Vocabulary: Batch 14

Now often called 'autism spectrum disorder' (ASD).

• a lifelong developmental condition affecting how a person communicates and experiences the world

  Early support can help children with autism.

• relating to or affected by autism

  He has an autistic son.

The staff who operate an aircraft (pilots and cabin crew); compare 'ground crew'.

• the personnel who operate or serve aboard an aircraft

  The aircrew prepared the cabin for landing.

From Latin 'cinis' (ashes). To burn to ashes.

• to destroy something completely by burning

  Medical waste is incinerated for safety.

• the destruction of something by burning

  Incineration greatly reduces the volume of waste.

• a furnace or device for burning waste

  The hospital has its own incinerator.

Capital 'Earth' = the planet. 'Down to earth' = practical and sensible.

1. (often 'Earth') the planet on which we live, the third from the sun

   The Earth orbits the Sun.

2. soil or ground

   He dug into the soft earth.

British; American equivalent: 'ground'.

• (British) to connect an electrical device to the ground for safety

  Make sure the appliance is properly earthed.

• relating to the earth or human life on it

  Earthly pursuits.

Pronounced with /z/. 'Absorbed in' = fully engrossed.

1. to take in or soak up (liquid, energy, or knowledge)

   Plants absorb water through their roots.

2. to take up the full attention of; to engross

   She was completely absorbed in the book.

• deeply engrossed in something

  He sat absorbed in his work for hours.

• able to soak up liquid easily

  Use an absorbent cloth to mop it up.

Usually 'shock absorber'.

• a thing that absorbs something, especially a device that absorbs shock

  The car's shock absorbers need replacing.

• intensely interesting; engrossing

  It's an absorbing thriller from start to finish.

• the process of absorbing or being absorbed

  Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron.

From Latin 'fera' (wild animal).

1. (of an animal) wild, especially after escaping from domestication

   Feral cats roamed the alley.

2. wild and uncontrolled; savage

   The crowd turned feral when the gates opened.

Popularized by Malcolm Gladwell's 2000 book of the same name.

• the critical point at which small changes become significant enough to cause a larger, often irreversible change

  Scientists warn the climate may be near a tipping point.

From Latin 'trans' (across) + 'vertere' (turn). In climbing, a sideways move across rock.

• to travel or extend across or through something

  The trail traverses three valleys.

• an act of crossing; a sideways movement across a slope

  The climbers made a difficult traverse.

From Latin 'amplus' (large), related to 'ample' - not to 'ampere'.

1. (physics) the maximum extent of a vibration or wave from its resting position

   A louder sound has a greater amplitude.

2. largeness or breadth

   the sheer amplitude of her knowledge

The SI unit of electric current, named after physicist Andre-Marie Ampere. Symbol: A.

• the standard unit of electric current

  The fuse is rated at thirteen amperes.

Short for 'ampere'; also informal for 'amplifier'.

1. an ampere

   The circuit draws about ten amps.

2. (informal) an amplifier

   He plugged the guitar into the amp.

From Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'terminus' (boundary). To wipe out completely, especially pests.

• to destroy completely; to kill all of a group of people or animals

  The spray exterminates cockroaches.

• the complete destruction or killing of a group

  The campaign aimed at the extermination of malaria.

• a person or product that destroys pests

  We called an exterminator to deal with the termites.

French for 'blow of state'; often shortened to 'coup'. The 'p' is silent.

• a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

  The general seized power in a bloodless coup d'etat.

Modern informal, popularized by The Simpsons.

• used to express indifference, boredom, or lack of enthusiasm

  How was the film? Meh, it was okay.

• (informal) mediocre; unimpressive

  The movie was pretty meh.

As an interjection it makes a request polite; as a verb it means to give satisfaction.

• used to make a request polite

  Please pass the salt.

• to give satisfaction or pleasure to someone

  It's impossible to please everyone.

• feeling happy or satisfied

  She was very pleased with the results.

• giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable

  The room had a pleasing symmetry.

• to annoy or upset someone

  His tone displeased the customer.

• annoyed; not pleased

  Her parents were displeased with her grades.

• a feeling of annoyance or dissatisfaction

  She made her displeasure clear.

From 'star' + 'light'. (Unrelated to 'starling', a bird.)

• the light given off by the stars

  They walked home by starlight.

From Greek 'phone' (sound). The IPA is its alphabet.

• the branch of linguistics dealing with the sounds of speech and how they are produced

  In phonetics, each speech sound has its own symbol.

Idioms: 'kick the bucket' (die), 'bucket list' (things to do before you die).

• an open container with a handle, used for carrying liquids; a pail

  She filled a bucket with soapy water.

British, usually 'bucketing down'.

• (British informal) to rain very heavily

  It's been bucketing down all afternoon.

Originally medieval lords who robbed travelers; later, ruthless 19th-century American industrialists.

• a businessperson who becomes rich through ruthless and unscrupulous methods

  The railroad tycoons of that era were called robber barons.

Many senses: a garment, a layer of paint, and an animal's fur.

1. an outer garment with sleeves, worn for warmth

   Put on your coat.

2. a layer of a substance covering a surface

   Apply a second coat of paint.

3. an animal's fur or hair

   The dog has a glossy coat.

• to cover with a layer of something

  Coat the pan lightly with oil.

• a thin layer or covering of something

  A coating of paint.

The second syllable is unstressed: 'NEK-luss', not 'neck-lace'.

• a piece of jewelry worn around the neck

  She wore a string of pearls as a necklace.

The 'h' is silent: 'VEE-uh-munt'.

• showing strong, forceful feeling or conviction

  She made a vehement denial.

• the quality of being forceful and passionate

  He argued with surprising vehemence.

• in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner

  She vehemently denied the accusation.

'With a vengeance' = with great force. Related to 'avenge' and 'revenge'.

• punishment inflicted in retaliation for a wrong; revenge

  He swore vengeance for his father's murder.

• seeking to harm someone in return for a wrong; vindictive

  She shot him a vengeful look.

• a person who makes pots and other ceramic ware

  The potter shaped the clay on a spinning wheel.

(British) American equivalent: 'putter'.

• (British) to move about doing small, pleasant tasks without hurrying

  He spent Sunday pottering in the garden.

'Hunt down' = track and find. 'Job hunt' / 'house hunt'.

1. to chase and kill wild animals for food or sport

   Lions hunt at night.

2. to search hard for something

   She's hunting for a new flat.

• an act of hunting or searching

  The hunt for the missing child continued all night.

• the activity of chasing and killing wild animals; searching

  Fox hunting is banned in much of the UK.

• a person or animal that hunts

  The hunter tracked the deer for hours.

Relating to Freemasons (a fraternal organization), not to stonemasons.

• relating to Freemasons or Freemasonry

  The building was once a Masonic lodge.

Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (sometimes also Finland and Iceland in the broader 'Nordic' sense).

• the region of northern Europe comprising Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

  They toured Scandinavia by train.

• relating to Scandinavia or its people and languages

  Scandinavian design favors clean, simple lines.

Casual clothes for relaxation; compare 'loungewear', 'athleisure'.

• casual, comfortable clothing worn for relaxation

  The brand started out making leisurewear.

From Latin 'bene' (well) + 'facere' (do). A 'benefactor' gives; a 'beneficiary' receives.

• a person who gives money or help to a person or cause

  An anonymous benefactor funded the new library.

1. an insulting or disparaging remark, often about a group

   He was fired for using a racial slur.

2. (music) a curved line joining notes that are to be played or sung smoothly

   The slur indicates the phrase should be played legato.

• to speak unclearly, running words together

  He was slurring his words after a few drinks.

Trading goods or services directly without using money.

• to exchange goods or services without using money

  They bartered grain for tools.

• the exchange of goods or services without money

  The whole deal was done by barter.

American; British often 'hairpin bend'.

• a road or path with sharp zigzag bends climbing a steep slope

  The road climbed the mountain in a series of switchbacks.

