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to cause someone no longer to have a wrong idea
e.g. He thought that all women liked children, but she soon disabused him of that (idea/notion). |
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very interested, eager, or wanting (to do) something very much
e.g. They were very keen to start work as soon as possible. |
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able or likely to make mistakes
e.g. We place our trust in doctors, but they are fallible like everyone else. |
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to cause great suffering or a lot of trouble
e.g. The country has been scourged by (= has suffered very much because of) famine in recent years. |
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near or toward the end of something
e.g. In the latter stages of the fight he began to tire. |
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sanguinary
(adj)
US /ˈsæŋ.ɡwə.ner.i/ |
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Definition
extremely violent and involving a lot of blood and injuries
e.g. It was the most sanguinary and expensive war in modern times. |
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optimistic
e.g. They are less sanguine about the prospects for peace. |
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to fail to do something, such as pay a debt, that you legally have to do
e.g. People who default on their mortgage repayments may have their home repossessed. |
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to put things that are not similar next to each other
e.g. The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso's early drawings with some of his later works. |
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something that is mysterious and seems impossible to understand completely
e.g. She is something of an enigma. |
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physical strength and big muscles
e.g. She said she preferred brawn to brains (= a person who is physically attractive rather than an intelligent one). |
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| a tendon (= strong piece of tissue in the body connecting a muscle to a bone) |
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the ability to perform a difficult action quickly and skillfully with the hands.
e.g. Young children lack the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. |
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very simple, with only the things that are absolutely necessary, especially because of severe limits on money or goods
e.g. An austere childhood during the war |
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intentionally keeping something secret
e.g. She's very coy about her age. |
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ingenuous
(adj)
US /ɪnˈdʒen.ju.əs/ |
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Definition
honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way that seems silly:
It has to be said it was rather ingenuous of him to ask a complete stranger to take care of his luggage. |
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impetuous
(adj)
US /ɪmˈpetʃ.u.əs/ |
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Definition
likely to do something suddenly, without considering the results of your actions
e.g. He's so impetuous - why can't he think things over before he rushes into them? |
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the fact of being stupid, or a stupid action, idea, etc.
e.g. She said that the idea was folly. |
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to rest in order to get better after an illness
e.g. After your operation, you'll need to convalesce for a week or two. |
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| give off (a liquid, light, smell, or quality); talk in an unrestrained, excited manner |
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FORMAL
1.
agree to a demand, request, or treaty.
e.g. The authorities did not accede to the strikers' demands.
2.
assume an office or position.
e.g. "Elizabeth I acceded to the throne in 1558" |
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to force an evil spirit to leave a person or place by using prayers or magic
e.g. After the priest exorcised the spirit/house/child, apparently, the strange noises stopped. |
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a situation in which progress is impossible, especially because the people involved cannot agree
e.g. The dispute had reached an impasse, as neither side would compromise. |
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quick and rude in manner or speech
e.g. His secretary was a little brusque with me. |
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an object, tradition, or system from the past that continues to exist
e.g. During the dig, the archaeological team found some relics from the Stone Age. |
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the small solid pieces that sink to the bottom of some liquids, such as wine or coffee, that are not usually drunk
e.g. I wanted a last drink of coffee, but there were only dregs left. |
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a pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant
e.g. We worked for hours without respite. |
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strange or mysterious, often in a way that is slightly frightening
e.g. It was uncanny the way that she always knew what he was thinking. |
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interested only in the amount of money that you can get from a situation
e.g. He had some mercenary scheme to marry a wealthy widow. |
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to avoid something intentionally, or to give something up
e.g. We won't have discussions with this group unless they eschew violence. |
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a very large number of something
e.g. A myriad of choices |
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to stop someone from feeling angry
e.g. Outraged minority groups will not be placated by promises of future improvements. |
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prosaic
(adj)
/prəˈzeɪ.ɪk/ |
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Definition
without interest, imagination, and excitement
e.g. If only she'd been called Camilla or Flavia instead of the prosaic Jane. |
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a large, heavy book
e.g. She's written several weighty tomes on the subject. |
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laughter, humor, or happiness
e.g. Her impersonations of our teachers were a source of considerable mirth. |
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| a rope or chain used to tie, especially an animal, to a post or other fixed place, usually so that it can move freely within a small area |
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behavior that is controlled, calm, and polite
e.g. As young ladies we were expected to act/behave with proper decorum. |
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| the very thin thread that spiders produce to make webs |
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a smart action in a game or other situation that is intended to achieve an advantage and usually involves taking a risk
e.g. Her clever opening gambit gave her an early advantage. |
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an unpleasant fog that smells bad
e.g. A miasma of pollution hung in the air above Mexico City. |
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a warning or caution
e.g. He agreed to the interview, with the caveat that he could approve the final article. |
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| a cure-all; something that would solve all problems |
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to spark or provoke (as inn curiosity or interest)
e.g. Labor law piqued his interest in law school. |
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to saturate, permeate or infuse
e.g. His poetry is imbued with deep, religious feeling. |
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the status quo
(n)
US /ˌsteɪt̬əs ˈkwoʊ/ |
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| the state of things as they currently are |
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| a formal nighttime social gathering, often with musical entertainment |
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the minutiae
noun [ plural ]
US /mɪˈnuː.ʃi.aɪ/ |
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Definition
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easily accomplished; simple; shallow
noun: facility |
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| strength of mind that allows someone to endure pain or hardship |
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bona fide
(adj)
/ˌboʊ.nə ˈfaɪ.di/ |
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Definition
real, not false
e.g. Make sure you are dealing with a bona fide company. |
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| not showing response to pain or pleasure |
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to learn or discover through intuition or supernatural powers
e.g. I divined from his grim expression that the news was not good |
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