lesson4 Flashcards
ambiguous
/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/
=vague
that can be understood in more than one way; having different meanings
an ambiguous word/term/statement
ambiguous
not clearly stated or defined
His role has always been ambiguous.
vague
not clear in a person’s mind
to have a vague impression/memory/recollection of something
arbitrary
(formal) using power without limits and without considering other people
the arbitrary powers of officials
assert
/əˈsɜːrt/
=deklare
to state clearly and definitely that something is true
assert that… She continued to assert that she was innocent.
declare
/dɪˈkler/
Phrasal Verbs
[transitive] to say something officially or publicly
declare something: The government has declared a state of emergency.
astounding
/əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
so surprising that it is difficult to believe
SYNONYM astonishing
There was an astounding 20 per cent increase in sales.
astute
adjective
/əˈstuːt/
= shrewd
=perceptive
very clever and quick at seeing what to do in a particular situation, especially how to get an advantage
an astute businessman/politician/observer
concur
verb
/kənˈkɜːr/
=to agree
* concur (with somebody) (in something)*
Historians have concurred with each other in this view.
perceptive
adjective
/pərˈseptɪv/
having or showing the ability to see or understand things quickly, especially things that are not obvious
.a highly perceptive comment
.It was very perceptive of you to notice that.
misleadingly
adverb
/ˌmɪsˈliːdɪŋli/
in a way that gives the wrong idea or impression and makes you believe something that is not true
.These bats are sometimes misleadingly referred to as ‘flying foxes’.
deceptively
adverb
/dɪˈseptɪvli/
to a smaller or greater extent than appears the case
.a deceptively simple idea
.a deceptively spacious lounge
designate
verb
/ˈdezɪɡneɪt/
=assign
[often passive] *to say officially that somebody/something has a particular character or name; to describe somebody/something in a particular way;
be designated (as) something This area has been designated (as) a National Park.
*to choose or name somebody for a particular job or position
designate somebody to do something; the man designated to succeed the president.
*to indicate;specify;select
determined
adjective
/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/
=resolute
[not before noun] having made a definite decision to do something and not letting anyone prevent you
The opposition to her plan made her more determined than ever.
determined to do something; I’m determined to succeed.
showing determination;
I made a determined effort to stop smoking.
resolute
adjective
/ˈrezəluːt/
strong and determined
His resolute leadership was admired by many.
elicit
/ɪˈlɪsɪt/
=extract
elicit something (from somebody) to get information or a reaction from somebody, often with difficulty
.I could elicit no response from him.
arbitrary
adjective
/ˈɑːrbɪtreri/
=haphazard
(of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair
The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary.
embody
verb
/ɪmˈbɑːdi/
=examplify
to express or represent an idea or a quality
embody something; a politician who embodied the hopes of black youth.
be embodied in something; the principles embodied in the Declaration of Human Rights.
embody
examplify, Imagine
be a good example of a concept or idea
instigate
verb
/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt/
Verb Forms
instigate something (especially British English) to make something start or happen, usually something official
SYNONYM: bring something about
The government has instigated a programme of economic reform.
instigate
verb
/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt/
=initiate
instigate something; to cause something bad to happen
.They were accused of instigating violence.
initiate
verb
/ɪˈnɪʃieɪt/
initiate something; (formal) to make something begin
The government has initiated a programme of economic reform.
mundane
adjective
/mʌnˈdeɪn/
ordinary. common, routine
not interesting or exciting
SYNONYM dull, ordinary
.a mundane task/job
petition
noun
/pəˈtɪʃn/
=appeal
a written document signed by a large number of people that asks somebody in a position of authority to do or change something
petition against something; Would you like to sign our petition against experiments on animals?
petition for something; The workers are getting up (= starting) a petition for tighter safety standards.
appeal
/əˈpiːl/
[countable, uncountable] a deeply felt request for money, help or information that is needed immediately, especially one made by a charity or by the police
appeal to somebody for something; Police are making a fresh appeal to the public for any information that may help them.
appeal to somebody to do something; The police made an appeal to the public to remain calm.
relinquish
verb
/rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
=abdicate
to stop having something, especially when this happens unwillingly
SYNONYM give something (control) up
relinquish something; He was forced to relinquish control of the company.
abdicate
verb
/ˈæbdɪkeɪt/
to give up the position of being king, queen or emperor
He abdicated in favour of his son.
abdicate something; She was forced to abdicate the throne of Spain.
resilient
adj
/rɪˈzɪliənt/
=tenacious
able to recover quickly after something unpleasant such as shock, injury, etc.
He’ll get over it—young people are amazingly resilient
tenacious
/təˈneɪʃəs/
that does not stop holding something or give up something easily; determined
She’s a tenacious woman. She never gives up.
stagnant
adjective
/ˈstæɡnənt/
=still
stagnant water or air is not moving and therefore smells unpleasant
.Few fish survive in the stagnant waters of the lake.
