word list ii (diplomatic)
DESCRIPTION
Word List for IAS, UPSC, CSATTRANSCRIPT
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Blitzkrieg /ˈblɪts.kriːg/ noun [ C ]
A sudden attack involving aircraft and forces on
the ground, which is intended to surprise and quickly
defeat the enemy
Umbrage /ˈʌm.brɪdʒ/ noun [ U ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL
Take umbrage
To feel upset or annoyed, usually because you feel
that someone has been rude or shown no respect to
you
You don't think she'll take umbrage if she isn't
invited to the wedding, do you?
Burgeoning /ˈbɜː.dʒ ə n.ɪŋ/ /ˈbɝː-/ adjective
Developing quickly
The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning
communications industry.
The bourgeoisie /ðəˌbɔːʒ.wɑːˈziː/ /-ˌbʊrʒ-/ noun [ S +
sing/pl verb ]
(in Marxism) the part of society, including
employers and people who run large companies, which
has most of the money and takes advantage of ordinary
workers
The new bourgeoisie, which was created by the
Industrial Revolution, had money to spend and wanted
to travel.
Bungle /ˈbʌŋ.gl / verb [ T ]
To do something wrong, in a careless or stupid
way
Evince /ɪˈvɪn t s/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To make obvious or show clearly
They have never evinced any readiness or ability to
negotiate.
In all the years I knew her, she never evinced any
desire to do such a thing.
Altercation /ˌ l.təˈk ɪ. ə n/ /ˌɑːl.t -/ noun [ C ] FORMAL
A loud argument or disagreement
According to witnesses, the altercation between
the two men started inside the restaurant.
Sham / æm/ noun [ C usually singular ] DISAPPROVING
Something which is not what it seems to be and is
intended to deceive people, or someone who pretends
to be something they are not
It turned out that he wasn't a real doctor at all - he
was just a sham.
They claimed that the election had been fair, but
really it was a sham.
Sham / æm/ adjective DISAPPROVING
Only pretending to be real; false
They made a fortune through some sham property
deal.
That jewellery looks sham to me.
She's trapped in a sham (= not good or satisfying)
marriage.
Coterie /ˈkəʊ.t ə r.i/ /ˈk ʊ.t -/ noun [ C + sing/pl verb ]
A small group of people with shared interests who
often do not want other people to join them
A coterie of writers
Self-effacing /ˌs lf.ɪˈf ɪ.sɪŋ/ adjective
Not making yourself noticeable; not trying to get
the attention of other people; modest
The captain was typically self-effacing when
questioned about the team's successes, giving credit to
the other players.
Démarche
noun a political step or initiative.
Dossier /ˈd s.i. ɪ/ , /-ə r / /ˈdɑː.si. ɪ/ noun [ C ]
A set of papers containing information about a
person, often a criminal, or on any subject
The secret service probably has a dossier on all of
us.
Redaction
noun
1 the process of editing text for publication.
2 a version of a text.
DERIVATIVES
Redactional adjective
Double whammy /ˌdʌb.l ˈwæm.i/ noun [ C usually
singular ] INFORMAL
A situation when two unpleasant things happen at
almost the same time
Britain's farmers have faced the double whammy
of a rising pound and falling agricultural prices.
Recrimination /rɪˌkrɪm.ɪˈn ɪ. ə n/ noun [ U ] ( ALSO
recriminations )
Arguments between people who are blaming each
other
The peace talks broke down and ended in bitter
mutual recrimination(s).
Causeway /ˈkɔːz.w ɪ/ /ˈkɑːz-/ noun [ C ]
A raised path, especially across a wet area
Remission /rɪˈmɪ . Ə n/ noun ILLNESS
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1. [ C or U ] FORMAL a period of time when an
illness is less severe
Her cancer has been in remission for several years.
Remission /rɪˈmɪ . Ə n/ noun REDUCTION
2. [ U ] UK LEGAL a reduction of the time that a
person has to stay in prison
He was given three months' remission for good
behaviour.
Remission /rɪˈmɪ . Ə n/ noun RELIGION
3. [ U ] FORMAL forgiveness for breaking religious
laws or rules
He believes that redemption is based on remission
of sins.
Bludgeon /ˈblʌdʒ. Ə n/ verb [ T ]
1. To hit someone hard and repeatedly with a
heavy weapon
The two boys had been mercilessly bludgeoned to
death .
2. To force someone to do something
The children bludgeoned their parents into tak ing
them to the zoo.
Clandestine /klænˈd s.tɪn/ adjective FORMAL
Planned or done in secret, especially describing
something that is not officially allowed
The group held weekly clandestine meetings in a
church.
He has been having a clandestine affair with his
secretary for three years.
She undertook several clandestine operations for
the CIA.
Pandemonium /ˌpæn.dəˈməʊ.ni.əm/ /-ˈm ʊ-/ noun [ U
]
A situation in which there is a lot of noise and
confusion because people are excited, angry or
frightened
Pandemonium reigned in the hall as the
unbelievable election results were read out.
The pandemonium of the school playground
Peeve /piːv/ verb [ T ]
To annoy someone
What peeved her most was his thoughtlessness.
[ + that ] It peeves me that she didn't bother to
phone.
Caustic /ˈkɔː.stɪk/ /ˈkɑː-/ adjective CHEMICAL
1. Describes a chemical that burns or destroys
things, especially anything made of living cells
A caustic substance
Caustic /ˈkɔː.stɪk/ /ˈkɑː-/ adjective WORDS
2. Describes a remark or way of speaking that is
hurtful , critical or intentionally unkind
Caustic comments
She's famous in the office for her caustic wit.
Kowtow /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/ verb [ I ] DISAPPROVING
To show too much respect to someone in
authority, always obeying them and changing what you
do in order to please them
(often kowtow to) be excessively subservient towards
someone.
Prescient /ˈpr s.i.ənt/ adjective FORMAL
Knowing or suggesting correctly what will happen
in the future
A prescient warning
Oblivious /əˈblɪv.i.əs/ adjective
Not conscious of something, especially what is
happening around you
Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of
her surroundings.
The government seems oblivious to the likely
effects of the new legislation.
Behove /bɪˈhəʊv/ /-ˈh ʊv/ verb ( US behoove ) OLD-
FASHIONED FORMAL
It behoves sb to
It is right for someone to do something
It ill behoves you to (= You should not) speak so
rudely of your parents.
Capitulate /kəˈpɪt.jʊ.l ɪt/ verb [ I ]
1. To accept military defeat
Their forces capitulated five hours after the Allied
bombardment of the city began.
2. To accept something or agree to do something
unwillingly
The sports minister today capitulated to calls for
his resignation.
Collegial
adjective
1 another term for collegiate (in sense 1).
2 relating to or involving shared responsibility.
DERIVATIVES
Collegiality noun
Plaintive /ˈpl ɪn.tɪv/ /-t ɪv/ adjective
Describes something which sounds slightly sad
The plaintive sound of the bagpipes
"What about me?" came a plaintive voice.
Incense /ˈɪn.s n t s/ noun [ U ]
A substance that is burnt to produce a sweet
smell, especially as part of a religious ceremony
An incense burner/stick
Incense /ɪnˈs n t s/ verb [ T usually passive ]
To cause someone to be extremely angry
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The editor said a lot of readers would be incensed
by my article on abortion.
I was so incensed by what he was saying I had to
walk out.
Animosity /ˌæn.ɪˈm s.ɪ.ti/ /-ˈmɑː.sə.t i/ noun [ C or U ]
Strong dislike, opposition, or anger
Of course we're competitive but there's no
personal animosity between us.
In spite of his injuries, he bears no animosity
towards his attackers.
The European Community helped France and
Germany forget the old animosities between them.
