Words-Set 1 Flashcards
AUDIBLE
ADJ [more audible; most audible]
heard or able to be heard
◾Her voice was barely audible over the noise.
◾He let out an audible sigh.
◾a clearly audible sound
— opposite inaudible
— audibility /ˌɑːdəˈbɪləti/ noun [noncount]
— audibly /ˈɑːdəbli/ adverb
◾He sighed audibly.
TENABLE
ADJ [more tenable; most tenable] formal
- Capable of being defended against attack or criticism
- able to be upheld, believed, maintained, or defended
- Capable of being maintained in argument; rationally defensible: a tenable theory.
- Capable of being held against assault; defensible: a tenable outpost.
◾The theory is no longer tenable. [=defensible]
◾a tenable argument
STENOSIS
n. pl. ste·no·ses (-sz)
A constriction or narrowing of a duct or passage; a stricture.
ste·notic (-ntk) adj.
LUDICROUS
ADJ [more ludicrous; most ludicrous]
very foolish; ridiculous
◾ludicrous ideas/thoughts ◾a ludicrous statement/suggestion ◾It's ludicrous [=absurd] to think that he can solve these problems himself. — ludicrously adverb ◾a ludicrously improbable idea — ludicrousness noun [noncount]
VISCERAL
1 [more visceral; most visceral]
literary : Coming from strong emotions and not from logic or reason
◾visceral hatred
◾Her visceral reaction was to curse at the other driver.
2 medical : of or relating to the viscera
◾visceral tissues
— viscerally adverb
They responded viscerally to the criticism.
LAPAROTOMY
n. pl. lap·a·rot·o·mies
Surgical incision into the abdominal wall, especially into the flank.
1. (Surgery) surgical incision through the abdominal wall, esp to investigate the cause of an abdominal disorder
- (Surgery) surgical incision into the loin
FLANK
n.
- The section of flesh on the body of a person or an animal between the last rib and the hip; the side.
- A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
- A lateral part or side: the flank of a mountain.
- a. The right or left side of a military formation: an attack on both flanks.
b. The right or left side of a bastion.
tr. v. flanked, flank·ing, flanks
1. To protect or guard the flank of.
2. To menace or attack the flank of.
3. To be placed or situated at the flank or side of: Two stone lions flanked the entrance.
4. To put (something) on each side of: flanked the driveway with tall shrubs.
UNTENABLE
adj.
1. Being such that defense or maintenance is impossible: an untenable position.
- Being such that occupation or habitation is impossible: untenable quarters.
WHARF
n. pl. wharves (hwôrvz, wôrvz) or wharfs
1. A landing place or pier where ships may tie up and load or unload.
2. Obsolete A shore or riverbank.
v. wharfed, wharf·ing, wharfs
v.tr.
1. To moor (a vessel) at a wharf.
2. To take to or store (cargo) on a wharf.
3. To furnish, equip, or protect with wharves or a wharf.
v.intr.
To berth at a wharf.
CONSTRICT
constricts; constricted; constricting
1 a [+ object]: to make (something) narrower, smaller, or tighter
◾These shoes are too small and constrict [=squeeze] my feet.
◾The drug is used to constrict blood vessels.
b [no object] : to become narrower, smaller, or tighter
◾The drug causes the blood vessels to constrict. [=contract]
2 [+ object] : to prevent or keep (something or someone) from developing freely
◾The declining economy has constricted job opportunities.
◾a life constricted by poverty and disease
◾He felt constricted by their notions of what was proper.
— constriction /kənˈstrɪkʃən/ noun, plural constrictions
[noncount]
◾The drug causes constriction of blood vessels.
[count]
◾constrictions in blood vessels
STRICTURE
n.
- A restraint, limit, or restriction.
- An adverse remark or criticism; censure.
- Pathology An abnormal narrowing of a duct or passage.
SYNTAX
n.
- a. The study of the rules whereby words or other elements of sentence structure are combined to form grammatical sentences.
b. A publication, such as a book, that presents such rules.
c. The pattern of formation of sentences or phrases in a language.
d. Such a pattern in a particular sentence or discourse. - Computer Science The rules governing the formation of statements in a programming language.
- A systematic, orderly arrangement.
PARITY
n.
[noncount] formal
: the state of being equal
◾the struggle for gender/racial/social parity [=(more commonly) equality]
◾Women have fought for parity with men in the workplace.
◾The two currencies are approaching parity for the first time in decades. [=they are coming close to having the same value]
◾Currently, there is rough parity in the number of students entering and graduating from the school system. [=the number of students entering and graduating from the school system is about the same]
GRATUITIOUS
adj.
- Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned.
- Given or received without cost or obligation; free.
- Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism.
gra·tui·tous·ly adv., gra·tui·tous·ness n.
: not necessary or appropriate
◾The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
◾gratuitous insults
VOIRE DIRE
(vwär dîr) n.
A preliminary examination of prospective jurors or witnesses under oath to determine their competence or suitability.
