numb
adjective
(of a part of the body) unable to feel anything, usually for a short time
I had been lying awkwardly and my leg had gone numb.
My fingers were so cold that they felt numb.
If you are numb (with shock, fear, etc.), you are not able to feel any emotions or think clearly because you are so shocked or frightened.
When she first heard the news she was numb with disbelief.
Ever since his girlfriend left him he has felt numb.
numb
verb [T]
The extreme cold numbed her face and hands (=caused them to lose feeling.)
The children are still numbed by (=they cannot feel any emotion because of) their father's death. [T]
numbly
adverb
numbness
noun [U]
Numbness (=lack of feeling) in the fingers is one of the first signs of frostbite.
inundate (TOO MUCH)
verb [T]
to give (someone) so much work or so many things that they cannot deal with them all
We have been inundated with requests for help.
Hospitals near to the scene of the disaster were inundated with casualties. [T]
The newlyweds have been inundated with (=have received very many) good luck messages. [T]
inundation
noun [U]
No period has seen anything comparable to our own unending, daily inundation of the home by human violence on TV.
inundate (FLOOD)
verb [T]
FORMAL
to flood (an area) with water
If the dam breaks it will inundate large parts of the town.
inundation
noun [U]
FORMAL
The threat of inundation or flood is a feature of coastal life.
One of the most important of the island's defences is against erosion or inundation by the sea.
adultery
noun
sex between a married man or woman and someone who is not their wife or husband
Many people in public life have committed adultery. [U]
His second novel deals with the adulteries of middle-class New Englanders. [C]
adulterer, female adulteress
noun [C]
OLD USE
Her husband was a compulsive adulterer.
adulterous
adjective
He had an adulterous relationship with his wife's best friend.
Blaspheme - bluźnić
verb [I]
to use words which show a lack of respect for God or religion, or to swear
I began to rage and blaspheme (against) God.
blasphemous
adjective
A blasphemous remark or action is believed to be offensive to God or religion.
Some people say that it is blasphemous to say that God might be a woman.
blasphemously
adverb
blasphemy
noun
Several of Epstein's symbolic sculptures resulted in accusations of indecency and blasphemy. [U]
FIGURATIVE Elvis Presley fans think that any criticism of him is a blasphemy. [C]
internalize, British and Australian usually -ise
verb [T]
to accept or absorb (esp. a way of behaving or thinking) as your own, often from repeated experience, so that it becomes a natural and important part of your character
He had not expected the people so readily to internalize the values of democracy and to develop a strong rejection of the values of a totalitarian system.
There is some evidence to suggest that children who are abused by their parents internalize violent behaviour through social learning and in turn are violent towards their children.
To internalize is also to absorb feelings within yourself and not to express them to other people.
"I internalized a lot of the pressures at the New Yorker in those early years," he says.
Women tend to internalize all their anxiety and distress - men hit out.
internalization, British and Australian usually -isation
noun [U]
By internalization I mean ways in which people draw from their past and present experiences of the social world.
jagged
adjective
rough and uneven, with sharp points
a jagged cut/tear
jagged rocks
jagged writing
a jagged line
a jagged edge
jaggedly
adverb
offspring
noun [C]
the young of an animal or humorous a person's children
In the case of the guinea pig, the number of offspring varies between two and five.
HUMOROUS Tom's sister came round on Saturday with her numerous offspring.
Indulge - folgować (np. sobie)
verb
to allow (yourself or someone else) to have esp. a lot of something enjoyable
The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs. [T]
With his friend's family he was able to indulge his passion for the outdoors, especially skiing. [T]
I love champagne but it's not often I can indulge myself. [T]
The children indulged me with breakfast in bed. [T]
This was a deliberate decision by the company to indulge in a little nostalgia. [I]
She was furious with her boss and indulged in rapturous fantasies of revenge. [I]
indulgence
noun
Chocolate is my only occasional indulgence/self-indulgence. [C]
All the pleasures and indulgences of the weekend are over, and I have to get down to some serious hard work. [C]
She regarded expensive lingerie as a gross and unjustifiable indulgence. [C]
His health suffered from over-indulgence in (=eating too much or too often) rich food and drink. [U]
My inability to do needlework was treated with surprising indulgence by my teacher. [U]
indulgent
adjective
indulgent relatives
an indulgent smile/chuckle
He had been a strict father but was indulgent to/towards his grandchildren.
indulgently
adverb
bar (EXCEPT)
preposition
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
except
Everyone is leaving the village, bar the very old and ill.
They're the best songwriters of this century, bar none (=no one else is better).
(British) If an activity is all over bar the shouting, the result of it is known, but it has not been officially completed or stated, so people can still claim that a different result is possible.
With practically all the results declared, the Nationalist Party has 68% of the vote, so it's all over bar the shouting.
barring
preposition
I can't understand why anybody, barring (=except for) a masochist, would want to play such a violent game.
We should arrive at ten o'clock, barring any (=if there are no) unexpected delays.
bar (PREVENT)
verb [T]
to prevent (something or someone) from doing something or going somewhere, or to forbid (something)
The centre of the town was barred to/AM USUALLY barred off to football supporters.
The incident led to him being barred from the country/barred from playing for England.
The government has acted to bar this kind of tobacco (=make using, selling or producing it illegal).
I tried to push past her but she barred my way/path (=stood in front of me and prevented me from getting past).
bar
noun [C]
A lack of formal education is no bar to becoming rich (=does not make it impossible to become rich).
bar (POLE)
noun [C]
a straight stick esp. one made of metal, or something that has been made into a rectangular shape
She picked up a metal bar and waved it threateningly.
The gorilla rattled the bars of its cage.
a bar of chocolate/soap
The bar of an electric heater is a long thin wire in the shape of a spring which is wrapped tightly around a tube. When electricity passes through it, it produces heat and red light.
It's very warm in here. Do you really need both bars on?
Bar is also Am for stripe (MATERIAL).
INFORMAL He's spent most of his life behind bars (=in prison).
A bar chart/graph (also histogram) is a mathematical picture in which different amounts are represented by thin vertical or horizontal rectangles which have the same width but vary in height or length.
A bar code is a small rectangle of thick and thin black lines which is printed on food wrappers, book covers, etc. and allows a computer to read information about the item, such as the price.
bar
verb [T]
We barred (=put bars across) the door to stop anyone getting into the room.
barred
adjective [not gradable]
They arrived at the house to find the door locked and barred (=with a bar of wood or metal across the front of it).
The burglary rate is so high that most of the houses in the area have barred windows.
bet
verb
to risk (a sum of money) on the unknown result of an event, such as a horse race, in the hope of winning more money
He regularly goes to the races and bets heavily. [I]
I never bet on certainties. [I]
She bet £500 000 on the horse which came in second. [T]
I bet you $25 that I'll get there before you. [T + two objects + that clause]
(informal) If you bet (someone) that something is true or will happen, you are certain that it is true or will happen.
I bet you (that) she's missed the bus. [T + obj + (that) clause]
I bet (that) he won't come [+ (that) clause]
(informal) If you say I/I'll bet in answer to something that someone has said, you mean that you agree with them.
"I was so relieved that I didn't have to clean up after the party." "I bet (=I am not surprised) you were."
(informal) You bet can be used to emphasize a statement or to mean 'certainly'.
"Are you coming to the party?" "You bet (=certainly)!"
(informal) If you say (how much) do you want to bet? in answer to something that someone has said, you mean that you are certain that they are wrong.
"I'm sure she won't come and visit us." "How much do you want to bet?"
(informal) If you say don't bet on it/I wouldn't bet on it, you mean that you think what someone has just said is unlikely to be true or to happen.
"Do you think they'll give me back the money they owe me?" "I wouldn't bet on it."
INFORMAL You can bet your boots/bottom dollar/shirt/AM SLANG ass (=be certain) she'll be there to meet me.
bet
noun [C]
A bet is an amount of money which you risk on the unknown result of an event, such as a horse race.
He placed/put a bet on the horse which was the favourite to win.
(informal) A bet is also a guess or opinion.
My bet is their baby will be a girl. [+ (that) clause]
If you do something for/Am usually on a bet, you do it because someone says that you cannot or will not do it.
She jumped in the fountain for a bet.
Putting your savings in a high-interest account is a good bet/your best bet (=the wisest thing to do).
It is a fair bet (=It is quite likely) that the government will not act on any of the recommendations in the report. [+ (that) clause]
It's a safe bet (=It is very likely) that he won't remember my birthday tomorrow. [+ (that) clause]
If you make a bet with someone about something, you both have different opinions about whether it is true or will happen.
She made a bet with her brother about whether their mother would notice the broken vase.
betting
noun [U]
Betting is the habit of putting bets on horse races or other competitions.
Betting can be as addictive as drinking or smoking.
(British) A betting shop is a place where people go to bet on horse races or other competitions.
informal) Your best bet is the action which is most likely to be successful.
If you want to get to the station before 10 o'clock, your best bet would be to take a taxi.
(informal) If you say I/I'll bet in answer to something that someone has said, you mean that you agree with them.
"I was so relieved that I didn't have to clean up after the party." "I bet (=I am not surprised) you were."
(informal) You bet can be used to emphasize a statement or to mean 'certainly'.
"Are you coming to the party?" "You bet (=certainly)!"
(informal) If you say (how much) do you want to bet? in answer to something that someone has said, you mean that you are certain that they are wrong.
"I'm sure she won't come and visit us." "How much do you want to bet?"
(informal) If you say don't bet on it/I wouldn't bet on it, you mean that you think what someone has just said is unlikely to be true or to happen.
"Do you think they'll give me back the money they owe me?" "I wouldn't bet on it."
INFORMAL You can bet your boots/bottom dollar/shirt/AM SLANG ass (=be certain) she'll be there to meet me.
If you make a bet with someone about something, you both have different opinions about whether it is true or will happen.
She made a bet with her brother about whether their mother would notice the broken vase.
impose (FORCE)
verb [T]
to establish (something) as a rule to be obeyed or to force people to accept (something)
Very high taxes have recently been imposed on cigarettes.
Teachers are striking in protest at this year's government-imposed pay settlement.
Judges are imposing increasingly heavy fines for minor driving offences.
The council has imposed a ban on alcohol in the city parks.
Colonial settlers imposed their own culture and religion on the countries that they conquered.
We need to impose some kind of order on the way we do things in the office.
imposition
noun [U]
Several government ministers have demanded the imposition of the death penalty for the murder of police officers.
The imposition of martial law will not halt the disintegration of the country.
The imposition of sanctions is unlikely to have any significant effect until winter.
impose on (INCONVENIENCE) - narzucać się (komuś)
phrasal verb [T]
to force your presence on (someone) when it is not wanted, or to cause inconvenience to (someone)
Are you sure it's all right for me to come tonight? I don't want to impose on you.
She's always imposing on people - asking favours and getting everyone to do things for her.
imposition
noun [C]
Would it be too much of an imposition to ask you to pick my parents up from the airport?
credible
adjective
able to be believed or trusted
They haven't produced any credible policies for improving the situation.
The story of what had happened to her was barely (=only just) credible.
credibly
adverb
The family in the television programme could not be credibly compared with a real one.
credibility
noun [U]
He complained that there had been a campaign to undermine his credibility as leader.
A credibility gap is a difference between what is promised and what really happens.
British and Australian) If you have street-credibility (also street-cred), you are likely to be accepted by ordinary young people who live in towns and cities because you have the same fashions, styles, interests, culture oropinions.
That jacket won't do much for your street cred. It looks awful!
Many celebrities develop a working class accent to increase their street credibility.
The store is trying to attract more teenage customers by developing a more street-credible image.
consensual
adjective
FORMAL
(esp. in legal matters) with the willing agreement of all the people involved
No criminal charges were brought against him after the police decided that the sexual acts he performed with his neighbour were consensual (=both people agreed to it).
notion
noun
(a) belief or idea
The programme makers reject the notion that seeing violence on television has a harmful effect on children. [C + that clause]
I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living. [C]
Have you any notion how much it costs to keep a dog? [U + wh- word]
However did you get such a notion (=silly idea)? [C]
(dated) If you have/take a notion to do something, you suddenly want to do it.
I had a notion to write them a letter.
notional
adjective
FORMAL
Something that is notional exists only as an idea, not in reality.
Almost everyone will have to pay a higher tax bill than the notional amount suggested by the Government.
compassion
noun [U]
APPROVING
a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or bad luck of others and a desire to help them
"I understand how difficult it must be for you," she said with compassion.
The government hasn't shown much compassion for/towards the sufferers.
Compassion fatigue is unwillingness to give money or care for people in difficulties, as a result of too much discussion of the problem in the media.
compassionate
adjective
APPROVING
The public's response to the crisis appeal was generous and compassionate.
Compassionate leave is a short time spent away from work for personal reasons, such as the death of a close member of your family.
compassionately
adverb
APPROVING
He listened compassionately to the account of his brother's accident.
restrain
verb [T]
to control the actions or behaviour of (someone) by force, esp. in order to stop them from doing something, or to limit the growth or force of (something)
When he started fighting, it took four police officers to restrain him.
One of the patients became violent and had to be physically restrained by two of the nurses.
You should try to restrain your ambitions and be more realistic.
The five members of the UN Security Council have agreed on a set of guidelines designed to restrain arms sales. [T]
The report states that the growth in car ownership could be restrained by increasing taxes. [T]
She was so angry that she could hardly restrain herself. [T]
I had to restrain myself from laughing at his hideous tie. [T]
He was wild and unpredictable, but she acted as a restraining influence on him. [T]
(law) A restraining order is a written instruction made by a court which forbids a particular action until a decision has been made by the judge about the matter.
She obtained a restraining order forbidding her partner from seeing their two children.
restrained
adjective
Someone who is restrained acts in a calm and controlled way.
She was restrained, despite the anger that welled up inside her.
Something that is restrained is controlled.
The tone of his poetry is restrained and unemotional.
Banks and building societies say that they have now adopted a more restrained policy on mortgage lending.
restraint
noun [U]
Restraint is calm and controlled behaviour.
He showed admirable restraint, and refused to be provoked.
The federal government appealed for restraint, insisting the crisis could be resolved without the use of force.
The security forces exercised (=used) great restraint by not responding to hostile attacks or threats.
A restraint is something which limits the freedom of someone or something, or which prevents something from growing or increasing.
Government spending restraints mean that the plans to develop the harbour area have had to be delayed for several years. [C]
The political reforms have been accompanied by an easing of restraints on the press. [C]
A lack of space is the main restraint on the firm's expansion plans. [C]
During the recession, the government opted for a policy of pay/wage restraint rather than a reduction in public investment. [U]
If a violent person is kept/placed under restraint, they are kept in a way that prevents them from moving freely.
The two prisoners were kept under restraint while they were transported between prisons.
viable
adjective
able to work as intended or to succeed, or specialized able to continue to exist as or develop into a living being
In order to make the company viable, it will unfortunately be necessary to reduce staffing levels.
The government has agreed to allow the mines to stay in operation, as long as they can show that they can become viable.
Do you think solar power is really a viable alternative as a way of providing heat?
Many are doubtful that this technology will ever be commercially/economically/financially viable.
In the present economic climate, building a luxury hotel hardly seems a viable plan/proposition/proposal.
SPECIALIZED There is a continuing debate about the age at which a human fetus can be considered viable.
SPECIALIZED A mule is not a viable animal (=it cannot produce young).
viability
noun [U]
Rising costs are threatening the viability of many businesses.
The main priority for the company is to establish commercial/economic/financial viability.
SPECIALIZED As the world population of Hawaiian geese has shrunk to very small numbers, the bird's continuing viability is in doubt.
viably
adverb
shrink (BECOME SMALLER)
verb
to (cause to) become smaller
Your sweater will shrink if you wash it at too high a temperature. [I]
I shrank another shirt at the launderette today. [T]
The programme's audience has shrunk dramatically in the last few months. [I]
The introduction of a national lottery will help shrink the budget deficit. [T]
The company's profits have shrunk from £5.5 million to £1.25 million. [I]
The productivity improvements have shrunk our costs by 25%. [T]
See also shrunken.
Shrink-wrap is a thin transparent plastic material which is shrunk to fit the shape of the thing that it is wrapped around and which is used for protecting goods when they are being transported or sold.
Why is everything I buy these days covered in shrink-wrap?
Most of the fresh food sold in supermarkets is shrink-wrapped.
shrinkage
noun [U]
Synthetic fabrics are less susceptible to shrinkage than natural ones.
How can the shrinkage of the economy be reduced?
shrink (BE FRIGHTENED)
verb [I usually + adv/prep]
LITERARY
to move away (from someone or something) because you are frightened
The child shrank behind the sofa as his father shouted at him.
She shrank at his touch.
When she was younger she would shrink (away) from me whenever I spoke to her.
If you shrink from something, you avoid it because you think it is unpleasant or difficult.
We must not shrink from our responsibilities.
The president has said that she will not shrink from increasing taxes if such a move were to become necessary. [T]
(informal) A shrinking violet is a person who is very shy or modest and does not like to attract attention.
She loves appearing on television and is no shrinking violet when it comes to expressing herviews.
shrink (DOCTOR)
noun [C]
INFORMAL
a psychiatrist or psychoanalyst
I was so depressed that I ended up going to see a shrink.
Shrink-wrap is a thin transparent plastic material which is shrunk to fit the shape of the thing that it is wrapped around and which is used for protecting goods when they are being transported or sold.
Why is everything I buy these days covered in shrink-wrap?
Most of the fresh food sold in supermarkets is shrink-wrapped.
preoccupy
verb [T]
to be the main thought in someone's mind, causing other things to be forgotten
Economic concerns are preoccupying the voters in this election.
This issue has long preoccupied the legal profession in California.
preoccupied
adjective
She's been very preoccupied (=giving her attention to esp. one thing) recently because her mother has been very ill.
He is so preoccupied with his own problems that he has been incapable of working in the last few weeks.
Why does the media seem to have become so preoccupied with personal morality and family organization?
Preoccupied doctors hurried towards the hospital entrance.
preoccupation
noun
My main preoccupation (=The thing that I am thinking about most) now is trying to keep life normal for the sake of my two boys. [C]
The opening chapter of the book introduces the school staff and their problems and preoccupations, both emotional and academic. [C]
Lately, his preoccupation with (=thinking only about) football had caused his marks at school to slip. [U]
Such preoccupation with (=thinking only about) your work isn't healthy. [U]
amble
verb [I usually + adv/prep]
to walk in a slow and relaxed way
He ambled nonchalantly over to the phone.
She was just ambling along, going nowhere in particular.
She ambled down the street, stopping occasionally to look in the shop windows.
He blinked in the sunlight and ambled off towards the post office.
amble
noun [U]
There's nothing I enjoy more than a leisurely amble across the moor.
The horse slowed to an amble (=a slow walk, lifting both the legs on one side at the same time).
booth
noun [C]
a small enclosed box-like space that a person can go into
a telephone booth
/a polling booth
A booth is also a partly enclosed area, a table or small tent at a fair, exhibition, etc..
There was a man standing outside one of the booths at the fair encouraging people to have a ride on the ghost train.
Our company's booth at the exhibition was right next to our main competitor.
(British) A call box (also public (tele)phone, (tele)phone booth, Br and Aus (tele)phone box), is an enclosed or partly enclosed area in a public place where people can use a telephone.
(British and Australian) A polling booth is a small partly enclosed area in a polling station where you can vote in private.
oblivious
adjective
not aware of something, esp. what is happening around you
Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of/to her surroundings.
The government seems oblivious of/to the likely effects of the new legislation.
The camera moved over the faces of the oblivious workers.
obliviously
adverb
obliviousness
noun [U]
It's her total obliviousness to what's going on around her that amazes me.
daunt
verb [T]
to make (someone) feel slightly frightened or worried about their ability to achieve something; to discourage
She was not at all daunted by the size of the problem.
ESPECIALLY BRITISH She was not accepted by Newcastle University the first time she applied, but, nothing daunted (=not discouraged), she reapplied the following year.
daunting
adjective
In spite of unification the country was still faced with the daunting prospect of overcoming four decades of division.
dauntless
adjective
LITERARY
In spite of the scale of the famine, the relief workers struggled on with dauntless optimism and commitment.
vocal (OF THE VOICE)
adjective [not gradable]
relating to or produced by the voice, either in singing or speaking
The six principal roles in this opera have an average vocal range of two octaves.
As a singer, he is now at the height of his vocal powers.
Haydn's works include 104 symphonies, about 50 concertos, 12 masses and various vocal pieces.
The vocal sounds made by young babies are very similar to those used in early speech.
The vocal cords/vocal chords are a pair of folds at the upper end of the throat whose edges move quickly backwards and forwards and produce sound when air from the lungs moves over them.
vocal
noun [C usually pl]
A vocal is the singing in a piece of popular music.
The vocals are shared by two members of the band.
Is that Tamsin Palmer on vocals (=singing)?
She usually sings backing vocals, but tonight she's the lead vocal (=singer).
vocally
adverb [not gradable]
It really is the most impressive performance, both vocally and theatrically.
vocalist
noun [C]
A vocalist is a person who sings esp. with a group who play popular music.
a lead/backing vocalist
She won the Grammy Award for Best Female Vocalist in 1976.
vocal (OFTEN HEARD)
adjective
often expressing opinions and complaints in speech
During these years, suffrage demands by women became increasingly vocal and difficult to ignore.
