Britain and Europe Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terms, translations, definitions, and usage notes from the 'Britain and Europe' and 'How British do you feel?' study sheets.

to comprise

To contain or include (German: beinhalten). Example: A family comprises various members.

temperate

Moderate or of an even-tempered character (German: ausgeglichen).

equable

Mild and avoiding extremes (German: ausgeglichen). Opposite of extremist.

Christian faith

The religious faith based on the teachings of Jesus Christ (German: christlicher Glaube).

inheritance

What is passed on from one generation to the next, whether genetic, cultural, ideological, or political (German: Erbe, Erbschaft).

prosperity

Wealth or economic success (German: Wohlstand, Gedeihen). Opposite of poverty.

to deny

To state that something is not true or to refuse (German: leugnen, abstreiten, verweigern). Opposite of to confirm.

inseparable

Unable to be separated or treated separately (German: untrennbar).

domestic

Relating to internal or home affairs, market, or work (German: Inlands-, innenpolitisch, häuslich).

to be at stake

To be in question or at issue; involved or at risk (German: zur Debatte stehen, auf dem Spiel stehen).

issue

A subject, matter, or topic, especially one that is controversial or important (German: Thema, Problem).

to tie sb/sth to sb/sth

To link together or fasten (German: binden an, fesseln an).

compelling

Persuasive to a degree that leaves no choice (German: zwingend). Derived from to compel.

profound

Reaching to the bottom of a matter; deep (German: tief gehend, tief empfunden). Opposite of superficial.

assumption

An underlying belief or premise accepted as true without proof (German: Annahme, Voraussetzung). Derived from to assume.

to acknowledge

To recognise as correct or true; to accept or admit (German: anerkennen, einräumen).

to diminish

To lessen or decrease (German: mindern). Opposite of to increase.

threat

A menace or statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, or damage (German: Drohung, Bedrohung).

to gain

To get something positive or an advantage from doing something (German: gewinnen). Opposite of to lose.

to shape

To give a particular form to something (German: formen).

sovereignty

Supreme political power and independence (German: Herrschaft, Souveränität, Staatshoheit). Opposite of subordination or submission.

sensibility

Acute feeling or touchiness (German: Empfindung, Empfindlichkeit). Opposite of insensibility or numbness.

frame of mind

The mental and psychological disposition of a person (German: Einstellung).

a means to an end

An instrument or method for achieving a specific goal (German: ein Mittel zum Zweck).

committed

In a dedicated and assured attitude; devoted (German: überzeugt, entschlossen). Derived from commitment / to commit oneself to sth.

to address sth

To tackle a problem or issue rather than ignore it (German: etw. ansprechen, sich mit etw. befassen, etw. angehen).

to fail

To break down and stop functioning, to miscarry, or to not pass (German: versäumen, versagen, missglücken, nicht bestehen). Opposite of to succeed or to pass.

to drift towards sth

To move slowly towards something (German: auf etw. zutreiben, sich auf etw. zubewegen). Opposite of to stay put.

rather than

In preference to; instead of (German: eher als).

to blink

To move one eyelid rapidly up and down; to wink (German: zwinkern).

dual

Composed of two elements or aspects (German: doppelt). Opposite of single.

overwhelmed

Strongly affected or overcome by an emotion or force (German: überwältigt). Derived from to overwhelm.

benefits (pl)

Government payments for people needing help; profits or advantages (German: Nutzen, Sozialleistungen, Gewinne, Vorteil).

to outweigh sth

To weigh more than or be greater than something else (German: überwiegen).

leaning

A tendency or political inclination (German: Neigung, Tendenz). Derived from to lean.

to get past

To overcome an obstacle or traditional notion (German: überwinden). Opposite of to stick to.

when it comes to …

As far as … is concerned; as regards (German: wenn es um … geht).

dedicated

Devoted to a cause or conviction (German: engagiert). Derived from dedication / to dedicate.

to play a part of sth

To be a factor in coming to a decision; to play a role in something (German: eine Rolle spielen, wichtig sein).