Definitions for words in Exercise 7
accretion |əˈkrēSHən|
noun
the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter: the accretion of sediments in coastal mangroves | figurative : the growing accretion of central government authority.
• a thing formed or added by such growth or increase: about one-third of California was built up by accretions | the city has a historic core surrounded by recent accretions.
• Astronomy the coming together and cohesion of matter under the influence of gravitation to form larger bodies.
expenditure |ikˈspendiCHər|
noun
the action of spending funds: the expenditure of taxpayers' money.
• an amount of money spent: cuts in public expenditure.
bug |bəg|
noun
1 a small insect.
• informal a harmful microorganism, as a bacterium or virus.
• an illness caused by such a microorganism: suffering from a flu bug.
• [ with modifier ] informal an enthusiastic, almost obsessive, interest in something: they caught the sailing bug | Joe was bitten by the showbiz bug .
2 (also true bug )Entomology an insect of a large order distinguished by having mouthparts that are modified for piercing and sucking.
[Order Hemiptera: see Hemiptera.]
3 a miniature microphone, typically concealed in a room or telephone, used for surveillance.
4 an error in a computer program or system.
glitch |gliCH| informal
noun
a sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment: a draft version was lost in a computer glitch.
• an unexpected setback in a plan: this has been the first real glitch they've encountered in a three months' tour.
• Astronomy a brief irregularity in the rotation of a pulsar.
verb [ no obj. ]
morass |məˈras, mô-|
noun
1 an area of muddy or boggy ground.
2 a complicated or confused situation: she would become lost in a morass of lies and explanations.
quagmire |ˈkwagˌmīr|
noun
a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot: torrential rain turned the building site into a quagmire.
• an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation: a legal quagmire.
mishap |ˈmisˌhap|
noun
an unlucky accident: although there were a few minor mishaps, none of the pancakes stuck to the ceiling | the event passed without mishap.
linchpin |ˈlinCHˌpin|(also lynchpin )
noun
1 a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position.
2 a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization: regular brushing is the linchpin of all good dental hygiene.
cornerstone |ˈkôrnərˌstōn|
noun
a stone that forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls.
• an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based: a national minimum wage remained the cornerstone of policy.
plight 1 |plīt|
noun
a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation: we must direct our efforts toward relieving the plight of children living in poverty.
respite |ˈrespət, riˈspīt|
noun
a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant: the refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering | [ in sing. ] : a brief respite from a dire food shortage.
• a short delay permitted before an unpleasant obligation is met or a punishment is carried out.
upheaval |ˌəpˈhēvəl|
noun
a violent or sudden change or disruption to something: major upheavals in the financial markets | times of political upheaval.
• an upward displacement of part of the earth's crust.
[6/1/12 1:45:47 PM] Jim Hesson: THere was an upheaval in the market today.
[6/1/12 1:46:57 PM] Jim Hesson:
zenith |ˈzēniTH|
noun [ in sing. ]
the highest point reached by a celestial or other object: the sun was well past the zenith | the missile reached its zenith and fell.
• the point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer. The opposite of nadir.
• the time at which something is most powerful or successful: under Justinian, the Byzantine Empire reached its zenith of influence.
pinnacle |ˈpinəkəl|
noun
a high, pointed piece of rock.
• a small pointed turret built as an ornament on a roof.
• the most successful point; the culmination: he had reached the pinnacle of his career.
slump |sləmp|
verb [ no obj. ]
1 [ with adverbial ] sit, lean, or fall heavily and limply, esp. with a bent back: she slumped against the cushions | (be slumped) : Denis was slumped in his seat.
2 undergo a sudden severe or prolonged fall in price, value, or amount: land prices slumped.
• fail or decline substantially: the Giants slumped to an 8–8 record.
strife |strīf|
noun
angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict: strife within the community | ethnic and civil strife
stance |stans|
noun
1 the way in which someone stands, esp. when deliberately adopted (as in baseball, golf, and other sports); a person's posture: she altered her stance, resting all her weight on one leg.
• the attitude of a person or organization toward something; a standpoint: the party is changing its stance on the draft.
2 Climbing a ledge or foothold on which a belay can be secured.
affluent |ˈaflo͞oənt, əˈflo͞o-|
adjective
1 (esp. of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy: the affluent societies of the western world | (as plural noun the affluent) : only the affluent could afford to trave
[6/1/12 2:00:32 PM] Jim Hesson: noun
a forceful jump or quick movement: she came downstairs in a series of flying leaps.
• a dramatic increase in price, amount, etc.: a leap of 75 percent in two years.
• a sudden, abrupt change or transition: a leap of faith.
• (in place names) a thing to be leaped over or from: Lover's Leap.
soar |sôr|
verb [ no obj. ]
fly or rise high in the air: the bird spread its wings and soared into the air | figurative : when she heard his voice, her spirits soared.
• maintain height in the air without flapping wings or using engine power: the gulls soared on the summery winds.
• increase rapidly above the usual level: the cost of living continued to soar | (as adj. soaring) : the soaring crime rate.
downside |ˈdounˌsīd|
noun
the negative aspect of something, esp. something regarded as in general good or desirable: a magazine feature on the downside of fashion modeling.
[6/1/12 2:03:40 PM] Jim Hesson: fallacy |ˈfaləsē|
noun ( pl. fallacies )
a mistaken belief, esp. one based on unsound argument: the notion that the camera never lies is a fallacy.
• Logic a failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid.
• faulty reasoning; misleading or unsound argument: the potential for fallacy which lies behind the notion of self-esteem.