Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WORD
Law abiding
inherent
secular
veil
MEANING
Obeys Law
existing as a natural or basic part of some thing
Not having any connection with religion
cover
FORMAL
/QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ Q/
US
/Q:Q"QQQ.QQQQ/
noun [U]
FORMAL
LITERARY
/"QQQ.Q.QQ/
adjective
2 (a piece of) stone or metal used in a musket to make it fire or in a cigarette lighter to produce a
flinty
/"QQQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
adjective
the force which makes it difficult for one object to slide along the surface of another or to move through a
When you rub your hands together the friction produces heat.
frictional
/"QQQQ.QQQ.QQ/
adjective
LITERARY
to cry tears:
People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced.
She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left.
weep
/QQ:Q/
noun [S]
LITERARY
/"QQ:.QQ/
adjective
weepy, weepie
/"QQ:.QQ/
noun [C]
INFORMAL
/"QQQ.QQ=.Q/
adverb
/"Q{Q.QQQ.QQQ/
tangibly
fusing
adverb
combining
cling (STAY CLOSE) /QQQQ/ verb clung, clung
1 [I usually + adverb or preposition] to stay close or near:
The road clings to (= closely follows) the coastline for several miles, then it turns inland.
2 [I]
DISAPPROVING
Jenny is the kind of child who always clings whenever she's taken to a new place.
clinging
/"QQQQ.QQ/
DISAPPROVING
FORMAL
/"Q{Q.Q.QQQQ/
adjective
FORMAL
/"Q{Q.Q.QQQQ.QQ/
adverb
FORMAL
very obviously:
He claims that he is completely committed to the project and yet this is manifestly untrue.
The government has manifestly failed to raise educational standards, despite its commitment to d
manifestation
/%Q{Q.Q.QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
noun
FORMAL
She claimed that the rise in unemployment was just a further manifestation of the government's i
2 [U] appearance:
Unlike acid rain or deforestation, global warming has no visible manifestation .
used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that you are certain about or th
Clare will be five years old next month.
The train leaves at 8.58, so we'll be in Scotland by lunchtime.
I'll see him tomorrow./I'll be seeing him tomorrow.
Will Susie be there?
It won't be easy to find another secretary.
There'll be trouble when she finds out.
will have
used to refer back to the past from a point in the future:
By the time we get there, Jim will have left.
gulf
FORMAL
(from) where:
It has been returned to the shop from whence it came.
SAYING
said when you are hopeful that something will happen although it seems unlikely
eternally
/Q"QQ:.QQQ.Q/
US
/-"QQ`:-/
adverb
/Q%QQQ.Q"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [U]
The assimilation of ethnic Germans in the US was accelerated by the two world wars.
assimilable
/Q"QQQ.Q.QQ.QQ=/
adjective
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/"QQQ-/
adverb
used to emphasize that you mean exactly what you are saying and nothing more:
I wasn't complaining, I merely said that I was tired.
The medicine won't cure her - it merely stops the pain.
merest
/"QQQ.QQQQ/
US
/"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
the merest used to emphasize the surprising or strong effect of a very small action or event:
The merest mention of seafood makes her feel sick.
The merest hint of criticism makes him defensive.
to control the actions or behaviour of someone by force, especially in order to stop them from doing some
When he started fighting, it took four police officers to restrain him.
[R] She was so angry that she could hardly restrain herself.
You should try to restrain your ambitions and be more realistic.
Growth in car ownership could be restrained by increasing taxes.
restrained
/QQ"QQQQQQQ/
adjective
/QQ"QQQQQQQ/
noun
The security forces exercised (= used) great restraint by not responding to hostile attacks and th
2 [C or U] something which limits the freedom of someone or something, or which prevents some
government spending restraints
Lack of space is the main restraint on the firm's expansion plans.
During the recession, the government opted for a policy of pay/wage restraint rather than a reduc
keep/place sb under restraint
to keep a violent person in a way that prevents them from moving freely:
The two prisoners were kept under restraint while they were transported between prisons.
/QQ:Q/
US
/QQ`:Q/
noun [C]
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
The police have assured the public that the escaped prisoners will not evade rec
She leant forward to kiss him but he evaded her by pretending to sneeze.
An Olympic gold medal is the only thing that has evaded her in her remarkable
[+ ing form of verb] He can't evade doing military service forever.
