TOEFL 381 (Cram) Flashcards
prerequisite
n. a requirement, s.t. that must be done before doing s.t. else: The ~ for the advanced course in math is basic math.
sustain
v. [T] 1 to keep in existence by providing support, strength, or necessities: This poor diet is not enough to ~ the population in this country. 2 to keep up or maintain an activity: Do you think we can ~ our commitment to delivering the newspapers on time? 3 to suffer or endure: The passengers ~ed severe wounds from the train crash.
mining
n. [U] the business and process of taking minerals out of the earth: ~ requires a big investment in land, equipment, and labor.
scatter
v. [I;T] to (make s.t.) go in all directions: The newspapers ~ed in the wind. –n. [C] scattering.
grapple
v. 1 [I;T] to take hold of and fight or struggle with s.o. or s.t.: The two wrestlers ~d with each other. 2 [I] to try hard to solve a problem, (syn.) to struggle: The technicians ~d with the broken computers all day.
correlation
n. a meaningful connection between things: There is a direct ~ between an increase in sales volume and an increase in profits.
crude
adj.1 rough, unfinished: He lives in a cabin with ~ chairs and a table made of unpainted wood. 2 ill–mannered, offensive: The child was sent to his room because of his ~ behavior –adv. crudely; –n. [C;U] crudity /krudti/; [U] crudeness.
crystalline
adj 1. of or like crystal; clear; transparent. 2. formed by crystallization. 3. composed of crystals. 4. pertaining to crystals or their formation.
flank
n. 1 the side area of a human’s or animal’s body between the ribs and hip 2 the outer sides or ends of a military formation: The enemy went around our right ~.
sedimentary
adj 1. of, pertaining to, or of the nature of sediment. 2. Geology. formed by the deposition of sediment, as certain rocks.
limestone
n. [U] a type of rock composed of calcium carbonate: ~ is often used in building construction.
intermediate
adj. between or in the middle of two extreme points, such as highest and lowest, or beginning and end: She took swimming lessons last year and is now in an ~ class.
fallacy
n. a false belief, (syns.) misconception, misinterpretation: It is a ~ that everyone is equal before the law, because people with money hire expensive lawyers to keep them out of jail.
precede
v. [T] cedes to come before, appear earlier: The dark skies ~d a thunderstorm.
extensive
adj. great in amount or area, considerable: She has ~ knowledge of Chinese history. –adv. extensively.
intensity
n. [U] the degree, strength of s.t.: He showed the ~ of his love with roses and poems.
curvature
n. a curved line or surface: From outer space you can see the ~ of the earth’s surface.
buffer
n.v. [T] 1 s.o. or s.t. (a layer, an area, etc.) that softens or stops a blow, (syn.) a cushion: The mountains are a ~ against the storms from the sea. 2 a tool used to shine: a fingernail ~ adj. ~ed: a chemical that stops (neutralizes) the effect of an acid or a base: ~ aspirin is supposed to avoid damage to the stomach.
nothing more than
simple: The frame buffer is ~ ~ ~ a giant image mamory for viewing a single frame.
capture
v. [T] 1 to take s.o. or s.t. by force: The police ~d a criminal. 2 to hold the attention of: The thought of going to the moon ~d her imagination. 3 to preserve information: Cameras ~ special memories. n. [U] an act of capturing s.o. or s.t.: The ~ of the criminal involved a fight.
manifestation
n. [C;U] frml. a sign, symbol: Warm temperatures and budding flowers are ~s of spring.
imperfection
n. 1 [C] a flaw, defect: The vase has several ~s that make it unable to hold water. 2 [C;U] a general lack of perfection: ~s spoil his writing.
stratus
n/ a cloud of a class characterized by a gray, horizontal layer with a uniform base, found at a lower altitude than altostratus, usually below 8000 feet (2400 m).
whereas
conj.frml. but, in fact, (syns.) by contrast, on the contrary: He says that he paid me, ~ I have not received money from him.
