Definitions and usage Flashcards
Devastating
Highly destructive or damaging.
- The devastating effects of war can still be seen.
- They had heard the devastating news about the plane crash.
Curfew
A regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours
- A dusk-to-dawn curfew was in place throughout the war.
- When Mom and Dad are home, our curfew is midnight.
Savvy
Shrewdness and practical knowledge; the ability to make good judgments.
- He is savvy about computers.
- Bob is a savvy veteran who knows all the tricks
Wane
To decrease in size, extent, or degree
- The scandal caused her popularity to wane.
- Interest in this issue has continued to wane.
Falling out
A quarrel or disagreement.
- He left home after falling out with his parents.
- She’d fallen out with her boyfriend over his ex-girlfriend.
Lawnmower
A machine for cutting the grass on a lawn.
- I couldn’t start the lawnmower
- He was pushing the lawnmower up and down
Suffice
Be enough or adequate.
- Suffice to say that I got here in the end.
- Two examples should suffice to prove the content.
Turnout
The number of people attending or taking part in an event, especially the number of people voting in an election.
- We hope to have a good turnout on Sunday
- There was a huge turnout for the parade
Eyesore
A thing that is very ugly, especially a building that disfigures a landscape.
- The new office block is an eyesore.
- Residents believe that the shopping development will create an eyesore next to this historic building.
Allot
To assign someone a task as a share or portion.
- The newspaper will allot a full page to each of the three mayoral candidates.
- They allotted a separate desk to everyone.
Salvage
Rescue (a wrecked or disabled ship or its cargo) from loss at sea.
- An emerald and gold cross was salvaged from the wreck
- It was the only crumb of comfort he could salvage from the ordeal
Excursion
- a short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity
* Today we shall go on an excursion to the Lake District - a deviation from a regular pattern, path, or level of operation.
*The firm’s disastrous excursion into the US electrical market
Provisional
Arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
- A provisional construction permit
- I’ve made a provisional booking for next weekend
Mandate
- an official order or commission to do something.
*A mandate to seek the release of political prisoners
* The bill was attacked on the grounds that there was no popular mandate for it - the authority to carry out a policy or course of action, regarded as given by the electorate to a candidate or party that is victorious in an election.
*A sick leader living beyond his mandate
Antiquity
The ancient past, especially the period before the Middle Ages.
- Even in antiquity, the Greeks and Romans had baths
- The issue for me is closely associated with the antiquity of the earth.
Glimpse
A momentary or partial view.
- She caught a glimpse of the ocean
- I got a glimpse of the house as I drove past
Compromise
An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.
- And that’s why we can’t compromise on abortion rights.
- He may need to compromise in order to get the merry-go-round spinning.
Ranch
- a large farm, especially in the western US and Canada, where cattle or other animals are bred and raised.
*A beef cattle ranch - a type of thick white salad dressing made with sour cream or buttermilk.
*For my part, I think I’ll try some cheese fries with ranch dressing.
Underestimate
Estimate (something) to be smaller or less important than it actually is.
- They have grossly underestimated the extent of the problem
- I wish people wouldn’t underestimate me, or my strength, or my weakness.
Electrify
- Charge with electricity; pass an electric current through.
* After locking the farm gate I had switched on the power to electrify the fence - Arouse a sudden sense of great excitement in; thrill.
* The audience was electrified by her performance
Amass
gather together or accumulate (a large amount or number of valuable material or things) over a period of time.
- Starting from nothing he had amassed a huge fortune.
- The capitalists amass great wealth by exploiting workers.
Unprecedented
never done or known before.
- The scale of change is unprecedented
- We’re in a time of almost unprecedented prosperity and peace.
Infidelity
The action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or other sexual partner.
- she was granted a divorce on the grounds of his infidelity
- As a result of their infidelity, the people descended into moral and spiritual corruption.
Estrange
Cause (someone) to be no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienate.
- She became estranged from her family.
- Are you deliberately seeking to estrange your readers?
Molecular
Relating to or consisting of molecules.
- Interactions between polymer and solvent at the molecular level
- Ozone is produced by dissociation of molecular oxygen
Dextrously
In a way that shows skill, especially with your hands.
- Her right thumb texted dexterously on her mobile phone.
- Foreign Office officials dexterously negotiated an end to the crisis.
Manipulate
Handle or control (a tool, mechanism, etc.), typically in a skillful manner.
- Being able to manipulate words didn’t seem like such an evil gift though.
- Market forces require businesses to manipulate information to stay in business, she says.
Infinitesimal
extremely small.
- Any way you look at it, the number is infinitesimal.
- They saw an infinitesimal increase in their percentage of the vote
Unequivocal
leaving no doubt; unambiguous.
- It is good that the participants should know this in clear and unequivocal terms.
- It seems that our current knowledge does not allow an unequivocal decision between them.
Determinant
A factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
- pure force of will was the main determinant of his success
- But as any linguist would tell you, a word never has a single determinant meaning.
Diligence
careful and persistent work or effort.
- I had failed to exercise the care and diligence required for the task
- Few party members challenge his diligence as an MP
Discernment
The ability to judge well.
- It’s clear that you are a person of discernment.
- He shows great discernment in his choice of friends.
Substantial
Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
- The first meal of the day should be substantial
- Strive to take in at least 30 grams of protein at each substantial meal.
Mingle
Mix or cause to mix together. (move freely around a place or at a social function, associating with others.)
- Red and orange mingle with patches of green”
- Over aperitifs, there was a chance to mingle with friends old and new
Huge
extremely large; enormous.
- She wore a huge hat
- I have huge news to share with you
Pile up
Increase in quantity.
- The car had stopped in front of a three-car pile-up.
- A 6-car pile-up brought traffic to a halt.
Sumptuous
Splendid and expensive-looking.
- Ride a historic shipjack or end the day with a sumptuous meal of Maryland crabs.
- The banquet was a sumptuous, luxurious meal.
Spruce up
To make (someone or something) look cleaner, neater, or more attractive.
- We spruced up the room with a fresh coat of paint.
- I need to spruce myself up a bit before we go out to dinner.
Pumbling
The system of pipes, tanks, fittings, and other apparatus required for the water supply, heating, and sanitation in a building.
- You may be able to get a grant to install proper plumbing and bathrooms
- The magazine gives a guide to the tools needed for home plumbing
Affluent
(especially of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy.
- They made jeans with holes in them when the more affluent groups got involved.
- The program showed the sort of affluent lifestyle most of us can only aspire to
