LXXXIII

Question 1

subpoena /səˈpiːnə/

Answer 1

1) a written order to come to a court of law and be a witness
2) to order someone to come to a court of law and be a witness
“James was subpoenaed as a witness.”

Question 2

composition /ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən/

Answer 2

1) the way in which something is made up of different parts, things, or members → compose
composition of
“The composition of the group that is studied depends on the interests of the researcher.”
“Some minerals have complex chemical compositions.”
2) a piece of music, a poem, or a piece of writing → compose, composer
“a composition by jazzman Dave Brubeck, called ‘Chromatic Fantasy’”
“a mixture of traditional songs and original compositions”
3) the art or process of writing pieces of music, poems etc
“The Journals contain accounts of literary composition.”
4) the way in which the different parts that make up a photograph or picture are arranged
“Martin starts by lightly sketching in the compositions for his paintings.”
5) a short piece of writing about a particular subject, that is done at school SYN essay
“I had to write a composition about the Royal visit.”
6) the process of arranging words, pictures etc on a page before they are printed

Question 3

groat /ɡrəʊt/

Answer 3

a former British coin that had a low value

Question 4

tug /tʌɡ/

Answer 4

1) to pull with one or more short, quick pulls
“The woman gently tugged his arm.”
tug at/on something
“Joe was tugging at her sleeve.”
2) to pull a piece of clothing quickly onto your body
tug something on
“Alice was tugging on a sweater.”
3) a small strong boat used for pulling or guiding ships into a port, up a river etc
4) a sudden strong pull
“She removed the bandage with a sharp tug.”
5) a strong and sudden feeling
tug of
“Kate felt a tug of jealousy.”

tug at somebody’s heart/heartstrings
to make someone feel sympathy for someone or something

Question 5

mend /mend/

Answer 5

1) to repair a tear or hole in a piece of clothing
“My father used to mend our shoes.”
2) to repair something that is broken or not working SYN fix
“When are you going to mend that light in the hall?”
“Tim can mend any broken toy.”
3) if a broken bone mends, it becomes whole again SYN heal
“His leg isn’t mending as quickly as he’d expected.”
4) to end a quarrel or difficult situation by dealing with the problem that is causing it SYN repair
“I’ve tried to mend matters between us, but she’s still very angry.”
5) a place in something where it has been repaired

mend your ways
to improve the way you behave after behaving badly for a long time
“If he doesn’t mend his ways, he’ll be asked to leave.”

mend (your) fences
to try to become friendly with someone again after you have offended them or argued with them
“Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?”

Question 6

trinity /ˈtrɪnəti/

Answer 6

in the Christian religion, the union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in one God

Question 7

menstruate /ˈmenstrueɪt/

Answer 7

when a woman menstruates, usually every month, blood flows from her body

Question 8

plinth /plɪnθ/

Answer 8

a square block, usually made of stone, that is used as the base for a pillar or statue

Question 9

billet /ˈbɪlɪt/

Answer 9

1) a private house where soldiers are living temporarily

2) to put soldiers in a private house to live there temporarily

Question 10

sustain /səˈsteɪn/

Answer 10

1) to make something continue to exist or happen for a period of time SYN maintain
“She found it difficult to sustain the children’s interest.”
“He was incapable of sustaining close relationships with women.”
“the policies necessary to sustain economic growth”
2) to suffer damage, an injury, or loss of money
“Two of the firefighters sustained serious injuries.”
“Some nearby buildings sustained minor damage.”
“The company has sustained heavy financial losses this year.”
3) if food or drink sustains a person, animal, or plant, it makes them able to continue living → sustenance
“They gave me barely enough food to sustain me.”
4) to make someone feel strong and hopeful
“The thought of seeing her again was all that sustained me.”
5) to hold up the weight of something SYN support
“He leant against her so heavily that she could barely sustain his weight.”
6) to support an idea or argument, or prove that it is right
“This argument is difficult to sustain.”