The Laws Of Human Nature

Front 1

Ultimatum

Back 1

ul·ti·matum  ​noun BrE /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/ NAmE /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtəm/ (pl. ul·ti·matums, ul·ti·ma·ta BrE /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtə/ ; NAmE /ˌʌltɪˈmeɪtə/ )a final warning to a person or country that if they do not do what you ask, you will use force or take action against themto issue an ultimatumThe government denied that it had presented the union with an ultimatum

Front 2

Bound

Back 2

bound  ​adjective BrE /baʊnd/ NAmE /baʊnd/ ➔ SEE ALSO  ​bind[not before noun]1 bound to do/​be something certain or likely to happen, or to do or be somethingThere are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. Itʼs bound to be sunny again tomorrow. Youʼve done so much work—youʼre bound to pass the exam. It was bound to happen sooner or later (= we should have expected it). Youʼre bound to be nervous the first time (= itʼs easy to understand). ▶ Synonyms2 forced to do something by law, duty or a particular situationbound by something We are not bound by the decision. You are bound by the contract to pay before the end of the month. bound (by something) to do something(formal) I am bound to say I disagree with you on this point. They are legally bound to appear in court.3 (in compounds) prevented from going somewhere or from working normally by the conditions mentionedStrike-bound travellers face long delays. fogbound airports4 (also in compounds) travelling, or ready to travel, in a particular direction or to a particular placehomeward bound (= going home)Paris-boundnorthbound/​southbound/​eastbound/​westboundbound for… a plane bound for Dublin▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    He was legally bound to report them to the authorities.I felt in duty bound to report the incident.Officials are bound by law to investigate any possible fraud.The country will not be held bound by a treaty signed by the previous regime.The president said the country could not be held bound by a treaty signed by the previous regime.These problems were almost bound to arise.We are legally bound by this decision.tourists who are bound for EuropeIt was bound to happen sooner or later.Itʼs bound to be sunny again tomorrow.Youʼre bound to be nervous the first time.Youʼve done so much work—youʼre bound to pass the exam. Idiomsbe bound toˈgether by/​in somethingto be closely connectedcommunities bound together by customs and traditionsbe bound ˈup in somethingvery busy with something; very interested or involved in somethingHeʼs too bound up in his work to have much time for his children. bound and deˈtermined(North American English) very determined to do somethingI came here bound and determined to put the last 12 months behind me.bound ˈup with somethingclosely connected with somethingFrom that moment my life became inextricably bound up with hers. (feel) honour-ˈbound to do something(formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral dutyShe felt honour-bound to attend as she had promised to. ➔ COMPARE  ​duty-boundˈIʼll be bound(old-fashioned, British English, informal) I feel sureTheyʼre up to some mischief, Iʼll be bound!

Front 3

Provoke

Back 3

pro·voke  ​verb BrE /prəˈvəʊk/ NAmE /prəˈvoʊk/ ▶ Verb Forms1 provoke something to cause a particular reaction or have a particular effectThe announcement provoked a storm of protest. The article was intended to provoke discussion. Dairy products may provoke allergic reactions in some people. 2 provoke somebody (into something/​into doing something) | provoke somebody to do something to say or do something that you know will annoy somebody so that they react in an angry way ➔ SYNONYM  ​goadThe lawyer claimed his client was provoked into acts of violence by the defendant. Be careful what you say—heʼs easily provoked. ▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples      She had been trying to provoke her sister into an argument.The report is likely to provoke discussion of this issue.The suggestion inevitably provoked outrage from student leaders.Their laughter provoked him to anger.Be careful what you say—heʼs easily provoked.She laughed aloud, which provoked him to fury.Such a decision may provoke a backlash from their supporters.The company was provoked into issuing a denial.The decision to close the factory has provoked fury.The lawyer claimed that his client was provoked into acts of violence by the defendant.The minister does not wish to provoke further demonstrations.The prison guards deliberately provoke the political prisoners.What had she done to provoke his wrath

Front 4

Agitation

Back 4

agi·ta·tion  ​noun BrE /ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃn/ NAmE /ˌædʒɪˈteɪʃn/ 1 [uncountable] worry and anxiety that you show by behaving in a nervous wayDot arrived in a state of great agitation. 2 [uncountable] agitation (for/​against something) public protest in order to achieve political changewidespread agitation for social reform3 [countable] (Indian English) a public meeting or march at which people show that they are protesting against or supporting somethingThe situation has provoked agitations all over the region.Protesters are expected to launch an agitation over the issue.4 [uncountable] (specialist) the act of stirring or shaking a liquid▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    He knocked his glass over in his agitation.She was trying not to show her agitation.She was wriggling on the seat with agitation.The organization is turning to political agitation in order to achieve its aims.There has been mass agitation against the president.There is growing agitation for reform of local government.He started to pace up and down the room in agitation.His political opponents have threatened to launch a mass agitation against the agreement.There has been widespread agitation for social reform.

