401. paradigm shift noun [ C ] formal UK /ˈpær.ə.daɪm ˌʃɪft/ US /ˈper.ə.

daɪm ˌʃɪft/

a time when the usual and accepted way of doing or thinking about
something changes completely

402. nyctophilia noun [ U ] PSYCHOLOGY specialized UK /ˌnɪk.təˈfɪl.i.ə/ US/ˌnɪk.təˈfɪl.i.ə/

the condition of being very happy and comfortable in the dark:

Nyctophilia is a condition that makes you want to sit in the dark all by yourself late
at night, wide awake.

More examples
• What is it like to have nyctophilia?
• To help you understand nyctophilia symptoms, I will reveal some uncomfortable details of
my life.

403. commodity noun [ C ] UK /kəˈmɒd.ə.ti/ US /kəˈmɑː.də.t̬i/

C1
a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold:

The country's most valuable commodities include tin and diamonds.

the international commodities market

a valuable quality:

If you're going into teaching, energy is a necessary commodity.

commodity | BUSINESS ENGLISH

commodity noun [ C ] UK /kəˈmɒdəti/ US
STOCK MARKET, FINANCE
a substance or a product that can be traded in large quantities, such
as oil, metals, grain, coffee, etc.:

One big commodity that Canada exports is oil.

Higher commodities prices boosted first-quarter profits.
agricultural commodities

FINANCE
a financial product that can be traded:

Returning barren fields to their natural state as wetlands creates a host of

"wetland mitigation credits," a commodity the company plans to sell.
 NATURAL RESOURCES
a thing or a quality that is useful:

Water is a very scarce commodity in the region.

Fluency in Arabic is a valuable commodity in a job market desperate for Arabic translators.

404. the things you buy

• purchase I'm not in a position to make a major purchase like a car.

• goods There's a sale on home goods this week.

• shopping Can you bring the shopping in for me?

• groceries US Thank you for bagging my groceries for me.

• acquisition That rare book is his latest acquisition.

• merchandise The shop's merchandise was heavily discounted.

405. the use of sth C2

permission to use something, or the ability to use something:

They said we could have the use of their beach house whenever they weren't there.
She hurt her arm in the fall and lost the use of her fingers temporarily.
406. Inuit noun UK /ˈɪn.ju.ɪt/ US /ˈɪn.ju.ɪt/ [ C ] plural Inuit

a member of a Native American people who live in

the cold northern areas of North America and Greenland

[U ]
the language spoken by the Inuit people

bush-dwelling

407. pidgin noun [ C or U ] UK /ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/ US /ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/

a language that has developed from a mixture of two languages. It is used as a way
of communicating by people who do not speak each other's languages.

pidgin English, French, etc. informal

English, French, etc. when it is spoken in a simple way by someone who does
not speak that language well:

"He come here?" he asked in pidgin English.

408. creole noun [ C or U ] UK /kriˈəʊl/ US /kriˈoʊl/

a language that has developed from a mixture of languages:

creole-speaking tribes
A creole develops a wider range of words, grammatical structures, and styles than is found in
a pidgin.

409. an angry or serious talk given to someone in order to criticize their behaviour:

My dad gave me a lecture on the evils of alcohol last night.

410. deep-seated adjective UK /ˌdiːpˈsiː.tɪd/ US /ˌdiːpˈsiː.t̬ɪd/

(also deep-rooted, deeply rooted)

strongly felt or believed and very difficult to change or get rid of:

a deep-seated faith in God

deep-rooted adjective
English Language Learners Definition of deep-rooted
: existing for a long time and very difficult to change : firmly established

411. egocentric adjective UK /ˌiː.ɡəʊˈsen.trɪk/ US /ˌiː.ɡoʊˈsen.trɪk/

thinking only about yourself and what is good for you:

Babies are entirely egocentric, concerned only with when they will next be fed.
Synonyms
egoistic
egotistic
self-centred UK disapproving

Opposite
altruistic

altruistic adjective UK /ˌæl.truˈɪs.tɪk/ US /ˌæl.truˈɪs.tɪk/

showing a wish to help or bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for
yourself:

I doubt whether her motives for donating the money are altruistic -
she's probably looking for publicity.
Synonym
selfless approving
412. masculine adjective UK /ˈmæs.kjə.lɪn/ US /ˈmæs.kjə.lɪn/

masculine adjective (MALE)

C1
having characteristics that are traditionally thought to be typical of or suitable for men:
a masculine appearance/voice
Synonyms
manly approving
virile (MAN) approving

Compare
feminine (FEMALE)

413. feminine adjective UK /ˈfem.ɪ.nɪn/ US /ˈfem.ə.nɪn/ feminine adjective (FEMALE)

C1

having characteristics that are traditionally thought to be typical of or suitable for a woman:

With his long dark eyelashes, he looked almost feminine.

