Vocabulary: Batch 13

• to feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems

  She worried about her exam results.

• a state of anxiety; a source of anxiety

  Money is a constant worry for the family.

From 'worry'. American; British often 'worrying'.

• causing anxiety or concern

  The latest test results were worrisome.

Latin for 'per head'. Used in statistics: per person.

• for each person; per head of population

  The country has one of the highest incomes per capita.

Literal (grip for the feet) and figurative ('on an equal footing').

1. a secure grip with the feet; a foothold

   He lost his footing on the icy step.

2. the basis or status on which something operates

   The company is now on a sound financial footing.

Irregular: outshone.

• to be much more impressive than someone or something else

  She outshone all the other candidates at the interview.

Compare 'money laundering' (disguising the source of such money).

• income earned illegally or kept hidden from tax authorities

  The investigation uncovered millions in black money.

From the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.

• a person who selflessly helps someone in distress (a 'good Samaritan')

  A good Samaritan stopped to change her flat tire.

Famous for its three consecutive double letters (kk). Narrower than 'accounting'.

• the activity of keeping records of the financial affairs of a business

  She does the bookkeeping for several small firms.

• a person who keeps the financial records of a business

  The bookkeeper reconciled the accounts each month.

Gender-neutral alternative to 'waiter/waitress'; compare 'server', 'waitstaff'.

• a person who serves customers in a restaurant; a gender-neutral term for a waiter or waitress

  The waitperson recommended the salmon.

Usually 'spoiled brat'. 'Army brat' = a child raised in a military family (not always negative).

• a badly behaved or annoying child, especially a spoiled one

  The spoiled brat screamed for more candy.

From Latin 'semen' (seed).

• the fluid produced by the male reproductive organs, containing sperm

  The sample of semen was sent for analysis.

From Latin 'sub' (under) + 'lingua' (tongue). Some medicines dissolve sublingually for fast absorption.

• situated or applied under the tongue

  The tablet is taken sublingually.

Also 'stargazer'.

1. a person who studies or gazes at the stars

   As a child she was a keen star-gazer.

2. (informal) a daydreamer

   He was more of a star-gazer than a doer.

'Spearhead' = to lead an effort. 'Spearmint' is the herb.

• a weapon with a long shaft and a pointed tip, used for thrusting or throwing

  The hunter raised his spear.

• to pierce or strike with or as if with a spear

  She speared a piece of broccoli with her fork.

Usually 'go haywire'. From the tangly wire used to bind hay bales.

• out of control; malfunctioning or chaotic

  The computer system went haywire during the update.

From Latin 'palpitare' (to throb).

• (of the heart) to beat rapidly, strongly, or irregularly

  Her heart palpitated with fear.

Usually plural.

• a noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat

  He went to the doctor about heart palpitations.

Also 'dealmaker'. Compare 'deal-breaker' (something that ruins a deal).

• a person who is skilled at arranging business or political deals

  He has a reputation as a tough deal-maker.

From Latin 'vellus' (fleece). The fine body hair, vs coarse 'terminal' hair. Not related to 'vellum'.

• the short, fine, light-colored hair that covers most of the human body

  Vellus hair gives the skin a slightly fuzzy appearance.

(Southern US) genus Pseudemys.

1. a freshwater turtle native to the southern United States

   A cooter basked on a log in the pond.

2. (vulgar slang) the vulva

   This sense is common in crude or explicit speech.

(grammar) Also called an 'adjective phrase'.

• (grammar) a group of words built around an adjective and functioning together as one

  In 'very tall indeed', the whole phrase is an adjective group.

• a witty or clever remark

  She responded with a sharp quip.

• to make a witty remark

  'Better late than never,' he quipped.

A portion of each purchase goes to a linked charity or organization.

• a credit card linked to an organization, which receives a small payment each time the card is used

  She uses an affinity card that supports her old university.

From Latin 'vacuus' (empty); related to 'vacuum'.

• showing a lack of thought or intelligence; empty

  She gave a vacuous smile.

