# dict

Words: security deposit
Meaning:
n [C]   an amount of money that you give to a landlord before you rent a house or apartment, and that is returned to you after you leave if you have not damaged the property//


Words: security risk
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone in a government or organization who you cannot trust with important secrets, because they might tell them to an enemy:\n  2 a situation that could put people in danger:  --After the bomb threat, it was considered too much of a security risk to let the races go ahead.//


Words: security service
Meaning:
n [C]   a government organization that protects a country’s secrets against enemy countries, or protects the government against attempts to take away its power//


Words: sedan
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  AusE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: sedan chair]//  a car that has four doors, seats for at least four people, and a trunk//  British Equivalent:  saloon//


Words: sedan chair
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  Latin sella  ’seat’, from  sedere;   SEDENTARY]//  a seat on two poles with a cover around it, used in the past to carry an important person//


Words: sedate
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  sedare  ’to make calm’]//\n  1 calm, serious, and formal:  --a sedate seaside town//  --The wedding was rather a sedate occasion.//\n  2  formal moving slowly and calmly:  --We continued our walk at a sedate pace .//  -- sedately adv //\nsedate 2 v [T often passive]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: sedative]//  to give someone drugs to make them calm or to make them sleep//  --He was still in shock, and heavily sedated .//


Words: sedation
Meaning:
n [U]   the use of drugs to make someone calm or go to sleep//  under sedation//  --The patient was still under  heavy sedation .//


Words: sedentary
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: sedentaire, from  Latin sedentarius, from  sedere  ’to sit’]//\n  1  formal spending a lot of time sitting down, and not moving or exercising very much:  sedentary life/job/lifestyle etc //  --health problems caused by our sedentary lifestyles//\n  2  technical a sedentary group of people tend always to live in the same place:  --a sedentary people living north of the Danube//


Words: Seder
Meaning:
a special dinner which takes place on the first two nights of  Passover and is held to remember the occasion when the Jewish people left Egypt//


Words: sedge
Meaning:
n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: secg]//  a plant similar to grass that grows in wet ground and on the edge of rivers and lakes//


Words: sediment
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: sedimentum, from  sedere  ’to sit, sink  down’]//  solid substances that settle at the bottom of a liquid//  --a thick layer of sediment//


Words: sedimentary
Meaning:
adj  technical   made of the solid substances that settle at the bottom of the sea, rivers, lakes etc//  --sedimentary rock//  --sedimentary deposits//


Words: sedimentation
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   the natural process by which small pieces of rock, earth etc settle at the bottom of the sea etc and form a solid layer//


Words: sedition
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin seditio  ’separation, sedition’, from  se-  ’apart’ +  itio  ’going’]//  speech, writing, or actions intended to encourage people to disobey a government//  --Trade Union leaders were charged with sedition.//  -- seditious adj //  --a seditious speech//


Words: seduce
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: seducere  ’to lead away’, from  ducere  ’to lead’]//\n  1 to persuade someone to have sex with you, especially in a way that is attractive and not too direct:  --The head lecturer was sacked for seducing female students.//  --Are you trying to seduce me?//\n  2 [often passive] to make someone want to do something by making it seem very attractive or interesting to them:  --I was young and seduced by New York.//  seduce sb into doing sth//  --Leaders are people who can seduce other people into sharing their dream.//


Words: seduction
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] an act of persuading someone to have sex with you for the first time:    seduce//  seduction of//  --the seduction of a young girl//\n  2 [C usually plural] something that strongly attracts people, but often has a bad effect on their lives:  seduction of//  --the seduction of money//


Words: seductive
Meaning:
adj \n  1 someone, especially a woman, who is seductive is sexually attractive:  --She used all of her seductive charm to try and persuade him.//\n  2 something that is seductive is very interesting or attractive to you, in a way that persuades you to do something you would not usually do:  --the seductive power of advertising//  -- seductively adv //  --She smiled seductively at him across the table.//


Words: see
Meaning:
v   past tense  saw /s[hA350][hA359] $ s[hA361][hA359]///  past participle  seen /si[hA359]n///  ----------//\n   1 notice/examine:\n   2 notice something is true:\n   3 ability to see:\n   4 find out information:\n   5 in the future:\n   6 where information is:\n   7 understand:\n   8 watch:\n   9 consider something:\n  10 see what somebody/something can do:\n  11 I’ll see what I can do:\n  12 see you:\n  13 visit:\n  14 meet by chance:\n  15 have a meeting:\n  16 spend time with somebody:\n  17 be seeing somebody:\n  18 imagine:\n  19 seeing as (how):\n  20 be seen to be doing something:\n  21 see something for what it is:\n  22 make sure:\n  23 experience something:\n  24 time/place:\n  25 let me see:\n  26 I don’t see why not:\n  27 go with somebody:\n  28 be seeing things:\n  29 see double:\n  30 have seen better days:\n  31 be glad/pleased etc to see the back of somebody/something:\n  32 see the last of somebody/something:\n  33 see the light:\n  34 see the light of day:\n  35 see red:\n  36 not see somebody for dust:\n  37 see eye to eye:\n  38 seen one ... seen them all:\n  39 see your way (clear) to doing something:\n  40 (see and) be seen:\n  41 not see the wood for the trees:\n  42 see something coming:\n  43 see somebody coming (a mile off):\n  44 see somebody right:\n  45 not see that it matters:\n  46 game of cards:  Phrasal verbs//   see about something//   see something against something//   see around//   see in//   see somebody/something → off//   see somebody/something out//   see over something//   see through//   see to somebody/something//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: seon]//\n  1 NOTICE/EXAMINE:   [T not in progressive] to notice or examine someone or something, using your eyes//  --The moment we saw the house, we knew we wanted to buy it.//  --He crouched down so he couldn’t be seen.//  --Can I see your ticket, please?//  --I saw the offer advertised in the newspaper.//  can/can’t see //  --You can see the Houses of Parliament from here.//  see where/what/who etc//  --Can you see where the marks are on the wall?//  see (that)//  --He saw that she was crying.//  see sb/sth do sth//  --I saw him leave a few minutes ago.//  see sb/sth doing sth//  --The suspect was seen entering the building.//  -- As you can see, the house needs some work doing on it.//  -- Have you seen Chris (=do you know where he is) ?//  --The accommodation was so awful, it had to be seen to be believed  (=you would not believe it if you did not see it yourself) .//\n  2 NOTICE SOMETHING IS TRUE:   [T not in progressive] to notice that something is happening or that something is true//  --More money must be invested if we are to see an improvement in services.//  --After a month’s practice, you should see a difference in your playing.//  --Seeing his distress, Louise put her arm around him.//  --I would like to see changes in the way the course is run.//  --’You’re not denying it, I see,’ he said coldly.//  see (that)//  --I can see you’re not very happy with the situation.//\n  3 ABILITY TO SEE:   [I,T not in progressive] to be able to use your eyes to look at things and know what they are//  can/can’t see //  --From the tower, you can see for miles.//  --I can’t see a thing without my glasses.//  not see to do sth//  --His eyes are so bad that he can’t see to read any more.//\n  4 FIND OUT INFORMATION:   [T] to find out information or a fact//  see what/how/when etc//  --I’ll call him and see how the job interview went.//  --She went outside to see what was happening.//  see if/whether//  --I’ve just come to see if you want to go out for a drink.//  --These chocolates are gorgeous. Try some and see for yourself  (=find out if it is true) .//  --By looking at this leaflet, you can see at a glance  (=find out very easily) how much a loan will cost.//  it can be seen that/we can see that //  --From this graph, it can be seen that some people are more susceptible to the disease.//  -- As we have seen in chapter 4, women’s pay is generally less than men’s.//\n  5 IN THE FUTURE:   [I and T] to find out about something in the future//  see if/whether//  --It will be interesting to see if he makes it into the team.//  see how/what/when etc//  --I might come - I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.//  --Let’s try it and see what happens.//  --’Can we go to the zoo, Dad?’ ’ We’ll see .’ (=used when you do not want to make a decision immediately) //  --’How long can you stay?’ ’ I’ll have to see . It depends (=used when you cannot make a decision immediately) .’//  --We’ll just have to wait and see .//  see how it goes/see how things go (=used when you are going to do something and will deal with problems if they happen) //  --I don’t know. We’ll just have to see how it goes on Sunday.//  --Things will work out, you’ll see  (=you will find out that I am right) .//\n  6 WHERE INFORMATION IS:   [T only in imperative]  especially written used to tell you where you can find information//  --See p.58.//  --See press for details.//  see above/below //  --The results are shown in Table 7a (see below).//\n  7 UNDERSTAND:   [I and T] to understand or realize something//  see why/what/how etc//  --I can’t see why he’s so upset.//  --I see what you mean  (=I understand what you are saying) .//  --’He lives here but works in London during the week.’ ’Oh, I see  (=I understand) .’//  -- You see , the thing is, I’m really busy right now (=used when you are explaining something) .//  --You mix the flour and eggs like this, see  (=used to check that someone is listening and understands) .//  --I can’t see the point of  (=I do not understand the reason for) spending so much money on a car.//  -- Do you see the point I’m making (=do you understand what I’m trying to say) ?//  --The other officers laughed but Nichols couldn’t see the joke .//  see reason/sense (=realize that you are wrong or doing something stupid) //  --I just can’t get her to see reason!//\n  8 WATCH:   [T] to watch a television programme, play, film etc//  --Did you see that programme on monkeys last night?//  --We’re going to see ’Romeo and Juliet’ tonight.//\n  9 CONSIDER SOMETHING:   [T] to think about or consider someone or something in a particular way, or as having particular qualities//  --Having a child makes you see things differently.//  --Violence is seen in different ways by different people.//  as sb sees it/the way sb sees it (=used to give someone’s opinion) //  --As I see it, you don’t have any choice.//  --The way I see it, we have two options.//  see sb/sth as sth//  --I see the job as a challenge.//  see yourself as sth//  --He saw himself as a failure.//  be seen as (being) sth//  --The peace talks are seen as a sign of hope.//  --This type of work is often seen as boring.//  be seen to be sth//  --Sexual discrimination is seen to be an important factor in discouraging women from careers in engineering.//  --Teachers need to be seen to be in control.//\n  10  see what sb/sth can do:   spoken //  a) to find out if someone can deal with a situation or problem//  see what somebody/something can do about//  --I’ll call them again and see what they can do about it.//  b) to find out how good someone or something is at what they are supposed to be able to do//  --Let’s take the Porsche out to the racetrack and see what it can do!//\n  11  I’ll see what I can do:   spoken used to say that you will try to help someone//  --Leave the papers with me and I’ll see what I can do.//\n  12  see you:   spoken used to say goodbye when you know you will see someone again//  see you tomorrow/at 3/Sunday etc //  --See you Friday - your place at 8:30.//  see you later (=see you soon, or later in the same day) //  see you in a bit  BrE  (=see you soon) //  see you in a while (=see you soon) //  (I’ll) be seeing you! (=see you soon) //\n  13 VISIT:   [T] to visit or meet someone//  --I’ll be seeing her tomorrow night.//  --I haven’t seen her since we left school.//  --She’s too sick to see anyone right now.//\n  14 MEET BY CHANCE:   [T not in progressive] to meet someone by chance//  --I saw Jane while I was out.//\n  15 HAVE A MEETING:   [T] to have an arranged meeting with someone//  --Mr Thomas is seeing a client at 2:30.//  --She was seen by a doctor but didn’t need hospital treatment.//  see sb about sth//   (=see someone to discuss something) //  --I have to see my teacher about my grades.//\n  16 SPEND TIME WITH SOMEBODY:   [T] to spend time with someone//  --They’ve been seeing a lot of each other.//  see more/less of sb (=see someone more or less often) //  --They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.//\n  17  be seeing sb:  to be having a romantic relationship with someone//  --Is she seeing anyone at the moment?//\n  18 IMAGINE:   [T not in progressive] to imagine that something may happen in the future//  --He could see a great future for her in music.//  can’t see sb/sth doing sth//  --I can’t see him winning, can you?//  --She’s got a new book coming out but I can’t see it doing very well.//  see sb as sth//   (=be able to imagine someone being something) //  --I just can’t see her as a ballet dancer.//\n  19  seeing as (how):   informal  also seeing that //  used before giving a reason for what you are saying//  --’I might as well do something useful, seeing as I’m back,’ she said.//\n  20  be seen to be doing sth:  to make sure that other people notice you working hard or doing something good//  --The government must be seen to be doing something about the rise in violent crime.//\n  21  see sth for what it is:   also see sb for what they are //  to realize that someone or something is not as good or nice as they seem//  --They are unimpressed with the scheme and rightly see it for what it is.//\n  22 MAKE SURE:   [T not in progressive] to make sure or check that something is done//  see (that)//  --It’s up to you to see that the job’s done properly.//  --Please see that the lights are switched off before you leave.//  --Don’t worry - I’ll see to it .//  --The hotel’s owners see to it that their guests are given every luxury.//\n  23 EXPERIENCE SOMETHING:   [T not in progressive] to experience something//  --She was so sick that doctors didn’t think she’d live to see her first birthday.//  --I never thought I’d live to see the day when women became priests.//  --She’s seen it all before  (=have experienced so much that nothing surprises you) in her long career.//    been there, seen that, done that at been(3)//\n  24 TIME/PLACE:   [T] if a time or place has seen a particular event or situation, it happened or existed in that time or place//  --This year has seen a big increase in road accidents.//  --The city has seen plenty of violence over the years.//\n  25  let me see:   also let’s see //   spoken used when you are trying to remember something//  --Let me see ... where did I put that letter?//\n  26  I don’t see why not:   spoken used to say ’yes’ in answer to a request//  --’Can we go to the park?’ ’I don’t see why not.’//\n  27 GO WITH SOMEBODY:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to go somewhere with someone to make sure they are safe//  --My mother used to see me across the road.//  --I’ll get Nick to see you home .//  --Let me see you to the door  (=go with you to the door, to say goodbye) .//\n  28  be seeing things:  to imagine that you see someone or something which is not really there//  --There’s no one there - you must be seeing things.//\n  29  see double:  if you see double, something is wrong with your eyes, so that you see two things when there is only one//\n  30  have seen better days:   informal to be in a bad condition//  --Her hat had seen better days.//\n  31  be glad/pleased etc to see the back of sb/sth:   BrE  spoken to be pleased when someone leaves or when you get rid of something, because you do not like them//  --I’ll be glad to see the back of him.//  --I won’t be sorry to see the back of this place.//\n  32  see the last of sb/sth:  a) to not see someone or something again, especially someone or something you do not like//  --I thought we’d seen the last of him.//  --It was a relief to see the last of them.//  b) to not have to deal with something any more//  --Police had hoped they’d seen the last of the joyriding.//  --We may not have seen the last of this controversy.//\n  33  see the light:  a) to realize that something is true//  --She finally saw the light and ended the relationship.//  b) to have a special experience that makes you believe in a religion//\n  34  see the light of day:  a) if something sees the light of day, it is brought out so that people can see it//  --This decision will ensure that the Pentagon Papers never see the light of day.//  b) to start to exist//  --This type of PC first saw the light of day in 1981.//\n  35  see red:  to become very angry//  --The thought of Pierre with Nicole had made her see red.//\n  36  not see sb for dust:   BrE  informal if you do not see someone for dust, they leave a place very quickly in order to avoid something//\n  37  see eye to eye [usually in negatives] if two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other:  --We didn’t exactly see eye to eye.//  see eye to eye with//  --I don’t always see eye to eye with my father.//  see eye to eye on/about//  --We don’t see eye to eye on business issues.//\n  38  seen one ... seen them all:   informal used to say that something is boring because it is very similar to other things//  --When you’ve seen one of these programmes, you’ve seen them all.//\n  39  see your way (clear) to doing sth:   formal to be able and willing to do something//  --Small companies cannot see their way to taking on many trainees.//\n  40  (see and) be seen:  to look at or be noticed by important or fashionable people//  --Royal Ascot is the place to see and be seen.//\n  41  not see the wood for the trees:   also not see the forest for the trees  AmE to be unable to understand what is important in a situation because you are thinking too much about small details rather than the whole situation//\n  42  see sth coming:  to realize that there is going to be a problem before it actually happens//  --John’s going to have a lot of trouble with him. You can see it coming.//\n  43  see sb coming (a mile off):   BrE  spoken to recognize that someone will be easy to trick or deceive//  --You paid [hA124]500 for that! They must have seen you coming!//\n  44  see sb right:   BrE  spoken to make sure that someone gets what they need or want, especially money//  --Just do this for me and I’ll see you right.//  --Tell the landlord I sent you and he’ll see you right.//\n  45  not see that it matters:   spoken to think that something is not important//  --I can’t see that it matters what I think.//\n  46 GAME OF CARDS:   [T] to risk the same amount of money as your opponent in a card game//    it remains to be seen at remain(5),  see fit (to do sth) at fit2 (3),  wouldn’t be seen dead at dead1 (12)//  see about [see about sth] phr v//\n  1 to make arrangements or deal with something:  --I’d better see about dinner.//  see about doing sth//  --Claire’s gone to see about getting tickets for the concert.//\n  2  we’ll see about that:   spoken //  a)  also we’ll have to see about that //  used to say that you do not know if something will be possible//  --’I want to go to Joshua’s tonight.’ ’Well, we’ll have to see about that.’//  b)  also we’ll soon see about that //  used to say that you intend to stop someone from doing what they were planning to do//  see against [see sth against sth] phr v//  to consider something together with something else//  --The unemployment data must be seen against the background of world recession.//  see around phr v//\n  1  see sb around:  to notice someone regularly in places you go to, but not talk to them//  --I don’t know who he is but I’ve seen him around.//\n  2  see you around:   spoken used to say goodbye to someone when you have not made a definite arrangement to meet again//\n  3  see around/round sth:   BrE to visit a place and walk around looking at it//  --Would you like to see round the house?//  see in phr v//\n  1  not know what sb sees in sb:   also what does sb see in sb? //  used to say that you do not know why someone likes someone else//  --I don’t know what she sees in him.//\n  2  see sth in sb/sth:  to notice a particular quality in someone or something that makes you like them//  --He saw a gentleness in Susan.//\n  3  see sb in:  to go with someone to make sure they arrive at a building or room//  --He took her home and after seeing her in, drove off without a word.//\n  4  see in the New Year:  to celebrate the beginning of a new year//  see off [see sb/sth → off] phr v//\n  1 to defeat someone or stop them from competing against you:  --To see off the threat, the company will have to cut its prices still further.//  --The team saw off their old rivals in last night’s championship game.//\n  2 to go to an airport, train station etc to say goodbye to someone:  --They’ve gone to the airport to see their son off.//\n  3  also see sb off sth :  to force someone to leave a place//  --Security guards saw him off the premises.//  see out [see sb/sth out] phr v//\n  1 to go to the door with someone to say goodbye to them when they leave:  --I’ll see you out.//  --Don’t worry, I can see myself out  (=leave the building without anyone coming with me) .//\n  2  see sth → out:  to continue doing something or being somewhere until a particular period of time or an unpleasant event is finished//  --Connolly has promised to see out the remaining 18 months of his contract.//  --She saw out her last years at Sudeley Castle.//  see over [see over sth] phr v//  to look at something large such as a house, especially in order to decide if you want to buy it//  see through phr v//\n  1  see through sb/sth:  to realize that someone is trying to deceive you//  --I saw through his excuses.//  --I could never lie to her because I know she’d see through me straight away.//  --I can’t bluff - she’d see right through me .//\n  2  see sth through:  to continue doing something until it is finished, especially something difficult or unpleasant//  --It’ll take a lot of effort to see the project through.//\n  3  see sb through (sth):  to give help and support to someone during a difficult time//  --Setting goals should help see you through.//  --I’ve got enough money to see me through six months of unemployment.//\n  4  see sth through sb’s eyes:  to see something or think about it in the way that someone else does//  --The world is very different when seen through the eyes of a child.//  see to / [see to sb/sth] phr v//  to deal with something or do something for someone//  --Go on, you go out. I’ll see to the washing up.//  have/get sth seen to //  --You should get that tooth seen to by a dentist.//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: see, watch, look at //  See means to notice something with your eyes, either deliberately or accidentally : I saw a great film last week. |  A few people saw him take the bag. //  Watch means to deliberately pay attention to something for quite a long time : They were all watching the game on TV.| He watched her leave. //  When you  look at something, you deliberately turn your eyes towards it in order to see it : There was a loud noise and everyone looked at the screen. //  !!  You can  see  something  on  television or  watch television, but do not say ’see television’ : After I finish my homework I usually watch television. //  ----------//\nsee 2 n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: se, from  Latin sedes  ’seat’]//  an area governed by a bishop//


Words: seed
Meaning:
W3S3   n   plural  seeds  or  seed //  ----------//\n   1 plants:\n   2 in fruit:\n   3 seeds of something:\n   4 go/run to seed:\n   5 number one/two/three etc seed:\n   6 sex:\n   7 family:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: s[zB024]d]//\n  1 PLANTS:  a)  [U and C] a small, hard object produced by plants, from which a new plant of the same kind grows//  --sunflower seeds//  plant/sow seeds (=put them into the ground) //  --Sow the seeds one inch deep in the soil.//  grow sth from seed (=grow a plant from a seed, rather than planting it when it is already partly grown) //  b)  [U] a quantity of seeds//  --grass seed//  flesh, seed, skin//\n  2 IN FRUIT:   [C]  AmE one of the small hard objects in a fruit such as an apple or orange, from which new fruit trees grow//  British Equivalent:  pip//\n  3  seeds of sth:   written something that makes a new situation start to grow and develop//  seeds of change/victory //  --The seeds of change in Eastern Europe were beginning to emerge.//  seeds of doubt/disaster/destruction etc (=something which makes a bad feeling or situation develop) //  --Something Lucy said began to sow seeds of doubt in his mind.//\n  4  go/run to seed:  a) if a plant or vegetable goes or runs to seed, it starts producing flowers and seeds as well as leaves//  b) if someone or something goes or runs to seed, they become less attractive or good, especially because they are getting old and have not been properly looked after//  --The old central bus station is going to seed.//\n  5  number one/two/three etc seed [C] a player or team in a competition that is given a particular position, according to how likely they are to win:  --He’s been top seed for the past two years.//\n  6 SEX:   [U]  biblical  semen or sperm - often used humorously//\n  7 FAMILY:   [U]  biblical the group of people who have a particular person as their father, grandfather etc, especially when they form a particular race//\nseed 2 v \n  1 [T] to remove seeds from fruit or vegetables:  --Add 1 lime, seeded and sliced.//\n  2 [T usually passive] to give a player or team in a competition a particular position, according to how likely they are to win:  --Graf, seeded fifth at Wimbledon//\n  3 [T usually passive] to plant seeds in the ground:  --a newly-seeded lawn//\n  4 [I] to produce seeds:\n  5  seed itself:  if a tree or plant seeds itself, it produces a new plant using its own seeds//


Words: seed corn
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1  BrE people or things that will develop to become useful or successful in the future:  --These young people are the seed corn management of the future.//\n  2 grain that is used for planting next year’s crops:


Words: seedbed
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a place or condition that encourages something to develop:  seedbed for/of//  --Strong personal beliefs can become a seedbed for conflicts.//\n  2 an area of ground where young plants are grown from seeds before they are planted somewhere else:


Words: seedy
Meaning:
adj  informal   a seedy person or place looks dirty or poor, and is often connected with illegal or immoral activities//  --a seedy nightclub//  --a seedy-looking old man//


Words: seeing
Meaning:
S3   conj  spoken   because a particular fact or situation is true//  seeing as//  --I won’t stay long, seeing as you’re busy.//  --Oh, all right, seeing as it’s you  (=used to agree humorously to someone’s request) .//


Words: seek
Meaning:
W1   v   past tense and past participle  sought /s[hA350][hA359]t $ s[hA361][hA359]t/ [T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: secan]//\n  1  formal to try to achieve or get something:  --Do you think the President will seek re-election ?//  seek refuge/asylum/shelter etc //  --Thousands of people crossed the border, seeking refuge from the war.//  seek revenge/damages/compensation etc //  --He sought revenge against Surkov for separating him from his wife and son.//  seek to do sth//  --Local schools are seeking to reduce the dropout rate.//  attention-seeking/publicity-seeking //\n  2  seek (sb’s) advice/help/assistance etc:   formal to ask someone for advice or help//  --If the symptoms persist, seek medical advice.//\n  3  written to look for someone or something:   look for//  --new graduates seeking employment//  --Attractive woman, 27, seeks male, 25-35, for fun and friendship.//\n  4  seek your fortune:   literary to go to another place hoping to gain success and wealth//  --Coles came to the Yukon in the 1970s to seek his fortune.//\n  5 to move naturally towards something or into a particular position:  --Water seeks its own level.//    heat-seeking,  hide-and-seek,  self-seeking,  sought-after//  seek out [seek sb/sth → out] phr v//  to try to find someone or something, especially when this is difficult//  --Our mission is to seek out the enemy and destroy them.//  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  In spoken English it is more usual to use look for or try to find. //  HINT sense 2 //  In spoken English it is more usual to use try to get. //  ----------//


Words: seeker
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is trying to find or get something//  job/attention/publicity etc seeker //  --a brilliant politician and a ruthless power-seeker//    asylum seeker//


Words: seem
Meaning:
v [linking verb, not in progressive]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: s[hA276]ma  ’to be appropriate to’, from  s[hA276]mr  ’appropriate’]//\n  1 to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality:  --Ann didn’t seem very sure.//  --It seems a foolish decision now.//  seem to do sth//  --The rainbow seemed to end on the hillside.//  seem important/right/strange etc to sb //  --Doesn’t that seem weird to you?//  it seems to sb (that)//  --It seems to me you don’t have much choice.//  it seems (that)//  --It seemed that Freeman had killed the man, and dumped the body in the lake.//  it seems likely/unlikely/reasonable/clear (that) //  --It seems likely that he will miss Ireland’s next match.//  seem like//  --Teri seemed like a nice girl.//  --Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.//  --We waited for what seemed like hours .//  seem as if/as though/like//  -- It seemed as if  the end of the world had come.//  -- It seems like you’re catching a cold, Taylor.//  --’So Bill’s leaving her?’ ’ So it seems  (=it appears to be true) .’//\n  2  can’t/couldn’t seem to do sth:  used to say that you have tried to do something but cannot do it//  --I just can’t seem to relax.//\n  3 used to make what you are saying less strong or certain, and more polite:  seem to do sth//  --I seem to have lost my car keys.//  it seems (that)/it would seem (that)//  --It would seem that someone left the building unlocked.//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: seem, appear, look, sound //  Seem  and  appear  have the same meaning but  appear is more formal : They seem upset. |  This appears to be a good solution. //  You use  look to say how someone or something seems to you when you look at them : Maureen looked tired. |  That book looks good.  //  You use  sound to say how someone or something seems to you when you hear or read about them, or hear them : She sounds a lovely person. |  The party sounded great.| He sounded tired. //  GRAMMAR//  Seem can be followed by an adjective or an adjective and noun : She seemed happy. |  He seems a nice man. //  Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive : His story seems to be true. |  You seem to think it’s my fault. //  !! Seem  can be followed by  as if or as though but not just by  as : It seems a small thing (NOT it seems as a small thing), but it’s very important. | It seemed as if he wanted us to leave (NOT it seemed as he wanted ...). //  ----------//


Words: seeming
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  formal   appearing to be something, especially when this is not actually true//   apparent//  --a seeming piece of good luck, which later led to all kinds of trouble//


Words: seemingly
Meaning:
adv \n  1 appearing to have a particular quality, when this may or may not be true:   apparently//  --seemingly unrelated bits of information//  seemingly endless/impossible etc //  --The new minister was faced with a seemingly impossible task.//  seemingly unaware/oblivious //  --Alice was standing in the street, seemingly oblivious to the rain.//\n  2 [sentence adverb]  formal according to the facts as you know them:   apparently//  --There is seemingly nothing we can do to stop the plans going ahead.//


Words: seemly
Meaning:
adj  old-fashioned   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: s[hA276]mligr, from  s[hA276]mr;   SEEM]//  suitable for a particular situation or social occasion, according to accepted standards of behaviour//  → unseemly//  --It was not seemly for ladies to talk about money.//


Words: seep
Meaning:
preposition]   [Language: Old English; Origin: sipian]//\n  1 to flow slowly through small holes or spaces:  seep into/through/down etc//  --Blood seeped down his leg.//\n  2 to move or spread gradually:  seep away/into/through etc//  --His tension was seeping away.//


Words: seer
Meaning:
n [C]  especially literary   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  SEE1]//  someone who can see into the future and say what will happen//


Words: seersucker
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Hindi; Origin: sirsaker, from  Persian shir-o-shakar  ’milk and sugar’]//  a light cotton cloth with an uneven surface and a pattern of lines on it//


Words: seesaw
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Probably from   SAW2]//\n  1 a piece of equipment that children play on, made of a board that is balanced in the middle, so that when one end goes up the other goes down:  American Equivalent:  teeter-totter//\n  2 a repeated movement from one state or condition to another and back again:\nseesaw 2 v [I]   to keep changing from one state or condition to another and back again//  --Before the election, the president seesawed in the polls.//


Words: seethe
Meaning:
v [I]   [Language: Old English; Origin: seothan  ’to boil’]//\n  1 to feel an emotion, especially anger, so strongly that you are almost shaking:   fume//  seethe with//  --He was seething with anger.//  --I was absolutely seething.//\n  2  be seething (with sth):  if a place is seething with people, insects etc, there are a lot of them all moving quickly in different directions//  --The cellar was seething with spiders.//


Words: segment
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: segmentum, from  secare  ’to cut’]//\n  1 a part of something that is different from or affected differently from the whole in some way:  segment of//  --segments of the population//  segment, pith, peel//\n  2 a part of a fruit, flower, or insect that it naturally divides into:  --Decorate with orange segments.//\n  3  technical the part of a circle that is separated from the rest of the circle when you draw a straight line across it:\n  4  technical the part of a line or of a length of something between two points:  segment of//  --segments of DNA//\nsegment 2   v [T]   to divide something into parts that are different from each other//


Words: segmentation
Meaning:
n [U]   when something divides or is divided into smaller parts//  segmentation of//  --the segmentation of society//


Words: segregate
Meaning:
v [T]  [usually passive]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  segregare, from  se-  ’apart’ +  grex  ’herd’]//\n  1 to separate one group of people from others, especially because they are of a different race, sex, or religion:  → integrate//  segregate sb from sb//  --Blacks were segregated from whites in schools.//\n  2 to separate one part of a place or thing from another:  segregate sth from/into sth//  --The coffee room had been segregated into smoking and non-smoking areas.//


Words: segregated
Meaning:
adj   a segregated school or other institution can only be attended by members of one sex, race, religion etc//  → integrated//  --a racially segregated education system//


Words: segregation
Meaning:
n [U]   when people of different races, sexes, or religions are kept apart so that they live, work, or study separately//  → integration//  -- racial segregation //  segregation of//  --the segregation of men and women//


Words: segregationist
Meaning:
adj   relating to the practice of keeping people of different races, sexes, or religions separate//  --segregationist policies//  -- segregationist n  [C] //


Words: segue
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  segued present participle  segueing  [I] //  [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: ’there follows’, from  seguire  ’to follow’]//  to move smoothly from one song, idea, activity, condition etc to another//  segue into/from//  --The conversation segued into banter about the Cup Final.//  -- segue n  [C] //


Words: Seine
Meaning:
the Seine//  a river in northern France which flows through Paris and Rouen, and flows into the English Channel near Le Havre//


Words: seismic
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Greek; Origin: seismos  ’shock, earthquake’, from  seiein  ’to shake’]//\n  1  technical relating to or caused by earthquakes:  --increased seismic activity//\n  2 very great, serious, or important:  --seismic changes in international relations//


Words: seize
Meaning:
W3   v [T]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: saisir  ’to take possession of’, from  Medieval Latin sacire]//\n  1 to take hold of something suddenly and violently:   grab//  --Suddenly he seized my hand.//  seize sth from sb//  --Maggie seized the letter from her.//\n  2 to take control of a place suddenly and quickly, using military force:  seize power/control (of sth) //  --The rebels have seized power.//  --A group of soldiers seized the airport.//\n  3 if the police or government officers seize something, for example illegal drugs, they take legal possession of it:  --160,000 CDs were seized from illegal factories.//  --All of my assets were seized , including my home.//\n  4 to suddenly catch someone and make sure they cannot get away:  --The gunmen were seized at 1 a.m.//\n  5  seize a chance/an opportunity/the initiative:  to quickly and eagerly do something when you have the chance to//\n  6  be seized with/by terror/desire etc:  to suddenly be affected by an extremely strong feeling//  --When she saw his face, she was seized by fear.//  seize on/upon [seize on/upon sth] phr v//  to suddenly become very interested in an idea, excuse, what someone says etc//  --His every remark is seized upon by the press.//  seize up phr v//  a) if an engine or part of a machine seizes up, its moving parts stop working and can no longer move, for example because of lack of oil//  --The mechanism had seized up.//  b) if a part of your body, such as your back, seizes up, you suddenly cannot move it and it is very painful//


Words: seizure
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] the act of suddenly taking control of something, especially by force:  seizure of//  --the Fascist seizure of power in 1922//\n  2 [U and C] when the police or government officers take away illegal goods such as drugs or guns:  --drugs seizures//\n  3 [C] a sudden condition in which someone cannot control the movements of their body, which continues for a short time:   fit//  --He had an epileptic seizure .//


Words: seldom
Meaning:
adv   [Language: Old English; Origin: seldan]//  very rarely or almost never//  --Karen had seldom seen him so angry.//  --Ellie seldom wears slacks.//  seldom has sb done sth//  --Seldom have I read an article that was so full of lies.//   see usage note  rarely//


Words: select
Meaning:
v [T]   to choose something or someone by thinking carefully about which is the best, most suitable etc//   choose, pick//  --a group of students selected at random//  select sb for sth//  --He had hopes of being selected for the national team.//  select sb/sth as sth//  --York was selected as the site for the research centre.//  select sb/sth from sth//  --They selected the winner from six finalists.//  select sb to do sth//  --Simon’s been selected to go to the conference.//\nselect 2 adj  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  seligere  ’to select’, from  legere  ’to gather, choose’]//\n  1 a select group of people or things is a small special group that has been chosen carefully:  --The party was small and select.//  --Honorary degrees are handed out to a select few .//\n  2 only lived in, visited, or used by a small number of rich people:   exclusive//  --a select block of flats//


Words: select committee
Meaning:
n [C]   a small group of politicians and advisers from various parties that has been chosen to examine a particular subject//


Words: selection
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the careful choice of a particular person or thing from a group of similar people or things:  selection of//  --the selection of a new leader//  --It was not easy to make our selection .//  selection for//  --He had narrowly missed selection for the team.//  selection as//  --Perlman’s selection as the party’s candidate//\n  2 [C] something that has been chosen from among a group of things:   choice//  --To order, just write your selections on the form.//  selection from//  --These drawings represent a selection from a larger exhibition.//  3 [C usually singular] a group of things of a particular type, often of things that are for sale//   range//  selection of//  --a wide selection of shellfish//    natural selection//


Words: selective
Meaning:
adj \n  1 careful about what you choose to do, buy, allow etc:  selective about/in//  --We’re very selective about what we let the children watch.//  --selective schools (=that choose which students to accept) //  --He has a very selective memory  (=he chooses what he wants to remember and what to forget) .//\n  2 affecting or relating to the best or most suitable people or things from a larger group:  --selective breeding//  -- selectively adv //  -- selectivity/s[hA369]lekt[hA366]v[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: selector
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE a member of a committee that chooses the best people for something such as a sports team:\n  2  technical a piece of equipment that helps you find the right thing, for example the correct gear in a car:


Words: selenium
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Greek selene  ’moon’]//  a poisonous chemical substance, used in electrical instruments to make them sensitive to light. It is a chemical element: symbol Se//


Words: self
Meaning:
W3S2   n   plural  selves /selvz///  [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1 [C usually singular] the type of person you are, your character, your typical behaviour etc:  sb’s usual/normal self //  --Sid was not his usual smiling self.//  be/look/feel (like) your old self (=be the way you usually are again, especially after having been ill, unhappy etc) //  --Jim was beginning to feel like his old self again.//  sb’s true/real self (=what someone is really like, rather than what they pretend to be like) //  --Peter was the only one to whom she showed her true self.//\n  2  sb’s sense of self:  someone’s idea that they are a separate person, different from other people//  --a child’s developing sense of self//\n  3  be a shadow/ghost of your former self:  to not be as healthy, strong etc as you used to be//\n  4 [U] a word written in business letters, on cheques etc meaning yourself:  --a cheque written to self//\n  5 [C] used to refer to a person:  --a picture of a journalist and your good self  (=you) //


Words: self-
Meaning:
S3   prefix \n  1 by yourself or by itself:  --a self-propelled vehicle//\n  2 of, to, with, or for yourself or itself:  --a self-portrait//


Words: self-absorbed
Meaning:
adj   interested only in yourself and the things that affect you//  --Teenagers always seem so self-absorbed.//  -- self-absorption n  [U] //


Words: self-access
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   a method of learning in which students choose their own books, materials etc and study on their own//  --a self-access centre//


Words: self-actualization
Meaning:
also  self-actualisation BrE n [U]  technical   when someone achieves what they want through work or in their personal life//


Words: self-addressed
Meaning:
adj   a self-addressed envelope has the sender’s address on it, so that information can be put in it and sent back to them//    sae,  SASE//


Words: self-adhesive
Meaning:
adj   a self-adhesive envelope, bandage etc has a sticky surface and does not need liquid or glue to make it stay closed//


Words: self-appointed
Meaning:
adj   giving yourself a responsibility, job, position etc without the agreement of other people, especially those you claim to represent - used to show disapproval//


Words: self-assertive
Meaning:
adj   very confident about saying what you think or want//  -- self-assertiveness also self-assertion //   n  [U] //


Words: self-assessment
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 when you judge your own work or progress:\n  2  BrE when someone who works for themselves calculates how much tax they should pay:


Words: self-catering
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]  BrE   relating to a holiday in which you stay in a place where you can cook your own food//  self-catering accommodation/apartment/cottage etc //  -- self-catering n  [U] //  --Prices start from [hA124]114 per person for seven nights’ self-catering.//


Words: self-centred
Meaning:
adj  BrE  self-centered AmE   paying so much attention to yourself that you do not notice what is happening to other people//   selfish//  -- self-centredness n  [U] //


Words: self-certification
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   when you sign a form or note to say that you have been ill, to explain why you have not been at work or school for a short time//


Words: self-confessed
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   admitting that you have a particular quality, especially one that is bad//  --a self-confessed drug addict//


Words: self-confident
Meaning:
adj   sure that you can do things well, that people like you etc//  → shy//  -- self-confidently adv //  -- self-confidence n  [U] //


Words: self-congratulation
Meaning:
n [U]   behaviour that shows in an annoying way that you think you have done very well at something//  -- self-congratulatory/ $ . ....../ adj //  --a smug, self-congratulatory smile//


Words: self-conscious
Meaning:
adj \n  1 worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you:  self-conscious about//  --Jerry’s pretty self-conscious about his weight.//\n  2 self-conscious art, writing etc shows that the artist etc is paying too much attention to how the public will react to their work:  -- self-consciously adv //  --The boys posed rather self-consciously for the photo.//  -- self-consciousness n  [U] //


Words: self-contained
Meaning:
adj \n  1 complete and not needing other things or help from somewhere else to work:  --a self-contained database package//\n  2 someone who is self-contained does not seem to need other people or show their feelings:\n  3  BrE a self-contained apartment has its own kitchen and bathroom:


Words: self-control
Meaning:
n [U]   the ability to behave calmly and sensibly even when you feel very excited, angry etc//  -- self-controlled adj //


Words: self-criticism
Meaning:
n [U]   when you judge your own behaviour or character, especially when you have done something bad//  -- self-critical adj //


Words: self-defeating
Meaning:
adj   causing even more problems, or causing exactly the same problems and difficulties that you are trying to prevent or deal with//  --Constant dieting can be self-defeating.//


Words: self-defence
Meaning:
BrE  self-defense AmE n [U] \n  1 something you do to protect yourself or your property:  in self-defence//  --He shot him in self-defence.//\n  2 skills that you learn to protect yourself if you are attacked:


Words: self-denial
Meaning:
n [U]   when you do not do or have the things you enjoy for moral or religious reasons//  -- self-denying adj //


Words: self-deprecating
Meaning:
adj   trying to make your own abilities or achievements seem unimportant//  --self-deprecating humour//  -- self-deprecation n  [U] //


Words: self-destruct
Meaning:
v [I]   if something such as a bomb self-destructs, it destroys itself, usually by exploding//  -- self-destruct adj //


Words: self-destructive
Meaning:
adj   deliberately doing things that are likely to seriously harm or kill yourself//  --a self-destructive alcoholic//  -- self-destruction n  [U] //


Words: self-determination
Meaning:
n [U]   the right of the people of a particular country to govern themselves and to choose the type of government they will have//


Words: self-directed
Meaning:
adj   responsible for judging and organizing your own work rather than getting instructions from other people//


Words: self-discipline
Meaning:
n [U]   the ability to make yourself do the things you know you ought to do, without someone making you do them//  --A lot of the kids seemed to lack self-discipline.//  -- self-disciplined adj //


Words: self-drive
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE \n  1 a self-drive car is one that you have hired to drive yourself:\n  2 a self-drive holiday is one in which you use your own car to visit the holiday area:


Words: self-educated
Meaning:
adj   having taught yourself by reading books, thinking about ideas etc, rather than learning things in school//


Words: self-effacing
Meaning:
adj   not wanting to attract attention to yourself or your achievements//   modest//  --a quiet, self-effacing man//  -- self-effacement n  [U] //


Words: self-employed
Meaning:
adj   working for yourself and not employed by a company//  --a self-employed plumber//  --pension plans for the self-employed  (=people who are self-employed) //  -- self-employment n  [U] //


Words: self-esteem
Meaning:
n [U]   the feeling of being satisfied with your own abilities, and that you deserve to be liked or respected//    self-respect//  raise/build (up)/boost sb’s self-esteem //  --Playing a sport can boost a girl’s self-esteem.//  --students’ sense of self-esteem //  low/poor self-esteem (=not much self-esteem) //


Words: self-evident
Meaning:
adj  formal   clearly true and needing no more proof//   obvious//  --self-evident truths//  it is self-evident (that)//  --It is self-evident that childhood experiences influence our adult behaviour.//


Words: self-examination
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 careful thought about whether your actions and your reasons for them are right or wrong:\n  2 the practice of checking parts of your body for early signs of some illnesses:


Words: self-explanatory
Meaning:
adj   clear and easy to understand without needing any more explanation//  --The video controls are pretty self-explanatory.//


