Deck015 Flashcards
be·lit·tle
verb
BrE /bɪˈlɪtl/
NAmE /bɪˈlɪtl/
belittle somebody/something to make somebody or the things that somebody does seem unimportant
She felt her husband constantly belittled her achievements.
By saying this, I do not mean to belittle the importance of his role.
her·et·ic
noun
BrE /ˈherətɪk/
NAmE /ˈherətɪk/
a person who is guilty of heresy
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French heretique, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek hairetikos ‘able to chooseʼ (in ecclesiastical Greek, ‘hereticalʼ), from haireomai ‘chooseʼ.
di·verse
adjective
BrE /daɪˈvɜːs/
NAmE /daɪˈvɜːrs/
very different from each other and of various kinds people from diverse cultures My interests are very diverse. ▼︎ Word Origin Middle English: variant of divers.
fa·cili·tate
verb
BrE /fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
NAmE /fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/
facilitate something (formal) to make an action or a process possible or easier
The new trade agreement should facilitate more rapid economic growth.
Structured teaching facilitates learning.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from French faciliter, from Italian facilitare, from facile ‘easyʼ, from Latin facilis ‘easyʼ, from facere ‘do, makeʼ.
di·ver·sion
noun
BrE /daɪˈvɜːʃn/
NAmE /daɪˈvɜːrʒn/
1 [countable, uncountable] the act of changing the direction that somebody/something is following, or what something is used for
a river diversion project
We made a short diversion to go and look at the castle.
the diversion of funds from the public to the private sector of industry
2 [countable] something that takes your attention away from somebody/something while something else is happening
For the government, the war was a welcome diversion from the countryʼs economic problems.
A smoke bomb created a diversion while the robbery took place.
3 [countable] (British English) (North American English de·tour) a road or route that is used when the usual one is closed
Diversions will be signposted.
▶︎ Wordfinder
4 [countable] (formal) an activity that is done for pleasure, especially because it takes your attention away from something else
➔ SYNONYM distraction
The party will make a pleasant diversion.
The city is full of diversions.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from late Latin diversio(n-), from Latin divertere ‘turn asideʼ, from di- ‘asideʼ + vertere ‘to turnʼ.
con·des·cend
verb
BrE /ˌkɒndɪˈsend/
NAmE /ˌkɑːndɪˈsend/
1 [transitive] condescend to do something (often disapproving) to do something that you think it is below your social or professional position to do
➔ SYNONYM deign
We had to wait almost an hour before he condescended to see us.
2 [intransitive] condescend to somebody to behave towards somebody as though you are more important and more intelligent than they are
When giving a talk, be careful not to condescend to your audience.
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘give way, deferʼ): from Old French condescendre, from ecclesiastical Latin condescendere, from con- ‘togetherʼ + descendere ‘descendʼ.
alien·ate
verb
BrE /ˈeɪliəneɪt/
NAmE /ˈeɪliəneɪt/
1 alienate somebody to make somebody less friendly or sympathetic towards you
His comments have alienated a lot of young voters.
2 alienate somebody (from something/somebody) to make somebody feel that they do not belong in a particular group
Very talented children may feel alienated from the others in their class.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: from Latin alienat- ‘estrangedʼ, from the verb alienare, from alienus ‘of anotherʼ, from alius ‘otherʼ.
co·er·cion
```
noun
BrE /kəʊˈɜːʃn/
NAmE /koʊˈɜːrʒn/
[uncountable]
formal
~~~
the action of making somebody do something that they do not want to do, using force or threatening to use force
He claimed he had only acted under coercion.
ad·ver·sity
```
noun
BrE /ədˈvɜːsəti/
NAmE /ədˈvɜːrsəti/
[uncountable, countable]
pl. ad·ver·sities
(formal)
~~~
a difficult or unpleasant situation
courage in the face of adversity
He overcame many personal adversities.
patience in adversity
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French adversite, from Latin adversitas, from advertere ‘turn towardsʼ from ad- ‘toʼ + vertere ‘to turnʼ.
an·tip·athy
```
noun
BrE /ænˈtɪpəθi/
NAmE /ænˈtɪpəθi/
[uncountable, countable, usually singular]
pl. an·tip·athies
~~~
antipathy (between A and B) | antipathy (to/toward(s) somebody/something) (formal) a strong feeling of dislike
➔ SYNONYM hostility
personal/mutual antipathy
a growing antipathy towards the idea
His professional judgement was coloured by his personal antipathies.
