1# melancholy

noun [MASS NOUN] deep and long-lasting sadness: he had an air of sorrow and mela
ncholy about him.
another term formelancholia (as a mental condition).
historical another term forblack bile.
adjective sad or depressed: she felt a little melancholy | a dark, melancholy yo
ung man with deep-set eyes.
causing or expressing sadness; depressing: the melancholy tone of her writing.
DERIVATIVES
melancholic adjective
melancholically adverb.
2# poignant /'pnjnt/
adjective evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret: a poignant reminder of the
passing of time.
archaic sharp or pungent in taste or smell.

DERIVATIVES
poignance noun
poignancy noun
poignantly adverb.
3# scurry
verb (scurries, scurrying, scurried)
[NO OBJ. , WITH ADVERBIAL OF DIRECTION] (of a person or small animal) move hurri
edly with short quick steps: pedestrians scurried for cover.
noun [IN SING. ]
1 a situation of hurried and confused movement: I was in such a scurry.
2 a flurry of rain or snow.
4# pursuant /p'sju:nt/
adverb (pursuant to) formal in accordance with (a law or a legal document or res
olution): the local authority applied for care orders pursuant to section 31 of
the Children Act 1989.
adjective archaic following; going in pursuit.
DERIVATIVES
pursuantly adverb.
5#restraint
noun
1 (often restraints) a measure or condition that keeps someone or something unde
r control: decisions are made within the financial restraints of the budget.
[MASS NOUN] the action of keeping someone or something under control.
[MASS NOUN] deprivation or restriction of personal liberty or freedom of movemen
t: he remained aggressive and required physical restraint.
a device which limits or prevents freedom of movement: car safety restraints.
2 [MASS NOUN] unemotional, dispassionate, or moderate behaviour; self-control: h
e urged the protestors to exercise restraint.
understatement, especially of artistic expression: with strings and piano, all r
estraint vanished.
6.hammer and tongs
7# consonant /'kns()nnt/
noun a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed and
which can be combined with a vowel to form a syllable. Contrasted withvowel.
a letter representing a consonant.
adjective
1 [ATTRIB. ] denoting or relating to a consonant: a consonant phoneme.
2 (consonant with) in agreement or harmony with: the findings are consonant with
other research.
8# stooge
noun
1 derogatory a subordinate used by another to do routine unpleasant work: party
stooges put there to do a job on behalf of central office.
2 a performer whose act involves being the butt of a comedian's jokes.
verb [NO OBJ. ]
1 move about aimlessly; drift or cruise: she stooged around in the bathroom for
a while.
2 perform a role that involves being the butt of a comedian's jokes.
9# propitious /pr'ps/
adjective giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable: the timing
for such a meeting seemed propitious.
archaic favourably disposed towards someone.

DERIVATIVES
propitiously adverb
propitiousness noun
augury /':gjri/
noun (PL. auguries)
a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen: they heard the sound as an au
gury of death.
[MASS NOUN] the interpretation of omens.
10# camaraderie /kam'r:d()ri/, /-ri:/
noun [MASS NOUN] mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of tim
e together: the enforced camaraderie of office life.
11# quadrennial /kw'drnl/
adjective. recurring every four years.
lasting for or relating to a period of four years.

DERIVATIVES
quadrennially adverb
11# exhilarate /g'zlret/, /g-/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] make (someone) feel very happy, animated, or elated: she was e
xhilarated by the day's events | [AS ADJ. ] (exhilarated) all this hustle and bu
stle makes me feel exhilarated | [AS ADJ. ] (exhilarating) an exhilarating two-h
our rafting experience.
DERIVATIVES
exhilaratingly adverb
exhilaration noun.
11# solemnity /s'lmnti/
noun (PL. solemnities)
[MASS NOUN] the state or quality of being serious and dignified: his ashes were
laid to rest with great solemnity.
[COUNT NOUN] (usu. solemnities) a formal, dignified rite or ceremony: the ritual
of the Church was observed in all its solemnities.
12# bourse /bs/
noun a stock market in a non-English-speaking country,
13# gallop
noun [IN SING. ] the fastest pace of a horse or other quadruped, with all the fe
et off the ground together in each stride: the horse broke into a furious gallop
| [MASS NOUN] a mounted police charge at full gallop.
14# impound
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 seize and take legal custody of (something, especially a vehicle, goods, or do
cuments) because of an infringement of a law: vehicles parked where they cause a
n obstruction will be impounded.
2 shut up (domestic animals) in a pound or enclosure.
lock up (someone).
3 (of a dam) hold back (water).
DERIVATIVES
impoundable adjective
impounder noun
impoundment noun.
exonerate /g'znret/, /g-/
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 (of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing:
an inquiry exonerated those involved | they should exonerate these men from this
crime.
2 (exonerate someone from) release someone from (a duty or obligation).
DERIVATIVES
exoneration noun
exonerative adjective.
punitive /'pju:ntv/ (also punitory /-t()ri/)
adjective inflicting or intended as punishment: he called for punitive measures
against the Eastern bloc.
(of a tax or other charge) extremely high: a current punitive interest rate of 3
1. 3 per cent.

