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Krzysztof Cichy’s SuperMemo collection sample

The following is a sample set of items from Krzysztof Cichy’s SuperMemo collection for learning English.

Q
to stop people having an idea or feeling
= banish
A
to dispel (idea/feeling)
[di'spel]
The President is attempting to dispel the notion that he has
neglected the economy.
Q
(activities or situations) that are secret or hidden = ...
activities
(FORMAL)
A
covert ['k^v..t]
They have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels.
The depth of covert racism in my own profession frightens me.
Q
underhand
The Prime Minister himself had been involved in underhand
financial deals.
A
If an action is underhand or if it is done in an underhand way,
it is done secretly and dishonestly.
['^nd..,h@nd]
Q
rascal
If you call a man or child a rascal, what do you mean?
A
If you call a man or child a rascal, you mean that they behave
badly and are rude or dishonest. (OLD-FASHIONED)
['ra:sk..l]
What's that old rascal been telling you?
= rogue
Q
recourse
If you achieve something without recourse to a particular
course of action, how do you achieve it?
A
If you achieve something without recourse to a particular
course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action.
To have recourse to a particular course of action means to have
to do that action in order to achieve something.
[ri'ko:s]
Q
behaviour that is bold, rude, or disrespectful (FORMAL)
A
effrontery
[i'fr^nt..ri]
One could only gasp at the sheer effrontery of the man.


Q
What do you mean if you say that sth is abominable?
A
Something that is abominable is very unpleasant or bad.
[..'bomin..b..l]
The President described the killings as an abominable crime.
English food can be wonderful but the normal English diet is
abominable.

Q
What word can be used to describe a quick movement of a large
group of people? (N, V)
A
swarm
[swo:m]
People swarmed to the shops, buying up everything in sight.
When bees or other insects swarm, they move or fly in a large
group.
Q
to bear/take the brunt of sth unpleasant
A
To bear the brunt or take the brunt of something unpleasant
means to suffer the main part or force of it.
[br^nt]
Young people are bearing the brunt of unemployment.
A child's head tends to take the brunt of any fall
Q
to feel or show contempt for sb/sth
{1/2}
A
to scorn [sko:n]
to despise [di 'spaiz]
Several leading officers have quite openly scorned the peace
talks.
People scorn me as a single parent.
Q
an adjective used to emphasize that a person or action is
extremely nasty, cruel, or evil
A
despicable ['de spi k.. b.l]
The Minister, who visited the scene a few hours after the
explosion, said it was a despicable crime.

(also: atrocious)
Q
to agree to do sth or to allow it to be done
{1/2}
A
to consent [k..n'sent]
to assent [..'sent]
He finally consented to go.
He asked Ginny if she would consent to a small celebration
after the christening.
Q
food which you put on a hook or in a trap in order to catch
fish or animals


A
bait [beit]
Q
What do you mean if you say that an action or situation is
prejudicial to someone or something?
A
If an action or situation is prejudicial to someone or
something, it is harmful to them. (FORMAL)

[,predZu'diS..l]
You could face up to eight years in jail for spreading rumours
considered prejudicial to security.
Q
If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a
particular thing, what do you mean?
A
If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a
particular thing, you mean that they claim to do or be that
thing, although you may not always believe that claim. (FORMAL)
[pe:'po:t]
=claim
Q
a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation
=stress
A
strain [strein]
She was tired and under great strain.
...the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.
Q
to try and reach for sth or hold sth in a clumsy way.

A
to fumble for/with sth
[f^mb.l]
She crept from the bed and fumbled for her dressing gown.
Q
a small, sheltered place
A
a nook [nuk]
Q
to push or move sth/sb swh quickly with a lot of force
A
to thrust [thr^st]
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
She grabs a stack of baby photos and thrusts them into my hands.
=stove
Q
What phrase can you use to say that you pause to think about
all the aspects of a situation or event before deciding what to
do next?
