· Tail off = (phrasal verb) to reduce in amount or become lower in level, e.g., His voice tailed off as he drifted into sleep.// e.g., The profits tailed off after a few years./// To become gradually less or smaller, e.g., Profits tailed off in the last half of the year (^^).
· Insist on, e.g., She insisted on carrying her own bag.// e.g., He insisted on answers to his allegations.
· Foresight (pronounced ˈfɔːsʌɪt) = (mass noun) The ability to predict what will happen or be needed in the future, e.g., He had the foresight to check that his escape route was clear.// e.g., I’d like to add to our understanding of that situation by looking, in hindsight, at what was predicted with foresight before the war.// e.g., We don’t necessarily need prophetic foresight, just the ability to calculate what might result from our actions./// The front sight of a gun./// (Surveying) A sight taken forwards, e.g., A number of intermediate instrument set-ups are selected, so that sighting distance for backsights and foresights are approximately equal.
· Inscrutable = (adjective) Impossible to understand or interpret, e.g., The man looked blankly inscrutable.// e.g., His inscrutable silence has become a canvas for projected social anxieties.// e.g., There is something inscrutable about the dragon, something that cannot be understood.
· Drive-by (e.g., shooting) = (US English) (of a shooting or other act) Carried out from a passing vehicle. See (just movies!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iWqn89nvJs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgOO8Z-FoKY and (by motorbikes!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOz9L1KrJJY // e.g., A drive-by shooting.// e.g., ‘If I get blown away in a drive-by shooting, well, at least I told the cops beforehand.’
· Whack = (informal) (verb with object) Strike forcefully with a sharp blow. See (hilarious) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9S4j0PHS0k and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7HeBuMOtlo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EogzHNEiCWU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYglEzuzGWU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDtfA8v6jX4 // e.g., His attacker whacked him on the head.// (verb; no object) e.g., He found a stick to whack at the branches.// e.g., A Striker loose from the pack moved in and whacked him with the blunt end of his spear.//// Defeat in a contest (verb with object and complement) e.g., The team were whacked 5-nil.// e.g., Darren Horsefield netted four times as Ouseburn Utd whacked Stillington 7-1./// (verb with object and adverbial) Put or push something roughly or carelessly in a specified place or direction, e.g., He whacks a tape into the cassette recorder.// e.g., ‘I pushed it onto the floor and whacked it with a piece of cardboard.’/// (US English) Murder. See (just movies!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=galU59i4FjM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLJQFZlkDuQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_pvKEfTDk4 // e.g., He was whacked while sitting in his car.// e.g., The ‘Ice-Pick Murderer’ had whacked anyone Kay asked him to and hurt anyone else that he hadn’t managed to kill./// (noun (informal) A sharp or resounding blow, e.g., With a few whacks and some loud whistles, they drove the animals away.// e.g., It chilled the blood to see a 30-year-old schoolteacher, John Petersen, administer whacks of the cane with two goals in the first 13 minutes. // e.g., He probably had a couple whacks with something, a tire iron or a bowling trophy./// A try or attempt, e.g., We decided to take a whack at spotting the decade’s trends.// e.g., Both our Video Game Editors would take a whack at the game, but they would draw straws as to who covered what.// e.g., The interest developed, as did the desire to feel the racket, have a whack, and get thrilled over the effect of the effort./// (UK English) A specified share of or a contribution to something, e.g., Motorists pay a fair whack for the use of the roads through taxes.// e.g., He simply made a whack of money selling shares./// (US English) A large quantity or amount./// Sometimes it is used as a term for the slash symbol "/" (***** for this).
· Wacked = (My comment: it seems to me more American English) (adjective) (informal) Crazy, stupid, poor quality, unfashionable or kill (*****)./// Completely exhausted, e.g., ‘I'm not staying long—I'm whacked.’// e.g., ‘And now both of us are completely wacked so we’re off to bed!’ //// (US English) Under the influence of drugs, e.g., ‘As far as I am concerned, their Indian support staff is wacked and on-drugs.’// e.g., A seventeen-year-old whacked out on acid.// e.g., ‘But tell that to four guys wacked out on mushrooms.’
· Baseless = (adjective) Without foundation in fact, e.g., Baseless allegations.// e.g., The article is full of baseless facts with no specified source./// (Architecture) (of a column) Not having a base between the shaft and pedestal.
· Peek = (verb; no object, with adverbial) to look, especially for a short time or while trying to avoid being seen (^^). For ‘try not to peek’ See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iadw1AYc32w and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxCco_oxw7U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgx-p6TQk1s // e.g., She peeks under the wrapping quickly then sets it back.// e.g., She quickly peeked into the pot and gave a disappointed sigh before rushing to open the door./// Protrude slightly so as to be just visible, e.g., His socks were so full of holes his toes peeked through.// e.g., The distant rays of the sun had just begun to peek slightly over the horizon (pronounced həˈraɪ.zən)./// (noun) A quick or furtive look., e.g., He sneaked a peek at the map.// e.g., He took a quick peek on the other side of the street.
· Peekaboo (or peek-a-boo) = (mass noun) A game played with a young child, which involves hiding and suddenly reappearing, saying ‘peekaboo.’ See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Kou-Kou_by_Georgios_Iakovidis.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M70Z7A05Rjg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htl-mJx46-M and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzvgqYZgcpo and (kitten!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF4vnFddPoM /// (adjective) (attributive) (of a garment) Made of transparent fabric or having a pattern of small holes. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO6ulJlBieo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6oSB1Xs5PA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlJPYZLVkeM // e.g., A black lace peekaboo dress./// (of a hairstyle) Concealing one eye with a fringe or wave. Note: this hairstyle was popularized by Veronica Lake where the bangs hang over one side of the face (***** for this). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Veronica_Lake_Paramount.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Veronica_Lake_still.jpg
· Behest (pronounced bɪˈhɛst) = (noun) (literary) A person's orders or command, e.g., They had assembled at his behest.// e.g., To say what was done was done at the behest of officials is totally incorrect.// e.g., He was merely rebalancing his portfolio, at the behest of his financial adviser (or advisor).
· Make-up (pronounced ˈmeɪkʌp) = (mass noun) Cosmetics such as lipstick or powder applied to the face, used to enhance or alter the appearance, e.g., She came downstairs, her face still white under her heavy make-up.// (with modifier) e.g., Stage make-up.// (as modifier) e.g., Chief make-up artist./// The composition or constitution of something, e.g., Ozone damages the cellular make-up of plants and trees.// e.g., The make-up of the present family is, of course, a different matter.// e.g., Geochemistry involves studying the chemical make-up of rocks, the chemistry of water or any geological material./// The combination of qualities that form a person’s temperament (= the part of your character that affects your moods and the way you behave; pronounced ˈtem.p(ə)r.ə.mənt or ˈtem.prə.mənt), e.g., A curiously unexpected timidity in his make-up.// e.g., Philosophy like science is heavily influenced by the psychological make-up of the person doing the thinking.// e.g., The psychological make-up of today’s game is fascinating./// (Printing) The arrangement of text, illustrations, etc. on a printed page, e.g., Page make-up.// e.g., There was the excitement of starting to do our own page make-up, having bought a Compugraphic typesetting machine./// (countable noun) (US English) A supplementary test or assignment given to a student who missed or failed the original one, e.g., Another teacher may say, ‘I have a firm makeup policy and my students all understand it, and I have no problems with make-ups.’ // e.g., However, the president said yesterday if Jim submits a medical he would make sure she received a make-up test.
· Furtive (pronounced ˈfəːtɪv) = (adjective) Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive, e.g., They spent a furtive day together.// e.g., He stole a furtive glance at her.// e.g., Taking a furtive glance around for his father, Mary considered his next move./// Suggestive of guilty nervousness, e.g., The look in his eyes became furtive.// e.g., George, even as he issues obligatory denials, is, unlike David, neither furtive nor guilty.// e.g., It’s almost unbearably tempting to suggest a furtive flick on the nose.
· Quiet – quieter / quietest
· Simple – simpler / simplest
· Cell phone (2 words) / Smartphone (1 word)
· Fraternity (or frat) = (US / Canada) a social organization for male students at an American or Canadian college (^^)
· Sorority = (US) a social organization for female students at some US colleges (^^)
· Blitz (pronounced blɪts) = (noun) an an all-out or sudden military attack. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp17koVI-2k and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUq_6VXH5w8 // e.g., A heavy artillery blitz.// e.g., The London office had been bombed during the blitz./// (The Blitz) The German air raids on Britain in 1940–1941. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Air_Raid_Damage_in_Britain_during_the_Second_World_War_HU36220A.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/The_Home_Front_in_Britain_during_the_Second_World_War_HU44272.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Bomb_Damage_in_London_during_the_Second_World_War_HU36157.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtZema1yjOk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFlIY-YVB8s /// (Blitzkrieg) a rapid attack by combined forces, used by Germany in the Second World War (***** for this definition). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-218-0504-36%2C_Russland-S%C3%BCd%2C_Panzer_III%2C_Sch%C3%BCtzenpanzer%2C_23.Pz.Div..jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1987-1210-502%2C_Polen%2C_Stukas.jpg /// (informal) A sudden concerted effort to deal with something e.g., Mary and I had a blitz on the cleaning.// e.g., Luckily, the developers of this game aren’t relying on cross-selling and marketing blitzes./// (American Football) A play in which one or more defensive backs charge the quarterback of the opposing team. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/US_Navy_071201-N-6463B-543_Navy_Quarter_Back_Troy_Gross_%2814%29_gets_sacked_by_a_blitzing_Army_defender_at_the_108th_annual_Army_vs._Navy_football_game_at_M%5ET_Bank_Stadium_in_Baltimore%2C_MD.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHZpBb0uTM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBlB0ZsfCMU /// Lighting chess (= a kind of chess)./// (verb with object) Attack or seriously damage a place in a blitz e.g., News came that Rotterdam had been blitzed (it was bombarded by the Germans during the WWII (on 14 May 1940). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Rotterdam%2C_Laurenskerk%2C_na_bombardement_van_mei_1940.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Bundesarchiv_Bild_141-1114%2C_Rotterdam%2C_Luftaufnahme_von_Br%C3%A4nden.jpg ).// (figurative) e.g., He blitzed his own world record in the 400m (meters) freestyle (swimming)./// Process food in an electric mixing machine. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzkMiAbCb18 // e.g., ‘Add the eggs and blitz the mixture until it becomes granular.’ /// (American Football) Charge the opposing team’s quarterback in a blitz e.g., He can line up as the eighth man in the box to help shut down the run or blitz the quarterback.
· Hedgerow (or hedge) = (noun) a rough or mixed hedge of wild shrubs and occasional trees, typically bordering a road or field. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Rotbuchenhecke_in_der_Eifel.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Newly_laid_hedge.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Elveden_instant_hedges_production_site.jpg // e.g., The entire site is screened by good-sized trees and hedgerows, giving shelter.// e.g., Tall trees within hedgerows are used by birds as song posts, nest sites, and vantage points.
· Erga omnes (Latin) = (My comment: I just mention it because sometimes you may read this legal term) (Law) ‘towards all’ or ‘towards everyone’. In legal terms, erga omnes rights or obligations are owed toward all. For example, a property right is an erga omnes entitlement, and therefore enforceable against anybody infringing that right. An erga omnes right (a statutory right) can here be distinguished from a right based on contract, unenforceable except against the contracting party (*****).
· ad hoc (Latin) = ‘for this.’ In English, it generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Common examples are ad hoc organizations, committees, and commissions created at the national or international level for a specific task. The term may also refer, for instance, to a military unit created under special circumstances, a tailor-made suit, a handcrafted network protocol (such an ad hoc network), a temporary banding together of geographically-linked franchise locations (of a given national brand) to issue advertising coupons or a purpose-specific equation. It can also describe the temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem. It could also mean shifting contexts to create new meanings or inadequate planning (*****).
· Know-how = a term for practical knowledge on how to accomplish something, as opposed to ‘know-what’ (facts), ‘know-why’ (science), or ‘know-who’ (communication). Know-how is often tacit knowledge, meaning that it is difficult to transfer to another person by means of writing it down or verbalizing it. Dubickis and Gaile-Sarkane (2017) states that the performance of know-how transfer is affected by the accuracy of the stated aim, applied teaching, learning and assessment methods and both internal and external environment characteristics of the stakeholders involved in the process. In the context of industrial property, and generally of intellectual property, know-how is a component in the transfer of technology in national and international environments, co-existing with or separate from other intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks, and copyright and is an economic asset. When it is transferred by itself, know-how should be converted into a trade secret before transfer in a legal agreement (*****).
· Sic = (adverb) used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original. For example: in a story must hold a child’s interest and ‘enrich his (sic) life.’
· Ham = (mass noun) Salted or smoked meat from the upper part of a pig’s leg. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Schinken.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Schinken-gekocht.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/ProsciuttoSeaSalt.JPG // e.g., Thin slices of ham.// (countable noun) e.g., A honey-baked ham./// Hams = the back of the thigh or the thighs and buttocks (My comment as a medic: I think the word is an abbreviation of ‘hamstrings’). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gx5AHqxW3Q and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84zSW-rg-p0 and (Romanian deadlift) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SHsk9AzdjA (My comment as a medic and physio: These deadlifts, as well as the squatting exercise holding a bar with weights, are very dangerous for the spine as they may cause severe damage to the discs and the facets, as well as the knees. Additionally, they can increase blood pressure steeply, causing heart strain and rupture of a potential brain or an abdominal aneurysm! When I asked my trainer if this exercise is safe for my low back, he said ‘of course not’! I knew the answer, but I just wanted to hear his opinion. But whatever I say, most young people today love high-risk sports and cross-fit strenuous exercises. So, I guess I wasted 2 min of my life writing these words!).// e.g., She squatted down on her hams.// e.g., ‘Try a variety of stretches to hit your glutes, hams, quads, and adductors.’ // e.g., ‘You can also do Romanian deadlifts, which focus on your hams, glutes (= buttock muscles) and lower back.’ /// (usually as modifier) An excessively theatrical actor e.g., Ham actors.// e.g., ‘So there you have it, I’m a ham who likes to see his name in print.’ /// (mass noun) Excessively dramatic acting. (My comment: as many YouTubers who upload their naïve videos). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdniWncWu4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbxcZJKspvw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AnwMICoVUE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdniWncWu4 and (soccer players) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez5bRF9vefE // e.g., The acting was pure ham, but then it is in every ‘family’ film.// e.g., The script of sand and fog is more like it, not to mention the acting of ham and funny accents./// (informal) An amateur (pronounced ˈæm.ə.tə(r)) radio operator e.g., This paper presents an account of one radio ham, William G. Broughton./// (verb; no object) (hammed, hamming, hams) (informal) Overact. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdniWncWu4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CywJD13fujw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdniWncWu4 // e.g., He hammed it up for the cameras.// e.g., Every once in a while, you can see where the guys are hamming for the camera.
· Pound (with a meaning other than weight or monetary unit) = (noun) (animal/ dog pound; also known as animal shelter) A place where stray animals, especially dogs, may be officially taken and kept until claimed by their owners. [My comment: in many countries, if stray animals, especially dogs & cats, are not claimed by their owners or not adopted (usually) in 3 days, then they put them down (= are euthanized)]. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Dog_in_animal_shelter_in_Washington%2C_Iowa.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Black_cat_Animal_Rescue_GalawebDesign.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sQzWFtJGWA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dliUOrWVIcc // e.g., Like most pounds and animal welfare groups their policy is not to re-home puppies two weeks before Christmas.// e.g., Anyone who has a problem with stray dogs can contact the County Dog Warden who will arrange to have the dog brought to an animal pound./// A place where illegally parked motor vehicles removed by the police are kept until their owners pay a fine in order to reclaim them. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxzjzpoCNvs // e.g., At 1930 he and many other vehicles that had been stopped were escorted by police to the pound in East London, where our bakkie was impounded./// (verb with object) Strike or hit heavily and repeatedly. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2re2fMzLPs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJTFUaN58_I // e.g., Jones pounded the couch with his fists.// (verb; no object) e.g., Pounding on the door, he shouted at the top of his voice.// e.g., That was a mistake, and that gave his opponent the chance to pound at his back./// (verb; no object) Beat or throb with a strong regular rhythm. For a heart-pounding (or beating or throbbing; by the way, ‘heartthrob’ means a man, typically a celebrity, whose good looks excite immature romantic feelings in women!) See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZNa_I4xBnk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NmWOHuy-o8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMmtqKgs50 /// e.g., Her heart was pounding.// e.g., Blood pounded in her temples, her cheeks burnt (or 'burned') with the shock of impact./// (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) Walk or run with heavy steps. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=517dvGPjLP4 // e.g., ‘I heard him pounding along the gangway.’ // e.g., A few steps into the house, loud steps pounded down the stairs./// Crush or grind something into a powder or paste e.g., ‘Pound the cloves (= aromatic flower buds) with salt and pepper until smooth.’ // e.g., ‘I was trying to mash up some potatoes, and I guess I was pounding the potatoes too hard.’ /// (informal) Defeat an opponent in a resounding way e.g., (verb with object and complement) He pounded the unseeded American 7–2 7–5 7–5.
· Cloves = (noun) the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Island (or Moluccas) in Indonesia and are commonly used as a spice (*****). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Syzygium_aromaticum_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-030.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/ClovesDried.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Seasonal_clove_buds_drying_on_Pemba1.jpg
· Aperture (pronounced ˈæp.ə.tʃə(r)) = (noun) An opening, hole, or gap e.g., The bell ropes passed through apertures in the ceiling.// e.g., The genital aperture of an insect. (My comment as a medic: we don’t use this term in human anatomy; at least I don’t!).// e.g., I’m also considering drilling a bigger aperture into the thing./// A space through which light passes in an optical or photographic instrument, especially the variable opening by which light enters a camera. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Apertures.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Aperture_in_Canon_50mm_f1.8_II_lens.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/16_minolta_50mm.jpg // e.g., A refracting telescope with an aperture of 3 inches.
· Skimpy (pronounced ˈskɪmpi) = (adjective) (skimpier, skimpiest) of clothes) short and revealing. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpAKuHxFY18 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw2_ysOeOms and http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/09/27/01/2CCE0F3900000578-0-image-a-191_1443312937629.jpg and (about a woman is being harassed after wearing a skimpy dress to a wedding!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14RYUrHBNA // e.g., A skimpy dress.// e.g., You may even get your significant other to wear some pretty revealing and skimpy clothing.// e.g., My girlfriend wears skimpy clothes, and my friends are always looking at her./// Providing or consisting of less than is needed; meagre ((or ‘meager’ in US English) = (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality) e.g., ‘My knowledge of music is extremely skimpy’.// e.g., The talent files are a bit skimpy and limited to the director and the three main actors.
· Indoctrination = (mass noun) The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically (My comment: obviously, the internet and TV do it to a great extent!). e.g., ‘I would never subject children to religious indoctrination.’ // e.g., She denounces (denounce = publicly declare to be wrong or evil) political indoctrination in the classroom.// e.g., This is an extraordinary experiment in mass indoctrination.
· Jostle (pronounced ˈdʒɒs(ə)l) = (verb with object) Push, elbow, or bump against someone roughly, typically in a crowd. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9yz7GWNfBQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cekY9yvdBxU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkOnqcd_Soc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TYHZhmYQQg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j08z03R7GZc // e.g., He was jostled by passengers rushing for the gates.// (verb; no object) e.g., People jostled against us.// e.g., ‘I was jostled, tugged along as if all these people were a tide.’ /// Jostle for = (verb; no object) Struggle or compete forcefully for, e.g., ‘Forget jostling for space on the platform with hundreds of other passengers only to find that your train has been delayed or cancelled.’ // e.g., Politics today is like a permanent campaign, with both sides jostling for public advantage on a daily basis.// e.g., Till then, this overcrowded footpath will see pedestrians jostling for space./// (mass noun) The action of jostling e.g., The jostle of shoppers.// e.g., The resulting jostle of competing versions marks him more than any other poet, even Auden.
· Baffle = (verb with object) Totally bewilder (= cause someone to become perplexed and confused; pronounce bɪˈwɪl.də(r)) or perplex (= to confuse and worry someone slightly by being difficult to understand or solve (^^)) e.g., An unexplained occurrence that baffled everyone.// e.g., Police baffled by the murder of a North Yorkshire man have turned to national TV in the hope of tracking down the killer.// e.g., The sudden outbreak of illness since the beginning of the month is still baffling the experts./// Restrain or regulate a fluid, sound, etc. e.g., They are offered without the baffle, but I prefer the baffled sound.// e.g., Access is via exterior galleries along the street frontages, with bathrooms and kitchens placed here to baffle the street noise.// e.g., The baffling sensor gear was still operating, but the visual disguise was gone./// (noun) A device used to restrain the flow of a fluid, gas, etc. or to prevent the spreading of sound or light in a particular direction e.g., ‘You can cut out glare from a strip light by concealing it behind a baffle.’ // (as modifier) e.g., A baffle plate.// e.g., The fuel tank incorporates baffles to prevent fuel splash and to keep the pump submerged./// Sound baffle = a construction or device which reduces the strength level of airborne sound (***** for sound baffle). For sound baffles on the wall of a recording studio See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Absorbing_panels%2C_Downtown_Recording.jpg
· Comrade (pronounced ˈkɒmreɪd = (noun) (among men) a colleague or a fellow member of an organization e.g., An old college comrade.// e.g., For the players, it was a golden opportunity to catch up with their old comrades - and one they are keen to repeat in the future.// e.g., ‘I’m meeting old comrades tonight, and tomorrow.’ /// A fellow soldier or member of the armed forces. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVSJK1jMxPI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Lupdfy-kY // e.g., Smith turned and rushed to help his comrade.// e.g., Tattoos in the civil wars symbolized allegiance to military commanders and comrades-in-arms rather than to the local community./// A fellow socialist or communist (often as a form of address) e.g., ‘You're right, comrade.’ // (as a title) e.g., Comrade Alexei.// (in South Africa) a young militant supporter of the African National Congress.
· Exhilarate (pronounced ɪɡˈzɪl.ə.reɪt) (not to be confused with ‘accelerate’) = (verb with object) to give someone strong feelings of happiness and excitement (^^) e.g., He was exhilarated by the day’s events.// e.g., On the contrary, it uplifts and even exhilarates the reader (My comment: I think it refers to a book).// e.g., As he stood on the white coral sandy floor of the ocean, he was exhilarated.
· Swell (as a noun; related to the sea) = (noun) (plural = swells) a slow, regular movement of the sea in rolling waves that do not break. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Early_90%27s_Bangs.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Ile_de_r%C3%A9.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Easterly_swell%2C_Lyttelton_Harbour%2C_29_July_2008.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J54NBImVPwg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko93J_hXaXQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6oLuby1JY // e.g., There was a heavy swell.// e.g., There was a heavy swell, and they were caught by the tide.// e.g. During a major swell, surfable waves might break beyond the ends of the rocks.
· Barrage (pronounced ˈbær.ɑːʒ in UK English and bəˈrɑːʒ in US English) balloon = a large kite balloon used to defend against aircraft attack by raising aloft cables which pose a collision risk, making the attacker's approach more difficult. The design of the kite balloon, having a shape and cable bridling which stabilize the balloon and reduce drag, meant that it could be operated in higher wind conditions than a spherical balloon. Some examples carried small explosive charges that would be pulled up against the aircraft to ensure its destruction. Barrage balloons are not practical against very high-flying aircraft, due to the weight of the long cable required. In WWII barrage balloons were intended to defend against dive bombers flying at heights up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m), forcing them to fly higher and into the range of concentrated anti-aircraft fire. [My comment: these blimps (blimp = a small nonrigid airship) actually prevented the dive of the bombing planes as well as intended to tangle them with their long cable. You may all recall the D-day photos where the allied invasion fleet convoy had numerous of these balloons that many may wonder of their use!). See (D-Day) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/NormandySupply_edit.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Barrage_balloon_fsac_1a35100.jpg and (in London during London bombings called ‘the blitz’) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Barrage_balloons_over_London_during_World_War_II.jpg and (D-Day) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Lci-convoy.jpg and (D-Day footage) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5iQESriXPA
· Clamber (pronounced ˈklambə) = (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) Climb (pronounced klaɪm) or move awkwardly and laboriously, typically using both hands and feet. Synonym = scramble.// See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Snowdonia_scrambling.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5kvtZpC7ro and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR1jwwagtaQ // e.g., ‘I clambered out of the trench (= a long, narrow ditch – you may recall the trench battles during world war I).’ // e.g., They moved about three hundred feet past the deer before they clambered down again.// e.g., ‘I shouted back, clambering to my feet and tying my hair with the first hair band I could find.’ /// (noun) An awkward and laborious climb or movement e.g., A clamber up the cliff path.// e.g., A final clamber led to a cliff where we could look out to the open sea.
· Gloat (pronounced ɡləʊt) = (verb; no object) dwell on one’s own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure e.g., His enemies gloated over his death.// e.g., ‘This helped me to be a great deal less judgmental and to avoid gloating at the misfortune of others.’// e.g., Not gloating, but out of respect, we knew the enormity of what we had achieved./// (noun) (informal) An act of gloating e.g., ‘I would join her for a good gloat.’// e.g., A disaster for the media, but worth a gloat from everyone else.// e.g., Every year, he dreads Christmas, because that is the time ‘when everyone who’s ever left comes back for their annual gloat.’
· The US president decides a levy (= an act of levying a tax, fee, or fine; pronounced ˈlev.i) on steel and aluminum (pronounced əˈlu·mə·nəm) in US English and aluminium (pronounced ˌæl.jəˈmɪn.i.əm) in UK English), however, many Republicans are unhappy with these tariff (= a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports; pronounced ˈtær.ɪf in UK English and ˈter.ɪf in US English) plans. After the announcement of the plans, the president’s economic Aide (an assistant to an important person, especially a political leader; pronounced eɪd) resigned saying that these plans will lead to a trade war. The president accepted the resign and tweeted (on Twitter) that his Aide was a valuable assistant who helped to unleash (= release from a leash or restraint) the US economy. US metal (trade) tariffs exempt (= free a person or organization from an obligation or liability imposed on others; pronounced ɪɡˈzempt) Canada, Australia, and Mexico. The EU (European Union) considers of financial reprisals (reprisal = an act of retaliation (= counterattack)) to the tariff (= a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports; pronounced ˈtær.ɪf in UK English and ˈter.ɪf in US English) on steel and aluminum imposed by the US (from the media).(My comment: protectionism, in fact, was a characteristic of communist regimes!)
· The British foreign secretary, after the poisoning of a Russian double agent and his daughter, said that Russia is a malign (= evil in nature or effect; malevolent (= having or showing a wish to do evil to others)) and disruptive country (implying that Russia was behind the poisoning). Counter-terror police are leading the investigation in the UK (from the media).
· Malign (pronounced məˈlʌɪn) (mnemonic trick for ‘malign’: remember the word ‘malignant’ such as for a tumor) = (adjective) evil in nature or effect e.g., Government policy has a massive and usually malign effect.// e.g., He had a strong and malign influence.// e.g., The humanity of the characters is never totally eclipsed by their more malign traits.// e.g., The worst aspect of fantasy books is their malign neglect of the laws of economics./// (verb with object) Speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner e.g., ‘Don’t you dare malign her in my presence.’ // e.g., ‘I went on to pay tribute to the county footballers, saying they are often maligned.’// e.g., Social services must be the most maligned group of people in today’s society.
· Hash (vs) Hush
· Hash (pronounced haʃ) = (My comment: I am sure that when most of you read this word, you will first think hashish!) (noun) dish of cooked meat cut into small pieces and cooked again, usually with potatoes. See (Texas hash) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Texas_Hash.JPG For corned beef hash See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Corned_beef_hash_at_the_Creamery_%28Nina%27s_breakfast%29.jpg // e.g., She puts some American fries, corned beef hash, and scrambled eggs (= a dish of eggs prepared by beating them with a little liquid and then cooking and stirring gently) on her plate./// (US English) A finely chopped mixture e.g., A hash of raw tomatoes, chilies, and coriander./// A mixture of jumbled incongruous (= not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; pronounced ɪnˈkɒŋ.ɡru.əs) things; a mess e.g., I say to members opposite that they are responsible for $80 million of wasted public money, because of their poor policy, poor lawmaking, and the continuous hashes that we have seen in this very important area of law./// (informal) short of hashish. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/American_medical_hashish%2810%29.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Hashish.jpg // e.g., ‘I had acquainted myself with marijuana and hash a long time before I moved to Amsterdam.’ /// (also known as a hash sign) (UK English) The symbol #, used as a symbol on a phone keypad or computer keyboard or before a numeral (as in question #2). In the US it is referred to as either the number sign (when used in contexts such as question #2) or the pound sign (when used as a symbol for pounds of weight, e.g. 2# of sugar). The technical name for it is octothorpe./// (verb with object) Make meat or other food into a hash./// (US English) Chop meat or vegetables e.g., ‘Hash the chicken well and season.’ // e.g., Hash the meat and make it into a stuffing with raisins, stoned ripe olives and hard-boiled eggs minced fine./// Hash something out = agree on something after lengthy and vigorous discussion e.g., They met during the day to hash out the campaign’s reaction to the controversy.// e.g., ‘And no more side-stepping the problem, lets hash it out, here and now.’
· Hush (pronounced hʌʃ) = (verb with object) make someone be quiet or stop talking e.g., He placed a finger before pursed lips to hush her.// e.g., The priest hushes him with a frown: ‘Quiet, this is a church!’ // (verb; no object, often in imperative) Be quiet e.g., ‘Hush! Someone will hear you!’ // e.g., The whole courtroom hushed, obviously, when he read her statement./// Hush something up = suppress public mention of something e.g., Management took steps to hush up the dangers.// e.g., No doubt the whole scandal would be hushed up and put out of our minds within the week./// (noun) A silence. For a hush (silent!) disco party See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sbvQeZXDvk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv4cD9YnncM // e.g., A hush descended over the crowd.// e.g., A complete hush enveloped the Great Hall of St. James’ Palace.// e.g., As a hush descended he looked visibly shaken.// e.g., The hush agreement of the US president (from the media)
· Almanac (pronounced ˈɔːl.mə.næk or ˈæl.mə.næk ) = (noun ) an annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables. See (medieval) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/MS._8932._Medieval_folding_almanac_%2815th_century%29_Wellcome_L0075681.jpg and (Hindu) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Hindu_calendar_1871-72.jpg and (prophetic) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Book_of_incantations_f._25r_-_Prophetic_Almanack.png // e.g., The almanacs played an important part in educating ordinary people about the advance of astronomy and the understanding of the universe./// A handbook, typically published annually, containing information of general interest or on a sport or pastime e.g., The more interesting parts of the almanac, however, can be found beyond the player profiles.// e.g., As well as his annual almanac, he produced a series of astrological and prophetic pamphlets.
· Pamphlet = (noun) (plural = pamphlets) A small booklet or leaflet containing information or arguments about a single subject. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/58/Girl_with_a_Basket_of_Pamphlets.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/A_sermon_preached_at_Fort_St._George_on_the_coast_of_Chormandel_in_East_India%2C_February_21_1668.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Pamphlet_dutch_tulipomania_1637.jpg // e.g., He published a spate of pamphlets on the subjects about which he felt strongly.// e.g., It also runs education programs and staff hand out information pamphlets.// e.g., An informative pamphlet with two pages of production notes accompanies the DVD./// (verb with object) (pamphlets, pamphleting, pamphleted) Distribute pamphlets to e.g., A handful of heritage-minded citizens who pamphleted their neighbors.// e.g., ‘Do you remember every household in Britain being pamphleted with an anti-terror booklet?’
· Forename = first name = given name. For example, on John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK): John is the first/ given name, Fitzgerald is the middle name, and Kennedy is the last/ family name. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/FML_names-2.png
· Bunk off (school) = skive = play hooky = play truant (verbs) // truancy = absenteeism (nouns) (‘bunk,’ ‘absenteeism’ and ‘skive’ refer also to work)
· Bunk (pronounced bʌŋk) = (noun) (bunk bed) a narrow shelf-like bed, typically one of two or more arranged one on top of the other. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Bunk_bed.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Banettes_mg_5182.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG0dFHoEJEc and (dog bunk bed!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cj_NnK6pfY /// (US English) Sleep in a bunk or improvised bed, typically in shared quarters e.g., They bunk together in the dormitory (= a large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution; pronounced ˈdɔː.mɪ.t(ə)r.i in UK English and ˈdɔːr.mə.tɔːr.i in US English).// e.g., They bunked at Meadowood resort for a week, then headed for Pebble Beach for golfing./// (informal) Nonsense e.g., Anyone with a brain cell would never believe such bunk.// e.g., Most trendspotting articles - especially those appearing in newsless August - are bunk.// e.g., He believes his own bunk is the best joke of all bunk off./// (UK English) (informal) Abscond (= leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful act such as theft) or play truant from school or work e.g., He bunked off school all week.// e.g., ‘I bunked off from marriage like I bunked off from school!’// e.g., Reality also shows there are many reasons why kids bunk off.
· Skive (pronounced skʌɪv) = (verb; no object) (informal) (UK English) avoid work or a duty by staying away or leaving early; shirk e.g., ‘I skived off school.’ // (verb with object) e.g., He used to skive lessons.// e.g., ‘You think I skived off without blogging anything today, right?’ /// (technical) Pare the edge of a piece of leather or other material so as to reduce its thickness. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbwH4S49DM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW4kXsGN954 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAI73_v9fAs // e.g., ‘To join two ends of a strap, the ends are skived.’ /// (noun) (informal) (UK English) An instance of avoiding work or a duty by staying away or leaving early e.g., There’s a couple at work who I suspect think it was nothing but a skive, mind, but I fully expected that.// e.g., ‘I decided to give blood because it was a good skive out of the railway and after you’d donated you got your free tea and biscuits,’ he said./// An easy option e.g., The checkout girl had thought it was a good skive, especially as her break was almost due.// e.g., ‘Wednesday and yesterday were a bit brighter, and we did have a bit of a skive on Wednesday.’
· Shirk (pronounced ʃəːk) = (verb with object) avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility e.g., ‘I do not shirk any responsibility in this matter.’ // (verb; no object) e.g., He is neither shirking nor lying.// e.g., He’s basically shirking his intellectual responsibilities to the world./// Shirk from = (verb; no object, usually with negative) be unwilling to do something difficult e.g., We will not shirk from closing a school if the evidence should justify it.
· Projectile (pronounced prəˈdʒek.taɪl in UK English and prəˈdʒek.t(ə)l in US English) = (noun) a missile designed to be fired from a gun. See (artillery piece) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Schwerer_Gustav_projectile_2.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPext4tmuW8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8kZo2xByPY // e.g., The guns were deployed to flail the village with their one-ton projectiles.// e.g., Now, obviously what they can’t protect against completely is rockets and other sorts of projectiles fired into that area.// e.g., Autopsies revealed that multiple 9mm projectiles fired from police guns had killed both men./// An object propelled through the air, especially one thrown as a weapon. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8kZo2xByPY and (a baseball) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Baseball.jpg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiiWsXtt5GE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKhDDT457xY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uUsUaPJUc0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMVBc8cE5GU // e.g., They tried to shield John from the projectiles that were being thrown.// e.g., We have had increasing problems with solid projectiles being thrown at the buses./// (adjective) Denoting or relating to a projectile e.g., A projectile weapon.// e.g., On the wall with the door leaned targets for various projectile weapons, namely bows and arrows./// Propelled with great force e.g., He was projectile vomiting.// e.g., After they refused to serve him any more alcohol, they took him in for testing, where he proceeded to projectile vomit all over the room. (My comment as a medic: projectile vomit on a baby may indicate esophageal atresia or infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. I feel lazy now to explain what these are. In any case, they need treatment!)
· Surpass (pronounced səˈpɑːs) (not to be confused with ‘surplus’ that is pronounced ˈsəːpləs) = (verb with object) exceed; be greater than e.g., Pre-war levels of production were surpassed in 1929.// e.g., Of the eight players chosen ahead of Stoudemire, none has surpassed his production.// e.g., The sound of the game, however, far surpasses any expectation for a video game./// Be better than e.g., He continued to surpass me at all games.// e.g., Once again the cast have been asked to put on a special attempt to surpass the productions of the past years./// Surpass oneself = do or be better than ever before e.g., The organist was surpassing himself.// e.g., ‘I’ve surpassed myself for booking into a bizarre hotel.’
· Spate (pronounced speɪt) = (noun) a large number of similar things coming in quick succession e.g., A spate of attacks on holidaymakers.// e.g., Technology stocks took a fresh battering after a spate of US profit warnings spread gloom across world financial markets.// e.g., The proposal follows a spate of food thefts from fridges around the College./// (UK English) A sudden flood in a river. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Rapid_Creek_flooding_1.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/BDF0.jpg // e.g., As the river rapidly went into full spate the ice blue turned chocolate brown and became unfishable.
· Troupe (pronounced truːp) = (noun) a group of dancers, actors, or other entertainers who tour to different venues. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurjckShhwM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5gffzB8UK4 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DisusSB2nrM // e.g., A dance troupe.// e.g., A troupe of singers.// e.g., As early as the 1920s, the city had hosted performances by foreign ballet troupes and folk dance groups from Europe.
· Salon (pronounced ˈsalɒn) = (noun) an establishment where a hairdresser, beautician, or couturier conducts trade. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Hair_Salon_Stations.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Frisoerin_fcm.jpg // e.g., Have your hair cut in a professional salon.// e.g., A hairdressing salon./// A reception room in a large house e.g., The grand salon of this superb house is in the white and gold and carved work of the days of Napoleon I.// e.g., There is a wine cellar in the basement, naturally, with the ground floor containing a living room, salon, kitchen, and office./// (US English) a meeting of intellectuals or other eminent people at the invitation of a celebrity or socialite e.g., Washington political salons.// e.g., Her grandparents once entertained poets and artists in their salon, discussing the merits of T. S. Eliot./// Beauty salon [or beauty parlor (or parlour) or sometimes beauty shop] = an establishment dealing with cosmetic treatments for men and women. Other variations of this type of business include hair salons and spas (***** for this). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Hair_Salon_Stations.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Facial_mask.jpg
· Mince (pronounced mɪns) = (verb) (often as adjective minced) (verb with object) Cut up food, especially meat, into very small pieces, typically in a machine. [My comment: minced meat, chopped by a meat grinder (pronounced ˈɡraɪn.dər) or a chopping knife, is also called ground meat]. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Sausage_making-H-1.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Ground_beef_USDA.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Minced_carrots.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Kibbe_preapred_minced_lamb.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Hackfleisch-1.jpg // e.g., Minced beef.// e.g., ‘Add the mustard, minced lemon, caper mix, and parsley and pulse to combine,’ /// (verb; no object) Walk with short quick steps in an affectedly dainty (= delicately small and pretty) manner. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL3nXxpC1cc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaotE2lU5T8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snSCMZRYwCs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECn8_b5mjso // e.g., There were plenty of secretaries mincing about.// e.g., And he minces; he takes short, feline (like a cat; pronounced ˈfiː.laɪn), footsteps.// e.g., In addition to tall and slim models mincing along the catwalk, one occasionally sees a dozen or so women in their 50s and even 60s clothed in their best twisting their bodies on stage./// (mass noun) (UK English) Minced meat, especially beef. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Hackfleisch-1.jpg // e.g., ‘Stir in the mince and fry until browned.// e.g., As versatile as a pound of mince, it is also one of the easiest meats to cook.
· Socialite (pronounced ˈsəʊʃəlʌɪt) = (noun) a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment e.g., Every night, Manila’s socialites would gather in the elegant Sky Room to party and dine.// e.g., The reception guest list included politicians, socialites, religious leaders, celebrities, and comedians.// e.g., The sisters were raised as socialites who entertained, and were entertained by both the cream and the froth of society.
· Fastidious (pronounced faˈstɪdɪəs) = (adjective) very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail e.g., She dressed with fastidious care.// e.g., Aside from this fastidious attention to detail, the designer’s work has few distinguishing features.// e.g., He made relatively few films and gained the reputation of being a fastidious and sometimes ruthless perfectionist./// Very concerned about matters of cleanliness e.g., The kid seemed fastidious about getting her fingers dirty.// e.g., He always loves to have everything very chic (pronounced ʃiːk) and polished and fastidious.// e.g., The food may be healthy, but the conditions under which it’s made are far from the standards demanded by fastidious Westerners.
· Chic (pronounced ʃiːk) = (adjective) elegantly and stylishly fashionable e.g., The management of this chic Fifth Avenue fashion store had dared to rearrange the artist’s installation./// (noun) Stylishness and elegance, typically of a specified kind e.g., French chic.
· Redress (pronounced rɪˈdres in UK English and rɪˈdres in US English) = (verb with object) Remedy (= set right an undesirable situation) or set right an undesirable or unfair situation e.g., The power to redress the grievances of our citizens.// e.g., This new facility will certainly redress this situation.// e.g., Agenda for Change also does nothing to redress staff shortages and the huge pressures on frontline staff.// e.g., The NHS in the UK imports doctors from other countries in order to redress the perceived shortage of doctors in this country. (My comment as a medic: I can confirm this, although I was always wondering why fewer British students prefer studying medicine)./// (mass noun) Remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance e.g., Court based compensation is rooted in ancient common law - the right to seek redress against those who have done us wrong.// e.g., Those seeking redress for infringement of public law rights.// e.g., Only the company can seek redress for such wrongs.
· The military was tracking down the terrorist.
· Foreign secretary = foreign minister; secretary of state ((state department) in the US English)
· Because of the state censorship, the Ethiopian film industry focuses on less contentious (= causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial; pronounced kənˈten.ʃəs) topics such as romantic comedies (from the media).
· After half a year of political deadlock (= a situation, typically one involving opposing parties, in which no progress can be made), Germany agreed to a coalition government (from the media).
· Italians are casting their ballots (ballot = process of voting, in writing and typically in secret) / go (or head) to the polls (= the process of voting in an election) in general elections (from the media).
· Math (US English; ‘maths’ in UK English)
· Tweet on Twitter
· China dominates self-made women rich list (from the media).
· Gender imbalance is still an issue. For instance, in the UK only 17% of tech workers/ technicians are women (from the media).
· In the 1950s the US gov. dealt with racial segregation (= the enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment) in public schools (from the media).
· During McCarthyism many filmmakers and actors faced grueling (= extremely tiring and demanding; gruelling in UK English; pronounced ˈɡrʊəlɪŋ) censorship (from the media).
· McCarthyism = the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence – in the US lasted from 1947 to 1956 and characterized by the intense fear of communist influence on American institutions (*****).
· POW = (abbreviation) (My comment: all kids who play naïve computer games know it!) prisoner of war (or enemy prisoner of war (EPW) or ‘missing-captured’), a person, whether combatant or non-combatant, who is held in custody by a belligerent (= hostile and aggressive; pronounced bəˈlɪdʒ(ə)r(ə)nt) power during or immediately after an armed conflict (*****).
· A blank page
· ‘Such qualities are not highly rated’
· ‘There are fever risks (we use ‘fewer,’ not less,’ as ‘risk’ is a countable noun) of contamination’
· ‘We should aim for a better immunization program’
· ‘If we omit vaccines, it is as we go backward’ (‘backwards’ in UK English).
· Aim for/ to/ at = (intransitive verb) to intend e.g., (+ to infinitive) 'I aim to be a millionaire by the time I'm 30.' // e.g., We are aiming for (= planning to achieve) a 40 percent share of the UK market./// (transitive or intransitive verb) To point or direct a weapon towards someone or something that you want to hit e.g., He aimed (= directed) a kick at my shins (shin = the front of the leg below the knee).//e.g., ‘Let's aim for (= go in the direction of) Coventry first, and then we'll have a look at the map’ (^^).
· Given (= taking into account e.g., Given the complexity of the task, they did a good job)
· Discourse is to have a formal discussion of a topic in a speech or writing.
· Materialism deprives them of virtues that are of crucial importance to society
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