/Q"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [C or U]
Her speech was full of excuses and evasions and never properly addressed the i
tax evasion (= illegally not paying tax)
evasive
/Q"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
By the time the pilot realised how close the plane was to the building, it was too
The Minister was her usual evasive self, skilfully dodging reporters' questions ab
/Q"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/ adverb
evasiveness /Q"QQQ.QQQ.QQQ/ noun
evasively
[U]
OLD-FASHIONED LITERARY
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
adjective
LITERARY
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
adverb
MAINLY US INFORMAL
very:
They offered to raise salaries by 12% - that's a mighty generous deal.
mightily
/"QQQ.QQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ-/
adverb
FORMAL
OLD-FASHIONED
SAYING
said when you must continue with your work or other activity although you are very tired
/QQ"QQQQ.Q.QQ=/
adjective
/QQ"QQQQ.Q.QQQ/
adverb
FORMAL
/QQ"QQQQ.QQQ/
adverb
His strongest criticism is reserved for his father, whom he disliked intensely.
intensity
/QQ"QQQQ.QQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ.QQ/
noun [U]
The explosion was of such intensity that it was heard five miles away.
intensifier
/QQ"QQQQ.QQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`/
SPECIALIZED
In English grammar, an intensifier is a word, especially an adverb or adjective, which has little me
In the phrases 'an extremely large man' and 'I strongly object', 'extremely' and 'strongly' are both
intensify
/QQ"QQQQ.QQ.QQQ/
verb [I or T]
/QQ%QQQQ.QQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [U]
FORMAL
to say formally or publicly that you no longer own, support, believe in or have a connection with somethin
Her ex-husband renounced his claim to the family house.
Gandhi renounced the use of violence.
renunciation
/QQ%QQQQ.QQ"QQ.QQQ/
noun [S or U]
A tidal surge (= sudden and great rise in the level of the sea) caused severe flooding in coastal a
/QQ:QQ/
US
/QQ`:QQ/
verb [I]
HUMOROUS
/%QQQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [C or U]
when you do not have things or conditions that are usually considered necessary for a pleasant lif
They used sleep deprivation as a form of torture.
There is awful deprivation in the shanty towns.
There were food shortages and other deprivations during the Civil War.
deprived
/QQ"QQQQQQ/
adjective
not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food or good l
She had a deprived childhood/comes from a deprived background.
a deprived area
OLD USE
by chance; possibly:
Do you know her, perchance?
CHAPTER II
equilibrium /%Q:.QQQ"QQQ.QQ.QQ/ /%QQ.QQ-/ noun [S or U]
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
1 a state of balance:
The disease destroys much of the inner-ear, disturbing the animal's equilibrium.
the country's economic equilibrium
2 a state of mental calmness:
Yoga is said to restore one's inner equilibrium.
/Q"QQ:Q.QQ/
US
/-"QQ`:Q-/
adverb
FORMAL
to push away or refuse something or someone unwanted, especially to successfully stop a physical attack
The enemy attack was quickly repulsed.
repulse
/QQ"QQQQ/
noun [S or U]
FORMAL OR OLD-FASHIONED
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [U]
SPECIALIZED
FORMAL
/QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
It seems to me that a lot of evil deeds are done in the name of religion.
She's always helping people and doing other good deeds.
FORMAL
INFORMAL DISAPPROVING
to speak too proudly about what you have done or what you own:
She's always bragging about how much money she earns.
[+ that] They bragged that their team had never been beaten.
braggart
/"QQ{Q.QQ/
US
/-Q`Q/
noun [C]
OLD-FASHIONED DISAPPROVING
someone who proudly talks a lot about themselves and their achievements or possessions
FORMAL
1 not having had sex, or only having a sexual relationship with the person whom you are married
In the past, a woman needed to be chaste to make a good marriage.
They exchanged a few chaste kisses (= not expressing sexual desire).
2 describes decoration or style that is very simple and smooth:
I like the simple, chaste lines of their architecture.
chastity
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
noun [U]
the state of not having sexual relationships or never having had sex:
As a monk, he took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
LITERARY
to cry tears:
People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced.
She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left.
weep
/QQ:Q/
noun [S]
LITERARY
/"QQ:.QQ/
adjective
/"QQ:.QQ/
noun [C]
INFORMAL
If a person does something or goes somewhere like a lamb to the slaughter, they do it without kno
Lamb of God
in the Christian religion, a name for Christ
lamb
/Q{Q/
verb [I]
FORMAL
/"QQQ.QQ.QQQQ/
US
/-Q`.QQQQ/
noun [U]
FORMAL
/"QQQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-Q`.QQQ/
adjective
FORMAL
/"QQQ.QQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`.QQQ-/
adverb
FORMAL
/%QQQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/-Q"QQQQ-/
adjective
FORMAL
/%QQQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ.Q/
US
/-Q"QQQQ-/
OLD-FASHIONED
SAYING
said when you must continue with your work or other activity although you are very tired
FORMAL
a person who uses a particular shop, restaurant, hotel, etc., especially regularly; a customer:
Will patrons kindly note that this shop will be closed on 17th July.
patronage
/"Q{Q.QQ.QQQQ/ /"QQQ.QQQQ.QQQ/
noun [U]
FORMAL
UK USUALLY
patronise
/"Q{Q.QQQ.QQQ/
US
/"QQQ.QQQQ-/ /"Q{Q.QQQ-/
verb [T]
FORMAL
/QQQ/
noun [S]
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`/
noun [C]
an oil well from which oil flows without the use of a pump (DEVICE)
/"QQQ:.QQQQ/
US
/-QQQ`/
noun [C]
to support something physically, often by leaning it against something else or putting something under it:
I propped my bike (up) against the wall.
