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AT THE AIRPORTIf you take a flight from an airport in an English-speaking country, you're likely to hear some of these phrases.
Checking in
Did you pack these bags yourself?Have you left these bags unattended?Does the luggage belong to you?Have you been with your bags the whole time?Has anyone given you anything to take on the flight?How many bags do you have to check in?Do you have any hand luggage?Are you carrying any restricted items?
Can I see your passport?Would you like an aisle seat or a window seat? (aisle = next to the corridor)
Your gate number is … and your flight boards at …. (gate number = the numbered area of the airport where your flight leaves from)
Going through security
You need to put your hand luggage through the x-ray machine. Some items cannot be taken on board as hand luggage (such as knives, aerosol cans etc.) As you pass through security, you may set off the alarm. When this happens, the airport personnel search you.
In the departure lounge
When you pass through security, and before you board your flight, you can wait in the departure lounge. At international airports there is duty free shopping, where you can buy goods without paying taxes.
Airport announcements
Please proceed to gate number… (proceed = go to)In a few moments we will be calling all passengers with priority boarding.Please have your boarding card ready for inspection
WORDS FOR ENTERTAINMENT IN ENGLISHWhat do you like doing in your spare time? Do you go somewhere with your friends or your family? Here is some useful English vocabulary for talking about entertainment.
The cinema
Many people regularly go to the cinema (or the pictures). Most towns have a multiplex (= multi-screen) cinema which shows a wide range of films, from feature films to family films. Films are classified in Britain, with U suitable for all ages, PG (parental guidance) suitable for everyone over the age of 8, 12 (where no children can watch unless they are with an adult), 15 (where no one under the age of 15 can watch) and 18 (only suitable for adults).
The theatre
Large towns as well as the major cities have theatres, where you can see plays, musicals or pantomimes (a comedy play performed over Christmas). You can choose to go in the afternoon, for the matinee (pronounced "mat – in – ay") performance, or in the evening.
Generally, the more you pay, the better seat you get. The stalls are the seats at ground level in front of the stage, and these have the best views. Then there are the seats in the Dress Circle (or Royal Circle), which are in the firstbalcony. They also have good views of the stage. Then there are the seats in the Upper Circle, which are in the second balcony. Above this are cheaper seats in the Balcony or the Gallery, which are so high up that it's often difficult to see the actors. There are also seats in the Boxes, which are private rooms built into the side walls of the theatre.
Live music
Large cities can offer you a huge range of musical performances, from opera to classical concerts to jazz, folk, rock and pop gigs (= concerts). In summer there are often music festivals, with Glastonbury Festival being one of the most popular.
Family entertainment
Bank holidays and weekends are favourite times to go out with your family. Some things, such as circuses, zoos and water parks can be quite expensive. But other events, such as fun-days, parades and carnivals are much cheaper. Children often like to go by themselves to funfairs, where they can go on the rides and eat candyfloss.
A cheap night out
There are also plenty of cheap activities available in English towns and cities. Bingo is popular, and in London, people still go to the dogs, to see and bet on dog racing. You can often find a leisure centre in towns, which offer sport facilities. Many English people go to their local (= pub) where they can play darts or pool (= a type of snooker), as well as have a drink with friends.
At the weekend, younger people often go clubbing (= night clubs) or to a disco with their friends.
FILM VOCABULARYWe love watching films (= movies in American English) – either on TV, on DVD, downloaded onto our PCs or at the cinema.
What sort of films do you enjoy? You've got a lot of genres to choose from: westerns (set in the American Wild West) or spaghetti westerns (those filmed in Italy) to action films (fights, car chases etc), adventure,animated (cartoons), or horror (lots of blood or ghostly visits). Perhaps you prefer comedy (or "romcom" – romantic comedy) or dramas. Sometimes these are epics (long, historical dramas) and sometimes these are adaptations (adapted either from a previous film, or from a book or play). What about thrillers (or suspense), or musicals (with song and dance) and science fiction (set in a futuristic world)? Or maybe you prefer the old black and white films, or the classics.
In a celebrity-obsessed world, actors are as famous as politicians (maybe even more so!) We like to see our favourite actors playing a character – even a minor character – in films, whether these are in lead roles (=main roles), or supporting roles (not main roles). Every year, the Oscars gives awards to lead actors and supporting actors, but never to the extras (the actors who play people in a crowd, often without a speaking part.) We like reading the film credits, firstly to see who's in the cast (everyone who acted in the film) and if there's a special appearance by a famous actor who's only in the film for a couple of minutes.
Then we like to see who the director or producer is, the screenwriter who wrote the screenplay (the script that the actors speak) and who composed the soundtrack (the music background in the film). We'll read film reviews to find out more about the plot (or storyline) and how good the lighting, cinematography(art of shooting the film) or costumes are. We might even watch a trailer (short extract from the film) to see the special effects.
Telling a story about a film
Here are some ways you can tell the story (plot) of a film you've seen.
It's set in…(New York / in the 1950's).The film's shot on location in Arizona.The main characters are … and they're played by…It's a mystery / thriller / love-story.
You can tell the story of the film in the present simple tense.
Well, the main character decides to… (rob a bank)But when he drives there…
Giving your opinion
I thought the film was great / OK / fantastic…The actors / costumes / screenplay are/is …The special effects are fantastic / terribleThe best scene / the worst scene is when…The plot is believable / seems a bit unlikely
Not telling all
You don't want to spoil the film for your friends, so you can say something like:
"I don't want to spoil it for you, so I'm not going to tell you what happens in the end.""You'll have to go and see it for yourself.""I don't want to ruin the surprise for you."
Useful adjectives
All these are useful words and phrases to spice up your description:
true-to-life (a real story)the real story ofremarkable (unusual, good)masterpiece (the best work someone has done)oscar-winning
MARRIAGE AND WEDDING VOCABULARY
It all starts with a proposal. Traditionally the man goes down on one knee to pop the question.
If he receives a "yes", the couple are engaged. It is customary for the man to buy his fiancee anengagement ring, most commonly a diamond ring. Engagements can last for years, and if neither of the couple breaks off the engagement, the next step is marriage.
Planning the wedding
Most weddings in the UK take the form of either a civil ceremony (conducted at the Registry Office) or a traditional white wedding, held in a church. (There are other ceremonies for different religions.) If the couple chooses a church service, the planning can become quite complex. The church must be booked, the service has to be chosen, flowers arranged and so on. Other arrangements (for both traditional and civil) are to draw up a guest list, send out invitations, book a reception venue (for after the ceremony), choose bridesmaids (the girls who traditionally accompany the bride in the church) and the best man (the bridegroom's friend who accompanies him to the ceremony), buy the wedding dress, arrange ahoneymoon (the holiday after the wedding), compile a wedding list (a list of presents that guests can choose to buy the couple) and of course, to select the wedding ring(s).
The big day
The groom and best man arrive at the church first, and then the guests arrive. Last to arrive is the bride, normally dressed in a long white wedding dress with a train (material from the dress that covers the floor behind her), her face covered in a veil, carrying a bouquet of flowers, and accompanied by a couple of bridesmaids in matching dresses. Usually the bride's father walks her down the aisle until they reach the priest / vicar at the altar. The church organ plays the Wedding March, and the guests rise to their feet to watch the procession. Once they reach the altar, the bride stands with the groom, and the service begins. The service lasts for about half an hour, and contains readings (extracts from the Bible) and a couple ofhymns (religious songs). The priest always asks if there are any objections to the marriage (someone can speak or forever hold their peace = never have the opportunity again to object), and at the end of the service, the couple exchange rings and are proclaimed "man and wife". At that point, the groom is allowed to kiss his wife. The guests leave and the couple then sign the marriage register. When they come out of the church, the guests often throw confetti(small pieces of coloured paper), and the photographer takes various formal photographs.
Next in the big day is the reception, which is often a formal lunch in a hotel. After lunch there are variousspeeches. The bride's father normally gives a speech, then the best man gives a speech (which is often a funny speech designed to embarrass the groom), and the bridegroom and / or the bride give a short speech to thank their guests.
Some couples also arrange an evening reception, and hire a disco or band to play music for their friends.
At the end of the day, the happy couple traditionally leave on honeymoon.
