Test 4

desultory /ˈdes. ə l.t ə r.i/ /-tɔːr-/ adjective FORMAL

without a clear plan or purpose and showing little effort or interest
She made a desultory attempt at conversation.
He wandered around, clearing up in a desultory way
perplex /pəˈpleks/ /pɚ-/ verb [ T ]
to confuse and worry someone slightly by being difficult to understand or solve
The disease has continued to perplex doctors.
irresolute /ɪˈrez. ə l.uːt/ adjective FORMAL DISAPPROVING
not able or willing to take decisions or actions
an irresolute reply
surmise /ˈsə.maɪz/ /sɚ-/ verb [ T ] FORMAL
to guess something, without having much or any proof
[ + ( that ) ] The police surmise (that) the robbers have fled the country.
intercept /ˌɪn.təˈsept/ /-tɚ-/ verb [ T ]
to stop and catch something or someone before they are able to reach a particular place
Law enforcement agents intercepted a shipment of drugs from Latin America.
Batistuta intercepted Neville's pass and scored the third goal.
linger /ˈlɪŋ.gə r / /-gɚ/ verb [ I ]
to take a long time to leave or disappear
After the play had finished, we lingered for a while in the bar hoping to catch sight of the
actors.
The smell from the fire still lingered days later.
It's impossible to forget such horrific events - they linger (on) in the memory forever.
vivid /ˈvɪv.ɪd/ adjective
1. Vivid descriptions, memories, etc. produce very clear, powerful and detailed images in
the mind
He gave a very vivid and often shocking account/description of his time in prison.
He's one of those people with a very vivid imagination - every time he hears a noise he's
convinced it's someone breaking in.
2. very brightly coloured
She was wearing a vivid pink shirt.
conspicuous /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ adjective
very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted
In China, her blonde hair was conspicuous.
He tried not to look conspicuous and moved slowly along the back of the room.
Opposite inconspicuous
indefatigable /ˌɪn.dɪˈfæt.ɪ.gə.bl ̩/ /-ˈfæt ̬-/ adjective FORMAL
always determined and energetic in attempting to achieve something and never willing to
admit defeat
Annie was an indefatigable campaigner for better community services.

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divert /d a  ɪˈvɜːt/ /dɪˈvɝːt/ verb [ T ] TAKE ATTENTION AWAY
1. to take someone's attention away from something
The war has diverted attention (away) from the country's economic problems.
2. FORMAL to entertain someone
It's a marvellous game for diverting restless children on long car journeys.
intimacy /ˈɪn.tɪ.mə.si/ /-t ̬ə-/ noun
1. [ U ] when you have a close friendship with someone
Intimacy between teachers and students is not recommended.
gaily /ˈgeɪ.li/ adverb OLD-FASHIONED
happily or brightly
I could hear her gaily singing in her bedroom.
The tree lights twinkled gaily across the lake.
discretion /dɪˈskreʃ. ə n/ noun [ U ] CAREFUL BEHAVIOUR
1. the ability to behave without causing embarrassment or attracting too much attention,
especially by keeping information secret
"Can you trust him with this?" "Yes, he's the soul of discretion (= he will not tell other
people) ."
imprudent /ɪmˈpruː.d ə nt/ adjective FORMAL
unwise, by failing to consider the likely results of your actions
The report criticizes the banks for being imprudent in their lending.
impudent /ˈɪm.pjʊ.d ə nt/ adjective
rude and not respectful, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important
position
an impudent remark/child
bewildering /bɪˈwɪl.d ə r.ɪŋ/ /-dɚ.ɪŋ/ adjective
1. confusing and difficult to understand
He gave me directions to his house, but I found them utterly bewildering.
2. making you feel confused because you cannot decide what you want
The college offers a bewildering range of courses.
dismay /dɪˈsmeɪ/ noun [ U ]
a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment
Aid workers were said to have been filled with dismay by the appalling conditions that
the refugees were living in.
The supporters watched in/with dismay as their team lost 6-0.
She discovered, to her dismay, that her exam was a whole month earlier than she'd
expected
apprehensive /ˌæp.rɪˈhen t  .sɪv/ adjective
feeling worried about something that you are going to do
I'm a bit apprehensive about tomorrow's meeting.
I've invited a lot of people to the party, but I'm a bit apprehensive that no one will come
incredulous /ɪnˈkred.jʊ.ləs/ adjective
not wanting or not able to believe something, and usually showing this

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 A few incredulous spectators watched as Paterson, ranked 23rd in the world, beat the
champion.
indifferent /ɪnˈdɪf. ə r. ə nt/ , /-rənt/ /-ɚ-/ adjective NOT INTERESTED
1. not thinking about or interested in someone or something
Why don't you vote - how can you be so indifferent ( to what is going on)!
He found it very hard teaching a class full of indifferent teenagers.
sceptical UK , US skeptical /ˈskep.tɪ.k ə l/ adjective
doubting that something is true or useful
Many experts remain sceptical about/of his claims.
captivate /ˈkæp.tɪ.veɪt/ verb [ T ]
to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant or
attractive
With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.
alarmed /əˈlɑːmd/ /-lɑːrmd/ adjective
1. worried or frightened by something
I was a bit alarmed at/by how much weight she'd lost.
[ + to infinitive ] I was alarmed to hear that she was coming.
[ + that ] I'm rather alarmed that we haven't heard anything

Strain [ C or U ] when you feel nervous and worried about something

She's a lot better than she was but she's still not ready to face the stresses and strains of
a job.
He's been under a lot of strain recently.
smitten /ˈsmɪt. ə n/ /ˈsmɪt ̬-/ adjective [ after verb ]
having suddenly started to like or love something or someone very much
The story's about a man smitten with love for his wife's cousin.
He was so smitten by her that he promised to move to Argentina to be near her.
deliberate /dɪˈlɪb. ə r.ət/ /-ɚ-/ adjective
1. (often of something bad) intentional or planned
a deliberate attack/insult/lie
We made a deliberate decision to live apart for a while.
2. describes a movement, action or thought which is done carefully without hurrying
From her slow, deliberate speech I guessed she must be drunk.
irreverent /ɪˈrev. ə r. ə nt/ /-ɚ-/ adjective
not showing the expected respect for official, important or holy things
an irreverent comment/approach/attitude
irreverent thoughts
halt /hɒlt/ /hɑːlt/ verb [ I or T ]
to (cause to) stop moving or doing something or happening
"Halt!" called the guard. "You can't go any further without a permit."
Production has halted at all of the company's factories because of the pay dispute.
Security forces halted the demonstrators by blocking the road.

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deflect /dɪˈflekt/ verb [ I or T ]
to (cause to) change direction
The crowd cheered as the goalkeeper deflected the shot .
He deflected the ball away from the goal.
The Prime Minister deflected mounting criticism today by announcing tax cuts.
The ball deflected off my hockey stick, straight into the goal.
overhear /ˌəʊ.vəˈhɪə r / /ˌoʊ.vɚˈhɪr/ verb [ I or T ] overheard , overheard
to hear what other people are saying without intending to and without their knowledge
I overheard a very funny conversation on the bus this morning.
[ + object + -ing verb ] He overheard his daughter tell ing her teddy not to be so naughty.
[ + object + infinitive without to ] We overheard them say that they didn't really like the
meal.
I'm sorry, I couldn't help overhearing.
vulnerable /ˈvʌl.n ə r.ə.bl ̩/ , /ˈvʌn.rə-/ /ˈvʌl.nɚ.ə-/ adjective
able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced or attacked
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
It is on economic policy that the government is most vulnerable.
Tourists are more vulnerable to attack, because they do not know which areas of the city
to avoid.
accentuate /əkˈsen.tju.eɪt/ verb [ T ]
to emphasize a particular feature of something or to make something more noticeable
Her dress was tightly belted, accentuating the slimness of her waist.
The new policy only serves to accentuate the inadequacy of provision for the homeless.
overwhelm /ˌəʊ.vəˈwelm/ /ˌoʊ.vɚ-/ verb
2. [ T usually passive ] to cause someone to feel sudden strong emotion
They were overwhelmed with/by grief when their baby died.
I was quite overwhelmed by all the flowers and letters of support I received.
perilous /ˈper. ə l.əs/ adjective FORMAL
extremely dangerous
The country roads are quite perilous.
susceptible /səˈsep.tɪ.bl ̩/ adjective
1. easily influenced or harmed by something
She isn't very susceptible to flattery.
These plants are particularly susceptible to frost.
Among particularly susceptible children, the disease can develop very fast.
2. describes someone who is easily emotionally influenced
They persuade susceptible teenagers to part with their money.
question /ˈkwes.tʃən/ verb [ T ]
2. to express doubts about the value of something or whether something is true
I questioned the wisdom of taking so many pills.
[ + question word ] Two months ago, results from a European study questioned wh ether
early treatment with the drug really improved survival.
She gave me a questioning look (= as if she wanted an answer from me) .

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highlight /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ verb [ T ]
to attract attention to or emphasize something important
The report highlights the need for improved safety.
The spelling mistakes in the text had been highlighted in green.
usurp /juːˈzɜːp/ , /-ˈsɜːp/ /-ˈzɝːp/ , /-ˈsɝːp/ verb [ T ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL
to take control or a position of power, especially without having the right to
The powers of local councils are being usurped by central government.
sovereignty /ˈsɒv.rɪn.ti/ /ˈsɑːv.r ə n.i/ noun [ U ]
the power of a country to control its own government
Talks are being held about who should have sovereignty over the island.
degenerate /dɪˈdʒen.ə.reɪt/ verb [ I ]
to become worse in quality
Educational standards are degenerating year by year because of a lack of funds.
What was intended as a peaceful demonstration rapidly degenerated into violence.
despot /ˈdes.pɒt/ /-pɑːt/ noun [ C ]
a person, especially a ruler, who has unlimited power over other people, and often uses it
unfairly and cruelly
an evil despot
The king was regarded as having been a enlightened despot.
See also tyrant
languish /ˈlæŋ.gwɪʃ/ verb [ I ]
to exist in an unpleasant or unwanted situation, often for a long time
After languishing in obscurity for many years, her early novels have recently been
rediscovered.
He has been languishing in jail for the past twenty years.
The ruling party is languishing in third place in the opinion polls.
overdue /ˌəʊ.vəˈdjuː/ /ˌoʊ.vɚˈduː/ adjective
not done or happening when expected or when needed; late
My library books are a week overdue.
The baby is two weeks overdue (= The baby was expected to be born two weeks ago) .
Changes to the tax system are long overdue.
She feels she's overdue for promotion.
unwieldy /ʌnˈwiːl.di/ adjective NOT EFFECTIVE
2. An unwieldy system is slow and not effective, usually because it is too big, badly
organized or involves too many different organizations or people
One disadvantage for the bank is that its huge size - over 15 000 staff - makes it unwieldy
and slow-moving.
infringe /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ verb [ T ]
to break a rule, law, etc
They infringed building regulations.
trespass /ˈtres.pəs/ /-pæs/ verb [ I ]
1. to go onto someone's land or enter their building without permission

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 I hope this is a public footpath and we're not trespassing on someone's land.
calamity /kəˈlæm.ɪ.ti/ /-ə.t ̬i/ noun [ C ]
a serious accident or bad event causing damage or suffering
A series of calamities ruined them - floods, a failed harvest and the death of a son
zoom /zuːm/ verb INFORMAL
1. [ I + adverb or preposition ] to move very quickly
They got into the car and zoomed off.
In the last few metres of the race, she suddenly zoomed ahead.
2. [ I ] If prices or sales zoom, they increase suddenly and quickly
House prices suddenly zoomed last year.
increment /ˈɪŋ.krə.mənt/ noun [ C ]
one of a series of increases
You will receive annual salary / pay increments every September.
lull sb into sth phrasal verb
to make someone feel safe in order to trick them
Most exercise classes start gently, lulling you into thinking that you're fit.
Their promises lulled us into a false sense of security (= made us feel safe, when in fact
we were not) .
dire /daɪə r / /daɪr/ adjective
1. very serious or extreme
These people are in dire need of help.
He gave a dire warning that an earthquake was imminent.
This decision will have dire consequences for local people.
drastic /ˈdræs.tɪk/ adjective
(especially of actions) severe and sudden or having very noticeable effects
drastic measures
Many employees have had to take drastic cuts in pay.
startling /ˈstɑː.tl ̩ɪŋ/ /ˈstɑːr.l ̩ɪŋ/ adjective
surprising and sometimes worrying
startling results
He made some startling admissions about his past.
outweigh /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/ verb [ T ]
to be greater or more important than something else
The benefits of this treatment far outweigh any risks.
correlation /ˌkɒr.əˈleɪ.ʃ ə n/ /ˌkɔːr-/ noun [ C or U ]
a connection between two or more things, often one in which one of them causes or
influences the other
There's a high correlation between smoking and lung cancer.
convoluted /ˈkɒn.və.luː.tɪd/ /ˈkɑːn.və.luː.t ̬ɪd/ adjective
1. very twisted, unreasonably long and difficult to understand
a very convoluted route/knot
His grammar explanations are terribly convoluted.