English Vocabulary
Advanced english vocabulary for non-natives. Related courses: english vocabulary for law (memcode.com/courses/170), for furniture/house (memcode.com/courses/195) Links: oxford dictionary
200 flashcards · English · by Doãn Minh Mão
The families had erected flimsy tents by stitching rags together.
Easily broken or destroyed.
The protests are increasing, creating a volatile situation in the capital.
Characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change.
Social commentators lamented the disappearance of innocent adolescents and complained about the cool "teenage tyrants".
A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
She hoisted her backpack onto her shoulders.
Raise up.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favourite restaurant.
To take unrestrained pleasure in, give in to something
Our folklore and arts and crafts reflect our love and reverence for the animal world.
Deep respect for someone or something.
What's this? (крапива) A herbaceous plant which has jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs.
Nettle
Volcanoes spout ash and lava.
Send out (liquid) forcibly in a stream.
A rod serving as an axis on which something revolves.
A spindle.
I'm reasonably happy with my own company, but I'm naturally gregarious so I think that three months would be my limit on the island.
Fond of company, sociable. (of animals) living in flocks or loosely organized communities. (of plants) growing in open clusters or in pure associations.
Starting her own business was a gamble, but it paid off.
Act that has elements of risk.
He shrugged, and though he tried to appear nonchalant she could tell he was pleased by her approval, which made her smile even more.
Casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.
In part, this narrative will be disseminated via a new documentary.
To spread [the news].
First, Aristotle and his followers practise a haphazard, uncritical collection of data.
Lacking any obvious principle of organization.
What is this?
This is an airplane cockpit. A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft or spacecraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft.
This is a film that pays homage to Bond's history without taking itself too seriously.
Special honour or respect shown publicly. To openly copy, simulate, or emulate someone or something in content or style as a means of honoring, admiring, or showing respect toward them or it. Middle English Old French, from medieval Latin hominaticum, from Latin homo, homin- ‘man’ (the original use of the word denoted the ceremony by which a vassal declared himself to be his lord's ‘man’).
She asked Tim to run an errand for her.
A short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something, often on someone else's behalf (task/assignment)
The ending of the novel is too contrived.
Deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously [forced, phony].
Fact and fiction are skillfully mingled in his novels.
To mix.
The country has been in turmoil for the past 10 years.
Сondition of extreme confusion, agitation.
POTUS stands for The President of the United States
What is AM/PM?
AM - before midday. PM - past midday. We sleep through most of AM.
He aims to bring about a reconciliation between art and technology.
Restoration of friendly relations.
They were granted exemption from military service.
They were not required to join the military.
She was obviously primed for the questions at the press conference.
To instruct beforehand.
freshman: student of 1st year in uni sophomore: student of 2nd year in uni
The depletion of the ozone layer.
Reduction in the number or quantity of something.
We completely depleted our life savings when we bought our new house.
To lessen markedly in quantity.
The center is soliciting donations to help victims of the earthquake.
To try to obtain by usually urgent requests.
We’ll emphasize that we’re not suggesting any causality here.
The relationship between cause and effect.
Readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature?
Volatile.
Another name for a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist?
A shrink. (It's a homonym to The sweater shrank when it was washed.)
You get to observe so much when you are travelling through random towns as an inconspicuous anonymous nobody.
Not clearly visible or attracting attention.
The chemical was so caustic that it ate through the pipe.
Capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action, corrosive.
The 1964 movie remains one of Kubrick's best and most incisive films.
Impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation).
He invariably looks good, but his expression frequently verges on concerned and apprehensive.
Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Indulge ___ with VS indulge in? Give examples.
I indulged my boss for a bit with small talk before leaving. I indulged in some chocolate candy. Indulge in something is to treat yourself. Indulge somebody with something is to treat another person. Links: ___ vs ___ in
He tended to be lenient toward the children.
Agreeably tolerant; permissive; indulgent.
A caustic film review.
Marked by incisive sarcasm.
He was very thin, with a conspicuous Adam's apple.
Clearly visible, attracting attention. /kənˈspɪkjʊəs/
The accident forged a close bond between the two families. The remaining metal was forged into bullets.
To make or produce something, especially with some difficulty. Make or shape (a metal object) by heating it in a fire and hammering it.
Stubbornly insular farming people.
Uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience, lacking contact with other people.
Snatching my hand away from his hastily, I quickly composed myself to stand up.
With excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly.
There is nothing worse than someone who is indignant and right.
Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
To cut/engrave with acids or laser beams, but not with sharp implements. You can always ___ PCBs at home with a process that’s similar to developing prints from photographic film. But that method is messy and it uses a lot of chemicals.
To etch.
The bank account should be reconciled with the barrister's receipts book.
Ensure that two sets of records are in agreement.
The baby let out a loud, satisfied belch.
