Artery
Noun
1. one of the thick tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body
E.g. hardening of the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack.
Awry
Adjective
1. not in the intended way
2. in the wrong position
E.g. she rushed in, her face red and sweaty and her hat awry.
Lurking
Verb
1. to wait or move in a secret way so that you cannot be seen, especially because you are about to attack someone or do something wrong
2. (of an unpleasant feeling or quality) to exist although it is not always noticeable
3. to enter a chat room and read other people's messages without taking part
E.g. danger lurks around every corner.
Prevalent
Adjective
1. existing very commonly or happening often
E.g. these diseases are more prevalent among young children.
Venue
Noun
1. the place where a public event or meeting happens
E.g. the hotel is an ideal venue for conferences and business meetings.
Stamina
Noun
1. the physical and/or mental strength to do something that might be difficult and will take a long time
E.g. the triathlon is a great test of stamina.
Decrepit
Adjective
1. in very bad condition because of being old, or not having been cared for, or having been used a lot
E.g. Most of the buildings were old and decrepit.
Weigh
Verb
1. to have a heaviness of a stated amount, or to measure the heaviness of an object
E.g. she weighs herself every week on the scales in the bathroom.
Elude
Verb
1. If something that you want eludes you, you do not succeed in achieving it
E.g. the gold medal continues to elude her.
Devour
Verb
1. to eat something eagerly and in large amounts so that nothing is left
2. to read books or literature quickly and eagerly
E.g. she’s a very keen reader - she devours one book after another.
Ooze
Verb
1. to flow slowly out of something through a small opening, or to slowly produce a thick sticky liquid
E.g. blood was still oozing out of the wound.
Petty
Adjective
1. [before noun] not important and not worth giving attention to
2. [after noun] complaining too much about things that are not important
E.g. don’t be so petty!
Scribble
Verb
1. To write or draw something quickly or carelessly
E.g. the baby's just scribbled all over my new dictionary!
Contemplate
1. to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious
and quiet way
E.g. it's too dangerous to contemplate.
Excruciating
Adjective
1. extremely painful
2. extremely boring or embarrassing
E.g. His confession, when it came, was excruciating.
Hectic
Adjective
1. full of activity, or very busy and fast
E.g. the area has become a haven for people tired of the hectic pace of city life.
Mindset
Noun
1. a person's way of thinking and their opinions
E.g. it’s extraordinary how hard it is to change the mindset of the public and the press.
Virtually
Adverb
1. almost
E.g. their twins are virtually identical.
Forge
Verb
1. to make an illegal copy of something in order to deceive
E.g. a number of forged works of art have been sold as genuine.
Unspoiled
Adjective
1. An unspoiled place is beautiful because it has not been changed or damaged by people
E.g. I saw an island with clean, unspoiled beaches.
Intact
Adjective
1. complete and in the original state
2. not damaged
E.g. it’s difficult to emerge from such a scandal with your reputation still intact.
Shuffle
Verb
1. to walk by pulling your feet slowly along the ground rather than lifting them
2. to move your feet or bottom around, while staying in the same place, especially because you are uncomfortable,
nervous, or embarrassed
E.g. he shuffled into the kitchen, leaning on his walking stick.
Antagonize
Verb
1. to make someone dislike you or feel opposed to you
E.g. it’s a very delicate situation and I've no wish to antagonize him.
Hilarious
Adjective
1. extremely funny and causing a lot of laughter
E.g. he didn't like the film at all - I thought it was hilarious.
Toll
Noun
1. a small amount of money that you have to pay to use a road, cross a bridge, etc.
2. the money a long-distance phone call costs
E.g. He's just got a job collecting tolls at the start of the motorway.
