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609 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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abase
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v. ~ oneself/sb lower oneself/sb in dignity; degrade oneself/sb ;
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abash
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to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of:disconcert
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abate
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v. make or become less
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abbreviate
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v. ~ sth shorten (a word, phrase, etc), esp by omitting letters
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abdicate
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v. resign from or formally renounce the throne
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aberrant
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adj. not following the normal or correct way
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aberration
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n. deviation from what is accepted as normal or right
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abet
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v. ~ sb (in sth) help or encourage sb to commit an offence or do sth wrong
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abeyance
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n. be in abeyance; fall/go into abeyance (of a right, rule, problem, etc) be suspended temporarily; not be in force or use for a time
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abhor
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v. feel hatred and disgust for (sb/sth); detest
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abide
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v. (esp with can/could, in negative sentences or questions can/could) tolerate (sb/sth); endure; bear
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abject
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adj. wretched; hopeless
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abjure
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v. promise or swear to give up (a claim, an opinion, a belief, etc); renounce formally
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ablution
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n. (fml or joc ) ceremonial washing of the body, hands, sacred vessels, etc
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abnegation
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n. denial or renunciation (of a doctrine)
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abode
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n. house; home
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abolish
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v. end the existence of
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abominable
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adj. ~(fml ) causing disgust; detestable
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abominate
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v. feel hatred or disgust for (sth/sb); detest; loathe
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aboriginal
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adj. inhabiting a land from a very early period, esp before the arrival of colonists
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abortive
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adj. coming to nothing; unsuccessful
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abrasive
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adj. that scrapes or rubs sth away; rough
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abridge
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v. make shorter, esp by using fewer words; condense
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abrogate
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v. cancel, repeal or annul (sth)
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abscission
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The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation.
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abscond
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v. ~go away suddenly and secretly, esp in order to avoid arrest
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absolute
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adj. complete; total
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absolve
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v. ~ sb (fml esp law , ) clear sb (of guilt); declare sb free (from blame, a promise, a duty, etc)
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abstain
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v. ~ keep oneself from doing or enjoying sth, esp from taking alcoholic drinks; refrain ;
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abstemious
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adj. not taking much food or drink; not self-indulgent; moderate
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abstinence
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n. ~ abstaining, esp from food or alcoholic drinks
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abstract
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adj. existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or practical existence
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abstruse
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adj. difficult to understand
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abusive
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adj. criticizing harshly and rudely; insulting
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abut
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v. ~ on/against sth (of land or a building) have a common boundary or side with sth; adjoin sth
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abysmal
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adj. extremely bad
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abyss
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n. hole so deep that it seems to have no bottom
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academic
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adj. of schools, colleges, etc
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accede
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v. ~ (fml ) take office
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accelerate
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v. make move faster or happen earlier; increase the speed of
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accessible
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adj. ~ that can be reached, used, etc
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accessory
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n. thing that is a useful or decorative extra but that is not essential; minor fitting or attachment
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acclaim
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v. welcome (sb/sth) with shouts of approval; applaud loudly
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acclimate
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to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation
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acclivity
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n. upward slope
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accolade
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n. praise; approval
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accommodate
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v. provide lodging or room for
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accomplice
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n. person who helps another to do sth wicked or illegal
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accord
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n. peace treaty; agreement
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accost
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v. approach and speak to (sb) boldly
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accoutre
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equip
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accretion
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n. growth or increase by means of gradual additions
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accrue
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v. ~ (from sth) come as a natural increase or advantage, esp financial; accumulate
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acerbity
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Sourness of taste, character, or tone.
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acetic
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adj. of, containing, producing, or derived from acetic acid or vinegar
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acidulous
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adj. rather sharp or bitter in taste or manner
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acknowledge
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v. accept the truth of admit (sth)
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acme
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n. highest stage of development; point of perfection
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acne
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n. inflammation of the oil-glands of the skin, producing red pimples on the face and neck
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acoustics
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n. qualities of a room, hall, etc that make it good or bad for carrying sound
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acquiesce
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v. ~ (fml ) accept sth without protest; offer no opposition (to a plan, conclusion, etc)
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acquittal
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n. judgement that a person is not guilty of the crime with which he has been charged
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acrid
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adj. having a strongly bitter smell or taste
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acrimonious
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adj. bitter
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acrophobia
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"acro'phobic adjectiv
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actuarial
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calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
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actuary
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n. expert who calculates insurance risks and premiums
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actuate
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v. make (a machine, an electrical device, etc) move or work; make (a process) begin , ;
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acuity
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n. (esp of thought or the senses) sharpness; acuteness
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acumen
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n. ability to understand and judge things quickly and clearly; shrewdness
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acute
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adj. very great; severe
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adage
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n. traditional saying; proverb ;
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adamant
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adj. firmly or stubbornly determined; unwilling to be persuaded
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adapt
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v. ~ sth (for sth) make sth suitable for a new use, situation, etc; modify sth
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addendum
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n. thing that is to be added
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addiction
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n. ~ condition of taking drugs, etc habitually and being unable to stop doing so without suffering adverse effects
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addle
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v. confuse (sth/sb); muddle
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address
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n. details of where a person lives, works or can be found, and where letters, etc may be delivered
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adept