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent. (in the sense ‘opposition of feeling, nature, or dispositionʼ): from French antipathie, or via Latin from Greek antipatheia, from antipathēs ‘opposed in feelingʼ, from anti ‘againstʼ + pathos ‘feelingʼ.
fer·vour
```
noun
especially US English fer·vor
BrE /ˈfɜːvə(r)/
NAmE /ˈfɜːrvər/
[uncountable]
~~~
very strong feelings about something ➔ SYNONYM enthusiasm She kissed him with unusual fervour. religious/patriotic fervour ▼︎ Word Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin fervor, from fervere ‘to boilʼ. Compare with fervent and fervid.
dili·gence
```
noun
BrE /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/
NAmE /ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/
[uncountable]
formal
~~~
careful and thorough work or effort
She shows great diligence in her schoolwork.
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English (in the sense ‘close attention, cautionʼ): via Old French from Latin diligentia, from diligent- ‘assiduousʼ, from diligere ‘love, take delight inʼ.
de·ter·rent
adjective
BrE /dɪˈterənt/
NAmE /dɪˈtɜːrənt/
making somebody less likely to do something
a deterrent effect
cyn·ic·al
adjective
BrE /ˈsɪnɪkl/
NAmE /ˈsɪnɪkl/
1 believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons
Do you have to be so cynical about everything?
a cynical view/smile
2 not believing that something good will happen or that something is important
Iʼm a bit cynical about the benefits of the plan.
Her experiences with men have made her thoroughly cynical about love.
3 not caring that something might hurt other people, if there is some advantage for you
a cynical disregard for the safety of others
a deliberate and cynical foul
en·igma
noun
BrE /ɪˈnɪɡmə/
NAmE /ɪˈnɪɡmə/
a person, thing or situation that is mysterious and difficult to understand
➔ SYNONYM mystery, puzzle
Even after years he still remains an enigma to me.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek ainigma ‘riddleʼ, from ainissesthai ‘speak allusivelyʼ, from ainos ‘fableʼ.
fra·gile
adjective
BrE /ˈfrædʒaɪl/
NAmE /ˈfrædʒl/
1 easily broken or damaged
fragile china/glass/bones
Be careful not to drop it; itʼs very fragile.
2 weak and uncertain; easily destroyed or spoilt
a fragile alliance/ceasefire/relationship
The economy remains extremely fragile.
In her job she was used to dealing with actorsʼ fragile egos.
fragile habitats threatened by pollution
3 delicate and often beautiful
fragile beauty
The womanʼs fragile face broke into a smile.
4 not strong and likely to become ill/sick
Her father is now 86 and in fragile health.
(British English, informal) Iʼm feeling a bit fragile after last night (= not well, perhaps because of drinking too much alcohol).
▼︎ Word Origin
late 15th cent. (in the sense ‘morally weakʼ): from Latin fragilis, from frangere ‘to breakʼ. The sense ‘liable to breakʼ dates from the mid 16th cent.
con·vo·luted
adjective
BrE /ˈkɒnvəluːtɪd/
NAmE /ˈkɑːnvəluːtɪd/
1 extremely complicated and difficult to follow
a convoluted argument/explanation
a book with a convoluted plot
I had to negotiate an amazingly convoluted one-way system.
2 (formal) having many twists or curves
a convoluted coastline
▼︎ Word Origin
late 18th cent.: past participle of convolute, from Latin convolutus, past participle of convolvere ‘roll together, intertwineʼ, from con- ‘togetherʼ + volvere ‘rollʼ.
blithe
adjective
BrE /blaɪð/
NAmE /blaɪð/
[usually before noun]
1 (disapproving) showing you do not care or are not anxious about what you are doing
He drove with blithe disregard for the rules of the road.
2 (literary) happy; not anxious
a blithe and carefree girl
▼︎ Word Origin
Old English blīthe, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch blijde, also to bliss.
fore·sight
```
noun
BrE /ˈfɔːsaɪt/
NAmE /ˈfɔːrsaɪt/
[uncountable]
approving
~~~
the ability to predict what is likely to happen and to use this to prepare for the future
She had had the foresight to prepare herself financially in case of an accident.
The governmentʼs policies show a remarkable lack of foresight.
➔ COMPARE hindsight
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from fore- + sight, probably suggested by Old Norse forsjá, forsjó.
fluc·tu·ate
verb
BrE /ˈflʌktʃueɪt/
NAmE /ˈflʌktʃueɪt/
[intransitive]
to change frequently in size, amount, quality, etc., especially from one extreme to another
➔ SYNONYM vary
fluctuating prices
The documentary follows the fluctuating fortunes of one marketing company.
fluctuate between A and B During the crisis, oil prices fluctuated between $20 and $40 a barrel.
+ adv./prep. Temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees.
My weight fluctuated wildly depending on how much I ate.
My mood seems to fluctuate from day to day.
The rate of inflation has been fluctuating around 4% for some time.
▶︎ Wordfinder
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 17th cent. (earlier (late Middle English) as fluctuation): from Latin fluctuat- ‘undulatedʼ, from the verb fluctuare, from fluctus ‘flow, current, waveʼ, from fluere ‘to flowʼ.
de·vi·ate
verb
BrE /ˈdiːvieɪt/
NAmE /ˈdiːvieɪt/
[intransitive] deviate (from something) to be different from something; to do something in a different way from what is usual or expected
The bus had to deviate from its usual route because of a road closure.
He never deviated from his original plan.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent. (as an adjective in the sense ‘remoteʼ): from late Latin deviat- ‘turned out of the wayʼ, from the verb deviare, from de- ‘away fromʼ + via ‘wayʼ. The verb dates from the mid 17th cent.
ex·haust·ive
adjective
BrE /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/
NAmE /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪv/
including everything possible; very thorough or complete
exhaustive research/tests
This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
grav·ity
noun
BrE /ˈɡrævəti/
NAmE /ˈɡrævəti/
[uncountable]
1 (abbreviation g) the force that attracts objects in space towards each other, and that on the earth pulls them towards the centre of the planet, so that things fall to the ground when they are dropped
Newtonʼs law of gravity
➔ SEE ALSO centre of gravity
▶︎ Wordfinder
2 (formal) extreme importance and a cause for worry
➔ SYNONYM seriousness
I donʼt think you realise the gravity of the situation.
Punishment varies according to the gravity of the offence.
3 (formal) serious behaviour, speech or appearance
They were asked to behave with the gravity that was appropriate in a court of law.
➔ SEE ALSO grave1
▼︎ Word Origin
late 15th cent. (in sense (2)): from Old French, or from Latin gravitas ‘weight, seriousnessʼ, from gravis ‘heavyʼ. Sense (1) dates from the 17th cent.
coun·ten·ance
noun
BrE /ˈkaʊntənəns/
NAmE /ˈkaʊntənəns/
(formal or literary) a personʼs face or their expression
her calmly smiling countenance
a young man of handsome countenance
▼︎ Word Origin
Middle English: from Old French contenance ‘bearing, behaviourʼ, from contenir, from Latin continere, from con- ‘altogetherʼ + tenere ‘to holdʼ. The early sense was ‘bearing, demeanourʼ, also ‘facial expressionʼ, hence ‘the faceʼ.
ex·em·plary
adjective
BrE /ɪɡˈzempləri/
NAmE /ɪɡˈzempləri/
1 providing a good example for people to copy
Her behaviour was exemplary.
a man of exemplary character
The organization has an exemplary record.
2 [usually before noun] (law or formal) (of punishment) severe; used especially as a warning to others
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent.: from late Latin exemplaris, from Latin exemplum ‘sample, imitationʼ, from eximere ‘take outʼ, from ex- ‘outʼ + emere ‘takeʼ.
