Week16

1.discreet/adj. /dɪˈskriːt/

careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by keeping something secret.

e.g. They are very good assistants, very discreet - they wouldn't go talking to the press.

2.sensibility/n. /ˌsen.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

an understanding of or ability to decide about what is good or valuable, especially in connection with artistic or social activities.

e.g. The author has applied a modern sensibility (= way of understanding things) to the social ideals of an earlier age.

3.earnest/adj. /ˈɜː.nɪst/

serious and determined, especially too serious and unable to find your own actions funny.

e.g. He was a very earnest young man.

earnestly /adverb

earnestness /noun

4.indeterminate/adj. /ˌɪn.dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nət/

not measured, counted, or clearly known.

e.g. An indeterminate number of workers have already been exposed to the danger.

indeterminacy /noun

5.doubtful/adj. /ˈdaʊt.fəl/

If you are doubtful about something, you are uncertain about it.

e.g. The teacher is doubtful about having parents working as classroom assistants.

doubtfully /adverb

6.patrol/v. /pəˈtrəʊl/

(especially of soldiers or the police) to go around an area or a building to see if there is any trouble or danger.

e.g. The whole town is patrolled by police because of the possibility of riots.

7.neighborhood/n. /ˈneɪ.bə.hʊd/

the area of a town that surrounds someone's home, or the people who live in this area.

e.g. There were lots of kids in my neighbourhood when I was growing up.

8.furniture/n. /ˈfɝː.nɪ.tʃɚ/

things such as chairs, tables, beds, cupboards, etc. that are put into a house or other building to make it suitable and comfortable for living or working in.

e.g. The only piece/item of furniture he has in his bedroom is a bed.

9.enlarge/v. /ɪnˈlɑːdʒ/

to become bigger or to make something bigger.

e.g. They've enlarged the kitchen by building over part of the garden.

10.countenance/n. /ˈkaʊn.tə.nəns/

the appearance or expression of someone's face.

e.g. He was of noble countenance.

11.reluctant/adj. /rɪˈlʌk.tənt/

not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it.

e.g. She persuaded her reluctant husband to take a trip to Florida with her.

reluctantly/adverb

12.apathetic/adj. /ˌæp.əˈθet.ɪk/

showing no interest or energy and unwilling to take action, especially over something important.

e.g. Don't be so apathetic - how are you going to get a job if you don't even start looking?

13.whiskey/n. /ˈwɪs.ki/

a strong, pale brown alcoholic drink, originally from Scotland and Ireland, made from grain such as barley, maize, or rye.

14.cheerful/adj. /ˈtʃɪə.fəl/

used to describe a place or thing that is bright and pleasant and makes you feel positive and happy.

e.g. The doctor's waiting room was bright and cheerful with yellow walls and curtains.

15.distort/v. /dɪˈstɔːt/

to change something from its usual, original, natural, or intended meaning, condition, or shape.

e.g. My original statement has been completely distorted by the media.

distortion/noun

16.complexion/n. /kəmˈplek.ʃən/

the general character of something.

e.g. These are radical changes which will alter the complexion of the British contemporary dance scene.

17.pluck/v. /plʌk/

to pull something, especially with a sudden movement, in order to remove it.

e.g. He plucked the letter from/out of my hand, and ran off with it.

18.alignment/n. /əˈlaɪn.mənt/

an arrangement in which two or more things are positioned in a straight line or parallel to each other.

e.g. The problem is happening because the wheels are out of alignment with each other.

19.incessant/adj. /ɪnˈses.ənt/

never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way.

incessantly /adverb

20.innumerable/adj. /ɪˈnjuː.mər.ə.bl̩/

too many to be counted.

e.g. The project has been delayed by innumerable problems.

21.proprietary/adj. /prəˈpraɪə.tər.i/

relating to owning something, or relating to or like an owner.

e.g. I just assumed he owned the place - he had a proprietary air about him.

22.possessive/adj. /pəˈzes.ɪv/

If you are possessive about something that you own, you do not like lending it to other people or sharing it with other people.

e.g. He's a bit possessive about his iPod - I wouldn't dare ask to borrow it.

23.immoderate/adj. /ɪˈmɒd.ər.ət/

too much or many, or more than is usual or reasonable.

immoderately /adverb

24.continual/adj. /kənˈtɪn.ju.əl/

happening repeatedly, usually in an annoying or not convenient way.

e.g. I've had continual problems with this car ever since I bought it.

e.g. I'm sorry - I can't work with these continual interruptions.

continually /adverb

25.vitality/n. /vaɪˈtæl.ɪ.ti/

energy and strength.

e.g. According to the packet, these vitamin pills will restore lost vitality.