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241 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
DERAIL
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If a train derails or is derailed, it comes off the railway tracks.
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FACADE
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the front of a building, especially a large or attractive building.
the gallery's elegant 18th century facade |
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PROP/PROPPED
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To support something physically, often by leaning it against something else or putting something under it
I propped my bike (up) against the wall. She was sitting at the desk with her chin propped on her hands. |
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ANXIOUS
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worried and nervous.
My mother always gets a bit anxious if we don't arrive when we say we will. I saw my sister's anxious face at the window. |
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SERENE/SERENITY
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peaceful and calm; worried by nothing.
She has a lovely serene face. |
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EXUDED
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If you exude love, confidence, pain, etc., you show that you have a lot of that feeling.
She just exudes confidence. |
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RESENTMENT
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to feel angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like.
She bitterly resented her father's new wife |
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BERTH
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a bed in a boat, train, etc., or a place for a ship or boat to stay in a port
She booked a berth on the train from London to Aberdeen. |
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ENCORACH
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To gradually take away someone else's rights, or to take control of someone's time, work, etc.
What the government is proposing encroaches on the rights of individuals. |
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SNEER
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to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve of them.
You may sneer, but a lot of people like this kind of music. |
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ALLEVIATE
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to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe.
The drugs did nothing to alleviate her pain/suffering. |
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TEDIUM
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when you feel bored.
Soldiers often say that the worst thing about fighting is not the moments of terror, but all the hours of tedium in between. |
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INCREDULOUS
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not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this.
A few incredulous spectators watched as Paterson, ranked 23rd in the world, beat the champion. |
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PROXIMITY
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the state of being near in space or time.
The best thing about the location of the house is its proximity to the town centre. |
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MONGREL
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a dog of mixed breed
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SPECULATIVE
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based on a guess and not on information.
The article was dismissed as highly speculative. |
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HYSTERIA
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extreme fear, excitement, anger, etc. which cannot be controlled.
One woman, close to hysteria, grabbed my arm. Tabloid hysteria about the murders has increased public fears. |
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CONTORT
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to (cause something to) twist or bend violently and unnaturally into a different shape or form
His face contorted with bitterness and rage. |
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IMPISHY
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showing a child's pleasure in being playful and making trouble
At seventy, he still retains his impish grin. |
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EARNEST
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serious or determined, especially too serious and unable to find your own actions funny
He was a very earnest young man |
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BRAVADO
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a show of bravery, especially when unnecessary and dangerous, to make.
people admire you. It was an act of bravado that made him ask his boss to resign. |
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RATIONAL
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showing clear thought or reason.
He was too upset to be rational. A rational course of action/argument/explanation. |
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OMINOUS
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suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen.
There was an ominous silence when I asked whether my contract was going to be renewed. |
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SNARLED
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describes a long line of traffic that is unable to travel forward because something is blocking the road.
The traffic was snarled up in both directions for two miles because of the incident. |
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SQUEALED
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- to make a long very high sound or cry
- to complain about something loudly The brakes squealed as the van rounded the corner. The two children squealed with joy. |
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GNASHED
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To bring your top and bottom teeth together quickly.
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EXUBERANCE
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(Especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic
Young and exuberant, he symbolises Italy's new vitality. |
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ILLEGIBLE
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(Of writing or print) impossible or almost impossible to read because of being very untidy or not clear
His writing is almost illegible. |
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MIFFED
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annoyed at someone's behaviour towards you
She hadn't phoned for a week and I was getting quite miffed. |
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SIDETRACKED
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to direct a person's attention away from an activity or subject towards another one which is less important.
Ruth was looking for an envelope in a drawer when she was side-tracked by some old letters. |
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STUMBLE
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to step awkwardly while walking or running and fall or begin to fall.
