M

Question 1

mansion

Answer 1

mansion [ˈmæn. t ʃ ə n] noun countable [mansions] < > a very large expensive house • The street is lined with enormous mansions where the rich and famous live. Thesaurus+: ↑Houses and homes • The mansion is set in 90 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside. • He told me he owned a mansion in Spain and I fell for it. • The mansion had an atmosphere of genteel elegance and decay.

Question 2

manslaughter

Answer 2

manslaughter [ˈmænˌslɔː.tə r ] [-ˌslɑː.t ̬ɚ] noun uncountable legal the crime of killing a person by someone who did not intend to do it or who cannot be responsible for their actions • She was sentenced to five years imprisonment for manslaughter. • He denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Question 3

maple

Answer 3

maple [ˈmeɪ.pl ̩] noun countable or uncountable [maples] a type of large tree which grows in northern areas of the world, or the wood of this tree • a maple leaf • maple trees

Question 4

mar

Answer 4

mar [mɑː r ] [mɑːr] [-rr-] slightly formal verb transitive [marring marred mars] to spoil something, making it less perfect or less enjoyable • Sadly, the text is marred by careless errors. • It was a really nice day, marred only by a little argument in the car on the way home. • I hope the fact that Louise isn’t coming won’t mar your enjoyment of the evening.

Question 5

marble

Answer 5

marble [ˈmɑː.bl ̩] [ˈmɑːr-] noun ROCK 1. uncountable a type of very hard rock which has a pattern of lines going through it, feels cold and becomes smooth and shiny when cut and polished • a marble floor/statue Thesaurus+: ↑Types of rock ↑Precious and semi-precious stones GLASS BALL 2. countable a small ball usually made of coloured or transparent glass which is used in children’s games Thesaurus+: ↑Toys and dolls 3. marbles uncountable a children’s game in which small round glass balls are rolled along the floor Thesaurus+: ↑Children’s games

Question 6

martyr

Answer 6

martyr [ˈmɑː.tə r ] [ˈmɑːr.t ̬ɚ] noun countable [martyrs] 1. a person who suffers very much or is killed because of their political or religious beliefs, and is often admired because of it • a Christian/Islamic/religious martyr • She fought against racism all her life and died a martyr to the cause. Thesaurus+: ↑Followers of religious groups 2. disapproving someone who tries to get sympathy from others when they have a problem or too much work, usually having caused the problem or chosen to do the work themselves • She offers to do extra work, then plays the martyr! Thesaurus+: ↑Unpleasant people in general ↑Unpleasant men Idiom: a martyr to something verb transitive often passive to kill someone because of their religious or political beliefs

Question 7

massacre

Answer 7

massacre [ˈmæs.ə.kə r ] [-kɚ] noun countable [massacres] 1. < > an act of killing a lot of people • He ordered the massacre of 2, 000 women and children. Thesaurus+: ↑Murder and attempted murder ↑Killing 2. informal a bad defeat, especially in sport • The changes to the team come after their 7-2 massacre in the final. Thesaurus+: ↑Winning and defeating ↑Scoring, winning and losing in sport • Of course, she was using the term ‘massacre’ in the figurative sense. • The massacre was a crime against humanity. • The perpetrators of the massacre must be brought to justice as war criminals. verb transitive 1. to kill many people in a short period of time • Hundreds of civilians were massacred in the raid. Thesaurus+: ↑Murder and attempted murder ↑Killing 2. informal to defeat an opponent very badly in a competition or election • England was massacred 5-0 by France in the semi-final.

Question 8

masterpiece

Answer 8

masterpiece [ˈmɑː.stə.piːs] [ˈmæs.tɚ-] noun countable [masterpieces] 1. (also masterwork) a work of art such as a painting, film or book which is done or made with great skill, and is often a person’s greatest work • ‘The Last Supper’ is widely regarded as Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece. See also chef d’oeuvre Thesaurus+: ↑Success and achievements ↑Higher and lower points of achievement ↑Failures 2. a skilful or clever example of something • Her press conference was a masterpiece of media manipulation.

Question 9

mat

Answer 9

mat [mæt] noun countable [mats] FLOOR 1. < > a small piece of strong material which covers and protects part of a floor • Wipe your feet on the mat before you come inside. See also doormat Thesaurus+: ↑Carpets, rugs and other floor coverings • The dog lay drooling on the mat. • The electrician must have called (round) this morning when we were out - there’s a note on the door mat. • There was a rush mat by the entrance. TABLE 2. a small piece of cloth, cardboard or plastic which is put on a surface such as a table to protect it • a beer mat • a place mat

Question 10

meadow

Answer 10

meadow [ˈmed.əʊ] [-oʊ] noun countable or uncountable [meadows] a field with grass and often wild flowers in it • There was a path through the meadow to the village.

