Remembering the
Learner’s Words of each August 2012 Day
1er Août 2012
shatter /ˈʃætɚ/ verb
inflected forms: shatters; shattered; shattering
MEANING :
1 : to break suddenly into many small pieces [no object]
• The window shattered (into a thousand pieces) when it was hit by a rock. [with object]
• The rock shattered the window.
• She shattered her leg [=she broke her leg very badly] in a fall.
2 [with object] : to damage (something) very badly
• His dreams were shattered by their rejection.
• The end of his marriage shattered him emotionally.
2 Août 2012
debut /ˈdeɪˌbju:/ noun [count]
plural debuts
MEANING :
the first time an actor, musician, athlete, etc., does something in public or for the public
• my debut as a pianist
• He made his singing debut at a very young age.
• She is making her television/film debut.
— sometimes used to refer to the first appearance of a product, sport, event, etc.
• the debut of a new car
• The sport’s Olympic debut took place in 1980.
— often used like an adjective before another noun
• her debut album/film/novel
Learn about debut as a verb.
3 Août 2012
haven /ˈheɪvən/ noun [count]
plural havens
MEANING : a place where you are protected from danger, trouble, etc.
• The shelter offers/provides a haven from abusive spouses.
• The inn is ahaven for weary travelers.
• This national park provides a safe haven for wildlife.
prestige /prɛˈsti:ʒ/ noun [noncount]
MEANING : the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being
successful or important
• Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.
• The job has low pay and low prestige.
• The family has wealth and social prestige.
— prestigious /prɛˈstɪʤəs/ adjective [more prestigious; most prestigious]
• a prestigious college/university
• a prestigious award
4 Août 2012
universe /ˈju:nəˌvɚs/ noun
plural universes - MEANING :
1 the universe : all of space and everything in it including stars, planets, galaxies, etc.
• How many stars are there in the universe ?
• It means more to me than anything else in the entire/whole universe.
2 [count] : an area of space or a world that is similar to but separate from the one that we live in
• She is convinced that parallel/alternateuniverses exist.
• He creates his own universe in his novels.
3 [singular] : the people, places, experiences, etc., that are associated with a particular person, place, or thing
• The college campus is its own little universe. [=world]
• Her young son is thecenter of her universe. [=the most important part of her life]
• New York City is the center of the publishing universe.
5 Août 2012
locate /ˈloʊˌkeɪt, loʊˈkeɪt/ verb
inflected forms: locates; located; locating
• The shelter offers/provides a haven from abusive spouses.
• The inn is ahaven for weary travelers.
• This national park provides a safe haven for wildlife.
prestige /prɛˈsti:ʒ/ noun [noncount]
MEANING : the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being
successful or important
• Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.
• The job has low pay and low prestige.
• The family has wealth and social prestige.
— prestigious /prɛˈstɪʤəs/ adjective [more prestigious; most prestigious]
• a prestigious college/university
• a prestigious award
4 Août 2012
universe /ˈju:nəˌvɚs/ noun
plural universes - MEANING :
1 the universe : all of space and everything in it including stars, planets, galaxies, etc.
• How many stars are there in the universe ?
• It means more to me than anything else in the entire/whole universe.
2 [count] : an area of space or a world that is similar to but separate from the one that we live in
• She is convinced that parallel/alternateuniverses exist.
• He creates his own universe in his novels.
3 [singular] : the people, places, experiences, etc., that are associated with a particular person, place, or thing
• The college campus is its own little universe. [=world]
• Her young son is thecenter of her universe. [=the most important part of her life]
• New York City is the center of the publishing universe.
5 Août 2012
locate /ˈloʊˌkeɪt, loʊˈkeɪt/ verb
inflected forms: locates; located; locating
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to find the place or position of (something or someone)
• We tried to locate the border of the property.
• Can youlocate your town on the map?
• The missing boy was located by police in the woods.
• The mechanic is still trying to locate the source of the problem.
2 a [with object] : to put (something or someone) in a particular place
• The company chose to locate its factory near the airport.
• The guard located [=stationed, positioned] himself by the back door.2 b [no object] US : to make an area, city, etc., your home or the place where your business operates
• The company located near the airport.
• His parents located in Ohio.
1 [with object] : to find the place or position of (something or someone)
• We tried to locate the border of the property.
• Can youlocate your town on the map?
• The missing boy was located by police in the woods.
• The mechanic is still trying to locate the source of the problem.
2 a [with object] : to put (something or someone) in a particular place
• The company chose to locate its factory near the airport.
• The guard located [=stationed, positioned] himself by the back door.2 b [no object] US : to make an area, city, etc., your home or the place where your business operates
• The company located near the airport.
• His parents located in Ohio.
2 c — Something or someone that is located in a specified place is in or at that place.
• The bathroom is located upstairs.
• The company's factory is located [=situated]near the airport.
• He was working in Chicago for many years, but he is currently located in New York.
• The restaurant is conveniently located just a few minutes from my house.
6 Août 2012
glimpse /ˈglɪmps/ noun [count]
plural glimpses - MEANING :
a brief or quick view or look
• We caught/got/had a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.
• my first glimpse of [=my first look at] the city
— often used figuratively
• The book offers aglimpse into the future of the computer industry.
Learn about glimpse as a verb
7 Août 2012
• The bathroom is located upstairs.
• The company's factory is located [=situated]near the airport.
• He was working in Chicago for many years, but he is currently located in New York.
• The restaurant is conveniently located just a few minutes from my house.
6 Août 2012
glimpse /ˈglɪmps/ noun [count]
plural glimpses - MEANING :
a brief or quick view or look
• We caught/got/had a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.
• my first glimpse of [=my first look at] the city
— often used figuratively
• The book offers aglimpse into the future of the computer industry.
Learn about glimpse as a verb
7 Août 2012
in the running idiom - MEANING :
1 : competing in a contest
• The enthusiasm of his supporters made him decide to stay in the running for mayor.
2 : having a chance to win a contest
• She is still in the running for the prize.
8 Août 2012
rapid /ˈræpəd/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more rapid; most rapid MEANING :
1 : happening in a short amount of time : happening quickly
• a rapid[=quick] change in temperature
• There’s been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town.
• Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island’s coral reefs.2 : having a fast rate
• a rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing
3 : moving quickly
• She carefully guided the boat through the rapidwater.
— rapidity /rəˈpɪdəti/ noun [noncount]
• Doctors were amazed by therapidity [=speed] of his recovery.— rapidly adverb
• the rapidly [=quickly] changing temperature
• He was breathing rapidly.
• Her heart beat rapidly.
9 Août 2012
variety /vəˈrajəti/ noun
plural varieties - MEANING :
1 [singular] : a number or collection of different things or people
— usually followed by of
• The talks covered a wide/great variety oftopics. [=the talks covered many different topics]
• The company sells a variety of gardening products.
• They broke up for a variety ofreasons.
• The conference attracts a wide variety of people.
• He has a variety of health problems.
2 [noncount] : the quality or state of having or including many different things
• I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available.
• Our diet lacks variety.
• My life needs more variety.
• You know what they say: variety is the spice of life.
[=life is more interesting and enjoyable when you do different things]
3 [count] : a particular kind of person or thing
• The museum has aircraft of every variety. [=kind, sort]
• people of all varieties
• different varieties of oranges
• exotic varieties of snakes
4 [noncount] : a type of entertainment that has many short performances
(such as dances, skits, and songs) which follow one another and that are not related
— usually used before another noun
• variety shows
• variety performers/theater
10 Août 2012
terrain /təˈreɪn/ noun
plural terrains - MEANING :
: land of a particular kind [noncount]
• We had to drive over some rough terrain. [count]
• We hiked through a variety of terrains.
11 Août 2012
assist /əˈsɪst/ verb
inflected forms: assists; assisted; assisting
MEANING :
: to give support or help : to make it easier for someone to do something or for something to happen : help [with object]
• The device assists those who can’t climb stairs.
• The president wasassisted by his advisers.
• The president was assisted with his speech.
= The president was assisted in writing his speech.
• Sheassisted the boy with his homework.
• Another doctor assisted him with the operation. [no object]
• Another doctor assisted with the operation.
• Federal agents are assisting with the investigation.
• She assisted in making the decision.
• The cream assists in the prevention of skin cancer.
Learn about assist as a noun.
12 Août 2012
swap /ˈswɑ:p/ verb
British spelling: swop
inflected forms: swaps; swapped; swapping
Status: informal - MEANING :
1 : to give something to someone and receive something in return :
to trade or exchange (things) [with object]
• He swapped his cupcake for a candy bar.
• He swapped desserts with his brother. = He and his brother swapped desserts.
• I'll swap my sandwich for your popcorn. = I’ll swap you my sandwich for your popcorn.
• I swappedseats with my sister so she could see the stage better.
• We often get together and swap [=exchange] recipes.
• We spent some timeswapping stories about our college days.
[=telling each other stories about our college days] [no object]
• I liked her blue notebook and she liked my red one, so we swapped.
• He wanted the window seat so we swapped.
= (British) He wanted the window seat so weswapped over.2 : to replace (something) with something else [with object]
• Heswapped (out) his hard drive for a bigger one.
• The nurse swapped[=switched] the patients’ charts by mistake.[no object]
• (British) Our company decided to swap over to a new supplier.
Learn about swap as a noun.
13 Août 2012
relevant /ˈrɛləvənt/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more relevant; most relevant
MEANING : relating to a subject in an appropriate way
• a relevant [=pertinent] question
• The ideas and observations expressed in the book are still relevant today.
— often followed by to
• Her comments were notrelevant [=(more formally) germane] to the discussion.
• Do you have any experience that is relevant to this job?
— relevance /ˈrɛləvəns/ or relevancy /ˈrɛləvənsi/ noun [noncount]
• The question lacks relevance.
— relevantly adverb
• It’s a funny story, and more relevantly, it’s true.
14 Août 2012
know the score idiom
Status: informal
MEANING : to have a good understanding of a situation
• Now that she knows the score, she won’t make the same mistake again.
15 Août 2012
stance /ˈstæns, British ˈstɑ:ns/ noun [count]
plural stances - MEANING :
1 : a publicly stated opinion — usually singular
• He changed hisstance after new evidence was discovered.
• She has maintained a neutral stance [=position] during the negotiations.
• She was criticized for her antiwar stance.
2 : a way of standing — usually singular
• She adopted a casual/relaxed stance.
• a batting stance [=the way someone stands to bat in baseball]
16 Août 2012
mandate /ˈmænˌdeɪt/ noun [count]
plural mandates
Status: formal - MEANING :
1 : an official order to do something
• Royal mandates must be obeyed.
• They carried out the governor’s mandate to build more roads2 : the power to act that voters give to their elected leaders
• He won the election so convincingly that he believed he had been given amandate for
change/reform. — often followed by to + verb
• He believed he had been given a mandate (from the people) to implement his policies.
• There is no mandate to raise taxes.
Learn about mandate as a verb.
17 Août 2012
Je rêvais d'un autre monde by Davy : L’argent, c’est le droit.
Les enfants qui meurent de faim on le droit de s’acheter à manger, les multinationales ont le droit de dépecer des forêts, les pays de partir en guerre avec l’argent des impôt pour le seul profit de ces même firmes. Le profit en terme d’argent est devenu la Raison qui avalise l’existant. C’est ce qui arrive quand la réalité est réduite au peu qu’on prend en considération.
Nous sommes dans une « société de Droit », et pourtant ces droits sont conditionnés par des moyens, exprimés en argent, symbole du Pouvoir.
Si les Droits étaient directement eux-même la Raison, et donc le Moyen d’agir, de créer, d’exister, automatiquement l’ensemble de l’activité humaine serait tournée vers la bonté et l’esprit de service, toute l’intelligence serait mise au service du Futur.
Si le système permet l’immoral c’est parce que l’on croit que le système est subsidiaire, or il est vital, et ce qu’il permet de faire est considéré comme consenti moralement. C’est sur le Système que repose « la confiance », « ce qui fait société », ce qui garantit que notre énergie aura un impact positif sur le monde.
Dans une vraie société de Droit, la légalité n’est pas subie mais désirée car logique et intelligente. L’Économie consiste à chercher ce qui est optimal, à petite et grande échelle simultanément. La Croissance est celle du niveau de vie moyen.
Au principe préhistorique du troc inter-individus doit succéder un (vrai) système d’un plus haut degré de complexité, fondé sur la raison, discuté et modelé en permanence, et ayant pour objectif la mise en oeuvre dans la pratique des Droits de l’Homme.
Mais méfiez-vous de la Raison quand même ! Elle doit s’engendrer et non pas servir de support ! Nous devons nous mettre dans la peau du créateur de toutes choses !
inflected forms: overdoes /-ˈdʌz/; overdid /-ˈdɪd/; overdone /-ˈdʌn/;overdoing
MEANING :
1 : to do too much of (something) : to do (something) in an excessive or extreme way
• You should exercise every day, but don't overdo it.
• The acting in that play was badly overdone.
2 : to use too much of (something)
• Don't overdo the salt in this recipe.
• I think you might have overdone it with the decorations. [=used too many decorations]
• Love is a theme that is overdone[=used too often] in the movies.
3 : to cook (food) for too long
• The cook overdid the hamburgers.
• My steak was slightly overdone. [=overcooked]
• an overdone steak
18 Août 2012
extravagant /ɪkˈstrævɪgənt/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more extravagant; most extravagant
MEANING :
1 a : more than is usual, necessary, or proper
• He went toextravagant [=elaborate, extreme] lengths to impress his boss.
• The brunch featured an extravagant [=lavish] assortment of entrees.
• extravagant praise
• The company has been making extravagantclaims/promises about the drug’s effectiveness.
1 b : very fancy
• an extravagant display
• The film is notable for itextravagant settings and special effects.
2 a : very expensive and not necessary
• an extravagant purchase
• We're going on a less extravagant vacation this year.
2 b : spending a lot of money
• On my income, I can’t afford to beextravagant.
[=I can't afford to buy expensive things that I don't need]
• Her extravagant spending has to stop.
— extravagantly adverb
• Her work was praised extravagantly.
• anextravagantly expensive wedding
19 Août 2012
booth /ˈbu:θ, British ˈbu:ð/ noun [count]
plural booths /ˈbu:ðz/
MEANING :
1 : a partially enclosed area or a small and usually temporary building where things are sold
or displayed or services are provided
• A local sheep farmer has a booth at the county fair and is selling wool yarn.
• We got hot dogs at one of the food booths.
• Someone at the information booth
[=a booth at which general information about a place or event is provided]
will be able to tell you where to find a bathroom.
2 a : a small area that is enclosed in order to provide privacy for one person
• a voting booth
2 b : an enclosed area for some kinds of workers that provides shelter and keeps them
separated from the public
• a ticket booth
• Traffic slowed as we approached the toll booth.
[=a booth at which drivers pay a fee for using a particular road or bridge]
• Our seats at the baseball game were next to the broadcast booth.
[=a booth from which a radio broadcast is made]
3 chiefly US : a table in a restaurant between benches with high backs
• They sat at/in a booth next to the window.
20 Août 2012
channel surfing noun [noncount]
MEANING :
the activity of using a remote control to change television stations quickly as you look for
something to watch
• My husband only likes channel-surfing; he never wants to watch anything.
— called alsochannel-hopping
21 Août 2012
play games idiom
MEANING :
1 : to treat someone in a dishonest or unfair way in order to get an advantage
• Stop playing games (with me) and tell me what really happened!
• I'm trying to be honest with you. I'm not interested inplaying games.
2 : to behave in a way that is not serious
• Let's stop playing gamesand get down to business.
22 Août 2012
impose /ɪmˈpoʊz/ verb
inflected forms: imposes; imposed; imposing
MEANING :
1 a [with object] : to cause (something, such as a tax, fine, rule, or punishment)
to affect someone or something by using your authority
• The judge imposed a life sentence. — usually followed by on orupon
• The judge imposed a life sentence on the defendant.
•impose [=levy] a tax on liquor
• A curfew has been imposed uponthe city’s youth.
1 b [with object] : to establish or create (something unwanted) in a forceful or harmful way
• I needed to break free from the limitsimposed by my own fear of failure.
2 [with object] : to force someone to accept (something or yourself) — followed by on or upon
• He imposed his will on his subjects.
[=he forced his subjects to do what he wanted them to do]
• Heimposes his personal beliefs on his employees.
• I don't like having to impose myself on other people.
3 [no object] : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable
• She asked if I wanted a ride, but I declined. I didn’t want to impose.
[=I didn't want to cause trouble or inconvenience for her]
— often followed by on or upon
• I didn't want to impose on her. = I didn't want to impose on her kindness.
• You shouldn’t impose on/uponyour friend's good nature.
23 Août 2012
generic /ʤəˈnerɪk/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more generic; most generic
MEANING :
1 : of or relating to a whole group or class
• "Flu" is sometimes used as a generic term/name for any illness caused by a virus.
2 : not sold or made under a particular brand name
• generic drugs
3 biology : of or relating to a genus
— generically /ʤəˈnerɪkli/ adverb
• "Flu" is sometimes usedgenerically for any illness caused by a virus.
Learn about generic as a noun.
24 Août 2012
wade /ˈweɪd/ verb
inflected forms: wades; waded; wading
MEANING :
1 : to walk through water [no object]
• We waded into the ocean.
• I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore.
• (US) They took off their sandals and waded
[=(British) paddled] at the edge of the pond.[with object]
• They waded the river. [=they crossed the river by walking through the water]
2 a : to move or proceed with difficulty [no object]
• Police wadedinto the crowd.
• We waded through the crowded bus station.
• It took several weeks to wade through all the evidence. [with object]
• Wewaded our way through the crowd.
2 b : to become involved in a discussion, situation, activity, etc., in a forceful, direct,
or careless way — usually followed by in or into
• Most politicians would have tried to avoid the subject, but he wadedright in.
• She waded right into their argument.
25 Août 2012
envy /ˈɛnvi/ noun [noncount]
MEANING :
1 : the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has
• my envyof his success
• Their exotic vacations inspired envy in/among their friends.
• We watched with envy as the yacht slid past us.
• They were green with envy. [=they were filled with envy; they were very envious]
• Her beautiful hair was an object of envy. [=people felt envy because of her beautiful hair]
— sometimes used humorously after a noun that indicates an object of envy
• My neighbor's new lawn mower has given me a bad case of lawn mower envy.
[=I'm very envious of my neighbor's new lawn mower]
2 : someone or something that causes envy
— used in the phrasethe envy of
• She was the envy of all her friends. [=all her friends envied her]
• Our car was the envy of the neighborhood. [=the neighbors envied us for our car]
Learn about envy as a verb.
27 Août 2012
naive /nɑˈi:v, naɪˈi:v/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms : more naive ; most naive
MEANING :
having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge : innocent or simple
• a naive belief that all people are good
• a naive view of the world
• She asked a lot of naive questions.
• He’s politically naive. = He’s naive about the nature of politics
• I was young and naive at the time, and I didn’t think anything bad could happen to me.
• The plan seems a little naive.
• If you’re naive enough to believe him, you’ll believe anyone.
• We’re not naive to the fact [=we're not unaware of the fact] that there are problems with the system
— naively or naïvely adverb
• I naively believed that we could fix the problem
— naïveté also naivete or naiveté /nɑˌi:vˈteɪ, naɪˌi:vˈteɪ/ noun [noncount]
• political naïveté
— naivety also naïvety /nɑˈi:vəti, naɪˈi:vəti/ noun [noncount] chiefly British
• political naïvety
28 Août 2012
drop the ball idiom Status: US, informal
MEANING :
to make a mistake especially by not doing something important
• I think the mayor dropped the ball by not hiring more police officers.
crude /ˈkru:d/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: cruder; crudest also more crude; most crud
MEANING :
1 : very simple and basic : made or done in a way that does not show a lot of skill
• crude tools
• a crude instrument/drawing
• They built a crude shelter out of branches.
2 : rude in a way that makes people uncomfortable; especially : talking about sexual matters in a rude way
• They tell a lot of crude [=vulgar] jokes.
3 : very simple and basic in a way that is true but not complete
• a crude summary of the country’s history
• a crude theory
• a crude [=rough] estimate
• She first described the procedure in crude terms, and then went into more detail.
— crudely adverb
• a crudely drawn picture
• To put it crudely [=bluntly], I just don’t like you.
— crudeness noun [noncount]
• He doesn’t appreciate the crudeness of their jokes.
Learn about crude as a noun.
August 29
fiasco /fiˈæskoʊ/ noun [count] plural fiascoes
1 : competing in a contest
• The enthusiasm of his supporters made him decide to stay in the running for mayor.
2 : having a chance to win a contest
• She is still in the running for the prize.
8 Août 2012
rapid /ˈræpəd/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more rapid; most rapid MEANING :
1 : happening in a short amount of time : happening quickly
• a rapid[=quick] change in temperature
• There’s been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town.
• Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island’s coral reefs.2 : having a fast rate
• a rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing
3 : moving quickly
• She carefully guided the boat through the rapidwater.
— rapidity /rəˈpɪdəti/ noun [noncount]
• Doctors were amazed by therapidity [=speed] of his recovery.— rapidly adverb
• the rapidly [=quickly] changing temperature
• He was breathing rapidly.
• Her heart beat rapidly.
9 Août 2012
variety /vəˈrajəti/ noun
plural varieties - MEANING :
1 [singular] : a number or collection of different things or people
— usually followed by of
• The talks covered a wide/great variety oftopics. [=the talks covered many different topics]
• The company sells a variety of gardening products.
• They broke up for a variety ofreasons.
• The conference attracts a wide variety of people.
• He has a variety of health problems.
2 [noncount] : the quality or state of having or including many different things
• I was surprised by the variety of the choices that were available.
• Our diet lacks variety.
• My life needs more variety.
• You know what they say: variety is the spice of life.
[=life is more interesting and enjoyable when you do different things]
3 [count] : a particular kind of person or thing
• The museum has aircraft of every variety. [=kind, sort]
• people of all varieties
• different varieties of oranges
• exotic varieties of snakes
4 [noncount] : a type of entertainment that has many short performances
(such as dances, skits, and songs) which follow one another and that are not related
— usually used before another noun
• variety shows
• variety performers/theater
10 Août 2012
terrain /təˈreɪn/ noun
plural terrains - MEANING :
: land of a particular kind [noncount]
• We had to drive over some rough terrain. [count]
• We hiked through a variety of terrains.
11 Août 2012
assist /əˈsɪst/ verb
inflected forms: assists; assisted; assisting
MEANING :
: to give support or help : to make it easier for someone to do something or for something to happen : help [with object]
• The device assists those who can’t climb stairs.
• The president wasassisted by his advisers.
• The president was assisted with his speech.
= The president was assisted in writing his speech.
• Sheassisted the boy with his homework.
• Another doctor assisted him with the operation. [no object]
• Another doctor assisted with the operation.
• Federal agents are assisting with the investigation.
• She assisted in making the decision.
• The cream assists in the prevention of skin cancer.
Learn about assist as a noun.
12 Août 2012
swap /ˈswɑ:p/ verb
British spelling: swop
inflected forms: swaps; swapped; swapping
Status: informal - MEANING :
1 : to give something to someone and receive something in return :
to trade or exchange (things) [with object]
• He swapped his cupcake for a candy bar.
• He swapped desserts with his brother. = He and his brother swapped desserts.
• I'll swap my sandwich for your popcorn. = I’ll swap you my sandwich for your popcorn.
• I swappedseats with my sister so she could see the stage better.
• We often get together and swap [=exchange] recipes.
• We spent some timeswapping stories about our college days.
[=telling each other stories about our college days] [no object]
• I liked her blue notebook and she liked my red one, so we swapped.
• He wanted the window seat so we swapped.
= (British) He wanted the window seat so weswapped over.2 : to replace (something) with something else [with object]
• Heswapped (out) his hard drive for a bigger one.
• The nurse swapped[=switched] the patients’ charts by mistake.[no object]
• (British) Our company decided to swap over to a new supplier.
Learn about swap as a noun.
13 Août 2012
relevant /ˈrɛləvənt/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more relevant; most relevant
MEANING : relating to a subject in an appropriate way
• a relevant [=pertinent] question
• The ideas and observations expressed in the book are still relevant today.
— often followed by to
• Her comments were notrelevant [=(more formally) germane] to the discussion.
• Do you have any experience that is relevant to this job?
— relevance /ˈrɛləvəns/ or relevancy /ˈrɛləvənsi/ noun [noncount]
• The question lacks relevance.
— relevantly adverb
• It’s a funny story, and more relevantly, it’s true.
14 Août 2012
know the score idiom
Status: informal
MEANING : to have a good understanding of a situation
• Now that she knows the score, she won’t make the same mistake again.
15 Août 2012
stance /ˈstæns, British ˈstɑ:ns/ noun [count]
plural stances - MEANING :
1 : a publicly stated opinion — usually singular
• He changed hisstance after new evidence was discovered.
• She has maintained a neutral stance [=position] during the negotiations.
• She was criticized for her antiwar stance.
2 : a way of standing — usually singular
• She adopted a casual/relaxed stance.
• a batting stance [=the way someone stands to bat in baseball]
16 Août 2012
mandate /ˈmænˌdeɪt/ noun [count]
plural mandates
Status: formal - MEANING :
1 : an official order to do something
• Royal mandates must be obeyed.
• They carried out the governor’s mandate to build more roads2 : the power to act that voters give to their elected leaders
• He won the election so convincingly that he believed he had been given amandate for
change/reform. — often followed by to + verb
• He believed he had been given a mandate (from the people) to implement his policies.
• There is no mandate to raise taxes.
Learn about mandate as a verb.
17 Août 2012
Je rêvais d'un autre monde by Davy : L’argent, c’est le droit.
Les enfants qui meurent de faim on le droit de s’acheter à manger, les multinationales ont le droit de dépecer des forêts, les pays de partir en guerre avec l’argent des impôt pour le seul profit de ces même firmes. Le profit en terme d’argent est devenu la Raison qui avalise l’existant. C’est ce qui arrive quand la réalité est réduite au peu qu’on prend en considération.
Nous sommes dans une « société de Droit », et pourtant ces droits sont conditionnés par des moyens, exprimés en argent, symbole du Pouvoir.
Si les Droits étaient directement eux-même la Raison, et donc le Moyen d’agir, de créer, d’exister, automatiquement l’ensemble de l’activité humaine serait tournée vers la bonté et l’esprit de service, toute l’intelligence serait mise au service du Futur.
Si le système permet l’immoral c’est parce que l’on croit que le système est subsidiaire, or il est vital, et ce qu’il permet de faire est considéré comme consenti moralement. C’est sur le Système que repose « la confiance », « ce qui fait société », ce qui garantit que notre énergie aura un impact positif sur le monde.
Dans une vraie société de Droit, la légalité n’est pas subie mais désirée car logique et intelligente. L’Économie consiste à chercher ce qui est optimal, à petite et grande échelle simultanément. La Croissance est celle du niveau de vie moyen.
Au principe préhistorique du troc inter-individus doit succéder un (vrai) système d’un plus haut degré de complexité, fondé sur la raison, discuté et modelé en permanence, et ayant pour objectif la mise en oeuvre dans la pratique des Droits de l’Homme.
Mais méfiez-vous de la Raison quand même ! Elle doit s’engendrer et non pas servir de support ! Nous devons nous mettre dans la peau du créateur de toutes choses !
Karma Detchen : rather our own individual ordinary mind is the creaor of each relative reality shown as our experience in Samsara or Nirvana but this is totaly conditionned even if we all come from the All, Zero Intant, X bozon, Ultimate Base or primordial Paradise as one créator or God if you prefer this concepts. So just overdo /ˌoʊvɚˈdu:/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: overdoes /-ˈdʌz/; overdid /-ˈdɪd/; overdone /-ˈdʌn/;overdoing
MEANING :
1 : to do too much of (something) : to do (something) in an excessive or extreme way
• You should exercise every day, but don't overdo it.
• The acting in that play was badly overdone.
2 : to use too much of (something)
• Don't overdo the salt in this recipe.
• I think you might have overdone it with the decorations. [=used too many decorations]
• Love is a theme that is overdone[=used too often] in the movies.
3 : to cook (food) for too long
• The cook overdid the hamburgers.
• My steak was slightly overdone. [=overcooked]
• an overdone steak
18 Août 2012
extravagant /ɪkˈstrævɪgənt/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more extravagant; most extravagant
MEANING :
1 a : more than is usual, necessary, or proper
• He went toextravagant [=elaborate, extreme] lengths to impress his boss.
• The brunch featured an extravagant [=lavish] assortment of entrees.
• extravagant praise
• The company has been making extravagantclaims/promises about the drug’s effectiveness.
1 b : very fancy
• an extravagant display
• The film is notable for itextravagant settings and special effects.
2 a : very expensive and not necessary
• an extravagant purchase
• We're going on a less extravagant vacation this year.
2 b : spending a lot of money
• On my income, I can’t afford to beextravagant.
[=I can't afford to buy expensive things that I don't need]
• Her extravagant spending has to stop.
— extravagantly adverb
• Her work was praised extravagantly.
• anextravagantly expensive wedding
19 Août 2012
booth /ˈbu:θ, British ˈbu:ð/ noun [count]
plural booths /ˈbu:ðz/
MEANING :
1 : a partially enclosed area or a small and usually temporary building where things are sold
or displayed or services are provided
• A local sheep farmer has a booth at the county fair and is selling wool yarn.
• We got hot dogs at one of the food booths.
• Someone at the information booth
[=a booth at which general information about a place or event is provided]
will be able to tell you where to find a bathroom.
2 a : a small area that is enclosed in order to provide privacy for one person
• a voting booth
2 b : an enclosed area for some kinds of workers that provides shelter and keeps them
separated from the public
• a ticket booth
• Traffic slowed as we approached the toll booth.
[=a booth at which drivers pay a fee for using a particular road or bridge]
• Our seats at the baseball game were next to the broadcast booth.
[=a booth from which a radio broadcast is made]
3 chiefly US : a table in a restaurant between benches with high backs
• They sat at/in a booth next to the window.
20 Août 2012
channel surfing noun [noncount]
MEANING :
the activity of using a remote control to change television stations quickly as you look for
something to watch
• My husband only likes channel-surfing; he never wants to watch anything.
— called alsochannel-hopping
21 Août 2012
play games idiom
MEANING :
1 : to treat someone in a dishonest or unfair way in order to get an advantage
• Stop playing games (with me) and tell me what really happened!
• I'm trying to be honest with you. I'm not interested inplaying games.
2 : to behave in a way that is not serious
• Let's stop playing gamesand get down to business.
22 Août 2012
impose /ɪmˈpoʊz/ verb
inflected forms: imposes; imposed; imposing
MEANING :
1 a [with object] : to cause (something, such as a tax, fine, rule, or punishment)
to affect someone or something by using your authority
• The judge imposed a life sentence. — usually followed by on orupon
• The judge imposed a life sentence on the defendant.
•impose [=levy] a tax on liquor
• A curfew has been imposed uponthe city’s youth.
1 b [with object] : to establish or create (something unwanted) in a forceful or harmful way
• I needed to break free from the limitsimposed by my own fear of failure.
2 [with object] : to force someone to accept (something or yourself) — followed by on or upon
• He imposed his will on his subjects.
[=he forced his subjects to do what he wanted them to do]
• Heimposes his personal beliefs on his employees.
• I don't like having to impose myself on other people.
3 [no object] : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable
• She asked if I wanted a ride, but I declined. I didn’t want to impose.
[=I didn't want to cause trouble or inconvenience for her]
— often followed by on or upon
• I didn't want to impose on her. = I didn't want to impose on her kindness.
• You shouldn’t impose on/uponyour friend's good nature.
23 Août 2012
generic /ʤəˈnerɪk/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more generic; most generic
MEANING :
1 : of or relating to a whole group or class
• "Flu" is sometimes used as a generic term/name for any illness caused by a virus.
2 : not sold or made under a particular brand name
• generic drugs
3 biology : of or relating to a genus
— generically /ʤəˈnerɪkli/ adverb
• "Flu" is sometimes usedgenerically for any illness caused by a virus.
Learn about generic as a noun.
24 Août 2012
wade /ˈweɪd/ verb
inflected forms: wades; waded; wading
MEANING :
1 : to walk through water [no object]
• We waded into the ocean.
• I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore.
• (US) They took off their sandals and waded
[=(British) paddled] at the edge of the pond.[with object]
• They waded the river. [=they crossed the river by walking through the water]
2 a : to move or proceed with difficulty [no object]
• Police wadedinto the crowd.
• We waded through the crowded bus station.
• It took several weeks to wade through all the evidence. [with object]
• Wewaded our way through the crowd.
2 b : to become involved in a discussion, situation, activity, etc., in a forceful, direct,
or careless way — usually followed by in or into
• Most politicians would have tried to avoid the subject, but he wadedright in.
• She waded right into their argument.
25 Août 2012
envy /ˈɛnvi/ noun [noncount]
MEANING :
1 : the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has
• my envyof his success
• Their exotic vacations inspired envy in/among their friends.
• We watched with envy as the yacht slid past us.
• They were green with envy. [=they were filled with envy; they were very envious]
• Her beautiful hair was an object of envy. [=people felt envy because of her beautiful hair]
— sometimes used humorously after a noun that indicates an object of envy
• My neighbor's new lawn mower has given me a bad case of lawn mower envy.
[=I'm very envious of my neighbor's new lawn mower]
2 : someone or something that causes envy
— used in the phrasethe envy of
• She was the envy of all her friends. [=all her friends envied her]
• Our car was the envy of the neighborhood. [=the neighbors envied us for our car]
Learn about envy as a verb.
27 Août 2012
naive /nɑˈi:v, naɪˈi:v/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms : more naive ; most naive
MEANING :
having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge : innocent or simple
• a naive belief that all people are good
• a naive view of the world
• She asked a lot of naive questions.
• He’s politically naive. = He’s naive about the nature of politics
• I was young and naive at the time, and I didn’t think anything bad could happen to me.
• The plan seems a little naive.
• If you’re naive enough to believe him, you’ll believe anyone.
• We’re not naive to the fact [=we're not unaware of the fact] that there are problems with the system
— naively or naïvely adverb
• I naively believed that we could fix the problem
— naïveté also naivete or naiveté /nɑˌi:vˈteɪ, naɪˌi:vˈteɪ/ noun [noncount]
• political naïveté
— naivety also naïvety /nɑˈi:vəti, naɪˈi:vəti/ noun [noncount] chiefly British
• political naïvety
28 Août 2012
drop the ball idiom Status: US, informal
MEANING :
to make a mistake especially by not doing something important
• I think the mayor dropped the ball by not hiring more police officers.
crude /ˈkru:d/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: cruder; crudest also more crude; most crud
MEANING :
1 : very simple and basic : made or done in a way that does not show a lot of skill
• crude tools
• a crude instrument/drawing
• They built a crude shelter out of branches.
2 : rude in a way that makes people uncomfortable; especially : talking about sexual matters in a rude way
• They tell a lot of crude [=vulgar] jokes.
3 : very simple and basic in a way that is true but not complete
• a crude summary of the country’s history
• a crude theory
• a crude [=rough] estimate
• She first described the procedure in crude terms, and then went into more detail.
— crudely adverb
• a crudely drawn picture
• To put it crudely [=bluntly], I just don’t like you.
— crudeness noun [noncount]
• He doesn’t appreciate the crudeness of their jokes.
Learn about crude as a noun.
August 29
fiasco /fiˈæskoʊ/ noun [count] plural fiascoes
MEANING : a complete failure or disaster
• The party turned into a complete/utter fiasco.
• a political fiasco
30 August
halt /ˈhɑ:lt/ verb inflected forms: halts; halted; halting
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to stop (something or someone) from moving or continuing
• The party turned into a complete/utter fiasco.
• a political fiasco
30 August
halt /ˈhɑ:lt/ verb inflected forms: halts; halted; halting
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to stop (something or someone) from moving or continuing
• The project had to be halted due to lack of funds.
• They voted to halt expansion of the shopping mall.
• The strike halted subways and buses.
2 [no object] : to stop moving or happening
• The troops halted outside the city.
• The fighting halted briefly.
• The project halted when funding ran out.
• The guard shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"
Learn about halt as a noun
August 31
• They voted to halt expansion of the shopping mall.
• The strike halted subways and buses.
2 [no object] : to stop moving or happening
• The troops halted outside the city.
• The fighting halted briefly.
• The project halted when funding ran out.
• The guard shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"
Learn about halt as a noun
August 31
truce /ˈtru:s/ noun [count]
plural truces
MEANING :
an
agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting, arguing, etc.,
for a certain period of time
• They called/proposed a truce.
• There's been an uneasy truce between her and her parents for the past several months.
• They broke the truce. [=they began fighting when there was an agreement not to fight]
• They called/proposed a truce.
• There's been an uneasy truce between her and her parents for the past several months.
• They broke the truce. [=they began fighting when there was an agreement not to fight]