Platitude /ˈplæt.ɪ.tj ːd/ /ˈplæt .ə.t ːd/ noun [ C ]
DISAPPROVING
A remark or statement that may be true but is
boring and has no meaning because it has been said so
many times before
He doesn't mouth platitudes about it not
mattering who scores as long as the team wins.
Reconcile /ˈr k. Ə n.saɪl/ verb [ T ]
1. To find a way in which two situations or beliefs
that are opposed to each other can agree and exist
together
It is sometimes difficult to reconcile science and
religion.
It's difficult to reconcile such different points of
view.
How can you reconcile your fur coat and/with
your love of animals?
2. Be reconciled
When two people are reconciled they become
friendly again after they have argued
They were finally reconciled with each other, after
not speaking for nearly five years.
Reconcile yourself to sth phrasal verb
To accept a situation or fact although you do not
like it
She must reconcile herself to the fact that she
must do some work if she wants to pass her exams.
Reconciliation /ˌr k. Ə nˌsɪl.iˈ ɪ. ə n/ noun
1. [ C or U ] when two people or groups of people
become friendly again after they have argued
It took hours of negotiations to bring about a
reconciliation between the two sides.
2. [ U ] the process of making two opposite beliefs,
ideas or situations agree
Confide /kənˈfaɪd/ verb [ I or T ]
To tell something secret or personal to someone
who you trust not to tell anyone else
[ + that ] He confided ( to her) that his hair was not
his own.
[ + speech ] "My husband doesn't know yet, but
I'm going to leave him, " she confided.
Confide in sb phrasal verb
To share your feelings and secrets with someone
because you trust them not to tell other people
She's nice, but I don't feel I can confide in her.
Vacillate /ˈvæs.ɪ.l ɪt/ verb [ I ] DISAPPROVING
To be uncertain what to do, or to change often
between two opinions
Her mood vacillated between hope and despair.
Sycophantic /ˌsɪk.əˈfæn.tɪk/ adjective FORMAL
DISAPPROVING
(of a person or of behaviour) praising people in
authority in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to
get some advantage from them
There was sycophantic laughter from the audience
at every one of his terrible jokes.
Sycophantic /ˌsɪk.əˈfæn.tɪk/ adjective FORMAL
DISAPPROVING
(of a person or of behaviour) praising people in
authority in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to
get some advantage from them
There was sycophantic laughter from the audience
at every one of his terrible jokes.
Sycophancy /ˈsɪk.ə.fən t .si/ noun [ U ]
Sycophant /ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/ noun [ C ]
The Prime Minister is surrounded by sycophants.
Sycophant
noun a toady; a servile flatterer.
Toady /ˈtəʊ.di/ /ˈt ʊ-/ noun [ C ] DISAPPROVING
A person who praises and is artificially pleasant to
people in authority, usually in order to get some
advantage from them
Creed /kriːd/ noun [ C ] ( ALSO credo ) FORMAL
A set of beliefs which expresses a particular
opinion and influences the way you live
Anecdotal /ˌæn.ɪkˈdəʊ.t ə l/ /-ˈd ʊ.t ə l/ adjective
Describes information that is not based on facts or
careful study
Anecdotal evidence
Anecdote /ˈæn.ɪk.dəʊt/ /-d ʊt/ noun [ C ]
A short often funny story, especially about
something someone has done
He told one or two amusing anecdotes about his
years as a policeman.
Tout /taʊt/ verb MAKE KNOWN
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1. [ T ] to advertise, make known or praise
something or someone repeatedly, especially as a way
of encouraging their sale, popularity or development
As an education minister, she has been touting
these ideas for some time.
He is being widely touted as the next leader of the
Social Democratic party.
Several insurance companies are now touting their
services/wares on local radio.
2. [ I ] to repeatedly try to persuade people to buy
your goods or services
There were hundreds of taxis at the airport, all
touting for business/custom.
Tout /taʊt/ verb SELL UNOFFICIALLY
3. [ T ] UK ( US scalp ) to sell tickets for something
such as a sports game or theatre performance
unofficially, usually at a much higher price than the
official price
£30 seats for the match were being touted for
£500.
Lest /lest/ conjunction LITERARY
In order to prevent any possibility that something
will happen
They were afraid to complain about the noise lest
they annoyed the neighbours.
Blasé /ˌblɑːˈz ɪ/ adjective
Bored or not excited, or wishing to seem so
He flies first class so often, he's become blasé
about it.
Kilter /ˈkɪl.tə r / /-t / noun INFORMAL
Out of kilter
In a state of not working well
Missing more than one night's sleep can throw
your body out of kilter.
Phlegmatic /fl gˈmæt.ɪk/ /-ˈmæt -/ adjective FORMAL
Describes someone who doesn't usually get
emotional or excited about things
As a footballer his great asset was his calm,
phlegmatic manner.
Chargé (d'affaires) /ˌ ɑː.ʒ ɪ.dæfˈ ə r / /ˌ ɑːr.ʒ ɪ.dæfˈ r/
noun [ C ] plural chargés (d'affaires)
A person who represents the leader of his or her
government, either temporarily while the ambassador is
away, or permanently in a country where there is no
ambassador
The Belgian chargé d'affaires/the chargé d'affaires
for Belgium
Veracity /vəˈræs.ɪ.ti/ /v ˈæs.ə.t i/ noun [ U ] FORMAL
The quality of being true, honest or accurate
Doubts were cast on the veracity of her alibi after
three people claimed to have seen her at the scene of
the robbery.
Concoct /kənˈk kt/ /-ˈkɑːkt/ verb [ T ]
1. To make something, usually food, by adding
several different parts together, often in a way that is
original or not planned
He concocted the most amazing dish from all sorts
of unlikely ingredients.
2. To invent an excuse, explanation or story in
order to deceive someone
He concocted a story about working late at the
office.
Contentious /kənˈt n t . əs/ adjective
Causing or likely to cause disagreement
A contentious decision/policy/issue/subject
She has some rather contentious views on
education.
Farce /fɑːs/ /fɑːrs/ noun PLAY
1. [ C ] a humorous play or film where the
characters become involved in unlikely situations
2. [ U ] the style of writing or acting in this type of
play
The play suddenly changes from farce to tragedy.
Farce /fɑːs/ /fɑːrs/ noun SITUATION
3. [ C ] DISAPPROVING a silly or meaningless situation
or action
No one had prepared anything so the meeting was
a bit of a farce.
Farcical /ˈfɑː.sɪ.k ə l/ /ˈfɑːr-/ adjective DISAPPROVING
The whole situation has become farcical.
Farcically /ˈfɑː.sɪ.kli/ /ˈfɑːr-/ adverb DISAPPROVING
Disquisition /ˌdɪs.kwɪˈzɪ . Ə n/ noun [ C ] FORMAL
A long and detailed explanation of a particular
subject
Acquiesce /ˌæk.wiˈ s/ verb [ I ] FORMAL
To accept or agree to something, often unwillingly
Reluctantly, he acquiesced to/in the plans.
Glean /gliːn/ verb [ T ]
To collect information in small amounts and often
with difficulty
From what I was able to glean, the news isn't good.
They're leaving on Tuesday - I managed to glean
that much ( from them).
Purport /ˈpɜː.pɔːt/ /ˈpɝː.pɔːrt/ noun [ U ] FORMAL
The general meaning of someone's words or
actions
I didn't read it all but I think the purport of the
letter was that he will not be returning for at least a
year.
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Purport /pəˈpɔːt/ /pɝːˈpɔːrt/ verb [ T + to infinitive ]
FORMAL
To pretend to be or to do something, especially in
a way that is not easy to believe
They purport to represent the wishes of the
majority of parents at the school.
The study purports to show an increase in the
incidence of the disease.
The tape recording purports to be of a
conversation between the princess and a secret admirer.
Obdurate /ˈ b.djʊ.rət/ /ˈɑːb.dʊr.ɪt/ adjective FORMAL
1. DISAPPROVING extremely determined to act in a
particular way and not to change despite what anyone
else says
The President remains obdurate on the question of
tax cuts.
2. Describes a person who refuses to change their
mind, or someone or something that is difficult to deal
with or change
The union remains obdurate that any redundancies
must be voluntary.
Several obdurate facts/differences remain,
preventing a compromise solution.
Intransigent /ɪnˈtræn.zɪ.dʒ ə nt/ , /-ˈtrɑːn-/ adjective
FORMAL
Refusing to be persuaded, especially refusing to
change opinions that are strongly believed in
Unions claim that the management continues to
maintain an intransigent position.
Intransigently /ɪnˈtræn.zɪ.dʒ ə nt.li/ , /-ˈtrɑːn-/ adverb
Intransigence /ɪnˈtræn.zɪ.dʒ ə n t s/ , /-ˈtrɑːn-/ noun [
U ]
Venal /ˈviː.n ə l/ adjective FORMAL
1. A venal person is willing to behave in a way that
is not honest or moral in exchange for money
A venal ruler
2. A venal activity is done in order to get money
A venal regime
They are accused of being involved in venal
practices.
Yoke /jəʊk/ /j ʊk/ noun [ C ] WOODEN BAR
1. A wooden bar which is fastened over the necks
of two animals, especially cattle , and connected to the
vehicle or load that they are pulling
See picture yoke
Yoke /jəʊk/ /j ʊk/ noun [ C ] CONNECTION
3. FORMAL something which connects two things or
people, usually in a way that unfairly limits freedom
The yoke of marriage
Both countries had thrown off the communist yoke.
Yoke /jəʊk/ /j ʊk/ verb CONNECT
2. [ T often passive ] FORMAL to combine or connect
two things
All these different political elements have
somehow been yoked together to form a new alliance.
Replete /rɪˈpliːt/ adjective [ after verb ] FORMAL
1. Full, especially with food
After two helpings of dessert, Sergio was at last
replete.
2. Well supplied
This car has an engine replete with the latest
technology.
Heed /hiːd/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To pay attention to something, especially advice or
a warning
The airline has been criticized for failing to heed
advice/warnings about lack of safety routines.
Arson /ˈɑː.s ə n/ /ˈɑːr-/ noun [ U ]
The crime of intentionally starting a fire in order to
damage or destroy something, especially a building
A cinema was burnt out in north London last night.
Police suspect arson.
Indemnity /ɪnˈd m.nə.ti/ /-t i/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL OR
SPECIALIZED
Protection against possible damage or loss,
especially a promise of payment, or the money paid if
there is such damage or loss
Indemnify /ɪnˈd m.nɪ.faɪ/ verb [ T ]
To protect someone or something against possible
damage or loss by paying an indemnity to cover the
costs
The insurance also indemnifies the house against
flooding.
Opportune /ˈ p.ə.tj ːn/ /ˌɑː.p ˈt ːn/ adjective FORMAL
Happening at a time which is likely to give success
or which is convenient
This would seem to be an opportune moment for
reviving our development plan.
Would it be opportune to discuss the contract
now?
Opposite inopportune
Consummate /ˈk n.sə.mət/ /ˈkɑːn-/ adjective [ before
noun ] FORMAL
Perfect, or complete in every way
A life of consummate happiness
He's a consummate athlete/gentleman/liar.
Elephantine /ˌ l.ɪˈfæn.taɪn/ adjective FORMAL
Very large
She's so tiny she makes me feel elephantine.
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Charlatan /ˈ ɑː.lə.t ə n/ /ˈ ɑːr.lə.t ə n/ noun [ C ]
DISAPPROVING
A person who pretends to have skills or
knowledge that they do not have, especially in medicine
Quackery /ˈkwæk. Ə r.i/ /- -/ noun [ U ] DISAPPROVING
Medical methods that do not work and are only
intended to make money
Letters rogatory
plural noun Law documents making a request
through a foreign court to obtain information or
evidence from a specified person within the
jurisdiction of that court.
Modality
noun (plural modalities)
1 modal quality.
2 a means of attaining an end; a method.
3 a form of sensory perception.
Merchandise /ˈmɜː.t ə n.daɪs/ /ˈmɝː-/ noun [ U ] FORMAL
Goods that are bought and sold
Shoppers complained about poor quality
merchandise and high prices.
Japan exported $117 billion in merchandise to the
US in 1999.
Effete /ɪˈfiːt/ adjective
1. LITERARY DISAPPROVING weak and without much
power
With nothing to do all day the aristocracy had
grown effete and lazy.
2. DISAPPROVING more typical of a woman than of a
man
Debase /dɪˈb ɪs/ verb [ T ]
1. To reduce the quality or value of something
Some argue that money has debased football.
Our world view has become debased. We no
longer have a sense of the sacred.
2. Debase the coinage/currency
To lower the value of a coin by making it from a
less valuable metal
Abdicate /ˈæb.dɪ.k ɪt/ verb NOT DO
2. Abdicate responsibility FORMAL DISAPPROVING
To stop controlling or managing something that
you are in charge of
She was accused of abdicating all responsibility for
the project.
Adamant
adjective refusing to be persuaded or to change
one's mind.
noun archaic a legendary rock or mineral associated
at times with both diamond and lodestones.
DERIVATIVES
Adamance noun
Adamancy noun
Adamantly adverb
Acquiesce /ˌæk.wiˈ s/ verb [ I ] FORMAL
To accept or agree to something, often unwillingly
Reluctantly, he acquiesced to/in the plans.
Dexterity /d kˈst r.ə.ti/ /-t i/ noun [ U ]
The ability to perform a difficult action quickly and
skilfully with the hands, or the ability to think quickly
and effectively
He caught the ball with great dexterity.
He answered the journalists' questions with all the
dexterity of a politician.
Dexterous , dextrous /ˈd k.st ə r.əs/ /-st -/ adjective
A dexterous movement
Dexterously , dextrously /ˈd k.st ə r.ə.sli/ /-st -/
adverb
Aloof /əˈl ːf/ adjective
1. Describes an unfriendly person who refuses to
take part in things
She seemed rather aloof when in fact she was just
shy.
2. Not interested or involved, usually because you
do not approve of what is happening
Whatever is happening in the office, she always
remains aloof.
She kept herself aloof from her husband's
business.
Atone for sth phrasal verb FORMAL
To do something that shows that you are sorry for
something bad that you did
The country's leader has expressed a wish to atone
for his actions in the past.
Apropos /ˌæp.rəˈpəʊ/ /-ˈp ʊ/ adverb , preposition
FORMAL
Used to introduce something which is related to
or connected with something that has just been said
I had a letter from Sally yesterday - apropos (of)
which, did you send her that article?
Apropos what you said yesterday, I think you
made the right decision.
Apropos /ˌæp.rəˈpəʊ/ /-ˈp ʊ/ adjective [ after verb ]
FORMAL
Suitable in a particular situation or at a particular
time
Clothes which are apropos to the occasion
Ardour UK , US ardor /ˈɑː.də r / /ˈɑːr.d / noun [ U ]
Great enthusiasm or love
His ardour for her cooled after only a few weeks.
Arduous /ˈɑː.dj .əs/ /ˈɑːr.dʒ -/ adjective
Difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy
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An arduous climb/task/journey
Arrant /ˈær. Ə nt/ /ˈ r-/ adjective [ before noun ] OLD-
FASHIONED
Total
He dismissed the rumours as `arrant nonsense'.
