Vocabulary: Batch 83

Basketball: "slam dunk", also figurative for guaranteed win. "Dunkin' Donuts" / now "Dunkin'": coffee chain (donuts for dunking in coffee).

• to dip briefly into liquid

  He dunked his cookie in milk.

• a basketball shot made by jumping and putting the ball directly through the hoop

  The crowd roared at his slam dunk.

Most common for bread/baked goods. Also figurative: "stale joke" = overused. "Stalemate" (chess): position with no legal moves, draw.

1. no longer fresh

   The bread had gone stale.

2. no longer interesting because too familiar

   That joke is stale.

Famous funk artists: James Brown, Sly Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince.

1. a style of dance music with a strong rhythm

   He played funk on his bass guitar.

2. (informal) a state of depression

   She's been in a funk all week.

"Funky" originally meant smelly; in 1950s-60s African American slang it took on the music sense (the funk genre).

1. (of music) having a strong dance rhythm, especially in jazz or soul

   The band has a funky sound.

2. (informal) fashionably unconventional

   She wore a funky hat.

3. (informal) having a strong unpleasant smell

   The cheese has a funky aroma.

"Trade war", "trade deficit", "free trade" - common economic terms.

• the buying and selling of goods and services

  International trade has grown rapidly.

• to buy and sell, or exchange, goods

  They traded goods for gold.

"Day trader": buys and sells the same day. "Trader Joe's": popular US grocery chain. Different from "merchant" (typically retail) and "broker" (intermediary).

• a person who buys and sells things

  He works as a stock trader on Wall Street.

• to exchange a used item as partial payment toward a new one

  He traded in his old car for a newer model.

Usually "deprive someone of something".

• to deny (a person or place) the possession or use of something

  The new law deprives them of their rights.

1. lacking the necessities of life or basic standards

   She grew up in a deprived neighborhood.

2. lacking something needed

   He was sleep-deprived after the all-night flight.

"Sleep deprivation" is a common phrase.

• the damaging lack of material benefits, or of something needed

  Sleep deprivation can affect cognitive function.

1. a price or fee for a service

   There is no charge for delivery.

2. a formal accusation of a crime

   The lawyer asked the judge to dismiss the charge.

3. the amount of electricity stored in a battery

   My phone has only ten percent charge left.

1. to ask someone to pay a price

   The hotel charged us extra for parking.

2. to accuse someone formally of a crime

   Police charged him with theft.

3. to fill a battery with electricity

   I need to charge my laptop.

• to supply with extra energy or power

  A campaign supercharged by a massive influx of cash.

• to charge too high a price

  They overcharged him for the meal.

• to charge less than the proper amount

  The cashier accidentally undercharged me.

• an additional charge or payment

  A 5% surcharge on all credit card transactions.

Verb stress on second syllable; noun on first. Three main senses: release (from hospital/duty/military), emit (gas, electricity), perform (a duty).

1. to allow to leave (a hospital, prison, etc.)

   The doctor discharged her from the hospital.

2. to release or emit (a substance)

   The factory discharges waste into the river.

• the act of discharging or being discharged

  He awaited his discharge from the army.

• institute legal proceedings against (a person or institution), typically for redress

  She is to sue the baby's father.

"The accused" (legal term) = the defendant in a criminal trial. "J'accuse...!": famous 1898 Zola letter on the Dreyfus affair.

• to charge with an offense or crime

  He was accused of murder.

• a charge or claim that someone has done wrong

  She denied the accusation.

• showing that you think someone has done something wrong

  His tone became accusatory.

• a person who accuses someone of something

  The accuser testified in court.

• suggesting that someone is guilty of wrongdoing

  She gave him an accusing look.

Often "the accused": singular or plural. Legal/journalism standard term for those charged. "Accused" preferred over "perpetrator" before conviction.

• the person charged with a crime

  The accused stood silently in the dock.

Often used in legal contexts: "implicated in a crime".

• to show that (someone) is involved in something, especially a crime

  His testimony implicated several others.

• shown to be involved (usually in wrongdoing)

  He was implicated in the scandal.

1. a likely consequence or result of an action or decision

   The new law has serious implications for small businesses.

2. a meaning that is suggested or understood but not directly stated

   The implication of his silence was that he disagreed.

3. the state of being involved in or connected to something, especially a crime

   His implication in the scandal cost him the election.

• tending to implicate or suggest something beyond what is directly stated

  There was an implicative pause before she answered.

Common confusion: "imply" (the speaker hints) vs. "infer" (the listener concludes). The speaker implies; the listener infers.

• to suggest indirectly

  Are you implying that I lied?

"Terminal illness": an illness expected to cause death.

• forming or situated at the end

  He was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

In computing, "terminal" = a command-line interface. Programmers spend a lot of time in the terminal.

1. an end of an airline route or transportation line

   We arrived at Terminal 3 of the airport.

2. a device for entering data into a computer

   He opened a terminal window to run the command.

From chemo- (chemical) + therapy. Most often refers to cancer treatment, but strictly the term also covers drug treatment of any disease.

• treatment of disease, especially cancer, using chemical substances that kill or slow the growth of abnormal cells

  She lost her hair during chemotherapy.

Informal clipped form of "chemotherapy", used constantly in everyday and clinical speech.

• chemotherapy

  He starts his next round of chemo on Monday.

Also stressed on the first syllable, /ˈædʌlt/, especially before a noun ("an ADult lion"). Sense 2 is now common as sanitized labeling: "adult content", "adult bookstore".

1. fully grown and mature; also, relating to or suited for grown-ups

   The zoo keeps the adult elephants separate from the calves.

2. containing explicit sexual content

   The store keeps adult magazines behind the counter.

• a person who has reached full physical growth and legal maturity, typically eighteen or older

  Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult.

Informal. Now in Merriam-Webster itself; the gerund "adulting" became popular internet slang in the 2010s for the tedious grind of grown-up responsibilities.

• to handle the ordinary responsibilities expected of a grown-up

  I don't feel like adulting today; I just want cereal for dinner.

• the state or period of being an adult

  She struggled to find her footing in early adulthood.

Contrasts with "long-form video" (traditional TV episodes, feature films, hour-long YouTube videos). "Short-form" alone is a general modifier for any compressed medium, not just video (e.g. "short-form journalism").

• a video, typically under a minute or two, made for quick viewing on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts

  Short-form video has changed how brands try to reach younger audiences.

Favoring relatives, especially in jobs or politics.

• unfairly giving advantages to relatives

  The hiring scandal exposed blatant nepotism.

From Greek hedone ("pleasure"). A philosophical school dating back to ancient Greece.

• the pursuit of pleasure as the highest good

  His philosophy borders on hedonism.

• a person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the highest good

  He's a self-described hedonist.

• relating to or characterized by the pursuit of pleasure

  He led a hedonistic lifestyle in his 20s.

Usually 'child prodigy'. Don't confuse with 'protege' (one who is mentored) or 'prodigal' (wasteful).

• a young person with exceptional abilities

  Mozart was a musical prodigy who composed from the age of five.

American spelling. Has multiple meanings - fungus ("black mold"), shaping container ("jelly mold"), and personality/character ("break the mold"). British equivalent: mould.

1. (American) a furry growth of fungus

   There was mold on the bread.

2. (American) a hollow container for shaping a liquid

   Pour the chocolate into the mold.

British spelling. Same pronunciation as American "mold".

• (British) a furry growth of fungus; a shaping container

  She poured the jelly into the mould.

American spelling. British English: mouldy.

• covered with mold; old and stale

  Throw away the moldy bread.

• British spelling of moldy

  The cupboard smelled mouldy.

American spelling. British equivalent: mould.

• to shape a material by pressing or forming it in a mold

  The fiberglass hull was molded in one piece.

British spelling of mold; same pronunciation.

• British spelling of mold (verb)

  The plastic was moulded into the shape of a chair.

Often used for old books, basements, attics, vintage clothes. Caused by mold and lack of air circulation. Distinct from "moldy" (more severe).

• having a stale damp smell

  The basement smelled musty.

Often shortened to "ammo". "Live ammunition": real bullets, not blanks. Also figurative: "give the critics ammunition" = arguments to attack you with.

• a supply of bullets and shells

  The soldiers ran out of ammunition.

From Greek on- (being) + -logia (study of), parallel to biology, theology.

1. the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of being, existence, and reality

   Metaphysics includes ontology as one of its central branches.

2. in computer science, a formal specification of the concepts and relationships within a domain

   The team built an ontology to standardize how the database described medical terms.

