Vocabulary: Batch 73

"In a mood" (no qualifier) usually implies a bad mood. "Mood swing" = abrupt change of mood.

• a temporary state of mind or feeling

  She was in a good mood after the call.

For people, moody is usually negative and suggests an unpredictable temperament. For art, music, or lighting, it can be neutral or approving.

1. likely to experience sudden or frequent changes of mood, especially toward unhappiness or irritation

   He becomes moody when he has not slept enough.

2. creating a dark, thoughtful, or emotionally intense atmosphere

   The photographer used deep shadows to create a moody portrait.

From Latin pessimus (worst). Antonym: optimism. "Pessimism" is associated with philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.

• a tendency to expect the worst

  His pessimism brought everyone down.

• a person who tends to expect the worst

  He's a hopeless pessimist.

Common patterns: pessimistic about something and pessimistic that something will improve. Compare optimistic.

• expecting bad outcomes or emphasizing the worst aspects of a situation

  Consumers grew pessimistic about the economy after unemployment rose.

From Latin optimus (best). Famous: Voltaire's satire "Candide" mocked Leibniz's optimism ("best of all possible worlds").

• hopefulness about the future

  There is cautious optimism about the economy.

"The optimist sees the glass as half full; the pessimist as half empty" - common saying.

• a person who is hopeful about the future

  She's an eternal optimist.

Common patterns: optimistic about something and optimistic that something will happen. Compare pessimistic.

1. hopeful and confident that good things will happen

   Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about a recovery next year.

2. based on an expectation that may be more favorable than the evidence justifies

   The original completion date now looks overly optimistic.

Energy is generally uncountable for strength or physical capacity. In informal speech, energies can mean efforts directed toward a purpose.

1. the physical or mental strength needed for activity

   She still had enough energy for a run after work.

2. the capacity of matter or radiation to do work or cause change

   Solar panels convert light energy into electricity.

An energetic person is active and lively. Energetic can also describe an action, performance, or style.

• showing or involving a great deal of physical or mental activity

  The energetic new manager reorganized the entire department in a month.

From Latin inspirare (to breathe into). Originally religious - divine inspiration. Modern uses broader.

• to fill with the urge to do something

  His teacher inspired him to become a writer.

"Inspiration porn" - modern (negative) term for media that exploits disability for emotional impact.

• the process of being mentally stimulated

  She found inspiration in nature.

• giving people enthusiasm, hope, or motivation

  Her speech was inspirational.

Something inspiring causes inspiration. A person who feels that effect is inspired.

• causing people to feel hopeful, motivated, or eager to create or act

  Her recovery and return to competition were genuinely inspiring.

"Clue" (US) / "Cluedo" (UK) - board game. "Haven't a clue" = don't know at all. "Get a clue!" = wake up to reality.

• a piece of evidence

  The police found a clue at the scene.

Informal and often critical. 'I don't have a clue' is a less direct way to say 'I do not know.'

1. having no knowledge or understanding of a situation or subject

   I was completely clueless about how the tax system worked.

2. showing poor judgment or a lack of awareness

   The campaign's response to the criticism seemed clueless and dismissive.

Stronger than "anger". From Latin furia (madness, rage). The Furies were Greek goddesses of vengeance.

• wild or violent anger

  He flew into a fury when he heard the news.

Common patterns: furious with someone, furious at/about something. For anger, it is much stronger than annoyed.

1. extremely angry

   Residents were furious about the unexplained increase in fees.

2. extremely intense, energetic, or rapid

   The teams worked at a furious pace before the deadline.

"Talk show", "small talk", "talk back" - common collocations. "Now you're talking" - approval phrase.

• to speak in order to give information or express ideas

  They talked for hours about their plans.

• a conversation or discussion

  We need to have a serious talk.

Usually neutral. Chatty is more informal; loquacious is formal; garrulous often suggests excessive or tiresome talking.

• inclined to talk a great deal, especially in a friendly or relaxed way

  He becomes surprisingly talkative once he feels comfortable.

Stronger than "ask" or "request". "Supply and demand" - fundamental economic concept. "On demand" - when wanted (e.g., "video on demand").

• to ask authoritatively

  She demanded an explanation.

• an insistent and peremptory request

  Their demands were unreasonable.

A demanding task is difficult; a demanding person expects a lot from others. The word is often negative for people but neutral for work.

