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50 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
famine
famine
plural fam·ines


: a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat [count] ▪ The famine affected half the continent. [noncount] ▪ millions killed by war, drought, and famine
fray
fray
1.plural frays n.


[count] : a fight, struggle, or disagreement that involves many people
▪ He threw himself into the fray. ▪ He joined/entered the political fray.

above the fray
: not directly involved in an angry or difficult struggle or disagreement
▪ His political aides handled the controversy while he remained above the fray.

2.frays; frayed; fray·ing v.


: to cause (a cloth or other material) to become worn down at the end or edge : to separate the threads of (a material) [+ obj] ▪ She frayed the edges of her cutoff jeans. = She frayed her cutoff jeans at the edges. [no obj] ▪ The cuffs of the old shirt were fraying. — often used figuratively ▪ Her temper was starting to fray. [=she was beginning to get angry] ▪ His nerves were frayed/fraying. ▪ their frayed/fraying friendship
woe
woe
plural woes


1 [noncount] : a feeling of great pain or sadness
▪ She listened to his tale of woe. [=his sad story]

2 woes [plural] : problems or troubles
▪ She may have found a remedy to her financial woes. [=her problems with money] ▪ The city's traffic woes are well-known.
woe is me
— used in a humorous way to say that you are sad or upset about something ▪ Oh, woe is me!

woe toor woe betide
old-fashioned — used as a warning that there will be trouble if someone does something specified ▪ Woe betide anyone who enters here! [=anyone who enters here will be harmed] ▪ Woe to any student who is late for her class. [=any student who is late for her class will be in trouble]
impede
impede
im·pedes; im·ped·ed; im·ped·ing


[+ obj] : to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
▪ He claims that economic growth is being impeded by government regulations. ▪ They were accused of impeding [=blocking, hindering] the administration of justice. ▪ The soldiers could not impede the enemy's advance.
lighthearted
lighthearted
[more lighthearted; most lighthearted] 1 : having or showing a cheerful and happy nature
▪ a lighthearted mood ▪ a lighthearted young woman

2 : not serious
▪ a lighthearted comedy
— light·heart·ed·ly adverb

— light·heart·ed·ness noun [noncount]
pendant
pendant
lural pen·dants


[count] : a piece of jewelry that hangs on a chain or a cord which is worn around your neck — see color picture
nosy
nos·i·er; nos·i·est


[also more nosy; most nosy] informal + disapproving : wanting to know about other people's lives, problems, etc.
▪ nosy reporters/neighbors ▪ Don't be so nosy!
ethical
ethical
1 : involving questions of right and wrong behavior : relating to ethics
▪ ethical [=moral] principles/standards ▪ ethical theories/problems

2 [more ethical; most ethical] : following accepted rules of behavior : morally right and good
▪ Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical. ▪ favoring the ethical [=humane] treatment of animals — opposite unethical
— eth·i·cal·ly Listen to audio /ˈɛθɪkli/ adverb
▪ behaving ethically [=in a way that is right and good] ▪ ethically dubious behavior [=behavior that may be morally wrong] ▪ Her involvement in the case was ethically wrong.
virtually
: very nearly : almost entirely
▪ We spent virtually all day shopping. ▪ The stadium was virtually empty by the time the game ended. ▪ I remember virtually everything he said. ▪ That illness is virtually unknown in this area. ▪ She is virtually guaranteed to get the job. [=she almost certainly will get the job]
limousine
limousine
lim·ou·sine Listen to audio/ˌlɪməˈzi:n/ noun
plural lim·ou·sines


[count] 1 : a very large and comfortable car usually driven by a professional driver (called a chauffeur)
▪ The bride and groom rode in a limousine from the church to the reception hall. — see picture at car

2 chiefly US : a vehicle (such as a bus or van) that carries passengers to and from an airport
perceive
perceive
per·ceive Listen to audio/pɚˈsi:v/ verb
per·ceives; per·ceived; per·ceiv·ing


[+ obj] 1 formal : to notice or become aware of (something)
▪ I perceived [=noticed] that she had been crying. ▪ The detective perceived [=saw] a change in the suspect's attitude.

2 : to think of (someone or something) as being something stated
▪ She perceived herself as an independent woman. = She perceived herself to be an independent woman. — often used as (be) perceived ▪ He is perceived as one of the best players in baseball.
— perceived adjective
▪ a perceived threat [=something that is thought of as being a threat]
habituate
habituate
ha·bit·u·ates; ha·bit·u·at·ed; ha·bit·u·at·ing


[+ obj] formal : to cause (a person or animal) to become familiar with and used to a particular place, situation, etc. — + to ▪ The dog slowly became habituated to its new home. = The dog slowly habituated itself to its new home.

— ha·bit·u·a·tion Listen to audio /həˌbɪtʃəˈweɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
solemn
solemn
sol·emn Listen to audio/ˈsɑ:ləm/ adjective



1 : very serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression
▪ a solemn occasion/moment ▪ He spoke in a solemn and thoughtful manner. ▪ a solemn religious ceremony/procession ▪ He wore a very solemn expression on his face. ▪ He recited the poem in a solemn voice.

2 : sad and serious
▪ A solemn crowd gathered around the grave.

3 : done or made sincerely
▪ a solemn declaration/oath ▪ We made a solemn promise/vow to love each other forever.
— sol·emn·ly adverb
▪ We listened solemnly as the president spoke. ▪ Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth?
dissonance
dis·so·nant Listen to audio/ˈdɪsənənt/ adjective



[more dissonant; most dissonant] 1 formal : not in agreement with something : discordant
▪ dissonant views

2 music : not in harmony : discordant
▪ dissonant chords — opposite consonant
— dis·so·nance Listen to audio /ˈdɪsənəns/ noun, plural dis·so·nanc·es
[noncount] ▪ The dissonance [=conflict] between the truth and what people want to believe. ▪ When played together, the chords create dissonance. [count] ▪ The composer uses dissonances freely.
gloat
gloat
gloat Listen to audio/ˈgloʊt/ verb
gloats; gloat·ed; gloat·ing


[no obj] : to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person's failure
▪ After such a tough campaign, they're gloating over their victory in the election. ▪ All right, you won. There's no need to gloat (about it). ▪ a gloating remark/look

— gloat·ing·ly adverb
▪ They spoke gloatingly about their victory.
quirky
quirky Listen to audio/ˈkwɚki/ adjective
qui·er; -est


[also more quirky; most quirky] : unusual especially in an interesting or appealing way
▪ quirky ideas/behavior ▪ He has a quirky sense of humor. ▪ a quirky new sitcom
reverence
reverence
rev·er·ence Listen to audio/ˈrɛvərəns/ noun



formal : honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something) [noncount] ▪ Her poems are treated with reverence by other poets. — often + for ▪ a feeling of reverence for tradition [singular] ▪ Their religion has/shows a deep reverence for nature.
bumblebee
bumblebee
bum·ble·bee Listen to audio/ˈbʌmbəlˌbi:/ noun
plural bum·ble·bees


[count] : a large, hairy bee — see color picture
swirl
1swirl Listen to audio/ˈswɚl/ verb
swirls; swirled; swirl·ing


: to move in circles or to cause (something) to move in circles [+ obj] ▪ She swirled the drink (around) in her glass. [no obj] ▪ The water swirled around/down the drain. ▪ strong swirling winds — often used figuratively ▪ Rumors are swirling about/around the team. [=there are a lot of rumors about the team]


2swirl noun
plural swirls


[count] 1 : a twisting or swirling movement, form, or object
▪ A swirl of smoke rose from the chimney. ▪ He painted swirls of color on the canvas. ▪ ice cream with chocolate swirls

2 : a state of busy movement or activity — usually + of ▪ She was caught up in the swirl of events.
scroll
scroll
1scroll Listen to audio/ˈskroʊl/ noun
plural scrolls


[count] 1 : a long piece of paper that rolls around one or two cylinders and that usually has something written or drawn on it
▪ the Dead Sea Scrolls ▪ He read from the scroll.

2 : a decoration that looks like the curled ends of a scroll
▪ a scarf with lovely green scrolls on it


2scroll verb
scrolls; scrolled; scroll·ing


computers : to move text or images of a Web page, document, etc., up, down, or to the side on a computer screen so that you can see all of it [no obj] ▪ scroll through an e-mail ▪ She scrolled (down) to the bottom of the screen. [+ obj] ▪ You have to scroll the screen to see the bottom of the Web page.
corollary
corollary
cor·ol·lary Listen to audio/ˈkorəˌleri, Brit kəˈrɒləri/ noun
plural cor·ol·lar·ies


[count] formal : something that naturally follows or results from another thing
▪ A corollary [=result, by-product] of increased poverty is more crime.

— corollary adjective
▪ a corollary assumption
raunchy
raun·chy Listen to audio/ˈrɑ:ntʃi/ adjective
raun·chi·er; raun·chi·est


[also more raunchy; most raunchy] informal 1 : dealing with or suggesting sex in a way that is somewhat shocking
▪ a raunchy [=dirty] magazine/movie/joke

2 US, disapproving : very dirty, smelly, etc.
▪ raunchy old sneakers ▪ a raunchy smell
— raun·chi·ness Listen to audio /ˈrɑ:ntʃinəs/ noun [noncount]
complacency
com·pla·cen·cy Listen to audio/kəmˈpleɪsn̩si/ noun



[noncount] : a feeling of being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better : a complacent feeling or condition
▪ The public was lulled into complacency. ▪ The stock market crash rattled/shattered/shook our complacency. [=took away our feeling that everything was fine]
prestige
prestige
pres·tige Listen to audio/prɛˈsti:ʒ/ noun



[noncount] : the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important
▪ Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige. ▪ The job has low pay and low prestige. ▪ The family has wealth and social prestige.

— pres·ti·gious Listen to audio /prɛˈstɪʤəs/ adjective [more prestigious; most prestigious]
▪ a prestigious college/university ▪ a prestigious award
heretic
heretic
her·e·tic Listen to audio/ˈherəˌtɪk/ noun
plural her·e·tics


[count] : someone who believes or teaches something that goes against accepted or official beliefs
▪ The church regards them as heretics.

— he·ret·i·cal Listen to audio /həˈrɛtɪkəl/ adjective
▪ heretical ideas/writings ▪ It would be heretical to suggest changing company policy.
patsy
patsy
pat·sy Listen to audio/ˈpætsi/ noun
plural pat·sies


[count] chiefly US, informal : a foolish person who is easily tricked or cheated
▪ They treated us like a bunch of patsies.
yucky
yucky
yucky also US yuk·ky Listen to audio/ˈjʌki/ adjective
yuck·i·er also yuk·ki·er; yuk·ki·est


[also more yucky; most yucky] informal 1 : causing discomfort, disgust, or a strong feeling of dislike : unpleasant and disgusting
▪ The water was dirty and smelled yucky. ▪ yucky food

2 : having an unpleasant feeling in your stomach : somewhat sick
▪ I felt yucky after eating all that cake.
bland
bland Listen to audio/ˈblænd/ adjective
bland·er; bland·est


1 : not interesting or exciting
▪ a bland [=dull, boring] film ▪ bland [=uninteresting] architecture

2 : lacking strong flavor
▪ The vegetable soup was rather bland. ▪ a bland diet = a diet of bland foods [=foods that are not spicy]

3 : showing no emotion, concern, etc.
▪ a bland expression/face ▪ The diplomat's bland statement did nothing to calm the situation.
— bland·ly adverb

— bland·ness noun [noncount]
▪ the blandness of the film/food
blatant
blatant
bla·tant Listen to audio/ˈbleɪtn̩t/ adjective



[more blatant; most blatant] : very obvious and offensive
▪ a blatant lie ▪ He showed a blatant disregard for the safety of other drivers. ▪ a blatant [=flagrant] attempt to bribe the judge ▪ blatant racial discrimination

— bla·tant·ly adverb
▪ She had blatantly copied the text from another book. ▪ a blatantly false statement
vindicate
vin·di·cate Listen to audio/ˈvɪndəˌkeɪt/ verb
vin·di·cates; vin·di·cat·ed; vin·di·cat·ing


[+ obj] 1 : to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc. : to show that (someone) is not guilty
▪ They have evidence that will vindicate [=exonerate] her. ▪ She will be completely vindicated by the evidence.

2 : to show that (someone or something that has been criticized or doubted) is correct, true, or reasonable
▪ These discoveries vindicate their theory. ▪ Their approach to the problem has been vindicated by the positive results. ▪ He felt vindicated when the truth became known.
— vin·di·ca·tion Listen to audio /ˌvɪndəˈkeɪʃən/ noun
[noncount] ▪ She didn't need any further vindication. [singular] ▪ The positive results are a vindication of their approach.
stifle
stifle
sti·fle Listen to audio/ˈstaɪfəl/ verb
sti·fles; stifled; sti·fling


1 [+ obj] a : to not allow yourself to do or express (something)
▪ trying to stifle a cry/yawn ▪ I had to stifle the desire/urge to yell “Stop!”
b : to stop (someone) from doing or expressing something
▪ Students at the school are stifled by the pressure to score high on tests.

2 [+ obj] : to make (something) difficult or impossible
▪ Too many regulations stifle innovation. ▪ something that stifles the growth of the plant/economy

3 a [no obj] : to be unable to breathe easily
▪ I wish we could go outside instead of stifling in this tiny room.
b [+ obj] : to make (someone) unable to breathe or unable to breathe easily
▪ He was almost stifled by the smoke.
pliant
pli·ant Listen to audio/ˈplajənt/ adjective



[more pliant; most pliant] 1 a : able to bend without breaking : flexible
▪ a pliant [=(more commonly) pliable] material
b : able to move freely
▪ the dancer's pliant body

2 : too easily influenced or controlled by other people
▪ a pliant Congress that will do whatever the President wants ▪ a pliant wife/husband
— pli·an·cy Listen to audio /ˈplajənsi/ noun [noncount]
glean
glean
glean Listen to audio/ˈgli:n/ verb
gleans; gleaned; glean·ing


1 [+ obj] a : to gather or collect (something) in a gradual way
▪ She gleaned her data from various studies. ▪ He has a collection of antique tools gleaned from flea markets and garage sales.
b : to search (something) carefully
▪ They spent days gleaning the files for information.

2 : to gather grain or other material that is left after the main crop has been gathered [no obj] ▪ They spent hours gleaning in the wheat fields. [+ obj] ▪ gleaning stray ears of corn ▪ gleaning a vineyard
— glean·er noun, plural glean·ers [count]
contagious
contagious
con·ta·gious Listen to audio/kənˈteɪʤəs/ adjective



[more contagious; most contagious] 1 : able to be passed from one person or animal to another by touching
▪ a contagious disease ▪ It's a highly contagious virus. — compare infectious

2 : having a sickness that can be passed to someone else by touching
▪ I have a cold and I'm still contagious. ▪ I'm sick, but the doctor says I'm not contagious.

3 : capable of being easily spread to others : causing other people to feel or act a similar way
▪ She has a contagious smile. [=her smile makes other people smile; her smile makes other people happy] ▪ contagious enthusiasm/laughter
— con·ta·gious·ly adverb
▪ a contagiously enthusiastic person

— con·ta·gious·ness noun [noncount]
blur
1blur Listen to audio/ˈblɚ/ noun
plural blurs


1 [count] : something that you cannot see clearly — usually singular ▪ He passed by in a blur of motion. ▪ As the train sped on, everything outside the window was a blur. ▪ I looked out at the blur of faces in the audience. ▪ The letters are just a blur without my glasses.

2 [singular] : something that is difficult to remember
▪ The whole weekend is just a blur to me. [=I don't remember the events of the weekend very clearly]
— blur·ry Listen to audio /ˈblɚri/ adjective, blur·ri·er; blur·ri·est [or more blurry; most blurry]
▪ a blurry image ▪ She's suffering from blurry vision. ▪ The letters are blurry [=blurred] without my

2blur verb
blurs; blurred; blur·ring


1 [+ obj] : to make (something) unclear or difficult to see or remember
▪ a technique that blurs the edges of the image [=makes the edges of the image less sharp] ▪ The tears in my eyes blurred the words on the page. ▪ His novel is based on historical occurrences but it blurs the line/distinction between fact and fiction.

2 [no obj] : to become unclear or difficult to see or remember
▪ I was so tired that my vision/eyes started to blur. [=I was not able to see clearly] ▪ The two events have blurred together in my mind.
— blurred adjective [more blurred; most blurred]
▪ The writing is blurred [=blurry] but I think I can read it. ▪ The patient's symptoms include blurred vision. ▪ a blurred memory
fraternity
fraternity
fra·ter·ni·ty Listen to audio/frəˈtɚnəti/ noun
plural fra·ter·ni·ties


1 [count] : an organization of male students at a U.S. college — compare sorority

2 [count] : a group of people who have the same job, interests, etc.
▪ the racing fraternity [=people who are involved or interested in racing] ▪ the legal fraternity

3 [noncount] formal : the feeling of friendship that exists between people in a group
▪ an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation
fidgety
fidg·ety Listen to audio/ˈfiʤəti/ adjective



[more fidgety; most fidgety] : moving a lot because of nervousnees, boredom, etc. : tending to fidget
▪ He grew more fidgety with each passing hour. ▪ Coffee makes me fidgety. [=jumpy, restless]
gangling
gan·gling Listen to audio/ˈgæŋglɪŋ/ adjective



[more gangling; most gangling] chiefly Brit : gangly
▪ a gangling teenager
agonize
ag·o·nize also Brit ag·o·nise Listen to audio/ˈægəˌnaɪz/ verb
ag·o·niz·es; ag·o·nized; ag·o·niz·ing


[no obj] : to think or worry very much about something — usually + about or over ▪ She agonized about what she was doing. ▪ The coach agonizes for days over the choices he has to make. ▪ The architect agonized over every detail of the planning.
frail
frail
frail Listen to audio/ˈfreɪl/ adjective
frail·er; frail·est


1 : having less than a normal amount of strength or force : very weak
▪ a frail child ▪ a frail old man ▪ I could barely hear her frail [=weak] voice. ▪ In his old age his health became increasingly frail. synonyms weak

2 : easily damaged or destroyed
▪ a small and frail ship
— frail·ness noun [noncount]
▪ the frailness [=(more commonly) frailty] of his health
offbeat
off·beat Listen to audio/ˈɑ:fˌbi:t/ adjective



[more offbeat; most offbeat] informal : different from the ordinary, usual, or expected
▪ She has an offbeat sense of humor. ▪ He often plays offbeat characters in his films. ▪ an offbeat approach to teaching ▪ The performance was refreshingly offbeat.
affliction
af·flic·tion Listen to audio/əˈflɪkʃən/ noun
plural af·flic·tions


formal 1 [count] : something (such as a disease) that causes pain or suffering
▪ She lost her sight and is now learning to live with her/the affliction. ▪ He died from a mysterious affliction.

2 [noncount] : the state of being affected by something that causes suffering
▪ her affliction with polio
unison
uni·son Listen to audio/ˈju:nəsən/ noun

Meaning:

in unison
◊If people do something in unison, they do it together at the same time.
▪ singing/playing in unison ▪ The children recited the alphabet in unison. If people work in unison, they work together to achieve something. ▪ Local residents and police are working in unison to make the neighborhood safer.
remedy
remedy
1rem·e·dy Listen to audio/ˈrɛmədi/ noun
plural rem·e·dies


1 [count] : a medicine or treatment that relieves pain or cures a usually minor illness
▪ a remedy for fever ▪ The store now sells herbal remedies. [=medicines made from plants] ▪ a shelf of cold remedies [=medicines to take when you have a cold] ▪ Do you know of a good home remedy [=a medicine made at home] for heartburn? ▪ folk remedies [=traditional medicines that are not prescribed by a doctor]

2 : a way of solving or correcting a problem [count] ▪ Building more roads isn't always the best remedy for traffic congestion. ▪ You may have no legal remedy [=way of finding a solution using the law] in this dispute. [noncou
coefficient
co·ef·fi·cient Listen to audio/ˌkowəˈfɪʃənt/ noun
plural co·ef·fi·cients


[count] 1 mathematics : a number by which another number or symbol is multiplied
▪ 5 is the coefficient of y in the term 5y.

2 physics : a number that is used to measure some property or characteristic of a substance
▪ a coefficient of friction ▪ the metal's coefficient of expansion
paltry
paltry
pal·try Listen to audio/ˈpɑ:ltri/ adjective
pal·tri·er; pal·tri·est


[also more paltry; most paltry] formal 1 : very small or too small in amount
▪ They're offering a paltry [=meager] salary for the position. ▪ Sales have increased by a paltry [=measly] two percent.

2 : having little meaning, importance, or worth
▪ a paltry excuse ▪ paltry work
deference
deference
def·er·ence Listen to audio/ˈdɛfərəns/ noun



[noncount] formal : a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something
▪ Her relatives treat one another with deference. ▪ He is shown much deference by his colleagues. — often + to ▪ The children were taught to show proper deference to their elders.

in deference toor out of deference to
: in order to show respect for the opinions or influence of (someone or something) : out of respect for (someone or something)
▪ He decided not to get a tattoo in deference to his mother. ▪ The police have not yet revealed the victim's name out of deference to his family. ▪ customs used in deference to tradition

— def·er·en·tial Listen to audio /ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/ adjective [more deferential; most deferential]
▪ The class listened with deferential [=respectful] attention. ▪ deferential to tradition

— def·er·en·tial·ly adverb
▪ She bowed deferentially.
miffed
miffed
miffed Listen to audio/ˈmɪft/ adjective



[more miffed; most miffed] informal : slightly angry or annoyed
▪ They were (a bit) miffed [=upset] about what they considered to be unfair treatment. ▪ She was miffed at them for not inviting her to the party.
honorific
hon·or·if·ic Listen to audio/ˌɑ:nəˈrɪfɪk/ adjective



: giving or expressing honor or respect
▪ an honorific name/title

— honorific noun, plural honorifics [count]
▪ The title “Excellency” was used as an honorific.
savory
savory
1sa·vory (US) or Brit sa·voury Listen to audio/ˈseɪvəri/ adjective



[more savory; most savory] formal 1 : having a pleasant taste or smell
▪ a savory aroma

2 : having a spicy or salty quality without being sweet
▪ They prepared an assortment of both sweet and savory foods.

3 : morally good — usually used in negative statements ▪ His reputation was anything but savory. [=his reputation was unsavory] ▪ her less savory friend

2savory (US) or Brit savoury noun
plural savor·ies


[count] formal : a small serving of food that is spicy or salty but not sweet : a savory food
▪ They prepared assorted sweets and savories.