One problem is lack of incentive for employers to take on apprentices.
Motivate or encourage (someone) to do something; provide with an incentive.
They had reckoned on a day or two more of privacy.
Rely on or be sure of.
Decisions are due imminently.
Very soon.
Joe bit his lip, then gently nudged her foot with his own.
Touch or push (something) gently or gradually.
In a household where one of the parents was a newly graduated professor of linguistics and the other an artist, income was usually rather meager and spasmodic in nature.
Lacking in quantity or quality.
He has maintained, perhaps even increased, his tenacious grip on power.
Persisting in existence; not easily dispelled. Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
The boy had the audacity to lie to him, straight in his face for a second time.
A willingness to take bold risks. Rude or disrespectful behaviour.
After all, if there is no chocolate dessert on hand, it just might lead to surreptitious stealing of the children's chocolate eggs.
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
Why is pounds abbreviated as lb?
Libra pondo (pound weight) from latin. Incidentally, another abbreviation for libra became the standard symbol for the British pound in the monetary sense. In modern times it is usually written £, an ornate form of L in which a pair of cross-strokes (often just one these days) were the way that a medieval scribe marked an abbreviation. The link between the two senses of pound, weight and money, is that in England a thousand years ago a pound in money was equivalent to the value of a pound of si…
He prodded her in the ribs.
Poke with a finger, foot, or pointed object.
A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling those inside to surrender.
Siege.
I know that, in 10 years, cancer will be an affliction, but not one that sends fear in all of us.
A cause of pain or harm.
He's correct that the right of jury nullification trumps any worries about the possible pernicious effects of the drug.
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
After such a tough campaign, they're gloating over their victory in the election.
To observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight.
Cameras are a major deterrent to crime.
A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
He was indignant at being the object of suspicion.
Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
She bought a house with a big yard so that she could indulge her passion for gardening. I indulged my boss for a bit with small talk before leaving. I indulged in some chocolate candy.
Give in to. To grant someone the favour. Links: ___ vs ___ in
Thousands of the soldiers mutinied over the non-payment of wages.
An open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.
What's this? (A book or other collection of financial accounts)
A ledger.
What's a goalpost?
One of usually two vertical posts that with or without a crossbar constitute the goal in various games.
How is this symbol called?
hash pound sign number sign Links: wikipedia article on hash
/ˈkɒŋɡrʊənt/
Reckless driving.
Marked by lack of proper caution, implies heedlessness of probable consequences.
What's this fish (сом)?
A catfish.
Physical structure where an attacking team must send the ball in order to score points.
The goal.
How is this gesture called? (either not knowing an answer to a question, or not caring about something)
A shrug. She gave a nonchalant shrug.
What is this?
An acorn.
What is a midday? He awoke at midday.
Noon, 12:00.
What's that?
Abacus.
A conduit for conveying water to the power plant.
A pipe, tube, or the like, for conveying water or other fluid.
A solemn crowd gathered around the grave.
Dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy. Formal and dignified.
A member of a group of people who move from one place to another rather than living in one place all of the time.
A nomad.
Who is that?
A panhandler. Panhandling always seems to involve a container for receiving loose change, so perhaps the term refers to a small handled pan.
What's he doing?
Belching. (Like in bench)
He settled down to study in earnest for the examination.
With a purposeful or sincere intent.
There was consolation in knowing that others were worse off.
Comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment.
The Macintosh computer helped catalyze a total change in the way computers were used.
Cause or accelerate.
Who's that?
A mite.
What is it?
An eyelid.
backlog
An accumulation over time of work waiting to be done or orders to be fulfilled.
rite of passage
A religious or other solemn ceremony or act.
Imagine iris.
(The blue part)
He gazed at her intently
With earnest and eager attention.
The results of the investigation were equivocal.
Uncertain or questionable in nature.
Surgery resulted in the salvage of damaged myocardium.
Retrieve or preserve (something) from potential loss or adverse circumstances.
Their position is so utterly preposterous it could be construed as libel.
Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.
The Soldiers determined the boy's illness was serious enough to warrant hospitalization.
To justify or necessitate (a course of action)
The ride over the old road was jarring.
To cause shaking or vibrations.
Elms are deliquescent trees.
Becoming liquid, or having a tendency to become liquid. Having repeated division into branches.
The postmodern perspective, on the other hand, views the movement of historical time to be radically contingent and unpredictable.
Occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent on; subject to chance
Bird flu continued its seemingly inexorable march through Asia, as Indonesia on Tuesday found a strain of the virus in its poultry flocks that can be deadly to humans.
Impossible to stop or prevent.
The telephone struck a jarring note in those Renaissance surroundings.
Incongruous in a striking or shocking way; clashing.
The presence of Hollywood in this remote refugee camp seems incongruous.
Not in harmony with the surroundings or other aspects of something.