The current style in evening wear is soft, romantic, and feminine.

Her clothes are always very feminine.

414. penetration noun [ U ] UK /ˌpen.ɪˈtreɪ.ʃən/ US /ˌpen.əˈtreɪ.ʃən/

penetration noun [U] (MOVEMENT INTO)

a movement into or through something or someone:

Sunscreens can help reduce the penetration of ultraviolet rays into the skin.

The company is trying to increase its penetration of the market.

the act of a man putting his penis into his partner's body during sex

penetration noun [U] (UNDERSTANDING) formal

someone's ability to understand quickly and well

penetration | BUSINESS ENGLISH

penetration noun [ U ] MARKETING, COMMERCE UK /ˌpenɪˈtreɪʃən/ US

a level of sales, or of increase in sales, of a product or service in a particular area:

broadband/internet/mobile-phone penetration Broadband penetration is set

to soar in Eastern European markets.

→ market penetration

414. marine noun [ C ] UK /məˈriːn/ US /məˈriːn/

a soldier who works closely with the navy and
is trained especially for military operations on land that begin from the sea
415. urinate verb [ I ] UK /ˈjʊə.rɪ.neɪt/ US /ˈjʊr.ɪ.neɪt/

to pass urine from the body

Synonyms
pee informal
piddle informal
wee UK informal

416. potent adjective UK /ˈpəʊ.tənt/ US /ˈpoʊ.t̬ənt/

very powerful, forceful, or effective:

Surprise remains the terrorists' most potent weapon.

The Berlin Wall was a potent symbol of the Cold War.

This is a very potent drug and can have unpleasant side-effects.

Synonym

powerful (CONTROL)

Opposites

impotent (LACKING POWER)

powerless

417. be over the hump informal

to be past the most difficult or dangerous part of an activity or period of time:

It's been hard work but I think we're over the hump now.

418. devil-may-care adjective UK /ˌdev.əl.meɪˈkeər/ US /ˌdev.əl.meɪˈker/

not considering or worrying about the results of your actions:

He has a devil-may-care attitude to life.

Synonym

happy-go-lucky

419. happy place

a memory, situation, or activity that makes you feel happy:

Print design is my happy place.

My guess is that they'll talk about Scotland - George's youthful holiday destination, his
happy place.

If you feel stressed, take a few minutes and go to a happy place.

420. be as high as a kite informal

to behave in a silly or excited way because you have taken drugs or drunk a lot of alcohol:

I tried to talk to her after the party, but she was as high as a kite.

to feel very happy and excited:

I was as high as a kite when I heard I'd got the job.

421. have your cake and eat it (too)

to have or do two good things at the same time that are impossible to have or do at the
same time:

You can't have your cake and eat it - if you want more local services, you
can't expect to pay less tax.

422. threshold noun (LEVEL)

C2 [ C usually singular ]

the level or point at which you start to experience something, or at which

something starts to happen:

I have a low/high boredom threshold (= I do/don't feel bored easily).

His secretary earns £268 a month, well below the threshold for paying tax.

423. parse verb [ T ] LANGUAGE specialized UK /pɑːs/ US /pɑːrs/

to separate a sentence into grammatical parts, such as subject, verb, etc.

424. strategic adjective UK /strəˈtiː.dʒɪk/ US /strəˈtiː.dʒɪk/ C1

helping to achieve a plan, for example in business or politics:

strategic planning

a strategic withdrawal/advance

Their bombs are always placed in strategic positions to cause as much chaos as possible.

used to provide military forces with an advantage:

There are plans to modernize the US strategic forces.

strategic arms reduction talks

More examples

• These problems demonstrate the importance of strategic planning.

• The region was, of course, of strategic importance.

• They want to protect their strategic and financial interests.

• This requires a little strategic thinking.

• The area had no strategic value to either country.

425. consecutive adjective UK /kənˈsek.jə.tɪv/ US /kənˈsek.jə.t̬ɪv/ C2

Consecutive events, numbers, etc. follow one after another without an interruption:

This is the fifth consecutive weekend that I've spent working.

Synonyms

sequential formal

successive

426. theorize verb [ I ] (UK usually theorise) UK /ˈθɪə.raɪz/ US /ˈθɪr.aɪz/

to develop a set of ideas about something:

It's easy to theorize about what might have happened.

Synonyms

conjecture formal

hypothesize formal

427. prevail verb [ I ] formal UK /prɪˈveɪl/ US /prɪˈveɪl/ C2

to get control or influence:

I am sure that common sense will prevail in the end.

And did reason prevail over (= become a more powerful influence than) emotion?

to be common among a group of people or area at a particular time:

This attitude still prevails among the middle classes.