1. requiring a great deal of skill, effort, attention, or endurance

   Caring for premature infants is physically and emotionally demanding work.

2. expecting a great deal of another person's time, attention, or performance

   The director is demanding, but she gives the cast clear feedback.

Also written 'mid-century'. In design, midcentury often specifically evokes the modernist architecture and furniture of roughly the 1940s through the 1960s.

1. relating to the middle part of a century

   The archive documents the city's midcentury population boom.

2. relating to the influential modernist design style of the mid-20th century

   Their apartment combines midcentury furniture with contemporary lighting.

"Primary colors" - red, blue, yellow (traditional) or red, green, blue (light). "Primary school" (British) = elementary school (American).

• of chief importance; principal

  Education is her primary concern.

"Iowa primary", "New Hampshire primary" - famous early US presidential primaries that set the political tone.

• a preliminary election to select party candidates

  He won the Democratic primary.

Stress shifts to the second syllable in this adverb form.

• for the most part; mainly

  The book is primarily for beginners.

Formal. Common patterns include the primacy of law, economic primacy, and a struggle for primacy.

• the state of being first in importance, rank, power, or influence

  The agreement reaffirmed the primacy of civilian government.

"Scarce as hen's teeth" - very rare (hens don't have teeth). Economics: "scarcity" is the foundational concept of the field.

• insufficient for the demand

  Water is scarce in the desert.

"Scarcely had I arrived when..." - formal/literary construction. Often interchangeable with "hardly" and "barely".

• only just; almost not

  I can scarcely believe it.

Economics term: the basic problem of limited resources versus unlimited wants.

• a condition in which the available supply of something is insufficient to satisfy demand

  A scarcity of skilled workers delayed the construction project.

Past tense and past participle: lent. The person who gives temporarily lends; the person who receives borrows.

• to give something temporarily, expecting it back

  Could you lend me your charger for an hour?

"Tribute band" = a band that performs another famous band's music. Historical sense: payment from a weaker to a stronger state ("the Roman Empire collected tribute from its territories").

1. an act, statement, or gift intended to show gratitude or respect

   They held a concert as a tribute to the late musician.

2. a payment made by one ruler or state to another as a sign of submission or in exchange for protection

   The smaller kingdom paid annual tribute to its powerful neighbor.

Matter is the standard spelling. 'Matteer' is not a standard English word and is usually a misspelling of matter.

1. a subject, situation, or problem being considered

   The board discussed the matter in a closed meeting.

2. physical substance, especially when distinguished from energy or empty space

   Atoms are basic units of ordinary matter.

• to be important

  Your opinion matters.

'Keep a lookout for' means watch carefully for. 'Be on the lookout for' means be alert and searching. 'It's your lookout' is chiefly British and means it is your responsibility.

1. a person whose duty is to watch for danger, trouble, or something approaching

   One crew member acted as a lookout while the boat entered the fog.

2. a place that provides a wide view of the surrounding area

   We hiked to a mountain lookout above the valley.

3. the activity of watching carefully for someone or something

   Police asked residents to be on the lookout for the missing vehicle.

Formal. Common pattern: 'It is someone's prerogative to do something.' A prerogative is a special right, not merely a preference.

• a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class

  It is the president's prerogative to grant pardons.

Often used metaphorically for people or organizations ("academic powerhouse", "economic powerhouse").

1. a person, organization, country, or industry with exceptional energy, influence, or ability

   South Korea is a global powerhouse in memory-chip manufacturing.

2. a building or installation in which electrical power is generated

   The restored powerhouse now contains a museum.

"Hit one's stride" = reach an effective pace. "Take in stride" = accept calmly.

• to walk with long, decisive steps

  She strode confidently into the room.

• a long step in walking or running

  He covered the field in just a few strides.

"Astride a horse" - classic image. Same root as "stride". Implies straddling.

• with one leg on each side

  He sat astride the motorcycle.

The idiom normally uses the plural strides, not 'make stride'. Common patterns are 'make strides', 'make great strides', and 'make strides in/toward something'.

• to make substantial or rapid progress

  The research team has made major strides in battery efficiency.

Context determines direction: namesake can be the one named after someone or the person or thing that supplied the name.

1. a person or thing that has the same name as another, especially one named after the other

   The younger Martin is his grandfather's namesake.

2. the person or thing from which another person or thing takes its name

   The foundation's namesake was a pioneering physician.

"Wax and wane" - common pairing (the moon's cycle). Antonym: wax (grow). "On the wane" - declining in popularity or strength.

• to become smaller or less

  His interest began to wane.

Past tense: foretold. Literary/old-fashioned. Modern equivalents: predict, forecast, anticipate.

• to predict

  No one could foretell the disaster.

Especially common in British business English. In US retail reporting, 'same-store' or 'comparable-store' is often used instead.

1. comparing equivalent businesses, stores, products, or periods so that structural differences do not distort the result

   Like-for-like sales rose 4 percent after newly opened stores were excluded.

2. replacing something with another item of the same type, quality, or value

   The insurer promised a like-for-like replacement for the damaged camera.

Modern coinage (around 2008). The noun is "gamification".

• to apply game-like elements (points, levels, rewards) to non-game activities, typically to increase engagement

  The app gamifies language learning by awarding streaks and badges.

• the application of game-like elements to non-game activities to increase engagement

  The fitness app uses gamification to encourage daily workouts.

A gamified system adds selected game mechanics; it does not necessarily become a complete game.

• designed with game-like features such as points, levels, badges, competition, or rewards

  The brokerage was criticized for using gamified prompts that encouraged frequent trading.

Post-lockdown is the clearest spelling, especially before a noun. The closed spelling postlockdown also occurs.

• occurring or existing after restrictions that confined people or sharply limited normal activity were lifted

  Post-lockdown travel demand overwhelmed several major airports.

A closed spelling variant of post-lockdown.

• occurring or existing after a lockdown has ended

  The postlockdown recovery was uneven across industries.

1. relating to the legal custody of someone or something

   She has custodial rights over the children.

2. (American) relating to cleaning or janitorial work

   He worked in the custodial department.

In American English also means "janitor".

• a person who has responsibility for taking care of or protecting something

  The museum is the custodian of priceless artifacts.

Common collocations include child custody, police custody, and custody of assets. In finance, a custodian safeguards assets and processes related transactions.

1. the legal right or duty to care for a child

   The parents agreed to share custody of their daughter.

2. the state of being detained and guarded by police or another authority

   The suspect remained in custody overnight.

3. the safekeeping and administration of financial assets for a client

   The pension fund placed its securities in the custody of a global bank.

• an irritating inconvenience or difficulty

  It's a hassle to have to commute so far.

• to harass or pester (someone)

  Stop hassling me about the deadline.

In markets, froth suggests excessive enthusiasm and inflated valuations, though not necessarily a full bubble.

1. a mass of small bubbles on or in a liquid

   A layer of milk froth covered the cappuccino.

2. excited but shallow activity, especially speculative excess in a market

   The regulator warned of froth in parts of the credit market.

1. full of small bubbles or light foam

   She poured the frothy mixture into two glasses.

2. showing excessive investor enthusiasm or inflated prices

   Analysts described valuations in the sector as frothy.

1. the quality of containing foam or bubbles

   The frothiness of the drink comes from whipped egg white.

2. a condition of excessive speculation, enthusiasm, or inflated prices

   Several rapid listings added to the market's frothiness.

Past tense and past participle: stood.

1. to be upright on the feet

   Please stand behind the line.

2. to be in a particular place or condition

   The old tower still stands.

1. a position or opinion taken on an issue

   The mayor took a firm stand.

2. a small structure for selling or displaying things

   We bought lemonade at a street stand.

• to resist damage, pressure, or difficulty

  The bridge can withstand strong winds.

"Standing ovation" - audience stands to applaud. "Standing order" - recurring instruction. "Long-standing" - existing for a long time.

• continuing in existence or use

  It's a standing joke between us.

• having existed or continued for a long time

  A long-standing dispute.

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

  He acted as a stand-in for the lead actor.

• a deadlock between two equally matched opponents in a dispute or conflict

  The 16-day-old standoff was no closer to being resolved.

Also "stand up for" = defend/support. "Stand up to" = confront or resist.

1. to resist or confront (someone powerful or intimidating) with courage

   She finally stood up to her overbearing boss.

2. to remain undamaged or effective despite hard use or scrutiny

   Will the theory stand up to closer examination?

The irregular past tense and past participle of withstand.

• resisted or survived force, pressure, damage, or a difficult test

  The sea wall withstood the full force of the storm.

Also written 'long-standing'. Use it before a noun for something that has existed for a long time.

• having existed, continued, or been accepted for a long time

  The agreement resolved a longstanding dispute between the neighbors.

Often in 'with great fanfare' or 'with little fanfare'. The word can refer to the music itself or to conspicuous publicity and ceremony.

1. a short, loud ceremonial passage played on trumpets or other brass instruments

   A trumpet fanfare announced the president's arrival.

2. a showy public celebration, announcement, or display of attention

   The service launched with great fanfare but attracted few subscribers.

In business and financial news, a market or tech darling is a company or asset that investors strongly admire and favor.

1. a person who is dearly loved, sometimes used as an affectionate form of address

   Come here, darling, and tell me what happened.

2. a person, company, or product that is especially popular and admired by a particular group

   Investors rushed to buy shares in the South Korean tech darling.

Informal, especially American English.

• charming, attractive, or endearing

  They rented a darling little cottage by the lake.

• to gradually diminish in size, amount, or strength

  Our supplies dwindled as the journey continued.

From verb "dwindle". "Dwindling resources", "dwindling population" - environmental and demographic concerns.

• diminishing in size or amount

  Their dwindling savings worried them.

"Defy belief/description/logic" = be too remarkable for these.

1. to openly resist or refuse to obey

   He defied his parents and joined the band.

2. to be impossible or extremely difficult to overcome or explain

   The beauty of the sunset defied description.

From Old French desfier (to challenge). Related: defy (verb), defiance (noun).

• showing open resistance or bold disobedience

  She gave him a defiant look.

• open resistance; bold disobedience

  An act of defiance.

From Latin sustinere (to hold up). Many uses: sustain an injury, sustain a note (in music), sustain an objection (legal).

1. to keep something continuing at a particular level or for a period of time

   The economy struggled to sustain its early momentum.

2. to support, hold, or bear

   The walls sustain the weight of the roof.

3. to undergo or experience (something unpleasant)

   He sustained serious injuries.

"Sustainable development" - UN concept balancing economic, social, and environmental needs. Widely used in environmental contexts since the 1990s.

• able to be maintained at a certain rate or level, especially without depleting resources

  They use sustainable farming practices.

Often discussed in terms of three pillars: environmental, social, and economic (the "triple bottom line").

• the ability to be maintained at a certain level without depleting resources

  The company published a sustainability report.

1. to stay in the air in one place

   A helicopter hovered above the roof.

2. to remain near something uncertainly

   She hovered by the door.

3. to remain close to a particular level without moving decisively away from it

   The stock hovered near its initial offering price throughout the afternoon.

Normally takes a direct object (await something), unlike "wait" (wait for something). It is more formal and common in journalism and official writing.

• to wait for

  They awaited the results anxiously.

A sigh may express relief, disappointment, fatigue, longing, or frustration.

• to breathe out slowly and audibly as an expression of emotion

  She sighed with relief when the test results arrived.

• a long, audible breath that expresses an emotion

  He gave a weary sigh and reopened the spreadsheet.

'Keep a lid on' = control. 'Flip one's lid' = lose one's temper.

1. a removable or hinged cover for a container

   She put the lid on the jar.

2. an eyelid

   Her lids grew heavy as she fought to stay awake.

• having a lid; (of eyes) having heavy or drooping eyelids

  a lidded jar; heavy-lidded eyes

Informal. The image is of preventing the contents of a container from escaping.

• to keep something secret, controlled, or from increasing

  Higher interest rates helped keep a lid on inflation.

In computing: "DNS resolve" - converting a domain name to an IP address. "Resolve" can mean both "settle" (a dispute) and "decide firmly" (a plan).

• to settle or find a solution to

  They resolved the dispute peacefully.

• firm determination

  She showed great resolve under pressure.

"Resolute desk" - famous desk in the US Oval Office, made from HMS Resolute (British ship).

• admirably determined

  He remained resolute despite criticism.

Common collocations: conflict resolution, New Year's resolution, pass a resolution, and high-resolution image.

1. a firm decision to do or not do something

   She made a resolution to save more of her income.

2. the act of solving a problem or ending a disagreement

   Both sides called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

3. a formal proposal adopted by a legislative body, organization, or meeting

   The council passed a resolution condemning the attack.

4. the amount of visual detail that an image or display can reproduce

   The new scanner captures documents at a higher resolution.

Formal; synonym: bet.

• a bet on the result of a future event

  He placed a wager on the horse race.

• to bet a sum of money on the result of an event

  She wagered $100 on the underdog.

Often pejorative in news contexts ("militant group", "Islamic militant"). Originally a positive religious term ("the Church Militant").

• combative and aggressive in support of a cause

  He is a militant supporter of animal rights.

News reports may use militant for a member of an armed political or religious group. The label can be contested, so precise descriptions are preferable when available.

• a person who uses or supports forceful, confrontational, or sometimes violent methods for a political or social cause

  The government opened talks with former militants who had disarmed.

• the use of confrontational or violent methods to support a cause

  The group's militancy alienated moderate supporters.

Often "in turmoil". Common collocations: "emotional turmoil", "political turmoil", "market turmoil".

• a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty

  The country was in political turmoil.

• to gather things together from different places or people

  She collects stamps from around the world.

"Collector's item" : rare/valuable item sought by collectors. "Tax collector" : historically reviled (publicans in the Bible).

• a person who collects things as a hobby

  She's a collector of vintage records.

• done by or shared with all members of a group

  The team made a collective decision to delay the launch.

As a noun, it often describes a worker-owned, artist-run, or politically organized group.

• a group of people who act, work, or make decisions together for a shared purpose

  The design collective rents a shared studio downtown.

Common in business reporting: "sales slumped".

1. to sit or fall heavily and limply

   Exhausted, he slumped into the chair.

2. to decline sharply

   Housing prices slumped after the crisis.

• a sudden severe decline in performance or value

  The team is in a slump this season.

"Issues" (informal) = problems ("I have issues"). In law: "have issue" (formal) = have children. "Issue of a magazine" - single publication.

1. an important topic for debate

   Climate change is a major issue.

2. a problem or difficulty

   We have an issue with the printer.

"Issue a statement", "issue a warning", "issue a refund" - common collocations.

1. to supply or distribute officially

   The government issued new passports.

2. to make (a statement) publicly or officially

   The company issued an apology.

Formal, common in finance, law, and administration: bond issuance, share issuance, passport issuance.

• the act of officially providing, publishing, or selling something, especially securities or documents

  Heavy bond issuance pushed government borrowing costs higher.

"Spark joy" - Marie Kondo's famous decluttering criterion. "Spark a debate" - initiate it. Modern: "sparking" (slang) = igniting interest.

• a small fiery particle thrown off by a fire

  Sparks flew from the campfire.

• to cause or trigger

  His comments sparked controversy.

• to shine brightly with flashes of light

  The lake sparkled in the sunlight.

Traditional Fourth of July (US) and Diwali firework. Also: a sparkling drink or jewel.

• a hand-held firework that gives off sparks

  The kids waved sparklers on the Fourth of July.

"Sparkling wine" - any carbonated wine (Champagne, Prosecco, Cava). "Sparkling water" / "sparkling conversation" - both lively/effervescent.

• shining with flashes of light; lively and witty

  She had sparkling eyes.

• shining brightly with small flashes of light

  She wore a sparkly dress to the party.

Finance. Unlike debt financing, an equity raise gives investors an ownership interest and may dilute existing shareholders.

• an act of raising capital by issuing and selling shares or other ownership interests

  The biotech company announced a $200 million equity raise to fund new trials.

• plural of equity raise

  A wave of equity raises increased the supply of newly issued shares.

Most often in 'the mind boggles' or 'boggle the mind'.

• to overwhelm or astonish the mind because something is extremely surprising, complex, or difficult to imagine

  The scale of the fraud boggles the mind.

Usually appears in compounds, especially mind-boggling. On its own, it is less common.

• astonishingly large, complex, or difficult to comprehend

  The project involved a boggling number of technical decisions.

Usually written with a hyphen before a noun: a mind-boggling sum.

• so surprising, extreme, or complicated that it is difficult to understand or imagine

  Training the model required a mind-boggling amount of computing power.

Common in financial news: "market sell-off" = sharp decline as investors dump assets. Distinct from a slow decline; implies rapid and panic-driven.

• a sharp decline in stock prices caused by heavy selling

  There was a major sell-off on Wall Street today.

A closed spelling variant of sell-off. The hyphenated spelling remains especially common in edited financial writing.

• a period of heavy selling that causes the price of a security or an entire market to fall sharply

  Technology shares led Monday's market selloff.

Originally: fruit blown down by wind, free to gather. Now figurative: "windfall tax" - extra tax on unexpected profits (energy companies, etc.).

• unexpected good fortune, especially money

  The inheritance was an unexpected windfall.

Usually followed by down. The spelling 'hunder down' is an error for 'hunker down'.

• to squat or crouch low

  The photographer hunkered beside the wall to stay out of sight.

It can describe taking shelter or concentrating on a difficult task for a sustained period.

1. to take shelter and prepare to remain in a place during danger or difficulty

   Residents hunkered down as the hurricane approached.

2. to apply oneself seriously to a task

   We need to hunker down and finish the report tonight.

• established; resolved

  She has a settled life now.

"Out-of-court settlement" - legal resolution. "Israeli settlements" - controversial residential construction in West Bank.

• an agreement resolving a dispute; a small community

  They reached a settlement out of court.

• to cause to feel anxious or uneasy; to disturb

  The crisis has unsettled financial markets.

• causing anxiety or uneasiness

  The film had an unsettling effect on him.

• a person who moves with a group to live in a new country or area

  The early settlers built log cabins.

'Settle for' means accept something less desirable. 'Settle down' means become calm, establish a stable life, or begin concentrating.

1. to end a disagreement or decide a matter by reaching an agreement

   The two companies settled the lawsuit before trial.

2. to pay money that is owed

   We settled the bill before leaving the restaurant.

3. to become calm, stable, comfortable, or established in a place

   After moving frequently for years, they settled in Vancouver.

4. to sink gradually and come to rest

   Fine dust settled on the shelves overnight.

Common collocations include unsettled markets, unsettled weather, an unsettled dispute, and feeling unsettled.

1. not resolved, decided, paid, or brought to a stable condition

   Several legal questions remain unsettled.

2. worried, uneasy, or unable to relax

   The unexplained noise left her feeling unsettled.

3. changing frequently and likely to bring rain or storms

   The weather will remain unsettled through the weekend.

In this adjective, -ged is a separate syllable. Compare the past tense of dog, pronounced /dɔːɡd/.

• showing stubborn determination and refusing to give up despite difficulty

  Her dogged investigation eventually uncovered the accounting fraud.

Usually singular and used in 'the aftermath of'. It refers especially to consequences after a destructive or disruptive event.

• the consequences and conditions that follow a serious, unpleasant, or destructive event

  Thousands of families needed assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Caste is more rigid than ordinary social class because status is hereditary and historically governs marriage, occupation, and social interaction. The term is especially associated with South Asia but is also used for comparable hereditary systems elsewhere.

• a social system that divides people into hereditary ranked groups

  The novel examines how the caste system shaped work, marriage, and social status.

Common patterns: 'X is paramount' and 'of paramount importance.' It is a strong, formal word meaning highest in priority.

• more important than anything else; having the highest priority

  Patient safety is of paramount importance.

"On the verge of" is the most common usage.

• an edge or border

  She was on the verge of tears.

• constituting number two in a sequence

  He's the second person to ask me that.

'Wait a second' (informal) = a very short, unspecified amount of time.

1. a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute

   The race was won by two seconds.

2. (informal) a very short time

   Wait a second, I'll be right there.

"Secondary source" - information from elsewhere (vs primary, original). "Secondary education" - high school level.

• second in importance or order

  That's a secondary concern.

In UK: ages ~11-18 (replaced grammar/secondary modern split). US equivalent: middle school + high school.

• a school for children aged about 11 to 18

  He attended a secondary school in London.

In a meeting, a proposal must often be seconded before discussion. Informally, say 'I second that' to mean 'I agree.' 'I second you' is possible but much less natural.

1. to formally support a proposal so it can be discussed or voted on

   I second the motion to postpone the vote.

2. (informal) to express agreement with an opinion or suggestion

   I second that - let's take a break.

Many idioms: "in place" (set up), "out of place" (inappropriate), "take place" (happen), "put someone in their place" (humble them).

• a particular position or location

  This is a beautiful place.

• to put in a particular position

  She placed the book on the shelf.

Distinct from 'in place of' (= instead of).

1. in the correct or usual position

   Make sure all the parts are in place before you start.

2. (of a system, rule, or plan) established and ready to operate

   New security measures are now in place.

• instead of; as a substitute for

  You can use honey in place of sugar.

Means to happen, especially of a planned or arranged event; not usually used for accidents.

• to happen or occur

  The wedding will take place in June.

Two senses: to manufacture, and to invent (lies). 'Fabricated evidence' = made-up.

1. to invent (false information) in order to deceive

   He fabricated an alibi for the night of the crime.

2. to construct or manufacture (an industrial product)

   The panels are fabricated from sheet steel.

1. a lie or invented story

   Her whole account turned out to be a fabrication.

2. the act of manufacturing something

   the fabrication of microchips

• to be the cause or basis of something

  Poverty underlies many social problems.

"Underlying cause" / "underlying condition" / "underlying assumption" - common collocations. Implies something hidden beneath the visible surface.

• existing as a basis but not always visible

  The underlying cause was financial stress.

From Latin respicere ("look back at"). Although it looks like the respect family, the modern meaning is entirely different - kept as a separate entry to avoid confusion. Always precedes plural nouns: "their respective offices".

• belonging or relating separately to each of two or more people or things

  They returned to their respective hometowns after graduation.

• not taking (something) into account; regardless of

  Child benefit is paid irrespective of income levels.

From Latin "circum" (around) + "venire" (come) - literally "come around". Implies cleverness; sometimes morally suspect.

• to find a way around (a problem or rule)

  They circumvented the sanctions.

• the action of finding a way around a rule or problem

  The report documented the company's circumvention of environmental regulations.

"Joint venture" - business partnership between companies. See also venture-capital (added in batch 104).

• a risky or daring journey or undertaking

  The new business venture was a success.

• to undertake a risky journey or course of action

  They ventured into unknown territory.

• willing to do things that involve risk; daring

  A venturesome spirit.

• the substance or essence of a speech or text

  She noted the gist of each message.

1. open and direct; with no attempt to hide something

   His statement was an outright lie.

2. complete and total

   They won an outright majority in the election.

As adverb, stress may shift to the second syllable.

1. completely; without reservation

   She owns the house outright.

2. immediately; on the spot

   The driver was killed outright in the crash.

Homophone of "sheer". Past tense: sheared; past participle: shorn or sheared.

1. to cut the wool off (a sheep or other animal)

   The farmer sheared the sheep in spring.

2. to cut off with shears or scissors

   She sheared her hair short.

"Panel discussion" - group conversation, often with audience. "Solar panel" - photovoltaic cell array. "Jury panel" - pool from which jurors are selected.

1. a flat rectangular piece of material forming part of a surface

   They installed solar panels on the roof.

2. a group of people who give expert opinions

   The panel will decide the winner.

Common in clothing, backpacks, tents, computer cases, and filters where airflow or visibility is needed.

• a flat section of mesh built into a larger object

  The backpack has a mesh panel that keeps your back ventilated.

Often used for family likeness ("he resembles his father"). Don't confuse with "assemble" (= put together).

• to be like; to have similar appearance to

  She closely resembles her mother.

"Striking resemblance" / "uncanny resemblance" / "passing resemblance" - common collocations.

• the state of resembling or being alike

  There is a strong resemblance between the brothers.

Resemble is transitive: say 'resembling lace' or 'it resembles lace,' not 'resembling to lace.'

• looking like or being similar to someone or something

  The frost formed delicate patterns resembling lace.

From the Greek island of Lesbos, home of the ancient poet Sappho, whose poetry expressed love between women.

• a woman who is sexually attracted to other women

  She is a proud lesbian and activist.

• relating to lesbians

  The film explores a lesbian relationship.

• sexual orientation of women toward other women

  The book is a historical study of lesbianism.

Many idioms: "in order to" = so as to; "out of order" = not working or improper; "law and order".

1. an authoritative command or instruction

   The soldiers obeyed the order.

2. the arrangement of people or things in a sequence

   List the names in alphabetical order.

3. a request to make, supply, or deliver goods or food

   I placed an order for two coffees.

4. a state in which everything is in its correct place and rules are followed

   The teacher restored order to the classroom.

1. to give an authoritative command

   The judge ordered him to pay a fine.

2. to request that goods or food be supplied

   We ordered pizza for dinner.

3. to arrange systematically

   The files are ordered by date.

The prefix re- can mean either arranging something differently or ordering the same item again.

1. to arrange people or things in a different sequence

   Drag the tasks to reorder them by priority.

2. to request or purchase the same item again

   The store reordered the jacket after selling out.

• a synthetic resin in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups, used chiefly to make synthetic textile fibers

  A polyester shirt.