A
to take stock of sth
It was time to take stock of the situation.
I was forty, the age when people take stock and change their
lives.
Q
fascinated so much that one can't think about anything else
enchanted
A
spellbound ['spel ,baund]
His audience had listened like children, spellbound by his words.
Q
What idiom can you use to say that sth doesn't happen or isn't
done continuously, but regularly stops and then starts again
A
in fits and stars
Q
small animals or birds that destroy crops, spoil food etc, and
are difficult to control
A
vermin ['ve:min]
a barn infested with vermin
Q
to try to make sth happen by mental effort rather than physical
one
A
to will [wil]
Q
What is a scimitar?
A
It's a sword with a curved blade
['simit..]
Q
facts or details about sth/sb that are kept as a record
A
particulars [p..'tikjul..z]
Q
clever or amusing use of words with 2 meanings or with the same
sound but different meanings
A
pun [p^n]
Q
to annoy someone repeatedly, especially by asking them to do
something
A
pester sb for sth: Beggars kept pestering us for money.
pester sb to do sth: The kids have been pestering me to buy
them new trainers.
['pest..]
Q
a statement which is considered meaningless and boring, because
it's been made many times before in similar situations
A
platitude ['pl@titju:d]
Q
What can you say about lips that are unpleasantly dry?
A
That they're parched. ['pa: tSd]
Q
a high, sad-sounding sound
A
plaintive sound
['plein tiv]
Q
looking pale, weak, or tired
A
wan [won]
She gave a wan smile.
Q
What do you mean if you describe sb/sth as noisome?
A
noisome ['nois..m]
=extremely unpleasant
The workers lived in noisome slums.
Q
a heavy gun that fires bombs or shells in a high curve or,
a hard bowl in which substances are crushed into powder with a
pestle (=tool with a heavy round end) into very small pieces or
powder
A
mortar ['mo:t..]
Pound the garlic with a mortar and pestle.
Q
to gather people/things together and arrange them for a
particular purpose
A
to marshal ['ma:S.l]
Richard was marshalling the doctors and nurses, showing them
where to go.
Q
What do you mean if you describe sb as languid?
A
You mean that they show little energy or interest and are very
slow and casual in their movements.
['l@Ngwid]
Q
to have an effect on someone or something; influence
to affect sth/sb
A
to impinge on/upon sth/sb
[im 'pindZ]
Q
to quickly write sth on a piece of paper so that you can
remember it or use it later (PhV)
A
to jot down [dZot]
Q
behaving as if you want to keep something secret
A
furtive ['fe:tiv]
There was something furtive about his appearance.
Q
to loathe
to hate
A
to detest [di'test]
Q
What do you mean if you say that sb deigns to do sth?
A
You mean that they do it unwillingly because they think they're
too important to do it. (DISAPPROVAL)
[dein]
Q
to agree to do sth but in a way that shows that one thinks
they're better than other people and shouldn't have to do it
A
to condescend [,kondi'send]
The managing director condescended to have lunch with us in the
canteen.
Q
to think carefully and seriously about something (FORMAL)
A
to cogitate ['kodZiteit]
Q
to shock someone by being very bad or unpleasant
A
to appal [.. 'po:l]
The whole idea of killing animals for fur appals me.
Q
to look at or consider something in a way that shows you do not
believe it or approve of it
A
look askance (at) [..'sk@ns]
Q
How can you describe a smell or taste, which is strong and
unpleasant and stings your nose or throat
A
acrid (smell/taste) ['@krid]
a cloud of acrid smoke
Q
to leave your home secretly in order to get married
A
to elope [i'loup]
Q
to cause sb to become involved in problems, from which it's
hard to escape
A
to entangle [in't@Ng.l]
Q
How can you describe sb who is deliberately vague in what they
say, because they want to avoid speaking the truth or making a
decision
A
equivocal [i 'kwi v..k.l]
Q
You are ordered to desist from such behaviour.
What does it mean to desist from sth?
