Term
acknowledge /əkˈnɒl.ɪdʒ/ /-ˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
to accept, admit or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something
[ + -ing verb ] She acknowledged hav ing been at fault.[ + that ] She acknowledged that she had been at fault.You must acknowledge the truth of her argument.
Historians generally acknowledge her as a genius in her field.[ + object + to infinitive ] She is usually acknowledged to be one of our best artists.They refused to acknowledge (= to recognize officially) the new government.Please acknowledge receipt of (= say that you have received) this letter.He didn't even acknowledge my presence (= show that he had seen me) .The government won't even acknowledge the existence of the problem.
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Term
authority /ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/ /əˈθɔːr.ɪ.t ̬i/ noun
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Definition
POWER 1. [ U ] the moral or legal right or ability to control
The United Nations has used/exerted/exercised its authority to restore peace in the area. We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high-ranking person) . They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council. [ + to infinitive ] I'll give my lawyers authority (= permission) to act on my behalf. He's got no authority over (= ability to control) his students.
She spoke with authority (= as if she was in control or had special knowledge) .
2. [ C ] a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity
the health authority
the local housing authority
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Term
authority /ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/ /əˈθɔːr.ɪ.t ̬i/ noun
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Definition
3. the authorities
the group of people with official legal power to act or enforce the rules in a particular area, such as the police or a local government department
I'm going to report these holes in the road to the authorities.
authority /ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/ /əˈθɔːr.ɪ.t ̬i/ noun EXPERT
4. [ C ] an expert on a subject
She's a world authority on 19th-century Irish history.
have something on good authority
to be able to believe a piece of information because you trust the person who told you it
I have it on good authority that she's getting married.
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Term
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Definition
1. a roughly cut piece
a chunk of cheese/meat
pineapple/tuna chunks
See picture amounts of food
2. informal a part of something, especially a large part
a chunk of text
a substantial chunk of our profits
Three hours is quite a chunk out of my working day.
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Term
crucial /ˈkruː.ʃ ə l/ adjective
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Definition
extremely important or necessary
a crucial decision/question
Her work has been crucial to the project's success.
[ + that ] It is crucial that the problem is tackled immediately.
crucially /ˈkruː.ʃ ə l.i/ adverb |
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Term
deliberately /dɪˈlɪb. ə r.ət.li/ /-ɚ-/ adverb
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Definition
1. intentionally
I'm sure he says these things deliberately to annoy me.
2. slowly and carefully
Calmly and deliberately, she poured petrol over the car and set it alight.
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Term
depression /dɪˈpreʃ. ə n/ noun UNHAPPINESS
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Definition
1. [ U ] the state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future
I was overwhelmed by feelings of depression.
2. [ C or U ] a mental illness in which a person is very unhappy and anxious (= worried and nervous) for long periods and cannot have a normal life during these periods
Tiredness, loss of appetite and sleeping problems are all classic symptoms of depression.
If you suffer from depression, it's best to get professional help.
See also clinical depression
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Term
emotion /ɪˈməʊ.ʃ ə n/ /-ˈmoʊ-/ noun [ C or U ]
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Definition
a strong feeling such as love or anger, or strong feelings in general
Like a lot of men, he finds it hard to express his emotions.
My mother was overcome with emotion and burst into tears.
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Term
engage in sth phrasal verb formal
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Definition
1. to take part in something
The two governments have agreed to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to resolve the problem.
2. engage sb in conversation formal
to start a conversation with someone
Once Mrs Kirkpatrick engages you in conversation, you're stuck with her for half an hour.
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Term
industrious /ɪnˈdʌs.tri.əs/ adjective
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Definition
having the characteristic of regularly working hard
an industrious worker
She's extremely competent and industrious.
industriously /ɪnˈdʌs.tri.ə.sli/ adverb
Marco was working industriously at his desk.
industriousness /ɪnˈdʌs.tri.ə.snəs/ noun [ U ] |
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Term
intellectual /ˌɪn.t ə lˈek.tju.əl/ /-t ̬ ə lˈek.tʃu-/ adjective
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Definition
relating to your ability to think and understand things, especially complicated ideas
Looking after a baby at home all day is nice but it doesn't provide much intellectual stimulation .
I like detective stories and romances - nothing too intellectual.
intellectually /ˌɪn.t ə lˈek.tju.ə.li/ /-t ̬ ə lˈek.tʃu-/ adverb
She's hoping to find a job which is more demanding intellectually.
intellectual /ˌɪn.t ə lˈek.tju.əl/ /-t ̬ ə lˈek.tʃu-/ noun [ C ]
a very educated person whose interests are studying and other activities that involve careful thinking and mental effort
She was too much of an intellectual to find popular films interesting.
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Term
merely /ˈmɪə.li/ /ˈmɪr-/ adverb
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Definition
used to emphasize that you mean exactly what you are saying and nothing more
I wasn't complaining, I merely said that I was tired.
The medicine won't cure her - it merely stops the pain.
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Term
obese /ə ʊ ˈbiːs/ /oʊ-/ adjective
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Definition
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obesity /ə ʊ ˈbiː.sɪ.ti/ /oʊˈbiː.sə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ]
childhood obesity
A diet that is high in fat can lead to obesity.
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Term
obvious /ˈɒb.vi.əs/ /ˈɑːb-/ adjective
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Definition
clear; easy to see, recognize or understand
[ + ( that ) ] It 's obvious (that) she doesn't like him.
They have a small child so for obvious reasons they need money.
I know you don't like her, but do you have to make it so obvious?
Am I stating the obvious (= saying what everyone already knows) ?
There is no obvious solution .
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Term
overwhelming /ˌəʊ.vəˈwel.mɪŋ/ /ˌoʊ.vɚ-/ adjective
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Definition
1. difficult to fight against
She felt an overwhelming urge/desire/need to tell someone about what had happened.
2. very great or very large
She said how much she appreciated the overwhelming generosity of the public in responding to the appeal.
An overwhelming majority have voted in favour of the proposal.
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Term
| passive /ˈpæs.ɪv/ adjective |
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Definition
BEHAVIOUR
1. often disapproving not acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in control
He's very passive in the relationship.
Men have always played an active part in leading worship while women have been confined to more passive roles .
See also impassive
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Term
pastime /ˈpɑːs.taɪm/ /ˈpæs-/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
an activity which is done for enjoyment; a hobby
Do-it-yourself is the nation's most popular pastime.
figurative Suing people, especially doctors, is a national pastime (= common activity) in America.
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Term
| physical /ˈfɪz.ɪ.k ə l/ adjective |
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Definition
BODY
1. connected with the body
physical exercise/fitness/strength/disabilities
I'm not a very physical sort of person (= I don't enjoy physical activities) .
2. informal violent
The referee stepped in because the game had started to get a bit physical.
3. sexual
There was obviously a great physical attraction between them.
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Term
rejuvenate /rɪˈdʒuː.v ə n.eɪt/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
1. to make someone look or feel young and energetic again
She felt rejuvenated by her fortnight in the Bahamas.
2. to make an organization or system more effective, productive and modern by introducing new methods and ideas
He has decided to rejuvenate the team by bringing in a lot of new, young players.
rejuvenation /rɪˌdʒuː.v ə nˈeɪ.ʃ ə n/ noun [ U ] |
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Term
reluctant /rɪˈlʌk.t ə nt/ adjective
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Definition
not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it
[ + to infinitive ] I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave.
Many parents feel reluctant to talk openly with their children.
She persuaded her reluctant husband to take a trip to Florida with her.
reluctantly /rɪˈlʌk.t ə nt.li/ adverb
She reluctantly agreed to step down as managing director.
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Term
suffer /ˈsʌf.ə r / /-ɚ/ verb
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Definition
FEEL PAIN 1. [ I ] to experience physical or mental pain
I think he suffered quite a lot when his wife left him.
She suffers terribly in the winter when it's cold and her joints get stiff.
She's been suffering from (= been ill with) cancer for two years.
Johnny suffers from (= is often ill with) asthma.
If you're not happy with it, you should complain. Don't just suffer in silence (= without saying anything) .
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Term
suffer /ˈsʌf.ə r / /-ɚ/ verb |
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Definition
EXPERIENCE 2. [ I or T ] to experience or show the effects of something bad
The Democrats suffered a crushing defeat in the last election.
Twenty-five policemen suffered minor injuries during the protest.
