Vocabulary: Batch 81

Opposite: leeward. "Sailing to windward" = sailing upwind, toward the direction the wind is coming from.

• toward the direction from which the wind is blowing

  They tacked back and forth, working their way to windward.

Opposite of port. From Old English "steorbord" (steering side), since early ships were steered with an oar on the right side.

• the right side of a ship or aircraft when facing forward

  A red buoy marked the channel to starboard.

1. to make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or task)

   Police launched an initiative to tackle rising crime.

2. (sports) to try to take the ball from an opponent, often by physically stopping them

   He tackled the runner just before the goal line.

1. the equipment used in a sport, especially fishing

   He packed his fishing tackle for the trip.

2. (sports) an act of tackling an opponent

   It was a clean tackle.

3. (sailing) an assemblage of ropes and pulleys used to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting or hauling; a ship's rigging

   They rigged a block and tackle to raise the sail.

"Block and tackle": the classic combination of a block (pulley case) and tackle (rope/rigging) used for hoisting.

1. a solid piece of material, such as wood, stone, or concrete, especially with flat surfaces

   The mason set another block in place.

2. an obstacle or obstruction that prevents movement or progress

   A fallen tree caused a block in the road.

3. (sailing) a wooden or metal case enclosing one or more pulleys, used to redirect or gain mechanical advantage on a line

   The mainsheet ran through a block at the base of the mast.

• to obstruct or prevent the movement or progress of something

  Protesters blocked the entrance to the building.

In religious contexts, a person newly admitted to a religious order before taking vows.

• a person new to or inexperienced in a field

  He is a complete novice at chess.

Common: "exert influence/pressure/power". "Exert oneself" = work hard physically.

• to apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality)

  He exerted considerable influence on the policy.

• physical or mental effort, especially strenuous effort

  He was short of breath after the exertion.

1. a long triangular flag, especially as flown on a ship or used as a symbol of a sports team

   He hung his team's pennant in his dorm room.

2. (American sports) the championship of a baseball league

   The Yankees clinched the American League pennant.

Traditionally identifies a yacht club or the owner's private signal, flown from the masthead or a short pole.

• a small swallow-tailed or triangular flag flown by a ship, especially to show yacht club membership

  The club's burgee fluttered from the top of the mast.

Also a small wind vane is often mounted at the masthead of a sailboat to show apparent wind direction.

1. the top of a ship's mast

   A lookout was posted at the masthead.

2. the printed information about a newspaper or magazine's title, ownership, and staff, usually near the front

   The editor's name appeared in the magazine's masthead.

"Hoist the sails/anchor/flag" is a classic nautical phrase, but the verb itself is general-purpose.

• to raise or lift something, especially by means of ropes and pulleys

  The crew hoisted the mainsail.

1. an act of lifting or raising something

   It took a strong hoist to get the piano onto the truck.

2. a machine or device used for lifting heavy objects

   They used a hoist to move the engine block.

Part of a boat's standing rigging, along with the shrouds and backstay. The jib or genoa is usually hanked or furled onto the forestay.

• a cable or rope running from the top of the mast to the bow, supporting the mast from the front

  They tensioned the forestay before raising the jib.

Often used figuratively: "airtight alibi" = an alibi that cannot be questioned.

• so tightly sealed that no air can pass in or out

  Store the cookies in an airtight container.

Similar figurative use: "watertight argument" = an argument with no flaws.

• so tightly sealed that no water can pass in

  The submarine's hull is watertight.

As noun: /haʊs/. As verb: /haʊz/. "On the house" = free (gift from the establishment). "House music": electronic dance genre.

• a building for human habitation

  They bought a new house.

Verb pronunciation has a /z/ at the end (voiced).

• to provide with a place to live

  The shelter houses 100 people.

"Housing crisis" / "affordable housing": major modern political issues. "Public housing" / "social housing": government-subsidized residences.

• buildings or shelters in which people live

  The city needs more affordable housing.

• a scene of extreme confusion and uproar

  The supermarket was a madhouse today.

