Definitions and usage Flashcards
1
Q
Devastating
A
Highly destructive or damaging.
- The devastating effects of war can still be seen.
- They had heard the devastating news about the plane crash.
2
Q
Curfew
A
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.
3
Q
Savvy
A
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
4
Q
Wane
A
To decrease in size, extent, or degree
- The scandal caused her popularity to wane.
- Interest in this issue has continued to wane.
5
Q
Falling out
A
A quarrel or disagreement.
- He left home after falling out with his parents.
- She’d fallen out with her boyfriend over his ex-girlfriend.
6
Q
Lawnmower
A
A machine for cutting the grass on a lawn.
- I couldn’t start the lawnmower
- He was pushing the lawnmower up and down
7
Q
Suffice
A
Be enough or adequate.
- Suffice to say that I got here in the end.
- Two examples should suffice to prove the content.
8
Q
Turnout
A
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
9
Q
Eyesore
A
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.
10
Q
Allot
A
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.
11
Q
Salvage
A
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
11
Q
Excursion
A
- 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
11
Q
Provisional
A
Arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
- A provisional construction permit
- I’ve made a provisional booking for next weekend
11
Q
Mandate
A
- 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
11
Q
Antiquity
A
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.
11
Q
Glimpse
A
A momentary or partial view.
- She caught a glimpse of the ocean
- I got a glimpse of the house as I drove past
12
Q
Compromise
A
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.
12
Q
Ranch
A
- 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.
12
Q
Underestimate
A
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.
13
Q
Electrify
A
- 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
14
Q
Amass
A
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.
15
Q
Unprecedented
A
never done or known before.
- The scale of change is unprecedented
- We’re in a time of almost unprecedented prosperity and peace.
16
Q
Infidelity
A
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.
17
Q
Estrange
A
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?
18
Molecular
Relating to or consisting of molecules.
1. Interactions between polymer and solvent at the molecular level
2. Ozone is produced by dissociation of molecular oxygen
19
Dextrously
In a way that shows skill, especially with your hands.
1. Her right thumb texted dexterously on her mobile phone.
2. Foreign Office officials dexterously negotiated an end to the crisis.
20
Manipulate
Handle or control (a tool, mechanism, etc.), typically in a skillful manner.
1. Being able to manipulate words didn't seem like such an evil gift though.
2. Market forces require businesses to manipulate information to stay in business, she says.
21
Infinitesimal
extremely small.
1. Any way you look at it, the number is infinitesimal.
2. They saw an infinitesimal increase in their percentage of the vote
22
Unequivocal
leaving no doubt; unambiguous.
1. It is good that the participants should know this in clear and unequivocal terms.
2. It seems that our current knowledge does not allow an unequivocal decision between them.
23
Determinant
A factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
1. pure force of will was the main determinant of his success
2. But as any linguist would tell you, a word never has a single determinant meaning.
24
Diligence
careful and persistent work or effort.
1. I had failed to exercise the care and diligence required for the task
2. Few party members challenge his diligence as an MP
25
Discernment
The ability to judge well.
1. It's clear that you are a person of discernment.
2. He shows great discernment in his choice of friends.
26
Substantial
Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
1. The first meal of the day should be substantial
2. Strive to take in at least 30 grams of protein at each substantial meal.
27
Mingle
Mix or cause to mix together. (move freely around a place or at a social function, associating with others.)
1. Red and orange mingle with patches of green"
2. Over aperitifs, there was a chance to mingle with friends old and new
28
Huge
extremely large; enormous.
1. She wore a huge hat
2. I have huge news to share with you
29
Pile up
Increase in quantity.
1. The car had stopped in front of a three-car pile-up.
2. A 6-car pile-up brought traffic to a halt.
30
Sumptuous
Splendid and expensive-looking.
1. Ride a historic shipjack or end the day with a sumptuous meal of Maryland crabs.
2. The banquet was a sumptuous, luxurious meal.
31
Spruce up
To make (someone or something) look cleaner, neater, or more attractive.
1. We spruced up the room with a fresh coat of paint.
2. I need to spruce myself up a bit before we go out to dinner.
32
Pumbling
The system of pipes, tanks, fittings, and other apparatus required for the water supply, heating, and sanitation in a building.
1. You may be able to get a grant to install proper plumbing and bathrooms
2. The magazine gives a guide to the tools needed for home plumbing
33
Affluent
(especially of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy.
1. They made jeans with holes in them when the more affluent groups got involved.
2. The program showed the sort of affluent lifestyle most of us can only aspire to
