TIPS for English (15): Words(I) (e)

‘Fire in the hole!’ (My comment: all kids know this phrase from computer games!) = (phrase) a warning that an explosive detonation (= the action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode) in a confined space is imminent (= about to happen). The phrase originates as a warning between miners warning their fellows that a charge had been set. With this meaning, the phrase appears in state mining regulations, in the military and corporate procedures, and various mining and military blasting-related print books and narratives, such as during bomb disposal or throwing grenades into a confined space (*****). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF11wtfxDkc and (a real fire in the hole but without time to shout it!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1iyb_SqpJs  and (prank) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2KFDO7fhew and in CS (1:53) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdGgj6b2XMs

Insurgent (pronounced ɪnˈsəːdʒ(ə)nt) = (noun) a person fighting against a government or invading force; a rebel or revolutionary. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Kuruc_labanc_csatajelenet1.jpg  For jihadist insurgents See http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/shared/npr/201401/260455903.jpg   and  http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/18/xin_571101190141913232849.jpg   // 

e.g., An attack by armed insurgents.// e.g., All approaches to the capital are now under the control of the insurgents ((**) for the second example)./// (adjective) (attributive) Rising in active revolt; e.g. Alleged links with insurgent groups.///  Relating to rebels; e.g., A series of insurgent attacks./// (US English) Someone who opposes political authority ((*) for this definition).

Insurgence (vs) Resurgence

Insurgence (pronounced ɪnˈsəːdʒ(ə)ns) = (noun) An act of rising in active revolt; e.g., He quelled (quell = put an end to a rebellion or other disorder; to stop something, especially by using force (*), pronounced kwel)), the insurgence and became governor of the region./// (mass noun) e.g., Annexation provoked extensive insurgence./// A large increase; e.g., There has been an insurgence of books about healthcare.// e.g., The sudden insurgence in munitions funding.

Insurgency = (noun) An active revolt or uprising. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Kuruc_labanc_csatajelenet1.jpg   // e.g., Rebels are waging an armed insurgency to topple (= overthrow) the monarchy.// (mass noun) e.g., Efforts to counter-terrorism and insurgency.

Resurgence (pronounced rɪˈsəːdʒ(ə)ns) (not to be confused with ‘insurgence’) = (noun) an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence; e.g., A resurgence of interest in religion.// e.g., Ridge said entertainment posters are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.// e.g., Indeed, we now know that, far from being a ‘dark age’, this period saw an economic resurgence in Anglo-Saxon England.

Salvage (vs) Savage

Salvage (pronounced ˈsæl.vɪdʒ) (beware of the pronunciation!) (verb/ noun) (the adjective is salvageable) = (transitive verb) to save goods from damage or destruction, especially from a ship that has sunk or been damaged or a building that has been damaged by a fire or a flood; e.g., A salvage operation was underway./// e.g., Gold coins salvaged from a shipwreck.// e.g., After the fire, there wasn’t much furniture left worth salvaging./// Try to make a bad situation better; e.g., It was a desperate attempt to salvage the situation.// e.g., After the fraud scandal he had to make great efforts to salvage the situation./// (noun) They mounted (mount = organize and initiate a campaign or other significant course of action) a salvage operation after the fire (^^).   

Savage (pronounced ˈsæv.ɪdʒ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) (mainly in historical or literary contexts) a member of a people regarded as primitive and uncivilized. Synonyms: barbarian, wild man/ woman, primitive; e.g., The film's black characters (many of them white actors in blackface) are either servile or savages.// e.g., Twelve thousand years ago, our ancestors were primitive savages living in caves ((**) for the second example)./// (adjective) extremely violent, wild, or frightening; e.g., A savage dog/ beast.// e.g., A brutal and savage attack./// Very serious or cruel; e.g., Savage criticism./// Very large and severe; e.g., Savage cuts in education spending./// (transitive verb) If an animal savages someone, it attacks them violently and badly hurts them; e.g., A child was savaged by a dog (^^).

Quell (pronounced kwel) = (verb with object) Put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force; e.g., Police in riot gear were (police is a plural noun) called in to quell the disturbances/ unrest ((**) for this example).// Extra police were called to quell the disturbance.// e.g., They are quelling the legitimate resistance of an occupied people by the application of massive, gratuitous (= lacking good reason) violence and murder./// Subdue or silence someone; e.g., He quelled him with a look!// e.g., For a while, it seemed that the government had quelled radical groups, but this has only lulled us into a sense of false security./// Suppress a feeling; e.g., He’s been unable to quell his wife’s suspicions.// e.g., He quelled an urge to race up the stairs.// e.g., Private security patrols could be deployed in the borough (= a town or district that is an administrative unit, in particular) for the first time to quell fears of crime among residents near Wandsworth Common.

Gratuitous (pronounced ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (adjective) Done without good reason; uncalled for// (of something such as bad behavior) not necessary, or with no cause; e.g., A lot of viewers complained that there was too much gratuitous sex and violence in the film.// e.g., There were too many gratuitous personal insults throughout the debate ((**) for the 2nd part of the definition and the 2 previous examples).// e.g., He will be shown gratuitous sex and graphic violence, hidden behind innuendo and called a romantic comedy.// e.g.,  The gratuitous gossip included claims of domestic violence, adultery, and abusive relationships./// Given or done free of charge; e.g., Solicitors provide a form of gratuitous legal advice.// e.g.,  These licenses are essentially gratuitous, since if any charge was made for them, they would be regarded as contractual.// e.g., It was a voluntary and gratuitous offer by the chambers to provide training.

Disparage (pronounced dɪˈsparɪdʒ) (verb) = belittle = denigrate = undervalue = downgrade

Disparage (pronounced dɪˈsparɪdʒ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (verb) Regard or represent as being of little worth. Synonym = belittle.// e.g., He never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors.// e.g., Some critics have disparaged her emphasis on the love story between the two main characters.// e.g., The actor’s work for charity has recently been disparaged in the press as an attempt to get publicity ((**) for the last example).

Belittle (pronounced bɪˈlɪt(ə)l) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (verb with object) Dismiss someone or something as unimportant; e.g., He belittled Anna's riding skills whenever he could.// e.g., His wife, Mary, belittles his obsession and ridicules his dreams.// e.g., How sad to hear commentators belittling the march.// e.g., Though he had spent hours fixing the computer, she belittled his efforts ((**) for the last example).

Munition (usually munitions) = (plural noun) Military weapons, ammunition, equipment, and stores. See   https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/A_close_up_of_0.50_Caliber_%2812.7_mm%29_Browning_Ball_M33_Ammunition_loaded_onto_a_Browning_M2_HB_0.50_caliber_heavy_machine.JPEG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Battery_Rodgers_magazine.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/M107_Shells.JPEG // e.g., They work for a contractor clearing weapons ranges of unexploded munitions.// e.g., Reserves of nuclear, chemical, and conventional munitions.// e.g., Munition factories./// (verb with object) Supply with munitions; e.g., It never had the defense industry necessary to equip or munition its forces.  

Ammo = (informal) short for ammunition (My comment: all kids who play violent computer games know it).

