Vocab from December 4th

cacophony (/kəˈkɒfəni/)

​a mixture of loud unpleasant sounds

• I can't imagine the situation in which people would decide to be immersed in a ____, such as at a busy street market or during a loud concert where multiple sounds clash for a prolonged period of time.

horrendous (/həˈrendəs/)

terrible or extremely unpleasant

synonym horrific, horrifying

• She had sustained _ injuries.

• The police officer said the attack was the most ___ he had ever seen.

• The conditions in the camp were absolutely ___.magis

magistrate (/ˈmædʒɪstreɪt/)

​an official who acts as a judge in the lowest courts of law

synonym Justice of the Peace

• to come up before the ___.

litigation (/ˌlɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/)

​the process of making or defending a claim in court

• The company has been in __ with its previous auditors for a full year.

• to run the risk of __

squander (/ˈskwɑːndər/)

V. to waste money, supplies, or opportunities

• They'll quite happily ____ a whole year's savings on two weeks in the sun

• He _ed all his money on gambling.

pelt (down)

V.

1. ​[transitive] _ somebody (with something) to attack somebody by throwing things at them

   • The children __ed him with snowballs.

   • We were ___ed with rotten tomatoes.

2. ​[intransitive] __ (down) (of rain) to fall very heavily

   • By now the rain was __ting down.

   • I drove home with the rain __ing through the window.

go to your head

(idiom) If something that you have achieved _____, it makes you too proud:

• Fame and fortune had ____, made him think he was better than others.

swot up

informal•British

1. study a subject intensively, especially in preparation for something.

   "teachers spend their evenings __ing u_ on jargon"

verdict

an official judgement made in court or at an inquest (= an official investigation into somebody's death)

• Has the jury reached a ___?

• The jury returned a ___ (= gave a __) of guilty.

• The coroner recorded a ___ of accidental death.

• Finally, the jury will deliberate and reach a _.

mar (/mɑː(r)/)

• to damage something or make something less good or successful

• synonym blight, ruin

  • The game was ___ed by the behaviour of rowdy fans.

hoard (/hɔːd/)

(er- person) ​___ (something) to collect and keep large amounts of food, money, etc., often secretly

• The prisoners used to ____ scraps of food in secret places.

junk

N. things that are considered to have no use or value

synonym rubbish

• I've cleared out all that old ___ in the attic.

• There's nothing but ___ on the TV.

• (informal, disapproving) Is this all your ___ (= are these all your things)?

~ food

plunge (/plʌndʒ/)

SYN: JUMP

to move or make somebody/something move suddenly forwards and/or downwards

• + adv./prep. She lost her balance and _ed 100 feet to her death.

• The train left the track and ____ed down the .

• ___somebody/something + adv./prep. The earthquake ___ed entire towns over the edge of the cliffs.

strew

syn: scatter

to cover a surface with thingssynonym scatter

• ___ A on, over, across, etc. B Clothes were __n across the floor.

• He put the bag on the ground and __d some dead leaves over it.

• __B with A The floor was s__n with clothes.

• The streets were __ with corpses.

• (figurative) The way ahead is ___ with difficulties.

get hold of something

to find someone or obtain something:

Where can I g___some stamps?

How can I ____ Christs?

syn: OBTAIN, ACQUIRE

enigma (/ɪˈnɪɡmə/)

N. a person, thing or situation that is mysterious and difficult to understand

synonym mystery, puzzle

• Even after years he still remains an ___ to me.

fluorescent (/fləˈresnt/)

ADJ. (of substances) producing bright light by using some forms of radiation

• a ___ lamp (= one that uses such a substance)

• I raise my head and glance at the ____ numbers on the alarm clock next to my bed.

slit

V. N

a long, narrow cut or opening

• a long skirt with a ____ up the side

• His eyes narrowed into ____.

___" refers to a long, narrow cut, while "split" can refer to a tear or separation:

crater (/ˈkreɪtər/)

1. a large hole in the top of a volcano

   • We peered over the lip of the ___ into the volcano.

   2. ​a large hole in the ground caused by the explosion of a bomb or by something large hitting it

hemline (/ˈhemlaɪn/)

the bottom edge of a dress or skirt; the length of a dress or skirt

• Shorter ___s are back in this season.

