Challenge Accepted
Challenge Accepted
Challenge Accepted
1. Agnostic /æɡˈnɒs.tɪk/ (n) [C]: someone who does not know, or believes
that it is impossible to know, if a god exists
Although he was raised a Catholic, he was an agnostic for most of
his adult life. (# atheist )
2. Stolid /ˈstɒl.ɪd/ (a): (of a person) calm and not showing emotion or
excitement
He's a very stolid, serious man. (=impassive)
3. Profligate /ˈprɒf.lɪ.ɡət/ (a) : (fml) xài tiền ngu, hoang phí
The profligate use of antibiotics has led to the evolution of resistant
bacteria. (=extravagant; spendthrift [before N])
4. Seraphic /səˈræf.ɪk/ (a): beautiful in a way that suggests that someone is
morally good and pure
Banda maintained a seraphic ignorance of everything that was going
on.
5. Erudition /ˌer.ʊˈdɪʃ.ən/ (n) [U]: (fml) the state of having or containing a
lot of knowledge that is known by few people
She was known for her wit and erudition.
6. Gelid /ˈdʒɛlɪd/ (a): Icy; extremely cold
When you wake up shivering on a winter morning, you may want to
announce that you're not getting out of bed on such a gelid day.
7. Frigidity /frɪˈdʒɪd.ə.ti/ (n) [U]: (used especially of women) the condition
of not becoming sexually excited or not enjoying sex
The psychologist believes sexual frigidity is rooted in childhood
trauma.
8. Proffer /ˈprɒf.ər/ (v) [T]: to offer something by holding it out or to offer
advice or an opinion
I didn't think it wise to proffer an opinion. (=extend; offer)
9. Disabuse /ˌdɪs.əˈbjuːz/ (v) [T]: to cause someone no longer to have a
wrong idea
He thought that all women liked children, but she soon disabused him
of that (idea/notion).
10. Exiguous /eɡˈzɪɡ.ju.əs/ (a): (fml) very small in size or amount
I got a teaching job at an exiguous rate of pay.
11. Dissonant /ˈdɪs.ən.ənt/ (a): (fml) (of sounds or musical notes) sounding
strange or unpleasant
His compositions tend to be brutally dissonant and repetitive.
12. Pelagic /pəˈlædʒ.ɪk/ (a): relating to or living in areas of the sea away
from the land
Pelagic birds spend much of their time at sea.
13. Flotsam /ˈflɒt.səm/ (n) [U]: pieces of broken wood and other waste
materials found on the beach or floating on the sea
We wandered along the shore, stepping over the flotsam that had
washed up in the night.
14. Chasm /ˈkæz.əm/ (n) [C]: một cái vực sâu, vực thẳm
They leaned over the rails and peered down into the dizzying chasm
below.
Chasm /ˈkæz.əm/ (n) [C]: a very large difference between two opinions
or groups of people
There is still a vast economic chasm between developed and
developing countries.
15. Verboten /vəːˈbəʊt(ə)n/ (a): Forbidden, especially by an authority
(=illegal)
Many swear words are verboten to say on TV (or at the dinner table).
16. Latent /ˈleɪ.tənt/ (a): something that is latent is present but hidden, and
may develop or become more noticeable in the future
We're trying to bring out the latent artistic talents that many people
possess without realizing it.
17. Empirical /ɪmˈpɪr.ɪ.kəl/ (a): based on what is experienced or seen rather
than on theory
Empirical studies show that some forms of alternative medicine are
extremely effective.
18. Refulgent /rɪˈfʌl.dʒənt/ (a): shining with a bright light
On a bright day, the sun can be described as refulgent, and the
beautiful, sunny weather might cause you to break into a refulgent smile.
19. Concordant /kənˈkɔː.dənt/ (a): (fml) being in agreement or having the
same regular pattern: phù hợp với
This general pattern is concordant with reported findings for
normally developing 8-year-olds.
20. Stymie /ˈstaɪ.mi/ (v) [T often passive]: (inf) to prevent something from
happening or someone from achieving a purpose (=block)
In our search for evidence, we were stymied by the absence of any
recent documents.
21. Lacrimiform (a): shaped like a teardrop
22. Ulterior motive, reason, purpose, etc. /ʌlˈtɪə.ri.ər/ (a): a secret purpose or
reason for doing something
He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an ulterior
motive.
23. Desecrate /ˈdes.ɪ.kreɪt/ (v) [T]: mạo phạm
It's a crime to desecrate the country's flag.
24. Preclude /prɪˈkluːd/ (v) [T]: to prevent something/someone from doing
something
His contract precludes him from discussing his work with anyone
outside the company.
25. Calibre /ˈkæl.ɪ.bər/ (n) [U]: the quality of someone or something,
especially someone's ability
The competition entries were of such (a) high calibre that judging
them was very difficult.
26. Ludicrous /ˈluː.dɪ.krəs/ (a): stupid or unreasonable and deserving to be
laughed at (=ridiculous; preposterous)
He looked ludicrous in that suit!
27. Cathartic /kəˈθɑː.tɪk/ (a): Whatever causes you to release a sudden flood
of feelings is cathartic. (xỏa cảm xúc)
Some therapies ask you to hit a pillow or break dishes, because those
can be cathartic activities.
28. Bellicose /ˈbel.ɪ.kəʊs/ (a): (fml) wishing to fight or start a war
(=combative)
The general made some bellicose statements about his country's
military strength.
29. Cranky /ˈkræŋ.ki/ (a): (US inf) bad-tempered
He's been cranky all day.
Cranky /ˈkræŋ.ki/ (a): (UK inf) strange
She's a member of a group that promotes cranky ideas about food and
exercise.
30. Conducive to sth /kənˈdjuːsɪv/ (a): providing conditions that make it
easy for you to work etc
We want to create a disciplined environment that is conducive to
learning.
31. Accrue /əˈkruː/ (v) [I]: (fml) to increase in amount over a period of time
Interest will accrue on the account at a rate of seven percent.
32. Reverence /ˈrev.ər.əns/ (n) [U]: sự kính trọng
She has/shows/feels great reverence for her professors.
33. Ilk /ɪlk/ (n) [S]: (disapproving) a particular type
They do not give children chicken nuggets, potato smiley faces, or
processed foods of that ilk.
34. Raucous /ˈrɔː.kəs/ (a): loud and unpleasant
Raucous laughter came from the next room.
35. Deluge /ˈdel.juːdʒ/ (n) [C]: a very large amount of rain or water
This little stream can become a deluge when it rains heavily.
A deluge of sth: a lot of sth
The newspaper received a deluge of complaints/letters/phone calls
about the article.
36. Horseplay /ˈhɔːs.pleɪ/ (n) [U]: (old-fashioned) rough, noisy behaviour,
especially when people push each other as a joke
No running or horseplay in the halls.
37. Larceny /ˈlɑː.sən.i/ (n) [U]: theft
As a pickpocket, he was charged with larceny.
38. Reiterate /riˈɪt.ər.eɪt/ (v) [T]: (fml) repeat (=repeat; restate)
[ + that ] She reiterated that she had never seen him before.
39. Eschew /ɪsˈtʃuː/ (v) [T]: (fml) to avoid something intentionally, or to
give something up (=shun)
We won't have discussions with this group unless they eschew
violence.
40. Glib /ɡlɪb/ (a): speaking or spoken in a confident way, but without
careful thought or honesty
No one was convinced by his glib answers/explanations.
41. Incremental /ˌɪŋ.krəˈmen.təl/ (a): happening gradually, in a series of
small amounts
The system requires fundamental reform rather than incremental
change.
42. Volition /vəˈlɪʃ.ən/ (n) [U]: (fml) the power to make your own decisions
The singer wished it to be known that he had left the band (out) of his
own volition (= it was his decision).