DERIVATIVES
punitively adverb
punitiveness noun
adept
adjective /'adpt/, /'dpt/ very skilled or proficient at something: she is adept
at cutting through red tape | an adept negotiator.
noun /'adpt/ a person who is skilled or proficient at something: he is an adept
at imitation.
DERIVATIVES
adeptly adverb
adeptness noun.
salvage
verb [WITH OBJ. ] rescue (a wrecked or disabled ship or its cargo) from loss at
sea: an emerald and gold cross was salvaged from the wreck.
retrieve or preserve (something) from potential loss or adverse circumstances: i
t was the only crumb of comfort he could salvage from the ordeal.

treason
noun (also high treason) [MASS NOUN] the crime of betraying one's country, espec
ially by attempting to kill or overthrow the sovereign or government: they were
convicted of treason.
the action of betraying someone or something: doubt is the ultimate treason agai
nst faith.
(petty treason) historical the crime of murdering someone to whom the murderer o
wed allegiance, such as a master or husband.

DERIVATIVES
treasonous adjective.
mortgage /'m:gd/
noun a legal agreement by which a bank, building society, etc. lends money at in
terest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property, with the condition
that the conveyance of title becomes void upon the payment of the debt: I put d
own a hundred thousand in cash and took out a mortgage for the rest.
the amount of money borrowed in a mortgage: a £60,000 mortgage.
a deed effecting a mortgage.
verb [WITH OBJ. ] convey (a property) to a creditor as security on a loan.
expose to future risk or constraint for the sake of immediate advantage: some pe
ople worry that selling off state assets mortgages the country's future.

DERIVATIVES
mortgageable adjective.
proliferate /pr'lfret/
verb [NO OBJ. ] increase rapidly in number; multiply: the science-fiction magazi
nes which proliferated in the 1920s.
(of a cell, structure, or organism) reproduce rapidly: cultured cells often prol
iferate indefinitely.
[WITH OBJ. ] cause (cells, tissue, structures, etc.) to reproduce rapidly.
DERIVATIVES
proliferative adjective
proliferator noun.
foreclose
verb
1 [NO OBJ. ] take possession of a mortgaged property when the mortgagor fails to
keep up their mortgage payments: the bank was threatening to foreclose on his m
ortgage.
[WITH OBJ. ] take away someone's power to redeem (a mortgage) and take possessio
n of the mortgaged property.
2 [WITH OBJ. ] rule out or prevent (a course of action): the decision effectivel
y foreclosed any possibility of his early rehabilitation.
DERIVATIVES
foreclosure noun.
morass /m'ras/
noun
1 an area of muddy or boggy ground.
2 a complicated or confused situation: she would become lost in a morass of lies
and explanations.

noun [MASS NOUN] the rescue of a wrecked or disabled ship or its cargo from loss
at sea: [AS MODIFIER] a salvage operation was under way.
the cargo saved from a wrecked or sunken ship: salvage taken from a shipthat had
sunk in the river.
the rescue of property or material from potential loss or destruction.
Law payment made or due to a person who has saved a ship or its cargo.

DERIVATIVES
salvageable adjective
salvager noun.
night soil
noun [MASS NOUN] human excrement collected at night from buckets, cesspools, and
privies and sometimes used as manure.
fortitude /'f:ttju:d/
noun [MASS NOUN] courage in pain or adversity: she endured her illness with grea
t fortitude.
bolster1 /'blst/
noun
1 a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support.
2 a part on a vehicle or tool providing structural support or reducing friction.
Building a short timber cap over a post designed to increase the bearing of the
beams it supports.
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 support or strengthen: the fall in interest rates is starting to bolster confi
dence.
2 provide (a seat) with padded support: [AS ADJ. ] (bolstered) I snuggled down i
nto the heavily bolstered seat.
compendium
noun (PL. compendiums or compendia /-d/)
a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, esp
ecially in a book or other publication.
a collection or set of similar items.
a package of stationery for writing letters.
eloquent
adjective fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing: an eloquent speech.
clearly expressing or indicating something: the bus journey alone is eloquent of
class inequality.