The city suffered another blow last month with the closure of the local car factory. If you will insist on eating three helpings of dessert, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer the consequences ! [ + object + -ing verb ] I had to suffer her father moan ing for half an hour on the phone last night! When you're working such long hours, it's inevitable that your marriage will start to suffer. Like a lot of his films, it suffers from being a bit too long.not suffer fools gladly : to have very little patience with people who you think are silly or have stupid ideas
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Term
cast /kɑːst/ /kæst/ verb cast , cast
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Definition
LIGHT 2. [ T usually + adverb or preposition ] to send light or shadow (= an area of darkness) in a particular direction
The moon cast a white light into the room.
The tree cast a shadow over/on his face.
figurative Her arrival cast a shadow over/on the party (= made it less pleasant).
3. cast light on sth
to provide an explanation for a situation or problem, or information that makes it easier to understand
The discovery of the dinosaur skeleton has cast light on why they became extinct.
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Term
disaster /dɪˈzɑː.stə r / /-ˈzæs.tɚ/ noun [ C or U ]
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Definition
1. (an event which results in) great harm, damage or death, or serious difficulty
An inquiry was ordered into the recent rail disaster (= a serious train accident) .It would be a disaster for me if I lost my job.This is one of the worst natural disasters ever to befall the area.Heavy and prolonged rain can spell disaster for many plants.Everything was going smoothly until suddenly disaster struck .Inviting James and Ivan to dinner on the same evening was a recipe for disaster (= caused a very difficult situation) - they always argue with each other. 2. be a disaster
informal to be very unsuccessful or extremely bad
The evening was a complete disaster.
As an engineer, he was a disaster.
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Term
| display /dɪˈspleɪ/ verb [ T ] |
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Definition
SHOW
2. to show a feeling
The British traditionally tend not to display much emotion in public.
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Term
drawback /ˈdrɔː.bæk/ /ˈdrɑː-/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation
One of the drawbacks of living with someone is having to share a bathroom.
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Term
efficient /ɪˈfɪʃ. ə nt/ adjective
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Definition
working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way
The city's transport system is one of the most efficient in Europe.
We need someone really efficient who can organize the office and make it run smoothly.
efficiently /ɪˈfɪʃ. ə nt.li/ adverb
She runs the business very efficiently.
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Term
equip /ɪˈkwɪp/ verb [ T ] -pp-
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Definition
PROVIDE 1. to provide a person or a place with objects that are necessary for a particular purpose
It's going to cost $4 million to equip the hospital.
All the police officers were equipped with shields to defend themselves against the rioters.
PREPARE 2. to give someone the skills they need to do a particular thing
The course aims to equip people with the skills necessary for a job in this technological age.
A degree in the history of art is very nice but it doesn't exactly equip you for many jobs.
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Term
freight /freɪt/ noun [ U ]
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Definition
1. goods, but not passengers, that are carried from one place to another, by ship, aircraft, train or truck, or the system of transporting these goods
The ship carries both freight and passengers.
a freight company
Will the goods be sent by air or sea freight?
freight trains
US The escaped prisoner made his getaway in a freight car/wagon on a train.
2. the money paid for transporting goods
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Term
freight /freɪt/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
to send goods by air, sea or train
Grapes from this region are freighted all over the world.
freight /freɪt/ adverb
transported as part of a large group of things, by ship, aircraft, train or truck
It would be much cheaper to send the goods freight.
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Term
generate /ˈdʒen. ə r.eɪt/ /-ɚ-/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
CREATE 1. to cause something to exist
Her latest film has generated a lot of interest/excitement .
The new development will generate 1500 new jobs.
These measures will increase the club's ability to generate revenue/income .
generate /ˈdʒen. ə r.eɪt/ /-ɚ-/ verb [ T ] MAKE ENERGY
2. to produce energy in a particular form
The wind farm may be able to generate enough electricity/power for 2000 homes.
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Term
illuminate /ɪˈluː.mɪ.neɪt/ verb [ T ] formal
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Definition
1. to light something and make it brighter
The streets were illuminated with strings of coloured lights.
2. to explain and show more clearly something that is difficult to understand
an article which illuminates the issues at stake
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Term
innovation /ˌɪn.ə ʊ ˈveɪ.ʃ ə n/ noun [ C or U ]
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Definition
(the use of) a new idea or method
the latest innovations in computer technology
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Term
intense /ɪnˈten t s/ adjective
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Definition
1. extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong
intense cold/heat/hatred
an intense flavour/colour
He suddenly felt an intense pain in his back.
2. Intense people are very serious, and usually have strong emotions or opinions
an intense young man
intensely /ɪnˈten t .sli/ adverb
His strongest criticism is reserved for his father, whom he disliked intensely.
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Term
knot /nɒt/ /nɑːt/ noun [ C ] |
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Definition
WOOD
4. a small hard area on a tree or piece of wood where a branch was joined to the tree
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Term
locomotive /ˌləʊ.kəˈməʊ.tɪv/ /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.t ̬ɪv/ noun [ C ] ( UK informal loco )
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Definition
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locomotive /ˌləʊ.kəˈməʊ.tɪv/ /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.t ̬ɪv/ adjective
relating to movement or the ability to move |
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Term
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Definition
WAY 1. [ C ] slightly formal a way of operating, living or behaving
Each department in the company has its own mode of operation and none of them are compatible.
Railways are the most important mode of transport for the economy.
mode /məʊd/ /moʊd/ noun MATHS
2. [ C ] specialized the number or value which appears most often in a particular set
mode /məʊd/ /moʊd/ noun FASHION
3. be the mode slightly formal
(especially of clothes) to be fashionable at a particular time
Miniskirts were very much the mode in the 60s.
See also á la mode
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Term
portable /ˈpɔː.tə.bl ̩/ /ˈpɔːr.t ̬ə-/ adjective
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Definition
(designed to be) light and small enough to be easily carried or moved
a portable radio/telephone/computer
portability /ˌpɔː.təˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ /ˌpɔːr.t ̬əˈbɪl.ə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ]
The advantage of the smaller model is its greater portability.
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Term
reflector /rɪˈflek.tə r / /-tɚ/ noun
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Definition
1. [ C ] an object on a bicycle, car, or other vehicle which reflects light and is intended to show the vehicle's position to other road users
2. reflectors
US for cat's eyes |
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Term
rugged /ˈrʌg.ɪd/ adjective
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Definition
NOT EVEN
1. (of land) wild and not even; not easy to travel over
rugged landscape/terrain/hills/cliffs
rugged /ˈrʌg.ɪd/ adjective STRONG
2. strong and simple; not delicate
Jeeps are rugged vehicles, designed for rough conditions.
3. describes a man's face that is strongly and attractively formed
She fell for his rugged good looks.
ruggedly /ˈrʌg.ɪd.li/ adverb |
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Term
stringent /ˈstrɪn.dʒənt/ adjective
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Definition
SEVERE 1. having a very severe effect, or being extremely limiting
The most stringent laws in the world are useless unless there is the will to enforce them. We need to introduce more stringent security measures such as identity cards.Stringent safety regulations were introduced after the accident.
LIMITING MONEY2. specialized involving not enough money being available for borrowing as a result of firm controls on the amount of money in an economy
Already low living standards have been worsened by stringent economic reforms.
stringency /ˈstrɪn.dʒ ə n t .si/ noun [ U ]
The stringency of the safety regulations threatens to put many manufacturers out of business.
Greater financial stringency is needed to eradicate inflation from the economy.
stringently /ˈstrɪn.dʒənt.li/ adverb
Fire regulations are stringently enforced in all our factories.
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Term
tricky /ˈtrɪk.i/ adjective
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Definition
DIFFICULT
1. If a piece of work or problem is tricky, it is difficult to deal with and needs careful attention or skill
Those bird models are quite tricky to make, aren't they?
I'm in a bit of a tricky situation really - whatever I do I'll offend someone.
tricky /ˈtrɪk.i/ adjective DISHONEST
2. likely to deceive people
He's a tricky character, that one.
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Term
vulnerable /ˈvʌl.n ə r.ə.bl ̩/ , /ˈvʌn.rə-/ /ˈvʌl.nɚ.ə-/ adjective
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Definition
able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
It is on economic policy that the government is most vulnerable.
Tourists are more vulnerable to attack, because they do not know which areas of the city to avoid.
vulnerability /ˌvʌl.n ə r.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ , /ˌvʌn.rə-/ /ˌvʌl.nɚ.əˈbɪl.ə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ] |
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