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126 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
QUAILED
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To feel or show fear; to want to be able to move away from something because you fear it
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CLANDESTINE
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Planned or done in secret, especially describing something that is not officially allowed
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CONGEALED
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To change from a liquid or soft state to a thick or solid state
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WINCED
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To show pain suddenly and for a short time in the face, often moving the head back at the same time
Did I hurt you? - I thought I saw you wince. |
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SUBTLE
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Not loud, bright, noticeable or obvious in any way.
The room was painted a subtle shade of pink. |
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SUBTLETY
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A small but important detail.
All the subtleties of the music are conveyed in this new recording. |
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PREREQUISITE
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Something which must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen.
Passing a written exam is a prerequisite for taking the advanced course. |
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FROWNED
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To bring your eyebrows together so that there are lines on your face above your eyes to show that you are annoyed or worried
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MUMBLED
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To speak quietly and in a way that is not clear so that the words are difficult to understand.
She mumbled something about being too busy. |
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HERCULEAN
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Needing great strength and determination.
She faces the herculean task of bringing up four children single-handedly |
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ANTICLIMAX
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an event or experience which causes disappointment because it is less exciting than was expected or because it happens immediately after a much more interesting or exciting event
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INTERLACED
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To join different parts, zigzag or fitting them together to make a whole.
In her latest book, she interlaces historical events with her own childhood memories. |
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TOWING
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To pull a car, boat, etc. along, using a rope or a chain tied to another vehicle or boat.
The damaged boat was towed to safety. |
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HUFFED
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To say something in an annoyed or offended way.
Well if that's how you feel, I'll go, “she huffed. |
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SULLEN
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Angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people.
His daughters stared back at him with an expression of sullen resentment. |
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EXACERBATED
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To make something which is already bad worse?
This attack will exacerbate the already tense relations between the two communities. |
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STIFLED
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To (cause to) be unable to breathe because you have no air.
He is said to have stifled his victim with a pillow. We almost stifled in the heat of the city. |
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CURFEW
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A rule that everyone must stay at home between particular times, usually at night, especially during a war or a period of political trouble.
A midnight curfew. |
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GROWLED
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to make a low rough sound, usually in anger
The dog growled at her and snapped at her ankles. "Not now, I'm busy,” he growled. |
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INTENTLY
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Giving all your attention to something.
She had an intent look on her face. |
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PENSIVELY
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Thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression on your face.
She became withdrawn and pensive, hardly speaking to anyone. |
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SNORTING
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to make an explosive sound by forcing air quickly up or down the nose.
He did an impression of a horse snorting. Camille snorts when she laughs. |
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SEMESTER
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one of the periods into which a year is divided at a college or university, especially in the US and Australia.
the first/second semester |
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INSISTED
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to state or demand forcefully, especially despite opposition.
Greg still insists (that) he did nothing wrong. Please go first - I insist! |
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UNCANNY/UNCANNILY
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strange or mysterious; difficult or impossible to explain
an uncanny resemblance |
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TENATIVELY
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If you do or say something tentatively, you do or say it in an uncertain way.
I have made tentative plans to take a trip to Seattle in July. |
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JOLT
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to (cause something or someone to) move suddenly and violently
The train stopped unexpectedly and we were jolted forwards. |
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REVULSION
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a strong, often sudden, feeling that something is extremely unpleasant.
I turned away in revulsion when they showed a close-up of the |
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ABRUPTLY
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describes something that is sudden and unexpected, and often unpleasant.
Our conversation came to an abrupt end when George burst into the room. |
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NEOPHYTE
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someone who has recently become involved in an activity and is still learning about it
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MOURNING
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a loud crying that people in some countries make when someone dies
The mourning could be heard all day and all night. |
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LINOLEUM
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a stiff smooth material that is used for covering floors
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FORMAL
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public or official
formal procedures a formal announcement in appearance or by name only |
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CURTLY
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If someone's manner or speech is curt, it is rude as a result of being very quick
to give a curt nod/reply The boss was rather curt with him. |
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ANTIQUITY
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the distant past (= a long time ago), especially before the sixth century
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CRADLE
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a small bed for a baby, especially one that swings from side to side
The nurse rocked the cradle. |
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Coherence
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when the parts of something fit together in a natural or sensible way
There was no coherence between the first and the second half of the film. |
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MALIGNANT
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describes a disease or a growth that is likely to get uncontrollably worse and lead to death.