Magazine (with meaning other than a periodical publication) = (noun) a regular TV or radio program comprising a variety of topical items; e.g., A live broadcast of the BBC’s longest-running magazine program, ‘Woman's Hour,’ presented by Jenni Murray.// e.g., A religious magazine program aimed at the ordinary man and woman in the street./// A container or detachable receptacle for holding a supply of cartridges to be fed automatically to the breech (= the back part of a rifle or gun barrel) of a gun. For a box magazine See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/M1-M14-M16-magazines.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Caroline-chargeur-plein-p1000499b.jpg   //// Note: the pan magazine differs from other drum magazines in that the cartridges are stored perpendicular to the axis of rotation, rather than parallel, and are usually mounted on top of the firearm (*****). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Magazynek_Lewisa_z_polska_amunicja_792mm.jpg // e.g., He took the machine gun and a spare (= extra) magazine.// e.g., It was loaded with a magazine containing seven bullets.// e.g., There is a spacer in the magazine which prevents longer cartridges from being loaded./// A receptacle (= an object or space used to contain something) for storing and feeding film to a camera, CDs to a compact disc player, etc. See   https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Kinescope_at_the_Canada_Museum_of_Science_%26_Technology_-Ottawa-.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f9/Auricon-with-magazine-and-lens.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Arri435-filmcamera.jpg  // e.g., You can program only the playback sequence of the discs in the magazine, not individual tracks.// e.g., A film magazine from a K-24 aerial camera was fitted to the back of a C - 1 camera./// A store for arms, ammunition, and explosives for military use; a storehouse. See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Colonial_magazine.jpg and    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/US_Navy_030327-N-1328C-519_Aviation_Ordnancemen_assemble_bombs_aboard_USS_Theodore_Roosevelt_%28CVN_71%29.jpg  // e.g., All but a handful of those buildings are ammunition magazines, or ‘igloos.’// e.g., She took two torpedoes and one bomb, which set off a magazine explosion.

Cartridge (pronounced ˈkɑːtrɪdʒ) (not to be confused with ‘cartilage’) = (noun) a container holding a spool of photographic film, a quantity of ink, etc., designed for insertion into a mechanism. Synonym = cassette.// For an 8-track cartridge See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/8track_inside.JPG  For a digital audio tape (DAT) cartridge See    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Dat_cartridge.jpg and (for compact cassette) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Compactcassette.jpg and  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Cassette_Write_Protect_IV.jpg   For a film cartridge See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Pocketfilm.jpg   // e.g., When she went in her box to get the cartridge of film, she saw another roll.// e.g.,  Cassette doors can break off, spring mechanisms inside cartridges can be dislodged, or the entire tape cabinet may break apart.// e.g.,  The activated charcoal is normally packaged in filter cartridges that are inserted into the purification device./// A casing containing a charge and a bullet or shot for small arms or an explosive charge for blasting. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Festungsmuseum_Reuenthal_Sonderausstellung_Zuleger_britische_Patronen.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Lebel_8mm_round.jpg  For rifle cartridges See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Cartridge_Sample_2.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/US_paper_to_centerfire_rounds.jpg   // e.g., Other ways exist to link cartridges and bullets to a specific weapon.// e.g., Police found bullets and spent cartridges at the scene and believe a 9mm automatic pistol was used.// e.g., There were bullets and laser cartridges in the crate (= a slatted wooden case used for transporting or storing goods)./// A component carrying the stylus on the pickup head of a record player.

Stylus (pronounced ˈstaɪ.ləs) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) a hard point, typically of diamond or sapphire, following a groove in a phonograph record and transmitting the recorded sound for reproduction. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/NadelAufPlatte.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Spherical_vs._Elliptical_Styli.jpg  // e.g., ‘I still have every one of the 14 diamond styli that it ever used.’/// . An ancient writing implement, consisting of a small rod with a pointed end for scratching letters on wax-covered tablets, and a blunt end for obliterating them. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Stylus.jpg  For a wax tablet and a Roman stylus See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Table_with_was_and_stylus_Roman_times.jpg   and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Wachstafel_rem.jpg  /// In computing, a stylus (or stylus pen) is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet. (My comment: not to be confused with ''digital pen''). With touchscreen devices, a user places a stylus on the surface of the screen to draw or make selections by tapping the stylus on the screen. Thus, the stylus can be used instead of a mouse or trackpad as a pointing device (pen computing) (*****). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stylus_(computing)#/media/File:HTC_Touch2_used_with_a_stylus.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Styluses.JPG

Innuendo (pronounced ɪnjʊˈɛndəʊ) = (noun) (plural = innuendos or innuendoes) (the making of) a remark or remarks that suggest something sexual or something unpleasant but does not refer to it directly. Synonym = insinuation.// e.g., ‘There’s always an element of sexual innuendo in our conversations’ (**).// e.g., She's always making sly (= having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature) innuendoes./// (massive noun) e.g., A constant torrent of innuendo, gossip, lies, and half-truths./// A remark that suggests something but does not refer to it directly, or this type of remark in general; e.g., The election campaign was marred (mar = impair the appearance of; disfigure) by rumor and innuendo ((**) for the 2nd definition).

Crate (pronounced kreɪt) = (noun) A slatted (having slats (slat = a thin, narrow piece of wood, plastic, or metal used to make floors, furniture, window coverings, etc. (*)) wooden case used for transporting goods. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/US_Navy_030830-N-6187M-001_Sailors_remove_a_hoisting_sling_from_an_ammo_crate_carrying_2000-pound_Mark_84_general_purpose_bombs.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Wood_crate_sample_picture.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Plywood_sheathed_crate_2014-03-25.jpg  // e.g., A crate of bananas.// e.g., His cart (= a strong open vehicle with two or four wheels, typically used for carrying loads and pulled by a horse) was stacked three deep with myriad wooden crates and boxes.// e.g., Upstairs George found piles of boxes and wooden crates./// Dog crate = an enclosure with a door in which dogs are kept for security or transportation ((*****) for this definition). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/DogCarCrate_wb.jpg and  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/DogSoftCrate_wb.jpg  // A square rigid container divided into small units, used for transporting or storing bottles. For water bottles in crates See   https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Woda.mineralna.w.skrzynkach.jpg  and http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/files/entryimages/011718_nmd_report-2342.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/hJBNCqC.jpg and https://bwacapetown.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/crates-wood-glass.jpg // e.g., A milk crate.// e.g., The porch (= a covered shelter projecting in front of the entrance of a building) was full of crates of beer bottles and bags of rubbish.// e.g., ‘You have a huge crate of empty wine bottles back in the kitchen, right?’ /// (informal) An old and dilapidated (= in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect) vehicle; e.g., ‘You wouldn't believe the age of some of the crates I’ve driven!’ /// (verb with object) Pack something in a crate for transportation e.g., Fruit and vegetables were being sorted and crated.// e.g., It took us only 5 days to disassemble and crate the plane.// e.g., Shortly after, they crated weapons far greater than they could control and the great war began.

Wag = (verb) (concerning an animal's tail) move or cause to move rapidly to and fro. For a dog wagging its tail See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fXLMw23uBQ   and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ0cl1wxf0s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-mvu_dZvjg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOMgVUoQW2U   // (verb; no object) e.g., ‘The dog's tail began to wag.’ // (verb with object) e.g., ‘The dog went out, wagging its tail.’  /// (verb with object) Move an upwards-pointing finger from side to side to signify disapproval. For finger-wagging See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rO_4Z6bvko and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZxqYgePBP4   and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7SdhtxuJYA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV3Qf0WrcNA   // e.g., He wagged a finger at his wife./// (noun) A single rapid movement from side to side; e.g., A chirpy (= cheerful and lively; pronounced ˈtʃəːpi) wag of the head.// e.g., ‘No matter how many Chechens may be slaughtered, we content ourselves with a polite wag of the finger, shrug our shoulders, then concede that massacre is an internal matter.’/// A person who makes jokes; a joker; e.g., ‘One wag shouted, ‘On that count you've got about three supporters!’’ /// (informal) (Australian & New Zealand) A person who plays truant (= (of a pupil) stay away from school without leave or explanation); e.g., She plays the wag from school./// (verb with object) (Australian & New Zealand) (informal) Play truant from school; e.g., ‘We got caught out when we were wagging school, a police officer had caught us in town.’ /// (informal) A wife or girlfriend of a sports player, typically characterized as having a high media profile and a glamorous lifestyle.

Play truant (British English) (‘play hooky’ in North American English) = (of a pupil) stay away from school without leave or explanation; e.g., He often played truant and he usually wrote his own absence notes.// e.g., Most parents are horrified when they discover their children have been playing truant from school ((**) for the second example).

Topple = (verb) Overbalance or cause to overbalance and fall. For a tree toppling to the ground See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa7ph_v50nE  For protesters toppling Lenin’s statue See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jll9qtIbe0  For insurgents toppling Saddam Hussein’s statue See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9wC6W7EJpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWxszYK6IPU // (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) e.g., ‘He toppled over when I touched him.’// (verb with object) e.g., The push almost toppled him to the ground./// (verb with object) Remove a government or person in authority from power; overthrow; e.g., Disagreement had threatened to topple the government.// e.g., ‘Does it then follow that we ought to endeavor to topple authoritarian governments in order to secure peace?’ (My comment: defending democracy is citizens’ duty, as written in the Constitution of many countries).// e.g., The church was prominently involved in the struggle that toppled the dictatorship ((**) for the last example).

Separatism = (noun) The advocacy (= public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy) or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender; e.g., French Canadian separatism.// e.g., The beginnings of separatism in Catalonia can be traced back to the mid–19th century (***** for this example).// e.g., Indonesian leaders recognized the possibility of ethnic and regional separatism from the beginning of the republic.

Separatist = (noun) A person who supports the separation of a particular group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender; e.g., Religious separatists./// (adjective) Relating to separatists or separatism; e.g., A separatist rebellion.

Secession (pronounced sɪˈsɛʃ(ə)n) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) The action of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state; e.g., The republics want secession from the union.// e.g., None of the candidates questioned Georgia’s secession from the former Soviet Union.// e.g., A few traders advocated secession, but most were unionists.// e.g., Thousands of people in Madrid vehemently (= strongly and emotionally; pronounced ˈviː.ə.mənt.li (^^)) protested against the secession of Catalonia (from the media)./// (historical) The withdrawal of 11 southern states from the US Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War.

Secede (pronounced sɪˈsiːd) = (verb; no object) Withdraw formally from membership of a federal union, an alliance, or a political or religious organization; e.g., ‘What was Abraham Lincoln’s answer to Southerners who voted democratically to secede?’ // e.g., The kingdom of Belgium seceded from the Netherlands in 1830.// e.g.,  There is likely to be civil war if the region tries to secede from the South ((**) for the last example).

Spacious (pronounced ˈspeɪ.ʃəs) = (adjective) Large and with a lot of space; e.g., A spacious house/ living room.// e.g., Spacious accommodation (^^).

Sly = (adjective) (sly – slyer – slyest) Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature/ deceiving people cleverly in order to get what you want; cunning; e.g., ‘He’s a sly old devil – I wouldn’t trust him with my money.’ ((^^^) for the 1st example// (^^) for the 2nd part of the definition).// e.g., A sly, manipulative woman.// e.g., When Chinese describe a person as ‘a monkey’, it means the person is extremely sly or cunning./// Showing in an insinuating (insinuate = suggest or hint (something bad or reprehensible) in an indirect and unpleasant way) way that one has some secret knowledge that may be harmful or embarrassing; e.g., A sly, mischievous grin (= a broad smile) then appeared on the thief’s face./// (of an action) Surreptitious (= done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing); e.g., A sly sip of water.// e.g., Jenny took a sip of the wine and a sly smile appeared.///  On the sly =  (phrase) In a secretive fashion; e.g., He was drinking on the sly.// e.g., ‘Unfortunately, the train to my conference left at 6 am after a night spent trying to acquire a travel visa on the sly, which meant drinking a lot of vodkas!’ /// (before noun) Seeming to know secrets; e.g., ‘You will find out eventually,’ said Mary with a sly smile.

Mischievous (pronounced ˈmɪstʃɪvəs) = (adjective) (of a person, animal, or their behavior) Causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way; naughty. For mischievous kids See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7lzZmImt7Y and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbMEeZxF-tQ and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMRsY-TvF7k // For mischievous kittens See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtHbMlScVwY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_LBVVbi3Js and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaLQH6t9FgQ /// e.g., Mischievous children.// e.g., Two mischievous kittens had ‘decorated’ the bed with a shredded (shred = torn or cut into shreds (= a strip of some material, such as paper, cloth, or food, that has been torn, cut, or scraped from something larger) newspaper.// e.g.,  His mother keeps a careful eye on the youngster to stop him being mischievous.// e.g., A mischievous grin./// (of an action or statement) Causing or intended to cause harm or trouble; e.g., A mischievous allegation for which there is not a shred of evidence.// e.g., This practice of profiling (= the extrapolation of information about something, based on known qualities (*****)) is mischievous and harmful to a tolerant and developing society.// e.g., He is always doing something mischievous and looks guilty at all times.

Surreptitious (pronounced  ˌsʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs) = (adjective) Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; e.g., Low wages were supplemented by surreptitious payments from tradesmen.// e.g., They acted like some surreptitious athletics officials who could not wait to be the first to give the media a scoop and doubtless court future favor as a reward.// e.g., The 10 youngsters all pledged not to indulge in a surreptitious snack when they went home to bed.// e.g.,  ‘She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn’t help noticing her surreptitious glances at the clock’ ((**) for the last example).

Nelly = (noun) Eleanor (name)./// (noun) A silly person; e.g., The inability of these nervous nellies to hold their peace for a couple of months is seriously hampering the chances of victory./// (offending) An effeminate gay man.

Plunder = (verb with object) Steal goods from a place or person, typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder. See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/2011_London_riots.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Pluenderung_der_Judengasse_1614.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Spaanse_Furie_-_De_plundering_van_Mechelen_door_de_hertog_van_Alba_in_1572_%28Frans_Hogenberg%29.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdxvbH6Kwgc   // e.g., Looters moved into the disaster area to plunder shops/// Steal goods, typically using force and in a time of disorder; e.g., The goods were plundered from European lodges.// e.g., The contents of the abandoned houses were plundered by members of the new regime./// Take material from artistic or academic work for one’s own purposes; e.g., ‘We shall plunder related sciences to assist our research.’ // e.g., We, watch as others plunder our science./// (mass noun) The violent and dishonest acquisition of property; e.g., The commander refused to maintain his troops through pillage and plunder.// e.g., The farmers suffered the inhumanity and indignities of pillage and plunder.///  Property acquired illegally and violently; e.g., The army sacked the city and carried off huge quantities of plunder.// e.g., The thieves marched almost in step, pleased with their plunder, unhurried, as if in a pageant (= a show, usually performed outside, that consists of people wearing traditional clothing and acting out historical events; pronounced ˈpædʒ.(ə)nt (*)).

Loot / looting (My comment: all kids know this word from the violent computer games they play) = (mass noun) Private property taken from an enemy in war. See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/2011_London_riots.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Pluenderung_der_Judengasse_1614.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Spaanse_Furie_-_De_plundering_van_Mechelen_door_de_hertog_van_Alba_in_1572_%28Frans_Hogenberg%29.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdxvbH6Kwgc  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4mrZwWkpLs  For looting in Venezuela See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_O-f89KWOI   and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgewYSiJZg  For looting in the US after a hurricane See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COGMChbWJ4g and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ObOFhro7Dc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPmDITU9fqQ // e.g., The rooms were stuffed with the loot from Francis’s expeditions into Italy.// e.g., This way you’re able to survive and get a variety of loot off enemy ships./// Stolen money or valuables; e.g., The gang escaped with their loot.// e.g., It was not as precious as silver was these days but it was nice loot for a pickpocket. /// (informal) Money (My comment: I would avoid using it for money, as someone may think that is money from looting!)// e.g., ‘Ten thousand quid (= pounds) is a lot of loot!’ /// (verb; with object) Steal goods from a place, typically during a war or riot. For looting in Venezuela See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmmc78U3QhE  For another video from the same country showing this time the police who are (police is a plural verb) looting See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB2uTpUFv-g   // e.g., Police confronted the protestors who were looting shops.// e.g., Ten people have been killed in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, during a looting incident at a bakery./// Steal goods in war, riot, etc. e.g., Tones of food aid awaiting distribution had been looted.// e.g., The police confronted the rioters who were looting shops.

Pillage (pronounced ˈpɪlɪdʒ) = (verb; with object) Rob a place using violence, especially in wartime. See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/2011_London_riots.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Pluenderung_der_Judengasse_1614.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Spaanse_Furie_-_De_plundering_van_Mechelen_door_de_hertog_van_Alba_in_1572_%28Frans_Hogenberg%29.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdxvbH6Kwgc  and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4IqTAPguF4  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S_1ljNF_sQ   // e.g., The abbey was plundered and pillaged.// e.g., Our view of the Vikings is bloodthirsty men who raped, pillaged and plundered. For the monastery raid by the Vikings See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRNBvID8PhQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VD0H6h0Hmw /// Steal something using violence, especially in wartime; e.g., Artworks pillaged from churches and museums.// e.g., Corruption trials for pillaging the state will probably happen./// (mass noun) The action of pillaging a place or property, especially in war; e.g., Rebellious peasants intent on pillage.// e.g., Well prior to the outbreak of the current war, they warned the Pentagon of the dangers to Iraq's cultural heritage posed by postwar pillage and destruction.

Sack (My comment: it has many meanings, with the American being the most striking!) = (noun) An attack on a building or town in which a lot of destruction is caused and many valuable things are stolen. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/2011_London_riots.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Pluenderung_der_Judengasse_1614.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Spaanse_Furie_-_De_plundering_van_Mechelen_door_de_hertog_van_Alba_in_1572_%28Frans_Hogenberg%29.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdxvbH6Kwgc   For the sack of Rome See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhQO6giXAnY   and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tRg2WwmJZ8  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZy_ky9ldrQ  // e.g., The sack of Rome by the Visigoths occurred in the 5th century.// e.g., The statue must have been damaged during the sack of the city by the Franks in 355 AD./// A large bag made of strong cloth, paper, or, used to store large amounts of something. See  http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1017/2183/products/potatosack_grande.png?v=1444288705   For a sac bag See https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB14PUhQFXXXXbPXXXXq6xXFXXXA/National-Women-Drawstring-font-b-Bags-b-font-Canvas-font-b-Sack-b-font-font-b.jpg  and https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1x.diSFXXXXbQXVXXq6xXFXXXd/Fashion-font-b-Women-b-font-Waterproof-Nylon-Backpack-Newest-College-Students-School-Bagpack-Girls-font.jpg  // e.g., The corn was stored in large sacks.// e.g., A sack of potatoes./// A paper or plastic used to carry things, especially things brought in a food shop; e.g., A sack of groceries.// e.g., A sack of flour./// A woman’s short loose unwaisted dress, typically narrowing at the hem, popular especially in the 1950s./// (UK English) A situation in which someone is removed from their job (My comment: i.e., fired!) e.g., He got the sack for swearing (swear = use offensive language, especially as an expression of anger).// e.g., They gave him the sack for being late.// e.g., The workers got the sack for fighting in the warehouse.///  The sack = (informal)  (North American English)  Bed, especially as regarded as a place for sex. Bed; e.g., ‘It's late – I’m going to hit the sack’ (= go to bed).// e.g., He came home and found them in the sack together./// A dry white wine formerly imported into Britain from Spain and the Canaries./// (American Football) An act of tackling a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.//// ''Good/ bad in the sack'' = (US English) (informal) (phrase) If someone is good/bad in the sack they are sexually skilled/ not skilled.// (verb) UK English) To remove someone from a job, usually, because they have done something wrong or bad, or sometimes as a way of saving the cost of employing them; e.g., They sacked him for being late.// e.g., He got sacked from his last job.// e.g., Any official found to be involved would be sacked on the spot./// To attack a building or town, causing a lot of destruction and stealing any valuable things; e.g., The invaders sacked every village they passed on their route./// Sack out = (phrasal verb) to go to bed e.g., ‘It's late - I'm going to sack out’ ((*) for the definitions and most of the examples).// e.g., Took a brief nap today while John was sacked out./// (American Football) Tackle a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage; e.g., Smith intercepted five of his passes and sacked him four times.

Maraud (pronounced məˈrɔːd) = (verb; no object) Go about in search of things to steal or people to attack; plunder; e.g., War parties crossed the river to maraud.// e.g., A gang of marauding youngsters terrorized parish councilors by flinging (fling = throw or hurl forcefully) a brick at the window of their meeting room and trying to force their way in.// e.g., The castle provided protection from marauding northern barbarian tribes./// (verb with object) Raid and plunder a place. See http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Maraud98s.jpg and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIZ6lOV_ibk  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zLp08KhVqo  // e.g., Rapacious bluefish marauded the crab pots.// e.g., Ten years of marauding the high seas had left him with a cold look in his gem-green eyes.// e.g., They went out and joined other soldiers marauding the city.

Raid (pronounced reɪd) = (noun) A rapid surprise attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces. For police raid See   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq2CuxQjFs8  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTlwCjYKTE  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMRIF5vEWuM For military raid See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2A43aeUYfY   and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-syqzbZlH9I   For a monastery raid by the Vikings See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRNBvID8PhQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VD0H6h0Hmw   // e.g., A bombing raid.// e.g., They played an important part in preventing enemy raids, sabotage and terrorist operations./// A rapid surprise attack to commit a crime, especially to steal from business premises; e.g., In at least two of the raids, the robbers fled in cars stolen in London the previous night.// e.g., A morning raid on a bank./// A surprise visit by police to arrest suspects or seize illicit goods; e.g., A police raid on his home.// e.g., The bombs were apparently planted in order to justify the police force's brutal raid on the school./// (Stock Market) A hostile attempt to buy a major or controlling interest in the shares of a company; e.g., News of the raid is expected to force Yukos shares, which have already lost half their value since April, lower again.// e.g., ‘They knew we were coming,’ sighs a Hong Kong-based investigator who participated in the raid./// (verb with object) Conduct a raid on; e.g., Police officers raided five homes yesterday.// e.g., He had nightmares every time he helped raid a village./// Quickly and illicitly take something from a place; e.g., When the search party returned they found Tom in the kitchen raiding the fridge.// e.g., He crept downstairs to raid the larder (= a room or large cupboard for storing food)./// RAID (abbreviation) (Computing) Redundant array of independent or inexpensive disks, a system for providing greater capacity, faster access, and security against data corruption by spreading data across several disk drives.

Raider = (noun) Someone who enters a place illegally and usually violently, and steals from it; a marauder; e.g., Armed raiders forced their way into the couple’s home (^^)).// e.g., Scandinavian raiders put down their roots in Cumbria./// A person who attacks business premises in order to steal; e.g., Masked raiders burst into the 100-seater restaurant.// e.g., The raiders then escaped with about $ 10,000 from a safe.

Scrimmage (pronounced ˈskrɪm.ɪdʒ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) a short, not very serious fight. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOY0T-jWdSo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VanyzQbltgo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TljqXl6bT7o

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbLpKAs_TMY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c6Qla-DkZE and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUyhtAPDIAk and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDKixcK3mcI //  For skirmisher See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Austrian_pandur_from_1760.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Agrianian3.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Voltigeurs_of_a_French_Line_regiment_crossing_the_Danube_before_the_battle_of_Wagram.png     //// e.g., There was a bit of a scrimmage with the reporters waiting outside.// e.g., There was a considerable scrimmage, with people anxious to obtain cabs./// (verb) (US English) To play a practice game of American football, basketball, football, etc., e.g., He scrimmaged with the North Carolina basketball team.// e.g., After the rest of the drills, Coach broke them up into teams for scrimmages ((*) for the definitions and the 1st example after each definition)./// Line of scrimmage = In American and Canadian football, a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the football field) beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun. Its location is based on the spot where the ball is placed after the end of the most recent play and following the assessment of any penalty yards ((*****) for this definition). For a line of scrimmage (e.g., on rugby/ football) See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Calgary_Stampeders_training_camp_2006.jpg and http://www.nfl-crush.com/_pics/terms/american-football-begriffe_line-of-scrimmage.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GolFnJf7LiM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPYRI2p3rcI

Skirmish (pronounced ˈskɜː.mɪʃ) (beware of the pronunciation!) (the fighter is called ‘skirmisher’ (noun)) = (noun) An episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, especially between small or outlying parts of armies or fleets. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOY0T-jWdSo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VanyzQbltgo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TljqXl6bT7o

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbLpKAs_TMY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c6Qla-DkZE and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUyhtAPDIAk and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDKixcK3mcI //  For a skirmisher See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Austrian_pandur_from_1760.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Agrianian3.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Voltigeurs_of_a_French_Line_regiment_crossing_the_Danube_before_the_battle_of_Wagram.png    //// (in wars) a short fight that is usually not planned and happens away from the main area of fighting, or any short fight; e.g., Government troops lost a minor skirmish ((*) for the previous definition & examples)./// A short argument; e.g., There was a skirmish over the budget.// e.g., The court skirmish over video rights to the movie continues ((*) for this example).// e.g., There was a short skirmish between the political party leaders when the government announced it was to raise taxes ((^^^) for the 1st definition and this example)./// (intransitive verb) To fight for a short time with a small group of people, away from the main area of fighting in a war; e.g., Police and protesters skirmished in the chilly rain.// e.g., Rebels skirmished with nearby American forces./// To argue for a short time; e.g., Although many legal disputes were resolved, lawyers still were skirmishing yesterday in a few places.// e.g., The parties skirmished about attorney fees ((*) for the meaning as a verb & the examples).

Melee (pronounced ˈmɛleɪ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) A confused fight, skirmish, or scuffle. (My comment: it is commonly a nerf war video title that kids upload on YouTube; also a computer game title) See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0udlBu41KQ  and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNeiqlySL3o  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE944Jm9j7c  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohfy0_iMjkU  // e.g., Several people were hurt in the melee.// e.g., After the initial charge, both lines are broken, and the battle degenerates into a chaotic melee.// e.g., Then the fight became a full-on melee as the crowd found its nerve and joined the fray (= a situation of intense activity, typically one incorporating an element of aggression or competition)./// A confused crowd of people; e.g., The melee of people that were always thronging the streets.// e.g., With a melee of artists, dancers, musicians and bands, the crowds gathered to enjoy the sunshine and take part in the festivities.

Scuffle = (noun) A short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9DwY28f4_E and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVfRNfSvj_A and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6cKyk_feU   /// e.g., There were minor scuffles with police (and the demonstrators/ protesters).// e.g., Following violent scuffles on the floor of the House, the bill (= a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion) was dropped.// e.g., Police in Germany scuffled with Antifa (= anti-fascist) protesters (from the media)./// An act or sound of moving in a hurried, confused, or shuffling manner.// For foot scuffle See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRkqMS7eFLY  and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaYxN3rdbd0   /// e.g., He heard the scuffle of feet.

Brawl = (noun) a noisy, rough, uncontrolled fight; a scuffle (*). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UptV1FvouLg and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0OtssTdtow  and (bikini brawl in Miami) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2u2_4zCu6g and https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_1484w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2011/08/18/Sports/Images/chinabrawl.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAFAniWRhos  // e.g., He’d got into a drunken brawl in a bar.// e.g., A street brawl.// e.g., The case involved charges arising from a vicious brawl in a sports bar.// (verb) To fight in a rough, noisy, uncontrolled way; e.g., The young men had nothing better to do than a brawl in the streets.// e.g., He ended up brawling with a lout (= a young man who behaves in a very rude, offensive, and sometimes violent way) outside his house.// e.g., He was arrested for allegedly brawling with a fan at a show in San Francisco on Tuesday./// (literary) (of a stream) flow noisily; e.g., It is a peaceful, not a brawling, stream ((*) for the definitions and the 1st example of the 2nd definition).

Zap  = (verb with object) (informal) Destroy or obliterate (= destroy utterly; wipe out); e.g., ‘Zap the enemy's artillery before it can damage your core units.’// e.g., It’s vital to zap stress fast.// e.g.,  The grapefruit-sized tumor was zapped with chemotherapy, radiation and relentless courage./// Move or cause to move suddenly and rapidly; e.g., (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) Racing cars zapped past us on the track below.// e.g., A fascinating linguistic theory has been zapping around the internet over the past week.// e.g., ‘The awareness of what was occurring zapped through me, and suddenly I was snapped back into my body.’ /// (verb; no object) Use a remote control to change television channels or operate a video recorder or other piece of electronic equipment. (My comment: we also call it ‘TV zap’) e.g., Video recorders mean the audience will zap through the ads.// e.g., Sadly, modern TV executives are more worried about holding zapping audiences and rating figures than about television as an arts and culture source./// (noun) (informal) A sudden effect or event that makes a dramatic impact, especially a sudden burst of energy or sound; e.g., The eggs get an extra zap of UV light.// e.g., One zap with my racket and the pesky mosquitoes are dead.

Rampant (vs) Rampage

Rampage (pronounced a) Verb = ramˈpeɪdʒ in British English and ræmˈpeɪdʒ in North American English. b) Noun = ˈrampeɪdʒ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = a) (verb) (no object, with adverbial of direction) (pronounced  ramˈpeɪdʒ in British English and ræmˈpeɪdʒ in American English) (especially of a large group of people) Move through a place violently and uncontrollably; e.g., Several thousand demonstrators rampaged through the city.// e.g., The demonstrators rampaged through the town, smashing windows and setting fire to cars.// e.g., Several villages were destroyed by rampaging soldiers. ((**) for the 2nd and 3rd example). /// b) (noun) (pronounced ˈrampeɪdʒ or ramˈpeɪdʒ)  (noun; usually in singular) A period of violent and uncontrollable behavior by a group of people. See http://aemstatic-ww1.azureedge.net/content/jems/en/articles/news/2017/03/at-least-2-dead-in-car-rampage-knife-attack-in-london/_jcr_content/leftcolumn/article/headerimage.scale.large.jpg/1490204849981.jpg and  https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/terror-london-bridge2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os5yyvHqFlI  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW1CShFy0NI   // e.g., Property was destroyed as the Crown forces went on a violent rampage.// e.g., Thugs went on the rampage and wrecked a classroom.// e.g., Rioters went on a/ the rampage through the city ((**) for the last example)./// The word may also refer to animals such as elephants. For elephant rampage in India on   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcax66eyOWg   and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F97RZ-IYWcU and the shocking video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moKtEqgXnn8   /// e.g., A while ago some elephants got loose in Seoul and went on a rampage.

Rampant (pronounced ˈræm.pənt) = (adjective) (especially of something unwelcome) flourishing or spreading unchecked; e.g., Political violence was rampant.// e.g., Inflation in Argentina was rampant, reaching around 1,000 percent, and currencies collapsed.// e.g., Online rumors and misinformation are rampant and can spread like wildfire.///  Unrestrained in action or performance; e.g., Rampant sex.// e.g., This job, more than any other, has really opened my eyes to just how rampant and unchecked mental illness is these days.// e.g., It is a similar picture in thousands of villages across China, where population growth has meant rampant farming and wasteful irrigation.// e.g., In his eyes, to improve the situation, effective control over the rampant exaggeration contained in advertisements for sex products was necessary./// (of a plant) lush (= (of vegetation) growing luxuriantly.in growth); luxuriant; e.g.,  A rich soil soon becomes home to rampant weeds.// e.g., The vigorous, almost rampant tree is very productive in both spring and fall./// e.g., The rampant vines produce numerous pods (pod = a long, narrow, flat part of some plants, such as beans and peas, that contains the seeds and usually has a thick skin (*)) that turn purple as they mature./// (Heraldry) (usually postpositive) (of an animal) Represented standing on one hind foot with its forefeet in the air (typically in profile, facing the dexter side, with right hind foot and tail raised); e.g.,. Two gold lions rampant.

Stormtrooper (My comment: I guess most of you know this word from the movie Star Wars. But which was the initial meaning?) = (noun) A soldier trained specially for carrying out a sudden assault. See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxtVuhwOmws and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSxBSYdlsA // For the fictional soldiers in the movie ‘Star Wars’ See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Romics_2013_135.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Kylo_Ren_%26_Stormtrooper_cosplayers_%2823229108429%29.jpg   and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Stormtroopers_%C3%A0_Paris.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPhHl2DpD4E  and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgEO0R-x8uU  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYbg7lMOOc   //// e.g., A small crew surrounded by riot-geared storm troopers./// (historical) (also known as Sturmabteilung (SA)) A member of the political militia-paramilitary wing of the Nazi party. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1982-159-21A%2C_N%C3%BCrnberg%2C_Reichsparteitag%2C_Hitler_und_R%C3%B6hm.jpg  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Hitler_1928_crop.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/WWII%2C_Europe%2C_Germany%2C_%22Nazi_Hierarchy%2C_Hitler%2C_Goering%2C_Goebbels%2C_Hess%22%2C_The_Desperate_Years_p143_-_NARA_-_196509.jpg    // e.g., Nazi storm troopers stormed the offices of the trade unions./// A vigorous advocate or defender of a cause; e.g., The storm troopers of political correctness./// (historical) (also known as Sturmmann (= storm man) formed into companies of Sturmtruppen) Specialist soldiers of the German army in World War I. In the last years of the war they were trained to fight with ‘infiltration tactics,’ part of the Germans' new method of attack on enemy trenches ((*****) for this definition). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/France1918.jpg and  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/StB5_%E2%80%93_Sturm-Pionier.jpg  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxtVuhwOmws&t=1s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsSxBSYdlsA&t=151s

Rapacious (pronounced rəˈpeɪ.ʃəs) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (adjective) Aggressively greedy or grasping. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cwBeN_1rDA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIaHfV9C_HY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzcPOcO1okE // e.g. Rapacious landlords.// e.g., The economy is collapsing, because of international policies, which are rapacious and stupid.// e.g., Our lack of a bill of rights makes it extremely difficult for judges to protect our freedoms from a rapacious government intent on destroying them.// e.g., They were revealed instead as rapacious asset-strippers.// e.g.,  Her rapacious appetite for fame ((**) for the last example).// e.g., Rapacious computer gaming (my example).

Imp = (noun) A small, mischievous (= causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way; pronounced ˈmɪs.tʃɪ.vəs) devil or sprite. See https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wowwiki/images/b/b0/Gakuri.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/350?cb=20161028190233 and https://wow.gamepedia.com/media/wow.gamepedia.com/thumb/3/33/Imp.jpg/300px-Imp.jpg?version=bd9d002bb594be8322e1542a7815a785  // e.g., ‘In Dungeon Keeper you managed a host of demons, imps, succubi, etc. as you expanded your dungeon's real estate.’// e.g., He did not know what trouble this could bring, for people speaking about elves and imps and brownies living up in the hills./// A mischievous child. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9H6PylvO28  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYW9syCmkh8 // e.g., ‘A cheeky (= slightly rude or showing no respect, but often in a funny way (*)) young imp!’// e.g., Suddenly gamers were no longer defined as basement-dwelling, anti-social imps./// (verb with object) Repair a damaged feather in the wing or tail of a trained hawk by attaching part of a new feather. For feather imping See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwF17kpwWjA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Z62DIQldQ

Impish = (adjective) Inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun; mischievous (= causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way; pronounced ˈmɪs.tʃɪ.vəs); e.g., He had an impish look about him.// e.g., But every minute, an impish sprite takes one ball back out, always extracting the lowest-numbered ball in the bucket.

Succubus (pronounced ˈsʌkjʊbəs) (beware of the pronunciation!) (plural = succubi) = (noun) A female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow27a88v6dQ and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Succubus_bracket_02.jpg and https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wowwiki/images/5/5e/Succubus.%28Warcraft%29.full.500748.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/286?cb=20140409020854 and https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/warriorsofmyth/images/a/af/Command_Succubus_Large.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/212?cb=20121027102230

Incubus (pronounced ˈɪŋkjʊbəs) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (noun) A male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Incubus.jpg /// e.g., According to one legend, the incubus and the succubus were fallen angels.//// A cause of difficulty or anxiety; e.g., Debt is a big incubus in developing countries.// e.g., But these ex-communist, university-based scholars were made to carry the incubus of the past.//// (archaic) A nightmare; e.g., The Alp has widely been regarded as simply the German counterpart of the incubus or nightmare.

Sprite (My comment: it also has other meanings than the soft drink) = (noun) An elf or fairy. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Richard_Doyle_-_Spurned_Suitor.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Knut_Ekwall_Fisherman_and_The_Siren.jpg  and https://img1.etsystatic.com/012/0/6608135/il_340x270.423645047_13r7.jpg  // e.g., At first, he thought he had finally lost his mind, and was seeing faeries and sprites./// A computer graphic which may be moved on-screen and otherwise manipulated as a single entity. See  https://image.slidesharecdn.com/computergraphics-160420165130/95/computer-graphics-8-638.jpg?cb=1461171146  /// A faint flash, typically red, sometimes emitted in the upper atmosphere over a thunderstorm owing to the collision of high-energy electrons with air molecules. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/BigRed-Sprite.jpg/1200px-BigRed-Sprite.jpg   and https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5d/bc/1f/5dbc1f7430cec6a38bf023a31bb2e7d3--sprites-news-mexico.jpg  and   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E14OZ95hqGA  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brh--gYjZts  /// Trademark (TM) A brand of a colorless, caffeine-free, lemon and lime-flavored soft drink created by The Coca-Cola Company (*****). (My comment: 7up is a  similar soft drink held by PepsiCo). For the Sprite™ soft drink See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Evolution_of_Sprite_Bottles.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Sprite_logo.jpg

Fairy (not to be confused with ‘fairly’) = (noun) A small imaginary being of a human form that has magical powers, especially a female one. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/SophieAndersonTakethefairfaceofWoman.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Fairychapeltoun.JPG  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Johann_Heinrich_F%C3%BCssli_058.jpg/290px-Johann_Heinrich_F%C3%BCssli_058.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Falero_Luis_Ricardo_Lily_Fairy_1888.jpg     // e.g., She believed she had had fairies at the bottom of her garden./// (as modifier) e.g., ‘Fairy gold.’// e.g., A fairy tale./// Tooth Fairy = a fantasy figure of early childhood in Western and Western-influenced cultures. The folklore states that when children lose one of their baby teeth, they should place it underneath their pillow or on their bedside table and the Tooth Fairy will visit while they sleep, replacing the lost tooth with a small payment ((*****) for the tooth fairy).//// A Central and South American hummingbird with a green back and long tail. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Purple-crowned_Fairy_female.jpg and   http://www.glennbartley.com/naturephotography/articles/Hummingbirds%20-%20Article%20Query/Purple-crowned%20Fairy%20-%2003.jpg   // (offensive )(informal) A male homosexual./// Away with the fairies = (phrase) (informal) Giving the impression of being mad, distracted, or in a dream world; e.g., ‘Dude, are we practicing tonight or not, or are you going to spend all night away with the fairies?’

Gaul (pronounced ɡɔːl) (My comment: I just mention it for the spelling) = (noun) An ancient region of Europe, corresponding to modern France, Belgium, the southern Netherlands, south-western Germany, and northern Italy./// A native or inhabitant of ancient Gaul.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7MYlRzLqD0  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P09O8qfiL-o For the statue of Vercingetorix See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Alise-Sainte-Reine_statue_Vercingetorix_par_Millet_2.jpg For Asterix the Gaul See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5Ig-sa3XAw

Blemish = (noun) A small mark or flaw which spoils the appearance of something; e.g., The girl’s hands were without a blemish.// e.g., ‘I began, examining what looked like a new blemish appearing on my forehead.’// e.g., ‘Trim off tough or discolored bottoms of mushroom stems and any bruised spots or blemishes.’ /// A moral defect or fault; e.g., His offenses were an uncharacteristic blemish on an otherwise clean record.// e.g., Certainly envy seeks to spoil it by finding fault and criticizing every blemish./// (mass noun) e.g., Local government is not without blemish./// (verb with object) (often as adjective blemished) = Spoil the appearance or quality of something. For blemished skin See http://sarabeauty.in/images/new/13.jpg  For blemished dress See http://ibysmusings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/wedding-dress-2-520x400.jpg  // e.g., My main problem was a blemished skin.// e.g., His reign as world champion has been blemished by controversy.

Renounce = (verb with object) Formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, right, or possession; e.g., Her ex-husband renounced his claim to the family house ((^^) for this example).// e.g., Isabella offered to renounce her son's claim to the French Crown.// e.g., He has never renounced his claim to the throne of a kingdom which no longer exists.// e.g., ‘I am therefore prepared to renounce my claim on the strip of land in question.’ //// (verb; no object) (Law) Refuse or resign a right or position, especially one as an heir (= a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death; pronounced eə(r)) or trustee; e.g., The legal right share has priority over all other bequests (= legacies) in the will and, unless renounced, must be dealt with as a priority./// Refuse to continue to recognize or abide by (= comply); e.g., These agreements were renounced after the fall of the Tsarist regime./// e.g., He took an oath to absolutely entirely renounce all allegiance (= loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause; pronounced əˈliː.dʒ(ə)ns ) to a foreign power.//// Reject or abandon a cause, bad habit, or way of life; e.g., They renounced the armed struggle.// e.g., He renounced alcohol completely.// e.g., The way you leave the Catholic Church is by renouncing your faith.// e.g., Gandhi renounced the use of violence ((^^) for the last example).

Abdicate (pronounced ˈabdɪkeɪt) =  (verb; no object) (of a monarch (pronounced ˈmɒn.ək )) renounce (= formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, right, or possession) one’s throne; e.g., King Edward VIII abdicated his throne for the American Wallis Simpson (my example; I guess you all know this).// e.g.., In 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm abdicated as German emperor.// (verb with object) e.g., Ferdinand abdicated the throne in favor of the emperor’s brother./// (verb with object) Fail to fulfill or undertake responsibility or duty; e.g., The government was accused of abdicating its responsibility.// e.g., ‘It is the Council’s responsibility to do recycling and we’re abdicating our responsibility.’ 

Twirl (vs) Swirl (vs) Whirl

Twirl (pronounced twəːl) = (verb; no object) Spin quickly and lightly round, especially repeatedly. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQbU8KBL-Qc   For  twirling baton (in sports) See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwqeu56n3fg  For a guy twirling a rifle See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_HySwdHRaM

and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V09QKyLmMjc  For a guy twirling a pizza dough See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGDUmGlMJzU  For twirling pasta on the fork See  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOjRpHsFZsk  For twirling a sword See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCBaFWX6ig4  /// e.g., She twirled in delight to show off her new dress.// e.g., Leaves twirled through the air, but there was no breeze (= a gentle wind).// e.g., ‘I quickly twirled back around to face my other three enemies.’/// (verb with object) Cause to rotate; e.g., He twirled her fork in the pasta.// e.g., The swordsman reached up and gently twirled a lock of her long hair around his finger.// e.g., The swordsman then twirled the sword in his hands, and raised it high../// (noun) An act of spinning;  e.g., Little girls were doing little twirls with the dancing Angelina Ballerina.// e.g., Kathrine did a twirl in front of the mirror.// e.g., When he released her she turned around and did a twirl to show off her present./// A spiraling or swirling shape, especially a flourish made with a pen. (My comment: a similar shape is called ''swirl'' – see below). See https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/96/46/02/240_F_96460234_IEjmz9pywSC4LyV6NIhuTxDOVcLECO1K.jpg  // e.g., On the lid was a name written in old-fashioned twirls.

Swirl (pronounced swəːl) = (verb; no object) Move in a twisting or spiraling pattern. For a swirling guy (dance) See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK6XafeHkTk  For a swirling ''dance'' of a diamond See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEdSf7sokFc // For smoke swirling See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5aychaWVdw and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89d7BVMZgFo For a swirling skirt See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptsAUTuegUs   // e.g., The smoke was swirling around him.// e.g., Dark sunglasses graced her face as her black jacket swirled in the wind.// (figurative) e.g., Flood of swirling emotions./// (verb; with object) Cause to move in a twisting or spiraling pattern; e.g., ‘Swirl a little cream into the soup.’' // e.g., A strong warm wind whipped up the drizzle (= light rain falling in very fine drops) and swirled it around the streets.// e.g., ‘Put the heat on medium-low, put a few teaspoons of olive oil in the stockpot and swirl it around to coat the bottom, let it warm for a moment and then add the leeks.’ /// (noun) A quantity of something moving in a twisting or spiraling pattern; e.g., Swirls of dust swept across the floor.// e.g., The helicopters touched down in a swirl of blinding dust, a condition pilots call a ‘brownout.’/// A twisting or spiraling movement or pattern; e.g., She emerged with a swirl of skirts.// e.g., Swirls of color.// e.g., The swirls of dust whirl up around him, and he walks into their midst (= the middle point or part)./// My comment = a swirl shape in a drawing is similar to twirl (see above). For a swirl shape See https://d1yn1kh78jj1rr.cloudfront.net/image/preview/rDtN98Qoishumwih/decorative-swirl-floral-vector-shape-design_7kPP4z_SB_PS.jpg and http://clipart-library.com/clipart/pT58gBG6c.htm

Whirl (pronounced wɜːl) = (transitive or intransitive verb) To cause something to turn around in circles. For the blue whirl of flame See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u71QpmObbhk  For water whirl (whirlpool)  see  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sU9JFUIzfQ  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4DGICW5_6I  /// For snow whirl See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhZJvNLBq_8  // For whirling Dervishes (dance) See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHjFgOfoZ7M and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywa6glFr6io /// e.g., A whirl of snow.// e.g., He saw a mass of bodies whirling around on the dance floor.// e.g., She stepped out into the night and the whirling snow (*)./// (noun) (in singular) A rapid movement round and round; e.g., ‘The whirl of snow rises up next to me becoming bigger than life, completely engulfs me and quickly passes over.’ // A continuous and exciting period of activity; e.g., ‘I found myself swept up in the social whirl of the college life and hardly had time to study.’ (*) for this definition & examples).// e.g., But the breathless whirl of activity has an odd calm at its center.// e.g., The event was all part of the mad social whirl./// (with adjective or noun modifier) A specified kind of sweet or biscuit with a spiral shape. For whirl chocolate biscuits See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWVqQVQ7wwE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpz4ldefHMw  // e.g., A hazelnut whirl.// e.g., This is piped out into individual chocolate-size whirls and left to dry overnight.

Flourish (not related to ‘flora’ – flowers, so be aware of the typo ‘florish’) = (intransitive verb) To grow or develop successfully; e.g., My tomatoes are flourishing this summer (^^).// e.g., Watercolor painting began to flourish in Britain around 1750.// e.g.., Wild plants flourish on the banks of the lake./// Develop rapidly and successfully; e.g., The organization has continued to flourish.// e.g., For basketball to flourish yet more successfully in England it had to develop a solid infrastructure./// (with adverbial) Be working or at the height of one’s career during a specified period; e.g., The caricaturist and wit who flourished in the early years of this century.// e.g., The date of the period in which Fukuno flourished is not mentioned in the certificate./// (transitive verb) To move something in your hand in order to make people look at it; e.g., She came in smiling, flourishing her IELTS exams results ((^^) for this definition & example).// e.g., ‘Happy New Year!’ he yelled, flourishing a bottle of whisky./// (noun) A bold or extravagant (= exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; excessive or elaborate) gesture or action, made especially to attract attention; e.g., With a flourish, she ushered (usher = show or guide someone somewhere) them inside.// e.g., ‘In fact, I would rather have been in a bunker,’ he said with a flourish of his hands./// An elaborate rhetorical or literary expression; e.g., The remark about New England was not a rhetorical flourish.// e.g., The film has the rhetorical flourishes of the certain, but the confusion of the tentative (= not certain or fixed; provisional).//// An ornamental flowing curve in handwriting or scrollwork; e.g., Letters with an emphatic flourish beneath them./// Note: a swash is a typographical flourish, such as an exaggerated serif, terminal, tail, entry stroke, etc., on a glyph. The use of swash characters dates back to at least the 16th century (*****) for this). See (1 = regular; 2 = italic; 3 = swash) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Regular_italic_swash_cap.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Helvetica_Flair.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Zapfino.svg     //// An impressive and successful act or period; e.g., Manchester United produced a late second-half flourish.// e.g., He ended the match with a flourish and belatedly (belated = coming later than expected (*)) displayed the flair and pace that they undoubtedly possess./// An ornate musical passage. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpVzE0RJ9nQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eB-C5p0hUQ  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYMVeoE1J5M   /// e.g., Tanto Tempo updates traditional Bossa Nova by adding subtle programmed beats, jazz flourishes, and English and Brazilian vocals./// An extemporized addition played especially at the beginning or end of a composition; e.g., He finished with a flourish, and stood up and bowed to the applause thundering in his ears./// With a flourish = (phrase) (noun) If you do something with a flourish, you do it with one big noticeable movement; e.g., The waiter handed me the menu with a flourish.// e.g., She took off her hat with a flourish ((^^) for this definition & example).

Extemporize (extemporise in British English) (pronounced ɪkˈstem.p(ə)r.aɪz) = (verb; no object) Compose or perform something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwKPwF7dCPM and and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ygu-xMMoh0 and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA4xSaqxL-s  /// e.g., She extemporized at the piano.// (verb with object) e.g., He was extemporizing touching melodies.// e.g.,  I'd lost my notes and had to extemporize ((**) for the last example).

Eccentric (pronounced ɪkˈsen.trɪk) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (adjective) (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange; e.g., He noted her eccentric appearance.// e.g., My favorite aunt is very eccentric./// (Of a thing) not placed centrally or not having its axis or other part placed centrally; e.g., The foam cells were oval to polygonal with a moderate amount of cytoplasm and central to eccentric small nuclei.// e.g.,  Concentric contractions require the greatest energy expenditure, followed by isometric and eccentric contractions./// (of a circle) not centered on the same point as another. See https://i.stack.imgur.com/G5GCG.png    /// (of an orbit) not circular. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Binary_system_orbit_q%3D3_e%3D0.5.gif and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Kepler_orbits.svg  /// (noun) A person of unconventional and slightly strange views or behavior. For Madame de Meuron See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccentricity_(behavior)#/media/File:Madame_de_Meuron.jpg   For Salvador Dali See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt7PO0GlA3E and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3asGRCnqqf4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfXI2Ydtd0A   // eg., He’s seen as a local eccentric.// e.g., She enjoys a colorful reputation as an engaging eccentric.// e.g., The shelf life of a true eccentric is not very long in Hollywood.///  A disc or wheel mounted eccentrically on a revolving shaft in order to transform rotation into backward-and-forward motion, e.g., a cam in an internal combustion engine.

Thanksgiving (not ‘thanksgivings’ or ‘thanksgiving's’) day/ dinner = an annual national holiday held in the US on the 4th Thursday in November. It is marked by religious observances and a traditional meal. This holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621. It is not related to the Independence Day (a federal holiday in the US held on July 4). [The Americanization of our planet is so extended that kids from all over the world upload videos related to American themes such as Halloween. Perhaps the next trend is to upload videos for the US Independence Day (4th of July) and Thanksgiving Day!]

Dough (pronounced dəʊ) (beware of the pronunciation!) = (mass noun) A thick, malleable (= a substance is easily changed into a new shape (**)) mixture of flour and liquid, used for baking into bread or pastry. For bread dough See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Dough.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Cirdingis36.png  and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Breaddough1.jpg  and http://img.taste.com.au/yWGo5dyO/taste/2016/11/basic-white-bread-dough-93501-1.jpeg and https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/f0/2f/56f02ff516ff4c9c3b60fd00a98310a9.jpg For pastry dough See https://assets.epicurious.com/photos/578d208f0103fcdb27360fe7/2:1/w_1260%2Ch_630/rough-puff-pastry-dough.jpg and https://d1alt1wkdk73qo.cloudfront.net/images/guide/5988f7ed177144e2b0797b711fa0c4a1/640x478_ac.jpg //   e.g., (recipe) ''Add water to the flour and mix to a manageable dough.'' // e.g., It is this technique that allows pastry doughs to rise and pie crusts to flake./// (informal) Money; e.g., Lots of dough.

Tort (it is not related to torture) = (Law) A wrongful act or an infringement (= violation) of a right (other than under contract) leading to legal liability; e.g., Public nuisance (= a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance) is a crime as well as a tort./// (mass noun) e.g., The law of tort.// e.g., That section provides both for jurisdiction and for a federal cause of action arising by recognition of certain international common law torts.// e.g., The company is liable for its contracts and torts; the shareholder has no such liability.