l   perceptible /pə(r)ˈseptəb(ə)l/

Definition: able to be seen, heard etc if you look, listen etc carefully

Example: Edward still walks with a perceptible limp.

 

l   turmoil/ˈtɜː(r)mɔɪl/

Definition: a state of excitement or uncontrolled activity

Example: Her life seemed to be in turmoil.

 

l   consolidation/ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition: something that makes you feel less unhappy or disappointed

Example: It was some consolation to know that no one else had passed the test.

 

l   retainer/rɪˈteɪnə(r)/

Definition: a payment made to someone such as a lawyer so that they will be available to do work for you when you want them

Example: We've put him on a retainer for the moment.

 

l   penitential /ˌpenɪˈtenʃ(ə)l/

Definition: showing that you are sorry for having done something bad

Example: a penitential life

 

l   assault /əˈsɔːlt/

Definition1: a physical attack on someone, or the crime of physically attacking someone

Example: He was charged with assault.

Definition2: a strong criticism

Example: The article was a vicious assault on Bell's integrity.

 

l   treacherous  /ˈtretʃərəs/

Definition: very dangerous, especially because the dangers are not obvious

Example: Is it wise to go out in this treacherous weather?

 

l   sporadic  /spəˈrædɪk/

Definition: not regular or frequent

Example: The explosions were only sporadic now.

 

l   convene /kənˈviːn/

Definition: to arrange a formal meeting, or to gather for a meeting

Example: A panel of experts was convened to study safety issues.

 

l   muster /ˈmʌstə(r)/

Definition: to try to produce as much of a feeling such as enthusiasm or determination as you can

Example: He was trying to muster support from MPs.

 

l   analogy /əˈnælədʒi/

Definition: a comparison between two situations, processes etc that is intended to show that the two are similar

Example: He uses the analogy of the family to explain the role of the state.

 

l   rupture /ˈrʌptʃə(r)/

Definition: an end to a friendly relationship or to a peaceful situation

Example: The marriage caused a rupture in her relationship with her mother.

 

l   predilection /ˌpriːdɪˈlekʃ(ə)n/

Definition: a feeling that you like something, especially something a little unusual

Example: a predilection for silly love songs

 

l   grotesque /ɡrəʊˈtesk/

Definition: unreasonable, or offensive

Example: He called the original broadcast a grotesque distortion.

 

l   cohesion  /kəʊˈhiːʒ(ə)n/

Definition: a situation in which people or things combine well to form a unit

Example: The common threat of war produces cohesion in a community.

 

l   striking  /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/

Definition: attracting your interest or attention because of some unusual feature

Example: This is a striking example of how misleading statistics can be.

 

l   contempt /kənˈtempt/

Definition1: a feeling that someone or something is unimportant and deserves no respect

Example: I shall treat that remark with the contempt it deserves.

Definition2: a failure to show appropriate respect for something that other people consider to be important

Example: He showed a complete contempt for other people's feelings.

 

l   inducement /ɪnˈdjuːsmənt/

Definition: something that persuades someone to do something

Example: a financial inducement to join the company

 

l   emulate /ˈemjʊleɪt/

Definition: to try to be like someone or something else, usually because you admire them

Example: a legal system that has been emulated all over the world

 

l   infuse  /ɪnˈfjuːz/

Definition: to give someone or something a particular quality

Example: The best teachers manage to infuse vitality into the most boring subjects.

 

l   audacious /ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/

Definition: done with extreme confidence, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes of other people

Example: an audacious plan to take control of the company

 

l   sublime  /səˈblaɪm/

Definition1: extremely good or beautiful

Example: Sublime music filled the air.

Definition2: used for describing a feeling or quality that is extreme

Example: His face assumed an expression of sublime conceit.

 

l   enterprise /ˈentə(r)ˌpraɪz/

Definition1: a large or important project, especially one that is new or different

Example: They are involved in an exciting scientific enterprise.

Definition2: a business company or organization

Example: Euro Disney is a much smaller enterprise than its American counterparts.

 

l   sustain /səˈsteɪn/

Definition1: to provide the conditions in which something can happen or exist

Example: Only two of the planets could sustain life.

Definition2: to give someone strength, energy, or hope

Example: A cup of coffee isn't enough to sustain you until lunchtime.

Definition3: to experience loss, injury, damage etc

Example: One of the officers sustained minor injuries in the fire.

l   tenuous /ˈtenjuəs/

Definition: weak and likely to change

Example: a tenuous agreement/connection