The process by which malignant cancer cells multiply isn't fully understood. |
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ASSUMPTION
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something that you accept as true without question or proof.
People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability. |
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MOTION
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the act or process of moving, or a particular action or movement.
The violent motion of the ship upset his stomach. |
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SCOFFED
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to laugh and speak about a person or idea in a way which shows that you think they are stupid or silly.
The critics scoffed at his paintings. |
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CONTEMPLATING
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to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way
I'm contemplating going abroad for a year. |
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SANITY
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the state of having a healthy mind and not being mentally ill, or showing good judgment and understanding.
He'd been behaving so strangely that they began to doubt/question his sanity. |
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DISTORTED
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changed from the usual, original, natural or intended form
This report gives a somewhat distorted impression of what actually happened. |
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HESITATED
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to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it.
She hesitated slightly before answering the inspector's question. |
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WARY/WARILY
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not completely trusting or certain about something or someone.
I'm a bit wary of/about giving people my address when I don't know them very well. |
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CONSCIOUS
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To notice that a particular thing or person exists or is present.
The tooth doesn't exactly hurt, but I'm conscious of it (= I can feel it) all the time. |
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UTTERLY
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complete or extreme
utter confusion/misery/chaos utter nonsense/rubbish/drivel The meeting was a complete and utter waste of time. |
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BLUFFED
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to deceive someone by making them think either that you are going to do something when you really have no intention of doing it, or that you have knowledge that you do not really have, or that you are someone else
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REVERIE
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(a state of having) pleasant dream-like thoughts
He was lost in reverie until he suddenly heard someone behind him. |
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BUOYANT
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Able to float
Cork is light and buoyant. |
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PERCEPTIBLE
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that can be seen, heard or noticed
There was a barely perceptible movement in his right arm. |
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NAUSEA
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when you feel as if you are going to vomit
Signs of the illness include fever, nausea and vomiting. |
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FRANTIC
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almost out of control because of extreme emotion, such as worry.
Where on Earth have you been? We've been frantic with worry. |
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SCRUITINIZING
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to examine something very carefully in order to discover information.
He scrutinized the men's faces carefully/closely, trying to work out who was lying. |
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MUSE
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to think about something carefully and for a long time
I began to muse about/on the possibility of starting my own business. |
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GRANDIOSE
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larger and containing more detail than necessary, or intended to seem important or splendid
grandiose plans/schemes/ideas for making money |
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GRIMACED
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to make an expression of pain, strong dislike, etc. in which the face twists in an ugly way
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PERSISTED
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to try to do or continue doing something in a determined but often unreasonable way.
If he persists in asking awkward questions, then send him to the boss. |
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REPRESS
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to not allow something, especially feelings, to be expressed
He repressed a sudden desire to cry. |
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GRATIFYING
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pleasing and satisfying
It must be very gratifying to see all your children grown up and happy. |
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YANKED
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to pull something forcefully with a quick movement
He tripped over the wire and yanked the plug out. To suddenly remove someone |
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MYSTIFY
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To confuse someone by being or doing something very strange or impossible to explain
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ABSCENT-MINDED
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describes someone who often forgets things or does not pay attention to what is happening near them because they are thinking about other things
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DISGRUNTLED
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unhappy, annoyed and disappointed about something
A disgruntled former employee is being blamed for the explosion. |
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ASSENTED
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to agree to or give official approval to something
Have they assented to the terms of the contract? |
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LOUNGE
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to spend your time in a relaxed way, sitting or lying somewhere and doing very little
We spent our days lounging around the pool. |
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DECREPIT
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in very bad condition because of being old, or not having been cared for, or having been used a lot
Most of the buildings were old and decrepit. |
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STACCATO
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describes a noise or way of speaking that consists of a series of short and separate sounds
She gave staccato replies to every question. |
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WITTY
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using words in a clever and funny way
a witty comment/remark |
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PLAIT
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to join three or more pieces of hair or string-like material by putting them over each other in a special pattern
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RIGIDLY
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stiff or fixed; not able to be bent, moved, changed or persuaded
a rigid steel and concrete structure I was rigid with (= stiff and unable to move because of) fear. |
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CROOKEDLY
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not forming a straight line; having many sharp bends
You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads. |
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HUMMING
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to make a continuous low sound.
