Term
architecture /ˈɑː.kɪ.tek.tʃə r / /ˈɑːr.kɪ.tek.tʃɚ/ noun [ U ]
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Definition
1. the art and science of designing and making buildings
to study architecture
2. the style in which buildings are made
Roman architecture
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Term
centerpiece /ˈsen.tə.piːs/ /-t ̬ɚ-/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
IMPORTANT PART
1. the most important or attractive part or feature of something
The reduction of crime levels is the centrepiece of the president's domestic policies.
The centrepiece of the shopping centre is a giant fountain.
centrepiece UK , US centerpiece /ˈsen.tə.piːs/ /-t ̬ɚ-/ noun [ C ] DECORATION
2. a decorative object put in the centre of a table, especially for a formal meal
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Term
clog /klɒg/ /klɑːg/ verb [ I or T ] -gg-
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Definition
to (cause something to) become blocked or filled so that movement or activity is difficult
The roads are clogged with holiday traffic.
Eating too much fat causes your arteries to clog (up) .
Leaves are clogging (up) the drain.
clogged /klɒgd/ /klɑːgd/ adjective
clog /klɒg/ /klɑːg/ noun [ C usually plural ]
a type of shoe made of wood, or with the top part made of leather and the bottom part of wood |
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Term
decorate /ˈdek.ə.reɪt/ verb
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Definition
MAKE ATTRACTIVE 1. [ T ] to add something to an object or place, especially in order to make it more attractive
They decorated the wedding car with ribbons and flowers.
2. [ I or T ] to paint the inside or outside of a house or put paper on the inside walls
We're going to decorate the kitchen next week.
I hate the smell of paint when I'm decorating.
decorate /ˈdek.ə.reɪt/ verb HONOUR
3. [ T ] to reward or honour a person by giving them something, especially a medal
They were decorated for their part in the rescue.
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Term
destruction /dɪˈstrʌk.ʃ ə n/ noun [ U ]
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Definition
when something is destroyed
Many people are very concerned about the destruction of the rainforests.
Unusually high winds left a trail of destruction over southern Britain.
weapons of mass destruction (= those which kill or hurt large numbers of people)
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Term
disruptive /dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv/ adjective
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Definition
causing trouble and therefore stopping something from continuing as usual
His teacher described him as a noisy, disruptive influence in class.
disruptively /dɪsˈrʌp.tɪv.li/ adverb |
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Term
expand /ɪkˈspænd/ verb [ I or T ]
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Definition
to increase in size, number or importance, or to make something increase in this way
The air in the balloon expands when heated.
They expanded their retail operations during the 1980s.
expand on sth phrasal verb
to give more details about something you have said or written
She mentioned a few ideas, but she didn't expand on them.
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Term
headquarters /ˌhedˈkwɔː.təz/ /-ˌkwɔːr.t ̬ɚz/ noun [ C + sing/pl verb ] plural headquarters ( abbreviation HQ )
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Definition
the main offices of an organization such as the army, police or a business company
The company's headquarters is/are in Amsterdam. |
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Term
intrinsic /ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪk/ adjective
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Definition
being an extremely important and basic characteristic of a person or thing
works of little intrinsic value/interest
Maths is an intrinsic part of the school curriculum.
intrinsically /ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪ.kli/ adverb |
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Term
| operation /ˌɒp. ə rˈeɪ.ʃ ə n/ /ˌɑː.pəˈreɪ-/ noun |
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Definition
WORK1. [ U ] the fact of operating or being active
There are several reactors of the type in operation (= working) at the moment.
We expect the new scheme for assessing claims to come into operation (= start working) early next year.
2. [ U ] the way that parts of a machine or system work together, or the process of making parts of a machine or system work together
3. [ C ] a business organization
Less profitable business operations will have difficulty in finding financial support.
4. [ C ] an activity which is planned to achieve something
a military/peacekeeping operation.
Following the earthquake, a large-scale rescue operation was launched .
[ + to infinitive ] The operation to fly in supplies will begin as soon as possible.
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Term
pedestrian /pəˈdes.tri.ən/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
a person who is walking, especially in an area where vehicles go
A few pedestrians carrying their evening shopping sheltered from the rain in doorways.
The death rate for pedestrians hit by cars is unacceptably high.
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Term
| release /rɪˈliːs/ verb [ T ] |
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Definition
MAKE FREE 1. to give freedom or free movement to someone or something
He was released from prison after serving two years of a five-year sentence.
She was arrested for shoplifting but was released on bail (= after paying a sum of money to the law court) .figurative The operation released him from years of pain.2. to move a device from a fixed position to allow it to move freely He released the handbrake and the car jumped forwards. 3. to fire a bomb or a missile, or to allow it to fall The plane released its bombs at 10 000 feet.4. to allow a substance to flow out from somewhere Coal power stations release sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. Hormones are released from glands into the bloodstream. 5. to express a feeling which you have been trying not to show He punched the pillow in an effort to release his anger.
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Term
| release /rɪˈliːs/ verb [ T ] |
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Definition
MAKE PUBLIC
6. to allow something to be shown in public or to be available for use
Police have released a picture of the man they want to question.
The minister has released a statement explaining the reasons for his resignation.
7. If a company releases a film or musical recording, it allows the film to be shown in cinemas, or makes the musical recording available for the public to buy
The band's latest album will be released next week.
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Term
rival /ˈraɪ.v ə l/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
a person, group, etc. competing with others for the same thing or in the same area
He beat his closest/nearest rival by 20 marks.
The companies produce rival versions of the toy.
rival /ˈraɪ.v ə l/ verb [ T ] -ll- or US USUALLY -l-
to be as good, clever, beautiful, etc. as someone or something else No computer can rival a human brain for/in complexity. The beauty of the country is only rivalled by (= is equal to) the violence of its politics.
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Term
shield /ʃiːld/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
1. in the past, a large flat object made of metal or leather that soldiers held in front of their bodies to protect themselves 2. a large flat object made of strong plastic that policemen hold in front of their bodies to protect themselvesThe police held up their riot shields against the flying rocks and bricks. 3. something or someone used as protection or providing protection The anti-personnel mines were laid as a protective shield around the town. Anger can function as a shield against (= a way of avoiding) even more painful emotions of loss and hurt. 4. a flat object with two straight sides, a rounded or pointed lower edge and usually a straight top edge, on which there is a coat of arms 5. an object shaped like a shield, which is given as a prize or used as a symbol or badge Our school won the county football shield this year.
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Term
showcase /ˈʃəʊ.keɪs/ /ˈʃoʊ-/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
CONTAINER 1. a container with glass sides in which valuable or important objects are kept so that they can be looked at without being touched, damaged or stolen
showcase /ˈʃəʊ.keɪs/ /ˈʃoʊ-/ noun [ C ] OPPORTUNITY
2. a situation or event which makes it possible for the best features of something to be seen
The Venice Film Festival has always been the showcase of Italian cinema.
The exhibition is an annual showcase for British design and innovation.
showcase /ˈʃəʊ.keɪs/ /ˈʃoʊ-/ verb [ T ]to show the best qualities or parts of something
The main aim of the exhibition is to showcase British design.
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| surface /ˈsɜː.fɪs/ /ˈsɝː-/ noun |
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Definition
TOP 1. [ C ] the outer or top part or layer of something
Tropical rain forests used to cover 10% of the Earth's surface.
The marble has a smooth, shiny surface.
Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the surface of the moon.
2. [ C ] the top layer of a field or track on which sports are played
The match will be played on an artificial/all-weather surface.
3. [ C ] the flat top part of a table, cupboard, etc.
a work surface
Don't put anything wet on a polished surface, or it will leave a mark.
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Term
| underground /ˌʌn.dəˈgraʊnd/ /-dɚ-/ adjective , adverb |
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Definition
BELOW EARTH
1. below the surface of the Earth; below ground
an underground cave/passage/cable
Moles live underground.
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Term
utilize , UK usually utilise /ˈjuː.tɪ.laɪz/ /-t ̬ ə l.aɪz/ verb [ T ] formal
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Definition
to use something in an effective way
The vitamins come in a form that is easily utilized by the body.
utilizable , UK usually utilisable /ˈjuː.tɪ.laɪ.zə.bl ̩/ /-t ̬ ə l.aɪ-/ adjective
utilization , UK usually utilisation /ˌjuː.tɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃ ə n/ /-t ̬ ə l.ɪ-/ noun [ U ]
Sensible utilization of the world's resources is a priority.
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Term
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Definition
OPENING
1. [ C ] a small opening which allows air, smoke or gas to enter or leave a closed space
If you have a gas fire in a room, you should have some kind of outside vent.
2. [ C ] a cut in the bottom of a piece of clothing to allow the person wearing it to move more easily
The skirt is long and straight with two side vents.
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Term
accelerate /əkˈsel.ə.reɪt/ /-ɚ.eɪt/ verb
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Definition
1. [ I ] When a vehicle or its driver accelerates, the speed of the vehicle increases
I accelerated to overtake the bus.
Compare decelerate
2. [ I ] If a person or object accelerates, it goes faster.
3. [ I or T ] to happen or make something happen sooner or faster
Inflation is likely to accelerate this year, adding further upward pressure on interest rates.
They use special chemicals to accelerate the growth of crops.
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Term
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Definition
ATTRACT 4. [ I not continuous ] to interest or attract someone
I've haven't been skiing - it's never really appealed.
It's a programme designed to appeal mainly to 16 to 25 year-olds.
I think what appeals to me about his painting is the colours he uses.
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Term
charge /tʃɑːdʒ/ /tʃɑːrdʒ/ noun |
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Definition
SUPPLY ENERGY
10. [ C usually singular ] specialized the amount of electricity that an electrical device stores or that a substance carries
11. on charge
UK If something is on charge, you are putting an amount of electricity into it
Is it all right to leave/put the battery on charge overnight?
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Term
classify /ˈklæs.ɪ.faɪ/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
to divide things into groups according to their type
The books in the library are classified by/according to subject.
Biologists classify animals and plants into different groups.
classifiable /ˈklæs.ɪ.faɪ.ə.bl ̩/ adjective |
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Term
commuter /kəˈmjuː.tə r / /-t ̬ɚ/ noun [ C ]
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Definition
someone who regularly travels between work and home
The train was packed with commuters.
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Term
consume /kənˈsjuːm/ /-ˈsuːm/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
USE RESOURCE 1. to use fuel, energy or time, especially in large amounts Our high living standards cause our present population to consume 25 percent of the world's oil.
2. formal to eat or drink, especially a lot of something He consumes vast quantities of chips with every meal. consume /kənˈsjuːm/ /-ˈsuːm/ verb [ T ] DESTROY
3. If a fire consumes something, it destroys it completely.
4. be consumed by/with sth
to have so much of a feeling that it affects everything you do
He was consumed with jealousy.
As a teenager, I was consumed by passion for the boy next door.
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Term
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Definition
ACCEPT 1. [ T ] formal to accept something enthusiastically
This was an opportunity that he would embrace.
HOLD 2. [ I or T ] literary to hold someone tightly with both arms to express love, liking or sympathy, or when greeting or leaving someone
She saw them embrace on the station platform.
He leant over to embrace the child.
INCLUDE 3. [ T ] formal to include something, often as one of a number of things
Linguistics embraces a diverse range of subjects such as phonetics and stylistics.
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Term
flair /fleə r / /fler/ noun
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Definition
1. [ S ] natural ability to do something well
He has a flair for languages.
2. [ U ] when something is done in an exciting and interesting way
He played with great imagination and flair.
It's a competent enough piece of writing but it lacks flair.
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Term
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Definition
to be very angry, sometimes without expressing it
I saw her a week after they'd had the argument and she was still fuming.
The whole episode left me fuming at the injustice of it all.
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Term
hamper /ˈhæm.pə r / /-pɚ/ verb [ T ]
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Definition
to prevent someone doing something easily
Fierce storms have been hampering rescue efforts and there is now little chance of finding more survivors.
hamper /ˈhæm.pə r / /-pɚ/ noun [ C ]
hamper
1. a large rectangular container with a lid
a picnic hamper
2. UK a box containing food and drink, usually given as a present, for example at Christmas
3. US old-fashioned a container used for carrying dirty clothes and bed sheets and for storing them while they are waiting to be washed
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Term
incentive /ɪnˈsen.tɪv/ /-t ̬ɪv/ noun [ C or U ]
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Definition
something which encourages a person to do something
Tax incentives have been very effective in encouraging people to save and invest more of their income.
[ + to infinitive ] There is little incentive for people to leave their cars at home when public transport remains so expensive.
Bonus payments provide an incentive to work harder.
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Term
marked /mɑːkt/ /mɑːrkt/ adjective
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Definition
describes a change or difference in behaviour or a situation that is very obvious or noticeable
There was a marked improvement in my health when I gave up smoking.
Unemployment has fallen again, although the change is less marked than last month.
The president spoke with passion for an hour, in marked contrast to his subdued address to the parliament yesterday.
markedly /ˈmɑː.kɪd.li/ /ˈmɑːr-/ adverb
Eye-witness accounts of the fighting differ markedly from police reports of what happened.
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Term
monetary /ˈmʌn.ɪ.tri/ adjective
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Definition
relating to the money in a country
monetary policy
monetary control
The monetary unit of the UK is the pound.
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Term
plod /plɒd/ /plɑːd/ verb [ I + adv/prep ] -dd-
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Definition
WALK 1. to walk taking slow steps, as if your feet are heavy
We plodded through the mud.
Despite the wind and the rain, they plodded on until they reached the cottage.
WORK 2. to work slowly and continuously, but without imagination, enthusiasm or interest
For years, he's plodded away at the same dull routine job.
Alex is just plodding along at school, making very little progress.
plodder /ˈplɒd.ə r / /ˈplɑː.dɚ/ noun [ C ]
Dennis is a bit of a plodder, but he gets the job done in the end.
plodding /ˈplɒd.ɪŋ/ /ˈplɑː.dɪŋ/ adjective |
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Term
rural /ˈrʊə.rəl/ /ˈrʊr. ə l/ adjective
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Definition
in, of or like the countryside
The area is still very rural and undeveloped.
Compare urban
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Term
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Definition
To cross
BRIDGE
3. [ T ] -nn- If a bridge spans a river, it goes from one side to the other
An old bridge spans the river just outside the town.
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Term
sprawl /sprɔːl/ /sprɑːl/ verb disapproving
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Definition
BODY 1. [ I ] to spread the arms and legs out carelessly and untidily while sitting or lying down
I knocked into her in the corridor and sent her sprawling (= knocked her over) .
CITY 2. [ I usually + adverb or preposition ] (especially of a city) to cover a large area of land with buildings which have been added at different times so that it looks untidy
The refugee camps sprawl across the landscape.
sprawled /sprɔːld/ /sprɑːld/ adjective [ after verb ]
He was sprawled ( out) on the floor.
sprawling /ˈsprɔː.lɪŋ/ /ˈsprɑː-/ adjective
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Term
sprawl /sprɔːl/ /sprɑːl/ noun disapproving
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Definition
BODY
sprawl
1. [ U ] a position with the arms and legs spread out carelessly and untidily while sitting or lying down
sprawl /sprɔːl/ /sprɑːl/ noun disapproving CITY
2. [ C usually singular ] a large area of land covered with buildings which have been added at different times so that it looks untidy
the urban sprawl of South Florida
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Term
suburban /səˈbɜː.b ə n/ /-ˈbɝː-/ adjective
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Definition
1. relating to a suburb suburban schools/housin. They live in suburban Washington. 2. disapproving used to suggest that something is boring and has no excitement
suburban life suburb /ˈsʌb.ɜːb/ /-ɝːb/ noun
1. [ C ] an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live
Box Hill is a suburb of Melbourne.
We drove from middle-class suburbs to a very poor inner-city area.
2. the suburbs; the outer area of a town, rather than the shopping and business centre in the middle The company decided to relocate to the suburbs because the rent was much cheaper.
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Term
urban /ˈɜː.b ə n/ /ˈɝː-/ adjective [ before noun ]
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Definition
of or in a city or town
urban development
urban decay
Compare rural
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