1. Natural Sciences

• Physics: The study of matter, energy, motion, and forces. Sub-disciplines include Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electromagnetism. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Chemistry: The study of substances, their properties, and how they interact and combine. Major branches include Organic, Inorganic, Analytical, and Physical Chemistry. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Biology: The study of life and living organisms. Key areas include Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), Microbiology, and Genetics. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Earth Science: The study of the Earth and its atmosphere, including Geology (rocks and the solid earth), Meteorology (weather), and Oceanography. [1, 2, 3]
• Astronomy: The study of celestial objects, space, and the broader universe. [1, 2]

2. Social Sciences

• Psychology: The study of the human mind and behavior.
• Sociology: The study of human society, relationships, and social institutions.
• Anthropology: The study of human cultures, evolution, and origins.
• Economics: The study of the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
• Political Science: The study of governance, political systems, and political behavior. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

3. Formal Sciences

• Mathematics: The study of numbers, quantities, and shapes.
• Statistics: The collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of empirical data.
• Logic: The study of valid reasoning and argumentation.
• Computer Science: The study of algorithms, computation, and information systems. [1, 2]

For an extensive dictionary-style directory covering highly specialized “-ology” disciplines—from Cytology to Seismology—refer to the ThoughtCo Science -ology List. [1, 2, 3]

fallibility | ˌfalɪˈbɪlɪti |

noun [mass noun]

the tendency to make mistakes or be wrong: technology is not a cure for human fallibility | studies on the fallibility of memory and perception.

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wilful | ˈwɪlf(ʊ)l | (US English also willful)

adjective

1 (of a bad or harmful act) intentional; deliberate: wilful acts of damage.

2 having or showing a stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants, regardless of the consequences: a spoiled, wilful child.

derivatives

wilfulness | ˈwɪlf(ʊ)lnəs | (US English also willfulness) noun

origin

Middle English: from the noun will² + -ful.

wilful

adjective

1 the wilful destruction of property. deliberate, intentional, intended, done on purpose, premeditated, planned, calculated, purposeful, conscious, knowing; voluntary, volitional. ANTONYMS accidental, unintentional.

2 a spoiled and wilful child. headstrong, self-willed, strong-willed, with a will of one’s own, determined to have one’s own way; obstinate, stubborn, as stubborn as a mule, mulish, pig-headed, bull-headed, refractory, recalcitrant, uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, contrary, perverse, wayward, defiant, disobedient, ungovernable, unmanageable, rebellious, mutinous, insubordinate; Scottish English thrawn; informal cussed; British English informal bloody-minded, bolshie; North American English informal balky; archaic froward, contumacious; rare contrarious, renitent, pervicacious. ANTONYMS biddable, amenable.

choose the right word

wilful, obstinate, stubborn, headstrong

See obstinate

These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

propaganda

noun

regulations restricting political propaganda were relaxed. information, promotion, advertising, advertisement, publicity, advocacy; spin, newspeak, agitprop, disinformation, counter-information, brainwashing, indoctrination, the big lie; informal info, hype, plugging, disinfo.

propaganda | ˌprɒpəˈɡandə |

noun

1 [mass noun] information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a particular cause, doctrine, or point of view: he was charged with distributing enemy propaganda | [as modifier] : a propaganda campaign.

• the dissemination of propaganda as a political strategy: the party’s leaders believed that a long period of education and propaganda would be necessary.

2 (Propaganda) a committee of cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church responsible for foreign missions, founded in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.

origin

Italian, from modern Latin congregatio de propaganda fide ‘congregation for propagation of the faith’ (see propaganda (sense 2 of the noun)). propaganda (sense 1 of the noun) dates from the early 20th century.

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ambiguous | amˈbɪɡjʊəs |

adjective

open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning: ambiguous phrases.

• not clear or decided: the result was ambiguous.

derivatives

ambiguousness | amˈbɪɡjʊəsnəs | noun

origin

early 16th century (in the sense ‘indistinct, obscure’): from Latin ambiguus ‘doubtful’ (from ambigere ‘waver, go around’, from ambi- ‘both ways’ + agere ‘to drive’) + -ous.

ambiguous

adjective

the judge agreed that the law was ambiguous. equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate, open to argument, arguable, debatable; Delphic, cryptic, enigmatic, gnomic, paradoxical, misleading; obscure, unclear, vague, abstruse, puzzling, perplexing, riddling, doubtful, dubious, uncertain; double-edged, backhanded. ANTONYMS unambiguous, clear.

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hypothesis | hʌɪˈpɒθɪsɪs |

noun (plural hypotheses | hʌɪˈpɒθɪsiːz |)

a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation: his ‘steady state’ hypothesis of the origin of the universe.

• Philosophy a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth: [with clause] : the hypothesis that every event has a cause.

derivatives

hypothesist | hʌɪˈpɒθɪsɪst

noun

origin

late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek hupothesis ‘foundation’, from hupo ‘under’ + thesis ‘placing’.

hypothesis

noun

his ‘steady state’ hypothesis of the origin of the universe. theory, theorem, thesis, conjecture, supposition, speculation, postulation, postulate, proposition, premise, surmise, assumption, presumption, presupposition; notion, concept, idea, contention, opinion, view, belief.

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parody | ˈparədi |

noun (plural parodies)

an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect: the film is a parody of the horror genre | [mass noun] : his provocative use of parody.

• an imitation or version of something that falls far short of the real thing; a travesty: he gave her a parody of a smile.

verb (parodies, parodying, parodied) [with object]

produce a humorously exaggerated imitation of (a writer, artist, or genre): his speciality was parodying schoolgirl fiction.

• mimic humorously: he parodied his friend’s voice.

derivatives

parodic | pəˈrɒdɪk | adjective

parodically | pəˈrɒdɪkli | adjective

parodist | ˈparədɪst | noun

origin

late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek parōidia ‘burlesque poem’, from para- ‘beside’ (expressing alteration) + ōidē ‘ode’.

parody

noun

1 a parody of the Gothic novel. satire, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, take-off, skit, imitation, mockery; informal spoof, send-up; West Indian English informal pappyshow; British English vulgar slang piss-take; rare pasquinade, pasticcio.

2 an appalling parody of the truth. distortion, travesty, poor imitation, caricature, mockery, misrepresentation, perversion, corruption, debasement; apology for.

verb

his speciality was parodying schoolgirl fiction. satirize, burlesque, lampoon, caricature, mimic, imitate, ape, copy, do, do an impression of, make fun of, travesty, take off; informal send up; British English vulgar slang take the piss out of.

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recursive | rɪˈkəːsɪv |

adjective

characterized by recurrence or repetition.

• Mathematics Linguistics relating to or involving the repeated application of a rule, definition, or procedure to successive results: this restriction ensures that the grammar is recursive.

• Computing relating to or involving a program or routine of which a part requires the application of the whole, so that its explicit interpretation requires in general many successive executions: a recursive subroutine.

derivatives

recursively | rɪˈkəːsɪvli | adverb

origin

late 18th century (in the general sense): from late Latin recurs- ‘returned’ (from the verb recurrere ‘run back’) + -ive. Specific uses have arisen in the 20th century.

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deviation | ˌdiːviˈeɪʃn |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard: deviation from a norm | sexual deviation | [count noun] : deviations from Standard English.

2 Statistics the amount by which a single measurement differs from a fixed value such as the mean: a significant deviation from the average value.

3 the deflection of a ship’s compass needle caused by iron in the ship.

derivatives

deviationism | ˌdiːviˈeɪʃ(ə)nɪz(ə)m | noun

deviationist | ˌdiːviˈeɪʃ(ə)nɪst | noun

deviational | ˌdiːviˈeɪʃən(ə)l | adjective

origin

late Middle English: via French from medieval Latin deviatio(n-), from Latin deviare (see deviate).

deviation

noun

the slightest deviation from approved procedures could prove disastrous. divergence, digression, turning aside, departure, deflection, difference, variation, variance, alteration, veering, straying, fluctuation, aberration, abnormality, irregularity, anomaly, inconsistency, discrepancy, variableness, oddness, freakishness; change, shift, veer, swerve, bend, drift.

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exponential | ˌɛkspə(ʊ)ˈnɛnʃl |

adjective

1 (of an increase) becoming more and more rapid: the social security budget was rising at an exponential rate.

2 Mathematics of or expressed by a mathematical exponent: an exponential curve.

origin

early 18th century: from French exponentiel, from Latin exponere ‘put out’ (see expound).

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controversy | ˈkɒntrəvəːsi, kənˈtrɒvəsi |

noun (plural controversies) [mass noun]

prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion: the design of the building has caused controversy | [count noun] : the announcement ended a protracted controversy.

usage

There are two possible pronunciations of the word controversy: one puts the stress on the con- and the other puts it on the -trov-. The former pronunciation is the more traditional, but the latter is now more widespread in British English.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin controversia, from controversus ‘turned against, disputed’, from contro- (variant of contra- ‘against’) + versus, past participle of vertere ‘to turn’.

controversy

noun

he refused to be drawn into the political controversy | a major controversy in education. disagreement, dispute, argument, debate, dissension, contention, disputation, altercation, wrangle, quarrel, squabble, war of words, storm; wrangling, quarrelling, squabbling, bickering; polemic; French cause célèbre; British English informal row; rare velitation. ANTONYMS agreement, accord.

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dogma | ˈdɒɡmə |

noun

a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true: the dogmas of faith | [mass noun] : the rejection of political dogma.

origin

mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek dogma ‘opinion’, from dokein ‘seem good, think’.

dogma

noun

1 a dogma of the Sikh religion. teaching, belief, conviction, tenet, principle, ethic, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon, law, rule; creed, credo, code of belief, set of beliefs, set of principles, doctrine, ideology, orthodoxy.

2 they were urged to emancipate their minds from the fetters of dogma. blind faith, unquestioning belief, certainty, invincible conviction, unchallengeable conviction, arrogant conviction. ANTONYMS doubt; open-mindedness.

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quagmire | ˈkwaɡmʌɪə, ˈkwɒɡmʌɪə |

noun

a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot: torrential rain turned the building site into a quagmire.

• an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation: a legal quagmire.

origin

late 16th century: from quag + mire.

quagmire

noun

1 the rains arrived and the area was transformed into a red quagmire. swamp, morass, bog, peat bog, marsh, mire, quag, marshland, fen, slough, quicksand; Scottish English Northern England moss; Irish English corcass; North American English bayou, pocosin, moor; archaic marish, carr.

2 the case has become a judicial quagmire. muddle, mix-up, mess, predicament, unfortunate/difficult/awkward situation, mare’s nest, quandary, entanglement, tangle, jumble, imbroglio; trouble, confusion, difficulty; corner, tight corner/spot; informal sticky situation, pickle, hole, stew, dilemma, fix, bind, jam, scrape, kettle of fish, how-do-you-do, hot/deep water; West Indian English comess.

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singularity | ˌsɪŋɡjʊˈlarɪti |

noun (plural singularities)

1 [mass noun] the state, fact, quality, or condition of being singular: he believed in the singularity of all cultures.

• [count noun] a peculiarity or odd trait: it is a singularity of the book that it contains such a wealth of illustrations.

2 Physics Mathematics a point at which a function takes an infinite value, especially in space–time when matter is infinitely dense, such as at the centre of a black hole.

3 (usually the singularity) a hypothetical moment in time when artificial intelligence and other technologies have become so advanced that humanity undergoes a dramatic and irreversible change: maybe the singularity just happened, and we didn’t notice.

origin

Middle English: from Old French singularite, from late Latin singularitas, from singularis ‘alone (of its kind)’ (see singular).

singularity

noun

1 the anthology communicates both the singularity and the universality of women’s deepest concerns. uniqueness, distinctiveness, difference, individuality, particularity.

2 his psychological singularities. idiosyncrasy, quirk, trait, foible, peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, abnormality.

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epiphany | ɪˈpɪfəni |

noun (plural epiphanies)

1 (Epiphany) the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).

• the Christian festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6 January: many submerge themselves in ice water to celebrate Epiphany.

• a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being: many believe this scene to represent an epiphany of the goddess.

2 a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization: a few years ago, I had an epiphany.

derivatives

epiphanic | ɛpɪˈfanɪk | adjective

origin

Middle English: from Greek epiphainein ‘reveal’. The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania.

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calibrate | ˈkalɪbreɪt |

verb [with object]

mark (a gauge or instrument) with a standard scale of readings: the depth gauge is calibrated in centimetres.

• correlate the readings of (an instrument) with those of a standard in order to check the instrument’s accuracy: a separate control experiment is then carried out to calibrate the calorimeter.

• adjust (experimental results) to take external factors into account or to allow comparison with other data: the radiocarbon results would need to be calibrated to convert them to calendar ages.

• carefully assess, set, or adjust (something abstract): the regulators cannot properly calibrate the risks involved.

derivatives

calibrator noun

origin

mid 19th century: from calibre + -ate³.

calibration | ˌkalɪˈbreɪʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the action or process of calibrating something: the measuring devices require calibration.

• [count noun] each of a set of graduations on an instrument: he peered at the calibrations on the rule.

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aura | ˈɔːrə |

noun (plural auras) (plural or aurae | ˈɔːriː |)

1 the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place: the ceremony retains an aura of mystery.

2 (in spiritualism and some forms of alternative medicine) a supposed emanation surrounding the body of a living creature and regarded as an essential part of the individual: emotional, mental, and spiritual levels form an energy field around the body known as the aura | muddy colours in the aura indicate negative emotions.

• any invisible emanation, especially an odour: there was a faint aura of disinfectant.

3 Medicine a warning sensation experienced before an attack of epilepsy or migraine.

origin

late Middle English (originally denoting a gentle breeze): via Latin from Greek, ‘breeze, breath’. Current senses date from the 18th century.

aura

noun

the Peak District will always retain a magical aura. atmosphere, air, quality, aspect, character, ambience, mood, spirit, feeling, feel, flavour, colouring, colour, complexion, climate, tone, overtone, undertone, tenor, impression, suggestion, emanation; vibrations; informal vibes, vibe.

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subservient

adjective

1 women were expected to be decorative and subservient. submissive, deferential, acquiescent, compliant, accommodating, obedient, dutiful, duteous, biddable, yielding, meek, docile, ductile, pliant, passive, unassertive, spiritless, subdued, humble, timid, mild, lamblike; servile, slavish, grovelling, truckling, self-effacing, self-abasing, downtrodden, snivelling, cowering, cringing; informal under someone’s thumb; archaic resistless; rare longanimous. ANTONYMS domineering; independent.

2 the rights of the individual are being made subservient to the interests of the state. subordinate, secondary, subsidiary, peripheral, marginal, ancillary, auxiliary, supplementary, inferior, immaterial; less important than, of lesser importance than, lower than. ANTONYMS superior.

3 the whole narration is subservient to the moral plan of exemplifying twelve virtues. ancillary, subordinate, secondary, supportive; instrumental, contributory, conducive, helpful, useful, advantageous, beneficial, valuable.

subservient | səbˈsəːviənt |

adjective

prepared to obey others unquestioningly: she was subservient to her parents.

• less important; subordinate: he expected her career to become subservient to his.

• serving as a means to an end: the whole narration is subservient to the moral plan of exemplifying twelve virtues in twelve knights.

derivatives

subserviently | səbˈsəːviəntli | adverb

origin

early 17th century: from Latin subservient- ‘subjecting to, complying with’, from the verb subservire (see subserve).

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dumb | dʌm |

adjective

1 [predicative] temporarily unable or unwilling to speak: she stood dumb while he poured out a stream of abuse.

• [attributive] resulting in or expressed by speechlessness: they stared in dumb amazement.

2 dated, or offensive (of a person) unable to communicate through speech on account of a congenital or pathological condition: he was born deaf, dumb, and blind.

• (of animals) unable to speak as a natural state and thus regarded as helpless or deserving pity.

3 informal, derogatory, mainly North American English lacking intelligence; stupid: a dumb question | people are dumb enough to believe it.

4 (of a computer terminal) able only to transmit data to or receive data from a computer; having no independent processing capability. Often contrasted with intelligent

verb [with object] literary

make dumb or unheard; silence: a splendour that dazed the mind and dumbed the tongue.

phrases

dumb luck

pure chance: finally, through dumb luck, it worked and I got a network connection.

play dumb

pretend to be unintelligent or unaware in order to deceive someone or gain an advantage: ‘Hide what?’ Aubrey said, still playing dumb.

phrasal verbs

dumb down

(dumb something down, dumb down something) simplify or reduce the intellectual content of something so as to make it accessible to a larger number of people: the producers categorically deny that they’re dumbing down the show | critics have accused publishers of dumbing down books.

• (dumb down) become less intellectually challenging: the need to dumb down for mass audiences.

usage

Although dumb meaning ‘not able to speak’ is the older sense, it has been overwhelmed by the newer sense (meaning ‘stupid’) to such an extent that the use of the first sense is now almost certain to cause offence. Alternatives such as speech-impaired should be used instead

origin

Old English dumb, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse dumbr and Gothic dumbs ‘mute’, also to Dutch dom ‘stupid’ and German dumm ‘stupid’.

dumb

adjective

1 she stood dumb while he poured out a stream of abuse. speechless, tongue-tied, wordless, silent, at a loss for words, voiceless, inarticulate, taciturn, uncommunicative, untalkative, tight-lipped, close-mouthed, saying nothing; informal mum.

2 dated, or offensive he was born deaf and dumb. unable to speak, without the power of speech; technical aphasic, aphonic; dated, or offensive mute.

3 informal mainly North American English he is not as dumb as he wants people to believe. stupid, unintelligent, ignorant, dense, brainless, mindless, foolish, slow-witted, slow, dull, dull-witted, witless, half-witted, blockish, doltish, dunce-like, simple, simple-minded, empty-headed, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, moronic, imbecilic, cretinous, obtuse, bovine, lumpish; informal thick, dim, dopey, dippy, dozy, half-baked, slow on the uptake, soft in the head, thickheaded, chuckleheaded, dunderheaded, wooden-headed, fat-headed, thick-skulled, muttonheaded, boneheaded, lamebrained, birdbrained, pea-brained, brain-dead, dead from the neck up; British English informal daft, not the full shilling, as thick as two short planks; South African English informal dof; West Indian English informal dotish; North American English vulgar slang dumb-ass. ANTONYMS clever.

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cyclothymia | ˌsʌɪklə(ʊ)ˈθʌɪmiə |

noun [mass noun] Psychiatry dated

a mental state characterized by marked swings of mood between depression and elation; bipolar disorder.

derivatives

cyclothymic adjective

origin

1920s: from cyclo- + Greek thumos ‘temper’.

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inquiry | ɪnˈkwʌɪ(ə)ri | (British English also enquiry)

noun (plural inquiries)

an act of asking for information: the police were making inquiries in all the neighbouring pubs | we are getting a lot of inquiries from people who are relatively new to acquiring art | [mass noun] : new areas of inquiry emerged in the course of the conference | all lines of inquiry are open.

• an official investigation: he was one of the State’s star witnesses in the murder inquiry | eventually the independent inquiry was published, which found that there was no case to answer.

usage

The traditional distinction between enquiry and inquiry is that enquiry is used for the general sense of ‘an act of asking for information’ while inquiry is reserved for the meaning ‘a formal investigation’. In practice, however, there is little discernible distinction in the way the words are used today, although inquiry is far commoner than enquiry in the sense ‘a formal investigation’. Inquiry is the usual form in US English, with enquiry being mainly restricted to British English

origin

late Middle English (as enquery): from inquire + -y³.

inquiry (British English also enquiry)

noun

1 telephone inquiries. question, query.

2 there is to be an inquiry into alleged security leaks. investigation, examination, exploration, probe, search, scrutiny, scrutinization, study, inspection; inquest, hearing.

Stream of consciousness is a literary narrative technique that mimics the continuous, unfiltered flow of a character’s thoughts, sensory impressions, and emotions, often disregarding conventional sentence structure, logic, or punctuation. It aims to capture the realistic, non-linear way the human brain works, dipping directly into a character’s mind. 

College of Liberal Arts | Oregon State University +3

Key Implications and Features: 

• Interiority: It is an intimate form of narration that acts as a “fly on the wall” inside a character’s mind, revealing their psychological state.
• Unfiltered Thought: Unlike ordered dialogue, this technique includes free association, looping repetitions, and disjointed observations.
• Style: It often uses long, rambling sentences and unconventional grammar to show how thoughts jump between memories, emotions, and sensory perceptions.
• Origin: The concept originated in psychology with William James in 1890, later becoming a popular Modernist literary method to delve into a character’s psyche.
• Distinction: It is often distinguished from a simple interior monologue, which might remain structured and logical, whereas stream of consciousness deliberately mimics the chaotic, pre-speech level of thought. 
• College of Liberal Arts | Oregon State University +6

Famous Examples: 

• Ulysses by James Joyce
• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
• The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner Study.com  +1

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means | miːnz |

plural noun

1 (often means of/to do something) [treated as singular or plural] an action or system by which a result is achieved; a method: technology seen as a means to bring about emancipation | resolving disputes by peaceful means.

2 financial resources; income: he came from a family of very modest means.

• substantial resources; wealth: exclusive hotels that are priced so that only people of means can stay.

• resources; capability: every country in the world has the means to make ethanol.

phrases

beyond one’s means

beyond one’s budget or income: most people who are living beyond their means don’t realise until it’s too late.

by all means | bʌɪ ˌɔːl ˈmiːnz |

of course; certainly (granting a permission): ‘May I make a suggestion?’ ‘By all means.’.

by any means

[with negative] in any way; at all: I’m not poor by any means.

by means of | bʌɪ ˈmiːnz əv |

with the help of; by using: supplying water to cities by means of aqueducts.

by no means | bʌɪ ˈnəʊ miːnz | (also by no manner of means)

not at all; certainly not: the outcome is by no means guaranteed.

means of grace

Christian theology the sacraments and other religious agencies viewed as the means by which divine grace is imparted to the soul, or by which growth in grace is promoted.

a means to an end

a thing that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim: higher education was seen primarily as a means to an end.

within one’s means

within one’s budget or income: a flat that was within her means.

origin

late Middle English: plural of mean³, the early sense being ‘intermediary’.

terminal | ˈtəːmɪnl |

adjective

1 forming or situated at the end or extremity of something: a terminal date | the terminal tip of the probe.

• of or forming a transport terminal: the terminal building.

• Zoology situated at, forming, or denoting the end of a part or series of parts furthest from the centre of the body: the terminal segments of the antennae.

• Botany (of a flower, inflorescence, etc.) borne at the end of a stem or branch. Often contrasted with axillary: terminal buds.

2 (of a disease) predicted to lead to death, especially slowly; incurable: terminal cancer.

• suffering from or relating to a terminal disease: a hospice for terminal cases.

• extreme and usually beyond cure or alteration (used for emphasis): an industry in terminal decline | you’re making a terminal ass of yourself.

3 done or occurring each school, college, university, or law term: terminal examinations.

noun

1 the end of a railway or other transport route, or a station at such a point: a freight terminal | a ferry terminal.

• a departure and arrival building for air passengers at an airport.

• an installation where oil or gas is stored at the end of a pipeline or at a port.

2 a point of connection for closing an electric circuit: battery terminals.

3 a device at which a user enters data or commands for a computer system and which displays the received output.

4 (also terminal figure) another term for terminus (sense 3 of the noun)

5 British English a patient suffering from a terminal illness.

origin

late Middle English (as adjective): from Latin terminalis, from terminus ‘end, boundary’.

terminal

adjective

1 a terminal illness. incurable, untreatable, inoperable, end-stage; fatal, mortal, deadly, lethal, killing.

2 terminal patients. dying, near death; incurable.

3 the terminal tip of the probe. end, extreme. ANTONYMS initial, first.

4 a terminal bonus may be payable when a policy matures. final, last, concluding, closing, ultimate, finishing, terminating.

5 informal you’ve made a terminal fool of yourself. complete, utter, absolute, total, real, thorough, out-and-out, downright, consummate, perfect, veritable; British English informal right, proper; Australian and New Zealand English informal fair; archaic arrant.

noun

1 a railway terminal. station, last stop, end of the line; depot; British English terminus.

2 the screen of a computer terminal. workstation, VDU, visual display unit, PC, input/output device; monitor, console, keyboard.

urbanity | əːˈbanɪti |

noun [mass noun]

1 courteousness and refinement of manner: that polished urbanity of his.

2 urban life: a picture of banal urbanity.

origin

late 15th century: from French urbanité or Latin urbanitas, from urbanus ‘belonging to the city’ (see urban).

urbanity

noun

she could see him growing quite testy beneath that polished urbanity of his. suaveness, sophistication, worldliness, elegance, cultivation, culture, civilization, breeding, smoothness, polish, refinement, poise, self-possession, dignity; courtesy, politeness, civility, mannerliness, manners, gentlemanliness, gallantry, courtliness, graciousness, charm, affability, tact, diplomacy, soft skills; informal cool; humorous couth.

fecund | ˈfɛk(ə)nd, ˈfiːk(ə)nd |

adjective

producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; highly fertile: a lush and fecund garden.

• producing many new ideas: her fecund imagination.

• technical capable of bearing children.

origin

late Middle English: from French fécond or Latin fecundus.

fecund

adjective

a lush and fecund garden. fertile, fruitful, productive, high-yielding, prolific, proliferating, propagative, generative; rich, lush, flourishing, thriving; rare fructuous. ANTONYMS barren.

wherefore | ˈwɛːfɔː | archaic

interrogative adverb

for what reason: she took an ill turn, but wherefore I cannot say.

relative adverb, conjunction

as a result of which: [as conjunction] : truly he cared for me, wherefore I title him with all respect.

contemplation | ˌkɒntɛmˈpleɪʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time: the road is too busy for leisurely contemplation of the scenery.

• deep reflective thought: he would retire to his room for study or contemplation.

• the state of being considered or planned: substantial fitting work is in contemplation.

• religious meditation.

• a form of Christian prayer or meditation in which a person seeks to pass beyond mental images and concepts to a direct experience of the divine.

origin

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin contemplatio(n-), from the verb contemplari (see contemplate).

contemplation

noun

1 the contemplation of beautiful objects. viewing, regarding, examination, inspection, observation, survey, study, scrutiny, scanning, staring at, gazing at, eyeing.

2 the monks sat in quiet contemplation. thought, meditation, consideration, pondering, reflection, thinking, musing, rumination, deliberation, cogitation, reverie, concentration, introspection; informal brown study; formal cerebration.

dilemma | dɪˈlɛmə, dʌɪˈlɛmə |

noun

a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable: he wants to make money, but he also disapproves of it: Den’s dilemma in a nutshell.

• a difficult situation or problem: the insoluble dilemma of adolescence.

• Logic an argument forcing an opponent to choose either of two unfavourable alternatives.

usage

At its core, a dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives (‘this is my dilemma: do I stay here for the job security, or do I risk it all for the chance of a better career?’). More informally, dilemma can mean ‘a difficult situation or problem’ (as in ‘the insoluble dilemma of adolescence’). Some traditionalists object to this weakened use, but it is recorded as early as the first part of the 17th century, and is now widespread and generally acceptable. Note that dilemma is spelled with a double m in the middle, not as -mn-

origin

early 16th century (denoting a form of argument involving a choice between equally unfavourable alternatives): via Latin from Greek dilēmma, from di- ‘twice’ + lēmma ‘premise’.

dilemma

noun

a discussion with a colleague resolved her dilemma. quandary, predicament, difficulty, problem, puzzle, conundrum, awkward situation, tricky situation, difficult situation, difficult choice, catch-22, vicious circle, plight, mess, muddle; trouble, perplexity, confusion, conflict, uncertainty, indecision; informal no-win situation, sticky situation, pickle, fix, spot, tight spot, tight corner, poser, facer; British English informal sticky wicket.

phrases

on the horns of a dilemma

between the devil and the deep blue sea, between Scylla and Charybdis; informal in a no-win situation, between a rock and a hard place.

definition | ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃn |

noun

1 a statement of the exact meaning of a word, especially in a dictionary: a dictionary definition of the verb.

• an exact statement or description of the nature, scope, or meaning of something: our definition of what constitutes poetry.

• [mass noun] the action or process of defining something: a question of definition | issues of methodology and definition.

2 [mass noun] the degree of distinctness in outline of an object, image, or sound: the clarity and definition of pictures can be aided by using computer graphics.

• the capacity of a device to make images distinct in outline: we’ve been pleased with the definition of this TV.

phrases

by definition | bʌɪ dɛfɪˈnɪʃn |

by its very nature; intrinsically: the assumption is that travel will, by definition, lead to creative insight.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin definitio(n-), from the verb definire ‘set bounds to’ (see define).

definition

noun

1 there is no agreed definition of ‘intelligence’. meaning, denotation, sense; interpretation, explanation, elucidation, explication, description, clarification, exposition, expounding, illustration; deciphering, decoding; statement/outline of meaning.

2 the definition of the picture can be aided by using computer graphics. clarity, clearness, visibility, precision, sharpness, crispness, acuteness, distinctness; resolution, focus, contrast. ANTONYMS blurriness, fuzziness.

creed | kriːd |

noun

a system of religious belief; a faith: people of many creeds and cultures.

• (often the Creed) a formal statement of Christian beliefs, especially the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed: the godparents will then swear that they believe in the Creed and the Commandments.

• a set of beliefs or aims which guide someone’s actions: not everyone follows a creed of acceptance and understanding.

origin

Old English creda, from Latin credo.

creed

noun

1 the godparents will swear that they believe in the creed. system of belief, set of principles, statement of beliefs, profession of faith; doctrine, teaching, ideology, ethic, dogma, tenet, catechism, credo; beliefs, principles, canons, articles of faith, maxims, rules, laws.

2 jobs should be available to all, irrespective of race or creed. faith, religion, religious belief(s), religious persuasion, religious conviction, religious group, faith community, faith group, church; persuasion, affiliation, denomination, sect, body, following, communion, order, school, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood.

sentimental | ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntl |

adjective

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia: she felt a sentimental attachment to the place creep over her.

• having or arousing feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, typically in an exaggerated and self-indulgent way: a sentimental ballad | I’m a sentimental old fool.

derivatives

sentimentally | ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəli | adverb

sentimental

adjective

1 she felt a sentimental attachment to the place creep over her | I wanted to hold on to one of the vases for sentimental reasons. nostalgic, tender, emotional, dewy-eyed, misty-eyed, affectionate, loving. ANTONYMS dispassionate, practical.

2 the film is unfocused and sentimental. mawkish, over-sentimental, overemotional, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, sugar-coated, syrupy; romantic, hearts-and-flowers, touching, pathetic; British English twee; informal slushy, sloppy, mushy, weepy, tear-jerking, schmaltzy, cutesy, lovey-dovey, gooey, drippy, sloshy, soupy, treacly, cheesy, corny, icky, sick-making, toe-curling; British English informal soppy; North American English informal cornball, sappy, hokey, three-hanky; trademark Mills-and-Boon. ANTONYMS gritty, unsentimental, realistic, hard-headed.

3 Hannah had always been sentimental about animals. soft-hearted, tender-hearted, soft, soft-centred; informal soppy.

compliance | kəmˈplʌɪən(t)s | (mainly US English compliancy)

noun [mass noun]

1 the action or fact of complying with a wish or command: the ways in which the state maintains order and compliance.

• excessive acquiescence: the appalling compliance with government views shown by the commission.

• the state or fact of according with or meeting rules or standards: all imports of timber are in compliance with regulations | [as modifier] : this paper estimates the compliance costs of such a policy change.

2 Physics the property of a material of undergoing elastic deformation or (of a gas) change in volume when subjected to an applied force. It is equal to the reciprocal of stiffness.

• Medicine the ability of an organ to distend in response to applied pressure.

compliance

noun

1 the company’s compliance with international law. obedience to, accordance with, observance of, observation of, adherence to, conformity to, respect for; archaic abidance by. ANTONYMS violation, infringement.

2 he had mistaken her lack of interest for compliance. acquiescence, agreement, assent, consent, concession, concurrence, acceptance; complaisance, tractability, malleability, biddableness, pliability, docility, meekness, submissiveness, submission, passivity. ANTONYMS defiance.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability or knowledge in a specific area overestimate their competence, while experts may underestimate theirs. Coined by psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger in 1999, this phenomenon stems from a lack of self-awareness and metacognitive ability, preventing unskilled individuals from recognizing their own incompetence. 

This video explains the Dunning-Kruger effect, including its definition and examples:

56s

PhiloNautica

YouTube • 24 Jan 2026

Key Aspects of the Dunning-Kruger Effect 

• Overconfidence of the Incompetent: People with minimal knowledge in a subject often believe they are experts because they do not know enough to recognize their own ignorance.
• Underestimation by Experts: Conversely, highly competent individuals may assume that tasks easy for them are also easy for others, leading them to underestimate their relative skill.
• The “Mount Stupid” Phenomenon: As people begin learning, their confidence quickly spikes because they know just enough to feel knowledgeable, but not enough to grasp the complexity, which often leads to a false sense of mastery.
• The Learning Curve: As knowledge increases, confidence often drops because the individual realizes how much they don’t know. True confidence only returns with deeper expertise. 

Causes and Consequences 

• Lack of Metacognition: The same incompetence that causes poor performance also prevents the person from evaluating that performance accurately.
• Misguided Self-Assessment: Individuals often rely on a limited, subjective view of their own skills, making them incapable of objective self-evaluation.
• Real-World Impact: This effect can lead to poor decision-making in the workplace, politics, and daily life, as people with low ability may boldly express opinions or take actions they are not equipped for. 

Overcoming the Effect 

• Continuous Learning: Deepening knowledge helps individuals realize the true complexity of a subject.
• Seeking Feedback: Actively asking for, and listening to, constructive criticism from others helps bridge the gap between self-perception and reality.
• Challenging Assumptions: Questioning one’s own, “100% confident” beliefs can expose gaps in understanding. 

This video discusses how to overcome the Dunning-Kruger effect:

59s

Pursuit of Wonder

YouTube • 17 Jan 2024

While widely accepted, the Dunning-Kruger effect has faced some scrutiny from researchers who suggest it might be partially due to statistical artifacts rather than purely psychological factors. 

Incongruous

Incongruous describes something that is out of place, inappropriate, or inconsistent with its surroundings or context. It refers to elements that lack harmony, are incompatible, or appear strange when paired together. For example, a modern, glass building might look incongruous in a rustic, historic town. 

Key Aspects of Incongruous: 

• Definition: Not harmonious, incompatible, or unsuitable.
• Usage: Used to describe things that do not fit or are contradictory.
• Synonyms: Inappropriate, inconsistent, mismatched, clashing, discordant, out of place.
• Example Sentence: “Wearing a tuxedo to a beach barbecue is incongruous”. 

Contextual Examples: 

• Physical Setting: A new computer in a dusty, ancient library.
• Behavior: A calm, polite person suddenly having an incongruous outburst.
• Concepts: A statement that is incongruous with previously stated facts. reciprocity | ˌrɛsɪˈprɒsɪti |

noun [mass noun]

the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another: the Community intends to start discussions on reciprocity with third countries.

origin

mid 18th century: from French réciprocité, from réciproque, from Latin reciprocus ‘moving backwards and forwards’ (see reciprocate).

Reciprocity refers to a social norm, psychological impulse, or transactional system involving the mutual exchange of favors, goods, or services. It is fundamentally based on “give-and-take,” where an action from one party is returned with an equivalent or corresponding action by another. 

Often described as a “two-way street” or the “golden rule” in action, it implies that people feel an obligation to repay what another person has provided. 

Key Aspects and Meanings 

• Social Obligation: The “rule of reciprocity” triggers feelings of indebtedness, causing individuals to feel obligated to return favors even if they did not initially request them.
• Behavioral Economics/Psychology: It is a strong, learned social norm where people return positive actions with kindness (positive reciprocity) and negative actions with retaliation or punishment (negative reciprocity).
• Relationship Building: It acts as a foundation for trust, cooperation, and social bonding in both personal and professional contexts.
• “Door-in-the-Face” Technique: A social influence tactic where a person makes a large, likely-to-be-rejected request, followed by a smaller one, leveraging the feeling of obligation to agree to the second, smaller request. 

Types of Reciprocity 

1. Generalized: Giving without expecting an immediate return, often common in close friendships or family.
2. Balanced: An exchange where both parties expect a similar, equivalent, and timely return of value (e.g., buying a round of drinks or exchanging gifts).
3. Negative: An attempt to get something for nothing or an unfair, unbalanced exchange where one party exploits the other. 

Examples in Different Contexts 

• Everyday Life: Helping a neighbor move furniture because they helped you paint last year.
• Business: A salesperson giving a free sample or gift, which increases the likelihood of a purchase because the customer feels obligated to return the favor.
• International Relations: Countries lowering tariffs for each other in trade agreements.
• Communication: Turn-taking in conversation (e.g., answering a question after being asked). 

Implications 

• Positive: Strengthens bonds, fosters cooperation, and ensures mutual aid.
• Negative/Abuse: The feeling of obligation can be manipulated to persuade people to do more than they intended, leading to potential exploitation.
• Reduced Self-Interest: Reciprocity often causes individuals to deviate from purely self-interested behavior to maintain social harmony. 

culture | ˈkʌltʃə |

noun [mass noun]

1 the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively: 20th century popular culture.

• a refined understanding or appreciation of culture: men of culture.

2 the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society: African-Caribbean culture | [count noun] : people from many different cultures.

• [with modifier] the attitudes and behaviour characteristic of a particular social group: the emerging drug culture.

3 Biology the cultivation of bacteria, tissue cells, etc. in an artificial medium containing nutrients: the cells proliferate readily in culture.

• [count noun] a preparation of cells obtained by culture: the bacterium was isolated in two blood cultures.

4 the cultivation of plants: this variety of lettuce is popular for its ease of culture.

verb [with object] Biology

maintain (tissue cells, bacteria, etc.) in conditions suitable for growth: several investigators have attempted to culture biliary cells.

origin

Middle English (denoting a cultivated piece of land): the noun from French culture or directly from Latin cultura ‘growing, cultivation’; the verb from obsolete French culturer or medieval Latin culturare, both based on Latin colere ‘tend, cultivate’ (see cultivate). In late Middle English the sense was ‘cultivation of the soil’ and from this (early 16th century), arose ‘cultivation (of the mind, faculties, or manners’); culture (sense 1 of the noun) dates from the early 19th century.

culture

noun

1 20th century popular culture. the arts, the humanities; intellectual achievement(s), intellectual activity; literature, music, painting, philosophy.

2 a man of culture. intellectual/artistic awareness, education, cultivation, enlightenment, discernment, discrimination, good taste, taste, refinement, polish; sophistication, urbanity, urbaneness; erudition, learning, letters; French belles-lettres.

3 people from many different cultures | Afro-Caribbean culture. civilization, society, way of life, lifestyle; customs, traditions, heritage, habits, ways, mores, values.

4 the culture of crops. cultivation, growing, farming; agriculture, husbandry, agronomy.

dispensable | dɪˈspɛn(t)səbl |

adjective

able to be replaced or done without; superfluous: the captain’s loss of form made him dispensable.

• (of a law or other rule) not mandatory but susceptible of being waived in special cases.

derivatives

dispensability | dɪspɛnsəˈbɪlɪti | noun

origin

early 16th century (in the sense ‘permissible in special circumstances’): from medieval Latin dispensabilis, from Latin dispensare (see dispense).

dispensable

adjective

he regards all of his lieutenants as highly dispensable. expendable, disposable, replaceable, inessential, unessential, non-essential, skippable; unnecessary, unneeded, needless, not required, redundant, superfluous, surplus to requirements, gratuitous, uncalled for. ANTONYMS indispensable.

ideation | ˌʌɪdiˈeɪʃn |

noun [mass noun] mainly formal

the formation of ideas or concepts: this was not the first time she had expressed suicidal ideation | paranoid ideation.

origin

early 19th century: from ideate + -ion.

ownership | ˈəʊnəʃɪp |

noun

the act, state, or right of possessing something: the ownership of land | the rise in car ownership.

ownership

noun

possession, right of possession, holding, freehold, proprietorship, proprietary rights, title.

reasoning | ˈriːzənɪŋ |

noun [mass noun]

the action of thinking about something in a logical, sensible way: he explained the reasoning behind his decision at a media conference.

reasoning

noun

I can’t quite follow your reasoning | the reasoning behind their decisions. thinking, line of thought, train of thought, thought, thought process, logic, reason, rationality, analysis, interpretation, explanation, deduction, rationalization, argumentation; reasons, rationale, arguments, premises, case; supposition, hypothesis, thesis; Philosophy dialectics; rare cerebration, ratiocination, mentation.

haste | heɪst |

noun [mass noun]

excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry: working with feverish haste | I write in haste.

verb

archaic term for hasten

phrases

make haste

hurry; hasten: I make haste to seal this.

more haste, less speed

proverb you make better progress with a task if you don’t try to do it too quickly.

origin

Middle English: from Old French haste (noun), haster (verb), of Germanic origin.

haste

noun

working with feverish haste. speed, hastiness, hurry, hurriedness, swiftness, rapidity, rapidness, quickness, promptness, briskness, immediateness; impetuosity, precipitateness, rush, rushing; literary celerity, fleetness; rare expedition, expeditiousness, promptitude. ANTONYMS slowness, delay.

phrases

in haste

quickly, rapidly, fast, speedily, with alacrity, with urgency, in a rush, in a hurry, with dispatch.

make haste

I made haste down the stairs. hurry, go fast, go quickly, hasten, hurtle, dash, dart, race, rush, fly, flash, shoot, streak, bolt, bound, blast, charge, chase, career, hurry up, speed up, scurry, scramble, scamper, scuttle, sprint, run, gallop, go like lightning, go hell for leather; British English scutter; informal whizz, whoosh, vroom, tear, scoot, hare, pelt, zip, whip, zoom, belt, beetle, buzz, get a move on, step on it, hotfoot it, burn rubber, go like a bat out of hell; British English informal bomb, bucket, shift, put one’s foot down, go like the clappers, leg it; Scottish English informal wheech; North American English informal hightail, barrel, boogie, clip, lay rubber, get the lead out; North American English vulgar slang drag/tear/haul ass; informal, dated cut along; archaic post, hie, fleet. ANTONYMS dawdle; crawl.

awakening | əˈweɪk(ə)nɪŋ |

noun

1 formal an act of waking from sleep: since my awakening I had realized it was a very special day.

2 an act or moment of becoming suddenly aware of something: the war came as a rude awakening to the hardships of life.

• the beginning or rousing of something: her sexual awakening | the awakening of vigorous political debate.

adjective

coming into existence or awareness: his awakening desire | an awakening conscience.

awakening

noun

the awakening of her real feelings for him. arousal, rousing, triggering off, stirring up, kindling, stimulation, inspiration, birth; revival.

awakening | spanish

noun

despertar (masculine)

▸ the awakening of new love

el despertar de un nuevo amor

▸ awakening tosomething

▸ a gradual awakening to the dangers of …

una toma de conciencia gradual acerca de los peligros de …

▸ a rude awakening

una sorpresa muy desagradable

▸ I had a rude awakening when I saw the state of the house

me llevé una sorpresa muy desagradable cuando vi cómo estaba la casa

▸ you’re in for a rude awakening

te vas a llevar un chasco (informal)

Rude awakening  

– is a sudden, harsh, and often unpleasant realization of the truth, shattering a previously held misconception or comfortable illusion. It represents a moment where a person is unexpectedly forced to face an uncomfortable reality, often leading to a shock or a necessary change in perspective. 

Key details about a rude awakening include: 

• Sudden Realization: The discovery happens quickly and often violently, rather than gradually.
• Unpleasant Truth: The information revealed is typically negative, disappointing, or difficult to accept.
• Shattered Illusions: It occurs when someone realizes they were wrong about a situation or mistaken in their beliefs.
• Contextual Examples: Examples include failing a test after thinking one was prepared, realizing the cost of living after moving out of a parent’s home, or facing the reality of a demanding job.
• Common Phrasing: The idiom is frequently used with the phrase “in for a rude awakening” to indicate that a difficult situation is inevitably approaching. 

oracle | ˈɒrəkl |

noun

1 a priest or priestess acting as a medium through whom advice or prophecy was sought from the gods in classical antiquity.

• a place at which divine advice or prophecy was sought.

• a person or thing regarded as an infallible authority on something: he reigned supreme as the Colonial Office’s oracle on Africa.

2 archaic a response or message given by an oracle, especially an ambiguous one.

origin

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin oraculum, from orare ‘speak’.

oracle

noun

1 Hercules consulted the oracle of Apollo. prophet, prophetess, sibyl, seer, augur, prognosticator, diviner, soothsayer, wise man, wise woman, sage, fortune teller; rare oracler.

2 the Colonial Office’s oracle on Africa. authority, expert, specialist, pundit, guru, mentor, adviser, mastermind, connoisseur; informal wizard, high priest.

cognitive | ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv |

adjective

relating to the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses: regular physical activity can improve cognitive function and memory | he has been diagnosed with a cognitive impairment | the cognitive processes involved in reading.

origin

late 16th century: from medieval Latin cognitivus, from cognit- ‘known’, from the verb cognoscere.

cognitively | ˈkɒɡnɪtɪvli |

adverb

in a way that relates to the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses: it serves as a distraction from cognitively demanding tasks | I work with cognitively impaired kids.

untenable | ʌnˈtɛnəbl |

adjective

(especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection: this argument is clearly untenable.

derivatives

untenability | ʌnˌtɛnəˈbɪlɪti, ˌʌntɛnəˈbɪlɪti | noun

untenableness | ʌnˈtɛnəblnəs | noun

untenably adverb

untenable

adjective

the Government’s position is untenable. indefensible, undefendable, unarguable, insupportable, refutable, unsustainable, unjustified, unwarranted, unjustifiable, inadmissible, unsound, ill-founded, flimsy, weak, shaky, flawed, defective, faulty, implausible, specious, groundless, unfounded, baseless, invalid, absurd, illogical, irrational, preposterous, senseless, unacceptable. ANTONYMS tenable, defensible.

fragment

noun | ˈfraɡm(ə)nt |

a small part broken off or separated from something: small fragments of pottery.

• an isolated or incomplete part of something: Nathan remembered fragments of the conversation.

verb | fraɡˈmɛnt |

break or cause to break into fragments: [no object] : Lough Erne fragmented into a series of lakes | [with object] : management has tighter control through fragmenting the tasks.

origin

late Middle English: from French, or from Latin fragmentum, from frangere ‘to break’.

fragment

noun [stress on the first syllable]

1 more than 5000 meteorite fragments. piece, bit, particle, speck; chip, shard, sliver, splinter; shaving, paring, snippet, scrap, offcut, flake, shred, tatter, wisp, morsel, shiver, spillikin; (fragments) smithereens; British English chipping; Scottish English skelf; technical spall.

2 I overheard a fragment of conversation. snatch, snippet, scrap, bit, smattering, extract, excerpt; part, section, chapter, movement.

verb

[stress on the second syllable] frequent explosions caused the chalk to fragment | the dangers of fragmenting the health service. break up, break, break into pieces, crack open/apart, shatter, splinter, fracture, burst apart, explode, blow apart, implode; disintegrate, come to pieces, fall to pieces, fall apart, collapse, break down, tumble down; smash, smash to smithereens; informal bust; technical spall; rare shiver.

psychosis | sʌɪˈkəʊsɪs |

noun (plural psychoses | sʌɪˈkəʊsiːz |) [mass noun]

a severe mental condition in which thought and emotions are so affected that contact is lost with external reality. Compare with neurosis: the symptoms of psychosis | [count noun] : an increased risk of developing a psychosis.

origin

mid 19th century: from Greek psukhōsis ‘animation’, from psukhoō ‘I give life to’, from psukhē ‘soul, mind’.

In psychopathology, psychosis is the inability to distinguish what is or is not real.^[3] Examples of psychotic symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized or incoherent thoughts or speech.^[3] Psychosis is a description of a person’s state or symptoms, rather than a particular mental illness, and it is not related to psychopathy (a personality construct^[4][5] characterized by impaired empathy and remorse, along with bold, disinhibited, and egocentric traits).

Psychosis is not well-understood at the neurological level, but dopamine (along with other neurotransmitters) is known to play an important role.^[13][14][15] In the United States about 3% of people develop psychosis at some point in their lives.^[1] Psychosis has been described as early as the 4th century BC by Hippocrates and possibly as early as 1500 BC in the Ebers Papyrus.^[16][17]

fiasco | fiˈaskəʊ |

noun (plural fiascos)

a complete failure, especially a ludicrous or humiliating one: his plans turned into a fiasco.

origin

mid 19th century: from Italian, literally ‘bottle, flask’, in the phrase far fiasco, literally ‘make a bottle’, figuratively ‘fail in a performance’: the reason for the figurative sense is unexplained.

fiasco

noun

the whole thing was a total fiasco. failure, disaster, catastrophe, debacle, shambles, farce, mess, wreck, ruin, ruination, blunder, botch; informal flop, washout, dud, hash, lead balloon, foul-up, screw-up, fail; British English informal pig’s ear, cock-up, car crash; North American English informal snafu; Australian and New Zealand English informal fizzer; vulgar slang fuck-up; British English vulgar slang balls-up. ANTONYMS success.

sensibility | ˌsɛn(t)sɪˈbɪlɪti |

noun (plural sensibilities) [mass noun]

1 the quality of being able to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences; sensitivity: the study of literature leads to a growth of intelligence and sensibility.

• (sensibilities) a quality of delicate sensitivity that makes one liable to be offended or shocked: the scale of the poverty revealed by the survey shocked people’s sensibilities.

2 Zoology dated sensitivity to sensory stimuli.

origin

late Middle English (denoting the power of sensation): from late Latin sensibilitas, from sensibilis ‘that can be perceived by the senses’ (see sensible).

sensibility

noun

1 the study of literature leads to a growth of intelligence and sensibility. sensitivity, sensitiveness, finer feelings, delicacy, subtlety, taste, discrimination, discernment; understanding, insight, empathy, appreciation, awareness of the feelings of others; feeling, intuition, intuitiveness, responsiveness, receptivity, receptiveness, perceptiveness, awareness.

2 (sensibilities) the wording was changed because it might offend people’s sensibilities. feelings, emotions, finer feelings, delicate sensitivity, sensitivities, susceptibilities, moral sense, sense of outrage.

wilderness | ˈwɪldənəs |

noun [usually in singular]

an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region.

• a neglected or abandoned area: the garden had become a wilderness of weeds and bushes.

• a position of disfavour, especially in a political context: the man who led the Labour Party out of the wilderness | [as modifier] : his wilderness years.

phrases

a voice in the wilderness

an unheeded advocate of reform (see Matt. 3:3 etc.).

origin

Old English wildēornes ‘land inhabited only by wild animals’, from wild dēor ‘wild deer’ + -ness.

wilderness

noun

1 the Siberian wilderness of Kamchatka. wilds, wastes, uninhabited region, inhospitable region, uncultivated region, badlands; jungle; desert; South African English bundu.

2 a litter-strewn north London wilderness. wasteland, neglected area, abandoned area, no-man’s-land.

3 a wilderness of boxes, suitcases, and trunks. jumble, muddle, clutter, confusion.

humanity | hjʊˈmanɪti |

noun (plural humanities) [mass noun]

1 human beings collectively: appalling crimes against humanity.

• the state of being human: our differences matter but our common humanity matters more.

2 the quality of being humane; benevolence: he praised them for their standards of humanity and care.

3 (humanities) learning concerned with human culture, especially literature, history, art, music, and philosophy.

origin

Middle English: from Old French humanite, from Latin humanitas, from humanus (see human).

humanity

noun

1 humanity evolved from the higher apes. humankind, the human race, the human species, mankind, man, people, mortals; Latin Homo sapiens. ANTONYMS the animal kingdom.

2 the humanity of Christ. human nature, humanness, mortality, flesh and blood.

3 he praised them for their standards of humanity, care, and dignity. compassion, brotherly love, fellow feeling, humaneness, kindness, kind-heartedness, consideration, understanding, sympathy, tolerance, goodness, good-heartedness, gentleness, leniency, mercy, mercifulness, pity, tenderness, benevolence, charity, generosity, magnanimity. ANTONYMS cruelty; inhumanity.

inhumanity | ˌɪnhjʊˈmanɪti |

noun (plural inhumanities) [mass noun]

extremely cruel and brutal behaviour: man’s inhumanity to man | [count noun] : an elaborate review of man’s inhumanities.

origin

late 15th century: from Old French inhumanite or Latin inhumanitas, from inhumanus ‘inhuman’.

inhumanity

noun

the vicious inhumanity of the apartheid system. cruelty, harshness, brutality, callousness, sadism, severity, savagery, viciousness, barbarity, barbarism; bestiality, monstrousness, fiendishness, evil, evilness, wickedness, heinousness; mercilessness, ruthlessness, pitilessness, remorselessness, cold-bloodedness, heartlessness, hard-heartedness, stone-heartedness, unforgivingness; unkindness, unkindliness, inconsiderateness, uncaringness, lack of compassion, lack of feeling, lack of sympathy; British English informal, dated beastliness; archaic dastardliness; rare egregiousness, flagitiousness. ANTONYMS humanity, compassion.

depiction | dɪˈpɪkʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the action of depicting something, especially in a work of art: the painting’s horrific depiction of war | [count noun] : Michelangelo’s depictions of the male nude.

Depiction is reference conveyed through pictures. A picture refers to its object through a non-linguistic two-dimensional scheme, and is distinct from writing or notation.

Objects pictured may be factual or fictional, literal or metaphorical, realistic or idealised and in various combination. Idealised depiction is also termed schematic or stylised and extends to icons, diagrams and maps. Classes or styles of picture may abstract their objects by degrees, conversely, establish degrees of the concrete (usually called, a little confusingly, figuration or figurative, since the ‘figurative’ is then often quite literal). Stylisation can lead to the fully abstract picture, where reference is only to conditions for a picture plane – a severe exercise in self-reference and ultimately a sub-set of pattern.

But just how pictures function remains controversial. Philosophers, art historians and critics, perceptual psychologists and other researchers in the arts and social sciences have contributed to the debate and many of the most influential contributions have been interdisciplinary. Some key positions are briefly surveyed below.

depiction

noun

1 a mirror with a depiction of Aphrodite on the reverse. picture, painting, portrait, drawing, sketch, artist’s impression, study, illustration, portrayal, representation, image, likeness.

2 she objected to the film’s depiction of her mother. portrayal, representation, presentation, description, delineation, characterization.

contextualise | kənˈtɛkstjʊəlʌɪz | 

verb [with object]

place or study in context: the excellent introduction summarizes and contextualizes Bowen’s career.

derivatives

contextualization | kəntɛkstjʊəlʌɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n | (British English also contextualisation) noun

context | ˈkɒntɛkst |

noun

the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood: the proposals need to be considered in the context of new European directives.

• the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning: skilled readers use context to construct meaning from words as they are read.

phrases

in context

considered together with the surrounding words or circumstances: the complex meaning of irony is only graspable in context.

out of context

without the surrounding words or circumstances and so not fully understandable: the article portrayed her as domineering by dropping quotes from her out of context.

derivatives

contextless | ˈkɒntɛks(t)ləs | adjective

origin

late Middle English (denoting the construction of a text): from Latin contextus, from con- ‘together’ + texere ‘to weave’.

credence | ˈkriːdn(t)s |

noun

1 [mass noun] belief in or acceptance of something as true: psychoanalysis finds little credence among laymen.

• the likelihood of something being true; plausibility: being called upon by the media as an expert lends credence to one’s opinions.

2 [usually as modifier] a small side table, shelf, or niche in a church for holding the elements of the Eucharist before they are consecrated: a credence table.

origin

Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent- ‘believing’, from the verb credere.

credence

noun

1 psychoanalysis finds little credence among laymen. acceptance, belief, faith, trust, confidence, reliance, traction.

2 the messenger gave credence to her tale. credibility, credit, reliability, plausibility, believability.

polemic | pəˈlɛmɪk |

noun

a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something: his polemic against the cultural relativism of the Sixties | [mass noun] : what began as objective history becomes passionate polemic.

• (usually polemics) the art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute: the history of science has become embroiled in religious polemics.

adjective

expressing or constituting a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something; polemical: unashamedly polemic writing.

origin

mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek polemikos, from polemos ‘war’.

polemic

noun

1 this is not just a polemic against injustice. diatribe, invective, denunciation, denouncement, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, verbal onslaught; condemnation, brickbats, criticism, admonishment, admonition, abuse, stream of abuse, stricture, tongue-lashing, castigation, reprimand, rebuke, reproof, reproval, upbraiding; informal knocking, blast; British English informal slating; rare philippic.

2 (polemics) skilled in polemics. argumentation, argument, debate, contention, dispute, disputation, discussion, controversy, altercation, faction, wrangling; formal contestation.

adjective

reviewers were put off by Maynard’s polemic tone. critical, hostile, bitter, polemical, virulent, vitriolic, venomous, waspish, corrosive, biting, caustic, trenchant, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, acid, sharp, keen, tart, pungent, stinging, astringent, incisive, devastating, piercing; rare acidulous, mordacious.

ditto | ˈdɪtəʊ |

noun (plural dittos)

the same thing again (used in lists and accounts and often indicated by a ditto mark under the word or figure to be repeated).

• informal used to indicate that something already said is applicable a second time: if one folds his arms, so does the other; if one crosses his legs, ditto.

origin

early 17th century (in the sense ‘in the aforesaid month’): from Tuscan dialect, variant of Italian detto ‘said’, from Latin dictus ‘said’.

stressor | ˈstrɛsə |

noun

something that causes a state of strain or tension: stressors can place a tremendous burden on relationships.

A stressor is a chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or an event seen as causing stress to an organism.^[1] Psychologically speaking, a stressor can be events or environments that individuals might consider demanding, challenging, and/or threatening individual safety.^[2]

Events or objects that may trigger a stress response may include:

• environmental stressors (hypo or hyper-thermic temperatures, elevated sound levels, over-illumination, overcrowding)
• daily “stress” events (e.g., traffic, lost keys, money, quality and quantity of physical activity)
• life changes (e.g., divorce, bereavement)
• workplace stressors (e.g., high job demand vs. low job control, repeated or sustained exertions, forceful exertions, extreme postures, office clutter^[3])
• chemical stressors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, drugs)
• social stressors (e.g., societal and family demands)

Stressors can cause physical, chemical and mental responses internally. Physical stressors produce mechanical stresses on skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves that cause tissue deformation and (in extreme cases) tissue failure. Chemical stresses also produce biomechanical responses associated with metabolism and tissue repair. Physical stressors may produce pain and impair work performance. Chronic pain and impairment requiring medical attention may result from extreme physical stressors or if there is not sufficient recovery time between successive exposures.^[4][5] Stressors may also affect mental function and performance. Mental and social stressors may affect behavior and how individuals respond to physical and chemical stressors.^[6]

Social and environmental stressors and the events associated with them can range from minor to traumatic. Traumatic events involve very debilitating stressors, and oftentimes these stressors are uncontrollable. Traumatic events can deplete an individual’s coping resources to an extent where the individual may develop acute stress disorder or even post-traumatic stress disorder. People who have been abused, victimized, or terrorized are often more susceptible to stress disorders.^[7][8] Most stressor-stress relationships can be evaluated and determined – either by the individual or by a psychologist. Therapeutic measures are often taken to help replenish and rebuild the individual’s coping resources while simultaneously aiding the individual in dealing with current stress.

impunity | ɪmˈpjuːnɪti |

noun [mass noun]

exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action: the impunity enjoyed by military officers implicated in civilian killings | protesters burned flags on the streets with impunity.

origin

mid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis ‘unpunished’, from in- ‘not’ + poena ‘penalty’ or punire ‘punish’.

impunity

noun

the impunity enjoyed by military officers implicated in civilian killings. immunity, indemnity, exemption from punishment, freedom from punishment, exemption, non-liability, licence; amnesty, dispensation, pardon, reprieve, stay of execution, exoneration; privilege, special treatment, favouritism; French carte blanche. ANTONYMS liability, responsibility.

phrases

with impunity

criminals who appear to flout the law with impunity. unpunished, with no ill consequences, with no ill effects, without being punished, without punishment; scot-free.

radical | ˈradɪkl |

adjective

1 (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough: a radical overhaul of the existing regulatory framework.

• forming an inherent or fundamental part of the nature of someone or something: the assumption of radical differences between the mental attributes of literate and non-literate peoples.

• (of surgery or medical treatment) thorough and intended to be completely curative.

2 advocating or based on thorough or complete political or social change; representing or supporting an extreme or progressive section of a political party: a radical activist.

• British English historical belonging to an extreme section of the Liberal party during the 19th century.

• characterized by independence of or departure from tradition; innovative or unorthodox: the daring, avant-garde spirit of the music was too radical for the conservative audience.

3 Linguistics denoting or relating to the roots of a word.

• Music belonging to the root of a chord.

4 Mathematics relating to or forming the root of a number or quantity.

5 Botany of, or springing direct from, the root or stem base of a plant.

6 [usually as exclamation] North American English informal very good; excellent: Okay, then. Seven o’clock. Radical!.

noun

1 a person who advocates thorough or complete political or social change, or a member of a political party or section of a party pursuing such aims.

2 Chemistry a group of atoms behaving as a unit in a number of compounds. See also free radical

3 the root or base form of a word.

• any of the basic set of approximately 214 Chinese characters constituting semantically or functionally significant elements in the composition of other characters and used as a means of classifying characters in dictionaries.

4 Mathematics a quantity forming or expressed as the root of another.

• a radical sign.

derivatives

radicalness noun

origin

late Middle English (in the senses ‘forming the root’ and ‘inherent’): from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- ‘root’.

radical

adjective

1 radical reform is long overdue. thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, entire, absolute, utter, comprehensive, exhaustive, root-and-branch, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, profound, drastic, severe, serious, major, desperate, stringent, violent, forceful, rigorous, draconian. ANTONYMS superficial.

2 the apparently radical differences between logic and natural language. fundamental, basic, essential, quintessential; inherent, innate, structural, deep-seated, intrinsic, organic, constitutive, root. ANTONYMS minor.

3 a radical political movement. revolutionary, progressive, reforming, reformist, progressivist, revisionist; leftist, left-wing, socialist, anti-capitalist; extremist, fanatical, militant, diehard; informal woke, right-on; informal, derogatory commie, Bolshevik, lefty, red, pink, bolshie. ANTONYMS reactionary; moderate.

noun

he was by no means a radical. revolutionary, progressive, reformer, revisionist; leftist, left-winger, socialist; militant, zealot, extremist, fanatic, diehard; informal, derogatory commie, Bolshevik, lefty, red, pinko. ANTONYMS reactionary; moderate.

subjugate | ˈsʌbdʒʊɡeɪt |

verb [with object]

bring under domination or control, especially by conquest: the invaders had soon subjugated most of the population.

• (subjugate someone/something to) make someone or something subordinate to: the new ruler firmly subjugated the Church to the state.

derivatives

subjugable | ˈsʌbdʒʊɡəb(ə)l | adjective

subjugator | ˈsʌbdʒʊɡeɪtə | noun

origin

late Middle English: from late Latin subjugat- ‘brought under a yoke’, from the verb subjugare, based on jugum ‘yoke’.

subjugate

verb

Norman leaders had subjugated most of Ireland’s Gaelic population. conquer, vanquish, defeat, crush, quell, quash, gain mastery over, gain ascendancy over, gain control of, bring under the yoke, bring to heel, bring someone to their knees, overcome, overpower, hegemonize; enslave, tyrannize, oppress, repress, subdue, colonize, suppress; tame, break, humble; informal lick, clobber, hammer, wipe the floor with, walk all over. ANTONYMS liberate.

liberty | ˈlɪbəti |

noun (plural liberties) [mass noun]

1 the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behaviour, or political views: compulsory retirement would interfere with individual liberty.

• the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved: people who attacked phone boxes would lose their liberty.

• (usually liberties) [count noun] a right or privilege, especially a statutory one: the Bill of Rights was intended to secure basic civil liberties.

• (Liberty) the personification of liberty as a female figure: the Statue of Liberty.

2 the power or scope to act as one pleases: individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own preferences.

• Philosophy a person’s freedom from control by fate or necessity.

• Nautical shore leave granted to a sailor.

3 [count noun] informal a presumptuous remark or action: how did he know what she was thinking?—it was a liberty!.

phrases

at liberty

1 not imprisoned: he was at liberty for three months before he was recaptured.

2 allowed or entitled to do something: he’s not at liberty to discuss his real work.

take liberties | ˌteɪk ˈlɪbətiz |

1 behave in an unduly familiar manner towards a person: you’ve taken too many liberties with me.

2 treat something freely, without strict faithfulness to the facts or to an original: the scriptwriter has taken few liberties with the original narrative.

take the liberty

venture to do something without first asking permission: I took the liberty of checking out a few convalescent homes for him.

origin

late Middle English: from Old French liberte, from Latin libertas, from liber ‘free’.

Statue of Liberty

a statue at the entrance to New York harbour, a symbol of welcome to immigrants, representing a draped female figure carrying a book of laws in her left hand and holding aloft a torch in her right. Dedicated in 1886, it was designed by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and was the gift of the French, commemorating the alliance of France and the US during the War of American Independence.

liberty

noun

1 individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own interests and preferences. freedom, independence, free rein, freeness, licence, self-determination; free will, latitude, option, choice; volition, non-compulsion, non-coercion, non-confinement; leeway, margin, scope, elbow room. ANTONYMS constraint.

2 parliamentary government is the essence of British liberty. independence, freedom, autonomy, sovereignty, self government, self rule, self determination, home rule; civil liberties, civil rights, human rights; rare autarky. ANTONYMS dependence, subjugation.

3 no man who was born free would be contented to be penned up and denied the liberty to go where he pleases. right, birthright, opportunity, facility, prerogative, entitlement, privilege, permission, sanction, leave, consent, authorization, authority, licence, clearance, blessing, dispensation, exemption, faculty; French carte blanche. ANTONYMS constraint.

phrases

at liberty

1 he was at liberty for three months before he was recaptured. free, on the loose, loose, set loose, at large, unconfined, roaming; unbound, untied, unchained, unshackled, unfettered, unrestrained, unrestricted, wild, untrammelled; escaped, out; informal sprung. ANTONYMS in captivity; imprisoned.

2 your great aunt was at liberty to divide her estate how she chose. free, permitted, allowed, authorized, able, entitled, eligible, fit; unconstrained, unrestricted, unhindered, without constraint. ANTONYMS forbidden.

take liberties

you’ve already taken too many liberties with me. act with overfamiliarity, act with familiarity, show disrespect, act with impropriety, act indecorously, be impudent, commit a breach of etiquette, act with boldness, act with impertinence, show insolence, show impudence, show presumptuousness, show presumption, show forwardness, show audacity, be unrestrained; take advantage of, exploit. ANTONYMS be polite; show consideration.

choose the right word

liberty, freedom, independence

All these words denote absence of constraint or coercion.

Liberty denotes the desirable state of being free, within society, from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s behaviour or political views (‘we believe in civil and religious liberty for everyone’). It may also mean the power or scope to act as one pleases (‘individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own preferences’). To be at liberty to do something is to be allowed or entitled to do it (‘I’m not at liberty to say’).

Freedom is a more general word for the absence of constraint (‘decentralization would give local managers more freedom’ | ‘freedom of expression’ | ‘freedom to organize their affairs’). Freedom can also indicate the absence of a particular evil or constraint (‘freedom from fear’ | ‘freedom from interference’) or the state of being unrestricted in movement (‘the shorts have a side split for freedom of movement’). Both freedom and liberty can also mean the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved (‘the teenager committed fifty-six crimes before he lost his freedom’ | ‘the mayor remained at liberty pending a decision as to his place of confinement’).

The principal meaning of independence is the absence of control of a nation or corporate body by an outside power (‘recognition of Azerbaijan’s independence’ | ‘the independence of the judiciary’). When used in relation to individuals, independence may denote a freedom from commitments (‘could she pursue her independence if Chester needed her?’) or the personal quality of not relying on others (‘parents should foster their child’s independence’).

virtual | ˈvəːtʃʊəl |

adjective

1 almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition: the virtual absence of border controls.

2 Computing not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so. See also virtual reality: virtual images.

• carried out, accessed, or stored by means of a computer, especially over a network: a virtual library | virtual learning.

3 Optics relating to the points at which rays would meet if produced backwards.

4 Mechanics relating to or denoting infinitesimal displacements of a point in a system.

5 Physics denoting particles or interactions with extremely short lifetimes and (owing to the uncertainty principle) indefinitely great energies, postulated as intermediates in some processes.

derivatives

virtuality | ˌvəːtʃʊˈalɪti | noun

origin

late Middle English (also in the sense ‘possessing certain virtues’): from medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus ‘virtue’, suggested by late Latin virtuosus.

virtual

adjective

we drove to the cottage in virtual silence. effective, in effect, near, near enough, essential, practical, for all practical purposes, to all intents and purposes, in all but name, indirect, implied, implicit, unacknowledged, tacit.

damage | ˈdamɪdʒ |

noun

1 [mass noun] physical harm that impairs the value, usefulness, or normal function of something: bombing caused extensive damage to the town.

• detrimental effects: the damage to his reputation was considerable.

2 (damages) a sum of money claimed or awarded in compensation for a loss or an injury: she was awarded $284,000 in damages.

verb [with object]

inflict physical harm on (something) so as to impair its value, usefulness, or normal function: the car was badly damaged in the accident | (damaged as adjective) : damaged ligaments.

• have a detrimental effect on: the scandal could seriously damage his career.

phrases

the damage is done

used to indicate that it is too late to prevent the occurrence of something unfortunate or undesirable: there didn’t seem any point in arguing now—the damage was done.

what’s the damage?

informal used to ask the cost of something: We got all the wood loaded up and I said: What’s the damage? How much do I owe you?.

origin

Middle English: from Old French, from dam, damne ‘loss or damage’, from Latin damnum ‘loss or hurt’; compare with damn.

damaging

adjective

pesticides have had a damaging effect on a lot of wildlife. harmful, detrimental, injurious, hurtful, inimical, dangerous, destructive, ruinous, calamitous, disastrous, deleterious, pernicious, ill, bad, evil, baleful, malign, corrupting, malignant, adverse, undesirable, prejudicial, unfavourable, unfortunate, counterproductive; unhealthy, unwholesome, poisonous, cancerous, noxious, environmentally unfriendly; literary malefic, maleficent; rare prejudicious. ANTONYMS benign; ben

fundamental | ˌfʌndəˈmɛntl |

adjective

forming a necessary base or core; of central importance: the protection of fundamental human rights | interpretation of evidence is fundamental to the historian’s craft.

• affecting or relating to the essential nature of something or the crucial point about an issue: the fundamental problem remains that of the housing shortage.

• so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome: the theories are based on a fundamental error.

noun

1 (usually fundamentals) a central or primary rule or principle on which something is based: two courses cover the fundamentals of microbiology.

2 Music a fundamental note, tone, or frequency.

derivatives

fundamentality | fʌndəmɛnˈtalɪti | noun

origin

late Middle English: from French fondamental, or late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, from fundare ‘to found’.

fundamental

adjective

a fundamental political principle. basic, foundational, rudimentary, elemental, elementary, underlying, basal, radical, root; primary, cardinal, initial, original, prime, first, primitive, primordial; principal, chief, capital, key, central; structural, organic, constitutional, inherent, intrinsic, ingrained; vital, essential, important, indispensable, necessary, crucial, pivotal, critical. ANTONYMS secondary, unimportant.

evident | ˈɛvɪd(ə)nt

adjective

clearly seen or understood; obvious: she ate the biscuits with evident enjoyment.

origin

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin evidens, evident- ‘obvious to the eye or mind’, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out’ + videre ‘to see’.

evident

adjective

he regarded her with evident interest. obvious, apparent, noticeable, conspicuous, perceptible, perceivable, visible, observable, discernible, transparent, clear, crystal clear, clear-cut, writ large, plain, manifest, patent, palpable, tangible, distinct, pronounced, marked, striking, glaring, blatant; unmistakable, indisputable, undoubted, incontrovertible, incontestable; informal as plain as the nose on your face, as plain as a pikestaff, standing/sticking out like a sore thumb, standing/sticking out a mile, written all over someone, as clear as day; archaic sensible. ANTONYMS unnoticea

disenthral | ˌdɪs(ɪ)nˈθrɔːl, ˌdɪsɛnˈθrɔːl | (US English disenthrall)

verb (disenthrals, disenthralling, disenthralled) [with object] literary

set free: I disenthral my mind from theories.

derivatives

disenthralment | ˌdɪs(ɪ)nˈθrɔːlm(ə)nt, ˌdɪsɛnˈθrɔːlm(ə)nt | (US English disenthrallment) noun

shelter | ˈʃɛltə |

noun

1 a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger: huts like this are used as a shelter during the winter | an air-raid shelter.

• a place providing food and accommodation for the homeless: did they give you any breakfast at the shelter?.

• an animal sanctuary: the shelter sees many dogs which have been dumped on Dartmoor.

2 [mass noun] a shielded or safe condition; protection: he hung back in the shelter of a rock | you’re welcome to take shelter from the storm.

verb [with object]

protect or shield from something harmful, especially bad weather: the hut sheltered him from the cold wind.

• [no object, with adverbial of place] find refuge or take cover from bad weather or danger: people were sheltering under store canopies and trees.

• prevent (someone) from having to do or face something difficult or unpleasant: we are sheltered from the awfulness of reality.

• protect (income) from taxation: only your rental income can be sheltered.

derivatives

shelterer | ˈʃɛlt(ə)rə | noun

shelterless | ˈʃɛltələs | adjective

origin

late 16th century: perhaps an alteration of sheld, an old spelling of shield, + -ure.

shelter

noun

1 the plants provide shelter for animals. protection, shield, cover, a roof, screen, shade; safety, security, defence, refuge, sanctuary, asylum, safe keeping, safeguarding. ANTONYMS danger, exposure.

2 the shelter has many dogs up for adoption. sanctuary, place of shelter, refuge, accommodation, housing, home, place of safety, haven, safe haven, sanctum, safe house; harbour, port in a storm, ark; retreat, bolthole, foxhole, hiding place, hideaway, hideout, fastness; Spanish querencia.

verb

1 the hut sheltered him from the cold wind. protect, keep safe, shield, cover, screen, shade, keep from harm, afford protection to, provide protection for, save, safeguard, wrap, cover for, preserve, conserve, defend, cushion, secure, guard, hedge; inoculate, insulate. ANTONYMS endanger, expose.

2 the anchorage where convoys sheltered in bad weather. take shelter, take refuge, seek protection, seek refuge, seek sanctuary, take cover; informal hole up.

reckoning | ˈrɛk(ə)nɪŋ |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action or process of calculating or estimating something: the sixth, or by another reckoning eleventh, Earl of Mar.

• a person’s opinion or judgement: by ancient reckoning, bacteria are plants.

• [count noun] archaic a bill or account, or its settlement.

2 the avenging or punishing of past mistakes or misdeeds: the fear of being brought to reckoning | [count noun] : there will be a terrible reckoning.

3 (the reckoning) contention for a place in a team or among the winners of a contest: he has hit the sort of form which could thrust him into the reckoning.

reckoning

noun

1 by the judge’s reckoning, this comes to close on $2 million. calculation, estimation, computation, working out, summation, counting; addition, total, tally, score.

2 by her reckoning, it was high time her luck changed. opinion, view, judgement, evaluation, way of thinking, estimate, estimation, appraisal, consideration.

3 the terrible reckoning that he deserved. retribution, fate, doom, nemesis, judgement, punishment, what is coming to someone.

phrases

day of reckoning

judgement day, day of judgement, day of retribution, final accounting, final settlement; Christian church doomsday.

elite | ɪˈliːt, eɪˈliːt |

noun

1 a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society: the elite of Britain’s armed forces | [as modifier] : an elite athlete | elite colleges and universities | an elite combat force.

• a group or class of people seen as having the most power and influence in a society, especially on account of their wealth or privilege: the country’s governing elite | like most commodities, it is largely controlled by the elite.

2 [mass noun] a size of letter in typewriting, with 12 characters to the inch (about 4.7 to the centimetre).

origin

mid 18th century: from French élite ‘selection, choice’, from élire ‘to elect’, from a variant of Latin eligere (see elect). elite (sense 2 of the noun) dates from the early 20th century.

elite

noun

the party attracted the elite of London society. best, pick, cream, flower, nonpareil, elect; aristocracy, nobility, gentry, upper class, privileged class, first class, establishment; high society, jet set, beautiful people; Indian English bhadralok; French beau monde, haut monde, crème de la crème, A-list; British English derogatory chumocracy; North American English informal four hundred. ANTONYMS dregs.

resolution | ˌrɛzəˈluːʃn |

noun

1 a firm decision to do or not to do something: she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more | a New Year’s resolution.

• a formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a legislative body or other formal meeting, typically after taking a vote: the conference passed two resolutions.

2 [mass noun] the quality of being determined or resolute: he handled the last British actions of the war with resolution.

3 [mass noun] the action of solving a problem or contentious matter: the peaceful resolution of all disputes | [count noun] : a successful resolution to the problem.

• Music the passing of a discord into a concord during the course of changing harmony: tension is released by the resolution from the dominant to the tonic chord.

• Medicine the disappearance of a symptom or condition: complete remission was defined as resolution of clinical evidence of disease.

4 [mass noun] mainly Chemistry the process of reducing or separating something into constituent parts or components.

• Physics the replacing of a single force or other vector quantity by two or more jointly equivalent to it.

5 the smallest interval measurable by a telescope or other scientific instrument; the resolving power.

• [mass noun] the degree of detail visible in a photographic or television image: a high-resolution monitor.

6 [mass noun] the conversion of something abstract into another form: the gradual resolution of an uncertain feeling into a named emotion.

• Prosody the substitution of two short syllables for one long one.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin resolutio(n-), from resolvere ‘loosen, release’ (see resolve).

resolution

noun

1 despite her resolution to remain calm, Shannon could feel her temper rising. intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, aspiration, design, purpose, object, plan; commitment, pledge, promise, undertaking.

2 the committee passed the resolution by 26 votes to 12. motion, proposal, proposition, plan; ruling, verdict, judgement, finding, adjudication, decision, declaration, decree; North American English resolve; Law determination.

3 she handled the work with resolution. determination, purpose, purposefulness, resolve, resoluteness, single-mindedness, strength of will, strength of character, will power, firmness, firmness of purpose, fixity of purpose, intentness, decision, decidedness; steadfastness, staunchness, manfulness, perseverance, persistence, indefatigability, tenacity, tenaciousness, staying power, strong-mindedness, backbone, dedication, commitment, constancy, the bulldog spirit, pertinacity, pertinaciousness; stubbornness, doggedness, obstinacy, obdurateness, obduracy, inflexibility; spiritedness, braveness, bravery, boldness, courage, pluck, courageousness, pluckiness, stout-heartedness; German Sitzfleisch; informal guts, spunk, grit, stickability; North American English informal stick-to-it-iveness; archaic intension; rare perseveration. ANTONYMS irresolution, half-heartedness.

4 it is hoped that the proposals will pave the way for a satisfactory resolution of the problem. solution to, answer to, end to, explanation to; resolving, settlement, settling, solving, sorting out, working out, rectification, unravelling, disentanglement, clarification, conclusion, ending; informal cracking. ANTONYMS continuation, prolonging.

innate | ɪˈneɪt |

adjective

inborn; natural: her innate capacity for organization.

• Philosophy originating in the mind.

derivatives

innateness | ɪˈneɪtn(t)s | noun

origin

late Middle English: from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci, from in- ‘into’ + nasci ‘be born’.

innate

adjective

people differ in terms of their innate abilities. inborn, natural, inbred, congenital, inherent, intrinsic, instinctive, intuitive, spontaneous, unlearned, untaught; hereditary, inherited, in the blood, in the family; quintessential, organic, essential, basic, fundamental, constitutional, built-in, inbuilt, ingrown, deep-rooted, deep-seated; rare connate, connatural. ANTONYMS acquired.

choose the right word

innate, inherent, intrinsic, essential

See inherent

These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

reciprocity | ˌrɛsɪˈprɒsɪti |

noun [mass noun]

the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another: the Community intends to start discussions on reciprocity with third countries.

origin

mid 18th century: from French réciprocité, from réciproque, from Latin reciprocus ‘moving backwards and forwards’ (see reciprocate).

resolution | ˌrɛzəˈluːʃn |

noun

1 a firm decision to do or not to do something: she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more | a New Year’s resolution.

• a formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a legislative body or other formal meeting, typically after taking a vote: the conference passed two resolutions.

2 [mass noun] the quality of being determined or resolute: he handled the last British actions of the war with resolution.

3 [mass noun] the action of solving a problem or contentious matter: the peaceful resolution of all disputes | [count noun] : a successful resolution to the problem.

• Music the passing of a discord into a concord during the course of changing harmony: tension is released by the resolution from the dominant to the tonic chord.

• Medicine the disappearance of a symptom or condition: complete remission was defined as resolution of clinical evidence of disease.

4 [mass noun] mainly Chemistry the process of reducing or separating something into constituent parts or components.

• Physics the replacing of a single force or other vector quantity by two or more jointly equivalent to it.

5 the smallest interval measurable by a telescope or other scientific instrument; the resolving power.

• [mass noun] the degree of detail visible in a photographic or television image: a high-resolution monitor.

6 [mass noun] the conversion of something abstract into another form: the gradual resolution of an uncertain feeling into a named emotion.

• Prosody the substitution of two short syllables for one long one.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin resolutio(n-), from resolvere ‘loosen, release’ (see resolve).

resolution

noun

1 despite her resolution to remain calm, Shannon could feel her temper rising. intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, aspiration, design, purpose, object, plan; commitment, pledge, promise, undertaking.

2 the committee passed the resolution by 26 votes to 12. motion, proposal, proposition, plan; ruling, verdict, judgement, finding, adjudication, decision, declaration, decree; North American English resolve; Law determination.

3 she handled the work with resolution. determination, purpose, purposefulness, resolve, resoluteness, single-mindedness, strength of will, strength of character, will power, firmness, firmness of purpose, fixity of purpose, intentness, decision, decidedness; steadfastness, staunchness, manfulness, perseverance, persistence, indefatigability, tenacity, tenaciousness, staying power, strong-mindedness, backbone, dedication, commitment, constancy, the bulldog spirit, pertinacity, pertinaciousness; stubbornness, doggedness, obstinacy, obdurateness, obduracy, inflexibility; spiritedness, braveness, bravery, boldness, courage, pluck, courageousness, pluckiness, stout-heartedness; German Sitzfleisch; informal guts, spunk, grit, stickability; North American English informal stick-to-it-iveness; archaic intension; rare perseveration. ANTONYMS irresolution, half-heartedness.

4 it is hoped that the proposals will pave the way for a satisfactory resolution of the problem. solution to, answer to, end to, explanation to; resolving, settlement, settling, solving, sorting out, working out, rectification, unravelling, disentanglement, clarification, conclusion, ending; informal cracking. ANTONYMS continuation, prolonging.

matter | ˈmatə |

noun

1 [mass noun] physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy: the structure and properties of matter.

• [usually with adjective] a particular substance: organic matter | faecal matter.

• written or printed material: reading matter.

2 a subject or situation under consideration: a great deal of work was done on this matter | financial matters.

• Law something which is to be tried or proved in court; a case.

• (matters) the present state of affairs: we can do nothing to change matters.

3 (the matter) [with negative or in questions] the reason for distress or a problem: what’s the matter?.

4 the substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form.

• Printing the body of a printed work, as distinct from titles, headings, etc..

• Logic the particular content of a proposition, as distinct from its form.

verb [no object]

1 [usually with negative or in questions] be important or significant: it doesn’t matter what the guests wear | what did it matter to them?.

• (of a person) be important or influential: she was trying to get known by the people who matter.

2 rare, mainly US English (of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.

phrases

for that matter | fə ˌðat ˈmatə |

used to indicate that a subject, though mentioned second, is as relevant as the first: I am not sure what value it adds to determining public, or for that matter private, policy.

in the matter of

as regards: the British are given pre-eminence in the matter of tea.

it is only a matter of time

there will not be long to wait: it’s only a matter of time before the general is removed.

a matter of | ə ˈmatər əv |

1 no more than (a specified period of time): they were shown the door in a matter of minutes.

2 a thing that involves or depends on: it’s a matter of working out how to get something done.

3 (a matter of/for) something that evokes (a specified feeling): it’s a matter of complete indifference to me.

a matter of course

the usual or expected thing: the reports are published as a matter of course.

a matter of form

a point of correct procedure: they must as a matter of proper form check to see that there is no tax liability.

no matter | ˌnəʊ ˈmatə |

1 [with clause] regardless of: no matter what the government calls them, they are cuts.

2 it is of no importance: no matter, I’ll go myself.

to make matters worse

with the result that a bad situation is made worse: to make matters worse, free school meals have been withdrawn.

what matter?

British English dated why should that worry us?: They were in collusion. But what matter, since apparently he didn’t care?.

origin

Middle English: via Old French from Latin materia ‘timber, substance’, also ‘subject of discourse’, from mater ‘mother’.

matter

noun

1 decaying vegetable matter. material, substance, stuff, medium.

2 let’s get to the heart of the matter. affair, business, proceeding, situation, circumstance, event, happening, occurrence, incident, episode, occasion, experience, thing; subject, topic, issue, question, point, point at issue, item, case, concern, theme.

3 it is of little matter now. importance, consequence, significance, note, import, moment, weight, interest.

4 (the matter) is anything the matter? | what’s the matter?. problem, trouble, difficulty, upset, distress, worry, bother, complication.

5 the matter of the sermon. content, subject matter, text, argument, substance, thesis, sense, purport, gist, pith, essentials, burden.

6 an infected wound full of matter. pus, suppuration, purulence, discharge, secretion; rare sanies.

verb

1 it doesn’t matter what you wear. make any difference, make a difference, be important, be of importance, be of consequence, signify, be of significance, be relevant, be of account, carry weight, count; informal cut any ice.

2 she was trying to make an impression on the people who mattered. be influential, have influence, be important.

phrases

as a matter of fact

actually, in actual fact, in fact, in point of fact, as it happens, really, believe it or not, in reality, in truth, to tell the truth, truly.

no matter

it doesn’t matter, it makes no difference/odds, it’s unimportant, never mind, don’t apologize, don’t worry about it, don’t mention it.

word links

physics: 

science of matter

talent | ˈtal(ə)nt |

noun

1 [mass noun] natural aptitude or skill: he possesses more talent than any other player | [count noun] : she displayed a talent for garden design.

• people possessing natural aptitude or skill: I signed all the talent in Rome | [count noun] : Simon is a talent to watch.

• British English informal people regarded as sexually attractive or as prospective sexual partners: most Saturday nights I have this urge to go on the hunt for new talent.

2 a former weight and unit of currency, used especially by the ancient Romans and Greeks: a mighty steed bought from a Thessalian merchant for thirteen talents.

origin

Old English talente, talentan (as a unit of weight), from Latin talenta, plural of talentum ‘weight, sum of money’, from Greek talanton. talent (sense 1 of the noun) is a figurative use with biblical allusion to the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14–30).

talent

noun

she demonstrated her talent for modelling with clay. flair, aptitude, facility, gift, knack, technique, touch, bent, ability, expertise, capacity, power, faculty; strength, strong point, forte, genius, brilliance; dexterity, adroitness, skill, cleverness, virtuosity, artistry. ANTONYMS inability, clumsiness.

incognisant | ɪnˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)nt | British English also incognizant US)

adjective formal

lacking knowledge or awareness: the government appears incognisant of the growing threat to our agricultural industry.

derivatives

incognisance | ɪnˈkɒɡnɪz(ə)n(t)s | (British English also incognisance) noun

incognisant

adjective

rare she was incognizant of his presence. unaware, unconscious, oblivious, ignorant, unmindful; unknowing, unsuspecting, unenlightened; rare nescient. ANTONYMS aware.

implication | ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃn |

noun

1 the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated: the implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible.

• a likely consequence of something: many people are unaware of the implications of such reforms | her victory had important political implications.

2 [mass noun] the action or state of being involved in something: our implication in the problems.

phrases

by implication

by what is implied rather than by explicit expression: he criticized her and, by implication, her country.

derivatives

implicational adjective

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘entwining, being entwined’): from Latin implicatio(n-), from the verb implicare (see implicate).

implication

noun

1 he was smarting at their implication that he didn’t believe in what he was doing. suggestion, inference, insinuation, innuendo, hint, intimation, imputation, indication; connotation, overtone, undertone, hidden meaning, secondary meaning. ANTONYMS explicit statement.

2 there was a meeting to discuss the implications of the ban. consequence, result, ramification, repercussion, reverberation, effect.

3 at the first whiff of implication in a murder case he’d probably burn everything. incrimination, involvement, connection, entanglement, association; archaic inculpation.

Logic

• Logical consequence (also entailment or logical implication), the relationship between statements that holds true when one logically “follows from” one or more others
• Material conditional (also material implication), a logical connective and binary truth function typically interpreted as “If p, then q”
  • Material implication (rule of inference), a logical rule of replacement
  • Implicational propositional calculus, a version of classical propositional calculus that uses only the material conditional connective
• Strict conditional or strict implication, a connective of modal logic that expresses necessity
• modus ponens, or implication elimination, a simple argument form and rule of inference summarized as “p implies q; p is asserted to be true, so therefore q must be true”

Linguistics

• Implicature, what is suggested in an utterance, even though neither expressed nor strictly implied
• Implicational universal or linguistic universal, a pattern that occurs systematically across natural languages
  • Implicational hierarchy, a chain of implicational universals; if a language has one property then it also has other properties in the chain
• Entailment (pragmatics) or strict implication, the relationship between two sentences where the truth of one requires the truth of the other

trauma | ˈtrɔːmə, ˈtraʊmə |

noun (plural traumas) (plural or traumata | ˈtraʊmətə |)

1 a deeply distressing or disturbing experience: a personal trauma like the death of a child | [mass noun] : many experience the trauma of divorce.

• [mass noun] emotional shock following a stressful event or a physical injury, which may lead to long-term neurosis: the event is relived with all the accompanying trauma.

2 [mass noun] Medicine physical injury: rupture of the diaphragm caused by blunt trauma.

origin

late 17th century: from Greek, literally ‘wound’.

trauma

noun

1 the trauma of divorce. shock, upheaval, distress, stress, strain, pain, anguish, suffering, upset, agony, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, heartbreak, torture; disturbance, disorder, jolt, ordeal, trial, tribulation, trouble, worry, anxiety, burden, adversity, hardship, nightmare.

2 the gallstone can be extracted without unnecessary trauma to the liver. injury, damage, hurt, wound, wounding, sore, bruise, cut, laceration, lesion, abrasion, contusion. ANTONYMS healing.

Trauma

Look up Trauma, trauma, Traumata, traumata, or traumatic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Trauma most often refers to:

• Psychological trauma, in psychology and psychiatric medicine, refers to severe mental and emotional injury caused by distressing events
• Traumatic injury, sudden physical injury caused by an external force, which does not rise to the level of major trauma
  • Major trauma, in physical medicine, severe physical injury caused by an external source

Trauma may also refer to:

Medicine

• Birth trauma, trauma incurred by neonates during childbirth
• Dental trauma, trauma to the teeth and/or gums and/or nearby soft tissues
• Trauma team, a multidisciplinary group of healthcare workers who collectively work together
• Traumatic alopecia, a cutaneous condition that results from the forceful pulling out of the scalp hair
• Traumatic anserine folliculosis, a curious gooseflesh-like follicular hyperkeratosis
• Traumatic bone cyst, a condition of the jaws
• Traumatic neuroma, a type of neuroma which results from trauma to a nerve, usually during a surgical procedure
• Traumatology, scientific study of injuries caused by external sources

_________

Conglomerate

A conglomerate is a large corporation composed of multiple companies operating in unrelated industries, often formed through mergers and acquisitions. These companies, known as subsidiaries, operate independently but are controlled by the parent company, which aims to diversify business risk across different markets. The term can also refer to a type of rock composed of rounded pebbles cemented together.  

In business

• Structure: A single parent company owns controlling stakes in numerous smaller companies across various industries. 
  
  
  
  
• Operations: Subsidiaries run their daily operations separately and are not necessarily related to one another. 
  
  
  
  
• Management: Subsidiary management reports to the senior management of the parent company, which handles overarching decisions and finances. 
  
  
  
  
• Goal: To diversify and stabilize revenue by participating in different markets and spreading business risk. 
  
  
  
  
• Examples: Samsung, General Electric, and Reliance Industries are some examples of large conglomerates. 
  
  
  
  

In geology

• Definition: A sedimentary rock made of rounded pebbles or cobbles cemented together in a finer-grained material. 
  
  
  
  
• Formation: Often formed in riverbeds or glacial deposits where rounded rocks are transported before being cemented. 
  
  
  
  
• Appearance: Contains a mix of different materials, which gives it a rounded, clustered appearance. 

myth | mɪθ |

noun

1 a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events: ancient Celtic myths | [mass noun] : the heroes of Greek myth.

2 a widely held but false belief or idea: the belief that evening primrose oil helps to cure eczema is a myth, according to dermatologists.

• a misrepresentation of the truth: attacking the party’s irresponsible myths about privatization.

• a fictitious or imaginary person or thing: nobody had ever heard of Simon’s mysterious friend—Anna said he was a myth.

• an exaggerated or idealized conception of a person or thing: the book is a scholarly study of the Churchill myth.

origin

mid 19th century: from modern Latin mythus, via late Latin from Greek muthos.

myth

noun

1 ancient Greek myths. folk tale, story, folk story, legend, tale, fable, saga, allegory, parable, tradition, lore, folklore; technical mythos, mythus.

2 there are still plenty of myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. misconception, fallacy, mistaken belief, false notion, misbelief, old wives’ tale, fairy story, fairy tale, fiction, fantasy, delusion, figment of the imagination; invention, fabrication, falsehood, untruth, lie, trumped-up story, fake news, alternative fact; informal story, tall story, tall tale, fib, cock and bull story, kidology.

word links

mythology: study of myths

iterative | ˈɪt(ə)rətɪv |

adjective

relating to or involving iteration, especially of a mathematical or computational process: it’s an iterative system, requiring constant refining and optimisation.

• Linguistics denoting a grammatical rule that can be applied repeatedly: within the syllable, the rule is iterative.

• Grammar another term for frequentative: some languages heavily use iterative verbs.

derivatives

iteratively | ˈɪt(ə)rətɪvli | adverb

origin

late 15th century: from French itératif, -ive, from Latin iterare ‘to repeat’; the grammar term is from late Latin iterativus.

An iterative process is a project methodology where a project evolves through repeated cycles of testing, feedback, and refinement, meaning it’s never considered truly complete as it can always be improved. This approach is ideal for creative projects because it allows for continuous adaptation and improvement based on new information, avoiding the need to define all requirements upfront. Each cycle, or iteration, brings the project closer to its desired outcome while maintaining flexibility to pivot and adapt to new ideas or feedback. 

profound | prəˈfaʊnd |

adjective (profounder, profoundest)

1 (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense: profound feelings of disquiet | the implications of this discovery are profound.

• (of a disease or disability) very severe: a case of profound liver failure.

2 (of a person or statement) having or showing great knowledge or insight: a profound philosopher.

• (of a subject or idea) demanding deep study or thought: expressing profound truths in simple language.

3 archaic very deep: profound crevasses.

(the profound) noun literary

the deepest part of something, especially the ocean: nor billowy surge disturbs the vast profound.

• profound quality: her work is an often eerie mix of the banal and the profound.

origin

Middle English: from Old French profund, from Latin profundus ‘deep’, from Latin pro ‘before’ + fundus ‘bottom’. The word was used earliest in the sense ‘showing deep insight’.

profound

adjective

1 a sigh of profound relief. heartfelt, intense, keen, great, very great, extreme, sincere, earnest, deep, deepest, deeply felt, wholehearted, acute, overpowering, overwhelming, deep-seated, deep-rooted, fervent, ardent. ANTONYMS superficial; mild.

2 the silence was so profound that I could hear my heart beating. complete, utter, total, absolute, extreme, pronounced.

3 the implications of this discovery are profound. far-reaching, radical, extensive, exhaustive, thoroughgoing, sweeping, life-changing.

4 a profound analysis of the problems. wise, learned, clever, intelligent, with/showing great knowledge, knowledgeable, intellectual, scholarly, sage, sagacious, erudite, discerning, penetrating, perceptive, astute, thoughtful, full of insight, insightful, percipient, perspicacious, philosophical, deep; rare sapient. ANTONYMS superficial, stupid.

5 expressing profound truths in simple language. complex, abstract, deep, weighty, serious, difficult; abstruse, recondite, esoteric, metaphysical, impenetrable, unfathomable, mysterious, obscure, dark.

without | wɪˈðaʊt |

preposition

1 in the absence of: he went to Sweden without her.

• not having the use or benefit of: the first person to make the ascent without oxygen.

• [often with verbal noun] in circumstances in which the action mentioned does not happen: they sat looking at each other without speaking.

2 archaic, or literary outside: the barbarians without the gates.

adverb archaic, or literary

outside: the enemy without.

conjunction archaic, or dialect

without it being the case that: he won’t be able to go without we know it.

• unless: I’d never have known you without you spoke to me.

origin

Old English withūtan ‘on the outside’.

without

preposition

1 thousands were left homeless and without food. lacking, in need of, wanting for, needing, requiring, short of; deprived of, destitute of. ANTONYMS with.

2 I don’t want to go without you. unaccompanied by, unescorted by; in the absence of. ANTONYMS with.

perceptive | pəˈsɛptɪv |

adjective

having or showing sensitive insight: an extraordinarily perceptive account of their relationship.

derivatives

perceptively | pəˈsɛptɪvli | adverb

perceptiveness | pəˈsɛptɪvnɪs | noun

perceptivity | pəsɛpˈtɪvɪti | noun

perceptive

adjective

insightful, discerning, responsive, sensitive, observant; piercing, penetrating, percipient, perspicacious, penetrative, intelligent, clever, canny, keen, sharp, sharp-witted, quick-witted, astute, shrewd, subtle, quick, ready, clear, acute, discriminating; intuitive, thoughtful, deep, profound. ANTONYMS obtuse, unobservant, dull.

abstract

adjective | ˈabstrakt |

1 existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence: abstract concepts such as love or beauty.

• dealing with ideas rather than events: the novel was too abstract and esoteric to sustain much attention.

• not based on a particular instance; theoretical: we have been discussing the problem in a very abstract manner.

• (of a noun) denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object: they tend to use a lot of abstract nouns that relate to emotions and feelings.

2 relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures: abstract pictures.

verb [with object] | əbˈstrakt |

1 (abstract something from) consider something theoretically or separately from (something else): to abstract science and religion from their historical context can lead to anachronism.

2 (usually abstract something from) extract or remove (something): applications to abstract more water from streams.

• used euphemistically to indicate that someone has stolen something: his pockets contained all he had been able to abstract from the flat.

• (abstract oneself) withdraw: as our relationship deepened you seemed to abstract yourself.

3 make a written summary of (an article or book): staff who abstract material for an online database.

noun | ˈabstrakt |

1 a summary of the contents of a book, article, or speech: an abstract of her speech.

2 an abstract work of art: a big unframed abstract.

phrases

in the abstract

in a general way; without reference to specific instances: there’s a fine line between promoting US business interests in the abstract and promoting specific companies.

derivatives

abstractly | ˈabstrak(t)li | adverb

origin

Middle English: from Latin abstractus, literally ‘drawn away’, past participle of abstrahere, from ab- ‘from’ + trahere ‘draw off’.

abstract

adjective [stress on the first syllable]

1 abstract concepts such as love and beauty. theoretical, conceptual, notional, intellectual, metaphysical, philosophical, academic; hypothetical, speculative, conjectural, conjectured, suppositional, putative; rare suppositious, suppositive, ideational. ANTONYMS actual, concrete.

2 abstract art. non-representational, non-realistic, non-pictorial, symbolic, impressionistic. ANTONYMS representational.

verb [stress on the second syllable]

1 staff who index and abstract material for an online database. summarize, write a summary of, precis, abridge, condense, compress, shorten, cut down, abbreviate, synopsize; rare epitomize.

2 they want to abstract water from the river. extract, pump, draw (off), tap, suck, withdraw, remove, take out/away; separate, detach, isolate, dissociate.

noun

[stress on the first syllable] an abstract of her speech. summary, synopsis, precis, résumé, outline, recapitulation, abridgement, condensation, digest, summation; French aperçu; North American English wrap-up; archaic argument; rare epitome, conspectus. ANTONYMS complete version, full text.

conception | kənˈsɛpʃn |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action of conceiving a child or of one being conceived: an unfertilized egg before conception | [count noun] : a rise in premarital conceptions.

2 the forming or devising of a plan or idea: the time between a product’s conception and its launch.

• [count noun] the way in which something is perceived or regarded: our conception of how language relates to reality.

• [count noun] an abstract idea; a concept: the conception of a balance of power.

• [count noun] a plan or intention: reconstructing Bach’s original conceptions.

• ability to imagine; understanding: he had no conception of politics.

derivatives

conceptional | kənˈsɛpʃ(ə)n(ə)l | adjective

origin

Middle English: via Old French from Latin conceptio(n-), from the verb concipere (see conceive).

conception

noun

1 preparations for pregnancy can begin before conception. inception of pregnancy, conceiving, fertilization, impregnation, insemination; rare fecundation.

2 the time between a product’s conception and its launch. inception, genesis, origination, creation, formation, formulation, invention; beginning, origin.

3 the original conception involved a shopping complex run by local people. plan, scheme, project, proposal, proposition, design, outline; intention, aim, idea.

4 his conception of democracy. idea, concept, notion, conceptualization, understanding, abstraction; theory, hypothesis, postulation; perception, image, impression, picture.

5 the administration had no conception of women’s problems. understanding, ability to understand, ability to imagine, comprehension, appreciation, knowledge, grasp, apprehension; idea, inkling; informal clue about.

The fear of not being able to go outside is known as agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder where a person fears being in situations that might cause panic or feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. Unlike social anxiety, which is a fear of social situations and judgment, agoraphobia focuses on the inability to escape or get help if symptoms like a panic attack occur. People with agoraphobia avoid places like being outside the home alone, public transportation, open spaces, or crowded places. 

Agoraphobia vs. social anxiety 

• Agoraphobia: The fear is centered on the difficulty of escaping or getting help in a situation. It often involves avoiding a wide range of places, and can sometimes lead to becoming housebound.
• Social Anxiety: The fear is rooted in the anxiety of social situations and the worry of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated by others. It typically involves avoiding social gatherings, activities, or performance situations.
• Overlap: It is possible to have both conditions, and the avoidance of social situations can lead to or worsen agoraphobia-like avoidance of places. 

Symptoms of agoraphobia 

• Situations that trigger fear: Being in public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line or in a crowd, or being outside the home alone.
• Physical symptoms: Chest pain, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, or a sense of unreality.
• Mental symptoms: Intense fear or anxiety, helplessness, and embarrassment. 

Treatment 

• Medication: Can help manage symptoms.
• Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, can be very effective.
• Lifestyle changes: Support from family and friends and gradual exposure can help manage the condition

metaphor | ˈmɛtəfə, ˈmɛtəfɔː |

noun

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable: when we speak of gene maps and gene mapping, we use a cartographic metaphor | [mass noun] : her poetry depends on suggestion and metaphor.

• a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else: the amounts of money being lost by the company were enough to make it a metaphor for an industry that was teetering.

origin

late 15th century: from French métaphore, via Latin from Greek metaphora, from metapherein ‘to transfer’.

metaphor

noun

figure of speech, figurative expression, image, trope, allegory, parable, analogy, comparison, symbol, emblem, word painting, word picture; literary conceit.

analogy | əˈnalədʒi |

noun (plural analogies)

a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification: an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies | [mass noun] : he interprets logical functions by analogy with machines.

• a correspondence or partial similarity: the syndrome is called deep dysgraphia because of its analogy to deep dyslexia.

• a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects: works of art were seen as an analogy for works of nature.

• [mass noun] Logic a process of arguing from similarity in known respects to similarity in other respects: argument from analogy.

• [mass noun] Linguistics a process by which new words and inflections are created on the basis of regularities in the form of existing ones.

• [mass noun] Biology the resemblance of function between organs that have a different evolutionary origin.

derivatives

analogic | ˌanəˈlɒdʒɪk | adjective

analogical | ˌanəˈlɒdʒɪkl | adjective

analogically | anəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li | adverb

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘appropriateness, correspondence’): from French analogie, Latin analogia ‘proportion’, from Greek, from analogos ‘proportionate’.

analogy

noun

an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies. similarity, parallel, parallelism, correspondence, likeness, resemblance, correlation, relation, kinship, equivalence, similitude, symmetry, homology. ANTONYMS dissimilarity.

nonchalant | ˈnɒnʃəl(ə)nt |

adjective

(of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm: she gave a nonchalant shrug.

origin

mid 18th century: from French, literally ‘not being concerned’, from the verb nonchaloir.

nonchalant

adjective

he had tried to appear nonchalant about the risks he was taking. calm, cool, unconcerned, collected, cool, calm, and collected, cool as a cucumber, composed, airy; indifferent, unemotional, blasé, dispassionate, detached, apathetic, casual, offhand, insouciant; informal laid-back. ANTONYMS anxious, concerned.

ethos | ˈiːθɒs |

noun

the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations: a challenge to the ethos of the 1960s.

origin

late 17th century (denoting characterization in the context of art or rhetoric, contrasting with pathos): from Latin ‘character, depiction of character’, from Greek ēthos ‘disposition, character’, (plural) ‘customs’.

ethos

noun

the governing body has responsibility for the ethos of the school. spirit, character, atmosphere, climate, prevailing tendency, mood, feeling, temper, tenor, flavour, essence, quintessence; animating principle, dominating characteristic, motivating force, disposition, rationale, code, morality, moral code, attitudes, beliefs, principles, standards, ethics.

liberalism | ˈlɪb(ə)rəlɪz(ə)m |

noun [mass noun]

1 willingness to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one’s own; openness to new ideas: one of the basic tenets of liberalism is tolerance.

• the holding of political views that are socially progressive and promote social welfare: the borough prides itself on being a great bastion of liberalism and diversity.

• Theology the belief that many traditional beliefs are dispensable, invalidated by modern thought, or liable to change.

2 a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise: representative democracy operates under the principles of classical liberalism.

3 (Liberalism) the doctrine of a Liberal Party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrats: working-class support for Liberalism.

derivatives

liberalist | ˈlɪb(ə)rəlɪst | noun

liberalistic | ˌlɪb(ə)rəˈlɪstɪk | adjective

notice | ˈnəʊtɪs |

noun

1 [mass noun] the fact of observing or paying attention to something: their silence did not escape my notice | it has come to our notice that you have been missing school.

2 [mass noun] notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made: interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice.

• a formal declaration of one’s intention to end an agreement, typically one concerning employment or tenancy, at a specified time: she handed in her notice | his employers gave him two weeks’ notice.

3 a displayed sheet or placard giving news or information: the jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room.

• a small advertisement or announcement in a newspaper or magazine: an obituary notice.

• (usually notices) a short published review of a new film, play, or book: she had good notices in her first film.

verb [with object]

become aware of: he noticed the youths behaving suspiciously | [with clause] : I noticed that she was looking tired | [no object] : they were too drunk to notice.

• treat (someone) as worthy of recognition or attention: it was only last year that the singer really began to be noticed.

• archaic mention or remark on: she looked so much better that Sir Charles noticed it to Lady Harriet.

phrases

at short notice (at a moment’s notice) (North American English on short notice)

with little warning or time for preparation: tours may be cancelled at short notice.

put someone on notice (also serve notice)

warn someone of something about or likely to occur, especially in a formal or threatening manner: we’re going to put foreign governments on notice that we want a change of trade policy.

take no notice

pay no attention to someone or something: he took no notice of her frantic gestures.

take notice | ˌteɪk ˈnəʊtɪs |

pay attention; show signs of interest: when the show was broadcast, he made TV viewers sit up and take notice.

origin

late Middle English (in notice (sense 2 of the noun)): from Old French, from Latin notitia ‘being known’, from notus ‘known’ (see notion).

notice

noun

1 no aspect connected with the running of his companies escaped his notice | two points are worthy of notice. attention, observation, awareness, consciousness, perception, cognizance, heed, note; regard, consideration, scrutiny, interest, thought, mindfulness, watchfulness, vigilance, attentiveness.

2 a notice was pinned up outside the church. information sheet, bill, handbill, poster, advertisement, announcement, bulletin, broadsheet, circular, flyer, leaflet, pamphlet, sign, placard; card, sticker; handout; French affiche; North American English Australian English dodger; informal ad; British English informal advert.

3 itineraries are subject to change without notice. notification, (advance) warning, announcement, apprisal, intimation; information, news, communication, intelligence, word.

4 I handed in my notice yesterday. resignation, letter of resignation.

5 governors can require the education authority to give notice to a teacher. dismissal, discharge, termination/ending of employment, one’s marching orders; informal the sack, the boot, the bullet, the axe, the (old) heave-ho, the push, the bounce; British English informal the elbow, one’s cards, the chop.

6 the film did not get universally good notices. review, write-up, critique, criticism; French compte rendu; British English informal crit.

verb

I noticed that the front door was open | she slipped back inside, hoping no one would notice her. observe, perceive, note, see, become aware of, discern, detect, spot, distinguish, catch sight of, make out, take notice of, mark, remark; pay attention to, take note of, heed, take heed of, pay heed to; British English informal clock; literary behold, descry, espy. ANTONYMS overlook, ignore, disregard.

phrases

take no notice of

he took no notice of anything I said. pay no attention to, ignore, disregard, pay no heed to, take no account of, turn a deaf ear to, brush aside, shrug off, set aside, turn a blind eye to, shut one’s eyes to, pass over, let pass, let go, overlook, look the other way, pretend not to notice; informal not want to know. ANTONYMS heed, pay attention to.

notion | ˈnəʊʃn |

noun

1 a conception of or belief about something: children have different notions about the roles of their parents | I had no notion of what her words meant | the notion that mankind’s Golden Age lay in the past.

2 an impulse or desire, especially one of a whimsical kind: she had a notion to ring her friend at work | Gary laughed at yet another one of my misty-eyed notions.

• (notions) mainly Irish English aspirations or pretensions beyond what might be expected of one’s social position or role: he himself has notions about his chances in the marriage stakes | they have let us all know how dangerous it is for people to have notions above their station.

3 (notions) North American English items used in sewing, such as buttons, pins, and hooks.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin notio(n-) ‘idea’, from notus ‘known’, past participle of noscere.

notion

noun

1 these figures give the lie to the notion that the country is strike-ridden | he had a notion that something very odd was going on. idea, belief, concept, conception, conviction, opinion, view, thought, impression, image, perception, mental picture; assumption, presumption, hypothesis, theory, supposition; feeling, funny feeling, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, hunch.

2 Claire had no notion of what he meant. understanding, idea, awareness, knowledge, clue, inkling; British English informal the foggiest idea/notion.

3 you can’t expect us to fire any of our staff just because you get a notion to come back. impulse, inclination, whim, desire, wish, fancy, caprice, whimsy.

choose the right word

notion, idea, concept

See idea

These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

endeavour | ɪnˈdɛvə, ɛnˈdɛvə |

verb [no object, with infinitive]

try hard to do or achieve something: he is endeavouring to help the Third World.

noun

an attempt to achieve a goal: [with infinitive] : an endeavour to reduce serious injury.

• [mass noun] earnest, prolonged, and industrious effort: enthusiasm is a vital ingredient in all human endeavour.

• an enterprise or undertaking: a portfolio of business endeavours.

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘exert oneself’): from the phrase put oneself in devoir ‘do one’s utmost’ (see devoir).

endeavor (US spelling)

verb

the company endeavored to expand its activities. try, attempt, venture, undertake, aspire, aim, seek, set out; strive, struggle, labor, toil, work hard, try hard, exert oneself, apply oneself, do one’s best, do one’s utmost, give one’s all, be at pains; work at, try one’s hand at; informal slog away, give something a whirl, have a go at, have a shot at, have a stab at, give something one’s best shot, do one’s damnedest, go all out, bend over backwards, break one’s neck, bust a gut, move heaven and earth; formal essay.

noun

1 an endeavor to build a more buoyant economy. attempt, try, bid, effort, trial, venture; informal go, crack, shot, stab, bash, whack, whirl.

2 after several days of endeavor he completed the task. striving, struggling, laboring, struggle, labor, hard work, hard slog, effort, exertion, application, industry; pains; informal sweat, blood, sweat, and tears, elbow grease; British English informal graft; Australian and New Zealand English informal (hard) yakka; archaic travail, moil.

3 what you are proposing is an extremely unwise endeavor. undertaking, enterprise, venture, pursuit, exercise, activity, exploit, deed, act, action, move; scheme, plan, project; informal caper.

community | kəˈmjuːnɪti |

noun (plural communities)

1 a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common: Montreal’s Italian community | the gay community in London | the scientific community.

• a group of people living together and practising common ownership: a community of nuns.

• a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants: a rural community | local communities.

• a body of nations or states unified by common interests: [in names] : the European Community.

• (the community) the people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society: preparing prisoners for life back in the community.

• [as modifier] denoting a worker or resource designed to serve the people of a particular area: community health services.

2 [mass noun] the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common: the sense of community that organized religion can provide.

• [in singular] a similarity or identity: the law presupposes a community of interest between an employer and employees.

• joint ownership or liability: the community of goods.

3 Ecology a group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together in natural conditions or occupying a specified habitat: communities of insectivorous birds.

phrases

the international community

the countries of the world considered collectively: the policy led to widespread condemnation from the international community.

origin

late Middle English: from Old French comunete, reinforced by its source, Latin communitas, from communis (see common).

residual | rɪˈzɪdʒʊəl |

adjective

remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone: the withdrawal of residual occupying forces.

• (of a quantity) left after other items have been subtracted: residual income after tax and mortgage payments.

• (of a physical state or property) remaining after the removal of or present in the absence of a causative agent: residual stenosis.

• (of an experimental or arithmetical error) not accounted for or eliminated.

• (of a soil or other deposit) formed in situ by weathering.

noun

1 a quantity remaining after other things have been subtracted or allowed for: the Keynesian component is clearly a residual which is arrived at by subtracting the natural and classical components from overall unemployment.

• a difference between a value measured in a scientific experiment and the theoretical or true value.

• Geology a portion of rocky or high ground remaining after erosion: the eroded residuals of reefs built in relation to earlier, higher sea levels.

2 a royalty paid to a performer, writer, etc. for a repeat of a play, television show, etc.: she has been awarded more than $4.5 million in residuals and profits from the highly successful television show.

3 the resale value of a new car or other item at a specified time after purchase, expressed as a percentage of its purchase price: the federation wants car tax taken out over five years to avoid residuals being hit.

derivatives

residually adverb

residual

adjective

1 this machine has five programmes, and uses the residual heat to dry the dishes. remaining, leftover, unused, unconsumed; surplus, extra, excess, superfluous; technical residuary, remanent.

2 she still seemed to feel some residual affection for her errant husband. lingering, lasting, enduring, abiding, persisting, surviving, vestigial.

betterment | ˈbɛtəm(ə)nt |

noun [mass noun]

the improvement of something: they believed that what they were doing was vital for the betterment of society.

• Law the enhanced value of real property arising from local improvements.

betterment

noun

the betterment of society as a whole. improvement, amelioration, advancement, change for the better, furtherance, upgrading, enhancement; reform, rectification.

expression | ɪkˈsprɛʃn, ɛkˈsprɛʃn |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action of making known one’s thoughts or feelings: the prisoners developed a dialect as an everyday means of expression | [count noun] : she accepted his expressions of sympathy.

• the conveying of feeling in a work of art or in the performance of a piece of music: the testimony of musicians who worked with him proves that his overwhelming concern was with expression.

2 [count noun] a look on someone’s face that conveys a particular emotion: a sad expression.

3 [count noun] a word or phrase, especially an idiomatic one, used to convey an idea: we have an expression, ‘You don’t get owt for nowt.’.

• Mathematics a collection of symbols that jointly express a quantity: the expression for the circumference of a circle is 2πr.

4 the production of something by pressing it out: essential oils obtained by distillation or expression.

5 Genetics the appearance in a phenotype of a characteristic or effect attributed to a particular gene: expression of the TAT gene is restricted to the parenchymal cells.

derivatives

expressional adjective

origin

late Middle English: from Old French expression and Latin expressio(n-), from exprimere ‘press out, express’. Compare with express¹.

expression

noun

1 the government refused to allow the free expression of opposition views. utterance, uttering, voicing, pronouncement, declaration, articulation, verbalization, statement, proclamation, assertion, announcement, setting forth, venting, mouthing; dissemination, broadcast, circulation, communication, spreading, promulgation, publicizing, publication; rare asseveration.

2 he raised his eyebrows in an expression of sympathy. indication, intimation, demonstration, show, exhibition, manifestation, token; conveyance, communication, illustration, revelation, disclosure, embodiment.

3 Blanche invariably wore an expression of harassed fatigue. look, appearance, air, manner, bearing, countenance, guise, cast, aspect, impression; formal mien.

4 the old expression ‘curiosity killed the cat’. idiom, phrase, idiomatic expression, set phrase; proverb, saying, adage, maxim, axiom, aphorism, saw, motto, platitude, cliché, quotation, quote, formula; term, word; informal old chestnut; formal locution.

5 the height of poetic expression. diction, style, choice of words, turn of phrase, wording, phrasing, phraseology, language; delivery, execution; speech, intonation.

6 these pieces are very different from one another, both in choice of instruments and expression. emotion, feeling, passion, intensity, poignancy; style, intonation, tone, nuance; artistry, depth, spirit, imagination; vividness, ardour, power, force.

7 essential oils obtained by distillation or expression. squeezing, pressing, wringing, forcing out, extraction, extracting.

______

entity | ˈɛntɪti |

noun (plural entities)

a thing with distinct and independent existence: Church and empire were fused in a single entity | legal entities such as corporations.

• [mass noun] existence; being: entity and nonentity.

origin

late 15th century (denoting a thing’s existence): from French entité or medieval Latin entitas, from late Latin ens, ent- ‘being’ (from esse ‘be’).

contextual | kənˈtɛkstʃʊəl |

adjective

depending on or relating to the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea: he included contextual information in footnotes.

• depending on the preceding or following parts of a text to clarify meaning: they have limited practice in working out the meaning of unfamiliar material from contextual clues.

understand | ˌʌndəˈstand |

verb (past and past participle understood | ˌʌndəˈstʊd |) [with object]

1 perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker): he didn’t understand a word I said | he could usually make himself understood | [with clause] : she understood what he was saying.

• perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of: she didn’t really understand the situation | [with clause] : he couldn’t understand why we burst out laughing.

2 interpret or view (something) in a particular way: as the term is usually understood, legislation refers to regulations and directives.

• [with clause] infer something from information received (often used as a polite formula in conversation): I understand you’re at art school | [with object] : as I understood it, she was flying back to the States tomorrow.

• regard (a missing word, phrase, or idea) as present: ‘present company excepted’ is always understood when sweeping generalizations are being made.

• [with clause] assume to be the case; take for granted: he liked to play the field, that was understood.

3 be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of: Picasso understood colour | [with clause] : I understand how you feel.

derivatives

understander noun

origin

Old English understandan (see under-, stand).

understand

verb

1 he couldn’t understand anything we said to him. comprehend, apprehend, grasp, see, take in, perceive, discern, make out, puzzle out, recognize, keep up with, master, get to know, follow, fathom, get to the bottom of, penetrate, divine, interpret, unravel, decipher, see the light about, envisage; informal get the hang of, get the drift of, catch on to, latch on to, tumble to, crack, make head or tail of, figure out, dig, get, get one’s head around, wrap one’s mind around, see daylight, get the picture, get the message; British English informal twig, suss out, suss; North American English informal savvy; rare cognize. ANTONYMS misunderstand, misinterpret.

2 Suzanne understood how hard her husband had worked. appreciate, recognize, realize, acknowledge, know, be aware of, be conscious of, be cognizant of, accept; commiserate with, feel compassionate towards, sympathize with, empathize with, feel someone’s pain; informal take on board, be wise to. ANTONYMS ignore.

3 I understand that you wish to take legal action. believe, be led to believe, be given to understand, think, conclude, come to the conclusion, deduce, infer, draw the inference, assume, surmise, fancy; gather, take it, hear, hear tell, be informed, notice, see, learn, discover.

resilience | rɪˈzɪliən(t)s | (also resiliency)

noun [mass noun]

1 the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness: the remarkable resilience of so many institutions | supporting individuals to overcome adversity and build resilience | our business has shown strong resilience during these unprecedented times.

2 the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity: nylon is excellent in wearability and resilience.

resilience

noun

1 he uses different types of vertical and cross strings in his rackets for added resilience. flexibility, pliability, suppleness, plasticity, elasticity, springiness, spring, give; durability, ability to last, strength, sturdiness, toughness. ANTONYMS rigidity; fragility.

2 she displayed an indomitable resilience in the face of misfortune. strength of character, strength, toughness, hardiness; adaptability, buoyancy, flexibility, ability to bounce back; informal bouncebackability. ANTONYMS vulnerability, weakness.

critical thinking | ˌkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ |

noun [mass noun]

the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement: professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking among their students.

sentient | ˈsɛnʃnt, ˈsɛntiənt |

adjective

able to perceive or feel things: she had been instructed from birth in the equality of all sentient life forms.

derivatives

sentience | ˈsɛnʃn(t)s, ˈsɛntiən(t)s | noun

sentiency | ˈsɛnʃn(t)si, ˈsɛntiən(t)si | noun

sentiently adverb

origin

early 17th century: from Latin sentient- ‘feeling’, from the verb sentire.

sentient

adjective

I fail to see any sound moral justification for treating sentient creatures as mere commodities. feeling, capable of feeling, living, live; conscious, aware, responsive, reactive. ANTONYMS insentient.

inception | ɪnˈsɛpʃn |

noun [in singular]

the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity: she has been on the board since its inception two years ago.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin inceptio(n-), from incipere ‘begin’.

inception

noun

the inception of the EEC in 1958. establishment, institution, foundation, founding, formation, initiation, setting up, origination, constitution, inauguration, opening; beginning, start, starting point, outset; birth, dawn, genesis, origin, rise; debut, day one; informal kick-off; formal commencement. ANTONYMS end.

fraternity | frəˈtəːnɪti |

noun (plural fraternities)

1 [treated as singular or plural] a group of people sharing a common profession or interests: members of the hunting fraternity.

• North American English a male students’ society in a university or college.

• a religious or Masonic society or guild.

2 [mass noun] friendship and mutual support within a group: the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

origin

Middle English: from Old French fraternite, from Latin fraternitas, from fraternus (see fraternal).

fraternity | frəˈtəːnɪti |

noun (plural fraternities)

1 [treated as singular or plural] a group of people sharing a common profession or interests: members of the hunting fraternity.

• North American English a male students’ society in a university or college.

• a religious or Masonic society or guild.

2 [mass noun] friendship and mutual support within a group: the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

origin

Middle English: from Old French fraternite, from Latin fraternitas, from fraternus (see fraternal).

contrary | ˈkɒntrəri |

adjective

1 opposite in nature, direction, or meaning: he ignored contrary advice and agreed on the deal.

• (of two or more statements, beliefs, etc.) opposed to one another: his mother had given him contrary messages.

• (of a wind) blowing in the opposite direction to one’s course; unfavourable.

• Logic (of two propositions) so related that one or neither but not both must be true. Compare with contradictory

2 | kənˈtrɛːri | perversely inclined to disagree or to do the opposite of what is expected or desired: she is sulky and contrary where her work is concerned.

noun (plural contraries)

1 (the contrary) the opposite: an Act applies only to the United Kingdom unless the contrary is expressed.

2 Logic a contrary proposition.

phrases

contrary to

conflicting with or running counter to: contrary to his expectations, he found the atmosphere exciting.

on the contrary (also quite the contrary)

used to intensify a denial of what has just been implied or stated by suggesting that the opposite is the case: there was no malice in her; on the contrary, she was very kind.

to the contrary

with the opposite meaning or implication: he continued to drink despite medical advice to the contrary.

derivatives

contrarily | kənˈtrɛːrɪli | adverb

contrariness | kənˈtrɛːrɪnɪs | noun

origin

Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French contrarie, from Latin contrarius, from contra ‘against’.

contrary

adjective

1 [stress on the first syllable] he took a contrary view and supported the proposal. opposite, opposing, opposed, contradictory, clashing, conflicting, antithetical, incompatible, irreconcilable; different, differing, contrasting, inconsistent, incongruous; reverse, counter; North American English informal backasswards; rare oppugnant, antipathic. ANTONYMS compatible, same.

2 [stress on the second syllable] ‘I don’t know why you have to be so contrary,’ she snapped. perverse, awkward, difficult, uncooperative, unhelpful, obstructive, disobliging, unaccommodating, unreasonable, troublesome, tiresome, annoying, vexatious, disobedient, recalcitrant, refractory, wilful, headstrong, self-willed, capricious, wayward, cross-grained; stubborn, obstinate, obdurate, mulish, pig-headed, bull-headed, intractable; Scottish English thrawn; informal cussed; British English informal bloody-minded, bolshie, stroppy; North American English informal balky; archaic froward, contumacious; rare renitent, pervicacious, contrarious. ANTONYMS accommodating, cooperative, obliging.

noun

in fact, the contrary is true. opposite, reverse, converse, antithesis; technical contrariety.

phrases

contrary to

the court ruled that the restrictions were contrary to the public interest. in conflict with, against, at variance with, at odds with, in opposition to, not in accord with, counter to, conflicting with, incompatible with; rare repugnant.

on the contrary

there was no malice in her; on the contrary, she was very kind. conversely, in contrast, quite/just the opposite, quite/just the reverse; rather, instead.

precocious | prɪˈkəʊʃəs |

adjective

(of a child) having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or expected: a precocious, solitary boy.

• (of behaviour or ability) having developed at an earlier age than is usual or expected: a precocious talent for computing.

• (of a plant) flowering or fruiting earlier than usual.

derivatives

precociously | prɪˈkəʊʃəsli | adverb

precociousness | prɪˈkəʊʃəsnəs | noun

precocity | prɪˈkɒsɪti | noun

origin

mid 17th century: from Latin praecox, praecoc- (from praecoquere ‘ripen fully’, from prae ‘before’ + coquere ‘to cook’) + -ious.

v

anti-creative

adjective

UK /ˌæn.ti.kriˈeɪ.tɪv/ US /ˌæn.taɪ.kriˈeɪ.t̬ɪv/

Add to word list

not supporting or allowingcreativeprocesses (= those that produce or use original and unusualideas):

Carrying out thoroughresearch is not anti-creative.

She despised the anti-creative culture that pervaded the industry.

See also

non-creative

uncreative

Fewer examples

• This development is counter-intuitive as well as anti-creative.
• The new protocol is blatantly anti-creative.
• There is an anti-creative corporateculture, for sure.
• How have you retainedyourcreativity in spite of the anti-creative bias within the company?
• Most people are in the creativeindustries to make money, but that’s anti-creative.
• the anti-creative environment within the industry

impure | ɪmˈpjʊə, ɪmˈpjɔː |

adjective

1 mixed with foreign matter; adulterated: an impure form of heroin.

• dirty: a parasite that thrives in impure water.

• (of a colour) mixed with another colour.

2 morally wrong, especially in sexual matters: citizens suspected of harbouring impure thoughts.

• defiled or contaminated according to ritual prescriptions: groups seen as impure included those possessed by demons.

derivatives

impurely | ɪmˈpjʊəli, ɪmˈpjɔːli | adverb

impureness noun

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘dirty, containing offensive matter’): from Latin impurus, from in- ‘not’ + purus ‘pure’.

impure

adjective

1 a small amount of impure gold. adulterated, mixed, combined, blended, alloyed; debased, degraded, defiled; technical admixed. ANTONYMS pure.

2 the water was impure. contaminated, polluted, tainted, infected, sullied, defiled, unwholesome, poisoned; dirty, filthy, unclean, foul; unhygienic, unsanitary, insanitary; literary befouled; rare feculent. ANTONYMS pure, clean.

3 they cleared their minds of any impure notions. immoral, corrupt, sinful, wrongful, wicked, dishonourable; depraved, degenerate, debauched, dissolute; unchaste, lustful, lecherous, lewd, lascivious, prurient, obscene, dirty, indecent, unclean, wanton, ribald, risqué, smutty, improper, crude, vulgar, coarse, gross, pornographic; rare concupiscent. ANTONYMS pure, chaste.

arcade | ɑːˈkeɪd |

noun

1 a covered passage with arches along one or both sides.

• a covered walk with shops along one or both sides: a shopping arcade | Burlington Arcade.

• Architecture a series of arches supporting a wall, or set along it.

2 short for amusement arcade

derivatives

arcaded | ɑːˈkeɪdɪd | adjective

arcading noun

origin

late 17th century: from French, from Provençal arcada or Italian arcata, based on Latin arcus ‘bow’.

arcade

noun

1 they walked on, past a classical arcade. gallery, colonnade, cloister, loggia, portico, forum, peristyle, stoa.

2 she went to a cafe in an arcade. shopping centre, shopping precinct, shopping complex; North American English plaza, mall, strip mall, shopping mall.

courtyard | ˈkɔːtjɑːd |

noun

an unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by walls or buildings, typically one forming part of a castle or large house: the central courtyard functions as a common gathering space.

courtyard

noun

yard, court, quadrangle, square, close, enclosure, precinct; in Spain plaza, patio; in Italy piazza; cloister, arcade; South African English lapa; informal quad.

emporium | ɪmˈpɔːrɪəm, ɛmˈpɔːrɪəm |

noun (plural emporia | ɛmˈpɔːrɪə, ɪmˈpɔːrɪə | or plural emporiums)

a large retail store selling a wide variety of goods.

• archaic a centre of commerce; a market.

origin

late 16th century: from Latin, from Greek emporion, from emporos ‘merchant’, based on a stem meaning ‘to journey’.

emporium

noun

he was working at a boot and shoe emporium. shop, store, boutique, outlet, retail outlet, reseller; department store, chain store, supermarket, hypermarket, superstore, megastore; establishment; informal shed; North American English informal big box.

space | speɪs |

noun [mass noun]

1 a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied: a table took up much of the space | [count noun] : we shall all be living together in a small space | he reversed out of the parking space.

• [count noun] an area of land which is not occupied by buildings: she had a love of open spaces.

• (also commercial space) an area rented or sold as business premises.

• [count noun] a blank between printed, typed, or written words, characters, numbers, etc..

• [count noun] Music each of the four gaps between the five lines of a stave.

2 the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move: the work gives the sense of a journey in space and time.

• (also outer space) the physical universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere.

• the near-vacuum extending between the planets and stars, containing small amounts of gas and dust.

• Mathematics a mathematical concept generally regarded as a set of points having some specified structure.

3 an interval of time (often used to suggest that the time is short considering what has happened or been achieved in it): both their cars were stolen in the space of three days.

4 the portion of a text or document available or needed to write about a subject: there is no space to give further details.

• pages in a newspaper or magazine, or time between television or radio programmes, available for advertising: it is the media person’s job to buy the press space or the TV or radio spots.

• capacity for storage of data in a computer or other digital device: additional disk space is required for the database operation | delete songs from your iPod should you start running out of space.

5 the freedom to live, think, and develop in a way that suits one: a teenager needing her own space.

6 the sector of an economy or market in which trade in the specified products or services takes place: I expect even more European financial institutions and corporations to step into the crypto space | the tech space.

7 Telecommunications one of two possible states of a signal in certain systems. The opposite of mark¹

verb

[with object] position (two or more items) at a distance from one another: the poles are spaced 3m apart.

• (in printing or writing) put blanks between (words, letters, or lines).

phrases

watch this space

further developments are expected and more information will be given later: the results of the competition have still to come through—watch this space.

phrasal verbs

space out | ˌspeɪs ˈaʊt |

1 (space something out, space out something) position two or more items at an equal distance from one another: the houses are spaced out evenly.

2 informal become euphoric, disoriented, or unaware of one’s surroundings: I kind of space out for a few minutes.

origin

Middle English: shortening of Old French espace, from Latin spatium. Current verb senses date from the late 17th century.

space

noun

1 there was not enough space for them all. room, expanse, extent, capacity, area, volume, spaciousness, scope, latitude, expansion, margin, leeway, play, clearance; headroom, legroom, elbow room.

2 the green spaces in and around London are under constant threat from developers. area, open space, open area, unoccupied area, empty area, expanse, footprint, stretch, sweep, tract.

3 the space between the timbers was filled with mud and straw. gap, interval, opening, aperture, gulf, cavity, cranny, fissure, rift, crack, breach, break, split, flaw, crevasse, interstice, lacuna.

4 make sure students have written their name in the appropriate space. blank, empty space, gap.

5 after a space of seven years | within the space of three hours. period, span, time, duration, stretch, course, interval, season, term.

6 Britain’s first woman in space. outer space, deep space, the universe, the cosmos, the galaxy, the solar system, infinity.

verb

the chairs should be spaced outround the table | the teams are spaced only a few metres apart. place at intervals, separate, place, position, arrange, line up, range, order, array, dispose, lay out, deploy, locate, settle, situate, set, stand, station.

pilot | ˈpʌɪlət |

noun

1 a person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft: a strike by local airline pilots | [as modifier] : the crash had been due to pilot error.

• a person with expert local knowledge qualified to take charge of a ship entering or leaving a harbour.

• a navigational handbook for use at sea.

• informal a jockey: many expected him to get the job as Desert Orchid’s pilot.

• archaic a guide or leader.

2 a television or radio programme made to test audience reaction with a view to the production of a series: he returns to our TV screens in a pilot for a Channel 4 sitcom.

3 [often as modifier] Telecommunications an unmodulated reference signal transmitted with another signal for the purposes of control or synchronization.

4 another term for cowcatcher

adjective [attributive]

done as an experiment or test before being introduced more widely: a pilot scheme for training workers.

verb (pilots, piloting, piloted) [with object]

1 be the pilot of (an aircraft or ship): he piloted the helicopter from Paris to Deauville.

• [with object and adverbial of direction] guide or steer: Melissa piloted her through the booking hall.

2 test (a scheme, project, etc.) before introducing it more widely: one-day workshops for part-time staff were piloted in June.

derivatives

pilotage | ˈpʌɪlətɪdʒ | noun

pilotless | ˈpʌɪlətlɪs | adjective

origin

early 16th century (denoting a person who steers a ship): from French pilote, from medieval Latin pilotus, an alteration of pedota, based on Greek pēdon ‘oar’, (plural) ‘rudder’.

emulate | ˈɛmjʊleɪt |

verb [with object]

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation: most rulers wished to emulate Alexander the Great.

• imitate: hers is not a hairstyle I wish to emulate.

• Computing reproduce the function or action of (a different computer, software system, etc.): the adaptor is factory set to emulate a Hercules graphics board.

derivatives

emulative | ˈɛmjʊlətɪv | adjective

emulator | ˈɛmjʊleɪtə | noun

In computing, an emulator is hardware or software that enables one computer system (called the host) to behave like another computer system (called the guest). An emulator typically enables the host system to run software or use peripheral devices designed for the guest system. Emulation refers to the ability of a computer program in an electronic device to emulate (or imitate) another program or device.

origin

late 16th century: from Latin aemulat- ‘rivalled, equalled’, from the verb aemulari, from aemulus ‘rival’.

emulate

verb

they tried to emulate Lucy’s glowing performance. imitate, copy, reproduce, mimic, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on, take as a model, take as an example; match, equal, parallel, be the equal of, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come near to, come close to, approximate; compete with, contend with, rival, vie with, surpass; informal take a leaf out of someone’s book.

hub | hʌb |

noun

1 the central part of a wheel, rotating on or with the axle, and from which the spokes radiate.

2 the effective centre of an activity, region, or network: the city has always been the financial hub of the country | the kitchen was the hub of family life.

• a central airport or other transport facility from which many services operate: the airport authority’s policy promotes Manchester as an international hub | the city’s major transportation hub for bus and rail | [as modifier] : major hub airports have grown up all over the world.

phrases

hub-and-spoke

denoting a system of air transportation in which local airports offer flights to a central airport where international or long-distance flights are available.

origin

early 16th century (denoting a shelf at the side of a fireplace used for heating pans): of unknown origin (compare with hob¹).

hub

noun

1 the spokes radiate from the hub of the wheel. pivot, axis, fulcrum, centre, centre point.

2 the kitchen was the hub of family life. centre, centre of activity, core, heart, focus, focal point, middle, nucleus, kernel, nerve centre. ANTONYMS periphery.

phrasal | ˈfreɪzl |

adjective [attributive] Grammar

consisting of a phrase or phrases: the text fragments itself into phrasal units.

derivatives

phrasally | ˈfreɪzəli | adverb

discourse

noun | ˈdɪskɔːs |

written or spoken communication or debate: [mass noun] : the language of political discourse | [count noun] : an imagined discourse between two people.

• [count noun] a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing: a discourse on critical theory.

• Linguistics a connected series of utterances; a text or conversation.

verb [no object] | dɪˈskɔːs, ˈdɪskɔːs |

speak or write authoritatively about a topic: she could discourse at great length on the history of Europe.

• engage in conversation: he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters.

origin

late Middle English (denoting the process of reasoning): from Old French discours, from Latin discursus ‘running to and fro’ (in medieval Latin ‘argument’), from the verb discurrere, from dis- ‘away’ + currere ‘to run’; the verb influenced by French discourir.

discourse

noun [stress on the first syllable]

1 a small group of women had chosen to prolong their discourse outside the door. discussion, conversation, talk, dialogue, communication, conference, debate, consultation, verbal exchange; parley, chat; Indian English adda; New Zealand English korero; informal confab, chit-chat, powwow; formal confabulation; rare palaver, colloquy, converse, interlocution.

2 a discourse on critical theory. essay, treatise, dissertation, paper, study, critique, monograph, disquisition, tract; lecture, address, speech, oration, peroration; sermon, homily.

verb [stress on the second syllable]

1 she could discourse at great length on the history of Europe. hold forth, expatiate, pontificate; talk, give a talk, give an address, give a speech, lecture, sermonize, preach, orate; write learnedly, write at length; informal spout, spiel, speechify, preachify, sound off; archaic perorate, lucubrate; rare dissertate.

2 he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters. converse, talk, speak, have a discussion, discuss matters, debate, confer, consult, parley, chat; informal have a confab, chew the fat, rap; formal confabulate.

morph ¹ | mɔːf |

verb

change smoothly from one image to another by small gradual steps using computer animation techniques: [no object] : you see her face morphing into the creature’s face | the vampires morphed into hideous lizard-like creatures | [with object] : 3-D objects can be morphed into other objects.

• undergo or cause to undergo a gradual process of transformation: [no object] : the uprising has since morphed into a complex conflict | the cute moppet has morphed into the moody moll of the indie world.

noun

an image that has been morphed.

• an instance of morphing an image.

origin

1980s: element from metamorphosis.

morph ² | mɔːf |

noun

1 Linguistics an actual linguistic form: the present participle in English is always the morph ‘-ing’.

2 Biology each of several variant forms of an animal or plant.

origin

1940s: from Greek morphē ‘form’.

cyclical | ˈsɪklɪkl, ˈsʌɪklɪkl |

adjective

occurring in cycles; recurrent: the cyclical nature of the cement industry.

derivatives

cyclically | ˈsɪklɪkli, ˈsʌɪklɪkli | adverb

cyclical

adjective

the cyclical fluctuations in demand. recurrent, recurring, happening at regular intervals, regular, repeated, repetitive; periodic, seasonal, circular.

linguistics | lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks |

plural noun [treated as singular]

the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of grammar, syntax, and phonetics. Specific branches of linguistics include sociolinguistics, dialectology, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, comparative linguistics, and structural linguistics: as a professor of linguistics, I have been studying how electronic communication compares to traditional print when it comes to learning | [as modifier] : a linguistics student.

linguistic

adjective

relating to language or linguistics: a child’s linguistic ability.

adjective

the meanings of linguistic expressions | a child’s linguistic ability. 

language-producing, semantic, lingual, semasiological; rhetorical, verbal, poetic, expressive.

purge | pəːdʒ |

verb [with object]

1 rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling: Bob had helped purge Martha of the terrible guilt that had haunted her | buildings may be purged of the showy symbolism of the late twentieth century.

• free someone or something from (an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling): his hatred was purged.

2 remove (a group of people considered undesirable) from an organization or place in an abrupt or violent way: he purged all but 26 of the central committee members.

• remove a group of undesirable people from (an organization or place) in an abrupt or violent way: an opportunity to purge the party of unsatisfactory members.

3 physically remove or expel (something) completely: a substance designed to purge impurities from the body.

• [no object] empty one’s stomach or bowels by inducing vomiting or using laxatives: sufferers eat normally in summer but overeat and purge during winter.

4 Law atone for or wipe out (contempt of court): he has a right to apply to the court to purge his contempt.

noun

1 an abrupt or violent removal of a group of people: many of us live in fear of a purge.

2 dated a laxative: in this plant was a milky substance which was a drastic purge.

derivatives

purger noun

origin

Middle English (in the legal sense ‘clear oneself of a charge’): from Old French purgier, from Latin purgare ‘purify’, from purus ‘pure’.

purge

verb

1 the experience has purged them of the desire to doubt. cleanse, clear, purify, wash, shrive, absolve, free someone from; make someone pure; rare lustrate.

2 the party was purged of the so-called ‘capitalist roaders’. rid, clear, cleanse, empty, strip, scour, void; rare depurate.

3 human rights violators would be purged from the army. remove, get rid of, clear out, sweep out, expel, eject, exclude, evict, dismiss, sack, oust, axe, depose, eradicate, root out, weed out, scour; informal defenestrate.

noun

the purge of the dissidents from the party. removal, expulsion, ejection, exclusion, eviction, clearance, clear-out, discharge, dismissal, sacking, ousting, deposition, eradication, rooting out, weeding out; informal defenestration; rare deposal.

incite | ɪnˈsʌɪt |

verb [with object]

encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour): they conspired to incite riots.

• urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: he incited loyal subjects to rebellion.

derivatives

inciter | ɪnˈsʌɪtə | noun

incitation | ˌɪnsʌɪˈteɪʃn, ˌɪnsɪˈteɪʃn | noun

origin

late 15th century (earlier (late Middle English) as incitation): from French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- ‘towards’ + citare ‘rouse’.

incite

verb

1 Rico was arrested for inciting racial hatred. stir up, whip up, work up, encourage, fan the flames of, stoke up, fuel, kindle, ignite, inflame, stimulate, instigate, provoke, excite, arouse, awaken, waken, inspire, trigger, spark off, ferment, foment, agitate for/against; cause, generate, bring about; literary enkindle. ANTONYMS suppress.

2 she had incited him to commit murder. egg on, encourage, urge, goad, provoke, spur on, drive on, stimulate, push, prod, prompt, induce, impel, motivate, make, influence; arouse, rouse, excite, inflame, stir up, sting, prick; informal put up to; North American English informal root on; Law procure. ANTONYMS dissuade, deter.

unobtrusive | ʌnəbˈtruːsɪv |

adjective

not conspicuous or attracting attention: the service was unobtrusive and efficient.

derivatives

unobtrusiveness | ʌnəbˈtruːsɪvnɪs | noun

unobtrusive

adjective

1 she was unobtrusive and shy. self-effacing, retiring, unassuming, modest, demure, quiet, meek, humble; shy, bashful, unconfident, timid, timorous, shrinking, diffident, insecure, reserved, withdrawn, introvert, introverted, reticent, unforthcoming, unpresuming, unpretentious, unaggressive, unassertive, mousy, low-profile. ANTONYMS bold, extrovert.

2 our staff offer efficient, unobtrusive service. inconspicuous, unnoticeable, restrained, subdued, quiet, low-key, discreet, circumspect, understated, muted, subtle, played down, toned down, unostentatious, unshowy, relaxed, downbeat, out of sight, in the background. ANTONYMS obtrusive, conspicuous.

eureka | jʊˈriːkə |

exclamation

a cry of joy or satisfaction when one finds or discovers something: The answer hit me. ‘Eureka!’ I cried | [as noun] : there weren’t many eurekas but science is moving steadily | [as modifier] : the eureka moment for him came when he was hill-walking.

noun [mass noun] trademark

an alloy of copper and nickel used for electrical filaments and resistance wire.

origin

early 17th century: from Greek heurēka ‘I have found it’ (from heuriskein ‘find’), said to have been uttered by Archimedes when he hit upon a method of determining the purity of gold. The noun dates from the early 20th century.

epiphany | ɪˈpɪfəni |

noun (plural epiphanies)

1 a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization: a few years ago, I had an epiphany.

2 (Epiphany) the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).

• the Christian festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6 January: many submerge themselves in ice water to celebrate Epiphany.

• a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being: many believe this scene to represent an epiphany of the goddess.

derivatives

epiphanic | ɛpɪˈfanɪk | adjective

origin

Middle English: from Greek epiphainein ‘reveal’. The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania.

Epiphany (feeling)

This article is about the feeling. For other uses, see Epiphany.

An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphanea, “manifestation, striking appearance”) is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe a scientific breakthrough or a religious or philosophical discovery, but it can apply in any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Epiphanies are studied by psychologists^[1][2] and other scholars, particularly those attempting to study the process of innovation.^[3][4][5]

Epiphanies are relatively rare occurrences and generally follow a process of significant thought about a problem. Often they are triggered by a new and key piece of information, but importantly, a depth of prior knowledge is required to allow the leap of understanding.^[3][4][6][7] Famous epiphanies include Archimedes‘s discovery of a method to determine the volume of an irregular object (“Eureka!”) and Isaac Newton‘s realization that a falling apple and the orbiting moon are both pulled by the same force.^[6][7][8]

living | ˈlɪvɪŋ |

noun

1 [usually in singular] an income sufficient to live on or the means of earning it: she was struggling to make a living as a dancer | what does he do for a living?.

• British English (in church use) a position as a vicar or rector with an income or property: he was offered the living of St Katherine’s.

2 [mass noun, with adjective or noun modifier] the pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type: the benefits of country living.

adjective

alive: living creatures | (the living as plural noun) : flowers were for the living.

• [attributive] (of a place) used for living rather than working in: the living quarters of the pub.

• (of a language) still spoken and used.

• [attributive] literary (of water) perennially flowing: streams of living water.

phrases

be living proof (also be the living proof)

show by one’s existence and qualities that something is the case: she is living proof that hard work need not be ageing.

in living memory (also within living memory)

within or during a time that is remembered by people still alive: the worst recession in living memory.

the living image of

an exact copy or likeness of: he was the living image of Tyler.

live ¹ | lɪv |

verb

1 [no object] remain alive: I’ll never forget it as long as I live | both cats lived to a ripe old age.

• [with adverbial] be alive at a specified time: he lived four centuries ago.

• [with adverbial] spend one’s life in a particular way or under particular circumstances: people are living in fear in the wake of the shootings | [with object and adverbial] : he was living a life of luxury in Australia.

• supply oneself with the means of subsistence: they live by hunting and fishing.

• survive in someone’s mind; be remembered: only the name lived on.

• have an exciting or fulfilling life: he couldn’t wait to get out of school and really start living.

• archaic (of a ship) escape destruction; remain afloat.

2 [no object, with adverbial] make one’s home in a particular place or with a particular person: I’ve lived in the East End all my life | they lived with his grandparents.

• informal (of an object) be kept in a particular place: I told her where the coffee lived and went back to sleep.

phrases

as I live and breathe

informal used to express surprise at encountering someone or something: good God, Jack Stone, as I live and breathe!.

live and breathe something

devote a great deal of one’s time to a particular subject or activity: they live and breathe Italy and all things Italian.

live and let live

proverb you should tolerate the opinions and behaviour of others so that they will similarly tolerate your own.

live dangerously

do something risky, especially on a habitual basis: she bit her lip, caught between natural caution and a desire to live dangerously.

live in hope

be or remain optimistic about something: we live in hope that his mission will succeed.

live in the past

have old-fashioned or outdated ideas and attitudes: we aren’t here to cater to fringe elements who insist on living in the past.

• dwell on or reminisce at length about past events: why couldn’t she stop living in the past and face the mess she was in now?.

live it up

informal spend one’s time in an extremely enjoyable way, typically by being extravagant or engaging in an exciting social life: they’re living it up in Hawaii.

live one’s best life

lead the happiest and most fulfilling life one can imagine or aspire to: I am just living my best life, finally feeling confident and happy in my own skin | she has been living her best life as a model, businesswoman, and budding actress.

live one’s own life

follow one’s own plans and principles independently of others: it’s time you stood up to her and lived your own life.

live out of a suitcase

live or stay somewhere on a temporary basis and with only a limited selection of one’s belongings: living out of a suitcase away from home has become one of the main causes of stress among businessmen.

live rough

live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home: hundreds of refugees have been living rough on the streets.

live to fight another day

survive a particular experience or ordeal: MPs felt the chancellor’s performance will ensure he lives to fight another day.

live to regret something

come to wish that one had not done something: those who put work before their family life often live to regret it.

live to tell the tale

survive a dangerous experience and be able to tell others about it.

live under a rock

used to say that someone lacks basic knowledge of current events or popular culture: in case you have been living under a rock, America is heading toward a presidential election.

live with oneself

be able to retain one’s self-respect as a consequence of one’s actions: taking money from children—how can you live with yourself?.

long live —!

said to express loyalty or support for a specified person or thing: long live the Queen!.

where one lives

North American English informal at, to, or in the right, vital, or most vulnerable spot: it gets me where I live.

you haven’t lived!

said when enthusiastically recommending a particular experience or activity to someone unfamiliar with it: if you haven’t been in a helicopter you haven’t lived | you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted their lobster ravioli.

you live and learn (also we live and learn)

used to acknowledge that a fact is new to one.

phrasal verbs

live down

(live something down, live down something) [usually with negative] succeed in making others forget something embarrassing that has happened: I’d never live it down if Lily got wind of this.

live for

(live for something) regard a particular thing as the purpose or most important aspect of one’s life: Tony lived for his painting.

live in | ˈlɪv ɪn |

British English (of an employee or student) reside at the place where one works or studies.

live off | ˈlɪv ɒf | (also live off of US English)

(live off someone) depend on someone as a source of income or support: if you think you’re going to live off me for the rest of your life, you’re mistaken.

• (live off something) have a particular amount of money with which to buy food and other necessities: she had a husband who could support her so she didn’t really have to live off £35 a fortnight.

• (live off something) subsist on a particular type of food: scavenging seabirds live off discarded fish and fish offal.

live on | ˌlɪv ˈɒn |

(live on something) have a particular amount of money with which to buy food and other necessities: how much money do you need to live on?.

• subsist on a particular type of food: he used to lodge in a room with just a bed and a chair and live on bread and water.

live out | ˌlɪv ˈaʊt |

1 (live something out, live out something) do something in reality that one previously only imagined: your wedding day is the one time that you can live out your most romantic fantasies.

2 (live something out, live out something) spend the rest of one’s life in a particular place or particular circumstances: he lived out his days as a happy family man.

3 British English (of an employee or student) reside away from the place where one works or studies.

live through

(live through something) survive an unpleasant experience or period: both men lived through the Depression.

live together

(especially of a couple not married to each other) share a home and have a sexual relationship: they eventually decided to tie the knot after living together for eight years.

live up to | ˌlɪv ˈʌp tə, ˌlɪv ˈʌp tuː |

(live up to something) fulfil expectations: the food more than lived up to Luke’s predictions.

• fulfil an undertaking: the president lived up to his promise to set the country swiftly on a new path.

live with | ˈlɪv wɪð |

1 (live with someone) share a home and have a sexual relationship with someone to whom one is not married: Fran was now living with a man fourteen years older than her.

2 (live with something) accept or tolerate something unpleasant: our marriage was a failure—you have to learn to live with that fact.

living

noun

1 she was cleaning floors for a living. livelihood, income, source of income, means of support, means, subsistence, keep, maintenance, sustenance, nourishment, daily bread, upkeep; job, day job, work, employment, occupation, trade, profession, career; informal bread and butter.

2 making informed choices about healthy living | urban living. way of life, lifestyle, manner of living, way of living, mode of living, life; conduct, behaviour, activities; customs, habits, ways.

adjective

1 living organisms. alive, live, having life; animate, organic, biological, sentient; breathing, moving; existing, existent; informal in the land of the living, among the living, alive and kicking; archaic quick. ANTONYMS dead, inanimate, extinct.

2 English, unlike Latin, is a living language. current, contemporary, present; in use, operative, active, operating, ongoing, continuing, surviving, extant, persisting, remaining, abiding; existing, existent, in existence. ANTONYMS dead, obsolete, extinct.

3 he committed to paper a living image of the man. exact, faithful, true to life, speaking, authentic, genuine; close, near, similar, like, alike. ANTONYMS inaccurate.

discourse

noun | ˈdɪskɔːs |

written or spoken communication or debate: [mass noun] : the language of political discourse | [count noun] : an imagined discourse between two people.

• [count noun] a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing: a discourse on critical theory.

• Linguistics a connected series of utterances; a text or conversation.

verb [no object] | dɪˈskɔːs, ˈdɪskɔːs |

speak or write authoritatively about a topic: she could discourse at great length on the history of Europe.

• engage in conversation: he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters.

origin

late Middle English (denoting the process of reasoning): from Old French discours, from Latin discursus ‘running to and fro’ (in medieval Latin ‘argument’), from the verb discurrere, from dis- ‘away’ + currere ‘to run’; the verb influenced by French discourir.

discourse

noun [stress on the first syllable]

1 a small group of women had chosen to prolong their discourse outside the door. discussion, conversation, talk, dialogue, communication, conference, debate, consultation, verbal exchange; parley, chat; Indian English adda; New Zealand English korero; informal confab, chit-chat, powwow; formal confabulation; rare palaver, colloquy, converse, interlocution.

2 a discourse on critical theory. essay, treatise, dissertation, paper, study, critique, monograph, disquisition, tract; lecture, address, speech, oration, peroration; sermon, homily.

verb [stress on the second syllable]

1 she could discourse at great length on the history of Europe. hold forth, expatiate, pontificate; talk, give a talk, give an address, give a speech, lecture, sermonize, preach, orate; write learnedly, write at length; informal spout, spiel, speechify, preachify, sound off; archaic perorate, lucubrate; rare dissertate.

2 he spent an hour discoursing with his supporters. converse, talk, speak, have a discussion, discuss matters, debate, confer, consult, parley, chat; informal have a confab, chew the fat, rap; formal confabulate.

oration | ɒˈreɪʃn |

noun

a formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion: Pericles’ famous funeral oration.

• [mass noun] the style or manner in which an oration is given: there is nothing quite like his messianic oration.

origin

late Middle English (denoting a prayer): from Latin oratio(n-) ‘discourse, prayer’, from orare ‘speak, pray’.

oration

noun

his eloquent funeral oration. speech, address, lecture, talk, homily, sermon, discourse, declamation, recitation, disquisition, peroration, monologue, valedictory, harangue, tirade, diatribe, rant; North American English salutatory; informal spiel; rare allocution, predication.

candidate | ˈkandɪdeɪt, ˈkandɪdət |

noun

a person who applies for a job or other position or is nominated for election: candidates applying for this position should be computer-literate | the Green Party candidate.

• British English a person taking an examination: an A-level candidate.

• a person or thing regarded as suitable for or likely to receive a particular fate, treatment, or position: she was the perfect candidate for a biography.

origin

early 17th century: from Latin candidatus ‘white-robed’, also denoting a candidate for office (who traditionally wore a white toga), from candidus ‘white’.

candidate

noun

1 candidates applying for this position should be computer-literate. applicant, job applicant, job-seeker, prospective employee; contender, contestant, nominee, aspirant, possibility, possible; interviewee; postulant, suitor, pretender; informal runner.

2 British English A-level candidates. examinee, entrant.

3 the most likely candidate for the title of Designer of the Year. prospect; informal bet.

participant | pɑːˈtɪsɪp(ə)nt |

noun

a person who takes part in something: staff are to be active participants in the decision-making process.

origin

late Middle English: partly via French from Latin participant-, literally ‘sharing in’, from the verb participare (see participate).

participant

noun

participator, contributor, sharer, party, member, partaker; entrant, competitor, player, contestant, contender, candidate.

communal | ˈkɒmjʊnl, kəˈmjuːnl |

adjective

1 shared by all members of a community; for common use: a communal bathroom and kitchen.

• involving the sharing of work and property: communal living.

• relating to or done by a community: communal pride in impressive local buildings.

2 (of conflict) between different communities, especially those having different religions or ethnic origins: violent communal riots.

derivatives

communality | kɒmjʊˈnalɪti | noun

communally | ˈkɒmjʊnəli, kəˈmjuːnəli | adverb

origin

late 18th century (in the sense ‘relating to a commune’): from French, from Latin communalis, from communis (see common).

communal

adjective

1 the bathrooms and the kitchen were communal. shared, joint, common, general, public. ANTONYMS private.

2 the villagers farm on a communal basis. collective, cooperative, community, communalist, united, combined, pooled, mass. ANTONYMS individual.

founding | ˈfaʊndɪŋ |

adjective [attributive]

involved in establishing or originating an institution or organization: the three founding partners.

institution | ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃn |

noun

1 an organization founded for a religious, educational, professional, or social purpose: an academic institution | a certificate from a professional institution.

• an established official organization having an important role in a society, such as the Church or parliament: the institutions of democratic government.

• a large company or other organization involved in financial trading: City institutions.

• mainly derogatory a place where people are confined or are cared for on account of age, disability, or mental illness: she has always been included in family life and not hidden away in an institution | a penal institution.

2 an established law or practice: the institution of marriage.

• a well-established and familiar person or custom: he soon became something of a national institution.

3 [mass noun] the action of instituting something: a delay in the institution of proceedings.

origin

late Middle English (in institution (sense 2 of the noun), institution (sense 3 of the noun)): via Old French from Latin institutio(n-), from the verb instituere (see institute). institution (sense 1 of the noun) dates from the early 18th century.

institution

noun

1 an academic institution | a savings institution. organization, establishment, institute, foundation, centre; academy, school, college, university, conservatory, seminary, centre of learning, seat of learning; society, association, federation, group, circle, fellowship, body, league, union, alliance, guild, consortium, concern, corporation.

2 young people who have spent most of their lives in institutions. home, residential care.

3 the institution of the new rector. installation, instatement, induction, investiture, inauguration, introduction, swearing in, initiation; ordination, consecration, anointing; enthronement, coronation, crowning; appointment, putting in, creation. ANTONYMS dismissal; defrocking.

4 until 1926 English law did not recognize the institution of adoption. practice, custom, phenomenon, fact, procedure, convention, usage, tradition, rite, ritual, fashion, use, habit, wont; method, system, routine, way, policy, idea, notion, concept; rule, law; Latin modus operandi; formal praxis.

5 the institution of legal proceedings. initiation, launch, launching, start, starting, beginning, setting in motion, putting in motion, getting under way, getting going, getting off the ground, instigation, setting up, inauguration, founding, foundation, establishment, organization, activation, actuation, generation, origination; formal commencement. ANTONYMS halting; cancellation; ending.

declaration | ˌdɛkləˈreɪʃn |

noun

1 a formal or explicit statement or announcement: a declaration of love.

• the formal announcement of the beginning of a state or condition: the declaration of war.

• a written public announcement of intentions or of the terms of an agreement: all students must sign the following declaration.

• (also declaration of the poll) British English a public official announcement of the votes cast for candidates in an election.

• Law a plaintiff’s statement of claims in proceedings.

• Law an affirmation made in place of an oath.

• the naming of trumps in bridge, whist, or a similar card game.

• an announcement of a combination held in certain card games.

2 Cricket an act of declaring an innings closed.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin declaratio(n-), from declarare ‘make quite clear’ (see declare).

declaration

noun

1 they issued a declaration at the close of the talks. announcement, statement, communication, pronouncement, proclamation, memorandum, bulletin, communiqué, dispatch, report, edict, manifesto; North American English advisory; in Spanish-speaking countries pronunciamento; Latin ipse dixit; informal memo; rare rescript.

2 Parliament arranged the declaration of war. proclamation, notification, announcement, revelation, disclosure, broadcasting, promulgation; archaic annunciation; rare asseveration.

3 her words were taken as a declaration of faith. assertion, profession, affirmation, acknowledgement, revelation, disclosure, manifestation, confirmation, proof, testimony, validation, certification, attestation; pledge, avowal, vow, oath, guarantee, protestation; rare asseveration, averment, maintenance. ANTONYMS denial.

manifesto

noun

policy statement, platform, programme, declaration, proclamation, pronouncement, announcement, publication, notification; in Spanish-speaking countries pronunciamento.

manifesto | ˌmanɪˈfɛstəʊ |

noun (plural manifestos)

a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate: he may fudge key issues in the Labour manifesto | a manifesto for gay liberation | [as modifier] : manifesto commitments.

origin

mid 17th century: from Italian, from manifestare, from Latin, ‘make public’, from manifestus ‘obvious’ (see manifest¹).

commune ¹ | ˈkɒmjuːn |

noun

1 a group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities: she went to California and joined a commune.

• a communal settlement in a communist country: we all went out of Beijing by bus to spend a morning at a commune.

2 the smallest French territorial division for administrative purposes: very few of the abbey’s vineyards were actually located within the commune of Hautvillers.

• a territorial division similar to a French commune in other countries.

3 (the Commune) the group that seized the municipal government of Paris in the French Revolution and played a leading part in the Reign of Terror until suppressed in 1794.

• (also Paris Commune) the municipal government organized on communalistic principles that was elected in Paris in 1871. It was soon brutally suppressed by government troops.

origin

late 18th century: from French, use as noun of the feminine of commun (adjective), from Latin communis (see common).

commune ² | kəˈmjuːn |

(commune with) verb [no object]

1 share one’s intimate thoughts or feelings with (someone), especially on a spiritual level: the purpose of praying is to commune with God.

• feel in close spiritual contact with: he spent an hour communing with nature on the bank of a stream.

2 US English receive Holy Communion.

origin

Middle English, originally a variant of common (verb) ‘to share’ (see common).

commune

noun

[stress on the first syllable] she was brought up in a commune in Vancouver. collective, cooperative, co-op, community, communal settlement, kibbutz, fellowship.

verb [stress on the second syllable]

1 the purpose of praying is to commune with God. communicate, speak, talk, converse, have a tête-à-tête, confer; be in touch, be in contact, interface.

2 spare half an hour each day to commune with nature. empathize, have a rapport, feel in close touch; feel at one, feel togetherness, identify, relate to, relate spiritually to, feel close to.

residence | ˈrɛzɪd(ə)ns |

noun

a person’s home, especially a large and impressive one: the youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence.

• the official home of a government minister or other public or official figure: the palace was designated the official residence of the head of state.

• [mass noun] the fact of living in a particular place: Rome was his main place of residence | she took up residence in Paris.

phrases

in residence

living in a particular place: the guests currently in residence at the hotel.

• (— in residence) a person with a particular occupation (especially an artist or writer) paid to work in a college or other institution: he is the current artist in residence at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

origin

late Middle English (denoting the fact of living in a place): from Old French, or from medieval Latin residentia, from Latin residere ‘remain’ (see reside).

residence

noun

1 formal his private residence. home, house, apartment, place of residence, address, accommodation, place; quarters, lodgings; seat; French pied à terre; British English flat; informal pad, digs; formal dwelling, dwelling place, domicile, abode, habitation.

2 his last known place of residence. occupancy, habitation, residency, inhabitation, tenancy, stay; formal abode, sojourn; rare inhabitancy, inhabitance, domiciliation, habitancy.

imbue | ɪmˈbjuː |

(often be imbued with) verb (imbues, imbuing, imbued) [with object]

inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality): his works are invariably imbued with a sense of calm and serenity.

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘saturate’): from French imbu ‘moistened’, from Latin imbutus, past participle of imbuere ‘moisten’.

imbue

verb

a society imbued with a sense of fairness. permeate, saturate, diffuse, suffuse, pervade; impregnate, inject, inculcate, instil, ingrain, inspire, inform; fill, charge, load.

lively | ˈlʌɪvli |

adjective (livelier, liveliest)

full of life and energy; active and outgoing: a lively and uninhibited girl.

• (of a place or atmosphere) full of activity and excitement: Barcelona’s many lively bars.

• intellectually stimulating or perceptive: a lively discussion | her lively mind.

• ironic, mainly British English difficult or challenging: a lively homeward passage dodging aircraft and E-boats.

• (of a boat) rising lightly to the waves.

derivatives

livelily adverb

origin

Old English līflic ‘living, animate’ (see life, -ly¹).

lively

adjective

1 the bride was an attractive and lively young woman. energetic, active, animated, vigorous, dynamic, full of life, outgoing, spirited, high-spirited, vivacious, enthusiastic, vibrant, buoyant, exuberant, effervescent, cheerful; bouncy, bubbly, perky, sparkling, sprightly, spry, youthful, zesty, zestful, frisky, skittish; fun, fun-loving; informal bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of beans, chirpy, go-go, chipper, peppy, zippy, zappy, full of vim and vigour; North American English informal peart. ANTONYMS listless, lifeless, apathetic.

2 a lively West End bar. busy, crowded, bustling, hectic, swarming, teeming, astir, buzzing, thronging; vibrant, boisterous, jolly, festive; informal hopping, jumping, buzzy; British English informal heaving, like Piccadilly Circus. ANTONYMS quiet, dead.

3 a lively debate. heated, vigorous, stimulating, animated, spirited, enthusiastic, forceful; exciting, stirring, interesting, eventful, memorable. ANTONYMS lifeless, dull.

4 a lively portrait of the local community. vivid, colourful, striking, stirring, graphic, bold, strong, interesting, effective, imaginative. ANTONYMS lifeless, dull.

5 he bowled at a lively pace. brisk, quick, fast, rapid, swift, speedy, smart, vigorous, fast and furious; informal nippy, snappy. ANTONYMS slow.

6 the press is making things lively for the Government. awkward, tricky, difficult, challenging; eventful, exciting, busy; informal hairy. ANTONYMS easy, peaceful.

elevate | ˈɛlɪveɪt |

verb [with object]

1 raise or lift (something) to a higher position: the exercise will naturally elevate your chest and head.

• (of a priest) hold up (a consecrated host or chalice) for adoration: she ordered the bishop celebrating Mass in her chapel not to elevate the Host.

• raise the axis of (a piece of artillery) to increase its range: the field guns were elevated twenty degrees.

2 raise to a more important or impressive level: he was elevated to Secretary of State | he has elevated bad taste into an art form.

• increase the level of (something): the therapy can elevate serum amylase levels.

derivatives

elevatory adjective

origin

late Middle English: from Latin elevat- ‘raised’, from the verb elevare, from e- (variant of ex-) ‘out, away’ + levare ‘lighten’ (from levis ‘light’).

elevate

verb

1 we have to rely on a breeze to elevate the kite. raise, lift (up), raise up/aloft, buoy up, upraise, bear aloft; hoist, hike up, haul up, heft up, boost. ANTONYMS lower.

2 in the 1920s he was elevated to Secretary of State. promote, give promotion, upgrade, improve the position/status of, give a higher rank, advance, move up, raise, give advancement, prefer; ennoble, exalt, aggrandize, dignify; informal kick upstairs, move up the ladder. ANTONYMS demote.

degree | dɪˈɡriː |

noun

1 the amount, level, or extent to which something happens or is present: a degree of caution is probably wise | [mass noun] : a question of degree.

2 (Symbol: °) a unit of measurement of angles, one ninetieth of a right angle or the angle subtended by one three-hundred-and-sixtieth of the circumference of a circle: set at an angle of 45 degrees.

3 (Symbol: °) a unit in any of various scales of temperature, intensity, or hardness: water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

• [in combination] each of a set of grades (usually three) used to classify burns according to their severity. See first-degree,, second-degree,, third-degree

• [often in combination] a legal grade of crime or offence, especially murder: second-degree murder | criminal conduct in the first degree.

• [often in combination] a step in direct genealogical descent: second-degree relatives.

• Music a position in a musical scale, counting upwards from the tonic or fundamental note: the lowered third degree of the scale.

• Mathematics the class into which an equation falls according to the highest power of unknowns or variables present: an equation of the second degree.

• Grammar any of the three steps on the scale of comparison of gradable adjectives and adverbs, namely positive, comparative, and superlative.

• a rank in an order of freemasonry.

• archaic a thing placed like a step in a series; a tier or row.

4 an academic rank conferred by a college or university after examination or after completion of a course, or conferred as an honour on a distinguished person: a degree in zoology.

5 [mass noun] archaic social or official rank: persons of unequal degree.

phrases

by degrees

a little at a time; gradually: rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out.

to a degree

to some extent: to a degree, it is possible to educate oneself.

• dated to a considerable extent: the pressure you were put under must have been frustrating to a degree.

derivatives

degreeless | dɪˈɡriːlɪs | adjective

origin

Middle English (in the senses ‘step’, ‘tier’, ‘rank’, or ‘relative state’): from Old French, based on Latin de- ‘down’ + gradus ‘step or grade’.

degree

noun

1 those who have achieved a considerable degree of economic stability | the high degree of risk involved. level, stage, point, rung, standard, grade, gradation, mark; amount, extent, measure, magnitude, intensity, strength; proportion, ratio.

2 archaic persons of unequal degree. social class, social status, rank, standing/position in society; dated station; archaic estate, condition.

phrases

by degrees

rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out. gradually, little by little, bit by bit, inch by inch, by stages, step by step, day by day, slowly, slowly but surely; piecemeal; rare inchmeal, gradatim. ANTONYMS suddenly, all at once.

to a degree

to a degree, it is possible to educate oneself. to some extent, to a certain extent, up to a point, to a limited extent.

provision | prəˈvɪʒn |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action of providing or supplying something for use: new contracts for the provision of services.

• (provision for/against) financial or other arrangements for future eventualities or requirements: farmers have been slow to make provision for their retirement.

• [count noun] an amount set aside out of profits in the accounts of an organization for a known liability, especially a bad debt or the diminution in value of an asset.

2 an amount or thing supplied or provided: changing levels of transport provision.

• (provisions) supplies of food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.

3 [count noun] a condition or requirement in a legal document: the first private prosecution under the provisions of the 1989 Water Act.

4 [count noun] Christian church historical an appointment to a benefice, especially directly by the Pope rather than by the patron, and originally before it became vacant.

verb

1 [with object] supply with food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey: civilian contractors were responsible for provisioning these armies | (provisioning as noun) : the provisioning of US ships.

2 [no object] set aside an amount in an organization’s accounts for a known liability: financial institutions have to provision against loan losses.

derivatives

provisioner | prəˈvɪʒənə | noun

provisionless | prəˈvɪʒnləs | adjective

provisionment | prəˈvɪʒnm(ə)nt | noun

origin

late Middle English (also in the sense ‘foresight’): via Old French from Latin provisio(n-), from providere ‘foresee, attend to’ (see provide). The verb dates from the early 19th century.

provision

noun

1 the President condemned the provision of weapons to guerrillas. supplying, supply, providing, purveying, delivery, furnishing, equipping, giving, donation, allocation, distribution, presentation.

2 there has been limited provision for gifted children in the past. facilities, services, amenities, resource(s), equipment, arrangements, solutions; means, offering, funds, benefits, assistance, allowance(s), concession(s), opportunities.

3 (provisions) the English troops were tired and running out of provisions. supplies, food and drink, food, stores, stocks, groceries, foodstuff(s), rations, iron rations, eatables, edibles, fare, daily bread, staples; Scottish English vivers; informal grub, bread, eats, chow, nosh, scoff; North American English informal chuck; archaic victuals, vittles, viands, commons, meat; rare sustenance, provender, comestibles, aliment, viaticum, commissariat.

4 he never made any sort of provision for the future. preparations, plans, planning, prearrangement, arrangements, precautions, precautionary steps/measures, contingency.

5 nearly everyone will be covered by the provisions of the Act. term, clause, requirement, specification, stipulation; proviso, condition, rider, qualification, restriction, reservation, caveat, limitation.

optimum | ˈɒptɪməm |

adjective

most conducive to a favourable outcome; best: the optimum childbearing age.

noun (plural optima | ˈɒptɪmə | or plural optimums)

the most favourable situation or level for growth, reproduction, or success: the plant grows within a range of 68 and 78°F, the optimum being 74° | the optimum must lie between these two values.

origin

mid 19th century: from Latin, neuter (used as a noun) of optimus ‘best’.

optimum

adjective

the optimum pupil–teacher ratio. best, most favourable, most advantageous, most appropriate, ideal, perfect, prime, optimal, model; finest, superlative, peak, top, supreme, excellent, flawless, first-class; informal tip-top, A1, stellar, top-notch.

prevalent | ˈprɛv(ə)lənt, ˈprɛvəl(ə)nt |

adjective [attributive]

widespread in a particular area or at a particular time: the social ills prevalent in society today.

• archaic predominant; powerful.

derivatives

prevalently | ˈprɛv(ə)ləntli, ˈprɛvəl(ə)ntli | adverb

origin

late 15th century: from Latin praevalent- ‘having greater power’, from the verb praevalere (see prevail).

prevalent

adjective

the work attitudes still prevalent in the UK. widespread, prevailing, frequent, usual, common, general, universal, pervasive, extensive, ubiquitous, ordinary; endemic, rampant, rife; recognized, established, accepted; current, popular, fashionable, in fashion, in style, in vogue. ANTONYMS uncommon, rare.

restorative | rɪˈstɒrətɪv |

adjective

1 having the ability to restore health, strength, or well-being: the restorative power of long walks.

2 Surgery Dentistry relating to the restoration of form or function to a damaged tooth or other part of the body.

noun

a thing that restores health, strength, or well-being, especially a medicine or drink: herbal restoratives.

derivatives

restoratively adverb

origin

late Middle English: from an Old French variant of restauratif, -ive, from restorer (see restore).

actualize | ˈak(t)ʃʊəlʌɪz | (British English also actualise)

verb [with object]

make a reality of: he had actualized his dream and achieved the world record.

derivatives

actualization | ˌak(t)ʃʊəlʌɪˈzeɪʃn | (British English also actualisation) noun

congregation | ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃn |

noun

1 a group of people assembled for religious worship: the singing of psalms by the whole congregation.

• a group of people regularly attending a particular place of worship: he was a member of the Emmanuel Chapel congregation.

2 a gathering or collection of people, animals, or things: large congregations of birds may cause public harm.

• [mass noun] the action of gathering together in a crowd: drought conditions lead to the congregation of animals around watering points.

3 (often Congregation) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a permanent committee of the College of Cardinals: the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

• British English (in some universities) a general assembly of resident senior members.

4 a group of people obeying a common religious rule but under less solemn vows than members of the older religious orders: the sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady.

• a group of communities within a religious order sharing particular historical or regional links.

5 rare a flock of plovers: this is a shorebird beach, with a congregation of plovers inhabiting it.

origin

late Middle English (in congregation (sense 2 of the noun), congregation (sense 3 of the noun), congregation (sense 4 of the noun)): from Latin congregatio(n-), from congregare ‘collect (into a flock)’ (see congregate).

congregation

noun

1 he broke the news to the congregation in the church newsletter. parishioners, parish, churchgoers, flock, fold, faithful, following, followers, adherents, believers, loyal members, fellowship, communicants, laity, brethren, brothers and sisters, souls.

2 such congregations of birds may cause public harm | a large congregation of protesters gathered. gathering, assembly, flock, swarm, bevy, herd, pack, group, body, crowd, mass, multitude, horde, host, mob; turnout, throng, company, rally, convocation, congress, council, conclave, synod, assemblage; informal get-together; historical conventicle.

agency | ˈeɪdʒ(ə)nsi |

noun (plural agencies)

1 [often with adjective or noun modifier] a business or organization providing a particular service on behalf of another business, person, or group: an advertising agency | aid agencies.

• a department or body providing a specific service for a government or other organization: the Environmental Protection Agency.

2 [mass noun] action or intervention producing a particular effect: canals carved by the agency of running water.

• [count noun] a thing or person that acts to produce a particular result: the movies could be an agency moulding the values of the public.

origin

early 17th century (in the senses ‘position or function of an agent’ and ‘ability to act, activity’): from medieval Latin agentia, from agent- ‘doing’ (see agent).

agency

noun

1 an advertising agency. business, organization, company, firm, office, bureau, concern, service; branch, representative.

2 there are many diseases in which infection is caused by the agency of insects. action, activity, effect, influence, force, power, work; means, vehicle, medium, instrument, mechanism, route, channel, mode, technique, expedient.

3 regional policy was introduced through the agency of the Board of Trade. intervention, intercession, involvement, mediation, arbitration, interposing, instrumentality, good offices; auspices, aegis.

envisage | ɪnˈvɪzɪdʒ, ɛnˈvɪzɪdʒ |

verb [with object]

contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event: the Rome Treaty envisaged free movement across frontiers.

• form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known): he knew what he liked but had difficulty envisaging it.

origin

early 19th century: from French envisager, from en- ‘in’ + visage ‘face’.

envisage

verb

1 it was envisaged that such hospitals would be opened in all the principal towns. foresee, predict, forecast, foretell, anticipate, expect, think likely, envision; intend, propose, mean.

2 I cannot envisage what the circumstances will be in twenty years time. imagine, contemplate, visualize, envision, picture, see in one’s mind’s eye; conceive of, think of, understand, grasp, appreciate, apprehend; rare ideate.

appropriate

adjective | əˈprəʊprɪət |

suitable or proper in the circumstances: this isn’t the appropriate time or place | a measure appropriate to a wartime economy.

verb [with object] | əˈprəʊprɪeɪt |

1 take (something) for one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission: the accused had appropriated the property.

2 devote (money or assets) to a special purpose: there can be problems in appropriating funds for legal expenses.

derivatives

appropriator | əˈprəʊprɪeɪtə | noun

origin

late Middle English: from late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare ‘make one’s own’, from ad- ‘to’ + proprius ‘own, proper’.

appropriate

adjective

refer to the appropriate page of the atlas | this isn’t the appropriate time or place. suitable, proper, fitting, apt; relevant, connected, pertinent, apposite, applicable, germane, material, significant, right, congruous, to the point, to the purpose; convenient, expedient, favourable, auspicious, propitious, opportune, felicitous, timely, well judged, well timed; seemly, befitting, deserved; Latin ad rem; formal appurtenant; archaic meet, seasonable. ANTONYMS inappropriate; irrelevant.

verb

1 he acquired resources by appropriating local church lands. seize, commandeer, expropriate, annex, arrogate, sequestrate, sequester, take possession of, take over, assume, secure, acquire, wrest, usurp, claim, lay claim to, hijack.

2 allegations that he had appropriated £40,000 had led to his dismissal. steal, take, misappropriate; thieve, pilfer, pocket, purloin, make off with; embezzle; informal swipe, nab, rip off, lift, filch, snaffle, snitch, bag, walk off/away with, liberate; British English informal pinch, nick, half-inch, whip, knock off; rare peculate, defalcate; euphemistic abstract.

3 there can be constitutional problems in appropriating funds for these expenses. allocate, assign, allot, earmark, set apart/aside, devote, apportion, budget.

4 his images have been appropriated by advertisers. plagiarize, copy, reproduce; poach, steal, bootleg, infringe the copyright of; informal pirate, rip off, crib, lift.

choose the right word

appropriate, suitable, proper, fitting

Something that is appropriate suits a particular situation (‘she searched for an appropriate word’ | ‘we need care packages appropriate to people’s needs’). The word may convey pleasure or satisfaction at the particular relevance of something (‘it is appropriate that healing should still be important in the village where the Red Cross was born’), or it can be used if you want to persuade others, by slight subterfuge, to agree with you that something is desirable (‘we consider it is now appropriate to consult interested individuals and agencies’). Appropriate is often used for something that is socially acceptable (‘society seems to think it is appropriate for little girls to shed tears’).

Suitable is a more general word for things that are right for a particular purpose or occasion, and they need not be the only correct or possible ones (‘he may be able to find suitable alternative work’ | ‘the site isn’t suitable for residential use’).

A proper person or thing may well be the only correct person or thing for a purpose or a job (‘inquiries should be addressed to the proper officer’ | ‘medium-sized and larger building firms should carry out proper training’). In this sense, proper is always used before the noun it qualifies. Proper is also used to mean ‘socially acceptable’ (‘her parents’ view of what was proper for a well-bred girl’).

Something that is fitting (the least common word of this group) is particularly apposite, and usually desirable (‘his election as president of the society was a fitting tribute’ | ‘it was very fitting that the late Sgt Day’s brother and sister were among the guests’).

expedient | ɪkˈspiːdɪənt, ɛkˈspiːdɪənt |

adjective

(of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral: either side could break the agreement if it were expedient to do so.

• (of an action) suitable or appropriate: holding a public enquiry into the scheme was not expedient.

noun

a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but possibly improper or immoral: the current policy is a political expedient.

derivatives

expedience | ɪkˈspiːdɪəns, ɛkˈspiːdɪəns | noun

expediently | ɪkˈspiːdɪəntli, ɛkˈspiːdɪəntli | adverb

origin

late Middle English: from Latin expedient- ‘extricating, putting in order’, from the verb expedire (see expedite).

expedient

adjective

a politically expedient strategy. convenient, advantageous, in one’s own interests, to one’s own advantage, useful, of use, of service, beneficial, of benefit, profitable, gainful, effective, helpful; practical, pragmatic, strategic, tactical; politic, prudent, wise, judicious, sensible, desirable, suitable, advisable, appropriate, apt, fit, timely, opportune, propitious. ANTONYMS inexpedient, ill-advised.

noun

a temporary expedient adopted for the purpose of settling the financial crisis. measure, means, method, stratagem, scheme, plan, course of action, solution, move, tactic, manoeuvre, recourse, resource, device, tool, contrivance, ploy, plot, machination, trick, ruse, artifice, invention; stopgap; informal dodge; Australian English informal lurk; archaic shift, fetch.

lesser | ˈlɛsə |

adjective [attributive]

not so great or important as the other or the rest: he was convicted of a lesser assault charge | they nest mostly in Alaska and to a lesser extent in Siberia.

• lower in rank or quality: you’re looking down your nose at us lesser mortals.

• used in names of animals and plants which are smaller than similar kinds, e.g. lesser spotted woodpecker, lesser celandine.

phrases

the lesser evil (also the lesser of two evils)

the less harmful or unpleasant of two bad choices or possibilities: authoritarianism may seem a lesser evil than abject poverty.

origin

Middle English: a double comparative, from less + -er².

lesser

adjective

1 a lesser offence. less important, minor, secondary, subsidiary, marginal, ancillary, auxiliary, supplementary, supplemental, peripheral; inferior, slighter, insignificant, unimportant, petty; lower, lower-level, lower-grade, second-rate. ANTONYMS greater, primary.

2 you look down your nose at us lesser mortals. subordinate, minor, inferior, second-class, subservient, lowly, humble, servile, menial, mean; junior. ANTONYMS superior.

discussion | dɪˈskʌʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas: the committee acts as a forum for discussion | the EC directive is currently under discussion.

• [count noun] a conversation or debate about a specific topic: discussions about environmental improvement.

• [count noun] a detailed treatment of a topic in speech or writing: see Appendix One, for a more detailed discussion.

origin

Middle English (denoting judicial examination): via Old French from late Latin discussio(n-), from discutere ‘investigate’ (see discuss).

discussion

noun

1 after a long discussion with her husband, she came to a decision. conversation, talk, dialogue, discourse, conference, debate, exchange of views, consultation, deliberation; chat, tête-à-tête, heart-to-heart; seminar, symposium; talks, negotiations, parley; argument, dispute; Indian English adda; New Zealand English korero; informal confab, chit-chat, rap, powwow; North American English informal skull session, bull session; Australian English informal convo; formal confabulation; rare palaver, colloquy, converse, interlocution.

2 the book’s candid discussion of sexual matters. examination, exploration, analysis, study, review, scrutiny; treatment, consideration.

gross | ɡrəʊs |

adjective

1 (especially of wrongdoing) very obvious and unacceptable: gross human rights abuses | gross negligence | a gross exaggeration.

2 (of income, profit, or interest) without deduction of tax or other contributions; total. Often contrasted with net (sense 1 of the adjective)²: the gross amount of the gift was £1,000.

• (of weight) including contents, wrappings, or other variable items; overall: a projected gross take-off weight of 500,000 pounds.

• (of a score in golf) as actually played, without taking handicap into account.

3 very rude or coarse; vulgar: a gross, slap-and-tickle version of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.

• unattractively fat or bloated: I feel fat, gross—even my legs feel flabby.

4 informal very unpleasant; repulsive: ‘Then I threw up,’ said Russ. ‘How gross,’ Ellie muttered | it’s disgusting and gross, but it’s a fact.

5 general or large-scale; not detailed: at the gross anatomical level.

adverb

without tax or other contributions having been deducted: if the value of your Bond is £50,000 or more the interest will be paid gross.

verb [with object]

produce or earn (an amount of money) as gross profit or income: the film went on to gross $8 million.

noun

1 (plural gross) an amount equal to twelve dozen; 144: fifty-five gross of tins of processed milk. [from French grosse douzaine, literally ‘large dozen’]

2 (plural grosses) a gross profit or income: the box office grosses mounted.

phrases

by the gross

in large numbers or amounts: auto companies are hiring by the gross.

phrasal verbs

gross out

(gross someone out, gross out someone) North American English informal disgust someone: he used to eat worms to gross her out.

gross up | ˈɡrəʊs ʌp |

(gross something up, gross up something) add deductions such as tax to a net amount: all commuting costs were grossed up for tax deductions.

derivatives

grossness | ˈɡrəʊsnəs | noun

origin

late Middle English (in the senses ‘physical, material, thick, dense’): from Old French gros, grosse ‘large’, from late Latin grossus.

gross

adjective

1 the report is a gross distortion of the truth. flagrant, blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, evident, conspicuous; naked, barefaced, shameless, brazen, audacious, brass-necked; undisguised, unconcealed, patent, transparent, manifest, palpable; out and out, utter, complete; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful, reprehensible, dreadful, terrible; enormous, heinous, atrocious, monstrous, wicked, iniquitous, villainous; archaic arrant. ANTONYMS minor.

2 tax is deducted from their gross income. total, whole, entire, complete, full, overall, comprehensive, aggregate; before deductions, before tax. ANTONYMS net.

3 informal I threw up—it was gross. disgusting, repellent, repulsive, abhorrent, loathsome, detestable, sickening, nauseating, nauseous, stomach-churning, stomach-turning, off-putting, unpalatable, unappetizing, uninviting, unsavoury, distasteful, foul, nasty, obnoxious, odious; North American English vomitous; informal yucky, icky, sick-making, gut-churning; British English informal grotty; archaic disgustful. ANTONYMS lovely.

4 I feel gross and even my legs feel flabby. obese, corpulent, overweight, fat, big, large, outsize, outsized, massive, immense, huge, colossal, fleshy, flabby, portly, bloated, bulky, lumpish; informal hulking, porky, pudgy, tubby, blubbery, roly-poly; British English informal podgy, fubsy, lard-arsed; rare pursy, abdominous. ANTONYMS slender.

5 they used gross insults to intimidate her. vulgar, coarse, crude, obscene, rude, ribald, lewd, bawdy, dirty, filthy, earthy, smutty, risqué, indecent, indelicate, improper, impure, unseemly, offensive, pornographic; informal sleazy, porno, porn, raunchy, naughty, blue, steamy, spicy, locker-room; British English informal fruity, saucy, near the knuckle, close to the bone; North American English informal gamy; euphemistic adult; rare concupiscent. ANTONYMS pure.

6 don’t go throwing yourself at men of gross natures. boorish, loutish, oafish, thuggish, brutish, bearish, Neanderthal, philistine, coarse, uncouth, unsavoury, crass, vulgar, common, unrefined, unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, undiscriminating, tasteless, insensitive, unfeeling, imperceptive, callous; informal cloddish, slobbish, plebby, clodhopping; British English informal yobbish; Australian and New Zealand English informal ocker. ANTONYMS refined.

verb

he grosses over a million dollars a month. earn, make, bring in, take, get, receive, fetch, draw, collect; informal rake in, pull in, haul in, bag.

phrases

gross out North American English informal

luckily he wasn’t one to get grossed out by blood. disgust, revolt, repel, repulse, sicken, nauseate, cause to feel nauseous, make shudder, turn someone’s stomach, make someone’s gorge rise; be repugnant to, be repulsive to, be distasteful to; informal turn off, make someone want to throw up.

dissemination | dɪˌsɛmɪˈneɪʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely: the dissemination of public information.

dissemination

noun

the collection and dissemination of information. spreading, circulation, distribution, dispersal, diffusion; proclamation, promulgation, propagation, publicizing, communication, passing on, making known, putting about; dissipation, scattering; broadcasting, relaying, transmission, putting on the air/airwaves, publishing, publication.

financier | fɪˈnansɪə, fʌɪˈnansɪə |

noun

a person concerned in the management of large amounts of money on behalf of governments or other large organizations.

origin

early 17th century: from French, from finance (see finance).

financier

noun

a corporate financier. investor, speculator, banker, capitalist, industrialist, tycoon, magnate, business person, businessman, businesswoman, stockbroker; informal money man.

patron | ˈpeɪtr(ə)n |

noun

1 a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause: a celebrated patron of the arts.

• a distinguished person who takes an honorary position in a charity: the Mental Health Foundation, of which Her Royal Highness is Patron.

2 a customer of a shop, restaurant, etc., especially a regular one: we surveyed the plushness of the hotel and its sleek, well-dressed patrons.

3 Roman history a patrician in relation to a client.

• the former owner and (frequently) protector of a freed slave.

4 British English, mainly historical a person or institution with the right to grant a benefice to a member of the clergy.

origin

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus ‘protector of clients, defender’, from pater, patr- ‘father’.

patron

noun

1 a patron of the arts. sponsor, backer, financier, subsidizer, underwriter, guarantor, benefactor/benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, helper, supporter, upholder, advocate, champion, protector; informal angel; rare Maecenas.

2 patrons of shops, restaurants, and clubs. customer, client, frequenter; shopper, buyer, purchaser, consumer, diner, user, visitor, guest, member of the audience/crowd; (patrons) clientele; informal regular.

timid | ˈtɪmɪd |

adjective (timider, timidest)

showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened: I was too timid to ask for what I wanted.

derivatives

timidness | ˈtɪmɪdnɪs | noun

origin

mid 16th century: from Latin timidus, from timere ‘to fear’.

timid

adjective

I was too timid to ask for what I wanted. easily frightened, lacking courage, fearful, apprehensive, afraid, frightened, scared, faint-hearted; trembling, quaking, cowering, weak-kneed; shy, diffident, bashful, self-effacing, shrinking, unassuming, unassertive, reserved, retiring, reticent, quiet, timorous, nervous, modest, demure, coy, meek, humble; cowardly, pusillanimous, lily-livered, pigeon-hearted, spineless, craven; informal wimpish, sissy, yellow, yellow-bellied, chicken, gutless, cringey; archaic poor-spirited, recreant. ANTONYMS bold, forthcoming, brazen.

choose the right word

timid, shy, bashful, diffident

See shy¹

Heuristic (computer science)

For other uses, see Heuristic (disambiguation).

In mathematical optimization and computer science, heuristic (from Greek εὑρίσκω eurísko “I find, discover”^[1]) is a technique designed for problem solving more quickly when classic methods are too slow for finding an exact or approximate solution, or when classic methods fail to find any exact solution in a search space. This is achieved by trading optimality, completeness, accuracy, or precision for speed. In a way, it can be considered a shortcut.

A heuristic function, also simply called a heuristic, is a function that ranks alternatives in search algorithms at each branching step based on available information to decide which branch to follow. For example, it may approximate the exact solution.^[2]

Definition and motivation

The objective of a heuristic is to produce a solution in a reasonable time frame that is good enough for solving the problem at hand. This solution may not be the best of all the solutions to this problem, or it may simply approximate the exact solution. But it is still valuable because finding it does not require a prohibitively long time.

Heuristics may produce results by themselves, or they may be used in conjunction with optimization algorithms to improve their efficiency (e.g., they may be used to generate good seed values).

Results about NP-hardness in theoretical computer science make heuristics the only viable option for a variety of complex optimization problems that need to be routinely solved in real-world applications.

Heuristics underlie the whole field of Artificial Intelligence and the computer simulation of thinking, as they may be used in situations where there are no known algorithms.^[3]

confidence | ˈkɒnfɪd(ə)ns |

noun [mass noun]

1 the feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something: we had every confidence in the staff | he had gained the young man’s confidence.

• the state of feeling certain about the truth of something: I can say with confidence that I have never before driven up this street.

• a feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities: she’s brimming with confidence | [in singular] : he would walk up those steps with a confidence he didn’t feel.

2 the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust: someone with whom you may raise your suspicions in confidence.

• (often confidences) [count noun] a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust: the girls exchanged confidences about their parents.

phrases

have every confidence in

feel that one can rely on or trust (someone): we had every confidence in the staff.

in someone’s confidence

in a position of trust with someone: she was never fully in his confidence.

take someone into one’s confidence

tell someone one’s secrets: she took me into her confidence and told me about her problems.

origin

late Middle English: from Latin confidentia, from confidere ‘have full trust’ (see confident).

confidence

noun

1 I have little confidence in these figures. trust, belief, faith, credence, conviction; reliance, dependence. ANTONYMS distrust, scepticism.

2 she’s brimming with confidence. self-assurance, self-confidence, self-reliance, belief in oneself, faith in oneself, positiveness, assertiveness, self-possession, nerve, poise, aplomb, presence of mind, phlegm, level-headedness, cool-headedness, firmness, courage, boldness, mettle, fortitude. ANTONYMS doubt; uncertainty.

3 the girls exchanged confidences about their parents. secret, private affair, confidential matter, confidentiality, intimacy.

complicit | kəmˈplɪsɪt |

adjective

involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong: the careers of those complicit in the cover-up were blighted.

origin

mid 19th century: back-formation from complicity.

innate | ɪˈneɪt |

adjective

inborn; natural: her innate capacity for organization.

• Philosophy originating in the mind.

derivatives

innateness | ɪˈneɪtns | noun

origin

late Middle English: from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci, from in- ‘into’ + nasci ‘be born’.

innate

adjective

people differ in terms of their innate abilities. inborn, natural, inbred, congenital, inherent, intrinsic, instinctive, intuitive, spontaneous, unlearned, untaught; hereditary, inherited, in the blood, in the family; quintessential, organic, essential, basic, fundamental, constitutional, built-in, inbuilt, ingrown, deep-rooted, deep-seated; rare connate, connatural. ANTONYMS acquired.

choose the right word

innate, inherent, intrinsic, essential

See inherent

These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

modesty | ˈmɒdɪsti |

noun [mass noun]

1 the quality or state of being unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities: with typical modesty he insisted on sharing the credit with others.

2 the quality of being relatively moderate, limited, or small in amount, rate, or level: the modesty of his political aspirations.

3 behaviour, manner, or appearance intended to avoid impropriety or indecency: modesty forbade her to undress in front of so many people.

modesty

noun

1 Hannah’s innate modesty cloaks many talents. self-effacement, humility, lack of vanity, lack of pretension, unpretentiousness; shyness, bashfulness, self-consciousness, reserve, reticence, timidity, meekness. ANTONYMS boastfulness.

2 Gandhi’s political tactics obscured the modesty of his political aspirations. limited scope, moderation, fairness, acceptability, smallness. ANTONYMS grandeur.

3 it is appropriate to contrast the modesty of his home with those of more affluent politicians. unpretentiousness, simplicity, plainness, lack of pretension, inexpensiveness, lack of extravagance. ANTONYMS grandeur.

4 they jeered at her maidenly modesty. decorum, decorousness, decency, seemliness, demureness, sobriety, severity; coyness, propriety, discreetness, delicacy, chasteness, virtue. ANTONYMS immodesty, flamboyance.

Modesty

This article is about body modesty. For the concept of modesty in a broader sense, see humility. For the sculpture, see Modesty (Corradini sculpture). For the 2007 Spanish film, see Modesty (film). For other uses, see Modest.

Recreation on a California beach in the first decade of the 20th century, depicting people in modest dress

Modesty, sometimes known as demureness, is a mode of dress and deportment which intends to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others. The word modesty comes from the Latin word modestus which means ‘keeping within measure’.^[1]

In this use, revealing certain body parts is considered inappropriate, thus immodest. In conservative Middle Eastern societies, modesty may involve women completely covering their bodies with a burqa and not talking to men who are not immediate family members. In Christian Anabaptist and similar sects, it may involve women wearing only ankle-length skirts, blouses up to the collar, and often a small head covering or shawl. Among both and others, a one-piece swimsuit may be considered modest while wearing a bikini is not. In most countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty, as well as public nudity, is considered indecent exposure and is usually punished by law.

Nudity may be acceptable in public single-sex changing rooms at swimming baths, for example, or for mass medical examinations of military personnel. A person who would never disrobe in the presence of the opposite sex in a social context might unquestioningly do so for a medical examination, while others might allow such examination but only by a person of the same sex.

Overall, standards of modesty vary widely around the world because of sociocultural and contextual differences and particular situations.

In 2023, global spending on modest fashion reached $254 billion, with projections estimating growth to $473 billion by 2025.^[2]

general | ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəl |

adjective

1 affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread: books of general interest | the general opinion was that prices would fall.

• not specialized or limited in range of subject, application, activity, etc.: brush up on your general knowledge.

• (of a rule, principle, etc.) true for all or most cases.

• normal or usual: it is not general practice to confirm or deny such reports.

2 considering or including only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed: the arrangements were outlined in very general terms | a general introduction to the subject.

3 [often in titles] chief or principal: the Director General of the BBC | the general manager.

noun

1 a commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.

• a high rank of officer in the army and in the US air force, above lieutenant general and below field marshal, general of the army, or general of the air force.

• informal short for lieutenant general, or major general

• the head of a religious order organized on quasi-military lines, e.g. the Jesuits, the Dominicans, or the Salvation Army.

2 (the general) archaic the general public.

phrases

as a general rule

in most cases.

in general | ˌɪn ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəl |

1 usually; mainly: in general, Alexander was a peaceful, loving man.

2 as a whole: our understanding of culture in general and of literature in particular.

origin

Middle English: via Old French from Latin generalis, from genus, gener- ‘class, race, kind’. The noun primarily denotes a person having overall authority: the sense ‘army commander’ is an abbreviation of captain general, from French capitaine général ‘commander-in-chief’.

general

adjective

1 they are moderately priced and suitable for general use. widespread, common, extensive, universal, wide, popular, public, mainstream, prevalent, prevailing, rife, established, well established, conventional, traditional, traditionalist, orthodox, accepted; in circulation, in force, in vogue. ANTONYMS restricted.

2 a general pay increase. comprehensive, overall, across the board, blanket, umbrella, mass, total, complete, wholesale, sweeping, panoramic, broad, broad-ranging, extended, inclusive, all-inclusive, all-round, generic, outright, encyclopedic, indiscriminate, catholic; universal, global, worldwide, international, nationwide, countrywide, coast-to-coast, company-wide. ANTONYMS localized.

3 a general store | general knowledge. miscellaneous, mixed, assorted, variegated, diversified, composite, heterogeneous. ANTONYMS specialist.

4 it is the general practice for players to receive all the prize money. usual, customary, habitual, traditional, normal, conventional, typical, standard, regular; familiar, accepted, prevailing, routine, run-of-the-mill, fixed, set, established, confirmed, everyday, ordinary, common, stock, well worn, time-honoured; popular, favourite. ANTONYMS exceptional.

5 most guidebooks give only a general description of the island. broad, imprecise, inexact, rough, sweeping, overall, loose, basic, approximate, non-specific, unspecific, vague, hazy, fuzzy, woolly, ill-defined, indefinite, unfocused; North American English informal ballpark; rare undetailed. ANTONYMS detailed.

phrases

in general

1 he was in general an excellent friend. generally, normally, as a (general) rule, in the general run of things, by and large, more often than not, almost always, in the main, mainly, mostly, for the most part, in most cases, most of the time, predominantly, on the whole; usually, habitually, customarily, standardly, routinely, regularly, typically, ordinarily, commonly, conventionally, traditionally, historically. ANTONYMS occasionally.

2 we want the public in general to understand the public health issues. as a whole, as a body, generally, at large, in the main. ANTONYMS in particular, specifically.

osteopathy | ˌɒstɪˈɒpəθi |

noun [mass noun]

a form of complementary medicine involving the treatment of medical disorders through the manipulation and massage of the skeleton and musculature.

derivatives

osteopathic | ˌɒstɪəˈpaθɪk | adjective

osteopathically adverb

physical | ˈfɪzɪkl |

adjective

1 relating to the body as opposed to the mind: a range of physical and mental challenges.

• involving bodily contact or activity: less physical sports such as bowls | a physical relationship.

2 relating to things perceived through the senses as opposed to the mind; tangible or concrete: the physical world.

3 relating to physics or the operation of natural forces generally: physical laws.

noun

1 (also physical examination) a medical examination to determine a person’s bodily fitness: at fifty-something, each year’s physical was a kind of lottery.

2 (physicals) Stock market stocks held in actual commodities for immediate exchange, for example as opposed to futures: the exchange of futures for physicals.

phrases

get physical

1 informal become aggressive or violent: now the players are even getting physical with the refs.

2 become sexually intimate with someone: I had a strong feeling that, by the end of the day, she and I would get physical.

derivatives

physicalness noun

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘relating to medicine’): from medieval Latin physicalis, from Latin physica ‘things relating to nature’ (see physic). Sense 2 dates from the late 16th century and sense 1 from the late 18th century.

physical

adjective

1 mental and physical well-being. bodily, corporeal, corporal, fleshly, in the flesh; rare somatic. ANTONYMS mental.

2 hard physical work. manual, labouring, blue-collar. ANTONYMS clerical; intellectual.

3 our spiritual relationship affects our physical relationship. earthly, worldly, terrestrial, earthbound, non-spiritual, unspiritual, material; carnal, fleshly, sensual; mortal, human, temporal; brutish, bestial, animal, base, sordid; secular, lay, mundane. ANTONYMS spiritual.

4 everything physical in the universe. material, substantial, solid, concrete, tangible, palpable, visible, real, actual. ANTONYMS abstract, intangible.

eclectic | ɪˈklɛktɪk |

adjective

1 deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources: universities offering an eclectic mix of courses | her musical tastes are eclectic.

2 (Eclectic) Philosophy denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought.

noun

a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

derivatives

eclectically adverb

origin

late 17th century (as a term in philosophy): from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein ‘pick out’, from ek ‘out’ + legein ‘choose’.

eclectic

adjective

1 they played an eclectic mix of party music. wide-ranging, wide, broad, broad-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic, general, universal, varied, diverse, diversified, catholic, liberal, cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, all-embracing, non-exclusive, inclusive, indiscriminate, many-sided, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, miscellaneous, assorted. ANTONYMS narrow.

2 an eclectic approach to teaching the curriculum. selective, selecting, choosing, picking and choosing; discriminating, discerning, critical. ANTONYMS dogmatic.

analogy | əˈnalədʒi |

noun (plural analogies)

a comparison between one thing and another, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification: an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies | [mass noun] : he interprets logical functions by analogy with machines.

• a correspondence or partial similarity: the syndrome is called deep dysgraphia because of its analogy to deep dyslexia.

• a thing which is comparable to something else in significant respects: works of art were seen as an analogy for works of nature.

• [mass noun] Logic a process of arguing from similarity in known respects to similarity in other respects: argument from analogy.

• [mass noun] Linguistics a process by which new words and inflections are created on the basis of regularities in the form of existing ones.

• [mass noun] Biology the resemblance of function between organs that have a different evolutionary origin.

derivatives

analogic | ˌanəˈlɒdʒɪk | adjective

analogical | ˌanəˈlɒdʒɪkl | adjective

analogically | anəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li | adverb

origin

late Middle English (in the sense ‘appropriateness, correspondence’): from French analogie, Latin analogia ‘proportion’, from Greek, from analogos ‘proportionate’.

analogy

noun

an analogy between the workings of nature and those of human societies. similarity, parallel, parallelism, correspondence, likeness, resemblance, correlation, relation, kinship, equivalence, similitude, symmetry, homology. ANTONYMS dissimilarity.

analogue | ˈanəlɒɡ | (analog US English)

adjective

relating to or using signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity such as spatial position, voltage, etc.. Often contrasted with digital (sense 1 of the adjective): analogue signals | the information on a gramophone record is analogue.

• (of a clock or watch) showing the time by means of hands or a pointer rather than displayed digits.

• not involving or relating to the use of computer technology, as a contrast to a digital counterpart: old-school analogue paper map skills.

noun

a person or thing seen as comparable to another: an interior analogue of the exterior world | the idea that the fertilized egg contains a miniature analogue of every adult structure.

• Chemistry a compound with a molecular structure closely similar to that of another: thioacids are sulphur analogues of oxyacids.

origin

early 19th century (as noun): from French, from Greek analogon, neuter of analogos ‘proportionate’.

assembly | əˈsɛmbli |

noun (plural assemblies)

1 a group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose: an assembly of dockers and labourers.

• a group of people elected to make laws or decisions for a particular country or region: the 577-seat National Assembly | the UN General Assembly.

2 [mass noun] the action of gathering together as a group for a common purpose: a decree guaranteeing freedom of assembly.

• the regular gathering of the teachers and pupils of a school at the start or end of the day: he was told off for talking in assembly.

• (usually the assembly) mainly historical a signal for troops to assemble, given by drum or bugle.

3 [mass noun, often as modifier] the action of fitting together the component parts of a machine or other object: a car assembly plant.

• [count noun] a unit consisting of components that have been fitted together: the tail assembly of the aircraft.

4 [mass noun, usually as modifier] Computing the conversion of instructions in low-level code to machine code.

origin

Middle English: from Old French asemblee, feminine past participle of asembler (see assemble).

assembly

noun

1 the Council of Nicaea was the largest assembly of bishops hitherto. gathering, meeting, congregation, convention, rally, convocation, congress, council, synod, audience, assemblage, turnout, group, body, crowd, throng, company; informal get-together.

2 the amount of labour needed in assembly is reduced. construction, building, fabrication, manufacture, erection, setting up, putting together, fitting together, piecing together, connection, joining. ANTONYMS dismantling.

indicative | ɪnˈdɪkətɪv |

adjective

1 serving as a sign or indication of something: having recurrent dreams is not necessarily indicative of any psychological problem.

2 Grammar denoting a mood of verbs expressing simple statement of a fact. Compare with subjunctive

noun Grammar

a verb in the indicative mood.

• (the indicative) the indicative mood.

derivatives

indicatively adverb

origin

late Middle English: from French indicatif, -ive, from late Latin indicativus, from the verb indicare (see indicate).

indicative

adjective

the President’s visit was indicative of improving diplomatic relations. symptomatic, expressive, suggestive, evocative, typical, characteristic, representative, symbolic, emblematic; archaic indicatory.

Humanities is a term that refers to a wide range of academic disciplines that study the various aspects of human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, art, religion, and languages. Humanities subjects aim to explore the values, beliefs, ideas, and expressions that shape and reflect the human experience.

humanities

plural noun

liberal arts, arts, literature; classics, classical studies, classical languages, classical literature; Latin literae humaniores.

affiliation | əˌfɪlɪˈeɪʃn |

noun [mass noun]

the state or process of affiliating or being affiliated: the group has no affiliation to any preservation society | [count noun] : his political affiliations.

origin

early 17th century (in the rare sense ‘adoption of a child’): from French, from medieval Latin affiliatio(n-), from the verb affiliare (see affiliate). The modern sense dates from the late 18th century.

affiliation

noun

they rejected affiliation to the current parties | an economist with no party political affiliation. annexing, attaching, connecting, joining, bonding, uniting, combining, associating, aligning, allying, amalgamation, amalgamating, merging, incorporation, incorporating, integration, integrating, federating, federation, confederating, confederation, coupling, fusion; connection, relationship, fellowship, partnership, association, coalition, union, alliance, alignment, attachment, link, bond, tie, yoke; communication, 

guidance | ˈɡʌɪd(ə)ns |

noun [mass noun]

1 advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by someone in authority: he looked to his father for inspiration and guidance.

2 the directing of the motion or position of something, especially an aircraft, spacecraft, or missile: [as modifier] : a laser guidance system.

guidance

noun

1 she looked to her instructor for guidance. advice, counsel, direction, instruction, teaching, counselling, enlightenment, intelligence, information; recommendations, suggestions, tips, hints, pointers, guidelines, ideas, facts, data; informal info, dope, the low-down, the inside story; British English informal gen.

2 we are working under the guidance of a strong chairman. direction, control, leadership, management, supervision, superintendence, government, regulation, orchestration, charge, rule, command; handling, conduct, running, overseeing.

autistic | ɔːˈtɪstɪk |

adjective

relating to or having the neurodevelopmental condition of autism: Hayley wants to help other families with autistic children | Cameron is autistic, and this distraction has been fun for him | autistic traits.

noun

a person with autism; an autistic person.

origin

early 20th century (originally with reference to a condition in which fantasy dominates over reality, regarded as a symptom of schizophrenia and other disorders): via German autistisch from Greek autos ‘self’ + the adjectival suffix -istic.

neurodivergent | ˌnjʊərə(ʊ)dʌɪˈvəːdʒ(ə)nt, ˌnjʊərə(ʊ)dɪˈvəːdʒ(ə)nt |

adjective

differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal (frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders); not neurotypical: this artwork explores the alternative ways in which neurodivergent individuals perceive the world | they reveal their experiences of having three children who are neurodivergent.

origin

1990s: from neuro- + divergent.

disorder | dɪsˈɔːdə |

noun [mass noun]

a state of confusion: the world ‘s currency markets were in disorder.

• the breakdown of peaceful and law-abiding public behaviour: recurrent food crises led to outbreaks of disorder.

• [count noun] an illness or condition that disrupts normal physical or mental functions: skin disorders | eating disorders | [mass noun] : an improved understanding of mental disorder.

verb [with object]

disrupt the systematic functioning or neat arrangement of: they are disordering the political landscape | she disordered the house to suggest that the killer had been a burglar.

origin

late 15th century (as a verb): alteration, influenced by order, of earlier disordain, from Old French desordener, ultimately based on Latin ordinare ‘ordain’.

disorder

noun

1 he hates disorder in his house. untidiness, disorderliness, mess, disarray, disorganization, chaos, confusion; clutter, jumble; a muddle, a mess, a shambles, a mare’s nest; British English informal a dog’s dinner, a dog’s breakfast, an omnishambles. ANTONYMS order.

2 4,000 people were arrested in incidents of public disorder. unrest, disturbance, disruption, upheaval, tumult, turmoil, mayhem, pandemonium; violence, fighting; rioting, insurrection, rebellion, mutiny, lawlessness, anarchy; breach of the peace, riot, fracas, rumpus, brouhaha, melee, hubbub, furore, affray; informal hoo-ha, aggro, argy-bargy, snafu; North American English informal wilding. ANTONYMS order, peace.

3 she nearly died of pneumonia and a blood disorder. disease, infection, complaint, problem, condition, dysfunction, affliction, malady, sickness, illness, ailment, infirmity, disability; defect, irregularity; informal bug, virus; British English informal lurgy.

certainty | ˈsəːt(ɪ)nti |

noun (plural certainties) [mass noun]

firm conviction that something is the case: she knew with absolute certainty that they were dead.

• the quality of being reliably true: there is a bewildering lack of certainty and clarity in the law.

• a general air of confidence: a man exuding certainty.

• [count noun] a fact that is definitely true or an event that is definitely going to take place: the passing of the act made a general election a certainty.

• [count noun] a person that is certain to do or win the specified thing: he was expected to be a certainty for a gold medal.

phrases

for a certainty

beyond the possibility of doubt: he knew they would come again for a certainty.

origin

Middle English: from Old French certainete, from certain (see certain).

certainty

noun

1 she knew with certainty that he was telling the truth. confidence, sureness, positiveness, conviction, certitude, reliability, assuredness, assurance, validity, conclusiveness, authoritativeness, truth, fact, factualness. ANTONYMS uncertainty; doubt.

2 he accepted defeat as a certainty | that horse is a certainty for the 2.00 at Newmarket tomorrow. inevitability, necessity, foregone conclusion, predictable result, matter of course, racing certainty; certain winner; informal sure thing, cert, dead cert, sure-fire winner. ANTONYMS possibility; impossibility.

ego | ˈiːɡəʊ |

noun (plural egos)

a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance: he needed a boost to his ego.

• Psychoanalysis the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity. Compare with id, and superego

• Philosophy (in metaphysics) a conscious thinking subject.

derivatives

egoless adjective

ego

noun

he needed a boost to his ego. self-esteem, self-importance, self-worth, self-respect, self-conceit, self-image, self-confidence; French amour propre.

origin

early 19th century: from Latin, literally ‘I’.

/ˌjuːnɪˈvəːsl/

adjective

adjective: universal

1. relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases.”universal adult suffrage”
   
   • LOGIC
   • denoting a proposition in which something is asserted of all of a class.
     
     
   • LINGUISTICS
   • denoting or relating to a grammatical rule, set of rules, or other linguistic feature that is found in all languages.
   • (of a tool or machine) adjustable to or appropriate for all requirements.
     

noun

noun: universal; plural noun: universals

1. 1. a thing having universal effect, currency, or application.
   
   • LOGIC
   • a universal proposition.
     
   • PHILOSOPHY
   • a term or concept of general application.
     
   • PHILOSOPHY
   • a nature or essence signified by a general term.
     
   • LINGUISTICS
   • a universal grammatical rule or linguistic feature.
     
     

Origin

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin universalis, from universus (see universe)

“School” generally refers to an institution or building where people receive education, particularly children and young people. It can also refer to the period of instruction, the staff and students, or even a particular field of study. More broadly, it can describe a group of people united by shared principles or experiences. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Place of Education:
  This is the most common understanding of school – a place where students learn under the guidance of teachers. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Educational Institution:
  This encompasses the entire system, including the buildings, staff, and curriculum. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Period of Instruction:
  “School” can refer to the time spent in classes, like the school year or a specific class period. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Staff and Students:
  The term can also refer to the people involved in the educational process, including teachers and students. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Specific Fields of Study:
  It can refer to a particular department or faculty within a larger institution, like “a school of law”. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Group of People:
  In a less common usage, “school” can refer to a group of people who share a common belief, teaching, or experience, such as a “school of thought”. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Origin of the word:
  The word “school” originates from the Greek word “schole,” which meant “leisure,” and later evolved to refer to a place of learning, according to Merriam-Webster. 
• open | ˈəʊp(ə)n |

adjective

1 allowing access, passage, or a view through an empty space; not closed or blocked: he climbed through the open window | she was put in a cubicle with the curtains left open | the pass is kept open by snowploughs.

• (of a container) not fastened or sealed: the case burst open and its contents flew all over the place.

• (of a garment or its fastenings) not done up: his tie was knotted below the open collar of his shirt.

• (of the mouth or eyes) with lips or lids parted: his eyes were open but he could see nothing | [as complement] : the boy’s mouth dropped open in shock.

• (of a fabric) loosely knitted or woven.

• (of the bowels) not constipated.

2 [attributive] exposed to the air or to view; not covered: an open fire burned in the grate | he crossed the ocean in an open boat.

• (of land) not covered with buildings or trees: the plans allow increasing numbers of new houses in open countryside.

• [as complement] damaged by a deep cut in the surface: he had his arm slashed open.

• (open to) likely to suffer from or be affected by; vulnerable or subject to: the system is open to abuse.

• (of a goalmouth or other object of attack in a game) unprotected by defenders.

• (of a town or city) officially declared to be undefended, and so immune under international law from bombardment.

3 with the outer edges or sides drawn away from each other; unfolded or spread out: the trees had buds and a few open flowers.

• (of a book or file) with the covers parted allowing it to be read: she was copying verses from an open Bible.

• (of a hand) not clenched into a fist.

4 [predicative] (of a business, place of entertainment, etc.) admitting customers or visitors; available for business: the shop stays open until 9 p.m | parts of the castle are open to the public.

• (of a bank account) available for transactions: I withdrew all my money except the minimum required to keep the account open.

• (of a phone line) ready to take calls: our free advice line is open from 8.30 to 17.30.

5 freely available or accessible; unrestricted: the service is open to all students | initially members were given preference, but now bookings are open for everyone.

• (of an offer or opportunity) still available: the offer is open while stocks last | we need to consider what options are left open.

• (also Open) with no restrictions on those allowed to participate: open discussion meetings | each horse had won two open races.

• (also Open) (of a victor) having won an open competition: an Open champion.

• (of a ticket) not restricted as to day of travel: I have an open ticket, so I can travel any day I like.

• British English (of a cheque) not crossed.

• Mathematics (of a set) not containing any of its limit points.

6 not concealing one’s thoughts or feelings; frank and communicative: she behaved in an open and cheerful manner | I was quite open about my views.

• not concealed: his eyes showed open admiration as they swept over her.

• [attributive] (of conflict) fully developed and unconcealed: the dispute erupted into open war.

• welcoming public discussion, criticism, and inquiry: the party’s commitment to open government.

• (of a game or style of play) characterized by action which is spread out over the field: both sides played fast, open rugby to produce a high-scoring game.

7 (of a matter or decision) not finally settled; still admitting of debate: students’ choice of degree can be kept open until the second year.

• (of the mind) accessible to new ideas: I’m keeping an open mind about my future.

• (open to) receptive to: the union was open to suggestions for improvements.

• (open to) admitting of; making possible: the message is open to different interpretations.

8 Music (of a string) allowed to vibrate along its whole length.

• (of a note) sounded from an open string or pipe.

• (of a pipe) unstopped at each end.

9 Phonetics (of a vowel) produced with a relatively wide opening of the mouth and the tongue kept low.

• (of a syllable) ending in a vowel.

10 (of an electric circuit) having a break in the conducting path.

verb [with object]

1 move (a door or window) so as to leave a space allowing access and vision: she opened the door and went in | [no object, in imperative] : ‘Open up!’ he said.

• [no object] (of a door or window) be moved to leave a space allowing access: the door opened and a man came out.

• undo or remove the lid, cover, or fastening of (a container, package, letter, etc.) to get access to the contents: he opened a bottle inexpertly, spilling some of the wine | can we open the presents now?.

• part the lips or lids of (one’s mouth or eye): she opened her mouth to argue.

• [no object] (of the mouth or eyes) have the lips or lids parted: her eyes slowly opened.

• [no object] come apart; lose or lack its protective covering: old wounds opened and I bled a little bit.

• cause evacuation of (the bowels).

2 unfold or be unfolded; spread out: [with object] : the eagle opened its wings and circled up into the air | the tail looks like a fan when it is opened out fully | [no object] : the flowers only open during bright weather.

• [with object] part the covers of (a book or file) to read it: she opened her book at the prologue.

• [no object, with adverbial] (of a prospect) extend into view: stop to marvel at the views that open out below.

• [with object] Nautical achieve a clear view of (a place) by sailing past a headland or other obstruction: we shall open Torbay shortly.

3 make formally ready for customers, visitors, or business: she raised £731 by opening her home and selling coffee and tea.

• [no object] be made ready for customers, visitors, or business: the shops didn’t open until 10.

• ceremonially declare (a building, road, etc.) to be completed and ready for use: we will have to wait until a new bypass is opened before we can tackle the problem of congestion | the Queen opened the power plant on 17 October 1956.

4 formally establish or begin (a new business or enterprise): she began to teach and opened her own school | we opened up a branch in Madrid.

• [no object] (of an event or a new business or enterprise) be formally established or started: two new restaurants open this week | the incident occurred just before the Olympic Games were due to open.

• take the action required to begin using: they have the £10 necessary to open a savings account | click twice to open a file for the software selected.

5 make (something) present, available, or accessible: a civil war there has opened the possibility of a peace treaty with the Federation.

6 [no object] (of a piece of writing or music) begin: the chapter opens with a discussion of Anglo-Irish relations.

• (of a counsel in a law court) make a preliminary statement in a case before calling witnesses: Comyn opened for the plaintiff | [with object] : Bernard had opened the case.

• Cricket another term for open the batting

• [with object] Bridge make (the first bid) in the auction: West opened 2NT | [no object] : do not open with fewer than twelve points.

7 break the conducting path of (an electric circuit): the switch opens the motor circuit.

• [no object] (of an electric circuit or device) suffer a break in its conducting path: the problem was caused when a switch opened at the substation.

noun

1 (the open) outdoors, especially in an exposed or unprotected setting: guests were sitting in the open on the terrace.

• (in/into the open) not subject to concealment; made public: we have never let our dislike for him come into the open.

2 (Open) a championship or competition with no restrictions on who may compete: his victory in the 2003 Australian Open.

3 an accidental break in the conducting path for an electric current.

phrases

be open with

speak frankly to: I had always been completely open with my mother.

an open book

a person or thing that is easy to understand or about which everything is known: her mind was an open book to him.

in open court

in a court of law, before the judge and the public: judgement was delivered in open court.

open-and-shut | ˌəʊpənən(d)ˈʃʌt |

(of a case or argument) admitting no doubt or dispute; straightforward: he thought it was an open-and-shut case until the prime suspect was murdered.

open the batting

Cricket play as one of the pair of batters who begin a side’s innings.

open fire

begin to shoot: troops opened fire on crowds armed with staves and knives.

open one’s mind

be receptive: open your mind to what is going on around you | she had opened her mind to new things.

open the way (also open a way)

remove an obstacle or hindrance to allow progress: if we win then it will open the way for improved pay | this opened the way to a career in government.

phrasal verbs

open into (also open on to)

(of a room, threshold, or path) give access to: the kitchen opened into a pleasant sitting room | the path opened out into a glade.

open to

(open someone to something) make someone vulnerable to something: the process is going to open them to a legal threat.

open up

1 (also open out British English) become more communicative or confiding: neither one of them had opened up to me about their troubles | he was very reserved and only opened out to her slowly.

2 become present, available, or accessible: a new and dramatic phase was opening up.

• (open something up, open up something) make something present, available, or accessible: new technologies open up thousands of different opportunities.

3 begin shooting: the enemy artillery had opened up.

4 (open something up, open up something) informal accelerate a motor vehicle by widening the throttle of its engine: Sam took me back on the motorway to open her up.

5 (open something up, open up something) (of a player or team) create an advantage for one’s side: he opened up a lead of 14–8.

derivatives

openable adjective

origin

Old English open (adjective), openian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch open and German offen, from the root of the adverb up.

Considered one of the greatest films ever made, Floating Weeds (Japanese: 浮草, Hepburn: Ukigusa) is a 1959 Japanese drama directed by Yasujirō Ozu, starring Nakamura Ganjirō II and Machiko Kyō. it is a remake of Ozu’s own black-and-whitesilent filmA Story of Floating Weeds (1934).

creation

/krɪˈeɪʃn/

noun

noun: creation; noun: Creation; noun: the Creation

– a thing which has been made or invented, especially something showing artistic talent.

plural noun: creations

“she treats fictional creations as if they were real people”

the act of producing or causing to exist; the act of creating; engendering. …

the fact of being created.

something that is or has been created.

the Creation, the original bringing into existence of the universe by God.

the world; universe.

creatures collectively.

1. creation

noun

1 he embarked on the creation of an outstanding garden. design, formation, forming, modelling, putting together, setting up, making, construction, constructing, fabrication, fabricating, fashioning, building, erection, erecting; production, generation, origination, devising, invention, initiation, inception, shaping, hatching. ANTONYMS destruction.

2 Aten was a universal god of all creation. the world, the universe, the cosmos; the living world, the natural world, nature, life, living things.

3 the Constitution allowed for the creation of a second vice president. appointment, installation, investing, investiture, inauguration; establishment, foundation, institution. ANTONYMS removal.

4 there is power associated with the creation and raising of children. conception, bringing into the world, bringing into being, bringing into existence, fathering, siring, spawning, giving birth to; genesis, procreation; North American English birthing; informal dropping; literary begetting.

5 it was hard to distinguish between forgery and original creation. work, work of art, achievement, production, opus, oeuvre, invention, handiwork, masterpiece, masterwork; Latin magnum opus; French chef-d’œuvre, pièce de résistance, tour de force; informal brainchild; rare opuscule.

6 she wore a creation by designer Marianne Jessica. design, dress, outfit; informal number.

collaboration

noun

1 he wrote on art and architecture in collaboration with John Betjeman. cooperation, alliance, partnership, participation, combination, association, concert; teamwork, joint effort, working together, coopetition.

2 Salengro had been accused of collaboration with the enemy. fraternizing, fraternization, colluding, collusion, cooperating, cooperation, consorting, sympathizing, sympathy; conspiring. ANTONYMS resistance.

generational | ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən(ə)l |

adjective

relating to or characteristic of all the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively: generational differences in television usage | we’re seeing a generational shift in attitudes.

• relating to the different generations of a particular family: a compelling generational saga.

anomaly

noun

there are a number of anomalies in the present system. oddity, peculiarity, abnormality, irregularity, inconsistency, incongruity, deviation, aberration, quirk, freak, exception, departure, divergence, variation; outlier, edge case; rarity, eccentricity.

anomaly / əˈnɒməli/

Learn to pronounce

noun

noun: anomaly; plural noun: anomalies
1. something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.”there are a number of anomalies in the present system”

Similar:

oddity
peculiarity
abnormality
irregularity
inconsistency
incongruity
deviation
aberration
quirk
freak
exception
departure
divergence
variation
outlier
edge case
rarity
eccentricity

2.
ASTRONOMY
the angular distance of a planet or satellite from its last perihelion or perigee.

Origin

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek anōmalia, from anōmalos (see anomalous).

Use over time for: anomaly

welfare

/ˈwɛlfɛː/

Learn to pronounce

noun

noun: welfare

1. the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.”they don’t give a damn about the welfare of their families”

Similar:
well-being
health
good health
happiness
comfort
security
safety
protection
prosperity
profit
good
success
fortune
good fortune
advantage
interest
prosperousness
successfulness

Opposite:
hardship
statutory procedure or social effort designed to promote the basic physical and material well-being of people in need.”the protection of rights to education, housing, and welfare”

• NORTH AMERICAN
  financial support given to those who are unemployed or otherwise in need.”critics feared an increase in inequalities in the provision of welfare”
  
  Similar:
  social security
  benefit
  state benefit
  benefit payment
  public assistance
  allowance
  pension
  credit
  support
  sick pay
  sickness benefit
  unemployment benefit/pay
  

Origin

Middle English: from the adverb well¹ + the verb fare.

Use over time for: welfare

trust

noun

1 a relationship built on mutual trust and respect. confidence, belief, faith, freedom from suspicion/doubt, sureness, certainty, certitude, assurance, conviction, credence, reliance. ANTONYMS distrust, mistrust, scepticism.

2 a position of trust. responsibility, duty, obligation.

3 the money is to be held in trust for his son. safe keeping, keeping, protection, charge, care, custody; trusteeship, guardianship.

verb

1 I should never have trusted her. have faith in, put/place one’s trust in, have (every) confidence in, believe in, pin one’s hopes/faith on; rely on, depend on, bank on, count on, be sure of, be convinced by, swear by; confide in. ANTONYMS distrust, mistrust, doubt.

2 I trust we shall meet again. hope, expect, think likely, dare say, imagine, believe, assume, presume, suppose, take it; informal guess.

3 can I trust you with my car?. entrust, put in the hands of, allow to look after/use.

4 they don’t like to trust their money to anyone outside the family. consign, commit, give, hand over, turn over, assign, commend.

A trustee, or fiduciary is a person who holds a legal or ethical relationship of trust with one or more other parties (legal person or group of persons). Typically, a fiduciary prudently takes care of money or other assets for another person.

society

noun

1 drugs, crime, and other dangers to society. the community, the public, the general public, the people, the population; civilization, the world at large, humankind, mankind, humanity.

2 a modern industrial society. culture, group, community, civilization, nation, population.

3 Lady Angela will teach you all you need to know to enter society. polite society, high society, the aristocracy, the gentry, the nobility, the upper classes, the elite, the privileged classes, the county set; the smart set, the fashionable, the A-list, the wealthy, the beautiful people, the crème de la crème, the beau monde, the haut monde; informal the upper crust, the top drawer, the jet set; British English informal nobs, toffs; informal, dated swells.

4 a local history society. association, club, group, band, circle, fellowship, body, guild, college, lodge, order, fraternity, confraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, sorority, league, federation, union, alliance, affiliation, institution, coterie; rare sodality.

5 she shunned the society of others. company, companionship, fellowship, friendship, comradeship, camaraderie, social intercourse

socio- | ˈsəʊsɪəʊ, ˈsəʊʃɪəʊ |

combining form

1 relating to society; society and …: socio-economic.

2 relating to sociology; sociology and …: sociolinguistics.

sociology | ˌsəʊʃɪˈɒlədʒi, ˌsəʊsɪˈɒlədʒi |

noun [mass noun]

the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.

• the study of social problems.

derivatives

sociologically | səʊʃɪəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li, səʊsɪəˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li | adverb

origin

mid 19th century: from French sociologie (see socio-, -logy).

nuance | ˈnjuːɑːns |

noun

a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound: he was familiar with the nuances of the local dialect.

verb [with object]

give nuances to: the effect of the music is nuanced by the social situation of listeners.

origin

late 18th century: from French, ‘shade, subtlety’, from nuer ‘to shade’, based on Latin nubes ‘cloud’.

nuance

noun

the expression of subtle nuances of thought. fine distinction, subtle distinction/difference, shade, shading, gradation, variation, modulation, degree; subtlety, nicety, refinement, overtone.

ample | ˈampl |

adjective (ampler, amplest)

enough or more than enough; plentiful: there is ample time for discussion | an ample supply of consumer goods.

• large and accommodating: he leaned back in his ample chair.

• (of a person’s figure) full or broad: she stood with her hands on her ample hips.

derivatives

ampleness | ˈamplnəs | noun

origin

late Middle English: via French from Latin amplus ‘large, capacious, abundant’.

ample

adjective

1 there is ample time for discussion. enough, sufficient, adequate, plenty of, abundant, more than enough, enough and to spare; suitable, satisfactory, passable, allowable, tolerable; informal plenty, decent. ANTONYMS insufficient.

2 an ample supply of wine. plentiful, abundant, copious, profuse, rich, lavish, liberal, generous, bountiful, large, huge, great, bumper, flush, overflowing, superabundant, infinite, inexhaustible, opulent, prolific, teeming; informal a gogo, galore; South African English informal lank; literary bounteous, plenteous. ANTONYMS meagre.

3 he leaned back in his ample chair | his ample tunic. spacious, commodious, capacious, roomy, sizeable, substantial, generous, big, large, broad, wide, extensive; voluminous, loose-fitting, baggy, slack, slouchy, sloppy, full; rare spacey. ANTONYMS cramped; tight-fitting.

outcome | ˈaʊtkʌm |

noun

the way a thing turns out; a consequence: it is the outcome of the vote that counts.

magnanimous

adjective

she was magnanimous in victory. generous, charitable, benevolent, beneficent, open-handed, big-hearted, great-hearted, munificent, bountiful, liberal, handsome, princely, altruistic, kind, kindly, philanthropic, chivalrous, noble; unselfish, selfless, self-sacrificing, ungrudging, unstinting; forgiving, merciful, lenient, indulgent, clement; literary bounteous. ANTONYMS mean-spirited, selfish.

magnanimous | maɡˈnanɪməs |

adjective

generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person: she should be magnanimous in victory.

derivatives

magnanimously | maɡˈnanɪməsli | adverb

origin

mid 16th century: from Latin magnanimus (from magnus ‘great’ + animus ‘soul’) + -ous.

subversive | səbˈvəːsɪv |

adjective

seeking or intended to subvert an established system or institution: subversive literature.

noun

a subversive person: they and their companions were identified as subversives.

derivatives

subversively | səbˈvəːsɪvli | adverb

subversiveness noun

origin

mid 17th century: from medieval Latin subversivus, from the verb subvertere (see subvert).

subversive

adjective

he was arrested and charged with subversive activities. disruptive, troublemaking, inflammatory, insurgent, insurrectionary, insurrectionist, agitational, rabble-rousing; seditious, revolutionary, treasonous, treacherous, mutinous, rebellious, rebel, renegade, unpatriotic, dissident, disloyal, perfidious, insubordinate, underground, undermining, corrupting, discrediting, destructive, harmful.

noun

she was designated as a dangerous subversive. troublemaker, dissident, agitator, disruptor, revolutionary, revolutionist, insurgent, insurrectionist, insurrectionary, renegade, rebel, mutineer, traitor.

learning | ˈləːnɪŋ |

noun [mass noun]

the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught: these children experienced difficulties in learning | [as modifier] : an important learning process.

• knowledge acquired through study, experience, or being taught: I liked to parade my learning in front of my sisters.

• (usually learnings) [count noun] a thing learned by experience; a lesson: the learnings from the mission will help NASA plan for a future mission to Mars.

origin

Old English leornung (see learn, -ing¹).

learning

noun

1 the importance of the library as a centre of learning. study, studying, education, schooling, tuition, teaching, academic work, instruction, training; research, investigation; British English informal swotting.

2 his second book displayed the astonishing range of his learning. scholarship, knowledge, education, erudition, culture, intellect, academic attainment, acquirements, enlightenment, illumination, edification, book learning, insight, information, understanding, sageness, wisdom, sophistication; pedantry; letters. ANTONYMS ignorance.

story ¹ | ˈstɔːri |

noun (plural stories)

1 an account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment: an adventure story | I’m going to tell you a story.

• a plot or storyline: the novel has a good story.

• a report of an item of news in a newspaper, magazine, or broadcast: stories in the local papers.

• a piece of gossip; a rumour: there have been lots of stories going around, as you can imagine.

• informal a false statement; a lie: Ellie never told stories—she had always believed in the truth.

2 an account of past events in someone’s life or in the development of something: the story of modern farming | the film is based on a true story.

• a particular person’s representation of the facts of a matter: during police interviews, Harper changed his story.

• [in singular] a situation viewed in terms of the information known about it or its similarity to another: having such information is useful, but it is not the whole story | United kept on trying but it was the same old story—no luck.

• (the story) informal the facts about the present situation: What’s the story on this man? Is he from around here?.

3 the commercial prospects or circumstances of a particular company: the investors’ flight to profitable businesses with solid stories.

phrases

but that’s another story

informal used after raising a matter to indicate that one does not want to expand on it for now.

it’s a long story

informal used to indicate that, for now, one does not want to talk about something that is too painful or complicated.

the story of one’s life

informal used as a resigned acknowledgement that one has experienced a particular misfortune too often: I’m just misunderstood—that’s the story of my life | ‘He’s more likely to have run off with a dancer,’ Laura said bitterly. ‘It’s the story of my life.’.

the story goes

it is said or rumoured: the story goes that he’s fallen out with his friends.

to cut a long story short (North American English to make a long story short)

used to end an account of events quickly: to cut a long story short, I married Stephen.

origin

Middle English (denoting a historical account or representation): shortening of Anglo-Norman French estorie, from Latin historia (see history).

story ² | ˈstɔːri |

noun (plural stories) North American English

variant spelling of storey

storey | ˈstɔːri | (North American English story)

noun (plural storeys or plural stories)

a part of a building comprising all the rooms that are on the same level: each tower would be 14 storeys high | every home must have a working smoke alarm on every storey | [in combination] : a three-storey building.

origin

late Middle English: shortening of Latin historia ‘history, story’, a special use in Anglo-Latin, perhaps originally denoting a tier of painted windows or sculptures on the front of a building (representing a historical subject).

story

noun

1 an adventure story. tale, narrative, account, recital; anecdote; chronicle, history; informal yarn, spiel.

2 the novel has a good story. plot, storyline, scenario, chain of events; technical diegesis.

3 the story appeared in the papers in the usual tabloid style. news item, news report, article, feature, piece; exclusive, exposé; spoiler; informal scoop.

4 there have been a lot of stories going round, as you can imagine. rumour, piece of gossip, piece of hearsay, whisper; speculation; French on dit; informal kidology; US English informal tea; Australian and New Zealand English informal furphy.

5 Harper changed his story about how the fire started. testimony, statement, report, account, version, description, representation.

6 Ellie never told stories—she had always believed in the truth. lie, fib, falsehood, untruth, fabrication, fiction, piece of fiction; white lie; Irish English pishogue; West Indian English nancy story; informal tall story, fairy story, fairy tale, cock and bull story, shaggy-dog story, whopper, terminological inexactitude, fish story; British English informal pork pie, porky pie, porky. ANTONYMS the truth.

courage | ˈkʌrɪdʒ |

noun [mass noun]

the ability to do something that frightens one; bravery: she called on all her courage to face the ordeal.

• strength in the face of pain or grief: he fought his illness with great courage.

phrases

have the courage of one’s convictions

act on one’s beliefs despite danger or disapproval: lead your own life and have the courage of your convictions.

pluck up the courage (also pluck up courage or screw up the courage)

make an effort to do something that frightens one: I plucked up the courage to go out by myself.

take courage

[in imperative] said to give support, confidence, or hope to someone: take courage, my friend, you are not alone in your struggle.

take one’s courage in both hands

nerve oneself to do something that frightens one: taking her courage in both hands, she knocked on the door.

origin

Middle English (denoting the heart, as the seat of feelings): from Old French corage, from Latin cor ‘heart’.

courage

noun

it takes courage to speak out against the tide of opinion. bravery, braveness, courageousness, pluck, pluckiness, valour, fearlessness, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, daring, audacity, boldness; dauntlessness, doughtiness, stout-heartedness, hardihood, manfulness, heroism, gallantry; backbone, spine, spirit, spiritedness, mettle, determination, fortitude, resolve, resolution; informal guts, grit, spunk, gutsiness, gameness; British English informal bottle, ballsiness; North American English informal moxie, cojones, sand; vulgar slang balls. ANTONYMS cowardice; timidity.

_____________

arresting | əˈrɛstɪŋ |

adjective

1 striking; eye-catching: at 6 feet 6 inches he was an arresting figure.

2 denoting a person or agency that seizes and detains someone by legal authority: the arresting officer.

derivatives

arrestingly adverb

arresting

adjective

this is certainly an arresting image. striking, eye-catching, conspicuous, noticeable, dramatic, impressive, imposing, spectacular, breathtaking, dazzling, amazing, astounding, astonishing, surprising, staggering, stunning, sensational, awesome, awe-inspiring, engaging; remarkable, notable, noteworthy, distinctive, extraordinary, outstanding, incredible, phenomenal, unusual, rare, uncommon, out of the ordinary; informal amazeballs. ANTONYMS inconspicuous, unexceptional.

experience | ɪkˈspɪəriən(t)s, ɛkˈspɪəriən(t)s |

noun

1 [mass noun] practical contact with and observation of facts or events: he had learned his lesson by painful experience | she spoke from experience.

• the knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical experience of something, especially that gained in a particular profession: you should have the necessary experience in health management.

2 an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone: audition day is an enjoyable experience for any seven-year old.

verb [with object]

encounter or undergo (an event or occurrence): the company is experiencing difficulties.

• feel (an emotion or sensation): an opportunity to experience the excitement of New York.

derivatives

experienceable adjective

experiencer | ɪkˈspɪəriən(t)sə, ɛkˈspɪəriən(t)sə | noun

origin

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin experientia, from experiri ‘try’. Compare with experiment and expert.

experience

noun

1 salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. skill, practical knowledge, practice; training, learning, education, grounding, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, professionalism; background, record, history, past; maturity, worldliness, sophistication, suaveness; French savoir faire; informal know-how.

2 an enjoyable experience. incident, occurrence, event, happening, affair, episode, encounter; adventure, exploit, escapade; circumstance, case; test, trial, ordeal.

3 David gained his first experience of business with his father and brothers. involvement in, participation in; contact with, acquaintance with, exposure to; observation of, awareness of; familiarity with, conversance with, understanding of, impression of, insight into.

verb

the company is experiencing difficulties | an opportunity to experience the excitement of New York. undergo, encounter, meet, have experience of, come into contact with, run into, come across, come up against, face, be faced with, confront, be forced to contend with; feel, know, become familiar with; live/go through, sustain, suffer, endure, tolerate; participate in, taste, try.

word links

empirical: 

based on experience rather than theory or logic

Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

___________

experiment | ɪkˈspɛrɪm(ə)nt, ɛkˈspɛrɪm(ə)nt |

noun

a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact: a laboratory which carried out experiments on pigs | [mass noun] : I have tested this by experiment.

• a course of action tentatively adopted without being sure of the outcome: the farm is an ongoing experiment in sustainable living.

verb [no object] | ɪkˈspɛrɪmɛnt, ɛkˈspɛrɪmɛnt |

perform a scientific procedure, especially in a laboratory, to determine something: experimenting on animals causes suffering.

• try out new ideas or methods: the designers experimented with new ideas in lighting.

origin

Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin experimentum, from experiri ‘try’. Compare with experience and expert.

experiment

noun

1 she carried out experiments in the breeding of silkworms. test, investigation, trial, inquiry, demonstration; examination, observation; assessment, evaluation, appraisal, inspection, analysis, scrutiny, study, probe; trial run, try-out, pilot study, dummy run, dry run.

2 these results have been established by experiment. research, experimentation, observation, trial and error, analysis, testing. ANTONYMS theory.

verb

in 1809 he experimented with a glider capable of lifting a man. conduct experiments, carry out trials/tests, conduct research; test, trial, put to the test, do tests on, try out, carry out trials on, assess, appraise, evaluate; investigate, examine, explore, observe, verify.

word links

empirical: 

relating to experiment

Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

Yes, ‘experience’ and ‘experiment’ are related, both stemming from the Latin root experior, meaning “to try” or “to gain knowledge through repeated trials”. While an experiment is a structured, controlled test to gain knowledge, an experience is the knowledge or skill gained from doing or living through something, which can result from a series of informal trials or experiments. 

Shared Latin Root: 

• Both words derive from the Latin word experior.
• Experior means “to try” or “to test”.
• This connection highlights the shared concept of “trying” or “testing” as a way to learn.

Distinctions in Usage:

• Experiment: A scientific procedure conducted to test a hypothesis, discover something new, or demonstrate a known fact. It is a deliberate, controlled, and structured activity with a foreseen purpose. 
  
• Experience:
  • As a noun: Refers to the knowledge, skills, or awareness gained from doing something or from something happening to you over time. 
  • As a verb: Describes undergoing or living through something; something happening to an individual. 
  • The connection: Your accumulated “experience” is the cumulative result of your various “experiments” and trials in life. 
    

In summary: An experiment is the process of actively trying something to learn, while experience is the outcome of those trials, whether formal or informal. 

__________

living | ˈlɪvɪŋ |

noun

1 [usually in singular] an income sufficient to live on or the means of earning it: she was struggling to make a living as a dancer | what does he do for a living?.

• British English (in church use) a position as a vicar or rector with an income or property: he was offered the living of St Katherine’s.

2 [mass noun, with adjective or noun modifier] the pursuit of a lifestyle of the specified type: the benefits of country living.

adjective

alive: living creatures | (the living as plural noun) : flowers were for the living.

• [attributive] (of a place) used for living rather than working in: the living quarters of the pub.

• (of a language) still spoken and used.

• [attributive] literary (of water) perennially flowing: streams of living water.

phrases

be living proof (also be the living proof)

show by one’s existence and qualities that something is the case: she is living proof that hard work need not be ageing.

in living memory (also within living memory)

within or during a time that is remembered by people still alive: the worst recession in living memory.

the living image of

an exact copy or likeness of: he was the living image of Tyler.

live ¹ | lɪv |

verb

1 [no object] remain alive: I’ll never forget it as long as I live | both cats lived to a ripe old age.

• [with adverbial] be alive at a specified time: he lived four centuries ago.

• [with adverbial] spend one’s life in a particular way or under particular circumstances: people are living in fear in the wake of the shootings | [with object and adverbial] : he was living a life of luxury in Australia.

• supply oneself with the means of subsistence: they live by hunting and fishing.

• survive in someone’s mind; be remembered: only the name lived on.

• have an exciting or fulfilling life: he couldn’t wait to get out of school and really start living.

• archaic (of a ship) escape destruction; remain afloat.

2 [no object, with adverbial] make one’s home in a particular place or with a particular person: I’ve lived in the East End all my life | they lived with his grandparents.

• informal (of an object) be kept in a particular place: I told her where the coffee lived and went back to sleep.

phrases

as I live and breathe

informal used to express surprise at encountering someone or something: good God, Jack Stone, as I live and breathe!.

live and breathe something

devote a great deal of one’s time to a particular subject or activity: they live and breathe Italy and all things Italian.

live and let live

proverb you should tolerate the opinions and behaviour of others so that they will similarly tolerate your own.

live dangerously

do something risky, especially on a habitual basis: she bit her lip, caught between natural caution and a desire to live dangerously.

live in hope

be or remain optimistic about something: we live in hope that his mission will succeed.

live in the past

have old-fashioned or outdated ideas and attitudes: we aren’t here to cater to fringe elements who insist on living in the past.

• dwell on or reminisce at length about past events: why couldn’t she stop living in the past and face the mess she was in now?.

live it up

informal spend one’s time in an extremely enjoyable way, typically by being extravagant or engaging in an exciting social life: they’re living it up in Hawaii.

live one’s best life

lead the happiest and most fulfilling life one can imagine or aspire to: I am just living my best life, finally feeling confident and happy in my own skin | she has been living her best life as a model, businesswoman, and budding actress.

live one’s own life

follow one’s own plans and principles independently of others: it’s time you stood up to her and lived your own life.

live out of a suitcase

live or stay somewhere on a temporary basis and with only a limited selection of one’s belongings: living out of a suitcase away from home has become one of the main causes of stress among businessmen.

live rough

live and sleep outdoors as a consequence of having no proper home: hundreds of refugees have been living rough on the streets.

live to fight another day

survive a particular experience or ordeal: MPs felt the chancellor’s performance will ensure he lives to fight another day.

live to regret something

come to wish that one had not done something: those who put work before their family life often live to regret it.

live to tell the tale

survive a dangerous experience and be able to tell others about it.

live under a rock

used to say that someone lacks basic knowledge of current events or popular culture: in case you have been living under a rock, America is heading toward a presidential election.

live with oneself

be able to retain one’s self-respect as a consequence of one’s actions: taking money from children—how can you live with yourself?.

long live —!

said to express loyalty or support for a specified person or thing: long live the Queen!.

where one lives

North American English informal at, to, or in the right, vital, or most vulnerable spot: it gets me where I live.

you haven’t lived!

said when enthusiastically recommending a particular experience or activity to someone unfamiliar with it: if you haven’t been in a helicopter you haven’t lived | you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted their lobster ravioli.

you live and learn (also we live and learn)

used to acknowledge that a fact is new to one.

phrasal verbs

live down

(live something down, live down something) [usually with negative] succeed in making others forget something embarrassing that has happened: I’d never live it down if Lily got wind of this.

live for

(live for something) regard a particular thing as the purpose or most important aspect of one’s life: Tony lived for his painting.

live in | ˈlɪv ɪn |

British English (of an employee or student) reside at the place where one works or studies.

live off | ˈlɪv ɒf | (US English live off of)

(live off someone) depend on someone as a source of income or support: if you think you’re going to live off me for the rest of your life, you’re mistaken.

• (live off something) have a particular amount of money with which to buy food and other necessities: she had a husband who could support her so she didn’t really have to live off £35 a fortnight.

• (live off something) subsist on a particular type of food: scavenging seabirds live off discarded fish and fish offal.

live on | ˌlɪv ˈɒn |

(live on something) have a particular amount of money with which to buy food and other necessities: how much money do you need to live on?.

• subsist on a particular type of food: he used to lodge in a room with just a bed and a chair and live on bread and water.

live out | ˌlɪv ˈaʊt |

1 (live something out, live out something) do something in reality that one previously only imagined: your wedding day is the one time that you can live out your most romantic fantasies.

2 (live something out, live out something) spend the rest of one’s life in a particular place or particular circumstances: he lived out his days as a happy family man.

3 British English (of an employee or student) reside away from the place where one works or studies.

live through

(live through something) survive an unpleasant experience or period: both men lived through the Depression.

live together

(especially of a couple not married to each other) share a home and have a sexual relationship: they eventually decided to tie the knot after living together for eight years.

live up to | ˌlɪv ˈʌp tə, ˌlɪv ˈʌp tuː |

(live up to something) fulfil expectations: the food more than lived up to Luke’s predictions.

• fulfil an undertaking: the president lived up to his promise to set the country swiftly on a new path.

live with | ˈlɪv wɪð |

1 (live with someone) share a home and have a sexual relationship with someone to whom one is not married: Fran was now living with a man fourteen years older than her.

2 (live with something) accept or tolerate something unpleasant: our marriage was a failure—you have to learn to live with that fact.

origin

Old English libban, lifian, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leven and German leben, also to life and leave¹.

living

noun

1 she was cleaning floors for a living. livelihood, income, source of income, means of support, means, subsistence, keep, maintenance, sustenance, nourishment, daily bread, upkeep; job, day job, work, employment, occupation, trade, profession, career; informal bread and butter.

2 making informed choices about healthy living | urban living. way of life, lifestyle, manner of living, way of living, mode of living, life; conduct, behaviour, activities; customs, habits, ways.

adjective

1 living organisms. alive, live, having life; animate, organic, biological, sentient; breathing, moving; existing, existent; informal in the land of the living, among the living, alive and kicking; archaic quick. ANTONYMS dead, inanimate, extinct.

2 English, unlike Latin, is a living language. current, contemporary, present; in use, operative, active, operating, ongoing, continuing, surviving, extant, persisting, remaining, abiding; existing, existent, in existence. ANTONYMS dead, obsolete, extinct.

3 he committed to paper a living image of the man. exact, faithful, true to life, speaking, authentic, genuine; close, near, similar, like, alike. ANTONYMS inaccurate.

word toolkit

living

See organic

Word Toolkits illustrate the difference between close synonyms by means of words typically used with them.

subsistence | səbˈsɪst(ə)n(t)s |

noun [mass noun]

1 the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level: the minimum income needed for subsistence.

• the means of maintaining or supporting oneself: the garden provided not only subsistence but a little cash crop.

• [as modifier] denoting or relating to production at a level sufficient only for one’s own use or consumption, without any surplus for trade: subsistence agriculture.

2 mainly Law the state of remaining in force or effect: rights of occupation normally only continue during the subsistence of the marriage.

subsistence

noun

1 they depend for subsistence on fish and game. survival, existence, living, life; sustenance, nourishment, diet.

2 he raised a total of £2,000 towards his own travel and subsistence. maintenance, keep, upkeep, support, livelihood, living, board, board and lodging; sustenance, nourishment, nutriment, provisions, supplies, food, food and drink, fare, bread; Scottish English vivers; informal eats, nosh, chow, grub, scoff, bread and butter; formal comestibles, provender; archaic meat, vittles, commons, victuals, viands; rare aliment.

modern | ˈmɒdn |

adjective

relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past: the pace of modern life | modern European history.

• characterized by or using the most up-to-date techniques, ideas, or equipment: they do not have modern weapons.

• [attributive] denoting the form of a language that is currently used, as opposed to any earlier form: modern German.

• [attributive] denoting a current or recent style or trend in art, architecture, or other cultural activity marked by a significant departure from traditional styles and values: Matisse’s contribution to modern art.

(usually moderns) noun

a person who advocates or practises a departure from traditional styles or values: they were moderns, they must not look back towards the old generation.

derivatives

modernly adverb

modernness | ˈmɒd(ə)nnəs | noun

origin

late Middle English: from late Latin modernus, from Latin modo ‘just now’.

modern

adjective

1 in modern times. present-day, contemporary, present-time, present, current, twenty-first-century, latter-day, recent, latest. ANTONYMS past.

2 her clothes are very modern. fashionable, in fashion, in, in style, in vogue, up to date, up to the minute, all the rage, trendsetting, stylish, voguish, modish, chic, smart, the latest, new, newest, newfangled, new-fashioned, fresh, modernistic, advanced, progressive, forward-looking; French à la mode; informal trendy, cool, flash, with it, swinging, now, hip, happening, snazzy, natty, nifty, go-ahead; North American English informal kicking, kicky, tony, fly, spiffy, sassy, stylin’. ANTONYMS out of date, old-fashioned.

latter-day | ˈlatə deɪ |

adjective [attributive]

modern or contemporary, especially when mirroring some person or thing of the past: the book is built round the story of the Flood and a latter-day Noah.

latter-day

adjective

a latter-day puritan. modern, present-day, present-time, current, contemporary; French de nos jours. ANTONYMS old-time.

disparate | ˈdɪsp(ə)rət |

adjective

essentially different in kind; not able to be compared: they inhabit disparate worlds of thought.

• containing elements very different from one another: a culturally disparate country.

(disparates) noun archaic

things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison.

derivatives

disparately adverb

disparateness noun

origin

late Middle English: from Latin disparatus ‘separated’, from the verb disparare, from dis- ‘apart’ + parare ‘to prepare’; influenced in sense by Latin dispar ‘unequal’.

disparate

adjective

the document is made up from several disparate chunks. contrasting, different, differing, dissimilar, unlike, unalike, poles apart; varying, various, diverse, diversified, heterogeneous, unrelated, unconnected, distinct, separate, divergent; literary divers, myriad; rare contrastive. ANTONYMS homogeneous.

mindfulness | ˈmʌɪn(d)f(ʊ)lnəs |

noun [mass noun]

1 the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something: their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition.

2 a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

synchronicity | ˌsɪŋkrəˈnɪsɪti |

noun [mass noun]

1 the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection: such synchronicity is quite staggering.

2 another term for synchrony (sense 1 of the noun)

origin

1950s: coined (in sense 1) by C. G. Jung.

entity | ˈɛntɪti |

noun (plural entities)

a thing with distinct and independent existence: Church and empire were fused in a single entity | legal entities such as corporations.

• [mass noun] existence; being: entity and nonentity.

origin

late 15th century (denoting a thing’s existence): from French entité or medieval Latin entitas, from late Latin ens, ent- ‘being’ (from esse ‘be’).