• relating to the nature of being, existence, or the fundamental categories of reality

  The ontological argument tries to prove God's existence from the concept of God alone.

'Laugh off' = dismiss with a laugh. 'The last laugh' = ultimate triumph.

• to make sounds and movements of the face expressing amusement

  She laughed at his joke.

(British) 'a laugh' = something amusing.

1. an act or sound of laughing

   He gave a nervous laugh.

2. (informal) something amusing or enjoyable

   The whole trip was a good laugh.

"Laughter is the best medicine": proverb. The "gh" silent, but the "t" pronounced: note difference from "laugh" /læf/ (no /t/).

• the sound of laughing

  The room was filled with laughter.

From 'write off' = cancel (a debt) or regard as a total loss.

1. something regarded as a total loss, especially a badly damaged vehicle

   After the crash, the car was a write-off.

2. a cancellation of a debt or asset in accounts

   The bank took a large write-off on the bad loans.

Irregular: wrote/written. Homophone of 'right' and 'rite'. American English allows 'write someone' (write me, write that girl); British English needs 'write TO someone'. 'Write off' = dismiss, or destroy (a vehicle).

1. to form letters or words on a surface; to compose text

   She writes for a national newspaper.

2. (especially American) to send a letter or message to (someone)

   He wrote that girl every week.

'Written exam' (vs oral). 'The written word'.

• expressed in writing rather than spoken

  You'll need to pass a written test first.

• a person who writes books, stories, or articles

  She works as a freelance writer.

'In writing' = documented. 'The writing on the wall' = a sign of trouble ahead.

• the activity or skill of composing text; written work

  He spends his mornings on his writing.

• (of a rule or law) not formally enacted but based on custom or practice

  An unwritten rule.

• to sign and accept liability under (an insurance policy), thus guaranteeing payment in case loss or damage occurs

  The policy was underwritten by Lloyd's.

• a person or company that underwrites an insurance risk

  An insurance underwriter.

1. to cancel (a debt) or remove (an asset) from the books as a loss

   The bank wrote off millions in bad loans.

2. to regard as a failure, loss, or waste of time; to dismiss

   Don't write him off just because he's young.

Acronym: "involuntary celibate". Originally a neutral support community in the late 1990s; now associated with misogynist online subcultures.

• (internet slang) a member of an online subculture of men who define themselves as unable to attract sexual partners despite wanting to, and often express resentment toward women

  Sociologists have studied the radicalization within incel forums.

Multiple senses. "Comic-Con" = a famous comic-book convention. The "Geneva Convention": international treaty on wartime conduct.

1. a way in which something is usually done

   It's a social convention to shake hands.

2. a large meeting or conference

   The party held its national convention in Chicago.

Often contrasted with "unconventional" or "alternative". "Conventional medicine" = mainstream Western medicine; "conventional weapons" = non-nuclear.

• based on or in accordance with convention

  She has a conventional approach to teaching.

• not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed

  She has an unconventional approach to teaching.

Past tense: struck. Past participle: struck (less commonly "stricken", used for diseases or sorrow). Many idioms: "strike a chord", "strike a deal", "strike out".

1. to hit forcibly

   The lightning struck the tree.

2. (of workers) to refuse to work as a protest

   The workers went on strike.

• attracting attention by being unusual

  She has a striking appearance.

M-W lists this only as a curated stem of "striking," with no separate recording, so no audio_mw is set here.

• in a way that attracts attention; remarkably

  The twins looked strikingly similar.

Old past participle of "strike". Used in fixed combinations: "grief-stricken", "panic-stricken", "poverty-stricken". Formal/literary.

• seriously affected by something unpleasant

  The grief-stricken family wept at the funeral.

British spelling: discolour.

• to change or spoil the color of something

  Sunlight had discolored the curtains over the years.

• having an unattractive or unnatural change in color

  The old photograph was faded and discolored.

• an unattractive change in color, or a stained area

  The dentist pointed out a slight discoloration on the tooth.

"Theatre of the Absurd": 20th-century drama movement (Beckett, Ionesco). Camus's "The Myth of Sisyphus": famous philosophical essay on absurdity.

• wildly unreasonable or illogical

  That's an absurd suggestion.

• the quality of being wildly unreasonable or illogical

  The absurdity of the situation made her laugh.

