Week15

1.motor/n. /ˈmoʊ.t̬ɚ/

a device that changes electricity or fuel into movement and makes a machine work.

e.g. The pump is powered by a small electric motor.

2.grotesque/adj. /ɡrəʊˈtesk/

strange and unpleasant, especially in a silly or slightly frightening way.

e.g. By now she'd had so much cosmetic surgery that she looked quite grotesque.

3.transcendent/adj. /trænˈsen.dənt/

greater, better, more important, or going past or above all others.

e.g. He describes seeing Pelé play football as one of the transcendent moments of his life.

4.powder/n. /ˈpaʊ.dər/

a solid substance that consists of extremely small pieces, is soft and easy to divide, and often has the same shape as the container that it is in.

e.g. You'll get more flavour from the spices if you grind them into a powder.

5.invisible /adj. /ɪnˈvɪz.ɪ.bl̩/

impossible to see.

e.g. These bacteria are invisible unless viewed with a microscope.

invisibly /adverb

invisibility /noun

6.impenetrable/adj. /ɪmˈpen.ɪ.trə.bl̩/

impossible to see through or go through.

e.g. Outside, the fog was thick and impenetrable.

impenetrably /adverb

7.obscure/adj. /əbˈskjʊər/

not clear and difficult to understand or see.

e.g. Official policy has changed, for reasons that remain obscure.

obscurely /adverb

8. spectacle/n. /ˈspek.tɪ.kl̩/

an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts attention, interest, or disapproval.

e.g. It was a strange spectacle to see the two former enemies shaking hands and slapping each other on the back.

9. nonexistent/adj. /ˌnɑn•ɪɡˈzɪs•tənt/

completely absent.

e.g. Crime is virtually nonexistent around here.

non-

nonfiction

nonflammable

nongovernmental

nonmetal

10.oculist/n. /ˈɒk.jʊ.lɪst/

eye doctor.

11.solemn/adj. /ˈsɑː.ləm/

serious and without any humor.

e.g. Everyone looked very solemn.

solemnly /adverb

12.acquaintance/n. /əˈkweɪn.təns/

used in some expressions about knowing or meeting people.

e.g. I wasn't sure about Darryl when I first met her, but on further acquaintance (= knowing her a little more) I rather like her.

acquaintanceship /noun

13.literal/adj. /ˈlɪt(ə)rəl/

the literal meaning of a word is its most basic meaning

e.g. He is clearly not using the word 'dead' in its literal sense.

14.determination/n. /dɪˌtɜː.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

the ability to continue trying to do something, although it is very difficult.

e.g. He has overcome his difficulties with courage and determination.

deter-

detergent

deteriorate

determinant

determinate

determine

determined

determinism

15.assumption/n. /əˈsʌmp.ʃən/

something that you accept as true without question or proof.

e.g. People tend to make assumptions about you when you have a disability.

16.sumptuous/adj. /ˈsʌmp.tju.əs/

luxurious and showing that you are rich.

e.g. The celebrity guests turned up dressed in sumptuous evening gowns.

17.anaemic/adj. /əˈniː.mɪk/

suffering from anaemia.

e.g. Lack of iron in your diet can make you anaemic.

18.unconvincing/adj./ ˌʌn.kənˈvɪn.sɪŋ/

If an explanation or story is unconvincing, it does not sound or seem true or real.

e.g. They produced some rather unconvincing explanations for the system failure.

un-

unconsidered

unconstitutional

uncontrollable

unconventional

uncooked

uncool

uncooperative

uncoordinated

19.impatient/adj. /ɪmˈpeɪ.ʃənt/

easily annoyed by someone's mistakes or because you have to wait.

e.g. He's a good teacher, but inclined to be a bit impatient with slow learners.

20.middle/n. /ˈmɪd.l̩/

the central point, position, or part.

e.g. This is my class photo - I'm the one in the middle.

21.surplus/n. /ˈsɜː.pləs/

(an amount that is) more than is needed.

e.g. The government has authorized the army to sell its surplus weapons.

22.sensuous/adj. /ˈsen.sjʊəs/

giving or expressing pleasure through the physical senses, rather than pleasing the mind or the intelligence.

e.g. She luxuriated in the sensuous feel of the silk sheets.

sensuously /adverb

sensuousness /noun

23.perceptible/adj. /pəˈsep.tə.bl̩/

that can be seen, heard, or noticed.

e.g. The past year has seen a perceptible improvement in working standards.

perceptibly /adverb

24.vicinity/n. /vəˈsɪn.ə.t̬i/

the immediately surrounding area.

e.g. There are several hotels in the immediate vicinity of the station.

25.terrible/adj. /ˈter.ə.bl̩/

very unpleasant or serious or of low quality.

e.g. We have just received some terrible news.