Question 11

menace

Answer 11

menace [ˈmen.ɪs] noun [menaces] 1. countable usually singular something that is likely to cause harm • Drunk drivers are a menace to everyone. • Dogs running loose are a public menace. • the menace of industrial pollution Thesaurus+: ↑Dangers and threats 2. uncountable a dangerous quality that makes you think someone is going to do something bad • He had a slight air of menace which I found unsettling. • He spoke with a hint of menace. Thesaurus+: ↑Dangers and threats 3. countable a person, especially a child, who is very annoying Thesaurus+: ↑Unpleasant people in general ↑Unpleasant men 4. demand money with menaces UK legal to demand money using threats • He was accused of unlawfully demanding money with menaces. Thesaurus+: ↑Dangers and threats verb transitive slightly formal If someone or something menaces a person or thing, they threaten seriously to harm it • Hurricane Hugo menaced the US coast for a week.

Question 12

mend

Answer 12

mend [mend] mainly UK verb transitive [mends mending mended] < > to repair something that is broken or damaged • Could you mend this hole in my shirt? • I’ve left my watch at the jeweller’s to be mended. • The plumber came to mend the burst pipe. • The country’s president is seeking to mend relations with the United States. Thesaurus+: ↑Correcting and mending ↑Editing and compiling • A man’s coming to mend the boiler this afternoon. • I thought I could mend the radio myself, but I’ve had to admit defeat. • Never try to mend a broken machine without disconnecting it from the electricity supply. • He wants me to mend his shirt for him, but I’m not going to! • He can mend anything - he’s so good with his hands. Idioms: mend your fences ▪ mend your ways noun countable a place in a piece of clothing where a repair has been made

Question 13

mercy

Answer 13

mercy [ˈmɜː.si] [ˈmɝː-] noun KINDNESS 1. < > uncountable kindness and forgiveness shown towards someone you have authority over • She appealed to the judge to have mercy on her husband. • The prisoners pleaded for mercy. • The gunmen showed no mercy, killing innocent men and women. Thesaurus+: ↑Lenient and merciful 2. be at the mercy of sb/sth < > to be in a situation where someone or something has complete power over you • Poor people are increasingly at the mercy of money-lenders. Thesaurus+: ↑Weakness and vulnerability • He begged for mercy as the blows fell on him. • Fishermen are always at the mercy of the forces of nature. • They begged for mercy. • He bowed down before the king and begged for mercy. EVENT/SITUATION 3. only singular an event or situation which you are grateful for because it stops something unpleasant • After months of suffering, his death was a mercy. • They were on a mercy mission to take food to the refugees when they were attacked.

Question 14

mere

Answer 14

< > used to emphasize that something is not large or important • The plane crashed mere minutes after take-off. • It cost a mere twenty dollars. • The mere thought of it makes me ill. Thesaurus+: ↑Of little or less importance ↑Merely and barely ↑Almost • It took a mere five minutes for the world champion to dispose of his opponent. • His tumultuous triumph 5 years ago now seems a mere footnote in history. • The committee is a mere appendage of the council and has no power of its own. • She had that indefinable something that went beyond mere sex appeal. • A thousand pounds is a mere bagatelle to him.

Question 15

merely

Answer 15

merely [ˈmɪə.li] [ˈmɪr-] adverb < > used to emphasize that you mean exactly what you are saying and nothing more • I wasn’t complaining, I merely said that I was tired. • The medicine won’t cure her - it merely stops the pain. Thesaurus+: ↑Merely and barely ↑Almost • The minister’s speech had merely fogged the issue. • He called the new building unoriginal and said that it merely aped the classical traditions. • She didn’t reply - she merely smiled that insinuating smile. • Of his origins he said very little, merely mentioning in parenthesis that his background was poor. • Patriarchy has not disappeared - it has merely changed form.

Question 16

merger

Answer 16

merger [ˈmɜː.dʒə r ] [ˈmɝː.dʒɚ] noun countable [mergers] < > when two or more companies join together • She’s an attorney who advises companies about mergers and takeovers. • The merger of these two companies would create the world’s biggest accounting firm. Thesaurus+: ↑Mergers and takeovers • The merger proved to be very lucrative for both companies. • The shareholders seem to think that the executive board is overstating the case for a merger. • Announcement of the merger is expected to ramp up share prices over the next few days. • Following the merger, he was retired with a generous pension. • Shareholders will be voting on the proposed merger of the companies next week.

