1+2. DESCRIBING PEOPLE
ABSENT-MINDED
absent-minded adjective
describes someone who tends to forget things or does not pay attention to what is happening near them because they are thinking about other things
absent-mindedly adverb
She absent-mindedly left her umbrella on the bus.
absent-mindedness noun [U]
BIG-HEADED
big-headed adjective disapproving
thinking that you are more important or more clever than you really are
She's so big-headed!
Compare swollen head
big-head noun [C]
He's always boasting. He's such a big-head!
Stop praising him or he'll get a big head.
BRAINY
brain noun
1 [C] the organ inside the head that controls thought, memory, feelings and activity
Doctors tried desperately to reduce the swelling in her brain.
The accident left him with permanent brain damage.
His wife died from a brain tumour.
2 [C] used to refer to intelligence
Marie has an amazing brain (= is very intelligent).
That can't possibly be the right way to do it - use your brain!
3 [C usually plural] informal a very intelligent person, especially one who has spent a lot of time studying
We've got the best brains in the land working on this problem.
have sth on the brain informal disapproving
to not be able to stop thinking or talking about one particular thing
You've got cars on the brain. Can't we talk about something else for a change?
brain verb [T] informal
to hit someone on the head
I'll brain you if you don't keep quiet.
-brained suffix
1 having a particular type of brain
These dinosaurs were large-brained and more intelligent than most.
2 disapproving used in various phrases to describe someone as stupid or badly organized
bird-brained
harebrained
scatterbrained
brainless adjective informal
stupid
What sort of brainless idiot would do that?
brains plural noun
intelligence
The poor child inherited his mother's brains and his father's looks.
He's got brains but he's too lazy to use them (= He is clever but lazy).
brains noun
the brains the cleverest person of a group, especially the person who plans what the group will do
My little brother's the brains of the family.
brainy adjective informal
clever
Sarah was beautiful and brainy.
CHEEKY
cheek (BEHAVIOUR) noun [S or U] UK
rudeness or lack of respect
He told me off for being late when he arrived half an hour after me. What a cheek!
[+ to infinitive]She's got some cheek to take your car without asking.
He had the cheek to ask me to pay for her!
She's always getting into trouble for giving her teachers cheek (= being rude to them).
cheek verb [T] UK informal
to be rude to someone
He's always getting into trouble for cheeking his teachers.
cheeky adjective UK
slightly rude or showing a lack of respect, but often in a funny way
She's got such a cheeky grin.
Don't be so cheeky!
cheekily adverb UK
cheekiness noun [U] UK
HOT-HEADED
hothead noun [C]
someone who does things or reacts to things quickly and without thinking carefully first
hotheaded adjective
She's a bit hotheaded and rash.
hotheadedly adverb
hotheadedness noun [U]
NOSY
nosy, nosey adjective (nosier, nosiest) disapproving
too interested in what other people are doing and wanting to discover too much about them
She was complaining about her nosy parents.
nosily adverb
"Who was that on the phone?" she asked nosily.
nosiness noun [U]
PIG-HEADED
nosy, nosey adjective (nosier, nosiest) disapproving
too interested in what other people are doing and wanting to discover too much about them
She was complaining about her nosy parents.
nosily adverb
"Who was that on the phone?" she asked nosily.
nosiness noun [U]
THICK
thick (STUPID) adjective informal
stupid
I told you not to touch that - are you deaf or just thick?
(as) thick as two short planks slang
very stupid
He's a very skilled footballer but he's as thick as two short planks.
THICK-SKINNED
thick-skinned adjective
Someone who is thick-skinned does not appear to be easily hurt by criticism
You do need to be thick-skinned to survive as a politician here.
TIGHT-FISTED
tight-fisted adjective (also tight) informal disapproving
unwilling to spend money
Don't imagine Gillian'll buy you a drink - she's too tight-fisted.
TWO-FACED
two-faced adjective disapproving
describes someone who is not sincere, saying unpleasant things about you to other people while seeming to be pleasant when they are with you
I don't trust her - I suspect she's a bit two-faced.
WELL-OFF
well-off (RICH) adjective
rich
Her family was very well-off.
know when you are well off
If you do not know when you are well off, you do not understand that your present situation is good compared with other people's or with what it might be like
She's always complaining about her car - she doesn't know when she's well off (= she's lucky to have a car even if it's bad)!
well-off plural noun
rich people
It is a resort that clearly caters for the well-off.
DOWN-AT-HEEL
down-at-heel UK adjective (US down-at-the-heel)
wearing old clothes, or in a bad condition, because of a lack of money
She had a decidedly down-at-heel appearance.
He worked in a down-at-the-heel cafe.
FULL OF BEANS
full (CONTAINING A LOT) adjective
1 (of a container or a space) holding or containing as much as possible or a lot; filled
This cup is very full so be careful with it.
My plate was already full.
I tried to get in the cinema last night but it was full.
Don't talk with your mouth full!
The shelves were full of books.
When she looked at him her eyes were full of tears.
I tried to get on the 8.45 train but it was full (up).
Don't fill your glass too full or you'll spill it.
The theatre was only half full.
2 containing a lot of things or people or a lot of something
This sweater is full of holes.
His essay was full of spelling errors.
I'm full of admiration for you.
You're always so full of energy.
3 involving a lot of activities
I've got rather a full week next week - could we postpone our meeting?
She has a very full life.
be full of beans informal
to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm
I've never known anyone be so full of beans before breakfast.
be full of sth
to be talking or thinking a lot about something that you have enjoyed or found exciting
"Did the kids enjoy their trip to the zoo?" "Oh, yes, they were full of it when they got back this afternoon."
be full of your own importance disapproving
to think and act as if you are very important
Since he got his new job, he's been very full of his own importance.
be full of yourself disapproving
to think that you are very important in a way that annoys other people
I can't stand her - she's so full of herself.
be full of the joys of spring humorous
to be very happy
He bounced into the office, full of the joys of spring.
fullness, fulness noun [U]
when something is full
HEARTLESS
heartless adjective
cruel and not caring about other people
Don't be so heartless!
HEN-PECKED
henpecked adjective disapproving
A henpecked man is controlled by and a little frightened of a woman, especially his wife.
HOT-BLOODED
hot-blooded (SHOWING FEELINGS) adjective
showing strong feelings very easily and quickly, especially anger or love
LAID BACK
laid-back adjective informal
relaxed in manner and character; not tending to get anxious about other people's behaviour or things that need to be done
I've never seen her worried or anxious in any way - she's so laid-back.
LIGHT-FINGERED
light-fingered adjective informal
If you describe someone as light-fingered you mean that they have a habit of stealing things.
LONG IN THE TOOTH
long (TIME) adjective
continuing for a large amount of time
a long film/meeting
I've been waiting a long time.
It's a long time since I worked there.
Apparently the sessions are an hour long.
(as) long as your arm informal
very long
There was a list of complaints as long as your arm.
the long arm of the law literary
the police
You can't escape the long arm of the law (= The police will catch you if you have done something illegal).
a long way to go
a lot of work to do or improvements to make
He has a long way to go before he can present the scheme to the public.
have come a long way
to have advanced to an improved or more developed state
Information technology has come a long way in the last twenty years.
go a long way
If you say that someone will go a long way, you mean that they will be very successful.
See also far (DISTANCE)
go a long way towards doing sth
to be very helpful
The money raised will go a long way towards providing essential food and medicine.
go back a long way
If people go back a long way, they have known each other for a long time.
be long in the tooth informal
to be old, often too old to do something
He's a bit long in the tooth to be wearing jeans, don't you think?
so long informal
goodbye
before (very/too) long (also before much longer)
soon
They'll be home before very long.
not by a long chalk/shot informal
not in any way
It wasn't as good as his first book - not by a long chalk.
no longer (also not any longer)
in the past but not now
The cinema is no longer used.
She doesn't work here any longer.
the long and the short of it informal
said when you want to explain the general situation without giving details
The long and the short of it is that they are willing to start the work in January.
not long for this world old-fashioned
If someone is not long for this world, they will die soon.
Long time no see. saying
said when you meet someone who you haven't seen for a long period of time
long adverb
1 used to mean '(for) a long time', especially in questions and negative sentences
Have you been waiting (for) long?
I'm just writing a letter but it won't take long.
How long have you been in England?
Don't rush - take as long as you like.
We've been walking all day long.
I've known her longer than you have.
I won't be staying much longer.
2 used with the past participle or the -ing form of the verb to mean that a state or activity has continued for a long time
a long-awaited letter
long-serving employees
long live sb/sth!
said to show support for the person or thing mentioned
Long live the President!
SKINNY
skinny (THIN) adjective mainly disapproving
very thin
You should eat more, you're much too skinny.
STUCK UP
stuck-up adjective informal disapproving
too proud and considering yourself to be very important
(A BIT) THIN ON TOP
thin (FEW) adjective (thinner, thinnest)
having only a small number of people or a small amount of something
Attendance at the meeting was rather thin.
be thin on the ground UK
to exist only in small numbers or amounts
Shops which will deliver goods are thin on the ground these days.
be thin on top informal
to have lost some of the hair on your head (SLIGHTLY BALD)
He's a bit thin on top nowadays, isn't he?
disappear/vanish into thin air
to disappear suddenly and completely
out of thin air
from nothing
I can't come up with £10 000 out of thin air.
thin (out) verb [I or T]
When a crowd or a group thins (out), it becomes fewer in number, and when you thin (out) a group of plants or other things, you remove some to make them fewer
The traffic will thin out after the rush hour.
thinly adverb
WET BEHIND THE EARS
wet (NOT DRY) adjective (wetter, wettest)
1 covered in water or another liquid
a wet floor
a wet umbrella
wet hair
My bike got wet in the rain.
I had to cycle in the rain and got soaking (= very) wet.
informal You poor thing - you're all (= very) wet.
