VO Book 1 Flashcards
groan under the weight of something
(formal) used to say that there is too much of something
ex) Companies like Ford and General Motors groan under the weight of their history, manifested in the legacy costs that are a result of decades of promises to support workers and provide them with health care in their old age.
manifest verb
BrE /ˈmænɪfest/ ; NAmE /ˈmænɪfest/ (formal)
1) manifest something (in something) to show something clearly, especially a feeling, an attitude or a quality
synonym demonstrate
ex) His hidden frustration was clearly manifested in his recent journal.
Social tensions were manifested in the recent political crisis.
legacy costs
The costs involved with a company paying increased healthcare fees and other benefit-related costs for its current employees and retired pensioners. It is believed that escalating legacy costs can be a very large contributing factor towards limiting a company’s competitiveness.
Typically, it is the larger, older and more established companies that have problems with spiraling legacy costs, because they have the most pension and healthcare liabilities. In the face of these costs, many companies are taking measures to lower legacy costs as much as possible. One example of this can be seen by the trend of companies changing their employee retirement plans from defined-benefit plans to defined-contribution plans.
ex) Companies like Ford and General Motors groan under the weight of their history, manifested in the legacy costs that are a result of decades of promises to support workers and provide them with health care in their old age.
balloon verb
BrE /bəˈluːn/ ; NAmE /bəˈluːn/
1) [intransitive] balloon (out/up) to suddenly swell out or get bigger
ex) In 1999, General Motors spent $3.6 billion to provide health benefits to 1.2 million workers, retirees and dependents. By 2005 the cost had ballooned to $5.3 billion for 1.1 million.
parts maker noun
a manufacturer producing components for incorporation in assemblies made by another
ex) GM, Ford and the parts maker Delphi have all offered thousands of buyouts as part of efforts to restructure their inefficient manufacturing businesses, trimming payrolls to become more competitive.
buyout noun
BrE /ˈbaɪaʊt/ ; NAmE /ˈbaɪaʊt/
buy out phrasal verb
3) buy out someone’s contract AMERICAN to pay a person or organization the rest of an amount of money that has been promised in a contract so that someone can leave or be forced to leave their job early
ex) GM, Ford and the parts maker Delphi have all offered thousands of buyouts as part of efforts to restructure their inefficient manufacturing businesses, trimming payrolls to become more competitive.
trim verb
BrE /trɪm/ ; NAmE /trɪm/
1) trim something to make something neater, smaller, better, etc., by cutting parts from it
ex) GM, Ford and the parts maker Delphi have all offered thousands of buyouts as part of efforts to restructure their inefficient manufacturing businesses, trimming payrolls to become more competitive.
payroll noun
BrE /ˈpeɪrəʊl/ ; NAmE /ˈpeɪroʊl/
1) a list of people employed by a company showing the amount of money to be paid to each of them
ex) GM, Ford and the parts maker Delphi have all offered thousands of buyouts as part of efforts to restructure their inefficient manufacturing businesses, trimming payrolls to become more competitive.
We have 500 people on the payroll.
2) [usually singular] the total amount paid in wages by a company
The firm is growing fast with a monthly payroll of $1 million.
army noun
BrE /ˈɑːmi/ ; NAmE /ˈɑːrmi/ (pl. armies)
3) [countable + singular or plural verb] a large number of people or things, especially when they are organized in some way or involved in a particular activity
ex) But that means fewer workers supporting armies of retirees, a demographic challenge not unlike the one facing the Social Security system.
not unlike
similar to; a clumsy, noncommittal way of expressing simple similarity
ex) But that means fewer workers supporting armies of retirees, a demographic challenge not unlike the one facing the Social Security system.
She was led into an office not unlike the one she had just left.
Well, yes, I guess it would be fair to say that Bush’s appropriation of power for the executive is not unlike the administration of Hitler’s Germany, but that misses the point.
He looks not unlike Elijah Wood.
concession noun
BrE /kənˈseʃn/ ; NAmE /kənˈseʃn/
1) [countable, uncountable] something that you allow or do, or allow somebody to have, in order to end an argument or to make a situation less difficult
ex) The United Automobile Workers union has already made concessions on the superior health insurance its members receive.
The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike.
to win a concession from somebody
a major/an important concession
She made no concession to his age; she expected him to work as hard as she did.
slash verb
BrE /slæʃ/ ; NAmE /slæʃ/
2) [often passive] slash something (informal) (often used in newspapers) to reduce something by a large amount
ex) But slashing benefits is a short-term approach, and an insufficient answer when GM lost $10.6 billion in 2005.
insufficient adjective
BrE /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt/
insufficient (to do something) | insufficient (for something) (formal) not large, strong or important enough for a particular purpose
synonym inadequate
opposite sufficient
ex) But slashing benefits is a short-term approach, and an insufficient answer when GM lost $10.6 billion in 2005.
insufficient time
His salary is insufficient to meet his needs.
The management paid insufficient attention to working conditions.
There are fears that the existing flood barrier may prove insufficient.
I’m afraid we have insufficient evidence.
lose verb
BrE /luːz/ ; NAmE /luːz/
- red ink noun
** black ink noun
10) [TRANSITIVE] to make less money than you spend or invest
ex) But slashing benefits is a short-term approach, and an insufficient answer when GM lost $10.6 billion in 2005.
The company lost more than £5 million last year.
- a situation in which a company is losing a lot of money
ex) The line between profitability and red ink in a bookstore is so thin that even the little decisions are important.
The parent company has been falling apart for several months, bleeding red ink, and losing clients.
The boom a decade ago has now given way to a sea of red ink.
** profit or break-even; opposite of red ink (loss)
- Medicare
** Medicaid
- In the United States, Medicare is a national social insurance program, administered by the U.S. federal government since 1966, currently using about 30 private insurance companies across the United States. Medicare provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older who have worked and paid into the system. It also provides health insurance to younger people with disabilities, end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
** Medicaid in the United States is a social health care program for families and individuals with low income and limited resources. The Health Insurance Association of America describes Medicaid as a “government insurance program for persons of all ages whose income and resources are insufficient to pay for health care”. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with low income in the United States. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments and managed by the states, with each state currently having broad leeway to determine who is eligible for its implementation of the program. States are not required to participate in the program, although all currently do.[when?] Medicaid recipients must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and may include low-income adults, their children, and people with certain disabilities. Poverty alone does not necessarily qualify someone for Medicaid.
hammer out something
1) to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made
ex) In an ideal world, America would joint the overwhelming majority of developed countries and hammer out some kind of national health care system.
to hammer out a compromise
failing preposition
BrE /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
used to introduce a suggestion that could be considered if the one just mentioned is not possible; if that is not possible
ex) Failing such a sudden and unlikely onset of sanity, creative solutions are needed.
Ask a friend to recommend a doctor or, failing that, ask for a list in your local library.
Buy her some flowers, or failing that, just send her a card.
Appointments are available on the 2nd and the 6th of this month but failing either of those, we could fit you in on the 15th.
strike a bargain/deal
to make an agreement with somebody in which both sides have an advantage
ex) Senator Barack Obama has proposed striking a bargain with American automakers to help them with retiree health care costs in exchange for higher fuel efficiency standards.
mileage noun
(also milage)
BrE /ˈmaɪlɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪlɪdʒ/
2) [uncountable, countable] the number of miles that a vehicle can travel using a particular amount of fuel
synonym fuel efficiency/economy
ex) Senator Barack Obama has proposed striking a bargain with American automakers to help them with retiree health care costs in exchange for higher fuel efficiency standards.
If you drive carefully you can get better mileage from your car.
This car has great mileage.
bully verb
BrE /ˈbʊli/ ; NAmE /ˈbʊli/
to frighten or hurt a weaker person; to use your strength or power to make somebody do something
ex) Cyberbullying is an imprecise label for online activities ranging from barrages of teasing texts to sexually harassing group sites.
imprecise adjective
BrE /ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs/
not giving exact details or making something clear
synonym inaccurate
opposite precise
ex) Cyberbullying is an imprecise label for online activities ranging from barrages of teasing texts to sexually harassing group sites.
The witness’s descriptions were too imprecise to be of any real value.
barrage noun
BrE /ˈbærɑːʒ/ ; NAmE /bəˈrɑːʒ/
2) [singular] barrage (of something) a large number of something, such as questions or comments, that are directed at somebody very quickly, one after the other, often in an aggressive way
ex) Cyberbullying is an imprecise label for online activities ranging from barrages of teasing texts to sexually harassing group sites.
a barrage of questions/criticisms/complaints
the media’s barrage of attacks on the President’s wife
harass verb
BrE /ˈhærəs/ ; NAmE /ˈhærəs/ ; BrE /həˈræs/ ; NAmE /həˈræs/
- molest verb
BrE /məˈlest/ ; NAmE /məˈlest/
** assault verb
BrE /əˈsɔːlt/ ; NAmE /əˈsɔːlt/
1) [often passive] harass somebody to annoy or worry somebody by putting pressure on them or saying or doing unpleasant things to them
ex) Cyberbullying is an imprecise label for online activities ranging from barrages of teasing texts to sexually harassing group sites.
He has complained of being harassed by the police.
- 1) molest somebody to attack somebody, especially a child, sexually
synonym abuse
** 1) assault somebody to attack somebody violently, especially when this is a crime
ex) He has been charged with assaulting a police officer.
Four women have been sexually assaulted in the area recently.
He admitted indecently assaulting the child.
Many healthcare workers say they have been physically assaulted by patients.
quantify verb
BrE /ˈkwɒntɪfaɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈkwɑːntɪfaɪ/
quantify something to describe or express something as an amount or a number
ex) The extent of the phenomenon is hard to quantify.
The risks to health are impossible to quantify.
wilful adjective(especially British English)
(usually North American English willful)
BrE /ˈwɪlfl/ ; NAmE /ˈwɪlfl/ (disapproving)
1) [usually before noun] (formal, disapproving or law) (of a bad or harmful action) done deliberately, although the person doing it knows that it is wrong
ex) But one 2010 study by the Cyberbullying Research Center, an organization founded by two criminologists who defined bullying as “willful and repeated harm” inflicted through phones and computers, said one in five middle-school students had been affected.
inflict verb
BrE /ɪnˈflɪkt/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈflɪkt/
to make somebody/something suffer something unpleasant
ex) Even if your intention was good, such behaviors inflict pain and suffering on those who are on the receiving end of them.
They inflicted a humiliating defeat on the home team.
Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy.
(humorous) Do you have to inflict that music on us?
They surveyed the damage inflicted by the storm.
The rodent’s sharp teeth can inflict a nasty bite.
When someone deliberately inflicts damage, it is a matter for the police.
morph verb
BrE /mɔːf/ ; NAmE /mɔːrf/
- metamorphosis noun
BrE /ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsɪs/ (pl. metamorphoses BrE /ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsiːz/ ; NAmE /metəˈmɔːrfəsiːz/ )countable, uncountable
2) [intransitive, transitive] morph (somebody/something) (into somebody/something) to change, or make somebody/something change, into something different
ex) The initial awe he felt at the man morphed into affection and then love.
* a process in which somebody/something changes completely into something different 변형, 변태
synonym transformation
ex) the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly
She had undergone an amazing metamorphosis from awkward schoolgirl to beautiful woman.
amorphous adjective
BrE /əˈmɔːfəs/ ; NAmE /əˈmɔːrfəs/ usually before noun
having no definite shape, form or structure
synonym shapeless
ex) Its amorphous nature and the rapidly changing technological landscape have made it difficult for schools and even the courts to address the cyberbullying.
landscape noun
BrE /ˈlændskeɪp/ ; NAmE /ˈlændskeɪp/
2) [SINGULAR] the main features of a situation or activity
ex) Its amorphous nature and the rapidly changing technological landscape have made it difficult for schools and even the courts to address the cyberbullying.
atheist noun
BrE /ˈeɪθiɪst/ ; NAmE /ˈeɪθiɪst/
- agnostic noun
BrE /æɡˈnɒstɪk/ ; NAmE /æɡˈnɑːstɪk/
a person who believes that God does not exist 무신론자
- a person who believes that it is not possible to know whether God exists or not 불가지론자
attorney general noun
BrE /əˌtɜːni ˈdʒenrəl/ ; NAmE /əˌtɜːrni ˈdʒenrəl/ (pl. attorneys general, attorney generals)
1) the most senior legal officer in some countries or states, for example the UK or Canada, who advises the government or head of state on legal matters 법무상
2) the Attorney General the head of the US Department of Justice and a member of the President’s cabinet (= a group of senior politicians who advise the President) 법무장관 (federal level)
attorney general 검찰총장 (state level)
ex) Juicy Campus, a college gossip site, caused so much grief that some colleges blocked it, and some state attorneys general began consumer-protection investigations.
shut something↔down
to stop a factory, shop/store, etc. from opening for business; to stop a machine from working
ex) The site shut down last year.
The computer system will be shut down over the weekend.
intimate adjective
BrE /ˈɪntɪmət/ ; NAmE /ˈɪntɪmət/
4) formal an intimate relationship is a very close personal relationship, especially a sexual one; relating to sex or to a sexual relationship
ex) In September 2010, a freshman at Rutgers University died in an apparent suicide after his roommate secretly filmed him in an intimate encounter and then streamed the video over the Internet.
intimate contact
stream verb
BrE /striːm/ ; NAmE /striːm/
5) [transitive] stream something (computing) to play video or sound on a computer by receiving it as a continuous stream, from the Internet for example, rather than needing to wait until the whole of the material has been downloaded
ex) In September 2010, a freshman at Rutgers University died in an apparent suicide after his roommate secretly filmed him in an intimate encounter and then streamed the video over the Internet.
You can stream the song for a single listen.
The programme was streamed on the Web 24 hours a day.
invasion of privacy
offensive or unjustifiable access obtained to someone’s personality or personal affairs without his or her permission and/or knowledge
ex) His roommate and another classmate were charged with two counts of invasion of privacy for using “the camera to view and transmit a live image.”
kick off something
to start a discussion, a meeting, an event, etc.
synonym open
ex) The news of the death came on the same day that Rutgers kicked off a two-year, campuswide project to teach the importance of civility, with special attention to the use and abuse of new technology.
peer verb
BrE /pɪə(r)/ ; NAmE /pɪr/
[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to look closely or carefully at something, especially when you cannot see it clearly
ex) Now scientists are peering into the brains of alcoholics for clues about the price of excess on thinking, balance, and motor capacity.
deficiency noun
BrE /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ ; NAmE /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ (pl. deficiencies)(formal)
1) [uncountable, countable] deficiency (in/of something) the state of not having, or not having enough of, something that is essential
synonym shortage
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spine. It is produced in the choroid plexuses of the ventricles of the brain. It acts as a cushion or buffer for the brain’s cortex, providing basic mechanical and immunological protection to the brain inside the skull. 뇌척수액
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
gray and white matter
- myelin noun
BrE /ˈmaɪəlɪn/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪəlɪn/ uncountable
Grey matter is where cell bodies of neurons reside in the brain and spinal cord, and white matter is the myelinated axons (유수 축색) that connect it.
- a mixture of proteins and fats that surrounds many nerve cells, increasing the speed at which they send signals
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
subject noun
BrE /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/ ; NAmE /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/ ; BrE /ˈsʌbdʒekt/ ; NAmE /ˈsʌbdʒekt/
4) a person or thing being used to study something, especially in an experiment
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
detrimental adjective
BrE /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ ; NAmE /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/
detrimental (to somebody/something) (formal) harmful
synonym damaging
ex) What’s more, according to NIH (National Institute of Health 미국 국립보건원) researcher Daniel Hommer, the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol abuse are causing organic damage at younger ages than once thought.
Excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to your marriage life.
effect noun
BrE /ɪˈfekt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈfekt/
1) [countable, uncountable] effect (on somebody/something) a change that somebody/something causes in somebody/something else; a result
ex) What’s more, according to NIH (National Institute of Health) researcher Daniel Hommer, the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol abuse are causing organic damage at younger ages than once thought.
as in
It is often used to give more information and clarify, so to make the meaning clear. An extended version of it could be : “by which I mean”
ex) This includes trouble completing simple problem-solving tasks and impulse control, as in saying no to unwanted sexual advances and yes to keeping commitments at work and home.
He is slow, as in he’s not as fast as his brother.
I like tea, as in I drink it every day.
Democracy, as in the running of the country in which everyone has a vote.
A: Do you like chocolate?
B: Like…as in?
A: As in love.
B: Yeah, sure, I love chocolate!
cerebral cortex
대뇌 피질 The cerebral cortex is the most important part of our brain (at least in the field of psychology) because it is what makes us human. The cerebral cortex (sometimes referred to as called “gray matter”, is actually densely packed neurons. We actually are born with more neurons in our cerebral cortex than we have now, but they are young and inexperienced. As you get older the neurons learn to work together forming what we call neural networks. Let’s go back to when you were a kid and your parents taught you how to wipe your own butt. The first time you wiped it was awkward, you probably wiped poo poo everywhere and had to concentrate really hard. The neurons in your cerebral cortex were firing in the pattern of butt wiping for the first time. Every time you wiped your butt afterward, the neurons practice. Pretty soon those bunch of neurons that fire whenever you have to wipe your butt form a butt wiping team called a neural network. Today you probably do not even have to think when you wipe your tushy because your neural network has formed such a cohesive team- congratulations!!!
Now our cerebral cortex is pretty big and full of wrinkles- these wrinkles are call fissures. If you took out your cerebral cortex and ironed out all of the wrinkles it would be as big as a large pizza from Pizzeria Uno (but probably would not taste as good).
Now the cerebral cortex is divided into two hemispheres- the left and right hemispheres. For the most part the hemispheres exhibit what we call Contralateral control: which means the left hemisphere controls the right side of out body and the right hemisphere controls the left side. In general, right handed people (those with a stronger LEFT hemisphere) seem to be better at logical and sequential tasks. Left handed people (those with a stronger RIGHT hemisphere) are better at spatial and creative tasks.
Between the two hemispheres is a band of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. The job of the corpus callosum is to help the two hemispheres communicate with each other. In some cases of people with severe epilepsy, the corpus callosum is surgically removed and the seizure activity decreases. However, these people lose the ability of there hemispheres to communicate to each other- they are called split brain patients. They actually have two separate brains inside their head, and one brain has no idea what the other is doing. For example, for most people the ability to see comes from the left hemisphere (which controls the right field of vision). So if a split brain patient sees an elephant in their left visual field they will not be able to say what they see, but they can write it with their right hand (but not left hand)- get it? Through the process of plasticity (which you should already know) most split brain patients will compensate and find ways for the hemispheres to communicate.
ex) “It’s the first time that it’s been shown that the part of the brain that does thinking, the cerebral cortex, is more affected in women alcoholics than men,” says Hommer.
inpatient noun
BrE /ˈɪnpeɪʃnt/ ; NAmE /ˈɪnpeɪʃnt/
- outpatient noun
BrE /ˈaʊtpeɪʃnt/ ; NAmE /ˈaʊtpeɪʃnt/
a person who stays in a hospital while receiving treatment
ex) The 36 alcohol dependent women enrolled in the Hommer study were recruited from an inpatient treatment program in Bethesda, MD., and compared after a minimum of three weeks of abstinence with men and other with no history of alcohol or other drug problems.
* a person who goes to a hospital for treatment but does not stay there
abstinence noun
BrE /ˈæbstɪnəns/ ; NAmE /ˈæbstɪnəns/
Add to my wordlist
[uncountable] abstinence (from something) (formal) the practice of not allowing yourself something, especially food, alcoholic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons
ex) The 36 alcohol dependent women enrolled in the Hommer study were recruited from an inpatient treatment program in Bethesda, MD., and compared after a minimum of three weeks of abstinence with men and other with no history of alcohol or other drug problems.
withdrawal symptoms noun plural
the unpleasant physical and mental effects that result when you stop doing or taking something, especially a drug, that has become a habit
ex) Each were either binge drinkers or consumed the equivalent of 11-12 drinks a day - enough to experience withdrawal symptoms and blackouts.
take account of something, take something into account
to consider particular facts, circumstances, etc. when making a decision about something
ex) Their brain function was measured by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), which took account of brain shrinkage and tissue damage to gray and white matter.
relative to
1) compared with
ex) Women are thought to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol because they are smaller in size and have a lower proportion of body water relative to fat than men.
How did the control group students do relative to the whole class?
2) FORMAL concerning, or in relation to
ex) Questions have been raised relative to your testimony.
metabolize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /məˈtæbəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /məˈtæbəlaɪz/
metabolize something (biology) to turn food, minerals, etc. in the body into new cells, energy and waste products by means of chemical processes
ex) They also have lower concentrations of a metabolizing enzyme which helps to break alcohol down.
We metabolize alcohol at different rates.
enzyme noun
BrE /ˈenzaɪm/ ; NAmE /ˈenzaɪm/ (biology)
a substance, produced by all living things, which helps a chemical change happen or happen more quickly, without being changed itself
ex) They also have lower concentrations of a metabolizing enzyme which helps to break alcohol down.
Enzymes are essential to the body’s functioning.
inebriated adjective
BrE /ɪˈniːbrieɪtɪd/ ; NAmE /ɪˈniːbrieɪtɪd/ (formal or humorous)
drunk
ex) As a result, they become inebriated more easily.
sobriety noun
BrE /səˈbraɪəti/ ; NAmE /səˈbraɪəti/ uncountable
- sobriety test / breathalyzer test
1) the state of being sober (= not being drunk)
opposite insobriety
ex) Scientists believe that more studies on alcoholic women are needed after short and long periods of sobriety to determine the effects of alcohol on thinking ability, motor skills, and balance - and whether the effects are reversible.
* breathalyzer (breathalyser) a piece of equipment used by the police for checking how much alcohol a driver has drunk. The driver blows into a special bag that measures the amount of alcohol in their breath.
impaired adjective
BrE /ɪmˈpeəd/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈperd/
1) damaged or not functioning normally
ex) “In alcoholic men, even when sober, they still have impaired balance, which has implications for broken hips in older age and other potentially life-threatening health problems such as a decline in mental abilities,” says Edith Sullivan, associate professor of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University and an investigator in an alcohol-related study at Stanford Research Institute.
impaired vision/memory
2) -impaired having the type of physical or mental problem mentioned
ex) hearing-impaired children
Nowadays we say someone is ‘speech-impaired’, not dumb.
the problems faced by people who are visually/hearing impaired
prompt verb
BrE /prɒmpt/ ; NAmE /prɑːmpt/
1) [transitive] to make somebody decide to do something; to cause something to happen
synonym provoke
ex) Hommer thinks his study should prompt researchers to look to other forms of treatment for women who may have alcohol-induced brain damage.
She turned down his offer to drive her home, prompting a burst of tantrums from him.
The discovery of the bomb prompted an increase in security.
His speech prompted an angry outburst from a man in the crowd.
The thought of her daughter’s wedding day prompted her to lose some weight.
look to someone
to hope or expect to get help, advice etc from someone
ex) Hommer thinks his study should prompt researchers to look to other forms of treatment for women who may have alcohol-induced brain damage.
With nowhere else to turn to, the students looked to the notorious English-learning center called WS.
As young children, we looked to our parents for guidance.
They’re looking to me to help improve sales figures.
induce verb
BrE /ɪnˈdjuːs/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈduːs/
2) induce something (formal) to cause something
ex) Hommer thinks his study should prompt researchers to look to other forms of treatment for women who may have alcohol-induced brain damage.
drugs which induce sleep
a drug-induced coma
track record noun
all the past achievements, successes or failures of a person or an organization
ex) “Women alcoholics do not have a good track record of recovery,” he says.
The hermit kingdom has a terrible track record in respecting human rights of its people.
He has a proven track record in marketing.
wreak havoc/destruction
MAINLY JOURNALISM (formal) to cause very great harm or damage
ex) Alcohol can wreak havoc on the brain: everything from self-control to loss of inhibitions.
These policies would wreak havoc on the economy.
Smoking wreaks havoc on your lungs.
inhibition noun
BrE /ˌɪnhɪˈbɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnhɪˈbɪʃn/ ; BrE /ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃn/
1) [countable, uncountable] a shy or nervous feeling that stops you from expressing your real thoughts or feelings
2) [uncountable] (formal) the act of restricting or preventing a process or an action
ex) Alcohol can wreak havoc on the brain: everything from self-control to loss of inhibitions.
ghastly adjective
BrE /ˈɡɑːstli/ ; NAmE /ˈɡæstli/ (ghastlier, ghastliest)
1) (of an event) very frightening and unpleasant, because it involves pain, death, etc.
synonym horrible
3) (informal) (of a person or thing) that you find unpleasant and dislike very much
synonym horrible
ex) It is worth encouraging the signs of economic opening in the world’s ghastliest regime.
not least
especially; particularly
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
George is an excellent manager, not least because he is genuinely willing to listen.
Not least among our difficulties is our lack of funding.
The documentary caused a lot of bad feeling, not least among the workers whose lives it described.
seep verb
BrE /siːp/ ; NAmE /siːp/
[intransitive] + adv./prep. (especially of liquids) to flow slowly and in small quantities through something or into something
synonym trickle
ex) Tantalising hints of change have seeped out of North Korea in recent weeks.
Blood was beginning to seep through the bandages.
Water seeped from a crack in the pipe.
(figurative) Gradually the pain seeped away.
callow adjective
BrE /ˈkæləʊ/ ; NAmE /ˈkæloʊ/ (formal, disapproving) [callower-callowest]
young and without experience
synonym inexperienced
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
a callow youth
confound verb
BrE /kənˈfaʊnd/ ; NAmE /kənˈfaʊnd/ (formal)
1) confound somebody to confuse and surprise somebody
synonym baffle
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists.
watcher noun
BrE /ˈwɒtʃə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈwɑːtʃər/
- observer noun
BrE /əbˈzɜːvə(r)/ ; NAmE /əbˈzɜːrvər/
(often in compounds) a person who watches and studies somebody/something regularly
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
an industry/a market watcher
- a person who watches and studies particular events, situations, etc. and is therefore considered to be an expert on them
ex) a royal observer
slavishly adverb
BrE /ˈsleɪvɪʃli/ ; NAmE /ˈsleɪvɪʃli/ (disapproving)
in a way that follows or copies somebody/something exactly without having any original thought at all
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
keep a tight grip/rein/hold on something
to control something in a very strict way
ex) Not least, the callow Kim Jong Un has confounded Pyongyang-watchers who had predicted that he would slavishly follow his late father’s recipe for keeping an iron grip on power.
The company needs to keep a tight hold on costs this month.
racket noun
BrE /ˈrækɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈrækɪt/
- racketeering noun
BrE /ˌrækəˈtɪərɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˌrækəˈtɪrɪŋ/ uncountable
2) [countable] (informal) a dishonest or illegal way of getting money
ex) The late Kim ran the state as a mafia racket, earning hard currency from drugs, counterfeiting and illicit-arms sales while using his nuclear-weapons programme to blackmail the rest of the world for aid.
a protection/extortion/drugs, etc. racket
- the activity of making money through dishonest or illegal activities
ex) He was charged with fraud and racketeering.
hard currency noun
BrE ; NAmE [uncountable, countable]
money that is easy to exchange for money from another country, because it is not likely to lose its value 경화
ex) The late Kim ran the state as a mafia racket, earning hard currency from drugs, counterfeiting and illicit-arms sales while using his nuclear-weapons programme to blackmail the rest of the world for aid.
The hotel insisted that we pay in hard currency.
Trade was halted because of a hard currency shortage on the island.
counterfeit noun
BrE /ˈkaʊntəfɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈkaʊntərfɪt/ (formal)
- fake noun
BrE /feɪk/ ; NAmE /feɪk/
** forge verb
BrE /fɔːdʒ/ ; NAmE /fɔːrdʒ/
an object that is not genuine, but has been made to look as if it is, in order to trick people into thinking that they are getting the real thing
ex) The late Kim ran the state as a mafia racket, earning hard currency from drugs, counterfeiting and illicit-arms sales while using his nuclear-weapons programme to blackmail the rest of the world for aid.
Despite the introduction of a security shield on the new £10 stamp, counterfeits are costing the postal service millions of pounds a year.
compare forgery
- 1) [transitive] fake something to make something false appear to be genuine, especially in order to cheat somebody
She faked her mother’s signature on the document.
He arranged the accident in order to fake his own death.
** 2) [transitive] forge something to make an illegal copy of something in order to cheat people
ex) to forge a passport/banknote/cheque
He’s getting good at forging his mother’s signature.
New digital techniques can spot paintings that have been forged.
blackmail verb
BrE /ˈblækmeɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈblækmeɪl/
to force somebody to give you money or do something for you by threatening them, for example by saying you will tell people a secret about them
ex) The late Kim ran the state as a mafia racket, earning hard currency from drugs, counterfeiting and illicit-arms sales while using his nuclear-weapons programme to blackmail the rest of the world for aid.
She blackmailed him for years by threatening to tell the newspapers about their affair.
The President said he wouldn’t be blackmailed into agreeing to the terrorists’ demands.
divert verb
BrE /daɪˈvɜːt/ ; NAmE /daɪˈvɜːrt/
divert somebody/something (from something) (to something)
2) divert something to use money, materials, etc. for a different purpose from their original purpose
ex) He diverted lavish resources to the army and to a tiny elite, and he ground nearly everyone else under his platform heel, dispatching perceived enemies to his prison camps in their hundreds of thousands.
dispatch verb
(British English also despatch)
BrE /dɪˈspætʃ/ ; NAmE /dɪˈspætʃ/
1) dispatch somebody/something (to…) (formal) to send somebody/something somewhere, especially for a special purpose
ex) He diverted lavish resources to the army and to a tiny elite, and he ground nearly everyone else under his platform heel, dispatching perceived enemies to his prison camps in their hundreds of thousands.
Troops have been dispatched to the area.
A courier was dispatched to collect the documents.
perceive verb
BrE /pəˈsiːv/ ; NAmE /pərˈsːv/ (formal)
Verb
2) to understand or think of somebody/something in a particular way
synonym see
ex) He diverted lavish resources to the army and to a tiny elite, and he ground nearly everyone else under his platform heel, dispatching perceived enemies to his prison camps in their hundreds of thousands.
This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough.
She did not perceive herself as disabled.
A science degree and artistic interests are often perceived as incompatible.
They were widely perceived to have been unlucky.
prison camp noun
- concentration camp noun
** internment noun
BrE /ɪnˈtɜːnmənt/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈtɜːrnmənt/ [uncountable]
*** Gulag noun
/ˈɡulɑɡ/
a guarded camp where prisoners, especially prisoners of war or political prisoners, are kept
ex) He diverted lavish resources to the army and to a tiny elite, and he ground nearly everyone else under his platform heel, dispatching perceived enemies to his prison camps in their hundreds of thousands.
* a type of prison, often consisting of a number of buildings inside a fence, where political prisoners, etc. are kept in extremely bad conditions
ex) a Nazi concentration camp
** the act of putting somebody in prison during a war or for political reasons, although they have not been charged with a crime
ex) the internment of suspected terrorists
internment camps
*** 1) a system of prison labor camps in the Soviet Union from 1930 to 1955, where many people died
2) gulag any political labor camp
ex) Most obviously the gulag remains; so do the shoot-to-kill orders for North Koreans fleeing to China.
in preposition
BrE /ɪn/ ; NAmE /ɪn/
18) used to show a rate or relative amount
ex) He diverted lavish resources to the army and to a tiny elite, and he ground nearly everyone else under his platform heel, dispatching perceived enemies to his prison camps in their hundreds of thousands.
a gradient of one in five
a tax rate of 22 pence in the pound
paranoid adjective
BrE /ˈpærənɔɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈpærənɔɪd/
(less frequent paranoiac BrE /ˌpærəˈnɔɪɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌpærəˈnɔɪɪk/ ; BrE /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/ ; NAmE /ˌpærəˈnɔɪæk/ )
1) afraid or suspicious of other people and believing that they are trying to harm you, in a way that is not reasonable
ex) In tone, the young Mr. Kim has quickly signalled change from his father’s paranoid rule, and with unexpected verve.
She’s getting really paranoid about what other people say about her.
verve noun
BrE /vɜːv/ ; NAmE /vɜːrv/ [uncountable, singular]
energy, excitement or enthusiasm
synonym gusto
ex) In tone, the young Mr. Kim has quickly signalled change from his father’s paranoid rule, and with unexpected verve.
hardliner noun
BrE /ˌhɑːd ˈlaɪnə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˌhɑːrd ˈlaɪnər/
a person who has very fixed beliefs and who is unlikely or unwilling to change them
ex) Last month he fired the army’s senior general, a hardliner while a civilian was hastily promoted.
a Republican hardliner
reading noun
BrE /ˈriːdɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈriːdɪŋ/
4) [countable] reading (of something) the particular way in which you understand a book, situation, etc.
synonym interpretation
ex) One reading is that Mr. Kim is retreating from his father’s “military-first” stance.
retreat verb
BrE /rɪˈtriːt/ ; NAmE /rɪˈtriːt/
3) [intransitive] + adv./prep. to change your mind about something because of criticism or because a situation has become too difficult
synonym back off (from something)
ex) One reading is that Mr. Kim is retreating from his father’s “military-first” stance.
The government had retreated from its pledge to reduce class sizes.
He told them not to retreat in the face of opposition from the public.
consort noun
BrE /ˈkɒnsɔːt/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːnsɔːrt/
1) the husband or wife of a ruler
ex) Where Kim Jong Il’s consorts were kept out of sight, a stylish young woman has recently appeared by the Great Successor’s side.
the Prince Consort (= the queen’s husband)
grace verb
BrE /ɡreɪs/ ; NAmE /ɡreɪs/ (formal)
2) (usually ironic) to bring honour to somebody/something; to be kind enough to attend or take part in something
ex) Last month the couple graced the front row of a debut concert for the all-girl Moranbong Band, whose miniskirts, Disney cameos and foreign tunes (“My Way”) all broke new ground, for North Korea if nowhere else.
She is one of the finest players ever to have graced the game.
The occasion was graced by the presence of Lord and Lady Thomson.
Will you be gracing us with your presence tonight?
tune noun
BrE /tjuːn/ ; NAmE /tuːn/
a song or piece of music
ex) Last month the couple graced the front row of a debut concert for the all-girl Moranbong Band, whose miniskirts, Disney cameos and foreign tunes (“My Way”) all broke new ground, for North Korea if nowhere else.
a Russian folk tune
the station that plays all your favourite tunes
break new ground
to make a new discovery or do something that has not been done before
ex) Last month the couple graced the front row of a debut concert for the all-girl Moranbong Band, whose miniskirts, Disney cameos and foreign tunes (“My Way”) all broke new ground, for North Korea if nowhere else.
if nowhere else
다른 곳에선 아닐 지 몰라도….
ex) Last month the couple graced the front row of a debut concert for the all-girl Moranbong Band, whose miniskirts, Disney cameos and foreign tunes (“My Way”) all broke new ground, for North Korea if nowhere else.
dub verb
BrE /dʌb/ ; NAmE /dʌb/
2) dub something (into something) to replace the original speech in a film/movie or television programme with words in another language
ex) In public speeches (Kim Jong Il’s were dubbed over by emotional commentary), Mr. Kim says the years of belt-tightening are over.
belt-tightening noun
[uncountable]
- belt-tightening adjective
[only before noun]
changes that are made in order to spend less money
ex) In public speeches (Kim Jong Il’s were dubbed over by emotional commentary), Mr. Kim says the years of belt-tightening are over.
* ex) belt-tightening measures
heir apparent noun
BrE ; NAmE (pl. heirs apparent)
heir apparent (to something)
1) an heir whose right to a rank or title cannot be taken away if another heir is born
2) the person who is most likely to follow another person in a job or position
amount to something
1) to have the same effect as something else
ex) Does this amount to much? The question matters because if the young Kim really is his country’s Gorbachev, then the West should seize every opportunity to help him go further.
This refusal to join the Cabinet amounts to treason in the eyes of many.
charade noun
BrE /ʃəˈrɑːd/ ; NAmE /ʃəˈreɪd/
1) [countable] a situation in which people pretend that something is true when it clearly is not
synonym pretence/pretense
ex) If it is merely another charade, then more pressure needed to be applied to the world’s ugliest regime.
Their whole marriage had been a charade—they had never loved each other.
pressure noun
BrE /ˈpreʃə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpreʃər/
1) [uncountable] the force or weight with which something presses against something else
ex) If it is merely another charade, then more pressure needed to be applied to the world’s ugliest regime.
The nurse applied pressure to his arm to stop the bleeding.
The barriers gave way under the pressure of the crowd.
fit the mould/mold | be from the same mould/mold
to be similar to other people or things or to what is usual
ex) The politics has changed in tone, but it still fits the Kim mould.
He didn’t exactly fit the mould of a typical headteacher.
shoot-to-kill adjective
of or relating to shooting by soldiers or police that is intended to kill rather than disable
ex) Most obviously the gulag remains; so do the shoot-to-kill orders for North Koreans fleeing to China.
a shoot-to-kill policy when a suicide attack is deemed to be imminent
fair noun
BrE /feə(r)/ ; NAmE /fer/
1) (British English also funfair) (North American English also carnival) a type of entertainment in a field or park at which people can ride on large machines and play games to win prizes
ex) And all those smiles and visits to kindergartens and funfairs also fit a pattern - not of the father but the grandfather.
Let’s take the kids to the fair.
all the fun of the fair
depict verb
BrE /dɪˈpɪkt/ ; NAmE /dɪˈpɪkt/ (rather formal)
2) to describe something in words, or give an impression of something in words or with a picture
ex) Kim Il Sung, the dynasty’s brutal founder, had himself depicted in his propaganda as the country’s parent-in-chief, tucking children into bed.
commander-in-chief noun
BrE ; NAmE
(abbreviation C.-in-C.)
(pl. commanders-in-chief)
the officer who commands all the armed forces of a country or all its forces in a particular area 최고 사령관, 총 사령관
ex) Kim Il Sung, the dynasty’s brutal founder, had himself depicted in his propaganda as the country’s parent-in-chief, tucking children into bed.
commander-in-chief of the armed forces
tuck verb
BrE /tʌk/ ; NAmE /tʌk/
3) tuck something + adv./prep. to cover somebody with something so that they are warm and comfortable
ex) Kim Il Sung, the dynasty’s brutal founder, had himself depicted in his propaganda as the country’s parent-in-chief, tucking children into bed.
She tucked a blanket around his legs.
infantilism noun
BrE /ɪnˈfæntɪlɪzəm/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈfæntɪlɪzəm/ [uncountable] (psychology)
the fact of adults continuing to behave like children, in a way that is not normal 유아증
ex) The imagery of state-sponsored infantilism persists: North Koreans are a pure, innocent race historically abused by outside powers - Japan, America and even China.
persist verb
BrE /pəˈsɪst/ ; NAmE /pərˈsɪst/
2) [intransitive] to continue to exist
ex) The imagery of state-sponsored infantilism persists: North Koreans are a pure, innocent race historically abused by outside powers - Japan, America and even China.
The belief that the earth was flat persisted for many centuries.
If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
uncannily adverb
BrE /ʌnˈkænɪli/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈkænɪli/
in a way that seems strange and is difficult to explain
synonym weirdly
ex) Kim Jong Un even looks uncannily like his grandfather.
He looked uncannily like someone I knew.
vie verb
BrE /vaɪ/ ; NAmE /vaɪ/ intransitive
present simple I / you / we / they vie BrE /vaɪ/ ; NAmE /vaɪ/
he / she / it vies BrE /vaɪz/ ; NAmE /vaɪz/
past simple vied BrE /vaɪd/ ; NAmE /vaɪd/
past participle vied BrE /vaɪd/ ; NAmE /vaɪd/
-ing form vying BrE /ˈvaɪɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈvaɪɪŋ/
to compete strongly with somebody in order to obtain or achieve something
synonym compete
ex) The fact that North Koreans were so much better off in the cold-war days (when China and the Soviet Union vied to provide aid) sadly reinforces the nostalgia: the people in Mr. Kim’s broken country earn less, eat less and use less electricity than they did 25 years ago.
She was surrounded by men all vying for her attention.
The boys would vie with each other to impress her.
They are all vying for a place in the team.
a row of restaurants vying with each other for business
Screaming fans vied to get closer to their idol.
monolithic adjective
BrE /ˌmɒnəˈlɪθɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌmɑːnəˈlɪθɪk/
2) (often disapproving) used to describe single, very large organizations, etc. that are very slow to change and not interested in individual people
ex) The economy appears to be becoming both more open (though not yet to South Korea) and less monolithic.
the monolithic structure of the state
come to nothing/naught/nought, not come to anything
to be unsuccessful; to have no successful result
ex) In the past, economic reform has come to nothing.
Years of efforts to bring North Korea closer to the South have come to naught.
How sad that all his hard work should come to nothing.
Her plans didn’t come to anything.
rationing noun
BrE /ˈræʃənɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈræʃənɪŋ/ [uncountable]
- ration verb
BrE /ˈræʃn/ ; NAmE /ˈræʃn/
the policy of limiting the amount of food, fuel, etc. that people are allowed to have when there is not enough for everyone to have as much as they want
ex) A decade ago, after the famine, price controls and rationing were scrapped, mainly because nothing was left to ration.