Other wedding vocabulary
pre-wedding nerves = when you are nervous before the wedding
wedding bells = the traditional tune that the church bells play as the couple leave the church
wedding vows = the promises that the bride and groom make to each other during the ceremony. Some of these vows could be to love each other "until death do us part" and to love "for richer or poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and in good health".
wedding cake = a traditional cake with three "tiers" eaten at the end of the wedding meal
If you're feeling romantic, take a look at our page on love idioms!
Advanced Vocabulary List 5
audible
(adjective) able to be heard, hearable
The child spoke so softly her voice was barely audible.
coerce
(verb) compel by unethical means, force
Max was coerced into making a donation to the Senator's campaign fund.
morale
(noun) the state of spirit of a person or group
The soldier's morale is extremely low.
prevail
(verb) win; overcome; gain advantage
We may be losing now, but in the end we will prevail.
prudent
(adjective) careful and wise
It would not be very prudent to spend your entire paycheck on lottery tickets.
retort
(noun) a sharp reply, answer
Jack came back with a witty retort to the reporter's question.
scapegoat
(noun) someone to blame; someone to take the blame for others
Every office needs a scapegoat. In our office Max is the scapegoat. He's blamed for everything.
sedate
(adjective) calm; composed
The crowd at the funeral was quiet and sedate.
superstition
(noun) An irrational belief which ignores the laws of nature.
Getting seven years of bad luck for breaking a mirror is a common superstition.
supplement
(verb) add to; provide a supplement to
Max got a second job to supplement his income.
Advanced Vocabulary List 6apathy
Lack of interest or concern.
There is widespread apathy among the school staff.
dismal
Gloomy; drepressing; dreary.
When the weather is gloomy, I have a hard time getting motivated to do anything.
dismay
To cause the sudden loss of courage; to cause the feeling of consternation and distress.
We were dismayed by the president's policy reversal.
emulation
The imitation or copying of someone.
endeavor
To try very hard to achieve something.
We hoped that the president would endeavor to help the people.
frugal
Thrifty; economical.
You don't have to have a lot of money to travel if you are frugal.
impair To weaken; to affect negatively.
mercenary A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
The war was fought mostly by mercenaries.
naive Lacking experience.
It was naive of me to think that the governor actually cared about the people living in his state.
stringent Strict; restrictive; rigid; severe.
Mary has been on a stringent diet for months.
Advanced Vocabulary List 3
arrogant
(adjective) showing too much self-importance or self-worth; overbearing pride
Many political and business leaders are very arrogant.
aspire
(verb) to hope or dream; especially to hope or work towards a profession or occupation
Pinocchio aspired to become a real boy.
compel
(verb) force, constrain or coerce; sway
The soldiers were compelled to fight in the war.
concise
(adjective) short, brief, not verbose; clear and succinct
Please write a concise essay on the meaning of life.
illusion
(noun) a false impression, something that seems to be something that it is not
The magician seems to saw his assistant in half, but it is just an illusion.
impose
(verb) establish or apply by authority; force something on someone; selfishly bother
The government imposes taxes on the poor to pay for social programs for the rich.
lenient
(adjective)easygoing, lax, tolerant of deviation, permissive, not strict
The teacher accused Bobby's parents of being too lenient with Bobby.
menace
(noun) a possible threat or danger
Leaders with too much power can become a menace to the world.
novice
(noun) a person new to an activity, a beginner
You are pretty good for a novice.
overt
(adjective) open and observable; not secret or concealed
The politician's disregard for the law was quite overt.
abet
To approve, encourage, and support (an action or a plan of action); urge and help on.
Max is in prison for aiding and abetting Mary with her bank robbery.
accumulate
To mount up; increase.
Debts can easily and rapidly accumulate. Be careful with your credit cards.
agitate
To make someone nervous or troubled; to arouse concern.
The peaceful crowd became agitated when the police showed up in full riot gear.
alert
Vigilantly attentive.
The dog was very alert. He guarded his bone collection with great diligence.
alluring
attractive, seductive, inviting.
The salary was very alluring, but Max decided not to take the job.
ample
Plentiful; enough or more than enough.
I just went grocery shopping, so we should have ample food for the rest of the week.
baffle
To perplex or confuse.
I am baffled by the instructions on the tax forms.
bicker
To argue about unimportant matters.
Max and Mary bicker constantly.
blame
responsibility for something bad
Politicians are quick to assign blame, but they refuse to accept it.
blend
To combine (varieties or grades) to obtain a mixture of a particular character, quality, or consistency.
Max blends protein powder with apple juice.
English baby vocabulary
Useful words and phrases to talk about pregnancy and babies in English.
My friend got pregnant / conceived in April and her baby was born in January.
She waited until the second trimester (after three months) to tell people, as by then there is less risk oflosing the baby / having a miscarriage. During the pregnancy she had terrible morning sickness and she also had cravings (a strong desire to eat something) for cheese and pickle sandwiches.
The birth itself was uncomplicated. She went into labour at midnight, and the baby was born at 7 a.m. She didn't feel too much pain and didn't need an epidural. Instead, she was on drips to make thecontractions come a little quicker. Her midwife (special nurse who follows a woman throughout pregnancy) was with her during the birth, just to make sure that everything went well. Luckily, it was a normal delivery and she didn't need a Caesarean section (operation). The doctor cut the cord and put the baby on her stomach. He said "Congratulations! It's a healthy baby girl!"
She and her husband prepared their house before she went into hospital. They decorated the nursery(baby's bedroom). They also had to buy some baby equipment, such as a baby bath, a changing mat (on which they will change the baby's nappies), a carry cot (so they can carry the baby around), a cot (for the baby to sleep in), and a mobile (to hang over the cot so that the baby can see moving shapes). Friends and family bought them lots of baby clothes and teddy bears.
My friend is now on maternity leave (paid leave from work to have a baby) while her husband can also take paternity leave.
What to say to new parents
"Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy / girl!"
"Congratulations on the safe arrival of (baby's name)." (in a card)
"Have you decided on a name yet?"
"She / he's got your nose / eyes / mouth!"
"What a beautiful baby!"
Medical English vocabulary
English words and phrases connected with injury, illness and going to the doctor.
Boil = infected swelling with liquid inside it: "You'll need to go to the doctor to have that boil lanced." (lance – puncture and clean)
Lump = swelling: "I have a strange lump on my arm. I wonder what caused it."
Rash = allergic reaction which makes your skin go red: "When she used the soap her skin came out in a rash."
Scab = dry skin that forms over a cut: "Don't pick at your scab – you might make it bleed."
Spot = red mark on the skin (much smaller than a boil): "When he was a teenager he had a lot of spots."
Swelling = an irritation or infection that makes the skin rise: "After the wasp stung her, she had a swelling on her leg for days."
The following words can be used as nouns and verbs:
Bruise = when the skin goes blue and yellow: "She fell down the stairs and bruised her arm.""He has a bruise just under his eye."
Bump = when you hit yourself and get a slight swelling:"Ow! I bumped my head on the desk!""It's only a little bump – nothing serious."
Cut = when something sharp breaks your skin and you bleed: "He cut himself badly on the bread knife.""Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in the accident. There were only a few cuts and bruises.""She got a nasty cut on her hand while she was diving."
Gash = deep cut: "He gashed his hand badly on a piece of broken glass.""That's a nasty gash. You might need stitches."
Graze = slight cut – not enough to bleed much: "When she was little, she was always grazing her knee.""I got a small graze on my hand when I fell onto some gravel."
Itch = when a part of your body makes you want to scratch it: "My eyes are itching – this atmosphere is too smoky for me.""I've got a terrible itch where the mosquito bit me."
Scratch = like a graze, but more painful: "The cat scratched me – it stings a little.""He was picking berries and got a couple of scratches from the thorns."
Sprain = twist a part of your body: "She sprained her ankle when she slipped on the ice.""My ankle looks swollen, but it's only a minor sprain."
Going to the doctor
The first time you visit a new doctor, you should talk about your medical history – the illnesses you have had, any operations you have had and so on.
Your doctor might want to give you a check-up. A check-up will include monitoring your blood pressure, as high blood pressure is serious and can lead to life-threatening conditions. Your doctor will probably also take your pulse to check that your heart rate is normal.
A doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your breathing – particularly if you have a heart or chest infection, or a condition such as asthma.
Of course, you can also visit the doctor for a huge range of other reasons. Children need to have theirinjections and if you are going abroad on holiday, you might also need to have injections againstinfectious diseases. In winter, you can also get a flu vaccine so that you won't get the flu.
If you need medication, a doctor will write you a prescription. You can get your prescription filled at a chemist.
For more serious medical conditions, you can get a referral to a clinic or a hospital. You might needblood tests done, or you might need an X-ray, or you might need to see a specialist.
See our page How to talk about illness for speaking phrases.
Advanced Vocabulary List 7adverse
Unfavorable; harmful.
Adverse weather conditions will not stop Max from going fishing.
advocate
A person who publicly supports something or someone.
Max is an advocate for animal rights.
destiny
A predetermined state; fate.
Max considered it his destiny to die poor and alone.
diminish
To make smaller or less or to cause to appear so.
Max laughed at Mary's award and tried to diminish the award's importance.
donor
One who contributes to a cause or fund.
The Red Cross sent a letter of gratitude to all of the donors.
exempt
Free from a duty or obligation.
Most churches are exempt from paying taxes.
query
To ask, inquire.
The police officer queried the drivers involved in the accident.
patron
A customer
Some of the patrons complained to the waiter about the quality of the food.
savor
To enjoy or appreciate the taste or smell of something.
Homer savored every bite of the chocolate donut.
vocation
Employment; occupation; avocation; calling; business; trade
It is important to choose a vocation that you enjoy.
Advanced Vocabulary List 8
adroit
Dexterous; deft.
In other words, we expect quite a lot from the "adroit" waiter from the point of view of active knowledge gathering and skillful orchestration of movements based on the current cognitive map -- representation of the world and management of the body. - Archive 2009-05-01
bogus
Not true; fake.
The politician's allegations against the prime minister were completely bogus.
impede
To retard or obstruct the progress of. See Synonyms at hinder1.
Does the R behind my name impede you from having a true debate? - Think Progress » Congressman: ‘I Fear…We Will Have Many More Muslims In The United States’
loathe
To hate, detest, revile.
Yeah you probably right, but the hypocrisy and deceit of the Republicans which Americans loathe is simply unmatched! - CNN Poll: Americans think Sanford should resign
revere
To regard with awe, deference, and devotion.
In his current column at Politico, the oh-so-funny Mike Allen asks: Do reporters 'revere' Senator Clinton? - Archive 2007-11-01
rudimentary
Being in the earliest stages of development; incipient.
They were introduced in rudimentary fashion in Second Edition and became a full-fledged system in Third Edition. - 4e PHB Readthrough – Chapter 5: Skills « Geek Related
skirmish
A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute: a skirmish over the rules before the debate began.
Interesting use of the word skirmish while troops are fighting this is what's going on in Washington as well. - CNN Transcript Feb 18, 2007
terse
Brief, concise, to the point.
Ms. Diallo's lawyers received what one of them called a "terse" letter Friday inviting her to meet with prosecutors at 3 p.m. to discuss what will happen in court Tuesday. - Strauss-Kahn Case May Be Dropped
trivial
Ordinary; commonplace.
Mr. Weinberg noted that the core inflation rate, which strips out volatile prices, is just 0.9 per cent on an annual basis, which he calls "trivial." - The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed
verify
To prove the truth of by presentation of evidence or testimony; substantiate.
First, the word "verify" more accurately reflects the requirements placed on end users of endangered wood. - NPR Topics: News
English drugstore and pharmacy vocabulary
In England, high-street chemists (drugstore or pharmacy) stock a huge range of toiletries (items forpersonal hygiene), baby products, cosmetics, perfumes and medicines. Dispensing chemists also fill prescriptions (given to you by your doctor) and some even develop films for you.
Baby careMany people buy nappies (diapers) for their babies at chemists. Along with the nappies are other products for babies, such as nappy cream, cotton wool buds (lengths of plastic tipped with soft cotton to clean a baby's ears, for example), baby wipes (to help clean a baby) and so on.
Hair careChemists also stock a range of hair products. You can buy shampoo and conditioner (to wash your hair) and products to colour hair. For styling your hair you can buy gel or mousse, which act a bit like glue to keep your hair in a particular style. You can also buy hair brushes or combs, to make your hair neat, andhair grips and hair slides, which are plastic objects that keep your hair in place.
Personal hygieneThere's normally a wide selection of personal hygiene products. Many English people like to soak in a long, hot bath, and so there's a huge market in bath oils, bath salts or bubble bath – all ways to add nice smells to your bath! You can also buy nail scissors and emery boards (to file your nails) and pumice stone, to rub away dry skin from your feet. For oral hygiene, you can buy toothbrushes, toothpaste anddental floss, which is like string that you use to clean between your teeth. You can also buy face and body creams, moisturiser (cream to prevent your skin from going dry), soap and deodorant. Other items you can find in this section of the chemist are razors, to shave hair from your body, shaving foam; andfeminine hygiene products, such as tampons and sanitary towels.
Make upIf you are looking for cosmetics or make-up, you can find eye-liner (or kohl), mascara (for your eyelashes) and eye-shadow, which is coloured powder to put on your eyelids. You can also buy foundation (a cream to put on your face to give an even surface), blusher (to add colour to your cheeks), lipstick (which adds colour to your lips), and lip-gloss which adds shine to your lips. To colour your nails you can use nail polish, also known as nail varnish.
Going to the dentist
Dentists recommend that you go for a check-up at least twice a year. At the same time as you see the dentist, you can also make an appointment with the dental hygienist who will clean and polish your teeth for you.
The dentist checks that your teeth are in good condition. If you have a hole, or a cavity, you may need afilling, which is a small amount of porcelain that the dentist uses to fill the hole. Many adults have one or more fillings – often in their back teeth or molars.
You may have more serious problems with your teeth and occasionally the dentist will need to take an X-ray to see the damage to your teeth more clearly. For example, a tooth may be so rotten that the dentist recommends an extraction (where the tooth is removed) or you may need root canal work, where the dentist repairs damage to the roots of a tooth. In both of these occasions, you will need an anaestheticso that you cannot feel the pain. (Unfortunately, you will still be able to hear the sound of the dentist'sdrill, the metal instrument used to open up the tooth.)
Some adults also experience problems with their wisdom teeth. There are four of these teeth: two top teeth, and two bottom teeth at the extreme left and right of the mouth. If they don't come down properly, they can become painful and need to be removed.
If you fall over and knock out one of your front teeth, the dentist may be able to fit a false tooth. The dentist can also repair teeth which have disintegrated, by putting a cap on the tooth, to stop it disintegrating further.
Specialist dentists (called orthadontists) can straighten teeth which are crooked. They put braces(wires) on the teeth to do this. Many children need to have this work done.
Finally, "prevention is better than cure". Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day, andfloss your teeth to remove any food between your teeth. An antibacterial mouthwash will help to avoid the build-up of plaque.
Advanced Vocabulary List 9
adverse
Unfavorable; harmful.
Major Nidal Hasan lectured senior Army physicians about what he called adverse effects if Muslim soldiers are sent to fight other Muslims. - CNN Transcript Nov 10, 2009
celebrate
To perform (a religious ceremony): celebrate Mass.
When I win the lottery, we are going to celebrate with a huge party.
coherent
Sticking together; cohering.
Second, it's marketing's assignment to turn that tune or differentiating idea into what we call a coherent marketing direction. - Marketing 101
consecutive
Marked by logical sequence.
Richard Byrd, 40, will serve the term consecutive to a sentence in a Peoria County drug case. - News from www.pantagraph.com
detain
Obsolete To retain or withhold (payment or property, for example).
Max was detained by the police for more than 3 hours at the airport.
disclose
To make known (something heretofore kept secret).
Failure to disclose is one of the first things they warn you about when you become a senator; it comes right after they give you the key to the Senate elevator. - October 2006
disrobe
To remove the clothing or covering from.
The nurse asked the patient to disrobe and wait for the doctor in the exam room.
distort
To twist out of a proper or natural relation of parts; misshape.
Every word has a specific meaning that will be twisted to distort from the true menaing and intent or to veil it in a shroud of uncertainty. - Obama adviser: Protesters wrong about health-care reform
enforce
To give force to; reinforce: "enforces its plea with a description of the pains of hell” ( Albert C. Baugh).