Cast aspersions on sb/sth
FORMAL to criticize or make damaging remarks or
judgments about someone or something
His opponents cast aspersions on his patriotism.
Aspersion
noun an attack on someone's character or
reputation: he has cast aspersions on our abilities.
Slander /ˈslɑːn.də r / /ˈslæn.d / noun [ C or U ]
A false spoken statement about someone which
damages their reputation, or the making of such a
statement
The doctor is suing his partner for slander.
She regarded his comment as a slander on her
good reputation.
Compare libel
Sedulous
adjective showing dedication and diligence.
DERIVATIVES
Sedulity noun
Sedulously adverb
Sedulousness noun
Enervating /ˈ n.ə.v ɪ.tɪŋ/ /- .v ɪ.t ɪŋ/ adjective FORMAL
Causing you to feel weak and with no energy
I find this heat very enervating.
Venerable /ˈv n. Ə r.ə.bl / adjective
1. FORMAL deserving respect because of age, high
position or religious or historical importance
A venerable tradition/company/family
2. INFORMAL MAINLY HUMOROUS describes something
that has been in use, or someone who has been
involved in something, for a long time
In recent years there has been a noticeable decline
in such venerable British institutions as afternoon tea
and the Sunday roast.
Fecund /ˈf k.ənd/ adjective FORMAL
1. Able to produce a lot of crops, fruit, babies,
young animals, etc
Fecund soil
2. Active and productive
A fecund imagination
Auspices /ˈɔː.spɪ.sɪz/ /ˈɑː-/ plural noun FORMAL
Under the auspices of sb/sth
With the protection or support of someone or
something, especially an organization
Financial aid is being provided to the country
under the auspices of the International Monetary Fund.
Pernicious /pəˈnɪ .əs/ /p -/ adjective FORMAL
Having a very harmful effect or influence
The cuts in government funding have had a
pernicious effect on local health services.
Irreconcilable /ˌɪr. k. Ə nˈsaɪ.lə.bl / adjective
Impossible to find agreement between or with;
impossible to deal with
Irreconcilable differences of opinion
They have become irreconcilable, with both sides
refusing to compromise any further.
Reconcile /ˈr k. Ə n.saɪl/ verb [ T ]
1. To find a way in which two situations or beliefs
that are opposed to each other can agree and exist
together
It is sometimes difficult to reconcile science and
religion.
It's difficult to reconcile such different points of
view.
How can you reconcile your fur coat and/with
your love of animals?
2. Be reconciled
When two people are reconciled they become
friendly again after they have argued
They were finally reconciled with each other, after
not speaking for nearly five years.
Conciliate /kənˈsɪl.i. ɪt/ verb [ I or T ]
To end a disagreement or someone's anger by
acting in a friendly way or slightly changing your
opinions, or to satisfy someone who disagrees with you
by acting in this way
An independent adviser has been brought in to
conciliate between the two sides involved in the conflict.
These changes have been made in an attempt to
conciliate critics of the plan.
Pugnacious /pʌgˈn ɪ. əs/ adjective FORMAL
Wanting to start an argument or fight, or
expressing an argument or opinion very forcefully
I found him pugnacious and arrogant.
Bedizen
verb literary dress up or decorate gaudily.
Gaudy
adjective (gaudier, gaudiest) extravagantly or
tastelessly bright or showy.
DERIVATIVES
Gaudily adverb
Gaudiness noun
Desolate
adjective
1 giving an impression of bleak and dismal emptiness.
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2 utterly wretched and unhappy.
verb make desolate.
DERIVATIVES
Desolately adverb
Desolateness noun
Desolation noun
Desolator noun
Belie /bɪˈlaɪ/ verb [ T ] belying , belied , belied
To show something to be false, or to hide
something such as an emotion
Her calm face belied the terror she was feeling.
Coax /kəʊks/ /k ʊks/ verb [ T ]
To persuade someone gently to do something or
go somewhere, by being kind and patient, or by
appearing to be
Perhaps you could coax your father into tak ing
you to the station.
He has some information I want, so I'm going to
try to coax it out of him over a drink.
A mother was coaxing her reluctant child into the
water.
A coaxing voice
Bland
adjective
1 lacking strong features or characteristics and
flavour or seasoning; insipid.
2 showing no strong emotion.
DERIVATIVES
Blandly adverb
Blandness noun
Blandishments /ˈblæn.dɪ .mən t s/ plural noun FORMAL
Pleasant words or actions used in order to
persuade someone to do something
She was impervious to his blandishments.
Blatant /ˈbl ɪ.t ə nt/ adjective
Describes something bad that is very obvious or
intentional
A blatant lie
The whole episode was a blatant attempt to gain
publicity.
Burgeoning /ˈbɜː.dʒ ə n.ɪŋ/ /ˈbɝː-/ adjective
Developing quickly
The company hoped to profit from the burgeoning
communications industry.
Burgeon /ˈbɜː.dʒ ə n/ /ˈbɝː-/ verb [ I ] LITERARY
To develop or grow quickly
Love burgeoned between them.
Calumny /ˈkæl.əm.ni/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL
(the act of making) a statement about someone
which is not true and is intended to damage the
reputation of that person
He was subjected to the most vicious calumny, but
he never complained and never sued.
Chastise /t æsˈtaɪz/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To criticize someone severely
Charity organizations have chastised the
Government for not do ing enough to prevent the latest
famine in Africa.
Rebuke /rɪˈbj ːk/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To speak angrily to someone because you
disapprove of what they have said or done
I was rebuked by my manager for be ing late.
Rebut /rɪˈbʌt/ verb [ T ] -tt- FORMAL
To argue that a statement or claim is not true
She has rebutted charges that she has been
involved in any financial malpractice.
Cogent /ˈkəʊ.dʒ ə nt/ /ˈk ʊ-/ adjective FORMAL
Describes an argument or reason, etc. That is
clearly expressed and persuades people to believe it
Laconic /ləˈk n.ɪk/ /-ˈkɑː.nɪk/ adjective FORMAL
Using very few words to express what you mean
She had a laconic wit.
Pompous /ˈp m.pəs/ /ˈpɑːm-/ adjective DISAPPROVING
Too serious and full of importance
He's a pompous old prig who's totally incapable of
taking a joke.
He can sometimes sound a bit pompous when he
talks about acting.
Deference /ˈd f. Ə r. Ə n t s/ /- -/ noun [ U ] FORMAL
Respect and politeness
He treats her with such deference.
She covered her head out of/in deference to (=
because of a polite respect for) Muslim custom.
Detractor /dɪˈtræk.tə r / /-t / noun [ C ]
Someone who criticizes something or someone,
often unfairly
His detractors claim that his fierce temper makes
him unsuitable for party leadership.
Liken sb/sth to sb/sth phrasal verb [ often passive ]
To say that someone is similar to or has the same
qualities as someone else
She's been likened to a young Elizabeth Taylor.
Demagogue , US ALSO demagog /ˈd m.ə.g g/ /-gɑːg/
noun [ C ]
DISAPPROVING a person, especially a political leader,
who wins support by exciting people's emotions rather
than by having good ideas
Sully /ˈsʌl.i/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
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1. To spoil something which is pure or someone's
perfect reputation
His reputation, he said, had been unfairly sullied by
allegations, half-truths and innuendos.
2. To make something dirty
No speck of dirt had ever sullied his hands.
Denouement /d ɪˈn ː.m / /-mɑ ː/ noun [ C ]
The end of a story, in which everything is
explained, or the end result of a situation
Arson /ˈɑː.s ə n/ /ˈɑːr-/ noun [ U ]
The crime of intentionally starting a fire in order to
damage or destroy something, especially a building
A cinema was burnt out in north London last night.
Police suspect arson.
Desuetude
noun formal a state of disuse.
Deride /dɪˈraɪd/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To laugh at someone or something in a way which
shows you think they are stupid or of no value
He derided my singing as pathetic.
This building, once derided by critics, is now a
major tourist attraction.
Gauze /gɔːz/ /gɑːz/ noun
1. [ U ] a very thin light cloth, used to make
clothing, to cover cuts and to separate solids from
liquids, etc
A gauze skirt
A piece of sterile gauze
2. [ C or U ] a material like a net formed by wires
crossing over each other
Wire gauze
Diaphanous /daɪˈæf. Ə n.əs/ adjective LITERARY
Describes a substance, especially cloth, which is so
delicate and thin that you can see through it
A diaphanous silk veil
Desultory /ˈd s. Ə l.t ə r.i/ /-tɔːr-/ adjective FORMAL
Without a clear plan or purpose and showing little
effort or interest
She made a desultory attempt at conversation.
He wandered around, clearing up in a desultory
way.
Acrimonious /ˌæk.rɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/ /-ˈm ʊ-/ adjective
FORMAL
Full of anger, arguments and bad feeling
An acrimonious dispute
Their marriage ended eight years ago in an
acrimonious divorce .
Imprecation /ˌɪm.prəˈk ɪ. ə n/ noun [ C ] FORMAL
A swear word
The old woman walked along the street muttering
imprecations.
Hawkish /ˈhɔː.kɪ / /ˈhɑː-/ adjective
Supporting the use of force in political
relationships rather than discussion or other more
peaceful solutions
The president is hawkish on foreign policy.
Pecuniary /pɪˈkj ː.nj ə r.i/ /-ni.er-/ adjective FORMAL
Relating to money
Pecuniary interest/loss/benefit
A pecuniary matter
Irreverent /ɪˈr v. Ə r. Ə nt/ /- -/ adjective
Not showing the expected respect for official,
important or holy things
An irreverent comment/approach/attitude
Irreverent thoughts
Obfuscate /ˈ b.fʌs.k ɪt/ /ˈɑːb.fə.sk ɪt/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To make something less clear and harder to
understand, especially intentionally
She was criticized for using arguments that
obfuscated the main issue.
Vide
verb see; consult (used as an instruction in a text to
refer the reader elsewhere).
Seclusion /sɪˈkl ː.ʒ ə n/ noun [ U ]
When someone is alone, away from other people
He's been living in seclusion since he retired from
acting.
In some societies women are kept in seclusion, so
that they are hardly ever seen in public.
After being with a tour group all week I was glad to
return to the seclusion of my own home.
Pit sb/sth against sb/sth phrasal verb
To cause one person, group or thing to fight
against or be in competition with another
It was a bitter civil war, that pitted neighbour
against neighbour.
[ R ] The climbers pitted themselves against the
mountain.
Gambit /ˈgæm.bɪt/ noun [ C ] CLEVER ACTION
1. A clever action in a game or other situation
which is intended to achieve an advantage and usually
involves taking a risk
Her clever opening gambit gave her an early
advantage.
Their promise to lower taxes is clearly an election-
year gambit.
2. SPECIALIZED a way of beginning a game of chess ,
in which you intentionally lose a pawn (= game piece) in
order to win some other form of advantage later
Gambit /ˈgæm.bɪt/ noun [ C ] REMARK
3. A remark that you make to someone in order to
start a conversation
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"I hear you're a friend of Jamie's," was her opening
gambit.
Effusive /ɪˈfj ː.sɪv/ adjective FORMAL
Expressing welcome, approval or pleasure in a way
that shows very strong feeling
They gave us such an effusive welcome it was quite
embarrassing.
Exogenous
adjective relating to or developing from external
factors. Often contrasted with endogenous.
DERIVATIVES
Exogenously adverb
Paucity /ˈpɔː.sɪ.ti/ /ˈpɑː.sə.t i/ noun [ S ] FORMAL
When there is too little of something
There is a paucity of information on the ingredients
of many cosmetics.
Triage
noun (in medical use) the assessment of wounds or
illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large
number of patients or casualties.
verb decide the order of treatment of (patients or
casualties).
Travails /ˈtræv. ɪlz/ , /trəˈv ɪlz/ plural noun OLD-
FASHIONED OR LITERARY
The difficulties that are experienced as part of a
particular situation
The travails of the British car industry are seldom
out of the news.
Afoot /əˈfʊt/ adjective [ after verb ]
Happening or being planned or prepared
There are plans afoot to launch a new radio
station.
Tug /tʌg/ noun [ C ] BOAT
1. ( ALSO tugboat ) a boat with a powerful engine
which can change direction easily and is used to pull
large ships into and out of port
Lexicon /ˈl k.sɪ.kən/ noun [ C ] SPECIALIZED
(a list of) all the words used in a particular
language or subject, or a dictionary
Predilection /ˌpriː.dɪˈl k. ə n/ /ˌpr d. Ə lˈ k-/ noun [ C ]
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
A strong liking
Ever since she was a child, she has had a
predilection for spicy food.
Intransigent /ɪnˈtræn.zɪ.dʒ ə nt/ , /-ˈtrɑːn-/ adjective
FORMAL
Refusing to be persuaded, especially refusing to
change opinions that are strongly believed in
Unions claim that the management continues to
maintain an intransigent position.
Capricious /kəˈprɪ .əs/ adjective LITERARY
Changing mood or behaviour suddenly and
unexpectedly
A capricious child
He was a cruel and capricious tyrant.
Noose /n ːs/ noun
Noose
1. [ C ] one end of a rope tied to form a circle
which can be tightened round something such as a
person's neck to hang (= kill) them
They put him on the back of a horse and looped a
noose around his neck.
2. [ S ] a serious problem or limit
The noose of poverty was tightening (= becoming
more serious) daily.
Spectre UK , US specter /ˈsp k.tə r / /-t / noun
1. The spectre of sth
The idea of something unpleasant that might
happen in the future
The awful spectre of civil war looms over the
country.
Drought and war have raised the spectre of food
shortages for up to 24 million African people.
2. [ C ] LITERARY a ghost
Interdict
noun
1 Law, chiefly Scottish a court order forbidding an act.
2 (in the Roman Catholic Church) a sentence debarring
a person or place from ecclesiastical functions and
privileges.
verb chiefly North American
1 prohibit or forbid.
2 intercept (a prohibited commodity).
3 Military impede (an enemy force), especially by
bombing lines of communication or supply.
DERIVATIVES
Interdiction noun
Interdictor noun
Inebriated /ɪˈniː.bri. ɪ.tɪd/ /-t ɪd/ adjective FORMAL
Having drunk too much alcohol
In her inebriated state, she was ready to agree to
anything.
Malaise /mælˈ ɪz/ noun [ S or U ] FORMAL
A general feeling of being ill or having no energy,
or an uncomfortable feeling that something is wrong,
especially with society, and that you cannot change the
situation
They claim it is a symptom of a deeper and more
general malaise in society.
We were discussing the roots of the current
economic malaise.
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Botched /b t t/ /bɑːt t/ adjective ( UK ALSO bodged )
Describes something, usually a job, that is done
badly
Our landlord redecorated the bedroom, but it was
such a botched job that we decided to redo it.
Thousands of women are infertile as a result of
botched abortions .
Botch /b t / /bɑːt / verb [ T ] ( UK ALSO bodge )
To spoil something by doing it badly
We botched (up) our first attempt at wallpapering
the bathroom.
Indiscretion /ˌɪn.dɪˈskr . Ə n/ noun
1. [ U ] when a person or their behaviour is
indiscreet
Jones was censured for indiscretion in leaking a
secret report to the press.