• done or existing within an organization

  We have an in-house legal team.

• within an organization, rather than by an outside contractor

  The design was handled entirely in-house.

In poker a full house (also 'full boat') ranks above a flush and below four of a kind. In British bingo, 'full house' is the call for completing the whole card.

1. an occasion when all the seats in a theater, cinema, or venue are taken

   The band played to a full house.

2. (poker) a hand with three cards of one rank and two of another

   Her full house beat his two pairs.

"The Universe" (capitalized) - everything in existence. "Parallel universe" - sci-fi/theoretical physics concept.

• all existing matter, space, and time considered as a whole

  Scientists study the origins of the universe.

"Universal Studios": major Hollywood film studio. "Universal healthcare": political concept of medical coverage for everyone.

• affecting or done by all people in the world

  Music is a universal language.

• situated or placed in front

  The fore legs of a horse.

• (golf) used to warn people standing in the path of a ball in play

  "Fore!" he shouted as the ball sailed toward the green.

• the front part of a ship

  The passengers gathered fore and aft to watch the sunset.

"Fore-and-aft rig": sails set lengthwise along the boat's centerline (as opposed to square-rigged), the standard rig on most modern sailboats.

• arranged lengthwise, from bow to stern, rather than crosswise

  Most modern sailboats use a fore-and-aft rig instead of square sails.

Opposite: fore (or forward). See also fore-and-aft.

• at, near, or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft

  The cabins were located aft, near the stern.

British informal short form of "perambulator". American: baby carriage or stroller.

• (British) a four-wheeled carriage for pushing a baby in

  She wheeled the pram along the promenade.

From Dutch "praam". Unrelated to the baby-carriage sense despite the identical spelling.

• a small, lightweight, nearly flat-bottomed boat with a square bow

  They towed the pram behind the yacht as a tender.

1. having a sharp end; tapering to a point

   The fence posts had pointed tops to discourage climbing.

2. sharp, direct, or clearly aimed at someone

   She gave him a pointed look.

Common in furniture and construction: "freestanding bathtub", "freestanding shelf" (not built-in or wall-mounted).

• standing alone, without support from another structure

  They installed a freestanding wardrobe instead of a built-in closet.

• very thin metal sheet used for wrapping or cooking

  Cover the dish with foil.

• to prevent someone's plan from succeeding

  The guard foiled the robbery.

1. a person or thing that contrasts with another

   The quiet brother is a foil for the loud one.

2. (sailing) a wing-shaped underwater blade that lifts a moving boat's hull clear of the water

   The catamaran rose up onto its foils as it accelerated.

Formed like "airborne"/"waterborne". Not in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - specialized modern sailing/racing jargon (e.g. America's Cup, foiling dinghies), so no audio_mw.

• (of a boat) lifted clear of the water and supported by its hydrofoils, rather than by hull buoyancy

  Once foilborne, the boat's drag dropped sharply and its speed surged.

Originally nautical: the sideways drift of a ship.

1. the amount of freedom to move or act

   The boss gave her some leeway with the deadline.

2. (sailing) the sideways drift of a ship off its course, caused by wind or current

   The strong crosswind caused significant leeway as they sailed upwind.

1. to, toward, or from the side

   He stepped sideways to let her pass.

2. with the side facing forward

   She glanced sideways at her watch.

"A sideways move" in career = a lateral move (not a promotion).

• directed or moving to or from one side

  He gave her a sideways glance.

Less common variant spelling of sideways.

• sideways

  The car skidded sideway across the icy road.

From Greek "nautes" (sailor). "Nautical mile" = 1.852 km; longer than statute mile. "Nautical theme": decoration style with anchors, ropes, etc.

• relating to sailors or ships

  She used a lot of nautical terms.

Exactly 1,852 meters. Based on Earth's circumference (1 minute of latitude). "Knot" = 1 nautical mile per hour.

• a unit of distance used at sea, about 1.85 km

  The ship traveled 100 nautical miles.

• skill in handling, navigating, and maintaining a ship or boat

  The captain was praised for his seamanship during the storm.

British spelling: manoeuvre.

• a planned movement or clever action

  The driver made a risky maneuver.

• to move or guide carefully

  She maneuvered the cart through the crowd.

British spelling of maneuver.

• a planned movement or clever action

  The manoeuvre surprised the opposing team.

• able to be moved or controlled easily

  The small boat is highly maneuverable.

British spelling of maneuverable.

• able to be moved or controlled easily

  The aircraft is manoeuvrable at low speed.

Common in printing/binding (blank pages interleaved between plates) and computing (interleaved memory, interleaved video frames).

• to arrange something in alternating layers or positions with something else

  The chef interleaved layers of pastry with cream.

From Latin intervenire (to come between).

• to come between to alter or prevent an event

  The teacher intervened to stop the fight.

• occurring between two events or points in time

  In the intervening years, much had changed.

In modern American culture, an "intervention" often refers to family/friends confronting an addict to encourage treatment.

• the act of intervening

  Government intervention saved the bank.

American informal. Root of sassy.

• rude or disrespectful back talk

  Don't give me any sass.

• to talk back to someone disrespectfully

  He got in trouble for sassing his teacher.

American informal. Often used affectionately, especially of women or children.

• lively, bold, and full of spirit; cheeky

  She gave a sassy reply to the reporter's question.

Informal for 'violin'. 'Play second fiddle' = take a subordinate role. 'Fit as a fiddle' = very healthy.

• (informal) a violin

  He played a lively tune on the fiddle.

1. to touch or fidget with something restlessly

   Stop fiddling with your phone.

2. (informal) to falsify (accounts or records)

   He fiddled the expense reports.

• a person who plays the fiddle

  A fiddler struck up a lively jig.

"Pawn shop" = a shop where items can be left as security for a loan.

1. the smallest and least valuable piece in chess

   He sacrificed a pawn to gain a strategic advantage.

2. a person used by others for their own purposes

   He was just a pawn in their political game.

• to leave an object with a pawnbroker as security for a loan

  She pawned her wedding ring to pay the rent.

• a person who lends money in exchange for pawned items

  The pawnbroker valued the watch.

• a shop that lends money on items left as security

  He bought a used guitar at a pawn shop.

French loanword; the final 's' is silent.

• scattered fragments, especially of something wrecked or destroyed

  Rescuers searched the debris for survivors.

American /ˈdiːpoʊ/. British /ˈdepoʊ/. From French dépôt (deposit, storehouse).

1. a place where large amounts of goods, vehicles, or equipment are stored or housed

   The bus depot is located on the edge of the city.

2. (American) a railway or bus station, especially a small one

   He waited at the train depot for the 6 o'clock to Chicago.

"Custom" (adjective) = made specially for one customer: "custom car", "custom-built". Different from "customs" (border control).

• a traditional way of behaving

  It's a local custom.

"Go through customs": international travel ritual. "Customs declaration": form listing items being imported.

• the official department that collects duties on imports

  We went through customs at the airport.

• according to custom; usual

  It is customary to tip about twenty percent here.

• to make someone familiar with a new condition or environment

  I accustomed my eyes to the lenses.

Usually "accustomed to". My Fair Lady song: "I've grown accustomed to her face".

• familiar with something through repeated experience

  She is accustomed to working long hours.

Often plural. Figurative: "shackles of poverty", "shackles of tradition". Verb: "shackle", restrain with shackles.

1. a metal ring or chain used to restrain

   The prisoner wore shackles.

2. (sailing) a U-shaped metal connector closed with a pin, used to join rope, chain, or rigging

   He used a shackle to attach the halyard to the sail's headboard.

Often figurative: "unshackle from regulation", "unshackle creativity".

• to remove shackles; to free

  They sought to unshackle the economy.

• (especially of a house or vehicle) in a state of severe disrepair

  A ramshackle cottage.

• very detailed or complicated, with many small parts

  The watch has an intricate mechanism with hundreds of tiny gears.

• the quality of being very detailed or complicated

  She admired the intricacy of the lacework.

Nautical: ropes and chains supporting ship's masts. Theater: ropes/pulleys for moving sets. Modern political: "election rigging", fraudulent manipulation.

• the system of ropes and chains on a ship

  The sailors climbed the rigging.

Physics: upward force that lets objects float. Figurative: emotional lightness or economic strength.

• the ability or tendency to float

  Salt water gives swimmers more buoyancy.

• able to float; cheerful or economically strong

  Despite the bad news, she remained buoyant.

Note: silent "h" in pronunciation. "Exhausted" (adjective) - extremely tired. "Exhaust" (noun) = car emissions.

1. to drain of physical or mental resources

   The long hike exhausted them.

2. to use up completely

   They've exhausted all options.

• including everything possible; very thorough

  The report gives an exhaustive list of risks.

"Exhaust pipe" / "exhaust fumes" - car emissions system.

• waste gases expelled from an engine

  Thick black exhaust poured from the old truck.

"Heat exhaustion" - a heat-related illness, less severe than heatstroke.

• a state of extreme physical or mental tiredness

  She collapsed from exhaustion after the race.

"Get on someone's wick" (British) = annoy them.

• a length of cord that draws fuel to a flame in a candle or oil lamp

  She trimmed the candle's wick before lighting it.

Common in modern fabric marketing: "moisture-wicking" sportswear.

• to draw off or absorb (moisture) by capillary action, like a wick

  The fabric wicks sweat away from the skin.

More formal/clothing-industry term than "clothes". A "garment district" is the manufacturing area of a city.

• an item of clothing

  Each garment is hand-stitched.

• an article of underclothing

  She bought some silk undergarments.

Past tense: marred (double r). More literary than "spoil" or "ruin".

• to spoil the appearance or quality of

  The view was marred by the new building.

Most often used for storing items on planes, ships, or in cars. "Stow away" can mean hide or store.

• to pack or store away neatly

  Passengers stowed their bags under the seats.

• the action or manner of storing something, or the space available for this

  There is overhead stowage for hand luggage.

• a person who hides on a ship or aircraft in order to travel secretly or without paying

  A stowaway was found in the cargo hold.

1. wet and messy; splashing or spattering easily

   The sloppy trail was covered in mud after the rain.

2. careless and unsystematic; excessively casual

   Your work is sloppy.

Usually reflexive or with "with": "acquaint yourself with the rules".

• to make someone aware of or familiar with something

  Let me acquaint you with the new procedures.

"Acquaintance" is less close than "friend". "Auld Lang Syne" (sung at New Year) opens: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot..."

• a person one knows slightly

  He's an acquaintance, not a close friend.

"Get acquainted with": common phrase for getting to know someone or something. Less close than "friends".

• having met before; familiar with

  They are acquainted with each other.

"Scotland Yard": London's Metropolitan Police headquarters. "Yardarm": the end of a yard, as in the old naval expression "the sun is over the yardarm" (time for a drink).

1. a unit of length equal to 3 feet (about 0.91 meters)

   The tailor measured out two yards of fabric.

2. the grounds around a house, or an enclosed outdoor area

   The kids played in the back yard.

3. (sailing) a long spar attached crosswise to a mast, used to support and spread a square sail

   Sailors climbed the rigging to furl the sail on the yard.

1. to turn something over or upside down

   The wave overturned the boat.

2. to officially reverse a decision or law

   The court overturned the conviction.

• great skill or ability

  The team is known for its defensive prowess.

From Latin "audire" (to hear). "Target audience": marketing term. "Audience with" = formal meeting (audience with the Pope).

• the people watching or listening to a performance

  The audience applauded loudly.

From Latin spectare (to watch). Same root as "spectacle", "inspect". "Spectator sport" = a sport watched (rather than played) by many.

• a person who watches an event, especially a sport

  The stadium was packed with spectators.

• a short stay somewhere between parts of a journey

  We had a two-day stopover in Dubai.

Usually singular.

• the period of a person's or thing's greatest success, popularity, or vigor

  In its heyday, the studio produced twenty films a year.

"Stiff drink" = a strong alcoholic drink. "Stiff upper lip": traditional British emotional restraint. Informal: "a stiff" can also mean a corpse.

1. not easily bent

   The cardboard is stiff.

2. sore from exercise or overuse

   My neck is stiff today.

3. (sailing, of a boat) resistant to heeling; stable

   The heavy keel makes the boat quite stiff in strong wind.

Both literal ("his body stiffened") and figurative ("resistance stiffened").

• to make or become stiff

  Her muscles stiffened after the run.

• the quality of being stiff, physically or figuratively

  She woke up with stiffness in her lower back.

In American English, "loft" often refers to converted industrial space used as residential/artistic space - popularized by SoHo in NYC.

1. a room or space directly under the roof of a house

   They converted the loft into a bedroom.

2. (sailing) a workshop, traditionally on an open upper floor, where sails are made or repaired

   The sailmaker brought the torn genoa to the loft for repair.

Lofty can praise ambitious ideals, but it can also criticize goals as unrealistic or a person as condescending.

1. very high or tall

   The cathedral has a lofty vaulted ceiling.

2. showing high ideals or a grand but sometimes impractical ambition

   The plan has lofty aims but few details about implementation.

3. arrogantly superior or distant in manner

   His lofty tone annoyed the staff.

French for "great prize". Plural: Grands Prix or Grand Prixs. Best known for Formula One races (e.g. "the Monaco Grand Prix").

• any of several major international motor-racing or motorcycle-racing events

  Thousands of fans lined the streets for the Monaco Grand Prix.

• to rise or become active again after a period of decline

  Interest in the topic resurged after the documentary aired.

• an increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence

  A resurgence of interest in religion.

• becoming strong or popular again

  A resurgent opposition won several seats.

"Handicapped" (as a term for people with disabilities) is now considered outdated/offensive; "disabled" or "a person with a disability" is preferred. In golf, handicap is a numerical measure of a player's ability.

1. a circumstance that limits a person's ability

   His shyness was a handicap in his career.

2. (in golf) a numerical measure that allows players of different abilities to compete fairly

   He has a handicap of 12.

Now widely considered offensive when applied to people. Preferred: "disabled" or "a person with a disability". Still used in some neutral contexts: "handicapped parking".

• (dated) having a disability

  There are handicapped parking spaces near the entrance.

"Jersey Shore": MTV reality show. "Shore up" = strengthen (verb sense). Different from "coast" (broader region): shore is the immediate edge.

• the land along the edge of a body of water

  They walked along the shore.

• situated or occurring on land

  Onshore oil production.

• towards or on the land, from the sea

  The wind was blowing onshore.

• the line along which a large body of water meets the land

  The rugged coastline and shoreline.

"Offshore accounts" = bank accounts in foreign jurisdictions, often for tax avoidance.

1. located at sea, some distance from the shore

   There is an offshore oil rig in the area.

2. based or operated abroad, especially to reduce taxes

   The company moved its assets to an offshore account.

• away from the shore; out at sea

  They sailed five miles offshore.

Distinct from outsourcing (any contracting out). Classic example: US manufacturing moving to China; tech support to India. Politically charged topic.

• moving business operations to another country

  Offshoring of manufacturing cost many local jobs.

• situated or occurring close to the shore

  Inshore fishing requires only a small boat.

• toward or near the shore

  The current pulled the raft inshore.

"Live long and prosper": Spock's signature line in Star Trek.

• to succeed or flourish, especially financially

  The business prospered under new management.

• the state of being successful, especially financially

  The country enjoyed decades of prosperity.

• successful in material terms; flourishing financially

  It was once a prosperous trading town.

• a handle or bar used to move or control something

  Pull the lever to open the gate.

• to move or force something with a lever

  They levered the stone out of the path.

• the power to influence people or achieve results, especially by using resources effectively

  The union used its leverage to negotiate better terms.

• to use something to maximum advantage

  The company leveraged its brand recognition to enter new markets.

1. in a vertical position; sitting or standing straight

   Please return your seat to the upright position.

2. (of a person) honest, moral, and respectable

   He's an upright citizen who serves on the school board.

• a vertical post or beam

  The fence is held up by metal uprights.

• a piano with vertical strings and a tall, rectangular body, smaller than a grand piano

  Most homes that have a piano have an upright piano rather than a grand.

• relating to the side; moving sideways

  The athlete worked on lateral movement.

• involving two sides, groups, or countries

  The two countries signed a bilateral agreement.

• involving three or more sides, groups, or countries

  The summit produced a multilateral treaty.

Two senses: pull back (claws, landing gear) or withdraw (statement). "Retraction": newspaper correction.

1. to pull back or draw in

   The cat retracted its claws.

2. to withdraw a previous statement, offer, or claim

   He refused to retract his comments.

"Retractable roof": common in modern stadiums (Wimbledon Centre Court since 2009). "Retractable leash": extending dog leash.

• able to be pulled back

  The stadium has a retractable roof.

• a public statement withdrawing an earlier claim or statement

  The newspaper printed a retraction the next day.

"Heir apparent": confirmed next-in-line. "Apparent" sometimes implies seeming-but-not-real ("apparent contradiction").

1. clearly visible or understood

   It was apparent that he was lying.

2. perceived or seeming to be true based on observation, as distinct from the actual or true value

   Apparent wind is the wind a sailor feels while moving, a combination of the true wind and the boat's own motion.

Often used to introduce information of uncertain reliability: implies "so I'm told" or "as it seems".

• as far as one knows; seemingly

  Apparently, she's moving to Paris.

Past tense: trimmed. Common: trim a hedge, trim hair, trim the fat from a budget.

1. to make neat by cutting away unwanted parts

   She trimmed the hedge.

2. (sailing) to adjust the sails to make the best use of the wind

   They trimmed the mainsail as the wind shifted.

"Trim and fit": a common collocation in fitness contexts.

• slim and fit

  He stays trim by running every day.

Body part: back of foot. "Achilles' heel": vulnerability.

• the back part of the foot

  She walked on her heels.

Shoe: "high heels". "Heel": also a wrestling term for villain.

• the raised back part of a shoe

  Her heels clicked on the floor.

• wealthy

  Well-heeled customers.

Distinct M-W homograph from the shoe/body-part senses. Related concept: capsize is the extreme, unwanted version of heeling.

• (of a boat) to lean temporarily to one side, as from the force of wind or waves

  The sailboat heeled sharply as the gust hit.

• to overturn in water

  The small boat capsized in the storm.

More literary/dramatic than "trip" or "journey". "Maiden voyage": a ship's first journey. "Voyager": NASA spacecraft (still operating after 1977 launch).

• a long journey, especially by ship or in space

  He recounted his voyage across the Atlantic.

• to sail or travel all the way around something, especially the world

  Magellan's crew was the first to circumnavigate the globe.

• a journey all the way around something, especially a sailing voyage around the world

  The circumnavigation took the small crew almost a year.

Also used as a preposition without "on": "aboard the ship", not "aboard of the ship".

• on or into a ship, aircraft, train, or other vehicle

  All passengers were asked to come aboard.

• to happen or occur afterwards or as a result

  An argument ensued.

• following immediately afterward or occurring as a consequence

  The announcement and the ensuing selloff erased billions of dollars in market value.

"Athlete's foot": fungal infection of the foot. "Student-athlete": common American term (sometimes criticized for hiding profit motives in college sports).

• a person who is proficient in sports

  He's a world-class athlete.

"Athletic build": muscular and fit. "Athletic wear" / "activewear": modern category of stylish workout clothes.

• physically fit and active

  She has an athletic build.

British: "athletics" specifically refers to track and field. American: more general, covers all organized sports.

• the practice of sports requiring physical strength and skill

  He's a fan of college athletics.

British spelling: fibreglass. Common hull material for dinghy and keelboats.

• a strong lightweight material made of fine glass fibers bonded in resin

  Most modern sailboat hulls are made of fiberglass.