Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
269 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
earmark
|
v. ~ sb/sth (for sth/sb) assign or set aside sb/sth (to or for a special purpose)
|
|
earn
|
v. get (money) by working
|
|
earthly
|
adj. of this world; not spiritual
|
|
earthy
|
adj. of or like earth or soil
|
|
ebb
|
v. ~ (of the tide) go out; recede ;
|
|
ebullient
|
adj. full of energy and excitement; exuberant ;
|
|
eccentric
|
adj. unusual; peculiar; not conventional or normal
|
|
eccentricity
|
n. quality of being eccentric; strangeness of behaviour, etc
|
|
ecclesiastic
|
n. clergyman
|
|
eclectic
|
adj. (of people, beliefs, etc) not restricted to one source of ideas, etc, but choosing from or using a wide range
|
|
eclipse
|
n. blocking of the light of the sun or of the moon (when the earth's shadow falls on it)
|
|
ecliptic
|
(Astronomy) a the great circle on the celestial sphere representing the apparent annual path of the sun relative to the stars.
|
|
economy
|
n. avoidance of waste (of money, strength, time, resources, etc)
|
|
ecosystem
|
n. ecological unit consisting of a group of plants and living creatures interacting with each other and with their surroundings
|
|
ecstasy
|
n. great joy or happiness
|
|
eddy
|
n. circular or spiral movement of water, air, fog, dust, etc
|
|
edict
|
n. order or proclamation issued by an authority
|
|
edifice
|
n. large or imposing building
|
|
edify
|
v. (fml or joc ) improve the mind or character of (sb)
|
|
eerie
|
adj. causing a feeling of mystery and fear
|
|
efface
|
v. rub or wipe (sth) out; cause to fade
|
|
effective
|
adj. having an effect; producing the intended result
|
|
effectual
|
adj. (not used of people) producing the intended result
|
|
effectuate
|
to cause to happen; effect; accomplish
|
|
effeminate
|
adj. (of a man or his behaviour) like a woman; unmanly
|
|
effervescence
|
(n.) liveliness; spirit; enthusiasm; bubbliness
|
|
effete
|
adj. weak, having lost power
|
|
efficacy
|
n. state or quality of being efficacious
|
|
effigy
|
n. carved figure or model representing a person or animal
|
|
effluvium
|
noxious smell
|
|
effrontery
|
n. boldness or rudeness without shame; impertinence
|
|
effulgent
|
radiant splendor:BRILLIANCE
|
|
effusion
|
n. pouring out, esp of liquid
|
|
effusive
|
adj. showing (too much) feeling; too emotional
|
|
ego
|
n. individual's perception or experience of himself, esp in relation to other people or to the outside world; part of the mind that can think, feel and act
|
|
egoism
|
n. state of mind in which one is always thinking about oneself and what is best for oneself
|
|
egotism
|
n. practice of talking too often or too much about oneself; selfishness ;
|
|
egotistical
|
[ egotist: ] a conceited boastful person
|
|
egregious
|
adj. (usu of sb/sth bad ) exceptional; outstanding
|
|
egress
|
n. (right of) going out
|
|
ejaculation
|
n. sudden discharge or ejection of fluid, esp semen, from the body
|
|
elaborate
|
adj. very detailed and complicated; carefully prepared and finished
|
|
elaboration
|
addition of details; intricacy
|
|
elastic
|
adj. returning to its normal or previous size or shape after being pulled or pressed
|
|
elated
|
adj. ~ in high spirits; very happy or proud
|
|
elegy
|
n. poem or song expressing sorrow, esp for the dead; lament ;
|
|
elevation
|
n. elevating or being elevated
|
|
elicit
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) draw (facts, a response, etc) from sb, sometimes with difficulty
|
|
elixir
|
n. imaginary substance with which medieval scientists hoped to change metals into gold or make people live for ever
|
|
ellipsis
|
n. (grammar) (instance of) leaving out a word or words from (the grammatical structure of) a sentence when the meaning can be understood without it/them
|
|
elliptical
|
adj. containing ellipsis