The government may have to introduce water rationing.
wartime rationing (= introduced during a war)
credit rationing (= limiting the amount of money that people are allowed to borrow)
The government introduced meat rationing in May.
- [often passive] to limit the amount of something that somebody is allowed to have, especially because there is not enough of it available
ex) ration something Eggs were rationed during the war.
These foods had to be strictly rationed.
The villagers are rationed to two litres of water a day.
scrap verb
BrE /skræp/ ; NAmE /skræp/
1) [transitive, often passive] scrap something to cancel or get rid of something that is no longer practical or useful
ex) A decade ago, after the famine, price controls and rationing were scrapped, mainly because nothing was left to ration.
confiscation noun
BrE /ˌkɒnfɪˈskeɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːnfɪˈskeɪʃn/ [uncountable, countable]
the act of officially taking something away from somebody, especially as a punishment
ex) In 2009 a currency “reform” amounted to a confiscation of hard-won savings, rendering north Koreans even more dependent on the state.
If found guilty of this crime they face heavy fines, confiscation of goods and even imprisonment.
render verb
BrE /ˈrendə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈrendər/
1) render somebody/something + adj. (formal) to cause somebody/something to be in a particular state or condition
synonym make
ex) In 2009 a currency “reform” amounted to a confiscation of hard-won savings, rendering north Koreans even more dependent on the state.
The drug renders you completely powerless.
The introduction of Electra, South Korea’s first all-electric vehicle, rendered all other hybrid models obsolete.
obsolete adjective
BrE /ˈɒbsəliːt/ ; NAmE /ˌɑːbsəˈliːt/
no longer used because something new has been invented
synonym out of date
ex) The introduction of Electra, South Korea’s first all-electric vehicle, rendered all other hybrid models obsolete.
obsolete technology
With technological changes many traditional skills have become obsolete.
trump verb
BrE /trʌmp/ ; NAmE /trʌmp/
2) trump something/somebody to beat something that somebody says or does by saying or doing something even better; to win or to succeed, for example in sports or business, because you have an advantage that your opponent does not have
ex) Violent political control has always trumped all.
Money trumps love.
They were trumped by another firm that made a lower bid.
잃을 게 어딨냐?
But by encouraging trade and teaching North Koreans the very basics of a market economy, what is there to lose?
crony noun
BrE /ˈkrəʊni/ ; NAmE /ˈkroʊni/ usually plural(often disapproving)
a person that somebody spends a lot of time with
ex) A few cronies will get richer. But other North Koreans will be a little less impoverished, and that bit better prepared for the day when the vile Kim dynasty goes.
Crony capitalism
He was playing cards with his cronies.
impoverished adjective
BrE /ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃt/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈpɑːvərɪʃt/
- destitute adjective
BrE /ˈdestɪtjuːt/ ; NAmE /ˈdestɪtuːt/
** live (from) hand to mouth
*** scratch a living
1) very poor; without money
ex) A few cronies will get richer. But other North Koreans will be a little less impoverished, and that bit better prepared for the day when the vile Kim dynasty goes.
impoverished peasants
the impoverished areas of the city
- 1) without money, food and the other things necessary for life
ex) When he died, his family was left completely destitute.
** to have just enough money or food to stay alive
*** to manage to earn only just enough money to live
ex) The farmer somehow managed to scratch a living from the arid land.
prenatal adjective
BrE /ˌpriːˈneɪtl/ ; NAmE /ˌpriːˈneɪtl/ (especially North American English)
(British English also antenatal)
- neonatal adjective
BrE /ˌniːəʊˈneɪtl/ ; NAmE /ˌniːoʊˈneɪtl/ (specialist)
relating to the medical care given to pregnant women 태아기의
ex) New prenatal testing will bring anxiety and dilemmas.
* connected with a child that has just been born 신생아의
ex) the hospital’s neonatal unit
neonatal care
assurance noun
BrE /əˈʃʊərəns/ , /əˈʃɔːrəns/ ; NAmE /əˈʃʊrəns/
1) [countable] a statement that something will certainly be true or will certainly happen, particularly when there has been doubt about it
synonym guarantee, promise
ex) If you could peer into your baby’s medical future, what traits would you most want assurance about?
They called for assurances that the government is committed to its education policy.
Unemployment seems to be rising, despite repeated assurances to the contrary.
genome noun
BrE /ˈdʒiːnəʊm/ ; NAmE /ˈdʒiːnoʊm/ (biology)
the complete set of genes in a cell or living thing 게놈, 유전체
ex) In June, a team at the University of Washington in Seattle announced a new technique that enables the construction of a comprehensive genome sequence - a genetic “blueprint,” as they described it - of the developing fetus from as early as the first trimester.
the human genome
trimester noun
BrE /traɪˈmestə(r)/ ; NAmE /traɪˈmestər/
1) (medical) a period of three months during the time when a woman is pregnant
ex) In June, a team at the University of Washington in Seattle announced a new technique that enables the construction of a comprehensive genome sequence - a genetic “blueprint,” as they described it - of the developing fetus from as early as the first trimester.
2) one of the three periods in the year during which classes are held in schools, universities, etc. (=term)
the spring/summer/autumn/fall term
Many students now have paid employment during term.
(British English) It’s nearly the end of term.
(North American English) the end of the term
isolate verb
BrE /ˈaɪsəleɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈaɪsəleɪt/
3) isolate something (from something) (specialist) to separate a single substance, cell, etc. from others so that you can study it
ex) Both techniques rely on the fact that fetal DNA circulates in the mother’s bloodstream and can be isolated and sequenced.
Researchers are still trying to isolate the gene that causes this abnormality.
saliva noun
BrE /səˈlaɪvə/ ; NAmE /səˈlaɪvə/ [uncountable]
the liquid that is produced in your mouth that helps you to swallow food
ex) The Seattle test needs only a sample of saliva or blood from the father and blood from the mother. After determining the parents’ genomes, it is possible to discern which DNA comes from the fetus. The Stanford test requires only maternal blood.
discern verb
BrE /dɪˈsɜːn/ ; NAmE /dɪˈsɜːrn/ (not used in the progressive tenses)(formal)
1) to know, recognize or understand something, especially something that is not obvious
synonym detect
ex) The Seattle test needs only a sample of saliva or blood from the father and blood from the mother. After determining the parents’ genomes, it is possible to discern which DNA comes from the fetus. The Stanford test requires only maternal blood.
maternal adjective
BrE /məˈtɜːnl/ ; NAmE /məˈtɜːrnl/
- paternal adjective
BrE /pəˈtɜːnl/ ; NAmE /pəˈtɜːrnl/
** fraternal adjective
BrE /frəˈtɜːnl/ ; NAmE /frəˈtɜːrnl/ [usually before noun]
2) connected with being a mother
ex) The Seattle test needs only a sample of saliva or blood from the father and blood from the mother. After determining the parents’ genomes, it is possible to discern which DNA comes from the fetus. The Stanford test requires only maternal blood.
Maternal age affects the baby’s survival rate.
the effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy
- 1) connected with being a father; typical of a kind father
ex) paternal love
He gave me a piece of paternal advice.
Her weakness made him feel very paternal towards her.
** 2) connected with the relationship that exists between brothers
ex) fraternal rivalry
invasive adjective
BrE /ɪnˈveɪsɪv/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈveɪsɪv/ (formal)
- non-invasive adjective
BrE ; NAmE
2) (of medical treatment) involving cutting into the body
invasive surgery
- (of medical treatment) not involving cutting into the body
ex) Both tests are noninvasive, thus avoiding the 2 percent risk of miscarriage posed by today’s most common prenatal genetic tests: amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
non-invasive procedures such as ultrasound
Chorionic villus sampling
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test in which a sample of chorionic villi is removed from the placenta for testing. The sample can be taken through the cervix (transcervical) or the abdominal wall (transabdominal). 융모막 채취 (Chorionic villus: 융모막 융모)
ex) Both tests are noninvasive, thus avoiding the 2 percent risk of miscarriage posed by today’s most common prenatal genetic tests: amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
amniocentesis noun
BrE /ˌæmniəʊsenˈtiːsɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌæmnioʊsenˈtiːsɪs/ [uncountable, singular]
- amniotic fluid noun
BrE /ˌæmniɒtɪk ˈfluːɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌæmniɑːtɪk ˈfluːɪd/ [uncountable]
a medical test that involves taking some liquid from a pregnant woman’s womb in order to find out if the baby has particular illnesses or health problems 양수천자, 양수진단
ex) Both tests are noninvasive, thus avoiding the 2 percent risk of miscarriage posed by today’s most common prenatal genetic tests: amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
Pregnant women over the age of 35 will be offered (an) amniocentesis.
- the liquid that surrounds a baby inside the mother’s womb 양수
amniotic sac noun
the fluid-filled sac that contains and protects a fetus in the womb.
ex) These require a needle to be inserted into the amniotic sac so that the fetal DNA can be tested for Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders.
chromosomal adjective
BrE /ˌkrəʊməˈsəʊməl/ ; NAmE /ˌkroʊməˈsoʊməl/
(biology) connected with one or more chromosomes 염색체의
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
cystic fibrosis noun
BrE /ˌsɪstɪk faɪˈbrəʊsɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌsɪstɪk faɪˈbroʊsɪs/ [uncountable]
a serious medical condition that some people are born with, in which glands in the lungs and other organs do not work correctly. It often leads to infections and can result in early death. 낭포성 섬유증
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
Trisomy 13 [tráisoumi] (Patau syndrome)
Trisomy 13, also called Patau syndrome, is a chromosomal condition associated with severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities in many parts of the body. Individuals with trisomy 13 often have heart defects, brain or spinal cord abnormalities, very small or poorly developed eyes (microphthalmia), extra fingers or toes, an opening in the lip (a cleft lip) with or without an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate), and weak muscle tone (hypotonia). Due to the presence of several life-threatening medical problems, many infants with trisomy 13 die within their first days or weeks of life. Only five percent to 10 percent of children with this condition live past their first year. 3염색체성 13, 13번 3염색체증후군, 파타우증후군
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects development in females. The most common feature of Turner syndrome is short stature, which becomes evident by about age 5. An early loss of ovarian function (ovarian hypofunction or premature ovarian failure) is also very common. The ovaries develop normally at first, but egg cells (oocytes) usually die prematurely and most ovarian tissue degenerates before birth. Many affected girls do not undergo puberty unless they receive hormone therapy, and most are unable to conceive (infertile). A small percentage of females with Turner syndrome retain normal ovarian function through young adulthood.
About 30 percent of females with Turner syndrome have extra folds of skin on the neck (webbed neck), a low hairline at the back of the neck, puffiness or swelling (lymphedema) of the hands and feet, skeletal abnormalities, or kidney problems. One third to one half of individuals with Turner syndrome are born with a heart defect, such as a narrowing of the large artery leaving the heart (coarctation of the aorta) or abnormalities of the valve that connects the aorta with the heart (the aortic valve). Complications associated with these heart defects can be life-threatening.
Most girls and women with Turner syndrome have normal intelligence. Developmental delays, nonverbal learning disabilities, and behavioral problems are possible, although these characteristics vary among affected individuals. 터너 증후군, (여자의) 성선 발육 장애 증후군
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
Klinefelter syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects male physical and cognitive development. Its signs and symptoms vary among affected individuals.
Affected individuals typically have small testes that do not produce as much testosterone as usual. Testosterone is the hormone that directs male sexual development before birth and during puberty. A shortage of testosterone can lead to delayed or incomplete puberty, breast enlargement (gynecomastia), reduced facial and body hair, and an inability to have biological children (infertility). Some affected individuals also have genital differences including undescended testes (cryptorchidism), the opening of the urethra on the underside of the penis (hypospadias), or an unusually small penis (micropenis).
Older children and adults with Klinefelter syndrome tend to be taller than their peers. Compared with unaffected men, adults with Klinefelter syndrome have an increased risk of developing breast cancer and a chronic inflammatory disease called systemic lupus erythematosus. Their chance of developing these disorders is similar to that of women in the general population.
Children with Klinefelter syndrome may have learning disabilities and delayed speech and language development. They tend to be quiet, sensitive, and unassertive, but personality characteristics vary among affected individuals. 클라인펠터 증후군 (남성의 성염색체 이상으로 인한 선천성 질환)
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
Fragile X syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment. Usually, males are more severely affected by this disorder than females.
Affected individuals usually have delayed development of speech and language by age 2. Most males with fragile X syndrome have mild to moderate intellectual disability, while about one-third of affected females are intellectually disabled. Children with fragile X syndrome may also have anxiety and hyperactive behavior such as fidgeting or impulsive actions. They may have attention deficit disorder (ADD), which includes an impaired ability to maintain attention and difficulty focusing on specific tasks. About one-third of individuals with fragile X syndrome have features of autism spectrum disorders that affect communication and social interaction. Seizures occur in about 15 percent of males and about 5 percent of females with fragile X syndrome.
Most males and about half of females with fragile X syndrome have characteristic physical features that become more apparent with age. These features include a long and narrow face, large ears, a prominent jaw and forehead, unusually flexible fingers, flat feet, and in males, enlarged testicles (macroorchidism) after puberty.
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes.
Phenylketonuria (commonly known as PKU) [fènlkì:tounjúəriə]
Phenylketonuria (commonly known as PKU) is an inherited disorder that increases the levels of a substance called phenylalanine in the blood. Phenylalanine is a building block of proteins (an amino acid) that is obtained through the diet. It is found in all proteins and in some artificial sweeteners. If PKU is not treated, phenylalanine can build up to harmful levels in the body, causing intellectual disability and other serious health problems.
The signs and symptoms of PKU vary from mild to severe. The most severe form of this disorder is known as classic PKU. Infants with classic PKU appear normal until they are a few months old. Without treatment, these children develop permanent intellectual disability. Seizures, delayed development, behavioral problems, and psychiatric disorders are also common. Untreated individuals may have a musty or mouse-like odor as a side effect of excess phenylalanine in the body. Children with classic PKU tend to have lighter skin and hair than unaffected family members and are also likely to have skin disorders such as eczema.
Less severe forms of this condition, sometimes called variant PKU and non-PKU hyperphenylalaninemia, have a smaller risk of brain damage. People with very mild cases may not require treatment with a low-phenylalanine diet.
Babies born to mothers with PKU and uncontrolled phenylalanine levels (women who no longer follow a low-phenylalanine diet) have a significant risk of intellectual disability because they are exposed to very high levels of phenylalanine before birth. These infants may also have a low birth weight and grow more slowly than other children. Other characteristic medical problems include heart defects or other heart problems, an abnormally small head size (microcephaly), and behavioral problems. Women with PKU and uncontrolled phenylalanine levels also have an increased risk of pregnancy loss.
ex) The existing prenatal tests can also spot other chromosomal abnormalities, including cystic fibrosis, trisomy 13, and Turner, Klinefelter, and fragile-X syndromes. 페닐케톤뇨증
False positives (“false alarm”) and false negatives
In medical testing, and more generally in binary classification, a false positive is an error in data reporting in which a test result improperly indicates presence of a condition, such as a disease (the result is positive), when in reality it is not, while a false negative is an error in which a test result improperly indicates no presence of a condition (the result is negative), when in reality it is present. These are the two kinds of errors in a binary test (and are contrasted with a correct result, either a true positive or a true negative.) They are also known in medicine as a false positive (respectively negative) diagnosis, and in statistical classification as a false positive (respectively negative) error.
In statistical hypothesis testing the analogous concepts are known as type I and type II errors, where a positive result corresponds to rejecting the null hypothesis, and a negative result corresponds to not rejecting the null hypothesis. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are differences in detail and interpretation due to the differences between medical testing and statistical hypothesis testing. 위양성 / 위음성
ex) The test will also produce false positives that frighten parents into thinking their child will have a disability when in fact he or she will be healthy.
for that matter
used to add a comment on something that you have just said
ex) The test will also produce false positives that frighten parents into thinking their child will have a disability when in fact he or she will be healthy. For that matter, what is “healthy” anyway?
I didn’t like it much. Nor did the kids, for that matter.
propensity noun
BrE /prəˈpensəti/ ; NAmE /prəˈpensəti/ (pl. propensities)(formal)
a tendency to a particular kind of behaviour
synonym inclination
ex) The price of genetic knowledge can be high because of the anxiety caused by the knowledge of a propensity for a disease that has no known treatment or cure, or that may never appear.
He showed a propensity for violence.
They all knew about his propensity for violence.
She has a propensity to exaggerate.
There is an increased propensity for people to live alone.
past preposition
BrE /pɑːst/ ; NAmE /pæst/
3) above or further than a particular point or stage
ex) If abortion is not an option, perhaps because the fetus is past the maximum gestation period or because of moral beliefs, the information can be useless - or worse than useless, thanks to the needless anxiety.
Unemployment is now past the 3 million mark.
The flowers are past their best.
He’s past his prime.
She’s long past retirement age.
Honestly, I’m past caring what happens (= I can no longer be bothered to care).
gestation noun
BrE /dʒeˈsteɪʃn/ ; NAmE /dʒeˈsteɪʃn/
1) [uncountable, singular] the time that the young of a person or an animal develops inside its mother’s body until it is born; the process of developing inside the mother’s body
ex) If abortion is not an option, perhaps because the fetus is past the maximum gestation period or because of moral beliefs, the information can be useless - or worse than useless, thanks to the needless anxiety.
a baby born at 38 weeks’ gestation
The gestation period of a horse is about eleven months.
dearth noun
BrE /dɜːθ/ ; NAmE /dɜːrθ/
[singular] dearth (of something) a lack of something; the fact of there not being enough of something
synonym scarcity
ex) moreover, the dearth of treatment options for some disorders makes the information medically useless, but potentially risky if insurers use it to hike rates or deny coverage.
There was a dearth of reliable information on the subject.
infantile adjective
BrE /ˈɪnfəntaɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈɪnfəntaɪl/
2) [only before noun] (formal or specialist) connected with babies or very young children
ex) For example, children with the infantile form of Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease go into an immediate, inexorable decline.
Tay-Sachs disease [téisǽks]
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare inherited disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord.
The most common form of Tay-Sachs disease becomes apparent in infancy. Infants with this disorder typically appear normal until the age of 3 to 6 months, when their development slows and muscles used for movement weaken. Affected infants lose motor skills such as turning over, sitting, and crawling. They also develop an exaggerated startle reaction to loud noises. As the disease progresses, children with Tay-Sachs disease experience seizures, vision and hearing loss, intellectual disability, and paralysis. An eye abnormality called a cherry-red spot, which can be identified with an eye examination, is characteristic of this disorder. Children with this severe infantile form of Tay-Sachs disease usually live only into early childhood.
Other forms of Tay-Sachs disease are very rare. Signs and symptoms can appear in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and are usually milder than those seen with the infantile form. Characteristic features include muscle weakness, loss of muscle coordination (ataxia) and other problems with movement, speech problems, and mental illness. These signs and symptoms vary widely among people with late-onset forms of Tay-Sachs disease. 테이색스병 ((흑내장성(黑內障性) 백치))
ex) For example, children with the infantile form of Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease go into an immediate, inexorable decline.
Canavan disease
Canavan disease is a rare inherited disorder that damages the ability of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain to send and receive messages. This disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called leukodystrophies. Leukodystrophies disrupt the growth or maintenance of the myelin sheath, which is the covering that protects nerves and promotes the efficient transmission of nerve impulses.
Neonatal/infantile Canavan disease is the most common and most severe form of the condition. Affected infants appear normal for the first few months of life, but by age 3 to 5 months, problems with development become noticeable. These infants usually do not develop motor skills such as turning over, controlling head movement, and sitting without support. Other common features of this condition include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), an unusually large head size (macrocephaly), and irritability. Feeding and swallowing difficulties, seizures, and sleep disturbances may also develop.
The mild/juvenile form of Canavan disease is less common. Affected individuals have mildly delayed development of speech and motor skills starting in childhood. These delays may be so mild and nonspecific that they are never recognized as being caused by Canavan disease.
The life expectancy for people with Canavan disease varies. Most people with the neonatal/infantile form live only into childhood, although some survive into adolescence or beyond. People with the mild/juvenile form do not appear to have a shortened lifespan. 카나반병
ex) For example, children with the infantile form of Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease go into an immediate, inexorable decline.
inexorable adjective
BrE /ɪnˈeksərəbl/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈeksərəbl/ (formal)
(of a process) that cannot be stopped or changed
synonym relentless
ex) For example, children with the infantile form of Tay-Sachs or Canavan disease go into an immediate, inexorable decline.
the inexorable rise of crime
This is where the inexorable logic of the theory breaks down.
entail verb
BrE /ɪnˈteɪl/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈteɪl/
to involve something that cannot be avoided
synonym involve
ex) But what of genes that entail a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, typical prostate cancers, or Huntington’s?
The job entails a lot of hard work.
What does the job actually entail?
The girls learn exactly what is entailed in caring for a newborn baby.
It will entail driving a long distance every day.
Huntington disease (Huntington’s disease)
Huntington disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and loss of thinking ability (cognition).
Adult-onset Huntington disease, the most common form of this disorder, usually appears in a person’s thirties or forties. Early signs and symptoms can include irritability, depression, small involuntary movements, poor coordination, and trouble learning new information or making decisions. Many people with Huntington disease develop involuntary jerking or twitching movements known as chorea. As the disease progresses, these movements become more pronounced. Affected individuals may have trouble walking, speaking, and swallowing. People with this disorder also experience changes in personality and a decline in thinking and reasoning abilities. Individuals with the adult-onset form of Huntington disease usually live about 15 to 20 years after signs and symptoms begin.
A less common form of Huntington disease known as the juvenile form begins in childhood or adolescence. It also involves movement problems and mental and emotional changes. Additional signs of the juvenile form include slow movements, clumsiness, frequent falling, rigidity, slurred speech, and drooling. School performance declines as thinking and reasoning abilities become impaired. Seizures occur in 30 percent to 50 percent of children with this condition. Juvenile Huntington disease tends to progress more quickly than the adult-onset form; affected individuals usually live 10 to 15 years after signs and symptoms appear. 헌팅턴 무도병 (유전성 중추신경 질환)
ex) But what of genes that entail a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, typical prostate cancers, or Huntington’s?
institutionalize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənəlaɪz/
1) institutionalize somebody to send somebody who is not capable of living independently to live in a special building (= an institution) especially when it is for a long period of time
ex) Fifty years ago, parents were often advised to institutionalize affected children.
condition noun
BrE /kənˈdɪʃn/ ; NAmE /kənˈdɪʃn/
3) [countable] an illness or a medical problem that you have for a long time because it is not possible to cure it
ex) Today, people with the condition mostly live in mainstream society and have found wide acceptance.
a medical condition
He suffers from a serious heart condition.
compel verb
BrE /kəmˈpel/ ; NAmE /kəmˈpel/ (formal)
1) to force somebody to do something; to make something necessary
ex) Should there be regulations that compel a physician or the parents to alert siblings and other who may be at high risk of harboring the gene?
The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children.
I feel compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your book.
The court has powers to compel witnesses to attend.
Last year ill health compelled his retirement.
opt out (of something)
- opt in (to something)
1) to choose not to take part in something
ex) Should doctors have to disclose this, or should parents be able to opt out of being informed?
Employees may opt out of the company’s pension plan.
- to choose to be part of a system or an agreement
away adverb
BrE /əˈweɪ/ ; NAmE /əˈweɪ/
1) to or at a distance from somebody/something in space or time
ex) Whole-genome fetal sequencing is still years away from being used in the real world.
The beach is a mile away.
Christmas is still months away.
The station is a few minutes’ walk away from here.
splash down
(of a spacecraft) to land in the sea or ocean
ex) The first commercial spacecraft to carry cargo to the International Space Station splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, completing a three-week mission that was mostly successful though far from flawless.
They are due to splash down in the Pacific tomorrow.
atop preposition
BrE /əˈtɒp/ ; NAmE /əˈtɑːp/ (especially North American English)
(old-fashioned or literary in BrE) on top of; at the top of
ex) A small California technology company, Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, launched its cargo-carrying capsule atop its Falcon 9 rocket on Oct. 7 and almost immediately encountered a problem when one of the rocket’s nine engines shut down shortly after liftoff.
a flag high atop a pole
a scoop of ice cream atop a slice of apple pie
The children piled atop one another in the sand.
Fruit and vegetable prices rose 1.3 per cent atop a 2 per cent gain last month.
Coca-Cola is atop the list of best-selling soft drinks in the US.
capsule noun
BrE /ˈkæpsjuːl/ ; NAmE /ˈkæpsl/ , /ˈkæpsuːl/
3) the part of a spacecraft in which people travel and that often separates from the main rocket
ex) A small California technology company, Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, launched its cargo-carrying capsule atop its Falcon 9 rocket on Oct. 7 and almost immediately encountered a problem when one of the rocket’s nine engines shut down shortly after liftoff.
the cramped conditions of a space capsule
orbit noun
BrE /ˈɔːbɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːrbɪt/
1) [countable, uncountable] a curved path followed by a planet or an object as it moves around another planet, star, moon, etc.
ex) That mishap did not prevent the cargo from reaching the station, but it did make it impossible to place a secondary payload, a prototype communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
the earth’s orbit around the sun
a space station in orbit round the moon
A new satellite has been put into orbit around the earth.
payload noun
BrE /ˈpeɪləʊd/ ; NAmE /ˈpeɪloʊd/ (specialist)
4) the equipment carried by a spacecraft or satellite
ex) That mishap did not prevent the cargo from reaching the station, but it did make it impossible to place a secondary payload, a prototype communications satellite, into the proper orbit.
fall out
1) to become loose and drop
ex) The satellite’s owner, Orbcomm, said it had achieved some useful test results before the satellite fell out of orbit and burned up in the atmosphere, so it was not a total failure.
His hair is falling out.
My tooth fell out.
burn up
1) to be destroyed by heat
ex) The satellite’s owner, Orbcomm, said it had achieved some useful test results before the satellite fell out of orbit and burned up in the atmosphere, so it was not a total failure.
The spacecraft burned up as it entered the earth’s atmosphere.
All the date we’ve collected over the years have burned up.
turn something↔over to somebody
to give the control of something to somebody
ex) Now NASA is trying to turn over the routine tasks of carrying cargo - and eventually, astronauts - to the space station while it focuses its human spaceflight program on exploration of the inner solar system.
mundane adjective
BrE /mʌnˈdeɪn/ ; NAmE /mʌnˈdeɪn/ (often disapproving)
not interesting or exciting
synonym dull, ordinary
ex) Although it was not perfect, the outing shows that private companies can carry out relatively mundane tasks like space cargo transport.
a mundane task/job
I lead a pretty mundane existence.
On a more mundane level, can we talk about the timetable for next week?
rover noun
BrE /ˈrəʊvə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈroʊvər/ (literary)
- rove verb
BrE /rəʊv/ ; NAmE /roʊv/
a person who likes to travel a lot rather than live in one place
ex) He was a rover and an adventurer who finally settled down and married in old age.
* 1) [intransitive, transitive] (formal) to travel from one place to another, often with no particular purpose
synonym roam
ex) A quarter of a million refugees roved around the country.
bands of thieves who roved the countryside
band noun
BrE /bænd/ ; NAmE /bænd/
3) [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who do something together or who have the same ideas
ex) bands of thieves who roved the countryside
a band of outlaws
He persuaded a small band of volunteers to help.
depraved adjective
BrE /dɪˈpreɪvd/ ; NAmE /dɪˈpreɪvd/ (formal)
morally bad
synonym wicked, evil
ex) In what is being described as a landmark case, a British woman has secured a court order obliging Facebook to reveal the identity of “cyberbullies” who targeted her with an online campaign of “vicious and depraved” abuse.
This is the work of a depraved mind.
robust adjective
BrE /rəʊˈbʌst/ ; NAmE /roʊˈbʌst/
3) (of a system or an organization) strong and not likely to fail or become weak
ex) In a robust example of a victim fighting back, 45-year-old Nicola Brookes intends to use the information to mount a private prosecution against her tormentors.
robust economic growth
mount verb
BrE /maʊnt/ ; NAmE /maʊnt/
1) [transitive] mount something to organize and begin something
synonym arrange
ex) In a robust example of a victim fighting back, 45-year-old Nicola Brookes intends to use the information to mount a private prosecution against her tormentors.
to mount a protest/campaign/an exhibition
We are mounting a campaign to recruit more volunteers.
Government forces have mounted an attack on a rebel base.
tormentor noun
BrE /tɔːˈmentə(r)/ ; NAmE /tɔːrˈmentər/ (formal)
a person who causes somebody to suffer
ex) In a robust example of a victim fighting back, 45-year-old Nicola Brookes intends to use the information to mount a private prosecution against her tormentors.
The dog suddenly turned on its tormentors.
case noun
BrE /keɪs/ ; NAmE /keɪs/
- strong case / weak case
6) [countable, usually singular] case (for/against something) a set of facts or arguments that support one side in a trial, a discussion, etc.
ex) Ms. Brookes appears to have a strong case.
the case for the defence/prosecution
Our lawyer didn’t think we had a case (= had enough good arguments to win in a court of law).
the case for/against private education
The report makes out a strong case (= gives good arguments) for spending more money on hospitals.
You will each be given the chance to state your case.
pedophile noun(North American English) (British English paedo-) BrE /ˈpiːdəʊfaɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈpiːdoʊfaɪl/
- pedophilia noun(North American English)
(British English paedo-)
BrE /ˌpiːdəˈfɪliə/ ; NAmE /ˌpiːdəˈfɪliə/ [uncountable]
a person who is sexually attracted to children 소아(성)애 병자
ex) As part of a months-long online attack, a fake Facebook profile was set up in her name that falsely portrayed her as a pedophile and a drug dealer.
* the condition of being sexually attracted to children; sexual activity with children 소아(성)애
innumerable adjective
BrE /ɪˈnjuːmərəbl/ ; NAmE /ɪˈnuːmərəbl/
too many to be counted; very many
synonym countless
ex) Her experience was one of innumerable cases of online bullying and “trolling” that in some cases has led to the suicide of those targeted.
Innumerable books have been written on the subject.
alongside preposition
BrE /əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd/ ; NAmE /əˌlɔːŋˈsaɪd/ , /əˌlɑːŋˈsaɪd/
2) together with or at the same time as something/somebody
ex) However, free speech advocates have warned against the dangers of an overreaction to a worldwide phenomenon that has grown alongside the expansion of the Internet.
Traditional beliefs still flourish alongside a modern urban lifestyle.
the First Amendment noun [singular]
the statement in the US Constitution that protects freedom of speech and religion and the right to meet in peaceful groups (미국 헌법) 수정 조항 제1조 (언론/종교/집회의 자유를 정한 조항)
ex) In the United States, proposals to control online media have raised First Amendment concerns.
indecent adjective
BrE /ɪnˈdiːsnt/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈdiːsnt/
1) (of behaviour, talk, etc.) thought to be morally offensive, especially because it involves sex or being naked
ex) In Britain, the 1988 Malicious Communications Act makes it an offense to post indecent or grossly offensive material.
malice noun
BrE /ˈmælɪs/ ; NAmE /ˈmælɪs/ [uncountable]
a feeling of hatred for somebody that causes a desire to harm them
ex) He sent the letter out of malice.
She is entirely without malice.
He certainly bears you no malice (= does not want to harm you).
The ghosts are described as if they bear actual malice towards humans.
grossly adverb
BrE /ˈɡrəʊsli/ ; NAmE /ˈɡroʊsli/ (disapproving)
(used to describe unpleasant qualities) extremely
ex) In Britain, the 1988 Malicious Communications Act makes it an offense to post indecent or grossly offensive material.
grossly overweight/unfair/inadequate
Press reports have been grossly exaggerated.
run up against something
to experience a difficulty
ex) However, many of the hundreds of investigations that have been pursued have run up against the problem of identifying the perpetrators.
The government is running up against considerable opposition to its tax reforms.
perpetrator noun
BrE /ˈpɜːpətreɪtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpɜːrpətreɪtər/
(also North American English, informal perp)
a person who commits a crime or does something that is wrong or evil
ex) However, many of the hundreds of investigations that have been pursued have run up against the problem of identifying the perpetrators.
the perpetrators of the crime
We will do everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
contest verb
BrE /kənˈtest/ ; NAmE /kənˈtest/
2) contest something to formally oppose a decision or statement because you think it is wrong
ex) It did not contest her action in the London High Court and said it would hand over material that might help to locate the cyberbullies.
to contest a will (= try to show that it was not correctly made in law)
The divorce was not contested.
press for something
- call for | call on somebody to
to keep asking for something
synonym demand, push for
ex) After a series of high-profile cases, the Cybersmile Foundation charity has been set up to raise awareness of the dangers lurking on the Internet and to press for cyberbullying to be made a clearly defined criminal offense in Britain.
* ex) We are calling on the government to enforce tougher standards.
He called for a law to be set up to punish those perpetrators.
lurker noun
[C] /ˈlɜː.k.ər/ US /ˈlɝː.k.ɚ/
someone who reads the messages in a chat room without taking part
backlash noun
BrE /ˈbæklæʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈbæklæʃ/
[singular] backlash (against something) | backlash (from somebody) a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, for example to something that has recently changed in society
ex) There are concerns, however, that a public backlash against cyberbullying could create its own abuses.
The government is facing an angry backlash from voters over the new tax.
condemn verb
BrE /kənˈdem/ ; NAmE /kənˈdem/
1) to say publicly that you think someone or something is bad or wrong
ex) Joan Smith, a columnist writing in The Independent newspaper in Britain, condemned the abuse as stupid and unfeeling, but also accused the court that sentenced the student of bowing to public opinion.
unfeeling adjective
BrE /ʌnˈfiːlɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈfiːlɪŋ/
- callous adjective
BrE /ˈkæləs/ ; NAmE /ˈkæləs/
not showing care or sympathy for other people
ex) Joan Smith, a columnist writing in The Independent newspaper in Britain, condemned the abuse as stupid and unfeeling, but also accused the court that sentenced the student of bowing to public opinion.
an unfeeling attitude
Her eyes were cold and unfeeling.
- not caring about other people’s feelings or suffering
ex) a callous killer/attitude/act
a callous disregard for the feelings of others
bow to something
to agree unwillingly to do something because other people want you to
ex) Joan Smith, a columnist writing in The Independent newspaper in Britain, condemned the abuse as stupid and unfeeling, but also accused the court that sentenced the student of bowing to public opinion.
They finally bowed to pressure from the public.
She bowed to the inevitable (= accepted a situation in which she had no choice) and resigned.
custodial adjective
BrE /kʌˈstəʊdiəl/ ; NAmE /kʌˈstoʊdiəl/ usually before noun
- put him into custody
1) involving sending somebody to prison
ex) “A custodial sentence is wildly excessive and has worrying implications for freedom of expression, which is too important a subject to be brushed aside on grounds of ‘public outrage,’ “ she wrote.
The judge gave him a custodial sentence (= sent him to prison).
brush aside somebody
to ignore somebody/something; to treat somebody/something as unimportant; to refuse to accept that something is important or true
synonym dismiss
ex) “A custodial sentence is wildly excessive and has worrying implications for freedom of expression, which is too important a subject to be brushed aside on grounds of ‘public outrage,’ “ she wrote.
The minister brushed aside accusations that he had lied.
He brushed aside my fears.
ground noun
BrE /ɡraʊnd/ ; NAmE /ɡraʊnd/
8) [countable, usually plural] ground for something/for doing something a good or true reason for saying, doing or believing something
ex) “A custodial sentence is wildly excessive and has worrying implications for freedom of expression, which is too important a subject to be brushed aside on grounds of ‘public outrage,’ “ she wrote.
He was fired on the ground that he intentionally leaked a secret company document to another company.
You have no grounds for complaint.
What were his grounds for wanting a divorce?
The case was dismissed on the grounds that there was not enough evidence.
He retired from the job on health grounds.
Employers cannot discriminate on grounds of age.
ridicule verb
BrE /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/ ; NAmE /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/
ridicule somebody/something to make somebody/something look silly by laughing at them or it in an unkind way
synonym make fun of somebody/something
ex) The comedian Isabel Fay and fellow artists just posted a YouTube video featuring a song that ridicules online bullies who have targeted them.
brink noun
BrE /brɪŋk/ ; NAmE /brɪŋk/ [singular]
- brinkmanship noun
BrE /ˈbrɪŋkmənʃɪp/ ; NAmE /ˈbrɪŋkmənʃɪp/
(North American English also brinksmanship BrE /ˈbrɪŋksmənʃɪp/ ; NAmE /ˈbrɪŋksmənʃɪp/ )
[uncountable]
1) the brink (of something) if you are on the brink of something, you are almost in a very new, dangerous or exciting situation
ex) Stepping closer to the nuclear brink
on the brink of collapse/war/death/disaster
Scientists are on the brink of making a major new discovery.
He’s pulled the company back from the brink (= he has saved it from disaster).
teetering/poised/hovering on the brink
animals hovering on the very brink of extinction
2) (literary) the extreme edge of land, for example at the top of a cliff or by a river
the brink of the precipice
- the activity, especially in politics, of getting into a situation that could be very dangerous in order to frighten people and make them do what you want
ex) engaged in a deadly game of political brinkmanship
reclusive adjective
BrE /rɪˈkluːsɪv/ ; NAmE /rɪˈkluːsɪv/
living alone and avoiding other people
opposite sociable, gregarious (1)
ex) Whether or not the reclusive Kim Jong Il shows up in person for his national shindig on February 16th, the fireworks have begun.
a reclusive millionaire
shindig noun
BrE /ˈʃɪndɪɡ/ ; NAmE /ˈʃɪndɪɡ/ (informal)
a big noisy party
ex) Whether or not the reclusive Kim Jong Il shows up in person for his national shindig on February 16th, the fireworks have begun.
shady adjective
BrE /ˈʃeɪdi/ ; NAmE /ˈʃeɪdi/ (shadier, shadiest)
3) [usually before noun] (informal) seeming to be dishonest or illegal
ex) North Korea’s announcement, not just that it has built nuclear weapons (it has said that before), but that it is suspending indefinitely its participation in six-party talks that America, China and others had been hoping would end its shady nuclear dealings, is an attempt to put the blame on the Bush administration for the nuclear impasse.
impasse noun
BrE /ˈæmpɑːs/ ; NAmE /ˈɪmpæs/ [usually singular]
- stand-off noun
BrE ; NAmE
a difficult situation in which no progress can be made because the people involved cannot agree what to do
synonym deadlock/standoff/stalemate
ex) North Korea’s announcement, not just that it has built nuclear weapons (it has said that before), but that it is suspending indefinitely its participation in six-party talks that America, China and others had been hoping would end its shady nuclear dealings, is an attempt to put the blame on the Bush administration for the nuclear impasse.
to break/end the impasse
Negotiations have reached an impasse.
The Governor attempted to resolve Minnesota’s current budget impasse.
The proposal offered both sides a way out of the diplomatic impasse.
- stand-off (between A and B) a situation in which no agreement can be reached
ex) North Korea had yet to respond to an American proposal last June that would offer economic assistance and security guarantees, as North Korea has demanded, but only if Mr. Kim agrees to the verifiable dismantling of both his nuclear programmes: the plutonium programme that had been frozen until two years ago under a 1994 deal with America, and the uranium-enrichment activity that America accuses him of carrying on in secret, and that led to the late
poser noun
BrE /ˈpəʊzə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpoʊzər/
1) (informal) a difficult question or problem
synonym puzzler
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
cajole verb
BrE /kəˈdʒəʊl/ ; NAmE /kəˈdʒoʊl/ [transitive, intransitive]
to make somebody do something by talking to them and being very nice to them
synonym coax
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
He cajoled me into agreeing to do the work.
I managed to cajole his address out of them.
‘Please say yes,’ she cajoled.
Her voice was soft and cajoling.
pull out (of something)
- pull-out noun
2) to move away from something or stop being involved in it
synonym withdraw
ex) Pulling out of the talks will only deepen North Korea’s isolation, said Condoleezza Rice, America’s secretary of state.
The project became so expensive that we had to pull out.
- an act of taking an army away from a particular place; an act of taking an organization out of a system
ex) The general ordered a pull-out from the area.
have yet to do something
used for saying that something has not happened or been done up to the present time, especially when you think it should have happened or been done
ex) North Korea had yet to respond to an American proposal last June that would offer economic assistance and security guarantees, as North Korea has demanded, but only if Mr. Kim agrees to the verifiable dismantling of both his nuclear programmes: the plutonium programme that had been frozen until two years ago under a 1994 deal with America, and the uranium-enrichment activity that America accuses him of carrying on in secret, and that led to the latest stand-off.
I have yet to get the report done.
The Scottish Office has yet to make a formal announcement.
The film, starring Robert Carlyle, has yet to open in the Far East.
The group has yet to find a replacement for the director who left in September.
verifiable adjective
BrE /ˈverɪfaɪəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈverɪfaɪəbl/ (formal)
that can be checked to show whether it is true or accurate
ex) North Korea had yet to respond to an American proposal last June that would offer economic assistance and security guarantees, as North Korea has demanded, but only if Mr. Kim agrees to the verifiable dismantling of both his nuclear programmes: the plutonium programme that had been frozen until two years ago under a 1994 deal with America, and the uranium-enrichment activity that America accuses him of carrying on in secret, and that led to the latest stand-off.
a verifiable fact/claim
dismantling noun
BrE /dɪsˈmæntlɪŋ/ ; NAmE /dɪsˈmæntlɪŋ/ [uncountable]
2) the process of ending an organization or system gradually in an organized way
ex) North Korea had yet to respond to an American proposal last June that would offer economic assistance and security guarantees, as North Korea has demanded, but only if Mr. Kim agrees to the verifiable dismantling of both his nuclear programmes: the plutonium programme that had been frozen until two years ago under a 1994 deal with America, and the uranium-enrichment activity that America accuses him of carrying on in secret, and that led to the latest stand-off.
The demonstrations were provoked by the dismantling of public services.
huff noun
[C] UK /hʌf/ US /hʌf/ informal
an angry and offended mood
ex) He blames his latest huff on Ms. Rice, who recently lumped North Korea among the “outposts of tyranny.”
dollop noun
BrE /ˈdɒləp/ ; NAmE /ˈdɑːləp/ (informal)
1) a lump of soft food, often dropped from a spoon
ex) a dollop of whipped cream
2) an amount of something
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
A dollop of romance now and then is good for everybody.
prop something↔up
1) to prevent something from falling by putting something under it to support it
synonym shore up
ex) They had to prop up the tree with long poles under the branches.
2) (often disapproving) to help something that is having difficulties
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
The government was accused of propping up declining industries.
rash adjective
BrE /ræʃ/ ; NAmE /ræʃ/
(of people or their actions) doing something that may not be sensible without first thinking about the possible results; done in this way
synonym reckless
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
a rash young man
It would be rash to assume that everyone will agree with you on this.
Think twice before doing anything rash.
This is what happens when you make rash decisions.
forge ahead (with something)
to move forward quickly; to make a lot of progress quickly; to make strong steady progress
ex) South Korea has forged ahead with economic co-operation, including links across the otherwise heavily fortified border.
The company is forging ahead with its plans for expansion.
Quick learners should be allowed to forge ahead.
Export sales continue to forge ahead.
He forged ahead with his plans.
fortify verb
BrE /ˈfɔːtɪfaɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪ/
1) fortify something (against somebody/something) to make a place more able to resist attack, especially by building high walls
ex) South Korea has forged ahead with economic co-operation, including links across the otherwise heavily fortified border.
a fortified town
They fortified the area against attack.
centrifuge noun
BrE /ˈsentrɪfjuːdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈsentrɪfjuːdʒ/
a machine with a part that spins around to separate substances, for example liquids from solids, by forcing the heavier substance to the outer edge 원심 분리기
ex) Tests by America’s Department of Energy have convinced American officials that North Korea may well have supplied the uranium hexafluoride gas - partly-processed uranium which can be spun in centrifuge machines to make enriched uranium for either civilian or military uses - that Libya turned over to inspectors a year ago when it abandoned its once secret nuclear-weapons programme.
fuel rod noun
BrE ; NAmE (specialist)
a long thin piece of fuel used in a nuclear power station 연료봉
ex) America accepts that North Korea has probably finished extracting the plutonium (enough for half a dozen bombs) from spent fuel-roads previously stored under the 1994 deal near its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon; it will soon be able to unload more rods from the reactor for reprocessing.
bipartisan adjective
BrE /ˌbaɪpɑːtɪˈzæn/ ; NAmE /ˌbaɪˈpɑːrtɪzn/
involving two political parties with different ideas or policies
ex) But the idea that America should set aside its uranium concerns is given a bipartisan rebuttal in the current issue of Foreign Affairs by Robert Gallucci, who negotiated the 1994 plutonium deal with North Korea under the Clinton administration, and Mitchell Reiss, the just departed head of policy planning in the Bush administration’s State Department.
The new bill on cyberbullying is getting bipartisan support.
a bipartisan policy
The Bill before Congress has bipartisan support.
bipartisan support for the bill
rebuttal noun
BrE /rɪˈbʌtl/ ; NAmE /rɪˈbʌtl/ countable, uncountable
- rebut verb
BrE /rɪˈbʌt/ ; NAmE /rɪˈbʌt/
** rebuff verb
BrE /rɪˈbʌf/ ; NAmE /rɪˈbʌf/ rebuff something(formal)
*** refute verb
BrE /rɪˈfjuːt/ ; NAmE /rɪˈfjuːt/ (formal)
the act of saying or proving that a statement or criticism is false
synonym refutation
ex) But the idea that America should set aside its uranium concerns is given a bipartisan rebuttal in the current issue of Foreign Affairs by Robert Gallucci, who negotiated the 1994 plutonium deal with North Korea under the Clinton administration, and Mitchell Reiss, the just departed head of policy planning in the Bush administration’s State Department.
* rebut something (formal) to say or prove that a statement or criticism is false
** to refuse a friendly offer, request or suggestion in an unkind way
*** refute something to prove that something is wrong
departed adjective
BrE /dɪˈpɑːtɪd/ ; NAmE /dɪˈpɑːrtɪd/ only before noun
- late adjective
BrE /leɪt/ ; NAmE /leɪt/ (later, latest)
1) dead. People say ‘departed’ to avoid saying ‘dead’
ex) your dear departed brother
* 4) [only before noun] (formal) (of a person) no longer alive
ex) her late husband
the late Paul Newman
2) the departed noun (pl. the departed) the person who has died
ex) According to the story, the spirit of the departed returns to inhabit his wife.
3) used to refer to something that happened in the past and is finished
ex) But the idea that America should set aside its uranium concerns is given a bipartisan rebuttal in the current issue of Foreign Affairs by Robert Gallucci, who negotiated the 1994 plutonium deal with North Korea under the Clinton administration, and Mitchell Reiss, the just departed head of policy planning in the Bush administration’s State Department.
The old man talked about the departed triumphs of his youth.
covert adjective
BrE /ˈkʌvət/ , /ˈkəʊvɜːt/ ; NAmE /ˈkoʊvɜːrt/
- overt adjective
BrE /əʊˈvɜːt/ ; NAmE /oʊˈvɜːrt/ ; BrE /ˈəʊvɜːt/ ; NAmE /ˈoʊvɜːrt/ usually before noun
(formal) secret or hidden, making it difficult to notice
ex) Turning a blind eye to evidence of North Korea’s enrichment work would, they argue, leave Mr. Kim with a covert supply of fissile material, whether for bomb making or for export, including to terrorist groups.
covert operations/surveillance
He stole a covert glance at her across the table.
Every measure, both overt and covert, is being taken against terrorists.
- done in an open way and not secretly
ex) There was little overt support for the project.
an overt display of affection
in effect
1) used when you are stating what the facts of a situation are
ex) So far, despite its tough line, says Gary Samore, of the London-based IISS, America has in effect acquiesced in North Korea’s becoming a covert nuclear power.
In effect, the two systems are identical.
His wife had, in effect, run the government for the past six months.
By asking for these particular qualifications, you are, in effect, excluding most women from applying.
acquiesce verb
BrE /ˌækwiˈes/ ; NAmE /ˌækwiˈes/
[intransitive] acquiesce (in/to something) (formal) to accept something without arguing, even if you do not really agree with it
ex) So far, despite its tough line, says Gary Samore, of the London-based IISS, America has in effect acquiesced in North Korea’s becoming a covert nuclear power.
Senior government figures must have acquiesced in the cover-up.
She explained her plan and reluctantly he acquiesced.
on land, at sea, and in the air.
ex) But that is only part of the story. Its exports of missiles and imports of illicit nuclear goods are being disrupted on land, at sea and in the air under the American-led proliferation security initiative, which Russia has formally joined and which even China has said a few kind words about.
In this lesson, we will look specifically at the way World War I was waged on land, at sea, and in the air.
narcotic noun
BrE /nɑːˈkɒtɪk/ ; NAmE /nɑːrˈkɑːtɪk/
1) (formal) a powerful illegal drug that affects the mind in a harmful way. Heroin and cocaine are narcotics.
* narcotics [ONLY BEFORE NOUN] relating to illegal drugs
ex) Its narcotics and counterfeiting activities are being squeezed too.
narcotics abuse (=taking illegal drugs)
narcotics trafficking (=selling narcotics)
a narcotics agent (= a police officer investigating the illegal trade in drugs)
`queeze verb
BrE /skwiːz/ ; NAmE /skwiːz/
5) [transitive] squeeze somebody/something to strictly limit or reduce the amount of money that somebody/something has or can use
ex) Its narcotics and counterfeiting activities are being squeezed too.
High interest rates have squeezed the industry hard.
intrigue noun
BrE /ˈɪntriːɡ/ ; NAmE /ˈɪntriːɡ/ ; BrE /ɪnˈtriːɡ/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈtriːɡ/
1) [uncountable] the activity of making secret plans in order to achieve an aim, often by tricking people
ex) Meanwhile, there have been reports of political intrigues and even some limited anti-regime protests.
political intrigue
The young heroine steps into a web of intrigue in the academic world.
quell verb
BrE /kwel/ ; NAmE /kwel/ (formal)
1) quell something/somebody to stop something such as violent behaviour or protests
ex) Mr. Kim may soon pick one of his sons as the next dynast-designate, in part to quell rumours that he is losing his grip.
Extra police were called in to quell the disturbances.
(figurative) She started to giggle, but Bob quelled her with a look.
lash out | lash out at somebody | lash out at something
1) to suddenly try to hit somebody/something
She suddenly lashed out at the boy.
2) to criticize somebody in an angry way
ex) Lashing out under pressure is a Kim trademark. So is demanding hefty bribes, from China and others, for better behaviour. Mr. Kim may yet change his mind again about the nuclear talks. But expect him to take his time about it.
In a bitter article he lashed out at his critics.
hefty adjective
BrE /ˈhefti/ ; NAmE /ˈhefti/ (heftier, heftiest)
2) (informal) (of an amount of money) large; larger than usual or expected
ex) Lashing out under pressure is a Kim trademark. So is demanding hefty bribes, from China and others, for better behaviour. Mr. Kim may yet change his mind again about the nuclear talks. But expect him to take his time about it.
They sold it easily and made a hefty profit.
Interest rates have gone up to a hefty 12%.
She will have to pay a pretty hefty fine if she is caught.
poster child noun
BrE ; NAmE
(also poster boy, poster girl)
(especially North American English)
2) HUMOROUS someone or something that represents a particular quality, idea, or activity
ex) They are the poster species of the country’s tourism marketing - the face of its national pride.
William is a poster child for incompetence.
reignite verb
BrE /ˌriːɪɡˈnaɪt/ ; NAmE /ˌriːɪɡˈnaɪt/ [intransitive, transitive]
to start burning again; to make something start burning again
ex) So no wonder a legal bid to ban visitors from the heart of conservation zones, with its potential impact on income, has reignited the debate over the connections between wildlife tourism and conservation.
The oven burners reignite automatically if blown out.
You may need to reignite the pilot light.
(figurative) Their passion was reignited by a romantic trip to Venice.
far-flung adjective
BrE ; NAmE usually before noun
1) a long distance away
ex) expeditions to the far-flung corners of the world
2) spread over a wide area
ex) The once far-flung realm of our planet’s largest cat species has been squeezed to a few poorly connected areas - mainly public, protected zones.
a newsletter that helps to keep all our far-flung graduates in touch
realm noun
BrE /relm/ ; NAmE /relm/
1) an area of activity, interest, or knowledge
ex) The once far-flung realm of our planet’s largest cat species has been squeezed to a few poorly connected areas - mainly public, protected zones.
in the realm of literature
At the end of the speech he seemed to be moving into the realms of fantasy.
unrelenting adjective
BrE /ˌʌnrɪˈlentɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnrɪˈlentɪŋ/ (formal)
1) (of an unpleasant situation) not stopping or becoming less severe
synonym relentless
ex) All are the unrelenting target of poachers controlled by gangs that supply the trade in tiger parts for traditional “medicine” in China and Southeast Asia.
unrelenting pressure
The heat was unrelenting.
2) if a person is unrelenting, they continue with something without considering the feelings of other people
synonym relentless
ex) He was unrelenting in his search for the truth about his father.
poacher noun
BrE /ˈpəʊtʃə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpoʊtʃər/
1) a person who illegally hunts birds, animals or fish on somebody’s else’s property
ex) All are the unrelenting target of poachers controlled by gangs that supply the trade in tiger parts for traditional “medicine” in China and Southeast Asia.
The measures are designed to protect the fish from poachers.
allow for somebody | allow for something
to consider or include somebody/something when calculating something
ex) As a result, the total Bengal tiger population has recovered slowly during recent decades, even allowing for inaccuracies in counts.
The number of students at the hagwon has plummeted over the past year even allowing for the moribund state of the entire hagwon industry in Korea.
It will take about an hour to get there, allowing for traffic delays.
All these factors must be allowed for.
moribund adjective
BrE /ˈmɒrɪbʌnd/ ; NAmE /ˈmɔːrɪbʌnd/ , /ˈmɑːrɪbʌnd/ (formal)
1) (of an industry, an institution, a custom, etc.) no longer effective and about to come to an end completely
ex) The number of students at the hagwon has plummeted over the past year even allowing for the moribund state of the entire hagwon industry in Korea.
a moribund company/economy
2) in a very bad condition; dying
ex) a moribund patient/tree
plight noun
BrE /plaɪt/ ; NAmE /plaɪt/
[singular] a difficult and sad situation
ex) Increasing awareness of the animal’s plight is one component of conservation efforts, and tiger tourism is part of this.
the plight of the homeless
The African elephant is in a desperate plight.
reserve noun
BrE /rɪˈzɜːv/ ; NAmE /rɪˈzɜːrv/
2) (North American English also preserve) [countable] a piece of land that is a protected area for animals, plants, etc.
ex) Tiger reserves receive tens to hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, which can cause crowds (though this pales in comparison with some wildlife parks in other countries, which get tens of millions of visitors).
a wildlife reserve
pale beside/next to something, pale in/by comparison (with/to something), pale into insignificance
to seem less important when compared with something else
ex) Tiger reserves receive tens to hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, which can cause crowds (though this pales in comparison with some wildlife parks in other countries, which get tens of millions of visitors).
Last year’s riots pale in comparison with this latest outburst of violence.
Our problems pale into insignificance when compared to theirs.
in-migration noun
- in-migrate verb
** in-migrant noun
migration into one community, region, or country from another
- to move into or come to live in a region or community especially as part of a large-scale and continuing movement of population
ex) The animals are adversely affected by direct disturbance, new infrastructure, and human in-migration.
hold/keep somebody/something at bay
to prevent an enemy from coming close or a problem from having a bad effect
synonym ward off
ex) yet crucially, parks agencies and local communities have become dependent on tourism funding, and much of it pays for work that keeps poachers at bay - the key conservation concern for Bengal tigers.
I’m trying to keep my creditors at bay.
Charlotte bit her lip to hold the tears at bay.
lead the way
to be the first to do something, especially to achieve success, and to show others how to do it
ex) In the principal tiger state of Madhya Pradesh, which arguably leads the way in its management of nature reserves, tourism revenue is used to fund programs for local villagers, who act as gatekeepers against poachers.
It is a country that has always led the way in its conservation policies.
not nearly
much less than; not at all; nowhere near
ex) These villagers also have an effect on tigers, but neither they nor the tourists are nearly as severe a threat as poaching.
It’s not nearly as hot as last year.
There isn’t nearly enough time to get there now.
mitigate verb
BrE /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/
mitigate something (formal) to make something less harmful, serious, etc.
synonym alleviate
ex) Visitors who come to see tigers bring their own problems, but these can be mitigated.
action to mitigate poverty
Soil erosion was mitigated by the planting of trees.
protocol noun
BrE /ˈprəʊtəkɒl/ ; NAmE /ˈproʊtəkɔːl/ , /ˈproʊtəkɑːl/
1) [U] the system of rules and acceptable behaviour used at official ceremonies and occasions
ex) This leads to breaches of minimal-impact wildlife-watching protocols, which aim to restrict vehicle speeds, animal-approach distances, and crowding.
a breach of Royal protocol
diplomatic protocol
crowd verb
BrE /kraʊd/ ; NAmE /kraʊd/
1) (intransitive) to gather together in large numbers; throng
ex) This leads to breaches of minimal-impact wildlife-watching protocols, which aim to restrict vehicle speeds, animal-approach distances, and crowding.
reliance noun
BrE /rɪˈlaɪəns/ ; NAmE /rɪˈlaɪəns/
- reliant adjective
BrE /rɪˈlaɪənt/ ; NAmE /rɪˈlaɪənt/
[uncountable, singular] reliance (on/upon somebody/something) the state of needing somebody/something in order to survive, be successful, etc.; the fact of being able to rely on somebody/something
synonym dependence
ex) India is a great example of the growing reliance of conservation on tourism, but it is widespread.
Heavy reliance on one client is risky when you are building up a business.
Such learning methods encourage too great a reliance upon the teacher.
The study programme concentrates more on group work and places less reliance on (= depends less on) lectures.
I wouldn’t place too much reliance on (= trust) these figures.
an increasing reliance on overseas aid
- reliant on/upon somebody/something needing somebody/something in order to survive, be successful, etc.
synonym dependent
ex) A recent analysis I and my colleagues have done shows that conservation of many such species has become reliant on revenue from tourism to a previously unsuspected degree.
The hostel is heavily reliant upon charity.
Businesses have become increasingly reliant on complicated computing systems.
The service has become heavily reliant on government support.
unsuspected adjective
BrE /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/
not predicted or known; that you were not previously aware of
ex) A recent analysis I and my colleagues have done shows that conservation of many such species has become reliant on revenue from tourism to a previously unsuspected degree.
Scientists are investigating the previously unsuspected side effects of the drug.
dry up
2) if a supply of something dries up, there is gradually less of it until there is none left
ex) On one hand, this brings new opportunities for conservation funding, but on the other, dependence on such an uncertain income creates a new vulnerability, were it to suddenly dry up.
As she got older, offers of modelling work began to dry up.
unrest noun
BrE /ʌnˈrest/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈrest/ [uncountable]
a political situation in which people are angry and likely to protest or fight; disagreements or fighting between different groups of people
ex) In Madagascar, Nepal, and Zimbabwe, where tourism collapsed following unrest, many threatened species suffered greatly increased poaching.
industrial/civil/social/political/popular unrest
There is growing unrest in the south of the country.
feral adjective
BrE /ˈferəl/ ; NAmE /ˈferəl/
(of animals) living wild, especially after escaping from life as a pet or on a farm
ex) It is not just poachers that are a problem: Bushmeat hunters, logging and mining, invasive weeds, feral animals, hydro dams, and power lines are all threats.
feral cats
(figurative) He looked at me with a feral grin (= like a wild animal).
bushmeat noun
BrE /ˈbʊʃmiːt/ ; NAmE /ˈbʊʃmiːt/ [uncountable]
the meat of African wild animals used as food
The term bushmeat, also called wildmeat and game meat, refers to meat from non-domesticated mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds hunted for food in tropical forests. Commercial harvesting and the trade of wildlife is considered a threat to biodiversity.
ex) It is not just poachers that are a problem: Bushmeat hunters, logging and mining, invasive weeds, feral animals, hydro dams, and power lines are all threats.
commercial bushmeat hunting
fickle adjective
BrE /ˈfɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˈfɪkl/ (disapproving)
1) changing often and suddenly
ex) Yes, that’s risky, because tourism is fickle - but take it away and animals are killed by hunters.
The weather here is notoriously fickle.
the fickle world of fashion
The latest downturn in sales shows just what a fickle business this is.
the fickle finger of fate
(of a person) often changing their mind in an unreasonable way so that you cannot rely on them
a fickle friend
another example of his fickle behaviour
doomsday noun
BrE /ˈduːmzdeɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈduːmzdeɪ/ [singular]
1) the last day of the world when Christians believe that everyone will be judged by God; the end of the world
3) (modifier) characterized by predictions of disaster
ex) They brought a case for a ban to the Supreme Court as a doomsday weapon, to force a response.
doomsday scenario
eminently adverb
BrE /ˈemɪnəntli/ ; NAmE /ˈemɪnəntli/ (formal)
(used to emphasize a positive quality) very; extremely
ex) A negotiated approach that allows tourism to continue is eminently sensible.
She seems eminently suitable for the job.
Tony comes from an eminently respectable family.
spy on somebody | spy on something
to watch somebody/something secretly
ex) Nearly seven years after the disclosure of President George W. Bush’s secret program of spying on Americans without a warrant, the Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on whether judges can even consider the constitutionality of doing this kind of dragnet surveillance without adequate rules to protect people’s rights.
Have you been spying on me?
warrant noun
BrE /ˈwɒrənt/ ; NAmE /ˈwɔːrənt/ , /ˈwɑːrənt/
1) [countable] a legal document that is signed by a judge and gives the police authority to do something
ex) Nearly seven years after the disclosure of President George W. Bush’s secret program of spying on Americans without a warrant, the Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on whether judges can even consider the constitutionality of doing this kind of dragnet surveillance without adequate rules to protect people’s rights.
an arrest warrant / a search warrant
They issued a warrant for her arrest.
They had a warrant to search the house.
constitutionality noun
BrE /ˌkɒnstɪˌtjuːʃəˈnæləti/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːnstəˌtuːʃəˈnæləti/ uncountable
the fact that something is acceptable according to a constitution
ex) Nearly seven years after the disclosure of President George W. Bush’s secret program of spying on Americans without a warrant, the Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on whether judges can even consider the constitutionality of doing this kind of dragnet surveillance without adequate rules to protect people’s rights.
They questioned the constitutionality of the law.
dragnet noun
BrE /ˈdræɡnet/ ; NAmE /ˈdræɡnet/
1) a net which is pulled through water to catch fish, or along the ground to catch animals
2) a thorough search, especially for a criminal
ex) Nearly seven years after the disclosure of President George W. Bush’s secret program of spying on Americans without a warrant, the Supreme Court is about to hear arguments on whether judges can even consider the constitutionality of doing this kind of dragnet surveillance without adequate rules to protect people’s rights.
solicitor general noun
BrE ; NAmE (pl. solicitors general) Sol. Gen. / S.G.
a senior legal officer in Britain or the US, next in rank below the attorney general 법무차관
ex) President Obama’s solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr., will be calling on the court to toss out the case based on a particularly cynical Catch-22: Because the wiretaps are secret and no one can say for certain that their calls have been or will be monitored, no one has standing to bring suit over the surveillance.
toss (out)
MAINLY AMERICAN [TRANSITIVE] INFORMAL to get rid of something because you do not want or need it
ex) President Obama’s solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr., will be calling on the court to toss out the case based on a particularly cynical Catch-22: Because the wiretaps are secret and no one can say for certain that their calls have been or will be monitored, no one has standing to bring suit over the surveillance.
Catch-22
a comic but serious US novel (1961) about the madness of war. It was written by Joseph Heller (1923-1999), and a film version was made in 1970. The story is about a US Air Force pilot during World War II. He hates the war and tries to avoid having to fly planes. The book was a great success with US students in the 1960s. The expression Catch-22 has now entered the English language, meaning an unpleasant situation from which you cannot escape because you need to do one thing before doing a second, and you cannot do the second thing before doing the first.
ex) President Obama’s solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr., will be calling on the court to toss out the case based on a particularly cynical Catch-22: Because the wiretaps are secret and no one can say for certain that their calls have been or will be monitored, no one has standing to bring suit over the surveillance.
We’re in a Catch-22 situation.
“There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind … Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to.”
wiretap noun
BrE /ˈwaɪətæp/ ; NAmE /ˈwaɪərtæp/
- eavesdrop verb
BrE /ˈiːvzdrɒp/ ; NAmE /ˈiːvzdrɑːp/
a device that can be attached to somebody’s telephone line in order to listen to their conversations secretly
ex) President Obama’s solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr., will be calling on the court to toss out the case based on a particularly cynical Catch-22: Because the wiretaps are secret and no one can say for certain that their calls have been or will be monitored, no one has standing to bring suit over the surveillance.
the use of illegal wiretaps
- [intransitive] eavesdrop (on somebody/something) to listen secretly to what other people are saying
ex) They have taken expensive and burdensome steps to avoid the risk of government eavesdropping, demonstrating tangible injury.
We caught him eavesdropping outside the window.
standing noun
BrE /ˈstændɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈstændɪŋ/
1) [uncountable] the position or reputation of somebody/something within a group of people or in an organization
synonym status
ex) President Obama’s solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr., will be calling on the court to toss out the case based on a particularly cynical Catch-22: Because the wiretaps are secret and no one can say for certain that their calls have been or will be monitored, no one has standing to bring suit over the surveillance.
the high/low standing of politicians with the public
The contract has no legal standing.
concern verb
BrE /kənˈsɜːn/ ; NAmE /kənˈsɜːrn/
2) concern something (also be concerned with something) to be about something
ex) The lawsuit the Justice Department is trying so hard to block concerns the 2008 statute amending the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The story concerns the prince’s efforts to rescue Pamina.
The book is primarily concerned with Soviet-American relations during the Cold War.
This chapter concerns itself with the historical background.
One major difference between these computers concerns the way in which they store information.
retrospectively adverb
BrE /ˌretrəˈspektɪvli/ ; NAmE /ˌretrəˈspektɪvli/
2) (less frequent, formal retroactively) from a particular date in the past rather than from the present date
ex) The new law retroactively approved Mr. Bush’s legally dubious warrantless wiretapping and conferred immunity from prosecution on the telephone companies that cooperated in the program.
The new rule will be applied retrospectively.
dubious adjective
BrE /ˈdjuːbiəs/ ; NAmE /ˈduːbiəs/
2) (disapproving) probably not honest
synonym suspicious
ex) The new law retroactively approved Mr. Bush’s legally dubious warrantless wiretapping and conferred immunity from prosecution on the telephone companies that cooperated in the program.
They indulged in some highly dubious business practices to obtain their current position in the market.
confer verb
BrE /kənˈfɜː(r)/ ; NAmE /kənˈfɜːr/ (formal)
2) [transitive] confer something (on/upon somebody) to give somebody an award, a university degree or a particular honour or right
ex) The new law retroactively approved Mr. Bush’s legally dubious warrantless wiretapping and conferred immunity from prosecution on the telephone companies that cooperated in the program.
An honorary degree was conferred on him by Oxford University in 2009.
immunity noun
BrE /ɪˈmjuːnəti/ ; NAmE /ɪˈmjuːnəti/ uncountable, countable
2) immunity (from something) the state of being protected from something
ex) The new law retroactively approved Mr. Bush’s legally dubious warrantless wiretapping and conferred immunity from prosecution on the telephone companies that cooperated in the program.
The spies were all granted immunity from prosecution.
parliamentary/congressional immunity (= protection against particular laws that is given to politicians)
Officials of all member states receive certain privileges and immunities.
basket noun
BrE /ˈbɑːskɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈbæskɪt/
5) (economics) a number of different goods or currencies
ex) In the three months following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, as the world economy crumbled and investors scrambled for shelter, the dollar rose by 5% against a basket of other widely used currencies.
the value of the rupee against a basket of currencies
ascent noun
BrE /əˈsent/ ; NAmE /əˈsent/
3) [uncountable] (formal) the process of moving forward to a better position or of making progress
ex) In the past three months it has jumped by 11%; over the past year, by 22% - its fastest ascent in decades.
uncharted adjective
BrE /ˌʌnˈtʃɑːtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnˈtʃɑːrtɪd/ [usually before noun]
- uncharted territory/waters
1) that has not been visited or investigated before; not familiar
ex) They set off into the country’s uncharted interior.
* an activity or subject that people do not know anything about or have not experienced before
ex) The dollar is not yet in uncharted waters: one euro was worth one dollar in the early 2000s, for example.
Genetic engineers are entering uncharted territory.
(figurative) The party is sailing in uncharted waters (= a situation it has not been in before).
(figurative) I was moving into uncharted territory (= a completely new experience) with this relationship.
catch somebody out
1) to surprise somebody and put them in a difficult position
ex) But moves of this magnitude usually catch something out, and the likeliest candidates this time are in emerging markets.
Many investors were caught out by the fall in share prices.
greenback noun
BrE /ˈɡriːnbæk/ ; NAmE /ˈɡriːnbæk/ (North American English, informal)
an American dollar note
ex) The principal reasons for the greenback’s rapid strengthening are simple to grasp.
doldrums noun
BrE /ˈdɒldrəmz/ ; NAmE /ˈdoʊldrəmz/ [plural]
(also the doldrums)
1) the state of feeling sad or depressed
ex) He’s been in the doldrums ever since she left him.
2) a lack of activity or improvement
ex) With Europe and Japan stuck in the doldrums, and China and other emerging markets slowing, America’s economy looks relatively strong.
The bond market normally revives after the summer doldrums.
Despite these measures, the economy remains in the doldrums.
denominate verb
BrE /dɪˈnɒmɪneɪt/ ; NAmE /dɪˈnɑːmɪneɪt/
1) denominate something (in something) to express an amount of money using a particular unit
ex) With American monetary policy tightening, and other central banks still loosening, investors can make higher returns from dollar-denominated assets. In capital floods, and up the dollar goes.
The loan was denominated in US dollars.
ex) denominate somebody (as) something (formal) to give something a particular name or description
ex) These payments are denominated as ‘fees’ rather than ‘salary’.
on offer
1) that can be bought, used, etc.
ex) Companies around the world, and especially in emerging markets, have been bingeing on dollar-denominated debt, seduced by the lower interest rates on offer compared with local-currency debt.
We have seven different kinds of fish on offer.
The following is a list of courses currently on offer.
Prizes worth more than £20 000 are on offer.
2) (especially British English) on sale at a lower price than normal for a short period of time
ex) Italian wines are on (special) offer this week.
vault verb
BrE /vɔːlt/ ; NAmE /vɔːlt/
2) [INTRANSITIVE] to suddenly improve or succeed
ex) In China alone, dollar-denominated loans have vaulted from around $200 billion in 2008 to more than $1 trillion now.
Stocks vaulted to record high levels on Wednesday.
service verb
BrE /ˈsɜːvɪs/ ; NAmE /ˈsɜːrvɪs/
3) service something (specialist) to pay interest on money that has been borrowed
ex) As the dollar rises, this debt becomes more expensive to service in local currency.
The company can no longer service its debts.
in tandem (with somebody/something)
a thing that works or happens in tandem with something else works together with it or happens at the same time as it
ex) And as the Fed starts to tighten, the interest rates charged on dollar debts - whether in bond markets or via banks - will rise in tandem.
The two systems are designed to work in tandem.
Stock prices pushed sharply higher this afternoon in tandem with a rise in the dollar.
double whammy noun
[COUNTABLE] MAINLY JOURNALISM a set of two bad events or situations that have an effect at the same time
ex) As a result, borrowers are at risk of a double whammy: a strengthening dollar and a rising cost of borrowing and refinancing.
the double whammy of her divorce from Prince Charles and the loss of her title Her Royal Highness
portend verb
BrE /pɔːˈtend/ ; NAmE /pɔːrˈtend/
portend something (formal) to be a sign or warning of something that is going to happen in the future, especially something bad or unpleasant
synonym foreshadow
ex) That does not necessarily portend a wave of bankruptcies. But it does mean another drag on growth at a time when swathes of the emerging world are already struggling.
drag noun
BrE /dræɡ/ ; NAmE /dræɡ/
2) [singular] a drag on somebody/something (informal) a person or thing that makes progress difficult
ex) That does not necessarily portend a wave of bankruptcies. But it does mean another drag on growth at a time when swathes of the emerging world are already struggling.
He came to be seen as a drag on his own party’s prospects.
swathe noun
BrE /sweɪð/ ; NAmE /sweɪð/
(also swath BrE /swɒθ/ ; NAmE /swɑːθ/ )
(formal)
3) a large number of people, or a large amount of something
ex) That does not necessarily portend a wave of bankruptcies. But it does mean another drag on growth at a time when swathes of the emerging world are already struggling.
The disease killed huge swathes of the population.
mismatch noun
BrE /ˈmɪsmætʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪsmætʃ/
1) mismatch (between A and B) a combination of things or people that do not go together well or are not suitable for each other; a difference or disagreement between two facts or aspects of a situation
ex) First, plenty of corporate borrowers have income as well as liabilities in dollars, meaning that currency mismatches are not a concern. But many of the firms that do have matched debts and revenues are oil or mining firms, which have seen their income in dollars plunge because of falling commodity prices.
a mismatch between people’s real needs and the available facilities
There is always a certain mismatch between theory and reality.
match verb
BrE /mætʃ/ ; NAmE /mætʃ/
5) [transitive] match something to make something the same as or better than something else; to provide something that is equal in amount or level to something else
ex) First, plenty of corporate borrowers have income as well as liabilities in dollars, meaning that currency mismatches are not a concern. But many of the firms that do have matched debts and revenues are oil or mining firms, which have seen their income in dollars plunge because of falling commodity prices.
Groups have to match any grant they receive with their own cash.
The company was unable to match his current salary.
They have reduced all their stock by 10% to match competitors’ prices.
depreciate verb
BrE /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ ; NAmE /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/
1) [INTRANSITIVE] to become less valuable than before; to reduce or decline in value or price
ex) That the yuan has barely depreciated against the dollar, and that China shows little inclination to let it do so, is a comfort.
Although most emerging-market firms that borrow in foreign currency do so in dollars, exporters may trade not with America, but with other countries whose currencies are also depreciating against the dollar.
The bank depreciates PCs over a period of five years.
peg noun
BrE /peɡ/ ; NAmE /peɡ/
4) ECONOMICS an arrangement that keeps a price, amount etc at the same level in relation to something else
ex) But the peg is not guaranteed to hold; if corporate borrowers have not bothered to hedge, they will be hard hit.
Officials have pledged that the currency peg to the US dollar will be maintained.
hedge verb
BrE /hedʒ/ ; NAmE /hedʒ/
4) to buy and sell shares in such a way that the risk of losing money is low; (intransitive) to protect against financial loss through future price (선물 가격) fluctuations, as by investing in futures
ex) But the peg is not guaranteed to hold; if corporate borrowers have not bothered to hedge, they will be hard hit.
firepower noun
BrE /ˈfaɪəpaʊə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈfaɪərpaʊər/ [uncountable]
1) the weapons available to use against an enemy
ex) NATO’s firepower
2) MAINLY JOURNALISM the amount of money or skills available
ex) But countries like South Africa and Turkey have less firepower, and large short-term government debts that will gobble up dollars.
financial/intellectual firepower
The company has enormous financial firepower.
gobble something↔up(informal)
1) to use something very quickly
ex) But countries like South Africa and Turkey have less firepower, and large short-term government debts that will gobble up dollars.
Hotel costs gobbled up most of their holiday budget.
2) if a business company, etc. gobbles up a smaller one, it takes control of it
taper verb
BrE /ˈteɪpə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈteɪpər/
- taper off
** taper something↔off
[intransitive, transitive] to become gradually narrower; to make something become gradually narrower
ex) Emerging markets have been put under pressure by the Fed before - most recently in 2013, when the announcement that it would start tapering the pace of its quantitative-easing programme caused money to stampede for safety.
The tail tapered to a rounded tip.
She had long tapering fingers.
The leaves are long, tapering to a point at each end.
The pots are wide at the base and tapered at the top.
- to become gradually less in number, amount, degree, etc.
ex) The number of applicants for teaching posts has tapered off.
** to make something become gradually less in number, amount, degree, etc.
ex) They are gradually tapering off production of the older models.
stampede verb
BrE /stæmˈpiːd/ ; NAmE /stæmˈpiːd/
2) [transitive, usually passive] stampede somebody (into something/into doing something) to make somebody rush into doing something without giving them time to think about it
ex) Emerging markets have been put under pressure by the Fed before - most recently in 2013, when the announcement that it would start tapering the pace of its quantitative-easing programme caused money to stampede for safety.
I refuse to be stampeded into making any hasty decisions.
weather verb
BrE /ˈweðə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈweðər/
- weather the storm
1) [intransitive, transitive] to change, or make something change, colour or shape because of the effect of the sun, rain or wind
ex) This brick weathers to a warm pinkish-brown colour.
Her face was weathered by the sun.
2) [transitive] weather something to come safely through a difficult period or experience; to manage a difficult experience without being seriously harmed
ex) The company just managed to weather the recession.
* come through a time of great difficulty)
ex) If the system could weather that storm, optimists say, it can survive this.
She refuses to resign, intending to weather the storm (= wait until the situation improves again).
An improvement in the economy is helping us weather the storm.
intercept verb
BrE /ˌɪntəˈsept/ ; NAmE /ˌɪntərˈsept/
to stop, catch, or take control of someone or something before they can get to the place they are going to
ex) The measure gave the government broad and unprecedented power to intercept the communications of Americans without individualized warrants based on probable cause or any administrative finding of a terrorism connection.
We intercepted a message sent from a business firm in Paris to The Hague.
Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel.
The letter was intercepted.
Townsend intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the pitch to score.
probable cause noun
uncountable good reason to think that a crime has been committed
ex) The measure gave the government broad and unprecedented power to intercept the communications of Americans without individualized warrants based on probable cause or any administrative finding of a terrorism connection.
You must have probable cause to arrest someone.
The police cannot search a suspect without probable cause and a warrant
the burden of proof noun
BrE ; NAmE singular
the task or responsibility of proving that something is true 입증 책임
ex) It lowered the burden of proof for government wiretapping of suspects, weakened judicial supervision, and failed to set adequate limits on retention and dissemination of acquired information.
The burden of proof is on the prosecution.
retention noun
BrE /rɪˈtenʃn/ ; NAmE /rɪˈtenʃn/ uncountable
1) the action of keeping something rather than losing it or stopping it
ex) It lowered the burden of proof for government wiretapping of suspects, weakened judicial supervision, and failed to set adequate limits on retention and dissemination of acquired information.
The company needs to improve its training and retention of staff.
dissemination noun
BrE /dɪˌsemɪˈneɪʃn/ ; NAmE /dɪˌsemɪˈneɪʃn/ uncountable
the act of spreading information or knowledge so that it reaches many people
ex) It lowered the burden of proof for government wiretapping of suspects, weakened judicial supervision, and failed to set adequate limits on retention and dissemination of acquired information.
the Internet’s role in the dissemination of knowledge
discard verb
BrE /dɪsˈkɑːd/ ; NAmE /dɪsˈkɑːrd/
1) [transitive] (formal) to get rid of something that you no longer want or need
ex) The statute discarded traditional constitutional protections for the privacy of innocent people, and chilled the exercise of the core democratic rights of free speech and association.
The room was littered with discarded newspapers.
He had discarded his jacket because of the heat.
(figurative) She could now discard all thought of promotion.
10% of the data was discarded as unreliable.
association noun
BrE /əˌsəʊʃiˈeɪʃn/ ; NAmE /əˌsoʊʃiˈeɪʃn/ ; BrE /əˌsəʊsiˈeɪʃn/ ; NAmE /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃn/
2) [countable, uncountable] association (with somebody/something) a connection or relationship between people or organizations
ex) The statute discarded traditional constitutional protections for the privacy of innocent people, and chilled the exercise of the core democratic rights of free speech and association.
his alleged association with terrorist groups
They have maintained a close association with a college in the US.
The book was published in association with (= together with) English Heritage.
She became famous through her association with the group of poets.
stretch noun
BrE /stretʃ/ ; NAmE /stretʃ/
- not by any stretch of the imagination, by no stretch of the imagination
5) an exaggeration
ex) It would not require a legal stretch for the court to find that the plaintiffs had standing to sue.
It would be a stretch to call this restaurant the best in the city.
- used to say strongly that something is not true, even if you try to imagine or believe it
ex) “Think of him as your eldest brother.” “By any stretch of imagination, I can’t think of him as my brother.”
I think it’s a bit of stretch to see him as your brother.
She could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be called beautiful.
By no stretch of the imagination could the trip be described as relaxing.
tangible adjective
BrE /ˈtændʒəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈtændʒəbl/
1) [usually before noun] that can be clearly seen to exist
ex) They have taken expensive and burdensome steps to avoid the risk of government eavesdropping, demonstrating tangible injury.
tangible benefits/improvements/results, etc.
We cannot accept his findings without tangible evidence.
tangible assets (= a company’s buildings, machinery, etc.)
confidence noun
BrE /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːnfɪdəns/
4) [uncountable] a feeling of trust that somebody will keep information private
ex) For lawyers, an ethical obligation to safeguard client confidences requires such protective actions.
Eva told me about their relationship in confidence.
This is in the strictest confidence.
It took a long time to gain her confidence (= make her feel she could trust me).
invoke verb
BrE /ɪnˈvəʊk/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈvoʊk/
1) invoke something (against somebody) to mention or use a law, rule, etc. as a reason for doing something
ex) He invoked Provision 2 of Article 3 of the contract to sue his partner.
