IGCSE First Language English

Muffle

v.

to lessen or conceal the sound of

Dispirited

v./adj.

Dejected; discouraged; gloomy

Lacking enthusiasm

Whip

v.

To beat quickly and steadily by hand with a whisk or rotary beater

Creak

v. (sound)

a squeaking sound

Groan

v.

make a deep inarticulate sound in response to pain or despair.

moan

mingle

v.

mix together in close association

Obscure

v.

Difficult to see, vague

difficult to understand; partially hidden

Granite

n.

A usually light colored igneous rock that is found in continental crust

drizzle

n./v.

very light rain

Cloak

n.

or v. cover and hide

pallor

(n.) an extreme or unnatural paleness

clammy

adj.

cold, sticky, and damp to the touch

splodge

n./v.

mark or sth that doesn't have a regular shape

lacquered

a polished surface, mostly to describe wood

burnished

to polish a metal usually by rubbing; eg. silver,

abrasive

a coarse material, sometimes able to clean a hard surface by rubbing

spinose

a surface that is very spiny

downy

very soft, usually

velvety

adj. creamy feeling; soft to the touch

gossamer

adj. soft and delicate

crenelated

ridges; bumps

coarse

a rough surface

pitted

an indent in a surface

subsequently

a particular event that follows afterwards

wrought

to beat a metal out of shape by hammering

Facade

to put up a front, usually to deceive

Decrepit

worn out due to age

Austere

a strict, harsh attitude; stern / (living conditions) living without luxury

Deliberation

something that is done consciously

Assiduous

to persevere, is very motivated and shows caution and care in their work

Solicitously

very caring and shows great attentiveness

Oration

a formal speech usually given at a special ceremony; eg. wedding

Indignation

rage, irritation or offence from unfair treatment

Plaintive

to sound sad; grieving, mournful

Tremulous

nervousness; timid / shaking slightly, usually due to nervousness

Tenacious

not wanting to let go of something - hold on tightly

contaminant

a substance that pollutes or poisons

gestures

an act of: eg. courtesy, kindness / a movement signifying a certain meaning

affair

an act of adultery; to cheat on a person /

indignant

adj. to show irritation and annoyance, often associated with anger towards unfair treatment

drought

a dry spell; water is scarce and the temperature of the place is usually very hot

procrastinate

to postpone an activity

aberration

n. something that is not normal, and is usually not wanted either; abnormal

alibi

to claim a piece of evidence that shows you were elsewhere during and act, usually in crime

Acquiesce

v. accept something reluctantly but without protest. sort of compremise

arcane

adj. something that is not understood; mysterious, secretive

brusque

harsh, abrupt in speech

circumspect

wary and unwilling to take risks

callous

harsh, cruel disregard for other people

chide

to scold/rebuke - "chided response"

vt. 责骂；斥责

diligent

hardworking, careful, conscientious in their work

elated

very happy

eloquent

fluent, well-spoken/written, persuasive

erudite

very smart, great knowledge

impeccable

of very high standard

flawless

intrepid

fearless, adventurous

lithe

to describe someones body as very graceful, thin (and supple)

morose

sullen, very ill-tempered

obsequious

extremely obedient and attentive - overly enthusiastic (to great extent)

penchant

to like something a lot (habitual) or have a high tendency to do something

嗜好

perusal

to read or examine something

salient

something very noticeable/important OR something that pokes out at an angle

superfluous

something very unecessary/overly done (simply - extra)

taciturn

adj. someone who doesn't talk a lot; very reserved (a person of little words can be described so)

umbrage

offence or annoyance

venerable

someone highly respectable, may be due to age or wisdom

wanton

a deliberate violent action that's spontaneous

undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless

zenith

something where its at its peak power or success

the point of culmination; peak

adamant

hard to persuade someone to think otherwise; not easy to change their mind

adj. 固执的，坚强的；坚定不移的；坚硬无比的

cultivate

to nurture something, usually in crops (to grow)

intimidate

to seem menacing and/or threaten someone

vt. 恐吓，威胁；胁迫

incompetent

unable to do something because they lack the certain skills

arbitrary

a random choice or done on a whim; impulsive

acquainted

made familiar with

fastidious

difficult to please

adj. 挑剔的；苛求的，难取悦的

beheld

to observe; look at; see

tolerable

bearable; endurable

vexed

annoyed

adj. 生气的，烦恼的，恼怒的；为难的；焦急的

elegant

Graceful or refined in appearance or behavior

detest

vt. 厌恶；憎恨

to hate, dislike very much, loathe

gallantry

(n.) heroic courage; respect and courtesy; an act or statement marked by a high level of courtesy

conceited

arrogant

excessively proud of oneself; vain

endeared

vt. 使...受钟爱；使...亲密

attached in a positive way

disposition

n. 处置；[心理] 性情n. 处置；[心理] 性情

attitude or mood

A person's general or natural mood; tendency

severe

intensely bad (only can be used to describe certain things)

sever

to cut off (arm)

persevere

trying hard to work on something difficult

avail

to help; to be of use

unavailing

opposite to availing

(to no avail) means ineffective

sisyphean

endless and unavailing task

jagged

rough, sharp and protruding (sometimes)

perforated

adj. 穿孔的；有排孔的

to pierce/make holes in (for cutting/tearing)

protruding

to jut out

felled

cut down (a tree) / a fallen tree

claustrophobic

to feel restricted and uncomfortable in a small space

mortified

embarrassed, ashamed

nauseous

a feeling of wanting to puke; describing sea/motionsickness

inferential

adj. 推理的；推论的；根据推理的

numbers used to figure out stuff

exemplary

desirable; excellent role model

delusional

crazy, unrealistic (beliefs) that are contradictory and do not have rational arguments