More examples

• A friendly atmosphere prevailed among members of the team.

• Our only hope is that justice will prevail.

• Eventually common sense prevailed and he decided it would be more sensible to

be honest.

• The Republicans are expected to prevail in next year's election.

• The British team had finally prevailed over the Russians.

428. rebuttal noun [ C ] formal UK /rɪˈbʌt.əl/ US /rɪˈbʌt̬.əl/

a statement that says that something is not true:

She issued a point-by-point rebuttal of the company's accusations.

429. ESOL is English to Speakers of Other Languages.

430. SCASS. Standing Conference of Arts and Social Sciences (UK)

431. discrepancy noun [ C or U ] UK /dɪˈskrepənsi/ US

plural discrepancies

a difference between two figures, results, etc. that are expected to be the same

432. sensational adjective UK /senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/ US /senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/

C2 approving

very good, exciting, or unusual:

a sensational sports car/dress

She looks sensational (= extremely attractive) in her new dress.

C1 disapproving

Sensational news reports and articles are intended to

be shocking and exciting rather than serious:

Some of the more sensational newspapers have given a lot of coverage to the scandal.

433. analytical adjective UK /ˌæn.əˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/ US /ˌæn.əˈlɪt̬.ɪ.kəl/

(formal analytic, UK /ˌæn.əlˈɪt.ɪk/ US /-əˈlɪt̬-/)

C1

examining or liking to examine things in detail, in order to discover more about them:

He has a very analytical mind.

Some students have a more analytical approach to learning.

434. overriding adjective [ before noun ] UK /ˌəʊ.vəˈraɪ.dɪŋ/ US /ˌoʊ.vɚˈraɪ.dɪŋ/

more important than anything else:

The government's overriding concern is to reduce inflation.

Synonyms

paramount formal

predominant

preponderant formal

435. fall short C1

to fail to reach an amount or standard that

was expected or hoped for, causing disappointment:

August car sales fell short of the industry's expectations.

436. contemplation noun [ U ] /ˌkɒn.təmˈpleɪ.ʃən/ US /ˌkɑːn.t̬əmˈpleɪ.ʃən/

serious and quiet thought for a period of time:

She was staring out over the lake, lost in contemplation.

The nuns have an hour for silent contemplation every morning.

437. signify verb formal UK /ˈsɪɡ.nɪ.faɪ/ US /ˈsɪɡ.nə.faɪ/

signify verb (MEAN)

[T]

to be a sign of something; to mean:

Nobody really knows what the marks on the ancient stones signify.

[ + that ] The number 30 on a road sign signifies that the speed limit is 30 miles an hour.
438. concurrently adverb UK /kənˈkʌr.ənt.li/ US /kənˈkɝː.ənt.li/

at the same time:

Her two dramas are being shown concurrently by rival television stations.

She will learn today whether her two life sentences will run concurrently or consecutively.

439.

440. be of sound/unsound mind LAW specialized

not to be mentally ill/to be mentally ill

441. gourmet adjective [ before noun ] UK /ˈɡɔː.meɪ/ US /ˈɡʊr.meɪ/

(of food) very high quality:

gourmet coffee

a gourmet meal

producing or serving food that is very high quality:

a gourmet restaurant

a gourmet chef

gourmet noun [ C ] UK /ˈɡɔː.meɪ/ US /ˈɡʊr.meɪ/

a person who knows a lot about food and cooking, and who enjoys eating high-quality food

Synonyms
bon vivant

epicure formal

epicurean formal

foodie

gastronome formal

442. culinary adjective formal UK /ˈkʌl.ɪ.nər.i/ US /ˈkʌl.ə.ner.i/

connected with cooking or kitchens:

the culinary delights (= good food) of Beijing

My culinary skills are limited to boiling water (= I am not very good at cooking).

443. chives noun [ plural ] UK /tʃaɪvz/ US /tʃaɪvz/

the long, thin leaves of a plant with purple flowers, used in cooking to give
a flavour similar to onions:

Garnish the salad with chopped fresh chives.

444. chivalrous adjective UK /ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/ US /ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/

A chivalrous man is polite, honest, fair, and kind towards women:

He was polite and chivalrous and never cursed in front of her.

It's very chivalrous of you to defend her but don't you think she can speak for herself?

Synonym gallant

chivalrous adjective UK /ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/ US /ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/

A chivalrous man is polite, honest, fair, and kind towards women:

He was polite and chivalrous and never cursed in front of her.

It's very chivalrous of you to defend her but don't you think she can speak for herself?
Synonym

gallant

polite

• polite He was always such a polite child.

• courteous Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous.

• respectful He was respectful towards his elders.

• well mannered They were quiet, well mannered children.

• chivalrous He held open the door in that chivalrous way of his.

used to describe knights in the medieval period of history and their behaviour, which put a
high value on honour, kindness, and courage:

an illustration of Prince Valiant, the chivalrous knight in shining armour

the chivalrous code of the knight errant

445. gallant adjective UK /ˈɡæl.ənt/ US /ɡəˈlænt/

gallant adjective (POLITE) formal

(of a man) polite and kind towards women, especially when in public:

That wasn't very gallant of you, Paul, pushing a young lady out of the way like that!

446. gales of laughter

a lot of loud laughter:

I could hear gales of laughter coming from downstairs.

447. green onion noun [ C ] US UK /ˌɡriːn ˈʌn.jən/ US /ˌɡriːn ˈʌn.jən/

(also scallion); (UK spring onion)

a long, thin, green and white onion that is often eaten uncooked
448. Immaculate striped green grass is out of favour.

449. cognizant adjective (UK usually cognisant) UK /ˈkɒɡ.nɪ.zənt/ US /ˈkɑːɡ.nɪ.zənt/ formal

understanding or realizing something:

We should be cognizant of the fact that every complaint is not a justified complaint.

Synonyms

aware

conscious (NOTICING)

witting

Opposites

unaware

unwitting formal

450. chemotherapy noun [ U ] UK /ˌkiː.məʊˈθer.ə.pi/ US /ˌkiː.moʊˈθer.ə.pi/

the treatment of diseases using chemicals:

Chemotherapy is often used in the treatment of cancer.

451. immaculate adjective approving UK /ɪˈmæk.jə.lət/ US /ɪˈmæk.jə.lət/

perfectly clean or tidy:

dressed in an immaculate white suit

an immaculate garden

free from dirt

• clean Are these clothes clean?

• immaculate The whole house was immaculate.

• spotless He was wearing a spotless white shirt.

• spick and span Their house is always spick and span.

 • pure I love the pure mountain air.

perfect and without any mistakes:

He gave an immaculate performance as the aging hero.

452. caffeinated adjective UK /ˈkæf.ɪ.neɪ.tɪd/ US /ˈkæf.ə.neɪ.t̬ɪd/

containing caffeine:

caffeinated drinks/beverages

453. thirst-quenching adjective UK /ˈθɜːstˌkwen.ʃtɪŋ/ US /ˈθɝːstˌkwen.ʃtɪŋ/

A thirst-quenching drink stops you feeling thirsty:

They serve juices, bottled waters, and other thirst-quenching drinks.

454. mirage noun [ C ] UK /mɪˈrɑːʒ/ US /mɪˈrɑːʒ/

an image, produced by very hot air, of something that seems to be far away but does not
really exist

literary

a hope or wish that has no chance of being achieved:

Electoral victory is just a distant mirage.

mirage | AMERICAN DICTIONARY

mirage noun [ C ] US /məˈrɑʒ/
455. collage noun [ C or U ] UK /ˈkɒl.ɑːʒ/ US /ˈkɑː.lɑːʒ/

(the art of making) a picture in which various materials or objects, for example paper, cloth,
or photographs, are stuck onto a larger surface:

The children made a collage of postcards.

456. arty-crafty adjective UK informal UK /ˌɑː.tiˈkrɑːf.ti/ US /ˌɑːr.t̬iˈkræf.ti/

(US artsy-craftsy, UK /ˌɑːt.siˈkrɑːft.si/ US /ˌɑːrt.siˈkræft.si/)

interested or involved in making decorative objects by hand:

an arty-crafty market/gift shop

457. seize verb UK /siːz/ US /siːz/ B2 [ T ]

to take something quickly and keep or hold it:

I seized his arm and made him turn to look at me.

He seized the chance/opportunity of a free flight with both hands (=

with eagerness or enthusiasm).

C2 [ T ]

to take using sudden force:

The rebels have seized ten soldiers to use as hostages.

Political instability helped the army to seize power.

Troops yesterday seized control of the broadcasting station.

[T]

If the police or other officials seize something, they take possession of it

with legal authority:

Customs officers at Heathrow have seized 60 kilos of heroin.

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

to take something from someone

• take He offered her the microphone but she wouldn't take it.

• take hold of Get ready to take hold of the baton as the next runner approaches.

• snatch He snatched the letter out of my hands before I could read it.

• steal The car was stolen from right outside our house.

• pinch A thief pinched his wallet and phone.

• seize Federal agents seized two computers.

[ usually passive ]

If a strong emotion or pain seizes you, you feel it suddenly:

I was suddenly seized by/with a feeling of great insecurity and loneliness.

