Vocabulary: Batch 85

"Execute" a plan (carry out) vs. "execute" a criminal (put to death) - two quite different senses from the same root.

1. to carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, or course of action)

   The team executed the strategy flawlessly.

2. to put to death, especially as a legal penalty

   He was executed by firing squad.

1. the carrying out or performance of an action or plan

   The execution of the plan went smoothly.

2. the act of killing someone as a legal penalty

   The execution was carried out at dawn.

Historical: official who carried out death sentences. Famous: Jack Ketch (notorious 17th-century English executioner). Modern "executioner" largely metaphorical.

• an official who carries out a sentence of death

  The executioner brought down the axe.

In wills: the executor (named in the will) handles probate. Important responsibility: must distribute assets, pay debts, file taxes.

• a person appointed to carry out the terms of a will

  She named her son as executor of her will.

"CEO" = Chief Executive Officer. "Executive branch": one of three branches of US government (alongside legislative and judicial).

• a person with senior managerial responsibility

  She's a top executive at the company.

• relating to carrying out plans, decisions, or laws, especially at a senior managerial or governmental level

  The president made an executive decision to delay the launch.

Informal clipping of 'executive'.

• (informal) an executive; a senior manager

  The ad execs pitched the campaign.

Latin for "let it be done". "Fiat currency" = government-issued money not backed by a commodity like gold.

1. (formal) an official order or authorization

   The new policy was imposed by executive fiat.

2. (finance) money declared by a government to be legal tender

   The dollar is a fiat currency.

Do not confuse with illicit, which means illegal.

• to draw out a response, fact, or reaction

  The question elicited an awkward silence.

Formal. Often "impute (motive) to (someone)".

• to attribute (something, especially something undesirable) to someone

  The article imputed dishonest motives to him.

• the action of attributing something, especially something undesirable, to someone

  He resented the imputation of dishonesty.

Antonym: diverge. From Latin convergere (to incline together).

1. to come together from different directions and meet at a point

   The two roads converge just outside town.

2. to tend toward the same conclusion or result

   Several lines of evidence converge on the same explanation.

• the process of coming together toward a common point or result

  The report describes a convergence of economic and political pressures.

"Convergent evolution": unrelated species independently evolving similar traits (e.g. wings in birds and bats). "Convergent thinking": finding a single correct answer, contrasted with divergent/creative thinking.

• tending to come together toward a common point or result

  Sharks and dolphins show convergent evolution, despite being unrelated.

1. (formal) to cancel or refrain from exacting a debt or punishment

   The excess of the sentence over 12 months was remitted.

2. to send money as payment

   Please remit payment within 30 days.

The dominant modern sense, especially British English. Note the stress shifts to the first syllable for the noun.

• the task or area of responsibility officially assigned to a person or group

  That decision is outside my remit.

• a diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain; a temporary recovery

  The cancer is in remission.

US pronunciation: /ˈmoʊbəl/. UK: /ˈmoʊbaɪl/. "Mobile home": trailer-style residence. "Upwardly mobile": rising in social class.

• able to move or be moved

  She is no longer mobile.

Mostly British term; Americans say "cell phone". First commercial mobile call: 1973 (Motorola). iPhone: 2007.

• a portable phone using cellular networks

  He answered his mobile phone.

"Social mobility" - ability to move between social classes. "Reduced mobility" - common medical/accessibility term.

• the ability to move or be moved freely

  The injury affected his mobility.

Short for "cellular phone": the network is divided into "cells". Increasingly written as "cell phone" (two words) in formal contexts.

• a mobile phone, especially in American English

  He left his cellphone in the car.

A basic mobile phone with limited computing capability, positioned between an old-style cell phone and a smartphone; usually has a physical keypad instead of a touchscreen.

• a basic mobile phone with limited functionality compared to a smartphone

  He switched back to a feature phone to cut down on screen time.

A mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities: internet access, apps, touchscreen. The iPhone (2007) popularized the category.

• a mobile phone that performs many functions of a computer, with internet access and apps

  She checks her email on her smartphone throughout the day.

From French trait (line, feature). In biology, "trait" = a characteristic inherited from parents. The "Big Five" personality traits: OCEAN.

• a distinguishing quality or characteristic

  Honesty is one of her best traits.