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adj. ~ ~ (at/in doing sth) expert or skilful in (doing) sth
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adhere
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v. ~ (to sth) remain attached (to sth); stick (as if) by means of glue or suction
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adherent
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n. supporter of a party or doctrine
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adjacent
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having a common endpoint or border also immediately preceding or following
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adjoin
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v. be next or nearest to and joined with
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adjourn
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v. stop (a meeting, etc) for a time; postpone
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adjunct
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n. ~ thing that is added or attached to sth else but is less important and not essential
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adjuration
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solemn urging
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adjutant
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n. army officer responsible for administrative work in a battalion
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admonish
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to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
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adore
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v. love deeply and respect (sb) highly
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adorn
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v. ~ sth/sb/oneself add beauty or ornament to sth/sb/oneself
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adroit
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adj. ~ skilful; clever
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adulation
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n. excessive admiration or praise; flattery
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adulterate
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v. make poorer in quality by adding another substance
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Advent
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n. the ~ of sth/sb the approach or arrival of
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adventitious
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adj. not planned; accidental
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adversary
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n. opponent in a contest; enemy
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adverse
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adj. not favourable; contrary
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adversity
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n. unfavourable conditions; trouble
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advert
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n. = advertisement
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advocacy
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n. ~ giving of support (to a cause, etc)
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advocate
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v. speak publicly in favour of (sth); recommend; support
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aegis
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n. under the aegis of sb/sth with the protection or support of sb/sth, esp a public institution
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aerie
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= eyrie
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aesthetic
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adj. concerned with beauty and the appreciation of beauty
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affable
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adj. polite and friendly
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affected
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adj. not natural or genuine; pretended; artificial
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affidavit
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n. written statement that can be used as evidence in court, made by sb who swears that it is true
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affiliation
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n. affiliating or being affiliated
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affinity
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n. ~ ~ (between A and B) structural resemblance or similarity of character; relationship
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affirmation
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n. affirming
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affix
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v. ~ sth (fml ) stick, fasten or attach sth
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affliction
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n. pain; suffering; distress
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affluence
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n. abundance of money, goods or property; wealth
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affront
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n. ~ (to sb/sth) deliberately insulting or disrespectful remark, action, etc, esp in public
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afterlife
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n. existence that is thought by some to follow death
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agape
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adj. ~ (of the mouth) wide open, esp with wonder
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agenda
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n. matters of business to be discussed at a meeting, etc
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agglomeration
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n. action of agglomerating
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aggrandize
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to make appear great or greater:praise highly
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aggregate
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v. ~ sb (fml ) be formed or bring sb into an assembled group or amount
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aghast
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adj. ~ filled with horror or amazement
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agility
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nimbleness
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agitate
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v. cause anxiety to (a person, his feelings, etc); disturb; excite
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agnostic
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n. person who believes that nothing can be known about the existence of God or of anything except material things
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agog
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adj. eager; excited
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agrarian
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adj. of land
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airy
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adj. having plenty of fresh air moving about; well-ventilated
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alacrity
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n. prompt and eager readiness
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alchemy
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n. medieval form of chemistry, the chief aim of which was to discover how to turn ordinary metals into gold ,
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alcove
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n. small space in a room, etc formed by part of the wall being set back; recess
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alias
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n. name by which a person is called at other times or in other places; false name
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alienate
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v. ~ sb cause sb to become unfriendly or indifferent; estrange sb
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alimentary
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adj. of food and digestion
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alimony
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n. allowance that a court may order a man to pay to his wife or former wife before or after a legal separation or divorce
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allay
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v. make (sth) less; relieve
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allege
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v. state (sth) as a fact but without proof; give as an argument or excuse
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allegiance
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n. ~ (to sb/sth) support of or loyalty to a government, ruler, cause, etc
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allegory
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n. story, painting or description in which the characters and events are meant as symbols of purity, truth, patience, etc ,
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alleviate
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v. make less severe; ease
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alliteration
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n. occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in succession, as in sing a song of sixpence or as thick as thieves , sing a song of sixpence as thick as thieves
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allocate
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v. ~ sth allot or assign sth (to sb/sth) for a special purpose
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alloy
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n. metal formed of a mixture of metals or of metal and another substance
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allude
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v. ~ to sb/sth (fml ) mention sb/sth briefly or indirectly
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allure
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v. tempt or attract (sb) by the expectation of gaining sth
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allusion
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n. ~ indirect reference
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alluvial
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adj. made of sand, earth, etc left by rivers or floods, esp in a delta
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alms
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n. money, clothes, food, etc given to poor people
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aloft
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adv. up in the air; overhead
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aloof
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adj. ~ cool and remote in character; unconcerned
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altercation
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n. (act of) quarrelling or arguing noisily
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altruistic
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(adj.) unselfish
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amalgam
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n. alloy of mercury with another metal
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amalgamate
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v. ~ (with sb/sth) (cause people or things to) combine or unite
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amass
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v. gather together or collect (sth), esp in large quantities
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amazon
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n. tall strong athletic woman
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ambidextrous
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adj. able to use the left hand or the right hand equally well
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ambience
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n. environment; atmosphere of a place
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ambiguous
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adj. having more than one possible meaning