Words: self-expression
Meaning:
n [U]   the expression of your feelings or thoughts, especially through activities such as painting, writing, or acting//  --Corporate dress codes don’t give workers much room for self-expression.//


Words: self-fulfilling
Meaning:
adj   if a statement or belief about what will happen in the future is self-fulfilling, it becomes true because you expect it to be true and so behave in a way that will make it happen//  --It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy : expect things to go wrong, and they probably will.//


Words: self-governing
Meaning:
adj   a country or organization that is self-governing is controlled by its own members rather than by someone from another country or organization//  --self-governing states//  -- self-government n  [U] //


Words: self-help
Meaning:
n [U]   the use of your own efforts to deal with your problems, instead of depending on other people//  --a shelf of self-help books //  --Our program emphasises self-help.//  --a self-help group for single parents//


Words: self-image
Meaning:
n [C]   the idea that you have of yourself, especially of your abilities, character, and appearance//  positive/good/poor/negative self-image //  --Depression affects people with a poor self-image.//


Words: self-important
Meaning:
adj   behaving in a way that shows you think you are more important than other people - used to show disapproval//  --a self-important, pompous little man//  -- self-importance n  [U] //  -- self-importantly adv //


Words: self-imposed
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   a self-imposed rule, duty etc is one that you have made for yourself, and which no one has asked you to accept//  --She spent five years in self-imposed exile in Bolivia.//


Words: self-indulgent
Meaning:
adj   allowing yourself to have or do things that you enjoy but do not need, especially if you do this too often - used to show disapproval//  --It feels self-indulgent spending so much on a pair of shoes.//  self-indulgent novel/film etc (=said when you think the book or film only expresses the author or  director ’s own interests, which are not interesting to other people ) //  -- self-indulgence n  [singular, U] //  --My one self-indulgence is expensive coffee.//  -- self-indulgently adv //


Words: self-inflicted
Meaning:
adj   self-inflicted pain, problems, illnesses etc are those you have caused yourself//  --self-inflicted gunshot wounds//  --Stress is often self-inflicted.//


Words: self-interest
Meaning:
n [U]   when you only care about what is best for you, and do not care about what is best for other people//  --His offer was motivated solely by self-interest.//  -- self-interested adj //


Words: self-made
Meaning:
adj   a self-made man or woman has become successful and rich by their own efforts, not by having money given to them//  self-made man/millionaire/businessman //


Words: self-opinionated
Meaning:
adj   believing that your own opinions are always right and that everyone else should agree with you - used to show disapproval//


Words: self-pity
Meaning:
n [U]   the feeling of being sad and depressed because you think that something unfair or unpleasant has happened to you - used to show disapproval//  --a note of self-pity in her voice//  -- self-pitying adj //  --a self-pitying mood//


Words: self-possessed
Meaning:
adj   calm, confident, and in control of your feelings, even in difficult or unexpected situations - used to show approval//  --She’s a confident, self-possessed public speaker.//  -- self-possession n  [U] //


Words: self-preservation
Meaning:
n [U]   protection of yourself and your own life in a threatening or dangerous situation//  --the instinct for self-preservation//


Words: self-proclaimed
Meaning:
adj   having given yourself a position or title without the approval or agreement of other people - used to show disapproval//  --a self-proclaimed champion of the working class//


Words: self-regulatory
Meaning:
adj  also self-regulating   a self-regulatory system, industry, or organization is one that controls itself, rather than having an independent organization or laws to make sure that rules are obeyed//  -- self-regulation n  [U] //


Words: self-reliant
Meaning:
adj   able to do or decide things by yourself, without depending on the help or advice of other people//  --Our aim is to teach our son to become an independent, self-reliant adult.//  -- self-reliance n  [U] //


Words: self-respect
Meaning:
n [U]   a feeling of being happy about your character, abilities, and beliefs//    self-esteem//  --It’s difficult to keep your self-respect when you have been unemployed for a long time.//


Words: self-respecting
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   having respect for yourself and your abilities and beliefs//  no/any self-respecting ... would do sth //  --No self-respecting actor would appear in a porn movie.//


Words: self-restraint
Meaning:
n [U]   the ability to stop yourself doing or saying something, even though you want to, because it is more sensible not to do or say it//  exercise/practise self-restraint //  --The UN appealed for both sides to exercise self-restraint.//


Words: self-righteous
Meaning:
adj   proudly sure that your beliefs, attitudes, and  morals are good and right, in a way that annoys other people - used to show disapproval//  --She’s a vegetarian, but she’s not at all self-righteous about it.//  -- self-righteously adv //  -- self-righteousness n  [U] //


Words: self-rising flour
Meaning:
n [U]  AmE   a type of flour that contains baking powder//  British Equivalent:  self-raising flour//


Words: self-sacrifice
Meaning:
n [U]   when you decide not to do or have something you want or need, in order to help someone else//  --several years of hard work and self-sacrifice//  -- self-sacrificing adj //


Words: self-satisfied
Meaning:
adj   too pleased with yourself and what you have done - used to show disapproval//  --A self-satisfied smile settled on his face.//  -- self-satisfaction n  [U] //  --a feeling of self-satisfaction//


Words: self-seeking
Meaning:
adj   doing things only because they will give you an advantage that other people do not have - used to show disapproval//  --a self-seeking politician//


Words: self-service
Meaning:
adj   a self-service restaurant, shop etc is one in which you get things for yourself and then pay for them//  -- self-service n  [U] //


Words: self-serving
Meaning:
adj   showing that you will only do something if it will gain you an advantage - used to show disapproval//  --self-serving politicians//


Words: self-starter
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is able to work successfully on their own without needing other people’s help or a lot of instructions - used to show approval//


Words: self-styled
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   having given yourself a title or position without having a right to it - used to show disapproval//  --a self-styled poet//


Words: self-sufficient
Meaning:
adj   able to provide all the things you need without help from other people//  --a self-sufficient farm//  self-sufficient in//  --Australia is 65% self-sufficient in oil.//  -- self-sufficiency n  [U] //


Words: self-supporting
Meaning:
adj \n  1 able to earn enough money to support yourself:  --The business will soon become self-supporting.//\n  2 able to stand or stay upright without support:  --self-supporting fencing//


Words: self-taught
Meaning:
adj   having learned a skill or subject by reading about it, practising it etc yourself, rather than in a school//  --She received some education at night school, but was largely self-taught.//  --a self-taught pianist//


Words: self-willed
Meaning:
adj   very determined to do what you want, whatever other people think - used to show disapproval//  --a wild and self-willed child//  -- self-will n  [U] //


Words: self-worth
Meaning:
n [U]   the feeling that you deserve to be liked and respected//    self-esteem//  --Work gave me a sense of dignity and self-worth.//


Words: selfbuild self-build
Meaning:
n [U]   when you build your own house rather than paying a professional builder to do it for you//  --a selfbuild kit//  -- self-builder n  [C] //


Words: selfish
Meaning:
adj   caring only about yourself and not about other people - used to show disapproval//  --How can you be so selfish?//  --selfish behaviour//  -- selfishly adv //  --a small child behaving selfishly//  -- selfishness n  [U] //  --a lack of greed and selfishness//


Words: selfless
Meaning:
adj   caring about other people more than about yourself - used to show approval//  --selfless devotion to their work//  -- selflessly adv //  -- selflessness n  [U] //


Words: sell
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  sold /s[hA353][hA35E]ld $ so[hA35E]ld///  ----------//\n   1 give something for money:\n   2 make something available:\n   3 make somebody want something:\n   4 be bought:\n   5 sell like hot cakes:\n   6 idea/plan:\n   7 sell yourself:\n   8 sell somebody/something short:\n   9 sell your soul (to the devil):\n  10 sell somebody down the river:\n  11 sell your vote:  Phrasal verbs//   sell something → off//   sell out//   sell up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sellan]//\n  1 GIVE SOMETHING FOR MONEY:   [I and T] to give something to someone in exchange for money//  → buy//  --If you offer him another hundred, I think he’ll sell.//  --He regrets selling all his old records.//  sell sth for [hA124]100/$50/30p etc //  --Toni’s selling her car for [hA124]700.//  sell sb sth//  --I won’t sell you my shares!//  sell sth to sb//  --The vase was sold to a Dutch buyer.//  sell sth at a profit/loss (=make or lose money on a sale) //  --Tony had to sell the business at a loss.//\n  2 MAKE SOMETHING AVAILABLE:   [I and T] to offer something for people to buy//  --Do you sell cigarettes?//  --a job selling advertising space//  sell at/for [hA124]100/$50/30p etc (=be offered for sale at [hA124]100/$50/30p etc) //  --Smoke alarms sell for as little as five pounds.//\n  3 MAKE SOMEBODY WANT SOMETHING:   [T] to make people want to buy something//  --Scandal sells newspapers.//  sell sth to sb//  --The car’s new design will help sell it to consumers.//\n  4 BE BOUGHT:   [I and T] to be bought by people//  --Tickets for the concert just aren’t selling.//  --Her last book sold millions of copies.//  --All the new houses have been sold.//  sell well/badly (=be bought by a lot of people, or very few people) //  --Anti-age creams always sell well.//\n  5  sell like hot cakes:  to sell quickly and in large amounts//\n  6 IDEA/PLAN:   [I and T] to try to make someone accept a new idea or plan, or to become accepted//  --It’s all right for Washington, but will it sell in small-town America?//  sell sth to sb//  --It’s hard for any government to sell new taxes to the electorate.//  sell sb sth//  --managers selling employees the new working hours//  be sold on (doing) sth (=think an idea or plan is very good) //  --Joe’s completely sold on the concept.//\n  7  sell yourself:  a) to make yourself seem impressive to other people//  --If you want a promotion, you’ve got to sell yourself better.//  b)  also sell your body //  to have sex with someone for money//\n  8  sell sb/sth short:  to not give someone or something the praise, attention, or reward that they deserve//  --Don’t sell yourself short - tell them about all your qualifications.//\n  9  sell your soul (to the devil):  to agree to do something bad in exchange for money, power etc//\n  10  sell sb down the river:  to do something that harms a group of people who trusted you, in order to gain money or power for yourself//\n  11  sell your vote:   AmE to take money from someone who wants you to vote for a particular person or plan//  sell off [sell sth → off] phr v//\n  1 to sell something, especially for a cheap price, because you need the money or because you want to get rid of it:  --After the war, we had to sell off part of the farm.//  --We try to sell off any leftover cakes before we close.//\n  2 to sell all or part of an industry or company:  --The Leicestershire company has sold off many of its smaller branches to cut debts.//  sell out phr v//\n  1 if a shop sells out of something, it has no more of that particular thing left to sell:  be/have sold out//  --Sorry, we’re sold out.//  sell out of//  --We’ve completely sold out of those shirts in your size, sir.//\n  2 if products, tickets for an event etc sell out, they are all sold and there are none left:  --Wow! Those cakes sold out fast.//  be/have sold out//  --Tonight’s performance is completely sold out.//\n  3 to change your beliefs or principles, especially in order to get more money or some other advantage - used to show disapproval:  --ex-hippies who’ve sold out and become respectable businessmen//\n  4 to sell your business or your share in a business:  --Wyman says he’ll sell out if business doesn’t pick up.//  sell out to//  --The T-mail Co. has sold out to San Jose-based DMX Inc for an undisclosed sum.//  sell up phr v//  to sell most of what you own, especially your house or your business//  --Liz decided to sell up and move abroad.//


Words: sell-by date
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE \n  1 the date stamped on a food product, after which it should not be sold:  --a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date //\n  2  informal a time beyond which something or someone is no longer interesting or useful:  --This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date .//


Words: sell-off
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE the sale of an industry that the government owns, to private companies or other people:\n  2  AmE the sale of a lot of stocks or shares, which makes the price decrease:


Words: sell-out
Meaning:
sellout/sela[hA35E]t/ n [singular] \n  1 a performance, sports game etc, for which all the tickets have been sold:  --The concert was expected to be a sell-out.//  --a sellout crowd of 32,000//\n  2  informal a situation in which someone has not done what they promised to do or were expected to do by the people who trusted them:  --a sellout of the poor for political reasons//\n  3  informal someone who has not done what they promised to do or who is not loyal to their friends or supporters, especially in order to become more popular, richer etc:  --Many black students regarded him as a sellout.//


Words: Sellafield
Meaning:
a  nuclear power and  nuclear reprocessing station in Cumbria, northwest England, which used to be called "Windscale". Sellafield produces electricity, and also treats waste from nuclear  fuel so that it can be used again.//


Words: seller
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who sells something:  → buyer//\n  2  good/bad/poor etc seller:  a product that has been popular, not popular etc with customers//    bestseller//  --The album ’Thriller’ remains one of the biggest sellers of all time.//


Words: seller’s market
Meaning:
n [singular]   a situation in which there is not much of a particular thing available, such as houses, so prices are high//  → buyer’s market//


Words: Sellers
Meaning:
Peter   (1925-80) a British actor and  comedian who appeared in the British radio programme  The Goon Show (1951-59), and is known especially for appearing as the humorous character of Inspector Clouseau, a French police officer who keeps making stupid mistakes and causing accidents in films such as  The  Pink Panther (1963) and  The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)//


Words: selling point
Meaning:
n [C]   a particular quality that something has which will make people want to buy it//  --Small classes are a selling point for private schools.//    USP//


Words: Sellotape
Meaning:
n [U]  trademark  BrE   thin clear plastic tape that is sticky on one side, used for sticking things together//  --a roll of Sellotape//  -- sellotape v  [T] //


Words: seltzer
Meaning:
n [U]  AmE   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: German; Origin: selterser (wasser)  ’water of Selters’, from  Selters, small town in southwest Germany]//  water that contains small bubbles//


Words: selvedge
Meaning:
selvage/selv[hA366]d[hA360]/ n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Probably from  Middle Flemish selvegge, from  selv  ’self’ +  egge  ’edge’]//  the edge of a piece of cloth, made strong so that the threads will not come apart//


Words: Selznick
Meaning:
David O.   (1902-65) a US film  producer, famous for  Gone With the Wind  (1939), which he also helped to write and direct. He also produced  Rebecca (1940),  Spellbound (1945) and was co-producer of  The Third Man  (1949).//


Words: semantic
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Greek; Origin: semantikos  ’having meaning’, from  semainein  ’to mean’, from  sema  ’sign’]//  relating to the meanings of words//  -- semantically/-kli/ adv //


Words: semaphore
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Greek; Origin: sema  ’sign’ +  -phoros  ’carrying’]//  a system of sending messages using two flags, which you hold in different positions to represent letters and numbers//


Words: semblance
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sembler  ’to be like, seem’]//  a/some semblance of sth//  a situation, condition etc that is close to or similar to a particular one, usually a good one//  --She was trying to get her thoughts back into some semblance of order .//  --After the war, life returned to a semblance of normality.//


Words: semen
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: ’seed’]//  the liquid containing sperm that is produced by the male sex organs in humans and animals//


Words: semester
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: German; Origin: Latin semestris  ’half-yearly’, from  sex  ’six’ +  mensis  ’month’]//  one of the two periods of time that a year at high schools and universities is divided into, especially in the US//  --the fall semester//    term1 (5)//    quarter1 (8)//


Words: semi
Meaning:
n   plural  semis  [C] //  [Sense: 1; Date: 1900-2000; Origin: semi-detached]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 1900-2000; Origin: semi-final]//  [Sense: 3; Date: 1900-2000; Origin: semi-trailer]//\n  1  BrE  informal a semi-detached house:  --a three-bedroomed semi//\n  2  informal a semi-final:\n  3  AmE a very large heavy truck consisting of two connected parts, which carries goods over long distances:  British Equivalent:  articulated lorry//


Words: semi-
Meaning:
prefix   [Language: Latin; Origin:]//\n  1 exactly half:  --a semicircle//\n  2 partly but not completely:  --in the semi-darkness//  --semi-literate people//\n  3 happening, appearing etc twice in a particular period:  --a semi-weekly visit//  --a semi-annual publication//    bi-//


Words: semi-automatic
Meaning:
also  semiautomatic AmE   adj   a semi-automatic weapon moves each bullet into position ready for you to fire, so that you can fire the next shot very quickly//  -- semi-automatic n  [C] //


Words: semi-final
Meaning:
BrE  semifinal AmE   n [C]   one of two sports games whose winners then compete against each other to decide who wins the whole competition//


Words: semi-precious
Meaning:
BrE  semiprecious AmE   adj   a semi-precious jewel or stone is valuable, but not as valuable as a diamond, ruby etc//


Words: semi-professional
Meaning:
semiprofessional/semipr[hA353]fe[hA35D][hA368]n[hA353]l[hA36B]/ adj  also semi-pro  AmE   a semi-professional sports player, musician etc is paid for doing that thing, but does not do it as their main job//  --a semiprofessional boxer//  -- semiprofessional also semipro  AmE  n  [C] //


Words: semi-retired
Meaning:
BrE  semiretired/semir[hA366]ta[hA366][hA353]d[hA36B] $ -ta[hA366]rd[hA36B]/ adj AmE   someone who is semi-retired continues to work, but not for as many hours as they used to, especially because they are getting older and want time to do other things//


Words: semi-skilled
Meaning:
semiskilled/semisk[hA366]ld[hA36B]/ adj   needing or having some skills or training//  --a semi-skilled job//  --semi-skilled workers//


Words: semi-vowel
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   a sound made in speech that sounds like a vowel, but is in fact a consonant, for example /w///


Words: semicircle
Meaning:
n [C]   half a circle//  in a semicircle//  --About 50 children sat in a semicircle around me.//  -- semicircular/semis[hA362][hA359]kj[hA36A]l[hA353][hA36B] $ -s[hA362][hA359]rkj[hA36A]l[hA353]r[hA36B]/ adj //


Words: semicolon
Meaning:
semi-colon/semik[hA353][hA35E]l[hA353]n $ semiko[hA35E]l[hA353]n/ n [C]   a punctuation mark (;) used to separate different parts of a sentence or list//


Words: semiconductor
Meaning:
n [C]   a substance, such as silicon, that allows some electric currents to pass through it, and is used in electronic equipment//  -- semiconducting adj  [only before noun] //


Words: seminal
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: seminal, from  Latin seminalis, from  semen;   SEMEN]//\n  1  formal a seminal article, book etc is important, and influences the way things develop in the future:  --a seminal study of eighteenth-century France//\n  2 [only before noun]  technical producing or containing semen:


Words: seminar
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: German; Origin: Latin seminarium;   SEMINARY]//\n  1 a class at a university or college for a small group of students and a teacher to study or discuss a particular subject:  --a Shakespeare seminar//\n  2 a class on a particular subject, usually given as a form of training:  --Publishers and writers from 13 countries attended the seminar .//


Words: seminary
Meaning:
n   plural  seminaries  [C] //  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: seminarium  ’place where seeds are grown, seminary’, from  semen;   SEMEN]//\n  1 a college for training priests or ministers:\n  2  old-fashioned a school:


Words: semiotics
Meaning:
[U]  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Greek; Origin: semeiotikos  ’looking at and understanding signs’, from  semeion  ’sign’]//  the way in which people communicate through signs and images, or the study of this//  -- semiotic adj //  -- semiotician/semi[hA353]t[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ also semiologist //   n  [C] //


Words: semiquaver
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a musical note which continues for a sixteenth of the length of a semibreve//  American Equivalent:  sixteenth note//


Words: Semitic
Meaning:
adj \n  1 :  a) belonging to the race of people that includes Jews, Arabs, and, in ancient times, Babylonians and Assyrians//  b) relating to any of the languages of these people//\n  2 another word for Jewish:    anti-Semitic at anti-Semite//


Words: semitone
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   the difference in pitch between any two notes that are next to each other on a piano//  American Equivalent:  half step//


Words: semolina
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: semolino, from  semola  ’crushed outer skin of grain’]//\n  1 small grains of crushed wheat, used especially in making sweet dishes and pasta:\n  2  BrE a sweet dish made with these grains and milk:


Words: senate
Meaning:
Senate/sen[hA369]t/ n   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: senat, from  Latin senatus, from  senex  ’old man’]//\n  1 :  a)  the Senate//  the smaller and more important of the two parts of the government with the power to make laws, in countries such as the US, Australia, and France//  --The Senate approved the bill.//  b)  [C] a similar part of the government in many US states//  --the California state senate//\n  2  the Senate:  the highest level of government in ancient Rome//\n  3 [C] the governing council at some universities:


Words: senator
Meaning:
Senator/sen[hA353]t[hA353] $ -t[hA353]r/ n [C]   a member of the Senate or a senate//  --Senator Kennedy//  -- senatorial/sen[hA353]t[hA350][hA359]ri[hA353]l[hA36B]/ adj //


Words: send
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  sent /sent///  ----------//\n   1 by post etc:\n   2 radio/computer etc:\n   3 person to place:\n   4 send (somebody) a message/signal:\n   5 send your love/regards/best wishes etc:\n   6 cause to move:\n   7 send somebody/something flying/sprawling/reeling etc:\n   8 affect:\n   9 send word:\n  10 send shivers/chills up (and down) your spine:\n  11 send somebody packing:  Phrasal verbs//   send away for something//   send down//   send for somebody/something//   send something/somebody → in//   send off//   send something → on//   send out//   send something/somebody → up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sendan]//\n  1 BY POST ETC:   [T] to arrange for something to go or be taken to another place, especially by post//  --Lyn sent some pictures from the wedding.//  send sb sth//  --We sent Mom flowers for Mother’s Day.//  --We sent her a letter of apology.//  send sth to sb/sth//  --I’ll send a copy to you for your records.//  send sth back/up/over etc//  --He ordered coffee to be sent up.//  send sth by post/sea/air etc //  --Monday is the last day to send cards by post to arrive by Christmas.//\n  2 RADIO/COMPUTER ETC:   [T] to make a message, electronic signal etc go somewhere, using radio equipment, computers etc//  send sb sth//  --I sent her an email yesterday.//  --Radio signals were sent into deep space.//\n  3 PERSON TO PLACE:  a)  [T] to ask or tell someone to go somewhere, especially so that they can do something for you there//  --The United Nations is sending troops.//  send sb to sth//  --A police officer was sent to Ryan’s home.//  send sb back/away/over/home etc//  --Many of the refugees were sent back to Vietnam.//  --When Frank came, I told him I was ill and sent him away.//  --They sent me down to talk to Mr. Strachan.//  --Mr Ellison is here. Shall I send him in (=tell him to enter the room) ?//  send sb to do sth//  --The U.S. offered to send ships to help in the rescue operation.//  b)  [T always + adverb/preposition] to arrange for someone to go to a place such as a school, prison, or hospital and spend some time there//  send sb to sth//  --I can’t afford to send my kid to private school.//  --He was sent to prison for five years.//  send sb away/off//  --I was sent away to school at the age of six.//  send sb on sth//  --New employees are sent on an intensive training course.//\n  4  send (sb) a message/signal:  if something that someone does or says sends a particular message, it has that meaning//  --Advertising sends the message that you have to be thin to be successful.//\n  5  send your love/regards/best wishes etc:   spoken to ask someone to give your greetings, good wishes etc to someone else//  --Mother sends her love.//\n  6 CAUSE TO MOVE:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to make something move from one place to another//  send sth through/to/over etc sth//  --The blaze sent smoke over much of the city.//\n  7  send sb/sth flying/sprawling/reeling etc:  to make someone or something move quickly through the air or across something//  --The explosion sent glass flying everywhere.//\n  8 AFFECT:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to make someone or something start to be in a particular state//  --His lectures always send me to sleep .//  send sb/sth into sth//  --The tail broke apart, sending the plane into a dive.//\n  9  send word:   formal to tell someone something by sending them a letter or message//  send word (to sb) that/of sth//  --They sent word to the King of their arrival.//\n  10  send shivers/chills up (and down) your spine:  to make you feel very frightened or excited//  --The eerie howl of the siren sent chills up her spine.//\n  11  send sb packing:   informal to tell someone who is not wanted that they must leave at once//  --After his four years as governor, the voters sent him packing.//  send away for [send away for sth] phr v//  to send a letter to a company or organization asking them to send something to you//  --Send away for a free recipe booklet.//  send down phr v//\n  1  send sth → down:  to make something lose value//  --The company’s bad figures sent its share price down.//\n  2  send sb down:   BrE  informal to send someone to prison//  send somebody down for//  --He was sent down for possession of cocaine.//\n  3  be sent down:   BrE  old-fashioned to be told to leave a university because of bad behaviour//  send for / [send for sb/sth] phr v//\n  1 to ask or order that something be brought or sent to you, especially by writing a letter or by telephone:  --Send for your free sample today!//\n  2  old-fashioned to ask or tell someone to come to you by sending them a message:  --Charlie said he’d find a place to live and then send for me.//  --Get back into bed. I’ll send for the doctor .//  --I’ve sent for help .//  send in [send sth/sb → in] phr v//\n  1 to send something, usually by post, to a place where it can be dealt with:  --I sent in a few job applications last week.//\n  2 to send soldiers, police etc somewhere to deal with a difficult or dangerous situation:  --British troops were sent in as part of the peace-keeping force.//  send off phr v//\n  1  send sth →off:  to send something somewhere by post//  --I sent off the letter this morning.//\n  2  send off for sth:  to send a letter to a company or organization asking them to post something to you//  --I sent off for a copy of the photograph.//\n  3  send sb→ off:   BrE to order a sports player to leave the field because they have broken the rules//  --One of Dundee’s players was sent off for punching another player.//  send on [send sth → on] phr v//\n  1  especially BrE to send someone’s letters or possessions to their new address from their old address:   forward//  --My flatmate said she’d send on all my post.//\n  2 to send something that has been received to another place so that it can be dealt with:  send something → on to//  --The data is then sent on to the Census Bureau.//  send out phr v//\n  1  send sth/sb → out:  to make a person or a group of people or things go from one place to various other places//  --Information was sent out to interested students.//  --Search parties were sent out to look for survivors.//\n  2  send sth→ out:  to broadcast or produce a signal, light, sound etc//  --The ship is sending out an SOS signal.//\n  3  send out for sth:  to ask a restaurant or food shop to deliver food to you at home or at work//  --We sent out for sandwiches.//  send up [send sth/sb → up] phr v//\n  1 to make something increase in value:  --The oil shortage is bound to send prices up.//\n  2  BrE  informal to make someone or something seem silly by copying them in a funny way:  --The film hilariously sends up Hollywood disaster movies.//


Words: send-off
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   a party or other occasion when people meet to say goodbye to someone who is leaving//  --The department gave Tom a send-off he won’t forget!//


Words: send-up
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   a film, article, show etc that copies someone or something in a way that makes them seem funny or silly//  send-up of//  --a hilarious send-up of a Hollywood disaster movie//


Words: sender
Meaning:
n [C]   the person who sent a particular letter, package, message etc//  --a package marked ’ return to sender ’//\nSeneca 1   (about 4 BC-65 AD) a Roman  philosopher, politician, and writer of plays. He was the teacher of  Nero, the  emperor, and had a lot of influence over him. But later, Nero believed Seneca was involved in a plan to kill him, and ordered him to kill himself.//


Words: Senegal
Meaning:
a country in West Africa on the Atlantic coast. Population: 10,285,000 (2001). capital: Dakar.//  -- Senegalese n  adj //


Words: senescent
Meaning:
adj  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  senescere  ’to grow old’, from  senex;   SENIOR1]//  becoming old and showing the effects of getting older//  --a senescent industry//  -- senescence n  [U] //


Words: senile
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: senilis, from  senex;   SENIOR1]//  mentally confused or behaving strangely, because of old age//  --a senile old man//  --She worries about going senile .//  -- senility/s[hA366]n[hA366]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: senile dementia
Meaning:
n [U]   a serious medical condition that affects the minds of some old people, and makes them confused and behave in a strange way//


Words: Senior
Meaning:
written abbreviation Sr.  AmE Snr  BrE   used after the name of a man who has the same name as his son//  --John J. Wallace, Sr.//\nsenior 1 W2 adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: ’older’, from  senex  ’old’]//\n  1 having a higher position, level, or rank:    junior//  --the senior Democrat on the House committee//  --White men hold most of the jobs in senior management .//  --the senior partner in a law firm//  senior to//  --He is also a diplomat, but senior to me.//\n  2 [only before noun]  BrE a senior competition is for older people or for people at a more advanced level:  --I won the 60 metre race, my first senior success.//\nsenior 2 n [C] \n  1  AmE a student in their last year of high school or university:    freshman, junior, sophomore//  --Jen will be a senior this year.//\n  2  especially AmE a senior citizen:  --Seniors can get a 10% discount.//\n  3  be two/five/ten etc years sb’s senior:  to be two, five, ten etc years older than someone//  --Her husband was nine years her senior.//\n  4  BrE an adult or a person who has reached an advanced level in a particular sport:    junior//  --Juniors and seniors train together on Wednesdays.//


Words: seniority
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 if you have seniority in a company or organization, you have worked there a long time and have some official advantages:  --I had fifteen years seniority , and they couldn’t fire me.//\n  2 when you are older or higher in rank than someone else:  --a position of seniority//


Words: senna
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Arabic sana]//  a tropical plant with a fruit that is often used to make a medicine to help your bowels work//


Words: sensation
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: sensatio, from  Late Latin sensatus  ’having sense’, from  Latin sensus;   SENSE1]//\n  1 [U and C] a feeling that you get from one of your five senses, especially the sense of touch:  burning/prickling/tingling etc sensation //  --One sign of a heart attack is a tingling sensation in the left arm.//  sensation of//  --a sensation of heat//\n  2 [C] a feeling that is difficult to describe, caused by a particular event, experience, or memory:  sensation that//  --Caroline had the sensation that she was being watched.//  strange/curious/odd sensation //  --It was a strange sensation - I felt I’d been there before.//\n  3 [U] the ability to feel things, especially through your sense of touch:  --Jerry realized that he had no sensation in his legs.//\n  4 [C usually singular] extreme excitement or interest, or someone or something that causes this:  cause/create a sensation //  --The sex scenes in the film caused a sensation.//  pop/fashion/media etc sensation //  --the latest pop sensation from England//


Words: sensational
Meaning:
adj \n  1 very interesting, exciting, and surprising:  --a sensational discovery//  --The show was a sensational success.//  --a sensational 6-0 victory//\n  2 intended to interest, excite, or shock people - used in order to show disapproval:  --sensational newspaper stories//  --sensational headlines//\n  3  informal very good:  --She looked sensational.//  -- sensationally adv //


Words: sensationalism
Meaning:
n [U]   a way of reporting events or stories that makes them seem as strange, exciting, or shocking as possible - used in order to show disapproval//  -- sensationalist adj //


Words: sensationalize
Meaning:
also  sensationalise BrE   v [T]   to deliberately make something seem as strange, exciting, or shocking as possible - used in order to show disapproval//  --The media often sensationalizes crime.//


Words: sense
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sens, from  Latin sensus, from  sentire  ’to feel’]//\n  1 [C] a feeling about something:  sense of//  --Afterwards I felt a great sense of relief.//  --She has a strong sense of loyalty.//  --A sense of panic has spread over the country.//  --Employees need the sense of being appreciated.//  with a sense of sth//  --He looked around the room with a sense of achievement.//  sense that//  --I had the sense that he was lying.//  a sense of occasion (=a feeling that an event is very special or important) //  --Everyone wants to create a sense of occasion at Christmas.//\n  2 [singular] the ability to understand or judge something:  sense of humour  BrE //  sense of humor  AmE  (=the ability to understand and enjoy things that are funny) //  --I like Pam - she has a really good sense of humour .//  sense of direction (=the ability to judge which way you should be going, or what your aims should be) //  --It was dark and he had completely lost his sense of direction .//  sense of proportion (=the ability to judge what is important and what is not important) //  --Let’s keep a sense of proportion, and not rush to any hasty conclusions.//  sense of justice/fairness //  --Kids have a natural sense of justice .//  dress/clothes sense (=the ability to judge which clothes look good) //\n  3 [C] one of the five natural powers of sight, hearing, feeling, taste, and smell, that give us information about the things around us:  sense of smell/taste/touch etc //  --She has a good sense of smell.//  --Cats have a very acute sense of hearing (=very good, so that they can hear even the smallest sound) .//  --Combinations of flavors, textures, and colour that can delight the senses .//  -- the five senses  (=all of the senses) //    sixth sense//\n  4 [U] when someone makes sensible or practical decisions, or behaves in a sensible, practical way:  have the sense to do sth (=behave in a sensible way and do what is best in that situation) //  --You should have had the sense to turn off the electricity first.//  there is no sense in (doing) sth  spoken  (=it is not sensible to do something) //  --There’s no sense in getting upset about it now.//  see sense (=realize what is the sensible thing to do) //  --I wish the politicians would see sense and stop the war.//  talk/knock some sense into sb (=try to make someone behave in a more sensible way) //    common sense//\n  5  make sense:  a) to have a clear meaning and be easy to understand//  --Read this and tell me if it makes sense.//  b) to be a sensible thing to do//  it makes sense (for sb) to do sth//  --It makes sense to save money while you can.//  --Would it make sense for the city authorities to further restrict parking?//  c) if something makes sense, there seems to be a good reason or explanation for it//  --Why did she do a thing like that? It doesn’t seem to make sense.//\n  6  make (some) sense of sth:  to understand something, especially something difficult or complicated//  --Can you make any sense of this article?//\n  7 [C] the meaning of a word, sentence, phrase etc:  --The word ’record’ has several different senses.//  --Any alteration would spoil the sense of the entire poem.//\n  8 [C] a way in which something can be true or real:  in a sense/in one sense/in some senses etc (=in one way, in some ways etc) //  --What he says is right in a sense.//  --The hotel was in no sense  (=not at all) comfortable.//  --George was a big man in every sense of the word  (=in every way) .//  --This is true in a general sense .//  --Communication, in any real sense  (=of any real kind) , was extremely limited.//  in a (very) real sense (=used to emphasize that a statement or description is true) //  --A head of a school is a manager in a very real sense.//\n  9  your/her etc senses:  someone’s ability to think clearly and behave sensibly - used in some expressions when you think that someone has lost this ability//  come to your senses //  --One day he’ll come to his senses and see what a fool he’s been (=to start to think clearly and behave sensibly again) .//  --See if you can bring her to her senses . (=make someone think clearly and behave sensibly) //  be out of your senses (=have lost the ability to think clearly and behave sensibly) //  --Are you completely out of your senses?//    take leave of your senses at leave2 (6)//\n  10  talk sense:   spoken to say things that are reasonable or sensible - often used when you think someone has just said something silly//  --Talk sense! There’s no way we can afford a new car!//\n  11  regain your senses:   old-fashioned to stop feeling faint or slightly sick//  --Outside, she quickly regained her senses.//\nsense 2 v [T] \n  1 if you sense something, you feel that it exists or is true, without being told or having proof:  --Perhaps he sensed your distrust.//  sense (that)//  --I could sense that something was wrong.//  sense what/how/who etc//  --Hugo had already sensed how unhappy she was.//  sense danger/trouble //  --If a prairie dog senses danger, he whistles a warning.//\n  2 if a machine senses something, it discovers and records it:  --an electronic device used for sensing intruders//


Words: Sense and Sensibility
Meaning:
(1811) a book by Jane  Austen about two sisters, Elinor, who is a very sensible person, and Marianne, who is a very romantic and emotional person, and the difficulties they face in finding suitable husbands//


Words: senseless
Meaning:
adj \n  1 happening or done for no good reason or with no purpose:  --Her death seemed such a senseless waste of life.//  --a senseless crime//\n  2 unconscious:  --He had been beaten senseless .//  -- senselessly adv //  -- senselessness n  [U] //


Words: sensibility
Meaning:
n   plural  sensibilities //\n  1 [U and C] the way that someone reacts to particular subjects or types of behaviour:  --her religious sensibilities//  offend/wound sb’s sensibilities //  --Avoid using words that might offend someone’s racial or moral sensibilities.//\n  2 [U] the ability to understand feelings, especially those expressed in literature or art:  --the sensibility of the artist//


Words: sensible
Meaning:
W3S3   adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin sensibilis, from  sensus;   SENSE1]//\n  1 reasonable, practical, and showing good judgment:  --She seems very sensible.//  --sensible advice//  -- It’s sensible to keep a note of your passport number.//  --Moving house seemed like the sensible thing to do .//\n  2 suitable for a particular purpose, and practical rather than fashionable:  --Eat a sensible diet and exercise daily.//  --an old woman in sensible shoes and a neat skirt//\n  3  formal noticeable:  --a sensible increase in temperature//\n  4  be sensible of sth:   literary to know or realize that something exists or is true//  --He was very sensible of the difficult situation she was in.//  -- sensibly adv //  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  A sensible person is reasonable and shows good judgement. A sensitive person is easily upset, or understands other people’s feelings when they are upset. //  ----------//


Words: sensitive
Meaning:
W3S3   adj   ----------//\n   1 understanding people:\n   2 easily offended:\n   3 easily affected:\n   4 situation/subject:\n   5 reacting to changes:\n   6 art/music etc:  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sensitif, from  Medieval Latin sensitivus, from  Latin sensus;   SENSE1]//\n  1 UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE:  able to understand other people’s feelings and problems//  → insensitive//  --a sensitive and intelligent young man//  sensitive to//  --It’s made me much more sensitive to the needs of the disabled.//\n  2 EASILY OFFENDED:  easily upset or offended by events or things that people say//  --a very sensitive child//  sensitive about//  --Laura’s sensitive about her weight.//  sensitive to//  --Throughout her career she remained very sensitive to criticism.//  sensitive soul  BrE  (=someone who is easily upset by small or unimportant things) //    hypersensitive//\n  3 EASILY AFFECTED:  easily affected or damaged by something such as a substance or temperature//  --Wetlands are environmentally sensitive areas.//  --a baby’s sensitive skin//  sensitive to//  --Older people tend to be very sensitive to cold.//  --Increasing numbers of people are sensitive to cow’s milk.//\n  4 SITUATION/SUBJECT:  a situation or subject that is sensitive needs to be dealt with very carefully, because it is secret or because it may offend people//  --Abortion is a very sensitive issue.//  --sensitive matters such as national security//  -- highly sensitive information//\n  5 REACTING TO CHANGES:  reacting to very small changes in light, temperature, position etc//  --a highly sensitive electronic camera//  light-sensitive/heat-sensitive etc //  --light-sensitive photographic paper//\n  6 ART/MUSIC ETC:  able to understand or express yourself through art, music, literature etc//  --a very sensitive performance//  -- sensitively adv //  --It is an issue which needs to be handled sensitively.//


Words: sensitivity
Meaning:
n   plural  sensitivities //  ----------//\n   1 understanding people:\n   2 situation/subject:\n   3 body’s reaction:\n   4 easily offended:\n   5 sensitivities:\n   6 art/music etc:\n   7 reaction to changes:\n   8 reaction to new situations:  ----------//\n  1 UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE:   [singular, U] the ability to understand other people’s feelings and problems//  --His comments show a lack of sensitivity.//  --Interviewing victims of crime must be done with sensitivity.//  --a teacher with great sensitivity //  sensitivity to//  --She has always shown a sensitivity to audience needs and tastes.//\n  2 SITUATION/SUBJECT:   [U] when a situation or subject needs to be dealt with carefully because it is secret or may offend people//  --It’s a matter of great political sensitivity.//\n  3 BODY’S REACTION:   [U and C] when someone reacts badly to a particular food, substance, animal etc and becomes ill//  --food sensitivity//  sensitivity to//  --Many children have a sensitivity to cow’s milk.//\n  4 EASILY OFFENDED:   [U] when someone is easily upset or offended by things that people say//\n  5  sensitivities [plural] someone’s feelings and the fact that they could be upset or offended:  --racial sensitivities//\n  6 [U and C] ART/MUSIC ETC:  the quality of being able to express emotions through art, literature etc//\n  7 REACTION TO CHANGES:   [U] the ability to react to very small changes in light, heat, movement etc//  --The sensitivity of the detector can be increased.//  --a disease that affects the sensitivity of nerve-endings//\n  8 REACTION TO NEW SITUATIONS:   [U and C] the fact of quickly reacting to new situations//  --the market’s price sensitivity//


Words: sensitize
Meaning:
also  sensitise BrE   v [T] \n  1 to give someone some experience or knowledge of a particular problem or situation so that they can notice it and understand it easily:  sensitize sb to sth//  --Volunteers need to be sensitized to the cultural differences they will meet in African countries.//\n  2 [usually passive] if someone is sensitized to a particular substance, their body has begun to have a bad reaction whenever they touch it, breathe it etc:  be sensitized to sth//  --Many hospital workers have become sensitized to the latex in gloves.//\n  3  technical to treat a material or a piece of equipment so that it will react to physical or chemical changes:  --sensitized photographic paper//  -- sensitization/sens[hA369]ta[hA366]ze[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ -t[hA353]-/ n  [U] //


Words: sensor
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Latin; Origin: sensus, past participle of  sentire;   SENSE1]//  a piece of equipment used for discovering the presence of light, heat, movement etc//


Words: sensory
Meaning:
adj   relating to or using your senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch//  --sensory stimuli such as music//  --sensory deprivation//    ESP(1)//


Words: sensual
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Late Latin; Origin: sensualis, from  Latin sensus;   SENSE1]//\n  1 relating to the feelings of your body rather than your mind:  --the sensual pleasure of good food//\n  2 interested in or making you think of physical pleasure, especially sexual pleasure:  --the faint smile on his sensual mouth//  --a sensual woman//  -- sensually adv //  -- sensuality/sen[hA35D]u[zB024]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: sensuous
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: sensus;   SENSE1]//\n  1 pleasing to your senses:  --the sensuous feeling of silk on her skin//  --sensuous music//\n  2  literary attractive in a sexual way:  --full, sensuous lips//  --a beautiful and sensuous young woman//  -- sensuously adv //  -- sensuousness n  [U] //


Words: sentence
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin sententia  ’feeling, opinion, sentence’, from  sentire;   SENTIENT]//\n  1 a group of words that usually contains a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete idea. Sentences written in English begin with a capital letter and usually end with a full stop or a question mark:  --His voice dropped at the end of the sentence.//  in a sentence//  --It’s difficult to sum it up in one sentence.//  short/simple/full/complex etc sentence //  --In a few short sentences, Quinn explained what he had done.//\n  2 a punishment that a judge gives to someone who is guilty of a crime:  --She received an eight-year prison sentence .//  --The judge will pass sentence tomorrow after looking at all the reports.//  --Drug traffickers will face stiffer sentences .//  --He got off with a relatively light sentence .//  --He has just begun a life sentence for murder.//  --Eventually the death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court.//  --The judge gave him a suspended sentence and demanded that he pay $30,000 to a children’s charity.//  --This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.//  --a prisoner serving a sentence for robbery//  --The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 2 //  jail/prison sentence //  receive/be given a sentence //  impose a sentence on somebody formal //  pass sentence (=officially say what a punishment will be) //  stiff/heavy/long sentence (=a long time in prison) //  light/short sentence (=a short time in prison) //  life sentence (=the punishment of being in prison for the rest of your life) //  death sentence //  suspended sentence (=a sentence that someone serves only if they commit another crime) //  custodial sentence British English (=the punishment of spending time in prison) //  serve a sentence (=spend time in prison) //  carry a sentence (of something) (=used to say what the usual punishment is for a crime) //  ----------//\nsentence 2 v [T]   if a judge sentences someone who is guilty of a crime, they give them a punishment//  sentence sb to sth//  --Sanchez was sentenced to three years in prison.//