attain
v. [T] to achieve, reach: The salesperson ~ed her sales goal for the month. –adj. attainable; n. [U] attainment.
progressive
adj. 1 related to making changes or reforming old ways, (syn.) alternative: She attended a new ~ school, where grades were optional. 2 increasing in number: Progressive economic sanctions against a government forced it to cooperate with other nations. 3 moving forward n. a person who believes in reform of government, education, etc.: She is a ~ in politics and a member of the Progressive Party.
outbreak
n. a sudden appearance of a disease or s.t. negative, such as crime: There was an ~ of influenza last week in the city’s schools.
myelin
noun Biology. a soft, white, fatty material in the membrane of Schwann cells and certain neuroglial cells
grouache
- a technique of painting with opaque watercolors prepared with gum. 2. an opaque color used in painting a gouache. 3. a work painted using gouache.
locomotion
n/ the act or power of moving from place to place.
fringe
n. 1 [C;U] the border of a piece of clothing, rug, tablecloth, etc., made of hanging threads or other material: His jacket had ~s on the arms. 2 [C] the outer edge or limit of s.t.: The building is located on the ~s of the city.||The criminal lives on the ~ of society. adj. minor, very unlike most of the other members of a particular group: She is a member of a liberal ~ group within the Republican Party. v. [T] to add, be a border: Trees ~ the park.
expel
v. [T] 1 to send away for a reason, (syns.) to dismiss, eject: The principal ~led the troublemaking student from school. 2 frml. to force out, (syns.) to emit, discharge: The volcano ~s smoke.
stabilize
v. [I;T] 1 to make firmer or stronger: We need to ~ the old barn, because it is leaning to one side. 2 to reach a calm, undisturbed state: Her health ~s when she takes her medicine.
seagoing
adj 1. designed or fit for going to sea, as a vessel. 2. going to sea; seafaring. n . the activity of a person who travels by sea.
vessel
n. 1 a tube that carries fluid: the blood ~s 2 a container, such as a cup: a ~ used in religious services 3 a ship: Cargo ~s sail the Atlantic.
metamorphosis
n. [U] 1 (in biology) a dramatic change from one stage of life to another, as in the butterfly’s change from a cocoon to a winged insect: Ancient people believed that humans could undergo ~ from human form to animal form. 2 [C] fig. a dramatic change in character, appearance, etc.: He underwent a real ~ in his teenage years from a weak boy to a strong young man. –v. [I;T] metamorphose /mtmrfoz/.
dwell
dwell v. [I] 1 frml. to live, (syn.) to reside: The princess ~s in a castle. 2 to ~ on: to continue thinking or speaking about: The teacher ~ on the topic too long.
ingest
v.frml. [T] to eat, swallow: A baby ~ed poison, and the doctor had to pump her stomach.
convert
v. [I;T] to change the condition or status of s.t.: The owner converted the hotel into an apartment building.||He wants to ~ to Catholicism. n. a person who changes status, esp. religions: He was Catholic, but now he is a ~ to Buddhism.
amplification
n.[C;U] 1 an increase in sound level: The ~ of the sound on the stereo was too high. 2 more information about s.t., an explanation: The teacher gave an ~ of her thoughts to the class. –v. [I;T] amplify
ballet
n. [C;U] a type of dancing with formal movements, usu. to classical music: We went to see the ~. (or) we went to the ~ last evening
prehistoric
adj. of or relating to a time before history was recorded through pictures or writing: Dinosaurs lived in prehistoric times. –n. [U] prehistory
adorn
v.frml. [T] 1 to make beautiful, to decorate: She ~d the dinner table with flowers. 2 fig. to enliven, (syn.) to ornament: Many interesting people ~d the party. –n.[C;U] adornment
invariably
adv. without exception or change: ~, her advice is excellent; we always do what she says. –adj. invariable.
utmost
n. [U] the greatest, without holding back: She tries her ~ to do a good job.
consistency
n. 1 [C;U] the degree of thickness, softness, etc., of s.t.: The ~ of a steak is firm and thick. 2 [U] the condition of doing things in the same way: The ~ of the teacher’s making the students work hard helps them learn a lot.