Running along the beach, she stumbled on a log and fell on the sand. |
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DISCONCERT
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To make someone feel suddenly uncertain and worried
The whole experience had disconcerted him. |
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CHIMED
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(Of bells) to make a clear ringing sound
In the square the church bells chimed. |
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PRONE
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Likely to suffer from an illness or show a particular negative characteristic
I've always been prone to headaches. He was prone to depressions even as a teenager. |
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CONSENSUS
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A generally accepted opinion or decision among a group of people
The general consensus in the office is that he's useless at his job. Could we reach a consensus on this matter? Let's take a vote. |
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ANGELICALLY
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very beautiful and very good
an angelic voice/face/smile |
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CRIPPLE
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To cause serious damage to someone or something, making them weak and not effective
a country crippled by war |
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POLARITIES/POLARITY
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the quality of being opposite
The film is based on the polarity of the two main characters. |
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IMPENDING
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describes an event, usually something unpleasant or unwanted, that is going to happen soon.
impending disaster/doom |
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INANIMATE
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having none of the characteristics of life that an animal or plant has.
He looks at me as if I'm an inanimate object. |
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SNAPPED
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to suddenly become unable to control a strong feeling, especially anger.
When she asked me to postpone my trip to help her move house, I just snapped (= got angry). |
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FLUORESCENT
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Fluorescent lights are very bright, tube-shaped electric lights, often used in offices.
fluorescent lighting |
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CAPITALIZE
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to write a letter of the alphabet as a capital, or to write the first letter of a word as a capital
The names of political parties are always capitalized, e.g. the Green Party. |
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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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FORLORN
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alone and unhappy; left alone and not cared for
She looked a forlorn figure standing at the bus stop. |
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FLIER
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a small piece of paper with information on it about a product or even
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AMBLE
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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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HOSTILITY
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when someone is unfriendly or shows that they do not agree with or like something.
They showed open (= obvious) hostility to/towards their new neighbours. |
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CHAFE
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To make or become damaged or sore by rubbing.
The bracelet was so tight that it started to chafe (my wrist). |
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CRIPPILING
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describes something which causes someone serious injuries or harm.
A crippling attack of malaria kept him in bed for months. crippling debts |
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TAUNTING
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To intentionally annoy and upset someone by making unkind remarks to them, laughing at them, etc.
The other children used to taunt him in the playground because he was fat and wore glasses. |
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ARROGANT
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unpleasantly proud and behaving as if you are more important than, or know more than, other people
I found him arrogant and rude. |
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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. Years ago people would have scoffed at the idea that cars would be built |
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SCOWL
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to look at someone or something with a very annoyed expression.
The boy scowled at her and reluctantly followed her back into school. |
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SUCCINCT
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said in a clear and short way; expressing what needs to be said without unnecessary words.
Keep your letter succinct and to the point. |
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ENIGMATIC
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mysterious and impossible to understand completely
The Mona Lisa has a famously enigmatic smile. He left an enigmatic message on my answering machine. |
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GLEE
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happiness, excitement or pleasure.
She opened her presents with glee. |
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ADMIRATION
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when you admire someone or something.
My admiration for that woman grows daily. She gazed in admiration at his broad, muscular shoulders. |
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THUMPED
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To hit someone with your fist or to hit something and cause a noise.
He thumped him in the face. He thumped on the door but nobody came. If your heart thumps, it beats more strongly and quickly than usual, because of exercise, fear or excitement |
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COVEN
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a group or meeting of witches
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PLUMMET
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to fall very quickly and suddenly
House prices have plummeted in recent months. Several large rocks were sent plummeting down the mountain. She plummeted to the ground. |
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PACE
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-To establish a speed for someone who is training for a race or running in a race, for example by running with them
-To be careful not to do something too quickly so that you do not get too tired to finish it. No more soup, thank you. I'm pacing myself so that I have room for a dessert. |
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STRAIN
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to separate liquid food from solid food, especially by pouring it through a utensil with small holes in it
Could you strain the vegetables, please? I usually strain the juice off the pineapple and use it in another recipe. |
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INAUDIBLE
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unable to be heard
The noise of the machinery made her voice inaudible. |
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SELF-RIGHTEOUS
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believing that your ideas and behaviour are morally better than those of other people.