The computers were humming in the background. |
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CONDESCENDING
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treating someone as if you are better or more important than them
I hate the way he's so condescending to his staff! |
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CORNUCOPIA
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a large amount of something; a great supply
The table held a veritable cornucopia of every kind of food or drink you could want. |
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BARELY
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by the smallest amount; almost not
They have barely enough (= no more than what is needed) to pay the rent this month. |
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PROMPTLY
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quickly, without delay, or at the arranged time.
We'll have to leave fairly promptly (= on time) if we want to catch that train. |
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SCOLD
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to tell off someone because you disapprove of their behaviour
His mother scolded him for breaking her favourite vase. |
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FAUX
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not real, but made to look or seem real; false
faux fur |
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IRONIC
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interesting, strange or funny because of being very different from what you would usually expect
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VERITABLE
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used to describe something as another, more exciting, interesting or unusual thing, as a way of emphasizing its character
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LIBERATED
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not following traditional ways of behaving or old ideas
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GASPED
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To take a short quick breath through the mouth, especially because of surprise.
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MUTTERED
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to speak quietly and in a low voice that is not easy to hear, often when you are worried or complaining about something.
Stop muttering and speak up! |
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CUSTODY
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the legal right or duty to care for someone or something, especially a child after its parents have separated or died
The court awarded/granted/gave custody of the child to the father. |
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SLOGGED
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to work hard over a long period, especially doing work that is difficult or boring.
I've been slogging away for days on this essay and I'm still not finished. to travel or move with difficulty, for example through wet, sticky soil or snow, or when you are very tired |
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HYPERBOLE
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a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound bigger, better, more, etc. than they are.
The blurb on the back of the book was full of the usual hyperbole - 'enthralling', 'fascinating' and so on. |
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CATATONIC
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describes someone who is stiff and not moving or reacting, as if dead
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VAGUELY
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Not clear in shape, or not clearly seen
Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure. Describes someone who is not able to think clearly, or who, sometimes as a way of hiding what they really think, does not express their opinions clearly. My aunt is incredibly vague - she can never remember where she's left things. |
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FLAMBOYANT
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very confident in behaviour, or intended to be noticed, especially by being brightly coloured
a flamboyant gesture The writer's flamboyant lifestyle was well known. |
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HEAVED
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to throw something forcefully, especially something large and heavy
She picked up a great book and heaved it at him. If something heaves, it makes one or more large movements up and down As the wind increased, the deck of the ship began to heave beneath his feet. |
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STUNNED
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very shocked or surprised.
They stood in stunned silence beside the bodies. I am stunned and saddened by this news. |
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CALCULUS
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an area of advanced mathematics in which continuously changing values are studied.
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MURMURED
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To speak or say very quietly.
"I love you," she murmured. |
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CHAGRIN
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disappointment or anger, especially when caused by a failure or mistake
My children have never shown an interest in music, much to my chagrin. |
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SPUTTERED
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to make several quick explosive sounds.
The car sputtered once or twice and then stopped. |
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CLENCHED
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to close or hold something very tightly, often in a determined or angry way.
The old man clenched his fist and waved it angrily at us. |
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WITHERING
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to close or hold something very tightly, often in a determined or angry way.
Lizzie had been drunk at the time and I saw her shoot him a withering glance. |
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STALKED
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If something unpleasant stalks a place, it appears there in a threatening way.
When night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city. |
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GLOWER
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to look very angry, annoyed or threatening.
There's no point glowering at me like that - you know the rules. |
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INTERCEDE
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to use your influence to persuade someone in authority to save someone else from punishment or to obtain forgiveness for this person.
Several religious leaders have interceded with the authorities on behalf of the condemned prisoner. |
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SERENE
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peaceful and calm; worried by nothing.
She has a lovely serene face. |
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GRIT
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to put small stones on a road or path which is covered in ice, in order to make it safer
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GLUMLY
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disappointed or unhappy, and quiet.
You look glum. What's up? He's very glum about the company's prospects. |
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WILLING
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To be happy to do something if it is needed.
If you're willing to fly at night, you can get a much cheaper ticket. describes someone who does their work energetically and enthusiastically a willing helper |
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CRINGE
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to suddenly move away from someone or something because you are frightened
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PATRONIZING
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speaking or behaving towards someone as if they are stupid or not important
It's that patronizing tone of hers that I can't bear. |
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SLUMPED
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having your head low and shoulders forward.
He sat slumped over his desk, the picture of misery. |
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SHUDDERED
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to shake suddenly with very small movements because of a very unpleasant thought or feeling.
The sight of so much blood made him shudder. |
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WARPED
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strange and unpleasant.
I suppose I shouldn't be laughing about death - perhaps I've got a warped mind/sense of humour! |
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PERIPHERAL
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describes something that is not as important as something else.
The book contains a great deal of peripheral detail. happening at the edge of something A figure came into my peripheral vision. |
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MINGLE
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to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined.
The excitement of starting a new job is always mingled with a certain apprehension. The two flavours mingle well. |
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STONY
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describes ground that contains a lot of stones.
The island has several small stony beaches which are usually deserted. |
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DISORIENTATE
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to make someone confused about where they are and where they are going
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INSIGHTFUL
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(the ability to have) a clear, deep and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation.
It was an interesting book, full of fascinating insights into human relationships. |
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AMBLED
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to walk in a slow and relaxed way
He was ambling along the beach. She ambled down the street, stopping occasionally to look in the shop windows. |
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FLUTTER
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to make a series of quick delicate movements up and down or from side to side, or to cause something to do this.
Brightly coloured flags were fluttering in the breeze. Leaves fluttered down onto the path. Butterflies fluttered about in the |
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GESTURED
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to use a gesture to express or emphasize something.
When he asked where the children were, she gestured vaguely in the direction of the beach. He made no answer but walked on, gesturing for me to follow. |
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TRIVIALIZE
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to make something seem less important than it really is.
I don't want to trivialise the problem, but I do think there are more important matters to discuss. |
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POUNCED
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to jump or move quickly in order to catch or take hold of something.
The cat sat in the tree ready to pounce on the ducks below. The police were waiting to pounce when he arrived at the airport. |
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SHRILL
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having a loud and high sound that is unpleasant or painful to listen to
She had a shrill high-pitched voice. describes a way of arguing or criticizing that seems too forceful He launched a shrill attack on the Prime Minister. |
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HOSPITABLE
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friendly and welcoming to guests and visitors.
The villagers were very hospitable to/towards anyone who passed through. |
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HUSKY
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(of a person's voice) low and rough, often in an attractive way, or because of illness.
She's got a nice husky voice - very sexy. You sound husky - do you have a cold? |
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PREOCCUPIED
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thinking or worrying about something too much.
She's been very preoccupied recently because her mother has been very ill. Why is the media so preoccupied with the love lives of politicians? |
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CONVERSION
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when someone or something is converted from one thing to another.
Her conversion to Buddhism/Islam was a very gradual process. He used to be very right-wing, but he's undergone something of a conversion recently. |