The police are supposed to be here to enforce the law.
flout
Openly disregard.
The OED’s first attestation of flaunt to mean flout is in 1923, so apparently once the error appeared, it took off like gangbusters. - Flout good taste; flaunt your excesses « Motivated Grammar
hostile
Unfriendly; Antagonistic
"As soon as we see them start moving towards the east, then they have what we call hostile intent, then we can target them," he said. - Gadhafi Stops Rebels in Battle for Oil Port
lethal
Capable of causing death.
A rattlesnake's venom is lethal.
lubricate
To apply a lubricant to.
To keep your bicycle going smoothly, you should lubricate all of the moving parts.
malign
To speak bad about someone.
Please do not malign Mary. She is a very good person.
meander
To follow a winding course; to wander.
Max arrived late to school everyday because instead of walking straight to school he’d first meander through the park hunting insects for his collection.
prohibit
To forbid by authority: Smoking is prohibited in most theaters. See Synonyms at forbid.
What Prop K does prohibit is sex trafficking investigations that involve racial profiling. - Proposition K is gaining momentum in San Francisco! You Can Help! « Bound, Not Gagged
provoke
To incite to anger or resentment.
Let them, as far as I am concerned, but it may short term provoke more counterreaction. - The Anti-Wedge Document - The Panda's Thumb
recede
To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark: waited for the floodwaters to recede.
According to these proxies, the climatic evolution of East Africa over the past 150 years (‘modern climate†™) is characterized by a drastic dislocation around 1880, when lake levels dropped notably and glaciers started to recede from the latest maximum extent. - Think Progress » Senate Committee Launches Taxpayer-Funded Misinformation Campaign About Gore Movie
remove
To move from a place or position occupied: removed the cups from the table.
Me, not so much, but what I think is really cool about what you've described is how it puts all the moral conflict at one remove from the people -- it's the * vampires* (from what you describe) that are trying to figure out how to live morally as everything is collapsing around them. - intertribal: who's a sexy chick? (damn, gurl!)
revere
To regard with awe, deference, and devotion.
In his current column at Politico, the oh-so-funny Mike Allen asks: Do reporters 'revere' Senator Clinton? - Archive 2007-11-01
revoke
To take back by reversing; to cancel the validity of something.
The judge said that he would revoke my driver's license if I got another speeding ticket.
ridicule
To expose to ridicule; make fun of.
His ideas were ridiculed by his colleagues.
stamina
Endurance; ability to sustain physical or mental effort.
You must have incredible stamina to compete in the Tour de France.
subterfuge
A deceptive stratagem or device: "the paltry subterfuge of an anonymous signature” ( Robert Smith Surtees).
Regarding archives being deleted, it seems to me that a little subterfuge is required here, if you think your blog/newspaper is going to be bought out by megacorp, burn a copy on disc, say nothing, and take it home. - Mainstream media: killing the past
Copyright © 1999-2013 Rich McGirr, Eflnet. All Rights Reserved.
Advanced Vocabulary List 10
detect
To discern (something hidden or subtle): detected a note of sarcasm in the remark.
The thinly cut meat and its inconsequential roll have next to no flavor; the only taste we can detect is that of the Belgian cheese. - Mussel Bar: Wiedmaier's latest is a letdown, bar none
disclose
To make known (something heretofore kept secret).
Failure to disclose is one of the first things they warn you about when you become a senator; it comes right after they give you the key to the Senate elevator. - October 2006
dominate
To control, govern, or rule by superior authority or power: Successful leaders dominate events rather than react to them.
As galling as it is to realize that the BRR and its registered authors and publishers will derive income from millions of books they didn ` t write or publish, it is even more galling that copyright maximalists will almost certain dominate the BRR governing board. - ‘Dead Souls’ of Google settlement
emerge
To come into view; to come out.
Eventually the truth will emerge.
endeavor
To try very hard to achieve something.
We hoped that the president would endeavor to help the people.
imply
To strongly suggest something.
By the way - the numvber two rule is that ever4y poster will post the exact opposite of what their name imply e.g. - msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines
provoke
To stir to action or feeling.
Today, another American legend, Mark Twain, celebrated for the power of his language and his ability to delight and provoke, is also under attack. - Life Upon the Wicked Stage—Freedom of Artistic Expression
revoke
To take back by reversing; to cancel the validity of something.
The judge said that he would revoke my driver's license if I got another speeding ticket.
speculate
To engage in the buying or selling of a commodity with an element of risk on the chance of profit.
Linking to the same Washington Post story, Crispin Sartwell, at his eyeofthestormblogs. com, writes: "this, we may speculate, is the reason that many prisoners of the u.s. will never be released: nothing they did before, but the secrets they learned in prison, the details of their own torture, present a security risk. we will not only torment you, we will detain/disappear you for having been tormented by us." - Balkinization
sustain
To continue, support or maintain something.
Even as he is in prison on false charges, Max has sustained his belief in the justice system.
Words for Entertainment in English
What do you like doing in your spare time? Do you go somewhere with your friends or your family? Here is some useful English vocabulary for talking about entertainment.
The cinema
Many people regularly go to the cinema (or the pictures). Most towns have a multiplex (= multi-screen) cinema which shows a wide range of films, from feature films to family films. Films are classified in Britain, with U suitable for all ages, PG (parental guidance) suitable for everyone over the age of 8, 12(where no children can watch unless they are with an adult), 15 (where no one under the age of 15 can watch) and 18 (only suitable for adults).
The theatre
Large towns as well as the major cities have theatres, where you can see plays, musicals or pantomimes (a comedy play performed over Christmas). You can choose to go in the afternoon, for the matinee(pronounced "mat – in – ay") performance, or in the evening.
Generally, the more you pay, the better seat you get. The stalls are the seats at ground level in front of thestage, and these have the best views. Then there are the seats in the Dress Circle (or Royal Circle), which are in the first balcony. They also have good views of the stage. Then there are the seats in theUpper Circle, which are in the second balcony. Above this are cheaper seats in the Balcony or theGallery, which are so high up that it's often difficult to see the actors. There are also seats in the Boxes, which are private rooms built into the side walls of the theatre.
Live music
Large cities can offer you a huge range of musical performances, from opera to classical concerts to jazz, folk, rock and pop gigs (= concerts). In summer there are often music festivals, with Glastonbury Festival being one of the most popular.
Family entertainment
Bank holidays and weekends are favourite times to go out with your family. Some things, such as circuses, zoos and water parks can be quite expensive. But other events, such as fun-days, parades andcarnivals are much cheaper. Children often like to go by themselves to funfairs, where they can go on the rides and eat candyfloss.
A cheap night out
There are also plenty of cheap activities available in English towns and cities. Bingo is popular, and in London, people still go to the dogs, to see and bet on dog racing. You can often find a leisure centre in towns, which offer sport facilities. Many English
people go to their local (= pub) where they can play dartsor pool (= a type of snooker), as well as have a drink with friends.
At the weekend, younger people often go clubbing (= night clubs) or to a disco with their friends.
Telling a story in English
A useful skill in English is to be able to tell a story or an anecdote. Anecdotes are short stories about something that happened to you or to someone you know. (See our page on Describing stories in English for more information on types of stories.)
How to start
Traditional stories often start with the phrase "Once upon a time". However, if you are going to tell your story after someone else has already spoken, you can say something like:
That reminds me!Funny you should say that. Did I ever tell you about…Hearing your story reminds me of when…Something similar happened to me….
How to tell your story
First of all, your story should be quite short. Try to keep it grammatically simple as well, so that it is easy to follow.
Make it easy for the listener to understand by using sequencing and linking words:
Sequencing wordsThese words show the chronological sequence of events.
First of all, I (packed my suitcase)Secondly, I …. (made sure I had all my documents)Previously (before that) ….. I changed some money.Then… I (called a taxi for the airport)Later (on)… (when we were stuck in traffic, I realised…)But before al that… (I had double checked my reservation)Finally… (I arrived at the wrong check-in desk at the wrong airport for a flight that didn't go until the next day)
Linking wordsUse these words to link your ideas for the listener. Linking words can be used to show reason, result, contrasting information, additional information, and to summarise.