He's so self-righteous - you'd think he'd never done anything wrong in his life. |
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JAZZED
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to make something more attractive or interesting
Jazz the dress up with some bright accessories. He jazzed up the food with a spicy sauce. |
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THUMBLED
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-To fall quickly and without control
I lost my footing and tumbled down the stairs. - To move in an uncontrolled way, as if falling or likely to fall An excited group of children tumbled out of school/the bus. |
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SWIFT
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-Happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way.
The local police took swift action against the squatters. Thank you for your swift reply. |
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BLEAKLY
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If weather or a place is bleak, it is cold, empty and not welcoming or attractive.
The house stands on a bleak, windswept moor. If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future The economic outlook is bleak. |
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PACIFIST/PACIFISM
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the belief that war is wrong, and therefore that to fight in a war is wrong
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SOCIALLY
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in or relating to a social situation
I chat to him at work now and then but I've never seen him socially. Socially, she's a disaster - she's always offending someone or picking a fight |
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CASUAL
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describes clothes that are not formal or not suitable for special occasions
casual clothes |
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MORALLY
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based on principles that you or people in general consider to be right, honest or acceptable.
Morally, you're right, but in practice I don't think it would work. For a teacher to hit a child is not just morally wrong but also illegal. |
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FLINCHED
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To make a sudden small movement because of pain or fear.
He didn't even flinch when the nurse cleaned the wound. |
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SMUG
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Too pleased or satisfied about something you have achieved or something you know
a smug grin She deserved her promotion, but I wish she wasn't so damned smug about it. |
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HARBOR
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An area of water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter.
Our hotel room overlooked a pretty little fishing harbour. |
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ABSENT-MINDEDLY
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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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MORONIC
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very stupid
a moronic grin some really moronic suggestions |
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EAGER
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wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable.
the children's eager faces She sounded very eager to meet you. |
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PARASITE
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-an animal or plant that lives on or in another animal or plant of a different type and feeds from it.
The older drugs didn't deal effectively with the malaria parasite. -a person who is lazy and lives by other people working, giving them money, etc. |
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VIGOR
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strength, energy or enthusiasm
They set about their work with youthful vigour and enthusiasm. |
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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 operation. She looked at him with revulsion. |
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BITTERNESS
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an unpleasantly sharp taste
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VIRGO
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the sixth sign of the zodiac, relating to the period 23 August to 22 September, represented by a young woman, or a person born during this period
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SHIMMERED
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to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly and quickly.
She could see her reflection in the water, shimmering in the moonlight. |
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SQUINTED
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to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly.
The sun was shining straight in her eyes which made her squint. |
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WHIMPERED
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(especially of an animal) to make a series of small, weak sounds, expressing pain or unhappiness.
A half-starved dog lay in the corner, whimpering pathetically. |
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CURB
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to control or limit something that is not wanted
The Government should act to curb tax evasion. |
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STUTTERED
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to speak or say something, especially the first part of a word, with difficulty, for example pausing before it or repeating it several times
She stutters a bit, so let her finish what she's saying. |
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BITTERNESS
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an unpleasantly sharp taste
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VIRGO
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the sixth sign of the zodiac, relating to the period 23 August to 22 September, represented by a young woman, or a person born during this period
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SHIMMERED
|
to shine in such a way that the light seems to shake slightly and quickly.
She could see her reflection in the water, shimmering in the moonlight. |
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SQUINTED
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to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly.
The sun was shining straight in her eyes which made her squint. |
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WHIMPERED
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(especially of an animal) to make a series of small, weak sounds, expressing pain or unhappiness.
A half-starved dog lay in the corner, whimpering pathetically. |
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CURB
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to control or limit something that is not wanted.