She was sitting at the desk with her chin propped on her hands.
This window keeps on closing - I'll have to prop it open with something.
prop
/QQQQ/
US
/QQQ:Q/
noun [C]
A lot of people use cigarettes as a sort of social prop (= to make them feel more confid
Emma was so tired and hungry that her legs were beginning to give way beneath her (= she was about t
beneath
/QQ"QQ:Q/
adverb
/QQ"QQQQ.Q.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-"QQQQ-/
adverb
/QQ"QQQQ.Q.QQ.QQ/
legitimacy
US
/-"QQQQ-/
noun [U]
The government expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of military action (= about whethe
legitimize,
UK USUALLY
legitimise
/QQ"QQQQ.Q.QQQQ/
US
/-"QQQQ-/
FORMAL
The government fears that talking to terrorists might legitimize (= make acceptable) their violent
noun [U]
FORMAL
/Q"QQQ.QQ.QQ=/
adjective
FORMAL
possible to achieve:
We must ensure that we do not set ourselves goals that are not attainable.
attainment
/Q"QQQQ.QQQQ/
1 [U]
FORMAL
noun
UK FORMAL
Someone's attainments are the things they have done and the skills
2 [U] In the Christian religion, salvation of a person or their spirit is the state of being saved from
The Gospel message is one of personal salvation.
/"QQ:.QQQ.QQ/
US
/"QQ`:-/
adjective
DISAPPROVING
describes a person who thinks himself or herself morally better than other people:
I'm convinced he only does that charity work so that he can feel virtuous.
virtuously
/"QQ:.QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/"QQ`:-/
adverb
/%QQQ.QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/%QQ:Q-/
noun [C or U]
/QQQ"QQQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQ:Q.Q/
adjective
a condemnatory speech/tone
condemned
/QQQ"QQQQ/
adjective
1 A condemned person is someone who is going to be killed, especially as a punishment for havin
2 describes a building that has been officially judged not safe for people to live in or to use, or foo
/%QQQ.QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/%QQ:Q-/
noun [C or U]
/QQQ"QQQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQ:Q.Q/
adjective
a condemnatory speech/tone
condemned
/QQQ"QQQQ/
adjective
1 A condemned person is someone who is going to be killed, especially as a punishment for havin
2 describes a building that has been officially judged not safe for people to live in or to use, or foo
to talk about or look at someone or something in an unkind way that shows you do not respect or approve
You may sneer, but a lot of people like this kind of music.
She'll probably sneer at my new shoes because they're not expensive.
[+ speech] "Is that the best you can do?" he sneered.
sneer
/QQQQQ/
US
/QQQQ/
noun [C]
DISAPPROVING
an unkind facial expression which shows your lack of respect or approval of someone or something
"How much did you say you earned last year - was it fifteen thousand?" she said with a sneer.
sneering
/"QQQQ.QQQ/
US
/"QQQQ.QQ/
adjective
DISAPPROVING
/"QQQQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/"QQQQ.QQ-/
adverb
DISAPPROVING
a person who has no home and usually no job, and who travels from place to place:
They live a vagabond life/existence, travelling around in a caravan.
Compare vagrant.
FORMAL
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
permission or agreement:
They can't publish your name without your consent.
You can only come on the trip if your parents give their consent.
by common consent
most people agree:
Her latest film, by common consent, is her best yet.
consent
/QQQ"QQQQ/
verb [I]
FORMAL
[+ that] It was the famous speech in which he proclaimed that socialism was dead.
[+ two objects] She was proclaimed Queen at the age of thirteen after the sudden death of her father.
proclamation
/%QQQQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/%QQQ:.QQQ-/
noun [C or U]
an official announcement:
to issue a proclamation
A bloody civil war followed the proclamation of an independent state.
FORMAL
/Q"QQQQQ/
US
/-"QQQQQ/
FORMAL
CHAPTER III
miserable (UNHAPPY) /"QQQ.QQ.Q.QQ=/ US /-Q`-/ adjective
1 very unhappy:
She's miserable living on her own.
