VOCABULARY
Surfeit (noun)
Definition:
an amount that is too large, or is more than is needed.
Example:
The country has a surfeit of cheap labor.
Discrepancy (noun)
Definition:
a difference between two things that should be the same.
Example:
There is some discrepancy between the two accounts.
Modicum (noun)
Definition:
a small amount.
Example:
He achieved a modicum of success.
Juxtapose (verb)
Definition:
to put things that are not similar next to each other.
Example:
The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso's early drawings with some of his later works.
Deficit (noun)
Definition:
the total amount by which money spent is more than money received.
Example:
The country is running a balance-of-payments/budget/trade deficit of $250 million.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Words of the day (18/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Connotation (noun)
Definition:
a feeling or idea that is suggested by a particular word although it need not be a part of the word's meaning, or something suggested by an object or situation.
Example:
The word "lady" has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive.
Impediment (noun)
Definition:
something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible.
Example:
In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress.
Alienated (verb)
Definition:
to cause someone or a group of people to stop supporting and agreeing with you.
Example:
All these changes to the newspaper have alienated its traditional readers.
Ghastly (adjective)
Definition:
unpleasant and shocking.
Example:
Today's newspaper gives all the ghastly details of the murder.
Splendid (adjective)
Definition:
excellent, or beautiful and impressive.
Example:
We had splendid food/a splendid holiday/splendid weather.
Words of the day (17/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Lucid (adjective)
Definition:
clearly expressed and easy to understand, or (of a person) thinking or speaking clearly.
Example:
She gave a clear and lucid account of her plans for the company's future.
Esoteric (adjective)
Definition:
very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge.
Example:
He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.
Insolent(adjective)
Definition:
very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge.
Example:
He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.
Virtue (noun)
Definition:
a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good.
Example:
Patience is a virtue.
Magnanimous (adjective)
Definition:
very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone you have defeated.
Example:
The team's manager was magnanimous in victory, and praised the losing team.
Lucid (adjective)
Definition:
clearly expressed and easy to understand, or (of a person) thinking or speaking clearly.
Example:
She gave a clear and lucid account of her plans for the company's future.
Esoteric (adjective)
Definition:
very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge.
Example:
He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.
Insolent(adjective)
Definition:
very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge.
Example:
He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.
Virtue (noun)
Definition:
a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good.
Example:
Patience is a virtue.
Magnanimous (adjective)
Definition:
very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone you have defeated.
Example:
The team's manager was magnanimous in victory, and praised the losing team.
Words of the day (16/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Ingenuous (adjective)
Definition:
honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way that seems silly.
Example:
It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to take care of his luggage.
Arcane (adjective)
Definition:
mysterious and known only by a few people.
Example:
He was the only person who understood all the arcane details of the agreement.
Abstruse (adjective)
Definition:
difficult to understand.
Example:
an abstruse philosophical essay
Didactic (adjective)
Definition:
Ingenuous (adjective)
Definition:
honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way that seems silly.
Example:
It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to take care of his luggage.
Arcane (adjective)
Definition:
mysterious and known only by a few people.
Example:
He was the only person who understood all the arcane details of the agreement.
Abstruse (adjective)
Definition:
difficult to understand.
Example:
an abstruse philosophical essay
Didactic (adjective)
Definition:
intended to teach, especially in a way that is too determined or eager, and often fixed and unwilling to change.
Example:
A didactic approach to teaching.
Petty (adjective)
Definition:
a.[before noun] not important and not worth giving attention to.
Example:
Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
Definition:
b.[after noun] complaining too much about things that are not important.
Example:
Don't be so petty!
Words of the day (15/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Debunk (verb)
Definition:
to show that something is less important, less good, or less true than it has been made to appear.
Example:
The writer's aim was to debunk the myth that had grown up around the actress.
Partisan (adjective)
Definition:
strongly supporting a person, principle, or political party, often without considering or judging the matter very carefully.
Example:
The audience was very partisan, and refused to listen to her speech.
Intemperance (adjective)
Definition:
showing anger or violence that is too extreme and not well controlled.
Example:
The governor said he would not be provoked into intemperate action.
Acumen (noun)
Definition:
skill in making correct decisions and judgments in a particular subject, such as business or politics.
Example:
She has considerable business/financial acumen.
Irreverence (adjective)
Definition:
not showing the expected respect for official, important, or holy things.
Example:
An irreverent comment/approach/attitude
Debunk (verb)
Definition:
to show that something is less important, less good, or less true than it has been made to appear.