• lack of thought or intelligence; emptiness

  the vacuity of his remarks

Usually of wrongdoing.

• a person who leads others in an activity, especially one that is illegal or troublesome

  Police arrested the ringleader of the smuggling gang.

The main male sex hormone (also present in females).

• a steroid hormone that stimulates the development of male sexual characteristics

  Testosterone levels tend to decline with age.

From the practice of marking livestock's ears.

• to designate (money or resources) for a particular purpose

  The funds were earmarked for new schools.

Also 'airstrike'.

• an attack made by aircraft dropping bombs or firing missiles

  The air strike destroyed the enemy base.

'Farm out' = contract work to others.

• an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops or raising animals

  They grew up on a dairy farm.

• to use land for growing crops or raising animals

  The family has farmed this land for generations.

From Latin 'inoculare' (to graft). Note the single 'n'.

• to introduce a vaccine or microorganism into the body to produce immunity to a disease

  All the children were inoculated against measles.

• the action of inoculating; a vaccination

  He needed several inoculations before the trip.

1. to make a soft sucking sound, as of walking on wet ground

   Her boots squelched through the mud.

2. to suppress or silence firmly

   The rumor was quickly squelched.

• a soft sucking sound

  We heard the squelch of footsteps in the bog.

Tax deducted at source before the money reaches the recipient.

• tax deducted from income at the source, before the money is paid to the recipient

  The company deducts withholding tax from each paycheck.

Also 'think tank'.

• a group of experts who research and advise on policy, economics, or other issues

  The report came from a conservative think-tank.

Capital: Montevideo.

• a country in southeastern South America, bordering Argentina and Brazil

  Uruguay won the first football World Cup in 1930.

Not about the sport; from the tradition of giving 'Christmas boxes' (gifts) to servants and tradespeople.

• the day after Christmas (December 26), a public holiday in Britain and many Commonwealth countries

  The shops have big sales on Boxing Day.

Irregular: spoon-fed. Figurative: to give so much help that someone doesn't think for themselves.

• to give someone so much help or information that they do not have to think for themselves

  Students shouldn't be spoon-fed the answers.

• to make someone suffer for an offense; to treat harshly

  He was punished for cheating on the test.

• a penalty inflicted for an offense

  The punishment should fit the crime.

= physically or mentally grueling.

• physically or mentally exhausting; grueling

  They kept up a punishing schedule for months.

'Absent-minded' = forgetful. As a formal verb, 'absent oneself' = stay away.

• not present in a place; lacking

  Three students were absent today.

'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' (proverb).

• the state of being away; the lack of something

  Her absence was noticed. In the absence of evidence, he was released.

'Absentee ballot' = a vote cast by mail. 'Absentee landlord' = one who doesn't live on the property.

• a person who is absent, especially from work or school

  The company keeps careful track of absentees.

• frequent absence from work or school

  The company tried to reduce absenteeism.

'Would-be writer', 'would-be assassin'.

• desiring or aspiring to be the thing specified

  The course is aimed at would-be entrepreneurs.

From Latin 'annus' (year).

• a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the rest of their life

  She used her savings to buy an annuity.

'On target' = on track. 'Target audience'.

1. an object or person aimed at, especially with a weapon

   He hit the target with every arrow.

2. a goal or objective to be achieved

   We met our sales target.

• to aim at; to direct toward a particular group

  The ads target young consumers.

'Root cause' = the basic cause. (Computing) 'root access' = top-level control.

1. the part of a plant that grows underground, absorbing water and nutrients

   The tree's roots cracked the pavement.

2. the origin or basic cause of something

   They got to the root of the problem.

(US) 'root for' = support, cheer for. 'Root out' = find and remove.

1. to dig with the snout, or search through something

   Pigs root for truffles in the forest floor.

2. (US, 'root for') to support or cheer for

   We're all rooting for you.

"Deep-rooted" = deeply established. "Rooted in tradition": based in long-established practice. Also: "rooted to the spot" = unable to move from shock.