• School rules state that ___s must be below the knee.

take up

(Phrasal verb) become interested or engaged in a pursuit, to start doing something as a habit

• "she ____ tennis at the age of 11"

• If I had more time, I would like to ____ YOGA

• I would never ____ cooking because I don’t cook. That’s not something I’m likely to say.

conversant (/kənˈvɜːrsnt/)

knowing about something; familiar with something

• You need to become fully ___ with the company's procedures.

pan out

end up; to develop in a particular way or in a successful way or in a particular way

• "he's happy with the way the deal ___"

• the stone thing didn’t____

gush

V. _____ out of/from/into something | ___ out/in to flow or pour suddenly and quickly out of a hole in large amounts

• blood ___ing from a wound

• Water ___ed out of the pipe.

eccentric (/ɪkˈsentrɪk/)

ADJ, N ​considered by other people to be strange or unusual

• ___ behaviour/clothes

• an _____ aunt

twiddle (/ˈtwɪdl/)

to twist or turn something with your fingers often because you are nervous or bored

• __ with something He _ed with the radio knob until he found the right programme.

• ___ something She was _ing the ring on her finger.

alibi (/ˈæləbaɪ/)

​evidence that proves that a person was in another place at the time of a crime and so could not have committed it

• The suspects all had _s for the day of the robbery.

creature of habit

(noun) - someone who always does the same thing in the same way.

• I'd like to get into yoga more and find more time to read, but I haven't planned on doing anything new, frankly. I'm more of a ____ these days, and maybe I always have been.

knacker

V. __ somebody to make somebody very tired

SYN: exhaust

1. ___ somebody/something to injure somebody or damage something

   • I do a lot of exercise these days, like weightlifting and yoga, and I try and balance that out with reading and video games as well. Which is probably a good thing, since if I didn't do that, I'd probably ___ my joints.
     

ordinance (/ˈɔːrdɪnəns/)

an order or a rule made by a government or somebody in a position of authority

• ___ are created by local governments, such as a city council or county board of supervisors, while laws are passed by Parliament. 

• Scope: __ are local laws, while laws apply throughout a country. 

solicitor (/səˈlɪsɪtər/)

N.  Barrister,__ - UK; Lawyer, attorney - US

(British English)a lawyer who prepares legal documents, for example for the sale of land or buildings, advises people on legal matters, and can speak for them in some courts of law

• Her first step was to contact a __ for advice.

insensate ( /ɪnˈsen.seɪt/)

ADJ. not aware of what you are doing or what is happening around you:

• He was virtually __ after drinking half a bottle of whisky.

not feeling any sympathy for other people's suffering:

• ___ cruelty/brutality

proverbial (/prəˈvɜːrbiəl/)

ADJ. ​[only before noun] used to show that you are referring to a particular proverb or well-known phrase

• Let's not count our ___ chickens.

• These risks are just the tip of the ___ iceberg.

  ​[not usually before noun] well known and talked about by a lot of people

  synonym famous

  • Their hospitality is ___.

consummate (/ˈkɑːnsəmət/)

ADJ. perfect, showing great skill

V. ___ something to make a marriage or a relationship complete by having sex

• The marriage lasted only a week and was never ___. (tan hon)

  - make something complete or perfect

_tion: N

pragmatic (/præɡˈmætɪk/)

solving problems in a practical and sensible way rather than by having fixed ideas or theories

synonym realistic

• a ___ approach to management problems

languid (/ˈlæŋɡwɪd/)

ADJ. ​moving slowly in an attractive way, not needing energy or effort

• a ___ wave of the hand

• a ___ afternoon in the sun

cotton bud

~ small stick

• with a cotton ball on each end used for cleaning, applying makeup, and other purposes: 

  __s are commonly used for cleaning ears, but doctors do not recommend this.

migraine (/ˈmaɪɡreɪn/)

N. ​a very severe type of headache that often makes a person feel sick and have difficulty in seeing

• severe/ mild _

• I'm getting a __.

• I forgot to take my ___ medication.

rattle off

Phrasal verb

___thing___

1. ​to say something from memory without having to think too hard

   • She can ___ the names of all the presidents of the US.

famished (ˈfæmɪʃt/)

ADJ. very hungry

synonym ___

• When's lunch? I'm ___!

• ___ refugees

dubious ( /ˈduːbiəs/)

• +about

• (of a person) not certain about something and suspecting that something may be wrong; not knowing whether something is good or bad

  synonym doubtful

  • I was rather ___ about the whole idea.

  • Kate looked __, but did as she was asked.

stagnant (/ˈstæɡnənt/)

1. water or air is not moving and therefore smells unpleasant

   • Few fish survive in the __ waters of the lake.

2. ​not developing, growing or changing

   synonym static

   • a __ economy

   • a __ population

   • The housing market has been largely __ over the past few months.

banister

the posts and rail that you can hold for support when going up or down stairs

• to hold on to the ___/_s

brew (/bruː/)

1. __ something to make beer

   • This beer is _ed in the Czech Republic.

2. ​[transitive] __ something to make a hot drink of tea or coffee

   • freshly _ed coffee

N

incisor (/ɪnˈsaɪzər/)

​one of the sharp teeth at the front of the mouth that are used for biting. Humans have eight ___.

molor (/ˈməʊlər/)

any of the large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for crushing and chewing food

kidney failure

___, also known as renal failure or end-stage renal disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys can no longer adequately filter waste products from the blood, functioning at less than 15% of normal levels.

Arrhythmia (/əˈrɪðmiə/)

a condition in which the heart does not beat in a regular way

Cardiac_ / Heart_

• The doctors are investigating the cause of his recent episodes of __.

sinusitis (/ˌsaɪnəˈsaɪtɪs/)

the painful swelling of the ~es

-an inflammation of the tissues in your ~es (spaces in your forehead, cheeks and nose usually filled with air). It causes facial pain, a stuffy or runny nose, and sometimes a fever and other symptoms.

ague (/ˈeɪɡjuː/)

a disease such as malaria that causes a high temperature and shivering (= shaking of the body)

lethargy (/ˈleθərdʒi/)

N. the state of not having any energy or enthusiasm for doing things

synonym listlessness, inertia

• The report criticizes the ___ shown by employers when it comes to job creation.

Careful pronunciation: ADJ _ic: /ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk/

membrane (/ˈmembreɪn/)

​a thin layer of skin or tissue that connects or covers parts inside the body

• The virus passes through the cell __.

​a very thin layer found in the structure of cells in plants

• _ of pale clouds

abate (/əˈbeɪt/)

V. to become less intense or severe; to make something less intense or severe

• The storm showed no signs of _ing.

• They waited for the crowd’s fury to __.

• Steps are to be taken to __ pollution.

blasted

ADJ. used when you are very annoyed about something

• Make your own __ coffee!

introspective (/ˌɪntrəˈspektɪv/)

ADJ. ​tending to think a lot about your own thoughts, feelings, etc.

• There were a lot of family problems and Jim became increasingly __.

• an __ piece of writing

dub (/dʌb/)

V. + noun to give somebody/something a particular name, often in a humorous or critical way

• The media -ed anorexia ‘the slimming disease’.

1. ​__ something (into something) to replace the original speech in a film or television programme with words in another language

   • an American movie __ed into Italian

moron (/ˈmɔːrɑːn/)

N. a rude way to refer to somebody that you think is very stupid

• They're a bunch of _s.

• The people responsible for this are mindless _s.

1. ​(old-fashioned, offensive) a word for a person with a very low level of intelligence that is now considered offensive

diligent (/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/)

ADJ. showing care and effort in your work or duties

• a __ student/worker

look up

• To improve

  To become better or more prosperous. For example, "Business is_ ing or "Things have been ing _ lately". 

• To visit or make contact with someone

  To seek out, especially for a brief visit. For example, "_me the next time you're in San Francisco" or "I ed several old friends".

reminisce (/ˌremɪˈnɪs/)

V. (about something/somebody) to think, talk or write about a happy time in your past

• We spent a happy evening _ing about the past.

patron (/ˈpeɪtrən/)

N. a person who gives money and support to artists and writers

• Frederick the Great was the __ of many artists.

• He was a great ___ of the arts and helped to establish the Baltimore Museum.

1. ​(formal) a person who uses a particular shop, restaurant, etc.

   • The car park is for the use of ___ only.​

affable (/ˈæfəbl/)

ADJ. pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to

synonym genial

• He greeted everyone in the same relaxed and __ manner.

pathos (/ˈpeɪθɑːs/)

N. (in writing, speech and plays) the power of a performance, description, etc. to make you feel sympathy or be sad

• The scene was full of ___.

pulsate (/ˈpʌlseɪt/)

1. to make strong regular movements or sounds

   • __ing rhythms

   • a __ing headache

   • Lights were _ing in the sky.

   • The lights were _ing in time with the throbbing music.

2. ​[intransitive] to be full of excitement or energy

   synonym buzz

   • a _ing game

   • with something The streets were _ing with life.

Gastritis (/ɡæˈstraɪtɪs/)

an illness in which the inside of the stomach becomes swollen (= larger or rounder than normal) and painful

Inflammation of the stomach lining. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and other stomach issues. Gastritis can be caused by infections, stress, smoking, or consuming too much alcohol or fatty, sugary, or spicy foods.

stow

V. to put something in a safe place (neat)

• She found a seat, _ed her backpack and sat down.

• His passport was -ed away in the desk.

• The luggage was now safely _ed away in the back of the truck.

dollop (/ˈdɑːləp/)

N. a small amount of soft food, often dropped from a spoon

• a ___ of whipped cream

  An amount of something

  • A ___ of romance now and then is good for everybody.

reciprocal (/rɪˈsɪprəkl/)

ADJ. involving two people or groups who agree to help each other or behave in the same way to each other

• The two colleges have a __ arrangement whereby students from one college can attend classes at the other.

• a __ relationship between citizens and the state

• Anita had a ___ arrangement with her brother—each would take care of the other’s children if the need arose.

prototype (/ˈprəʊtətaɪp/)

the primitive form, the first design of something from which other forms are copied or developed

• the __ of the modern bicycle

• Scientists have developed a working __ for the machine

forage (/ˈfɔːrɪdʒ/)

V. (of a person or an animal) to search widely for food

• The female only leaves the young when she __ for food.

• The pigs are allowed to __ around in a large orchard.

1. ​[intransitive] __ (for something) (of a person) to search for something, especially using the hands

   synonym rummage

   • Her assistant was _ing in a cupboard for some envelopes.

catch someone off guard

Idiom

to surprise someone by doing something that they are not expecting or ready for, in a way that makes the person feel confused or uncertain:

• The news ___her __ – she didn't know what to say.

• The strength of the storm many ___. .

slake

V. to satisfy a feeling of being thirsty or of wanting something:

• After our long game of tennis, we __ed our thirst with a beer.

• I don't think Dick will ever manage to ___ his lust for power.

fondle

V. to touch gently and in a loving way, or to touch in a sexual way:

• She _ed the puppies.

• He gently _ed the baby's feet.

• She accused him of _ing her (= touching her in a sexual way) in the back of a taxi.

cordon off (/ˈkɔːrdn/..)

Phrasal Verb (N.1)

to stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with police, soldiers, etc.

• Police___ed the area until the bomb was made safe

reprisal (/rɪˈpraɪzl/)

a violent or aggressive act towards somebody because of something bad that they have done towards you

synonym retaliation

• They did not want to give evidence for fear of _s.

• in for something They shot ten hostages in for the assassination of their leader.

concoct ( /kənˈkɒkt/)

to make something, usually food, by adding several different parts together, often in a way that is original or not planned:

• He _ed the most amazing dish from all sorts of leftover food.

to invent an excuse, explanation, or story in order to deceive someone:

• He __ a story about working late at the office.

obtrusive (/əbˈtruːsɪv/)

ADJ. easy to notice in an unpleasant way

• The sofa would be less _ in a paler colour.

• They tried to ensure that their presence was not too __.

• The proposed development would form an __ feature in the landscape.

convolution (/ˌkɒnvəˈluːʃn/)

N. a twist:

• an intricate(comlplex) pattern of endless __

something that makes an explanation, story, etc. complicated and difficult to understand:

• The movie's plot twists and _s demand a lot of concentration from the audience.

commemorate ( /kəˈmem.ə.reɪt/)

V. to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building:

• Gathered all together in this church, we __ those who lost their lives in the war.

• A statue has been built to __ the 100th anniversary of the poet's birthday.

hepatitis (/ˌhep.əˈtaɪ.tɪs/)

a serious disease of the liver. There are three main types of __: __ A, B, and C.

Off the wall

eccentric or unconventional.

"a zany, wacky, ___ weirdo"

(of a person) angry.

