# dict

Words: first aid
Meaning:
n [U]   simple medical treatment that is given as soon as possible to someone who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill//  --Being given first aid at the scene of the accident probably saved his life.//


Words: first aid kit
Meaning:
n [C]   Band-Aid, bandage, plaster, scissors//  a special bag or box containing bandages and medicines to treat people who are injured or become ill suddenly//


Words: First Amendment
Meaning:
the   a part of the  Constitution of the United States which gives US citizens the right of freedom of speech, freedom of the  press (=newspapers, radio, and television) , freedom of religion, and freedom of  assembly (=the right of any group to meet together) . Many cases concerning these rights have been taken to the  Supreme Court.//


Words: first base
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 :  a) the first of the four places in a game of baseball that a player must touch before gaining a point//  b) the position of a defending player near this place//  --He plays first base for the Red Sox.//\n  2  get to/reach first base:   AmE  informal //  a) to reach the first stage of success in an attempt to achieve something//  --You’ve gotten to first base if you’ve landed an interview.//  b)  old-fashioned  informal to kiss someone in a sexual way, used especially by young men to talk about the first stage in a sexual relationship//


Words: first class
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the best and most expensive seats on a plane or train, or rooms in a hotel:  --We prefer to travel in first class.//    business class,  cabin class,  economy class,  tourist class//\n  2 [U] :  a) a class of post used in Britain for letters and parcels, that is quicker and more expensive than second-class post//    second class//  b) the class of post used in the US for ordinary business and personal letters//\n  3 [C] the highest class of degree from a British university:


Words: First Communion
Meaning:
when someone receives Holy Communion for the first time//  --Rachel’s making her First Communion on Saturday.//


Words: first degree
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C usually singular]  BrE used to talk about a university degree such as a BA or a BSc, obtained by people who do not already have a degree:\n  2  murder in the first degree:   AmE first-degree murder//


Words: first edition
Meaning:
n [C]   one of the first copies of a book, which is often valuable//  --an impressive collection of 19th century first editions//


Words: first floor
Meaning:
n \n  1  the first floor:   BrE the floor of a building just above the one at the bottom level//    ground floor//  --a flat on the first floor//\n  2  the first floor:   AmE the floor of a building at the bottom level//  --Fire broke out on the first floor of the apartment building.//


Words: first fruits
Meaning:
n [plural]  BrE   the first good result of something//  first fruits of//  --the first fruits of the government’s privatization policy//


Words: first gear
Meaning:
n [U]   the lowest gear in a car or other motor vehicle, used when starting to move or when going up or down a very steep hill//


Words: first generation
Meaning:
n [singular] \n  1 people who have moved to live in a new country, or the children of these people:\n  2 the first type of a machine to be developed:  first generation of//  --the first generation of hand-held computers//\n  3 the first people to do something:  first generation of//  --the first generation of radical feminists in the US//  -- first-generation adj //  --first-generation Americans//


Words: first lady
Meaning:
n \n  1  the first lady:  the wife of the President of the US, or of the governor of a US state//\n  2 [C usually singular] a woman who is considered to be the very best at a particular thing:  first lady of//  --the first lady of jazz, Billie Holiday//


Words: first language
Meaning:
n [C]   the language that you first learn as a child//   native language/tongue, mother tongue//    second language//


Words: first mate
Meaning:
also first officer  n [C]   an officer who has the rank just below captain on a ship that is not a military ship //


Words: First Minister
Meaning:
the most important minister in the Scottish Parliament, similar to the Prime Minister in the UK parliament. The minister is elected by the members of the Scottish Parliament, but would normally be the leader of the largest political party.//


Words: first name
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the name or names that come before your family name:   Christian name//    surname, last name//  --Her first name’s Helen, but I don’t know her surname.//\n  2  be on first name terms (with sb):   BrE be on a first name basis  AmE to know someone well enough to call them by their first name//


Words: first person
Meaning:
n \n  1  the first person:   technical a form of a verb or a pronoun that is used to show that you are the speaker. For example, ’I’, ’me’, ’we’, and ’us’ are first person pronouns, and ’I am’ is the first person singular of the verb ’to be’//    second person, third person//\n  2 [singular] a way of telling a story in which the writer or speaker tells it as though they were involved in the story:    third person//  --a first person narrative//  in the first person//  --The ’Great Gatsby ’ is written in the first person.//


Words: First Reading
Meaning:
1 the first time that a suggested new law is introduced in Parliament in the UK:  --The new transport bill will get its first reading in the House of Commons tomorrow.//\n  2 the first time that a suggested new law is introduced to  Congress in the US:


Words: first refusal
Meaning:
n  BrE   have/give sb first refusal on sth//  to let someone decide whether to buy something before you offer to sell it to other people//  --I’ll let you have first refusal on the car.//


Words: First Secretary
Meaning:
the most important minister in the Welsh Assembly, similar to the Prime Minister in the UK parliament. The minister is elected by the Welsh Assembly Members, but would normally be the leader of the largest political party.//


Words: first strike
Meaning:
n [C]   an attack made on your enemy before they attack you, especially an attack made using nuclear weapons//


Words: First World
Meaning:
n   the First World//  the rich industrial countries of the world//    Third World//  -- first world adj  [always before noun] //  --first world economies//


Words: First World War
Meaning:
n   the First World War//  the big war fought in Europe between 1914 and 1918, which involved many different countries//   World War I//


Words: first-class
Meaning:
adj \n  1 of very good quality, and much better than other things of the same type:  --This is a first-class wine.//  --His writing is first-class.//\n  2 relating to the class of post that is the most expensive and quickest to arrive:  first-class stamp/mail/post etc //\n  3 relating to the best and most expensive class of seats on a plane or train, or rooms in a hotel:  first-class passenger/seat/compartment etc //  -- first class adv //  --If I send the letter first class it should arrive tomorrow.//  --travel first class//


Words: first-degree
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1  first-degree burn:  a burn that is not very serious//\n  2  first-degree murder:   AmE murder of the most serious type, in which someone deliberately kills someone else//    manslaughter//


Words: first-ever
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   happening for the first time//  --the novelist’s first-ever television interview//  --It was the first-ever visit to China by an American president.//


Words: first-hand
Meaning:
also  firsthand/f[hA362][hA359]sth[zB024]nd $ f[hA362][hA359]rst-/ adj [only before noun]   first-hand experience/knowledge/account etc//  experience etc that has been learned or gained by doing something yourself or by talking to someone yourself//    second-hand//  --journalists with first-hand experience of working in war zones//  -- first-hand adv //  --experience gained first-hand//    (at) first hand at first1 (8)//


Words: first-past-the-post
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE   a first-past-the-post system of electing a politician, a government etc is one in which the person or party who gets the most votes wins//  --Britain’s first-past-the-post electoral system//  first-past-the-post voting //


Words: first-string
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a first-string player in a team plays when the game begins because they are the most skilled//    second-string//


Words: firstly
Meaning:
S2   adv [sentence adverb]   used to say that the fact or reason that you are going to mention is the first one and will be followed by others//    finally, lastly//  --Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success.//   see usage note  first2 //


Words: firth
Meaning:
n [C]   a narrow area of sea between two areas of land, or the place where a river flows into the sea - used especially in Scotland//  --the Firth of Forth//


Words: fiscal
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: fiscus  ’basket, money bag’]//  relating to money, taxes, debts etc that are owned and managed by the government//  --a fiscal crisis //  fiscal policy/measure //  --sound (=good) fiscal policy//  --a fiscal matter //  -- fiscally adv //  --fiscally conservative//


Words: fiscal year
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the 12 month period used by governments to calculate spending and how much tax a person or business must pay:  last/current/coming/next fiscal year //\n  2  AmE the 12 month period over which a company calculates its profits or losses:  British Equivalent:  financial year//


Words: fish
Meaning:
W1S2   n   plural  fish  or  fishes //  [Language: Old English; Origin: fisc; related to  Pisces]//\n  1 [C] an animal that lives in water, and uses its fins and tail to swim:  --Ronny caught three huge fish this afternoon.//  --Over 1,500 different species of fish inhabit the waters around the reef.//  --The stonefish is the most deadly of all fishes.//  --The lake is well stocked with fish (=fish have been put into the lake) .//  freshwater/saltwater/tropical fish //  a shoal/school of fish (=a large group of fish swimming together) //\n  2 [U] the flesh of a fish used as food:    seafood//  --One usually drinks white wine with fish.//\n  3  (be/feel) like a fish out of water:  to feel uncomfortable because you feel you do not belong in a place or situation//  --I felt like a fish out of water in my new school.//\n  4  there are plenty more fish in the sea:  used to tell someone whose relationship has ended that there are other people they can have a relationship with//\n  5  neither fish nor fowl:  neither one thing nor another//\n  6  have other/bigger fish to fry:   informal to have other things to do, especially more important things//\n  7  odd fish/queer fish:   BrE  old-fashioned someone who is slightly strange or crazy//\n  8  cold fish:  an unfriendly person who seems to have no strong feelings//\n  9  a big fish in a little/small pond:  someone who is important in or who has influence over a very small area//    drink like a fish at drink1 (2),  another/a different kettle of fish at kettle(3)//\nfish 2 v \n  1 [I] to try to catch fish:    fishing//  --Dad really loves to fish.//  fish for//  --a Japanese vessel fishing for tuna in the Eastern Pacific//\n  2 [I always +adverb/preposition]  informal to search for something in a bag, pocket etc:  fish about/around//  --She fished around in her purse and pulled out a photo.//  fish for//  --Chris fished in his pocket for a coin.//\n  3 [T] to try to catch fish in a particular area of water:    fishing//  --Other nations are forbidden to fish the waters within 200 miles of the coast.//\n  4  fish for compliments:  to try to make someone say something nice about you, usually by first criticizing yourself - used to show disapproval//  --It’s sickening the way he’s always fishing for compliments.//\n  5 [I] to try to find out information, without asking directly:  --’Are you here with your wife?’ she asked, fishing.//  fish out [fish sb/sth → out] //  a) to pull someone or something out of water//  fish somebody/something → out of//  --The body was fished out of the East River a week later.//  b) to find something after searching through a bag, pocket etc, and take it out//  fish somebody/something → out of//  --Eric fished a peppermint out of the bag.//


Words: fish and chips
Meaning:
n [U]   a meal consisting of fish covered with batter (=a mixture of flour and milk)  and cooked in oil, served with long thin pieces of potato also cooked in oil//  --Get some fish and chips on your way home.//  --a fish and chip shop//


Words: fish farm
Meaning:
also fishery  n [C]   an area of water used for breeding fish as a business//  -- fish farming n  [U] //


Words: fish finger
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a long piece of fish covered with breadcrumbs or batter and cooked//  American Equivalent:  fish stick//


Words: fish fry plural
Meaning:
fish fries  n [C]  AmE   an outdoor event held to raise money for an organization, at which fish is cooked and eaten//


Words: fish slice
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a kitchen tool used especially for turning food when cooking, with a wide flat part and a handle//   spatula//


Words: fish-eye lens
Meaning:
n [C]   a type of curved lens (=piece of glass on the front of a camera)  that allows you to take photographs of a wide area//


Words: fishbowl
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a glass bowl that you can keep fish in:\n  2 a place or situation in which you cannot do anything in private:  --Being in a small town like this is like living in a fishbowl.//


Words: fisherman
Meaning:
n   plural  fishermen /-m[hA353]n/ [C] //  someone who catches fish as a sport or as a job//    angler//


Words: fishery
Meaning:
n   plural  fisheries  [C] //\n  1 a part of the sea where fish are caught in large numbers:\n  2 a fish farm:


Words: fishhook
Meaning:
n [C]   a small hook with a sharp point at one end, that is fastened to the end of a long string in order to catch fish//


Words: fishing
Meaning:
S3   n [U] \n  1 the sport or business of catching fish:  --Fishing is one of his hobbies.//  --Terry’s going fishing at Lake Arrowhead next weekend.//  deep sea/freshwater/saltwater fishing //  salmon/trout/bass etc fishing //    flyfishing//\n  2  be on a fishing expedition:   AmE  informal to try to find out secret information by asking a lot of questions about different things//


Words: fishing rod
Meaning:
also fishing pole  n [C]   a long thin pole with a long string and a hook attached to it, used for catching fish//


Words: fishtail
Meaning:
v [I]  AmE   if a vehicle or aircraft fishtails, the back end of it slides from side to side, usually because the tyres are sliding on water or ice//


Words: fishwife
Meaning:
n   plural  fishwives /-wa[hA366]vz/ [C]  especially BrE //  an insulting word for a woman who shouts a lot and is often in a bad temper//


Words: fishy
Meaning:
adj \n  1  informal seeming bad or dishonest:   suspicious//  --There’s something very fishy about him.//\n  2 tasting or smelling of fish:  --a fishy smell//


Words: fissile
Meaning:
adj  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: fissilis, from  fissus;   FISSION]//  able to be split by atomic fission//


Words: fission
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: fissus, past participle of  findere  ’to split’]//\n  1 the process of splitting an atom to produce large amounts of energy or an explosion:    fusion//\n  2 the process of dividing a cell into two or more parts:


Words: fissure
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin;   FISSION]//  a deep crack, especially in rock or earth//


Words: fist
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fyst]//\n  1 the hand when it is tightly closed, so that the fingers are curled in towards the palm. People close their hand in a fist when they are angry or are going to hit someone:  --She held the money tightly in her fist.//  --Malcolm clenched his fist  (=held his fist very tightly closed) angrily.//  --Dooley stood up and shook his fist in her face.//  --Varney slammed his fist down onto the table so hard the dishes jumped.//    ham-fisted,  tight-fisted,  hand over fist at hand1 (35)//\n  2  make a good/bad fist of sth:   BrE  informal to make a successful or unsuccessful attempt to do something//


Words: fistful
Meaning:
n [C]   an amount that is as much as you can hold in your hand//  fistful of//  --a child clutching a fistful of toffees//


Words: Fistful of Dollars
Meaning:
A   (1964) the first  spaghetti western (=a film about the American west in the 19th century, made in Europe by an Italian  director). It was made by Sergio  Leone with Clint  Eastwood as its main character.//


Words: fisticuffs
Meaning:
n [plural]  old-fashioned   a fight in which you use your bare hands to hit someone - often used humorously//


Words: fit
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  fitted  also  fit  AmE present participle  fitting //  ----------//\n   1 clothes:\n   2 right size/shape:\n   3 enough space:\n   4 equipment/part:\n   5 match/be suitable:\n   6 fit somebody for something:\n   7 fit the bill:\n   8 if the cap fits (,wear it):  Phrasal verbs//   fit in//   fit into something//   fit somebody/something → out//   fit together//   fit somebody/something → up//  ----------//\n  1 CLOTHES:  a)  [I,T not in progressive] if a piece of clothing fits you, it is the right size for your body//  --His clothes did not fit him very well .//  --The uniform fitted her perfectly .//  --The jacket’s fine, but the trousers don’t fit.//  --I know this dress is going to fit you like a glove  (=fit you very well) .//  b)  [T usually passive] to try a piece of clothing on someone to see if it is the right size for them, or to make sure a special piece of equipment is right for them//  fit sb for sth//  --I’m being fitted for a new suit tomorrow.//  fit sb with sth//  --He may need to be fitted with a hearing aid.//\n  2 RIGHT SIZE/SHAPE:  a)  [I and T] if something fits in a place, it is the right size or shape to go there//  --I couldn’t find a key which fitted the lock.//  --Most cookers are designed to fit level with your worktops.//  fit in/into/under etc//  --The plastic cover fits neatly over the frame.//  fit together//  --All these bits of tubing are supposed to fit together.//  b)  [T always + adverb/preposition] to put something carefully into a place that is the right size or shape for it//  --She fitted the last piece into the jigsaw puzzle.//\n  3 ENOUGH SPACE:   [I and T] if something fits into a place, there is enough space for it//  --I wanted to put the wardrobe behind the door, but I don’t think it’ll fit.//  --You might be able to fit some small flowering plants between the larger bushes.//  fit sth in/into sth//  --I don’t think we’ll be able to fit any more people into the car.//  --We should be able to fit one more in.//\n  4 EQUIPMENT/PART:   [T] to put a piece of equipment into a place, or a new part onto a machine, so that it is ready to be used//  fit sth on/to etc sth//  --I need to fit a lock on the bathroom door.//  --Anti-theft devices are fitted to all our cars.//  be fitted with sth//  --The windows and doors are all fitted with security locks.//\n  5 MATCH/BE SUITABLE:   [I and T] if something fits another thing, it is similar to it or suitable for it//  --The punishment should fit the crime.//  --Police said the car fits the description of the stolen vehicle.//  --Scientists often select facts to fit their theories.//  --He didn’t fit the conventional image of a banker.//  fit with//  --The rhythm should fit with the meaning of a poem.//\n  6  fit sb for sth:   formal to make someone suitable for something or able to do something//  --His natural authority fitted him for a senior position.//\n  7  fit the bill:  to be the type of person or thing that you want//  --We wanted an experienced sportscaster, and Waggoner fit the bill.//\n  8  if the cap fits (,wear it):   BrE if the shoe fits (, wear it)  AmE  spoken //  used to tell someone that you think a criticism of them is true//  --’So you think I’m a liar.’ ’Well, if the cap fits...’//    sb’s face doesn’t fit at face1 (20)//  fit in phr v//\n  1 if someone fits in, they are accepted by the other people in a group:  --I never really fitted in at school.//  fit in with//  --I wasn’t sure if she would fit in with my friends.//\n  2  fit sth/sb → in:  to manage to do something or see someone, even though you have a lot of other things to do//   squeeze something/somebody → in//  --The doctor said he can fit me in at 4:30.//  --I wanted to fit in a swim before breakfast.//\n  3 if something fits in with other things, it is similar to them or goes well with them:  --I don’t know quite how this new course will fit in.//  fit in with//  --A new building must fit in with its surroundings.//  --You can’t expect a baby to fit in with your existing routine.//  fit into [fit into sth] phr v//\n  1 to be part of a group or system:  --Some of the patients we see do not fit neatly into any of the existing categories.//  --How does this fit into the company’s overall marketing strategy?//\n  2 to be accepted by the people in a group or organization:  --She fitted into the team very well.//  fit out [fit sb/sth → out] phr v//  to provide a person or place with the equipment, furniture, or clothes that they need//  --The office had been fitted out in style.//  fit somebody/something → out with//  --The new recruits were fitted out with uniforms and weapons.//  fit together phr v//\n  1 if something fits together or you fit it together, different pieces can be joined to make something:  --Look, the tubes fit together like this.//  fit sth together//  --The pictures show you how to fit it together.//\n  2 if a story, set of facts, set of ideas etc fit together, they make sense when considered together:  --Telecom and computer businesses fit together well.//  fit up [fit sb/sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to provide a place with the furniture or equipment that it needs:   fit something → out//  fit somebody/something → up with//  --The rooms are now fitted up with electric lights.//\n  2  informal to make someone seem guilty of a crime when they are really not guilty:  --I knew that I had been fitted up.//  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  Use fit to say that clothes are not too big or too small. Use suit to say that clothes look attractive on someone The dress fits, but it doesn’t suit me. //  ----------//\nfit 2 W3S2 adj   comparative  fitter superlative  fittest //  ----------//\n   1 strong:\n   2 suitable:\n   3 see/think fit (to do something):\n   4 in a fit state (to do something):\n   5 fit for a king:\n   6 attractive:\n   7 fit to drop:\n   8 fit to burst:\n   9 fit to be tied:  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Perhaps from   FIT1]//\n  1 STRONG:  someone who is fit is strong and healthy, especially because they exercise regularly//  → unfit//  --You must be very fit if you do so much running.//  --He was young, good-looking, and physically fit .//  --I swim twice a week to try and keep fit .//  fit for//  --He may not be fit for Saturday’s match.//  fit to do sth//  --I don’t know if I’ll be fit enough to take part in the race.//  --Psychiatrists said he was fit to stand trial (=he was mentally healthy enough) .//  --She’s over eighty now, but still as fit as a fiddle  (=very fit) .//  fighting fit (=very fit)  BrE //  --I had just come back from holiday and was fighting fit.//\n  2 SUITABLE:  suitable or good enough for something//  → unfit//  fit for//  --We had to make sure the land was fit for drilling.//  --Some of the food was not fit for human consumption.//  --This book is not fit for publication!//  fit to do sth//  --He is not fit to govern this country!//  --This room is not fit to be seen!//\n  3  see/think fit (to do sth):  to decide that something is the best thing to do, especially when other people do not agree with you//  --The government saw fit to ignore our advice.//  --Sort out the problem in any way you think fit.//\n  4  in a fit state (to do sth):   especially BrE healthy enough or in good enough condition for something//  --I was still very shocked and in no fit state to work.//  --We’ll have to make sure the house is in a fit state to receive visitors.//\n  5  fit for a king:  of very good quality//  --The meal they provided was fit for a king.//\n  6 ATTRACTIVE:   BrE sexually attractive//\n  7  fit to drop:   BrE  informal extremely tired//   exhausted//  --It was getting late and most of us were fit to drop.//\n  8  fit to burst:   BrE  informal if you are laughing, shouting etc fit to burst, you are doing it a lot//  --The girls were laughing fit to burst.//\n  9  fit to be tied:   AmE very angry, anxious, or upset//  --I was fit to be tied when she didn’t come home until 2 a.m.//\nfit 3 n   ----------//\n   1 emotion:\n   2 lose consciousness:\n   3 laugh/cough:\n   4 have/throw a fit:\n   5 right size:\n   6 suitable:\n   7 in/by fits and starts:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: fitt  ’disagreement, opposition, fighting’]//\n  1 EMOTION:   [C] a time when you feel an emotion very strongly and cannot control your behaviour//  fit of//  --She killed him in a fit of temper.//  --He quit his job in a fit of drunken depression.//\n  2 LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS:   [C] a short period of time when someone loses consciousness and cannot control their body because their brain is not working properly//  --She used to have fits as a baby.//  --people who suffer from epileptic fits //\n  3 LAUGH/COUGH:   [C] a short time during which you laugh or cough a lot in a way that you cannot control//  --He had a violent coughing fit .//  fit of//  --The girls collapsed into a fit of the giggles.//  --We were all in fits of laughter trying to clear up the mess.//  --Carl had us all in fits  (=made us laugh a lot) with his stories.//\n  4  have/throw a fit:   informal to be very angry or shocked//  --If your mother finds out about this, she’ll have a fit.//\n  5 RIGHT SIZE:   [singular] the way in which something fits on your body or fits into a space//  --The dress was a perfect fit .//  --I managed to get everything into the suitcase, but it was a tight fit .//\n  6 SUITABLE:   [singular]  formal if there is a fit between two things, they are similar to each other or are suitable for each other//  fit between//  --We must be sure that there’s a fit between the needs of the children and the education they receive.//\n  7  in/by fits and starts:  if something happens in fits and starts, it does not happen smoothly, but keeps starting and then stopping again//  --Technology advances by fits and starts.//  --He spoke in fits and starts.//\nfit 4   past tense and past participle  fitted present participle  fitting  v [I]  BrE //  to have a seizure (=a sudden condition in which someone cannot control the movements of their body) //  --The patient was still fitting.//  -- fitting n  [U] //  --Fitting continued for more than 5 minutes.//


Words: fitful
Meaning:
adj   not regular, and starting and stopping often//  --John awoke from a fitful sleep .//  --The peace talks only seem to be making fitful progress.//  -- fitfully adv //  --She slept fitfully.//


Words: fitment
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]  BrE   a piece of furniture or equipment that is made especially for a particular space in a room//  --bathroom fitments//


Words: fitness
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 when you are healthy and strong enough to do hard work or play sports:  --an exercise programme to improve your fitness//  --Running marathons requires a high level of physical fitness .//\n  2 the degree to which someone or something is suitable or good enough for a particular situation or purpose:  fitness for//  --He questioned McNeil’s fitness for high office.//  fitness to do sth//  --The doctor will first determine your fitness to receive the anaesthetic.//


Words: fitted
Meaning:
adj \n  1  be fitted with sth:  to have or include something as a permanent part//  --Is your car fitted with an alarm?//\n  2 [only before noun]  BrE built, made, or cut to fit a particular space:  --a fitted wardrobe//  --a fitted kitchen//  --fitted carpets//\n  3 [only before noun] fitted clothes are designed so that they fit closely to someone’s body:  → loose//  --a fitted black jacket//\n  4 [not before noun]  BrE having the right qualities or experience for a particular job:  --Elinor is well fitted to be the sales manager.//


Words: fitting
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 [usually plural]  BrE a piece of equipment in a house, for example a cooker or a fridge, that can be moved or taken with you when you sell the house:    fixtures and fittings at fixture(2)//\n  2 [usually plural] an outside part of a piece of equipment that makes it possible to use or handle it:  --a sink with chrome fittings (=handle and taps) //  --new light fittings//\n  3 an occasion when you put on a piece of clothing that is being made for you, to see if it fits properly:\nfitting 2 adj  formal   right for a particular situation or occasion//   appropriate//  --I thought the memorial was a fitting tribute to the President.//  --a fitting end to what was a memorable trip//  it is only fitting (that)//  --It is only fitting that Simon propose the first toast tonight.//


Words: fitting room
Meaning:
n [C]   an area in a shop where you can put on clothes to see how they look//  American Equivalent:  dressing room//


Words: Fitzgerald
Meaning:
Ella   (1918-96) a US  jazz singer, called ’The First Lady of Jazz’ because of her beautiful voice and her skill in  scat singing//\n F. Scott   (1896-1940) a US writer whose novels include  The Great Gatsby and  Tender is the Night.//


Words: five
Meaning:
number, n   [Language: Old English; Origin: fif]//\n  1 the number 5:  --There is also a golf course five miles away.//  --I’ll be back by five (=five o’clock) .//  --The family moved to Canada when he was five (=five years old) .//\n  2 [C] a piece of paper money that is worth five dollars or five pounds:    fiver//  --Do you have two fives for a ten?//\n  3  give sb (a) five:   informal to hit the inside of someone’s hand with your hand to show that you are very pleased about something//\n  4  take five:   spoken used to tell people to stop working for a few minutes//\n  5  fives [U] a British ball game in which the ball is hit with the hand against any of three walls:    handball//    high five,  nine to five//


Words: five-a-side
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE   five-a-side football is played with five players on each side, usually indoors//


Words: five-and-ten
Meaning:
also five-and-dime  n [C]  AmE  old-fashioned   a shop that sells many different types of inexpensive goods, especially for the house//   dime store//


Words: five-spot
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  old-fashioned   a piece of paper money worth five dollars//  --It only costs a five-spot.//


Words: five-star
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a five-star hotel, restaurant etc has been judged to be of the highest standard//


Words: fix
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 repair:\n   2 limit:\n   3 fix a time/date/place etc:\n   4 arrange:\n   5 attach:\n   6 prepare food:\n   7 solve:\n   8 fix your attention/eyes/mind etc on somebody/something:\n   9 fix somebody with a stare/glare/look etc:\n  10 hair/face:\n  11 cat/dog:\n  12 result:\n  13 paintings/photographs:\n  14 punish:\n  15 be fixing to do something:  Phrasal verbs//   fix on somebody/something//   fix somebody/something → up//  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: fixus, past participle of  figere  ’to fasten’]//\n  1 REPAIR:   [T] to repair something that is broken or not working properly//  --He’s outside fixing the brakes on the car.//  --Ellis was able to quickly find and fix the problem. see usage note  repair1 //\n  2 LIMIT:   [T] //  a) to decide on a limit for something, especially prices, costs etc, so that they do not change //   set//  fix sth at sth//  --The interest rate has been fixed at 6.5%.//  --Rent was fixed at $1,750 per month.//  b) if two or more companies fix the price for a particular product or service, they secretly agree on the price they will charge for it, in order to keep the price high and make more profit. This practice is illegal//  --The government accused the two companies of fixing petrol prices.//\n  3  fix a time/date/place etc:  to decide on a particular time etc when something will happen//  --Have you fixed a date for the wedding yet?//\n  4 ARRANGE:   also fix up //   [I and T]  spoken to make arrangements for something//  --’So when do I get to meet them?’ ’Tomorrow, if I can fix it.’//  fix (it) for sb to do sth//  --I’ve fixed for you to see him this afternoon at four.//\n  5 ATTACH:   [T] to attach something firmly to something else, so that it stays there permanently//  fix sth to/on sth//  --The shelves should be fixed to the wall with screws.//\n  6 PREPARE FOOD:   [T]  informal  especially AmE to prepare a meal or drinks//   get//  --I’ll watch the kids and you fix dinner .//  fix sb sth//  --Can I fix you a snack?//  --Terry fixed herself a cold drink and sat out on the balcony.//\n  7 SOLVE:   [T] to find a solution to a problem or bad situation//  --The government seems confident that environmental problems can be fixed.//\n  8  fix your attention/eyes/mind etc on sb/sth:  to think about or look at someone or something carefully//  --Aziz tried to fix his mind on the job at hand.//  --Every eye was fixed on the new girl.//\n  9  fix sb with a stare/glare/look etc:   literary to look directly at someone for a long time//  --Rachel fixed him with an icy stare.//\n  10 HAIR/FACE:   [T]  especially AmE to make your hair or make-up look neat and attractive//  --Who fixed your hair for the wedding?//  --Hold on. Let me just fix my face  (=put on make-up) before we go out.//\n  11 CAT/DOG:   [T]  AmE  informal to do a medical operation on a cat or dog so that it cannot have babies//   neuter//\n  12 RESULT:   [T] to arrange an election, game etc dishonestly, so that you get the result you want//  --Many suspected that the deal had been fixed in advance.//\n  13 PAINTINGS/PHOTOGRAPHS:   [T]  technical to use a chemical process on paintings, photographs etc that makes the colours or images permanent//\n  14 PUNISH:   [T]  informal used to say that you will punish someone you are angry with//  --If anybody did that to me, I’d fix him good.//\n  15  be fixing to do sth:   AmE  spoken to be preparing to do something - used in some parts of the US//  --I’m fixing to go to the store. Do you need anything?//  fix on / [fix on sb/sth] phr v//  to choose a suitable thing or person, especially after thinking about it carefully//  --We’ve finally fixed on a place to have the concert.//  fix up [fix sb/sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to arrange a meeting, event etc:  --I fixed up an interview with him.//  --We’ll have to fix up a time to meet.//\n  2 to decorate or repair a room or building:   do up//  --We fixed up the guest bedroom before my parents came to stay.//\n  3 to provide someone with something they want:  fix somebody/something → up with//  --Can you fix me up with a bed for the night?//\n  4 to find a suitable romantic partner for someone:  fix somebody/something → up with//  --I asked my best friend to fix me up with someone.//\nfix 2 n \n  1 [C] something that solves a problem:  --Robinson called the proposal a quick fix  (=a temporary or easy solution) of limited value.//\n  2  (be) in a fix:  to have a problem that is difficult to solve//   (be) in a mess//  --We’re going to be in a real fix if we miss that bus.//  --That’s put us in a fix.//\n  3 [singular] an amount of something, especially an illegal drug such as heroin, that you often use and badly want:  --addicts looking for a fix//  --I need my fix of caffeine in the morning or I can’t think.//\n  4  get a fix on sb/sth:  a) to find out exactly where someone or something is//  --He peered out, trying to get a fix on the enemy’s position.//  b) to understand what someone or something is really like//  --I couldn’t seem to get a fix on the situation.//\n  5 [singular] something that has been dishonestly arranged:  --People think the election was a fix.//


Words: fixated
Meaning:
adj   always thinking or talking about one particular thing//  fixated on//  --He never used to be so fixated on losing weight.//


Words: fixation
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a very strong interest in or love for someone or something, that is not natural or healthy:  fixation on/with/about//  --Carlo has an absolute fixation with the royal family.//  --a mother fixation//\n  2  technical a kind of mental illness in which someone’s mind or emotions stop developing:


Words: fixative
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1 a substance used to stick things together or to hold things such as false teeth in place:\n  2 a chemical used on a painting or photograph so that the colours do not change:


Words: fixed
Meaning:
W3S3   adj \n  1 [not before noun] firmly fastened to a particular position:  fixed to/in/on//  --a mirror fixed to the bathroom wall//\n  2 fixed times, amounts, meanings etc cannot be changed:   set//  --The classes begin and end at fixed times.//  --fixed prices//  --My contract was for a fixed term of five years.//  --interest at 10%, fixed for 5 years//\n  3  have fixed ideas/opinions:  to have very definite ideas or opinions that you will not change - often used to show disapproval//  have fixed ideas/opinions about/on//  --He has very fixed ideas about how a wife should behave.//\n  4  how are you fixed for sth?:   spoken used to ask someone how much of something they have, or to ask about an arrangement//  --How are you fixed for cash?//  --How are we fixed for Monday?//\n  5 a fixed smile, expression etc does not show any emotion or does not show how someone really feels:\n  6  be of/have no fixed abode/address:   BrE  law to not have a permanent place to live//


Words: fixed capital
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   buildings or machines that a business owns and that can be used for a long time to produce goods//


Words: fixed costs
Meaning:
n [plural]  technical   costs, such as rent, that a business has to pay even when it is not producing anything//    variable costs//


Words: fixed income
Meaning:
n [C]   an amount of money that you receive to live on that does not change//  --pensioners living on a fixed income//


Words: fixedly
Meaning:
adv   without looking at or thinking about anything else//  stare/gaze/look fixedly at sth //  --Ann stared fixedly at the screen.//


Words: fixer
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is good at arranging things and solving problems for other people, sometimes by using dishonest methods//  --a political fixer//


Words: fixings
Meaning:
n \n  1  the fixings:   AmE the vegetables, bread etc that are eaten with meat at a large meal//  British Equivalent:  the trimmings//  --turkey with all the fixings//\n  2 [plural]  BrE things that are used to hold other things together, for example screws:


Words: fixture
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE a sports match that has been arranged for a particular time and place:  --a list of this season’s fixtures//\n  2 [usually plural] a piece of equipment that is fixed inside a house or building and is sold as part of the house:  --light fixtures//  fixtures and fittings  BrE  (=all the equipment that is normally included as part of a house or building when it is sold) //\n  3  be a (permanent) fixture:  to be always present and not likely to move or go away//  --Gerrard soon became a permanent fixture in the Liverpool team.//


Words: fizz
Meaning:
v [I]   if a liquid fizzes, it produces a lot of bubbles and makes a continuous sound//  --champagne fizzing out of the bottle//\nfizz 2 n [singular, U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  From the sound]//\n  1 the bubbles of gas in some kinds of drinks, or the sound that they make:\n  2  BrE  informal  champagne:


Words: fizzle
Meaning:
v   fizzle out phr v//  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  fist  ’to fart’ (15-17 centuries)]//  to gradually stop happening, especially because people become less interested//  --Their romance just fizzled out.//


Words: fizzy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a fizzy liquid contains bubbles of gas:    sparkling, flat//  --fizzy water//\n  2  fizzy drink:   BrE a sweet non-alcoholic drink with bubbles of gas//


Words: fjord
Meaning:
fiord/fi[hA359][hA350][hA359]d, fj[hA350][hA359]d $ fi[hA359][hA350][hA359]rd, fj[hA350][hA359]rd/ n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Norwegian; Origin:; related to  ford]//  a narrow area of sea between high cliffs, especially in Norway//


Words: flab
Meaning:
n [U]  informal   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: flabby]//  soft loose flesh on a person’s body - used to show disapproval//  --simple advice to help you fight the flab  (=lose weight) //


Words: flabbergasted
Meaning:
adj  informal   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Perhaps from  flabby +  aghast (= shocked)]//  extremely surprised or shocked//  --When I heard how much money we’d made, I was absolutely flabbergasted.//


Words: flabby
Meaning:
adj  informal   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  flappy, from  flap]//\n  1 having unattractive soft loose flesh rather than strong muscles:  --a flabby stomach//\n  2 used to describe something that is weak or not effective:  → powerful//  --intellectually flabby arguments//  --The band’s performance was tired and flabby.//  -- flabbiness n  [U] //


Words: flaccid
Meaning:
adj  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: flaccidus, from  flaccus  ’soft and loose’]//  soft and weak instead of firm//  --a flaccid penis//  -- flaccidity/fl[zB024]s[hA366]d[hA369]ti, fl[zB024]k-/ n  [U] //


Words: flack
Meaning:
n \n  1 another spelling of flak:\n  2 [C]  AmE  informal someone whose job is to represent an organization and answer questions about it, especially when something bad has happened:  --They spent millions on lobbyists and flacks to improve their image.//


Words: flag
Meaning:
n [C]   [Sense: 1-4; Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from  flag, name of a kind of flower.]//  [Sense: 5; Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old Norse; Origin: flaga]//\n  1 a piece of cloth with a coloured pattern or picture on it that represents a country or organization:  --Children waving flags greeted the Russian leader.//  --the flag of Kenya//  --the Spanish flag//  a flag is flying (=a flag is shown on a pole) //  -- Flags were flying at half-mast because of the death of the Premier.//\n  2 a coloured piece of cloth used in some sports as a signal or as a sign showing the position of something:  --The flag went down, and the race began.//  --a free kick near the corner flag  (=flag on a football pitch) //\n  3  the flag:  an expression meaning a country or organization and its beliefs, values, and people//  --loyalty to the flag//\n  4  keep the flag flying:  to achieve success on behalf of your country in a competition//  --Bristol kept the flag flying for English rugby with this win.//\n  5 a flagstone:    fly the flag at fly1 (13)//\nflag 2 v   past tense and past participle  flagged present participle  flagging //  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Origin unknown]//\n  1 [T] to make a mark against some information to show that it is important:  --I’ve flagged the parts I want to comment on.//\n  2 [I] to become tired or weak:  --By the end of the meeting we had begun to flag.//  flag down [flag sb/sth → down] phr v//  to make the driver of a vehicle stop by waving at them//  --I flagged down a taxi.//


Words: Flag Day
Meaning:
June 14th, a day in the US when people fly the US flag, remembering the day in 1777 when the  Stars and Stripes (=US flag)  was officially accepted and first used//


Words: flag football
Meaning:
n [U]  AmE   a game like American football in which players tear off small pieces of cloth called flags from around other players’ waists instead of knocking them down//    touch football//


Words: flag-waving
Meaning:
n [U]   the expression of strong national feelings, especially when these feelings seem too extreme//


Words: flagellate
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: flagellum  ’whip’]//  to whip yourself or someone else, especially as a religious punishment//  -- flagellation/fl[zB024]d[hA360][hA369]le[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U] //


Words: flagging
Meaning:
adj   becoming tired or losing strength//  flagging spirits/energy/morale //  --By now the wine had lifted her flagging spirits.//  --He presents himself as the man to revive the party’s flagging fortunes .//  --concern for the country’s flagging economy //


Words: flagon
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: flacon  ’bottle’]//  a large container for liquids, especially beer or wine//


Words: flagrant
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: flagrare  ’to burn’]//  a flagrant action is shocking because it is done in a way that is easily noticed and shows no respect for laws, truth etc//  flagrant abuse/violation/breach etc //  --flagrant violations of human rights//  --a flagrant disregard for the law//  -- flagrantly adv //


Words: flagship
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the most important ship in a group of ships belonging to the navy:\n  2 [usually singular] the best and most important product, building etc that a company owns or produces:  --the flagship of the new Ford range//  --The firm has just opened a flagship store in Las Vegas.//  --the company’s flagship product //


Words: flail
Meaning:
v \n  1 [I and T] to wave your arms or legs in an uncontrolled way:  --He flailed wildly as she tried to hold him down.//  flail around/about//  --James flailed about in the shallow water.//\n  2 [T] to beat someone or something violently, usually with a stick:\n  3 [I and T] to beat grain with a flail:\nflail 2 n [C]   [Date: 1000-1100; Language: Latin; Origin: flagellum  ’whip, flail’]//  a tool consisting of a stick that swings from a long handle, used in the past to separate grain from wheat by beating it//


Words: flair
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: ’sense of smell’]//\n  1 [singular] a natural ability to do something very well:   talent//  --Jo has a flair for languages.//\n  2 [U] a way of doing things that is interesting and shows imagination:  artistic/creative flair //  --a job for which artistic flair is essential//  --Irwin has real entrepreneurial flair.//


Words: flak
Meaning:
flack/fl[zB024]k/ n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: German; Origin: FLiegerAbwehrKanone  ’flyer defence guns’]//\n  1  informal strong criticism:  --Lilley has taken a lot of flak for his views on drugs.//\n  2 bullets or shells that are shot from the ground at enemy aircraft:    flak jacket//


Words: flak jacket
Meaning:
n [C]   a special coat made of strong, heavy material to protect soldiers and policemen from bullets//


Words: flake
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  From a  Scandinavian language; related to  Norwegian flak  ’disk’]//\n  1 a small thin piece that breaks away easily from something else:  flake of//  --flakes of snow//  --chocolate flakes//    snowflake//\n  2  AmE  informal someone who seems strange or who often forgets things:   space cadet//\nflake 2 v \n  1  also flake off :   [I] to break off in small thin pieces//  --The paint is beginning to flake off.//  --Use a moisturising cream to stop your skin flaking.//\n  2 [I and T] to break fish or another food into small thin pieces, or to break in this way:  --Poach the fish until it flakes easily.//  --Remove the skin and flake the flesh.//  flake out phr v//\n  1  BrE to fall asleep because you are extremely tired:  --Phil’s flaked out on the sofa.//\n  2  AmE to do something strange, or to not do what you said you would do:  flake out on//  --Kathy said she’d help but she flaked out on us.//


Words: flaky
Meaning:
adj \n  1 tending to break into small thin pieces:  --flaky pastry//  --flaky skin//\n  2  informal especially  AmE a flaky person is slightly strange or often forgets things:  --Carrie’s pretty flaky but she’s fun to be with.//  -- flakiness n  [U] //


Words: flambe
Meaning:
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: , past participle of  flamber  ’to set on fire’]//  food that is flambeed has an alcoholic drink such as brandy poured over it to produce flames//


Words: flamboyant
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: , present participle of  flamboyer  ’to flame’]//\n  1 behaving in a confident or exciting way that makes people notice you:  flamboyant style/character/personality //  --Randall’s flamboyant style of play//  --Spencer lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture .//\n  2 brightly coloured and easily noticed:  --flamboyant clothes//  --Penny has red hair and a rather flamboyant appearance.//  -- flamboyantly adv //  -- flamboyance n  [U] //