Don't confuse with "credulous" (= easily believing). Distinct: credible = believable; creditable = praiseworthy.

• able to be believed; convincing

  She gave a credible explanation.

"Credibility gap": difference between official statements and public belief, popularized during the Vietnam War era.

• the quality of being believable or trustworthy

  The scandal damaged his credibility.

• belief in or acceptance of something as true

  Psychoanalysis finds little credence among laymen.

• impossible or hard to believe; extraordinary

  She had an incredible amount of energy.

Acronym: Live Action Role-Playing. Modern internet slang use: "LARPing" = pretending to have a role or expertise online.

• a game in which participants physically act out the roles of fictional characters

  He spent the weekend at a medieval fantasy LARP.

• to participate in such a role-playing game

  They go LARPing every summer in the woods.

Now often used metaphorically: "computer literacy", "financial literacy", "media literacy".

• the ability to read and write

  The country has a literacy rate of 95%.

1. able to read and write

   All the children in the school are literate.

2. knowledgeable in a particular field

   She is computer literate.

• unable to read or write

  Many adults in the region were illiterate.

• a person who cannot read or write

  The program teaches basic skills to illiterates.

• the state of being unable to read or write

  The campaign aims to reduce illiteracy.

• strong thread or string consisting of two or more strands of fiber twisted together

  She tied the package with garden twine.

• to wind or twist together

  Their fingers entwined as they held hands.

• to twist or twine together

  Their fates were intertwined from the start.

Usually reflexive: "perjure oneself".

• to commit perjury

  He perjured himself on the witness stand.

• having committed perjury

  The perjured witness was charged with contempt.

• the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath

  He was charged with perjury.

Formal/literary: "should" can open a conditional clause without "if", with the subject and verb inverted.

1. used to say what is advisable or expected

   You should save the file before closing the app.

2. used to describe something likely

   The package should arrive tomorrow.

3. used (instead of "if") to introduce a formal hypothetical condition

   Should we become disconnected, I'll call you right back.

1. a small group of musicians who play popular or rock music together

   They formed a band in college and played local bars.

2. a group of people united by a common purpose

   A band of volunteers cleaned up the beach.

3. a thin strip or loop of material

   She wore a rubber band around her wrist.

Almost always used as "band together".

• ("band together") to unite as a group for a shared purpose

  The neighbors banded together to oppose the new development.

From Latin mos/moris (custom). "Moral high ground": the ethically superior position.

• concerned with the principles of right and wrong

  It's a moral issue, not a legal one.

• the lesson or practical message drawn from a story or experience

  The moral of the story is that honesty pays off.

"Morality play": medieval drama with allegorical characters representing virtues and vices.

• principles concerning right and wrong

  She questioned the morality of war.

• in a way that relates to right and wrong behavior

  He felt morally obligated to report the crime.

Distinct from "morality": "morals" usually refers to a specific person's own standards of behavior.

• a person's standards of behavior regarding right and wrong

  She questioned whether he had any morals at all.

Different from "amoral" (having no moral sense at all) - "immoral" implies knowingly violating moral standards.

• not conforming to accepted standards of morality

  Cheating on the exam was clearly immoral.

• the state of not conforming to accepted moral standards

  The scandal exposed the immorality of the regime.

Lacks a moral sense entirely - neither moral nor immoral. Distinct from immoral, which implies knowingly violating moral standards.

• lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with right or wrong

  Nature itself is amoral, neither good nor evil.

British spelling: moralise. Usually negative: implies preachy, self-righteous tone.

• to comment on moral issues, often unwantedly

  Don't moralize at me!

"Cardinal virtues": prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance (ancient). "By virtue of": by reason of. "Virtue signaling" (modern, often pejorative): displaying moral views to gain social approval.

• a good quality or behavior

  Patience is a virtue.

• having or showing high moral standards

  He led a virtuous life.

From Greek kallos (beauty) + graphein (to write). Highly developed in East Asian (Chinese/Japanese/Korean) and Islamic art.

• decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering

  The invitation was done in beautiful calligraphy.

• a person who practices calligraphy

  She hired a calligrapher to address the envelopes.

• relating to or resembling calligraphy

  The poster used an elegant calligraphic font.

Past tense and past participle: understood.

