[R_Cam20-02-03] Invasion of the Robot Umpires

invasion (n)

/ɪnˈveɪʒn/

the fact of a large number of people or things arriving somewhere, especially people or things that are unpleasant

• The invasion of new technology has changed our lives in many ways.

umpire (n)

(in sports such as tennis and baseball) a person whose job is to watch a game and make sure that rules are not broken

• The umpire’s decision is final.

contraption (n)

a machine or piece of equipment that looks strange or complicated and possibly does not work well

• She showed us a strange contraption that looked like a satellite dish.

mounted (a)

placed on something or attached to something for display or support

• a mounted photograph

commission (v)

• be commissioned (as) sth

to choose sb/ sth officially

• He has just been commissioned (as a) pilot officer.

heckling (n)

the act of interrupting a speaker at a public meeting by shouting out questions or rude remarks; questions or rude remarks that are shouted out at a speaker

• The heckling from the crowd intensified as the game progressed.

boundary (n)

a real or imagined line that marks the limits or edges of something and separates it from other things or places; a dividing line

• It is up to the teacher to set the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

evolve (v) (from sth) (into sth)

to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complicated form; to develop something in this way

• The idea evolved from a drawing I discovered in the attic.

abuse (n)

rude and offensive remarks, usually made when somebody is very angry

• The team who lost became a target of abuse for angry fans.

tweak (v)

to make slight changes to a machine, system, etc. to improve it

• I think you'll have to tweak these figures a little before you show them to the boss.

dimension (n)

a measurement in space, for example how high, wide or long something is

• computer design tools that work in three dimensions

consensus (n)

​an opinion that all members of a group agree with

• There is a general consensus among teachers about the need for greater security in schools.

profoundly (adv)

completely (adv)

controversy (n) (over/about/surrounding somebody/something)

public discussion and argument about something that many people strongly disagree about, think is bad, or are shocked by

• The controversy surrounding his latest movie continues.

pedantic (a)

too worried about small details or rules

• a pedantic insistence on the correct way of doing things

precise (a)

clear and accurate

Synonym: exact

• Can you give a more precise definition of the word?

dialogue (n)

/ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/

a formal discussion between two groups or countries, especially when they are trying to solve a problem, end a disagreement, etc.

• here needs to be a closer dialogue between management and staff.

executive (n)

a group of people who run a company or an organization

• She was on the executive of the Women's Social and Political Union.

delineate (v)

/dɪˈlɪnieɪt/

to describe, draw or explain something in detail

• The ship's route is clearly delineated on the map.

discretion (n)

the freedom or power to decide what should be done in a particular situation

• I'll leave it up to you to use your discretion.

dissenting (a)

having or expressing opinions that are different from those that are officially accepted

• There were a few dissenting voices, but the vast majority supported the plan.

stance (n) (on sth)

the opinions that somebody has about something and expresses publicly

Synonym: position

• He is known for his anti-abortion stance.