Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
being : GOOD, BENEFIT, PROFIT<engaged a lawyer to look after his interests><acting always in
his own interest><each faction made concessions in the common interest><speed laws passed in
the interest of safety>specifically : SELF-INTEREST<sacrifice of personal interest by men who
believed in the job they were doing— T. W. Arnold><distinguish fact from fiction
… interest from impartiality— Elmer Davis>
b: something that is the object of desire<natural interest in seeing his children well educated>
3a: the price paid for borrowing money generally expressed as a percentage of the amount
borrowed paid in one year<interest on a loan><interest on a bond>— see COMPOUND
INTEREST, SIMPLE INTEREST
b: the money so paid<interest on certain indebtedness is deductible from taxable income>
c: the share received by capital from the product of industry as distinguished from rent and profit
and wages — see PURE INTEREST
d: the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital
4: an excess over and above an exact equivalent<returned the insults with interest>
5: the power of influencing<interest with the boss>
6a: the persons effectively controlling an enterprise or dominating a field of
activity<landed interest><iron interest><banking interest><Protestant interest>
binterests plural : the dominating group of owners in a field of business, industry, or finance
considered locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally sometimes : BIG BUSINESS
c: SPECIAL INTEREST 2<When the Center for Responsive Politics reports how much was spent by
various interests on campaigns, they're only catching about half of it. — Katha Pollitt, The
Nation, 23–30 Aug. 1999><When some members of Congress piously say they don't “take PAC
money,” odds are that large sums from various interests are coming in via a different route. —
Elizabeth Drew, New York Times Book Review, 14 Mar. 1993>
7a: a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to some
object : CURIOSITY, CONCERN<took a lively interest in the divorce proceedings in
court><lifelong interest in sports><interest in arctic exploration><interest in child welfare>
b: readiness to attend to and be stirred by a certain class of objects<testing the
aptitudes, interests, emotions of the patient>
c: something that causes or arouses curiosity or concern<campaign of great intrinsic interest to
military students><question of great philosophic interest>
______________________________
to interest
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
2: to involve the interest or welfare of : AFFECT, CONCERN —used with in<interested herself
exuberantly in the progress of the political campaign — Robert Grant †1940><thanked those
who had interested themselves in his behalf>
3: to cause or induce to have a share or interest : persuade to participate or engage<city
authorities began to interest themselves in the parking problem><interest a banker in a
loan><can I interest you in a game of bridge>
4: to engage or attract the attention of : arouse interest in<would find some picture
that interested him, in an old magazine — Floyd Dell><offer a market that ought to interest any
businessman — Andrew Boyd>
to overstock
transitive verb
1: to stock beyond requirements or facilities<overstock a pasture><overstock merchandise>
2: to leave (a cow) unmilked for too long a time
intransitive verb
: to stock in excess of needs or facilities
overstock (n)
: an excess of stock specifically : REMAINDER 3a<publishers' overstock bought and sold
— Publishers' Weekly>
to lay over
1: POSTPONE<voted to lay the measure over until the following meeting>
intransitive verb
: to lie over
to hollow
transitive verb
1a: to make hollow : form an indentation or concavity in —usually used with out<hollow out
half of a coconut shell><hollowed a place out in the cliffside where he could hide>
b: to make concave or cause to be curved or rounded inward<the can cover must be cut in two,
and each half so hollowed as to fit around the pipe — Emily Holt><the short double woolly scarf
which you could hollow into a cap — Fred Majdalany>
c(1) : to gouge, dig, or scrape the inside out of —usually used with out<hollowed out a stump
and filled it with concrete>
(2) : GUT —often used with out<dozens of dead cities, their insides hollowed out by dynamite
and fire — Norman Cousins>
2: to form by hollowing something out<rain barrels hollowed out from trees — Robert
Shaplen>: EXCAVATE —usually used with out<engineers hollowed out a tunnel through the
mountain>
intransitive verb
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
transitive verb
1: to move forward along a course or toward a terminus or goal : make to proceed or to
progress<preparing to advance his pawn>: FORWARD<finding ways to advance the job more
rapidly>:
a: to accelerate the progress or hasten the development of<advance the ripening of fruit>
b: to help on or aid the success or improvement of : FURTHER<volunteers soliciting funds
to advance the work of the society><used propaganda to advance their cause><advancing his
own interests at the expense of his friend's>
2: to raise in rank or position : PROMOTE<the rank of lieutenant, to which he was advanced in
1940><was advanced to the priesthood><advanced him over the heads of his seniors>: raise in
importance<in advancing the husband in the office, the corporation is quite likely
to advance him socially — W. H. Whyte>
3obsolete : EXTOL, MAGNIFY, LAUD<Let not sweet poets praise, whose only pride/Is virtue
to advance, and vice deride … — Edmund Spenser, Prosopopoia: Or Mother Hubberds
Tale, 1591>
4: to supply or provide ahead of time:
alaw : to furnish by way of an advancement
b: to supply (as money or other value) beforehand in expectation of repayment or other future
adjustment<advance an employee a week's pay as a loan><to farmers willing to raise soybeans,
seed is advanced by the company — American Guide Series: Michigan>
5archaic : to lift up : RAISE, ELEVATE<advanced their eyelids — Shakespeare>
6: to bring forward in time:
a: to make earlier (as an event or date) : HASTEN<first scheduled for November 1,
then advanced to October 15>
b: to bring or set forward to a later time : make or place later<modern scholarship
has advanced the date of composition from the first to the second century A.D.>
c: to readjust (the timing of an ignition spark) so that ignition occurs earlier with reference to top
dead center in the piston stroke
7a: to set, push, or thrust forward, ahead, or to or toward the front : cause to go
on<cautiously advancing one foot><advanced the tunnel 10 feet a day><advance the hands of a
clock>
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
bphonetics
(1) : to move (the tongue) further forward
(2) : FRONT
8: to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : bring to
view : OFFER, PROPOSE<advance an opinion><explanations were advanced and
rejected><those advancing a claim to the vacant throne>
9: to raise in rate : INCREASE<measures to keep landlords from advancing rents
unfairly><advancing the price of gasoline twice in one week>
intransitive verb
1: to move forward : go or come forward : PROCEED<opened the door and advanced into the
room><saw in the distance another lantern advancing toward them — Anne D. Sedgwick><the
infantry advanced to the attack><the physicist, accustomed to … advancing from
certainty — American Scholar>
2: to increase or make progress<a question on which knowledge is advancing><as
he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge><their children are advancing toward
maturity><sagebrush and juniper are advancing at the expense of grass — G. R. Stewart>
3: to rise in rank, position, or importance<at 30 he had already advanced to colonel><the family
has advanced to a position of influence in the community><the self-made man …
who advanced through his own unaided efforts — R. B. Morris><have a fair chance to advance>
4: to rise in rate or price<as wages advanced, so did the cost of living><government
securities advanced steadily>
5of a color : to seem to come forward toward the viewer : stand out to the eye<deep
colors advance>—contrasted with recede
to foster
obsolete : to supply with food or nourishment<one bred but of alms and fostered with cold
dishes — Shakespeare>
2aobsolete : to bring up with parental care
b: to bring up under fosterage<the young prince was fostered in the home of the duke>
3: to keep warm : WARM<what a viper have I been fostering in my bosom — Oliver Goldsmith>
4: to promote the growth or development of : promote and
sustain : ENCOURAGE, CULTIVATE<the type of civilization which fostered the minstrel — C. D.
Lewis><foster the use of radioactive isotopes — L. V. Joseph>
to further
transitive verb
: to help forward : PROMOTE, ADVANCE<… she had quietly but decidedly rejected all his offers
of help, even to the suggestion of his trying to further her theatrical aims. — Edith Wharton, The
Reef, 1912><Interested parties manipulated state and federal governments one against the other
to further their own interests … — John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, February - March
1991>
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to promote
transitive verb
1a: to advance in station, rank, or honor : RAISE —opposed to demote
b: to change (a pawn) into a piece by moving to the eighth rank
c: to advance (a student) from one grade or class to the next usually at the end of an academic
year or semester
2obsolete
a: to inform against
b: to put forward (as a claim)
3law : to institute (as a prosecution or suit) as a common informer, or as one permitted by the
ordinary to inaugurate a criminal proceeding —used chiefly in the phrase to promote the office
of the ordinary
4a: to contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity
of : FURTHER, ENCOURAGE<promote international understanding><the fixity of inheritance laws
… promoted extreme jealousy among potential heirs — Ralph Linton>
b: to bring or help to bring (as a business enterprise) into being : LAUNCH<promote a mining
company><promote a prize fight>
c: to present (merchandise) for public acceptance through advertising and publicity
d: to increase the activity of (a catalyst) by adding a small percentage of another
substance also : to accelerate (a reaction) by such an addition —opposed to poison
5slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity<see what he could promote by a
little personal string pulling — J. G. Cozzens><able to promote a bottle of wine — R. M.
Ingersoll>
intransitive verb
1obsolete : to incite someone (as to strife)
2obsolete : to inform against someone
3: to become a queen or other piece in chess<a pawn automatically promotes when it reaches the
eighth rank>
clearness (n)
1: the quality or state of being clear : freedom from confusion or obstruction : DISTINCTNESS
2: precise unambiguous transmission of meaning in writing or speaking : LUCIDITY, CLARITY
distinctness (n)
: the quality or state of being distinct
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
intransitive verb
1: to act intentionally so as to give a false impression : FAKE<decided she was not sick but
only shamming>
2: to pretend to be<if you want me for a friend you must not sham stupid — George Meredith>
sham Abraham
[Abraham, Biblical Jewish patriarch; probably from the use of the term abraham-man to denote
a beggar feigning lunacy] : to feign sickness : MALINGER
peageant (n)
(1) obsolete : a scene or act of a play (as a medieval mystery play)
(2) archaic : PART, ROLE
bobsolete : STAGE, PLATFORM specifically : a stage or platform used for the open-air
performance of medieval mystery plays and often mounted on wheels so as to be capable of
being moved from place to place
2a: a falsely impressive display that masks lack of substance and reality : a mere
show : PRETENSE<saw through the hollowness, the sham, the silliness of the empty pageant in
which I had always played — Oscar Wilde>
b: an ostentatious often exhibitionistic display<sympathize profoundly with a poetry that doesn't
make a pageant of its bleeding heart — J. L. Lowes>
3a: SHOW, SPECTACLE, EXHIBITION<a beauty pageant><the variegated pageant of London life —
Douglas Bush>especially : an elaborate usually open-air exhibition or spectacle that is marked
typically by colorful often gorgeous costuming and scenery and often by vocal and instrumental
music, that consists of a series of tableaux (as representations of important events in the history
of a community) or of a loosely unified drama with spoken or sung parts or of an often
resplendent parade or procession usually with showy floats and with a loosely dramatic or
commemorative theme, and that is usually presented in celebration of an event or series of events
or in honor of some personage or group or of a locality by amateur actors or other amateur
performers recruited from or near the locality in which it is presented
b: a steady continuous movement of things developing or passing by in or as if in a parade or
procession<this exciting pageant of events — J. H. Baker><watch the pageant of the world go
by — Ralph Hammond-Innes>
4: PAGEANTRY 1<for pageant of language he has had no equal in English — W. R.
Thayer><lacked the Roman appetite for pageant — John Buchan><full of stately dignity and
somber pageant — Richard Harrison>
pomp (n)
to pomp (vb):
: to be pompous or act in a pompous manner
: a show of magnificence : brilliant display : SPLENDOR<the pomp and vanity of an imperial
court>
2: a ceremonial or festal procession, pageant, or parade
3a: ostentatious display : VAINGLORY<the devil and all his pomps>
b: a flashy, ostentatious, or tawdry gesture, action, or flourish
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
2. To have no ill effects on someone. (Usually used in the negative in reference to food that has
made one ill.)I feel so nauseous right now—I guess that burger I ate for lunch just didn't agr
ee with me.Dairy just doesn't agree with me, so I try to steer clear of it.No, she's still in the
bathroom—I guess the dinner didn't agree with her.
3. To be in accordance with something else.The scientist's findings agree with the study publish
ed by the government's health organization.Can you tally these again? The numbers just don't
agree with what's written here.Look at this—their order slip does not agree with what we act
ually sent them.
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
4. To make one happy; to suit one's personality well.Look at how happy she is! Being on stage
certainly agrees with her.No, I'm not a nurse anymore—the constant stress of the job just did
not agree with me.This warm weather definitely agrees with me. I can practically feel my mo
od lifting!
To match, agree with, or correspond to something else.Your numbers for last month's profit an
d loss report don't tally with the figures I'm getting.Her account of the events doesn't tally wi
th the phone company's record of his cell phone usage on that night.
to tally with
to agree with
to square with
to hold with
to go along with
___________________
_______________________
I came, I saw, I conquered
Used to express one's total victory over someone or something. Often altered in various ways, as
to suit the context, for humorous effect, etc. From the Latin phrase veni, vidi, vici, popularly attri
buted to Julius Caesar following his victory at the Battle of Zela.A: "Well, how did the intervie
w go?" B: "I came, I saw, I conquered! You're looking at FlemCo's new Vice President of M
arketing!"A: "Who won the football game?" B: "We did, by a landslide! We came, we saw, w
e kicked their butts!"
acquiescence (n)
to acquiesce: : to accept or comply tacitly or passively : accept or submit to something as
inevitable or indisputable
: the act or action of acquiescing —often used with in, sometimes with to, and formerly
with with<his immediate acquiescence to every demand>
2: the quality or state of being acquiescent : passive assent or submission<too great
an acquiescence in American foreign policy — Woodrow Wyatt>
to congregate
transitive verb
: to collect together into a group, crowd, or assembly<the teachers congregated their students>
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
intransitive verb
: to come together, collect, or concentrate in a particular locality or group<would not have been
practical to congregate in cities unless the annual food supply was well assured — Owen &
Eleanor Lattimore><the young men congregated uneasily in impermanent groups — Irwin
Shaw>: become situated together or in proximity to each other<on Schermerhorn
Street congregate many charitable institutions — American Guide Series: New York City>
to assure (tr vb)
: to make safe (as from risks or against overthrow) : INSURE, SECURE<an international
organization capable of assuring the security of all nations — Vera M. Dean>
2: to give confidence to : REASSURE, ENCOURAGE, STRENGTHEN<a pure man forgives or pleads
for mercy or assures the penitent — F. W. Robertson>
3: to make sure or certain : put beyond all doubt : CONVINCE<glancing backward …
to assure himself that neither of his late antagonists was returning — C. G. D. Roberts>
4: to inform positively : tell earnestly : declare confidently to<Constance assured her that the
doctor would have nothing new to advise — Arnold Bennett><I can assure you of his
reliability>
5obsolete
a: to give a pledge or guarantee of : PROMISE<assuring the king perpetual love — John Smith
†1631>
b: to state with assurance<about which neither … could assure anything — Isaac Barrow>
c: to make sure the possession of : secure the title of<and with my proper blood assure any soul
to be great Lucifer's — Christopher Marlowe>
6: to make certain the coming or attainment of : ENSURE<spent the better part of a year in
painstaking research to assure accuracy — A. W. Barkley>
to shatter
transitive verb
1: to cause to drop or be dispersed : SCATTER<with a measured tap of his forefinger
he shattered the ash from his cigar — Hamilton Basso><the slightest jar shatters the petals of a
full-blown rose><wind could shatter out wheat — A. B. Guthrie>
2a: to splinter with or as if with a blow : reduce to fragments : FRACTURE, SMASH<fifty
windowpanes were shattered by the missiles — American Guide Series:
Connecticut><amethysts caught the light, shattering it and sending it forth again in a thousand
fragments — Louis Bromfield>
b: to damage badly : RUIN, WRECK<men whose faces had been shattered on the Italian fronts —
James Stern><rough weather … shattered the mainmast — C. O. Paullin>
3a: to cause the disruption or annihilation of : DISINTEGRATE, DEMOLISH<riflemen
… shattered each wave of attackers before it could come within volleying distance — American
Guide Series: Tennessee><one cold puff of piety … shattered the warm colorful world of
romance — Osbert Lancaster><the legend of Rome's invincibility had been shattered — John
Buchan>
b: to cause to break down : IMPAIR, DESTROY<his health was shattered … by the war — V. H.
