countable noun
If you call someone an imbecile, you are showing that you think they are
stupid or have done something stupid.
[disapproval]
I don't want to deal with these imbeciles any longer.
Synonyms: idiot, fool, jerk [slang , mainly US , Canadian] , tosser [British , slang]
3. countable noun
In the past, people who had something wrong with their brains that made
them seem less intelligent, or different from other people,
were sometimes called imbeciles.
[old-fashioned]
1. countable noun
A millennium is a period of one thousand years, especially one
which begins and ends with a year ending in '000', for example the period
millennium
from the year 1000 to the year 2000.
(mlenim) [formal]
2. singular noun
Many people refer to the year 2000 as the Millennium.
verb
If you fondle someone or something, you touch them gently with a stroking
fondle movement, usually in a sexual way.
He tried to kiss her and fondle her. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: caress, pet, cuddle, touch gently
Slang
feel up to fondle sexually
A flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. You play it
flute by blowingover a hole near one end while holding it sideways to your
mouth.
Early English term for "substance that emits from anus".
poop I shall poop on thee!
A cockroach is a large brown insect that is sometimes found
cockroach
in warm places or where food is kept.
A Twinkie is an American snack cake, marketed as a "Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling."
Twinkie
1. countable noun
A lasso is a long rope with a loop at one end,
used especially by cowboys for catching cattle.
lasso 2. verb
If you lasso an animal, you catch it by throwing a
lasso round its neck and pulling it tight.
Cowboys drove covered wagons and rode horses, lassoing cattle. [VERB noun]
1. countable noun
A baton is a short heavy stick which is sometimes used as a weapon by
the police.
baton [British]REGIONAL NOTE: in AM, use billy, billy club
2. countable noun
A baton is a light, thin stick used by a conductor to conduct an orchestra or
a choir.
Come in and idiom
= Come in and set a spell.; Come in and sit down.; Come in and take a load off your feet.
sit a spell
meaning: Please come in and have a seat and a visit
wipe 1. verb
If you wipe something, you rub its surface to remove dirt or liquid from it.
I'll just wipe the table. [VERB noun]
When he had finished washing he began to wipe the basin clean. [VERB noun with adjective]
Lainey wiped her hands on the towel. [VERB noun + on]
Synonyms: clean, dry, polish, brush More Synonyms of wipe
Wipe is also a noun.
She gave the table a quick wipe and disappeared behind the counter.
2. verb
If you wipe dirt or liquid from something, you remove it, for example by
using a cloth or your hand.
Gleb wiped the sweat from his face. [VERB noun preposition]
He shook his head and wiped his tears with a tissue. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: erase, remove, take off, get rid of More Synonyms of wipe
3. countable noun
A wipe is a small moist cloth for cleaning things and is designed to be used
only once.
...antiseptic wipes.
to wipe the
floor with
If you wipe the floor with someone, you defeat them completely in a
competition or discussion.
someone [informal]
He could wipe the floor with the Prime Minister.
= wipe the grin/smirk off sb's face
to wipe the
f you say that something wipes the smile off someone's face, you
smile off mean that it suddenly spoils their enjoyment or removes an advantage
someone's that they had and that you are pleased about it.
face [informal]
Tony Holmes wiped the smile off the faces of his rivals with a solo 30-second win.
blouse
A blouse is a kind of shirt worn by a girl or woman.
1. verb
When you chew food, you use your teeth to break it up in your mouth so
that it becomes easier to swallow.
Be certain to eat slowly and chew your food extremely well. [VERB noun]
Daniel leaned back on the sofa, still chewing on his apple. [V + at/on]
...the sound of his mother chewing and swallowing. [VERB]
Synonyms: munch, bite, grind, champ More Synonyms of chew
2. verb
If you chew gum or tobacco, you keep biting it and moving it around your
mouth to taste the flavour of it. You do not swallow it.
One girl was chewing gum. [VERB noun]
He chews tobacco constantly. [VERB noun]
chew 3. verb
If you chew your lips or your fingernails, you keep biting them because you
are nervous.
He chewed his lower lip nervously. [VERB noun]
4. verb
If a person or animal chews an object, they bite it with their teeth.
They pause and chew their pencils. [VERB noun]
One owner left his pet under the stairs where the animal chewed through electric
cables. [VERB preposition]
5. countable noun
A chew is a sweet that you have to chew very hard before it becomes soft.
