l   privilege /ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/

Definition: a special benefit that is available only to a particular person or group

Example: Cheap air travel is one of the privileges of working for the airline.

 

l   twist /twɪst/

Definition1: to force something out of its original shape by bending it or turning it round

Example: She sat there twisting her handkerchief into a knot.

Definition2: to turn something in a circle with your hands or fingers

Example: Can you twist the cap off this bottle?

Definition3: to injure a part of your body such as your knee or wrist by bending it too much or by bending it in the wrong direction

Example: I've twisted my ankle so I won't be able to play.

Definition4: to wind something around something else

Example: He twisted vines round the logs to make a raft.

Definition5: if a road or a river twists, it has a lot of bends in it

Example: The path twists and turns up the mountainside.

Definition6: to change the intended meaning of something slightly so that it means what you want it to mean

Example: You're twisting my words. You know that's not what I meant.

Definition7: to change the position of part of your body so that you face a different direction

Example: Sanders twisted in his chair to look out of the window.

 

l   symmetry /ˈsɪmətri/

Definition: the quality of being similar or of balancing each other

Example: There's a certain symmetry in the careers of the two brothers.

 

l   akin /əˈkɪn/

Definition: similar to something

Example: The political situation here is more akin to dictatorship than democracy.

 

l   frisk /frɪsk/

Definition: to search someone with your hands in order to see if they are carrying anything illegal such as a gun or drugs

Example: All of the passengers were frisked by the airport police.

 

l   scar  /skɑː(r)/

Definition1: a permanent mark on your skin where you have been injured

Example: He has a scar under his left eye.

Definition2: a permanent effect on someone's mind, caused by an unpleasant experience that they have had

Example: She bore the scars of an unhappy childhood.

 

l   restless /ˈres(t)ləs/

Definition1: not willing or able to keep still because you are nervous, bored, or impatient

Example: Anna was growing restless, marching up and down the platform.

Definition2: not satisfied with the way that you are living and wanting to have new experiences

Example: He was getting restless and wanted to return to New York.

 

l   vanguard /ˈvænɡɑː(r)d/

Definition: the people who introduce and develop new ways of thinking, new technologies etc

Example: The students consider themselves the vanguard of the independence movement.

 

l   topple /ˈtɒp(ə)l/

Definition1: to stop being steady and fall, or to make someone or something do this

Example: He toppled over the side of the bridge into the water.

Definition2: to make someone in authority lose their power

Example: A civil war might topple the government.

 

l   falter  /ˈfɔːltə(r)/

Definition1: to stop being effective or making progress

Example: Peace talks have faltered.

Definition2: to stop doing something because you have lost your confidence or determination

Example: Wright never faltered in his architectural principles.

 

l   tap  /tæp/

Definition1: to touch someone or something gently and to move them slightly, or to make a soft knocking sound

Example: Michael tapped his nose with his forefinger.

Definition2: to get a substance from a particular place or object

Example: The scheme aimed to tap underground water resources.

 

l   prosperous/ˈprɒsp(ə)rəs/

Definition: rich and successful

Example: With economic expansion comes the promise of a more prosperous future.

 

l   apprentice/əˈprentɪs/

Definition: someone who works for a particular person or company, usually for low pay, in order to learn the type of work that they do

Example: He became an engineering apprentice with a local firm.

 

l   aristocratic /ˌærɪstəˈkrætɪk/

Definition: belonging to or typical of the aristocracy

Example: She comes from an aristocratic family.

 

l   pep /pep/

Definition: to make someone or something more active and lively

Example: A short break would pep you up.

 

l   volume/ˈvɒljuːm/

Definition1: an amount of something

Example: The total volume of trade has reached £800 million.

Definition2: the amount of space something fills, or the amount of space in a container

Example: The petrol tank has a volume of over 20 gallons.

Definition3: the loudness of a sound from a television, radio etc

Example: Can you turn the volume up a little, please?

 

l   plunder/ˈplʌndə(r)/

Definition1: to take valuable things from a place using force, sometimes causing a lot of damage

Example: The city was plundered and burned during the war.

Definition2: to take or use something that belongs to someone else in order to give yourself an advantage

Example: Film producers often plunder TV's most popular shows.

 

l   optional/ˈɒpʃ(ə)nəl/

Definition: something that is optional is available or possible if you want it, but you do not have to have it or do it

Example: The price includes hotel and meals – entertainment is optional.

 

l   nudge/nʌdʒ/

Definition1: to use a part of your body, especially your elbow, to give a little push to someone or something

Example: Sheila nudged me in the ribs, and pointed at Paul.

Definition2: to make something move gradually or a little way in a particular direction

Example: The central bank can nudge rates lower if necessary.

Definition3: to encourage someone in a gentle way to do something

Example: She tries to nudge her students into reading more.

 

l   repudiate/rɪˈpjuːdieɪt/

Definition1: to say formally that something is not true

Example: They repudiated all accusations of unlawful activity.

Definition2: to state that you do not accept or agree with something

Example: Party members appeared on television to repudiate policies they had formerly supported.

 

l   accelerate/əkˈseləreɪt/

Definition1: to happen or make something happen at a faster rate

Example: The increased capital could greatly accelerate economic development.

Definition2: if a vehicle accelerates, it moves faster

Example: Suddenly the van accelerated and shot forward.

 

l   grid/ɡrɪd/

Definition1: a pattern of straight lines that cross each other to form squares

Example: Each spreadsheet page is made up of a grid of columns and rows.

Definition2: a set of wires that carries the electricity supply

Example: The village will soon be connected to the national grid.

Definition3: metal bars arranged in a pattern of straight lines

Example: Heavy metal grids had been pulled across the shop fronts.

 

l   ambush/ˈæmbʊʃ/

Definition: an attack from a hidden position

Example: The two men were shot and wounded in an ambush.

 

l   frantic/ˈfræntɪk/

Definition: so worried or upset that you are not able to control your feelings

Example: By this time she'd been gone an hour and we were nearly frantic.

 

l   candid/ˈkændɪd/

Definition: honest and direct, even when the truth is not pleasant

Example: She was very candid with him about the standard of his work.