Bao — Ongoing vocabulary

functioning

working normally

alternative

a different option or way to do something

express

especially fast

authentic

real and for regular people

inauthentic

fake, just for show or for tourists

canal

a man-made river for boats to use

hostel

a cheap place to stay where you share a room with strangers and sleep in bunk beds

biplane

a type of aircraft with wings stacked one above the other

fin

the part of a plane or part of a fish that helps it control where it’s going

propeller

part of an engine for a plane or boat that spins very fast and makes the plane or boat go forward

bleachers

metal seats for people to sit in and watch events, often found in gyms or sports fields

crush

to break something by pushing really hard down on it

suspect

a person that the police think committed a crime

suspicious

looking like you might be doing something wrong or have done something wrong (The man outside looks _______), OR to think that someone is doing something wrong. (You have to be careful and don’t give any clues about the secret room — she might get _______.)

facility

a place or part of a building that serves people in some way (like a swimming pool or a cafeteria as part of a hotel or gym)

flourish

to start doing something really well

well-equipped

to have good equipment or to be prepared

equipment

tools you use to do something

treadmill

an exercise machine that you can run in place on

stairmaster

an exercise machine that you can climb stairs in place on

value for money

how much you get out of something for how much you have to pay

gym

a building or space equipped for sports, exercise, and fitness activities

basis

a system or plan for doing something, or how often you do something. Ex: “I go to the gym on a regular _____.” or “I brush my teeth on a daily _______.”

fitness

the state of being healthy and strong

trainer

a person who teaches you how to exercise or do a sport. Also known as an instructor.

fee

money you have to pay to do something

flyer

an advertisement on a poster or piece of paper, trying to get you to buy something or sign up for a service

session

a period of time for a particular activity

journalist

someone who reports and writes about the news for a newspaper or TV news channel. Also known as a reporter.

callus

a bit of tough, dead skin that makes it easy to do something (like playing guitar) without feeling hurt

point guard

the person on a basketball team who usually touches the ball first and passes it to his/her teammates

shooting guard

the person on a basketball team who is smaller and focuses on shooting the ball really well

small forward

the person on a basketball team who is usually medium-sized and can shoot well, but is also strong enough to play close to the hoop

power forward

a person on a basketball team who is very tall and strong (but usually not THE biggest player) and usually plays closer to the hoop

center

the biggest player on a basketball team, who isn’t great at shooting but is very big and strong. They play close to the hoop and focus on dunking, playing defense and catching rebounds after someone misses a shot

Siamese fighting fish

small but very colorful fish, like the ones you have at home. Also known as betta fish

track and field

a group of sports that involve running, jumping or throwing things, like 100m sprinting, hurdles, long jump, etc.

venom

Poison produced by certain animals, such as snakes or spiders

gaping

Wide open or an opening that is large and often scary

prudence

The quality of being cautious and making careful decisions.

cunning

Clever or sneaky.

impenetrable

Impossible to pass through or enter.

fate

The development of events not in a person's control; the idea that everything that happens is planned and unchangeable

reign

The period during which a ruler holds power.

strike

To hit something forcefully.

errand

A short trip taken to carry out a specific task or job.

fleet-footed

Able to run very quickly

overthrow

To remove a ruler from power or to defeat them, especially by force.

wound

An injury to the body, typically involving a break in the skin.

hearth

A fireplace, often symbolizing the home and family.

ally

A person, group, or nation that works together with another.

herb

A plant used for flavoring or medicine.

forge

To create or shape something, especially metal, by heating and hammering.

unconquerable

Impossible to defeat; invincible

pin

To fasten or secure something in place, often with a sharp object

anchor

A heavy object used to keep a boat in one place, stopping it from floating away

breastplate

A piece of armor that covers the chest, providing protection in battle.

herald

A person or thing that announces that something or someone else is coming; a messenger.

tend to

To take care of or look after something or someone.

vomit

To throw up whatever is in your stomach through your mouth.

stride

To walk with long, strong steps in a particular direction.

revolt

To rebel against authority or control.

altar

A raised structure used for religious rituals, sacrifices, or offerings.

sickle

A tool with a curved blade used for cutting

flee

To run away quickly from fear

tremendous

Extremely large or great

behold

To see or pay attention to something

seize

To take hold of suddenly or strongly

union

A state of being joined or united

withstand

To be able to resist or stand up against something

smith

A person who works with metal (noun) OR to make something out of metal (verb)

throne

A fancy, decorative chair for a ruler

crevice

A crack or narrow opening in the ground

fling

To throw something strongly

refuse

To not agree to something, to say “no”

tremble

To shake from fear

boundless

Without limits; infinite

dare

To have the courage to do something

cruelty

The quality of being unkind or harmful; hurting someone for fun or hurting them too much

wield

To hold and use a weapon or tool

bountiful

Full of good things to be used; generous

abundance

A large amount of something

creep

To walk quietly and slowly, like you’re afraid of being seen (verb) OR a person who makes others uncomfortable (noun)

trebuchet

a kind of catapult that uses a heavy counterweight to swing around and throw a stone or large object

cavalry

soldiers on horseback

infantry

soldiers on foot

legion

a large group of many soldiers

reinforcements

additional soldiers or military units sent to back up others who are in trouble

massacre

(v) to kill a lot of people at once, or (n) when a lot of people are killed at once

comrade

your teammate in an army; someone fighting with you

science fiction

a genre of movie or book, related to aliens or technology

mystery

a genre of movie or book that involves a crime that needs to be solved

fantasy

a genre of movie or book related to magic and imaginary places or people

drama

movies about sad or serious subjects

slobber

to have spit continuously drooling from the mouth — dogs often do this

damper

to put a _______ on something means to make it less active or enjoyable

inconceivable

impossible to imagine

impasse

a standoff; a situation when two sides cannot agree or make progress

sportsmanlike

playing fairly and respecting your opponents

trifle

to play silly games with something or someone