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.