It is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked.
2) invoke somebody/something to mention a person, a theory, an example, etc. to support your opinions or ideas, or as a reason for something
ex) As the Supreme Court recognized in an important 1972 case, the invoking of national security to justify warrantless surveillance only heightens the need for searching judicial review.
She invoked several eminent scholars to back up her argument.
narrow adjective
BrE /ˈnærəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˈnæroʊ/ (narrower, narrowest)
3) limited in a way that ignores important issues or the opinions of other people
ex) Technically, the only question before the court is the fairly narrow-sounding issue of standing that it has agreed to hear.
narrow interests
She has a very narrow view of the world.
opposite broad
이 마을 사람들 또한 호랑이들한테 영향을 미칩니다. 하지만 마을 사람들이든 관광객이든 밀렵이 (호랑이들에게) 미치는 위협에 비하면 그 근처에도 못 갑니다.
These villagers also have an effect on tigers, but neither they nor the tourists are nearly as severe a threat as poaching.
cramp verb
BrE /kræmp/ ; NAmE /kræmp/
cramp something to prevent the development or progress of somebody/something
synonym restrict
ex) But should the court acquiesce to the government’s cramped reading of standing, the larger implications should be clear to everyone.
Tighter trade restrictions might cramp economic growth.
foreclose verb
BrE /fɔːˈkləʊz/ ; NAmE /fɔːrˈkloʊz/
2) [transitive] foreclose something (formal) to reject something as a possibility
synonym exclude
ex) As a practical matter, it would foreclose any meaningful judicial review of the warrantless wiretapping statute, perhaps permanently.
The judge’s words effectively foreclosed any possibility of an early release.
checks and balances noun
BrE ; NAmE [plural]
- the legislative / judicial / administrative [executive] branches
1) influences in an organization or political system which help to keep it fair and stop a small group from keeping all the power
2) (in the US) the principle of government by which the President, Congress and the Supreme Court each have some control over the others 견제와 균형, 삼권 분립
ex) The damage to the nation’s system of checks and balances, which relies on independent court scrutiny of laws as a safeguard against legislative and executive branch overreaching that disrespects constitutional rights, would be serious.
overreach verb
BrE /ˌəʊvəˈriːtʃ/ ; NAmE /ˌoʊvərˈriːtʃ/
[transitive, intransitive] overreach (yourself) to fail by trying to achieve more than is possible
ex) The damage to the nation’s system of checks and balances, which relies on independent court scrutiny of laws as a safeguard against legislative and executive branch overreaching that disrespects constitutional rights, would be serious.
In making these promises, the company had clearly overreached itself.
not so fast
SPOKEN used when you are telling someone to wait and not be too quick to do something or believe something
ex) Suicide by Choice? Not So Fast
You may say the country needs to stop mandatory conscripts. But I say ‘not so fast.’
Not so fast. Calm down and stay where you are.
pro-choice adjective
BrE ; NAmE
- anti-choice adjective
BrE ; NAmE (North American English, disapproving)
** pro-life adjective
BrE ; NAmE [usually before noun]
believing that a pregnant woman should be able to choose to have an abortion if she wants
ex) As a good pro-choice liberal, I ought to support the effort. But as a lifelong disabled person, I cannot.
pro-choice activists
a pro-choice stand on abortion
- against giving women the right to have an abortion
** opposed to abortion
ex) the pro-life movement
a pro-life campaigner
coerce somebody (into something/into doing something) | coerce somebody (to do something)
(formal) to force somebody to do something by using threats
ex) No one will be coerced into taking a poison pill, supporters insist.
They were coerced into negotiating a settlement.
She hadn’t coerced him in any way.
the/a slippery slope
a course of action that is difficult to stop once it has begun, and can lead to serious problems or disaster
ex) Doctors will take into account the possibility of depression. There is no slippery slope.
She realized he was on the slippery slope towards a life of crime.
scant adjective
BrE /skænt/ ; NAmE /skænt/ [only before noun]
hardly any; not very much and not as much as there should be
ex) There’s been scant evidence of abuse so far in Oregon, Washington and Montana, the three states where physician-assisted death is already legal, but abuse - whether spousal, child or elder - is notoriously underreported, and evidence is difficult to come by.
The decision was made with scant regard for education of the country’s children.
I paid scant attention to what she was saying.
The firefighters went back into the house with scant regard for their own safety.
There is scant evidence for this view.
notoriously adverb
BrE /nəʊˈtɔːriəsli/ ; NAmE /noʊˈtɔːriəsli/
in a way that is well known for being bad
ex) There’s been scant evidence of abuse so far in Oregon, Washington and Montana, the three states where physician-assisted death is already legal, but abuse - whether spousal, child or elder - is notoriously underreported, and evidence is difficult to come by.
Mountain weather is notoriously difficult to predict.
She is notoriously bad at writing letters.
The local bus service is notoriously unreliable.
underreport verb
-ri-ˈpȯrt\
(transitive) to report (income or crime statistics, for example) to be less than is actually the case
ex) There’s been scant evidence of abuse so far in Oregon, Washington and Montana, the three states where physician-assisted death is already legal, but abuse - whether spousal, child or elder - is notoriously underreported, and evidence is difficult to come by.
come by something
to manage to get something
ex) There’s been scant evidence of abuse so far in Oregon, Washington and Montana, the three states where physician-assisted death is already legal, but abuse - whether spousal, child or elder - is notoriously underreported, and evidence is difficult to come by.
Jobs are hard to come by these days.
porous adjective
BrE /ˈpɔːrəs/ ; NAmE /ˈpɔːrəs/
1) having many small holes that allow water or air to pass through slowly
2) not effective in preventing people from attacking or escaping
ex) My problem, ultimately, is this: I’ve lived so close to death for so long that I know how thin and porous the border between coercion and free choice is, how easy it is for someone to inadvertently influence you to feel devalued and hopeless - to pressure you ever so slightly but decidedly into being “reasonable,” to unburdening others, to “letting go.”
porous material/rocks/surfaces
a porous border/defence
He added sand to the soil to make it more porous.
coercion noun
BrE /kəʊˈɜːʃn/ ; NAmE /koʊˈɜːrʒn/ uncountable
the action of making somebody do something that they do not want to do, using force or threatening to use force
ex) My problem, ultimately, is this: I’ve lived so close to death for so long that I know how thin and porous the border between coercion and free choice is, how easy it is for someone to inadvertently influence you to feel devalued and hopeless - to pressure you ever so slightly but decidedly into being “reasonable,” to unburdening others, to “letting go.”
He claimed he had only acted under coercion.
inadvertently adverb
BrE /ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəntli/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəntli/
by accident; without intending to
synonym unintentionally
ex) My problem, ultimately, is this: I’ve lived so close to death for so long that I know how thin and porous the border between coercion and free choice is, how easy it is for someone to inadvertently influence you to feel devalued and hopeless - to pressure you ever so slightly but decidedly into being “reasonable,” to unburdening others, to “letting go.”
We had inadvertently left without paying the bill.
yea adverb,noun
BrE /jeɪ/ ; NAmE /jeɪ/ (old use)
- nay adverb
BrE /neɪ/ ; NAmE /neɪ/
** aye exclamation
BrE /aɪ/ ; NAmE /aɪ/ (old use or dialect)
yes; a vote for something, or someone who votes for it
- 2) an old word meaning ‘no’ or ‘not’; FORMAL used for saying ‘no’ when you vote in a group of people. The word for ‘yes’ is yea.
** 1) yes; a word used for saying ‘yes’ by people in some parts of the UK, especially Scotland
ex) yeas and nays | ayes and noes | pros and cons
‘Did you see what happened?’ ‘Oh aye, I was there.’
devalue verb
BrE /ˌdiːˈvæljuː/ ; NAmE /ˌdiːˈvæljuː/
2) [transitive] devalue something to give a lower value to something, making it seem less important than it really is
ex) My problem, ultimately, is this: I’ve lived so close to death for so long that I know how thin and porous the border between coercion and free choice is, how easy it is for someone to inadvertently influence you to feel devalued and hopeless - to pressure you ever so slightly but decidedly into being “reasonable,” to unburdening others, to “letting go.”
Work in the home is often ignored and devalued.
ever so/ever such a
(informal, especially British English) very; really; used before an adjective or adverb to mean ‘very’
ex) My problem, ultimately, is this: I’ve lived so close to death for so long that I know how thin and porous the border between coercion and free choice is, how easy it is for someone to inadvertently influence you to feel devalued and hopeless - to pressure you ever so slightly but decidedly into being “reasonable,” to unburdening others, to “letting go.”
He looks ever so smart.
She’s ever such a nice woman.
It’s ever so easy.
It was ever so kind of you to invite us.
They’re ever such nice people.
She’s ever such a good dancer.
contend verb
BrE /kənˈtend/ ; NAmE /kənˈtend/
- maintain verb
BrE /meɪnˈteɪn/ ; NAmE /meɪnˈteɪn/
1) [transitive] contend that… (formal) to say that something is true, especially in an argument
synonym maintain
ex) Perhaps, as advocates contend, you can’t understand why anyone would push for assisted-suicide legislation until you’ve seen a loved one suffer.
I would contend that the minister’s thinking is flawed on this point.
- 3) to continue to say that something is true, even if other people do not believe you
ex) The men maintained (that) they were out of the country when the crime was committed.
She has always maintained her innocence.
‘But I’m innocent!’ she maintained.
The missile system, Bush maintains, will protect the US against so-called rogue states.
The company still maintains that the drug is safe.
She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
conceive verb
BrE /kənˈsiːv/ ; NAmE /kənˈsiːv/
1) [transitive] (formal) to form an idea, a plan, etc. in your mind; to imagine something
conceive something He conceived the idea of transforming the old power station into an arts centre.
ex) But you also can’t truly conceive of the many subtle forces - invariably well meaning, kindhearted, even gentle, yet as persuasive as a tsunami - that emerge when your physical autonomy is hopelessly compromised.
God is often conceived of as male.
I cannot conceive (= I do not believe) (that) he would wish to harm us.
I cannot conceive what it must be like.
invariably adverb
BrE /ɪnˈveəriəbli/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈveriəbli/
- invariable adjective
BrE /ɪnˈveəriəbl/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈverəriəbl/
always, or almost always
synonym without fail
ex) But you also can’t truly conceive of the many subtle forces - invariably well meaning, kindhearted, even gentle, yet as persuasive as a tsunami - that emerge when your physical autonomy is hopelessly compromised.
This acute infection of the brain is almost invariably fatal.
This is not invariably the case.
Invariably the reply came back, ‘Not now!’
- always the same; never changing
synonym unchanging
ex) Her routine was invariable.
his invariable courtesy and charm
an invariable principle
This is an invariable law: true at all times and places.
well meaning adjective
intending to do what is right and helpful but often not succeeding
synonym well intentioned
ex) But you also can’t truly conceive of the many subtle forces - invariably well meaning, kindhearted, even gentle, yet as persuasive as a tsunami - that emerge when your physical autonomy is hopelessly compromised.
a well-meaning attempt to be helpful
He’s very well meaning.
autonomy noun
BrE /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ ; NAmE /ɔːˈtɑːnəmi/ uncountable
2) the ability to act and make decisions without being controlled by anyone else
ex) But you also can’t truly conceive of the many subtle forces - invariably well meaning, kindhearted, even gentle, yet as persuasive as a tsunami - that emerge when your physical autonomy is hopelessly compromised.
giving individuals greater autonomy in their own lives
compromise verb
BrE /ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/
3) [transitive] compromise somebody/something/yourself to bring somebody/something/yourself into danger or under suspicion, especially by acting in a way that is not very sensible
ex) But you also can’t truly conceive of the many subtle forces - invariably well meaning, kindhearted, even gentle, yet as persuasive as a tsunami - that emerge when your physical autonomy is hopelessly compromised.
We can’t compromise our dignity in favor of a few more meaningless months spent on a bed.
Two of our army barracks were compromised.
She had already compromised herself by accepting his invitation.
Defeat at this stage would compromise their chances (= reduce their chances) of reaching the finals of the competition.
congenital adjective
BrE /kənˈdʒenɪtl/ ; NAmE /kənˈdʒenɪtl/
1) (of a disease or medical condition) existing since or before birth
ex) I was born with a congenital neuromuscular weakness called spinal muscular atrophy.
congenital abnormalities
Half of all fetuses with the syndrome have a congenital heart defect.
spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that affects the control of muscle movement. It is caused by a loss of specialized nerve cells, called motor neurons, in the spinal cord and the part of the brain that is connected to the spinal cord (the brainstem). The loss of motor neurons leads to weakness and wasting (atrophy) of muscles used for activities such as crawling, walking, sitting up, and controlling head movement. In severe cases of spinal muscular atrophy, the muscles used for breathing and swallowing are affected. There are many types of spinal muscular atrophy distinguished by the pattern of features, severity of muscle weakness, and age when the muscle problems begin.
Type I spinal muscular atrophy (also called Werdnig-Hoffman disease) is a severe form of the disorder that is evident at birth or within the first few months of life. Affected infants are developmentally delayed; most are unable to support their head or sit unassisted. Children with this type have breathing and swallowing problems that may lead to choking or gagging.
Type II spinal muscular atrophy is characterized by muscle weakness that develops in children between ages 6 and 12 months. Children with type II can sit without support, although they may need help getting to a seated position. Individuals with this type of spinal muscular atrophy cannot stand or walk unaided.
Type III spinal muscular atrophy (also called Kugelberg-Welander disease or juvenile type) has milder features that typically develop between early childhood and adolescence. Individuals with type III spinal muscular atrophy can stand and walk unaided, but walking and climbing stairs may become increasingly difficult. Many affected individuals will require wheelchair assistance later in life.
The signs and symptoms of type IV spinal muscular atrophy often occur after age 30. Affected individuals usually experience mild to moderate muscle weakness, tremor, twitching, or mild breathing problems. Typically, only muscles close to the center of the body (proximal muscles), such as the upper arms and legs, are affected in type IV spinal muscular atrophy.
The features of X-linked spinal muscular atrophy appear in infancy and include severe muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. Children with this type often have joint deformities (contractures) that impair movement. In severe cases, affected infants are born with broken bones. Poor muscle tone before birth may contribute to the contractures and broken bones seen in these children.
Spinal muscular atrophy, lower extremity, dominant (SMA-LED) is characterized by leg muscle weakness that is most severe in the thigh muscles (quadriceps). This weakness begins in infancy or early childhood and progresses slowly. Affected individuals often have a waddling or unsteady walk and have difficulty rising from a seated position and climbing stairs.
An adult-onset form of spinal muscular atrophy that begins in early to mid-adulthood affects the proximal muscles and is characterized by muscle cramping of the limbs and abdomen, weakness in the leg muscles, involuntary muscle contractions, tremors, and a protrusion of the abdomen thought to be related to muscle weakness. Some affected individuals experience difficulty swallowing and problems with bladder and bowel function. 척수성 근위축
ex) I was born with a congenital neuromuscular weakness called spinal muscular atrophy.
exhibit verb
BrE /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/
2) [transitive] exhibit something (formal) to show clearly that you have or feel a particular feeling, quality or ability
synonym display
ex) Roughly half the babies who exhibit symptoms as I did don’t live past age 2.
The patient exhibited signs of fatigue and memory loss.
astound verb
BrE /əˈstaʊnd/ ; NAmE /əˈstaʊnd/
astound somebody to surprise or shock somebody very much
synonym astonish
ex) Not only did I survive, but the progression of my disease slowed dramatically when I was about 6 years old, astounding doctors.
His arrogance astounded her.
She was astounded by his arrogance.
blunder noun
BrE /ˈblʌndə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈblʌndər/
a stupid or careless mistake
ex) And a few years ago, when a surgical blunder put me into a coma from septic shock, the doctors seriously questioned whether it was worth trying to extend my life. My existence seemed pretty tenuous anyway, they figured.
to make a terrible blunder
a series of political blunders
septic adjective
BrE /ˈseptɪk/ ; NAmE /ˈseptɪk/
- septic shock
** septicaemia noun(British English)
(North American English septicemia)
BrE /ˌseptɪˈsiːmiə/ ; NAmE /ˌseptɪˈsiːmiə/ uncountable
(of a wound or part of the body) infected with harmful bacteria
ex) a septic finger
A dirty cut may go septic.
- 패혈성 쇼크
ex) And a few years ago, when a surgical blunder put me into a coma from septic shock, the doctors seriously questioned whether it was worth trying to extend my life. My existence seemed pretty tenuous anyway, they figured.
** infection of the blood by harmful bacteria
synonym blood poisoning
tenuous adjective
BrE /ˈtenjuəs/ ; NAmE /ˈtenjuəs/
1) so weak or uncertain that it hardly exists
ex) And a few years ago, when a surgical blunder put me into a coma from septic shock, the doctors seriously questioned whether it was worth trying to extend my life. My existence seemed pretty tenuous anyway, they figured.
a tenuous hold on life
His links with the organization turned out to be, at best, tenuous.
any and all
(law) all without exception
ex) She convinced them to proceed “full code,” as she’s learned to say, to keep me alive using any and all means necessary.
code noun
BrE /kəʊd/ ; NAmE /koʊd/
5) [countable] a system of laws or written rules that state how people in an institution or a country should behave
ex) She convinced them to proceed “full code,” as she’s learned to say, to keep me alive using any and all means necessary.
the penal/criminal code
the civil code
dress code
untenable adjective
BrE /ʌnˈtenəbl/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈtenəbl/ (formal)
(of a theory, position, etc.) that cannot be defended against attack or criticism
opposite tenable
ex) From this I learned how easy it is to be perceived as someone whose quality of life is untenable, even or perhaps especially by doctors.
His position had become untenable and he was forced to resign.
He found no one to support his largely untenable views.
sinusitis noun
BrE /ˌsaɪnəˈsaɪtɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌsaɪnəˈsaɪtɪs/ [uncountable]
(=sinus infection)
the painful swelling of the sinuses 축농증
ex) Indeed, I hear it from them all the time - “How have you survived so long?” Wow, you must put up with a lot!” - even during routine office visits, when all I’ve asked for is an antibiotic for a sinus infection.
render verb
BrE /ˈrendə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈrendər/
4) FORMAL to officially announce a judgment or decision
Strangers don’t treat me this way, but doctors feel entitled to render judgments and voice their opinions.
The jury will almost certainly render a guilty verdict.
short-sighted adjective
BrE /ˌʃɔːt ˈsaɪtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌʃɔːrt ˈsaɪtɪd/
- myopic adjective
** myopia noun
BrE /maɪˈəʊpiə/ ; NAmE /maɪˈoʊpiə/ [uncountable]
1) (especially British English) (usually North American English nearsighted) able to see things clearly only if they are very close to you 근시의
opposite long-sighted / far-sighted 원시의
ex) She wears glasses because she’s very short-sighted.
2) not thinking carefully about the possible effects of something or what might happen in the future
ex) To them, I supposed, I must represent a failure of their profession, which is shortsighted. I am more than my diagnosis and my prognosis.
a short-sighted policy
an attitude which is likely to prove short-sighted
- 1) (specialist) unable to see things clearly when they are far away
ex) a myopic child/eye
2) (formal, disapproving) unable to see what the results of a particular action or decision will be; unable to think about anything outside your own situation
ex) a myopic strategy
myopic voters
** 1) (specialist) the inability to see things clearly when they are far away
2) (formal, disapproving) the inability to see what the results of a particular action or decision will be; the inability to think about anything outside your own situation
ex) The cancellation of the popular show was a result of managerial myopia.
cultural myopia
prognosis noun
BrE /prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/ ; NAmE /prɑːɡˈnoʊsɪs/ (pl. prognoses BrE /prɒɡˈnəʊsiːz/ ; NAmE /prɑːɡˈnoʊsiːz/ )
1) (medical) an opinion, based on medical experience, of the likely development of a disease or an illness
ex) To them, I supposed, I must represent a failure of their profession, which is shortsighted. I am more than my diagnosis and my prognosis.
to make a prognosis
The prognosis is not good.
but adverb
BrE /bət/ ; NAmE /bət/ ; BrE strong form /bʌt/ ; NAmE strong form /bʌt/
only
ex) This is but one of many invisible forces of coercion.
I have but one hope.
I don’t think we’ll manage it. Still, we can but try.
There were a lot of famous people there: Lady Gaga and Hugh Jackman, to name but two.
ophthalmologist noun
BrE /ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪst/ ; NAmE /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ (ophthal.)
a doctor who studies and treats the diseases of the eye 안과 의사
inexorably adverb
BrE /ɪnˈeksərəbli/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈeksərəbli/ (formal)
in a way that cannot be stopped or changed
ex) Who chooses suicide in a vacuum? We are inexorably affected by our immediate environment. The deck is stacked.
events leading inexorably towards a crisis
stack the cards
UK (US stack the deck)
to arrange something in a dishonest way in order to achieve the result you want; to prearrange the order of a pack of cards secretly so that the deal will benefit someone
ex) Who chooses suicide in a vacuum? We are inexorably affected by our immediate environment. The deck is stacked.
The deck is stacked.
administer verb
BrE /ədˈmɪnɪstə(r)/ ; NAmE /ədˈmɪnɪstər/
4) [often passive] (formal) to give drugs, medicine, etc. to somebody
ex) After all, the Massachusetts proposal calls for the lethal dose to be “self-administered,” which it defines as the “patient’s act of ingesting.”
Police believe his wife could not have administered the poison.
The dose was administered to the child intravenously.
open-ended adjective
without any limits, aims or dates fixed in advance
ex) To be sure, there are noble intentions behind the “assisted death” proposals, but I can’t help wondering why we’re in such a hurry to ensure the right to die before we’ve done all we can to ensure that those of us with severe, untreatable, life-threatening conditions are given the same open-hearted welcome, the same open-minded respect and the same open-ended opportunities due everyone else.
an open-ended discussion
The contract is open-ended.
wonkish adjective
wonky
resembling or relating to a wonk (=someone who is obsessed with the details of politics)
ex) Bill Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention was a remarkable combination of pretty serious wonkisheness - has there ever been a convention speech with that much policy detail? - and memorable zingers.
zinger noun
BrE /ˈzɪŋə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈzɪŋər/ (informal, especially North American English)
a clever or amusing remark
ex) Bill Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention was a remarkable combination of pretty serious wonkisheness - has there ever been a convention speech with that much policy detail? - and memorable zingers.
She opened the speech with a real zinger.
punchline noun
BrE /ˈpʌntʃlaɪn/ ; NAmE /ˈpʌntʃlaɪn/
(also North American English, informal tag line)
- fall flat
the last few words of a joke that make it funny; the culminating part of a joke, funny story, etc, that gives it its humorous or dramatic point
ex) He forgot the punchline and the joke fell flat.
* if a joke, a story, or an event falls flat, it completely fails to amuse people or to have the effect that was intended
ex) Without Jem, the whole evening would have fallen flat.
그건 나중에 얘기하도록 하죠.
In saying this, I’m not making excuses for the past. Job growth has been much slower and unemployment much higher than it should have been, even given the mess Mr. Obama inherited. More on that later. But, first, let’s look at what has been accomplished.
inauguration noun
BrE /ɪˌnɔːɡjəˈreɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ɪˌnɔːɡjəˈreɪʃn/
1) [uncountable, countable] a special ceremony at which a new public official or leader is introduced or a building or organization is officially opened
ex) On Inauguration Day 2009, the U.S. economy faced three main problems.
the President’s inauguration
an inauguration speech
pressing adjective
BrE /ˈpresɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈpresɪŋ/ [usually before noun]
1) needing to be dealt with immediately
synonym urgent
ex) First, and most pressing, there was a crisis in the financial system, with many of the crucial channels of credit frozen; we were, in effect, suffering the 21st-century version of the bank runs that brought on the Great Depression.
I’m afraid I have some pressing business to attend to.
There is a pressing need for more specialist nurses.
The government seems to think that international problems are more pressing than domestic ones.
credit noun
BrE /ˈkredɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈkredɪt/
3) [uncountable] the status of being trusted to pay back money to somebody who lends it to you
ex) First, and most pressing, there was a crisis in the financial system, with many of the crucial channels of credit frozen; we were, in effect, suffering the 21st-century version of the bank runs that brought on the Great Depression.
easy credit/credit squeeze/credit crunch
Her credit isn’t good anywhere now.
bank run noun [C]
also run on the bank
a period when many people take their money out of a bank because they are afraid the bank will lose it or go out of business
ex) First, and most pressing, there was a crisis in the financial system, with many of the crucial channels of credit frozen; we were, in effect, suffering the 21st-century version of the bank runs that brought on the Great Depression.
Last week, a California-based bank became the largest bank to fail in two decades after a bank run depleted its deposits.
bring something↔on
1) to make something develop, usually something unpleasant
synonym cause
ex) First, and most pressing, there was a crisis in the financial system, with many of the crucial channels of credit frozen; we were, in effect, suffering the 21st-century version of the bank runs that brought on the Great Depression.
He was suffering from stress brought on by overwork.
take a hit
to be damaged or badly affected by something
ex) Second, the economy was taking a major hit from the collapse of a gigantic housing bubble.
The airline industry took a hit last year.
hold something↔down
1) to keep something at a low level
ex) Third, consumer spending was being held down by high levels of household debt, much of which had been run up during the Bush-era bubble.
The rate of inflation must be held down.
run something↔up
1) to allow a bill, debt, etc. to reach a large total
synonym accumulate
ex) Third, consumer spending was being held down by high levels of household debt, much of which had been run up during the Bush-era bubble.
Mr. Han has run up huge debts since he started his hagwon in September.
How had he managed to run up so many debts?
malign verb
BrE /məˈlaɪn/ ; NAmE /məˈlaɪn/
malign somebody/something (formal) to say bad things about somebody/something publicly
synonym slander
ex) The first of these problems was resolved quite quickly, thanks both to lots of emergency lending by the Federal Reserve and, yes, the much maligned bank bailouts.
She feels she has been much maligned by the press.
Those who malign him in this way are simply being dishonest.
bailout noun
BrE /ˈbeɪlaʊt/ ; NAmE /ˈbeɪlaʊt/
an act of giving money to a company, a foreign country, etc. that has very serious financial problems
ex) The first of these problems was resolved quite quickly, thanks both to lots of emergency lending by the Federal Reserve and, yes, the much maligned bank bailouts.
The airline was saved by a government bailout.
normality noun
BrE /nɔːˈmæləti/ ; NAmE /nɔːrˈmæləti/
(also normalcy BrE /ˈnɔːmlsi/ ; NAmE /ˈnɔːrmlsi/ especially in North American English)
[uncountable]
a situation where everything is normal or as you would expect it to be
ex) This return to financial normalcy did not, however, produce a robust recovery.
They are hoping for a return to normality now that the war is over.
By now any semblance of normality had disappeared.
pay something↔down
(especially North American English) to reduce an amount of money that you owe by paying some of it
ex) Meanwhile, households were trying (or being forced by creditors) to pay down debt, which meant depressed demand.
She used the money to pay down her mortgage.
sluggish adjective
BrE /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
moving, reacting or working more slowly than normal and in a way that seems lazy
ex) Meanwhile, households were trying (or being forced by creditors) to pay down debt, which meant depressed demand. So the economy’s free fall ended, but recovery remained sluggish.
sluggish traffic
a sluggish economy
the sluggish black waters of the canal
He felt very heavy and sluggish after the meal.
The growth of the export market has helped to compensate for sluggish demand at home.
Sales were sluggish.
lavish verb
BrE /ˈlævɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈlævɪʃ/
to give someone a lot of something, for example money, love, or attention
ex) Now, you may have noticed that in telling this story about a disappointing recovery I didn’t mention any of the things that Republicans talked about last week in Tampa, Fla. - the effects of high taxes and regulation, the lack of confidence supposedly created by Mr. Obama’s failure to lavish enough praise on “job creators” (what I call the “Ma, he’s looking at me funny!” theory of our economic problems).
I would say it’s downright foolish to lavish money on a luxury car when you’re sitting on piles of debt.
They lavished attention on their grandchildren.
He thought he would win her by lavishing her with expensive gifts.
ma noun
BrE /mɑː/ ; NAmE /mɑː/ (informal)
mother
ex) Now, you may have noticed that in telling this story about a disappointing recovery I didn’t mention any of the things that Republicans talked about last week in Tampa, Fla. - the effects of high taxes and regulation, the lack of confidence supposedly created by Mr. Obama’s failure to lavish enough praise on “job creators” (what I call the “Ma, he’s looking at me funny!” theory of our economic problems).
I’m going now, ma.
‘I want my ma,’ sobbed the little girl.
shred noun
BrE /ʃred/ ; NAmE /ʃred/
1) [usually singular] shred of something (used especially in negative sentences) a very small amount of something
ex) Why the omission? Because there’s not a shred of evidence for the G.O.P. theory of what ails our economy, while there’s a lot of hard evidence for the view that a lack of demand, largely because of excessive household debt, is the real problem.
I think I didn’t leave a shred of doubt about my decision.
There is not a shred of evidence to support his claim.
Couldn’t he leave her some shred of dignity?
GOP abbreviation
BrE /ˌdʒiː əʊ ˈpiː/ ; NAmE /ˌdʒiː oʊ ˈpiː/
Grand Old Party (the Republican political party in the US)
ex) Why the omission? Because there’s not a shred of evidence for the G.O.P. theory of what ails our economy, while there’s a lot of hard evidence for the view that a lack of demand, largely because of excessive household debt, is the real problem.
ail verb
BrE /eɪl/ ; NAmE /eɪl/
1) ail something (formal) to cause problems for somebody/something
ex) Why the omission? Because there’s not a shred of evidence for the G.O.P. theory of what ails our economy, while there’s a lot of hard evidence for the view that a lack of demand, largely because of excessive household debt, is the real problem.
They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry.
overhang noun
BrE /ˈəʊvəhæŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈoʊvərhæŋ/
[usually singular] (business, especially North American English) the state of being extra to what is required; the things that are extra
ex) Housing starts have been at extremely low levels for years, so the overhang of excess construction from the bubble years is long past - and it looks as if a housing recovery has already begun.
attempts to reduce the overhang of unsold goods
set the stage for something
to make it possible for something to happen; to make something likely to happen
ex) Household debt is still high by historical standards, but the ratio of debt to G.D.P. is way down from its peak, setting the stage for stronger consumer demand looking forward.
I set the stage for him to sing.
Three of those four biggest movie stars got killed in a plane crash recently, setting the stage for his rise to superstardom in the years ahead.
Family problems in childhood can set the stage for stress in adult life.
every DETERMINER
/ˈevri/
used before some words for emphasis (every reason/sign/intention etc
ex) It has actually been recovering rapidly since late 2009, and there’s every reason to expect it to keep rising as businesses see rising demand for their products.
The team has every reason to feel proud after last night’s stunning performance.
The economy shows every sign of making a strong recovery.
We wish you both every happiness in your future life together.
barring preposition
BrE /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈbɑːrɪŋ/
except for; unless there is/are
ex) So, as I said, the odds are that barring major mistakes the next four years will be much better than the past four years.
Barring a sudden onset of sanity, he would never put down his drinks and keep his commitments at home.
Barring accidents, we should arrive on time.
underwater adjective
BrE /ˌʌndəˈwɔːtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˌʌndərˈwɔːtər/ [only before noun]
3) (of a stock option or other asset) having a market value below its purchase value
ex) But we should have had strong policies to mitigate the pain while households worked down their debt, as well as policies to help reduce the debt - above all, relief for underwater homeowners.
skittish adjective
BrE /ˈskɪtɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈskɪtɪʃ/
2) (of people) not very serious and with ideas and feelings that keep changing
ex) That said, however, he is paranoid, skittish and easily talked into believing things.
that said (having said that)
used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong; used for adding an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true; despite what has just been said
ex) But, that said, Mr. Obama did push through policies - the auto bailout and the Recovery Act - that made the slump a lot less awful than it might have been.
That said, however, he is paranoid, skittish and easily talked into believing things.
The economy is struggling. That said, house prices rose slightly last month.
for all
1) despite
ex) So Bill Clinton basically had it right: For all the pain America has suffered on his watch, Mr. Obama can fairly claim to have helped the country get through a very bad patch, from which it is starting to emerge.
For all the time and money I lavished on the girl, she chose him, not me.
For all its clarity of style, the book is not easy reading.
2) used to say that something is not important or of no interest or value to you/somebody
ex) For all I know she’s still living in Boston.
You can do what you like, for all I care.
For all the good it’s done we might as well not have bothered.
on one’s watch
1) (chiefly US, idiomatic) during the period of time when one is in a position of authority or responsibility
ex) So Bill Clinton basically had it right: For all the pain America has suffered on his watch, Mr. Obama can fairly claim to have helped the country get through a very bad patch, from which it is starting to emerge.
He even vowed to resign if illegal activity occurred on his watch.
patch noun
BrE /pætʃ/ ; NAmE /pætʃ/
- purple patch noun
BrE ; NAmE (British English)
8) (informal, especially British English) a period of time of the type mentioned, usually a difficult or unhappy one
ex) So Bill Clinton basically had it right: For all the pain America has suffered on his watch, Mr. Obama can fairly claim to have helped the country get through a very bad patch, from which it is starting to emerge.
to go through a bad/difficult/sticky patch
- a period of success or good luck
ex) He was enjoying a purple patch and scored 11 goals in 14 games.
let-up noun
[uncountable, singular] let-up (in something) a period of time during which something stops or becomes less strong, difficult, etc.; a reduction in the strength of something; a pause or reduction in something, especially something unpleasant
synonym lull
ex) No one should expect a postelection letup in the continuing courtroom fights over state efforts to restrict women’s access to safe and legal abortions.
There is no sign of a let-up in the recession.
There was hardly a let-up in the rain all day.
prevail verb
BrE /prɪˈveɪl/ ; NAmE /prɪˈveɪl/ (formal)
2) [intransitive] prevail (against/over something) (of ideas, opinions, etc.) to be accepted, especially after a struggle or an argument
synonym triumph
ex) Two important cases - one in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, the other in the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati - show how intense these battles have become and how important it is for basic women’s rights to prevail.
Justice will prevail over tyranny.
Fortunately, common sense prevailed.
previable adjective
/priːˈvaɪəbə/
occurring before a fetus has developed enough to survive outside the uterus; not sufficiently developed to survive outside the uterus
ex) The law, part of a broader anti-abortion package, is the most aggressive of the “previability” abortion bans enacted recently by a handful of states because it outlaws abortion two weeks earlier.
Non-viable companies were left to die off while viable ones were given emergency loans.
enact verb
BrE /ɪˈnækt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈnækt/
1) [often passive] enact something | it is enacted that… (law) to pass a law
ex) The law, part of a broader anti-abortion package, is the most aggressive of the “previability” abortion bans enacted recently by a handful of states because it outlaws abortion two weeks earlier.
legislation enacted by parliament
precedent noun
BrE /ˈpresɪdənt/ ; NAmE /ˈpresɪdənt/
1) [countable, uncountable] an official action or decision that has happened in the past and that is seen as an example or a rule to be followed in a similar situation later
ex) Like the other laws, Arizona’s defies Supreme Court precedent barring states from banning abortions before the fetus has reached a point where it can survive outside the womb, which generally occurs about 24 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.
The ruling set a precedent for future libel cases.
defy verb
BrE /dɪˈfaɪ/ ; NAmE /dɪˈfaɪ/
defy somebody/something to refuse to obey or show respect for somebody in authority, a law, a rule, etc.
ex) Like the other laws, Arizona’s defies Supreme Court precedent barring states from banning abortions before the fetus has reached a point where it can survive outside the womb, which generally occurs about 24 weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period.
I wouldn’t have dared to defy my teachers.
Hundreds of people today defied the ban on political gatherings.
uphold verb
BrE /ʌpˈhəʊld/ ; NAmE /ʌpˈhoʊld/
2) uphold something (especially of a court of law) to agree that a previous decision was correct or that a request is reasonable
ex) In July, a federal district judge in Phoenix, James Teilborg, defied that precedent and upheld the Arizona law by wrongly characterizing what was plainly a blanket ban as a permissible “regulation” that limits only “some” previability abortions.
to uphold a conviction/an appeal/a complaint
blanket adjective
BrE /ˈblæŋkɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈblæŋkɪt/
[only before noun] including or affecting all possible cases, situations or people
ex) In July, a federal district judge in Phoenix, James Teilborg, defied that precedent and upheld the Arizona law by wrongly characterizing what was plainly a blanket ban as a permissible “regulation” that limits only “some” previability abortions.
a blanket ban on tobacco advertising
a blanket refusal
What I object to most is the blanket opposition to change.
give somebody/something/get short shrift
BrE /ʃrɪft/ ; NAmE /ʃrɪft/
to give somebody/get little attention or sympathy
ex) His ruling gave short shrift to concerns that severe fetal abnormalities sometimes cannot be diagnosed before 20 weeks.
by -ing what
ex) In July, a federal district judge in Phoenix, James Teilborg, defied that precedent and upheld the Arizona law by wrongly characterizing what was plainly a blanket ban as a permissible “regulation” that limits only “some” previability abortions.
He turned down the generous offer by describing what simply came out a warm heart as a cunning gimmick.
setback noun
BrE /ˈsetbæk/ ; NAmE /ˈsetbæk/
a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents something, or makes a situation worse
ex) Meanwhile, another setback for women in Ohio urgently needs review.
The team suffered a major setback when their best player was injured.
The breakdown in talks represents a temporary setback in the peace process.
regimen noun
BrE /ˈredʒɪmən/ ; NAmE /ˈredʒɪmən/
(also regime)
(medical or formal)
a set of rules about food and exercise or medical treatment that you follow in order to stay healthy or to improve your health; a programme of medical treatment, exercise, or special food for improving your health or appearance
ex) Medical knowledge has advanced significantly since then, and the F.D.A.-approved regimen is now outdated.
The doctors recommend that he continue his exercise regimen.
a strict regimen
a daily regimen of exercise
bodily adjective
BrE /ˈbɒdɪli/ ; NAmE /ˈbɑːdɪli/
[only before noun] connected with the human body; relating to or affecting your body
ex) Incredibly, the panel found that the law did not violate women’s constitutional right to privacy of bodily integrity.
bodily functions/changes/needs
bodily fluids
bodily harm (= physical injury)
Planned Parenthood™ Federation of America
BrE ; NAmE
(also Planned Parenthood)
- Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF)
a private US organization that gives free information and advice on birth control and sexual health. It was established in 1916 and has many local branches, with its main office in New York.
ex) The full appeals court should grant Planned Parenthood’s request for a rehearing, then strike down a law that denies access to a safe, widely used method for terminating a pregnancy.
* Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF) is an American Christian conservative organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is active in promoting an interdenominational effort toward its socially conservative views on public policy. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s.
It promotes abstinence-only sexual education; creationism; adoption by married, opposite-sex parents; school prayer; and traditional gender roles. It opposes abortion; divorce; gambling; LGBT rights, particularly LGBT adoption and same-sex marriage; pornography; pre-marital sex; and substance abuse. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and social scientists have criticized Focus on the Family for trying to misrepresent their research to bolster FOTF’s fundamentalist political agenda and ideology.
strike something↔down
(especially North American English) to decide that a law is illegal and should not apply
ex) The full appeals court should grant Planned Parenthood’s request for a rehearing, then strike down a law that denies access to a safe, widely used method for terminating a pregnancy.
The Supreme Court struck down a Texas state law.
The law was struck down as unconstitutional.
wrought verb
BrE /rɔːt/ ; NAmE /rɔːt/
wrought something (formal or literary) (used only in the past tense) caused something to happen, especially a change ****** Wrought is an old form of the past tense of work.
ex) Of all the tragedies wrought by Hurricane Sandy, one has stood out as a horrifying exception to the tales of selflessness and bravery.
This century wrought major changes in our society.
The storm wrought havoc in the south.
plea noun
BrE /pliː/ ; NAmE /pliː/
1) (formal) an urgent emotional request
ex) Battling water and wind, Ms. Moore frantically knocked on neighbors’ doors asking for help, but her pleas were ignored.
She made an impassioned plea for help.
a plea to industries to stop pollution
He refused to listen to her tearful pleas.
2) (law) a statement made by somebody or for somebody who is accused of a crime
ex) a plea of guilty/not guilty
plea bargain(ing)/deal 유죄 답변 교섭(협상), 사법 거래, 양형 거래, 답변 거래
to enter a guilty plea
3) plea of something (law) a reason given to a court for doing or not doing something
ex) He was charged with murder, but got off on a plea of insanity.
a good Samaritan
BrE /səˈmærɪtən/ ; NAmE /səˈmærɪtən/
a person who gives help and sympathy to people who need it; a person who helps someone they do not know who is in trouble (From the Bible story of a person from Samaria who helps an injured man that nobody else will help)
ex) In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm. But the Bad Samaritan, if you will - the callous bystander who refuses to render even minimal help in a dire emergency - goes unpunished.
if you will
1) SPOKEN FORMAL used for asking people who are listening to you to think about something
ex) Consider, if you will, the position of women in Afghanistan.
