StanLey's English Notes

perfume (n.) [ˈpɜː.fjuːm]

definition : a liquid with a pleasant smell, usually made from oils taken from flowers or spices, which is often used on the skin.

EX : What perfume are you wearing?

quandary (n.) [ˈkwɒn.dri]

definition : a state of not being able to decide what to do about a situation in which you are involved.

EX : I've had two job offers, and I'm in a real quandary aboutwhich one to accept.

wiggle (v.) [' wɪg.l ]

definition : to (cause to) move up and down and/or from side to side with small quick movements.

EX : He tried wiggling the control stick but nothing happened.

adherence (n.) [ədˈhɪə.rənt s]

definition : when someone acts strictly according to rules, beliefs, etc.

EX : He was noted for his strict adherence to the rules.

jury (n.) [ˈdʒʊə.ri]

definition : a group of people who have been chosen to listen to all the facts in a trial in a law court and to decide whether a person is guilty or not guilty, or whether a claim has been proved.

EX : The jury has/have been unable to return a verdict.

genial (adj.) [ˈdʒiː.ni.ə]

definition : friendly and pleasant.

EX : The headteacher is very genial has a genial manner.

eject (v.) [ɪˈdʒekt]

definition : to force someone to leave a particular place.

EX : A number of football fans had been ejected from the bar for causing trouble.

paradox (n.) [ˈpær.ə.dɒks]

a situation or statement which seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics.

EX : It's a curious paradox that drinking a lot of water can often make you feel thirsty.

paralyze (v.) [ˈpær.əl.aɪz]

definition : to cause a person, animal or part of the body to lose the ability to move or feel.

EX : The drug paralyses the nerves so that there is no feeling or movement in the legs.

magnet (n.) [ˈmæg.nət]

definition : an object that is able both to attract iron and steel objects and also push them away.

EX : The West Lake in Hangchow is a magnet for visitors. 




festive (adj.) [ˈfes.tɪv]

definition : having or producing happy and enjoyable feelings suitable for a festival or other special social occasion.

EX : The hall looked very festive with its Christmas tree.

seminal (adj.) [ˈsem.ɪ.nəl]

definition : containing important new ideas and having a great influence on later work.

EX : She wrote a seminal article on the subject while she was still a student.

investment (n.) [ɪnˈvest .mənt]

definition : the act of putting money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage, or the money, effort, time, etc. used to do this.

EX : There's been a significant investment of time and energy in order to make the project a success.

inheritance (n.) [ɪnˈher.ɪ.tənt s]

definition : money or objects that someone gives you when they die.

EX : The large inheritance from his aunt meant that he could buy his own boat.


suspension (n.) [səˈspen.ʃən]

definition : when someone stops something happening, operating, etc. for a period of time or when a person is temporarily not allowed to work, go to school or take part in an activity, as a punishment.

EX : The suspension of fighting is to take effect at 6 am on Monday.

The union is protesting about the suspension of a restaurant worker.




tangent (n.) [ˈtæn.dʒənt]

definition : a straight line which touches but does not cut into a curve.

EX : They changed their course to something like a tangent to the earth.

camouflage (n.) [ˈkæm.ə.flɑːʒ]

definition : the use of leaves, branches, paints and clothes for hiding soldiers or military equipment so that they look part of what surrounds them.

the way that the colour or shape of an animal or plant appears to mix with its natural environment to prevent it from being seen byattackers.

something that is meant to hide something, or behaviour that is intended to hide the truth.

EX : The lizard's light brown skin acts as camouflage in the desert sand.

grandiloquent (adj.) [grænˈdɪl.ə.kwənt]

definition : describes a style or a way of using language that is complicated in order to attract admiration and attention, especially in order to make someone or something seem important.

EX : Her speech was full of grandiloquent language, but it contained no new ideas.

inconsequential (adj.) [ɪnˌkɒnt .sɪˈkwen.t ʃəl]

definition : not important.

EX : Most of what she said was pretty inconsequential.

coincidental (adj.) [kəʊˌɪnt .sɪˈden.təl]

definition : happening by coincidence.

EX : The highest scorers, coincidentally, were all women.

Consignment (n.) [kənˈsaɪn.mənt]

definition : an amount of goods that is sent somewhere.

EX : The most recent consignment of cloth was faulty.

flick (v.) [flɪk]

definition : to move or hit something with a short sudden movement.

EX : He carefully flicked the loose hairs from the shoulders of his jacket.

digress (v.) [daɪˈgres]

definition : to move away from the main subject you are writing or talking about and to write or talk about something else.

EX : The lecturer temporarily digressed from her subject to deal with a related theory.

knell (n.) [nel]

definition : a warning of the end of something.

EX : The opening of the superstore will sound the death knell for hundreds of small independent shops.

penitent (adj.) [ˈpen.ɪ.tənt]

definition : showing that you are sorry for something you have done because you feel it was wrong.

EX : It was hard to be angry with him when he looked so penitent.