Example:
The writer's aim was to debunk the myth that had grown up around the actress.
Partisan (adjective)
Definition:
strongly supporting a person, principle, or political party, often without considering or judging the matter very carefully.
Example:
The audience was very partisan, and refused to listen to her speech.
Intemperance (adjective)
Definition:
showing anger or violence that is too extreme and not well controlled.
Example:
The governor said he would not be provoked into intemperate action.
Acumen (noun)
Definition:
skill in making correct decisions and judgments in a particular subject, such as business or politics.
Example:
She has considerable business/financial acumen.
Irreverence (adjective)
Definition:
not showing the expected respect for official, important, or holy things.
Example:
An irreverent comment/approach/attitude
Words of the day (14/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Curtail (verb)
Definition:
to stop something before it is finished, or to reduce or limit something.
Example:
The last government severely curtailed trade union rights.
Epitome (noun)
Definition:
the typical or highest example of a stated quality, as shown by a particular person or thing.
Example:
Even now in her sixties, she is the epitome of French elegance.
Proponent (noun)
Definition:
a person who speaks publicly in support of a particular idea or plan of action.
Example:
He is one of the leading proponents of capital punishment.
Advocates (verb)
Definition:
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something.
Example:
She advocates taking a more long-term view.
He advocates the return of capital punishment.
Embodiment (noun)
Definition:
someone or something that represents a quality or an idea exactly.
Example:
He was the embodiment of the English gentleman.
Curtail (verb)
Definition:
to stop something before it is finished, or to reduce or limit something.
Example:
The last government severely curtailed trade union rights.
Epitome (noun)
Definition:
the typical or highest example of a stated quality, as shown by a particular person or thing.
Example:
Even now in her sixties, she is the epitome of French elegance.
Proponent (noun)
Definition:
a person who speaks publicly in support of a particular idea or plan of action.
Example:
He is one of the leading proponents of capital punishment.
Advocates (verb)
Definition:
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something.
Example:
She advocates taking a more long-term view.
He advocates the return of capital punishment.
Embodiment (noun)
Definition:
someone or something that represents a quality or an idea exactly.
Example:
He was the embodiment of the English gentleman.
Words of the day (13/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Sophistry (noun)
Definition:
the clever use of arguments that seem true but are really false, in order to deceive people
Receptive (adjective)
Definition:
willing to listen to and accept new ideas and suggestions.
Example:
The government is not receptive to the idea of a Freedom of Information Act.
Substantiate (verb)
Definition:
to show something to be true, or to support a claim with facts.
Example:
We have evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
Remedy (noun)
Definition:
a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example:
The best remedy for grief is hard work.
Disparage (verb)
Definition:
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not respect or value him, her, or it.
Example:
The actor's work for charity has recently been disparaged in the press as an attempt to get publicity.
Sophistry (noun)
Definition:
the clever use of arguments that seem true but are really false, in order to deceive people
Receptive (adjective)
Definition:
willing to listen to and accept new ideas and suggestions.
Example:
The government is not receptive to the idea of a Freedom of Information Act.
Substantiate (verb)
Definition:
to show something to be true, or to support a claim with facts.
Example:
We have evidence to substantiate the allegations against him.
Remedy (noun)
Definition:
a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example:
The best remedy for grief is hard work.
Disparage (verb)
Definition:
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not respect or value him, her, or it.
Example:
The actor's work for charity has recently been disparaged in the press as an attempt to get publicity.
Words of the day (12/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Patronage (noun)
Definition:
the support given to an organization by someone.
Example:
The charity enjoys the patronage of many prominent local business people.
Dispute (noun)
Definition:
an argument or disagreement, especially an official one between, for example, workers and employers or two countries with a common border.
Example:
They have been unable to settle/resolve the dispute over working conditions.
Autonomy (noun)
Definition:
the right of an organization, country, or region to be independent and govern itself.
Example:
Demonstrators demanded immediate autonomy for their region.
Incoherent (adjective)
Definition:
expressing yourself in a way that is not clear.
Example:
He was confused and incoherent and I didn't get much sense out of him.
Intuition (noun)
Definition:
(knowledge from) an ability to understand or know something immediately based on your feelings rather than facts.
Example:
Often there's no clear evidence one way or the other and you just have to base your judgment on intuition.
Patronage (noun)
Definition:
the support given to an organization by someone.
Example:
The charity enjoys the patronage of many prominent local business people.
Dispute (noun)
Definition:
an argument or disagreement, especially an official one between, for example, workers and employers or two countries with a common border.
Example:
They have been unable to settle/resolve the dispute over working conditions.
Autonomy (noun)
Definition:
the right of an organization, country, or region to be independent and govern itself.
Example:
Demonstrators demanded immediate autonomy for their region.
Incoherent (adjective)
Definition:
expressing yourself in a way that is not clear.
Example:
He was confused and incoherent and I didn't get much sense out of him.
Intuition (noun)
Definition:
(knowledge from) an ability to understand or know something immediately based on your feelings rather than facts.
Example:
Often there's no clear evidence one way or the other and you just have to base your judgment on intuition.
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Words of the day (11/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Profundity (noun)
Definition:
the quality of showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters.
Example:
the profundity of his remarks
Definition:
a remark or thought that shows, or is intended to show, great understanding.
Example:
We would sit up all night exchanging profundities.
Perquisites (noun)
Definition:
perk noun.
Example:
The perquisites of this job include health insurance and a performance bonus.
Monarch (noun)
Definition:
a king or queen.
Example;
Britain's head of state is a constitutional monarch.
Tribulations (noun)
Definition:
a problem or difficulty.
Reprehensible (adjective)
Definition:
If someone's behavior is reprehensible, it is extremely bad or unacceptable.
Example:
Reprehensible conduct/actions.
Words of the day (10/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Dispense (verb)
Definition:
to give out things, especially products, services, or amounts of money.
Example:
There is a vending machine on the platform that dispenses snacks.
Definition:
to prepare and give out medicine.
Example:
UK a dispensing chemist
Predilection (noun)
Definition:
If someone has a predilection for something, they like it a lot.
Example:
Ever since she was a child, she has had a predilection for spicy food.
Remedy (noun)
Definition:
a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty.
Example:
An effective herbal remedy for headaches.
Raid (noun)
Definition:
a short sudden attack, usually by a small group of people.
Example:
The commandos made/staged/carried out a daring raid (on the enemy).
Definition:
the act of entering a place by force in order to steal from it.
Example:
Millions of dollars were stolen in a bank raid last night.
Definition:
an occasion when the police enter a place suddenly in order to find someone or something.
Example:
The drugs were found during a police raid on the house. a short sudden attack, usually by a small group of people:
Legitimacy (noun)
Definition:
the quality of being legal.
Example:
The lawyers expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of military action.
Words of the day (9/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Vulnerable (adjective)
Definition:
able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked.
Example:
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
Recluse (noun)
Definition:
a person who lives alone and avoids going outside or talking to other people.
Example:
He is a millionaire recluse who refuses to give interviews
Penchant (noun)
Definition:
a liking for, an enjoyment of, or a habit of doing something, especially something that other people might not like.
Example:
A penchant for melodrama/skiing/exotic clothes
Pilfer (verb)
Definition:
to steal things of small value.
Example:
He was caught pilfering (sweets) from the shop.
Knack (noun)
Definition:
a skill or an ability to do something easily and well.
Example:
She has the knack of making people feel comfortable.
Words of the day (8/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Indictment (noun)
Definition:
a reason for giving blame.
Example:
This seems to me to be a damning indictment of the government's education policy.
Mockery (noun)
Definition:
the act of mocking someone or something.
Example:
Bill's mockery of his dad was a bit cruel, but it made us laugh.
Adept (adjective)
Definition:
having a natural ability to do something that needs skill.
Example:
She's very adept at dealing with the media.
Temperamental (adjective)
Definition:
A tempermental person is someone whose mood often changes very suddenly.
Example:
Be careful how you approach her - she's very temperamental.
Definition:
caused by your own character and feelings:
Example:
There are temperamental similarities between the brothers.
Congenial (adjective)
Definition:
friendly and pleasant.
Example:
congenial company/surroundings.
Words of the day (7/5/2015)
Vocabulary
Aggregation (noun)
Definition:
(TOTAL) something formed by adding together several amounts or things.
Example:
They purchased an aggregate of 3,000 shares in the company.
Definition:
small stones used in building.
Example:
Volumes of aggregates, cement, and concrete used in the UK will rise this year.
Effusive (adjective)
Definition:
expressing welcome, approval, or pleasure in a way that shows very strong feeling.
Example:
They gave us such an effusive welcome it was quite embarrassing.
Incorrigible (adjective)
Definition:
An incorrigible person or incorrigible behavior is bad and impossible to change or improve.
Example:
an incorrigible liar/rogue
Ineffable (adjective)
Definition:
causing so much emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described.