I booked a flight because….As a result, I was late…Although I had a reservation, I hadn't checked the airport name.I made sure I had an up-to-date passport and I also took along my driving licence.In short, I had made a complete mess of the holiday.
Tenses
We can use a variety of tenses to tell stories and anecdotes. Jokes are often in the present tense:
A man walks into a bar and orders a beer.
We also use the present tense to give a dramatic narrative effect:
The year is 1066. In medieval England people are worried that the king, Harold, is not strong enough to fight off a Norman invasion.
However, we generally use past forms to talk about past events. If you tell your story in chronological order, you can use the past simple:
I double checked my reservation. I packed my suitcase, and then I called a taxi.
Use the past continuous to describe activities in progress at the time of your story, or to describe the background.
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. We were driving along the motorway quite steadily until we suddenly saw in front of us the warning lights to slow down. We were heading towards a huge tailback.
Sometimes, you might want to avoid telling your story as one chronological event after the other. You can use the past perfect (simple and continuous) to add more interest to your story by talking about events that happened before the events in your story:
I double checked my reservation, which I had made three days previously.
I wanted to visit some friends who had been living in France for the last five years.
Vocabulary
Try to use a wide range of words to make your story more interesting. Remember that you can "exaggerate" when you tell a story, so instead of using words like "nice" or "bad", experiment with more interesting words, such as "beautiful", "fabulous", "wonderful", "horrible", "awful" or "terrible".
Finally – remember that you are telling a story – not giving a lecture. Look at the people listening, and try to "involve" them in the story or anecdote. Keep eye contact, use the right intonation and try to make your face expressive. You might also want to try practising a few anecdotes in the mirror before "going live". Have fun!
Advanced Vocabulary List 11
anachronism
(noun) someone or something that belongs in another place in time
Everything seemed normal except for the anachronism of the man riding a horse down the street. One country colonizing another country is an anachronism in today's global environment.
antecedent
(noun) something that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing
Pronouns usually refer to antecedents.
debacle
(noun) a terrible failure
By most accounts, the war in Iraq has been a tremendous debacle.
exonerate
(verb) to absolve from blame, to prove innocent
I am confident that I will be fully exonerated if I'm given a fair trial.
lucid
(adjective) clear, clear headed
I am the most lucid right after a cup of coffee. His style of writing was very clear and lucid.
pernicious
(adjective) harmful, deadly
The current concentration of ownership of media has had a pernicious effect on democracy in the US.
wily
(adjective) sly, clever, cunning (usually deceitfully).
Many politicians employ teams of wily advisors to help them skirt the law.
Advanced Vocabulary List 12
fickle
(adjective) changing frequently
Kids are sometimes very fickle and may have a new favorite food every week.
lucrative
(adjective) producing a great deal of profit
Max told me that ESL was a very lucrative field, and I believed him.
moot
(adjective) subject to debate, unsettled.
Whether the tooth fairy is male or female is a moot point. No one knows.
opulence
(noun) wealth and luxury
Nina would not marry Charlie, for he had no money, and she was not willing to settle for anything less than a life of opulence.
spry
(adjective) active; lively
Max was amazingly spry for an old man.
tentative
(adjective) not certain or fixed
Our summer plans are still tentative. I think we are going to go camping in the mountains.
wary
(adjective) cautious; leery
The children were very wary of the stranger and would not let him into the house.
Advanced Vocabulary List 13
disparity
(noun) a state of inequality, a great difference
Every year economic disparities in the world grow larger and larger.
facilitate
(verb) to make easier
The teachers put some of their course materials on the Internet to facilitate resource sharing.
fraudulent
(adjective) dishonest, deceptive
Richie Rich received his wealth through fraudulent means.
ludicrous
(adjective) laughable.
The politician's attempts to cover up his crimes were ludicrous.
opportunist
(noun) a person who pursues and exploits any kind of opportunity without being guided by principles, plans or any ethical considerations
Most politicians are opportunists who will jump at any advantage without any ethical considerations.
shirk
(verb) avoid, ignore or neglect responsibility
Many politicians' sole purpose is to shirk their duties and make as much money as possible.
spite
(noun) a desire to hurt, annoy, vengeance
Shortly after Max and Mary broke up, Mary scratched Max's car out of spite.
Advanced Vocabulary List 14
apathy
(noun) a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
Voter turnout is quite low because of widespread apathy among the voters.
diligent
(adjective) conscientiously hard-working.
As a result of their diligent research, the scientists were able to find a cure for the disease.
inane
(adjective) empty and pointless.
Mary could not stand Max's inane questions any longer, so she left.
indict
(verb) to charge with a crime.
Many politicians have been indicted recently, and many more will probably be indicted soon.
petty
(adjective) unimportant or trivial.
Max was convicted of petty theft.
sedentary
(adjective) inactive; spending much time seated
Fast-food and sedentary lifestyles are major factors in the obesity problem in the US.
facetious
(adjective) in a joking manner; treating serious matters with deliberately inappropriate humor
When I said that I agreed with the President's policies, I was just being facetious.
English vocabulary: buying a house
English people often talk about their homes: their mortgages, the interest rates, and rising property prices. Here's a guide to some of the English words and phrases you might come across.
Your dream home
It's a good idea in the UK to arrange a mortgage with a bank before you start looking. This is when the bank tells you how much money they will lend you so you have a good idea of how much you can afford.
The next step is to go to an estate agent (= a company which represents buyers and sellers of properties) to see what sort of properties they have available in your budget range and in your area. If you see something you like, the estate agent will arrange for you to view the property, so that you can see the house or flat for yourself.
If you see something that takes your eye, you put in an offer. The vendor (seller) can accept or decline this offer, and if the vendor accepts it, you can move forward with the sale. However, as you don't pay any money at this point, the offer isn't legally binding, and in theory, you can pull out of the offer at any time that you like.
Your next step will probably be to get a structural survey done. A qualified surveyor will inspect the house and write a report that illustrates any structural problems, like damp or drainage problems.
If you still want to go ahead with the sale, you need to appoint a solicitor (a lawyer) to do theconveyancing (= the legal paperwork.) If you already own a house, you might also be busy trying to sell it. Many house owners prefer to sell to first time buyers (those people who don't already own a home), as they are not in a chain (=waiting for other people to buy their house before they can buy their next house).
Finally, once the contracts are signed and exchanged, you complete on your house. You get the keys and you can move in whenever you want. Then you might want to throw a house-warming party. Congratulations!
Advanced Vocabulary List 15
discord
(noun) disagreement or conflict
There was a tremendous amount of discord among the PTA officers.
ostracize
(verb) to exclude from a group
As a child, Max was ostracized by the other kids in his school because he wore different clothes.
pensive
(adjective) deep in thought or reflection.
Max must be in a very pensive mood today. He hasn't said anything all day.
placid
(adjective) tranquil, peaceful, calm
My dog has a very placid temperament. She does not get upset easily.
salient
(adjective) Most noticeable, important, prominent, or conspicuous
The most salient feature of Mary's appearance is her Purple hair.
tacit
(adjective) understood or implied but not specifically expressed.
When Max and Mary moved in together as roommates, they had a tacit agreement that they would share expenses.
zeal
(noun) passion, or enthusiasm (usually in pursuit of a cause or objective)
Because of her zeal for chocolate, Mary got a job at the chocolate factory as a chocolate taster.
Advanced Vocabulary List 16
cryptic
(adjective) mysterious, secret, or obscure in meaning
Mary's comments were so cryptic that I had no idea what she was saying.
dichotomy
(noun) a division into two groups or parts or two opposing viewpoints
There is a sharp dichotomy of opinion on Max's ability to lead the government.
disdain
(noun) contempt
Max has nothing but disdain for people like Mary.
impugn
(verb) criticize; dispute the truth; call into question
The politician was very upset as she felt that her character had been impugned.
malice
(noun) the desire to hurt others
Max has a great amount of malice towards the government.
staunch
(adjective) strong, loyal and committed in attitude
Mary is one of Max's staunchest supporters.
vilify
verb) to write or speak badly or abusively about
Max was vilified in all of the newspapers.