• firmly established

  The custom is rooted in tradition.

'Size up' = assess. 'One size fits all'.

• the overall dimensions or magnitude of something

  What size are your feet?

1. to sort or measure (something) according to size

   The apples are sized before packing.

2. ('size up') to assess or form a judgment about

   She sized up her opponent before the match.

Also spelled 'sizable'.

• fairly large; considerable

  She received a sizeable inheritance.

• a person; a member of the species Homo sapiens

  Humans are the only animals that cook their food.

• relating to or characteristic of people, as opposed to animals or machines

  Human error caused the crash.

Note the stress shift from 'human'.

• showing compassion or kindness; causing minimal suffering

  They campaign for the humane treatment of animals.

(plural 'humanities') subjects like literature and history.

• human beings collectively; the quality of being humane

  a crime against humanity; she showed great humanity

'Humanitarian aid' means help for people in crisis.

• concerned with promoting human welfare and reducing suffering

  The charity provides humanitarian aid in war zones.

• a person actively concerned with promoting human welfare and reducing suffering

  She was known as a tireless humanitarian.

• the belief in or practice of promoting human welfare

  Her humanitarianism inspired thousands of volunteers.

Stays overnight in hospital, vs an outpatient.

• a patient who stays in a hospital overnight while receiving treatment

  He was admitted as an in-patient for surgery.

• a patient who receives treatment at a hospital without staying overnight

  The procedure is done on an outpatient basis.

'Pulmonary embolism' = a blockage in the lungs.

• the blocking of a blood vessel by a clot, air bubble, or other obstruction

  A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.

From 'distress'. Senses: mental strain, physical force, and emphasis.

1. mental or emotional strain caused by demanding circumstances

   She's been under a lot of stress at work.

2. physical pressure or tension applied to an object

   The bridge is designed to withstand enormous stress.

3. emphasis given to a particular word or syllable when speaking

   The stress falls on the first syllable.

1. to give particular emphasis or importance to

   He stressed the importance of punctuality.

2. to cause (someone) to feel mental or emotional strain

   The looming deadline was stressing her out.

• suffering mental or emotional strain

  I felt stressed before the exam.

Informal.

• (informal) very anxious or tense

  She's totally stressed out about the move.

• causing mental or emotional strain

  Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do.

• a person who buys and sells things for others; an intermediary

  She works as an insurance broker.

• to arrange or negotiate (a deal or agreement)

  The UN brokered a ceasefire.

• the business or fee of a broker

  He opened an account with an online brokerage.

From Latin 'ambitio' (a going around, canvassing for votes).

• a strong desire to achieve something; the thing desired

  Her ambition was to become a surgeon.

1. having a strong desire for success or achievement

   He's an ambitious young lawyer.

2. (of a plan or project) requiring great effort or ability to fulfill

   It was an ambitious project.

British 'cheque'; American 'blank check'.

1. a signed cheque with the amount left blank

   He wrote her a blank cheque for the repairs.

2. (idiom) complete freedom to act as one wishes

   The board gave the new CEO a blank cheque.

Latin for 'for all'; also the origin of the word 'bus'.

1. a volume containing several works, especially by one author

   She bought the Sherlock Holmes omnibus.

2. (dated) a bus

   a horse-drawn omnibus

From poker (showing one's cards).

• a final confrontation intended to settle a dispute

  The election set up a showdown between the two parties.

From French. Don't confuse with 'local' (nearby) or 'locality'.

• a place where something happens or is set

  The film's exotic locale added to its appeal.

= not of this earth; eerie. 'Unearthly hour' = inconveniently early. Different from 'unearth' (= dig up).

• strange and frightening; not seeming to belong to this world

  An unearthly glow filled the cave.

French loanword.

• a situation in which no progress is possible; a deadlock

  The negotiations reached an impasse.

From Latin 'tacitus' (silent); related to 'tacit'.

• saying little; reserved and uncommunicative

  He was a taciturn man who rarely spoke at dinner.

Irregular comparatives: worse, worst.