A
to stop doing something
[di 'zist]
Q
very bad, and deserving to be criticized or hated (man)
despicable
{1/2}
A
detestable [di'test..b.l]
odious ['oudi..s]
a detestable little man
Q
showing that you do not respect someone or something and think
that they are unimportant (e.g. a look)
A
disdainful [dis'deinful]
a long disdainful look
Q
to hang or to lean downwards with no strength
A
to droop [dru:p]
Q
What idiom can you use if you want to say that two people are
very similar?
A
They're birds of a feather.
Q
What idiom can you use if you want sb to say sth directly and
clearly?
A
Don't beat about the bush!
Q
What does copious mean?
A
abundant
['koupi..s]
Q
to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties, often
by tricking sb
A
to contrive [k..n'traiv]
Q
behaving in an immoral way without being embarrassed or ashamed
A
brazen ['breiz.n]
Q
a young person who works for sb in order to learn their skill
A
apprentice [..'prentis]
Q
What is an altercation?
A
a noisy argument
Q
What idiom can you use if you want to say sth/sb is put among a
group of things/people because of one quality, often
superficial, that links them
A
to tar sth/sb with the same brush
I am a football supporter and I often have to explain that I'm
not one of the hooligan sort, because we all get tarred with
the same brush.
Q
a legal process to find out the cause of someone's death
A
inquest ['inkwest]
Q
a dress worn on formal occassions
A
a gown [gaun]
Q
to pay attention to sb's warning and do what they suggest
A
to heed [hi:d]
If she had only heeded my warnings, none of this would have
happened.
Q
Demonstrators were hurling bricks through the windows.
What does it mean to hurl sth?
A
to throw sth violently
[he:l]
Q
What do you mean if you say that sth is mundane?
A
You mean it's ordinary, usual and uninteresting
[,m^n'dein]
Q
They watched the nobs in their satin and feathers.
Who are the nobs?
A
rich people, from a higher social class
[nobz]
Q
How would you describe e.g. a look of sb thinking deeply about
something and seeming a little sad
A
pensive ['pensiv]
a pensive look
Q
ideas that are ... are already formed before you have enough
info or experience
A
preconceived ['pri:k..nsi:vd]
preconceived notions about art
Q
someone that you choose to represent you, especially to vote
for you
A
proxy ['proksi]
by proxy: if you do something by proxy, you arrange for someone
else to do it for you
Q
to reply angrily to sb
A
to retort [ri:'to:t]
“It's all your fault !” he retorted.
Q
someone in former times who lived and worked on land that they
did not own and who had to obey the owner of this land
A
serf [se:f]
Q
What can you call a smile, look etc that shows that you are
hiding something you know from other people?
A
sly [slai]
She gave me a sly look.
Q
a feeling of emotional comfort at a time of great sadness or
disappointment (FORMAL)
A
solace ['solis]
After the death of her son, Val found solace in the church.
Q
What is a soliloquy?
A
a speech in a play in which a character talks to himself or
herself so that the audience knows their thoughts
[s..'lil..kwi]
Q
Who is a squire?
A
the man who in the past owned most of the land around a country
village in England
[skwai..]
Q
What formal word can you use to express: more than is needed or
wanted; unnecessary?
A
superfluous [su:'pe:flu..s]
We could all see what was going on, so the commentary was
superfluous.
Q
showing very strong feelings or opinions (person/action)
A
vehement ['vi:..m..nt]
a vehement attack on the President's budget proposals
Dan vehemently denies the charges.
Q
Who is a wench?
A
It's a girl who worked as a servant or served people food or
drink in former times (also a humorous use)
[wentS]
Q
Another word for: to trick or deceive someone?
A
dupe sb into doing sth [dju:p]
Consumers are being duped into buying faulty electronic goods.
Q
What adjective can you use to disapprove of sb spending too
much time on physical pleasures such as drinking alcohol, in a
way that is harmful to their health?