Literary; almost always 'from afar' = from a long distance.

• at or to a distance

  She had admired him from afar for months.

A vast LAND-based glacier (Antarctica, Greenland). Differs from an 'ice shelf', which floats on the sea.

• a permanent layer of ice covering a large area of land, especially a polar region

  The Greenland ice sheet is melting faster than expected.

The FLOATING seaward extension of an ice sheet.

• a thick floating platform of ice formed where a glacier or ice sheet flows out onto the ocean

  A huge slab broke off the Antarctic ice shelf.

From 'bear' (to carry/conduct oneself). 'Get your bearings' = work out where you are.

1. the way a person stands, moves, or behaves; deportment

   She had the proud bearing of a dancer.

2. relevance or connection (usually 'have a bearing on')

   His age has no bearing on his ability to do the job.

3. a part of a machine that supports a moving part and reduces friction

   The wheel's ball bearings were badly worn.

'In any event' = whatever happens. 'In the event of' = if something happens.

• something that happens, especially something important or organized

  The wedding was the social event of the year.

• full of interesting or important events

  We had a very eventful weekend.

• without any interesting or notable incidents

  The flight was mercifully uneventful.

• a possible event or outcome

  You must be prepared for all eventualities.

Often written 'legroom'.

• space in which to put one's legs comfortably when seated, as in a vehicle

  Exit-row seats have extra leg room.

Suggests thinness from illness, hunger, or stress; haggard.

• lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age

  His face was pale and gaunt after the long illness.

Usually 'or thereabouts' = approximately.

• approximately; around that number, time, or place

  It cost fifty dollars or thereabouts.

re- + 'furbish' (to polish).

• to renovate and redecorate something, especially a building

  They refurbished the old theater.

• the process of renovating and redecorating something

  The hotel is closed for refurbishment.

Noun: 'outsourcing'.

• to obtain goods or services from an outside or foreign supplier instead of producing them internally

  The company outsourced its customer support overseas.

• the practice of obtaining goods or services from an outside or foreign supplier instead of producing them internally

  The report criticized the company's reliance on outsourcing.

Informal, mildly insulting. Applies to any gender despite 'queen'.

• (informal) a person who overreacts to minor problems or seeks attention through dramatic behavior

  Don't be such a drama queen - it's just a scratch.

Also the name attached to the classical treatise 'On the Sublime'.

• in legend, the Roman soldier who pierced the crucified Jesus's side with a lance (the 'Spear of Longinus')

  The relic was said to be the spear of Longinus.

Tax 'avoidance' (legal) vs tax 'evasion' (illegal).

• to keep away from, or stop oneself from doing, something

  She carefully avoided eye contact.

• the act of keeping away from or not doing something

  Avoidance of the problem will only make it worse.

Informal. The opposite of 'cool' (fashionable/admirable).

• (informal) not fashionable, impressive, or acceptable

  Admitting you liked the band was deeply uncool at school.

From Latin 'surrogare' (to substitute). Also used as an adjective ('surrogate parent').

• a substitute, especially a person who stands in for another

  He became a surrogate father to the boy.

• a woman who bears a child on behalf of another person or couple

  They had a baby with the help of a surrogate mother.

• the practice by which a woman bears a child for another person or couple

  They started a family through surrogacy.

'Bedside manner' = a doctor's way with patients. 'Bedside table' = nightstand.

• the space beside a bed, especially of a sick person

  She sat at his bedside all night.

Almost always 'on horseback'.

• the back of a horse, as a position for riding

  They explored the trail on horseback.

Something produced incidentally while making something else; also a side effect.

• a secondary product made in the manufacture of something else; an unintended side effect

  Glycerin is a by-product of soap making.

From 'slave'. Means servile or showing no originality.

• showing no independence or originality; servile

  It was a slavish imitation of the original design.

The 't' is silent. From Old French 'mort' (dead) + 'gage' (pledge) - a 'dead pledge'.

• a loan taken out to buy property, with the property itself as security

  They took out a thirty-year mortgage on the house.