2 unpleasant and causing unhappiness:
miserable weather
What a miserable existence! How could anyone live in such dreadful conditions.
miserably
/"QQQ.QQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/-Q`-/
adverb
/"QQQ.QQ.Q/
US
/-Q`-/
noun
INFORMAL
someone who is often very unhappy and is always complaining about things:
INFORMAL
to stop someone worrying, usually by giving them information that they have been waiting for:
We try to put our students out of their misery and give them their exam results as early as possib
INFORMAL
to defeat completely:
/Q%QQQ.Q"QQQ.QQQ/
annihilation
noun [U]
During the Cold War the threat of nuclear annihilation was always on people's minds.
INFORMAL
The opposition party's candidate suffered annihilation (= complete defeat) at the polls.
1 [U] the ability to understand and to think in an intelligent way, or the ability to do these things t
Her energy and intellect are respected all over the world.
He is a man more noted for his intellect than his charm.
2 [C]
FORMAL
intellectual
a highly educated person whose interests are studying and other activities that involv
/%QQ.QQQ"QQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
adjective
relating to your ability to think and understand things, esp complicated ideas:
Looking after a baby at home all day is nice but it doesn't provide much intellectual stimulation.
I like detective stories and romances - nothing too intellectual.
intellectual
/%QQ.QQQ"QQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
noun [C]
a highly educated person whose interests are studying and other activities that involve careful thin
She was too much of an intellectual to find popular films interesting.
intellectually
/%QQ.QQQ"QQ.QQQ.Q.QQ/
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
adverb
UK USUALLY
intellectualise
/%QQ.QQQ"QQ.QQQ.Q.QQQQ/
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
verb [I or T]
to think about or discuss a subject in a detailed and intellectual way, without involving your emotio
She couldn't stand all that pointless intellectualizing about subjects that just didn't matter.
intellectualism
/%QQ.QQQ"QQ.QQQ.Q.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
noun [U]
USUALLY DISAPPROVING
1 [I or T] to feel with your hands, especially in order to find or move towards something when you
She groped for her glasses on the bedside table.
I had to grope my way up the dark stairs.
2 [T]
INFORMAL
to touch someone's body in order to get sexual pleasure, usually when the person d
/QQQQQ/
US
/QQQQQ/
noun [C]
INFORMAL
to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against diffic
[+ to infinitive] Mr Roe has kindled expectations that he must now strive to live up to.
In her writing she strove for a balance between innovation and familiar prose forms.
She claimed that the way she had been treated at work had caused her extreme emotional and ps
Many of the horses were showing signs of distress at the end of the race.
2 when you are suffering or are in great danger and therefore in urgent need of help:
Six people were rescued by helicopter from a fishing boat in distress off the Cornish coast.
a distress signal
distress
/QQ"QQQQQ/
verb [T]
/QQ"QQQQQQ/
distressed
adjective
/QQ"QQQQQ.QQ/
/QQ"QQQQQ.QQ.QQ/
adverb
UK INFORMAL
Ignorant lout!
ignorance
/"QQ.QQQ.QQQQ/
US
/-QQ`-/
noun [U]
SAYING
said to emphasize that sometimes it is better for you if you do not know all the facts about a situa
protection or safety, especially that given by a government to foreigners who have been forced to leave th
to seek/apply for political asylum
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/
adverb
FORMAL
FORMAL
/QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
prevailing
adjective
HUMOROUS
to steal something:
/"QQQ.QQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-Q`.QQ.QQQ/
adjective
/%QQQ.Q"QQQ.QQQ/
noun [U]
2 used to refer to activities connected with removing the disadvantages experienced by particular
the women's liberation (INFORMAL lib) movement
animal liberation organizations
liberator
/"QQQ.QQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-Q`.QQ.QQ`/
noun [C]
/QQQ"QQQ:Q/
US
/-"QQ:Q/
adjective
LITERARY
/"QQQQ.QQ/
US
/"QQQ.QQQ`:Q/
LITERARY
/QQQQQ/
noun [C]
I feel like a real drudge - I've done nothing but clean all day!
SAYING
said when you are hopeful that something will happen although it seems unlikely
eternally
/Q"QQ:.QQQ.Q/
US
/-"QQ`:-/
adverb
DISAPPROVING
DISAPPROVING
/QQ"QQQ.QQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQQ/
adjective
insinuation
/QQ%QQQ.QQ"QQ.QQQ/
noun [C or U]
[+ that] We resent these insinuations that we are not capable of leading the company forward.
/"QQQQ.QQQ/
adjective
/"QQQQ.QQQ.Q/
adverb
OLD-FASHIONED LITERARY
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
adjective
LITERARY
/"QQQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
adverb
MAINLY US INFORMAL
very:
They offered to raise salaries by 12% - that's a mighty generous deal.
mightily
/"QQQ.QQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ-/
adverb
FORMAL
a small tropical animal with a long tail which eats snakes, rats and birds' eggs
dwell /QQQQ/ verb [I usually + adverb or preposition] dwelt or dwelled, dwelt or dwelled
FORMAL
/"QQQQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`/
noun
city/town/cave, etc. dweller a person who lives in a city, town, cave, etc.
dwelling
/"QQQQ.QQ/
noun [C]
FORMAL
when there is not enough food for a great number of people, causing illness and death, or a particular per
Another crop failure could result in widespread famine.