Question 17

merit

Answer 17

merit [ˈmer.ɪt] noun countable or uncountable [merits] 1. formal the quality of being good and deserving praise • an entertaining film with little artistic merit • Her ideas have merit. • Brierley’s book has the merit of being both informative and readable. Thesaurus+: ↑Deserving and deserved 2. the merits of sth the advantages something has compared to something else • We discussed the merits of herbal tea. Thesaurus+: ↑Advantage and disadvantage 3. on your (own) merits according to the qualities you have or have shown, without considering any other information or comparing you to someone else • The committee say they will consider/judge each applicant on his or her own merits.

Question 18

metre

Answer 18

metre UK , US meter [ˈmiː.tə r ] [-t ̬ɚ] noun [metres] MEASUREMENT 1. < > countable (written abbreviation m) a unit of measurement equal to 100 centimetres • The bomb shelter has concrete walls that are three metres thick. • a 15-metre yacht • She won the 100 metres (= a race run over this distance) at the Olympics. • He is 1m 75 tall. • The price of water rose to 48p per cubic metre (= a unit of volume equal to 1000 litres) . • The room is six metres square. Thesaurus+: ↑Measurements of length and distance • The women’s 200 metre event will be followed by the men’s 100 metres. • The river froze to a depth of over a metre. • There’s a drop of two metres from the window to the ground. • We are currently flying at an altitude of 15 000 metres. • The boat is ten metres in length. POETRY 2. countable or uncountable specialized the regular arrangement of syllables in poetry according to the number and type of beats in a line • He composes poems in a classical style and in strict metre. • Many hymns have a firm, regular metre. Thesaurus+: ↑Poetry Seealso: meter

Question 19

midst

Answer 19

midst [mɪdst], [mɪtst] noun uncountable formal 1. the middle of a group of people or things • She caught sight of Johnny in their midst (= among them) , laughing and talking. Thesaurus+: ↑Between 2. in the midst of sth in the middle of an event, situation or activity • I’m afraid I’m too busy - I’m in the midst of writing up a report. • The country is in the midst of an economic crisis.

Question 20

mildly

Answer 20

mildly [ˈmaɪld.li] adverb 1. slightly • I was mildly surprised to see him here. Thesaurus+: ↑Some and quite ↑Tender and gentle ↑Kind and thoughtful 2. in a gentle way • “I think you’ve made a mistake,” he said mildly.

Question 21

mingle

Answer 21

mingle [ˈmɪŋ.gl ̩] verb [mingles mingling mingled] MIX 1. intransitive or transitive to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined • The excitement of starting a new job is always mingled with a certain apprehension. • The two flavours mingle well. Thesaurus+: ↑Mixing and mixtures ↑Variety and mixtures ↑Connecting and combining ↑Groups and collections of things BE WITH 2. intransitive to move around and talk to other people at a social event • You’ve been talking to Roger all evening - you really ought to be mingling with the other guests.

Question 22

mist

Answer 22

mist [mɪst] noun countable or uncountable [mists] 1. < > thin fog produced by very small drops of water collecting in the air just above an area of ground or water • The mountain villages seem to be permanently shrouded in mist. • The early-morning mist soon lifted/cleared. Thesaurus+: ↑Clouds, dew, fog and steam 2. a thin layer of liquid on the surface of something which makes it difficult to see • UK There’s always a mist on the bathroom mirror/windows when I’ve had a shower. • Through a mist of tears, I watched his train pull out of the station. Thesaurus+: ↑Opaque • The river is often cloaked in mist in the early morning. • A mist drifted in from the marshes. • The car lights glowed dully through the mist. • The graveyard looked ghostly, enveloped in mist. • The morning mist had lifted and the sun was starting to come through.

Question 23

misty

Answer 23

misty [ˈmɪs.ti] adjective [mistier mistiest] WEATHER 1. < > In misty weather, there is mist in the air which makes it difficult to see into the distance • The morning will start off misty. Thesaurus+: ↑Clouds, dew, fog and steam ↑Wet weather and wetness • It was a damp, misty morning. • He watched the misty wraiths of moisture making patterns on the window pane. • It stayed misty until late in the morning. GLASS 2. describes glass or a similar surface that is covered with a mist which makes it difficult to see through • The windscreen is all misty.

Question 24

moan

Answer 24

moan [məʊn] [moʊn] verb intransitive [moans moaning moaned] SOUND 1. to make a long low sound of pain, suffering or another strong emotion • He moaned with pain before losing consciousness. • “Let me die,” he moaned. Thesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by humans with their mouths COMPLAIN 2. informal disapproving to make a complaint in an unhappy voice, usually about something which does not seem important to other people • Thelma’s always moaning (about something), and forgets how lucky she actually is. • + speech “I don’t like potatoes,” he moaned. • + (that) First she moans (that) she’s too hot, and then that she’s too cold.

Question 25

mob

Answer 25

mob [mɒb] [mɑːb] noun + singular or plural verb [mobs] 1. countable usually disapproving a large angry crowd, especially one which could easily become violent • The angry mob outside the jail was/were ready to riot. • a lynch mob • Fifty people were killed in three days of mob violence. Thesaurus+: ↑Groups of people 2. countable informal a group of people who are friends or who are similar in some way • The usual mob were/was hanging out at the bar. Thesaurus+: ↑Groups of people 3. only singular informal an organization of criminals • a New York mob leader See also mobster Thesaurus+: ↑Gangsters, thugs and criminal organizations verb transitive 1. transitive usually passive [-bb-] to come together around someone in a crowd to express admiration, interest or anger • They were mobbed by fans when they arrived at the theatre. • Let’s not go to the Old Town tonight - it’s always mobbed (= there are always a lot of people there) on Fridays. Thesaurus+: ↑Forming groups (of people) 2. intransitive or transitive [-bb-] When a group of birds or small animals mob a bigger or more frightening bird or animal that is hunting them, they attack it together and force it to go away.

Question 26

moist

Answer 26

moist [mɔɪst] adjective slightly wet, especially in a good way • Keep the soil in the pot moist, but not too wet. • approving This cake is lovely and moist! See also damp

Question 27

mole

Answer 27

mole [məʊl] [moʊl] noun countable [moles] ANIMAL 1. a small mammal which is nearly blind, has dark fur and lives in passages that it digs under the ground Thesaurus+: ↑Rodents and similar animals SPOT 2. a small dark spot or lump (= raised area) on a person’s skin Compare freckle Thesaurus+: ↑The skin, and skin colour PERSON 3. a person who works for an organization or government and secretly gives information to its competitor or enemy • A mole inside the Department of Transport had leaked secret proposals to the press. Compare spy

Question 28

moreover

Answer 28

moreover [ˌmɔːˈrəʊ.və r ] [ˌmɔːrˈoʊ.vɚ] adverb formal < > (used to add information) also and more importantly • The whole report is badly written. Moreover, it’s inaccurate. Thesaurus+: ↑Also, extra, and in addition ↑Connecting words joining words or phrases with similar or related meanings • Politically, moreover, he faces a split in his party. • He enjoys selling and, moreover, is good at it. • She alleged, moreover, that the two of them had met before.

Question 29

moss

Answer 29

moss [mɒs] [mɑːs] noun countable or uncountable [mosses] a very small green or yellow plant that grows especially in wet earth or on rocks, walls and tree trunks • The rocks near the river were covered with moss.

Question 30

motif

Answer 30

motif [məʊˈtiːf] [moʊ-] noun countable [motifs] PATTERN 1. a pattern or design • We chose some curtains with a flower motif. Thesaurus+: ↑Patterns and shapes IDEA 2. an idea that is used many times in a piece of writing or music • The motif of betrayal is crucial in all these stories.

Question 31

mould

Answer 31

mould UK , US mold [məʊld] [moʊld] noun GREEN/GREY GROWTH 1. uncountable a soft green or grey growth which develops on old food or on objects that have been left for too long in warm wet air • There was mould on the cheese. Thesaurus+: ↑Bacteria, moulds, germs and viruses SHAPE 2. countable a hollow container with a particular shape into which soft or liquid substances are poured, so that when the substance becomes hard it takes the shape of the container • a cake/jelly mould Thesaurus+: ↑Models and moulds TYPE OF PERSON 3. only singular If someone is from or in a mould, they have the characteristics typical of a certain type of person • He’s cast in a very different mould from his brother. • He’s a player in the Becker mould. Thesaurus+: ↑Categories and varieties ↑Species and genders Seealso: mold verb 1. transitive to make a soft substance a particular shape • This plastic is going to be moulded into plates. • The children moulded little pots out of/from (= made them by shaping) clay. Thesaurus+: ↑Industrial processing ↑Sculpture 2. transitive to try to change or influence someone • He kept trying to mould me into something he wanted me to be. Thesaurus+: ↑Affecting and influencing 3. intransitive usually + adverb or preposition to fit the body very closely • She was wearing an extremely tight costume which moulded to/round the contours of her body.

