Week Twenty Four Flashcards
Primitive
Adj: of or typical of an early stage of development; not advanced or complicated in structure
Example:
-primitive art/tools
-The pioneers who settled the west had to cope with primitive living conditions.
Anthropologist
N: someone who scientifically studies humans and their customs, beliefs, and relationships
Bizarre
Adj: very strange and unusual; odd; peculiar; strange; weird
Example:
-a bizarre situation
-bizarre behaviour
Inanimate
Adj:lifeless; having none of the characteristics of life that an animal or plant has
Example: inanimate object: He looks at me as if I’m an inanimate object.
Fetish
N: an object that is worshipped in some societies because it is believed to have a spirit or special magical powers
Pebble
N: a small smooth round stone, especially one found on a beach or in a river
Example:
This part of the coast has pebble beaches.
Drive
V: drive something from something: to get something from something else
Example:
The institute derives all its money from foreign investments.
Artifact
N: an object, such as a tool, that was made in the past; an object made by hand, rather than a thing as it occurs in nature
Example:
The museum has artifacts dating back to prehistoric times.
Beat a path to someone’s door
Idiom: to be eager to buy or get something from someone
Example:
She was a successful lawyer and had clients beating a path to her door.
Taboo
N: a subject, word, or action that is avoided for religious or social reasons; forbidden by custom or religious practice
Example:
In this society there is a taboo on/against any sort of public display of affection.
He would not hesitate to break any taboo.
Lend
V: to give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back
Example:
Can you lend me a few dollars till payday?
Imprudent
Adj: unwise, by failing to consider the likely results of your actions; incautious; reckless; not careful
Example:
The report criticizes the banks for being imprudent in their lending.
Prohibition
N: the act of forbidding certain behavior
Example:
-New York City has announced a prohibition on smoking on buses.
-The environmental group is demanding a complete prohibition against the hunting of whales.
Imperative
Adj: extremely important or urgent; necessary; compulsory
Example:
-The president said it was imperative that the release of all hostages be secured.
-It’s imperative to act now before the problem gets really serious.
Taint
N: the act or result of spoiling something or giving it an unpleasant quality; contamination; undesirable substance that spoils something
Example:
-He managed to escape the worst taint of the Watergate scandal.
-The enquiry cleared him of any taint of suspicion/dishonesty.
Outgrowth
N: a result or development
Example:
This policy is just an outgrowth of earlier decisions.
Unsanitary
Adj: dirty or unhealthy and therefore likely to cause disease; unhealthy
Example:
-unsanitary toilets
-unsanitary living conditions
Universal
Adj: existing everywhere or involving everyone
Example:
-a universal truth
-Food, like sex, is a subject of almost universal interest.
Contemptuous
Adj: expressing contempt; expressing a feeling that something is worthless
Example:
-a contemptuous manner/laugh
-contemptuous of: He was very contemptuous of “popular” writers, whom he described as having no talent.
Absurd
Adj: stupid and unreasonable, or silly in a humorous way; ridiculous
Example:
-What an absurd thing to say!
-Don’t be so absurd! Of course I want you to come.
Dyed-in-the-wool
Adj: If someone is dyed-in-the-wool, or has dyed-in-the-wool opinions, they hold those opinions strongly and will not change them
Example:
He’s a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist where cooking is concerned - he doesn’t allow any modern gadgets in the kitchen.
Bigot
N: a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs and who does not like other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life; a person who is intolerant of other people or ideas
Example:
a religious bigot
Abhor
V: to hate something or someone; to detest; to despise
Example:
His opponent abhors the death penalty.
Death penalty
N: a legal punishment of being killed for a crime
Example:
There is no death penalty in Mexico.