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ambivalence
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the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes
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amble
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v. ride or walk at a slow, leisurely pace
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ambrosia
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n. food of the gods
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ambulatory
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walking
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ambush
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n. waiting in a hidden position to make a surprise attack
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ameliorate
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v. (cause sth to) become better
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amenable
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adj. ~ (of people) willing to be influenced or controlled (by sth)
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amend
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v. correct an error in (sth); make minor improvements in; change slightly
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amenities
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[ amenity: ] [often pl] a useful or pleasant facility or service
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amiable
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adj. showing and inspiring friendliness; pleasant and good-tempered
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amicable
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adj. showing friendliness; without hostility
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amiss
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adj. , adv wrong(ly); inappropriate(ly)
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amity
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n. friendly relationship between people or countries
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amnesia
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n. partial or total loss of memory
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amnesty
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n. general pardon, esp for offences against the State
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amok
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adv. run amok rush about in a wild and angry frenzy
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amoral
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adj. not based on moral standards; not following any moral rules ;
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amorous
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adj. readily showing or feeling love; relating to love
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amorphous
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adj. having no definite shape or form; not organized
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amphibian
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n. animal able to live both on land and in water
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amphitheater
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oval building with tiers of seats
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ample
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adj. enough
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amplify
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v. increase (sth) in size or strength
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amputate
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v. cut off by surgical operation
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amulet
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n. piece of jewellery, etc worn as a charm1(
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anachronism
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n. mistake of placing sth in the wrong historical period
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analgesia
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n. loss of ability to feel pain while still conscious
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analgesic
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adj. n substance that relieves pain
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analogous
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adj. ~ partially similar or parallel; offering an analogy
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analogy
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n. ~ partial similarity between two things that are compared
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anarchist
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n. person who believes in anarchism
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anarchy
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n. absence of government or control in society; lawlessness
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anathema
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n. detested person or thing
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anathematize
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declare to be evil or anathema
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ancestry
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n. line of ancestors
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anchor
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n. heavy metal device attached to a rope, chain, etc and used to moor a ship or boat to the sea-bottom or a balloon to the ground
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ancillary
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adj. ~ helping in a subsidiary way
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anecdote
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n. short, interesting or amusing story about a real person or event ,
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anemia
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condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles
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anesthetic
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= anaesthesia, anaesthetic
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anguish
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n. severe physical or mental pain
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angular
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adj. having angles or sharp corners
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animadversion
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n. criticism
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animated
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adj. lively
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animosity
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n. ~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) strong dislike or of hostility
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animus
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n. animosity shown in speech or action
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annals
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n. story of events year by year; historical records
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anneal
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v. make tough by cooling slowly after heating
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annex
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v. take possession of
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annihilate
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v. destroy completely
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annotate
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v. add notes to giving explanation or comment
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annuity
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n. fixed sum of money paid to sb yearly, usu for the remaining part of his lifetime
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annul
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v. declare (sth) no longer valid; abolish; cancel
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anodyne
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n, adj that can relieve pain
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anoint
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v. ~ sb apply oil or ointment to sb (esp as a religious ceremony)
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anomalous
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adj. different from what is normal; irregular
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anomaly
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n. anomalous thing; irregularity
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anonymity
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n. state of being anonymous
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antagonism
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n~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) active opposition or hostility, esp between two people
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antagonistic
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adj. ~ showing or feeling antagonism; hostile
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antecede
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be earlier in time; go back further
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antecedents
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ancestr
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antediluvian
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adj. of the time before Noah's Flood
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anthem
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n. short musical composition, usu for a choir and an organ, to be sung in religious services, often with words taken from the Bible ,
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anthology
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n. collection of poems or pieces of prose on the same subject or by the same writer
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anthropoid
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adj. man-like in form
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anthropologist
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n. student of or expert in anthropology
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anthropomorphic
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adj. treating gods, animals, etc as human in form and personality ,
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anticlimax
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n. disappointing end to a series of events which had seemed likely to become more interesting, exciting or impressive
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antidote
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n. ~ substance that acts against the effects of a poison or disease
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antipathy
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settled aversion or dislike:DISTASTE
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antiquated
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adj. (of things) out of date, obsolete ,
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antique
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adj. belonging to the distant past
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antiquity
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n. ancient times, esp before the Middle Ages
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antiseptic
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n. substance that prevents a wound, etc from becoming septic, esp by destroying bacteria
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antithesis
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n. ~ (of/to sth/sb) direct opposite
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antler
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n. branched horn of a stag or of some other deer
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anvil
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n. iron block on which a smith shapes heated metal by hammering it
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apathetic
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adj. showing or feeling apathy
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apathy
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n. ~ lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern; indifference
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ape
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n. any of the four primates (gorilla, chimpanzee, orang-utan, gibbon) most closely related to man .
