vocab Flashcards
invocation
Spiritual or Religious Context:
Invocation refers to the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or inspiration, often in a prayer or ritual.
Example: “The priest began the ceremony with an invocation to the gods.”
General Use:
It can mean the act of calling for help or support from someone or something.
Example: “The lawyer’s invocation of a specific law helped win the case.”
live on
Survive or Endure:
To continue to exist or be remembered after something has ended or someone has passed away.
Example: “Her legacy will live on for generations.”
Sustain Oneself:
To manage to survive or meet basic needs with the help of something, often related to money or resources.
Example: “They had to live on a small income after retirement.”
Subsist on a Diet:
To survive by eating or consuming a specific type of food or drink.
Example: “He can live on just bread and water.”
Metaphorical Use:
To continue to inspire or influence others even after an event or a person’s life.
Example: “The memory of their kindness lives on in our hearts.”
nothing to live on
The phrase “nothing to live on” means having no resources, such as money, food, or other essentials, to sustain oneself. It implies a state of financial or material hardship where a person lacks the means to support their basic needs.
bumping
“Bumping” and “bumping up” have different meanings, depending on the context:
Bumping
Physical Contact:
Refers to lightly hitting or colliding with something or someone.
Example: “She accidentally bumped into him while walking.”
Unplanned Encounter:
To meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: “I bumped into an old friend at the mall.”
Disruption:
In informal contexts, it can mean causing a disturbance or a change in a situation.
Example: “The loud noise kept bumping me out of my focus.
bumping up
Increasing Something:
Refers to raising the level, quantity, or value of something.
Example: “The company is bumping up salaries by 10% next year.”
Improving or Promoting:
Can mean moving something or someone to a higher level or rank.
Example: “The player’s performance bumped him up to the starting lineup.”
bumping VS bumping up against
Bumping
Physical Contact:
Lightly hitting or colliding with something.
Example: “She bumped into the table.”
This is straightforward and literal.
Unexpected Encounters:
Meeting someone or something by chance.
Example: “I bumped into an old friend at the park.”
Bumping Up Against
Physical Contact:
Can refer to touching or pressing against something.
Example: “The car was bumping up against the curb.”
Figurative Meaning:
Often used to describe encountering a problem, limit, or challenge.
Example: “We’re bumping up against a deadline.”
This suggests more of an obstacle or resistance, beyond mere physical contact.
Key Difference:
“Bumping” is often neutral or incidental, focusing on casual physical or situational contact.
“Bumping up against” suggests a more deliberate or significant interaction, often with resistance or difficulty.
from where did the 6 come VS where did the 6 come from
In English, questions follow a specific structure, often involving:
A question word (e.g., where).
An auxiliary/helping verb (e.g., did).
The subject (e.g., the 6).
The main verb in its base form (e.g., come).
When using a preposition with a question word:
Place the preposition before the question word in formal contexts:
“From where…”
Place it at the end of the sentence in informal contexts:
“…come from?”
assuaged
means to make an unpleasant feeling less intense or to relieve, ease, or satisfy something. It’s often used to describe the act of calming fears, easing pain, or satisfying a desire.
seldom
means rarely or not often. It describes something that happens infrequently or is uncommon.
“He seldom goes to the gym, but he stays fit through other activities.”
“Such opportunities are seldom found in small towns.”
“It is seldom that she makes mistakes in her work.”
irritated
The word “irritated” means feeling annoyed, bothered, or slightly angry, often due to something unpleasant or frustrating. It can also refer to a physical sensation of discomfort or inflammation
“She was irritated by the constant noise from the construction site.”
“He became irritated when his colleague interrupted him repeatedly.”
Her skin was irritated after using a harsh soap.”
“The smoke irritated his eyes, making them water.
persecution
the act of treating someone cruelly, unfairly, or oppressively, especially because of their race, religion, political beliefs, or other differences. It involves persistent and systematic mistreatment
methodist
A Methodist is a member of a Christian denomination that is part of the Protestant tradition
“She grew up in a Methodist family and attended church every Sunday.”
denomination
The word “denomination” has multiple meanings depending on the context. Here are the most common uses:
- Religious Context:
A denomination refers to a distinct group or branch within a larger religion, often with specific beliefs, practices, and organizational structures.