The Government should act to curb tax evasion. |
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STUTTERED
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to speak or say something, especially the first part of a word, with difficulty, for example pausing before it or repeating it several times
She stutters a bit, so let her finish what she's saying. |
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TENDONITIS
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Disease related to tendons: a strong band of tissue in the body connecting a muscle to a bone
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WEASLED
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a small mammal with reddish brown fur and a long body, which can kill other small animals such as mice and birds for food
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PAT
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to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat.
He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately. |
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POSTURE
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The way in which someone usually holds their shoulders, neck and back, or a particular position in which someone stands, sits, etc.
She's got very good/bad posture. |
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INTENSIFY/ INTENSIFIED
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to become greater, more serious or more extreme, or to make something do this.
Fighting around the capital has intensified in the last few hours. |
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WRENCH
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to pull and twist something suddenly or violently away from a fixed position
The photographer tripped over a lead, wrenching a microphone from its stand. to suddenly take someone from people they love, causing them great unhappiness At the age of eight, she was wrenched from her foster parents and sent to live with another family. |
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ABSURD
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-stupid or unreasonable; silly in a humorous way
What an absurd thing to say! -things that happen that are stupid or unreasonable The whole situation borders on the absurd. She has a keen sense of the absurd. |
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TRILLING
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When birds trill, they sing a series of quickly repeated high notes.
•to speak in a very high voice "Tea is ready," trilled Daphne. |
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PENITENT
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showing that you are sorry for something you have done because you feel it was wrong
"I'm sorry," she said with a penitent smile. |
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WOUND
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a damaged area of the body, such as a cut or hole in the skin or flesh made by a weapon
a gunshot wound a chest/leg wound |
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COMPREHENSION
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-the ability to understand completely and be familiar with a situation, facts, etc.
He has no comprehension of the size of the problem. a test to find out how well students understand written or spoken language a listening/reading comprehension |
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UNREPENTANT
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not repentant ( NOT feeling sorry for something that you have done)
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PINNACLE
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the most successful or admired part of a system or achievement
By the age of thirty-two she had reached the pinnacle of her career. |
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POUTED
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to push the lower lip forward to show you are annoyed, or to push both lips forward in a sexually attractive way
Vanessa always pouts if she doesn't get what she wants. |
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DELIBERATED/ DELIBERATE
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to think or talk seriously and carefully about something
Done consciously and intentionally: "a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict" The jury took five days to deliberate on the case. The committee has deliberated the question at great length. |
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TOILETRIES
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objects and substances that you use in washing yourself and preventing the body from smelling unpleasant
Women's toiletries are at the other end of the shop, madam. |
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REPENTANT
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feeling sorry for something that you have done
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SOMBER
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serious, sad and without humour or entertainment
a sombre atmosphere/voice/face dark and plain He wore a sombre black suit. |
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THOROUGHLY
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Completely, very much
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. |
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ENVY
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to wish that you had something that another person has
I envy her ability to talk to people she's never met before. |
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ADMIRATION
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when you admire someone or something
My admiration for that woman grows daily. She gazed in admiration at his broad, muscular shoulders. |
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SHALLOW
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having only a short distance from the top to the bottom.
The stream was quite shallow so we were able to walk across it. She told her children to stay in the shallow end (of the swimming pool). |
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UNFATHOMABLE
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impossible to understand.
For some unfathomable reason they built the toilet next to the kitchen. |
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LAVISH
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more than enough, especially if expensive; very generous.
lavish gifts/promises/praise lavish spending lavish banquets |
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FERVENT
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describes beliefs that are strongly and sincerely felt or people who have strong and sincere beliefs
a fervent supporter of the communist party. It is his fervent hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found. |
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CROWE
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When a baby crows, it makes sudden cries of happiness.
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TESTOSTERONE
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a male hormone that causes a stage of growth in older boys and change in their reproductive organs
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SULKED
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to be silent and refuse to smile or be pleasant to people because you are angry about something that they have done.