2) FORMAL used when describing something in an unusual way or in a way that you think someone might not agree with
ex) In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm. But the Bad Samaritan, if you will - the callous bystander who refuses to render even minimal help in a dire emergency - goes unpunished.
It’s relaxation; another form of meditation, if you will.
callous adjective
BrE /ˈkæləs/ ; NAmE /ˈkæləs/
not caring about other people’s feelings or suffering
ex) In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm. But the Bad Samaritan, if you will - the callous bystander who refuses to render even minimal help in a dire emergency - goes unpunished.
a callous killer/attitude/act
a callous disregard for the feelings of others
render verb
BrE /ˈrendə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈrendər/
2) (formal) to give somebody something, especially in return for something or because it is expected
ex) In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm. But the Bad Samaritan, if you will - the callous bystander who refuses to render even minimal help in a dire emergency - goes unpunished.
They rendered assistance to the disaster victims.
to render a service to somebody
render somebody a service
It was payment for services rendered.
dire adjective
BrE /ˈdaɪə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈdaɪər/ (direr, direst)
1) [usually before noun] (formal) very serious
ex) In many states, Good Samaritans are protected from liability if their well-intentioned efforts inadvertently result in harm. But the Bad Samaritan, if you will - the callous bystander who refuses to render even minimal help in a dire emergency - goes unpunished.
living in dire poverty
dire warnings/threats
Such action may have dire consequences.
We’re in dire need of your help.
The firm is in dire straits (= in a very difficult situation) and may go bankrupt.
hard-hearted adjective
- soft-hearted adjective
giving no importance to the feelings or problems of other people
ex) Perhaps the most famous example of hardhearted indifference to brutality also comes from New York City: the murder of Kitty Genovese, a 29-year-old woman, in Queens in 1964.
* kind, sympathetic and emotional
synonym kind-hearted
ex) He’s too soft-hearted for his own good.
account noun
BrE /əˈkaʊnt/ ; NAmE /əˈkaʊnt/
6) a written or spoken description of something that has happened
ex) Initial news accounts, including those in The New York Times, reported that some 38 neighbors looked down from their apartments but did nothing to call the police or intervene, even while the assailant stalked and stabbed Miss Genovese over the course of a half-hour before fleeing.
His account of what happened that night differs significantly from others’.
She gave the police a full account of the incident.
The diaries contained detailed accounts of the writer’s experiences in China.
assailant noun
BrE /əˈseɪlənt/ ; NAmE /əˈseɪlənt/ (formal)
a person who attacks somebody, especially physically
synonym attacker
ex) Initial news accounts, including those in The New York Times, reported that some 38 neighbors looked down from their apartments but did nothing to call the police or intervene, even while the assailant stalked and stabbed Miss Genovese over the course of a half-hour before fleeing.
Police have issued a description and an artist’s impression of the assailant.
He was immune to the criticisms of his assailants.
The alleged assailants appeared in court.
in/over the course of…
(used with expressions for periods of time) during
ex) Initial news accounts, including those in The New York Times, reported that some 38 neighbors looked down from their apartments but did nothing to call the police or intervene, even while the assailant stalked and stabbed Miss Genovese over the course of a half-hour before fleeing.
He’s seen many changes in the course of his long life.
The company faces major challenges over the course of the next few years.
subsequent adjective
BrE /ˈsʌbsɪkwənt/ ; NAmE /ˈsʌbsɪkwənt/ (formal)
happening or coming after something else
opposite previous
ex) Subsequent information has raised doubts about the initial accounts - many of the neighbors may not have seen or heard the attack, or realized its severity - but the case prompted hand-wringing about moral decline and discussions of legal reform.
subsequent generations
Subsequent events confirmed our doubts.
Developments on this issue will be dealt with in a subsequent report.
handwringing noun
/ˈhændˌrɪŋɪŋ/ [uncountable]
the behavior that comes from being nervous or worried
ex) Subsequent information has raised doubts about the initial accounts - many of the neighbors may not have seen or heard the attack, or realized its severity - but the case prompted hand-wringing about moral decline and discussions of legal reform.
The candidate and her supporters went through a lot of handwringing as they waited to see the results.
grave1 adjective
BrE /ɡreɪv/ ; NAmE /ɡreɪv/ (graver, gravest)(formal)
1) (of situations, feelings, etc.) very serious and important; giving you a reason to feel worried
ex) In 1967, Vermont adopted a law requiring people to render reasonable assistance to someone who is in grave danger, but the penalty for noncompliance is only a token civil fine.
The police have expressed grave concern about the missing child’s safety.
The consequences will be very grave if nothing is done.
We were in grave danger.
token adjective
BrE /ˈtəʊkən/ ; NAmE /ˈtoʊkən/ [only before noun]
1) involving very little effort or feeling and intended only as a way of showing other people that you think somebody/something is important, when really you are not sincere
ex) In 1967, Vermont adopted a law requiring people to render reasonable assistance to someone who is in grave danger, but the penalty for noncompliance is only a token civil fine.
The government has only made a token gesture towards helping the unemployed.
There was one token woman on the committee (= a woman who is included in the group to make it look as if women are always included, although that is not true).
When he suggested going into business on their own, she put up only a token resistance.
2) done as a symbol to show that you are serious about something and will keep a promise or an agreement or do more later
ex) The government agreed to send a small token force to the area.
a one-day token strike
3) (of a small amount of money) that you pay or charge somebody only as a symbol, because a payment is expected
synonym nominal
ex) We charge only a token fee for use of the facilities.
doyen noun
BrE /ˈdɔɪən/ ; NAmE /ˈdɔɪən/
(usually North American English dean)
BrE /diːn/ ; NAmE /diːn/
the most respected or most experienced member of a group or profession
ex) But with the exception of a few jurisdictions, the “no duty” rule remains largely the same as it was famously described by William L. Prosser, the dean of American tort law: “The expert swimmer, with a boat and a rope at hand, who sees another drowning before his eyes, is not required to do anything at all about it, but may sit on the dock, smoke his cigarette, and watch the man drown.”
Richard Dawkins, the doyen of evolutionary biologists
tort law
A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a civil wrong (민사상의) 권리 침해 that unfairly causes someone else to suffer loss or harm resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act, called a tortfeasor.
ex) But with the exception of a few jurisdictions, the “no duty” rule remains largely the same as it was famously described by William L. Prosser, the dean of American tort law: “The expert swimmer, with a boat and a rope at hand, who sees another drowning before his eyes, is not required to do anything at all about it, but may sit on the dock, smoke his cigarette, and watch the man drown.”
come to the fore
British English also be to the fore, North American English also be at the fore
to be/become important and noticed by people; to play an important part
ex) The issue came to the fore again in 1983, when Cherayl Araujo, a 21-year-old woman, was gang-raped on a pool table in a New Bedford, Mass., tavern while patrons stood by.
The problem has come to the fore again in recent months.
She has always been to the fore at moments of crisis.
damage noun
BrE /ˈdæmɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈdæmɪdʒ/
- compensation noun
BrE /ˌkɒmpenˈseɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːmpenˈseɪʃn/
3) damages [plural] an amount of money that a court decides should be paid to somebody by the person, company, etc. that has caused them harm or injury 배상 (불법 행위에 대해)
ex) If you injure someone through negligence and then don’t help her, you could face higher civil damages.
He was ordered to pay damages totalling £30 000.
They intend to sue for damages.
Ann was awarded £6 000 (in) damages.
- 1) [uncountable, countable] compensation (for something) something, especially money, that somebody gives you because they have hurt you, or damaged something that you own; the act of giving this to somebody; money that someone receives because something bad has happened to them 보상 (불법 행위는 아니지만 도의적으로)
ex) to claim/award/receive compensation
to pay compensation for injuries at work
to receive £10 000 in compensation
She received a cash sum by way of compensation.
rugged adjective
BrE /ˈrʌɡɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈrʌɡɪd/
3) [usually before noun] (of a person) determined to succeed in a difficult situation, even if this means using force or upsetting other people
ex) The “no duty” rule can be traced to the spirit of rugged capitalist individualism, the Darwinist idea that the common good is advanced through the struggles of selfish individuals.
a rugged individualist
Darwinism noun
/dɑːwɪˌnɪzəm/ or Darwinian theory
the theory of the origin of animal and plant species by evolution through a process of natural selection
- derived forms
Darwinist, Darwinite noun, adjective
ex) The “no duty” rule can be traced to the spirit of rugged capitalist individualism, the Darwinist idea that the common good is advanced through the struggles of selfish individuals.
exacerbate verb
BrE /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/
exacerbate something (formal) to make something worse, especially a disease or problem
synonym aggravate
ex) Social science suggests it exacerbates the problem.
His aggressive reaction only exacerbated the situation.
The symptoms may be exacerbated by certain drugs.
symbiosis noun
BrE /ˌsɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌsɪmbaɪˈoʊsɪs/ uncountable, countable
1) (biology) the relationship between two different living creatures that live close together and depend on each other in particular ways, each getting particular benefits from the other
ex) The birds live in symbiosis with the cattle, picking insects from their skin to eat.
2) a relationship between people, companies, etc. that is to the advantage of both
ex) Experiments have long revealed the symbiosis of law and morality: being told that a behavior is illegal makes it also seem more immoral.
She imagined us living in a perfect mother and daughter symbiosis.
impinge verb
BrE /ɪmˈpɪndʒ/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈpɪndʒ/
[intransitive] impinge (on/upon something/somebody) (formal) to have a noticeable effect on something/somebody, especially a bad one
synonym encroach
ex) But modestly impinging on the individual freedom to do nothing seems reasonable when a life hangs in the balance.
He never allowed his work to impinge on his private life.
The preparations for war were beginning to impinge.
(be/hang) in the balance
hang by a thread
if the future of something/somebody, or the result of something is/hangs in the balance, it is uncertain
ex) But modestly impinging on the individual freedom to do nothing seems reasonable when a life hangs in the balance.
The long-term future of the space programme hangs in the balance.
Tom’s life hung in the balance for two weeks as he lay in a coma.
read verb
BrE /riːd/ ; NAmE /riːd/
7) [transitive] + speech to have something written on it; to be written in a particular way
ex) A sensible statue might read like this: “Any person who knows that another is in imminent danger, or has sustained serious physical harm, and who fails to render reasonable assistance shall be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned for up to three months, or both.” Civil liability could also be established, as in other countries.
The sign read ‘No admittance’.
I’ve changed the last paragraph. It now reads as follows…
sustain verb
BrE /səˈsteɪn/ ; NAmE /səˈsteɪn/
3) sustain something (formal) to experience something bad
synonym suffer
ex) A sensible statue might read like this: “Any person who knows that another is in imminent danger, or has sustained serious physical harm, and who fails to render reasonable assistance shall be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned for up to three months, or both.” Civil liability could also be established, as in other countries.
to sustain damage/an injury/a defeat
The company sustained losses of millions of dollars.
peril noun
BrE /ˈperəl/ ; NAmE /ˈperəl/ (formal or literary)
[uncountable] serious danger
ex) It wouldn’t bring back the two boys, but it would require us to accept our fundamental moral duty to help those in grave peril.
The country’s economy is now in grave peril.
She seemed blissfully unaware of the peril she was in.
reprieve noun
BrE /rɪˈpriːv/ ; NAmE /rɪˈpriːv/ [usually singular]
1) an official order stopping a punishment, especially for a prisoner who is condemned to death
synonym a stay of execution
ex) Another reprieve
Pennsylvania and Oregon are also reviewing their death-penalty laws, and Georgia and Delaware this week each granted a stay of execution in a murder case.
capital punishment noun
BrE ; NAmE [uncountable]
punishment by death
ex) Capital punishment has been meted out in Connecticut since colonial times, when convicted witches were sentenced to death.
Public opinion was in favour of bringing back capital punishment.
mete something↔out (to somebody)
mete verb
BrE /miːt/ ; NAmE /miːt/
present simple I / you / we / they mete BrE /miːt/ ; NAmE /miːt/
he / she / it metes BrE /miːts/ ; NAmE /miːts/
past simple meted BrE /ˈmiːtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈmiːtɪd/
past participle meted BrE /ˈmiːtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈmiːtɪd/
-ing form meting BrE /ˈmiːtɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈmiːtɪŋ/
(formal) to give somebody a punishment; to make somebody suffer bad treatment
ex) Capital punishment has been meted out in Connecticut since colonial times, when convicted witches were sentenced to death.
Severe penalties were meted out by the court.
the violence meted out to the prisoners
sparingly adverb
BrE /ˈspeərɪŋli/ ; NAmE /ˈsperɪŋli/
in a way that is careful to use or give only a little of something; in small quantities
ex) In recent years it has been used sparingly.
Use the cream very sparingly.
Be sparing with the butter as there isn’t much left.
He is sparing with/in his praise (= praises people very little).
aive verb
BrE /weɪv/ ; NAmE /weɪv/
waive something to choose not to demand something in a particular case, even though you have a legal or official right to do so
synonym forgo
ex) Indeed, the execution in 2005 of Michael Ross, a serial killer who waived further appeals, was the first since 1960.
He waived his right to appeal against the verdict.
We have decided to waive the tuition fees in your case.
He has agreed to waive his rights to the money.
death row noun
BrE ; NAmE [uncountable]
the cells in a prison for prisoners who are waiting to be killed as punishment for a serious crime
ex) Eleven people are in various stages of appeal on death row, including two who have been there for two decades.
prisoners on death row
쓰지도 않으면서 갖고만 있는 건 말이 안 돼
Keeping it without using it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
repeal verb
BrE /rɪˈpiːl/ ; NAmE /rɪˈpiːl/
repeal something if a government or other group or person with authority repeals a law, that law is no longer valid
ex) Earlier this month the state’s two legislative chambers voted to repeal capital punishment.
The committee does not have the power to repeal the ban.
on your mind
if somebody/something is on your mind, you are thinking and worrying about them/it a lot
ex) This is partly because of the notorious “Chyshire murders” case of 2007, which is still on the public’s mind.
Something on your mind?
You’ve been on my mind all day.
Don’t bother your father tonight—he’s got a lot on his mind.
parole noun
BrE /pəˈrəʊl/ ; NAmE /pəˈroʊl/ [uncountable]
1) permission that is given to a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their sentence on condition that they behave well
ex) The invaders, Steven Hayes and Joshua Komisarjevsky, both out on parole, then set the house on fire.
to be eligible for parole
She was released on parole.
accomplice noun
BrE /əˈkʌmplɪs/ ; NAmE /əˈkɑːmplɪs/
a person who helps another to commit a crime or to do something wrong
ex) Kmisarjevsky, his accomplice, was sentenced to death in January. Both are still alive.
(앞에서 ~~일을 설명한 후) 이게 마지막일 것 같지 않다 (앞으로도 이런 일이 계속 이어질 것이다).
Nor is it likely to be the last.
unsuccessful adjective
BrE /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/
- unsuccessfully adverb
BrE /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfli/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfli/
not successful; not achieving what you wanted to
ex) He made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade his parents.
His efforts to get a job proved unsuccessful.
They were unsuccessful in meeting their objectives for the year.
She made several unsuccessful attempts to see him.
- in a way that is not successful; without achieving what you wanted to
ex) Repeal bills have been proposed in a number of states, including (unsuccessfully) Florida, which has 402 people on death row.
She tried unsuccessfully to impress him.
a stay of execution
(law) a delay in following the order of a court
ex) Pennsylvania and Oregon are also reviewing their death-penalty laws, and Georgia and Delaware this week each granted a stay of execution in a murder case.
to grant a stay of execution
There will be no stay of execution and few mourners for this concrete tower block, due to be demolished next month.
moratorium noun
BrE /ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriəm/ ; NAmE /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriəm/ (pl. moratoriums, moratoria BrE /ˌmɒrəˈtɔːriə/ ; NAmE /ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriə/ )
moratorium (on something) a temporary stopping of an activity, especially by official agreement
ex) For six months Ohio had an unofficial moratorium because the state failed to follow its execution protocols.
The convention called for a two-year moratorium on commercial whaling.
The government has called for a moratorium on weapons testing.
He announced a moratorium on the building of new power stations.
resumption noun
BrE /rɪˈzʌmpʃn/ ; NAmE /rɪˈzʌmpʃn/
[singular, uncountable] resumption (of something) (formal) the act of beginning something again after it has stopped
ex) But a judge has now allowed the resumption of capital punishment.
We are hoping for an early resumption of peace talks.
There are hopes for an early resumption of diplomatic relations.
exonerate verb
BrE /ɪɡˈzɒnəreɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪɡˈzɑːnəreɪt/
- acquit verb
BrE /əˈkwɪt/ ; NAmE /əˈkwɪt/
exonerate somebody (from something) (formal) to officially state that somebody is not responsible for something that they have been blamed for
ex) Between 2000 and 2011 an average of five people on death rows were exonerated each year.
The police report exonerated Lewis from all charges of corruption.
The president cannot be exonerated from responsibility for this problem.
The report exonerates the president of any knowledge of the arms deal.
- 1) acquit somebody (of something) to decide and state officially in court that somebody is not guilty of a crime
ex) The jury acquitted him of murder.
Both defendants were acquitted.
She was acquitted on all charges.
He was acquitted on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
stand noun
BrE /stænd/ ; NAmE /stænd/
- stance noun
BrE /stæns/ , also /stɑːns/ ; NAmE /stæns/
1) [usually singular] stand (on something) an attitude towards something or an opinion that you make clear to people
ex) An unusually bold stand by doctors at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York has forced a big drug company to reduce the cost of an overpriced drug for treating colorectal cancer that was no better than a cheaper competitor and did almost nothing to extend a patient’s life.
to take a firm stand on something
He was criticized for his tough stand on immigration.
- 1) stance (on something) the opinions that somebody has about something and expresses publicly
synonym position
ex) What is the newspaper’s stance on the war?
He is known for his anti-abortion stance.
Judges are increasingly taking a tougher stance on rape.
colorectal adjective
UK /kəʊ.ləʊˈrek.təl/ US /ˌkoʊ.ləˈrek.təl/ specialized
- colonoscopy
noun [C or U] UK /ˌkəʊ.ləˈnɒs.kə.pi/ US /ˌkoʊ.ləˈnɑː.skə.pi/ specialized
relating to the colon (= the large bowel 결장, 대장) and the (= rectum 직장) (= the last section of the large bowel)
ex) An unusually bold stand by doctors at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York has forced a big drug company to reduce the cost of an overpriced drug for treating colorectal cancer that was no better than a cheaper competitor and did almost nothing to extend a patient’s life.
colorectal cancer/surgery
- a medical examination of the colon (= the lower part of the tube that takes solid waste out of your body) 대장 내시경
second line noun
anything used or held in reserve as support, replacement, or reinforcement, in particular
- a medical treatment or therapy used in support of another, or as a more drastic measure if the primary treatment is ineffective.
- a battle line behind the front line to support it and make good its losses.
- ranking second in strength, effectiveness, ability, or value.
ex) It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in August as a second-line treatment for colorectal cancer after initial courses of treatment have stopped working.
“the clutch of second-line U.S. computer manufacturers”
intravenously adverb
BrE /ˌɪntrəˈviːnəsli/ ; NAmE /ˌɪntrəˈviːnəsli/ (medical)
- intravenous adjective
BrE /ˌɪntrəˈviːnəs/ ; NAmE /ˌɪntrəˈviːnəs/
(abbreviation IV)
(medical)
if drugs or food are given intravenously, they go directly into a vein
ex) It is used for treating colorectal cancer that has spread from the colon to other parts of the body and is administered intravenously.
drugs injected intravenously
to feed somebody intravenously
- (of drugs or food) going into a vein
ex) intravenous fluids
an intravenous injection
an intravenous drug user
minuscule adjective
BrE /ˈmɪnəskjuːl/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪnəskjuːl/
- infinitesimal adjective
BrE /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtesɪml/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtesɪml/ (formal)
extremely small
ex) When added to standard cancer treatments, both drugs improve the median survival time of patients by a minuscule 1.4 months.
minuscule handwriting
The newsroom was minuscule, not much more than a cubbyhole
- extremely small
synonym tiny
ex) infinitesimal traces of poison
an infinitesimal risk
baulk verb(British English)
(usually North American English balk)
BrE /bɔːk/ ; NAmE /bɔːk/
1) [intransitive] baulk (at something) to be unwilling to do something or become involved in something because it is difficult, dangerous, etc.
ex) The doctors at Sloan-Kettering balked at the high price of Zaltrap and decided not to approve the drug for use in the hospital.
Many parents may baulk at the idea of paying $100 for a pair of shoes.
He baulked for a moment. ‘I can’t afford it,’ he finally admitted.
rationale noun
BrE /ˌræʃəˈnɑːl/ ; NAmE /ˌræʃəˈnæl/
rationale (behind/for/of something) (formal) the principles or reasons which explain a particular decision, course of action, belief, etc.
synonym reason
ex) Three of the doctors then wrote an Op-Ed article in The New York Times explaining their rationale and making a strong case that there is often little relationship between the prices of drugs and the value they provide.
What is the rationale behind these new exams?
op-ed noun
BrE ; NAmE
(also op-ed page)
(North American English)
the page in a newspaper opposite the editorial page that contains comment on the news and articles on particular subjects
ex) Three of the doctors then wrote an Op-Ed article in The New York Times explaining their rationale and making a strong case that there is often little relationship between the prices of drugs and the value they provide.
~하기 위해서 ~가 할 수 있는 것이 ~~
ex) Sloan-Kettering has shown what the medical profession can do to reduce costs if it has a mind to.
It is a clear indication of what passion can do to change one’s future.
laud verb
BrE /lɔːd/ ; NAmE /lɔːd/
laud somebody/something (formal) to praise somebody/something
ex) President Obama lauded his new fuel-efficiency standards and support for renewable energy sources, while Mitt Romney faulted the president for rising gasoline prices and new restrictions on coal mining.
He was lauded for his courage.
fault verb
BrE /fɔːlt/ ; NAmE /fɔːlt/
fault somebody/something (often used in negative sentences with can and could) to find a mistake or a weakness in somebody/something
synonym criticize
ex) President Obama lauded his new fuel-efficiency standards and support for renewable energy sources, while Mitt Romney faulted the president for rising gasoline prices and new restrictions on coal mining.
Her colleagues could not fault her dedication to the job.
He had always been polite—she couldn’t fault him on that.
lament verb
BrE /ləˈment/ ; NAmE /ləˈment/
lament something | lament that… | + speech (formal) to feel or express great sadness or disappointment about somebody/something
synonym bemoan, bewail
ex) But while environmentalists have lamented America’s slow response to climate change, the United States is actually on a much better path than Europe.
In the poem he laments the destruction of the countryside.
She sat alone weeping, lamenting her fate.
paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of somebody/something
to describe somebody/something in a particular way; to give a particular impression of somebody/something
ex) This is not to paint too rosy a portrait.
The current portrait of the American economic landscape is not so rosy.
The report paints a vivid picture of life in the city.
Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.
build-up noun
1) [singular, uncountable] an increase in the amount of something over a period of time
ex) Since world leaders met in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and agreed to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of industrialized countries by about 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, virtually nothing has been done to slow the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
a steady build-up of traffic in the evenings
carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere
The leak led to a slow build-up of carbon dioxide.
2) [countable, usually singular] build-up (to something) the time before an important event, when people are preparing for it
ex) the build-up to the President’s visit
the build-up to her wedding
3) [countable, usually singular] a very positive and enthusiastic description of something that is going to happen, that is intended to make people excited about it
ex) The media have given the show a huge build-up.
ppm noun [U]
abbreviation for parts per million (= a unit for measuring the amount of a substance that is mixed with a liquid or another substance)
ex) In 1990, carbon emissions were rising at less than 2 parts per million per year.
initiative noun
BrE /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ ; NAmE /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
1) [countable] a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular purpose
ex) Europe’s initiatives have had no effect on China’s policies or the global coal burn.
a United Nations peace initiative
a government initiative to combat unemployment
accord noun
BrE /əˈkɔːd/ ; NAmE /əˈkɔːrd/
- covenant noun
BrE /ˈkʌvənənt/ ; NAmE /ˈkʌvənənt/
a formal agreement between two organizations, countries, etc.
ex) By the standards of the Kyoto accord, Europe looks good.
The two sides signed a peace accord last July.
- a promise to somebody, or a legal agreement, especially one to pay a regular amount of money to somebody/something
ex) God’s covenant with Abraham
a covenant to a charity
counterproductive adjective
BrE /ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv/ ; NAmE /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/
- counter-intuitive adjective
having the opposite effect to the one which was intended
ex) This has created counterproductive incentives.
Increases in taxation would be counterproductive.
Introducing sanctions at this point could be politically counterproductive.
It would be counterproductive to act hastily at this stage.
counterproductive behaviour/policies/effects
- the opposite of what you would expect or what seems to be obvious; opposite to what seems obvious or natural
ex) These results seem counter-intuitive.
ratify verb
BrE /ˈrætɪfaɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈrætɪfaɪ/
ratify something to make an agreement officially valid by voting for or signing it 비준/재가/승인/인가/추인하다
ex) Contrast this with the United States, which declined to ratify the Kyoto agreement because China and other developing countries were not required to do much.
The treaty was ratified by all the member states.
crude adjective
BrE /kruːd/ ; NAmE /kruːd/ (cruder, crudest)
1) simple and not very accurate but giving a general idea of something
ex) America has only the crudest energy policy.
In crude terms, the causes of mental illness seem to be of three main kinds.
2) (of objects or works of art) simply made, not showing much skill or attention to detail
ex) a crude drawing of a face
3) (of people or the way they behave) offensive or rude, especially about sex
synonym vulgar
ex) crude jokes/language
4) [usually before noun] (of oil and other natural substances) in its natural state, before it has been treated with chemicals
ex) crude oil/metal
phase something↔out
- phase something↔in
to stop using something gradually in stages over a period of time
ex) At the same time, Europe is moving from gas, which is expensive there, to much more polluting coal - especially in Germany, which is phasing out its nuclear plants following the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
Subsidies to farmers will be phased out by next year.
- to introduce or start using something gradually in stages over a period of time
The new tax will be phased in over two years.
add up (informal)
1) (especially in negative sentences) to seem reasonable; to make sense; if a set of facts does not add up, you do not believe it is correct because it does not match other information that you already have
ex) Europe’s “answer” to global warming is wind farms and other current renewables. But the numbers won’t ever add up.
His alibi just doesn’t seem to add up.
There’s something about this case that just doesn’t add up.
His story just doesn’t add up.
disaggregate verb
dɪsˈæɡrɪˌɡeɪt
to separate from a group or mass; to divide into parts
ex) It just isn’t possible to reduce carbon emissions much with small-scale disaggregated wind turbines.
biofuel noun
BrE /ˈbaɪəʊfjuːəl/ ; NAmE /ˈbaɪoʊfjuːəl/ [countable, uncountable]
fuel made from plant or animal sources and used in engines
ex) There isn’t enough land for biofuels, even if corn-based ethanol were a good idea (a questionable proposition).
biofuels made from sugar cane and sugar beet
energy from biofuel sources
proposition noun
BrE /ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃn/
1) an idea or a plan of action that is suggested, especially in business
ex) There isn’t enough land for biofuels, even if corn-based ethanol were a good idea (a questionable proposition).
I’d like to put a business proposition to you.
He was trying to make it look like an attractive proposition.
bridge the gap/gulf/divide (between A and B)
to reduce or get rid of the differences that exist between two things or groups of people
ex) Current renewable-energy sources cannot bridge the gap if we are to move away from carbon-intensive energy production.
juggernaut noun
BrE /ˈdʒʌɡənɔːt/ ; NAmE /ˈdʒʌɡərnɔːt/
2) (formal) a large and powerful force or institution that cannot be controlled
ex) So we will need new technologies while in the meantime slowing the coal juggernaut.
a bureaucratic juggernaut
put a price on something
to say how much money something valuable is worth
ex) Putting a price on carbon is fundamental.
They haven’t yet put a price on the business.
You can’t put a price on that sort of loyalty.
come down the pike/track
- in the pipeline
(North American English, informal) to happen; to become noticeable
ex) The good news is that many new energy technologies are coming down the track: next-generation solar, geothermal and even nuclear technologies, and methods to harness the energy of gravity via the ocean’s tides.
We’re hearing a lot about new inventions coming down the pike.
- something that is in the pipeline is being discussed, planned or prepared and will happen or exist soon
ex) Important new laws are already in the pipeline.
geothermal adjective
BrE /ˌdʒiːəʊˈθɜːml/ ; NAmE /ˌdʒiːoʊˈθɜːrml/ (geology)
connected with the natural heat of rock deep in the ground
ex) The good news is that many new energy technologies are coming down the track: next-generation solar, geothermal and even nuclear technologies, and methods to harness the energy of gravity via the ocean’s tides.
geothermal energy
harness verb
BrE /ˈhɑːnɪs/ ; NAmE /ˈhɑːrnɪs/
2) harness something to control and use the force or strength of something to produce power or to achieve something
ex) The good news is that many new energy technologies are coming down the track: next-generation solar, geothermal and even nuclear technologies, and methods to harness the energy of gravity via the ocean’s tides.
attempts to harness the sun’s rays as a source of energy
We must harness the skill and creativity of our workforce.
How can this energy be harnessed effectively for the good of humankind?
They are attempting to harness the power of the sun.
breakthrough noun
BrE /ˈbreɪkθruː/ ; NAmE /ˈbreɪkθruː/
an important development that may lead to an agreement or achievement
ex) There have been major breakthroughs in solar.
to make/achieve a breakthrough
a significant breakthrough in negotiations
a major breakthrough in cancer research
smart grid
- electrical grid (power grid)
A smart grid is an electrical grid which includes a variety of operational and energy measures including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficiency resources.
ex) Work is also under way to develop better energy-storing batteries, smart grids and electric cars.
* An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers. It consists of generating stations that produce electrical power, high-voltage transmission lines that carry power from distant sources to demand centers, and distribution lines that connect individual customers.
eye verb
BrE /aɪ/ ; NAmE /aɪ/
eye somebody/something (+ adv./prep.) to look at somebody/something carefully, especially because you want something or you are suspicious of something
ex) Samsung is eyeing the small island nation as its next outpost from which to devour the European market.
College Credit Eyed for Online Courses
to eye somebody suspiciously
He couldn’t help eyeing the cakes hungrily.
They eyed us with alarm.
The children eyed the cakes greedily.
outpost noun
BrE /ˈaʊtpəʊst/ ; NAmE /ˈaʊtpoʊst/
3) a limit or frontier
ex) Samsung is eyeing the small island nation as its next outpost from which to devour the European market.
devour verb
BrE /dɪˈvaʊə(r)/ ; NAmE /dɪˈvaʊər/
4) to engulf or absorb
ex) Samsung is eyeing the small island nation as its next outpost from which to devour the European market.
MOOC noun
BrE /muːk/ ; NAmE /muːk/
the abbreviation for ‘massive open online course’ (a course of study that is made available over the Internet, usually without charge, to a very large number of people)
ex) While massive open online courses, or MOOCs, are still in their early days, the race has begun to integrate them into traditional colleges - by making them eligible for transfer credits, and by putting them to use in introductory and remedial courses.
remedial adjective
BrE /rɪˈmiːdiəl/ ; NAmE /rɪˈmiːdiəl/ [only before noun]
1) aimed at solving a problem, especially when this involves correcting or improving something that has been done wrong
ex) While massive open online courses, or MOOCs, are still in their early days, the race has begun to integrate them into traditional colleges - by making them eligible for transfer credits, and by putting them to use in introductory and remedial courses.
remedial treatment (= for a medical problem)
Remedial action must be taken now.
The building needs urgent remedial work to make it safe.
umbrella group/organization, etc
a large organization that is made of many smaller organizations; a single large group that separate groups belong to or are protected by
ex) On Tuesday, the American Council on Education, the leading umbrella group for higher education, and Coursera, a Silicon Valley MOOC provider, announced a pilot project to determine whether some free online courses are similar enough to traditional college courses that they should be eligible for credit.
The two major labor unions are two of the world’s biggest umbrella labor groups.
The team work under the umbrella of the National Research Unit.
pilot adjective
BrE /ˈpaɪlət/ ; NAmE /ˈpaɪlət/
[only before noun] done on a small scale in order to see if something is successful enough to do on a large scale
ex) On Tuesday, the American Council on Education, the leading umbrella group for higher education, and Coursera, a Silicon Valley MOOC provider, announced a pilot project to determine whether some free online courses are similar enough to traditional college courses that they should be eligible for credit.
a pilot project/study/survey
a pilot episode (= of a radio or television series)
proctor verb
BrE /ˈprɒktə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈprɑːktər/ (North American English)
(British English invigilate)
[transitive, intransitive]proctor (something)
to watch people while they are taking an exam to make sure that they have everything they need, that they keep to the rules, etc.
ex) Students who want to take the free classes for credit would have to pay a fee to take an identity-verified, proctored exam.
deem verb
BrE /diːm/ ; NAmE /diːm/
deem something + noun/adj. | deem something to be something | deem (that)… (formal) (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to have a particular opinion about something
synonym consider
ex) If the faculty team deems the course worthy of academic credit, students who do well could pay for a transcript to submit to the college of their choice.
The evening was deemed a great success.
I deem it an honour to be invited.
She deemed it prudent not to say anything.
They would take any action deemed necessary.
of your choice
- of choice (for somebody/something)
that you choose yourself
ex) If the faculty team deems the course worthy of academic credit, students who do well could pay for a transcript to submit to the college of their choice.
First prize will be a meal for two at the restaurant of your choice.
- (used after a noun) that is chosen by a particular group of people or for a particular purpose
ex) Wall Street Institute is the hagwon of choice for office workers with little time and deep pockets.
It’s the software of choice for business use.
along/down the line
- down the road (also down the line)
(informal) at some point during an activity or a process
ex) Somewhere along the line a large amount of money went missing.
We’ll make a decision on that further down the line.
- in the future
ex) “I feel strongly that degrees are really valuable to people, and having MOOCs allow for credit down the line will increase the number of students with the confidence and wherewithal to complete degrees,” Professor Koller said.
the wherewithal noun
BrE /ˈweəwɪðɔːl/ ; NAmE /ˈwerwɪðɔːl/
[singular] wherewithal (to do something) the money, things or skill that you need in order to be able to do something
ex) “I feel strongly that degrees are really valuable to people, and having MOOCs allow for credit down the line will increase the number of students with the confidence and wherewithal to complete degrees,” Professor Koller said.
They lacked the wherewithal to pay for the repairs.
bring something↔down
1) to reduce something
ex) The project is being watched closely by higher-education experts who expect MOOCs to broaden access to higher education and bring down the costs.
We aim to bring down prices on all our computers.
credentials noun
BrE /krəˈdenʃlz/ ; NAmE /krəˈdenʃlz/ [plural]
1) credentials (as/for something) the qualities, training or experience that make you suitable to do something
ex) “With the additional benefits of ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendation for Coursera courses, students will have an unprecedented opportunity to obtain recognized credentials for their work,” said William G. Bowen, the former president of Princeton University and the Mellon Foundation, and senior adviser to Ithaka, a nonprofit group devoted to digital technologies in higher education.
She has impeccable credentials as a researcher.
He has all the credentials for the job.
She will first have to establish her leadership credentials.
adviser noun
(also advisor)
BrE /ədˈvaɪzə(r)/ ; NAmE /ədˈvaɪzər/
a person who gives advice, especially somebody who knows a lot about a particular subject
ex) “With the additional benefits of ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendation for Coursera courses, students will have an unprecedented opportunity to obtain recognized credentials for their work,” said William G. Bowen, the former president of Princeton University and the Mellon Foundation, and senior adviser to Ithaka, a nonprofit group devoted to digital technologies in higher education.
a financial adviser
a special adviser to the President on education
bolster verb
BrE /ˈbəʊlstə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈboʊlstər/
to make something stronger or more effective
ex) The grants are intended to encourage the development of MOOCs in introductory courses, like developmental math and writing, to see how they might be integrated into community colleges to bolster completion, and to develop a pathway for MOOC transfer credit.
to bolster somebody’s confidence/courage/morale
I needed to stress the bus driver’s evidence in order to bolster my case.
Falling interest rates may help to bolster up the economy.
The campaign is designed to bolster the government’s image as being tough on crime.
His score will bolster his confidence for the next match.
path noun
BrE /pɑːθ/ ; NAmE /pæθ/ (pl. paths BrE /pɑːðz/ ; NAmE /pæðz/ )
(also pathway)
3) a plan of action or a way of achieving something
ex) The grants are intended to encourage the development of MOOCs in introductory courses, like developmental math and writing, to see how they might be integrated into community colleges to bolster completion, and to develop a pathway for MOOC transfer credit.
path to: The company is on the path to prosperity/the path to success
career path: He decided to embark on a new career path.
consortium noun
BrE /kənˈsɔːtiəm/ ; NAmE /kənˈsɔːrtiəm/ (pl. consortiums, consortia BrE /kənˈsɔːtiə/ ; NAmE /kənˈsɔːrtiə/ ; BrE also /kənˈsɔːʃə/ ; NAmE also /kənˈsɔːrʃə/ )
a group of people, countries, companies, etc. with similar interests or aims who are working together on a particular project
ex) The largest grants go to three groups - the American council, Ithaka and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities - that will explore the credit issue, consider a possible consortium for collaborating on digital courseware, and research the University of Maryland’s experience with MOOCs.
the Anglo-French consortium that built the Channel Tunnel
Our company forms part of a consortium of local businesses working for environmental change.
a consortium of international oil companies
courseware noun
BrE /ˈkɔːsweə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈkɔːrswer/ uncountable
computer programs used for teaching people a subject or skill
ex) The largest grants go to three groups - the American council, Ithaka and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities - that will explore the credit issue, consider a possible consortium for collaborating on digital courseware, and research the University of Maryland’s experience with MOOCs.
kick the tyres
(North American English kick the tires)
- leave no stone unturned
to test the quality of something to see whether it is suitable for you before you buy it
ex) “It certainly appears that there is potential here, and we ought to kick all the tires and see what we can learn,” said Molly Corbett Broad, the president of the American council.
* to try every possible course of action in order to find or achieve something
in-flight adjective
BrE ; NAmE [only before noun]
provided or happening during a journey on a plane
ex) Their use in the air is banned because it would interfere with mobile networks on the ground, though this has now been solved, and in-flight calling will be possible next year.
an in-flight meal/movie
in-flight refuelling
static noun
BrE /ˈstætɪk/ ; NAmE /ˈstætɪk/ [uncountable]
2) (also static electricity) electricity that gathers on or in an object which is not a conductor of electricity
ex) There are mostly caused by static electricity; the ban on phones was introduced by overcautious oil firms in the 1980s, despite the lack of any evidence of danger.
My hair gets full of static when I brush it.
loose noun
BrE /luːs/ ; NAmE /luːs/
on the loose
(of a person or an animal) having escaped from somewhere; free
synonym at large (2)
ex) As weeks and months go by with the serial killer still on the loose, the rumor that he is more than 8 feet tall and has 4-inch sabers is taking on a life of its own.
Three prisoners are still on the loose.
sabre noun
(especially US English saber)
BrE /ˈseɪbə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈseɪbər/
1) a heavy sword with a curved blade
ex) As weeks and months go by with the serial killer still on the loose, the rumor that he is more than 8 feet tall and has 4-inch sabers is taking on a life of its own.
indispensable adjective
BrE /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/
- dispense with somebody | dispense with something
too important to be without
synonym essential
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
Cars have become an indispensable part of our lives.
She made herself indispensable to the department.
A good dictionary is indispensable for learning a foreign language.
- to stop using somebody/something because you no longer need them or it
synonym do away with
ex) You can dispense with a house to your name, but not a car.
Debit cards dispense with the need for cash altogether.
I think we can dispense with the formalities (= speak openly and naturally to each other).
give rise to something
(formal) to cause something to happen or exist
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
The novel’s success gave rise to a number of sequels.
wary adjective
BrE /ˈweəri/ ; NAmE /ˈweri/ (warier, wariest)
- unwary adjective
BrE /ʌnˈweəri/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈweri/
** BSE noun
BrE /ˌbiː es ˈiː/ ; NAmE /ˌbiː es ˈiː/
(informal mad cow disease)
[uncountable]
*** encephalopathy noun
BrE /enˌsefəˈlɒpəθi/ ; NAmE /enˌsefəˈlɑːpəθi/ ; BrE /enˌkefəˈlɒpəθi/ ; NAmE /enˌkefəˈlɑːpəθi/ uncountable
careful when dealing with somebody/something because you think that there may be a danger or problem
synonym cautious
ex) Britain has taken an unusually cautious position, but that is because the British government is particularly wary in the wake of the mad-cow fiasco of the 1980s and 1990s.
Be wary of strangers who offer you a ride.
She was wary of getting involved with him.
He gave her a wary look.
The police will need to keep a wary eye on this area of town (= watch it carefully, in case there is trouble).
- [only before noun] not aware of the possible dangers or problems of a situation and therefore likely to be harmed in some way
ex) Exams are not designed to set traps for unwary students.
** the abbreviation for ‘bovine spongiform encephalopathy’ (a brain disease of cows that causes death)
*** a disease in which the functioning of the brain is affected by infection, blood poisoning, etc.
fiasco noun
BrE /fiˈæskəʊ/ ; NAmE /fiˈæskoʊ/ (pl. fiascos, (North American English also)fiascoes)(informal)
something that does not succeed, often in a way that causes embarrassment
synonym disaster
ex) Britain has taken an unusually cautious position, but that is because the British government is particularly wary in the wake of the mad-cow fiasco of the 1980s and 1990s.
The party was a complete fiasco.
What a fiasco!
After the fiasco over the brochures, I decided to take charge of the marketing.
detonate verb
BrE /ˈdetəneɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈdetəneɪt/
[intransitive, transitive] detonate (something) to explode, or to make a bomb or other device explode
ex) There is currently a debate about whether it is safe to install mobile antennas in underground stations, for example, for fear that terrorists will use mobile phones to detonate bombs.
Two other bombs failed to detonate.
The terrorists planned to detonate the device when the shop was empty.
The bomb was detonated by remote control.
weigh sth against sth
to judge which of two things is more important before making a decision
ex) Rather than demonising new technologies, their legitimate uses by good people must always be weighed against their illegitimate uses by bad ones.
The advantages have to be weighed against the possible disadvantages.
self-styled adjective
BrE ; NAmE only before noun
using a name or title that you have given yourself, especially when you do not have the right to do it; used for saying what type of person someone claims to be; (prenominal) claiming to be of a specified nature, quality, profession, etc; given a name or title by yourself without any official reason for it
ex) Back in 2010, self-styled deficit hawks - better described as deficit scolds - took over much of our political discourse.
a self-styled computer expert
Television news appears to be full of self-styled “experts” who are happy to give their views on subjects that they actually know very little about.
deficit hawk
Deficit hawk is a political slang term in the English speaking world for people who place great emphasis on keeping government budgets under control. ‘Hawk’ can be used to describe someone calling for harsh or pain-inducing measures (alluding to the predatory nature of hawks in the natural world) in many political contexts; in the specific context of deficit reduction, the term is more commonly applied to those advocating for cuts in government spending than to those supporting increases in taxes.
Economist and opinion writer Paul Krugman has popularized the use of “deficit scold” in place of deficit hawk. According to the New York Times columnist, “the Peter G. Peterson Foundation is deficit-scold central; Peterson funding lies behind much of the movement.” Deficit hawks often warn that unsustainable fiscal policies could lead to investors losing confidence in U.S. government bonds, which would in turn force an increase in interest rates. Krugman has dismissed this concern by saying that there is no evidence that these “bond vigilantes” will appear anytime soon.
The Concord Coalition is another influential political advocacy group dedicated to promoting a balanced budget in the United States. The Coalition is generally perceived as bipartisan.
Critics of deficit hawks have argued that hawks stoke fears about the deficit in order to dismantle the social safety net. William Greider claims, “Their real intent is toding programs that can deliver economic recovery and relief to battered citizens.” Greider points to the example of World War II spending during the Great Depression, in which the government ran up massive deficits but set up America’s postwar prosperity. And Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), suggests a duplicity in their motives as well: “It will matter far more to our children and grandchildren whether they share in the gains of economic growth than if they have to pay higher tax rates for Social Security and Medicare. The rich, with the full complicity of the media, are doing their best to keep national policy focused on the cost of Social Security and Medicare. But the arithmetic says that the upward redistribution to the wealthy is the far more important issue for future living standards.”
ex) Back in 2010, self-styled deficit hawks - better described as deficit scolds - took over much of our political discourse.
scold noun
BrE /skəʊld/ ; NAmE /skoʊld/
a person, esp a woman, who constantly finds fault
ex) Back in 2010, self-styled deficit hawks - better described as deficit scolds - took over much of our political discourse.
discourse noun
BrE /ˈdɪskɔːs/ ; NAmE /ˈdɪskɔːrs/
1) [countable, uncountable] (formal) a long and serious treatment or discussion of a subject in speech or writing
ex) Back in 2010, self-styled deficit hawks - better described as deficit scolds - took over much of our political discourse.
a discourse on issues of gender and sexuality
He was hoping for some lively political discourse at the meeting.
pick up
2) (informal) to start again; to continue
ex) And now that the election is over, they’re trying to pick up where they left off.
Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday.
vote somebody in | vote somebody into something | vote somebody onto something
to choose somebody for a position by voting
ex) And letting that happen wouldn’t just be bad policy; it would be a betrayal of the Americans who just re-elected a health-reformer president and voted in some of the most progressive senators over.
He was voted in as treasurer.
She was voted onto the board of governors.
hypocrisy noun
BrE /hɪˈpɒkrəsi/ ; NAmE /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/ (pl. hypocrisies)uncountable, countable
behaviour in which somebody pretends to have moral standards or opinions that they do not actually have
ex) About the hypocrisy of the hawks: as I said, it has been evident for years.
He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another.
It’s hypocrisy for them to pretend that they were shocked at the news.
none other than
used to emphasize who or what somebody/something is, when this is surprising; used for expressing surprise that a particular person, often someone famous, has done something or is connected with something
ex) Consider the early-2011 award for “fiscal responsibility” that three of the leading deficit-scold organizations gave to none other than Paul Ryan.
The songwriters are none other than Sir Tim Rice and Sir Elton John.
Her first customer was none other than Mrs Obama.
flimflam noun
BrE /ˈflɪmflæm/ ; NAmE /ˈflɪmflæm/ uncountable
- shenanigans noun
BrE /ʃɪˈnænɪɡənz/ ; NAmE /ʃɪˈnænɪɡənz/ plural
[UNCOUNTABLE] nonsense; [COUNTABLE] a plan to steal from or cheat someone
ex) Then as now, Mr. Ryan’s alleged plans to reduce the deficit were obvious flimflam, since he was proposing huge tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while refusing to specify how these cuts would be offset.
* secret or dishonest activities that people find interesting or amusing; (informal) roguishness; mischief; trickery; secret or dishonest activities, usually of a complicated and humorous or interesting type
ex) More business/political shenanigans were exposed in the newspapers today.
the private shenanigans of public figures
offset verb
BrE /ˈɒfset/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːfset/ , /ˈɑːfset/
to use one cost, payment or situation in order to cancel or reduce the effect of another; to balance the effect of something, with the result that there is no advantage or disadvantage
ex) Then as now, Mr. Ryan’s alleged plans to reduce the deficit were obvious flimflam, since he was proposing huge tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations while refusing to specify how these cuts would be offset.
Prices have risen in order to offset the increased cost of materials.
What expenses can you offset against tax?
savage adjective
BrE /ˈsævɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈsævɪdʒ/
- savage/insane (informal, slang)
2) extremely severe
ex) But in the eyes of the deficit scolds, his plan to dismantle Medicare and his savage cuts to Medicaid apparently qualified him as a fiscal icon.
* cool, very nice, in good quality; awesome
ex) That is savage/insane!
Those shoes are savage.
serve something↔up
2) to give, offer or provide something
ex) And how did the deficit scolds react when Mitt Romney served up similar flimflam, with Mr. Ryan as his running mate?
She served up the usual excuse.
The teams served up some fantastic entertainment.
fiscal cliff
a situation in which a particular set of financial factors causes or threatens sudden and severe economic decline; (informal) a situation in which sudden changes in government expenditure and taxation have a profound effect on a country’s economy
ex) And then there’s the matter of the “fiscal cliff.”
“the massive new spending program threatens to send our nation over a fiscal cliff, leading to even higher taxes and fewer jobs”
plunge somebody into something | plunge something into something
to make somebody/something experience something unpleasant
ex) And just to be clear, the danger for next year is not that the deficit will be too large but that it will be too small, and hence plunge America back into recession.
The news plunged them into deep depression.
There was a flash of lightning and the house was plunged into darkness.
White Paper noun
- Green Paper noun
(in Britain) a government report that gives information about something and explains government plans before a new law is introduced
ex) So what we get instead, for example in a white paper on the fiscal cliff from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, is a garbled set of complaints: The adjustment is too fast (why?), or it’s the wrong kind of deficit reduction, for reasons not made clear.
* (in Britain) a document containing government proposals on a particular subject, intended for general discussion
garbled adjective
BrE /ˈɡɑːbld/ ; NAmE /ˈɡɑːrbld/
(of a message or story) told in a way that confuses the person listening, usually by somebody who is shocked or in a hurry; confusing, or not accurate
synonym confused
ex) So what we get instead, for example in a white paper on the fiscal cliff from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, is a garbled set of complaints: The adjustment is too fast (why?), or it’s the wrong kind of deficit reduction, for reasons not made clear.
He gave a garbled account of what had happened.
There was a garbled message from her on my voicemail.
rail verb
BrE /reɪl/ ; NAmE /reɪl/
[intransitive, transitive] rail (at/against something/somebody) | + speech (formal) to complain about something/somebody in a very angry way; to express strong anger about something
synonym rage
ex) For even as it rails against deficits, the white paper argues against raising tax rates and even suggests cutting them.
She railed against the injustice of it all.
His articles rail against the decline of culture in American society.
pose verb
BrE /pəʊz/ ; NAmE /poʊz/
4) [intransitive] pose as somebody to pretend to be somebody in order to trick other people
ex) So the deficit scolds, while posing as the nation’s noble fiscal defenders, have in practice shown themselves both hypocritical and incoherent.
The gang entered the building posing as workmen.
incoherent adjective
BrE /ˌɪnkəʊˈhɪərənt/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
3) not logical or well organized
opposite coherent
ex) So the deficit scolds, while posing as the nation’s noble fiscal defenders, have in practice shown themselves both hypocritical and incoherent.
an incoherent policy
The present, incoherent system does need reform.
The theory was outdated and incoherent.
a seat at the table
a position as a member of a group that makes decisions
ex) They don’t deserve to have a central role in policy discussion; they really don’t even deserve a seat at the table.
All disabled athletes want is a seat at the discussion table.
buzz noun
BrE /bʌz/ ; NAmE /bʌz/
4) the buzz [singular] (informal) news that people tell each other that may or may not be true; information that people are talking about that is not official and is not definitely true
synonym rumour
ex) I don’t know how seriously to take the buzz about appointing Erskine Bowles to replace Timothy Geithner.
The buzz is that Matt is in Scotland. Have you heard anything?
The film is getting a lot of good buzz (=people are saying good things about it) in Hollywood.
The buzz among fans is that their idol is about to get married.
indulge verb
BrE /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
1) [intransitive, transitive] to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially something that is considered bad for you
ex) Mr. Bowles, like other in the deficit-scold community, has indulged in scare tactics, warning of an imminent fiscal crisis that keeps not coming.
They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping.
She has never been one to indulge in gossip.
She was free to indulge in a little romantic daydreaming.
I indulged myself with a long hot bath.
For a special treat, indulge yourself with one of these luxury desserts.
scare tactics noun
things that you say or do to frighten someone so that they will do something
ex) Mr. Bowles, like other in the deficit-scold community, has indulged in scare tactics, warning of an imminent fiscal crisis that keeps not coming.
true to form
used to say that somebody is behaving in the way that you expect them to behave, especially when this is annoying
ex) Meanwhile, the report he co-wrote was supposed to be focused on deficit reduction - yet, true to form, it called for lower rather than higher tax rates, and as a “guiding principle” no less.
True to form, she managed to upset everyone before leaving.
no less
(often ironic) used to suggest that something is surprising or impressive; (informal) used to indicate surprise or admiration, often sarcastic, at the preceding statement; used for emphasizing that the person or thing you are talking about is very important
ex) Meanwhile, the report he co-wrote was supposed to be focused on deficit reduction - yet, true to form, it called for lower rather than higher tax rates, and as a “guiding principle” no less.
She’s having lunch with the Director, no less.
She says she’s been to Italy, no less
She received a visit from the Queen, no less.
a slap in the face
an action that seems to be intended as a deliberate insult to somebody; action or criticism that is unkind and that makes you feel sad or disappointed; something someone does that insults or upsets you
ex) Appointing him, or anyone like him, would be both a bad idea and a slap in the face to the people who returned President Obama to office.
It was a real slap in the face when the bank turned us down.
After all that hard work, losing my job was a real slap in the face.
warehouse club noun
also warehouse store
a type of store that sells goods in large quantities at low prices and usually charges an annual membership fee
ex) While Ms. Neubauer, 27, said she was surprised to find the warehouse club selling financial products, she and her husband saved about $200 a month by refinancing there this year.
open up
3) [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to create a new opportunity or possibility
ex) “It opened us up to the fact that Costco is more than toilet paper,” said Ms. Beubauer, who lives in Dallas.
Going freelance opens up all sorts of possibilities to you.
New markets are opening up every day.
stingy adjective
BrE /ˈstɪndʒi/ ; NAmE /ˈstɪndʒi/ (stingier, stingiest)(informal)
not given or giving willingly; not generous, especially with money
synonym mean
ex) As the nation’s largest banks stay stingy with credit and a growing portion of the population has no bank at all, major retailers are stepping into the void.
You’re stingy! (= not willing to spend money)
Don’t be so stingy with the cream!
It was a stingy offer and he turned it down.
credit noun
BrE /ˈkredɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈkredɪt/
7-a) the positive balance in a person’s bank account
b) the sum of money that a bank makes available to a client in excess of any deposit
ex) As the nation’s largest banks stay stingy with credit and a growing portion of the population has no bank at all, major retailers are stepping into the void.
void noun
BrE /vɔɪd/ ; NAmE /vɔɪd/
1) a situation in which something important that is usually present is no longer there
ex) As the nation’s largest banks stay stingy with credit and a growing portion of the population has no bank at all, major retailers are stepping into the void.
It will be difficult to fill the void left by his departure.
take something↔out
2) to obtain an official document or service
ex) Customers can now withdraw cash at an A.T.M. with a prepaid card from Walmart, take out a loan at Home Depot for a kitchen renovation or kick-start a new venture with a small-business loan from Sam’s Club.
to take out an insurance policy/a mortgage/a loan
to take out an ad in a newspaper
kick-start verb
kick-start something to do something to help a process or project start more quickly; to make something improve or become more active after it has stopped or slowed down
ex) Customers can now withdraw cash at an A.T.M. with a prepaid card from Walmart, take out a loan at Home Depot for a kitchen renovation or kick-start a new venture with a small-business loan from Sam’s Club.
The government’s attempt to kick-start the economy has failed.
The government hopes to kick-start the economy by dropping interest rates.
shadow noun
BrE /ˈʃædəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˈʃædoʊ/
15) (modifier) denoting the activities of financial institutions that do not accept deposits from investors
ex) Consumer advocates are torn about the growth of this shadow banking industry.
brokerage noun
BrE /ˈbrəʊkərɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈbroʊkərɪdʒ/ [uncountable]
1) the business of being a broker; the activities of organizing business deals for other people
ex) Retailers were once interested in actually becoming banks. Sears, in the 1980s, tried a “socks and stocks” strategy that
a brokerage firm/house
end run noun
2) (Informal) A maneuver in which impediments are bypassed, often by a clever stratagem or deceit
ex) While supermarket chains have leased space to bank branches for years, they are now offering their own products or teaming with small financial firms to do an end run around big banks.
“Grafting is an ingenious way humankind discovered to make an end run around apple genetics” (Sue Hubbell).
bristle verb
BrE /ˈbrɪsl/ ; NAmE /ˈbrɪsl/
1) [intransitive] bristle (with something) (at something) to suddenly become very annoyed or offended at what somebody says or does
ex) While the banks are likely to bristle at such competition, supporters of the retailers say the stores are stepping into areas that banks have abandoned.
His lies made her bristle with rage.
drop the ball
- wait for the other shoe to drop
(North American English, informal) to make a mistake and spoil something that you are responsible for
ex) “The banks kind of dropped the ball, and in my mind, and in the consumers’ mind, they left it open for different approaches,” said Robert L. Phillips, a professor at Columbia Business School.
Let’s not drop the ball on this.
- 2) (idiomatic) To await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one that is not desirable.
( Etymology: A common experience of tenement living in apartment-style housing in New York City, and other large cities, during the manufacturing boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Apartments were built, similar in design, with the bedrooms located directly above and underneath one another. Thus, it was normal to hear a neighbor removing their shoes in the apartment above. As one shoe made a sound hitting the floor, the expectation for the other shoe to make a similar sound was created.)
cannibalize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˈkænɪbəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈkænɪbəlaɪz/
1) cannibalize something to take the parts of a machine, vehicle, etc. and use them to repair or build another
2) BUSINESS to take assets (=money or property) from one business in order to improve another one
ex) Consumer advocates complain that prepaid cards are loosely regulated and can cannibalize the money put on them.
We believe the two perfumes appeal to different buyers and won’t cannibalize one another’s sales.
stringent adjective
BrE /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ ; NAmE /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ (formal)
2) (of a law, rule, regulation, etc.) very strict and that must be obeyed
ex) Consumer lawyers have pushed for greater disclosure of fees and more stringent regulation of the card providers.
stringent air quality regulations
Licences are only granted under the most stringent conditions.
court verb
BrE /kɔːt/ ; NAmE /kɔːrt/
- woo verb
BrE /wuː/ ; NAmE /wuː/
1) [transitive] court somebody to try to please somebody in order to get something you want, especially the support of a person, an organization, etc.; to try to impress or please someone because you want them to help you in some way
synonym cultivate
ex) Costco is also courting customers who are fed up with their banks.
Both candidates have spent the last month courting the media.
- 1) woo somebody to try to get the support of somebody
ex) Voters are being wooed with promises of lower taxes.
Selected items are being sold at half price to woo customers into the store.
2) woo somebody (old-fashioned) (of a man) to try to persuade a woman to love him and marry him
synonym court
extend verb
BrE /ɪkˈstend/ ; NAmE /ɪkˈstend/
8) [transitive] (formal) to offer or give something to somebody
ex) Home Depot, whose customers are mainly homeowners, is trying to increase sales by extending credit to people who would otherwise have trouble getting it.
I’d like to extend my heart-felt gratitude to all of you who are here today despite your busy schedule.
I’m sure you will join me in extending a very warm welcome to our visitors.
to extend hospitality to overseas students
The bank refused to extend credit to them (= to lend them money).
extend somebody an invitation
home equity
Home equity is the market value of a homeowner’s unencumbered interest in their real property—that is, the sum of the home’s fair market value and the outstanding balance of all liens on the property.
ex) “We have the ability to get credit to consumers in this tight credit market, and we wanted people to take advantage of that in a market where people don’t have access to home-equity lines of credit like they used to,” said Dwaine Kimmet, Home Depot’s treasurer and vice president for financial services.
line of credit
an amount of credit extended to a borrower.
A line of credit (LOC) is an arrangement between a financial institution, usually a bank, and a customer that establishes a maximum loan balance that the bank will permit the borrower to maintain. The borrower can draw down on the line of credit at any time, as long as he or she does not exceed the maximum set in the agreement.
ex) “We have the ability to get credit to consumers in this tight credit market, and we wanted people to take advantage of that in a market where people don’t have access to home-equity lines of credit like they used to,” said Dwaine Kimmet, Home Depot’s treasurer and vice president for financial services.
treasurer noun
BrE /ˈtreʒərə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈtreʒərər/
- the Secretary of the Treasury
a person who is responsible for the money and accounts of a club or an organization
ex) “We have the ability to get credit to consumers in this tight credit market, and we wanted people to take advantage of that in a market where people don’t have access to home-equity lines of credit like they used to,” said Dwaine Kimmet, Home Depot’s treasurer and vice president for financial services.
* (미) 재무 장관
collateral noun
BrE /kəˈlætərəl/ ; NAmE /kəˈlætərəl/
- collateral adjective
BrE /kəˈlætərəl/ ; NAmE /kəˈlætərəl/
[uncountable] (finance) property or something valuable that you promise to give to somebody if you cannot pay back money that you borrow
ex) Mr. Kimmet said the store loans, unlike home-equity lines of credit, did not require collateral, meaning Home Depot could not seize someone’s house for a failure to pay.
We had put our house up as collateral for our bank loan.
- (formal) connected with something else, but in addition to it and less important
ex) collateral benefits
an independent contract collateral to the main contract
The government denied that there had been any collateral damage (= injury to ordinary people or buildings) during the bombing raid.
scream blue murder(British English)
(North American English scream bloody murder)
- cry foul
to scream loudly and for a long time, especially in order to protest about something
ex) “The banks are going to scream bloody murder when retailer try to obtain banking charters,” he said.
* (informal) to complain that somebody else has done something wrong or unfair
charter noun
BrE /ˈtʃɑːtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈtʃɑːrtər/
3) [countable] an official document stating that a ruler or government allows a new organization, town or university to be established and gives it particular rights
ex) “The banks are going to scream bloody murder when retailer try to obtain banking charters,” he said.
The Royal College received its charter as a university in 1967.
Certain towns were allowed to hold weekly markets, by royal charter.
inclined adjective
BrE /ɪnˈklaɪnd/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈklaɪnd/
4) (used with particular adverbs) having a natural ability for something; preferring to do something
ex) Several organically inclined readers of this column were disappointed with that finding, and a few dismissed it as insignificant in the larger picture of environmental impact.
musically/academically inclined children
dismiss verb
BrE /dɪsˈmɪs/ ; NAmE /dɪsˈmɪs/
- write off somebody | write off somebody as something | write off something | write off something as something | write somebody off | write somebody off as something | write something off | write something off as something
to decide that somebody/something is not important and not worth thinking or talking about
synonym wave something↔aside/away
ex) Several organically inclined readers of this column were disappointed with that finding, and a few dismissed it as insignificant in the larger picture of environmental impact.
I think we can safely dismiss their objections.
Vegetarians are no longer dismissed as cranks.
He dismissed the opinion polls as worthless.
The suggestion should not be dismissed out of hand (= without thinking about it).
- to decide that somebody/something is a failure or not worth paying any attention to
synonym dismiss
quandary noun
BrE /ˈkwɒndəri/ ; NAmE /ˈkwɑːndəri/ usually singular
the state of not being able to decide what to do in a difficult situation
synonym dilemma
ex) Consider the quandary of paper bags vs. plastic bags.
George was in a quandary—should he go or shouldn’t he?
This placed the government in something of a quandary.
Sophie’s choice
From the novel and film of the same name, an impossibly difficult choice, especially when forced onto someone. The choice is between two unbearable options, and it’s essentially a no-win situation.
“Sophie’s Choice” is centered on a scene in Auschwitz where Sophie has just arrived with her ten-year old son and her seven-year old daughter and a sadistic doctor, presumably Doctor Mengele, tells her that she can only bring one of her children; one will be allowed to live while the other is to be killed.
As a mother, Sophie adores both of her children and can’t make this agonizing choice… until several soldiers force her and she hastily gives her daughter to them, sobbing as they take her little girl away.
ex) Choosing between the two can seem like a kind of environmental Sophie’s choice.
biodiversity noun
BrE /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ ; NAmE /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsəti/
(less frequent biological diversity)
[uncountable]
the existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment
ex) The same goes for food. As world population grows and the need for calories grows along with it, the environmental benefits of organic farming won’t matter if we have to sacrifice precious acres of biodiversity hot zones and old-growth forest to organic farms.
The mining project threatens one of the world’s richest areas of biodiversity.
megajoule
* joule noun
BrE /dʒuːl/ ; NAmE /dʒuːl/
abbreviation J
(physics)
The megajoule (MJ) is equal to one million (106) joules, or approximately the kinetic energy of a one megagram (tonne) vehicle moving at 160 km/h. One kilowatt hour of electricity is 3.6 megajoules.
ex) According to the nonprofit organization’s numbers, farming one hectare (about 2.5 acres) of organic corn requires 10,150 megajoules of energy. (That’s the approximate amount of energy in 78 gallons of gasoline.)
* a unit of energy or work
hot zone
(environment) Hot zone, also written as hot-zone or hotzone, refers to an area that is considered to be dangerous. It generally entails special equipment to protect occupants, because there is a high risk of infection.
ex) The same goes for food. As world population grows and the need for calories grows along with it, the environmental benefits of organic farming won’t matter if we have to sacrifice precious acres of biodiversity hot zones and old-growth forest to organic farms.
pesticide noun
BrE /ˈpestɪsaɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈpestɪsaɪd/ [countable, uncountable]
- herbicide noun
BrE /ˈhɜːbɪsaɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈɜːrbɪsaɪd/ , /ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/ [countable, uncountable]
(weedkiller)
** insecticide noun
BrE /ɪnˈsektɪsaɪd/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈsektɪsaɪd/ [countable, uncountable]
*** fertilizer noun
(British English also -iser)
BrE /ˈfɜːtəlaɪzə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈfɜːrtəlaɪzər/ [countable, uncountable]
a chemical used for killing pests, especially insects 살충제, 농약
- a chemical that is poisonous to plants, used to kill plants that are growing where they are not wanted 제초제
** a chemical used for killing insects
crops sprayed with insecticides
*** a substance added to soil to make plants grow more successfully 비료
ex) So what about those pesticides and herbicides? From an energy standpoint, they’re not as significant as the fertilizer. Synthetic herbicides account for only 10 percent of the energy consumption of conventional corn production in the Rodale tests, and the pesticides even less than that. (Such chemicals are off-limits to organic farmers.)
vegetables grown without the use of pesticides
crops sprayed with pesticide
artificial/chemical fertilizers
liquid fertilizer
a bag of fertilizer
He spread fertilizer on the field with a rake.
feeder noun
BrE /ˈfiːdə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːdər/
1) (used with an adjective or a noun) an animal or plant that eats a particular thing or eats in a particular way
ex) “Corn is a heavy feeder, and conventional farmers have to pound their plots with nitrogen,” says Mark Smallwood, executive director of the Rodale Institute.
plankton feeders
opportunistic feeders, like gulls and gannets
cover crop
A cover crop is a crop planted primarily to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in an agroecosystem (Lu et al. 2000), an ecological system managed and largely shaped by humans across a range of intensities to produce food, feed, or fiber. Currently, not many countries are known for using the cover crop method.
Cover crops are of interest in sustainable agriculture as many of them improve the sustainability of agroecosystem attributes and may also indirectly improve qualities of neighboring natural ecosystems. Farmers choose to grow and manage specific cover crop types based on their own needs and goals, influenced by the biological, environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors of the food system in which farmers operate (Snapp et al. 2005). The farming practise of cover crops has been recognized as climate-smart agriculture by the White House. 간작
ex) Organic farmers also use nitrogen-fixing cover crops such as legumes, which not only add nitrogen to the soil but also provide legumes to our grocery stores.
legume noun
BrE /ˈleɡjuːm/ ; NAmE /ˈleɡjuːm/ ; BrE /lɪˈɡjuːm/ ; NAmE /lɪˈɡjuːm/ (specialist)
any plant that has seeds in long pods. Peas and beans are legumes. 콩과 식물
ex) Organic farmers also use nitrogen-fixing cover crops such as legumes, which not only add nitrogen to the soil but also provide legumes to our grocery stores.
nitrogen noun
BrE /ˈnaɪtrədʒən/ ; NAmE /ˈnaɪtrədʒən/ uncountable
a chemical element. Nitrogen is a gas that is found in large quantities in the earth’s atmosphere. 질소
ex) Organic farmers also use nitrogen-fixing cover crops such as legumes, which not only add nitrogen to the soil but also provide legumes to our grocery stores.
off-limits adjective
1) off-limits (to somebody) (of a place) where people are not allowed to go
ex) Citizens are off-limits to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).
* 38선: the military demarcation line (the 38th parallel)
The site is off-limits to the general public.
The evacuated areas remained off limits to the public.
2) not allowed to be discussed; not allowed or approved of
ex) So what about those pesticides and herbicides? From an energy standpoint, they’re not as significant as the fertilizer. Synthetic herbicides account for only 10 percent of the energy consumption of conventional corn production in the Rodale tests, and the pesticides even less than that. (Such chemicals are off-limits to organic farmers.)
The subject was ruled off-limits.
Discussion of these topics remains off limits.
Roundup
- Roundup Ready
brand-name of an herbicide made by Monsanto
ex) “The conventional farmers at Rodale are beginning to see super-weeds that are resistant to Roundup,” says Smallwood, referring to a popular weedkiller.
* Roundup Ready plants are resistant to Roundup, so farmers that plant these seeds must use Roundup to keep other weeds from growing in their fields. The first Roundup Ready crops were developed in 1996, with the introduction of genetically modified soybeans that are resistant to Roundup.
refer to somebody | refer to something
1) to describe or be connected to somebody/something
ex) “The conventional farmers at Rodale are beginning to see super-weeds that are resistant to Roundup,” says Smallwood, referring to a popular weedkiller.
The star refers to items which are intended for the advanced learner.
The term ‘Arts’ usually refers to humanities and social sciences.
This paragraph refers to the events of last year.
The term ‘accent’ refers to pronunciation. The term ‘dialect’ refers to vocabulary and grammar.
meta-analysis
The basic tenet of a meta-analysis is that there is a common truth behind all conceptually similar scientific studies, but which has been measured with a certain error within individual studies. The aim in meta-analysis then is to use approaches from statistics to derive a pooled estimate closest to the unknown common truth based on how this error is perceived. In essence, all existing methods yield a weighted average from the results of the individual studies and what differs is the manner in which these weights are allocated and also the manner in which the uncertainty is computed around the point estimate thus generated. In addition to providing an estimate of the unknown common truth, meta-analysis has the capacity to contrast results from different studies and identify patterns among study results, sources of disagreement among those results, or other interesting relationships that may come to light in the context of multiple studies.[1] Meta-analysis can be thought of as “conducting research about previous research.” Meta-analysis can only proceed if we are able to identify a common statistical measure that is shared among studies, called the effect size, which has a standard error so that we can proceed with computing a weighted average of that common measure. Such weighting usually takes into consideration the sample sizes of the individual studies, although it can also include other factors, such as study quality. 메타 분석
ex) A handful of larger meta-analyses, which combine the result of many different studies, have also found organic farms to be better energy misers than their conventional counterpart and they put the organic advantage at closer to 20 percent per hectare. (In a couple of sectors, including poultry, conventional farming used slightly less energy than organic farming. Organically raised birds don’t grow as quickly.)
miser noun
BrE /ˈmaɪzə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪzər/ (disapproving)
a person who loves money and hates spending it
ex) A handful of larger meta-analyses, which combine the result of many different studies, have also found organic farms to be better energy misers than their conventional counterpart and they put the organic advantage at closer to 20 percent per hectare. (In a couple of sectors, including poultry, conventional farming used slightly less energy than organic farming. Organically raised birds don’t grow as quickly.)
It should be noted
It should be noted that if you have something to note, then note it. Do not note that the item you wish to note should be noted. This phrase is often used to draw attention to important information that was added as an afterthought. If a previous statement in an article would be misunderstood if the reader failed to read the subsequently added material, then both sets of material should be rearranged and rephrased so the crucial information is introduced sooner.
[example]
Version 1: It should be noted that Beethoven was deaf when he wrote the Ninth Symphony.
Version 2: Beethoven was deaf when he wrote the Ninth Symphony.
In Version 1, the writer makes the assertion that there exists some information that is worth noting. In Version 2, the writer simply notes the information.
ex) It should be noted that farming accounts for only 35 percent of the energy embedded in your food, according to some estimates.
caveat noun
BrE /ˈkæviæt/ ; NAmE /ˈkæviæt/ (formal, from Latin)
a warning that particular things need to be considered before something can be done
ex) The same caveat that applied to land use analysis also applies here. Environmental impact cannot be reduced to a single number such as productivity or energy consumption per acre.
Any discussion of legal action must be preceded by a caveat on costs.
reduce something to something
to change something to a more general or more simple form
ex) The same caveat that applied to land use analysis also applies here. Environmental impact cannot be reduced to a single number such as productivity or energy consumption per acre.
His blanket disapproval of ‘transcription,’ as a way of learning English is reducing my teacher to a mere charlatan.
We can reduce the problem to two main issues.
charlatan noun
BrE /ˈʃɑːlətən/ ; NAmE /ˈʃɑːrlətən/
a person who claims to have knowledge or skills that they do not really have
ex) His blanket disapproval of ‘transcription,’ as a way of learning English is reducing my teacher to a mere charlatan.
He knows nothing about medicine—he’s a complete charlatan.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides budget and economic information to Congress. The CBO was created as a nonpartisan agency by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. 연방 의회 예산국
ex) The Congressional Budget Office predicts the unemployment rate, now 7.9 percent, would go to 9.1 percent by year-end 2013.
year end noun
(also year’s end)
[uncountable]
the end of the year
We will discuss additional budget cuts at year end
- year-end adjective [only before noun]
ex) The Congressional Budget Office predicts the unemployment rate, now 7.9 percent, would go to 9.1 percent by year-end 2013.
year-end donations to charity
psyche noun
BrE /ˈsaɪki/ ; NAmE /ˈsaɪki/ (formal)
the mind; your deepest feelings and attitudes
ex) David Stockton of the Peterson Institute - until recently a top Federal Reserve economist - argues that another recession, when the economy hasn’t recovered from the last one, would profoundly damage the nation’s psyche.
the human psyche
She knew, at some deep level of her psyche, that what she was doing was wrong.
Much is still not known about the long-term effects of mind-altering drugs on the human psyche.
persist verb
BrE /pəˈsɪst/ ; NAmE /pərˈsɪst/
2) [intransitive] to continue to exist
ex) Fearful consumers and businesses would curb spending. Stubbornly high unemployment might persist for years.
The belief that the earth was flat persisted for many centuries.
If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
stalemate noun
BrE /ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈsteɪlmeɪt/
1) [uncountable, countable, usually singular] a disagreement or a situation in a competition in which neither side is able to win or make any progress
synonym impasse
ex) The second reason is political: President Obama and congressional leaders need to demonstrate to Americans that they can govern in the larger national interest. Confidence matters, and political stalemate has devastated confidence.
The talks ended in (a) stalemate.
proposals aimed at breaking (= ending) the political stalemate
The strike has once again reached stalemate.
take (a) hold
to begin to have complete control over somebody/something; to become very strong
ex) The lesson hasn’t yet taken hold.
Panic took hold of him and he couldn’t move.
They got out of the house just before the flames took hold.
It is best to treat the disease early before it takes a hold.
brinkmanship noun
BrE /ˈbrɪŋkmənʃɪp/ ; NAmE /ˈbrɪŋkmənʃɪp/
(North American English also brinksmanship BrE /ˈbrɪŋksmənʃɪp/ ; NAmE /ˈbrɪŋksmənʃɪp/ )
[uncountable]
the activity, especially in politics, of getting into a situation that could be very dangerous in order to frighten people and make them do what you want; the act of deliberately taking risks and making a situation as bad as it can be in order to force a particular result
ex) Obama is escalating his demands for tax increases, stiffening Republican opposition. More brinkmanship seems to loom.
engaged in a deadly game of political brinkmanship
package noun
BrE /ˈpækɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈpækɪdʒ/
3) (also package deal) a set of items or ideas that must be bought or accepted together
ex) Instead, they agreed to a package that gradually reduces the budget deficit from 7 percent of the economy (gross domestic product) in 2012 to 2 percent in 2020 - and then balances the budget soon thereafter.
a benefits package
an aid package
a package of measures to help small businesses
balanced budget
A balanced budget (particularly that of a government) refers to a budget in which revenues are equal to expenditures. Thus, neither a budget deficit nor a budget surplus exists (“the accounts balance”). More generally, it refers to a budget that has no budget deficit, but could possibly have a budget surplus. A cyclically balanced budget is a budget that is not necessarily balanced year-to-year, but is balanced over the economic cycle, running a surplus in boom years and running a deficit in lean years, with these offsetting over time. 균형 예산
ex) Instead, they agreed to a package that gradually reduces the budget deficit from 7 percent of the economy (gross domestic product) in 2012 to 2 percent in 2020 - and then balances the budget soon thereafter.
surtax noun
BrE /ˈsɜːtæks/ ; NAmE /ˈsɜːrtæks/ [uncountable]
- tax base
a tax charged at a higher rate than the normal rate, on income above a particular level 누진 소득세
- The assessed value of a set of assets, investments or income streams that is subject to taxation, or the assessed value of a single asset that is subject to taxation. Anything that can be taxed has a tax base. 과세 표준
ex) Instead, Obama accepts a one-year surtax or limit on deductions.
overhaul noun
BrE /ˈəʊvəhɔːl/ ; NAmE /ˈoʊvərhɔːl/
2) a complete change to a system that is intended to make it work more effectively
ex) During that time, Congress and the administration pledge to pursue a tax overhaul that would cut the top individual and corporate income tax rates to 30 percent.
a complete/major overhaul
A radical overhaul of the tax system is necessary.
repeated calls for an overhaul of the health-care system
non-partisan adjective
BrE ; NAmE [usually before noun]
not supporting the ideas of one particular political party or group of people strongly
opposite partisan
ex) Taxpayers with incomes exceeding $200,000 of income receive about 90 percent of the benefits, says the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
ceiling noun
BrE /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
2) the highest limit or amount of something
ex) Republicans support and increase in the federal debt ceiling of at least $2 trillion.
price ceilings
capital gain noun
[usually plural] (economics)
1) Capital gain is an increase in the value of a capital asset (investment or real estate) that gives it a higher worth than the purchase price. The gain is not realized until the asset is sold. A capital gain may be short term (one year or less) or long term (more than one year) and must be claimed on income taxes. A capital loss is incurred when there is a decrease in the capital asset value compared to an asset’s purchase price.
2) Profit that results when the price of a security held by a mutual fund rises above its purchase price and the security is sold (realized gain). If the security continues to be held, the gain is unrealized. A capital loss would occur when the opposite takes place.
자본 이익, 자본 소득
ex) To get to 30 percent without reducing taxes on the wealthy, Republicans agree to higher taxes on dividends and capital gains (profits from the sale of stocks and other assets).
sizeable adjective
(also sizable)
BrE /ˈsaɪzəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈsaɪzəbl/
fairly large
synonym considerable
ex) Obama endorses sizable cuts in Social Security and Medicare - and pledges to campaign for them.
The town has a sizeable Sikh population.
Income from tourism accounts for a sizeable proportion of the area’s total income.
quid pro quo noun
BrE /ˌkwɪd prəʊ ˈkwəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˌkwɪd proʊ ˈkwoʊ/ singular
something that you offer or give to someone in return for something that they have offered or given you
ex) Obama endorses sizable cuts in Social Security and Medicare - and pledges to campaign for them. This is Democrats’ quid pro quo for Republican tax concession.
comfort zone noun
1) (sometimes disapproving) a place or situation in which you feel safe or comfortable, especially when you choose to stay in this situation instead of trying to work harder or achieve more
ex) Meaningful budget changes will require “going outside everyone’s current comfort zone,” as economist Timothy Taylor says on his blog.
Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things can be a great experience.
We cannot afford to have anyone operating in a comfort zone.
I’ll tell you what drives me crazy—people who have talent but cruise along in the comfort zone.
mobilize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˈməʊbəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈmoʊbəlaɪz/
1) [transitive, intransitive] mobilize (somebody) to work together in order to achieve a particular aim; to organize a group of people to do this
synonym rally
ex) Liberal groups are already mobilizing against cuts in Social Security and Medicare.
The unions mobilized thousands of workers in a protest against the cuts.
They successfully mobilized public opinion against him.
go/run deep
(of emotions, beliefs, etc.) to be felt in a strong way, especially for a long time
ex) Republican hostility to tax increases runs deep.
Feelings about the death of a parent are bound to go deep.
Dignity and pride run deep in this community.
overblown adjective
BrE /ˌəʊvəˈbləʊn/ ; NAmE /ˌoʊvərˈbloʊn/
1) that is made to seem larger, more impressive or more important than it really is
synonym exaggerated
ex) These objections are overblown. Millions of comfortable retirees can afford Social Security cuts or higher Medicare premiums and remain comfortable.
overblown ambitions/egos
comfortable adjective
BrE /ˈkʌmftəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈkʌmftəbl/ ; BrE also /ˈkʌmfətəbl/ ; NAmE also /ˈkʌmfərtəbl/
4) having enough money to buy what you want without worrying about the cost
ex) These objections are overblown. Millions of comfortable retirees can afford Social Security cuts or higher Medicare premiums and remain comfortable.
They’re not millionaires, but they’re certainly very comfortable.
He makes a comfortable living.
They come from comfortable middle-class families.
purist noun
BrE /ˈpjʊərɪst/ ; NAmE /ˈpjʊrɪst/
- pragmatist noun
BrE /ˈpræɡmətɪst/ ; NAmE /ˈpræɡmətɪst/ (formal)
a person who thinks things should be done in the traditional way and who has strong opinions on what is correct in language, art, etc. 순수 주의자
ex) Still, ideological purists won’t become pragmatists.
Purists may not approve of the changes made to the text of the play in this production. 실용 [실익] 주의자
- a person who behaves in a practical and sensible way rather than having fixed ideas or theories
ex) The successful teacher is invariably a pragmatist and a realist.
이것 참 혼란스러워 보입니다. 왜냐면 혼란스럽기 때문이죠.
It seems confusing, because it is confusing.
앞으로 우리가 맞게 될 어떤 날들 보다도 지금 바로 다음 선거로부터 가장 멀리 있습니다. (선거까지 지금 가장 많이 남았다.)
We are now as far away from the next election as we’ll ever be.
grapple verb
BrE /ˈɡræpl/ ; NAmE /ˈɡræpl/
1) [intransitive, transitive] to take a firm hold of somebody/something and struggle with them
ex) Passers-by grappled with the man after the attack.
They managed to grapple him to the ground.
2) [intransitive] to try hard to find a solution to a problem
ex) Is there a better time to grapple with these perplexing and unpopular problems?
The new government has yet to grapple with the problem of air pollution.
a government trying to grapple with inflation
an attempt to grapple with this very difficult issue
I was grappling to find an answer to his question.
sink or swim
to be in a situation where you will either succeed by your own efforts or fail completely
ex) The new students were just left to sink or swim.
flimsy adjective
BrE /ˈflɪmzi/ ; NAmE /ˈflɪmzi/ (flimsier, flimsiest)
3) difficult to believe
synonym feeble
ex) Many health apps are based on flimsy science at best, and they often do not work.
a flimsy excuse/explanation
The evidence against him is pretty flimsy.
He keeps calling on the flimsiest of pretexts.
huckster noun
BrE /ˈhʌkstə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈhʌkstər/ (old-fashioned, North American English)
1) (disapproving) a person who uses aggressive or annoying methods to sell something
ex) When the iTunes store began offering apps that used cellphone light to cure acne, federal investigators knew that hucksters had found a new spot in cyberspace.
mischief noun
BrE /ˈmɪstʃɪf/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪstʃɪf/ [uncountable]
5) [uncountable] formal damage or harm that is done to someone or to their property
ex) We realized this could be a medium for mischief.
The jury cleared him of the charge of criminal mischief.
mired adjective
BrE /ˈmaɪəd/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪərd/ [not before noun]mired in something(literary)
- bog somebody down | bog somebody down in something | bog something down | bog something down in something[usually passive]
1) in a difficult or unpleasant situation that you cannot escape from
ex) Since then, the Food and Drug Administration has been mired in a debate over how to oversee these high-tech products, and government officials have not pursued any other app developers for making medically dubious claims.
Since 2008, the South Korean economy has been mired in recession.
The country was mired in recession.
His reasons for leaving are mired in confusion.
- be/get bogged down to be or become so involved with one particular thing that you cannot make any progress
ex) But the regulations have been bogged down by debates, hearings and legislative back-and-forth over whether government oversight would stifle innovation.
Try not to get bogged down in unnecessary detail.
The meeting got bogged down with disputes about who was going to do what.
dubious adjective
BrE /ˈdjuːbiəs/ ; NAmE /ˈduːbiəs/
1) [not usually before noun] dubious (about something)/(about doing something) (of a person) not certain and slightly suspicious about something; not knowing whether something is good or bad
synonym doubtful
ex) Since then, the Food and Drug Administration has been mired in a debate over how to oversee these high-tech products, and government officials have not pursued any other app developers for making medically dubious claims.
I was rather dubious about the whole idea.
riddle verb
BrE /ˈrɪdl/ ; NAmE /ˈrɪdl/
[usually passive] riddle somebody/something (with something) to make a lot of holes in somebody/something
ex) Now, both the iTunes store and the Google Play store are riddled with health apps that experts say do not work and in some cases could even endanger people.
The car was riddled with bullets.
a bullet-riddled car
flabby adjective
BrE /ˈflæbi/ ; NAmE /ˈflæbi/ (informal, disapproving) (flabbier, flabbiest)
1) having soft, loose flesh; fat
ex) These apps offer quick fixes for everything from flabby abs to alcoholism, and they promise relief from pain, stress, stuttering and even ringing in the ears.
flabby thighs
He’s got soft and flabby since he gave up running.
stutter verb
BrE /ˈstʌtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈstʌtər/
1) [transitive, intransitive] to have difficulty speaking because you cannot stop yourself from repeating the first sound of some words several times
synonym stammer
ex) These apps offer quick fixes for everything from flabby abs to alcoholism, and they promise relief from pain, stress, stuttering and even ringing in the ears.
‘W-w-what?’ he stuttered.
I managed to stutter a reply.
newfangled adjective
BrE /ˌnjuːˈfæŋɡld/ ; NAmE /ˌnuːˈfæŋɡld/ usually before noun
used to describe something that has recently been invented or introduced, but that you do not like because it is not what you are used to, or is too complicated
ex) Many of these apps do not follow established medical guidelines, and few have been tested through the sort of clinical research that is standard for less newfangled treatments sold by other means, a probe by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting has found.
She is a fan of various newfangled educational theories.
newfangled ideas about child-rearing
probe noun
BrE /prəʊb/ ; NAmE /proʊb/
1) probe (into something) (used especially in newspapers) a thorough and careful investigation of something
ex) Many of these apps do not follow established medical guidelines, and few have been tested through the sort of clinical research that is standard for less newfangled treatments sold by other means, a probe by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting has found.
a police probe into the financial affairs of the company
Arson probe after three die at home.
in question
- be at issue
1) that is being discussed
ex) Another dozen used the light of the cellphone, and two others used phone vibrations. Scientists say none of these methods could possibly work for the conditions in question.
On the day in question we were in Cardiff.
- to be the most important part of the subject that is being discussed
ex) The song at issue is sweeping the European music world.
What is at issue is whether she was responsible for her actions.
bogus adjective
BrE /ˈbəʊɡəs/ ; NAmE /ˈboʊɡəs/
pretending to be real or genuine
synonym false
ex) “Virtually any app that claims it will cure someone of a disease, condition or mental health condition is bogus,” says John Grohol, an expert in online health technology, pointing out that the vast majority of apps have not been scientifically tested. “Developers are just preying on people’s vulnerabilities.”
a bogus doctor/contract
bogus claims of injury by workers
prey on somebody | prey on something | prey upon somebody | prey upon something
to harm somebody who is weaker than you, or make use of them in a dishonest way to get what you want
ex) “Virtually any app that claims it will cure someone of a disease, condition or mental health condition is bogus,” says John Grohol, an expert in online health technology, pointing out that the vast majority of apps have not been scientifically tested. “Developers are just preying on people’s vulnerabilities.”
Bogus social workers have been preying on old people living alone.
The gang has been preying on foreign tourists.
grossly adverb
BrE /ˈɡrəʊsli/ ; NAmE /ˈɡroʊsli/ (disapproving)
(used to describe unpleasant qualities) extremely
ex) “They take some therapeutic method that is real - and in some cases experimental - and create a grossly simplified version of that therapy using the iPhone. Who knows? Maybe it works.” But until testing shows otherwise, “my feeling would be that it doesn’t.”
grossly overweight/unfair/inadequate
Press reports have been grossly exaggerated.
otherwise adverb
BrE /ˈʌðəwaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈʌðərwaɪz/
2) in a different or opposite way from what has been mentioned
ex) “They take some therapeutic method that is real - and in some cases experimental - and create a grossly simplified version of that therapy using the iPhone. Who knows? Maybe it works.” But until testing shows otherwise, “my feeling would be that it doesn’t.”
Sarah believed Tony was innocent. Indeed she had never thought otherwise.
I plan to wait here unless someone tells me otherwise.
to be sure
(formal) used for admitting that something is true, before you say something that seems to be the opposite of this
ex) “They take some therapeutic method that is real - and in some cases experimental - and create a grossly simplified version of that therapy using the iPhone. Who knows? Maybe it works.” But until testing shows otherwise, “my feeling would be that it doesn’t.” To be sure, there are many outstanding health apps, particularly those intended for doctors and hospitals, that are helping to revolutionize medical care, according to physicians and others.
He is intelligent, to be sure, but he’s also very lazy.
To be sure, most people are law-abiding, but crime remains a problem.
(there is) no way
(informal) used to say that there is no possibility that you will do something or that something will happen
ex) But consumers have almost noway of distinguishing great high-tech tools from what Prunty called the “snake oil.”
Kids these days are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of new apps on their smart phones. There’s no way I could keep up with that.
‘Do you want to help?’ ‘No way!’
No way am I going to drive them there.
There’s no way we could afford that sort of money.
snake oil noun
BrE ; NAmE uncountable
something, for example medicine, that somebody tries to sell you, but that is not effective or useful
ex) But consumers have almost noway of distinguishing great high-tech tools from what Prunty called the “snake oil.”
a snake-oil salesman
explicit adjective
BrE /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/
ex) said, done or shown in an open or direct way, so that you have no doubt about what is happening
ex) The company’s content guidelines say it bans sexually explicit material, gratuitous violence or anything that may damage users’ devices.
The reasons for the decision should be made explicit.
She made some very explicit references to my personal life.
a sexually explicit film
gratuitous adjective
BrE /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/ ; NAmE /ɡrəˈtuːɪtəs/ (disapproving)
done without any good reason or purpose and often having harmful effects
synonym unnecessary
ex) The company’s content guidelines say it bans sexually explicit material, gratuitous violence or anything that may damage users’ devices.
gratuitous violence on television
There’s too much gratuitous violence in the film.
It was a completely gratuitous insult which the singer’s agent was forced to apologize for.
back and forth
from one place to another and back again repeatedly
ex) But the regulations have been bogged down by debates, hearings and legislative back-and-forth over whether government oversight would stifle innovation.
ferries sailing back and forth between the islands
stifle verb
BrE /ˈstaɪfl/ ; NAmE /ˈstaɪfl/
1) [transitive] stifle something to prevent something from happening; to prevent a feeling from being expressed
synonym suppress
ex) But the regulations have been bogged down by debates, hearings and legislative back-and-forth over whether government oversight would stifle innovation.
She managed to stifle a yawn.
They hope the new rules will not stifle creativity.
The government failed to stifle the unrest.
She pressed her hand against her mouth to stifle her sobs.
Stifling her impatience, she waited another half an hour.
lull somebody into something
- lull noun
BrE /lʌl/ ; NAmE /lʌl/
to make somebody feel confident and relaxed, especially so that they do not expect it when somebody does something bad or dishonest
ex) These apps can sometimes give inaccurate information or lull people into ignoring symptoms that might need medical attention.
His friendly manner lulled her into a false sense of security (= made her feel safe with him when she should not have).
- [usually singular] lull (in something) a quiet period between times of activity
ex) After a short lull, his violence spun out of control.
a lull in the conversation/fighting
Just before an attack everything would go quiet but we knew it was just the lull before the storm (= before a time of noise or trouble).
blemish noun
BrE /ˈblemɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈblemɪʃ/
a mark on the skin or on an object that spoils it and makes it look less beautiful or perfect
ex) AcneApp cited a study in the British Journal of Dermatology, which suggested that light therapy was almost twice as effective as over-the-counter blemish treatments.
make-up to cover blemishes
(figurative) His reputation is without a blemish.
seal (or stamp) of approval
1) an official statement or indication that something is accepted or regarded favorably.
ex) It will award some apps the high-tech equivalent of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
efficacy noun
BrE /ˈefɪkəsi/ ; NAmE /ˈefɪkəsi/ uncountable
the ability of something to produce the results that are wanted
synonym effectiveness
ex) Shesha Kalapatapu, an attorney for the Houston dermatologist who helped create AcneApp, said his client “was not making any claims of efficacy.”
to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment
ophthalmology noun
BrE /ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒi/ ; NAmE /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒi/ [uncountable]
- ophthalmologist noun
BrE /ˌɒfθælˈmɒlədʒɪst/ ; NAmE /ˌɑːfθælˈmɑːlədʒɪst/
** optician noun
(also ophthalmic optician) (British English) (also optometrist North American English, British English)
the scientific study of the eye and its diseases 안과학
ex) Yet it takes 10 times that, or 2,000 lux, to treat SAD in a two-hour session, says Alfred Lewy, a professor of psychiatry and ophtalmology at Oregon Health and Science University, who has studied the effect of light therapy on winter depression.
* a doctor who studies and treats the diseases of the eye 안과 의사
** 1) a person whose job is to examine people’s eyes and to recommend and sell glasses 안경사, 검안사
disclaimer noun
BrE /dɪsˈkleɪmə(r)/ ; NAmE /dɪsˈkleɪmər/
1) (formal) a statement in which somebody says that they are not connected with or responsible for something, or that they do not have any knowledge of it
ex) Consumers who look at the app on the iTunes site will find a disclaimer that says, “IMPORTANT. The iSAD Lamp is meant for entertainment purposes” and adds: “We are not responsible for any misuse or failure.”
They protect themselves by issuing various disclaimers.
plausible adjective
BrE /ˈplɔːzəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈplɔːzəbl/
1) (of an excuse or explanation) reasonable and likely to be true
opposite implausible
ex) “There is no plausible, physiologic way in which something like this would help,” said Misra.
Her story sounded perfectly plausible.
The only plausible explanation is that he forgot.
defragmentation noun
BrE /ˌdifræɡmenˈteɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌdifræɡmenˈteɪʃn/
In the maintenance of file systems, defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation. It does this by physically organizing the contents of the mass storage device used to store files into the smallest number of contiguous regions (fragments).
ex) The neural reprogramming treatment “is like a natural defragmentation and reallocation of memory files.”
nugget noun
BrE /ˈnʌɡɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈnʌɡɪt/
3) a small thing such as an idea or a fact that people think of as valuable
synonym snippet
ex) Some apps distort nuggets of scientific truth, while others veer into the realm of medical myths.
a useful nugget of information
veer verb
BrE /vɪə(r)/ ; NAmE /vɪr/
1) to suddenly move in a different direction
synonym swerve
ex) Some apps distort nuggets of scientific truth, while others veer into the realm of medical myths.
He picked up the phone behind the wheel, veered off the road, crashed into a lamppost and died on the spot.
The bus veered onto the wrong side of the road.
It is still not clear why the missile veered off course.
The Volkswagen veered off the road and crashed into a fence.
augmentation noun
BrE /ˌɔːɡmenˈteɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɔːɡmenˈteɪʃn/ uncountable, countable
the act or process of increasing the amount, value, size, etc. of something
ex) Breast Augmentation, sold on Google Play for 99 cents, attempts to capitalize on the notion that breast-feeding women have larger breasts.
the augmentation of the money supply
breast augmentation surgery
capitalize on something | capitalize upon something
to gain a further advantage for yourself from a situation
synonym take advantage
ex) Breast Augmentation, sold on Google Play for 99 cents, attempts to capitalize on the notion that breast-feeding women have larger breasts.
The team failed to capitalize on their early lead.
lactate verb
BrE /lækˈteɪt/ ; NAmE /lækˈteɪt/ intransitive
(of a woman or female animal) to produce milk from the breasts to feed a baby or young animal
ex) While lactating women’s breasts may get bigger when they fill with milk, Breast Augmentation claims that all kinds of women can get larger breasts just by listening to the sounds of a crying baby at least 20 times a day, a claim that experts say has no basis.
subliminally adverb
BrE /ˌsʌbˈlɪmɪnli/ ; NAmE /ˌsʌbˈlɪmɪnli/
- sublime adjective
BrE /səˈblaɪm/ ; NAmE /səˈblaɪm/
in a way that affects your mind even though you are not aware of it
ex) “The tone works by stimulating the brain subliminally,” the app’s advertisement says.
Symbols and motifs tend to work subliminally to give the audience a more meaningful experience.
- 1) of very high quality and causing great admiration; MAINLY LITERARY extremely good or beautiful
ex) sublime beauty
a sublime combination of flavours
The location of the hotel is sublime.
2) (formal, often disapproving) (of a person’s behaviour or attitudes) extreme, especially in a way that shows they are not aware of what they are doing or are not concerned about what happens because of it
ex) the sublime confidence of youth
He battled on, in the sublime conviction that he was in the right.
an old wives’ tale
(disapproving) an old idea or belief that has been proved not to be scientific
ex) Bot Corey Whelan, program director of the American Fertility Association, said, “Gender selection techniques are all old wives’ tales.”
tinnitus noun
BrE /ˈtɪnɪtəs/ ; NAmE /ˈtɪnɪtəs/ uncountable
an unpleasant condition in which somebody hears ringing in their ears
ex) Meanwhile, an app to help people who have ringing in their ears, or tinnitus, was sold in both the iTunes and Google Play stores until early August and contained multiple medical misconceptions.
audiologist noun
BrE /ˌɔːdiˈɒlədʒɪst/ ; NAmE /ˌɔːdiˈɑːlədʒɪst/
a scientist or doctor who deals with the sense of hearing 청각학자, 청력학자
ex) In fact, tinnitus is not caused by stuck ear hairs and can be a sign of many underlying medical conditions, including hearing loss, high blood pressure, allergies and anxiety, says Rhonda Ruby, and audiologist who has treated patients for 35 years at the West Newton Hearing Center in Massachusetts. “There is no cure for tinnitus,” she says.
in lieu (of something)
- instead of
instead of
ex) “I am not a meical expert, and I wouldn’t want anyone using my app in lieu of medical treatment, but it does seem to work for some people,” Williams said.
They took cash in lieu of the prize they had won.
We work on Saturdays and have a day off in lieu during the week.
- ex) I got him employed in your stead.
proactive adjective
BrE /ˌprəʊˈæktɪv/ ; NAmE /ˌproʊˈæktɪv/
(of a person or policy) controlling a situation by making things happen rather than waiting for things to happen and then reacting to them
ex) “I want to make sure that I’m proactive about following regulations and doing things correctly.”
a proactive approach
Managers must be proactive in identifying and preventing potential problems.
green card lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa program is a United States congressionally mandated lottery program for receiving a United States Permanent Resident Card. It is also known as the Green Card Lottery. The lottery is administered on an annual basis by the Department of State and conducted under the terms of Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Section 131 of the Immigration Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-649) amended INA 203 to provide for a new class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” (DV immigrants). The Act makes available 55,000 permanent resident visas annually to natives of countries deemed to have low rates of immigration to the United States.
ex) I entered the green card lottery in the fall of 2010.
give (somebody) pause
also give (somebody) pause for thought
(formal) to make somebody think seriously about something or hesitate before doing something
ex) It was a surprisingly simple form, composed mostly of questions on contact information, but a box that read “Country Claimed” gave me pause.
Popular resistance to the measures should give the government pause.
in good faith
believing that what you are doing is right; believing that something is correct
ex) Most applicants write in wherever they were born, but for me it was a bit more complicated; I could not, in good faith, claim any country as my own.
We printed the report in good faith but have now learnt that it was incorrect.
He bought the painting in good faith (= he did not know that it had been stolen).
extraction noun
BrE /ɪkˈstrækʃn/ ; NAmE /ɪkˈstrækʃn/
2) [uncountable] of… extraction (formal) having a particular family origin
ex) I was born in Canada on July 19, 1986. My Iranian-born parents (of Armenian and Russian extraction) were living in Geneva at the time, but Switzerland grants citizenship only to the children of naturalized citizens.
an American of Hungarian extraction
a young American lawyer of Irish extraction
all/only too
used for emphasizing that you wish that something did not happen so much or that something was not true; definitely but regrettably
ex) I was destined to inherit an Iranian passport, and they knew all too well the lifetime of travel and work restrictions that would entail.
All too often it is the victim who gets blamed.
the all too familiar story of a man ruined by his own ambition
They discovered that unfortunately the rumour was only too true.
I knew only too well how dangerous the operation might be.
entail verb
BrE /ɪnˈteɪl/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈteɪl/
to involve something that cannot be avoided
synonym involve
ex) I was destined to inherit an Iranian passport, and they knew all too well the lifetime of travel and work restrictions that would entail.
The job entails a lot of hard work.
What does the job actually entail?
The girls learn exactly what is entailed in caring for a newborn baby.
It will entail driving a long distance every day.
in tow
1) (informal) if you have somebody in tow, they are with you and following closely behind
ex) She would give birth at a local hospital, stay with her brother, who lived there, until my paperwork was processed, and return to Geneva with a Canadian baby in tow.
She turned up with her mother in tow.
a harassed mother with three small children in tow
misleading adjective
BrE /ˌmɪsˈliːdɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˌmɪsˈliːdɪŋ/
giving the wrong idea or impression and making you believe something that is not true
synonym deceptive
ex) But my paper were, once again, misleading.
misleading information/advertisements
It would be seriously misleading to suggest that television has no effect on children.
to all intents and purposes(British English)
North American English for all intents and purposes
used for saying that although something is not exactly true or accurate, the situation is the same as if it were true or accurate; in the effects that something has, if not in reality; almost completely
ex) I lived in Switzerland, but for all intents and purposes, I grew up on international soil.
They run a car that to all intents and purposes is a commercial delivery vehicle.
By 1981 the docks had, to all intents and purposes, closed.
The two items are, to all intents and purposes, identical.
on account of somebody/something
because of somebody/something
ex) When I went to college in New York, I was invited to Armenian events on the basis of my last name and Iranian ones on account of my first name, and I didn’t think too much about where I came from.
She retired early on account of ill health.
The marsh is an area of great scientific interest on account of its wild flowers.
albeit conjunction
BrE /ˌɔːlˈbiːɪt/ ; NAmE /ˌɔːlˈbiːɪt/ (formal)
although; used for introducing a comment that slightly changes or reduces the effect of what you said before it
ex) Having spent my entire (albeit short) adult life here, I couldn’t imagine leaving.
He finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, to help us.
The United States finally agreed, albeit unwillingly, to support the UN action.
in need of something
needing something
ex) So when I graduated, I found myself in need of a work visa.
He came in tired and hungry and badly in need of a bath.
My car is in need of repair.
O visa
An O visa is a classification of non-immigrant temporary worker visa granted by the United States to an alien “who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements,” and to certain assistants and immediate family members of such aliens.
ex) There are several types of visas under which foreigners can work here, from seasonal farm work programs to O visas for “extraordinary aliens” – Nobel Prize winners, celebrities and occasionally writers.
a long shot
an attempt or a guess that is not likely to be successful but is worth trying
ex) For someone like me, just starting out in a career, this one was a long shot.
It’s a long shot, but it just might work.
H-1B visa
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a)(15)(H). It allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. If a foreign worker in H-1B status quits or is dismissed from the sponsoring employer, the worker must either apply for and be granted a change of status to another non-immigrant status, find another employer (subject to application for adjustment of status and/or change of visa), or leave the U.S.
The regulations define a “specialty occupation” as requiring theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in a field of human endeavor including but not limited to biotechnology, chemistry, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, law, accounting, business specialties, theology, and the arts, and requiring the attainment of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent as a minimum (with the exception of fashion models, who must be “of distinguished merit and ability”). Likewise, the foreign worker must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and state licensure, if required to practice in that field. H-1B work-authorization is strictly limited to employment by the sponsoring employer.
ex) The most common visa among college graduates is the H-1B.
shell out (for something) | shell something↔out (for something)
(informal) to pay a lot of money for something
synonym fork out (for something)
ex) But the application process takes months, and the employer is required to shell out thousands of dollars in legal fees to pay for sponsorship.
The band shelled out $100 000 for a mobile recording studio.
나는 변호사에게 내가 머물기 위해서 할 수 있는 일이 있는지 물었다.
I asked a lawyer if there was anything I could do to stay.
try something on for size
1) to try on clothes to see if they fit
ex) Can I try this on for size?
2) to try something to see if it is suitable
ex) I tried out Russia for size, but lasted barely six weeks (life advice: don’t go to Russia if you’re depressed).
If you think that game’s easy, try this one on for size.
rerun noun
BrE /ˈriːrʌn/ ; NAmE /ˈriːrʌn/
1) a television programme that is shown again
ex) Eventually, I found a job at an international organization in Paris and spent the year Skyping with my New York friends, listening to WNYC reruns on my laptop and applying to graduate schools back in the United States.
reruns of old TV shows
학교로 돌아갈 수 있을 만한 운이 따르지 않았거나 돈이 없었다면 내가 도대체 어디 있게 되었을 지 모르겠다.
Had I not had the good fortune and the funds to go back to school, I don’t know where in the world I’d be.
그 전의 어느 때보다 열심히 일하면서 그 해를 보냈다.
I spent that year working harder than I ever had before.
make up for something
to do something that corrects a bad situation
synonym compensate
ex) I would have to make up for my nationality with labor and talent, a school counselor told me.
Nothing can make up for the loss of a child.
After all the delays, we were anxious to make up for lost time.
Her enthusiasm makes up for her lack of experience.
A warm and sunny September made up for a miserable wet August.
leper noun
BrE /ˈlepə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈlepər/
- leprosy noun
BrE /ˈleprəsi/ ; NAmE /ˈleprəsi/ [uncountable]
1) a person suffering from leprosy
ex) When I interviewed for jobs, I felt like a leper.
2) a person that other people avoid because they have done something that these people do not approve of
ex) His outspoken views have made him a social leper.
* an infectious disease that causes painful white areas on the skin and can destroy nerves and flesh
come clean (with somebody) (about something)
to admit and explain something that you have kept as a secret
ex) My international classmates joked that coming clean about a limited work permit at a job interview was like telling someone you had herpes on a first date.
Isn’t it time the government came clean about their plans for education?
herpes noun
BrE /ˈhɜːpiːz/ ; NAmE /ˈhɜːrpiːz/ [uncountable]
one of a group of infectious diseases, caused by a virus, that cause painful spots on the skin, especially on the face and sexual organs
ex) My international classmates joked that coming clean about a limited work permit at a job interview was like telling someone you had herpes on a first date.
odds noun
BrE /ɒdz/ ; NAmE /ɑːdz/ [plural]
(also the odds) the degree to which something is likely to happen
ex) They call it a lottery for good reason; the odds of winning are minute.
The odds are very much in our favour (= we are likely to succeed).
The odds are heavily against him (= he is not likely to succeed).
The odds are that (= it is likely that) she’ll win.
What are the odds (= how likely is it) he won’t turn up?
minute adjective
BrE /maɪˈnjuːt/ ; NAmE /maɪˈnjuːt/ , also /maɪˈnuːt/ (minuter, minutest)
1) extremely small
synonym tiny
ex) They call it a lottery for good reason; the odds of winning are minute.
minute amounts of chemicals in the water
The kitchen on the boat is minute.
The soil contained minute quantities of uranium.
The chances of success were minute.
2) very detailed, careful and thorough
ex) a minute examination/inspection
She remembered everything in minute detail/in the minutest detail(s).
그냥 지나가게 놔 두는 건 낭비같아 보였다.
It seemed like waste to let it pass.
head-on adverb
BrE /ˌhed ˈɒn/ ; NAmE /ˌhed ˈɑːn/ , /ˌhed ˈɔːn/
- rear-end verb
1) in such a way that the front part of one vehicle hits the front part of another vehicle or thing
ex) My car collided head-on with the car coming at me on the wrong side of the road.
The cars crashed head-on.
We hit the tree head-on.
2) by expressing strong views and dealing with something in a direct way
ex) It was 7 a.m., and head-on, I looked like a sleepy convict.
to tackle a problem head-on (= without trying to avoid it)
- rear-end something/somebody (informal, especially North American English) (of a vehicle or driver) to drive into the back of another vehicle
ex) There was a loud crash as someone rear-ended me.
country/place of origin
the place where someone or something comes from
ex) It informed me that I was disqualified from the lottery because I’d claimed the wrong country of origin.
come back to bite you
If a problem will come back to bite you, it will cause more trouble for you in the future if you do not solve it now.
ex) My mother’s trip in the summer of 1986 came back to bite me.
pitch verb
BrE /pɪtʃ/ ; NAmE /pɪtʃ/
5) [TRANSITIVE] to try to sell something by saying how good it is; [transitive, intransitive] to try to persuade somebody to buy something, to give you something or to make a business deal with you
ex) Thanks to months of pitching articles to whoever would let me write them - not to mention a good lawyer - I finally obtained an O visa this year.
He had tried to pitch the series to all the major television networks.
Representatives went to Japan to pitch the company’s newest products.
We were pitching against a much larger company for the contract.
gall bladder noun
- bile noun
BrE /baɪl/ ; NAmE /baɪl/ [uncountable]
an organ attached to the liver in which bile is stored 쓸개, 담낭
ex) Surgeons once made incisions large enough to get to a gallbladder or other organs by using conventional tools they held in their own hands.
* 1) the greenish brown liquid with a bitter unpleasant taste that is produced by the liver to help the body to deal with the fats we eat, and that can come into your mouth when you vomit with an empty stomach 담즙
intrusive adjective
BrE /ɪnˈtruːsɪv/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈtruːsɪv/
1) too noticeable, direct, etc. in a way that is disturbing or annoying
ex) Now there are robotic systems - one on the market, others in development - that are even less intrusive.
intrusive questions
The constant presence of the media was very intrusive.
urologist noun
BrE /jʊəˈrɒlədʒɪst/ ; NAmE /jʊˈrɑːlədʒɪst/ (medical)
a doctor or scientist who is a specialist in the urinary system 비뇨기과 전문의
ex) This could lead to faster recovery, said Dr. Michael Hsieh, a Stanford professor and a urologist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Hospital.
오줌을 누다
- pee
- take[have] a leak[piss]
- pass[discharge] (one’s) urine[water]
latrine noun
BrE /ləˈtriːn/ ; NAmE /ləˈtriːn/
a toilet in a camp, etc., especially one made by digging a hole in the ground
ex) We put up the tents and dug a latrine pit.
scar verb
BrE /skɑː(r)/ ; NAmE /skɑːr/ [often passive]
1) scar somebody/something (of a wound, etc.) to leave a mark on the skin after it has healed
ex) And there will be less scarring, or even no scarring, if you enter through the navel.
His face was badly scarred.
navel noun
BrE /ˈneɪvl/ ; NAmE /ˈneɪvl/
(informal belly button)
(informal tummy button)
the small hollow part or lump in the middle of the stomach where the umbilical cord was cut at birth
ex) And there will be less scarring, or even no scarring, if you enter through the navel.
add-on noun
- add something↔on (to something)
a thing that is added to something else
ex) The system, approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for gallbladder removal, is used as an add-on to a basic robotic system from Intuitive, known as the da Vinci Si.
The company offers scuba-diving as an add-on to the basic holiday price.
add-on software (= added to a computer)
- to include or attach something extra
ex) A service charge of 15% was added on to the bill.
by way of something
by a route that includes the place mentioned
synonym via
ex) Seated at a computer there, Dr. Joseph Uddo Jr. can control the instruments, which can enter the body by way of one incision in the naval.
The artist recently arrived in Paris from Bulgaria by way of Vienna.
She came to TV by way of drama school.
laparoscopy noun
BrE /ˌlæpəˈrɒskəpi/ ; NAmE /ˌlæpəˈrɑːskəpi/ (pl. laparoscopies)(medical)
(cf. Band-Aid surgery/keyhole surgery)
- laparoscope noun
(ˈlæpərəˌskəʊp )
an examination of the inside of the body using a tube-shaped instrument that can be put through the wall of the abdomen
- a medical instrument consisting of a tube that is inserted through the abdominal wall and illuminated to enable a doctor to view the internal organs
ex) Minimally invasive surgery through a single incision can also be performed with long, thin laparoscopic tools that surgeons wield as they watch a video monitor.
wield verb
BrE /wiːld/ ; NAmE /wiːld/
2) wield something to hold something, ready to use it as a weapon or tool
synonym brandish
ex) Minimally invasive surgery through a single incision can also be performed with long, thin laparoscopic tools that surgeons wield as they watch a video monitor.
He was wielding a large knife.
gastrointestinal adjective
BrE /ˌɡæstrəʊɪnˈtestɪnl/ , also /ˌɡæstrəʊɪnteˈstaɪnl/ ; NAmE /ˌɡæstroʊɪnˈtestɪnl/ (medical)
of or related to the stomach and intestines 위장의
ex) But single-incision laparoscopic surgery with hand-held instruments can have problems, said Dr. Adrian Park, chairman of the department of surgery at the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Md., who specializes in minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery.
ergonomic adjective
BrE /ˌɜːɡəˈnɒmɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌɜːrɡəˈnɑːmɪk/
designed to improve people’s working conditions and to help them work more efficiently
ex) One difficulty is its ergonomic challenge to doctors, while another is the pressure that the tools place on tissue during single-incision operations.
ergonomic design
haptic adjective
BrE /ˈhæptɪk/ ; NAmE /ˈhæptɪk/ (specialist)
relating to or involving the sense of touch
ex) Such proof will take time, said Allison Okamura, and associate professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford who directs the Collaborative Haptics and Robotics in Medicine Lab.
Players use a haptic device such as a joystick to control the game.
the jury is (still) out on something
used when you are saying that something is still not certain
ex) “The jury is still out because of the longevity of the studies that are required,” she said.
The jury is still out on whether wine can be good for you.
shoot for something
(North American English, informal) to try to achieve or get something, especially something difficult
ex) “We may get to the point where we do outpatient, scarless robotic surgery,” he said. “That’s what I’m shooting for.”
We’ve been shooting for a pay raise for months.
mindful adjective
BrE /ˈmaɪndfl/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪndfl/
mindful of somebody/something | mindful that… (formal) remembering somebody/something and considering them or it when you do something
synonym conscious
ex) Academic study and the steady, mindful practice of religion slowly brought me back to life.
mindful of our responsibilities
Mindful of the danger of tropical storms, I decided not to go out.
She is mindful that the election result was very close last time.
bring somebody/something to life
to make somebody/something more interesting or exciting
ex) Academic study and the steady, mindful practice of religion slowly brought me back to life.
The new teacher really brought French to life for us.
Flowers can bring a dull room back to life.
keep something↔up
4) to continue to use or practise something
ex) I have kept up what some people would consider my strange religious practices.
to keep up old traditions
Do you still keep up your Spanish?
zoology noun
BrE /zuˈɒlədʒi/ ; NAmE /zuˈɑːlədʒi/ ; BrE /zəʊˈɒlədʒi/ ; NAmE /zoʊˈɑːlədʒi/ [uncountable]
the scientific study of animals and their behaviour 동물학
ex) My majors were religious studies and zoology.
cosmogony noun
BrE /kɒzˈmɒɡəni/ ; NAmE /kɑːzˈmɑːɡəni/ [uncountable]
the part of science that deals with how the universe and the solar system 우주 생성론[진화론]
ex) My fourth-year thesis for religious studies concerned aspects of the cosmogony theory of Isaac Luria, the great sixteenth-century Kabbalist from Safed.
thyroid noun
BrE /ˈθaɪrɔɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈθaɪrɔɪd/
(also thyroid gland)
(anatomy)
a small organ at the front of the neck that produces hormones that control the way in which the body grows and functions 갑상선
ex) My zoology thesis was a functional analysis of the thyroid gland of the three-toed sloth.
an underactive/overactive thyroid
sloth noun
BrE /sləʊθ/ ; NAmE /sloʊθ/
1) [countable] an animal that lives in trees in tropical parts of America and moves very slowly 나무늘보
ex) My zoology thesis was a functional analysis of the thyroid gland of the three-toed sloth.
demeanour noun
(especially US English demeanor)
BrE /dɪˈmiːnə(r)/ ; NAmE /dɪˈmiːnər/ uncountable
the way that somebody looks or behaves
ex) I chose the sloth because its demeanour - calm, quiet and introspective - did something to soothe my shattered self.
He maintained a professional demeanour throughout.
introspective adjective
BrE /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/ ; NAmE /ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/
tending to think a lot about your own thoughts, feelings, etc.
ex) I chose the sloth because its demeanour - calm, quiet and introspective - did something to soothe my shattered self.
There were a lot of family problems and Jim became increasingly introspective.
an introspective piece of writing
paw noun
BrE /pɔː/ ; NAmE /pɔː/
- claw noun
BrE /klɔː/ ; NAmE /klɔː/
1) the foot of an animal that has claws or nails
- 1) one of the sharp curved nails on the end of an animal’s or a bird’s foot
The cat lashed out with its claws.
ex) There are two-toed sloths and there are three-toed sloths, the case being determined by the forepaws of the animals, since all sloths have three claws on their hind paws.
in situ adverb
BrE /ˌɪn ˈsɪtjuː/ , /ˌɪn ˈsaɪtjuː/ ; NAmE /ˌɪn ˈsaɪtuː/ (from Latin)
in the original or correct place; something that is in situ is in the place where it was found or put, and has not been moved
ex) I had the great luck one summer of studying the three-toed sloth in situ in the equatorial jungles of Brazil.
Our equipment remained in situ overnight.
equatorial adjective
BrE /ˌekwəˈtɔːriəl/ ; NAmE /ˌekwəˈtɔːriəl/
near the equator or typical of a country that is near the equator
ex) I had the great luck one summer of studying the three-toed sloth in situ in the equatorial jungles of Brazil.
equatorial rainforests
an equatorial climate
swarm with somebody | swarm with something
to be full of people or things
ex) We found them still in place late the next morning, the water of the dishes swarming with insects.
The capital city is swarming with police.
bough noun
BrE /baʊ/ ; NAmE /baʊ/ (formal or literary)
a large branch of a tree
ex) It moves along the bough of a tree in its characteristic upside-down position at the speed of roughly 400 metres an hour.
scale noun
BrE /skeɪl/ ; NAmE /skeɪl/
2) [countable] a range of levels or numbers used for measuring something
ex) On a scale of 2 to 10, where 2 represents unusual dullness and 10 extreme acuity, Beebe (1926) gave the sloth’s sense of taste, touch, sight and hearing a rating of 2, and its sense of smell a rating of 3.
a five-point pay scale
to evaluate performance on a scale from 1 to 10
The salary scale goes from £12 000 to £20 000.
a scale of charges
We were told to rate the films on a scale of 1 to 10.
the Celsius scale of temperature
indolence noun
BrE /ˈɪndələns/ ; NAmE /ˈɪndələns/ uncountable
the feeling of not wanting to work; lazy behaviour
synonym laziness (1)
ex) It is a highly intriguing creature. Its only real habit is indolence.
He was brought up in luxurious indolence.
acuity noun
BrE /əˈkjuːəti/ ; NAmE /əˈkjuːəti/ uncountable
the ability to think, see or hear clearly
ex) On a scale of 2 to 10, where 2 represents unusual dullness and 10 extreme acuity, Beebe (1926) gave the sloth’s sense of taste, touch, sight and hearing a rating of 2, and its sense of smell a rating of 3.
a child’s visual acuity
come on somebody | come on something | come upon somebody | come upon something
[no passive] (formal) to meet or find somebody/something by chance
ex) If you come upon a sleeping three-toed sloth in the wile, two or three nudges should suffice to awaken it; it will then look sleepily in every direction but yours.
suffice verb
BrE /səˈfaɪs/ ; NAmE /səˈfaɪs/ intransitive
- suffice (it) to say (that)…
(not used in the progressive tenses) to be enough for somebody/something
ex) If you come upon a sleeping three-toed sloth in the wile, two or three nudges should suffice to awaken it; it will then look sleepily in every direction but yours.
Generally a brief note or a phone call will suffice.
One example will suffice to illustrate the point.
- used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean
ex) It would suffice to say…
Suffice to say…
I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster.
not so… (as)
used for saying that one person or thing has less of a particular quality than another
ex) As for hearing, the sloth is not so much deaf as uninterested in sound.
The Rosario family managed to flee, but others were not so lucky.
It’s an attractive car but not so exciting to drive as the Ford Mustang.
The idea is not so silly as it sounds.
out of harm’s way
in a safe place where somebody/something cannot be hurt or injured or do any damage to somebody/something
ex) Sleepiness and slothfulness keep it out of harm’s way away from the notice of jaguars, ocelots, harpy eagles and anacondas.
She put the knife in a drawer, out of harm’s way.
I prefer the children to play in the garden where they’re out of harm’s way.
ocelot noun
BrE /ˈɒsəlɒt/ ; NAmE /ˈɑːsəlɑːt/ , /ˈoʊsəlɑːt/
a wild animal of the cat family, that has yellow fur with black lines and spots, found in Central and S America 오셀럿 (표범 무늬 고양이 같은…)
ex) Sleepiness and slothfulness keep it out of harm’s way away from the notice of jaguars, ocelots, harpy eagles and anacondas.
harpy eagle noun
a very large tropical American eagle, Harpia harpyja, with a black-and-white plumage and a head crest
ex) Sleepiness and slothfulness keep it out of harm’s way away from the notice of jaguars, ocelots, harpy eagles and anacondas.
shelter verb
BrE /ˈʃeltə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈʃeltər/
1) [transitive] to give somebody/something a place where they are protected from the weather or from danger; to protect somebody/something
ex) A sloth’s hairs shelter an algae that is brown during the dry season and green during the wet season, so the animal blends in with the surrounding moss and foliage and looks like a nest of white ants or of squirrels, or like nothing at all but part of a tree.
Trees shelter the house from the wind.
helping the poor and sheltering the homeless
Perhaps I sheltered my daughter too much (= protected her too much from unpleasant or difficult experiences).
algae noun
BrE /ˈældʒiː/ ; NAmE /ˈældʒiː/ ; BrE /ˈælɡiː/ ; NAmE /ˈælɡiː/ [uncountable, plural]
very simple plants, such as seaweed, that have no real leaves, stems or roots, and that grow in or near water
ex) A sloth’s hairs shelter an algae that is brown during the dry season and green during the wet season, so the animal blends in with the surrounding moss and foliage and looks like a nest of white ants or of squirrels, or like nothing at all but part of a tree.
blend in | blend in with somebody | blend in with something
if something blends in, it is similar to its surroundings or matches its surroundings
ex) A sloth’s hairs shelter an algae that is brown during the dry season and green during the wet season, so the animal blends in with the surrounding moss and foliage and looks like a nest of white ants or of squirrels, or like nothing at all but part of a tree.
Choose curtains that blend in with your decor.
The thieves soon blended in with the crowd and got away.
foliage noun
BrE /ˈfəʊliɪdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈfoʊliɪdʒ/ [uncountable]
the leaves of a tree or plant; leaves and branches together
ex) A sloth’s hairs shelter an algae that is brown during the dry season and green during the wet season, so the animal blends in with the surrounding moss and foliage and looks like a nest of white ants or of squirrels, or like nothing at all but part of a tree.
dense green foliage
be given to something/to doing something
(formal) to do something often or regularly
ex) I am not one given to projecting human traits and emotions onto animals, but many a time during that month in Brazil, looking up at sloths in repose, I felt I was in the presence of upside-down yogis deep in meditation or hermits deep in prayer, wise beings whose intense imaginative lives were beyond the reach of my scientific probing.
She’s much given to outbursts of temper.
He’s given to going for long walks on his own.
many a time, many’s the time (that)…
(old-fashioned) many times; frequently
ex) I am not one given to projecting human traits and emotions onto animals, but many a time during that month in Brazil, looking up at sloths in repose, I felt I was in the presence of upside-down yogis deep in meditation or hermits deep in prayer, wise beings whose intense imaginative lives were beyond the reach of my scientific probing.
repose noun
BrE /rɪˈpəʊz/ ; NAmE /rɪˈpoʊz/
[uncountable] (literary) a state of rest, sleep or feeling calm
ex) I am not one given to projecting human traits and emotions onto animals, but many a time during that month in Brazil, looking up at sloths in repose, I felt I was in the presence of upside-down yogis deep in meditation or hermits deep in prayer, wise beings whose intense imaginative lives were beyond the reach of my scientific probing.
She went outside seeking a few moments of repose.
In repose, his face was sad.
The first rays of morning sun disturbed their repose.
in the presence of somebody, in somebody’s presence
with somebody in the same place
ex) I am not one given to projecting human traits and emotions onto animals, but many a time during that month in Brazil, looking up at sloths in repose, I felt I was in the presence of upside-down yogis deep in meditation or hermits deep in prayer, wise beings whose intense imaginative lives were beyond the reach of my scientific probing.
The document was signed in the presence of two witnesses.
She asked them not to discuss the matter in her presence.
probing noun
BrE /ˈprəʊbɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈproʊbɪŋ/ [uncountable, countable]
activity that is trying hard to discover the truth about something
ex) I am not one given to projecting human traits and emotions onto animals, but many a time during that month in Brazil, looking up at sloths in repose, I felt I was in the presence of upside-down yogis deep in meditation or hermits deep in prayer, wise beings whose intense imaginative lives were beyond the reach of my scientific probing.
the journalist’s unwanted probings
muddled adjective
BrE /ˈmʌdld/ ; NAmE /ˈmʌdld/ (especially British English)
confused
ex) Sometimes I got my majors mixed up. A number of my fellow religious-studies students - muddled agnostics who didn’t know which way was up, who were in the thrall of reason, that fool’s gold for the bright - reminded me of the miracle of life, reminded me of God.
He gets muddled when the teacher starts shouting.
muddled thinking
a muddled (= badly organized) attempt to rescue the situation
agnostic noun
BrE /æɡˈnɒstɪk/ ; NAmE /æɡˈnɑːstɪk/
a person who believes that it is not possible to know whether God exists or not 불가지론자
ex) Sometimes I got my majors mixed up. A number of my fellow religious-studies students - muddled agnostics who didn’t know which way was up, who were in the thrall of reason, that fool’s gold for the bright - reminded me of the miracle of life, reminded me of God.
not know which way[end] is up
(informal) not to be alert and knowledgeable
ex) Sometimes I got my majors mixed up. A number of my fellow religious-studies students - muddled agnostics who didn’t know which way was up, who were in the thrall of reason, that fool’s gold for the bright - reminded me of the miracle of life, reminded me of God.
Don’t try to hustle me, sister. You think I don’t know which end is up?
Poor Jed doesn’t even know which end is up.
in (somebody’s/something’s) thrall, in thrall to somebody/something
(literary) controlled or strongly influenced by somebody/something
ex) Sometimes I got my majors mixed up. A number of my fellow religious-studies students - muddled agnostics who didn’t know which way was up, who were in the thrall of reason, that fool’s gold for the bright - reminded me of the miracle of life, reminded me of God.
His gaze held her in thrall.
She was in thrall to her emotions.
fool’s gold noun
2) omething that you think is valuable or will earn you a lot of money, but which has no chance of succeeding
ex) Sometimes I got my majors mixed up. A number of my fellow religious-studies students - muddled agnostics who didn’t know which way was up, who were in the thrall of reason, that fool’s gold for the bright - reminded me of the miracle of life, reminded me of God.
atheistic adjective
BrE /ˌeɪθiˈɪstɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌeɪθiˈɪstɪk/
connected with the belief that God does not exist
ex) Scientists are a friendly, atheistic, hard-working, beer-drinking lot whose minds are preoccupied with sex, chess and baseball when they are not preoccupied with science.
an atheistic philosophy
lot noun
BrE /lɒt/ ; NAmE /lɑːt/
2) [countable + singular or plural verb] (especially British English) a group or set of people or things
ex) Scientists are a friendly, atheistic, hard-working, beer-drinking lot whose minds are preoccupied with sex, chess and baseball when they are not preoccupied with science.
The first lot of visitors has/have arrived.
I have several lots of essays to mark this weekend.
(informal) What do you lot want?
preoccupied adjective
BrE /priˈɒkjupaɪd/ ; NAmE /priˈɑːkjupaɪd/
preoccupied (with something) thinking and/or worrying continuously about something so that you do not pay attention to other things
ex) Scientists are a friendly, atheistic, hard-working, beer-drinking lot whose minds are preoccupied with sex, chess and baseball when they are not preoccupied with science.
He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice anything wrong.
She seemed preoccupied all the time I was talking to her.
He was too preoccupied with his own problems to worry about hers.
We live in a world preoccupied by sport.
top noun
BrE /tɒp/ ; NAmE /tɑːp/
tops [plural] (old-fashioned, informal) a person or thing of the best quality
Among sports superstars she’s (the) tops.
In the survey the Brits come out tops for humour.
ex) I was tops at St. Michael’s college four years in a row.
저는 아주 우수한 학생이었습니다. 제 스스로 그렇게 말할 수 있다면 말이죠.
i was a very good student, if I may say so myself.
mortal adjective
BrE /ˈmɔːtl/ ; NAmE /ˈmɔːrtl/
1) human and not able to live for ever
ex) If I got none from the department of Religious Studies, it is simple because there are no student awards in this department (the rewards of religious study are not in mortal hands, we all know that).
His heart attack made him realize that he is mortal.
illustrious adjective
BrE /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ ; NAmE /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ (formal)
very famous and much admired, especially because of what you have achieved
synonym distinguished
ex) I would have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal, the University of Toronto’s highest undergraduate award, of which no small number of illustrious Canadians have been recipients, were it no for a beef-eating pink boy with a neck like a tree trunk and a temperament of unbearable good cheer.
The composer was one of many illustrious visitors to the town.
a long and illustrious career
temperament noun
BrE /ˈtemprəmənt/ ; NAmE /ˈtemprəmənt/
1) [countable, uncountable] a person’s or an animal’s nature as shown in the way they behave or react to situations or people
ex) I would have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal, the University of Toronto’s highest undergraduate award, of which no small number of illustrious Canadians have been recipients, were it no for a beef-eating pink boy with a neck like a tree trunk and a temperament of unbearable good cheer.
to have an artistic temperament
a horse with an excellent temperament
She’s a dreamer and a romantic by temperament.
To become a champion, you have to have the right temperament.
smart verb
BrE /smɑːt/ ; NAmE /smɑːrt/
2) [intransitive] smart (from/over something) to feel upset about a criticism, failure, etc.
ex) I still smart a little at the slight.
They are still smarting from the 4–0 defeat last week.
He is still smarting over his humiliation in the election.
slight noun
BrE /slaɪt/ ; NAmE /slaɪt/
slight (on somebody/something) an act or a remark that criticizes something or offends somebody
synonym insult
ex) I still smart a little at the slight.
Nick took her comment as a slight on his abilities as a manager.
trifling adjective
BrE /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/ (formal)
small and not important
synonym trivial
ex) When you’ve suffered a great deal in life, each additional pain is both unbearable and trifling.
trifling details
The money involved was a trifling sum.
memento mori noun
BrE /məˌmentəʊ ˈmɔːri/ ; NAmE /məˌmentoʊ ˈmɔːri/ ; BrE /məˌmentəʊ ˈmɔːraɪ/ ; NAmE /məˌmentoʊ ˈmɔːraɪ/ (pl. memento mori)
an object or symbol that reminds or warns you of death
ex) My life is like a memento mori painting from European art: there is always a grinning skull at my side to remind me of the folly of human ambition.
folly noun
BrE /ˈfɒli/ ; NAmE /ˈfɑːli/ (pl. follies)
1) [uncountable, countable] a lack of good judgement; the fact of doing something stupid; an activity or idea that shows a lack of judgement
synonym stupidity
ex) My life is like a memento mori painting from European art: there is always a grinning skull at my side to remind me of the folly of human ambition.
an act of sheer folly
Giving up a secure job seems to be the height of folly.
folly (to do something) It would be folly to turn the offer down.
the follies of youth
His idealism had been soured by the varied spectacle of human folly.
snicker verb
BrE /ˈsnɪkə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsnɪkər/
(especially North American English) (also especially British English snigger) [intransitive] snicker (at somebody/something) to laugh in a quiet unpleasant way, especially at something rude or at somebody’s problems or mistakes
synonym titter
ex) The skull snickers and moves ever closer, but that doesn’t surprise me.
Although his friends snickered, they were still impressed.
oblivion noun
BrE /əˈblɪviən/ ; NAmE /əˈblɪviən/ [uncountable]
2) the state in which somebody/something has been forgotten and is no longer famous or important
synonym obscurity
ex) Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can. But life leaps over oblivion lightly.
An unexpected victory saved him from political oblivion.
Most of his inventions have been consigned to oblivion.
a minor masterpiece, saved from oblivion
get the nod
(informal) to be chosen for something; to be given permission or approval to do something
ex) The pink boy also got the nod from the Rhodes Scholarship committee.
He got the nod from the team manager (= he was chosen for the team).
The proposal should get the nod.
bountiful adjective
BrE /ˈbaʊntɪfl/ ; NAmE /ˈbaʊntɪfl/ (formal or literary)
- bounty noun
BrE /ˈbaʊnti/ ; NAmE /ˈbaʊnti/ (pl. bounties)
1) in large quantities; large
ex) If Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, one day favours me bountifully, Oxford is fifth on the list of cities I would like to visit before I pass on, after Mecca, Varanasi, Jerusalem and Paris.
a bountiful supply of food
- 1) [uncountable, countable] (literary) generous actions; something provided in large quantities
ex) to thank the Lord for his bounty
the bounties of nature
2) [countable] money given as a reward
a bounty hunter (= somebody who catches criminals or kills people for a reward)
noose noun
BrE /nuːs/ ; NAmE /nuːs/
a circle that is tied in one end of a rope with a knot that allows the circle to get smaller as the other end of the rope is pulled
ex) I have nothing to say of my working life, only that a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is it will hang a man nonetheless if he’s not careful.
a hangman’s noose
The noose tightened around her neck.
They tied a noose around her neck.
(figurative) His debts were a noose around his neck.
invert verb
BrE /ɪnˈvɜːt/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈvɜːrt/
invert something (formal) to change the normal position of something, especially by turning it upside down or by arranging it in the opposite order
ex) I have nothing to say of my working life, only that a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is it will hang a man nonetheless if he’s not careful.
Place a plate over the cake tin and invert it.
In questions, the subject and verb are often inverted.
The shape looked like an inverted V.
the silver screen noun
BrE ; NAmE singular
the film/movie industry
ex) I miss the heat of India, the food, the house lizards on the walls, the musicals on the silver screen, the cows wandering the streets, the crows cawing, even the talk of cricket matches, but I love Canada.
stars of the silver screen
The book is being adapted for the silver screen.
caw verb
BrE /kɔː/ ; NAmE /kɔː/ [intransitive]
to make the loud, unpleasant sound that is made by birds such as crows and rooks
ex) I miss the heat of India, the food, the house lizards on the walls, the musicals on the silver screen, the cows wandering the streets, the crows cawing, even the talk of cricket matches, but I love Canada.
We heard crows cawing loudly in the distance.
hairdo noun
BrE /ˈheəduː/ ; NAmE /ˈherduː/ (pl. hairdos)(old-fashioned, informal)
the style in which a woman’s hair is arranged
synonym hairstyle
ex) It is a great country much too cold for good sense, inhabited by compassionate, intelligent people with bad hairdos.
어쨌거나 난 Pondicherry 고향에 가도 갈 곳이 없어요.
난 집에 가도 아무도 없어.
Anyway, I have nothing to go home to in Pondicherry.
I have no one to go home to.
tinge verb
BrE /tɪndʒ/ ; NAmE /tɪndʒ/ [usually passive]
1) tinge something (with something) to add a small amount of colour to something
ex) white petals tinged with blue
Pink tinged her pale cheeks.
The sky was tinged with crimson.
2) tinge something (with something) to add a small amount of a particular emotion or quality to something
ex) They are nightmares mostly, but nightmares tinged with love.
I got a text message from her, apparently tinged with envy.
a look of surprise tinged with disapproval
Sadness tinged his voice.
unceremoniously adverb
BrE /ˌʌnˌserəˈməʊniəsli/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnˌserəˈmoʊniəsli/ (formal)
in a rough or rude way, without caring about a person’s feelings
ex) I still cannot understand how he could abandon me so unceremoniously, without any sort of goodbye, without looking back even once.
So the 13th wedding anniversary passed unceremoniously, the consequence of which I’m suffering from now.
They dumped his belongings unceremoniously on the floor.
hobble verb
BrE /ˈhɒbl/ ; NAmE /ˈhɑːbl/
1) [intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to walk with difficulty, especially because your feet or legs hurt
synonym limp
ex) Victims of cancer or car accidents, once they heard my story, they hobbled and wheeled over to see me, they and their famili8les, though none of them spoke English and I spoke no Spanish, they smiled at me, shook my head, patted me on the head, left gifts of food and clothing on my bed.
The old man hobbled across the road.
She was hobbling around on crutches.
anaemic adjective(British English)
(North American English anemic)
BrE /əˈniːmɪk/ ; NAmE /əˈniːmɪk/
- anaemia noun(British English)
(North American English anemia)
BrE /əˈniːmiə/ ; NAmE /əˈniːmiə/ [uncountable]
1) suffering from anaemia
ex) Blood tests revealed that I was anemic, and that my level of sodium was very high and my potassium low.
She looks anaemic.
2) weak and not having much effect
synonym feeble
- a medical condition in which somebody has too few red cells in their blood, making them look pale and feel weak 빈혈
potassium noun
BrE /pəˈtæsiəm/ ; NAmE /pəˈtæsiəm/ uncountable
a chemical element. Potassium is a soft silver-white metal that exists mainly in compounds which are used in industry and farming. 칼륨
ex) Blood tests revealed that I was anemic, and that my level of sodium was very high and my potassium low.
graft verb
BrE /ɡrɑːft/ ; NAmE /ɡræft/
1) [transitive] graft something (onto/to/into something) | graft something (on) (from something) to take a piece of skin, bone, etc. from one part of the body and attach it to a damaged part
ex) I looked as if I had been grafted with a pair of elephant legs.
newly grafted tissue
New skin had to be grafted on from his back.
go on to something
to pass from one item to the next
ex) My urine was a deep, dark yellow going on to brown.
Let’s go on to the next item on the agenda.
lace verb
BrE /leɪs/ ; NAmE /leɪs/
1) [intransitive, transitive] to be fastened with laces; to fasten something with laces
ex) After a week or so, I could walk just about normally and I could wear shoes if I didn’t lace them up.
She was wearing a dress that laced up at the side.
He was sitting on the bed lacing up his shoes.
superabundant adjective
BrE /ˌsuːpərəˈbʌndənt/ , also /ˌsjuːpərəˈbʌndənt/ ; NAmE /ˌsuːpərəˈbʌndənt/ (formal)
much more than enough in quantity or degree
ex) The first time I turned a tap on, its noisy, wasteful, superabundant gush was such a shock that I became incoherent and my legs collapsed beneath me and I fainted in the arms of a nurse.
superabundant imagination
gush noun
BrE /ɡʌʃ/ ; NAmE /ɡʌʃ/ [usually singular]
1) gush (of something) a large amount of liquid suddenly and quickly flowing or pouring out of something
ex) The first time I turned a tap on, its noisy, wasteful, superabundant gush was such a shock that I became incoherent and my legs collapsed beneath me and I fainted in the arms of a nurse.
a gush of blood
incoherent adjective
BrE /ˌɪnkəʊˈhɪərənt/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
(of people) unable to express yourself clearly, often because of emotion
opposite coherent
ex) The first time I turned a tap on, its noisy, wasteful, superabundant gush was such a shock that I became incoherent and my legs collapsed beneath me and I fainted in the arms of a nurse.
She broke off, incoherent with anger.
taste bud noun
BrE ; NAmE [usually plural]
one of the small structures on the tongue that allow you to recognize the flavours of food and drink 미뢰
ex) My fingers, which a second before had been taste buds savouring the food a little ahead of my mouth, became dirty under his gaze.
fresh off the boat (FOB)
(idiomatic, usually derogatory) Newly arrived from a foreign place, especially as an immigrant who is still unfamiliar with the customs and language of his or her new environment.
ex) The first time I went to an Indian restaurant in Canada I used my fingers. The waiter looked at me critically and said, “Fresh off the boat, are you?” I blanched.
blanch verb
BrE /blɑːntʃ/ ; NAmE /blæntʃ/
1) [intransitive] blanch (at something) (formal) to become pale because you are shocked or frightened
ex) The first time I went to an Indian restaurant in Canada I used my fingers. The waiter looked at me critically and said, “Fresh off the boat, are you?” I blanched.
He blanched visibly when he heard the news.
2) [transitive] blanch something to prepare food, especially vegetables, by putting it into boiling water for a short time
ex) Blanch the peas quickly before you freeze them.
catch someone in the act (of doing something)
to discover someone doing a [bad] deed at the very moment when the deed is being done.
ex)
ex) My fingers, which a second before had been taste buds savouring the food a little ahead of my mouth, became dirty under his gaze. They froze like criminals caught in the act.
I caught her in the act of stealing the coat.
He was caught in the act of taking money from the cash box.
sambar noun
BrE /ˈsɑːmbɑː(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsɑːmbɑːr/
(also sambhar)
uncountable
a spicy south Indian dish consisting of lentils and vegetables
ex) I picked up the knife and fork. I had hardly ever used such instruments. My hands trembled. My sambar lost its taste.
Rice and sambar were cooked for the schoolchildren.
The menu includes curries, sambar, dal, chutney and rice.
marginal taxt rate
- surtax
A marginal tax rate is the amount of tax paid on an additional dollar of income. The marginal tax rate for an individual will increase as income rises. This method of taxation aims to fairly tax individuals based upon their earnings, with low income earners being taxed at a lower rate than higher income earners.
Under a marginal tax rate, tax payers are most often divided into tax brackets or ranges, which determine which rate taxable income is taxed at. As income increases, what is earned will be taxed at a higher rate than your first dollar earned. While many believe this is the most equitable method of taxation, many others believe this discourages business investment by removing the incentive to work harder. 한계 세율
ex) Between 1951 and 1954, when the capital gains rate was 25 percent and marginal rates on dividends reached 91 percent in extreme cases, I sold securities and did pretty well.
* A tax levied on top of another tax. A surtax can be calculated as a percentage of a certain amount or it can be a flat dollar amount. A surtax is generally assessed to fund a specific government program, whereas regular income or sales taxes are used to fund a variety of programs. Thus, one unique feature of a surtax is that it allows taxpayers to more easily see how much money the government is collecting and spending for a particular program. 누진세
lofty adjective
BrE /ˈlɒfti/ ; NAmE /ˈlɔːfti/ , /ˈlɑːfti/ (loftier, loftiest)(formal)
1) (of buildings, mountains, etc.) very high and impressive
ex) In the years from 1956 to 1969, the top marginal rate fell modestly, but was still a lofty 70 percent - and the tax rate on capital gains inched up to 27.5 percent.
lofty ceilings/rooms/towers
forgo verb
(also forego)
BrE /fɔːˈɡəʊ/ ; NAmE /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/
forgo something (formal) to decide not to have or do something that you would like to have or do
ex) Never did anyone mention taxes as a reason to forgo an investment opportunity that I offered.
No one was prepared to forgo their lunch hour to attend the meeting.
She would willingly forgo a birthday treat if only her warring parents would declare a truce.
Time to prepare was a luxury he would have to forgo.
at a fast, good, steady, etc. clip
(especially North American English) quickly
ex) Under those burdensome rates, moreover, both employment and the gross domestic product ( a measure of the nation’s economic output) increased at a rapid clip.
Land prices will rise at a healthy clip.
gain ground
to become more powerful or successful
ex) The middle class and the rick alike gained ground.
Sterling continues to gain ground against the dollar.
gang noun
BrE /ɡæŋ/ ; NAmE /ɡæŋ/ [countable + singular or plural verb]
3) (informal) a group of friends who meet regularly
ex) In recent years, my gang has been leaving the middle class in the dust.
What am I up against? A gang of thinos?
School uniforms create a gang color outside the school gate.
The whole gang will be there.
leave somebody in the dust
(North American English) to leave somebody far behind
ex) In recent years, my gang has been leaving the middle class in the dust.
tailwind noun
BrE /ˈteɪlwɪnd/ ; NAmE /ˈteɪlwɪnd/
- headwind noun
BrE /ˈhedwɪnd/ ; NAmE /ˈhedwɪnd/
a wind that blows from behind a moving vehicle, a runner, etc.; a wind that blows in the same direction in which a vehicle is moving
ex) A huge tail wind from tax cuts has pushed us along.
* a wind that is blowing towards a person or vehicle, so that it is blowing from the direction in which the person or vehicle is moving; a wind that blows in the opposite direction to the one in which you are moving
universe noun
BrE /ˈjuːnɪvɜːs/ ; NAmE /ˈjuːnɪvɜːrs/
3) [singular] a particular area of experience or activity
ex) In 1992, the tax paid by the 400 highest incomes in the United States (a different universe from the Forbes list) averaged 26.4 percent of adjusted gross income.
the moral universe
adjusted gross income (AGI)
Adjusted gross income (AGI) is a measure of income calculated from your gross income and used to determine how much of your income is taxable.
Adjusted gross income (AGI) is a modification of gross income in the United States tax code. Gross income is simply the sum of everything an individual earns in a year. AGI factors a number of deductions from one’s gross income to reach the figure for which an individual’s income taxes will be calculated, and is generally more useful than gross income for individual tax activities. The deductions which modify gross income to adjusted gross income are all above the line, which means that they are taken into account before tax exemptions for military service, dependent status, etc. (필요 경비를 뺀) 조정 후 총소득
ex) In 1992, the tax paid by the 400 highest incomes in the United States (a different universe from the Forbes list) averaged 26.4 percent of adjusted gross income.
work out (at something)
4) [INTRANSITIVE] to add up to a particular amount; if something works out at something, you calculate that it will be a particular amount
ex) The group’s average income in 2009 was $202 million - which works out to a “wage” of $97,000 per hour, based on a 40-hour workweek. (I’m assuming they’re paid during lunch hours.)
The mortgage works out at about £360 a month.
It’ll work out cheaper to travel by bus.
payroll tax
Payroll tax is a state and federal tax that an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee. In most countries, including the U.S., both state and federal authorities collect some form of payroll tax.
Governments use revenues from payroll taxes to fund such programs as Social Security, healthcare, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and sometimes local governments even require a small tax to maintain and improve local transportation.
On an employee pay stub, payroll taxes deducted are likely to be itemized. 지불 급여세, 갑근세, 근로 소득세 (급료, 임금 등에 대해 과세되는))
ex) Yet more than a quarter of these ultrawealthy paid less than 15 percent of their take in combined federal income and payroll taxes.
brace verb
BrE /breɪs/ ; NAmE /breɪs/
1) brace somebody/yourself (for something) | brace somebody/yourself (to do something) to prepare somebody/yourself for something difficult or unpleasant that is going to happen
ex) Half of this crew paid less than 20 percent. And - brace yourself - a few actually paid nothing.
UN troops are braced for more violence.
They are bracing themselves for a long legal battle.
cutoff point
the limit at which something is no longer applicable
The point at which an investor decides whether or not a particular security is worth purchasing. The cutoff point is very subjective and will be based on the personal characteristics of the individual investor. Some examples of personal characteristics that may determine the cutoff point include the investor’s required rate of return and his or her risk aversion level.
Because cutoff points are largely subjective, they will vary widely among investors. For example, if an investor has a lower required rate of return, he or she will likely pay more for the same security than a person with a higher required rate of return. This translates into a higher cutoff point for the first investor.
A cutoff point may also be considered a good “rule of thumb” when considering particular securities, as it may help the investor make more consistent investment decisions. 한계점
ex) I support President Obama’s proposal to eliminate the Bush tax cuts for high-income taxpayers. However, I prefer a cutoff point somewhat above $250,000 - maybe $500,000 or so.
The cutoff point depends on age and length of employment.
incur verb
BrE /ɪnˈkɜː(r)/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːr/ (formal)
present simple I / you / we / they incur BrE /ɪnˈkɜː(r)/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːr/
he / she / it incurs BrE /ɪnˈkɜːz/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːrz/
past simple incurred BrE /ɪnˈkɜːd/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːrd/
past participle incurred BrE /ɪnˈkɜːd/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːrd/
-ing form incurring BrE /ɪnˈkɜːrɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈkɜːrɪŋ/
2) incur something if you incur costs, you have to pay them
ex) A plain and simple rule like that will block the efforts of lobbyists, lawyers and contribution-hungry legislators to keep the ultrarich paying rates well below those incurred by people with income just a tiny fraction of ours.
You risk incurring bank charges if you exceed your overdraft limit.
eviscerate verb
BrE /ɪˈvɪsəreɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈvɪsəreɪt/
1) to remove organs such as the stomach or heart from inside someone’s body
2) to make something such as an organization or system much less effective or powerful
ex) Only a minimum tax on very high incomes will prevent the stated tax rate from being eviscerated by these warriors for the wealthy.
carried interest
Carried interest is a share of any profits that the general partners of private equity and hedge funds receive as compensation, despite not contributing any initial funds. This method of compensation seeks to motivate the general partner (fund manager) to work toward improving the fund’s performance.
Traditionally, the amount of carried interest comes out to around 20-25% of the fund’s annual profit. While all funds tend to have a small management fee, the management fee is meant to only cover the costs of managing the fund, with the exception of compensating the fund manager.
Carried interest is meant to serve as the primary source of income for the general partner. However, the general partner must ensure that all the initial capital that the limited partners contribute is returned along with some previously agreed upon rate of return.
ex) We need to get rid of arrangements like “carried interest” that enable income from labor to be magically converted into capital gains.
sickening adjective
BrE /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
making you feel disgusted or shocked
synonym repulsive
ex) And it’s sickening that a Cayman Islands mail drop can be central to tax maneuvering by wealthy individuals and corporations.
She was the victim of a sickening attack.
the sickening stench of burnt flesh
He described what had happened in sickening detail.
The public was not made aware of the sickening details of the crime.
mail drop noun
1) (especially North American English) an address where somebody’s mail is delivered, which is not where they live or work
ex) And it’s sickening that a Cayman Islands mail drop can be central to tax maneuvering by wealthy individuals and corporations.
The company’s address was just a mail drop.
He’s been using the empty cottage as a mail drop.
inequity noun
BrE /ɪnˈekwəti/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈekwəti/ countable, uncountable(formal)c
something that is unfair; the state of being unfair
synonym injustice
ex) But the reform of such complexities should not promote delay in our correcting simple and expensive inequities.
The new government sought to justify social inequity by promoting ideals of self-help.
There are huge inequities in funding for schools.
get away with something
3) to do something wrong and not be punished for it
ex) We can’t let those who want to protect the privileged get away with insisting that we do nothing until we can do everything.
Don’t be tempted to cheat—you’ll never get away with it.
Nobody gets away with insulting me like that.
stem verb
BrE /stem/ ; NAmE /stem/
stem something to stop something that is flowing from spreading or increasing
ex) As the math makes clear, this won’t stem our budget deficits; in fact, it will continue them.
The cut was bandaged to stem the bleeding.
They discussed ways of stemming the flow of smuggled drugs.
The government had failed to stem the tide of factory closures.
The reforms failed to stem social discontent.
나한테 보내세요.
Send him my way. Let me unburden him.
outcrop noun
BrE /ˈaʊtkrɒp/ ; NAmE /ˈaʊtkrɑːp/
a large mass of rock that stands above the surface of the ground
ex) At a time when territorial disputes over uninhabited outcrops in the East China Sea have led to smashed cars and skulls in China, a similar, if less dramatic, dispute over two remote rocks in the Gulf of Maine smolders between the United States and Canada.
a rocky outcrop
smoulder verb
(especially US English smolder)
BrE /ˈsməʊldə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsmoʊldər/
1) [intransitive] to burn slowly without a flame
ex) The bonfire was still smouldering the next day.
a smouldering cigarette
(figurative) The feud smouldered on for years.
2) [intransitive] (formal) to be filled with a strong emotion that you do not fully express
synonym burn
ex) At a time when territorial disputes over uninhabited outcrops in the East China Sea have led to smashed cars and skulls in China, a similar, if less dramatic, dispute over two remote rocks in the Gulf of Maine smolders between the United States and Canada.
His eyes smouldered with anger.
Anger smouldered in his eyes.
vigorous adjective
BrE /ˈvɪɡərəs/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪɡərəs/
1) very active, determined or full of energy
synonym energetic
ex) Machias Seal Island and nearby North Rock are the only pieces of land that the two countries both claim after more than 230 years of vigorous and sometimes violent border-making between them.
a vigorous campaign against tax fraud
a vigorous opponent of the government
Take vigorous exercise for several hours a week.
joust verb
BrE /dʒaʊst/ ; NAmE /dʒaʊst/
1) [intransitive] to fight on horses using a long stick (= a lance) to try to knock the other person off their horse, especially as part of a formal contest in the past 마상 창 시합을 하다
ex) Except for the occasional jousting of lobster boats, this boundary dispute floats far below the surface of public or official attention, no doubt reflecting the apparent lack of valuable natural resources and a reluctance to cede territory, no matter how small.
cede verb
BrE /siːd/ ; NAmE /siːd/
- cession noun
BrE /ˈseʃn/ ; NAmE /ˈseʃn/ uncountable, countable
cede something (to somebody) (formal) to give somebody control of something or give them power, a right, etc., especially unwillingly
ex) Except for the occasional jousting of lobster boats, this boundary dispute floats far below the surface of public or official attention, no doubt reflecting the apparent lack of valuable natural resources and a reluctance to cede territory, no matter how small.
Cuba was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898.
- the act of giving up land or rights, especially to another country after a war
stoke verb
BrE /stəʊk/ ; NAmE /stoʊk/
1) stoke something (up) (with something) to add fuel to a fire, etc.
ex) to stoke up a fire with more coal
to stoke a furnace
2) stoke something (up) to make people feel something more strongly
ex) But if we are unlikely to resort to arms anytime soon, the clashes in Asia have shown how seemingly minor border disputes can suddenly stoke regional and nationalistic tensions.
to stoke up envy
The publicity was intended to stoke up interest in her music.
His departure has stoked fears that the company is planning job cuts.
maritime adjective
BrE /ˈmærɪtaɪm/ ; NAmE /ˈmærɪtaɪm/
1) connected with the sea or ships
ex) While the United States and Canada have other maritime boundary disputes along their 5,525-mile border, the world’s longest, this is the only one left that involves actual chunks of land.
a maritime museum
the country’s maritime history
equidistant adjective
BrE /ˌiːkwɪˈdɪstənt/ ; NAmE /ˌiːkwɪˈdɪstənt/ ; BrE /ˌekwɪˈdɪstənt/ ; NAmE /ˌekwɪˈdɪstənt/
[not before noun] equidistant (from something) (formal) equally far from two or more places
ex) Machias Seal Island is a 20-acre, treeless lump that sits nearly equidistant from Maine and New Brunswick.
All points on a circle are equidistant from the centre.
the American Revolution noun
also the Revolutionary War
[singular]
the war (1775-83) in which 13 colonies in North America won independence from British rule and established the United States of America 미국 독립 혁명, 독립 전쟁
ex) The disagreement dates back to the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.
league noun
BrE /liːɡ/ ; NAmE /liːɡ/
4) (old use) a unit for measuring distance, equal to about 3 miles or 4,000 metres
ex) The treaty assigned to the newly independent 13 colonies all islands within 20 leagues - about 70 miles - of the American shore.
lookout noun
BrE /ˈlʊkaʊt/ ; NAmE /ˈlʊkaʊt/
1) a place for watching from, especially for danger or an enemy coming towards you
ex) No oil or natural gas has been discovered in the area, nor has it had any strategic significance since it served as a lookout for German U-boats during World War I.
a lookout point/tower
puffin noun
BrE /ˈpʌfɪn/ ; NAmE /ˈpʌfɪn/
a black and white bird with a large, brightly coloured beak that lives near the sea, common in the N Atlantic 퍼핀, 바다오리
ex) Tour boats from Maine and New Brunswick carry strictly limited numbers of bird watchers to the island to see nesting Atlantic puffins.
water noun
BrE /ˈwɔːtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈwɔːtər/ , also /ˈwɑːtər/
5) waters [plural] an area of sea or ocean belonging to a particular country
ex) And the surrounding waters contain lobsters that, thanks to different regulatory schemes and overlapping claims, have occasionally sparked clashes between Maine and New Brunswick lobstermen, although a bumper lobster crop this summer has slackened demand for gray zone crustaceans.
We were still in British waters.
fishing in international waters
bumper adjective
BrE /ˈbʌmpə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈbʌmpər/
- lean adjective
BrE /liːn/ ; NAmE /liːn/ (leaner, leanest)
[only before noun] (approving) unusually large; producing an unusually large amount
ex) And the surrounding waters contain lobsters that, thanks to different regulatory schemes and overlapping claims, have occasionally sparked clashes between Maine and New Brunswick lobstermen, although a bumper lobster crop this summer has slackened demand for gray zone crustaceans.
a bumper issue (= of a magazine, etc.)
a bumper crop/harvest/season/year
Farmers have been celebrating bumper crops this year.
- 3) [usually before noun] (of a period of time) difficult and not producing much money, food, etc.
ex) a lean period/spell
The company recovered well after going through several lean years.
This is the leanest time of the year for the tourist industry.
Many animals have a lean time of it in winter.
slacken verb
BrE /ˈslækən/ ; NAmE /ˈslækən/
1) [intransitive, transitive] to gradually become, or to make something become, slower, less active, etc.
synonym relax
ex) And the surrounding waters contain lobsters that, thanks to different regulatory schemes and overlapping claims, have occasionally sparked clashes between Maine and New Brunswick lobstermen, although a bumper lobster crop this summer has slackened demand for gray zone crustaceans.
slacken (off) We’ve been really busy, but things are starting to slacken off now.
slacken something She slackened her pace a little (= walked a little more slowly).
crustacean noun
BrE /krʌˈsteɪʃn/ ; NAmE /krʌˈsteɪʃn/ (specialist)
any creature with a soft body that is divided into sections, and a hard outer shell. Most crustaceans live in water. Crabs, lobsters and shrimps are all crustaceans. 갑각류 동물
ex) And the surrounding waters contain lobsters that, thanks to different regulatory schemes and overlapping claims, have occasionally sparked clashes between Maine and New Brunswick lobstermen, although a bumper lobster crop this summer has slackened demand for gray zone crustaceans.
hydrocarbon noun
BrE /ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːbən/ ; NAmE /ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːrbən/ (chemistry)
a chemical made up of hydrogen and carbon only. There are many different hydrocarbons found in petrol/gas, coal and natural gas. 탄화수소
ex) But the lack of hydrocarbons and the current lobster glut make this an ideal time to color in the gray zone.
a cut in hydrocarbon emissions from motor vehicles
glut noun
BrE /ɡlʌt/ ; NAmE /ɡlʌt/
- glutton noun
BrE /ˈɡlʌtn/ ; NAmE /ˈɡlʌtn/
[usually singular] glut (of something) a situation in which there is more of something than is needed or can be used
synonym surfeit
opposite shortage
ex) But the lack of hydrocarbons and the current lobster glut make this an ideal time to color in the gray zone.
a glut of cheap DVDs on the market
- 1) (disapproving) a person who eats too much
ex) glutton for punishment/work a person
2) who enjoys doing difficult or unpleasant tasks
ex) Being a glutton for punishment, I decided to climb all three peaks in one day.
She’s a glutton for tough challenges.
arbitration noun
BrE /ˌɑːbɪˈtreɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɑːrbɪˈtreɪʃn/ [uncountable]
the official process of settling an argument or a disagreement by somebody who is not involved
ex) The United States and Canada settled all their other maritime differences in the Gulf of Maine in 1984 by submitting their claims to the International Court of Justice for arbitration.
Both sides in the dispute have agreed to go to arbitration.
Trade unions want the question referred to arbitration.
in the way of something
used in questions and negative sentences to talk about the types of something that are available
ex) The fact that so little in the way of resources appears to be at stake, far from justifying the status quo, should be the main reason for resolving the issue.
There isn’t much in the way of entertainment in this place.
status quo noun
BrE /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˌsteɪtəs ˈkwoʊ/ singular
the situation as it is now, or as it was before a recent change
ex) The fact that so little in the way of resources appears to be at stake, far from justifying the status quo, should be the main reason for resolving the issue.
to defend/restore the status quo
conservatives who want to maintain the status quo
They wanted a return to the status quo before the war.
There are many people who wish to maintain the status quo.
blowback noun
BrE /ˈbləʊbæk/ ; NAmE /ˈbloʊbæk/ [uncountable, countable]
1) (specialist) a process in which gases expand or travel in a direction that is opposite to the usual one
ex) blowback gas
Blowback may be caused by a defective mechanism.
2) (especially North American English) the results of a political action or situation that are not what was intended or wanted
ex) And for those concerned about blowback from “giving away” territory, letting the international court decide the case provides the most political cover.
The policy has led to blowback.
The war created a ferocious blowback.
attest verb
BrE /əˈtest/ ; NAmE /əˈtest/ (formal)
1) [intransitive, transitive] attest (to something) | attest (that…) | attest (something) to show or prove that something is true
synonym bear/give witness (to something)
ex) As China and Japan can attest, border disputes do not go away; they fester.
Contemporary accounts attest to his courage and determination.
She is, as countless stories about her attest, deeply religious.
2) [transitive] attest (something) | attest (that…) to state that you believe that something is true or genuine, for example in court
to attest a will
The signature was attested by two witnesses.
fester verb
BrE /ˈfestə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈfestər/
1) [intransitive] (of a wound or cut) to become badly infected 곪다
ex) festering sores/wounds
If you don’t take the splinter out, it will fester.
2) [intransitive] (of bad feelings or thoughts) to become much worse because you do not deal with them successfully
ex) As China and Japan can attest, border disputes do not go away; they fester.
Instead of talking the matter over with him, she allowed her resentment to fester in her mind.
assertion noun
BrE /əˈsɜːʃn/ ; NAmE /əˈsɜːrʃn/
1) [countable] a statement saying that you strongly believe something to be true
synonym claim
ex) And when other factors push them back to the surface - the discovery of valuable resources, and assertion of national pride, a mishap at sea - the stakes can suddenly rise to a point where easy solutions become impossible.
He was correct in his assertion that the minister had been lying.
Do you have any evidence to support your assertions?
mishap noun
BrE /ˈmɪshæp/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪshæp/ [countable, uncountable]
a small accident or piece of bad luck that does not have serious results
ex) And when other factors push them back to the surface - the discovery of valuable resources, and assertion of national pride, a mishap at sea - the stakes can suddenly rise to a point where easy solutions become impossible.
a slight mishap
a series of mishaps
I managed to get home without (further) mishap.
put something behind you
to try to forget about an unpleasant experience and think about the future
ex) Before that happens, we should put this last land dispute behind us, and earn our reputation for running the longest peaceful border in the world.