A
dissipated ['disipeitid]
Q
a false spoken statement about someone that is intended to
damage the good opinion that people have
A
slander ['sla:nd..]
defamation [,def..'meiS.n]
Q
What does it mean to be a stickler for sth, e.g.
rules/punctuality?
A
It means that you always demand or require it.
['stikl..]
I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy.
Q
to suddenly feel that you love someone or like something very
much
A
to be smitten (with sb/sth)
['smit.n]
The young man was smitten with Miranda and her charms.
Q
How can you describe a person that is likely to betray you and
cannot be trusted?
A
treacherous ['tretS..r..s]
Q
to prove that someone or something is right or true; justify
to prove that someone who was blamed for something is in fact
not guilty
A
to vindicate ['vindikeit]
The outcome of the trial vindicates Howells completely.
Your decision not to resign has been fully vindicated.
Q
a plight of homeless children
What is a plight?
A
a bad, serious, or sad condition or situation
[plait]
Q
showing disrespect as a result of being too confident and doing
what they have no right to do
A
presumptuous [pri'z^mptSu..s]
She found Conrad charming but rather presumptuous.
Q
just before it is too late or just before something bad happens
at the last possible moment (IDIOM)
A
in the nick of time
Luckily, help arrived in the nick of time.
Q
What word can you use to describe people who are difficult to
control or influence or to describe problems that are difficult
to deal with?
A
intractable [in'tr@kt..b.l]
They found the islanders intractable, resisting their offers of
gifts.
the seemingly intractable problem of human greed
Q
one that continues without stopping
A
incessant [in'ses.nt]
Q
What is a garret?
A
a small uncomfortable room at the top of a house
['g@rit]
Q
a serious and very polite request in which you ask someone to
do something for you
A
entreaty [in'tri:ti]
Q
to speak to sb angrily or to punish them for sth wrong that
they've done
to criticize sb severely (FORMAL)
pronounce the word!
A
to chastise [tS@'staiz]
He should be chastised for his insolence.
Q
Another word for: to agree to sth/with sth
A
to assent (to) [..'sent]
Q
to make someone less angry or stop them from attacking you by
giving them what they want
A
to appease [..'pi:z]
Q
What idiom can you use if you want to say that sb expresses
their feelings forcefully?
A
to give vent to sth
She gave vent to her anger and jealousy.
Q
What does "whither" mean in a literary style?
A
to where
[hwiTH..]
Q
What formal plural word can you use to talk about unusual or
unexpected events, changes, ideas etc, that have an effect on
your life?
A
vagaries ['veig..riz]
the vagaries of the English weather
Q
a clear liquid that is painted onto things, especially things
made of wood, to protect them and give them a hard shiny surface
A
varnish ['va:niS]
Q
someone who lives in a house, room etc and pays rent to the
person who owns it
A
tenant ['ten..nt]
Q
to hold your hands together and twist and turn them, usually
because you are very worried or upset about sth
A
to wring your hands
[riN]
Q
speaking very little, so that you seem unfriendly
A
taciturn ['t@site:n]
Q
to cry in a noisy way
to say sth while crying
A
to sob [sob]
Q
to move back suddenly and quickly from something you dislike or
are frightened of
A
to recoil [ri'koil]
She recoiled from his touch as if she had been slapped.
Q
the buildings and land that a shop, restaurant, company etc uses
A
premises ['premis..z]
We hope to be moving to new premises shortly.
business premises
Q
What is mirth in literary English?
A
happiness and laughter
[me:th]
Stifled laughter and cries of suppressed mirth issued from the
next room.
Q
What 2 meanings the word "quagmire" has?
A
1 an area of soft wet muddy ground: In the rainy season the
roads become a quagmire.
2 a difficult or complicated situation: Public housing
regulations are a legislative quagmire.
['kw@gmai..]
Q
the most basic part of sth
A
mainstay ['meinstei]
Q
What does it mean: to be loath to do sth (formal)?