English vocabulary for the kitchen
Some people have a fitted kitchen, where all the kitchen units have been bought together, and they are assembled according to a plan. Other people have a kitchen where the units are free-standing: not necessarily bought together at one time.
In a kitchen you are likely to find cupboards (or cabinets), either at floor level, or at eye level. In the eye level cupboards you will probably find dry goods (such as flour, sugar, rice, pasta, spices) and maybe glasses and crockery (plates, bowls etc). In the floor level cupboards you might find pots and pans:saucepans for cooking pasta etc; frying pans for frying food; baking tins and roasting tins for cooking food in the oven; and serving dishes made from glass or china. You could also find other kitchenimplements such as a blender (= food processor) and kitchen scales (for measuring and weighing food). Often the top part of a floor level cupboard has a drawer, where various items are kept, such as cutlery(knives, forks and spoons); aluminium foil (metal paper), cling film (thin plastic wrap), freezer bags, and other kitchen items such as a bread knife, tin opener, corkscrew (to open bottles of wine), potato peeler(to take the skin off potatoes), a rolling pin (to roll out pastry) and so on.
On the top of the floor level cupboards you often find a worktop or work surface, where you can prepare food. These surfaces are sometimes made of marble, or hard wood, and they can be easily cleaned. Some people keep a toaster or microwave on the work surfaces, along with things they need frequently, such as oil, salt, or various sauces.
Most kitchens also contain a cooker with an oven and four rings, (although some modern cookers aresplit level, where the oven is separate from the rings), a fridge-freezer, and perhaps a dishwasher or even a washing machine. You'll probably find a kitchen sink, where you wash the plates and dishes, and larger kitchens also contain a kitchen table and chairs, so you can eat in the same room.
English bedroom vocabulary
English words connected with the bedroom.
Bedrooms come in all shapes and sizes. You can find bedrooms which contain just a single bed, or those which have a double bed (bed which is big enough for two people), or even twin beds (two single beds side by side). Some people choose to sleep in a futon (a Japanese bed which is low on the ground) and some people who like luxury might have a four-poster (a bed which has four posts – one in each corner – and from which you can hang curtains or mosquito nets). When children share a bedroom, they might sleep in bunk beds, where there is one bed on top of the other. The upper bunk is reached by a small ladder.
On your bed, you'll have at least one sheet (normally in cotton, but in a variety of colours or patterns), and you normally lie on top of this sheet. Some people also have a sheet over them, with blankets (made from wool) to keep them warm. Alternatively, you can replace the top sheet and blankets with a duvet (a warm, but lightweight quilt). You're likely to sleep with your head on a pillow, which is often filled with feathers. Pillows are normally put inside a cotton pillow case, and the duvet is also put inside a cotton duvet cover. If it gets really cold, you can also have a quilt or eiderdown over your blankets. Some people also have an electric blanket that they use to warm up the bed. In England, many people use a hot water bottle (a flat rubber bag that you fill with hot water then seal) to put into the bed to warm it up.
As well as a bed, you're likely to have other furniture in your bedroom, such as a chest of drawers (a piece of furniture with several drawers to put clothes in); a wardrobe, which is a piece of furniture with doors where you can hang shirts, trousers, or skirts and dresses on clothes hangers; and a bedside table, which is a small table next to the bed. On the bedside table, you might have a bedside light and analarm clock. Some people also have a dressing table, which is a small table that you sit in front of, with a mirror to see your reflection in when you do your hair or make-up, and a couple of drawers. Other people might have their mirror on their chest of drawers, as well a hair brush and even a clothes brush (a special brush that you use to clean jackets and shirts).
Advanced Vocabulary List 17
conundrum
(noun) a confusing problem or question
For some hot dog aficionados, why there are many different varieties of mustard but relatively few varieties of ketchup is a conundrum to ponder.
exploit
(verb) to make use of, take advantage of (unfairly profit from)
The policy of some corporations is to hire employees right out of school in order to exploit their eagerness and enthusiasm.
gullible
(adjective) easily persuaded to believe something
Max is so gullible. He believed me when I told him that I was running for president of the US.
impeccable
(adjective) perfect, flawless
Max is a person of impeccable character.
penchant
(noun) a strong habitual fondness for something
Max has a penchant for coffee and doughnuts.
plausible
(adjective) believable, possible
It doesn't seem plausible that your dog actually ate your homework.
scrutinize
(verb) to look over or inspect closely
When you sign the mortgage papers, be sure to scrutinize the fine print.
Advanced Vocabulary List 18
concoct
(verb) to make by combining different ingredients, create or devise
The story that Max concocted as an excuse for not doing his homework was preposterous but entertaining.
credence
(noun) belief that or acceptance that something is true
I don't give much credence to Max's stories.
devise
(adjective) to plan or invent
John devised a plan for a sure victory.
disengage
(verb) to detach or separate from something
Many people are pushing for the country to disengage its military from foreign lands.
rebuke
(verb) to express sstrong criticism or disapproval of (someone)
Mary rebuked her children for not cleaning their bedrooms.
sentiment
(noun) an opinion
I agree with your sentiment regarding global warming.
unilateral
(adjective) performed by a single person, group or country (an action or decision)
There is little support globally for a particular country taking unilateral action against another country.
Advanced Vocabulary List 19
expedite
(verb) to make something happen sooner (usually an action or process)
Max called the cable company to see if they could expedite the installation process.
flagrant
(adjective) outrageous or conspicuously offensive
Many politicians are in flagrant violation of the law. The basketball player committed a flagrant foul.
frugal
(adjective) thrifty, economical
If I had been more frugal, I could have saved enough money to buy a new car.
gregarious
(adjective) sociable, outgoing
Max is a very gregarious person. He likes to be around people.
misanthrope
(noun) a person who dislikes people and avoids people
Mary is a misanthrope. She hates being around people.
pacifist
(noun) a person who does not believe in war or violence.
Max got out of serving in the military by claiming that he was a pacifist.
repudiate
(verb) to reject as false
Many of the staunchest supporters of neoconservatism have now repudiated neoconservatism as a complete failure. They claim that neoconservatism is dead.
Advanced Vocabulary List 20
astute
(adjective) shrewd, or having the ability to accurately assess situations or people for one's own advantage.
Max is a very astute businessman. He has a very keen mind for making business deals.
candor
(noun) the quality of openness and honesty in attitude and expression
In all candor, I think that Max is a complete nincompoop.
copious
(adjective) plentiful, abundant in supply
We drank copious amounts of coffee in order to stay awake during class.
effeminate
(adjective) feminine, unmanly
Because Max is so effeminate, he was often picked on in school. The other kids called him a sissy.
finagle
(verb) to get something through manipulation or dishonest means
Max finagled his way into the sold out Britney Spears concert. I don't know how he did it (or why).
prolific
(adjective) very productive
Noam Chomsky is a very prolific author. He's written many books and articles.
tangible
(adjective) touchable, perceptible by touch
Max will probably escape punishment for his crimes because there is no tangible evidence to make a case against him.
Advanced Vocabulary List 21
ad lib
(verb) to speak or perform without preparing previously, improvise
The teacher lost all of his teaching notes on the way to class and was forced to ad lib the lesson.
animosity
(noun) strong hostility, hatred
For some reason, Max feels a lot of animosity toward Mary.
earnest
(adjective) serious and sincere
Max made an earnest attempt to study for the exam, but it was too difficult for him.
epitome
(noun) a perfect example
Some people feel that George Bush is the epitome of arrogance.
genre
(noun) a category or kind (usually of art, literature, or music)
Max's favorite film genres are action and comedy.
permeate
(verb) to spread throughout (usually odor)
The stench of the rotten food permeated the entire building.
taciturn
(adjective) reserved, saying little
Max seems to be unusually taciturn today. Something must be bothering him.
Advanced Vocabulary List 22
callous
(adjective) insensitive and
unfeeling toward others
The teacher was particularly callous
in her treatment of the children.
emulate
(verb) to imitate or model yourself
after
Children often emulate adults that
they look up to.
finite
(adjective) limited
In a world of finite resources, if
some people have more, other
people must have less.
laud
(verb) to praise
The school's principal lauded the
teacher for her ability to discipline
her class.
nocturnal
(adjective) active at night
Mountain lions are primarily
nocturnal and do almost all of their
hunting at night.
noxious
(adjective) harmful or unpleasant
Be careful applying pesticides.