DERIVATIVES
eloquently adverb.

articulate
adjective /:'tkjlt/
1 having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently: she was not ve
ry articulate.
2 technical having joints or jointed segments.
Zoology denoting a brachiopod which has projections and sockets that form a hing
e joining the two halves of the shell.
verb /:'tkjlet/ [WITH OBJ. ]
1 pronounce (something) clearly and distinctly: he articulated each word with pr
ecision.
express (an idea or feeling) fluently and coherently: they were unable to articu
late their emotions.
2 [NO OBJ. ] form a joint: the mandible is a solid piece articulating with the h
ead.
(be articulated) be connected by joints.
thrum1
verb (thrums, thrumming, thrummed)
[NO OBJ. ] make a continuous rhythmic humming sound: the boat's huge engines thr
ummed in his ears.
[WITH OBJ. ] strum (the strings of a musical instrument) in a rhythmic way.
noun [USU. IN SING. ] a continuous rhythmic humming sound: the steady thrum of r
ain on the windows.
espouse /'spaz/, /-/
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life): the left has espoused the
causes of sexual and racial equality.
2 archaic marry.
(be espoused to) (of a woman) be engaged to (a particular man).

DERIVATIVES
espouser noun.
exult
verb [NO OBJ. ] show or feel triumphant elation or jubilation: exulting in her e
scape, Lisa closed the door behind her.
DERIVATIVES
exultation noun
exultingly adverb.
appalling
adjective horrifying; shocking: the cat suffered appalling injuries during the a
ttack.
informal shockingly bad; awful: his conduct was appalling.

DERIVATIVES
appallingly adverb.
contemptuous
adjective showing contempt; scornful: she was intolerant and contemptuous of the
majority of the human race.
DERIVATIVES
contemptuously adverb
contemptuousness noun.
contempt
noun [MASS NOUN] the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or deserving
scorn: Pam stared at the girl with total contempt | he wouldn't answer a woman h
e held in such contempt.
disregard for something that should be considered: this action displays an arrog
ant contempt for the wishes of the majority.
(also contempt of court) the offence of being disobedient to or disrespectful of
a court of law and its officers: several unions were held to be in contempt and
were fined.
perspiration
noun [MASS NOUN] the process of sweating: exercise causes perspiration and a spe
eded-up heartbeat.
sweat: perspiration ran down his forehead.

DERIVATIVES
perspiratory adjective.
liability
noun (PL. liabilities)
1 [MASS NOUN] the state of being legally responsible for something: once you con
tact the card protection scheme your liability for any loss ends.
[COUNT NOUN] (usu. liabilities) a thing for which someone is responsible, especi
ally an amount of money owed: valuing the company's liabilities and assets.
2 [USU. IN SING. ] a person or thing whose presence or behaviour is likely to pu
t one at a disadvantage: she said the party had become a liability to green poli
tics.

leverage /'li:v()rd/
noun [MASS NOUN]
1 the exertion of force by means of a lever: my spade hit something solid that w
ouldn't respond to leverage.
mechanical advantage gained by leverage: use a metal bar to increase the leverag
e.
figurative the power to influence a person or situation: the right wing had lost
much of its political leverage in the Assembly.
acrimony /'akrmni/
noun [MASS NOUN] bitterness or ill feeling: the AGM dissolved into acrimony.
obdurate /'bdjrt/
adjective stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action: Emma
took refuge in stony, obdurate silence.
DERIVATIVES
obduracy noun
obdurately adverb
obdurateness noun.
culminate /'klmnet/
verb [NO OBJ. ]
1 reach a climax or point of highest development: weeks of violence culminated i
n the brutal murder of a magistrate.
[WITH OBJ. ] be the climax or point of highest development of: her book culminat
ed a research project on the symmetry studies of Escher.
2 archaic or Astrology (of a celestial body) reach or be at the meridian.
fallacy /'falsi/
noun (PL. fallacies)
a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments: the notion that th
e camera never lies is a fallacy.
Logic a failure in reasoning which renders an argument invalid.
[MASS NOUN] faulty reasoning: the potential for fallacy which lies behind the no
tion of self-esteem.
altercation
noun a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public: I had an altercatio
n with the ticket collector.
litigant
noun a person involved in a lawsuit.
adjective [POSTPOSITIVE] archaic involved in a lawsuit: the parties litigant.
Utopia /ju:'tp/
noun an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. The wo
rd was first used in the book Utopia (1516) by Sir Thomas More. The opposite ofd
ystopia.
denounce
verb [WITH OBJ. ] publicly declare to be wrong or evil: the Assembly denounced t
he use of violence | he was widely denounced as a traitor.
inform against: priests denounced him to the King for heresy.