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aperture
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n. narrow opening
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apex
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n. top or highest point
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aphasia
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n. partial or total loss of ability to speak or understand spoken language, caused by damage to the brain
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aphorism
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n. short wise saying; maxim ;
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apiarist
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n. person who keeps bees
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apiary
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n. place with a number of hives where bees are kept
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apiculture
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the cultivation of bees on a commercial scale for the production of honey
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aplomb
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n. confidence and self-control; poise
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apocalyptic
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adj. prophesying great and dramatic events like those in the Apocalypse
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apocryphal
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adj. not likely to be genuine; untrue or invented
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apogee
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n. position in the orbit of the moon, a planet or a satellite when it is at its greatest distance from the earth ,
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apolitical
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adj. not interested or involved in politics
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apologist
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n. person who defends a doctrine by logical argument
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apoplexy
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n. sudden inability to feel or move, caused by the blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain ,
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apostate
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n. person who renounces his former beliefs, etc
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apothecary
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n. person who prepares and sells medicines and medical goods
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apothegm
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= apophthegm
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apotheosis
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n. (of a human being) making or becoming a god or a sain
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appall
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to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay
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apparent
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adj. clearly seen or understood; obvious
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apparition
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n. appearance, esp of sth startling, strange or unexpected ,
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appease
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v. make quiet or calm, usu by making concessions or by satisfying demands
|
|
|
appellation
|
n. name or title; system of naming ;
|
|
|
append
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) attach or add sth (esp in writing)
|
|
|
application
|
n. ~ (to sb) (for sth) formal request
|
|
|
apposite
|
adj. ~ (of a remark, etc) very appropriate (for a purpose or an occasion)
|
|
|
appraise
|
v. assess the value or quality of
|
|
|
appreciate
|
v. understand and enjoy (sth); value highly
|
|
|
apprehend
|
v. seize (sb); arrest
|
|
|
apprehensive
|
adj. ~ ~ (that.../for sb/sth) feeling anxiety; fearful; uneasy
|
|
|
apprise
|
v. ~ sb of sth inform sb of sth
|
|
|
approbation
|
n. approval; consent
|
|
|
appropriate
|
adj. ~ suitable; right and proper
|
|
|
appurtenances
|
[ appurtenance: ] a secondary or less significant thing or part
|
|
|
apropos
|
adv, adj appropriate or relevant to what is being said or done
|
|
|
aptitude
|
n. ~ natural ability or skill
|
|
|
aquiline
|
adj. of or like an eagle
|
|
|
arable
|
n. , adj suitable for ploughing and for growing crops
|
|
|
arbiter
|
n. ~ person who has power to decide what will be done, accepted, etc with regard to sth
|
|
|
arbitrary
|
adj. based on personal opinion or impulse, not on reason
|
|
|
arbitrate
|
v. ~ (between A and B) make a judgement about or settle (a dispute) between two parties (usu when asked by them to do so)
|
|
|
arboreal
|
adj. of or living in trees
|
|
|
arboretum
|
n. place where trees are grown for scientific study or for display
|
|
|
arcade
|
n. covered passage or area, esp one with an arched roof and shops along one or both sides
|
|
|
arcane
|
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
|
|
|
arch-
|
comb form chief; most important
|
|
|
archaeology
|
n. study of ancient civilizations by scientific analysis of physical remains found in the ground
|
|
|
archaic
|
adj. of a much earlier or an ancient period in history
|
|
|
archetype
|
n. original or ideal model from which others are copied; prototype ;
|
|
|
archipelago
|
n. (sea surrounding a) group of many islands
|
|
|
archives
|
n. historical documents or records of a government, town, etc
|
|
|
ardor
|
extreme vigor or energy:INTENSITY
|
|
|
arduous
|
adj. needing much effort or energy; laborious
|
|
|
argot
|
n. words and phrases used by a particular group and not intended to be understood by others; cant ;
|
|
|
aria
|
n. song for one voice, esp in an opera or oratorio
|
|
|
arid
|
adj. having little or no rainfall; dry
|
|
|
aristocracy
|
n. highest social class; the nobility
|
|
|
armada
|
n. large fleet of ships
|
|
|
aromatic
|
adj. having a pleasant, distinctive smell; fragrant
|
|
|
arraign
|
v. ~ sb (law ) bring a criminal charge against sb; bring sb to court for trial
|
|
|
array
|
v. place (esp armed forces, troops, etc) in battle order
|
|
|
arrears
|
n. money that is owed and should have been paid earlier
|
|
|
arrhythmic
|
lacking rhythm or regularity
|
|
|
arrogance
|
a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims
|
|
|
arroyo
|
a brook; a creek a water-carved gully or channel
|
|
|
arsenal
|
n. place where weapons and ammunition are made or stored
|
|
|
artery
|
n. any of the tubes carrying blood from the heart to all parts of the body
|
|
|
artful
|
adj. cunningly clever at getting what one wants; crafty
|
|
|
articulate
|
adj. able to express one's ideas clearly in words
|
|
|
artifacts
|
something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially :an object remaining from a particular period
|
|
|
artifice
|
n. clever trickery; deception
|
|
|
artisan
|
a manually skilled worker
|
|
|
artless
|
adj. simple and natural; without deceit
|
|
|
ascendancy
|
n. ~ (position of) having dominant power or control
|
|
|
ascertain
|
v. discover (sth) so that one is certain; get to know
|
|
|
ascetic
|
adj. not allowing oneself pleasures and comforts; having or involving a very austere life
|
|
|
ascribe
|
v. ~ sth to sb/sth consider sth to be caused by, written by or belonging to sb/sth
|
|
|
aseptic
|
adj. free from bacteria that cause a thing to become septic; surgically clean
|
|
|
ashen
|
adj. like ashes in colour; very pale
|
|
|
asinine
|
adj. stupid or stubborn
|
|
|
askance
|
adv. look
|
|
|
askew
|
adj. , adv not in a straight or level position; crooked
|
|
|
asperity
|
n. harshness or severity, esp of manner
|
|
|
aspersion
|
slanderous remark
|
|
|
aspirant
|
n. ~ (fml ) person who is ambitious (for fame, promotion, success, etc)
|
|
|
aspiration
|
n. ~ ~ (to do sth) strong desire or ambition
|
|
|
aspire
|
v. ~ after/to sth desire strongly to achieve sth; have ambition for sth
|
|
|
assail
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) attack sb violently or repeatedly
|
|
|
assay
|
n. testing of esp metals for quality
|
|
|
assent
|
n. ~ (fml ) agreement; approval
|
|
|
assert
|
v. make others recognize (sth) by behaving firmly and confidently
|
|
|
assessment
|
n. action of assessing
|
|
|
assiduous
|
adj. showing constant and careful attention
|
|
|
assimilate
|
v. (cause sth to) become absorbed into the body after digestion
|
|
|
assuage
|
v. make (sth) less severe; soothe
|
|
|
assumption
|
n. thing accepted as true or as sure to happen, but not proved
|
|
|
assurance
|
n. confident belief in one's own abilities and powers
|
|
|
asteroid
|
n. any of many small planets revolving round the sun, esp between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
|
|
|
astigmatism
|
n. defect in an eye or a lens that prevents correct focusing
|
|
|
astral
|
adj. of or from the stars
|
|
|
astringent
|
n. substance, used medically or in cosmetics, that makes skin or body tissue contract and so stops bleeding
|
|
|
astronomical
|
adj. of astronomy
|
|
|
astute
|
adj. clever and quick at seeing how to gain an advantage; shrewd
|
|
|
asunder
|
adv. into pieces; apart
|
|
|
asylum
|
n. safety; refuge
|
|
|
asymmetric
|
adj. not having parts that correspond to each other in size, shape, etc; lacking symmetry
|
|
|
atavism
|
n. reappearance in a person of a characteristic or quality that has not been seen in his family for many generations
|
|
|
atheistic
|
adj.
|
|
|
atone
|
v. ~ (fml ) act in a way that compensates for a previous wrong, error, etc
|
|
|
atrocity
|
n. great wickedness or cruelty
|
|
|
atrophy
|
n. wasting away of the body or part of it through lack of nourishment or use
|
|
|
attentive
|
adj. ~ giving attention (to sb/sth); alert and watchful
|
|
|
attenuate
|
v. make (sth/sb) thin or slender
|
|
|
attest
|
v. ~ (to) sth be or give clear proof of sth
|
|
|
attire
|
n. clothes; dress
|
|
|
attribute
|
v. ~ sth to sb/sth regard sth as belonging to, caused by or produced by sb/sth
|
|
|
attrition
|
n. process of gradually weakening sb's strength and confidence by continuous harassment
|
|
|
atypical
|
adj. not representative or characteristic of its type; not typical
|
|
|
audacious
|
adj. showing a willingness to take risks; daring; fearless
|
|
|
audit
|
n. official examination of accounts to see that they are in order
|
|
|
augment
|
v. make (sth) larger in number or size; increase
|
|
|
augury
|
omen; prophecy
|
|
|
august
|
majestic, venerable
|
|
|
aureole
|
sun's corona; halo
|
|
|
auroral
|
[ aurora: ] an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of bands, curtains, or streamers of light, usually green, red, or yellow, that move across the sky in polar regions.
|
|
|
auspicious
|
adj. showing signs of future success; favourable; promising
|
|
|
austere
|
adj. severely and strictly moral; having no pleasures or comforts
|
|
|
austerity
|
n. quality of being austere
|
|
|
authenticate
|
Rractical experience of sth
|
|
|
authoritarian
|
adj. favouring complete obedience to authority before personal freedom
|
|
|
authoritative
|
adj. having authority; that can be trusted; reliable
|
|
|
autocrat
|
n. ruler of an autocracy
|
|
|
autocratic
|
adj.
|
|
|
automaton
|
n. = robot 1
|
|
|
autonomous
|
adj. self-governing; acting independently
|
|
|
autopsy
|
n. examination of a dead body to learn the cause of death; post-mortem ()
|
|
|
auxiliary
|
adj. giving help or support; additional
|
|
|
avalanche
|
n. mass of snow, ice and rock that slides rapidly down the side of a mountain
|
|
|
avarice
|
n. greed for wealth or gain
|
|
|
avenge
|
v. take or get revenge for
|
|
|
aver
|
v. (fml ) state (sth) firmly and positively; assert ;
|
|
|
averse
|
adj. ~ to sth not liking sth; opposed to sth
|
|
|
aversion
|
n. ~ strong dislike
|
|
|
avert
|
v. ~ sth turn sth away
|
|
|
aviary
|
n. large cage or building for keeping birds in, eg in a zoo ,
|
|
|
avid
|
adj. ~ eager; greedy
|
|
|
avocation
|
secondary or minor occupation
|
|
|
avow
|
v. declare (sth) openly; admit
|
|
|
avuncular
|
adj. of or like an uncle, esp in manner
|
|
|
awe
|
n. feeling of respect combined with fear or wonder
|
|
|
awful
|
adj. extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible
|
|
|
awl
|
n. small pointed tool for making holes, esp in leather or wood
|
|
|
awry
|
adv. crookedly; out of position; askew ;
|
|
|
axiom
|
n. statement that is accepted as true without further proof or argument
|
|
|
azure
|
n. , adj bright blue, as of the sky
|
|
|
babble
|
v. talk in a way that is difficult or impossible to understand
|
|
|
bacchanal
|
n. (dated or fml ) bout of noisy, drunken merrymaking . bacchana-lian adj
|
|
|
bacchanalia
|
orgiastic rites associated with Bacchus
|
|
|
bacchanalian
|
[ bacchanalia: ] [often cap] orgiastic rites associated with Bacchus
|
|
|
backslide
|
v. lapse from good ways into one's former bad ways of living
|
|
|
badger
|
n. animal of the weasel family, grey with black and white stripes on its head, living in holes in the ground and moving about at night .
