lesson 9 /DIMENSIONS Flashcards
altitude
height above sea level:
We are currently flying at an altitude of 15,000 metres.
Mountain climbers use oxygen when they reach higher altitudes.
breadth
noun .
the distance from one side to another:
The length of this box is twice its breadth.’
the fact of including many different things, features, subjects, or qualities:
The breadth of her knowledge is amazing.
He showed an astonishing breadth of learning for one so young.
capacity
the total amount that can be contained or produced:
The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000.
a particular position or job:
She guides tourists at the Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home in her capacity as a National Park Service ranger.
She was speaking in her capacity as a novelist, rather than as a television presenter.
dimensions
a measurement of something in a particular direction, especially its height, length, or width:
Please specify the dimensions (= the height, length and width) of the room.
a building of vast dimensions (= size)
scale
a set of numbers, amounts, etc., used to measure or compare the level of something:
the Centigrade/Fahrenheit scale
How would you rate his work on a scale of 1 to 5?
the relation between the real size of something and its size on a map, model, or diagram:
a scale of 1:50,000
This map is large scale (= things are shown in detail).
compass
a V-shaped device that is used for drawing circles or measuring distances on maps
ruler
a long, narrow, flat piece of plastic, metal, or wood with straight edges where centimetres or inches, or both are printed. It is used for measuring things and for drawing straight lines.
measuring wheel
a circular object connected at the centre to a bar, used for making vehicles or parts of machines move:
set square
a flat piece of metal or plastic in the shape of a triangle with one angle of 90°, used for drawing angles
protractor
a device used for measuring and drawing angles. It is usually in the form of half a circle made from transparent plastic with degrees printed on it.
tape measure
a strip of plastic or metal used for measuring that can be rolled up when not being used
be wide of the mark
to be wrong:
Yesterday’s weather forecast was a little wide of the mark, then.
be in deep water
to be in or get into serious trouble:
The Democrats are in deep water over their plans for tax increases.
expense
the use of money, time, or effort:
Buying a bigger car has proved to be well worth the expense.
We’ve just had a new garage built at great expense.
We went on holiday at my father’s expense (= he paid for it).
It’s silly to go to the expense of (= spend money on) buying new clothes when you don’t really need them.
a long shot
not in any way:
It wasn’t as good as his first book - not by a long shot.