DERIVATIVES
denouncement noun
denouncer noun.
lackey
noun (PL. lackeys)
1 a servant, especially a liveried footman or manservant.
derogatory a person who is obsequiously willing to obey or serve another person.
extol /k'stl/, /k-/
verb (extols, extolling, extolled)
[WITH OBJ. ] praise enthusiastically: he extolled the virtues of the Russian peo
ples.
DERIVATIVES
extoller noun.
anarchy
noun [MASS NOUN]
1 a state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority or other co
ntrolling systems: he must ensure public order in a country threatened with anar
chy.
2 absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a po
litical ideal.
largesse /l:'(d)s/ (also largess)
noun [MASS NOUN] generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others: presumably
public money is not dispensed with such largesse to anyone else.
money or gifts given generously: the distribution of largesse to the local popul
ation.
shambolic
adjective informal, chiefly Brit. chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged: the depa
rtment's shambolic accounting.
DERIVATIVES
shambolically adverb
aberration /ab're()n/
noun a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome
one: they described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration.
delude /d'l(j)u:d/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] make (someone) believe something that is not true: too many th
eorists have deluded the public | [AS ADJ. ] (deluded) the poor deluded creature
.
DERIVATIVES
deludedly adverb
deluder noun.
elite /e'li:t/, /-/
noun
1 a group of people considered to be superior in a particular society or organiz
ation, because of their talent, intelligence, power, or wealth: China's educated
elite | [AS MODIFIER] an elite combat force.
2 [MASS NOUN] a size of letter in typewriting, with 12 characters to the inch (a
bout 4. 7 to the centimetre).

