Lesson 8 Flashcards
accelerate
v. to go faster
syn. hasten
n. acceleration
n. accelerator
The action of molecules accelerates when they are heated.
The poor condition of the motor made acceleration difficult.
(acelerar)
creep
v. to move slowly and quietly close to the ground; to begin to happen
syn. crawl
adj. creeping
Some mistakes are beginning to creep into his work.
Ivy is a creeping variety of plant.
(rastejar, arrastar)
crush
v. to press together so as to completely distort the shape or nature of the object
syn. grind
adj. crushing
n. crush
The machine crushes corn to produce cornmeal.
Passage of the legislation was a crushing blow to the president’s program.
(esmagar, colidir)
cultivate
v. to plant and raise a crop; to encourage growth of a relationship or friendship
syn. grow
The professionals had common interests that allowed them to cultivate a working relationship with each other.
The cultivation of diverse crops in pre-Columbian America is well documented.
(cultivar, plantar)
dictate
v. to state demands with the power to enforce adj. dictatorial syn. impose
n. dictator
The workers were not in a position to dictate demands to management.
His boss resembled a dictator.
(ditar, impor)
distinguish
v. to hear, see, or recognize differences
syn. discriminate
adj. distinguishable
adj. distinguished
adj. distinguishing
Some people cannot distinguish colors well. Anteaters are distinguished by their long noses.
(distinguir, diferenciar)
docile
adj. easy to control or train
syn. manageable
adv. docilely
n. docility
The moose is typically a very docile animal.
Many rebellious young people see docility as a weakness.
(dócil)
engender
v. to cause something new to exist; to create
syn. produce
The politician’s charisma engendered enthusiasm.
Economic conditions in the 1950s engendered an era of industrial growth.
(gerar)
engross
v. to become completely occupied or involved in an activity
syn. engage
n. engrossment
adj. engrossing
The teacher’s lecture engrossed the entire class.
0. Henry’s short stories engross readers all the way to their surprise endings.
(engajado, dedicado)
flaw
n. a small sign of damage that makes an item imperfect
syn. defect
adj. flawed
There is a flaw in his theory.
They noticed that the contract was flawed.
(falha, defeito)
harvest
n. the act of collecting a crop; the crops gathered
syn. gather
adj. harvested
v. harvest
The United States had a comparatively good grain harvest this year.
They were able to harvest the crop before the rain.
(colheita, safra)
mammoth
adj. very large
syn. enormous
n. mammoth
The successful entrepreneur is now known as a mammoth in the computer world.
The physics teacher required the students to purchase a mammoth textbook.
(gigantesco, enorme)
mirror
v. to show, as in a mirror
syn. reflect
n. mirror
The results of the study mirror public opinion.
The strength of the economy is mirrored in the standard of living of the people.
(reflexo, espelho)
obtain
v. to gain or secure something syn. gain
adj. obtainable
The university obtained a new particle accelerator.
The painting by Whistler was not obtainable.
(obter, adquirir)
particle
n. a very small piece of something
syn. fragment
Particles of dust can destroy electronic instruments.
Small particles of matter hold the keys to understanding the origin of life.
(partícula)