43. Anodyne /ˈæn.ə.daɪn/ (a): (fml disapproving) intended to avoid causing
offence or disagreement, especially by not expressing strong feelings or
opinions
Somehow this avoids being just another silly pop song with anodyne
lyrics about love and happiness.
44. Comical /ˈkɒm.ɪ.kəl/ (a): funny in a strange or silly way
He looked so comical in that hat.
45. Groundswell /ˈɡraʊnd.swel/ (n) [S]: a sudden increase in a particular
feeling among people
There is a groundswell of opinion against the new rules.
46. Assuage (v) [T]: (fml) to make unpleasant feelings less strong
The government has tried to assuage the public's fears.
47. Hyperbole /haɪˈpɜː.bəl.i/ (n) [U]: (fml) biện pháp phóng đại
The blurb on the back of the book was full of the usual hyperbole -
"enthralling", "fascinating", and so on.
48. Internecine /ˌɪn.təˈniː.saɪn/ (a): giết hại lẫn nhau; nội chiến
If it did, the internecine warfare would be catastrophic.
49. Reproach /rɪˈprəʊtʃ/ (v) [T]: to criticize someone, especially for not
being successful or not doing what is expected (=upbraid)
His mother reproached him for not eating all his dinner.
50. Squalor /ˈskwɒl.ər/ (n) [U]: the condition of being extremely dirty and
unpleasant, often because of lack of money
These people are forced to live in squalor.
51. Wistful /ˈwɪst.fəl/ (a): sad and thinking about something that is
impossible or in the past: đăm chiêu (=pensive)
I thought about those days in Spain and grew wistful.
52. Execrable /ˈek.sə.krə.bəl/ (a): (fml) very bad (=odious)
She's always had execrable taste in men.
53. Qualm /kwɑːm/ (n) [C usually plural]: an uncomfortable feeling when
you doubt if you are doing the right thing
She had no qualms about lying to the police.
54. Equanimity /ˌek.wəˈnɪm.ə.ti/ (n) [U]: a calm mental state, especially
after a shock or disappointment or in a difficult situation
He received the news of his mother's death with remarkable
equanimity.
55. Esoteric /ˌiːsəˈterɪk/ /ˌesəˈterɪk/ (a): very unusual and understood or
liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special
knowledge
She has a somewhat esoteric taste in clothes.
56. Insouciant /ɪnˈsuː.si.ənt/ (a): relaxed and happy, with no feelings of
worry or guilt
In spite of the warnings, my fellow passengers seem cheerfully
insouciant.
57. Limpid /ˈlɪm.pɪd/ (a): clear and transparent a limpid pool
Limpid /ˈlɪm.pɪd/ (a): clearly expressed and easily understood limpid
prose
58. Nonplussed /ˌnɒnˈplʌst/ (a): surprised, confused, and not certain how to
react (=perplexed; puzzled)
I was completely nonplussed by his reply.
59. Artless /ˈɑːt.ləs/ (a): honest, sincere, and trusting, sometimes in a way
that seems silly (=ingenuous)
"Why did you take the money?" she asked the child. "Because I
wanted it," came the artless reply.
60. Odious /ˈəʊ.di.əs/ (a): (fml) extremely unpleasant and causing or
deserving hate an odious little man
61. Covetous /ˈkʌv.ɪ.təs/ (a): (fml disapproving) wanting to have something
too much, especially something that belongs to someone else
I can't help casting covetous looks at my neighbour's new Porsche.
62. Abeyance /əˈbeɪ.əns/ (n) [U]: a state of not happening or being used at
present
The project is being held in abeyance until agreement is reached on
funding it.
63. Blandishments /ˈblæn.dɪʃ.mənts/ (n) [plural]: pleasant words or actions
used in order to persuade someone to do something
She was impervious (kiên định) to his blandishments.
64. Desideratum /dɪ.zɪd.əˈrɑː.təm/ (n) [C]: something that is wanted or
needed (plural desiderata /dɪ.zɪd.əˈrɑː.tə/)
He writes, "We should recognize that intelligence, creativity, and
morality - to mention just three desiderata - are separate."
