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100 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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well-being
noun [mass noun] |
the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
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an improvement in the patient’s well-being
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benediction
noun [mass noun] |
the utterance of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service
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/ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃ(ə)n/
he said the benediction |
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utterance
noun |
a spoken word, statement, or vocal sound
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/ˈʌt(ə)r(ə)ns/
he whispered, as if to lend his utterances an added confidentiality |
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benign
adjective |
gentle and kind
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/bɪˈnʌɪn/
his benign but firm manner |
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tremble
verb [no object] |
shake involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty
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/ˈtrɛmb(ə)l/
Isobel was trembling with excitement |
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involuntary
adjective |
done without will or conscious control
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/ɪnˈvɒlənt(ə)ri/
she gave an involuntary shudder |
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conscious
adjective |
aware of and responding to one’s surroundings
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/ˈkɒnʃəs/
although I was in pain, I was conscious |
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aware
adjective [predic.] |
having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
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/əˈwɛː/
most people are aware of the dangers of sunbathing |
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perception
noun [mass noun] |
the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses
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/pəˈsɛpʃ(ə)n/
the normal limits to human perception |
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surrender
verb |
[no object] stop resisting to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority
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/səˈrɛndə/
over 140 rebels surrendered to the authorities |
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orientation
noun [mass noun] |
the action of orienting someone or something relative to the points of a compass or other specified positions
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/ˌɔːrɪənˈteɪʃ(ə)n, ˌɒr-/
studies of locational awareness and orientation in young children |
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interpret
verb (interprets, interpreting, interpreted) [with object] |
explain the meaning of (information or actions)
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/ɪnˈtəːprɪt/
the evidence is difficult to interpret |
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frivolous
adjective |
not having any serious purpose or value
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/ˈfrɪv(ə)ləs/
frivolous ribbons and lacy frills |
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advocate
noun |
a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
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/ˈadvəkət/
he was an untiring advocate of economic reform |
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recommend
verb [with object] |
put forward (someone or something) with approval as being suitable for a particular purpose or role
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/rɛkəˈmɛnd/
George had recommended some local architects |
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approval
noun [mass noun] |
the action of approving something
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/əˈpruːv(ə)l/
the road schemes have been given approval |
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approve
verb [with object] |
officially agree to or accept as satisfactory
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/əˈpruːv/
the budget was approved by parliament |
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satisfactory
adjective |
fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding or perfect
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/satɪsˈfakt(ə)ri/
he didn’t get a satisfactory answer |
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expect
verb [with object] |
regard (something) as likely to happen
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/ɪkˈspɛkt, ɛk-/
it’s as well to expect the worst |
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incurable
adjective |
(of a sick person or a disease) not able to be cured
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/ɪnˈkjʊərəb(ə)l/
even when the sick are incurable they are never untreatable |
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indulge
verb |
[no object] (indulge in) allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of
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/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
we indulged in a cream tea |
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indolent
adjective |
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
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/ˈɪnd(ə)l(ə)nt/
they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure |
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exertion
noun [mass noun] |
physical or mental effort
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/ɪɡˈzɜːʃn/
she was panting with the exertion |
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addicted
adjective (usually addicted to) |
physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance
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/əˈdɪktɪd/
she became addicted to alcohol and diet pills |
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presume
verb |
[with clause] suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability
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/prɪˈzjuːm/
I presumed that the man had been escorted from the building |
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probability
noun (plural probabilities) [mass noun] |
the quality or state of being probable; the extent to which something is likely to happen or be the case
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/prɒbəˈbɪlɪti/
the rain will make the probability of a postponement even greater |
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postponement
noun [mass noun] |
the action of postponing something; deferral
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/pəʊs(t)ˈpəʊnm(ə)nt/
the postponement of the elections |
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defer
verb (defers, deferring, deferred) [with object] |
put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone
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/dɪˈfəː/
they deferred the decision until February |
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meditate
verb [no object] |
focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation
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/ˈmɛdɪteɪt/
I set aside time every day to write and meditate |
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aside
adverb |
to one side; out of the way
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/əˈsʌɪd/
he pushed his plate aside |
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relaxation
noun [mass noun] |
the state of being free from tension and anxiety
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/riːlakˈseɪʃ(ə)n/
I guided my patient into a state of hypnotic relaxation |
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anxiety
noun (plural anxieties) [mass noun] |
a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome
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/aŋˈzʌɪəti/
he felt a surge of anxiety |
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surge
noun |
a sudden powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd or by a natural force such as the tide
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/səːdʒ/
flooding caused by tidal surges |
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stubborn
adjective |
having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good reasons to do so
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/ˈstʌbən/
you’re a silly, stubborn old woman |
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dogged
adjective |
having or showing tenacity and grim persistence
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/ˈdɒgɪd/
success required dogged determination |
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tenacity
noun [mass noun] |
the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip
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/tɪˈnasɪti/
the sheer tenacity of the limpet |
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grim
adjective (grimmer, grimmest) |
very serious or gloomy
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/grɪm/
the grim news of the murder |
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accumulate
verb [with object] |
gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of:number or quantity of
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/əˈkjuːmjʊleɪt/
investigators have yet to accumulate enough evidence |
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symmetry
noun (plural symmetries) [mass noun] |
the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis
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/ˈsɪmɪtri/
this series has a line of symmetry through its centre |
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axis
noun (plural axes /-siːz/) |
an imaginary line about which a body rotates
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/ˈaksɪs/
the Earth revolves on its axis once every 24 hours |
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rotate
verb |
move or cause to move in a circle round an axis or centre
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/rə(ʊ)ˈteɪt/
the Earth revolves on its axis once every 24 hours |
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strip
verb (strips, stripping, stripped) [with object] |
remove all coverings from
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/strɪp/
they stripped the bed |
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strife
noun [mass noun] |
angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict
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/strʌɪf/
strife within the community |
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fundamental
adjective |
forming a necessary base or core; of central importance
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/fʌndəˈmɛnt(ə)l/
the protection of fundamental human rights |
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surrender
verb |
[no object] stop resisting to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority
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/səˈrɛndə/
over 140 rebels surrendered to the authorities |
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submit
verb (submits, submitting, submitted) |
[no object] accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person
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/səbˈmɪt/
the original settlers were forced to submit to Bulgarian rule |
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heretic
noun |
a person believing in or practising religious heresy
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/ˈhɛrɪtɪk/
a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted |
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heresy
noun (plural heresies) [mass noun] |
belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine
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/ˈhɛrɪsi/
Huss was burned for heresy |
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contrary
adjective |
opposite in nature, direction, or meaning
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/ˈkɒntrəri/
he ignored contrary advice and agreed on the deal |
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undertake
verb (past undertook; past participle undertaken) [with object] |
commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility); take on
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/ʌndəˈteɪk/
a firm of builders undertook the construction work |
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commit
verb (commits, committing, committed) [with object] |
perpetrate or carry out (a mistake, crime, or immoral act)
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/kəˈmɪt/
he committed an uncharacteristic error |
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perpetrate
verb [with object] |
carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action)
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/ˈpəːpɪtreɪt/
a crime has been perpetrated against a sovereign state |
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carry-out
adjective & noun |
chiefly Scottish & US
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another term for takeaway.
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sovereign
noun |
a supreme ruler, especially a monarch
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/ˈsɒvrɪn/
the Emperor became the first Japanese sovereign to visit Britain |
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monarch
noun |
a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor
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/ˈmɒnək/
the reigning monarch |
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incline
verb |
(usually be inclined to/towards/to do something) be favourably disposed towards or willing to do something
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/ɪnˈklʌɪn/
he was inclined to accept the offer |
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favourably
adverb |
with approval
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/ˈfeɪv(ə)rəbli/
the audience responded very favourably |
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approval
noun [mass noun] |
the action of approving something
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/əˈpruːv(ə)l/
the road schemes have been given approval |
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approving
adjective |
showing or feeling approval of someone or something
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/əˈpruːvɪŋ/
the wine drew approving comments from across the table |
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approve
verb [with object] |
officially agree to or accept as satisfactory
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/əˈpruːv/
the budget was approved by parliament |
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satisfactory
adjective |
fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding or perfect
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/satɪsˈfakt(ə)ri/
he didn’t get a satisfactory answer |
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astray
adverb |
away from the correct path or direction
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/əˈstreɪ/
we went astray but a man redirected us |
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dignity
noun (plural dignities) [mass noun] |
the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect
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/ˈdɪgnɪti/
the dignity of labour |
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surpass
verb [with object] |
exceed; be greater than
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/səˈpɑːs/
pre-war levels of production were surpassed in 1929 |
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exceed
verb [with object] |
be greater in number or size than (a quantity, number, or other measurable thing)
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/ɪkˈsiːd, ɛk-/
production costs have exceeded £60,000 |
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reverse
verb |
[no object] move backwards
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/rɪˈvəːs/
the lorry reversed into the back of a bus |
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backward
adjective |
directed behind or to the rear
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/ˈbakwəd/
she left the room without a backward glance |
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glance
verb [no object, with adverbial of direction] |
take a brief or hurried look
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/glɑːns/
Ginny glanced at her watch |
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brief
adjective |
of short duration; not lasting for long
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/briːf/
the president made a brief working visit to Moscow |
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duration
noun |
the time during which something continues
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/djʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
bicycle hire for the duration of your holiday |
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hire
verb [with object] |
chiefly British obtain the temporary use of (something) for an agreed payment
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/ˈhʌɪə/
we flew to San Diego, hired a car, and headed for Las Vegas |
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obtain
verb |
[with object] get, acquire, or secure (something)
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/əbˈteɪn/
adequate insurance cover is difficult to obtain |
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adequate
adjective |
satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity
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/ˈadɪkwət/
this office is perfectly adequate for my needs |
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quantity
noun (plural quantities) [mass noun] |
the amount or number of a material or abstract thing not usually estimated by spatial measurement
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/ˈkwɒntɪti/
the quantity and quality of the fruit can be controlled |
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abstract
adjective |
existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
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/ˈabstrakt/
abstract concepts such as love or beauty |
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concrete
adjective |
existing in a material or physical form; not abstract
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/ˈkɒŋkriːt/
concrete objects like stones |
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existence
noun [mass noun] |
the fact or state of living or having objective reality
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/ɪgˈzɪst(ə)ns, ɛg-/
the organization has been in existence for fifteen years |
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exploit
verb |
make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource)
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/ɪkˈsplɔɪt, ɛk-/
500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology |
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derive
verb [with object] (derive something from) |
obtain something from (a specified source)
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/dɪˈrʌɪv/
they derived great comfort from this assurance |
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assurance
noun |
a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise
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/əˈʃʊər(ə)ns/
he gave an assurance that work would begin on Monday |
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confidence
noun [mass noun] |
the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something
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/ˈkɒnfɪd(ə)ns/
we had every confidence in the staff |
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rely
verb (relies, relying, relied) [no object] (rely on/upon) |
depend on with full trust or confidence
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/rɪˈlʌɪ/
I know I can rely on your discretion |
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depend
verb [no object] |
be controlled or determined by
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/dɪˈpɛnd/
differences in earnings depended on a wide variety of factors |
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compete
verb [no object] |
strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others
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/kəmˈpiːt/
universities are competing for applicants |
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superior
adjective |
higher in rank, status, or quality
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/suːˈpɪərɪə, sjuː-/
the new model is superior to every other car on the road |
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doom
noun [mass noun] |
death, destruction, or some other terrible fate
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/duːm/
the aircraft was sent crashing to its doom in the water |
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fate
noun |
[mass noun] the development of events outside a person’s control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power
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/feɪt/
fate decided his course for him |
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surplus
noun |
an amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply
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/ˈsəːpləs/
exports of food surpluses |
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excess
noun |
an amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable
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/ɪkˈsɛs, ɛk-, ˈɛksɛs/
are you suffering from an excess of stress in your life? |
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desirable
adjective |
wished for as being an attractive, useful, or necessary course of action
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/dɪˈzʌɪərəb(ə)l/
it is desirable to check that nothing has been forgotten |
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permit
verb |
officially allow (someone) to do something
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/pəˈmɪt/
the law permits councils to monitor any factory emitting smoke |
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advocate
noun |
a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
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/ˈadvəkət/
he was an untiring advocate of economic reform |
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assertion
noun |
a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief
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/əˈsəːʃ(ə)n/
his assertion that his father had deserted the family |
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deserted
adjective |
(of a place) empty of people
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/dɪˈzəːtɪd/
deserted beaches of soft sand |
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haunt
verb [with object] |
(of a ghost) manifest itself at (a place) regularly
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/hɔːnt/
a grey lady who haunts the chapel |
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manifest
adjective |
clear or obvious to the eye or mind
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/ˈmanɪfɛst/
her manifest charm and proven ability |
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obvious
adjective |
easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent
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/ˈɒbvɪəs/
unemployment has been the most obvious cost of the recession |
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self-evident
adjective |
not needing to be demonstrated or explained; obvious
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self-evident truths
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unemployment
noun [mass noun] |
the state of being unemployed
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/ʌnɪmˈplɔɪm(ə)nt, -ɛm-/
the serious level of unemployment among school-leavers |
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recession
noun |
a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters
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/rɪˈsɛʃ(ə)n/
the country is in the depths of a recession |