|
|
elope
|
v. ~ run away with a lover, esp to get married
|
|
eloquence
|
n. expressive language, esp to impress or persuade an audience
|
|
elucidate
|
v. make (sth) clear; explain
|
|
elusive
|
adj. tending to escape or disappear; difficult to capture
|
|
elysian
|
adj. the Elysian fields
|
|
Elysium
|
n. (in Greek myths) home of the blessed after death
|
|
emaciated
|
adj. made thin and weak
|
|
emanate
|
v. ~ from sth/sb come or flow from sth/sb
|
|
emancipate
|
v. ~ sb set sb free, esp from political, legal or social restrictions
|
|
emasculate
|
v. remove the sexual organs of (a male animal); castrate ;
|
|
embargo
|
n. (on sth) official order that forbids sth, esp trade, the movement of ships, etc
|
|
embark
|
v. ~ (cause sb/sth to) go or be taken on board a ship or an aircraft
|
|
embed
|
to enclose closely in or as if in a matrix
|
|
embellish
|
v. ~ sth make sth beautiful by adding ornaments, etc
|
|
embezzlement
|
n. embezzling
|
|
embitter
|
v. fill with bitter feelings
|
|
emblazon
|
v. decorate with heraldic or other devices
|
|
embody
|
v. ~ sth (in sth) (fml ) express or give visible form to (ideas, feelings, etc)
|
|
emboss
|
raise in a relief
|
|
embrace
|
close encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom especially as a sign of affection:HUG
|
|
embroider
|
v. ~ A ~ B (with A) decorate (cloth) with needlework
|
|
embroil
|
throw into confusion; involve in strife; entangle
|
|
embryonic
|
adj. in an early stage of development
|
|
emend
|
v. remove errors from
|
|
emendation
|
n. action of emending
|
|
emetic
|
n, adj causing vomiting
|
|
eminent
|
adj. famous and distinguished
|
|
emissary
|
n. person sent to deliver a message or to conduct negotiations
|
|
emollient
|
n, adj that soothes and softens the skin
|
|
emolument
|
n. (fml or rhet ) profit made from being employed; fee or salary
|
|
empathy
|
n. ability to imagine and share another person's feelings, experience, etc
|
|
empirical
|
adj. based on observation or experiment, not on theory
|
|
emulate
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) try to do as well as or better than sb
|
|
enact
|
v. perform (a part, play, etc) on, or as if on, the stage of a theatre
|
|
enamored
|
(adj.) filled with love and desire
|
|
encipher
|
convert ordinary language into code
|
|
encircle
|
v. form a circle round; surround
|
|
enclave
|
n. small territory of one state surrounded by that of another
|
|
encomiastic
|
[ encomiast: ] en"comi'astic, en"comi'astical adjective
|
|
encomium
|
n. (fml ) very high praise in speech or writing
|
|
encompass
|
v. include or comprise sth
|
|
encroachment
|
n. ~ (fml ) action of encroaching
|
|
encumber
|
to impede or hamper the function or activity of:HINDER
|
|
endear
|
v. ~ sb/oneself to sb make sb/oneself loved or liked by sb
|
|
endearment
|
n. word or expression of affection
|
|
endemic
|
n, adj that is regularly found in a particular country or area, or among a particular group of people
|
|
endorse
|
v. write one's name on the back of
|
|
endue
|
v. ~ sb with sth provide or supply sb with a good quality, ability etc
|
|
enduring
|
adj. continuing in existence; lasting
|
|
energize
|
invigorate; make forceful and active
|
|
enervate
|
v. cause to lose strength or energy
|
|
enfranchise
|
v. give (sb) political rights, esp the right to vote at parliamentary elections
|
|
engage
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) arrange to employ sb; hire sb
|
|
engaged
|
adj. busy; occupied
|
|
engaging
|
adj. likely to attract or occupy the attention; charming
|
|
engender
|
v. be the cause of (a situation or condition)
|
|
engross
|
v. occupy all the time or attention of (sb)
|
|
engulf
|
v. (of the sea, flames, etc) surround (sth) or cause (sth) to disappear; envelop
|
|
enhance
|
v. increase make (sb/sth) look better
|
|
enigma
|
n. question, person, thing, circumstance, etc that is difficult to understand; mystery
|
|
enigmatic
|
adj. difficult to understand; mysterious
|
|
enjoin
|
v. ~ sth (fml or law ) impose (an action or prohibition) on sb; order
|
|
enlist
|
v. ~ (in/for sth); ~ (sb) (as sth) enter or cause (sb) to enter the armed forces
|
|
enliven
|
v. make more lively or cheerful
|
|
enmity
|
n. condition or feeling of being an enemy; hostility
|
|
ennui
|
n. weariness of mind caused by lack of anything interesting or exciting to do; feeling of boredom
|
|
enormity
|
n. great wickedness
|
|
enrapture
|
v. fill (sb) with great delight or joy
|
|
ensconce
|
v. ~ oneself/sb in sth establish or settle oneself in a safe, secret, comfortable, etc place
|
|
ensue
|
v. ~ happen afterwards or as a result; follow
|
|
entail
|
v. make necessary; involve
|
|
enterprise
|
n. project or undertaking, esp one that is difficult or needs courage
|
|
enterprising
|
adj. having or showing enterprise(2)
|
|
enthrall
|
capture; make slave
|
|
entice
|
v. ~ sb (from sth); ~ sb (into sth/doing sth) try to tempt or persuade sb, usu by offering sth pleasant or a reward
|
|
entity
|
n. thing with distinct and real existence
|
|
entomology
|
n. scientific study of insects
|
|
entourage
|
n. all those who accompany and attend an important person
|
|
entrance
|
n. ~ opening, gate, door, passage, etc by which one enters sth
|
|
entreat
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) ask sb (for sth) earnestly and feelingly; beg
|
|
entree
|
n. ~ (into sth) right or privilege of admission or entry
|
|
entrepreneur
|
n. person who starts or organizes a commercial enterprise, esp one involving financial risk
|
|
enumerate
|
v. name one by one; count
|
|
enunciate
|
v. say or pronounce clearly
|
|
environ
|
enclose; surround
|
|
eon
|
n. an indefinitely long period of time
|
|
epaulet
|
an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
|
|
ephemeral
|
adj. living, lasting, etc for a very short time
|
|
epic
|
n. long poem about the deeds of one or more great heroes, or a nation's past history
|
|
epicure
|
n. person who takes a special interest in and gets great pleasure from food and drink
|
|
epicurean
|
n, adj fond of pleasure and luxury
|
|
epigram
|
n. short poem or saying expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way
|
|
epilogue
|
n. part or section added at the end of a book, play, film, programme, etc, as a comment on the main action
|
|
episodic
|
adj. occurring irregularly; sporadic
|
|
epistemologist
|
[ epistemology: ] e"piste'mologist nou
|
|
epitaph
|
n. words written or said about a dead person, esp words inscribed on a tombstone
|
|
epithet
|
n. adjective or descriptive phrase that refers to the character or most important quality of sb/sth eg Alfred the Great, Attila the Hun ,
|
|
epitome
|
n. thing that shows on a small scale all the characteristics of sth much larger
|
|
epoch
|
n. period of time in history, life, the history of the earth, etc, esp one marked by notable events or characteristics
|
|
equable
|
adj. free from extremes of heat or cold; moderate
|
|
equanimity
|
n. calmness of mind or temper
|
|
equestrian
|
adj. of horse-riding
|
|
equilibrium
|
n. state of being balanced
|
|
equine
|
adj. of or like a horse or horses
|
|
equinox
|
n. either of the two times in the year (around
|
|
equipoise
|
n. balanced state, esp of the mind; equilibrium ;
|
|
equitable
|
adj. fair and just; reasonable
|
|
equity
|
n. fairness; right judgement
|
|
equivocal
|
adj. having a double or doubtful meaning; ambiguous
|
|
equivocate
|
v. speak in an ambiguous way to hide the truth or mislead people
|
|
erode
|
v. destroy or wear (sth) away gradually
|
|
erotic
|
adj. of or arousing sexual desire
|
|
errant
|
adj. doing wrong; misbehaving
|
|
erratic
|