Words: sententious
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: sententiosus  ’full of meaning’, from  sententia;   SENTENCE1]//  telling people how they should behave - used in order to show disapproval//  --sententious remarks//  -- sententiously adv //


Words: sentient
Meaning:
adj  formal  or  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  sentire  ’to feel, notice’]//  able to experience things through your senses//  --Man is a sentient being.//


Words: sentiment
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Medieval Latin sentimentum, from  Latin sentire;   SENTIENT]//\n  1 [U and C]  formal an opinion or feeling you have about something:  --Similar sentiments were expressed by many politicians.//  popular/public sentiment (=what most people think) //  --He was more in touch with public sentiment than many of his critics.//  anti-American/nationalistic/religious etc sentiments //  --the anti-immigrant sentiments expressed by some Americans//  --’After all, it’s her decision.’ ’ My sentiments exactly  (=I agree) .’//\n  2 [U] feelings of pity, love, sadness etc that are often considered to be too strong or not suitable for a particular situation:  --There’s no place for sentiment in business!//


Words: sentimental
Meaning:
adj \n  1 someone who is sentimental is easily affected by emotions such as love, sympathy, sadness etc, often in a way that seems silly to other people:  --She said a sentimental goodbye.//  sentimental about//  --People can be very sentimental about animals.//\n  2 based on or relating to your feelings rather than on practical reasons:  --He wasn’t the sort of person who kept things for sentimental reasons .//  --a sentimental journey to the place of his birth//  --The rings that were stolen were of great sentimental value  (=important because of your feelings or memories relating to them) .//\n  3 a story, film, book etc that is sentimental deals with emotions such as love and sadness, sometimes in a way that seems silly and insincere:  --a sentimental story set in Russia//  -- sentimentally adv //


Words: sentimentalize
Meaning:
also  sentimentalise BrE   v [I and T]   to speak, write, or think about only the good or happy things about something, not the bad things//  --novels that sentimentalize the past//


Words: sentinel
Meaning:
n [C]  old-fashioned   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: sentinelle, from  Old Italian sentinella, from  sentina  ’keeping watch’, from  sentire, from  Latin;   SENTIENT]//  a sentry//


Words: sentry
Meaning:
n   plural  sentries  [C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  sentry  ’sanctuary, guard-tower’ (1600-1700), from  sanctuary]//  a soldier standing outside a building as a guard//


Words: sepal
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: sepalum, from  sepa- (from  Greek skepe  ’covering’) +  -lum (as in  petalum  ’petal’)]//  one of the small leaves directly under a flower//


Words: separable
Meaning:
adj   two things that are separable can be separated or considered separately//  → inseparable//  separable from//  --Physical health is not always easily separable from mental health.//


Words: separate
Meaning:
adj [no comparative] \n  1 different:  --Use separate knives for raw and cooked meat.//  --My wife and I have separate bank accounts.//\n  2 not related to or not affected by something else:  --That’s a separate issue.//  --He was attacked on two separate occasions.//  separate from//  --He tries to keep his professional life completely separate from his private life.//\n  3 not joined to or touching something else:  --The gym and the sauna are in separate buildings.//  separate from//  -- Keep the fish separate from the other food.//\n  4  go your separate ways:  a) if people go their separate ways, they stop being friends or lovers//  b) if people who have been travelling together go their separate ways, they start travelling in different directions//  -- separately adv //  --They did arrive together, but I think they left separately.//\nseparate 2   v   ----------//\n   1 be between:\n   2 divide:\n   3 stop living together:\n   4 recognize difference:\n   5 move apart:\n   6 make somebody/something different:\n   7 better/older:\n   8 separate the men from the boys:\n   9 separate the sheep from the goats:  Phrasal verbs//   separate somebody/something → out//  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  separare, from  se-  ’apart’ +  parare  ’to prepare, get’]//\n  1 BE BETWEEN:   [T] if something separates two places or two things, it is between them so that they are not touching each other//  separate sth from sth//  --The lighthouse is separated from the land by a wide channel.//\n  2 DIVIDE:   [I and T] to divide or split into different parts, or to make something do this//  --This will keep your dressing from separating.//  separate from//  --At this point the satellite separates from its launcher.//  separate sth into sth//  --Separate the students into four groups.//  --First, separate the eggs  (=divide the white part from the yellow part) .//\n  3 STOP LIVING TOGETHER:   [I] if two people who are married or have been living together separate, they start to live apart//  --Jill and John separated a year ago.//\n  4 RECOGNIZE DIFFERENCE:   [T] to recognize that one thing or idea is different from another//  separate sth from sth//  --She finds it difficult to separate fact from fantasy.//\n  5 MOVE APART:   [I and T] if people separate, or if someone or something separates them, they move apart//  --Ed stepped in to separate the two dogs.//  separate sb from sb/sth//  --In the fog, they got separated from the group.//\n  6 MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DIFFERENT:   [T] to be the quality or fact that makes someone or something different from other people or things//  separate sth from sth//  --The capacity to think separates humans from animals.//\n  7 BETTER/OLDER:   [T] if an amount separates two things, one thing is better or older than the other by that amount//  --Three points now separate the two teams.//  --Forty years separate these two pictures of the hotel.//\n  8  separate the men from the boys:   informal to show clearly which people are brave, strong, or skilled, and which are not//\n  9  separate the sheep from the goats:   BrE  also separate the wheat from the chaff //  to separate the good things from the bad things//  separate out [separate sb/sth → out] phr v//\n  1 to divide a group of people or things into smaller groups:  --We must separate out these different factors and examine each one.//\n  2 to remove one type of thing or person from a group:  separate somebody/something → out from//  --Many older people may prefer not to be separated out from the rest of the adult population.//


Words: separated
Meaning:
adj   not living with your husband, wife, or sexual partner any more//    divorced//  --We’ve been separated for six months.//


Words: separates
Meaning:
n [plural]   women’s clothing, such as skirts, shirts, and trousers, that can be worn in different combinations//


Words: separation
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] when something separates or is separate:  --the separation of church and state//  separation between//  --the zone of separation between the warring factions//\n  2 [U and C] a period of time that two or more people spend apart from each other:  --the separation of families during wartime//\n  3 [C] a situation in which a husband and wife agree to live apart even though they are still married:  --their separation and later divorce//    divorce1 (1)//


Words: separatist
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who belongs to a group that wants to start a new country with its own government, by separating from the country that they belong to now//  -- separatism n  [U] //


Words: sepia
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: ’cuttlefish’, from  Greek; because the color is obtained from a liquid in cuttlefishes’ bodies]//\n  1 a dark reddish brown colour:\n  2  sepia photograph/print:  a photograph, picture etc, especially an old one, that is dark reddish brown//\n  3 a dark reddish brown ink used for drawing:


Words: sepsis
Meaning:
n [U]  medical   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Greek,  ’decay’, from  sepein  ’to decay’]//  an infection in part of the body, in which pus is produced//


Words: September
Meaning:
n [U and C]  written abbreviation Sept.   [Date: 1000-1100; Language: Old French; Origin: Septembre, from  Latin September, from  septem  ’seven’; because it was the seventh month of the ancient Roman year]//  the ninth month of the year, between August and October//  next/last September //  --I haven’t heard from him since last September.//  in September//  --My birthday’s in September.//  on September 6th//  --The meeting will be on September 6th.//  on 6th September//   BrE //  --’When’s the concert?’ ’On 6th September.’//  September 6//   AmE //  --They arrive September 6.//


Words: septet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: German; Origin: Latin septem  ’seven’]//\n  1 a group of seven singers or musicians who perform together:\n  2 a piece of music written for seven performers:


Words: septic
Meaning:
adj  especially BrE   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: septicus, from  Greek, from  sepein;   SEPSIS]//  a wound or part of your body that is septic is infected with bacteria//  --a cut that went septic //


Words: septicaemia
Meaning:
BrE  septicemia AmE   n [U]  medical   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Latin septicus (  SEPTIC) +  Greek -aimia (from  haima  ’blood’)]//  a serious condition in which infection spreads from a part of your body through your blood//   blood poisoning//


Words: septuagenarian
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: septuagenarius  ’containing seventy’, from  septuaginta  ’seventy’]//  someone who is between 70 and 79 years old//


Words: sepulchral
Meaning:
adj  literary \n  1 sad, serious, and slightly frightening:  --a sepulchral voice//\n  2 dark, empty, and slightly frightening:  --in the sepulchral gloom of the church//


Words: sepulchre
Meaning:
BrE  sepulcher AmE   n [C]  old use   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: sepulcre, from  Latin sepulcrum, from  sepelire  ’to bury’]//  a small room or building in which the bodies of dead people were put//


Words: sequel
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: sequelle, from  Latin sequela, from  sequi;   SEQUENCE]//\n  1 [C] a book, film, play etc that continues the story of an earlier one, usually written or made by the same person:    prequel//  --’Star Wars’ and its sequels//  sequel to//  --She’s writing a sequel to her first novel.//\n  2 [C usually singular] an event that happens as a result of something that happened before:


Words: sequence
Meaning:
W2   n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: sequentia, from  Latin sequi  ’to follow’]//\n  1 [U and C] the order that something happens or exists in, or the order it is supposed to happen or exist in:  in a ... sequence//  --The questions should be asked in a logical sequence .//  --Be careful to perform the actions in the correct sequence .//  in sequence//  --Number them in sequence, 1,2,3 etc.//  out of sequence//  --The chapters may be studied out of sequence.//\n  2 [C] a series of related events, actions etc that happen or are done in a particular order:  sequence of//  --He’s had a sequence of business failures.//  --the sequence of events leading up to the war//\n  3 [C] one part of a story, film etc that deals with a single subject or action:  --the dream sequence in the film//


Words: sequencing
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   when things are arranged in an order, especially events or actions//  -- sequence v  [T] //


Words: sequester
Meaning:
v [T usually passive]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sequestrer, from  Late Latin sequestrare  ’to give to someone to keep safe’, from  Latin sequester  ’someone given something to keep safe’]//\n  1 to keep a person or a group of people away from other people:  --The jury were sequestered during the trial.//\n  2  BrE to sequestrate:


Words: sequestrate
Meaning:
[T usually passive]  BrE  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Late Latin; Origin: sequestrare;   SEQUESTER]//  to take property away from the person it belongs to because they have not paid their debts//  -- sequestration/si[hA359]kw[hA369]stre[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U and C] //


Words: sequin
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Italian zecchino, from  zecca  ’place where coins are made’, from  Arabic sikka  ’coin’]//  a small shiny flat piece of metal, sewn onto clothes for decoration//  -- sequined sequinned//   adj //


Words: sequoia
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: Sequoyah]//  a tree from the western US that can grow to be very tall//   redwood//


Words: Sequoia National Park
Meaning:
a US  national park in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, famous for its extremely large Sequoia trees, especially the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest living thing in the world//


Words: Sequoyah
Meaning:
(1760?-1843) a Native American of the  Cherokee tribe, who invented a way of writing the Cherokee language, so that he could record his people’s way of life//


Words: seraph
Meaning:
n   plural  seraphs  also  seraphim /ser[hA353]f[hA366]m/ [C] //  [Date: 800-900; Language: Late Latin; Origin: seraphim (plural), from  Hebrew]//  one of the angels that protect the seat of God, according to the Bible//    cherub//


Words: Serbia
Meaning:
a country of Eastern Europe, which became part of Yugoslavia at the end of World War II. In 1992 when the old Yugoslavia broke up, it remained with Montenegro to form the  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.//


Words: serenade
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: serenade, from  Italian serenata, from  sereno  ’clear, calm’, from  Latin serenus;   SERENE]//\n  1 a song sung to someone, especially one that a man performs for the woman he loves while standing below her window at night:\n  2 a piece of gentle music:\nserenade 2 v [T]   if you serenade someone, you sing or play music to them, especially to show them that you love them//


Words: serendipity
Meaning:
n [U]  literary   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: Serendip ancient name of Sri Lanka; because it was an ability possessed by the main characters in the old Persian story The Three Princes of Serendip]//  when interesting or valuable discoveries are made by accident//    luck//


Words: serene
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: serenus  ’clear, calm’]//  very calm or peaceful//  --The child’s face was serene and beautiful.//  --a serene mountain lake//  -- serenely adv //  -- serenity/s[hA369]ren[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: serf
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin servus;   SERVE1]//  someone in the past who lived and worked on land that they did not own and who had to obey the owner of the land//    slave1 (1)  peasant//


Words: serge
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin serica, from  sericus  ’silk’]//  strong woollen cloth used for making suits, trousers etc//


Words: sergeant
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: sergent  ’servant, sergeant’, from  Latin servens, present participle of  servire;   SERVE1]//  a low rank in the army, air force, police etc, or someone who has this rank//


Words: serial
Meaning:
n [C]   a story that is broadcast or printed in several separate parts on television, in a magazine etc//  --a television serial//  --a six-part serial//\nserial 2 adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: series]//\n  1  serial killer/murderer etc:  someone who commits the same crime several times//  --a serial rapist//\n  2  serial killings/murders etc:  crimes that are done in the same way several times//\n  3 arranged or happening one after the other in the correct order:  --Keep the questions in the same serial order .//\n  4 printed or broadcast in several separate parts:  --cheap serial publications//  -- serially adv //


Words: serial monogamy
Meaning:
n [U]   when someone has a series of sexual relationships, rather than one long relationship or several relationships at one time - often used humorously//


Words: serial number
Meaning:
n [C]   a number put on things that are produced in large quantities, so that each one has its own different number//  --Each computer has a serial number on it.//


Words: serialize
Meaning:
also  serialise BrE   v [T often passive]   to print or broadcast a story in several separate parts//  --His book was serialized in The New Yorker.//  -- serialization/s[hA366][hA353]ri[hA353]la[hA366]ze[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ s[hA366]ri[hA353]l[hA353]-/ n  [U and C] //


Words: series
Meaning:
W1S2   n   plural  series  [C usually singular] //  ----------//\n   1 series of something:\n   2 planned events:\n   3 tv/radio:\n   4 books/articles etc:\n   5 similar things:\n   6 sport:\n   7 in series:  ----------//  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: serere  ’to join’]//\n  1  series of sth:  several events or actions of a similar type that happen one after the other//  --the series of events that led to the outbreak of war//  --The police are investigating a series of attacks in the area.//  --There’s been a whole series of accidents on this road.//\n  2 PLANNED EVENTS:  a group of events or actions that are planned to happen one after the other//  series of//  --This autumn the BBC will be showing a series of French films.//  --Staff will hold a series of meetings over the next few weeks.//  --a summer lecture series//\n  3 TV/RADIO:  a set of television or radio programmes that have the same characters or deal with the same type of subject, and are usually broadcast every week or several times a week//  --a new comedy series//  --a weekly TV series//\n  4 BOOKS/ARTICLES ETC:  several books, articles etc that deal with the same subject or tell stories about the same characters//  series of//  --a series of articles on community care//  --a science fiction series//\n  5 SIMILAR THINGS:  several things of the same kind//  series of//  --a series of laws against discrimination//  --The area is linked by a series of canals.//\n  6 SPORT:  a set of sports games played between the same two teams//  the World Series (=in baseball) //  Test series (=in  cricket) //\n  7  in series:   technical being connected so that electricity passes though the parts of something electrical in the correct order//


Words: serif
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Probably from  Dutch schreef  ’line’, from  Middle Dutch schriven  ’to write’]//  a short flat line at the top or bottom of some printed letters//    sans serif//


Words: serious
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 situation/problem:\n   2 be serious:\n   3 important:\n   4 large amount:\n   5 romantic relationship:\n   6 person:\n   7 sport/activity:\n   8 very good:\n   9 worried/unhappy:  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: serieux, from  Late Latin seriosus, from  Latin serius]//\n  1 SITUATION/PROBLEM:  a serious situation, problem, accident etc is extremely bad or dangerous//  --the serious problem of unemployment//  --Luckily, the damage was not serious.//  serious injury/illness/accident etc //  --a serious accident on the freeway//  --Oil spills pose a serious threat to marine life.//  -- Serious crimes have increased dramatically.//\n  2  be serious:  a) if someone is serious about something they say, they really mean it and are not joking or pretending//  be serious about//  --Is she serious about giving up her job?//  I’m serious (=used to emphasize that you mean what you say) //  deadly/dead serious (=definitely not joking) //  --She sounded dead serious.//  b)  spoken used to tell someone that what they have just said is silly or that you do not believe it//  --’It’s enough to make anyone commit murder!’ ’Be serious, Jo.’//  --Marry Frank? You can’t be serious! //\n  3 IMPORTANT:  important and needing a lot of thought or attention//  --This is a very serious matter .//  --the serious business of earning a living//  --Be quiet, Jim. This is serious.//  --a serious article//  serious attention/consideration/thought (=careful and thorough attention etc) //  --I’ll give your suggestion serious consideration.//\n  4 LARGE AMOUNT:   [only before noun]  informal used to emphasize that you are talking about a large amount of something//  --The President was in serious trouble .//  --In industry, you can earn serious money .//\n  5 ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP:  a serious romantic relationship is likely to continue for a long time//  --It’s serious - they’ve been seeing each other for six months.//  serious about//  --Are you really serious about her?//  serious boyfriend/girlfriend //\n  6 PERSON:  someone who is serious is very quiet and sensible//\n  7 SPORT/ACTIVITY:   [only before noun] very interested in an activity or subject, and spending a lot of time doing it//  --He’s become a serious golfer since he retired.//  --Chris is a serious photographer.//\n  8 VERY GOOD:   [only before noun]  informal very good and often expensive//  --He’s got a serious car!//\n  9 WORRIED/UNHAPPY:  slightly worried or unhappy//  --You look serious. What’s wrong?//


Words: Serious Fraud Office
Meaning:
the   SFO a British government department whose job is to examine complicated cases of  fraud (=dishonest business practices)  to find out whether businesses have cheated or made money in illegal ways. The SFO has the right to ask the police to charge people if it thinks they are guilty of fraud//


Words: seriously
Meaning:
adv \n  1 very much or to a great degree:  seriously ill/injured/damaged etc //  --Was she seriously hurt?//  --I’m seriously worried about Ben.//  --Something was seriously wrong .//\n  2 :  a) in a way that is not joking, especially because something is important//  --It’s time we talked seriously about our relationship.//  b)  [sentence adverb]  spoken used to show that what you say next is not a joke//  -- Seriously though , I think Toby likes you.//\n  3  take sb/sth seriously:  to believe that someone or something is worth your attention or respect//  --As a teacher, it’s important that the kids take you seriously.//  --It’s only a joke - don’t take it seriously!//\n  4  seriously?:   spoken used to ask someone if they really mean what they have just said//  --’The job’s yours.’ ’Seriously?’//


Words: seriousness
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the quality of being serious:\n  2  in all seriousness:  a)  spoken used to show that what you say next is not a joke, especially because it is important//   seriously//  --In all seriousness, if Tom does resign, a lot of other people will start leaving too.//  b) in a way that is not joking//  --’Playing with Richie was the highlight of my musical career,’ said Sonny in all seriousness.//


Words: sermon
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin sermo  ’speech, conversation’]//\n  1 a talk given as part of a Christian church service, usually on a religious or moral subject:  give/preach/deliver a sermon (on sth) //  --The vicar gave a sermon on charity.//\n  2  informal a long talk in which someone tries to give you moral advice that you do not want - used to show disapproval:   lecture//


Words: Sermon on the Mount
Meaning:
the   a sermon given by Jesus in which he explains his religious ideas. It is one of the best-known parts of the New Testament of the Bible, and it includes a set of statements called the  beatitudes, in which Jesus names the types of people who are ’blessed’ (=specially loved by God) .//


Words: sermonize
Meaning:
also  sermonise BrE   v [I]   to give a lot of moral advice to someone when they do not want it - used to show disapproval//


Words: serotonin
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: serum +  tonic +  -in]//  a chemical in the body that helps carry messages from the brain and is believed to make you feel happy//


Words: serpent
Meaning:
n [C]  literary   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  serpere  ’to creep’]//  a snake, especially a large one//


Words: serpentine
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  literary \n  1 winding like a snake:  --the serpentine course of the river//\n  2 complicated and difficult to understand:  --a serpentine plot//


Words: SERPS
Meaning:
State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme a British government system which pays a regular income to people who have stopped working because they are old, based on the amount that they earned while they were working//


Words: serrated
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: , past participle of  serrare  ’to cut with a saw’, from  Latin serra  ’saw’]//  having a sharp edge made of a row of connected points like teeth//  --Use a knife with a serrated edge .//


Words: serried
Meaning:
adj [no comparative]  [usually before noun]  literary   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: serry  ’to press close together’ (16-19 centuries), from  French serrer, from  Late Latin serare  ’to lock’]//  standing or arranged closely together in rows//  --the serried ranks of reporters waiting outside//


Words: serum
Meaning:
n   plural  serums  or  sera /-r[hA353]/ [U and C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin]//\n  1  medical a liquid containing substances that fight infection or poison, that is put into a sick person’s blood:    vaccine//\n  2  technical the thin part of blood or the liquid from a plant:


Words: servant
Meaning:
W2   n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: , present participle of  servir;   SERVE1]//\n  1 someone, especially in the past, who was paid to clean someone’s house, cook for them, answer the door etc, and who often lived in the house:  --Many young girls became domestic servants .//\n  2  servant of sth/sb:  someone who is controlled by someone or something - often used to show disapproval//  --Are we the servants of computers?//    civil servant//


Words: serve
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 food/drink:\n   2 serve two/three/four etc (people):\n   3 shop:\n   4 be useful/helpful:\n   5 do useful work:\n   6 have an effect:\n   7 provide something:\n   8 prison:\n   9 sport:\n  10 it serves somebody right:\n  11 serve an apprenticeship:\n  12 serve a summons/writ etc:  Phrasal verbs//   serve something → out//   serve something → up//  ----------//  [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: servir, from  Latin servire  ’to be a slave, serve’, from  servus  ’slave, servant’, perhaps from  Etruscan]//\n  1 FOOD/DRINK:   [I and T] to give someone food or drink, especially as part of a meal or in a restaurant, bar etc//  --The waiter was serving another table.//  --Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.//  serve sth with sth//  --Serve the soup with crusty bread.//  serve breakfast/lunch/dinner //  --Breakfast is served until 9 a.m.//  serve sth to sb//  --Meals can be served to you in your room.//  serve sth hot/cold etc //  --Teacakes should be served hot with butter.//\n  2  serve two/three/four etc (people):  if food serves two, three etc, there is enough for that number of people//  --The recipe serves four.//\n  3 SHOP:   [I and T] to help the customers in a shop, especially by bringing them the things that they want//  --There was only one girl serving customers .//\n  4 BE USEFUL/HELPFUL:   [I and T] to be useful or helpful for a particular purpose or reason//  serve as//  --The sofa had to serve as a bed.//  --The reforms served as a model for the rest of the Communist world.//  --A large cardboard box will serve the purpose .//  --Her talent for organization should serve her well .//  serve the needs/interests of sb/sth //  --research projects that serve the needs of industry//\n  5 DO USEFUL WORK:   [I and T] to spend a period of time doing useful work or official duties for an organization, country, important person etc//  serve as//  --Lord Herbert served as ambassador to France.//  serve in the army/air force/navy etc //  --He returned to Greece to serve in the army.//  serve on//  --Ann serves on various local committees.//  --the women who served their country in the war//\n  6 HAVE AN EFFECT:   [I]  formal to have a particular effect or result//  serve as//  --Her death should serve as a warning to other young people.//  serve to do sth//  --A single example serves to illustrate what I mean.//\n  7 PROVIDE SOMETHING:   [T usually passive] to provide an area or a group of people with something that is necessary or useful//  --Paris is served by two airports.//\n  8 PRISON:   [T] to spend a particular period of time in prison//  --He served an eighteen-month sentence for theft.//  --Did you know that Les is serving time  (=is in prison) ?//\n  9 SPORT:   [I and T] to start playing in a game such as tennis or volleyball by throwing the ball up in the air and hitting it over the net//\n  10  it serves sb right:   spoken used to say that you think someone deserves something unpleasant that happens to them, because they have been stupid or unkind//  --’She kicked me!’ ’Serves you right, teasing her like that.’//\n  11  serve an apprenticeship:  to learn a job or skill by working for a particular period of time for someone who has a lot of experience//\n  12  serve a summons/writ etc:  to officially send or give someone a written order to appear in a court of law//    if my memory serves me (right/well/correctly) at memory(1)//  serve out [serve sth → out] phr v//\n  1 to complete a particular period of time in prison or doing a job:  --Dillon’s almost served out his sentence  (=in prison) .//  --The Senator’s illness means he may not serve out his term .//\n  2  BrE to put food onto plates:  --Serve out the rice, will you?//  serve up [serve sth → up] phr v//  to give food to someone as part of a meal//  --What are you serving up tonight?//\nserve 2 n [C]   the action in a game such as tennis or volleyball when you throw the ball in the air and hit it over the net//


Words: server
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 :  a) the main computer on a network, which controls all the others//  --The server’s down (=not working) again.//  b) one of the computers on a network that provides a special service//  file/print server //  --All data is stored on a central file server.//\n  2 the player who hits the ball to begin a game in tennis, volleyball etc:\n  3 a special spoon for putting a particular type of food onto a plate:  --salad servers//\n  4  AmE someone whose job is to bring you your food in a restaurant:   waiter, waitress//


Words: server farm
Meaning:
n [C]   an office which has a large amount of computer equipment holding all the software and information for websites//


Words: servery
Meaning:
n   plural  serveries  [C]  BrE //  the part of a restaurant where you get food to take back to your table//  American Equivalent:  buffet//


Words: service
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 official system/organization:\n   2 something provided by a company:\n   3 in a shop/restaurant/hotel:\n   4 work:\n   5 work done for somebody:\n   6 duty:\n   7 being used:\n   8 religious ceremony:\n   9 army:\n  10 help:\n  11 check a car/machine:\n  12 tennis/ball game:\n  13 on a motorway:\n  14 plates/cups etc:\n  15 bus/train/plane etc:\n  16 be in service/go into service:\n  17 legal document:\n  18 for services rendered:  ----------//  [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin servitium  ’condition of being a slave’, from  servus;   SERVE1]//\n  1 OFFICIAL SYSTEM/ORGANIZATION:   [C] the official system for providing something, especially something that everyone in a country needs to have, or the official organization that provides it//  --the health service//  --the postal service//  --the police service//  --the prison service//  --Workers in the emergency services  (=police, hospital, and the fire service) are forbidden from striking.//  --There has been a decline in public services in recent years.//  -- the essential services  (=the police, hospitals, fire service, and organizations that provide basic things such as water, gas, or electricity) //    civil service,  fire service,  Internal Revenue Service,  Diplomatic Service,  National Health Service,  secret service,  security service//\n  2 SOMETHING PROVIDED BY A COMPANY:   [C] a particular type of help or work that is provided by a business to customers, but not one that involves producing goods//  --A wide range of financial services are available.//  provide/offer a service //  --Datapost offers a delivery service to over 160 countries.//  --Our aim is to provide the best service at the lowest price.//  --the supply of goods and services //    service industry//\n  3 IN A SHOP/RESTAURANT/HOTEL:   [U] the help that people who work in a shop, restaurant, bar etc give you//  good/bad/slow etc service //  --The service was terrible and so was the food.//  customer service //  --At our bank we insist on high standards of customer service .//  -- Service is included in your bill (=the charge for paying the people who serve you is included) .//    room service,  self-service,  service charge//\n  4 WORK:   [U]  also services //  the work that someone does for a person or organization, especially over a long period//  20/30 years etc of service //  --Brian retired after 25 years of service to the company.//  --a long service award//  --a career in public service  (=work done for the public or the government) //  services to sb/sth//   (=all the good work you have done for someone or something) //  --He received an award for services to sport.//\n  5 WORK DONE FOR SOMEBODY:   services [plural] skilled work or advice from a particular type of worker who you use to help you do something//  sb’s services/the services of sb//  --Lydia obtained the services of a qualified nurse.//  sb’s services as sth//  --Why don’t you offer your services as a tennis coach?//\n  6 DUTY:   jury/military/community etc service//  something that ordinary people can be asked to do as a public duty or as a punishment//  --Her attacker was sentenced to 120 hours community service.//\n  7 BEING USED:   [U] used to talk about whether a piece of equipment, a vehicle etc is available to be used, or how long it can be used//  in service//   (=being used or available to be used) //  --These trains have been in service for many years.//  out of service//   (=not being used or not available to be used) //  --The escalator is still out of service.//  give good/excellent etc service (=work well and last a long time) //  --Steel tools can give good service for years.//\n  8 RELIGIOUS CEREMONY:   [C] a formal religious ceremony, especially in church//  hold/conduct a service //  --The service was held in the chapel.//  marriage/funeral/christening etc service //  --a memorial service for the disaster victims//\n  9 ARMY:   the services//   BrE  the service//   AmE a country’s military forces, especially considered as a job//  join/go into the services //  --Maybe you should join the services.//  --Her son is in the services .//\n  10 HELP:   [singular, U]  formal help that you give to someone//  be at sb’s service//   (=be available to help someone, or for someone to use) //  --My secretary is at your service.//  be of service (to sb)//   (=help someone) //  --Can I be of any service?//  do sb a service (=do something that will help someone) //  --He did her a service by telling her the truth.//\n  11 CHECK A CAR/MACHINE:   [C] an examination and repair of a machine or car to keep it working properly//  --I’m getting the bus home - my car’s in for a service .//\n  12 TENNIS/BALL GAME:   [C] an act of hitting a ball through the air in order to start a game, especially in tennis//  --It’s your service.//\n  13 ON A MOTORWAY:   services [C]  BrE a place near a motorway where you can stop and have a meal or drink, or buy food, petrol etc//    service station//  --How far is it to the next services?//\n  14 PLATES/CUPS ETC:   [C] a set of plates, bowls, cups etc that match each other//\n  15 BUS/TRAIN/PLANE ETC:   [C usually singular]  BrE a regular journey made by a bus, train, boat etc to a particular place at a particular time//  --the 8:15 service to Cambridge//\n  16  be in service/go into service:   BrE to be working or start working as a servant in someone’s house, especially in the past//    domestic service//\n  17 LEGAL DOCUMENT:   [U]  formal when someone is given a legal document telling them that they must do something or that something is going to happen//  --the service of a summons//\n  18  for services rendered:   formal for work you have done or help you have given//  --payment for services rendered//    active service,  lip service,  press sb/sth into service at press2 (13)//\nservice 2 v [T] \n  1 [usually passive] if someone services a machine or vehicle, they examine it and do what is needed to keep it working well:  --I’m having the car serviced next week.//    servicing//\n  2 to provide people with something they need or want:  --schools that service local communities//\n  3  service a debt/loan:   technical to pay the interest on a debt//


Words: service charge
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE an amount of money that is added to a bill in a restaurant as an extra charge for the service of the waiters:\n  2  BrE an amount of money paid to the owner of a block of flats for services such as cleaning the stairs:\n  3  AmE an amount of money that is added to the price of something in order to pay for the services that you use when buying it:  British Equivalent:  booking fee//  --There’s a service charge for advance tickets.//


Words: service club
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a national organization made of smaller local groups in which members do things to help their community//


Words: service industry
Meaning:
n [U and C]   an industry that provides a service rather than a product, for example insurance or advertising//


Words: service station
Meaning:
n [C]   a place at the side of the road where you can stop to buy petrol, food, and other goods//  American Equivalent:  gas station//


Words: servicing
Meaning:
n [U]   when a machine or vehicle is examined and things are done to keep it working well//  --The new model is quieter, needs less servicing and is more fuel efficient.//


Words: servile
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: servilis, from  servus;   SERVE1]//\n  1 very eager to obey someone because you want to please them - used to show disapproval:  --a servile attitude//\n  2 relating to slaves or to being a slave:  -- servility/s[hA362][hA359]v[hA366]l[hA369]ti $ s[hA362][hA359]r-/ n  [U] //


Words: serving
Meaning:
n [C]   an amount of food that is enough for one person//   helping//  --This should make enough for four servings.//\nserving 2 adj [only before noun]   serving spoon/dish etc//  a spoon, dish etc that is used to serve food//


Words: servitude
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin servitudo, from  servus;   SERVE1]//  the condition of being a slave or being forced to obey someone else//   slavery//


Words: sesame
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: sesamum, from  Greek sesamon,  sesame]//  a tropical plant grown for its seeds and oil and used in cooking//    open sesame//


Words: Sesame Street
Meaning:
one of the most popular and admired television programmes for young children, made in the US and also shown in the UK and other countries. It teaches children about numbers, letters etc in an amusing way, and it also deals with social questions such as  racism and attitudes to people who are  disabled. The characters who appear in the programme include  Big Bird,  Kermit the Frog,  Oscar the Grouch, and the  Cookie Monster.//


Words: session
Meaning:
W2S3   n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin sessio  ’act of sitting, session’, from  sedere  ’to sit’]//\n  1 a period of time used for a particular activity, especially by a group of people:  --a training session for teachers about computers//  --question-and-answer sessions//  session of//  --a session of group therapy//    jam session//\n  2 a formal meeting or group of meetings, especially of a law court or parliament:  session of//  --the first televised session of parliament//  in session//   (=meeting) //  --The court is now in session.//  --Board members met in closed session  (=with nobody else present) .//\n  3  AmE a part of the year when classes are given at a college or university:


Words: set
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  set present participle  setting //  ----------//\n   1 put:\n   2 put into surface:\n   3 story:\n   4 consider:\n   5 establish something:\n   6 start something happening:\n   7 decide something:\n   8 start working:\n   9 machine/clock etc:\n  10 liquid/glue/cement etc:\n  11 sun:\n  12 set (somebody) a goal:\n  13 set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) something:\n  14 set a record:\n  15 set the table:\n  16 set a trap:\n  17 set somebody free/loose:\n  18 set somebody straight/right:\n  19 face:\n  20 set your jaw:\n  21 bone:\n  22 class work:\n  23 examination:\n  24 printing:\n  25 hair:  Phrasal verbs//   set about something/somebody//   set somebody/something against somebody/something//   set somebody/something apart//   set something → aside//   set  somebody/something back//   set something/somebody → down//   set forth//   set in//   set off//   set on somebody//   set out//   set to//   set up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: settan]//\n  1 PUT:   [T always + adverb/preposition]  written to carefully put something down somewhere//  set sth (down) on sth//  --She set the tray down on a table next to his bed.//  --Mark filled the pan and set it on the stove.//  set sth down/aside//  --The workmen set the box down carefully on the floor.//  --Remove the mushrooms and set them aside.//\n  2 PUT INTO SURFACE:   [T always + adverb/preposition usually passive] to put something into a surface//  be set into sth//  --Gates should be hung on sturdy posts set well into the ground.//  be set into the wall/floor/ceiling etc (=be built into the surface of something so that it does not stick out) //  --an alarm button set into the wall beside the door//\n  3 STORY:   [T always + adverb/preposition usually passive] if a film, play, story etc is set in a particular place or period, the action takes place there or then//  be set in sth//  --The novel is set in France in the early 19th century.//  be set against sth//  --All this romance is set against a backdrop of rural Irish life.//\n  4 CONSIDER:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to consider something in relation to other things//  set sth against/beside sth//  --These casualty totals have to be set against the continuing growth in traffic.//  --This debate should be set in an international context .//\n  5 ESTABLISH SOMETHING:   [T] to establish a way of doing something that is then copied or regarded as good//  set the pattern/tone/trend etc (for sth) //  --Art and literature flourished and this set the pattern for the whole of Europe.//  --The Prime Minister’s fierce speech set the tone for the rest of the conference.//  --It is important that parents set an example  (=behave well) .//  --The outcome of the case will set a legal precedent .//  --His photographs set the standard for landscapes.//  --Freud’s views on sexuality set the agenda for much of the century (=people paid attention to the subjects he dealt with) .//\n  6 START SOMETHING HAPPENING:   [T] to make something start happening or to make someone start doing something//  set sth in motion/progress/train //  --A study by military experts was immediately set in motion.//  --The chief executive will set in train the process of finding a successor.//  set sth on fire/alight/ablaze  also //  set fire to sth (=make something start burning) //  --Protestors set fire to two buses.//  set sb/sth doing sth//  --Her last remark has set me thinking.//  --The wind set the trees rustling.//\n  7 DECIDE SOMETHING:   [T] to decide and state when something will happen, how much something should cost, what should be done etc//  set a date/time (for sth) //  --The government has still not set a date for the election.//  --International companies set the price of oil.//  set standards/limits/guidelines etc //  --high standards of hygiene set by the Department of Health//\n  8 START WORKING:   [I and T] to start doing something in a determined way, or to tell someone to start doing something//  set to work to do sth //  --They set to work to paint the outside of the building.//  set (sb) to work on sth //  --He’s about to set to work on a second book.//  set (sb) to work doing sth //  --The boys were set to work collecting firewood.//  set sb to do sth//  --Rocard set himself to reform public sector industry.//\n  9 MACHINE/CLOCK ETC:   [T] to move a switch on a machine, clock etc so that it will start or stop working at the time you want, or in the way you want//  --Did you set the alarm ?//  --Remember to set the video to record the film.//  set sth to/at/on sth//  --Usually the heating is set on ’low’.//\n  10 LIQUID/GLUE/CEMENT ETC:   [I] to become hard and solid//  --How long does it take for the glue to set?//\n  11 SUN:   [I] when the sun sets, it moves down in the sky and disappears//  → rise//\n  12  set (sb) a goal:   also set sb a task/challenge  BrE //  to say what you or someone else will or must try to achieve//  --It’s best to set realistic goals that you can achieve.//  --He set himself the task of learning Japanese.//\n  13  set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) sth:  to want very much to have or achieve something, or to be determined to do something//  --Ellen has completely set her heart on that house.//  --He set his sights on crossing the Pacific by balloon.//\n  14  set a record:  to achieve the best result in a sport, competition etc that has ever been achieved, by running fastest, jumping highest etc//  --The Kenyan runner set a new Olympic Record in the 3000 metres.//\n  15  set the table:  to arrange plates, knives, cups etc on a table so that it is ready for a meal//  British Equivalent:  lay the table//\n  16  set a trap:  a) to make a trap ready to catch an animal//  b) to invent a plan to try and catch someone who is doing something wrong//  --They decided to set a trap for him by leaving him in charge.//\n  17  set sb free/loose:  to allow a person or an animal to be free//  --All the other hostages were finally set free.//\n  18  set sb straight/right:  to tell someone the right way to do something or the true facts about something//  set somebody straight/right on//  --I set him right on a few points of procedure.//    set sth right at right1 (4),  set the record straight at record1 (10)//\n  19 FACE:   [I]  written if your face or mouth sets into a particular expression, you start to have an angry, sad, unfriendly etc expression//  set into//  --His mouth set into a rather grim line.//\n  20  set your jaw:  to move your lower jaw forward in a way that shows your determination//\n  21 BONE:  a)  [T] if a doctor sets a broken bone, he or she moves it into position so that the bone can grow together again//  b)  [I] if a broken bone sets, it joins together again//\n  22 CLASS WORK:   [T]  BrE to give a student in your class a piece of work to do//  set sb sth//  --Mr Biggs has set us a 2000-word essay.//\n  23 EXAMINATION:   [T]  BrE to write the questions for an examination//  --The head teacher sets the questions for the English exam.//\n  24 PRINTING:   [T] to arrange the words and letters of a book, newspaper etc so it is ready to be printed//  --In those days books had to be set by hand.//\n  25 HAIR:   [T] to arrange someone’s hair while it is wet so that it has a particular style when it dries//    set sb at (their) ease at ease1 (2)//    set your face against sth at face1 (21)//    set sth to music at music(1)//    set the pace at pace1 (7)//    set pen to paper at pen1 (3)//    set sail at sail2 (2)//    set the scene at scene(9)//    set the stage for sth at stage1 (7)//    set great store by/on sth at store1 (6)//    set the world on fire/alight at world1 (22)//    set the world to rights at world1 (23)//  set about / [set about sth/sb] phr v//\n  1 to start doing or dealing with something, especially something that needs a lot of time and effort:  --A team of volunteers set about the task with determination.//  set about doing sth//  --How do senior managers set about making these decisions?//\n  2  literary to attack someone by hitting and kicking them:  --They set about him with their fists.//  set against / [set sb/sth against sb/sth] phr v//\n  1 to make someone start to fight or quarrel with another person, especially a person who they had friendly relations with before:  --The bitter civil war set brother against brother.//\n  2  set yourself against (doing) sth:  to decide that you are opposed to doing or having something//  --She’s set herself against going to university.//\n  3  set sth against tax:  to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay//  set apart [set sb/sth apart] phr v//\n  1 if a quality sets someone or something apart, it makes them different from or better than other people or things:  set somebody/something apart from//  --Man’s ability to reason sets him apart from other animals.//\n  2 [usually passive] to keep something, especially a particular time, for a special purpose:  set somebody/something apart for//  --Traditionally these days were set apart for prayer and fasting.//  set aside [set sth → aside] phr v//\n  1 to keep something, especially money, time, or a particular area, for a special purpose:  set something → aside for//  --Try to set aside some time each day for exercise.//  --a room that had been set aside for visitors//\n  2 to decide not to consider a particular feeling or thing because something else is more important:  --Both sides agreed to set aside the question of independence.//\n  3 to officially state that a previous legal decision or agreement no longer has any effect:  --The judge set aside the verdict of the lower court.//\n  4 if a farmer sets aside land, he or she agrees not to grow any crops on it, and accepts a payment from the government for this:  set back [set  sb/sth back] phr v//\n  1  set sb/sth → back:  to delay the progress or development of something, or delay someone from finishing something//  --Environmental experts said the move would set back further research.//  --Illness had set me back a couple of weeks.//\n  2  informal to cost someone a lot of money:  set sb back $50/[hA124]100 etc //  --This jacket set me back over [hA124]1000.//  set down [set sth/sb → down] phr v//\n  1 to write about something so that you have a record of it:  --I wanted to set my feelings down on paper.//\n  2 to state how something should be done in an official document or set of rules:  --Clear guidelines have been set down for teachers.//\n  3  BrE to stop a car, bus etc and allow someone to get out:  --The driver set her down at the station.//  set forth phr v//\n  1  set sth → forth:   formal to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way in writing or in a speech//   set out//  --He set forth an idealistic view of society.//\n  2  literary to begin a journey:  --They were about to set forth on a voyage into the unknown.//  set in phr v//  if something sets in, especially something unpleasant, it begins and seems likely to continue for a long time//  --Winter seems to be setting in early this year.//  --Further economic decline set in during the 1930s.//  set off phr v//\n  1 to start to go somewhere:  --I’ll set off early to avoid the traffic.//  set off for//  --Jerry and I set off on foot for the beach.//\n  2  set sth → off:  to make something start happening, especially when you do not intend to do so//  --News that the claims might be true set off widespread panic.//  --Hong Kong’s stock market fell, setting off a global financial crisis.//\n  3  set sth → off:  to make an alarm start ringing//  --Smoke from a cigarette will not normally set off a smoke alarm.//\n  4  set sth → off:  to make a bomb explode, or cause an explosion//  --Any movement could have set off the bomb.//\n  5  set sth → off:  if a piece of clothing, colour, decoration etc sets something off, it makes it look attractive//  --The blue sundress set off her long blonde hair.//\n  6  set sb off:  to make someone start laughing, crying, or talking about something//  --Don’t mention what happened - you’ll only set her off again.//\n  7  set sth off against tax:  to officially record the money you have spent on something connected with your job, in order to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay//  --Some expenses can be set off against tax.//  set on [set on sb] phr v//\n  1  set sb on sb:  to make people or animals attack someone//  --The farmer threatened to set his dogs on us.//\n  2 [usually passive] if you are set on by people or animals, you are suddenly attacked by them:  --A thirty-five-year-old man was set on by four youths last night.//\n  3  set sb on/onto sb:  to give someone information about a person who you think has done something wrong, because you want that person to be found and caught//  --If I refuse, he’ll set the police onto me.//  set out phr v//\n  1 to start a journey, especially a long journey:  set out for//  --Kate set out for the house on the other side of the bay.//  set out on a journey/drive/voyage etc //  --The band are setting out on a European tour in March.//\n  2 to start doing something or making plans to do something in order to achieve a particular result:  set out to do sth//  --salesmen who deliberately set out to defraud customers//  set out with the idea/purpose/intention etc of doing sth //  --They set out with the aim of becoming the number one team in the league.//\n  3  set sth → out:  to explain ideas, facts, or opinions in a clearly organized way, in writing or in a speech//  --He set out the reasons for his decision in his report.//\n  4  set sth → out:  to put a group of things down and arrange them//  --The market traders began setting out their displays.//\n  5  set out on sth:  to start doing something, especially something new, difficult, or important//  --My nephew is just setting out on a career in journalism.//  --The government set out on a programme of economic reform.//  set to phr v//  to start doing something eagerly and with determination//  --If we all set to, we’ll finish the job in half an hour.//  set up phr v//\n  1 COMPANY/ORGANIZATION ETC:  to start a company, organization, committee etc//   establish//  set sth → up//  --They want to set up their own import-export business.//  --new regulations for setting up political parties//  set (yourself) up (as sth)//   (=start your own business) //  --John decided to set up as a graphic designer.//  set up shop/set up in business (=begin operating a business) //  --Now Betterware plans to set up shop elsewhere in Europe.//\n  2 ARRANGE/ORGANIZE:   set sth → up//  to make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen//  --I’ll set up an appointment for you.//  --There was a lot of work involved in setting up the festival.//\n  3 EQUIPMENT:  to prepare the equipment that will be needed for an activity so that it is ready to be used//  --The next band was already setting up on the other stage.//  set sth → up//  --Can someone set the overhead projector up?//\n  4 BUILD/PUT UP:   set sth → up//  to place or build something somewhere, especially something that is not permanent//  --They’ve set up road blocks around the city.//\n  5 TRICK SOMEBODY:   set sb → up//   informal to trick someone in order to achieve what you want, especially to make it appear that they have done something wrong or illegal//  --Cox claimed that the police had tried to set him up.//\n  6 PROVIDE MONEY:   set sb → up//   BrE  informal to provide someone with money that they need, especially in order to start a business//  --After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own.//  --Selling her share of the company has set her up for life .//\n  7 HEALTHY/FULL OF ENERGY:   set sb up//   BrE to make you feel healthy and full of energy//  --A good breakfast will set you up for the day .//\n  8  set yourself up as sth:  to deliberately make people believe that you have the authority and skill to do something, especially when this is not true//  --politicians who set themselves up as moral authorities//\n  9 PUT SOMEBODY IN POSITION:   set sb up//  to put someone in a position in which they are able to do something, or in which something is likely to happen to them//  set somebody up for//  --If he won the fight, it would set him up for a title shot.//  --Anyone with public duties sets themselves up for attack.//\n  10 RELATIONSHIP:   set sb → up//   informal to arrange for two people to meet, because you think they might start a romantic relationship//  --’How did you meet Nick?’ ’A friend set us up.’//\n  11  set up home/house:   also  set up housekeeping//   AmE to get your own home, furniture etc, especially when you leave your parents’ home to live with a wife, husband, or partner//  --Many parents try to help their children set up home.//\n  12  set up a commotion/din/racket etc:  to start making a loud, unpleasant noise//  --The party guests were setting up a steady din.//    set up camp at camp1 (1)//\nset 2 n   ----------//\n   1 group of things:\n   2 television/radio:\n   3 film:\n   4 theatre/film stage:\n   5 sport:\n   6 people:\n   7 the set of somebody’s face/jaw/shoulders etc:\n   8 music:\n   9 maths:\n  10 students:\n  11 onion:  ----------//  [Sense: 1-2, 5-6, 8-10; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: sette, from  Latin secta;   SECT]//  [Sense: 3-4, 7, 11; Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  SET1]//\n  1 GROUP OF THINGS:   [C] a group of similar things that belong together or are related in some way//  set of//  --a set of tools//  --We face a new set of problems.//  --The older generation have a different set of values.//  --a chess set//\n  2 TELEVISION/RADIO:   [C] a television, or a piece of equipment for receiving radio signals//  --a colour television set //\n  3 FILM:   [C] a place where a film or television programme is filmed//  on set/on the set//  --Cruise met Kidman on the set of ’Days of Thunder’.//\n  4 THEATRE/FILM STAGE:   [C] the scenery, furniture etc used on a stage in a play or in the place where a film or television show is being made//\n  5 SPORT:   [C] one part of a game such as tennis or volleyball//  --Sampras won the second set 6 - 4.//\n  6 PEOPLE:   [singular] a group of people who are similar in some way and spend time together socially//  --a favourite meeting place of the smart set (=rich and fashionable people) //  --Val got in with a wild set at college.//    jet set//\n  7  the set of sb’s face/jaw/shoulders etc:  the expression on your face or the way you hold your body, which tells people how you are feeling//  the set of somebody’s face/jaw/shoulders etc of//  --From the set of her shoulders it was clear that Sue was exhausted.//  --the hard set of his face//\n  8 MUSIC:   [C] a performance by a singer, band, or disc jockey//  --Sasha performed a 3-hour set.//\n  9 MATHS:   [C]  technical a group of numbers, shapes etc in mathematics//  --The set (x, y) has two members.//\n  10 STUDENTS:   [C]  BrE a group of children who are taught a particular school subject together because they have the same level of ability in that subject//   stream//  top/bottom etc set //  --Adam’s in the top set for maths.//\n  11 ONION:   [C] a small onion that you plant in order to grow bigger ones//  --onion sets//\nset 3 adj   ----------//\n   1 placed:\n   2 background:\n   3 fixed:\n   4 ready:\n   5 set on/upon/against (doing) something:\n   6 opinions/habits etc:\n   7 have your heart/sights set on something:\n   8 set to do something:\n   9 deep-set/wide-set/close-set eyes:\n  10 be set with gems/jewels etc:\n  11 meal:\n  12 set book/text etc:\n  13 fixed expression:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Past participle of   SET1]//\n  1 PLACED:   [not before noun] being in the position that is mentioned//  set in/on/back etc//  --a medieval village set high on a hill//  --a big house set back from the road//\n  2 BACKGROUND:  used to say that something is in front of a particular background, especially in a way that is attractive//  set against//  --a small town of white buildings, set against a background of hills//  --pink petals set against dark green foliage//\n  3 FIXED:   [only before noun] a set amount, time etc is fixed and is never changed//  --We were paid a set amount each week.//  --The evening meal is served at a set time.//  --Small children like a set routine.//\n  4 READY:   [not before noun]  informal someone who is set for something is ready for it//  set for//  --Are you all set for the trip?//  set to do sth//  --I was just set to go when the phone rang.//  -- Get set  (=get ready) for a night of excitement.//  -- On your marks - get set - go  (=said to start a race) .//\n  5  set on/upon/against (doing) sth:  determined about something//  --Nina’s set on going to the party.//  --The government’s dead set  (=completely determined) against the plan.//\n  6 OPINIONS/HABITS ETC:  not likely to change//  --People had very set ideas about how to bring up children.//  --Mark was 65 and rather set in his ways  (=habits) .//\n  7  have your heart/sights set on sth:  to want to do something very much, or to be aiming to do something//  --She’s got her heart set on going to France this summer.//  --Don has his sights set on a career in law.//\n  8  set to do sth:  likely to do something//  --The weather is set to change.//  --This issue is set to cause some embarrassment.//\n  9  deep-set/wide-set/close-set eyes:  eyes whose position is deep in the face, far apart on the face, or close together on the face//\n  10  be set with gems/jewels etc:  to be decorated with jewels//  --a gold bracelet set with rubies//\n  11 MEAL:   [only before noun]  BrE a set meal in a restaurant has a fixed price and a more limited choice than usual//  set lunch/dinner/menu //  --The hotel does a very good set menu.//\n  12  set book/text etc:   BrE a book that must be studied for an examination//\n  13 FIXED EXPRESSION:   literary if your face is set, it has a fixed expression on it, especially one that is angry, worried etc//  --He stared at her, his face set, his eyes hard and glittering.//  --Kate’s face was set in a grim expression.//  set smile/teeth/jaw //  --’Damn you,’ he said through set teeth.//


Words: set piece
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 part of a play, piece of music, painting etc that follows a well-known formal pattern or style, and is often very impressive:  --The trial scene is a classic set piece.//\n  2  BrE a move such as a free kick or a corner in a game of football, hockey etc:


Words: set-aside
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1  BrE an arrangement in the European Union in which a government pays farmers to leave some of their fields empty, in order to avoid producing too much of a crop and to keep the price higher:\n  2 an arrangement in the US in which a local government helps small businesses to develop by making financial help available to them:  --In 1976, Connecticut established one of the nation’s first set-aside programs.//\n  3 an amount of money that is kept so that it can be used for a special purpose:   reserve//


Words: set-to
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]  informal   a short fight or quarrel//   argument//  --Tom and I had a bit of a set-to last night.//    set to at set1 //


Words: set-top box
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a piece of electronic equipment that is connected to your television to make it able to receive a different form of broadcasting, especially digital signals//


Words: set-up
Meaning:
also  setup/set[hA356]p/ n \n  1 [C usually singular] the way that something is organized or arranged:  --the traditional classroom set-up//\n  2 [C usually singular]  informal a dishonest plan that is intended to trick someone:  --How do I know this isn’t a set-up?//\n  3 [U] the act of organizing something, such as a business or a computer system:  --The IT department will assist you with installation and setup.//\n  4 [C] several pieces of equipment that work together in a system:  --’Do you use the school darkroom?’ ’No, I’ve got my own setup at home.’//    set up at set1 //


Words: setback
Meaning:
n [C]   a problem that delays or prevents progress, or makes things worse than they were//  setback for//  --The December elections were a major setback for the party.//  --The team’s hopes of playing in Europe suffered a setback last night.//    set back at set1 //


Words: setsquare
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a flat piece of plastic or metal with three sides and one angle of 90[hA131], used for drawing or testing angles//  American Equivalent:  triangle//


Words: settee
Meaning:
n [C]  especially BrE   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  SETTLE]//  a long comfortable seat with a back and usually with arms, for more than one person to sit on//   sofa//


Words: setter
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a long-haired dog often trained to help hunters find where animals or birds are:\n  2  style-setter/trend-setter/standard-setter etc:  a) someone who does things that other people admire and try to copy//  --Liz has always been a fashion-setter.//\n  3  exam-setter/policy-setter etc:   BrE someone who decides or organizes something as part of a job//  --Who’s the question-setter for the quiz night?//    set the pattern/tone/trend at set1 (5),  pacesetter,  trendsetter//


Words: setting
Meaning:
W2   n [C] \n  1 the place where something is or where something happens, and the general environment:  beautiful/perfect/magnificent/idyllic setting //  --an old farmhouse in a beautiful setting//  setting for//  --Cyprus is the perfect setting for a beach holiday.//  --I’ve worked with children in various settings, mainly in secondary school.//\n  2 the place or time where the events in a book, film etc happen:  setting for//  --Verona is best known as the setting for two of Shakespeare’s plays.//  --The island was used by Dickens as the setting for Oliver Twist.//\n  3 the position in which you put the controls on a machine or instrument:  --The heating system was already on its highest setting .//\n  4 the metal that holds a stone in a piece of jewellery, or the way the stone is fixed:  in a ... setting//  --a diamond ring in a gold setting//\n  5 music that is written to go with a poem, prayer etc:\n  6  the setting of the sun:   literary the time when the sun goes down//    place setting//


Words: settle
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 end argument:\n   2 decide:\n   3 start living in a place:\n   4 comfortable:\n   5 quiet/calm:\n   6 move down:\n   7 pay money:\n   8 organize business/money:\n   9 settle a score/account:\n  10 somebody’s eyes/gaze settles on somebody/something:\n  11 feeling/quality:\n  12 expression:\n  13 stomach:  Phrasal verbs//   settle back//   settle down//   settle for something//   settle in//   settle on/upon somebody/something//   settle up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: setlan]//\n  1 END ARGUMENT:   [I and T] to end an argument or solve a disagreement//  settle a dispute/lawsuit/conflict/argument etc //  --Rodman met with Kreeger to try and settle the dispute over his contract.//  --We hope the factions will be able to settle their differences  (=agree to stop arguing) by peaceful means.//  --Forensic tests should settle the question of whether Bates was actually present at the scene of the crime.//  settle with//  --She finally settled with her former employers for an undisclosed sum.//  --They might be willing to settle out of court  (=come to an agreement without going to a court of law) .//\n  2 DECIDE:   [T usually passive] to decide what you are going to do, especially so that you can make definite arrangements//  --Nothing’s settled yet.//  -- It’s settled then. I’ll go back to the States in June.//  --’She’s only 15.’ ’ That settles it!  (=that is enough information for a definite decision to be made) We’re not taking her with us!’//\n  3 START LIVING IN A PLACE:  a)  [I,T usually passive] to go to a place where no people have lived permanently before and start to live there//  --This territory was settled in the mid-1850s by German immigrants.//  b)  [I always + adverb/preposition] to go to live in a new place, and stay there for a long time//  settle in//  --Many Jewish people settled in the Lower East Side.//\n  4 COMFORTABLE:   [I,T always + adverb/preposition] to put yourself or someone else in a comfortable position//  settle yourself in/on etc sth//  --Donna did not dare settle herself too comfortably into her seat, in case she fell asleep.//  --The dog settled on the grass to enjoy its bone.//  --A nurse settled the old man into a chair.//    settle back//\n  5 QUIET/CALM:   also settle down //   [I and T] to become quiet and calm, or to make someone quiet and calm//  --When the children had settled, Miss Brown gave out the new reading books.//  --She breathed deeply to settle her nerves  (=stop herself from feeling worried or frightened) .//\n  6 MOVE DOWN:   [I] //  a) if dust, snow etc settles, it comes down and stays in one place//  settle on//  --Snow settled on the roofs.//  b) if a bird, insect etc settles, it flies down and rests on something//  settle on//  --A fly kept trying to settle on his face.//  c) if something such as a building or the ground settles, it sinks slowly to a lower level//  --The crack in the wall is caused by the ground settling.//\n  7 PAY MONEY:   [T] to pay money that is owed//  settle a bill/account/claim //  --I always settle my account in full each month.//  --These insurance companies take forever to settle a claim.//  settle with//  --He was able to settle with his creditors, and avoid going to jail.//\n  8 ORGANIZE BUSINESS/MONEY:   [T] to deal with all the details of a business or of someone’s money or property, so that nothing further needs to be done//  --When it is finally settled, the Marshall estate may be worth no more than $100,000.//  --After her husband’s death, Jackie went to the city to settle his affairs .//\n  9  settle a score/account:  to do something to hurt or cause trouble for someone because they have harmed or offended you//  --Did he have any enemies - someone with an old score to settle ?//\n  10  sb’s eyes/gaze settles on sb/sth:   written if your eyes settle on something or someone, you notice them and look at them for a period of time//  --Her gaze settled on a door, and she wondered what was on the other side of it.//\n  11 FEELING/QUALITY:   [I always + adverb/preposition]  written if a quality or feeling settles over a place or person, it begins and has a strong effect//  settle over/on//  --An uneasy silence settled over the room.//  --Depression settled over her like a heavy black cloud.//\n  12 EXPRESSION:   [I always + adverb/preposition]  written if a particular expression settles on your face, it stays there//  --A disapproving frown settled on her face.//\n  13 STOMACH:   [I and T] if your stomach settles, or if something settles it, it stops feeling uncomfortable or making you sick//  --Georgia had taken pills to settle her stomach, but she was still throwing up every hour.//    let the dust settle/wait for the dust to settle at dust1 (5)//  settle back phr v//  to lean back in a bed or chair, and relax and enjoy yourself//  --Vera settled back to enjoy the film.//  settle down phr v//\n  1  settle (sb) down:  to become quiet and calm, or to make someone quiet and calm//  --Shh! Settle down please! Now turn to page 57.//  --When Kyle was a baby we used to take him for rides in the car to settle him down.//\n  2 to start living a quiet and calm life in one place, especially when you get married:  --They’d like to see their daughter settle down, get married, and have kids.//\n  3 to start giving all of your attention to a job or activity:  settle down to//  --I sorted out my mail, then settled down to some serious work.//\n  4 if a situation settles down, it becomes calmer and you are less busy or less worried:  --It’s been really hectic here. When things settle down , I’ll give you a call.//  settle for [settle for sth] phr v//  to accept something even though it is not the best, or not what you really want//  --They want $2500 for it, but they might settle for $2000.//  --She couldn’t find any cola, so had to settle for orange juice.//  settle in phr v//  to begin to feel happy and relaxed in a new situation, home, job, or school//  --How’s your new home? Are you settling in OK?//  --It takes a few months to settle into life at college.//  settle on/upon / [settle on/upon sb/sth] phr v//\n  1 to decide or agree on something:  --They haven’t settled on a name for the baby yet.//\n  2  settle sth on sb:   BrE  formal to make a formal arrangement to give money or property to someone//  --She settled a small yearly sum on each of her children.//  settle up phr v//  to pay what you owe on an account or bill//  --We settled up and checked out of the hotel.//  settle up with//  --I’ll settle up with the bartender, then let’s go.//


Words: settled
Meaning:
adj \n  1 remaining the same, and not likely to change:  --She was tired of moving around and longed for a more settled existence.//\n  2 if you feel settled, you feel comfortable about your life, your job etc, because you have been living or working somewhere a long time and you like the place, people, company etc:  settled in//  --I still don’t feel settled in my job.//\n  3  BrE if the weather is settled, it is dry and not likely to change:


Words: settlement
Meaning:
W2   n   ----------//\n   1 official agreement:\n   2 payment:\n   3 group of houses:\n   4 new area/places:\n   5 sinking:  ----------//\n  1 OFFICIAL AGREEMENT:   [C] an official agreement or decision that ends an argument, a court case, or a fight, or the action of making an agreement//  --Union leaders and company bosses will meet tomorrow in an attempt to reach a settlement .//  --His lawyers are understood to be negotiating a settlement .//  --Hopes grew that a workable peace settlement might emerge.//  settlement of//  --the search for a peaceful settlement of the Northern Ireland conflict//  --She was fortunate enough to get her home as part of the divorce settlement .//  --The company paid out over $10 million in an out-of-court settlement .//\n  2 PAYMENT:   [U]  formal when you pay all the money that you owe//  settlement of//  --the settlement of all his debts//  in settlement (of sth)//  --Wyatt had received the property in settlement of a bet.//\n  3 GROUP OF HOUSES:   [C] a group of houses and buildings where people live, especially in a place where few people have lived before//  --The railway stations created new settlements.//  --an early Iron Age settlement//\n  4 NEW AREA/PLACES:   [U] when a lot of people move to a place in order to live there, especially in a place where not many people have lived before//  settlement of//  --the settlement of the American West//\n  5 SINKING:   [U]  technical the process in which a building or the ground slowly sinks downwards//   subsidence//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  reach/achieve a settlement //  negotiate a settlement //  peace settlement (=one to end a war) //  peaceful settlement (=one that is reached by discussion, without fighting) //  divorce settlement (=an agreement about how money and property is divided at the end of a marriage) //  out-of-court settlement (=when people make an agreement between themselves to avoid a court case) //  ----------//


Words: settler
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who goes to live in a country or area where not many people like them have lived before, and that is a long way from any towns or cities//  --early settlers in Australia//


Words: Seurat
Meaning:
Georges   (1859-91) a French artist who developed the method of painting known as  pointillism (=using many small spots of pure colour, rather than longer lines made with the brush) //


Words: Seuss
Meaning:
Dr   (1904-91) a US children’s writer whose funny stories, poems, and pictures are very popular with young children, and include  The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas//


Words: seven
Meaning:
number   [Language: Old English; Origin: seofon]//\n  1 the number 7:  --The women visited cities in seven states.//  --We close the store at seven (=seven o’clock) .//  --’How old’s Sam?’ ’He’s seven (=seven years old) .’//\n  2  the seven year itch:  the idea that after seven years of being married, many people start to want a relationship with someone new - used humorously//    at sixes and sevens at six(3)//


Words: Seven Deadly Sins
Meaning:
the   according to the Christian church in the Middle Ages, the seven most serious types of bad behaviour. The sins are  pride (=thinking you are better than other people) ,  lechery (=too much desire for sex) ,  envy (=disliking someone because they have things that you want and do not have) , anger,  covetousness (=wanting someone else’s wealth or possessions) ,  gluttony (=eating too much) , and  sloth (=laziness) .//


Words: Seven Dwarfs
Meaning:
the   a group of seven very small men in the  fairy tale Snow White. In the Walt Disney film of the story their names are Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, Sneezy, and Dopey.//


Words: Seven Wonders of the World
Meaning:
the   seven ancient structures which were considered to be the most interesting and impressive things in the world made by ancient peoples. These were the  Pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the  statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the  mausoleum (=building where people are buried)  at Halicarnassus, the  Colossus of Rhodes, and the Pharos (a  lighthouse) at Alexandria.//


Words: Seven Years’ War
Meaning:
the   a war fought in Europe, North America, and India between 1756 and 1763. The war was about French and English colonies, and also Austria and Prussia wanting to control Europe. As a result of the war, France lost most of its land in India and the US to Britain, and Prussia became a leading European power under Frederick II.//


Words: Seventeen
Meaning:
a US magazine for  teenage girls, containing pictures and articles about fashion, health, popular music, boys, etc, and answers to readers’ questions about personal problems. In the UK there is a similar magazine called  J-17.//


Words: seventeen
Meaning:
number   [Language: Old English; Origin: seofontiene, from  seofon  ’seven’ +  tien  ’ten’]//  the number 17//  --a group of seventeen American military officers//  --I left home when I was seventeen (=17 years old) .//  -- seventeenth adj  pron //  --in the seventeenth century//  --her seventeenth birthday//  --I’m planning to leave on the seventeenth  (=the 17th day of the month) .//


Words: seventh
Meaning:
adj \n  1 coming after six other things in a series:  --in the seventh century//  --her seventh birthday//\n  2  be in seventh heaven:   informal to be extremely happy//  -- seventh pron //  --I’m planning to leave on the seventh  (=the seventh day of the month) .//\nseventh 2 n [C]   one of seven equal parts of something//


Words: Seventh-Day Adventist
Meaning:
n [C]   a member of a Christian religious group that believes that Christ will return to Earth in the near future. Unlike most Christian groups, Seventh-Day Adventists have a religious day of rest on Saturday instead of Sunday.//


Words: seventy
Meaning:
number   [Language: Old English; Origin: seofontig, from  seofon  ’seven’]//\n  1 the number 70:\n  2  the seventies [plural]  also  the ’70s, the 1970s:  the years from 1970 to 1979//  --We lost touch during the seventies.//  the early/mid/late seventies //  --In the early seventies, Sag Harbor was still a peaceful village.//\n  3  be in your seventies:  to be aged between 70 and 79//  early/mid/late seventies //  --Bill must be in his mid seventies now.//\n  4  in the seventies:  if the temperature is in the seventies, it is between 70 degrees and 79 degrees//  in the low/mid/high seventies //  --sunny, with temperatures in the mid seventies//  -- seventieth adj //  --her seventieth birthday//


Words: sever
Meaning:
v  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: severer, from  Latin separare;   SEPARATE2]//\n  1 [I and T] to cut through something completely, separating it into two parts, or to become cut in this way:  --Martin’s hand was severed in the accident.//  --a severed rope//\n  2 [T] to end a relationship with someone, or a connection with something, especially because of a disagreement:  sever ties/relations/connections/links etc (with/between sb) //  --The two countries severed diplomatic relations.//  --She had severed all contact with her ex-husband.//


Words: several
Meaning:
determiner, pron   a number of people or things that is more than a few, but not a lot//  --I visited him in Kansas several times.//  --Several people have volunteered to go.//  several hundred/thousand etc //  --The bill came to several hundred pounds.//  --’Have you read any of his books?’ ’Yes, several.’//  several of//  --Several of her colleagues agreed with her decision.//  --We had to wait several more weeks before the results arrived.//\nseveral 2 adj [only before noun, no comparative]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: Medieval Latin separalis, from  Latin separare;   SEPARATE2]//  different and separate//   respective//  --They shook hands and went their several ways  (=went in different directions) .//  -- severally adv //  --These issues can be considered severally, or as a whole.//


Words: severance
Meaning:
n [U]  formal \n  1 when you end your relationship or connection with another person, organization, country etc, especially because of a disagreement:  severance of//  --the severance of diplomatic ties between the two countries//\n  2  severance pay/package:  money or other things that you get when you have to leave a company because your employer no longer has a job for you//  --Employees will get two weeks of severance pay for every year of service.//


Words: severe
Meaning:
W2S3   adj   ----------//\n   1 very serious:\n   2 weather:\n   3 punishment:\n   4 criticism:\n   5 difficult:\n   6 person:\n   7 plain:  ----------//  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: sev[hA169]re, from  Latin severus]//\n  1 VERY SERIOUS:  severe problems, injuries, illnesses etc are very bad or very serious//  --His injuries were quite severe.//  --She’s suffering from severe depression.//  --The US faces severe economic problems.//  --The storm caused severe damage.//\n  2 WEATHER:  severe weather is very bad and very extreme, and very hot, dry, cold etc//\n  3 PUNISHMENT:  a severe punishment is very strict or extreme//  --Drug smugglers can expect severe penalties.//\n  4 CRITICISM:  severe criticism is very extreme and shows that you think someone has done something very badly//  --The president came under severe criticism for his handling of the crisis.//\n  5 DIFFICULT:  very difficult and needing a lot of effort and skill//  --The negotiations will be a severe test of his abilities.//\n  6 PERSON:  someone who is severe behaves in a way that does not seem friendly or sympathetic, and is very strict or disapproving//   stern//  --His slightly severe expression softened.//\n  7 PLAIN:  very plain with little or no decoration//  --a rather severe red-brick building//  -- severity/s[hA369]ver[hA369]ti/ n  [U and C] //  --We didn’t realize the severity of her illness.//


Words: severely
Meaning:
adv \n  1 very badly or to a great degree:  --The town was severely damaged in the war.//  --She’s now severely disabled.//\n  2 in a strict way:  --Parents don’t punish their children so severely these days.//\n  3 in a very unfriendly or disapproving way:  --’Stop behaving like a fool!’ she said severely.//\n  4 in a plain simple style with little or no decoration:  --a severely dressed woman//


Words: Severn
Meaning:
the Severn//  a river in South Wales and southwest England which flows from the Welsh mountains to the Bristol Channel//


Words: Severn Bridge
Meaning:
the Severn Bridge//  a  suspension bridge over the River Severn, which joins southwest England with South Wales//


Words: Seville
Meaning:
a city in southwest Spain, which has many beautiful and historical buildings, especially the alcazar (=castle)  built by the  Moors who ruled Seville between 712 and 1248//


Words: sew
Meaning:
v   past tense  sewed //  past participle  sewn /s[hA353][hA35E]n $ so[hA35E]n/ or  sewed  [I and T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: siwian]//  to use a needle and thread to make or repair clothes or to fasten something such as a button to them//  --I learned to sew at school.//  sew sth on sth//  --Can you sew a patch on my jeans?//  sew sth together//  --She sewed the two sides together.//  sew up [sew sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to close or repair something by sewing it:  --Could you sew up this hole in my trousers?//\n  2 [usually passive]  informal to finish a business agreement or plan and get the result you want:  --The deal should be sewn up in a week.//\n  3  have sth sewn up:  to have gained control over a situation so that you are sure to win or get what you want//  --It looks like the Democrats have the election sewn up.//


Words: sewage
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: sewer]//  the mixture of waste from the human body and used water that is carried away from houses by pipes under the ground//  --Chlorine is used in sewage treatment.//  --The factory secretly dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage  (=that had not been treated) into the Ohio river.//


Words: sewage works
Meaning:
BrE sewage plant  AmE sewage farm  BrE n [C]   a place where sewage is treated to stop it being harmful//


Words: Seward
Meaning:
William Henry   (1801-72) a US politician in the  Republican Party who was  Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869. He helped to arrange the deal in which the US bought Alaska from Russia in 1867. At the time, many people thought Alaska was a bad piece of land to buy, and they called it ’Seward’s Folly’.//


Words: sewer
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: esseweur, from  essewer  ’to carry away water’, from  Vulgar Latin exaquare, from  Latin ex  ’out’ +  aqua  ’water’]//  a pipe or passage under the ground that carries away waste material and used water from houses, factories etc//


Words: sewerage
Meaning:
n [U]   the system by which waste material and water is carried away in sewers and then treated to stop it being harmful//


Words: sewing
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the activity or skill of making or repairing clothes or decorating cloth with a needle and thread:\n  2 something you are sewing:  --Imogen sighed and picked up her sewing.//


Words: sex
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: sexus]//\n  1 [U] the physical activity that two people do together in order to produce babies, or for pleasure:  --All you see on TV is sex and violence these days.//  --They had sex in the back seat of his car.//  --She no longer wanted to have sex with him.//  premarital sex/sex before marriage (=sex happening before marriage) //  --the dangers of casual sex  (=having sex with someone without intending to have a serious relationship) //  safe sex (=ways of having sex that reduce the spread of sexual diseases) //  unprotected sex (=sex without a  condom) //\n  2 [U] whether a person, plant, or animal is male or female:  --Put your name, and sex at the top of the form.//\n  3 [C] all men, considered as a group, or all women, considered as a group:  --He found it difficult to talk to members of the opposite sex  (=people that were not his own sex) .//  --People of both sexes  (=both men and women) buy her records.//\n  4  single-sex school/college etc:   BrE a school etc for either males or females, but not for both together//\nsex 2 v [T]  technical   to find out whether an animal is male or female//


Words: sex appeal
Meaning:
n [U]   the quality of being sexually attractive//  --She’s young and pretty and full of sex appeal.//


Words: sex change
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   a medical operation or treatment which changes someone’s body so that they look like someone of the other sex//


Words: sex discrimination
Meaning:
n [U]   treating people unfairly because they are women, or because they are men//  --She is suing the company for sex discrimination.//


Words: Sex Discrimination Act
Meaning:
the   a British law passed in 1975 to prevent sex  discrimination (=unfair treatment of someone because of their sex) , especially in employment and education//


Words: sex object
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is thought about only as a way of satisfying another person’s sexual desire, rather than as a whole person//


Words: sex offender
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is guilty of a crime related to sex//  -- sex offence BrE  sex offense AmE  n  [U] //


Words: Sex Pistols
Meaning:
The   a British  punk band who were popular in the mid-1970s and greatly influenced the punk style of clothes and music. Their members included Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious. They deliberately shocked people with their violent behaviour, swearing, and lack of respect for the British royal family. Their records include  Anarchy in the UK, and the  album Never Mind the Bollocks - Here’s the Sex Pistols.//


Words: sex symbol
Meaning:
n [C]   a famous person who is considered by many people to be very sexually attractive//  --Hollywood’s newest sex symbol//


Words: sex tourism
Meaning:
n [U]   the activity of travelling to other countries in order to have sex, especially of a type that is illegal in your own country//  -- sex tourist n  [C] //


Words: sexism
Meaning:
n [U]   the belief that one sex is weaker, less intelligent, or less important than the other, especially when this results in someone being treated unfairly//  --sexism in the workplace//


Words: sexist
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who believes that one sex is weaker, less intelligent, or less important than the other, and treats them unfairly because of this - used to show disapproval//  --My father was a complete sexist. He thought a woman’s place was in the kitchen.//  -- sexist adj //  --sexist attitudes//


Words: sexless
Meaning:
adj \n  1 not involving sexual activity, in a way that does not seem normal or usual:  --a sexless marriage//\n  2 neither male nor female:


Words: sextant
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: sextans  ’sixth part of a circle’, from  Latin sextus  ’sixth’]//  a tool for measuring angles between stars in order to calculate the position of a ship or aircraft//


Words: sextet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: sestet  ’sextet’ (19-21 centuries), from  Italian sestetto, from  Latin  sextus  ’sixth’; influenced by  Latin sex  ’six’]//\n  1 a group of six singers or musicians performing together:\n  2 a piece of music for six performers:  --Mozart’s sextet in B flat//


Words: sexton
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: secrestain, from  Medieval Latin sacristanus;   SACRISTAN]//  someone whose job is to take care of a church building and the area around it and do other related things, such as ring bells//


Words: sextuplet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: sextuple  ’six times’ (17-21 centuries), from  Late Latin sextuplex, from  Latin sextus  ’sixth’]//  one of six people who are born at the same time and have the same mother//


Words: sexual
Meaning:
adj \n  1 relating to the physical activity of sex:  --a disease passed on by sexual contact//  --allegations of sexual abuse//  --her first sexual experience//  --Many elderly people continue to have satisfying sexual relationships.//\n  2 relating to the social relationships between men and women, especially the differences between men and women:  --sexual stereotypes//  -- sexually adv //  --young people who are sexually active  (=who regularly have sex) //  --I no longer found her sexually attractive.//  --She had been sexually assaulted.//


Words: sexual harassment
Meaning:
n [U]   sexual remarks, looks, or touching done to someone who does not want it, especially from someone they work with//


Words: sexual orientation
Meaning:
n [U and C]  formal   the fact that someone is heterosexual or homosexual//  --people of different sexual orientations//


Words: sexual politics
Meaning:
n [U]   ideas and activities that are concerned with how power is shared between men and women, and how this affects their relationships//


Words: sexuality
Meaning:
n [U]   the things people do, think, and feel that are related to their sexual desires//  male/female sexuality //  --a study of male sexuality//


Words: sexually transmitted disease
Meaning:
n [U and C]   STD a disease that one person passes to another through having sex, such as AIDS or herpes//


Words: sexy
Meaning:
adj   comparative  sexier superlative  sexiest //\n  1 sexually exciting or sexually attractive:  --sexy underwear//  --Don’t you think he’s sexy?//\n  2  informal sexy ideas, products etc are exciting, attractive, and interesting:  --is one of the sexiest companies in Seattle//  --a sexy investment//  -- sexily adv //  -- sexiness n  [U] //


Words: Seychelles
Meaning:
the   a country which is consists of about 85 small islands in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Kenya. Population: 79,715 (2001). Capital: Victoria. It is popular with tourists.//  -- Seychellois n  adj //


Words: SGML
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   standard generalized markup language a way of writing a document on a computer so that its structure is clear, and so that it can easily be read on a different computer system//


Words: shabby
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: shab  ’scab, worthless man’ (11-19 centuries), from  Old English sceabb  ’scab’]//\n  1 shabby clothes, places, or objects are untidy and in bad condition because they have been used for a long time:  --Hugh’s jacket was old and shabby.//  --a shabby little restaurant//\n  2 wearing clothes that are old and worn:  --a shabby tramp//\n  3  old-fashioned unfair and unkind:  --a shabby trick//  -- shabbily adv //  -- shabbiness n  [U] //


Words: shack
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  shackly  ’likely to fall down’ (19-20 centuries), or from  Mexican Spanish jacal  ’small building’, from  Nahuatl xacalli]//  a small building that has not been built very well//  --a tin shack//\nshack 2 v   shack up phr v//  to start living with someone who you have sex with but are not married to - used to show disapproval//  shack up with//  --She had shacked up with some guy from Florida.//  be shacked up//  --Is she shacked up with anyone?//


Words: shackle
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  the shackles of sth:   literary the limits put on your freedom and happiness by something, especially a particular form of government - used to show disapproval//  --They finally managed to throw off the shackles of communism.//\n  2 one of a pair of metal rings joined by a chain that are used for fastening together a prisoner’s hands or feet, so that they cannot move easily or escape:    handcuffs//\nshackle 2 v [T]   [Language: Old English; Origin: sceacul (singular)]//\n  1 to put many limits on what someone can do - used to show disapproval:  --Industrial progress is being shackled by a mass of regulations.//\n  2 to put shackles on someone:  --He was blindfolded and shackled to a radiator.//


Words: Shackleton
Meaning:
Ernest   (1874-1922) a British explorer of the Antarctic. He was a member of the expedition led by Robert Scott, and then led three more expeditions himself. He found the south  magnetic pole in 1908-9, and died on his fourth expedition.//


Words: shade
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 out of sunlight:\n   2 for blocking light:\n   3 shades:\n   4 in a picture:\n   5 colour:\n   6 shade of meaning/opinion/feeling etc:\n   7 a shade:\n   8 shades of somebody/something:\n   9 put somebody/something in the shade:\n  10 have it made in the shade:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceadu]//\n  1 OUT OF SUNLIGHT:   [U] slight darkness or shelter from the direct light of the sun made by something blocking it//  --a plant that needs a lot of shade//  in the shade (of sth)//  --Let’s find a table in the shade.//  --She was sitting in the shade of a large oak tree.//  --The temperature was over 90 degrees in the shade. see usage note  shadow1 //\n  2 FOR BLOCKING LIGHT:   [C] //  a) something you use to reduce or block light//  --The shade on the lamp was slightly crooked.//\n  3  shades [plural]  informal  sunglasses:\n  4 IN A PICTURE:   [U] the dark places in a picture//  --strong contrasts of light and shade//\n  5 COLOUR:   [C] a particular type of red, green, blue etc//  shade of//  --a bright shade of pink//\n  6  shade of meaning/opinion/feeling etc:  a meaning etc that is slightly different from other ones//   nuance//  --There is room in the Democratic party for many shades of opinion.//\n  7  a shade:   formal very slightly//  a shade too big/hot/fast etc //  --Matt’s clothes were just a shade too big for me.//  a shade better/quicker/faster etc //  --The results were a shade better than we expected.//  a shade over/under/above etc//  --She was a shade under five feet tall.//\n  8  shades of sb/sth:  used to say that someone or something reminds you of another person or thing//  --The food was horrible, (shades of school dinners).//\n  9  put sb/sth in the shade:  to be so good or impressive that other similar things or people seem much less important or interesting//  --They’re planning a festival that will put all the others in the shade.//\n  10  have it made in the shade:   AmE  informal to be extremely rich - used humorously//\nshade 2 v [T] \n  1 to protect something from direct light:  --Shading her eyes, Anita scanned the horizon.//\n  2  also shade in sth :  to make part of a picture or drawing darker//  --She shaded in the circles in the last two letters.//  shade into [shade into sth] phr v//  if one thing shades into another, it is difficult to know where one stops and another starts//  --His impatience shaded into anger.//


Words: shading
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the areas of a drawing or painting that have been made to look darker:\n  2  shadings [plural] slight differences:  --He didn’t understand the subtle shadings of legal language.//


Words: shadow
Meaning:
W2   n   shadow//  ----------//\n   1 dark shape:\n   2 darkness:\n   3 bad effect/influence:\n   4 without/beyond a shadow of a doubt:\n   5 in somebody’s shadow:\n   6 be a shadow of your former self:\n   7 shadows under your eyes:\n   8 somebody’s shadow:\n   9 afraid/frightened/scared etc of your own shadow:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceaduw-, stem of  sceadu;   SHADE1]//\n  1 DARK SHAPE:   [C] the dark shape that someone or something makes on a surface when they are between that surface and the light//  --the long dark shadow of an old oak tree//  --His shadow fell across the room.//  --The building cast its shadow  (=made a shadow) across the street.//  in the shadow of sth//  --It was hot, and we decided to walk in the shadow of the wall (=along the wall, where its shadow would fall) .//\n  2 DARKNESS:   [U]  also shadows //   [plural] darkness caused by something preventing light from reaching a place//  in shadow//  --The room was half in shadow.//  in the shadows//  --In the shadows something moved.//\n  3 BAD EFFECT/INFLUENCE:   [singular] the bad effect or influence that something has, which makes other things seem less enjoyable, attractive, or impressive//  in/under the shadow of sth//  --For years, people had been living under the shadow of communism.//  cast a shadow over/on sth (=make something seem less enjoyable, attractive, or impressive) //  --The events of September 11th cast a shadow over the celebrations.//\n  4  without/beyond a shadow of a doubt:  used to say that something is definitely true//  --Without a shadow of a doubt, he’s the most talented player we have.//\n  5  in sb’s shadow:  if you are in someone’s shadow, they are much more famous and successful than you are//  --Kate grew up in the shadow of her film star sister.//\n  6  be a shadow of your former self:  to be weaker, less powerful, or worse than you were before//  --Lennox seemed like a shadow of his former self.//\n  7  shadows under your eyes:  small dark areas under your eyes that you have when you are very tired//  --She looked pale, with deep shadows under her eyes.//\n  8  sb’s shadow:  someone who follows someone else everywhere they go//\n  9  afraid/frightened/scared etc of your own shadow:  easily frightened or very nervous//    five o’clock shadow//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE:shadow, shade //  A  shadow  is a dark shape made by something that blocks the sun or a light : She saw his shadow on the wall. //  Shadow is an area of darkness made like this : The side of the valley was in shadow. //  Shade is a cool dark area where the sun does not reach, made by the shadow of something such as a tree or wall : Let’s eat our lunch in the shade. |  He sat under the shade of a tree. //  ----------//\nshadow 2 v [T] \n  1 to follow someone closely in order to watch what they are doing:  --Detectives shadowed him for weeks.//\n  2 [usually passive]  literary to cover something with a shadow, or make it dark:  --a narrow street which was shadowed by a huge Catholic church//\nshadow 3 adj [only before noun] \n  1  Shadow Chancellor/Foreign Secretary etc:  the politician in the main opposition party in the British parliament who would become chancellor etc if their party was in government, and who is responsible for speaking on the same subjects//\n  2  Shadow Cabinet:  the group of politicians in the British parliament who would become ministers if their party was in government//


Words: shadow economy
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   business activities that are difficult for the authorities to find out about, for example because they are illegal//


Words: shadowy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 mysterious and difficult to know anything about:  --the shadowy figures who control international terrorist organizations//\n  2 full of shadows, or difficult to see because of shadows:  --a shadowy room//


Words: shady
Meaning:
adj   comparative  shadier superlative  shadiest //\n  1 protected from the sun or producing shade:  --a shady street//  --It was nice and shady under the trees.//\n  2 probably dishonest or illegal:  --a shady character //  --She’s been involved in some shady deals .//


Words: shaft
Meaning:
S3   n [C]   ----------//\n   1 passage:\n   2 handle:\n   3 of light:\n   4 engine part:\n   5 for a horse:\n   6 arrow:\n   7 get the shaft:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceaft]//\n  1 PASSAGE:  a passage which goes down through a building or down into the ground, so that someone or something can get in or out//  mine/elevator/ventilation etc shaft //  --a 300-foot elevator shaft//\n  2 HANDLE:  a long handle on a tool, spear etc//\n  3 OF LIGHT:  a narrow beam of light//  shaft of light/sunlight //\n  4 ENGINE PART:  a thin long piece of metal in an engine or machine that turns and passes on power or movement to another part of the machine//  --a drive shaft//\n  5 FOR A HORSE:   [usually plural] one of a pair of poles between which a horse is tied to pull a vehicle//\n  6 ARROW:   literary an arrow//\n  7  get the shaft:   informal to be treated very unfairly//\nshaft 2 v [T]  informal   to treat someone very unfairly, especially by dishonestly getting money from them//  --I can’t believe you paid that much. You got shafted .//


Words: shag
Meaning:
shag carpet/rug//  a carpet or rug with a rough surface made from long threads of wool//\nshag 2 n   [Language: Old English; Origin: sceacga]//\n  1 [C]  BrE  informal  not polite an act of having sex with someone:\n  2 [C] a large black sea bird:\n  3 [U] strong-tasting tobacco with thick leaves cut into small thin pieces:\nshag 3   past tense and past participle  shagged present participle  shagging  v [I and T]  BrE  informal  not polite //  [Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  Origin unknown]//  to have sex with someone//


Words: shaggy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 shaggy hair or fur is long and untidy:  --a shaggy black beard//\n  2 having shaggy hair:  --a shaggy sheepskin coat//  -- shagginess n  [U] //


Words: Shah
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Persian; Origin: ’king’]//  the title of the kings of Iran, used in the past//


Words: Shah Jahan
Meaning:
(1592-1666) an  emperor (=ruler)  of northern India from 1628 to 1658, who many people consider the greatest of the Mogul family of Indian emperors. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal and many other impressive buildings.//


Words: shake
Meaning:
W2S3   v   past tense  shook /[hA35D][hA35E]k///  past participle  shaken /[hA35D]e[hA366]k[hA353]n///  ----------//\n   1 move:\n   2 body:\n   3 shake your head:\n   4 shake somebody’s hand/shake hands with somebody:\n   5 shock:\n   6 shake somebody’s confidence/beliefs etc:\n   7 somebody’s voice shakes:\n   8 shake your fist (at somebody):\n   9 shake a leg:  Phrasal verbs//   shake down//   shake somebody/something → off//   shake out//   shake somebody/something → up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceacan]//\n  1 MOVE:   [I and T] to move suddenly from side to side or up and down, usually with a lot of force, or to make something or someone do this//  --She shook him to wake him up.//  --Shake the bottle before you open it.//  --The whole house started to shake.//  --The car shook as it went over a bump.//  shake sth out of/off/from sth//  --She shook the sand out of her shoes (=removed it by shaking) .//\n  2 BODY:   [I] if someone shakes, or part of their body shakes, they make small sudden movements from side to side or up and down, especially because they are very frightened, cold, ill etc//   tremble//  --The little boy’s hand was shaking.//  shake with fear/laughter/anger etc //  --I could see my neighbor shaking with laughter.//  --What’s wrong with you? You’re shaking like a leaf  (=shaking a lot because you are very nervous or frightened) .//  be shaking in your shoes/boots (=be very nervous) //  --I was shaking in my shoes - I thought he was going to fire me.//\n  3  shake your head:  to move your head from side to side as a way of saying no, or to show disapproval, surprise, or sadness//  --When asked if he wanted anything else, he just shook his head.//  --Mark shook his head in disbelief.//  4  shake sb’s hand/shake hands with sb//  to move someone’s hand up and down with your own hand as a greeting or as a sign you have agreed something//  --He shook my hand warmly.//  --Wilkins stood up and shook hands with both of them.//  --Well, if we have a deal, let’s shake on it  (=show that we have made an agreement by shaking hands) .//\n  5 SHOCK:   [T] to make someone feel very upset or shocked//  --Kerrie was so shaken by the attack that she won’t go out alone.//  --The murder shook the whole town.//\n  6  shake sb’s confidence/beliefs etc:  to make someone feel less confident, less sure about their beliefs etc//  --His confidence was badly shaken.//\n  7  sb’s voice shakes:  if someone’s voice is shaking, it is not steady and they sound very worried, angry, or frightened//  --Her voice was shaking as she announced the news.//  shake with rage/emotion etc //  --Reg’s voice shook with rage.//\n  8  shake your fist (at sb):  to show that you are angry by holding up and shaking your tightly closed hand//  --He shook his fist at the driver of the other car.//\n  9  shake a leg:   spoken used to tell someone to hurry, or quickly start doing something//  --C’mon, shake a leg!//  shake down phr v//\n  1  shake sb → down:   AmE  informal to get money from someone by using threats//  --Corrupt officials were shaking down local business owners.//\n  2  shake sb/sth → down:   AmE  informal to search a person or place thoroughly//\n  3 if a new situation or arrangement shakes down, people start to get used to it and it becomes more effective:  --The restructure has shaken down, and staff are showing a new sense of purpose.//  shake off [shake sb/sth → off] phr v//\n  1 to get rid of an illness, problem etc:  --I can’t seem to shake off this cold.//  shake off your image/reputation as sth //  --Outside investment has helped Sheridan to shake off its image as a depressed industrial town.//\n  2 to escape from someone who is chasing you:  --I think we’ve shaken them off.//  shake out phr v//\n  1  shake sth → out:  to shake a cloth, a bag, a sheet etc so that any small pieces of dirt, dust etc come off//  --He shook out the handkerchief and put it back in his pocket.//\n  2 if an organization or industry shakes out, it becomes calmer after a difficult period of time:  --He’ll look for bargains after the real estate market shakes out.//\n  3  shake sth → out:  to change a situation by removing things from it that are not useful or that do not make a profit//  --As the airline industry shakes out all but the very fittest, catering companies could face serious troubles.//  shake up [shake sb/sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to give someone a very unpleasant shock, so that they feel very upset and frightened:  --She was badly shaken up by the accident.//    shaken//\n  2 to make changes to an organization in order to make it more effective:  --the government’s plans to shake up the educational system//    shakeup//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: shake, wobble, rattle, vibrate, tremble, shiver //  Shake  is a fairly general word. It can be used to talk about objects moving : There was a loud bang and the building shook.  //  It can also be used to talk about people’s bodies moving because of cold, strong emotion, or illness : Mary shook with rage.  //  If something  wobbles , it moves from side to side because it is not steady or balanced : The desk wobbles when you put anything on it. //  If something hard  rattles , it shakes and makes a quick series of short sounds : The wind blew and the windows rattled. //  If something  vibrates , it makes small quick regular movements that you can hear or feel : The engine began to vibrate. //  If someone  trembles , their body shakes with very small movements, especially because they are angry, afraid, or excited : Trembling, she approached him. //  If someone  shivers , their body shakes with small movements, especially because they are cold or frightened : We sat shivering under a blanket. //  ----------//\nshake 2 n \n  1 [C] if you give something a shake, you move it up and down or from side to side:  -- Give the bottle a good shake before use.//  --He refused with a shake of the head  (=a movement of the head from side to side to mean no) .//\n  2 [C] a cold drink made from milk, ice cream, and fruit or chocolate:   milkshake//  --a strawberry shake//\n  3  the shakes:  nervous shaking of your body caused by illness, fear, too much alcohol, not getting a drug you are dependent on etc//  --If I don’t smoke, I get the shakes .//\n  4  in a couple of shakes/two shakes:   informal very soon//  --I’ll be back in two shakes.//\n  5  no great shakes:   spoken not very skilful, or not very good//  --He’s no great shakes as a singer.//\n  6  get/give sb a fair shake:   informal to get or give someone fair treatment//


Words: shakedown
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  AmE  informal when someone gets money from another person by using threats:  --a Mafia shakedown//\n  2  AmE  informal a thorough search of a place or a person:  --No weapons were found during the shakedown.//\n  3 a period of time when people start to get used to a new arrangement and it becomes more effective:\n  4 a period of time when prices are falling on a financial market:\n  5 a final test of a boat, plane etc before it is put into general use:  --The new system is in its shakedown phase.//\n  6  the final shakedown:  the final situation, after a lot of other things have happened//


Words: shaken
Meaning:
adj  also shaken up  [not usually before noun]   upset, shocked, or frightened by something that has happened to you//  --’How’s Jacob?’ ’Pretty shaken up, but he’ll be all right.’//  --He was badly shaken after the attack.//


Words: shakeout
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C usually singular] a situation in which several companies fail because they cannot compete with stronger companies in difficult economic conditions:\n  2 [C] a shakeup:


Words: shaker
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a container with holes in the lid, used to shake salt, sugar etc onto food:  --a salt shaker//\n  2  also cocktail shaker :  a container in which drinks are mixed//\n  3  Shaker:  a member of a US religious group who lived together and had a simple way of life. Shaker furniture is made in the plain, simple, and attractive style that Shakers used to make things//  --a Shaker chair//\n  4 a small container for shaking dice:    movers and shakers at mover(1)//


Words: Shakespeare
Meaning:
William   (1564-1616) an English writer of plays and poems, born in  Stratford-on-Avon in England, who most people regard as the greatest of all English writers. His many famous plays include the  tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and  King Lear; the comedies A Midsummer Night’s Dream Twelfth Night, and  As You Like It; and the historical plays  Richard III and  Henry V. Many well-known English sayings come from Shakespeare’s work, and he had a great influence on the English language and English literature. Shakespeare also wrote poetry, including the  Sonnets, and worked as an actor at the  Globe Theatre in London.//  -- Shakespearean adj //  --a famous Shakespearean actor//


Words: Shakespearean
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1 in the style of Shakespeare:  --Shakespearean language//\n  2 relating to the work of Shakespeare:  --a famous Shakespearean actor//


Words: shakeup
Meaning:
n [C]   a process by which an organization makes a lot of big changes in a short time to improve its effectiveness//  shakeup of//  --a big shakeup of the education system//


Words: shaky
Meaning:
adj \n  1 weak and unsteady because of old age, illness, or shock:  --a shaky voice//  --Grandad was a little shaky on his feet  (=not able to walk very well) .//\n  2 not sure about the exact details of something, or not likely to be completely right:  --My knowledge of history is a little shaky.//  --shaky evidence//\n  3 not firm or steady:  --shaky foundations//  -- shakily adv //  -- shakiness n  [U] //


Words: shale
Meaning:
n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scealu  ’shell, scale’]//  a smooth soft rock which breaks easily into thin flat pieces//


Words: shall
Meaning:
modal v    negative short form  shan’t //  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceal]//\n  1  shall I/we...?:   spoken used to make a suggestion, or ask a question that you want the other person to decide about//  --Shall I open the window?//  --Shall we say 6 o’clock, then?//  --What shall I get for dinner?//\n  2  I/we shall:   especially BrE  formal used to say what you will do in the future//  --We shall be away next week.//  --I shall have to be careful.//  --I’ve never liked her and I never shall.//  --We shall have finished by Friday.//\n  3  formal  or  old-fashioned used to emphasize that something will definitely happen, or that you are determined that something should happen:  --The truth shall make you free.//  --I said you could go, and so you shall.//\n  4  formal used in official documents to state an order, law, promise etc:  --All payments shall be made in cash.//


Words: shallot
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: echalote, from  Latin ascalonia;   SCALLION]//  a vegetable like a small onion//


Words: shallow
Meaning:
adj   comparative  shallower superlative  shallowest //\n  1 measuring only a short distance from the top to the bottom:  → deep//  --a shallow river//  --The lake is quite shallow.//  -- the shallow end of the pool//  --Place the meat in a shallow dish.//\n  2 not interested in or not showing any understanding of important or serious matters - used to show disapproval:  --a shallow argument//  --If he’s only interested in your looks, that shows how shallow he is.//\n  3  shallow breathing:  breathing that takes in only small amounts of air//  → deep//  -- shallowly adv //  --He lay there unconscious, breathing shallowly .//  -- shallowness n  [U] //


Words: shallows
Meaning:
n [plural]   the shallows//  an area of shallow water//  --We could see fish darting about in the shallows.//


Words: Shalom
Meaning:
interjection   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Hebrew; Origin: ’peace’]//  a Hebrew word used to say hello or goodbye//


Words: sham
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  sham  ’shame’ (13-17 centuries), from  shame]//\n  1 [singular] someone or something that is not what they are claimed to be - used to show disapproval:  --The elections were a complete sham.//  --Hutton was exposed as the sham that he was.//\n  2 [U]  literary when someone tries to make something or someone seem better than they really are:  --It all turned out to be sham and hypocrisy.//\n  3 [C] a cover for a pillow, especially one used for decoration:\nsham 2 adj [only before noun]   made to appear real in order to deceive people//   false//  --a sham marriage//\nsham 3   past tense and past participle  shammed present participle  shamming  v [I and T]  especially BrE  old-fashioned //  to pretend to be upset, ill etc to gain sympathy or an advantage//   feign//  --She’s not ill, she’s only shamming.//


Words: shaman
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Russian; Origin: Tungus saman]//  someone in some tribes, who is a religious leader and is believed to be able to talk to spirits and cure illnesses//  -- shamanism n  [U] //


Words: shamble
Meaning:
preposition]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: shamble (of legs)  ’curved, badly formed’ (16-19 centuries), probably from  shamble  ’table from which meat is sold’ (  SHAMBLES); probably because of the similarity to table legs]//  to walk slowly and awkwardly, not lifting your feet much, for example because you are tired, weak, or lazy//   shuffle//  shamble over/past/along etc//  --The old man shambled out of the room muttering to himself.//  shambling gait (=a shambling way of walking) //


Words: shambles
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: shambles  ’place where animals are killed for meat, scene of great killing or destruction’ (16-20 centuries), from  shamble  ’table from which meat is sold, meat market’ (14-19 centuries), from  Old English scamul  ’counter, stool’]//  be (in) a shambles//   informal //  a) if something is a shambles, it is very disorganized and there is a lot of confusion//  --The meeting was a shambles from start to finish.//  --The economy is in a complete shambles.//  b) if a place is a shambles, it is very untidy//   mess//  --My house is in an absolute shambles.//


Words: shambolic
Meaning:
adj  BrE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: shambles, perhaps on the model of  symbolic]//  very disorganized//  --the Government’s shambolic efforts to deal with the crisis//


Words: shame
Meaning:
S2   n   [Language: Old English; Origin: scamu]//\n  1  it’s a shame/what a shame etc:   spoken used when you wish a situation was different, and you feel sad or disappointed//  --’She’s failed her test again.’ ’What a shame!’//  -- It’s a shame that you have to leave so soon.//  -- What a shame we missed the wedding.//  it is a shame to do sth//  --It’s a shame to cover this beautiful table with a tablecloth.//  --I can’t imagine why they canceled your show, Tracy. That’s such a shame .//  a crying/great/terrible shame //  --It was a crying shame that they lost the game.//\n  2 [U] the feeling you have when you feel guilty and embarrassed because you, or someone who is close to you, have done something wrong:  --He felt a deep sense of shame.//  --Maria blushed with shame.//  -- To her shame  (=it made her feel ashamed) , she gained back all the weight she’d lost.//  --He’s brought shame on the whole family.//  hang/bow your head in shame (=look down, or feel like you should look down, because you feel so ashamed) //  --I bow my head in shame when I think of how I treated her.//  -- There’s no shame in  (=it should not make you feel ashamed) saying ’I don’t know’.//\n  3 [U] the ability to feel shame:  --How could you do such a thing? Have you no shame ?//\n  4  shame on you/him/them etc:   spoken used to say that someone should feel guilty or embarrassed because of something they have done//  --Shame on you, Fred. I thought you were my friend!//\n  5  put sb/sth to shame:  to be so much better than someone or something else that it makes the other thing seem very bad or ordinary//  --His cooking puts mine to shame.//\nshame 2 v [T] \n  1 to make someone feel ashamed:  --It shames me to say it, but I lied.//  --He felt shamed and humiliated by the treatment he had received.//\n  2  shame sb into doing sth:  to force someone to do something by making them feel ashamed//  --His wife shamed him into handing the money back.//\n  3 to be so much better than someone else that you make them seem bad or feel embarrassed:  --Their training record shamed other companies.//\n  4 to make someone feel they have lost all honour and respect:  --She had shamed her family name (=done something that made her family lose honour) .//


Words: shamefaced
Meaning:
adj   [Language: Old English; Origin: scamf[zB024]st, from  scamu (  SHAME1) +  f[zB024]st  ’fixed’; influenced by  face]//  if someone is shamefaced, they look and feel ashamed because they have done something wrong or they have behaved badly//  --Conner looked a little shamefaced.//  shamefaced smile/grin //  -- shamefacedly/-fe[hA366]s[hA369]dli/ adv //


Words: shameful
Meaning:
adj   shameful behaviour or actions are so bad that someone should feel ashamed//  --It’s shameful the way some people treat their pets.//  --a shameful family secret//  -- shamefully adv //  -- shamefulness n  [U] //


Words: shameless
Meaning:
adj   not seeming to be ashamed of your bad behaviour although other people think you should be ashamed//  --the shameless way he lied to us//  -- shamelessly adv //  --She shamelessly took advantage of him.//  -- shamelessness n  [U] //


Words: shampoo
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Hindi; Origin: c[hA164]po, from  c[hA164]pna  ’to press, shampoo’]//\n  1 [U and C] a liquid soap for washing your hair:  --What kind of shampoo do you use?//  --a bottle of shampoo//\n  2 [C usually singular] when someone washes your hair using shampoo:  --$21 for a shampoo, cut, and blow-dry//  shampoo and set (=when someone washes your hair and then dries it so that it has a particular style, especially using   curler s ) //\n  3 [U and C] a liquid used for cleaning carpets:\nshampoo 2 v [T]   to wash something with shampoo//  --She showered and shampooed her short dark hair .//


Words: shamrock
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Irish Gaelic; Origin: seamrog]//  a small plant with three green leaves on each stem, that is the national symbol of Ireland//


Words: shandy
Meaning:
n   plural  shandies  [U and C]  BrE //  [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: shandygaff, name of a drink made from beer and ginger beer (C19- 20), of unknown origin]//  a drink made of beer mixed with lemonade(2), or a glass of this drink//


Words: Shane
Meaning:
a Western film which many people consider to be one of the best ever made. Shane is a mysterious gunfighter who wants a different kind of life. But when he rides into a Wyoming valley in 1889 he is forced to use his gun to protect a group of farmers against a rich and powerful man who wants to take their land. //


Words: Shanghai
Meaning:
a municipality in East China. Shanghai is China’s largest city, its most important port and a major business centre.//


Words: shanghai
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shanghaied present participle  shanghaiing  [T]  old-fashioned //  [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: Shanghai; from the use of force or deception to get sailors for ships going to China]//  to trick or force someone into doing something unwillingly//  shanghai sb into doing sth//  --I got shanghaied into organizing the kids’ party.//


Words: Shangri-La
Meaning:
a distant, beautiful, imaginary place where everyone is happy. The name comes from the book  Lost Horizon by James Hilton, about an imaginary valley in Tibet.//


Words: shank
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: scanca]//\n  1 [C] a straight narrow part of a tool or object that connects the two ends:  --a hammer shank//\n  2 [U and C] a piece of meat cut from the leg of an animal:  --lamb shanks//\n  3 [C usually plural] the part of an animal’s or a person’s leg between the knee and ankle:\n  4  (on) Shanks’s pony:   BrE  old-fashioned walking, rather than using a vehicle//


Words: Shankhill Road
Meaning:
the Shankhill Road//  a street in the Protestant part of Belfast in Northern Ireland, where a lot of violence has taken place since the 1960s//    Falls Road//


Words: shanty
Meaning:
n   plural  shanties  [C] //  [Sense: 1; Date: 1800-1900; Language: Canadian French; Origin: chantier, from  French,  ’wooden support’, from  Latin cantherius  ’trellis’]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 1800-1900; Origin: chantey]//\n  1 a small, roughly built hut made from thin sheets of wood, tin, plastic etc that very poor people live in:  --Workers were living in tents and shanties.//\n  2  also sea shanty :  a song sung by sailors in the past, as they did their work//


Words: shantytown
Meaning:
n [C]   a very poor area in or near a town where people live in small houses made from thin sheets of wood, tin etc//


Words: SHAPE
Meaning:
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe the place in Belgium where the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, one of the military commanders of  NATO, is based//


Words: shape
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 round/square etc:\n   2 health/condition:\n   3 knock/lick/get somebody/something into shape:\n   4 character of something:\n   5 take shape:\n   6 in the shape of something:\n   7 not in any shape or form:\n   8 thing not seen clearly:  ----------//\n  1 ROUND/SQUARE ETC:   [U and C] the form that something has, for example round, square, triangular etc//  --What shape is the table?//  --You can recognize a tree by the shape of its leaves.//  round/square etc in shape //  --The dining room was square in shape.//  --His battered old hat had completely lost its shape.//  in the shape of sth//  --a silver pin in the shape of a large bird//  --The plants grow in every shape and size .//  --The children cut out shapes (=squares, triangles etc) from the piece of cardboard.//  out of shape//  --The wheel had been bent out of shape.//\n  2 HEALTH/CONDITION:  a)  in good/bad/poor etc shape//  in good, bad etc condition, or in good, bad etc health//  --For an old car, it’s in pretty good shape.//  --The economy is in worse shape now than it was last year.//  --Kaplan seemed to be in better shape than either of us.//  b)  in shape/out of shape//  in a good or bad state of health or physical fitness//    fit, unfit//  --I was feeling totally out of shape.//  --I’ve got to get into shape before summer.//  keep/stay in shape //  --She’s bought an exercise bike to keep in shape.//  c)  in no shape to do sth//  to be sick, tired, drunk etc, and not able to do something well//  --Mel was in no shape to drive home after the party.//\n  3  knock/lick/get sb/sth into shape:  to make someone or something better so that they reach the necessary standard//  --Some of them lack experience, but we’ll soon knock them into shape.//\n  4 CHARACTER OF SOMETHING:   [singular] the way something looks, works, or is organized//  shape of//  --Computers have completely changed the shape of our industry.//  --This new technique is the shape of things to come  (=an example of the way things will develop in the future) .//\n  5  take shape:  to develop into a clear and definite form//  --An idea was beginning to take shape in his mind.//\n  6  in the shape of sth:  used to explain what something consists of//  --Help came in the shape of a $10,000 loan from his parents.//\n  7  not in any shape or form:   also not in any way, shape, or form //  used to say that you will not accept something for any reason//  --We will not tolerate racism in any shape or form.//\n  8 THING NOT SEEN CLEARLY:   [C] a thing or person that you cannot see clearly enough to recognize//  --A dark shape moved behind them.//\nshape 2 S3 v [T]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scieppan]//\n  1 to influence something such as a belief, opinion etc and make it develop in a particular way:  --People’s political beliefs are shaped by what they see in the papers.//\n  2 to make something have a particular shape, especially by pressing it:  shape sth into sth//  --Shape the dough into small balls.//  egg-shaped/V-shaped etc //  --an L-shaped living room//  shape up phr v//\n  1 to improve your behaviour or work:  --You kids had better shape up, because I’m in no mood to fool around.//\n  2 to make progress in a particular way:  --Ken’s plans for the business are shaping up nicely.//  shape up as//  --Immigration is shaping up as a major issue in the campaign.//  shape up to be sth//  --It’s shaping up to be a pretty big party.//\n  3  shape up or ship out:   AmE  spoken used to tell someone that if they do not improve they will be made to leave a place or their job//


Words: shapeless
Meaning:
adj \n  1 not having a clear or definite shape:  --a shapeless dress//\n  2 something such as a book or a plan that is shapeless does not seem to have a clear structure:  -- shapelessly adv //


Words: shard
Meaning:
n  also  sherd [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: sceard]//  a sharp piece of broken glass, metal etc//  shard of//  --a shard of pottery//


Words: share
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 use together:\n   2 let somebody use something:\n   3 divide:\n   4 responsibility/blame:\n   5 same:\n   6 tell somebody something:\n   7 share your life with somebody:\n   8 share and share alike:  Phrasal verbs//   share in something//  ----------//\n  1 USE TOGETHER:   [I and T] to have or use something with other people//  --We don’t have enough books so you’ll have to share.//  --The three of us shared a taxi.//  share sth with sb//  --I have an office that I share with some other teachers.//\n  2 LET SOMEBODY USE SOMETHING:   [T] to let someone have or use something that belongs to you//  --As a kid he’d never share his toys.//  share sth with sb//  --Will you share your fries with me?//\n  3 DIVIDE:   [T]  also share out //  to divide something between two or more people//  share sth between/among sb//  --They shared the cake between them.//  --At his death, his property was shared out between his children.//\n  4 RESPONSIBILITY/BLAME:   [T] to have equal responsibility for doing something, paying for something etc//  --We share the responsibility for the children.//  --I own the house, but we share the bills.//  --We all share some of the blame for the accident.//\n  5 SAME:   [T] to have the same opinion, quality, or experience as someone else//  share sb’s view/concern/belief etc //  --Other parents share her belief in the importance of reading.//  --I believe my view is widely shared .//  --Dan and Claire share an interest in ancient history.//  share sth with sb//  --Stubbornness was a characteristic he shared with his mother.//\n  6 TELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING:   [I and T] to tell other people about an idea, secret, problem etc//  --Students were able to share their experiences.//  share sth with sb//  --Would you like to share your feelings with the group?//\n  7  share your life with sb:  if you share your life with someone, you spend your life together with them as their husband, wife etc//  --I’m not ready to share my life with anyone.//\n  8  share and share alike:   spoken used to say that you should share things fairly and equally between everyone//  share in [share in sth] phr v//  if you share in someone’s success, happiness etc, you have it or enjoy it with them//  --His daughters did not share in his happiness.//\nshare 2 n   ----------//\n   1 in a company:\n   2 part of something:\n   3 your (fair) share:\n   4 share in something:\n   5 house/flat share:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scearu  ’cutting, division’]//\n  1 IN A COMPANY:   [C] one of the equal parts into which the  ownership of a company is divided//  buy/sell shares //  --They were able to sell their shares at a higher price.//  share in//  --shares in Allied Chemicals//  -- Share prices are down in London.//  shares go up/rise (=the value increases) //  shares fall/go down/drop (=the values decreases) //    stock1 (2)//\n  2 PART OF SOMETHING:   [singular] the part of something that you own or are responsible for//  share of/in//  --I gave them my share of the bill and left.//  --a share in the profits//  --I do my share  (=do my part) of the housework.//\n  3  your (fair) share:  a) if you have had your share of something, for example problems, success, or adventure, a lot of it has happened to you//  --You’ve sure had your share of problems, haven’t you?//  --He’d had more than his fair share of adventure.//  b) your share of something is the amount that you deserve to have//  --Don’t worry - you’ll get your fair share.//\n  4  share in sth:  your part in an activity, event etc//  --Employees are always given a share in decision-making.//\n  5  house/flat share:   BrE when people live together in the same house or flat and pay the rent together//  -- sharing n  [U] //    the lion’s share at lion(2),  timeshare//


Words: share-cropper
Meaning:
n [C]  especially AmE   a poor farmer who uses someone else’s land, and gives the owner part of the crop in return//


Words: share-out
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]  BrE   when something, especially money or property, is divided between two or more people, or the amount each person receives when it is divided//


Words: shareholder
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who owns shares in a company or business//  --Shareholders have been told to expect an even lower result next year.//


Words: shareholding
Meaning:
n [C]   if you have a shareholding in a business, you own shares in it//  shareholding in//  --In 1992, United Distillers acquired a 75% shareholding in the company.//


Words: shareware
Meaning:
n [U]   free or cheap computer software, usually produced by small companies, that you can use for a short time before you decide whether to buy it//


Words: sharia
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Arabic; Origin: shari’ah]//  a system of religious laws followed by Muslims//


Words: shark
Meaning:
n [C]   [Sense: 1; Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Origin unknown.]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  German schurke  ’bad man’; influenced by   SHARK1]//\n  1 :  plural  shark  or  sharks a large sea fish with several rows of very sharp teeth that is considered to be dangerous to humans//  --Sharks were circling around our boat.//  shark-infested waters (=waters where there are a lot of sharks) //\n  2  informal someone who cheats other people out of money:  pool/card shark (=someone who uses their skill at  pool or cards to cheat other players out of money ) //    loan shark//


Words: Sharp
Meaning:
Becky   the main character in the book  Vanity Fair (1847-48) by William  Thackeray. She is a clever, attractive, and  ambitious young woman (=someone who wants very much to become rich and successful) , who treats people cruelly and unfairly to get what she wants.//


Words: sharp
Meaning:
W2S3   adj   comparative  sharper superlative  sharpest //  ----------//\n   1 able to cut easily:\n   2 turn:\n   3 increase/change:\n   4 difference:\n   5 pain/feelings:\n   6 disapproving:\n   7 intelligent:\n   8 keep a sharp eye on somebody:\n   9 pencil:\n  10 sound:\n  11 taste:\n  12 clothes:\n  13 shape:\n  14 image/picture:\n  15 good at noticing things:\n  16 music:\n  17 weather:\n  18 sharp practice:\n  19 be on the sharp end (of something):  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scearp]//\n  1 ABLE TO CUT EASILY:  having a very thin edge or point that can cut things easily//  → blunt//  --Make sure you use a good sharp knife.//  --Its teeth are razor sharp  (=very sharp) .//\n  2 TURN:  a sharp turn or bend changes direction suddenly//  --We came to a sharp bend in the road.//  sharp left/right //  --Take a sharp left after the church.//\n  3 INCREASE/CHANGE:  a sharp increase, rise, fall etc happens suddenly and is great in amount//   steep//  --a sharp increase in prices//  --a sharp fall in unemployment//\n  4 DIFFERENCE:  sharp differences are very big and very noticeable//  --sharp differences of opinion//  --There is a sharp distinction between domestic and international politics.//  --His honesty is in sharp contrast  (=very different) to some other politicians.//\n  5 PAIN/FEELINGS:  a sharp pain or feeling is sudden and severe//  → dull//  --I felt a sharp pain in my back.//  --I was left with a sharp sense of disappointment.//\n  6 DISAPPROVING:  speaking in a way that shows you disapprove of something or are annoyed//  → mild//  --a sharp rebuke//  --John’s tone was sharp.//  --The boss can be very sharp with people when she’s busy.//  sb has a sharp tongue (=they speak in a very disapproving way which often upsets people) //\n  7 INTELLIGENT:  able to think and understand things very quickly, and not easily deceived//  → dull, stupid//  --a journalist with an extremely sharp mind//\n  8  keep a sharp eye on sb:  to watch someone very carefully, especially because you do not trust them//  --Keep a sharp eye on the kids at all times!//\n  9 PENCIL:  having a very thin point that can draw an exact line//  → blunt//  --Make sure your pencils are sharp before we begin the test.//\n  10 SOUND:  a sharp sound or cry is loud, short, and sudden//  --a sharp cry of pain//  --a sharp intake of breath//  --The branch broke with a sharp crack.//\n  11 TASTE:  having a slightly bitter taste//  → mild//  --sharp cheddar cheese//  --Add mustard to give the dressing a sharper taste.//\n  12 CLOTHES:  attractive and fashionable//  British Equivalent:  smart//  --Tod looked really sharp in his tux.//  --a sharp suit//\n  13 SHAPE:  not rounded or curved//  --sharp features//  --Her mother had a sharp little nose.//\n  14 IMAGE/PICTURE:  if an image or picture is sharp, you can see all the details very clearly//  → fuzzy//  --The outlines of the trees were sharp and clear.//\n  15 GOOD AT NOTICING THINGS:  able to see and notice details very well//  sharp eye for detail (=the ability to notice and deal with details) //\n  16 MUSIC:  a)  F sharp/D sharp/C sharp etc//  a musical note that is sharp has been raised by one semitone from the note F, D, C etc//  b) if music or singing is sharp, it is played or sung at a slightly higher pitch than it should be//    flat1 (9)//    natural1 (10)//\n  17 WEATHER:   sharp wind/frost//  a very cold wind or a severe frost//  --A sharp wind blew across the lake.//\n  18  sharp practice:   BrE behaviour, especially in business, that is dishonest but not illegal//  --He’s been guilty of sharp practice in the past.//\n  19  be on the sharp end (of sth):   BrE  informal to experience the worst effects of something//  --We were always on the sharp end of clients’ complaints.//  -- sharpness n  [U] //    sharply//\nsharp 2 adv \n  1  at ten-thirty/2 o’clock etc sharp:  at exactly 10.30, 2.00 etc//  --We’re meeting at one-thirty sharp.//\n  2  sharp left/right:   BrE if you turn sharp left or right, you make a sudden change of direction to the left or right//  --You turn sharp right at the crossroads.//\n  3  look sharp:   BrE  old-fashioned used to tell someone to do something quickly//  --If you look sharp you might catch him before he leaves for London.//\n  4 played or sung at a slightly higher pitch than is correct:    flat//\nsharp 3 n [C] \n  1 a musical note that has been raised one semitone above the note written:\n  2 the sign (#) in a line of written music used to show that a musical note should be raised:    flat2 (3)//


Words: sharp-eyed
Meaning:
adj   able to see very well and notice small details//  --My sharp-eyed mother had already spotted him.//


Words: sharp-tongued
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   saying things in a disapproving or unfriendly way which often upsets people//  --his sharp-tongued wife//


Words: sharpen
Meaning:
v \n  1 [I and T] to make something have a sharper edge or point:  --Anne sharpened her pencil and got out her homework.//\n  2 [T] to make a feeling stronger and more urgent:  --A series of attacks have sharpened fears of more violence.//\n  3 [T]  also sharpen sth → up :  to improve something so that it is up to the necessary standard, quality etc//  --The course will help students sharpen their writing skills.//


Words: Sharpeville
Meaning:
a town near Johannesburg, South Africa, where, on 21 March 1960, police shot dead 69 black people who were protesting against the system of  apartheid.//


Words: sharply
Meaning:
W3   adv \n  1 suddenly and by a large amount:  --Prices have risen sharply over the last few months.//  --His politics have moved sharply to the right.//\n  2 in a disapproving or unfriendly way:  --’What do you mean by that?’ Paul asked sharply.//  --a sharply critical report//\n  3 quickly and suddenly:  --Graham looked up sharply, startled by a noise behind him.//  --Emily drew in her breath sharply.//\n  4 used when saying that two things are clearly and noticeably very different:  --Opinion is sharply divided .//  --His beliefs and values contrast sharply with  (=are very different from) his father’s.//


Words: shatter
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Probably from an unrecorded  Old English sceaterian]//\n  1 [I and T] to break suddenly into very small pieces, or to make something break in this way:  shatter into//  --The plate hit the floor, and shattered into tiny bits.//  --The explosion shattered the building.//\n  2 [T] to completely destroy someone’s hopes, beliefs, or confidence:  --Their hopes and dreams were shattered by war.//  --A few weeks in a tiny damp room soon shattered his illusions about university life.//


Words: shattered
Meaning:
adj [not before noun] \n  1 very shocked and upset:  --I wasn’t just disappointed, I was absolutely shattered.//\n  2  BrE  informal very tired:   exhausted//  --By the time we got home we were both shattered.//


Words: shattering
Meaning:
adj \n  1 very shocking and upsetting:  --His mother’s death was a shattering blow.//\n  2  BrE  informal making you very tired:   exhausting//  --I’ve had a shattering day.//


Words: shatterproof
Meaning:
adj   shatterproof glass is specially designed so that it will not form sharp dangerous pieces if it is broken//


Words: shave
Meaning:
S3   v   razor, shaving cream, towel//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scafan]//\n  1 [I and T] to cut off hair very close to the skin, especially from the face, using a razor:  --He hadn’t shaved for days.//  --Brian had cut himself shaving .//  shave your head/legs/armpits etc //  --She shaved her legs and underarms.//\n  2 [T] to remove very thin pieces from the surface of something:  --Shave thin strips of cheese over the pasta.//  shave off [shave sth → off] phr v//\n  1 to remove hair by shaving:  --I’ve decided to shave off my beard.//\n  2  also shave sth off sth :  to remove very thin pieces from the surface of something, using a knife or other cutting tool//  --I had to shave a few millimetres off the bottom of the door to make it shut.//\n  3  also shave sth off sth :  if you shave a small amount off something such as a price or a record, you make the price slightly smaller or the record time slightly shorter//  --She shaved half a second off the world record.//\nshave 2 n [C usually singular] \n  1 if a man has a shave, he cuts off the hair on his face close to his skin using a razor:  --He looked as if he needed a shave.//  have a shave  BrE //  --I’ll just have a shave before we go.//\n  2  a close shave:  a situation in which you only just avoid an accident or something//  --Phew, that was a close shave.//


Words: shaving cream
Meaning:
also shaving foam  BrE  n [U]   razor, shaving cream, towel//  a special cream that you put on your face when you shave//


Words: shavings
Meaning:
n [plural]   very thin pieces, especially of wood, cut from a surface with a sharp blade//  --a pile of wood shavings on the floor//


Words: Shaw
Meaning:
George Bernard   (1856-1950) an Irish writer famous especially for his clever plays which criticize society and the moral values of the time. His best known works include the historical plays  Caesar and Cleopatra and  St Joan, and the  comedy Pygmalion, which was later turned into the popular musical show My Fair Lady. He was a leading  socialist and wrote books about socialism.//


Words: shawl
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Persian; Origin: shal]//  a piece of cloth, in a square or triangular shape, that is worn around the shoulders or head, especially by women//


Words: she
Meaning:
pron [used as the subject of a verb]   [Date: 1100-1200; Origin:  Probably from  Old English heo  ’she’]//\n  1 used to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal that has already been mentioned or is already known about:  --Why don’t you ask Beth - she’s got plenty of money.//  --I saw you talking to that girl. Who is she?//  --What did she say when you told her?//\n  2  old-fashioned used to refer to a country, ship, or vehicle that has already been mentioned:  --She was carrying over 1500 passengers.//\nshe 2   n [singular]  informal   a female//  --What a cute puppy! Is it a he or a she?//


Words: she’d
Meaning:
1 the short form of ’she had’:  --She’d already gone when we got there.//\n  2 the short form of ’she would’:  --She’d like to come with us.//


Words: she’s
Meaning:
1 the short form of ’she is’:  --She’s not feeling well.//\n  2 the short form of ’she has’:  --She’s got a new bike.//


Words: sheaf
Meaning:
n   plural  sheaves /[hA35D]i[hA359]vz/ [C] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceaf]//\n  1 several pieces of paper held or tied together:  sheaf of//  --He laid a sheaf of documents on the desk.//\n  2 a bunch of wheat, corn etc tied together after it has been cut:


Words: shear
Meaning:
v   past tense  sheared //  past participle  sheared  or  shorn /[hA35D][hA350][hA359]n $ [hA35D][hA350][hA359]rn/ [T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: scieran]//\n  1 to cut the wool off a sheep:\n  2  literary to cut off someone’s hair:  --Her long fair hair had been shorn.//  be shorn of [be shorn of sth] phr v//  to have something valuable or important taken away from you//  --Though shorn of some of its powers, the party remains in control.//  shear off phr v//  if part of something shears off, or is sheared off, it suddenly becomes separated, especially after being pulled or hit with a lot of force//  shear sth → off//  --The left wing had been almost completely sheared off.//


Words: shears
Meaning:
n [plural]   a heavy tool for cutting, like a big pair of scissors//  --Sam was trimming the hedge with a pair of garden shears .//


Words: sheath
Meaning:
n   plural  sheaths  [C] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceath]//\n  1 a cover for the blade of a knife or sword:  --His sword was back in its sheath.//\n  2  BrE  old-fashioned a condom:\n  3 a protective covering that fits closely around something:  --The wire is covered by an outer plastic sheath.//\n  4 a simple, close-fitting dress:  --She was wearing a plain black sheath.//


Words: sheathe
Meaning:
v [T]  literary   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: sheath]//\n  1 to put a knife or sword into a sheath:  --He sheathed his sword.//\n  2  be sheathed in/with sth:  to be covered by something//  --The grassy hills were sheathed in mist.//


Words: shebang
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  shebeen  ’illegal drinking place’ (18-21 centuries), from  Irish Gaelic sibin  ’bad beer’]//  the whole shebang//   informal the whole thing//  --It’s a big project, and she’s in charge of the whole shebang.//


Words: shed
Meaning:
S3   n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Probably from  shade]//\n  1 a small building, often made of wood, used especially for storing things:  --a tool shed//  --a cattle shed//  --a garden shed//\n  2 a large industrial building where work is done, large vehicles are kept, machinery is stored:\nshed 2   past tense and past participle  shed //  present participle  shedding  v [T] //  ----------//\n   1 get rid of:\n   2 shed light:\n   3 plants/animals:\n   4 drop/fall:\n   5 shed blood:\n   6 shed tears:\n   7 water:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceadan  ’to divide, separate’]//\n  1 GET RID OF:  to get rid of something that you no longer need or want//  --The company is planning to shed about a quarter of its workforce.//  --The magazine is desperately trying to shed its old-fashioned image.//  --a diet to help you shed pounds//\n  2  shed light:  a) to make something easier to understand, by providing new or better information//  shed light on//  --Recent research has shed light on the causes of the disease.//  --Investigators hope to shed light on what started the fire.//  b) if something sheds light, it lights the area around it//  --The lamp shed a harsh yellow light.//\n  3 PLANTS/ANIMALS:  if a plant sheds its leaves or if an animal sheds skin or hair, they fall off as part of a natural process//  --The trees were starting to shed their leaves .//  --As it grows, a snake will regularly shed its skin .//\n  4 DROP/FALL:  to drop something or allow it to fall//  --He strode across the bathroom, shedding wet clothes as he went.//  shed a load  BrE //  --A lorry shed its load of steel bars on the M25.//\n  5  shed blood:  to kill or injure people, especially during a war or a fight//  --Too much blood has already been shed in this conflict.//    bloodshed//\n  6  shed tears:   especially literary to cry//  --She had not shed a single tear during the funeral.//\n  7 WATER:  if something sheds water, the water flows off its surface, instead of sinking into it//


Words: shedload
Meaning:
n   shedloads of sth//   BrE  informal a lot of something//  --They’ve got shedloads of stuff for sale.//


Words: sheen
Meaning:
n [singular, U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: sheen  ’beautiful, shining’ (11-19 centuries), from  Old English sciene]//  a soft smooth shiny appearance//  --Her hair had a lovely coppery sheen.//


Words: sheep
Meaning:
W3S2   n   plural  sheep  [C] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceap]//\n  1 a farm animal that is kept for its wool and its meat:  --Sheep were grazing on the hillside.//  --a sheep farmer//  flock of sheep (=a group of sheep) //    lamb1 //\n  2  like sheep:  if people behave like sheep, they do not think independently, but follow what everyone else does or thinks//  --Tourists were led around like sheep, from shrine to souvenir shop.//\n  3  separate the sheep from the goats:   BrE to find out which people are intelligent, skilful, successful etc, and which are not//  --This test should really separate the sheep from the goats.//\n  4  make sheep’s eyes at sb:   old-fashioned to look at someone in a way that shows you love them//    black sheep,  count sheep at count1 (12),  a wolf in sheep’s clothing at wolf1 (2)//


Words: sheep-dip
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a chemical used to kill insects that live in sheep’s wool, or a special bath in which this chemical is used//


Words: sheep-pen
Meaning:
n [C]   a small area of ground with a fence around it, used for keeping sheep together for a short time//


Words: sheepdog
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a dog that is trained to control sheep:  2 a dog of a type that is often used for controlling sheep//    Old English sheepdog//


Words: sheepish
Meaning:
adj   slightly uncomfortable or embarrassed because you know that you have done something silly or wrong//  --Sam looked a bit sheepish. //  --a sheepish grin //  -- sheepishly adv //  --She smiled sheepishly .//


Words: sheer
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  Old Norse sk[zB024]rr  ’pure’]//\n  1  the sheer weight/size etc:  used to emphasize that something is very heavy, large etc//  the sheer weight/size etc of//  --The sheer size of the country makes communications difficult.//\n  2  sheer luck/happiness/stupidity etc:  luck, happiness etc with no other feeling or quality mixed with it//   pure//  --I’ll never forget the look of sheer joy on her face.//  --sheer hypocrisy//\n  3 a sheer drop, cliff, slope etc is very steep and almost vertical:\n  4 sheer nylon, silk etc is very thin and fine, so that it is almost transparent:  --sheer stockings//\nsheer 2 adv   straight up or down in an almost vertical line//   steeply//  --cliffs which rose sheer from the sea//\nsheer 3 v [I always +adverb/preposition]   to change direction suddenly, especially in order to avoid something//  sheer off/away//  --The boat sheered away and headed out to sea.//


Words: sheet
Meaning:
n [C]   ----------//\n   1 for a bed:\n   2 paper:\n   3 thin flat piece:\n   4 large flat area:\n   5 of rain/fire:\n   6 on a ship:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scyte]//\n  1 FOR A BED:  a large piece of thin cloth that you put on a bed to lie on or lie under//    blanket, duvet//  --I’ll go and find you some clean sheets and blankets.//  --white cotton sheets//  change the sheets (=put clean sheets on a bed) //\n  2 PAPER:  a piece of paper for writing on, or containing information//  sheet of//  --a sheet of paper with names and numbers on it//  clean/blank sheet of paper (=one with no writing on it) //\n  3 THIN FLAT PIECE:  a thin flat piece of something such as metal or glass, that usually has four sides//  sheet of//  --a sheet of glass //    sheet metal//\n  4 LARGE FLAT AREA:  a large flat area of something such as ice or water spread over a surface//  sheet of//  --A sheet of ice covered the lake.//\n  5 OF RAIN/FIRE:  a sheet of rain or fire is a very large moving mass of it//  sheet of//  --Sheets of flame shot into the air.//  in sheets//  --The rain was coming down in sheets.//\n  6 ON A SHIP:   technical a rope or chain attached to a sail on a ship that controls the angle between a sail and the wind//    baking sheet,  balance sheet,  cookie sheet,  rap sheet,  time sheet,  as white as a sheet at white1 (3),  clean sheet at clean1 (9)//


Words: sheet lightning
Meaning:
n [U]   a type of lightning that appears as a sudden flash of brightness covering a large area of sky//    forked lightning//


Words: sheet music
Meaning:
n [U]   microphone, sheet music//  music that is printed on single sheets and not fastened together inside a cover//


Words: sheeting
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 material such as plastic or metal used to cover something and protect it:  plastic/rubber/metal etc sheeting //  --The roof was covered in plastic sheeting.//\n  2 cloth used to make sheets for a bed:


Words: Sheffield
Meaning:
a city in South Yorkshire in the north of England, famous for making tools, steel, and  cutlery (=knives, forks, and spoons) , although most of its old industry has now closed down. Sheffield is the home of the  National Centre for Popular Music.//


Words: sheikh
Meaning:
sheik/[hA35D]e[hA366]k $ [hA35D]i[hA359]k/ n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Arabic; Origin: shaykh]//\n  1 an Arab ruler or prince:\n  2 a Muslim religious leader or teacher:


Words: sheikhdom
Meaning:
sheikdom/[hA35D]e[hA366]kd[hA353]m $ [hA35D]i[hA359]k-/ n [C]   a place that is governed by an Arab prince or ruler//


Words: shekel
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Hebrew; Origin: sheqel]//  the standard unit of money in Israel//


Words: shelf
Meaning:
W3S3   n   plural  shelves /[hA35D]elvz///  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Middle Low German; Origin: schelf]//\n  1 [C] a long flat narrow board attached to a wall or in a frame or cupboard, used for putting things on:  top/bottom/next etc shelf //  --Put it back on the top shelf.//  --shelves of books//  --supermarket shelves//  --the amount of shelf space available//\n  2 [C] a narrow surface of rock shaped like a shelf, especially under water:    continental shelf//\n  3  off-the-shelf:  available to be bought immediately, without having to be specially designed or ordered//  --off-the-shelf software packages//    off-the-peg//\n  4  be (left) on the shelf:  a) if something is left on the shelf, it is not used or considered//  --The album stayed on the shelf for several years, until it was finally released.//  b)  BrE  old-fashioned to be considered too old to get married, used especially of women//    shelve(3)//


Words: shelf life
Meaning:
n [singular]   the length of time that a product, especially food, can be kept in a shop before it becomes too old to sell//  --The pies have a shelf life of approximately one week.//


Words: shell
Meaning:
W3   n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: sciell]//\n  1 :  a) the hard outer part that covers and protects an egg, nut, or seed//  --Never buy eggs with cracked shells.//  --peanuts roasted in their shells//  b) the hard protective covering of an animal such as a snail, mussel, or crab//  --a snail shell//  --The children were collecting shells on the beach.//    seashell//\n  2 a metal container, like a large bullet, which is full of an explosive substance and is fired from a large gun:  --We ran for cover as shells dropped all around us.//  --an exploding mortar shell //\n  3  especially  AmE a metal tube containing a bullet and an explosive substance:   cartridge//\n  4 the outside structure of something, especially the part of a building that remains when the rest of it has been destroyed:  shell of//  --the burnt-out shell of a nightclub//\n  5  out of your shell:  becoming less shy and more confident and willing to talk to people//  --I had hoped that university would bring him out of his shell .//  --She’s started to come out of her shell a little.//\nshell 2 v [T] \n  1 to fire shells from large guns at something:  --The army has been shelling the town since yesterday.//\n  2 to remove something such as beans or nuts from a shell or pod:  --Josie was shelling peas in the kitchen.//  shell out () [shell out (sth)] phr v//  to pay a lot of money for something, especially unwillingly//  --If you want the repairs done right, you’ll have to shell out at least $800.//  shell out  (something)  for//  --She ended up shelling out for two rooms.//


Words: shell game
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a dishonest method of doing something, in which you pretend to be doing one thing when you are really doing another//  --Critics called the proposal a shell game.//


Words: shell shock
Meaning:
n [U]  old-fashioned   a type of mental illness caused by the terrible experiences of fighting in a war or battle//


Words: shell suit
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a light brightly-coloured piece of clothing consisting of trousers and a jacket that fit tightly at the wrists and at the bottom of the legs//


Words: shell-shocked
Meaning:
adj \n  1  informal feeling tired, confused, or anxious because of a recent difficult experience:\n  2  old-fashioned mentally ill because of the terrible experiences of war:


Words: shellac
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: shell +  lac  ’hard substance produced by an insect’ (15-21 centuries) (from  Portuguese laca;   LACQUER1), translating  French laque en ecailles  ’lac in thin flakes’]//  a type of transparent paint for protecting or hardening surfaces//


Words: Shelley
Meaning:
Mary Wollstonecraft   (1797-1851) a British writer, whose best-known novel is  Frankenstein. She was married to Percy Bysshe Shelley, and was the daughter of the  feminist writer Mary  Wollstonecraft.//\n Percy Bysshe   (1792-1822) a British poet of the  Romantic Movement, who disliked religion and believed strongly in political freedom. His most famous works were written after 1818 when he went to live in Italy with his wife Mary Shelley, and they include  Adonais, written in memory of the poet John  Keats,  Prometheus Unbound, and  To a Skylark.//


Words: shellfire
Meaning:
n [U]   an explosion caused by shells being fired from large guns//  --a hospital badly damaged by shellfire//


Words: shellfish
Meaning:
n   plural  shellfish  [U and C] //  an animal that lives in water, has a shell, and can be eaten as food, for example crabs, lobsters, and oysters//


Words: shelling
Meaning:
n [U]   the firing of shells from large guns//  shelling of//  --the shelling of villages//  --weeks of heavy shelling //


Words: Shelter
Meaning:
a British  charity organization that helps people who are  homeless (=do not have a home to live in) //


Words: shelter
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from  sheltron  ’group of fighting soldiers protected by shields’ (11-16 centuries), from  Old English scieldtruma, from  scield  ’shield’ +  truma  ’group of soldiers’]//\n  1 [U] a place to live, considered as one of the basic needs of life:  --They are in desperate need of food and shelter.//\n  2 [U] protection from danger or from wind, rain, hot sun etc:  shelter of//  --We eventually reached the shelter of the caves.//  in/into/under etc the shelter of sth//  --They were standing under the shelter of a huge tree.//  --The men took shelter in a bombed-out farmhouse.//  --All around me, people were running for shelter .//  shelter from//  --An old hut gave shelter from the storm.//\n  3 [C] a building where people or animals that have nowhere to live or that are in danger can stay and receive help:  shelter for//  --a shelter for battered women//  --a homeless shelter  (=for people who have no homes) //  --an animal shelter //\n  4 [C] a building or an area with a roof over it that protects you from the weather or from danger:  air-raid/bomb/fall-out shelter (=a place to keep people safe from bombs dropped by planes) //  bus shelter  BrE  (=a small structure with a roof where you wait for a bus) //    bomb shelter,  tax shelter//\nshelter 2 v \n  1 [T] to provide a place where someone or something is protected, especially from the weather or from danger:  --Collins was arrested for sheltering enemy soldiers.//  shelter sb/sth from sb/sth//  --Plant herbs next to a wall to shelter them from the wind.//\n  2 [I] to stay in or under a place where you are protected from the weather or from danger:  shelter from//  --We sat in the shade, sheltering from the sun.//


Words: sheltered
Meaning:
adj \n  1  a sheltered life/childhood/upbringing etc:  a life etc in which someone has been too protected by their parents from difficult or unpleasant experiences//  --I had led a sheltered life and had never met prejudice before.//\n  2 a place that is sheltered is protected from extreme weather conditions:  --a sheltered valley//\n  3  sheltered accommodation/housing:   BrE a place for people to live who cannot look after themselves properly and where help is provided if they need it//  --sheltered accommodation for the elderly//


Words: shelve
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: shelves, plural of  shelf]//\n  1 [T] to decide not to continue with a plan, idea etc, although you might continue with it at a later time:  -- Plans to reopen the school have been shelved .//\n  2 [I always + adverb/preposition] land that shelves is at a slight angle:  --The garden shelves gently towards the sea.//\n  3 [T] to put something on a shelf, especially books:


Words: Shenandoah
Meaning:
a river and a valley in northwest Virginia in the eastern US. Shenandoah National Park, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, covers about 300 square miles, and includes forests and Skyline Drive, from which the Shenandoah Valley can be seen.//


Words: shenanigans
Meaning:
n [plural]  informal   bad behaviour that is not very serious, or slightly dishonest activities//  --She wouldn’t put up with his shenanigans.//  --financial shenanigans//


Words: Shepard
Meaning:
Alan   (1923-98), a US astronaut, who was the second man in space and later the fifth man to walk on the moon//


Words: shepherd
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: sceaphyrde, from  sceap  ’sheep’ +  hyrde  ’herdsman’]//  someone whose job is to take care of sheep//\nshepherd 2 v [T always + adverb/preposition]   to lead or guide a group of people somewhere, making sure that they go where you want them to go//  shepherd sb into/out/towards etc sth//  --The tour guides shepherded the rest of the group onto the bus.//


Words: shepherd’s pie
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a dish made of small pieces of cooked meat, usually lamb, covered with cooked potato//


Words: sherbet
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Turkish; Origin: serbet, from  Persian sharbat, from  Arabic sharbah  ’drink’, from  shariba  ’to drink’]//\n  1 [U and C]  AmE a sweet frozen food made with water, fruit, sugar, and milk:\n  2 [U]  BrE a powder that is eaten as a sweet:


Words: sheriff
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scirgerefa, from  scir  ’area with its own government’ +  gerefa  ’person in charge of an area’]//\n  1 an elected law officer of a county in the US:\n  2  also High Sheriff :  the representative of the King or Queen in a county of England and Wales, who has mostly ceremonial duties//\n  3 the most important judge in a district or county in Scotland:


Words: sheriff court
Meaning:
also sheriff’s court  n [C]   the lower court of law in Scotland, dealing with civil and criminal cases//


Words: Sherpa
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Tibetan; Origin: sharpa  ’someone who lives in an eastern country’]//  a Himalayan person who is often employed to guide people through mountains and carry their equipment//


Words: sherry
Meaning:
n   plural  sherries  [U and C] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: sherris  ’sherry’ (16-18 centuries), from  Xeres (now  Jerez), city in southwestern Spain]//  a pale or dark brown strong wine, originally from Spain//


Words: Sherwood Forest
Meaning:
a forest in central England, mainly in Nottinghamshire, which is famous as the place where  Robin Hood lived in old English stories//


Words: Shetland Islands also Shetland
Meaning:
the Shetlands   the Shetland Islands//  a group of about 100 small islands off the north coast of Scotland, further north than the Orkneys. The main industries of the islands are fishing, farming, producing woollen clothes, and, more recently, dealing with the oil which is taken from nearby areas of the North Sea. People from the Shetland Islands are called Shetlanders.//


Words: Shetland pony
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: Shetland islands north of Scotland]//  a small strong horse with long rough hair//


Words: shh
Meaning:
interjection   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Natural sound]//  used to tell people to be quiet//  --Shh! I can’t hear what he’s saying.//


Words: Shia
Meaning:
Shiah/[hA35D]i[hA359][hA353]/ n   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Arabic; Origin: shi’ah  ’group supporting a particular side’]//\n  1  the Shia:  the Shiite branch of the Muslim religion//\n  2 [C] a Shiite:


Words: shiatsu
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Japanese; Origin: shiatsuryoho, from  shi  ’finger’ +  atsu-  ’pressure’ +  ryoho  ’treatment’]//  a Japanese form of massage (=pressing and rubbing someone’s body) //


Words: shibboleth
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Hebrew; Origin: ’stream’, used (according to the Bible) by the Gileadite people as a way of recognizing their enemies, who could not pronounce the sh properly]//  an old idea, custom, or principle that you think is no longer important or suitable for modern times//


Words: shield
Meaning:
n [C]   shield, sword//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scield]//\n  1 :  a) a large piece of metal or leather that soldiers used in the past to protect themselves when fighting//  b) a piece of equipment made of strong plastic, used by the police to protect themselves against angry crowds//   riot shield//    human shield//\n  2 :  a) something in the shape of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is given as a prize for winning a competition, especially a sports competition//  b) a drawing or model of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is used as a coat of arms//\n  3 something that protects a person or thing from harm or damage:  shield against//  --The immune system is our body’s shield against infection.//\n  4  AmE the small piece of metal that a police officer wears to show that they are a police officer:   badge//\nshield 2 v [T]   to protect someone or something from being harmed or damaged//  --Women will often lie to shield even the most abusive partner.//  shield sb/sth from sb/sth//  --He held up his hands, shielding his eyes from the sun.//  --import tariffs that shield firms from foreign competition//


Words: shift
Meaning:
W3   v   ----------//\n   1 move:\n   2 change attention:\n   3 change opinion:\n   4 shift the blame/responsibility (onto somebody):\n   5 costs/spending:\n   6 dirt/marks:\n   7 in a car:\n   8 sell:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sciftan  ’to divide, arrange’]//\n  1 MOVE:  a)  [I and T] to move from one place or position to another, or make something do this//  --Joe listened, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.//  --She shifted her gaze from me to Bobby.//  b)  [T]  BrE  informal to move something, especially by picking it up and carrying it//  --Give me a hand to shift these chairs.//\n  2 CHANGE ATTENTION:   [T] to change a situation, discussion etc by giving special attention to one idea or subject instead of to a previous one//  shift sth away/onto/from etc//  --The White House hopes to shift the media’s attention away from foreign policy issues.//  shifts attention/emphasis/focus //  --In this stage of a rape case, the focus often shifts onto the victim and her conduct.//  shift gear  AmE  (=change what you are doing) //  --It’s hard to shift gear when you come home after a busy day at work.//\n  3 CHANGE OPINION:   [I and T] if someone’s opinions, beliefs etc shift, they change//  --Public opinion was beginning to shift to the right (=become more right-wing) .//  --shifting attitudes towards marriage//  --He refused to shift his ground  (=change his opinion) .//\n  4  shift the blame/responsibility (onto sb):  to make someone else responsible for something, especially for something bad that has happened//  --It was a clear attempt to shift the responsibility for the crime onto the victim.//\n  5 COSTS/SPENDING:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to change the way that money is paid or spent//  --the need to shift more resources towards reducing poverty//\n  6 DIRT/MARKS:   [T]  BrE to remove dirt or marks from a surface or piece of clothing//  --a new washing powder that will shift any stain //\n  7 IN A CAR:   [I and T]  especially American English to change the gears when you are driving//  British Equivalent:  change//  --I shifted into second gear.//\n  8 SELL:   [T]  BrE  informal to sell a product, especially a lot of it//  --The store shifted over 1,000 copies of the book last week.//\nshift 2 n [C] \n  1 a change in the way people think about something, in the way something is done etc:  shift from/to//  --the shift from one type of economic system to another//  shift in//  --an important shift in policy//  --a marked shift  (=noticeable change) in attitudes towards women//\n  2 :  a) if workers in a factory, hospital etc work shifts, they work for a particular period of time during the day or night, and are then replaced by others, so that there are always people working//  do/work a (10/12/24 etc hour) shift //  --Dave had to work a 12-hour shift yesterday.//  --I work shifts.//  night/day etc shift //  --The thought of working night shifts put her off becoming a nurse.//  early/late shift //  --I’m on the early shift tomorrow.//  shift work/worker/working //  --people who do shift work//  --A shift system has been introduced.//  b) the workers who work during one of these periods//  night/day/early/late shift //  --before the early shift goes off duty//\n  3 a shift key:  --To run the spellchecker, press SHIFT and F7.//\n  4 a simple straight loose-fitting woman’s dress:


Words: shiftless
Meaning:
adj   lazy and having no interest in working hard or trying to succeed//  -- shiftlessness n  [U] //


Words: shifty
Meaning:
adj  informal   looking dishonest//  --He looks a bit shifty to me.//  --shifty eyes//  -- shiftily adv //


Words: Shiite
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: Shia]//  a member of one of the two main groups in the Muslim religion//  -- Shiite adj  [usually before noun] //    Sunni//


Words: shilling
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scilling]//\n  1 an old British coin or unit of money. There were 20 shillings in one pound.:\n  2 the standard unit of money in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia:


Words: shilly-shally
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shilly-shallied present participle  shilly-shallying third person singular  shillyshallies  [I]  informal //  [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: shall I?; probably influenced by  dilly-dally]//  to waste time or take too long to make a decision//


Words: shimmer
Meaning:
v [I]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scimerian]//  to shine with a soft light that looks as if it shakes slightly//  --The lake shimmered in the moonlight.//  -- shimmer n  [singular, U] //  --the shimmer of petrol on the road//


Words: shimmy
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shimmied present participle  shimmying third person singular  shimmies  [I] //  [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: shimmy type of dance  (1900-2000), perhaps from  shimmy  ’simple dress or piece of women’s underwear’ (19-20 centuries), from  chemise]//  to move forwards or backwards while also quickly moving slightly from side to side//


Words: shin
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scinu]//  the front part of your leg between your knee and your foot//\nshin 2   past tense and past participle  shinned present participle  shinning  v [I]  BrE //  shin up/down//  to climb quickly up or down a tree, pole etc by using your hands and legs//  American Equivalent:  shinny//  --He shinned up a tree.//


Words: shindig
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Probably from  shinty Scottish game similar to hockey  (17-21 centuries)]//  a noisy party - used especially in news reports//


Words: shine
Meaning:
S3   v   past tense and past participle  shone /[hA35D][hA361]n $ [hA35D]o[hA35E]n///  [Language: Old English; Origin: scinan]//\n  1 [I] to produce bright light:  --The sun was shining .//  --The moon shone brightly in the sky.//  shine in/on//  --That lamp’s shining in my eyes.//\n  2 [T] if you shine a light somewhere, you point it in that direction:  shine sth on/at/around etc sth//  --Shine that torch over here, will you?//\n  3 [I] to look bright and smooth:  --Marion polished the table until it shone.//  --She had shining black hair .//\n  4 [T] :  past tense and past participle  shined to make something bright by rubbing it//   polish//  --His shoes were shined to perfection.//\n  5 [I] if your eyes shine, or your face shines, you have an expression of happiness:  shine with//  --’It was wonderful!’ Kate replied, her eyes shining with excitement.//\n  6 [I not in progressive] to be very good at something:  --The concert will give young jazz musicians a chance to shine.//  shine at/in//  --Peter didn’t really shine at school.//\n  7  shining example:  something or someone that is an excellent example of a particular quality and should be admired//  shining example of//  --The house is a shining example of Art Deco architecture.//  shine through phr v//  if a quality that someone has shines through, you can easily see that they have it//  --What shines through in all her work is her enthusiasm for life.//\nshine 2 n \n  1 [singular, U] the brightness that something has when light shines on it:  --Lucy’s dark hair seemed to have lost its shine.//\n  2  take a shine to sb:   informal to like someone very much when you have only just met them//    (come) rain or shine at rain1 (4)//


Words: shingle
Meaning:
n   [Sense: 1,3; Date: 1100-1200; Origin:  Probably from  Latin scindula  ’flat piece of wood’]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//\n  1 [U and C] one of many small thin pieces of wood or another building material, fastened in rows to cover a roof or wall:\n  2 [U] small round pieces of stone on a beach:  --the crash of waves on the shingle//  --a shingle beach //\n  3  hang out your shingle:   AmE to start your own business, especially as a doctor or lawyer//


Words: shinny
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shinnied present participle  shinnying third person singular  shinnies  [I]  AmE //  [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: shin  ’to climb holding on with your legs’ (19-21 centuries), from  shin (noun)]//  shinny up/down//  to climb quickly up or down a tree, pole etc by using your hands and legs//  British Equivalent:  shin//


Words: Shinto
Meaning:
[U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Japanese; Origin: Chinese shin tao  ’way of the gods’]//  the ancient traditional religion of Japan//


Words: shiny
Meaning:
adj   smooth and bright//  --shiny black shoes//  --a shiny polished table//  --Her hair was thick and shiny.//  -- shininess n  [U] //


Words: ship
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scip]//\n  1 a large boat used for carrying people or goods across the sea:  --the ship’s captain//  --a luxury cruise ship//  by ship//  --supplies that came by ship//\n  2 a large spacecraft:    jump ship at jump1 (16),  run a tight ship at tight1 (5)//  ----------//  WORD FOCUS: ship //  a ship that carries people: passenger ship,  cruise ship,  liner,  ferry,  ro-ro //  a ship that carries goods: cargo ship,  merchant ship,  freighter,  oil tanker,  super tanker,  barge //  a small ship: boat,  motorboat,  powerboat //  a ship with sails: yacht,  dinghy,  sailing ship,  sailing boat (BrE) sailboat (AmE),  catamaran //  a fighting ship: warship,  aircraft carrier,  battleship,  cruiser,  frigate,  destroyer,  minesweeper,  gunboat,  man-of-war (old-fashioned) //  a ship that people live on: houseboat,  narrow boat (BrE) //  a ship that goes under water: submarine //  people on a ship: sailor,  captain,  passenger,  seaman,  the crew //  parts of a ship: deck,  cabin,  porthole,  engine room,  mast,  rudder,  hull //  See also:  vessel, steamer, steamship, raft, navy, dock, port//  ----------//\nship 2 v   past tense and past participle  shipped present participle  shipping //\n  1 [T] to send goods somewhere by ship, plane, truck etc:  ship sth out/to/over etc//  --A new engine was shipped over from the US.//\n  2 [I and T]  technical to make a piece of computer equipment or software available for people to buy:  --They’re now shipping their long-awaited MS-DOS version of the X-Window System.//  --Both products are due to ship at the beginning of June.//\n  3 [T] to order someone to go somewhere:  ship sb off/out etc//  --He was shipped off to a juvenile detention center.//    shipping//    shape up or ship out at shape up(3)//


Words: ship-to-shore
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   providing communication between a ship and people on land//  --ship-to-shore radio//


Words: shipload
Meaning:
n [C]   the amount of goods or people a ship can carry//  shipload of//  --Several shiploads of grain arrived in the harbor that day.//


Words: shipment
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a load of goods sent by sea, road, or air, or the act of sending them//  shipment of//  --a shipment of grain//  arms/oil/drug etc shipment //  --an illegal arms shipment//  --The goods are ready for shipment.//


Words: shipping
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 ships considered as a group:  --The port is closed to all shipping.//\n  2 the delivery of goods, especially by ship:  shipping company/industry/agent etc //  --a Danish shipping company//  --a shipping route//\n  3  AmE the amount of money you pay a company to deliver goods to you:  --The jewelry can be yours for $15 plus shipping and handling .//


Words: shipshape
Meaning:
adj [not before noun]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: shipshapen  ’made appropriate for a ship’ (1600-1700), from  shapen, old past participle of  shape]//  neat and clean//  --Let’s get this house shipshape.//  shipshape and Bristol fashion  BrE  (=shipshape) //


Words: shipwreck
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] the destruction of a ship in an accident:  --survivors of the shipwreck//  --narrowly escaping shipwreck//\n  2 [C] a ship that has been destroyed in an accident:   wreck//\nshipwreck 2 v   be shipwrecked//  if someone is shipwrecked, they are in a boat or ship when it is destroyed in an accident//  --Beatty was shipwrecked off the coast of Africa.//


Words: Shiraz
Meaning:
a type of red wine made from the Shiraz  grape. Shiraz is made especially in Australia and South Africa.//


Words: shire
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  the shires:   also  the shire counties//   counties in England that mostly consist of country areas//\n  2  BrE  old use a county:


Words: shirk
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  German schurke  ’bad man’]//  to deliberately avoid doing something you should do, because you are lazy//  --a salesman who was fired for shirking//  shirk your responsibilities/duties/obligations //  --parents who shirk their responsibilities towards their children//  -- shirker n  [C] //


Words: Shirley Temple
Meaning:
a popular drink for children in the US, made from  lemonade and  grenadine (=a sweet red liquid) , and served with a  cherry. Shirley Temples are usually served in restaurants, and they are sometimes called  Roy Rogers if they are served to boys.//


Words: shirt
Meaning:
W3S2   n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scyrte]//\n  1 a piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and your arms, usually has a collar, and is fastened at the front by buttons:    blouse//  --I have to wear a shirt and tie to work.//  --a check shirt//\n  2  keep your shirt on:   spoken used to tell someone who is becoming angry that they should stay calm//\n  3  put/bet/stake your shirt on sth:   BrE  informal to risk all your money on something//    stuffed shirt//


Words: shirtsleeves
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  in (your) shirtsleeves:  wearing a shirt but no jacket//\n  2 the part of a shirt that covers your arm:


Words: shish kebab
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Armenian; Origin: Turkish, from  sis  ’long thin metal stick’ +  kebap (  KABOB)]//  small pieces of meat that are put on a long thin stick and cooked//


Words: shit
Meaning:
interjection  not polite   used to express anger, annoyance, fear, or disappointment//   damn//  --Shit! I’ve left my purse at home.//\nshit 2 S2 n  spoken not polite   ----------//\n   1 body waste:\n   2 something bad:\n   3 stupid/untrue talk:\n   4 not give a shit (what/whether/about etc):\n   5 have/get the shits:\n   6 take/put up with shit (from somebody):\n   7 person:\n   8 feel/look like shit:\n   9 treat somebody like shit:\n  10 somebody’s possessions:\n  11 shit happens:\n  12 ... and shit:\n  13 no shit:\n  14 in deep shit:\n  15 beat/kick etc the shit out of somebody:\n  16 give somebody shit:\n  17 the shit hits the fan:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scite]//\n  1 BODY WASTE:  a)  [U] solid waste that comes out of your body from your bowels//  --a car covered in bird shit//  b)  [singular] an act of getting rid of solid waste from your bowels//  take a shit  also //  have a shit  BrE //\n  2 SOMETHING BAD:   [U] something that you think is bad or of very bad quality, or a bad situation//  --I’m not eating that shit!//  piece/pile/load etc of shit //\n  3 STUPID/UNTRUE TALK:   [U] something that someone says that you think is stupid or untrue//   nonsense//  --You expect me to believe that shit?//  --You’re full of shit  (=the things you say are stupid or untrue) .//\n  4  not give a shit (what/whether/about etc):  to not care at all about something or someone//   not give a damn//  --I don’t give a shit what you think!//\n  5  have/get the shits:  to have or get diarrhoea (=an illness in which solid waste comes out of your body in a much more liquid form than usual) //\n  6  take/put up with shit (from sb):  to allow someone to behave badly or treat you badly//\n  7 PERSON:   [C] someone who is very unpleasant and treats other people badly//\n  8  feel/look like shit:  to feel or look very ill, or to not look as neat and clean as you should//\n  9  treat sb like shit:  to treat someone very badly//\n  10 SOMEBODY’S POSSESSIONS:   AmE  [U] someone’s possessions, especially the things they have with them//  --Get your shit together then come on over.//\n  11  shit happens:  used to say that sometimes bad things happen, and people cannot always prevent them from happening//\n  12  ... and shit:  used to say that there are more details that you could mention, but it should be clear to someone else what you mean//  --You said you had maps and shit.//\n  13  no shit:   AmE //  a) used to express surprise or to check whether what someone has just said is true//  --’I can get you one for $50.’ ’No shit?’//  b) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, or to agree that what someone else says is true//  --They had like, no shit, 40 different kinds of beer.//\n  14  in deep shit:   also in the shit  BrE in a lot of trouble//   in big trouble//\n  15  beat/kick etc the shit out of sb:  to beat, kick etc someone so violently that they are badly injured//\n  16  give sb shit:  to insult someone or criticize them//\n  17  the shit hits the fan:  used to say that there will be a lot of trouble when someone finds out about something//    be hot shit at hot1 (4),  tough shit! at tough1 (8)//\nshit 3 v   past tense and past participle  shit  or  shat /[hA35D][zB024]t/present participle  shitting  spoken  not polite //\n  1  shit yourself:   BrE  shit (in) your pants//   AmE to feel very worried or frightened//\n  2 [I] to pass solid waste out of your body from your bowels:\n  3 [T]  AmE to tell someone something that is untrue:  --Are you shitting me?//\n  4 [I] to treat someone very badly:  shit on//  --This will teach you not to shit on me.//\nshit 4 adj  BrE  spoken not polite   very bad//  --a really shit job//  shit at//  --I’m shit at tennis.//    up shit creek at creek(3)//


Words: shithead
Meaning:
n [C]  spoken not polite   a very offensive word for someone who you think is very stupid or who you are very angry with//


Words: shiver
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin: chiver  ’to shiver’ (13-16 centuries), perhaps from  chavel  ’to talk without purpose, chatter’ (13-14 centuries), from  Old English ceafl  ’jaw’]//  to shake slightly because you are cold or frightened//   tremble//  --Jake stood shivering in the cold air.//  shiver with cold/fear/delight etc //  --She shivered with fear and anger.//   see usage note  shake1 //\nshiver 2 n [C] \n  1 a slight shaking movement of your body caused by cold or fear:   tremble//  --A shiver ran through  (=went through) me.//  shiver of//  --She felt a shiver of apprehension. see usage note  shake1 //\n  2  give you the shivers:   informal to make you feel afraid//    send shivers (up and) down your spine at send(10)//


Words: shivery
Meaning:
adj [not before noun]   trembling or shaking because of cold, fear, or illness//  --He felt shivery and nauseous.//


Words: shoal
Meaning:
n [C]   [Sense: 1; Origin: Old English scolu  ’large group’]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 1300-1400; Origin: shoal  ’not deep’ (11-20 centuries), from  Old English sceald]//\n  1 a large group of fish swimming together:   school//  shoal of//  --a shoal of fish//\n  2 a small hill of sand just below the surface of water that makes it dangerous for boats:


Words: shock
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 unexpected event/situation:\n   2 unexpected unpleasant feeling:\n   3 medical:\n   4 electricity:\n   5 vehicle:\n   6 shock of hair:\n   7 sudden change:\n   8 shaking:  ----------//  [Sense: 1-5, 7-8; Origin: French choc, from  choquer  ’to strike against’]//  [Sense: 6; Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  shock  ’bunch of cut wheat, corn, etc.’ (14-20 centuries), or from  shock  ’dog with long rough hair’ (17-19 centuries)]//\n  1 UNEXPECTED EVENT/SITUATION:   [C usually singular] if something that happens is a shock, you did not expect it, and it makes you feel very surprised, and usually upset//  be a shock to discover/find/realize etc that //  --It was a real shock to hear that the factory would have to close.//  --Chuck’s death came as a complete shock to all of us.//  --Moving to France was a bit of a shock to the system  (=a big shock) .//\n  2 UNEXPECTED UNPLEASANT FEELING:   [singular, U] the feeling of surprise and disbelief you have when something very unexpected happens, especially something bad or frightening//  --She was shaking with shock and humiliation.//  --The whole town was still in a state of shock  (=extremely shocked by something and unable to think or react normally) .//  get/have the shock of your life  BrE  (=get a very big shock) //  --He got the shock of his life when he found out who I was.//  shock of (doing) sth//  --Mom’s never really gotten over the shock of Dad’s death.//  --They’ll get a shock when they get this bill.//  --Anyone who thinks that bringing up children is easy is in for a big shock  (=will have a big shock) .//\n  3 MEDICAL:   [U] a medical condition in which someone looks pale and their heart and lungs are not working correctly, usually after a sudden very unpleasant experience//  --He was bleeding from the head and suffering from shock .//  --He is clearly in a state of shock .//  --The tanker driver was treated for shock and released.//\n  4 ELECTRICITY:   [C] an electric shock//\n  5 VEHICLE:   [C usually plural] a shock absorber//\n  6  shock of hair:  a very thick mass of hair//  --an energetic young man with a shock of red hair//\n  7 SUDDEN CHANGE:   [C] a sudden unexpected change which threatens the economic situation, way of life, or traditions of a group of people - used especially in news reports//  --the oil shocks of the 1970s//\n  8 SHAKING:   [U and C] violent shaking caused for example by an explosion or earthquake//  --The shock was felt miles away.//    shock wave,  culture shock,  shocked,  shell shock,  toxic shock syndrome//\nshock 2 v \n  1 [T] to make someone feel very surprised and upset, and unable to believe what has happened:  --The hatred in her voice shocked him.//  shock sb to hear/learn/discover etc that //  --They had been shocked to hear that the hospital was closing down.//  --It shocked me to think how close we had come to being killed.//  shock sb into (doing) sth//  --She was shocked into action by the desperate situation in the orphanages.//\n  2 [I and T] to make someone feel very offended, by talking or behaving in an immoral or socially unacceptable way:  --He seems to enjoy shocking people.//  --Just ignore the bad language - they only do it to shock.//    shocked,  shocking//\nshock 3 adj [only before noun] \n  1 very surprising - used especially in news reports:  --England’s shock defeat by Luxembourg//\n  2  shock tactics:  methods of achieving what you want by deliberately shocking people//  --Shock tactics are being used to stop drink drivers.//


Words: shock absorber
Meaning:
n [C]   a piece of equipment connected to each wheel of a vehicle to make travelling on uneven ground more comfortable//


Words: shock jock
Meaning:
n [C]  especially AmE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  jock from  disc jockey]//  someone on a radio show who plays music and talks about subjects that offend many people//


Words: shock treatment
Meaning:
also shock therapy  n [U] \n  1 treatment of mental illness using powerful electric shocks:\n  2 the use of extreme methods to change a system or solve a problem as quickly as possible - used especially in news reports:  --the government’s shock therapy economic programme//


Words: shock wave
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] a very strong wave of air pressure or heat from an explosion, earthquake etc:  --The shock wave from the blast blew out 22 windows in the courthouse.//\n  2  shock waves:  strong feelings of shock that people feel when something bad happens unexpectedly - used especially in news reports//  --The child’s murder sent shock waves through the neighborhood.//  --the shock waves caused by his resignation//


Words: shocked
Meaning:
S3   adj \n  1 feeling surprised and upset by something very unexpected and unpleasant:  shocked by//  --I was deeply shocked by Jo’s death.//  shocked at//  --He is shocked at what happened to his son.//  shocked look/expression/voice etc //  --She gave him a shocked look.//  --For a few minutes she stood in shocked silence .//  --We were too shocked to talk.//\n  2 very offended because something seems immoral or socially unacceptable :  shocked by//  --Many people were shocked by the film when it first came out.//  shocked at//  --They were  deeply shocked  at her behaviour.//  ----------//  WORD FOCUS: shocked //  similar words: horrified,  stunned,  shaken,  traumatized,  outraged,  aghast (written) //  See also:  surprised//  ----------//


Words: shocker
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   a film, news story, action etc that shocks you - used especially in news reports//  --TV star in drugs shocker!//


Words: shocking
Meaning:
S3   adj \n  1 very surprising, upsetting, and difficult to believe:  --the shocking news that Mark had hanged himself//  --a shocking discovery//  --The anger in his face was shocking.//\n  2 morally wrong:  -- It’s shocking that hospitals can deny help to older people.//  --a shocking waste of money//\n  3  BrE  informal very bad:   terrible//  --The path was in a shocking state .//  --I’ve got a shocking cold.//  -- shockingly adv //    shock2 //


Words: shockproof
Meaning:
adj   a watch, machine etc that is shockproof is designed so that it is not easily damaged if it is dropped or hit//


Words: shod
Meaning:
adj  especially literary   wearing shoes of the type mentioned//  well/elegantly/badly etc shod //  --The children were well shod and happy.//  shod in//  --His large feet were shod in trainers.//    shoe2 //


Words: shoddy
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: shoddy  ’cloth made from reused wool’ (19-20 centuries)]//\n  1 made or done cheaply or carelessly:  shoddy goods/service/workmanship etc //  --We’re not paying good money for shoddy goods.//\n  2 unfair and dishonest:  --shoddy journalism//  -- shoddily adv //  -- shoddiness n  [U] //


Words: shoe
Meaning:
W3S2   n [C]   heel, upper, toe, lace, lining, sole//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scoh]//\n  1 something that you wear to cover your feet, made of leather or some other strong material:  --I sat down and took off my shoes and socks.//  --a pair of shoes //  --He was wearing pointed black shoes .//  --What size shoes do you take?//  -- high-heeled shoes //  -- running shoes //  --a shoe shop//  --shoe polish//\n  2  in sb’s shoes:  in someone else’s situation, especially a bad one//  --I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes when his wife finds out what happened.//  --Anyone in her shoes would have done the same thing.//  --Don’t be cross with them. Try to put yourself in their shoes  (=imagine what it would feel like to be in their situation) .//\n  3  step into/fill sb’s shoes:  to do a job that someone else used to do, and do it as well as they did//  --It’ll be hard to find someone to fill Pete’s shoes.//\n  4 a curved piece of iron that is nailed onto a horse’s foot:   horseshoe//    if the shoe fits, (wear it) at fit1 (8)//\nshoe 2   past tense and past participle  shod /[hA35D][hA361]d $ [hA35D][hA35A][hA359]d/present participle  shoeing  v [T] //  to put a horseshoe on a horse//  --We took the horses to be shod.//    shod//


Words: shoebox
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a cardboard box that shoes are sold in:\n  2  BrE  informal a very small room, house etc:  --I was living in a shoebox in Clapham.//


Words: shoehorn
Meaning:
shoe-horn/[hA35D]u[hA359]h[hA350][hA359]n $ -h[hA350][hA359]rn/ n [C]   a curved piece of metal or plastic that you put inside the back of a shoe when you put it on, to help your heel go in easily//


Words: shoelace
Meaning:
n [C]   a thin piece of material, like string, that goes through holes in the front of your shoes and is used to fasten them//   lace//  tie/untie a shoelace //  --Roger bent to tie his shoelace.//  --Your shoelaces are undone.//


Words: shoeshine
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   an occasion when someone polishes your shoes for money//  --a shoeshine stand//


Words: shoestring
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  on a shoestring:   informal if you do something on a shoestring, you do it without spending much money//  run/operate/do sth on a shoestring //  --The program was run on a shoestring.//\n  2  shoestring organization/operation/budget etc:  a business, organization etc that does not have much money available to spend//\n  3  AmE a shoelace:


Words: shogun
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Japanese; Origin: ’general’]//  a military leader in Japan until the middle of the 19th century//


Words: shoo
Meaning:
interjection   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Natural sound]//  used to tell an animal or a child to go away//\nshoo 2 v [T always + adverb/preposition]  informal   to make an animal or a child go away, especially because they are annoying you//  shoo sb away/out etc//  --He shooed the kids out of the kitchen.//


Words: shoo-in
Meaning:
n [C]  especially AmE  informal   someone who is expected to easily win a race, election etc//  shoo-in for//  --He was far from a shoo-in for president.//  shoo-in to do sth//  --He looked like a shoo-in to win the Democratic nomination.//


Words: shoot
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shot /[hA35D][hA361]t $ [hA35D][hA35A][hA359]t///  ----------//\n   1 kill/injure:\n   2 fire a gun etc:\n   3 birds/animals:\n   4 move quickly:\n   5 try to score:\n   6 look at somebody:\n   7 photograph/film:\n   8 pain:\n   9 shoot it out (with somebody):\n  10 shoot yourself in the foot:\n  11 shoot questions at somebody:\n  12 shoot your mouth off:\n  13 shoot the bull/breeze:\n  14 shoot:\n  15 shoot from the hip:\n  16 shoot to fame/stardom/prominence:\n  17 shoot to number 1/to the top of the charts etc:\n  18 shoot hoops/baskets:\n  19 shoot the rapids:\n  20 shoot pool:\n  21 shoot craps:\n  22 plants:\n  23 lock on a door:\n  24 have shot your bolt:\n  25 shoot your load:  Phrasal verbs//   shoot somebody/something → down//   shoot for/at something//   shoot off//   shoot through//   shoot up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceotan]//\n  1 KILL/INJURE:   [T] to deliberately kill or injure someone using a gun//  --Police shot one suspect when he pulled a gun on them.//  --Smith killed his wife, and then shot himself.//  --A woman was shot dead in an attempted robbery.//  shoot sb in the leg/head etc //  --He had been shot in the back while trying to escape.//  --The guards have orders to shoot intruders on sight  (=shoot them as soon as they see them) .//\n  2 FIRE A GUN ETC:   [I and T] to make a bullet or arrow come from a weapon//  --Don’t shoot! I’m coming out with my hands up.//  shoot at//  --Two guys walked in and started shooting at people.//  --The soldiers had orders to shoot to kill  (=shoot at someone with the intention of killing them) .//  shoot bullets/arrows //  --They shot arrows from behind the thick bushes.//  shoot a gun/rifle etc //  --Tod’s grandfather taught him to shoot a rifle.//\n  3 BIRDS/ANIMALS:   [I and T] to shoot and kill animals or birds as a sport//  --They spent the weekend in Scotland shooting grouse.//\n  4 MOVE QUICKLY:   [I,T always + adverb/preposition] to move quickly in a particular direction, or to make something move in this way//  --She shot past me and ran into the house.//  --The cat shot across the garden, and up a tree.//  --’Where does cotton come from?’ Ron’s hand shot up. ’America, Miss!’//  --The fountain shoots water 20 feet into the air.//\n  5 TRY TO SCORE:   [I and T] to kick or throw a ball in a sport such as football or basketball towards the place where you can get a point//  --Giggs shot from the halfway line.//\n  6 LOOK AT SOMEBODY:   shoot sb a look/glance//   also shoot a glance at sb //  to look at someone quickly, especially so that other people do not see, to show them how you feel//  shoot sb a quick/sharp/warning etc look/glance //  --’You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ Michelle shot him a furious glance.//  --Jack shot an anxious look at his mother.//\n  7 PHOTOGRAPH/FILM:   [I and T] to take photographs or make a film of something//  --The movie was shot in New Zealand.//\n  8 PAIN:   [I always + adverb/preposition] if pain shoots through your body, you feel it going quickly through it//  shoot through/along//  --A sharp pain suddenly shot along his arm.//  shooting pains (=continuous short pains passing through your body) //\n  9  shoot it out (with sb):  if people shoot it out, they fight using guns, especially until one person or group is killed or defeated by the other//  --a scene in which the cops shoot it out with the drug dealers//\n  10  shoot yourself in the foot:  to say or do something stupid that will cause you a lot of trouble//  --If he keeps talking, pretty soon he’ll shoot himself in the foot.//\n  11  shoot questions at sb:  to ask someone a lot of questions very quickly//  --The prosecutor shot a series of rapid questions at Hendrickson.//\n  12  shoot your mouth off:   informal to talk about something that you should not talk about or that you know nothing about//  --Don’t go shooting your mouth off.//\n  13  shoot the bull/breeze:   AmE  informal to have an informal conversation about unimportant things//  --Cal and I were sitting on the porch, shooting the breeze.//\n  14  shoot:   AmE  spoken used to tell someone to start speaking//  --’I have a few questions.’ ’OK, shoot.’//\n  15  shoot from the hip:  to say what you think in a direct way, or make a decision very quickly, without thinking about it first//\n  16  shoot to fame/stardom/prominence:  to suddenly become very famous//  --Brian, an air steward, shot to fame on the television show ’Big Brother’.//\n  17  shoot to number 1/to the top of the charts etc:  to suddenly become very successful in the popular music charts (=the list of records that have sold the most copies that week) //  --Westlife’s new album shot straight to the top of the charts.//\n  18  shoot hoops/baskets:   informal to practise throwing basketballs into the basket//\n  19  shoot the rapids:  to sail a small boat along a river that is moving very fast over rocks, as a sport//  --He was shooting the rapids when his canoe capsized.//\n  20  shoot pool:   informal to play the game of pool//\n  21  shoot craps:   AmE  informal to play the game of craps//\n  22 PLANTS:   [I] if a plant shoots, a new part of it starts to grow, especially a new stem and leaves//\n  23 LOCK ON A DOOR:   [T] to move the bolt on a door so that it is in the locked or unlocked position//\n  24  have shot your bolt:   BrE  informal  also have shot your wad  informal  AmE to have used all of your money, power, energy etc//\n  25  shoot your load:   informal to ejaculate//    blame/shoot the messenger at messenger1 (2)//  shoot down [shoot sb/sth → down] phr v//\n  1 to make an enemy plane crash to the ground, by firing weapons at it:  --His plane was shot down over France in 1944.//\n  2 to kill or seriously injure someone by shooting them, especially someone who cannot defend themselves:  --The army were accused of shooting down unarmed demonstrators.//\n  3  informal to say or show that someone’s ideas or opinions are wrong or stupid:  --I tried to help, but all my suggestions were shot down in flames , as usual.//  shoot for/at [shoot for/at sth] phr v//  to try to achieve a particular aim, especially one that is very difficult//   aim for//  --We are shooting for a 50% increase in sales in the next financial year.//  shoot off phr v//  to leave somewhere quickly or suddenly//  --Sorry, but I’ll have to shoot off before the end of the meeting.//  shoot through phr v//   AusE  informal to leave a place quickly, especially in order to avoid someone or something//    be shot through with sth at shot2 (3)//  shoot up phr v//\n  1 to increase very quickly and suddenly:  --Demand for water has shot up by 70% over the last 30 years.//\n  2 if a child shoots up, he or she grows taller very quickly and suddenly:  --I can’t believe this is Joshua - he’s shot up since we last saw him!//\n  3  shoot sb/sth → up:  to cause serious injury or damage to someone or something by shooting them with bullets//  --Then two men came in and shot up the entire lobby.//\n  4  shoot up (sth):   informal to put illegal drugs into your blood, using a needle//  --Kids as young as ten are shooting up heroin.//\nshoot 2 n [C] \n  1 the part of a plant that comes up above the ground when it is just beginning to grow, or a new part that grows on an existing plant:  --Tender green shoots will appear in February.//\n  2 an occasion when someone takes photographs or makes a film:  --a photo shoot sponsored by Kodak//  on a shoot//  --She’s out on a video shoot .//\n  3 an occasion when people shoot birds or animals for sport, or the area of land where they do this:  on a shoot//  --The royal party was on a shoot when the incident occurred.//\n  4  green shoots (of recovery):   BrE the first sign that a situation is improving, especially an economic situation//\nshoot 3 interjection  AmE  informal   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  Used to avoid saying  shit]//  used to show that you are annoyed or disappointed about something//  --Oh, shoot! I forgot to buy milk.//


Words: shoot-out
Meaning:
n [C]   a fight using guns//  --Two people were killed tonight in a shoot-out with police.//    penalty shoot-out//


Words: shooter
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who shoots a gun:\n  2  informal a gun:\n  3  AmE a basketball player who is good at throwing the ball through the basket:    peashooter,  six-shooter,  troubleshooter//


Words: shooting
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a situation in which someone is injured or killed by a gun:  --His brother was killed in a shooting incident last year.//  --the accidental shooting of a child//\n  2 [U] the sport of shooting animals and birds with guns:  --the grouse shooting season //  --The shooting party set off shortly before dawn.//\n  3 [U] the process of taking photographs or making a film:  --We had two weeks of rehearsals before shooting began.//


Words: shooting gallery
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a place where people shoot guns at objects to win prizes:\n  2  AmE  informal an empty building in a city, where people buy illegal drugs and inject them:


Words: shooting match
Meaning:
n   the whole shooting match//   BrE  spoken everything, or an event that is the most complete of its kind//  --We’re having a big church wedding with bridesmaids, a pageboy - the whole shooting match.//


Words: shooting star
Meaning:
n [C]   a piece of rock or metal from space, that burns brightly as it falls towards the Earth//   meteor//


Words: shop
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 place where you buy things:\n   2 place which makes/repairs things:\n   3 school subject:\n   4 set up shop:\n   5 shut up shop:\n   6 talk shop:\n   7 all over the shop:\n   8 go shopping:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceoppa  ’stall’]//\n  1 PLACE WHERE YOU BUY THINGS:   [C]  especially BrE a building or part of a building where you can buy things, food, or services//  American Equivalent:  store//  toy/pet/shoe/gift etc shop //  --Her brother runs a record shop in Chester.//  --a barber’s shop//  --a fish-and-chip shop//  --the local shops//  --Shirley saw her reflection in the shop window.//  in the shops//  --New potatoes are in the shops now.//  --I’m just going down to the shops .//  wander/browse around the shops //  --I spent a happy afternoon wandering around the shops.//    bucket shop,  corner shop,  coffee shop//\n  2 PLACE WHICH MAKES/REPAIRS THINGS:   [C] a place where something is made or repaired//  --The generators are put together in the machine shop .//  --a bicycle repair shop//    shop floor,  shop steward//\n  3 SCHOOL SUBJECT:   also shop class //   [U]  AmE a subject taught in schools that shows students how to use tools and machinery to make or repair things//  in shop//  --Doug made this table in shop.//  wood/metal/print etc shop //  --One auto shop class is run just for girls.//\n  4  set up shop:   informal to start a business//\n  5  shut up shop:   BrE close up shop  AmE  informal to close a shop or business, either temporarily or permanently//\n  6  talk shop:   informal to talk about things that are related to your work, especially in a way that other people find boring//  --I’m fed up with you two talking shop.//    shop talk//\n  7  all over the shop:   BrE  spoken //  a) scattered around untidily//  --There were bits of paper all over the shop.//  b) confused and disorganized//  --I’m all over the shop this morning.//\n  8 GO SHOPPING:   [singular]  BrE  spoken an occasion when you go shopping, especially for food and other things you need regularly//  --She always does the weekly shop on a Friday.//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: shop, store //  In British English,  shop  is the usual word and  store is sometimes used to mean a very large shop where many different kinds of things are sold, for example a large supermarket or  department store : They live opposite a row of shops. | This item is available in our London store . //  In American English,  store  is the usual word and  shop is sometimes used to mean a small store that sells one type of goods : Will you go to the store for me? |  a card shop //  In British English, you can talk about  the shops : I’m going to the shops - do you want anything? But speakers of American English never say ’the stores’. //  ----------//\nshop 2 S2 v   past tense and past participle  shopped present participle  shopping //\n  1 [I] to go to one or more shops to buy things:  shop for//  --I usually shop for vegetables in the market.//  shop at//  --She always shops at Tesco’s.//    window-shopping//\n  2  go shopping:   also be out shopping //  to go to one or more shops to buy things, often for enjoyment//  --The next day, Saturday, we went shopping.//  --Mum’s out shopping with Granny.//\n  3 [T]  BrE  informal to tell the police about someone who has done something illegal:  --He was shopped by his ex-wife.//  shop around phr v//  to compare the price and quality of different things before you decide which to buy//  --Prices vary widely so shop around before you buy.//  shop around for//  --Take time to shop around for the best deal.//


Words: shop assistant
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone whose job is to help customers in a shop//  American Equivalent:  sales clerk//


Words: shop floor
Meaning:
n [singular] \n  1 the area in a factory where the ordinary workers do their work:  on the shop floor//  --The chairwoman started her working life on the shop floor.//\n  2 the ordinary workers in a factory, not the managers:  --negotiations between the shop floor and management//


Words: shop steward
Meaning:
n [C]   a worker who is elected by members of a trade union in a factory or other business to represent them in dealing with managers//


Words: shop-bought
Meaning:
adj  BrE   bought in a shop, rather than made at home//  American Equivalent:  store-bought//  → homemade//  --Why buy shop-bought yoghurt when you can easily make your own?//  --Home-made marzipan has a better flavour than most shop-bought varieties.//


Words: shop-soiled
Meaning:
adj  BrE \n  1 a product that is shop-soiled is slightly damaged or dirty because it has been in a shop for a long time:  American Equivalent:  shopworn//  --shop-soiled goods//\n  2 an idea that is shop-soiled is no longer interesting because it has been discussed many times before:  American Equivalent:  shopworn//  --the same old shop-soiled arguments//


Words: shopfitting
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   the job of putting equipment in shops, changing the way it looks etc//  -- shopfitter n  [C] //


Words: shopkeeper
Meaning:
n [C]  especially BrE   someone who owns or is in charge of a small shop//  American Equivalent:  storekeeper//


Words: shoplift
Meaning:
v [I]   to take something from a shop without paying for it//  -- shoplifter n  [C] //  --Shoplifters will be prosecuted.//


Words: shoplifting
Meaning:
n [U]   the crime of stealing things from shops, for example by hiding them in a bag or under your clothes//  --She had been falsely accused of shoplifting in a clothing store.//


Words: shopper
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who buys things in shops//  --The streets were crowded with shoppers.//   see usage note  customer//


Words: shopping
Meaning:
W3S2   n [U] \n  1 the activity of going to shops and buying things:  --Late-night shopping is becoming very popular.//  shopping expedition/trip //  --She’s gone on a shopping trip to New York.//  --I went on a shopping spree  (=went shopping and bought a lot of things) at the weekend and spent far too much money.//  --I’ve got to do some last-minute shopping.//  --the busy Christmas shopping season//    window-shopping//\n  2  do the shopping:  to go shopping to buy food and other things you need regularly//  --I hate doing the shopping at weekends.//\n  3  BrE the things that you have just bought from a shop:  --Can you help me carry the shopping, please?//


Words: shopping cart
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a large metal basket on wheels that you push around when you are shopping in a supermarket//   cart//


Words: shopping centre
Meaning:
BrE  shopping center AmE n [C]   a group of shops together in one area, often in one large building//


Words: shopping trolley
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a large metal basket on wheels that you push around when you are shopping in a supermarket//   trolley//


Words: shopworn
Meaning:
adj  AmE \n  1 a product that is shopworn is slightly damaged or dirty because it has been in a shop for a long time:  British Equivalent:  shop-soiled//\n  2 an idea that is shopworn is no longer interesting because it has been discussed many times before:  British Equivalent:  shop-soiled//  --shopworn management techniques//


Words: shore
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Middle Dutch; Origin: Middle Low German schore]//\n  1 [U and C] the land along the edge of a large area of water such as an ocean or lake:  --We could see a boat about a mile from shore.//  --Only a few survivors reached the shore.//  --She began to swim to shore.//  on the shores of sth//  --a holiday resort on the shores of the Adriatic//  on shore//  --We had a couple of hours on shore (=not on a ship) .//  off shore//  --The island is about 3 miles off shore (=away from the coast) .//  rocky/sandy shore //\n  2  these/British/our etc shores:   written a country that has a border on the sea//  --Millions of immigrants flocked to these shores in the 19th century.//  --growing fears that English football players will be lured away to foreign shores //    ashore,  offshore,  onshore//\nshore 2 v   shore up [shore sth → up] phr v//  [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: shore  ’piece of wood used as a support’ (15-20 centuries), from  Middle Dutch or  Middle Low German schore  ’prop’]//\n  1 to support a wall or roof with large pieces of wood, metal etc to stop it from falling down:  --The roof had been shored up with old timbers.//\n  2 to help or support something that is likely to fail or is not working well:  --attempts to shore up the struggling economy//


Words: shoreline
Meaning:
n [U and C]   the land along the edge of a large area of water such as an ocean or lake//  --A group of men stood silently on the shoreline.//  --the bay’s 13000 km of shoreline//


Words: short
Meaning:
adj   comparative  shorter superlative  shortest //  ----------//\n   1 time:\n   2 length/distance:\n   3 not tall:\n   4 book/letter:\n   5 not enough:\n   6 be short on something:\n   7 less than:\n   8 short notice:\n   9 in the short term/run:\n  10 have a short memory:\n  11 be short for something:\n  12 be short of breath:\n  13 be short with somebody:\n  14 have a short temper/fuse:\n  15 get/be given short shrift:\n  16 be nothing/little short of something:\n  17 draw/get the short straw:\n  18 make short work of (doing) something:\n  19 have/get somebody by the short and curlies:\n  20 be one ... short of a ...:\n  21 short time:\n  22 in short order:\n  23 give somebody short measure:\n  24 sound:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scort]//\n  1 TIME:  happening or continuing for only a little time or for less time than usual//  → long//  --a short meeting//  --Morris gave a short laugh.//  --a short course on business English//  --Winter is coming and the days are getting shorter.//  --I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time .//  --For a short while  (=a short time) , the city functioned as the region’s capital.//  --I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter.//  --Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time .//  --They met and married within a short space of time .//  --I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet  (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time) .//  --For a few short weeks (=they seemed to pass very quickly) the sun shone and the fields turned gold.//\n  2 LENGTH/DISTANCE:  measuring a small amount in length or distance//  → long//  --a short skirt//  --Anita had her hair cut short.//  --They went by the shortest route, across the fields.//  --Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there.//  a short walk/flight/drive //  --It’s a short drive to the airport.//  --The hotel is only a short walk from the beach.//\n  3 NOT TALL:  someone who is short is not as tall as most people//  → tall//  --a short plump woman//  --Chris was short and stocky, with broad shoulders.//  --He’s a bit shorter than me.//\n  4 BOOK/LETTER:  a book, letter etc that is short does not have many words or pages//  → long//  --a short novel//  --I wrote a short note to explain.//    short story//\n  5 NOT ENOUGH:  a) if you are short of something, you do not have enough of it//  be short (of sth)//  --Can you lend me a couple of dollars? I’m a little short.//  be short of money/cash/funds //  --Our libraries are short of funds.//  be 5p/$10 etc short //  --Have you all paid me? I’m about [hA124]9 short.//  I’m a bit short  BrE  spoken  (=I haven’t got much money at the moment) //  sb is not short of sth  BrE  (=they have a lot of it) //  --Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she?//  --They’re not short of a few bob  (=they are rich) .//  b) if something is short, there is not enough of it//  --Money was short in those days.//  --It’s going to be difficult - time is short.//  --Gasoline was in short supply  (=not enough of it was available) after the war.//\n  6  be short on sth:  to have less of something than you should have//  --He’s a nice guy, but a little short on brains.//  --The President’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions.//\n  7 LESS THAN:  a little less than a number//  short of//  --Her time was only 2 seconds short of the world record.//  just/a little short of sth //  --She was just short of six feet tall.//\n  8  short notice:  if something is short notice, you are told about it only a short time before it happens//  --I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice .//  at short notice  BrE  //  on short notice  AmE //  --The party was arranged at short notice.//\n  9  in the short term/run:  during the period of time that is not very far into the future//    short-term//  --These measures may save money in the short term, but we’ll end up spending more later.//\n  10  have a short memory:  if someone has a short memory, they soon forget something that has happened//  --Voters have very short memories.//\n  11  be short for sth:  to be a shorter way of saying a name//  --Her name is Alex, short for Alexandra.//\n  12  be short of breath:  to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy//  --He couldn’t walk far without getting short of breath.//\n  13  be short with sb:  to speak to someone using very few words, in a way that seems rude or unfriendly//  --Sorry I was short with you on the phone this morning.//\n  14  have a short temper/fuse:  to get angry very easily//  --Mr Yanto, who had a very short fuse, told her to get out.//\n  15  get/be given short shrift:  if you or your idea, suggestion etc is given short shrift, you are told immediately that you are wrong and are not given any attention or sympathy//  --McLaren got short shrift from all the record companies when he first presented his new band to them in 1976.//\n  16  be nothing/little short of sth:  used to emphasize that something is very good, very surprising etc//  --Her recovery seemed nothing short of a miracle.//  --The results are little short of astonishing.//\n  17  draw/get the short straw:  to be given something difficult or unpleasant to do, especially when other people have been given something better//  --Giles drew the short straw, and has to give us a talk this morning.//\n  18  make short work of (doing) sth:  to finish something quickly and easily, especially food or a job//  --The kids made short work of the sandwiches.//  --Computers can make short work of complex calculations.//\n  19  have/get sb by the short and curlies:   also have/get sb by the short hairs //   BrE  informal  not polite to put someone in a situation in which they are forced to do or accept what you want//  --I signed the contract - they’ve got me by the short and curlies.//\n  20  be one ... short of a ...:   spoken used humorously to say that someone is a little crazy or stupid//  --Lady, are you a few aces short of a deck?//  --He’s one sandwich short of a picnic .//\n  21  short time:   BrE when workers work for fewer hours than usual, because the company cannot afford to pay them their full wage//  --Most of the workers were put on short time .//\n  22  in short order:   formal in a short time and without delay//\n  23  give sb short measure:   BrE  old-fashioned to give someone less than the correct amount of something, especially in a shop//\n  24 SOUND:   technical a short vowel is pronounced quickly without being emphasized, for example the sound of a in ’cat’, e in ’bet’, and i in ’bit’//  → long//  -- shortness n  [U] //  --He was suffering from shortness of breath.//  --Shirley was very conscious of her shortness and always wore high heels.//    life’s too short at life(27)//  ----------//  WORD FOCUS: short //  speech/piece of writing: brief,  concise,  condensed,  abridged //  person: not very tall,  little,  tiny,  petite //  time/event: brief,  quick,  momentary,  fleeting,  ephemeral,  transient,  passing,  short-lived //  legs/fingers: stumpy,  stubby //  clothes: skimpy //  ----------//\nshort 2 adv \n  1  fall short of sth:  to be less than what you need, expected, or hoped for, or to fail to reach a satisfactory standard//  --The Republicans increased their share of the vote, but still fell short of a majority.//  --Shares in the company dropped 26p yesterday, as profits fell short of City expectations .//  fall short of a goal/target/ideal //  --The economy fell short of the Treasury’s target of 2% growth.//  fall far/a long way/well short of sth //  --Facilities in these schools fall far short of the standards required.//  --One or two songs on the album are interesting, but most fall short of the mark  (=are not good enough) .//\n  2  be running short (of/on sth):  if you are running short of something, or if something is running short, it is being used up and there will soon not be enough left//  --We’re running short of coffee again.//  --Our supplies of petrol were running short.//  --Come on, time’s running short !//\n  3  stop short of doing sth:  to almost do something but then decide not to do it//  --They accused the President of incompetence, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.//\n  4  stop short:  to suddenly stop speaking or stop what you are doing, because something has surprised you or you have just thought of something//  --Seeing her tears, he stopped short.//\n  5  be cut short:  if something is cut short, it is stopped before you expect or before it is finished//  --His career was tragically cut short when, at the age of 42, he died of a heart attack.//\n  6  cut sb short:  to interrupt and stop someone when they are speaking//  --I was halfway through my explanation when Walter cut me short.//\n  7  pull/bring sb up short:  to surprise or shock someone so that they stop what they are doing or saying to think for a moment//  --The question brought her up short, but after a moment’s hesitation, she answered it.//\n  8  3 metres/5 miles etc short of sth:  without reaching a place you are trying to get to, because you are still a particular distance from it//  --The plane touched down 200 metres short of the runway.//\n  9  two weeks/a month etc short of sth:  two weeks, a month etc before something//  --He died two days short of his fifty-sixth birthday.//\n  10  short of (doing) sth:  without actually doing something//  --Short of locking her in her room, he couldn’t really stop her from seeing Jack.//\n  11  come up short:  to fail to win or achieve something//  --We’ve been to the state tournament four times, but we’ve come up short every time.//\n  12  go short (of sth):   BrE to have less of something than you need//  --She made sure that her children never went short.//\n  13  be taken short/be caught short:   BrE  informal to have a sudden strong need to go to the toilet when you are not near one//\nshort 3 n \n  1  shorts [plural] :  a) short trousers ending at or above the knees//  --a pair of shorts//  --tourists in shorts and T-shirts//    Bermuda shorts,  cycling shorts//  b)  especially AmE men’s underwear with short legs//  --Craig was standing in the kitchen in his shorts.//    boxer shorts,  Jockey shorts//\n  2  in short:  used when you want to give the main point of something//  --Carter hoped for greater trust between the two nations, more trade, more cultural exchanges - in short, a genuine peace.//\n  3  for short:  used as a shorter way of saying a name//  --His name’s Maximilian, but we just call him Max for short.//\n  4 [C]  informal a short film shown in the cinema:\n  5 [C]  BrE  informal a strong alcoholic drink that is not beer or wine, drunk in a small glass:  American Equivalent:  shot//  --Do you fancy a short? A whisky or a vodka?//\n  6 [C]  informal a short circuit:  --a short in the system//    the long and the short of it at long1 (10)//\nshort 4 v [I and T]  also short out   to short-circuit, or make something do this//  --The toaster shorted and caused a fire.//


Words: short back and sides
Meaning:
n [singular]  BrE   a way of cutting a man’s hair so that it is very short at the back and sides of his head and slightly longer on top//


Words: short circuit
Meaning:
n [C]   a failure of an electrical system, caused by bad wires or a fault in a connection in the wires//


Words: short cut
Meaning:
also  short-cut/ $ . ./ n [C] \n  1 a quicker and more direct way of getting somewhere than the usual one:  --Carlos decided to take a short-cut home.//  --We were late for the game, but found a short cut through the fields.//\n  2 a quicker way of doing something:  short cut to//  --There aren’t really any shortcuts to learning English.//


Words: short list
Meaning:
also shortlist   n [C]  BrE   a list of the most suitable people for a job or a prize, chosen from all the people who were first considered//  on the short list (for sth)//  --Davies was on the shortlist for the Booker Prize.//  draw up/compile a shortlist //  --The panel will draw up a shortlist of candidates.//


Words: short wave
Meaning:
n [U]   a range of short radio waves used for broadcasting around the world//    long wave,  medium wave//


Words: short-change
Meaning:
v [T] \n  1 to treat someone unfairly by not giving them what they deserve or hoped for:  --When the band only played for 15 minutes the fans felt they had been short-changed.//\n  2 to give back too little money to a customer who has bought something and paid more than the exact amount for it:


Words: short-circuit
Meaning:
v \n  1 [I and T] to have a short circuit or cause a short circuit in something:\n  2 [T] to get something done without going through the usual long methods:  --I short-circuited the whole process by a simple telephone call.//


Words: short-haul
Meaning:
adj   a short-haul aircraft or flight travels a fairly short distance//  → long-haul//  --short-haul routes within the UK//


Words: short-list
Meaning:
also  shortlist v [T usually passive]  BrE   to put someone on a short list for a job or a prize//  short-list sb for sth//  --She’s been short-listed for the director’s job.//


Words: short-range
Meaning:
adj \n  1  only before noun short-range weapons or missiles are designed to travel or be used over a short distance:  → long-range//  --short-range nuclear weapons//\n  2  short-range plan/goal/forecast etc:  concerned only with the period that is not very far into the future//  → long-range//


Words: short-sighted
Meaning:
adj \n  1  especially BrE unable to see objects clearly unless they are very close:  American Equivalent:  nearsighted//  → long-sighted//\n  2 not considering the possible effects in the future of something that seems good now - used to show disapproval:  → far-sighted//  --a short-sighted policy of reducing investment in training//  -- short-sightedly adv //  -- short-sightedness n  [U] //  --Thanks to the government’s short-sightedness, our hospitals are very short of cash.//


Words: short-staffed
Meaning:
adj   having fewer than the usual or necessary number of workers//   short-handed//  --We’re very short-staffed at the moment.//


Words: short-stay
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE   short-stay hotels, car parks etc are places that you can stay for only a short time//


Words: short-tempered
Meaning:
adj   tending to become angry very quickly//    bad-tempered//  --She gets short-tempered when she’s tired.//  -- short temper n  [C] //


Words: short-term
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   continuing for only a short time, or relating only to the period that is not very far into the future//  → long-term//  --The treatment may bring short-term benefits to AIDS sufferers.//  --Most of the staff are on short-term contracts.//  --She’s suffering from short-term memory loss.//    short term at term1 (4)//  -- short-term adv //


Words: short-termism
Meaning:
n [U]   a way of planning or thinking that is concerned only with what gives you advantages now, rather than what might happen in the future//  --plans to combat short-termism among investors in British industry//


Words: shortage
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a situation in which there is not enough of something that people need//  shortage of//  --a shortage of skilled labour//  -- There is no shortage of funds.//  water/food/housing etc shortage //  --efforts to solve the housing shortage//  acute/chronic/severe shortage //  --an acute shortage of manpower//


Words: shortcake
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1  BrE shortbread:\n  2  AmE cake over which a sweet fruit mixture is poured, especially strawberries:


Words: shortcoming
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   a fault or weakness that makes someone or something less successful or effective than they should be//  --Peter was painfully aware of his own shortcomings.//  shortcoming of//  --the shortcomings of our local government system//  shortcoming in//  --The report suggested that there were severe shortcomings in police tactics.//


Words: shorten
Meaning:
v [I and T]   to become shorter or make something shorter//  → lengthen//  --The days are shortening now.//  shorten to//  --His name is often shortened to Pat.//


Words: shortfall
Meaning:
n [C]   the difference between the amount you have and the amount you need or expect//  shortfall in//  --Parents have been asked to pay [hA124]30 each to cover the shortfall in the budget.//  shortfall of//  --an estimated shortfall of about [hA124]1 million//


Words: shorthand
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 a fast method of writing using special signs or shorter forms to represent letters, words, and phrases:  in shorthand//  --The reporter took notes in shorthand.//  --a secretary who takes shorthand (=writes in shorthand) //    longhand//\n  2 a shorter but less clear way of saying something:  shorthand for//  --He’s been ’relocated’, which is shorthand for ’given a worse job a long way away’.//


Words: shorthand typist
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone whose job is to use shorthand to write down what someone else says and then type a copy of it//  American Equivalent:  stenographer//


Words: shortly
Meaning:
W3   adv \n  1 soon:  --Ms Jones will be back shortly.//  shortly before/after sth//  --The accident happened shortly before midday.//\n  2  written speaking in an impatient and unfriendly way:  --’I’ve explained that already,’ Rod said shortly.//


Words: shortstop
Meaning:
n [C]   a player on a baseball team who tries to stop any balls that are hit between second and third base2(7)//


Words: shorty
Meaning:
n   plural  shorties //\n  1 used as an insulting name for someone who is not very tall:\n  2 [C]  informal a woman - used especially by people who play or listen to hip-hop music:\n  3 [C]  informal a baby - used especially by people who play or listen to hip-hop music:  --Shawna says she’s gonna be having my shorty.//


Words: Shostakovich
Meaning:
Dimitri   (1906-75) a Russian  composer whose best-known works are his  symphonies and his  opera,  Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. The  Soviet government sometimes disapproved of his music because they considered that it did not express Soviet principles.//


Words: shot
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 gun:\n   2 bullets:\n   3 attempt to score:\n   4 photograph:\n   5 film/tv:\n   6 attempt:\n   7 give something your best shot:\n   8 be a long shot:\n   9 a 10 to 1 shot/50 to 1 shot etc:\n  10 a shot in the dark:\n  11 critical remark:\n  12 like a shot:\n  13 a shot across the bows/a warning shot (across the bows):\n  14 big shot:\n  15 drink:\n  16 drug:\n  17 a shot in the arm:\n  18 heavy ball:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scot]//\n  1 GUN:   [C] //  a) an act of firing a gun//  --He pulled out his rifle and fired three shots .//  --The first shot missed my head by just a few inches.//  --The shot hit the raider in the upper chest and killed him instantly.//  --A crazy man took a shot at her (=tried to shoot her) from a rooftop.//  --He fired off a volley of shots from his semi-automatic rifle.//  --The policeman was killed by a single shot .//  b) the sound of a gun being fired//  --Where were you when you heard the shot?//  --Two shots rang out  (=could be heard) , and security guards rushed over, guns drawn.//  c)  a good/bad etc shot//  someone who is good, bad etc at shooting//  --Sergeant Cooper is an excellent shot.//\n  2 BULLETS:   [U] //  a) small metal balls that are shot, many at a time, from a shotgun//  b)  old use large metal balls that are shot from a cannon//\n  3 ATTEMPT TO SCORE:   [C] an attempt in sport to throw, kick, or hit the ball towards the place where you can get a point//  --Shaw took a shot at the goal from the halfway line, but missed.//  -- Good shot !//\n  4 PHOTOGRAPH:   [C] a photograph//   picture//  shot of//  --a close-up shot of a demonstrator being beaten by a policeman//  --I managed to get some good shots of the carnival.//  --We hired a photographer to take some publicity shots .//  -- action shots of football players (=ones taken of people while they are moving) //    mugshot//\n  5 FILM/TV:   [C] the view of something in a film or television programme that is produced by having the camera in a particular position//  --In the opening shot we see Travolta’s feet walking down the sidewalk.//\n  6 ATTEMPT:   [C]  informal an attempt to do something or achieve something, especially something difficult//  shot at (doing) sth//  --This is her first shot at directing a play.//  --If Lewis won his next fight, he would be guaranteed a shot at the title  (=chance to win the title) .//  --I decided to have a shot at decorating the house myself.//  --I didn’t think I had much chance of winning the race, but I thought I’d give it a shot  (=try to do it) .//  --The network finally gave Keaton a shot at presenting his own show.//\n  7  give sth your best shot:  to make as much effort as you can to achieve something difficult//  --This case is going to be tough, but I promise I’ll give it my best shot.//  --Lydia didn’t get the job, but at least she gave it her best shot.//\n  8  be a long shot:  a) used to say that a plan is worth trying, even though you think it is unlikely to succeed//  --It’s a long shot, but someone might recognise her from the photo and be able to tell us where she lives.//  b)  AmE if someone is a long shot, they are not likely to be chosen for a job or to win an election, competition etc//  --Turner is a long shot to win next month’s mayoral election.//\n  9  a 10 to 1 shot/50 to 1 shot etc:  a horse, dog etc in a race, whose chances of winning are expressed as numbers//\n  10  a shot in the dark:  an attempt to guess something without having any facts or definite ideas//  --My answer to the last question was a complete shot in the dark.//\n  11 CRITICAL REMARK:   [C] a remark that is intended to criticize or hurt someone//  --I’m not going to sit here listening to you two take shots at each other all night.//  --She couldn’t resist a parting shot  (=one that you make just before you leave) - ’And you were a lousy lover!’//  --That was a cheap shot ! (=one that is unfair and unreasonable) //\n  12  like a shot:  if you do something like a shot, you do it very quickly and eagerly//  --If he asked me to go to Africa with him, I’d go like a shot!//\n  13  a shot across the bows/a warning shot (across the bows):  something you say or do to warn someone that you oppose what they are doing and will try to make them stop it - used especially in news reports//  --The President’s own supporters are firing a warning shot across his bows .//\n  14  big shot:  an important or powerful person, especially in business//  --a big shot in the record business//\n  15 DRINK:   [C] a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink//  shot of//  --a shot of tequila//  --a shot glass  (=a small glass for strong alcoholic drinks) //\n  16 DRUG:   [C]  especially AmE an injection of a drug (=when it is put into the body with a needle) //  British Equivalent:  jab//  --Have you had your typhoid and cholera shots?//\n  17  a shot in the arm:  something that makes you more confident or more successful//  --The new factory will give the local economy a much needed shot in the arm.//\n  18 HEAVY BALL:   [C] a heavy metal ball that competitors try to throw as far as possible in the sport of shot put//    call the shots at call1 (9),  by a long chalk/shot at long1 (21),  long shot at long1 (18),  buckshot,  gunshot,  snapshot,  pot shot//\nshot 2 adj [not before noun] \n  1  spoken in bad condition because of being used too much or treated badly:  --My back tires are shot.//  --My nerves were shot to pieces after my driving test.//\n  2  be/get/want shot of sb/sth:   BrE  spoken to get rid of someone or something//  --I know the director wants shot of me.//\n  3  be shot through with sth:  a) if a piece of cloth is shot through with a colour, it has very small threads of that colour woven into it//  --a fine silk shot through with gold threads//  b) to have a lot of a particular quality or feeling//  --a charming collection of stories, shot through with a gentle humour//\nshot 3   the past tense and participle of shoot//


Words: shot put
Meaning:
n [singular]   a sport in which you throw a heavy metal ball as far as you can//  -- shot putter n  [C] //  --an Olympic shot putter//


Words: shotgun
Meaning:
n [C]   a long gun fired from the shoulder, that shoots many small round balls at one time, used especially for killing birds or animals//  --The robbers were armed with sawn-off shotguns  (=ones that have been made shorter, so the balls go in different directions) .//


Words: should
Meaning:
modal v    negative short form  shouldn’t //  ----------//\n   1 right thing:\n   2 advice:\n   3 expected thing:\n   4 correct thing:\n   5 orders:\n   6 after ’that’:\n   7 possibility:\n   8 imagined situations:\n   9 requesting/offering:\n  10 past intentions/expectations:\n  11 what should I see but something/who should appear but somebody etc:\n  12 you should have seen/heard something:\n  13 how/why should...?:\n  14 I should think/imagine/hope:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceolde  ’owed, had to’]//\n  1 RIGHT THING:  a) used to say what is the right or sensible thing to do//  --He shouldn’t be so selfish.//  --Children shouldn’t be allowed to play in the street.//  --’I don’t care what people think.’ ’Well, you should.’//  --Why shouldn’t I smoke if I want to?//  b) used to say what would have been right or sensible, but was not done//  --They should have called the police.//\n  2 ADVICE:  used to give or ask for advice//  --What should I do? Should I trust him?//  --You should read his new book.//  -- I should stay in bed if I were you. //\n  3 EXPECTED THING:  a) used to say that you expect something to happen or be true//  --It should be a nice day tomorrow.//  --Try phoning Robert - he should be home by now.//  --Australia should win this match.//  --’Artistic people can be very difficult sometimes.’ ’Well, you should know - you married one.’//  b) used to say what was expected, but did not happen//  --It was an easy test and he should have passed, but he didn’t.//\n  4 CORRECT THING:  used to say what is the correct amount, the correct way of doing something etc//  --Every sentence should start with a capital letter.//  --What do you mean, there are only ten tickets? There should be twelve.//  --White wine, not red, should be served with fish.//\n  5 ORDERS:   formal used in official orders and instructions//  --Passengers for Flight BA213 should proceed to Gate 12.//\n  6 AFTER ’THAT’:   BrE used in a clause beginning with ’that’ after particular adjectives and verbs//  --It’s strange that you should say that.//  --It is essential that he should have a fair trial.//  --The residents demanded that there should be an official inquiry.//\n  7 POSSIBILITY:  used to talk about something that may possibly happen or be true//  --Naturally, he was nervous in case anything should go wrong.//  --What if I should fall sick and not be able to work?//  should sb/sth do sth//  --Should you need any help (=if you need any help) , you can always phone me at the office.//\n  8 IMAGINED SITUATIONS:   formal  especially BrE used after ’I’ or ’we’ to say what you would do if something happened or was true//  --If anyone treated me like that, I should complain to the manager.//  --I should be surprised if many people voted for him.//\n  9 REQUESTING/OFFERING:   formal  especially BrE used to politely ask for something, offer to do something, or say that you want to do something//  --I should be grateful if you could provide me with some information.//  --’What can I get you?’ ’I should like a long cool drink.’//  --We should be delighted to help in any way we can.//  --I should like to thank you all for coming here tonight.//\n  10 PAST INTENTIONS/EXPECTATIONS:  used as the past tense of ’shall’ after ’I’ or ’we’ to say what you intended or expected to do//  --We knew that we should be leaving the next day.//\n  11  what should I see but sth/who should appear but sb etc:  used to show that you were surprised when you saw a particular thing, when a particular person appeared etc//  --Just at that moment, who should walk in but old Jim himself.//\n  12  you should have seen/heard sth:   spoken used to emphasize how funny, strange, beautiful etc something was that you saw or heard//  --You should have seen the look on her face when I told her I’d won first prize.//\n  13  how/why should...?:  used to express surprise that something has happened or that someone has asked you a particular question//  --Why should anyone want to marry Tony?//  --Don’t ask me. How should I know?//\n  14  I should think/imagine/hope:   spoken //  a) used to say that you think or hope something is true, when you are not certain//  --I shouldn’t think they’ve gone far.//  --’I suppose there’ll be a lot of complaints?’ ’I should imagine so.’//  b) used to emphasize that you are not surprised by what someone has told you because you have moral reasons to expect it//  --’She doesn’t like to hear me swearing.’ ’I should think not.’//  --’He did apologize.’ ’I should hope so, after the way he behaved.’//


Words: shoulder
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 body part:\n   2 clothes:\n   3 meat:\n   4 be looking over your shoulder:\n   5 :\n   6 shoulder to shoulder:\n   7 on somebody’s shoulders:\n   8 put your shoulder to the wheel:\n   9 road-side:\n  10 curved shape:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sculdor]//\n  1 BODY PART:   [C] one of the two parts of the body at each side of the neck where the arm is connected//  --She tapped the driver on the shoulder.//  --a muscular man with broad shoulders //  --He put his arm around her shoulders.//  --When we asked Keith who she was, he just shrugged his shoulders  (=raised his shoulders to show that he did not know or care) .//  look/glance over your shoulder (=look behind you) //  --Lucy glanced nervously over her shoulder to see who was behind her.//\n  2 CLOTHES:   [C] the part of a piece of clothing that covers your shoulders//  --a jacket with padded shoulders//\n  3 MEAT:   [U and C] the upper part of the front leg of an animal that is used for meat//  shoulder of//  --a shoulder of pork//\n  4  be looking over your shoulder:  to feel worried that something unpleasant is going to happen to you//\n  5 :  a)  a shoulder to cry on//  someone who gives you sympathy//  --Ben is always there when I need a shoulder to cry on.//  b)  cry on sb’s shoulder//  to get sympathy from someone when you tell them your problems//\n  6  shoulder to shoulder:  a) having the same aims and wanting to achieve the same thing//   side by side//  shoulder to shoulder with//  --We are working shoulder to shoulder with local residents.//  b) physically close together//   side by side//  --Blacks and whites stood shoulder to shoulder in the stands to applaud.//\n  7  on sb’s shoulders:  if blame or a difficult job falls on someone’s shoulders, they have to take responsibility for it//  --The blame rests squarely on Jim’s shoulders.//\n  8  put your shoulder to the wheel:  to start to work with great effort and determination//\n  9 ROAD-SIDE:   [C]  AmE an area of ground beside a road where drivers can stop their cars if they are having trouble//    hard shoulder,  soft shoulder//\n  10 CURVED SHAPE:   [C] a rounded part just below the top of something//    give sb the cold shoulder at cold1 (7),  have a chip on your shoulder at chip1 (5),  be/stand head and shoulders above the rest at head1 (29),  rub shoulders with at rub1 (5),  straight from the shoulder at straight1 (10)//\nshoulder 2 v \n  1  shoulder the responsibility/blame/cost/burden etc:  to accept a difficult or unpleasant responsibility, duty etc//  --The residents are being asked to shoulder the costs of the repairs.//\n  2 [T] to lift something onto your shoulder to carry it:  --They shouldered the boat and took it down to the river.//\n  3  shoulder your way through/into etc:  to move through a large crowd of people by pushing with your shoulder//  --He ran after her, shouldering his way through the crowd.//\n  4  shoulder arms:  an order given to soldiers telling them to hold their weapon against their shoulder//


