Vocabulary: Batch 65

Homophone of "birth" (the act of being born). Idiom: "give someone / something a wide berth" = to keep well clear of someone/something.

1. a fixed bed or bunk on a ship, train, or other passenger vehicle

   He booked an upper berth on the overnight train.

2. a place where a ship is moored at a wharf, harbor, or marina

   The cargo ship was assigned berth 7.

3. (sports) a place in a competition or tournament

   The team clinched a berth in the playoffs.

Pronounced /ˈoʊsɑːkə/ in Japanese (more even stress).

• a major city in central Japan, the country's third-largest metropolitan area, famous for its food culture, lively dialect, and historic Osaka Castle

  We took the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka in under three hours.

• an agreement reached by each side making concessions

  After hours of negotiation, they reached a compromise on the price.

1. to settle a dispute by mutual concession

   They compromised and agreed to share the cost equally.

2. to weaken or damage something (a reputation, a system, a principle) by accepting standards lower than is desirable

   He refused to compromise his integrity for a promotion.

3. (security/IT) to allow unauthorized access to a system or device

   The hackers compromised millions of user accounts.

• the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort

  Marathon runners need extraordinary stamina.

Adjective form: allergic.

1. a damaging immune response by the body to a substance (an "allergen") that is normally harmless, such as pollen, peanuts, or animal hair

   He has a severe allergy to peanuts and carries an EpiPen.

2. (informal) a strong dislike of something

   She seems to have an allergy to housework.

• caused by or relating to an allergy; having an allergy to

  An allergic reaction.

• a substance that causes an allergic reaction

  Peanuts are a common food allergen.

Hyphenated adjective used before a noun.

• occurring or provided during an airplane flight

  They watched a movie during the in-flight entertainment.

Informal contraction of "best friend". Very common in modern casual speech and social media.

• (informal) one's best friend

  She and I have been besties since middle school.

Indonesian / Malay loanword. Appears in dish names (e.g., ikan bakar = grilled fish, ikan goreng = fried fish) in Southeast Asian cuisine.

• the Indonesian and Malay word for "fish", commonly seen in restaurant menus and cookbooks featuring Southeast Asian dishes

  We ordered ikan bakar (grilled fish) at the Indonesian restaurant.

"High-octane" is also used figuratively for anything intense or energetic (high-octane action movie).

• a hydrocarbon (C8H18) found in petroleum; the "octane rating" of gasoline measures how well it resists premature combustion (higher = better)

  Premium gasoline has an octane rating of 91 or higher.

• a colorless, flammable hydrocarbon gas (C3H8) used as fuel for heating, cooking, and barbecue grills, typically sold in pressurized tanks

  He refilled the propane tank for the grill.

Possibly from medieval Cambridge University slang sine nobilitate ("without nobility"), though this etymology is disputed.

• a person who admires people of high social status or wealth and looks down on those of lower status; or someone who feels superior in any field (food snob, music snob, etc.)

  He's a wine snob who won't drink anything under $50 a bottle.

• of, like, or characteristic of a snob; showing exaggerated respect for high social class or wealth, and contempt for those of lower status

  He's so snobbish about wine: he won't drink anything under $50.

• snobbish behavior or attitudes

  There's a lot of snobbery in the wine world.

Related: snob (noun), snobbish (more formal adjective).

• (informal) having or showing the attitudes of a snob

  The hotel staff were a bit snobby.

1. to jump or dive quickly and forcefully into water or another substance

   She plunged into the icy lake.

2. to fall suddenly and steeply

   Stock prices plunged after the bad news.

3. to suddenly enter into a particular state or activity

   He plunged into work to take his mind off the breakup.

"Take the plunge" = to finally commit to a major decision.

• an act of plunging; a sudden steep dive or fall

  After hesitating for years, she finally took the plunge and quit her job to travel.

1. a device with a rubber suction cup on the end of a stick, used to clear blocked drains and toilets

   He grabbed the plunger to unclog the sink.

2. a piston-like part that pushes down inside a tube or cylinder, e.g., on a syringe or French press

   Push the plunger down slowly to brew the coffee.

From Greek demos (people) + kratos (rule).

1. a system of government in which power is held by the people, usually exercised through elected representatives

   Voting is a fundamental right in any democracy.

2. a country or organization governed by such a system

   Norway is one of the world's oldest continuous democracies.

Capitalized "Democrat" usually refers to a member of the US Democratic Party.

1. a person who advocates or supports democracy

   He was a lifelong democrat who fought against authoritarian rule.

2. (Democrat) a member or supporter of the Democratic Party in the United States

   She voted Democrat in the last election.

1. relating to or supporting democracy; based on the principle that all members have equal rights

   They held a democratic vote to decide the group's next project.

2. (Democratic) relating to the US Democratic Party

   The Democratic candidate won by a narrow margin.

• to make something accessible to everyone, not just an elite; to introduce democratic systems or principles

  The internet has democratized access to information.

• a small dish or container for collecting cigarette or cigar ash and stubs

  He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

Also gives its name to "manila envelope" / "manila folder": buff-colored envelopes/folders originally made from fibers of the Manila hemp plant from the Philippines.

• the capital city of the Philippines, located on Luzon Island; one of the world's most densely populated cities

  Their flight stopped in Manila on the way to Cebu.

From Hebrew goy = "nation". Plural: goyim /ˈɡɔɪɪm/. Used by Jewish people; can be neutral or pejorative depending on context.

• a Yiddish/Hebrew term for a non-Jewish person

  My grandmother sometimes uses Yiddish words like "goy" when she's complaining about her neighbors.

Capitalized when used in religious contexts. From Latin gentilis (of the same clan); used in the Bible to translate Hebrew goy.

• a person who is not Jewish; (in a Mormon context) a non-Mormon

  In the New Testament, Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles.

• relating to or being a Gentile; not Jewish

  The Gentile community in the town gathered for the festival.

Also a famous music chart publication: "Billboard Hot 100".

• a large outdoor advertising board, typically by the roadside or on the side of a building

  His face was plastered on billboards across the city.

From Hebrew rabbi ("my master / teacher").

• a Jewish religious leader and teacher of Jewish law; the leader of a Jewish congregation

  The rabbi delivered a sermon during the Sabbath service.

Usually used in the phrase "give someone the cold shoulder". Origin disputed; one theory is from medieval hosts serving cold shoulder of mutton to unwelcome guests.

• intentional unfriendliness or rejection toward someone; deliberately ignoring them

  He gave me the cold shoulder all evening after our argument.

• to continue trying to do or achieve something despite difficulties

  Despite the setbacks, she persevered and finished her degree.

• the quality of continuing to try hard despite difficulties

  Success requires talent, but even more so, perseverance.

Legal term. Distinguish: murder = intentional + unlawful homicide; manslaughter = unintentional or provoked homicide. From Latin homo (man) + cide (kill).

• the killing of one person by another, whether lawful (e.g., self-defense) or unlawful (e.g., murder)

  The detective specialized in homicide investigations.

Related: homicide (noun = act of killing). Distinct legal categories: murder, manslaughter, justifiable homicide.

• having a tendency to murder

  He had a homicidal rage.

1. at, to, or by a great distance in space or time

   She lives far from the city center.

2. by a great margin (used for emphasis with comparative/superlative)

   This is far better than I expected.

• distant in space or time

  It's a long journey to the far side of the country.

Traditionally: "farther" for physical distance; "further" for figurative or additional. In practice, "further" is more common; "farther" is sometimes considered American.

• to a greater distance

  We walked farther into the woods.

"Further" can also be a verb: "further one's career" = advance. "Furthermore": common formal connective.

• to a greater extent; in addition

  I have nothing further to add.

Superlative of 'far'/'further'; 'farthest' is the distance-only variant.

• at or to the greatest distance or extent

  She sat in the furthest corner of the room.

Superlative of "far"; traditionally the distance-only variant, contrasted with "furthest" (which can also be figurative). In practice, "furthest" is more common in both senses today.

• at or to the greatest distance

  That's the farthest I've ever traveled from home.

• to help the progress of or advance (something)

  She studied hard to further her career prospects.

From 'further' (verb, to advance). Usually 'in furtherance of'.

• the advancement of a plan, scheme, or interest

  She acted in furtherance of the company's goals.

From French (originally "shade of color").

• a subtle difference in meaning, expression, or quality

  You need to understand the cultural nuances of the language to translate it well.

• characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression

  She gave a nuanced analysis of the political situation.

1. a person who attends to passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train (often used as a job title in the past, now largely replaced by "flight attendant")

   The steward brought our drinks.

2. a person responsible for managing or caring for something on behalf of others, especially property or resources

   We must be good stewards of the planet.

Largely replaced in modern usage by the gender-neutral "flight attendant".

• (dated) a female flight attendant on an airplane or ship

  The stewardess demonstrated how to use the oxygen mask.

• the responsible management of something entrusted to one's care, especially natural resources, money, or an organization

  The CEO's stewardship of the company has been widely praised.

1. (uncountable) extreme anger and shock at something perceived as unjust

   The verdict provoked public outrage.

2. (countable) an act that causes such anger or shock

   The destruction of the historic building was an outrage.

• to cause someone to feel outrage; to shock and anger deeply

  The decision outraged environmental groups.

1. shockingly bad, excessive, or offensive

   The prices at that restaurant are outrageous.

2. (positive sense) wildly unconventional or attention-grabbing

   She wore an outrageous neon-pink suit to the party.

Compare with "simile" (an explicit comparison using "like" or "as": "her eyes are like stars"). A metaphor drops the "like / as".

• a figure of speech in which one thing is described as if it were another, to suggest a likeness (e.g., "time is money", "the world is a stage")

  "Drowning in paperwork" is a metaphor for being overwhelmed.

• used or considered as a metaphor; not literal

  His "climb to the top" is metaphorical: he means his career, not actual mountain climbing.

1. the main thin stalk of a plant that supports the leaves, flowers, or fruit

   She cut the long stems to fit the vase.

2. the long thin part of a wine glass, between the bowl and the base

   Hold the wine glass by the stem to avoid warming it.

3. (linguistics) the main part of a word to which inflections are added (e.g., "walk" is the stem of "walked")

   In English, you add "-ed" to the stem to form the past tense.

"Stem from" = originate from; "stem the tide of" = stop/slow.

1. ("stem from") to originate from; to be caused by

   His confidence stems from years of practice.

2. to stop or restrict the flow or spread of something

   They placed sandbags to stem the rising water.

Often used for women's appearance/behavior; can sound dated or quaint.

• (of a woman) reserved, modest, and shy in appearance or behavior

  She wore a demure white dress to the ceremony.

American slang. Vulgar ("ass") but widely used; mainly positive in modern usage.

• (informal) a tough, formidable, and impressively capable person

  My grandmother was a total badass: she rode motorcycles into her 70s.

• (informal) impressively tough, cool, or skilled

  That's a badass guitar solo.

"Paddy" as a name was historically used (often pejoratively) for an Irishman, from the name Patrick. Avoid this usage today.

1. a flooded field where rice is grown (also "paddy field" or "rice paddy")

   Tourists hiked through the terraced rice paddies of northern Vietnam.

2. rice still in the husk, whether harvested or in the field

   The paddy was loaded onto trucks for processing.

Homophone of "barren" (unable to produce). Female form: baroness.

1. a member of the lowest rank of the British nobility, addressed as "Lord X"

   He was made a baron by the Queen for his service.

2. a powerful and influential person in a particular field, especially business (often combined: oil baron, drug baron, media baron)

   Rupert Murdoch is one of the most famous media barons in the world.

• a woman holding the rank of baron, or the wife of a baron

  The baroness hosted a charity gala at her estate.

Formal/technical. Opposite of "ingress" (entry). Common in legal, architectural, and emergency-planning contexts.

• the action of going out of or leaving a place; an exit or way out

  The building must have at least two means of egress in case of fire.

From French trier (to sort). Originally a battlefield medicine concept. Now used in many fields (IT bug triage, customer support triage, etc.).

• the process of quickly sorting patients (or any items) according to urgency, especially in emergencies, to allocate limited resources

  In the ER, nurses do triage to decide which patients need treatment first.

• to spoil or mess up something through clumsy or incompetent work

  The contractors botched the kitchen renovation.

• a poorly or carelessly done piece of work

  The whole project turned out to be a botch.

British informal. American equivalent: "screw-up".

• a piece of work or activity that has been bungled or done very badly

  The committee's report was a complete botch-up.

From the verb "botch". Often "botched surgery" / "botched job" / "botched robbery".

• badly or carelessly done

  The botched surgery left her in pain.

Opposite of "infiltrate" (to secretly enter). Common in espionage and cybersecurity contexts.

1. to withdraw (troops or spies) secretly from a dangerous position; to remove (someone) covertly from enemy territory

   The special forces team exfiltrated the asset under cover of night.

2. (cybersecurity) to steal data from a computer system, especially without detection

   The hackers exfiltrated gigabytes of customer records over several weeks.

"Lucid dream" = a dream in which the sleeper is aware that they are dreaming and may control the dream.

1. expressed clearly; easy to understand

   She gave a lucid explanation of the complex theory.

2. showing clear thought; mentally aware (especially after illness or confusion)

   He had moments of lucidity between bouts of fever.

• clarity of thought or expression; a state of being lucid

  The patient had brief moments of lucidity before slipping back into confusion.

• to break up an organized group, especially a military unit, band, or committee

  The committee will disband once the project is complete.

Always written with -s, even in singular sense. Verb can be singular or plural: "his whereabouts is/are unknown".

• the place or general location where someone or something is

  His whereabouts are still unknown to the police.

• in or near what location (used in questions)

  Whereabouts in France did you grow up?

From Old English bedrid (bed + ridden, in the sense of "oppressed by"). Not from horse-riding.

• confined to bed by illness or injury, often for a long period

  After the stroke, she was bedridden for months.

Originally meant exactly 10,000 in ancient Greek. Modern English use is for any vast indefinite number.

• a countless or extremely great number of something (often "a myriad of")

  The stars formed a myriad of patterns in the night sky.

• countless; very many

  There are myriad ways to solve the problem.

From Italian. The male equivalent is "danseur" (male ballet dancer) or just "ballet dancer".

• a female ballet dancer, especially a principal one in a company

  She trained as a ballerina from the age of five.

1. to kill someone by covering their face so they cannot breathe

   The murderer smothered the victim with a pillow.

2. to extinguish (a fire) by covering it

   Smother the grease fire with a wet cloth, not water.

3. to cover something thickly with a substance

   She smothered her pancakes in maple syrup.

4. (figurative) to give someone excessive love, attention, or protection

   His mother smothered him with attention.

Always plural in form (like "glasses", "scissors"). A "pair of earmuffs".

• a pair of soft padded coverings for the ears, joined by a band over the head, worn to protect against cold or loud noise

  He put on earmuffs before using the chainsaw.

"Delhi" can refer to the whole metropolitan area including Old Delhi (historical core) and New Delhi (modern capital).

• a major city and union territory in northern India; one of the world's most populous metropolitan areas; contains the national capital New Delhi

  Delhi has been continuously inhabited since the 6th century BC.

Often used interchangeably with "Delhi" in international news, though strictly only the administrative center.

• the capital of India, located within the Delhi metropolitan area; planned and built by the British in the early 20th century

  India's parliament meets in New Delhi.

Officially renamed "Kolkata" in 2001 to better reflect Bengali pronunciation; "Calcutta" is the older anglicized form.

• a major city in eastern India, capital of the state of West Bengal; former capital of British India until 1911

  Mother Teresa worked with the poor of Calcutta for decades.

• a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, northern India; world-famous as the site of the Taj Mahal

  Most tourists visit Agra just to see the Taj Mahal.

Formerly known as Benares (Banaras). Sacred to Hindus; Buddha gave his first sermon nearby at Sarnath.

• an ancient city on the Ganges River in northern India; one of the holiest cities in Hinduism, where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred river

  Devotees gather at dawn along the ghats of Varanasi.

Also spelled Buddh Gaya. UNESCO World Heritage Site (Mahabodhi Temple). "Bodh" / "Buddh" both come from the Sanskrit root for "enlightenment".

• a town in the state of Bihar, northern India; the site where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree; one of Buddhism's four most sacred sites

  Pilgrims from all over Asia visit Bodh Gaya to meditate under descendants of the original Bodhi tree.

Known as the "Pink City" because of the distinctive pink color of the buildings in the old town, painted that color in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales.

• the capital and largest city of the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India; famous for its pink-painted old city, palaces, and forts

  Jaipur, along with Delhi and Agra, forms India's "Golden Triangle" tourist circuit.

Common in retail ("mail-in rebate") and government tax contexts ("tax rebate").

• a partial refund of money paid, given as an incentive or reward

  You can get a $50 rebate when you buy this printer.

From Latin lector (reader). Distinct from "lecturer" (a teacher who gives lectures).

1. (in some Christian churches, especially Catholic) a layperson who reads scripture passages aloud during a religious service

   She volunteered to serve as a lector at the Sunday Mass.

2. (academic, mainly European) a junior teaching position at a university, especially for language instruction

   He worked as a lector of English at the University of Vienna.

Often paired with "consequences", "warning", "need", "straits".

1. extremely serious, urgent, or terrible

   The refugees are in dire need of food and medical supplies.

2. (of a prediction or warning) ominous; foretelling disaster

   Scientists issued dire warnings about climate change.

From Latin pastor (shepherd). The pastor is figuratively the "shepherd" of the congregation "flock".

• a Christian minister or priest who leads a church congregation, especially in Protestant churches

  The pastor delivered the Sunday sermon.

From Latin pastor (shepherd). Two senses: rural landscape ("pastoral scene") and religious care ("pastoral counseling"). Pastor = priest/minister.

1. relating to country life

   The painting depicts a pastoral scene.

2. relating to the giving of spiritual guidance

   He provides pastoral care to the community.

1. to talk wildly or incoherently, often in an excited or angry way

   He raved about the conspiracy for hours.

2. ("rave about") to praise something enthusiastically

   Critics are raving about her new novel.

"Rave" as a wild party originated in 1980s UK underground dance/drug culture.

1. a very enthusiastic and favorable review

   The play received raves from every critic.

2. a large, often all-night dance party with electronic music, typically associated with the use of party drugs like ecstasy

   They went to an illegal rave in an abandoned warehouse.

1. the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, used as a working animal; known for stubbornness and strength

   Mules carried supplies up the mountain trail.

2. (informal) a person who is used to smuggle drugs across borders, often unknowingly or under threat

   She was arrested at the airport for being a drug mule.

3. a backless shoe or slipper

   She slipped on a pair of suede mules to answer the door.

"Walking on eggshells" = being extremely careful not to upset someone.

1. the thin, hard outer covering of an egg

   Crack the eggshell and let the contents fall into the bowl.

2. a soft pale color resembling that of an off-white eggshell; (adj) of that color or finish

   The walls were painted eggshell white.

"Jump the gun" = act prematurely. "Jump to conclusions" = judge too quickly.

1. to push oneself off a surface into the air using the muscles in one's legs and feet

   She jumped over the puddle.

2. to move suddenly or involuntarily, especially from surprise

   The loud bang made him jump.

3. to increase suddenly and sharply

   Prices jumped after the announcement.

1. an act of jumping

   The horse cleared the jump easily.

2. a sudden sharp rise

   There was a jump in temperature overnight.

• nervous and easily startled

  She's been jumpy ever since the break-in next door.

Also spelled "busboy" or "busser". Mainly American English. "Bus" here is from "omnibus" (an old word for a wheeled tray, related to busing tables, not the bus vehicle).

• a person, typically young, who clears and resets tables in a restaurant; an assistant to the waiters

  He worked as a bus boy at the steakhouse during college.

"Jump through hoops" = to do many difficult or unnecessary things to achieve something. "Hula hoop" = the toy/exercise ring.

1. a circular band of metal, wood, or other rigid material

   The barrel was held together by iron hoops.

2. (basketball, informal) the basket; the game itself ("shoot hoops")

   Want to go shoot some hoops at the park?

• shaped like a hoop, or having hoops

  She wore a hooped skirt.

1. a small growth on a plant that develops into a leaf, flower, or shoot

   The roses are beginning to bud.

2. (informal, US) a close friend; buddy

   Hey bud, can you help me carry this?

"Nip something in the bud" = stop something at an early stage before it develops.

• (of a plant) to form buds

  The trees are budding earlier than usual this spring.

Famous for containing all five vowels (a-e-i-o-u) in order. Distinguish from "sarcastic" (mockingly ironic) and "witty" (clever).

• treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

  Stop being facetious: this is a serious problem.

1. to draw air through the nose in short, audible breaths, especially to smell something or because of a cold or crying

   The dog sniffed the visitor's hand.

2. ("sniff at") to dismiss with contempt

   $5000 is not to be sniffed at.

• an act or sound of sniffing

  She gave a small sniff and turned away.

1. to formally declare that one no longer holds or supports a belief, claim, or right

   He renounced his citizenship to avoid taxes.

2. to reject or stop using something, often for moral reasons

   She renounced violence after years of activism.

• the formal rejection of a belief, claim, or right

  His renunciation of the throne shocked the nation.

1. affecting the most basic or fundamental aspects of something; far-reaching

   The plan involves a radical restructuring of the company.

2. advocating thorough or extreme political or social reform

   She held radical views on educational reform.

3. (informal) excellent; awesome (especially 1980s slang)

   That's a radical skateboard, dude.

• a person who advocates extreme or fundamental political or social change

  He was considered a dangerous radical in his time.

• the beliefs or actions of those who support extreme social or political change

  The government tried to combat the spread of radicalism among young people.

• to cause someone to adopt extreme political or social views, often through indoctrination

  He was radicalized online by extremist forums.