Their fumes are often quite noxious
to humans.
recant
(verb) to take back what one has
said; to say that one no longer
holds a belief or opinion
Max recanted every bad thing he
said about Mary.
Advanced Vocabulary List 23
agony
(noun) intense suffering and painMax cried in agony when he broke his leg.
allege
(verb) assert or claim wrongdoing by someone (typically without proof)The teacher alleged that Max cheated on the exam.
caricature
(noun) a picture or description of a person or thing with comically exaggerated characteristicsMax drew a caricature of his teacher.
disperse
(verb) cause to go in different directionsThe crowd dispersed as soon as the concert was over.
incite
(verb) to stir up or encourage (violent or unlawful behavior)Max incited the other students to rebel against the teacher.
polarize
(verb) to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groupsThe issue polarized the public.
precipitate
(verb) to cause to happen suddenly or sooner than expected
Extremely high gas prices precipitated the demise of the SUV.
sanction
(noun) official authorization, approval or ratification of a lawMax received the official sanction of the Federal Darts Association to hold a tournament in the school.
Advanced Vocabulary List 24
commemorate
(verb) to remember and show respect (in a ceremony)
Veterans' Day is a day to commemorate soldiers who have honorably served their country.
devastate
(verb) to ruin or destroy
The city was devastated by the bombs.
disarmament
(noun) the reduction of military or weapons
The protestors called for a complete disarmament.
distraught
(adjective) very agitated and upset from mental conflict
Mary became distraught when she found out that her son was being sent into war.
embark
(verb) to start, begin
Max embarked on a career as a plumber.
envision
(verb) to imagine as a future possibility
Max never envisioned being a plumber.
excerpt
(noun) an extract (from film, writing, music, or other type of work)
The excerpts of the story published in the newspaper were very interesting.
forsake
(verb) to abandon
The town was forsaken by its former inhabitants because the nearby volcano threatened to erupt.
temperance
(noun) abstinence from drinking alcohol
Max has become an advocate of complete temperance.
vow
(verb) to solemnly promise
Max vowed to never drink another drop of alcohol again.
Advanced Vocabulary List 25
Advanced Vocabulary List 25 - Split Infinitives (from Wikipedia.org)
A split infinitive is a grammatical construction in the English language where a word or phrase, usually an adverb or adverbial phrase, occurs between the marker to and the bare infinitive (uninflected) form of the verb. The construction is particularly notable because of some controversy as to whether it is "grammatically correct".
One famous example is from the television series Star Trek: "to boldly go where no man has gone before." Here, the presence of the adverb boldly between the parts of the infinitive, to and go , creates a split infinitive. The construction can often be avoided by placing the intervening words after the verb or before the tomarker: "to go boldly where no man has gone before" or "boldly to go where no man has gone before." However, these two rephrasings do not have identical meanings - the former
attaches the boldness to the manner of going, while the latter attaches the boldness to the complete act of going "where no man has gone before."
Descriptively speaking, split infinitives are common in most varieties of English. However, their status as part of the standard language is controversial. In the 19th century, some grammatical authorities sought to introduce a prescriptiverule that split infinitives should not be used in English. Most experts on language from the last 100 years, however, agree that this rule was misguided, andindeed that the split infinitive construction can sometimes help to convey one's intended meaning more accurately (as in the case of "to boldly go").
Vocabulary List
construction
(noun) (in linguistics and grammar) the arrangement of words according to structural rules
convey
(verb) to communicate ideas or information or to make them known
descriptive
(adjective) serving to describe (without making judgment) (used as an adverb in the above passage)
indeed
(adverb) without a doubt, in fact (used to confirm something already suggested or stated)
intervene
(verb) to come between two things
misguided
(adjective) misled or based on bad judgment
notable
(adjective) remarkable or worthy of attention or notice
prescriptive
(adjective) (in linguistics and grammar) indicating how things should be rather than how things are
aberration
(n.) something that differs from the norm (In 1974, Poland won the World Cup, but the success turned out to be an aberration, and Poland have not won a World Cup since).
abhor
(v.) to hate, detest (Because he always wound up getting hit in the head when he tried to play cricket, Marcin began to abhor the sport).
acquiesce
(v.) to agree without protesting (Though Mr. Pospieszny wanted to stay outside and work in his garage, when his wife told him that he had better come in to dinner, he acquiesced to her demands.)
alacrity
(n.) eagerness, speed (For some reason, Simon loved to help his girlfriend whenever he could, so when his girlfriend asked him to set the table he did so with alacrity.)
amiable
(adj.) friendly (An amiable fellow, Neil got along with just about everyone.)
appease
(v.) to calm, satisfy (When Jerry cries, his mother gives him chocolate to appease him.)
arcane
(adj.) obscure, secret, known only by a few (The professor is an expert in arcane Kashubian literature.)
avarice
(n.) excessive greed (The banker’s avarice led him to amass an enormous personal fortune.)
brazen
(adj.) excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious (Critics condemned the writer’s brazen attempt to plagiarise Frankow-Czerwonko’s work.)
brusque
(adj.) short, abrupt, dismissive (Simon’s brusquemanner sometimes offends his colleagues.)
cajole
(v.) to urge, coax (Magda's friends cajoled her into drinking too much.)
callous
(adj.) harsh, cold, unfeeling (The murderer’scallous lack of remorse shocked the jury.)
candor
(n.) honesty, frankness (We were surprised by thecandor of the politician’s speech because she is usually rather evasive.)
chide
(v.) to voice disapproval (Hania chided Gregory for his vulgar habits and sloppy appearance.)
circumspect
(adj.) cautious (Though I promised Marta’s father I would bring her home promptly by midnight, it would have been more circumspect not to have specified a time.)
clandestine
(adj.) secret (Announcing to her boyfriend that she was going to the library, Maria actually went to meet George for a clandestine liaison.)
coerce
(v.) to make somebody do something by force or threat (The court decided that David Beckham did not have to honor the contract because he had been coerced into signing it.)
coherent
(adj.) logically consistent, intelligible (William could not figure out what Harold had seen because he was too distraught to deliver a coherentstatement.)
complacency
(n.) self-satisfied ignorance of danger (Simon tried to shock his friends out of their complacency by painting a frightening picture of what might happen to them.)
confidant
(n.) a person entrusted with secrets (Shortly after we met, he became my chief confidant.)
connive
(v.) to plot, scheme (She connived to get me to give up my plans to start up a new business.)
cumulative
(adj.) increasing, building upon itself (Thecumulative effect of hours spent using the World English website was a vast improvement in his vocabulary and general level of English.)
debase
(v.) to lower the quality or esteem of something (The large raise that he gave himself debased his motives for running the charity.)
decry
(v.) to criticize openly (Andrzej Lepper, the leader of the Polish Self Defence party decried the appaling state of Polish roads.)
deferential
(adj.) showing respect for another’s authority (Donata is always excessively deferential to any kind of authority figure.)
demure
(adj.) quiet, modest, reserved (Though everyone else at the party was dancing and going crazy, she remained demure.)
deride
(v.) to laugh at mockingly, scorn (The native speaker often derided the other teacher’s accent.)
despot
(n.) one who has total power and rules brutally (The despot issued a death sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.)
diligent
(adj.) showing care in doing one’s work (Thediligent researcher made sure to double check her measurements.)
elated
(adj.) overjoyed, thrilled (When he found out he had won the lottery, the postman was elated.)
eloquent
(adj.) expressive, articulate, moving (The best man gave such an eloquent speech that most guests were crying.)
embezzle
(v.) to steal money by falsifying records (The accountant was fired for embezzling €10,000 of the company’s funds.)
empathy
(n.) sensitivity to another’s feelings as if they were one’s own (I feel such empathy for my dog when she’s upset so am I!)
enmity
(n.) ill will, hatred, hostility (John and Scott have clearly not forgiven each other, because theenmity between them is obvious to anyone in their presence.)
erudite
(adj.) learned (My English teacher is such anerudite scholar that he has translated some of the most difficult and abstruse Old English poetry.)
extol
(v.) to praise, revere (Kamila extolled the virtues of a vegetarian diet to her meat-loving boyfriend.)