Words: flame
Meaning:
n   flame, wax, wick//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin flamma  ’flame’]//\n  1 [U and C] hot bright burning gas that you see when something is on fire:  --Flames poured out of the windows of the building.//  --They rushed past us with buckets of water and tried to douse the flames .//  --They sat around the campfire, watching the flickering flames .//  --A home video showed how quickly flames engulfed the building.//  --a candle flame//\n  2  in flames:  burning in a way that is difficult to control//  --When we reached Mandalay it was in flames.//  --They escaped just as the house was engulfed in flames .//\n  3  go up in flames/burst into flames:  to suddenly begin burning in a way that is difficult to control//  --The helicopter burst into flames after hitting a power line.//\n  4  a flame of anger/desire/passion etc:   literary a strong feeling//  --Flames of desire shot through her.//\n  5 [C] an angry or rude email:    old flame at old(4),  naked flame at naked(5),  fan the flames at fan2 (2),  add fuel to the fire/flames at add(9)//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  douse flames  (=pour water on them to make them stop burning) //  fan flames  (=make them burn more by waving something in front of them) //  smother flames  (=put something over them to make them stop burning) //  flames flicker/dance (=they move) //  flames engulf something  (=they surround and burn something) //  flames lick something  (=they touch something lightly) //  flames leap (=they go high into the air) //  candle/coal/gas flame //  naked flame (=one that is not enclosed) //  ----------//\nflame 2 v [I] \n  1  literary to become suddenly bright with light or colour, especially red or orange:  --Erica’s cheeks flamed with anger.//\n  2  literary to burn brightly:  --A great fire flamed in an open fireplace.//\n  3 to send someone an angry or rude message in an email or on a bulletin board:


Words: flame thrower
Meaning:
n [C]   a machine like a gun that shoots flames or burning liquid, used as a weapon or for clearing plants//


Words: flamenco
Meaning:
n   plural  flamencos  [U and C] //  [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Spanish; Origin: ’person from Flanders’; in former times the people of Flanders wore bright clothes and were often thought to look like gypsy dancers]//  a fast exciting Spanish dance, or the music that is played for this dance//


Words: flameproof
Meaning:
adj  also flame resistant \n  1 made of or covered with substances that will not burn easily:\n  2 flameproof cooking dishes can be used in very hot places, such as in an oven:


Words: flaming
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1  a flaming row/temper:  a very angry argument or temper//  --They seem to have a flaming row at least once a week.//\n  2 covered with flames:  --Residents panicked as flaming petrol poured down the street.//\n  3  BrE  informal used to emphasize what you are saying, especially when you feel annoyed:  --You flaming idiot!//\n  4 orange or bright red in colour:  --flaming red hair//


Words: flamingo
Meaning:
n   plural  flamingos  or  flamingoes  [C] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Portuguese; Origin: flamengo, from  Proven[hA168]al flamenc  ’flamingo, fire-bird’, from  Latin flamma  ’flame’]//  a large pink tropical bird with very long thin legs and a long neck//


Words: flammable
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Latin; Origin: flammare  ’to set on fire’]//  something that is flammable burns easily//    inflammable, nonflammable//  --Caution! Highly flammable liquid.//


Words: flan
Meaning:
n [C]  especially  BrE   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: Latin flado  ’flat cake’]//\n  1 a round pie or cake that is filled with fruit, cheese etc:\n  2  AmE a sweet baked food made with eggs, milk, and sugar:    pie, quiche//


Words: Flanders
Meaning:
a flat area consisting of what is now part of Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France. Important battles were fought here in the First World War.//\n Moll     Moll Flanders//


Words: flange
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from early modern  French flaunche, from  Old French flanc;   FLANK1]//  the flat edge that stands out from an object such as a railway wheel, to keep it in the right position or strengthen it//


Words: flank
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1000-1100; Language: Old French; Origin: flanc]//\n  1 the side of an animal’s or person’s body, between the ribs and the hip:\n  2 the side of an army in a battle, or a sports team when playing:  --We were attacked on our left flank.//\n  3 the side of a hill, mountain, or very large building:\nflank 2 v [T]   to be on both sides of someone or something//  --Lewis entered flanked by two bodyguards.//  --mountains flanking the road//


Words: flannel
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: flanen  ’type of cloth’ (16-19 centuries), from  Welsh gwlanen  ’woollen cloth’]//\n  1 [U] soft cloth, usually made of cotton or wool, used for making clothes:  --a flannel shirt//\n  2 [C]  BrE a piece of cloth you use to wash yourself:   facecloth//  American Equivalent:  washcloth//\n  3 [U]  BrE  informal something that someone says that has no real meaning or does not tell you what you want to know:\n  4  flannels [plural]  BrE men’s trousers made of flannel:\nflannel 2   past tense and past participle  flannelled present participle  flannelling  v [I and T]  BrE //  to say things that have no real meaning in order to avoid answering a question directly or to hide your lack of knowledge//


Words: flap
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 flat piece of something:\n   2 movement:\n   3 excitement/worry:\n   4 part of aircraft:  ----------//\n  1 FLAT PIECE OF SOMETHING:   [C] a thin flat piece of cloth, paper, skin etc that is fixed by one edge to a surface, which you can lift up easily//  --Open the tent flap, will you?//  --A loose flap of skin covered the wound.//    cat flap//\n  2 MOVEMENT:   [singular] the noisy movement of something such as cloth in the air//  --the flap of the sails//\n  3 EXCITEMENT/WORRY:   a flap//   informal a situation in which people feel very excited or worried about something//  be in a flap//  --Rafi’s in a bit of a flap over the wedding plans.//    unflappable//\n  4 PART OF AIRCRAFT:   [C] a part of the wing of an aircraft that can be raised or lowered to help the aircraft go up or down//\nflap 2 v   past tense and past participle  flapped present participle  flapping //  [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Perhaps from the sound]//\n  1 [I and T] if a bird flaps its wings, it moves them up and down in order to fly:\n  2 [I and T] to move quickly up and down or from side to side, often making a noise:  --The flags were flapping in the breeze.//  --Flap your arms to keep warm.//\n  3 [I]  BrE  informal to behave in an excited or nervous way:  --There’s no need to flap!//


Words: flapjack
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: flap + the male name  Jack]//\n  1  BrE a cake made of oats, sugar, syrup, and butter:\n  2  AmE a pancake:


Words: flare
Meaning:
v \n  1  also flare up :   [I] to suddenly begin to burn, or to burn more brightly for a short time//  --The fire flared up again.//\n  2  also flare up :   [I] if strong feelings flare or flare up, people suddenly become angry, violent etc//  --Rioting has flared up in several northern towns.//  -- Tempers flared during the debate.//\n  3  also flare up :   [I] if a disease or illness flares up, it suddenly becomes worse//  --The injury has flared up again, keeping him out of today’s game.//\n  4 [I and T] if a person or animal flares their nostrils (=the openings at the end of the nose) , or if their nostrils flare, their nostrils become wider because they are angry:  --The bull flared its nostrils and charged.//\n  5 [I always + adverb/preposition] if a piece of clothing flares out, it becomes wider at one end:  flare out//  --The dress flares out from the hips.//  -- flared adj //  --flared jeans//\nflare 2 n \n  1 [C] a piece of equipment that produces a bright flame, or the flame itself, used outdoors as a signal:  --The distress flares were spotted by another ship.//\n  2 [C usually singular] a sudden bright flame:  --There was a brief flare as the match was lit.//\n  3  flares [plural] trousers that become wide below the knee:


Words: flare-up
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a situation in which someone suddenly becomes angry or violent:  --Apart from one or two flare-ups the match went fairly smoothly.//\n  2 a situation in which someone suddenly has problems because of a disease or illness after not having any problems for a long time:  --a flare-up of her arthritis//


Words: flash
Meaning:
S3   v   ----------//\n   1 shine:\n   2 pictures:\n   3 flash through somebody’s mind/head/brain:\n   4 flash a smile/glance/look etc (at somebody):\n   5 show something quickly:\n   6 news/information:\n   7 move quickly:\n   8 eyes:\n   9 sex organs:\n  10 somebody’s life flashes before their eyes:\n  11 time passing quickly:  Phrasal verbs//   flash something → around//   flash back//   flash forward//  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Originally (of liquid)  ’to strike a surface’; from the sound]//\n  1 SHINE:   [I and T] to shine suddenly and brightly for a short time, or to make something shine in this way//  --Lightning flashed overhead.//  flash sth into/at/towards sb/sth//  --Why is that guy flashing his headlights at me?//  --Red warning lights flashed on and off  (=shone for a short time and then stopped shining) .//\n  2 PICTURES:   [I always + adverb/preposition] to be shown quickly on television, on a computer, or on a film//  flash across/onto/past etc//  --Images of the war flashed across the screen.//\n  3  flash through sb’s mind/head/brain:  if thoughts, images, memories etc flash through your mind, you suddenly think of them or remember them//  --The possibility that Frank was lying flashed through my mind.//\n  4  flash a smile/glance/look etc (at sb):  to smile or look at someone quickly and for a short time//  --’I love this city,’ he said, flashing a big smile.//\n  5 SHOW SOMETHING QUICKLY:   [T] to show something to someone for only a short time//  --He flashed his identification card.//\n  6 NEWS/INFORMATION:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to send news or information somewhere quickly by radio, computer, or satellite//  flash sth across/to sth//  --Reporters at the scene flashed the news to their offices.//\n  7 MOVE QUICKLY:   [I always + adverb/preposition] to move very quickly//  flash by/past/through//  --A meteor flashed through the sky.//\n  8 EYES:   [I]  literary if your eyes flash, they look very bright for a moment, especially because of a sudden emotion//  flash with//  --Janet’s blue eyes flashed with anger.//\n  9 SEX ORGANS:   [I and T] if a man flashes, or if he flashes someone, he shows his sexual organs in public//    flasher//\n  10  sb’s life flashes before their eyes:  if someone’s life flashes before their eyes, they suddenly remember many events from their life because they are in great danger and might die//\n  11 TIME PASSING QUICKLY:   [I always + adverb/preposition] if a period of time or an event flashes by or flashes past, it seems to end very quickly//  flash by/past//  --Our vacation seemed to just flash by.//  flash around [flash sth → around] phr v//  to use or show something in a way that will make people notice you and think you have a lot of money//  --He’s always flashing his money around.//  flash back phr v//  to suddenly think about or show something that happened in the past, especially in a film, book etc//  flash back to//  --From here the movie flashes back to Billy’s first meeting with Schultz.//    flashback//  flash forward phr v//  if a film, book etc flashes forward, it shows what happens in the future//  flash forward to//  --The movie then flashes forward to their daughter’s fifth birthday.//\nflash 2 n   ----------//\n   1 light:\n   2 camera:\n   3 in/like a flash:\n   4 flash of inspiration/brilliance/insight/anger etc:\n   5 a flash in the pan:\n   6 bright colour/something shiny:\n   7 computer:\n   8 look:\n   9 military:  ----------//\n  1 LIGHT:   [C] a bright light that shines for a short time and then stops shining//  --Two flashes mean danger.//  flash of//  --A flash of lightning lit up the night sky.//  brilliant/blinding flash //  --a brilliant flash of light//\n  2 CAMERA:   [U and C] a special bright light used when taking photographs indoors or when there is not much light//  --Did the flash go off?//\n  3  in/like a flash:   also  quick as a flash//  very quickly//  --Just wait here. I’ll be back in a flash.//\n  4  flash of inspiration/brilliance/insight/anger etc:  if someone has a flash of brilliance, anger etc, they suddenly have a clever idea or a particular feeling//\n  5  a flash in the pan:  a sudden success that ends quickly and is unlikely to happen again//  --Beene’s new novel proves he isn’t just a flash in the pan.//\n  6 BRIGHT COLOUR/SOMETHING SHINY:   [C] if there is a flash of something brightly coloured or shiny, it appears suddenly for a short time//  flash of//  --The bird vanished in a flash of blue.//\n  7 COMPUTER:   [U]  trademark a system of instructions for a computer that is used especially to make pictures on a website appear to move//  --Flash animation//\n  8 LOOK:   [C]  BrE a quick look  used humorously//   glimpse//\n  9 MILITARY:   [C]  BrE a small piece of coloured cloth worn on the shoulder of a military uniform//    newsflash//\nflash 3 adj \n  1  flash flood/fire:  a flood or fire that happens very quickly or suddenly, and continues for only a short time//\n  2  BrE  informal looking very new, bright, and expensive - used to show disapproval:  --a big flash car//\n  3  BrE  informal liking to have expensive clothes and possessions so that other people notice you - used to show disapproval:  --Chris didn’t want to seem flash in front of his mates.//


Words: flash bulb
Meaning:
n [C]   a small object that produces a bright light, used when taking photographs indoors or when there is not much light//


Words: Flash Gordon
Meaning:
a character who originally appeared in a US  comic and films in the 1930s. Flash Gordon is a brave hero who travels through space and saves the Earth from many dangers.//


Words: flashback
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] a scene in a film, play, book etc that shows something that happened before that point in the story:  --The events of the hero’s childhood are shown as a series of flashbacks.//\n  2 [C] a sudden very clear memory of something that happened to you in the past:  --Eaton still has flashbacks of the crash.//\n  3 [C] an occasion when someone has the same bad feeling that they had when they took an illegal drug in the past:  --Many users of this drug experience flashbacks.//\n  4 [C]  technical a burning gas or liquid that moves back into a tube or container:


Words: flashgun
Meaning:
n [C]   a piece of equipment that lights a special bright light when you press the button on a camera to take a photograph//


Words: Flashman
Meaning:
a character in the 19th century novel  Tom Brown’s Schooldays who is a cruel  bully and treats the younger boys at his school very badly//


Words: flashpoint
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a place where trouble or violence might easily develop suddenly and be hard to control:  --Hebron has been a flashpoint for years.//\n  2 [usually singular]  technical the lowest temperature at which a liquid such as oil will produce enough gas to burn if a flame is put near it:


Words: flashy
Meaning:
adj  informal \n  1 big, bright, or expensive, and intended to be impressive - used to show disapproval:  --large flashy cars//\n  2 someone who is flashy wears expensive clothes, jewellery etc in a way that is intended to be impressive - used to show disapproval:  --a flashy dresser//


Words: flask
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: flasco]//\n  1  BrE a special type of bottle that you use to keep liquids either hot or cold, for example when travelling:   Thermos//\n  2 a hip flask:\n  3 a glass bottle with a narrow top, used in a laboratory:


Words: flat
Meaning:
adj   comparative  flatter superlative  flattest //  ----------//\n   1 surface:\n   2 money:\n   3 tyre/ball:\n   4 not deep:\n   5 drink:\n   6 not interesting:\n   7 battery:\n   8 business/trade:\n   9 E flat/B flat/A flat etc:\n  10 musical sound:\n  11 voice:\n  12 a flat refusal/denial etc:\n  13 be flat on your back:\n  14 shoes:\n  15 light:\n  16 and that’s flat!:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old Norse; Origin: flatr]//\n  1 SURFACE:  smooth and level, without raised or hollow areas, and not sloping or curving//  --houses with flat roofs//  --a perfectly flat sandy beach//  --The countryside near there is flat as a pancake  (=very flat) .//  --Work on a clean, flat surface.//\n  2 MONEY:  a flat rate, amount of money etc is fixed and does not change or have anything added to it//  --Clients are charged a flat rate of [hA124]250 annually.//  --We charge a flat fee for car hire.//\n  3 TYRE/BALL:  a flat tyre or ball has no air or not enough air in it//\n  4 NOT DEEP:  not very deep, thick, or high, especially in comparison to its width or length//  --The cake came out of the oven flat, not fluffy.//\n  5 DRINK:  a drink that is flat does not taste fresh because it has no more bubbles of gas in it//  → fizzy//\n  6 NOT INTERESTING:   [not before noun] a performance, book etc that is flat lacks interest, excitement, or energy//  --Arsenal looked flat for large parts of the game.//\n  7 BATTERY:   BrE a flat battery has lost its electrical power//  American Equivalent:  dead//  --Have you checked that the batteries haven’t gone flat  (=become flat) ?//\n  8 BUSINESS/TRADE:  if prices, economic conditions, trade etc are flat, they have not increased or improved over a period of time//  --Analysts are expecting flat sales in the coming months.//\n  9  E flat/B flat/A flat etc:  a musical note that is one semitone lower than the note E, B, A etc//    sharp, natural//\n  10 MUSICAL SOUND:  if a musical note is flat, it is played or sung slightly lower than it should be//  → sharp//\n  11 VOICE:  not showing much emotion, or not changing much in sound as you speak//  --’He’s dead,’ she said in a flat voice.//\n  12  a flat refusal/denial etc:  a refusal etc that is definite and which someone will not change//  --Our requests were met with a flat refusal.//\n  13  be flat on your back:  a) to be lying down so that all of your back is touching the floor//  b) to be very ill so that you have to stay in bed for a period of time//  --I’ve been flat on my back with the flu all week.//\n  14 SHOES:  flat shoes have very low heels//\n  15 LIGHT:  having little variety of light and dark//  --Flat lighting is typical of Avedon’s portraits.//\n  16  and that’s flat!:   BrE  spoken old-fashioned used to say that you will definitely not change what you have just said//   and that’s that//  --I won’t go, and that’s flat!//  -- flatness n  [U] //    in/into a flat spin at spin2 (6),  flat feet//\nflat 2 W3S2 n [C]   ----------//\n   1 place to live:\n   2 tyre:\n   3 music:\n   4 land:\n   5 shoes:\n   6 the flat of somebody’s hand/a knife/a sword etc:\n   7 on the flat:  ----------//  [Sense: 1; Date: 1800-1900; Language: Scottish English; Origin: flet  ’inside of a house’ (14-19 centuries) (influenced by   FLAT1)]//  [Sense: 2-7; Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  FLAT1]//\n  1 PLACE TO LIVE:   especially BrE a place for people to live that consists of a set of rooms that are part of a larger building//   apartment//  --They have a flat in Crouch End.//  --a two-bedroom flat//  --The building was knocked down to make way for a block of flats  (=a large building with many flats in it) .//    granny flat//\n  2 TYRE:   especially AmE a tyre that does not have enough air inside//   flat tyre//  --Damn, the car has a flat .//  --He stopped to change a flat .//\n  3 MUSIC:  a) a musical note that is one semitone lower than a particular note//  b) the sign in written music that shows that a note is one semitone lower than a particular note//    sharp, natural//\n  4 LAND:   flats [plural] an area of land that is at a low level, especially near water//  --mud flats//\n  5 SHOES:   flats [plural]  AmE a pair of women’s shoes with very low heels//\n  6  the flat of sb’s hand/a knife/a sword etc:  the flat part or flat side of something//\n  7  on the flat:   BrE on ground that is level and does not slope//\nflat 3 adv   ----------//\n   1 flat position:\n   2 three minutes/10 seconds etc flat:\n   3 fall flat:\n   4 music:\n   5 fall flat on your face:\n   6 flat out:\n   7 tell somebody flat:  ----------//\n  1 FLAT POSITION:  in a position in which the surface of something is against another surface without curving or sloping//  --The bed can be folded flat for storage.//  --He lay flat on the floor.//  --That night I lay flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling.//\n  2  three minutes/10 seconds etc flat:   informal in exactly three minutes, ten seconds etc - used to emphasize that something happens or is done very quickly//  --I was dressed in five minutes flat.//\n  3  fall flat:   informal if a joke, story etc falls flat, it does not achieve the effect that is intended//  --Unfortunately, what could have been a powerful drama fell flat.//\n  4 MUSIC:  if you sing or play music flat, you sing or play slightly lower than the correct note so that the sound is unpleasant//  → sharp//\n  5  fall flat on your face:  a) to fall so that you are lying on your chest on the ground//  --Babe slipped and fell flat on her face.//  b)  informal to not have the result you want or expect, especially when this is embarrassing//  --The theory falls flat on its face when put into practice.//\n  6  flat out:   informal //  a) as fast as possible//  --Everyone’s working flat out to finish on time.//  b)  AmE in a direct and complete way//   straight out//  ask/tell sb flat out //  --She asked him flat out if he was seeing another woman.//\n  7  tell sb flat:   BrE  spoken to tell someone something directly and definitely//   straight out//  --I told him flat that I didn’t want to see him again.//    flat broke at broke2 (1)//


Words: Flat Earth Society
Meaning:
the   an organization which believes that the Earth is flat and that science cannot be trusted. People sometimes mention its name when they are talking about someone whose ideas are impractical or unscientific.//


Words: flat feet
Meaning:
n [plural]   a medical condition in which someone’s feet rest flat on the ground because the middle of each foot is not as curved as it should be//


Words: Flat Iron Building
Meaning:
the Flat Iron Building//  a tall office building in New York City, which is shaped like a very large  iron (=the thing you use for making clothes smooth) //


Words: flat-footed
Meaning:
adj \n  1 having flat feet:\n  2  informal moving in an awkward way:   clumsy//  --The defence looked flat-footed as Sutton scored easily.//\n  3  catch sb flat-footed:   AmE to surprise someone so that they cannot do something in the way they ought to//   catch somebody off guard//  --The President’s announcement seemed to catch Democrats flat-footed.//


Words: flat-pack
Meaning:
also  flat pack n [C]  BrE   furniture that is sold as parts in a box and has to be put together//  --flat-pack furniture//


Words: flatbed
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   having a flat surface to put something on//  --a flatbed scanner//  --a flatbed truck//  -- flatbed n  [C] //


Words: flatline
Meaning:
v   be flatlining//  to be at a low level or standard that is neither increasing nor decreasing//  --The Tories have been flatlining in the polls for the last three months.//


Words: flatly
Meaning:
adv \n  1  flatly refuse/deny/oppose etc sth:  to say something in a direct and definite way that is not likely to change//  --He flatly denied ever having met the woman.//\n  2 without showing any emotion:  --’Aunt Alicia has changed her will,’ she said flatly.//


Words: flatmate
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone who shares a flat with one or more other people//  American Equivalent:  roommate//


Words: flatten
Meaning:
v \n  1  also flatten out :   [I and T] to make something flat or flatter, or to become flat or flatter//  --Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough.//  --The land flattened out as we neared the coast.//\n  2 [T] to destroy a building or town by knocking it down, bombing it etc:   level//  --Hundreds of homes were flattened by the tornado.//\n  3  flatten yourself against sth:  to press your body against something//  --I flattened myself against the wall.//\n  4 [T]  informal to defeat someone completely and easily in a game, argument etc:  --We flattened them 6-0.//\n  5 [T]  informal to hit someone very hard:


Words: flatter
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: flater  ’to move the tongue against, flatter’]//\n  1 to praise someone in order to please them or get something from them, even though you do not mean it:  --Perry would always flatter Mrs. Mitchell by praising her cooking.//\n  2 to make someone look as attractive as they can:   suit//  --That dress really flatters your figure.//\n  3 to make something look or seem more important or better than it is:  --Lewis’s novel doesn’t flatter Midwestern attitudes and morals.//\n  4  flatter yourself:  if you flatter yourself that something is true about your abilities or achievements, you make yourself believe it is true, although it is not//  flatter yourself that//  --She flatters herself that she could have been a model.//  -- flatterer n  [C] //


Words: flattered
Meaning:
adj [not before noun]   pleased because someone has shown you that they like or admire you//  --We were flattered by all the attention.//


Words: flattering
Meaning:
adj   clothes, pictures etc that are flattering make someone look as attractive as they can or make something as good as possible, even if it is not really very good//  --That colour is very flattering.//


Words: flattery
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 praise that you do not really mean:\n  2  flattery will get you nowhere/everywhere:  used humorously when someone has praised you and you want to say that you will help them or not help them//


Words: flatulence
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Latin flatus  ’act of blowing’]//  the condition of having too much gas in the stomach//  -- flatulent adj //


Words: flaunt
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//\n  1 to show your money, success, beauty etc so that other people notice it - used to show disapproval:  --The rich flaunted their wealth while the poor starved on the streets.//\n  2  if you’ve got it, flaunt it:   spoken used humorously to tell someone not to hide their beauty, wealth, or abilities//


Words: flautist
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Italian; Origin: flautisto, from  Old Proven[hA168]al flaut  ’flute’]//  someone who plays the flute//  American Equivalent:  flutist//


Words: flava
Meaning:
n [U]  informal   a quality that something has that makes you feel or think a particular way about it//   flavour//  --music with a little bit of Caribbean flava//


Words: flavour
Meaning:
BrE  flavor AmE   n \n  1 [C] the particular taste of a food or drink:  --Which flavor do you want - chocolate or vanilla?//  flavour of//  --a dry wine with flavors of honey and apricot//  a nutty/smoky/bitter etc flavour //  --White poppy seeds have a distinctive nutty flavour .//  a delicate/strong/rich etc flavour //  --The cheese is firm in texture and has a strong flavour .//\n  2 [U] the quality of tasting good:  add/give flavour (to sth) //  --A pinch of herbs will add flavour to any dish.//\n  3 [U and C] a substance used to give something a particular taste:   flavouring//  --artificial flavours//\n  4 [singular] a quality or feature that makes something have a particular style or character:  --The stories have a strong regional flavour.//  flavour of//  --Critics claim the building would destroy the flavor of the neighborhood.//\n  5 [singular] an idea of what the typical qualities of something are:  flavour of//  --Marston’s book gives you a flavour of life in the 16th century.//\n  6  flavour of the month:  an idea, person, style etc that is very popular at a particular time//\nflavour 2  BrE  flavor AmE v [T]   to give something a particular taste or more taste//


Words: flavoured
Meaning:
BrE  flavored AmE   adj \n  1  strawberry-flavoured/chocolate-flavoured etc:  tasting of strawberries, chocolate etc//\n  2 having had a flavour added:  --flavored coffees//


Words: flavouring
Meaning:
BrE  flavoring AmE   n [U and C]   a substance used to give something a particular flavour or increase its flavour//  --This yoghurt contains no artificial flavourings.//


Words: flaw
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Perhaps from  Old Norse flaga  ’flat stone’;   FLAG1]//\n  1 a mistake, mark, or weakness that makes something imperfect:   defect//  flaw in//  --a flaw in the software//  serious/major/basic/minor etc flaw //  --a slight flaw in the glass//  --A design flaw  (=a mistake or weakness in the way something was made) caused the engine to explode.//\n  2 a mistake or problem in an argument, plan, set of ideas etc:  flaw of//  --Beautiful scenery does not make up for the flaws of this film.//  flaw in//  --There is a fundamental flaw in Walton’s argument.//  fatal flaw (=a weakness that makes something certain to fail) //\n  3 a fault in someone’s character:  --Jealousy is Othello’s major flaw.//  --the former President’s character flaws//


Words: flawed
Meaning:
adj   spoiled by having mistakes, weaknesses, or by being damaged//  --a flawed concept//  fatally/fundamentally/deeply etc flawed //  --The research behind this report is seriously flawed.//


Words: flawless
Meaning:
adj   having no mistakes or marks, or not lacking anything//   perfect//  --Adrian’s flawless French//  -- flawlessly adv //


Words: flax
Meaning:
n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fl[zB024]x]//\n  1 a plant with blue flowers, used for making cloth and oil:\n  2 the thread made from this plant, used for making linen:


Words: flay
Meaning:
v [T]   [Language: Old English; Origin: flean]//\n  1  formal to criticize someone very severely:  --She was well-known for flaying public officials in her daily column.//\n  2  literary to whip or beat someone very severely:\n  3  formal to remove the skin from an animal or person, especially one that is dead:


Words: flea
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1 a very small insect without wings that jumps and bites animals and people to eat their blood:  --Are you sure the dog has fleas ?//\n  2  send sb off with a flea in their ear:   BrE to talk angrily to someone, especially because they have done something you disapprove of//


Words: flea collar
Meaning:
n [C]   a special collar, worn by a dog or cat, that contains chemicals to keep fleas away from them//


Words: fleabag
Meaning:
n [C]  informal \n  1  BrE a dirty animal or person that you dislike:\n  2  AmE  also fleabag hotel :  a cheap dirty hotel//


Words: fleck
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: flecked]//\n  1 a small mark or spot:  fleck of//  --a black beard with flecks of gray//\n  2 a small piece of something:  fleck of//  --flecks of sawdust//


Words: flecked
Meaning:
adj [not before noun]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Probably from  Old Norse flekkotr, from  flekkr  ’spot’]//  having small marks or spots, or small pieces of something, covering a surface//  flecked with//  --red cloth flecked with white//


Words: fledged
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: fledge  ’ready to fly’ (14-19 centuries); related to   FLY1]//    fully-fledged//\nfledgling 1  fledgeling/fled[hA360]l[hA366][hA26E]/ n [C]   a young bird that is learning to fly//\nfledgling 2  fledgeling adj [only before noun]   a fledgling state or organization has only recently been formed and is still developing//    infant//  --a fledgling republic//


Words: flee
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  fled /fled/ [I and T]  written //  [Language: Old English; Origin: flean]//  to leave somewhere very quickly, in order to escape from danger//  --His attackers turned and fled.//  --Masaari spent six months in prison before fleeing the country .//  flee to/from/into//  --Many German artists fled to America at the beginning of World War II.//


Words: fleece
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: fleos]//\n  1 [C] the woolly coat of a sheep, especially the wool and skin of a sheep when it has been made into a piece of clothing:\n  2 [U] an artificial soft material used to make warm jackets:\n  3 [C]  BrE a jacket made of this artificial material:\nfleece 2 v [T]  informal   to charge someone too much money for something, especially by tricking them//


Words: fleet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fleot  ’ship’, from  fleotan;   FLEETING]//\n  1 a group of ships, or all the ships in a navy:  --the US seventh fleet//\n  2 a group of vehicles that are controlled by one company:  fleet of//  --a fleet of taxis//\nfleet 2 adj  literary   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  fleet  ’to go quickly’;   FLEETING]//  fast or quick//  --Atalanta was fleet of foot  (=able to run quickly) .//


Words: Fleet Street
Meaning:
n [singular]   a street in London where many important newspaper offices used to be, often used as a name for the British newspaper industry//


Words: fleeting
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: fleet  ’to go quickly’ (16-19 centuries), from  Old English fleotan  ’to float’]//  lasting for only a short time//   brief//  --a fleeting smile//  --For one fleeting moment , Paula allowed herself to forget her troubles.//  --I caught a fleeting glimpse of them as they drove past.//  --Carol was paying a fleeting visit to Paris.//  -- fleetingly adv //


Words: Fleming
Meaning:
Ian   (1908-64) a British writer who invented the character of James  Bond and wrote many novels about him//\n Sir Alexander   (1881-1955) a British scientist who discovered  penicillin, a substance that is used as a medicine to destroy  bacteria (=very small living things related to plants, some of which cause disease) //\n Victor   (1883-1949), a US film director who won an Oscar as best director for Gone With the Wind in 1939. His other films included Captains Courageous (1937), The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1941).//


Words: Flemish
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Middle Dutch; Origin: Vlamisch, from  Vlamland  ’Flanders’]//  a language like German spoken in northern Belgium//    Dutch//


Words: flesh
Meaning:
W3   n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fl[zB024]sc]//\n  1 the soft part of the body of a person or animal that is between the skin and the bones:  --a freshwater fish with firm white flesh//\n  2 the skin of the human body:  --His flesh was red and covered in sores.//  flesh, seed, skin//\n  3 the soft part of a fruit or vegetable that can be eaten:  --Cut the melon in half and scoop out the flesh.//\n  4  in the flesh:  if you see someone in the flesh, you see someone who you previously had only seen in pictures, films etc//  --He looked much shorter in the flesh than on television.//\n  5  make sb’s flesh creep/crawl:  to make someone feel frightened, nervous, or uncomfortable//  --The way he stared at her made her flesh creep.//\n  6  your own flesh and blood:  someone who is part of your family//  --How can he treat his own flesh and blood that way?//\n  7  the flesh:   literary the physical human body, as opposed to the mind or spirit//  the pleasures/desires/temptations of the flesh (=things such as drinking, eating a lot, or having sex) //\n  8  put flesh on sth:   BrE to give more details about something to make it clear, more interesting etc//   flesh something → out//  --I’ll try to put some flesh on the plan Margaret has outlined.//\n  9  go the way of all flesh:   literary to die//    get your pound of flesh at pound1 (5),  press the flesh at press2 (14),  the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak at spirit1 (16)//\nflesh 2 v   flesh out [flesh sth → out] phr v//  to add more details to something in order to make it clear, more interesting etc//   put flesh on something//  --You need to flesh out your argument with a few more examples.//


Words: flesh-coloured
Meaning:
adj  BrE  flesh-colored AmE   having a pinkish colour like the colour of white people’s skin//  --flesh-coloured tights//


Words: fleshpots
Meaning:
n [plural]   areas in a city or town where there are many places that people go to for pleasure, especially sexual pleasure - used humorously//


Words: fleshy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 having a lot of flesh:  --the fleshy part of your hand//\n  2 having a soft thick inner part:  --a plant with fleshy leaves//


Words: flex
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: flexus;   FLEXIBLE]//\n  1 to tighten your muscles or bend part of your body:\n  2  flex your muscles:  to show your ability to do something, especially your skill or power//  --The new role will allow Delaney to flex her acting muscles.//\nflex 2 n [C]  BrE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: flexible]//  an electrical wire covered with plastic, used to connect electrical equipment to an electricity supply//  American Equivalent:  cord//    lead//


Words: flexibility
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the ability to change or be changed easily to suit a different situation:  --Employees expect flexibility in the workplace.//\n  2 the ability to bend or be bent easily:  --Stretching exercises will help your flexibility.//


Words: flexible
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: flexibilis, from  flexus, past participle of  flectere  ’to bend’]//\n  1 a person, plan etc that is flexible can change or be changed easily to suit any new situation:  → inflexible//  --We can be flexible about your starting date.//  extremely/highly/fairly etc flexible //  --Our new computer software is extremely flexible.//  --The government needs a more flexible approach to education.//\n  2 something that is flexible can bend or be bent easily:  --shoes with flexible rubber soles//  -- flexibly adv //


Words: flexitime
Meaning:
AmE [U]   a system in which people work a particular number of hours each week or month, but can change the times at which they start and finish each day//


Words: flick
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  From the sound of a light blow]//\n  1 [T usually + adverb/preposition] to make something move away by hitting or pushing it suddenly or quickly, especially with your thumb and finger:  --Papa flicked the ash from his cigar.//\n  2 [I,T always + adverb/preposition] to move with a sudden quick movement, or to make something move in this way:  flick from/up/down//  --The cow’s tail flicked from side to side.//  flick sth up/down etc//  --Jackie flicked her long hair back.//\n  3 [T] to move a switch so that a machine or piece of electrical equipment starts or stops:   flip//  --I felt inside the doorway and flicked the light switch .//  flick sth on/off//  --Sandra flicked the TV on.//\n  4  flick a glance/look at sb/sth:   BrE to look very quickly at someone or something//  --Leith flicked a glance at her watch.//\n  5 [T] if you flick something such as a  towel or rope, you move it so that the end moves quickly away from you:  --The old man flicked his whip and the horses moved off.//  flick through [flick through sth] phr v//  to look at a book, magazine, set of photographs etc quickly//  --Will flicked through Carla’s photo album.//\nflick 2 n   [Sense: 1-2, 5; Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  FLICK1]//  [Sense: 3-4; Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  FLICKER1; because of the appearance of early movies.]//\n  1 [C] a short quick sudden movement or hit with a part of your body, whip etc:  --With a flick of the wrist , Frye sent the ball into the opposite court.//\n  2  flick of a switch:  used to emphasize how easy it is to start a machine and use it//  --I can shut off all the power in the building at the flick of a switch .//\n  3 [C usually singular]  especially AmE a film:  --an action flick//\n  4  the flicks:   BrE  old-fashioned the cinema//\n  5  have a flick through sth:   BrE to look at a book, magazine, set of pictures etc very quickly//  --I had a quick flick through your report.//


Words: flick knife
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a knife with a blade inside the handle that moves quickly into position when you press a button//  American Equivalent:  switchblade//


Words: flicker
Meaning:
v [I]   [Language: Old English; Origin: flicorian]//\n  1 to burn or shine with an unsteady light that goes on and off quickly:  --The overhead lights flickered momentarily.//\n  2 [always + adverb/preposition] if an emotion or expression flickers on someone’s face or through their mind, it exists or is shown for only a short time:  flicker across/through/on etc//  --A puzzled smile flickered across the woman’s face.//\n  3 to quickly make a sudden small movement or series of movements:  --Polly’s eyelids flickered, then she slept.//\nflicker 2 n [C] \n  1 an unsteady light that goes on and off quickly:  flicker of//  --the flicker of the firelight//\n  2  a flicker of emotion/uncertainty/excitement etc:  a feeling or expression that continues for a very short time//  --She saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes.//\n  3 a quick sudden movement or series of movements:


Words: flight
Meaning:
W2S3   n   ----------//\n   1 travel:\n   2 flying:\n   3 movement through air:\n   4 stairs:\n   5 escape:\n   6 flight of fancy/imagination/fantasy:\n   7 birds:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: flyht]//\n  1 TRAVEL:   [C] a journey in a plane or space vehicle, or the plane or vehicle that is making the journey//  --He immediately  booked a flight to Toulouse.//  --Bernstein caught the first flight out of Washington.//  --We need to hurry or we’ll miss our flight .//  --All flights out of Chicago were cancelled .//  --Many people have trouble sleeping after a  long flight .//  --a  short flight  in a hot air balloon//  --Soon smoking will be banned on all domestic flights .//  --The number of  international flights  fell last year.//  --British Airways offers  non-stop flights  from London to Tehran.//  --We only had 20 minutes to make our connecting flight .//\n  2 FLYING:   [U] when something flies through the air//  in flight//  --pelicans in flight//  --In 1968, the first supersonic airliner took flight  (=began flying) .//\n  3 MOVEMENT THROUGH AIR:   [U] an object’s or bird’s movement through the air//  --During its flight, the weapon twists and turns.//\n  4 STAIRS:   [C] a set of stairs between one floor and the next//  --Bert lives two flights down from here.//  a flight of stairs/steps //  --She fell down a whole flight of stairs.//\n  5 ESCAPE:   [U] when you leave a place in order to try and escape from a person or a dangerous situation//  flight from//  --Donald Wood’s hasty flight from South Africa early in 1978//  take flight  also //  take to flight  BrE //  --When the alarm sounded, the whole gang took flight.//  put sb to flight (=make someone run away especially by fighting or threatening them) //\n  6  flight of fancy/imagination/fantasy:  thoughts, ideas etc that are full of imagination but that are not practical or sensible//\n  7 BIRDS:   [C] a group of birds all flying together//  flight of//  --a flight of swallows//    in-flight,  top-flight//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  book a flight //  catch a flight (=get on a plane to go somewhere) //  miss a flight (=arrive too late to get on a plane) //  cancel a flight //  a long/short flight //  a domestic flight (=to another place in the same country) //  an international flight (=to another country) //  a non-stop/direct flight //  a connecting flight (=a flight to continue a journey, after a previous flight) //  ----------//


Words: flight attendant
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who serves food and drinks to passengers on a plane, and looks after their comfort and safety//


Words: flight deck
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the room in a plane where the pilot sits to control the plane:\n  2 the flat surface of a ship which military aircraft use to fly into the air from:


Words: Flight into Egypt
Meaning:
the   a story in the  Bible in which  Joseph,  Mary, and the baby  Jesus run away to Egypt to escape from King  Herod, who has ordered all male babies to be killed//


Words: flight recorder
Meaning:
n [C]   a piece of equipment in an aircraft that records details such as the plane’s speed and direction//   black box//


Words: flight simulator
Meaning:
n [C]   a machine used to train pilots that copies closely the movements and conditions that exist when flying an aircraft//


Words: flighty
Meaning:
adj   a woman who is flighty changes her ideas and opinions often, and only remains interested in people or things for a short time//


Words: flimflam
Meaning:
n [U]  old-fashioned  informal   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//  information or ideas that are not true or seem very stupid//  --I was sick of his intellectual flimflam.//


Words: flimsy
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Probably from   FILM1 ’very thin layer’]//\n  1 flimsy cloth or clothing is light and thin:  --a flimsy cotton dress//\n  2 something that is flimsy is not strong or well-made, and will break easily:  --a flimsy wooden building//\n  3 a flimsy agreement is weak and can easily be damaged or broken:  --a flimsy alliance between the two tribal groups//\n  4 a flimsy argument or excuse does not seem very likely and people do not believe it:  → convincing//  --The evidence against him is extremely flimsy .//  --a flimsy excuse //  -- flimsily adv //  -- flimsiness n  [U] //


Words: flinch
Meaning:
v  also flinch away  [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: flenchir  ’to turn aside’]//\n  1 to move your face or body away from someone or something because you are in pain, frightened, or upset:  flinch at//  --She flinched at the touch of his hand.//  flinch from//  --The boy flinched away from him.//\n  2 to feel embarrassed or upset:  flinch at//  --Jo flinched at her sister’s insensitivity.//\n  3  not flinch from (doing) sth:  to be willing to do something even though it is difficult or unpleasant//  --He never flinched from doing his duty.//   unflinching//


Words: fling
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flung /fl[hA356][hA26E]/ [T always + adverb/preposition] //  ----------//\n   1 throw something:\n   2 move something:\n   3 push somebody:\n   4 move your body:\n   5 say something:\n   6 fling something open:\n   7 fling somebody in prison/jail:\n   8 fling yourself into something:\n   9 fling yourself at somebody:  Phrasal verbs//   fling something → off//   fling somebody/something → out//  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  From a  Scandinavian language]//\n  1 THROW SOMETHING:  to throw something somewhere using a lot of force//  fling sth into sth//  --He flung the box into the river.//  --People cheered and flung their hats into the air.//\n  2 MOVE SOMETHING:  to throw or move something roughly and carelessly//  --He flung his coat over the back of a chair.//  --She flung back the covers and got up.//  --He flung the books aside angrily.//\n  3 PUSH SOMEBODY:  to push someone roughly, especially so that they fall to the ground//   throw//  --He grabbed her arm and flung her to the ground.//\n  4 MOVE YOUR BODY:  to move yourself or part of your body quickly, using a lot of force//   throw//  --He flung himself down on the bed.//  --She flung her arms round Louise.//\n  5 SAY SOMETHING:  to say something to someone in an angry way//   throw//  fling sth at sb//  --People were flinging all sorts of accusations at her.//  --His own words were flung back at him.//\n  6  fling sth open:  to open a door or window roughly, using a lot of force//  --The door was flung open and Selkirk entered.//\n  7  fling sb in prison/jail:  to put someone in prison, often without having a good reason//  --Opposition leaders were flung into jail.//\n  8  fling yourself into sth:  to start doing something with a lot of energy//  --After the divorce he flung himself into his work to forget her.//\n  9  fling yourself at sb:  a) to move suddenly towards someone in order to attack them or hold them//  --He flung himself at her and snatched the bag.//  --The children flung themselves at him, squealing with joy.//  b)  informal to show in a very clear, open way that you want to have a sexual relationship with someone - used to show disapproval//  fling off [fling sth → off] phr v//  to quickly remove a piece of clothing//   tear off//  --He flung off his coat.//  fling out [fling sb/sth → out] phr v//\n  1 to make someone leave a place when they do not want to:   throw out//  fling somebody/something → out of//  --He was flung out of school for swearing at a teacher.//\n  2 to get rid of something you no longer want or need:   throw out//  --If it doesn’t work, just fling it out.//\nfling 2 n [C usually singular] \n  1 a short and not very serious sexual relationship:  --They had a brief fling a few years ago.//\n  2 a short period of time during which you enjoy yourself without worrying about anything:  --He sees this as his final fling before he retires.//


Words: flint
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1 [U] a type of smooth hard stone that makes a small flame when you hit it with steel:\n  2 [C] a piece of this stone or a small piece of metal that makes a small flame when you hit it with steel:


Words: Flintstones
Meaning:
The   a humorous US television  cartoon programme, about a family from the  Stone Age who live in a town called Bedrock. Fred Flintstone is the father, and is married to Wilma. They have a daughter called Pebbles and a pet  dinosaur called Dino. Their best friends are Barney and Betty Rubble.//


Words: flinty
Meaning:
adj \n  1  literary not showing any emotions:   hard, icy//  flinty look/stare //  --Duvall gave him a flinty stare.//\n  2 like flint or containing flint:


Words: flip
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flipped present participle  flipping //  ----------//\n   1 move:\n   2 turn in the air:\n   3 angry:\n   4 turn a switch:\n   5 turn pages:\n   6 flip your lid:  Phrasal verbs//   flip somebody → off//  ----------//  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from the sound]//\n  1 MOVE:   [I,T always + adverb/preposition] to move something with a quick sudden movement so that it is in a different position//  --He flipped the top off the bottle and poured himself a drink.//  --She flipped the lid of the box open and looked inside.//  flip over//  --He flipped the paper over and started writing on the back.//\n  2 TURN IN THE AIR:   [T] to make a flat object such as a coin go upwards and turn over in the air//   toss//  --We flipped a coin to see who would go first.//  --There’s quite an art to flipping pancakes.//\n  3 ANGRY:   [I]  informal to suddenly become very angry or upset//   lose it//  --I just flipped and started shouting.//\n  4 TURN A SWITCH:   [T] to move a switch so that a machine or piece of electrical equipment starts or stops//   flick//  --Anna flipped the switch that opened the front gate.//  flip sth on/off//  --Josie flipped on the radio.//\n  5 TURN PAGES:   [I and T] to turn the pages of a book or newspaper quickly, especially because you are looking for something//  --He picked up the newspaper and flipped straight to the sports pages.//  flip through//  --I flipped through my address book but couldn’t find her phone number.//\n  6  flip your lid:   informal to suddenly become very angry//   go crazy//  --Mom flipped her lid when she found out I was pregnant.//  flip off [flip sb → off] phr v//   also flip sb the bird //  to make a rude sign at someone by lifting up your middle finger and keeping your other fingers down//\nflip 2 n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Filipino]//\n  1 an action in which you make a flat object such as a coin go upwards and turn over in the air:   toss//  --In the end the decision was made by the flip of a coin .//\n  2 a movement in which you jump up and turn over in the air, so that your feet go over your head:   somersault//  --I tripped and almost did a backward flip down the stairs.//\n  3 an action in which you turn the pages of a book or newspaper quickly, especially because you are looking for something:   flick//  flip through//  --I had a quick flip through my cookery books and found a recipe that sounded quite nice.//\nflip 3 adj  informal   not said or meant seriously//   flippant//  --I was fed up with his flip comments.//


Words: flip chart
Meaning:
n [C]   a set of large pieces of paper that are connected at the top so that you can turn the pages over to present information to people//


Words: flip side
Meaning:
n [singular] \n  1 the bad effects of something that also has good effects:  --The flip side of the treatment is that it can make patients feel very tired.//\n  2  old-fashioned the side of a record that does not have the main song on:


Words: flip-flop past tense and past participle
Meaning:
flip-flopped present participle  flip-flopping  v [I]  AmE  informal   to change your opinion about something//  -- flip-flop n  [C] //  --an incredible political flip-flop//


Words: flip-flops
Meaning:
n [plural]   open summer shoes, usually made of rubber, with a V-shaped band across the front to hold your feet//  American Equivalent:  thongs//


Words: flippant
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  FLIP1]//  not being serious about something that other people think you should be serious about//  --a rather flippant remark//  flippant about//  --You shouldn’t be flippant about such things.//  -- flippantly adv //  -- flippancy n  [U] //  --This is no time for flippancy.//


Words: flipper
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a flat part on the body of some large sea animals such as seals, that they use for swimming:  flipper, knife, tank, wetsuit//\n  2 a large flat rubber shoe that you wear to help you swim faster:


Words: flipping
Meaning:
adj, adv  BrE  spoken   used to show that you are slightly annoyed about something//  --It’s too flipping cold to go outside!//  --This flipping pen doesn’t work!//


Words: flirt
Meaning:
v [I]   to behave towards someone in a way that shows that you are sexually attracted to them, although you do not really want a relationship with them//  flirt with//  --She accused him of flirting with other women.//  --She was flirting outrageously  (=a lot) with some of the managers.//  flirt with [flirt with sth] phr v//\n  1 to consider doing something, but not be very serious about it:  --He had flirted with the idea of emigrating.//\n  2 to do something that is dangerous or could cause problems for you:  --Climbers enjoy flirting with danger .//\nflirt 2 n [C]   someone who flirts with people//  a terrible/dreadful etc flirt (=someone who flirts a lot) //  --She’s an incorrigible flirt!//


Words: flirtation
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a short period of time during which you are interested in something:  flirtation with//  --He started his own business last year, after a brief flirtation with political life.//\n  2 [U] behaviour that shows you are attracted to someone sexually:  --She had no objection to a little mild flirtation .//\n  3 [C] a short sexual relationship which is not serious:   fling//  flirtation with//  --She had a brief flirtation with one of the maths students.//


Words: flirtatious
Meaning:
adj   behaving in a way that deliberately tries to attract sexual attention//  --She gave him a flirtatious smile.//  --a flirtatious giggle//  -- flirtatiously adv //  -- flirtatiousness n  [U] //


Words: flit
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flitted present participle  flitting  [I always + adverb/preposition] //  [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: flytja  ’to carry around’]//  to move lightly or quickly and not stay in one place for very long//  --Birds flitted about in the trees above them.//  --She seemed to spend her life flitting from one country to another.//  --His eyes flitted to his watch.//


Words: float
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 on water:\n   2 in the air:\n   3 music/sounds/smells etc:\n   4 walk gracefully:\n   5 ideas:\n   6 money:\n   7 company:\n   8 cheque:  Phrasal verbs//   float around//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: flotian]//\n  1 ON WATER:  a)  [I] to stay or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking//  --I wasn’t sure if the raft would float.//  --She spent the afternoon floating on her back in the pool.//  float along/down/past etc//  --A couple of broken branches floated past us.//  b)  [T] to put something on the surface of a liquid so that it does not sink//  --The logs are trimmed and then floated down the river.//\n  2 IN THE AIR:   [I always + adverb/preposition] if something floats, it moves slowly through the air or stays up in the air//  --I looked up at the clouds floating in the sky.//  --Leaves floated gently down from the trees.//\n  3 MUSIC/SOUNDS/SMELLS ETC:   [I always + adverb/preposition] if sounds or smells float somewhere, people in another place can hear or smell them//  --The sound of her voice came floating down from an upstairs window.//\n  4 WALK GRACEFULLY:   [I] to walk in a slow light graceful way//   glide//  --Rachel floated around the bedroom in a lace nightgown.//\n  5 IDEAS:   [T] to suggest an idea or plan in order to see if people like it//  --We first floated the idea back in 1992.//\n  6 MONEY:   [ T]  technical if the government of a country floats its money, the value of the money is allowed to change freely in relation to money from other countries//  --Russia decided to float the rouble on the foreign exchange market.//\n  7 COMPANY:   [T] to sell shares in a company or business to the public for the first time//  float sth on sth//  --The company will be floated on the stockmarket next year.//    flotation(1)//\n  8 CHEQUE:   [T]  AmE to write a cheque when you do not have enough money in the bank to pay it//  float around phr v//  to be present in a place//  --There’s a lot of cash floating around in the economy at the moment.//\nfloat 2 n [C]   ----------//\n   1 vehicle:\n   2 drink:\n   3 for fishing:\n   4 for swimming:\n   5 money:\n   6 relaxation:  ----------//\n  1 VEHICLE:  a large vehicle that is decorated to drive through the streets as part of a special event//  --We stood and watched the Carnival floats drive past.//\n  2 DRINK:   AmE a sweet drink that has ice cream floating in it//  3 FOR FISHING//  a small light object that floats on the surface of the water, used by people trying to catch fish to show where their line is//\n  4 FOR SWIMMING:  a flat light object that you can rest part of your body on in water to help you learn to swim//\n  5 MONEY:  a small amount of money that someone in a shop keeps so that they have enough money to give change to people//\n  6 RELAXATION:  a time when you sit in a flotation tank in order to treat illness or injury, or to relax//


Words: floating
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   often changing, and not staying the same//  --You can choose either a fixed or floating interest rate for the loan.//  --The area has a large floating population.//\nfloating 2 n [U]   the activity of sitting in a flotation tank in order to relax, or to treat illness or injury//


Words: flock
Meaning:
n   [Sense: 1-3; Origin: Old English flocc  ’crowd’]//  [Sense: 4-5; Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: floc  ’piece of wool’, from  Latin floccus]//\n  1 [C] a group of sheep, goats, or birds:  flock of//  --a flock of small birds//\n  2 [C usually singular] a large group of people:   crowd//  flock of//  --a flock of children//\n  3 [C usually singular] a priest’s flock is the group of people who regularly attend his or her church:\n  4 [U] small pieces of wool or cotton that are used for filling cushions:\n  5  also flocking /fl[hA361]k[hA366][hA26E] $ fla[hA359]-/ AmE [U] a soft substance that is used to make patterns on the surface of  wallpaper, curtains etc:\nflock 2 v [I always +adverb/preposition]   if people flock to a place, they go there in large numbers because something interesting or exciting is happening there//  flock to/into/down etc//  --People have been flocking to the exhibition.//  flock to do sth//  --Tourists flock to see the town’s medieval churches and buildings.//


Words: Flodden
Meaning:
Flodden Field   a hillside in Northumberland in the north of England, where there was a battle between England and Scotland in 1513. The Scots were severely defeated and their king, James IV, was killed.//


Words: flog
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flogged present participle  flogging  [T] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  Latin flagellare  ’to whip’]//\n  1 to beat a person or animal with a whip or stick:  --He was publicly flogged and humiliated.//\n  2  informal to sell something:  --I’m going to flog all my old video tapes.//\n  3  be flogging a dead horse:   spoken to be wasting time or effort by trying to do something that is impossible//\n  4  flog sth to death:   BrE  informal to repeat a story or use an idea etc so often that people become bored with it//  --They take a good idea and flog it to death.//


Words: Flood
Meaning:
the \n  1 a story told in the Old Testament of the Bible about a great flood that covered the whole world. According to the story, God caused the Flood because he was angry with the people on Earth and wanted to punish them. Only one man, Noah, and his family were saved. God told Noah to build an  ark (=a large boat)  and to take two of every kind of animal on the ark with him. When the rain stopped and the water level began to go down, Noah sent out a  dove to look for land, and the bird returned carrying an  olive branch to show that the land was reappearing.:\n  2  before the Flood:  a very long time ago//


Words: flood
Meaning:
S3   v   ----------//\n   1 cover with water:\n   2 river:\n   3 go/arrive in large numbers:\n   4 flood something with something:\n   5 be flooded with something:\n   6 flood the market:\n   7 light:\n   8 feeling:\n   9 engine:  Phrasal verbs//   be flooded out//  ----------//\n  1 COVER WITH WATER:   [I and T] to cover a place with water, or to become covered with water//  --Towns and cities all over the country have been flooded.//  --The houses down by the river flood quite regularly.//\n  2 RIVER:   [I and T] if a river floods, it is too full, and spreads water over the land around it//  --There are now fears that the river could flood.//\n  3 GO/ARRIVE IN LARGE NUMBERS:   [I always + adverb/preposition] to arrive or go somewhere in large numbers//   pour, flow//  --Refugees are still flooding across the border.//  --Donations have been flooding in since we launched the appeal.//\n  4  flood sth with sth:  to send a very large number of things to a place or organization//  --a plan to flood the country with forged banknotes//\n  5  be flooded with sth:  to receive so many letters, complaints, or inquiries that you cannot deal with them all easily//  --We’ve been flooded with offers of help.//\n  6  flood the market:  to produce and sell a very large number of one type of thing, so that the price goes down//  flood the market with//  --Car manufacturers have been accused of flooding the market with cheap cars.//\n  7 LIGHT:   [I and T] if light floods a place or floods into it, it makes it very light and bright//  flood into//  --Light flooded into the kitchen.//  flood sth with sth//  --The morning sun flooded the room with a gentle light.//\n  8 FEELING:   [>I always + adv/prep, T] if a feeling or memory floods over you or floods back, you feel or remember it very strongly//  flood over/back//  --I felt happiness and relief flooding over me.//  --Memories of my time in Paris flooded back.//\n  9 ENGINE:   [I and T] if an engine floods or if you flood it, it has too much petrol in it, so that it will not start//  be flooded out phr v//  to be forced to leave your home because of floods//\nflood 2 S3 n   [Language: Old English; Origin: flod]//\n  1 [U and C] a very large amount of water that covers an area that is usually dry:  --The village was cut off by floods.//  --the worst floods for over fifty years//\n  2 [C] a very large number of things or people that arrive at the same time:  flood of//  --The UN appealed for help with the flood of refugees crossing the border.//\n  3  in floods of tears:  crying a lot//  --She came downstairs in floods of tears.//\n  4  in flood:  a river that is in flood has much more water in it than usual//    flash flood at flash3 (1)//


Words: flood plain
Meaning:
n [C]   the large area of flat land on either side of a river that is sometimes covered with water when the river becomes too full//


Words: floodgate
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  open the floodgates:  a) if something opens the floodgates, or if the floodgates open, it suddenly becomes possible for a lot of things to happen which were prevented from happening before//  --If this case is successful it could open the floodgates for thousands of similar claims.//  --There are fears that the floodgates will open and large numbers of parents will take their children out of school.//  b) if the floodgates open, or if something opens the floodgates, someone begins to cry and show their emotions after keeping them hidden//  --His display of kindness to her opened the floodgates again, and she began to sob loudly.//\n  2 a gate that is used to control the flow of water from a large lake or river:


Words: flooding
Meaning:
n [U]   a situation in which an area of land becomes covered with water, for example because of heavy rain//  --The heavy rain has led to serious flooding in some areas.//  --The river banks have been built up to prevent flooding.//


Words: floodlight
Meaning:
n [C]   a very bright light that is used to light the outside of a building or sports ground at night//  --The church was lit up by floodlights.//  under floodlights//  --The game will be played under floodlights.//


Words: floor
Meaning:
n [C]   ----------//\n   1 in a building:\n   2 in a car:\n   3 level in building:\n   4 ocean/forest/cave floor etc:\n   5 for dancing:\n   6 where people work:\n   7 limit:\n   8 the floor:\n   9 take the floor:\n  10 have the floor:\n  11 go through the floor:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: flor]//\n  1 IN A BUILDING:  the flat surface that you stand on inside a building//  --a polished wooden floor//  --There was a puddle of water on the kitchen floor.//  --a warehouse that has 410,000 square feet of floor space  see usage note  ground1 //\n  2 IN A CAR:   BrE the part of a car that forms its inside floor//  American Equivalent:  floorboard//\n  3 LEVEL IN BUILDING:  one of the levels in a building//  --a ground floor flat//  on the top/first/tenth etc floor//  --Our office is on the top floor.//  floor of//  --We are located on the seventh floor of the building. see usage note  storey//\n  4 OCEAN/FOREST/CAVE FLOOR ETC:  the ground at the bottom of the ocean, the forest etc//  --creatures that live on the ocean floor see usage note  ground1 //\n  5 FOR DANCING:  an area in a room where people can dance//  --There were two or three couples already on the dance floor .//  take (to) the floor//   (=begin dancing) //  --Everyone took to the floor for the last waltz.//\n  6 WHERE PEOPLE WORK:  a large area in a building where a lot of people do their jobs//  --The stock market floor was wildly busy.//  --He wasn’t keen on the idea of working on the shop floor  (=the part of a factory where people make things using machines) .//\n  7 LIMIT:  an officially agreed limit below which something cannot go//    ceiling//  --Manufacturers have tried to put a floor under the price of their products.//\n  8  the floor:  a) the people attending a public meeting//  --Are there any questions from the floor?//  b) the part of a parliament, public meeting place etc where people sit//  --The delegates crowded the floor of the House.//\n  9  take the floor:  to begin speaking at an important public meeting//  --The chairman then took the floor.//\n  10  have the floor:  to be speaking or have the right to speak at an important public meeting//  --He stepped aside to allow other speakers to have the floor.//\n  11  go through the floor:  if a price, amount etc goes through the floor, it becomes very low//  → go through the roof//  --In the past few years share prices have gone through the floor.//  ----------//  US/UK DIFFERENCE //  The bottom area of a building, on the same level as the land around it, is called the  ground floor . In American English this can also be called the  first floor .  //  In British English the  first floor  is one level up from the ground. In American English this is the  second floor . //  floor  or  storey/story ? See note at  STOREY //  GRAMMAR//  !!  Say  on  the first/second/fifth etc  floor : The cafeteria is on (NOT at/in) the top floor. //  ----------//\nfloor 2 v [T] \n  1 to surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know what to say or do:  --A couple of the questions completely floored me.//\n  2 to hit someone so hard that they fall down:  --He was floored in the first round of the fight.//\n  3  AmE  informal to make a car go as fast as possible:  --I got into the car and floored it .//


Words: floor plan
Meaning:
n [C]   a drawing of the shape of a room or building and the position of things in it, as seen from above//   ground plan//


Words: floor-length
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   long enough to reach the floor//  --floor-length curtains//  --a floor-length skirt//


Words: floorboard
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a board in a wooden floor:  --I lifted the carpet to check the floorboards for damp and woodworm.//\n  2  AmE the floor in a car:


Words: flooring
Meaning:
n [U]   any material that is used to make or cover floors//  --We’ve chosen wood flooring for the hall.//  --vinyl flooring//


Words: floozy
Meaning:
floozie/flu[hA359]zi/ n   plural  floozies  [C]  old-fashioned //  [Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  Perhaps from  flossy  ’showy’ (19-20 centuries), from   FLOSS1]//  a woman who has sexual relationships with a lot of different men, in a way that you disapprove of//


Words: flop
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flopped present participle  flopping  [I] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  FLAP2]//\n  1 [always + adverb/preposition] to sit or lie down in a relaxed way, by letting all your weight fall heavily onto a chair etc:  --He flopped down onto the bed.//  --I got home and flopped in front of the TV.//\n  2 [always + adverb/preposition] to hang or fall loosely, in an uncontrolled way:  --His head flopped back pathetically.//\n  3  informal if something such as a product, play, or idea flops, it is not successful because people do not like it:\nflop 2 n \n  1 [C]  informal a film, play, product etc that is not successful:  → hit//  disastrous/spectacular etc flop //  --The film was a complete flop.//\n  2 [singular] the movement or noise that something makes when it falls heavily:  --He fell with a flop into the water.//    belly flop//


Words: flophouse
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  informal   a very cheap hotel where people can stay when they have very little money and nowhere to live//  British Equivalent:  doss house//


Words: floppy
Meaning:
adj   something that is floppy is soft and hangs down loosely rather than being stiff//  --a floppy hat//  --a dog with long floppy ears//


Words: floppy disk
Meaning:
also floppy  n [C]   a square piece of plastic that you can store computer information on, and which you can remove from and put into a computer//    hard disk//


Words: flora
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Latin Flora Roman female god of flowers, from  flos  ’flower’]//  all the plants that grow in a particular place or country//  --Tourism is damaging the flora and fauna  (=plants and animals) of the island.//


Words: floral
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: flos;   FLORA]//  made of flowers or decorated with flowers or pictures of flowers//  --a scarf with a bold floral pattern//  --a pretty floral dress//  --a light floral fragrance//  --There were floral tributes  (=flowers sent as a sign of respect after someone has died) from friends and colleagues.//


Words: Florence
Meaning:
a city in western central Italy, which was very rich and powerful in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is famous for its art and fine buildings.//  -- Florentine n  adj //


Words: florid
Meaning:
adj  literary   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: floridus  ’flowering’, from  flos;   FLORA]//\n  1 a florid face is red in colour:  --a middle-aged man with a florid complexion//\n  2 florid language, music, or art has a lot of extra unnecessary details or decorations:  --a book written in a very florid style//


Words: Florida
Meaning:
FL a state in the southeastern US. Florida has warm weather all year round, and many older people go there to live when they have stopped working//


Words: Florida Keys
Meaning:
the Florida Keys//  a group of small islands off the coast of southern Florida, where many tourists go//


Words: florist
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: flos;   FLORA]//\n  1 someone who owns or works in a shop that sells flowers and indoor plants for the home:\n  2  also florist’s :  a shop that sells flowers and indoor plants for the home//


Words: floss
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Probably from  Dutch vlos]//\n  1 a type of thin thread that you use for cleaning between your teeth:   dental floss//\n  2 a type of thin thread that you use for sewing:\nfloss 2 v [T]   to clean between your teeth using floss//


Words: flotation
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  FLOAT1]//\n  1 a time when shares in a company are made available for people to buy for the first time:  --The company has decided to postpone its flotation on the stock market until next year.//\n  2  flotation chamber/compartment etc:  a container filled with air or gas, fixed to something to make it float//


Words: flotation tank
Meaning:
n [C]   a large container full of warm salty water, often with a cover on it to make it dark inside, that you float in so that you can relax, or to treat illness or injury//


Words: flotilla
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Spanish; Origin: flota  ’group of ships’]//  a group of small ships//


Words: flotsam
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: floteson, from  Old French floter  ’to float’]//\n  1 broken pieces of wood and other things from a wrecked ship, floating in the sea or scattered on the shore:  --He would walk along the beach collecting the flotsam and jetsam that had been washed ashore.//\n  2 things that people no longer want and so throw away:  --works of art made from the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life//\n  3 people who are very poor and do not have jobs or homes:  --Camps were set up to shelter the flotsam and jetsam of the war.//


Words: flounce
Meaning:
preposition]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//  to walk in a quick determined way without looking at people because you are angry//  --She flounced out of the room.//\nflounce 2 n   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: frounce  ’fold, plait’ (14-19 centuries) (influenced by   FLOUNCE1), from  Old French fronce]//\n  1 [C] a band of cloth that is stitched onto a curtain or a piece of clothing in folds as a decoration:  --a group of local girls dressed in frills and flounces//\n  2 [singular] a way of walking in a quick determined way without looking at people, because you are angry:  --She walked off with a flounce.//


Words: flounder
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from   FOUNDER2]//\n  1 to not know what to say or do because you feel confused or upset:  --I found myself floundering as I tried to answer her questions.//  --’I’m sorry,’ she floundered helplessly .//\n  2 to have a lot of problems and be likely to fail completely:  --More and more firms are floundering because of the recession.//\n  3 [always + adverb/preposition] to be unable to move easily because you are in deep water or mud, or cannot see very well:  --They were floundering chest-deep in the freezing water.//  flounder around//  --I could hear them floundering around in the dark.//\nflounder 2   plural  flounder  or  flounders  n [U and C] //  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: floundre, from a  Scandinavian language]//  a type of small fish that you can eat//


Words: flour
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  FLOWER1 ’best part’; because it is the best of the grain]//  a powder that is made by crushing wheat or other grain and is used for making bread, cakes etc//  white/wholemeal/rice/wheat etc flour //    plain flour,  self-raising flour//\nflour 2 v [T]   to cover a surface with flour when you are cooking//  --Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured board.//


Words: flourish
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: florir  ’to produce flowers’, from  Latin flos  ’flower’]//\n  1 [I] to develop well and be successful:   thrive//  --The economy is booming and small businesses are flourishing.//\n  2 [I] to grow well and be very healthy:    thrive//  --Most plants will flourish in the rich deep soils here.//\n  3 [T] to wave something in your hand in order to make people notice it:  --She walked quickly to the desk, flourishing her cheque book.//\nflourish 2 n \n  1  with a flourish:  with a large confident movement that makes people notice you//  --He opened his wallet with a flourish and took out a handful of notes.//\n  2 [usually singular] a special or impressive part of something:  --There’s nothing like a luxurious dessert to give a menu a final flourish .//  with a flourish//  --They finished the season with a flourish, winning their last three matches.//\n  3 [C] a loud part of a piece of music, played especially when an important person enters:  --a flourish of trumpets//\n  4 [C] a curved line that you use to decorate writing:


Words: floury
Meaning:
adj \n  1 covered with flour or tasting of flour:  --She wiped her floury hands on her apron.//\n  2 floury potatoes become very soft and break easily when they are cooked:


Words: flout
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  flout  ’to play the flute’ (14-16 centuries)]//  to deliberately disobey a law, rule etc, without trying to hide what you are doing//  --Some companies flout the rules and employ children as young as seven.//  deliberately/openly flout sth //  --The union had openly flouted the law.//


Words: flow
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 liquid/gas/electricity:\n   2 traffic:\n   3 goods/people/information:\n   4 speech/writing:\n   5 of the sea:\n   6 in full flow:\n   7 go with the flow:\n   8 go against the flow:  ----------//\n  1 LIQUID/GAS/ELECTRICITY:   [C usually singular] a smooth steady movement of liquid, gas, or electricity//  flow of//  --He struggled to swim against the flow of the water.//  --I tied a towel round his leg to try to stem the flow of blood.//\n  2 TRAFFIC:   [C usually singular, U] the steady movement of traffic//  --a new road system to improve traffic flow through the city centre//\n  3 GOODS/PEOPLE/INFORMATION:   [C usually singular] the movement of goods, people, or information from one place to another//  flow of//  --the flow of funds from the US to Europe//  --There has been a steady flow of people leaving the area.//  --They have accused the government of trying to block the free flow of information.//  --an attempt to stem the flow of refugees across the border//\n  4 SPEECH/WRITING:   [U] the continuous stream of words or ideas when someone is speaking, writing, or thinking about something//  --I didn’t want to interrupt her flow , so I said nothing.//\n  5 OF THE SEA:   [singular] the regular movement of the sea towards the land//  --the ebb and flow of the tide//\n  6  in full flow:   informal if someone is in full flow, they are busy talking about something and seem likely to continue for a long time//\n  7  go with the flow:  to agree that you will do the thing that most people want to do//  --I don’t mind, I’ll just go with the flow.//\n  8  go against the flow:  to do something very different from what other people are doing//    cash flow,  ebb and flow at ebb1 (3)//\nflow 2 S3 v [I]   ----------//\n   1 liquid/gas/electricity:\n   2 goods/people/information:\n   3 traffic:\n   4 alcohol:\n   5 words/ideas:\n   6 sea:\n   7 feelings:\n   8 clothes/hair:\n   9 flow from something:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: flowan]//\n  1 LIQUID/GAS/ELECTRICITY:  when a liquid, gas, or electricity flows, it moves in a steady continuous stream//  flow over/down/through etc//  --These gates regulate the amount of water flowing into the canal.//  --If the windows are shut, air cannot flow freely through the building.//\n  2 GOODS/PEOPLE/INFORMATION:   [always + adverb/preposition] if goods, people, or information flow from one place to another, they move there in large numbers or amounts//   pour, flood//  --Money has been flowing into the country from Western aid agencies.//  --The number of refugees flowing into the area is still increasing.//\n  3 TRAFFIC:  if traffic flows, it moves easily from one place to another//  --The new one-way system should help the traffic to flow better.//\n  4 ALCOHOL:  if alcohol flows at a party, people drink a lot and there is a lot available//  --Beer and whisky flowed freely as the evening wore on.//\n  5 WORDS/IDEAS:  if conversation or ideas flow, people talk or have ideas steadily and continuously, without anything stopping or interrupting them//  --Everyone was relaxed and the conversation flowed freely .//\n  6 SEA:  when the sea flows, it moves towards the land//  --We watched the tide ebb and flow .//\n  7 FEELINGS:  if a feeling flows through you or over you, you feel it strongly//  flow through/over//  --She felt hot rage flowing through her.//\n  8 CLOTHES/HAIR:  if clothing or hair flows, it falls or hangs loosely and gracefully//  --Her long hair flowed down her back.//\n  9  flow from sth:  to happen as a result of something//  --the political consequences that flowed from this decision//


Words: flow chart
Meaning:
also flow diagram  n [C]   a drawing that uses shapes and lines to show how the different stages in a process are connected to each other//


Words: flower
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: flor,  flour, from  Latin flos]//\n  1 a coloured or white part that a plant or tree produces before fruit or seeds:  --a lovely rose bush with delicate pink flowers//  --fields full of beautiful wild flowers //  leaf, petal, stem, stalk//\n  2 a small plant that produces beautiful flowers:  --He wasn’t interested in growing flowers in the garden.//  --She bent down and picked a flower .//  bunch/bouquet of flowers //  --The first night we met he gave me a bunch of flowers.//  --a beautiful flower arrangement  (=flowers arranged together in an attractive way) //\n  3  in flower:  a plant or tree that is in flower has flowers on it//  --It was May, and the apple trees were all in flower.//  --Roses start to come into flower in June.//\n  4  the flower of sth:   literary the best part of something//  --young men killed in the flower of their youth//\nflower 2 v [I] \n  1 to produce flowers:  --Bulbs that you plant in the autumn should flower the following spring.//\n  2  literary to develop in a very successful way:  --the economic and social conditions that will allow democracy to flower//


Words: flower child plural
Meaning:
flower children  n [C]   a young person in the 1960s and 70s who was against war and wanted peace and love in society//


Words: flower power
Meaning:
n [U]   the ideas of young people in the 1960s and 70s who believed that peace and love were the most important things in life//


Words: flowering
Meaning:
n   the flowering of sth//   formal when something develops in a very successful way//  --The nineteenth century saw a flowering of science and technology.//


Words: flowery
Meaning:
adj \n  1 decorated with a pattern of flowers:   floral, flowered//  --a flowery cotton dress//\n  2 a flowery place has a lot of flowers growing in it:  --a flowery meadow//\n  3 a flowery smell or taste is strong and sweet, like flowers:  --her flowery perfume//\n  4 flowery speech or writing uses complicated and rare words instead of simple clear language:  --flowery language//


Words: flowing
Meaning:
adj \n  1 hanging or moving in a smooth graceful way:  --She had pale skin and dark, flowing hair.//  --long, flowing robes//\n  2 continuing in a smooth, graceful way, with no sudden changes:  --a flowing melody//  --flowing curves//


Words: flu
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: influenza]//  a common illness that makes you feel very tired and weak, gives you a sore throat, and makes you cough and have to clear your nose a lot//   influenza//  --Steven’s still in bed with flu .//  --She’s got the flu .//  --I couldn’t go because I had flu .//  a flu virus/bug //  --the spread of the flu virus//  --Doctors now fear a flu epidemic .//


Words: flub
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  flubbed present participle  flubbing  [T]  AmE  informal //  to make a mistake or do something badly//   fluff, mess something → up//  --Several of the actors flubbed their lines.//


Words: fluctuate
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: fluctuare, from  fluere;   FLUENT]//  if a price or amount fluctuates, it keeps changing and becoming higher and lower//   vary//  fluctuate between//  --Prices were volatile, fluctuating between $20 and $40.//  fluctuate around//  --The number of children in the school fluctuates around 100.//  --Insect populations fluctuate wildly from year to year.//


Words: fluctuation
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a change in a price, amount, level etc//   variation//  fluctuation in//  --the fluctuation in interest rates//  --Prices are subject to fluctuation.//


Words: fluent
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  fluere  ’to flow’]//\n  1 able to speak a language very well:  fluent in//  --She was fluent in English, French, and German.//\n  2  fluent French/Japanese etc:  someone who speaks fluent French etc speaks it like a person from that country//  --He spoke in fluent Italian.//\n  3 fluent speech or writing is smooth and confident, with no mistakes:  --He was a fluent and rapid prose writer.//\n  4 fluent movements are smooth and gentle, not sudden and sharp:  --She rose with the fluent movement of an athlete.//  -- fluently adv //  --He spoke French fluently.//  -- fluency n  [U] //


Words: fluff
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Probably from  flue  ’fluff’ (16-19 centuries), from  Flemish vluwe]//\n  1 soft light bits of thread that have come from wool, cotton, or other materials:  --He was picking bits of fluff off his trousers.//  --a ball of carpet fluff//\n  2 soft light hair or feathers, especially on a young bird or animal:  --The chicks were just balls of yellow fluff.//\n  3 news, music, writing, work etc that is not serious or important:  --a magazine full of pop and fashion fluff//\nfluff 2 v [T] \n  1  informal to make a mistake or do something badly:   mess something → up//  --He fluffed his shot and missed the goal.//  --She fluffed her lines in the first scene.//\n  2  also fluff sth → up/out :  to make something soft become larger by shaking it//  --She fluffed up the pillows for me.//\n  3  also fluff sth → up/out :  if a bird fluffs its feathers, it raises them and makes itself look bigger//


Words: fluffy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 very light and soft to touch:  --a fluffy little kitten//  --fluffy towels//\n  2 food that is fluffy is made soft and light by mixing it quickly so that a lot of air is mixed into it:  --Cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.//\n  3 fluffy clouds look light and soft:


Words: fluid
Meaning:
n [U and C]  technical   a liquid//    gas, solid//  --He is not allowed solid food yet, only fluids.//  --a powerful cleaning fluid//\nfluid 2 adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: fluide, from  Latin fluidus, from  fluere  ’to flow’]//\n  1 a situation that is fluid is likely to change:\n  2 fluid movements are smooth, relaxed, and graceful:  --a loose, fluid style of dancing//\n  3 a fluid substance is a liquid:    gaseous, solid//  -- fluidity/flu[hA366]d[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: fluid ounce
Meaning:
n [C]  written abbreviation fl oz   a unit for measuring liquid, equal to 1/20  pint or 0.028 litres in Britain, and 1/16 pint or 0.030 litres in the US//


Words: fluke
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Origin unknown.]//  something good that happens because of luck//  --He agreed that the second goal was a fluke.//  -- fluky flukey//   adj //  --a fluky win//


Words: flume
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: flum, from  Latin flumen  ’river’]//  a long narrow structure built for water to slide down, which is used to move water or wood, or which people slide down for fun//  --a log flume//


Words: flummoxed
Meaning:
adj   completely confused by something//   bewildered//  --I was completely flummoxed by the whole thing.//  -- flummox v  [T] //


Words: flunk
Meaning:
v  informal  especially AmE   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  flinch +  funk  ’to be afraid (of)’ (18-21 centuries);   FUNK2]//\n  1 [I and T] to fail a test:  --Tony flunked chemistry last semester.//\n  2 [T] to give someone low marks on a test so that they fail it:   fail//  --She hadn’t done the work so I flunked her.//  flunk out phr v//  to be forced to leave a school or college because your work is not good enough//  flunk out of//  --Ben messed around and flunked out of college.//


Words: flunkey
Meaning:
flunky/fl[hA356][hA26E]ki/ n [C]  informal   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Perhaps from  flanker  ’someone who stands beside you’ (18-19 centuries), from   FLANK1]//  someone who does small jobs for an important person, especially someone who does this because they are trying to please the person - used to show disapproval//  --One of his flunkeys let me in.//


Words: fluorescent
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: fluorspar, type of fluorescent mineral  (18-21 centuries), from  Modern Latin fluor  ’mineral used for melting’, from  Latin fluere  ’to flow’]//\n  1 fluorescent colours are very bright and easy to see, even in the dark:  --a fluorescent pink T-shirt//\n  2 a fluorescent light contains a tube filled with gas, which shines with a bright light when electricity is passed through it:  -- fluorescence n  [U] //


Words: fluoridate
Meaning:
v [T]   to add fluoride to the water supply//  -- fluoridation/fl[hA35E][hA353]r[hA369]de[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ fl[hA35E]r-, fl[hA350][hA359]r-/ n  [U] //


Words: fluoride
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: fluorine]//  a chemical which is believed to help protect teeth against decay//


Words: fluorine
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: fluor;   FLUORESCENT]//  a chemical substance that is usually in the form of a poisonous pale yellow gas. It is a chemical element: symbol F//


Words: fluorocarbon
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: fluorine +  carbon]//  any chemical that contains fluorine and carbon//  --the problem of pollution from fluorocarbons//    CFC//


Words: flurried
Meaning:
adj   confused and nervous or excited//   flustered//  --Jack never seemed to be flurried, even when they were very busy.//


Words: flurry
Meaning:
n   plural  flurries //  [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Probably from  flurr  ’to scatter’ (17-19 centuries) +  hurry]//\n  1 [singular] a time when there is suddenly a lot of activity and people are very busy:  flurry of//  --After a quiet spell there was a sudden flurry of phone calls.//  --The day started with a flurry of activity .//\n  2 [C] a small amount of snow or rain that is blown by the wind:  flurry of//  --He opens the door and a flurry of snow blows in.//  --Snow flurries are expected overnight.//


Words: flush
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 redness on face:\n   2 feelings:\n   3 toilet:\n   4 cards:\n   5 the first flush of youth/manhood:\n   6 a flush of something:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Probably from  Latin fluxus;   FLUX]//\n  1 REDNESS ON FACE:   [singular] a red colour that appears on your face when you are angry or embarrassed//   blush//  --His words brought a warm flush to her face.//    hot flush//\n  2 FEELINGS:   a flush of anger/embarrassment/excitement etc//  a sudden feeling of anger, embarrassment etc//   surge//  --She felt a sudden flush of anger.//\n  3 TOILET:   [C] //  a) the part of a toilet that cleans it with a sudden flow of water//  --The flush isn’t working properly.//  b) the act of cleaning a toilet by forcing water through it//\n  4 CARDS:   [C] a set of cards that someone has in a card game that are all of the same suit//\n  5  the first flush of youth/manhood:  the beginning of a period of time when you are young etc//  --a group of adolescent boys in the first flush of manhood//\n  6  a flush of sth:  a large number of things that happen or arrive at the same time//  --The spring brings a flush of young animals to the farm.//\nflush 2 v   ----------//\n   1 become red:\n   2 toilet:\n   3 clean something:  Phrasal verbs//   flush somebody/something → out//  ----------//\n  1 BECOME RED:   [I] to become red in the face, for example when you are angry or embarrassed//   blush//  --Susan flushed deeply and looked away.//  --He flushed angrily .//  flush red/crimson/scarlet //  --Robyn felt her cheeks flush scarlet.//  flush with//  --Mrs Cooper flushed with indignation.//\n  2 TOILET:   [I and T] if you flush a toilet, or if it flushes, you make water go through it to clean it//  --Why do children never remember to flush the loo?//  --She flushed the rest of her drink down the toilet .//\n  3 CLEAN SOMETHING:   [T] to force water through a pipe in order to clean it//  flush sth through sth//  --They flush clean water through the pipes once a day.//  flush out [flush sb/sth → out] phr v//\n  1 to make someone leave a place where they are hiding:  --The government is determined to flush out the terrorists.//\n  2 to clean something by forcing water through it:  --The heating system needs to be flushed out once a year.//  --Drinking water helps flush out toxins from the body.//\nflush 3 adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from   FLUSH1]//\n  1 if two surfaces are flush, they are at exactly the same level, so that the place where they meet is flat:  flush with//  --Make sure that the cupboard is flush with the wall.//\n  2 [not before noun]  informal if someone is flush, they have plenty of money to spend:  --I’m feeling flush at the moment.//


Words: flushed
Meaning:
adj \n  1 red in the face:  --He looked hot and rather flushed.//  --Her cheeks were flushed , her expression angry.//  flushed with//  --He leaned forward, his face flushed with anger.//\n  2  flushed with success/excitement/pleasure etc:  excited because you have achieved something//  --The team are still flushed with success after their weekend victory.//


Words: fluster
Meaning:
v [T]   to make someone nervous and confused by making them hurry or interrupting them//  --Don’t fluster me, or I’ll never be ready on time.//\nfluster 2 n  BrE   in a fluster//  nervous and confused because you are trying to do things quickly//


Words: flustered
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//  confused and nervous//  --Paul was looking flustered and embarrassed.//  --I always get flustered in interviews.//


Words: flute
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: flahute, from  Old Proven[hA168]al flaut]//\n  1 a musical instrument like a thin pipe, that you play by holding it across your lips, blowing over a hole, and pressing down buttons with your fingers:    flautist//\n  2 a tall narrow glass, used especially for drinking champagne:


Words: flutter
Meaning:
v   [Language: Old English; Origin: floterian]//\n  1 [I and T] if a bird or insect flutters, or if it flutters its wings, it flies by moving its wings lightly up and down:  --A small bird fluttered past the window.//\n  2 [I] to make small gentle movements in the air:  --Dead leaves fluttered slowly to the ground.//  --The flag fluttered in the light breeze.//\n  3 [I] if your heart or your stomach flutters, you feel very excited or nervous:\n  4 [I] if your eyelids flutter, they move slightly when you are asleep:  --Her eyelids fluttered but did not open.//\n  5  flutter your eyelashes (at sb):  if a woman flutters her eyelashes at a man, she looks at him and moves her eyes to make herself attractive to him//\nflutter 2 n [singular] \n  1 a feeling of being nervous, confused, or excited:  in a flutter//  --She was all in a flutter.//  --His sudden resignation caused quite a flutter.//\n  2  a flutter of sth:  a sudden feeling that is not very strong//  --She felt a flutter of curiosity.//\n  3 a light gentle movement:  flutter of//  --a flutter of wings//\n  4  have a flutter:   BrE  informal to risk a small amount of money on the result of something such as a horse race//   have a bet//


Words: fluvial
Meaning:
adj  technical   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: fluvialis, from  fluvius  ’river’, from  fluere  ’to flow’]//  relating to rivers or caused by rivers//


Words: flux
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: fluxus, past participle of  fluere  ’to flow’]//  a situation in which things are changing a lot and you cannot be sure what will happen//  --Everything is in flux at the moment.//  --The education system is still in a state of flux .//