|
|
|
badinage
|
n. playful teasing; banter ;
|
|
|
baffle
|
v. be too difficult for to understand; puzzle
|
|
|
bait
|
n. food or imitation food put on a hook to catch fish or placed in nets, traps, etc to attract prey
|
|
|
baleful
|
adj. threatening evil or harm; menacing
|
|
|
balk
|
n. thick, roughly-squared wooden beam
|
|
|
ballast
|
n. heavy material placed in a ship's hold to keep it steady
|
|
|
balm
|
n. sweet-smelling oil or ointment obtained from certain types of tree, used for soothing pain or for healing ,
|
|
|
balmy
|
adj. (of air) gentle and pleasantly warm
|
|
|
banal
|
adj. commonplace; uninteresting
|
|
|
bandy
|
v. (idm ) bandy `words (with sb) (dated ) exchange words, etc, esp when quarrelling
|
|
|
bane
|
n. the bane of sb's existence/life cause of sb's ruin or trouble
|
|
|
bank
|
n. land sloping up along each side of a river or canal; ground near a river
|
|
|
bantering
|
adj. playfully teasing
|
|
|
bar
|
n. piece of solid material
|
|
|
barb
|
n. point of an arrow, a fish-hook, etc curved backwards to make it difficult to pull out .
|
|
|
bard
|
n. minstrel
|
|
|
barefaced
|
adj. impudent; shameless
|
|
|
bargain
|
n. agreement in which both or all sides promise to do sth for each other
|
|
|
baroque
|
adj. n highly ornate style fashionable in the arts (esp architecture) in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries ,
|
|
|
barrage
|
n. barrier built across a river to store water for irrigation, prevent flooding, etc
|
|
|
barrister
|
n. lawyer who has the right to speak and argue as an advocate in higher lawcourts
|
|
|
barterer
|
[ barter: ] to trade (goods, services, etc.) in exchange for other goods, services, etc., rather than for money
|
|
|
base
|
n. lowest part of sth, esp the part on which it rests or is supported
|
|
|
bask
|
v. ~ sit or lie enjoying warmth
|
|
|
bastard
|
n. illegitimate child
|
|
|
bastion
|
n. part of a fortification that projects from the rest
|
|
|
bate
|
let down; restrain
|
|
|
battalion
|
n. army unit composed of several companies and forming part of a regiment or brigade
|
|
|
bauble
|
n. showy ornament of little value
|
|
|
bawdy
|
adj. amusing in a coarse or indecent way
|
|
|
bearing
|
n. way of standing, walking, etc; deportment
|
|
|
beatific
|
adj. showing or giving great joy and serenity; blissful
|
|
|
beatitude
|
n. great happiness; blessedness ;
|
|
|
bedizen
|
dress with vulgar finery
|
|
|
bedraggle
|
wet thoroughly
|
|
|
beeline
|
the most direct route between two places
|
|
|
befuddle
|
confuse thoroughly
|
|
|
beget
|
v. (arch ) be the father of (sb)
|
|
|
begrudge
|
v. resent or be dissatisfied with
|
|
|
beguile
|
charm (sb)
|
|
|
behemoth
|
huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
|
|
|
beholden
|
adj. ~ to sb (dated or fml ) owing thanks or indebted to sb
|
|
|
behoove
|
n. suited to ; incumbent upon
|
|
|
belabor
|
to explain or insist on excessively
|
|
|
belated
|
adj. coming very late or too late
|
|
|
beleaguer
|
v. besiege
|
|
|
belie
|
v. give a wrong or an untrue idea of (sth)
|
|
|
belittle
|
v. make seem unimportant or of little value
|
|
|
bellicose
|
adj. eager to fight; warlike; aggressive
|
|
|
belligerent
|
adj. waging war; engaged in a conflict
|
|
|
bemoan
|
v. show sorrow for or complain about (sb/sth)
|
|
|
bemused
|
adj. bewildered or confused
|
|
|
benediction
|
n. blessing, esp one said before a meal or at the end of a church service
|
|
|
benefactor
|
n. person who gives money or other help to a school, hospital, charity, etc
|
|
|
beneficent
|
adj. showing active kindness; generous; charitable
|
|
|
beneficial
|
adj. ~ having a helpful or useful effect; advantageous
|
|
|
beneficiary
|
n. person who receives sth, esp one who receives money, property, etc when sb dies
|
|
|
benefit
|
n. profit; gain; future good (used esp with the vs and preps shown)
|
|
|
benevolent
|
adj. ~ being, or wishing to be, kind, friendly and helpful
|
|
|
benign
|
adj. kindly; gentle
|
|
|
benison
|
blessing
|
|
|
bent
|
n. ~ (for sth/doing sth) natural skill (at sth); liking or inclination (for sth/doing sth)
|
|
|
bequeath
|
v. ~ sth (to sb) arrange, by making a will, to give (property, money etc) (to sb) when one dies
|
|
|
berate
|
v. scold sharply
|
|
|
bereaved
|
[ bereave: ] [usually foll by of] to deprive (of) something or someone valued, esp. through death
|
|
|
bereavement
|
n. state of being bereaved
|
|
|
bereft
|
adj. ~ (fml ) deprived of (a power or quality)
|
|
|
berserk
|
adj. wild with rage
|
|
|
beseech
|
v. ~ sb (for sth) ask sb earnestly; implore sb; entreat sb
|
|
|
beset
|
v. (fml ) surround (sb/sth) on all sides; trouble constantly; threaten
|
|
|
besiege
|
v. surround with armed forces in order to make it surrender
|
|
|
besmirch
|
v. dishonour (sb/sth); slander
|
|
|
bestial
|
adj. of or like a beast; brutish; cruel
|
|
|
bestow
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) present sth as a gift (to sb); confer
|
|
|
betoken
|
v. be a sign of (sth); indicate
|
|
|
betray
|
v. ~ sb/sth hand over or show sb/sth disloyally (to an enemy)
|
|
|
betroth
|
become engaged to marry
|
|
|
bevy
|
n. large group
|
|
|
beware
|
v. ~ (of sb/sth) be cautious (of sb/sth); take care (about sb/sth) ;
|
|
|
bewitch
|
v. put a magic spell on
|
|
|
bicameral
|
adj. having two legislative chambers
|
|
|
bicker
|
v. ~ (over/about sth) quarrel about unimportant things
|
|
|
bid
|
v. ~ (sth) (for sth); esp US ~ (sth) (on sth) offer (a price) in order to buy sth, esp at an auction
|
|
|
biennial
|
adj. happening every second year
|
|
|
bifurcated
|
[ bifurcate: ] to fork or divide into two parts or branches
|
|
|
bigot
|
n. person who holds strong beliefs and opinions, and is intolerant of anyone who disagrees
|
|
|
bigotry
|
n. bigoted attitude or behaviour
|
|
|
bilious
|
adj. caused by or suffering from too much bile
|
|
|
bilk
|
v. ~ sb of sth) avoid paying money to sb; cheat sb (out of sth)
|
|
|
billow
|
n. large wave
|
|
|
billowing
|
[ billow: ] a large sea wave
|
|
|
bitter
|
adj. having a sharp taste like aspirin or unsweetened coffee; not sweet
|
|
|
bivouac
|
n. temporary camp without tents or any other cover, esp used by soldiers or mountaineers
|
|
|
bizarre
|
adj. strange in appearance or effect; grotesque; eccentric ;
|
|
|
blackball
|
v. prevent from joining a club or group by voting against him in a ballot
|
|
|
blanch
|
v. prepare by putting briefly in boiling water; scald
|
|
|
bland
|
adj. gentle or casual in manner; showing no strong emotions; suave ;
|
|
|
blandishment
|
n. (fml ) flattering or coaxing words and actions
|
|
|
blare
|
v. ~ make a loud harsh sound like a trumpet
|
|
|
blasphemous
|
adj. showing contempt or irreverence for God and sacred things
|
|
|
blasphemy
|
n. blasphemous behaviour or language
|
|
|
blatant
|
adj. very obvious; unashamed; flagrant
|
|
|
bleak
|
adj. (of a landscape) bare; exposed; wind-swept
|
|
|
blemish
|
n. mark or stain that spoils the beauty or perfection of sb/sth
|
|
|
blight
|
n. disease that withers plants
|
|
|
blighted
|
(adj.) causing frustration or destruction
|
|
|
bliss
|
n. perfect happiness; great joy
|
|
|
blithe
|
adj. happy and carefree; casual
|
|
|
bloated
|
adj. swollen with fat, gas or liquid
|
|
|
blotch
|
n. large discoloured m
|
|
|
blight
|
n. disease that withers plants
|
|
|
blighted
|
(adj.) causing frustration or destruction
|
|
|
bliss
|
n. perfect happiness; great joy
|
|
|
blithe
|
adj. happy and carefree; casual
|
|
|
bloated
|
adj. swollen with fat, gas or liquid
|
|
|
blotch
|
n. large discoloured mark, usu irregular in shape
|
|
|
blowhard
|
a very boastful and talkative person
|
|
|
bludgeon
|
n. short thick stick with a heavy end, used as a weapon
|
|
|
blue
|
adj. having the colour of a clear sky or the sea on a sunny day
|
|
|
blues
|
[ blue: ] any of a group of colours, such as that of a clear unclouded sky, that have wavelengths in the range 490--445 nanometres. Blue is the complementary colour of yellow and with red and green forms a set of primary colours
|
|
|
bluff
|
v. try to deceive by pretending to be stronger, braver, cleverer, etc than one is
|
|
|
blunder
|
n. stupid or careless mistake
|
|
|
blunt
|
adj. without a sharp edge or a point
|
|
|
blurt
|
v. blurt sth out say sth suddenly and tactlessly
|
|
|
blush
|
v. ~ (at sth) become red in the face (because of sth)
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bluster
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v. blow fiercely or in strong gusts
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bode
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v. be a sign of (sth coming)
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bog
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n. wet spongy ground formed of decaying vegetation
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bogus
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adj. not genuine; false
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Bohemian
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n, adj having or displaying a very informal and unconventional way of life ,
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boisterous
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adj. noisy, lively and cheerful
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bolster
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n. long pillow, usu shaped like a roll, across the head of a bed
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bolt
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n. metal bar that slides into a socket to lock a door, window, etc
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bombardment
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n.