fabricate
(v.) to make up, invent (When I arrived an hour late to class, I fabricated some excuse about my car breaking down on the way to work.)
feral
(adj.) wild, savage (That beast looks so feral that I would fear being alone with it.)
flabbergasted
(adj.) astounded (Whenever I read an Agatha Christie mystery novel, I am always flabbergastedwhen I learn the identity of the murderer.)
forsake
(v.) to give up, renounce (I won't forsake my conservative principles.)
fractious
(adj.) troublesome or irritable (Although the child insisted he wasn’t tired, his fractious behaviour - especially his decision to crush his jam sandwiches all over the floor - convinced everyone present that it was time to put him to bed.)
furtive
(adj.) secretive, sly (Claudia’s placement of her drugs in her sock drawer was not as furtive as she thought, as the sock drawer is the first place most parents look.)
gluttony
(n.) overindulgence in food or drink (Helen’s fried chicken tastes so divine, I don’t know how anyone can call gluttony a sin.)
gratuitous
(adj.) uncalled for, unwarranted (Every evening the guy at the fish and chip shop gives me agratuitous helping of vinegar.)
haughty
(adj.) disdainfully proud (The superstar’s haughtydismissal of her co-stars will backfire on her someday.)
hypocrisy
(n.) pretending to believe what one does not (Once the politician began passing legislation that contradicted his campaign promises, his hypocrisybecame apparent.)
impeccable
(adj.) exemplary, flawless (If your grades were asimpeccable as your brother’s, then you too would receive a car for a graduation present.)
impertinent
(adj.) rude, insolent (Most of your comments are so impertinent that I don’t wish to dignify them with an answer.)
implacable
(adj.) incapable of being appeased or mitigated (Watch out: once you shun Grandmother’s cooking, she is totally implacable.)
impudent
(adj.) casually rude, insolent, impertinent (Theimpudent young woman looked her teacher up and down and told him he was hot.)
incisive
(adj.) clear, sharp, direct (The discussion wasn’t going anywhere until her incisive comment allowed everyone to see what the true issues were.)
indolent
(adj.) lazy (Why should my indolent children, who can’t even pick themselves up off the sofa to pour their own juice, be rewarded with a trip to Burger King?)
inept
(adj.) not suitable or capable, unqualified (She proved how inept she was when she forgot two orders and spilled a pint of cider in a customer’s lap.)
infamy
(n.) notoriety, extreme ill repute (The infamy of his crime will not lessen as time passes.)
inhibit
(v.) to prevent, restrain, stop (When I told you I needed the car last night, I certainly never meant to inhibit you from going out.)
innate
(adj.) inborn, native, inherent (His incredible athletic talent is innate, he never trains, lifts weights, or practices.)
insatiable
(adj.) incapable of being satisfied (My insatiableappetite for blondes was a real problem on my recent holiday in Japan!)
insular
(adj.) separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off (Because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, those who work for MI5 must remain insularand generally only spend time with each other.)
intrepid
(adj.) brave in the face of danger (After scaling a live volcano prior to its eruption, the explorer was praised for his intrepid attitude.)
inveterate
(adj.) stubbornly established by habit (I’m the first to admit that I’m an inveterate cider drinker—I drink four pints a day.)
jubilant
(adj.) extremely joyful, happy (The crowd wasjubilant when the firefighter carried the woman from the flaming building.)
knell
(n.) the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death (Echoing throughout our village, the funeralknell made the grey day even more grim.)
lithe
(adj.) graceful, flexible, supple (Although the dancers were all outstanding, Joanna’s control of her lithe body was particularly impressive.)
lurid
(adj.) ghastly, sensational (Barry’s story, in which he described a character torturing his neighbour's tortoise, was judged too lurid to be published on the English Library's website.)
maverick
(n.) an independent, nonconformist person (John is a real maverick and always does things his own way.)
maxim
(n.) a common saying expressing a principle of conduct (Ms. Stone’s etiquette maxims are both entertaining and instructional.)
meticulous
(adj.) extremely careful with details (The ornate needlework in the bride’s gown was a product ofmeticulous handiwork.)
modicum
(n.) a small amount of something (Refusing to display even a modicum of sensitivity, Magda announced her boss’s affair to the entire office.)
morose
(adj.) gloomy or sullen (David’s morose nature made him very unpleasant to talk to.)
myriad
(adj.) consisting of a very great number (It was difficult to decide what to do on Saturday night because the city presented us with myriadpossibilities for fun.)
nadir
(n.) the lowest point of something (My day was boring, but the nadir came when my new car was stolen.)
nominal
(adj.) trifling, insignificant (Because he was moving the following week and needed to get rid of his furniture more than he needed money, Kim sold everything for a nominal price.)
novice
(n.) a beginner, someone without training or experience (Because we were all novices at archery, our instructor decided to begin with the basics
nuance
(n.) a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression (The nuances of the poem were not obvious to the casual reader, but the teacher was able to point them out.)
oblivious
(adj.) lacking consciousness or awareness of something (Oblivious to the burning smell emanating from the kitchen, my father did not notice that the rolls in the oven were burned until much too late.)
obsequious
(adj.) excessively compliant or submissive (Donald acted like Susan’s servant, obeying her every request in an obsequious manner.)
obtuse
(adj.) lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect (Political opponents warned that the prime minister’s obtuse approach to foreign policy would embroil the nation in mindless war.)
panacea
(n.) a remedy for all ills or difficulties (Doctors wish there was a single panacea for every disease, but sadly there is not.)
parody
(n.) a satirical imitation (A hush fell over the classroom when the teacher returned to find Magdalena acting out a parody of his teaching style.)
penchant
(n.) a tendency, partiality, preference (Fiona’s dinner parties quickly became monotonous on account of her penchant for Indian dishes.)
perusal
(n.) a careful examination, review (The actor agreed to accept the role after a three-monthperusal of the movie script.)
plethora
(n.) an abundance, excess (The wedding banquet included a plethora of oysters piled almost three feet high.)
predilection
(n.) a preference or inclination for something (James has a predilection for eating toad in the whole with tomato ketchup.)
quaint
(adj.) charmingly old-fashioned (Mary was delighted by the quaint bonnets she saw in Romania.)
rash
(adj.) hasty, incautious (It’s best to think things over calmly and thoroughly, rather than makerash decisions.)
refurbish
(v.) to restore, clean up (After being refurbishedthe old Triumph motorcycle commanded the handsome price of $6000.)
repudiate
(v.) to reject, refuse to accept (Tom made a strong case for an extension of his curfew, but his motherrepudiated it with a few biting words.)
rife
(adj.) abundant (Surprisingly, the teacher’s writing was rife with spelling errors.)
salient
(adj.) significant, conspicuous (One of the salientdifferences between Alison and Helen is that Alison is a couple of kilos heavier.)
serendipity
(n.) luck, finding good things without looking for them (In an amazing bit of serendipity, penniless Mark found a $50 bill on the back seat of the bus.)
staid
(adj.) sedate, serious, self-restrained (The staidbutler never changed his expression no matter what happened.)
superfluous
(adj.) exceeding what is necessary (Samantha had already won the campaign so her constant flattery of others was superfluous.)
sycophant
(n.) one who flatters for self-gain (Some see the people in the cabinet as the Prime Minister’s closest advisors, but others see them assycophants.)
taciturn
(adj.) not inclined to talk (Though Magda never seems to stop talking, her brother is quitetaciturn.)
truculent
(adj.) ready to fight, cruel (This club doesn’t really attract the dangerous types, so why was that bouncer being so truculent?)
umbrage
(n.) resentment, offence (He called me a lily-livered coward, and I took umbrage at the insult.)
venerable
(adj.) deserving of respect because of age or achievement (The venerable High Court judge had made several key rulings in landmark cases throughout the years.)
vex
(v.) to confuse or annoy (My boyfriend vexes me by pinching my bottom for hours on end.)
vociferous
(adj.) loud, boisterous (I’m tired of his vociferouswhining so I’m breaking up with him.)
wanton
(adj.) undisciplined, lewd, lustful (Joanna’s wantondemeanor often made the frat guys next door very excited.)
zenith
(n.) the highest point, culminating point (I was too nice to tell Emily that she had reached the absolutezenith of her career with that one top 10 hit of hers.)