2 describes paint, ink, or a similar substance when it has not had time to dry and become hard
The paint's still wet.
a notice saying 'Wet paint!'
3 describes weather or periods of time when rain falls
We've had wet weather all week.
This is the first wet day for two months.
The presentation will take place indoors if it's wet.
be wet through
to be completely wet
Come in quickly - you're wet through.
be wet behind the ears
to be young and without experience
the wet noun [S] mainly UK
wet weather
Don't leave it out there in the wet.
wet verb [T]
1 to make something wet
Wet the powder thoroughly and mix to remove lumps.
He wetted a cloth and tried to rub the mark away.
2 wet yourself to accidentally urinate in your clothes
wetly adverb
wetness noun [U]
wet the/your bed
to accidentally urinate in your bed
She still sometimes wets the bed at night.
wet your whistle old-fashioned informal
to have an alcoholic drink
3. DESCRIBING MOODS, STATES & FEELING
DOWN IN THE DUMPS
dumps plural noun informal
(down) in the dumps unhappy
She's a bit down in the dumps because she's got to take her exams again.
ILL AT EASE
ill (BAD) adverb
1 formal badly
Hospital staff, it is claimed, were ill-prepared to deal with the severity of the injuries.
We certainly weren't ill-treated.
2 formal or old-fashioned speak ill of sb to say unkind things about someone
I realize one shouldn't speak ill of the dead.
3 formal or old-fashioned augur/bode ill to be a sign of bad things in the future
This weather bodes ill for the garden party tonight.
4 formal or old-fashioned can ill afford (to do sth) If you can ill afford to do something, it will cause problems for you if you do it
We can ill afford to lose another member of staff.
ill adjective [before noun] formal or old-fashioned
bad
ill health
Did you experience any ill effects from the treatment?
be ill at ease
to be anxious and not relaxed
He seemed ill at ease and not his usual self.
It's an ill wind (that blows nobody any good). saying
said to show that even a very bad situation must have some good results
ill noun
1 [U] formal or old-fashioned harm
I wish her no ill.
2 [C usually plural] a problem
There seems to be no cure for Britain's economic/social ills.
ON THE DOLE
the dole noun [S] UK informal
the money that the government gives to people who are unemployed
Young people on (= receiving) the dole are often bored and frustrated.
If I can't find any work within a month, I'll have to go on the dole.
BEDRIDDEN
bedridden adjective
having to stay in bed because of illness or injury
His aunt was 93 and bedridden.
TONGUE-TIED
tongue-tied adjective
If you get tongue-tied, you find it difficult to express yourself, usually because you are nervous.
PECKISH
peckish adjective UK
slightly hungry
By ten o'clock I was feeling rather peckish, even though I'd had a large breakfast.
HARD OF HEARING
BROKE without money
OFF-COLOUR
off-colour (ILL) adjective [after verb] informal
slightly ill
I'm feeling a bit off-colour today.
BROKEN-HEART
heart (EMOTIONS) noun [C or U]
used to refer to a person's character, or the place within a person where their feelings or emotions are considered to come from
She has a good heart (= She is a kind person).
I love you, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart (= very sincerely).
I love you with all my heart (= very much).
He said he'd never marry but he had a change of heart (= his feelings changed) when he met her.
Homelessness is a subject very close/dear to her heart (= is very important to her and she has strong feelings about it).
He broke her heart (= made her very sad) when he left her for another woman.
It breaks my heart (= makes me feel very sad) to see him so unhappy.
They say he died of a broken heart (= because he was so sad).
old-fashioned It does my heart good (= makes me very happy) to see those children so happy.
She has a good heart (= She is a kind person).
His heart leapt (= He suddenly felt very excited and happy) when the phone rang.
My heart sank (= I felt sad and disappointed) when I heard the news.
your heart skips/misses a beat
When your heart skips/misses a beat, you feel very excited or nervous
Every time he looks at me my heart skips a beat.
your heart aches
If your heart aches, you feel sad or feel a sense of sympathy and sadness for the suffering of other people
His heart ached with pity for her.
after your own heart
having the same opinions or interests as you
She's a woman after my own heart.
be all heart
to be very kind and generous. This phrase is often used humorously to mean the opposite
She's all heart.
humorous "He deserves all he gets." "Oh, you're all heart (= you are not kind)!"
Have a heart!
used to ask someone to be kinder to you
Don't make me write it again! Have a heart!
your heart's desire literary
the thing or person you most want
your heart isn't in it
If your heart isn't in it, you do not feel interested or enthusiastic about something
I tried to look interested, but my heart wasn't in it.
your heart in your mouth
If your heart is in your mouth, you are feeling extremely nervous
My heart was in my mouth when I opened the letter.
heart and soul literary
completely
She loves those children heart and soul.
her/his heart is in the right place
said about someone who you think has good intentions
He's an odd man but his heart is in the right place.
have a heart of gold
to be very kind and generous
She has a heart of gold.
have a heart of stone
to be unkind or cruel
in your heart of hearts
in your most secret and true thoughts
I didn't want to believe it, but in my heart of hearts I knew that it was true.
set your heart on sth/doing sth
to want to get or achieve something very much
She's set her heart on having a pony.
to your heart's content
If you do something to your heart's content, you do something enjoyable for as long as you want to do it
You've got a whole week to yourself and you can read to your heart's content.
put your heart and soul into sth
to make a lot of effort to do something
She's one of those people who puts their heart and soul into their work.
not have the heart to do sth
to feel unable to do something because you feel it would unkind
She asked me to go with her and I didn't have the heart to refuse.
-hearted suffix
having a character or feelings of the stated type
a light-hearted play
-heartedly suffix
-heartedness suffix
LAID UP
laid
past simple and past participle of lay
be laid up
to be forced to stay in bed because of an illness or accident
She's been laid up in bed with flu for a week.
DEAD BEAT exhausted
KEYED UP
keyed up adjective [after verb]
very excited or nervous, usually before an important event
He always gets keyed up about exams.
SCARED STIFF
scare verb [I or T]
to (cause to) feel frightened
Sudden noises scare her.
She's very brave - she doesn't scare easily.
He scared me out of my wits (= made me extremely frightened) when he was driving so fast.
Meeting new people scares me stiff/to death (= makes me extremely nervous and anxious).
She scared the hell/life/living daylights out of me (= frightened me very much) when she crept up behind me and shouted in my ear.
scare sb shitless offensive
to make someone extremely frightened
scare noun
1 [S] a sudden feeling of fear or worry
I got/had a scare (= I was very worried) when I looked at my bank statement this morning!
You gave us a real scare (= frightened us) when you fainted, you know.
2 [C] when a subject receives a lot of public attention and worries many people, often unnecessarily
a bomb/health scare
The government are accused of employing scare tactics (= ways of frightening people in order to persuade them to do something).
The press have been publishing scare stories (= newspaper reports which make people feel unnecessarily worried) about the mystery virus.
scared adjective
frightened or worried
He's scared of spiders.
I'm scared of telling her what really happened.
He's scared to tell her what really happened.
I was scared (= very worried) (that) you might not be there.
I was scared stiff (= extremely frightened).
She had a scared look on her face.
scary informal, UK also scarey adjective
frightening
a scary movie/story
4. DESCRIBING THINGS
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
few (NOT MANY) determiner, pronoun, noun, adjective
a small number, not many or not enough
It was embarrassing how few people attended the party.
He is among the few people I can trust.
Very few people can afford to pay those prices.
We leave for France in a few days.
Few of the children can read or write yet.
Few things in this world give me more pleasure than a long bath.
Fewer people smoke these days than used to.
We get few complaints.
According to the survey, as few as 10% of us are happy with our jobs.
The benefits of this scheme are few.
NOTE: few is used with countable nouns. Compare little (NOT ENOUGH).
few and far between
not happening or existing very often
Flats which are both comfortable and reasonably priced are few and far between.
a man/woman of few words
a man/woman who says very little
My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was worth listening to.
no fewer than formal
used to show that you consider a number to be surprisingly large
No fewer than five hundred delegates attended the conference.
A BIT OF FISHY
fishy (DISHONEST) adjective informal
seeming dishonest or false
There's something fishy going on here.
smell fishy informal
If a situation or an explanation smells fishy, it causes you to think that someone is being dishonest.
HAIR-RAISING
hair-raising adjective
very frightening
She gave a hair-raising account of her escape through the desert.
WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT
whole-hearted adjective
completely enthusiastic
The minister has pledged his whole-hearted support for the scheme.
whole-heartedly adverb
Both members are whole-heartedly in favour of the changes.
FROSTY
frost (COLD) noun [C or U]
(a period of time in which there is) an air temperature below the freezing point of water, or the white, powdery layer of ice which forms in these conditions, especially outside at night
There was a frost last night.
When I woke up this morning the ground was covered with frost.
There were a lot of hard/heavy (= severe) frosts that winter.
frost verb [I or T]
Our bedroom window frosted up.
Our lawn is frosted over.
frosty adjective
1 very cold, with a thin layer of white ice covering everything
Be careful - the pavements are very frosty.
It was a cold and frosty morning.
2 If someone or their behaviour is frosty, they are unfriendly and not welcoming
He gave me a frosty look.
The chairperson's plan received a frosty reception from the committee.
frostily adverb
"I didn't ask you to come, " she said, frostily (= in an unfriendly way).
frostiness noun [U]
LONG-WINDED
long-winded adjective
A long-winded speech, letter, article, etc. is too long, or uses too many words.
SECOND-HAND
second-hand (NOT NEW) adjective, adverb
not new; having been used in the past by someone else
This bike is second-hand but it's still in good condition.
She buys all her clothes second-hand.
DOG-EARED
dog-eared adjective
A book or paper that is dog-eared has the pages turned down at the corners as a result of a lot of use.