Question 32

mourn

Answer 32

mourn [mɔːn] [mɔːrn] verb intransitive or transitive [mourns mourning mourned] to feel or express great sadness, especially because of someone’s death • Queen Victoria mourned Prince Albert/Prince Albert’s death for 40 years. • She was still mourning for her brother. • They mourned the passing of traditional folk dancing (= felt sad because it had stopped existing) .

Question 33

mug

Answer 33

mug [mʌg] noun countable [mugs] CUP 1. < > a large cup with straight sides used for hot drinks • I made myself a large mug of cocoa (= enough to fill a mug) and went to bed. Thesaurus+: ↑Dishes, bowls, cups and glasses 2. beer mug mainly US a heavy glass with a handle and usually with patterns cut into its side, out of which you drink beer Thesaurus+: ↑Beer and cider ↑Dishes, bowls, cups and glasses • Who knocked over that mug of coffee? • He washed up his mug and put it back on the shelf. • She passed him the mug, filled to the brim with hot black coffee.

Question 34

mum

Answer 34

mum [mʌm] noun countable UK (US mom) [mums] < > informal mother • as form of address “Happy birthday, Mum.” • All the mums and dads are invited to the school play at the end of the year. Thesaurus+: ↑Names people call their close relatives • It was lovely to see your mum and dad at the school concert last night. • My mum won’t let me stay out late. • My mum’s always nagging me to get my hair cut. • Catherine’s mum gives her £5 a week pocket money. • Let’s have a quick tidy-up before mum gets home. Idiom: Mum’s the word adjective informal keep mum to say nothing about a subject • It’s not official yet so keep mum.

Question 35

mumble

Answer 35

mumble [ˈmʌm.bl ̩] verb intransitive or transitive [mumbles mumbling mumbled] to speak quietly and in a way that is not clear so that the words are difficult to understand • She mumbled something about being too busy. • + speech “I’m sorry, “ he mumbled.

Question 36

mundane

Answer 36

mundane [mʌnˈdeɪn] adjective very ordinary and therefore not interesting • Mundane matters such as paying bills and shopping for food do not interest her.

Question 37

murmur

Answer 37

murmur [ˈmɜː.mə r ] [ˈmɝː.mɚ] verb [murmurs murmuring murmured] SPEAK QUIETLY 1. intransitive or transitive to speak or say very quietly • + speech “I love you,” she murmured. • He was murmuring to himself. • humorous He murmured sweet nothings (= romantic talk) in her ear. Thesaurus+: ↑Ways of talking COMPLAIN 2. intransitive to complain about something that you disagree with or dislike, but not in a public way • They were murmuring about the boss’s nephew getting the job. Thesaurus+: ↑Complaining noun SOUND 1. countable the sound of something being said very quietly • A murmur of agreement came from the crowd. Thesaurus+: ↑Ways of talking 2. only singular a soft continuous sound • The murmur of the waves on the beach lulled me to sleep. Thesaurus+: ↑Sounds made by objects, movement or impact COMPLAINT 3. countable a complaint which is expressed privately • After the report was published, there were murmurs of discontent round the office. Thesaurus+: ↑Complaining

Question 38

mustard

Answer 38

mustard [ˈmʌs.təd] [-tɚd] noun uncountable a thick yellow or brown sauce that tastes spicy and is eaten cold in small amounts, especially with meat

Question 39

muster

Answer 39

muster [ˈmʌs.tə r ] [-tɚ] verb intransitive or transitive [musters mustering mustered] PRODUCE 1. to produce or encourage especially an emotion or support • She managed to muster the courage to ask him to the cinema. • The team will need all the strength they can muster to win this game. • Opponents are unlikely to be able to muster enough votes to override the veto. Thesaurus+: ↑Encouraging and urging on ↑Inspiration and inspiring TOGETHER 2. (especially of soldiers) to come together, especially in preparation for fighting, or to cause to do this • The twelfth division mustered on the hill. • The general mustered his troops. Thesaurus+: ↑Forming groups (of people)