A
to be unwilling to do something
[louth]
Sarah was loath to tell her mother all that had happened.
Q
feelings of anger and surprise because you feel insulted or
unfairly treated
A
indignation [,indig'neiS.n]
Chamberlain found, to his great indignation, that he was not to
be included in the team.
Q
a situation or event that makes it difficult or impossible for
someone or something to succeed or make progress
a physical or nervous problem that makes it difficult for
someone to speak or move normally
A
impediment [im'pedim..nt]
The main impediment to development is the country's huge
foreign debt.
a speech impediment
Q
someone who uses very strong, direct selling methods, sometimes
dishonestly
A
huckster ['h^kst..]
Q
What phrase can you use to say that you do sth because you want
to?
A
to do sth of your own accord
[..ko:d]
It's better that she comes of her own accord.
Q
What's an accord?
A
a formal agreement between countries or groups
[..ko:d]
the Helsinki accord on human rights
Q
What are alms?
A
old-fashioned: money, food, clothes etc that are given to poor
people
[a:mz]
Q
friendly and easy to talk to, sociable (person)
A
affable ['@f..b.l]
an affable guy
Q
a sudden attack by people who have been waiting and hiding, or
the place where this happens
A
ambush ['@mbuS]
wait/lie in ambush (=wait to ambush someone): Armed police lay
in ambush behind the hedge.
Q
someone who helps a criminal, especially by helping them hide
from the police, accomplice
A
accessory to a crime [@k'ses..ri]
an accessory to murder
Q
extremely bad or showing no ability to do something at all
of a very bad quality
A
atrocious [..'trouS..s]
atrocious weather
Her singing was atrocious.
atrocious housing conditions
Q
an extremely cruel and violent action, especially during a war
A
atrocity [..'trositi]
one of the worst atrocities of the Vietnam War
Q
to tease sb or joke with sb in an amusing, friendly way
A
to banter ['b@nt..]
Q
a bitter green-brown liquid formed in the liver, which helps
you to digest fats
literary: anger and hatred
A
bile [bail]
Q
What are callisthenics?
A
a set of physical exercises that are intended to make you thin
and healthy
['k@li'stheniks]
Q
Another word for frankness?
A
candour ['k@nd..]
I appreciate your candour in this matter.
Q
(liquid) to become very thick and sticky and almost solid
A
to congeal [k..n'dZi:l]
Q
sth hidden or kept secret, often because it's illegal
underhand
A
clandestine [kl@n'destin]
a clandestine affair
Q
What person could you describe as consumptive in former times?
A
someone who had the lung disease tuberculosis
[k..n's^mptiv]
Q
next to something, or near something in time or order
bordering, neighbouring
A
contiguous [k..n'tigju..s]
Canada is contiguous with the US along much of its border.
Q
What word can you use to describe sb who is immoral because
they drink a lot of alcohol, take drugs, or have an immoral
attitude to sex
=dissipated
A
debauched [di'bo:tSt]
Q
showing that you think someone or something is stupid or silly
remarking contempt (noise, expression, remark)
A
derisive [di'raisiv]
a derisive laughter
Q
so interested in something that you do not notice anything else
A
engrossed [in'groust]
I tried to attract her attention but she was engrossed in
conversation with Stephen.
Q
to persuade someone to do something by offering them something
if they will do it
A
to entice sb to do sth
to entice sb away/across/down etc
[in'tais]
Banks are offering low interest rates in an attempt to entice
new customers.
Q
a clever and effective way of dealing with a problem, even
though it may be morally wrong
How can you use this word?
A
expedient [iks'pi:di..nt]
by the expedient of: Moore escaped by the simple expedient of
lying down in a clump of grass.
Q
(formal) to show that you are very happy and proud, especially
because you have succeeded in doing something
A
to exult in/at/over sth [i'gz^lt]
They exulted at their victory.
The people exulted over their fallen enemies.
