænəˈsiːə/
panacea (for something) something that will solve all the problems of a particular situation
There is no single panacea for the problem of unemployment.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek panakeia, from panakēs ‘all-healingʼ, from pan ‘allʼ + akos ‘remedyʼ.
os·cil·late
verb
BrE /ˈɒsɪleɪt/
NAmE /ˈɑːsɪleɪt/
1 [intransitive] oscillate (between A and B) (formal) to keep changing from one extreme of feeling or behaviour to another, and back again
➔ SYNONYM swing
Her moods oscillated between depression and elation.
2 [intransitive] (physics) to keep moving from one position to another and back again
Watch how the needle on the dial oscillates.
3 [intransitive] (physics) (of an electric current, radio waves, etc.) to change in strength or direction at regular intervals
▼︎ Word Origin
early 18th cent.: from Latin oscillat- ‘swungʼ, from the verb oscillare.
of·fi·cious
adjective
BrE /əˈfɪʃəs/
NAmE /əˈfɪʃəs/
disapproving
too ready to tell people what to do or to use the power you have to give orders
➔ SYNONYM self-important
a nasty officious little man
▼︎ Word Origin
late 15th cent.: from Latin officiosus ‘obligingʼ, from officium ‘performance of a taskʼ (in medieval Latin also ‘office, divine serviceʼ), based on opus ‘workʼ + facere ‘doʼ. The original sense was ‘performing its function, effectiveʼ, which led to the meaning ‘ready to help or pleaseʼ (mid 16th cent.), which later became pejorative (late 16th cent.).
ob·strep·er·ous
adjective
BrE /əbˈstrepərəs/
NAmE /əbˈstrepərəs/
formal or humorous
noisy and difficult to control
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent. (in the sense ‘clamorous, loudʼ): from Latin obstreperus (from obstrepere, from ob- ‘againstʼ + strepere ‘make a noiseʼ) + -ous
ob·lique
adjective
BrE /əˈbliːk/
NAmE /əˈbliːk/
1 not expressed or done in a direct way
➔ SYNONYM indirect
an oblique reference/approach/comment
2 (of a line) sloping at an angle
3 oblique angle an angle that is not an angle of 90°
The extension was built at an oblique angle to the house.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin obliquus.
ob·dur·ate
adjective
BrE /ˈɒbdjərət/
NAmE /ˈɑːbdərət/
formal, usually disapproving
refusing to change your mind or your actions in any way
➔ SYNONYM stubborn
an obdurate attitude
to remain obdurate
Some members of the committee are likely to prove obdurate on this matter.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (originally in the sense ‘hardened in sin, unrepentantʼ): from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare, from ob- ‘in oppositionʼ + durare ‘hardenʼ (from durus ‘hardʼ).
noi·some
adjective
BrE /ˈnɔɪsəm/
NAmE /ˈnɔɪsəm/
formal
extremely unpleasant or offensive
noisome smells
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from obsolete noy (shortened form of annoy) + -some.
neo·phyte
noun
BrE /ˈniːəfaɪt/
NAmE /ˈniːəfaɪt/
formal
1 a person who has recently started an activity
The site gives neophytes the chance to learn from experts.
2 a person who has recently changed to a new religion
3 a person who has recently become a priest or recently entered a religious order
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek neophutos, literally ‘newly plantedʼ but first used in the sense ‘new convertʼ by St Paul in the Bible (1 Tim. 3:6), from neos ‘newʼ + phuton ‘plantʼ.
ne·fari·ous
adjective
BrE /nɪˈfeəriəs/
NAmE /nɪˈferiəs/
formal
criminal; immoral
nefarious activities
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Latin nefarius, from nefas, nefar- ‘wrongʼ (from ne- ‘notʼ + fas ‘divine lawʼ) + -ous.
maud·lin
adjective
BrE /ˈmɔːdlɪn/
NAmE /ˈmɔːdlɪn/
1 talking in a silly, emotional way, often full of pity for yourself, especially when drunk
➔ SYNONYM sentimental
He gets very maudlin after a few drinks.
2 (of a book, film/movie, or song) expressing or causing exaggerated emotions, especially in way that is not sincere
➔ SYNONYM sentimental
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (as a noun denoting Mary Magdalen): from Old French Madeleine, from Church Latin Magdalena, from Greek (Maria hē) Magdalēnē ‘(Mary of) Magdalaʼ (to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection; John 20:1–18 in the Bible), formerly identified with the sinner of Luke 7:37. The current sense derives from allusion to pictures of Mary Magdalen weeping.
ma·levo·lent
```
adjective
BrE /məˈlevələnt/
NAmE /məˈlevələnt/
[usually before noun]
formal
~~~
having or showing a desire to harm other people
➔ SYNONYM malicious, wicked
malevolent intentions/thoughts
his dark malevolent eyes
➔ OPPOSITE benevolent
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: from Latin malevolent- ‘wishing evilʼ, from male ‘illʼ + volent- ‘wishingʼ (from the verb velle).
lithe
adjective
BrE /laɪð/
NAmE /laɪð/
(of a person or their body) moving or bending easily, in a way that is elegant
a tall lithe figure
▼︎ Word Origin
Old English līthe ‘gentle, meekʼ also ‘mellowʼ, of Germanic origin; related to German lind ‘soft, gentleʼ.
li·cen·tious
adjective
BrE /laɪˈsenʃəs/
NAmE /laɪˈsenʃəs/
formal, disapproving
behaving in a way that is considered sexually immoral
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin licentiosus, from licentia ‘freedomʼ.