65. Exorcise /ˈek.sɔː.saɪz/ (v) [T]: to force an evil spirit to leave a person or
place by using prayers or magic
After the priest exorcised the spirit/house/child, apparently, the
strange noises stopped.
Exorcise /ˈek.sɔː.saɪz/ (v) [T]: to remove the bad effects of a frightening
or upsetting event
It will take a long time to exorcise the memory of the accident.
66. Fervour (n) [U]: very strong belief or feeling
To them we should respond with greater fervour.
67. Jocose /dʒəˈkəʊs/ (a): humorous or liking to play: nhây nhây (=jocular)
His jocose manner was unsuitable for such a solemn occasion.
68. Juxtapose /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/ (v) [T]: to put things that are not similar next
to each other
The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso's early drawings with some of his
later works.
69. Lilliputian /ˌlɪl.ɪˈpjuː.ʃən/ (a): (humorous) extremely small
Something that's lilliputian is extremely small, like the lilliputian
tables and chairs that might surprise you when you visit your
kindergarten classroom years later.
70. Multifarious /ˌmʌl.tɪˈfeə.ri.əs/ (a): (fml) of many different types
The newspaper report detailed the fraudster's (kẻ lừa đảo)
multifarious business activities.
71. Phoenix /ˈfiː.nɪks/ (n) [C usually singular]: chim phượng hoàng
The town was bombed but was then rebuilt and rose from the ashes
like a/the phoenix (= was just as good as before).
72. Reverent /ˈrev.ər.ənt/ (a): showing great respect and admiration
A reverent silence fell over the crowd. (#irreverent)
73. Ruse /ruːz/ (n) [C]: a trick intended to deceive someone (=artifice (fml) )
It was just a ruse to distract her while his partner took the money.
74. Sidereal time /saɪˈdɪə.ri.əl ˌtaɪm/ (n) [U]: time based on the movement
of the earth in relation to the stars
75. Subpoena /səˈpiː.nə/ (v) [T]: to order someone to go to a law court to
answer questions
[ + to infinitive ] They were subpoenaed to testify before the judge.
76. Amenable /əˈmiː.nə.bəl/ (a): willing to accept or be influenced by a
suggestion
Do you think the new manager will prove more amenable to our
proposals?
77. Analgesic /ˌæn.əlˈdʒiː.zɪk/ (n) [C]: thuốc giảm đau (=painkiller)
Rachel gave the girl some analgesics for her pain.
78. High-sounding (a): [before noun] (of language or ideas) extravagant and
grand. (=grand-sounding)
Some definitions were more high-sounding than accurate.
79. Behemoth /bɪˈhiː.mɒθ/ (n) [C]: (fml) something that is extremely large
and often extremely powerful a grocery chain behemoth
80. Diaphanous /daɪˈæf.ən.əs/ (a): transparent a diaphanous silk veil
81. Eclectic /ekˈlek.tɪk/ (a): Methods, beliefs, ideas, etc. that are eclectic
combine whatever seem the best or most useful things from many
different areas or systems, rather than following a single system an
eclectic style/approach
82. Effervescence /ˌef.əˈves.əns/ (n) [U]: the fact that bubbles of gas are
produced or exist in a liquid, or the bubbles themselves
The wine has a light effervescence.
83. Ebullient /ɪbˈʊl.i.ənt/ (a): very energetic, positive, and happy (=high-
spirited; exuberant)
He wasn't his usual ebullient self.
84. The minutiae /mɪˈnuː.ʃi.aɪ/ (n) [plural]: small and often not important
details
Comedy is so often based on the minutiae of everyday life.
85. Untenable /ʌnˈten.ə.bəl/ (a): not able to be supported or defended
against criticism, or no longer able to continue
The option of maintaining the hospitals for any significant strategic
period was simply untenable.