458. pioneer noun [ C ] UK /ˌpaɪəˈnɪər/ US /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/ C2

a person who is one of the first people to do something:

one of the pioneers of modern science

a pioneer heart surgeon

a person who goes to an area and builds a house, begins a farm, etc.:

The pioneers went west across North America, cutting down forests and planting new crops.

459. traditionalist noun [ C ] UK /trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl.ɪst/ US /trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl.ɪst/

someone who believes in and follows traditional ideas:

Religious traditionalists objected to theories of evolution being taught in schools.

The old general was a traditionalist who believed in the rule of authority.

Compare

diehard disapproving

460. traditionalism noun [ U ] UK /trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl.ɪ.zəm/ US /trəˈdɪʃ.ən.əl.ɪ.zəm/

the belief in, or act of following, traditional ideas and ways of doing things:

The building's design is an interesting blend of traditionalism and modernism.

461. Americanization noun [ U ] (UK usually Americanisation)

UK /əˌmer.ɪ.kən.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ US /əˌmer.ɪ.kən.əˈzeɪ.ʃən/

the process of becoming more like the US or more like the people or culture of the US:

In the business world, at least, globalization has meant Americanization.

Both the right and the left talk about Americanization and cultural homogenization.

462. invincible adjective UK /ɪnˈvɪn.sə.bəl/ US /ɪnˈvɪn.sə.bəl/

impossible to defeat or prevent from doing what is intended:

Last year the company seemed/looked invincible but in recent weeks has begun to
have problems.

Synonym

unbeatable approving

463. ignition noun UK /ɪɡˈnɪʃ.ən/ US /ɪɡˈnɪʃ.ən/ [ C usually singular ]

the electrical system in

an engine that causes the fuel to burn or explode in order to start the engine:

Switch/Turn the ignition on.

an ignition key

[ U ] formal

the act or process of something starting to burn

464. cruise control noun UK /ˈkruːz kənˌtrəʊl/ US /ˈkruːz kənˌtroʊl/

[ C or U ]

a system in a vehicle that allows the driver to set a speed at which

the vehicle will continue unless the driver changes it by pressing the brake or accelerator:

We just got out on the highway and put it in cruise control at about sixty.

I was in a clearly marked 50 mph zone, on cruise control.

[U]

used to refer to a situation in which someone is able to continue easily without making
much effort or thinking very hard:

In the second half of the match, Villa were totally in cruise control.

He seems to have his brain on cruise control again.

465. gauge verb [ T ] (US also gage) UK /ɡeɪdʒ/ US /ɡeɪdʒ/

gauge verb [T] (MEASURE)

to calculate an amount, especially by using a measuring device:

Use a thermometer to gauge the temperature.

I tried to gauge (= guess) the weight of the box.

466. periodic adjective UK /ˌpɪə.riˈɒd.ɪk/ US /ˌpɪr.iˈɑː.dɪk/

happening repeatedly over a period of time:

He suffers periodic mental breakdowns.

periodic adjective [not gradable] (REPEATED EVENT)

SCIENCE

happening repeatedly in a fixed pattern

periodic adjective [not gradable] (TIME) (also periodical, US/ˌpɪər·iˈɑd·ɪ·kəl/)

happening repeatedly although not necessarily frequently:

He suffers periodic mental breakdowns.

PHYSICS

(also periodical, US/ˌpɪər·iˈɑd·ɪ·kəl/)

A pattern or other event is periodic if it repeats at periods of time that are equal.

467.

468. the penny drops UK informal

If the penny drops, you suddenly understand something:

She looked confused for a moment, then suddenly the penny dropped.

469. the Ivy League noun UK /ˌaɪ.vi ˈliːɡ/ US /ˌaɪ.vi ˈliːɡ/

a group of eight respected colleges and universities in the northeast of the US:

an Ivy League education

470. portmanteau noun [ C ] old-fashioned UK /pɔːtˈmæn.təʊ/ US /pɔːrtˈmæn.toʊ/

plural portmanteaus or portmanteaux UK /-təʊz/ US /-toʊz/

a large case for carrying clothes while travelling, especially one that opens out into
two parts

portmanteau adjective [ before noun ] UK /pɔːtˈmæn.təʊ/ US /pɔːrtˈmæn.toʊ/

consisting of a wide range of things that are considered as a single thing:

The Official Secrets Act was described as a piece of
portmanteau legislation, covering everything from nuclear weapons to army boots.

471. plateau noun [ C ] UK /ˈplæt.əʊ/ US /plætˈoʊ/ plural plateaux UK /-z/ US or mainly

US plateaus

plateau noun [C] (FLAT LAND)

a large flat area of land that is high above sea level

plateau noun [C] (NO CHANGE)

a period during which there are no large changes:

The US death rate reached a plateau in the 1960s, before declining suddenly.