"the president was ___ about the article"

Lodger (/ˈlɑːdʒər/)

a person who pays to live in someone else's home, usually in exchange for a bedroom and access to the kitchen and bathroom. ___ may also receive meals from the owner. The term is most commonly used in British English.

• She takes in ___ to make some extramoney.

Veranda (/vəˈrændə/)

(especially British English)

(North American English usually porch)

a platform with an open front and a roof, built onto the side of a house on the ground floor

• After dinner, we sat talking on the ___.

Emancipation (/ɪˌmænsɪˈpeɪʃn/)

the act of freeing somebody, especially from legal, political or social controls that limit what they can do

• the ___ of slaves

Appendicitis (/əˌpendəˈsaɪtɪs/)

___ is inflammation of the ….. Symptoms commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms

quilt (/kwɪlt/)

N. a warm cover for a bed, made of two layers with soft material between them, often held in place and decorated with lines of stitching

• a patchwork ___

just like blanket, they are bed coverings…

squirm (/skwɜːrm/)

V. to move around a lot making small twisting movements, because you are nervous, uncomfortable, etc.

synonym wriggle

• (+ adv./prep.) The children were _ing restlessly in their seats.

• + adj. Someone grabbed him but he managed to ___ free.

prick

V. to make a very small hole in something with a sharp point

• ___ something He __ed the balloon and burst it.

• something with something holes in the paper with a pin.

ferment (/fərˈment/)

V. to experience a chemical change because of the action of yeast or bacteria, often changing sugar to alcohol; to make something change in this way

• Fruit juices __ if they are kept for too long.

• (figurative) A blend of emotions _ed inside her.

• __ something Red wine is _ed at a higher temperature than white.

drab (/dræb/)

ADJ. ​without interest or colour; boring

• She longed to be out of the cold, __ little office.

• __ women, dressed in browns and greys

• __grey cloud

hypnotic (/hɪpˈnɑːtɪk/)

ADJ. making you feel as if you are going to fall asleep, especially because of a regular, repeated noise or movement

synonym mesmerizing, soporific

• __ music

• His voice had an almost __ effect.

undulate (/ˈʌndʒəleɪt/)

v. ​to go or move gently up and down like waves

• The countryside _s pleasantly.

recede (/rɪˈsiːd/)

V. to move gradually away from somebody or away from a previous position

• The sound of the truck __ed into the distance.

• She watched his _ing figure.

  ​[intransitive] (especially of a problem, feeling or quality) to become gradually weaker or smaller

  • The prospect of bankruptcy has now _ed (= it is less likely).

  • The pain was _ing slightly.

docile (/ˈdəʊsaɪl/)

ADJ. ​quiet and easy to control

• a __ child/horse/temperament

vigil (/ˈvɪdʒɪl/)

​a period of time when people do not sleep, especially at night, in order to watch a sick person, say prayers, protest, etc.

• His parents kept a round-the-clock ___ at his bedside.

• Students held a candlelit __ against the war.

fare

N. money u pay to travel bus, .. passengers in taxi

V. well, badly, better, etc. to be successful/unsuccessful in a particular situation

synonym get on

• The party __ed very badly in the last election.

• The North, by and large, has ___ed better than most regions in avoiding high unemployment figures.

cull from

Phrasal verb

to choose or collect something from a source or several different sources

• an exhibition of paintings _ed from regional art galleries

distill

1. to make a liquid pure by heating it until it becomes a gas, then cooling it and collecting the drops of liquid that form

   • to __ fresh water from seawater

   • _ed water

2. ​__ something to make something such as a strong alcoholic drink in this way

   • The factory __s and bottles whisky..

3. To __ something said or written is to reduce it but keep the most important part:

   • She __ed the report into a paragraph.

periphery (/pəˈrɪfəri/)

1. ​the outer edge of a particular area

• on the __ of something

  industrial development on the __ of the town

• The condition makes it difficult for patients to see objects at the __ of their vision.

• Extensive new planting is taking place around the __ of the site.

  2. ​the less important part of something, for example of a particular activity or of a social or political group

  • on the of something

    minor parties on the ___ of American politics

voluminous (/vəˈluːmɪnəs/)

ADJ.​(of clothing) very large; having a lot of cloth

synonym ample

• a __ skirt

1. ​(of a piece of writing, a book, etc.) very long and detailed

   • There is _ literature on modernism and post-modernism.