Front 5

Initiative

Back 5

ini·tia·tive  ​noun BrE /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ NAmE /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ 1 [countable] a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular purposea United Nations peace initiativea government initiative to combat unemployment2 [uncountable] the ability to decide and act on your own without waiting for somebody to tell you what to doYou wonʼt get much help. Youʼll have to use your initiative. Too much bureaucracy represses creativity and initiative. She did it on her own initiative (= without anyone telling her to do it). 3 the initiative [singular] the power or opportunity to act and gain an advantage before other people doto seize/​lose the initiativeIt was up to the US to take the initiative in repairing relations. 4 [countable] (North American English, law) (in some states of the US) a process by which ordinary people can suggest a new law by signing a petition▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    Donʼt ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!He acted on his own initiative and wasnʼt following orders.He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left.In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians.In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative.It is a very hierarchical company and thereʼs little place for individual initiative.Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative.She then regained the initiative in winning the third game.She took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an enquiry.Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge.Ten schools have been involved in the initiative.The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger.The government has launched a new policy initiative.The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment.The initiative to re-open negotiations came from Moscow.The peace initiative was rejected out of hand.The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner.The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists.We welcome the governmentʼs initiative to help the homeless.a local initiative aimed at economic regenerationa new initiative against car thefta peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unityan initiative designed to promote collaborative researchan initiative for peace and human rightsfresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflictpioneering initiatives in bioengineeringthe governmentʼs major new initiative on crimethe latest initiative by the UN Secretary GeneralA number of initiatives have been planned to tackle street crime.Government leaders are meeting to discuss the latest peace initiative.They proposed a joint initiative between the local authority and faith groups

Front 6

Embolden

Back 6

em·bold·en  ​verb BrE /ɪmˈbəʊldən/ NAmE /ɪmˈboʊldən/ ▶ Verb Forms1 [usually passive] (formal) to make somebody feel braver or more confidentembolden somebody Emboldened by the wine, he went over to introduce himself to her. embolden somebody to do something With such a majority, the administration was emboldened to introduce radical new policies. 2 embolden something (specialist) to make a piece of text appear in bold print

Front 7

Forth

Back 7

forth  ​adverb BrE /fɔːθ/ NAmE /fɔːrθ/ (literary except in particular idioms and phrasal verbs)1 away from a place; outThey set forth at dawn. Huge chimneys belched forth smoke and grime. 2 towards a place; forwardsWater gushed forth from a hole in the rock. ➔ SEE ALSO  ​bring somebody/​something forth▶ Word OriginIdiomsand ˈso forth, and ˈso on (and ˈso forth)used at the end of a list to show that it continues in the same wayWe discussed everything—when to go, what to see and so on. ˌback and ˈforthfrom one place to another and back again repeatedlyferries sailing back and forth between the islandsfrom that day/​time ˈforth(literary) beginning on that day; from that timeFrom that day forth she gave me endless friendship and encouragement.

Front 8

Peculiar

Back 8

pe·cu·liar  ​adjective BrE /pɪˈkjuːliə(r)/ NAmE /pɪˈkjuːliər/ 1 strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or worryinga peculiar smell/​tasteThere was something peculiar in the way he smiled. I had a peculiar feeling weʼd met before. Her behaviour was a peculiar mixture of the sophisticated and the childlike.He died in very peculiar circumstances.For some peculiar reason, she refused to come inside. The peculiar thing was that no one mentioned her disappearance.They behaved in a very peculiar way.➔ COMPARE  ​odd2 peculiar (to somebody/​something) belonging or relating to one particular place, situation, person, etc., and not to othersa humour that is peculiar to American sitcomsa species of bird peculiar to AsiaHe has his own peculiar style which youʼll soon get used to. the familyʼs peculiar importance in the affairthe peculiar properties of mercury3 (British English, informal) slightly ill/​sickI donʼt think Iʼll eat anything—Iʼm feeling a bit peculiar.▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    I find her attitude a bit peculiar, to say the least.The meat tasted rather peculiar.These problems are by no means peculiar to this country.the smell that is peculiar to hospitalsEach house had its own peculiar smell.Every case presents its own peculiar problems.For some peculiar reason, she refused to come inside.He waved in a way entirely peculiar to himself.I had a peculiar feeling weʼd met before.Itʼs got a peculiar taste.The species is peculiar to China.We shall concentrate on environmental features that are peculiar to the tropics. Idiomsˌfunny peˈculiar(British English)(US English ˌfunny ˈweird/​ˈstrange)(informal) used to show that ‘funnyʼ is being used with the meaning of ‘strangeʼ

