Hannibal

Question 1

Looter

Answer 1

looter / ˈluːtə / ▸ noun a person who steals goods, typically during a war or riot : last summer’s riots saw thousands of businesses ransacked by looters .

Question 2

Porridge

Answer 2

porridge / ˈpɒrɪdʒ / ▸ noun [ mass noun ] 1 mainly British a dish consisting of oatmeal or another meal or cereal boiled in water or milk . 2 British informal time spent in prison : I’m sweating it out doing porridge . – DERIVATIVES porridgy adjective – ORIGIN mid 16th century (denoting soup thickened with barley): alteration of pottage . Sense 2 dates from the 1950s .

Question 3

Wolfed

Answer 3

Devoró

Question 4

Webbed

Answer 4

webbed / wɛbd / ▸ adjective 1 (of the feet of a swimming bird or other aquatic animal) having the toes connected by a membrane . ▪ Medicine (of fingers or toes) abnormally united for all or part of their length by a fold of skin . 2 (of a band or strip of tough material) made from webbing or similar fabric : a heavy webbed strap .

Question 5

Prod

Answer 5

prod /prɒd /
▸ verb
(prods, prodding, prodded)
[with object] poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object:
he prodded her in the ribs
[no object] she took up a fork

Question 6

Lodge

Answer 6

lodge / lɒdʒ / ▸ noun 1 a small house at the gates of a park or in the grounds of a large house, occupied by a gatekeeper, gardener, or other employee . ▪ a small country house occupied in season for sports such as hunting, shooting, or skiing : a hunting lodge . ▪ [ in names ] a large house or hotel : Cumberland Lodge . ▪ a porter’s quarters at the main entrance of a college or other large building . ▪ the residence of a head of a college, especially at Cambridge : he dined at the Master’s Lodge . ▪ a North American Indian tent or wigwam . ▪ a beaver’s den . 2 a branch or meeting place of an organization such as the Freemasons : [ in names ] the foundation of the Grand Lodge of England . ▸ verb 1 [ with object ] present (a complaint, appeal, claim, etc.) formally to the proper authorities : he has 28 days in which to lodge an appeal . ▪ ( lodge something in/with ) leave money or a valuable item in (a place) or with (someone) for safekeeping : the money is lodged in a bank . 2 [ with adverbial of place ] make or become firmly fixed or embedded in a place : [ with object ] they had to remove a bullet lodged near his spine [ no object ] figurative the image had lodged in her mind . 3 [ no object , with adverbial ] rent accommodation in another person’s house : the man who lodged in the room next door . ▪ [ with object and adverbial ] provide (someone) with accommodation in return for payment : she was lodged in the same hall . 4 [ with object ] (of wind or rain) flatten (a standing crop) : [ no object ] the variety is high yielding, but it has mostly lodged . – ORIGIN Middle English loge , via Old French loge ‘ arbour, hut ’ from medieval Latin laubia , lobia ( see lobby ), of Germanic origin; related to German Laube ‘ arbour ’ .

Question 7

Shove

Answer 7

shove / ʃʌv / ▸ verb [ with object ] push (someone or something) roughly : they started pushing and shoving people out of the way [ no object ] kids pushed, kicked, and shoved . ▪ [ no object , with adverbial of direction ] make one’s way by pushing someone or something : Woolley shoved past him . ▪ [ with object and adverbial of place ] put (something) somewhere carelessly or roughly : she shoved the books into her briefcase . ▪ ( shove it ) informal used to express angry dismissal of something : I should have told the boss to shove it . ▸ noun a strong push : she gave him a hefty shove and he nearly fell . – PHRASES get the shove British informal be dismissed from a job : we all knew that if he got the shove, the unions would be called in one minute later . ▪ be rejected in a relationship . give someone the shove British informal dismiss someone from a job : if he cannot back up such madness, then they have to give him the shove . ▪ end a relationship with someone . – PHRASAL VERBS shove off 1 [ usually in imperative ] informal go away : shove off—you’re bothering the customers . 2 push away from the shore in a boat : we shoved off into the sound towards the island . shove up British informal move oneself to make room for someone : ‘Shove up, then,’ he said, nudging me . – ORIGIN Old English scūfan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schuiven and German schieben , also to shuffle .