• to take out a loan secured against (a property); (figurative) to pledge as security for a future obligation

  They mortgaged their house to fund the business.

Formal/legal. From Latin 'putare' (to think, reckon).

• generally considered or reputed to be; supposed

  the putative father of the child

Opposite of 'persuade'. 'Dissuade someone from doing something'.

• to persuade someone not to do something

  We tried to dissuade her from quitting her job.

From Latin 'mensis' (month). Informally 'have a period'.

• to discharge blood from the uterus, usually about once a month

  Most girls begin to menstruate in their early teens.

• relating to menstruation

  She tracks her menstrual cycle on an app.

• the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus

  The lesson covered menstruation and puberty.

'Romp home/to victory' = win easily.

1. to play in a lively, energetic way

   The puppies romped in the yard.

2. (informal) to win easily

   The team romped to a 5-0 win.

1. a spell of lively, energetic play

   The kids had a romp in the park.

2. (informal) a light, often racy film or book

   The movie is a fun, frothy romp.

3. (informal) an easy victory

   The final was a romp for the home team.

Also called a 'post-mortem'. Greek 'autos' (self) + 'opsis' (sight).

1. an examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death

   The autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned.

2. (figurative) a detailed analysis or review of something that has failed

   The team conducted an autopsy of the failed product launch.

French loanword. Someone who starts businesses, taking on financial risk.

• a person who sets up a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit

  The young entrepreneur founded three startups.

• the activity of setting up and running businesses, taking on financial risk

  The university offers a course in entrepreneurship.

Often abbreviated 'CF'. An inherited disease.

• a hereditary disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system

  Children with cystic fibrosis need daily physiotherapy.

Noun: 'destruction'. Adjective: 'destructive'.

• to end the existence of something by damaging it; to ruin

  The fire destroyed the warehouse.

Also a type of small, fast warship.

1. a person or thing that destroys

   He became the destroyer of his own happiness.

2. a small, fast warship

   The destroyer escorted the convoy.

• the action of destroying something; great damage

  The storm left a trail of destruction.

"Self-destructive": harming oneself. "Constructive": building up; the opposite of destructive.

• causing great damage

  The storm was highly destructive.

From Latin 'mors' (death) - literally 'to make dead'. Usually = to embarrass severely.

• to cause someone to feel very embarrassed or ashamed

  She was mortified when she forgot his name.

• extremely embarrassed or ashamed

  He looked mortified by the mistake.

• great embarrassment or shame; (religious) the subduing of bodily desires

  To her mortification, she had spinach in her teeth all afternoon.

• causing great embarrassment or shame

  It was a mortifying experience.

From card games, where a trump card beats others.

1. to beat or outdo (something) by doing or being better

   Her experience trumped his enthusiasm.

2. (in card games) to play a trump card on

   She trumped his king with her ace.

• (in card games) a card of a suit ranked above the others

  Hearts are trumps this round.

'astro-' (star) + 'physics'.

• the branch of astronomy concerned with the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies

  She earned a doctorate in astrophysics.

• a scientist who studies astrophysics

  The astrophysicist explained how stars form.

From 'mile'. Figurative: 'get a lot of mileage out of' = use to great advantage.

1. a distance measured or traveled in miles; a vehicle's fuel efficiency

   The car has low mileage for its age.

2. the benefit or use one gets from something

   He got a lot of mileage out of that one joke.

Figurative too: 'the conversation veered toward politics'.

• to change direction suddenly; to swerve

  The car veered sharply to avoid the dog.

From Latin 'extra' (outside).

• irrelevant or unrelated to the subject; coming from outside

  Edit out any extraneous detail.

From Latin 'omittere'. 'Omit to do' = fail to do (formal).

• to leave out or exclude; to fail to do something

  She omitted his name from the guest list.

'Sin of omission' = a wrong done by failing to act.

• something left out; the act of leaving out

  The report had several glaring omissions.

As a noun, 'want' = a lack ('for want of'). 'Want ad' = a classified ad (US).