[British]
...a selection of penny chews.
phrase
to bite off
If you say that someone has bitten off more than they can chew, you
more than one
mean that they are trying to do something which is too difficult for them.
can chew
Micky is used to handling dodgy deals but this time fears he may have bitten off more than he
can chew.
chew the fat If people chew the fat, they talk in a relaxed, informal way.
[informal]
We'd been lounging around, chewing the fat for a couple of hours.
adjective
1. If you describe someone or something as dodgy, you disapproveof them
because they seem rather dishonest and unreliable.
[British , informal , disapproval]
He was a bit of a dodgy character.
...cash made in dodgy underworld deals.
Synonyms: nasty, offensive, unpleasant, revolting More Synonyms of dodgy
2. adjective
dodgy If you say that something is dodgy, you mean that it seems rather risky,
dangerous, or unreliable.
[British , informal]
Predicting voting trends from economic forecasts is a dodgy business.
Synonyms: risky, difficult, tricky, dangerous More Synonyms of dodgy
3. adjective
If you say that someone has a dodgy heart or knee, for example, you mean
that that part of their body is not very strong or healthy.
[British , informal]
My heart's a bit dodgy.
uncountable noun
Saliva is the watery liquid that forms in your mouth and helps you
saliva
to chew and digest food.
Synonyms: spit, dribble, drool, slaver
pied adjective
having markings of two or more colours.
countable noun
piper A piper is a musician who plays the bagpipes.
phrase
he who pays If you say 'He who pays the piper' or 'He who pays the
the piper calls piper calls the tune', you mean that the person who provides the money for
the tune something decides what will be done, or has a right to decide what will be
done.
pay the piper to pay for one's pleasures or bear the consequences of one's actions
:
:
Pied Piper of
.
Hamelin .
.
1. verb
If people proclaim something, they formally make it known to the public.
proclaim The Boers rebelled against British rule, proclaiming their independence on 30 December
1880. [VERB noun]
Britain proudly proclaims that it is a nation of animal lovers. [VERB that]
He still proclaims himself a believer in the Revolution. [V pron-refl n]
[Also V n n, V n as n]
2. verb
If you proclaim something, you state it in an emphatic way.
'I think we have been heard today,' he proclaimed. [VERB with quote]
He confidently proclaims that he is offering the best value in the market. [VERB that]
adjective
If you think that something is horrible and disgusting, you can saythat it
is repugnant.
[formal]
The odour of vitamin in skin is repugnant to insects. [+ to]
repugnant The Committee said his actions were improper and repugnant.
Synonyms: distasteful, offensive, foul, disgusting
1. verb
If you fold something such as a piece of paper or cloth, you bend it so that
one part covers another part, often pressing the edge so that it stays in
place.
He folded the paper carefully. [VERB noun]
Fold the omelette in half. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Fold the blanket back. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
...a folded towel. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: bend, double, gather, tuck
2. countable noun
A fold in a piece of paper or cloth is a bend that you make in it when you
put one part of it over another part and press the edge.
Make another fold and turn the ends together.
Synonyms: crease, turn, gather, bend
4. verb
If a piece of furniture or equipment folds or if you can fold it, you can
make it smaller by bending or closing parts of it.
The back of the bench folds forward to make a table. [VERB adverb/preposition]
This portable seat folds flat for easy storage. [VERB adjective]
Check if you can fold the buggy without having to remove the raincover. [VERB noun]
...a folding beach chair. [VERB-ing]
[Also V n adj]
Fold up means the same as fold.
When not in use it folds up out of the way. [VERB PREPOSITION]
Fold the ironing board up so that it is flat. [VERB noun PREPOSITION]
5. verb
If you fold your arms or hands, you bring them together
and crossor link them, for example over your chest.
Meer folded his arms over his chest and turned his head away. [VERB noun]
Mrs Ringrose sat down and folded her hands in her lap. [VERB noun]
6. verb
If a business or organization folds, it is unsuccessful and has to close.
[mainly British , business]
But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues. [VERB]
2,500 small businesses were folding each week. [VERB]
7. singular noun
When someone joins an organization or group, you can say that they
have come into the fold. When they leave the organization or group, you
can say that they leave the fold.
The E.U. wanted to bring the U.S. back into the fold.
He might find it difficult to return to the family fold when he realizes his mistake.
8. US , Poker
to withdraw from the betting on a hand, specif. by turning over
one's exposed cards
phrasal verb
If you fold something up, you make it into a smaller, neater shape by
fold up
folding it, usually several times.
