English remembrering : révisions de Juillet 2012

Remembering the

Learner’s Words of each July 2012 Day

1er Juillet 2012
forge /ˈfoɚʤ/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: forges; forged; forging
MEANING :
1 : to form something by heating and shaping metal
• forging hooks out of pieces of iron = forging pieces of iron into hooks
2 : to form or create (something, such as an agreement or relationship) through great effort
• The two countries have forged a strong alliance.
• They were able to forge a peaceful relationship.
3 : to make or copy (something, such as a document or signature) falsely in order to deceive someone
• forge a check
• forge a signature
• a forged passport
— forger noun, plural forgers [count]
• a check forger
• a professional art forge
Learn about forge as a noun and as another verb.

2 Juillet 2012
authoritative /əˈθɛntɪk/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more authoritative; most authoritative
MEANING :
1 : having or showing impressive knowledge about a subject
• He is an authoritative [=reliable, accurate] source for information about Islamic art.
• The book is an authoritative guide to the city’s restaurants.
2 : having the confident quality of someone who is respected or obeyed by other people
• His manner is polite but authoritative.
• She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.
— authoritatively adverb
• She spoke authoritatively [=with authority] about the history of the building.

3 Juillet 2012
glorious  /ˈglorijəs/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more glorious; most glorious

MEANING :
1 : having or deserving glory, fame, or honor
• He had a long andglorious military career.
• The old ruins give only a hint of the city'sglorious past.
• The government has described the battle as aglorious victory.
2 : very beautiful or delightful
• Our room had a glorious view of the mountains.
• a glorious sunset
• glorious music
• What a gloriousday!
— gloriously adverb
• a gloriously beautiful sunset
— sometimes used for emphasis
• They were all gloriously [=extremely] drunk.
— gloriousness noun [noncount]

4 Juillet 2012
found /ˈfaʊnd/ verb [with object] 

inflected forms: founds; founded; founding
MEANING :
1 : to begin or create (something that is meant to last for a long time) : establish
• found a colony/museum/college
• The college wasfounded in 1793.
2 : to provide support for something
— usually used as (be) founded
• His suspicions were founded [=based] on nothing more than rumor.
Learn about find, the verb that has the past tense and past participle form found.

5 Juillet 2012
deter /dɪˈtɚ/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: deters; deterred; deterring
MEANING :
1 : to cause (someone) to decide not to do something
• Some potential buyers will be deterred by the price.
— often followed byfrom
• They hoped that the new law would deter advertisers frommaking false claims.
• The heavy fines should deter [=discourage] people from dumping garbage here.
2 : to prevent (something) from happening
• He played an important role in international efforts to deter [=prevent] nuclear war.
• Painting the metal will deter rust.

6 Juillet 2012
intimidate /ɪnˈtɪməˌdeɪt/ verb [with object]

comparative and superlative forms: intimidates; intimidated; intimidating
MEANING : 

to make (someone) afraid
• He tries to intimidate his opponents.
• You shouldn't allow his reputation to intimidate you.
— often used as (be) intimidated
• Many people are intimidated by new technology.
• Some people are easily intimidated.
• She wasintimidated by the size of the campus.
— intimidated adjective [more intimidated; most intimidated]
• I feel less intimidated now than I did when I started the job.
— intimidating adjective [more intimidating; most intimidating]
• He is one of the most intimidating men I have ever met.
• Speaking in front of a large audience can be very intimidating.
— intimidatingly /ɪnˈtɪməˌdeɪtɪŋli/ adverb
• The system isintimidatingly complex.
— intimidation /ɪnˌtɪməˈdeɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
• intimidation of jurors/witnesses
• enforcing agreement by intimidation or violence
— intimidator /ɪnˈtɪməˌdeɪtɚ/ noun, plural intimidators [count]

7 Juillet 2012
on the chopping block idiom
Status: informal
MEANING :
likely to be fired, removed, etc.
• There were several government programs on the chopping block.
[=several government programs that were going to be cut/eliminated]

8 Juillet 2012
stark /ˈstɑɚk/ adjective comparative and superlative forms: starker; starkest
MEANING :
1 : having a very plain and often cold or empty appearance
• a starkwhite room
• a stark landscape
• a stark winter day
• The room was decorated with stark simplicity.
• a starkwhite room
• a stark landscape
• a stark winter day
• The room was decorated with stark simplicity.
• a starkwhite room
• a stark landscape
• a stark winter day
• The room was decorated with stark simplicity.
2 : unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
• the stark reality of death
• She gave the facts of the case in stark [=harsh] and sobering detail.
• This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
• the stark reality of death
• She gave the facts of the case in stark [=harsh] and sobering detail.
• This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
• the stark reality of death
• She gave the facts of the case in stark [=harsh] and sobering detail.
• This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving.
3 : very obvious : very plain and easily seen • There is a starkdifference between them.
• His criticism of the movie stands in
• His criticism of the movie stands in
• His criticism of the movie stands in starkcontrast to the praise it has received from others.
— starkly adverb [more starkly; most starkly] • a starkly modern building
— starkness noun [noncount] • the starkness of black and white
Learn about stark as an adverb.

9 Juillet 2012

provoke /prəˈvoʊk/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: provokes; provoked; provoking
MEANING :
1 : to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action) : to make (something) happen
• His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
• His insults were intended to provoke [=start] a fight.
• The results of the election have provoked [=generated] a lot of discussion.
• ideas that are likely to provoke [=stimulate] change
 2 : to cause (a person or animal) to become angry, violent, etc.
• He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
• The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.
— sometimes followed by into
• He was provoked into a violent reaction by their taunts.

10 Juillet 2012
extreme /ɪkˈstri:m/ adjective - MEANING :

1 : very great in degree
• The plant is sensitive to extreme heat and cold.
• They are living in extreme poverty.
2 [more extreme; most extreme] : very serious or severe
• Many thought that the punishment was too extreme for the crime.
• This situation calls for extreme [=drastic] measures.
3 [more extreme; most extreme] :
very far from agreeing with the opinions of most people : not moderate
• He has extreme opinions when it comes to politics.
• Members of the extreme right/left opposed the legislation.
4 always used before a noun : in the farthest possible position
• In the photo, she is at/on the extreme right/left.
[=she is in the position that is farthest to the right/left
• The city is in the extreme northern part of the state.
5a sports : unusual and dangerous
• extreme sports
• He is a fan ofextreme skiing/snowboarding.
5b sports, always used before a noun,
US : involved in an unusually dangerous sport : competing in an extreme sport
• anextreme athlete • He is an extreme snowboarder/skier.
— extremely adverb
• It is extremely [=very] hot/cold in here.
• She is extremely generous.
• The story has an extremely complicated plot.
Lean about extreme as a noun.

11 Juillet 2012
anomaly /əˈnɑ:məli/ noun [count]
plural anomalies
Status: somewhat formal

MEANING :
something that is unusual or unexpected : something anomalous
• A storm like that is an anomaly for this area.
[=a storm like that does not usually happen in this area]
• We couldn’t explain theanomalies in the test results.
• The doctor detected an anomaly [=irregularity] in my heartbeat.

12 Juillet 2012
wasted /ˈweɪstəd/ adjective - MEANING :
1 : not used, spent, etc., in a good, useful, or effective way
• awasted effort/opportunity
• wasted money
2 [more wasted; most wasted] : very thin because of sickness or lack of food
• When she came home from the hospital her body was thin and wasted.[=emaciated]
3 [more wasted; most wasted] informal : very drunk or affected by drugs
• I saw him before the party and he was already wasted.


13 Juillet 2012
litter /ˈlɪtɚ/ verb
inflected forms: litters; littered; littering 

MEANING :
1 [with object] : to cover (a surface) with many things in an untidy way
• Paper and popcorn littered the streets after the parade.
• Leaves littered the forest floor. [=the forest floor was covered with leaves]
• a desk littered with old letters and bills — often used figuratively
• a landscape littered with ugly houses
• Dirty wordslitter his vocabulary.
[=his vocabulary includes many dirty words; he says a lot of dirty words]
• The book is littered with errors. [=the book contains many errors]
2 [no object] : to throw or leave trash on the ground in a public place
• It is illegal to litter.
• He had to pay a fine for littering.
— litterer /ˈlɪtɚrɚ/ noun, plural litterers [count]
• Litterers are subject to a fine.
Learn about litter as a noun.

14 Juillet 2012
mow down phrasal verb

Construction: mow (someone) down or mow down (someone)
Status: informal

MEANING :
to kill or knock down (a person or many people) in a sudden and violent way
• The soldiers were mowed down by machine guns.
• The car mowed down four pedestrians.

15 Juillet 2012
sheer  /ˈʃiɚ/ adjective - MEANING :
1 always used before a noun
— used to emphasize the large amount, size, or degree of something
• The sheer amount of work was staggering.
• The sheer number of questions overwhelmed her.
• The sheer force of the wind knocked me to the ground.
2 always used before a noun : complete and total
• sheer [=utter] nonsense
• sheer [=pure] luck/coincidence/joy
3 : very steep : almost straight up and down
• a sheer drop to the sea
• sheer cliffs/walls
4 : very thin
• sheer stockings/curtains
Learn about sheer as an adverb and a verb.

16 Juillet 2012
bout /ˈbaʊt/ noun [count] plural bouts - MEANING :
1 : a period of time during which someone suffers from something
(such as an illness or disease)
— often followed by of
• a bout offever
• She struggles with frequent bouts of depression.
— often followed by with in U.S. English
• She survived a five-year bout with cancer.
• a bout with the flu
2 : a short period of time during which something is done or happening
• a drinking bout — often followed by of
• a four-hourbout of reading
• a bout of unemployment
3 : a wrestling or boxing contest
• He lost his bout [=fight] with the boxing champion.

17 Juillet 2012
relapse /ˈri:ˌlæps/ noun - plural relapses - MEANING :
1 : the return of an illness after a period of improvement [count]
• Everyone thought she was well until a sudden relapse sent her back to the hospital.
[noncount]
• Patients who stop taking the medication have a higher risk of relapse.
[=they are more likely to get sick again]
2 : a return to bad behavior that you had stopped doing [count]
• a drug addict who has had a relapse [noncount]
• a drug addict who has a history of relapse
• The program has a low rate of relapse.
[=most people who use the program do not return to the bad behavior they had stopped doing]
Learn about relapse as a verb.

18 Juillet 2012

custody /ˈkʌstədi/ noun [noncount] - MEANING :
1 law : the legal right to take care of a child (such as a child whose parents are divorced)
• She has sole custody of her daughter.
• The judge granted/awarded custody to the grandparents.
• The parents have joint custody. [=both parents have custody]
• a bittercustody battle
[=a legal fight between divorced parents about who will take care of a child]
2 : the state of being kept in a prison or jail
— used after in or into
• Several suspects in the killing are in custody.
• He was taken into(police) custody last night and will be charged with murder today.
• The witness is in protective custody. [=is being kept in a safe place by the police]
3 formal : the act of protecting or taking care of something
• The bank provides safe custody for valuables.
— often followed by of
• The artist's paintings are in the custody of the museum.

19 Juillet 2012
transparent  /trænsˈperənt/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more transparent; most transparent

MEANING :
1 : able to be seen through
• transparent plastic bags
• transparent[=clear] glass
2a : easy to notice or understand : obvious
• a transparentlie/falsehood
• Their motives were transparent.
2b : honest and open : not secretive
• The company’s business dealings need to be more transparent.
[=information about the company needs to be more available for people to see]
— transparently adverb
• a transparently silly excuse.

20 Juillet 2012
undecided /ˌʌndɪˈsaɪdəd/ adjective - MEANING :
1 : not having made a decision
• undecided voters
— often followed by about
• She was undecided about what to do.
2 : not having an answer or result : not yet settled or resolved
• The question is still undecided.
• Much remains undecided about his future.

21 Juillet 2012

any way you slice it
idiom
Status: US, informal 

MEANING :
Anyway you slice it is used to say that the truth of a statement is not changed or affected
by the way you describe or think about a situation
• Losing is disappointing any way you slice it.
[=losing is always disappointing]
• Any way you slice it, online commerce is here to stay.

22 Juillet 2012
turnout /ˈtɚnˌaʊt/ noun [count] 

plural turnouts

MEANING :
1 : the number of people who go to or participate in something
• There was a good/large turnout at the town meeting.
[=a large number of people attended the town meeting]
• The opening game of the season brought only a small turnout.
• a 50 percent voterturnout
• heavy voter turnouts
2 US : an area next to a road where vehicles can stop
— called also (British) lay-by

23 Juillet 2012
moderate  /ˈmɑ:dərət/ adjective - MEANING :
1a : average in size or amount : neither too much nor too little
• Her doctor recommended moderate exercise.
• drinking moderateamounts of coffee
• a family of moderate income
• a moderatedistance
1b : neither very good nor very bad
• The group met with onlymoderate success.
• a writer of moderate talent
2 [more moderate; most moderate] : not expensive : not too high in price
• The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices.
3 [more moderate; most moderate] :
having or expressing political beliefs that are neither very liberal nor very conservative
• She holds a moderate position on the subject of taxes.
• The group is in need of more moderate voices.
[=the group needs more members who do not express extreme ideas]
4a [more moderate; most moderate] :
avoiding behavior that goes beyond what is normal, healthy, or acceptable
• a moderateeater [=a person who does not eat too much]
• a moderate diet • He believes that moderate drinking is healthy.
• a person ofmoderate habits
4b [more moderate; most moderate] : not showing strong emotions or excitement
• She expressed herself in moderate[=calm, reasonable] language.
Learn about moderate as a noun and as a verb.

24 Juillet 2012
cling /ˈklɪŋ/ verb [no object] 

inflected forms: clings; clung /ˈklʌŋ/; clinging

MEANING :
1 : to hold onto something or someone very tightly
• The childrenclung together under the little umbrella waiting for the storm to pass.
— usually followed by to or onto
• The little cat clung to the narrow branch.
• The boy clung onto his mother's hand as they walked through the crowd.
• The little boy clung to his mother when it was time for her to leave.
2 : often disapproving : to stay very close to someone for emotional support, protection, etc.
• a clinging child
— usually followed by to
• parents who cling to their children instead of allowing them to be independent
• He clung to his friends for support.
3 : to stick tosomething or someone
— usually followed by to
• The shirt clung to his wet shoulders.
4 : to continue to believe in or depend on something
— followed byto
• He is still clinging to the idea that his marriage can be saved.
5 : to try very hard to keep something that you are in danger of losing
— usually followed by to
• an aging leader who is stillclinging to power
— clingy /ˈklɪŋi/ adjective clingier; clingiest
• a clingy dress
• He was a clingy child.

25 Juillet 2012
hub /ˈhʌb/ noun [count] 

plural hubs 

MEANING :
1 : the central and most active part or place
• the hub of the city
• The island is a major tourist hub.
[=a place where many tourists go]
• She was at the hub of all the activity.
2 : the airport or the city through which an airline sends most of its flights
• All of the airline’s coast-to-coast flights pass through itshub.
3 : the center of a wheel, propeller, fan, etc.
• The spokes attach to the hub of the wheel.

26 Juillet 2012
drench /ˈdrɛnt/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: drenches; drenched; drenching
MEANING : 

to make (someone or something) completely wet
— often followed by with or in
• She drenched him with a bucket of cold water.
— often used as (be) drenched
• The players were drenched in sweat after the game.
• pancakes drenched in syrup
• She wasdrenched in perfume. [=she was wearing a lot of perfume]
— sometimes used figuratively
• a beach drenched in sunlight
• Her novels are drenched in history.

27 Juillet 2012
voucher /ˈvaʊtʃɚ/ noun [count] 

plural vouchers

MEANING :
a document that gives you the right to get something (such as a product or service) without paying for it
• That item is out of stock, but we’ll give you a voucher for 10 percent off any other
item in the store.
• a travel voucher

28 Juillet 2012
bypass /ˈbaɪˌpæs, British ˈbaɪˌpɑ:s/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: bypasses; bypassed; bypassing 

MEANING :
1 : to go around or avoid (a place or area)
• To bypass the city, take the highway that circles it.
• Is there a way to bypass the bridge construction?
2 : to avoid or ignore (someone or something) especially to get something done quicker
• He bypassed the manager and talked directly to the owner.
• She managed to bypass the usual paperwork.
Learn about bypass as a noun.

29 Juillet 2012
compound  /ˈkɑ:mˌpaund/ noun [count] plural compounds - MEANING :
1 : something that is formed by combining two or more parts; especially, technical :
a substance created when the atoms of two or more chemical elements join together
• chemical/organiccompounds
• a compound of sodium and chlorine
• The metal reacts with the gas to form a compound.
2 : a word formed by combining two or more words
• "Rowboat," "high school," and "light-year" are compounds.
Learn about compound as a verb, adjective, and another noun.

 30 Juillet 2012
replica  /ˈrɛplɪkə/ noun [count] 

plural replicas
MEANING : 

an exact or very close copy of something
• We toured a replica of the ship.
• It’s an authentic/exact/faithful/perfect replica of an ancient Greek urn.

31 Juillet 2012
cut corners idiom 

Status: often disapproving

MEANING : 

 to save time or money by doing less than you usually do or than you should do
• We don’t have enough money to pay for everything, so we’ll have to cut corners somewhere.
• You should never cut corners on safety.

Want More? 

New! 

Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary iPhone app with voice search includes over 100,000 words and phrases, Word of the Day, Favorites, and more! 

Download It Now »

Question about English? Ask the Editor
More Learner's Word of the Day: Visit our Archives
Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Words of the Day.


Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal Street
P.O. Box 281
Springfield, MA 01102


Websites: Merriam-Webster.com | LearnersDictionary.com
© 2011 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated