UG ETV1 VOC - Word List - Full detail

aspire

Definition: 1) to direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving something, 2) rise high; tower
Notes: E.g. 'We need to ask ourselves, what kind of success do we aspire to achieve and at what cost?'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: verb

assuage

Definition: to make less severe, to lessen the intensity
Notes:
Synonym: ease
Antonym:
Lexical: verb

astute

Definition: having or showing an ability to notice and understand things clearly, mentally sharp or clever
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

at a stretch

Definition: 1) in one continuous period, 2) only with difficulty or in extreme circumstances
Notes: E.g. 'This study is aimed at one age group, adults, or, at a stretch, business studies students.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: phrase

attorney

Definition: (UK) a person, typically a lawyer, appointed to act for another in business or legal matters, (US) any qualified lawyer
Notes: E.g. 'When that multinational had to come to court to settle the case, they had already consulted an army of attorneys.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: noun

auspicious

Definition: showing or suggesting that future success is likely
Notes:
Synonym: heartening, encouraging
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

austere

Definition: 1) severe or strict in manner or attitude, 2) (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries, 3) having a plain and unadorned appearance
Notes: E.g. 1) 'The IMF's austere measures strangled the Greek economy bit by bit.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

avail

Definition: to be of use or value
Notes:
Synonym: benefit, satisfy, serve
Antonym: dissatisfy, miss
Lexical: verb

avail oneself of

Definition: use or take advantage of (an opportunity or available resource)
Notes: E.g. 'My daughter did not avail herself of my advice.'
Synonym: make use of, take advantage of, utilize, employ
Antonym:
Lexical: verb

awry

Definition: away from the usual or expected course
Notes:
Synonym: amiss
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

barrister

Definition: (UK) a person called to the bar and entitled to practise as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: noun

be/feel under the weather

Definition: feeling ill
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: phrase

beg the question

Definition: 1) (of a fact or action) to raise a point that has not been dealt with; invite an obvious question, 2) to assume the truth of an argument or proposition to be proved, without arguing it
Notes: E.g. 'Some definitions of mental illness beg the question of what constitutes normal behaviour.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: phrase

benign

Definition: of a gentle disposition, showing kindness and gentleness
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

bigotry

Definition: 1) intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself, 2) having and expressing strong, unreasonable beliefs and disliking other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: noun

bipartisan

Definition: of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies
Notes: E.g. ‘Educational reform received considerable bipartisan approval.’
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

bleak

Definition: empty, not welcoming or attractive, cold and unpleasant, little or no hope for the future
Notes:
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adjective

blithely

Definition: 1) in a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper, 2) in a happy or carefree manner
Notes: E.g. 2) 'I have often wondered since what the man actually thought of me and the enterprise I was blithely undertaking.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: adverb

blue-collar

Definition: relating to manual work or workers, particularly in industry
Notes: North American context
Synonym:
Antonym: white-collar
Lexical: adjective

blueprint

Definition: 1) a design plan, a detailed drawing, 2) a model, plan or template
Notes: E.g. 1) ‘The blueprint for the building still has to be approved.’ 2) ‘The blueprint of our scheme is based on the ideas of Jobs.'
Synonym:
Antonym:
Lexical: noun