Vocab - Rocking The Boat

Front 1

a ritual

Back 1

noun. An act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set, precise manner. A system of rites, or a ceremonial act or action. Example: Eating breakfast is a daily ritual.

Front 2

anniversary (NOT a birthday!)

Back 2

noun. An annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event. Example: Last week was the 50th anniversary of his famous speech.

Front 3

to loom

Back 3

verb. To come into sight in enlarged or distorted and indistinct form often as a result of atmospheric conditions, to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form, to take shape as an impending occurrence. Example: Storm clouds loomed on the horizon. Example: The mountains loom above the valley.

Front 4

(then-)(president)

Back 4

adjective. Exisiting or acting at or belonging to the time mentioned. Example: Rice, the then secretary of state, was appaled. Example: The then-ratified treaty was immediately enforced via international action.

Front 5

to uphold

Back 5

verb. To give support to, or support against an opponent. Example: The judge upheld the ruling. Example: They have a responsibility to uphold the law.

Front 6

trade

Back 6

noun. Commerce, business, the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities. Example: Trade has rapidly increased following the signing of the FTA.

Front 7

sovereignty

Back 7

noun. Freedom from external control, autonomy. One that is sovereign, e.g. an autonomous state. Example: Some argue that international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol pressure countries to relinquish a certain amount of sovereignty.

Front 8

profitable

Back 8

adjective. Affording profits, yielding advantageous returns or results. Example: It turned out to be a profitable venture - so profitable that he managed to retire at age 50.

Front 9

deposits

Back 9

noun. A natural accumulation, as of iron ore or gas. Example: The discovery of an oil deposit off the Brazilian coast has led to increased investment in the country.

Front 10

to explore (NOT exploit!)

Back 10

verb. To investigate, study, analyze, look into, travel over (territory), or examine for diagnostic purposes. Example: Researchers are exploring how language is acquired by children.

Front 11

to exploit (NOT explore!)

Back 11

verb. To make productive use of, to utilize. To make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage. Example: Immigrants are often exploited as cheap labor. Example: We should carefully exploit natural resources.

Front 12

rhetorical

Back 12

adjective. Verbal. Or, grandiloquent. Example: President Obama offered rhetorical (verbal) support Monday to anti-government protesters in Iran facing a bloody crackdown.

Front 13

complacent

Back 13

adjective. Self-satisfied when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies. Example: We cannot afford to be complacent about security.