1. of poor quality; unpleasant; harmful or immoral

   That turned out to be a bad decision.

2. (slang, dated) excellent; impressive

   That's a bad car you've got there.

Irregular: worse, worst. 'Want badly' = want very much.

• in a poor or unsatisfactory way; severely

  The team played badly. She was badly hurt.

• a reduction in the amount of tax that a person or company has to pay

  Homeowners get tax relief on their mortgage interest.

'File a tax return'.

• an official form on which you declare your income and calculate the tax you owe

  She files her tax return every April.

Often figurative: 'draw the battle lines' = define opposing positions.

• the line along which opposing armies face each other; (figuratively) the dividing line in a dispute

  The debate drew clear battle lines between the parties.

From 'put down' = to belittle.

• a critical or humiliating remark

  His constant put-downs wore down her confidence.

(US) a 'tailgate party' is held from the open back of a vehicle.

• a hinged flap or door at the back of a truck or car

  They sat on the tailgate eating sandwiches.

• to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle

  Stop tailgating - leave a safe distance.

= cheerful. Different from 'light-headed' (= dizzy).

• cheerful and free from worry; not serious in tone

  It was a light-hearted comedy.

= dizzy. Different from 'light-hearted' (= cheerful).

• dizzy and unsteady; faint

  She felt light-headed after giving blood.

From 'swamp' + 'land'.

• land that consists of swamps; permanently waterlogged ground

  The development drained acres of swampland.

From the literal persecution of 'witches' (e.g. Salem, 1692).

• a campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views

  He dismissed the inquiry as a political witch-hunt.

Archaic 'hark!' = listen! Common modern use: 'hark back to'.

1. (archaic) to listen

   Hark! Do you hear that sound?

2. ('hark back to') to recall or be reminiscent of an earlier time or style

   The design harks back to the 1950s.

Triggers an immune response; the body makes antibodies against it. Compare 'antibody'.

• a substance the body recognizes as foreign, triggering an immune response

  The vaccine introduces a harmless antigen to train the immune system.

From 'gulf'.

• to sweep over and surround or swallow up completely

  Flames quickly engulfed the building.

American term; British equivalent: 'positive discrimination'.

• the practice of favoring individuals from groups that have suffered discrimination, especially in jobs or education

  The university defended its affirmative action policy.

Homophones: 'pour' and 'poor'. 'Pore over' = study closely (not 'pour over').

• a tiny opening in the skin or a surface through which liquid or gas can pass

  Sweat escapes through the pores in the skin.

Usually 'pore over'.

• to read or study something with close attention

  She pored over the old maps for hours.

• (of a rock or other material) having minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass

  Porous rock.

• the quality of being porous

  The porosity of the soil.

From Greek 'narke' (numbness); related to 'narcotic'.

• (forming nouns) relating to narcotics or the illegal drug trade

  a narco-state; narco-trafficking

Informal.

• (informal) a drug trafficker

  The film follows a notorious narco.

Also an adjective. The root word behind 'narco'.

• a drug that dulls the senses, relieves pain, or induces sleep; broadly, any illegal drug

  Morphine is a powerful narcotic.

From 'run'. Also a plant's spreading shoot.

1. a person or animal that runs, especially in races

   The marathon runners set off at dawn.

2. a long, narrow rug, cloth, or strip

   a table runner; a carpet runner on the stairs

3. a person who smuggles or illegally transports goods

   He worked as a drug runner along the border.

Informal, from 'want to be'. Usually mildly disparaging.

• (informal) a person who tries to be like someone famous or to belong to a particular group

  The club was full of celebrity wannabes.

From Latin 'gratus' (pleasing). To please or satisfy - different from 'gratitude' (thankfulness).

1. to give pleasure or satisfaction to (someone)

   It gratified her to see her advice taken.

2. to indulge or satisfy (a wish or desire)

   He gratified his craving for adventure by traveling alone.

'Instant gratification' = immediate pleasure; 'delayed gratification' = waiting for a bigger reward.