Example: “Methodism is a denomination within Christianity.”
2. Monetary Context:
Denomination refers to the face value of a currency or a unit of money, such as coins or bills.
Example: “The bank offers currency notes in denominations of 50, 100, and 500.”
3. General Categorization:
It can also mean a classification or naming system to distinguish among types or categories.
Example: “In the catalog, books are listed under various denominations like fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.”
thence
The word “thence” is an old-fashioned or formal word that means “from there” or “from that place”. It is often used in literature or formal writing and refers to a point of origin or direction from a specific place or time.
“He left the city and went thence to the countryside.”
“The property was transferred thence to the new owners.”
“The company was founded in 1990, and thence it grew rapidly.”
made a pile
The phrase “made a pile” is an informal expression that means to accumulate a large amount of money or earn a fortune, typically through successful business ventures, investments, or other profitable endeavors
lest
The word “lest” is a formal or literary term meaning “for fear that” or “to avoid the possibility of”. It is often used to introduce a negative consequence that one wants to prevent.
“The king took precautions lest his enemies attack.”
“She whispered quietly lest anyone overhear her.”
“He left early lest he be late for the meeting.”
banks of the river
The phrase “banks of the river” refers to the sides or edges of a river, typically the land that borders it. It is the area where the river meets the land, often characterized by vegetation, soil, or other features depending on the river’s location.
“The children played by the banks of the river, skipping stones.”
“The poet described the peaceful scene along the banks of the river at sunset.”
resembles
The word “resembles” means to be similar to or to look like someone or something. It refers to a likeness or similarity in appearance, character, or qualities.
“The landscape resembles that of a tropical island.”
“She resembles her mother with her dark hair and green eyes.”
“The new policy resembles the one we implemented last year.”
impotent
- Lacking power or ability:
It means powerless, unable to act, or incapable of doing something.
Example: “He felt impotent in the face of such a difficult decision.”
- In the context of health (especially male reproductive health):
It can refer to the inability to perform sexual intercourse due to erectile dysfunction.
Example: “The doctor diagnosed him with impotence, which affected his confidence.”
fury
The word “fury” refers to extreme anger, rage, or violent force. It describes a state of intense emotional or physical intensity, often associated with aggression or destructive behavior.
“She was filled with fury when she found out about the betrayal.”
“The storm raged with such fury that it uprooted trees.”
“His fury was evident as he shouted at the injustice.”
county
= districts in sri lanka
The word “county” refers to a geographical region or administrative division within a country. It is often used to define a specific area that is governed locally, and counties are typically smaller than states or provinces but may have varying levels of governmental authority depending on the country
imprudent
The word “imprudent” means lacking caution or acting without thinking carefully about the consequences.
“It was imprudent of him to invest all his savings in one risky stock.”
“Her imprudent behavior at the party caused unnecessary trouble.”
“He made an imprudent remark that offended everyone.”
profound
The word “profound” has a few related meanings, generally referring to something that is deep, intense, or significant in some way.
Common meanings:
Deep in thought or meaning:
Something that is thoughtful, insightful, or meaningful, often carrying a sense of deep understanding or significance.
Example: “Her speech had a profound impact on the audience.”
Intense or strong:
Refers to a deep or intense emotion, experience, or effect.
Example: “He felt profound sadness after hearing the news.”
Far-reaching or important:
Something that has a major, lasting effect or influence.
Example: “The discovery of electricity had a profound effect on society.
born and bred
The phrase “born and bred” means to have been born and raised in a particular place or under certain conditions. It refers to someone who has spent most or all of their life in a specific location or has grown up with a particular set of values or characteristics.
Examples:
In the context of place:
“She’s a London girl, born and bred.”
In the context of upbringing:
“He’s a gentleman, born and bred, with strong family values.”
The expression conveys a deep connection to one’s origins or background