She folded it up, and tucked it into her purse. [VERB noun PREPOSITION]
He folded up his paper and put it away. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]
phrasal verb
fold in
In cooking, if you fold in an ingredient or fold it into the other ingredients,
you mix it very gently into the other ingredients.
Fold in the flour. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]
Fold the cream into the egg yolk mixture. [VERB noun PREPOSITION noun]
Synonyms: stir gently, introduce, envelop, mix gently
1. adjective
Someone or something that is tender expresses gentle and caring feelings.
Her voice was tender, full of pity.
Patients may not receive the tender, loving care once associated with a hospital stay.
tenderly adverb [ADVERB with verb]
Mr. White tenderly embraced his wife.
tenderness uncountable noun
She smiled, politely rather than with tenderness or gratitude.
Synonyms: fragility, vulnerability, weakness, sensitivity
Synonyms: vulnerability, youth, sensitivity, inexperience
Synonyms: succulence, softness, juiciness
Synonyms: gentleness, love, affection, liking
tender
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you say that someone does something at a tender age, you mean that
they do it when they are still young and have not had much experience.
He had become attracted to the game at the tender age of seven.
...the loss of her father at such a tender age.
Synonyms: vulnerable, young, sensitive, new
3. adjective
Meat or other food that is tender is easy to cut or chew.
Cook for a minimum of 2 hours, or until the meat is tender.
...tender young dwarf beans.
Synonyms: not tough, done [informal] , edible, succulent
4. adjective
If part of your body is tender, it is sensitive and painful when it is touched.
My tummy felt very tender.
Treat any tender points by massaging.
Synonyms: sensitive, painful, sore, smarting
=============================================
5. variable noun
A tender is a formal offer to supply goods or to do a particular job, and a
statement of the price that you or your company will charge. If a contract
is put out to tender, formal offers are invited. If a company wins a tender,
their offer is accepted.
[business]
Builders will then be sent the specifications and asked to submit a tender for the work. [+ for]
Some services are now compulsorily put out to tender.
...the consortium that has won the tender to build the second Severn Bridge.
Synonyms: offer, bid, estimate, proposal
6. verb
If a company tenders for something, it makes a formal offer to supply
goods or do a job for a particular price.
[business]
The staff are forbidden to tender for private-sector work. [VERB + for]
He tendered for and was awarded the contract. [VERB for noun]
tendering uncountable noun
...compulsory competitive tendering for council leisure and recreation services.
7. verb
If you tender something such as a suggestion, your resignation, or money,
you formally offer or present it.
She quickly tendered her resignation. [VERB noun]
He took his wallet from his inside coat pocket and tendered the permit. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: offer, present, submit, give
PRONUNCIATION NOTE: The adjective and noun are pronounced (ntmt). The verb is
pronounced (ntmet).PRONUNCIATION NOTE: The adjective is pronounced (ntmt).
The verb is pronounced (ntmet).
7. verb
If you intimate something, you say it in an indirect way.
[formal]
He went on to intimate that he was indeed contemplating a shake-up of the
company. [VERB that]
He had intimated to the French and Russians his readiness to come to a settlement. [VERB + to]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: announce, state, declare, communicate
1. uncountable noun
Intimacy between two people is a very close personal relationship between
them.
intimacy ...a means of achieving intimacy with another person. [+ with]
[Also + between]
Synonyms: familiarity, closeness, understanding, confidence
2. uncountable noun
You sometimes use intimacy to refer to sex or a sexual relationship.
Her sunburn made intimacy too painful.
The truth was he did not feel like intimacy with any woman. [+ with]
Synonyms: sexual intercourse, sex [informal] , lovemaking, the other [informal]
countable noun
In formal American English or old-fashioned British English,
a physician is a doctor.
Synonyms: doctor, specialist, doc [informal] , healer
physician
(more specific definition:)
1. a person legally qualified to practise medicine, esp one specializingin
areas of treatment other than surgery; doctor of medicine
2. archaic
any person who treats diseases; healer
1. adjective
If you describe something or someone as terrific, you are very pleased with
them or very impressed by them.
[informal]
What a terrific idea!
Everybody there was having a terrific time.
You look terrific, Ann. You really do.
Synonyms: excellent, great [informal] , wonderful, mean [slang]
2. verb
If you pitch something somewhere, you throw it with quite a lot of force,
usually aiming it carefully.