Paltsits><people collide with harsh experience and are shattered — Paul Engle><nothing but
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
death was strong enough to shatter that inherited restraint — Ellen Glasgow>
4: to separate (a flower) into clusters of petals which are then wired or taped<her wrist corsage
was of shattered yellow carnations — Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News>
intransitive verb
1: to make a rattling sound : CLATTER<rain … shatters at the windowpane — Maurice Hewlett>
2: to break apart : become shattered : SHIVER, DISINTEGRATE<turned back … to see the
laboratory window shatter — W. N. Marsh><the Empire of the Incas … shattered at Pizarro's
touch — Bernard DeVoto>
3: to drop or scatter leaves, petals, fruit (such as kernels of ripe grain or the berries of
grapes)<the wheat shattered in the field before harvest>
hollow (n)
1: a low spot surrounded by elevations : a depressed or low part of a
surface : CONCAVITY, CHANNEL, BASIN<driving down through the hollow in the
road><the hollow of the hand>especially : a small valley : RAVINE, NOTCH, DINGLE
2a: an unfilled space within anything : CAVITY, HOLE<in the hollow of a tree>
b: an area marked by such a space or cavity<the horse buses rumble by, dropping a note as their
hooves strike the hollow of the bridge — Times Literary Supplement><pounding on
the hollow of the wall>
hollow (adv)
: HOLLOWLY<the attacks on him rang hollow because he had proved his honesty and integrity>
beat hollow or beat all hollow informal + old-fashioned
: to defeat or surpass utterly<Likewise at the game of How, When, and Where, she was very
great, and to the secret joy of Scrooge's nephew, beat her sisters hollow. — Charles Dickens, A
Christmas Carol, 1843><“Edward is always real glad to get some of the old farmhouse goodies.
He says they beat city cooking all hollow, and so they do.” — Lucy Maud Montgomery, “Aunt
Cyrilla's Christmas Basket,”, 1903>
to sustain life
to sustain
transitive verb
1: to give support (such as military support) to : uphold by aiding or backing up : furnish relief to<if the
director be sustained in the general endeavor to make the observatory useful — Cleveland Abbe><they had
behind them no great organization such as that which sustained French and his colleagues — F. W.
Crofts><the officer witnesses … with a record of service to their country to sustain them — H. W. Baldwin>
2: to provide for the support or maintenance of : supply with sustenance : NOURISH<plant life sustains the
living world — D. C. Peattie><commitment of trained men to the machines that sustain war — C. W. de
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
Kiewiet><the sort of defense which our economy can sustain — W. F. Knowland><settlements along the
seacoast … are sustained by the fishing trade — American Guide Series: New Jersey><preached as he never
preached before, sustaining himself with lemon juice and vegetables — Time>
3a: to cause to continue (as in existence or a certain state or in force or intensity) : to keep up especially
without interruption, diminution, or flagging : MAINTAIN, PROLONG<found it difficult to sustain an interest in
their talk — L. C. Douglas><the sort of writing which early established and has long sustained his
reputation — Bliss Perry><policies which they said would be needed to sustain prosperity — Fritz
Sternberg><the civil war period was lived at a high tension that could not be sustained — H. L.
Matthews><dissatisfaction with the work of the legislatures sustains the efforts of those critics — A. N.
Holcombe><difficult for even the most attentive and genuinely musical listener to sustain maximum attention
every minute — Hunter Mead><too fatigued to sustain a consecutive conversation — Lucien Price>
b(1) : to allow (a musical tone) to sound without dying away as long as the rhythm will permit
(2) : to play (a musical composition or part) in legato style
4a: to bear up from or as if from below : support the weight of : hold up : PROP<bones are the solid elements
of structure that sustain the body — Morris Fishbein><pins suitable for sustaining kilts — Ashley Halsey>
b: to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)<the dam … could not sustain the heavy head of
water — American Guide Series: Minnesota><beam … had to be much thicker in order to sustain even the
same weight — S. F. Mason>
5: to prevent (as one's mind or spirit) from sinking or giving way : buoy up<the scientist … is sustained, as are
the religious, by a profound and unshakable faith — P. B. Sears><excitement sustained me — Polly
Adler><hope that had sustained them — Frank Yerby><sustain the morale of the civilian population — R. D.
W. Connor><I read history to sustain myself in the violent confusions of these years — Ralph Bates><comfort
and sustain the parents — Agnes S. Turnbull>
6: ENDURE: such as
a: to submit to without failing or yielding : bear up under<I couldn't sustain such an act — Rex Ingamells><a
man bravely sustaining the burden of fear — Time><he would wonder whether he could ever again sustain a
year's teaching — Lucien Price>
b: to bear as an affliction : to bear with suffering<the tremendous nervous shock which has been sustained —
H. G. Armstrong><sustained a concussion of the brain — Allan Nevins>
c: SUFFER, RECEIVE, UNDERGO<must be prepared to sustain heavy losses — Bruce Bliven, born 1889><the
walls of its building bear bullet scars sustained in a riot — American Guide Series: New York City>
7a: to support as true, legal, or just sometimes : CONTEND
b: to allow or admit as valid<the court sustained the motion>
8: to support by adequate proof : ESTABLISH, CORROBORATE, CONFIRM<testimony that sustains our
contention><a thesis which no one … could conceivably sustain — Times Literary Supplement>
9: to act the part of (a character)<no reason why she should not have sustained both roles — Anthony
Powell><directing that no letter or message be received on any occasion whatsoever from the enemy … but
such as should be directed to them in the characters they respectively sustained — H. E. Scudder>
intransitive verb
: BEAR, MAINTAIN<beyond a country's capacity to sustain, it recommended grants rather than
loans — Americas>
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
call upon
: REQUIRE, OBLIGE<may be called upon to do several jobs>:
make a demand upon : depend on<universities are called upon to prepare students for the workforce>
to lay over
to postpone
to push back
to defer
to delay
to get back
to return
to wax (intr)
: to increase in size, numbers, strength, prosperity, or intensity : grow larger, fuller, stronger, or more
numerous<mankind, let us hope, will dwindle and die more contented than it ever was when it waxed and
struggled — George Santayana>
b: to grow in volume or duration (as a swelling river or days lengthening in spring)
c: to grow and develop as an animal or a person does in maturing
d: to gain in importance or power<the culmination of the Progressive movement which had been waxing since
before the turn of the century — J. A. Huston>
e: to grow more active or conspicuous : gain in vigor<rancor waxed among them>
2: to increase in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets—opposed
to wane
3: to assume a specified characteristic, quality, or state : BECOME<waxed indignant
editorially — America><ate enormously and waxed fatter — Edna Ferber>
To wax
To wane (an)
to claim
: to demand recognition of (as a title, distinction, possession, or power) especially as a right<the papal-imperial
partnership which claimed universal rule over all Christendom — W. K. Ferguson>also : to have as a property
or quality<each rhyme in the verse claims four lines><the small child claims the family red hair>
b: to call for : REQUIRE<public health must claim everyone's attention>: demand especially as a
consequence<the plague claimed thousands of lives>
c: to cause the end of (someone's life) : TAKE<Authorities are still investigating an early Sunday morning
mobile home fire that claimed the life of a Hattiesburg man. — Jesse Bass, Hattiesburg (Mississippi)
American, 31 Dec. 2012>
3a(1) : to demand delivery or possession of by or as if by right<he went to claim their bags at the station>
(2) : BUY<claimed a fine horse after the race>
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
b: to recognize the fact of or assert often proudly the right to a close or special relationship with (as by reason
of birth, residence, common circumstances, or special affinity)<Paris can claim many significant writers and
artists><the city can claim the highest accident rate in 10 years>
4: to assert especially with conviction and in the face of possible contradiction or
doubt : MAINTAIN<claimed he saw a ghost><some people claim to see beauty in a puddle — Andrew
Buchanan>
5: to assert to be rightfully one's own<claimed responsibility for the attack>
claim to fame
: the thing that someone or something is famous or well-known for<Von Glasersfeld's chief claim to
fame derives not from his abilities as a memoirist, however, but as a philosopher. — Joe
Kwiecinski, Montague (Massachusetts) Reporter, 23 Dec. 2009><We served breakfast, lunch and dinner, but
breakfast was the restaurant's main claim to fame. — Chinook Observer (Long Beach, Washington), 27 Dec.
2012>
claim (n)
(1) : an authoritative or challenging request : DEMAND<the present age makes great claims upon us —
Matthew Arnold>
(2) : a demand of a right or supposed right<Holland withdrew her claim to the annexation of German
territory>
(3) : a calling on another for something due or supposed to be due<the speaker laid no claim on the
intelligence of his audience>
b: a demand for compensation, benefits, or payment (as one made in conformity with provisions of the Social
Security Act or of a workmen's compensation law, one made under an insurance policy upon the happening of
the contingency against which it is issued, or one made against a transportation line because of loss occasioned
by carrier negligence or overcharge) also : the amount or payment of such a demand
2: a privilege to something : RIGHT<his claim to be called Europe's leading spokesman><a claim to
fame><liberty itself became … a principle of anarchy rather than a body of claims to be read in the context of
the social process — H. J. Laski>specifically : a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in the possession of
another<an applicant has a special claim on … funds listed— Official Register of Harvard University>
3: an assertion, statement, or implication (as of value, effectiveness, qualification, eligibility) often made or
likely to be suspected of being made without adequate justification<his claims to sound
scholarship><appraising the authenticity of some dealer's claim — Edith Diehl>specifically : the formal
assertion of novelty and patentability with specification of particulars made by an applicant for a patent
4: an assertion of title made (as by a settler, lumberman, prospector) on a tract of land (as one in the public
domain) and evidenced by staking or otherwise marking as required by law also : the tract of land for which
such an assertion is made
farcical (adj)
: constituting or resembling farce in boisterous or nonsensical disregard of the serious or through extravagance
or unnaturalness<a wild farcical exuberance of the clownish and swinish side of man — W. L. Sullivan>
2: receiving or meriting laughter or amused scorn as utterly without claim to serious consideration or as
laughably inept<am I such a farcical bungler … that I should erect an obvious dummy and expect that some of
16
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
incorrect (adj)
obsolete : not corrected or chastened<it shows a will most incorrect to heaven — Shakespeare>
2: failing to agree with a copy or model or with established rules : INACCURATE, FAULTY<a
careless incorrect transcription><an incorrect edition>
3a: failing to agree with the requirements of duty, morality, or
propriety : UNBECOMING, IMPROPER<incorrect behavior><this neglect was most incorrect>
b: not acceptable to the best taste<gray flannels are incorrect for tennis>
4: failing to coincide with the truth : INACCURATE, IMPRECISE<your answers are all incorrect>
5of a word or expression : formed or used in violation of grammatical principles
sanctimonious (adj)
: affecting piousness : hypocritically devout : displaying high-mindedness with intent to impress<a woman
who was religious without being sanctimonious — G. S. Stokes><He was donned in his Sunday garments,
with his most sanctimonious and sourest face. — Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847><… stood with her
hands folded, and a most sanctimonious expression of meekness and solemnity over her face, only broken by
the cunning glances which she shot askance from the corners of her eyes. — Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle
Tom's Cabin, 1852><… a righteous believer shocked by the sanctimonious rationalizations of pro-slavery
Christians. — E. L. Doctorow, The New York Times Book Review, 13 Feb. 1994>
17
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
2archaic : possessing sanctity : HOLY, SACRED<… All sanctimonious ceremonies may / With full and holy rite
be minist'red … — William Shakespeare, The Tempest, 1623>
sacrosanct (adj)
: most holy or sacred : INVIOLABLE also : overly or unpleasantly holy or sacred
(especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
"the individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct"
you know the secret of keeping the juices in?
Turn them quickly
Never fear me, you shall see
Hand a knife and a fork, please
You have your household in proper order
There is a glassful. Taste it.
When they return, you shall have a share of this
He waxed very exultant over dinner
We grew accustomed to this over time
The mismanagement of our time
There is a small change of my enjoying myself
Only somebody who doubts needs admirers
Unexpected power of endurance is given by concentration and tension of psychic forces – unexpected and
improbable
improbable (adj)
: not probable : unlikely to be true or to occur<an improbable story><characters unreal, dialogue artificial,
plots highly improbable — C. J. Rolo>also : unlikely but real or true<achieved an improbable victory>
spurious (adj)
1: of illegitimate birth : BASTARD<her spurious firstborn — John Milton><the dominions of both rulers passed
away to their spurious or doubtful offspring — E. A. Freeman>
2a: outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine
qualities : FALSE, COUNTERFEIT<the true ring by which … a fossilized survival may be known from
a spurious reproduction — Thomas Hardy><the spurious mechanical substitutes for knowledge and
experience now provided through … the motion picture — Lewis Mumford><prone to attach
a spurious novelty to the things of the moment simply because they pretend to be new — J. A. R.
Pimlott><first of the … dictators to sweep to spurious glory on the upthrust of human arms — Milton
Bracker>
b: simulative in symptoms or development without being pathologically or morphologically
genuine<spurious labor pains><spurious species><spurious fruit><the effusion of lymph which gradually
degenerates into his spurious bony deposit — Robert Chawner>
3a: of falsified or erroneously attributed origin or authorship : FORGED, INAUTHENTIC<the spurious lines and
passages which scholars used to reject as contradicting the genuine parts of the story — T. A. Jones><the only
known picture … albeit a spurious one had been printed some years earlier — James Monaghan><the regalia
became the symbols of sovereignty over all the tribes … though their spurious nature was obvious — A. M.
Young>
b: of a deceitful or fictitious nature or quality : FRAUDULENT<one of the worst features of the religious
decadence … was the craftiness of such spurious types of men — Edwin Benson><a
completely spurious witness — M. S. Mayer><the spurious explanations of the astrologers — G. A. L.
Sarton>
c: faulty in reasoning or conclusion : ILLOGICAL, SPECIOUS<spurious inferences from obsolescent notions of
18
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
causality and prediction — Ethel Albert><no spurious argument, no appeal to sentiment … can deceive the
American people — F. D. Roosevelt><incomplete statistical evidence leads to spurious correlations>
4: marked by spuriousness or falseness<additions which he inserted … to give them a spurious authenticity,
into the original manuscript — R. D. Altick>
5: of an excrescent or superfluous character : undesirably intrusive : EXTRANEOUS<the power output of a
transmitter must be … free from spurious radiations — Radio Amateur's Handbook><designed … to operate
so that spurious emissions and responses are completely eliminated — W. P. Corderman>
6: irrelevantly inapplicable : lacking correspondence to reality : vaguely ambiguous : PSEUDO<if the terms of
our discourse are incompatible or confused … then our alleged beliefs are not false, but spurious — Susanne
K. Langer><if, when he utters it, he is not talking about anything, then his use is not a genuine one, but
a spurious — Morris Weity>
sham (n)
: a trick that deludes : HOAX<the so-called sale of stocks was a mere sham>
2: cheap falseness : HYPOCRISY, DECEITFULNESS<saw through the hollowness, the sham, the silliness of the
empty pageant — Oscar Wilde>
3: a decorative piece of cloth that is made to simulate an article of personal or household linen and is used in
place of it or over it specifically : PILLOW SHAM
4: a fraudulent imitation : a counterfeit purporting to be genuine<has reduced national sovereignty to
a sham although it has left its outward symbols intact — Isaac Deutscher>
5: a person who shams
to mount on wheels
to mount
intransitive verb
1a: to become greater in amount or extent : INCREASE<weekends when passenger volume mounts sharply —
W. A. Howe><costs of operation … are continually mounting — C. F. Robinson><you know how those
storage bills mount up — Berton Roueché>
b: to reach an ultimate amount or extent : TOTAL<the cost of champagne … is liable to mount up to a couple of
pounds per head — English Digest>
2a: to wing upward : SOAR<the lark … mounting from the lea — William Allingham><the
soul mounting toward the eternal forms — Bernard DeVoto>
b: to make or appear to make a steep ascent : CLIMB<mounting ivy><the narrow road mounts to higher
levels — American Guide Series: Florida><astride these promontories are … residential sections, and even
some of the business areas have mounted partway — American Guide Series: Minnesota>
c: to reach upward : TOWER<the skyscraper mounts through the dusk to a winking red light on top>
d: to move upward : RISE<hid her face on the bounteous breast that mounted to her — George Meredith>
e: to surge up and suffuse the face<blushes mount to her cheeks — Upton Sinclair>
f: to attain greater height or magnitude : GROW<a vine, remarkable for its tendency … to mass and mount —
Willa Cather><a mounting economic and political problem — Gordon Walker>
g: to become aroused or amplified : KINDLE, INTENSIFY<mount to high moral indignation — M. R. Cohen><a
sense of mounting excitement — T. B. Costain>
h: 1COUPLE 1<meet and mount like stray dogs in the street — George Barker>
19
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
3a: to become promoted : ADVANCE<younger brother … proposed to mount over the head of the elder by
marrying the late King's widow — Edith Sitwell>
barchaic : to reach back through the years<an antiquity which mounts up to the eighth century of our era — J.