2. [ C ] something, especially a sexual relationship,
that is considered embarrassing or morally wrong
We should forgive him a few youthful
indiscretions.
Indiscreet /ˌɪn.dɪˈskriːt/ adjective
Saying or doing things which tell people things that
should be secret or which embarrass people
In an indiscreet moment, the president let his
genuine opinions be known.
They have been rather indiscreet about their affair.
Indiscriminate /ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.nət/ adjective
Not showing careful thought or planning,
especially so that harm results
An indiscriminate terrorist attack on civilians
The indiscriminate use of fertilizers can cause long-
term problems.
Tote /təʊt/ /t ʊt/ verb [ T ] INFORMAL
To carry something, especially something heavy or
awkward
She usually toted the baby around in a backpack.
The building was surrounded with bodyguards
toting sub-machine guns .
Gun -toting security men were posted at all the
entrances.
Pentavalent
adjective Chemistry having a valency of five.
Morbid
adjective
1 characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and
unhealthy interest in unpleasant subjects, especially
death and disease.
2 Medicine of the nature of or indicative of disease.
DERIVATIVES
Morbidity noun
Morbidly adverb
Morbidness noun
Morbid /ˈmɔː.bɪd/ /ˈmɔːr-/ adjective DISAPPROVING
Too interested in unpleasant subjects, especially
death
A morbid fascination with death
Debilitate /dɪˈbɪl.ɪ.t ɪt/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To make someone or something physically weak
Chemotherapy exhausted and debilitated him.
Schizophrenia /ˌskɪt.səˈfriː.ni.ə/ noun [ U ]
1. A serious mental illness in which someone
cannot understand what is real and what is imaginary
Paranoid schizophrenia
2. INFORMAL behaviour in which a person appears to
have two different personalities
Tedium /ˈtiː.di.əm/ noun [ U ]
When you feel bored
Soldiers often say that the worst thing about
fighting is not the moments of terror, but all the hours of
tedium in between.
Marquee /mɑːˈkiː/ /mɑːr-/ adjective [ before noun ] US
Being the main performer or sports person in a
show, film, sports event, etc. Or being the performer,
etc. Whose name will attract most people to the show,
film, etc
The studio chiefs wanted a marquee name in the
lead role, not some unknown.
Marquee /mɑːˈkiː/ /mɑːr-/ noun [ C ] TENT
1. UK a large tent used for eating and drinking in at
events held mainly outside that involve a lot of people
We're planning to hold the wedding reception in a
marquee in the garden.
Marquee /mɑːˈkiː/ /mɑːr-/ noun [ C ] ROOF
2. US a roof-like structure which sticks out over the
entrance to a public building, especially a theatre, and
on which there is usually a sign
Frailty /ˈfr ɪl.ti/ /-t i/ noun
1. [ U ] weakness and lack of health or strength
Though ill for most of her life, physical frailty never
stopped her from working.
2. [ C or U ] moral weakness
Most of the characters in the novel exhibit those
common human frailties - ignorance and greed.
Tolerant of human frailty in whatever form, she
almost never judged people.
Quid pro quo /ˌkwɪd.prəʊˈkwəʊ/ /-pr ʊˈkw ʊ/ noun [ C
usually singular ] plural quid pro quos FORMAL
Something that is given to a person in return for
something they have done
The government has promised food aid as a quid
pro quo for the stopping of violence.
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Consummation /ˌk n.sjʊˈm ɪ. ə n/ /ˌkɑːn.sə-/ noun [ U
] SEX
1. LEGAL when a marriage or romantic relationship
is made complete by having sex
Consummation /ˌk n.sjʊˈm ɪ. ə n/ /ˌkɑːn.sə-/ noun [ U
] COMPLETION
2. FORMAL when something is made complete or
perfect
Boondoggle /ˈb ːnˌd g.l / /-ˌdɑː.gl / noun [ C ] US
INFORMAL
An unnecessary and expensive piece of work,
especially one which is paid for by the public
The senator called the new highways proposal "...a
fraud and a boondoggle that the taxpayer should not
tolerate".
Brazen /ˈbr ɪ.z ə n/ adjective
Obvious, without any attempt to be hidden
There were instances of brazen cheating in the
exams.
He told me a brazen lie .
Salacious /səˈl ɪ. əs/ adjective DISAPPROVING
Causing or showing a strong interest in sexual
matters
A salacious film/book/joke/comment
Ream /riːm/ noun
1. [ C ] SPECIALIZED 500 sheets of paper
2. [ C usually plural ] INFORMAL a lot of something,
especially writing
She's written reams of poetry.
Oxymoron /ˌ k.sɪˈmɔː.r n/ /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔːr.ɑːn/ noun [ C ]
Two words used together which have, or seem to
have, opposite meanings
Peroration
noun the concluding part of a speech; the summing
up.
Confound /kənˈfaʊnd/ verb [ T ]
To confuse and very much surprise someone, so
that they are unable to explain or deal with a situation
An elderly man from Hull has confounded doctors
by recovering after he was officially declared dead.
The singer confounded her critics with a
remarkable follow-up album.
Confounded /kənˈfaʊn.dɪd/ adjective [ before noun ]
OLD-FASHIONED INFORMAL
Used to express anger
What a confounded nuisance!
Presage /ˈpr s.ɪdʒ/ , /prɪˈs ɪdʒ/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To show or suggest that something, often
something unpleasant, will happen
But still the economy is not showing signs of any of
the excesses that normally presage a recession.
Consternation /ˌk n t .stəˈn ɪ. ə n/ /ˌkɑːn t .st -/ noun
[ U ]
A feeling of worry, shock or confusion
The prospect of so much work filled him with
consternation.
To his consternation, when he got to the airport he
found he'd forgotten his passport.
Heckle /ˈh k.l / verb [ I or T ]
To interrupt a public speech or performance with
loud unfriendly statements or questions
A few angry locals started heckling (the speaker).
Despondent /dɪˈsp n.d ə nt/ /-ˈspɑːn-/ adjective
Unhappy and with no hope or enthusiasm because
you feel you are in a difficult situation
He became/grew increasingly despondent when
she failed to return his phone calls.
She started to feel despondent about ever finding a
job.
Jugular (vein) /ˈdʒʌg.jʊ.ləˌv ɪn/ /-l -/ noun [ C ]
Any of several large veins in the neck that carry
blood from the head to the heart
Go for the jugular
To make serious effort to defeat someone, usually
by criticizing them or harming them in a cruel way
Cunningham went straight for the jugular, telling
him that his work was a complete disaster.
Acrimonious /ˌæk.rɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/ /-ˈm ʊ-/ adjective
FORMAL
Full of anger, arguments and bad feeling
An acrimonious dispute
Their marriage ended eight years ago in an
acrimonious divorce .
Abashed /əˈbæ t/ adjective [ after verb ]
Embarrassed
He said nothing but looked abashed.
Unabashed /ˌʌn.əˈbæ t/ adjective
Without any worry about possible criticism or
embarrassment
She is to this day unabashed in her patriotism.
He is an unabashed capitalist.
Compare abashed
Unabated /ˌʌn.əˈb ɪ.tɪd/ /-t ɪd/ adjective [ usually after
verb ] FORMAL
Without becoming weaker in strength or force
The fighting continued unabated throughout the
night.
Compare abate
Odyssey /ˈ d.ɪ.si/ /ˈɑː.dɪ-/ noun [ C usually singular ]
LITERARY
A long exciting journey
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The film follows one man's odyssey to find the
mother from whom he was separated at birth.
FIGURATIVE a spiritual odyssey
Co-opt /kəʊˈ pt/ /k ʊˈɑːpt/ verb [ T ]
1. (of an elected group) to make someone a
member through the choice of the present members
She was co-opted on to the committee last June.