crucial
adj. extremely important, (syns.) critical, decisive: It is of ~ importance that we sign that contract for our future success. –adv. crucially.
pound
v. 1 [I;T] to hit s.t. repeatedly with force, to hammer: The worker ~ed nails into the wall with a hammer. 2 [I] to beat or throb strongly: My head is ~ing from a headache.
meticulously
–adj1. taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise; thorough: a meticulous craftsman; meticulous personal appearance. 2. finicky; fussy: meticulous adherence to technicalities.
knead
v. [T] to press with the fingers and hands: A baker ~s flour and milk together to make bread dough.
shrinkage
n. a lessening of s.t.’s size: ~ in a skirt
exterior
n. 1 the outside of s.t., surface: The ~ of the house needs painting. 2 appearance, looks: He has a rough ~, but inside, he has a heart of gold. adj. outside: The ~ walls of the building are made of glass and steel.
external
adj. 1 outside, ~: The ~ surface of the airplane is very smooth and shiny. 2 coming from the outside: Children’s experiences in school are affected by many ~ influences. –adv. externally; –n. externality
incise
v,1. to cut into; cut marks, figures, etc., upon. 2. to make (marks, figures, etc.) by cutting; engrave; carve.
hearth
n. 1 a fireplace, esp. used for cooking: The ~ glowed red from the wood fire. 2 symbol for the pleasures of daily life: Away at sea for months, the sailor missed ~ and home
glaze
v. 1 [T] to cover or fit with glass: We ~ed the windows with new glass. 2 [T] to put a thin (usu. shiny) cover over s.t.: I ~ed the donut with sugar.||After making the ceramic plate, he ~ed it to protect it.
extraordinarily
adj 1. beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established: ~ costs. 2. exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable: ~ speed; ~ man. 3. (of an official, employee, etc.) outside of or additional to the ordinary staff; having a special, often temporary task or responsibility: minister ~ and plenipotentiary.
upsurge
n. a sudden rush, increase: Our company had an ~ in sales this month.
reap
v. [I;T] to cut down and collect, (syn.) to harvest: In the fall, farmers ~ their crops.
thresh
v. [I;T] –es to beat grain stalks to separate grain: Farmers ~ grain with threshing machines
stimulus
n. s.t. that causes an action or response: The desire for a good education was the ~ for my studying hard.
stalk
v. 1 [T] to follow s.o. or s.t., usu. waiting for a chance to attack: a hunter who ~s deer in the woods 2 [I] to walk in an angry way: I tried to tell her I was sorry, but she just ~ed away.
twine
n. [U] strong, coarse string: We wrapped the packages with ~
enlarge
v. [I;T] 1 to make larger, expand the size of: We ~d our house by adding two new rooms. 2 (in photography) to make a picture bigger –n. [C;U] enlargement
ponderous
adj. slow moving, awkward, dull: Bureaucracies move in a ~ way.||He wrote a long, ~ paper on a subject of no interest. –adv. ponderously.
spring
v. 1 [I] to jump with strength by bending and then straightening the knees, (syn.) to leap: A ballet dancer ~ into the other dancer’s arms. 2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to spring at s.o.: to jump toward, (syn.) to attack: The dog growled and ~ at the robber. 3 to spring at the chance: to happily take the opportunity: When the boss offered her a business trip, she ~ at the chance to go. 4 to spring a trap: to trick s.o.: Government agents lured the criminal to a hotel and gave him a bribe; then they ~ a trap on him and arrested him. 5 to spring a leak: to get a hole and let air or water through: The little boat ~ a leak and sank. 6 to spring into action: to begin to act quickly: When the general gives the order, his army ~s into action against the enemy. 7 phrasal v. [I] to spring open or shut: to open or shut with a quick, sudden motion 8 to spring to life: to become more active and lively: The crocodile appeared to be asleep, then he ~ to life and captured a fish. 9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to spring s.t. on s.o.: to surprise s.o. with s.t.: We ~ the news that we were having a baby on our parents.
advantageou
adj/providing an advantage; furnishing convenience or opportunity; favorable; profitable; useful; beneficial
readily
adv. easily, without difficulty: Good food is ~ available anywhere in the country
flourish
v. 1 [I] to become rich, grow strong: People have ~ed in America for centuries.||Many plants ~ in warm, humid climates. 2 [T] to wave s.t. in a showy way: The soldier ~ed his sword.
wharf
n/ wharfs a long platform built over the water, where ships can pull up to load or unload: Boats sailed up to the ~, and the passengers got off.
migration
–n 1. the process or act of migrating. 2. a migratory movement: preparations for the migration. 3. a number or body of persons or animals migrating together. 4. Chemistry. a movement or change of position of atoms within a molecule. 5. Physics. diffusion
mammonth
n. a type of extinct hairy elephant: ~s once lived in parts of the USA. adj. huge in size: The national debt is ~.
petroleum
n. [U] a dark, thick, oily liquid usu. found between layers of rock in the earth and used to make fuels for heating, lighting, or engines: Gasoline is made from ~.
extract
v. [T] 1 to remove, pull out (s.t. firmly fixed): The dentist ~ed a bad tooth. 2 to get by using force or coercion: The police ~ed a confession from the criminal. n. 1 [C;U] a concentration or essence of a food or other substance: I use vanilla ~ in baking cakes. 2 [C] an excerpt from a written work: She used an ~ from a novel in her term paper.
undertake
v. [T] 1 to accept and begin work on s.t. usu. large and serious: The government will ~ the building of a large courthouse. 2 to try, (syn.) to endeavor: He ~ the job of trying to have the government pass a law against polluters.
vertebrate
adj. having a spine: ~ animals n. an animal with a spine: The ~s include lions and elephants.
tnagled
adj. snarled, knotted up: Traffic is all ~ up at the bridge.
probosicidean
n/ animals with a proboscis or long nose
mastodon
n. Any of several very large, extinct proboscidian mammals of the genus Mammut (sometimes Mastodon), resembling the elephant but having molar teeth of a different structure.
seep
v. [I] (for a liquid) to flow slowly through s.t., to ooze: Water is ~ing through cracks in the ceiling. –n. [U] seepage.
unwary
adj.n.pl. unsuspecting, not watching for danger: A cheat can steal from an unwary person (or) the ~. –n. [U] unwariness.
scavenger
n 1. an animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter. 2. a person who searches through and collects items from discarded material. 3. a street cleaner. 4. Chemistry. a chemical that consumes or renders inactive the impurities in a mixture.
herbivore
n. an animal that eats only plants: Cows and horses are ~. –adj. herbivorous
coyote
n. a kind of wolf similar to a medium–sized dog found mainly in western North and Central America: ~s often hunt rats and mice at night.
dissolve
v. 1 [I;T] to put s.t., like sugar or powder, into a liquid and make it seem to disappear: The powder ~d in water. 2 [T] to end (an association, group, or contract): to ~ a marriage (a formal meeting, business, etc.) 3 [I] fig. to break down emotionally: She ~d into tears at the
impregnate
v. [T] to fertilize, make pregnant: The male cat ~d the female, and she had five kittens.
saturate
v. [T] 1 to soak s.t. with a liquid until no more can be absorbed: The rain is so heavy that it ~s the ground. 2 fig. to be completely full of s.t.: He was ~d with alcohol; he was so drunk he could not walk. –n. [U] saturation.
rendering
n. a drawing or interpretation of s.t.: The artist showed us some of his ~s of our property.
observe
v. [T] 1 to view, watch, esp. for anything unusual: A policeman ~d the activity on the street. 2 to remark, express an opinion: Our professor ~d that we all did well on the examination. 3 to see, notice: She ~d a man with a large suitcase getting into a car. 4 to respect or follow laws, rules, or customs: We ~d Memorial Day by going to church and praying for the dead. Thesaurus: observe1 to survey, inspect 2 to note, comment 3 to spot, detect 4 to celebrate, commemorate.
contaminate
v. [T] to make unclean, impure, unfit for use or consumption: The drinking water was contaminated with gasoline. –n. [U] contamination
maritime
adj. related to the sea: ~ laws govern international shipping.
mode
n. [C;U] 1 a manner, way, condition of doing s.t.: We were in a panic ~ when the computer crashed. 2 [U] fashion: She always dresses in the latest ~; she’s very stylish.
forage
v. [I] (esp. of animals) to search for food: The deer ~d for food beneath the snow.
abundant
adj. plentiful, (syn.) profuse: Food is in ~ supply in this country. –adv. abundantly.
shellfish
n. [C;U] any water animal with an outer shell (oyster, clam, mussel, lobster, crab, etc.)
mussel
n. any of a variety of shellfish, some of which are edible: ~ are found on the sea rocks on the shores of America and Europe.
preserve
v. [T] 1 to guard, protect from harm or change: The government ~s the rights of the individual person. 2 to maintain, keep in good condition: She ~s her health by eating sensibly and exercising. 3 to prevent food from spoiling: Keeping food in the refrigerator ~s its freshness. –n. [U] preservation 1 an area of land or seashore used to protect wildlife from people, esp. hunters, a reserve: Huge game ~s in Africa help protect wild animals. 2 pl. preserves fruit, usu. in large pieces, cooked with a lot of sugar and stored in a jar: peach ~s
peculiar
adj. 1 odd, strange: His ~ behavior puzzles everyone who knows him. 2 belonging only to one specific person, group of people, place, etc.: Bright orange tail feathers are ~ to that type of bird. –adv. peculiarly.
utensil
n. a tool or implement, esp. for eating food: ~s for eating include knives, forks, and spoons.
thicken
v. 1 [I;T] to make thicker (wider, deeper, etc.): Workers ~ed the walls around the fort by adding more dirt to them. 2 [I;T] to make rich and heavy: The cook ~d the gravy by adding more butter and flour. 3 [I] to become more complex: The novel’s plot ~d as more characters appeared. –n. [C] thickener.
absence
n. 1 [C] a situation of not being present: His ~ from work was because of his illness. 2 [U] a lack of s.t.: An ~ of sleep left her tired. 3 a leave of absence: an approved time of being absent: She took a three–month leave of ~ from her job to have a baby.
roe
n. [U] 1 a type of deer 2 fish eggs: Salmon swim upstream to lay their ~ each year.
comprehensible
adj. capable of being understood, (syns.) clear, intelligible: Her writing is quite ~.
intentional
adj. done on purpose, (syn.) deliberate: Meeting for dinner at a vegetarian restaurant was ~; I am a vegetarian.
prosperous
adj. successful in business, flourishing: That family grew ~ as its business grew.
plentiful
adj. 1 in good supply: Food is ~ in the USA. 2 great, bountiful: We had a ~ harvest of wheat this fall. –adv. plentifully.
brochure
n. a small, short, printed booklet describing a company’s products or services: The travel agency mails out ~s about trips to wonderful places.
feudalism
n. [U] a political and social system in which a king and the people of the upper classes owned the land and people of the lower classes worked it: ~ existed in Europe from the ninth century to the fifteenth century.
spew
v. [I;T] to come out or push out with force: Bad words ~ed from his mouth when he hit his thumb with a hammer.||
molten
adj.& past part. of melt, melted by a great heat: ~ lava flows from the volcano.
carbonated
adj. containing carbon dioxide gas bubbles: Soft drinks, like Coca–Cola, are ~. See: fizz.
beverage
n.frml. a drink, usu. not water: Restaurants and hotels serve hot and cold ~.
intolerable
adj. 1 too difficult, painful, unbearable: The heat in August is ~. 2 objectionable, offensive: Her bad language is ~ to her parents.
succulent
adj. tasting good, usu. juicy: a ~ peach n. a type of plant, including the cactus family, that holds water in thick leaves