• relating to the sexual organs

  The patient reported genital pain.

• the external sexual organs

  The textbook used an anatomical diagram of genitalia.

The everyday, more common word; "genitalia" is the more formal/clinical term.

• the external sexual or reproductive organs

  The doctor examined the newborn's genitals.

Noun: 'vulgarity'. Older sense survives in 'the vulgar tongue'.

1. lacking sophistication or good taste; crude or obscene

   He told a vulgar joke at dinner.

2. (dated) of or used by ordinary people

   the vulgar tongue, as opposed to Latin

• the quality of being crude, obscene, or lacking in taste

  The comedian's act was criticized for its vulgarity.

• strange or unusual, especially in an unsettling way

  There was a weird noise coming from the attic.

Informal, mildly pejorative. "Weirdo": Radiohead song ("Creep" parody). Modern: often used affectionately for quirky friends.

• a strange or eccentric person (informal)

  He's a bit of a weirdo, but harmless.

• unusual, surprising, or difficult to explain

  There was a strange noise in the hallway.

Don't confuse the spelling with 'bazaar' (a market).

• very strange or unusual; weird

  He told a bizarre story about being abducted by aliens.

• to see, hear, or feel something that is not really there

  The fever made him hallucinate.

• an unreal perception caused by illness, drugs, or the mind

  She described a vivid hallucination.

• relating to or causing hallucinations

  The film has a hallucinatory style.

"Optical illusion": image that tricks visual perception. "Have no illusions about" = be realistic. "Illusionist": stage magician, especially one who does grand illusions.

1. a false idea or belief

   He has no illusions about his abilities.

2. a thing that is wrongly perceived

   The painting creates the illusion of depth.

• based on illusion; not real

  The profits turned out to be illusory.

From Latin ("I"). In Freud: id, ego, superego (instinct, self, conscience). "Big ego": colloquially, arrogance.

• a person's sense of self-esteem

  His ego was bruised by the criticism.

• thinking mainly about oneself

  His egocentric comments annoyed the group.

• self-interested; concerned chiefly with one's own benefit

  The decision seemed egoistic.

• showing an exaggerated sense of self-importance

  The speech sounded egotistic.

• excessive talking or thinking about oneself

  His egotism hurt the team.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording (the only audio candidate found belonged to the unrelated "egotism"), so no audio_mw here.

• a person who is excessively self-centered

  The novel's narrator is an egotist.

Compare with illusion (a false perception of something real) and hallucination (perceiving something that is not there).

1. a false belief that someone holds despite clear evidence to the contrary, especially as a symptom of a mental disorder

   He suffered from delusions of grandeur, believing he was the rightful king of France.

2. the act of deceiving or being deceived; a mistaken idea

   She lived under the delusion that her husband had been faithful.

Often reflexive: "delude oneself".

• to make someone believe something that is not true

  Don't delude yourself into thinking the deal will go through.

• to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens

  We had to wait for the bus.

• a period of time spent waiting

  After a long wait, the train finally arrived.

Very commonly spelled as one word, "waitlist," in everyday and informal use, though Merriam-Webster's own headword is the two-word "waiting list."

• a list of people waiting for something, such as admission or an available spot

  The restaurant was full, so we put our name on the waiting list.

Often written "waitlist" (one word) or "wait list" (two words, no hyphen) informally.

• to put (someone) on a waiting list

  The airline wait-listed us for the earlier flight.

Older sense ("of or relating to another country") is now rare; the modern everyday sense is "bizarre" or "over the top."

1. strikingly unconventional or bizarre

   He showed up in the most outlandish costume.

2. exceeding reasonable or proper limits

   The lawsuit demanded an outlandish sum in damages.

1. to consider or think of in a specified way

   She is regarded as one of the best in her field.

2. to look at steadily

   He regarded her with suspicion.

"With regard to" / "in regard to" = concerning. "Best regards" = formal closing for letters/emails.

1. (uncountable) attention, respect, or consideration

   He has little regard for the rules.

2. (plural) best wishes; greetings

   Please give my regards to your parents.

Formal. More everyday: "about". Common in formal emails: "Regarding your inquiry..." "Re:" in subject lines is short for "regarding".

• with respect to; concerning

  I have a question regarding your email.

Often followed by "of". "Irregardless": frequently used but technically incorrect (double negative); avoided in formal writing.

• without paying attention to the present situation

  He decided to go regardless of the weather.

Always negative: implies a difficult or unfortunate situation. "The plight of refugees" is a common collocation.

• a dangerous, difficult, or unfortunate situation

  The film depicts the plight of homeless families.

Extremely vulgar and offensive slang.

• (vulgar slang) a woman's genitals; an extremely unpleasant or stupid person

  He called him a stupid cunt.

"Bark up the wrong tree" (idiom) = pursue a mistaken line of thought.

1. (of a dog) to give a sharp loud cry

   The dog barked at the mailman.

2. to shout an order or comment aggressively

   The sergeant barked orders at the recruits.

• the sharp loud cry of a dog

  His bark is worse than his bite.

This sense is etymologically unrelated to the dog-bark sense (from Old Norse vs. Old English). Three different "bark" words share the spelling: dog noise, tree covering, and a type of sailing ship.

• the tough outer covering of a tree trunk and branches

  The cinnamon spice comes from tree bark.

• to make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters

  The memory of the conversation still vexed him.

1. annoyed, frustrated, or worried

   She looked vexed by the delay.

2. (of a question or issue) difficult and much debated

   Immigration remains a vexed question in the election.

• the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

  He couldn't hide his vexation at the news.

• the use of humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or expose folly, especially in politics

  "Animal Farm" is a famous political satire.

• containing or using satire

  The Onion is a satirical newspaper.

• a writer or performer who uses satire

  Jonathan Swift was a famous satirist.

• to mock and criticize by means of satire

  The cartoon satirized the government's policies.

British spelling of satirize.

• British spelling of satirize

  The cartoon satirised the government's policies.

• to say something aloud from memory

  The students recited a poem.

• the act of saying something aloud from memory

  The class began with a recitation of the poem.

From Latin lac (milk). "Lactose intolerance": inability to digest lactose due to lack of the enzyme lactase.

• a sugar found in milk

  She avoids dairy because she's lactose intolerant.

From Latin fructus (fruit). "High-fructose corn syrup" (HFCS) is a controversial sweetener in many processed foods.

• a sugar found in fruit and honey

  Fructose is sweeter than table sugar.

The body's primary fuel. "Blood glucose" levels are monitored by diabetics.

• a simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy

  The doctor checked his blood glucose level.

1. (uncountable) the action of forging a copy or imitation of a document, signature, or work of art

   He was convicted of forgery.

2. (countable) a forged document, signature, etc.

   The painting was revealed to be a forgery.

Three distinct senses sharing one spelling. Past tense "forged". "Forge ahead" = make rapid progress.

1. to produce a fraudulent copy or imitation of

   He forged the signature on the check.

2. to make or shape (a metal object) by heating and hammering

   The blacksmith forged the iron into a horseshoe.

3. to create through hard work

   They forged a strong friendship.

• a furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped

  The blacksmith's forge glowed red.

• evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way

  He managed to elude his pursuers.

1. difficult to find, catch, or achieve

   Success has been elusive for the team this season.

2. difficult to remember or recall

   The exact word she wanted was elusive.

Typically used in compounds: "city dweller", "cave dweller".

• a person or animal that lives in or at a particular place

  As a city dweller, she misses the quiet of the countryside.

Past tense: dwelt or dwelled. "Dwell on" = think or talk about something at length.

1. to live in or at a specified place

   They dwell in a small cottage by the sea.

2. to think, speak, or write at length about (a particular subject)

   Don't dwell on the past.

Formal/legal term. "Dwelling place" is common in literature.

• (formal) a house or other place of residence

  There were several small dwellings along the road.

Not in Merriam-Webster (a TV show title), so no audio_mw here. An HBO anthology series (2021-) that satirizes wealthy guests at a luxury resort chain each season.

• an HBO satirical black-comedy drama anthology series set at a fictional luxury resort

  Everyone's been talking about the latest season of The White Lotus.

Mostly literary or in proper names: "British Isles", "Isle of Wight". For everyday use, "island" is normal.

• (literary) an island, especially a small one

  They sailed to a remote isle in the Aegean.

"Islets of Langerhans": the cell clusters in the pancreas that produce insulin.

• a small island

  Birds nest on the rocky islets offshore.

"S" silent. "No man is an island": John Donne. "Island": also a kitchen feature (kitchen island). "Hawaii": most famous US island state.

• a piece of land surrounded by water

  They visited a small island.

Almost always seen in the compound "uric acid," a waste product that, in excess, causes gout.

• relating to or derived from urine

  High uric acid levels can lead to gout.

Past tense: foresaw. Past participle: foreseen. "Foreseeable future": a common phrase for the near term.

• to be aware of beforehand; to predict

  No one could have foreseen the disaster.

• able to be foreseen or predicted

  In the foreseeable future, things won't change.

"Unforeseen circumstances" - a very common collocation, especially in contracts and legal disclaimers.

• not anticipated or predicted

  The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances.

• the number of people attending or taking part in an event, especially the number voting in an election

  Voter turnout was unusually high.

From Norse mythology (ugly cave-dwellers). Internet sense from 1990s: "trolling" derives from fishing term, not the mythological creature.

1. a mythological ugly dwarf or giant living in caves or hills

   In the story, a troll guarded the bridge.

2. a person who intentionally posts inflammatory or offensive comments online to provoke others

   Don't feed the trolls in the comments.

• to post provocative or annoying comments online

  He trolled the politician's Twitter account.

"Thick as thieves" = very close friends. "Through thick and thin" = in good times and bad.

1. having a relatively great distance between opposite surfaces; not thin

   The walls of the castle were thick.

2. (of a liquid) having a heavy, dense consistency; not watery

   The soup was thick and creamy.

• careful, systematic investigation aimed at discovering or confirming facts

  The company invests heavily in medical research.

• to investigate a subject carefully and systematically

  She researched the topic thoroughly before writing the report.

1. the activity of learning about a subject, especially through reading and reflection

   She devoted years of study to ancient history.

2. a piece of research on a particular subject, or its published report

   A new study found that the drug reduced symptoms significantly.

• to devote time and attention to learning about a subject

  He studied biology at university.

"At stake" = at risk. "Raise the stakes" = increase what can be won/lost. "Burn at the stake" - historical execution method.

1. a strong pointed post driven into the ground as a marker or support

   They secured the young tree to a wooden stake.

2. a share or financial interest in a business, investment, or outcome

   The fund acquired a 12 percent stake in the software company.

3. something that may be gained, lost, or put at risk

   Thousands of jobs are at stake in the negotiations.

1. (of a person or their build) gracefully thin

   A slim girl of about fifteen.

2. small in width, amount, or extent

   There's only a slim chance of success.

Chiefly British; American English usually says 'to slim down' or 'to lose weight'.

• to become thinner, especially by dieting

  She's trying to slim down before the wedding.

Lowercase scout is general. Capitalize Scout for a member of the international youth movement.

1. a person sent to gather information about an area, opponent, or opportunity

   The army sent a scout ahead to examine the road.

2. a person who searches for talented athletes, performers, or employees

   A baseball scout watched the pitcher from behind home plate.

• a member of a youth organization that develops practical skills, character, and community service

  She became a Scout and learned wilderness first aid.

Common patterns: scout for talent, scout a location, and scout out a venue.

• to search an area or examine people for information, talent, or a suitable opportunity

  The production team scouted several locations for the film.

Depending on context, scouting can refer to intelligence gathering, talent recruitment, location research, or the Scout movement.

1. the activity of searching for information, talent, or suitable places

   The club expanded its international scouting network.

2. the activities and movement associated with Scouts

   Scouting introduced him to camping and public service.

Not in Merriam-Webster (recent internet/finance slang, from "pull the rug out from under someone"), so no audio_mw here. Most associated with cryptocurrency scams.

• (informal) a scam in which developers abandon a project and disappear with investors' money, especially in cryptocurrency

  The token's price collapsed to zero overnight - it was a classic rug pull.

1. a remaining part, group, or amount

   She spent the remainder of the afternoon reading.

2. the number left over after division or subtraction

   Seven divided by two is three, with a remainder of one.

Homophone of "rein" (to control a horse) and "rain". Common phrase: "reign of terror".

• the period during which a sovereign rules

  Queen Victoria's reign lasted 63 years.

1. to hold royal office; to rule as monarch

   Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years.

2. (figurative) to be dominant or prevailing

   Chaos reigned at the airport.

Often used in sports: "reigning champion" = the current title holder.

• currently holding a particular title or position

  She is the reigning world champion in figure skating.

• exert force on (someone or something), typically with one's hand, in order to move them away from oneself or the origin of the force

  She pushed her glass towards him.

• an act of pushing something, or a vigorous effort or campaign to achieve something

  With one final push, they got the car out of the mud.

• an exercise in which a person lies facing the floor and, keeping their back straight, raises their body by pressing down on their hands

  He did fifty push-ups.

• to disagree with or oppose an idea, plan, or request

  The committee pushed back against the proposed budget cuts.

• resistance or opposition to an idea or plan

  The proposal faced pushback from residents.

"Job prospect" is a common collocation.

1. (countable) the possibility or likelihood of some future event

   There is little prospect of rain today.

2. (countable) a possible or likely candidate

   The team has signed a promising young prospect.

• expected or likely to happen in the future

  They interviewed several prospective employees.

• a printed document advertising an organization or describing a forthcoming venture

  She received the college's prospectus in the mail.

Often used for environments untouched by humans ("pristine wilderness") or items in perfect condition ("pristine vinyl record").

1. in its original condition; unspoiled

   The beach was pristine and empty.

2. clean and fresh as if new

   His shirt was pristine.

A grammar term. Examples: "in," "on," "at," "by," "for." Combines with a noun phrase to show relationships of place, time, direction, etc.

• a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show its relation to another word, such as place, time, or direction

  "Under," "before," and "with" are all prepositions.

Academic/philosophical register. Same root as "position". Often: "posit that" + clause.

• to put forward as a fact or for consideration

  He posited a new theory of evolution.

In American English, distinguished from "surgeon": a physician practices general/internal medicine rather than performing operations, though both are medical doctors.

• a medical doctor, especially one who practices general or internal medicine

  She made an appointment to see her physician about the persistent cough.

Online petitions (Change.org, etc.) are now common but rarely lead to direct legal action. "Petition" is also a verb.

• a formal written request signed by many people

  Over a million people signed the petition.

• to make a formal request to an authority

  Residents petitioned the city to install a traffic light.

• a person who organizes or signs a petition; a person who applies to a court for a legal remedy or order

  The petitioner was granted a divorce.

"Insurance payout", "lottery payout", "severance payout". Often used in financial/legal contexts.

• a large sum of money paid, often as compensation

  He received a generous payout.

Range from "unpleasant" to "cruel". "Nasty woman": phrase reclaimed by Hillary Clinton supporters after Trump used it in 2016 debate. "Nasty surprise": bad shock.

• unpleasant or unkind

  He has a nasty temper.

In medicine, the opposite is "benign".

1. (of a tumor) cancerous; tending to invade and spread

   The biopsy showed the tumor was malignant.

2. showing or motivated by intense ill will

   She felt his malignant stare from across the room.

1. (countable) a cancerous growth

   The doctors detected a malignancy in her lung.

2. (uncountable) the quality of being malignant; malevolence

   There was a quiet malignancy in his words.

• to speak about someone in a disparaging or damaging way

  She felt maligned by the false rumors.

• evil in nature or effect

  The novel explores the malign influence of jealousy.

Originally a narrow slit in a castle wall for archers to shoot through.

• an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules that allows it to be evaded

  His lawyers found a loophole to avoid the tax.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Common in US politics for an official serving out their term after a successor has been elected or after choosing not to seek reelection.

1. an elected official continuing to hold office during the period after a successor has been chosen but before taking office

   As a lame duck, the outgoing senator had little leverage left.

2. a person or thing whose power, influence, or effectiveness is weakened, especially near the end of a term

   Critics called him a lame duck president after the midterm losses.

Two senses: educational printout, or charitable gift (sometimes pejorative, "I don't want a handout"). Compare "handover" (transfer of control) and "handoff" (passing responsibility).

1. a printed sheet given out to people

   The professor passed out a handout.

2. money or goods given as charity

   He refused to accept handouts.

• to give out or distribute, especially without charge

  Volunteers handed out water bottles at the finish line.

Caused by excess uric acid crystallizing in the joints; the big toe is a classic site of gout attacks.

• a disease causing painful inflammation of the joints, especially the big toe

  His gout flared up after the rich holiday meal.