December 2022
Content
a fortiori /ˌeɪ ˌfɔːtiˈɔːraɪ/ (adv):
# (formal or law, from Latin) for or with an even stronger reason; for an even stronger reason than the one that has already been accepted.
- The proposition is incomprehensible to us, and hence a fortiori we cannot be justified in believing it.
- If the point of minimum marginal cost has not yet been reached, it follows a fortiori that the point of minimum average cost has not been reached either.
- There is, a fortiori, no reason why the same word in this Act should not be similarly construed.
- Actions generally do speak louder than words: because, paradoxically, they aren't meant to 'speak' at all, and a fortiori aren't meant to speak what's false.
a fortiori /ˌeɪ.fɔː.tiˈɔː.raɪ/ or /ˌeɪ.fɔːr.t̬iˈɔːr.i/ (adj):
# used to describe an argument that gives a stronger reason than the one that has already been accepted.
- his a fortiori argument.
assertive /əˈsɜːtɪv/ (adj):
# expressing opinions or desires strongly and with confidence, so that people take notice.
You should try and be more assertive.
assertive behaviour.
OPPOSITE submissive;
submissive /səbˈmɪsɪv/ (adj):
# too willing to accept somebody else’s authority and willing to obey them without questioning anything they want you to do.
He expected his daughters to be meek and submissive.
She followed him like a submissive child.
veteran /ˈvetərən/ (n):
# a person who has a lot of experience in a particular area or activity.
the veteran American actor, Clint Eastwood.
# (also North American English, informal vet) a person who has been a soldier, sailor, etc. in a war.
war veterans
a veteran of the Spanish Civil War
custom-built /ˌkʌs.təmˈbɪlt/ (adj):
# If a car, machine, etc. is custom-built, it is made according to the needs of a particular buyer.
sailor /ˈseɪlə(r)/
# a person who works on a ship as a member of the crew.
a crew of two officers and 13 sailors.
# a person who sails a boat.
My parents were keen sailors.
The three missing men were experienced sailors.
>>> a good/bad sailor (idiom):
# a person who rarely/often becomes sick at sea.
assistive /əˈsɪstɪv/ (adj):
# assistive equipment is designed for people who have physical difficulties and need help with using things like computers:
We offer demonstrations of assistive technology in the workplace.
demonstration /ˌdem.ənˈstreɪʃən/ (n):
# the act of showing someone how to do something, or how something works:
This disaster is a clear demonstration of the need for tighter controls.
Let me give you a demonstration of how the camera works.
She told us how easy it was to use the software, then by way of demonstration produced a beautiful graph with a few clicks of the mouse.
We're going to a cookery demonstration tonight.
# an occasion when a group of people march or stand together to show that they disagree with or support something or someone.
The students are holding a demonstration against the proposed changes.
Protesters staged an anti-war demonstration.
drown /draʊn/ (v):
# [intransitive, transitive] to die because you have been underwater too long and you cannot breathe; to kill somebody by holding them underwater.
Two children drowned after falling into the river.
He had attempted to rescue the drowning man.
drown somebody/something/yourself: She tried to drown herself.
They had drowned the unwanted kittens.
be drowned: He was drowned at sea.
# [transitive] drown something (in something) to make something very wet; to completely cover something in water or another liquid
SYNONYM drench
The fruit was drowned in cream.
# [transitive] drown somebody/something (out) (of a sound) to be louder than other sounds so that you cannot hear them
She turned up the radio to drown out the noise from next door.
His words were drowned out by jeers and whistling.
>>> drown your fears/loneliness/sorrows, etc. (idiom):
# (especially humorous) to get drunk in order to forget your problems.
She opened a bottle of wine to drown her sorrows.
Dusk till dawn
marshland noun
/ˈmɑːʃlænd/
/ˈmɑːrʃlænd/
[uncountable, countable]
an area of soft, wet land
low-lying areas that used to be marshland
Fertile marshlands stretched for ten miles to the south.
scorch verb
/skɔːtʃ/
/skɔːrtʃ/
Verb Forms
[transitive, intransitive] to burn and slightly damage a surface by making it too hot; to be slightly burned by heat
scorch (something) I scorched my dress when I was ironing it.
Don't stand so near the fire—your coat is scorching!
scorch something + adj. The buildings around us were scorched black by the fire.
verge noun
/vɜːdʒ/
/vɜːrdʒ/
(British English)
Idioms
a piece of grass at the edge of a path, road, etc.
a grass verge
The vehicle crossed white lines and mounted a verge before being stopped by police.
>>> on/to the verge of something/ of doing something (idiom):
# very near to the moment when somebody does something or something happens.
He was on the verge of tears.
They are on the verge of signing a new contract.
These measures brought the republic to the verge of economic collapse.
retrospective adjective
/ˌretrəˈspektɪv/
/ˌretrəˈspektɪv/
thinking about or connected with something that happened in the past
She felt a pang of retrospective sympathy for Mel.
(also less frequent, formal retroactive) (of a new law or decision) intended to take effect from a particular date in the past rather than from the present date
retrospective legislation
retrospective pay awards
hugely adverb
/ˈhjuːdʒli/
/ˈhjuːdʒli/
extremely
hugely entertaining/important/popular/successful.
very much
They intended to invest hugely in new technology.
He turned around, grinning hugely.
in spite of something (idiom):
if you say that somebody did something in spite of a fact, you mean it is surprising that that fact did not prevent them from doing it
SYNONYM despite
In spite of his age, he still leads an active life.
They went swimming in spite of all the danger signs.
English became the official language for business in spite of the fact that the population was largely Chinese.
accuracy noun
OPAL W
/ˈækjərəsi/
/ˈækjərəsi/
(plural accuracies)
[uncountable] the state of being exact or correct; the ability to do something with skill and without making mistakes
They questioned the accuracy of the information in the file.
Candidates are judged on technical accuracy as well as artistic expression.
She hits the ball with great accuracy.
precision noun
OPAL W
/prɪˈsɪʒn/
/prɪˈsɪʒn/
[uncountable]
the quality of being exact, accurate and careful
SYNONYM accuracy
Her writing is imaginative but lacks precision.
with precision He chose his words with precision.
done with mathematical precision
Historians can’t estimate the date with any (degree of) precision.
precise adjective
OPAL W
/prɪˈsaɪs/
/prɪˈsaɪs/
Idioms
clear and accurate
SYNONYM exact
precise details/instructions/measurements
Can you give a more precise definition of the word?
I can be reasonably precise about the time of the incident.
non-compliance noun
/ˌnɒn kəmˈplaɪəns/
/ˌnɑːn kəmˈplaɪəns/
[uncountable]
non-compliance (with something) the fact of failing or refusing to obey a rule
There are penalties for non-compliance with the fire regulations.
OPPOSITE compliance
precis noun
/ˈpreɪsiː/
/preɪˈsiː/
[countable, uncountable]
(plural precis /ˈpreɪsiːz/ /preɪˈsiːz/)
a short version of a speech or a piece of writing that gives the main points or ideas
SYNONYM summary
to write/give/make a precis of a report
non compos mentis /ˌnɒn ˌkɒmpəs ˈmentɪs/ (adj):
1. (also non compos) (formal) not in a normal mental state.
OPPOSITE compos mentis;
obese /əʊˈbiːs/ (adj):
1. (formal or medical) (of people) very fat, in a way that is not healthy.
Obese patients are given dietary advice.
She is grossly obese.
COMPARE overweight;
obedient /əˈbiːdiənt/ (adj):
1. doing what you are told to do; willing to obey.
an obedient child
obedient to somebody/something: He was always obedient to his father's wishes.
OPPOSITE disobedient;
disobedient /ˌdɪsəˈbiːdiənt/ (adj):
1. failing or refusing to obey.
a disobedient child
disobedient to somebody/something: I was very disobedient to my father.
obedience /əˈbiːdiəns/ (n):
1. [uncountable] the fact of doing what you are told to do or of being willing to obey.
blind/complete/unquestioning/total obedience
obedience to somebody/something: He has acted in obedience to the law.
OPPOSITE disobedience;
obeisance /əʊˈbeɪsns/ (n):
1. (formal) [uncountable] respect for somebody/something; the quality of being willing to obey somebody.
to make/pay obeisance to somebody
The general commands absolute obeisance.
2. [countable] the act of bending your head or the upper part of your body in order to show respect for somebody/something.
to make a deep/low obeisance.
poke /pəʊk/ (v):
1. [transitive] to quickly push your fingers or another object into somebody/something.
SYNONYM prod;
poke somebody/something with something: She poked him in the ribs with her elbow.
poke something into something: She poked her elbow into his ribs.
poke somebody/something: I'm sick of being poked and prodded by doctors.
She got up and poked the fire (= to make it burn more strongly).
2. [transitive] poke something + adv./prep.: to push something somewhere or move it in a particular direction with a small quick movement.
He poked his head around the corner to check that nobody was coming.
Someone had poked a message under the door.
Don't poke her eye out with that stick!
The man poked a finger at my shirt.
3. [intransitive] + adv./prep.: if an object is poking out of, through, etc. something, you can see a part of it that is no longer covered by something else.
The end of the cable was left poking out of the wall.
A bony elbow poked through a hole in his sweater.
Clumps of grass poked up through the snow.
4. [transitive] poke a hole in something (with something): to make a hole in something by pushing your finger or another object into it.
The kids poked holes in the ice with sticks.
5. [transitive] poke somebody (taboo, slang) (of a man) to have sex with somebody.
>>> poke fun at somebody/ something (idiom):
1. To say unkind things about somebody/something in order to make other people laugh at them.
SYNONYM ridicule;
Her novels poke fun at the upper class.
She’s always poking fun at herself.
>>> poke/stick your nose into something (idiom):
1. (informal) to try to become involved in something that should not involve you.
He’s always poking his nose into other people’s business.
poke around (phrasal verb):
1. (also poke about especially in British English) (informal) to look for something, especially something that is hidden among other things that you have to move.
The police spent the day poking around in his office but found nothing.
(figurative) We've had journalists poking around and asking a lot of questions.
ridicule /ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/ (v):
1. ridicule somebody/something: to make somebody/something look silly by laughing at them or it in an unkind way.
They ridicule the president as a man who has lost control of events.
At first, his theory was ridiculed and dismissed.
SYNONYM make fun of somebody/something;
browse /braʊz/ (v):
1. [intransitive, transitive] to look at a lot of things in a shop rather than looking for one particular thing.
You are welcome to come in and browse.
browse something: She browsed the shelves for something interesting to read.
=> browse (n): the act of looking at a lot of things in a shop rather than looking for one particular thing.
The gift shop is well worth a browse.
2. [intransitive, transitive] to look through a book, newspaper, website, etc. without reading everything.
I spent the whole evening just browsing on the internet.
browse through something: I found the article while I was browsing through some old magazines.
to browse through the catalogue
browse something for something: I browsed the website for information about the event but didn’t find anything useful.
=> browse (n): the act of looking through a book, newspaper, website, etc. without reading everything.
a cursory browse of the book's contents.
3. [intransitive] browse (on something) (of cows, goats, etc.) to eat leaves, etc. that are growing high up.
cursory /ˈkɜːsəri/ (adj):
1. (often disapproving) done quickly and without giving enough attention to details.
SYNONYM brief, perfunctory;
a cursory glance/ examination/ inspection
He gave the report a rather cursory look.
cursor /ˈkɜːsə(r)/ (n):
1. a small mark on a computer screen that can be moved and that shows the position on the screen where, for example, text will be added.
boast /bəʊst/ (v):
1. [#Compliment] [intransitive, transitive] to talk in a way that shows you are too proud of something that you have or can do.
I don't want to boast, but I can actually speak six languages.
boast about something: She is always boasting about how wonderful her children are.
boast of something: He openly boasted of his skill as a burglar.
boast that…: Sam boasted that she could beat anyone at poker.
2. [#Constitute] [transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) boast something: to have something that is impressive.
The hotel also boasts two swimming pools and a golf course.
Rhodes boasts 300 days of sunshine a year.
This is a region which proudly boasts its own distinct culture.
go-to /ˈɡəʊ tuː/ (adj):
1. [#Preference] [only before noun] used to refer to the person or place that somebody goes to for help, advice or information.
He's my go-to guy for business advice.
to go (idiom):
1. [#Remaining] that remains; still left.
I only have one exam to go.
2. (North American English, informal) if you buy cooked food to go in a restaurant or shop, you buy it to take away and eat somewhere else.
Two pizzas to go.
raise the bar (idiom):
1. to set a new, higher standard of quality or performance.
The factory has raised the bar on productivity, food safety and quality.
This latest computer game raises the bar for interface design.
The awards go to people who have truly raised the bar.
Perhaps the new admission requirements raised the bar too high.
set the bar (idiom):
1. to set a standard of quality or performance.
The show really sets the bar for artistic invention.
Sofia sets the bar very high for what she expects of herself.
lower the bar (idiom):
1. to set a new, lower standard of quality or performance.
In the current economic climate we may need to lower the bar on quotas.
OPPOSITE raise the bar;
demean /dɪˈmiːn/ (v):
1. demean yourself: to do something that makes people have less respect for you.
I wouldn't demean myself by asking for charity.
lower yourself (by doing something) (idiom):
1. (usually used in negative sentences) to behave in a way that makes other people respect you less.
SYNONYM demean;
I wouldn't lower myself by working for him.
misconception /ˌmɪskənˈsepʃn/ (n):
1. [countable, uncountable] misconception (about something) a belief or an idea that is not based on correct information, or that is not understood by people.
frequently held misconceptions about the disease
a popular misconception (= one that a lot of people have)
Let me deal with some common misconceptions.
Their views are based on misconception and prejudice.
preconception /ˌpriːkənˈsepʃn/ (n):
1. [countable, usually plural, uncountable] an idea or opinion that is formed before you have enough information or experience.
SYNONYM assumption;
a book that will challenge your preconceptions about rural life.
COMPARE misconception;
motto /ˈmɒtəʊ/ (n):
1. (plural mottoes, mottos) a short sentence or phrase that expresses the aims and beliefs of a person, a group, an institution, etc. and is used as a rule of behaviour.
The school's motto is: ‘Duty, Honour, Country’.
‘Live and let live.’ That's my motto.
mottled /ˈmɒtld/ (adj):
1. marked with shapes of different colours without a regular pattern.
the mottled skin of a snake.
comprehensive /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ (adj):
1. including all, or almost all, the items, details, facts, information, etc., that may be involved.
SYNONYM complete, full
a comprehensive list of addresses
a comprehensive study
comprehensive insurance (= covering all risks)
scientific /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/ (adj):
1. (of a way of doing something or thinking) careful and logical.
He took a very scientific approach to management.
We need to be more scientific about this problem.
OPPOSITE unscientific;
off /ɒf/ (adj):
1. [not before noun] (British English) (of food) no longer fresh enough to eat or drink.
This fish has gone off.
The milk smells off.
2. off (with somebody) (informal, especially British English) not polite or friendly.
He was a bit off with me this morning.
3. (informal, especially British English) not acceptable.
It's a bit off expecting us to work on Sunday.
rotten /ˈrɒtn/ (adj):
1. (of food, wood, etc.) that has decayed and cannot be eaten or used.
the smell of rotten vegetables.
The fruit is starting to go rotten.
pioneer /ˌpaɪəˈnɪə(r)/ (v):
1. pioneer something: when somebody pioneers something, they are one of the first people to do, discover or use something new.
a new technique pioneered by surgeons in a London hospital
monitor /ˈmɒnɪtə(r)/ (v):
1. to watch and check something over a period of time in order to see how it develops, so that you can make any necessary changes.
SYNONYM track;
monitor something: Each student's progress is closely monitored.
The authorities will continue to monitor the situation.
monitor somebody: The patient is carefully monitored.
monitor what, how, etc…: We need to monitor how the situation develops.
2. monitor something: to use technology to watch somebody/something, especially for reasons of security.
A police helicopter will be used to monitor crime hotspots.
acquire /əˈkwaɪə(r)/ (v):
1. acquire something: to gain something by your own efforts, ability or behaviour.
She has acquired a good knowledge of English.
How long will it take to acquire the necessary skills?
I would love to apply the newly acquired skills to a job that I enjoy.
He has acquired a reputation for dishonesty.
I have recently acquired a taste for olives.
2. to obtain something by buying or being given it.
Not all of the land acquired for the road has been paid for yet.
Austria has pledged not to acquire nuclear weapons.
Property acquired through crime will be confiscated.
The company has just acquired new premises.
How did the gallery come to acquire so many Picassos?
I've suddenly acquired a stepbrother.
an acquired taste (idiom):
1. a thing that you do not like much at first but gradually learn to like.
Abstract art is an acquired taste.
obtain /əbˈteɪn/ (v):
1. [transitive] obtain something: to get something, especially by making an effort.
to obtain information/data/results
I've been trying to obtain permission to publish this material.
I finally managed to obtain a copy of the report.
Further details can be obtained by writing to the above address.
To obtain the overall score, add up the totals in each column.
2. [intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) (of rules, systems, customs, etc.) to exist.
SYNONYM apply;
These conditions no longer obtain.