Words: shoulder pad
Meaning:
n [C]   a small thick piece of material that is fixed inside the shoulders of dress or jacket to make your shoulders look bigger//


Words: shoulder strap
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a long narrow piece of material on a dress or other piece of women’s clothing that goes over the shoulder:\n  2 a long narrow piece of material fixed to a bag etc so that you can carry it over your shoulder:


Words: shout
Meaning:
v \n  1 [I and T] to say something very loudly:    scream, yell//  --There’s no need to shout! I can hear you!//  shout at//  --I wish you’d stop shouting at the children.//  shout for//  --We could hear them shouting for help. //  --’Watch out!’ she shouted, as the car started to move.//  shout sth at sb//  --He was shouting insults at the lorry driver.//  shout sth to sb//  --’He’s down here!’ she shouted to Alison.//\n  2  shout in pain/anger/frustration etc:   BrE to call out loudly//  American Equivalent:  scream//  --My brother shouted in pain as the ball hit him.//\n  3  shout sth from the rooftops:  to tell everyone about something because you want everyone to know about it//  shout down [shout sb → down] phr v//  to shout so that someone who is speaking cannot be heard//  --An older man tried to shout him down.//  shout out [shout sth → out] phr v//  to say something suddenly in a loud voice//  --Don’t shout out the answer in class, put up your hand.//\nshout 2 n \n  1 [C] a loud call expressing anger, pain, excitement etc:    scream, yell//  --a warning shout//  shout of//  --Tom gave a shout of laughter when he saw them.//  --shouts of delight//\n  2  give sb a shout:   BrE  spoken to go and find someone and tell them something//  --Give me a shout when you’re ready to go.//\n  3  sb’s shout:   BrE  AusE   informal someone’s turn to buy drinks//  --It’s my shout. Same again?//\n  4  be in with a shout (of doing sth):   BrE  informal to have a chance of winning//  --The team’s still in with a shout.//


Words: shouting
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 when people say things very loudly:  --We heard a lot of shouting and went to investigate.//\n  2  be all over bar the shouting:   BrE  spoken used to say that something is almost finished and there is no doubt what the result will be//


Words: shove
Meaning:
S3   v   [Language: Old English; Origin: scufan  ’to push away’]//\n  1 [I and T] to push someone or something in a rough or careless way, using your hands or shoulders:  --He shoved her towards the car.//  --Everyone was pushing and shoving to see the prince.//\n  2 [T always + adverb/preposition] to put something somewhere carelessly or without thinking much:  --Tidying the room seems to mean shoving everything under the bed!//  --He shoved his hands into his pockets.//\n  3 [T]  spoken used to tell someone in a very impolite way that you do not want something:  --They can take their three cents an hour raise and  shove it .//    when/if push comes to shove at push2 (6)//  shove off phr v//\n  1  BrE  spoken used to tell someone rudely or angrily to go away:  --Shove off! I’m busy.//\n  2 to push a boat away from the land, usually with a pole:  shove up/over phr v//   BrE to move along on a seat to make space for someone else//  --Shove up mate, there’s no room to sit down here.//\nshove 2 n [C]   a strong push//  -- Give the door a good shove. //


Words: shovel
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scofl]//\n  1 a tool with a rounded blade and a long handle used for moving earth, stones etc:   spade//\n  2 a part of a large vehicle or machine used for moving or digging earth:\nshovel 2   past tense and past participle  shovelled present participle  shovelling  BrE //  past tense and past participle  shoveled present participle  shoveling  AmE  v [T] //\n  1 to lift and move earth, stones etc with a shovel:  --The workmen shovelled gravel onto the road.//  --They were out in freezing conditions shovelling snow off the pitch.//  shovel the driveway/sidewalk etc  AmE  (=shovel snow from a road or path) //  --Everyone was out shovelling their sidewalks.//\n  2  shovel sth into/onto sth:  to put something, usually food, somewhere quickly//  --We shovelled food into our mouths as fast as we could.//


Words: shovelware
Meaning:
n [U]   information that first appears in printed form, for example in a book or newspaper, and then is put onto the Internet or CD-ROM without any new or interesting ways to look at or use the information//  --Many of the educational software titles are nothing but shovelware.//


Words: show
Meaning:
v   past tense  showed //  past participle  shown /[hA35D][hA353][hA35E]n $ [hA35D]o[hA35E]n///  ----------//\n   1 let somebody see:\n   2 prove something:\n   3 feelings/attitudes/qualities:\n   4 explain with actions:\n   5 picture/map etc:\n   6 guide somebody:\n   7 point at something:\n   8 film/television:\n   9 be easy to see:\n  10 dirt/mark:\n  11 increase/decrease:\n  12 art/pictures:\n  13 I’ll show him/them etc:\n  14 have something to show for something:\n  15 show your face:\n  16 show your hand:\n  17 animal:\n  18 arrive:\n  19 show somebody in a good/bad etc light:\n  20 show somebody the door:\n  21 show (somebody) who’s boss:\n  22 show the way:\n  23 show a leg!:\n  24 show (somebody) a clean pair of heels:  Phrasal verbs//   show somebody around (something)//   show off//   show somebody over something//   show up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceawian  ’to look, look at, see’]//\n  1 LET SOMEBODY SEE:   [T] to let someone see something//  show sb sth//  --The children proudly showed me their presents.//  show sth to sb//  --Show your ticket to the woman at the entrance.//  --The man grinned, showing bad teeth.//\n  2 PROVE SOMETHING:   [T] to provide facts or information that make it clear that something is true, that something exists, or that something has happened//  --Figures showed a 9% rise in inflation.//  --Gary has shown his faith in the club’s future by agreeing to stay on.//  show (that)//  --Mike needed a copy of the will to show that the books had been left to him.//  show sb (that)//  --We have shown our critics that we can succeed.//  show how//  --This document shows how to oppose bad decisions about new housing.//  show what//  --She just wants a chance to show what she can do.//  show sb/sth to be sth//  --Charles showed himself to be a fine leader.//  be shown to be/do sth//  --The campaign has been shown to be a waste of money.//  --The new treatment has been shown to reduce the number of deaths.//  studies/evidence/research etc shows //  --Several studies have shown that aggressive toys lead to bad behaviour.//  --The Polish economy began to show signs of recovery.//  --It just goes to show  (=proves) how much people judge each other on how they look.//\n  3 FEELINGS/ATTITUDES/QUALITIES:   [T] to let your feelings, attitudes, or personal qualities be clearly seen//  --Think positively and show some determination.//  --She had learned not to show her emotions .//  --It was the sound a man might make when in pain but trying not to show it.//  --Mary showed great interest in the children.//\n  4 EXPLAIN WITH ACTIONS:   [T] to explain to someone how to do something, by doing it yourself or using actions to help them learn//  show sb how//  --Show me how the gun works.//  show sb how to do sth//  --Maureen showed Peter how to feed the young animals.//  show sb sth//  --Can you show Lucy the way to slice onions?//\n  5 PICTURE/MAP ETC:   [T] if a picture, map etc shows something, you can see it on the picture, map etc//  --I want a photograph that shows his face.//  --The map shows the main rivers of the region.//\n  6 GUIDE SOMEBODY:   [T] to go with someone and guide them to a place//  show sb to/into sth//  --Can you show Mrs Davies to the bathroom?//  show sb out/in//  --I can show myself out (=out of the office or house) .//  show sb sth//  --Come on, I’ll show you the way .//\n  7 POINT AT SOMETHING:   [T] to let someone see where a place or thing is, especially by pointing to it//  show sb where//  --Can you show me exactly where he fell?//\n  8 FILM/TELEVISION:   [I and T] to make a film or television programme available on a screen for people to see, or to be on a screen//  --The film was shown on television last night.//  --The match was shown live (=could be seen on television while it was being played) .//  --It’s now showing at cinemas across London.//    showing(1)//\n  9 BE EASY TO SEE:   [I] if something shows, it is easy to see//  --His happiness showed in his face.//  --Her scar doesn’t show, because her hair covers it.//  --Stephen was worried and it showed.//\n  10 DIRT/MARK:   [T] if material shows the dirt or a mark, it is easy to see the dirt or mark on it//  --Light-coloured clothes tend to show the dirt.//\n  11 INCREASE/DECREASE:   [T] to have an increase or decrease in something, or a profit or loss//  --The price of players is the reason why many football clubs show big losses on their balance sheets.//  --Recent elections have shown significant gains by right-wing groups.//\n  12 ART/PICTURES:   [T] to put a group of paintings or other works of art in one place so that people can come and see them//  --Her recent sculptures are being shown at the Hayward Gallery.//  --The Whitney Museum was the first to show Mapplethorpe’s photographs.//\n  13  I’ll show him/them etc:   spoken used to say that you will prove to someone that you are better, more effective etc than they think you are//\n  14  have sth to show for sth:  to have something as a result of what you have been doing//  --If he fails his exams, he’ll have nothing to show for his time at school.//  --She had plenty of money to show for all her work.//\n  15  show your face:  if you will not show your face somewhere, you will not go there because you have a good reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about being there//  --She never shows her face around here.//\n  16  show your hand:  to make your true power or intentions clear, especially after you have been keeping them secret//  --There were so many rumours that the company was forced to show its hand.//\n  17 ANIMAL:   [T] to put an animal into a competition with other animals//  --Do you plan to show your dogs?//\n  18 ARRIVE:   also  show up//   [I]  informal  especially AmE to arrive at the place where someone is waiting for you//  --I went to meet Hank, but he never showed.//\n  19  show sb in a good/bad etc light:  if an action shows you in a good or bad light, it makes people have a good or bad opinion of you//  --During an interview you need to show yourself in the best possible light.//\n  20  show sb the door:  to make it clear that someone is not welcome and should leave//\n  21  show (sb) who’s boss:   informal to prove to someone who is threatening your authority that you are more powerful than they are//  --You’ve got to show your dog who’s boss. When you say sit, he should sit.//\n  22  show the way:  if you show the way for other people, you do something new that others then try to copy//\n  23  show a leg!:   BrE  spoken used to tell someone to get out of bed//\n  24  show (sb) a clean pair of heels:   BrE  old-fashioned  informal to run away very fast//  show around () [show sb around (sth)] phr v//  to go around a place with someone when they first arrive there, to show them what is interesting, useful etc//  --Harrison showed her around the house.//  show off phr v//\n  1 to try to make people admire your abilities, achievements, or possessions - used to show disapproval:  --He couldn’t resist showing off on the tennis court.//\n  2  show sth → off:  to show something to a lot of people because you are very proud of it//  --a picture of the restaurant’s owners showing off their award//\n  3  show sth → off:  if one thing shows off something else, it makes the other thing look especially attractive//  --The white dress showed off her dark skin beautifully.//  show over [show sb over sth] phr v//  to guide someone through an interesting building or a house that is for sale//  --Ingrid has a job showing visitors over the castle.//  show up phr v//\n  1  informal to arrive, especially at the place where someone is waiting for you:   turn up//  --Seth showed up, apologising for being late.//  --We had 200 people show up for our seminar.//\n  2  show sth → up:  to make it possible to see or notice something that was not clear before//  --The sunlight showed up the marks on the window.//\n  3 to be easy to see or notice:  --Use a light colour which will show up on a dark background.//\n  4  show sb → up:  to make someone feel embarrassed by behaving in a stupid or unacceptable way when you are with them//  --She says I showed her up in front of her friends when they came to the house.//\nshow 2 n   ----------//\n   1 performance:\n   2 tv/radio:\n   3 collection of things to see:\n   4 on show:\n   5 a show of something:\n   6 pretended act:\n   7 for show:\n   8 colourful scene:\n   9 competition:\n  10 event/situation:\n  11 put up a good/poor etc show:\n  12 let’s get this show on the road:\n  13 (jolly) good show:  ----------//\n  1 PERFORMANCE:   [C] a performance for the public, especially one that includes singing, dancing, or jokes//  --I enjoyed the show immensely.//  --The show starts at 7:30 pm.//  --They’ve come to town to see a Broadway show.//  --Perry was the star of the show .//    floor show,  roadshow//\n  2 TV/RADIO:   [C] a programme on television or on the radio//  --a TV show //  --a television quiz show  (=a show in which people compete to answer questions) //  --The senator appeared on the CBS show ’Face the Nation’.//  --Presenter Fiona Harper will be hosting the show  (=introducing guests) .//    chat show,  game show,  talk show//\n  3 COLLECTION OF THINGS TO SEE:   [C] an occasion when a lot of similar things are brought together in one place so that people can come and look at them//  --the Paris Boat Show//  --a fashion show for charity//  --Kelly has a show of her latest work opening shortly.//\n  4  on show:  being shown to the public//  --Paintings by Matisse are on show at the New York Gallery.//  --The designer clothes will go on show in Chicago next month.//  --Local antiques will be put on show in a new building especially built for the collection.//\n  5  a show of sth:  an occasion when someone deliberately shows a particular feeling, attitude, or quality//  --I felt I should make a show of dignity.//  --The award will be seen as a show of support.//  show of strength/force //  --a strong and determined show of force by the police//\n  6 PRETENDED ACT:   [singular, U] when you pretend to do or feel something//   pretence//  show of//  --a show of gratitude//  --Susan put on a show of regret all day.//  --The waiter made a show of wiping the table.//\n  7  for show:  with the purpose of looking attractive or impressive rather than being useful//  --He does actually play his guitar - it’s not just for show.//\n  8 COLOURFUL SCENE:   [singular] an impressive scene, especially one that is very colourful//  show of//  --a glorious show of colour in the rose garden//  --Maple trees put on their best show in the autumn.//\n  9 COMPETITION:   [C] a competition between similar things or animals to choose the best//  --The dog show was being held in the Agricultural Hall.//\n  10 EVENT/SITUATION:   [singular]  informal something which is being done or organized//  --We need to find someone to run the show  (=be in charge) .//\n  11  put up a good/poor etc show:   informal to perform, play etc well or badly//  --Our team put up a pretty good show, but we lost in the end.//\n  12  let’s get this show on the road:   spoken used to tell people it is time to start working or start a journey//\n  13  (jolly) good show:   BrE  old-fashioned  spoken used to express your approval of something//    steal the show at steal1 (4)//


Words: show and tell
Meaning:
n [U]   an activity for school children in which they bring an object to school and tell the other children about it//  --Ramona brought in a fossil for show and tell.//


Words: show business
Meaning:
also showbiz  n [U]  informal   the entertainment industry, for example television, films, popular theatre etc//  in show business//  --Phyllis always wanted to be in show business.//  --He loves the world of show business.//  --The restaurant is always full of show business personalities.//


Words: show house
Meaning:
also  show home n [C]  BrE   a house that has been built and filled with furniture to show buyers what similar new houses look like//


Words: show jumping
Meaning:
n [U]   a sport in which horses with riders have to jump a series of fences as quickly and skilfully as possible//  -- show jumper n  [C] //


Words: show of hands
Meaning:
n [singular]   a vote taken by counting the raised hands of the people at a meeting//  --The dispute was settled with a show of hands.//


Words: show trial
Meaning:
n [C]   an unfair trial that is organized by a government for political reasons, not in order to find out whether someone is guilty//  --Stalin staged a series of show trials.//


Words: show-off
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   someone who always tries to show how clever or skilled they are so that other people will admire them - often used to show disapproval//  --She’s a bit of a show-off.//


Words: show-stopping
Meaning:
adj   a show-stopping performance is extremely good or impressive//  --a show-stopping dance routine//  -- show-stopper n  [C] //


Words: showcase
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 an event or situation that is designed to show the good qualities of a person, organization, product etc:  showcase for//  --The new musical is a good showcase for her talents.//\n  2 a glass box containing objects for people to look at in a shop, at an art show etc:  -- showcase v  [T] //  --She wants to showcase African-American literature.//


Words: showdown
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   a meeting, argument, fight etc that will settle a disagreement or competition that has continued for a long time//  showdown with//  --a showdown with the striking workers//  --Britain has a World Cup showdown with Australia next month.//


Words: shower
Meaning:
S2   n [C]   ----------//\n   1 for washing in:\n   2 act of washing:\n   3 rain:\n   4 lots of things:\n   5 party:\n   6 people:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: scur]//\n  1 FOR WASHING IN:  a piece of equipment that you stand under to wash your whole body//  --Why does the phone always ring when I’m in the shower?//  --I’d like to use the shower if that’s all right.//  --The bathroom has a separate shower cubicle (=a shower in a separate part of the room) .//\n  2 ACT OF WASHING:  an act of washing your body while standing under a shower//  --I need a shower.//  take a shower //  --Nick rolled out of bed and took a shower.//  have a shower  especially BrE //  --Mary loves having a hot shower after she’s been swimming.//\n  3 RAIN:  a short period of rain or snow//  --More heavy showers are forecast for tonight.//  --a shower of rain //  --a snow shower//  --A few wintry showers are likely on the east coast.//\n  4 LOTS OF THINGS:  a lot of small, light things falling or going through the air together//  shower of//  --Peter kicked the fire and sent up a shower of sparks .//  --A shower of leaves fell towards the ground.//\n  5 PARTY:   AmE a party at which presents are given to a woman who is going to get married or have a baby//  --We gave a shower for Beth.//  --a baby shower //\n  6 PEOPLE:   [usually singular]  BrE  informal a group of stupid or lazy people//\nshower 2 v \n  1 [I] to wash your whole body while standing under a shower:  --Mike shaved and showered.//\n  2 [T] to give someone a lot of things:  shower sb with sth//  --She showered him with kisses.//  --Tom showered Amy with presents.//  shower sth on/upon sb//  --She had no children and showered her love on her three nieces.//\n  3 [I always + adverb/preposition, T] to scatter a lot of things onto a person or place, or to be scattered in this way:  shower down/over/upon//  --The top shelf broke and books showered down.//  shower sth with sth//  --The ship was showered with hot ash from the volcano.//  shower sth on/over sth//  --Hundreds of leaflets were showered over the town.//


Words: showing
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] an occasion when a film, art show etc can be seen or looked at, especially a special occasion that people are invited to:  --I saw a private showing of the film.//  --It was the comedy’s first showing on TV.//\n  2 [singular] used to talk about a person’s or thing’s level of success:  --Choose the candidate who makes the best showing in the interview.//  strong/poor showing //  --Women made a strong showing in the election.//  on ... showing//   BrE //  --On present showing (=judging by the way it is now) , there’s a lot to do to get the newspaper’s sales up.//  --On this showing (=judging by this example) , she is becoming a very good writer indeed.//


Words: showman
Meaning:
n   plural  showmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C] //  someone who is good at entertaining people and getting a lot of public attention//  --He is the band’s best showman.//


Words: showpiece
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   something that an organization, government etc wants people to see, because it is a very good or successful example//  --The building is a showpiece of elegant design.//  --The new stadium is a showpiece for the Greeks.//


Words: showroom
Meaning:
n [C]   a large room where you can look at things that are for sale, such as cars or electrical goods//  --a car showroom//


Words: showtime
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the time that a play or film will begin in a theatre or cinema:\n  2  AmE  informal the time when an activity should begin:


Words: showy
Meaning:
adj   something that is showy is very colourful, big, expensive etc, especially in a way that attracts people’s attention//  --an attractive shrub with showy flowers//  -- showily adv //  -- showiness n  [U] //


Words: shrapnel
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Henry  Shrapnel (1761-1842), British army officer who invented such bombs]//  small pieces of metal from a bomb, bullet etc that are scattered when it explodes//  --a soldier with shrapnel wounds in his chest//


Words: shred
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: screade]//\n  1 [C] a small thin piece that is torn or cut roughly from something:  shred of//  --a shred of paper//  tear/rip sth to shreds //  --The clothes were ripped to shreds and covered in blood.//\n  2  tear/rip sth to shreds:  to criticize someone very severely//  --Within a year, other researchers had torn the theory to shreds.//\n  3  in shreds:  a) torn in many places//  --Uncle Earl was exhausted and his shirt hung in shreds.//  b) completely ruined//  --His ambitious plan was in shreds.//  --If Myra gossips about this, my reputation will be in shreds.//\n  4  shred of sth:  a very small amount of something//  --There’s not a shred of doubt  (=no doubt at all) in my mind that we will win.//  --He does not have a shred of evidence  (=none at all) to prove his claim.//  --the last shred of hope//  ----------//  HINT sense 4 //  Usually used with negative words such as not, without, and hardly . //  ----------//\nshred 2   past tense and past participle  shredded present participle  shredding  v [T] //\n  1 to cut or tear something into small thin pieces:  --Coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage.//\n  2 to put a document into a shredder:  --Carlson was collecting messages, reading them, then shredding them.//


Words: shrew
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: screawa]//\n  1 a very small animal like a mouse with a long pointed nose:\n  2  old-fashioned an unpleasant woman who always argues and disagrees with people:


Words: shrewd
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin: shrew in the old meaning  ’very bad man’]//\n  1 good at judging what people or situations are really like:  --Malcolm is a shrewd and realistic businessman.//  --She was shrewd enough to guess who was responsible.//  --Capra looked at her with shrewd eyes.//\n  2 well judged and likely to be right:  --a shrewd decision//  --Bridget has a shrewd idea of what will sell.//  -- shrewdly adv //  --’Something tells me you’ve already decided,’ he said shrewdly.//  -- shrewdness n  [U] //


Words: shriek
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//\n  1 [I] to make a very high loud sound, especially because you are afraid, angry, excited, or in pain:   scream//  --They were dragged from their homes, shrieking and weeping.//  --He shrieked in agony.//  shriek with//  --A group of students were shrieking with laughter.//\n  2 [T] to say something in a high loud voice because you are excited, afraid, or angry:   scream//  --’I’m pregnant,’ she shrieked.//  shriek at//  --’I’ll kill you,’ Anne shrieked at him.//\nshriek 2 n [C]   a loud high sound made because you are frightened, excited, angry etc//   scream//  shriek of//  --a shriek of laughter//  with a shriek//  --With a shriek of delight, Jean hugged Maggie.//  give/let out a shriek //  --Ella let out a piercing shriek.//


Words: shrill
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a shrill sound is very high and unpleasant:  --’That’s not true,’ she protested in a shrill voice.//  --a shrill whistle//  --Fran uttered a shrill scream.//\n  2 shrill complaints, criticism, demands etc are too loud or strong and seem unreasonable:  --He hated the shrill demands of the children.//  -- shrillness n  [U] //  -- shrilly/[hA35D]r[hA366]l-li, [hA35D]r[hA366]li/ adv //\nshrill 2 v \n  1 [I]  written to produce a very high and unpleasant sound:  --The telephone shrilled twice.//\n  2 [T] to say something in a very high voice:  --’I hate you!’ she shrilled.//


Words: shrimp
Meaning:
n   plural  shrimp  or  shrimps  [C] //  1 a small sea creature that you can eat, which has ten legs and a soft shell//  British Equivalent:  prawn//\n  2 someone who is very small - used humorously:


Words: shrimp cocktail
Meaning:
n [U and C]  AmE   shrimps without their shells that are cooked and put in a pink sauce, and eaten cold before the main part of a meal//  British Equivalent:  prawn cocktail//


Words: shrine
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scrin, from  Latin scrinium  ’case, box’]//\n  1 a place that is connected with a holy event or holy person, and that people visit to pray:  shrine of/to//  --his pilgrimage to the shrine of St John//\n  2 a place that people visit and respect because it is connected with a famous person or event:  --Elvis’s home has become a shrine for his fans.//  shrine to//  --The museum is a shrine to the great Spanish artist.//


Words: Shriner
Meaning:
a member of a US organization whose members are  masons of high rank. Shriners are known especially for doing  charity work for children and for their travelling  circus.//


Words: shrink
Meaning:
v   past tense  shrank /[hA35D]r[zB024][hA26E]k///  past participle  shrunk /[hA35D]r[hA356][hA26E]k///  [Language: Old English; Origin: scrincan]//\n  1 [I and T] to become smaller, or to make something smaller, through the effects of heat or water:  --I’m worried about washing that shirt in case it shrinks.//    pre-shrunk,  shrunken//\n  2 [I and T] to become or to make something smaller in amount, size, or value:  → grow//  --The city continued to shrink.//  shrink to//  --The firm’s staff had shrunk to only four people.//  --Treatment can shrink a tumour.//  --We want to expand the business, not shrink it.//\n  3 [I always + adverb/preposition] to move back and away from something, especially because you are frightened:  --She listened, shrinking under the blankets, to their shouts.//  --Meredith was scared of him and shrank back.//  --His anger was enough to make the others shrink away from him.//  shrink from [shrink from sth] phr v//  to avoid doing something difficult or unpleasant//  --The leadership too often shrinks from hard decisions.//  shrink from doing sth//  --We will not shrink from making the necessary changes in policy.//\nshrink 2 n [C]  informal   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: head-shrinker  ’psychiatrist’ (1900-2000)]//  a psychoanalyst or psychiatrist - used humorously//


Words: shrinkage
Meaning:
n [singular, U]   the act of shrinking, or the amount that something shrinks//  --Pollution led to a shrinkage of grasslands.//


Words: shrivel
Meaning:
v  also shrivel up   past tense and past participle  shrivelled present participle  shrivelling  BrE //  past tense and past participle  shriveled present participle  shriveling  AmE  [I and T] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from a  Scandinavian language]//  if something shrivels, or if it is shrivelled, it becomes smaller and its surface becomes covered in lines because it is very dry or old//  --The leaves change colour, then shrivel.//  -- shrivelled BrE  shriveled AmE  adj //  --a shrivelled apple//


Words: Shropshire
Meaning:
a  county in western England near the border with Wales. Its local government is based at Shrewsbury.//


Words: shroud
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scrud]//\n  1 a cloth that is wrapped around a dead person’s body before it is buried:\n  2  literary something that hides or covers something:  --The fog rolled in, and a grey shroud covered the city.//  shroud of//  --A shroud of silence surrounded the general’s death.//\nshroud 2 v [T usually in passive]  literary \n  1 to cover or hide something:  --Joseph was shrouded under a dark blanket.//  be shrouded in sth//  --The cliff was shrouded in mist.//\n  2 to keep information secret so that people do not know what really happened:  be shrouded in sth//  --The incident has always been shrouded in mystery .//  --The work is shrouded in secrecy .//


Words: shroud-waving
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   when people, especially doctors or politicians, publicly criticize the quality of medical care in the British National Health Service, in order to make the government provide more money for it//


Words: Shrove Tuesday
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Shrove from  shrive (of a Christian priest)  ’to hear and forgive someone’s sins’ (11-21 centuries), from  Old English scrifan;   SHRIFT]//  the day before the first day of the Christian period of Lent, when people in Britain traditionally eat pancakes//


Words: shrubbery
Meaning:
n   plural  shrubberies //\n  1 [U] shrubs planted close together:  --a tangled mass of overgrown shrubbery//\n  2 [C] a part of a garden where shrubs are planted close together:


Words: shrug
Meaning:
W3   v   past tense and past participle  shrugged present participle  shrugging  [I and T] //  to raise and then lower your shoulders in order to show that you do not know something or do not care about something//  --I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him.//  --Melanie shrugged and walked away.//  shrug off [shrug sth → off] phr v//  to treat something as unimportant and not worry about it//  --We can’t just shrug these objections off.//\nshrug 2 n [C usually singular]   a movement of your shoulders upwards and then downwards again that you make to show that you do not know something or do not care about something//  with a shrug//  --’Suit yourself,’ he said with a shrug.//


Words: shtick
Meaning:
schtick/[hA35D]t[hA366]k/ n [U]  AmE   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Yiddish; Origin: shtik  ’piece’, from  Middle High German stucke]//  the style of humour that a particular actor or comedian typically uses//


Words: shuck
Meaning:
v [T]  AmE   to remove the outer cover of a vegetable such as corn, or the shell of oysters//  shuck off [shuck sth → off] phr v//  to take off a piece of clothing//  --She shucked off her jacket and ran upstairs.//


Words: shucks
Meaning:
interjection  AmE  old-fashioned   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: shuck  ’something worthless’ (19-20 centuries), from  shuck  ’outer covering of a vegetable’ (17-21 centuries), of unknown origin]//  used to show you are a little disappointed about something//


Words: shudder
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1100-1200; Origin:  Probably from  Middle Low German schoderen or  Middle Dutch shuderen]//\n  1 to shake for a short time because you are afraid or cold, or because you think something is very unpleasant:  --Maria shuddered as she stepped outside.//  shudder with//  --I shudder with embarrassment whenever I think I think about it.//  shudder at//  --She shuddered at the thought that she could have been killed.//\n  2 if a vehicle or machine shudders, it shakes violently:  --The car shuddered briefly as its engine died.//  --The train shuddered to a halt .//\n  3  I shudder to think:   spoken used to say that you do not want to think about something because it is too unpleasant//  --I shudder to think what they’ll say when they see the mess the house is in.//  shudder at [shudder at sth] phr v//  to think that something is very bad or unpleasant//  --If you love skiing but shudder at the cost, take advantage of our superb family offer.//  --He shuddered at the thought of the conflict ahead.//\nshudder 2 n [C usually singular]   a shaking movement//  --The building gave a sudden shudder .//  a shudder ran/passed/went through sb //  --A shudder ran through him at the touch of her fingers.//


Words: shuffle
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from  shove]//\n  1 [I always + adverb/preposition] to walk very slowly and noisily, without lifting your feet off the ground:  shuffle forward/over/back etc//  --The official signaled to one of the waiters, who shuffled forward.//  --With sore legs and aching chest he shuffled over to the bathroom.//\n  2  shuffle your feet:  to move your feet slightly, especially because you are bored or embarrassed//  --Monica shuffled her feet nervously and stared at the floor.//\n  3 [T] to move something such as papers into a different order or into different positions:  --Jack sat nervously shuffling the papers around on his desk.//  shuffle through//  --Frances shuffled through a pile of magazines.//\n  4 [I and T] to mix playing cards into a different order before playing a game with them:  --Is it my turn to shuffle?//  --Just shuffle the cards .//    reshuffle//\nshuffle 2 n \n  1 [singular] a slow walk in which you do not lift your feet off the ground:\n  2 [C] the act of mixing cards into a different order before playing a game:\n  3  be/get lost in the shuffle:  to not be noticed or considered because there are so many other things to deal with//  --The information contained in the memo got lost in the shuffle once it reached headquarters.//


Words: shun
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shunned present participle  shunning  [T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: scunian]//  to deliberately avoid someone or something//  --a shy woman who shunned publicity //  --Victims of the disease found themselves shunned by society.//


Words: shunt
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Perhaps from  shun]//\n  1 to move someone or something to another place, especially in a way that seems unfair:  shunt sb off/around/aside etc//  --Smith was shunted off to one of the company’s smaller offices.//\n  2 to move a train or railway carriage onto a different track:\nshunt 2 n [C]   an act of moving a train or railway carriage to a different track//


Words: shush
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: shh]//\n  1  shush!:   spoken used to tell someone, especially a child, to be quiet//   shh//  --’Shush!’ said Jerry. ’Not so loud.’//\n  2 [T] to tell someone to be very quiet, especially by putting your fingers against your lips or by saying ’shush’:  --He started to cry and Francesca shushed him.//


Words: shut
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  shut //  present participle  shutting //  [Language: Old English; Origin: scyttan]//\n  1 [I and T] to close something, or to become closed:  --Shut the window, Ellen!//  --I heard his bedroom door shut.//  --She lay down on her bed and shut her eyes .//  shut (sth) behind sb//  --She walked quickly in and shut the door behind her.//  --The gates shut behind him with a dull thud.//  --He shut the drawer and turned the key. see usage note  close1 //\n  2  shut your mouth/face/trap!:   also  shut your gob!/shut it! BrE //   spoken  not polite used to tell someone to stop talking//\n  3 [I and T]  BrE to stop being open to the public for a short time or permanently:   close//  --The post office shuts at 5 o’clock.//  --At midday we shut the shop for lunch.//  --He lost his job when they shut the factory.//\n  4  shut your eyes/ears to sth:  to deliberately refuse to notice or pay attention to something//  --We ought not to shut our eyes to these facts.//  --She heard the boys shouting to her to stop, but she shut her ears to them.//\n  5  shut sth in the door/drawer etc:   BrE  shut the door/drawer etc on sth//   AmE to shut a door etc against something so that it gets trapped there//  --I shut my finger in the back door yesterday and it still hurts.//  shut away [shut sb/sth away] phr v//\n  1 to put someone or something in a place away from other people where they cannot be seen:  --A lot of people are classed as mad and shut away unnecessarily.//\n  2  shut yourself away:  to deliberately avoid seeing people by staying at home or going to a quiet place, especially because you are very unhappy or want to study, write etc//  --When news came of Robin’s death, she shut herself away and saw no one.//  shut yourself away in//  --She shut herself away in her room to work on her novel.//  shut down phr v//\n  1 if a company, factory, large machine etc shuts down or is shut down, it stops operating, either permanently or for a short time:  --Our local hardware shop has shut down.//  shut sth → down//  --an accident which resulted in two of the plant’s nuclear reactors being shut down//  --The way to shut the machine down is to type EXIT.//\n  2  shut sb → down:   informal to prevent an opposing team or player from playing well or getting points//  --We all knew that to win we’d have to shut down Bobby Mitchell.//  shut in () [shut sb in (sth)] phr v//  a) if you shut someone in a room, you close the door and stop them from getting out//  --Her parents shut her in an upstairs room.//  --He pushed the dogs into the breakfast room and shut them in.//  b)  shut yourself in (sth)//  if you shut yourself in a room, you close the door and stay in there, and often stop other people from coming in//  --Ellie darted back to her room and shut herself in.//  --He shut himself in his room and wrote letters.//  shut off phr v//\n  1 if a machine, tool etc shuts off or if you shut it off, it stops operating:   turn off//  --The iron shuts off automatically if it gets too hot.//  shut sth → off//  --I let the engine run for a minute and then shut it off.//  --Don’t forget to shut off the water supply.//\n  2  shut sth → off:  to prevent goods or supplies from being available or being delivered//  --a strike that closed the mines and shut off coal supplies//\n  3  shut yourself off:  to avoid meeting and talking to other people//  shut yourself off from//  --He was cold and remote, shutting himself off from her completely.//\n  4  be shut off from sth:  to be separated from other people or things, especially so that you are not influenced by them//  --The valley is completely shut off from the modern world.//  shut out phr v//\n  1  shut sb out:  to deliberately not let someone join you in an activity or share your thoughts and feelings//  --How can I help you if you just keep shutting me out all the time?//  shut somebody out from//  --I felt I was being shut out from all the family’s affairs.//\n  2  shut sb/sth → out:  to prevent someone or something from entering a place//  --heavy curtains that shut out the sunlight//  shut somebody/something → out from//  --The door closed firmly, shutting me out from the warmth inside.//\n  3  shut sth →out:  to stop yourself from thinking about or noticing something, so that you are not affected by it//  --People close their windows at night in a vain attempt to shut out the sound of gunfire.//  --She shut out memories of James.//  --Jenny closed her eyes and tried to shut everything out .//\n  4  shut out sb:   AmE to defeat an opposing sports team and prevent them from getting any points//  --Colorado shut out Kansas City 3-0.//  shut up phr v//\n  1  shut up!:   spoken  not polite used to tell someone to stop talking//   be quiet!//  --Oh, shut up! I don’t want to hear your excuses.//  --Just shut up and listen.//  shut up! about//  --Shut up about your stupid dog, okay!//\n  2  shut (sb) up:   informal to stop talking or be quiet, or to make someone do this//  --I can’t stand that woman. She never shuts up.//  shut (somebody) up about//  --I wish you’d shut up about Chris.//  --I only said that to shut her up.//\n  3  shut sb up:  to keep someone in a place away from other people, and prevent them from leaving//  shut somebody up in//  --I’ve had a terrible cold and been shut up in my room for a week.//  --Was there any need to keep us shut up here?//\n  4  shut sth → up:  to close a shop, room etc so that people cannot get into it//  --Bernadette cleaned the attic and then shut it up for another year.//\n  5  shut up shop:   BrE  informal to close a business or stop working, at the end of the day or permanently//\nshut 2 adj [not before noun] \n  1 not open:   closed//  --Is the door shut properly?//  --She kept the windows shut , for fear of burglars.//  --He sat with his eyes shut .//  --The windows were tightly shut .//  slam/bang/swing etc shut //  --The door slammed shut behind him.//  pull/kick/slam etc sth shut //  --Jenny pulled the window shut.//    keep your mouth shut at keep1 (2)//\n  2  BrE if a shop, bar etc is shut, it is not open for business:   closed//  --in the evening when the shops are shut//  --Sorry, but we’re shut.//  shut for//  --The first four hotels we tried were shut for the winter.//


Words: shutdown
Meaning:
n [C]   the closing of a factory, business, or piece of machinery, either permanently or for a short time//  shutdown of//  --Environmental groups had called for the permanent shutdown of the plant.//  --safety systems and automatic shutdown procedures//


Words: Shute
Meaning:
Nevil   (1899-1960) a British writer who went to live in Australia, and whose best-known novels are  A Town Like Alice and  On the Beach.//


Words: shutter
Meaning:
n [C]   shutter//  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  SHUT1]//\n  1 [usually plural] one of a pair of wooden or metal covers on the outside of a window that can be closed to keep light out or prevent thieves from coming in:\n  2 a part of a camera that opens for a very short time to let light onto the film:\nshutter 2 v [T usually passive]    AmE to close a business, office etc for a short time or permanently//  --The company shuttered its Hong Kong investment banking business a year ago.//


Words: shuttle
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: scytel  ’bar, bolt’]//\n  1 a space shuttle:\n  2 a plane, bus, or train that makes regular short journeys between two places:  --He took the Washington - New York shuttle.//  --A shuttle bus operates to and from the beach of San Benedetto.//  --There’s a shuttle service from the city center to the airport.//\n  3 a pointed tool used in weaving, to pass a thread over and under the threads that form the cloth:\nshuttle 2 v \n  1 [I always + adverb/preposition] to travel frequently between two places:  shuttle between/back and forth//  --Susan shuttles between Rotterdam and London for her job.//\n  2 [T] to move people from one place to another place that is fairly near:  --The passengers were shuttled to the hotel by bus.//


Words: shuttle diplomacy
Meaning:
n [U]   international talks in which someone travels between countries and talks to members of the governments, for example to make a peace agreement//


Words: shuttlecock
Meaning:
n [C]   a small light object that you hit over the net in the game of badminton//  American Equivalent:  birdie//


Words: shy
Meaning:
adj   comparative  shyer superlative  shyest //  [Language: Old English; Origin: sceoh]//\n  1 nervous and embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people, especially people you do not know:  --He was a quiet, shy man.//  shy with//  --She was very shy with strangers.//  --a shy smile//  --As a teenager I was painfully shy  (=extremely shy) .//  shy to do sth//  --He was too shy to come sit by me in class.//  go all shy  BrE  (=to suddenly become very shy) //  --Oh, have you gone all shy, Jenny?//\n  2  sb is not shy about (doing) sth:  used to emphasize that someone is very willing to do something or get involved with something//  --John has strong opinions and he’s not shy about sharing them.//\n  3 unwilling to do something or get involved in something:  be shy about/of (doing) sth//  --Employees are urged not to be shy about reporting incidents of sexual harassment.//\n  4  be shy (of sth):   especially AmE to have less than a particular amount of something//  --The Democrats are three votes shy of a majority.//  --Jessica died Monday. She was one week shy of her 13th birthday.//\n  5 used to say that someone does not like something and therefore tries to avoid it:  --Although publicity-shy , he recently agreed to be interviewed.//    camera-shy,  work-shy//\n  6 shy animals get frightened easily and are unwilling to come near people:  --Deer are shy creatures .//  -- shyly adv //  --He grinned shyly.//  -- shyness n  [U] //  --Gradually I overcame my shyness .//    fight shy of (doing) sth at fight1 (22),  once bitten, twice shy at bite1 (14)//  ----------//  WORD FOCUS: shy //  similar words: timid,  self-conscious,  reserved,  withdrawn,  introverted //  ----------//\nshy 2   past tense and past participle  shied present participle  shying third person singular  shies  v [I] //  if a horse shies, it makes a sudden movement away from something because it is frightened//  --The horse shied, throwing Darrel from his saddle.//  shy away from [shy away from sth] phr v//  to avoid doing or dealing with something because you are not confident enough or you are worried or nervous about it//  --They criticized the leadership, but shied away from a direct challenge.//\nshy 3 n     coconut shy//


Words: Shylock
Meaning:
a character in the play  The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. He is a Jewish  moneylender who lends money to Antonio, and when Antonio is unable to pay the money back, Shylock says he has the right to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio’s body. In some ways Shylock is shown in a negative way as someone who is only interested in money, but he also makes a famous speech in which he states that he is like any other human being ("If you prick me, do I not bleed...") and describes how he and other Jewish people are unfairly treated.//


Words: shyster
Meaning:
n [C]  informal  especially AmE   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Probably from  German scheisser  ’unpleasant person’, from  scheiss  ’body waste’]//  a dishonest person, especially a lawyer or businessman//


Words: Siamese cat
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Siamese from  Siam former name of Thailand]//  a type of cat that has blue eyes, short grey or brown fur, and a dark face//


Words: Siamese twin
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  From such a pair (Chang and Eng) who were born in Siam (now Thailand)]//  one of two people who are born joined to each other - sometimes considered offensive//   conjoined twin//


Words: Sibelius
Meaning:
Jean   (1865-1957) a Finnish  composer whose music is about nature and old Finnish stories and literature. He is best-known works are  Finlandia, the  Karelia Suite, and his  symphonies.//


