· Archipelago (plural = archipelagos or archipelagoes) (pronounced ɑː.kɪˈpel.ə.gəʊ) = (noun) a group of small islands or an area of sea in which there are many small islands e.g., The Hawaiian archipelago (^^).
· Taint = (transitive verb) to spoil something, especially food or blood, with a harmful substance; or to spoil people’s opinion of someone; e.g., His reputation was permanently tainted by the financial scandal (^^).// e.g., Tainted baby milk is recalled from the supermarkets (from the media)./// (noun) The inquiry cleared him of any taint of suspicion/ dishonesty (^^).
· Contain (with the meaning of controlling) = (transitive verb; non-continuous) To keep something harmful within limits and not allow it to spread e.g., Farms in the area have been closed off in an attempt to contain the disease.// e.g., More police were sent to help contain the violence.// e.g., Congo races to contain the cholera outbreak (from the media).//// (transitive verb; often in negatives) To control or hide a strong emotion, such as excitement or anger e.g., He could no longer contain his anger and shouted at him uncontrollably.// e.g., (humorous) ‘Contain yourself. It is not that exciting!’
· Relegate = (transitive verb) To put someone or something into a lower or less important rank or position e.g., He was resigned when he was relegated to a desk job.// e.g., The story was relegated to the middle pages of the paper./// (UK English) (football) When a football team is relegated, it is moved down to a lower division e.g., If Southampton loses again they may be relegated from the Premiere League to the First Division (^^).// e.g., After their defeat, the team was relegated (my example).
· Caste (pronounced kɑːst) = (noun) Each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of social status e.g., Members of the lower castes.// e.g., Low caste husband’s murder in India (from the media)./// Any class or group of people who inherit exclusive privileges or are perceived as socially distinct e.g., Those educated in private schools belong to a privileged caste.
· Unambiguous (ʌnamˈbɪɡjʊəs) = (adjective) not open to more than one interpretation e.g., Instructions should be unambiguous.// e.g., Within task sections, offices are arranged in a clear hierarchy with unambiguous chains of command.// e.g., Mr. Blair has unambiguous evidence, now is the time to share it.
· Decry = (verb with object) Publicly denounce e.g., They decried human rights abuses.// e.g., The bill’s critics decried it as a denigration of traditional marriage.// e.g., ‘Not that I am decrying the ability of those chosen.’
· Automaker = (noun) (US English) a company which manufactures cars e.g., California state regulators forced automakers to bring electric cars to market.// e.g., Already, of course, automakers are huge fans of advertising in video games.
· Tariff (pronounced ˈtarɪf ) = (noun) a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports e.g., The reduction of trade barriers and import tariffs.// e.g., The introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) in July 1999 enabled the government to remove tariffs and import duties.// A list of import or export tariffs e.g., Port tariffs are essentially price lists that encompass all the services and facilities provided by a port./// (UK English) A list of the fixed charges made by a business, especially for the use of gas, electricity, or a mobile phone e.g., Many US and multilateral institutions promote business by lowering tariffs and offering loans and consultations./// (UK English) (Law) A scale of sentences and damages for crimes and injuries of different severities e.g., His murderer was given two life sentences with a tariff of 18 years./// (verb with object) Fix the price of something according to a tariff e.g., These services are tariffed by volume.// e.g., Naturally, there is a 090… number attached to the competition tariffed at £1.50 per minute.
· Espionage (pronounced ˈɛspɪənɑːʒ) = (mass noun) the practice of spying or of using spies, typically by governments to obtain political and military information e.g., The camouflage and secrecy of espionage.// e.g., Balzac pumped him for information on organized crime and political espionage.
· Mindful = (adjective) (usually predicative) Conscious or aware of something e.g., ‘I arrived home for the summer, ever mindful of my obligations to my parents’ // e.g., Perhaps yesterday they were too mindful of history, too aware of possible pitfalls to show true French joie de vivre.// e.g., The president is mindful of the FBI’s inquiry set up to investigate his alleged ties with Russia (from the media)./// (usually predicative) Focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, especially as part of a therapeutic or meditative technique e.g., Tune in to your body and be mindful.// e.g., A mindful approach to life helps us to let go of the stress that often comes with conflicts in relationships./// (formal) (usually predicative with infinitive) Inclined or willing to do something e.g., The judge said that he was not mindful to postpone the eviction again.// e.g., ‘‘If up until that time, you have maintained your payments without any problem, your creditors may be mindful of accepting such changes.’