472. hypothesize verb [ I or T ] formal (UK usually hypothesise)

UK /haɪˈpɒθ.ə.saɪz/ US /haɪˈpɑː.θə.saɪz/

to give a possible but not yet proved explanation for something:

We hypothesized that children of alcoholic fathers will demonstrate more behavioural

problems.

There's no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened, since we'll never
really know.

This discovery led experts to hypothesize a different path of evolution for early man.

Synonyms

conjecture formal

speculate

theorize

473. continuum noun [ C ] SOCIAL SCIENCE specialized

UK /kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/ US /kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/

plural continua UK /kənˈtɪn.ju.ə/ US /kənˈtɪn.ju.ə/ continuums

something that changes in character gradually or in very slight stages without

any clear dividing points:

It's not "left-wing or right-wing" - political opinion is a long continuum.

474. suffragette noun [ C ] UK /ˌsʌf.rəˈdʒet/ US /ˌsʌf.rəˈdʒet/

a woman who campaigned for the right of women to vote, especially a member of the
early 20th century British group of activitists led by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst

475. elite noun [ C, + sing/pl verb ] UK /iˈliːt/ US /iˈliːt/ C1

the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society:

the country's educated elite

a member of the elite

disapproving A powerful and corrupt elite has bled this country dry.

elite adjective [ before noun] UK /iˈliːt/ US /iˈliːt/

belonging to the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society:

Elite troops were airlifted to the trouble zone.

476. cure verb [ T ] UK /kjʊər/ US /kjʊr/

cure verb [T] (MAKE WELL) B2

to make someone with an illness healthy again:

At one time doctors couldn't cure TB/cure people of TB.

C1

to solve a problem:

The president and his advisors meet this week to discuss how to cure inflation

477. cure sb of sth — phrasal verb with cure verb [ T ] UK /kjʊər/ US /kjʊr/

to stop someone doing or wanting something bad:

I ate so many sweets that day that I was cured of my sugar craving for months.

478. institute verb [ T ] formal UK /ˈɪn.stɪ.tʃuːt/ US /ˈɪn.stə.tuːt/

to start or cause a system, rule, legal action, etc. to exist:

She is threatening to institute legal proceedings against the hospital.

Opposite

abolish
479. pedagogical adjective EDUCATION specialized
UK /ˌped.əˈɡɒdʒ.ɪkəl/ US /ˌped.əˈɡɑː.dʒɪkəl/

(also pedagogic, UK/ˌped.əˈɡɒdʒ.ɪk/ US/ˌped.əˈɡɑː.dʒɪk/)

relating to the methods and theory of teaching:

The book describes current pedagogical methods used in teaching reading.

Some educators question the pedagogical value of rote learning.

See

pedagogy

480. Indonesian adjective UK /ˌɪn.dəˈniː.ʒən/ US /ˌɪn.dəˈniː.ʒən/

481. viable adjective UK /ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/ US /ˈvaɪ.ə.bəl/ C2

able to work as intended or able to succeed:

In order to make the company viable, it

will unfortunately be necessary to reduce staffing levels.

I am afraid your plan is not commercially/economically/financially/politically viable.

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

achievable

• achievable Make sure your weight-loss goals are achievable.

• attainable Employees benefit from having attainable goals.

• doable It's a big ask, but it's doable.

• feasible Given the lack of funding, is this plan really feasible?

BIOLOGY specialized

able to continue to exist as or develop into a living being:

There is a continuing debate about the age at which a human foetus can be considered viable.

viable | AMERICAN DICTIONARY

viable adjective US /ˈvɑɪ·ə·bəl/

able to exist, perform as intended, or succeed:

The company had to seek other ways to remain viable.

He would be a viable candidate for any office he wanted to run for.

viability noun [ U ] US /ˌvɑɪ·əˈbɪl·ɪ·t̬i/

She’s going to have to cut costs to maintain the viability of her business.

(Definition of viable from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge

University Press)

viable | BUSINESS ENGLISH

viable adjective UK /ˈvaɪəbl/ US

able to be done or likely to succeed:

commercially/economically/financially viable Rising oil prices have

made alternative energy sources more economically viable.

a viable business/company/market The fund exists to provide finance to

viable businesses that have been rejected by mainstream lenders.

Home-working offers a viable solution to the work/family conflict.

a viable alternative/option/proposition

482. quotient noun [ C ] UK /ˈkwəʊ.ʃənt/ US /ˈkwoʊ.ʃənt/

a particular degree or amount of something:

This is a car with a high head-turning quotient (= a lot of people turn to look at it).

MATHEMATICS specialized

the result of dividing one number by another

483. craftsmanship | BUSINESS ENGLISHcraftsmanship noun [ U ] PRODUCTION

UK /ˈkrɑːftsmənʃɪp/ US

+ skill in making things, especially by hand:

Senior workers are trying to pass their craftsmanship to the younger generation.

+ the quality of something that has been skilfully made:

The company has won high praise for the fine materials it uses, and the superb craftsmanship
of its products.
484. goodwill noun (CHARITY) Goodwill

(also informal the Goodwill)

abbreviation for Goodwill Industries: a US-based organization that collects old clothes and
other unwanted things and sells them at low prices in special shops. The money is used
to provide jobs, training, and services for people who are poor and cannot find work:

My aunt gave me some towels, and I gave them to the Goodwill.

goodwill noun [ U ] US /ˈɡʊdˈwɪl/

a friendly attitude in which you wish that good things happen to people:

We hope the negotiations will take place in an atmosphere of openness and goodwill.

(Definition of goodwill from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge

University Press)

goodwill | BUSINESS ENGLISH

goodwill noun [ U ] UK /ɡʊdˈwɪl/ US

COMMERCE

the value to a company or organization of things that cannot be directly measured,

for example, its good reputation or its customers' loyalty:

Charitable endeavours are important to us in terms of goodwill.

ACCOUNTING

the difference between the value of a company's assets and what profit it is expected to
make in the future, which is included in the price paid when it is bought or sold:

We expect the business to raise at least $100,000 in goodwill.

(Definition of goodwill from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge

University

485. disposition noun UK /ˌdɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ US /ˌdɪs.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

C2 [ C usually singular ]

the particular type of character that a person naturally has:

She is of a nervous/cheerful/sunny disposition.

[ S + to infinitive ] formal

a natural tendency to do something, or to have or develop something:

a disposition to deceive

disposition | AMERICAN DICTIONARY

disposition noun [ C ] US /ˌdɪs·pəˈzɪʃ·ən/

a person’s usual way of feeling or behaving; the tendency of a person to

be happy, friendly, anxious, etc.:

a cheerful disposition

disposition | BUSINESS ENGLISH

disposition noun UK /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/ US

[ C or U ]

the process of selling something or formally giving it to someone:

We have no control over the disposition of the funds in that account.

Not more than 30% of a Fund's gross income can be derived from gains from the sale or other
disposition of securities held for less than three months.

[ U ] LAW

the way in which a formal process, such as a business deal or a matter dealt with in
a court of law, is completed:

This describes the principal issues raised in the review and states the Regulation Board's
disposition of the proceeding.

Payment of expenses incurred in advance of the final disposition of this lawsuit shall
be conditional upon receipt of a detailed itemization.

486. accordingly adverb formal UK /əˈkɔː.dɪŋ.li/ US /əˈkɔːr.dɪŋ.li/

in a way that is suitable or right for the situation:

When we receive your instructions we will act accordingly.

She's an expert in her field, and is paid accordingly.

487. interrelationship noun [ C or U ] UK /ˌɪn.tə.rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/ US /ˌɪn.t̬ɚ.rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/

(also interrelation, UK/ˌɪn.tə.rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/ US/ˌɪn.t̬ɚ.rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/)

the way in which two or more things or people are connected and affect one another:

the interrelationship between smoking and respiratory disease

488. parallel adjective (SIMILAR) C2

used to describe an event or situation that happens at the same time as and/or is similar to
another one:

a parallel example

Parallel experiments are being conducted in Rome, Paris and London.

parallel noun UK /ˈpær.ə.lel/ US /ˈper.ə.lel/

parallel noun (SIMILARITY)

C2 [ C ]

something very similar to something else, or a similarity between two things:

I'm trying to see if there are any obvious parallels between the two cases.

It would be easy to draw (= make) a parallel between the city's history and that
of its theatres.

have no parallel (also be without parallel)

If something has no parallel or is without parallel, there is nothing similar to it or of the

same high quality as it:

These beautiful African churches have no parallel in Europe.

parallel noun (POSITION)

parallel (line)

a line that is always at the same distance from another line

one of a number of imaginary lines around the earth always at the same distance from
the equator:

Cambridge lies near the 52nd parallel.

in parallel ELECTRONICS specialized

If two or more parts of an electrical system are in parallel, they are arranged in a way
that means they both receive the same amount of electricity.

Compare

in series

parallel verb [ T ] UK /ˈpær.ə.lel/ US /ˈper.ə.lel/

to happen at the same time as something else, or be similar or equal to something else:

The events of the last ten days in some ways parallel those before the 1978 election.

See also

unparalleled formal

parallel adjective UK /ˈpærəlel/ US

ECONOMICS, COMMERCE

used to describe products that are bought in one country in an unofficial way and
then sold more cheaply than usual in a different country:

Brandowners are not entirely opposed to parallel trade.