Simon pitched the empty bottle into the lake. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: throw, launch, cast, toss
3. verb
To pitch somewhere means to fall forwards suddenly and with a lot of
force.
The movement took him by surprise, and he pitched forward. [VERB adverb]
Alan staggered sideways, pitched head-first over the low wall and fell into the
lake.[VERB adverb]
I was pitched into the water and swam ashore. [be VERB-ed preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: fall, drop, plunge, dive
4. verb
If someone is pitched into a new situation, they are suddenly forced into it.
They were being pitched into a new adventure. [be VERB-ed preposition]
This could pitch the government into confrontation with the work-force. [VERB noun preposition]
5. verb
In the game of baseball or rounders, when you pitch the ball, you throw it
to the batter for them to hit it.
We passed long, hot afternoons pitching a baseball. [VERB noun]
[Also VERB preposition]
10. verb
If something is pitched at a particular level or degree of difficulty, it is set
at that level.
I think the material is pitched at too high a level for our purposes. [be VERB-ed preposition]
The government has pitched High Street interest rates at a new level. [VERB noun preposition]
Synonyms: aim, direct, design for, mean for
13. verb
If you pitch your tent, or pitch camp, you put up your tent in a place
where you are going to stay.
He had pitched his tent in the yard. [VERB noun]
At dusk we pitched camp in the middle of nowhere. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: set up, place, station, locate
14. verb
If a boat pitches, it moves violently up and down with the movement of the
waves when the sea is rough.
The ship is pitching and rolling in what looks like about fifteen-foot seas. [VERB]
Synonyms: toss (about), roll, plunge, flounder
adjective
pitch-black If a place or the night is pitch-black, it is completely dark.
...a cold pitch-black winter morning.
countable noun
sales pitch A salesperson's sales pitch is what they say in order to persuadesomeone
to buy something from them.
His sales pitch was smooth and convincing.
phrase
make a If someone makes a pitch for something, they try to persuadepeople to do
pitch/make or buy it.
The President speaks in New York today, making another pitch for his economic
one's pitch
program. [+ for]
Prue invited the magazine's editor to lunch and made her pitch.
2. countable noun
A girth is a leather strap which is fastened firmly around the middle of a
horse to keep the saddle or load in the right place.
countable noun
gullet Your gullet is the tube which goes from your mouth to your stomach.
Synonyms: throat, crop, maw, craw
2. verb
If a vehicle rumbles somewhere, it moves slowly forward while making a
low continuous noise.
A bus rumbled along the road at the top of the path. [VERB adverb/preposition]
A line of tractors rumbled onto the motorway through a cordon of
police. [VERBadverb/preposition]
The air reeked of kerosene and huge aircraft rumbled overhead. [VERBadverb/preposition]
4. verb
If something rumbles, it makes a low, continuous noise.
The sky, swollen like a black bladder, rumbled and crackled. [VERB]
Speeches rumbled within the walls of the churches. [VERB]
5. verb
If your stomach rumbles, it makes a vibrating noise, usually because you
are hungry.
Her stomach rumbled. She hadn't eaten any breakfast. [VERB]
1. adjective
If part of your body is sore, it causes you pain and discomfort.
It's years since I've had a sore throat like I did last night.
My chest is still sore from the surgery.
sore Synonyms: painful, smarting, raw, tender
soreness uncountable noun
The soreness lasted for about six weeks.
3. countable noun
A sore is a painful place on the body where the skin is infected.
Synonyms: abscess, boil, ulcer, inflammation
countable noun
Cold sores are small sore spots that sometimes appear on or near someone's
cold sore
lips and nose when they have a cold.
[mainly British]REGIONAL NOTE: in AM, usually use fever blister
1. countable noun
A canker is something evil that spreads and affects things or people.
[formal]
...the canker of jealousy. [+ of]
2. = canker sore:
an ulceration, esp of the lips or lining of the oral cavity
3. variable noun
Canker is a disease which affects the wood of shrubs and trees, making
the outer layer come away to expose the inside of the stem.
In gardens, cankers are most prominent on apples and pear trees.
Synonyms: fungal disease
pumpkin
countable noun
A fortress is a castle or other large strong building, or a well-
fortress
protected place, which is intended to be difficult for enemies to enter.
...a 13th-century fortress.
Synonyms: castle, fort, stronghold, citadel
countable noun
An emu is a large Australian bird which cannot fly.
emu