The Independence Party is a small but vocal minority.
He had always been a very vocal critic of the president.
vocally
adverb
Yeats vocally opposed censorship.
The vocal cords/vocal chords are a pair of folds at the upper end of the throat whose edges move quickly backwards and forwards and produce sound when air from the lungs moves over them.
tuck (TIDY)
verb [T usually + adv/prep]
to push a loose end of (a piece of clothing or material) into a particular place or position, esp. to make it tidy or comfortable
Tuck your blouse into your skirt before you go out!
She had a napkin tucked in the neck of her blouse.
Richard came towards us tucking in his Hawaiian shirt as he walked. [M]
He tucked the bottom of the sheet under the mattress.
tuck (STORE SAFELY)
verb [T usually + adv/prep]
to put (something) into a safe or convenient place
Tuck your gloves in your pocket so that you don't lose them.
She tucked her favourite doll under her arm and went upstairs to bed.
Eventually I found the certificate tucked under a pile of old letters.
Grandma always keeps a bit of money tucked away (=keeps some money in a place which is safe and she can get to easily) in case there's an emergency. [M]
Tuck your chair in (=put it so that the seat of it is under the table) so that no one trips over it.
Something that is tucked in a particular place is in a place which is hidden or where few people go.
Tucked along/down this alley are some beautiful timber-framed houses
A group of tiny brick houses is tucked away behind the factory.
If you tuck part of your body, you hold it in a particular position.
Stand up straight, tuck your tummy in and tuck your bottom under.
She sat with her legs tucked under her.
tuck in (EAT)
phrasal verb [I]
INFORMAL
to eat enthusiastically or eagerly
There's plenty of food so please tuck in.
tuck into
phrasal verb [T]
INFORMAL
Judging by the way they tucked into their dinner, they must have been very hungry.
tuck
noun [U]
BRITISH DATED
(used esp. by and to children at school) Tuck is food, esp. sweets and cakes.
a tuck shop
See also tucker.
tuck in, British also tuck up (PUT TO BED)
phrasal verb [M]
to make (someone, esp. a child) comfortable in their bed for example by straightening the sheets
Daddy, if I go to bed now will you tuck me in?
The children are safely tucked up in bed.
viable
adjective
able to work as intended or to succeed, or specialized able to continue to exist as or develop into a living being
In order to make the company viable, it will unfortunately be necessary to reduce staffing levels.
The government has agreed to allow the mines to stay in operation, as long as they can show that they can become viable.
Do you think solar power is really a viable alternative as a way of providing heat?
Many are doubtful that this technology will ever be commercially/economically/financially viable.
In the present economic climate, building a luxury hotel hardly seems a viable plan/proposition/proposal.
SPECIALIZED There is a continuing debate about the age at which a human fetus can be considered viable.
SPECIALIZED A mule is not a viable animal (=it cannot produce young).
viability
noun [U]
Rising costs are threatening the viability of many businesses.
The main priority for the company is to establish commercial/economic/financial viability.
SPECIALIZED As the world population of Hawaiian geese has shrunk to very small numbers, the bird's continuing viability is in doubt.
viably
adverb
cavalier (WITHOUT CARE)
adjective
without caring about other people's feelings or safety; thoughtless
I don't approve of his cavalier attitude towards expensive equipment.
She complained about the shop's cavalier treatment of people with prams.
unveil
verb [T]
to remove a curtain-like covering from (a new statue, etc.) at a formal ceremony in order to show the opening or completion of a new building or work of art
The memorial to those who had died in the war was unveiled in 1948.
FIGURATIVE Ten top designers will this week unveil (=show for the first time) their autumn/winter collections at the fashion fair. [T]
FIGURATIVE A new government policy on forests is due to be unveiled (=made known) in April. [T]
predecessor
noun [C]
someone who had a job or a position before someone else, or something which comes before another thing in time or in a series
My predecessor worked in this job for twelve years.
Unlike his predecessor, the present prime minister favours closer political ties with Europe.
The latest Ferrari is not only faster than its predecessors but also more comfortable.
Commemorate - upamiętnić
verb [T]
to remember officially and give respect to (a great person or event) esp. by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building
Gathered all together in this church, we commemorate those who lost their lives in the great war.
A statue has been built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poet's birthday.
commemoration
noun [U]
A set of stamps has been commissioned in commemoration of Independence Day.
commemorative
adjective
a commemorative statue/stamp/service/plaque
pit someone against someone
phrasal verb [+ obj + obj]
to cause (someone or something) to fight against or be in competition with (someone or something)
It was a bitter civil war, that pitted neighbour against neighbour.
One group of Americans is pitted against another as they squabble over scarce government resources.
The climbers pitted themselves against the mountain.
The company is pitting the new computer system it has produced against those of its competitors.
Would you like to pit your wits against (=see if you can be cleverer than) our quiz champion?
preconceived
adjective
ESPECIALLY DISAPPROVING
(of an idea or an opinion) formed too early, esp. without enough consideration or knowledge
I'm not launching this inquiry with any preconceived ideas - I simply want to gather all the evidence.
You must judge each candidate on their own merits, without any preconceived notions about what they are like.
preconception
noun [C]
ESPECIALLY DISAPPROVING
A preconception is an idea or opinion formed before enough information is available to form it correctly.
Try to go into the meeting without too many preconceptions about what the other group want.
envisage, especially American envision
verb
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
to imagine or expect as a likely or desirable possibility in the future
Train fare increases of 5% are envisaged for the next year. [T]
It's envisaged that the building will start at the end of this year. [+ that clause]
We envisage that we will be ready to sign the contract in October. [+ that clause]
When do you envisage finishing the project? [+ v-ing]
I can't envisage anyone buying it. [T + obj + v-ing]
It's hard to envisage how it could have happened. [+ wh- word]
(slightly formal) To envisage is also to form a mental picture of something or someone you have never seen.
He wasn't what I'd expected - I'd envisaged someone much taller and more impressive-looking.
phenomenon (SUCCESS)
noun [C]
someone or something extremely successful, often because of unusual qualities or abilities
The Beatles were a phenomenon - nobody had heard anything like them before.
phenomenal
adjective
Her rise to fame was quite phenomenal - in less than two years she was a household name.
phenomenally
adverb
His first novel was phenomenally successful - it was translated into over thirty languages.
rush through
The factory rushed the new toy through production (=produced it very quickly).
shortfall
noun [C]
an amount which is less than the level that was expected or needed
Lack of rain in this area has caused serious shortfalls in the food supply.
overshadow
verb [T]
to be much taller than a building which is close and therefore to block off the sun from it, or to cause to seem less important or to be less happy
Grand Central Station in New York is overshadowed by the PanAm building. [T]
Karen has always been overshadowed by her elder sister. [T]
The news that his father had been hurt in an accident overshadowed his first day in his new job. [T]
mayor
noun [C]
the person who is elected each year to be the leader of the governing group in a town or city
mayoress
noun [C]
A mayoress is either the wife of a mayor or a female mayor.
A lady mayoress is the wife of a mayor.
mayoral
adjective [not gradable]
mayoral duties
mayoralty
noun [U]
AMERICAN
A mayoralty is the office of being a mayor or the period of time for which it lasts.
precinct (SHOPPING AREA)
noun [C]
BRITISH
part of a city or a town in which vehicles are not allowed and which is used for a special purpose, esp. shopping
a shopping precinct
a pedestrian/pedestrianized precinct
precinct (CITY AREA)
noun [C]
AMERICAN
a division of a city or a town, esp. an area protected by a particular unit of the police or a division used for electoral purposes
Crime rates in neighboring precincts are much lower.
The turnout in precincts with many middle-class voters is expected to be high.
precincts, precinct
plural noun
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
the area which surrounds a building or place, esp. when enclosed by a wall
A tunnel entrance was found within the precincts of the prison camp.
By mid-morning, crowds of souvenir sellers had set up their stalls in the museum precincts.
A esp. Br pedestrian precinct/Am and Aus usually pedestrian mall is an area with shops where vehicles are not allowed.
chide
verb [T]
FORMAL
to speak (to someone) severely because they have behaved badly
She chided him for his bad manners.
relent
verb [I]
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
to act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to allow before
Her parents had initially refused to let her go to the party, but eventually they relented (=they allowed her to go).
There is no sign of the warring parties relenting (=stopping the fighting) on the ground, whatever assurances they gave during the negotiations.
relentless
adjective
Relentless means continuing in a severe or determined way.
He believes that the relentless push for economic growth is deeply damaging to the environment.
The main symptom of anorexia is a relentless pursuit of thinness by starving yourself.
With all the money and glamour of a film career in Hollywood comes the relentless pressure to succeed.
The pool was a delightfully cool spot in the relentless summer heat.
relentlessly
adverb
She has campaigned relentlessly to secure her husband's release from prison.
Demand for places in the college has been rising relentlessly over the past few years.
primary (ELECTION)
noun [C]
(in the United States) an election in which people who belong to a political party choose who will represent that party in an election for political office
The campaign staff is focussing on the larger state primaries in order to have enough votes to win the nomination.
address (SPEAK TO)
verb [T]
FORMAL
to speak or write to (someone), or to direct information at (someone)
She addressed the meeting with fire and passion.
He addressed a few introductory remarks to the audience.
He likes to be addressed as 'Sir' or 'Mr Partridge'.
The essays on discipline are addressed primarily to young teachers.
address
noun [C]
She gave an address (=a formal speech) to the Royal Academy.
co-opt
verb [T]
(of an elected group) to make (someone) a member through the choice of the present members
She was co-opted on to the committee last June.
take over (DO/GET)
phrasal verb [M, C]
to do (something) instead of or to obtain (something) from someone else
Do you want me to take over the digging if you're tired? [M]
He's taken over the bedroom for his model railway. [M]
You've let this job take you over completely. [M]
This firm has taken over (=obtained control of) three companies this year. [M]
He took over from the headmaster in February. [I]
I've asked my assistant to take over preparing the reports. [+ v-ing]
takeover
noun [C]
My organization was involved in a takeover last year.
FIGURATIVE Are you trying to make a takeover bid for my job/wife/bookshelf?
The company made a takeover bid for (=tried to obtain control of) a rival firm.
ballot
noun [C]
a system or occasion of secret voting
Representatives were elected by ballot.
They decided to hold a ballot (=organize a ballot).
Let's put it to the ballot (=vote secretly on it).
A ballot (paper) is a piece of paper on which you write your vote.
Ballot-rigging is getting the election result you want by an illegal method.
Rumours of ballot-rigging discouraged many from voting.
ballot
verb [T]
The union decided to ballot its members on the issue (=find out their views by organizing a secret vote).
An Am absentee ballot/Aus absentee vote is a piece of paper which voters who are unable to be present at an election can vote on and send in by post.
Although we were in Sao Paolo at the time of the presidential election, we voted by absentee ballot.
People who cannot vote in person at the election can take part in a postal ballot (Am absentee ballot) by sending in a postal vote (Am and Aus absentee vote).
A secret ballot is a method of voting in which each person writes their choice on a piece of paper so that no one else knows how they have voted.
The election of the government is carried out by secret ballot.
If something that is valuable is at stake, it is in a situation where it might be lost.
Thousands of lives will be at stake if emergency aid does not arrive in the city soon.
This race was her last chance to win a place on the national team so everything was at stake. [after v; after n]
The real issue at stake (=to be discussed) is not how much the painting should be sold for but whether it should be sold at all.
comptroller 1. (management assistant) contrôleur -euse m, f de gestion, -euse 2. (financial inspector) contrôleur -euse m, f général des finances, -euse
comptroller
noun [C]
a controller, see at control
neglect - zaniedbywać
verb [T]
to give not enough care or attention to (people or things that are your responsibility)
He neglects that poor dog - he never takes him for walks or gives him any attention.
I'm afraid I've rather neglected the house this week so it's a bit of a mess.
If you neglect to do something, you don't do it, usually because you forget.
I'd neglected to tell him that I wouldn't be home that night and he hadn't slept for worrying.
neglect
noun [U]
Both parents were found guilty of neglect and their child was taken away from them.
Over the years the church has fallen into a state of neglect.
neglected
adjective
She was distressed at how neglected the children looked - their clothes were dirty and their hair unwashed.
neglectful
adjective
I'm sure my boss thinks I've been neglectful of my duties recently.
overwhelm
verb [T]
to make powerless by using force, or to cause to feel sudden strong emotion
Government troops have overwhelmed the rebels.
Her attacker overwhelmed her by squeezing her throat.
They were overwhelmed with/by grief when their baby died.
I was quite overwhelmed by all the flowers and letters of support I received.
Since I've been on a diet, I've been overwhelmed by a desire to eat.
If water overwhelms a place it covers it suddenly and completely.
The whole valley will be overwhelmed if the dam bursts.
overwhelming
adjective
Overwhelming means difficult to fight against.
She felt an overwhelming urge/desire/need to tell someone about what had happened.
Overwhelming also means very great or very large.
She said how much she appreciated the overwhelming generosity of the public in responding to the appeal.
An overwhelming majority have voted in favour of the proposal.
overwhelmingly
adverb
The team were overwhelmingly (=strongly or completely) defeated in yesterday's game.
temper (REDUCE)
verb [T]
FORMAL
to reduce the pleasant or unpleasant effects of (something)
His joy that she was alive was tempered by the knowledge that she would never walk again.
Breaking both his legs hasn't tempered his enthusiasm for rock climbing.
He tried to temper the bad news with some hope of better things in the future.
endear someone to someone
phrasal verb [+ obj + obj]
to cause (someone) to be liked by (someone)
She is unlikely to endear herself to her colleagues with such an aggressive approach to the problem.
endearing
adjective
She is a funny, determined and endearing woman who laughs at herself more than anyone else does.
endearingly
adverb
endearment
noun [U]
They sat in the corner of the restaurant, whispering endearments to each other. [C]
quixotic
adjective
LITERARY
having ideas that are not practical or likely to succeed, esp. in trying to help other people
This is a vast, exciting and perhaps quixotic project.
quixotically
adverb
LITERARY
The minister pushes quixotically ahead with his reform programme in the face of vehement opposition.
vulnerable
adjective
able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
His parents divorced when he was at a very vulnerable age.
It is on economic policy that the government is most vulnerable.
Tourists are more vulnerable to attack, because they do not know which areas of the city to avoid.
The troops were in a vulnerable position, completely exposed to attack from the air.
vulnerability
noun [U]
Perhaps his arrogance is a cover for an underlying vulnerability.
The vulnerability of the economy to recession is only too obvious.
vie
verb [I]
to compete
Six candidates are currently vying for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The children tend to vie for their mother's attention.
The streets were full of cars vying with each other for parking spaces. [I]
Car dealers are vying with each other to attract customers by offering discounts. [+ to infinitive]
The two groups of scientists are vying to get funding for their research projects. [+ to infinitive]
tally (AGREE)
verb [I]
to match or agree with something else
Our numbers/figures don't tally - you've made it twenty pounds more than me.
Your plans don't tally with mine.
tally (COUNT)
noun [C usually sing]
SLIGHTLY DATED
a record or count of a number of items
His tally today is three fish but yesterday he caught five.
Will you keep a tally of the number of customers going in and out?
I'll keep the tally (of points scored in the game).
Have you kept a tally of what I owe you/what you spent?
(Australian) A tally-room is a room in which votes are collected after an election.
tally
verb
SLIGHTLY DATED
If the game's over I'll tally up. [I]
Will you tally (up) what I owe you? [T]
tally-ho
interjection
a shout made by a hunter who sees a fox, or dated or humorous a shout given when starting any exciting physical action
(Australian) A tally-room is a room in which votes are collected after an election.
turn out (COME)
phrasal verb [I]
to come, appear or be present
The whole family turned out for the match.
Not many people were prepared to turn out so early.
Twenty people turned out to help us.
Compare turn up (COME).
turnout
noun [C]
A turnout is the number of people who are present at an event, esp. the number who go to vote at an election.
There was a disappointingly poor turnout to hear such a well-known speaker.
Good weather on polling day should ensure a good turnout.
turn up (COME)
phrasal verb [I]
to (cause to) come or appear, esp. unexpectedly
Do you think many people will turn up? [I]
She turned up at my house very late. [I]
The missing letter eventually turned up inside a book. [I]
Don't worry about it - something might/will turn up (=something might happen to improve the situation). [I]
See what you can turn up (=discover) about the family in the files. [M]
If someone turns up like a bad penny they are always appearing at events where they are not wanted.
turn-up for the book(s), American one for the books
[rarely subject]
BRITISH
A turn-up for the book(s) (Am one for the books) is a surprising or unexpected event.
Well, there's a turn-up for the book - I never thought he'd get the job.
throughout
preposition, adverb
in every part, or during the whole period of time
People throughout the country are out of work.
He yawned throughout the performance.
The school has been repainted throughout.
If you wish to come you'll have to stand throughout.
incumbent (PERSON)
adjective [before n, not gradable]
officially having the named position
The incumbent president faces problems which began many years before he took office.
incumbent
noun [C]
The present incumbent (of the post) (=The person who has the position) is due to retire next month.
incumbency
noun [C]
During her incumbency as (=the period during which she was) commissioner, several changes were introduced.
incumbent (NECESSARY)
adjective [after v; usually + on/upon, not gradable]
FORMAL
necessary; which must be done
She felt it incumbent upon/on her to (=felt she had to) raise the subject at their meeting.
strike (CAUSE A FEELING)
verb [T]
to cause (someone) to have a feeling or idea about something
My report may strike some people as pessimistic, but at least it's realistic about the problems we face.
I was immediately struck by the similarities between the two murders.
We were both struck by how unaffected she was by her husband's death.
So how does my proposition strike you (=What do you think of it)?
From what you've said, it strikes me (that) you'd be better off working for someone else. [+ obj + (that) clause]
Almost everything he said struck me as absurd.
We'd only just met, but I was already struck quite forcibly by the fact that she was extremely intelligent. [T]
Doesn't it strike you as rather odd that he never talks about his family?
If something strikes a chord, it causes people to remember something else because it is similar to it.
If you strike a note, you express an idea about something.
I find it really difficult to strike the right note when I'm writing job applications.
The president struck a sombre note in his New Year address to the country.
At the end of her speech, she struck a note of warning about the risks involved in the project.
The latest statistics strike an upbeat note about the economy.
striking
adjective
A person or thing that is striking attracts a lot of attention by being very unusual or easily noticed.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this computer is that it is so easy to use.
She bears a striking resemblance to her mother.
There's a striking contrast between what he does and what he says he does.
There are striking differences between the north and south of the country.
The most striking example of the dangers of nationalism is the violence that engulfed the former Yugoslavia.
The cathedral is the most striking feature of the city.
There are striking parallels between the experiences of the two women.
There are striking similarities between the two cases.
Their production of Macbeth was the most visually striking performance I've ever seen.
A person who is striking is unusually attractive.
He's quite good-looking, but he's not as striking as his brother.
strikingly - uderzająco
adverb
Japanese has a strikingly different structure and writing system from any European language.
They gave a strikingly original performance of the play.
The problems we face are strikingly similar.
Her husband is strikingly handsome, isn't he?
make for (GO TOWARDS)
phrasal verb [T]
to go in the direction of (a place)
When you leave London, make for Birmingham.
See also make towards.
make for (MAKE POSSIBLE)
phrasal verb [T]
to result in or make possible
Having faster computers would make for a more efficient system.
flypast British, American flyby, American also flyover
noun [C]
an occasion of a group of aircraft flying in a special pattern as a part of a ceremony
flyover British, American and Australian overpass (BRIDGE)
noun [C]
a bridge that carries a road or railway over another road
You'll have to use the Chiswick flyover.
hector
verb [T]
DISAPPROVING
to talk and behave towards (someone) in a loud and unpleasantly forceful way, esp. in order to get them to act or think as you want them to
Audiences do not want to be hectored by aggressive, unsympathetic speakers.
hectoring
adjective
DISAPPROVING
He did not take kindly to the hectoring moral tone of the speaker.
He had a loud, hectoring manner.
She was regarded as rude, haughty, bossy and hectoring
trot
noun
a way in which a four-legged animal moves which is faster than walking and which involves a front leg and the back leg on the opposite side moving together
He climbed onto his horse and set off at a relaxed trot down the lane. [U]
Have we got time for another trot (=ride) down the road before lunch? [C]
FIGURATIVE It was clear from a quick trot through (=examination of) the sales figures that the company was not doing as well as it claimed. [C]
A trot is also a slow run by a human.
The team warmed up for the match with a trot around the pitch.
If you do things on the trot you do them directly after each other without pausing.
She worked 30 hours on the trot to get the job finished on time.
If you have been on the trot you have been very busy for a long time.
I've been on the trot all day and I'm absolutely exhausted!
trot
verb [I usually + adv/prep]
We were trotting along the lane when a car suddenly appeared from nowhere and almost made me fall off my pony.
The dog trotted down the path to greet me.
It was delightful to watch the deer trotting through the heather.
Compare canter; gallop.
(informal) When people trot somewhere, they go there quickly, hurriedly or busily.
She just expects me to trot along to meetings at a moment's notice.
She left her purse on the counter so I had to trot down the street after her.
Mike's just trotted off to the supermarket, but he should be back soon. [I usually + adv/prep]
"I'm in a bit of a rush. I'll give you a ring," said James, and off he trotted. [I usually + adv/prep]
Although she retired from politics five years ago, she still trots around the globe (=travels around the world), giving speeches and meeting world leaders. See also globetrotter. [I usually + adv/prep]
FIGURATIVE She was rather nervous and trotted through her speech a bit too quickly. [I usually + adv/prep]
trots
plural noun
INFORMAL
Someone who has the trots is suffering from diarrhoea a condition in which the contents of the bowels are emptied too often.
I think it must have been that prawn curry which gave me the trots.
trot out
phrasal verb [M]
DISAPPROVING
to state (an idea, opinion or fact, esp. one that has been stated often before or is foolish)
You trot out that argument whenever I try to discuss this matter with you.
Whenever I ask him why his essay's late he just trots out the same old excuses.
(disapproving) When a person is trotted out they are sent to appear in public in order to represent or defend an idea or opinion.
Whenever the President is in difficulties, her spokesman is trotted out to face the press.
Cigarette companies are always trotting out their experts to try and prove that smoking isn't dangerous.
prawn
noun [C]
a small edible pink sea animal with a shell and ten legs
peeled prawns
Prawns have a thin flat body and a long tail and are similar to shrimps but bigger.
We had a delicious prawn cocktail for the first course.
(Australian) To come the raw prawn is to try to deceive someone, esp. by pretending that you have no knowledge of something.
Don't come the raw prawn with me - you know exactly what happened.
ultimate
adjective [not gradable]
most extreme or important because either the original or final, or the best or worst
Of course the ultimate responsibility for the present conflict without doubt lies with the aggressor.
Although other people can advise him, the ultimate decision about who to employ lies with Andrew.
Your ultimate goal as an athlete is to represent your country.
In theory capital punishment is the ultimate deterrent.
Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal.
The 21-year-old painter is about to receive the ultimate accolade of a one-man exhibition at New York's Museum of Contemporary Art.
The yacht is owned by the world's seventh-richest man, and is the ultimate luxury cruiser.
ultimate
noun [U]
He drives a gold Rolls Royce Corniche - the ultimate in luxury.
Chocolate really is the ultimate in indulgence.
You mean he actually tried to tackle six men single-handedly! Well, that really is the ultimate in stupidity!
ultimately
adverb [not gradable]
Ultimately means finally.
Everything will ultimately depend on what is said at the meeting with the directors next week.
Ultimately, of course, he'd like to have his own business but that won't be for some time.
mill
noun [C]
a building where grain is crushed into flour
The mill is still used to grind flour.
A mill is also a small machine for crushing things into powder.
a pepper mill
a coffee mill
A mill is also a factory where a particular substance is produced.
a cotton mill
a steel mill
a paper mill
If you put someone through the mill you cause them to have a difficult and unpleasant experience, esp. by asking them a lot of difficult questions.
I had the interview this morning - they really put me through the mill.
mill
verb [T]
The grain is still milled locally.
(specialized) To mill metal is to shape it by removing parts from it using a special machine.
miller
noun [C]
A miller is a person, esp. in the past, who owned or was in charge of a mill.
mill about/around
phrasal verb
(of a group of people) to move about esp. in a confused way within a particular place or area
The crowd milled about the exit, waiting for the stars to appear. [T]
People were milling around outside the theatre, hoping to catch a glimpse of the prince. [I]
pass out (BECOME UNCONSCIOUS)
phrasal verb [I]
to become unconscious; faint (LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS)
When I opened the office door, I was hit on the head and passed out.
Residents walked past a dying man thinking that he had passed out after a party, police said.
pass out (LEAVE COLLEGE)
phrasal verb [I]
BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN
to leave a military college at the end of a course
The new officers passed out from Britannia Royal Naval College on Thursday 1 August.
His parents attended the passing-out ceremony.
amend
verb [T]
to change the words of (esp. a law or a legal document)
MPs were urged to amend the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster. [+ obj + to infinitive]
In line 20, 'men' should be amended (=changed) to 'people'.
Until the constitution is amended, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.
The country's constitution will have to be amended to allow its troops to take part in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
amendment
noun
He insisted that the book did not need amendment. [U]
I've made a few last-minute amendments to the article. [C]
Presidential power was reduced by a constitutional amendment in 1991. [C]
An amendment is sometimes a change to a law that is not yet in operation and is still being discussed by a parliament.
An amendment to the bill was agreed without a vote.
The amendments that she tabled (=suggested for discussion) were based on the most recent medical research.
All amendments proposed by the opposition parties were defeated.
ambush
verb [T]
to attack (a person or a group of people) after hiding and waiting for them
Five soldiers died after their bus was ambushed on a country road.
He was ambushed by gunmen on his way to work.
ambush
noun
Several passers-by were killed in the ambush. [C]
Fear of ambush prevents the police from going to high-risk areas. [U]
If someone lies in/waits in ambush they hide and wait for someone in order to attack them.
reverse
verb
to (cause to) go backwards, or to change the direction, order, position, result, etc. of (something) to its opposite
ESPECIALLY BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN She reversed (AM USUALLY backed) (the car) into the parking space. [I/T]
BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN I was almost knocked off my bike by a car reversing (AM backing up) out of a garage. [I]
The new manager hoped to reverse the decline in the company's fortunes. [T]
Why don't you reverse the order so that I play first and she plays second? [T]
Now that you have a job and I don't, our situations are reversed. [T]
The Court of Appeal reversed the earlier judgment and set him free. [T]
To reverse the charges (Am also call collect) is to make a telephone call that is paid for by the person receiving it.
reverse
noun [U]
I win at chess by doing the reverse of what my opponent expects.
The teachers say my son is slow but I believe the reverse (is true).
To stop the engine you repeat the same procedures, but in reverse (order).
To drive a vehicle backwards you must put it in/into reverse (gear).
FIGURATIVE The trend towards home ownership has gone into reverse (=the opposite of this is now true).
(formal) A reverse is a defeat or failure.
They suffered a serious military/financial/political reverse.
The reverse of a coin, medal, etc. is the back of it: The English £1 coin has a royal coat of arms on the reverse.
Reverse discrimination (Br and Aus also positive discrimination) is when an advantage is given to people who are typically thought to be treated unfairly, usually because of their race or sex.
reversal
noun [C]
He demanded a reversal (=change to be the opposite) of a previous decision/policy.
FIGURATIVE INFORMAL We have suffered a couple of minor reversals (=problems or failures).
reversible
adjective
It might be a good idea to buy a reversible raincoat because then it can be worn with either side out.
Role reversal is when two people exchange their usual duties or positions.
Men are starting to take a break from continuous full-time employment for further education or for role reversal in the home (=taking care of their children and doing jobs around the home while their wives return to employment).
exile
noun
the condition of someone being sent or kept away from their own country, village, etc., esp. for political reasons, or the person who is sent or kept away
The Dalai Lama went into exile in 1959 because of the political situation in his own country. [U]
The deposed leaders are currently in exile in the neighbouring country. [U]
After many years of exile thousands of families will now be able to return to their homeland. [U]
The island is a haven for tax exiles (=people who leave their own country because they think they pay too much tax there). [C]
exile
verb [T]
The monarch was exiled because of the coup.
loot
verb
(usually of large numbers of people during a violent event) to steal from (shops and houses)
During the riot shops were looted and cars damaged or set on fire. [T]
Discipline quickly broke down after the city fell, and the invading soldiers were found to be looting and sometimes killing. [I]
looting
noun [U]
Looting is the activity of stealing from shops during a violent event.
There were reports of widespread looting as football hooligans stampeded through the city centre.
Looting and vandalism caused thousands of dollars' worth of damage to businesses and public property.
loot
noun [U]
Loot means money and valuable objects that have been stolen, esp. by an army from a defeated enemy.
Napoleon's army took priceless works of art from all over Europe as loot.
The men who robbed the camera store are trying to dispose of the loot by selling it in the street.
(informal humorous) Loot can also be used to mean a lot of money or presents received.
The children always get lots of loot at Christmas.
coup
noun [C]
an unexpectedly successful achievement
It was a tremendous coup for the local paper to get an exclusive interview with Prince Charles.
coup de grâce
noun [C]
an action which ends something that has been gradually worsening or which kills a person or animal in order to end their suffering
Jane's affair was the coup de grâce to her disintegrating marriage.
He was in tremendous agony and knew he was going to die, so I agreed to give/administer the coup de grâce to him.
coup (d'état)
noun [C]
a sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, esp. by (part of) an army
a military coup
Gorbachev survived an abortive coup attempt, only to be dethroned a few months later by the breakup of the USSR.
coup de théâtre
noun [C]
a sudden and surprising event, esp. in a play
There's a brilliant coup de théâtre at the end of the play.
A palace coup or palace revolution is a situation in which a leader is removed from power by the people who have worked with him or her until then, but who now take control themselves.
A palace coup led by General Rodriguez has toppled the dictator.
topple
verb
to (cause to) lose balance and fall down
The statue of the dictator was toppled (over) by the crowds. [T]
The tree toppled over/toppled and fell. [I]
FIGURATIVE The church was prominently involved in the struggle that toppled the dictatorship. [T]
fault (MISTAKE)
noun
a mistake, esp. something for which you are to blame, or (esp. in a person's character or a machine) a weakness or broken part
"Whose fault was the crash?" "Well, it wasn't mine!" [U]
Profits are down and the fault is/lies in bad management. [U]
The fault was/lay with the organizers, who failed to make the necessary arrangements for dealing with so many people. [U]
Through no fault of his own he spent a week in jail after the police mistakenly arrested him. [U]
I've found a couple of faults in the instruction booklet. [C]
He's got many faults (=weaknesses), but dishonesty isn't one of them. [C]
Despite (all)/For all/With all its faults (=weaknesses), our transport system is better than that in many other countries. [C]
Don't touch it if you think it's got an electrical fault (=broken part). [C]
I can't phone my Dad - there seems to be a fault on the line (=the connection between the two telephones is not working). [C]
In tennis and other similar games, a fault is a mistake made when hitting the ball over the net in order to begin a game.
Her doctor was at fault (=was wrong) in not sending her straight to a specialist.
To find fault with something or someone is to criticize or complain even about small mistakes.
It's depressing to have someone always finding fault with your work.
If you say that someone is generous/kind/etc. to a fault, you mean that they are extremely generous/kind/etc..
Generous to a fault, she took all her friends out for a lavish dinner.
fault
verb [T]
Daniel couldn't fault (=could find nothing to criticize in) her/her arguments.
I can't fault you on your logic.
That's the fourth serve he's faulted on (=made a mistake in hitting) today.
faultless
adjective
APPROVING
Something that is faultless is perfect and without any mistakes.
a faultless performance
speaking faultless French
faultlessly
adverb
faulty
adjective
A faulty machine or device is not perfectly made or not working correctly.
I think it's the ignition that is faulty.
fault (CRACK)
noun [C]
SPECIALIZED
a crack in the Earth's surface where the rock has divided into two parts which move against each other
A fault line is a line of weakness in the rocks of the Earth's surface, where an earthquake is most likely to happen.
A fault line within a society, a political party or another organization is a division or disagreement within it that divides it into different groups.
The party is still divided along the same fault lines that split it in the past.
adjourn
verb
to make a pause or rest in (esp. a meeting, trial, etc.)
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday/for two days. [T]
Karpov adjourned (the chess game) a pawn ahead. [I/T]
Shall we adjourn for lunch? [I]
FORMAL OR DATED Shall we adjourn to (=go to) the sitting room for coffee? [I]
adjournment
noun
The defence attorney requested an adjournment. [C]
The court's adjournment means that a decision will not be reached until December at the earliest. [U]
unearth
verb [T]
to discover (something) in the ground, or fig. to discover (proof or some other information), esp. after careful searching
Building at the site was halted after human remains were unearthed earlier this month.
FIGURATIVE Fresh evidence has been unearthed suggesting that he did not in fact commit the crime. [T]
rank (POSITION)
noun
a position higher or lower than others, showing the importance or the degree of responsibility of the person having it
A soldier taken as a prisoner of war only needs to give his name, rank, and number. [C]
She has just been promoted to the rank of captain. [C]
Ministers of Cabinet rank receive a higher salary than other ministers. [U]
He said that there were few members of ethnic minorities in senior legal ranks. [C]
She seems to be destined for the top rank of government. [C]
Having a large income is one of the advantages of rank (=high position). [U]
The rank and file (also the ranks) are all the soldiers who are not officers, or the members of an organization who are not part of the leadership, or humorous less important people generally
Conscripts form the bulk of the army's rank and file.
The party leadership seems to be losing the support of the rank and file.
A new law requires companies to offer comparable health benefits to top executives and rank-and-file workers.
These statistics concern rank-and-file citizens as well as economists.
rank
verb [usually + adv/prep]
A duchess ranks (=has a position) above a marchioness in social importance. [I]
My entry was ranked third (=placed in that position) in the flower show. [T]
He is currently ranked/He currently ranks second in the world (=has that position) as a tennis player. [I/T]
She ranks among/alongside (=is considered to be one of) the theatre's greatest actors. [I]
Which type of Scotch whisky do you rank (=consider) as the best? [T]
She said that 1989 must rank as (=be) the most remarkable year for change in Europe since 1848. [I]
She ranked the bottles (=arranged them in a particular order) in order of size along the shelf. [T]
Consumer preferences were placed in rank order/ranking order from 1 (very unpopular) to 5 (most popular). [usually + adv/prep]
ranking
adjective [before n, not gradable]
AMERICAN
General Steinberger is the ranking officer (=officer of highest rank) present.
ranks
plural noun
The ranks are the membership of a group or organization.
Party ranks have swelled by nearly 300 000.
There is great concern about safety among the ranks of racing drivers.
John has joined the ranks of the (=become) unemployed.
The ranks are also the rank and file
He rose from the ranks to become a director of the company.