adj. irregular or uneven in movement, quality or behaviour; unreliable
|
|
erroneous
|
adj. incorrect; mistaken
|
|
erudite
|
adj. having or showing great learning; scholarly
|
|
escapade
|
n. daring, mischievous or adventurous act; prank
|
|
eschew
|
v. keep away from (sth); abstain from; avoid
|
|
esoteric
|
adj. likely to be understood by only those with a special knowledge or interest; mysterious; obscure
|
|
espionage
|
n. practice of spying or using spies to obtain secret information
|
|
espouse
|
v. give one's support to (a cause, theory, etc)
|
|
esteem
|
v. (not used in the continuous tenses ) have a high opinion of (sb/sth); respect greatly
|
|
estimable
|
adj. worthy of great respect
|
|
estranged
|
[ estrange: ] [usually passive; often foll by from] to separate and live apart from (one's spouse)
|
|
ethereal
|
adj. of unearthly delicacy and lightness; seeming too spiritual or fairy-like for this world
|
|
ethnic
|
adj. of a national, racial or tribal group that has a common cultural tradition
|
|
ethnology
|
n. science of the different human races, their characteristics, relations to one another, etc
|
|
ethos
|
n. characteristic spirit, moral values, ideas or beliefs of a group, community or culture
|
|
etymology
|
n. study of the origin and history of words and their meanings
|
|
eugenic
|
pertaining to the improvement of race
|
|
eulogistic
|
adj. full of high praise
|
|
eulogy
|
n. (speech or piece of writing containing) high praise of a person or thing
|
|
euphemism
|
n. use of pleasant, mild or indirect words or phrases in place of more accurate or direct ones
|
|
euphony
|
n. pleasantness of sound, esp in words
|
|
euphoria
|
n. intense feeling of happiness and pleasant excitement
|
|
euthanasia
|
n. gentle and painless death for a person suffering from a painful incurable disease, extreme old age, etc
|
|
evanescent
|
adj. quickly fading; soon disappearing from memory
|
|
evasive
|
adj. having the aim or intention of avoiding capture, of not giving a direct answer, etc
|
|
evenhanded
|
without partiality
|
|
eventual
|
adj. happening at last as a result; ultimate
|
|
evince
|
v. show clearly that one has (a feeling, quality, etc); exhibit
|
|
evocative
|
adj. ~ that evokes or is able to evoke memories, feelings, etc (of sth)
|
|
evoke
|
v. bring to mind (a feeling, memory, etc); summon up
|
|
ewe
|
n. female sheep
|
|
exacerbate
|
v. make (pain, disease, a situation) worse; aggravate
|
|
exact
|
adj. correct in every detail; precise
|
|
exacting
|
adj. making great demands; requiring great effort
|
|
exalt
|
v. make (sb) higher in rank or greater in power
|
|
exasperate
|
v. irritate or annoy greatly
|
|
except
|
prep ~ ~ (that...) not including (sb/sth); but not
|
|
exceptionable
|
adj. that sb can object to
|
|
excerpt
|
n. ~ passage, extract, from a book, film, piece of music, etc
|
|
exchequer
|
n. the Exchequer government department in charge of public money
|
|
excise
|
n. government tax on certain goods manufactured, sold or used within a country
|
|
exclaim
|
v. cry out suddenly and loudly from pain, anger, surprise, etc
|
|
excoriate
|
to censure scathingly
|
|
exculpate
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) free sb from blame; say that sb is not guilty
|
|
execrable
|
adj. verybad; terrible
|
|
execrate
|
to declare to be evil or detestable:DENOUNCE
|
|
execute
|
v. carry out, perform (what one is asked or told to do)
|
|
executioner
|
n. public official who carries out a death sentence
|
|
executive
|
adj. concerned with the management and carrying out of plans, decisions, etc
|
|
executor
|
n. person who is appointed by the maker of a will to carry out the terms of the will
|
|
exegesis
|
n. (fml ) explanation and interpretation of a written work, esp the Bible ,
|
|
exemplary
|
adj. serving as an example; suitable for imitation
|
|
exemplify
|
v. be a typical example of (sth)
|
|
exempt
|
adj. ~ free from an obligation, duty or payment; not liable
|
|
exertion
|
n. action of applying influence, etc
|
|
exhale
|
v. breathe (sth) out
|
|
exhilarating
|
adj. very exciting; causing happiness
|
|
exhort
|
v. ~ sb (fml ) advise sb strongly or earnestly; urge sb
|
|
exhume
|
v. take from the ground (for examination)
|
|
exigency
|
n. (condition of) urgent need or demand; emergency
|
|
exiguous
|
adj. very small (in amount); scanty
|
|
existential
|
adj. of or relating to (esp human) existence
|
|
exodus
|
n. ~ (to...) (fml or joc ) departure of many people at one time
|
|
exonerate
|
to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship
|
|
exorbitant
|
adj. (of a price, charge, etc) much too high or great; unreasonable
|
|
exorcise
|
drive out evil spirits
|
|
exotic
|
adj. introduced from another country; not native
|
|
expansive
|
adj. able or tending to expand
|
|
expatiate
|
v. ~ on/upon sth write or speak at great length or in detail about a subject
|
|
expatriate
|
n. person living outside his own country
|
|
expedient
|
adj. useful, helpful or advisable for a particular purpose, though not necessarily fair or moral
|
|
expedite
|
v. help the progress of (work, business, etc); hasten or speed up
|
|
expeditious
|
adj. done with speed and efficiency
|
|
expenditure
|
n. action of spending or using
|
|
expertise
|
n. expert knowledge or skill, esp in a particular field
|
|
expiate
|
v. accept punishment for (wrong one has done) and do something to show one is sorry; make up for
|
|
expletive
|
n. violent (often meaningless) exclamation said in anger, pain, etc; swear-word
|
|
explicate
|
v. explain and analyse (esp an idea, a statement or a work of literature) in detail
|
|
explicit
|
adj. (of a statement, etc) clearly and fully expressed
|
|
exploit
|
n. brave or adventurous deed or action
|
|
expository
|
serving to expound or set fourth
|
|
expostulation
|
n. protest; reasoned persuasion, etc
|
|
exposure
|
n. action of exposing or state of being exposed
|
|
expound
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) explain or make sth clear by giving details
|
|
expropriate
|
v. ~ sth (from sb) take away (property, etc) for public use without payment to the owner
|
|
expunge
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) remove or wipe out (words, names, etc) from a list, book, etc
|
|
expurgate
|
v. remove improper or objectionable parts from (a book, etc)
|
|
exquisite
|
adj. extremely beautiful or delicate; finely or skilfully made or done
|
|
extant
|
adj. still in existence
|
|
extemporaneous
|
adj. spoken or done without preparation; extempore ;
|
|
extenuate
|
v. make (wrongdoing) less serious (by providing an excuse)
|
|
extirpate
|
v. remove or destroy (sth) completely
|
|
extol
|
v. ~sb (as sth) (fml ) praise (sb/sth) highly
|
|
extort
|
v. ~ sth obtain sth by violence, threats, etc
|
|
extradition
|
surrender of prisoner by one state to another
|
|
extraneous
|
adj. ~ not belonging to or directly connected with the subject or matter being dealt with
|
|
extrapolation
|
n. ~ (fml )
|
|
extricate
|
v. ~ sb/sth (fml ) set sb/sth free; release sb/sth ;
|
|
extrinsic
|
adj. ~ (fml ) (of qualities, values, etc) not belonging to or part of the real nature of a person or thing; coming from outside
|
|
extrovert
|
n. person more interested in what is happening around him than in his own thoughts and emotions
|
|
extrude
|
v. ~ sth (fml ) force or squeeze out sth under pressure
|
|
exuberance
|
n. state or quality of being exuberant
|
|
exuberant
|
adj. overflowing with happiness and excitement; very lively and cheerful
|
|
exude
|
v. ~ (sth) (from/through sth) (of drops of liquid, etc) come or pass out slowly; ooze out
|
|
exult
|
v. ~ (at/in sth) get great pleasure from sth; rejoice greatly
|