· Engage to (infinitive) / with/ (engage someone) in/ of = engage in something = (phrasal verb) to take part in something e.g., The 2 governments have agreed to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to resolve the issue./// Engage someone in a conversation = to start a conversation with someone e.g., ‘Once Mr. Smith engages you in conversation, you are stuck with him for half an hour!’ (^^ for the previous 2 meanings).// e.g., They attempted to engage George in conversation./// Engage with = (verb; no object) Participate or become involved in e.g., Organizations engage in a variety of activities.// e.g., Some are actively engaged in crime./// Engage with = establish a meaningful contact or connection with e.g., The teams needed to engage with local communities./// (with to-infinitive) Pledge or enter into a contract to do something e.g., He engaged to pay them $12,000 against a bond./// (transitive verb) (mainly UK English) To employ someone e.g., (+ to infinitive) ‘I have engaged a secretary to deal with all my paperwork.’// e.g., We are engaging the services of a professional administrator (^^^ for this example)./// (transitive or intransitive verb) To attack or begin to fight someone; e.g., Enemy planes engaged the troops as they advanced into the mountains (^^ for this meaning)./// (transitive verb) To interest someone in something and keep them thinking about it e.g., The debate about food safety has engaged the whole nation.// e.g., ‘If a book doesn’t engage my interest in the first pages, I don’t usually carry on reading it’ (^^ for this meaning)./// (transitive or intransitive verb) To make one part of a machine fit into and move together with another part of a machine e.g., When the large cog wheel engages (with the smaller one), the millstone will start to go round (^^ for this meaning)./// (transitive verb) (Indian English) To teach someone, especially a class of children, or to keep some busy (^^ for this meaning).
· Engage΄ (pronounced ˌɒ̃ɡaˈʒeɪ) = (adjective) (formal) especially of a writer, musician, artist, etc. interested in taking part in politics (^^)./// (of a writer or artist) committed to a particular aim or cause e.g., He makes even grander claims on their behalf, likening them to engagé European intellectuals such as Albert Camus.// e.g., This year marks the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Paul Sartre, the great philosopher of existentialism and a definitive model of the intellectual engage.
· Talisman (pronounced ˈtalɪzmən) (plural = talismans) = (noun) an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Talisman_de_Charlemagne_Tau.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/OHM_-_Breverl.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/T%C3%BCrkei_Seidenfahne_makffm.jpg // e.g., Those rings, so fresh and gleaming, were their talismans.// e.g., A dolphin talisman would ensure a safe journey on land or at sea.// (figurative) e.g., He called me his good luck talisman.
· Excerpt (pronounced: noun = ɛksəːpt; verb = ekˈsɜːpt) = (noun) (pronounced ɛksəːpt) A short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing e.g., He read out excerpts from an article in the Times.// e.g., This is an excerpt from a piece that originally appeared in Philadelphia City Paper.// e.g., Book excerpt (my example)./// (verb with object ) (pronounced ekˈsɜːpt) (mainly US English) Take a short extract from a text e.g., The notes are excerpted from his forthcoming biography.// e.g., This article is excerpted from his acceptance speech./// Take an excerpt or excerpts from a text e.g., A book excerpted in this weeks’ Time magazine.// e.g., ‘I’ll excerpt the book first before trying to explain myself.’
· Rubric (pronounced ˈruːbrɪk) = (noun) A set of instructions, especially on an exam paper, usually printed in a different style or color (my comment: it may be with bold letters) e.g., ‘Read/ follow the rubric carefully’ (^^)./// A heading on a document e.g., The discussions were organized under the rubric of four broad themes: economic production, access to wealth, civil society and the public arena, and, political power and ethics. // e.g., ‘So what then should we include under the rubric of ancient art?’ // e.g., These interventions fall under the general rubric of cognitive behavioral therapy./// A category e.g., Party policies on matters falling under the rubric of law and order.// e.g., Most of these patients would fit under the previously used rubric of Banti’s syndrome (= a chronic congestive spleen enlargement that destroys the red blood cells./// A set of instructions or rules e.g., Students were required to work in groups to prepare a research paper and were provided with scoring rubrics, and offered feedback./// A direction in a liturgical book as to how a church service should be conducted e.g., Archbishop Parker's Advertisements, issued in response to disputes over clerical dress and ceremonies, enforced the rubrics of the Prayer Book./// A statement of purpose or function e.g., Art for a purpose, not for its own sake, was his rubric.// e.g., The standard rubric is that critics care about literary quality, not commercial success./// A word or section of text that is traditionally written or printed in red ink for emphasis (***** for this definition). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Gradual_of_King_John_Albert.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Kelmscott_Press_Laudes_Beatae_Mariae_Virginis.png
· Divide: Divide into = separate into parts or groups e.g., ‘At the end of the lecture, I’d like all the students to divide into small discussion groups.’/// Divide on/ over = to cause a group of people to disagree about something e.g., The party is divided on/ over the issue of capital punishment./// Divide between = to use different amounts of something for different purposes or activities e.g., She divides her time between her apartment in London and her cottage in Yorkshire./// Divide up = to share e.g., ‘I think we should divide (up) the costs equally among/ between us’ (^^).
· Per cent (or percent in US English) (symbol: %) (e.g. Five per cent) /// percentage
· Percentage (vs) Per cent: Pec cent comes after a number, while percentage comes after a word such as the, a, this, that, etc. and is often preceded by an adjective e.g., A high (adjective) percentage of visitors. Both percentage and per cent go with the preposition ‘of.’
· Dredge = (transitive verb) (excavation activity) To remove unwanted things from the bottom of a river, lake, etc., using a boat or special device. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Dredge_%28PSF%29.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Pog%C5%82%C4%99biarka_%E2%80%9ESawa%E2%80%9D%2C_g%C5%82owica%2C_Wis%C5%82a%2C_Saska_K%C4%99pa%2C_Warszawa_3.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Dredging_technique_schematic.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Dredge_in_the_Port_of_Oakland_with_San_Francisco_in_the_background.JPG // e.g., They have to dredge the canal regularly to keep it open./// To search an area of water by dredging; e.g., The police are dredging the lake for the dead body.// e.g., They dredged up (= brought to the surface) all sort of rubbish from the bottom of the river./// To drop flour, sugar, etc. over food e.g., ‘Lightly dredge the cake with icing sugar.’ /// Dredge something up = (phrasal verb) to talk about something bad or unpleasant that happened in the past e.g., The article dredged up details of his unhappy childhood (^^).
· Dredger (or dredge) = (noun) a boat or a device that is used to dredge rivers, lakes, etc. (^^). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Dredge_%28PSF%29.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Pog%C5%82%C4%99biarka_%E2%80%9ESawa%E2%80%9D%2C_g%C5%82owica%2C_Wis%C5%82a%2C_Saska_K%C4%99pa%2C_Warszawa_3.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Dredging_technique_schematic.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Dredge_in_the_Port_of_Oakland_with_San_Francisco_in_the_background.JPG
· A good value (for money) (‘a good value’ in US English) = (phrase) a lot is offered for the amount of money paid e.g., ‘I thought the offer was a good value for money (^^).// e.g., This camera is really good value for money.
· Burst (infinitive) – burst (past simple) – burst (p.p.) (it is irregular).
· Settle down = (phrasal verb) (or settle into somewhere) to become familiar with a place and to feel happy and confident in it e.g., He quickly settled down in his new house/ job/ school./// To start living in a place where you intend to stay for a long time, usually with your partner e.g., ‘Eventually, I’d like to settle down and have a family, but not yet.’/// Settle somebody down = (phrasal verb) To become quiet and calm, or make someone become quiet and calm e.g., ‘Come on kids, stop chatting and settle down please!’// e.g., They settled down on the couch (= sofa) to watch the movie (^^).
· Come down = (phrasal verb) To fall and land on the ground e.g., A lot of trees came down in the storm.// e.g., The plane came down in a field.// e.g., The snow came down during the night./// If a price or a level comes down, it becomes lower e.g., Inflation is coming down.// e.g., Houses prices have come down recently./// To feel less excited after a very enjoyable experience e.g., ‘The whole weekend was so beautiful that I haven’t come down yet!’ /// To decide that you support a particular person or a side in an argument, etc. e.g., The government has come down on the side of military action./// Stop feeling the effects of a drug./// To go to a place that is south of where you live e.g., ‘My girlfriend is coming down (here in London where I live) from Scotland this weekend.’ /// Come down on somebody/ something = to punish or criticize a person or activity very strongly e.g., They are coming down heavily on people for not paying their licence fees.// e.g., The authorities plan to come down hard on truancy in future./// Come down to something = (phrasal verb) a) If a decision or situation comes down to something, that is the thing that influences it more e.g., ‘What it all comes down to you is your incredible insecurity.’ // e.g., It all comes down to money in the end.// b) If a decision or situation comes down to something, it can be described or explained most simply in that way e.g., What the problem comes down to is whether the consumer will be willing to pay more for a higher quality product./// Come down with something = (phrasal verb) To start to suffer from an illness, especially one that is not serious e.g., ‘I think I’m coming down with flu’ (^^).
· High-rise building= (noun) a tall modern building with many floors e.g., ‘I live in a high-rise overlooking the river.’/// (adjective)e.g., A high-rise office building (^^). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Marina_City%2C_Chicago%2C_Illinois%2C_Estados_Unidos%2C_2012-10-20%2C_DD_01.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Frankfurt_EZB.Nordwest-2.20141228.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Hong_Kong_Parkview_2.jpg
· No-frills = (adjective; before a noun) Describes a product or service that is basic and has no extra or unnecessary details e.g., A no-frills airline.// e.g., It’s a no-frills shop supplying only basic goods at affordable prices (^^).
· Shoulder the blame/ responsibility/ burden/ cost etc. = (verb) to accept that you are responsible for something bad or difficult e.g., It is women who mainly shoulder responsibility for the care of elderly and disabled relatives.// e.g., Teachers cannot be expected to shoulder all the blame for poor exam results (^^).
· Rough paper = paper that is used for the first versions of a drawing, piece of writing, or calculation (^^).
· Sandpaper (or glasspaper) = (noun) paper with sand or another abrasive stuck to it, used for smoothing or polishing woodwork or other surfaces. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Schleifpapier_verschiedene_Sorten.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/SCSandpaper.jpg // e.g., ‘Use steel wool or a fine grade of sandpaper to smooth out the affected area and an inch or two of the surrounding floor.’ /// (verb) Smooth with sandpaper e.g., ‘I knew I wasn't going to fix it up by sandpapering it or refining it anymore.’
· Mesmerize (or mesmerise in UK English) (pronounced ˈmez.mə.raɪz) = (transitive verb – often passive) to have someone’s attention completely so they cannot think something else e.g., ‘I was completely mesmerized by the amazing performance.// e.g., Korean cheerleaders mesmerized the crowns in the winter Olympics in Korea in 2018 (from the media)./// (dated) Hypnotize./// Mesmerizing (mesmerising in UK English) (pronounced ˈmɛzmərʌɪzɪŋ) (adjective) very attractive, mysteriously, making you want to keep looking e.g., This handsome man had the most mesmerizing blue eyes (^^).
· Wherein = (adverb, conjunction) (old use or formal) in which or in which part e.g., He gazed once more around the room, wherein were assembled his entire family.// e.g., He was certainly a pleasant man but wherein lay his charms, she wondered (^^).
· Escapee (pronounced ɪˌskeɪˈpiː) = (noun) a person who has escaped from a place e.g., The escapees were recaptured after four days on the run (^^).
· Reasoning = (noun) the process of thinking about something in order to decide e.g., The reasoning behind his conclusion is impossible to fault./// Be no reasoning with somebody = it is impossible to persuade someone to change his/her opinion or action by arguing with him/her e.g., He is determined to go and there is just no reasoning with him (^^).
· Gall (vs) Gull
· Gall (pronounced ɡɔːl) = (mass noun) Bold and impudent (= not showing due respect for another person; impertinent) behavior e.g., The bank had the gall to demand a fee.// e.g., ‘You really have a lot of gall, George, to come right up and say all these things.’ // e.g., This boy obviously had a lot of gall, threatening and challenging him like this./// The contents of the gallbladder; bile (proverbial for its bitterness) e.g., They gave Him (Jesus) sour wine mingled with gall to drink./// (countable noun An animal’s gall bladder e.g., The trade in animal parts such as bear galls./// Used to refer to something bitter or cruel e.g., ‘Accept life's gall without blaming somebody else.’ // e.g., ‘How quickly I fall back to my evil ways when I force You to drink the bitter gall of mankind's sin - instead of refreshing water that will temporarily soothe Your thirsty and battered body’./// (mass noun) Annoyance or resentment e.g., He was filled with gall at the suspected ambitions of his old enemies.// e.g., Learning that his quarry had given him a slip a glowering devil seemed to rage within the king's heart, raising dark and savage gall./// A sore on the skin made by chafing e.g., Saddle galls.//// (verb with object) Make someone feel annoyed or resentful e.g., It galled him to have to sit impotently in silence.// e.g., And it just galls me that the Republicans are always talking about two things, Christianity and family values./// Make sore by rubbing.// Synonym = chafe.// e.g., The straps that galled their shoulders.
· Gull (or seagull) = (noun) a seabird that lives near the coast with black and white or grey and white feathers (^^). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Seagull_in_flight_by_Jiyang_Chen.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Swallow-tailed-gull.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Larus_pacificus_Bruny_Island.jpg
· Chafe (pronounced tʃeɪf) = (verb) (of something restrictive or too tight) make a part of the body sore by rubbing against it.// Synonyms: abrade, graze.// For preventing chafing in sports See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCCN_kyZ35s For chafing in armpit, breast, belly or groin area from skin rubbing See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVsPJTa2P0U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THJiLu5jUqk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ca75ee97j8 For chafing from a rope See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Ropeburn.jpg For chafing from a treadmill See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Thirddegreefrictionburn.jpg //// (verb with object) e.g., The collar chafed his neck.// (verb; no object) e.g., Her arms chafed where the rope bit into them./// (verb; no object) (of an object) rub abrasively against another e.g., A wiring bundle chafing against a fuel line eventually wore through the line and sprayed fuel on a hot bleed-air element./// (verb with object) Rub a part of the body to restore warmth or sensation e.g., ‘I chafed her feet and wrapped the blanket around her.’// e.g., A shiver passed through Darius, and he began to chafe his arms to push some warmth back into them./// Become or make annoyed or impatient because of a restriction or inconvenience (verb; no object) e.g., The bank chafed at the restrictions imposed upon it.// (verb with object) e.g., It chafed him to be confined like this./// (mass noun) Wear or damage caused by rubbing e.g., To prevent chafe the ropes should lie flat.// e.g., ‘The further down the dock you can lead the lines, the less acute the angle and the less the chafe.’/// (archaic) A state of annoyance e.g., ‘Into what an unprofitable chafe you have put yourself!’ /// Chafe at the bit = (phrase) be restlessly impatient to start doing something e.g., The players are chafing at the bit for a game.// e.g., The prospective students from Boston were chafing at the bit to start grad school.
· Prudent (the opposite is imprudent) = (adjective) careful and avoiding risks; cautious e.g., (+ full infinitive) It’s always prudent to read a contract properly before signing it./// Prudently (adverb)./// Prudence (noun) e.g., The firm was commended (= formally praised) for its financial prudence (^^).
· Squirt (pronounced skwəːt) = (noun) a thin stream or small quantity of liquid ejected from something. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2bkLVucEFE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuMrNBu1uCQ For a squirt gun See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UYe8mxqKOM // e.g., A quick squirt of perfume.// e.g., Children would simply visit their dentist for a squirt of a dental solution on their teeth./// A person perceived to be insignificant, impudent, or presumptuous e.g., Who knew the little squirt would be that good at video games? // e.g., What did he see in this patronizing little squirt? /// A compressed radio signal transmitted at high speed e.g., The squirt signal is a burst of an alternating voltage signal./// (slang) a person of short stature (often a child), or a small thing./// Sea squirt (Ascidiacea) a marine animal. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Cionaintestinalis.jpg /// (soft drink) a citrus-flavored soda. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/Squirt.JPG /// (slang) female ejaculation (***** for the last 4 definitions).//// (verb with object and adverbial of direction) Cause a liquid to be ejected from a small opening in something in a thin, fast stream or jet. For squirting ketchup See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qKlz717Sdg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aT66aJuIvQ // e.g., She squirted soda into a glass.// e.g., ‘I squirted a thin line of ketchup all down his chest./// Cause a container of liquid to eject its contents in a thin, fast stream e.g., Some naughty kids squirted a water pistol in his face./// (verb with object) Wet with a jet or stream of liquid e.g., She squirted me with scent./// (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) (of a liquid) Be ejected from something in a thin, fast stream e.g., My skirts grew heavier and heavier, and there were puddles in my shoes so that water squirted out at the seams when I walked./// (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) (of an object) move suddenly and unpredictably. See (cue ball) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKcST5CqBZM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DQQVM7FMxA //e.g., He got his glove on the ball, but it squirted away.// e.g., The ball squirted out and away from goal, only to the arriving Smith, who had made a surging run to meet it./// (verb with object and adverbial of direction) Transmit information in highly compressed or speeded-up form e.g., Radio equipment could squirt a million words from one continent to another.
· Pawn (pronounced pɔːn in UK English and pɑːn in US English) = (noun) A chess piece of the smallest size and value, that moves one square forwards along its file if unobstructed (or two on the first move), or one square diagonally forwards when making a capture. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Chess_piece_-_White_pawn.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Chess_piece_-_Black_pawn.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Pawn_%28chess%29_movements.gif /// A person used by others for their own purposes e.g., He was a pawn in the game of power politics.// e.g., In other words, homeless people had been used as pawns in a political game./// (verb with object) Deposit an object with a pawnbroker as security for money lent. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Pawnshop_with_sign_in_usa.jpg // e.g., ‘I pawned the necklace to cover the loan.’/// In pawn = (phrase) (of an object) held as security by a pawnbroker e.g., ‘My money was gone, and everything was in pawn.’ /// Pawn someone/something off = (phrasal verb) pass off someone or something unwanted e.g., Newly industrialized economies are racing to pawn off old processes in poorer countries.
· Pawnbroker (ˈpɔːnˌbrəʊ.kə(r) in UK English and ˈpɑːnˌbroʊ.kɚ in US English) = (noun) a person who lends money at interest on the security of an article pawned. For a pawnshop See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Leihhaus_20140220.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Pawn_Shop_at_Sherman_Way_%26_Reseda_Blvd.%2C_Reseda%2C_CA.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Pawnshop_with_sign_in_usa.jpg // e.g., Of course, it is clear that the pawnbroker made money out of the poor, but they provided a service where none existed and helped people out in the short term// e.g., If the pawnbroker gets no price, then the pawnbroker can look at other options.
· If not = (phrase) Perhaps even (used to introduce a more extreme term than one first mentioned) e.g., Hundreds if not thousands of germs.// e.g., He is one of the most improved players in the squad, if not the most improved.// e.g., The vast number of papers which had all been piled up seemed to have hundreds if not thousands of pages.
· Bulldozer (pronounced ˈbʊlˌdəʊ.zə(r)) = (noun) a powerful track-laying tractor with caterpillar tracks and a broad curved upright blade at the front for clearing the ground. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/First_Tractor_Company_-_old_working_model_-_01.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/CAT-D10N-pic001.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Wintershall_Monte_Kali_01.jpg // e.g., Most of the work on these projects is done by men in bulldozers and engineers in front of computer screens./// A person or group exercising irresistible force, especially in disposing of opposition e.g., The new Duke was a political bulldozer.
· Ethereal (or etherial) (pronounced iˈθɪə.ri.əl) = (adjective) extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not to be of this world e.g., After the rains the hills have an ethereal quality to them.// e.g., Her ethereal beauty.// e.g., ‘The lightning shed an ethereal light around the room as I looked to see what had disturbed my sleep.’/// Heavenly or spiritual e.g., Ethereal, otherworldly visions.// e.g., ‘Or was it something more ethereal, more spiritual?’ // e.g., ‘But it wasn’t some ethereal, otherworldly experience for me.’ /// Chemistry (of a solution) having diethyl ether as a solvent e.g., Sodium is dissolved in ethereal solutions of aromatic ketones.
· Porpoise (pronounced ˈpɔː.pəs ) = (noun) a small toothed whale with a low triangular dorsal fin and a bluntly rounded snout. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Phocoena_phocoena.2.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Two_Dalls_Porpoises.JPG and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Harbor_Porpoise_Fjord_Baelt_Denmark.JPG and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKd4vCPx0Ms and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67QpPvu13Rk /// (verb; no object) Move through the water like a porpoise, alternately rising above it and submerging e.g., The boat began to porpoise badly.// e.g., ‘As we porpoise back to shore, I know that I can go deeper.’
· Blurb (pronounced blɜːb) = (noun) A short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes e.g., When you reach the website, read the promotional blurb.// e.g., ‘A good friend of mine who was also my publisher at one time, wrote on the blurb of my book that my stories were about women’s lives,’ // e.g., ‘The writing is lively and fun to read; you can actually picture the film freaks foaming at the mouths as they wrote their film blurbs!’ /// (verb with object) (US English) (informal) Write or contribute a blurb for a book, film, or other product e.g., ‘This is the first time I have blurbed a whole line of books.’// e.g., They were both kind enough to blurb the first book.
· Trot = (verb) (trotted, trotting, trots) (regarding a horse or other quadruped) proceed or cause to proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wN_bjZOfo and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Trot_animated.gif and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Rustytrotone.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Fabian%2C_31._September_2006%2C_7b.JPG and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBUK8e7wrno and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDBi_YlAZw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtPAy3yXeCo and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAFH9aGW-zE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dge-qb4VrI4 For trotting race See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwOp0eoOvSo // e.g., (verb; no object) The horses trotted slowly through the night.// e.g., (verb with object) He trotted his horse forward./// (verb; no object, with adverbial of direction) (of a person) run at a moderate pace with short steps e.g., The child trotted across to her obediently.// e.g., The tall, thin volleyball player trotted quickly up the steps toward another endless hallway of oblivious dark./// (informal) Go or walk briskly e.g., ‘I may trot round to the market for vegetables.’ // e.g., His face became even more troubled, and he trotted off briskly towards their monument./// (noun) (plural = trots) A trotting pace e.g., Our horses slowed to a trot.// e.g., He had long ago slowed to a trot, listening anxiously./// An act or period of trotting e.g., ‘You might like an early morning trot round the crew deck.’ /// The trots = (Australian & New Zealand English) (informal) Trotting races e.g., My father was taking me to the trots./// The trots = (informal) Diarrhea e.g., ‘While living in Papua New Guinea as a child, my father and I got a bad case of the trot.’ /// (Australian & New Zealand English) (informal with an adjective) A period of luck of a specified kind e.g., George believes his bad trot is about to end./// A genre of Korean pop music (***** for this definition).
· Trotting (races) (or harness racing) = (mass noun) racing for trotting horses pulling a two-wheeled vehicle (sulky) and driver. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAGMa4TKNFk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwOp0eoOvSo and https://www.novamallorca.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/trotting-races-in-palma-estate-agents-nova-1.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Harness_Racing_%28Pacers%29.jpg // e.g., Trotting has been a popular sport at country’s fairs.
· Mull (pronounced mʌl) = (verb with object) Think about a fact, proposal, or request deeply and at length. Synonym = ponder.// e.g., There was no time for Kate to mull over the matter any longer, as the conversation continued and her thoughts got distracted.// e.g., He began to mull over the various possibilities.// e.g., The government is mulling an overhaul of outdated insurance laws.// e.g., ‘Much to mull over as I consolidate the lessons I've learned about myself.’/// (verb with object) / (usually as adjective mulled) = Warm an alcoholic drink, especially wine or beer and add sugar and spices to it. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8nNp-mgWjU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWuWNXO5ytg // e.g., A glass of mulled wine.// e.g., ‘It was so cold with the heating turned down that I decided to go for the first mulled wine of the year.’
· Composition (with the meaning of creative work) = (noun) a creative work, especially a poem or piece of music e.g., Chopin’s most romantic (piano) compositions.// e.g., It was later recognized as one of the iconic compositions of classical music.// e.g., Itsuko Hasegawa, one of Japan’s most widely respected architects, likens making architecture to the act of creating a poem or a musical composition. /// (mass noun) The action or art of producing a creative work such as a poem or piece of music e.g., All of this work furthered my composition of a new prose poem.// e.g., ‘Experience the process of composition of the art.’ // e.g., It’s an enjoyable experience in its own right, and with a high standard of composition and performance the album could be ‘Music to watch clouds by.’ /// An essay, especially one written by a school or college student e.g., ‘We had a class composition, ‘My Best Summer.’’/// The artistic arrangement of the parts of a picture e.g., None of the other photographs shared this particular composition.// e.g., It is what one might expect of an artist experimenting with the composition of a companion picture.
· Trove (pronounced trəʊv) = (noun) a store of valuable or delightful things e.g., The cellar contained a trove of rare wines.// e.g., The legendary Faberge created a trove of treasures for the Tsars that endure as priceless examples of the craftsman’s art.// e.g., Today, these records offer troves of treasures to museum curators, anthropologists, and historians of science.// e.g., A trove of compositions was found in a private collection and now his most famous, The Four Seasons, is a favorite.// e.g., The archipelago (pronounced ˌɑː.kɪˈpel.ə.ɡəʊ) is a trove of biological treasures.
· Gypsum (pronounced ˈdʒɪpsəm) = (noun) a soft white or grey mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate. It occurs chiefly in sedimentary deposits and is used to make plaster of Paris and fertilizers, and in the building industry. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/White_Gypsum_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2503198.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Gips_-_Lubin%2C_Poland..jpg and (gypsum crystals) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Cristales_cueva_de_Naica.JPG
· Hydropower (pronounced ˈhaɪd.rəʊ.paʊə(r)) (or water power) (or hydroelectric (pronounced ˌhaɪ.drəʊ.ɪˈlek.trɪk) power – referred to electricity produced from hydropower (*****)) = (mass noun) hydroelectric power.// Power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since the early 20th century, the term has been used almost exclusively in conjunction with the modern development of hydroelectric power, referred to electricity produced from hydropower (*****).See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/ThreeGorgesDam-China2009.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/The_Dam_%282890371280%29.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/SaintAnthonyFalls.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Hydroelectric_dam.svg
· Fish ladder (also known as a fishway, fish pass or fish steps) = (noun) a series of pools built like steps to enable fish to ascend a dam or waterfall/ a structure on or around artificial and natural barriers (such as dams, locks, and waterfalls) to facilitate diadromous (= all fishes that migrate between the sea and freshwater) fishes’ natural migration (***** for the 2nd part of the definition). See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Bonneville_Ladder.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Fish_pass.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/John_Day_Dam_fish_ladder.jpg
· Fidelity = (mass noun) faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support e.g., First, there is an implied term that the employee will serve the employer with loyalty and fidelity.// e.g., Her fidelity to liberal ideals./// Sexual faithfulness to a spouse or partner e.g., ‘When was this promise of obedience and sexual fidelity made?’// e.g., Signals of fidelity and sexual restraint will be of value in a long-term partner, as this will help to increase a male's confidence of paternity in invested offspring./// The degree of exactness with which something is copied or reproduced e.g., The 1953 recording provides reasonable fidelity.// e.g., The optical quality of the medium makes this fidelity possible by minimizing distortion.
· Infidelity = (noun) the action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or other sexual partner e.g., Her infidelity continued after her marriage.// e.g., She couldn’t forgive his many infidelities (^^^ for this example). [My comment: studies have revealed that the infidelity rate (counting even a single case, regardless if the couple did or did not break up, as the infidelity may have been kept secret) among couples varies between 60 – 90%!]./// Unbelief in a particular religion, especially Christianity e.g., He wouldn’t stay in a room with men whose conversation was marked by infidelity and blasphemy.
·Unanimously (pronounced juːˈnanɪməsli) = (adverb) without opposition; with the agreement of all people involved e.g., A bipartisan (of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies; pronounced ˌbaɪˈpɑː.tɪ.zæn) law passed unanimously by Congress.// e.g., A committee of MPs has unanimously agreed to back his bill.// e.g., We may have some problems, but they must be tackled unanimously as one nation.// e.g, The United Nations (UN) Security Council agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Syria (from the media)
· Unanimous (pronounced juːˈnanɪməs) = (adjective) (of two or more people) fully in agreement e.g., The doctors were unanimous in their diagnoses.// e.g., Councillors gave their unanimous support to the bill, although some were concerned the wording was not tight enough.// e.g., They were unanimous in saying that the regulation hadn’t gone far enough./// (of an opinion, decision, or vote) held or carried by everyone involved e.g., This requires the unanimous approval of all member states.// e.g., The decision to go ahead was unanimous.// e.g., ‘If the vote was unanimous, where then did the minority disappear?’
· Ultimately = (adverb) finally; in the end; e.g., The largest firms may ultimately become unstoppable.
· Judiciously = (adverb) With good judgment or sense e.g., His work has been carefully and judiciously edited.// e.g., Judiciously chosen words.
· Sparingly = (adverb) In a restricted or infrequent manner; in small quantities e.g., The sharply flavored leaves should be used sparingly.// e.g., Peter writes sparingly—one book in five years.// e.g., ‘Eat the following sparingly: chips, cakes, crisps, burgers, sweets, pies, and pasties’ (My comment as a medic: the usual advice (remember that ‘advice is uncountable) we give as doctors, but some don’t follow ourselves; I remember a colleague giving similar advice to his patients, but himself was smoking and drinking plenty of whiskeys! Of course, he had a premature death!)
· Patron (pronounced ˈpeɪtr(ə)n) = (noun) a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity e.g., George became a patron of Rubens and van Dyck.// e.g., A celebrated patron of the arts./// A distinguished person who takes an honorary position in a charity e.g., The Mental Health Foundation, of which Her Royal Highness is Patron./// A customer, especially a regular one, of a store, restaurant, or theater e.g., The restaurant seats 155 patrons and employs a staff of 18 chefs./// (in ancient Rome) a patrician in relation to a client e.g., They are the most obvious sign that hospitality helped to articulate the patron /client relations that permeated Roman society./// A person or institution with the right to grant a benefice to a member of the clergy e.g., Here those favoring the wealthy are following social convention and may even see themselves securing the benefaction of the patron for the church.
· Retrospective = (adjective) looking back on or dealing with past events or situations e.g., Our survey was retrospective./// (noun) An exhibition or compilation showing the development of the work of a particular artist over a period of time e.g., A retrospective collection of albums spanning the course of his entire career./// (of a statute or legal decision) taking effect from a date in the past e.g., Retrospective pay awards.
·Cold snap = a sudden, brief spell of cold weather. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Gc7Yei-qA&list=PLkabqKbOJMGcfJSv4tWBTy4aVNfqIsdcy and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlVOI0tYYBY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWt8qNH-jBs // e.g., The summers are long and hot, while winters are short and cool with only brief cold snaps lasting one to two days at a time.// e.g., ‘I'm going to take a break from politics for a moment to complain about the weather here in Minnesota, where we have a cold snap.’// e.g., Europe hit by massive cold snap (from the media).
· Egregious (pronounced ɪˈɡriːdʒəs) = (adjective) outstandingly bad; shocking e.g., Egregious abuses of copyright.// e.g., That's the kind of service recovery you’d expect from a decent company, especially after being publicly outed for egregious customer abuse.// e.g., ‘Keep in mind that I found these egregious examples of bias in a single issue of a single newspaper, randomly chosen.’
· Trajectory (pronounced trəˈdʒek.t(ə)r.i) = (noun) (plural = trajectories) The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/RiflemansRule.svg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Ideal_projectile_motion_for_different_angles.svg // e.g., The missile’s trajectory was preset.// (figurative) e.g., The rapid upward trajectory of Rick’s career.// e.g., Mortars are ballistic weapons that have projectile trajectories undistorted by rocket engine or guidance system /// (Geometry) A curve or surface cutting a family of curves or surfaces at a constant angle.
· Corpus Christi = a city and port in southern Texas situated on Corpus Christi Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Downtown_Corpus_Christi_%2C_Texas.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/AerialCorpusChristi.jpg /// A feast of the Western Christian Church commemorating the institution of the Eucharist observed on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Carl_Emil_Doepler_Fronleichnamsprozession.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/TOLEDO_POR_DRUIDA_CATEDRAL_CUSTODIAS_EN_ORO_MAZIZO_2-1-2007.jpg
· Satisfied (= contented)/ dissatisfied (+_ with) (adjective e.g., His parents are dissatisfied with the quality of tuition on offer.// e.g., Dissatisfied customers)/ unsatisfied (adjective e.g., Τhe compromise left all sides unsatisfied)
· Extract = (verb with object) (pronounced ɪkˈstrækt) remove or take out, especially by effort or force e.g., The fossils are extracted from the chalk./// (noun) (pronounced ˈek.strækt) a preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance in concentrated form e.g., Natural plant extracts.// (mass noun) e.g., A shampoo with extract of chamomile.
· Thaw (pronounced θɔː) = (verb) (of ice, snow, or another frozen substance, such as food) become liquid or soft as a result of warming up. For thawing ice See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ZLTJ48xVc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNo-fZOA4Lw // e.g., The river thawed and barges of food began to reach the capital.// e.g., Catastrophic summer floods caused by thawing.
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