1. to know the meaning, reason, or importance of something

   I understand the grammar now.

2. to know how someone feels

   I understand why you were upset.

"My/your understanding is..." introduces one's own interpretation or belief about something, often one that may be wrong or incomplete.

1. a particular interpretation or grasp of something

   My understanding is that the meeting was moved to Friday.

2. an informal agreement

   They reached an understanding about how to split the rent.

• sympathetic and tolerant toward others

  She's very understanding about last-minute schedule changes.

Onomatopoeic. "Out of whack" = malfunctioning. "A whack at it" = an attempt. Slang: "whack" = murder (gangster usage).

• to hit hard

  She whacked the ball over the fence.

1. a hard blow, or the sound it makes

   He gave the piñata a solid whack.

2. (informal) an attempt

   Let me take a whack at fixing it.

From the arcade game where plastic moles pop up at random and players hammer them back down.

• a situation in which a new problem appears as soon as a similar one has been dealt with

  Fixing these bugs feels like whack-a-mole.

Irregular, zero-change: past and past participle are both "hurt", unchanged from the base form.

1. to cause physical pain or injury to

   She fell and hurt her knee.

2. to cause emotional pain or distress to

   His comment really hurt her feelings.

3. to be a source of pain

   My back hurts after all that lifting.

• physically injured, or emotionally upset

  He looked hurt when she forgot his birthday.

Informal.

• emotional pain or distress

  There was real hurt in her voice.

For animals, the more neutral term is "neuter".

• to remove the testicles of (a male animal or man)

  The horses were castrated for breeding control.

• the act of removing the testicles of a male animal or man

  Chemical castration is used in some sentencing programs.

Figurative sense, distinct from the plain past participle of castrate.

• weakened or deprived of vitality, force, or effectiveness

  Critics called it a castrated version of the original bill.

1. a polite form of address for a woman

   May I help you, madam?

2. (informal) a woman who runs a brothel

   The madam managed the girls and the bookkeeping.

French-derived; used as a title equivalent to Mrs. for a woman not of English-speaking nationality, or as a formal title before a surname (Madame Curie).

• a title or form of polite address for a married woman, especially French

  The exhibit was dedicated to Madame Curie.

In some regions (especially the American South and parts of Britain) "supper" = evening meal; elsewhere "dinner" is used.

• an evening meal, typically a light or informal one

  They had soup and bread for supper.

• the time of day when supper is eaten

  The kids came home at suppertime.

The main meal of the day; usually eaten in the evening, though some regions/traditions use it for the midday meal. Compare supper.

• the main meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening

  We usually have dinner around seven o'clock.

"Courtesy of" = (1) thanks to, (2) given freely by.

1. (uncountable) the showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior

   He thanked her with old-fashioned courtesy.

2. (countable) a polite remark or considerate act

   It's a basic courtesy to reply to invitations.

• polite and respectful

  The staff were courteous and efficient.

• rude and lacking consideration for others

  It was discourteous of him to interrupt her repeatedly.

"At your peril" = at your own risk. Formal/literary.

• serious and immediate danger

  The sailors were in great peril during the storm.

• full of danger or risk

  They made the perilous journey across the mountains.

• to put at risk of being harmed, injured, or destroyed

  The toxic waste imperiled the river.

Mainly American English; British English uses invigilator for the exam-supervisor sense.

• a person who supervises students, especially during an exam

  The proctor walked up and down the rows during the test.

• to supervise (students taking an exam)

  Two teachers proctored the final exam.

Informal.

• a decision or choice that requires very little thought because it is obvious

  At that price, it's a no-brainer.

From 'perquisite'.

• an extra benefit given to employees in addition to salary

  Free gym membership is one of the job's perks.

Usually 'perk up'.

• ('perk up') to become or make more cheerful or lively

  She perked up at the mention of food.

Often used for cheerful morning people. Can also describe physical features (e.g., "perky nose").

• cheerful and lively

  She gave a perky greeting.

1. activity involving physical or mental effort done to achieve a purpose

   She has a lot of work to finish before Friday.

2. a job or paid employment

   He goes to work at eight every morning.

This sense is countable, unlike the general-effort/employment senses above.

• a piece of creative output, such as a book, painting, or piece of music

  This novel is considered his greatest work.

1. to do a job or perform labor, especially for pay

   She works for a tech company in Taipei.

2. to function or operate correctly

   The Wi-Fi isn't working today.

3. to operate or manipulate (a tool, machine, or material)

   He worked the dough until it was smooth.

• devoted to God or religion; righteous

  She led a godly life devoted to prayer and charity.

Informal. Often slightly humorous in tone.

1. silly or mischievous behavior

   The kids were up to their usual shenanigans.

2. underhanded or dishonest activity

   There were financial shenanigans at the highest levels of the company.

Onomatopoeic: frog sound. Also slang "to croak" = to die ("he croaked"). "Croaky voice": when sick or losing voice.

• to make a deep hoarse sound, like a frog

  The frog croaked in the pond.

1. to confer knighthood on

   The queen dubbed him Sir Philip with a tap of the sword.

2. to give an unofficial name or nickname to

   The press dubbed her "Iron Lady".

3. to provide (a film) with a soundtrack in a different language from the original

   The movie was dubbed into Spanish.

• the process of adding a new soundtrack, especially dialogue in a different language, to a film

  The dubbing didn't quite match the actors' lip movements.

• a new recruit, especially in the army, police, or a sports team, in their first year or season

  The rookie led the league in home runs.

• new to a job, role, or activity; inexperienced

  A rookie cop.

"Memory foam": popular mattress material. "Sea foam": natural white substance on waves. "Foam at the mouth": sign of rabies or extreme anger.

• a mass of small bubbles

  There was foam on top of the beer.

Also called cheese tea or milk cover (from Chinese naigai, literally "milk cap/cover"): a layer of lightly salted, whipped cream-cheese foam served on top of iced tea, popular across Taiwan and China.

• a salted, whipped cream-cheese topping served on iced tea drinks

  She ordered a black tea with cheese foam on top.

Added from source note: date as a verb.

1. to write or mark the date on something

   Please date the form before you sign it.

2. to decide how old something is

   Scientists dated the pottery to the tenth century.

1. to have a romantic relationship with someone

   They dated for two years before getting married.

2. to become old-fashioned

   Some slang dates very quickly.

• an organized social activity in which people seeking romantic relationships have a series of short conversations with potential partners

  They met at a speed dating event.

• old-fashioned

  A dated expression.

1. a specific day of the month or year

   What's the date today?

2. the sweet, sticky fruit of the date palm

   Medjool dates are a common ingredient in energy bars.

3. a planned social or romantic meeting between two people

   He asked her out on a date.

• conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behavior; of an acceptable standard; satisfactory

  Find me a decent cup of coffee.

• behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability

  Have the decency to tell me the truth.

• not conforming with accepted standards of behavior, especially in relation to sexual matters

  He was arrested for making indecent comments.

1. (uncountable) indecent behavior or quality

   The film was banned for indecency.

2. (countable) an indecent act, gesture, or comment

   He was accused of various indecencies.

• (law) an act of sexual molestation

  He was charged with indecent assault.

• (law) the criminal offense of intentionally exposing one's genitals in public

  He was arrested for indecent exposure.

Antonym: sacred. From Latin: pro- ("outside") + fanum ("temple").

1. showing disrespect for sacred things

   He was accused of using profane language in church.

2. not religious or sacred

   The book deals with both sacred and profane themes.

1. (uncountable) the use of swear words or blasphemous language

   The movie contains profanity.

2. (countable) a swear word

   He muttered a profanity under his breath.

Three senses: business model (McDonald's franchises), film series (Star Wars franchise), voting right. "Disenfranchise" = strip of voting rights.

• a business that operates under a brand; a series

  He opened a franchise of the coffee chain.

• a person or company granted a franchise to operate a business

  Each franchisee pays a fee to the parent company.

Also spelled 'franchisor'.

• a company that grants franchises to others

  The franchiser provides training and branding.

• to deprive someone of the right to vote or of other rights

  The new law disenfranchised thousands of voters.

Past tense: grew. Past participle: grown.

1. to become larger, older, or more developed

   The company grew quickly.

2. for plants to live and develop

   Tomatoes grow well in warm weather.

• to raise plants or crops

  They grow basil on the balcony.

• the process of increasing; something that has grown

  The company reported strong growth.

Distinct from the past participle of "grow" - here "grown" itself is an adjective meaning mature/adult. "Grown man/woman": emphasizes that someone should know better or act their age.

• fully developed; mature

  He acted like a child, even though he was a grown man.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here. Common collocations: lab-grown diamond, lab-grown meat.

• produced in a laboratory rather than through natural or conventional processes

  Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined ones.

Informal, from video game culture. From the Nerf brand of foam toys, since weakening something is like replacing a real weapon with a soft foam one. Opposite: buff (to strengthen).

• (informal) to reduce the effectiveness of a character, weapon, or ability in a video game, usually through a balance update

  The developers nerfed the sniper rifle after players complained it was overpowered.

"In the buff" (idiom) = naked.

• a person with a strong interest in and knowledge of a particular subject

  He's a real movie buff.

• (informal) having a muscular, toned physique from exercise

  He got noticeably buff after months at the gym.

Gaming sense (opposite of nerf) is common informal usage not yet listed in most dictionaries.

1. to polish or shine (a surface)

   She waxed and buffed the car until it gleamed.

2. (informal, video games) to strengthen or improve the effectiveness of a character, weapon, or ability

   The update buffed the healer class, making it viable again.

Latin aridus (dry). Describes both climate (arid desert) and figurative dullness (arid lecture). Compare barren, parched.

1. extremely dry, having very little rainfall

   The arid climate makes farming nearly impossible.

2. dull and uninteresting; lacking vitality

   The book was an arid collection of statistics.

Used in geography and climate science. 'Aridity index' measures how dry a region is.

• the state of being extremely dry

  The aridity of the region has worsened due to climate change.

• having an acid taste like lemon or vinegar

  She sampled the wine and found it was sour.

• to become or make unpleasant, bitter, or spoiled

  Their friendship soured after the argument.

• a beer deliberately brewed to taste tart or acidic, often using wild yeast or bacteria

  The brewery is known for its fruit-infused sours.

From Latin portare (to carry). Compare the beer sense below - genuinely connected: the style was named after London's 18th-century street porters, who favored it.

1. a person employed to carry luggage at a station, airport, or hotel

   A porter took their bags to the room.

2. (British) a person on duty at the entrance to a building, especially a hotel

   The porter held the door open.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording (this sense has no dedicated pronunciation), so no audio_mw here.

• a dark, malty style of beer, originally favored by 18th-century London street porters

  He ordered a porter to go with his stew.

"Pride and Prejudice": Jane Austen's 1813 novel. Literal etymology: "pre-judgment".

• preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience

  They fought against racial prejudice.

• having or showing prejudice

  He was prejudiced against newcomers.

Common in legal contexts: "prejudice a case/trial" = harm its fairness.

• to cause harm to a plan, situation, or legal case

  The leaked evidence could prejudice the trial.

Often plural "bowels". "Bowels of the earth" = deep underground.

1. the intestine, especially the lower part

   The doctor scheduled a bowel screening.

2. (literary) the innermost parts of something

   They explored the bowels of the ship.

"Have a blast" (informal) = enjoy oneself. "Blast from the past": sudden nostalgic memory. "Full blast": at maximum capacity.

• a destructive wave of highly compressed air

  The blast destroyed several buildings.

"Blast off": rocket launch. "Blasted" (mild British curse) = damned. "Blast" (informal) = vehement criticism.

• to attack with explosives

  They blasted the rock with dynamite.

Common in science fiction (a ray-gun weapon, e.g. Star Wars); also a portable loudspeaker ("ghetto blaster").

• a fictional ray-gun weapon, especially in science fiction

  The bounty hunter drew his blaster.

Term popularized by Freud. From Latin meaning "desire, lust".

• a person's sexual drive or desire

  Stress can lower a person's libido.

From 'libido' (sex drive). Formal/literary for lustful.

• showing strong sexual desire; lustful

  the libidinous appetites of the aging king

• calm, dignified, and unhurried

  They walked at a sedate pace.

• to administer a sedative drug to someone to calm them or make them sleep

  The patient was sedated before the procedure.

Related verb: sedate (added in batch 41).

• a drug used to calm a person or animal

  The dentist gave him a mild sedative.

• the administration of a sedative drug to produce a state of calm or sleep

  The child was placed under sedation for the procedure.

"Dirt cheap" = very cheap. "Have dirt on someone" = know damaging info. "Eat dirt" = humiliated.

• earth, dust, or any unclean substance

  There was dirt on his shoes.

• covered or marked with dirt; not clean

  His hands were dirty from the garden.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• a lightweight motorcycle designed for off-road riding on rough or unpaved terrain

  He rode his dirt bike through the muddy trail.

"Dispense with" = to do without ("dispense with formalities"). "Dispense justice" = to administer it.

• to distribute or provide (something), especially in a formal way

  The machine dispenses snacks.

Common: soap dispenser, water dispenser, candy dispenser (e.g., Pez).

• a container or machine that releases something in a measured amount

  The bathroom has an automatic soap dispenser.

In Catholic Church, a formal exemption from a religious rule ("papal dispensation").

• an official exemption from a rule or obligation

  He received special dispensation to leave early.

In modern US, "cannabis dispensary" = a legal store selling marijuana.

• a place where medicines are prepared and dispensed

  Pick up your prescription at the hospital dispensary.

Antonym: indispensable. "No one is indispensable" - common saying meaning anyone can be replaced.

• able to be replaced or done without

  None of us is dispensable to the team.

• absolutely necessary

  A good knife is an indispensable kitchen tool.

"Main character syndrome" (internet slang): behaving as if one is the protagonist of one's own life, sometimes at others' expense. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• the central character whose actions and experiences drive the story

  The novel is told entirely from the main character's point of view.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• a character with a secondary role, helping to develop the story or the main character rather than driving the plot

  The best friend is often written as a supporting character rather than the protagonist.

From Latin "country house". Modern usage often for vacation rentals.

• a large country house, typically in a Mediterranean country

  They rented a villa in Tuscany for the summer.

Originally meant a farm worker (related to villa); meaning shifted to wickedness as the upper class disparaged peasants.

• a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot

  Darth Vader is one of cinema's most famous villains.

• relating to, constituting, or guilty of wicked behavior

  He gave a villainous laugh.

• wicked behavior

  The play exposes the villainy of the corrupt official.

1. a gem or shell carved with a raised design, often set in jewelry

   She wore a brooch carved with a cameo of a woman's profile.

2. a brief appearance by a well-known actor or celebrity in a film, show, or event

   The director made a cameo in his own movie, as he always does.

• to prevent from growing or developing properly

  The drought stunted the growth of the plants.

1. an action displaying spectacular skill and daring, especially in a film

   The actor performed his own stunts.

2. something done to attract attention or publicity

   The whole thing was just a publicity stunt.

Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• a performer who substitutes for an actor during dangerous or physically demanding scenes

  The stunt double handled the car chase instead of the lead actor.

Related: narrator (the storyteller), narrative (the story or its structure), narration (the act).

1. to give a spoken or written account of

   She narrated the events of the day.

2. to provide a spoken commentary for (a film or program)

   The documentary was narrated by Morgan Freeman.

In politics and media, "changing the narrative" = changing public perception.

1. a spoken or written account of connected events; a story

   His memoir is a powerful narrative of survival.

2. a particular way of explaining or understanding events

   The dominant narrative blames the recession on bad policy.

• in the form of or concerned with storytelling

  The novel uses a non-linear narrative structure.

• a person who tells a story or gives a running commentary

  The novel has an unreliable narrator.

• the action or process of telling a story or giving an account

  The film relies on voice-over narration.

Also called a "voice artist". Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• a performer who provides only the voice for a character in an animated production, video game, or dubbed film

  She's a voice actor known for her roles in animated films.

• to cause liquid to be ejected in a thin, fast stream

  She squirted some ketchup on her burger.

'A little squirt' (informal, mildly disparaging) = a small or insignificant person.

1. a small jet or spurt of liquid

   Add a squirt of lime juice.

2. (informal) a small or unimportant person, especially a child

   Get out of here, you little squirt.

Informal internet slang for "laughing my ass off" - mildly vulgar but extremely common in casual texting. Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• used in texting or chat to indicate that something is very funny

  That video is hilarious, LMAO.

Informal internet/chat slang for "be right back". Not in Merriam-Webster with its own recording, so no audio_mw here.

• used in texting or chat to say one is stepping away briefly and will return soon

  BRB, someone's at the door.