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lundi 23 décembre 2013
Pour vous souhaitez un joyeux Noël qui dure toute l'année voici le Programme du printemps et de l'été 2014 à Lérab Ling avec ses thèmes très inspirants
samedi 7 décembre 2013
Théléthon et Méditation
Bonjour,
Ajourd'hui ces deux rendez-vous :
avec notamment ce coup de coeur
et mon autre RV sans bouger en ce qui me concerne qui est "ce qu'est réellement la méditation" si vous êtes du côté d'Aix-en-Provence :
Ajourd'hui ces deux rendez-vous :
avec notamment ce coup de coeur
et mon autre RV sans bouger en ce qui me concerne qui est "ce qu'est réellement la méditation" si vous êtes du côté d'Aix-en-Provence :
mais avant d'aller apprendre
ce qu'est réellement la méditation
appelez le Théléthon
ce qu'est réellement la méditation
appelez le Théléthon
samedi 30 novembre 2013
testament du yogi ou de la yogini accompli(e)
Karma Detchen, Rappelons nous :
Dans un ciel nocturne et sans nuages, la pleine lune, «Reine des Etoiles», va se lever...
Le visage de mon seigneur compatissant, Padmasambhava,
M'attire vers lui, rayonnant d'une tendre bienvenue.
Je me réjouis de la mort bien davantage encore
Que ne se réjouissent les navigateurs à amasser d'immenses fortunes sur les mers,
Ou que les seigneurs des dieux qui se vantent de leurs victoires aux combats ;
Ou encore que ces sages qui sont entrés dans le ravissement de l'absorption parfaite.
C'est pourquoi, tel un voyageur qui se met en route quand le temps est venu de partir,
Je ne m'attarderai pas plus longtemps en ce monde ;
Mais irai demeurer dans la citadelle de la grande béatitude de l'immortalité.
Étincelle d'éveil
Dans un ciel nocturne et sans nuages, la pleine lune, «Reine des Etoiles», va se lever...
Le visage de mon seigneur compatissant, Padmasambhava,
M'attire vers lui, rayonnant d'une tendre bienvenue.
Je me réjouis de la mort bien davantage encore
Que ne se réjouissent les navigateurs à amasser d'immenses fortunes sur les mers,
Ou que les seigneurs des dieux qui se vantent de leurs victoires aux combats ;
Ou encore que ces sages qui sont entrés dans le ravissement de l'absorption parfaite.
C'est pourquoi, tel un voyageur qui se met en route quand le temps est venu de partir,
Je ne m'attarderai pas plus longtemps en ce monde ;
Mais irai demeurer dans la citadelle de la grande béatitude de l'immortalité.
LE TESTAMENT ULTIME DE LONGCHENPA
Pour aller plus loin :
Le Livre Tibétain de la Vie et de la Mort
Nouvelle édition augmentée, Le Livre de Poche
Cf. chapitre 21, page 605
Le Livre Tibétain de la Vie et de la Mort
Nouvelle édition augmentée, Le Livre de Poche
Cf. chapitre 21, page 605
Invitation à la contemplation
...
Tel un voyageur qui se met en route quand le temps est venu de partir,
Je ne m'attarderai pas plus longtemps en ce monde ; Mais irai demeurer
dans la citadelle de la grande béatitude de l'immortalité.
Réponse à la précédente question
Quelle est la seule façon d'atteindre la libération et d'obtenir l'omniscience de l'état éveillé ?
Réponse dans la future étincelle
samedi 23 novembre 2013
English remembrering while October
inflected forms: strives; strove /ˈstroʊv/ also strived; striven /ˈstraɪvən/ or strived; striving
Status: formal
MEANING :
to try very hard to do or achieve something
• We must all strive to do better.
• She always strives for perfection.
• They strove for success. = They strove to succeed.
• They continue to strivetoward their goals.
• striving against injustice [=working hard to fight injustice]
— striver /ˈstraɪvɚ/ noun, plural strivers [count]
MEANING :
to try very hard to do or achieve something
• We must all strive to do better.
• She always strives for perfection.
• They strove for success. = They strove to succeed.
• They continue to strivetoward their goals.
• striving against injustice [=working hard to fight injustice]
— striver /ˈstraɪvɚ/ noun, plural strivers [count]
ambition /æmˈbɪʃən/ noun plural ambitions
MEANING :
1 [count] : a particular goal or aim : something that a person hopes to do or achieve
• My first ambition as a child was to be in the circus.
• The wife of a famous poet, she had literary ambitions of her own. [=she wanted to be a writer too]
• He has ambitions for an acting career.
= He has ambitions to become an actor. = His ambition is to be/become an actor.
• She finally achieved/realized/fulfilled her life’s ambition
[=the thing she most wanted to do in her life] when she started her own business
2 [noncount] : a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous
2 [noncount] : a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous
• He lacked ambition and couldn’t compete with the others.
• With her talent and fierce ambition [=her very strong desire to succeed], she became a very successful actress.
3 [noncount] US : a desire to do things and be active
3 [noncount] US : a desire to do things and be active
— usually used in negative constructions
• I was tired and had no ambition
[=initiative, energy], so I just spent the whole weekend watching TV.
MEANING :
1 a : allowed according to rules or laws
• a legitimate [=legal, lawful] heir/government/business
• legitimate means for achieving success
• the legitimate use of firearms
OCTOBER 19
overall /ˌoʊvɚˈɑ:l/ adverb
OCTOBER 23
OCTOBER 25
OCTOBER 26
horrify /ˈhorəˌfaɪ/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: horrifies; horrified; horrifying
• He was horrified to realize that his comments had been overheard.
• She had a horrified look on her face.
— horrifying adjective [more horrifying; most horrifying]
• a horrifying experience
— horrifyingly adverb
• a horrifyingly brutal crime
OCTOBER 27
blur /ˈblɚ/ verb
inflected forms: blurs; blurred; blurring
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to make (something) unclear or difficult to see or remember
• a technique that blurs the edges of the image [=makes the edges of the image less sharp]
• The tears in my eyes blurred the words on the page.
• His novel is based on historical occurrences but it blurs the line/distinction between fact and fiction.
2 [no object] : to become unclear or difficult to see or remember
• I was so tired that my vision/eyes started to blur. [=I was not able to see clearly]
• The two events have blurred together in my mind.
— blurred adjective [more blurred; most blurred]
• The writing is blurred [=blurry] but I think I can read it.
• The patient's symptoms include blurred vision.
• a blurred memory
Learn about blur as a noun.
OCTOBER 28a nail in the coffin idiom
MEANING :
something that makes it more likely that someone or something will fail, be destroyed, etc.
• Every mistake is one more nail in the coffin of his professional baseball career.
• The lawyers put another nail in her coffin today.
OCTOBER 29
exaggerate /ɪgˈzæʤəˌreɪt/ verb
inflected forms: exaggerates; exaggerated; exaggerating
MEANING :
1 : to think of or describe something as larger or greater than it really is [with object]
• The book exaggerates the difficulties he faced in starting his career.
• It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery. [no object]
• He tends to exaggerate when talking about his accomplishments.
2 [with object] : to make (something) larger or greater than normal
• He exaggerated his movements so we could see them more clearly.
— exaggerated adjective [more exaggerated; most exaggerated]
• He has a very/greatly exaggerated idea of his own importance.
• a very exaggerated gesture
— exaggeratedly adverb [more exaggeratedly; most exaggeratedly]
• an exaggeratedly large gesture
— exaggeration /ɪgˌzæʤəˈreɪʃən/ noun, plural exaggerations [count]
• The report was filled with exaggerations and outright lies. [noncount]
• She told us what happened without exaggeration. [=without exaggerating]
— exaggerator /ɪgˈzæʤəˌreɪtɚ/ noun, plural exaggerators [count]
• He’s an exaggerator, if not an outright liar.
OCTOBER 30
OCTOBER 31
creepy /ˈkri:pi/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: creepier; creepiest or more creepy; most creepy
Status: informal
MEANING :
strange or scary : causing people to feel nervous and afraid
• a creepy movie
• a creepy old house
• There’s something creepy about that guy.
— creepily /ˈkri:pəli/ adverb
— creepiness noun [noncount]
OCTOBER 3
campaign /kæmˈpeɪn/ noun [count]
plural campaigns
MEANING :
1 : a series of activities designed to produce a particular result
• an election campaign [=a campaign to win a political election]
• a presidential campaign
• The group launched/mounted/led a campaign to protect the area from commercial development.
• the campaign against drugs
• an expensive advertising campaign
• The university is organizing a campaign to attract a more diverse student population.
— often used before another noun
• campaign contributions
• She kept/broke her campaign promises.
• a campaign slogan
2 : a series of military battles, attacks, etc., designed to produce a particular result in a war
• a bombing campaign
Learn about campaign as a verb.
OCTOBER 4
campaign /kæmˈpeɪn/ noun [count]
plural campaigns
MEANING :
1 : a series of activities designed to produce a particular result
• an election campaign [=a campaign to win a political election]
• a presidential campaign
• The group launched/mounted/led a campaign to protect the area from commercial development.
• the campaign against drugs
• an expensive advertising campaign
• The university is organizing a campaign to attract a more diverse student population.
— often used before another noun
• campaign contributions
• She kept/broke her campaign promises.
• a campaign slogan
2 : a series of military battles, attacks, etc., designed to produce a particular result in a war
• a bombing campaign
Learn about campaign as a verb.
OCTOBER 4
endorse /ɪnˈdoɚs/ verb [with object]
Variant spelling: indorse
inflected forms: endorses; endorsed; endorsing
MEANING :
1 : to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something)
• The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.
• The committee must endorse[=approve] the decision.
• We do not endorse their position.
2 : to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money
• She endorses a line of clothing.
• That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.
3 : to write your name on the back of (a check)
• You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.
4 British : to put information about a driving offense on (a person’s driver’s license)
— usually used as (be) endorsed
• His driving license was endorsed for speeding.
— endorser noun, plural endorsers [count]
OCTOBER 5
Variant spelling: indorse
inflected forms: endorses; endorsed; endorsing
MEANING :
1 : to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something)
• The newspaper has endorsed the conservative candidate for mayor.
• The committee must endorse[=approve] the decision.
• We do not endorse their position.
2 : to publicly say that you like or use (a product or service) in exchange for money
• She endorses a line of clothing.
• That brand of sneaker is endorsed by several basketball stars.
3 : to write your name on the back of (a check)
• You must endorse the check before you deposit it in the bank.
4 British : to put information about a driving offense on (a person’s driver’s license)
— usually used as (be) endorsed
• His driving license was endorsed for speeding.
— endorser noun, plural endorsers [count]
OCTOBER 5
formation /foɚˈmeɪʃən/ noun
plural formations
MEANING :
1 [noncount] : the act of forming or creating something
• theformation [=development] of new ideas
• The book explains theformation of the planets.
2 [count] : something that is formed or created
• an interesting cloud formation
• new word formations
• rock formations
3 : an orderly arrangement or group of people, ships, or airplanes
— often used after in [noncount]
• The soldiers were marching information.
• jets flying in formation [count]
• The team ran on the field and lined up in a punt formation
plural formations
MEANING :
1 [noncount] : the act of forming or creating something
• theformation [=development] of new ideas
• The book explains theformation of the planets.
2 [count] : something that is formed or created
• an interesting cloud formation
• new word formations
• rock formations
3 : an orderly arrangement or group of people, ships, or airplanes
— often used after in [noncount]
• The soldiers were marching information.
• jets flying in formation [count]
• The team ran on the field and lined up in a punt formation
OCTOBER 6
ward /ˈwoɚd/ noun [count]
plural wards
MEANING :
1 a : a section in a hospital for patients needing a particular kind of care
ward /ˈwoɚd/ noun [count]
plural wards
MEANING :
1 a : a section in a hospital for patients needing a particular kind of care
• She works in the cancer/maternity/psychiatric ward.
1 b US : a section in a prison
1 b US : a section in a prison
• a maximum security ward
2: one of the sections into which a city or town is divided for the purposes of an election
2: one of the sections into which a city or town is divided for the purposes of an election
• the council representative from Ward 22
3 : a person (such as a child) who is protected and cared for by a court or guardian
3 : a person (such as a child) who is protected and cared for by a court or guardian
• They were wards of the state.
• (US) The boy was made a ward of the court.
= (British) The boy was made a ward of court.
Learn about ward as a verb.
Learn about ward as a verb.
OCTOBER 7
a matter of life and death idiom
MEANING :
a matter of life and death idiom
MEANING :
something that is extremely important and often involves decisions that will determine whether someone lives or dies
• Being prepared for severe weather can be a matter of life and death.
OCTOBER 8
confront /kənˈfrʌnt/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: confronts; confronted; confronting1 a
MEANING :
1a : to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way
• They confronted the invaders at the shore.
— often used as (be) confronted
• He was confronted by a security guard when he tried to leave the store.
• The mayor was confronted by a group of angry protestors.
1 b : to directly question the action or authority of (someone)
• She confronted him about his smoking.
• No one was willing to confront [=challenge] the company president on that point.
2 a : to deal with (something, such as a problem or danger)
• They confronted [=(more commonly) encountered] many obstacles along the way.; especially : to deal with (something) in an honest and direct way
• The treatment center helps people confront [=face] their addictions.
• It’s better to confront [=address] a problem than to avoid it.
2 b : to force (someone) to see or deal with (something, such as a problem) in a direct way
• The photographs confront the viewer with images of desperate poverty.
• I confronted her with the evidence. — often used as (be) confronted
• They were confronted with many problems during the project.
2 c : to be a problem for (someone or something)
• We know of the financial problems confronting [=facing] local schools.
OCTOBER 9
fray /ˈfreɪ/ verb
inflected forms: frays; frayed; fraying
MEANING :
to cause (a cloth or other material) to become worn down at the end or edge :
to separate the threads of (a material) [with object]
• She frayed the edges of her cutoff jeans.
= She frayed her cutoff jeans at the edges. [no object]
• The cuffs of the old shirt were fraying.
— often used figuratively
• Her temper was starting to fray.[=she was beginning to get angry]
• His nerves were frayed/fraying.
• their frayed/fraying friendship
Learn about fray as a noun.
OCTOBER 10
remnant /ˈrɛmnənt/ noun [count]
plural remnants
MEANING :
1 : the part of something that is left when the other parts are gone
— usually plural; often followed by of
• These villages are the last surviving remnants of a great civilization.
• A new police force was formed from the remnants of the army.
2 : a small piece of cloth that is left after the rest of the cloth has been sold
• Remnants go on sale next week.
OCTOBER 11
minimal /ˈmɪnəməl/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more minimal; most minimal
MEANING :
very small or slight in size or amount
• The storm caused minimal damage.
• The costs were minimal.
• areas at minimal risk for flooding
• They made the repairs with minimal disruption
[=with the least possible disruption] to the schedule.
— minimally adverb
• a minimally adequate supply
• a minimally useful tool
OCTOBER 12
inkling /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ noun [count]
plural inklings
MEANING :
a slight, uncertain idea about something :
a slight amount of knowledge about something — usually singular
• I didn’t have an inkling [=clue] of what it all meant.
• Nothing gave me any inkling that it would happen.
confront /kənˈfrʌnt/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: confronts; confronted; confronting1 a
MEANING :
1a : to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way
• They confronted the invaders at the shore.
— often used as (be) confronted
• He was confronted by a security guard when he tried to leave the store.
• The mayor was confronted by a group of angry protestors.
1 b : to directly question the action or authority of (someone)
• She confronted him about his smoking.
• No one was willing to confront [=challenge] the company president on that point.
2 a : to deal with (something, such as a problem or danger)
• They confronted [=(more commonly) encountered] many obstacles along the way.; especially : to deal with (something) in an honest and direct way
• The treatment center helps people confront [=face] their addictions.
• It’s better to confront [=address] a problem than to avoid it.
2 b : to force (someone) to see or deal with (something, such as a problem) in a direct way
• The photographs confront the viewer with images of desperate poverty.
• I confronted her with the evidence. — often used as (be) confronted
• They were confronted with many problems during the project.
2 c : to be a problem for (someone or something)
• We know of the financial problems confronting [=facing] local schools.
OCTOBER 9
fray /ˈfreɪ/ verb
inflected forms: frays; frayed; fraying
MEANING :
to cause (a cloth or other material) to become worn down at the end or edge :
to separate the threads of (a material) [with object]
• She frayed the edges of her cutoff jeans.
= She frayed her cutoff jeans at the edges. [no object]
• The cuffs of the old shirt were fraying.
— often used figuratively
• Her temper was starting to fray.[=she was beginning to get angry]
• His nerves were frayed/fraying.
• their frayed/fraying friendship
Learn about fray as a noun.
OCTOBER 10
remnant /ˈrɛmnənt/ noun [count]
plural remnants
MEANING :
1 : the part of something that is left when the other parts are gone
— usually plural; often followed by of
• These villages are the last surviving remnants of a great civilization.
• A new police force was formed from the remnants of the army.
2 : a small piece of cloth that is left after the rest of the cloth has been sold
• Remnants go on sale next week.
OCTOBER 11
minimal /ˈmɪnəməl/ adjective
MEANING :
very small or slight in size or amount
• The storm caused minimal damage.
• The costs were minimal.
• areas at minimal risk for flooding
• They made the repairs with minimal disruption
[=with the least possible disruption] to the schedule.
— minimally adverb
• a minimally adequate supply
• a minimally useful tool
OCTOBER 12
inkling /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/ noun [count]
plural inklings
MEANING :
a slight, uncertain idea about something :
a slight amount of knowledge about something — usually singular
• I didn’t have an inkling [=clue] of what it all meant.
• Nothing gave me any inkling that it would happen.
OCTOBER 13
no-brainer /ˈnoʊˈbreɪnɚ/ noun [count]plural no-brainers
Status: informal
MEANING :
a decision or choice that is very easy to make and requires very little thought
• The offer of a full scholarship made his choice of colleges a no-brainer.
OCTOBER 14
to die for
idiom
Status: informal
MEANING :
worth dying for : extremely desirable or appealing
• Dinner was nothing special, but the dessert was to die for.
• The apartment has a view to die for. [=has a great view]
no-brainer /ˈnoʊˈbreɪnɚ/ noun [count]plural no-brainers
Status: informal
MEANING :
a decision or choice that is very easy to make and requires very little thought
• The offer of a full scholarship made his choice of colleges a no-brainer.
OCTOBER 14
to die for
idiom
Status: informal
MEANING :
worth dying for : extremely desirable or appealing
• Dinner was nothing special, but the dessert was to die for.
• The apartment has a view to die for. [=has a great view]
OCTOBER 15
legitimate /lɪˈʤɪtəmət/ adjective MEANING :
1 a : allowed according to rules or laws
• a legitimate [=legal, lawful] heir/government/business
• legitimate means for achieving success
• the legitimate use of firearms
1 b : real, accepted, or official
• It’s not clear that the letter is legitimate [=genuine]; it may be a forgery.
• It’s not clear that the letter is legitimate [=genuine]; it may be a forgery.
2 [more legitimate; most legitimate] : fair or reasonable
• We think her concern/excuse is legitimate. = We think she has a legitimate concern/excuse. • There’s no legitimate reason for prescribing this medication to a child.
• His claim is legitimate.
3 : born to a father and mother who are married
• legitimate children
— legitimacy /lɪˈʤɪtəməsi/ noun [noncount]
• Many question the legitimacy of the law.
— legitimately adverb
• We earned the money legitimately. [=legally]
• He can legitimately [=rightfully] claim to be the best athlete in his class.
Learn about legitimate as a verb.
• We think her concern/excuse is legitimate. = We think she has a legitimate concern/excuse. • There’s no legitimate reason for prescribing this medication to a child.
• His claim is legitimate.
3 : born to a father and mother who are married
• legitimate children
— legitimacy /lɪˈʤɪtəməsi/ noun [noncount]
• Many question the legitimacy of the law.
— legitimately adverb
• We earned the money legitimately. [=legally]
• He can legitimately [=rightfully] claim to be the best athlete in his class.
Learn about legitimate as a verb.
OCTOBER 16
validity /vəˈlɪdəti/ noun [noncount]
validity /vəˈlɪdəti/ noun [noncount]
MEANING :
1 : the state of being acceptable according to the law : the state of being valid
• The validity of the contract/document is being questioned.
2 : the quality of being real or correct
• Scientists questioned the validity of the findings.
1 : the state of being acceptable according to the law : the state of being valid
• The validity of the contract/document is being questioned.
2 : the quality of being real or correct
• Scientists questioned the validity of the findings.
OCTOBER 17
profound /prəˈfaʊnd/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more profound; most profound
MEANING :
1 a : having or showing great knowledge or understanding
• aprofound thinker
• His knowledge of history is profound.
• Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage.
1 b : difficult to understand : requiring deep thought or wisdom
• the profound mysteries of outer space
• profound questions
2 a : very strongly felt
• profound sorrow
• a profound sense of loss
2 b : very great
• Computer technology has made profound[=major, significant] changes in our lives.
• His paintings have had a profound effect/impact/influence on her own work.
3 somewhat formal : absolute or complete
• a profoundsilence/sleep/deafness
— profoundly adverb
• She was influenced profoundly by his art.
• The discovery is profoundly important.
• Their beliefs areprofoundly different.
• profoundly deaf people
OCTOBER 18
profound /prəˈfaʊnd/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more profound; most profound
MEANING :
1 a : having or showing great knowledge or understanding
• aprofound thinker
• His knowledge of history is profound.
• Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage.
1 b : difficult to understand : requiring deep thought or wisdom
• the profound mysteries of outer space
• profound questions
2 a : very strongly felt
• profound sorrow
• a profound sense of loss
2 b : very great
• Computer technology has made profound[=major, significant] changes in our lives.
• His paintings have had a profound effect/impact/influence on her own work.
3 somewhat formal : absolute or complete
• a profoundsilence/sleep/deafness
— profoundly adverb
• She was influenced profoundly by his art.
• The discovery is profoundly important.
• Their beliefs areprofoundly different.
• profoundly deaf people
OCTOBER 18
groundbreaking /ˈgraʊndˌbreɪkɪŋ/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: more groundbreaking; most groundbreaking
MEANING :
introducing new ideas or methods
• She was honored for her groundbreaking work in nuclear physics.
• a groundbreaking new book
comparative and superlative forms: more groundbreaking; most groundbreaking
MEANING :
introducing new ideas or methods
• She was honored for her groundbreaking work in nuclear physics.
• a groundbreaking new book
OCTOBER 19
overall /ˌoʊvɚˈɑ:l/ adverb
MEANING :
1 : with everyone or everything included • He scored highest overall. • She figured out what it would cost overall. [=altogether]
2 : as a whole : in general • He made a few mistakes but did well overall. • Overall, the project was successful.
Learn about overall as an adjective and as a noun.
1 : with everyone or everything included • He scored highest overall. • She figured out what it would cost overall. [=altogether]
2 : as a whole : in general • He made a few mistakes but did well overall. • Overall, the project was successful.
Learn about overall as an adjective and as a noun.
OCTOBER 20
no-brainer /ˈnoʊˈbreɪnɚ/ noun [count]
plural no-brainers
Status: informal
MEANING :
a decision or choice that is very easy to make and requires very little thought
• The offer of a full scholarship made his choice of colleges a no-brainer.
OCTOBER 21
dead in the water idiom
Status: informal
MEANING :
not making any progress : not having any chance of success
• The peace talks were dead in the water.
• His election campaign is dead in the water.
no-brainer /ˈnoʊˈbreɪnɚ/ noun [count]
plural no-brainers
Status: informal
MEANING :
a decision or choice that is very easy to make and requires very little thought
• The offer of a full scholarship made his choice of colleges a no-brainer.
OCTOBER 21
dead in the water idiom
Status: informal
MEANING :
not making any progress : not having any chance of success
• The peace talks were dead in the water.
• His election campaign is dead in the water.
OCTOBER 22
slim /ˈslɪm/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: slimmer; slimmest also more slim; most slim
MEANING :
1 : thin in an attractive way • She looked slim and fit for her age. • He has a slim build. • I was a lot slimmer in those days.
2 : small in amount, size, or degree • a slim majority • They have only a slim chance of winning. • "What are their chances of winning?" "Slim to none." [=they have almost no chance of winning]
— slimly adverb [more slimly; most slimly] • He was tall and slimly built.
— slimness noun [noncount]
Learn about slim as a verb.
OCTOBER 23
exempt /ɪgˈzɛmpt/ adjective
MEANING :
not required to do something that others are required to do — usually followed by from • He was exempt from military service. • She was exempt from physical education requirements because of her health problems.
Learn about exempt as a verb.
OCTOBER 24
mechanism /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/ noun [count]
mechanism /ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm/ noun [count]
plural mechanisms
MEANING :
1 : a piece of machinery : a mechanical part or group of parts having a particular function • The camera’s shutter mechanism is broken. • a timing/locking mechanism
2 : a process or system that is used to produce a particular result • Scientists are studying the body’s mechanisms for controlling weight. • There is no mechanism in place for enforcing the new law. • a legal mechanism to prevent lobbyists from exerting unfair influence
3 : a way of acting, thinking, or behaving that helps or protects a person in a specified way • a coping/survival mechanism • psychological mechanisms for dealing with a tragic loss
OCTOBER 25
startle /ˈstɑɚtl̟/ verb
inflected forms: startles; startled; startling
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to surprise or frighten (someone) suddenly and usually not seriously • The noise startled me. • I'm sorry that I startled you. — often used as (be) startled • I was startled by the noise. • He was startled to discover he knew the answer. • She was startled into wakefulness by a loud noise.
2 [no object] : to move or jump suddenly because something surprises you or frightens you • The cat startles easily.
OCTOBER 26
horrify /ˈhorəˌfaɪ/ verb [with object]
inflected forms: horrifies; horrified; horrifying
MEANING :
to cause (someone) to feel horror or shock :
to greatly upset and shock (someone)
• The details of the crime horrified the nation.
• They were horrified by/at the movie's violence.
— horrified adjective [more horrified; most horrified] to cause (someone) to feel horror or shock :
to greatly upset and shock (someone)
• The details of the crime horrified the nation.
• They were horrified by/at the movie's violence.
• He was horrified to realize that his comments had been overheard.
• She had a horrified look on her face.
— horrifying adjective [more horrifying; most horrifying]
• a horrifying experience
— horrifyingly adverb
• a horrifyingly brutal crime
OCTOBER 27
blur /ˈblɚ/ verb
inflected forms: blurs; blurred; blurring
MEANING :
1 [with object] : to make (something) unclear or difficult to see or remember
• a technique that blurs the edges of the image [=makes the edges of the image less sharp]
• The tears in my eyes blurred the words on the page.
• His novel is based on historical occurrences but it blurs the line/distinction between fact and fiction.
2 [no object] : to become unclear or difficult to see or remember
• I was so tired that my vision/eyes started to blur. [=I was not able to see clearly]
• The two events have blurred together in my mind.
— blurred adjective [more blurred; most blurred]
• The writing is blurred [=blurry] but I think I can read it.
• The patient's symptoms include blurred vision.
• a blurred memory
Learn about blur as a noun.
OCTOBER 28a nail in the coffin idiom
MEANING :
something that makes it more likely that someone or something will fail, be destroyed, etc.
• Every mistake is one more nail in the coffin of his professional baseball career.
• The lawyers put another nail in her coffin today.
OCTOBER 29
exaggerate /ɪgˈzæʤəˌreɪt/ verb
inflected forms: exaggerates; exaggerated; exaggerating
MEANING :
1 : to think of or describe something as larger or greater than it really is [with object]
• The book exaggerates the difficulties he faced in starting his career.
• It’s impossible to exaggerate the importance of this discovery. [no object]
• He tends to exaggerate when talking about his accomplishments.
2 [with object] : to make (something) larger or greater than normal
• He exaggerated his movements so we could see them more clearly.
— exaggerated adjective [more exaggerated; most exaggerated]
• He has a very/greatly exaggerated idea of his own importance.
• a very exaggerated gesture
— exaggeratedly adverb [more exaggeratedly; most exaggeratedly]
• an exaggeratedly large gesture
— exaggeration /ɪgˌzæʤəˈreɪʃən/ noun, plural exaggerations [count]
• The report was filled with exaggerations and outright lies. [noncount]
• She told us what happened without exaggeration. [=without exaggerating]
— exaggerator /ɪgˈzæʤəˌreɪtɚ/ noun, plural exaggerators [count]
• He’s an exaggerator, if not an outright liar.
OCTOBER 30
parody /ˈperədi/ noun
plural parodies
MEANING :
1 : a piece of writing, music, etc., that imitates the style of someone or something else in an amusing way [count] • a political parody • He has a talent for writing parodies. — often followed by of • The book was written as a parody of Henry James’s style. • a parody of a soap opera [noncount] • a writer with a talent for parody
2 [count] disapproving : a bad or unfair example of something — often followed by of • The trial was a parody of justice. [=the trial was very unfair]
Learn about parody as a verb.
OCTOBER 31
creepy /ˈkri:pi/ adjective
comparative and superlative forms: creepier; creepiest or more creepy; most creepy
Status: informal
MEANING :
strange or scary : causing people to feel nervous and afraid
• a creepy movie
• a creepy old house
• There’s something creepy about that guy.
— creepily /ˈkri:pəli/ adverb
— creepiness noun [noncount]
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