There were reports of refugees dying of famine.
Thousands of people emigrated during the Irish potato famine of 1845-46.
/QQQQQQ/
US
/QQQQQ`/
verb [T]
/"QQQQQ.QQ/
US
/"QQQQQ`.Q/
adjective
UK
describes potatoes that are dry and break into small pieces when they are cooked
FORMAL
CHAPTER IV
impulse (DESIRE) /"QQ.QQQQ/ noun [C + to infinitive]
a sudden strong desire to do something:
I had this sudden impulse to shout out "Rubbish!" in the middle of her speech.
on (an) impulse
because you suddenly want to, although you haven't planned to:
"I didn't know you were looking for some new shoes." "Oh, I wasn't - I just bought them on impul
impulsive
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
showing behaviour in which you do things suddenly without any planning and without considering
Don't be so impulsive - think before you act.
an impulsive man/decision/gesture
impulsively
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/
adverb
the part of you that judges the morality of your own actions and makes you feel guilty about bad things th
a guilty conscience
a question/matter of conscience
You didn't do anything wrong, - you should have a clear conscience (= not feel guilty).
My conscience would really trouble me if I wore a fur coat.
He's got no conscience at all (= does not feel guilty) about leaving me to do the housework.
be/weigh on your conscience
to make you feel guilty:
I ignored an old woman who asked me for money in the street yesterday, and it's been on my con
in all conscience
UK
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
/QQQ"QQ:.QQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/QQQ"QQ:Q.Q-/
adverb
/%QQQ.QQQ"QQ.Q.QQ/
US
/%QQQ.QQ"QQQ.Q.QQ/
noun [U]
FORMAL
OLD USE
exalted
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/-"QQ:Q.QQQ/
adjective
She rose to the exalted (= very high) post of Foreign Secretary after only three years in the gover
LITERARY
USUALLY DISAPPROVING
a religious group which has developed from a larger religion and is considered to have extreme or unusua
When he was sixteen he ran away from home and joined a religious sect.
allude to sb/sth phrasal verb
FORMAL
a head covering for a man, worn especially by Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus, and made from a long piece of
See picture turban.
turbaned
/"QQ:.QQQQ/
/"QQ`:-/
US
adjective
a turbaned man
to speak or say something with unusual pauses or repeated sounds, either because of speech problems o
[+ speech] "Wh-when can we g-go?" she stammered.
He dialled 999 and stammered (out) his name and address.
Compare stutter (SPEAK).
stammer
/"QQ{Q.QQ/
/-Q`/
US
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`.Q`/
noun [C]
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`-/
adverb
/Q"QQQQQ/
oppressed
adjective
oppressed minorities
the poor and the oppressed
oppression
/Q"QQQQ.QQ/
noun [U]
when people are governed in an unfair and cruel way and prevented from having opportunities an
Every human being has the right to freedom from oppression.
War, famine and oppression have forced people in the region to flee from their homes.
the oppression of women
oppressive
/Q"QQQQ.QQ/
adjective
/Q"QQQQ.QQ.QQ/ adverb
oppressiveness /Q"QQQQ.QQ.QQQ/ noun
oppressively
oppressor
/Q"QQQQ.QQ/
US
/-Q`/
[U]
noun [C]
someone who treats people in an unfair and cruel way and prevents them from having opportuniti
Sisters, we must rise up and defeat our oppressors.
an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowle
Laws against racial prejudice must be strictly enforced.
[+ that] The campaign aims to dispel the prejudice that AIDS is confined to the homosexual community.
He claims that prejudice against homosexuals would cease overnight if all the gay stars in the country we
without prejudice to sth
FORMAL OR LEGAL
If a decision or action is made without prejudice to a right or claim, it is made without having an e
My client accepts the formal apology without prejudice to any further legal action she may decide
prejudice
/"QQQQQ.Q.QQQ/
verb [T]
1 Someone or something that prejudices you influences you unfairly so that you form an unreason
His comments may have prejudiced the voters against her.
2
FORMAL
Something or someone that prejudices something else has a harmful influence on it:
The fact that you were late all this week may prejudice your chances of getting a promotion.
prejudiced
/"QQQQQ.Q.QQQQ/
adjective
DISAPPROVING
/%QQQQQ.Q"QQQ.QQ/
adjective
SLIGHTLY FORMAL
The judge decided that allowing the videotape as evidence would be prejudicial to the outcome of
OFFENSIVE
/QQQQQ/
US
/QQQQ/
noun [C]
OFFENSIVE
used to show when it is necessary, desirable or advantageous to perform the activity referred to by the fo
You ought to be kinder to him.
We ought not/oughtn't to have agreed without knowing what it would cost.
"We ought to be getting ready now." "Yes, I suppose we ought (to)."
These fanatics are in deadly earnest when they say they want to destroy all forms of government.
3 in earnest When something begins in earnest, it has already started but is now being done in a
The election campaign has begun in earnest.
4 be in earnest to be speaking honestly:
[U]
UK HUMOROUS
something you say to mean that your life is not bad and that you should not complain about it:
"How's it going then, Mike?" "Oh, all right. Mustn't grumble."
grumble
/"QQQQ.QQ=/
a complaint:
If I hear any more grumbles about the food, you can do the cooking yourself!
grumbler
/"QQQQ.QQQQ/
US
/-QQQ`/
noun [C]
FORMAL
/Q"QQQ.QQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/Q%QQQ.QQ"QQ.QQQ/
/-QQQ/
adjective
noun [U]
FORMAL
FORMAL
/QQ"QQQ.Q.QQ=/
adjective
possible to deny:
The facts are simply not deniable.
denial
/QQ"QQQ.QQ/
noun [C]
DISAPPROVING
Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
2 [after noun] complaining too much about unimportant things:
Don't be so petty!
pettiness
/"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/"QQQ-/
noun [U]
DISAPPROVING
FORMAL
to prevent yourself from saying or doing something, especially in a way that shows control, good judgmen
His plan was such a success that even his original critics could scarcely forbear from congratulating him.
The doctor said she was optimistic about the outcome of the operation but forbore to make any promises
forbearance
/QQ:"QQQ.QQQQQ/
US
/QQ:Q-/
noun [U]
FORMAL
[+ (that)] He thanked his employees for the forbearance (that) they had shown during the comp
forbearing
/QQ:"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/QQ:Q"QQQ.QQ/
adjective
FORMAL
FORMAL
1 not having had sex, or only having a sexual relationship with the person whom you are married
In the past, a woman needed to be chaste to make a good marriage.
They exchanged a few chaste kisses (= not expressing sexual desire).
2 describes decoration or style that is very simple and smooth:
I like the simple, chaste lines of their architecture.
chastity
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ/
US
/-QQ/
noun [U]
the state of not having sexual relationships or never having had sex:
As a monk, he took vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
/%QQ.QQ:"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQ:Q-/
noun
1 [C] a particular life, in religions that believe that we have many lives:
He believes that he was a Roman warrior in a previous incarnation.
Compare reincarnation.
2 [C] a particular physical form or condition of something or someone that is changing or develop
This film is the latest incarnation of a fairy tale that dates back to the Middle Ages.
2 [C usually singular]
APPROVING
That's the last time I look after her kids - I'll be glad when the little demons go home.
4 [C] a negative feeling such as guilt or regret which causes you to behave badly:
She had her demons and, later in life, they drove her to drink.
the demon drink (US the demon alcohol)
HUMOROUS
/%QQ:.QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
demoniacal
FORMAL
demoniacally
demonic
/-"QQ:.QQ-/ adverb
demonize, UK USUALLY demonise /"QQ:.QQ.QQQQ/ verb
demonically
/QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
[T]
to try to make someone or a group of people seem as if they are completely evil:
During the 1930s and 40s, the Nazis used racist propaganda in an attempt to demonize the Jews.
demonology
/%QQ:.QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/-"QQ:.QQ-/
noun [U]
LITERARY
/QQQQQ/
noun [C]
LITERARY OR HUMOROUS
/"QQQQQ.QQ/
adverb
LITERARY
/QQ"QQ:.QQQ/
US
/-"QQ`:.QQ`/
noun [C]
/QQ"QQ:.QQQ/
US
/-"QQ`:-/
noun [C or U]
There have been mass desertions from (= a lot of people have left) the party in recent
/"QQ.QQ/
noun [U]
the feeling that you wish you had something that someone else has:
I watched with envy as she set off for the airport.
Compare jealousy at jealous (UNHAPPY).
be the envy of sb
to be liked and wanted by a lot of people:
Her hair is the envy of the office.
enviable
/"QQ.QQ.Q.QQ=/
adjective
If someone is in an enviable situation, you wish you were also in that situation:
She's in the enviable position of being able to choose who she works for.
enviably
envious
/"QQ.QQ.Q.QQQ/ adverb
/"QQ.QQ.QQ/ adjective
/"QQ.QQ.Q.QQQ/
adverb
I was looking enviously at your plate, wishing I'd had the fish.
enviousness
/"QQ.QQ.Q.QQQQ/
noun [U]
UK HUMOROUS
something you say to mean that your life is not bad and that you should not complain about it:
"How's it going then, Mike?" "Oh, all right. Mustn't grumble."
grumble
/"QQQQ.QQ=/
a complaint:
If I hear any more grumbles about the food, you can do the cooking yourself!
grumbler
/"QQQQ.QQQQ/
US
/-QQQ`/
noun [C]
/QQ:Q/
/QQ:QQ/
adjective
CHAPTER V
devote sth to sth/sb phrasal verb
1 to give all of something, especially your time, effort or love, or yourself, to something you believ
He left government to devote more time to his family.