• to wish for or desire something

  I want a cup of coffee.

• a lack or deficiency; a desire

  The plants died for want of water.

• not or no longer desired

  Unwanted attention.

Often "found wanting" = judged inadequate.

• lacking in a required or necessary quality

  The plan was found wanting in several respects.

Irregular: rode/ridden. 'Along for the ride' = joining without contributing.

• to sit on and control the movement of a horse, bicycle, etc.; to travel in a vehicle

  She rides her bike to work every day.

'Give someone a ride' (US) = 'a lift' (UK).

1. a journey on an animal or in a vehicle

   It's a short ride to the station.

2. an amusement-park attraction

   They went on every ride at the fair.

• full of or dominated by (used in combination)

  A guilt-ridden society.

• a person, especially a motorcyclist, who rides as an escort alongside a vehicle or procession

  Police outriders cleared the way for the motorcade.

From Latin 'ramus' (branch). Formal: to branch out.

• to form branches or subdivisions; to spread out into complications

  The inquiry ramified into several separate investigations.

Usually plural; = consequences, especially complex or unwelcome ones.

• a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or decision

  The decision had serious legal and financial ramifications.

Two senses: the high male singing voice, and the general drift or mood of something.

1. the highest ordinary adult male singing voice

   He sang the tenor part in the choir.

2. the general meaning, mood, or character of something

   The tenor of the meeting was optimistic.

Relating to Spanish-speaking countries; compare 'Latino' (from Latin America, regardless of language).

• relating to Spain or to Spanish-speaking countries, especially of Latin America

  The city has a large Hispanic community.

• a person of Latin American or Spanish-speaking descent, especially one living in the US

  The survey included responses from many Hispanics.

Superlative of 'northern'. Compare southernmost, easternmost, westernmost.

• situated farthest north

  Hammerfest is one of the northernmost towns in the world.

Two senses: a cooked bird's lower leg, and a stick for playing a drum.

1. the lower part of the leg of a cooked chicken or other bird

   He grabbed a chicken drumstick from the platter.

2. a stick used for beating a drum

   The drummer twirled his drumsticks.

Also 'mindset'. 'Growth mindset' vs 'fixed mindset' (Carol Dweck).

• an established set of attitudes or a habitual way of thinking

  Success often requires a positive mind-set.

Usually disapproving.

• a person who has risen suddenly to wealth or importance and behaves arrogantly

  The old firms dismissed the startup as an upstart.

• recently or suddenly risen in status, and regarded as presumptuous or annoying

  The old firms dismissed the startup as an upstart company.

• relating to or denoting exercise that increases the rate of breathing and heartbeat, improving cardiovascular fitness

  Running is a great form of aerobic exercise.

From 'aerobic' (using oxygen). Popularized in the 1980s.

• vigorous exercises designed to strengthen the heart and lungs, often done to music

  She does aerobics three times a week.

Usually enforced militarily.

• an area of airspace over which aircraft are forbidden to fly, especially for military or security reasons

  The UN imposed a no-fly zone over the region.

Informal and somewhat vulgar (from 'balls' = courage).

• (informal) bold and courageous; daring

  It was a ballsy move to quit without another job lined up.

Literary or formal for 'enemy'. 'Friend or foe?'

• an enemy or opponent

  He treated friend and foe alike.

Sometimes confused with 'roll'. Figurative: 'the scandal roiled the markets'.

• to make (a liquid) turbulent or cloudy; to disturb or agitate

  Storms roiled the sea for days.

• a small, compact group or cluster

  a clump of trees by the river

1. to form into clusters or clumps

   The wet sand clumped together in her hand.

2. to walk with heavy, noisy steps

   He clumped up the stairs in his muddy boots.

Noun: 'lurker'.

1. to wait somewhere secretly, especially with harmful intent

   A figure lurked in the shadows.

2. (informal) to read an online forum or social media feed without posting or contributing

   He mostly lurks on the forum instead of commenting.

• a person who reads an online forum or social media feed without posting or contributing

  The forum has thousands of lurkers who never post.