legion:2 (a legion/legions of) a vast number of people or things: legions of pho

tographers and TV cameras.
narcissism /'n:ssz()m/, /n:'ss-/
noun [MASS NOUN] excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one's physical appe
arance
DERIVATIVES
narcissist noun
narcissistic adjective
narcissistically adverb.
malevolent /m'lv()l()nt/
adjective having or showing a wish to do evil to others: the glint of dark, male
volent eyes.
DERIVATIVES
malevolence noun
malevolently adverb.
premonition /prm'n()n/, /pri:-/
noun a strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something un
pleasant: he had a premonition of imminent disaster.
DERIVATIVES
premonitory adjective.
impale
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 transfix or pierce with a sharp instrument: his head was impaled on a pike and
exhibited for all to see.
sceptical (US skeptical)
adjective
1 not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations: the public were deeply sc
eptical about some of the proposals.
2 Philosophy relating to the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.
DERIVATIVES
sceptically (US skeptically) adverb.
intrusive
adjective
1 causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited: that was
an intrusive question | tourist attractions that are environmentally intrusive.
2 Phonetics (of a sound) pronounced between words or syllables to facilitate pro
nunciation, such as an r in saw a film.
3 Geology relating to or formed by intrusion.
DERIVATIVES
intrusively adverb
intrusiveness noun.
prong
noun
1 each of two or more projecting pointed parts at the end of a fork.
a projecting part on various other devices.
vulgar slang a man's penis.
2 figurative each of the separate parts of an attack or operation, typically app
roaching a place or subject from different positions: the three main prongs of t
he government's programme.
verb [WITH OBJ. ] pierce or stab with a fork: he passed his fork to the right ha
nd to prong the meat.
DERIVATIVES
pronged adjective [INCOMBINATION] a three-pronged attack.
consortium /kn's:tm/
noun (PL. consortia /-t/, /-/ or consortiums)
1 an association, typically of several companies.
2 [MASS NOUN] Law the right of association and companionship with one's husband
or wife.
Over-invoicing
The provision of an invoice that reports the price as higher than is actually be
ing paid.
solicit
verb (solicits, soliciting, solicited)
1 [WITH OBJ. ] ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone: he called a me
eting to solicit their views | [NO OBJ. ] don't solicit for money.
ask (someone) for something: historians and critics are solicited for opinions b
y the auction houses.
2 [NO OBJ. ] accost someone and offer one's or someone else's services as a pros
titute: [AS NOUN] (soliciting) although prostitution was not itself an offence,
soliciting was.
DERIVATIVES
solicitation noun.
menace
noun a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger: a new i
nitiative aimed at beating the menace of drugs | the snakes are a menace to farm
animals.
[MASS NOUN] a threatening quality or atmosphere: he spoke the words with a hint
of menace.
(menaces) Brit. threatening words or actions: a demand of money with menaces.
verb [WITH OBJ. ] be a threat or possible danger to: Africa's elephants are stil
l menaced by poaching | [AS ADJ. ] (menacing) a menacing tone of voice.
DERIVATIVES
menacer noun
menacingly adverb.
heckle
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 interrupt (a public speaker) with derisive or aggressive comments or abuse: he
was booed and heckled when he tried to address the demonstrators | [NO OBJ. ] w
omen round him started heckling.
2 dress (flax or hemp) to split and straighten the fibres for spinning.
noun a heckling comment: heckles of 'Get stuffed!'
DERIVATIVES
heckler noun.
clandestine /klan'dstn/, /'klandstn/
adjective kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit: she deser
ved better than these clandestine meetings.
DERIVATIVES
clandestinely adverb
clandestinity noun.
work hand in glove with somebody/something
to do something in close combination with someone or something else The computer
chips are designed to work hand in glove with this new microprocessor.
Usage notes: sometimes used in the form go hand in glove (to be closely related)
: Researchers believe that mental well-being and physical strength go hand in gl
ove.
helm1
noun (the helm) a tiller or wheel for steering a ship or boat.
figurative a position of leadership: the chairman is to step down after four yea
rs at the helm.
Nautical a helmsman.
verb [WITH OBJ. ] steer (a boat or ship).
figurative manage (an organization): the magazine he helmed in the late eighties
.
amicable /'amkb()l/
adjective characterized by friendliness and absence of discord: an amicable sett
lement of the dispute | the meeting was relatively amicable.
DERIVATIVES
amicability noun
amicableness noun
amicably adverb.
ouster
noun [MASS NOUN]
1 Law ejection from a property, especially wrongful ejection; deprivation of an
inheritance.
removal from the jurisdiction of the courts.
[COUNT NOUN] a clause that is or is claimed to be outside the jurisdiction of th
e courts.
2 N. Amer. dismissal or expulsion from a position: the junta's ouster of the Emp
eror
divulge /d'vld/, /d-/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] make known (private or sensitive information): I am too much o
f a gentleman to divulge her age.
DERIVATIVES
divulgation noun
divulgence noun.
parley /'p:li/
noun (PL. parleys)
a conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of ter
ms for an armistice.
verb (parleys, parleying, parleyed)
[NO OBJ. ] hold a conference with the opposing side to discuss terms: they disag
reed over whether to parley with the enemy.

exude /g'zju:d/, /g-/

verb
1 (with reference to moisture or a smell) discharge or be discharged slowly and
steadily: [WITH OBJ. ] the beetle exudes a caustic liquid | [NO OBJ. ] slime exu
des from the fungus.
2 [WITH OBJ. ] (of a person) display (an emotion or quality) strongly and openly
: Sir Thomas exuded goodwill.
(of a place) have a strong atmosphere of: the building exudes an air of tranquil
lity.

DERIVATIVES
exudation noun
exudative /g'zju:dtv/, /g-/ adjective.
warring /'w:r/
adjective [ATTRIB. ] (of two or more people or groups) in conflict with each oth
er: warring factions | a warring couple.
covet /'kvt/
verb (covets, coveting, coveted)
[WITH OBJ. ] yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to anot
her): I covet one of their bubblejet printers | [AS ADJ. ] (coveted) I gave up a
coveted job, that of editor-in-chief.
DERIVATIVES
covetable adjective.
boutique /bu:'ti:k/
noun
1 a small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories.
2 a business serving a sophisticated or specialized clientele: [AS MODIFIER] Cal
ifornia's boutique wineries.
wane1
verb
1 [NO OBJ. ] (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surf
ace illuminated, so that it appears to decrease in size.
2 (of a state or feeling) decrease in vigour or extent; become weaker: confidenc
e in the dollar waned.

impediment /m'pdm()nt/
noun
1 a hindrance or obstruction in doing something: a serious impediment to scienti
fic progress.
2 (also speech impediment) a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stam
mer.
DERIVATIVES
impedimental adjective
abomination
noun a thing that causes disgust or loathing: concrete abominations masquerading
as hotels.
[MASS NOUN] a feeling of hatred: a Calvinist abomination of indulgence.

exalt /g'z:lt/, /g-/

verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 think or speak very highly of (someone or something): the party will continue
to exalt their hero.
2 raise to a higher rank or position: this naturally exalts the peasant above hi
s brethren in the same rank of society.
exalted
adjective
1 (of a person or their rank or status) at a high or powerful level: it had take
n her years of infighting to reach her present exalted rank.
2 of a noble, elevated, or lofty nature: his exalted hopes of human progress.
3 in a state of extreme happiness: I felt exalted and newly alive.
DERIVATIVES
exaltedly adverb
exaltedness noun
perilous
adjective full of danger or risk: a perilous journey south.
exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin: the economy is in a perilous state
.

DERIVATIVES
perilously adverb
perilousness noun.
sordid
adjective
1 involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distast
e and contempt: the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams.
2 dirty or squalid: the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading
.
DERIVATIVES
sordidly adverb
sordidness noun.
parochial /p'rkl/
adjective
1 relating to a Church parish: the parochial church council.
2 having a limited or narrow outlook or scope: parochial attitudes | their inter
ests are too parochial.
DERIVATIVES
parochialism noun
parochiality noun
parochially adverb.

tread
verb (PAST trod; PAST PARTICIPLE trodden or trod)
[NO OBJ. , WITH ADVERBIAL] walk in a specified way: he trod lightly, trying to m
ake as little contact with the mud as possible | figurative the government had t
o tread carefully so as not to offend the judiciary.
(tread on) chiefly Brit. set one's foot down on top of.
[WITH OBJ. ] walk on or along: shoppers will soon be treading the floors of the
new shopping mall.
[WITH OBJ. AND ADVERBIAL] press down or crush with the feet: food had been trodd
en into the carpet | the snow had been rodden down by the horses.
noun: treader
reconnaissance /r'kns()ns/
noun [MASS NOUN] military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertai
n strategic features: an excellent aircraft for low-level reconnaissance | [COUN
T NOUN] after a reconnaissance British forces took the island.
preliminary surveying or research: conducting client reconnaissance.
inculcate /'nklket/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] instil (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction
: I tried to inculcate in my pupils an attitude of enquiry.
teach (someone) an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction: they will
try to inculcate you with a respect for culture.

DERIVATIVES
inculcation noun
inculcator noun.
interlocutor /nt'lkjt/
noun formal a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation.
DERIVATIVES
interlocution noun
transgenic /tranz'dnk/, /tr:nz-/, /-ns-/
adjective Biology relating to or denoting an organism that contains genetic mate
rial into which DNA from an unrelated organism has been artificially introduced.
DERIVATIVES
transgene noun.
moratorium /mr't:rm/
noun (PL. moratoriums or moratoria /-r/)
a temporary prohibition of an activity: an indefinite moratorium on the use of d
rift nets.
Law a legal authorization to debtors to postpone payment.
pious
adjective
1 devoutly religious: a deeply pious woman.
making or constituting a hypocritical display of virtue: his pious platitudes.
archaic dutiful or loyal, especially towards one's parents.
2 [ATTRIB. ] (of a hope) sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled.
DERIVATIVES
piously adverb
piousness noun.
banquet /'bakwt/
noun an elaborate and formal evening meal for many people: a state banquet at Bu
ckingham Palace.
an elaborate meal with several courses; a feast: a four-course Asian banquet | f
igurative a veritable banquet of seasonal events.
verb (banquets, banqueting, banqueted)
[WITH OBJ. ] [USU. AS NOUN] (banqueting) entertain with a banquet: [AS MODIFIER]
a banqueting hall.
DERIVATIVES
banqueter noun.
rhetoric /'rtrk/
noun [MASS NOUN] the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especia
lly the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often
regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content: all we have from the Opp
osition is empty rhetoric.
commensurate /k'mn()rt/, /-sj-/
adjective corresponding in size or degree; in proportion: salary will be commens
urate with age and experience | such heavy responsibility must receive commensur
ate reward.
DERIVATIVES
commensurately adverb.
elusive
adjective difficult to find, catch, or achieve: success will become ever more el
usive.
difficult to remember: the elusive thought he had had moments before.

DERIVATIVES
elusively adverb
elusiveness noun.
surrogate /'srgt/
noun a substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role
or office: wives of MPs are looked on as surrogates for their husbands while th
e latter are at Westminster.
(in the Christian Church) a bishop's deputy who grants marriage licences.
(in the US) a judge in charge of probate, inheritance, and guardianship.
obstetric
adjective relating to childbirth and the processes associated with it.
DERIVATIVES
obstetrical adjective (chiefly N. Amer. )
obstetrically adverb.
patriarchy
noun (PL. patriarchies)
[MASS NOUN] a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male
is head of the family and descent is reckoned through the male line.
a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are larg
ely excluded from it.
[COUNT NOUN] a society or community organized on patriarchal lines.
summon
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 order (someone) to be present: a waiter was summoned.
authoritatively call on (someone) to be present as a defendant or witness in a l
aw court.
urgently demand (help): she summoned medical assistance.
call people to attend (a meeting): he summoned a meeting of head delegates.
2 make an effort to produce (a particular quality or reaction) from within onese
lf: she managed to summon up a smile.
(summon something up) call an image to mind: names that summon up images of far-
off places.

DERIVATIVES
summonable adjective
summoner noun.
defect2 /d'fkt/
verb [NO OBJ. ] abandon one's country or cause in favour of an opposing one: he
defected to the Soviet Union after the war.
DERIVATIVES
defection noun
defector noun.
relegate
verb [WITH OBJ. ] assign an inferior rank or position to: they aim to prevent wo
men from being relegated to a secondary role.
Brit. transfer (a sports team) to a lower division of a league: United were rele
gated to division two.

DERIVATIVES
relegation noun.
promulgate /'prm()lget/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] promote or make widely known (an idea or cause): these objecti
ves have to be promulgated within the organization.
put (a law or decree) into effect by official proclamation: in January 1852 the
new Constitution was promulgated.

DERIVATIVES
promulgation noun
promulgator noun.
lacerate /'lasret/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] tear or deeply cut (something, especially flesh or skin): the
point had lacerated his neck | [AS ADJ. ] (lacerated) his badly lacerated hands
and knees.
DERIVATIVES
laceration noun.
obituary /()'btri/, /-tri/, /-tjri/
noun (PL. obituaries)
a notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, typically including a brief biog
raphy of the deceased person.
DERIVATIVES
obituarist noun.
erode /'rd/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] (of wind, water, or other natural agents) gradually wear away
(soil, rock, or land): the cliffs on this coast have been eroded by the sea.
symbiosis /smb'ss/, /-b-/
noun (PL. symbioses /-si:z/)
[MASS NOUN] Biology interaction between two different organisms living in close
physical association, typically to the advantage of both. Compare withantibiosis
.
[COUNT NOUN] a mutually beneficial relationship between different people or grou
ps: a perfect mother and daughter symbiosis.

DERIVATIVES
symbiotic /-'tk/ adjective
symbiotically adverb.
dally
verb (dallies, dallying, dallied)
[NO OBJ. ]
1 act or move slowly: she'd dallied upstairs long enough to put on a little make
-up.
2 (dally with) have a casual romantic or sexual liaison with: he should stop dal
lying with film stars.
show a casual interest in: the company was dallying with the idea of opening a n
ew office.
plunge
verb
1 [NO OBJ. , WITH ADVERBIAL] jump or dive quickly and energetically: our little
daughters whooped as they plunged into the sea.
fall suddenly and uncontrollably: a car swerved to avoid a bus and plunged into
a ravine.
embark impetuously on a speech or course of action: he came to a decision, and p
lunged on before he had time to reconsider it.
suffer a rapid decrease in value: shares in the company plunged 18p on news that
profits had fallen.
(of a ship) pitch: the ship plunged through the 20-foot seas.
[NO OBJ. ] (of a horse) rear violently.
2 [WITH OBJ. AND ADVERBIAL] push or thrust quickly: he plunged his hands into hi
s pockets.
quickly immerse in liquid: to peel fruit, cover with boiling water and then plun
ge them into iced water.
suddenly bring into a specified condition or state: for a moment the scene was i
lluminated, then it was plunged back
palpable /'palpb()l/
adjective able to be touched or felt: the palpable bump at the bridge of the nos
e.
(of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible: a palpable s
ense of loss.
plain to see or comprehend: to talk of dawn raids in the circumstances is palpab
le nonsense.

DERIVATIVES
palpability noun
palpably adverb.
cessation /s'se()n/
noun [MASS NOUN] the fact or process of ending or being brought to an end: the c
essation of hostilities.
propensity
noun (PL. propensities)
an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way: his propensity
for violence | [WITH INFINITIVE] their innate propensity to attack one another.
fritter1
verb [WITH OBJ. ]
1 (fritter something away) waste time, money, or energy on trifling matters: I w
ish we hadn't frittered the money away so easily.
2 archaic divide (something) into small pieces.
connoisseur /kn's:/
noun an expert judge in matters of taste: a connoisseur of music.
DERIVATIVES
connoisseurship noun.
adduce /'dju:s/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] cite as evidence: a number of factors are adduced to explain t
he situation.
DERIVATIVES
adducible adjective
contemplate /'kntmplet/, /-tm-/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] look thoughtfully for a long time at: he contemplated his imag
e in the mirrors.
think about: she couldn't even begin to contemplate the future.
[NO OBJ. ] think deeply and at length.
have in view as a probable intention: he was contemplating action for damages.

DERIVATIVES
contemplator noun.
recuse /r'kju:z/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] chiefly N. Amer. & S. African challenge (a judge or juror) as
unqualified to perform legal duties because of a potential conflict of interest
or lack of impartiality: he was recused when he referred to the corporation as '
a bunch of villains'.
(recuse oneself) (of a judge) excuse oneself from a case because of a potential
conflict of interest or lack of impartiality.

DERIVATIVES
recusal noun.
confiscate /'knfsket/
verb [WITH OBJ. ] take or seize (someone's property) with authority: the guards
confiscated his camera | [AS ADJ. ] (confiscated) confiscated equipment.
appropriate (something, especially land) to the public treasury as a penalty.

DERIVATIVES
confiscation noun
confiscator noun
confiscatory adjective.
expatriate
noun /ks'patrt/, /-'petrt/, /ks-/ a person who lives outside their native countr
y: American expatriates in London.
archaic an exile.
adjective /ks'patrt/, /-'petrt/, /ks-/ denoting or relating to a person living o
utside their native country: expatriate workers.
verb /ks'patret/, /-'petret/, /ks-/ [NO OBJ. ] settle abroad: candidates should
be willing to expatriate.
DERIVATIVES
expatriation noun
proponent /pr'pnnt/
noun a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action: a strong pr
oponent of the free market and liberal trade policies.
implicate
verb /'mplket/ [WITH OBJ. ]
1 show (someone) to be involved in a crime: he implicated his government in the
murders of three judges.
(be implicated in) bear some of the responsibility for (an action or process, es
pecially a criminal or harmful one): viruses are known to be implicated in the d
evelopment of certain cancers.
2 [WITH CLAUSE] convey (a meaning) indirectly through what one says, rather than
stating it explicitly: by saying that coffee would keep her awake, Mary implica
ted that she didn't want any.
noun /'mplkt/ Logic a thing implied.
DERIVATIVES
implicative /m'plktv/ adjective
implicatively adverb.
avow
verb [REPORTING VERB] assert or confess openly: [WITH CLAUSE] he avowed that he
had voted Labour in every election | [WITH OBJ. ] he avowed his change of faith
| [AS ADJ. ] (avowed) an avowed Marxist.
DERIVATIVES
avowal noun
avowedly adverb.
purport
verb /p'p:t/ [WITH INFINITIVE] appear to be or do something, especially falsely:
she is not the person she purports to be | [AS ADJ. ] (purported) the purported
marriage was void.
noun /'p:p:t/ [MASS NOUN] the meaning or sense of something, typically a documen
t or speech: I do not understand the purport of your remarks.
the purpose or intention of something: the purport of existence.

DERIVATIVES
purportedly adverb.