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bombast
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n. pompous and meaningless words
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bombastic
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adj. pompous and empty
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bookish
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adj. fond of reading; studious
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boon
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n. request or favour (used esp with the vs shown)
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boor
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n. rough, rude or insensitive man
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boorish
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adj. of or like a boor
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boost
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v. increase the strength or value of help or encourage (sb/sth)
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botch
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v. ~ sth spoil sth by poor or clumsy work; repair sth badly
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bouillon
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n. thin clear soup or broth; stock ;
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bound
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v. form the boundary of (sth); limit
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bountiful
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adj. giving generously
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bourgeois
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adj. of or relating to the property-owning middle class
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bout
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n. ~ short period of a specified activity
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bovine
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adj. of or relating to cattle
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bowdlerize
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expurgate
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brackish
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adj. slightly salty
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brag
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v. ~ (about/of sth) talk with too much pride (about sth); boast
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braggadocio
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a:empty boasting b:arrogant pretension:COCKINESS
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braggart
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n. person who brags
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braid
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n. number of threads of silk, cotton, etc woven together in a narrow band for decorating clothes and material
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brand
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n. particular make of goods or their trade mark
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brandish
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v. wave in a triumphant or threatening way; display
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bravado
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n. display of boldness
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brave
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adj. (of a person) ready to face and endure danger, pain or suffering; having no fear; courageous
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brawl
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n. noisy quarrel or fight
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brawn
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n. strong muscles; muscular strength
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brawny
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adj. strong and muscular
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brazen
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adj. shameless; insolent
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breach
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n. breaking or neglect
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breadth
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n. distance or measurement from side to side; width
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breed
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v. (of animals) produce young
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brevity
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n. shortness or briefness
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bridle
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n. part of a horse's harness that goes on its head, including the metal bit for the mouth, the straps and the reins
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brim
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n. top edge of a cup, bowl, glass, etc
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brindled
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adj. brown with streaks of another colour
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brink
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n. edge at the top of a steep high place, eg a cliff
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brisk
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adj. quick; active; energetic
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bristle
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n. short stiff hair
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bristling
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rising like bristles; showing irritation
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brittle
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adj. hard but easily broken; fragile
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broach
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v. make a hole in to draw off the liquid inside; open (a bottle, etc) to use the contents
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brocade
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n. fabric woven with a raised pattern, esp of gold or silver threads
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brochure
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n. booklet or pamphlet containing information about sth or advertising sth
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broil
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v. cook (meat) on a fire or gridiron; grill
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bromide
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n. chemical compound of bromine, used in medicine to calm the nerves
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brooch
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n. ornament with a hinged pin and clasp, worn on women's clothes ,
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brood
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n. all the young birds or other animals produced at one hatching or birth
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brook
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n. small stream
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browbeat
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v. ~ sb (into doing sth) frighten sb with stern looks and words; bully ; intimidate
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browse
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v. examine books in a casual, leisurely way
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bruise
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n. injury caused by a blow to the body or to a fruit, discolouring the skin but not breaking it
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brunt
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n. bear the brunt of sth
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brusque
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adj. rough and abrupt; curt
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buccaneer
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n. pirate
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bucolic
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adj. of country life or the countryside; rustic ;
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buffet
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n. counter where food and drink may be bought and consumed, esp in a railway station or on a train
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buffoon
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n. ridiculous but amusing person; clown
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buffoonery
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n. ridiculous behaviour; clowning ;
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bugaboo
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bugbear; object of baseless terror
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bulge
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n. rounded swelling; outward curve
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bulk
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n. size, quantity or volume, esp when great
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bullion
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n. gold or silver in bulk or bars, before it is made into coins, etc
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bully
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n. person who uses his strength or power to frighten or hurt weaker people
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bulwark
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n. wall, esp of earth, built as a defence
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bump
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v. ~ against/into sb/sth knock or strike sth with a dull-sounding blow; collide with sth
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bungle
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v. do badly or clumsily; spoil (a task) through lack of skill
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buoyant
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adj. (of an object) able to float
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bureaucracy
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n. system of government through departments managed by State officials, not by elected representatives
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burgeon
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v. (of a plant) put out leaves; sprout
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burlesque
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n. comic or exaggerated imitation; parody
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burly
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adj. with a strong heavy body; sturdy
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burnish
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v. make smooth and shiny by rubbing; polish
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bust
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n. sculpture of a person's head, shoulders and chest
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buttress
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n. support built against a wall .
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buxom
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adj. (of women) plump and healthy-looking; having a large bosom ;
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