Words: fly
Meaning:
v   past tense  flew /flu[hA359]///  past participle  flown /fl[hA353][hA35E]n $ flo[hA35E]n///  ----------//\n   1 travel by plane:\n   2 move through the air:\n   3 control a plane:\n   4 send somebody/something by plane:\n   5 use air company/service:\n   6 cross sea by plane:\n   7 birds/insects:\n   8 move somewhere quickly:\n   9 kite:\n  10 (I) must fly:\n  11 move freely:\n  12 flag:\n  13 fly the flag:\n  14 time flies:\n  15 fly into a rage/temper/panic etc:\n  16 fly off the handle:\n  17 let fly (something):\n  18 fly in the face of something:\n  19 escape:\n  20 be flying high:\n  21 fly the nest:\n  22 plan:\n  23 fly a kite:\n  24 go fly a kite:\n  25 rumours/accusations etc are flying:\n  26 fly the coop:\n  27 fly by the seat of your pants:  Phrasal verbs//   fly at somebody//  ----------//\n  1 TRAVEL BY PLANE:   [I] to travel by plane//  --She’s flying back to the States tomorrow.//  --Will you take the train there or fly?//  --Maurice is nervous about flying, so he usually travels overland.//  fly to//  --The prime minister will be flying to Delhi later today for a three-day visit.//  fly from/out of/in etc//  --He was arrested at Heathrow after flying from Brussels airport.//  --Lewis stopped off in Jamaica before flying on to Toronto.//\n  2 MOVE THROUGH THE AIR:   [I] if a plane, spacecraft etc flies, it moves through the air//  --The plane was attacked as it flew over restricted airspace.//\n  3 CONTROL A PLANE:   [I and T] to be at the controls of a plane and direct it as it flies//  --She was the first woman to fly Concorde.//  --The pilot was instructed to fly the plane to Montreal airport.//  --Sonny learnt to fly when he was 15.//\n  4 SEND SOMEBODY/SOMETHING BY PLANE:   [T] to take goods or people somewhere by plane//  --The injured boy was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital.//  fly sth into/out of etc sth//  --US planes have been flying food and medical supplies into the area.//\n  5 USE AIR COMPANY/SERVICE:   [I and T] to use a particular airline or use a particular type of ticket when you travel by plane//  --We usually fly economy class.//  --Millions of passengers fly British Airways every year.//\n  6 CROSS SEA BY PLANE:   [T] to cross a particular ocean or area of sea in a plane//  --Who was the first person to fly the Atlantic?//\n  7 BIRDS/INSECTS:   [I] to move through the air using wings//  --The mother bird will feed her chicks until they are able to fly.//  --The evening air was clouded with mosquitoes and other flying insects.//  fly away/off/in etc//  --At that moment, a wasp flew in through the open window.//  --The little robin shook its feathers and flew away.//\n  8 MOVE SOMEWHERE QUICKLY:   [I] //  a) to move somewhere quickly and suddenly//  fly down/across/out of etc//  --Ellen flew across the room and greeted her uncle with a kiss.//  --Rachel’s hand flew to her mouth.//  fly open/shut//  --The door flew open and a child rushed out.//  b) to move quickly and suddenly through the air//  --There was a loud explosion, and suddenly there was glass flying everywhere.//  --William hit Jack on the head and sent his glasses flying .//  --The ball bounced off the wall and went flying into the garden next door.//\n  9 KITE:   [T] to make a kite fly in the air//  --In the park people were walking their dogs or flying their kites.//\n  10  (I) must fly:   spoken used to say that you must leave quickly//\n  11 MOVE FREELY:   [I] to move freely and loosely in the air//  --Harriet ran after him, her hair flying behind her.//\n  12 FLAG:   [I and T] if a flag flies, or if you fly it, it is fixed to the top of a tall pole so that it can be easily seen//  --After the invasion, people were forbidden to fly their national flag.//  --The flags were flying cheerfully in the breeze.//  --The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast  (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death) .//\n  13  fly the flag:  to behave in a way that shows that you are proud of your country, organization etc//\n  14  time flies:   also the hours/the days etc fly //  used to say that a period of time seems to pass very quickly//  --’Is it midnight already?’ ’Well, you know what they say - time flies when you’re having fun !’//  time flies by//  --The following weeks flew by, and soon it was time to leave.//\n  15  fly into a rage/temper/panic etc:  to suddenly get extremely angry, extremely worried etc//  --Rebecca flew into a rage when she realized no-one had been listening to her.//\n  16  fly off the handle:   informal to suddenly get very angry//  --Calm down, Terry - there’s no need to fly off the handle.//\n  17  let fly (sth):  a) to suddenly start shouting angrily at someone//   let loose//  --The prisoner let fly with a torrent of abuse.//  b) to suddenly attack someone, especially with bullets or a weapon that is thrown//  let fly (something) with//  --The soldiers let fly with a hail of machine-gun fire.//\n  18  fly in the face of sth:  to be the opposite of what most people think is reasonable, sensible, or normal//  --He likes to fly in the face of convention.//\n  19 ESCAPE:   [T]  formal to leave somewhere in order to escape//   flee//  --By the time the police arrived, the men had flown.//\n  20  be flying high:  to be having a lot of success//  --The architectural firm has been flying high recently.//\n  21  fly the nest:  a) if a young bird flies the nest, it has grown old enough to look after itself and is no longer dependent on its parents//  b) if a young person flies the nest, he or she moves out of their parents’ home in order to live independently//  --Now that the kids have flown the nest, I’m thinking about taking a job abroad.//\n  22 PLAN:   [I]  AmE a plan that will fly will be successful and useful//  --News is that the plan for the new hotel isn’t going to fly .//\n  23  fly a kite:  to tell people about an idea, plan etc in order to get their opinion//  --In my latest book, I wanted to fly the kite for an unfashionable theory.//    kite-flying(2)//\n  24  go fly a kite:   AmE  spoken used to tell someone to go away, stop saying something, or stop annoying you//\n  25  rumours/accusations etc are flying:  when a lot of people are talking about something, saying someone has done something wrong etc//  --Rumours were flying as to how the fire started.//\n  26  fly the coop:   AmE  informal to leave or escape//  --All my children have flown the coop now.//\n  27  fly by the seat of your pants:   informal to have to deal with a situation by guessing what to do, because you know very little about it//   wing it//  --Sometimes you’ll get back and find that things have changed, so you’ll be flying by the seat of your pants for a while.//    the bird has flown at bird(8),  as the crow flies at crow1 (3),  sparks fly at spark1 (6)//  fly at [fly at sb] phr v//  to suddenly rush towards someone and try to hit them because you are very angry with them//\nfly 2   past tense and past participle  flied present participle  flying third person singular  flies  v [I] //  to hit a ball in baseball high into the air//\nfly 3   plural  flies  n [C] //  ----------//\n   1 insect:\n   2 trousers:\n   3 somebody wouldn’t hurt/harm a fly:\n   4 be dying/dropping etc like flies:\n   5 a fly in the ointment:\n   6 be a fly on the wall:\n   7 there are no flies on somebody:\n   8 on the fly:\n   9 fishing:\n  10 baseball:  ----------//  [Sense: 1, 3-7, 9; Origin: Old English fleoge]//  [Sense: 2, 8, 10; Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  FLY1]//\n  1 INSECT:  a small flying insect with two wings//  --There were flies buzzing all around us.//\n  2 TROUSERS:   especially AmE  also flies //   [plural]  BrE the part at the front of a pair of trousers which you can open//  --He quickly did up his fly.//  --Your flies are undone.//\n  3  sb wouldn’t hurt/harm a fly:   informal used to say that someone is very gentle and is not likely to hurt anyone//\n  4  be dying/dropping etc like flies:   informal used to say that a lot of people are dying or becoming ill//\n  5  a fly in the ointment:   informal the only thing that spoils something and prevents it from being successful//  --The only fly in the ointment was Jacky.//\n  6  be a fly on the wall:  to be able to watch what happens without other people knowing that you are there//  --I wish I’d been a fly on the wall during that conversation.//    fly-on-the-wall//\n  7  there are no flies on sb:   BrE  spoken used to say that someone is not stupid and cannot be tricked//\n  8  on the fly:  a)  technical while a computer program is actually running//  --The code is translated on the fly.//  b) while dealing with a situation, rather than before dealing with it//  --So far, policy is being made on the fly.//\n  9 FISHING:  a hook that is made to look like a fly and is used for catching fish//\n  10 BASEBALL:  a fly ball//\nfly 4 adj   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Probably from   FLY1]//\n  1  informal very fashionable and attractive:  --Wear something really fly for your Friday date.//\n  2  BrE  old-fashioned clever and not easily tricked:  --He’s a bit of a fly character.//


Words: fly-by-night
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  informal   a fly-by-night company or businessman is one that you cannot trust because they have only been in business for a short time and are only interested in making quick profits//


Words: fly-drive holiday
Meaning:
n [C]   a holiday arranged at a fixed price that includes your flight to a place, a car to drive while you are there, and a place to stay//


Words: fly-on-the-wall
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a fly-on-the-wall television programme shows people’s daily lives in a very natural way, because they forget that they are being filmed//    be a fly on the wall at fly3 (6)//


Words: flyblown
Meaning:
adj  BrE \n  1 old, dirty, and in bad condition:\n  2 meat that is flyblown has flies’ eggs in it and is not suitable for eating:


Words: flyby
Meaning:
n   plural  fly-bys  [C] //  an occasion when a spacecraft flies close to a planet etc in order to gather information about it//


Words: flyer
Meaning:
flier/fla[hA366][hA353] $ -[hA353]r/ n [C] \n  1 a small sheet of paper advertising something:  --People were giving out flyers advertising the event.//\n  2  informal a pilot:  --She was one of the first solo flyers.//\n  3 someone who travels in an aircraft:  --Delays are familiar to all regular flyers.//


Words: flyfishing
Meaning:
n [U]   the sport of fishing in a river or lake with special hooks that are made to look like flies//


Words: flying
Meaning:
adj \n  1 [only before noun] able to fly:   winged//  --a story about a flying horse//\n  2  with flying colours:  if you pass a test with flying colours, you are very successful in it//\n  3  a flying visit:  a quick visit because you do not have much time//\n  4  a flying start:  a very good or successful start//  --The appeal has got off to a flying start , with over [hA124]200,000 raised in the first week.//\n  5  a flying jump/leap:  a long high jump made while you are running//  --He took a flying leap and just managed to clear the stream.//\nflying 2 n [U]   the activity of travelling by plane//  --Quite a lot of people are still nervous about flying.//


Words: flying buttress
Meaning:
n [C]   a curved line of stones or bricks that are joined to the outside wall of a large building such as a church, and help to support it//


Words: flying doctor
Meaning:
n [C]   a doctor, especially in Australia, who goes by plane to visit sick people who live a long way from the nearest town//


Words: Flying Dutchman
Meaning:
The \n  1 in old stories, a  ghost ship which appears in stormy weather and is a sign that something very bad is going to happen:\n  2 the  captain of this ship:\n  3 an  opera by Richard  Wagner based on these stories:


Words: flying fish
Meaning:
n [C]   a type of sea fish that can jump out of the water and move along in the air for a short way//


Words: flying picket
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who travels to different factories during a strike and tries to persuade workers to stop working//


Words: flying saucer
Meaning:
n [C]   a large round spacecraft from somewhere else in space, that some people believe they have seen in the sky//    UFO//


Words: flying squad
Meaning:
n [C]   a special group of police officers in Britain whose job is to travel quickly to the place where there has been a serious crime//  --the head of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad//


Words: flying tackle
Meaning:
n [C]   a way of stopping someone from running by putting your arms around their legs and making them fall over//


Words: Flymo
Meaning:
trademark   a type of  lawn mower with a rotary blade that creates a strong current of air which lifts the mower a little way above the ground//


Words: Flynn
Meaning:
Errol   (1909-59) a US film actor who is thought of as a typical example of a  swashbuckling character (=someone who is brave and strong, and who enjoys adventures, sword-fighting etc) . He was known for being sexually attractive, for having many lovers, and for drinking a lot of alcohol. His films include  Captain Blood (1935) and  The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)//


Words: flyover
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE a bridge that takes one road over another road:  American Equivalent:  overpass//\n  2  AmE a flight by a group of planes on a special occasion for people to watch:  British Equivalent:  flypast//


Words: Flyover Country
Meaning:
the middle part of the US, which some people consider to be boring and which they only see when they are flying over it in a plane between the east and west coasts - used humorously//


Words: flypaper
Meaning:
n [U and C]   paper covered with a sticky substance that is hung up in a room in order to catch flies//


Words: flypast
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a flight by a group of planes on a special occasion for people to watch//  American Equivalent:  flyover//


Words: flyweight
Meaning:
n [C]   a boxer who weighs less than 50.80 kilograms, and who is heavier than a strawweight but lighter than a bantamweight//


Words: FO
Meaning:
the Foreign Office the British government department responsible for foreign affairs, that is officially called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office//    FCO//


Words: foal
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fola]//  a young horse//    colt, filly//\nfoal 2 v [I]   to give birth to a foal//


Words: foam
Meaning:
n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fam]//\n  1  also foam rubber :  a type of soft rubber with a lot of air in it, used in furniture//  --a foam mattress//\n  2 a mass of very small bubbles on the surface of a liquid:   froth//  --She scraped the foam off her coffee.//\n  3 a substance which is like a very thick soft liquid with a lot of bubbles in it:  --Firefighters using water and foam are still tackling the blaze.//  --shaving foam//  -- foamy adj //\nfoam 2 v [I] \n  1 to produce foam:  --The green water splashed and foamed over the rocks.//\n  2  be foaming at the mouth:  a) to have bubbles coming out of your mouth because you are very ill//  b)  informal to be very angry//


Words: fob
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  fobbed present participle  fobbing  informal //  fob off [fob sb → off] phr v//  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: fob  ’to deceive’ (16-19 centuries)]//\n  1 to tell someone something that is not true in order to stop them from complaining:  fob somebody → off with//  --She fobbed him off with a promise to pay him the money next week.//\n  2 to give someone something that is not very good instead of the thing they really want:  fob somebody → off with//  --They tried to fob me off with a cheap camera.//\nfob 2 n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Perhaps from  German fuppe  ’pocket’]//  a small object that is fixed to a key ring as a decoration//


Words: focaccia
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Italian; Origin: Latin focus;   FOCUS1]//  a type of Italian bread//


Words: focal
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   the focal thing is the one that people pay most attention to//  --This issue has now become the focal centre of interest.//


Words: focal point
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the person or thing that you pay most attention to:  focal point of//  --The swimming pool is the focal point of the hotel.//  focal point for//  --The new tax has been the focal point for much discussion.//\n  2  technical the point at which beams of light meet after they have been through a lens:


Words: focus
Meaning:
W2   v   past tense and past participle  focused  or  focussed present participle  focusing  or  focussing //  ----------//\n   1 give attention to something:\n   2 camera/telescope:\n   3 eyes:\n   4 light:  ----------//  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: ’hearth (= place for a fire in a house)’]//\n  1 GIVE ATTENTION TO SOMETHING:   [I and T] to give special attention to one particular person or thing, or to make people do this//  focus on//  --He felt he needed to focus more on his career.//  focus your attention/mind/efforts on sth //  --She tried to focus her mind on her work.//  focus (sb’s) mind/attention (on sth) (=make people give their attention to something) //  --We need to focus public attention on this issue.//\n  2 CAMERA/TELESCOPE:   [I and T] to point a camera or telescope at something, and change the controls slightly so that you can see that thing clearly//  focus on//  --She turned the camera and focussed on Martin’s face.//  focus sth on sth//  --He focused his binoculars on the building opposite.//\n  3 EYES:   [I and T] if your eyes focus, or if you focus your eyes, you look at something and can see it clearly//  focus on//  --All eyes focussed on her.//  --His eyes were focussed straight ahead.//\n  4 LIGHT:   [T] if you focus beams of light, you aim them onto a particular place//\nfocus 2 W2 n \n  1 [singular] the thing, person, situation etc that people pay special attention to:  --The  focus of recent research has been on  environmental issues.//  focus of//  --The war in Bosnia had become the focus of media attention .//  -- The focus of interest  in the series is what goes on in everyday life. //  -- Another  focus of  feminist  debate  has been the film industry. //  -- I shall now turn to the  main focus of  this essay. //  -- Eggs  became the focus for  the food poisoning scare. //  -- The focus  of the conference  shifted from  population growth to the education of women.//\n  2 [U] if your focus is on something, that is the thing you are giving most attention to:  focus on//  --Our main focus is on helping people get back into work.//  --a shift of focus //\n  3  come into focus/bring sth into focus:  if something comes into focus, or you bring it into focus, people start to talk about it and pay attention to it//  --These issues have recently come into sharp focus  (=people have started to talk about them a lot) .//\n  4  in focus/out of focus:  if a photograph or an instrument such as a camera is in focus, you can see the picture clearly. If it is out of focus, you cannot see the picture clearly.//\n  5 [U] the clearness of the picture seen through an instrument such as a camera:  --He raised his binoculars and adjusted the focus.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  the focus is on something //  the focus of attention/concern/interest //  the focus of debate //  the main/central/primary focus (of something) //  become the focus (of/for something) //  provide a focus (for something) //  shift the focus (of something) //  the focus shifts (from something) (to something) //  ----------//


Words: focus group
Meaning:
n [C]   a small group of people that a company, political party etc asks questions in order to find out what they think of their products, actions etc//


Words: focussed
Meaning:
BrE  focused AmE   adj   paying careful attention to what you are doing, in a way that shows you are determined to succeed//  --I’ve got to stay focussed if I want to win this competition.//


Words: fodder
Meaning:
n [U]   [Language: Old English; Origin: fodor]//\n  1 food for farm animals:\n  2 something or someone that is useful only for a particular purpose - used in order to show disapproval:  fodder for//  --The murders made prime fodder for newspapers.//    cannon fodder//


Words: foe
Meaning:
n [C]  literary   [Language: Old English; Origin: fah]//  an enemy//  --Britain’s friends and foes//


Words: foetal
Meaning:
fetal/fi[hA359]tl/ adj [only before noun]   belonging or related to a foetus//  --a test to detect foetal abnormalities//


Words: foetal position
Meaning:
n [C]   the body position of an unborn child inside its mother, in which the body is curled and the legs are pulled up against the chest//


Words: fog
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//\n  1 [U and C] cloudy air near the ground which is difficult to see through:   mist//  thick/dense/freezing fog //  --We got lost in the thick fog.//  --It will be a cold night, and there may be fog patches .//  --A blanket of fog covered the fields.//  --The fog lifted  (=disappeared) in the afternoon.//\n  2 [singular]  informal a state in which you feel confused and cannot think clearly:  --My mind was in a fog .//  fog of//  --the fog of tiredness//\nfog 2 v   past tense and past participle  fogged present participle  fogging //\n  1  also fog up :   [I and T] if something made of glass fogs or becomes fogged, it becomes covered in small drops of water that make it difficult to see through//   mist up, steamed up//  --The windscreen had fogged up.//\n  2 [T] to make something less clear:   cloud//


Words: fog lamp
Meaning:
BrE fog light  AmE n [C]   fog lamp, headlight, indicator, mirror//  a strong light on the front of a car that helps drivers to see when there is fog//


Words: fogey
Meaning:
fogy/f[hA353][hA35E]gi $ fo[hA35E]-/ n   plural  fogeys  or  fogies  [C] //  someone who has old-fashioned ideas and does not like change//  --You’re turning into a real old fogey !//


Words: Fogg
Meaning:
Phileas   the main character in the book  Around the World In Eighty Days by Jules  Verne. Phileas Fogg is an Englishman who travels around the world and has many adventures.//


Words: foggy
Meaning:
adj \n  1 if the weather is foggy, there is fog:  --a foggy day in November//  --driving in foggy conditions//\n  2  not have the foggiest (idea):   spoken to not know at all//  --None of us had the foggiest idea about how to put the tent up.//\n  3 if your mind is foggy, you cannot think or remember things clearly:


Words: Foggy Bottom
Meaning:
a humorous name given to the US  State Department because of the  fog (=thick mist)  that often surrounds its offices in Washington, D.C.//


Words: foghorn
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a loud horn on a ship, used in fog to warn other ships of its position:\n  2  a voice like a foghorn:   informal a very loud unpleasant voice//


Words: foible
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  Early modern  French, from  Old French feble;   FEEBLE]//  a small weakness or strange habit that someone has, which does not harm anyone else//   peculiarity//  --We all have our little foibles .//


Words: foie gras
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: ’fat liver’]//  a smooth food made from the liver of a goose//


Words: foil
Meaning:
n   foil//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin folium  ’leaf’]//\n  1 [U] metal sheets that are as thin as paper, used for wrapping food:  silver/aluminium/kitchen foil //  --Cover the chicken with silver foil and bake.//    tinfoil//\n  2 [U] paper that is covered with very thin sheets of metal:  --chocolates in foil wrappers//\n  3  be a foil to/for sb/sth:  to emphasize the good qualities of another person or thing, by being very different from them//  --The simple stone floor is the perfect foil for the brightly coloured furnishings.//  foil//\n  4 [C] a light narrow sword used in fencing:\nfoil 2 v [T often passive]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: fouler  ’to step on’]//  to prevent something bad that someone is planning to do//  --A massive arms-smuggling plan has been foiled by the CIA.//


Words: foist
Meaning:
v   foist on/upon [foist sth on/upon sb] phr v//  [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from early modern  Dutch vuisten  ’to take into your hands’, from  Middle Dutch vuyst  ’fist’]//  to force someone to accept or have to deal with something that they do not want//  --I keep getting work foisted on me at the last minute.//


Words: Fokker
Meaning:
trademark \n  1 a type of military aircraft used by the Germans in World War I and designed by Anthony Fokker (1890-1939), a Dutch aircraft designer who later moved to the US and made planes for the US aircraft industry:\n  2 a type of plane made by the US company Fokker. Its best-known aircraft is the Fokker Friendship.:


Words: fold
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 bend:\n   2 smaller/neater:\n   3 furniture etc:\n   4 fold your arms:\n   5 business:\n   6 cover:\n   7 fold somebody in your arms:  Phrasal verbs//   fold something → in//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: fealdan]//\n  1 BEND:   [T] to bend a piece of paper, cloth etc by laying or pressing one part over another//  --Fold the paper along the dotted line.//  --It’ll fit in if you fold it in half .//  fold sth over/under/down etc//  --Spoon the filling onto the dough, fold it over, and press down the edges.//\n  2 SMALLER/NEATER:   also fold up //   [T] to fold something several times so that it makes a small neat shape//    unfold//  --I wish you kids would fold up your clothes!//  --He folded the map neatly.//\n  3 FURNITURE ETC:   [I and T] if something such as a piece of furniture folds, or you fold it, you make it smaller or move it to a different position by bending it//  --The chairs fold flat for storage.//  fold (sth) away/up/down etc//  --a useful little bed that folds away when you don’t need it//  --Can you fold the shutters back?//    folding//\n  4  fold your arms:  to bend your arms so that they rest together against your body//  --George stood silently with his arms folded.//\n  5 BUSINESS:   also fold up //   [I] if an organization folds, it closes because it does not have enough money to continue//\n  6 COVER:   [T always + adverb/preposition] to cover something, especially by wrapping it in material or putting your hand over it//  fold sth in sth//  --a silver dagger folded in a piece of white cloth//\n  7  fold sb in your arms:   literary to hold someone closely by putting your arms around them//  fold in [fold sth → in] phr v//  to gently mix another substance into a mixture when you are preparing food//  --Next, fold in the sugar.//\nfold 2 n [C]   ----------//\n   1 line:\n   2 skin/material:\n   3 the fold:\n   4 sheep:\n   5 rock:  ----------//  [Sense: 1,2,5; Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  FOLD1]//  [Sense: 3,4; Origin: Old English falod]//\n  1 LINE:  a line made in paper or material when you fold one part of it over another//  --Bend back the card and cut along the fold.//\n  2 SKIN/MATERIAL:   [usually plural] the folds in material, skin etc are the loose parts that hang over other parts of it//  --Her dress hung in soft folds .//\n  3  the fold:  the group of people that you belong to and share the same beliefs and ideas as//  return/come back to the fold //  --The Church will welcome him back into the fold.//  stray from/leave the fold //  --a former advocate of free market economics who had strayed from the fold//\n  4 SHEEP:  a small area of a field surrounded by a wall or fence where sheep are kept for safety//   pen//    corral//\n  5 ROCK:   technical a bend in layers of rock, caused by underground movements in the earth//


Words: foldaway
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a foldaway bed, table etc can be folded up so it uses less space//    folding//


Words: folder
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a container for keeping loose papers in, made of folded card or plastic:\n  2 a group of related documents that you store together on a computer:


Words: folding
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a folding bicycle, bed, chair etc has parts that you can bend or fold together to make it easier to carry or store//    foldaway//


Words: foliage
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: foilage, from  Latin folium  ’leaf’]//  the leaves of a plant//  --dark green foliage//


Words: folic acid
Meaning:
n [U]   a vitamin found especially in green vegetables, used by the body to produce red blood cells//


Words: Folies-Berg[hA169]re
Meaning:
the   a theatre in Paris known from the end of the 19th century for its music and dance shows, especially those containing women wearing very few clothes//


Words: folio
Meaning:
n [C]   plural  folios  technical //  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: folium  ’leaf’]//\n  1 a book made with very large sheets of paper:\n  2 a single numbered sheet of paper from a book:


Words: folk
Meaning:
S2   n   [Language: Old English; Origin: folc]//\n  1 [plural]  also  folks:   especially AmE people//  --I’m sure there are some folk who would rather they weren’t here.//  --Thanks to the folks at NBC.//  --Wait till the folks back home hear about this!//  young/old folk  BrE  old-fashioned //  --Young folk these days don’t know the meaning of work.//\n  2  folks [plural] :  a)  especially AmE your parents and family//  --Is it OK if I call my folks?//  b) used when talking to a group of people in a friendly way//  --That’s all for now, folks.//\n  3  country/farming etc folk [plural]  also  country etc folks AmE :   literary people who live in a particular area or do a particular kind of work//  --simple country folk//\n  4 [U]  folk music:  --a folk singer//\nfolk 2 adj [only before noun] \n  1 folk art, stories, customs etc are traditional and typical of the ordinary people who live in a particular area:  --folk tales//  --an Irish folk song//\n  2  folk science/psychology/wisdom etc:  science etc that is based on the ideas or beliefs that ordinary people have, and does not involve a high level of technical knowledge//\n  3  folk medicine/remedy:  a traditional type of medical treatment that uses plants or simple treatments rather than scientific methods//


Words: folk dance
Meaning:
n [C]   a traditional dance from a particular area, or a piece of music for this dance//  -- folk dancer n  [C] //


Words: folk hero
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who people in a particular place admire very much because of something they have done//  --Casey Jones is a well-known American folk hero.//


Words: folk music
Meaning:
also folk  n [U] \n  1 traditional music that has been played by ordinary people in a particular area for a long time:\n  2 a style of popular music in which people sing and play guitars, without any electronic equipment:


Words: folksy
Meaning:
adj  informal \n  1  especially AmE friendly and informal:  --The town had a certain folksy charm.//\n  2 in a style that is typical of traditional countryside styles or customs:


Words: follicle
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: folliculus, from  Latin follis  ’bag’]//  one of the small holes in the skin that hairs grow from//


Words: follow
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 go after:\n   2 happen after:\n   3 come after:\n   4 as follows:\n   5 do what somebody says:\n   6 follow the signs/somebody’s directions:\n   7 do the same thing:\n   8 believe in something:\n   9 go in particular direction:\n  10 understand:\n  11 be a result:\n  12 be interested:\n  13 follow a pattern/course/trend etc:\n  14 follow suit:\n  15 follow in somebody’s footsteps:\n  16 be about:\n  17 be a hard act to follow:\n  18 watch carefully:\n  19 think about/study:\n  20 follow your instincts/feelings/gut reaction etc:\n  21 follow the herd/crowd:\n  22 follow your nose:\n  23 follow a profession/trade/way of life etc:  Phrasal verbs//   follow somebody around//   follow on//   follow through//   follow something → up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: folgian]//\n  1 GO AFTER:   [I and T] to go, walk, drive etc behind or after someone else//  --Are those men following us?//  --The patrol car followed the BMW for a few miles and then lost it.//  --Tom’s already gone out to Rome and his wife and children will follow shortly.//  follow sb into/to etc sth//  --Peggy followed her out onto the landing.//\n  2 HAPPEN AFTER:   [I and T] to happen or do something after something else//  --The agreement followed months of negotiation.//  --The assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968 was followed by that of Robert Kennedy.//  there follows sth//  --After weeks of intense fighting, there followed a brief period of calm.//  --Most EU countries have signed the agreement and the US is expected to follow shortly  (=soon) .//    following3 //\n  3 COME AFTER:   [I and T] to come directly after something else in a series, list, or order//  --The chapters that follow deal mainly with mathematics.//  --In English, the letter Q is always followed by U.//  --We had vegetable casserole with a fruit salad to follow (=as part of a meal) .//  there follows sth//  --There followed several pages of incomprehensible statistics.//\n  4  as follows:  used to introduce a list of things that you will mention next//  --The winners are as follows: in third place, Mandy Johnson; in second place ...//\n  5 DO WHAT SOMEBODY SAYS:   [T] to do something in the way that someone has told or advised you to do it//  --He followed the doctor’s advice and had no further trouble.//  -- Follow the instructions very carefully when filling in the form.//  --They followed the plan that Elizabeth had worked out.//\n  6  follow the signs/sb’s directions:  to go somewhere by a particular way according to road signs or to what someone has told you//  --Just follow the signs for the airport.//  --I followed Brown’s directions and found the farm quite easily.//\n  7 DO THE SAME THING:   [I and T] to do the same thing as someone else//  --Some state schools follow the example of private schools in asking parents to donate money.//  --Environmentalists are urging the government to follow the lead of Scandinavian countries in this matter.//  --She’s just like any young woman who enjoys following the latest fashions (=wearing fashionable clothes) .//  follow sb into sth//   (=do the same job as someone else) //  --He does not want to follow his father into a scientific career.//\n  8 BELIEVE IN SOMETHING:   [T] to believe in and obey a particular set of religious or political ideas//\n  9 GO IN PARTICULAR DIRECTION:   [T] //  a) to continue along a particular road, river etc//  --I followed the main road up the mountain.//  --Tom followed the track that leads to the old Roman road.//  b) to go in the same direction as something else, or to go parallel to something else//  --The road follows the line of the river for several miles.//\n  10 UNDERSTAND:   [I and T] to understand something such as an explanation or story//   grasp//  --I didn’t quite follow what he was saying.//  easy/difficult/hard etc to follow //  --The plot is a little difficult to follow.//\n  11 BE A RESULT:   [I] to be true as a result of something else that is true//  follow from//  --The conclusion that follows from these findings is that inner city schools need more investment, not less.//  -- It doesn’t necessarily follow that you’re going to do well academically even if you’re highly intelligent.//\n  12 BE INTERESTED:   [T] to be interested in something and in the way it develops//  --Have you been following that crime series on TV?//  --I’ve been following his progress very closely.//  --She just doesn’t understand people who follow football or any other kind of sport.//\n  13  follow a pattern/course/trend etc:  to continue to happen or develop in a particular way, especially in a way that is expected//  --In Australia, the weather follows a fairly predictable pattern.//\n  14  follow suit:  to do the same as someone else has done//  --Budget companies have been so successful that other airlines have had to follow suit and lower their fares.//\n  15  follow in sb’s footsteps:  to do the same job or to work or live in the same way as someone else before you, especially someone in your family//  --He is a doctor and expects his son to follow in his footsteps.//\n  16 BE ABOUT:   [T] to show or describe someone’s life or a series of events, for example in a film or book//  --The book follows the plight of an orphaned Irish girl who marries into New York society.//\n  17  be a hard act to follow:  to be so good or successful at something that it will be difficult for the next person, team etc to be as good//  --We’re looking for a replacement for Sue, but she’s going to be a hard act to follow.//\n  18 WATCH CAREFULLY:   [T] to carefully watch someone do something//  --She followed Simon with her eyes as he walked to the gate.//\n  19 THINK ABOUT/STUDY:   [T] to study or think about a particular idea or subject and try to learn something from it//  --It turned out we were both following the same line of research.//  --If you follow that idea to its logical conclusion, we’d have to ban free speech altogether.//\n  20  follow your instincts/feelings/gut reaction etc:  to do the thing that you immediately feel is best without needing to stop and think about it//\n  21  follow the herd/crowd:  to do the same thing that most other people are doing, without really thinking about it for yourself - used in order to show disapproval//\n  22  follow your nose:   informal //  a) to go straight forward or continue in the same direction//  --Just follow your nose until you come to a small bridge.//  b) to go to the place from where there is a particular smell coming//  --I followed my nose to the kitchen, where Marcie was making coffee.//  c) to do something in the way that you feel is right//  --After a few years in the detective game, you learn to follow your nose.//\n  23  follow a profession/trade/way of life etc:  to do a particular job or have a particular way of life//  follow around [follow sb around] phr v//  to follow someone everywhere they go, especially when this is annoying//  --She told him to go away and stop following her around.//  follow on phr v//\n  1 to happen after something else and be connected with it:    follow-on//  follow on from//  --The discussion sessions are supposed to follow on from this morning’s lecture.//\n  2 to go to the same place as someone else at a later time:  --You go ahead - I’ll follow on later.//  follow through phr v//\n  1 to do what needs to be done to complete something or make it successful:  --The project went wrong when the staff failed to follow through.//  follow sth → through//  --If you have followed through all the exercises in this book, you should be ready for the second year course.//\n  2 to continue moving your arm after you have hit the ball in tennis, golf etc:    follow-through//  follow up [follow sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to find out more information about something and take action if necessary:  --The police take people’s statements and then follow them up.//\n  2 to do something in addition to what you have already done in order to make it more likely to succeed:  follow something → up with//  --If there is no response to your press release, follow it up with a phone call.//  --This experiment was quickly followed up by others using different forms of the drug.//    follow-up//


Words: follow-my-leader
Meaning:
BrE follow-the-leader  AmE n [U]   a children’s game in which one of the players does actions which all the other players must copy//


Words: follow-on
Meaning:
n [C]   something that is done or made in addition to something else, or done to continue something that was done before//    follow on//  follow-on to/from//  --The inspection was a follow-on from the review process.//  --a follow-on product//


Words: follow-through
Meaning:
n [singular] \n  1 the continued movement of your arm after you have hit the ball in tennis, golf etc:    follow through//\n  2 the things that someone does in order to complete a plan:    follow through//  --The budget has to cover not only the main project but the follow-through.//


Words: follower
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who believes in a particular system of ideas, or who supports a leader who teaches these ideas//    disciple, supporter//  --Marx and his followers were convinced that capitalism would destroy itself.//  follower of//  --followers of Sun Myung Moon, better known as Moonies//    camp follower//


Words: following
Meaning:
W1S2   adj \n  1  the following afternoon/month/page/chapter etc:  the next afternoon, month etc//  → preceding//  --He was sick in the evening, but the following day he was better.//\n  2  the following example/way etc:  the example, way etc that will be mentioned next//  --Payment may be made in any of the following ways: cheque, cash, or credit card.//\n  3  a following wind:  a wind that is blowing in the same direction as a ship, and helps it to move faster//\nfollowing 2 n [C] \n  1 [usually singular] a group of people who support or admire someone:  --The band has a big following in Europe.//\n  2  the following:  the people or things that you are going to mention//  --The following have been selected to play in tomorrow’s game: Louise Carus, Fiona Douglas...//\nfollowing 3 prep   after an event or as a result of it//  → before//  --Following the president’s speech, there will be a few minutes for questions.//  --Thousands of refugees left the country following the outbreak of civil war.//


Words: folly
Meaning:
n   plural  follies //  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: folie, from  fol;   FOOL1]//\n  1 [U and C]  formal a very stupid thing to do, especially one that is likely to have serious results:  --Somerville bitterly regretted his folly at becoming involved.//  it would be folly to do sth//  --It would be sheer folly to reduce spending on health education.//  --the follies of aristocratic society//\n  2 [C] an unusual building that was built in the past as a decoration, not to be used or lived in:


Words: Folsom Prison
Meaning:
also Folsom   an old prison in California that was very strict and unpleasant, where many violent criminals were sent//


Words: foment
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: fomentare, from  Latin fovere  ’to make warm’]//  foment revolution/trouble/discord etc//   formal to cause trouble and make people start fighting each other or opposing the government//   stir up//  --They were accused of fomenting rebellion.//  -- fomentation/f[hA353][hA35E]mente[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n, -m[hA353]n- $ fo[hA35E]-/ n  [U] //


Words: fond
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: fonne  ’stupid person’ (13-16 centuries)]//\n  1  be fond of sb:  to like someone very much, especially when you have known them for a long time and almost feel love for them//  --Joe’s quite fond of her, isn’t he?//  --Over the years we’ve grown very fond of each other.//\n  2  be fond of (doing) sth:  to like something, especially something you have liked for a long time//  --I’m not overly fond of cooking.//  --I’d grown fond of the place and it was difficult to leave.//\n  3  be fond of doing sth:  to do something often, especially something that annoys other people//  --My grandfather was very fond of handing out advice to all my friends.//\n  4 [only before noun] a fond look, smile, action etc shows you like someone very much:   affectionate//  --He gave her a fond look.//  --As we parted we said a fond farewell .//\n  5  have fond memories of sth/sb:  to remember someone or something with great pleasure//  --Marie still had fond memories of their time together.//\n  6  a fond hope/belief:  a belief or hope that something will happen, which seems silly because it is very unlikely to happen//  in the fond hope/belief that//  --They sent him to another school in the fond hope that his behaviour would improve.//  -- fondness n  [U] //  --a fondness for expensive clothes//    fondly//


Words: Fonda
Meaning:
Henry   (1905-82) a US film actor known especially for appearing as characters who have strong moral beliefs and a strong sense of honour. His films include  The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and  Twelve Angry Men (1957). He was the father of Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda, who are also actors..//


Words: fondant
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] a soft mixture made from sugar and water, used for covering cakes:  --a cake decorated with fondant icing //\n  2 [C] a soft sweet made of fondant:


Words: fondle
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: fond  ’to love too much’ (16-17 centuries), from   FOND]//  to gently touch and move your fingers over part of someone’s body in a way that shows love or sexual desire//  --She fondled his neck.//


Words: fondly
Meaning:
adv \n  1  fondly imagine/believe/hope etc:  to believe something that is untrue, hope for something that will probably not happen etc//  --Some people still fondly believe that modern science can solve all the world’s problems.//\n  2 in a way that shows you like someone very much:   lovingly//  --He turned to see her smiling fondly at him.//


Words: fondue
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: , past participle of  fondre  ’to melt’]//  a dish made of melted cheese or chocolate into which you put small pieces of meat, fruit etc using a long fork//


Words: font
Meaning:
n [C]   [Sense: 1; Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: fonte, from  Latin fundere  ’to pour’]//  [Sense: 2; Date: 900-1000; Language: Late Latin; Origin: fons, from  Latin;   FOUNT]//\n  1  technical a set of letters of a particular size and style, used for printing books, newspapers etc or on a computer screen:\n  2 a large stone container in a church, that holds the water used for the ceremony of baptism:


Words: Fonteyn
Meaning:
Dame Margot   (1919-91) one of the UK’s greatest  ballet dancers, who worked with the  Royal Ballet and often danced with Rudolf  Nureyev//


Words: food
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: foda]//\n  1 [U and C] things that people and animals eat, such as vegetables or meat:  --The restaurant serves good food at affordable prices.//  --Try not to eat too much  spicy food .//  --I love  Italian food , especially pasta.//  --He eats a lot of junk food and doesn’t get enough exercise.//  --a  fast food  restaurant//  --People are willing to pay more for  organic food .//  --Her little boy has a fever and he’s  been off his food .//  --Severe  food shortages have led to rioting against the military government.//  --The recent series of  food scares has made people more wary of eating meat.//  --Consumer pressure is being put upon the food industry to cut down on factory farming methods.//\n  2  food for thought:  something that makes you think carefully//  --The teacher’s advice certainly gave me food for thought.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  good food //  hot/cold/spicy/fatty/starchy food //  Italian/French/Chinese etc food //  fresh food  //  frozen food //  processed food (=food that has chemicals in it to make it last a long time) //  canned food also tinned food British English (=sold in cans) //  junk food (=food that is full of sugar or fat and is bad for your health) //  fast food (=hamburgers and other foods that are made to be eaten quickly) //  health food (=food that is thought to be good for your health) //  organic food  (=food that is produced without using harmful chemicals) //  baby food //  dog/pet/cat food //  be off your food BrE (=not want to eat your food) //  food shortage //  food scare  (=when people are afraid to eat a particular kind of food) //  the food industry //  food colouring/additives //  ----------//


Words: food chain
Meaning:
n   the food chain//  all animals and plants considered as a group in which a plant is eaten by an insect or animal, which is then eaten by another animal and so on//  --Pollution is affecting many creatures lower down the food chain.//


Words: food group
Meaning:
n [C]   one of the groups that types of food are divided into, such as meat, vegetables, or milk products//


Words: food stamp
Meaning:
also food coupon  n [C]   an official piece of paper that the US government gives to poor people so they can buy food//


Words: foodstuff
Meaning:
n [C usually plural, U]   food - used especially when talking about the business of producing or selling food//  --a shortage of basic foodstuffs//