She has devoted all her energies/life to the care of homeless people.
[R] At the age of 25, he decided to devote himself to God.
2 [often passive] to use a space, area, time, etc. for a particular purpose:
Over half his speech was devoted to the issue of unemployment.
The report recommends that more resources be devoted to teaching four year olds.
devoted
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/-"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/
devotedly
devotion
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
US
/-"QQQ.QQQ-/
/-"QQQ-/
adverb
noun [U]
/QQ"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/
US
/-"QQQ-/
adjective
/QQ"QQQ.QQQQ/
US
/-"QQQ-/
plural noun
1 [C or U] an ancient story or set of stories, especially explaining in a literary way the early histor
ancient myths
The children enjoyed the stories about the gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman myth.
Most societies have their own creation myths.
2 [C + that]
DISAPPROVING
Statistics disprove the myth that women are worse drivers than men.
mythical
/"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
adjective
a mythical hero
dragons and other mythical creatures
2 imaginary or not real:
Start living life here and now instead of waiting for that mythical day when you'll be slim.
mythological
/%QQQ.QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/-Q"QQ:.QQQ-/
adjective
/QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQ/
US
/-"QQ:.QQ-/
noun [U]
1 myths in general:
She's fascinated by the stories of classical mythology (= ancient Greek and Roman myths).
2 a popular belief that is probably not true:
It's just a piece of popular mythology that people always get sacked when they are away.
mythologize,
UK USUALLY
mythologise
/QQ"QQQ.Q.QQQQQ/
US
/QQ"QQ:.QQ-/
verb [I or T]
MAINLY US
/"QQQ.QQ=Q/
LITERARY
describes something or someone who has been made very famous, especially by having many sto
the fabled film director Cecil B. De Mille
/%QQQ.QQ.QQ"QQ.QQQ/
ritualistically
US
/%QQQQ.Q-/
/%QQQ.QQ.QQ"QQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
adjective
/%QQQQ.Q-/
adverb
/QQ"QQQQQ.QQQ/
US
/-QQ`/
noun [C]
/"QQQQ.QQ.QQQQ/
noun [U]
INFORMAL
1 [C or U] (an example of) a usual or accepted way of behaving, especially in social situations, oft
They defied/flouted/broke with convention by giving up their jobs and becoming self-sufficient
Convention dictates that it is the man who asks the woman to marry him and not the reverse.
In many countries, it is the/a convention to wear black at funerals.
2 [C] a common way of showing something in art or writing:
an artistic convention
conventional
/QQQ"QQQQ.QQQ.QQ/
adjective
2 describes weapons which are not nuclear, or methods of fighting a war that do not involve nucle
conventional weapons/bombs
conventionally
/QQQ"QQQQ.QQQ.QQ.Q/
conventionality
adverb
/QQQ%QQQQ.QQQ"{Q.Q.QQ/
US
/-Q.QQ/
noun [U]
/"Q{Q.Q.QQQ/ adverb
callousness /"Q{Q.Q.QQQQ/ noun
callously
[U]
1 a part of a Christian church ceremony in which a priest gives a talk on a religious or moral subje
The Reverend William Cronshaw delivered/preached the sermon.
Today's sermon was on the importance of compassion.
2
DISAPPROVING
a long talk in which someone advises other people how they should behave in orde
I really don't think it's a politician's job to go delivering sermons on public morality.
sermonize,
UK USUALLY
sermonise
/"QQ:.QQ.QQQQ/
US
/"QQ`:-/
verb [I]
DISAPPROVING
to give a long talk to people, telling them how they should behave in order to be better people:
My grandmother's all right until she starts sermonizing and then she's unbearable.
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQQ/
adjective
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ.QQQ/ adverb
/"QQ{Q.QQ.QQ/ noun [C or U]
blasphemously
blasphemy
something which you say or do that shows you do not respect God or a religion:
to be accused of blasphemy
FIGURATIVE HUMOROUS
the tendency to be hopeful and to emphasize the good part of a situation rather than the bad part; the be
There was a note of optimism in his voice as he spoke about the company's future.
Judging from your examination results, I think you have cause/grounds/reason for cautious optimism ab
NOTE: The opposite is pessimism.
optimist
/"QQ.QQ.QQQQ/
US
/"Q:Q.QQ-/
noun [C]
/%QQ.QQ"QQQ.QQQ/
US
/%Q:Q.QQ-/
adjective
/%QQ.QQ"QQQ.QQ.QQQ/
US
/%Q:Q.QQ-/
adverb
the tendency to emphasize or think of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling
There is now a mood of deepening pessimism about/over the economy.