He's sulking in a corner somewhere because I wouldn't let him have a second bar of chocolate. |
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COMPLACENT
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feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder.
a complacent smile/attitude We can't afford to become complacent about any of our products. |
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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. |
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PERPLEX
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to confuse and worry someone slightly by being difficult to understand or solve.
The disease has continued to perplex doctors. |
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ABASHED
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embarrassed.
He said nothing but looked abashed. |
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VANITY
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when you are too interested in your appearance or achievements.
He wants the job purely for reasons of vanity and ambition. |
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PORCH
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a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building
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TWITCH
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(to cause) to make a sudden small movement with a part of the body, usually without intending to.
He tried to suppress a smile but felt the corner of his mouth twitch. She twitched her nose like a rabbit. |
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RESENTFUL
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feeling angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something that you do not like
a resentful look She was resentful of anybody's attempts to interfere in her work |
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SMEARED
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to spread a liquid or a thick substance over a surface.
The children had smeared peanut butter all over the sofa. Can you explain why the front of your car is smeared with blood? |
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DEPRIVED
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not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food or good living conditions.
She had a deprived childhood/comes from a deprived background. a deprived area |
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TRUDGED
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to walk slowly with a lot of effort, especially over a difficult surface or while carrying something heavy.
We trudged back up the hill. I'd had to trudge through the snow. |
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SCANDAL
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(an action or event that causes) a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval
a financial/political/sex scandal. a situation that is extremely bad It's a scandal (that) children could be treated in this way. |
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HALT
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to (cause to) stop moving or doing something or happening.
"Halt!" called the guard. "You can't go any further without a permit." Production has halted at all of the company's factories because of the pay dispute. |
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HARROWED
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looking as if you have suffered.
His face was harrowed. |
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HYPOCRITICAL
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Saying that you have particular moral beliefs but Behaving in a sincere way.
Their accusations of corruption are hypocritical - they have been just as corrupt themselves . |
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APPRAISED
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to examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success or needs.
At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance. |
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VEHEMENT
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expressing strong feelings, or shown by strong feelings or great energy or force.
Despite vehement opposition from his family, he quit school and became an actor. |
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SOBERLY
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seriously and reasonably.
She was dressed very soberly in a plain grey suit. |
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SPLENDOR
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great beauty which attracts admiration and attention.
They bought a decaying 16th-century manor house and restored it to its original splendour. |
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SERVITUDE
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the state of being under the control of someone else and of having no freedom.
In the past, the majority of women were consigned to a lifetime of servitude and poverty. |
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MURKY
|
dark and dirty or difficult to see through
The river was brown and murky after the storm. |
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STUBBORN
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describes someone who is determined to do what they want and refuses to do anything else
They have massive rows because they're both so stubborn. |
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MOOT
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to suggest something for discussion.
The idea was first mooted as long ago as the 1840s. His name was mooted as a possible successor. |
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ANIMOSITY
|
strong dislike, opposition, or anger.
Of course we're competitive but there's no personal animosity between us. |
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SQUIRM
|
to move from side to side in an awkward way because of nervousness, embarrassment or pain.
Nobody spoke for at least five minutes and Rachel squirmed in her chair with embarrassment. |
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WEDGE
|
a piece of metal, wood, rubber, etc. with a pointed edge at one end and a wide edge at the other, which is either pushed between two objects to keep them still or forced into something to break pieces off it.
Push a wedge under the door to keep it open while we're carrying the boxes in. |
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BLEAK
|
If weather or a place is bleak, it is cold, empty and not welcoming or attractive
The house stands on a bleak, windswept moor. If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future The economic outlook is bleak. |
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LURCHING
|
to move in a way that is not regular or normal, especially making sudden movements backwards or forwards or from side to side
The train lurched forward and some of the people standing fell over. To act or continue in a way that is uncontrolled and not regular, often with sudden changes We seem to lurch from crisis to crisis. She just lurches from one bad relationship to another. |
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IMPRACTICAL
|
-Impractical people are not naturally good at doing useful jobs such as making or repairing things.
-Impractical arrangements, ideas or methods cannot be done or used easily or effectively. It's impractical to have so many people all trying to use this equipment at the same time. |
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GROGGY
|
weak and unable to think clearly or walk correctly, usually because of tiredness or illness
I felt a bit groggy for a couple of days after the operation. |
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INFURIATE
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to make someone extremely angry
His sexist attitude infuriates me. |
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HITCH
|
a temporary difficulty which causes a short delay.
Due to a slight technical hitch the concert will be starting half an hour late. |
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IRE
|
Anger.
Petty restrictions easily raised/aroused the ire of such a creative artist. |
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PREMATURELY
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happening or done too soon, especially before the natural or suitable time
premature birth/death a premature baby |
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SPONTANEOUSLY
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happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced
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PETULANT
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easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child
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SUCCUMB
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to lose the determination to oppose something; to accept defeat.
The town finally succumbed last week after being pounded with heavy artillery for more than two months. |
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HALF-HEARTED
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showing no enthusiasm and interest
He made a rather half-hearted attempt to clear up the rubbish. |
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CROONING
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to sing or talk in a sweet low voice full of emotion
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COURTEOUS
|
polite and respectful; well-mannered
Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous. |
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CHARADE
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An act or event which is clearly false.
Everyone knew who was going to get the job from the start - the interviews were just a charade. |
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CONSPICUOUS
|
very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted.
In China, her blonde hair was conspicuous. He tried not to look conspicuous and moved slowly along the back of the room. |
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EDITORIALIZE
|
to express a personal opinion, especially when you should be giving a report of the facts only
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HAMPER
|
to prevent someone doing something easily
Fierce storms have been hampering rescue efforts and there is now little chance of finding more survivors. -The sack where the entire dirty close goes in, and then put in the washing machine. |
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SLOVENLY
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untidy and dirty.
a slovenly appearance I'll have to improve my slovenly habits - my mother's coming to stay. |
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STRAIN
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a force or influence that stretches, pulls or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage
The hurricane put such a strain on the bridge that it collapsed. when you feel nervous and worried about something She's a lot better than she was but she's still not ready to face the stresses and strains of a job. |
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REPROOF
|
when you tell someone that you disapprove of their bad or silly behaviour.
She got a sharp reproof for being late. He picked up the broken vase without a word of reproof to his son. |
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EXASPERATION
|
a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance:
There is growing exasperation within the government at the failure of these policies to reduce unemployment. |
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OBLIVIOUS
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not conscious of something, especially what is happening around you.
Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of her surroundings. The government seems oblivious to the likely effects of the new legislation. |
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SHROUD
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to hide something by covering or surrounding it.
Visitors have complained about the scaffolding that shrouds half the castle. |
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STUDIOUSLY
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describes someone who enjoys studying or spends a lot of time studying.
She was a studious child, happiest when reading. |
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SURVEILLANCE
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the careful watching of a person or place, especially by the police or army, because of a crime that has happened or is expected.
The police have kept the nightclub under surveillance because of suspected illegal drug activity. |
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PETTY
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not important and not worth giving attention to.
Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions. complaining too much about things which are not important Don't be so petty! |
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EXUBERANT
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(especially of people and their behaviour) very energetic
Young and exuberant, he symbolises Italy's new vitality. |
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AMENABLE
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willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion.
She might be more amenable to the idea if you explained how much money it would save. |
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OBJECTIVELY
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based on real facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings
an objective and impartial report I can't really be objective when I'm judging my daughter's work. |
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ANTAGONISM
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hate, extreme unfriendliness or actively opposing someone.
There's a history of antagonism between the two teams. the antagonism towards neighbouring states the historic antagonisms between the countries of western Europe |
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LOPED
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(of a person or animal) to run taking long relaxed steps.
The lion loped across the grass. |
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SLOPPED
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to cause a liquid to flow over the edge of a container through not taking care or making a rough movement
Careful, you've just slopped coffee all over the carpet! |
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AMENDED
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to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document.
MPs were urged to amend the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster. In line 20, 'men' should be amended (= changed) to 'people'. |
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CERAMIC
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the objects produced by shaping and heating clay, especially when considered as art
|
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INCOHERENT
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expressing yourself in a way that is not clear
He was confused and incoherent and I didn't get much sense out of him. expressed in a way that is not clear, especially with words or ideas that are joined together badly The talk she gave was incoherent and badly prepared. |
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SLEEK
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(especially of hair, clothes or shapes) smooth, shiny and lying close to the body, and therefore looking well cared for; not untidy and with no parts sticking out
The cat had sleek fur. Who owns that sleek black car parked outside your house? |
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LAMENT
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to express sadness and feeling sorry about something.
The poem opens by lamenting (over) the death of a young man. My grandmother, as usual, lamented the decline in moral standards in today's society. |
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YARN
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thread used for making cloth or for knitting
|
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GASH
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a long deep cut, especially in the skin
|
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IRK
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to annoy someone
The negative reply to my complaint really irked me. |
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RIGID
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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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TAUNT
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To intentionally annoy and upset someone by making unkind remarks to them, laughing at them, etc.
The other children used to taunt him in the playground because he was fat and wore glasses. |
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WRINKLED
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with a lot of wrinkles
a wrinkled face |
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EXULT/EXULTATION
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to express great pleasure or happiness, especially at someone else's defeat or failure
They exulted at/over their victory. She seems to exult in her power. |
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PROCRASINATE
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to keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring.
I know I've got to deal with the problem at some point - I'm just procrastinating. |
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CONSTERNATION
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a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected:
The prospect of so much work filled him with consternation. To his consternation, when he got to the airport he found he'd forgotten his passport. |
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DISMAY
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concern and distress caused by something unexpected:
to his dismay, she left him |
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ANALOGY
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a comparison between things which have similar features, often used to help explain a principle or idea.
He drew an analogy between the brain and a vast computer. |
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UNPRECEDENTED
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never having happened or existed in the past.
This century has witnessed environmental destruction on an unprecedented scale. |
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INDECIPHERABLE
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unable to be read or understood
Her handwriting is virtually indecipherable. |
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DEXTEROUS
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the ability to perform a difficult action quickly and skilfully with the hands, or the ability to think quickly and effectively.
He caught the ball with great dexterity. He answered the journalists' questions with all the dexterity of a politician. |
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SECRECY
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the state of being secret or of keeping something secret.
The content of her report is shrouded in secrecy (= being kept secret). |
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VIGILANT
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always being careful to notice things, especially possible danger.
Following the bomb scare at the airport, the staffs have been warned to be extra vigilant. |
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EXHILARATING
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making you feel very excited and happy
an exhilarating walk in the mountains |
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prostrate
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lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downwards:
there was a man praying before an idol, lying prostrate |
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SOLITARY
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A solitary person or thing is the only person or thing in a place.
On the hill, a solitary figure was busy chopping down trees. In the distance was a solitary building. |
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REJOICED
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to feel or show great happiness about something.
Everyone rejoiced at the news of his safe return. She rejoiced in her good fortune. |
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DWELT
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to live in a place or in a particular way.
She dwelt in remote parts of Asia for many years. |
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JIBES
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an insulting remark that is intended to make someone look stupid.
Unlike many other politicians, he refuses to indulge in cheap jibes at other people's expense. |
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QUAVER
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(of a person's voice) to sound shaky, especially because of emotion
Her voice began to quaver and I thought she was going to cry. |
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INCOMPREHENSIBLE
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impossible or extremely difficult to understand.
These accounts are utterly incomprehensible. Can you explain them to me? It's incomprehensible to me why he would want to kill himself. |
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DEFIANCE
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when you refuse to obey someone or something.
The demonstration is a pointless act/gesture of defiance against the government. |
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DECIMATE
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to kill a large number of something, or to reduce something severely.
Populations of endangered animals have been decimated. |
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COVEN
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a group or meeting of witches
|
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ADULATION
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very great admiration or praise for someone, especially when it is more than is deserved.
Minnelli is a born performer - she loves the excitement and she loves the adulation. |
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EMBERS
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a piece of wood or coal, etc. which continues to burn after a fire has no more flames
We sat by the glowing/dying embers of the fire. |
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DISORIENTED
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confused and not knowing where to go or what to do.
Whales become disoriented in shallow water. |
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STAGGERED
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very shocked or surprised
I was staggered at the prices. |
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SPRUCE
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an evergreen (= never losing its leaves) tree with leaves like needles, or the wood from this tree which is a pale colour
|
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SILHOUETTE
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a dark shape seen against a light surface.
The silhouette of the bare tree on the hill was clear against the winter sky. |
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CONTENTMENT
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pleased with your situation and not hoping for change or improvement
He seems fairly content with (his) life. |
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ENDEAVOR
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to try to do something:
I endeavoured to explain the legal consequences of his action. |
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BOUQUET
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a group of flowers that have been fastened together and attractively arranged so that they can be given as a present or carried on formal occasions.
a bouquet of flowers |
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MUTUALLY
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felt or done by two or more people or groups in the same way.
It will be a mutually beneficial project. |
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EXCLUSIVE
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limited to only one person or group of people
This room is for the exclusive use of guests. expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class an exclusive private club an exclusive part of town |
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INCLUSIVE
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An inclusive price or amount includes everything
My rent is $700 a month inclusive (of bills). including the first and last date or number stated I'll be away from the 20th to the 31st of May inclusive. describes a group or organization which tries to include many different types of people and treat them all fairly and equally Our aim is to create a fairer, more inclusive society. |
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VENDETTA
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a long and violent argument between people or families in which one group tries to harm the other in order to punish them for things that have happened in the past.
He saw himself as the victim of a personal vendetta being waged by his political enemies. |
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BELEAGUERED
|
troubled by someone or a situation
The arrival of the fresh medical supplies was a welcome sight for the beleaguered doctors working in the refugee camps.. surrounded by an army The occupants of the beleaguered city had no means of escape. |
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RELUCTANT
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not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it.
I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave. Many parents feel reluctant to talk openly with their children. |
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GAPED
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to look in great surprise at someone or something, especially with an open mouth.
They stood gaping at the pig in the kitchen. |
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PERCHED
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to sit on or near the edge of something
We perched on bar stools and had a beer. A blackbird was perching on the gate. to be in a high position or in a position near the edge of something, or to put something in this position The village is perched on top of a high hill. |
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PESSMISM/ PESSIMIST
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emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things
There is now a mood of deepening pessimism about/over the economy. An underlying pessimism infuses all her novels. |
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PERPETUALLY
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continuing forever, or happening all the time:
They lived in perpetual fear of being discovered. She resented his perpetual complaining about her cooking. |
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ALABASTER
|
an almost transparent white stone, often used for making decorative objects
|
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ADORATION
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very strong love or worship for someone.
her complete adoration of her brother |
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VENERATE/VENERATION
|
to honour or very much respect a person or thing
Robert Burns is Scotland's most venerated poet. |
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REVERENCE
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a feeling of respect or admiration for someone or something
She has/shows/feels great reverence for her professors. |
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RAVAGE
|
to cause great damage to something
The area has been ravaged by drought/floods/war. |
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ILL-CONCEIVED
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badly planned and unwise
The whole project was ill-conceived. |
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RAMBLING
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too long and confused.
a long rambling speech |