Q
to make it easier for a process or activity to happen
to help, to further
A
to facilitate [f..'siliteit]
Computers can be used to facilitate language learning.
Q
to pretend to have a particular feeling or to be ill, asleep etc.
A
to feign [fein]
I didn't want to go to school so I decided to feign illness.
Feigning a headache, I went upstairs to my room.
Mattie watched him approach with feigned indifference.
Q
to prevent something bad that someone is planning to do
to succeed in stopping sb from doing what they want
A
to foil one's plan [foil]
A massive arms-smuggling plan has been foiled by the CIA.
Q
a large common black and white sea bird that lives near the sea
=mewa
A
gull [g^l]
seagull ['si:g^l]
Q
to make it difficult for sb to do what they're trying to do
A
to hamper sb ['h@mp..]
Women's progress in the workplace is still hampered by male
attitudes.
Q
easily becoming angry
A
irascible [i'r@sib.l]
He was an irascible, energetic little man.
Q
to make someone feel calm or sleepy
A
to lull [l^l]
The movement of the train gradually lulled me to sleep.
Q
What formal word can you use instead of: lying, rather than
telling the truth? (noun)
A
mendacity [men'd@siti]
Q
Who is a myrmydion?
A
a follower, subordinate
[me:mid.n]
Q
to try to find out details about someone else's private life in
an impolite way
A
to pry [prai]
to pry into
I don't wish to pry, but is it true that you're having problems
at home?
We don't want people prying into our affairs.
Q
to get something good as a result of what you have done
to cut and gather a crop of grain
A
to reap the benefit/reward/profit (of)
to reap [ri:p]
Don't let others reap the benefits of your research.
Q
How can you describe sb who is able to understand and judge a
situation quickly and use the understanding to their own
advantage? (especially in business, politics etc.)
A
shrewd [Sru:d]
Q
What is a sinciput?
A
the forward upper part of the skull
the forehead
['sinsi,p^t]
Q
the watery liquid produced in your mouth
A
spittle ['spi t.l]
saliva [s.. 'laiv..]
Q
to move your fingers over a sensitive part of sb's body making
them laugh
A
to tickle [tik.l]
if a situation, remark etc tickles you, it amuses or pleases
you: I was tickled by her description of the wedding.
Q
What word can you use to describe sb watchful who gives careful
attention to a particular problem or situation and concentrates
on noticing any danger or trouble that there might be?
A
vigilant ['vidZil..nt]
Please remain vigilant at all times and report anything
suspicious.
Q
to make a bad situation worse
(informal) to make someone angry or annoyed
A
to aggravate ['@gr..veit]
Their debt problem was aggravated by a rise in interest rates.
Stop aggravating the cat!
Q
What word can you use to say that sb refuses to change their
mind or come to an agreement?
A
to not budge on sth [b^dZ]
Both sides say they'll not budge.
It's no good, Dad won't budge.
Q
What idiom can you use to say: to choose the good and useful
things or people and get rid of the others?
A
to separate the wheat from the chaff
[tS@f] [tSa:f]
Q
a medical condition in which you cannot control your movements
so that your body becomes stiff like a dead body or remains in
whatever position it is placed
A
catalepsy ['k@t..lepsi]
Q
(especially sport) a movement or an attack that is intended to
deceive an opponent
=zwód
A
feint [feint]
Q
a person who makes or sells clothes from fur
A
furrier ['f^ri..] AM['fe:ri..]
Q
What phrase can you use to say: to listen carefully because you
have heard something interesting?
A
to prick up one's ears [prik]
Jay pricked up his ears when I mentioned vacation.
Q
How can you describe sth/sb that never stops or never becomes
less intense?
regime that was _____ in its persecution of dissidents
A
relentless [ri'lentl..s]
regime that was relentless in its persecution of dissidents
Q
(old-fashioned) a violent man, involved in crime
A
ruffian ['r^fi..n]
a gang of ruffians
Q
to hide the unpleasant facts or truth about sth/sb in order to
make it acceptable or to avoid being punished
A
to whitewash ['hwaitwoS]
whitewash - also easy win in sport e.g. 6:0 6:0 in tennis
Q
to close and open one eye quickly, usually to communicate
amusement or a secret message
A
to wink (at sb) [wiNk]
Joel winked at me, and I realized he was joking.
Q
to give someone something of great value or importance (formal)
A
bestow sth on/upon [bi'stou]
honours bestowed on him by the Queen
Q
What expression can you use to say about sb that they are
unable to think clearly?
A
They are in a daze [deiz]
I've been wandering around in a daze all day.
Q
a feeling of great respect and admiration for someone or
something
A
awe [o:]
Kate gazed at the mountains with awe.
The sight of so many jewels in one place filled them with awe.
Q
to express formal support or approval for someone or something
to say publically that you support or approve of them
A
to endorse sth/sb [in'do:(r)s]
The committee has endorsed our proposals.
I can endorse their opinion wholeheartedly.
...policies agreed by the Labour Party and endorsed by the
electorate.
Q
to persuade somebody not to do something (FORMAL)
A
dissuade sb from doing sth [dis 'weid]
a campaign to dissuade young people from smoking
He considered emigrating, but his family managed to dissuade him.
Q
to make someone feel calmer and less anxious, upset, or angry
A
to soothe [su:TH]
Rocking often soothes a crying baby.
Q
What expression can you use to express that sb has been allowed
to know about sth secret?
A
They are privy to sth [pri vi]
Colby was privy to the committee's decisions.
Only 3 people will be privy to the facts.
Q
to invent a clever story, excuse, or plan, especially in order
to deceive someone
A
to concoct [k..n 'kokt] [k..n 'ka:kt]
John concocted an elaborate excuse for being late.
Q
to find out facts and information slowly and with difficulty,
sometimes indirectly
A
glean sth (from) [gli:n]
I've managed to glean a few details about him from his friends.
At present, we are gleaning information from all sources.
Q
expressed in a way that is clear and easy to understand
A
lucid ['lu: sid]
a lucid and accurate account of the day's events
a lucid account of the history of mankind
His prose as always lucid and compelling
Q
to prevent you from remembering an unpleasant experience
A
to efface sth [i 'feis]
Nothing could efface the indignity of being publicly criticized.
Q
If you are ________ by sth, it makes you feel afraid, worried,
or sad.
A
dismayed [,dis 'meid]
If you are dismayed by sth, it makes you feel afraid, worried,
or sad.
The committee was dismayed by what it had been told.
Q
You can describe sth as ________ if it happens, by chance, to
be very successful or pleasant.
A
fortuitous [fo:(r) 'tju: i t..s]
You can describe sth as fortuitous if it happens, by chance, to
be very successful or pleasant.
Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of
circumstances.
Q
What do you mean if you say that sth is tantamount to sth?
Pronounce "tantamount".
A
tantamount ['t@n t.. maunt]
It is almost the same thing as it.
But that's tantamount to saying poor people are criminals!
Q
something that is _______ is present but hidden, and may
develop or become more noticeable in the future
A
latent ['lei t..nt]
something that is latent is present but hidden, and may develop
or become more noticeable in the future
The virus remains latent in the body for many years.
latent aggression
Q
completely lacking courage;
cowardly
A
craven ['krei v..n]
Q
an idea, method, or quality that is most typical of a
particular person or thing
A
hallmark ['ho:l ma:(r)k]
Non-violence and simplicity were the hallmarks of Gandhi's
philosophy.
have all the hallmarks of: The explosion had all the hallmarks
of a terrorist attack
Q
What is a pelf?
A
pelf [pelf]
money or wealth, esp. if dishonestly acquired;
Q
to look at someone in an angry or hostile way
A
to scowl [skaul]
She scowled at the two men as they entered the room.
Q
Something that is _________ indicates that the success is likely.
A
auspicious [o: 'spi S..s]
Something that is auspicious indicates that the success is
likely.
His career as a playwright had an auspicious start.
Q
How can you express "unfortunately" in a formal way?
A
alas [.. 'l@s]
There is, alas, no short way to success.
Alas, it's not that simple.
Q
What are extenuating circumstances?
A
These are reasons or factors that partly excuse a crime or a
wrong action.
[iks 'te nju ei tiN]
Q
Who can you informally describe as "plucky"?
A
plucky ['pl^ ki]
Someone who is brave and determined and faces their
difficulties with courage.
The plucky schoolgirl amazed the doctors by hanging on to life
for nearly two months.
Q
What does it mean if sb frets at/about sth?
A
It means they feel worried about small or unimportant things
to fret [fret]
Don't you fret - everything will be all right.
Nicki was always fretting over something or other.
Q
"Porphyrius Petrovitch," said the young man, in curt and
hurried accents...
curt
A
replying with very few words in a way that does not seem polite
With a curt nod, he turned away and sat down.
Q
What formal word can you use to talk about sth that might
happen in the future?
=possibility, eventuality
A
contingency [k..n 'tin dZ.n si]
I need to examine all possible contingencies.
Q
What does it mean to lay siege to?
When the scandal broke, dozens of journalists laid siege to
Mellor's apartment.
A
It's a situation in which the police surround a building to try
and force the people inside to come out.
siege [si:dZ]
Q
someone or something that is _______ is so important or useful
that it is impossible to manage without them
A
indispensable [in di 'spen s.. b..l]
a piece of equipment that modern divers regard as indispensable
Q
He gingerly felt his way along the dark tunnel.
gingerly
A
if you move gingerly or touch something gingerly you do it in a
careful way because you are afraid it will be dangerous or
painful
gingerly ['dZin dZ..(r) li]
Q
someone who eats too much
A
glutton [gl^t.n]
Q
someone who has no importance, power, or ability, and who you
have no respect for
A
nonentity [no 'nen ti ti] [na: 'nen ti ti]
Chomsky was the only speaker of any importance - the rest were
nonentities.
She was writen off then as a political nonentity.
Q
a speech or piece of writing in which you praise someone or
something very much, especially at a funeral
A
eulogy ['ju: l.. dZi]
Q
If you are betrothed to sb, what does it mean?
A
That you have agreed to marry them.
betrothed [bi 'trouTHd]
Q
showing strong positive feelings about an activity and
determination to succeed at it
A
ardent ['a: d..nt]
an ardent supporter of free trade
Q
What phrasal verb can you use to express: to start to go
somewhere?
A
to set off
I wanted to set off early in order to avoid the traffic.
The old man set off down the path towards the river.
Q
"As for his fetters, he never felt them" (about Raskolnikoff)
fetters
A
fetters ['fe t..z]
a) (literary) the things that prevent someone from being free
breaking the fetters of convention
b) chains that were put around a prisoner's feet in former times
Q
"His family rejoiced at the news."
to rejoice
A
(literary) to feel or show that you are very happy
to rejoice [ri 'dZois]
Q
"She was endowed with both looks and brains."
A
to be endowed with = to naturally have a good feature or quality
endowed [in 'daud]
Q
"Violent crime is rife in our inner cities."
rife
A
rife [raif]
[not before noun] if something bad or unpleasant is rife, it is
very common
rife with = full of something bad or unpleasant: The streets
were rife with rumors of the President's resignation.
Q
"This nonsensical dream, so weird and horryfying, lingered so
strongly in his recollection"
to linger
A
to linger ['liN g..]
to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do
not want to leave
They lingered over coffee and missed the last bus.
Q
"The prison rules were stringent"
A
stringent ['strin dZ..nt]
very strict and must be obeyed
stringent anti-noise regulations
Q
to make something less attractive or enjoyable; spoil
A
to mar [ma:]
His appearance was marred by a scar on his left cheek.
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