86. Uncanny /ʌnˈkæn.i/ (a): strange or mysterious; difficult or impossible to
explain an uncanny resemblance
87. Subsume /səbˈsjuːm/ (v) [T]: (fml) to include something or someone as
part of a larger group
All the statistics have been subsumed under the general heading
"Facts and Figures".
88. Sartorial /sɑːˈtɔː.ri.əl/ (a) [before noun]: (fml) relating to the making of
clothes, usually men's clothes/ to a way of dressing: kiểu ăn mặc/lối sống
As it happened, it was necessary to make certain sartorial
adjustments.
89. Reparation /ˌrep.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ (n) [C/U]: payment for harm or damage
The company had to make reparation to those who suffered ill health
as a result of chemical pollution.
90. Repartee /ˌrep.ɑːˈtiː/ (n) [U]: quick and usually funny answers and
remarks in conversation
Oscar Wilde's plays are full of witty repartee.
91. Maverick /ˈmæv.ər.ɪk/ (n) [C]: a person who thinks and acts in an
independent way, often behaving differently from the expected or usual
way a political maverick
92. A litany of sth /ˈlɪt.ən.i/: a long list of unpleasant things, especially
things that are repeated
The manufacturers are reported to have received a litany of
complaints from dissatisfied customers.
93. Lambast/lambaste /læmˈbæst/ (v) [T]: to criticize someone or
something severely
His first novel was well and truly lambasted by the critics.
94. Apportionment /əˈpɔːʃənmənt/ (n) [C/U]: the act of sharing something
between several people or organizations
The apportionment of resources within the health service is very
complicated.
95. Cliquey/cliquish /ˈkliː.ki/ / /ˈkliː.kɪʃ/ (a): behaving like a clique, not
making other people feel welcome
I decided not to join the tennis club because I found it very cliquey.
96. Expatiate /ekˈspeɪ.ʃi.eɪt/ (v) [I]: (fml disapproving) to speak or write
about something in great detail or for a long time (=elaborate; expound)
She expatiated on/upon her work for the duration of the meal.
97. Imbroglio /ɪmˈbrəʊ.li.əʊ/ (n) [C]: (fml) an unwanted, difficult, and
confusing situation, full of trouble and problems
The Soviet Union became anxious to withdraw its soldiers from the
Afghan imbroglio.
98. Overweening /ˌəʊ.vəˈwiː.nɪŋ/ (a) [ before noun ]: (fml disapproving)
being too proud or confident in yourself
She is driven by overweening ambition.
99. Panegyric /ˌpæn.əˈdʒɪr.ɪk/ (n) [C]: (fml) a speech or piece of writing that
praises someone very much and does not mention anything bad about
them (=encomium /ɪnˈkəʊ.mi.əm/)
She delivered a panegyric on the president-elect.
100. Quagmire /ˈkwɒɡ.maɪər/ (n) [C]: an area of soft, wet ground that
you sink into if you try to walk on it
At the end of the game, the pitch was a real quagmire.
Quagmire /ˈkwɒɡ.maɪər/ (n) [C]: a difficult and dangerous
situation
Since the coup, the country has sunk deeper into a quagmire of
violence and lawlessness.
101. Anguish /ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ (n) [U]: severe physical or mental pain,
difficulty or unhappiness
In her anguish she forgot to leave a message.
His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.
102. Valedictorian /ˌvæl.ə.dɪkˈtɔː.ri.ən/ (n) [C]: {US} a student who
has the highest grades in his or her graduating class in high school and
who makes a speech at the graduation ceremony
A 100% tuition free scholarship is given to class valedictorians, 50%
for class salutatorians and 25% for first honorable mention students.
103. Travesty (of sth) /ˈtræv.ə.sti/ (n) [C]: (fml) something that does
not have the qualities or values that it should have, and as a result is often
considered wrong or offensive (=parody)
Langdale described the court ruling as a travesty of justice.
104. Burlesque /bɜːˈlesk/ (n) [C]: a type of writing or acting that tries to
make something serious seem stupid (=parody)
He soon became popular for his burlesques of popular plays and local
celebrities.
105. Suffrage /ˈsʌf.rɪdʒ/ (n) [U]: the right to vote in an election
She wrote a book about the women’s suffrage movement in America.
106. Lissome/lissom /ˈlɪs.əm/ (a): (literary) attractively thin and able to
move quickly and smoothly
Her slight, lissome figure acquired a new elegance from her black
dress.
107. Ephemeral /ɪˈfem.ər.əl/ (a): lasting for only a short time
Fame in the world of rock and pop is largely ephemeral.
108. Rarefied/rarified /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪd/ (a): (of air) with little oxygen;
without any of the problems of ordinary life; esoteric
She moves in rarefied circles.
109. Riposte /rɪˈpɒst/ (n) [C]: a quick and clever remark, often made in
answer to a criticism
She made a sharp/witty/neat riposte.
110. Xeriscape /ˈzɛrɪskeɪp/ (n) [C]: a garden or landscape created in a
style that requires little or no irrigation or other maintenance, used in arid
regions
Following are a few examples of plants that are appropriate for
xeriscape gardens.
111. Rendition /renˈdɪʃ.ən/ (n) [C]: a particular way of performing a
song, piece of music, or poem
She ended the concert with a powerful rendition of "I Will Always
Love You".
112. Recompense /ˈrek.əm.pens/ (n) [U]: (fml) a present given to
someone to thank them for helping you, or payment given to someone
because of slight problems or because of the loss of or damage to their
property
I received £500 from my neighbour in recompense for the damage to
my wall.
113. Bodacious /bəʊˈdeɪ.ʃəs/ (a): very large or important, or something
that people enjoy or admire {US slang}
It was a bodacious concert!
114. Impudent /ˈɪm.pjə.dənt/ (a): rude and not showing respect,
especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position
I consider that to be an impudent suggestion.
115. Brass-bound (a): (of a person) impudent
116. Scofflaw /ˈskɔflɔ/ (n): người không tuân theo luật {NA}
I think scofflaws are sometimes the best researchers.
117. Munificent /mjuːˈnɪf.ɪ.sənt/ (a): (fml) very generous with money
Government should give a more munificent amount of money to re-
construct some run-down buildings.
118. Pertinacious /ˌpɜː.tɪˈneɪ.ʃəs/ (a): (fml) very determined and
refusing to be defeated by problems
Sara must be very pertinacious to go against the mayor’s wish.
119. Didactic /daɪˈdæk.tɪk/ (a): (fml) intended to teach, or to improve
morals by teaching
Children’s books nowadays should be more didactic in order to
maintain their innocence.
120. Inimical /ɪˈnɪm.ɪ.kəl/ (a): (fml) harmful or limiting
Educational system is quite inimical to creative thinking in many
nations.
121. Risible /ˈrɪz.ə.bəl/ (a): so lacking in quality or usefulness that it
deserves to be laughed at (=laughable)
I suggest, therefore, that the words "to or" are in fact otiose, and indeed
slightly risible.
122. Coquettish /kɒkˈet.ɪʃ/ (a): trying to attract attention by pretending
to be sexually interested in someone, in a pleasant but not serious way
She's using her coquettish act to persuade him of something against his
better judgment.
123. Bombastic /bɒmˈbæs.tɪk/ (a): using long and difficult words,
usually to make people think you know more than you do
He is trying to be wise and humble, but I just see him a bombastic
one.
124. Stentorian /stenˈtɔː.ri.ən/ (a): using a very loud voice, or (of a
voice) very loud
An abrupt stentorian voice interrupted our dinner.
125. Coiffed /kwɒft/ (a): Coiffed hair is carefully arranged in an
attractive style
In the 1980s, singers’ hair is immaculately coiffed.
126. Puerile /ˈpjʊə.raɪl/ (a): (disapproving) behaving in a silly way, not
like an adult (=childish)
He can’t put up with those puerile actions of John.
127. Palmy /ˈpɑːmi/ (a): (especially of a previous period) flourishing or
successful
the palmy days of the 1970s
128. Vitriolic /ˌvɪt.riˈɒl.ɪk/ (a): full of violent hate and anger
Sara launched a vitriolic attack on the culprit as he had committed a
brutal murder.
129. Whodunit /ˌhuːˈdʌn.ɪt/ (n) [C]: (inf) a story about a crime and the
attempt to discover who committed it
Detective films are mostly based on classic whodunits, which is quite
predictable.
130. Tattletale/telltale /ˈtæt.əl.teɪl/ /ˈtel.teɪl/ (n) [C]: (disapproving)
một người (thường là đứa trẻ) hay mách lẻo tội của người khác
(=blabbermouth)
He’s such a telltale who always causes everyone problems.
131. Blabbermouth /ˈblæb.ə.maʊθ/ (n) [C]: (inf disapproving) a person
who talks carelessly, often telling secrets to other people
After hanging out with that guy for a couple of days, I’ve just realised
that he is such a blabbermouth.
132. Inchoate /ɪnˈkəʊət/ (a): (fml) just beginning to form and therefore
not clear or developed
His plan was just an inchoate idea.
133. Entourage /ˈɒn.tu.rɑːʒ/ (n) [C]: a group of people who travel with
an important person (=retinue)
The star arrived in London with her usual entourage of dancers and
backing singers.
134. Philanthropy /fɪˈlæn.θrə.pi/ (n) [U]: the activity of helping the
poor, especially by giving them money
Many people just think that the philanthropy of celebrities is just fake
and to help them gain much fame.
135. Gerrymander /ˈdʒer.iˌmæn.dər/ (v) [I/T]: thay đổi biên giới để
tăng số lượng người vote cho 1 đảng/người
I hate the way Fins gerrymanders to maintain his position in the party.
136. Halcyon days /ˌhæl.si.ən ˈdeɪz/ (n) (pl): (literary) a very happy or
successful period in the past
Nicole recalled those halcyon days of her youth.
137. Consternation /ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/ (n) [U]: a feeling of worry, shock,
or confusion
The pressure of so much work really filled him with consternation in
a new working position.
138. Accretion /əˈkriː.ʃən/ (n) [C/U]: a gradual increase or growth by
the addition of new layers or parts
The room hadn't been cleaned for years and showed several accretions
of dirt and dust.
139. Ostentatious /ˌɒs.tenˈteɪ.ʃəs/ (a): (disapproving) nói về sự khoe
mẽ, khoe của
She was telling her story about her family but all I saw was just about
ostentatious speech.
140. Carp /kɑːp/ (v) [I]: càm ràm về những điều vụn vặt (=cavil)
I’m so annoyed at the way he carps.
141. Exculpate /ˈek.skəl.peɪt/ (v) [T]: (fml) to remove blame from
someone (=exonerate)
The pilot of the aircraft will surely be exculpated when all the facts are
known.
142. Disparate /ˈdɪs.pər.ət/ (a): different in every way
My sister and I have utterly disparate hobbies so we don’t get on very
well.
143. Propitiate /prəˈpɪʃ.i.eɪt/ (v) [T]: to please and make calm a god or
person who is annoyed with you
Everyone was so insane that they sacrificed almost all of their sheep to
propitiate an angry god.
144. Mettle /ˈmet.əl/ (n) [U]: ý chí quyết đấu mãnh liệt
The team showed/proved its mettle in the final round.
145. Prattle /ˈpræt.əl/ (v) [I]: talk stupidly about sth not important for a
long time (=prate;chatter)
She kept prattling on about her new dress despite my hatred.
146. Indigence /ˈɪn.dɪ.dʒəns/ (n) [U]: (fml) tình trạng nghèo đói thật sự
Government should have worked harder in order not to let citizens
live in indigence.
147. Saturnine /ˈsæt.ə.naɪn/ (a): (literary) serious and unfriendly
(=morose)
Violet gave her opponent a saturnine look.
148. Agitate /ˈædʒɪteɪt/ (v) [I/T]: to argue strongly for something you
want, especially for changes in a law, in social conditions, etc.
(=campaign)
agitate for/against sth: Some militant groups have been agitating for
autonomy for the region.
agitate to do sth: Her family are agitating to have her transferred to a
prison in the UK.
Agitate sb /ˈædʒɪteɪt/ (v) [T]: to make somebody feel angry,
anxious or nervous
This remark seemed to agitate her guest.
149. Pratfall /ˈprætfɔːl/ (n) [C]: an embarrassing mistake
Most of us get over the pratfalls of childhood.
150. Olfactory /ɒlˈfæktəri/ (a) [before N]: thuộc về khứu giác
olfactory cells/nerves/organs
151. Quail /kweɪl/ (n): chim cút
152. Parsimony /ˈpɑːsɪməni/ (n) [U]: (fml) the fact of being extremely
unwilling to spend money (=meanness)
She criticised government parsimony with defence investment.
153. Occult /ˈɒkʌlt/ /əˈkʌlt/ (a) [before N]: supernatural
She claims to have occult powers, given to her by some mysterious
spirit.
154. Frugal /ˈfruːɡl/ (a): careful when using money or food, or (of a
meal) cheap or small in amount
a frugal existence/life
He has always been hard-working and frugal.
a frugal(=meager) lunch of bread and cheese
155. Perfunctory /pəˈfʌŋktəri/ (a): (of an action) done as a duty or
habit, without real interest, attention or feeling: như là nghĩa vụ, gượng ép
a perfunctory nod/smile
They only made a perfunctory effort.
156. Recant (sth) /rɪˈkænt/ (v): to say, often publicly, that you no longer
have the same belief or opinion that you had before: rút lại lời nói
After a year spent in solitary confinement, he publicly recanted (his
views).
157. Prevaricate (+speech) /prɪˈværɪkeɪt/ (v) [I/T]: (fml) beat about the
bush: nói vòng vo nhằm che giấu sự thật (=equivocate)
Stop prevaricating and come to the point.
158. Fulminate against (sth/sb) /ˈfʊlmɪneɪt/ /ˈfʌlmɪneɪt/ (v) [I]: (fml) to
criticize somebody/something angrily: chỉ trích
He was always fulminating against interference from the government.
159. Stupendous /stjuːˈpendəs/ (a): extremely large or impressive,
especially greater or better than you expect (=staggering)
stupendous achievements
160. Ascetic /əˈsetɪk/ (a before N)/(n): thuộc về khổ hạnh/ người khổ
hạnh (~tu sĩ)
The monks lived a very ascetic life.
161. Probity /ˈprəʊbəti/ (n) [U] (fml): complete honesty: tính thành thật
It should not be necessary to emphasize the need for probity among the
legal profession.
162. Pedantic /pɪˈdæntɪk/ (a) (disapproving): too worried about small
details or rules: quá coi trọng tiểu tiết
a pedantic insistence on the correct way of doing things
163. Probiotic /ˌprəʊbaɪˈɒtɪk/ (a before N): encouraging the growth of
bacteria that have a good effect on the body: tăng vi khuẩn có lợi
probiotic products/yogurt/cheese
164. Cagey about sth /ˈkeɪdʒi/ (a) (inf): unwilling to give information:
ngập ngừng, lưỡng lự (~evasive,secretive)
Tony is very cagey about his family.
165. Circumspect about sth /ˈsɜːkəmspekt/ (a) (fml): careful not to
take risks: cẩn thận
Officials were circumspect about saying what the talks had achieved.
166. Concoct sth /kənˈkɒkt/ (v): to make something, especially food or
drink, by mixing different things: nấu thức ăn/ pha chế đồ uống
The soup was concocted from up to a dozen different kinds of fish.