Example:
ineffable joy/beauty.
Tenuous (adjective)
Definition:
A tenuous connection, idea, or situation is weak and possibly does not exist.
Example:
We were only able to make a tenuous connection between the two robberies.
Definition:
literally - thin, weak, and easily broken
Unequivocal (adjective)
Definition:
total, or expressed in a clear and certain way.
Example:
The prime minister, he said, had the party's unequivocal support.
Aggregation (noun)
Definition:
(TOTAL) something formed by adding together several amounts or things.
Example:
They purchased an aggregate of 3,000 shares in the company.
Definition:
small stones used in building.
Example:
Volumes of aggregates, cement, and concrete used in the UK will rise this year.
Effusive (adjective)
Definition:
expressing welcome, approval, or pleasure in a way that shows very strong feeling.
Example:
They gave us such an effusive welcome it was quite embarrassing.
Incorrigible (adjective)
Definition:
An incorrigible person or incorrigible behavior is bad and impossible to change or improve.
Example:
an incorrigible liar/rogue
Ineffable (adjective)
Definition:
causing so much emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described.
Example:
ineffable joy/beauty.
Tenuous (adjective)
Definition:
A tenuous connection, idea, or situation is weak and possibly does not exist.
Example:
We were only able to make a tenuous connection between the two robberies.
Definition:
literally - thin, weak, and easily broken
Unequivocal (adjective)
Definition:
total, or expressed in a clear and certain way.
Example:
The prime minister, he said, had the party's unequivocal support.
Words of the day (6/5/2015)
Vocabulary
Provocative (adjective)
Definition:
(CAUSING THOUGHT) causing thought about interesting subjects.
Example:
The program will take a detailed and provocative look at the problem of homelessness.
Definition:
(MAKE ANGRY) causing an angry reaction, usually intentionally.
Example:
In a deliberately provocative speech, she criticized the whole system of government.
Definition:
(SEXUAL) If behavior or clothing is provocative, it is intended to cause sexual desire.
Example:
She slowly leaned forward in a provocative way.
Inclination (noun)
Definition:
a feeling that you want to do a particular thing, or the fact that you prefer or are more likely to do a particular thing.
Example:
My own inclination would be to look for another job.
We should be basing our decisions on solid facts, not inclinations and hunches.
Definition:
(MOVEMENT) formal a small downward movement.
Example:
A solemn inclination of the head
Retrenchment (noun)
Definition:
a situation in which a government, etc. spends less or reduces costs
Prognosis (noun)
Definition:
(also prognostication) medical a doctor's judgment of the likely or expected development of a disease or of the chances of getting better.
Example:
The prognosis after the operation was for a full recovery.
Definition::
a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, especially in connection with a particular situation.
Example:
I was reading a gloomy economic prognosis in the paper this morning.
Preeminent (adjective)
Definition:
more important or powerful than all others.
Example:
He was the preeminent scientist of his day.
Provocative (adjective)
Definition:
(CAUSING THOUGHT) causing thought about interesting subjects.
Example:
The program will take a detailed and provocative look at the problem of homelessness.
Definition:
(MAKE ANGRY) causing an angry reaction, usually intentionally.
Example:
In a deliberately provocative speech, she criticized the whole system of government.
Definition:
(SEXUAL) If behavior or clothing is provocative, it is intended to cause sexual desire.
Example:
She slowly leaned forward in a provocative way.
Inclination (noun)
Definition:
a feeling that you want to do a particular thing, or the fact that you prefer or are more likely to do a particular thing.
Example:
My own inclination would be to look for another job.
We should be basing our decisions on solid facts, not inclinations and hunches.
Definition:
(MOVEMENT) formal a small downward movement.
Example:
A solemn inclination of the head
Retrenchment (noun)
Definition:
a situation in which a government, etc. spends less or reduces costs
Prognosis (noun)
Definition:
(also prognostication) medical a doctor's judgment of the likely or expected development of a disease or of the chances of getting better.
Example:
The prognosis after the operation was for a full recovery.
Definition::
a statement of what is judged likely to happen in the future, especially in connection with a particular situation.
Example:
I was reading a gloomy economic prognosis in the paper this morning.
Preeminent (adjective)
Definition:
more important or powerful than all others.
Example:
He was the preeminent scientist of his day.
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Words of the day (5/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Belittled (verb)
Definition:
to make a person or an action seem as if he, she or it is not important.
Example:
Though she had spent hours fixing the computer, he belittled her efforts.
Amateurish (adjective)
Example:
having no skill, or showing no skill.
Example:
Their website looks amateurish.
Lax (adjective)
Definition:
a.without much care, attention, or control.
Example:
The subcommittee contends that the authorities were lax in investigating most of the cases.
Definition:
b.not severe or strong enough.
Example:
He took a gun through baggage control to highlight the lax security.
Verbose (adjective)
Definition:
using or containing more words than are necessary.
Example:
He was a notoriously verbose after-dinner speaker.
Enlightening (adjective)
Definition:
giving you more information and understanding of something.
Example:
That was a very enlightening program.
Belittled (verb)
Definition:
to make a person or an action seem as if he, she or it is not important.
Example:
Though she had spent hours fixing the computer, he belittled her efforts.
Amateurish (adjective)
Example:
having no skill, or showing no skill.
Example:
Their website looks amateurish.
Lax (adjective)
Definition:
a.without much care, attention, or control.
Example:
The subcommittee contends that the authorities were lax in investigating most of the cases.
Definition:
b.not severe or strong enough.
Example:
He took a gun through baggage control to highlight the lax security.
Verbose (adjective)
Definition:
using or containing more words than are necessary.
Example:
He was a notoriously verbose after-dinner speaker.
Enlightening (adjective)
Definition:
giving you more information and understanding of something.
Example:
That was a very enlightening program.
Monday, 4 May 2015
Words of the day (4/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Lassitude (noun)
Definition:
physical or mental tiredness.
Example:
Shareholders are blaming the company's problems on the lassitude of the CEO.
Painstaking (adjective)
Definition:
extremely careful and correct, and using a lot of effort.
Example:
It took months of painstaking research to write the book.
Fabricate (verb)
Definition:
to invent or produce something false in order to deceive someone.
Example:
He was late, so he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble.
Wrongheaded (adjective)
Definition:
based on ideas or judgments that are not suitable for a particular situation.
Example:
He admitted that the party had followed policies now considered wrongheaded.
Chicanery (noun)
Definition:
clever, dishonest talk or behavior that is used to deceive people.
Example:
The investigation revealed political chicanery and corruption at the highest levels.
Lassitude (noun)
Definition:
physical or mental tiredness.
Example:
Shareholders are blaming the company's problems on the lassitude of the CEO.
Painstaking (adjective)
Definition:
extremely careful and correct, and using a lot of effort.
Example:
It took months of painstaking research to write the book.
Fabricate (verb)
Definition:
to invent or produce something false in order to deceive someone.
Example:
He was late, so he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble.
Wrongheaded (adjective)
Definition:
based on ideas or judgments that are not suitable for a particular situation.
Example:
He admitted that the party had followed policies now considered wrongheaded.
Chicanery (noun)
Definition:
clever, dishonest talk or behavior that is used to deceive people.
Example:
The investigation revealed political chicanery and corruption at the highest levels.
Words of the day (3/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Metaphorical (adjective)
Definition:
Metaphorical language contains metaphors.
Example:
Her second novel is written in a very metaphorical style.
Sundry (adjective)
Definition:
several different; various.
Example:
Sundry distant relatives, most of whom I hardly recognized, turned up for my brother's wedding.
Remonstrance (verb)
Definition:
to complain to someone or about something.
Example:
I went to the boss to remonstrate against the new rules.
Erudition (adjective)
Definition:
having or containing a lot of knowledge that is known by very few people.
Example:
He's the author of an erudite book on Scottish history.
Plausible (adjective)
Definition:
seeming likely to be true, or able to be believed.
Example:
A plausible explanation.
Metaphorical (adjective)
Definition:
Metaphorical language contains metaphors.
Example:
Her second novel is written in a very metaphorical style.
Sundry (adjective)
Definition:
several different; various.
Example:
Sundry distant relatives, most of whom I hardly recognized, turned up for my brother's wedding.
Remonstrance (verb)
Definition:
to complain to someone or about something.
Example:
I went to the boss to remonstrate against the new rules.
Erudition (adjective)
Definition:
having or containing a lot of knowledge that is known by very few people.
Example:
He's the author of an erudite book on Scottish history.
Plausible (adjective)
Definition:
seeming likely to be true, or able to be believed.
Example:
A plausible explanation.
Words of the day (2/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Divisive (adjective)
Definition:
used to describe something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people.
Example:
The Vietnam war was an extremely divisive issue in the US.
Foster (verb)
Definition:
to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings.
Example:
I'm trying to foster an interest in classical music in my children.
Bucolic (adjective)
Definition:
relating to the countryside.
Example:
The painting shows a typically bucolic scene with peasants.
Prolific (adjective)
Definition:
producing a great number or amount of something.
Example:
He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
Lugubrious (adjective)
Definition:
sad and serious.
Example:
A lugubrious face.
Divisive (adjective)
Definition:
used to describe something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people.
Example:
The Vietnam war was an extremely divisive issue in the US.
Foster (verb)
Definition:
to encourage the development or growth of ideas or feelings.
Example:
I'm trying to foster an interest in classical music in my children.
Bucolic (adjective)
Definition:
relating to the countryside.
Example:
The painting shows a typically bucolic scene with peasants.
Prolific (adjective)
Definition:
producing a great number or amount of something.
Example:
He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
Lugubrious (adjective)
Definition:
sad and serious.
Example:
A lugubrious face.
Words of the day (1/5/2015)
VOCABULARY
Curative (adjective)
Definition:
able to cure or cause to get better.
Example:
Do you believe in the curative powers of the local mineral water?
Precursor (noun)
Definition:
something that happened or existed before another thing, especially if it either developed into it or had an influence on it.
Example:
Sulphur dioxide is the main precursor of acid rain.
Stringent (adjective)
Definition:
having a very severe effect, or being extremely limiting.
Example:
The most stringent laws in the world are useless unless there is the will to enforce them.
Disperse (verb)
Definition:
to spread across or move away over a large area, or to make something do this.
Example:
When the rain came down the crowds started to disperse.
Obtrusive (adjective)
Definition:
too noticeable.
Example:
The logo was still visible but less obtrusive this time in beige.
Curative (adjective)
Definition:
able to cure or cause to get better.
Example:
Do you believe in the curative powers of the local mineral water?
Precursor (noun)
Definition:
something that happened or existed before another thing, especially if it either developed into it or had an influence on it.
Example:
Sulphur dioxide is the main precursor of acid rain.
Stringent (adjective)
Definition:
having a very severe effect, or being extremely limiting.
Example:
The most stringent laws in the world are useless unless there is the will to enforce them.
Disperse (verb)
Definition:
to spread across or move away over a large area, or to make something do this.
Example:
When the rain came down the crowds started to disperse.
Obtrusive (adjective)
Definition:
too noticeable.
Example:
The logo was still visible but less obtrusive this time in beige.
Words of the day (30/4/2015)
VOCABULARY
Lush (adjective)
Definition:
very attractive to look at, taste, smell, etc..
Example:
The lush taste of fudge ice cream
Sprawl (verb)
Definition:
a.(BODY) to spread the arms and legs out carelessly and untidily while sitting or lying down.
Example:
I knocked into her in the corridor and sent her sprawling.
Definition:
b.(CITY) [I usually + adv/prep] (especially of a city) to cover a large area of land with buildings that have been added at different times so that it looks untidy.
Example:
The refugee camps sprawl across the landscape.
Desolate (adjective)
Definition:
a.(EMPTY) A desolate place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it.
Example:
The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
Definition:
b.(SAD) extremely sad and feeling alone.
Example:
She felt desolate when her best friend moved away.
Gaudy (adjective)
Definition
unpleasantly bright in color or decoration.
Example:
Gaudy plastic flowers.
Misnomer (noun)
Definition:
a name that does not suit what it refers to, or the use of such a name.
Example:
It was the scruffiest place I've ever stayed in, so "Grand Hotel" was a complete misnomer.
Lush (adjective)
Definition:
very attractive to look at, taste, smell, etc..
Example:
The lush taste of fudge ice cream
Sprawl (verb)
Definition:
a.(BODY) to spread the arms and legs out carelessly and untidily while sitting or lying down.
Example:
I knocked into her in the corridor and sent her sprawling.
Definition:
b.(CITY) [I usually + adv/prep] (especially of a city) to cover a large area of land with buildings that have been added at different times so that it looks untidy.
Example:
The refugee camps sprawl across the landscape.
Desolate (adjective)
Definition:
a.(EMPTY) A desolate place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it.
Example:
The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape.
Definition:
b.(SAD) extremely sad and feeling alone.
Example:
She felt desolate when her best friend moved away.
Gaudy (adjective)
Definition
unpleasantly bright in color or decoration.
Example:
Gaudy plastic flowers.
Misnomer (noun)
Definition:
a name that does not suit what it refers to, or the use of such a name.
Example:
It was the scruffiest place I've ever stayed in, so "Grand Hotel" was a complete misnomer.
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