EYE-CATCHING
eye-catching adjective
particularly attractive or noticeable
an eye-catching poster
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Idiom 1-4 DESCRIBING
Monday, September 7, 2009
1st Friday - Vocabulary
Re'bellion
rebel noun [C]
a person who is opposed to the political system in their country and tries to change it using force, or a person who shows their disagreement with the ideas of people in authority or of society by behaving differently
The rebels took over the capital and set up a new government.
He was a bit of a rebel when he was a teenager and dyed his hair pink.
rebel verb [I] (-ll-)
1 to fight against the government or to refuse to obey rules, etc
The people rebelled against the harsh new government.
Jacob rebelled against his parents' plans for him and left school at the age of 16.
2 to react against a feeling, action, plan, etc
My poor sick stomach rebelled at the idea of any more food.
rebellion noun [C or U]
1 violent action organized by a group of people who are trying to change the political system in their country
The government has brutally crushed the rebellion.
2 action against those in authority or against the rules or against normal and accepted ways of behaving
a backbench rebellion against the new foreign policy
her teenage rebellion
rebellious adjective
1 If a group of people are rebellious, they oppose the ideas of the people in authority and plan to change the system, often using force
rebellious groups of southern tribespeople
2 If someone is rebellious, they are difficult to control and do not behave in the way they are expected to
Her teachers regard her as a rebellious, trouble-making girl.
rebelliously adverb
rebelliousness noun [U]
Reign
reign verb [I]
1 to be the king or queen of a country
Queen Victoria reigned over Britain from 1837 to 1901.
2 to be the main feeling or quality in a situation or person
The bomb attacks produced a panic which reigned over the city.
Love reigned supreme in her heart.
reign noun [C]
the reign of Henry VIII
a reign of terror
a period of time when a ruler controls people in a violent and cruel way
reigning adjective [before noun]
the most recent winner of a competition
She's the reigning champion at Wimbledon.
Rear
rear (BACK) adjective [before noun]
at the back of something
There's a sticker on the rear door/window.
The horse had injured one of its rear legs.
See also rearguard
the rear noun [S]
the back part of something
We walked round to the rear of the house.
Two police motorcyclists brought up the rear (= formed the last part) of the demonstration.
See also rear (end)
rearmost adjective [before noun] formal
furthest to the back or the last in a row
the rearmost seats on the bus
Bring up
bring sb up (CARE FOR) phrasal verb [M]
to care for a child until it is an adult, often giving it particular beliefs
She was brought up by her grandmother.
They brought her up (as/to be) a Catholic.
[+ to infinitive]David was brought up to respect authority.
Wound
Wind/ai/ (TURN) verb (wound, wound)
1 [I or T ; usually + adverb or preposition] to turn or cause something to turn
She wound the handle but nothing happened.
Once she'd got into the car, she wound the window down/up (= caused it to open/close by turning a handle).
UK Does this camera wind on (= does the film in it move forward) automatically?
That noise you can hear is the tape winding back.
See also rewind
2 [T] (also wind up) If you wind (up) a clock or watch, you cause it to work by turning a key, handle or other device.
3 [I usually + adverb or preposition] If a road, path or river winds, it follows a route which turns repeatedly in different directions
The river winds through the valley.
winder noun [C]
1 UK (US stem) a small knob (= round handle) on a watch, which you use for winding it
2 a key or handle for winding a clock
Devour
Devour/au/ verb [T]
1 to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left
The young cubs hungrily devoured the deer.
2 literary to destroy something completely
The flames quickly devoured the building.
3 to read books or literature quickly and eagerly
She's a very keen reader - she devours one book after another.
be devoured by sth
to feel an emotion, especially a bad emotion, very strongly so that it strongly influences your behaviour
He was devoured by jealousy/hatred.
devouring adjective [before noun] literary
describes an emotion that is extremely strong and usually destructive
She is driven by a devouring ambition/passion.
'Vineyard /i/ n
a piece of land on which vines (= plants which produce grapes) are grown
Ram
ram (HIT) verb [I or T] (-mm-)
to hit or push something with force
Someone rammed (into) my car while it was parked outside my house.
He rammed the sweets/his pipe into his mouth.
I rammed down the soil around the fence post.
The prisoners who were being force-fed had tubes rammed down their throats.
She slammed the door and rammed home the bolt (= closed it forcefully and completely).
ram sth home
to emphasize the importance of what you are saying in order to make certain people understand it
He thumped the desk as he rammed his point home.
ram sth down sb's throat
to force someone who disagrees with you to listen to your opinions
For years I've had his political views rammed down my throat.
ram noun [C]
1 (also battering ram) a piece of equipment used to hit something and force it open or break it
They used a ram to break down the door.
2 a moving part in a machine which puts pressure or force on something
Bull
bull (ANIMAL) noun [C]
a male cow, or the male of particular animals such as the elephant or the whale
They did not see the sign by the gate saying 'Beware of the bull'.
bull in a china shop
If someone is like a bull in a china shop, they are very careless in the way that they move or behave
We told her it was a delicate situation but she went into the meeting like a bull in a china shop.
take the bull by the horns
to do something difficult in a brave and determined way
Why don't you take the bull by the horns and tell him to leave?
Assembly (n)
assembly (GATHERING) noun
1 [C] a group of people, especially one gathered together regularly for a particular purpose, such as government, or more generally, the process of gathering together, or the state of being together
the United Nations General Assembly
She has been tipped as a future member of the Welsh Assembly.
2 US Assembly one of the two parts of the government that makes laws in many US States
the New York Assembly
The Senate and the Assembly put aside political differences to pass the aid package.
3 [C or U] a gathering in a school of several classes for a group activity such as singing, a theatrical performance or a film
All pupils are expected to attend school assembly.
There's a religious assembly every morning.
assemble verb [I or T]
to come together in a single place or bring parts together in a single group
We assembled in the meeting room after lunch.
to assemble data
At the staff meeting, the manager told the assembled company (= everyone there) that no one would lose their job.
assemblyman noun [C] US
a man who belongs to a part of the official law-making body in many US states
assemblywoman noun [C] US
a female assemblyman
Burden
'burden /3/ noun [C]
1 a heavy load that you carry
The little donkey struggled under its heavy burden.
2 something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about
the burden of responsibility
My elderly mother worries that she's a burden to me.
Buying a house often places a large financial burden on young couples.
burden of proof legal
the responsibility for proving something
burden verb [T]
I don't want to burden (= trouble) you with my problems.
burdensome adjective formal
causing difficulties or work
a burdensome task
Scarlet/a:/
scarlet noun [U], adjective
bright red
scarlet berries
He went scarlet with shame.
'Righ/tS/teousness
righteous adjective formal
morally correct
He was regarded as a righteous and holy man.
an outburst of righteous anger
See also self-righteous
righteous plural noun formal
the righteous people who behave in a way that is morally correct
righteously adverb formal
righteousness noun [U] formal
/ae/'Adversary
adversary noun [C] formal
an enemy
He saw her as his main adversary within the company.
adversarial adjective formal
involving opposition or disagreement
In the old days of two-party adversarial politics, voting was easy.
Dross/Ds/
dross noun [U] mainly UK
something useless or worthless
So much of what's on TV is pure dross.
We read all the manuscripts but 95% are dross.
Re/i/'pentant
repent verb [I] formal
to be very sorry for something bad you have done in the past and wish that you had not done it
He repented (of his sins) just hours before he died.
repentance noun [U]
This was an extremely violent crime, for which the boy showed no repentance.
repentant adjective formal
feeling sorry for something that you have done
The opposite is unrepentant
Oak/eu/
oak noun [C or U]
a large tree that is common especially in northern countries, or the hard wood of this tree
a mighty oak
The timbers of those old sailing ships were mainly oak.
an oak table/cupboard
Tall/Great oaks from little acorns grow. saying
said about organizations or plans which start off very small or simple and become extremely large or successful
oaky adjective
describes wine which has a slightly woody flavour, especially because it has been left to develop in a container made of oak
a deliciously oaky red wine
Stream/i:/ (v)
stream (SMALL RIVER) noun [C]
1 water that flows naturally along a fixed route formed by a channel cut into rock or earth, usually at ground level
a mountain stream
underground streams
There's a lovely stream that flows through their garden.
2 any current of water or liquid
the level of cholesterol in your blood stream
3 the direction in which water is moving
She stopped rowing and let the boat float with the stream.
Prune/u:/
prune (CUT) verb [T]
1 to cut off branches from a tree, bush or plant, especially so that it will grow better in future
She spent the afternoon pruning roses.
2 to reduce something by removing things which are not necessary
Arco has reacted to the loss in revenue by pruning (back) its expansion plans.
I felt his essay needed a little pruning.
Chariot
/tS.ae/chariot noun [C]
a two-wheeled vehicle that was used in ancient times for racing and fighting and was pulled by a horse
charioteer noun [C]
a person who drives a chariot
Exalted/eg.zDlt/
exalt verb [T]
1 formal to raise someone to a higher rank or more powerful position
2 old use to praise someone a lot
exalted adjective
She rose to the exalted (= very high) post of Foreign Secretary.
Revolt
Re'volt/eu/ (FIGHT) verb [I]
If a large number of people revolt, they refuse to be controlled or ruled, and take often violent action against authority
The people revolted against foreign rule and established their own government.
revolt noun [C or U]
Troops were called in to crush/put down the revolt.
The army is in revolt (against its commanders).
See also revolution
Weigh
weigh (HEAVINESS) verb [L only + noun ; T]
to have a heaviness of a stated amount, or to measure the heaviness of an object
Yesterday a satellite weighing 15 tonnes was successfully placed in orbit.
[R]She weighs herself every week on the scales in the bathroom.
Your luggage must be weighed before it is put on the aircraft.
weigh a ton informal
to be very heavy
What on earth have you got in this bag, Elaine? It weighs a ton!
weight noun
1 [C or U] the amount that something or someone weighs
What weight can this lorry safely carry?
There was a slight decrease in his weight after a week of dieting.
2 [C] a piece of metal of known heaviness which can be used to measure the heaviness of other objects
3 [C] any object which is heavy
Try not to lift heavy weights.
I lift weights twice a week at the gym.
be/take a weight off your mind
to enable you to stop worrying about a particular thing
It's a great weight off my mind to know that the building is finally finished.
It was a weight off my mind knowing that our finances were taken care of.
take the weight off your feet/legs
If you take the weight off your feet/legs, you sit down, especially after standing or walking for a long time
You must be exhausted after all that shopping - why don't you take the weight off your feet!
weight verb [T]
to attach something heavy to something
Paper tablecloths need to be weighted down or they tend to blow away in the wind.
weighty adjective
heavy
I don't want to carry this bag around all afternoon - it's quite weighty.
/Df/'Offspring
offspring noun [C] (plural offspring)
1 the young of an animal
In the case of the guinea pig, the number of offspring varies between two and five.
2 humorous or formal a person's children
Tom's sister came round on Saturday with her numerous offspring.
Evildoer
evildoer noun [C]
someone who does something evil
The government has blamed the protests on a handful of evildoers.
Press out
the press (NEWSPAPERS) group noun [S]
newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio which broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them
The incident has been widely reported in the press.
press reports/coverage
press reporters/photographers
the local/national press
The charity invited the press (= reporters and photographers) to a presentation of its plans for the future.
The press was/were out in force at the awards ceremony.
The freedom of the press (= the right of newspapers to publish news and opinions without being controlled by the government) must be upheld.
press noun [S or U]
the judgment that is given of someone or something in the newspapers or on radio or television
What kind of press did his play get?
UK The play has had a good/bad press.
US The play has had good/bad press.
,Deso'lation
desolate (EMPTY) adjective
describes a place that is unattractive and empty, with no people or nothing pleasant in it
The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
desolation noun [U]
a scene of desolation
Watchman
/DtS/watchman noun [C]
a person who is employed to guard a building or several buildings
Fat
fat (BIG) adjective (fatter, fattest)
1 having a lot of flesh on the body
Like most women, she thinks she's fat.
I have horrible fat thighs.
He eats all the time but he never gets fat.
2 thick or large
He lifted a fat volume down from the shelf.
Some producers of mineral water have made fat profits.
fatness noun [U]
when someone or something is fat
Fatness often runs in families.
fatty noun [C] (also fatso) informal disapproving or humorous
a fat person
/ae/'Trample
trample verb [I or T ; usually + preposition]
1 to step heavily on something or someone, causing damage or injury
Somebody trampled all over my flowerbeds in the night!
Eight people were trampled to death (= killed) when the stadium collapsed and the crowd rushed out onto the football pitch.
2 to act without any respect for someone or something
She accused the government of trampling on the needs and rights of the ordinary citizen.
He argues that the Congress and President Clinton trampled the constitutional rights of legal immigrants in the new welfare reform law.
/D/'Solemn
solemn adjective
1 serious and without any amusement
a solemn face/voice
solemn music
Everyone looked very solemn.
2 solemn promise/commitment/undertaking, etc. an agreement which you make in a serious way and expect to fulfil
solemnly adverb
solemnity noun [U] (also solemnness)
the quality of being serious
the solemnity of a funeral service
solemnities plural noun
the ways of behaving or the activities which are considered suitable for a serious formal social ceremony, such as a funeral
solemnize specialized, UK usually solemnise verb
solemnize a marriage to perform the official marriage ceremony, especially as part of a religious ceremony in a church
solemnization specialized, UK usually solemnisation noun [U]
Re'/u:/prove
reprove verb [T] formal
to tell someone that you disapprove of their wrong or foolish behaviour
The teacher gently reproved the boys for not paying attention.
reproving adjective
She threw him an angry and reproving look/glance.
reproof noun [C or U] formal
She got a sharp reproof for being late.
He picked up the broken vase without a word of reproof to his son.
/krim.zen/'Crimson
crimson adjective
1 having a dark deep red colour
2 go/turn crimson If you go/turn crimson, your face becomes red because you are so embarrassed or angy
She went crimson with embarrassment.
crimson noun [U]
a dark deep red colour
Sword/so:d/
sword noun [C]
a weapon with a long sharp metal blade and a handle, used especially in the past
put sb to the sword literary
to kill someone
Thousands of innocents were put to the sword.
sword of Damocles
If you have a sword of Damocles hanging over you/your head, something bad seems very likely to happen to you
Government threats to cut the budget by 50% are hanging over the Opera House like a sword of Damocles.
beat/turn swords into ploughshares literary
to change to a peaceful way of life and spend money on peaceful things rather than weapons
Delute/ai.'lu:t/
dilute verb [T]
1 to make a liquid weaker by mixing in something else
Dilute the juice (with water) before you drink it.
2 to reduce the strength of a feeling, action, etc
These measures are designed to dilute public fears about the product's safety.
dilute adjective (US usually diluted)
made weaker by diluting
dilute hydrochloric acid
dilution noun [C or U]
The drug's effectiveness is increased by dilution.
a dilution of standards
A/venge/dg/
avenge verb [T] formal
to do harm to or punish the person responsible for something bad done to you or your family or friends in order to achieve a fair situation
He swore he would avenge his brother's death.
She determined to avenge herself on the killer.
At the end of the film, the murderer is killed by his victim's avenging girlfriend.
avenger noun [C]
Russell Crowe stars as a grief-stricken avenger on the trail of his family's killers.
Tran/z/'gessor
transgress verb [I or T] formal
to break a law or moral rule
Those are the rules, and anyone who transgresses will be severely punished.
transgression noun [C or U] formal
Who is supposed to have committed these transgressions?
transgressor noun [C] formal
The system seems to be designed to punish the transgressor (= the person breaking the rules) rather than help his victim.
/i/Em'b/ae/arrass
embarrass verb [T]
to cause someone to feel anxious or uncomfortable
You're embarrassing him with your compliments!
I didn't want to embarrass her in front of her friends.
embarrassed adjective
1 feeling ashamed or shy
She felt embarrassed about undressing in front of the doctor.
[+ to infinitive]I was too embarrassed to admit that I was scared.
2 humorous financially embarrassed having no money
embarrassing adjective
making you feel embarrassed
an embarrassing situation
[+ to infinitive]It's embarrassing to be caught telling a lie.
My most embarrassing moment was trying to introduce a woman whose name I couldn't remember.
embarrassingly adverb
an embarrassingly poor performance/loud voice
embarrassment noun [C or U]
when you feel embarrassed, or something that makes you feel embarrassed
She blushed with embarrassment.
My parents are an embarrassment to me!
an embarrassment of riches formal
so many good things or people that it is impossible to decide which of them you want
'Render
render (CAUSE) verb [T] formal
1 to cause someone or something to be in a particular state
[+ adjective]His rudeness rendered me speechless.
New technology has rendered my old computer obsolete.
2 to change words into a different language or form
She is rendering the book into English from French.
rendering noun [C]
a new rendering of the Bible into modern English
Hook/u/
hook (DEVICE) noun [C]
a curved device used for catching or holding things, especially one fixed to a surface for hanging things on
a coat/picture hook
a boat hook
a fish hook
See pictures Hook, In the office
off the hook
1 If you leave the telephone off the hook, you do not put the part of it that you talk with back correctly and it will not ring.
2 If you are off the hook, you have escaped from a difficult situation
John's agreed to go to the meeting in my place so that gets/lets me off the hook.
fall for sth hook, line and sinker
to completely believe something that someone tells you which is not true
She told him she needed the money for her baby and he fell for it hook, line and sinker.
by hook or by crook
by any method possible
I decided I was going to get that job by hook or by crook.
get your hooks into sb/sth
to get control or influence over someone or something
This product has really got its hooks into the American market.
hook verb [T]
to fasten something with a hook, hang something on a hook, or catch something with a hook
He hooked the trailer (= joined it with a hook) to his car.
How many salmon did you hook (= catch) this afternoon?
She hooked the shoe (= lifted it with a hook) out of the water.
A'base/ei/
abase yourself verb [R] formal
to make yourself seem to be less important or not to deserve respect
abasement noun [U] formal
The pilgrims knelt in self-abasement.
'Recko/e/n
reckon (THINK) verb [I] informal
to think or believe
I reckon it's going to rain.
[+ (that)]How much do you reckon (that) it's going to cost?
"Can you fix my car today?" "I reckon not/so (= probably not/probably)."
Corrupt/^/
corrupt (IMMORAL) adjective
1 dishonestly using your position or power to your own advantage, especially for money
Both companies are under investigation for corrupt practices.
The whole system was corrupt - every official she approached wanted money before helping her.
2 morally bad
a corrupt society
corrupt verb [T]
to make someone or something become dishonest or immoral
The study claimed that violence on television corrupts the minds of children.
corruptible adjective
Perhaps some systems of government are more corruptible than others.
corruption noun
1 [U] illegal, immoral or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power
The film is about a young police-officer and his struggle to expose corruption in the force.
Political corruption is widespread throughout the country.
2 [C] in language, a word whose original form has been changed
The swear word 'bloody' is wrongly thought by some to be a corruption of the words 'by our Lady'.
Abandon/ae.en/
abandon (LEAVE) verb [T]
to leave a place, thing or person forever
We had to abandon the car.
By the time the rebel troops arrived, the village had already been abandoned.
As a baby he'd been abandoned by his mother.
We were sinking fast, and the captain gave the order to abandon ship.
abandoned adjective
An abandoned baby was found in a box on the hospital steps.
abandonment noun [U]
The abandonment of the island followed nuclear tests in the area.
De'spite/ai/
despite preposition
without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by
I still enjoyed the week despite the weather.
Despite repeated assurances that the product is safe, many people have stopped buying it.
[+ ing form of verb]He managed to eat a big lunch despite having eaten an enormous breakfast.
despite preposition
despite yourself If you do something despite yourself, you do it although you do not want to or although you know you should not
He laughed despite himself.
She took the money from her mother's purse, despite herself.
Faint/ei/
faint (SLIGHT) adjective
not strong or clear; slight
a faint sound/noise/smell
The lamp gave out a faint glow.
She gave me a faint smile of recognition.
There's not the faintest hope of ever finding him.
She bears a faint resemblance to my sister.
I have a faint suspicion that you may be right!
not have the faintest idea informal
used to emphasize that you do not know something
"Is she going to stay?" "I haven't the faintest idea."
I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about!
Faint heart never won fair lady. old-fashioned saying
used to tell someone that they must make a lot of effort if they want to achieve something difficult
faintly adverb
She seemed faintly (= slightly) embarrassed to see us there.
A light flickered faintly (= with little strength) in the distance.
faintness noun [U]
the quality of not being strong or clear
The faintness of the handwriting made the manuscript difficult to read.
'Ba/ae/nda/idz/ge
bandage noun [C or U] (US also gauze)
a long narrow piece of cloth which is tied around an injury or a part of someone's body that has been hurt
bandage verb [T]
You ought to bandage (up) that cut.
the dog's bandaged paw
Over'thrown
overthrow (DEFEAT) verb [T] (overthrew, overthrown)
to remove someone from power, using force; to defeat
He said that Allende's government in Chile was overthrown by the army and the CIA in 1973.
overthrow noun [C usually singular]
the overthrow of the monarchy
'/kju:k^/Cucumber
cucumber noun [C or U]
a long thin pale-green vegetable with dark green skin, usually eaten raw in salads
See picture Vegetables 2
Court/o:t/
court (LAW) noun [C usually singular ; U]
1 (a large room in) a building where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a room, especially the officials and those deciding whether someone is guilty
Protestors gathered outside the court to await the verdict.
He's due to appear in court again on Monday.
Please describe to the court exactly what you saw.
the European Court of Human Rights
The lack of evidence means that the case is unlikely to go to court.
2 take sb to court to take legal action against someone
She's threatening to take me to court for not paying the bill on time.
3 settle (a case) out of court to solve a case without taking legal action
The newspaper has agreed to settle out of court.
Appoint
appoint verb [T]
to choose someone officially for a job or responsibility
We've appointed three new teachers this year.
He's just been appointed (as) director of the publishing division.
[+ to infinitive]A commission has just been appointed to investigate fraud claims.
appointed adjective
I'd like to introduce our newly appointed members of staff.
See also appointed; self-appointed
appointee noun [C]
someone who has been chosen officially for a job or responsibility
a government appointee
The new appointee will be working closely with both departments.
appointment noun [C or U]
his appointment as senior lecturer
We would like to announce the appointment of Julia Lewis as head of sales.
Our department expects to make five new appointments (= appoint five new people) this year alone.
See also appointment
by appointment
in the UK, used by businesses to show that their goods and services are sold to the Queen, and that they are of good quality
Carter's Ltd, confectioners by appointment to the Queen
Ru/u:/thless
ruthless adjective
without thinking or caring about any pain caused to others; cruel
ruthless ambition
a ruthless dictator
Some people believe that to succeed in this world you have to be ruthless.
ruthlessly adverb
ruthlessness noun [U]
Wool/u/
wool noun [U]
1 the soft, thick hair which grows on the bodies of sheep and some other animals
The blankets are made from wool and the sheets from cotton.
2 thick thread or material that is made from this
Put on your red wool cardigan - it'll be nice and warm.
How many balls of wool did you need to knit that sweater?
pull the wool over sb's eyes
to deceive someone in order to prevent them from discovering something
woollen, US usually woolen adjective
made of wool
a woollen scarf
woollens, US usually woolens plural noun
clothes made from wool or sometimes from wool mixed with artificial fibres
Lodge/Ddz/
lodge (STAY) verb [I usually + adverb or preposition] formal
to pay rent to stay somewhere
She lodged with Mrs Higgins when she first came to Cambridge.
lodging noun [U]
The price includes board and lodging (= meals and a room to sleep in).
Bribe/aib/
bribe verb [T]
to try to make someone do something for you by giving them money, presents or something else that they want
He bribed immigration officials and entered the country illegally.
[+ to infinitive]They bribed the waiter to find them a better table.
bribe noun [C]
money or a present that you give to someone so that they will do something for you, usually something dishonest
He was accused of accepting/taking bribes from wealthy businessmen.
bribery noun [U]
The organization was rife with bribery and corruption.
Foe/eu/
foe noun [C] literary
an enemy
The two countries have united against their common foe.
They were bitter foes for many years.
Foes of the government will be delighting in its current difficulties.
/ae.loi/'Alloy
alloy (METAL) noun [C]
a metal that is made by mixing two or more metals, or a metal and another substance
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
Crush/kr^S/
crush (PRESS) verb [T]
1 to press something very hard so that it is broken or its shape is destroyed
The package had been badly crushed in the post.
Add three cloves of crushed garlic.
His arm was badly crushed in the car accident.
2 to press paper or cloth so that it becomes full of irregular folds and is no longer flat
My dress got all crushed in my suitcase.
3 If people are crushed against other people or things, they are pressed against them
Tragedy struck when several people were crushed to death in the crowd.
crush noun [S]
a crowd of people forced to stand close together
I had to struggle through the crush to get to the door.
You can come in our car, but it'll be a bit of a crush (= there will be a lot of people in it).
'Tinder
tinder noun [U]
small pieces of something dry that burns easily and which can be used for lighting fires
We used some dry grass and dead twigs as tinder to light the camp fire.
The grass is tinder-dry (= so dry that it will burn easily), so there's a risk of fire.
Plowshare/au.S/
ploughshare UK, US plowshare noun [C]
the sharp blade of a plough
plough UK, US plow noun [C]
a large farming tool with blades which digs the earth in fields so that seeds can be planted
See also snowplough (VEHICLE)
under the plough formal
describes land on which crops are grown
These fields have been under the plough for centuries.
the Plough UK noun [S] (US the Big Dipper)
a group of seven bright stars, which can only be seen in the northern part of the world
plough UK, US plow verb [I or T]
to dig land with a plough
Farmers start ploughing in the spring.
We're going to plough the top field next week.
Large areas of grazing land have been ploughed up to grow wheat.
ploughed UK, US plowed adjective
dug ready for planting seeds
You shouldn't walk over ploughed fields.
Soo/u:D.,sei/thsayer
soothsayer noun [C] old use
a person who is believed to have the ability to know and tell what will happen in the future
'Splendor
splendour UK, US splendor noun [U]
great beauty which attracts admiration and attention
They bought a decaying 16th-century manor house and restored it to its original splendour.
splendours UK, mainly US splendors plural noun
the beautiful features or qualities of a place, etc
the splendours of Venice
'Ce/i/dar (cay tuyet tung)
cedar noun
1 [C] a tall wide evergreen tree
2 (also cedarwood) [U] the wood of this tree
Sole
sole (ONLY) adjective [before noun]
1 being one only; single
My sole objective is to make the information more widely available.
The sole survivor of the accident was found in the water after six hours.
2 not shared with anyone else
She has sole responsibility for the project.
I have sole charge of both children all day.
solely adverb
only and not involving anyone or anything else
I bought it solely for that purpose.
It seems he's not solely to blame for the accident.
The product's success cannot be attributable solely to the ads.
Bruise/u:z/
bruise noun [C]
an injury or mark where the skin has not been broken but is darker in colour, often as a result of being hit by something
His arms and back were covered in bruises.
She had a few cuts and bruises but nothing serious.
One or two of the peaches had bruises on them.
bruise verb [I or T]
to develope a bruise or to cause someone or something to have a bruise
How did you bruise your arm?
Bananas and other soft fruits bruise easily.
bruise your ego
If an experience bruises your ego, it upsets you because it makes you feel less valuable or important
I don't think it broke Steve's heart when Cherise left him, but it certainly bruised his ego.
bruised adjective
1 having bruises
a bruised shoulder/knee/elbow
She was badly bruised but otherwise unhurt.
2 emotionally hurt as a result of a bad experience
Divorce generally leaves both partners feeling rather bruised.
bruising noun [U]
bruises
The bruising should soon become less painful.
Welt
welt noun [C]
a raised, red area of skin caused by being hit or by cuts healing
Raw/o:/
raw (NOT COOKED) adjective
(of food) not cooked
raw fish.
'Desolate
desolate (EMPTY) adjective
describes a place that is unattractive and empty, with no people or nothing pleasant in it
The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
desolation noun [U]
a scene of desolation
'Shelter
shelter (PROTECT) noun [C or U]
(a building designed to give) protection from bad weather, danger or attack
an air-raid shelter
They opened a shelter to provide temporary housing for the city's homeless.
The trees gave/provided some shelter from the rain.
find/take shelter
to protect yourself from bad weather, danger or attack
We took shelter for the night in an abandoned house.
shelter verb
1 [I or T] to protect yourself, or another person or thing, from bad weather, danger or attack
We were caught in a thunderstorm, without anywhere to shelter.
A group of us were sheltering from the rain under the trees.
2 [T] to give someone a secret hiding place so that they will not be caught by the army, police, etc
Local people risked their own lives to shelter resistance fighters from the army.
sheltered adjective
protected from wind, rain or other bad weather
We found a sheltered spot (= place) to have our picnic.
have/lead a sheltered life disapproving
to have a life in which you are protected too much and experience very little danger, excitement or variety
Until going to university, she had led a very sheltered life.
Be/i/'s/i:dz/iege
besiege verb [T often passive]
1 to surround a place, especially with an army, to prevent people or supplies getting in or out
The town had been besieged for two months but still resisted the aggressors.
2 When someone is besieged, a lot of people surround them
When the pop star tried to leave her hotel she was besieged by waiting journalists and fans.
3 to make many requests or complaints about something
After showing the controversial film, the television company was besieged with phone calls from angry viewers.
C/ae/attle
cattle plural noun
large farm animals kept for their milk or meat; cows and bulls
beef/dairy cattle
A,bomi'nation
abomination noun [C] formal
something that disgusts you
Foxhunting is an abomination.
abominate verb [T not continuous] formal
to hate something very much
He abominates cruelty of all kinds.
Fea/i:/st
feast (FOOD) noun
1 [C] a special meal with very good food or a large meal for many people
"What a feast!" she said, surveying all the dishes on the table.
a wedding feast
2 [S] a very enjoyable experience for the senses, especially a visual or musical experience
a visual feast
His food is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
3 [S] a collection of something to be enjoyed
The team contains a veritable feast of international talent.
Pl/i:d/ead
plead (REQUEST) verb [I] (pleaded or US ALSO pled, pleaded or US ALSO pled)
to make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something
He was on his knees, pleading for mercy/forgiveness.
She appeared on television to plead with the kidnappers.
[+ speech]"Give us more time," they pleaded.
pleading adjective
a pleading tone of voice
pleadingly adverb
Con'sent
consent noun [U] slightly formal
permission or agreement
They can't publish your name without your consent.
You can only come on the trip if your parents give their consent.
by common consent
most people agree
Her latest film, by common consent, is her best yet.
consent verb [I]
to agree to do something, or to allow someone to do something
[+ to infinitive]Very reluctantly, I've consented to lend her my car.
My aunt never married because her father wouldn't consent to her marriage.
Dross/D/
dross noun [U] mainly UK
something useless or worthless
So much of what's on TV is pure dross.
We read all the manuscripts but 95% are dross.
Re'lieve
relief (HELP) noun [C or U]
food, money or services which provide help for people in need
an international relief operation
relief agencies/supplies
Pop stars have raised millions of pounds for famine relief in Africa.
be on relief US informal
to be receiving money from the government because you are poor
relieve verb [T]
1 to provide relief for a bad situation or for people in need
emergency food aid to help relieve the famine
2 to take the place of someone and continue doing their job or duties
I'm on duty until 2 p.m. and then Peter is coming to relieve me.
3 formal to free a place that has been surrounded by an enemy army by military force
An armoured battalion was sent to relieve the besieged town.
Smelt
smell (CHARACTERISTIC) noun [C]
1 the characteristic of something that can be recognized or noticed using the nose
What's your favourite smell?
I love the smell of orange blossoms.
The marketplace was filled with delightful smells.
There's a delicious smell in here.
I wish we could get rid of that smell (= bad smell) in the bathroom.
2 literary the smell of the particular character or feeling that someone or something has
She's still enjoying the sweet smell (= pleasant experience) of success after her victory in the world championships.
smell verb [I ; L only + adjective] (smelled or UK ALSO smelt, smelled or UK ALSO smelt)
to have a particular quality that others can notice with their noses
My hands smell UK of/ US like onions.
That cake smells good.
There's something in the fridge that smells mouldy.
Your feet smell (= have an unpleasant smell). Why don't you wash them?
come up/out smelling of roses uk (US come up/out smelling like roses)
to have people believe that you are good and honest after a difficult situation which could have made you seem bad or dishonest
When the results of the fraud investigation were announced last week, the staff came up smelling of roses.
-smelling suffix
sweet-smelling flowers
foul-smelling rubbish
smelly adjective
having an unpleasant smell
smelly feet
see also smell fishy at fishy
Red/i:m/eem
redeem (IMPROVE) verb [T] formal
to make something or someone seem less bad
A poor game was redeemed in the second half by a couple of superb goals from Anthony Edwards.
[R]He was an hour late, but he redeemed himself in her eyes by giving her a huge bunch of flowers.
She took me to see a really dull film, the only redeeming feature of which (= the only thing which prevented it from being completely bad) was the soundtrack.
redemption noun
be beyond/past redemption to be too bad to be improved or saved by anyone
For'sake
forsake (LEAVE) verb [T] (forsook, forsaken) literary
to leave someone forever, especially when they need you
Do not forsake me!
Spark/D:/
spark (CAUSE) noun [S]
a first small event or problem which causes a much worse situation to develop
That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.
spark verb [T]
to cause the start of something, especially an argument or fighting
This proposal will almost certainly spark another countrywide debate about how to organize the school system.
The recent interest rises have sparked new problems for the Government.
The visit of the all-white rugby team sparked off (= caused the start of) mass demonstrations.
Spear/ie/
spear noun [C]
1 a weapon consisting of a pole with a sharp, usually metal, point at one end, which is either thrown or held in the hand
2 a thin pointed stem or leaf
asparagus spears
spear verb [T]
1 to push or throw a spear into an animal
They catch the fish by spearing them.
2 to catch something on the end of a pointed tool or object
He speared a meatball with his fork.
Bar/D:/gain
bargain (LOW PRICE) noun [C]
something on sale at a lower price than its true value
This coat was half-price - a real bargain.
The airline regularly offers last-minute bookings at bargain prices.
The sales had started and the bargain hunters (= people looking for things at a low price) were out in force.
'Loftiness
lofty adjective
1 formal high
a lofty ceiling/mountain/wall
2 formal Lofty ideas etc. are of a high moral standard
lofty sentiments/ideals
3 disapproving If you have a lofty attitude etc., you act as if you think you are better than other people
a lofty attitude/air/tone
loftily adverb disapproving
loftiness noun [U]
'Fortify
fortify verb [T]
to strengthen something, especially in order to protect it
a fortified town
They hurriedly fortified the village with barricades of carts.
The argument had fortified her resolve to prove she was right.
He fortified himself with a drink and a sandwich before driving on.
a fruit drink fortified with vitamin C (= with vitamin C added)
fortification noun
1 [C , usually plural] strong walls, towers, etc. that are built to protect a place
The fortifications of the castle were massive and impenetrable.
2 [U] the act of fortifying something
'Cavern
cavern noun [C]
a large cave
cavernous adjective
If something is cavernous, there is a very large open space inside it
a cavernous 4000-seat theatre
'Terror
terror noun
1 [C or U] (violent action which causes) extreme fear
They fled from the city in terror.
There was sheer/abject terror in her eyes when he came back into the room.
Lots of people have a terror of spiders.
What he said struck terror in my heart (= made me very frightened).
The separatists started a campaign of terror (= violent action causing fear) to get independence.
Heights have/hold no terrors for me (= do not frighten me).
2 [C] informal someone, especially a child, who behaves badly and is difficult to control
My brother is a little terror.
in terror of your life
frightened that you will be killed
'Tremble
tremble verb [I]
to shake slightly, usually because you are cold, frightened, or very emotional
When he came out of the water, he was trembling with cold.
Her bottom lip trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.
His voice started to tremble and I thought he was going to cry.
tremble to think
If you say that you tremble to think about a possible future event, you are worried or frightened about it
I tremble to think what will happen when he finds out.
tremble noun [U]
when something or someone trembles
There was a slight tremble in her voice as she recalled her husband.
Mole/ou/ chuot chui
mole (ANIMAL) noun [C]
a small mammal which is nearly blind, has dark fur and lives in passages that it digs under the ground
Cleft
cleft noun [C]
an opening or crack, especially in a rock or the ground
Eagles often nest in a cleft in the rocks.
'Nostril
nostril noun [C]
either of the two openings in the nose through which air moves when you breathe
The horses came to a halt, steam streaming from their nostrils.
See picture Head
/i.sti:m/Esteem
esteem noun [U] formal
respect for or a good opinion of someone
There has been a drop in public esteem for teachers.
Because of their achievements they were held in (= given) (high) esteem.
esteem verb [T not continuous]
to respect someone or have a good opinion of them
Her work is highly esteemed by all her colleagues.
[+ object + noun or adjective] old-fashioned I would esteem (= consider) it a favour if you would accompany me.
Af'flict
afflict verb [T]
If a problem or illness afflicts a person or thing, they suffer from it
It is an illness which afflicts women more than men.
a country afflicted by civil war
affliction noun [C or U] formal
something that makes you suffer
Malnutrition is one of the common afflictions of the poor.
'Headband
headband noun [C]
a narrow strip of material worn around the head, usually to keep your hair or sweat out of your eyes
'D/ae/angle
dangle verb
1 [I or T] to hang loosely, or to hold something so that it hangs loosely
Loose electric wires were dangling from the wall.
He dangled the puppet in front of the children.
2 [T] to offer someone something that they want in order to persuade them to do something
I've tried dangling all sorts of offers before him/in front of him to get him to work harder at school, but nothing works.
dangly adjective
hanging loosely
dangly earrings
Sa/ae/sh
sash (CLOTHING) noun [C]
a long narrow piece of cloth worn round the waist and fastened at the back, or a strip of cloth worn over the shoulder, which is often worn with a uniform at official ceremonies
Cloak/eu/
cloak (PIECE OF CLOTHING) noun [C]
a loose outer piece of clothing without sleeves, which fastens at the neck, and is worn instead of a coat
Don/D/
don (PUT ON) verb [T] (-nn-) formal
to put on a piece of clothing
He donned his finest coat and hat.
Compare doff
'Remnant
remnant noun [C usually plural]
a small piece or amount of something that is left from a larger original piece or amount
the remnants of last night's meal
remnants of the city's former glory
a carpet remnant
Flimsy
flimsy (DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE)
A flimsy argument, excuse, etc. is weak and difficult to believe
When I asked him why he was late, he gave me some flimsy excuse about having car trouble.
flimsily adverb
flimsiness noun [U]
Choicest
'R/^/ugg/id/ed
rugged (UNEVEN) adjective
(of land) uneven and wild; not easy to travel over
rugged landscape/terrain/hills/cliffs
'Cherish
cherish verb [T]
1 to love, protect and care for someone or something that is important to you
Although I cherish my children, I do allow them their independence.
Her most cherished possession is a 1926 letter from F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Freedom of speech is a cherished (= carefully protected) right in this country.
2 to keep hopes, memories or ideas in your mind because they are important to you and bring you pleasure
I cherish the memories of the time we spent together.
En'chanter
enchant (MAGIC) verb [T]
to have a magical effect on someone or something
enchanted adjective
affected by magic or seeming to be affected by magic
They met in Paris one enchanted afternoon in early autumn.
enchanter noun [C]
enchantment noun [C or U]
spells and enchantments
enchantress noun [C]
1 a woman with magical powers
2 literary an extremely attractive and interesting woman
'Ar/ti.zaen/tisan
artisan noun [C]
a person who does skilled work with his or her hands
C/e/a'pricious
caprice noun [C or U] literary
(the tendency to have) a sudden and usually foolish desire to have or do something, or a sudden and foolish change of mind or behaviour; a whim
The $300 million palace was built to satisfy the caprice of one man.
capricious adjective literary
a capricious child
He was a cruel and capricious tyrant.
capriciously adverb
capriciousness noun [U]
Op'press
oppress (RULE) verb [T often passive]
to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom
For years now, the people have been oppressed by a ruthless dictator.
oppressed adjective
oppressed minorities
the poor and the oppressed
oppression noun [U]
when people are governed in an unfair and cruel way and prevented from having opportunities and freedom
Every human being has the right to freedom from oppression.
War, famine and oppression have forced people in the region to flee from their homes.
the oppression of women
oppressive adjective
cruel and unfair
an oppressive government/military regime
oppressively adverb
oppressiveness noun [U]
oppressor noun [C]
someone who treats people in an unfair and cruel way and prevents them from having opportunities and freedom
Sisters, we must rise up and defeat our oppressors.
In'f/ie/erior
inferior adjective
1 not good, or not as good as someone or something else
These products are inferior to those we bought last year.
She cited cases in which women had received inferior health care.
It was clear the group were regarded as intellectually/morally/socially inferior.
Compare superior (BETTER)
2 specialized lower, or of lower rank
an inferior officer
Compare superior (BETTER)
inferiority noun [U]
His ill treatment as a child had given him a strong sense of inferiority.
Compare superiority
Sca/ael/lp
scalp (HEAD) noun [C]
1 the skin on the top of a person's head where hair usually grows
a dry/oily/itchy scalp
Some tribes used to collect scalps to prove how many of the enemy they had killed in battle.
2 someone you defeat in a competition or election
Although they are expected to take some important scalps in the election, they are unlikely to form the next government.
be out for/after sb's scalp
to want to defeat or punish someone in some way, especially to make them lose their job
He's made one mistake too many, and now they're out for his scalp.
scalp verb [T]
1 to cut off the scalp of a dead enemy as a sign of victory
2 humorous to cut someone's hair very short
'Crescent
crescent noun [C]
1 (something with) a curved shape that has two narrow pointed ends, like the moon when it is less than half of a circle
The moon was a brightly shining crescent.
2 a row of houses or a road built in a curve
They live at 15 Park Crescent.
crescent adjective
the crescent moon
'Bra/ei.slet/celet
bracelet noun [C]
a piece of jewellery which is worn around the wrist or arm
a gold/silver/diamond bracelet
a chain bracelet
/'aemju.let/'Amulet
amulet noun [C]
an object worn because it is believed to protect against evil, disease or unhappiness
'Under,garment
undergarment noun [C] formal
an item of underwear
'Sackcloth
sackcloth noun [U] (also sacking)
the thick rough material used to make sacks (= large strong bags)
wear sackcloth and ashes
to show by your behaviour that you are very sorry for something you did that was wrong
Filth/il/
filth (DIRT) noun [U]
thick, unpleasant dirt
The floor was covered in filth.
filthy adjective
extremely or unpleasantly dirty
Wash your hands - they're filthy!
Look at this cloth - it's filthy!
I've never smoked - it's a filthy habit.
figurative That girl just gave me a filthy look (= looked at me in a very unpleasant, disapproving way).
UK He was in a filthy (= a very bad) temper/mood.
filthy adverb
filthy dirty extremely dirty
filthy rich informal
extremely rich
filthiness noun [U]
the quality of being filthy
'Ca/ae/nopy
canopy noun [C]
1 a cover fixed over a seat or bed, etc. for shelter or decoration
2 the branches and leaves that spread out at the top of a group of trees forming a type of roof
3 the transparent part in a military aircraft which covers the place where the pilot sits
4 the large circular piece of cloth that is the main part of a parachute
Hew/ju:/
hew verb [T] (hewed, hewed or hewn)
to cut a large piece out of rock, stone or another hard material in a rough way
The monument was hewn out of the side of a mountain.
'Emblem
emblem noun [C]
a picture of an object which is used to represent a particular person, group or idea
A rose is the national emblem of England.
emblematic adjective formal
representing a particular person, group or idea
A sword is emblematic of power gained by violence.
emblematically adverb formal
'Tr/eu/ophy
trophy noun [C]
1 a prize, such as a gold or silver cup, which is given to the winner of a competition or race, and often returned after a year to be given to the winner of the competition in the following year
He's an excellent snooker player, but he's never won a major trophy.
The Duchess of Kent will be presenting the trophies.
2 something used as a symbol of success from hunting or war
That stuffed pike above the fireplace is Pat's trophy from a fishing holiday.
Heir/er/
heir noun
1 [C] a person who will legally receive money, property or a title from another person, especially an older member of the same family, when that other person dies
The guest of honour was the Romanoff heir to the throne of all Russia.
Despite having a large family, they still had no son and heir.
See also heiress
2 [C usually singular] someone who now has responsibility for dealing with a problem or situation that existed or was created earlier
The French finance minister is heir to a tradition of central control that goes back to Louis XIV's minister, Colbert.
3 [C usually singular] someone who continues to do the work of someone important who has died or who has the same symbolic position as they had
Imam Ali, the prophet's son-in-law, is regarded by Shia Muslims as the heir to Mohammed's spiritual authority.
Sc/ae/ab
scab (SKIN COVERING) noun
1 [C] a rough surface made of dried blood which forms over a cut or broken skin while it is healing
Compare scar
2 [U] a plant or animal disease which causes rough areas on the skin
scabby adjective
a scabby knee
scabby potatoes
Veil
veil (MATERIAL) noun [C]
a piece of thin material worn by women to cover the face or head
After the ceremony, the bride lifted up her veil to kiss her husband.
The women wore black veils which covered all but their eyes.
take the veil
A Christian woman who takes the veil becomes a nun.
take/adopt the veil
A Muslim woman who takes or adopts the veil decides to wear traditional Muslim clothing.
veil verb [T often passive]
to cover something, especially the face or body, with a veil
In some societies, women are expected to be veiled when they go out in public.
Fest
fest noun, suffix
a beer/film/jazz, etc. fest a special event where people can enjoy a particular activity or thing
a media-fest
'T/3:/urban
turban noun [C]
a head covering for a man, worn especially by Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, and made from a long piece of cloth which is wrapped around the top of the head many times
See picture Hats
turbaned adjective
a turbaned man
La/e/'ment
lament verb [I or T]
to express sadness and regret about
The poem opens by lamenting (over) the death of a young man.
My grandmother, as usual, lamented the decline in moral standards in today's society.
The late lamented (= dead and remembered with affection) Frank Giotto used to live here.
lament noun [C] formal
a song, poem or other piece of writing which expresses sadness about someone's death
The whole play can be interpreted as a lament for lost youth.
lamentation noun [C or U] formal
sadness and regret, or something that expresses these feelings
For all the lamentations that schools do not teach the game, it is still played in some areas.
Purge/3:dz/
purge (REMOVE PEOPLE) verb [T]
to get rid of people from an organization because you do not agree with them
Party leaders have undertaken to purge the party of extremists.
Hard-liners are expected to be purged from the administration.
purge noun [C]
Between 1934 and 1938, Stalin mounted a massive purge of (= an act of forcefully removing unwanted members from) the Communist Party, the government and the armed forces in the Soviet Union.
'Pa/ae/ra/e/ble
parable noun [C]
a short simple story which teaches or explains an idea, especially a moral or religious idea
In'habitant
inhabit verb [T often passive]
to live in a place
These remote islands are inhabited only by birds.
inhabitant noun [C]
a person or animal that lives in a particular place
a city of 5 million inhabitants
inhabitable adjective
able to be lived in or on
The opposite is uninhabitable
'Dearest
dearest adjective old-fashioned
used when writing to someone you love
'Dearest Kitty,' she wrote.
dearest noun [C] old-fashioned
used when writing or speaking to someone you love
Come, my dearest, it's getting late.
Cling
cling (HOLD) verb [I + adverb or preposition] (clung, clung)
to stick onto or hold something or someone tightly, or to refuse to stop holding them
We got so wet that our clothes clung to us.
They clung together in terror as the screams grew louder.
One little girl was clinging onto a cuddly toy.
She clung to the handrail as she walked down the slippery steps.
clingy adjective
clingy material
a clingy skirt
Pro'claim
proclaim (ANNOUNCE) verb [T] formal
to announce something publicly or officially, especially something positive
All the countries have proclaimed their loyalty to the alliance.
Republican party members were confidently proclaiming victory even as the first few votes came in.
[+ that]It was the famous speech in which he proclaimed that socialism was dead.
[+ two objects]She was proclaimed Queen at the age of thirteen after the sudden death of her father.
proclamation noun [C or U]
an official announcement
to issue a proclamation
A bloody civil war followed the proclamation of an independent state.
'Sh/ae/amble
shamble verb [I + adverb or preposition]
to walk slowly and awkwardly, without lifting your feet correctly
Sick patients shambled along the hospital corridors.
He was a strange, shambling figure.
Con'ceal
conceal verb [T]
to prevent something from being seen or known about; to hide something
The listening device was concealed in a pen.
I tried to conceal my surprise when she told me her age.
It was said that the police concealed vital evidence.
Is there something you're concealing from me?
concealed adjective
The robbery had been recorded on a concealed security camera.
He was carrying a concealed weapon.
The room had concealed lighting.
concealment noun [U]
when something is hidden
the concealment of evidence/facts/weapons
A'rise/z/
arise (HAPPEN) verb [I] (arose, arisen) formal
to happen
Should the opportunity arise, I'd love to go to China.
Could you work on Saturday, should the need arise (= if it were to be necessary)?
Are there any matters arising from (= caused by) the last meeting?
Plu/^/nder
plunder verb
1 [I or T] to steal goods violently from a place, especially during a war
After the president fled the country, the palace was plundered by soldiers.
Tragically, the graves were plundered and the grave-goods scattered.
2 [T] to steal or remove something precious from something, in an immoral or unnecessarily severe way
Someone has been plundering funds from the company.
The future of our planet is in danger if we continue to plunder it as we do.
plunder noun [U]
1 when goods are stolen from a place especially violently or during a war, or these stolen goods
Residents in the villages under attack have been unable to protect their homes from plunder.
The thieves hid their plunder in the woodshed.
2 when something is removed in an immoral or unnecessarily severe way
We need to put a stop to the plunder of the rain forest.
plunderer noun [C]
Gri/ai/nd
grind (MAKE SMALLER) verb [T] (ground, ground)
to make something into small pieces or a powder by pressing between hard surfaces
to grind coffee
Shall I grind a little black pepper over your pizza?
They grind the grain into flour (= make flour by crushing grain) between two large stones.
See also grounds; grounds at ground (LAND)
grind the faces of the poor UK literary
Someone who grinds the faces of the poor, treats poor people very badly, often to get money from them.
grinder noun [C]
a machine used to rub or press something until it becomes a powder
a coffee/pepper grinder
Se'd/^/uctive
seduce (PERSUADE) verb [T]
to persuade someone to have sex with you, often someone younger than you, who has little experience of sex
Pete lost his virginity at 15 when he was seduced by his best friend's mother.
seducer noun [C]
someone who seduces people
The play tells the story of a wealthy woman who seeks revenge on her heartless seducer.
seductress noun [C]
a female seducer
seduction noun [C or U]
The film depicts Charlotte's seduction by her boss.
seductive adjective
It was a seductive black evening dress.
She gave him a seductive look.
seductively adverb
seductiveness noun [U]
Mi/its/nce
mince (MEAT) UK noun [U] (US ground beef)
meat, usually beef, which has been cut up into very small pieces
mince verb [T]
to cut meat, or other food, into very small pieces, sometimes using a special machine
Mince two pounds of chicken finely.
not mince (your) words
to say what you mean clearly and directly, even if you upset people by doing this
The report does not mince words, describing the situation as 'ludicrous'.
minced adjective (US usually ground)
(especially of meat) having been cut up into very small pieces
minced beef/lamb/onions
mincer noun [C] UK (US usually meat grinder)
a machine for cutting food, especially meat, into small pieces
'Tinkle
tinkle (SOUND) noun [S]
a light ringing sound
In the distance we heard the silvery tinkle of a stream.
give sb a tinkle old-fashioned informal
to make a telephone call to someone
I'll give you a tinkle some time next week.
tinkle verb [I]
to make a light ringing sound
Some small old-fashioned shops still have a bell which tinkles when you push the door open.
tinkle (SOUND) noun [S]
a light ringing sound
In the distance we heard the silvery tinkle of a stream.
give sb a tinkle old-fashioned informal
to make a telephone call to someone
I'll give you a tinkle some time next week.
tinkle verb [I]
to make a light ringing sound
Some small old-fashioned shops still have a bell which tinkles when you push the door open.
'a/ae/nklet
anklet (JEWELLERY) noun [C]
a chain or ring worn as jewellery around the ankle
'Ornament
ornament noun
1 [C] an object which is beautiful rather than useful
a glass ornament
garden ornaments such as statues and fountains
2 [U] formal decoration which is added to increase the beauty of something
The building relies on clever design rather than on ornament for its impressive effect.
ornament verb [T] slightly formal
to add decoration to something
She ornamented her letters with little drawings in the margin.
ornamental adjective
beautiful rather than useful
a bowl of ornamental china fruit
The handles on each side of the box are purely ornamental (= They are for decoration only).
ornamentation noun [U] slightly formal
decoration
a plain gold ring with no ornamentation
'Headdress
headdress noun [C]
a decorative covering for the head
'tu/ju:.nik/nic
tunic noun [C]
a piece of clothing which fits loosely over a person's body, reaches to the waist or knees, and often has no sleeves
a soldier's tunic
,Pu/ju:/tr/i/e'f/ae/action
putrefy verb [I]
to decay, producing a strong unpleasant smell
the smell of putrefying flesh
The body had putrefied beyond recognition.
putrefaction noun [U] formal
the state of decaying
Mourn/o:/
mourn verb [I or T]
to feel or express great sadness, especially because of someone's death
Queen Victoria mourned Prince Albert/Prince Albert's death for 40 years.
She was still mourning for her brother.
They mourned the passing of traditional folk dancing (= felt sad because it had stopped existing).
mourner noun [C]
a person at a funeral
The dead man's wife and children were the chief mourners.
mournful adjective
very sad
a mournful expression
mournful music
mournfully adverb
mournfulness noun [U]
mourning noun [U]
1 great sadness felt because someone has died
Shops will be closed today as a sign of mourning for the king.
He was in mourning for his wife.
2 the usually black clothes that are worn in some countries as an expression of sadness about someone's death
3 a loud crying that people in some countries make when someone dies
The mourning could be heard all day and all night.
Re'proach
reproach verb [T]
to criticize someone, especially for not being successful or not doing what is expected
His mother reproached him for not eating all his dinner.
[R]You have nothing to reproach yourself for/with.
reproach noun [C or U]
The look of reproach on his face made her feel guilty.
Your reproaches are useless - what's done is done.
be above/beyond reproach
to not deserve any blame
Your behaviour today has been above reproach.
be a reproach to sb/sth
to be something that should make a person or organization feel ashamed
His immaculate garden was a reproach to all his less organized neighbours.
reproachful adjective
expressing reproach
reproachful looks/words
reproachfully adverb
He looked at me reproachfully.
'Bl/^/oodshed
bloodshed noun [U]
killing and violence
The army was brought in to try to prevent further bloodshed.
Midst
midst noun [U] formal
the middle of a group of people or things
She caught sight of Johnny in their midst (= among them), laughing and talking.
in the midst of sth
in the middle of an event, situation or activity
I'm afraid I'm too busy - I'm in the midst of writing up a report.
The country is in the midst of an economic crisis.
midst preposition literary
The summit of the mountain appeared midst (= among) the clouds.
'F/3/ertile
fertile (LAND) adjective
describes land that can produce a large number of good quality crops
Compare barren
fertile ground for sth
a situation or place which produces good results or a lot of ideas
British politics remains very fertile ground for comedy.
fertility noun [U]
the quality of being fertile
the fertility of the soil
fertilize, UK usually fertilise verb [T]
to spread a natural or chemical substance on land or plants, in order to make the plants grow well
fertilizer, UK usually fertiliser noun [C or U]
a natural or chemical substance which is spread on the land or given to plants, to make plants grow well
organic fertilizer
a liquid/chemical fertilizer
As's/So:/urance
assure (SAY WITH CERTAINTY) verb [T]
to tell someone confidently that something is true, especially so that they do not worry
The unions assured the new owners of the workers' loyalty to the company.
[+ speech]"Don't worry, your car will be ready tomorrow, " the mechanic assured him.
[+ (that)]She assured him (that) the car would be ready the next day.
The Prime Minister assured the electorate (that) taxes would not be increased after the election.
You can rest assured (= feel confident) that I shall be there as promised.
assurance noun
1 [C] a promise
[+ (that)]She gave me her assurance (that) she would post the cheque immediately.
Despite the Government's repeated assurances to the contrary, taxation has risen over the past decade.
2 [U] confidence
He spoke with calm assurance.
assured adjective (also self-assured)
showing skill and confidence
an assured performance
assuredly adverb
After a disappointing first set, Hewitt played assuredly (= confidently) and went on to win the match.
Slain/ei/
slain
past participle of slay/ei/
slay verb [T] (slew or slayed, slain)
1 UK old use or literary to kill in a violent way
St George slew the dragon.
2 (used especially in newspapers) to murder someone
He was found slain in an alley two blocks from his apartment.
slaying noun [C] mainly US
a murder
Crown/au/
crown (HEAD COVERING) noun [C]
1 a circular decoration for the head, usually made of gold and jewels, and worn by a king or queen at official ceremonies
2 the Crown the royal governing power of a country that has a king or queen
3 the winning of a sports competition
He plans to defend his Olympic crown.
crown verb [T]
1 to put a crown on someone's head in an official ceremony that makes them king or queen
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned (queen) (= made queen in a special ceremony) in 1953.
See also coronation
2 If an event or achievement crowns something, it is the best or most successful part of it
an acting career crowned by her final Oscar-winning performance
crowning adjective
the crowning achievement (= the greatest achievement) of her long career
Walking on the moon was his crowning glory (= his most important achievement).
'W/^/ondrous
wondrous adjective literary
extremely and surprisingly good
a wondrous sight/sound/thing
Our new improved face cream has wondrous effects on tired-looking skin.
wondrously adverb literary
extremely, used to emphasize an approving description
'G/D:/arment
garment noun [C] formal
a piece of clothing