Words: fool
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 stupid person:\n   2 make a fool of yourself:\n   3 make a fool of somebody:\n   4 any fool can do something:\n   5 be no/nobody’s fool:\n   6 gooseberry/strawberry etc fool:\n   7 more fool you/him etc:\n   8 not suffer fools gladly:\n   9 be living in a fool’s paradise:\n  10 play/act the fool:\n  11 (send somebody on) a fool’s errand:\n  12 fools rush in (where angels fear to tread):\n  13 a fool and his money are soon parted:\n  14 entertainer:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: fol, from  Latin follis  ’bag for blowing air’]//\n  1 STUPID PERSON:   [C] a stupid person or someone who has done something stupid//   idiot//  -- What a fool she had been to think that he would stay.//  -- Like a fool , I accepted straight away.//  --You silly old fool !//\n  2  make a fool of yourself:  to do something stupid that you feel embarrassed about afterwards and that makes you seem silly//  --Sorry I made such a fool of myself last night. I must have been drunk.//\n  3  make a fool of sb:  to deliberately do something to make someone else seem stupid//  --I suddenly realised that I was being made a fool of.//\n  4  any fool can do sth:   spoken used to say that it is very easy to do something or to see that something is true//  --Any fool could have seen what would happen.//\n  5  be no/nobody’s fool:  to be difficult to trick or deceive, because you have a lot of experience and knowledge about something//  --Katherine was nobody’s fool when it came to money.//\n  6  gooseberry/strawberry etc fool:   BrE a sweet food made of soft cooked fruit mixed with cream//\n  7  more fool you/him etc:   BrE  spoken used to say that you think someone was stupid to do something, and it is their own fault if this causes trouble//  --’Jim smashed up my car.’ ’ More fool you for letting him borrow it!’//\n  8  not suffer fools gladly:  if you say that someone doesn’t suffer fools gladly, they do not have any patience with people who they think are stupid//\n  9  be living in a fool’s paradise:  to feel happy and satisfied, and believe there are no problems, when in fact this is not true//\n  10  play/act the fool:  to behave in a silly way, especially in order to make people laugh//  --Stop playing the fool! You’ll fall.//\n  11  (send sb on) a fool’s errand:  to make someone go somewhere or do something for no good reason//\n  12  fools rush in (where angels fear to tread):  used to say that people are stupid if they do something immediately without thinking about it first//\n  13  a fool and his money are soon parted:  used to say that stupid people spend money quickly without thinking about it//\n  14 ENTERTAINER:   [C] a man whose job was to entertain a king or other powerful person in the past, by doing tricks, singing funny songs etc//   jester//    April fool//\nfool 2 v \n  1 [T] to trick someone into believing something that is not true:  --Even art experts were fooled.//  you don’t/can’t fool me //  --You can’t fool me with that old excuse.//  be fooled by sth//  --Don’t be fooled by appearances.//  fool sb into doing sth//  --I was fooled into believing their promises.//\n  2  fool yourself:  to try to make yourself believe something that you know is not really true//  --It’s no good fooling yourself. He’s not coming back.//\n  3  you could have fooled me:   spoken used to show that you do not believe what someone has told you//  --’Look, we’re doing our best to fix it.’ ’Well, you could have fooled me.’//\n  4  sb is just fooling:   spoken used to say that someone is not serious and is only pretending that something is true//   somebody is just kidding//  --Don’t pay any attention to Henry. He’s just fooling.//  fool around phr v//\n  1 to waste time behaving in a silly way or doing things that are not important:   mess around//  --He always used to fool around in class.//\n  2 to behave in a way which is careless and not responsible:   mess around//  fool around with//  --Some idiot’s been fooling around with the electricity supply!//\n  3  AmE to spend time doing something that you enjoy, but that does not have a particular purpose:   mess around//  --The boys were out in the yard, just fooling around.//\n  4 to have a sexual relationship with someone else’s wife, boyfriend etc:   mess around//  --She found out that he’d been fooling around behind her back.//  fool with [fool with sth] phr v//\n  1 to touch or play with something, especially when you should not:   mess with something//  --Who’s been fooling with the radio dial?//\n  2 to become involved in something which could cause damage or be dangerous:   mess with something//\nfool 3 adj [only before noun]  AmE  informal   silly or stupid//   foolish//  --What did you say a fool thing like that for?//


Words: fool’s gold
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 a kind of yellow metal that exists in some rocks and looks like gold:\n  2 something that you think will be very exciting, very attractive etc but in fact is not:


Words: foolhardy
Meaning:
adj   taking stupid and unnecessary risks//   reckless//  --a foolhardy attempt to capture more territory//  -- foolhardiness n  [U] //


Words: foolish
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a foolish action, remark etc is stupid and shows that someone is not thinking sensibly:   silly//  --I’ve never heard anything so foolish in all my life.//  -- It would be foolish to ignore his advice.//  be foolish enough to do sth//  --I was foolish enough to believe him.//\n  2 a foolish person behaves in a silly way or looks silly:   stupid//  --I was young and foolish at the time.//  --a foolish grin//  look/feel foolish //  --He’d been made to look foolish.//  -- foolishly adv //  --She foolishly agreed to go with them.//  -- foolishness n  [U] //


Words: foolproof
Meaning:
adj   a foolproof method, plan, system etc is certain to be successful//   infallible//  --a foolproof way of preventing credit card fraud//


Words: foot
Meaning:
n   plural  feet /fi[hA359]t/ [C] //  ----------//\n   1 body part:\n   2 measurement:\n   3 bottom part:\n   4 on foot:\n   5 get/jump/rise etc to your feet:\n   6 be on your feet:\n   7 be/get back on your feet:\n   8 off your feet:\n   9 knock/lift etc somebody off their feet:\n  10 be rushed/run off your feet:\n  11 set foot in something:\n  12 be/get under your feet:\n  13 put your foot down:\n  14 put your feet up:\n  15 put your foot in it:\n  16 start/get off on the wrong/right foot:\n  17 not put a foot wrong:\n  18 have/keep both feet on the ground:\n  19 fall/land on your feet:\n  20 get/have/keep your foot in the door:\n  21 have a foot in both camps:\n  22 have somebody/something at your feet:\n  23 have two left feet:\n  24 have one foot in the grave:\n  25 ...my foot!:\n  26 leave feet first:\n  27 feet of clay:\n  28 foot soldier/patrol:\n  29 foot passenger:\n  30 :\n  31 foot pedal/brake/pump etc:\n  32 sock:\n  33 poetry:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: fot]//\n  1 BODY PART:  the part of your body that you stand on and walk on//  --My foot hurts.//  --I had blisters on  the soles of my feet .//  --I dropped a glass earlier, so don’t walk around in bare feet .//  --The vet examined the horse’s hind feet .//  --Don’t  wipe your feet on the carpet!//  --She stood on the platform, her suitcase  at her feet .//\n  2 MEASUREMENT:  plural  feet  or  foot  written abbreviation ft //  a unit for measuring length, equal to 12 inches or about 30 centimetres//  --He’s six feet tall , with blonde hair.//  --Mark was standing just a few feet away from me.//  --I’d say she’s about five foot three  (=five feet and three inches) .//  a one/two/three etc foot sth //  --a four foot wall//  square feet/cubic feet //  --15,000 square feet of office space//\n  3 BOTTOM PART:   the foot of sth//  the lowest or bottom part of something//  the foot of the stairs/ladder etc //  --He walked to the foot of the stairs.//  the foot of a mountain/cliff etc //  --a small cottage at the foot of the hill//  at the foot of sth//  --a large wooden trunk at the foot of his bed//  --The date is shown at the foot of the page .//\n  4  on foot:  if you go somewhere on foot, you walk there//  --It takes about 30 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by car.//\n  5  get/jump/rise etc to your feet:  to stand up after you have been sitting//  --Mike leapt to his feet and ran towards the window.//\n  6  be on your feet:  a) to be standing for a long time without having time to sit down//  --The worst thing about working in the shop is that you’re on your feet all day.//    dead on your feet at dead1 (8)//  b) to be standing up//  --As soon as the bell rang the class were on their feet and out of the door.//  c) to feel better again after being ill and in bed//  --We’ll soon have you on your feet again.//\n  7  be/get back on your feet:  to have enough money again, or to be successful again after having problems//  --I need to get back on my feet again and forget all this.//\n  8  off your feet:  sitting or lying down, rather than standing or walking//  --The doctor told me to stay off my feet for a few days.//\n  9  knock/lift etc sb off their feet:  to make someone fall over//  --They were blown off their feet by the force of the explosion.//\n  10  be rushed/run off your feet:  to be very busy//  --Before Christmas, most salespeople are rushed off their feet.//\n  11  set foot in sth:  to go to or enter a place//  --She swore she would never set foot in his house again.//\n  12  be/get under your feet:  to annoy you by always being in the same place as you and preventing you from doing what you want//  --I hate summer vacation. The kids are under my feet all day long.//\n  13  put your foot down:  a) to say very firmly that someone must do something or must stop doing something//  --You’ll just have to put your foot down and tell him he can’t stay out on school nights.//  b)  informal to make a car go faster//\n  14  put your feet up:   informal to relax, especially by sitting with your feet supported on something//\n  15  put your foot in it:   especially  BrE put your foot in your mouth  especially  AmE to say something without thinking carefully, so that you embarrass or upset someone//  --I’ve really put my foot in it this time. I didn’t realize that was her husband!//\n  16  start/get off on the wrong/right foot:  to start a relationship badly or well//  --Simon and I got off on the wrong foot but we’re good friends now.//\n  17  not put a foot wrong:   BrE to do everything right and make no mistakes, especially in your job//\n  18  have/keep both feet on the ground:  to think in a sensible and practical way and not have ideas or aims that will be impossible to achieve//  --It was a great result, but we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground.//\n  19  fall/land on your feet:  to get into a good situation because you are lucky, especially after being in a difficult situation//  --Don’t worry about Nina, she always falls on her feet.//\n  20  get/have/keep your foot in the door:  to get your first opportunity to work in a particular organization or industry//\n  21  have a foot in both camps:  to be involved with or connected with two opposing groups of people//\n  22  have sb/sth at your feet:  used to say that people admire or respect someone very much//  --All Paris was at his feet.//    have the world at your feet at world1 (24)//\n  23  have two left feet:   informal to be very clumsy//\n  24  have one foot in the grave:  to be very old or very ill - used humorously//\n  25  ...my foot!:   BrE  old-fashioned used to show that you do not believe something that someone has just said//  --[hA124]50 my foot! It’ll cost [hA124]200 at least.//\n  26  leave feet first:  to die before you leave a place or job - used humorously//  --If you keep fooling around with that gun you’ll be leaving this camp feet first.//\n  27  feet of clay:  someone that you admire who has feet of clay has faults and weaknesses that you did not realize they had//\n  28  foot soldier/patrol:  a soldier or group of soldiers that walks and does not use a horse or a vehicle//\n  29  foot passenger:  a passenger on a ship who has not brought a car with them//\n  30 :  a)  left-footed/right-footed//  using your left foot or right foot when you kick a ball//  b)  flat-footed/four-footed//  having a particular type or number of feet//\n  31  foot pedal/brake/pump etc:  a machine or control that you operate using your feet//\n  32 SOCK:   the foot//  the part of a sock that covers your foot//\n  33 POETRY:   technical a part of a line of poetry in which there is one strong beat and one or two weaker ones//    the boot is on the other foot at boot1 (6),  get/have cold feet at cold1 (6),  underfoot,  drag your feet/heels at drag1 (8),  find your feet at find1 (18),  from head to foot at head1 (1),  stand on your own (two) feet at stand1 (31),  sweep sb off their feet at sweep1 (14),  have itchy feet at itchy(3),  not let the grass grow under your feet at grass1 (6),  vote with your feet at vote1 (8)//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  the sole of your foot  (=the base of your foot) //  bare feet  (=without any socks or shoes) //  front/back/hind feet  (=of an animal) //  wipe your feet  (=wipe them on a mat to remove dirt) //  stamp your feet  (=bang them noisily on the ground) //  tap your feet  (=bang them gently on the ground) //  shuffle your feet  (=move from one foot to the other) //  at somebody’s feet (=on the ground near your feet) //  ----------//\nfoot 2 v   foot the bill//  to pay for something, especially something expensive that you do not want to pay for//  --He ordered drinks and then left me to foot the bill!//


Words: football
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U]  BrE a game played by two teams of eleven players who try to kick a round ball into the other team’s goal:   soccer//  --Which football team do you support?//  --kids playing football in the street//  --My Dad took me to watch my first football match .//  --a football club//  football fan/supporter //  --a group of Scottish football fans//  football boots/kit/shirt (=clothes worn to play football) //  football pitch/ground/stadium //\n  2 [U]  AmE a game played by two teams of eleven players who try to carry or kick an oval ball into the other team’s goal:  British Equivalent:  American football//  --college football games //  --a football field//  --He played football in high school.//\n  3  football hooligan:   BrE someone who behaves in a noisy or violent way at a football match//  football, T-shirt, whistle//\n  4 [C] a ball used in these games:    flag football,  political football at political(4)//


Words: Football League
Meaning:
the   an organization of professional football teams in England and Wales. It consists of three ’Divisions’: Divisions One, Two, and Three, but does not include the FA  Premiership, which is the highest division. Professional football in Scotland is controlled by a similar organization called the Scottish Football League.//


Words: footballer
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone who plays football, especially a professional player//  American Equivalent:  soccer player//


Words: footer
Meaning:
n \n  1  six-footer/eighteen-footer etc:  someone or something that measures six feet tall, eighteen feet long etc//\n  2 [C] a line of writing which appears at the bottom of each page of a document which is printed by a computer:    header//


Words: footfall
Meaning:
n [U and C]  literary   the sound of each step when someone is walking//   footstep//  --heavy footfalls//


Words: foothill
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   one of the smaller hills below a group of high mountains//  --the foothills of the Himalayas//


Words: foothold
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a position from which you can start to make progress and achieve your aims:  gain/establish a foothold //  --Extreme right-wing parties gained a foothold in the latest European elections.//\n  2 a small hole or crack where you can safely put your foot when climbing a steep rock:


Words: footing
Meaning:
n \n  1 [singular] the conditions or arrangements on which something is based:  put/place sth on a ... footing //  --He wanted to put their relationship on a permanent footing.//  a financial/commercial/legal etc footing //  --The city started the new year on a stronger financial footing.//  on an equal footing (with sb/sth)/on the same footing (as sb/sth) (=in the same state or condition as other people or things) //  --The new law puts women on an equal legal footing with men.//  --Many of the old polytechnics are now on the same footing as universities.//  a sound/firm/secure footing //  --They managed to get the business onto a more secure footing.//  --The whole country was on a war footing  (=ready to go to war at any time) .//\n  2 [singular] a firm hold with your feet when you are standing on a dangerous surface:  --Seb struggled to keep his footing on the slippery path.//  lose/miss your footing (=be unable to keep standing or balancing) //  --The girl lost her footing and fell about 150 feet.//\n  3 [C usually plural] the solid base of bricks, stone etc that is under a building to support it and fasten it to the ground:   foundation//


Words: footloose
Meaning:
adj   free to do exactly what you want because you have no responsibilities, for example when you are not married or do not have children//  --footloose students traveling around Europe//  --When the kids leave home, you’ll be footloose and fancy-free  (=free and without worries) .//


Words: footman
Meaning:
n   plural  footmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C] //  a male servant in the past who opened the front door, announced the names of visitors etc//


Words: footnote
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a note at the bottom of the page in a book, which gives more information about something:\n  2 a piece of additional information that is not very important but is interesting or helps you understand something:  footnote to//  --There was an interesting footnote to the story.//


Words: footpath
Meaning:
n [C]  especially  BrE   a narrow path for people to walk along, especially in the country//  American Equivalent:  trail//


Words: footprint
Meaning:
n [C]   1  also footmark //  a mark made by a foot or shoe//  --We followed the footprints of a deer in the snow.//\n  2  technical the amount of space on a desk that a computer uses:  --PCs with a 50% smaller footprint than other models//


Words: footrest
Meaning:
n [C]   something that supports your feet when you are sitting, for example a small piece of furniture or the part of a motorcycle where you put your feet//


Words: footsie
Meaning:
n   play footsie (with sb)//   informal //  a) to secretly touch someone’s feet with your feet under a table to show that you think they are sexually attractive//  b)  AmE to work together and help each other in a dishonest way//  --politicians playing footsie with each other//


Words: footstep
Meaning:
n [C]   the sound each step makes when someone is walking//  --He heard someone’s footsteps in the hall.//    follow (in) sb’s footsteps at follow(15)//


Words: footwork
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 skilful use of your feet when dancing or playing a sport:  good/neat/fancy etc footwork //  --The England keeper revealed some fancy footwork in the victory over Nottingham Forest.//\n  2 skilful methods that you use to achieve something:  fancy/deft/nifty etc footwork //  --It took a bit of deft footwork to get them to agree.//


Words: fop
Meaning:
n [C]  old-fashioned   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: fop  ’stupid person’ (15-18 centuries)]//  a man who is very interested in his clothes and appearance - used to show disapproval//  -- foppish adj //  -- foppishness n  [U] //


Words: for
Meaning:
prep   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1 used to say who is intended to get or use something, or where something is intended to be used:  --I’ve got a present for you.//  --Someone left a message for Vicky.//  --an English Language course for foreign students//  --We need a new battery for the radio.//  --These chairs are for the main office.//\n  2 in order to help someone or something:  --I looked after the kids for them.//  --Let me carry that bag for you.//  --The doctor knew that there was nothing he could do for her.//  --Charles died fighting for his country.//  --What can I do for you (=used to ask a customer if you can help them) ?//\n  3 used to say what the purpose of an object, action etc is:  for doing sth//  --a knife for cutting bread//  --What did you do that for?//  --I’ve bought him a watch for his birthday.//  --the documents prepared for his defence//\n  4 in order to have, do, get, or obtain something:  --Are you waiting for the bus?//  --the qualifications necessary for a career in broadcasting//  --Mother was too ill to get up for dinner.//  --I paid $3 for a ticket.//  --For further details, write to this address.//  --Let’s go for a walk.//\n  5 used to say how long an action or situation continues for:  --Bake the cake for 40 minutes.//  --We had been talking for a good half hour.//  --He’s been off work for a while.//\n  6 used to talk about distance:  --We walked for miles.//  --Factories stretch for quite a way along the canal.//\n  7 if something is arranged for a particular time, it is planned that it should happen then:  --I’ve invited them for 9 o’clock.//  --A special meeting has been arranged for 18th October.//\n  8 used to say where a person, vehicle etc is going:  --I set off for work.//  --the train for Manchester//  --A few days later she would be leaving for New York.//\n  9 used to say what the price or value of something is:  --a cheque for a hundred pounds//  --The diamond was insured for two thousand dollars.//\n  10 because of or as a result of something:  --If, for any reason, you cannot attend, please inform us.//  --We could hardly see for the mist.//  --You’ll feel better for a break.//  for doing sth//  --a reward for making good progress//  --Campbell was arrested for dangerous driving.//\n  11 used to say which thing or person your statement or question is related to:  --I’m sure she’s the ideal person for the job.//  --The questions on this paper are too difficult for 10-year-olds.//  --Are you all right for money?//  --Fortunately for him, he can swim.//\n  12 used to say which person or thing your feelings are directed towards:  --I came away feeling sorry for poor old George.//  --My deep love for him still remains.//  --They show no respect for authority.//\n  13 used to say at which meal you eat something:  --We had pasta for lunch.//\n  14 used to say which company, team etc you belong to:  --I’ve worked for the BBC ever since I left university.//  --Deborah used to play for the A team.//  --He writes for a weekly paper.//\n  15 supporting or in agreement with something or someone:  --We have studied the arguments for and against nuclear energy.//  --How many people voted for the proposal?//  --Three cheers for the captain.//  be all for (doing) sth (=support something very much) //  --I’m all for giving people more freedom.//\n  16 used to say what a word or sign means:  --What’s the French word for ’happy’?//  --Red is for danger.//\n  17 used to say that a particular quality of someone or something is surprising when you consider what they are:  --She looks young for her age.//  --It’s cold for July.//\n  18 as a representative of other people:  --Paisley claims to speak for the majority of local people.//\n  19 used to say what is possible, difficult, necessary, unusual etc:  for sb/sth to do sth//  --It’s unusual for Donald to be so bad-tempered.//  --There is an urgent need for someone to tackle this problem.//  --Here is a chance for everyone to learn new skills.//  --There’s nothing worse than for a parent to ill-treat a child.//  --It was too far for her to walk in high-heeled shoes.//\n  20  for each/every:  used to say that there is a relationship between one amount and another//  --For each mistake, you’ll lose half a point.//  --For every three people who agree, you’ll find five who don’t.//\n  21  sth is not for sb:  used to say that something is not the kind of thing that someone likes or will enjoy//  --City life is not for me.//  --This book is not for everyone.//\n  22  it is (not) for sb to do sth:  used to say whether it is someone’s right or duty to do something//  --It’s not for me to tell you what to do.//  --It will be for you to decide what action you should take.//\n  23  if it wasn’t/weren’t for sb/sth:   also if it hadn’t been for sb/sth //  used to say who or what prevents or prevented something from happening//  --If it hadn’t been for you, I should have drowned.//\n  24  that’s/there’s sb/sth for you!:   spoken //  a) used to say that a particular kind of behaviour or situation is typical of someone or something, especially when you do not expect anything better from that person or thing//  --I know it’s outrageous, but that’s Melissa for you.//  b) used when you are annoyed or disappointed to say that something is the opposite of the quality you are mentioning//  --Well, there’s gratitude for you! Here am I trying to help and you tell me not to interfere!//\n  25  be (in) for it:   spoken to be likely to be blamed or punished//  --You’ll be in for it if she finds out what you’ve done!//   see usage note  since//  ----------//  HINT sense 5 //  Since, during,  or for? See also:  since//  ----------//\nfor 2 W1S2 conj  formal   used to introduce the reason for something//   because//  --I cannot tell whether she is old or young, for I have never seen her.//  --He found it increasingly difficult to read, for his eyesight was beginning to fail.//


Words: forage
Meaning:
v [I] \n  1 to go around searching for food or other supplies:  forage for//  --People are being forced to forage for food and fuel.//  --In the summer, the goats forage freely (=in any place they want to go) .//\n  2 to search for something with your hands in a bag, drawer etc:   ferret around//  forage around/through/among etc//  --She foraged around in her purse and produced her ticket.//  -- forager n  [C] //\nforage 2 n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: forre  ’food for animals’]//\n  1 [U] food supplies for horses and cattle:\n  2 [singular]  BrE an act of searching for something:


Words: foray
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: forrer, from  forre;   FORAGE2]//\n  1 a short attempt at doing a particular job or activity, especially one that is very different from what you usually do:  foray into//  --It will be my first foray into local government.//  --Wright is about to make his first foray into the music business.//\n  2 a short sudden attack by a group of soldiers, especially in order to get food or supplies:    raid//  foray into//  --their nightly forays into enemy territory//\n  3 a short journey somewhere in order to get something or do something:   trip//  foray into/to//  --We make regular forays to France to buy wine.//  -- foray v  [I] //


Words: forbear
Meaning:
v   past tense  forbore /-b[hA350][hA359] $ -b[hA350][hA359]r///  past participle  forborne /-b[hA350][hA359]n $ -b[hA350][hA359]rn/ [I]  literary //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forberan]//  to not do something you could or would like to do because you think it is wiser not to//  forbear from//  --He decided to forbear from interfering.//  forbear to do sth//  --Clara forbore to mention his name.//\nforbear 2   n [C]   a forebear//


Words: forbearance
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   the quality of being patient, able to control your emotions, and willing to forgive someone who has upset you//


Words: forbid
Meaning:
v   past tense  forbade /-b[zB024]d, -be[hA366]d/past participle  forbidden /-b[hA366]dn/present participle  forbidding  [T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forbeodan]//\n  1 to tell someone that they are not allowed to do something, or that something is not allowed:  → permit//  forbid sb to do sth//  --He was forbidden to leave the house, as a punishment.//  forbid sb from doing sth//  --Women are forbidden from going out without a veil.//  strictly/expressly/explicitly etc forbid //  --The law strictly forbids racial or sexual discrimination.//\n  2  God/Heaven forbid:   spoken used to emphasize that you hope that something will not happen//  --’Supposing I had an accident.’ ’God forbid!’//\n  3  formal to make it impossible for someone to do something:   prevent//  --Lack of space forbids listing the names of all those who contributed.//  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  It is more usual to say that someone is not allowed to do something, rather than forbidden to do it: I’m not allowed to stay out after midnight. //  ----------//


Words: forbidden
Meaning:
adj \n  1 not allowed, especially because of an official rule:    banned//  it is forbidden (to do sth)//  --It is forbidden to smoke at school.//  be strictly/expressly/absolutely etc forbidden //  --Alcohol is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia.//\n  2 a forbidden place is one that you are not allowed to go to:  forbidden to//  --The Great Mosque is forbidden to Christians.//\n  3 a forbidden activity, subject etc is one that people think that you should not do, talk about etc:  --Sex was always a forbidden topic.//  forbidden fruit (=something that you should not have, but that you want) //  --Forbidden fruit is always more attractive.//


Words: Forbidden City
Meaning:
the Forbidden City//  an area in Beijing, China, that is surrounded by a wall. In the past, no one except the imperial (=royal)  family and their servants was allowed to enter it, but it is now open to the public and a lot of tourists go there..//


Words: forbidding
Meaning:
adj   having a frightening or unfriendly appearance//  forbidding place/land/landscape etc //  --We sailed past the island’s rather dark and forbidding cliffs.//  --His face was forbidding, even hostile.//  -- forbiddingly adv //


Words: force
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 military:\n   2 military action:\n   3 violence:\n   4 physical power:\n   5 natural power:\n   6 organized group:\n   7 strong influence:\n   8 powerful effect:\n   9 join/combine forces (with somebody/something):\n  10 in force:\n  11 come into force/bring something into force:\n  12 by/through/out of force of habit:\n  13 by/through force of circumstance(s):\n  14 wind:\n  15 police:\n  16 the forces of good/evil etc:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin fortis  ’strong’]//\n  1 MILITARY:  a)  [C usually plural] a group of people who have been trained to do military work for a government or other organization//  government/military/defence etc forces //  --The riots had to be suppressed by government forces.//  --He strengthened American forces in the Gulf.//  --a plan to disarm the rebel forces  (=those fighting against the government) //  b)  the forces//   BrE the army, navy, and air force//  in the forces//  --Both her sons are in the forces.//  c)  nuclear/conventional forces//   nuclear weapons or ordinary weapons//  --short-range nuclear forces//    air force,  armed forces,  ground forces,  peacekeeping force at peacekeeping,  security forces at security(1),  task force(2)//\n  2 MILITARY ACTION:   [U] military action used as a way of achieving your aims//  --Peace cannot be imposed by force .//  --The UN will allow the use of force against aircraft violating the zone.//\n  3 VIOLENCE:   [U] violent physical action used to get what you want//  --The police used force to overpower the demonstrators.//  by force//  --In the end he had to be thrown out of the house by force.//  --They kicked the door down using sheer brute force .//\n  4 PHYSICAL POWER:   [U] the amount of physical power with which something moves or hits another thing//    strength//  force of//  --The force of the explosion blew out all the windows.//  with great/considerable/increasing etc force //  --He raised his hand and struck her with terrifying force.//\n  5 NATURAL POWER:   [U and C] a natural power or event//  --the force of gravity//  --powerful natural forces such as earthquakes, floods, and drought//  --the forces of nature //\n  6 ORGANIZED GROUP:   [C usually singular] a group of people who have been trained and organized to do a particular job//  --the company’s sales force //  --the quality of the teaching force //    police force//\n  7 STRONG INFLUENCE:   [C] something or someone who is powerful and has a lot of influence on the way things happen//  the driving force (behind sth/sb) (=the person or thing that makes something happen) //  --Betty Coward was the driving force behind the project.//  a force for change/peace/democracy etc (=someone or something that makes change, peace etc more likely to happen) //  --Healthy competition is a force for innovation.//  --He’s a quick and decisive player - a force to be reckoned with  (=a person, team, company etc that influences what happens) .//  --The fall in prices was due to forces beyond their control .//    market forces//\n  8 POWERFUL EFFECT:   [U] the powerful effect that something has on you//  --Even after 30 years, the play has lost none of its force.//  --She was aware of the force of his personality.//\n  9  join/combine forces (with sb/sth):  to work together so that you can deal with a problem, be more powerful etc//  join forces to do sth//  --Local schools have joined forces with each other to share facilities.//\n  10  in force:  a) if a law, rule etc is in force, it already exists//  --The trade embargo has been in force for a year.//  b) in a large group, especially in order to protest about something//   in large numbers//  --Villagers turned out in force to protest about the new road.//\n  11  come into force/bring sth into force:  if a new law, rule, change etc comes or is brought into force, it starts to exist//  --Parking restrictions in the town centre came into force last month.//\n  12  by/through/out of force of habit:  because you have always done a particular thing and it is difficult to change//  --I get up at 6 o’clock every day from force of habit.//\n  13  by/through force of circumstance(s):   BrE if something happens by force of circumstance, events outside your control make it happen//\n  14 WIND:  a)  force 8/9/10 etc//  a unit for measuring the strength of the wind//  b)  gale/hurricane force wind//  extremely strong wind that does a lot of damage//\n  15 POLICE:   the force//  a word meaning the police force, used especially by police officers//\n  16  the forces of good/evil etc:   literary people or things that increase the amount of good or bad in the world//  --the battle against the forces of evil//    labour force,  tour de force,  workforce//\nforce 2 W1S2 v [T]   ----------//\n   1 make somebody do something:\n   2 make somebody/something move:\n   3 force your way through/into etc something:\n   4 make something happen:\n   5 force a door/lock/window:\n   6 force the issue:\n   7 force somebody’s hand:\n   8 force a smile/laugh etc:  Phrasal verbs//   force something → back//   force something → down//   force something on/upon somebody//   force something → out of somebody//  ----------//\n  1 MAKE SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING:  to make someone do something they do not want to do//    persuade//  force sb/yourself to do sth//  --Government troops have forced the rebels to surrender.//  --Due to the high cost of borrowing, many companies have been forced to close.//  --I had to force myself to get up this morning.//  force sb/sth into (doing) sth//  --women who are forced into arranged marriages//  --Bad health forced him into taking early retirement.//\n  2 MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING MOVE:   [always + adverb/preposition] to make someone or something move in a particular direction or into a different position, especially through or using great strength//   push//  --Westerly gales forced the ship off course.//  --Firemen entering the building were forced back by flames.//  --She tried to keep the door shut but the man forced it open .//\n  3  force your way through/into etc sth:   also force your way in/out/past etc //  to push very hard in order to get somewhere//  --The doctor forced his way through the crowd.//  --Demonstrators forced their way past.//\n  4 MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN:  to make something happen or change, especially more quickly than planned or expected//  --the unfortunate events that forced his resignation//  --We need to force the pace on alternative energy policies.//  force prices/interest rates etc down/up //  --The effect will be to increase unemployment and force down wages.//\n  5  force a door/lock/window:  to open a door etc using physical strength, often causing damage//  --I forced the lock on the cupboard to see what was inside.//\n  6  force the issue:  to do something that makes it necessary for someone to make decisions or take action, instead of waiting to see what happens//  --Polly decided to force the issue by demanding an explanation.//\n  7  force sb’s hand:  to make someone do something unwillingly or earlier than they had intended//  --They’re reluctant to sell the house yet but the right offer could force their hand.//\n  8  force a smile/laugh etc:  to make yourself smile, laugh etc even though you feel upset or annoyed//  force back [force sth → back] phr v//  to stop yourself from showing that you are upset or frightened, especially with difficulty//  --Janet forced back her tears .//  force down [force sth → down] phr v//\n  1 to make yourself eat or drink something, although you do not want it:  --I managed to force down a piece of stale bread.//\n  2 to make a plane land by threatening to attack it:  --The hijacked plane was forced down by military jets.//  force on/upon [force sth on/upon sb] phr v//  to make someone do or accept something even though they do not want to//  --It’s no good trying to force a diet on someone.//  --people who try to force their own views on you//  force out of [force sth → out of sb] phr v//  to make someone tell you something by asking them many times, threatening them etc//  --I wasn’t going to tell Matt but he forced it out of me.//


Words: force majeure
Meaning:
n [U]  law   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: ’greater force’]//  unexpected events, for example a war, that prevent someone from doing what they had officially planned or agreed to do. An event like this can legally allow an agreement or contract to be changed or ended.//


Words: forced
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a forced smile, laugh etc is not natural or sincere:  --’Oh, hello,’ said Eileen, with forced brightness.//\n  2 [only before noun] done suddenly and quickly because the situation makes it necessary, not because it was planned or wanted:  --The plane had to make a forced landing in a field.//  --the forced repatriation of thousands of refugees//


Words: forced entry
Meaning:
n [U and C]   an occasion when someone gets into a building illegally by breaking a door, window etc//  --The police found no signs of forced entry.//


Words: forced labour
Meaning:
BrE  forced labor AmE n [U]   when prisoners or slaves are forced to do very hard physical work, or a system in which this happens//  --Two million suffered imprisonment or forced labour.//


Words: forceful
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a forceful person expresses their opinions very strongly and clearly and people are easily persuaded by them:   strong//  a forceful personality/character/opponent etc //  --He gained a reputation as a forceful member of the party.//\n  2 forceful arguments, reasons etc are strongly and clearly expressed:   powerful//  --a forceful attack on government policy//\n  3 having a powerful effect that is likely to change a situation:  --The President hasn’t been forceful enough in changing the judicial system.//  --Governments should adopt a more forceful approach to improve the environment.//\n  4 using physical force:  -- forcefully adv //  -- forcefulness n  [U] //


Words: forceps
Meaning:
n [plural]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , probably from  formus  ’warm’ +  capere  ’to take’]//  a medical instrument used for picking up and holding things//  --a pair of forceps//


Words: forcible
Meaning:
adj   done using physical force//  --the forcible overthrow of the government//  --signs of forcible entry into the building//


Words: forcibly
Meaning:
adv \n  1 using physical force:  --The police threatened to have protestors forcibly removed .//\n  2 in a way that has a strong clear effect:   powerfully//  --The case was forcibly put by the speaker.//


Words: Ford
Meaning:
1  trademark one of the world’s largest car companies, which is based in the US and has factories in many countries:\n  2 a car made by this company:\n Ford Maddox   (1873-1939) a British writer of many poems, articles, and novels, including  The Good Soldier and  Parade’s End, which relate his experiences as an army officer in France in World War I//\n Gerald   (1913-) a US politician in the  Republican Party who became President of the US in 1974 after Richard  Nixon was forced to  resign (=leave his job)  because of  Watergate.//\n Harrison   (1942- ) a US actor who is famous for appearing in films about exciting adventures, such as  Star Wars (1977), and for appearing as the character Indiana  Jones in a series of films such as  Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom//\n Henry   (1863-1947) a US businessman and engineer, who started making cars in 1896 and established the Ford Motor Company. He developed the idea of the  assembly line (=system in which each worker is responsible for one small part of the process of making something) , and this made it possible to produce cars in large numbers.//\n John   (1895-1973) a US film  director famous for his  westerns (=films about the American west in the 19th century) . His films include  Stagecoach (1939),  She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), and  The Searchers (1956).//


Words: ford
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//  a place where a river is not deep, so that you can walk or drive across it//  -- ford v  [T] //


Words: fore
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  FORE2]//  to the fore//  to or in a position of importance or influence//  --Environmental issues came to the fore in the 1980s.//  --The case brought to the fore a lot of racial tensions.//\nfore 2 adj [only before noun]  technical   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin: fore  ’before’;   FORE-]//  the fore parts of a ship, plane, or animal are the parts at the front//  -- fore adv //


Words: fore-
Meaning:
prefix   [Language: Old English; Origin: fore  ’before, previously’]//\n  1 before:  --The enemy had been forewarned.//    forewarned is forearmed at forewarn(2)//\n  2 placed at the front:  --her forenames//  --a horse’s forelegs//\n  3 the front part of something:  --his forehead//


Words: forebear
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin: fore- +  bear  ’someone who is’, from  be]//  someone who was a member of your family a long time in the past//   ancestor//


Words: foreboding
Meaning:
n [U]   a strong feeling that something bad is going to happen soon//  --She waited for news with a grim sense of foreboding .//


Words: forecast
Meaning:
n [C]   a description of what is likely to happen in the future, based on the information that you have now//    prediction//  --The weather forecast is good for tomorrow.//  profit/sales/growth forecast //  --the company’s annual sales forecast//\nforecast 2   past tense and past participle  forecast  or  forecasted  v [T] //  [Date: 1400-1500; Origin: fore- +   CAST1 ’to arrange cleverly’ (14-19 centuries)]//  to make a statement saying what is likely to happen in the future, based on the information that you have now//   predict//  --Rain has been forecast for the weekend.//  forecast (that)//  --The Federal Reserve Bank forecasts that the economy will grow by 2% this year.//


Words: forecaster
Meaning:
n [C]   someone whose job is to say what is likely to happen in the future, especially what kind of weather is expected//  --the weather forecaster //  -- Economic forecasters think that the stock market is set to fall.//


Words: forecastle
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  technical   the front part of a ship, where the sailors live//  British Equivalent:  fo’c’sle//


Words: foreclose
Meaning:
v [I ]  technical   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: forclos, past participle of  forclore, from  fors  ’outside’ +  clore  ’to close’]//  if a bank forecloses, it takes away someone’s property because they have failed to pay back the money that they borrowed from the bank to buy it//  foreclose on//  --Building societies may foreclose on a mortgage if payments are not kept up.//  -- foreclosure/-kl[hA353][hA35E][hA360][hA353] $ -klo[hA35E][hA360][hA353]r/ n  [U and C] //  --housing foreclosures//


Words: foredoomed
Meaning:
adj  formal   intended by fate (=the power that is believed to control people’s lives)  to be unsuccessful or unhappy//   doomed//


Words: forefather
Meaning:
n [C usually plural] \n  1 the people, especially men, who were part of your family a long time ago in the past:   ancestor//  sb’s forefathers //  --What would our forefathers have thought?//\n  2 someone in the past who did something important that influences your life today:  --Two hundred years ago our forefathers established this nation.//


Words: forefoot
Meaning:
n   plural  forefeet /-fi[hA359]t/ [C]  BrE //  one of the two front feet of an animal with four legs//


Words: forefront
Meaning:
n \n  1  be at/in/to the forefront (of sth):  to be in a leading position in an important activity that is trying to achieve something or develop new ideas//  --The company has always been at the forefront of science and technology.//  --Prison conditions have been pushed to the forefront of public debate.//\n  2  be in/at/to the forefront of sb’s mind/attention etc:  to be what someone is thinking about most, because it is very important to them//    at the back of somebody’s mind//  --Fear of unemployment was at the forefront of everyone’s minds.//


Words: foregather
Meaning:
forgather/f[hA350][hA359]g[zB024][hA171][hA353] $ f[hA350][hA359]rg[zB024][hA171][hA353]r/ v [I]  formal   to meet in a group//   gather//


Words: foregoing
Meaning:
adj, n  formal   the foregoing (sth)//  something that has just been mentioned, read, dealt with etc//  → following//  --The foregoing examples illustrate this point.//  --The foregoing helps to explain these results.//


Words: foregone conclusion
Meaning:
n   be a foregone conclusion//  if something is a foregone conclusion, its result is certain, even though it has not happened yet//  --The election result was a foregone conclusion.//


Words: foreground
Meaning:
n \n  1  the foreground:  the part of the view in a picture or a photograph that is closest to you when you are looking at it//  → background//  --There were three figures in the foreground.//\n  2  be in the foreground:  to be regarded as important and receive a lot of attention//  --Education has been very much in the foreground recently.//


Words: forehand
Meaning:
n [singular]   a way of hitting the ball in tennis and some other games, with the flat part of your hand facing the direction of the ball//    backhand//  -- forehand adj //


Words: foreign
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: forein, from  Latin foris  ’outside’]//\n  1 from or relating to a country that is not your own:  --foreign students//  --Can you speak any foreign languages?//  --the success of foreign companies in various industries//  --I thought she sounded foreign.//  --transactions in foreign currencies//\n  2 [only before noun] involving or dealing with other countries:  → domestic//  --America’s foreign policy //  foreign investment/trade etc //  --Foreign competition provides consumers with a greater variety of goods.//  --our budget for foreign aid  (=financial help to countries in need) //  --the Chinese Foreign Minister//\n  3  be foreign to sb:   formal //  a) to seem strange to someone as the result of not being known or understood//   be alien to somebody//  --The language of finance and economics is quite foreign to me.//  b) to be not typical of someone’s usual character//  --Aggression is completely foreign to his nature .//\n  4  foreign body/matter/object:   formal a piece of dirt, glass, or other material that has got inside something, especially someone’s body, and that should not be there//  --cells that are designed to attack and destroy foreign bodies//  -- foreignness n  [U] //


Words: foreign affairs
Meaning:
n [plural]   politics, business matters etc that affect or concern the relationship between your country and other countries//


Words: foreign exchange
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] used to talk about buying and selling foreign money:  foreign exchange markets/rates/transactions etc //  --The dollar is expected to fall in the foreign exchange markets.//\n  2 [U] foreign money, especially money obtained by selling goods to a foreign country:  --foreign exchange earned through exports//\n  3  also exchange :   [C] an arrangement through which a student exchanges homes, schools etc with a student from another country for a particular length of time, especially in order to learn a language//  --The school organizes a foreign exchange to France.//


Words: Foreign Legion
Meaning:
the   a part of the French army that is made up of  volunteers (=men who chose to join) , most of whom are not French. In the past, the Foreign Legion were used to protect French  colonies in North Africa.//


Words: Foreign Office
Meaning:
n  also Foreign and Commonwealth Office   the Foreign Office//  the British government department that is responsible for dealing with matters concerning other countries//


Words: Foreign Secretary
Meaning:
the British politician who is in charge of the  Foreign Office and the UK’s political relationship with other countries. In the US there is a similar politician called the  Secretary of State.//


Words: Foreign Service
Meaning:
the   a part of the US  State Department which employs the people who work in US  embassies all over the world. In the UK there is a similar department called the  Diplomatic Service.//


Words: foreigner
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who comes from a different country//  --Some of the local people are suspicious of foreigners.//


Words: forelock
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a piece of hair that falls over someone’s forehead:\n  2 the hair on a horse’s head that grows between its ears and hangs forward on its face:\n  3  tug/touch your forelock:   BrE to show too much respect towards someone in authority - used to show disapproval//


Words: foreman
Meaning:
n   plural  foremen /-m[hA353]n/ [C] //\n  1 a worker who is in charge of a group of other workers, for example in a factory:\n  2 the leader of a jury, who announces their decision in court:


Words: foremost
Meaning:
adj \n  1 the best or most important:   leading, top//  --one of the country’s foremost authorities on chemical warfare//  --Rostropovich was long considered the world’s foremost cellist.//\n  2 in a leading position among a group of people or things:  foremost among/amongst//  --Sharpton was foremost among the protestors.//  --Economic concerns are foremost on many voters’ minds.//    first and foremost at first2 (10)//


Words: forensic
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: forensis  ’of a court or forum’, from  forum;   FORUM]//  relating to the scientific methods used for finding out about a crime//  forensic evidence/science/medicine etc //  --Forensic experts found traces of blood in the car.//  --a career in forensic science//  --a forensic pathologist//


Words: foreplay
Meaning:
n [U]   sexual activity, such as kissing and touching the sexual organs, that happens before having sex//


Words: forerunner
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone or something that existed before something similar that developed or came later:  forerunner of//  --Babbage’s engine was later seen as the forerunner of the modern computer.//\n  2 a sign or warning that something is going to happen:


Words: foresee
Meaning:
v   past tense  foresaw /-s[hA350][hA359] $ -s[hA361][hA359]///  past participle  foreseen /-si[hA359]n/ [T] //  to think or know that something is going to happen in the future//    predict//  --I’ve put your name on the list and I don’t foresee any problems.//  --The disaster could not have been foreseen.//  foresee that//  --Few analysts foresaw that oil prices would rise so steeply.//  foresee what/how etc//  --No one foresaw what he was planning.//


Words: foreseeable
Meaning:
adj \n  1  for/in the foreseeable future:  for as long as it is possible to know what is likely to happen//  --The situation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.//\n  2  in the foreseeable future:  fairly soon//  --There is a possibility of water shortages in the foreseeable future.//\n  3 foreseeable difficulties, events etc should be planned for because they are very likely to happen in the future:  --The judge found that it was not foreseeable that the fuel would catch fire.//  --foreseeable risk//


Words: foreshadow
Meaning:
v [T]   to show or say that something will happen in the future//  --The revolution foreshadowed an entirely new social order.//


Words: foreshore
Meaning:
n [C usually singular, U]  BrE \n  1 the part of the shore between the highest and lowest levels that the sea reaches:\n  2 the part of the shore between the edge of the sea and the part of the land that has houses, grass etc:


Words: foreshortened
Meaning:
adj  formal \n  1 objects, places etc that are foreshortened appear to be smaller, shorter, or closer together than they really are:  --Viewed from high up, their bodies were oddly foreshortened.//\n  2 ended before the usual or expected time:  --a foreshortened career//  -- foreshorten v  [T] //


Words: foresight
Meaning:
n [U]   the ability to imagine what is likely to happen and to consider this when planning for the future//    forethought//  --It was an example of the authorities’ lack of foresight .//  foresight to do sth//  --Luckily I’d had the foresight to get in plenty of food.//


Words: forest
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin foris  ’outside’ (because it was outside the main fenced area of woods)]//  a large area of land that is covered with trees//    wood//  thick/dense forest //  --Much of Scandinavia is covered in dense forest.//  --a tropical forest //  --the danger of forest fires //    rain forest,  not see the forest for the trees at see1 (41)//


Words: Forest Hills
Meaning:
a town in New York State known especially for the  US Open tennis competition which takes place there every year//


Words: Forest of Dean
Meaning:
an area in  Gloucestershire, England, on the River  Severn. It used to have an important iron and coal mining industry.//


Words: Forest Service
Meaning:
the   an organization that is responsible for taking care of forests in the US. In the UK there is a similar organization called the  Forestry Commission.//


Words: forestall
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Language: Old English; Origin: foresteallan  ’to put in front, ambush’]//  to prevent something from happening or prevent someone from doing something by doing something first//  --a measure intended to forestall further attacks//


Words: forested
Meaning:
adj   forested areas are covered in forests//  thickly/heavily/densely etc forested //  --heavily forested terrain//


Words: Forester
Meaning:
C.S.   (1899-1966) a British writer best known for his stories about the  Royal Navy during the  Napoleonic Wars, especially those about the character Captain Horatio  Hornblower//


Words: Forestry Commission
Meaning:
the   an organization that is responsible for taking care of forests in the UK. In the US there is a similar organization called the  Forest Service.//


Words: foretaste
Meaning:
n   be a foretaste of sth//  to be a sign of something more important, more impressive etc that will happen in the future//  --Two spectacular wins at the start of the season were a foretaste of things to come .//


Words: foretell
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  foretold /-t[hA353][hA35E]ld $ -to[hA35E]ld/ [T]  formal //  to say what will happen in the future, especially by using special magical powers//   predict//  --the birth of Christ, foretold by prophets//


Words: forethought
Meaning:
n [U]   careful thought or planning before you do something//    foresight//  the forethought to do sth//  --No one had the forethought to bring a map.//


Words: forever
Meaning:
S3  also  for ever BrE   adv \n  1 for all future time:  --I wanted that moment to last forever .//  --Many valuable works of art were lost forever.//\n  2  especially spoken for a very long time:  --Once built, stone walls last forever.//  --It took forever to clean up after the party.//  --The meeting seemed to go on forever and a day .//\n  3  be forever doing sth:   spoken to do something often, especially in a way that annoys people//   be always doing something//  --He’s forever making comments about my weight.//\n  4  forever and ever:  a phrase meaning forever, used especially in stories//\n  5  go on forever:   AmE to be extremely long or large//  --The road just went on forever.//


Words: forewarn
Meaning:
v [T often passive] \n  1 to warn someone about something dangerous, unpleasant, or unexpected before it happens:  forewarn sb of/about sth//  --We’d been forewarned of the dangers of travelling at night.//\n  2  forewarned is forearmed:  used to say that it is better to know about something before it happens, so that you can be prepared for it//  -- forewarning n  [U and C] //


Words: forewoman
Meaning:
n   plural  forewomen /-w[hA366]m[hA366]n/ [C] //\n  1 a female worker who is in charge of a group of other workers, especially in a factory:\n  2 a woman who is the leader of a jury and announces their decision in court:


Words: foreword
Meaning:
n [C]   a short piece of writing at the beginning of a book that introduces the book or its writer//


Words: forfeit
Meaning:
v [T]   to lose a right, position, possession etc or have it taken away from you because you have broken a law or rule//  --By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.//  --She was fined [hA124]3,000 and ordered to forfeit her car.//\nforfeit 2 n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: forfet, past participle of  forfaire  ’to do a crime’]//  something that is taken away from you or something that you have to pay, because you have broken a rule or made a mistake//\nforfeit 3 adj   be forfeit//   formal to be legally or officially taken away from you as a punishment//  --The company’s property may even be forfeit.//


Words: forfeiture
Meaning:
n [U and C]  formal   when someone has their property or money officially taken away because they have broken a law or rule//  --Refusal to sign meant forfeiture of property and exile.//


Words: forge
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  FORGE2. forge ahead  1600-1700 Probably from   FORCE1]//\n  1 [T] to develop something new, especially a strong relationship with other people, groups, or countries:   form//  forge a relationship/alliance/link etc (with sb) //  --In 1776 the United States forged an alliance with France.//  --The two women had forged a close bond.//  --Back in the 1980s, they were attempting to forge a new kind of rock music.//\n  2 [T] to illegally copy something, especially something printed or written, to make people think that it is real:    counterfeit//  --Someone stole my credit card and forged my signature.//  --a forged passport//\n  3 [I always + adverb/preposition]  written to move somewhere or continue doing something in a steady determined way:  forge into/through//  --Crowds of people forged through the streets towards the embassy.//  --He forged into the lead in the fourth set.//  forge on//  --Her speech wasn’t going down too well, but she forged on.//\n  4 [T] to make something from a piece of metal by heating the metal and shaping it:  forge ahead phr v//  to make progress, especially quickly//  forge ahead with//  --Jo’s forging ahead with her plans to write a film script.//\nforge 2 n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin faber  ’person who works with metal, smith’]//\n  1 a place where metal is heated and shaped into objects:\n  2 a large piece of equipment that produces high temperatures, used for heating and shaping metal objects:


Words: forger
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who illegally copies documents, money, paintings etc and tries to make people think they are real//


Words: forgery
Meaning:
n   plural  forgeries //\n  1 [C] a document, painting, or piece of paper money that has been copied illegally:   fake//  --The painting was a very clever forgery.//\n  2 [U] the crime of copying official documents, money etc:


Words: forget
Meaning:
v, v   past tense  forgot /-g[hA361]t $ -g[hA35A][hA359]t///  past participle  forgotten /-’g[hA361]tn $ -g[hA35A][hA359]tn///  ----------//\n   1 facts/information:\n   2 something you must do:\n   3 leave something somewhere:\n   4 stop thinking about:\n   5 not care about:\n   6 stop a plan:\n   7 not forgetting something:\n   8 forget yourself:\n   9 don’t forget:\n  10 forget it:\n  11 I’ll never forget something:\n  12 aren’t you forgetting...?/haven’t you forgotten...?:\n  13 I forget:\n  14 and don’t you forget it:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: forgietan]//\n  1 FACTS/INFORMATION:   [I and T] to not remember facts, information, or people or things from the past//  --I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.//  --I know you told me, but I forgot.//  --What happened that day will never be forgotten.//  forget about//  --Karl says he forgot about our date.//  --She forgot all about their anniversary.//  forget (that)//  --I forgot that there’s a speed limit here.//  forget how/what/when/why etc//  --How can you forget where you’ve parked the car?//  --He’s someone who never forgets a face  (=forgets who someone is) .//  I was forgetting ... (=said when you have just remembered or been reminded about something)  spoken //  --Oh yes, I was forgetting she was pregnant.//\n  2 SOMETHING YOU MUST DO:   [I and T] to not remember to do something that you should do//  --’Did you remember to post that letter?’ ’Oh, sorry, I forgot.’//  --Give me your phone number before I forget  (=forget to get it) .//  forget to do sth//  --Someone’s forgotten to turn off their headlights.//  clean forget  AmE  (=completely forget) //  --He meant to invite Monica, but he clean forgot.//\n  3 LEAVE SOMETHING SOMEWHERE:   [T] to not remember to bring something that you need with you//  forget your keys/money/cigarettes etc //  --Oh no, I’ve forgotten my wallet.//\n  4 STOP THINKING ABOUT:   [I and T] to stop thinking or worrying about someone or something//  --Forget him, he’s not worth it.//  --At my age, I think I can forget fashion.//  forget (that)//  --After a while you’ll forget you’re wearing contact lenses.//  forget about//  --I’ll never be able to forget about the accident.//\n  5 NOT CARE ABOUT:   [I and T] to not care about or give attention to someone or something any longer//  forget about//  --Don’t forget about your old friends when you go off to college, okay?//  --You can’t afford to forget your relationship with your husband.//\n  6 STOP A PLAN:   [I and T] to stop planning to do something because it is no longer possible or sensible//  forget about//  --We’ll have to forget about going on holiday.//  --If we can’t get any funding we might as well forget the whole thing .//\n  7  not forgetting sth:   BrE used to add something to a list of things you have mentioned//  --You’ll have to pay for the packaging and transportation costs, not forgetting airport taxes.//\n  8  forget yourself:  a) to do something stupid or embarrassing, especially by losing control of your emotions//  --Lisa forgot herself and reached out to touch his knee.//  b)  BrE to become so involved in something that you do not think about or notice anything else//   lose yourself//  forget yourself in sth//  --Often he would forget himself in his work for hours.//\n  9  spoken  don’t forget:  a) used to remind someone to do something//  --We need bread, milk, and eggs - don’t forget.//  don’t forget to do sth//  --Don’t forget to lock up when you leave.//  b) used to remind someone about an important fact or detail that they should consider//  don’t forget (that)//  --But don’t forget that you have to pay interest on the loan.//  --Don’t forget, I’ll be home late tonight..//  c) used to remind someone to take something with them//  --Don’t forget your sandwiches.//\n  10  spoken  forget it:   spoken //  a) used to tell someone that something is not important and they do not need to worry about it//  --’Sorry I didn’t phone.’ ’Forget it.’//  b) used to tell someone to stop asking or talking about something, because it is annoying you//  --I’m not coming with you, so forget it.//  c)  also forget that!  AmE //  used to tell someone that you refuse to do something or that it will be impossible to do something//  --’Can you lend me $10.’ ’Forget it, no way.’//  --If you’re thinking of getting Roy to help, you can forget it!//  d) used when someone asks you what you just said and you do not want to repeat it//  --’What did you say?’ ’ Nothing, just forget it.’//\n  11  spoken  I’ll never forget sth:  used to say that you will always remember something from the past, because it was sad, funny, enjoyable etc//  --I’ll never forget the look on his face when he opened the door.//\n  12  spoken  aren’t you forgetting...?/haven’t you forgotten...?:  used to remind someone about something, often humorously//  --Aren’t you forgetting that you’re already married?//\n  13  spoken  I forget:  used to say that you cannot remember a particular detail about something//  I forget what/where/how etc//  --I forget what he said exactly but it was very rude.//  I forget the name/details etc //  --I forget the name of the street, but it’s the first on the left.//\n  14  spoken  and don’t you forget it:  used to remind someone angrily about an important fact that should make them behave differently//  --I’m the boss around here, and don’t you forget it!//


Words: forgettable
Meaning:
adj   not very interesting or good - often used humorously//  → unforgettable//  --He’d had a role in one or two forgettable movies.//


Words: forgivable
Meaning:
adj   if something bad is forgivable, you can understand how it happened and you can easily forgive it//  → unforgivable//  --It was an easily forgivable mistake.//


Words: forgive
Meaning:
S3   v   past tense  forgave /-ge[hA366]v///  past participle  forgiven /-g[hA366]v[hA368]n/ [I and T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forgifan]//\n  1 to stop being angry with someone and stop blaming them, although they have done something wrong:  forgive sb for (doing) sth//  --I’ve tried to forgive him for what he said.//  --He never forgave her for walking out on him.//  forgive myself/yourself etc //  --If anything happened to the kids I’d never forgive myself .//  you’re forgiven  spoken  (=used to tell someone that you are not angry with them) //  --’I’m really sorry.’ ’It’s okay, you’re forgiven.’//  forgive sb sth //  --God forgives us our sins.//  --He didn’t look the sort of man to forgive and forget  (=forgive someone and no longer think about it) .//\n  2  forgive me:   spoken used when you are going to say or do something that might seem rude or offensive and you want it to seem more polite//  -- Forgive me, but I don’t think that is relevant.//  forgive me for asking/saying etc sth  also //  forgive my asking/saying etc //  -- Forgive me for saying so , but that’s nonsense.//  --Forgive my phoning you so late.//\n  3  sb can be forgiven for thinking/believing/feeling etc sth:  used to say that it is easy to understand why someone might think or do something//  --You could be forgiven for thinking football is a religion here.//\n  4  forgive a debt/loan:   formal if a country or organization forgives a debt, it says that the money does not have to be paid back//   write off//  --Saudi Arabia’s decision to forgive the debt owed by the poorest Islamic countries//


Words: forgiveness
Meaning:
n [U]   when someone forgives another person//  ask/beg/pray etc for (sb’s) forgiveness //  --He never admitted his guilt or asked for forgiveness.//


Words: forgo
Meaning:
v   past tense  forwent /-went/past participle  forgone /-g[hA361]n $ -g[hA361][hA359]n/present participle  forgoing  [T] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forgo  ’to pass by’]//  to not do or have something pleasant or enjoyable//  --I had to forgo lunch.//


Words: forgotten
Meaning:
v   the past participle of forget//\nforgotten 2 adj [usually before noun]   that people have forgotten about or do not pay much attention to//  --a forgotten corner of the churchyard//


Words: fork
Meaning:
n [C]   fork, knife, spoon//  [Language: Old English; Origin: forca, from  Latin furca]//\n  1 a tool you use for picking up and eating food, with a handle and three or four points:  --Put the knives and forks on the table.//\n  2 a garden tool used for digging, with a handle and three or four points:\n  3 a place where a road, river, or tree divides into two parts, or one of the parts it divides into:  --the north fork of the Sacramento river//  --Take the left fork then go straight on.//\n  4  fork of lightning:  a sudden flash of lightning with two or more lines of light//\n  5 one of the two metal bars between which the front wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle is fixed:    tuning fork//\nfork 2 v \n  1  also fork off :   [I] if a road, river etc forks, it divides into two parts//    divide, split//  --The path forked off in two directions.//\n  2  fork (off) left/right:  to go left or right when a road divides into two parts//   turn//  --Fork left at the bottom of the hill.//\n  3 [T always + adverb/preposition] to put food into your mouth or onto a plate using a fork:  fork sth into/onto etc sth//  --He forked some bacon into his mouth.//\n  4 [T always + adverb/preposition] to put manure into soil or to move soil around using a large garden fork:  fork sth in/over etc//  --In November, the soil should be forked over.//  fork out () [fork out (sth)] phr v//  to spend a lot of money on something, not because you want to but because you have to//  fork out  (something)  for/on//  --I had to fork out [hA124]600 on my car when I had it serviced.//  --We don’t want to have to fork out for an expensive meal.//  fork over [fork sth → over] phr v//  to give money to someone or something, or spend money on something//  --The arena won’t be finished until private donors fork over more money.//


Words: fork-lift truck
Meaning:
also fork-lift  n [C]   a vehicle with special equipment on the front for lifting and moving heavy things//


Words: forked lightning
Meaning:
n [U]   lightning that looks like a line of light that divides into several smaller lines near the bottom//    sheet lightning//


Words: forlorn
Meaning:
adj   [Language: Old English; Origin: , past participle of  forleosan  ’to lose’]//\n  1 seeming lonely and unhappy:  --a forlorn figure sitting all by herself//  --Ana sat with a bowed head and spoke in a forlorn voice.//\n  2 a place that is forlorn seems empty and sad, and is often in bad condition:  --The house looked old and forlorn.//\n  3 [only before noun] a forlorn hope, attempt, or struggle etc is not going to be successful:  --We continued negotiating in the forlorn hope of finding a peace formula.//  -- forlornly adv //


Words: form
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 type:\n   2 way something is/appears:\n   3 shape:\n   4 document:\n   5 art/literature:\n   6 performance:\n   7 school:\n   8 grammar:\n   9 criminal record:\n  10 bad form:\n  11 form of words:\n  12 be in good/fine/great etc form:\n  13 take form:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: forme, from  Latin forma, perhaps from  Greek morphe  ’form, shape’]//\n  1 TYPE:   [C] a particular type of something that exists in many different varieties//  form of//  --a severe form of cancer//  --The bicycle is an environment-friendly form of transport.//  --the art forms of the twentieth century//\n  2 WAY SOMETHING IS/APPEARS:   [C] the way something is or appears to be//  --We oppose racism in all its forms.//  in the form of sth//  --People are bombarded with information in the form of TV advertising.//  --Vitamin C can be taken in capsule or tablet form .//  --A typical training programme takes the form of a series of workshops.//\n  3 SHAPE:   [C] a shape//  form of//  --the shadowy forms of the divers swimming below the boat//  in the form of sth//  --The main staircase was in the form of a big ’S’.//  --The female form is a thing of beauty.//\n  4 DOCUMENT:   [C] an official document with spaces where you write information, especially about yourself//  -- Application forms are available from the college.//  --Just complete the entry form  (=write the answers to the questions on a form) and return it.//  fill in/out a form (=write the answers to the questions on a form) //  --Fill in the form and send it back with your cheque.//\n  5 ART/LITERATURE:   [U] the structure of a work of art or piece of writing, rather than the ideas it expresses, events it describes etc//  --the distinction between form and content//\n  6 PERFORMANCE:   [U] how well a sports person, team, musician etc is performing, or has performed recently//  --I have been greatly encouraged by the team’s recent form.//  on present/current/past etc form //  --On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country.//  in good/fine/great form //  --He’s been in good form all this season.//  --He had no qualms about dropping players he thought were off form (=not performing well) .//\n  7 SCHOOL:   [C]  BrE a class in a school//  first/second/sixth etc form //  --examinations taken in the fourth form//    form teacher//\n  8 GRAMMAR:   [C] a way of writing or saying a word that shows its number, tense etc. For example, ’was’ is a past form of the verb ’to be’.//\n  9 CRIMINAL RECORD:   [U]  BrE  informal if someone has form, they are known to the police because they have committed crimes in the past//\n  10  bad form:   old-fashioned behaviour that is considered to be socially unacceptable//   bad manners//  --It used to be considered bad form to talk about money.//\n  11  form of words:  a way of expressing something official//   wording//  --The precise form of words has been agreed by the 12 heads of government.//\n  12  be in good/fine/great etc form:   also be on good/fine/great etc form  BrE to be full of confidence and energy, so that you do something well or talk in an interesting or amusing way//  --Michelle was in great form at last week’s conference.//\n  13  take form:  a) to begin to exist or develop//  --The womb represents the very first place in which life takes form.//  b) to start to become a particular shape//  --As the men worked, I watched the ship’s hull take form.//    true to form at true1 (7)//\nform 2 v   ----------//\n   1 establish:\n   2 be part of something:\n   3 start to exist:\n   4 make/produce:\n   5 shape/line:\n   6 relationship:\n   7 form an opinion/impression/idea:\n   8 influence:  ----------//\n  1 ESTABLISH:   [T] to establish an organization, committee, government etc//  --The winning party will form the government.//  --CARE was formed in 1946 and helps the poor in 38 countries.//\n  2 BE PART OF SOMETHING:   [linking verb] to be the thing, or one of the things, that is part of something else, often having a particular use//  --Love and trust should form the basis of a marriage.//  --The project forms part of a larger project investigating the history of the cinema.//  --The river formed a natural boundary between the two countries.//\n  3 START TO EXIST:   [I,T ] to start to exist, or make something start to exist, especially as the result of a natural process//  --The rocks were formed more than 4000 million years ago.//  --By midnight ice was already forming on the roads.//  --Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide combine to form acid rain.//\n  4 MAKE/PRODUCE:   [T] to make something by combining two or more parts//  --In English the past tense of a verb is usually formed by adding ’ed’.//\n  5 SHAPE/LINE:   [I and T] to come together in a particular shape or line, or to make something have a particular shape//   make//  --Film-goers began to form a line outside the cinema.//  --Cut off the corners of the square to form a diamond.//\n  6 RELATIONSHIP:   [T] to establish and develop a relationship with someone//  --She seemed incapable of forming any relationships.//  --On returning to Boston, she formed a close friendship with her aunt.//\n  7  form an opinion/impression/idea:  to use available information to develop or reach an opinion or idea//  --She formed the opinion that one of the pupils was bullying the other.//\n  8 INFLUENCE:   [T] to have a strong influence on how someone’s character develops and the type of person they become//   mould//  --Events in early childhood often help to form our personalities in later life.//


Words: formal
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 official:\n   2 behaviour:\n   3 language:\n   4 event/occasion:\n   5 clothes:\n   6 formal education/training/qualifications:\n   7 organized:\n   8 garden/park:  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: formalis, from  forma;   FORM1]//\n  1 OFFICIAL:   [usually before noun] made or done officially or publicly//  → informal//  -- formal recognition of the reformed church//  --a formal agreement between the countries//  --The staff say there is no formal structure for negotiating pay increases.//  make/lodge a formal complaint //  --Mr Kelly has lodged a formal complaint against the police.//\n  2 BEHAVIOUR:  formal behaviour is very polite, and is used in official or important situations, or with people you do not know well//  → informal//  --Over the years, teaching methods have changed and become less formal.//\n  3 LANGUAGE:  formal language is used in official or serious situations//  → informal//  --’Yours sincerely’ is a formal way of ending a letter.//\n  4 EVENT/OCCASION:  a formal event is important, and people who go to it wear special clothes and behave very politely//  → informal//  --I’ve met her twice but only on formal occasions .//  --a formal dinner//\n  5 CLOTHES:  formal dress is clothing such as a tuxedo for men or a long dress for women, that is worn to formal events//  → casual, informal//  --We insist on formal dress for dinner.//\n  6  formal education/training/qualifications:  education etc in a subject or skill, that you receive in a school, college etc rather than practical experience of it//  --knowledge and wisdom gained from experience rather than from formal education//\n  7 ORGANIZED:  done in a very organized way//  → informal//  --The course includes formal lectures and more informal seminars.//\n  8 GARDEN/PARK:  a formal garden, park, or room is arranged in a very organized way//  → informal//  --the palace’s beautifully restored formal gardens//    formally//\nformal 2 n [C]  AmE \n  1 a dance at which you have to wear formal clothes:\n  2 an expensive and usually long dress that women wear on formal occasions:


Words: formaldehyde
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: formic (  FORMIC ACID) +  aldehyde type of chemical]//  a strong-smelling gas that can be mixed with water and used for preserving things such as dead animals to be used in science etc//  --frogs preserved in formaldehyde//


Words: formalism
Meaning:
n [U]   a style or method in art, religion, or science that pays a lot attention to the rules and correct forms of something, rather than to inner meanings//  -- formalist n  [C]  adj -- formalistic adj /f[hA350][hA359]m[hA353]l[hA366]st[hA366]k[hA36B] $ f[hA350][hA359]r-///


Words: formality
Meaning:
n   plural  formalities //\n  1 [C usually plural] something that you must do as a formal or official part of an activity or process:  --the formalities necessary for a valid marriage//\n  2 [C usually singular] something you must do even though it has no practical importance or effects:  just/only/merely etc a formality //  --Getting a gun licence here seems to be just a formality.//\n  3 [U] careful attention to polite behaviour and language in formal situations:  --There is always some degree of formality when one speaks to a stranger.//  --The loan was arranged with little formality.//


Words: formalize
Meaning:
also  formalise BrE   v [T]   to make a plan, decision, or idea official, especially by deciding and clearly describing all the details//  --Final arrangements for the takeover have yet to be formalized.//  -- formalization/f[hA350][hA359]m[hA353]la[hA366]ze[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ f[hA350][hA359]rm[hA353]l[hA353]-/ n  [U] //


Words: formally
Meaning:
adv \n  1 officially:  → informally//  --We announced a decision formally recognizing the new government.//\n  2 in a polite way:  → informally//  --He put his hand out formally, and Liza took it.//  --’I apologize, Captain,’ she said formally.//


Words: format
Meaning:
W3   n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: German, from  Latin formatus, past participle of  formare  ’to form’]//\n  1 the way in which something such as a television show or meeting is organized or arranged:  --The courses were run to a consistent format.//\n  2 the size, shape, design etc, in which something such as a book or magazine is produced:  --a large-format book for the partially-sighted//\n  3 used to talk about video, CD, tape etc when saying what type of equipment it can be played on:\nformat 2   past tense and past participle  formatted present participle  formatting  v [T] //\n  1  technical to organize the space on a computer disk so that information can be stored on it:\n  2 to arrange the pages of a book or the information on a computer etc into a particular design:  --better ways to format your spreadsheets//  -- formatting n  [U] //  -- formatted adj //


Words: formation
Meaning:
W2   n \n  1 [U] the process of starting a new organization or group:   creation//  formation of//  --the formation of a new government//\n  2 [U] the process by which something develops into a particular thing or shape:  formation of//  --the substances which lead to the formation of ozone//  --We now know a lot more about the early stages of planetary formation.//\n  3 [C] the way in which a group of things are arranged to form a pattern or shape:  --troop formations//\n  4  in formation:  if a group of planes, ships, soldiers etc are moving in formation, they are flying, marching etc in a particular order or pattern//  --a squadron of aircraft, flying in formation//\n  5 [U and C] rock or cloud that is formed in a particular shape, or the shape in which it is formed:  rock/cloud formation //  --the canyon’s impressive rock formations//\n  6 [U and C]  technical society, politics etc seen as a system of practices and beliefs:  social/political/cultural etc formation //  --Marx founded a new science: the science of the history of social formations.//


Words: formative
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   having an important influence on the way someone or something develops//  formative years/period/stages etc (=the period when someone’s character develops) //  --He exposed his children to music throughout their formative years.//  formative influence/effect etc //  --International politics were a formative influence on the British labour movement.//


Words: former
Meaning:
W1S2   adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1100-1200; Origin: forme  ’first’ (12-16 centuries), from  Old English forma]//\n  1 happening or existing before, but not now:    present, previous//  --the former Soviet Union//  --Their farm has been reduced to half its former size.//\n  2 having a particular position in the past:   ex-//    present//  --my former husband//  --former president Clinton//\n  3  in former times/years:  in the past//\n  4  sb/sth’s former self:  what someone or something was like before they were changed by age, illness, trouble etc//  --She seems more like her former self.//  be a shadow/ghost of your former self (=be much less confident, healthy, energetic etc than you used to be) //  --The team’s a shadow of its former self.//\nformer 2 n \n  1  the former:   formal the first of two people or things that you have just mentioned//  → the latter//  --Of the two possibilities, the former seems more likely.//\n  2  first/second/sixth etc former:   BrE used in some schools to show which class a student is in, according to how many years they have been in school//


Words: formerly
Meaning:
adv   in earlier times//   previously//  --Kiribati, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands//  --This elegant hotel was formerly a castle.//


Words: Formica
Meaning:
n [U]  trademark   strong plastic made in thin sheets, used especially for covering the surfaces of tables and kitchen counters//


Words: formidable
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: formidabilis, from  formido  ’fear’]//\n  1 very powerful or impressive, and often frightening:  --The building is grey, formidable, not at all picturesque.//  --The new range of computers have formidable processing power.//\n  2 difficult to deal with and needing a lot of effort or skill:  formidable task/challenge //  --the formidable task of local government reorganization//  -- formidably adv //


Words: formless
Meaning:
adj   without a definite shape//  --To the listener, this music is incoherent and formless.//  --formless horrors that await you in the fog//  -- formlessly adv //  -- formlessness n  [U] //


Words: formula
Meaning:
W3   n   plural  formulas  or  formulae /-li[hA359]///  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: ’small form’, from  forma;   FORM1]//\n  1 [singular] a method or set of principles that you use to solve a problem or to make sure that something is successful:  --We’re still searching for a peace formula.//  formula for//  --a formula for the withdrawal of US forces from the area//  --There is no magic formula  (=a method that is certain to be successful) that will transform sorrow into happiness.//  --With viewing figures up a million, the programme has a winning formula .//\n  2 [C] a series of numbers or letters that represent a mathematical or scientific rule:  --the formula for calculating distance//  --Sugar is represented by the simple formula CHO.//\n  3 [C] a list of the substances used to make a medicine, fuel, drink etc, showing the amounts of each substance that should be used:  --Our products are handmade from traditional formulas.//\n  4  Formula One/Two/Three etc:  a type of car racing, in which the different types are based on the size of the cars’ engines//  --a Formula One car//\n  5 [U] a type of liquid food for babies that is similar to a woman’s breast milk:\n  6 [C] a fixed and familiar series of words that seems meaningless or insincere:  --a speech full of the usual formulas and cliches//


Words: Formula One
Meaning:
the highest level of international car racing. Formula One cars are special, very fast cars that compete for the world championship by taking part in a series of important races, called "Grand Prix", in several countries.//


Words: formulaic
Meaning:
adj  formal   containing or made from ideas or expressions that have been used many times before and are therefore not very new or interesting//  --Children love jokes and riddles that are heavily formulaic.//


Words: formulate
Meaning:
v [T] \n  1 to develop something such as a plan or a set of rules, and decide all the details of how it will be done:  formulate a policy/plan/strategy etc //  --Tawney formulated Labour Party education policy in 1922.//  formulate an idea/theory //  --Charles Darwin formulated the theory of natural selection.//\n  2 to think carefully about what to say, and say it clearly:  --We are studying the situation but have not formulated any response yet.//  -- formulation/f[hA350][hA359]mj[hA36A]le[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ f[hA350][hA359]r-/ n  [U and C] //  --the formulation of clear objectives//


Words: fornicate
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Late Latin; Origin: fornicare, from  Latin fornix  ’brothel (= place for buying sex)’]//  a word meaning to have sex with someone who you are not married to - used to show strong disapproval//  -- fornication/f[hA350][hA359]n[hA369]ke[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ f[hA350][hA359]r-/ n  [U] //


Words: forsake
Meaning:
v   past tense  forsook /-s[hA35E]k///  past participle  forsaken /-se[hA366]k[hA353]n/ [T]  formal //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forsacan]//\n  1 to leave someone, especially when you should stay because they need you:   abandon//  --children forsaken by their parents//\n  2 to stop doing, using, or having something that you enjoy:   give up//  --She will never forsake her vegetarian principles.//\n  3 to leave a place, especially when you do not want to:  --He has forsaken his native Finland to live in Britain.//    godforsaken//


Words: Forster
Meaning:
E.M.   (1879-1970) an important British writer, famous for his novels  Howard’s End,  A Passage to India, and  A Room with a View.//


Words: forswear
Meaning:
v   past tense  forswore /-sw[hA350][hA359] $ -sw[hA350][hA359]r///  past participle  forsworn /-sw[hA350][hA359]n $ -sw[hA350][hA359]rn/ [T]  formal //  [Language: Old English; Origin: forswerian]//  to stop doing something or promise that you will stop doing something//   renounce//  --We are forswearing the use of chemical weapons for any reason.//


Words: fort
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin fortis  ’strong’]//  a strong building or group of buildings used by soldiers or an army for defending an important place//    hold the fort at hold1 (33)//


Words: Fort Knox
Meaning:
a military building in the US state of Kentucky which holds the government’s store of gold. People often use the name ’Fort Knox’ when talking about a place that is extremely well guarded or impossible to enter without permission//  --His house is like Fort Knox.//


Words: Fort Worth
Meaning:
a city in the northeast of the US state of Texas, near Dallas. It is a centre for farming, the oil industry, and the aircraft-building industry.//


Words: forte
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: fort (influenced by   FORTE1);   FORT]//\n  1  be sb’s forte:  to be something that you do well or are skilled at//  --He found that running long distances was not his forte .//  --As a writer, her forte is comedy.//\n  2 [C] a note or line of music played or sung loudly:\nforte 2   adj, adv  technical   played or sung loudly//  → piano//


Words: Fortean Times
Meaning:
the   a British magazine that gives news reports about strange and unusual events such as  ghosts or space vehicles from other  planets//


Words: Forth
Meaning:
the Forth//  a river in southern central Scotland which flows into the  Firth of Forth and the North Sea//


Words: forth
Meaning:
S2   adv   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1  and so forth:  used to refer to other things of the type you have already mentioned, without actually naming them//   et cetera//  --She started telling me about her bad back, her migraines, and so forth.//\n  2 [only after verb]  formal going out from a place or point, and moving forwards or outwards:  --The house was still burning, pouring forth thick black smoke.//    back and forth at back1 (11),  hold forth at hold1 ,  put forth at put,  sally forth at sally2 ,  set forth at set1 //


Words: Forth Bridge
Meaning:
1  the Forth Bridge:  a famous metal railway bridge built in 1889 over the Firth of Forth. People sometimes say that a job is "like painting the Forth Bridge" when they mean that it seems to never end, because the metal bridge takes a long time to paint, and when the job is finished it has to start again.//\n  2 a road bridge built in 1964 over the Firth of Forth. It is one of the longest  suspension bridges in the world.:


Words: forthcoming
Meaning:
adj \n  1 [only before noun] a forthcoming event, meeting etc is one that has been planned to happen soon:  --the forthcoming elections //  --Keep an eye on the noticeboards for forthcoming events .//\n  2 willing to give information about something:  → unforthcoming//  forthcoming about//  --IBM is usually pretty forthcoming about the markets for its products.//\n  3 [not before noun] if something is forthcoming, it is given or offered when needed - often used to say that this does not happen:  --When no reply was forthcoming, she wrote again.//


Words: forthright
Meaning:
adj   direct and honest - used in order to show approval//  --She answered in her usual forthright manner .//


Words: forthwith
Meaning:
adv  formal   immediately//  --He was fined [hA124]40, with 28 days’ imprisonment if the money was not produced forthwith.//


Words: fortification
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the process of making something stronger or more effective:\n  2  fortifications [plural] towers, walls etc built around a place in order to protect it or defend it:  --a site of ancient fortifications dating from about 500 B.C.//


Words: fortify
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  fortified present participle  fortifying third person singular  fortifies  [T] //  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: fortifier, from  Latin fortis  ’strong’]//\n  1 to build towers, walls etc around an area or city in order to defend it:  --The town was heavily fortified.//\n  2 to encourage an attitude or feeling and make it stronger:   strengthen//  --Her position was fortified by election successes and economic recovery.//\n  3  written to make someone feel physically or mentally stronger:  fortify yourself (with sth)//  --We fortified ourselves with a breakfast of bacon and eggs.//\n  4 [usually passive] to make food or drinks more healthy by adding vitamins to them:  --fortified breakfast cereals//  fortify sth with sth//  --foods fortified with vitamin B//


Words: fortissimo
Meaning:
adj, adv   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: ’loudest’, from  forte;   FORTE1]//  music that is fortissimo is played or sung very loudly//  → pianissimo//    forte//


Words: fortitude
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: fortitudo, from  fortis  ’strong’]//  courage shown when you are in great pain or experiencing a lot of trouble//   strength//  --Winnie is a woman of quiet fortitude who has endured a lot of suffering.//


Words: fortnight
Meaning:
S3   n [C usually singular]  BrE   [Language: Old English; Origin: feowertyne niht  ’fourteen nights’]//  two weeks//  --a fortnight’s holiday//  --in a fortnight’s time//  --a fortnight ago//


Words: fortnightly
Meaning:
adj, adv  BrE   happening every fortnight or once a fortnight//  --We used to dread my uncle’s fortnightly visits.//


Words: fortress
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: forteresse  ’strong place’, from  Latin fortis  ’strong’]//  a large strong building used for defending an important place//


Words: fortuitous
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: fortuitus, from  fors  ’chance, luck’]//  happening by chance, especially in a way that has a good result//  --The meeting with Jack was fortuitous.//  -- fortuitously adv //


Words: fortunate
Meaning:
S3   adj \n  1 someone who is fortunate has something good happen to them, or is in a good situation:   lucky//  fortunate to do sth//  --I’ve been fortunate to find a career that I love.//  --I was fortunate enough to obtain a research studentship at Stanford.//  fortunate in doing sth//  --She felt fortunate in being able to please herself where she lived.//  fortunate that//  --I’m fortunate that I have such an understanding wife.//  more/less fortunate than sb //  --We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers.//\n  2 a fortunate event is one in which something good happens by chance, especially when this saves you from trouble or danger:   lucky//  --By a fortunate coincidence, a passer-by heard her cries for help.//\n  3  the less fortunate:  people who are poor//  --We should all consider the plight of the less fortunate.//


Words: fortunately
Meaning:
adv [sentence adverb]   happening because of good luck//   luckily//  --Fortunately, everything worked out all right in the end.//


Words: fortune
Meaning:
W3S3   n   ----------//\n   1 money:\n   2 chance:\n   3 what happens to you:\n   4 tell somebody’s fortune:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: Latin fortuna]//\n  1 MONEY:   [C] a very large amount of money//  --He made a fortune selling property in Spain.//  --My first painting sold for [hA124]25, a small fortune then for an art student.//  --Bill Traylor died in poverty in 1947, but his art is worth a fortune .//  --The carpet must have cost a fortune .//  --It is quite easy to decorate your house without spending a fortune .//  --Her personal fortune was recently estimated at [hA124]37 million.//\n  2 CHANCE:   [U] chance or luck, and the effect that it has on your life//  --I had the good fortune to work with a brilliant head of department.//  --Sickness or ill fortune could reduce you to a needy situation.//  --I felt it was useless to struggle against fortune.//\n  3 WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU:   [C usually plural] the good or bad things that happen in life//  --a downturn in the company’s fortunes//  --This defeat marked a change in the team’s fortunes.//  --The geographical position of the frontier fluctuated with the fortunes of war  (=the things that can happen during a war) .//\n  4  tell sb’s fortune:  to tell someone what will happen to them in the future by looking at their hands, using cards etc//    soldier of fortune,  fame and fortune at fame,  a hostage to fortune at hostage(3),  seek your fortune at seek(4)//\nFortune 500, the   the 500 largest companies in the US, which are named in a yearly list in  Fortune magazine.//  --She’s a vice-president of a Fortune 500 company.//


Words: fortune cookie
Meaning:
n [C]   a biscuit served in Chinese restaurants, containing a piece of paper that says what is supposed to happen to you in the future//


Words: fortune-teller
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who uses cards or looks at people’s hands in order to tell them what is supposed to happen to them in the future//  -- fortune telling n  [U] //


Words: forty
Meaning:
number   [Language: Old English; Origin: feowertig, from  feower  ’four’]//\n  1 the number 40:\n  2  the forties [plural]  also  the ’40s, the 1940s:  the years from 1940 to 1949//  --The place was built as a casino in the forties.//  the early/mid/late forties //  --He spent several years in Paris in the late forties.//\n  3  be in your forties:  to be aged between 40 and 49//  early/mid/late forties //  --The woman was probably in her mid forties.//\n  4  in the forties:  if the temperature is in the forties, it is between 40 degrees and 49 degrees//  in the low/mid/high forties //  --The temperature was up in the high forties.//  -- fortieth adj //  --her fortieth birthday//


Words: Forty-five
Meaning:
the   another name for the Jacobite Rising of 1745, when the Scottish prince, Bonnie Prince Charlie, led an attempt to bring back the Stuart family of Britain. It failed when his army was defeated at the Battle of Culloden//\nForty-Second Street  ,  42nd Street\n  1 a street in New York City, where there are many theatres:\n  2 a successful  musical (=a show that uses singing and dancing to tell a story)  that has been performed on stage and made into a film:


Words: forty-five
Meaning:
n \n  1 [number] 45:\n  2  also  45:   [C] a small record with one song on each side//\n  3  also .45 :   Colt 45//   [C]  trademark a small gun//


Words: forum
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin]//\n  1 an organization, meeting, TV programme etc where people have a chance to publicly discuss an important subject:  forum for//  --The journal aims to provide a forum for discussion and debate.//  forum on//  --the new national forum on the environment//\n  2 a group of computer users who are interested in a particular subject and discuss it using email or the Internet:\n  3 a large outdoor public place in ancient Rome used for business and discussion:


Words: forward
Meaning:
1 towards a place or position that is in front of you:  → backwards//  --He leaned forward , his elbows resting on the table.//  --The crowd surged forwards.//  --She took another small step forward.//\n  2 towards greater progress, improvement, or development:  --We agreed that the sensible way forward was for a new company to be formed.//  --After the Labour Party conference, he stated that we could now go forward as a united party.//  --’Britain is now ready to move forward ’ he said.//\n  3 towards the future in a way that is hopeful:  → backwards//  --I felt that at last I could begin to look forward .//\n  4  from that/this day/time/moment etc forward:  beginning on that day or at that time//  --They never met again from that day forward.//\n  5  go forward to/into:  to successully complete one stage of a competition so that you are able to compete in the next stage//  --South Korea went forward into the next round of the World Cup. //\n  6 if you put a clock or a watch forward, you change it so that it shows a later time, for example when the time changes to British Summer Time:  → back//  --We  put our watches forward  by 2 hours.//  -- The clocks go forward  this weekend.//\n  7 in or towards the front part of a ship:    fast-forward,  look forward to sth at look1 ,  backwards and forwards at backwards(5)//\nforward 2 W3S2 adj   [Language: Old English; Origin: foreweard, from  fore- +  -ward]//\n  1 [only before noun] closer to a person, place, or position that is in front of you:  → backward//  --Army roadblocks prevented any further forward movement .//  --Always enter or leave a helicopter from a forward direction.//\n  2  forward planning/thinking:  plans, ideas etc that are helpful in a way that prepares you for the future//  --With a bit of forward planning we make sure your budget goes as far as possible.//\n  3  no further forward:  not having made much progress, especially compared to what was expected//  --We are no further forward in solving the crime.//\n  4 [only before noun] at or near the front of a ship, vehicle, building etc:  → rear//  --We sat in one of the forward sections of the train.//\n  5  formal too confident and friendly in dealing with people you do not know very well:  --My father thinks she’s far too forward for a young girl.//\nforward 3 v [T] \n  1 to send letters, goods etc to someone when they have moved to a different address:   send on//  --Would you make sure that you forward my mail promptly?//\n  2 to send letters, information etc to someone:  forward sth to sb//  --Flight times will be forwarded to you with your travel documentation.//\n  3  formal to help something to develop so that it becomes successful:   further//  --I see this new responsibility as a good chance to forward my career.//\nforward 4 n [C]   an attacking player on a team in sports such as football and basketball//    back, defender//


Words: forward roll
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a movement in gymnastics in which you roll over forwards onto your back so that your feet go over your head//


Words: forward-looking
Meaning:
adj   planning for and thinking about the future in a positive way, especially by being willing to use modern methods or ideas//    backward-looking//  --a forward-looking Russian statesman//


Words: forwarding address
Meaning:
n [C]   an address that you leave for someone when you move to a new place so that they can send your letters etc to you//  --Did she leave a forwarding address ?//


Words: Fosse Way
Meaning:
the Fosse Way//  a road between Lincoln in eastern England and Exeter in southwest England, built in ancient times by the Romans//


Words: Fossey
Meaning:
Dian   (1932-85) a US scientist who became famous for her study of mountain gorillas. She lived among the gorillas in Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo) during the 1960s and wrote a book called Gorillas in the Mist (1983). She was murdered in her forest camp in Rwanda in 1985.//


Words: fossil
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: fossilis  ’dug up’, from  fodere  ’to dig’]//\n  1 an animal or plant that lived many thousands of years ago and that has been preserved, or the shape of one of these animals or plants that has been preserved in rock:  --fossils of early reptiles//  --Marine sponges have a long fossil record  (=their development has been recorded over a long period) .//    living fossil//\n  2  informal an insulting word for an old person:


Words: fossil fuel
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a fuel such as coal or oil that is produced by the very gradual decaying of animals or plants over millions of years//  --Environmentalists would like to see fossil fuels replaced by renewable energy sources.//


Words: fossilize
Meaning:
also  fossilise BrE   v \n  1 [usually passive] if people, ideas, systems etc fossilize or are fossilized, they never change or develop, even when there are good reasons why they should change:  --Most couples, however fossilized their relationship, have some interests in common.//\n  2 [I and T] to become or form a fossil by being preserved in rock:  --fossilized dinosaur bones//  -- fossilization/f[hA361]s[hA369]la[hA366]ze[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ f[hA35A][hA359]s[hA369]l[hA353]-/ n  [U] //


Words: Foster
Meaning:
Lord Norman   (1935- ) a British  architect (=someone who designs buildings)  who has won many prizes for his designs, and works mainly in a very modern  high-tech style//\n Stephen   (1826-64) a US songwriter who wrote many popular songs, such as  Oh Susanna,  Camptown Races, and  Old Folks at Home, which were often about life in the  South of the US//


Words: foster
Meaning:
v \n  1 [T] to help a skill, feeling, idea etc develop over a period of time:   encourage, promote//  --The bishop helped foster the sense of a community embracing all classes.//\n  2 [I and T] to take someone else’s child into your family for a period of time but without becoming their legal parent:    adopt//  --The couple wanted to adopt a black child they had been fostering.//\nfoster 2 adj   [Language: Old English; Origin: fostor-, from  fostor  ’food, feeding’]//\n  1  foster mother/father/parents:  the people who foster a child//  --It is sometimes difficult to find suitable foster parents.//\n  2  foster child/son/daughter:  a child who is fostered//\n  3  foster brother/sister:  someone who has different parents from you, but who is being brought up in the same family//\n  4  foster home:  a private home where a child is fostered//


Words: Foucault
Meaning:
Jean Bernard Leon   (1819-68) a French scientist who studied the speed of light. He invented Foucault’s Pendulum, an object that swings on a wire and shows how the Earth spins around. He also invented the  gyroscope.//


Words: foul
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 smell/taste:\n   2 in a foul mood/temper:\n   3 air/water:\n   4 foul language:\n   5 weather:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: ful]//\n  1 SMELL/TASTE:  a foul smell or taste is very unpleasant//   disgusting//  --He woke up with a foul taste in his mouth.//  --a pile of foul-smelling garbage//  --He put down his mug of foul-tasting coffee.//\n  2  in a foul mood/temper:   BrE in a very bad temper and likely to get angry//  --The argument with his mother left Putt in a foul mood.//\n  3 AIR/WATER:  very dirty//  --Refugees in the camps are short of food and at risk from foul water.//  --extractor fans to remove foul air from the tunnel//\n  4  foul language:  rude and offensive words//  --She claimed she had been subjected to abuse and foul language.//\n  5 WEATHER:   especially  BrE foul weather is stormy and windy, with a lot of rain or snow//  --Always carry foul weather gear when you go out walking.//  -- foully adv //  -- foulness n  [U] //    by fair means or foul at fair1 (11),  fall foul of sb/sth at fall1 (15)//\nfoul 2 v \n  1 :  a)  [T] if a sports player fouls another player, they do something that is not allowed by the rules//  b)  [I and T] to hit a ball outside the limit of the playing area in baseball//\n  2  also foul up :   [T]  formal to make something very dirty, especially with waste//  --rivers and lakes fouled almost beyond recovery by pollutants//  foul up phr v//\n  1 to do something wrong or spoil something by making mistakes:    foul-up//  --We can’t afford to foul up this time.//  foul sth → up//  --Glen completely fouled up the seating arrangements.//\n  2  foul sth → up:  to make something very dirty, especially with waste//  --He lit a cigarette and started to foul up the air with stinging yellow smoke.//\nfoul 3 n [C] \n  1 an action in a sport that is against the rules:  --Wright was booked for a foul on the goalkeeper.//\n  2 a hit in baseball which goes outside the limits of the playing area:


Words: foul play
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 if the police think someone’s death was caused by foul play, they think that person was murdered:  --The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play .//  --Detectives have not ruled out foul play .//\n  2 an action that is dishonest, unfair, or illegal, especially one that happens during a sports game:


Words: foul-up
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   a problem caused by a stupid or careless mistake//    foul up//  --a computer system foul-up//


Words: found
Meaning:
v   the past tense and past participle of find//\nfound 2 W3 v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: fonder, from  Latin fundus  ’bottom’]//\n  1 to start something such as an organization, company, school, or city, often by providing the necessary money:   establish//  --Founded in 1935 in Ohio, Alcoholics Anonymous is now a world-wide organization.//  --Eton College was founded by Henry VI in 1440.//\n  2  be founded on/upon sth:  a) to be the main idea, belief etc that something else develops from//   be based on something//  --The British parliamentary system is founded on debate and opposition.//  b) to be the solid layer of cement, stones etc that a building is built on//  --The castle is founded on solid rock.//\n  3  technical to melt metal and pour it into a mould (=a hollow shape) , to make things such as tools and parts for machines:  -- founding n  [U] //  --the founding of the University of Chicago//    well-founded//


Words: foundation
Meaning:
W2   n   ----------//\n   1 building:\n   2 basic idea:\n   3 organization:\n   4 establishment:\n   5 be without foundation:\n   6 lay/provide the foundation(s) for something:\n   7 skin:\n   8 shake/rock the foundations of something:  ----------//\n  1 BUILDING:   [C] the solid layer of cement, bricks, stones etc that is put under a building to support it//  --It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations .//  --The earthquake shook the foundations of the house.//\n  2 BASIC IDEA:   [C] a basic idea, principle, situation etc that something develops from//  foundation of//  --All theories should be built on a foundation of factual knowledge.//  solid/firm foundation //  --The course gives students a solid foundation in the basics of computing.//\n  3 ORGANIZATION:   [C] an organization that gives or collects money to be used for special purposes, especially for charity or for medical  research//  --the British Heart Foundation//\n  4 ESTABLISHMENT:   [U] the establishment of an organization, business, school etc//   founding//  --The school has served the community since its foundation in 1835.//\n  5  be without foundation:   also have no foundation //   formal if a statement, idea etc is without foundation, there is no proof that it is true//   be groundless//  --Davis dismissed the allegations as being without foundation.//\n  6  lay/provide the foundation(s) for sth:  to provide the conditions that will make it possible for something to be successful//  --Careful planning laid the foundations for the nation’s economic miracle.//\n  7 SKIN:   [U] a cream in the same colour as your skin that you put on before the rest of your make-up//\n  8  shake/rock the foundations of sth:   also shake/rock sth to its foundations //  to completely change the way something is done or the way people think by having a completely new idea//  --Darwin’s theory rocked the scientific establishment to its foundations.//


Words: foundation course
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a general course of study that introduces students to a subject, and is taught in the first year at some universities in Britain//


Words: foundation stone
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a large stone that is placed at the base of a new building, usually by an important person as part of a ceremony:\n  2 the facts, ideas, principles etc that form the base from which something else develops:  --Greek and Latin were once viewed as the foundation stones of a good education.//


Words: founder
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who establishes a business, organization, school etc//\nfounder 2 v [I]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: fondrer, from  Latin fundus  ’bottom’]//\n  1 to fail after a period of time because something has gone wrong:  --Their marriage began to founder soon after the honeymoon.//  founder on//  --The talks foundered on disagreements between the two parties.//\n  2 if a ship or boat founders, it fills with water and sinks:  founder on//  --The ship foundered on the rocks.//


Words: founder member
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone who has helped to establish a new organization, club etc and is one of its first members//  American Equivalent:  charter member//


Words: founding
Meaning:
n [singular]   the establishment of an organization, business, school etc//   foundation//  --the founding of the African National Congress in 1912//


Words: founding father
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who begins something such as a new way of thinking, or a new organization//  founding father of//  --Saint Basil, one of the founding fathers of the Greek Orthodox Church//


Words: Founding Fathers
Meaning:
the   the group of men including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin who helped to start the US as a country and to establish its government. They wrote the US’s most important political documents, including the  Declaration of Independence, the  Constitution of the United States, and the  Bill of Rights.//


Words: foundling
Meaning:
n [C]  old use   a baby who has been left by its parents, and is found and looked after by other people//


Words: foundry
Meaning:
n   plural  foundries  [C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: fonderie, from  fondre  ’to melt’, from  Latin fundere  ’to pour, melt’]//  a place where metals are melted and poured into moulds (=hollow shapes) to make parts for machines, tools etc//  --an iron foundry //


Words: fount
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: fountain]//  the fount of all knowledge/wisdom etc//   literary the place, person, idea etc that all knowledge, wisdom etc comes from//


Words: fountain
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: fontaine, from  Latin fons  ’place where water comes out of the ground’]//\n  1 a structure from which water is pushed up into the air, used for example as decoration in a garden or park:\n  2 a flow of liquid, or of something bright and colourful that goes straight up into the air:  fountain of//  --A fountain of blood was pouring from his chest.//  --A fountain of sparks shot high into the night sky.//\n  3  fountain of sth:   written a source or supply of something//  --Sir Robert was a fountain of information on Asian affairs.//    drinking fountain,  soda fountain//


Words: Fountain of Youth
Meaning:
the   in old stories, a flow of water which was supposed to make anyone who drank from it stay young for ever//


Words: Fountains Abbey
Meaning:
an abbey, built in the 12th century, in North Yorkshire, England where  Cistercian monks (=members of an all-male religious group)  lived. It is now a  ruin and is visited by many tourists.//


Words: four
Meaning:
number, n   [Language: Old English; Origin: feower]//\n  1 the number 4:  --She is married with four children.//  --They arrived just after four (=four o’clock) .//  --Luke will soon be four (=four years old) .//\n  2  on all fours:  supporting your body with your hands and knees//  --He was down on all fours playing with the puppy.//\n  3  in fours:  in groups of four people or things//  --The boxes were stacked in fours.//    foursome//\n  4 [C] a hit in cricket that scores four runs because it goes over the edge of the playing area:\n  5 [C] a team of four people who row a racing boat, or the boat that they row:\n  6  the four corners of the Earth/world:   literary places or countries that are very far away from each other//  --People from the four corners of the world have come to Ontario to make it their home.//    four ply at ply2 //


Words: Four Freedoms
Meaning:
the   the four things that US President Franklin  Roosevelt said were worth fighting for in a speech he made in 1941, before the US entered World War II. They are Freedom of Speech and Expression, Freedom of  worship (=practising your religion) , Freedom from  want (=not having enough food, money, etc) , and Freedom from Fear.//


Words: Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Meaning:
the   in the Bible, four men who ride horses and represent the four things that cause people the greatest pain and suffering, namely war,  famine (=lack of food) , death, and  pestilence (=serious disease) //


Words: Four Seasons
Meaning:
The   a piece of music by  Vivaldi which represents spring, summer, autumn, and winter and is one of the best-known and most popular pieces of  classical music//\nfour-by-four  4x4 n [C]   a vehicle that has four wheels and a four-wheel drive//


Words: four-leaf clover
Meaning:
also four-leaved clover  BrE  n [C]   a clover plant that has four leaves instead of the usual three, and is considered to be lucky//


Words: four-letter word
Meaning:
n [C]   a word that is considered very rude and offensive, especially one relating to sex or body waste//   swearword//


Words: four-poster bed
Meaning:
also four-poster  n [C]   a bed with four tall posts at the corners, a cover fixed at the top of the posts, and curtains around the sides//


Words: four-wheel drive
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a system in a vehicle which gives the power of the engine to all four wheels to make it easier to drive, or a vehicle that has this type of system//


Words: fourfold
Meaning:
adj, adv   four times as much or as many//  --a fourfold increase in price//  --Profits rose fourfold.//


Words: foursome
Meaning:
n [C]   a group of four people, especially two men and two women, who come together for a social activity or sport//  --Jim and Tina made up a foursome with Jean and Bruce.//


Words: fourteen
Meaning:
number   [Language: Old English; Origin: feowertiene, from  feower  ’four’ +  tien  ’ten’]//  the number 14//  --He used to work fourteen hours a day.//  --I started playing the guitar when I was fourteen (=14 years old) .//  -- fourteenth adj  pron //  --in the fourteenth century//  --my fourteenth birthday//  --I’m planning to leave on the fourteenth  (=the 14th day of the month) .//


Words: Fourteenth Amendment
Meaning:
the   a part of the US Constitution which gave former  slaves the right to be US citizens. It gives all citizens the right to be protected by the law.//


Words: fourth
Meaning:
adj   [Language: Old English; Origin: feortha, from  feower  ’four’]//  coming after three other things in a series//  --in the fourth century//  --her fourth birthday//  -- fourth pron //  -- fourthly adv //\nfourth 2 pron   the fourth thing in a series//  --the fourth of July//\nfourth 3 n [C]   [hA13D]; one of four equal parts//  one-fourth/three-fourths //    quarter1 (1)//


Words: fourth dimension
Meaning:
n   the fourth dimension//  an expression meaning ’time’, used especially by scientists and writers of science fiction//


Words: fourth estate
Meaning:
n   the fourth estate//  newspapers, news magazines, television and radio news, the people who work for them, and the political influence that they have//   press//


Words: Fourth of July
Meaning:
a national holiday in the US that celebrates the beginning of the United States as a nation; //   Independence Day//  --a Fourth of July picnic//


Words: fowl
Meaning:
n   plural  fowl  or  fowls  [U and C] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: fugel]//\n  1 a bird, such as a chicken, that is kept for its meat and eggs, or the meat of this type of bird:\n  2  old use any bird:


Words: Fowler
Meaning:
Henry Watson   (1858-1933) a British writer of dictionaries of the English language. He is known especially for his  Dictionary of Modern English Usage.//


Words: fox
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin:]//\n  1 [C] a wild animal like a dog with reddish-brown fur, a pointed face, and a thick tail:\n  2 [C]  informal someone who is clever and good at deceiving people:  --He was a sly old fox.//\n  3 [U] the skin and fur of a fox, used to make clothes:\n  4 [C]  AmE  informal someone who is sexually attractive:\nfox 2 v [T]  BrE  informal \n  1 to be too difficult for someone to do or understand:  --We were foxed by the problem.//\n  2 to confuse or deceive someone in a clever way:\nFox|also Fox Broadcasting Company   one of the main national television networks in the US. The others are ABC,  CBS, and  NBC. Fox is the newest of the main US television networks, and is part of Rupert  Murdoch ’s company, News Corporation.//


Words: Fox and the Grapes
Meaning:
The   a  fable (=a traditional short story that teaches a moral lesson)  by  Aesop in which a  fox tries many times to reach some  grapes that are hanging above his head. When he realizes that he will never be able to reach them, he pretends that he never wanted them, saying "They’re probably  sour (=having an unpleasant acid taste)  anyway". This attitude is called  sour grapes.//


Words: foxhole
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a hole in the ground that soldiers use to fire from or hide from the enemy:\n  2 a hole in the ground where a fox lives:


Words: foxtrot
Meaning:
n [C]   a formal dance which combines short quick steps with long slow steps, or a piece of music for this dance//  -- foxtrot v  [I] //


Words: foxy
Meaning:
adj \n  1  informal  especially AmE sexually attractive:   sexy//  --a foxy lady //\n  2 like a fox in appearance:  --a foxy face //\n  3 skilful at deceiving people:   cunning//


Words: foyer
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: Latin focus;   FOCUS1]//\n  1 a room or hall at the entrance to a public building:   lobby//  hotel/theatre/cinema etc foyer //\n  2  AmE a small room or hall at the entrance to a house or apartment:


Words: FPO
Meaning:
the written abbreviation of field post office or fleet post office , used as part of the address of someone in the American navy or army//


Words: Fr
Meaning:
BrE  Fr. AmE \n  1 a written abbreviation of Father , used before the name of a priest:\n  2 a written abbreviation of franc :\n  3 the written abbreviation of French :\n  4 the written abbreviation of France :


Words: fracas
Meaning:
n [singular]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Italian fracassare  ’to break in pieces’]//  a short noisy fight involving several people//  --Eight people were injured in the fracas.//


Words: fractal
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: Latin fractus;   FRACTION]//  a pattern, usually produced by a computer, that is made by repeating the same shape many times in smaller and smaller sizes//


Words: fraction
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: fractio, from  Latin fractus, past participle of  frangere  ’to break’]//\n  1 a very small amount of something:  fraction of//  --I got these shoes at a fraction of the original price.//  --She paused for a fraction of a second.//\n  2 a part of a whole number in mathematics, such as [hA13E] or [hA13F]:


Words: fractional
Meaning:
adj \n  1 very small in amount:   tiny//  --a fractional increase //  --There was a fractional hesitation before he said yes.//\n  2  technical happening or done in a series of steps:\n  3  technical relating to fractions, in mathematics:  -- fractionally adv //


Words: fractious
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: fraction  ’lack of agreement’ (16-18 centuries)]//  someone who is fractious becomes angry very easily//   irritable//  --Children become fractious when they are tired.//  fractious baby/child etc //  -- fractiousness n  [U] //


Words: fracture
Meaning:
v [I and T] \n  1 if a bone or other hard substance fractures, or if it is fractured, it breaks or cracks:  --The immense pressure causes the rock to fracture.//  fracture your leg/arm/hip etc //  --He fractured his right leg during training.//\n  2 if a group, country etc fractures, or if it is fractured, it divides into parts in an unfriendly way because of disagreement:   split//  --The opposition has been fractured by bitter disputes.//\nfracture 2 n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: fractura, from  fractus;   FRACTION]//  a crack or broken part in a bone or other hard substance//  --a stress fracture in his left knee//  --a hairline fracture  (=very thin crack) //  --a fractured shoulder//    compound fracture,  simple fracture//


Words: fractured
Meaning:
adj   broken or cracked//  fractured skull/jaw/rib etc //  --She suffered a fractured skull in the accident.//


Words: fragile
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: fragilis;   FRAIL]//\n  1 easily broken or damaged:   delicate//  → strong//  --fragile bones//  --Be careful with that vase - it’s very fragile.//\n  2 a fragile situation is one that is weak or uncertain, and likely to become worse under pressure:  → strong//  --the country’s fragile economy //  --Relations between the two countries are in a fragile state .//  --the party’s fragile unity//\n  3  fragile health:  a weak physical condition because of illness//\n  4 thin and delicate:  --fragile beauty//\n  5  BrE if someone feels fragile they feel ill, especially because they have drunk too much alcohol:  -- fragility/fr[hA353]d[hA360][hA366]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: fragment
Meaning:
W3   n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: fragmentum, from  frangere  ’to break’]//  a small piece of something that has broken off or that comes from something larger//  --glass fragments//  fragment of//  --fragments of broken pottery//\nfragment 2   v [I and T]   to break something, or be broken into a lot of small separate parts - used to show disapproval//  --the dangers of fragmenting the Health Service//  -- fragmented adj //  --a fragmented society//  -- fragmentation/fr[zB024]gm[hA353]nte[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n, -men-/ n  [U] //


Words: fragrance
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] a pleasant smell:   scent//  fragrance of//  --the rich fragrance of a garden flower//\n  2 [C] a liquid that you put on your body to make it smell pleasant:   perfume, scent//


Words: fragrant
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  fragrare  ’to smell nice’]//  having a pleasant smell//  --fragrant flowers//  -- fragrantly adv //


Words: frail
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: fraile, from  Latin fragilis, from  frangere  ’to break’]//\n  1 someone who is frail is weak and thin because they are old or ill:  -- frail elderly people //  --her frail health //  frail body/physique //  mentally/physically frail //\n  2 something that is frail is easily damaged or broken:   fragile//  --It seemed impossible that these frail boats could survive in such a storm.//  --the country’s frail economy//


Words: frailty
Meaning:
n   plural  frailties //\n  1 [U] the lack of strength or health:   weakness//  frailty of//  --the frailty of her thin body//\n  2 [U and C] something bad or weak in your character:   weakness//  -- human frailties //


Words: frame
Meaning:
W3S3   n   ----------//\n   1 border:\n   2 structure:\n   3 body:\n   4 glasses:\n   5 main facts/ideas:\n   6 be in/out of the frame (for something):\n   7 film:\n   8 sport:\n   9 internet:  ----------//\n  1 BORDER:   [C] a structure made of wood, metal, plastic etc that surrounds something such as a picture or window, and holds it in place//  --They removed the picture from its wooden frame.//  door/window/picture frame //\n  2 STRUCTURE:   [C] the structure or main supporting parts of a piece of furniture, vehicle, or other object//  --a bicycle frame //  --the frame of the chair//\n  3 BODY:   [C] the general shape formed by the bones of someone’s body//  large/thin/slight etc frame //\n  4 GLASSES:   [C usually plural] the metal or plastic part of a pair of glasses that holds the lenses//\n  5 MAIN FACTS/IDEAS:   [C usually singular] the main ideas, facts etc that something is based on//  --A clear explanation of the subject provides a frame on which a deeper understanding can be built.//  --Some comments may or may not be understood as harassment, depending on your frame of reference  (=knowledge and beliefs that influence the way you think) .//\n  6  be in/out of the frame (for sth):  to have or not have the chance to take part in something//   be in/out of the running (for something)//  --Liverpool are in the frame for a place in the Cup Final.//\n  7 FILM:   [C] an area of film that contains one photograph, or one of the series of separate photographs that make up a film or video//\n  8 SPORT:   [C] a complete part in the games of snooker or bowling//  --I won the next three frames.//\n  9 INTERNET:   [C] one of the areas into which a webpage is divided//    climbing frame,  cold frame,  frame of mind at mind1 (15)//\nframe 2 v [T]   [Language: Old English; Origin: framian  ’to be helpful to, make progress’]//\n  1 to surround something with something else so that it looks attractive or can be seen clearly:  --Sarah’s face was framed by her long dark hair.//  --She stood there, framed against the doorway.//\n  2 to put a picture in a structure that will hold it firmly:  --I’m going to get the picture framed .//  --a framed photograph //\n  3 to deliberately make someone seem guilty of a crime when they are not guilty, by lying to the police or in a court of law:   set up//  --Needham’s lawyers claimed that he had been framed by the police.//  frame sb for sth//  --The two men were framed for murder.//\n  4  formal to carefully plan the way you are going to ask a question, make a statement etc:  --She wondered how she was going frame the question.//\n  5  formal to organize and develop a plan, system etc:  --Newman played a central role in framing the new law.//\n  6  gilt-framed/wood-framed etc:  having a frame or frames of a particular colour or material//  --wire-framed spectacles//


Words: framework
Meaning:
W3   n [C] \n  1 [usually singular] a set of ideas, rules, or beliefs from which something is developed, or on which decisions are based:  framework of/for//  --This paper provides a framework for future research.//\n  2  social/legal/political etc framework:  the structure of a society, a legal or political system etc//  --We have to act within the existing legal framework.//\n  3 the main supporting parts of a building, vehicle, or object:  --the metal framework of the roof//


Words: franc
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French]//  the standard unit of money in various countries, and used in France and Belgium before the euro//


Words: France
Meaning:
a country in western Europe and a member of the  EU. Population: 59,551,000 (2001). Capital: Paris. France is famous especially for its art, good food, and fine wines.//    French//


Words: franchise
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: franchir  ’to set free’, from  franc;   FRANK1]//\n  1 :  a)  [U and C] permission given by a company to someone who wants to sell its goods or services//  --a franchise holder //  --a franchise agreement //  under franchise//  --The beer is brewed in Britain under franchise.//  b)  [C] a business that operates as a franchise//\n  2 [C]  AmE a professional sports team:\n  3 [U]  formal the legal right to vote in your country’s elections:\nfranchise 2 v [T]   to give or sell a franchise to someone//


Words: franchisor
Meaning:
franchiser/fr[zB024]nt[hA35D]a[hA366]z[hA353] $ -[hA353]r/ n [C]   a company that sells a franchise//


Words: Francis of Assisi
Meaning:
St   (1182-1226) an Italian Christian leader who started the Franciscan  order (=a group of religious men who live and pray together) . He is famous for his love of nature, and is often shown in pictures surrounded by birds and animals.//


Words: Francis Xavier
Meaning:
St   (1506-52) a Spanish Christian  missionary (=someone who goes to a foreign country to teach people about Christianity)  who travelled to India, southeast Asia, and Japan, and who helped to start the  Jesuit missionary (=a group of Roman Catholic priests) //


Words: Franciscan
Meaning:
1  the Franciscans:  a Christian religious group begun by St  Francis of Assisi in 1209, whose members live a holy life according to strict rules//\n  2 a member of this group:  -- Franciscan adj //


Words: Franco
Meaning:
Francisco   (1892-1975) a Spanish military leader and  right-wing politician. He led the Nationalist side in the  Spanish Civil War (1936-39), and ruled Spain as a  dictator until his death.//


Words: Franco-
Meaning:
prefix [in nouns and adjectives]   [Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: Francus  ’Frenchman’]//\n  1 relating to France:  --a Francophile (=someone who loves France) //\n  2 French and something else:  --the Franco-Belgian border//


Words: Francophone
Meaning:
francophone/fr[zB024][hA26E]k[hA353][hA35E]f[hA353][hA35E]n $ -ko[hA35E]fo[hA35E]n/ adj   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Franco- +  Greek phone  ’voice’]//  having French as a first or main language//  Francophone countries/nations/communities //  -- Francophone n  [C] //


Words: Franglais
Meaning:
n [U]  informal   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: Fran[hA168]ais  ’French’ +  Anglais  ’English’]//  a mixture of the French and English languages//


Words: Frank
Meaning:
Anne   (1929-45) a Jewish girl who wrote a famous diary, in which she describes her life while she and her family were hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. The family was eventually discovered, and sent to the Nazi concentration camp of  Belsen, where most of them died.//


Words: frank
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: ’free, generous’, from  Late Latin Francus  ’Frank’ (because the Franks, an ancient German people, were given political freedom in France)]//\n  1 honest and truthful:  be frank with sb//  --He was completely frank with her about what happened.//  be frank about sth//  --She was quite frank about the whole thing.//  frank discussion/interview/exchange of views etc //\n  2  to be frank:   spoken used when you are going to say something that is true, but which other people may not like//  --To be perfectly frank, I think it’s a bad idea.//  -- frankness n  [U] //\nfrank 2 v [T]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  FRANK1]//  to print a sign on an envelope showing that the cost of sending it has been paid//    franking machine//\nfrank 3 n [C]  AmE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: frankfurter]//  a frankfurter//


Words: frankenfood
Meaning:
[C usually plural]  informal   food that has been produced by plants that were genetically modified - used when you disapprove of this process//


Words: Frankenstein
Meaning:
a novel by Mary  Shelley, which was published in 1818 and tells the story of a scientist, called Frankenstein, who makes a creature by joining together bits of dead bodies. The creature is gentle at first, but later becomes violent and attacks its maker. People sometimes mistakenly call the creature Frankenstein, instead of the scientist who made it.//


Words: frankfurter
Meaning:
n  also frank  AmE [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: German; Origin: Frankfurt, German city where it was first made]//  a long reddish smoked sausage//


Words: frankincense
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  FRANK1 ’pure, free’ +  incense]//  a substance that is burnt to give a sweet smell, especially at religious ceremonies//


Words: franking machine
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a machine used by businesses that puts a mark on letters and packages to show that postage has been paid//  American Equivalent:  postage meter//    frank//


Words: Franklin
Meaning:
Benjamin   (1706-90) a US politician, writer, and scientist. Franklin was involved in writing the  Declaration of Independence and the  Constitution of the United States. He is famous for proving that  lightning is a form of electricity by doing a scientific test in which he flew a  kite during a storm, and he invented the  lightning conductor. He also wrote  Poor Richard’s Almanack (1732-57).//


Words: frankly
Meaning:
S3   adv \n  1 used to show that you are saying what you really think about something:  --Frankly, I think the Internet is overrated.//  --His behaviour was frankly disgraceful.//\n  2 honestly and directly:  --She answered all our questions frankly.//  --Nicholas frankly admitted that the report was a pack of lies.//


Words: frantic
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: frenetic]//\n  1 extremely worried and frightened about a situation, so that you cannot control your feelings:  get/become frantic //  --There was still no news of Jill, and her parents were getting frantic.//  frantic with//  --Your mother’s been frantic with worry wondering where you’ve been.//\n  2 extremely hurried and using a lot of energy, but not very organized:   hectic//  --I spent three frantic days trying to get everything ready.//  frantic effort/attempt //  --Despite our frantic efforts, we were unable to save the boy’s life.//  frantic pace/rush/haste etc //  --There was a frantic rush to escape from the building.//  --a day of frantic activity //  --a frantic search for her father//  -- frantically/-kli/ adv //  --He frantically searched for the key.//


Words: frat
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  informal   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: fraternity]//  a fraternity//  --a frat boy  (=member of a fraternity) //


Words: fraternal
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: fraternalis, from  Latin frater  ’brother’]//\n  1 showing a special friendliness to other people because you share interests or ideas with them:  --fraternal solidarity amongst union members//  fraternal association/organization/society //\n  2 relating to brothers:  --fraternal loyalty//  -- fraternally adv //


Words: fraternity
Meaning:
n   plural  fraternities //\n  1  the teaching/scientific/criminal etc fraternity:  all the people who work in a particular profession or share a particular interest//\n  2 [C] a club at an American college or university that has only male members:    sorority//\n  3 [U]  formal a feeling of friendship between members of a group:  --fraternity between nations//


Words: fraternize
Meaning:
also  fraternise BrE   v [I]   to be friendly with someone, especially if you have been ordered not to be friendly with them//  fraternize with//  --The troops were forbidden to fraternize with the enemy.//  -- fraternization/fr[zB024]t[hA353]na[hA366]ze[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ -t[hA353]rn[hA353]-/ n  [U] //


Words: fratricidal
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a fratricidal war or struggle is one in which people kill members of their own society or group//


Words: fratricide
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin fratricida  ’brother-killer’]//  the crime of murdering your brother or sister//


Words: fraud
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: fraude, from  Latin fraus  ’deceiving’]//\n  1 [U and C] the crime of deceiving people in order to gain something such as money or goods:  tax/insurance/credit card etc fraud //  --He’s been charged with tax fraud.//  -- electoral fraud //  --She was found guilty of fraud.//\n  2 [C] someone or something that is not what it is claimed to be:  --I felt like a fraud.//  --The police exposed the letter as a fraud.//


Words: Fraud Squad
Meaning:
n [singular]   the department in the British police force that examines  fraud (=the crime of deceiving people in order to gain something such as money or goods) //


Words: fraudulent
Meaning:
adj   intended to deceive people in an illegal way, in order to gain money, power etc//  --a fraudulent insurance claim //  --a fraudulent statement //  fraudulent activity/behaviour/conduct //  -- fraudulently adv //  --He was accused of fraudulently using a stolen credit card.//  -- fraudulence n  [U] //


Words: fraught
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Past participle of  fraught  ’to load, fill’ (14-19 centuries), from  Middle Dutch vracht  ’load’]//\n  1  fraught with problems/difficulties/danger etc:  full of problems etc//  --Their marriage has been fraught with difficulties.//\n  2 full of anxiety or worry:   tense//  --a fraught atmosphere //  --a fraught situation //  --Julie sounded rather fraught when I spoke to her.//


Words: fray
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: frayer, from  Latin fricare;   FRICTION]//\n  1 if cloth or other material frays, or if something frays it, the threads become loose because the material is old:  --The collar had started to fray on Jack’s raincoat.//  --He had frayed the bottom of his jeans.//\n  2 if someone’s temper or nerves fray, or if something frays them, they become annoyed:  -- Tempers soon began to fray .//  -- frayed adj //  --The carpet was badly frayed.//\nfray 2 n   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: affray]//  the fray//  an argument or fight//  --Three civilians were injured during the fray.//  into the fray//  --He launched himself into the fray.//  join/enter the fray //  --The other soldiers quickly joined the fray, launching missile attacks in the city.//


Words: Frazer
Meaning:
Sir James George   (1854-1941) a British writer on  anthropology (=the scientific study of people and their societies, and the way that their customs develop) , who wrote  The Golden Bough, a book about the connections between religion and magic//


Words: frazzle
Meaning:
n  BrE  informal \n  1  be burnt to a frazzle:  to be completely burnt//\n  2  be worn to a frazzle:  to feel very tired and anxious//


Words: frazzled
Meaning:
adj  informal   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  fazle  ’to twist together’ (15-19 centuries) (influenced by   FRAY1)]//  feeling tired and anxious, for example after a journey or because you are very busy//  --The meeting left me feeling completely frazzled.//


Words: FRCM
Meaning:
Fellow of the Royal College of Music someone who belongs to or has studied at the Royal College of Music in the UK//


Words: freak
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from  Old English frician  ’to dance’]//\n  1  informal someone who is extremely interested in a particular subject so that other people think they are strange or unusual:  --a fitness freak //  --a religious freak //  --a computer freak //\n  2 someone who is considered to be very strange because of the way they look, behave, or think:   weirdo//  --These glasses make me look like a freak.//  --Women who studied engineering used to be considered freaks.//\n  3  a control freak:  someone who always wants to control situations and other people//\n  4  also freak of nature :  something in nature that is very unusual//  --Due to some freak of nature, it snowed in June.//\n  5 an unexpected and very unusual event:  --By some freak of fate, he walked away from the crash completely unhurt.//  --April’s sales figures were a freak.//\nfreak 2 adj [only before noun]   unexpected and very unusual//  --a freak result //  --He was crushed to death in a freak accident .//  freak wind/wave/storm etc //  --The men drowned when a freak wave sank their boat.//\nfreak 3 v [I]  informal   to become suddenly angry or afraid, especially so that you cannot control your behaviour//   flip//  --When Ben heard about the accident, he just freaked.//  freak out phr v//  to become very anxious, upset or afraid, or make someone very anxious, upset or afraid//  --People just freaked out when they heard the news.//  freak sb → out//  --The whole idea freaked me out.//


Words: freakish
Meaning:
adj   very unusual and strange, and sometimes frightening//   weird//  --freakish weather//  -- freakishly adv //  -- freakishness n  [U] //


Words: freaky
Meaning:
adj  spoken   strange or unusual and a bit frightening//   weird//  --The movie was kind of freaky.//


Words: freckle
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin: frecken  ’freckle’ (14-19 centuries), from  Old Norse freknur]//  freckles are small brown spots on someone’s skin, especially on their face, which the sun can cause to increase in number and become darker//    mole//


Words: free
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 no cost:\n   2 not a prisoner:\n   3 not controlled:\n   4 not busy:\n   5 not being used:\n   6 not suffering:\n   7 not containing something:\n   8 tax:\n   9 feel free:\n  10 free and easy:\n  11 free spirit:\n  12 give somebody a free hand/rein:\n  13 there’s no free lunch:\n  14 it’s a free country:\n  15 get/take a free ride:\n  16 be free with something:\n  17 make free with something:\n  18 not restricted:\n  19 chemicals:  ----------//\n  1 NO COST:  something that is free does not cost you any money//  --Admission is free for children under 9.//  --All students are offered free accommodation.//  --Send for our free information pack for more details.//  --There’s a special free gift with this month’s magazine.//\n  2 NOT A PRISONER:  not held, tied up, or kept somewhere as a prisoner//  --He knew he could be free in as little as three years.//  --With one leap he was free!//  --He walked out of the courtroom a free man .//  --They have called on the government to set all political prisoners free .//  --He was found not guilty and walked free from the court.//  --The animals are allowed to run free in the park.//  --Hundreds of dogs roam free on the streets.//  break/pull/struggle free //  --She managed to break free from her attacker.//\n  3 NOT CONTROLLED:  allowed to do or say whatever you want, or allowed to happen, without being controlled or restricted by anyone or anything//  --We had a free and open discussion about religion.//  free to do sth//  --Remember, you are free to say no.//  free from//  --Newspapers today are entirely free from government control.//  --Women are struggling to break free from tradition.//  free of//  --I longed to be free of my family.//  --He became president following the country’s first free elections last year.//  --We would all support the principle of free speech .//  --For the first time in its history, the country has a free press .//  --Patients are now allowed free access to their medical records.//  --The legislation will allow the free movement of goods through all the countries in Europe.//\n  4 NOT BUSY:  if you are free, or have some free time, you have no work, and nothing else that you must do//    available//  --I’m free next weekend.//  free for//  --Are you free for lunch tomorrow?//  free to do sth//  --At last I was free to concentrate on my own research.//  a free day/morning/half-hour etc //  --I haven’t got a free day this week.//  --Children these days have very little free time .//\n  5 NOT BEING USED:  something that is free is available to use because it is not already being used//  --Is this seat free?//  --I’m afraid we don’t have any free tables this evening.//  --He used his free hand to unlock the door and open it.//\n  6 NOT SUFFERING:  not suffering from something//  free of//  --At last she was free of pain.//  free from//  --A lot of the patients are now free from symptoms.//  pain-free/trouble-free etc //  --a stress-free life//\n  7 NOT CONTAINING SOMETHING:  not containing something//  free from/of//  --All our drinks are free from artificial colourings and flavourings.//  fat-free/dairy-free etc //  --a fat-free yoghurt//\n  8 TAX:  if something is free of tax, you do not have to pay tax on it//  free of//  --This income should be free of tax.//  tax-free/duty-free etc //  --tax-free earnings//  --an opportunity to buy duty-free goods//\n  9  feel free:   spoken used to tell someone that they can do something//  --Feel free to ask questions.//  --’Can I use your bathroom?’ ’Yes, feel free.’//\n  10  free and easy:  relaxed, friendly, and without many rules//  --I knew that life wasn’t going to be so free and easy now.//  --the free and easy atmosphere of university life//\n  11  free spirit:  someone who lives as they want to rather than in the way that society considers normal//\n  12  give sb a free hand/rein:  to let someone do whatever they want or need to do in a particular situation//  --The producer was given a free rein with the script.//\n  13  there’s no free lunch:   also there’s no such thing as a free lunch //  used to say that you should not expect to get something good without having to pay for it or make any effort//\n  14  it’s a free country:   BrE used, usually humorously, to say that you are or should be allowed to do something, after someone has said that you should not do it//  --It’s a free country. You can’t stop me.//\n  15  get/take a free ride:   informal to get something without paying for it or working for it, because other people are paying or working for it//  --They are encouraging all workers to join the union rather than just taking a free ride on those who do join.//\n  16  be free with sth:  to be very generous with something//  --He seems to be very free with other people’s money.//  --She is always free with her advice.//\n  17  make free with sth:   informal to use something that belongs to someone else when you should not//  --I knew that they had been making free with our food.//\n  18 NOT RESTRICTED:  something that is free is not held, blocked, or restricted//  --We opened both doors to allow a free flow of air through the building.//\n  19 CHEMICALS:   technical a free chemical substance is not combined with any other substance//  --the amount of free oxygen in the atmosphere//\nfree 2 W3   past tense and past participle  freed present participle  freeing  v [T] //  ----------//\n   1 release:\n   2 not control:\n   3 allow somebody/something to move:\n   4 stop somebody suffering:\n   5 make available:\n   6 give somebody more time:  ----------//\n  1 RELEASE:  to allow someone to leave prison or somewhere they have been kept as a prisoner//   release//  --He expects to be freed quite soon.//  --The terrorists have at last agreed to free the hostages.//  free sb from sth//  --She was freed from prison last week.//\n  2 NOT CONTROL:  to allow someone to say and do what they want, after controlling or restricting them in the past//  free sb from/of sth//  --The press has now been freed from political control.//  --She longed to be freed of her responsibilities.//  --Art frees the imagination.//\n  3 ALLOW SOMEBODY/SOMETHING TO MOVE:  to move someone or something so that they are no longer held, fixed, or trapped//   release//  --He struggled to free himself, but the ropes were too tight.//  --I couldn’t free the safety catch.//  free sb/sth from sth//  --All the victims have now been freed from the wreckage.//\n  4 STOP SOMEBODY SUFFERING:  to stop someone suffering from something by removing it//  free sb from sth//  --new drugs that can free people from pain//  --At last the country has been freed from its enormous debts.//\n  5 MAKE AVAILABLE:   also free sth → up //  to make something available so that it can be used//  --I need to free up some of the disk space on my computer.//  --This should free some money for investment.//\n  6 GIVE SOMEBODY MORE TIME:   also free sb → up //  to give someone time to do something by taking away other jobs that they have to do//  free sb (up) to do sth//  --Taking away the burden of administration will free teachers to concentrate on teaching.//  --We have freed up some staff to deal with the backlog of work.//\nfree 3 adv \n  1 without payment:  --Children under four can travel free.//  --You can get advice free from your local library.//  for free//  --He offered to do the work for free.//  --All these services are available to the public free of charge .//\n  2 not fixed or held in a particular place or position:  --The ropes were now hanging free.//  --A gold chain swung free around his neck.//    freely,  scot-free//


Words: free and easy
Meaning:
adj  free-and-easy BrE   very informal and relaxed//  --the free-and-easy atmosphere of the local pub//


Words: Free Church
Meaning:
any of the Protestant religious groups in the UK that are not part of the Church of England. The Free Churches include the Baptists, the Methodists, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland.//


Words: Free Church of Scotland
Meaning:
the   a small group of Protestant Christians mainly in the Highlands of Scotland, who are against any form of work on Sundays. Its members are sometimes called wee frees//


Words: free collective bargaining
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   talks between trade unions and employers about pay or working conditions that are not controlled by law//


Words: free enterprise
Meaning:
n [U]   the principle and practice of allowing private business to operate without much government control//    private enterprise//


Words: free fall free-fall n [singular
Meaning:
U] \n  1 the movement of someone or something through the air without engine power, for example before a parachute opens after someone has jumped out of a plane:  in/into free fall//  --The spacecraft is now in free fall towards the Earth.//\n  2 a very fast and uncontrolled fall in the value of something:  --the free-fall in housing prices//  in/into free fall//  --The economy is in free fall.//  -- free-falling adj //


Words: Free French
Meaning:
the   French people during World War II who opposed the  Vichy government, because it was controlled by the  Nazis, and who worked, mostly from outside France, to try and defeat it. Their leader was General  de Gaulle.//  -- Free French adj //


Words: free house
Meaning:
n [C]   in Britain, a pub that can buy beer from different  breweries (=a company that makes beer etc) , rather than being controlled by one brewery//


Words: free kick
Meaning:
n [C]   a chance for a player on one football team to kick the ball freely from a position shown by the referee, given because the other team has done something wrong//


Words: free love
Meaning:
n [U]  old-fashioned   the practice or principle of having sex with people without being faithful to one person or without being married//


Words: free market
Meaning:
n [C]   an economic system in which prices are not controlled by the government//  --a free market economy//


Words: free marketeer
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who thinks that prices should be allowed to rise and fall naturally and should not be fixed by the government//


Words: free port
Meaning:
n [C]   a port or airport in one country where goods from other countries can be brought in and taken out without being taxed//


Words: Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Meaning:
the   a small group of Protestant Christians mainly in the Highlands of Scotland. It has similar views to the Free Church of Scotland, especially in connection with keeping Sunday for study of the Bible and worship of God.//


Words: free radical
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   an atom or group of atoms with at least one free electron, which combines with other atoms very easily//  --It is thought that free radicals can damage cells.//


Words: Free State
Meaning:
the Free State//  a province of South Africa, in the area south of Johannesburg and west of Lesotho, whose capital city is Bloemfontein. It used to be called the Orange Free State, and it was an independent state in the 19th century, but became part of South Africa after the Boer War of 1899-1902.//


Words: free trade
Meaning:
n [U]   a situation in which the goods coming into or going out of a country are not controlled or taxed//


Words: free vote
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a situation in which members of the British parliament can choose how to vote rather than following the choice of their political party//


Words: free will
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1  do sth of your own free will:  to do something because you want to, not because someone else has forced you to//  --He came of his own free will.//\n  2 the ability to make your own decisions about what to do, rather than being controlled by God or Fate:


Words: free-floating
Meaning:
adj   not connected to or influenced by anything//  --a free-floating exchange rate//  --a free-floating currency//


Words: free-for-all
Meaning:
n [singular]  informal \n  1 a situation in which there is total freedom and anything can happen - used to show disapproval:  --the free-for-all of sexual activity in the 1970s//\n  2 a noisy quarrel or fight involving a lot of people:  --A controversial penalty decision sparked a free-for-all at the end of the match.//


Words: free-range
Meaning:
adj   relating to a type of farming which allows animals such as chickens and pigs to move around and eat naturally, rather than being kept in a restricted space//    battery//  --free-range eggs//


Words: free-to-air
Meaning:
adj  BrE   free-to-air television or television programmes do not cost extra money to watch//  --free-to-air television coverage of rugby league matches//


Words: freebie
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   something that you are given free, usually by a company//  on a freebie//  --The company paid for the minister to fly out to Australia on a freebie.//  freebie holiday/hotel/flight etc //  --A waiter was handing round freebie glasses of wine.//


Words: freebooter
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Dutch; Origin: vrijbuiter, from  vrij  ’free’ +  buit  ’stolen things, booty’]//  someone who joins in a war in order to steal other people’s goods and money//


Words: freedom
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] the right to do what you want without being controlled or restricted by anyone:    liberty//  --People here like their freedom and privacy.//  --the rights and freedoms of citizens//  freedom to do sth//  --We do not have the freedom to do just what we like.//  --the freedom to vote//  freedom of speech/expression/choice etc (=the legal right to say what you want, choose your own religion etc) //  --The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression.//  individual/personal freedom //  --The government was accused of using the law to restrict individual freedom//  press/academic/political etc freedom //\n  2 [U] the state of being free and allowed to do what you want:  --Kids have too much freedom these days.//  --The teachers are given complete freedom in their choice of teaching methods.//  freedom to do sth//  --The wheelchair gives him the freedom to go out on his own.//  --Tracksuits are designed to give you freedom of movement .//\n  3 [U] the state of being free because you are not in prison:  → captivity, imprisonment//  --The prisoner was recaptured after only 48 hours of freedom.//\n  4  freedom from sth:  the state of not being affected by something that makes you worried, unhappy, afraid etc//  freedom from fear/pain/worry etc //  --The contraceptive pill gave women freedom from the fear of pregnancy.//\n  5  freedom of choice:  the right or ability to choose whatever you want to do or have//  --The new satellite TV channels offer viewers greater freedom of choice.//\n  6  freedom of information:  the legal right of people in some countries to see information which the government has about people and organizations//\n  7  freedom of the city:  in Britain, an honour given by a city to someone who has done something special//


Words: freedom fighter
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who fights in a war against an unfair or dishonest government, army etc//    guerrilla, terrorist//


Words: Freedom of Information Act
Meaning:
a law that makes government information freely available to ordinary citizens and makes it illegal for government departments to keep information secret unless this is really necessary.//


Words: freeform
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   freeform music or art does not have a standard structure or form, and uses new ideas or methods//


Words: freehand
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   drawn by hand without using any special tools//  freehand drawing/sketch //  -- freehand adv //


Words: freehold
Meaning:
n [U and C]  BrE  law   when you completely own a building or piece of land for an unlimited time//    leasehold//  --They bought the freehold of their house.//  -- freehold adj //  --a freehold property //  -- freehold adv //  --The property will be sold freehold.//


Words: freelance
Meaning:
adj, adv   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: free lance  ’soldier in former times who sold his fighting skills to anyone’]//  working independently for different companies rather than being employed by one particular company//  --She works freelance from home.//  freelance journalist/writer/photographer etc //  -- freelance v  [I] //  --He’s freelancing for several translation agencies.//  -- freelance also freelancer //   n  [C] //


Words: freeloader
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   someone who takes food, drink, or other things from other people, without giving anything in return - used to show disapproval//  -- freeload v  [I] //


Words: freely
Meaning:
adv \n  1 without anyone stopping or limiting something:  --the country’s first freely elected president//  --EU members are allowed to travel freely between member states.//  talk/speak/write etc freely //  --In France he could write freely, without fear of arrest.//  --We went outside so that we could talk freely without being overheard.//\n  2 if something moves freely, it moves smoothly and nothing prevents it from doing this:  --She was breathing freely .//  --If your muscles are tense, blood cannot circulate freely .//  --The leg injury was preventing him from moving freely .//\n  3  freely available:  very easy to obtain//  --Information is freely available on the Internet.//\n  4  freely admit/acknowledge sth:  to agree that something is true, even though telling the truth is difficult or embarrassing//  --They freely admitted using the drug.//\n  5 generously and willingly:  --She gave freely to charity.//


Words: Freemason
Meaning:
n  also Mason  [C]   a man who belongs to a secret society in which each member helps the other members to become successful//


Words: Freemasonry
Meaning:
freemasonry/fri[hA359]me[hA366]s[hA368]nri, fri[hA359]me[hA366]-/ n [U]   the system and practices of Freemasons//


Words: freephone
Meaning:
Freefone/fri[hA359]f[hA353][hA35E]n $ -fo[hA35E]n/ n [U]  trademark  BrE   an arrangement by which a company or organization pays the cost of telephone calls made to it//    toll-free//


Words: Freepost
Meaning:
n [U]  trademark  BrE   an arrangement by which a company or organization pays the cost of letters that you send to it by post//


Words: freesia
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  F. H. T.  Freese, 19th-century German doctor]//  a plant with pleasant-smelling yellow, white, pink, or purple flowers//


Words: freestanding
Meaning:
adj \n  1 not fixed to a frame, wall, or other support:  --a freestanding bookcase//\n  2 able to exist on its own and not as part of something bigger:  --The modules can be offered as freestanding courses.//


Words: freestyle
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] a swimming race in which swimmers can use any style they choose, usually crawl:  --the 100m freestyle//\n  2 [U] a sports competition in which competitors can use any movements they choose:  --freestyle wrestling//\n  3 [C] a rap song in which the singer says words directly from their imagination, without planning or writing them first:


Words: freethinker
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who has their own opinions, ideas, and beliefs, rather than accepting other people’s - used to show approval//  -- freethinking adj //


Words: freeway
Meaning:
W3S2   n [C]  AmE   a very wide road in the US, built for fast travel//    motorway, expressway, highway//  --the Central Freeway//


Words: freewheel
Meaning:
v [I]   to ride a bicycle or drive a vehicle down a hill, without using power from your legs or the engine//


Words: freewheeling
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  informal   not worried about rules or what will happen in the future//  --A lot of the girls envied me my independent, freewheeling life.//


Words: freeze
Meaning:
v   past tense  froze /fr[hA353][hA35E]z $ fro[hA35E]z///  past participle  frozen /fr[hA353][hA35E]z[hA368]n $ fro[hA35E]-///  ----------//\n   1 liquid:\n   2 food:\n   3 machine/engine:\n   4 weather:\n   5 feel cold:\n   6 wages/prices:\n   7 money/property:\n   8 stop moving:\n   9 film:\n  10 somebody’s blood freezes:  Phrasal verbs//   freeze somebody → out//   freeze over//   freeze up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: freosan]//\n  1 LIQUID:   [I and T] if a liquid or something wet freezes or is frozen, it becomes hard and solid because the temperature is very cold//    melt, thaw//  --The lake had frozen overnight.//\n  2 FOOD:   [I and T] to preserve food for a long time by keeping it at a very low temperature, or to be preserved in this way//  --I think I’ll freeze that extra meat.//  --Tomatoes don’t freeze well.//\n  3 MACHINE/ENGINE:   [I] if a machine, engine, pipe etc freezes, the liquid inside it becomes solid with cold, so that it does not work properly//  --The water pipes have frozen.//\n  4 WEATHER:   it freezes//  if it freezes outside, the temperature falls to or below freezing point//  --Do you think it’ll freeze tonight?//\n  5 FEEL COLD:   [I] to feel very cold//  --I nearly froze to death watching that football match.//\n  6 WAGES/PRICES:   [T] if a government or company freezes wages, prices etc, they do not increase them for a period of time//  --The government has been forced to cut spending and freeze public-sector wages.//\n  7 MONEY/PROPERTY:   [T] to legally prevent money in a bank from being spent, property from being sold etc//  --The court froze their assets .//\n  8 STOP MOVING:   [I] to stop moving suddenly and stay completely still and quiet//  --I froze and listened; someone was in my apartment.//  freeze with//  --She froze with horror .//\n  9 FILM:   [T] to stop a film or video in order to be able to look at a particular part of it//    freeze-frame//  --He froze the picture on the screen.//\n  10  sb’s blood freezes:  used to say that someone is very frightened or shocked//  --I heard his scream and felt my blood freeze.//  freeze out [freeze sb → out] phr v//  to deliberately prevent someone from being involved in something, by making it difficult for them, being unkind to them etc//  --Why did you freeze me out?//  freeze over phr v//  if an area or pool of water freezes over, its surface turns into ice//  --We’ll go skating if the lake has frozen over.//  freeze up phr v//\n  1 if a machine, engine, or pipe freezes up, the liquid inside becomes solid with cold so that it does not work properly:   freeze//\n  2 to suddenly be unable to speak or act normally:  --I wouldn’t know what to say. I’d just freeze up.//\nfreeze 2 n \n  1 [C] a time when people are not allowed to increase prices or pay:  a price/pay/wage freeze //  freeze on//  --a freeze on pay rises//\n  2 [C] the stopping of some activity or process:  freeze on//  --The government have imposed a freeze on civil service appointments.//\n  3 [singular]  BrE a period of extremely cold weather:\n  4 [C usually singular]  AmE a short period of time, especially at night, when the temperature is extremely low:    deep freeze//


Words: freeze-frame
Meaning:
n [U]   when you stop the action on a video at one particular place//    freeze//  --Press the freeze-frame button.//  -- freeze-frame v  [T] //


Words: freezer
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a large piece of electrical kitchen equipment in which food can be stored at very low temperatures for a long time:   deep freeze//    fridge//\n  2  AmE a part of a fridge in which food can be stored at very low temperatures for a long time:  British Equivalent:  freezer compartment//


Words: freezer compartment
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a part of a fridge in which food can be stored at very low temperatures for a long time//  American Equivalent:  freezer//


Words: freezing
Meaning:
n [U]   above/below freezing//  above or below the temperature at which water freezes//  --It was well below freezing last night.//\nfreezing 2 adj, adv \n  1 extremely cold:  --It’s freezing in this house. Can’t I turn on the heating?//  --We were freezing cold in the tent last night.//\n  2 below the temperature at which water turns to ice:  --freezing fog//


Words: freezing point
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the temperature at which water turns into ice:    boiling point//\n  2 [C usually singular] the temperature at which a particular liquid freezes:  --Alcohol has a lower freezing point than water.//


Words: freight
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Middle Dutch; Origin: vracht,  vrecht]//\n  1 [U] goods that are carried by ship, train, or aircraft, and the system of moving these goods:  --freight services//  --We’ll send your personal belongings by air freight and your furniture by sea freight. //\n  2 [C]  AmE a freight train:\nfreight 2 v [T]   to send goods by air, sea, or train//


Words: Fremont
Meaning:
John C.   (1813-90) a US soldier, politician, and  explorer, who was called ’The Pathfinder’ because he travelled across the western part of North America and made maps of this area. He encouraged US citizens to move to these places, which are now the states of Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and California.//


Words: French
Meaning:
adj   relating to France, its people, or its language//  --an excellent French wine//\nFrench 2 n   [Language: Old English; Origin: frencisc, from  Latin Franca  ’Frank’;   FRANK1]//\n  1  the French [plural] people from France:\n  2 [U] the language used in France, and some other countries:  --How do you ask for directions in French?//\n  3  pardon/excuse my French:   spoken used to say sorry for swearing//


Words: French and Indian War
Meaning:
the   the name for several battles that took place in North America between the French and the British in the mid-18th century, before the  American Revolutionary War//


Words: French fry
Meaning:
also fry   plural  French fries  n [C usually plural]  especially AmE //  a long thin piece of potato that has been cooked in hot oil//  British Equivalent:  chip//


Words: French Guiana
Meaning:
a country in northeast South America which is a  department(2) of France. Population: 177,562 (2001). Capital: Cayenne.//


Words: French horn
Meaning:
also horn  especially BrE  n [C]   a musical instrument made of brass, that is curved round into a circle with a wide opening at one end//


Words: French plait
Meaning:
n [C]   a hairstyle in which the hair is put into a plait that starts from the top of the head at the back//


Words: French pleat
Meaning:
n [C]   a hairstyle in which the hair is combed across at the back of the head, rolled under, and pinned//


Words: French Polynesia
Meaning:
about 130 islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, including  Tahiti, which belong to France. Population: 253,506 (2001). Capital: Papeete.//


Words: French Quarter
Meaning:
the French Quarter//  a part of the city of New Orleans in Louisiana, US, which was originally lived in by French people. Many tourists now go there.//


Words: French Revolution
Meaning:
the   the  revolution which began in France in 1789. The French king and queen,  and many other people of high rank were killed and France became a  republic (=a country without a king or queen) . The events and ideas of the revolution had an important influence on European history.//


Words: French Riviera
Meaning:
also  the Riviera   the French Riviera//  an area of southeastern France on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which includes places such as Nice, Cannes, and St Tropez. Many rich and fashionable people live on or visit the French Riviera.//  --They rented a villa on the French Riviera.//    South of France//


Words: frenetic
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: frenetique, from  Latin phreneticus, from  Greek phren  ’mind’]//  frenetic activity is fast and not very organized//   frantic//  --She rushes from job to job at a frenetic pace.//


Words: frenzied
Meaning:
adj   frenzied activity is fast and uncontrolled, usually because it is done by someone feeling very anxious or excited//  --A woman was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack on her home tonight.//  --frenzied efforts to find a solution//  -- frenziedly adv //


Words: frenzy
Meaning:
n   plural  frenzies //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: frenesie, from  Latin phreneticus;   FRENETIC]//\n  1 [U and C] a state of great anxiety or excitement, in which you cannot control your behaviour:  frenzy of//  --a frenzy of religious feeling//  in a frenzy//  --The women were screaming and in a frenzy to get home.//  --Doreen had worked herself into a frenzy. //\n  2 [C] a time when people do a lot of things very quickly:  frenzy of//  --There had been a frenzy of activity in my absence.//  --a selling frenzy//\n  3  a feeding frenzy:  a) an occasion when a lot of people get involved in an activity in an uncontrolled way//  --The film put America’s moviegoers into a feeding frenzy.//  b) an occasion when a lot of wild animals, especially sharks, eat something in a very excited way//


Words: frequency
Meaning:
W3   n   plural  frequencies //\n  1 [U] the number of times that something happens within a particular period of time or within a particular group of people:  frequency of//  --the frequency of serious road accidents//  the high/low frequency (of sth) //  --the higher frequency of diabetes in older people//  --Side effects from prescribed drugs are being reported with increasing frequency  (=more and more often) .//  --The relative frequency of fraternal twins has halved since 1950.//\n  2 [U] the fact that something happens a lot:   regularity//  --Businesses come and go with alarming frequency .//\n  3 [U and C]  technical the number of radio waves, sound waves etc that pass any point per second:  --This station broadcasts on three different frequencies.//  high/low frequency //  --Dolphins produce a high frequency sound.//  --the frequency range of the human ear//


Words: frequent
Meaning:
W3   adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin frequens  ’crowded, full’]//  happening or doing something often//  → infrequent//  more/less frequent //  --Her headaches are becoming less frequent.//  --Trains rushed past at frequent intervals. //  --She was a frequent visitor to the house.//\nfrequent 2   v [T]  formal   to go to a particular place often//  --The bar was frequented by actors from the nearby theatre.//


Words: fresco
Meaning:
n   plural  frescoes  or  frescos  [C] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Italian; Origin: ’fresh’]//  a painting made on a wall while the plaster is still wet//    mural//


Words: fresh
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 new:\n   2 new and interesting:\n   3 recent:\n   4 a fresh start:\n   5 food/flowers:\n   6 fresh air:\n   7 fresh water:\n   8 taste/smell etc:\n   9 appearance:\n  10 weather:\n  11 not tired:\n  12 fresh from something:\n  13 be fresh out of something:\n  14 fresh-made/fresh-cut/fresh-grated etc:\n  15 get/be fresh with somebody:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: freis]//\n  1 NEW:  adding to or replacing something//  --I’ll just make some fresh coffee.//  --The report provides fresh evidence about the way the business was run.//  --You’ll have to start again on a fresh sheet of paper.//\n  2 NEW AND INTERESTING:  good or interesting because it has not been done, seen etc before//  --Ryan will bring a fresh approach to the job.//  --We need some fresh ideas .//  --Let’s take a fresh look at the problem.//\n  3 RECENT:  done, experienced, or having happened recently//  --There were fresh fox tracks around the hen huts.//  --The accident was still fresh in her mind. //\n  4  a fresh start:  when you start something again in a completely new and different way after being unsuccessful//  --I hope Jim and I can get back together and make a fresh start .//\n  5 FOOD/FLOWERS:  a) fresh food has recently been picked or prepared, and is not frozen or preserved//  fresh fruit/vegetables/fish/bread etc //  --The beans are fresh from the garden.//  b) fresh flowers have recently been picked//\n  6  fresh air:  air from outside, especially clean air//  --Let’s open the windows and have some fresh air in here!//    breath of fresh air at breath(2)//\n  7  fresh water:  fresh water contains no salt and comes from rivers and lakes//    saltwater//\n  8 TASTE/SMELL ETC:   [usually before noun] pleasantly clean or cool//  --a fresh minty taste//  --It’s a light, fresh wine.//\n  9 APPEARANCE:  pleasant, bright, and clean//  → dull//  --The kitchen is decorated in fresh blues and greens.//  --She has brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. //\n  10 WEATHER:  if the wind is fresh, it is quite cold and strong//  --a fresh breeze //\n  11 NOT TIRED:   [not usually before noun] full of energy because you are not tired//  --She always seems fresh and lively, even at the end of the day.//  --Despite his busy day he arrived looking as fresh as a daisy  (=not tired and ready to do things) .//\n  12  fresh from sth:  a)  also fresh out of sth  AmE having just finished your education or training, and not having a lot of experience//  --He’s fresh out of law school.//  b) having just come from a particular place or experience//  --The team is fresh from their victory over the French.//\n  13  be fresh out of sth:   AmE  spoken to have just used your last supplies of something//  --I’m fresh out of beer. Will you take a cola instead?//\n  14  fresh-made/fresh-cut/fresh-grated etc:   AmE having just been made, cut etc//  --fresh-ground coffee//\n  15  get/be fresh with sb:   old-fashioned to behave rudely in a way which shows sexual interest, or lack of respect//  -- freshness n  [U + of] //  --the freshness of the early morning//  --the freshness and vitality of youth//


Words: freshen
Meaning:
v \n  1  also freshen up :   [T] to make something look or feel clean, new, attractive, cool etc//   brighten (up)//  --I’m going to buy some white paint to freshen up the bathroom walls.//\n  2 [I] if the wind freshens, it gets colder and stronger:\n  3  also freshen up :   [T] to add more liquid to a drink//  --The waitress freshened our coffee.//  freshen up phr v//  to wash your hands and face in order to feel clean and comfortable//  freshen yourself up//  --Fiona’s gone to freshen herself up.//


Words: fresher
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: freshman]//  a student who has just started at a college or university//


Words: freshman
Meaning:
n   plural  freshmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C]  AmE //  a student in the first year of high school or university//


Words: freshwater
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1 having water that contains no salt:    saltwater//  --freshwater lakes//\n  2 living in water that contains no salt:    saltwater//  --freshwater crabs//


Words: fret
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  fretted present participle  fretting  [I] //  [Language: Old English; Origin: fretan  ’to eat’]//  to worry about something, especially when there is no need//  --Don’t fret - everything will be all right.//  fret about/over//  --She’s always fretting about the children.//  fret that//  --men of fifty, fretting that they’re no longer young//\nfret 2 n   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from  Old French frete  ’metal band’]//  [C] one of the raised lines on the fretboard of a guitar etc//


Words: fretboard
Meaning:
n [C]   the long piece of wood on the neck (=straight part)  of a guitar against which the fingers press the strings to change the note//


Words: fretful
Meaning:
adj   anxious and complaining, and unable to relax//  --The child was tired and fretful.//  -- fretfully adv //  -- fretfulness n  [U] //


Words: fretted
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  Probably from  Old French frete  ’metal band, patterns cut in wood or metal’]//  cut or shaped into complicated patterns as decoration//


Words: fretwork
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: fret  ’cut patterns’ (14-21 centuries) (probably from  Old French frete;   FRETTED) +  work]//  patterns cut into thin wood, metal etc or the activity of making these patterns//


Words: Freud
Meaning:
Sigmund   (1856-1939) an Austrian doctor who developed a new system for understanding the way that people’s minds work, and a new way of treating mental illness called  psychoanalysis. He believed that the bad experiences that people have as children can affect their mental health as adults, and that by talking to a mentally ill person about their past life and feelings, the hidden causes of their illness can be found. He wrote  The Interpretation of Dreams and  The Ego and the Id. His ideas, especially about the importance of sex, had a very great influence on the way that people thought in the 20th century.//


Words: Freudian
Meaning:
adj \n  1 relating to Sigmund Freud’s ideas about the way the mind works, and the way it can be studied:\n  2 a Freudian remark or action is connected with the ideas about sex that people have in their minds but do not usually talk about:


Words: Freudian slip
Meaning:
n [C]   something you say that is different from what you intended to say, and shows your true thoughts//


Words: friable
Meaning:
adj  technical   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Latin friare  ’to break into very small pieces’]//  friable rocks or soil are easily broken into very small pieces or into powder//


Words: friar
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: frere  ’brother’, from  Latin frater]//  a member of a religious group of Catholic men, who travelled around in the past teaching about Christianity and who were very poor//    monk//


Words: Friar Tuck
Meaning:
a fat and cheerful  monk (=a member of an all-male religious group) , who enjoys eating and drinking, and appears in old English stories about  Robin Hood as one of his followers//


Words: fricassee
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: , perhaps from  frire  ’to cook in hot oil’ +  casse  ’cooking spoon or pan’]//  food consisting of small pieces of meat in a thick white sauce//  --chicken fricassee//


Words: fricative
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: fricativus, from  Latin fricare;   FRICTION]//  a sound, such as /f/ or /z/, made by forcing your breath through a narrow opening between your lips and teeth, or your tongue and teeth//


Words: friction
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Latin frictio, from  fricare  ’to rub’]//\n  1 [U and C] disagreement, angry feelings, or unfriendliness between people:   tension//  cause/create friction //  --Having my mother living with us causes friction at home.//  friction between//  --the usual frictions between parents and their teenage children//  friction with//  --His independent attitude was a constant source of friction with his boss.//\n  2 [U]  technical the natural force that prevents one surface from sliding easily over another surface:  --Putting oil on both surfaces reduces friction.//\n  3 [U] when one surface rubs against another:  --Check your rope frequently, as friction against the rock can wear it away.//


Words: Friday
Meaning:
n [U and C]  written abbreviation Fri.   [Language: Old English; Origin: friged[zB024]g  ’day of Frigg, female god of love’]//  the day between Thursday and Saturday//  on Friday//  --It’s Kate’s birthday on Friday.//  --Diane won’t be here Friday. AmE//  Friday morning/afternoon etc //  --Can you meet me Friday morning?//  last Friday //  --I had a terrible time last Friday.//  this Friday //  --We’re flying to Vienna this Friday.//  next Friday (=Friday of next week) //  --Her appointment is next Friday.//  a Friday//   (=one of the Fridays in the year) //  --We got married on a Friday.//


Words: fridge
Meaning:
S2   n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: refrigerator]//  a large piece of electrical kitchen equipment, used for keeping food and drinks cool//   refrigerator//    freezer//


Words: fridge magnet
Meaning:
n [C]   a magnet with a picture on it or in an interesting shape, used for decorating the outside of a fridge//


Words: fridge-freezer
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a large piece of electrical kitchen equipment, of which one part is a fridge and one part is a freezer//


Words: fried
Meaning:
adj \n  1 having been cooked in hot oil:  --fried chicken//\n  2  AmE  informal unable to think clearly, because you are tired, anxious etc:  --My brain is just totally fried.//


Words: Friedan
Meaning:
Betty   (1921- ) a US writer and  feminist (=someone who supports the idea that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men)  who argued against the idea that women could only be happy and satisfied if they were wives and mothers. Many people believe that her book  The Feminine Mystique (1963) started the modern  women’s movement.//


Words: Friedman
Meaning:
Milton   (1912- ) a US  economist who helped to develop the idea of  monetarism, the belief that the best way for a government to manage a country’s economic system is to limit the amount of money that is available to be used. He won the  Nobel Prize for Economics in 1976, and his ideas had an important influence on politics in the 1980s, because the economic policies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were based on them.//


Words: Friel
Meaning:
Brian   (1929- ) an Irish writer of short stories and plays that are mostly about Irish people and the political situation in Ireland//


Words: friend
Meaning:
n [C]   ----------//\n   1 person you like:\n   2 be friends (with somebody):\n   3 :\n   4 be just (good) friends:\n   5 supporter:\n   6 not an enemy:\n   7 parliament/court of law:\n   8 be no friend of something:\n   9 Friend:\n  10 our/your friend:\n  11 have friends in high places:\n  12 a friend in need:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: freond]//\n  1 PERSON YOU LIKE:  someone who you know and like very much and enjoy spending time with//  --Jerry, this is my friend Lucinda.//  -- Is this man  a friend of yours ?//  -- Julia was the wife of his  best friend . //  --One of her  closest friends  died at the weekend.//  -- I didn’t expect this treatment from my father’s  oldest friend . //  -- She told this to only a few  trusted friends . //  -- I met Stephano through  a friend of a friend . //  -- Few people smoke in my  circle of friends . //  --Jill is  a mutual friend  of ours.//\n  2  be friends (with sb):  to be someone’s friend//  --I’ve been friends with the Murkets for twenty years.//\n  3 :  a)  make friends//  to become friendly with people//  --Jenny has always found it easy to make friends at school.//  b)  make friends with sb//  to become friendly with someone//  --He made friends with an old fisherman.//\n  4  be just (good) friends:  used to say that you are not having a romantic relationship with someone//  --I’m not going out with Nathan - we’re just good friends.//\n  5 SUPPORTER:  someone who supports an organization such as a theatre, art gallery, charity etc by giving money or help//  friend of//  --the Friends of the Tate//\n  6 NOT AN ENEMY:  someone who has the same beliefs, wants to achieve the same things etc as you, and will support you//  --our friends and allies around the world//  --She shot him a quick glance as if unsure whether he was friend or foe.//  --Don’t worry, you’re among friends.//\n  7 PARLIAMENT/COURT OF LAW:   BrE //  a)  my honourable friend//  used by a member of parliament when speaking about another member of parliament//  b)  my learned friend//  used by a lawyer when speaking about another lawyer in a court of law//\n  8  be no friend of sth:  to not like or be a supporter of something//  --I’m no friend of socialism, as you know.//\n  9  Friend:  a member of the Society of Friends//   quaker//\n  10  our/your friend:   spoken used humorously to talk about someone you do not know, who is doing something annoying//  --Our friend with the loud voice is back.//\n  11  have friends in high places:  to know important people who can help you//\n  12  a friend in need:  someone who helps you when you need it//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  a friend of mine/yours/Billy’s etc //  best friend  (=the friend you like the most) //  good/close friend  (=one of the friends you like the most) //  old friend  (=a friend you have known for a long time) //  trusted friend //  lifelong friend  (=someone who is your friend for the whole of your life) //  friend of a friend //  circle of friends  (=all the friends someone has) //  a mutual friend (=someone who is a friend of both you and someone else) //  a childhood/boyhood/girlhood friend //  WORD FOCUS: friend //  similar words: mate (BrE informal),  buddy (AmE informal),  pal (informal),  chum (BrE informal),  crony (disapproving) //  ----------//


Words: friendly
Meaning:
W3S2   adj   comparative  friendlier superlative  friendliest //\n  1 behaving towards someone in a way that shows you like them and are ready to talk to them or help them:  → unfriendly//  --a friendly smile//  --I’ve found a great pub - good beer and a friendly atmosphere.//  friendly to/towards//  --Why is he suddenly so friendly towards you, Charlotte?//\n  2  be friendly with sb:  to be friends with someone//  --Betty’s very friendly with the Jacksons.//\n  3 not at war with your own country, or not opposing you:  → hostile//  --friendly nations//\n  4  BrE a friendly game is played for pleasure or practice, and not because it is important to win:  --a friendly match against AC Milan//\n  5  user-friendly/customer-friendly etc:  not difficult for particular people to understand or use//  --a user-friendly computer program//  --a customer-friendly shopping mall//\n  6  environmentally-friendly/ozone-friendly/eco-friendly etc:  not harmful to the environment, ozone layer etc//  --eco-friendly washing powder//\n  7  friendly fire:  bombs, bullets etc that accidentally kill people who are fighting on the same side//  -- friendliness n  [U] //\nfriendly 2   plural  friendlies  n [C]  BrE //  a game played for pleasure or practice, and not because it is important to win//


Words: friendly society
Meaning:
n [C]   an association in Britain that people regularly pay small amounts of money to, which then provides them with money when they become old or ill//


Words: Friends of the Earth
Meaning:
FoE an international organization that tries to influence people and governments to protect the environment //


Words: friendship
Meaning:
W3   n \n  1 [C] a relationship between friends:  friendship between//  --The friendship between father and youth deepened.//  friendship with//  --his friendship with King Edward VII//  --her close friendship with her aunt//  --a lifelong friendship //  --The two boys formed a deep and lasting friendship .//  --He and Matthew struck up a friendship  (=began to be friends) .//\n  2 [U] the feelings and behaviour that exist between friends:  --I could always rely on Gary for friendship and support.//  --The Indians have extended the hand of friendship  (=shown that they want to be friends with another country) .//


Words: fries
Meaning:
n [plural]   long thin pieces of potato that have been cooked in hot oil//  British Equivalent:  chips//


Words: frieze
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: frise, perhaps from  Latin Phrygia, ancient country in Asia whose people were famous for their skill in making things]//  a decoration that goes along the top of the walls of a room or a building//


Words: frigate
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: fregate, from  Italian fregata]//  a small fast ship used especially for protecting other ships in wars//


Words: frigging
Meaning:
adj, adv [only before noun]  spoken  not polite   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: frig  ’to rub, have sex’ (16-21 centuries)]//  used to emphasize something you are saying when you are angry, annoyed etc//  --I can’t open the frigging door!//


Words: fright
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: fyrhto]//\n  1 [singular, U] a sudden feeling of fear:  --You gave me such a fright creeping up on me like that!//  get/have a fright //  --I got an awful fright when I realised how much money I owed.//  with fright//  --He was shaking with fright.//  in fright//  --Several of the children cried out in fright.//\n  2  take fright:  to be very afraid of something, especially so that you run away from it or do not do something that you were going to do//  --The bird took fright and flew away.//  --She had promised to marry him, but took fright at the last moment.//\n  3  look a fright:   old-fashioned to look untidy or unattractive//    stage fright//


Words: frighten
Meaning:
v [T]   to make someone feel afraid//   scare//  --Don’t stand so near the edge! You’re frightening me.//  --She was frightened by the anger in his eyes.//  --Computers used to frighten me, but not now.//  frighten sb to death/frighten the life out of sb (=make someone feel extremely afraid) //  --He drove at a speed which frightened Lara to death.//  frighten away [frighten sb → away] phr v//  to make a person or animal go away by making them feel afraid//  --Terrorist activity in the area has frightened most tourists away.//  frighten into [frighten sb into sth] phr v//  to force someone to do something by making them afraid//  frighten sb into doing sth//  --He frightened me into staying silent.//  frighten off [frighten sb/sth → off] phr v//  to make a person or animal so nervous or afraid that they go away or do not do something they were going to do//  --The investors were frightened off by the company’s low profits that year.//


Words: frightened
Meaning:
S2   adj   feeling afraid//   scared//  --Don’t be frightened. We’re not going to hurt you.//  frightened of//  --I was frightened of being left by myself in the house.//  --Her father had an awful temper and she was always frightened of him.//  frightened to do sth//  --The boy was frightened to speak.//  frightened that//  --She’s frightened that her ex-husband will find her.//  --To tell the truth, I was frightened to death  (=very frightened) .//  --a frightened horse//   see usage note  fear1 //  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  Do not confuse frightened, which describes a feeling, and frightening, which describes something that makes you feel frightened: a frightened child | a frightening experience //  ----------//


Words: frighteners
Meaning:
n [plural]  BrE  informal   put the frighteners on sb//  to make someone do what you want by threatening them//


Words: frightening
Meaning:
adj   making you feel afraid or nervous//   scary//  --That’s a frightening thought.//  --Going into hospital can be very frightening for a child.//  --It was the most frightening experience of my life.//  it is frightening (to do sth)//  --It’s frightening to think how easily children can be hurt.//  -- frighteningly adv //  --The ice seemed frighteningly thin.//


Words: frightful
Meaning:
adj  old-fashioned  especially BrE \n  1 unpleasant or bad:   awful, terrible//  --There’s been a frightful accident.//\n  2 used to emphasize how bad something is:   awful, terrible//  --Her hair was a frightful mess.//


Words: frigid
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: frigidus, from  frigus  ’cold’]//\n  1 a woman who is frigid does not like having sex:\n  2  literary not friendly or kind:   cold, icy, frosty//  --The guard looked at us with a frigid stare.//\n  3  formal very cold:   icy//  --His breath steamed in the frigid air.//  -- frigidly adv //  -- frigidity/fr[hA366]d[hA360][hA366]d[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: Frigidaire
Meaning:
trademark   a type of  fridge made in the US. The name Frigidaire is often used in the US to mean any type of fridge.//


Words: frill
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Perhaps from  Flemish frul]//\n  1 a narrow piece of cloth that has many small folds in it, and that is attached to something as a decoration:  --She was wearing a white blouse with frills at the cuffs.//\n  2  frills [plural] attractive but unnecessary features:  without/with no frills //  --It was just a comfortable flat with no frills.//  --We supply basic, no-frills tractors at low prices.//


Words: Fringe
Meaning:
the   the theatre productions in the  Edinburgh Festival which are not part of the official programme//  --a Fringe production//  --a comedian who was a great success at the Fringe//


Words: fringe
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin fimbria  ’threads’]//\n  1  BrE if you have a fringe, your hair is cut so that it hangs down over your forehead:  American Equivalent:  bangs//  --a tall girl with straight brown hair and a fringe//\n  2 a decorative edge of hanging threads on a curtain, piece of clothing etc:\n  3  on the fringes (of sth):  a) not completely belonging to or accepted by a group of people who share the same job, activities etc//  --a small group on the fringes of the art world//  b)  also  on the fringe//  at the part of something that is farthest from the centre//   on the edge of something//  --Nina remained on the fringe of the crowd.//    the lunatic fringe at lunatic(3)//\nfringe 2 adj [only before noun]   fringe group/event/issue etc//  a group, event etc that is less important or popular than the main group etc, or whose opinions are not accepted by most other people involved in the same activity//  → mainstream//  --He used a party conference fringe meeting to defend terrorism.//  --The environment is no longer a fringe issue.//  --a fringe religious sect//\nfringe 3 v [T]   to be around the edge of something//  --A line of trees fringed the pool.//


Words: fringe benefit
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   an additional service or advantage given with a job besides wages//  --A competitive salary with fringe benefits will be offered.//


Words: fringe theatre
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   plays by new writers, often on difficult subjects or written in unusual ways, that are not performed in the main theatres//


Words: frippery
Meaning:
n   plural  fripperies  [C usually plural] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: friperie  ’old clothes or pieces of cloth’, from  Medieval Latin faluppa  ’piece of dried grass’]//  an unnecessary and useless object or decoration//


Words: Frisbee
Meaning:
n [U and C]  trademark   a piece of plastic shaped like a plate that you throw to someone else to catch as a game. The game is also called Frisbee.//


Words: frisk
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: frisk  ’full of energy’ (16-18 centuries), from  Old French frisque]//\n  1 [T] to search someone for hidden weapons, drugs etc by feeling their body with your hands:  --We were frisked at the airport - can you believe it?//\n  2 [I] if a young animal frisks, it runs and jumps playfully:   skip//  --The lambs were frisking around the pen.//


Words: frisky
Meaning:
adj \n  1 full of energy and fun:  --a frisky horse//\n  2  informal feeling sexually excited:   horny//  -- friskily adv //  -- friskiness n  [U] //


Words: frisson
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Latin frictio;   FRICTION]//  a sudden feeling of excitement or fear//   shiver//  frisson of//  --A frisson of alarm went through her.//


Words: fritter
Meaning:
fritter away [fritter sth → away] phr v//  to waste time, money, or effort on something small or unimportant//  fritter something → away on//  --He frittered away a fortune on fast cars and gambling.//\nfritter 2 n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: friture, from  Latin frigere;   FRY1]//  a thin piece of fruit, vegetable, or meat covered with a mixture of eggs and flour and cooked in hot fat//  apple/corn/banana etc fritter //


Words: fritz
Meaning:
n  AmE  informal   be/go on the fritz//  if something is or goes on the fritz, it is not working correctly//   be/go on the blink//  --My TV is on the fritz.//


Words: frivolity
Meaning:
n   plural  frivolities //\n  1 [U and C] behaviour or activities that are not serious or sensible, especially when you should be serious or sensible:  --I don’t think such frivolity helps the organization’s public image.//\n  2 [C] something that is silly and unimportant:  --Try not to be distracted by the frivolities of the world.//


Words: frivolous
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: frivolus]//\n  1 not serious or sensible, especially in a way that is not suitable for a particular occasion:  --The court discourages frivolous law suits.//\n  2 a frivolous person likes having fun rather than doing serious or sensible things - used to show disapproval:  → serious//  -- frivolously adv //


Words: frizz
Meaning:
v [I and T]  informal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: friser, probably from  frire  ’to cook in hot oil’]//  if your hair frizzes, or if you frizz it, it curls very tightly//  -- frizz n  [U] //  --how to give your hair more shape and less frizz//


Words: frock
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: froc]//\n  1  old-fashioned a woman’s or girl’s dress:  --a party frock//\n  2 a long loose piece of clothing worn by some Christian monks:


Words: Frodo
Meaning:
a character in the novel The  Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. He is a  Hobbit, a creature that looks like a human but is much smaller, and lives in a hole in the ground.//


Words: frog
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: frogga]//\n  1 a small green animal that lives near water and has long legs for jumping:    toad//\n  2  have a frog in your throat:   informal to have difficulty in speaking, especially because of a sore throat//\n  3  Frog:   taboo a very offensive word for someone from France. Do not use this word.//


Words: Frog Prince
Meaning:
The   a  fairy tale in which a prince, who has been changed into a  frog by an evil  witch, tries to persuade a princess to kiss him so that he can become a prince again. She finally does, he becomes human again, and they get married.//


Words: frogman
Meaning:
n   plural  frogmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C]  BrE //  someone who swims under water using special equipment to help them breathe, especially as a job//   diver//  --Police frogmen have been searching the lake looking for a weapon.//


