English Vocabulary and Idioms Study Set

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering terms, scientific concepts, formal expressions, and idioms from pages 1 to 8 of the lecture notes.

flint

A very hard grey stone that makes sparks when it is hit against metal.

leap

To jump or move suddenly and quickly; leap to life means to suddenly start working or burning.

enhance

To make something better, stronger or more valuable.

divine

Coming from or relating to a god.

charcoal

A black substance made by burning wood slowly, used as fuel.

concave

Curved inwards, like the inside of a bowl.

percussion

The action of hitting one thing against another.

pyrites

A shiny yellow mineral that contains iron and sulphur.

sulphur

A pale yellow chemical element that burns with a strong smell.

steel

A strong, hard metal made from iron and carbon.

phosphorus

A chemical element that catches fire easily in air.

isolate

To separate a substance from others so that it can be studied or used on its own.

transmute

To change one substance into a different one.

combustibility

How easily something can catch fire and burn.

inflammable

Able to catch fire and burn very easily.

per ounce

For each ounce (a unit of weight, about $28\,\text{grams}$).

self-combust

To start burning without anyone lighting it.

hazardous

Dangerous, especially to people's health or safety.

sulphuric acid

A very strong, dangerous acid used in industry.

splints

Thin, flat pieces of wood.

shilling

A British coin used before $1971$, worth one twentieth of a pound.

potassium chlorate

A chemical compound used in matches, fireworks and explosives.

succumb

To be unable to resist something strong, such as an illness, and be affected or die.

necrosis

The death of cells or tissue in a part of the body.

jaw-bones

The bones that form the lower or upper part of the face where the teeth are.

centigrade

A temperature scale in which water freezes at $0$ degrees and boils at $100$ (also called Celsius).

prevailing

Most common or most important at a particular time or in a particular place.

anti-afterglow

Not a standard dictionary word; anti- means against, and afterglow is the glow that stays after a flame has gone out.

smoulder

To burn slowly with smoke but without a flame.

patently

In a way that is very clear and obvious, often about something bad.

distort

To change something so that it is no longer true or accurate.

get stuffed

To be killed and filled to look alive (taxidermy); informally, a rude way of telling someone to go away.

endangered species

Types of animal or plant that may soon disappear because very few are left.

extol

To praise something very highly.

mediocre

Not very good; of only average quality.

sceptical

Doubting that something is true, useful or possible.

buzzword

A word or phrase that is very fashionable at a particular time.

core

The most important or central part of something.

masquerade

To pretend to be something that you are not.

calibre

The level of quality or ability of a person or thing.

criterion

A standard or rule used for judging or deciding something.

dubious

Not completely honest or trustworthy; also, feeling doubt.

censure

To criticize someone strongly, especially in an official way.

damning

Showing that someone or something is very bad or guilty; extremely critical.

repute

The opinion that people in general have about someone or something.

vertebrates

Animals that have a backbone, such as mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

captive breeding

Breeding animals in zoos or other protected places, usually to stop a species from dying out.

resounding

Very great and clear, used about a success or a defeat; also, loud and echoing.

hectares

Units for measuring land, equal to $10{,}000\,\text{square metres}$.

bog

An area of soft, wet ground, often containing a lot of peat.

concrete plans

Plans that are definite and real, not vague.

have something lined up

To have arranged something in advance, or to have it ready.

buy yourself some time (to think things through)

To get more time before you have to make a decision or take action.

harm your job prospects

To make your chances of getting a good job in the future worse.

be right up your street

An informal British idiom: to be exactly what suits your interests.

pinch yourself

To check that you are not dreaming, because you cannot believe something is real.

start afresh

To start again in a completely new way.

plain sailing

A situation or process that is easy and has no difficulties.

vibrant

Full of energy and excitement; also, bright and strong (about colours).

clear-cut

Obvious and definite; not confusing or uncertain.

hold little appeal (for someone)

To not be attractive or interesting to someone.

determined

Having made a firm decision to do something and not letting anything stop you.

limited in scope

Covering only a small number of topics, areas or things, and not wide or detailed.

promenade

A path for walking on, especially one built next to the sea; also, to walk slowly along a road or path for pleasure.

show off clothing

To display something proudly so that other people notice and admire it.