look /lʊk/ (n):

# [appearance] [countable] the way somebody/something looks; the appearance of somebody/something.

Looks can be deceptive.

a fabric with the look of silk

Use high-quality paper to give your CV a more professional look.

I don't like the look of that guy (= I don't trust him, judging by his appearance).

by/from the look(s) of something/somebody: It's going to rain today by the look of it (= judging by appearances).

interfere /ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r)/ (v):

# [intransitive] ​to get involved in and try to influence a situation that should not really involve you, in a way that annoys other people.

I wish my mother would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions.

interfere in something: The police are very unwilling to interfere in family problems.

interference /ˌɪntəˈfɪərəns/ (n):

# [uncountable] the act of getting involved in and trying to influence a situation that should not really involve you, in a way that annoys other people.

interference (in something): They resent foreign interference in the internal affairs of their country.

political interference in legal proceedings

interference with something: interference with proper medical procedures

interfaith /ˈɪntəfeɪθ/ (adj):

# [only before noun] ​between or connected with people of different religions.

an interfaith memorial service

interface /ˈɪntəfeɪs/ (n):

# (computing) the way a computer program presents information to a user or receives information from a user, in particular the layout of the screen and the menus.

the user interface

# (computing) an electrical circuit, connection or program that joins one device or system to another.

the interface between computer and printer

# ​interface (between A and B): the point where two subjects, systems, etc. meet and affect each other.

the interface between manufacturing and sales.

interface /ˈɪntəfeɪs/ (v):

# [intransitive, transitive] (computing) ​interface (something) (with something) | interface A and B: to be connected with something using an interface; to connect something in this way.

The new system interfaces with existing telephone equipment.

paradox /ˈpærədɒks/ (n):

# ​[countable] a person, thing or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange.

He was a paradox - a loner who loved to chat to strangers.

It is a curious paradox that professional comedians often have unhappy personal lives.

It's a curious paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.

# [countable, uncountable] a statement containing two opposite ideas that make it seem impossible or unlikely, although it is probably true; the use of this in writing.

‘More haste, less speed’ is a well-known paradox.

It's a work full of paradox and ambiguity.

a posteriori /ˌeɪ pɒˌsteriˈɔːraɪ/ (adj, adv):

(from Latin, formal)

# ​analysing something by starting from known facts and then thinking about the possible causes of the facts, for example saying "Look, the streets are wet so it must have been raining."

a priori /ˌeɪ praɪˈɔːraɪ/ (adj, adv):

(from Latin, formal)

# ​using facts or principles that are known to be true in order to decide what the likely effects or results of something will be, for example saying "They haven’t eaten anything all day so they must be hungry".

an a priori assumption

COMPARE a posteriori;

au naturel /ˌəʊ ˌnætʃəˈrel/ (adv):

# [not before noun] (from French) ​in a natural way.

The fish is served au naturel, uncooked and with nothing added.

Camping gave us a taste of living au naturel.

dedicate /ˈdedɪkeɪt/ (v):

# ​to give a lot of your time and effort to a particular activity or purpose because you think it is important.

SYNONYM devote;

dedicate yourself/something to something: She dedicates herself to her work.

dedicate yourself/something to doing something: He dedicated his life to helping the poor.

# (dedicate something to somebody) to say at the beginning of a book, a piece of music or a performance, or when receiving an award, that you are doing it for somebody, as a way of thanking them or showing respect.

This book is dedicated to my parents.

I want to dedicate this award to my first music teacher, Ben Gould.

# ​to hold an official ceremony to say that a building or an object has a special purpose or is special to the memory of a particular person.

dedicate something: The chapel was dedicated in 1880.

dedicate something to somebody/something: A memorial stone was dedicated to those who were killed in the war.

beckon /ˈbekən/ (v):

# ​[intransitive, transitive] to give somebody a signal using your finger or hand, especially to tell them to move nearer or to follow you.

SYNONYM signal;

beckon to somebody (to do something): He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill.

beckon somebody (+ adv./prep.): He beckoned her over with a wave.

The boss beckoned him into her office.

beckon somebody to do something: She beckoned him to come and join them.

# ​[intransitive, transitive] to appear very attractive to somebody.

The clear blue sea beckoned.

beckon to somebody: The lights seemed to beckon to Sara in a strange way.

beckon somebody: The prospect of a month without work was beckoning her.

# ​[intransitive] to be something that is likely to happen or will possibly happen to somebody in the future.

For many kids leaving college the prospect of unemployment beckons.

in store (idiom):

# going to happen soon.

You never know what's in store for you.

There's a shock in store for him when he gets home tonight!

at hand (idiom):

# near in time or position.

We want to ensure that help is at hand (= easily available) for all children suffering abuse.

horizon /həˈraɪzn/ (n):

# [singular] (the horizon) the furthest that you can see, where the sky seems to meet the land or the sea.

The sun sank below the horizon.

A ship appeared on the horizon.

# [countable, usually plural] the limit of your desires, knowledge or interests.

She wanted to travel to broaden her horizons.

The company needs new horizons now.

on the horizon (idiom):

# ​likely to happen or exist soon.

There's trouble looming on the horizon.

There is no new drug on the horizon that will make this disease easier to treat.

framework /ˈfreɪmwɜːk/ (n):

# the parts of a building or an object that support its weight and give it shape.

built on a wooden framework

The ship's elaborate metal framework was exposed.

# a set of beliefs, ideas or rules that is used as the basis for making judgements, decisions, etc.

a theoretical/conceptual framework

framework for something: The report provides a framework for further research.

framework of something: We are currently exploring new approaches within existing frameworks of practice and thinking.

# the structure of a particular system.

the basic framework of society

a regulatory/legislative framework

framework for something: We need to establish a legal framework for the protection of the environment.

frame-up /ˈfreɪm ʌp/ (n):

# (informal) ​a situation in which false evidence is produced in order to make people think that an innocent person is guilty of a crime.

frame of reference /ˌfreɪm əv ˈrefrəns/ (n):

(plural frames of reference)

​# a particular set of beliefs, ideas or experiences in relation to which something is measured or judged.

It is easy to choose our own frame of reference and attack any ideas that do not fit it.

People interpret events within their own frame of reference.

frame of mind /ˌfreɪm əv ˈmaɪnd/ (n):

[usually singular] (plural frames of mind)

​# the way you feel or think about something at a particular time.

We'll discuss this when you're in a better frame of mind.

By his own admission, Gordon was not in the right frame of mind to win yesterday.

It put them in a positive frame of mind for the final game.

He's in rather a negative frame of mind.

framed /freɪmd/ (adj):

[often in compounds]

# ​having a frame.

a framed photograph

elegantly framed glasses

a timber-framed house (= with a supporting structure of wood)

# (of a person or animal) having a form or structure of a particular shape.

a small-framed young man

be in/out of the frame (for something) (idiom):

(British English)

# ​be taking part/not taking part in something.

We won our match, so we're still in the frame for the championship.

# ​to be wanted/not wanted by the police because you are/are not suspected of having committed a crime.

He was always in the frame for the killing.

desideratum /dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm/ /dɪˌzɪdəˈreɪtəm/ (n):

(plural desiderata /dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtə/, /dɪˌzɪdəˈreɪtə/)

# a thing that is wanted or needed.

desiccated /ˈdesɪkeɪtɪd/ (adj):

# ​(of food) dried in order to preserve it.

desiccated coconut

# (specialist) completely dry.

treeless and desiccated soil.

déshabillé /ˌdezæbiːˈjeɪ/ (n):

(especially British English)

(also deshabille, dishabille /ˌdɪsəˈbiːl/, /ˌdɪsəˈbiː/)

# [uncountable] (formal or humorous) ​the state of wearing no clothes or very few clothes.

in a state of déshabillé.

benchmark /ˈbentʃmɑːk/ (n):

# ​something that can be measured and used as a standard that other things can be compared with.

Tests at the age of seven provide a benchmark against which the child's progress at school can be measured.

benchmark /ˈbentʃmɑːk/ (v):

# ​benchmark something (against something): to judge the quality of something in relation to that of other similar things.

Projects are assessed and benchmarked against the targets.

The journal was recently benchmarked against other IT journals.

fortress /ˈfɔːtrəs/ (n):

# ​a building or place that has been made stronger and protected against attack.

a fortress town enclosed by four miles of ramparts

Fear of terrorist attack has turned the conference centre into a fortress.

defensive /dɪˈfensɪv/ (adj):

# protecting somebody/something against attack.

As a defensive measure he built a series of coastal forts and watchtowers.

These are purely defensive measures.

Troops took up a defensive position around the town.

# behaving in a way that shows that you feel that people are criticizing you.

Don't ask him about his plans - he just gets defensive.

He is extremely defensive about his work.

Her manner was oddly defensive, as he hadn't intended any criticism at all.

Whenever anyone mentions women's rights, he gets rather defensive.

# (sport) connected with trying to prevent the other team or player from scoring points or goals.

defensive play

a largely defensive campaign

tactile /ˈtæktaɪl/ (adj):

# [usually before noun] ​connected with the sense of touch; using your sense of touch.

- tactile stimuli

- visual and tactile communication

- tactile fabric (= pleasant to touch)

- tactile maps (= that you can touch and feel)

- He's a very tactile man (= he enjoys touching people).

vulgar /ˈvʌlɡə(r)/ (adj):

# ​not having or showing good taste; not polite, pleasant or well behaved.

SYNONYM coarse, in bad taste;

- a vulgar man

- vulgar decorations

- She found their laughter and noisy games coarse and rather vulgar.

- She gave a rather vulgar laugh.

# rude and likely to offend.

SYNONYM crude;

- vulgar jokes.

grey matter /ˈɡreɪ mætə(r)/ (n):

(US English usually gray matter)

# [uncountable] (informal) ​a person’s intelligence.

- This should exercise the old grey matter.

brainpower /ˈbreɪnpaʊə(r)/ (n):

# [uncountable] ​the ability to think; intelligence.

- Most humans only use a fraction of their total useful brainpower.

fraction /ˈfrækʃn/ (n):

#​ a small part or amount of something.

- Only a small fraction of a bank's total deposits will be withdrawn at any one time.

- She hesitated for the merest fraction of a second.

- He raised his voice a fraction.

[If fraction is used with a plural noun, the verb is usually plural: Only a fraction of cars in the UK use leaded petrol. If it is used with a singular noun that represents a group of people, the verb can be singular or plural in British English, but is usually singular in North American English: A tiny fraction of the population never vote/votes.]

# a division of a number, for example ⅝.

- How do you express 25% as a fraction?

SYNONYM rational number;

>>> Describing fractions and proportions:

- According to this pie chart, a third of students’ leisure time is spent watching TV.

- One in five hours is/​are spent socializing.

- Socializing accounts for/makes up/comprises about 20 per cent of leisure time.

- Students spend twice as much time playing computer games as doing sport.

- Three times as many hours are spent playing computer games as reading.

- The figure for playing computer games is three times higher than the figure for reading.

- The largest proportion of time is spent playing computer games.

COMPARE integer;

SEE ALSO common fraction, proper fraction, vulgar fraction.

etymology /ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi/ (n):

(plural etymologies)

# ​[uncountable] the study of the origin and history of words and their meanings.

# [countable] the origin and history of a particular word.

folk etymology /ˈfəʊk etɪmɒlədʒi/ (n):

# a popular but wrong belief about the origin of a word or phrase.

- This explanation may simply be a folk etymology.

# a process by which a word is changed, for example because people believe that it is related to another word, even though it is not, or to make a foreign word sound more familiar.

- Folk etymology has created the cheeseburger and the beanburger, but the first hamburgers were in fact named after the city of Hamburg.

folk dance /ˈfəʊk dɑːns/ (n):

# [countable, uncountable] ​a traditional dance of a particular area or country; a piece of music for such a dance.

folk hero /ˈfəʊk hɪərəʊ/ (n):

# ​a person that the ordinary people of a country or region admire because of something special that person has done.

folklore /ˈfəʊklɔː(r)/ (n):

# [uncountable] ​the traditions and stories of a country or community.

- Irish/Indian folklore

- The story rapidly became part of family folklore.

folk song /ˈfəʊk sɒŋ/ (n):

# ​[countable, uncountable] a song in the traditional style of a country or community; songs of this type.

- a Russian folk song

- This type of rhyme has survived only in folk song.

# [countable] a type of song that became popular in the US in the 1960s, played on a guitar and often about political topics.

folklorist /ˈfəʊklɔːrɪst/ (n):

# ​a person who studies folklore, especially as an academic subject.

folk memory /ˈfəʊk meməri/

# [countable, uncountable] ​a memory or collection of memories of something in the past that the people of a country or community never forget.

folkways /ˈfəʊkweɪz/ (n):

# (North American English) [plural] ​the traditional behaviour or customs of a particular community or group of people.

- the folkways of central Texas.

folk tale /ˈfəʊk teɪl/ (n):

# ​a very old traditional story from a particular place that was originally passed on to people in a spoken form.

folksy /ˈfəʊksi/ (adj):

(also folky)

# ​(especially North American English) simple, friendly and informal.

- They wanted the store to have a folksy small-town image.

# (sometimes disapproving) done or made in a traditional style that is supposed to be typical of simple customs in the past, but sometimes in a false or artificial way.

- a folksy ballad

- The folksy image helped the company hit $1 million sales last year.

anagram /ˈænəɡræm/ (n):

# ​a word or phrase that is made by arranging the letters of another word or phrase in a different order.

- An anagram of ‘Elvis’ is ‘lives’.

marginalize /ˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪz/ (v):

(British English also marginalise)

# [​marginalize somebody] to make somebody feel as if they are not important and cannot influence decisions or events; to put somebody in a position in which they have no power.

intervene /ˌɪntəˈviːn/ (v):

#​ [intransitive] to become involved in a situation in order to improve or help it.

- She might have been killed if the neighbours hadn't intervened.

- intervene in something The President intervened personally in the crisis.

- intervene between A and B She went over to intervene between the two men.

- intervene against somebody They would not intervene against the rebels themselves.

- intervene (with somebody) (on behalf of somebody) attempts to intervene with the authorities on the prisoners' behalf

- intervene to do something They intervened to halt the attack.

# [transitive, intransitive] (+ speech) to interrupt somebody when they are speaking in order to say something.

- ‘But,’ she intervened, ‘what about the others?’

​

# [intransitive] to happen in a way that delays something or prevents it from happening.

- They were planning to get married and then the war intervened.

​

# [intransitive] (formal) to exist between two events or places.

- I saw nothing of her during the years that intervened.

disastrous /dɪˈzɑːstrəs/ (adj):

# very bad, harmful or unsuccessful.

SYNONYM catastrophic, devastating;

- a disastrous harvest/fire/result

- Lowering interest rates could have disastrous consequences for the economy.

- It was a disastrous start to the season for the team.