Question 8

Shrink

Answer 8

shrink / ʃrɪŋk / ▸ verb ( past shrank / ʃraŋk / ; past participle shrunk / ʃrʌŋk / or shrunken / ˈʃrʌŋk(ə)n / ) 1 become or make smaller in size or amount : [ no object ] the workforce shrank to a thousand [ with object ] the sun had shrunk and dried the wood . ▪ [ no object ] (of clothes or material) become smaller as a result of being immersed in water : she wore a sweater which had shrunk slightly . ▪ [ with object ] ( shrink something on ) fit something tightly on or on to another object by expanding it with heat and then cooling it rapidly after positioning : the metal is unsuitable for shrinking on to wooden staves . 2 [ no object , with adverbial of direction ] move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust : she shrank away from him, covering her face he shrank back against the wall . ▪ [ often with negative ] ( shrink from ) be averse to or unwilling to do (something difficult or unappealing) : I don’t shrink from my responsibilities . ▪ [ no object ] ( shrink into oneself ) become withdrawn . ▸ noun informal a psychiatrist : you should see a shrink . – DERIVATIVES shrinkable adjective shrinker noun – ORIGIN Old English scrincan , of Germanic origin; related to Swedish skrynka ‘ to wrinkle ’ . The noun (1960s) is shortened from headshrinker .

Question 9

Idle

Answer 9

idle / ˈʌɪd(ə)l / ▸ adjective ( idler , idlest ) 1 (of a person) avoiding work; lazy : idle students . ▪ (of a person) not working; unemployed : 10.3 per cent of the workforce is now idle . ▪ (especially of a machine or factory) not active or in use : the mill has been standing idle for eight years . ▪ [ attributive ] (of time) characterized by inaction or absence of significant activity : at no time in the day must there be an idle moment . ▪ (of money) held in cash or in accounts paying no interest . 2 without purpose or effect; pointless : he did not want to waste valuable time in idle chatter . ▪ (especially of a threat or boast) without foundation : I knew Ellen did not make idle threats . ▸ verb 1 [ no object ] spend time doing nothing : four men were idling outside the shop [ with object ] we idled the afternoon away . ▪ [ no object , with adverbial of direction ] move aimlessly or lazily : Robert idled along the pavement . ▪ [ with object ] North American take out of use or employment : he will close the newspaper, idling 2,200 workers . 2 (of an engine) run slowly while disconnected from a load or out of gear : Nadine kept the engine idling . ▪ [ with object ] cause (an engine) to idle . – ORIGIN Old English īdel ‘ empty, useless ’ , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch ijdel ‘ vain, frivolous, useless ’ and German eitel ‘ bare, worthless ’ .

Question 10

Goad

Answer 10

goad / ɡəʊd / ▸ verb 1 [ with object ] provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction : he was trying to goad her into a fight . 2 [ with object and adverbial of direction ] drive (an animal) with a spiked stick : the cowboys goaded their cattle across the meadows . ▸ noun a spiked stick used for driving cattle . ▪ a thing that stimulates someone into action : for him the visit was a goad to renewed effort . – ORIGIN Old English gād , of Germanic origin .

Question 11

Capricious

Answer 11

capricious / kəˈprɪʃəs / ▸ adjective given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour : it’s terrible to feel our livelihood hinges on a capricious boss . ▪ changing according to no discernible rules; unpredictable : a capricious climate . – DERIVATIVES capriciously / kəˈprɪʃəsli / adverb capriciousness / kəˈprɪʃəsnəs / noun – ORIGIN early 17th century: from French capricieux , from Italian ( see capriccioso ) .

Question 12

Hearth

Answer 12

hearth / hɑːθ / ▸ noun 1 the floor of a fireplace : a cheerful fire burning in the hearth . ▪ the area in front of a fireplace : they were sitting around the hearth . ▪ used as a symbol of one’s home : he left hearth and home to train in Denmark . 2 the base or lower part of a furnace, where molten metal collects . – ORIGIN Old English heorth , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch haard and German Herd .

Question 13

Cogent

Answer 13

cogent / ˈkəʊdʒ(ə)nt / ▸ adjective (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing : they put forward cogent arguments for British membership the newspaper’s lawyers must prepare a cogent appeal . – DERIVATIVES cogently / ˈkəʊdʒəntli / adverb – ORIGIN mid 17th century: from Latin cogent- ‘ compelling ’ , from the verb cogere , from co- ‘ together ’ + agere ‘ drive ’ .

Question 14

Lantern

Answer 14

lantern / ˈlantən / ▸ noun 1 a lamp with a transparent case protecting the flame or electric bulb, and typically having a handle by which it may be carried or hung : a paper lantern . 2 a square, curved, or polygonal structure on the top of a dome or a room, with the sides glazed or open so as to admit light : the building is well lit by the ring of windows in the octagonal lantern . ▪ the light chamber at the top of a lighthouse . – ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French lanterne , from Latin lanterna , from Greek lamptēr ‘ torch, lamp ’ , from lampein ‘ to shine ’ .

Question 15

Canister

Answer 15

canister / ˈkanɪstə / ▸ noun a round or cylindrical container used for storing such things as food, chemicals, or rolls of film . ▪ a cylinder of pressurized gas, typically one that explodes when thrown or fired from a gun : riot police fired tear-gas canisters into the crowd . ▪ [ mass noun ] historical small bullets packed in cases that fit the bore of a gun : another deadly volley of canister . – ORIGIN late 15th century (denoting a basket): from Latin canistrum , from Greek kanastron ‘ wicker basket ’ , from kanna ‘ cane, reed ’ ( see cane ) .

Question 16

Squeal

Answer 16

squeal / skwiːl / ▸ noun a long, high-pitched cry or noise : they drew up with a squeal of brakes . ▸ verb [ no object ] 1 make a squeal : the girls squealed with delight . ▪ [ with direct speech ] say something in a high-pitched, excited tone : ‘Don’t you dare!’ she squealed . ▪ informal complain or protest about something : the bookies only squealed because we beat them . 2 informal inform on someone to the police or a person in authority : she feared they would victimize her for squealing on their pals . – ORIGIN Middle English (as a verb): imitative. The noun dates from the mid 18th century .

Question 17

Hinges

Answer 17

hinge / hɪn(d)ʒ / ▸ noun a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes or which connects linked objects . ▪ Biology a natural joint which performs a function similar to that of a man-made hinge, for example that of a bivalve shell . ▪ a central or pivotal point or principle on which everything depends : this period can be called the hinge of history . ▸ verb ( hinges , hingeing or hinging , hinged ) [ with object ] attach or join with or as if with a hinge : the ironing board was set into the wall and hinged at the bottom . ▪ [ no object , with adverbial of direction ] (of a door or part of a structure) hang and turn on a hinge : the skull’s jaw hinged down . ▪ [ no object ] ( hinge on ) depend entirely on : the future of the industry could hinge on the outcome of next month’s election . – DERIVATIVES hingeless adjective – ORIGIN Middle English henge ; related to hang .

Question 18

Detached

Answer 18

detached / dɪˈtatʃt / ▸ adjective 1 separate or disconnected . ▪ (of a house or other building) not joined to another on either side : a four-bedroomed detached house . ▪ (of a social worker or social work) operating or based in the community rather than in an office : detached youth workers . 2 aloof and objective : he is a detached observer of his own actions . – DERIVATIVES detachedly / dɪˈtatʃɪdli / adverb

Question 19

Rusty

Answer 19

rusty / ˈrʌsti / ▸ adjective ( rustier , rustiest ) 1 (of a metal object) affected by rust : a rusty hinge . ▪ rust-coloured : green grass turning a rusty brown . ▪ (of black clothes) discoloured by age . 2 (of knowledge or a skill) impaired by lack of recent practice : my typing is a little rusty . ▪ stiff with age or disuse : it was my first race for three months and I felt a bit rusty . – DERIVATIVES rustily adverb rustiness / ˈrʌstɪnəs / noun – ORIGIN Old English rūstig (see rust , -y 1 ) .

Question 20

Timbre

Answer 20

timbre / ˈtambə / ▸ noun the character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity : trumpet mutes with different timbres [ mass noun ] a voice high in pitch but rich in timbre . ▪ [ mass noun ] the distinctive quality or character of someone or something : you must demonstrate your moral timbre as a human being . – ORIGIN mid 19th century: from French , from medieval Greek timbanon , from Greek tumpanon ‘ drum ’ .

Question 21

Beset

Answer 21

beset / bɪˈsɛt / ▸ verb ( besetting ; past and past participle beset ) [ with object ] 1 (of a problem or difficulty) trouble (someone or something) persistently : the social problems that beset the UK she was beset with self-doubt . ▪ surround and harass : I was beset by clouds of flies . ▪ hem in : the ship was beset by ice and finally sank . 2 ( be beset with ) archaic be covered or studded with : springy grass all beset with tiny jewel-like flowers . – PHRASES besetting sin a fault to which a person or institution is especially prone : there was a danger of the country reverting to its besetting sin of complacency . – ORIGIN Old English besettan , from be- ‘ about ’ + settan ( see set 1 ) .

