Vocabulary - 5Th

Front 1

paradigm (n)

Back 1

a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about

Ex:
a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm

Front 2

disinterested (adj)

Back 2

impartial

Ex:

Front 3

cynical (adj)

Back 3

selfish and dishonest in a way that shows no concern about treating other people fairly

Ex:

Front 4

epidemic (n)

Back 4

medical : an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people

Ex:

Front 5

paralysis (n)

Back 5

formal : a state of being unable to function, act, or move

Ex:
They are trying to end the political paralysis that has been gripping the country.

Front 6

immunity (n)

Back 6

medical : the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease — usually + to

Ex:
They have developed immunity to the virus.

Front 7

proliferate (v)

Back 7

to increase in number or amount quickly

Ex:
New problems have proliferated in recent months. [=many new problems have occurred in recent months]

Front 8

reconcile (v)

Back 8

formal [+ object] : to find a way of making (two different ideas, facts, etc.) exist or be true at the same time

Ex:
I'm afraid her story cannot be reconciled with the proven facts. [=her story must be false because it does not agree with the proven facts]

Front 9

handicap (n)

Back 9

a problem, situation, or event that makes progress or success difficult

Ex:
His shyness was a handicap in his job.

Front 10

burrow (n)

Back 10

a hole or tunnel in the ground that an animal (such as a rabbit or fox) makes to live in or for safety

Ex:

Front 11

outmoded (adj)

Back 11

: no longer useful or acceptable : not modern or current

Ex:
The army was using outmoded [=old-fashioned, antiquated] weapons from the 1950s.

Front 12

amplify (v)

Back 12

formal : to give more inforation about (something, such as a statement) : to speak or write about (something) in a more complete way

Ex:
I'd like to amplify [=expand on] my earlier remarks by providing some illustrations.

Front 13

cautious (adj)

Back 13

careful about avoiding danger or risk

Ex:
He answered the question with a cautious reply.

Front 14

grave (adj)

Back 14

formal : very serious : requiring or causing serious thought or concern

Ex:
His carelessness could have grave consequences.

Front 15

referral (n)

Back 15

the act of sending someone to another person or place for treatment, help, advice, etc.

Ex:
She got a referral (to a specialist) from her doctor. = Her doctor gave her a referral.

Front 16

sophisticated (adj)

Back 16

having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.

Ex:
She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman.

Front 17

commensurate (adj)

Back 17

formal: equal or similar to something in size, amount, or degree

Ex:
The increase in demand caused a commensurate [=proportionate] increase in prices.

Front 18

gimmick (n)

Back 18

often disapproving: a method or trick that is used to get people's attention or to sell something

Ex:
a marketing gimmick [=ploy]

Front 19

agitate (v)

Back 19

[+ object] : to disturb, excite, or anger (someone)

Ex:
If I talk about the problem with him it just agitates him even more.

Front 20

accommodation (n)

Back 20

formal: an agreement that allows people, groups, etc., to work together

Ex:
He hoped to reach an accommodation with the new owners.

Front 21

continuum (n)

Back 21

formal: a range or series of things that are slightly different from each other and that exist between two different possibilities

Ex:
His motives for volunteering lie somewhere on the continuum between charitable and self-serving.

Front 22

grievance (n)

Back 22

a feeling of having been treated unfairly

Ex:
He has a deep sense of grievance against his former employer.

Front 23

oddity (n)

Back 23

a strange or unusual person or thing

Ex:
Her shyness makes her a bit of an oddity in the business world.

Front 24

pitfall (n)

Back 24

a danger or problem that is hidden or not obvious at first — usually plural — often + of

Ex:

Front 25

managerial (adj)

Back 25

relating to the skill or process of controlling and making decisions about a business or organization

Ex:

Front 26

divest (v)

Back 26

to sell or give away (possessions, money, etc.)

Ex:
She divested herself of most of her possessions.

Front 27

imitate (v)

Back 27

to copy (someone's or something's behavior, sound, appearance, etc.)

Ex: