TIPS for English (b): Vocabulary TIPS (Phrases) (1)

Vocabulary TIPS (Phrases) (1)

The suspect in a live-streamed (or live streamed) attack on a synagogue (= a building in which Jewish people worship and study their religion; pronounced ˈsɪn.ə.ɡɒɡin) in eastern Germany that killed two people is a right-wing extremist. An American inside the German synagogue where worshippers thwarted (thwart = to stop something from happening or someone from doing something; pronounced θwɔːt) the attack (the door was strong enough to hold the gunfire) said it felt "like an eternity" (from the media).

Turkey launched the land offensive (= a planned military attack)/ Turkish troops have gone on the offensive (= started to attack) at the Syrian borders in the middle of the night (*). The UN (United Nations) secretary expressed deep concerns about/over Turkish violence. The Turkish police cleared the area after a mortar (= a short, smoothbore gun for firing shells, technically called bombs, at high angles) attack/fire in a border city/ a city abutting  (abut = (of an area of land or a building) be next to or have a common boundary with; pronounced əˈbʌt (*)) on the conflict zone. The US. President was reluctant to condemn the attack, as Turkey, with 350,000 (pronounced three hundred fifty thousand) active military personnel, was a valuable (valuable is an adjective) support in NATO’s offensives and missions. The US President’s abrupt policy shift in northern Syria has caught both the Pentagon and the Kurds off guard/ by surprise (catch somebody off guard = to surprise someone by doing something they are not expecting or ready for (*)). After the reactions of the Congress, he (the US President) built pressure (on Turkey) to hold the incursion ((pronounced ɪnˈkɜː.ʒ(ə)n) = an invasion or attack, especially a sudden or brief one) against the Kurds. The US Secretary of State  ((US) = the foreign minister of the federal government of the USA (*****)) is due (= expected to happen, arrive, etc. at a particular time (*)) to arrive in Turkey to launch a diplomatic drive (= a planned effort to achieve something (*))/ initiative ((pronounced ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv) = an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something) to cease the Turkish offensive against the Kurds (from the media).

He is an ambassador in Geneva (pronounced dʒɪˈniːvə), Switzerland. 

At first, ...

On top of that, ...

‘Do not pour (= cause a liquid to flow from a container in a steady stream; pronounced pɔːr) the oil down your sink!’

‘This project may be difficult, but I still think it's doable’ ((adjective) (= it can be achieved or performed; pronounced ˈduː.ə.b(ə)l (*)).

‘My grandmother is especially important to me. She has always taken care of us.’

All over/ throughout/ around the world. 

‘My cousin in Somalia is contemplating (contemplate = look thoughtfully for a long time at) a migration to Canada.’  

‘Along with school, I learned a craft’ (= an activity involving skill in making things by hand).

The police officer said that he had placed the man under arrest and that a scuffle (= a short and sudden fight, especially one involving a small number of people; pronounced ˈskʌf.(ə)l (*)) had ensued (ensue = to happen after something else, especially as a result of it; pronounced ɪnˈsjuː(*))./// Consequently, there can be a lot of competition during the negotiations that ensue afterward (‘afterwards’ in British English).

One man is reported to be killed in Tokyo. The city was lashed by the typhoon (= a tropical storm in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans; pronounced taɪˈfuːn) Hagibis (from the media).

This decision will have dire (= very serious or extreme consequences; pronounced daɪər) consequences for local people.// He gave a dire warning that an earthquake was imminent (= about to happen).

The regeneration of the city's downtown dock front will put it on a par with (= the same as or equal to someone or something) Nice (pronounced niːs) or Cannes (pronounced kan) (resort cities in France) (*).

His debts were reckoned (= calculated) at $150,000.// The society can reckon (reckon someone/ something among = include someone or something in a class or group) males of royal blood among its members.// He reckons (= believes) that the army should pull out entirely.// Her first novel, published in 1997, was reckoned (= considered or regarded in a specified way) to be one of the finest literary debuts of the decade.// ‘What do you reckon (= have a specified view or opinion of) to the Champions League draw?’ (draw= a game that ends with the score even; a tie).// ‘I don’t reckon ((UK English) = rate highly) her chances.’ // They had reckoned on (reckon on = rely on or be sure of) a day or two more of privacy.// He comes to town to shop for various goods and reckons to (reckon + infinitive (to) = expect to do a particular thing) add a wife to that goods list!’ // ‘The trade unions were a political force to be reckoned with!’ (to be reckoned with (or 'to reckon with') = a thing or a person not to be ignored or underestimated).// ‘Unfortunately, we had reckoned without (reckon with (or without) = (phrasal verb) take (or fail to take) into account) the New York weather, which decided to bucket down with rain all morning.’ // God sees the sin of his own people and will reckon with them for it (reckon with = (phrasal verb) settle accounts with).

Doctors in the Netherlands/ in Holland will start testing artificial wombs ((dated in the U.S.) = uterus; pronounced wuːm) on humans/ premature babies (premature birth is the birth of a baby at fewer (not less) than 37 weeks gestational age, as opposed to the usual about 40 weeks (*****)) (from the media).

Seeds from herbs nourish (= provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition; pronounced ˈnʌr.ɪʃ) birds. Every insect plays its role. For instance, the flightless dung (= the excrement of animals; manure; pronounced dʌŋ)  beetle occupies an ecological niche ((1)= an area or position that is exactly suitable for a small group of the same type; pronounced niːʃ(*)), exploiting animal droppings as a food source ((*****) for this paragraph). Mason bees are named for their habit of using mud or other ‘masonry’ (= stonework) products in constructing their nests, which are made in naturally occurring gaps such as between cracks in stones or other small dark cavities (*****) for this paragraph). In bees, the foregut and midgut are separated by a valve called the proventriculus that can grind and pulverize (= reduce to fine particles) food particles, such as pollen, and filter pollen out of the crop contents. The abundant ((adjective) = more than enough; a lot of; pronounced əˈbʌn.d(ə)nt (*)) species in the Romanian (in Romania) pristine ((adjective) = original and pure; not spoiled or worn from use; pronounced ˈprɪs.tiːn (*)) environment means that this country is an excellent place for entomologists to find insects in their immense ((adjective) = extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree; pronounced ɪˈmens) natural habitat (= the type of natural environment in which a particular species of organism lives (*****)). However, over the last decades, the number of insects, and most importantly (that) of bees, has declined, and the main reason for this is the widespread use of insecticides that farmers often mix! Their residue ((noun) = the part that is left after the main part has gone or been taken away, or a substance that remains after a chemical process such as evaporation; pronounced ˈrez.ɪ.dʒuː(*)) remains in the soil. So, the detrimental/ deleterious/ pernicious (pronounced pəˈnɪʃ.əs) (= harmful) effects of pesticides and insecticides used on a grand scale is a matter of consideration. Farmers, who play a crucial role, should encompass (= surround and have or hold within) biodiversity and avoid practices with a detrimental (= harmful) effect/impact on (it is ‘on the environment,’ otherwise ‘detrimental’ goes with ‘to’) the environment such as using noxious (= harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant) chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides/ weedkillers, and insecticides. (from DW, with my extended editing). (1) 

He has carved/made a niche (= a job or position very suitable for someone, especially one that they like; pronounced niːʃ) for himself as a financial analyst.// Cars with classic black or grey are easy to resell, but those with red or green interiors are more niche (= interesting to, aimed at, or affecting only a small number of people).// The company has carved a niche (= an opportunity for a business to offer a product or service not offered by other businesses) for itself in the tablet-making business (*).// He built a tall wall with about 20 niches (niche = a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament) for statues of gods and goddesses behind the stage. For niche See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_(architecture)#/media/File:Paris_-_D%C3%B4me_des_Invalides_-_Statue_-_PA00088714_-_003.jpg and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/P1270788_Paris_III_cathedrale_Sainte-Croix_statue_St-Jean_rwk.jpg

She was adamant  ((pronounced ˈæd.ə.mənt) = unwilling to be persuaded to change an opinion or decision) about becoming an actress.// The mayor adamantly (adverb) refused to consider a tax increase.// ‘I’ve told him he should stay at home and rest, but he’s adamant that he’s coming’ (*).

Hirsutism (= abnormal growth of hair on a person's face and body, especially on a woman) in a female is a sign of endocrine disease/ disorder (my example).

The MPs (Members of the Parliament) tabled a series of amendments (amendment = a minor change in a document) to delay the resolution (= a formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a legislative body or another formal meeting, typically after taking a vote) (from the media). 

His behavior showed a blatant (= (of an action) obvious or intentional, and done without worry about what others think) lack of respect.// A blatant lie (*).

MS (multiple sclerosis; a degenerative neurological disease) symptoms such as flares (flare = a sudden recurrence (= the fact of occurring again) of inflammation or other medical condition; pronounced fleə(r)) may subside (= become less intense, violent, or severe) with therapy (my example). 

Aid workers were said to have been filled with dismay (= a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment) by the appalling (= horrific; shocking; pronounced əˈpɔːlɪŋ) conditions that the refugees (pronounced ref.juˈdʒiːs) were living in (*).

Turkey accused the Kurds of violating the truce (= a short interruption in a war or argument, or an agreement to stop fighting or arguing for a period of time; pronounced truːs (*) (from the media).

The Republican Senator expressed his grave (= giving cause for alarm; serious) concerns for the President’s decision to withdraw the American troops from Syria (from the media). 

He stood around bantering (banter = to talk to someone in a friendly and humorous way) with his colleagues.// That kind of banter is inappropriate at work (*).

He wanted to concentrate on his passion: football.

The protesters blocking the entrance to the offices remained defiant (= proudly refusing to obey authority; pronounced dɪˈfaɪ.ənt).// The CEO was in a defiant (= not willing to accept criticism or disapproval) mood as he entered the boardroom (*).

Their marriage ended seven years ago in an acrimonious ((adjective) = full of anger, arguments, and bad feeling; pronounced ˌæk.rɪˈməʊ.ni.əs) divorce.// An acrimonious dispute (= a disagreement, argument, or debate) (*).

Lebanon government scraps (scrap = abolish (= formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution) or cancel a plan, policy, or law) the tax on WhatsApp and Skype users to calm the protesters (from the media).

‘And off we go!’ (= we are leaving to go somewhere) (expression)

The curator (= a person in charge of a museum, library, etc.; pronounced kjʊəˈreɪ.tə(r) (*)) of drawings at the National Gallery.

The plan for a new office building went ahead regardless of the local opposition.

The kidnappers have made significant concessions (= something that is allowed or given up, often to end a disagreement or the act of allowing or giving this) to their demands.// We will not make any concessions to people found to be in breach of the law./// A lot of/Many movie theater profits come from their candy concessions ((1) concession = a small business allowed to sell goods, food, or services on property owned by someone else, for example, inside an airport or a large store).// The furniture and homeware retailer has recently opened its first concession within a garden center.// Fans were stocking up on hamburgers and hotdogs at the concession stand.// Airport/hotel/stadium concessions./// Many railways offer fare concessions (= a reduction for particular groups of people in the amount of money that has to be paid for something) for passengers with disabilities (*). (1) Concession stand is in American English. In the UK, it is a snack kiosk or snack bar. See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/FineArtsMovieConcessionStand.png and https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/PGE_Park_concession_stand.JPG

The President rebuffed (rebuff = to refuse to accept a helpful suggestion or offer from someone, often by answering in an unfriendly way; pronounced rɪˈbʌf) all suggestions that he should resign.// Our request for assistance has been rebuffed.// His desperate request for help was met with a rebuff (as a noun) (*).

It is hypothesized that sparks from outdated/ obsolete power distribution equipment caused the wildfires in California, so private (electric) power companies cut (it is cut-cut-cut) off the electricity before new fires devour (= to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left/ to destroy something completely; pronounced dɪˈvaʊə(r)) further hectares! (from the media)

Their promise to lower taxes is clearly an election-year gambit (= a clever action in a game or other situation that is intended to achieve an advantage and usually involves taking a risk) (*)./// His resignation was a tactical gambit (= an act or remark calculated to gain an advantage, especially at the outset of a situation).

‘I need a few days to mull (pronounced mʌl) things over (= to think carefully about something for a period of time) before I decide if I'm taking the job.’

Climbing (pronounced ˈklaɪ.mɪŋ) the Uluru rock in Australia has been prohibited as for the Aboriginals, the area is sacred (= considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god; pronounced ˈseɪkrɪd(*)) and climbing was considered as a ‘cultural insensitive (action),’ causing them distress (from the media). 

‘I have always been opposed to violence.’ // The governor adamantly (= in a way that suggests one will not be persuaded to change one’s mind; firmly and resolutely)/vehemently (= in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling; pronounced ˈviːəməntli (*)) opposes raising taxes ((*) for the 2^nd example).

During Duterte’s 20 years tenure (= being the legal owner of land, a job, or an official public position, or the period of time during which you own it; pronounced ˈten.jə(r)) as a mayor of a city in the Philippines, the police were (police is a plural noun) used as extrajudicial (= done without the permission of or without using the official legal system; pronounced ˌek.strə.dʒuːˈdɪʃ.(ə)l (*)) ‘hitmen’ against drug dealers! (from the media).

The road closure will cause lengthy hold-ups (hold-up = a situation that causes delay).// They said the hold-up was due to delays in calculating departmental budgets./// The shocked victims of an armed hold-up (= a robbery conducted using threats or violence).// It was not known whether there is a link between the raid (= a sudden attack on an enemy by troops, aircraft, or other armed forces in warfare) and the armed hold-ups.

Immunotherapy is most promising in oncology. The same holds true for gene therapy (from the web).

‘People usually do rational (= based on or in accordance with reason or logic) things’ (from the web). (My comment: I think the opposite, irrational, is true!).// She sounded like she thought that was a complete, perfectly rational (rational is an adjective, not a noun) explanation.

Plants with photosynthesis use the energy of sunlight and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbohydrates and emit (= produce and discharge something, especially gas or radiation) oxygen (O2). In this way, they curb (= to control or limit something that is not wanted; pronounced kɜːb (*)) global warming. Most plants utterly (= absolutely; pronounced ˈʌt.(ə)l.i) depend on pollinators such as bees (from the media). 

The party has been trying to woo (= to try to persuade someone to support you or to use your business) the voters with promises of electoral reform.// The airline has offered discounted tickets to woo passengers away from their competitors (*)./// Pop stars are being wooed (woo = seek the favor, support, or custom of) by film companies eager to sign them up./// He wooed (woo = (dated) try to gain the love of someone, especially with a view to marriage) her with quotes from Shakespeare.

This guy has a penchant ((countable, usually singular, noun)= a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something; pronounced ˈpɑ̃ːŋ.ʃɑ̃ːŋ (sounds like French) in British English and ˈpen.tʃənt in North American English) for smoking marijuana (or marihuana).// We’ve all encountered characters with a penchant for telling tall tales./// She has a penchant for adopting stray dogs.

Tropical wetlands (= land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land) provide food, store floodwaters, improve water quality, and provide cattle grazing lands for humans and habitat for fish and wildlife. (You may read the whole article on https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/tropical-wetlands-anthropocene-critical-role-wet-dry-cycles/ )

A soap factory in Kabul (pronounced ˈkɑːbʊl) helps former addicts to stay ‘clean’ (from the media). (Nοte: Afghanistan has been the world's leading illicit opium producer since 2001; its opium poppy harvest produces more than 90% of illicit heroin globally (from the web) 

Soldiers used to be flogged (flog = to beat someone very hard with a whip (= a long, thin piece of rope, leather, etc.) or a stick, as a punishment; pronounced wɪp) for disobedience./// The mobile phone company plans to flog (= to sell something, especially at a cheap price) its new smartphone for $50 to people signing one-year contracts./// Some private sellers are flogging (flog = to sell something illegally) cars that have been stolen or written off by insurers (*).

‘Can I organize a football game on your premises?’ (premises = (plural noun) = a house or building, together with its land and outbuildings, occupied by a business or considered in an official context) (from the web).// The company has moved to new premises.// Alcohol is not allowed on the premises.

The association has no say in the matter. 

The government has conceded (concede = to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true) (that) the new tax policy has been a disaster.// (speech) ‘Well, okay, perhaps I was a little hard on him,’ he conceded./// He kept on arguing and wouldn't concede (concede = to admit that you have lost in a competition) defeat.// He conceded even before all the votes had been counted.//// The president is not expected to concede (= to allow someone to have something, even if you do not want to) these reforms.// He is not willing to concede any of his power/authority./// Britain conceded (= allowed) independence to India in 1947./// The team conceded two goals ( concede a goal/point = to fail to stop an opposing team or person from winning a point or game) (to the other side) in the first ten minutes of the game (*).

The fugitive (= a person who has escaped from a place or is in hiding, especially to avoid arrest or persecution; pronounced ˈfjuː.dʒə.tɪv) was still at large (= especially of a criminal or dangerous animal) at liberty; escaped or not yet captured)./// There has been a loss of community values in society at large (= as a whole; in general)./// He served as an ambassador at large (= (US English) in a general way; without particularizing) in the (President) Trump Administration.

‘Peter quickly snatched (snatch = quickly seize something in a rude or eager way) the phone out of my hand, trying to force herself not to smile.’

This terror (not 'terrorist') attack will exacerbate (= to make something that is already bad even worse; pronounced ɪɡˈzæs.ə.beɪt) the already tense relations between the two communities (*).

He caught sight of Jenny in their midst (= the middle of a group of people or things, here among them), laughing and talking./// The summit of the mountain appeared midst (= among) the clouds (*).

The victim’s parents are inconsolable (= (of a person or their grief), not able to be comforted or alleviated) for the pitiless (= showing no pity; cruel) murder of their son.  

Israel fights off locust (2) (pronounced ˈləʊ.kəst) = a large and mainly tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight) scourge (pronounced skɜːdʒ) = something or someone that causes great suffering or a lot of trouble; as a verb means to beat someone with a whip) on Passover (1) Eve (from the media). (1) Passover = the major Jewish spring festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery, lasting seven or eight days from the 15th day of Nisan. (2) Locusts are usually solitary, but under certain circumstances, they become more abundant (adjective) = more than enough; a lot of; pronounced əˈbʌn.d(ə)nt (*)) and change their behavior and habits, becoming gregarious ((pronounced ɡrɪˈɡeə.ri.əs) = (of animals) living in flocks or loosely organized communities.// (of plants) growing in open clusters or in pure associations.// (of a person) fond of company; sociable, e.g., He was a popular and gregarious man (*)) (*****). For a locust See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locust#/media/File:Locusta-migratoria-wanderheuschrecke.jpg

She had a premonition (= a feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is going to happen) that his plane would crash, so she took the train.// He had a sudden premonition of what the future might bring (*).

‘In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness’ (= an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region; pronounced ˈwɪl.də.nəs) and began preaching.’... ‘His food was locusts and wild honey.’ (from the Bible) (My comment: My aunt was a Christian mother superior in a nunnery and taught me that John the Baptist did not eat locusts. That would be disgusting! The popular misconception originates from the translation of the word 'locust' that in ancient Greek ('akris') literally means the tender tips of plants. The word in Greek also means locust, the insect. So, those who translated the word in English wrongly chose the second meaning!).  

After months of solitude (= the state or situation of being alone) at sea, it felt strange to be in company.//It's time for him to have a chance in solitude and privacy to reconnect with his family.

‘Cleanse (= to make something completely clean) the cut/wound thoroughly before you bandage it’ (*).

On 4 July 1776 // On July 4, 1776 (American Independence Day)// In July// In 1776

A maleficent (= (literary) causing harm or destruction, especially by supernatural means; pronounced məˈlef.ɪ.s(ə)nt) deity (= a god or goddess (in a polytheistic religion); pronounced ˈdeɪ.ɪ.ti).// He did not act with any maleficent motivation.// He denied any maleficent (= bad or harmful) intent ((*) for the last example).

His working hours increased, his pay was cut, and the conditions under which he must toil (= work extremely hard or incessantly (= without interruption; constantly)) became increasingly arduous (= involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring; pronounced ˈɑː.dʒu.əs).// ‘After five years of toil (= exhausting physical labor) and sweat, I was finally done!’

He seemed so meek (= quiet, gentle, and unwilling to argue or express his opinions forcefully) and mild.// She meekly suggested that maybe it will not happen. 

After 30 minutes, a large ship hove into sight (= appeared) on the horizon.// As the 2020 elections hove into view (= appear), nobody was quite sure how serious the fallout (= the unpleasant results or effects of an action or event) would be (*).

‘I heard the noise of a helicopter hovering (hover = to stay in one place in the air, usually by moving the wings quickly) overhead.’ // A hawk hovered in the sky, waiting to swoop (= (especially of a bird) move rapidly down through the air) down on its prey./// A waiter hovered (hover = to stand somewhere, especially near another person, eagerly or nervously waiting for their attention) at the table, ready to take our order./// Inflation is hovering (hover = to stay at or near a particular level) at 2 percent./// The link changes to green when the mouse hovers (hover = to put the cursor on a computer screen in a particular place without clicking on it) over it (*).

‘If this idea is useful, let us give it a go’ (= let us try it).

If the government is seen to condone (= to accept or allow behavior that is wrong) violence, the bloodshed will never stop.// ‘I don’t condone such rude behavior’ (*)./// The college cannot condone any behavior that involves illicit drugs.

Many economists think that full employment is an unattainable goal (*). (My comment: working, instead, ‘flexible hours’ means a lower wage, something that is for the benefit mainly of the employers!) 

‘We sat in one of the upper tiers (tier (pronounced tɪə(r)) = one of several layers or levels (1) of the football stands.’ // ‘My wedding cake had five tiers, each supported by small pillars’ (pillar (here) = something shaped like a pillar, i.e., a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument).// ‘I think we need another tier of management’ (tier = one of the levels of management in an organization) (*). (1) For tiers, See  https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Kallimarmaron_stadium.JPG

Special measures should be taken to tackle/ hamper/ combat/ mitigate/ alleviate/ impede/ curb climate change/ global warming/ greenhouse effect/ carbon dioxide emissions. (My comment: ‘mitigate’ and ‘alleviate’ are also used for pain).

Jim waxed (wax = to become) eloquent (= fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; pronounced ˈel.ə.kw(ə)nt)  on the subject of free enterprise (*).// The arguments from both sides were eloquent and persuasive, and for some time, it seemed that the verdict (= a decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest) could go either way./// The bus journey alone is eloquent (= clearly expressing or indicating something) of class inequality. 

The heaviest rain in years has fallen across parts of drought(1)-parched (2) inland Australia (from the media). (My comment as an Aussie: prolonged droughts perpetuate, and soon Australia will face the menace (= a threat or danger; pronounced ˈmen.ɪs) of desertification). (1) Drought = a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this; pronounced draʊt). (2) Parch = make or become dry through intense heat.

Toxic smog (not ‘fog’) in New Delhi was so intense that the government banned cars from private roads every other day (= every second day) (from the media). (My comment: Nowadays, global production has moved to China and India, where development rates are high, but at the expense of (= to cause harm to or neglect of) the environment as growth was anarchic)

‘I'm sorry to put you through this ordeal’ (= a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience; pronounced ɔːˈdɪəl).// The hostages’ ordeal ended when soldiers stormed the building./// Those presented might then be put to the ordeal (= (historical) an ancient test of guilt or innocence by the subjection of the accused to severe pain, the survival of which was taken as divine proof of innocence) to ascertain (pronounced ˌæs.əˈteɪn) their guilt or innocence (*).

He was on his knees, pleading (plead = to make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something; pronounced pliːd) for mercy/forgiveness.// She appeared on television to plead with the kidnappers./// The defendant pleaded/pled (1) (plead = to make a statement of what you believe to be true, especially in support of something or someone or when someone has been accused in a law court) not guilty to robbery with violence.// They paid a high-powered attorney to plead their case (= argue for them in court)./// He left early, pleading (plead = to say something as an excuse or explanation) pressure of work./// He pleaded ignorance (plead ignorance = to say that you do not know about something; ignorance is pronounced ˈɪɡ.n(ə)r.(ə)ns) when they found the package in his suitcase (*). (1) It is plead - pleaded (or plead in North American English) - pleaded (or plead in North American English).

All the candidates have given/made pledges (pledge = a serious or formal promise, especially one to give money or to be a friend, or something that you give as a sign that you will keep a promise; pronounced pledʒ) not to raise taxes if they are elected.// ‘I give you this ring as a pledge of my everlasting love for you.’ // He pledged that a reduction in taxation burden will become the government's central economic objective (*).

Companies explicitly (= in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt) ban relationships between employers and employees as inappropriate. That means employers held liable (= having legal responsibility for something or someone; pronounced ˈlaɪ.ə.b(ə)l)) for engaging (‘engage in’ or be ‘engaged in’ = participate or become involved in) in such activities will be sacked (= fired) (from the media)./// All of his work is explicitly (= (in reference to representations of sexual activity) graphically and vividly) erotic.

The new telescope will map the cosmos (= the universe considered as a system with order and pattern; pronounced ˈkɒz.mɒs (*)) in unprecedented (= never done or known before; pronounced ʌnˈpres.ɪ.den.tɪd) detail (from the media). (My comment: the specific telescope that has a gold coating aims at (= have the intention of achieving) discovering dark matter that, along with dark energy, account for 27 and 68 percent of the universe respectively, and are responsible for its ongoing (= continuing; still in progress) expansion). 

‘I assumed (assume = to accept something to be true without question or proof; pronounced əˈsjuːm) (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school’ (*) (My comment: I know that you all know the word ‘assume,’ but I just mentioned it for the pronunciation).

After the explosion, a plume (= a tall, thin mass of smoke, dust, or similar substance that rises up into the air; pronounced pluːm) of smoke could be seen in the sky for miles.// A black plume of smoke rose from the ship./// Fans (1) (fan = an object made of folded paper or other material that you wave with your hand to move the air around) made of ostrich plumes (2) (plume = a large feather) (*). (1) For a hand fan, See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_fan#/media/File:Brise_Fan_LACMA_M.78.108.10.jpg 92) For a bird's plumage (pronounced ˈpluː.mɪdʒ) See https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Plumage_house_sparrow.jpg

Farmers keep their crops irrigated (irrigate = to supply land with water so crops and plants will grow (*)). 

He has nothing but scorn (= a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something that you think is stupid or has no value) for the new generation of politicians.// ‘Why do you always pour/heap scorn on (= criticize severely and unfairly) my suggestions?’ /// ‘So, does he respect the press and media, or does he secretly scorn (= to show scorn for someone or something) them?’ // ‘He scorned (scorn = to refuse advice or an offer because you are too proud) all my offers of help’ (*).

There are suggestions to cover the buildings’ façade (= the face of a building, especially the principal front that looks onto a street or open space; pronounced fəˈsɑːd) with greenery.// We are fed up with this façade (= a false appearance that makes someone or something seem more pleasant or better than they really are) of democracy ((*) for the 2^nd example). (My comment: Indeed, modern democracy is actually Parliamentarism, unrelated to the ancient Athenian democracy of Pericles (pronounced ˈpɛrɪkliːz) that was direct) 

In the 1950s and 1960s, several laboratory studies cemented the view that social influence has nefarious (= ((typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal; pronounced nəˈfeə.ri.əs) consequences on otherwise rational (= based on or in accordance with reason or logic) individuals (*).

They had some technical glitches (glitch = a small problem or fault that prevents something from being successful or working as well as it should).// ‘We’d expected a few glitches, but everything’s (‘s = is) gone remarkably smoothly.’ // The system has been plagued with glitches ever since its launch./// The computer failure was due to a glitch (= a sudden unexpected increase in electrical power, especially one that causes a fault in an electronic system) caused by a bolt (= a flash of lightning) of lightning ((*) for all but the first example).

She tightened the guitar strings to make them taut ((adjective) = stretched or pulled tight; not slack; pronounced tɔːt).// She kept her eyes on the road ahead, her face taut with concentration.// (figurative) The story is a taut (= exciting, with fast action) psychological drama (*).

He joined a dance troupe (= a group of performers such as singers or dancers who work and travel together; pronounced truːp) and traveled (in North American English; ‘travelled’ in British English) all over the world.// A troupe of dancers from Taiwan is one of the leading attractions of the festival (*).

They hauled (haul = to pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty; pronounced hɔːl in British English and hɑːl in North American English) the boat out of the water.// He hauled himself up into the tree./// FBI agents hauled (haul = to take something or someone somewhere, especially by force) away boxes of records.// The police hauled him off to jail./// A haul (= usually a large amount of something stolen or illegal) of arms/drugs./// Check out the Smith family shopping haul (= all the things someone buys on an occasion when they go shopping).// ‘I saw those gloves in a haul video.’ /// Fishermen have complained of poor hauls (haul = the amount of fish caught) all year./// From there, it was a long haul/only a short haul (= a journey, often a difficult one) back to our camp (*).

He fought for the abolition (= the act of ending an activity or custom officially) of the death penalty in Britain.// The abolition of slavery (*)./// (as modifier) The Chartists opposed slavery. They supported the abolitionist (= a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or formerly slavery) movement.

It is imperative (= extremely important or urgent) for our country to gain its old glory (My comment: I guess it refers to Britain!).// The president said it was imperative that the release of all hostages be secured.// It’s imperative to act before the problem gets serious ((*) for all but the first example).

The audience was awed (awe = to cause someone to feel awe, i.e., a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise; pronounced ɔː in British English and ɑː in North American English) into silence by her stunning performance (*).// The UN officials express awe over India’s progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (My comment: but this growth is not for the benefit of the Indian people whose income is still meager (= (of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality; pronounced ˈmi·ɡər)). Additionally, it is at the expense of the environment!)// Awe-Inspiring moments bring people together.// The power of awe: a sense of wonder promotes loving-kindness (you may read the article at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201505/the-power-awe-sense-wonder-promotes-loving-kindness ) (all but the first example are retrieved from the web)./// Shock and awe (also known as rapid dominance) = a tactic based on overwhelming power and spectacular displays of force to paralyze the enemy's perception of the battlefield and destroy their will to fight (*****).

‘We went to a riotous (= very loud and uncontrolled, and full of energy) party and danced all night.’ // (UK English) Six students were arrested for riotous behavior (*).

He’s always raving (rave = to speak or shout in a way that is out of control, usually because of anger or mental illness) (on) about the government.// He was wild and raving, tearing up his books.// He was ranting and raving about some imagined insult./// She raved (rave = to praise something very much) about/over the clothes she had seen at the Paris fashion shows.// His speech drew raves from everyone.// The show has received rave ((adjective) = admiring and giving a lot of praise) reviews/notices in newspapers and sites./// (My comment: I will not refer to ''rave music,'' as I guess you all know it!) (*).

His letters were the rantings (ranting = the action of speaking, writing, or shouting in a loud, uncontrolled, or angry way, often saying confused or silly things; pronounced ˈræn.tɪŋ) of a crazy person.// This isn’t an argument; it’s just meaningless ranting.// The website was full of hate-filled rantings (*) (My comment: the noun is uncountable; however, it may have the plural form ''rantings'' as in the last example).// These are the isolated rantings of an angry old man.

Aircraft jitter (= slight uncontrolled movement or shaking, for example, in electronic equipment; pronounced ˈdʒɪt.ə(r)) (My comment: for a shaking aircraft, we may also use the word ‘turbulence’ pronounced ˈtɜː.bjə.ləns).// You may notice a jitter on the screen.// This caused the film to jitter (= to move or shake slightly in an uncontrolled way) (*).

By the age of 27 he had reached the pinnacle (= the most successful or admired part of a system or achievement; pronounced ˈpɪn.ə.k(ə)l) of his career.// The Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement.// We have reached the pinnacle of teaching and learning./// (literary) The pinnacles (pinnacle = a small pointed tower on top of a building, or the top part of a mountain) of the Himalayas were visible above the clouds ((*) for the above except the 3^rd example)./// A solid mass of white water surged around great pinnacles (3) (pinnacle = a high, pointed piece of rock) of rock, over a hundred feet below me./// The Catholic Cathedral had one of the pinnacles (1) of the steeple tower blown down. (1) Pinnacle = small pointed turret (2) built as an ornament on a roof. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacle#/media/File:20130808_Kings_College_Chapel_Closeup_01.jpg   (2) Turret (pronounced ˈtʌr.ət) = a small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall, typically of a castle. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turret#/media/File:Turret_(architecture)_1.jpg (3) For a rock pinnacle See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacle_(geology)#/media/File:Barbarine001.jpg

In education, we should reward merit (= the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward; pronounced mer.ɪt).// Classical music composers of outstanding merit./// Many liberal democracies, Britain included, justify wide disparities (= great differences) in the income levels of the rich and poor regarding a doctrine of meritocracy (= government or the holding of power by people selected based on their ability). (My comment: our society is divided into a hierarchy of working/lower-class, middle-class, and upper-class. The last is living at the expense of the others!)./// Sebastian thought it was a turning point but did not think the foul merited (merit = deserve or be worthy of (something, especially reward, punishment, or attention) the punishment (by the referee).// The study results have been encouraging enough to merit further investigation (*).

It turned out that he wasn’t a real physician (= doctor in North American English) at all - he was just a sham (= something that is not what it seems to be and is intended to deceive people, or someone who pretends to be something they are not).// They claimed that the election had been fair, but it was a sham./// He isn’t upset - he’s just shamming (sham = to pretend).// They made a fortune through some sham ((adjective) = only pretending to be real; false) property deal.// A sham ((adjective) = pretended; not real) battle (*).// A review of studies with sham surgery ((or placebo surgery) = a faked surgical intervention that omits the step thought to be therapeutically necessary) found 53 such studies ((*****) for the last example). 

After weeks of protests over electoral fraud, the president of Bolivia was ousted (oust = to force someone to leave a position of power, job, place, or competition; pronounced aʊst) (from power) and he self-exiled in Mexico. He accused the opposition leaders as instigators (instigator = a person who brings about or initiates something; pronounced ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə) of the unrest (= a state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, and agitation in a group of people, typically involving public demonstrations or disorder) (from the media).///  The president was ousted (from power) in a military coup in January 1987.// Philippine police are (‘police’ is a plural noun) trying to oust drug dealers from the cities ( My comment: the police were accused of killing them on the streets!) ((*) for all but the first example).

The nefarious ((adjective) = (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal; pronounced nɪˈfɛːrɪəs) activities of the organized-crime syndicates.// All this does is make celebrities out of these crooks and encourage them to continue their nefarious activities.// A nefarious coup (my example). 

She drove in an erratic (= moving or behaving in a way that is not regular, certain, or expected; pronounced ɪˈræt.ɪk)  course down the road.// ‘He can be very erratic; one day he is friendly, and the next he’ll hardly speak to you!’ // An erratic schedule (*).

The national park conservationists (conservationist = a person who advocates or acts for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife)/ rangers (ranger = a person whose job is to protect a forest or natural park) keep an eye on (= keep under careful observation; to be attentive to someone or something) poachers (poacher = someone who catches and kills animals illegally; pronounced ˈpəʊ.tʃə(r)) (*)). 

This week the BRICS (= the acronym coined for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (*****)) kick off (= begin or cause something to begin) a meeting/ summit in Brazil (from the media). 

‘You have to get used to other people’s quirks (quirk = an unusual habit or part of someone’s personality, or something that is strange and unexpected; pronounced kwɜːk) and foibles.’ // There is a quirk in the rules allowing you to invest money without tax.// A personality quirk.// By some strange quirk/By an odd quirk of fate (= unexpectedly), we ended up on the same train (*).// Stereotypes and quirks about the British (my example).

‘We all have our little foibles’ (foible = a strange habit or characteristic that is seen as not important and not harming anyone; pronounced ˈfɔɪ.bəl) (*).// They have to tolerate each other’s little foibles.// ‘As humans, we have numerous foibles and/or weaknesses.’

‘Before the court case, we had to file/give a deposition’ (= a formal written statement made or used in a law court).// ‘Our lawyer took a deposition from us.’ /// A sworn deposition./// Crowds celebrated the dictator’s deposition (= the act of removing someone important from a powerful position, especially a monarch)  (*).// ‘Edward V’s deposition./// Pebbles (1) formed by the deposition (= the action of depositing something) of calcium in solution./// My comment: In Christianity, deposition means removing the body of Christ from the Cross. (1) Pebble = a small stone made smooth and round by the action of water or sand; pronounced ˈpɛb(ə)l). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble#/media/File:Pebbles_on_beach_at_Broulee_-NSW_-Australia-2Jan2009.jpg

A finicky (= giving too much attention to small details; hard to please; pronounced ˈfɪn·ɪ·ki) dresser.// A finicky eater.// She’s terribly finicky about her food./// Repairing watches must be a very finicky (= needing a lot of attention to detail) job (*).// It is an arena (pronounced əˈriː.nə) in which far too much time is being spent attending to finicky details within details.

‘I have to take the initiative (= the ability to assess and initiate things independently; pronounced ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv)’ (my example).// They show no initiative, imagination, willpower, or skill when protecting our income.

Economic migrants (a more politically correct term is ‘economic refugee’) from developing countries are assimilated (= to become part of a group, country, society, etc., or to make someone or something become part of a group, country, society, etc.; pronounced əˈsɪm.ɪ.leɪt (*))/ integrated into western societies. (My comment: in large western cities, they are often ghettoized in the same-(ethnic) background/origin communities instead of integrating).

The poachers (poacher = someone who catches and kills animals illegally; pronounced ˈpəʊ.tʃə(r) (*)) used a wire snare (1) to catch animals. But the rangers (ranger = a keeper of a park, forest or area of the countryside)  moved swiftly (= quickly or immediately (*)), found them and eventually confiscated (confiscate = to take possession away from someone when you have the right to do so, usually, as a punishment and often for a limited period, after which it is returned to the owner; pronounced ˈkɒn.fɪ.skeɪt (*)) their prey.  (1) Snare = a device for catching small animals and birds, usually with a rope or wire that tightens around the animal; pronounced sneə(r) (*). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlM8alAGHg and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVkq4z9ZkrA

He learned how to paddle (1) a tandem (= a group of two people or machines working together// having two things arranged one in front of the other) canoe. (My comment: as opposed to a 'one-person canoe,' in a 'two-person canoe,' one can paddle in the bow and the other in the stern of the canoe). (1) Paddle= move through the water in a boat using a paddle or paddles; paddle or oar is a short pole with a broad blade at one or both ends used without an oarlock to move a small boat or canoe through the water. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddle#/media/File:Women_C-4_Canadian_cropped.jpg

A discourse (= a speech or piece of writing about a particular, usually serious, subject; pronounced ˈdɪs.kɔːs) on/upon the nature of life after death./// Political discourse (= spoken or written discussion; here it is as uncountable).// The play is a wonderful discourse on love (here it is as countable) (*).

He was released from prison with/on the proviso ((pronounced prəˈvaɪ.zəʊ) = a statement in an agreement, saying that a particular thing must happen before another can; plural = provisos) that he doesn’t leave the country.// Recent legislation includes/ contains/carries a proviso ((law) = a part of a legal document that states that something must happen or be done) that the country’s private creditors agree to reduce their claims to make the debt burden more sustainable..// We are currently offering a new investment fund whose return tracks the FTSE 100, with the proviso that it can only fall by 6 percent a quarter..// You can buy back or sell the shares at any point - the only proviso (= something that must be done before something else happens or is agreed) is that any loss or money owed is within your account limit (*).

Resumption (= the action of beginning something again after a pause or interruption; the verb is resume) of the peace talks is indicative ((adjective)= being or relating to a sign that something exists, is true, or is likely to happen; pronounced ɪnˈdɪk.ə.tɪv) of an improving relationship between the countries..// The fall in demand indicates a broader trend in consumer spending.

The band is going to Los Angeles to play a gig (= a single performance by a musician or group of musicians, especially playing modern or pop music) at The Wiltern Theatre.// He gigged (gig= (of a musician or group of musicians) to perform gigs) at bars for years before becoming famous.// Now many of his gigs ((informal) = a job, esp. one as a performer or one that lasts only a short time) as a singer and pianist are being put on hold (= if an activity is on hold, it has been intentionally delayed) (*).

He felt no remorse (= a feeling of sadness and being sorry for something you have done; synonym = compunction; it is pronounced rɪˈmɔːs) for the murders he had committed.// After the argument, he was filled with remorse.// ‘I’m still remorseful for having broken it.’ //A remorseless dictator (*).

The pimp (= a man who controls prostitutes and arranges clients for them, taking part of their earnings in return; pronounced pɪmp; if female, she is called ‘madam’) was accused of procuring/ pandering (= the facilitation or provision of a prostitute or sex worker in the arrangement of a sex act with a customer (*****)).

This woman is wearing sheer (= a very fine or diaphanous (1) fabric or article (= a particular item or object, typically one of a specified type)) shocks. 

(1) Diaphanous (pronounced daɪˈæf.(ə)n.əs)  = (especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent.

Protests erupt in Iran after oil price hike ((noun) = a sharp increase, especially in price). The (riot) police responded with water cannons and tear gases. 

An incandescent (= producing a bright light after being heated to a high temperature; pronounced ˌɪn.kænˈdes.(ə)nt) light/bulb.// Effects of bright incandescent light on seasonal and nonseasonal major depressive disorder.// An incandescent (= extremely good, special, or skilled) performance/career (*). (1) For an incandescent light See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescence#/media/File:Incandescence.jpg and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescence#/media/File:Hot_metalwork.jpg

The national grid (= a system of wires for supplying electricity across a large region, country, etc.; pronounced ɡrɪd) is one of the world’s largest utilities (utility = a service that is used by the public, such as an electricity or gas supply or train service (*)) (*).

The singer took the mike (= microphone; pronounced maɪk) and started to sing. 

‘Above all, we fight for justice/ our rights.’

The seven detainees (detainee = a person held in custody, especially for political reasons) were all remanded (remand = to send someone accused of committing a crime away from court until their trial begins (*)) on conditional bail until November 8 when they are due to be sentenced.// Both the accused were then remanded in custody pending an appeal (= an application to a higher court for a decision to be reversed) hearing.// He was held on remand ((UK English) = in prison, until a court trial begins) in prison for 18 months ((*) for the last example).

By comparison, military cadets (cadet = a young trainee in the armed services or police force; pronounced kəˈdet) are 1.7 times more socially active.

The new appointee (= someone who has been chosen officially for a job or responsibility) will work closely with both departments.// A government appointee (*).

The protester was accused of flinging (= to throw something or someone suddenly and with a lot of force; fling - flung - flung; pronounced flɪŋ) a bin to the police. 

At the forthcoming (= planned for or about to happen in the near future) elections, the government will be seeking a fresh mandate (= the authority given to an elected group of people, such as a government, to perform an action or govern a country; pronounced ˈmæn.deɪt) from the people.// (+ full (to) infinitive) The president secured the Congressional mandate to go to war by two votes.// He has just another two months in office (= a position of authority, trust, or service, typically one of a public nature) before his mandate (= the period of time that a government or an elected person is allowed to remain in power) comes to an end.// The law mandated (mandate = to make something necessary, especially as a rule) a minimum five-year sentence for violent crimes (*).

Unpermitted interactions.

We always see him at the same time on the same day in the same place (on + day; at + time). 

The story of David and Goliath (pronounced ɡəˈlʌɪəθ) is one of the most popular stories from the Old Testament (Bible).

The senator was convicted of lying to Congress.// He has twice been convicted of robbery/arson ((*) for the second example).

Their ostensible (= (adjective) appearing or claiming to be one thing when it is really something else) goal was to clean up government corruption, but their real aim was to unseat the government.// He published 20 scientific papers after his ostensible retirement.// He has spent the past month in Boston, ostensibly (= (adverb) in a way that appears or claims to be one thing when it is really something else) for medical treatment, but in actual fact, to avoid prosecution.// The e-mail requested account information, ostensibly to help clear up a "billing error" (*).