An underlying pessimism infuses all her novels.
NOTE: The opposite is optimism.
pessimist
/"QQQ.Q.QQQQ/
noun [C]
/%QQQ.Q"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
The doctors are pessimistic (= not hopeful) about his chances of recovery.
pessimistically
/%QQQ.Q"QQQ.QQ.QQQ/
adverb
/QQ"QQQ.QQ.QQQQ/
benevolently
/QQ"QQQ.QQ.QQQ.QQ/
noun [U]
adverb
to need to pay or give something to someone because they have lent money to you, or in exchange for so
[+ two objects] I owe Janet ten pounds.
We still owe $1000 on our car (= We still need to pay $1000 before we own our car).
I owe you a drink for helping me move.
I think you owe (= should give) me an explanation/apology.
See also IOU.
I owe you (one)
INFORMAL
used as a way to thank someone for helping you and showing that you will do something for them
Thanks for the help, Bill - I owe you one.
owe sb a living
INFORMAL
to have to provide money for someone to live on, whether they deserve it or not:
He seems to think the world owes him a living.
No one owes you a living.
owe it to yourself
to deserve and need to do something which will be good for you:
Take a few days off work - you owe it to yourself.
owing
/"QQ.QQ/
US
/"QQ-/
UK
still to be paid:
We have several hundred pounds owing on our car.
LITERARY
to kill someone
OLD USE
to ask for something in an anxious way that shows you need it very much; beg:
Stay a little longer, I beseech you!
LITERARY
to cry tears:
People in the street wept with joy when peace was announced.
She wept buckets (= cried a lot) when Paul left.
weep
/QQ:Q/
noun [S]
LITERARY
/"QQ:.QQ/
adjective
/"QQ:.QQ/
noun [C]
INFORMAL
/QQQ"QQQQ/
/QQQ"QQQ.QQQ/
adjective
/QQQ"QQQ.QQQ.QQ/
adverb
/QQ"Q{Q.Q.QQQ/
US
/-"Q{Q-/
adjective
/QQ"Q{Q.Q.QQQ/
US
/-"Q{Q-/
adverb
/QQ"Q{Q.Q.QQ.QQQ/
US
/-"Q{Q-/
noun [U]
n a dependent way:
o a new place.
is is manifestly untrue.
nifestation .
eems unlikely
ntries quickly.
l a lot of copies.
nothing more:
to stop them from doing something, or to limit the growth or force of something:
ne or something:
by pretending to sneeze.
y service forever.
re bad or worthless:
ns or opinions:
r adjective, which has little meaning itself but is used to add force to another adjective, verb or adverb:
ething do this:
ar too long!
equilibrium.
half-asleep.
than) emotion?
ements or possessions
laughter, they do it without knowing that something bad is going to happen and therefore act calmly and without fighting agains
ularly; a customer:
QQQ-/
verb [T]
FORMAL
FORMAL
morally wrong:
s the state of being saved from evil and its effects by the death of Jesus Christ on a cross:
ially as a punishment for having committed a very serious crime, such as murder.
eople to live in or to use, or food that has been officially judged not safe to eat
ially as a punishment for having committed a very serious crime, such as murder.
eople to live in or to use, or food that has been officially judged not safe to eat
l conditions.
n people's minds.
US
/-QQQ"QQ.QQQ-/
verb [I or T]
USUALLY DISAPPROVING
sure, usually when the person does not want you to do this:
o live up to.
ut something:
ng with them.
ho have been forced to leave their own countries for political reasons:
than) emotion?
m a dictator.
developing:
e unusually quiet:
osition]
LITERARY
eems unlikely
blissful ignorance.
t of something:
dwelt or dwelled
FORMAL
npleasant:
the country.
or reasonable:
u feel guilty about bad things that you have done or things you feel responsible for:
feel guilty).
do the housework.
e north of England.
and made from a long piece of cloth which is wrapped around the top of the head many times
the gay stars in the country were honest about their sexuality.
it is made without having an effect on that right or claim:
es of getting a promotion.
and restrictions.
orne
FORMAL
cult situation:
he Middle Ages.
ompletely evil:
at situation:
n a literary way the early history of a group of people or about natural events and facts:
Q-/
verb [I or T]
MAINLY US
as part of a ceremony:
em there to die
pecially in social situations, often following an old way of thinking or a custom in one particular society:
some coconuts.
n public morality.
DISAPPROVING
e's unbearable.
or a religion:
m is blasphemy.
ather than the bad part; the belief that good things will happen in the future:
n the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things:
erve it or not:
d justify having them just like most other people have to.
esought
OLD USE
me or unreasonable: