LXIX Flashcards
decay /dɪˈkeɪ/
1) to be slowly destroyed by a natural chemical process, or to make something do this
“Her body was already starting to decay.”
2) if buildings, structures, or areas decay, their condition gradually becomes worse
“Hundreds of historic buildings are being allowed to decay.”
3) if traditional beliefs, standards etc decay, people do not believe in them or support them anymore SYN decline
“In Orthodox Europe, mass religion seems to have decayed less.”
4) the natural chemical change that causes the slow destruction of something
“old cars in various stages of decay”
5) the gradual destruction of buildings, structures etc because they have not been cared for
“poverty and urban decay”
fall into (a state of) decay
“During the war, the area fell into decay.”
6) the gradual destruction of ideas, beliefs, social or political systems etc
“moral decay”
emission /ɪˈmɪʃən/
1) a gas or other substance that is sent into the air
“Britain agreed to cut emissions of nitrogen oxide from power stations.”
2) the act of sending out light, heat, gas etc
absorb /əbˈsɔːb/
1) to take in liquid, gas, or another substance from the surface or space around something
“Plants absorb nutrients from the soil.”
absorb something into something
“Water and salts are absorbed into our bloodstream.”
2) to read or hear a large amount of new information and understand it
“Her capacity to absorb information is amazing.”
3) to interest someone so much that they do not pay attention to other things
“The movement and noise of the machines absorbed him completely.”
be absorbed in something
“Judith lay on the settee, absorbed in her book.”
4) to become part of something larger
“California absorbs many of the legal immigrants to the US.”
be absorbed into something
“We were soon absorbed into local village life.”
5) if something absorbs light, heat, energy, or noise, it takes it in
“Darker surfaces absorb heat.”
6) if something absorbs changes or costs, it accepts them and deals with them successfully
“The beer industry had absorbed a doubling of federal tax in 1991.”
7) if something absorbs money, time etc, it uses a lot of it
“Defence spending absorbs almost 20% of the country’s wealth.”
8) to reduce the effect of a sudden violent movement
“A well-designed sports shoe should absorb the impact on your feet.”
steadfast /ˈstedfɑːst/
1) faithful and very loyal
“her father’s steadfast love for her”
2) being certain that you are right about something and refusing to change your opinion in any way
steadfast in
“Dr Faraday remained steadfast in his plea of innocence.”
sordid /ˈsɔːdɪd/
1) involving immoral or dishonest behaviour
sordid business/affair/story etc
“The whole sordid affair came out in the press.”
“She discovered the truth about his sordid past.”
“I want to hear all the sordid details!”
2) very dirty and unpleasant SYN squalid
“a sordid little room”
derelict /ˈderəlɪkt/
1) a derelict building or piece of land is in very bad condition because it has not been used for a long time
2) someone who has no money or home, lives on the streets, and is very dirty – used to show disapproval
thaw /θɔː/
1) ) if ice or snow thaws, or if the sun thaws it, it turns into water OPP freeze
“The lake thawed in March.”
2) to let frozen food become warmer until it is ready to cook OPP freeze
“Thaw frozen meat in its packet and then cook as soon as possible.”
3) to become friendlier and less formal
“After a few glasses of wine Robert began to thaw a little.”
4) a period of warm weather during which snow and ice melt
“The thaw begins in March.”
5) an improvement in relations between two countries, after a period of unfriendliness
it thaws
if it thaws, the weather becomes warmer, so that ice and snow melt
“It thawed overnight.”
comprehend /ˌkɒmprɪˈhend/
to understand something that is complicated or difficult SYN understand, grasp, → comprehension
“She cannot comprehend the extent of the disaster.”
“I did not fully comprehend what had happened.”
comprehend what/how/why etc
“It may be hard to comprehend how much this gift means for my country.”
comprehend that
“Finally, she comprehended that he wanted his pay.”
caress /kəˈres/
1) to touch someone gently in a way that shows you love them SYN stroke
“His hands gently caressed her body.”
2) to touch something gently, in a way that seems pleasant or romantic
“Waves caressed the shore.”
3) a gentle touch or kiss that shows you love someone
squalid /ˈskwɒlɪd/
1) very dirty and unpleasant because of a lack of care or money → squalor
“How can anyone live in such squalid conditions?”
“a tiny squalid apartment”
2) immoral or dishonest
“squalid behaviour”
“a squalid affair”
