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10 Cards in this Set
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embargo |
n. a government order imposing a trade barrier v. prevent commerce v. forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper) synonyms: ban; block; halt; censor An embargo is an order stopping the movement of trade ships into or out of a country. If you can’t get those yummy Swedish fish, perhaps there has been an embargo on trade with Sweden! As a verb, the use of embargo is a little more broad. If you write an impassioned plea for peace, but the government embargoes it, no one will read your writing. |
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pivot |
n. axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns n. the act of rotating as if on an axis v. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense synonyms: turn To pivot is to turn or rotate, like a hinge or a basketball player pivoting back and forth on one foot to protect the ball. When you're not talking about a type of swiveling movement, you can use pivot to mean the one central thing that something depends upon. The central pivot of your student government campaign, for example, might be longer recess time. Your plans to go to the beach this weekend could pivot upon whether it rains, as the weather channel has predicted, or gets surprisingly sunny. |
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swarthy |
adj. naturally having skin of a dark color synonyms: dusky Not everyone with dark skin is swarthy. The word is usually used to describe someone whose skin is weather-beaten and darkened by the sun, or has an olive complexion. |
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calamity |
n. an event resulting in great loss and misfortune synonyms: catastrophe; disaster; tragedy Use the word calamity to describe an event that causes great harm and misery, or a general state of distress or misery: the calamity of war. |
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swoop |
n. a swift descent through the air n. a sudden short attack n. (music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale v. to grasp hastily or eagerly v. move down on as if in an attack v. move with a sweep or in an arc synonyms: pounce; descend; snatch A swoop is an impressive movement best demonstrated by a bird. If a bird is high in the air,then moves down quickly, making an arc or loop, that's an example of a swoop. People can also swoop — three muggers might swoop in on a victim, for example. The phrase "one fell swoop" means "all at once." |
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pallid |
adj. weak in colors suggesting physical or emotional distress adj. (of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim adj. lacking in variety or interest “a pallid performance” synonyms: colorless; weak; pale Pallid means pale or lacking color. It's often used together with complexion to describe someone who has a pale face, either due to a lack of sunshine or some kind of emotional distress. A reclusive author could be pallid from spending too much time indoors. His books can also be called pallid if they're lacking in color and excitement. |
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commerce |
n. sales and purchases having the objective of supplying goods and services n. social exchange, especially of opinions, attitudes, etc. synonyms: transactions; conversation Business, trade, and retailing are all common synonyms. Commerce doesn't always refer to buying and selling, though, just as the marketplace doesn't always refer to goods and services. Data, information, and opinions, too, can be exchanged and traded, as on the Internet, which is a great place for the commerce of ideas. |
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skirt |
n. a garment hanging from the waist; worn mainly by girls and women v. form the edge of; border v. avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, orperforming (duties, questions, or issues) v. pass around or about; move along the border “The boat skirted the coast” synonyms: surround; pass; dodge; duck; evade |
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irate |
adj. feeling or showing extreme anger synonyms: angry On the anger scale, first comes annoyed, then cross, then furious, then irate. When cartoon characters are irate, smoke comes out of their ears. Use this word only when someone is so mad he/she scares you. |
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lance |
n. a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon v. pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight v. move quickly, as if by cutting one's way “Planes lanced toward the shore” synonyms: spear; thrust; travel |
