New words from everyday life 5 Flashcards
launder
- wash and iron (clothes or linen).
“he wasn’t used to laundering his own bed linen”
amiss
- not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.
“there was something amiss about his calculations”
abseces
a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.
“once the abscesses burst, they usually discharge for several days before gradually healing up”
alumnus/alumni
- a graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university.
“a Harvard alumnus” - a former member of a group, company, or organization.
“a Royal Ballet alumnus”
slain/slay
kill (a person or animal) in a violent way.
destitute
- extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself.
“the charity cares for destitute children”
seminar
- a conference or other meeting for discussion or training.
- a class at university in which a topic is discussed by a teacher and a small group of students.
“a seminar group of sixteen students”
reuminate
think deeply about something.
“we sat ruminating on the nature of existence”
secluded
(of a place) not seen or visited by many people; sheltered and private.
“the gardens are quiet and secluded”
tenacious
tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
“a tenacious grip”
* showing power to resist or to endure.
fare
- the money paid for a journey on public transport.
“we should go to Seville, but we cannot afford the air fare” - a range of food of a particular type.
“traditional Scottish fare” - perform in a specified way in a particular situation or over a particular period.
“his business has fared badly in recent years”
grevious
(FORNAL) (of something bad) very severe or serious.
“his death was a grievous blow”
uphold
- confirm or support (something which has been questioned) / stick up for
“the court upheld his claim for damages” - maintain (a custom or practice).
“they uphold a tradition of not causing distress to living creatures”
proficient
competent or skilled in doing or using something.
“I was proficient at my job”
embelish
- make (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features.
“blue silk embellished with golden embroidery” - make (a statement or story) more interesting by adding extra details that are often untrue.
“followers often embellish stories about their heroes”
duly
- in accordance with what is required or appropriate; following proper procedure or arrangement.
“a document duly signed and authorized by the inspector” - as might be expected or predicted.
“I used the tent and was duly impressed
/ properly
temperament
a person’s or animal’s nature, especially as it permanently affects their behaviour.
“she had an artistic temperament”
permeate
spread throughout (something); pervade.
“the aroma of soup permeated the air”
staggering
deeply shocking; astonishing.
“the staggering bills for maintenance and repair”
adhere
- stick fast to (a surface or substance).
“paint won’t adhere well to a greasy surface” - believe in and follow the practices of.
“I do not adhere to any organized religion” - closely follow, observe, or represent.
“the account adhered firmly to fact”
relinquish
voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.
“he relinquished his managerial role to become chief executive”
pervade
(especially of a smell) spread through and be perceived in every part of.
“a smell of stale cabbage pervaded the air”
looming
- (of an event) seemingly about to happen and regarded as ominous or worrying.
“the looming threat of social unrest” - appearing as a vague or shadowy form, especially one that is large or threatening.
“he almost expected to see Jason’s looming figure suddenly appear”
isle
literary)) an island or peninsula, especially a small one.
“Crusoe’s fabled isle”
valiant
possessing or showing courage or determination.
“she made a valiant effort to hold her anger in check”