Front 9

Persuasive

Back 9

per·sua·sive  ​adjective BrE /pəˈsweɪsɪv/ NAmE /pərˈsweɪsɪv/ able to persuade somebody to do or believe somethingpersuasive argumentsHe can be very persuasive. the persuasive power of advertising▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    His analysis is in many ways highly persuasive.His arguments strike me as not entirely persuasive.The evidence was not really persuasive enough.What makes his case so persuasive?Advertising relies heavily on the persuasive power of imagery.There are several persuasive arguments in favour of the move.

Front 10

Flair

Back 10

flair  ​noun BrE /fleə(r)/ NAmE /fler/ 1 [singular, uncountable] flair for something a natural ability to do something well ➔ SYNONYM  ​talentHe has a flair for languages. 2 [uncountable] a quality showing the ability to do things in an interesting way that shows imaginationartistic flairShe dresses with real flair. ▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examples    She has a natural flair for languages.an activist with a flair for publicityjazz guitarists who improvise with flairShe attributes her entrepreneurial flair and individualism to her upbringing.

Front 11

Divisive

Back 11

div·isive  ​adjective BrE /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ NAmE /dɪˈvaɪsɪv/ (disapproving)causing people to be split into groups that disagree with or oppose each otherHe believes that unemployment is socially divisive. ➔ SEE ALSO  ​divide

Front 12

Illustrious

Back 12

il·lus·tri·ous  ​adjective BrE /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ NAmE /ɪˈlʌstriəs/ (formal)very famous and much admired, especially because of what you have achieved ➔ SYNONYM  ​distinguishedThe composer was one of many illustrious visitors to the town. a long and illustrious career

Front 13

Allied

Back 13

al·lied  ​adjective 1 BrE /ˈælaɪd/ NAmE /ˈælaɪd/ (also Allied) [only before noun] connected with countries that unite to fight a war together, especially the countries that fought together against Germany in the First and Second World WarsItaly joined the war on the Allied side in 1915. Many civilians died as a result of allied bombing. allied forces/​troops2 BrE /əˈlaɪd/ , /ˈælaɪd/ NAmE /əˈlaɪd/ , /ˈælaɪd/ (formal) (of two or more things) similar or existing together; connected with somethingmedicine, nursing, physiotherapy and other allied professionsallied to/​with something In this job you will need social skills allied with technical knowledge. ➔ SEE ALSO  ​ally▶ Word Family▶ Word Origin▼ Extra examplesThe US remains closely allied to Saudi Arabia.The party is allied with the Communists.an offensive by seven loosely allied guerrilla

Front 14

Ally

Back 14

ally  ​verb ▶ Verb FormsBrE /əˈlaɪ/ NAmE /əˈlaɪ/ [transitive, intransitive] ally (yourself) with somebody/​something to give your support to another group or countryThe prince allied himself with the Scots.

Front 15

Bonded labour

Back 15

ˌbonded ˈlabour  ​noun (especially US English ˌbonded ˈlabor)[uncountable]forced work for an employer for a fixed time without being paid, often as a way of paying a debtMany of the immigrants are used as bonded labour. Bonded labour was outlawed in the country in 1976.

Front 16

Grace

Back 16

grace something to make something more attractive; to decorate somethingThe table had once graced a dukeʼs drawing room. We sat at a small table graced with a vase of fresh flowers.2(usually ironic) to bring honour to somebody/​something; to be kind enough to attend or take part in somethinggrace somebody/​something She is one of the finest players ever to have graced the game. The occasion was graced by the presence of Lord and Lady Thomson.grace somebody/​something with something Will you be gracing us with your presence tonight?