Question 22

Benign

Answer 22

benign / bɪˈnʌɪn / ▸ adjective 1 gentle and kindly : his benign but firm manner her face was calm and benign . ▪ (of a climate or environment) mild and favourable : the climate becomes more benign as we move nearer to the Black Sea . ▪ not harmful to the environment : the cycle as a benign form of transport [ in combination ] an ozone-benign refrigerant . 2 Medicine (of a disease) not harmful in effect : a benign condition . ▪ (of a tumour) not malignant : benign growths . – DERIVATIVES benignly / bɪˈnʌɪnli / adverb – ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French benigne , from Latin benignus , probably from bene ‘ well ’ + -genus ‘ -born ’ . Compare with gentle 1 .

Question 23

Concierge

Answer 23

concierge / ˈkɒnsɪɛːʒ / ▸ noun 1 (especially in France) a resident caretaker of a block of flats or a small hotel . 2 a hotel employee whose job is to assist guests by booking tours, making theatre and restaurant reservations, etc. – ORIGIN mid 16th century (denoting the warden of a house, castle, prison, or palace): French , probably based on Latin conservus ‘ fellow slave ’ .

Question 24

Stiff

Answer 24

stiff / stɪf / ▸ adjective 1 not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid : a stiff black collar stiff cardboard . ▪ (of a semi-liquid substance) viscous; thick : add wheat until the mixture is quite stiff . ▪ not moving as freely as is usual or desirable; difficult to turn or operate : a stiff drawer the shower tap is a little stiff . ▪ (of a person or part of the body) unable to move easily and without pain : he was stiff from sitting on the desk a stiff back . ▪ (of a person or their manner) not relaxed or friendly; constrained : she greeted him with stiff politeness . 2 severe or strong : they face stiff fines and a possible jail sentence a stiff increase in taxes . ▪ (of a wind) blowing strongly : a stiff breeze stirring the lake . ▪ requiring strength or effort; difficult : a long stiff climb up the bare hillside . ▪ (of an alcoholic drink) strong : a stiff measure of brandy . 3 ( stiff with ) informal full of : the place is stiff with alarm systems . 4 ( — stiff ) informal having a specified unpleasant feeling to an extreme extent : she was scared stiff I was bored stiff with my project . ▸ noun informal 1 a dead body . 2 mainly North American a boring, conventional person : ordinary working stiffs in respectable offices . 3 ( the stiffs ) British a sports club’s reserve team . ▸ verb [ with object ] informal 1 North American cheat (someone) out of something, especially money : several workers were stiffed out of their pay . ▪ fail to leave (someone) a tip . 2 North American ignore (someone) deliberately; snub : the stars are notorious for stiffing their hosts and sponsors at banquets . 3 kill (someone) : I want to get those pigs who stiffed your doctor . ▪ [ no object ] (of a commercial venture or product) be unsuccessful : as soon as he began singing about the wife and kids, his albums stiffed . – PHRASES stiff as a board informal (of a person or part of the body) extremely stiff . a stiff upper lip a quality of uncomplaining stoicism : senior managers had to keep a stiff upper lip and remain optimistic . – DERIVATIVES stiffish adjective – ORIGIN Old English stīf , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stijf .

Question 25

Wither

Answer 25

wither / ˈwɪðə / ▸ verb 1 [ no object ] (of a plant) become dry and shrivelled : the grass had withered to an unappealing brown . ▪ (of a part of the body) become shrunken or wrinkled from age or disease : the flesh had withered away . 2 [ no object ] fall into decay or decline : it is not true that old myths either die or wither away . ▪ [ with object ] cause to decline or deteriorate; weaken : a business that can wither the hardiest ego . ▪ ( wither away ) (of the state in Marxist theory) cease to exist because no longer necessary after the dictatorship of the proletariat has implemented the necessary changes in society : the state in socialist societies has failed to wither away . 3 [ with object ] humiliate (someone) with a scornful look or manner : she withered him with a glance . – PHRASES wither on the vine fail to be implemented or dealt with because of inaction : that resolution clearly withered on the vine . – ORIGIN late Middle English: apparently a variant of weather , ultimately differentiated for certain senses .

Question 26

Oblivious

Answer 26

oblivious adjective they were clearly oblivious to the danger she was totally oblivious of her surroundings : unaware , unconscious , heedless , unmindful , insensible , unheeding , ignorant , blind , deaf , unsuspecting , unobservant , disregardful , unconcerned , impervious , unaffected , insensitive , indifferent , detached , removed ; rare incognizant . ▷ antonyms aware, conscious . oblivious Oxford Dictionary of English

Question 27

Devoid of

Answer 27

devoid /dɪˈvɔɪd /
▸ adjective (devoid of) entirely lacking or free from: Lisa kept her voice devoid of emotion.

–ORIGIN late Middle English: past participle of obsolete devoid ‘cast out’, from Old French devoidier.