Deck017 Flashcards
di·gress
```
verb
BrE /daɪˈɡres/
NAmE /daɪˈɡres/
[intransitive]
formal
~~~
to start to talk about something that is not connected with the main point of what you are saying
To digress for a moment, I would like to remind you that there will be no classes next week.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: from Latin digress- ‘stepped awayʼ, from the verb digredi, from di- ‘asideʼ + gradi ‘to walkʼ.
im·merse
verb
BrE /ɪˈmɜːs/
NAmE /ɪˈmɜːrs/
1 immerse somebody/something (in something) to put somebody/something into a liquid so that they or it are completely covered
The seeds will swell when immersed in water.
▶︎ Wordfinder
2 immerse yourself/somebody in something to become or make somebody completely involved in something
She immersed herself in her work.
Clare and Phil were immersed in conversation in the corner.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Latin immers- ‘dipped intoʼ, from the verb immergere, from in- ‘inʼ + mergere ‘to dipʼ.
il·licit
adjective
BrE /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
NAmE /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
1 not allowed by the law
➔ SYNONYM illegal
illicit drugs
2 not approved of by the normal rules of society
an illicit love affair
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: from French, or from Latin illicitus, from in- ‘notʼ + licitus ‘allowedʼ, from the verb licere.
con·geal
verb
BrE /kənˈdʒiːl/
NAmE /kənˈdʒiːl/
[intransitive]
(of blood, fat, etc.) to become thick or solid
congealed blood
The cold remains of supper had congealed on the plate.
(figurative) The bitterness and tears had congealed into hatred.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Old French congeler, from Latin congelare, from con- ‘togetherʼ + gelare ‘freezeʼ (from gelu ‘frostʼ).
ex·pi·ate
verb
BrE /ˈekspieɪt/
NAmE /ˈekspieɪt/
expiate something (formal) to accept punishment for something that you have done wrong in order to show that you are sorry
He had a chance to confess and expiate his guilt.
▼︎ Word Origin
late 16th cent. (in the sense ‘end (rage, sorrow, etc.) by suffering it to the fullʼ): from Latin expiat- ‘appeased by sacrificeʼ, from the verb expiare, from ex- ‘outʼ + piare (from pius ‘piousʼ).
con·sump·tion
noun
BrE /kənˈsʌmpʃn/
NAmE /kənˈsʌmpʃn/
[uncountable]
1 the act of using energy, food or materials; the amount used
the production of fuel for domestic consumption (= to be used in the country where it is produced)
Gas and oil consumption always increases in cold weather.
The meat was declared unfit for human consumption.
He was advised to reduce his alcohol consumption.
Her speech to party members was not intended for public consumption (= to be heard by the public).
➔ SEE ALSO consume
2 the act of buying and using products
Consumption rather than saving has become the central feature of contemporary societies.
➔ SEE ALSO conspicuous consumption, consume
3 (old-fashioned) a serious infectious disease of the lungs
➔ SYNONYM tuberculosis
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin consumptio(n-), from the verb consumere, from con- ‘altogetherʼ + sumere ‘take upʼ.
grotto
noun
BrE /ˈɡrɒtəʊ/
NAmE /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
pl. grottoes, grottos
a small cave, especially one that has been made artificially, for example in a garden
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from Italian grotta, via Latin from Greek kruptē ‘a vaultʼ, from kruptos ‘hiddenʼ.
au·da·cious
adjective
BrE /ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/
NAmE /ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/
formal
willing to take risks or to do something shocking
➔ SYNONYM daring
an audacious decision
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent.: from Latin audax, audac- ‘boldʼ (from audere ‘dareʼ) + -ious.
blem·ish
noun
BrE /ˈblemɪʃ/
NAmE /ˈblemɪʃ/
a mark on the skin or on an object that spoils it and makes it look less beautiful or perfect
make-up to cover blemishes
(figurative) His reputation is without a blemish.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (as a verb): from Old French ble(s)miss-, lengthened stem of ble(s)mir ‘make pale, injureʼ; probably of Germanic origin.
epit·ome
noun
BrE /ɪˈpɪtəmi/
NAmE /ɪˈpɪtəmi/
[singular] the epitome of something (formal) a perfect example of something
➔ SYNONYM embodiment
He is the epitome of a modern young man.
clothes that are the epitome of good taste
They regarded him as the epitome of evil.
▼︎ Word Origin
early 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek epitomē, from epitemnein ‘abridgeʼ, from epi ‘in additionʼ + temnein ‘to cutʼ.
con·temp·tu·ous
adjective
BrE /kənˈtemptʃuəs/
NAmE /kənˈtemptʃuəs/
feeling or showing that you have no respect for somebody/something
➔ SYNONYM scornful
She gave him a contemptuous look.
The company has shown a contemptuous disregard for Henryʼs complaints.
contemptuous of somebody/something He was contemptuous of everything I did.
▼︎ Word Origin
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘despising law and orderʼ): from medieval Latin contemptuosus, from Latin contemptus ‘contemptʼ, from contemnere, from con- (expressing intensive force) + temnere ‘despiseʼ.
con·dol·ence
noun
BrE /kənˈdəʊləns/
NAmE /kənˈdoʊləns/
[countable, usually plural, uncountable]
sympathy that you feel for somebody when a person in their family or that they know well has died; an expression of this sympathy
to give/offer/express your condolences
Our condolences go to his wife and family.
a letter of condolence
▼︎ Word Origin
early 17th cent.: from condole from Christian Latin condolere, from con- ‘withʼ + dolere ‘grieve, sufferʼ, influenced by French condoléance.
cor·on·ation
noun
BrE /ˌkɒrəˈneɪʃn/
NAmE /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃn/ , /ˌkɑːrəˈneɪʃn/
a ceremony at which a crown is formally placed on the head of a new king or queen
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin coronatio(n-), from coronare ‘to crown, adorn with a garlandʼ, from corona ‘wreath, chapletʼ.
con·gru·ent
adjective
BrE /ˈkɒŋɡruənt/
NAmE /ˈkɑːŋɡruənt/
1 (geometry) having the same size and shape
congruent triangles
2 congruent (with something) (formal) suitable for something; appropriate in a particular situation
The measures are congruent with the changes in management policy.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English: from Latin congruent- ‘agreeing, meeting togetherʼ, from the verb congruere, from con- ‘togetherʼ + ruere ‘fall or rushʼ.
aver
verb
BrE /əˈvɜː(r)/
NAmE /əˈvɜːr/
aver that… | aver something | + speech (formal) to state firmly and strongly that something is true
➔ SYNONYM assert, declare
She averred that she had never seen the man before.
▼︎ Word Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘declare or confirm to be trueʼ): from Old French averer, based on Latin ad ‘toʼ (implying ‘cause to beʼ) + verus ‘trueʼ.