• pleasure or satisfaction, especially from fulfilling a desire

  the instant gratification of social media likes

• giving pleasure or satisfaction

  It's gratifying to see the project finally succeed.

British: mesmerise. From Franz Mesmer, an 18th-century hypnotist.

• to hold someone's complete attention as if by hypnosis; to fascinate

  The dancers mesmerized the audience.

From Latin 'turba' (crowd, commotion).

1. full of conflict, disorder, or sudden change

   A turbulent period in history.

2. (of air, water, or another fluid) moving violently or unpredictably

   The plane flew through turbulent skies.

Common in air travel.

• violent or unsteady movement of air, water, or another fluid; conflict and disorder

  The plane hit turbulence over the mountains.

From the Vandals, a Germanic people who sacked Rome in 455 CE.

• a person who deliberately destroys or damages property

  Vandals smashed the bus shelter.

British: vandalise.

• to deliberately destroy or damage property

  The statue had been vandalized with spray paint.

British spelling of vandalize.

• to deliberately destroy or damage property

  Someone vandalised the playground overnight.

• deliberate destruction of or damage to property

  The school suffered repeated acts of vandalism.

'Near miss' = a narrow escape. 'Nowhere near' = not at all close.

• at or to a short distance away; close to

  She sat near the window.

• located a short distance away; close in time or relationship

  in the near future; a near relative

• to use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose

  Don't waste your money on things you don't need.

1. unwanted or unusable material or substances

   Household waste is collected weekly.

2. the use of something in a careless or ineffective way

   Leaving the lights on is a waste of electricity.

From 'waste'. (Slang) 'wasted' = very drunk or high.

1. used or spent carelessly; not put to good use

   It was a wasted opportunity.

2. (slang) very drunk or under the influence of drugs

   He got completely wasted at the party.

From Latin 'laxare' (to loosen). Also an adjective.

• a medicine or food that stimulates bowel movements and relieves constipation

  Prunes act as a natural laxative.

• a set of clothes worn together, typically for a particular occasion or purpose

  She bought a new outfit for the wedding.

Comparatives: fatter, fattest. 'Fat chance' = no chance. 'Fat cat' = a rich, privileged person.

1. having a lot of excess flesh on the body

   A fat pig rolled in the mud.

2. thick, full, or well-stocked

   A fat wallet.

• a greasy substance found in animal bodies and many foods

  Trim the fat off the meat.

• to make or become fat

  They fatten the cattle before market.

• likely to make a person fat

  Fried food is very fattening.

'The feds' (US slang) = federal agents.

• relating to a system in which states unite under a central authority; relating to that central government

  Education is largely a state, not a federal, matter.

• joined together under a central government or organization

  the federated states of the region

• a group of states or organizations united under a central body

  The country is a federation of provinces.

dis- + figure.

• to spoil the appearance of someone or something

  His face was disfigured by the burns.

• the act of disfiguring, or the resulting flaw

  Surgery corrected much of the disfigurement.

From Latin 'omni' (all) + 'potens' (powerful). One of the classic divine attributes.

• having unlimited power; able to do anything

  They worshipped an omnipotent god.

• the state of having unlimited power

  the supposed omnipotence of the state

'omni' (all) + 'present'.

• present everywhere at the same time

  Smartphones are now omnipresent.

'omni' (all) + 'scient' (knowing). An 'omniscient narrator' knows every character's thoughts.

• knowing everything

  The novel is told by an omniscient narrator.

'HDL' = good cholesterol; 'LDL' = bad.

• a fatty substance in body tissue and blood, high levels of which raise heart-disease risk

  He's trying to lower his cholesterol.

From Latin 'caro' (flesh). 'Evil incarnate' = evil in person.

• embodied in flesh; in human form

  He was kindness incarnate.

• a living embodiment of a quality; a particular life or form

  In an earlier incarnation, the building was a church.

• to be reborn in another body after death

  Some believe the soul is reincarnated.

• rebirth of a soul in a new body; a fresh embodiment

  Hindus and Buddhists believe in reincarnation.