The government has adopted a labelling policy which requires distributors of parallel goods t
o label the origins of the goods.

Compare

grey

IT

involving two or more computer processes happening at one time:

Groups of workstations act in parallel.

489. has the cat got your tongue? informal

something you say to someone when you are annoyed because they will not speak:

What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?

490. legitimize verb [ T ] formal (UK usually legitimise)

UK /ləˈdʒɪt.ə.maɪz/ US /ləˈdʒɪt̬.ə.maɪz/
to make something legal or acceptable:

The government fears that talking to terrorists might legitimize their violent actions.

Synonym

legitimate

legitimate adjective UK /ləˈdʒɪt.ə.mət/ US /ləˈdʒɪt̬.ə.mət/ C2

allowed by law:

The army must give power back to the legitimate government.

C2

reasonable and acceptable:

He claimed that the restaurant bill was a legitimate business expense.

A legitimate child is one whose parents are legally married at the time of his or her birth.

decriminalize verb [ T ] (UK usually decriminalise)

UK /ˌdiːˈkrɪm.ɪ.nəl.aɪz/ US /ˌdiːˈkrɪm.ə.nəl.aɪz/

to stop something from being illegal:

the campaign to decriminalize marijuana

Synonym

legalize

Opposites

criminalize

491. abolish verb [ T ] UK /əˈbɒl.ɪʃ/ US /əˈbɑː.lɪʃ/

B2

to end an activity or custom officially:

I think bullfighting should be abolished.

National Service was abolished in the UK in 1962.

492. porridge noun [U] (PRISON) UK slang

a period of time spent in prison:

He did ten years porridge for armed robbery.

porridge noun [ U ] dated US /ˈpɔr·ɪdʒ, ˈpɑr-/

a thick, soft food made from oats (= a type of grain) boiled in water or milk; oatmeal

congee noun [ U ] UK /ˈkɒn.dʒi/ US /ˈkɑːn.dʒi/

a kind of thick Chinese soup made with rice

493. folk tale noun [ C ] UK /ˈfəʊk ˌteɪl/ US /ˈfoʊk ˌteɪl/

a story that parents have passed on to their children through speech over many years

Compare

epic noun

legend (STORY)

myth (ANCIENT STORY)

saga

494. meta adjective UK /ˈmet.ə/ US /ˈmet̬.ə/

(of something that is written or performed) referring to itself or to something

of its own type:

It's a meta joke. It's sort of a joke about jokes.

I am standing at my desk typing this about the media right now. It feels very meta.

495. meta- prefix UK /met.ə-/ US /met̬.ə-/

involving change:

metamorphose (= to change into a completely different form)

metabolism (= the processes in the body that change food into energy)

outside the normal limits of something:

metalanguage (= a specialized form of language used for describing a language)

496. repertoire noun [ C ] UK /ˈrep.ə.twɑːr/ US /ˈrep.ɚ.twɑːr/

all the music or plays, etc. that you can do or perform or that you know:

The Royal Shakespeare Company also have many modern plays in their repertoire.

There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.

repertoire | AMERICAN DICTIONARY

repertoire noun [ C ] US /ˈrep·ərˌtwɑr/

all the music, plays, dances, operas, etc., that a person or a group can perform, or
that exist in a particular type of activity related to the arts:

Americans don’t know the American repertoire, aside from Gershwin.

497. falsehood noun formal UK /ˈfɒls.hʊd/ US /ˈfɑːls.hʊd/

[U]

lying:

She doesn't seem to understand the difference between truth and falsehood.

[C]

a lie or a statement that is not correct

498. AD adverb UK /ˌeɪˈdiː/ US /ˌeɪˈdiː/ AD adverb (CALENDAR)

abbreviation for Anno Domini : a Latin phrase meaning "in the year of the Lord", which is
used when referring to a year after Jesus Christ was born:

in 1215 AD/AD 1215

during the seventh century AD

Compare

BC adverb

CE

499. monotonic adjective UK /ˌmɒn.əˈtɒn.ɪk/ US /ˌmɑː.nəˈtɑː.nɪk/

monotonic adjective (SOUND)

formal

speaking or spoken in such a way that the sound stays on the same note without
going higher or lower

500. veritable adjective [ not gradable ] US /ˈver·ɪ·t̬ə·bəl/

(used to emphasize how great or unusual something is by comparing it to something else):

If current projections hold, Montgomery County will experience a

veritable explosion in its school-age population (= it will have many more students).

VOWELS

rearview mirror noun [ C ] UK /ˌrɪə.vjuː ˈmɪr.ər/ US /ˌrɪr.vju ˈmɪr.ɚ/

a mirror that allows a driver to see what is happening behind their car