M. Jephson>
4a: to get up on something above the level of the ground especially : to seat oneself (as on a horse) for
riding<puts his foot in the stirrup and mounts><mounted and rode off in a cloud of dust>
b: to become elevated by or secured to a support<mount on French heels when you go to the ball — London
Magazine><the transmission mounts crosswise in the vehicle — Principles of Automotive Vehicles>
5slang : to ascend the witness stand : TESTIFY<their price is five shillings for what they call mounting —
George Parker>
transitive verb
1a: to climb or appear to climb : ASCEND<mounted a short flight of steps — W. B. Furlong><the
town mounts the hills — Claudia Cassidy>specifically : to take one's place on a raised structure<mount a
pulpit><mount the judicial bench>
bobsolete : to soar into<did He … not only mount the firmament but ascend the heaven of heavens — James
Hervey>
carchaic : to scale for the purpose of assault<first to mount the breach — Sir Walter Scott>
2a: to lift up : ELEVATE<hedgehogs … mount their pricks at my footfall — Shakespeare><had the brilliant
idea of mounting enormous masts … down the center of the roadway — H. V. Morton><clouds
… mounting thunderheads in the north — Norman Mailer>specifically : to raise (a shotgun) to the shoulder
preparatory to firing
b: to set on something that elevates<a cluster of outbuildings … each mounted on poles — Mary Kingsley>
carchaic : to raise in esteem or spirituality : EXALT<whom his tenth epic mounts to fame — Edward
Young><this mounts my soul with more heroic fires — Francis Quarles>
3a: to dispose in battle array : POSITION<on this rampart he mounted his little train of artillery — W. H.
Prescott>
b: to be equipped with or have in position<a war canoe mounting 40 or more oars><a wooden
stockade mounting cannon — P. M. Angle><vehicles … which can mount 105 mm. recoilless
weapons — Combat Forces Journal>
c(1) : to post for defense or observation<mounted some guards>
(2) : to take up (a post of protective custody)<mount guard over the person of the emperor — A. M. Young>
d(1) : to organize and equip (an attacking force)<the logistical support … to mount and support the
operation — H. A. Jordan>
(2) : to launch and carry out (an assault or campaign)<first ship specially designed for mounting helicopter
assaults — A. W. Jessup><mounted 1525 effective sorties during the period — New York
Times><is mounting a successful trade offensive — D. L. Cohn>
4: to climb onto for copulation<… the doe is introduced to the buck and left with him for a short while.
Usually he will mount the female as soon as they are placed together. — Paul Villiard, Raising Small Animals
for Fun and Profit, 1973>
5a: to get on (a means of conveyance)<mount a horse><went running to mount the motorcycle — Richard
Llewellyn><clouds mount the wind — Russell Lord>
b: to sit or be set upon (a means of conveyance)<mounted the tractor and rode into the barnyard><a horse
would be led out and I would be mounted … upon it — O. S. J. Gogarty>
c: to furnish with a means of conveyance<wanted horses to mount his dragoons — American Guide Series:
20
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
Vermont>
6a(1) : to attach to a support or assemble for use<after the final polishing … the blade is ready to
be mounted — L. D. Bement><the pulley shaft is mounted on large capacity ball bearings — Whitin
Review>specifically : to attach to a base (as of metal or wood) and make type high (a printing plate or cut)
(2) : to attach to a backing for reinforcement or display<old Roman filet … mounted on a net foundation that
would give almost invisible support to its fragile threads — advertisement><black satin motifs mounted on
white felt — Women's Wear Daily>specifically : to glue or paste (as a sheet of paper) upon firm material in
bookbinding
b: to prepare for display: such as
(1) : to frame or provide with an appropriate setting<classifying, mounting, and labeling specimens — G. O.
Blough><the jeweler mounts a pearl in a ring><mount a statue on a pedestal>specifically : to place (an object)
on a slide for microscopic examination
(2) : to stuff or arrange (the skin or skeleton of an animal) for exhibition especially in a natural position or
attitude — compare TAXIDERMY<mounted a group of orangutans, and then a habitat group of muskrats —
Clyde Fisher>
(3) : to fasten (a stamp) on the page of an album especially by use of a hinge or on a sheet of paper or
cardboard for display
c(1) : to put on view : EXHIBIT<one of the finest shows the museum has
ever mounted — Time>specifically : to arrange (a slide) under a microscope for examination
(2) archaic : to don especially for display<mounted a fashionable greatcoat — Sporting Magazine>
d: to provide with scenery, costumes, lighting, and properties : equip for public presentation<the manner in
which a play is composed, mounted and performed — Samuel Selden><a tastefully mounted television
show><a beautifully mounted circus, meaning it had luster and snap and dazzle — T. W.
Duncan>specifically : PRODUCE<the manager's stubborn determination to mount a Wagner opera although he
had only a few leading singers to put into it— Marcia Davenport>
to call
1a: to speak in a loud distinct voice so as to be heard at a distance especially in order to attract the attention of,
summon, or make a request of another : CRY, SHOUT<call for help>
b: to make a request, appeal, or demand<call upon all nations to keep the peace><he called for an
investigation of the facts>
cof an animal : to utter a characteristic note or cry<the thrush calls>
d: to communicate with or try to get into communication with a person by telephone —often used with up
: to make a brief stop or visit at a place<call to pay your respects><only one ship a year calls at the island>—
often used with on<a salesman calling on his customers>
transitive verb
1a(1) : to utter in a loud distinct voice : SHOUT, CRY —often used with out<call out a number>
(2) : to announce or read out loudly or authoritatively<call the roll><call a halt>—often used with off<call off
a row of figures>
(3) : to announce the play-by-play of (a sporting event)<Durkin, who has called all 77 Breeders Cup races for
television, had become Belmont's track announcer two months earlier. — Joseph Durso, New York Times, 22
Oct. 1995><call a football game>
b(1) : to command or request (as by an utterance) to come or be present<I can call spirits from the vasty
deep — Shakespeare>: SUMMON<called to testify in court><call off the dogs>
(2) : to cause to come : BRING<call a new principle into operation><call to mind the words of his brother>
21
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
22
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
ddialectal : to announce or publish as an official notice of intention<when our names have been called in
church we can be married>
eSouth & Midland : MENTION, SPEAK<called the loved name><carefully refrained from calling his name —
Ellen Glasgow>
f: to describe correctly in advance of or without knowledge of the event<he called the upward trend of the
market in February>: name or describe in advance : PREDICT, GUESS<call the toss of a coin wrongly>
usually ca' \ ˈkȯ
, ˈkä \ chiefly Scottish
a: DRIVE<call an animal to market>
b: to drive into place : KNOCK, HAMMER
c: PROPEL, RUN<call some machinery>: USE<call an instrument>
4: to pay a brief visit to<I'll call you at your house — Shakespeare>
5: to temporarily transfer control of computer processing to (as a subroutine or procedure)
call it a day
: to stop at least for the present whatever one has been doing
call it quits
1: call it a day
2: to cease efforts (as of both parties of a rivalry, strife, or competition)<neither side having a clear advantage,
they decided to call it quits>
call names
: to address or speak of a person or thing with contemptuous or offensive names
call on
1: to call upon
2: to solicit a response (as an answer or comment) from<the teacher always called on her first>
beeline (n)
: a straight line : a straight direct course traversed rapidly —usually used with make<make a beeline to safer
quarters>
to beeline (intr)
: to go fast over the straightest quickest course —sometimes used with it<ambulances beelining it for the
hospital>
to eventuate (intr)
: to come out finally or in conclusion : come to pass : turn out : RESULT<as things eventuated orthodoxy and
revolution were not left to fight it out — F. L. Allen><his illness eventuated in death>
to reverse
transitive verb
1obsolete : to cause to return
2obsolete : OVERTHROW, SUBVERT
3: to turn completely about in position or direction : change to the opposite as regards position : TRANSPOSE<a
picture reversed in reproduction>
4: to turn upside down : INVERT<reversing his glass as a signal that he would drink no more>
5: ANNUL: such as
23
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
a: to overthrow (a legal decision) by a contrary decision : make void (as for error)<the higher court
may reverse the judgment>
b: to take an opposite stand from that formerly held by (oneself) —usually used
with about or over<reversed himself about the superiority of mother's cooking>
c: to change to the contrary in character or trend<reverse a policy>
6: to cause to go or move in the opposite direction<reverse the flow of a stream>especially : to cause (as an
engine or machine) to perform its revolutions or action in the opposite direction
7a: to use (as a tool) or do (as an experiment) in the opposite way
b: to produce by or use in reverse printing<reversed plates><reversing lettering into a color panel>
intransitive verb
1obsolete
a: to draw or move back : turn away : RECOIL
b: to fall down : turn over
c: RETURN
2: to alter or revoke a decision (as on a point of law)
3: to turn or move in the opposite direction (as in waltzing) : become reversed
4: to put a mechanism (as an engine or a machine) in reverse
5: to make a reverse bid in bridge
reverse (adj)
: turned back : opposite or contrary to one another or to a thing specified<came back in the reverse order>
b: having the back presented to the observer or opponent —opposed to obverse
2obsolete : BACKHANDED<a reverse blow><reverse thrust>
3: relating to, facing, or commanding the rear of a military force
4: acting or operating in opposite or contrary fashion especially to what is usual
5: effecting reverse movement or operation<a reverse gear>
6a(1) : so made that the part of a print normally black is white and vice versa<a reverse photoengraving>
(2) : FLOPPED
b: constituting a mirror image<the reverse symbols ☞ and lfist><a reverse positive image>
to use up
: to leave nothing of as a result of continued expenditure : consume completely<soon used up his supplies and
had nothing to eat>
2: to leave no capacity of force or use in : exhaust of strength or useful properties<who at the age of 53 was
pretty well used up by fighting — S. E. Morison & H. S. Commager>
3: to subject to thorough and abusive treatment : attack physically or verbally : work over<the summary and
effectual manner in which the argument is put and his opponent used up — P. T. Barnum>
have a hand in
: to exercise some control over<have a hand in the management of the business>
: significantly influence or direct<having a hand in the control of American domestic corporations — T. W.
Arnold>
24
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
have done
: STOP, CEASE, DESIST<wish you would have done before I go mad>—used chiefly in the imperative
have had it
1: to have had or have done all one is going to be allowed to<he's been cheating me badly for years but now
he's had it>
2: to have experienced, endured, or suffered all that one can or as much as one can ever expect to usually of a
particular kind of experience<he felt he was capable of enduring pain but after that experience he'd had it><if
that's what it takes to make him happy, he has had it — Nashville Tennessean>
have it
1a: ASSERT, MAINTAIN, CLAIM<rumor has it that there will be a marked change in women's fashions><all their
friends have it that they are secretly married>—often used with will<the enemy will have it that we are already
defeated>
b: to conceive of and act in relation to a point under consideration<which way do you want to have it><have
it your own way>
2: to express or phrase it<he was drunk as a lord, as his friends have it>
3: to endure or suffer it —used with will not or would not<tried to exploit him but he would not have it><after
his insult if he tries to explain I will not have it>
4: to bring about : ARRANGE<good fortune had it that we arrived early>
5a: to gain or hold an advantage : WIN
b: to gain the victory in a viva-voce vote<the ayes have it>
6: to receive or suffer a blow, punishment, or disaster<the fighter let his opponent have it in the face>
7: to have or have hit on a solution or a practicable or appropriate plan or method
8: to be so dealt with by fortune or circumstance that one's affairs or welfare are of a (particular favorable or
unfavorable) character<had it good in times of prosperity><has it pretty tough since his wife died>
have none of
: to refuse to allow, tolerate, or have anything to do with<will have none of your sloppy ways around this
house><as soon as he found the business was dishonest he would have none of it>
have nothing on
: to have no advantage or superiority over<the man was a crook but had nothing on the men he cheated who
would have cheated him far more>especially : to possess no incriminating or embarrassing information
about<felt at ease because he knew his opponents had nothing on him that they could use for blackmail>
25
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to have
transitive verb
1a: to hold in possession as property : OWN<have a cow><have a car><have a lot of money>
b: to hold, keep, or retain especially in one's use, service, regard, or affection or at one's disposal<the
chairman has all the tickets needed><has some rare coins saved up><have him in fond
remembrance><have no time to lose>
c: to consist of (as all one's elements or constituent parts) : CONTAIN, INCLUDE<have a subordinate part><the
car has a self-starter><the lake has some large pickerel><April has 30 days>
d: CARRY, BEAR, SUPPORT<have an essential part><have an attachment><the house has a roof><the
dress has a label>: WEAR<has a blue suit><has a tweed coat>
e: to be possessed by<declaring she had a devil — Max Peacock>
2: to feel compulsion, obligation, or necessity in regard to —used with a noun object followed by to and the
infinitive<have a letter to write><have a task to perform><have nothing to do><have a deadline to meet>
26
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
3a: to stand in any of several personal relationships to (as father to son, host to guest, friend to friend)<the
man had four daughters><it is unpleasant to have enemies>
b: to be attended by or associated with often as an essential concomitant<the king has many courtiers><certain
foods present special difficulties and so have rules of their own to make eating them easier — Agnes M.
Miall><the wine had no effect on me><his proposal had many objections>
c: to stand or remain in any of several implicit physical, logical, or emotional relationships to<as we sailed
north we had Africa on our right><had only six feet of water under the keel><the word has no exact
equivalent><have the voters on the right side>
4a(1) : to acquire or get possession of : OBTAIN<nothing to be had from the empty larder><good meat could
not be had at all during the food shortage>
(2) : GAIN<had a lot from the trip><had nothing from the experience>
(3) : to be able to avail oneself of or utilize (something already done or completed)<in this field a
student has many helpful monographs and handbooks>
(4) : WIN<had the hole by two strokes><ought to have the fight by the third round>
b: RECEIVE<had news of the lost ship><asked if the police had any information that might lead to an
arrest><had a letter from him>
c: ACCEPT<so burnt no one would have a piece>specifically : to accept in marriage<wished to marry but could
find no one who would have him>
d: ACHIEVE<believes a satisfactory peace can be had between the belligerent powers>
e: to copulate with<rumor claimed he had never had a woman in his life — Norman Mailer>
5a: to be marked, distinguished, or characterized by (as an attribute, quality, position, or a distinctive
biographical fact)<the cloth has a silky texture><had a taste for exotic foods><has a habit of nail biting><the
threat had the desired effect><had a height of four feet><the goods had a value of $1000><the common
law had its origin in a group of writs drawn from various uses — Curtis Bok>
b: EXHIBIT, SHOW, MANIFEST<had the goodness to get a chair><had the gall to refuse>
c: USE, EXERCISE<have a care what you say to him><have mercy on us>
6a: to experience especially by submitting to, undergoing, being affected by, enjoying, or suffering<have a
rest><have a medical examination><have a cold><the worst government they ever had><have an
operation><a book that will have a wide circulation>: PASS<have a life full of suffering>
b: to carry on or engage in : PERFORM<have a standing feud with a political opponent><have a fight><have a
talk with a friend><have a part in a play>also : EXECUTE, TAKE<had a punch at the assailant before he
escaped><had a look at the body>
c: to entertain in the mind or feelings : CHERISH<had a great deal of affection for the children><have no doubt
of success><have an opinion>
7a: to cause to go : LEAD, CONVEY<did not have the child anywhere where he could be exposed to
measles><the aunt had the child to live with her>
b: to cause to by persuasive or forceful means (as by inviting, ordering, compelling) —used with the infinitive
without to<had the chauffeur drive to town><had the children go to bed early><the court had him pay the man
what he owed him><you are going to pay for the damage and I'll have you know it>
c: to cause to be<has people around at all times><likes to have people in the office who are
efficient><had him sick with the details of the accident><anxious to have you a satisfied customer — Richard
Joseph><nearly had the table over with her pushing and shoving><had the tent poles down in a minute>
d: to cause to become<I'll have him a good soldier before long>
e(1) : to cause to come by inviting<have friends over for an evening of bridge>
(2) : to receive as a guest<I'll be over whenever you can have me>
27
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
f: to represent to be<the author always has his characters doing foolish things>
8a: to allow to or suffer to —used with the infinitive without to<would not have him treat the dog so>
b: to allow to be or suffer to be<will not have him chosen president><have women in the men's part of the
building only once a month on visitors' day><a strange man to have around>
9a(1) : to be marked by an intellectual grasp of : KNOW, UNDERSTAND<a student who has only a little French
and no mathematics><having no foreign language he was handicapped and ineffectual — Carl Van Doren>
(2) : to understand the character of<you do not need to associate with him long before you have him>
(3) : to be able to handle adequately<the job is so easy that in only a few days you have it>
b: to place in a scale of distinctions : CATEGORIZE<sees with so many sense and other organs that you never
know where to have him artistically — Times Literary Supplement>
10a: to maneuver into a position of disadvantage or cause to be at a disadvantage<had his opponent at the
point of defeat><the criminal had the police nonplussed><the team had their opponents beaten before the
half>
b: to place or maneuver into a vulnerable or defenseless position or a position bringing certain defeat<when he
brought the charge before the court he had me since the evidence against me was in my own handwriting>
c: OUTWIT, OUTPLAY, OUTMANEUVER<had his opponent in only three more moves of the
chessmen>: DEFEAT<would like to play on but you have me steadily>: to get the better of or triumph over by
finding, achieving, getting<had the laugh on me><had the goods on me><had the jump on me>
d: TRICK, CHEAT, FOOL, BAMBOOZLE<in this enterprise the partners had him and left him without a
penny><the size of this bill convinces me I've been had>
11a: to be in a position to exercise (as a right or privilege)<as a friend he has the freedom of my
house><has no right to go>
b: to be in control of : be responsible for<was put in charge and he has overall direction of the program — C.
E. Black & E. C. Helmreich><has the job of directing traffic>
12: BEAR, BEGET<she is going to have a baby><the man had a son last week>
13: to partake of : EAT, DRINK<have dinner at 7 o'clock><have coffee every morning>: SMOKE<have a
cigarette after breakfast>
14: to give a job to : HIRE<no shipowner will hire him, no captain will have him — P. J. Scharper>
15: to associate oneself with : participate in<won't have any part of the dirty business>
16a: to cause to do one's bidding : CONTROL, DOMINATE<the man with the money was always able
to have him>
b: BUY 4, BRIBE, SUBORN<as long as juries, judges and law enforcement officers can be had for a price — D.
W. Maurer>
17: to engage and hold (as the attention)<the salesman had the interest of the buyer><the political
candidate has the ear of the farmers>
verbal auxiliary
1: to be in a position or state marked by an action or state completed or ended or virtually completed or
ended —used with the past participle to form the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect<has gone
home><have been here already><the army had already taken the town when we arrived><will have finished
dinner by the time the guests arrive>
2: to be compelled or under obligation or necessity —used with the infinitive with to<have to see a
doctor><have to pay taxes><had to be home by six>— compare 1GET 12b
had as good or had as well
28
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
: would benefit as much to : might as well —used with the infinitive without to<had as good throw his money
away as spend it foolishly>
had as lief or had as soon
: would just as gladly —used with the infinitive without to<had as lief stay home as go gadding about>
had better or had best
1: would be wise to —used with the infinitive without to<had better try slow walks to start building up his
strength>
2: should for one's own welfare<had better pay what the court tells him to>
had liefer or had sooner or had rather
: would rather —used with the infinitive without to<had liefer sit at home than go to the dance><had
sooner drink than sleep>
had liefest or had soonest
: would like best to —used with the infinitive without to<had liefest have the least seasoned dishes>
have a go
: to hit a bowled cricket ball vigorously with intent to score
have a hand in
: to exercise some control over<have a hand in the management of the business>: significantly influence or
direct<having a hand in the control of American domestic corporations — T. W. Arnold>
have at
: to go at or deal with usually hostilely<flops the morning bale of poetry manuscripts upon my desk and I pull
up my chair to have at them — H. L. Mencken><the two men had at each other with fists and feet><have seen
four … characters have at each other for two very powerful concluding acts — Theatre Arts>
have done
: STOP, CEASE, DESIST<wish you would have done before I go mad>—used chiefly in the imperative
have done with
: to finish doing, using, dealing with, working on, or handling<when he had done with the pen he laid it
down><will he never have done with his persistent speechmaking>
have had it
1: to have had or have done all one is going to be allowed to<he's been cheating me badly for years but now
he's had it>
2: to have experienced, endured, or suffered all that one can or as much as one can ever expect to usually of a
particular kind of experience<he felt he was capable of enduring pain but after that experience he'd had it><if
that's what it takes to make him happy, he has had it — Nashville Tennessean>
have it
1a: ASSERT, MAINTAIN, CLAIM<rumor has it that there will be a marked change in women's fashions><all their
friends have it that they are secretly married>—often used with will<the enemy will have it that we are already
defeated>
b: to conceive of and act in relation to a point under consideration<which way do you want to have it><have
it your own way>
2: to express or phrase it<he was drunk as a lord, as his friends have it>
3: to endure or suffer it —used with will not or would not<tried to exploit him but he would not have it><after
his insult if he tries to explain I will not have it>
4: to bring about : ARRANGE<good fortune had it that we arrived early>
29
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to deal
transitive verb
1obsolete : DIVIDE, SEPARATE, SEVER
2a: to give as one's share or portion : DISTRIBUTE, APPORTION, METE<dealt justice to all men>—usually used
with out<dealt out three sandwiches apiece>
b(1) : to distribute (one or more playing cards) to a player or the players in a card game
(2) : to distribute the cards for (a specified card game)<deal poker>
(3) : to act as dealer in (a specified game)<deal craps>
3: ADMINISTER, DELIVER, BESTOW<deal the boy a scolding>
4a: SELL<deals drugs>
b: TRADE<deal a player to another team>
intransitive verb
1obsolete : to be a sharer : SHARE
2a: to distribute the cards in a card game
b: to have the function or duty of distributing cards to the players in a card game
c: to act as a dealer in a gambling game
3a: to have to do : concern oneself : TREAT —used with with<the book deals with all aspects of the subject>
b: to become occupied or busy —used with in<dealing in matters of no concern to him><fond of dealing in
large generalities>
4: to act toward a person or regarding a thing : DO —used with by or with<return … and I will deal well with
thee — Genesis 32:9 (Authorized Version)>
5archaic : to have dealings —used with with<dealing with witches — Shakespeare>
6archaic : to act as intermediary : make arrangements : NEGOTIATE —used with with or between
7: to do a retailing or distributing business : TRADE, TRAFFIC —used with in before a thing<he deals in
flour>and with with before a person<he deals fairly with all his customers>
8obsolete : CONTEND, STRUGGLE, QUARREL —used with with
9a: to take action (as in regard to some object, problem, or source of difficulty) : come to grips —used
with with<he may deal as he pleases with his own property><had to deal with a catastrophic
inflation><dealt with his problems as they arose><dealt harshly with the rebels>
b: to reach or try to reach a state of acceptance or reconcilement : COPE —usually used with with<I decided to
write about my sister who died in May. I felt I had dealt with my grief and did not feel particularly emotional
as I began to write. — Luci Shaw, Life Path, 1997>
deal a blow
1: to strike someone<The colour had all rushed back to Arthur's face; in a moment his right hand was
30
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
clenched, and dealt a blow like lightning, which sent Adam staggering backward. — George Eliot, Adam
Bede, 1859>
2: to cause harm to someone or something<In its zeal to protect the rights of private property owners, the state
Legislature may have dealt a blow to the county's farmland preservation plans. — Steve Liewer, Sun-
Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), 23 May 1995><The last bottle rolled off the production line of the Ball-
Foster factory in Millville, N.J., yesterday, eliminating 300 jobs and dealing a blow to the close-knit
community … — New York Times, 25 Mar. 1999>
deal (someone) in
: to deal cards to (someone) : to include (someone) in a card game<told the dealer to deal him in>
deal (n)
obsolete : PART, PORTION, SHARE
2: an indefinite quantity, degree, or extent<it makes a good deal of difference><it means a great deal to
him><he hasn't got a great deal of money>
3a: the act, process, or method of distributing cards to players in a card game
b: the privilege or duty of acting as dealer<it's my deal>
c: a period in the play of a card game embracing all phases from the shuffle through the determination or
scoring of the result — compare HAND 10a(4)
4: a large quantity : LOT<a deal of years — Raymond Moley>
to integrate
transitive verb
1obsolete : to make complete : CONSTITUTE<the particular doctrines which integrate Christianity — William
Chillingworth>
2: to form into a more complete, harmonious, or coordinated entity often by the addition or arrangement of
parts or elements<that conquest rounded and integrated the glorious empire — Thomas De Quincey><if man
is to integrate himself, he must discover his springs of action — P. W. Bridgman>
3: to combine to form a more complete, harmonious, or coordinated entity:
a: to unite (as a part or element) with something else<a system of free enterprise carefully integrated with
teamwork — J. C. Penney><he who integrates this knowledge with the pattern of culture — David Daiches>
b: to combine together (as units or elements)<integrate the seventeen … reports into a few policy
statements — E. C. Banfield><this course … is designed to assist him to integrate all of his college
experiences — A. C. Eurich><a customs union that … would integrate the economies of the two
countries — Current Biography>
c(1) : to incorporate (as an individual or group) into a larger unit or group<integrate the West German
divisions into the Atlantic defense system — New Statesman & Nation><the South of that era was
never integrated into the nation — H. W. Odum><integrate hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rican … workers
into the organized labor movement — New York Times>
(2) : to end the segregation of and bring into common and equal membership in society or an
organization<social programs necessary for integrating minorities into the mainstream — Susan E. Jackson>
4: DESEGREGATE<a well-staffed state agency managed … to integrate forty formerly segregated school
districts — Douglass Cater>
31
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to spring
intransitive verb
1a(1) : to undergo a sudden or violent change in place or position : DART, SHOOT<the sparks sprang upward as
he stirred the fire>
(2) : to have or display resiliency : move or be capable of moving by elastic force<the two halves sprang back
together again — C. L. Carmer>
b: to become shattered or cracked : BREAK, SPLIT<the veneer springs along the fracture — Andrew Wood &
Thomas Linn>
c: to bend from a straight direction or plane surface : become warped
(2) : to issue with speed and force : break out<the blood springs from the wound><the tears spring from her
eyes>: issue as a stream<out of these curiously shaped mounds springs an unflagging supply of water —
George Farwell><turned on the first shining water tap, and watched the water spring, streaming, from it —
Kay Boyle>
3a: to grow as a plant<white heather springs on the mountainsides — Isabel Lawrence>
b: to issue by birth or descent<both parents sprang from wealthy landowners — Cecil Sprigge><sprang from
a comfortable corner of the English middle class — J. M. Cameron>s
c: to come into being : APPEAR, ARISE, EMERGE<hope springs eternal in the human breast — Alexander
Pope><the horror springing up in his eyes as it came to him — J. B. Benefield><towns sprang into being
where cattle trails and stage lines met — American Guide Series: Texas>: PROCEED, RESULT<her anxiety
had sprung from a definite cause — Ellen Glasgow>
darchaic : to become visible : DAWN<at five the golden light began to spring — John Keats>
e: to develop force : begin to blow —used with up<a breeze suddenly sprang up>
4a: to make a bound : move by means of a leap or leaps<sprang toward the door, but was intercepted in her
intended flight — T. L. Peacock><sprang across the stream, inviting those who shared his views to follow
him — American Guide Series: Maine>
b: to start up suddenly (as from a covert)
c: to leap or jump up : rise suddenly from a resting position<I sprang to my feet, for anger had overtaken
me — Edita Morris>
5a: to stretch out in height or length : EXTEND<from its corners spring four slender minarets — Douglas
Carruthers>
bof a vault or arch : to start rounding upward from the impost<from rich entablatures spring graceful arches
supporting the vaulted ceilings — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania>
6aof a female domestic animal : to show signs of approaching parturition (as by dropping of the enlarged
abdomen and swelling of the udder)
bof an udder : SWELL
transitive verb
1: to cause to grow, arise, or develop<hoped it would rain very soon, to spring some new grass — Doris
Lessing><is sprung compellingly into life from a powerfully creative, romantic mind — Times Literary
Supplement>
2a: to start (as game) from cover : cause to rise from the earth or from a covert : FLUSH<spring a pheasant>
32
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
Origin of SPRING
Middle English springen, from Old English springan; akin to Old High German springan to jump, spring, Old
Frisian & Old Norse springa to jump, spring, Greek sperchesthai to hasten, Sanskrit spṛhayati he desires; basic
meaning: to move fast, jump
Related to SPRING
Synonym Discussion SPRING, ARISE, RISE, ORIGINATE, DERIVE, FLOW, ISSUE, EMANATE, PROCEED, STEM can
mean, in common, to come up or out of something into existence. SPRING stresses sudden or surprising
33
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
emergence, especially after a period of concealed existence or preparation <plants spring from seed> <the
images that spring up in one's consciousness> <it is from the middle class that writers spring — Virginia
Woolf> ARISE emphasizes chiefly the mere fact of coming into existence or notice, conveying the idea of a
vagueness of prior state; when used with from it implies a causal connection between subject and object <an
argument arose during the meal — Zechariah Chafee> <present uncertainties arise partly out of far-reaching
changes in the American environment — J. D. Millett> <differences in English may arise from several
causes — English Language Arts> RISE and ARISE in this sense of to come into existence are often
interchangeable, although RISE may possibly carry some connotation of literal or figurative
ascent <empires rise and fall within a single man's lifetime — Elspeth Huxley> <a church rose in the
wilderness — American Guide Series: Connecticut> <from the South, at last, rose that bitter opposition which
flowered in a bloody civil war — Carol L. Thompson> ORIGINATE suggests a source of starting point, carrying
the idea of inception at that source <at one time it was believed that man originated in America — R. W.
Murray> <within its area of 84,682 square miles originate three great river systems — American Guide
Series: Minnesota> <adult fears originating in childhood insecurity> DERIVE also suggests a source, though it
usually does not imply inception, usually presupposing a prior existence in another form, person, or thing, and
connoting descent as by endowment, transference, deduction, imitation, or reproduction <the new
playwrights derive from him — E. R. Bentley> <the principal income derives from coal mining — American
Guide Series: Pennsylvania> <its criticism derives directly from English inspiration — Bernard
Smith> FLOW emphasizes often the abundance of the supply, often the ease of provision or production <from
the town's shaded public square flows justice — American Guide Series: Virginia> <masterpiece upon
masterpiece flowed from his brush — advertisement> <a great generosity from which flowed gift after
gift> ISSUE suggests emergence into existence as from a womb, stressing somewhat a causal force <three
conclusions at least issue from the perusal — T. S. Eliot> EMANATE applies chiefly to immaterial things, as
law, principles, power, or thoughts, connoting the emergence or passage of something impalpable or invisible,
suggesting less causal force that ISSUE <the earlier reports which emanated from Dumbarton Oaks — Sir
Winston Churchill> <the rain-drenched geranium bed, from which emanated an odor musky and sweet — J.
C. Powys> <the impalpable aura of power that emanated from him — Osbert Sitwell> <the criminal
organization … is extremely powerful, and part of its power emanates from the close-knit structure — D. W.
Maurer & V. H. Vogel> PROCEED stresses place of origin, or, sometimes, parentage, derivation, or
cause <proceeding from the premise that half the world does not know how the other half lives — Dun's
Review> <the philosophic movement proceeded from little known thinkers and writers> STEM suggests a
growing out, as of a stem from a plant, and applies chiefly to things that come into existence through the
influence of a predecessor, as a natural outgrowth or subordinate development <one of twenty-five in the class,
all but four stemming from Maine — M. L. Ernst> <these influences … stem from warfare, from medicine,
from the arts, from religion — D. J. Struik>
to spring (intr)
to fit with springs<the ambulance … was the old kind, like a furniture van, but it was well sprung — Fred
Majdalany>
<there were springed bunks which folded into the wall — Bill Mauldin>
spring (n)
: a source of a body or reservoir of water (as of a river or well)<a flowing body that begins in a hundred
34
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
trickles and runnels and springs high up in the mountains — Lewis Mumford>
b(1) : an issue of water from the earth : a natural fountain<everybody lived in dugouts or small log houses
on springs or creeks — Bruce Siberts><had to drill a well when their spring ran dry>
(2) : a natural fountain having specified properties —usually used in
plural<mineral springs><sulfur springs><hot springs>
(3) : something that resembles a fountain<a spring of pity, of affection … suddenly welled up within her —
Winston Churchill>
c: a flow or seepage (as of a mineral) from the earth<accumulations of oil which seeped to the surface
in springs — Bliss Isely><tar springs>
2a: a source of something especially : a hidden or ultimate source<this habit of retirement to the
inner springs of being— H. S. Canby><a custom, a belief, and art, however deep down its springs, sooner or
later rises into social consciousness— A. L. Kroeber>
barchaic : the beginning or first appearance of something<never since the middle summer's spring, met we —
Shakespeare>specifically : DAWN, DAYSPRING<they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the
day— 1 Samuel 9:26 (Authorized Version)>
c: a first stage : a time or state of growth and development<this thirteen-year-old girl, in whose flat childish
body the spring was beginning to stir — Edith Sitwell>
d: something that produces action or motion : CAUSE, MOTIVE<laying open to his view the springs of action in
both parties — T. L. Peacock><the springs of human conduct — A. T. Weaver>
3: an exceptionally high or low tide : SPRING TIDE
4achiefly dialectal : a grove of young trees : PLANTATION
bchiefly dialectal : a young undergrowth (as of trees or shrubs)
5a(1) : an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being
distorted specifically : one designed for some specific use (as to check recoil, to diminish concussion and jar,
to store up energy) — see BREGUET HAIRSPRING, MAINSPRING
(2) : BEDSPRING
b: a person likened to a spring (as in tension or contained energy)<a steel spring of a man — Claudia Cassidy>
6a: the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : BOUND<the cat made a spring at the mouse><took the
steps at one spring><that sudden and inexplicable spring forward took place independently … in three
different regions and cultures — T. I. Cook>
b: a low leap in which a dancer moves forward, backward, or sideward as weight is transferred from one foot
to the other
cchiefly Scottish : a lively tune or dance<took the pipes, and played a little spring — R. L. Stevenson>
7of teal : a small flock
8a: the season between winter and summer reckoned astronomically as extending from the March equinox to
the June solstice
b: the season comprising the months of March, April, and May
cBritish : the season comprising the months of February, March, and April
d: the season reckoned astronomically in the southern hemisphere as extending from the September equinox to
the December solstice
9a: capacity for springing : elastic power or force : ELASTICITY, RESILIENCE<the ironing-out effect of passing
trains on track which has a certain amount of spring in it — O. S. Nock>: BOUNCE, BUOYANCY, ENERGY<there
was a new spring in their step — Bennett Cerf>
b: the action of flying back to a normal state or position from a sprung state or position<the spring of a bow>
35
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
10: the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
11a: a crack, fissure, or permanent deformation in a mast or yard
b(1) : a line led from a ship's quarter to its cable so that by hauling in or slacking the line the ship can be made
to lie in any desired position
(2) : a line led diagonally from the bow or stern of a ship to some point upon a wharf and made fast to aid in
springing the ship in to the wharf
12of a dog : roundness of ribs : the state of having the ribs well arched
13: the furcula of a springtail
14: a more or less flexible pipe bend or elbow designed to accommodate slight changes in length
15a: the variation of a shoe at the toe and arch from a horizontal line
b: a tension at the counter of a shoe caused by cutting the upper shorter at that place
16a: CHINOOK SALMON
b: a pelt or fur taken in the spring and usually no longer prime
to accommodate
transitive verb
1: to make fit, suitable, or congruous : ADAPT<words accommodate their meanings to the other words that
accompany them — I. A. Richards><observations had to be accommodated to these preconceptions — S. F.
Mason>
2: to show the correspondence of : to account for<to accommodate the new findings physicists have had to
elaborate the theory — Scientific American Reader>: MATCH<accommodating a statement to facts>
3: to bring into agreement or concord : RECONCILE, ADJUST<he had to accommodate his step to hers —
Michael Arlen><accommodate his religious and cultural life to the culture of the majority while avoiding
complete assimilation — F. J. Brown>
4: to furnish with something desired, needed, or suited : OBLIGE<Rosamond accommodated him, taking his
picture over and over again to please him — Thomas Barbour><The new line was developed both
to accommodate consumers on Weight Watchers' Flex Plan, a point-based weight loss system, and those
consumers simply looking for healthier snack food choices. — The Food Institute Report, 30 Jan. 2006>:
a: to grant a loan to especially without security
b(1) : to provide with lodgings : HOUSE<how are travelers accommodated in villages and towns — Notes &
Queries on Anthropology>
(2) : to make room for : HOLD<the mailbox is huge—obviously designed to accommodate packages from mail-
order houses — G. R. Stewart><It was the size of my entire downstairs and could easily have accommodated a
hundred people. — Lucie L. Snodgrass, Vegetarian Times, October 2005>
5: to include or provide what is needed for (someone or something) in a plan or process<accommodate the
special interests of various groups><To help employers better accommodate the mental health issues veterans
face, the Department of Labor has set up a website, America's Heroes at Work. — Alexandra Zavis, Los
Angeles Times, 20 Sept. 2010><A new generation ofmuseum professionals arguedthat if the museum was
toremain a bastion of cultural andintellectual authority, … it had to accommodate newfindings, new theories,
new sciences,and new audiences. — Julie K. Brown, American Journal of Public Health, October 2014><…
instructors use literature at a variety of reading levels to accommodate the literacy levels of program
participants. — Rhonda Taylor Richards, Educational Leadership, May 1998><Youth athletes with disabilities
36
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
are facing a new conflict: battling sports officials over whether and how they should be accommodated in
competitions with able-bodied athletes. — Palaestra, Summer 2013>
intransitive verb
: to adapt oneself<try in some way to accommodate—morally, intellectually—to the world — Edmund
Wilson><The natural world accommodates and adjusts. While our backs are turned, the critters creep in,
filling the niches … . — Peter Dunne, The New York Times, 4 Jan. 1987>specifically, of the eye : to undergo
accommodation
to sneer
ntransitive verb
1dialectal, chiefly British : to snort in the manner of an animal
2a: to smile or laugh with facial contortions that express scorn or contempt
b: to manifest derision, disdain, or contempt by speaking or writing in a scornfully jeering manner<people are
nowadays so cynical—they sneer at everything that makes life worth living — L. P. Smith>
3: to make a sound like a sneer<a bullet sneering overhead>
transitive verb
1: to utter with a sneer or sneeringly<sneer a reply>
to undergo
: to submit to : ENDURE, SUFFER, SUSTAIN<tragic hero rises above … the world man undergoes — W. E.
Allen>
5: to go through : be the subject of (as a process) : receive the effect
of<undergo martyrdom><undergo surgery><undergo examination><undergo a moral conversion><words
which had undergone certain derivational processes — Stanley Newman><undergo complete metamorphosis>
intransitive verb
: ENDURE<the self acts as well as undergoes — John Dewey><the inarticulate merely undergo — S. V. Benét>
to transmute
transitive verb
1: to change or alter in form, appearance, or nature : CONVERT<a pronounced stabilization that
will transmute the economic and social life of the African — Peter Scott><the interaction of …
forces transmutes custom and produces a new tradition — B. N. Cardozo>—often used with into<how does
the chlorophyll … transmute the dross of earth into living tissue — D. C. Peattie><transmute the abundant
raw materials … into finished products — A. W. Long><transmute their national integrity into a decisive
weapon of national defense — W. O. Douglas>
2: to change into another substance or element especially gold or silver<made it possible to smash atoms
and transmute elements — Current Biography>—often used with into<the alchemists … cared little for
answers that did not lead them to the philosopher's stone, which would transmute base metals into
gold — Lamp>
37
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
intransitive verb
: to undergo a change or transformation in form, nature, or substance<the music gradually transmutes and
builds to a shattering climax — Time>—often used with into<energy converts into matter as naturally as
matter transmutes into energy — Gerard Piel>
to smirk
: to smile in an affected or conceited manner : smile with affected complaisance : SIMPER
ntransitive verb
1: to smile fatuously : SMIRK<a two-fisted writer … does look out of place simpering over a cup of tea —
Jeann Beattie>
broken (adj)
: violently separated into parts : in a state resulting from breaking : in fragments : SHATTERED<a
vase broken by a fall><broken bits of glass>
2: damaged or altered by or as if by breaking: such as
a(1) of body parts : FRACTURED, RUPTURED<a broken leg>often : having the surface interrupted or flawed (as
by a cut or blow)<there'll be more than one broken head before morning>
(2) : not working properly<a broken camera>
bobsolete : TORN, RENT —used chiefly of fabrics
cof land or land surfaces : rough and irregular, interrupted (as by cliffs and ravines), or full of obstacles to
passage (such as rocks, ledges, or gullies)<a broken country full of springs and streams><a long broken ridge>
d: violated by transgression : with integrity destroyed<a broken promise>
e: made discontinuous or altered in direction (as by bending or refraction)<the broken antennae of most
weevils><light rays broken by a prism>sometimes : ZIGZAG<following a broken course>
f: INTERRUPTED, DISCONTINUOUS<a broken sleep><the broken pattern of his thoughts>
gof weather : UNSETTLED also, of clouds : overspreading much but not all of the sky
h(1) : disrupted by change<a home broken by sickness>
(2) : disunited by divorce, separation, or the desertion of one parent<broken homes><a broken family>
iof a plant or flower : affected with break<a broken tulip>
jof cream : separating into large aggregates when shaken due to the action of certain bacteria
kof an animal's coat : MOLTING
3: reduced in condition: such as
a: made weak or infirm (as by disease, age, or hardships)
b: SUBDUED, CRUSHED<a broken spirit>
c: ruined financially : BANKRUPT
d: made submissive : trained for use<a well-broken horse>
e: cashiered or reduced in rank<he was broken from sergeant to private>: ruined officially or
professionally<his career was broken by the scandal>
fScottish : declared an outlaw<apprehend all such freebooters and broken men>
4: DISCONNECTED : not continuous: such as
a: uttered hesitantly and disjointedly on account of emotion<a few broken words at parting>
38
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to yoke
transitive verb
1a(1) : to put a yoke on : join in or with a yoke<continued stolidly yoking his oxen — A. C. Whitehead><an
ox … had been yoked together with a skinny poll-cow — O. E. Rölvaag>
(2) : to fit a yoke about the neck of (an animal) to prevent passage
b: to attach a draft animal (as an ox) to<yoke a cart>also : to attach (a draft animal) to something<yoke a horse
to a cart>
2: to couple, join, link, or associate as if by a yoke<yoked two goals together in the title of his book — J. D.
Hart><yoked to a life and a companionship unvarying — James Boyd>
3archaic : to bring into bondage : hold in subjection : OPPRESS
4: to set to a task or operation : put to work<yoked his great imagination to constant labor — W. R. Nicoll>
intransitive verb
1: to be in intimate association : become joined or linked especially in marriage or
companionship : CONSORT<we'll yoke together, like a double shadow — Shakespeare>
2Scottish : to apply oneself vigorously : set to work —usually used with to
blind (adj)
inflected form(s): usually -er/-est
1a: lacking or deficient in sight specifically : having less than ¹/₁₀ of normal vision in the more efficient eye
39
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
40
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to blind
1: to make blind:
a: to deprive of the sense of sight<his right eye was blinded when he was a child>
b: to deprive of insight or understanding<prejudice usually blinds judgment>
c: DECEIVE, FOOL, BEDAZZLE
d: to deprive temporarily or partially of vision : make seeing difficult for or painful to : DAZZLE<the hot
glare blinded her as she stepped into the street>
2a: to withhold light from : DARKEN<shrubbery blinding all their windows>
b: HIDE, CONCEAL
c: to make dim by comparison : OUTSHINE, ECLIPSE<torches that blind the candles>
d: to render nonlustrous : DULL<a synthetic fabric may need to be blinded in the finishing process>
3: to fill the interstices of : CLOG: such as
a: to cover (a newly paved road) with a coating of sand and gravel in order that joints may be filled
b: to cover (drain tiles) with earth while the trench is being filled
4: to stamp (as a book cover) without gilding or coloring —often used with in
5: to protect with blindages or with blinds
to fill
transitive verb
1a(1) : to supply with as much as can be held or contained<filling the holes in the road>
41
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
(2) : to place or put as much material in as can be often conveniently contained<fill a box>: pour as much of a
substance into as can be conveniently held<fill a cup><fill a barrel with apples>
(3) : to furnish (as a container) especially in proportion : PROVIDE<fill a glass with water><fill a page with
print>
(4) : to provide (as a container) with a specified amount<fill it half full>
(5) : POUR<fill wine into bottles>: LOAD, PUT<fill coal into bins>
(6) : to make full or complete (as a partly empty line or an incomplete column in printed matter) by respacing
the existing printed matter or by adding matter
(7) : to give a pleasingly full form to (as a dress) in wearing<she filled the dress nicely>—often used
with out<he began to fill his suits out well as he grew older>
b(1) : to stop up : OBSTRUCT<wreckage filled the channel>—often used with up<the traffic jam filled the street
up completely>
(2) : to make an embankment in or raise the level of (a low place) with earth, gravel, or rock
c(1) : PLUG<fill a chink>: CAULK<fill the seams with oakum>
(2) : to stop up the interstices, crevices, or pores of (as cloth, wood, leather, etc.) with some foreign substance
for the sake of hardening, dressing, or adulterating
(3) : LOAD 3c(1)
(4) : to close up (a cavity in a tooth) with gold, silver, or other comparatively inert material
dobsolete : IMPREGNATE
e(1) : to feed and water (livestock) immediately before sale to increase the apparent weight
(2) : to stuff (a food) with a filling<filled rolls>
2a: to occupy the whole of<his huge bulk filled the chair>
b: to swarm in : PERVADE<shoppers filled the city>
c(1) : PACK, LOAD, SURFEIT<her presence filled his heart with joy><filled his head with foolish ideas>
(2) : SATISFY, SATIATE<fill their guest with good food>
(3) : to belly out : DISTEND —often used with out<the wind filled the sails out>
d(1) : to supply fully or completely<fill a long-felt want>
(2) : STOCK<fill a stream with trout>
3a: to execute or fulfill the requirements of (a business order)
b: to complete or make out —often used with out<fill out a check>or up<fill up the blanks in a
questionnaire>or in<fill in the tax form>
c: to make up (a prescription)
4a: OCCUPY, HOLD<fill a throne>
b: to provide with incumbents<fill vacancies left by retirements>—often used with up
c: to possess and perform the duties of<fill an office>
5: to trim (a sail) so that the wind will blow on the after side
6: to cover the surface of with a layer of precious metal —used chiefly as a past participle<a gold-
filled watch>
7: to draw the cards in poker necessary to complete (a full house, a flush, or a straight)
intransitive verb
1a(1) : to become full<the rivers filled>
(2) of the eyes : to become full with tears
(3) : to become so suffused with ink (as of the bowl of a letter or the space between the dots of a halftone) as to
print improperly —often used with in or up
42
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to bring up
transitive verb
1: REAR, EDUCATE<bring up one's children in good surroundings>
2: to cause to stop suddenly<brought up the car with a screeching of brakes><a new
thought brought her up sharply — Margaret Mitchell><the remark brought me up short>
3a: to bring to attention : INTRODUCE<brought up the weather><his remark brought up the subject of the last
election>
bcomputers : to cause (something, such as a file or picture) to appear on a computer screen<… you can make
any picture that it displays into wallpaper by right-clicking with the arrow over the art to bring up a box with a
"Set as wallpaper" choice. — Barry Popik, American Speech, Winter 1999>
4: VOMIT<promptly brought up all the water he had drunk, but he felt better, all the same — C. S. Forester>
5: to make ready (a letterpress form)
1. Lit. to cause someone or something to go up with one from a lower place to a higher place. We brought
43
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
them up and let them view the city from the balcony. Why did you bring up Tom? Wasn't he comfortable down
there?
2. Fig. to mention someone or something. Why did you have to bring that up? Why did you bring up Walter? I
hate talking about him!
3. Fig. to raise someone or something; to care for someone or something up to adulthood. We brought the dog
up from a pup. We brought up the puppies carefully and sold them for a good profit.
1. To move something or someone from a lower to a higher position: She brought her hand up to shield her
eyes from the sun. I requested that a turkey sandwich be brought up to my hotel room.
2. To raise someone or something up to adulthood: My parents died when I was a baby, so my aunt and uncle
brought me up. You will have to bring up the puppy by yourself.
3. To mention or introduce something into discussion: We were having a pleasant chat until someone brought
up politics. I had some questions about the lecture, so I brought them up during the discussion.
4. To increase the amount or rate of something: We must bring up productivity in our department. Our last
goal brought the score up to 3-1.
5. To make information appear on a computer screen: Can you bring up the main menu again? I brought the
old webpage up to compare it with the new one.
to bring in
1. To move something indoors. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bring" and "in."
There's supposed to be a big storm tomorrow, so we should bring in the patio furniture.
2. To recruit or involve a person in a particular activity. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bring" and
"in." The phrase is often followed by "on" and the activity.
Feel free to bring your sister in on this—we'd like her input, too.
With the sudden growth my business has experienced, I think it's time to bring in a graphic designer who can
make my website look more professional.
3. To entice people to enter a place, typically a business. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bring" and
"in."
I think your store's new big and bold marquee will bring in a lot of customers.
4. To earn a certain amount of money, often for a business or charity. The monetary amount can be stated
between "bring" and "in."
I brought in a quarter of a million dollars in sales this quarter—how well did you do?
We are thrilled to announce that our telethon brought in $30,000 in donations this year!
Now that you've been promoted, how much are you bringing in each week?
5. To arrest someone (and bring them into the police station, for example). A noun or pronoun can be used
between "bring" and "in."
We brought that guy in for trespassing.
6. To give a verdict in a court case, as of a jury. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bring" and "in."
44
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
This case has dragged on for months. When will the jury bring a verdict in?
7. To escort or allow someone into a particular place or setting. A noun or pronoun can be used between
"bring" and "in."
Please bring in our next guest now.
Will you bring Grandma in? She's having a hard time getting around with her new cane.
to bring along
To take another person to a particular location or gathering. A noun or pronoun can be used between "bring"
and "along."
Feel free to bring your sister along tonight—we'd all love to see her.
Can I bring along my boyfriend? He's very interested in the lecture topic.
To bring someone or something into one's care or keeping while going somewhere: I brought a book along for
the long flight. The chaperones will bring along 20 children to the museum.
to bring back
1. To cause something to regain its former popularity. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between
"bring" and "back."
Yeah, let's not bring back the leisure suit—it's not a good look for anyone.
Several new artists seem to be bringing '80s pop back.
2. To return an item to its owner or to its original place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between
"bring" and "back."
You can borrow my textbook, but please bring it back tomorrow so I can study for the test.
I need to bring back these books to the library by Thursday.
3. To bring someone to a particular place or person. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between
"bring" and "back."
I'm taking my niece to the zoo tomorrow afternoon and then bringing her back to her dad's house afterward.
You should bring back Dana to our house after your meeting, I want to talk to her.
4. To induce memories of one's past.
That song brings back such fond memories of my childhood.
5. To reanimate a person or animal that has died. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "bring"
and "back."
I would give anything to bring my father back—he died far too young.
Do you think we'll ever bring back the woolly mammoth?
to echo back to
To reference something that has already been said or established.
And that line echoes back to what her father told her earlier in the book.
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Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to back over
To move backwards over someone or something.Please don't back over my flowers, OK?This is a busy area
—be careful not to back over any pedestrians!
diplomatic (adj)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or involving diplomacy or diplomats.
2. Using or marked by tact and sensitivity in dealing with others.
3.
a. Of or relating to diplomatics.
b. Being an exact copy of the original: a diplomatic edition.
1: relating to the deciphering, age, authenticity, signatures, or textual emendations of writings of former
times : PALEOGRAPHIC especially : exactly reproducing the original —used of a copy or edition of a text or
document<their own translation is based on the critical, diplomatic text of Henri Lestienne (Paris 1907), which
provides all of Leibnitz's own alterations— Nicholas Rescher>
2a: concerned or connected with international relations<a diplomatic assignment in South
America><diplomatic techniques for preventing war>: engaged or skilled in international
46
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
touchy (adj)
1: marked by an oversensitive irritable temperament, by general readiness to take offense on slight
provocation, or by delicate easily wounded sensitivity about specific matters<a touchy, uneasy friend … his
intensest friendships generally came to grief — David Cecil><a little touchy about my spoon-feeding at
first — Stephen Haggard><a man who had grown too touchy to make judicious decisions — Time>
2: responding quickly to a touch : extremely reactive: such as
aof a body part : acutely sensitive or irritable
bof a chemical : highly explosive or inflammable
3: calling for tact, care, and caution in treatment : likely to cause offense, chagrin, or hurt pride : uncertain in
issue : fraught with danger : PRECARIOUS<the job of governorship, when all men seemed set against change,
was a brittle, touchy business — Julian Dana><military training is a touchy subject in the aftermath of war —
M. W. Childs>
4: composed of dots or short strokes<touchy pencil drawing>
extraneous (adj)
: existing or originating outside or beyond : external in origin : coming from the outside<extraneous light in a
camera><protecting the contents of the container from extraneous moisture><no premiums or
other extraneous inducements>
b: brought in, introduced, or added from an external source or point of origin<a valley bottom covered
with extraneous soil><relying upon an extraneous income>
2a: not forming an essential or vital part : not belonging to something as a proper or natural part : not
intrinsic : ACCIDENTAL, FOREIGN<extraneous sounds><they considered art to be extraneous to reality><a
ballet that struck me as extraneous and somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the play — Wolcott
Gibbs><extraneous incidents in a novel><a building with extraneous ornamentation>
b: having little or no relevance : IRRELEVANT : not pertinent<an unexpected and
altogether extraneous remark><an extraneous digression>
c: having little or no interdependence or connection : UNRELATED<a series
of extraneous books><extraneous events>
3: being a number obtained in solving an equation that is not a solution of the equation<extraneous roots>
precarious (adj)
: dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments : UNCERTAIN<"I know
[continued Hugh] that an engagement with me now would be hazardous, because what I earn is both scanty
and precarious." — Anthony Trollope, He Knew He Was Right, 1869><Largely fishermen, they lived in partly
underground turf-and-driftwood houses. It was a precarious existence, with a diet that varied from season to
47
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
season. — Michael Olmert, Smithsonian, May 1982><For periods he had to sleep rough in New York, having
lost his house, and he often went for days without food. Naturally his already precarious health was ruined, not
to speak of his sensitive spirit. — Colin McGinn, Minds & Bodies, 1997>
b: characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger<in
a precarious position/state/condition><a precarious perch><Unlike sport climbing, the risk on ice climbs
increases with difficulty, because the structures are more precarious and difficult to protect. — Craig
Luebbern, Rock & Ice, November/December 1994><It's not the mortgage crisis. It's the issue of mounting
student debt. And it's left millions … in a very precarious situation. — Win Rosenfeld, PBS NewsHour, 10
Feb. 2010>
2: dependent upon uncertain premises : DUBIOUS<General maxims about husbands and wives seemed now of
a precarious usefulness. — George Eliot, Daniel Deronda, 1876>
3: PRECARIAL
4archaic : depending on the will or pleasure of another : held on sufferance : liable to be changed or lost at the
pleasure of another<A citizen accepting a temporary and precarious office, or one from which he may be
removed at pleasure, retains his ancient domicile, if he has not evinced a contrary intention. — Louisiana Civil
Code, 1993>
5obsolete : IMPORTUNATE, BEGGING
in point of fact
in actual fact
in reality
—used to introduce a true statement which shows that another statement is not true or accurate<She says that
she doesn't know him, but in point of fact they have been seen together many times.>
matter-of-fact (adj)
: adhering to or concerned with fact : not fanciful or imaginative<a matter-of-fact account of the trip>
2: free from show or affectation : PRACTICAL, COMMONPLACE<a very matter-of-fact manner>
multifarious (adj)
: having multiplicity : having great diversity or variety : of various kinds<the multifarious activities of a
farm — Kenneth Roberts><multifarious noise of a great city — A. L. Kroeber>
2of a pleading in law : improperly uniting distinct and independent matters and thereby confounding them
whether against one or several defendants
multiplicity (n)
inflected form(s): plural -es
48
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
drawback (n)
: money remitted after being collected : REFUND: such as
a: customs or other duties refunded on (1) an imported product subsequently exported, (2) an imported product
used in the production of a product for export, or (3) on the part of an imported product (as tobacco) which
becomes scrap in the manufacturing process
b: a refund of excise or other tax on a product used for some favored purpose (as alcohol used for nonbeverage
purposes)
c: money refunded as compensation (as for damages) or as a special often secret favor or inducement —
compare KICKBACK
2: an objectionable feature : DEFECT, HINDRANCE<the drawbacks of country living><slow drying is the
chief drawback of this paint>
3: a part of a mechanical device that can be drawn back: such as
a(1) : a part of a foundry mold that can be drawn back to permit the removal of a pattern from the mold
(2) : a plate or comparable structure on which this part of the mold may be lifted out
b: a door bolt that can be released by drawing back on a knob on the inside
to draw back
intransitive verb
1: to receive back (as duties paid on goods for exportation) broadly : to cause to return
2: DISCOUNT, DEDUCT
: RETREAT, SHRINK, WITHDRAW —usually used with from<drew back from the scorching heat><drawing
back slowly>
49
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to draw
transitive verb
1: to cause to move toward or after a compelling force, forward or in another indicated or implied direction, or
toward a surface : PULL, DRAG<the horse drew us along at a smart pace><we drew up our nets full of
fishes><using a poultice to draw inflammation to a head>: such as
a: to haul (as a load) usually in a cart or wagon<he drew over 100 cords of wood that winter>
b: to drag (a criminal) to the place of execution (as at a horse's tail or on a hurdle)
c: to cause (as a sail or drawbridge) to be raised
d: to pull (as a curtain) over so as to cover or conceal or aside so as to uncover or reveal<drew the bedcovers
over her><draw the blinds and light the lamps>
e: to bring out or cause to come out (as from a setting or receptacle)<draw the cork gently and decant the
wine><the dentist drew the abscessed tooth><the blow drew blood><draw me a glass of ale>
f: to remove (a weapon) from a sheath<now draw your swords and fall to it>
g: to promote suppuration in (as a wound) broadly : to cause (an unwanted element) to depart (as from the
body or a lesion)<this will help draw the poison>
h: to cause (a bow) to bend also : to pull back (an arrow) on the bowstring
i: to pull off (as a tablecloth after a meal) also : to remove a tablecloth from (a table)
j: to remove (as coals) from a grate<the furnaces are drawn during a strike>also : to remove a fire from (a
grate)
k: to pull (warp threads) through the heddles in proper order to produce a desired pattern in weaving —often
used with in<drawing warps in by hand>
l: to cause (the ball or other mobile piece used in certain sports) to move in a particular direction or toward a
particular objective usually by applying a specialized stroke or imparting a specialized movement (as of
spinning) —used in golf, billiards, bowls, cricket, and curling
m: to remove (seedlings) from a plant bed preparatory to transplanting
2a: to cause (as a person) to move, proceed, or act (as by leading, conducting, or diverting)<drawing his
cousin to one side><tried to draw her thoughts from her troubles>
b: ATTRACT<the accident drew a great crowd><like iron filings drawn by a
magnet>: ENTICE, ALLURE<drawing him with an unspoken promise in her eyes>
c: to bring in or gather from a specified group or area<a college that draws its students from many states>
d: to influence toward or away from a particular course (as of action)<kindness and understanding will
often draw a boy to unburden his conscience>often : to influence to do something undesirable : SEDUCE<he
was drawn from his family and religion by selfish interests><don't let me draw you away from your work>
e: to force (a hunted animal) from cover<using dogs to draw the game>
f: to rouse (as a person) to action or response<the final taunt drew him><her insolence drew him to say things
he knew he would regret>
g: to force the playing of (a particular card or suit) in a card game<lead the king to draw her opponent's
ace><won with the queen and then drew three rounds of spades>
3: TAKE, GAIN: such as
a: to take (breath) into the lungs<she drew a deep breath of clean pine-scented air>
b: to require (a specified depth) of a supporting medium in which to float<a ship that draws 12 feet of water>
c(1) : to take or accept at random (one from a number of things) especially in order to decide something by
chance<let's draw straws to see who gets dinner>
(2) : to receive (as a prize) from a lottery<he drew one of the favored horses in the sweepstakes and sold his
ticket profitably long before the race was run>
50
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
(3) : to obtain by luck or chance : gain by fortune : WIN<a man who seemed to draw money>
(4) : to select by the drawing of lots<the jury panel was drawn>
(5) : to take or accept (a card) in a card game according to some arbitrary or randomizing system and usually
after an initial deal (as to improve a poker hand)
(6) : to similarly take or accept (a piece) in various games
d: to acquire in the course of events<he drew the hardest job of all>
e: to separate (as sheep for fattening) from a larger group or number : select (as specimens) for a test or
experiment
f: to gain as a recompense or one's due (as for services, use of property, or misconduct)<he draws a good
salary every week><the speech drew a round of applause><let your extra money stay in the bank
and draw interest><if he keeps on chasing married women he's likely to draw a punch in the
jaw><draw rations for three days>
g: EXTRACT, ELICIT, DERIVE<you'll never draw a compliment from her>
h: to infer from evidence or reasons : deduce from premises<let the future draw lessons from the
past><draw your own conclusions from what you have seen>
i: to take (as money) from a place of deposit<drew several hundred dollars from the bank>
j: to derive to one's benefit<drawing strength from the support of friends><… a menu that draws inspiration
from the regional cuisines of Italy and France. — Daniel Sogg, Wine Spectator, 31 May 2008>
ksports : to receive in the course of play<the batter drew a walk><draw a foul/penalty>
l: to bring on especially as a response to one's actions<draw enemy fire>
4: to alter especially in form or content: such as
a: to tear to pieces<condemned to be drawn asunder by wild horses>
b: CONTRACT, PUCKER, WRINKLE<persimmons draw the mouth unless thoroughly ripened>also : to cause to
swell<rubber soles draw my feet>
c(1) : to extend in length or lengthwise : PROTRACT, STRETCH<drew out her call interminably><a rubber
band drawn to its greatest length>
(2) obsolete : to build or cause to extend (as a ditch or wall) lengthwise from one place to another
(3) : to cause (a plant) to become spindly and etiolated (as from lack of light) —used chiefly as a participial
adjective
d: to shave (stonework) to shape
e(1) : to stretch, spread, or shape (metal) by passing through dies or by stamping successively (as with a series
of dies or by hammering) specifically : to make a metal rod into (wire) by pulling it through a series of holes
of diminishing size thus decreasing the sectional area and increasing the length at each stage
(2) : to shape by stretching (as plastic) or by drawing (as plastic filaments) through dies
(3) : to shape (as a shingle) or smooth (as a spoke) with a drawknife or comparable tool
(4) : to shape (glass) by guiding molten glass from the furnace over a series of automatic rollers
f: TEMPER transitive sense 4a(1)
g: to attenuate (textile slivers or rovings) by passing successively through rollers each pair of which revolves
slightly faster than its predecessor thereby causing the fibers to be straightened
hof honeybees : to build up (foundation) into comb —often used with out
i: to make (candles) by passing a length of wick repeatedly through molten wax and successively larger
circular holes
5a(1) : to produce by or as if by tracing a pen or other instrument of delineation over a surface<draw a
line><drawing pictures in the sand>
(2) : to represent by lines drawn : make a picture of in this manner<he draws the scene from memory>
51
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
b: to represent by words:
(1) : to write in due form : prepare a draft of : INDITE<drew a memorial to the queen><draw a check for the
whole amount>
(2) : to express graphically in words : DELINEATE<drawing acid pen-portraits of her neighbors><the
novelist drew his characters precisely and believably>
c: to set forth in due and proper form or formally : FORMULATE<it is often necessary to draw fine
distinctions><have a lawyer draw up your will if your plans are at all complicated>
6: to remove the contents of: such as
a: to remove the viscera of : EVISCERATE<fowls come to market plucked and drawn>
b: to extract or drain the essence of<that final climb seemed to draw his strength away><some
people draw their tea too long>
c: to force or draw something from (as a place of security) : drive game out of (as a covert)<they drew the
open fields with beaters, the rugged hills with dogs>: fish by dragging a net through (as a pond)<they drew the
river above the weir>
d: to remove (as fired brick) from a kiln
7: to bring (an existing relation or situation) to an end: such as
aarchaic : to withdraw (as a horse) from a race
b: to finish (a contest) in a draw : bring (as a game) to a conclusion without having established the superiority
(as in skill or scoring) of any contestant
intransitive verb
1: to come or go : MOVE : draw oneself —now used only with prepositions and adverbs of
direction<he drew away from the smoldering wall><night draws near><as we drew toward the town>
2obsolete : to approach or tend especially to a particular state
3: to perform the act of drawing something: such as
a: move something by pulling<drew continuously without emptying the well><there's nothing like a team of
oxen for drawing in really rugged country>
b: to exert an attractive force : act as an inducement or enticement<the play is still drawing well>
c: to pull back the string of a bow preparatory to releasing the arrow
d: to perform the act or practice the art of delineation : form figures or pictures by tracing lines often : SKETCH
e: to make a written demand for payment of money deposited or due often : to make demands (as on a person
or a resource) —usually used with on or upon<he drew on his savings account for a down payment><draw on
me for any help you need><drawing on his last reserve of energy>
f: to search for game often : to track game by the scent —used chiefly of a sporting dog
g(1) : to cause local congestion : induce blood or other body fluid to localize at a particular point : be effective
as a blistering agent or counterirritant —used as a poultice and comparable means of medication
(2) of a lesion : to become localized —used in the phrase draw to a head
h: to leave a game or contest undecided : end a contest in a draw<our team drew three times this year>
i: to draw one or more cards in a card game
j: to take out a weapon from a sheath, holster, or concealed location<he drew, aimed, and fired><… the
hardball gunslinging lawman who, when facing the guns of the wicked, will draw. — Joseph
Wambaugh, Guns and Shadows, 1984>
4: to sink in water : require a depth for floating<greater hulks draw deep — Shakespeare>
5: to alter in form or content: such as
a: to change shape by or as if by pulling : STRETCH, WRINKLE, CONTRACT<she shivered and her skin seemed
52
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to draw with the cold><the spring drew longer and longer with the strain>
bof a sail : to swell out with the wind
c: STEEP, INFUSE<the tea may draw a bit longer>
dof curing tobacco : to become uniformly moist —used of the hand of leaves after petuning
6a: to become subjected to drawing or suitable for being drawn<the new cart draws easily>
bof a liquid : to drain away
c: RISE
d: to produce a draft whereby a current (as of hot gases) is drawn<the chimney draws well since it was
cleaned>sometimes : to pass in a current<breezes drew through the room>
e: to pull a pattern from a mold in an indicated manner (as hard, easily, cleanly)
7: to obtain information, supplies, or other matters<drawing from a common fund of
knowledge><drew heavily on their supply of food>
8: to perform a draw in dancing
draw a bead on
: to bring into line with the front sight and rear sight of a rifle : take aim at broadly : use as a target<always
ready to draw a bead on an errant public official>
draw a blank or less commonly draw blank
1: to draw a loser : obtain something without value
2: to fail to find what one seeks
3: to be unable to think of or remember something<On the original pilot … we did have that one woman—
what's her name? I'm drawing a blank. — Steven Levitan, quoted in Vogue, April 1997>
draw a line or draw the line
: to fix an arbitrary boundary between things that tend to intermingle<the courts must draw a line between the
right of free speech and genuinely subversive utterance>often : to fix a boundary excluding what one will not
tolerate or engage in<I'm not intolerant but one must draw the line somewhere>
draw a longbow or draw the longbow
: to exaggerate or overstate the truth
draw blood
: to wound in body or spirit often : to subject to distress and embarrassment<he drew blood when he guyed us
about our failure>
draw in one's horns
: to act more conservatively or cautiously than at some former time<he'd better draw in his horns if he wants
to keep out of trouble>
draw it fine
: to be very precise (as in making distinctions)
draw it mild
[so called from its original use in reference to beer] chiefly British : to express or tell (something) without
exaggerating —usually used imperatively<draw it mild, after all, we saw the whole thing happen>
draw lots
: to decide or assign by or as if by the drawing of lots
draw on
1: to order (as a bank or business firm) to pay out money held to the credit of the drawer
2: to withdraw (money) from one's account<drew on his savings for the whole amount>
53
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
3or draw upon : to use or depend on as a base or as source material : exploit the resources of<she has drawn
on her mother's old notebooks for some excellent recipes><drawing on the Bible for authority>
draw one's time
: to quit a job especially under pressure<get to work or draw your time right now><he drew his time and went
south>
draw rein
: to check one's speed (as in riding) : stop short : STOP
draw straws
: to draw lots using straws of uneven length for lots
draw the blinds on or draw the curtains on or draw the shades on
: to bring an end to something especially prolonged<Draw the curtain on the Warren Beatty-Madonna
relationship. Romantically speaking, it's over. — Mitchell Fink, People, 19 Mar. 1990>
draw the fangs
: to render harmless or ineffective —used with of<this forthright answer drew the fangs of his criticism>
draw the temper
: to reduce or impair the hardness of tempered steel by heating<he tried to sharpen his ax on an emery wheel
and completely drew the temper>
draw together
1: to draw into unity : render whole : UNITE, UNIFY<I'll just draw together this snag in your cuff><only hatred
shared drew them together>
2: to come to accord : UNITE<sensible people will draw together to face a common danger>
to dread
transitive verb
1a: to fear greatly : be in terror of<a burned child dreads the fire>
barchaic : to stand in awe of : REVERENCE
2: to anticipate with fear of evil, pain, or trouble : look forward to with apprehensiveness : feel great anxiety
about<they dread change, lest it should make matters worse — G. B. Shaw>
intransitive verb
: to be very apprehensive or fearful<dread not, neither be afraid of them — Deuteronomy 1:29 (Authorized
Version)>
dread (n)
inflected form(s): plural -s
1a: great fear especially in the face of impending evil : fearful apprehension of danger : anticipatory
terror<looked forward with dread to the night alone in the dark farmhouse — Sherwood Anderson><dread of
insecurity>
barchaic : reverential or respectful fear : AWE
2: a person or thing regarded with fear or awe<the days of wooden ships and wooden homes, when fire was an
omnipresent dread — F. W. Saunders>
3[translation of Danish & German angst] : ANXIETY 2
54
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
dread (adj)
: causing great fear or apprehensiveness : FRIGHTENING<dread "secret" weapons which are evaluated solely by
their capacity to kill — B. M. Baruch><a dread disease>
2: inspiring reverential fear or awe<most dread lord>
to drape
transitive verb
1obsolete : to make into cloth : WEAVE
2: to cover or adorn with or as if with or swathe in or as if in folds of cloth<great cypress trees draped with
Spanish moss><draping the building fronts with bunting>: such as
a: to cover following the contours of<dark chestnuts drape the mountainside — F. L. Lucas>
b: ENFOLD<the child was draped in expensive linens><draping himself in abstruse thought>
c: to hang or put on (as a garment) casually or loosely
d: to let (as oneself) sprawl<draping garlands about the singer's neck><draped her furs over her arm><several
of the regulars had draped themselves around the bar>
e: to shroud or enclose with surgical drapes<drape a patient for operation>
3: to arrange in flowing lines or folds or according to a pattern or design<draping a satin dress to minimize
heavy hips><a cleverly draped suit>
intransitive verb
: to fall in or into folds, especially into graceful folds<this silk drapes beautifully>often : to become arranged
in decorative folds<a full skirt that drapes to a huge bow>
drape (n)
55
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to draft
1transitive
a: to detach or select (an individual) for some special purpose with or without the element of compulsion being
present<the convention drafted and nominated the popular attorney general><his friend … was drafted to
paint prepared areas — Robert Berkelman><she had no call to the religious life but was drafted into it by her
family — Anthony West><all able-bodied men were drafted to work on the levee>specifically : to conscript (a
person) for service in the armed forces<drafted all able-bodied youths>
bAustralia : to separate into flocks : select and detach (an animal) from a herd for a special
purpose<draft sheep and take them to sale>
cUS : to select (an athlete) to play on a professional sports team through a draft system
(see 1DRAFT 13e)<Stafford … is playing like the franchise quarterback he was expected to be when he
was drafted No. 1 out of Georgia. — Damon Hack, Sports Illustrated, 10 Oct. 2011>
2atransitive : to make a draft of : draw the preliminary sketch or plan of : OUTLINE<drafting speeches to be
polished and styled by his resourceful secretary>
btransitive : to draw up : COMPOSE, PREPARE, FRAME<at once drafted a telegram, signing it with the code word
which he employed in emergencies — John Buchan><drafting plans to meet the anticipated emergency>
cintransitive : to engage in drafting something (such as a document) : to practice draftsmanship<if anyone
thinks that he can draft more simply …, I advise him to try his hand — Ernest Gowers>
3transitive : to draw up, off, or away<all pumpers should be capable of drafting water where
necessary — Fire Manual (Massachusetts)><her rents had been drafted to London — Henry Fielding>
4transitive + intransitive : to stay close behind (another racer) so as to take advantage of the reduced air
pressure created by the leading racer<My friend Jen Davis was taking a turn leading; my husband, Bill,
was drafting—riding close behind her. I was drafting Bill when a slower rider meandered into his path. —
Gina Kolata, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2010>
5transitive : to reduce (fiber webs, slivers, or rovings) in bulk in the processes between loose fiber and spun
yarn
6transitive : to design (a pattern) in weaving for drawing in warp threads
7transitive : to mark (something, as a stone) with a draft in masonry
8transitive : to draw or stretch (leather) in the lasting of shoes
draft (adj)
: used for drawing loads<draft animals>— see DRAFT HORSE
2: SELECTED —used chiefly of animals selected from a herd or flock (as for branding or classification)
3: constituting a preliminary or tentative version, sketch, or outline (as of a literary composition or other
document)<Pope … proposed to write a history of English poetry, and the draft scheme of that history has
been preserved — A. T. Quiller-Couch><a draft treaty><draft conventions submitted to member nations for
their approval>
dreary (adj)
56
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
drench (n)
: DRINK, DRAFT
b: a poisonous or medicinal drink specifically : a large dose of medicine mixed with liquid and put down the
throat of an animal
2a: something that drenches<this alternance of sun and drench proliferates plant and beast — Waldo Frank>
b: a quantity sufficient to drench or saturate<the heather of the bogs, the hill turf, and the gravel of the road
had lost their color under a drench of dew — John Buchan><few men have subjected all their borrowings to
so strong a drench of personability — H. S. Canby>
c: a solution usually of fermenting bran used for drenching hides
drench (n)
inflected form(s): plural -es
1a: DRINK, DRAFT
b: a poisonous or medicinal drink specifically : a large dose of medicine mixed with liquid and put down the
throat of an animal
2a: something that drenches<this alternance of sun and drench proliferates plant and beast — Waldo Frank>
b: a quantity sufficient to drench or saturate<the heather of the bogs, the hill turf, and the gravel of the road
had lost their color under a drench of dew — John Buchan><few men have subjected all their borrowings to
so strong a drench of personability — H. S. Canby>
c: a solution usually of fermenting bran used for drenching hides
to dribble
intransitive verb
1a: to fall or flow in drops or in a quick succession of drops or in a thin intermittent stream : TRICKLE<to
prevent dribbling of fuel from an injection nozzle><uncontrollable dribbling of urine>
b: to issue like a trickling liquid slowly and sporadically in a succession of tiny portions<the dribbling sands
of an hourglass><allowing the seeds to dribble along the ground><letting smoke dribble through his chiseled
nostrils — John Galsworthy>
2: to let saliva drip, trickle, or ooze from a corner of the mouth (as of a teething
57
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to drift
intransitive verb
1a: to become driven or carried along by a current of water, wind, or air<can drift in a canoe the 30 miles from
the falls — American Guide Series: Minnesota><with the tide at the ebb he was drifting in those dark depths
out through the Golden Gate — P. B. Kyne><a wisp of smoke drifting from the chimney><rain fell at intervals
from drifting shreds of clouds — O. E. Rölvaag><an evasive and delicate fragrance drifted from her person —
Agnes S. Turnbull>also : to move gently and silently without propulsion often floating or gliding along along
through the air with slight quivering motions<a solitary leaf drifts down>
b: to wander or stray lightly, gently, effortlessly offering no resistance as if suspended and floating in the air
and usually seeming to leave the choice of direction to the drift of the air<let my eyes drift around the room —
R. Y. Thurman><a very faint smile drifted across his face — Raymond Chandler><it is only by drifting with
the wind that I have found myself — John Reed>also : to float through the air in mild and soothing or vibrant
waves of sound<the corporal's voice sounded deceptively kind drifting in from across the North Parade
Ground— Earle Birney><street noises that drift through closed windows and doors>
c: to move slowly and unhurriedly with little or no apparent effort or unobtrusively a few at a time in a manner
suggestive of floating on water —usually followed by a directional word<strikers began to drift back to
58
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
work><the orchestra stopped playing and dancers drifted off the floor><he'd drift with play and make the
quarterback commit himself, then make the tackle either way — H. R. Sanders>also : to migrate in a slow
stream<other revolving soldiers … drifted out to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana— Dixon Wecter>
d: to pass without contributory effort or serious resistance or become borne slowly by imperceptible degrees
toward or away from an association or into or out of some state<he ran with a gang and drifted into petty
crime — S. L. A. Marshall><those dreamy spells of hers, the way she used to go drifting off into space —
Hamilton Basso><the chances are that Asia will gradually drift toward Communism — K. S.
Latourette><written and spoken languages tend to drift ever further apart — Frank Denman>
e: to retain momentum for a time after shutoff of power
2a: to wander without hurry and without clear purpose or goal especially moving along the line of least
resistance<he drifted around for eight years without a trace of his whereabouts — Liam O'Flaherty><loved
best to drift, elusive as a skeleton leaf along the streets of Rome — Elinor Wylie>
bWest, of cattle : to bunch up and wander from the home range in a storm
c: to travel about in a random way as an itinerant worker or in search of work
d: to become carried along subject to no guidance or control<whether this conversation was drifting or aimed,
certain that it was out of his hands — Edmund Fuller>often : to relinquish planning, decision, initiative, and
conscious direction leaving control to chance or circumstances<allowing students to drift through four years
without developing sufficient incentive or goal— Bulletin of Bates College>
3a: to accumulate in a mass or be piled up in heaps by action of wind or water<drifting snow banked in the
side of the house up to the windowsills><miles of fence had already been buried under drifted dust — K. S.
Davis><an old hulk far out on the beach fast filling with drifting sand at every high tide>
b: to become covered with a drift<the streets drifted level with the marquees of the buildings — William
Fifield>
4mining : to make a drift : DRIVE
5: to fish with drift nets
6a: to vary or deviate from a set course or adjustment<some television sets drift during warmup require
retuning>
b: to vary sluggishly usually without establishing a definite trend —used especially of prices or income<its
freight revenues drifted down more than 14 percent last year — R. E. Bedingfield><the market has
been drifting the last few days, probably because of the approaching holidays><grain futures drifted in a
narrow range>
c: SKID
7of a language : to develop in the direction characteristic of its drift
transitive verb
1a: to cause to be driven in a current<the tide turning began drifting back the ship helplessly seaward —
Herman Melville><a smudge drifting smoke across their beds to keep insects away — B. A. Williams>
bWest : to drive (livestock) slowly especially to allow grazing<leaving orders for the outfit to drift the herd
into it and water — Andy Adams>
2a: to drive by the force of the wind and deposit in heaps<heavy clay when granulated is readily drifted — A.
F. Gustafson>
b: to cover with drifts<southwestern slopes were deeply drifted>
3: to use a drift in or upon (as for enlarging holes, forcing holes into alignment, driving out pins and keys)
4: to cant (as a pole) over at the top
59
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
drift (n)
inflected form(s): plural -s
1: the act of driving something along: such as
a: the driving together of the cattle in a forest to determine ownership —used in British forest law
b: the horizontal thrust of an arch
c: continued movement of a machine due to inertia after the shutoff of power
d: a skid of a motor vehicle : SIDESLIP
e: the flow of the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream
2: something driven, propelled, or urged along or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural agency:
such as
a: wind-driven snow, rain, cloud, dust, or smoke usually at or near the ground surface<watched the drifts of
rain moving up the valley — E. L. Thomas>
b(1) : a mass of matter driven or forced onward together in a body or deposited together by or as if by wind or
water<scudding over drifts on skis><harbor drift collects in streaks>
(2) : a helter-skelter accumulation of something appearing as if windblown<a drift of newspapers around his
feet>
(3) : something filmy or fleecy fluttering or undulating lightly in masses or folds as if afloat in a breeze or on
water<as the beach plums dapple our dunes and fields with snowy drifts — Christian Science
Monitor><putting away the drifts of muslin and curd-soft silk — Edith Sitwell>
cdialectal : DROVE, FLOCK<a drift of coyotes cried at moonrise><a drift of hogs><a steady drift of terns could
be seen on a northeasterly course — Llewellyn Howland>also, West : a casual assemblage or swarm of
persons<some of the newly arrived drift were smooth-spoken gentry— Julian Dana>
d: a volley of arrows especially when aimed high in air
e: something (as driftwood or seaweed) that has been washed ashore by waves and tide and left
stranded<hauled himself out on a dry bit of drift — Frederick Way><strolling the sands … searching
for drift that he might turn to a profit — Morris Markey>
f: a set of fishnets also : DRIFT NET
g(1) : rock debris moved by natural agents from one place and deposited in another
(2) : a deposit of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a glacier and deposited unstratified or more or
less stratified by running water emanating from the glacier — compare 9TILL 2
h: something wafted by gentle air currents to be caught by the senses<a drift of woodsmoke curled up — Ellen
Glasgow><it submerged entirely the drift of far-off band music — J. G. Cozzens><a faint drift of the clean,
light scent that she had always used — Robert Murphy>
3: observable course or direction taken toward an effect: such as
a: a general underlying and inferable design and intent (as of thought, policy, or program)<we see the drift of
his thought in the manuscripts — R. I. Aaron><the whole drift of his social philosophy — W. L. Miller><in
agreement with the temper and main drift of his naturalism — J. E. Smith>
b: tendency discernible in the past and present course<until the time the upward drift in the propensity to
spend should level off><in this survey of the drift of 20th century poetry — Herbert
Read>often : development, progress, or evolution whose general course is assumed to be impersonally
determined and continuous into the future<while reasoning on this matter is somewhat a priori, the drift of
history and archaeology confirms it— A. L. Kroeber><to combat disease, pestilence, prolong the span of life
—all these mean a fight against the drift of Nature— Mildred Gilman>
60
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
c: prevalent learning or dominant inclination in the current thought and opinion : SLANT<the drift being on the
whole away from the home toward the church — W. L. Sperry>
d: the meaning, import, or purport to be gathered from what is spoken or written<made out the drift of a
conversation going on round me — A. W. Long><maybe they understand you better in the town you come
from, but I don't get your drift — Maxwell Anderson>
e: trend (as of a rate) especially when fluctuating<the upward drift of respiration in a germinating seed>
4: something driven down upon or forced into a body: such as
a: a tool used for ramming down or driving something (as a metal wedge used in tightening hoops on a barrel)
bobsolete : piles sunk in an interlocking row
c: the difference between the size of a bolt and the hole into which it is driven or between the circumference of
a hoop and that of a mast on which it is to be driven
d: a place in an old-fashioned deep-waisted ship where the sheer was raised and the rail was cut off and
usually terminated by a scroll
eor driftpin : a broach or reamer of square section and with one or more cutting faces for cleaning out holes
too small to be drilled and slotted
— called also cutting drift, square drift
h: a punch with the point inclined to the shank for knocking out keys
— called also key drift
5: the motion or action of drifting spatially usually under external influence<distal drift of all lower teeth to the
right of the lower central incisor — H. M. Lang>: such as
a: the deviation of a ship from its set course caused by currents also : a voyage of a ship allowed to drift<the
icebreaker carried out its three regular annual drifts>
b: the length of a mariner's rope from a point where it is made fast whether stretching to another point of
fastening, remaining loose or coiled as an extra length, or running from the fixed block to the movable block of
a tackle
c: one of the slower movements of oceanic circulation : a general tendency of surface water subject to
diversion or reversal by the wind<the easterly drift of the North Pacific>
d: a deviation of a missile out of a rifled gun from the vertical plane of fire due to rotation and the resistance of
the air
e: the lateral motion of an airplane due to air currents also : DRIFT ANGLE
f: tendency to alter and especially to decrease in weight during shipment also : the amount by which the
weight is altered
g: CREEP 8b
h: the distance cargo in the hold of a ship has to be dragged to a hatch
i: an easy moderate more or less steady flow, sweep, or shifting along a spatial course<aerial drift of
pollen><the general drift of population from country to city — H. C. Laxson><the
industrial drift southward><any drift of our solar system in our galaxy — N. E. Nelson>
j: a slow onward, upward, or downward course (as an advance, transition, or withdrawal) proceeding usually
by inconspicuous steps : a gradual shift in attitude, opinion, or position not pronounced in process but
unmistakable in direction<a drift to war><the drift toward centralization of power><the gradual drift of wealth
61
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
from farm to industry — S. A. Spiller><this steady drift away from the conception of a divine Will that
dwarfed the human will — V. L. Parrington><signs he sees of a dangerous drift in American life away from
standards of excellence in politics — William Barrett>
k: an aimless directionless course often : a forgoing of any attempt at direction or control letting events and
developments take their own course : abdication of control to a blind flow of circumstances<vigorous local
action, moreover, can reverse the policy of drift which has seen local government denuded of function after
function, largely by default— R. V. Presthus><to continue the policy of drift, of blind stumblings from crisis
to crisis— Time>
l: a deviation or veering off from a true reproduction, representation, or reading<frequency drift is merely the
inability of the set to remain exactly tuned to the frequency for which you have adjusted it — Pilots' Radio
Handbook>
6: a passage driven or for driving in a particular direction: such as
a: a nearly horizontal mine passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein or rock stratum —
compare LEVEL 8
b: a small crosscut in a mine connecting two larger tunnels also : an exploratory mine tunnel
c[Afrikaans, from Dutch, from Middle Dutch] Africa : a ford in a river
7: a slow gradual change in character, aspect, or some attendant phenomenon: such as
a: an assumed trend toward a general change in the structure of a language over a period of time underlying or
revealed by various specific changes<the drift toward loss of final syllables in the Germanic languages>
b: change in genotypes of small populations due to random loss or multiplication of certain gene groups
c: a gradual change in the zero reading of an instrument or more generally in any quantitative characteristic of
a given piece of equipment that is supposed to remain constant
d: a gradual change in some aspect of culture deriving from an accumulated variation in behavior or belief and
resulting in a new pattern or institutional form<a cultural drift away from spiritual values to materialistic ones>
8: a grouping of similar flowers planted in an elongated mass<Many, many small evergreens … can serve as
accent points in the garden, separating drifts of flowering plants … — Rea Lubar Duncan, Connecticut
Magazine, June 1991>
on the drift
West : roving about the country without or seeking employment<restless unsettled youths on the drift>
to dawdle
intransitive verb
: to waste time in idle lingering : spend more time than is necessary or usual in doing something<dawdle over
your work>: LOITER<dawdled about in the vestibule — Jane Austen>
transitive verb
: to spend fruitlessly : WASTE<dawdled my time with … symbolic logic — M. R. Cohen>: spend
lackadaisically<dawdle away their vacation — Angus Wilson><dawdle away four years in college>
to loiter
: to interrupt or delay an activity or an errand or a journey with or as if with aimless idle stops and pauses and
purposeless distractions<asked him not to loiter on the way home>: fritter away time in the course of doing
something or proceeding somewhere<don't loiter on the job>: take more time than is usual or necessary : be
markedly or unduly slow in doing something or going somewhere : DAWDLE, LINGER
62
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
2a: to remain in or near a place in an idle or apparently idle manner : hang around aimlessly or as if
aimlessly<vagrants found loitering outside the building><loitering in the clubhouse — Furman
Bisher><loitered in the shade of the awnings — Sherwood Anderson>
b: to be unnecessarily slow in leaving : fitfully put off leaving : hang back : stay around without real
necessity : lag behind<a crowd of people, who loitered to hear the bloodcurdling threats the prisoner
shouted — Willa Cather>
loiter noun, plural loiters
<Reaching the park—a sad affair with dirt instead of grass and trash everywhere—he slowed his walk to
a loiter, glancing around, just another suburban guy looking for drugs. — Douglas Preston & Lincoln
Child, Gideon's Sword, 2011>
loi·ter·er noun, plural loi·ter·ers
<… there are curiosity seekers scattered about, ordinary slouchers, and loiterers — Don Delillo, Mao
II, 1991>
about (adv)
: on all sides : in every direction : AROUND<'tis time to look about — Shakespeare>
2a: in rotation : ROUND<they go about in circles>
b: around the outside : in circumference<the lake is a mile about and a half mile across>
c: in a circuitous way : round about<the river … is subject to frequent shifts of position, and winds about — P.
E. James>
3a: with some approach to exactness in quantity, number, or time : APPROXIMATELY<about four feet of
snow><about eight o'clock>
b: ALMOST, NEARLY<about as serious>: little less than<about starved>
4: here and there at random<tools lying about>: from one place to another<carry money about with him>
5: in the vicinity : NEAR<he spoke to the people standing about>
6: in succession : one after the other : ALTERNATELY<turn about is fair play>
7a: in the opposite direction<face about><bring a ship about>: in reverse order<arranged the other
way about>: from the contrary point of view<put the matter the other way about>
b: on the opposite tack — see COME ABOUT
about (prep)
: in a circle around : AROUND<our thoughts revolve about ourselves>: on every side of<he found about him
innumerable flowers>
2a: in the immediate neighborhood of : NEAR<fish are abundant about the reefs>
b: near or not far from in time<a night about midsummer>
c: by or on (one's person)<secreting money about him>
d: in or as a part of the makeup of<a mature wisdom about him>
e: at the command of : in readiness for the use of<he has his wits about him>
3a: in the act or process of doing : engaged in<I put it in the form of a poem while I was about it — Eudora
Welty>: concerned with<no idea of what American music is about>
b: on the point or verge of —usually used with following infinitive<about to enter the army><about to be
63
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
graduated>
4a—used as a function word to indicate that which is dealt with as the object of thought, feeling, or
action<resentment about this state of affairs>or that to which reference is made<the most exciting
thing about the adventure>
b: with regard to : CONCERNING
c: on the subject of<a novel about Spain>
5: over or in different parts of<he traveled about the country>: THROUGHOUT<a well-known figure about the
town>: here and there upon<the knife wounded him about the face and throat>
about (adj)
: stirring or moving from place to place : ASTIR<few people were about on the streets>
2: being in evidence, in existence, or in circulation : ABROAD<plenty of money about><more reason and less
emotion about — Herbert Hoover>
3: normally active or capable (as after a confining illness)<eager to be up and about again>
drastic (adj)
1: acting rapidly and violently —used chiefly of purgatives
2a: acting with violence or harshness : extreme or radical in
effect : RIGOROUS<drastic measures><drastic repressive laws>
b: notably severe or vigorous<drastic alterations in the national economy><a drastic wave of pain>
similarly to
just as
like
in the style of
in the vein of
by the same token
along the lines of
about (adj)
pointed demands
spadework
in spades (many)
64
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
to highlight
to draw attention to
to accentuate
to spotlight
Sounds
To whimper
intransitive verb
1a: to make a low whining plaintive or broken sound<had seen the old general whimper like a whipped dog —
F. M. Ford>
b: to complain or protest with or in the manner of a whimper : WAIL, WHINE<always coming around
to whimper over his troubles><knocking on the door to whimper for admission>
2: to make a low plaintive murmuring sound<the wind whimpers in the aspens><the tiny brook whimpers softly
through the stones and mosses>
transitive verb
: to utter with or in a whimper<they neither bray nor whimper nihilism; they prefer to fight — Charles
Lee><were forever whimpering that God had hidden his face from them — L. C. Douglas>
Whimper (n)
1: a low whining broken cry : a low peevish sound expressive of complaint or
grief<the baby continued to cry, but its cries … were little more than
troubled whimpers — Roark Bradford><when the pack had been taken over half a
dozen fields, there came a whimper and then a lifting chorus — E. J. Oates><the
moaning whimper of the tenor saxophone>
2: a petulant or puling complaint or protest<without even a whimper of protest
from party headquarters — Time><the old whimper of sterility that comes up in
every decade — New Statesman & Nation>
65
Vocabulary 11-02-2023
66