2. To include someone in something, often against
their will
Although he was reluctant to get involved, he was
co-opted onto the committee in 1998.
3. To use someone else's ideas
Rock 'n' roll music was largely co-opted from the
blues.
Imprimatur /ˌɪm.prɪˈm ɪ.tə r / /-t / noun [ S ] FORMAL
Official permission to do something that is given by
a person or group in a position of power
When he suspended the constitution and dissolved
Congress, he had the imprimatur of the armed forces.
Encumber /ɪnˈkʌm.bə r / /-b / verb [ T ] FORMAL
To weigh someone or something down, or to make
it difficult for someone to do something
Today, thankfully, women tennis players are not
encumbered with/by long, heavy skirts and high-necked
blouses.
Zionism /ˈzaɪə.nɪ.z ə m/ noun [ U ]
A political movement which had as its original aim
the creation of a country for Jewish people, and which
now works to help the development of Israel
Wring /rɪŋ/ verb [ T ] wrung , wrung
1. To hold something tightly with both hands and
twist it by turning your hands in opposite directions
2. ( ALSO wring out ) to twist a cloth or piece of
clothing with your hands to remove water from it
She wrung out the shirt and hung it out to dry.
3. Wring sth's neck
To kill a bird or other animal by twisting and
breaking its neck
Rivet /ˈrɪv.ɪt/ verb [ T ]
1. To fasten together with a rivet
Many parts of an aircraft are riveted together .
2. Be riveted
To not be able to stop looking at something
because it is so interesting or frightening
It was an amazing film - I was absolutely riveted.
His eyes were riveted on the television.
He pulled out a gun and I was riveted to the spot (=
so frightened that I could not move) .
Trudge /trʌdʒ/ verb [ I usually + adv/prep ]
To walk slowly with a lot of effort, especially over a
difficult surface or while carrying something heavy
We trudged back up the hill.
I'd had to trudge through the snow.
Nonchalant /ˈn n. T ə l. Ə nt/ /ˌnɑːn. əˈlɑːnt/ adjective
Behaving in a calm manner, often in a way which
suggests you are not interested or do not care
A nonchalant manner/shrug
Expound /ɪkˈspaʊnd/ verb [ I or T ] FORMAL
To give a detailed explanation of something
He's always expounding on what's wrong with the
world.
She uses her newspaper column to expound her
views on environmental issues.
Cogent /ˈkəʊ.dʒ ə nt/ /ˈk ʊ-/ adjective FORMAL
Describes an argument or reason, etc. That is
clearly expressed and persuades people to believe it
Condone /kənˈdəʊn/ /-ˈd ʊn/ verb [ T ]
To accept or allow behaviour that is wrong
If the government is seen to condone violence , the
bloodshed will never stop.
Augur /ˈɔː.gə r / /ˈɑː.g / verb [ I + adv/prep T ] FORMAL
To be a sign of especially good or bad things in the
future
The company's sales figures for the first six months
augur well for the rest of the year.
Do you think that this recent ministerial
announcement augurs (= is a sign of) a shift in
government policy?
Sporadic /spəˈræd.ɪk/ adjective
Happening sometimes; not regular or continuous
Sporadic gunfire
A sporadic electricity supply
More than 100 people have been killed this year in
sporadic outbursts of ethnic violence.
Vacillate /ˈvæs.ɪ.l ɪt/ verb [ I ] DISAPPROVING
To be uncertain what to do, or to change often
between two opinions
Her mood vacillated between hope and despair.
Accrual /əˈkr ː.əl/ noun [ C or U ]
A gradual increase in an amount of money
Abate /əˈb ɪt/ verb [ I ] FORMAL
To become less strong
The storm/wind/rain has started to abate.
The fighting in the area shows no sign of abating.
See also unabated
Rancour , US rancor /ˈræŋ.kə r / /-k / noun [ U ] FORMAL
A feeling of hate and continuing anger about
something in the past
They cheated me, but I feel no rancour
towards/against them.
Ferment /fəˈm nt/ /f -/ verb [ I or T ]
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To (cause something to) change chemically
through the action of living substances, such as yeast or
bacteria
You make wine by leaving grape juice to ferment
until all the sugar has turned to alcohol.
Ferment /ˈfɜː.m nt/ /ˈfɝː-/ noun [ U ] LITERARY
A state of confusion, change, and lack of order or
fighting
The resignation of the president has left the
country in ferment.
Erratum /ɪˈrɑː.təm/ /-t əm/ noun [ C ] plural ERRATA
FORMAL
A mistake in a printed or written document
Deprecate /ˈd p.rɪ.k ɪt/ verb FORMAL NOT APPROVE
1. [ T not continuous ] to not approve of something
or say that you do not approve of something
We deprecate this use of company funds for
political purposes.
Deprecate /ˈd p.rɪ.k ɪt/ verb FORMAL NOT VALUE
2. [ T ] to say that you think something is of little
value or importance
He always deprecates my achievements.
Deprecating /ˈd p.rɪ.k ɪ.tɪŋ/ /-t ɪŋ/ adjective ( ALSO
deprecatory ) NOT VALUING
1. Showing that you think something is of little
value or importance
Her deprecating smile clearly showed that she
thought I'd said something stupid.
See also self-deprecating
2. Showing that you feel embarrassed, especially
by praise
She reacted to his compliments with a deprecating
laugh.
Behove /bɪˈhəʊv/ /-ˈh ʊv/ verb ( US behoove ) OLD-
FASHIONED FORMAL
It behoves sb to
It is right for someone to do something
It ill behoves you to (= You should not) speak so
rudely of your parents.
Behove (United States behoove )
verb (it behoves someone to do something) formal
it is a duty, responsibility, or appropriate response
for someone to do something.
Tenor /ˈt n.ə r / /- / noun MUSIC
1. [ C ] a male singer with a high voice, or
(especially in combinations) a musical instrument which
has the same range of notes as the tenor singing voice
A tenor saxophone
Tenor /ˈt n.ə r / /- / noun CHARACTER
2. [ U ] FORMAL the general meaning, character or
pattern of something
What was the general tenor of his speech?
Indict /ɪnˈdaɪt/ verb [ T ] LEGAL
If a law court or a grand jury indicts someone, it
accuses them officially of a crime
UK He was indicted on drug charges at
Snaresbrook Crown Court.
US Five people were indicted for mak ing and sell
ing counterfeit currency.
Indictment /ɪnˈdaɪt.mənt/ noun
1. [ C usually singular ] a reason for giving blame
This seems to me to be a damning indictment of
education policy.
2. [ C ] LEGAL a formal statement of accusing
someone
The charges on the indictment include murder and
attempted murder.
Eloquent /ˈ l.ə.kw ə nt/ adjective
Giving a clear, strong message
She made an eloquent appeal for action.
The pictures were an eloquent reminder of the
power of the volcano.
Splinter /ˈsplɪn.tə r / /- / noun [ C ]
A small sharp broken piece of wood, glass, plastic
or similar material
The girl had got a splinter ( of wood) in her toe.
Splinter /ˈsplɪn.tə r / /- / verb [ I ]
To break into small, sharp pieces
The edges of the plastic cover had cracked and
splintered.
FIGURATIVE The danger is that the Conservative
Party may splinter into several smaller political parties.
Piper /ˈpaɪ.pə r / /-p / noun [ C ]
Someone who plays a pipe (= a short narrow tube
played by blowing through it) or the bagpipes
We could hear a lone piper player playing in the
distance.
Dribble /ˈdrɪb.l / verb [ I or T ] FLOW SLOWLY
1. To (cause a liquid to) flow very slowly in small
amounts
The water was barely dribbling out of the tap.
Dribble the remaining olive oil over the tomatoes.
Assail /əˈs ɪl/ verb FORMAL
1. [ T ] to attack someone violently or criticize
someone strongly
The victim had been assailed with repeated blows
to the head and body.
He was assailed with insults and abuse as he left
the court.
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2. [ T often passive ] to cause someone to
experience a lot of unpleasant things
To be assailed by doubts/fears/problems
Anomaly /əˈn m.ə.li/ /-ˈnɑː.mə-/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL
A person or thing that is different from what is
usual, or not in agreement with something else and
therefore not satisfactory
Statistical anomalies can make it difficult to
compare economic data from one year to the next.
The anomaly of the social security system is that
you sometimes have more money without a job.
Anomalous /əˈn m.ə.ləs/ /-ˈnɑː.mə-/ adjective
In a multicultural society is it not anomalous to
have a blasphemy law which only protects one religious
faith?
Anomalously /əˈn m.ə.lə.sli/ /-ˈnɑː.mə-/ adverb
Partake /pɑːˈt ɪk/ /pɑːr-/ verb [ I ] partook , partaken
EAT/DRINK
1. OLD-FASHIONED OR HUMOROUS to eat or drink
Would you care to partake of a little wine with us?
Partake /pɑːˈt ɪk/ /pɑːr-/ verb [ I ] partook , partaken
TAKE PART
2. OLD-FASHIONED OR FORMAL to become involved
with or take part in something
She was happy to partake in the festivities.
Quintile
noun
1 Statistics each of five equal groups into which a
population can be divided according to the
distribution of values of a variable.
2 Astrology an aspect of 72° (one fifth of a circle).
Stoke /stəʊk/ /st ʊk/ verb [ I or T ] ( ALSO stoke up )
1. To add fuel to a large closed fire and move the
fuel around with a stick so that it burns well and
produces a lot of heat
Once the fire had been stoked up, the room began
to get warm.
2. To encourage bad ideas or feelings in a lot of
people
He's been accused of stoking up racial hatred in
the region.
Rumours of an emergency meeting of the finance
ministers stoked the atmosphere of crisis.
Hiatus /haɪˈ ɪ.təs/ /-t əs/ noun [ C usually singular ]
FORMAL
A short pause in which nothing happens or is said,
or a space where something is missing
The company expects to resume production of the
vehicle again after a two-month hiatus.
Ostentatious /ˌ s.t nˈt ɪ. əs/ /ˌɑː.stən-/ adjective
DISAPPROVING
Too obviously showing your money, possessions or
power, in an attempt to make other people notice and
admire you
They criticized the ostentatious lifestyle of their
leaders.
An ostentatious gesture/manner
Secede /sɪˈsiːd/ verb [ I ] FORMAL
To become independent of a country or area of
government
There is likely to be civil war if the region tries to
secede from the south.
Secession noun
The action of seceding from a federation or
organization.(the Secession) historical the
withdrawal of eleven Southern states from the US
Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War.
Cessation /s sˈ ɪ. ə n/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL
Ending or stopping
Religious leaders have called for a total cessation
of the bombing campaign.
See also cease
Blasphemy /ˈblæs.fə.mi/ noun [ C or U ]
Something which you say or do that shows you
do not respect God or a religion
To be accused of blasphemy
FIGURATIVE HUMOROUS Elvis Presley fans think that
any criticism of him is blasphemy.
Sedition /sɪˈdɪ . Ə n/ noun [ U ] FORMAL
Language or behaviour that is intended to
persuade other people to oppose their government
Cessation /s sˈ ɪ. ə n/ noun [ C or U ] FORMAL
Ending or stopping
Religious leaders have called for a total
cessation of the bombing campaign.
See also cease
Masquerade /ˌmæs.k ə rˈ ɪd/ /-kəˈr ɪd/ noun [ C or U ]
Behaviour that is intended to prevent the truth
about something unpleasant or not wanted from
becoming known
They kept up the masquerade of being happily
married for over thirty years.
Masquerade as sb/sth phrasal verb
To pretend or appear to be someone or
something
Hooligans masquerading as football fans have
once again caused disturbances.
Extenuate /ɪkˈst n.j . ɪt/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
To cause a wrong act to be judged less seriously
by giving reasons for it
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He was unable to say anything that might have
extenuated his behaviour.
Ambience , ambiance /ˈæm.bi. Ə n t s/ /ˌɑːm.biˈɑːn t s/
noun [ S ] LITERARY
The character of a place or the quality it seems
to have
Despite being a busy city, Dublin has the
ambience of a country town.
Specious /ˈspiː. əs/ adjective FORMAL DISAPPROVING
Seeming to be right or true, but really wrong or
false
A specious argument/claim
Specious allegations/promises
Remiss /rɪˈmɪs/ adjective [ after verb ] FORMAL
Careless and not doing a duty well enough
You have been remiss in your duties.
[ + to infinitive ] It was remiss of me to forget to
give you the message.
Ignominy /ˈɪg.nə.mɪ.ni/ noun [ U ] LITERARY
Public embarrassment
The Workers' Coalition experienced the ignominy
of total defeat in the last election.
Ignominious /ˌɪg.nəˈmɪn.i.əs/ adjective LITERARY
(especially of events or behaviour) embarrassing
because of being a complete failure
An ignominious defeat/failure/retreat
Dispense with sth/sb phrasal verb
To get rid of something or someone or stop
using them because you do not need them
They've had to dispense with a lot of luxuries
since Mike lost his job.
Taint /t ɪnt/ verb [ T ]
To spoil something, especially food or blood, by
adding a harmful substance, or to spoil people's opinion
of someone
His reputation was permanently tainted by the
financial scandal.
Vendetta /v nˈd t.ə/ /-ˈd -/ noun [ C ]
A long and violent argument between people or
families in which one group tries to harm the other in
order to punish them for things that have happened in
the past
He saw himself as the victim of a personal
vendetta being waged by his political enemies.
August /ɔːˈgʌst/ /ɑː-/ adjective FORMAL
Having great importance and especially of the
highest social class
The society's august patron, the Duke of Norfolk
Dismay /dɪˈsm ɪ/ noun [ U ]
A feeling of unhappiness and disappointment
Aid workers were said to have been filled with
dismay by the appalling conditions that the refugees
were living in.
The supporters watched in/with dismay as their
team lost 6-0.
She discovered, to her dismay, that her exam was a
whole month earlier than she'd expected.
Contrite /ˈkən.traɪt/ /ˈkɑːn-/ adjective FORMAL
Feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad
that you have done
A contrite apology/expression
Enigma /ɪˈnɪg.mə/ noun [ C ]
Something that is mysterious and seems
impossible to understand completely
She is a bit of an enigma.
The newspapers were full of stories about the
enigma of Lord Lucan's disappearance.
Dubious /ˈdj ː.bi.əs/ /ˈd ː-/ adjective
1. Thought not to be completely true or not able to
be trusted
These claims are dubious and not scientifically
proven.
He has been associated with some dubious
characters.
Ruth Ellis has the dubious (= bad) distinction of
being the last woman to be hanged in Britain.
2. Feeling doubt or not feeling certain
I'm dubious about his promises to change his ways.
Diabolical /ˌdaɪəˈb l.ɪ.k ə l/ /-ˈbɑː.lɪ.k ə l/ adjective ( US
ALSO diabolic )
1. INFORMAL extremely bad or shocking
Conditions in the prison were diabolical.
His driving is diabolical!
2. Evil, or caused by the Devil
Homeric
adjective
1 of or in the style of the Greek poet Homer (8th
century BC) or the epic poems ascribed to him.
2 of Bronze Age Greece as described in these poems.