1. to say or read aloud something for another person to write down

   She dictated the letter while her assistant typed.

2. to give orders or rules with authority; to control or determine

   You can't dictate how others should live their lives.

More formal/literary. Common in "the dictates of conscience / fashion / one's heart".

• an order or principle that must be obeyed

  He always followed the dictates of his conscience.

Originally a Roman office given for short emergencies. Modern famous dictators: Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Mussolini, Pinochet.

• a ruler with total power, often having obtained it by force

  The country was ruled by a brutal dictator.

• of or relating to a dictator; tyrannical

  He has a dictatorial management style.

Same Latin root (dictare = to dictate) as dictator. A common language-learning exercise: the teacher reads aloud while students write down what they hear.

• the action of giving spoken words to be written down by another

  The teacher gave the students a dictation exercise.

• a system of government ruled by a dictator

  The dictatorship banned independent newspapers.

Homophone of "gate". Often described as: brisk gait, shuffling gait, limping gait, etc.

1. a person's manner of walking

   You can recognize him from a distance by his distinctive gait.

2. (of a horse) the manner of moving, ranging from walk to trot to canter to gallop

   The horse switched smoothly from one gait to another.

1. a short religious talk, especially one given during a Christian church service

   The priest's homily was based on the day's Gospel reading.

2. a lecture or speech on a moral theme, often boring or moralizing

   Spare me the homily about the value of hard work.

1. to take apart a machine or structure piece by piece

   They dismantled the old shed and rebuilt it in a new spot.

2. (figurative) to gradually destroy or end an organization, system, or argument

   The new government promised to dismantle the apartheid system.

1. (of a slope or angle) rising or falling sharply; nearly vertical

   The hike up the steep mountain trail took four hours.

2. (of a price) very high; expensive

   $200 for a meal is a bit steep.

3. (of a change) sharp and rapid

   There has been a steep decline in sales this quarter.

"Steeped in" = thoroughly immersed in or surrounded by (something abstract).

1. to soak food or another substance in liquid to extract flavor or to soften it

   Steep the tea leaves in boiling water for three minutes.

2. (figurative) to be deeply involved in or surrounded by something abstract

   The town is steeped in history.

Related word: larder (mostly British, similar meaning).

• a small room or cabinet adjoining a kitchen, used for storing food and crockery

  There are at least three boxes of cereal in the pantry.

The "n" in "column" is silent.

1. a tall vertical pillar, usually round, that supports part of a building or stands alone as a monument

   The temple had marble columns lining the entrance.

2. a vertical division of a page, table, or text

   The names are listed in alphabetical order in the left column.

3. a regular feature article in a newspaper or magazine written by a particular writer

   She writes a weekly column about parenting.

4. a long line of people or things moving in the same direction

   A column of tanks rolled into the city.

Note: the "n" in "columnist" IS pronounced, unlike in "column".

• a journalist who writes a regular column for a newspaper or magazine

  He's been a political columnist for the Times for twenty years.

Homophone of "callus" /ˈkæləs/ (a thickened patch of skin). "Callous" is the adjective; "callus" is the noun.

1. showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others

   He made a callous remark about her appearance.

2. (of skin) hardened and thickened from rubbing or pressure

   Years of guitar playing had made his fingertips callous.

1. (of skin) having callouses; hardened and thickened from repeated friction

   His hands were calloused from years of farm work.

2. (of a person or attitude) emotionally hardened; unfeeling

   After years in the ER, the doctor had become calloused to suffering.

Strong negative association with lynching and execution. Use with sensitivity.

1. a loop with a knot that tightens as the rope is pulled, especially one used to hang a person

   The hangman placed the noose around the prisoner's neck.

2. (figurative) a controlling or threatening force

   Mounting debt felt like a noose around his neck.

1. a group of people, usually with vehicles or animals, traveling together, especially across a desert

   A caravan of camels crossed the Sahara.

2. (British) a vehicle equipped for living in, towed by a car; American: trailer

   They spent the weekend in their caravan by the coast.

3. a procession of vehicles or migrants traveling together

   A caravan of migrants is heading toward the US border.

From the Mughal emperors of India, who were extremely wealthy and powerful. Also: "the Mughals" / "Mogul empire".

1. a very rich, important, and powerful person, especially in business or media

   He started as a paperboy and became a media mogul.

2. (skiing) a small hard mound of snow on a ski slope

   The advanced run was covered in moguls.

1. coming at the end; last in a series

   This is your final warning.

2. definite; not to be changed

   The decision is final.

1. the last and decisive game, match, or contest of a tournament

   She made it to the final of the tennis tournament.

2. (usually plural "finals") the end-of-term examination at a university or school

   He stayed up all night studying for his finals.

• the quality of being final and unable to be changed

  There was a note of finality in her voice.

Reality TV staple: "the final three", "finalist". Olympic context. "Cup finalists": soccer/sports.

• a person reaching the final round of a competition

  She was one of the finalists.

British spelling. "Finalize the contract" / "finalize the deal": common business phrases.

• (British) to complete; to bring to a final form

  They finalised the deal yesterday.

American spelling. Same meaning as finalise. Often pure business jargon: "finalize plans", "finalize the budget".

• (American) to complete; to bring to a final form

  Let's finalize the plans this week.

• a small simple house, especially one in the countryside

  They rented a thatched cottage in the Cotswolds for a week.

• a person who talks too much, too loudly, or in an offensive way

  The bar was empty except for a loudmouth at the corner table.

• talking too much, too loudly, or in an offensive way

  His loud-mouthed brother embarrassed everyone at the wedding.

From Russian тундра (tundra), from a Sami language.

• a vast, flat, treeless region of the Arctic and sub-Arctic where the subsoil is permanently frozen (permafrost), with low-growing vegetation like mosses and lichens

  Caribou migrate across the Arctic tundra each year.

As a slur for gay men, the word is offensive and outdated.

1. a small imaginary creature with magical powers, typically depicted as a tiny human with wings

   The story is about a fairy who grants three wishes.

2. (offensive, dated slang) a derogatory term for a gay man

   The use of the word "fairy" as a slur is considered homophobic.

Also spelled "blowup". Distinct from the verb phrase "blow up" (which is two words).

1. a sudden angry outburst or argument

   There was a major blow-up between him and his boss yesterday.

2. an enlargement of a photograph or image

   She had a blow-up of the wedding photo framed.

3. an explosion

   The blow-up at the chemical plant killed three workers.

"Nothing special" = unremarkable. "Special needs": common in education/disability contexts. Related adverb: especially.

• better, more important, or different from what is usual

  Today is a special occasion.

British spelling: specialise. Common in medical, academic, and business contexts.

• to concentrate on a particular subject or activity

  She specializes in family law.

• requiring or involving special skill or knowledge

  The job requires specialized training.

American spelling. British: speciality (longer). "House specialty": a restaurant's signature dish.

• a particular skill or area of expertise

  Her specialty is French cuisine.

1. a person who has expert knowledge or skill in a particular field

   He's a specialist in 18th-century French painting.

2. a doctor whose expertise is limited to a particular branch of medicine

   Her physician referred her to a heart specialist.

American slang from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Female equivalent: homegirl. Often shortened to "homie".

• (informal) a close male friend, especially from one's own town or neighborhood

  Hey, my homeboy is throwing a party tonight.

Informal spelling of homey; close friend from one's neighborhood or group.

• a close friend, especially from the same neighborhood

  He brought two homies to the party.

Comparative of "good" (positive) and "well" (health). Superlative: best.

1. of a more excellent or higher quality than something else

   This pizza is better than the one we had last week.

2. more suitable, appropriate, or effective

   It would be better to wait until morning.

3. in improved health; partly or fully recovered from illness

   He's feeling better today.

• to improve on or surpass

  She bettered her own world record in the race.

1. anxious, tense, or unable to relax; easily annoyed by small things

   He's uptight about being late.

2. morally strict or rigid in attitude

   Her parents are uptight about her dating.

British spelling: bejewelled. American: bejeweled. The be- prefix is an archaic intensifier meaning "covered/adorned with" (similar to beloved, bewitched).

• decorated with or wearing many jewels

  She arrived at the gala in a bejewelled gown.

Commonly called "mono" in American English and "glandular fever" in British English. Often called "the kissing disease" because spread by saliva.

• an infectious viral disease (caused by the Epstein-Barr virus) characterized by extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and fever, lasting weeks to months; common in teenagers and young adults

  She missed two months of school with mononucleosis.

• to remove someone's doubts or fears by saying something comforting

  He reassured her that everything would be fine.

• feeling less worried or anxious because someone has comforted you

  I felt reassured after talking with the doctor.

• having the effect of removing someone's doubts or fears; comforting

  Her reassuring smile calmed the child.

• comforting words or actions that remove someone's doubts or fears

  He needed constant reassurance that he was doing the right thing.

From Latin mater (mother). Counterpart: paternal (relating to fathers).

1. of or like a mother; motherly

   She has strong maternal instincts.

2. related through the mother's side of the family

   My maternal grandmother lived in Italy.

"Maternity leave" = leave granted to a mother around childbirth.

• motherhood, or the period during and after pregnancy

  She is on maternity leave until the spring.

Idiom: "run something up the flagpole" = propose something to see what reaction it gets.

• a tall pole on which a flag is flown

  The school raises the flag on the flagpole every morning.

Blend of "camera" + "recorder". Largely obsolete; replaced by smartphone cameras and digital cameras.

• a portable combined video camera and recorder

  He pulled out an old camcorder to film the wedding.

• a pair of headphones with a microphone attached, used for telephone communication, gaming, or VR

  He put on his headset for the conference call.

• a young deer in its first year

  A spotted fawn stood at the edge of the meadow.

Often "fawn over / on" someone. Disapproving in tone.

• to give exaggerated flattery or affection to someone, especially in a way that seems insincere

  All the staff fawned over the visiting celebrity.

From Greek exo (outside) + skeleton. Opposite: endoskeleton (internal skeleton, like in vertebrates).

1. the rigid external covering of certain animals (insects, crustaceans, etc.) that provides support and protection

   Crabs molt their exoskeleton to grow larger.

2. a powered wearable mechanical frame that enhances or restores human strength and movement

   The factory uses robotic exoskeletons to help workers lift heavy loads.

From French amateur (lover), from Latin amare (to love): someone who does it for love rather than money. Opposite: professional.

1. a person who engages in an activity (especially a sport or art) as a pastime rather than as a profession

   She started as an amateur photographer before going pro.

2. (derogatory) a person who is incompetent or inexperienced at a particular activity

   That repair job was done by a complete amateur.

1. engaging in something as a pastime rather than as a profession

   He plays amateur tennis on weekends.

2. unskilled or inept

   That was an amateur mistake.

• showing a lack of skill or experience; unprofessional

  The website looks amateurish; we need a professional redesign.

1. the practice or principle of doing something as an amateur, especially in sports

   The Olympics historically valued amateurism over professionalism.

2. lack of skill or professionalism

   His amateurism in handling the crisis was widely criticized.

From Latin frater (brother). Compare with sororal (sisterly).

1. of or like a brother; brotherly

   He felt a fraternal affection for his cousin.

2. (biology) of twins that develop from two separately fertilized eggs (non-identical)

   Fraternal twins can look very different from each other.

American university fraternities are called "frats"; their female equivalent is a sorority. Hazing is a notorious problem in some fraternities.

1. a male student social organization at a college or university, typically named with Greek letters

   He pledged a fraternity in his freshman year.

2. a group of people sharing a common profession or interests

   The medical fraternity opposed the new regulation.

3. the relationship of brothers; brotherhood

   The motto includes liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Often disapproving. Famously used in military contexts to discourage personal relationships across ranks or with locals in occupied territory.

• to associate or form a friendship with someone, especially someone you should not be friendly with (e.g., an enemy or someone of different rank)

  Soldiers were ordered not to fraternize with the local population.

1. a slight mist, smoke, or dust in the air that reduces visibility

   A heat haze shimmered over the road.

2. (figurative) a state of mental confusion or vagueness

   He moved through the day in a haze after the sleepless night.

Common in college fraternities, sports teams, and military units. Illegal in many US states due to deaths and injuries.

• (mainly US) the practice of forcing new members of a group (such as a fraternity or team) to perform humiliating, dangerous, or abusive tasks as initiation

  Several students died from alcohol poisoning during fraternity hazing.

Home of Mount Everest. Capital: Kathmandu.

• a landlocked country in South Asia, between China and India, in the Himalayan mountains

  They trekked through Nepal for two weeks.

"Nepali" is also used and is the preferred term in Nepal itself.

• relating to Nepal, its people, language, or culture

  Nepalese cuisine includes dumplings called momos.

• a person from Nepal

  Many Nepalese work abroad and send money home to their families.

Always implies the stated reason is FALSE or misleading.

• a false reason given to justify or hide one's real intentions

  He came to the party on the pretext of returning a book, but really wanted to see her.

One of the Five Pillars of Islam. Fasting is from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar). Date moves earlier by about 11 days each year on the Western calendar because the Islamic calendar is lunar.

• the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset as a religious observance

  During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours.