dyn

dyn|as|ty /d'ɪnəsti, AM d'aɪn-/ (dynasties) 1 [N-COUNT] A dynasty is a series of rulers of a country who all belong to the same family. The Seljuk dynasty of Syria was founded in 1094. 2 [N-COUNT] with supp A dynasty is a period of time during which a country is ruled by members of the same family. ...carvings dating back to the Ming dynasty. a Ming dynasty vase des|ti|ny /d'estɪni/ (destinies) 1 [N-COUNT] usu sing, usu with poss A person's destiny is everything that happens to them during their life, including what will happen in the future, especially when it is considered to be controlled by someone or something else. We are masters of our own destiny... the destinies of nations ◆ He wants to be in control of his own destiny. ◆ The contemporary hero is one who stands out against the crowd to fulfil a personal destiny. = fate 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Destiny is the force which some people believe controls the things that happen to you in your life. Is it destiny that brings people together, or is it accident? I believe there's some force guiding us-call it God, destiny or fate. ◆ She was spurred on by a strong sense of destiny and ambition. = fate deem /d'iːm/ (deems deeming deemed) [VERB] be V-ed adj/n, V n adj/n, be V-ed to-inf If something is deemed to have a particular quality or to do a particular thing, it is considered to have that quality or do that thing. (FORMAL) French and German were deemed essential... He says he would support the use of force if the UN deemed it necessary... I was deemed to be a competent shorthand typist. The evening was deemed a great success. ◆ I deem it an honour to be invited. ◆ [VN-ADJ] She deemed it prudent not to say anything. ◆ They would take any action deemed necessary = judge behalf   INCLUDEPICTURE "../Local%20Settings/Application%20Data/Lingoes/Translator/2.8.0-cn/temp/dict/3253C2A669C4DB4F8508B5FC4A017DDE/res_point2.png" \* MERGEFORMAT noun Idioms: in behalf of sb in sb's behalf (AmE) in order to help sb: We collected money in behalf of the homeless. on behalf of sb on sb's behalf as the representative of sb or instead of them: On behalf of the department I would like to thank you all. ◆ Mr Knight cannot be here, so his wife will accept the prize on his behalf. because of sb; for sb: Don't worry on my behalf. Oh, don't go to any trouble on my behalf. What do you mean?' I asked, offended on Liddie's behalf. in order to help sb: They campaigned on behalf of asylum seekers. vi|tal|ity /vaɪt'ælɪti/ [N-UNCOUNT] If you say that someone or something has vitality, you mean that they have great energy and liveliness. Without continued learning, graduates will lose their intellectual vitality... She is bursting with vitality and new ideas. ◆ The music has a wonderful freshness and vitality. The process of restructuring has injected some much-needed vitality into the company. The senator promised to restore the economic vitality of the region. = vigour You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others. ...her four sons, Christopher, twins Daniel and Nicholas, and last but not least 2-year-old Jack. You can use least of all after a negative statement to emphasize that it applies especially to the person or thing mentioned. No one ever reads these articles, least of all me... Such a speech should never have been made, least of all by a so called responsible politician. You can use not least to emphasize a particularly important example or reason. Dieting can be bad for you, not least because it is a cause of stress... Everyone is more reluctant to travel these days, not least the Americans. The documentary caused a lot of bad feeling, not least among the workers whose lives it described. My mother was upset about his appearance here, not least because she felt it was invading her privacy. You can use to say the least to suggest that a situation is actually much more extreme or serious than you say it is. Accommodation was basic to say the least... Some members of the public can be a bit abusive to say the least. His teaching methods were strange, to say the least. not the least/not in the least/not the least bit none at all, or not at all 　I tried to convince them, but they weren't the least interested. 　I'm not in the least afraid of you any more. 　His voice was alert, not the least bit sleepy. it's the least I can do spoken used to say that you are very willing to do something or to reply to someone's thanks 　I'll look after them - it's the least I can do. Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children. 她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。 acquisitive   adjective (formal, disapproving) wanting very much to buy or get new possessions: the post-war acquisitive society ◆ It is an acquisitive company looking for ways to expand. acquisitiveness noun [U]: We rejected the acquisitiveness of our parents' generation. acquisition   noun [U] the act of getting sth, especially knowledge, a skill, etc: theories of child language acquisition [C] something that sb buys to add to what they already own, usually sth valuable: His latest acquisition is a racehorse. ◆ The money will be spent on acquisitions for the university library. [C, U] (business) a company, piece of land, etc. bought by sb, especially another company; the act of buying it: They have made acquisitions in several EU countries. ◆ the acquisition of shares by employees ◆ The group has announced its first overseas acquisition: a successful software company. vul|gar /v'ʌlgər/ 1 [ADJ] If you describe something as vulgar, you think it is in bad taste or of poor artistic quality. The film is tasteless, vulgar and even badly shot. ● vulgarity [N-UNCOUNT] I hate the vulgarity of this room. 2 [ADJ] If you describe pictures, gestures, or remarks as vulgar, you dislike them because they refer to sex or parts of the body in a rude way that you find unpleasant. The women laughed coarsely at some vulgar jokes... The lyrics were vulgar. ● vulgarity [N-UNCOUNT] There's a good deal of vulgarity. 3 [ADJ] If you describe a person or their behaviour as vulgar, you mean that they lack taste or behave rudely. He was a vulgar old man, but he never swore in front of a woman... = crude ● vulgarity [N-UNCOUNT] It's his vulgarity that I can't take. am|ple /'æmpəl/ (ampler amplest) [ADJ] usu ADJ n If there is an ample amount of something, there is enough of it and usually some extra. There'll be ample opportunity to relax, swim and soak up some sun... ● amply [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj They have been amply rewarded with huge salaries. profess   pro·fess /prəˈfes/ v [T] formal [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: professus, past participle of profiteri 'to profess, confess'] to say that you do, are etc something, especially when it is not really true profess to do/be sth 　The government professes to care about the poor. 　He professed to be an expert on Islamic art. profess your innocence to say that you did not do something bad, especially a crime 　In court, the man was still professing his innocence. to state a personal feeling or belief openly 　He finally made up his mind to profess his love for her. profess yourself (to be) sth 　He professed himself satisfied with the results. to have a religion or belief 　Matt professed no religion. someone who is sly cleverly deceives people in order to get what they want = cunning sly smile/glance/wink etc a smile, look etc that shows you know something secret 　He leaned forward with a sly smile. on the sly informal secretly, especially when you are doing something that you should not do 　They'd been seeing each other on the sly for months. fascinate   verb to attract or interest sb very much: [VN] China has always fascinated me. ◆ It was a question that had fascinated him since he was a boy. ◆ [V] It seems that the private lives of movie stars never fail to fascinate. The idea of travelling through time fascinates me. fatigue   fa·tigue /fəˈtiːg/ n [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Latin fatigare 'to make tired'] [U] very great tiredness = exhaustion with fatigue 　Sam's face was grey with fatigue. from fatigue 　He's suffering from physical and mental fatigue. [U] technical a weakness in metal or wood, caused when it is bent or stretched many times, which is likely to make it break 　 metal fatigue compassion fatigue (= the inability to feel pity for other people's suffering any more) brought on by too many charity appeals fea|sible /f'iːzəbəl/ [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf If something is feasible, it can be done, made, or achieved. She questioned whether it was feasible to stimulate investment in these regions... a feasible plan / suggestion / idea ◆ It's just not feasible to manage the business on a part-time basis. It was no longer financially feasible to keep the community centre open. ● feasibility [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n The committee will study the feasibility of setting up a national computer network. feeble   very weak: a feeble old man ◆ The heartbeat was feeble and irregular. not effective; not showing determination or energy: a feeble argument / excuse / joke ◆ a feeble attempt to explain ◆ Don't be so feeble! Tell her you don't want to go. feebleness noun [U] feebly adverb: He shook his head feebly. masculine   adjective, noun adjective having the qualities or appearance considered to be typical of men; connected with or like men: He was handsome and strong, and very masculine. ◆ a bold masculine design ◆ That suit makes her look very masculine. fam|ine /f'æmɪn/ (famines) [N-VAR] Famine is a situation in which large numbers of people have little or no food, and many of them die. Thousands of refugees are trapped by war, drought and famine... The civil war is obstructing distribution of famine relief by aid agencies. Widespread famine had triggered a number of violent protests. A million people are facing famine . finite   adjective having a definite limit or fixed size: a finite number of possibilities ◆ The world's resources are finite. The fossil fuels (coal and oil) are finite resources. Antonym: INFINITE (grammar) a finite verb form or CLAUSE shows a particular tense, PERSON and NUMBER: 'Am', 'is', 'are', 'was' and 'were' are the finite forms of 'be'; 'being', and 'been' are the non-finite forms. fluctuate   verb [V] ~ (between A and B) to change frequently in size, amount, quality, etc., especially from one extreme to another: fluctuating prices ◆ During the crisis, oil prices fluctuated between $20 and $40 a barrel. ◆ Temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees. ◆ My weight fluctuated wildly depending on how much I ate. ◆ My mood seems to fluctuate from day to day. ◆ The rate of inflation has been fluctuating around 4% for some time. fluctuation of sth): wild fluctuations in interest rates vac|il|late /v'æsɪleɪt/ (vacillates vacillating vacillated) [VERB] V between pl-n, V If you vacillate between two alternatives or choices, you keep changing your mind. (FORMAL) She vacillates between men twice her age and men younger than she... We cannot vacillate on the question of the party's leadership. The country's leaders are still vacillating between confrontation and compromise. forge /f'ɔːrdʒ/ (forges forging forged) 1 [V-RECIP] V n with n, pl-n V n, NON-RECIP: V n between pl-n, V n If one person or institution forges an agreement or relationship with another, they create it with a lot of hard work, hoping that it will be strong or lasting. The Prime Minister is determined to forge a good relationship with America's new leader... They agreed to forge closer economic ties... The programme aims to forge links between higher education and small businesses... The Community was trying to forge a common foreign and security policy. 2 [VERB] V n, V-ed If someone forges something such as a banknote, a document, or a painting, they copy it or make it so that it looks genuine, in order to deceive people. She alleged that Taylor had forged her signature on the form... They used forged documents to leave the country. format   noun, verb noun the general arrangement, plan, design, etc. of sth: The format of the new quiz show has proved popular. the shape and size of a book, magazine, etc: They've brought out the magazine in a new format. (computing) the way in which data is stored or held for PROCESSING by a computer: The images are stored in a digital format within the database. formation   noun [U] the action of forming sth; the process of being formed: An agreement on the formation of a new government was reached on June 6. ◆ evidence of recent star formation in the galaxythe substances which lead to the formation of ozone 　We now know a lot more about the early stages of planetary formation. [C] a thing that has been formed, especially in a particular place or in a particular way: massive rock formations [U, C] a particular arrangement or pattern: aircraft flying in formation ◆ for|mi|dable /f'ɔːrmɪdəbəl, fərm'ɪd-/ [ADJ] If you describe something or someone as formidable, you mean that you feel slightly frightened by them because they are very great or impressive. We have a formidable task ahead of us... Marsalis has a formidable reputation in both jazz and classical music... In debate he was a formidable opponent. ◆ Somehow the small but formidable woman fought her way through the crowd to reach her son. ◆ She has a formidable list of qualifications. ◆ The two players together make a formidable combination. ◆ The task was a formidable one. ◆ They had to overcome formidable obstacles. forth|com|ing /f'ɔːrθk'ʌmɪŋ/ 1 [ADJ] ADJ n A forthcoming event is planned to happen soon. ...his opponents in the forthcoming elections. 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ If something that you want, need, or expect is forthcoming, it is given to you or it happens. (FORMAL) They promised that the money would be forthcoming... We must first see some real evidence. So far it has not been forthcoming... fracture 1   frac·ture1 /ˈfræktʃə US -ər/ v [I and T] if a bone or other hard substance fractures, or if it is fractured, it breaks or cracks 　The immense pressure causes the rock to fracture. fracture your leg/arm/hip etc 　He fractured his right leg during training. if a group, country etc fractures, or if it is fractured, it divides into parts in an unfriendly way because of disagreement = split 　The opposition has been fractured by bitter disputes. fab|ri|cate /f'æbrɪkeɪt/ (fabricates fabricating fabricated) 1 [VERB] V n, V-ed If someone fabricates information, they invent it in order to deceive people. All four claim that officers fabricated evidence against them... Eleven key officials were hanged on fabricated charges. The evidence was totally fabricated. ◆ The prisoner claimed the police had fabricated his confession ● fabrication [N-VAR] She described the interview with her in an Italian magazine as a `complete fabrication'... This story is total fabrication. Her story was a complete fabrication from start to finish. = invention 2 [VERB] be V-ed from n, V n, also V n from n If something is fabricated from different materials or substances, it is made out of those materials or substances. All the tools are fabricated from high quality steel. ...a plant which fabricates airplane components. = manufacture fric|tion /fr'ɪkʃən/ (frictions) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl If there is friction between people, there is disagreement and argument between them. Sara sensed that there had been friction between her children... = conflict [U] the action of one object or surface moving against another: Friction between moving parts had caused the engine to overheat. [U] (physics) the RESISTANCE (= the force that stops sth moving) of one surface to another surface or substance moving over or through it: The force of friction slows the spacecraft down as it re-enters the earth's atmosphere. furnace   noun an enclosed space or room for heating metal or glass to very high temperatures: It's like a furnace (= very hot) in here! tap   verb, noun verb (-pp-) to hit sb/sth quickly and lightly: [V] Someone tapped at the door. ◆ He was busy tapping away at his computer. ◆ [VN] Ralph tapped me on the shoulder. if you tap your fingers, feet, etc. or they tap, you hit them gently against a table, the floor, etc., for example to the rhythm of music: [VN] He kept tapping his fingers on the table. ◆ [V] The music set everyone's feet tapping. ~ (into) sth to make use of a source of energy, knowledge, etc. that already exists: [VN] We need to tap the expertise and skill of the people we already have. ◆ [V] The movie seems to tap into a general sentimentality about animals. [VN] (also wiretap especially in AmE) to fit a device to a telephone so that sb's calls can be listened to secretly: He was convinced his phone was being tapped. [VN] to cut into a tree in order to get liquid from it Phrasal Verbs: tap sb for sth (BrE, informal) to persuade sb to give you sth, especially money: He tried to tap me for a loan. tap sth<->in / out to put information, numbers, letters, etc. into a machine by pressing buttons: Tap in your PIN number. ◆ He tapped out a few words on the keyboard. tap sth<->out to hit a surface gently to the rhythm of music: She tapped out the beat on the table. noun (especially BrE) (AmE usually faucet) [C] a device for controlling the flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container: bath taps ◆ the hot / cold tap (= the tap that hot / cold water comes out of) ◆ a gas tap ◆ Turn the tap on / off. ◆ Don't leave the tap running. ◆ the sound of a dripping tap ◆ I put my head under the tap and let the cool water run over me. See also HYPERLINK "dict://key.3253C2A669C4DB4F8508B5FC4A017DDE/TAP%20WATER" \o "查找: TAP WATER" TAP WATER [C] a light hit with your hand or fingers: a tap at / on the door ◆ He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned round. Idioms: on tap available to be used at any time: We have this sort of information on tap. com|pel /kəmp'el/ (compels compelling compelled) 1 [VERB] V n to-inf, V n to-inf If a situation, a rule, or a person compels you to do something, they force you to do it. ...the introduction of legislation to compel cyclists to wear a helmet... Local housing authorities have been compelled by the housing crisis to make offers of sub-standard accommodation. The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children. ◆ I feel compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your book. ◆ [VN] Last year ill health compelled his retirement. 2 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR to-inf If you feel compelled to do something, you feel that you must do it, because it is the right thing to do. I felt morally compelled to help. hith|er /h'ɪðər/ 1 [ADV] ADV after v Hither means to the place where you are. (OLD-FASHIONED) He has sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people. 2 [PHRASE] PHR after v Hither and thither means in many different directions or places, and in a disorganized way. In American English, the expression hither and yon is sometimes used. Refugees run hither and thither in search of safety. ...the awful amount of time I spend moving things hither and yon every year! hither|to /h'ɪðərt'uː/ [ADV] ADV after v, ADV with cl, ADV adj/-ed You use hitherto to indicate that something was true up until the time you are talking about, although it may no longer be the case. (FORMAL) The polytechnics have hitherto been at an unfair disadvantage in competing for pupils and money... a hitherto unknown species of moth ◆ Her life hitherto had been devoid of adventure. a species of fish hitherto unknown in the West imperative   adjective, noun adjective [not usually before noun] ~ (that ...) ~ (to do sth) (formal) very important and needing immediate attention or action Synonym: VITAL It is absolutely imperative that we finish by next week. ◆ It is imperative for your recovery to continue the treatment for at least two months. It was imperative that he act as naturally as possible... t is imperative that politicians should be good communicators. (formal) expressing authority: an imperative tone [only before noun] (grammar) expressing an order: an imperative sentence noun (formal) a thing that is very important and needs immediate attention or action: the economic imperative of quality education for all (grammar) the form of a verb that expresses an order; a verb in this form: In 'Go away!' the verb is in the imperative. ◆ 'Go away!' is an imperative. gallop 1   gal·lop1 /ˈgæləp/ v [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: galoper] [I] if a horse gallops, it moves very fast with all its feet leaving the ground together →canter, trot trot 　A neighbour's horse came galloping down the road, riderless. 　a galloping horse [I and T] if you gallop, you ride very fast on a horse or you make it go very fast gallop along/off/towards etc 　I watched as Jan galloped away. [I always + adverb/preposition] to move very quickly = run 　Ian came galloping down the stairs.   gallop 2   gallop2 n a) [singular] the movement of a horse at its fastest speed, when all four feet leave the ground together →canter, trot trot 　The horses broke into a gallop (=begin to go very fast) . at a/full gallop 　Mounted police charged at full gallop. I read the book at a gallop. b) [C] a ride on a horse when it is galloping [singular] a very fast speed at a/full gallop 　The project began at full gallop. gear up [PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, V P for/to n, be V-ed P to-inf If someone is gearing up for a particular activity, they are preparing to do it. If they are geared up to do a particular activity, they are prepared to do it. ...another indication that the Government is gearing up for an election... The factory was geared up to make 1,100 cars a day. be geared to sb/sth to be organized in a way that is suitable for a particular purpose or situation 　The typical career pattern was geared to men whose wives didn't work. be geared to do sth 　The course curriculum is geared to span three years. gear up phr v to prepare for something gear up for 　The organization is gearing up for a convention in May. gear up/be geared up to do sth 　Fast food restaurants are geared up to serve thousands of people daily. used to talk about the amount of effort and energy that someone is using in a situation 　During this period, Japan's export industries were in top gear (=were as active as they could be) . 　The Republican's propaganda machine moved into high gear . germ war|fare [N-UNCOUNT] Germ warfare is the use of germs in a war in order to cause disease in enemy troops, or to destroy crops that they might use as food. ...an international treaty banning germ warfare. germ   noun [C, usually pl.] a very small living thing that can cause infection and disease: Disinfectant kills germs. ◆ Dirty hands can be a breeding ground for germs. [sing.] ~ of sth an early stage of the development of sth: Here was the germ of a brilliant idea. ◆ The germ of the town was a single house near the river. The germ of a story began to form in his mind. gigantic   adjective extremely large: a gigantic house ◆ The problem was beginning to take on gigantic proportions. glamour   (BrE) (AmE glamor) noun [U] the attractive and exciting quality that makes a person, a job or a place seem special, often because of wealth or status: hopeful young actors and actresses dazzled by the glamour of Hollywood ◆ Now that she's a stewardess, foreign travel has lost its glamour for her. glorious   adjective (formal) deserving or bringing great fame and success: a glorious deed / victory ◆ a glorious chapter in our country's history ◆ The film looks back at Spain's glorious past. We have in our grasp a truly glorious future. The win revived glorious memories of his championship-winning days... Compare: INGLORIOUS (formal) very beautiful and impressive: a glorious sunset / view ◆ Both her daughters have glorious red hair. extremely enjoyable: a glorious trip to Rome (of weather) hot, with the sun shining: They had three weeks of glorious sunshine. gloriously adverb: The show has been gloriously successful. ◆ a gloriously sunny day gor|geous /g'ɔːrdʒəs/ 1 [ADJ] If you say that something is gorgeous, you mean that it gives you a lot of pleasure or is very attractive. (INFORMAL) ...gorgeous mountain scenery... It's a gorgeous day... Some of the Renaissance buildings are gorgeous. = beautiful ● gorgeously [ADV] ADV adj/-ed She has a gorgeously warm speaking voice. 2 [ADJ] If you describe someone as gorgeous, you mean that you find them very sexually attractive. (INFORMAL) The cosmetics industry uses gorgeous women to sell its skincare products... All the girls in my house are mad about Ryan, they think he's gorgeous. 3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe things such as clothes and colours as gorgeous, you mean they are bright, rich, and impressive. ...a red-haired man in the gorgeous uniform of a Marshal of the Empire. ● gorgeously [ADV] ADV adj/-ed ...gorgeously embroidered clothing. gorgeously dressed / decorated If you gorge on something or gorge yourself on it, you eat lots of it in a very greedy way. I could spend each day gorging on chocolate... ...teenagers gorging themselves on ice-cream sundaes. We gorged ourselves on ripe plums. be gorged with sth to be completely full of something 　The insect sucks until it is gorged with blood. grind /gr'aɪnd/ (grinds grinding ground) 1 [VERB] V n, V-ed If you grind a substance such as corn, you crush it between two hard surfaces or with a machine until it becomes a fine powder. Store the peppercorns in an airtight container and grind the pepper as you need it. [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P Grind up means the same as grind. He makes his own paint, grinding up the pigment with a little oil. 2 [VERB] V n prep If you grind something into a surface, you press and rub it hard into the surface using small circular or sideways movements. `Well,' I said, grinding my cigarette nervously into the granite step. [PHRASE] V inflects, V n If you grind your teeth, you rub your upper and lower teeth together as though you are chewing something. If you know you're grinding your teeth, particularly at night, see your dentist. 3 [VERB] V n, be V-ed to n If you grind something, you make it smooth or sharp by rubbing it against a hard surface. ...a shop where they grind knives... The tip can be ground to a much sharper edge to cut smoother and faster. 4 [VERB] V adv/prep If a vehicle grinds somewhere, it moves there very slowly and noisily. Tanks had crossed the border at five fifteen and were grinding south. 5 [N-SING] oft N of n The grind of a machine is the harsh, scraping noise that it makes, usually because it is old or is working too hard. The grind of heavy machines could get on their nerves. 6 [N-SING] oft adj N If you refer to routine tasks or activities as the grind, you mean they are boring and take up a lot of time and effort. (INFORMAL) The daily grind of government is done by Her Majesty's Civil Service... 7 see also grinding 8 [PHRASE] V inflects If a country's economy or something such as a process grinds to a halt, it gradually becomes slower or less active until it stops. The peace process has ground to a halt while Israel struggles to form a new government. 9 [PHRASE] V inflects If a vehicle grinds to a halt, it stops slowly and noisily. The tanks ground to a halt after a hundred yards because the fuel had been siphoned out. If you say that someone or something is groaning under the weight of something, you think there is too much of that thing. Consumers were groaning under the weight of high interest rates... groan 1   groan1 /grəun US groun/ v [Language: Old English; Origin: granian] [I] to make a long deep sound because you are in pain, upset, or disappointed, or because something is very enjoyable = moan 　The kids all groaned when I switched off the TV. groan with 　As she kissed him, Gary groaned with pleasure. 　Richard's jokes make you groan rather than laugh. [I and T] to complain about something = moan 　I'm tired of him moaning and groaning all the time. 　'It's too hot!' he groaned. hail   verb, noun verb [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (as) sth to describe sb/sth as being very good or special, especially in newspapers, etc: [VN] The conference was hailed as a great success. ◆ [VN-N] Teenager Matt Brown is being hailed a hero for saving a young child from drowning. [VN] to signal to a taxi or a bus, in order to get the driver to stop: to hail a taxi / cab [VN] (literary) to call to sb in order to greet them or attract their attention: A voice hailed us from the other side of the street. ◆ We soon came within hailing distance of (= fairly close to) the others. See also HYPERLINK "dict://key.3253C2A669C4DB4F8508B5FC4A017DDE/LOUDHAILER" \o "查找: LOUDHAILER" LOUDHAILER [V] when it hails, small balls of ice fall like rain from the sky: It's hailing! Phrasal Verbs: hail from ... (formal) to come from or have been born in a particular place: His father hailed from Italy. noun [U] small balls of ice that fall like rain: We drove through hail and snow. [sing.] a ~ of sth a large number or amount of sth that is aimed at sb in order to harm them: a hail of arrows / bullets ◆ a hail of abuse horizontal   adjective, noun adjective flat and level; going across and parallel to the ground rather than going up and down: horizontal and vertical lines ◆ (informal) I was so tired, I just wanted to be horizontal (= lying down). Compare: VERTICAL horizontally adverb: Cut the cake in half horizontally and spread jam on one half. noun (the horizontal) [U] a horizontal position: He shifted his position from the horizontal. hurl /h'ɜːrl/ (hurls hurling hurled) 1 [VERB] V n prep, V n with adv, V n If you hurl something, you throw it violently and with a lot of force. Groups of angry youths hurled stones at police... Simon caught the grenade and hurled it back... Gangs rioted last night, breaking storefront windows and hurling rocks and bottles. 2 [VERB] V n at n, also V n If you hurl abuse or insults at someone, you shout insults at them aggressively. How would you handle being locked in the back of a cab while the driver hurled abuse at you? ig|nite /ɪgn'aɪt/ (ignites igniting ignited) 1 [VERB] V n, V When you ignite something or when it ignites, it starts burning or explodes. The bombs ignited a fire which destroyed some 60 houses... The blasts were caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited. 2 [VERB] V n If something or someone ignites your feelings, they cause you to have very strong feelings about something. (LITERARY) There was one teacher who really ignited my interest in words... events which ignited the war in Europe luminary   (plural luminaries) noun a person who is an expert or a great influence in a special area or activity: leading luminaries of the arts ◆ He has played with all the great jazz luminaries. il|lu|mi|nate /ɪl'uːmɪneɪt/ (illuminates illuminating illuminated) 1 [VERB] V n To illuminate something means to shine light on it and to make it brighter and more visible. (FORMAL) No streetlights illuminated the street... 2 [VERB] V n If you illuminate something that is unclear or difficult to understand, you make it clearer by explaining it carefully or giving information about it. (FORMAL) They use games and drawings to illuminate their subject. Her smile illuminated her entire being. The report illuminated the difficult issues at the heart of science policy. ● illuminating [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf His autobiography provides an illuminating insight into his mind. stimulate   verb [VN] to make sth develop or become more active; to encourage sth: The exhibition has stimulated interest in her work. ◆ The article can be used to stimulate discussion among students. ◆ a government package designed to stimulate economic growth to make sb interested and excited about sth: [VN] Parents should give children books that stimulate them. ◆ Both men and women are stimulated by erotic photos (= sexually). ◆ [VN to inf] The conference stimulated him to study the subject in more depth. [VN] (technical) to make a part of the body function: The women were given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries. stimulation noun [U]: sensory / intellectual / sexual / visual / physical stimulation ♦ im|ple|ment (implements implementing implemented) The verb is pronounced /'ɪmplɪment/ The noun is pronounced /'ɪmplɪmənt/ 1 [VERB] V n If you implement something such as a plan, you ensure that what has been planned is done. The government promised to implement a new system to control financial loan institutions... A new work programme for young people will be implemented. We have decided to implement the committee's recommendations in full . = carry out ● implementation [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n Very little has been achieved in the implementation of the peace agreement signed last January. the implementation of the new system 2 [N-COUNT] An implement is a tool or other piece of equipment. (FORMAL) ...writing implements. implicit   adjective ~ (in sth) suggested without being directly expressed: Implicit in his speech was the assumption that they were guilty. ◆ implicit criticism ~ (in sth) forming part of sth (although perhaps not directly expressed): The ability to listen is implicit in the teacher's role. ~ (in sth) complete and not doubted: She had the implicit trust of her staff. Compare: EXPLICIT implicitly adverb: It reinforces, implicitly or explicitly, the idea that money is all-important. ◆ I trust John implicitly. in|ci|dence /'ɪnsɪdəns/ (incidences) [N-VAR] The incidence of something bad, such as a disease, is the frequency with which it occurs, or the occasions when it occurs. The incidence of breast cancer increases with age. an area with a high incidence of crime / disease / unemployment Why did the incidence of heroin use continue to climb? in|cur /ɪnk'ɜːr/ (incurs incurring incurred) [VERB] V n, V-ed If you incur something unpleasant, it happens to you because of something you have done. (WRITTEN) The government had also incurred huge debts... ...the terrible damage incurred during the past decade. If the council loses the appeal, it will incur all the legal costs. 　the heavy losses incurred by airlines since September 11th She wondered what she'd done to incur his displeasure this time. inertia   noun [U] (usually disapproving) lack of energy; lack of desire or ability to move or change: I can't seem to throw off this feeling of inertia. ◆ the forces of institutional inertia in the school system...her inertia, her lack of energy... = lethargy inventory   noun (plural inventories) [C] a written list of all the objects, furniture, etc. in a particular building: an inventory of the museum's contentsWe made an inventory of everything in the apartment. [U] (AmE) all the goods in a shop Synonym: STOCK The inventory will be disposed of over the next twelve weeks. ◆ inventory records / control ir|ri|tate /'ɪrɪteɪt/ (irritates irritating irritated) 1 [VERB] V n, V n If something irritates you, it keeps annoying you. Their attitude irritates me... Perhaps they were irritated by the sound of crying. = annoy ● irritated [ADJ] Not surprisingly, her teacher is getting irritated with her. 2 [VERB] V n If something irritates a part of your body, it causes it to itch or become sore. Wear rubber gloves while chopping chillies as they can irritate the skin. Some painkilling drugs can irritate the lining of the stomach.