# dict

Words: concerned
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 involved:\n   2 worried:\n   3 as far as somebody is concerned:\n   4 as far as something is concerned:\n   5 think something is important:\n   6 love/care:\n   7 concerned with somebody/something:  ----------//\n  1 INVOLVED:   [not before noun] involved in something or affected by it//  --Divorce is very painful, especially when children are concerned.//  --Some of the farmers concerned suffer particularly from the low prices.//  --We are trying to reach an agreement with all concerned  (=everyone who is involved or affected) .//  concerned with//  --all the people concerned with children’s education//  concerned in//  --There was no evidence that he was concerned in any criminal activity.//\n  2 WORRIED:  worried about something//  concerned about//  --She is concerned about how little food I eat.//  concerned for//  --He called the police because he was concerned for Gemma’s safety.//  concerned (that)//  --Pamela was concerned that her schoolwork had deteriorated despite her hard work.//  --The drug came under strong attack from concerned professional observers.//\n  3  as far as sb is concerned:   spoken used to show what someone’s opinion on a subject is or how it affects them//  --As far as Americans are concerned, a lot of our hotels are below average.//  --As far as I’m concerned, you can forget about it.//\n  4  as far as sth is concerned:   also where sth is concerned //   spoken used to show which subject or thing you are talking about//  --As far as traffic is concerned there are no delays at the moment.//\n  5 THINK SOMETHING IS IMPORTANT:   [not before noun] believing that something is important//  concerned with//  --Many politicians are more concerned with power and control than with the good of the people.//  concerned to do sth//  --Mr Quinn is simply concerned to hold on to his job.//\n  6 LOVE/CARE:  caring about someone and whether they are happy and healthy//  concerned for/about//  --He was genuinely concerned for the children.//\n  7  concerned with sb/sth:  if a book, story etc is concerned with a person, subject etc, it is about that subject//  --This chapter is concerned with the mental health of older people.//


Words: concerning
Meaning:
W3   prep   about or relating to//  --calls from young children concerning lost pets//  --the facts concerning Marr’s car crash//


Words: concert
Meaning:
W3S3   n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Italian concerto, from  concertare;   CONCERTED]//\n  1 a performance given by musicians or singers:  --a rock concert//  --live concert performances//  --a concert of French choral music//  --We were going to a concert in Bath Abbey.//  --He gave a concert at the opera house.//\n  2  in concert (with sb):  a)  formal people who do something in concert do it together after having agreed on it//  --Britain has to pursue policies in concert with other EU members.//  --It appeared that both the accused were acting in concert in the attack upon the deceased.//  b) playing or singing at a concert//  --They’re appearing in concert tonight at the Royal Concert Hall.//


Words: concerted
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: concert  ’to do together or by agreement’ (16-21 centuries), from  French concerter, from  Old Italian concertare, from  Latin,  ’to fight, compete’, from  com- (  COM-) +  certare  ’to make great efforts’]//  concerted effort/action/attack etc//  a concerted effort etc is done by people working together in a carefully planned and very determined way//  --Libraries have made a concerted effort to attract young people.//  -- concertedly adv //


Words: concertina
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: concert]//  a musical instrument like a small accordion, that you hold in both hands and play by pressing in from each side//\nconcertina 2 v [I]  BrE   if something concertinas, it folds together on itself//  --His too-long trousers concertinaed around his feet.//


Words: concerto
Meaning:
n   plural  concertos  [C] //  [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: concerto  ’concert’;   CONCERT]//  a piece of classical music, usually for one instrument and an orchestra//


Words: concession
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 something you allow somebody:\n   2 a right:\n   3 price reduction:\n   4 change of behaviour:\n   5 business:\n   6 things sold:  ----------//  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Latin concessio, from  concedere;   CONCEDE]//\n  1 SOMETHING YOU ALLOW SOMEBODY:   [C] something that you allow someone to have in order to end an argument or a disagreement//    concede//  concession to//  --a policy of no concessions to terrorists//  --The British were not prepared to make any concessions .//  concession on//  --his readiness to make concessions on many of the issues raised//  concession from//  --We will try to force further concessions from the government.//  major/important/substantial concession //  --The committee has won a number of major concessions from the prison authorities.//\n  2 A RIGHT:   [U and C] a special right that a particular person or group of people is allowed to have, for example by the government or an employer, or the act of giving or allowing something as a right//  --the ending of tax concessions for home owners//  --the import/export concessions that had been granted to the island//  concession of//  --the concession of autonomy to the universities//\n  3 PRICE REDUCTION:   [C]  BrE a reduction in the price of tickets, fees etc for certain groups of people, for example old people or children//   reduction//  --To qualify for travel concessions you have to be 60.//  --Open daily, adults [hA124]4, concessions [hA124]2 (=people who have the right to a concession pay [hA124]2) .//\n  4 CHANGE OF BEHAVIOUR:   [C] a change in your behaviour that you make because of a particular situation or idea//  --He took off his jacket as a concession to the heat.//  --He made no concessions to fashion.//\n  5 BUSINESS:   [C]  AmE //  a) the right to have a business in a particular place, especially in a place owned by someone else//  --The company owns valuable logging and mining concessions.//  b) a small business that sells things in a place owned by someone else//  --Joe runs a hamburger concession in the mall.//\n  6 THINGS SOLD:   concessions [plural]  AmE the things sold at a concession stand//


Words: concession stand
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a small business that sells food, drinks, or other things at sports events, theatres etc//


Words: concessionaire
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: concessionnaire, from  concession;   CONCESSION]//  someone who has been given the right to have a business in a particular place, especially in a place owned by someone else//


Words: concessionary
Meaning:
adj \n  1 given as a concession:\n  2  BrE specially reduced in price, for example for old people or children:  --a concessionary fares scheme for pensioners//


Words: conch
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: concha  ’mussel’, from  Greek konche]//  the large twisted shell of a tropical sea animal that looks like a snail//


Words: concierge
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Latin conservus  ’fellow slave’, from  com- (  COM-) +  servus  ’slave’]//\n  1 someone in a hotel whose job is to help guests by telling them about places to visit, restaurants to eat in etc:\n  2 someone who looks after a block of apartments and who checks who is going in and coming out, especially in France:


Words: conciliate
Meaning:
v [I and T]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  conciliare  ’to bring together, unite’, from  concilium;   COUNCIL]//  to do something to make people more likely to stop arguing, especially by giving them something they want//  --proposals designed to conciliate the unions//  -- conciliator n  [C] //


Words: conciliation
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   the process of trying to get people to stop arguing and agree//    reconciliation//  --conciliation talks between the two sides//


Words: conciliatory
Meaning:
adj   doing something that is intended to make someone stop arguing with you//  conciliatory approach/tone/gesture etc //  --Perhaps you should adopt a more conciliatory approach.//  --Brooks felt in no mood to be conciliatory.//


Words: concise
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: concisus, from the past participle of  concidere  ’to cut up’, from  com- (  COM-) +  caedere  ’to cut’]//\n  1 short, with no unnecessary words:   brief//  --Your summary should be as clear and concise as possible.//\n  2 [only before noun] shorter than the original book on which something is based:  --the Concise Dictionary of Spoken Chinese//  -- concisely adv //  -- conciseness n  [U] //


Words: conclave
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin,  ’room that can be locked’, from  com- (  COM-) +  clavis  ’key’]//  a private and secret meeting//


Words: conclude
Meaning:
W2S3   v   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Latin; Origin: concludere  ’to shut up, end, decide’, from  com- (  COM-) +  claudere  ’to shut’]//\n  1 [T] to decide that something is true after considering all the information you have:    conclusion//  conclude that//  --The report concluded that the school should be closed immediately.//  conclude from sth that//  --Richardson concluded from his studies that equality between the sexes is still a long way off.//\n  2 [T]  formal to complete something you have been doing, especially for a long time:  --When the investigation is concluded, the results will be sent to the US Attorney’s office.//  --Francis, having concluded his business with James, left for Miami.//\n  3 [I and T] to end something such as a meeting, book, event, or speech by doing or saying one final thing:  conclude with//  --Each chapter concludes with a short summary.//  conclude by doing sth//  --She concluded by saying she was proud to be from Salford.//  -- To conclude , I’d like to express my thanks to my family.//  --’So now’, she concluded, ’I’m trying to bring some order to the garden.’//\n  4  conclude an agreement/treaty/contract etc:  to finish arranging an agreement etc successfully//  --That same year, France concluded a trading agreement with Spain.//


Words: concluding
Meaning:
adj   concluding remark/section/stage etc//  the last remark etc in an event or piece of writing//  --the concluding section of Chapter 6//


Words: conclusion
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin conclusio, from  concludere;   CONCLUDE]//\n  1 [C] something you decide after considering all the information you have:    conclude//  --These are the report’s main conclusions.//  conclusion (that)//  --I soon came to the conclusion that she was lying.//  --It is still too early to reach a conclusion on this point.//  --There are perhaps two main conclusions to be drawn from the above discussion.//  --All the evidence  pointed to the conclusion  that he was guilty.//  --It’s important not to jump to conclusions .//  --The police came to the inescapable conclusion that the children had been murdered.//\n  2 [C]  formal the end or final part of something:   end//  conclusion of//  --At the conclusion of the meeting, little progress had been made.//\n  3  in conclusion:  used in a piece of writing or a speech to show that you are about to finish what you are saying//   finally//  --In conclusion, I would like to say how much I have enjoyed myself today.//\n  4 [U] the final arrangement of an agreement, a business deal etc:  conclusion of//  --celebrating the conclusion of a peace treaty//\n  5  be a foregone conclusion:  to be certain to happen, even though it has not yet officially happened//  --The outcome of the battle was a foregone conclusion.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  come to a conclusion/reach a conclusion (=decide something) //  draw a conclusion (from something) (=decide something because of information you have) //  lead to/point to/support the conclusion that (=make you decide that) //  jump to conclusions (=decide something too quickly, without knowing all the facts) //  logical conclusion //  firm conclusion //  inescapable conclusion (=the conclusion that you must come to) //  ----------//


Words: conclusive
Meaning:
adj   showing that something is definitely true//  → inconclusive//  conclusive proof/evidence/findings etc //  --The investigation failed to provide any conclusive evidence.//  -- conclusively adv //


Words: concoct
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  concoquere  ’to cook together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  coquere  ’to cook’]//\n  1 to invent a clever story, excuse, or plan, especially in order to deceive someone:  --John concocted an elaborate excuse for being late.//\n  2 to make something, especially food or drink, by mixing different things, especially things that are not usually combined:  --Jean concocted a great meal from the leftovers.//


Words: concoction
Meaning:
n [C]   something, especially a drink or food, made by mixing different things, especially things that are not usually combined//  --He sipped the concoction cautiously.//


Words: concomitant
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  concomitari  ’to go along with’, from  comes  ’companion’]//  existing or happening together, especially as a result of something//  --war with all its concomitant sufferings//  -- concomitantly adv //\nconcomitant 2 n [C]  formal   something that often or naturally happens with something else//  concomitant of//  --Deafness is a frequent concomitant of old age.//


Words: concord
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: concorde, from  Latin concordia, from  concors  ’agreeing’, from  com- (  COM-) +  cor  ’heart’]//\n  1  formal the state of having a friendly relationship, so that you agree on things and live in peace:  → discord//\n  2  technical in grammar, concord between words happens when they match correctly, for example when a plural noun has a plural verb following it:


Words: concordance
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] an alphabetical list of all the words used in a book or set of books, with information about where they can be found and usually about how they are used:  --a Shakespeare concordance//  concordance to//  --a concordance to the Bible//\n  2 [C] a list of all the words in a book, magazine etc, held on a computer database, showing every example of a particular word in the book etc:  --concordance lines//\n  3 [U]  formal the state of being similar to something else or in agreement with it:  --the concordance between the proposals//


Words: concordant
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  concordare  ’to agree’, from  concors;   CONCORD]//  being in agreement or having the same regular pattern//


Words: Concorde
Meaning:
trademark   a type of passenger aircraft, which can fly at twice the speed of sound and is the fastest in the world. Concorde is a long thin plane with a long pointed front. It was built by British and French designers and engineers working together.//  --He likes to travel in style, so he’s going on Concorde.//


Words: concourse
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: concourse  ’coming together of people, crowd’ (14-21 centuries), from  French concours, from  Latin concursus, from  concurrere;   CONCUR]//\n  1 a large hall or open place in a building such as an airport or train station:\n  2  formal a large crowd that has gathered together:  concourse of//  --an immense concourse of spectators//


Words: concrete
Meaning:
S3   adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: concretus, past participle of  concrescere  ’to grow together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  crescere  ’to grow’]//\n  1 made of concrete:  --a concrete floor//\n  2 definite and specific:    abstract//  --What does that mean in concrete terms ?//  --the lack of any concrete evidence //  --a dialogue about concrete issues and problems//  -- concretely adv //\nconcrete 2   n [U]   a substance used for building that is made by mixing sand, very small stones, cement, and water//\nconcrete 3   v [T]   to cover something such as a path, wall etc with concrete//


Words: concrete jungle
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   an unpleasant area in a city that is full of big ugly buildings and has no open spaces//


Words: concubine
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin concubina, from  com- (  COM-) +  cubare  ’to lie’]//  a woman in the past who lived with and had sex with a man who already had a wife or wives, but who was socially less important than the wives//


Words: concur
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  concurred present participle  concurring  [I]  formal //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: concurrere, from  com- (  COM-) +  currere  ’to run’]//\n  1 to agree with someone or have the same opinion as them:  concur with//  --The committee largely concurred with these views.//\n  2 to happen at the same time:   coincide//  concur to do sth//  --Everything concurred to produce the desired effect.//


Words: concurrence
Meaning:
n  formal \n  1 [C] an example of events, actions etc happening at the same time:  concurrence of//  --a strange concurrence of events//\n  2 [U] agreement:  concurrence with//  --Jules expressed his concurrence with the suggestion.//


Words: concurrent
Meaning:
adj \n  1 existing or happening at the same time:  --The exhibition reflected concurrent developments abroad.//\n  2  formal in agreement:  concurrent with//  --My opinions are concurrent with yours.//  -- concurrently adv //  --Because his prison sentences run concurrently , he could be free in two years.//


Words: concuss
Meaning:
v [T usually passive]   if you are concussed, something hits you on the head, making you lose consciousness or feel sick for a short time//  --He was concussed by the blast.//


Words: concussion
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: concussio, from  concutere  ’to shake violently’, from  com- (  COM-) +  quatere  ’to shake’]//\n  1 [U]  BrE  [C]  AmE a small amount of damage to the brain that makes you lose consciousness or feel sick for a short time, usually caused by something hitting your head:  with (a) concussion//  --He was rushed into hospital with concussion.//  --I had a concussion and a lot of scrapes and bruises.//\n  2 [C usually singular] a violent shaking movement, caused by the very loud sound of something such as an explosion:  --The ground shuddered and heaved with the concussion of the blast.//


Words: condemn
Meaning:
v [T]   ----------//\n   1 disapprove:\n   2 punish:\n   3 force to do something:\n   4 not safe:  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: condemner, from  Latin condemnare, from  com- (  COM-) +  damnare (  DAMN4)]//\n  1 DISAPPROVE:  to say very strongly that you do not approve of something or someone, especially because you think it is morally wrong//  --Politicians were quick to condemn the bombing.//  condemn sth/sb as sth//  --The law has been condemned as an attack on personal liberty.//  condemn sb/sth for (doing) sth//  --She knew that society would condemn her for leaving her children.//\n  2 PUNISH:  to give someone a severe punishment after deciding they are guilty of a crime//  condemn sb to sth//  --He was found guilty and condemned to death .//\n  3 FORCE TO DO SOMETHING:  if a particular situation condemns someone to something, it forces them to live in an unpleasant way or to do something unpleasant//  condemn sb to (do) sth//  --people condemned to a life of poverty//  --His occupation condemned him to spend long periods of time away from his family.//\n  4 NOT SAFE:  to state officially that something is not safe enough to be used//  --an old house that had been condemned//  condemn sth as sth//  --The pool was closed after being condemned as a health hazard.//


Words: condemnation
Meaning:
n [U and C]   an expression of very strong disapproval of someone or something, especially something you think is morally wrong//  condemnation of//  --There was widespread international condemnation of the bombing.//


Words: condemned
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1 a condemned person is going to be punished by being killed:\n  2 a condemned building is officially not safe to live in or use:


Words: condensation
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] small drops of water that are formed when steam or warm air touches a cold surface:  --There was a lot of condensation on the windows.//\n  2 [U]  technical when a gas becomes a liquid:\n  3 [U and C]  formal the act of making something shorter:


Words: condense
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: condenser, from  Latin, from  com- (  COM-) +  densare  ’to make dense’]//\n  1 [I and T] if a gas condenses, or is condensed, it becomes a liquid:  --the mist which condensed on every cold surface//  condense into//  --The gaseous metal is cooled and condenses into liquid zinc.//\n  2 [T] to make something that is spoken or written shorter, by not giving as much detail or using fewer words to give the same information:  condense sth into sth//  --This whole chapter could be condensed into a few paragraphs.//\n  3 [T] to make a liquid thicker by removing some of the water:  -- condensed soup //


Words: condenser
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a piece of equipment that makes a gas change into a liquid:\n  2 a machine for storing electricity, especially in a car engine:


Words: condescend
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: condescendre, from  Late Latin condescendere, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  descendere  ’to go down’]//\n  1 to behave as if you think you are better, more intelligent, or more important than other people - used to show disapproval:  condescend to//  --Take care not to condescend to your readers.//\n  2 to do something in a way that shows you think it is below your social or professional position - used to show disapproval:  condescend to do sth//  --’Yes. I know,’ Clara said, condescending to look at Rose for the first time.//  -- condescension/-sen[hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U] //


Words: condescending
Meaning:
adj   behaving as though you think you are better, more intelligent, or more important than other people - used to show disapproval//  --Professor Hutter’s manner is extremely condescending.//  -- condescendingly adv //


Words: condiment
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   vinegar, pepper, oil, salt//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin condimentum, from  condire  ’to pickle’]//  a powder or liquid, such as salt or ketchup, that you use to give a special taste to food//


Words: condition
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 situation:\n   2 weather:\n   3 things affecting situation:\n   4 state:\n   5 health/fitness:\n   6 agreement/contract:\n   7 for something to happen:\n   8 illness:\n   9 situation of group:\n  10 never:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conditio, from  condicere  ’to agree’, from  com- (  COM-) +  dicere  ’to say’]//\n  1 SITUATION:   conditions [plural] the situation in which people live or work, especially the physical things that affect the quality of their lives//  --Conditions in the prison were atrocious.//  living/working conditions //  --an attempt to improve living conditions for the working classes//  -- Poor working conditions lead to demoralized and unproductive employees.//  in appalling/overcrowded/dreadful etc conditions //  --These children work 70 metres below ground in appalling conditions.//  --In May, staff went on strike, demanding better pay and conditions .//\n  2 WEATHER:   conditions [plural] the weather at a particular time, especially when you are considering how this affects people//  --The conditions during the first half of the match were appalling.//  cold/windy/icy etc conditions //  --In cold conditions you’ll need a sleeping bag with a hood.//  --the worsening weather conditions//\n  3 THINGS AFFECTING SITUATION:   conditions [plural] all the things that affect the way something happens//  under ... conditions//  --Under normal conditions, people will usually do what requires least effort.//  --Under these conditions, the fire can be rapidly controlled.//  --Profits increased by [hA124]1.5m, despite the difficult economic conditions.//  --The combination of rain and greasy surfaces made driving conditions treacherous.//\n  4 STATE:   [singular, U] the state that something is in, especially how good or bad its physical state is//  in (a) good/poor/excellent/terrible etc condition //  --The car has been well maintained and is in excellent condition.//  --The house was in a terrible condition.//  condition of//  --The condition of nuclear plants is a matter of great concern.//\n  5 HEALTH/FITNESS:   [singular, U] how healthy or fit you are//  --She is being treated at Walton Hospital, where her condition is described as ’satisfactory’.//  in (a) critical/stable/satisfactory condition //  --One of the victims was in a critical condition after suffering severe burns.//  physical/mental condition //  --If you are uncertain about your physical condition, check with your doctor before trying these exercises.//  --’I’m so out of condition  (=unfit) ,’ she panted.//  --an athlete in peak condition //  in no condition to do sth//   (=too drunk, ill, or upset to be able to do something) //  --I was in no condition to cope with a train journey.//  --Mark can’t possibly drive home in that condition  (=when he is so drunk, ill, or upset) .//\n  6 AGREEMENT/CONTRACT:   [C] something that you must agree to in order for something to happen, especially when this is included in a contract//  --She  laid down  only one  condition : that her name not be revealed.//  condition for//  --There were strict conditions for letting us use their information.//  --The bank agreed to extend the loan if  certain conditions  were  met .//  --A statement of your terms and conditions of employment can be found in the Personnel Handbook.//  --He was released on bail  on condition that  he did not go within half a mile of his mother’s address.//  --The application was approved, subject to certain conditions .//\n  7 FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN:   [C] something that must exist or happen first, before something else can happen//  condition for/of//  --Our goal is to create the conditions for a lasting peace.//  --Investment is a necessary condition of economic growth.//\n  8 ILLNESS:   [C] an illness or health problem that affects you permanently or for a very long time//  --People suffering from this condition should not smoke.//  heart/lung etc condition //  --She has a serious heart condition.//  --Was he being treated for any medical condition ?//\n  9 SITUATION OF GROUP:   [singular]  formal the situation or state of a particular group of people, especially when they have problems and difficulties//  --Few people can really appreciate the condition of the poor in our cities.//  --All my paintings are ultimately about the human condition .//\n  10 NEVER:   on no condition//  never//  --On no condition should untrained personnel use the equipment.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 6 //  lay down/impose/set conditions (=say what must be done) //  strict condition //  meet/satisfy/fulfil a condition (=do what has been agreed) //  terms and conditions (=what a contract says must be done) //  on condition that/on one condition (=only if a particular thing is agreed to) //  subject to conditions (=if particular things are agreed to) //  ----------//\ncondition 2 v \n  1 [T] to make a person or an animal think or behave in a certain way by influencing or training them over a period of time:    conditioning//  --People are conditioned by the society in which they live.//  condition sb to do sth//  --Many women are conditioned from birth to be accepting rather than questioning.//\n  2 [T]  formal to control or decide the way in which something can happen or exist:   determine//  --What I buy is conditioned by the amount I earn.//\n  3 [I and T] to keep hair or skin healthy by putting a special liquid on it:    conditioner//  --a shampoo that washes and conditions all in one//


Words: conditional
Meaning:
adj \n  1 if an offer, agreement etc is conditional, it will only be done if something else happens first:  → unconditional//  --a conditional acceptance//  conditional on/upon//  --His agreement to buy our house was conditional on our leaving all the furniture in it.//\n  2 in grammar, a conditional sentence is one that begins with ’if’ or ’unless’ and expresses something that must be true or happen before something else can be true or happen:  -- conditionally adv //\nconditional 2 n [C]   a sentence or clause that is expressed in a conditional form//


Words: conditional discharge
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   a judgment made by a court that allows someone who has done something illegal not to be punished if they obey rules set by the court//


Words: conditioner
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1 a liquid that you put onto your hair after washing it to make it softer:\n  2  BrE a liquid that you wash clothes in to make them softer:  American Equivalent:  softener//


Words: conditioning
Meaning:
n [U]   the process by which people or animals are trained to behave in a particular way when particular things happen//  -- Social conditioning makes crying more difficult for men.//    air conditioning//


Words: condo
Meaning:
n   plural  condos  [C]  AmE  informal //  [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: condominium]//  a condominium//


Words: condolence
Meaning:
n [C usually plural, U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Late Latin; Origin: condolere  ’to express sympathy’, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  dolere  ’to feel pain’]//  sympathy for someone who has had something bad happen to them, especially when someone has died//  --a letter of condolence //  send/offer your condolences (=formally express your sympathy when someone has died) //


Words: condom
Meaning:
n [C]   a thin rubber bag that a man wears over his penis (=sex organ)  during sex, to prevent a woman having a baby or to protect against disease//


Words: condominium
Meaning:
n [C]  especially AmE   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Latin com- (  COM-) +  dominium  ’area ruled’]//\n  1 one apartment in a building with several apartments, each of which is owned by the people living in it:\n  2 a building containing several of these apartments:


Words: condone
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Latin; Origin: condonare  ’to forgive’, from  com- (  COM-) +  donare (  DONATION)]//  to accept or forgive behaviour that most people think is morally wrong//  --I cannot condone the use of violence under any circumstances.//


Words: condor
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Spanish; Origin: condor, from  Quechua kuntur]//  a very large South American vulture (=a bird that eats dead animals) //


Words: conducive
Meaning:
adj   be conducive to sth//   formal if a situation is conducive to something such as work, rest etc, it provides conditions that make it easy for you to work etc//  --an environment conducive to learning//


Words: conduct
Meaning:
W2S3   v   ----------//\n   1 carry out:\n   2 music:\n   3 behave:\n   4 electricity/heat:\n   5 show somebody something:  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: conductus, past participle of  conducere;   CONDUCE]//\n  1 CARRY OUT:   [T] to carry out a particular activity or process, especially in order to get information or prove facts//  conduct a survey/investigation/review etc //  --We are conducting a survey of consumer attitudes towards organic food.//  conduct an experiment/a test //  --Is it really necessary to conduct experiments on animals?//  conduct a campaign //  --They conducted a campaign of bombings and assassinations.//  conduct an interview //  --The interview was conducted in English.//  --The memorial service was conducted by the Rev. David Prior.//  --It was the first time that I had conducted business in Brazil.//\n  2 MUSIC:   [I and T] to stand in front of a group of musicians or singers and direct their playing or singing//    conductor//  conduct an orchestra/choir //  --The orchestra is conducted by John Williams.//  --Who will be conducting?//\n  3 BEHAVE:   conduct yourself//   formal to behave in a particular way, especially in a situation where people judge you by the way you behave//  --He was a player who always conducted himself impeccably, both on and off the field.//\n  4 ELECTRICITY/HEAT:   [T] if something conducts electricity or heat, it allows electricity or heat to travel along or through it//    conductor//  --Aluminium, being a metal, readily conducts heat .//\n  5 SHOW SOMEBODY SOMETHING:   [T always + adverb/preposition]  formal to take or lead someone somewhere//  conduct sb to sth//  --On arrival, I was conducted to the commandant’s office.//  conducted tour (of sth) (=a tour of a building, city, or area with someone who tells you about that place) //  --a conducted tour of Berlin//\nconduct 2 W3   n [U]  formal \n  1 the way someone behaves, especially in public, in their job etc:   behaviour//  --The Senator’s conduct is being investigated by the Ethics Committee.//  --an inquiry into the conduct of the police//  ethical/professional etc conduct //  --the Law Society’s Code of Professional Conduct//  improper/violent/offensive etc conduct //  --He was arrested for disorderly conduct  (=noisy violent behaviour) .//\n  2  conduct of sth:  the way in which an activity is organized and carried out//  --complaints about the conduct of the elections//  --Disclosure of information would compromise the proper conduct of the investigation.//


Words: conductive
Meaning:
adj   able to conduct electricity, heat etc//  --Copper is a very conductive metal.//  -- conductivity/k[hA361]nd[hA356]kt[hA366]v[hA369]ti $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ n  [U] //


Words: conductor
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who stands in front of a group of musicians or singers and directs their playing or singing:\n  2  BrE someone whose job is to collect payments from passengers on a bus:\n  3  AmE someone who is in charge of a train and collects payments from passengers or checks their tickets:  British Equivalent:  guard//\n  4 something that allows electricity or heat to travel along it or through it:  --Wood is a poor conductor of heat.//    lightning conductor//


Words: conduit
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conductus;   CONDUCT1]//\n  1  technical a pipe or passage through which water, gas, a set of electric wires etc passes:\n  2  formal a connection between two things that allows people to pass ideas, news, money, weapons, drugs etc from one place to another:  conduit for//  --Drug traffickers have used the country as a conduit for shipments to the U.S.//


Words: cone
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin conus, from  Greek konos]//\n  1 a solid or hollow shape that is round at one end, has sloping sides, and has a point at the other end, or something with this shape:\n  2 an object shaped like a large cone that is put on a road to prevent cars from going somewhere or to warn drivers about something:\n  3 the fruit of a pine or fir tree:    conifer//  4 a piece of thin cooked cake, shaped like a cone, that you put ice cream in, or a cone like this with ice cream in it//\n  5  technical a cell in your eye that is shaped like a cone, that helps you see light and colour:    rod//\ncone 2 v   cone off [cone sth → off] phr v//  to put a row of orange  cones around an area to prevent people or cars from going there, for example during building work//


Words: confection
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin confectio, from  conficere  ’to prepare’, from  com- (  COM-) +  facere  ’to make’]//\n  1 a beautifully prepared sweet food:\n  2 something, especially a piece of clothing or a building, that is very delicate and complicated, or has a lot of decoration:  confection of//  --a dreamy confection of pink beads and satin//\n  3 something such as a film or song that is not serious or important:


Words: Confederacy
Meaning:
the  also the Confederate States   in the American Civil War, the southern states of the US, which fought the northern states (the Union) and lost//


Words: confederate
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: , past participle of  confoederare, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  foedus (  FEDERAL)]//\n  1  formal someone who helps someone else do something, especially something secret or illegal:   accomplice//  --The young woman was his confederate, of course.//\n  2 a member of a confederacy:  -- confederate adj //


Words: Confederate flag
Meaning:
n [C]   the flag of the  Confederacy, which is still used, especially by people in the South of the US, to show support for the ideas of the Confederacy and for  racism against black people//


Words: confederation
Meaning:
n [C]   a group of people, political parties, or organizations that have united for political purposes or trade//


Words: confer
Meaning:
v   past tense and past participle  conferred present participle  conferring  formal //  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: conferre  ’to bring together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  ferre  ’to carry’]//\n  1 [I] to discuss something with other people, so that everyone can express their opinions and decide on something:  confer with//  --Franklin leant over and conferred with his attorneys.//\n  2  confer a title/degree/honour etc:  to officially give someone a title etc, especially as a reward for something they have achieved//  confer a title/degree/honour etc on/upon//  --An honorary degree was conferred on him by the University.//  -- conferment n  [U and C] //


Words: conference
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a large formal meeting where a lot of people discuss important matters such as business, politics, or science, especially for several days:  --Representatives from over 100 countries attended the International Peace Conference in Geneva.//  conference on//  --a UN conference on the environment//  hold a conference (=have a conference) //  conference centre/facilities/hall etc //    press conference//\n  2 a private meeting for a few people to have formal discussions:  conference with//  --After a brief conference with his aides, he left for the airport.//  conference room/table etc //  --The meeting will be held in the conference room at 10 am.//  in conference//  --Mr Dickson is in conference.//\n  3  AmE a group of teams that play against each other to see who is the best:  --the Western Conference finals//


Words: confess
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: confesser, from  Latin confiteri  ’to confess’, from  com- (  COM-) +  fateri  ’to confess’]//\n  1 to admit, especially to the police, that you have done something wrong or illegal:    confession//  confess to (doing) sth//  --Edwards confessed to being a spy for the KGB.//  --Occasionally people confess to crimes they haven’t committed just to get attention.//  confess (that)//  --My husband confessed he’d been having an affair with a woman in his office.//  --Torture was used and Fian confessed.//\n  2 to admit something that you feel embarrassed about:    confession//  confess (that)//  --Marsha confessed that she didn’t really know how to work the computer.//  confess to (doing) sth//  --He confessed to having a secret admiration for his opponent.//  I (have to/must) confess (=used when admitting something you feel slightly embarrassed about) //  --I must confess I don’t visit my parents as often as I should.//\n  3 to tell a priest or God about the wrong things you have done so that you can be forgiven:    confession//  --He knelt and confessed his sin .//


Words: confessed
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   having admitted publicly that you have done something//  --a confessed criminal//    self-confessed//


Words: confession
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a statement that you have done something wrong, illegal, or embarrassing, especially a formal statement:  --Sanchez’s confession was read out to the court.//  confession of//  --a confession of adultery//  --At 3 a.m. Higgins broke down and made a full confession .//  --I have a confession - I like Britney Spears’ music.//\n  2 [U and C] when you tell a priest or God about the bad things that you have done:  --You must go to confession .//  --a priest who hears confession //\n  3 [C]  formal a statement of what your religious beliefs are:  confession of//  --a confession of faith //


Words: confessional
Meaning:
n [C]   a place in a church, usually an enclosed room, where a priest hears people make their confessions//\nconfessional 2 adj   confessional speech or writing contains private thoughts or feelings that you would normally keep secret//


Words: confetti
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Italian; Origin: , plural of  confetto  ’candy’, from  Latin conficere; because candy was thrown at Italian street celebrations]//  small pieces of coloured paper that you throw into the air over people who have just got married or at events such as parties, parades etc//


Words: confidant
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: confident]//  someone you tell your secrets to or who you talk to about personal things//


Words: confide
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: confidere, from  com- (  COM-) +  fidere  ’to trust’]//\n  1 to tell someone you trust about personal things that you do not want other people to know:  confide to sb that//  --He confided to his friends that he didn’t have much hope for his marriage.//\n  2  formal to give something you value to someone you trust so they look after it for you:  confide sth to sb//  --He confided his money to his brother’s safekeeping.//  confide in [confide in sb] phr v//  to tell someone about something very private or secret, especially a personal problem, because you feel you can trust them//  --I’ve never felt able to confide in my sister.//


Words: confidence
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 feeling somebody/something is good:\n   2 belief in yourself:\n   3 feeling something is true:\n   4 gain/win/earn somebody’s confidence:\n   5 keep information secret:\n   6 take somebody into your confidence:\n   7 a secret:  ----------//\n  1 FEELING SOMEBODY/SOMETHING IS GOOD:   [U] the feeling that you can trust someone or something to be good, work well, or produce good results//  confidence in//  --Our first priority is to maintain the customer’s confidence in our product.//  --The survey reveals a general lack of confidence in the police.//  --She  had complete confidence  in the young nurse.//  --Opinion polls show that voters have lost confidence in the administration.//  --the school’s campaign to  win back the confidence of  local parents//  --The Bank immediately took action to  restore confidence .//  --These miscarriages of justice have  undermined confidence in  our legal system.//  -- Public confidence in the government is at an all-time low.//  --Surveys indicate an improvement in business confidence .//\n  2 BELIEF IN YOURSELF:   [U] the belief that you have the ability to do things well or deal with situations successfully//  confidence in//  --Minton is an outstanding boxer, with tremendous confidence in his own ability.//  --I didn’t have any confidence in myself.//  lack confidence/be lacking in confidence //  --She’s a good student, but she lacks confidence.//  --Living on her own in a foreign country for a year gave her a lot of confidence .//  confidence to do sth//  --Good training will give a beginner the confidence to enjoy skiing.//  gain (in)/lose confidence //  --You do lose confidence when you spend years and years at home with children.//  sb’s confidence is growing/sb is growing in confidence //  --I felt I was doing well and my confidence began to grow.//  boost/increase etc sb’s confidence (=make someone feel more confident) //  shake/damage etc sb’s confidence (=make someone feel less confident) //  --Julie’s confidence was badly shaken by her car accident.//  with confidence//  --Our goal is to prepare students to go into the business world with confidence.//\n  3 FEELING SOMETHING IS TRUE:   [U] the feeling that something is definite or true//  say/speak/predict etc with confidence //  --How can anyone say with confidence that the recession is over?//  confidence in//  --I have complete confidence in Mr Wright’s analysis of the situation.//  have confidence (that)//  --I have every confidence that the job will be completed satisfactorily on time.//\n  4  gain/win/earn sb’s confidence:  if you gain someone’s confidence, they begin to trust you//  --After a discouraging start, the young priest had begun to win the confidence of the villagers.//\n  5 KEEP INFORMATION SECRET:   [U] if you tell someone something in confidence, you tell them something on the understanding that they will not tell anyone else//    confide//  in confidence//  --I’ll tell you about Moira - in confidence, of course.//  in strict/the strictest confidence //  --Any information given during the interview will be treated in the strictest confidence .//  breach of confidence (=when someone tells someone something that they were told in confidence) //  --Lawyers are satisfied that no breach of confidence took place.//\n  6  take sb into your confidence:  to tell someone your secrets or private or personal details about your life//  --Elsa took me into her confidence and told me about some of the problems she was facing.//\n  7 A SECRET:   [C] a secret or a piece of information that is private or personal//  share/exchange confidences //  --They spent their evenings drinking wine and sharing confidences.//  --I have never betrayed a confidence .//    vote of confidence,  vote of no confidence//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  lack of confidence //  have confidence in somebody/something //  have every/complete/absolute confidence in somebody/something //  lose (your) confidence in somebody/something //  gain/win somebody’s confidence //  increase confidence (in somebody/something) //  inspire confidence (in somebody/something) (=make people have confidence) //  restore confidence (in somebody/something) (=bring back people’s confidence) //  destroy/shatter (somebody’s) confidence (in somebody/something) //  undermine (somebody’s) confidence (in somebody/something) (=make someone have less confidence) //  public confidence //  business confidence (=when businesses think the economic situation is good) //  consumer confidence (=when ordinary people think the economic situation is good) //  ----------//


Words: confidence trick
Meaning:
n [C]   a dishonest trick played on someone in order to get their money//   con//  -- confidence trickster n  [C] //


Words: confidence-building
Meaning:
adj   a confidence-building event, activity etc increases your confidence//  --the use of confidence-building exercises to assist adults to return to the labour market//


Words: confident
Meaning:
W3S2   adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  confidere;   CONFIDE]//\n  1 [not before noun] sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect:  confident (that)//  --We are confident next year’s profits will be higher.//  --He is quietly confident that there will be no problems this time.//  confident of//  --The Prime Minister appeared relaxed and confident of winning an overall majority.//  --The company is confident of success .//  confident about//  --I feel quite confident about the future.//\n  2 sure that you have the ability to do things well or deal with situations successfully:  --Despite her disability, Philippa is very confident.//  confident about//  --I feel much more confident about myself and my abilities these days.//  confident smile/voice/manner etc //  --He began to read in a calm, confident voice.//\n  3 sure that something is true:  confident (that)//  --We are confident we have done nothing wrong.//  --He began to feel confident that Zaborski was only guessing.//  --It is not possible to give a confident answer to the question whether the delay was unreasonable.//  -- confidently adv //    self-confident//  ----------//  HINT //  Do not confuse with the noun confidant (=someone you tell secrets or personal things to). //  WORD FOCUS: confident //  confident about your abilities: confident,  self-confident,  sure of yourself,  assured,  poised //  too confident: overconfident,  cocky,  brash //  not confident: lack confidence,  be insecure,  be unsure of yourself //  ----------//


Words: confidential
Meaning:
adj \n  1 spoken or written in secret and intended to be kept secret:  --a confidential government report//  --Doctors are required to keep patients’ records completely confidential .//  --The information will be regarded as strictly confidential  (=completely confidential) .//\n  2 a confidential way of speaking or behaving shows that you do not want other people to know what you are saying:  --His voice sank into a confidential whisper.//  -- confidentially adv //


Words: confidentiality
Meaning:
n [U]   a situation in which you trust someone not to tell secret or private information to anyone else//  --The relationship between attorneys and their clients is based on confidentiality.//  breach of confidentiality (=when someone gives away information they have promised to keep secret) //  --It is a breach of confidentiality for a priest to reveal what someone has said in the confessional.//


Words: confiding
Meaning:
adj   behaving in a way that shows you want to tell someone about something that is private or secret//  --Her tone was suddenly confiding.//  -- confidingly adv //  --He leant forward confidingly.//


Words: configuration
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1  formal  or  technical the shape or arrangement of the parts of something:   layout//  configuration of//  --the configuration of pistons in an engine//\n  2  technical the combination of equipment needed to run a computer system:


Words: configure
Meaning:
v [T]  technical   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: configurare  ’to form from’, from  com- (  COM-) +  figurare  ’to form’]//  to arrange something, especially computer equipment, so that it works with other equipment//


Words: confine
Meaning:
W3   v [T]   ----------//\n   1 limit:\n   2 keep somebody in a place:\n   3 stop something spreading:\n   4 stay in one place:  ----------//  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: confiner, from  Latin confinis;   CONFINES]//\n  1 LIMIT:  to keep someone or something within the limits of a particular activity or subject//   restrict//  confine sth to sth//  --The police cadet’s duties were confined to taking statements from the crowd.//  --We confined our study to 10 cases.//  confine yourself to (doing) sth//  --Owen did not confine himself to writing only one type of poem.//\n  2 KEEP SOMEBODY IN A PLACE:  to keep someone in a place that they cannot leave, such as a prison//  confine sb to sth//  --Any soldier who leaves his post will be confined to barracks (=made to stay in the barracks) .//  be confined in sth//  --He was allegedly confined in a narrow, dark room for two months.//\n  3 STOP SOMETHING SPREADING:  to stop something bad from spreading to another place//  confine sth to sth//  --Firefighters managed to confine the fire to the living room.//\n  4 STAY IN ONE PLACE:   [usually passive] if you are confined to a place, you have to stay in that place, especially because you are ill//  --Vaughan is confined to a wheelchair .//  --She’s confined to bed with flu.//


Words: confined
Meaning:
adj \n  1  be confined to sb/sth:  to exist in or affect only a particular place or group//  --The risk of infection is confined to groups such as medical personnel.//\n  2 a confined space or area is one that is very small:  --It wasn’t easy to sleep in such a confined space.//


Words: confinement
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U]  formal the act of putting someone in a room, prison etc that they are not allowed to leave, or the state of being there:  --They were held in confinement for three weeks.//  --He visited prisoners at their place of confinement.//    solitary confinement//\n  2 [U and C]  old-fashioned  or  formal the time when a woman gives birth to a baby:  --the pros and cons of home versus hospital confinement//


Words: confines
Meaning:
n [plural]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: confins, from  Latin confine  ’border’, from  com- (  COM-) +  finis  ’end’]//  limits or borders//  within/beyond the confines of sth//  --within the confines of the prison//


Words: confirm
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: confirmer, from  Latin confirmare, from  com- (  COM-) +  firmare  ’to make firm’]//\n  1 to show that something is definitely true, especially by providing more proof:  --New evidence has confirmed the first witness’s story.//  --To confirm my diagnosis I need to do some tests.//  confirm that//  --Research has confirmed that the risk is higher for women.//  confirm what//  --The new results confirm what most of us knew already.//\n  2 to say that something is definitely true:  --The President refused to confirm the rumor.//  --Managers have so far refused to confirm or deny reports that up to 200 jobs are to go.//  confirm that//  --Walsh confirmed that the money had been paid.//  confirm what//  --My brother will confirm what I have told you.//\n  3 to tell someone that a possible arrangement, date, or situation is now definite or official:  --Could you confirm the dates we discussed?//  --Smith was confirmed as the club’s new manager yesterday.//  confirm a booking/reservation/appointment //  --I am writing to confirm a booking for a single room for the night of 6 June.//\n  4 to make you believe that your idea or feeling is right:  confirm your fears/doubts/suspicions etc //  --This just confirms my worst fears.//  confirm you in your belief/opinion/view etc (that) (=make you believe something more strongly) //  --The expression on his face confirmed me in my suspicions.//\n  5  be confirmed:  to be made a full member of the Christian church in a special ceremony//


Words: confirmation
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1 a statement, document etc that says that something is definitely true:  confirmation of//  --There has still been no official confirmation of the report.//  confirmation that//  --verbal confirmation that payment has been made//\n  2 a letter etc that tells you that an arrangement, date, time etc is now definite:  --Most hotels require confirmation from a prospective guest in writing.//\n  3 a religious ceremony in which someone is made a full member of the Christian church:


Words: confirmed
Meaning:
adj   a confirmed bachelor/atheist/vegetarian etc//  someone who seems completely happy with the way of life they have chosen//


Words: confiscate
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  confiscare, from  com- (  COM-) +  fiscus (  FISCAL)]//  to officially take private property away from someone, usually as a punishment//  --Miss Williams confiscated all our sweets.//  --Many opposition supporters had their goods confiscated.//  -- confiscation/k[hA361]nf[hA369]ske[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ n  [U and C] //  --the confiscation of pornographic material//


Words: conflagration
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: conflagratio, from  conflagrare  ’to burn’, from  com- (  COM-) +  flagrare  ’to burn’]//\n  1 a very large fire that destroys a lot of buildings, forests etc:\n  2 a violent situation or war:


Words: conflate
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  conflare  ’to blow together, join’, from  com- (  COM-) +  flare  ’to blow’]//  to combine two or more things to form a single new thing//  --He conflates two images from Kipling’s short stories in the film.//  -- conflation/-fle[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U and C] //


Words: conflict
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: conflictus, from the past participle of  confligere  ’to strike together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  fligere  ’to strike’]//\n  1 [U and C] a state of disagreement or argument between people, groups, countries etc:  conflict over//  --conflicts over wage settlements//  conflict between//  --the conflict between tradition and innovation//  in conflict (with sb)//  --normal kids who are in conflict with their parents//  political/social/industrial conflict //  --social and political conflict in the 1930s//  --the threat of industrial conflict in the coalfields//  --Marx points out the potential conflicts below the surface of society.//  --His views on the literal truth of the Bible brought him into conflict with other Christian leaders.//  --Doctors exercise considerable power and often come into conflict with politicians.//  --a lawyer specializing in conflict resolution //\n  2 [U and C] fighting or a war:  armed/military/violent conflict //  --For years the region has been torn apart by armed conflicts.//  --UN troops intervened to avert a threat of violent conflict.//  --efforts to resolve the conflict //\n  3 [U and C] a situation in which you have to choose between two or more opposite needs, influences etc:  --As women increasingly went out to work, the possibility of a conflict of loyalties became stronger.//  conflict between//  --a conflict between the demands of one’s work and one’s family//  in conflict (with sth)//  --The principles of democracy are sometimes in conflict with political reality.//\n  4 [U and C] a situation in which you have two opposite feelings about something:  --a state of inner conflict//\n  5 [C]  AmE something that you have to do at the same time that someone wants you to do something else:  --Sorry, I have a conflict on Friday. Can we make it Monday?//\n  6  conflict of interest/interests:  a) a situation in which you cannot do your job fairly because you will be affected by the decision you make//  --There is a growing conflict of interest between her position as a politician and her business activities.//  b) a situation in which different people want different things//\nconflict 2   v [I]   if two ideas, beliefs, opinions etc conflict, they cannot exist together or both be true //  conflict with//  --new evidence which conflicts with previous findings//  conflicting opinions/demands/interests etc //  --I had been given a great deal of conflicting advice.//  --There are conflicting views about what caused the accident.//


Words: conflicted
Meaning:
adj  AmE   be/feel conflicted (about sth)//  to be confused about what choice to make, especially when the decision involves strong beliefs or opinions//  --Many mothers today feel conflicted about working outside the home.//


Words: confluence
Meaning:
n [singular]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Late Latin; Origin: confluentia, from  Latin confluere  ’to flow together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  fluere  ’to flow’]//\n  1  technical the place where two or more rivers flow together:\n  2  formal a situation in which two or more things combine or happen at the same time:  confluence of//  --a confluence of unhappy events//


Words: conform
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conformer, from  Latin, from  com- (  COM-) +  formare  ’to form’]//\n  1 to behave in the way that most other people in your group or society behave:    conformist//  --the pressure on schoolchildren to conform//  conform to/with//  --people who do not conform to traditional standards of behaviour//\n  2 to obey a law, rule etc:  conform to/with//  --Students can be expelled for refusing to conform to school rules.//  --All new buildings must conform with the regional development plan.//  --products which conform to international safety standards//\n  3  conform to a pattern/model/ideal etc:  to be similar to what people expect or think is usual//  --Joseph does not conform to the stereotype of a policeman.//


Words: conformation
Meaning:
n [U and C]  technical   the shape of something or the way in which it is formed//  --the conformation of the earth//


Words: conformist
Meaning:
adj   thinking and behaving like everyone else, because you do not want to be different, or forcing people to do this - often used to show disapproval//    nonconformist//  --a country with a conformist education system//  -- conformist n  [C] //


Words: conformity
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 behaviour that obeys the accepted rules of society or a group, and is the same as that of most other people:  --an emphasis on conformity and control//  conformity to//  --conformity to social expectations//\n  2  in conformity with sth:   formal in a way that obeys rules, customs etc//  --We must act in conformity with local regulations.//


Words: confound
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: confondre  ’to ruin, destroy’, from  Latin confundere  ’to pour together, confuse’, from  com- (  COM-) +  fundere  ’to pour’]//\n  1 to confuse and surprise people by being unexpected:  --His amazing recovery confounded the medical specialists.//\n  2 to prove someone or something wrong:  confound the critics/pundits/experts etc //  --United’s new striker confounded the critics with his third goal in as many games.//\n  3  formal to defeat an enemy, plan etc:\n  4  formal if a problem etc confounds you, you cannot understand it or solve it:  --Her question completely confounded me.//\n  5  confound it/him/them etc:   old-fashioned used to show that you are annoyed with someone or something//


Words: confounded
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  old-fashioned   used to show that you are annoyed//  --That confounded dog has run away again!//


Words: confront
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: confronter  ’to have a border with, confront’, from  Medieval Latin, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  frons (  FRONT1)]//\n  1 if a problem, difficulty etc confronts you, it appears and needs to be dealt with:  --The problems confronting the new government were enormous.//  be confronted with sth//  --Customers are confronted with a bewildering amount of choice.//\n  2 to deal with something very difficult or unpleasant in a brave and determined way:  --We try to help people confront their problems .//\n  3 to face someone in a threatening way, as though you are going to attack them:  --Troops were confronted by an angry mob.//\n  4 to accuse someone of doing something, especially by showing them the proof:  confront sb with/about sth//  --I confronted him with my suspicions, and he admitted everything.//  --I haven’t confronted her about it yet.//


Words: confrontation
Meaning:
n [C,U ] \n  1 a situation in which there is a lot of angry disagreement between two people or groups:  --She had stayed in her room to avoid another confrontation.//  confrontation with/between//  --an ideological confrontation between conservatives and liberals//\n  2 a fight or battle:  military/violent/armed confrontation //  --Japan seemed unlikely to risk military confrontation with Russia.//


Words: Confucianism
Meaning:
n [U]   a Chinese way of thought which teaches that you should be loyal to your family, friends, and rulers and treat others as you would like to be treated. Confucianism was developed from the ideas of Confucius.//  -- Confucian adj //


Words: Confucius
Meaning:
(551-479 BC) a Chinese  philosopher whose ideas encouraged justice and peace, and who taught social and moral principles which had a great influence on Chinese society//


Words: confuse
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: confused]//\n  1 to make someone feel that they cannot think clearly or do not understand:  --I understand the text but the diagrams are confusing me.//\n  2 to think wrongly that a person or thing is someone or something else:  --People might well confuse the two products.//  confuse sb/sth with sb/sth//  --I always confuse you with your sister - you look so alike.//  --Donald Regan, not to be confused with former President Ronald Reagan//\n  3  confuse the issue/matter/argument etc:  to make it even more difficult to think clearly about a situation or problem or to deal with it//  --He kept asking unnecessary questions which only confused the issue.//


Words: confused
Meaning:
S3   adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: confus, from  Latin confusus, past participle of  confundere;   CONFOUND]//\n  1 unable to understand or think clearly what someone is saying or what is happening:  --I’m totally confused. Could you explain that again?//  confused about//  --If you’re confused about anything, phone my office.//  --All the corridors looked the same and he felt thoroughly confused.//\n  2 not clear or not easy to understand:  --Witness statements presented a confused picture of the incident.//  --a lot of confused ideas//  -- confusedly/-fju[hA359]z[hA369]dli/ adv //


Words: confusing
Meaning:
S3   adj   unclear and difficult to understand//  --The instructions were really confusing.//  --It was a very confusing situation.//  -- confusingly adv //


Words: confusion
Meaning:
W3S3   n \n  1 [U and C] when you do not understand what is happening or what something means because it is not clear:  confusion about/over/as to//  --There was some confusion as to whether we had won or lost.//  create/lead to confusion //  --This complicated situation has led to considerable confusion .//\n  2 [U and C] a situation in which someone wrongly thinks that a person or thing is someone or something else:  --To avoid confusion, the teams wore different colours.//  confusion between//  --There is a confusion in the public mind between psychology and psychiatry.//\n  3 [U] a feeling of not being able to think clearly what you should say or do, especially in an embarrassing situation:  --His confusion at meeting her there was quite apparent.//  in confusion//  --Matt stared at her in confusion.//\n  4 [U and C] a very confusing situation, that usually has a lot of noise and action, so that it is difficult for someone to understand it or control it:  --a scene of indescribable confusion//  confusion of//  --There was a confusion of shouts and orders as the ship prepared to depart.//


Words: conga
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: American Spanish; Origin: Spanish, from  congo  ’of the Congo (= area of central Africa)’]//  a dance in which people dance in a line, holding on to the person in front of them//


Words: congeal
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: congeler, from  Latin congelare, from  com- (  COM-) +  gelare  ’to freeze’]//  if a liquid such as blood congeals, it becomes thick or solid//  --a pan full of congealed fat//


Words: congenial
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: con- +  genius +  -al]//\n  1 pleasant in a way that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed:  congenial atmosphere/surroundings/environment //  --The department provides a congenial atmosphere for research.//  --Frank was a very congenial colleague.//  congenial to//  --The summers out here are not congenial to the average North European.//\n  2 suitable for something:  --Compost provides congenial conditions for roots to develop.//  -- congeniality/k[hA353]nd[hA360]i[hA359]ni[zB024]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: congenital
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: congenitus, from  com- (  COM-) +  genitus (past participle of  gignere;   GENITAL)]//\n  1 a congenital medical condition or disease has affected someone since they were born:  --congenital abnormalities//  --a congenital defect//\n  2 a congenital quality is one that has always been part of your character and is unlikely to change:  --He’s a congenital liar .//  --her congenital inability to make decisions//  -- congenitally adv //


Words: congested
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  congerere  ’to bring together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  gerere  ’to carry’]//\n  1 full of traffic:  --congested airspace//  --The roads out of Cornwall were heavily congested  (=very congested) .//\n  2 a part of your body that is congested is very full of liquid, usually blood or mucus:  -- congestion/-d[hA360]est[hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U] //  --traffic congestion//


Words: congestion charging
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   a way of reducing traffic in city centres by charging drivers money to enter//   road pricing//  --Plans to introduce congestion charging were dropped until after the election.//


Words: conglomerate
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  conglomerare  ’to roll together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  glomus  ’ball’]//\n  1 [C] a large business organization consisting of several different companies that have joined together:  --an international conglomerate//  industrial/financial/media etc conglomerate //\n  2 [U and C]  technical a rock consisting of different sizes of stones held together by clay:\n  3 [C]  formal a group of things gathered together:


Words: conglomeration
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   a group of different things gathered together//  conglomeration of//  --the loose conglomeration of artists known as L’[hA14A]cole de Paris//


Words: Congo
Meaning:
the Congo//   the second longest African river, which flows through both the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo//\n Democratic Republic of   a very large country in central Africa, which was called Za[hA170]re between 1971 and 1997, and before that was called the Belgian Congo. Population: 53,625,000 (2001). Capital: Kinshasa.//  -- Congolese n  adj //\n Republic of   a country on the Equator in the western part of central Africa, to the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Za[hA170]re). Population: 2,894,000 (2001). Capital: Brazzaville.//  -- Congolese n  adj //


Words: congratulate
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  congratulari  ’to wish happiness’, from  com- (  COM-) +  gratus  ’pleasing’]//\n  1 to tell someone that you are happy because they have achieved something or because something nice has happened to them:  --He never even stopped to congratulate me.//  congratulate sb on sth//  --She congratulated me warmly on my exam results.//  congratulate sb for (doing) sth//  --All three are to be congratulated for doing so well.//\n  2  congratulate yourself (on sth):  to feel pleased and proud of yourself because you have achieved something or something good has happened to you//  --I congratulated myself on my good fortune.//  -- congratulatory/k[hA353]ngr[zB024]t[hA35D][hA36A]le[hA366]t[hA368]ri $ -gr[zB024]t[hA35D][hA36A]l[hA353]t[hA350][hA359]ri/ adj //  --congratulatory messages//


Words: congratulation
Meaning:
S3   n [U] \n  1  congratulations:  a) used when you want to congratulate someone//  --’I’ve just passed my driving test!’ ’Congratulations!’//  congratulations on//  --Congratulations on a superb performance!//  b) words saying you are happy that someone has achieved something//  --Give Oscar my congratulations.//\n  2 when you tell someone that you are happy because they have achieved something or because something nice has happened to them:  --letters of congratulation//


Words: congregate
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  congregare, from  com- (  COM-) +  grex  ’crowd’]//  to come together in a group//  --Crowds began to congregate to hear the President’s speech.//


Words: congregation
Meaning:
n [C also + plural verb]  BrE \n  1 a group of people gathered together in a church:  --The congregation knelt to pray.//\n  2 the people who usually go to a particular church:  --Several members of the congregation are away.//


Words: Congregationalism
Meaning:
n [U]   a type of Christianity in which each congregation is responsible for making its own decisions//  -- Congregational adj //  -- Congregationalist n  [C] //


Words: congress
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: congressus  ’meeting’, from the past participle of  congredi  ’to come together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  gradi  ’to go’]//\n  1 [U and C] a formal meeting of representatives of different groups, countries etc, to discuss ideas, make decisions etc:  --a congress of the ruling Labor Party//\n  2 [C] the group of people chosen or elected to make the laws in some countries:\n  3  Congress:  the group of people elected to make laws in the US, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives//  --The President has lost the support of Congress.//\n  4 [singular] used in the names of political parties:  --Gandhi’s Congress Party//  -- congressional/k[hA353]ngre[hA35D][hA368]n[hA353]l/ adj  [only before noun] //  --a congressional committee//


Words: Congress Party
Meaning:
the   an important political party in India. It was started in the 19th century to oppose British rule in India.//


Words: Congressional Medal of Honor
Meaning:
the  also  the Medal of Honor    a special medal given to members of the US armed forces who have performed acts of very great bravery. It is the highest military honour in the US.//


Words: Congressional Record
Meaning:
the   a printed report of what is said and done in the US Congress, including all the official discussions, votes, and decisions//    Hansard//


Words: congressman
Meaning:
n   plural  congressmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C] //  a man who is a member of a congress, especially the US House of Representatives//


Words: congresswoman
Meaning:
n   plural  congresswomen /-w[hA366]m[hA366]n/ [C] //  a woman who is a member of a congress, especially the US House of Representatives//


Words: congruent
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  congruere  ’to come together, agree’]//\n  1  formal fitting together well:\n  2  technical congruent triangles are the same size and shape:  -- congruence n  [U] //


Words: conifer
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Latin; Origin: ’carrying a cone’, from  conus;   CONE]//  a tree such as a  pine or fir that has leaves like needles and produces brown cones that contain seeds. Most types of conifer keep their leaves in winter//  -- coniferous/k[hA353]n[hA366]f[hA368]r[hA353]s $ ko[hA35E]-, k[hA353]-/ adj //  --coniferous forests//


Words: conjecture
Meaning:
n  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: conjectura, from  conicere  ’to throw together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  jacere  ’to throw’]//\n  1 [U] when you form ideas or opinions without having very much information to base them on:  --What she said was  pure conjecture .//  --There has been some conjecture about a possible merger.//\n  2 [C] an idea or opinion formed by guessing:   guess, hypothesis//  --My results show that this conjecture was, in fact, correct.//  -- conjectural adj //\nconjecture 2 v [I and T]  formal   to form an idea or opinion without having much information to base it on//   guess//  conjecture that//  --It seems reasonable to conjecture that these conditions breed violence.//


Words: conjoin
Meaning:
v [I and T]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conjoindre, from  Latin conjungere, from  com- (  COM-) +  jungere  ’to join’]//  to join together, or to make things or people do this//


Words: conjugal
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: conjugalis, from  conjux  ’husband or wife’, from  conjugere;   CONJUGATE]//\n  1 relating to marriage:  --conjugal love//\n  2  conjugal visit:  a private meeting between a prisoner and his or her wife or husband, during which they are allowed to have sex//


Words: conjugate
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  conjugare  ’to unite’, from  com- (  COM-) +  jugare  ’to join’]//\n  1 [I] if a verb conjugates, it has different forms to show different tenses etc:  --The verb ’to go’ conjugates irregularly.//\n  2 [T] if you conjugate a verb, you state the different forms that it can have:


Words: conjugation
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 the way that a particular verb conjugates:\n  2 a set of verbs in languages such as Latin that conjugate in the same way:


Words: conjunction
Meaning:
n \n  1  in conjunction with sb/sth:  working, happening, or being used with someone or something else//  --The worksheets are designed to be used in conjunction with the new course books.//\n  2 [C] a combination of different things that have come together by chance:  conjunction of//  --a happy conjunction of events//\n  3 [C]  technical a word such as ’and’, ’but’, or ’because’ which joins parts of a sentence:


Words: conjunctivitis
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: conjunctiva  ’surface layer of the eye’ (16-21 centuries), from  Modern Latin, from  Latin conjunctus;   CONJUNCT]//  a painful and infectious disease of the eye that makes it red//


Words: conjuncture
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   a combination of events or situations, especially one that causes problems//  --the historic conjuncture from which Marxism arose//


Words: conjure
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: conjurer, from  Latin, from  com- (  COM-) +  jurare  ’to swear’]//\n  1 [I and T] to perform clever tricks in which you seem to make things appear, disappear, or change by magic:  --The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.//\n  2 [T] to make something appear or happen in a way which is not expected:  --He has conjured victories from worse situations than this.//\n  3  a name to conjure with:  the name of a very important person//  conjure up [conjure sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to bring a thought, picture, idea, or memory to someone’s mind:  conjure up images/pictures/thoughts etc (of sth) //  --Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads.//\n  2 to make something appear when it is not expected, as if by magic:  --Somehow we have to conjure up another $10,000.//\n  3 to make the soul of a dead person appear by saying special magic words:


Words: conjurer
Meaning:
conjuror/k[hA356]nd[hA360][hA353]r[hA353] $ k[hA35A][hA359]nd[hA360][hA353]r[hA353]r, k[hA356]n-/ n [C]   someone who entertains people by performing clever tricks in which things seem to appear, disappear, or change by magic//   magician//


Words: conjuring
Meaning:
n [U]   the skill of performing clever tricks in which you seem to make things appear, disappear, or change by magic//   magic//  --He did conjuring tricks for the children.//


Words: conk
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE  informal   a nose//\nconk 2 v [T]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  CONK2; conk out  1900-2000 Origin unknown]//   informal to hit someone hard, especially on the head//  conk out phr v//\n  1 if a machine or car conks out, it suddenly stops working:  --Our car conked out on the way home.//\n  2 if someone conks out, they fall asleep because they are very tired:  --I got home from work and I just conked out on the sofa.//


Words: conker
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] the large brown shiny seed of the horse chestnut tree:\n  2  conkers [U]  BrE a children’s game in which conkers are hung from pieces of string and you try to break the other person’s conker by hitting it with your own:


Words: conman
Meaning:
n   plural  conmen /-men/ [C]  informal //  someone who tries to get money from people by tricking them//    con//


Words: Connaught
Meaning:
a  province in the west of Ireland, including the  counties of Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, Mayo, and Galway//


Words: connect
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 join things:\n   2 relationship:\n   3 electricity/telephone etc:\n   4 transport:\n   5 telephones:\n   6 hit something:\n   7 understand people:  Phrasal verbs//   connect something → up//  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: connectere, from  com- (  COM-) +  nectere  ’to tie’]//\n  1 JOIN THINGS:   [T] to join two or more things together//  connect sth to/with sth//  --The railway link would connect Felixstowe with Fishguard.//  --Connect the speakers to the CD player.//  --We’d like two rooms with connecting doors  (=doors that join the rooms) .//\n  2 RELATIONSHIP:   [T] to realize or show that a fact, event, or person is related to something//  --She did not connect the two events in her mind.//  connect sb/sth with sth//  --There is little evidence to connect them with the attack.//\n  3 ELECTRICITY/TELEPHONE ETC:   [I and T] to join something to the main supply of electricity, gas, or water, or to a telephone or computer network//  → disconnect//  connect to//  --Click here to connect to the Internet.//  --Has the phone been connected yet?//  --The power supply should be connected by a qualified electrician.//\n  4 TRANSPORT:   [I] if one train, flight etc connects with another, it arrives just before the other one leaves so that you can continue your journey//  --I missed the connecting flight. //  connect with/to//  --This train connects with the one to Glasgow.//  --From Toronto you can connect to all other Air Canada destinations.//\n  5 TELEPHONES:   [T] to join two telephone lines so that two people can speak//  --Please hold the line. I’m trying to connect you.//\n  6 HIT SOMETHING:   [I] to succeed in hitting someone or something//  --He swung at the ball, but didn’t connect.//\n  7 UNDERSTAND PEOPLE:   [I]  especially AmE if people connect, they feel that they like each other and understand each other//  connect with//  --They valued her ability to empathize and connect with others.//  connect up [connect sth → up] phr v//  to join something to the main supply of electricity, gas, or water, to the telephone network, or to another piece of equipment//  --Is the washing machine connected up yet?//  connect something → up with//  --The autopilot can be connected up with the flight recorder.//


Words: connected
Meaning:
adj   ----------//\n   1 joined:\n   2 relationship:\n   3 well connected:  ----------//\n  1 JOINED:  to be joined to something else or joined to a large system or network//  connected to//  --The light is connected to a timer.//  --a computer connected to the Internet//  connected by//  --a series of artificial lakes connected by waterfalls//\n  2 RELATIONSHIP:  if two facts, events, people etc are connected, there is some kind of relationship between them//  connected with//  --problems connected with drug abuse//  --everyone connected with the film industry//  --Mr Edelson was closely connected with Trinity College.//\n  3  well connected:  having important or powerful friends or relatives//


Words: connectedness
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the feeling people have that they are members of a group in society and that they share particular qualities with other members of that group:  --Human beings have a need for both independence and connectedness.//\n  2 the degree to which people are connected by electronic technology such as the Internet and e-mail:  connectedness between/with//  --Communication technology has increased the connectedness between physicians and patients.//


Words: Connecticut
Meaning:
CT a state in the northeastern US. It was one of the original thirteen states established under British rule.//


Words: connection
Meaning:
W2S3   n   ----------//\n   1 relationship:\n   2 joining:\n   3 in connection with something:\n   4 electrical wire:\n   5 train/flight etc:\n   6 road/railway etc:\n   7 people:  ----------//\n  1 RELATIONSHIP:   [C] the way in which two facts, ideas, events etc are related to each other, and one is affected or caused by the other//   link//  connection between//  --the causal connection between smoking and cancer//  -- There is a connection  between pollution and the death of trees.//  connection with//  --Mr O’Hara  had  no known  connection  with terrorist activity.//  connection to//  --Williams apparently  has  no  connection  to the case.//  --Police have so far failed to establish a connection between the two murders.//  --The evidence was there in the file but no one made the connection .//  --Students often see little connection  between school and the rest of their lives.//  --He demonstrated  the close connection  between social conditions and health.//\n  2 JOINING:   [U and C] when two or more things are joined together or when something is joined to a larger system or network//  --a digital telephone connection via satellite//  --They’re offering free Internet connection.//  connection to//  --The socket allows connection to a PC.//  --There’s a [hA124]25 connection charge (=money you pay to be connected to a service such as telephones, electricity etc) .//\n  3  in connection with sth:  concerning or involving something//  arrest/charge/question etc sb in connection with a crime //  --Two men have been arrested in connection with the attack.//  --visits made to Spain in connection with her business//  --his work in connection with refugees//\n  4 ELECTRICAL WIRE:   [C] a wire or piece of metal joining two parts of a machine or electrical system//  --an electrical connection//  --My radio isn’t working properly - I think it’s got a loose connection  (=wires which are not joined correctly) .//\n  5 TRAIN/FLIGHT ETC:   [C] a train, bus, or plane which is arranged to leave at a time which allows passengers from an earlier train, bus, or plane to use it to continue their journey//  connection to//  --If this train gets delayed we’ll miss our connection to Paris.//\n  6 ROAD/RAILWAY ETC:   [C] a road, railway etc that joins two places and allows people to travel between them//  --Cheshunt has good rail connections to London.//\n  7 PEOPLE:   connections [plural] //  a) people who you know who can help you, especially because they are in positions of power//  --connections in high places//  --We have good connections in the advertising industry.//  b) people who are related to you, but not very closely//  --He is English, but has Irish connections.//  --the network of family connections in Italy//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  have a connection (with/to something) //  establish a connection (between two things) (=prove or discover a link) //  make a connection (between two things) (=realize there is a link) //  there is a connection (between two things) //  see a connection (=realize there is a connection) //  close/direct connection //  causal connection (=when one thing causes the other) //  tenuous/loose connection (=one that is not at all close) //  ----------//


Words: connective tissue
Meaning:
n [U]   parts of the body such as muscle or fat that exist between or join organs and other body parts//


Words: connectivity
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   the ability of computers and other electronic equipment to connect with other computers or programs//  --a growing demand for high-speed connectivity//  --Internet connectivity software//


Words: Connery
Meaning:
Sean   (1930-) a Scottish film actor who is famous for appearing as James  Bond, in films such as  Dr No (1962),  From Russia with Love (1963), and  Goldfinger (1964).//


Words: conning tower
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: con  ’to look at, study’ (15-19 centuries), from  Old English cunnan;   CAN1]//   technical the structure on top of a submarine (=underwater ship) //


Words: conniption
Meaning:
n  also conniption fit  [C]  AmE  old-fashioned   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Probably an invented word]//  a way of behaving which shows that you are very angry//  --My mother threw a conniption fit when I didn’t come home till two in the morning.//


Words: connive
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: conniver, from  Latin connivere  ’to close the eyes, connive’]//\n  1 to not try to stop something wrong from happening:  connive at//  --He would not be the first politician to connive at a shady business deal.//\n  2  connive (with sb) to do sth:  to work secretly with someone to achieve something, especially something wrong//   conspire//  --They connived with their mother to deceive me.//  -- connivance n  [U] //  --We could not have escaped without the connivance of the guards.//


Words: conniving
Meaning:
adj   a conniving person secretly tries to gain something or harm someone - used to show disapproval//


Words: connoisseur
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Early  French, from  Old French connoistre  ’to know’, from  Latin cognoscere;   COGNITION]//  someone who knows a lot about something such as art, food, or music//  --a wine connoisseur//  connoisseur of//  --Fry was a connoisseur of Renaissance art.//


Words: Connolly
Meaning:
Maureen   (1934-69) a US tennis player who in 1953 became the first woman to win the Wimbledon, US, and French  championships in one year//


Words: connotation
Meaning:
n [C]   a quality or an idea that a word makes you think of that is more than its basic meaning//    denotation//  connotation of//  --The word ’professional’ has connotations of skill and excellence.//  --a negative connotation//  -- connotative/k[hA361]n[hA353]te[hA366]t[hA366]v $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-, k[hA353]no[hA35E]t[hA353]t[hA366]v/ adj //


Words: connote
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: connotare, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  notare  ’to note’]//  if a word connotes something, it makes you think of qualities and ideas that are more than its basic meaning//    denote//  --The word ’plump’ connotes cheerfulness.//


Words: connubial
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: connubialis, from  connubium  ’marriage’, from  com- (  COM-) +  nubere (  NUPTIAL)]//  connubial bliss//   formal the state of being happily married//  --living in connubial bliss//


Words: conquer
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: conquerre, from  Latin conquirere  ’to look for, collect’, from  com- (  COM-) +  quaerere  ’to ask, search’]//\n  1 [I and T] to get control of a country by fighting:  --The Normans conquered England in 1066.//  --Egypt was conquered by the Persian king Kambyses.//\n  2 [I and T] to defeat an enemy:  --The Zulus conquered all the neighbouring tribes.//\n  3 [T] to gain control over something that is difficult, using a lot of effort:  conquer your nerves/fear //  --She was determined to conquer her fear of flying.//  --efforts to conquer inflation//  --drugs to conquer the disease//\n  4 [T] to succeed in climbing to the top of a mountain when no one has ever climbed it before:  --an attempt to conquer the peaks of Everest//\n  5 [T] to become very successful in a place:  --In the last few years, the company has succeeded in conquering the European market.//  -- conqueror n  [C] //  -- conquering adj //  --conquering heroes//


Words: conquest
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conquisitus, past participle of  conquirere;   CONQUER]//\n  1 [singular, U] the act of getting control of a country by fighting:  --the Norman Conquest (=the conquest of England by the Normans) //  conquest of//  --the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire//\n  2 [C] land that is won in a war:  --French conquests in Asia//\n  3 [C] someone that you have persuaded to love you or to have sex with you - often used humorously:  --He boasts about his many conquests.//\n  4 when you gain control of or deal successfully with something that is difficult or dangerous:  conquest of//  --the conquest of space//


Words: conquistador
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Spanish; Origin: Latin conquirere;   CONQUER]//  one of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 18th century//


Words: Conrad
Meaning:
Joseph   (1857-1924) a British writer, born in Poland, who is one of the greatest writers of the early 20th century. His novels are often about the sea and about  colonialism and the moral problems it involves. His best-known novels include  Heart of Darkness,  Lord Jim,  Nostromo, and  The Secret Agent.//


Words: Conrail
Meaning:
ConRail  trademark   a system of railways in the US for carrying  freight (=goods carried by train) , which is based around the northeastern US//    Amtrak//


Words: consanguinity
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: consanguinite, from  Latin, from  com- (  COM-) +  sanguis  ’blood’]//  when people are members of the same family//


Words: conscience
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conscientia, from  conscire  ’to be conscious (of being guilty)’, from  com- (  COM-) +  scire  ’to know’]//\n  1 the part of your mind that tells you whether what you are doing is morally right or wrong:  guilty/troubled conscience (=a guilty feeling, because you have done something wrong) //  --It was his guilty conscience that made him offer to help.//  --Well, at least I can face them all with a clear conscience  (=when you know that you have done nothing wrong) .//  --a film with a social conscience  (=a moral sense of how society should be) //  prisoner of conscience (=someone who is in prison because of their political or religious beliefs) //  --I can’t tell you what to do - it’s a matter of conscience  (=something that you must make a moral judgment about) .//  --a crisis of conscience among medical staff (=a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what is the right thing to do) //  --The dog’s sad look pricked her conscience  (=made her feel guilty) and she took him home.//\n  2 a guilty feeling that you have about something bad you have done:  twinge/pang of conscience //  --Ian felt a pang of conscience at having misjudged her.//  have no conscience (about sth)//   (=not feel guilty about something) //  --They’ve no conscience at all about cheating.//\n  3  on your conscience:  if you have something on your conscience, it makes you feel guilty//  --He didn’t want somebody’s death on his conscience.//  --Could you live with that on your conscience?//\n  4  not in (all/good) conscience:   formal if you cannot in all conscience do something, you cannot do it because you think it is wrong//  --I couldn’t in all conscience tell him that his job was safe.//  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  Do not confuse with consciousness (=the condition of being awake and aware of thoughts and feelings). //  ----------//


Words: conscience-stricken
Meaning:
adj   feeling very guilty about something that you have done wrong//  --Kate hurried home, conscience-stricken at leaving her mother alone.//


Words: conscientious
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: conscientieux, from  Medieval Latin, from  Latin conscientia;   CONSCIENCE]//  careful to do everything that it is your job or duty to do//  --A conscientious teacher may feel inclined to take work home.//  --a conscientious and hard-working student//  -- conscientiously adv //  -- conscientiousness n  [U] //  --his conscientiousness and loyalty to the company//


Words: conscientious objector
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who refuses to become a soldier because of their moral or religious beliefs//    draft dodger//


Words: conscious
Meaning:
W3S2   adj   ----------//\n   1 aware:\n   2 awake:\n   3 conscious effort/decision/attempt etc:\n   4 concerned:\n   5 thoughts:  ----------//  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: conscius, from  com- (  COM-) +  scire  ’to know’]//\n  1 AWARE:   [not before noun] noticing or realizing something//   aware//  conscious of (doing) sth//  --I became conscious of someone watching me.//  --I was very conscious of the fact that I had to make a good impression.//  conscious that//  --She was conscious that Marie was listening to every word.//\n  2 AWAKE:  awake and able to understand what is happening around you//  → unconscious//  --The driver was still conscious when the ambulance arrived.//\n  3  conscious effort/decision/attempt etc:  an effort etc that is deliberate and intended//  --Vivien had made a conscious effort to be friendly.//\n  4 CONCERNED:  thinking a lot about or concerned about something//  politically/environmentally/socially etc conscious //  --environmentally conscious consumers//  health-conscious/fashion-conscious etc //  --Many employers are becoming more safety-conscious.//  conscious of//  --She was very conscious of security.//    self-conscious//\n  5 THOUGHTS:  conscious thoughts, memories etc are ones which you know about//    subconscious//  --the conscious mind//  --Without conscious thought, she instinctively placed a hand on his arm.//  --It affects the audience at a deeper, less conscious level.//  -- consciously adv //  --She was probably not consciously aware of the true nature of her feelings.//


Words: consciousness
Meaning:
W3   n \n  1 [U] the condition of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you:  --David lost consciousness  (=went into a deep sleep) at eight o’clock and died a few hours later.//  --She could faintly hear voices as she began to regain consciousness  (=wake up) .//\n  2 [U and C] your mind and your thoughts:  --The painful memories eventually faded from her consciousness.//  --Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness .//  --research into human consciousness //\n  3 [C] someone’s ideas, feelings, or opinions about politics, life etc:  --The experience helped to change her political consciousness.//\n  4 [U] when you know that something exists or is true:   awareness//  --This will increase public consciousness of the pollution issue.//    stream of consciousness//


Words: consciousness raising
Meaning:
n [U]   the process of making people understand and care more about a moral, social, or political problem, especially by giving them information//


Words: conscript
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Latin; Origin: conscriptus, past participle of  conscribere  ’to make a member of something’, from  com- (  COM-) +  scribere  ’to write’]//\n  1 to make someone join the army, navy etc:  American Equivalent:  draft//  conscript sb into sth//  --Young Frenchmen were conscripted into the army and forced to fight in Algeria.//\n  2 to make someone become a member of a group or take part in a particular activity:   recruit//\nconscript 2   n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: conscrit, from  Latin conscriptus;   CONSCRIPT1]//  someone who has been made to join the army, navy etc//  American Equivalent:  draftee//  --a young army conscript//


Words: consecrate
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  consecrare, from  com- (  COM-) +  sacrare (  SACRED)]//\n  1 to officially state in a special religious ceremony that a place or building is holy and can be used for religious purposes:  --The bones will be reburied in consecrated ground .//\n  2 to officially state in a special religious ceremony that someone is now a priest, bishop etc:  -- consecration/k[hA361]ns[hA369]kre[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ n  [U] //


Words: consecutive
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: consecutif, from  Latin consequi;   CONSEQUENT]//  consecutive numbers or periods of time follow one after the other without any interruptions//  --It had rained for four consecutive days.//  --Can they win the title for the third consecutive season?//  -- consecutively adv //  --Number the pages consecutively.//


Words: consensual
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: consensus;   CONSENSUS]//\n  1 involving the agreement of all or most people in a group:  --a consensual style of management//\n  2 consensual sexual activity is wanted and agreed to by the people involved:


Words: consensus
Meaning:
n [singular, U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , from the past participle of  consentire;   CONSENT2]//  an opinion that everyone in a group agrees with or accepts//  consensus on/about//  --a lack of consensus about the aims of the project//  consensus that//  --There is a consensus among teachers that children should have a broad understanding of the world.//  --The EU Council of Finance Ministers failed to reach a consensus on the pace of integration.//  --the current consensus of opinion //  --The general consensus was that technology was a good thing.//  --the consensus politics of the fifties//


Words: consent
Meaning:
W3   n [U] \n  1 permission to do something:  --He took the car  without  the owner’s  consent .//  --Her parents  gave  their  consent  to the marriage.//  --A patient can refuse consent for a particular treatment at any time.//  --Most owners are happy to have their names used for publicity if this is done with their prior consent .//  -- Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the study began.//    age of consent//\n  2 agreement about something:    dissent//  --The chairman was elected by common consent  (=with most people agreeing) .//  --divorce by mutual consent  (=by agreement between both the people involved) //  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  with/without somebody’s consent //  give/grant (your) consent //  refuse/withhold (your) consent //  obtain (somebody’s) consent //  prior consent (=consent before something can happen) //  written consent //  verbal consent (=spoken consent) //  parental consent (=consent from someone’s parents) //  informed consent (=consent based on full information about what will happen) //  tacit consent (=consent given without being actually spoken) //  ----------//\nconsent 2 v [I]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Latin; Origin: consentire, from  com- (  COM-) +  sentire  ’to feel’]//  to give your permission for something or agree to do something//  consent to//  --Her father reluctantly consented to the marriage.//  consent to do sth//  --He rarely consents to do interviews.//


Words: consenting adult
Meaning:
n [C]  law   someone who is considered to be old enough to decide whether they want to have sex//    age of consent//


Words: consequence
Meaning:
W2S3   n \n  1 [C] something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions:  consequence of//  --Many believe that poverty is a direct consequence of overpopulation.//  consequence for//  --Our findings have far-reaching consequences for researchers.//  dire/disastrous/serious etc consequences //  --Errors in forecasting can have dire consequences.//  with ... consequences//  --He ate some poisonous mushrooms, with fatal consequences.//  take/suffer/face the consequences (of sth) (=accept the bad results of something you have done) //  --He broke the law, and now he must face the consequences of his actions.//\n  2  as a consequence (of sth)/in consequence (of sth):   formal as a result of something//  --Animals have died as a consequence of coming into contact with this chemical.//  --She was over the age limit and, in consequence, her application was rejected.//\n  3  of little/no/any etc consequence:   formal not very important or valuable//  of little/no/any etc consequence to//  --Your opinion is of little consequence to me.//  --I don’t suppose it is of any consequence now.//


Words: Consequences
Meaning:
a game played by a small group of people, in which a story is written with each person adding a sentence without knowing what has already been written. The last sentence begins: "The  consequence (=result)  was..." The stories are usually about famous people or friends, in amusing or embarrassing situations.//


Words: consequent
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  consequi, from  com- (  COM-) +  sequi  ’to follow’]//  happening as a result of a particular event or situation//  --the rise in inflation and consequent fall in demand//    subsequent//


Words: consequential
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]  formal \n  1 happening as a direct result of a particular event or situation:  --redundancy and the consequential loss of earnings//\n  2 important:   significant//  → inconsequential//  --a consequential decision//  -- consequentially adv //


Words: consequently
Meaning:
W3   adv [sentence adverb]   as a result//  --Most computer users have never received any formal keyboard training. Consequently, their keyboard skills are inefficient.//  --The molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and consequently affect the organs.//


Words: conservancy
Meaning:
n  formal \n  1 [singular] a group of officials who control and protect an area of land, a river etc:  --the Thames Conservancy//\n  2 [U] the protection of natural things such as animals, plants, forests etc:   conservation//


Words: conservation
Meaning:
W3S3   n [U] \n  1 the protection of natural things such as animals, plants, forests etc, to prevent them being spoiled or destroyed:   preservation//    conserve//  --wildlife conservation//  --a local conservation group//  conservation of//  --conservation of the countryside//\n  2 when you prevent something from being lost or wasted:    conserve//  --energy conservation//  conservation of//  --Recycling is an important part of the conservation of resources.//


Words: conservation area
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 an area where animals and plants are protected:\n  2  BrE an area where interesting old buildings are protected and new buildings are carefully controlled:


Words: conservationist
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who works to protect animals, plants etc or to protect old buildings//  -- conservationism n  [U] //


Words: conservatism
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 dislike of change and new ideas:  --people’s innate conservatism in matters of language//\n  2  also  Conservatism:  the political belief that society should change as little as possible//\n  3  Conservatism:  the political beliefs of the British Conservative Party//


Words: conservative
Meaning:
adj \n  1 not liking changes or new ideas:  --a very conservative attitude to education//  --conservative views//\n  2  Conservative:  belonging to or concerned with the Conservative Party in Britain//  --Conservative policies//  --a Conservative MP//\n  3 not very modern in style, taste etc:   traditional//  --a dark conservative suit//\n  4  a conservative estimate/guess:  a guess which is deliberately lower than what the real amount probably is//  --At a conservative estimate, the holiday will cost about [hA124]1500.//  -- conservatively adv //  --a fortune conservatively estimated at 2 million dollars//  --He was conservatively dressed in a dark business suit.//\nconservative 2 n [C] \n  1  Conservative:  someone who supports or is a member of the Conservative Party in Britain//\n  2 someone who does not like changes in politics, ideas, or fashion:  --an argument between reformers and conservatives in the organization//


Words: conservatoire
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Late Latin conservatorium, from  Latin conservare;   CONSERVE1]//  a school where people are trained in music or acting//  American Equivalent:  conservatory//


Words: conservatory
Meaning:
n   plural  conservatories  [C] //\n  1  BrE a room with glass walls and a glass roof, where plants are grown, that is usually added on to a house:\n  2  AmE a school where people are trained in music or acting:  British Equivalent:  conservatoire//


Words: conserve
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conserver, from  Latin conservare, from  com- (  COM-) +  servare  ’to keep, guard’]//\n  1 to protect something and prevent it from changing or being damaged:   preserve//  --We must conserve our woodlands for future generations.//  --efforts to conserve fish stocks//\n  2 to use as little water, energy etc as possible so that it is not wasted:  --systems designed to conserve energy//\nconserve 2   n [U and C]  formal   fruit that is preserved by being cooked with sugar//   jam//  --strawberry conserve//


Words: consider
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 think about:\n   2 opinion:\n   3 people’s feelings:\n   4 important fact:\n   5 discuss:\n   6 look at:\n   7 Consider it done:  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: considerer, from  Latin considerare  ’to look at the stars, look at closely, examine’, from  com- (  COM-) +  sidus  ’star’]//\n  1 THINK ABOUT:   [I and T] to think about something carefully, especially before making a choice or decision//  consider doing sth//  --I seriously considered resigning (=almost actually resigned) .//  consider the possibility of (doing) sth //  --Have you considered the possibility of retraining?//  consider whether (to do sth)//  --We are considering whether to change our advice to tourists.//  consider where/how/why etc//  --We’re still considering where to move to.//  --We will have to consider your offer carefully .//  be considering your position  formal  (=be deciding whether or not to leave your job) //\n  2 OPINION:   [T] to think of someone or something in a particular way or to have a particular opinion//  consider (that)//  --The local authority considered that the school did not meet requirements.//  consider sb/sth (to be) sth//  --A further increase in interest rates is now considered unlikely.//  --Liz Quinn was considered an excellent teacher.//  --They consider themselves to be Europeans.//  --I consider it a great honour to be invited.//  consider it necessary/important etc to do sth //  --I did not consider it necessary to report the incident.//  consider sb/sth to do sth//  --The campaign was considered to have failed.//  consider yourself lucky/fortunate (=believe you are lucky etc) //  --Consider yourself lucky you weren’t in the car at the time.//  consider yourself (to be) sth//   (=think of yourself as a particular type of person) //  --They consider themselves to be middle class.//\n  3 PEOPLE’S FEELINGS:   [T] to think about someone or their feelings, and try to avoid upsetting them//    considerate//  --You’ve got to learn to consider other people!//  --You never once considered my feelings in all this, did you?//\n  4 IMPORTANT FACT:   [I and T] to think about an important fact relating to something when making a judgment//    considering//  --It’s not surprising when you consider that he only arrived 6 months ago.//  -- All things considered , I’m sure we made the right decision.//\n  5 DISCUSS:   [T] to discuss something such as a report or problem, so that you can make a decision about it//  --The committee has been considering the report.//\n  6 LOOK AT:   [T]  formal to look at someone or something carefully//  --Henry considered the sculpture with an expert eye.//\n  7  Consider it done:   spoken used to say yes very willingly when someone asks you to do something for them//  --’Could you drive me to the airport tomorrow?’ ’Consider it done.’//    all things considered at thing22 //


Words: considerable
Meaning:
W1S2   adj   fairly large, especially large enough to have an effect or be important//    inconsiderable//  considerable amount/number etc of sth //  --We’ve saved a considerable amount of money.//  --Michael has already spent considerable time in Barcelona.//  --issues of considerable importance//  --The series has aroused considerable interest.//


Words: considerably
Meaning:
W3S3   adv   much or a lot//  --It’s considerably colder today.//  --Conditions have improved considerably over the past few years.//


Words: considerate
Meaning:
adj   always thinking of what other people need or want and being careful not to upset them//  → inconsiderate//  --He was always kind and considerate.//  it is considerate of sb (to do sth)//  --It was very considerate of you to let us know you were going to be late.//  considerate towards//  --As a motorist, I try to be considerate towards cyclists.//  -- considerately adv //


Words: consideration
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U]  formal careful thought and attention, especially before making an official or important decision:  --proposals put forward for consideration//  under consideration//  --There are several amendments under consideration.//  due/serious/proper etc consideration //  --After due consideration, I have decided to tender my resignation.//  give sth careful/full etc consideration //  --We would have to give serious consideration to banning it altogether.//  deserve/merit consideration //  --These plans definitely merit further consideration.//\n  2  take sth into consideration:  to remember to think about something important when you are making a decision or judgement//  --We will take your recent illness into consideration when marking your exams.//\n  3 [C] a fact that you think about when you are making a decision:  --Political rather than economic considerations influenced the location of the new factory.//\n  4 [U] the quality of thinking about other people’s feelings and being careful not to upset them:  consideration for//  --The murdered woman’s name has not been released, out of consideration for her parents.//  --They’ve got no consideration for others .//  -- Show some consideration !//\n  5 [singular, U]  formal a payment for something, especially a service:  --I might be able to help you, for a small consideration .//  --a payment in consideration of  (=as payment for) their services//


Words: considered
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a considered opinion, reply, judgment etc is one that you have thought about carefully//  --He hadn’t had time to form a considered opinion .//  --The committee is meeting to prepare a considered response to the problem.//    ill-considered//


Words: considering
Meaning:
prep, conj   used to say that you are thinking about a particular fact when you are giving your opinion//  --Considering the strength of the opposition, we did very well to score two goals.//  considering (that)//  --I think we paid too much for the house, considering that we needed to get the roof repaired.//  considering who/how etc//  --John did quite well in his exams, considering how little he studied.//\nconsidering 2 adv  spoken   used after you have given an opinion, to say that something is true in spite of a situation that makes it seem surprising//  --He didn’t look too tired, considering.//


Words: consign
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: consigner, from  Latin consignare, from  com- (  COM-) +  signum  ’mark, seal’]//  [T]  formal to send something somewhere, especially in order to sell it//  consign to [consign sb/sth to sth] phr v//\n  1 to make someone or something be in a particular situation, especially a bad one:  --It was a decision which consigned him to political obscurity.//  consign sb/sth to the dustbin/scrapheap/rubbish heap etc  BrE //  --Many older people feel they have been consigned to the medical scrapheap.//\n  2 to put something somewhere, especially in order to get rid of it:  --The shoes looked so tatty that I consigned them to the back of the cupboard.//


Words: consignment
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a quantity of goods that are sent somewhere, especially in order to be sold:  consignment of//  --a large consignment of clothes//\n  2  on consignment:  goods that are on consignment are being sold for someone else for a share of the profit//\n  3 [U] when someone sends or delivers something:


Words: consignment shop
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a shop where you take things you do not want, so the shop can sell them and give you a share of the profit//


Words: consist
Meaning:
W3   v   consist in [consist in sth] phr v//  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: consistere  ’to stand still or firm, exist’, from  com- (  COM-) +  sistere  ’to stand’]//  to be based on or depend on something//  --Happiness does not consist in how many possessions you own.//  consist of [consist of sth] phr v//  to be formed from two or more things or people//  --The buffet consisted of several different Indian dishes.//  consist mainly/largely/primarily of sb/sth //  --The audience consisted mainly of teenagers.//  consist entirely/solely of sb/sth //  --The area does not consist entirely of rich people, despite popular belief.//


Words: consistency
Meaning:
n   plural  consistencies  [U and C] //\n  1 the quality of always being the same, doing things in the same way, having the same standards etc - used to show approval:  → inconsistency//  consistency in//  --Consumer groups are demanding greater consistency in the labelling of food products.//  consistency of//  --Consistency of performance depends on several factors.//  consistency between/among//  --There are checks to ensure consistency between interviewers.//\n  2 how thick, smooth etc a substance is:  consistency of//  --Beat the mixture until it has the consistency of thick cream.//


Words: consistent
Meaning:
W3S3   adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  consistere;   CONSIST]//\n  1 always behaving in the same way or having the same attitudes, standards etc - usually used to show approval:  → inconsistent//  --She’s one of the team’s most consistent players.//  consistent in//  --We need to be consistent in our approach.//\n  2 continuing to happen or develop in the same way:  --a consistent improvement in the country’s economy//\n  3 a consistent argument or idea does not have any parts that do not match other parts:  → inconsistent//  --The evidence is not consistent.//\n  4  be consistent with sth:  if a fact, idea etc is consistent with another one, it seems to match it//  --Her injuries are consistent with having fallen from the building.//  --The results are consistent with earlier research.//  -- consistently adv //  --consistently high performance//


Words: consolation
Meaning:
n [U and C]   something that makes you feel better when you are sad or disappointed//  consolation for/to//  --The only consolation for the team is that they get a chance to play the game again.//  -- If it’s any consolation , things do get easier as the child gets older.//  --He had the consolation of knowing that he couldn’t have done any better.//  be little/no consolation //  --The fact that there has been a reduction in crime is little consolation to victims of crime.//


Words: consolation prize
Meaning:
n [C]   a prize that is given to someone who has not won a competition//  --Ten runners-up received a T-shirt as a consolation prize.//


Words: console
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: consoler, from  Latin consolari, from  com- (  COM-) +  solari  ’to console’]//  to make someone feel better when they are feeling sad or disappointed//    consolation//  --No one could console her when Peter died.//  console yourself with sth//  --She consoled herself with the fact that no one else had done well in the exam either.//  console yourself that//  --He consoled himself that he would see Kate again soon.//\nconsole 2   n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: console  ’bracket’ (18-20 centuries), from  French, perhaps from  consolateur  ’consoler, bracket in human shape’, from  consoler;   CONSOLE1]//\n  1 a flat board that contains the controls for a machine, piece of electrical equipment, computer etc:\n  2 a special cupboard for a television, computer etc:


Words: consolidate
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  consolidare, from  com- (  COM-) +  solidus  ’solid’]//\n  1 to strengthen the position of power or success that you have, so that it becomes more effective or continues for longer:  --The company has consolidated its position as the country’s leading gas supplier.//  --The team consolidated their lead with a third goal.//\n  2 to combine things in order to make them more effective or easier to deal with:  --We consolidate information from a wide range of sources.//  --They took out a loan to consolidate their debts.//  --The company is planning to consolidate its business activities at a new site in Arizona.//  -- consolidation/k[hA353]ns[hA361]l[hA369]de[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ -s[hA35A][hA359]-/ n  [U and C] //  --the consolidation of political power//


Words: consomme
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: , from the past participle of  consommer  ’to complete, boil down’, from  Latin consummare;   CONSUMMATE1]//  clear soup made from meat or vegetables//


Words: consonant
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a speech sound made by partly or completely stopping the flow of air through your mouth:    vowel//\n  2 a letter that represents a consonant sound. The letters ’a’, ’e’, ’i’, ’o’, ’u’, and sometimes ’y’ represent vowels, and all the other letters are consonants:\nconsonant 2 adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  consonare  ’to sound together, agree’, from  com- (  COM-) +  sonare  ’to sound’]//\n  1  be consonant with sth:   formal to match or exist well with something else//  --This policy is scarcely consonant with the government’s declared aims.//\n  2  technical relating to a combination of musical notes that sounds pleasant:  → dissonant//  -- consonance n  [U] //  --a religion in consonance with Christianity//


Words: consort
Meaning:
n [C]   [Sense: 1; Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: consort, from  Latin consors  ’person you share with’, from  com- (  COM-) +  sors  ’luck, fate’]//  [Sense: 2-3; Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: consorte, from  consort]//\n  1 the wife or husband of a ruler:    prince consort//\n  2 a group of people who play very old music, or the group of old-fashioned instruments they use:\n  3  in consort (with sb):   formal doing something together with someone//\nconsort 2   v   consort with [consort with sb] phr v//  to spend time with someone that other people do not approve of//  --a man who regularly consorted with prostitutes//


Words: consortium
Meaning:
n   plural  consortia /-ti[hA353]/ or consortiums  [C] //  [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Latin; Origin: ’partnership’, from  consors;   CONSORT1]//  a group of companies or organizations who are working together to do something//  --a consortium of oil companies//  --The aircraft will be built by a European consortium.//


Words: conspicuous
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: conspicuus, from  conspicere  ’to get to see’, from  com- (  COM-) +  specere  ’to look’]//\n  1 very easy to notice:  → inconspicuous//  --The notice must be displayed in a conspicuous place.//  --a bird with conspicuous white markings//  --I felt very conspicuous in my red coat.//\n  2 conspicuous success, courage etc is very great and impressive:  --He had represented Italy with conspicuous success.//  --The award is given for notable or conspicuous achievement in science.//\n  3  be conspicuous by your/its absence:  used to say that someone or something is not somewhere where they were expected to be//  --a group that were conspicuous by their absence from the awards ceremony//


Words: conspicuous consumption
Meaning:
n [U]   the act of buying a lot of things, especially expensive things that are not necessary, in order to impress other people and show them how rich you are//


Words: conspiracy
Meaning:
n   plural  conspiracies  [U and C] //\n  1 a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal:    conspire//  conspiracy to do sth//  --He was charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage.//  conspiracy against//  --a conspiracy against the government//  --There were many conspiracy theories  (=beliefs that something is the result of a conspiracy) surrounding Princess Diana’s death.//\n  2  conspiracy of silence:  an agreement not to talk about something, even though it should not be a secret//  --There’s often a conspiracy of silence surrounding bullying in schools.//


Words: conspiratorial
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a conspiratorial expression, voice, or manner suggests you are sharing a secret with someone:  --His voice became low and conspiratorial.//  --Natasha whispered to Maggie in a conspiratorial tone.//  conspiratorial whisper/smile/wink etc //  --Britta gave him a conspiratorial smile.//\n  2 relating to a conspiracy:  -- conspiratorially adv //


Words: conspire
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conspirer, from  Latin conspirare  ’to breathe together, agree, conspire’, from  com- (  COM-) +  spirare  ’to breathe’]//\n  1 to secretly plan with someone else to do something illegal:    conspiracy//  conspire (with sb) to do sth//  --All six men admitted conspiring to steal cars.//  conspire against//  --There was some evidence that he had been conspiring against the government.//\n  2 if events conspire to do something, they happen at the same time and make something bad happen:  conspire to do sth//  --Pollution and neglect have conspired to ruin the city.//  conspire against//  --Emily felt that everything was conspiring against her.//


Words: Constable
Meaning:
John   (1776-1837) a British painter famous for his paintings and drawings of the  Suffolk countryside, especially ’The Haywain’//


Words: constable
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: constable  ’high-ranking royal official, local officer of the law’ (12-21 centuries), from  Old French conestable, from  Late Latin comes stabuli  ’officer of the stable’]//\n  1 a British police officer of the lowest rank:\n  2 in the US, someone who has some of the powers of a police officer and can send legal documents that order someone to do something:


Words: constancy
Meaning:
n [U]  formal \n  1 the quality of staying the same even though other things change:  constancy of//  --constancy of temperature//\n  2 loyalty and faithfulness to a particular person:


Words: constant
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  constare  ’to stand firm, be constant, cost’, from  com- (  COM-) +  stare  ’to stand’]//\n  1 happening regularly or all the time:  --There was a constant stream of visitors to the house.//  --Amy lived in constant fear of being attacked.//  --He kept in constant contact with his family while he was in Australia.//\n  2 staying the same:  --The truck was travelling at a fairly constant speed.//\n  3  literary loyal and faithful:  --a constant friend//\nconstant 2 n [C] \n  1  technical a number or quantity that never changes:\n  2  formal something that stays the same even though other things change:    variable2 //


Words: Constantine the Great
Meaning:
also Constantine I   (?274-337 AD) the first Christian ruler of the  Roman Empire. In 330 AD he made  Byzantium the capital city of the empire instead of Rome and changed the name of the new capital to Constantinople.//


Words: Constantinople
Meaning:
the city on the Bosphorus which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire for seven centuries from 330 AD, when it was established by Constantine the Great on the place where Byzantium had formerly stood. Later it was the capital of Turkey. It is now called Istanbul.//


Words: constantly
Meaning:
W3S3   adv   all the time, or very often//  --He talked constantly about his work.//  --The English language is constantly changing. //


Words: constellation
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Late Latin constellatio, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  stella  ’star’]//\n  1 a group of stars that forms a particular pattern and has a name:  --a star in the constellation of Orion//\n  2  a constellation of sth:   literary a group of people or things that are similar//  --a constellation of ideas//


Words: consternation
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Latin, from  consternare  ’to frighten’, from  consternere  ’to scatter, throw down’, from  com- (  COM-) +  sternere  ’to spread out’]//  a feeling of worry, shock, or fear//  --The government’s plans have caused considerable consternation among many Americans.//  --A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it) .//  in consternation//  --He looked at her in consternation.//


Words: constipation
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: constipatio, from  Latin constipare  ’to crowd together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  stipare  ’to press’]//  the condition of having difficulty in getting rid of solid waste from your body//    diarrhoea//  -- constipated/k[hA361]nst[hA369]pe[hA366]t[hA369]d $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ adj //


Words: constituency
Meaning:
W3   n   plural  constituencies  [C] //\n  1  BrE an area of a country that elects a representative to a parliament:  --a rural constituency//  --constituency boundaries//  --He represents the Essex constituency of Epping Forest.//\n  2 [also + plural verb British English] the people who live and vote in a particular area:\n  3 any group that supports or is likely to support a politician or a political party:  --The trade unions were no longer the constituency of the Labour Party alone.//


Words: constituent
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: constituant, from the present participle of  constituer  ’to constitute’, from  Latin constituere;   CONSTITUTE]//\n  1 someone who votes in a particular area:\n  2 one of the substances or things that combine to form something:  constituent of//  --Sodium is one of the constituents of salt.//\nconstituent 2 adj [only before noun]  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  constituere;   CONSTITUTE]//  being one of the parts of something//  --the EU and its constituent members//


Words: constituent assembly
Meaning:
n [C]   a group of elected representatives that have the power to write or change their country’s constitution//


Words: constitute
Meaning:
W3   v   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  constituere  ’to set up, constitute’, from  com- (  COM-) +  statuere  ’to set up’]//\n  1 [linking verb, not in progressive] to be considered to be something:  --Failing to complete the work constitutes a breach of the employment contract.//  --The rise in crime constitutes a threat to society.//\n  2 [linking verb, not in progressive] if several people or things constitute something, they are the parts that form it:  --We must redefine what constitutes a family.//\n  3 [T usually in passive]  formal to officially form a group or organization:  --The Federation was constituted in 1949.//


Words: constitution
Meaning:
W2   n [C] \n  1  also  Constitution:  a set of basic laws and principles that a country or organization is governed by//  --The right to speak freely is written into the Constitution of the United States.//\n  2 your health and your body’s ability to fight illness:  (have) a strong/good/weak etc constitution //  --She’s got a strong constitution - she’ll recover in no time.//\n  3  formal the parts or structure of something:  constitution of//  --What’s the chemical constitution of the dye?//


Words: Constitution of the United States
Meaning:
the  also  Constitution   the highest law of the government of the US, often unofficially called the Constitution. The Constitution was first written at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and it officially came into use in 1789. It consists of seven articles and 27 amendments (=additions and changes to the original) .//


Words: constitutional
Meaning:
W3   adj \n  1 officially allowed or limited by the system of rules of a country or organization:  --a constitutional right to privacy//  --a constitutional monarchy  (=a country ruled by a king or queen whose power is limited by a constitution) //\n  2 connected with the constitution of a country or organization:  --a constitutional crisis//  constitutional reform/change/amendment //  --a proposal for constitutional reform//\n  3 relating to someone’s health, physical ability, or character:  -- constitutionally adv //  --a constitutionally guaranteed right//  --He was constitutionally incapable of dealing with conflict.//\nconstitutional 2 n [C]  old-fashioned   a walk you take because it is good for your health//


Words: Constitutional Convention
Meaning:
the   the meeting of representatives in 1787 in Philadelphia that led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States//


Words: constitutionalism
Meaning:
n [U]   the belief that a government should be based on a constitution//  -- constitutionalist n  [C] //


Words: constitutionality
Meaning:
n [U]   the quality of being acceptable according to a constitution//  --A decision on the proposal’s constitutionality still has to be made.//


Words: constrain
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: constraindre, from  Latin constringere  ’to constrict, constrain’, from  com- (  COM-) +  stringere  ’to pull tight’]//\n  1 to stop someone from doing what they want to do:  constrain sb from doing sth//  --Financial factors should not constrain doctors from prescribing the best treatment for patients.//\n  2 to limit something:  --Poor soil has constrained the level of crop production.//  --Women’s employment opportunities are often severely constrained by family commitments.//


Words: constrained
Meaning:
adj   be/feel constrained to do sth//  to feel that you must do something//  --He felt constrained to accept the invitation.//


Words: constraint
Meaning:
W3   n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: constrainte, from  constraindre;   CONSTRAIN]//\n  1 [C] something that limits your freedom to do what you want:   restriction//  constraint on//  --Constraints on spending have forced the company to rethink its plans.//  --the constraints of family life//  financial/environmental/political etc constraints //  --There have been financial and political constraints on development.//  impose/place constraints on sb/sth //  --constraints imposed on teachers by large class sizes//\n  2 [U] control over the way people are allowed to behave, so that they cannot do what they want:  --freedom from constraint//


Words: constrict
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  constringere;   CONSTRAIN]//\n  1 [I and T] to make something narrower or tighter, or to become narrower or tighter:  --Caffeine constricts the blood vessels in your body.//  --Linda’s throat constricted and she started to cry.//\n  2 [T] to limit someone’s freedom to do what they want:  --Fear of crime constricts many people’s lives.//  -- constricted adj //  -- constriction/-str[hA366]k[hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U and C] //


Words: construct
Meaning:
W3   v [T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  construere;   CONSTRUE]//\n  1 to build something such as a house, bridge, road etc:  --There are plans to construct a new road bridge across the river.//  construct sth from/of/in sth//  --skyscrapers constructed entirely of concrete and glass//\n  2 to form something such as a sentence, argument, or system by joining words, ideas etc together:  --Boyce has constructed a new theory of management.//\n  3  technical to draw a mathematical shape:  --Construct a square with sides of 5cm.//\nconstruct 2   n [C]  formal \n  1 an idea formed by combining several pieces of information or knowledge:\n  2 something that is built or made:


Words: construction
Meaning:
W2S3   n   ----------//\n   1 building something:\n   2 making something from many parts:\n   3 way something is made:\n   4 a building/structure:\n   5 grammar:\n   6 ideas/knowledge:\n   7 put a construction on something:  ----------//\n  1 BUILDING SOMETHING:   [U] the process of building things such as houses, bridges, roads etc//  construction of//  --the construction of a new airport//  under construction//   (=being built) //  --The hotel is currently under construction.//  --a road construction project//  --construction workers//\n  2 MAKING SOMETHING FROM MANY PARTS:   [U] the process of making something using many parts//  --Work out the exact design before you start construction.//\n  3 WAY SOMETHING IS MADE:   [U] the materials used to build or make something, or its design and structure//  --The houses were partly timber in construction.//  --External doors should be of robust construction.//\n  4 A BUILDING/STRUCTURE:   [C]  formal something that has been built//  --a strange construction made of wood and glass//\n  5 GRAMMAR:   [C] the way in which words are put together in a sentence, phrase etc//  --difficult grammatical constructions//\n  6 IDEAS/KNOWLEDGE:   [U] the process of forming something from knowledge or ideas//  --the construction of sociological theory//\n  7  put a construction on sth:   formal to think that a statement has a particular meaning or that something was done for a particular reason//  --The judge put an entirely different construction on his remarks.//  -- constructional adj //


Words: constructive
Meaning:
adj   useful and helpful, or likely to produce good results//  --The meeting was very constructive.//  --We welcome any constructive criticism. //  -- constructively adv //


Words: constructive dismissal
Meaning:
n [U and C]    BrE when your employer changes your job or working conditions so you feel forced to leave your job//


Words: construe
Meaning:
v [T usually in passive]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: construere, from  Latin,  ’to construct’, from  com- (  COM-) +  struere  ’to build’]//  to understand a remark or action in a particular way//    misconstrue//  construe sth as sth//  --comments that could be construed as sexist//  --The term can be construed in two different ways.//


Words: consul
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: consulere;   CONSULT]//  a government official who is sent to live in a foreign city in order to help people from his or her own country who are living or staying there//    ambassador//  --the British Consul in Geneva//  -- consular/k[hA361]nsj[hA36A]l[hA353] $ k[hA35A][hA359]ns[hA368]l[hA353]r/ adj //  --a consular official//


Words: consult
Meaning:
W3S3   v   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: consulter, from  Latin consultare, from  consulere  ’to discuss, consult’]//\n  1 [I and T] to ask for information or advice from someone because it is their job to know something:  --If symptoms persist, consult a doctor without delay.//  consult sb about sth//  --An increasing number of people are consulting their accountants about the tax laws.//  consult with//  --I need to consult with my lawyer.//\n  2 [I and T] to discuss something with someone so that you can make a decision together:  --I can’t believe you sold the car without consulting me!//  consult with//  --The President consulted with European leaders before taking action.//\n  3 [T] to look for information in a book, map, list etc:  --Have you consulted a dictionary?//


Words: consultancy
Meaning:
n   plural  consultancies //\n  1 [C] a company that gives advice on a particular subject:  --a management consultancy//  --a consultancy firm//\n  2 [U] advice that a company is paid to provide:  --consultancy fees//


Words: consultant
Meaning:
W3S3   n [C] \n  1 someone whose job is to give advice on a particular subject:  --a management consultant//\n  2  BrE a hospital doctor of a very high rank who has a lot of knowledge about a particular area of medicine:


Words: consultation
Meaning:
W3S3   n \n  1 [U and C] a discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions:  consultation with//  --The decision was reached after consultation with parents and teachers.//  consultation between//  --He’s calling for urgent consultations between the government and the oil industry to resolve the problem.//  in consultation with sb//  --The plans were drawn up in consultation with engineers.//  consultation process/exercise/period //  --There will be a public consultation exercise to ask for people’s views.//  consultation paper/document //\n  2 [C] a meeting with a professional person, especially a doctor, for advice or treatment:  --A follow-up consultation was arranged for two weeks’ time.//\n  3 [U] the process of getting advice from a professional person:  --Trained parenting experts are available for consultation by telephone.//\n  4 [U] the process of looking for information or help in a book:  --Leaflets were regularly displayed for consultation by students.//


Words: consultative
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   providing advice and suggesting solutions to problems//  --a consultative document//


Words: consulting
Meaning:
n [U]   the service of providing advice to companies//\nconsulting 2 adj [only before noun]   providing advice to companies//  --a major international consulting firm//


Words: consumables
Meaning:
n [plural]   goods that are intended to be used and then replaced//  --consumables such as printer ribbons and disks//


Words: consume
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: consumer, from  Latin consumere, from  com- (  COM-) +  sumere  ’to take up, take’]//\n  1 to use time, energy, goods etc:    consumption//  --Only 27% of the paper we consume is recycled.//  --A smaller vehicle will consume less fuel.//\n  2  formal to eat or drink something:    consumer, consumption//  --Alcohol may not be consumed on the premises.//\n  3  literary if a feeling or idea consumes you, it affects you very strongly, so that you cannot think about anything else:  --She was scared by the depression which threatened to consume her.//  be consumed with sth//  --He was consumed with guilt after the accident.//\n  4  formal if fire consumes something, it destroys it completely:    time-consuming//


Words: consumer
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who buys and uses products and services//    consumption, producer//  --Consumers will soon be paying higher airfares.//  --It will offer a wider choice of goods for the consumer  (=consumers in general) .//  -- Consumer demand led to higher imports of manufactured goods.//  -- Consumer spending was down by 0.1% last month.//  --sources of consumer advice  (=advice for consumers) //


Words: consumer confidence
Meaning:
n [U]   the level of people’s satisfaction with the economic situation, which is shown by how much money they spend//  --Consumer confidence reached an all-time low in September.//


Words: consumer goods
Meaning:
n [plural]   goods that people buy for their own use, rather than goods bought by businesses and organizations//    capital goods//


Words: consumer group
Meaning:
n [C]   an organization that makes sure that consumers are treated fairly and that products are safe//


Words: consumer price index
Meaning:
n [C]   a list of the prices of products that shows how much prices have increased during a particular period of time//


Words: Consumer Reports
Meaning:
a US magazine which tests and reports on the quality of particular products in order to help people to decide which one to buy. There is a similar magazine in the UK called  Which?//


Words: consumerism
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the belief that it is good to buy and use a lot of goods and services - often used to show disapproval:  --the growth of consumerism//\n  2 actions to protect people from unfair prices, advertising that is not true etc:  -- consumerist adj //


Words: Consumers’ Association
Meaning:
the   a British organization that helps  consumers. It tests the quality of products and services, and suggests the best ones to buy and use in its own magazine, called Which? It also fights for the rights of consumers in the UK.//


Words: consuming
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   a consuming feeling is so strong that you think of little else//  --a consuming hatred//  consuming interest/passion (=a strong feeling of interest, or something you are extremely interested in) //  --During this period, politics became his consuming interest.//


Words: consummate
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  consummare  ’to sum up, finish’, from  com- (  COM-) +  summa  ’sum’]//\n  1 showing a lot of skill:  --a great performance from a consummate actor//  --He won the race with consummate ease  (=very easily) .//  --De Gaulle conducted his strategy with consummate skill .//\n  2 used to emphasize how bad someone or something is:  --his consummate lack of tact//  --The man’s a consummate liar.//  -- consummately adv //\nconsummate 2   v [T]  formal \n  1 to make a marriage or relationship complete by having sex:\n  2 to make something complete, especially an agreement:


Words: consummation
Meaning:
n [singular, U]  formal \n  1 when people make a marriage or relationship complete by having sex:\n  2 the point at which something is complete or perfect:  --the consummation of his ambitions//


Words: consumption
Meaning:
W3   n [U]   ----------//\n   1 amount used:\n   2 food/drink:\n   3 buying:\n   4 for general/public/private etc consumption:\n   5 :  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: consumptio, from  consumere;   CONSUME]//\n  1 AMOUNT USED:  the amount of energy, oil, electricity etc that is used//    consume//  energy/fuel etc consumption //  --dramatic rises in fuel consumption//  --Vigorous exercise increases oxygen consumption.//\n  2 FOOD/DRINK:  a)  formal the act of eating or drinking//    consume//  consumption of//  --The consumption of alcohol on the premises is forbidden.//  fit/unfit for human consumption (=safe or not safe to eat) //  --The meat was declared unfit for human consumption.//  b) the amount of a substance that people eat, drink, smoke etc//  alcohol/tobacco/caffeine etc consumption //  --The Government wants to reduce tobacco consumption by 40%.//\n  3 BUYING:  the act of buying and using products//    consume, consumer//  --art intended for mass consumption  (=to be bought, seen etc by lots of people) //  --China’s austerity program has cut domestic consumption  (=when products are bought in the country where they were produced) .//  conspicuous consumption (=when people buy expensive products to prove they are rich) //\n  4  for general/public/private etc consumption:  intended to be heard or read only by a particular group of people//  --secret policy documents that are not for public consumption//\n  5  old-fashioned  tuberculosis:


Words: contact
Meaning:
W2S3   n   ----------//\n   1 communication:\n   2 touch:\n   3 experience:\n   4 person:\n   5 contacts:\n   6 point of contact:\n   7 electrical:\n   8 eyes:  ----------//  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Latin contactus, from the past participle of  contigere;   CONTINGENT1]//\n  1 COMMUNICATION:   [U] communication with a person, organization, country etc//  contact with/between//  --There is very little contact between the two tribes.//  --Few people have daily contact with mentally disabled people.//  be/get/stay/keep in contact (with sb) //  --We stay in contact by email.//  --We’d like to make contact with other schools in the area.//  --The children lost contact with their families (=they no longer see them because they do not know where to find them) .//  --the ship’s failure to make radio contact //  --She put me in contact with an expert in the field (=she gave me their name, telephone number etc) .//  face-to-face/social/personal contact (=talking to someone who is with you) //  --There is little personal contact with customers.//  --staff who have direct contact with the patient//  --The town is cut off from contact with the outside world.//\n  2 TOUCH:   [U] when two people or things touch each other//  contact with/between//  --Children need physical contact with a caring adult.//  --The disease spreads by sexual contact between infected animals.//  in contact with sth//  --For a second, his hand was in contact with mine.//  --When water comes into contact with air, carbon dioxide is released.//  on contact (with sth)//  --The bomb exploded on contact (=at the moment it touched something) .//\n  3 EXPERIENCE:   [U] when you meet someone or experience a particular kind of thing//  --Everyone who came into contact with Di felt better for knowing her.//  --Pat’s job brings her into contact with the problems people face when they retire.//\n  4 PERSON:   [C usually plural] a person you know who may be able to help or advise you//  --He has a lot of contacts in the media.//  --a worldwide network of contacts //  business/personal contacts //\n  5  contacts [plural] a situation in which you can communicate easily with a group, country etc:  contacts with/between//  --We have good contacts with the local community.//  --He goes to great lengths to maintain these contacts.//  --the establishment of diplomatic contacts//\n  6  point of contact:  a) a place you go to or a person you meet when you ask an organization for help//  first/initial point of contact //  --Primary health care teams are the first point of contact for users of the service.//  b) a way in which two different things are related//  --finding a point of contact between theory and practice//  c) the part of something where another thing touches it//  --The sting causes swelling at the point of contact.//\n  7 ELECTRICAL:   [C] an electrical part that completes a circuit when it touches another part//\n  8 EYES:   [C]  informal a contact lens//    eye contact at eye1 (5)//\ncontact 2 W2S3 v [T]   to write to or telephone someone//  --Give the names of two people who can be contacted in an emergency.//  --Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.//  -- contactable adj  [not before noun] //  --A mobile phone makes you contactable wherever you are.//\ncontact 3 adj [only before noun] \n  1  contact number/address/details:  a telephone number or address where someone can be found if necessary//  --If you are babysitting, make sure you have a contact number for the parents.//\n  2 contact explosives or chemicals become active when they touch something:  --contact poisons//


Words: contact sport
Meaning:
n [C]   a sport such as american football,  rugby etc in which players have physical contact with each other//


Words: contagion
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin contagio, from  contingere;   CONTINGENT1]//\n  1 [U]  technical a situation in which a disease is spread by people touching each other:  --The danger of contagion is very small.//\n  2 [C]  technical a disease that can be passed from person to person by touch:\n  3 [singular]  formal a feeling or attitude that spreads quickly between people or places:  --a contagion of fear that spread from city to city//


Words: contagious
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a disease that is contagious can be passed from person to person by touch:\n  2 a person who is contagious has a disease that can be passed to another person by touch:  --The patient is still highly contagious.//\n  3 if a feeling, attitude, or action is contagious, other people are quickly affected by it and begin to have it or do it:  --her contagious enthusiasm//  -- contagiousness n  [U] //


Words: contain
Meaning:
W1S2   v [T]   ----------//\n   1 container/place:\n   2 writing/speech:\n   3 substance:\n   4 control feelings:\n   5 stop something:\n   6 maths:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: contenir, from  Latin continere  ’to hold together, hold in, contain’, from  com- (  COM-) +  tenere  ’to hold’]//\n  1 CONTAINER/PLACE:  if something such as a bag, box, or place contains something, that thing is inside it//  --The thieves stole a purse containing banknotes.//  --The museum contains a number of original artworks.//\n  2 WRITING/SPEECH:  if a document, book, speech etc contains something, that thing is included in it//  --The letter contained information about Boulestin’s legal affairs.//  be contained in/within sth//  --The proposed changes are contained in a policy statement.//\n  3 SUBSTANCE:  if a substance contains something, that thing is part of it//  --This product may contain nuts.//\n  4 CONTROL FEELINGS:  to control strong feelings of anger, excitement etc//  --Jane couldn’t contain her amusement any longer.//  contain yourself//  --He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.//\n  5 STOP SOMETHING:  to stop something from spreading or escaping//  --Doctors are struggling to contain the epidemic.//  --measures aimed at containing political opposition//    self-contained//\n  6 MATHS:   technical to surround an area or an angle//  --How big is the angle contained by these two sides?//


Words: container
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 something such as a box or bowl that you use to keep things in:  --ice cream in plastic containers//\n  2 a very large metal box in which goods are packed to make it easy to lift or move them onto a ship or vehicle:  --a container ship//


Words: containment
Meaning:
n [U]  formal   the act of keeping something under control, stopping it becoming more powerful etc//  --containment of public expenditure//  --political containment of member states//


Words: contaminate
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  contaminare, from  contamen  ’contact’]//\n  1 to make a place or substance dirty or harmful by putting something such as chemicals or poison in it:  --Drinking water supplies are believed to have been contaminated.//\n  2 to influence something in a way that has a bad effect:  --He claims the poster ads have ’contaminated Berlin’s streets’.//  -- contamination/k[hA353]nt[zB024]m[hA369]ne[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U] //  --radioactive contamination//


Words: contaminated
Meaning:
adj   water, food etc that is contaminated has had a harmful substance added to it//  contaminated food/blood/water supplies etc //  --Several outbreaks of infection have been traced to contaminated food.//


Words: contemplate
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  contemplari, from  com- (  COM-) +  templum (  TEMPLE)]//\n  1 [T] to think about something that you might do in the future:   consider//  --He had even contemplated suicide.//  contemplate doing sth//  --Did you ever contemplate resigning?//\n  2 [T] to accept the possibility that something is true:  too dreadful/horrifying etc to contemplate //  --The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate.//\n  3 [I and T] to think about something seriously for a period of time:   consider//  --Jack went on vacation to contemplate his future.//  contemplate what/whether/how etc//  --She sat down and contemplated what she had done.//  contemplate your navel (=think so much about your own life that you do not notice other important things - used humorously) //\n  4 [T] to look at someone or something for a period of time in a way that shows you are thinking:  --He contemplated her with a faint smile.//


Words: contemplation
Meaning:
n [U]   quiet, serious thinking about something//  --The monks spend an hour in contemplation each morning.//


Words: contemplative
Meaning:
adj   spending a lot of time thinking seriously and quietly//  --a contemplative mood//  -- contemplatively adv //\ncontemplative 2 n [C]  formal   someone who spends their life thinking deeply about religious matters//


Words: contemporaneous
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: contemporaneus, from  com- (  COM-) +  tempus  ’time’]//   formal happening or done in the same period of time//   contemporary//  contemporaneous with//  --Built in the 13th century, the chapels are contemporaneous with many of the great Gothic cathedrals.//  -- contemporaneously adv //  -- contemporaneity/k[hA353]ntemp[hA368]r[hA353]ni[hA359][hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: contemporary
Meaning:
W2   adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: contemporarius, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  tempus  ’time’]//\n  1 belonging to the present time:   modern//  contemporary music/art/dance etc //  --an exhibition of contemporary Japanese prints//  --life in contemporary Britain//\n  2 happening or done in the same period of time:  contemporary with//  --The wall hangings are thought to be roughly contemporary with the tiled floors.//\ncontemporary 2   plural  contemporaries  n [C] //  someone who lived or was in a particular place at the same time as someone else//  sb’s contemporaries//  --Oswald was much admired by his contemporaries at the Academy.//


Words: contempt
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: contemptus, from  contemnere  ’to think of with contempt’, from  com- (  COM-) +  temnere  ’to despise’]//\n  1 a feeling that someone or something is not important and deserves no respect:  contempt for//  --The contempt he felt for his fellow students was obvious.//  utter/deep contempt //  --The report shows utter contempt for women’s judgement.//  open/undisguised contempt //  --She looked at him with undisguised contempt.//  --The public is treated with contempt by broadcasters.//  --How could she have loved a man who so clearly held her in contempt ?//  beneath contempt//  --That sort of behaviour is simply beneath contempt (=does not deserve respect or attention) .//\n  2  law disobedience or disrespect towards a court of law:  --He was jailed for 7 days for contempt of court .//  in contempt of sth//  --He was found in contempt of the order.//\n  3 complete lack of fear about something:  contempt for//  --his contempt for danger//


Words: contemptible
Meaning:
adj  literary   not deserving any respect at all//   despicable//  --They were portrayed as contemptible cowards.//


Words: contemptuous
Meaning:
adj   showing that you think someone or something deserves no respect//  --Benedict threw her a contemptuous glance.//  contemptuous of//  --He was openly contemptuous of his elder brother.//  -- contemptuously adv //


Words: contend
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: contendre, from  Latin contendere, from  com- (  COM-) +  tendere  ’to stretch’]//\n  1 [I] to compete against someone in order to gain something:  contend for//  --Three armed groups are contending for power.//  --Inevitably, fights break out between the members of contending groups.//\n  2 [T] to argue or state that something is true:  contend (that)//  --Some astronomers contend that the universe may be younger than previously thought.//  contend with [contend with sth] phr v//  to have to deal with something difficult or unpleasant//  --The rescue team also had bad weather conditions to contend with .//


Words: contender
Meaning:
n [C]   someone or something that is in competition with other people or things//  contender for//  --a contender for the Democratic nomination//  serious/strong/leading etc contender //  --Her new album has to be a strong contender for the Album of the Year award.//


Words: content
Meaning:
n \n  1  contents [plural] :  a) the things that are inside a box, bag, room etc//  contents of//  --The customs official rummaged through the contents of his briefcase.//  --Most of the gallery’s contents were damaged in the fire.//  contents insurance (=insurance for things such as furniture that you have in your house) //  b) the things that are written in a letter, book etc//  contents of//  --She kept the contents of the letter a secret.//  --The program automatically creates a table of contents  (=a list at the beginning of a document that shows the different parts into which it is divided) .//  --He cast his eye down the contents page .//\n  2 [singular] the amount of a substance that is contained in something, especially food or drink:  fat/protein/alcohol etc content //  --the fat content of cheese//  --water with a low salt content//\n  3 [singular, U] the ideas, facts, or opinions that are contained in a speech, piece of writing, film, programme etc:  --The content of the media course includes scripting, editing and camera work.//\n  4 [singular, U] the information contained in a website, considered separately from the software that makes the website work:  --The graphics are brilliant. It’s just a shame the content is so poor.//\ncontent 2 W3   adj [not before noun]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin contentus;   CONTENT2]//\n  1 happy and satisfied:  --Andy was a good husband, and Nicky was clearly very content.//  content with//  --We’ll be content with a respectable result in tomorrow’s match.//\n  2  content (for sb) to do sth:  willing to do or accept something, rather than doing more//  --She sat quietly, content to watch him working.//  --He seemed quite content to let Steve do the talking.//  --Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties.//\n  3  not content with sth:  used to emphasize that someone wants or does more than something//  --Not content with her new car, Selina now wants a bike for trips into the city centre.//\ncontent 3 n [U] \n  1  literary a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction:\n  2  do sth to your heart’s content:  to do something as much as you want//  --She took refuge in the library, where she could read to her heart’s content.//\ncontent 4 v [T] \n  1  content yourself with (doing) sth:  to do or have something that is not what you really wanted, but is still satisfactory//  --Mr Lal has been asking for more responsibility, but has had to content himself with a minor managerial post.//\n  2  formal to make someone feel happy and satisfied:  --I was no longer satisfied with the life that had hitherto contented me.//


Words: contented
Meaning:
adj   happy and satisfied because your life is good//  → discontented//  --I felt warm, cosy and contented.//  --They lapsed into a contented silence//  -- contentedly adv //  --He smiled contentedly.//


Words: contention
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin contentio, from  contendere;   CONTEND]//\n  1 [C]  formal a strong opinion that someone expresses:  sb’s contention that//  --Her main contention is that doctors should do more to encourage healthy eating.//\n  2 [U]  formal argument and disagreement between people:  source/area/point of contention //  --The issue of subsidies is a source of contention in Europe.//    bone of contention at bone1 (5)//\n  3  in contention:  having a chance of winning something//  --A goal from Hodge kept England in contention .//\n  4  out of contention:  no longer having a chance of winning something//  --Injury has put him out of contention for the title.//


Words: contentious
Meaning:
adj \n  1 causing a lot of argument and disagreement between people:  contentious issue/area/subject etc //  --Animal welfare did not become a contentious issue until the late 1970s.//\n  2 someone who is contentious often argues with people:  -- contentiously adv //


Words: contentment
Meaning:
n [U]   the state of being happy and satisfied//  → discontent//  --He gave a sigh of contentment , and fell asleep.//  --a feeling of deep contentment //


Words: contest
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a competition or a situation in which two or more people or groups are competing with each other:  contest for//  --the bitter contest for the Republican presidential nomination//  --Stone decided to  hold a contest  to see who could write the best song.//  --I only entered the contest for fun.//  --It is clear that the election will be a close contest .//  contest between/against//  --the 1960 contest between Kennedy and Nixon//  --the 1975 Liberal leadership contest //\n  2  no contest:   informal //  a)  spoken used to say that someone or something is the best of its kind//  --I think you’re the best rider here, no contest.//  b) if a victory is no contest, it is very easy to achieve//\n  3  plead no contest:   law to state that you will not offer a defence in a court of law for something wrong you have done//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  hold a contest //  enter a contest (=start taking part in one) //  win/lose a contest //  beauty contest (=a competition to find the most beautiful person) //  talent contest (=a competition to find the best performer) //  popularity contest (=a situation in which people decide which person they like the most) //  unequal contest British English (=when one person has a much greater chance of winning) //  fair contest (=when everyone has the same chance of winning) //  close contest (=when someone wins by only a very small amount) //  leadership contest (=when two politicians compete to become the leader of their party) //  ----------//\ncontest 2   v [T]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: contester, from  Latin contestari  ’to call a witness, bring a legal case’, from  com- (  COM-) +  testis  ’witness’]//\n  1 to say formally that you do not accept something or do not agree with it:  --His brothers are contesting the will.//\n  2 to compete for something or to try to win it:  --His wife is contesting a seat on the council.//


Words: context
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: contextus  ’connection of words’, from  contexere  ’to weave together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  texere  ’to weave’]//\n  1 the situation, events, or information that are related to something and that help you to understand it:  political/social/historical etc context //  --the political context of the election//  place/put/see etc sth in context //  --To appreciate what these changes will mean, it is necessary to look at them in context .//  in the context of sth//  --These incidents are best understood in the broader context of developments in rural society.//\n  2 the words that come just before and after a word or sentence and that help you understand its meaning:  --The meaning of ’mad’ depends on its context.//\n  3  take/quote sth out of context:  to repeat part of what someone has said or written without describing the situation in which it was said, so that it means something quite different//  --His comments, taken out of context, seem harsh.//


Words: contextual
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   relating to a particular context//  contextual information/factors etc //  -- contextually adv //


Words: contextualize
Meaning:
also  contextualise BrE   v [T]  formal   to consider something together with the situation, events, or information related to it, rather than alone//  --The essays seek to contextualise Kristeva’s writings.//


Words: contiguous
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: contiguus, from  contingere;   CONTINGENT1]//  next to something, or next to each other//  --America’s 48 contiguous states//  -- contiguously adv //  -- contiguity/k[hA361]nt[hA369]gju[hA359][hA369]ti $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ n  [U] //


Words: continence
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1  medical the ability to control your bowels and bladder:  → incontinence//\n  2  old-fashioned the ability to control your sexual desires:


Words: continent
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: continens  ’continuous area of land’, from  continere;   CONTAIN]//\n  1 a large mass of land surrounded by sea:  --the continents of Asia and Africa//\n  2  the Continent:   BrE  old-fashioned Western Europe, not including Britain//\ncontinent 2 adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  continere;   CONTAIN]//\n  1  medical able to control your bowels and bladder:  → incontinent//\n  2  old-fashioned able to control your sexual desires:


Words: continental
Meaning:
adj \n  1 :  a)  the continental United States//  all the states of the US except Alaska and Hawaii//  b)  continental Europe/Asia etc//  all the countries of Europe, Asia etc that are not on islands//\n  2 relating to a large mass of land:  --the warming-up of continental interiors//\n  3 typical of the warmer countries in Western Europe:  --a continental-style cafe//\n  4  BrE  old-fashioned belonging to or in the European continent, not including Britain:  --continental holidays//


Words: Continental Congress
Meaning:
the   a group of politicians who represented the original 13 American  colonies, and met between 1774 and 1789. They made laws for the colonies, and later formed the government of the US. The Continental Congress wrote the  Declaration of Independence, and its members are often called "The  Founding Fathers ".//


Words: Continental Divide
Meaning:
the Continental Divide//   also the Great Divide //  the chain of high mountains that goes from north to south in North America. They divide the rivers which flow into the Pacific Ocean from those which flow into the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.//


Words: continental shelf plural
Meaning:
continental shelves  n [C]  technical   the edge of a continent where it slopes down steeply to the bottom of the ocean//


Words: contingency
Meaning:
n   plural  contingencies  [C] //\n  1 an event or situation that might happen in the future, especially one that could cause problems:  --a contingency plan //  --Add up your outgoings, putting on a bit more for contingencies.//\n  2  contingency fee:  an amount of money that a lawyer in the US will be paid only if the person they are advising wins in court//


Words: contingent
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin, present participle of  contingere  ’to have contact with, happen to’, from  com- (  COM-) +  tangere  ’to touch’]//  depending on something that may happen in the future//  contingent on/upon//  --Further investment is contingent upon the company’s profit performance.//\ncontingent 2 n [C also + plural verb British English] \n  1 a group of people who all have something in common, such as their nationality, beliefs etc, and who are part of a larger group:  --Has the Scottish contingent arrived yet?//\n  2 a group of soldiers sent to help a larger group:  contingent of//  --A large contingent of troops was dispatched.//


Words: continual
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1 continuing for a long time without stopping:  --five weeks of continual rain//  --the Japanese business philosophy of continual improvement//\n  2 repeated many times, often in a way that is harmful or annoying:  --She has endured house arrest and continual harassment by the police.//  -- continually adv //  --We are continually reassessing the situation.//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: continual, continuous //  continual  and  continuous are both used to describe things that continue without stopping : continual rain |  a continuous fall in unemployment since 1998 //  Use  continuous to describe things that go on without a break : I had six continuous hours of meetings. |  a continuous line of trees //  Use  continual to describe things which happen repeatedly : his continual attempts to intervene //  Use  continual when the thing that is happening is annoying or bad : She was fed up with the continual arguments. //  ----------//


Words: continuance
Meaning:
n [singular, U]  formal   the state of continuing for a long period of time//  --the continuance in power of the Nationalist party//


Words: continuation
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] something that continues or follows something else that has happened before, without a stop or change:  continuation of//  --The present economic policy is a continuation of the earlier one.//\n  2 [U] the continuation of something is the fact that it continues to exist or happen:  continuation of//  --measures to ensure the continuation of food supplies//\n  3 [C] something that joins something else as if it were part of it:  continuation of//  --The Baltic Sea is a continuation of the North Sea.//


Words: continuation school
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   a school for children who cannot study at high school because they have social problems//


Words: continue
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: continuer, from  Latin continuare, from  continuus;   CONTINUOUS]//\n  1 [I and T] to not stop happening, existing, or doing something:    continuous, continual, discontinue//  continue to do sth//  --Sheila continued to work after she had her baby.//  --He will be continuing his education in the US.//  --I felt too sick to continue.//  continue unabated/apace/unchecked (=continue at the same high speed or level) //  --The flood of refugees continued unabated.//  continue with//  --He was permitted to continue with his work while in prison.//  continue for//  --The strike continued for another four weeks.//  continue doing sth//  --Most elderly people want to continue living at home for as long as they can.//\n  2 [I and T] to start again, or start doing something again, after an interruption:   resume//  --After a brief ceasefire, fighting continued.//  --Rescue teams will continue the search tomorrow.//  continue doing sth//  --He picked up his book and continued reading.//\n  3 [I] to go further in the same direction:  continue down/along/into etc//  --We continued along the road for some time.//  --The road continues northwards to the border.//\n  4 [I] to stay in the same job, situation etc:  continue as//  --Miss Silva will continue as publishing director.//\n  5 [I and T] to say more after an interruption:  --’And so’, he continued, ’we will try harder next time.’//\n  6  to be continued:  used at the end of part of a story, a television show etc to tell people that the story has not finished yet//


Words: continued
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   continuing to happen or exist for a long time, or happening many times//  --threats to the continued existence of the species//  --continued press speculation//


Words: continuing education
Meaning:
n [U]   training and education for adults that takes place outside the formal education system, usually in classes in the evenings//


Words: continuity
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the state of continuing for a period of time, without problems, interruptions, or changes:  --We should ensure continuity of care between hospital and home.//\n  2  technical the organization of a film or television programme to make it seem that the action happens without pauses or interruptions:


Words: continuity announcer
Meaning:
n [C]   someone on the radio or television who says what programme is being broadcast next, or gives information about future programmes//


Words: continuo
Meaning:
n   plural  continuos  [C]  technical //  [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: continuo  ’continuous’, from  Latin continuus;   CONTINUOUS]//  a musical part consisting of a line of low notes with figures showing the higher notes that are played with them//


Words: continuous
Meaning:
W3S2   adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: continuus, from  continere;   CONTAIN]//\n  1 continuing to happen or exist without stopping:    continue//  --continuous economic growth//  --a continuous flow of information//\n  2 something such as a line that is continuous does not have any spaces or holes in it:\n  3  continuous assessment:   BrE a way of judging a student’s work by looking at what they have achieved during the year rather than testing them in an examination//\n  4  technical the continuous form of a verb shows that an action is continuing. In English, this is formed by the verb ’be’, followed by a present participle, as in ’I was waiting for the bus.’:  -- continuously adv //  --UMNO had ruled Malaysia continuously since independence.//


Words: continuum
Meaning:
n   plural  continuums  or  continua /-nju[hA353]/ [C]  formal //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: continuus;   CONTINUOUS]//  a scale of related things on which each one is only slightly different from the one before//  --The Creole language is really various dialects arranged on a continuum.//  --All the organisms in an ecosystem are part of an evolutionary continuum.//


Words: contort
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  contorquere, from  com- (  COM-) +  torquere  ’to twist’]//  if you contort something, or if it contorts, it twists out of its normal shape and looks strange or unattractive//  contort with/in//  --His face was contorted with rage.//  --His body contorted in agony.//


Words: contortion
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a twisted position or movement that looks surprising or strange:  --I could not force my body into the contortions required by classical ballet.//  --facial contortions//\n  2 [U] when something is twisted so that it does not have its normal shape:  --involuntary muscle contortion//\n  3 [C] something difficult you have to do in order to achieve something:  --He went through a series of amazing contortions to get Karen a work permit.//


Words: contour
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Italian contorno, from  contornare  ’to round off, draw’, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  tornare (  TURN1)]//\n  1 the shape of the outer edges of something such as an area of land or someone’s body:  --the contours of the hills//  --the contours of her face//\n  2  also contour line :  a line on a map that shows points that are of equal heights above sea level//


Words: contoured
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a contoured surface or object has been made with curves in it:  --contoured seats//\n  2 contoured land has some parts higher than others:


Words: contra-
Meaning:
prefix   [Language: Latin; Origin: contra  ’against, opposite’]//  acting against something, or opposite to something//  --contraceptive devices (=against conception) //


Words: contraband
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Italian; Origin: contrabbando, from  Medieval Latin contrabannum, from  contra- (  CONTRA-) +  bannum  ’official order’]//  goods that are brought into a country illegally, especially to avoid tax//  --a cargo of contraband//  -- contraband adj //  --contraband cigarettes//


Words: contrabass
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Italian; Origin: contrabbasso, from  contra- (  CONTRALTO) +  basso (  BASSOON)]//  a double bass//


Words: contraception
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: contra- +  conception]//  the practice of preventing a woman from becoming pregnant when she has sex, or the methods for doing this//   birth control//  --The pill is a popular method of contraception.//


Words: contraceptive
Meaning:
n [C]   a drug, object, or method used to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant when she has sex//  --free contraceptives//  -- contraceptive adj  [only before noun] //  --a contraceptive device//


Words: contract
Meaning:
W1S2   n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin contractus;   CONTRACT2]//\n  1 an official agreement between two or more people, stating what each will do:  --Read the  contract  carefully before you  sign  it.//  contract with/between//  --Tyler has  agreed a  seven-year contract  with a Hollywood studio.//  --a three-year  contract to  provide pay telephones at local restaurants//  --His  contract  is to be  terminated  by mutual consent.//  --What are the legal consequences of breaking a contract ?//  --The contract was awarded to builders John Worman Ltd.//  --Mr Venables informed me the club would not be renewing my contract .//  --The firm operates schools  under contract to state education authorities.//  --Employees who refuse to relocate are in breach of contract .//\n  2  subject to contract:  if an agreement is subject to contract, it has not yet been agreed formally by a contract//\n  3  informal an agreement to kill a person for money:  --They put a contract out on him and he’s in hiding.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  enter into/make a contract (with somebody) //  sign a contract (with somebody) //  agree a contract //  a contract to do something //  end/terminate a contract (with somebody) //  break a contract (with somebody) (=do something that is not allowed by your contract) //  win/be awarded a contract (=gain a contract to do work for someone) //  renew somebody’s contract (=make a new contract with someone) //  fulfil British English //  /fulfill American English //  a contract (=do what you have agreed to do) //  on a contract/under contract (=working for someone with whom you have a contract) //  the terms of a contract //  one-/two-/ten- etc year contract //  be in breach of contract (=having done something not allowed by your contract) //  ----------//\ncontract 2   v   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: contractus, past participle of  contrahere  ’to pull together, make a contract, make smaller’, from  com- (  COM-) +  trahere  ’to pull’]//\n  1 [I] to become smaller or narrower:  → expand//  --Metal contracts as it cools.//  --The economy has contracted by 2.5%.//\n  2 [T]  formal to get an illness:  --Two-thirds of the adult population there has contracted AIDS.//\n  3 [I and T] to sign a contract in which you agree formally that you will do something or someone will do something for you:  contract (sb) to do sth//  --They are contracted to work 35 hours a week.//  --the company that had been contracted to build the models//  contract (with) sb for sth//  --Doctors control their budgets and contract with hospitals for services.//  contract a marriage/alliance etc (=agree to marry someone, form a relationship with them etc) //  --Most of the marriages were contracted when the brides were very young.//\ncontract 3    contract in phr v//\n  1  contract sb/sth → in:  to arrange for a person or company outside your own organization to come in and do a particular job//  --We contract in cleaning services.//\n  2  formal to agree officially to take part in something:  --The rules require all members to contract in.//  contract out phr v//\n  1  contract sth → out:  to arrange to have a job done by a person or company outside your own organization//  contract something → out to//  --The company has contracted the catering out to an outside firm.//\n  2  BrE to agree officially not to take part in something such as a pension plan:


Words: contract bridge
Meaning:
n [U]   a form of the card game bridge, in which one of the two pairs says how many tricks they will try to win//


Words: contraction
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C]  medical a very strong and painful movement of a muscle, especially the muscles around the womb during birth:\n  2 [U] the process of becoming smaller or narrower:  --the contraction of metal as it cools//\n  3 [C] a shorter form of a word or words:  --’Haven’t’ is a contraction of ’have not’.//


Words: contractor
Meaning:
n [C]   a person or company that agrees to do work or provide goods for another company//  --a roofing contractor//


Words: contractual
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   agreed in a contract//  --Tutors have a contractual obligation to research and publish.//  -- contractually adv //


Words: contradict
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  contradicere, from  contra- (  CONTRA-) +  dicere  ’to say’]//\n  1 [I and T] to disagree with something, especially by saying that the opposite is true:  --Deborah opened her mouth to contradict, but closed it again.//  --Dad just can’t bear to be contradicted.//  --The article flatly contradicts their claims.//\n  2 [T] if one statement, story etc contradicts another, the facts in it are different so that both statements cannot be true:  --The witness statements contradict each other and the facts remain unclear.//\n  3  contradict yourself:  to say something that is the opposite of what you said before//  --Within five minutes he had contradicted himself twice.//


Words: contradiction
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a difference between two statements, beliefs, or ideas about something that means they cannot both be true:  -- apparent contradictions in the defendant’s testimony//  contradiction between//  --a contradiction between the government’s ideas and its actual policy//\n  2 [U] the act of saying that someone else’s opinion, statement etc is wrong or not true:  --You can say what you like without fear of contradiction .//\n  3  a contradiction in terms:  a combination of words that seem to be the opposite of each other, with the result that the phrase has no clear meaning//  --’Permanent revolution’ is a contradiction in terms.//\n  4  in (direct) contradiction to sth:  in a way that is opposite to a belief or statement//  --Your behaviour is in direct contradiction to the principles you claim to have.//


Words: contradictory
Meaning:
adj   two statements, beliefs etc that are contradictory are different and therefore cannot both be true or correct//  contradictory messages/statements/demands etc //  --The public is being fed contradictory messages about the economy.//


Words: contradistinction
Meaning:
n [C]   in contradistinction to sth//   formal in contrast to or compared to something//  --plants in contradistinction to animals//


Words: contraflow
Meaning:
n [U and C]  BrE   a temporary arrangement on a road that is being repaired, that makes traffic travelling in both directions use only one side of the road//  --A contraflow is in operation between Junctions 6 and 12.//


Words: contrail
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: condensation trail]//  a line of white steam made in the sky by a plane//


Words: contraindication
Meaning:
n [C]  medical   a medical reason for not giving someone a particular medicine or drug//  -- contraindicate/k[hA361]ntr[hA353][hA366]nd[hA369]ke[hA366]t $ k[hA35A][hA359]n-/ v  [T usually passive] //  --In this situation, steroids are contraindicated.//


Words: contralto
Meaning:
n   plural  contraltos //  [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Italian; Origin: contra-  ’below’ (from  Latin;   CONTRA-) +  alto (  ALTO)]//\n  1 [C] the lowest female singing voice, or a woman with a voice like this:\n  2 [singular] the part of a musical work that is written for a contralto voice:


Words: contraption
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  Perhaps from  contrivance +  trap +  invention]//  a piece of equipment or machinery that looks funny, strange, and unlikely to work well//  --a bizarre contraption//


Words: contrary
Meaning:
n \n  1  on the contrary/quite the contrary:  used to add to a negative statement, to disagree with a negative statement by someone else, or to answer no to a question//  --It wasn’t a good thing; on the contrary it was a huge mistake.//  --’I suppose your wife doesn’t understand you.’ ’On the contrary, she understands me very well.’//  --’Are they happy?’ ’No, no, quite the contrary.’//\n  2  evidence/statements etc to the contrary:  something showing or saying the opposite//  --Unless there is evidence to the contrary, we ought to believe them.//  --He continued to drink despite advice to the contrary.//\n  3  the contrary:   formal the opposite of what has been said or suggested//\ncontrary 2 adj \n  1 contrary ideas, opinions, or actions are completely different and opposed to each other:  --Two contrary views emerged.//  --The men shouted contrary orders.//  contrary to//  --The government’s actions are contrary to the public interest.//\n  2  contrary to popular belief/opinion:  used to say that something is true even though people believe the opposite//  --Contrary to popular belief, a desert can be very cold.//\n  3  formal a contrary wind is not blowing in the direction you want to sail:\ncontrary 3   adj   someone who is contrary deliberately does different things from other people//  --Evans was his usual contrary self.//  -- contrariness n  [U] //


Words: contrast
Meaning:
W2   n \n  1 [U and C] a difference between people, ideas, situations, things etc that are being compared:  --While there are similarities in the two cultures, there are also great contrasts.//  contrast between//  --the economic and social contrasts between the poor and the rich//  contrast with//  --The marble is smooth and polished, making a strong contrast with the worn stonework around it.//  by contrast (to/with)//  --The birth rate for older women has declined, but, by contrast, births to teenage mothers have increased.//  in contrast (to/with)//  --The stock lost 60 cents a share, in contrast to last year, when it gained 21 cents.//  (in) stark/marked/sharp etc contrast to sth //  --The winter heatwave in California is a stark contrast to the below-freezing temperatures on the East Coast.//  --The spirited mood on Friday was in sharp contrast to the tense atmosphere last week.//  --The approach to learning at this school stands in marked contrast to the traditional methods used at other schools nearby.//\n  2 [C] something that is very different from something else:  --The wine used in the sauce is quite sweet, so add dried thyme as a contrast.//  contrast to//  --The red stems of this bush provide a contrast to the drab brown of the rest of the winter garden.//\n  3 [U] the degree of difference between the light and dark parts of a television picture, X-ray, photocopy etc:  --This button adjusts the contrast.//  --The chemical heightens contrast between different kinds of tissue in the breast.//\n  4 [U] the differences in colour, or between light and dark, that an artist uses in paintings or photographs to make a particular effect:  --The artist has used contrast marvelously in his paintings.//\ncontrast 2   v   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: contraster, from  Italian contrastare  ’to stand out against, fight against’, from  Latin contra- (  CONTRA-) +  stare  ’to stand’]//\n  1 [I] if two things contrast, the difference between them is very easy to see and is sometimes surprising:  contrast with//  --The snow was icy and white, contrasting with the brilliant blue sky.//  contrast sharply/strikingly with sth (=be extremely different from something) //  --These results contrast sharply with other medical tests carried out in Australia.//\n  2 [T] to compare two things, ideas, people etc to show how different they are from each other:  contrast sth with sth//  --In another passage, Melville again contrasts the land with the sea.//  --an essay comparing and contrasting  (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operas//


Words: contrasting
Meaning:
adj   two or more things that are contrasting are different from each other, especially in a way that is interesting or attractive//  --a blue shirt with a contrasting collar//


Words: contravene
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: contrevenir, from  Late Latin contravenire, from  Latin contra- (  CONTRA-) +  venire  ’to come’]//  to do something that is not allowed according to a law or rule//   violate//  --Some portions of the bill may contravene state law.//


Words: contravention
Meaning:
n   [U and C] when someone does something that is not allowed by a law or rule//   violation//  contravention of//  --Sending the troops was a contravention of the treaty.//  in contravention of sth//   (=in a way not allowed by a rule or law) //  --Several of the girls were wearing trousers, in contravention of the school rules on dress.//


Words: contretemps
Meaning:
n   plural  contretemps  [C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: ’against time’]//  an argument or disagreement - often used humorously//


Words: contribute
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  contribuere, from  com- (  COM-) +  tribuere (  TRIBUTE)]//\n  1 [I and T] to give money, help, ideas etc to something that a lot of other people are also involved in:  contribute to/towards//  --City employees cannot contribute to political campaigns.//  contribute sth to/towards sth//  --The volunteers contribute their own time to the project.//\n  2 [I] to help to make something happen:  --Stress is a contributing factor in many illnesses.//  contribute to//  --Alcohol contributes to 100,000 deaths a year in the US.//  contribute substantially/significantly/greatly etc to sth //  --Enya’s success has contributed substantially to the current interest in Celtic music.//\n  3 [I and T] to write articles, stories, poems etc for a newspaper or magazine:    contributor//  contribute to//  --one of several authors contributing to the book//


Words: contribution
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] something that you give or do in order to help something be successful:  contribution to/towards//  --Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for his contribution to Quantum Theory.//  --The school sees its job as preparing students to make a contribution to society.//  significant/substantial/valuable etc contribution //  --Wolko made outstanding contributions to children’s medicine.//\n  2 [C] an amount of money that you give in order to help pay for something:  --a campaign contribution//  contribution of//  --A contribution of [hA124]25 will buy 15 books.//  contribution to/towards//  --Contributions to charities are tax deductible.//  --You can make annual contributions of up to $1000 in education savings accounts.//\n  3 [C] a regular payment that you make to your employer or to the government to pay for things that you will receive when you are no longer working, for example health care, a pension etc:  --income tax and national insurance contributions//  contribution to//  --Have you been making regular contributions to a pension plan?//\n  4 [C] a piece of writing, a song, a speech etc that forms part of a larger work such as a newspaper, book, broadcast, recording etc:  contribution from//  --a magazine with contributions from well-known travel writers//  --a Christmas album featuring contributions from Carly Simon, Amy Grant, and others//\n  5 [U] when you give money, time, help etc:  --All the money has been raised by voluntary contribution.//


Words: contributor
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who gives money, help, ideas etc to something that a lot of other people are also involved in:  --campaign contributors//  contributor to//  --Dr Win was a major contributor to the research.//\n  2 someone who writes a story, song, speech etc that forms part of a larger work such as a newspaper, book, broadcast, recording etc:  contributor to//  --a regular contributor to Time magazine//\n  3  formal someone or something that helps to cause something to happen:  contributor to//  --Cars are still one of the principal contributors to air pollution.//


Words: contributory
Meaning:
adj \n  1 [only before noun] being one of the causes of a particular result:  --Smoking is a contributory factor in lung cancer.//\n  2 a contributory pension or insurance plan is one that is paid for by the workers as well as by the company they work for:  → noncontributory//


Words: contributory negligence
Meaning:
n [U]  law   failure to take enough care to avoid or prevent an accident, so that you are partly responsible for any loss or damage caused//


Words: contrite
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: contrit, from  Latin, past participle of  conterere  ’to rub together, bruise’, from  com- (  COM-) +  terere  ’to rub’]//  feeling guilty and sorry for something bad that you have done//  --a contrite apology//  -- contritely adv //  -- contrition/k[hA353]ntr[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U] //


Words: contrivance
Meaning:
n  formal \n  1 [C] something that is artificial or does not seem natural, but that helps something else to happen - usually used to show disapproval:  --A ridiculous series of plot contrivances moves the film along.//\n  2 [U and C] a plan or trick to make something happen or get something for yourself, or the practice of doing this:  --Harriet’s matchmaking contrivances//\n  3 [C] a machine or piece of equipment that has been made for a special purpose:  --a steam-driven contrivance used in 19th century clothing factories//


Words: contrive
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: controver, from  Late Latin contropare]//\n  1  formal to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties:  contrive to do sth//  --Schindler contrived to save more than 1,000 Polish Jews from the Nazis.//\n  2 to arrange an event or situation in a clever way, especially secretly or by deceiving people:  --The lawsuit says oil companies contrived the oil shortage in the 1970s.//\n  3 to make or invent something in a skilful way, especially because you need it suddenly:  --In 1862, a technique was contrived to take a series of photographs showing stages of movement.//


Words: control
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 make somebody/something do what you want:\n   2 power:\n   3 way of limiting something:\n   4 ability to stay calm:\n   5 machine/vehicle:\n   6 people who organize activity:\n   7 scientific test:\n   8 computer:  ----------//\n  1 MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO WHAT YOU WANT:   [U] the ability or power to make someone or something do what you want or make something happen in the way you want//  --The disease robs you of muscle control.//  control of/over//  --Babies are born with very little control over their movements.//  --Artists like to have some control over where their works are hung in a gallery.//  --She’s a good teacher who has control of her class.//  --Students are encouraged to  take control of  their own learning, rather than just depending on the teacher.//  --Excessive drinking can make you lose control of your own life.//  --’Do you need any help?’ ’No. It’s  under control , thanks.’//  --Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control .//  --The car  spun out of control  and hit a tree.//  --Flight delays do occur, for reasons that are  outside our control .//\n  2 POWER:   [U] the power to make the decisions about how a country, place, company etc is organized or what it does//  --The press was freed from political control.//  control of//  --Jordan asked for editorial control of the project.//  in control (of sth)//  --Anti-government forces are still in control of the area.//  --By the end of the year, the rebels had control over the northern territories.//  --The Johnson family has effective control of the company, owning almost 60% of the shares.//  --China gained control of the island in 1683.//  --His son is being trained to take control of the family business.//  --The Democrats lost control of Congress in the last election.//  under the control of sb//  --The college was under the control of a group of trustees.//  --The whole of this area came under Soviet control after World War II.//  --The Conservatives are hoping to regain control of the city council.//\n  3 WAY OF LIMITING SOMETHING:   [U and C] an action, method, or law that limits the amount or growth of something, especially something that is dangerous//  --pest control//  control of//  --the control of inflation//  control on//  --The authorities imposed strict controls on the movement of cattle.//  --an agreement on arms control  (=control of the amount of weapons a country has) //  under control//  --Firefighters had the blaze under control by 9:44 p.m.//  --Shea used diet and exercise to bring her weight under control .//  --The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control .//  rent/price/wage etc controls //  --Rent controls ensured that no one paid too much for housing.//  tight/rigid controls (=strict controls) //  --The government favours the introduction of tighter controls on immigration.//  --Police used fire hoses and dogs for crowd control .//\n  4 ABILITY TO STAY CALM:   [U] the ability to remain calm even when you feel very angry, upset, or excited//  --There were sudden tears in his eyes and he paused, fighting for control.//  --Davidson lost control of himself and started yelling.//  --Small children can’t be expected to have the same self-control  (=ability to control their emotions and behaviour) as an adult.//  under control//  --Her voice is under control, but she is almost shaking with anger.//  in control//  --I felt calm and in control.//\n  5 MACHINE/VEHICLE:   [C] the thing that you press or turn to make a machine, vehicle, television etc work//  --the TV remote control//  --the volume control on the radio//  --a car with manual controls//  at the controls//   (=controlling a vehicle or aircraft) //  --Belton, at the controls, made a perfect landing.//\n  6 PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE ACTIVITY:   [singular, U] the people who direct an activity or who check that something is done correctly, the place where this is done, or the process of doing it//  --air-traffic control//  --Please stop at passport control.//  --computers used for stock control//\n  7 SCIENTIFIC TEST:   [C] //  a) a person, group etc against which you compare another person or group that is very similar, in order to see if a particular quality is caused by something or happens by chance//  control group/population/sample etc //  --A control group of non-smoking women were compared to four groups of women smokers.//  b) a thing that you already know the result for that is used in a scientific test, in order to show that your method is working correctly//    controlled experiment//\n  8 COMPUTER:   also control key //   [singular] a particular button on a computer that allows you to do certain operations//  --Press control and F2 to exit.//    birth control,  quality control,  remote control//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  have control (over/of something) //  take/gain control (of/over something) //  fight/struggle for control (of/over something) //  lose control (of/over something) //  be under control //  keep something under control (=keep something happening in the way you want) //  get/go out of control (=stop happening in the way you want) //  beyond/outside somebody’s control (=impossible for someone to control) //  full/total control //  ----------//\ncontrol 2 W1S2   past tense and past participle  controlled present participle  controlling  v [T] //  ----------//\n   1 power:\n   2 limit:\n   3 make somebody/something do what you want:\n   4 emotion:\n   5 machine/process/system:\n   6 check something:  ----------//  [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: contreroller  ’to keep a copy of an official document in rolled-up form’, from  Medieval Latin contrarotulare, from  contrarotulus  ’copy of a roll’, from  Latin contra- (  CONTRA-) +  rotulus  ’roll’]//\n  1 POWER:  to have the power to make the decisions about how a country, place, company etc is organized or what it does//  --The Democrats continued to control the Senate until last year.//  --a huge company controlling half the world’s coffee trade//  Labour-/Republican-/Democrat- etc controlled //  --a Conservative-controlled council//\n  2 LIMIT:  to limit the amount or growth of something, especially something that is dangerous//  --a chemical used to control weeds//  --an economic plan to control inflation//  --Development in areas of outstanding natural beauty is strictly controlled.//  --Strict measures were taken to control the spread of foot and mouth disease.//\n  3 MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO WHAT YOU WANT:  to make someone or something do what you want, or make something happen in the way that you want//  --Police had to be called in to control the crowds.//  --a skilled rider controlling a spirited horse//  --a controlling parent//\n  4 EMOTION:  if you control your emotions, your voice, your expression etc, you succeed in behaving calmly and sensibly, even though you feel angry, upset, or excited//  --Sarah took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.//  --He controlled the urge to laugh.//  control yourself//  --Newman controlled himself with an effort.//\n  5 MACHINE/PROCESS/SYSTEM:  to make a machine, process, or system work in a particular way//  --a radio-controlled toy car//  --A thermostat controls the temperature in the building.//  control how/what/which etc//  --The valves in the heart control how quickly the blood is pumped around the body.//\n  6 CHECK SOMETHING:  to make sure that something is done correctly//   check, monitor//  --The company strictly controls the quality of its products.//  ----------//  WORD CHOICE: control, manage, run, be in charge //  To  control something means to have the power to make it work in the way that you want, usually without anyone else being able to stop you : The army controls the north of the country. | With 75% of the shares, he effectively controls the company. //  To  manage something means to organize the way that it works, often with responsibility for other people’s work : She manages a team of software developers. |  David managed a small bookstore. //  To  run something such as a business means to organize it and take the important decisions about how it works, perhaps as the owner of the business : I run my own cleaning business. |  Louise will be running the project. //  To  be in charge means to have responsibility for a situation or activity and decide what happens in it : When the Director is away, her deputy is in charge. |  He’s in charge of marketing. //  WORD CHOICE:  control ,  check ,  inspect ,  examine ,  test ,  monitor //  !!  Do not use  control  to mean ’check’ or ’test’. Use one of the following verbs: //  check  or  inspect  means to look at something carefully to see if it is correct, safe, or legal : Your passports will be checked on arrival. |  Safety officers inspected the building. //  examine means to look at something very carefully in order to find out more about it : Experts who examined the letter declared it a fake. //  test means to carry out an experiment or process in order to find out what qualities something has : They test blood samples for drugs. | Every car is tested to ensure that it meets high safety standards. //  monitor means to keep checking or testing something over a period of time to see if it changes : Her heart rate is being monitored. | This device monitors room temperature and humidity. //  ----------//


Words: control freak
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   someone who is too concerned about controlling all the details in every situation they are involved in//


Words: control room
Meaning:
n [C]   the room that a process, service, large machine, factory etc is controlled from//  --the submarine’s control room//


Words: control tower
Meaning:
n [C]   a tall building at an airport from which people direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air//


Words: controlled
Meaning:
adj \n  1 deliberately done in a particular way, or made to have particular qualities:  --a test held under controlled conditions//  --a controlled explosion//\n  2 limited by a law or rule:  --Access to the site is closely controlled.//  --a police search for controlled drugs  (=a drug that is illegal to have without permission from a doctor) //\n  3 calm and not showing emotion, even if you feel angry, afraid etc:  --a controlled, authoritative voice//


Words: controlled experiment
Meaning:
n [C]   a scientific test done in a place where you can control all the things that might affect the test//  --a controlled experiment to determine the effects of light on plant growth//


Words: controlled substance
Meaning:
n [C]  law   a drug that is illegal to possess or use without permission from a doctor//  --an arrest for the possession and sale of controlled substances//


Words: controller
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who is in charge of a particular system, organization, or part of an organization:  --air-traffic controllers//\n  2  also comptroller :   formal someone who is in charge of the money received or paid out by a company or government department//


Words: controlling interest
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   if you have a controlling interest in a company, you own enough shares to be able to make decisions about what happens to the company//  controlling interest in//  --The firm paid over $10 million for a controlling interest in five hotels.//


Words: controversial
Meaning:
adj   causing a lot of disagreement, because many people have strong opinions about the subject being discussed//  --the controversial issue of welfare reform//  --a highly controversial  (=very controversial) plan to flood the valley in order to build a dam//  --He is a controversial figure  (=person who does controversial things) in the art world.//  -- controversially adv //


Words: controversy
Meaning:
n   plural  controversies  [U and C] //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: controversia, from  controversus  ’disagreed about’, from  contro-  ’against’ +  versus  ’turned’]//  a serious argument about something that involves many people and continues for a long time//  --a political controversy//  --the controversy surrounding Skinner’s theories//  cause/provoke/arouse controversy //  --The judges’ decision provoked controversy.//  controversy over/about//  --the controversy over campaign-finance issues//  -- Controversy arose  (=began) over the use of the chemicals on fruit and vegetables.//


Words: conundrum
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a confusing and difficult problem:  --the conundrum of our purpose on earth//\n  2 a trick question asked for fun:   riddle//


Words: conurbation
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: con- +  Latin urbs  ’city’]//  a group of towns that have spread and joined together to form an area with a high population, often with a large city as its centre//


Words: convalesce
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: convalescere, from  com- (  COM-) +  valescere  ’to grow strong’]//  to spend time getting well after an illness//   recover//  --the time needed to convalesce after an operation//


Words: convalescence
Meaning:
n [singular]   the length of time a person spends getting well after an illness//  --a long and painful convalescence//


Words: convalescent home
Meaning:
also convalescent hospital  n [C]   a place where people stay when they need care from doctors and nurses, but are not sick enough to be in a hospital//    nursing home//


Words: convection
Meaning:
n [U]  technical   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: Late Latin; Origin: convectio, from  Latin convehere  ’to bring together’, from  com- (  COM-) +  vehere  ’to carry’]//  the movement in a gas or liquid caused by warm gas or liquid rising, and cold gas or liquid sinking//


Words: convection oven
Meaning:
n [C]   a special oven that makes hot air move around inside it so that all the parts of the food get the same amount of heat//


Words: convene
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: convenir  ’to come together’, from  Latin convenire;   CONVENIENT]//  if a group of people convene, or someone convenes them, they come together, especially for a formal meeting//  --a report by experts convened by the National Institutes of Health//


Words: convener
Meaning:
convenor/k[hA353]nvi[hA359]n[hA353] $ -[hA353]r/ n [C] \n  1 someone who arranges for people to meet at a formal meeting:\n  2  BrE an important official for a trade union at a factory or office:


Words: convenience
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] the quality of being suitable or useful for a particular purpose, especially by making something easier or saving you time:  --Ready meals sell well because of their convenience.//  the convenience of doing sth//  --Most of us like the convenience of using credit cards to buy things.//  for convenience//  --For convenience, the German translation is printed below.//\n  2 [U] what is easiest and best for a particular person:  at sb’s convenience//   (=at a time that is best and easiest for someone) //  --These meals can be prepared in advance, and served at your convenience.//  for sb’s convenience//  --For your convenience, the bank is open until 7 p.m.//  --Services should be run to suit the convenience of the customer, not the staff.//\n  3 [C] something that is useful because it saves you time or means that you have less work to do:  --The supermarket offers a bag-packing service, as a convenience to customers.//  --a hotel with all the modern conveniences , including Internet access//\n  4  at your earliest convenience:   formal as soon as possible - used in letters//  --We should be grateful if you would reply at your earliest convenience.//\n  5 [C usually plural]  also public convenience :   formal a public toilet//\n  6  a marriage of convenience:  a marriage that has been agreed for a particular purpose, not because the two people love each other//  --In the past most royal marriages were marriages of convenience, arranged for political reasons.//


Words: convenience food
Meaning:
n [U and C]   food that is partly or completely prepared already and that is sold frozen or in cans, packages etc, so that it can be prepared quickly and easily//  --We eat too little fresh food, relying instead on convenience foods.//


Words: convenience store
Meaning:
n [C]   a shop where you can buy food, alcohol, magazines etc, that is often open 24 hours each day//


Words: convenient
Meaning:
S3   adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , present participle of  convenire  ’to come together, be suitable’, from  com- (  COM-) +  venire  ’to come’]//\n  1 useful to you because it saves you time, or does not spoil your plans or cause you problems:  --Mail-order catalogs are a convenient way to shop.//  --My secretary will call you to arrange a convenient time to meet.//  convenient for//  --Is three o’clock convenient for you?//  convenient to do sth//  --It is simple and convenient to use.//\n  2 close and easy to reach:  --The bus stop around the corner is probably the most convenient.//  convenient for//   BrE //  convenient to//   AmE //  --restaurants convenient for shops and theatres//    inconvenient//


Words: conveniently
Meaning:
adv \n  1 in a way that is useful to you because it saves you time or does not spoil your plans or cause you problems:  --Conveniently, her parents are often willing to babysit.//  --At that time, ice cream couldn’t be conveniently bought in a store.//\n  2 in a place that is close or easily reached:  --The hotel is conveniently located near the airport.//\n  3 if someone has conveniently forgotten, ignored, lost etc something, they deliberately do this because this helps them to avoid a problem or to get what they want:  --You conveniently forgot to tell me she was Nick’s sister.//


Words: convent
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: covent, from  Latin conventus  ’group of people who have come together’, from  convenire;   CONVENIENT]//  a building or set of buildings where nuns live//    convent school//


Words: convention
Meaning:
W2   n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Latin conventio, from  convenire;   CONVENIENT]//\n  1 [C] a large formal meeting for people who belong to the same profession or organization or who have the same interests:  --a teachers’ convention//  --the city’s new convention center //  --a convention for science fiction fans//\n  2 [C] a formal agreement, especially between countries, about particular rules or behaviour:   pact, treaty//  convention on//  --the European convention on human rights//\n  3 [U and C] behaviour and attitudes that most people in a society consider to be normal and right:   custom//  --Playing together teaches children social conventions such as sharing.//  --They defied the conventions of the time by living together without being married.//  by convention//  --By convention, the bride’s father gives her away at her wedding.//\n  4 [C] a method or style often used in literature, art, the theatre etc to achieve a particular effect:  --the conventions of the nineteenth century novel//


Words: conventional
Meaning:
W3   adj \n  1 [only before noun] a conventional method, product, practice etc has been used for a long time and is considered the usual type:  --Internet connections through conventional phone lines are fairly slow.//  --Bake for 20 minutes in a conventional oven; 8 in a microwave.//\n  2 always following the behaviour and attitudes that most people in a society consider to be normal, right, and socially acceptable, so that you seem slightly boring:  --a strong believer in conventional morals//  conventional in//  --He is conventional in his approach to life.//\n  3  (the) conventional wisdom:  the opinion that most people consider to be normal and right, but that is sometimes shown to be wrong//  --As traffic grew, the conventional wisdom was that roads should be widened to make room.//\n  4 [only before noun] conventional weapons and wars do not use nuclear explosives or weapons:  --conventional forces//\n  5  conventional medicine:  the usual form of medicine practised in most European and North American countries//   western medicine//  -- conventionally adv //  -- conventionality/k[hA353]nven[hA35D][hA353]n[zB024]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: converge
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: convergere, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  vergere  ’to bend, turn’]//\n  1 to come from different directions and meet at the same point to become one thing:  → diverge//  --The two rivers converge into one near Pittsburgh.//\n  2 if groups of people converge in a particular place, they come there from many different places and meet together to form a large crowd:  converge on//  --Reporters converged on the scene.//\n  3 if different ideas or aims converge, they become the same:  → diverge//  --Cultural beliefs about the role of women converge with government policies.//  -- convergent adj //  --The member states should start to have more convergent policies.//


Words: conversant
Meaning:
adj [not before noun] \n  1  formal having knowledge or experience of something:  conversant with//  --Staff members are conversant with the issues.//\n  2  AmE able to hold a conversation in a foreign language, but not able to speak it perfectly:  conversant in//  --Kim was conversant in Russian.//


Words: conversation
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conversatio, from  conversari;   CONVERSE1]//  [U and C] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts//  --a telephone conversation//  --Children quickly get bored by adult conversation.//  conversation with//  --a short conversation with the teacher//  conversation about//  --a conversation about family and friends//  --They  had  a short  conversation  in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something.//  --It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background.//  --’Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation .//  --He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation .//  --After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding.//  --They were deep in conversation , relaxed and smiling.//  --He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  have/hold a conversation (with somebody) //  carry on a conversation (with somebody) (=have a conversation) //  get into (a) conversation (with somebody) (=start having a conversation) //  make (polite) conversation (with somebody) (=talk to someone in order to be polite) //  engage somebody in conversation //  (a) conversation turns to something (=people start talking about something) //  deep in conversation (=very involved in conversation) //  snatches of conversation (=small parts of a conversation) //  topic of conversation //  a private conversation //  ----------//


Words: conversation piece
Meaning:
n [C]   something that provides a subject for conversation - often used humorously about objects that seem very strange or ugly//


Words: conversational
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a conversational style, phrase etc is informal and commonly used in conversation:  --The article was written in straightforward, almost conversational language.//\n  2 relating to conversation:  --lessons in conversational German//  -- conversationally adv //


Words: converse
Meaning:
v [I]  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: converser, from  Latin conversari  ’to live with, be with’, from  convertere;   CONVERT1]//  to have a conversation with someone//  converse with//  --She enjoyed the chance to converse with someone who spoke her language.//\nconverse 2   n  formal   the converse//  the converse of a fact, word, statement etc is the opposite of it//  --Some teachers welcomed the change; but for the majority of teachers, the converse was true .//\nconverse 3   adj  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  convertere;   CONVERT1]//  opposite//  --a converse example//


Words: conversely
Meaning:
adv   used when one situation is the opposite of another//  --American consumers prefer white eggs; conversely, British buyers like brown eggs.//


Words: conversion
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin conversio, from  convertere;   CONVERT1]//\n  1 when you change something from one form, purpose, or system to a different one:  conversion into//  --The warehouse was undergoing conversion into apartments.//  conversion of//  --the conversion of waste into usable products//  conversion to//  --The British conversion to the metric system took place in the 1970s.//  house/barn/loft etc conversion  BrE  (=when you change the use of a house, barn etc, so that it becomes apartments, a house, a room etc) //\n  2 when someone changes from one religion or belief to a different one:  conversion to//  --a conversion to vegetarianism//  conversion from//  --Newman’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism//\n  3 a way of scoring extra points in rugby or American football:


Words: conversion course
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a course for students who have some knowledge of a subject, but who need slightly different or more knowledge in order to do something//  --A qualified pilot would still need a conversion course to fly microlight aircraft.//


Words: convert
Meaning:
W3   v   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: convertir, from  Latin convertere  ’to turn around, convert’, from  com- (  COM-) +  vertere  ’to turn’]//\n  1 :  a)  [T] to change something into a different form of thing, or to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose or in a different way//  convert sth to/into sth//  --They converted the spare bedroom into an office.//  --The stocks can be easily converted to cash.//  --a 19th century converted barn  (=barn changed into a house) //  b)  [I] to change into a different form of thing, or change into something that can be used for a different purpose or in a different way//  convert to/into//  --a sofa that converts into a bed//  --In the process, the light energy converts to heat energy.//\n  2 :  a)  [T] to persuade someone to change to a different religion//  convert sb to sth//  --European missionaries converted thousands to Christianity.//  b)  [I] to change to a different religion//  convert to//  --She converted to Catholicism.//\n  3 :  a)  [I] to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something//  convert to//  --people who have recently converted to vegetarianism//  b)  [T] to persuade someone to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something//  convert sb to sth//  --She succeeded in converting me to her point of view.//  newly/freshly converted //  --newly converted feminists//\n  4 [I and T] to make a conversion in rugby or American football:    preach to the converted at preach(4)//\nconvert 2   n [C]   someone who has been persuaded to change their beliefs and accept a particular religion or opinion//  convert to//  --a convert to Christianity//  --recent converts to the cause//


Words: converter
Meaning:
convertor/k[hA353]nv[hA362][hA359]t[hA353] $ -v[hA362][hA359]rt[hA353]r/ n [C]   a piece of equipment that changes the form of something, especially so that it can be more easily used//  --a converter that allows you to view digital television on your old TV//    catalytic converter//


Words: convertible
Meaning:
adj \n  1 an object that is convertible can be folded or arranged in a different way so that it can be used as something else:  --a convertible sofa//\n  2  technical able to be exchanged for the money of another country:  --a convertible currency //\n  3  technical a financial document such as an insurance arrangement or a bond that is convertible can be exchanged for money, stocks etc:  -- convertibility/k[hA353]nv[hA362][hA359]t[hA369]b[hA366]l[hA369]ti $ -[hA362][hA359]r-/ n  [U] //\nconvertible 2 n [C]   a car with a soft roof that you can fold back or remove//    hardtop, cabriolet//


Words: convex
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: convexus]//  curved outwards, like the surface of the eye//  → concave//  --a convex lens//  --a convex mirror//  -- convexly adv //  -- convexity/k[hA353]nveks[hA369]ti/ n  [U and C] //


Words: convey
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conveier  ’to go with someone to a place’, from  Vulgar Latin conviare, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  via  ’way’]//\n  1 to communicate or express something, with or without using words:  --All this information can be conveyed in a simple diagram.//  --Ads convey the message that thin is beautiful.//  --He was sent to convey a message to the U.N. Secretary General.//  convey sth to sb//  --I want to convey to children that reading is one of life’s greatest treats.//  convey a sense/an impression/an idea etc //  --You don’t want to convey the impression that there’s anything illegal going on.//\n  2  formal to take or carry something from one place to another:  --Your luggage will be conveyed to the hotel by taxi.//\n  3  law to legally change the possession of property from one person to another:


Words: conveyance
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C]  formal a vehicle:  --Wheeled conveyances of any kind are not allowed in the park.//\n  2 [U]  formal when you take something from one place to another:  --the conveyance of goods//\n  3 [U] when you communicate or express something, with or without words:  --Facial expressions are part of the conveyance of meaning.//\n  4 [C]  law a legal document that gives land, property etc to one person from another:


Words: conveyancing
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   the work done, usually by a lawyer, to change the possession of property, especially a house, from one person to another//  -- conveyancer n  [C] //


Words: conveyor
Meaning:
conveyer/k[hA353]nve[hA366][hA353] $ -[hA353]r/ n [C] \n  1 a person or thing that carries or communicates something:  --the conveyer of good news//\n  2 a conveyor belt:


Words: conveyor belt
Meaning:
n [C]   a long continuous moving band of rubber, cloth, or metal, used in a place such as a factory or airport to move things from one place to another//  --We lifted our baggage from the conveyor belt.//


Words: convict
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  convincere;   CONVINCE]//  to prove or officially announce that someone is guilty of a crime after a trial in a law court//  → acquit//  convict sb of sth//  --She was convicted of shoplifting.//  convict sb on sth//  --He was convicted on fraud charges .//  --a convicted murderer//\nconvict 2   n [C]   someone who has been proved to be guilty of a crime and sent to prison//  --an escaped convict//


Words: conviction
Meaning:
W3   n \n  1 [C] a very strong belief or opinion:  religious/political etc convictions //  --a woman of strong political convictions//  deep/strong conviction //  --The Dotens have a deep conviction that marriage is for life.//  conviction that//  --The students possess the conviction that they can make a difference to their community.//\n  2 [U] the feeling of being sure about something and having no doubts:  with/without conviction//  --He was able to say with conviction that he had changed.//  --’No,’ she said, without conviction.//  --It was a reasonable explanation, but his voice lacked conviction .//  --It took her so much effort to speak that what she said carried great conviction  (=showed she felt sure of what she said) .//\n  3 [U and C] a decision in a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime, or the process of proving that someone is guilty:  → acquittal//  --They had no previous convictions.//  --Applicants are checked for criminal convictions.//  conviction for//  --This was her third conviction for theft.//  --the trial and conviction of Jimmy Malone//    have the courage of your convictions at courage(2)//


Words: convince
Meaning:
W3S3   v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: convincere  ’to prove untrue, convict, prove’, from  com- (  COM-) +  vincere  ’to defeat’]//\n  1 to make someone feel certain that something is true:  --Her arguments didn’t convince everyone, but changes were made.//  convince sb (that)//  --Baker had to convince jurors that his client had been nowhere near the scene of the murder.//  convince sb of sth//  --The officials were eager to convince us of the safety of the nuclear reactors.//\n  2 to persuade someone to do something:   persuade//  convince sb to do sth//  --I’ve been trying to convince Jean to come with me.//


Words: convinced
Meaning:
adj \n  1 [not before noun] feeling certain that something is true:  --Molly agreed, but she did not sound very convinced.//  be convinced (that)//  --I was convinced that we were doing the right thing.//  convinced of//  --Researchers are convinced of a genetic cause for the disease.//  firmly/totally/fully etc convinced //  --Herschel was firmly convinced of the possibility of life on other planets.//\n  2  convinced Muslim/Christian etc:  someone who believes very strongly in a particular religion//


Words: convincing
Meaning:
adj \n  1 making you believe that something is true or right:  --convincing evidence of his guilt//  wholly/utterly/totally etc convincing //  --Courtenay played the role in an utterly convincing way.//\n  2  convincing victory/win:  an occasion when a person or team wins a game by a lot of points//  -- convincingly adv //


Words: convivial
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Late Latin; Origin: convivialis, from  Latin convivium  ’grand meal’, from  com- (  COM-) +  vivere  ’to live’]//  friendly and pleasantly cheerful//  --a convivial atmosphere//  -- convivially adv //  -- conviviality/k[hA353]nv[hA366]vi[zB024]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: convocation
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C usually singular]  formal a large formal meeting of a group of people, especially church officials:\n  2 [U]  formal the process of arranging for a large meeting to be held:\n  3 [C usually singular]  AmE the ceremony held when students have finished their studies and are leaving a college or university:


Words: convoke
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: convocare, from  com- (  COM-) +  vocare  ’to call’]//  to tell people that they must come together for a formal meeting//  --Separate meetings had been convoked by the two opposing factions.//


Words: convoluted
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  convolvere, from  com- (  COM-) +  volvere  ’to roll’]//\n  1 complicated and difficult to understand:  --long paragraphs and convoluted sentences//  --The argument is rather convoluted.//\n  2  formal having many twists and bends:  --a tightly-coiled convoluted tube//


Words: convolution
Meaning:
n [C usually plural] \n  1 the complicated details of a story, explanation etc, which make it difficult to understand:  convolution of//  --the endless convolutions of the plot//\n  2 a fold or twist in something which has many of them:  convolution of//  --the many convolutions of the small intestine//


Words: convoy
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: convoi, from  Old French conveier,  convoier;   CONVEY]//  a group of vehicles or ships travelling together, sometimes in order to protect one another//  convoy of//  --The British left in a convoy of 20 cars.//  in convoy//  --We drove in convoy in case their car broke down again.//  --a military convoy //  aid/relief/food etc convoy //\nconvoy 2 v [T]   to travel with something in order to protect it//  --American destroyers helped to convoy much-needed supplies to Britain in 1917.//


Words: convulse
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  convellere  ’to pull violently’, from  com- (  COM-) +  vellere  ’to pull out’]//\n  1 [I] if your body or a part of it convulses, it moves violently and you are not able to control it:  --He sat down, his shoulders convulsing with sobs.//\n  2  be convulsed with laughter/anger etc:  to be laughing so much or feel so angry that you shake and are not able to stop yourself//\n  3 [T] if something such as a war convulses a country, it causes a lot of problems or confusion:  --A wave of nationalist demonstrations convulsed the country in 1919.//


Words: convulsion
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a shaking movement of your body that you cannot control, which happens because you are ill:   seizure//  --His temperature was very high and he went into convulsions .//\n  2 [usually plural] a great change that affects a country:  --the 19th-century political convulsions in France//\n  3  be in convulsions:  to be laughing a lot//


Words: convulsive
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   a convulsive movement or action is sudden, violent, and impossible to control//  --a convulsive sob//  -- convulsively adv //  --Con’s body jerked convulsively.//


Words: cony
Meaning:
coney/k[hA353][hA35E]ni $ ko[hA35E]ni/ n   plural  conies  or  coneys //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conis, plural of  conil  ’rabbit’, from  Latin cuniculus]//\n  1 [C]  old use a rabbit:\n  2 [U] rabbit fur used for making coats:


Words: coo
Meaning:
v   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin:  From the sound]//\n  1 [I] when doves or pigeons coo, they make a low soft cry:\n  2 [I and T] to make soft quiet sounds, or to speak in a soft quiet way:  --’Darling,’ she cooed.//  --a cooing voice//  -- coo n  [C] //    bill and coo at bill2 (3)//\ncoo 2 interjection  BrE   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin:  Natural sound]//  used to express surprise//  --Coo! That must have cost a lot!//


Words: Cook
Meaning:
Captain James   (1728-79) a British sailor and  explorer who sailed to Australia and New Zealand, and claimed the eastern coast of Australia for Britain. He also discovered several islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, where he was killed.//


Words: cook
Meaning:
S2   v \n  1 [I and T] to prepare food for eating by using heat:  --Where did you learn to cook?//  --Cook the sauce over a low heat for 10 minutes.//  cook a meal/dinner/breakfast etc //  --I’m usually too tired to cook an evening meal.//  cook sth for supper/lunch/dinner etc //  --He was cooking rice for supper.//  cook sb sth//  --She cooked them all a good dinner every night.//  cook (sth) for sb//  --I promised I’d cook for them.//  --slices of cooked ham//  --a cooked breakfast//\n  2 [I] to be prepared for eating by using heat:  --He could smell something delicious cooking.//  --Hamburgers were cooking in the kitchen.//\n  3  cook the books:  to dishonestly change official records and figures in order to steal money or give people false information//  --The Government was cooking the books and misleading the public over unemployment.//\n  4  be cooking:   informal to be being planned in a secret way//  --They’ve got something cooking, and I don’t think I like it.//\n  5  be cooking (with gas):   spoken used to say that someone is doing something very well//  --The band’s really cooking tonight.//  cook up [cook sth → up] phr v//\n  1 to prepare food, especially quickly:  --Every night he cooked up a big casserole.//\n  2  informal to invent an excuse, reason, plan etc, especially one that is slightly dishonest or unlikely to work:  --the plan that Graham and Dempster had cooked up//  ----------//  WORD FOCUS: words meaning cook //  fry (=in oil) //  boil (=in hot water) //  bake (=bread and cakes in an oven) //  roast (=meat or vegetables in an oven) //  microwave (=using a microwave oven) //  grill/broil (AmE) (=using a grill) //  steam,  toast,  simmer,  poach,  barbecue,  stir-fry,  saute,  chargrill //  raw (=not cooked) //  rare (=used about meat that has been cooked for a short time) //  well-done (=used about meat that has been cooked for a long time) //  See also:  cookbook, recipe, culinary//  ----------//\ncook 2 n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: coc, from  Latin coquus, from  coquere  ’to cook’]//\n  1 someone who prepares and cooks food as their job:   chef//  --He works as a cook in a local restaurant.//\n  2  be a good/wonderful/terrible etc cook:  to be good or bad at preparing and cooking food//\n  3  too many cooks (spoil the broth):  used when you think there are too many people trying to do the same job at the same time, so that the job is not done well//    chief cook and bottle-washer at chief1 (3)//


Words: Cook Islands
Meaning:
a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. It is a  territory of New Zealand but has its own government. Population: 20,611 (2001). Capital: Avarua.//


Words: cook-chill
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE   cook-chill foods have already been cooked when you buy them, and are stored at a low temperature, but not frozen//


Words: cookbook
Meaning:
n [C]    AmE a book that tells you how to prepare and cook food//  British Equivalent:  cookery book//


Words: cooker
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   burner, oven, hotplate, timer//\n  1 a large piece of equipment for cooking food on or in:  American Equivalent:  stove//  --a gas cooker//\n  2 a fruit, especially an apple, that is suitable for cooking but not for eating raw:


Words: cookery book
Meaning:
n [C]    BrE a book that tells you how to prepare and cook food//  American Equivalent:  cookbook//  --a recipe from a cookery book//


Words: cookie
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Dutch; Origin: koekje, from  koek  ’cake’]//\n  1  especially AmE a small flat sweet cake:  British Equivalent:  biscuit//  --a glass of milk and a cookie//  --a chocolate chip cookie//\n  2  tough/smart cookie:   informal someone who is clever and successful, and knows how to get what they want//\n  3  that’s the way the cookie crumbles:   informal said when something bad has happened and you must accept things the way they are, even though you do not want to//\n  4  technical information that a website leaves in your computer so that the website will recognize you when you use it again:\n  5  AmE  old-fashioned an attractive young woman:


Words: cookie cutter
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   an instrument that cuts cookies into special shapes before you bake them//\ncookie cutter 2 adj [only before noun]  AmE   almost exactly the same as other things of the same type, and not very interesting//  --the cookie cutter approach of the urban renewal programme//


Words: Cookie Monster
Meaning:
the   a character in the US television programme  Sesame Street who loves to eat  cookies. He always appears when anyone has cookies, and he eats all of them very quickly, loudly, and wildly.//


Words: cooking
Meaning:
S3   n [U] \n  1 the act of making food and cooking it:  --My mother does all the cooking.//  --I love cooking.//\n  2 food made in a particular way or by a particular person:  --My compliments on your cooking.//  --Indian cooking//  --simple, basic home cooking  (=good food like the food you get in your own home) //\ncooking 2 adj   [only before noun] suitable for or used in cooking//  --The rooms all have cooking facilities  (=there is cooking equipment in the rooms) .//  cooking pot/utensils/equipment etc //  --cooking apples//


Words: cookout
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE  informal   a party or occasion when a meal is cooked and eaten outdoors//  --a cookout on the beach//


Words: cool
Meaning:
W3   adj   comparative  cooler superlative  coolest //  ----------//\n   1 temperature:\n   2 clothing:\n   3 calm:\n   4 approval:\n   5 agreement:\n   6 not friendly:\n   7 colour:\n   8 a cool million/hundred thousand etc:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: col]//\n  1 TEMPERATURE:  low in temperature, but not cold, often in a way that feels pleasant//  --She swam out into the cool water.//  --The evening air was cool.//  --Relax in the sun with a cool drink.//  --the cooler weather of September//\n  2 CLOTHING:  clothing that is cool is made of thin material so that you do not become too hot//  --a cool cotton dress//\n  3 CALM:  calm and not nervous, upset, or excited//  keep/stay cool //  --his ability to keep cool in a crisis//  --She looks efficient and as cool as a cucumber .//  --Outwardly she is cool, calm and collected .//  --a cool customer  (=someone who always behaves calmly) //  --Keep a cool head  (=stay calm) .//\n  4 APPROVAL:   informal very attractive, fashionable, interesting etc in a way that people admire - used in order to show approval//  --She’s pretty cool.//  --You look cool in denim.//  --Cool bike!//  --’I’m thinking of studying abroad.’ ’Really? Cool.’//\n  5 AGREEMENT:   spoken used to say that you agree with something, that you understand it, or that it does not annoy you//  --OK, Ryan, that’s cool , I can handle that.//  --’I just have to go, you know.’ ’It’s all right, it’s cool .’//  --’I’m finished.’ ’Cool.’//  cool about//  --My mum was cool about whatever I wore.//  sth is cool with sb//  --Would Friday be cool with you guys?//  sb is cool with sth//  --’Do you want to come over to my house and watch a video tonight?’ ’I’m cool with that.’//\n  6 NOT FRIENDLY:  behaving in a way that is not as friendly as you expect//  --My proposal met with a cool response .//  --Luke gave her a cool look .//\n  7 COLOUR:  a cool colour is one, such as blue or green, that makes you think of cool things//\n  8  a cool million/hundred thousand etc:   informal a surprisingly large amount of money//  --He earns a cool half million every year.//  -- coolness n  [U] //  --the coolness of the nights//  -- coolly adv //  --She nodded coolly and walked out.//\ncool 2 S3 v \n  1 [I and T]  also cool down :  to make something slightly colder, or to become slightly colder//  --The air conditioning doesn’t seem to be cooling the room much.//  --Allow the biscuits to cool for five minutes.//  --a cooling breeze//\n  2 [I] if a feeling, emotion, or relationship cools, it becomes less strong:  --The affair had cooled, on her side at least.//  --When tempers had cooled, he apologized.//\n  3  cool it:   spoken //  a) used to tell someone to stop being angry, violent etc//  --Come on now - calm down, cool it.//  b) to stop putting as much effort into something, or pressure on someone, as you have been//  --He was getting more serious about her. It was time to cool it.//\n  4  cool your heels:  to be forced to wait//  --I’ll put him in a cell to cool his heels for a bit.//  cool down phr v//\n  1 to make something slightly colder, or to become slightly colder:  --The air has cooled down a little now.//  cool sb/sth → down//  --A glass of lemonade will cool you down.//\n  2 to become calm after being angry:  --After I cooled down I realized I had been wrong.//  cool off phr v//\n  1 to return to a normal temperature after being hot:  --Cool off with an iced drink.//  --By late autumn Mediterranean islands have cooled off, and can have rainy days.//\n  2 to become calm after being angry:  --He slammed the door and went for a walk to cool off.//\ncool 3 n \n  1  the cool:  a temperature that is pleasantly cold//  the cool of//  --They went for a stroll in the cool of the evening .//\n  2  keep your cool:  to remain calm in a frightening or difficult situation//  --I must keep my cool, she thought; losing my temper isn’t going to help.//\n  3  lose your cool:  to stop being calm in an annoying or frightening situation//  --Kenneth finally lost his cool with a photographer, and threatened to hit him.//\ncool 4 adv   play it cool//  to behave in a calm way because you do not want someone to know that you are really nervous, angry etc//  --She would not show him how upset she was. It was always smarter to play it cool.//


Words: Cool Whip
Meaning:
trademark   a type of sweet white light food similar to firm cream, sold in the US, which people often put on sweet dishes such as pie or fruit//


Words: coolbox
Meaning:
[C]    BrE a container that keeps food and drink cool and fresh, used on a picnic//  American Equivalent:  cooler//


Words: cooler
Meaning:
n [C]   1 a container in which something, especially drinks, is cooled or kept cold//  --Mike went to fetch a bottle of wine from the cooler.//\n  2  AmE a coolbox:\n  3  AmE a machine that provides air conditioning:\n  4  the cooler:   informal prison//


Words: Coolidge
Meaning:
(John) Calvin   (1872-1933) a politician who became the US president in 1923 on the death of Warren Harding. He was re-elected as president the following year.//


Words: coolie
Meaning:
n [C]  taboo  old-fashioned   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Hindi; Origin: kuli]//  a very offensive word for an unskilled worker who is paid very low wages, especially in parts of Asia. Do not use this word.//


Words: cooling system
Meaning:
n [C]   a system for keeping the temperature in a machine, engine etc low//  --a fault in the power station’s cooling system//


Words: cooling-off period
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1  BrE a period of time after you have signed some types of sales agreement, when you can change your mind about buying something:  --Customers signing new life policies will have a cooling-off period of 14 days in which to cancel.//\n  2 a period of time when two people or groups who are arguing about something can go away and think about how to improve the situation:


Words: coon
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: raccoon]//\n  1  AmE a raccoon:\n  2  taboo a very offensive word for a black person. Do not use this word.:


Words: coop
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Perhaps from  Middle Dutch cupe  ’basket, barrel’, from  Latin cupa;   CUP1]//  a building for small animals, especially chickens//


Words: cooped up
Meaning:
adj [not before noun]   having to stay for a period of time in a place that is too small//  --It isn’t good for you to be cooped up in the house all day.//


Words: Cooper
Meaning:
James Fenimore   (1789-1851) a US writer who wrote novels about Native Americans and life on the American  frontier, including  The Deerslayer and  The Last of the Mohicans//


Words: cooper
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Middle Dutch; Origin: cuper, from  cupe;   COOP]//  someone who makes barrels//


Words: cooperate
Meaning:
also  co-operate BrE   v [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Late Latin; Origin: , past participle of  cooperari, from  Latin co- (  CO-) +  operari  ’to work’]//\n  1 to work with someone else to achieve something that you both want:  cooperate in/on//  --The two universities are to cooperate in the development of a new industrial process.//  --They agreed to co-operate with Brazil on a programme to protect the rain-forests.//  cooperate with//  --Leopards cooperate with each other when hunting game.//  --As chairman I was anxious to co-operate with Mr Baker as far as possible.//  --The church seeks to cooperate closely with local schools.//  cooperate to do sth//  --Both sides agreed to co-operate to prevent illegal fishing in the area.//\n  2 to do what someone wants you to do:  cooperate with//  --I will advise my client to cooperate fully with the police.//  --If you refuse to co-operate , I shall kill you.//


Words: cooperation
Meaning:
W2S3  also  co-operation BrE   n [U] \n  1 when you work with someone to achieve something that you both want:  cooperation with//  --political co-operation with Britain//  in cooperation with sb//  --A study was undertaken in co-operation with oil companies.//  --Burglar alarm companies claim they work in close co-operation with the police.//  cooperation between//  --the lack of effective co-operation between industry and higher education//  --the need to strengthen international co-operation //\n  2 willingness to do what someone asks you to do:  --Have your passports ready, and thank you for your cooperation.//  --Your full cooperation is requested.//


Words: cooperative
Meaning:
also  co-operative BrE   adj \n  1 willing to cooperate:   helpful//  → uncooperative//  --He was doing his best to be cooperative.//  --a cooperative witness//\n  2 made, done, or operated by people working together:  --a co-operative venture between the City Council and the police//\n  3 a cooperative store, bank etc is operated by people working together as a cooperative:  --a co-operative store in a provincial town//  -- cooperatively adv //\ncooperative 2  also  co-operative BrE  n [C]   a business or organization owned equally by all the people working there//   co-op//  --a women-only housing co-operative//  --a workers’ co-operative//


Words: Cooperstown
Meaning:
a town in the state of New York which has the Baseball Hall of Fame, a  museum containing baseball equipment and information about famous baseball players//


Words: coopt
Meaning:
also  co-opt BrE   v [T]  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: cooptare, from  co- (  CO-) +  optare  ’to choose’]//\n  1  BrE to make someone a member of a group, committee etc, by the agreement of all the members:  --The committee may co-opt additional members for special purposes.//  coopt sb onto/into/to sth//  --She was coopted onto the county education committee.//\n  2 to persuade someone to help or support you:  coopt sb to do sth//  --Social scientists were co-opted to work with the development agencies.//  --Nan was coopted into the kitchen to make pastry.//


Words: coordinate
Meaning:
also  co-ordinate BrE   v   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Late Latin; Origin: , past participle of  coordinare, from  Latin co- (  CO-) +  ordinare  ’to arrange’]//\n  1 [T] to organize an activity so that the people involved in it work well together and achieve a good result:  --The agencies are working together to co-ordinate policy on food safety.//  --a co-ordinated approach to economic and social questions//\n  2 [T] to make the parts of your body move and work together well:  --Her movements were beautifully co-ordinated.//  --I couldn’t get my brain to function or coordinate my muscles.//\n  3 [I and T] if clothes, decorations etc coordinate, or if you coordinate them, they look good together because they have similar colours and styles:  --Don’t be afraid to mix colours, as long as they co-ordinate.//  --You might coordinate your curtains and cushions.//  coordinate with//  --The cooker is green, to co-ordinate with the kitchen.//\ncoordinate 2  also  co-ordinate BrE   n [C] \n  1  technical one of a set of numbers which give the exact position of a point on a map, computer screen etc:\n  2  coordinates [plural] things such as clothes that can be worn or used together because their colours match or their styles are similar:  --Matching bag and accessories provide a complete ensemble of colour coordinates.//\ncoordinate 3 adj  also  co-ordinate BrE  technical \n  1 equal in importance or rank in a sentence:    subordinate//  --coordinate clauses joined by ’and’//\n  2 involving the use of coordinates:


Words: coordinating conjunction
Meaning:
n [C]   a word such as ’and’ or ’but’ which joins two words, groups, or clauses which are equal in importance or rank//    subordinating conjunction//


Words: coordination
Meaning:
also  co-ordination BrE   n [U] \n  1 the way in which your muscles move together when you perform a movement:  --Too much alcohol affects your coordination.//\n  2 the organization of people or things so that they work together well:  coordination of//  --the coordination of our economic policies//  coordination between//  --co-ordination between central and local government//


Words: coot
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Perhaps from  Middle Dutch coet]//\n  1 a small black and white water bird with a short beak:\n  2  old coot:   AmE  informal an old man who you think is strange or unpleasant//  --a miserable, mean old coot//


Words: cop
Meaning:
S3   n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: copper  ’police officer’ (19-21 centuries), from   COP2 ’to arrest’ (19-20 centuries)]//\n  1  informal a police officer:  --the local cop//  --a narcotics cop//  --He pulled out his badge and said he was a cop.//\n  2  not be much cop:   BrE  informal to not be very good//  --They say he’s not much cop as a coach.//\n  3  it’s a fair cop:   BrE  spoken used humorously when someone has discovered that you have done something wrong and you want to admit it//\ncop 2   past tense and past participle  copped present participle  copping  v [T]  spoken  informal //  [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Perhaps from  Dutch kapen  ’to steal’, from  Frisian kapia  ’to take away’]//\n  1  cop it:   BrE //  a) to be punished or spoken to angrily because you have done something wrong//  --You’ll cop it when Mum finds out!//  b) to be killed//\n  2  BrE to receive something, especially something that you do not want:  --I copped all the blame for what happened.//\n  3  cop hold of sth:   BrE used to tell someone to hold something//  --Cop hold of the other end, will you?//\n  4  cop an attitude:   AmE to behave in a way that is not nice, especially by showing that you think you are better or more intelligent than other people//\n  5  cop a feel:   AmE to touch someone in a sexual way when they do not want you to//\n  6  cop a plea:   AmE to agree to say you are guilty of a crime in order to receive a less severe punishment//  --Dunn copped a plea to avoid going to jail.//\n  7  cop a buzz:   AmE to feel the effects of taking illegal drugs or drinking alcohol//  cop off phr v//  to meet someone and start a sexual relationship with them//  cop off with//  --The hero falls in love with Dee but eventually cops off with the more desirable Clare.//  cop out phr v//  to not do something that someone thinks you should do//  --As far as I’m concerned, she’s copped out and joined the rat race.//    cop-out//


Words: cop-out
Meaning:
n [C]  informal   something you do or say in order to avoid doing or accepting something//  --There is plenty to do on your own doorstep; to look further is a cop-out.//


Words: cope
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: cope  ’to fight, keep fighting without giving up’ (14-19 centuries), from  Old French couper  ’to hit, cut’, from  coup;   COUP]//\n  1 to succeed in dealing with a difficult problem or situation:  --Sometimes I find it hard to cope.//  --He coped quite well as manager while still captaining the team.//  cope with//  --She feared she wouldn’t be able to cope with two new babies.//  --Local authorities have to cope with the problems of homelessness.//\n  2 if a system or machine copes with a particular type or amount of work, it does it:  cope with//  --No system is designed to cope with the floods we have had this year.//  --My computer can cope with huge amounts of data.//\ncope 2 n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: capa, from  Late Latin cappa;   CAP1]//  a long loose piece of clothing worn by priests on special occasions//


Words: Copenhagen
Meaning:
the capital city of Denmark, a port and industrial centre in the east of the country//\n the Battle of   a naval battle between the British and the Danish in 1801. The British navy under Lord Nelson had received orders to leave the area because Danish ships were approaching. Nelson, who could not see using one of his eyes, put his  telescope to that eye and said "I see no ships". His ships remained where they were, and in the battle that followed the Danes were defeated.//


Words: Copernican system
Meaning:
the   the idea, first suggested by Copernicus, that the Earth and the other  planets all travel in circles around the sun. Before this it was believed, according to the  Ptolemaic system, that the Earth was at the centre of the universe.//


Words: Copernicus
Meaning:
Nicholas   (1473-1543), a Polish  astronomer (=person who studies the stars) , who first suggested the Copernican system, in which the earth and other  planets are described as moving around the sun, which does not move//


Words: copier
Meaning:
n [C]   a machine that makes exact copies of writing or pictures on paper by photographing them//   photocopier//


Words: coping
Meaning:
n [U and C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  COPE2]//  a layer of rounded stones or bricks at the top of a wall or roof//


Words: copious
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: copiosus, from  copia  ’large amounts’, from  co- (  CO-) +  ops  ’wealth’]//  existing or being produced in large quantities//  --He could drink copious amounts of beer without ill effect.//  --She listened to me and took copious notes .//  -- copiously adv //  --Then she wept copiously.//


Words: Copland
Meaning:
Aaron   (1900-90) a US  composer of modern  classical music, famous for his   Fanfare for the Common Man, and for the music he wrote for the  ballet Appalachian Spring//


Words: copper
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: coper, from  Late Latin cuprum, from  Latin (aes) Cyprium  ’metal of Cyprus, copper’]//\n  1 [U] a soft reddish-brown metal that allows electricity and heat to pass through it easily, and is used to make electrical wires, water pipes etc. It is a chemical element: symbol Cu:\n  2  coppers [plural]  BrE money of low value made of copper or bronze:  --He offered to do the job for a few coppers.//\n  3 [U] a reddish-brown colour:  --her copper hair//\n  4 [C]  BrE  informal a police officer:  -- coppery adj //  --coppery skin//


Words: copperplate
Meaning:
n [U]   neat regular curving handwriting with the letters all joined together in a very specific style, used especially in the past//


Words: coppice
Meaning:
n [C]   a copse//\ncoppice 2 v [T]   to cut a tree down so that useful new wood will grow from the bottom//


Words: copse
Meaning:
n  also coppice  [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: coppice  ’copse’ (14-21 centuries), from  Old French copeiz, from  couper  ’to cut’ (  COPE1); because a copse is formed by regular cutting]//  a group of trees or bushes growing close together//


Words: Coptic Church
Meaning:
the   a Christian religious group that is separate from the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches, and was formed in Egypt in the 1st century AD. Although most Egyptians are Muslims, there is a small number of Coptic Christians.//


Words: copula
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: ’something that joins’]//  a type of verb that connects the subject of a sentence to its complement, for example ’seem’ in the sentence ’The house seems big’//   linking verb//


Words: copulate
Meaning:
v [I + with]  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  copulare  ’to join’, from  copula;   COPULA]//  to have sex//  -- copulation/k[hA361]pj[hA36A]le[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ k[hA35A][hA359]p-/ n  [U] //


Words: copy
Meaning:
n   plural  copies //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: copie, from  Latin copia;   COPIOUS]//\n  1 [C] something that is made to be exactly like another thing:  copy of//  --She forwarded them a copy of her British passport.//  --This chair is a copy of an original design.//  --Be sure to make copies of all the documents.//  -- back-up copies of your files//\n  2 [C] one of many books, magazines, records etc that are all exactly the same:  copy of//  --We have six copies of the movie to give away.//  --a copy of the local newspaper//  --The hardback costs [hA124]16.99 a copy.//  --The record sold a million copies.//  -- Free copies are available on request.//\n  3 [U]  technical something written in order to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, advertisement etc:  --Now that I’ve seen the finished copy, I’m delighted.//\n  4  good copy:   informal interesting news//  --The interviews made good copy and helped with the film’s publicity.//    fair copy,  hard copy,  soft copy//\ncopy 2 S2 v   past tense and past participle  copied present participle  copying third person singular  copies //\n  1 [I and T] to deliberately make or produce something that is exactly like another thing:  --Could you copy this letter and send it out, please?//  --To copy a file, press F3.//  copy (sth) from sth//  --a design copied from an 18th century wallpaper//  --The pupils just copy from textbooks and learn facts.//  copy sth into sth//  --He copied the number into his notebook (=wrote the same number there) .//\n  2 [T] to deliberately do something that someone else has done or behave like someone else:  --Children often copy what they see on television.//  --I found myself copying him and his mannerisms.//\n  3 [I and T] to cheat in an examination, schoolwork etc by looking at someone else’s work and writing the same thing as they have:  copy from//  --Jeremy had copied from the girl next to him.//  copy down [copy sth → down] phr v//  to write something down exactly as it was said or written//  --I think I must have copied your number down wrong.//  copy in [copy sb in] phr v//  to send someone a copy of an e-mail message you are sending to someone else//  copy somebody in on//  --Can you copy me in on the memo you’re sending to Chris?//  copy out [copy sth → out] phr v//  to write something again exactly as it is written in the document that you are looking at//  --The monks copied their manuscripts out by hand.//  copy up [copy sth → up] phr v//  to write something again in a better or neater form//  --It is important to copy up your notes soon after the lecture.//


Words: copy editor
Meaning:
n [C]   someone whose job is to make sure that the words in a book, newspaper etc are correct and ready to be printed//  -- copy-edit v  [I and T] //


Words: copycat
Meaning:
n [C]    informal someone who copies other people’s clothes, behaviour, work etc - used by children to show disapproval//\ncopycat 2 adj   copycat crime/attack etc//  a crime, attack etc which is similar to a famous crime that another person has committed//  --Crime reports in newspapers often encourage copycat crimes.//


Words: copyright
Meaning:
n [U and C]   the legal right to be the only producer or seller of a book, play, film, or record for a specific length of time//  --Who owns the copyright of this book?//  --The database will be protected by copyright .//  infringement/breach of copyright (=when you break the copyright laws) //  -- copyright adj //  --copyright material//  -- copyright v  [T] //


Words: coq au vin
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: ’male chicken in wine’]//  chicken cooked in red wine//


Words: coquetry
Meaning:
n   plural  coquetries  [U and C]  literary //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: coquetterie, from  coquet  ’little male chicken, man who flirts’, from  coq  ’male chicken’]//  behaviour that is typical of a coquette//


Words: coquette
Meaning:
n [C]  literary   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: , feminine form of  coquet;   COQUETRY]//  a woman who frequently tries to attract the attention of men without having sincere feelings for them//   flirt//  -- coquettish adj //  -- coquettishly adv //


Words: cor
Meaning:
interjection  BrE  spoken   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: god]//  used when you are very surprised or impressed by something//


Words: cor anglais
Meaning:
n   plural  cors anglais  (same pronunciation)  [C] //   BrE a long wooden musical instrument which is like an oboe but with a lower sound//  American Equivalent:  English horn//


Words: coracle
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Welsh; Origin: corwgl]//  a small round boat that you move with a paddle//


Words: coral
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin corallium, from  Greek korallion]//  a hard red, white, or pink substance formed from the bones of very small sea creatures, which is often used to make jewellery//\ncoral 2 adj   pink or reddish-orange in colour//


Words: cord
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: corde, from  Latin chorda  ’string’, from  Greek chorde]//\n  1 [U and C] a piece of thick string or thin rope:  --The robe was held at the waist by a cord.//  --He pulled explosives and some tangled cord from his bag.//\n  2  cords [plural] trousers made from a thick strong cotton cloth with thin raised lines on it:\n  3 [U and C] an electrical wire or wires with a protective covering, usually for connecting electrical equipment to the supply of electricity:  --the phone cord//  --an extension cord//\n  4 [C]  AmE a specific quantity of wood cut for burning in a fire:  --We use three cords of wood in a winter.//    cut the cord at cut1 (40),  communication cord,  spinal cord,  umbilical cord,  vocal cords//\ncord 2 adj   cord clothes are made from corduroy//  --green cord trousers//


Words: Cordelia
Meaning:
a character in the play King Lear by William  Shakespeare. She is the youngest of Lear’s three daughters and the only one who really loves him.//    Goneril//    Regan//


Words: cordial
Meaning:
n [U and C] \n  1  BrE sweet fruit juice that you add water to before you drink it:  --lime cordial//\n  2  AmE  old-fashioned a strong sweet alcoholic drink:   liqueur//  --an after-dinner cordial//\ncordial 2 adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: cordialis, from  Latin cor  ’heart’]//  friendly but quite polite and formal//  --The talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere.//  -- cordiality/k[hA350][hA359]di[zB024]l[hA369]ti $ k[hA350][hA359]rd[hA360]i[zB024]-, k[hA350][hA359]rd[hA360][zB024]-/ n  [U] //


Words: cordially
Meaning:
adv \n  1 in a friendly but polite and formal way:  --You are cordially invited to our wedding on May 9.//\n  2  cordially dislike/loathe etc:  to dislike someone or something very strongly//


Words: cordite
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: cord; because it looks like string]//  an explosive used in bullets and bombs//


Words: cordless
Meaning:
adj   a piece of equipment that is cordless is not connected to its power supply by wires//  --a cordless phone//  --a cordless drill//


Words: cordon
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: cordon  ’strip of cloth or decorative cord’ (16-21 centuries), from  French, from  corde;   CORD]//  a line of police officers, soldiers, or vehicles that is put around an area to stop people going there//  cordon of//  --A cordon of police surrounded the building.//  cordon around//  --the security cordon around the capital//\ncordon 2 v   cordon off [cordon sth → off] phr v//  to surround and protect an area with police officers, soldiers, or vehicles//  --Police cordoned off the street where the murder took place.//


Words: cordon bleu
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: ’blue ribbon’]//  relating to cooking of very high quality//  --a cordon bleu chef//


Words: corduroy
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Perhaps from  cord +  duroy type of rough woolen cloth  (17-19 centuries)]//  a thick strong cotton cloth with thin raised lines on it, used for making clothes//  --a corduroy jacket//


Words: core
Meaning:
W3   n [C]   ----------//\n   1 fruit:\n   2 most important part:\n   3 people:\n   4 to the core:\n   5 planet:\n   6 nuclear reactor:  ----------//\n  1 FRUIT:  the hard central part of a fruit such as an apple//  --Remove the cores, and bake the apples for 40 minutes.//\n  2 MOST IMPORTANT PART:  the most important or central part of something//  core of//  --The core of the book focuses on the period between 1660 and 1857.//  --Debt is at the core of the problem.//\n  3 PEOPLE:  a number of people who form a group which is very important to an organization//  --The business needs a new core of trained administrators.//  --a core group of clients//    hard core//\n  4  to the core:  extremely or completely//  shaken/shocked/thrilled to the core //  --When I heard the news, I was shaken to the core.//  --That woman is rotten to the core !//  --He was a bureaucrat to the core.//\n  5 PLANET:  the central part of the Earth or any other planet//\n  6 NUCLEAR REACTOR:  the central part of a nuclear reactor//\ncore 2 adj \n  1  core curriculum/subjects/skills etc:  subjects that have to be studied at a school or college//  --the national core curriculum//  --the core subjects of English, maths, and science//  --Schools have to deliver the core skills.//\n  2  core business/activities/operations etc:  the main business or activities of a company or organization//  --The core business of airlines is flying people and cargo from place to place.//  --the company’s core product//\n  3  core values/beliefs:  the values or beliefs that are most important to someone//  --the core values of American liberalism, such as taxing the rich to help the poor//\ncore 3 v [T]   to remove the centre from a fruit//


Words: corgi
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Welsh; Origin: cor  ’dwarf’ +  ci  ’dog’]//  a small dog with short legs and a pointed nose//


Words: coriander
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: coriandre, from  Latin, from  Greek koriandron]//  a herb, used especially in Asian cooking//  American Equivalent:  cilantro//


Words: Corinthian
Meaning:
adj   of a style of Greek architecture that uses decorations of leaves cut into stone//  --a Corinthian column//


Words: cork
Meaning:
n   corkscrew//  [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  Probably from  Arabic qurq, from  Latin cortex;   CORTEX]//\n  1 [U] the bark (=outer part)  of a tree from southern Europe and North Africa, used to make things:  --a cork bulletin board//\n  2 [C] a long round piece of cork which is put into the top of a bottle, especially a wine bottle, to keep liquid inside:\ncork 2 v [T]   to close a bottle by blocking the hole at the top tightly with a long round piece of cork//  → uncork//


Words: corkage
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   the charge made by a hotel or restaurant for allowing people to bring in their own alcoholic drinks//


Words: corkscrew
Meaning:
n [C]   corkscrew//  a tool made of twisted metal that you use to pull a cork out of a bottle//\ncorkscrew 2 adj [only before noun]   twisted or curly//   spiral//  --corkscrew curls//


Words: Corleone
Meaning:
Vito   the main character in The Godfather, a  novel and film about the Mafia in the US. The book tells how the Corleone family become one of the most powerful criminal organizations in America. Marlon Brando played Corleone in the 1972 film of The Godfather.//


Words: cormorant
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cormareng, from  corp  ’raven (= large black bird)’ +  mareng  ’of the sea’ (from  Latin marinus;   MARINE)]//  a large black sea bird which has a long neck and eats fish//


Words: corn
Meaning:
S3   n   [Sense: 1-2; Origin: Old English]//  [Sense: 3; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: corne  ’horn, corner’;   CORNER1]//\n  1 [U]  BrE plants such as wheat, barley, and oats or their seeds:  --fields of corn//  --an ear of corn  (=the top part of this plant where the seeds grow) //  2 [U] //  a)  AmE a tall plant with large yellow seeds that grow together on a cob (=long hard part) , which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable or fed to animals//  British Equivalent:  maize//  --All our chickens are fed on corn.//    corn on the cob//  b) the seeds of this plant//    sweetcorn//\n  3 [C] a painful area of thick hard skin on your foot:


Words: Corn Belt
Meaning:
the Corn Belt//  a large area in the central part of the US which produces a lot of corn (= maize in British English) as food for cattle. It includes Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and parts of other states.//


Words: corn chip
Meaning:
n [C]   crushed maize formed into a small flat piece, cooked in oil, and eaten cold, especially in the US//


Words: Corn Laws
Meaning:
the   laws in Britain in the 19th century controlling the price of foreign corn, and making it more expensive than corn produced in Britain. This protected British farmers from competition, but hurt the ordinary people, and after much protest, the laws were changed in 1846//


Words: corn on the cob
Meaning:
n [U]   the top part of a corn(2) plant on which yellow seeds grow, cooked and eaten as a vegetable//


Words: corn pone
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin:  pone  ’bread’ 1600-1700 From an  Algonquian language]//  a kind of American bread made from cornmeal//


Words: cornball
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  AmE  informal   cornball humour is extremely simple, old-fashioned, and silly//  --Country and Western songs always have such cornball titles.//


Words: cornea
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: Latin,  ’horny’, from  cornu  ’horn’; because its structure is like horn]//  the transparent protective covering on the outer surface of your eye//  -- corneal adj //


Words: corned beef
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: corn  ’to preserve with grains of salt’ (16-19 centuries), from  corn (noun)]//\n  1  BrE  beef that has been cooked and preserved in a can:\n  2  AmE  beef that has been covered in salt water and spices to preserve it:


Words: corner
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 where two lines/edges meet:\n   2 road:\n   3 corner of a room/box:\n   4 mouth/eye:\n   5 difficult situation:\n   6 sports:\n   7 distant place:\n   8 see something out of the corner of your eye:\n   9 (just) around/round the corner:\n  10 turn the corner:\n  11 fight your corner/fight somebody’s corner:\n  12 cut corners:\n  13 cut a corner:\n  14 have/get a corner on something:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cornere, from  corne  ’horn, corner’, from  Latin cornu  ’horn, point’]//\n  1 WHERE TWO LINES/EDGES MEET:   [C] the point at which two lines or edges meet//  --He pulled a dirty handkerchief out by its corner and waved it at me.//  corner of//  --Their initials were sewn on the corner of every pillow.//  in the corner (of sth)//  --The TV station’s name appears in the corner of the screen.//  on the corner (of sth)//  --Jessie sat on the corner of her bed.//  three-cornered/four-cornered etc //  --a three-cornered hat//\n  2 ROAD:   [C usually singular] //  a) the point where two roads meet//  corner of//  --Ruth walked with her as far as the corner of the road.//  on the corner//  --The hotel is on the corner of 5th and Maine.//  at the corner//  --Several women were standing at the corner, talking to two police officers.//  --kids hanging around on street corners //  b) a point in a road where it turns sharply//  --He had tried to take the corner too quickly, and had lost control of the car.//  --The petrol station is around the corner .//\n  3 CORNER OF A ROOM/BOX:   [C usually singular] the place inside a room or box where two walls or sides meet//  in the corner (of sth)//  --There was an old piano in the corner of the living room.//  corner table/seat //  --I reserved a corner table in my favourite restaurant.//\n  4 MOUTH/EYE:   [C] the sides of your mouth or eyes//  --A tear appeared in the corner of his eye.//\n  5 DIFFICULT SITUATION:   [singular] a difficult situation that you cannot easily escape from//  back/box/force/push sb into a corner (=put someone into a situation where they do not have any choices about what to do) //  --Don’t let your enemies back you into a corner.//  --The writers have painted themselves into a corner by killing off all the most popular characters in the first series.//  --He found himself in a tight corner  (=a very difficult situation) looking for a way to get out.//\n  6 SPORTS:   [C] //  a) a kick that one team is allowed to take from one of the corners of their opponent’s end of the field//  b) any of the four corners of the area in which the competitors fight in boxing or wrestling, especially one of the two corners where the competitors go in between rounds//\n  7 DISTANT PLACE:   [C] a distant place in another part of the world//  corner of//  --She’s gone off to work in some remote corner of the world.//  --People came from the four corners of the world  (=from lots of different places) to make America their new home.//\n  8  see sth out of the corner of your eye:  to notice something accidentally, without turning your head towards it or looking for it//  --Out of the corner of her eye she saw the dog running towards her.//\n  9  (just) around/round the corner:  a) near//  --There’s a bus stop just around the corner.//  b) likely to happen soon//  --Economic recovery is just around the corner.//\n  10  turn the corner:  to start to become successful or to feel better or happier, after a time when you have been unsuccessful, ill, or unhappy//  --We knew Dad had turned the corner when he started complaining about the hospital food.//\n  11  fight your corner/fight sb’s corner:   BrE to try very hard to defend yourself in a discussion or argument, or to do this for someone else//  --My line manager supports me, and says she’s willing to fight my corner.//\n  12  cut corners:  to save time, money, or energy by doing things quickly and not as carefully as you should//  --Don’t try to cut corners when you’re decorating.//\n  13  cut a corner:  to go across the corner of something, especially a road, instead of staying next to the edges//\n  14  have/get a corner on sth:  to be the only company, organization etc that has a particular product, ability, advantage etc//  --London does not have a corner on film festivals.//  --The company admitted reducing prices to get a corner on the market .//    kitty-corner//\ncorner 2 v \n  1 [T] to force a person or animal into a position from which they cannot easily escape:  --Once the dog was cornered, he began to growl.//\n  2 [T] to go to someone who is trying to avoid you, and make them listen to you:  --Later, he cornered Jenny on the stairs and asked her what was wrong.//\n  3  corner the market:  to gain control of the whole supply of a particular kind of goods//  --They’ve been trying to corner the market by buying up all the wheat in sight.//\n  4 [I] if a car corners, it goes around a corner or bend in the road:


Words: corner shop
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a small shop near houses, that sells food, cigarettes, and other things needed every day//    convenience store//


Words: cornerstone
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 something that is extremely important because everything else depends on it:  cornerstone of//  --The magazine became the cornerstone of McFadden’s publishing empire.//\n  2 a stone at one of the bottom corners of a building, often put in place at a special ceremony:   foundation stone//


Words: cornet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin cornu  ’horn’]//\n  1 a musical instrument like a small trumpet:\n  2  BrE a container made of very thin cake, that you hold in your hand and eat ice cream from:   cone//


Words: cornflour
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   fine white flour made from corn(2), used in cooking to make soups and sauces thicker//  American Equivalent:  cornstarch//


Words: cornice
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Italian, perhaps from  Greek koronis  ’stone put on top of a wall’]//  wood or plaster that runs along the top edge of a wall, used for decoration//  --A carved cornice runs around the high-ceilinged room.//


Words: corniche
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: Italian cornice;   CORNICE]//  a road built along a coast//


Words: Corning Ware
Meaning:
trademark   a type of glass, usually white, which does not break easily and is used for making pots, pans, and baking dishes. It is sold in the US.//


Words: cornucopia
Meaning:
n [singular]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Late Latin; Origin: Latin cornu copiae  ’horn containing large amounts’]//\n  1 a container in the shape of an animal’s horn, full of fruit and flowers, used to represent a time when there are large supplies of food:\n  2  literary a lot of good things:  cornucopia of//  --a cornucopia of delights//


Words: Cornwall
Meaning:
a  county in southwest England which is a popular place for tourists .Cornwall includes  Land’s End and the Isles of  Scilly.//  -- Cornish adj //  --Cornish ice cream//


Words: Cornwallis
Meaning:
Lord Charles   (1738-1805) a British military leader who was in charge of the British army during the  American Revolutionary War. He later became Governor-General of India.//


Words: corny
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: corny  ’typical of the country’ (1900-2000), from  corn]//  too silly and repeated too often to be funny or interesting//  --corny jokes//  --I know it sounds corny, but I dream about her every night.//


Words: corollary
Meaning:
n   plural  corollaries  [C]  formal //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: corollarium  ’money paid for a circle of flowers, something additional’, from  corolla  ’circle of flowers’]//  something that is the direct result of something else//  corollary of/to//  --Is social inequality the inevitable corollary of economic freedom?//


Words: corona
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin:  CROWN1]//  the shining circle of light seen around the sun when the moon passes in front of it in an eclipse//


Words: coronary
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: coronarius  ’like a crown’, from  corona (  CROWN1); because the blood-tubes coming out of the top of the heart look like a crown]//  relating to the heart//   cardiac//  --coronary disease//\ncoronary 2   plural  coronaries  n [C]  informal //  if someone has a coronary, their heart suddenly stops working because the flow of blood to it has been blocked by a small piece of solid blood//   heart attack//


Words: coronary thrombosis
Meaning:
n [U and C]   a disease which causes someone’s heart to suddenly stop working, because the flow of blood to it has been blocked by a small piece of solid blood//   coronary//


Words: coronation
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coroner;   CROWN2]//  the ceremony at which someone is officially made king or queen//


Words: Coronation Street
Meaning:
one of the most popular programmes on British television, which has been shown continuously since 1960. It is a  soap opera set in an industrial city in northern England and its characters are working-class people who live in a street called Coronation Street. People sometimes informally call it "Corrie". //


Words: coroner
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: ’royal official’, from  Old French corone;   CROWN1]//  an official whose job is to discover the cause of someone’s death, especially if they died in a sudden or unusual way//  --The coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.//  --The coroner’s court heard how Mr Banner had been shot twice in the head.//


Words: coronet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coronete, from  corone;   CROWN1]//  a small crown worn by princes or other members of a royal family, especially on formal occasions//


Words: corporal
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: caporal, from  Old Italian caporale, from  capo  ’head’]//  a low rank in the army, air force etc//


Words: corporal punishment
Meaning:
n [U]   punishment that involves hitting someone, especially in schools and prisons//    capital punishment//  --Corporal punishment was abolished in Britain in 1986.//


Words: corporate
Meaning:
W2   adj [only before noun]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  corporare  ’to make into a body’, from  corpus;   CORPUS]//\n  1 belonging to or relating to a corporation:  --The company is moving its corporate headquarters (=main offices) from New York to Houston.//  --Vince is vice-president of corporate communications.//  --Corporate America is not about to be converted to the environmentalist cause.//  --changing the corporate culture  (=the way that people in a corporation think and behave) to accept family-friendly policies//  --an advertising campaign intended to reinforce our corporate identity  (=the way a company presents itself to the public) //  --the yacht can be hired for corporate hospitality  (=entertainment provided by companies for their customers) //\n  2 shared by or involving all the members of a group:  --corporate responsibility//\n  3 used to describe a group of organizations that form a single group:  --The university is a corporate body made up of several different colleges.//  -- corporately adv //


Words: corporation
Meaning:
W2S3   n [C] \n  1 a big company, or a group of companies acting together as a single organization:  --He works for a large American corporation.//  --multinational corporations//  --the Siemens Corporation//  corporation tax (=tax that companies have to pay on their profits) //\n  2 an organization or group of organizations that work together for a particular purpose and are officially recognized as one:  --the New Orleans Citywide Development Corporation//  --a housing corporation//\n  3  BrE  old use a group of people elected to govern a town or city:   council//


Words: corporeal
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: corporeus  ’of the body’, from  corpus;   CORPUS]//\n  1 relating to the body, rather than to the mind, feelings, or spirit:   physical//  --corporeal desires//\n  2 existing in a physical form and able to be touched:


Words: corps
Meaning:
n   plural  corps /k[hA350][hA359]z $ k[hA350][hA359]rz/ [C] //  [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Latin corpus;   CORPUS]//\n  1 a group in an army with special duties and responsibilities:  --the medical corps//  --the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers//\n  2 a group of people who work together to do a particular job:  --the president’s press corps//  --the diplomatic corps//\n  3  technical a trained army unit made of two or more divisions (=groups of soldiers) :  ----------//  HINT //  Do not confuse with corpse (=dead body) which has a different pronunciation /k[hA350][hA359]ps k[hA350][hA359]rps/ . //  ----------//


Words: corpse
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: corps;   CORPS]//  the dead body of a person//   body//  --The corpse was found by children playing in the woods.//


Words: corpulent
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: corpulentus  ’large-bodied’, from  corpus;   CORPUS]//  fat//  -- corpulence n  [U] //


Words: corpus
Meaning:
n   plural  corpuses  or  corpora /-p[hA353]r[hA353]/ [C] //  [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: ’body’]//\n  1  formal a collection of all the writing of a particular kind or by a particular person:  --the entire corpus of Shakespeare’s works//\n  2  technical a large collection of written or spoken language, that is used for studying the language:  --a corpus of spoken English//    habeas corpus//


Words: Corpus Christi
Meaning:
also the Feast of Corpus Christi   a holy day in the Roman Catholic Church, when the sacrament (=the holy bread eaten at the Eucharist)  is carried in procession. Corpus Christi is Latin for "the Body of Christ".//\nCorpus Christi 2   a city in southeast Texas on the Gulf of Mexico//


Words: corpuscle
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: corpusculum  ’small body’, from  corpus;   CORPUS]//  one of the red or white cells in the blood//


Words: corral
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Spanish; Origin: Vulgar Latin currale  ’enclosed place for vehicles’, from  Latin currus  ’wheeled vehicle’]//  a fairly small enclosed area where cattle, horses etc can be kept temporarily, especially in North America//\ncorral 2   past tense and past participle  corralled present participle  corralling  BrE //  past tense and past participle  corraled present participle  corraling  AmE  v [T] //\n  1 to make animals move into a corral:  --They corralled the cattle before loading them onto the truck.//\n  2 to keep people in a particular area, especially in order to control them:  --Once at the airport, we were herded to the gate and corralled into a small room.//


Words: correct
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  corrigere, from  com- (  COM-) +  regere  ’to lead straight’]//\n  1 having no mistakes:   right//  → incorrect//  --If my calculations are correct, we’re about 10 miles from Exeter.//  --Score one point for each correct answer .//  --You are absolutely correct, the Missouri is the longest river in the US.//  factually/grammatically/anatomically etc correct //  --The sentence is grammatically correct, but doesn’t sound natural.//\n  2 suitable and right for a particular situation:  --What’s the correct procedure in cases like this?//  --When lifting heavy weights, it is very important that your back is in the correct position.//\n  3 correct behaviour is formal and polite:  --It was not considered correct for young ladies to go out on their own.//  -- correctly adv //  --If I remember correctly, he’s Spanish.//  --We must make sure that things are done correctly.//  -- correctness n  [U] //\ncorrect 2 S3 v [T] \n  1 to make something right or to make it work the way it should:  --Some eyesight problems are relatively easy to correct.//  --You have the right to see a copy of your file, and to correct any mistakes you may find.//\n  2 to show someone that something is wrong, and make it right:  --Correct my pronunciation if it’s wrong.//  --’She’s in Ireland now.’ ’She was,’ Farrell corrected him.//  correct yourself//  --’I,’ Lady Deverill corrected herself, ’we are very happy here.’//\n  3 if a teacher corrects a student’s written work, he or she writes marks on it to show the mistakes in it:\n  4  correct me if I’m wrong:   spoken used when you are not sure that what you are going to say is true or not//  --Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say you’d never met him before?//\n  5  I stand corrected:   formal spoken used to admit that something you have said is wrong after someone has told you it is wrong//


Words: correction
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] a change made in something in order to make it right or better:  --I just need to make a few corrections , and then we can send it to the printer.//\n  2 [U]  spoken used to say that what you have just said is wrong and you want to change it:  --That will basically cover fifty...correction sixty percent of all charges.//\n  3 [U] the act of changing something in order to make it right or better:  --Please hand in your papers for correction.//\n  4 [U]  old-fashioned punishment for people who have done something wrong or illegal:


Words: correctional
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  technical   relating to the punishment of criminals//  correctional facility/institution/centre (=a prison) //


Words: corrective
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   intended to make something right or better again//  --corrective surgery//  corrective action/measures //  --corrective measures to deal with the country’s serious economic decline//\ncorrective 2 n [C usually singular]  formal   something that is intended to correct a fault or mistake//  corrective to//  --The biography is a useful corrective to the myths that have grown up around this man.//


Words: correlate
Meaning:
v [I and T]   if two or more facts, ideas etc correlate or if you correlate them, they are closely connected to each other or one causes the other//  correlate with//  --Poverty and poor housing correlate with a shorter life expectancy.//  correlate strongly/significantly/closely //  --Lack of prenatal care correlates strongly with premature birth.//\ncorrelate 2   n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: correlation]//  either of two things that correlate with each other//


Words: correlation
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: correlatio, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  relatio  ’relation’]//  [U and C] a connection between two ideas, facts etc, especially when one may be the cause of the other//  correlation between//  --Researchers found a strong correlation between urban deprivation and poor health.//  strong/high/close/significant etc correlation //  --There is a direct correlation between the best-known brands and the best-selling brands.//  correlation with//  --There was also some correlation with social class.//


Words: correlative
Meaning:
adj  formal   two or more facts, ideas etc that are correlative are closely related or dependent on each other//  --rights and their correlative responsibilities//  -- correlative n  [C] //


Words: correspond
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: correspondre, from  Medieval Latin, from  Latin com- (  COM-) +  respondere (  RESPOND)]//\n  1 if two things or ideas correspond, the parts or information in one relate to the parts or information in the other:  --The two halves of the document did not correspond.//  correspond with/to//  --The numbers correspond to points on the map.//\n  2 to be very similar to or the same as something else:  correspond to//  --The French ’baccalaureat’ exam roughly corresponds to British Alevels.//  correspond closely/exactly/precisely to sth //  --The description of these events corresponds closely to other accounts written at the time.//\n  3 to write letters to someone and receive letters from them:  --For the next three years they corresponded regularly.//  correspond with//  --She stopped corresponding with him after the death of her mother.//


Words: correspondence
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 the letters that someone sends and receives, especially official or business letters:  --A secretary came in twice a week to deal with his correspondence.//\n  2 the process of sending and receiving letters:  --The magazine is unable to enter into any correspondence on medical matters.//  (be in) correspondence with sb//  --He had been in correspondence with her for several years before they finally met.//  --All correspondence between us must cease.//\n  3 a relationship or connection between two or more ideas or facts:  correspondence between//  --There was no correspondence between the historical facts and Johnson’s account of them.//


Words: correspondence course
Meaning:
n [C]   a course of lessons in which the student works at home and sends completed work to their teacher by post//  --I’m taking a correspondence course in business studies.//


Words: correspondent
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 someone who is employed by a newspaper or a television station etc to report news from a particular area or on a particular subject:    reporter//  political/foreign/legal etc correspondent //  --the political correspondent for The Times//  --Our correspondent in South Africa sent this report.//\n  2 someone who writes letters:  --I’m not a very good correspondent, I’m afraid.//


Words: corresponding
Meaning:
adj [only before noun] \n  1 caused by or connected with something you have already mentioned:  --The war, and the corresponding fall in trade, have had a devastating effect on the country.//\n  2 having similar qualities or a similar size, position etc to something else:   equivalent//  --Sales are up 10% on the corresponding period last year.//  -- correspondingly adv //  --As his political power has shrunk, he has grown correspondingly more dependent on the army.//


Words: corridor
Meaning:
W3S2   n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Old Italian corridore, from  correre  ’to run’]//\n  1 a long narrow passage on a train or between rooms in a building, with doors leading off it:  in the corridor//  --We had to wait outside in the corridor until our names were called.//  down/along the corridor//  --She hurried down the corridor.//  --Go down here and the bathroom’s at the end of the corridor.//\n  2 a narrow area of land between cities or countries that has different qualities or features from the land around it:  --the industrial corridor that connects Queretaro with Mexico City//\n  3  corridors of power:  the places where important government decisions are made//


Words: corrie
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE  technical   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Scottish Gaelic; Origin: coire  ’hollow’]//  a deep bowl-shaped area on a mountain//


Words: corroborate
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  corroborare, from  com- (  COM-) +  robur  ’strength’]//  to provide information that supports or helps to prove someone else’s statement, idea etc//  --We now have new evidence to corroborate the defendant’s story.//  --Experiments elsewhere corroborate these results.//  -- corroboration/k[hA353]r[hA361]b[hA353]re[hA366][hA35D][hA368]n $ -r[hA35A][hA359]-/ n  [U] //  -- corroborative/k[hA353]r[hA361]b[hA368]r[hA353]t[hA366]v $ -r[hA35A][hA359]b[hA353]re[hA366]-/ adj //  --corroborative evidence//


Words: corrode
Meaning:
v [I and T]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: corrodere  ’to eat away’, from  com- (  COM-) +  rodere (  RODENT)]//\n  1 if metal corrodes, or if something corrodes it, it is slowly destroyed by the effect of water, chemicals etc:  --Higher levels of pollution have started to corrode pipes.//\n  2  written to gradually make something weaker or destroy it completely:  --Corruption has corroded our confidence in the police force.//


Words: corrosion
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: corrosio, from  Latin corrodere;   CORRODE]//  the gradual destruction of metal by the effect of water, chemicals etc or a substance such as rust produced by this process//  --They are sprayed with oil to prevent corrosion.//  --Check for signs of corrosion.//


Words: corrosive
Meaning:
adj \n  1 a corrosive liquid such as an acid can destroy metal, plastic etc:  --a highly corrosive substance//\n  2  written gradually making something weaker, and possibly destroying it:   damaging//  --the corrosive effect of money in modern politics//


Words: corrugated
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  corrugare, from  com- (  COM-) +  ruga  ’line in a surface, wrinkle’]//  in the shape of waves or folds, or made like this in order to give something strength//  --corrugated cardboard//


Words: corrupt
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: corruptus, past participle of  corrumpere, from  com- (  COM-) +  rumpere  ’to break’]//\n  1 using your power in a dishonest or illegal way in order to get an advantage for yourself:  → incorruptible//  --Corrupt judges have taken millions of dollars in bribes.//\n  2 immoral or dishonest:  --a corrupt society//  --officials engaged in corrupt practices//\n  3 something that is corrupt is not pure or has been damaged or partly ruined:  --corrupt data//  -- corruptly adv //  -- corruptness n  [U] //\ncorrupt 2 v [T] \n  1 to encourage someone to start behaving in an immoral or dishonest way:  --Young prisoners are being corrupted by the older, long-term offenders.//  --They say power corrupts.//\n  2 to change the traditional form of something, such as a language, so that it becomes worse than it was:  --The culture has been corrupted by Western influences.//\n  3 to change the information in a computer, so that the computer does not work properly any more:  --a virus which corrupts the data on your hard drive//  -- corruptible adj //  -- corruptibility/k[hA353]r[hA356]pt[hA369]b[hA366]l[hA369]ti/ n  [U] //


Words: corruption
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U] dishonest, illegal, or immoral behaviour, especially from someone with power:  --officials charged with bribery and corruption//  --The investigation uncovered widespread corruption within the police force.//  political/official corruption //\n  2 [C usually singular]  technical a changed form of something, for example a word:  --The word ’Thursday’ is a corruption of ’Thor’s Day’.//


Words: corsage
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: ’(part of a piece of clothing covering) the top part of the body’, from  Old French cors;   CORSE]//  a group of small flowers that a woman fastens to her clothes on a special occasion such as a wedding//


Words: corset
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: corset  ’tightly fitting piece of outer clothing’ (13-19 centuries), from  Old French, from  cors;   CORSE]//  a piece of tight-fitting underwear that women wore especially in the past to make them look thinner//


Words: Corsica
Meaning:
a large island to the south of France in the Mediterranean Sea. Corsica belongs to France, but some of the people there want to have a separate government.//  -- Corsican n  adj //


Words: cortege
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: cort[hA169]ge, from  Italian corteggio, from  corteggiare  ’to attend the royal court’, from  corte  ’court’; from the idea of a group of people following an important person around, as at court]//  a line of people or cars that move along slowly in a funeral//


Words: Cortes
Meaning:
Hernan  or Her[hA17B]nan[hA17B]do   (1485-1547) a Spanish soldier and  conquistador, who defeated the  Aztecs in 1521 and took control of Mexico for Spain//


Words: cortex
Meaning:
n   plural  cortices /-t[hA369]si[hA359]z/ [C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: ’bark (= outer covering of a tree)’]//  the outer layer of an organ in your body, especially your brain//  -- cortical/k[hA350][hA359]t[hA366]k[hA368]l $ k[hA350][hA359]r-/ adj //


Words: cortisone
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Origin: corticosterone type of hormone  (20-21 centuries), from  cortex +  sterol (  STEROID) +  -one; because it is produced by the outer layer of a body organ]//  a hormone that is used especially in the treatment of injuries and diseases such as arthritis//  --a cortisone injection//


Words: coruscating
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Latin; Origin: , past participle of  coruscare]//   literary attractive and having a lot of energy, or shining brightly//  --a play with scenes of coruscating brilliance//\ncos 1 S1  ’cos/k[hA353]z/ conj  BrE  spoken  informal   because//  --I don’t get out much now cos of the children.//\ncos 2   technical   the written abbreviation of cosine //


Words: Cos[hA16E] fan tutte
Meaning:
a humorous  opera by  Mozart in which two men play a trick on the two sisters they love in order to test whether the women really love them and will be faithful to them//


Words: cosh
Meaning:
n [C]   a heavy weapon in the shape of a short thick pipe//\ncosh 2 v [T]   to hit someone with a cosh//


Words: cosignatory
Meaning:
n   plural  cosignatories  [C] //  one of a group of people who sign a legal document for their department, organization, country etc//  --Both cosignatories must sign the cheque.//


Words: cosine
Meaning:
n [C]  technical   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: cosinus, from  co- +  Medieval Latin sinus (  SINE)]//  the measurement of an acute angle in a triangle with a right angle, that is calculated by dividing the length of the side next to it by the length of the hypotenuse//    sine//


Words: cosmetic
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Greek; Origin: kosmetikos  ’skilled in decoration’, from  kosmein  ’to arrange, decorate’, from  kosmos;   COSMOS]//\n  1 dealing with the outside appearance rather than the important part of something:   superficial//  --We’re making a few cosmetic changes to the house before we sell it.//  --Many MPs denounced the resolution as a cosmetic exercise  (=something which will look good, but have no real effect) .//\n  2 intended to make your hair, skin, body etc look more attractive:  --the cosmetic industry//  --cosmetic products//  --Are you on the diet for health or cosmetic reasons?//


Words: cosmetic surgery
Meaning:
n [U]   medical operations that improve your appearance after you have been injured, or because you want to look more attractive//


Words: cosmetics
Meaning:
n [plural]   creams, powders etc that you use on your face and body in order to look more attractive//    make-up//  --a range of cosmetics and toiletries//


Words: cosmic
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Greek; Origin: kosmikos, from  kosmos;   COSMOS]//\n  1 relating to space or the universe:\n  2 extremely large:  --a scandal of cosmic proportions//  -- cosmically/-kli/ adv //


Words: cosmogony
Meaning:
n   plural  cosmogonies  [U and C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: cosmogonia, from  Greek, from  kosmos (  COSMOS) +  -gonia  ’bringing into existence’]//  the origin of the universe, or a set of ideas about this//


Words: cosmology
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: cosmologia, from  Greek kosmos (  COSMOS) +  Modern Latin -logia  ’-logy’]//  the science of the origin and structure of the universe, especially as studied in astronomy//


Words: cosmonaut
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: Russian; Origin: kosmonavt, from  Greek kosmos (  COSMOS) +  Russian -navt (as in  aeronavt  ’flyer’;   AERONAUTICS)]//  an astronaut from the former Soviet Union//


Words: Cosmopolitan
Meaning:
also Cosmo  informal   a monthly magazine for women, which is produced in separate  editions in the US, the UK, and many other countries. It is aimed at young modern independent women and deals with subjects such as fashion, work, and sex.//


Words: cosmopolitan
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: cosmopolite  ’cosmopolitan person’ (17-21 centuries), from  Modern Latin cosmopolites, from  Greek, from  kosmos (  COSMOS) +  polites  ’citizen’]//\n  1 a cosmopolitan place has people from many different parts of the world - use this to show approval:  --a vibrant, cosmopolitan city//  --a lively hotel with a cosmopolitan atmosphere//\n  2 a cosmopolitan person, belief, opinion etc shows a wide experience of different people and places:  --Brigitta has such a cosmopolitan outlook on life.//\ncosmopolitan 2 n [C]   someone who has travelled a lot and feels at home in any part of the world//


Words: cosmos
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Greek; Origin: ’order, universe’]//  the cosmos//  the whole universe, especially when you think of it as a system//


Words: cosset
Meaning:
v [T]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: cosset  ’pet’ (16-19 centuries), perhaps from  Old English cots[zB024]ta  ’person who lives in a cottage’]//  to give someone as much care and attention as you can, especially too much//  --He cosseted her with flowers and champagne.//


Words: Cossutta
Meaning:
Carla   (1932-2000) an Italian opera singer with a  tenor voice, who is famous for singing in  Verdi operas//


Words: cost
Meaning:
n \n  1 [C] the amount of money that you have to pay in order to buy, do, or produce something:  cost of//  --the cost of accommodation//  --I offered to pay the cost of the taxi.//  --Insurance to cover the cost of a funeral is possible.//  --This doesn’t include  the cost of  repairing the damage.//  --The new building’s going up  at a cost of  $82 million.//  -- low cost  housing//  --the  high cost  of production//  --A cassette/radio is included  at no extra cost .//  --The funds will just cover the museum’s  running costs .//    cost of living//\n  2  costs [plural] :  a) the money that you must regularly spend in order to run a business, a home, a car etc//  reduce/cut costs //  --We have to cut costs in order to remain competitive.//  --At this rate we’ll barely cover our costs  (=make enough money to pay for the things we have bought) .//  --the travel costs incurred in attending the meeting (=money you have to spend) //  --Because of the engine’s efficiency the car has very low running costs  (=the cost of owning and using a car or machine) .//  b)  also court costs //  the money that you must pay to lawyers etc if you are involved in a legal case in court, especially if you are found guilty//  --Bellisario won the case and was awarded costs.//  --He was fined [hA124]1000 and ordered to pay costs of [hA124]2200.//\n  3 [U and C] something that you lose, give away, damage etc in order to achieve something:  at (a) cost to sb//  --She had kept her promise to Christine, but at what cost to herself?//  social/environmental etc cost //  --the environmental cost of such mining projects//  --They need to weigh up the costs and benefits  (=disadvantages and advantages) of regulation.//  --He’s determined to win, whatever the cost  (=no matter how much work, money, risk etc is needed) .//  --We must avoid a scandal at all costs  (=whatever happens) .//\n  4 [singular]  especially AmE the price that someone pays for something that they are going to sell:   cost price//  at cost//  --His uncle’s a car dealer and let him buy the car at cost (=without making a profit) .//\n  5  know/find out/learn etc sth to your cost:  to realize something is true because you have had a very unpleasant experience//  --Driving fast in wet conditions is dangerous, as my brother discovered to his cost!//    count the cost at count1 (10)//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  pay the cost of something //  meet/bear the cost (of something) (=pay for something) //  cover the cost (of something) (=pay for all of something) //  the cost of doing something //  at a cost of $10/$100 etc //  high/low cost //  full/total cost //  extra/additional cost //  rising/escalating cost //  at no extra cost (to somebody) //  labour/transport/legal etc costs //  running/operating costs (=what it costs to organize an event or run a business) //  WORD CHOICE: cost, costs, price, charge, fee, fare //  Use  cost to talk about paying for services and activities, rather than objects : The total cost of the trip was under $500.| I worked out the cost of the repairs. //  Your  costs are the amount of money you have to spend in order to run a business or to do a particular activity : The shop was not making enough money to cover its costs. //  Use  price  to mean the amount of money that you must pay for something in a place such as a shop or restaurant : We are cutting all our prices (NOT costs) by 50% for one day only! |  We were shocked by the price of a cup of coffee in London. //  A  charge is the amount you have to pay to have a particular service or use something : For a small charge we will also make your hotel reservations.  //  A  fee is the amount you have to pay to enter or join something : The gallery charges no entrance fee. | The fee for membership is [hA124]25 per year. It is also the amount you have to pay for a professional service| The lawyer explained her fees. //  A  fare is the amount you have to pay to travel somewhere by bus, train, plane etc : I need some money for my bus fare. |  His parents paid his fare to Sydney. //  ----------//\ncost 2 v   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coster, from  Latin constare  ’to stand firm, cost’;   CONSTANT1]//\n  1 :  past tense and past participle  cost  [linking verb] to have a particular price//  --A full day’s activities will cost you [hA124]45.//  --His proposals could cost the taxpayer around [hA124]8 billion a year.//  --How much would it cost us to replace?//  not cost sb a penny (=cost nothing) //  --It won’t cost you a penny for the first six months.//  cost a (small) fortune/a pretty penny (=have a very high price) //  --It’s costing us a fortune in phone bills.//  cost a bomb/a packet  BrE  (=have a very high price) //  --What a fantastic dress. It must have cost a bomb!//  --Lighting can change the look of a room and needn’t cost the earth  (=have a price which is too high) .//  --Getting that insured is going to cost you an arm and a leg  (=have a very high price) .//\n  2  cost sb their job/life/marriage etc:  when something makes you lose your job etc//  --Joe’s brave action cost him his life.//  --His strong stand on the issue could have cost him his job.//  --Bad management could be costing this club a chance at the title.//\n  3  cost sb dear/dearly:  to make someone suffer a lot or to lose something important//  --A couple of missed chances in the first half cost them dear.//  --The scandal has cost Nicholson dearly.//\n  4 :  past tense and past participle  costed  [T usually passive] to calculate the total price of something or decide how much the price of something should be//  --We’ll get the plan costed before presenting it to the board.//\n  5  it will cost you:   spoken used to say that something will be expensive//  --Tickets are available, but they’ll cost you!//


Words: cost of living
Meaning:
n   the cost of living//  the amount of money you need to pay for the food, clothes etc you need to live//  --Average wages have increased in line with the cost of living.//


Words: cost-benefit
Meaning:
n   cost-benefit analysis/study/approach//   technical a way of calculating the methods or plans that will bring you the most  benefits (=advantages or help)  for the smallest cost, especially in business//


Words: cost-effective
Meaning:
adj  cost effective  bringing the best possible profits or advantages for the lowest possible costs//  cost effective way of doing sth //  --the most cost-effective way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions//  --The procedure is quick, easy to use and cost effective.//  -- cost-effectively adv //  -- cost-effectiveness n  [U] //


Words: Costa Brava
Meaning:
the Costa Brava//  a region of eastern Spain, between Barcelona and the border with France, which is popular for tourism//


Words: Costa del Crime
Meaning:
BrE   the Costa del Crime//  a humorous name for the  Costa del Sol in Spain, which some people think of as a place where successful British criminals go to live//


Words: Costa del Sol
Meaning:
the Costa del Sol//  a part of the Mediterranean Sea coast in southern Spain. Many tourists go there, especially around Malaga and Marbella.//


Words: Costa Rica
Meaning:
a country in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. Population: 3,773,000 (2001). Capital: San Jose.//  -- Costa Rican n  adj //


Words: costing
Meaning:
n [U and C]   the process of calculating the cost of a future business activity, product etc, or the calculation itself//  --the planning and costing of staffing levels//  --We were asked to prepare detailed costings for the scheme.//


Words: costly
Meaning:
adj \n  1 very expensive, especially wasting a lot of money:  --a complex and costly procedure//  --Such a database would be extremely costly to set up.//\n  2 something that is costly causes a lot of problems or trouble:  --His delay in making a decision could prove costly in the long run.//  -- costliness n  [U] //


Words: costume
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Italian,  ’custom, dress’, from  Latin consuetudo;   CUSTOM1]//\n  1 [C] a set of clothes worn by an actor or by someone to make them look like something such as an animal, famous person etc:    outfit//  --The film featured lavish costumes and spectacular sets.//  --Hallowe’en costumes//\n  2 [U and C] clothes that are typical of a particular place or period of time in the past:  --The dancers were all in national costume .//  --performers dressed in period costume  (=the clothes of a period of history) //\n  3 [C]  BrE a swimming costume:


Words: costume drama
Meaning:
n [C]   a play that is about a particular time in history, in which people wear costumes from that time//


Words: cosy
Meaning:
BrE  cozy AmE   adj \n  1 a place that is cosy is small, comfortable, and warm:  --The living room was warm and cosy .//\n  2 a situation that is cosy is comfortable and friendly:  --a cosy chat//\n  3 having a close connection or relationship, especially one you do not approve of:  --He was accused of being too cosy with some clients.//  -- cosily adv //  -- cosiness n  [U] //\ncosy 2   plural  cosies  n [C]  BrE //  a covering for a  teapot that keeps the tea inside from getting cold too quickly//  --a tea cosy//


Words: cot
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Hindi; Origin: khat  ’hammock, bed’]//\n  1  BrE a small bed with high sides for a baby or young child:  American Equivalent:  crib//\n  2  AmE a camp bed:


Words: cot death
Meaning:
n [C]    BrE the sudden and unexpected death of a baby while it is sleeping//  American Equivalent:  crib death//


Words: coterie
Meaning:
n [C]  formal   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Old French,  ’group of farmers renting land’, from an unrecorded  Old French cotier  ’someone who lives in a cottage, farmer’, from  Medieval Latin cotarius, from  English cot;   COTTAGE]//  a small group of people who enjoy doing the same things together, and do not like including others//    clique//


Words: coterminous
Meaning:
adj  technical \n  1  formal having the same pattern or features:\n  2 coterminous countries share the same border:


Words: Cotswolds
Meaning:
the Cotswolds//  a hilly area of western England which has a lot of pretty villages and river valleys. It is a popular tourist area.//


Words: cottage
Meaning:
W3S2   n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: cotage, from  English cot  ’cottage’, from  Old English]//  a small house in the country//  --a country cottage//  --We’re staying in a holiday cottage in Dorset.//


Words: cottage industry
Meaning:
n [C]   an industry that consists of people working at home//  --Hand weaving is a flourishing cottage industry in the region.//


Words: cottaging
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE  informal   when a homosexual man goes to a public toilet with the intention of meeting other men for sex//


Words: cotton
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coton, from  Arabic qutn]//\n  1 cloth or thread made from the white hair of the cotton plant:  --a white cotton shirt//  --Made from 100% cotton.//\n  2 a plant with white hairs on its seeds that are used for making cotton cloth and thread:\n  3  BrE thread used for sewing:  --a needle and cotton//  --a cotton reel (=small round tube which cotton thread is wound around) //\n  4  AmE  cotton wool:\ncotton 2 v   cotton on phr v//  [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: cotton  ’to be successful’ (16-19 centuries), perhaps from  cotton (of cloth)  ’to form a soft surface’ (15-19 centuries), from   COTTON1]//  to begin to understand something//    realize//  --It took me a while to cotton on.//  cotton on to//  --Sarah soon cottoned on to what he was trying to do.//  cotton to / [cotton to sb/sth] phr v//  to begin to like a person, idea etc//  --I didn’t cotton to her at first, but she’s really nice.//


Words: cotton bud
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a small thin stick with cotton wool at each end, used for cleaning places that are hard to reach, such as inside your ears//  American Equivalent:  Q-tip//


Words: cotton gin
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  gin  ’machine’ 1300-1400 From  Old French engin  ’engine’]//  a machine that separates the seeds of a cotton plant from the cotton//


Words: cotton wool
Meaning:
n [U]  BrE \n  1 a soft mass of cotton that you use especially for cleaning and protecting wounds:  --She put some disinfectant on a piece of cotton wool and dabbed it on her cheek.//\n  2  wrap sb (up) in cotton wool:  to protect someone completely from the dangers, difficulties etc of life//  --You can’t wrap those kids in cotton wool all their lives.//


Words: cotton-picking
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  especially AmE  old-fashioned   used to emphasize that you are annoyed or surprised//  --Mind your own cotton-picking business!//


Words: couch
Meaning:
n   plural  couches  [C] //  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: couche, from  coucher  ’to lie’, from  Latin collocare  ’to put in place’;   COLLOCATE]//\n  1 a comfortable piece of furniture big enough for two or three people to sit on:   sofa, settee//  --Tom offered to sleep on the couch.//\n  2 a long narrow bed for a doctor’s or psychiatrist’s patients to lie on:\ncouch 2 v   be couched in sth//   formal to be expressed in a particular way//  --The offer was couched in legal jargon.//


Words: couchette
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: ’small bed’]//  a narrow bed that folds down from the wall in a train, or a comfortable seat on a night train or boat//    sleeping car//


Words: cougar
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: couguar, from  Modern Latin cuguacuarana, from  Tupi suasuarana, from  suasu  ’deer’ +  rana  ’false’]//  a large brown wild cat from the mountains of Western North America and South America//   mountain lion//


Words: cough
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin:  From an unrecorded  Old English cohhian]//\n  1 to suddenly push air out of your throat with a short sound, often repeatedly:  --Matthew coughed and cleared his throat.//  --I think I’m getting a cold or flu - I’ve been coughing and sneezing all day.//\n  2 to make a sudden sound like someone coughing:  --The engine coughed and spluttered, then stopped altogether.//  cough up phr v//\n  1  informal to give someone money, information etc when you do not really want to:  --Come on, cough up.//  cough sth → up//  --Insurance companies had to cough up [hA124]10 million in storm damage claims.//\n  2  cough sth → up:  to push something out of your throat or lungs into your mouth//  --You must go to the doctor if you’re coughing up blood.//\ncough 2 n \n  1 [C] the action or sound made when you cough:  --Stuart gave an embarrassed cough .//\n  2 [U] a medical condition that makes you cough a lot:  --She’s got a terrible smoker’s cough .//  dry/persistent/ticklish etc cough //  --Symptoms include a sore throat and dry, persistent cough.//


Words: cough mixture
Meaning:
also cough syrup  or cough medicine  n [U]   a thick, usually sweet, liquid containing medicine that helps you to stop coughing//


Words: could
Meaning:
modal v    negative short form  couldn’t //  ----------//\n   1 past ability:\n   2 possibility:\n   3 emphasizing your feelings:\n   4 requesting:\n   5 suggesting:\n   6 annoyance:\n   7 couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc:\n   8 I couldn’t:\n   9 could do with something:  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: cuthe, past tense of  cunnan (  CAN1); influenced by  should and  would]//\n  1 PAST ABILITY:  used as the past tense of ’can’ to say what someone was able to do or was allowed to do in the past//  --By the time she was eight, she could read Greek and Latin.//  --In those days you could buy a box of cigars for a dollar.//  --Could you hear what I was saying?//  --I couldn’t get tickets after all, they were sold out.//  --I knew I couldn’t afford the rent.//  --The teacher said we could all go home.//\n  2 POSSIBILITY:  a) used to say that something is possible or might happen//  --Most accidents in the home could be prevented.//  --It could be weeks before we get a reply.//  --If you’re not careful, you could get into even worse trouble.//  --A faulty connection could easily  (=would be likely to) cause a fire.//  b) used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen//  --Somebody could have been killed.//  --I could have warned you if I had known where you were.//  --He could have escaped, but he chose to stand and fight.//\n  3 EMPHASIZING YOUR FEELINGS:   spoken used to emphasize how happy, angry etc you are by saying how you want to express your feelings//  --Sometimes he irritates me so much I could scream.//  --I was so angry I could have killed her.//  --I was so relieved I could have kissed them all.//\n  4 REQUESTING:   spoken used to make a polite request//  --Could you help me with these boxes?//  --Could I have a drink of water, please?//  --How about Sam? Could he come along too?//  --I wonder if I could just ask you to sign this.//\n  5 SUGGESTING:  used to suggest doing something//  --You could ask your doctor for a check-up.//  --You could always try phoning her at the office.//  --Maybe we could get together sometime next week?//  --Couldn’t you get one of your friends to help you?//\n  6 ANNOYANCE:   spoken used to show that you are annoyed about someone’s behaviour//  --You could have told me you were going to be late (=you should have told me but you did not) !//  --You could at least say that you’re sorry.//  --How could you be so stupid!//\n  7  couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc:  used to emphasize how good, bad etc something is//  --Their lifestyles couldn’t be more different.//  --’How are things?’ ’Fine! Couldn’t be better.’//  --Ordering on-line couldn’t be simpler.//\n  8  I couldn’t:   BrE  spoken used to politely say that you do not want any more food or drink//  --’Would you like another piece of pie?’ ’Oh, no thanks, I couldn’t.’//\n  9  could do with sth:   spoken to need or want something//  --I could do with a hot drink.//    could do worse (than) at worse1 (5)//    couldn’t care less at care2 (5)//    couldn’t agree more at agree(1)//


Words: council
Meaning:
W1S2   n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: concile, from  Latin concilium, from  com- (  COM-) +  calare  ’to call’]//\n  1 a group of people that are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions, or to give advice:  --the council for civil liberties//  --the UN Security Council//\n  2 the organization that is responsible for local government in a particular area in Britain:  -- local council elections//  --He sent a letter to the council to complain about the noise.//  County/District/City etc Council //  --Northampton Borough Council//  council leader/officer/worker etc //  council chamber/offices //\n  3 a group of people elected to the government of a city in the US:  --the Los Angeles city council//


Words: council house
Meaning:
also council flat  n [C]  BrE   a house or flat in Britain that is provided by the local council for a very low rent//


Words: Council of Europe
Meaning:
the   an organization which was established in 1949 to develop greater unity between the countries of Europe, and to encourage  democratic government and respect for human rights. It now consists of about 40 European countries, and its members develop policies on education, crime, health, and the environment. Complaints about cruel or unfair treatment can be settled in the Council’s court, the European Court of Human Rights. Although it has close connections with the  European Union, it is a separate organization.//


Words: council of war plural
Meaning:
councils of war  n [C]   a meeting to decide how to deal with a particular problem - used humorously//


Words: council tax n [singular
Meaning:
U]  BrE   a tax which every home in Britain has to pay to local government, based on the area and the value of the house, flat etc//


Words: councillor
Meaning:
W3S3  BrE  councilor AmE   n [C]   a member of a council//  --Write to your local councillor to complain.//  ----------//  HINT sense 1 //  Do not confuse with counsellor (=person whose job is to help you talk about and deal with your problems). //  ----------//


Words: councilman
Meaning:
n   plural  councilmen /-m[hA353]n/ [C]  AmE //  a man who is a member of the government of a city in the US//


Words: councilwoman
Meaning:
n   plural  councilwomen /-w[hA366]m[hA366]n/ [C]  AmE //  a woman who is a member of the government of a city in the US//


Words: counsel
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: conseil, from  Latin consilium, from  consulere;   CONSULT]//\n  1 a type of lawyer who represents you in court:  counsel for//  --The judge asked counsel for the defence to explain.//\n  2  keep your own counsel:   written to keep your plans, opinions etc secret//\n  3  literary advice:\ncounsel 2   past tense and past participle  counselled present participle  counselling  BrE //  past tense and past participle  counseled present participle  counseling  AmE  v [T] //\n  1  formal to advise someone:  counsel sb to do sth//  --She counselled them not to accept this settlement.//\n  2 to listen and give support to someone with problems:  --a new unit to counsel alcoholics//


Words: counselling
Meaning:
BrE  counseling AmE   n [U]   advice and support given by a counsellor to someone with problems, usually after talking to them//  --advice and counselling for people with disabilities//  group/bereavement/debt etc counselling //  --a debt counselling service//  counselling for//  --She’s been undergoing counseling for depression.//


Words: counsellor
Meaning:
BrE  counselor AmE   n [C]   someone whose job is to help and support people with problems//  --Have you thought of seeing a counsellor?//  student/marriage guidance/stress etc counsellor //


Words: count
Meaning:
v   ----------//\n   1 find the total:\n   2 say numbers:\n   3 be allowed:\n   4 include:\n   5 consider something:\n   6 important:\n   7 I/you can count somebody/something on (the fingers of) one hand:\n   8 don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched):\n   9 count your blessings:\n  10 count the cost:\n  11 who’s counting?:\n  12 count sheep:  Phrasal verbs//   count down//   count somebody in//   count on/upon somebody/something//   count somebody/something out//  ----------//  [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conter, from  Latin computare;   COMPUTE]//\n  1 FIND THE TOTAL:   also count up //   [T] to calculate the total number of things or people in a group//  --I was amazed at the number of plants - I counted 147.//  count (up) how many//  --Count up how many ticks are in each box.//\n  2 SAY NUMBERS:   also count up //   [I] to say numbers in order, one by one or in groups//  count to//  --Sarah can count up to five now.//  count by twos/fives etc //  --It’s quicker to count by tens (=saying 10, 20, 30 ...) .//\n  3 BE ALLOWED:   [I and T] to be allowed or accepted, or to allow or accept something, according to a standard, set of ideas, or set of rules//  --A linesman had his flag up so the kick did not count.//  count as//  --Locally produced sales by American firms in Japan do not count as exports.//  --Today’s session is counted as training, so you will get paid.//  count towards//  --Results from the two rounds count towards championship points.//\n  4 INCLUDE:   [T] to include someone or something in a total//  --There are more than two thousand of us, not counting the crew.//  count sb/sth among sth//  --I count Jules and Ady among my closest friends.//\n  5 CONSIDER SOMETHING:   [T] to consider someone or something in a particular way//  count sb/sth as sth//  --I don’t count him as a friend anymore.//  --You should count yourself lucky that you weren’t hurt.//\n  6 IMPORTANT:   [I not in progressive] to be important or valuable//  --First impressions really do count.//  count for//  --His promises don’t count for much.//  --His overseas results count for nothing .//\n  7  I/you can count sb/sth on (the fingers of) one hand:   spoken used to emphasize how small the number of something is//  --The number of cougar attacks on humans can be counted on the fingers of one hand.//\n  8  don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched):   spoken used to say that you should not make plans that depend on something good happening, because it might not//  --I wouldn’t count your chickens, Mr Vass. I’ve agreed to sign the contract, but that’s all.//\n  9  count your blessings:   spoken used to tell someone to be grateful for the good things in their life//\n  10  count the cost:  to start having problems as a result of your earlier decisions or mistakes//  --We’re now counting the cost of not taking out medical insurance.//\n  11  who’s counting?:  used to say that you are not worried about the number of times something happens - often used humorously//  --Apparently the next Star Trek film (number six, but who’s counting ?) will definitely be the last.//\n  12  count sheep:  to imagine a line of sheep jumping over a fence, one at a time, and count them as a way of getting to sleep//    stand up and be counted at stand1 (5),  it’s the thought that counts at thought2 (12)//  count down phr v//  to count the number of days, minutes etc until a particular moment or event//  count sth → down//  --We are counting down the days to the end of this tour.//  count in [count sb in] phr v//  to include someone in an activity//  --When the game gets started, you can count me in.//  count on/upon / [count on/upon sb/sth] phr v//\n  1 to depend on someone or something, especially in a difficult situation:  --You can count on me.//  --With luck, you might cover your costs, but don’t count on it.//  count on (sb/sth) doing sth//  --We’re all counting on winning this contract.//  --They were counting on him not coming out of hospital.//  count on sb/sth to do sth//  --You can count on Dean to ruin any party.//\n  2 to expect something:  --The presence of Paula was one thing he hadn’t counted on.//  count on (sb/sth) doing sth//  --We didn’t count on so many people being on vacation.//  count out [count sb/sth out] phr v//\n  1 to not include someone or something in an activity:  --I’m sorry, you’ll have to count me out tonight.//\n  2 to decide that someone or something is not important or worth considering:  --I wouldn’t count him out. If anybody can make a comeback, he can.//\n  3  count sth → out:  to put things down one by one as you count them//  --The teller counted out ten $50 bills.//\ncount 2 W3S2 n [C]   ----------//\n   1 total:\n   2 measurement:\n   3 lose count:\n   4 keep count:\n   5 on all/several/both etc counts:\n   6 at the last count:\n   7 be out for the count:\n   8 law:\n   9 rank/title:  ----------//  [Sense: 1-8; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conte, from  conter;   COUNT1]//  [Sense: 9; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conte, from  Latin comes  ’person you are with, member of the emperor’s court’, from  com- (  COM-) +  ire  ’to go’]//\n  1 TOTAL:  the process of counting, or the total that you get when you count things//  --Hold your breath for a count of 10.//\n  2 MEASUREMENT:  a measurement that shows how much of a substance is present in a place, area etc that is being examined//  --The pollen count is high today.//\n  3  lose count:  to forget a number you were calculating or a total you were trying to count//  lose count of//  --There have been so many accidents here, the police have lost count.//\n  4  keep count:  to keep a record of the changing total of something over a period of time//  keep count of//  --I never manage to keep count of what I spend on my credit card.//\n  5  on all/several/both etc counts:  in every way, in several ways etc//  --It was important that they secure a large and widespread audience. They failed on both counts.//\n  6  at the last count:  according to the latest information about a particular situation//  --At the last count, I had 15 responses to my letter.//\n  7  be out for the count:  a) to be in a deep sleep//  b) if a boxer is out for the count, he has been knocked down for ten seconds or more//\n  8 LAW:   technical one of the crimes that someone is charged with//  --Davis was found not guilty on all counts .//  count of theft/burglary/murder etc //  --He was charged with two counts of theft.//\n  9 RANK/TITLE:  a European nobleman with a high rank//


Words: count noun
Meaning:
n [C]   a noun that has both a singular and plural form and can be used with ’a’ or ’an’//    noun//


Words: countdown
Meaning:
n [C usually singular] \n  1 the period of time before something happens, such as a spacecraft being  launched, when someone counts backwards until the event happens:\n  2 the period of time before an important event, when people become more and more excited about it:  countdown to//  --the countdown to the World Cup//


Words: countenance
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: contenance  ’behavior’, from  Latin continentia  ’holding back from doing what you want, continence’, from  continere;   CONTAIN]//  [C]  literary your face or your expression//  --All colour drained from her countenance.//\ncountenance 2 v [T]    formal to accept, support, or approve of something//  countenance (sb) doing sth//  --I will not countenance you being rude to Dr Baxter.//


Words: counter
Meaning:
S3   n [C]   [Sense: 1-5; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: comptour, from  Medieval Latin computatorium  ’counting place’, from  Latin computare;   COMPUTE]//  [Sense: 6-7; Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conteor, from  conter;   COUNT1]//  [Sense: 8; Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: contre, from  contre  ’against’]//\n  1 the place where you pay or are served in a shop, bank, restaurant etc:  --He wondered if the girl behind the counter recognised him.//\n  2  AmE a long flat surface on top of a piece of furniture, especially in a kitchen:  British Equivalent:  worktop//\n  3  over the counter:  drugs, medicines etc that are bought over the counter are ones that you can buy in a shop without a prescription from a doctor//\n  4  under the counter:  if you buy something under the counter, you buy it secretly and usually illegally//  --It’s risky, but you can get alcohol under the counter.//\n  5 a small object that you use in some games that are played on a board:\n  6 a piece of electrical equipment that counts something:  --Set the video counter to zero before you press play.//    Geiger counter//\n  7 a computer program that counts the number of people that have visited a website:\n  8 an action that tries to prevent something bad from happening, or an argument that is used to prove that something is wrong:  counter to//  --The road blocks were a counter to terrorist attacks in that area.//\ncounter 2 v   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: contre;   COUNTER3]//\n  1 [I and T] to say something in order to try to prove that what someone said was not true or as a reply to something:  --’I could ask the same thing of you,’ she countered.//  counter an argument/an allegation/a criticism etc //  --He was determined to counter the bribery allegations.//\n  2 [T] to do something in order to prevent something bad from happening or to reduce its bad effects:  --There are steps you can take to counter the effects of stress.//\ncounter 3 adj, adv   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: contre, from  Latin contra;   CONTRA-]//  be/run/go counter to sth//  to be the opposite of something//  --Some actions by the authorities ran counter to the president’s call for leniency.//


Words: counter-
Meaning:
prefix   [Language: Old French; Origin: contre-, from  contre;   COUNTER3]//\n  1 the opposite of something:  --a counterproductive thing to do (=producing results opposite to what you wanted) //\n  2 done or given as a reaction to something, especially to oppose it:  --claims and counterclaims//\n  3 matching something:  --my counterpart in the American system (=someone who has the same job that I have) //


Words: counter-revolution
Meaning:
n [U and C]   political or military actions taken to get rid of a government that is in power because of a previous revolution//  -- counter-revolutionary n  [C] //  -- counter-revolutionary adj //


Words: counter-terrorist
Meaning:
adj   counter-terrorist operation/team/unit etc//  a plan or group that tries to prevent the activities of violent political groups//  -- counter-terrorism n  [U] //  -- counter-terrorist n  [C] //


Words: counteract
Meaning:
v [T]   to reduce or prevent the bad effect of something, by doing something that has the opposite effect//  --They gave him drugs to counteract his withdrawal symptoms.//  -- counteraction/-[zB024]k[hA35D][hA368]n/ n  [U and C] //


Words: counterattack
Meaning:
n [C]   an attack you make against someone who has attacked you, in a war, sport, or argument//  -- counterattack v  [I and T] //


Words: counterbalance
Meaning:
v [T]   to have an equal and opposite effect to something such as a change, feeling etc//  --Riskier investments tend to be counterbalanced by high rewards.//  -- counterbalance/ka[hA35E]nt[hA353]b[zB024]l[hA353]ns $ -t[hA353]r-/ n  [C] //


Words: countercharge
Meaning:
n [C]   a statement that says someone has done something wrong, made after they have said that you have done something wrong//


Words: counterculture
Meaning:
n [U]   the art, beliefs, behaviour etc of people who are against the usual or accepted behaviour, art etc of society//  --the counterculture revolution of the late 1960s//


Words: counterfeit
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: , past participle of  contrefaire  ’to copy’, from  contre- (  COUNTER-) +  faire  ’to make’]//  made to look exactly like something else, in order to deceive people//   fake//  counterfeit currency/money etc //  --counterfeit [hA124]10 notes//  counterfeit goods/software etc //\ncounterfeit 2 v [T]   to copy something exactly in order to deceive people//   fake//  --They admitted counterfeiting documents.//


Words: counterfoil
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin: counter- +  foil  ’piece of paper, counterfoil’ (15-18 centuries) (from  Old French;   FOIL1)]//  the part of something such as a cheque or ticket that you keep as a record//


Words: countermand
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: contremander, from  contre- (  COUNTER-) +  mander  ’to command’ (from  Latin mandare)]//  to officially tell people to ignore an order, especially by giving them a different one//  --Terrorists tried to force him to countermand the order to attack.//


Words: countermeasure
Meaning:
n [C usually plural]   an action taken to prevent another action from having a harmful effect//  --new countermeasures against terrorism//


Words: counterpane
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: counterpoint  ’counterpane’ (15-17 centuries), from  Old French coute pointe  ’embroidered quilt’; influenced by  pane  ’covering cloth’ (13-17 centuries), from  Old French pan (  PANE)]//   old-fashioned a bedspread//


Words: counterpart
Meaning:
n [C]   someone or something that has the same job or purpose as someone or something else in a different place//  sb’s counterpart//  --Belgian officials are discussing this with their French counterparts.//


Words: counterpoint
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: contrepoint, from  Medieval Latin contrapunctus, from  contra- (  CONTRA-) +  punctus  ’musical note, tune’]//\n  1 [U] the combination of two or more tunes played together so that they sound like one tune:  in counterpoint to sth//  --The viola is exactly in counterpoint to the first violin.//\n  2 [C] a tune that is one part of counterpoint:\n  3 [U and C] when two things that are different are compared in an interesting or pleasant way:  counterpoint to//  --I have used my interviews with parents as a counterpoint to a professional judgement.//


Words: counterproductive
Meaning:
adj   achieving the opposite result to the one that you want//  --Sending young offenders to prison can be counterproductive.//


Words: countersign
Meaning:
v [T]   to sign a paper that has already been signed by someone else//  --The note must be countersigned by a doctor.//


Words: countertenor
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: contreteneur, from early  Italian contratenore  ’against the tenor’]//  a man who is trained to sing with a very high voice//


Words: countervailing
Meaning:
adj  formal   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: contrevaloir, from  contre- (  COUNTER-) +  valoir  ’to be worth’]//  with an equally strong but opposite effect//


Words: countess
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: contesse, from  Medieval Latin comitissa, from  Latin comes;   COUNT2]//  a woman with the same rank as an earl or a count2(9)//


Words: countless
Meaning:
adj [usually before noun]   too many to be counted//  --a famous film clip which has been shown countless times //


Words: countrified
Meaning:
adj   typical of the countryside, or made to seem typical of the countryside//  --the countrified existence of the newly rich//


Words: country
Meaning:
n   plural  countries //  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: contree, from  Medieval Latin contrata  ’(land) which lies opposite’, from  Latin contra;   CONTRA-]//\n  1 [C] an area of land that is controlled by its own government, president, king etc:    nation//  --the Scandinavian countries//  --developing countries//  --Finding a doctor can be difficult in a foreign country .//    mother country//\n  2  the country:  a) land that is outside towns and cities, including land used for farming//   the countryside//  in the country//  --I’ve always wanted to live in the country.//  b) all the people who live in a particular country//  --The President has the support of the country.//\n  3 [U] an area of land that is suitable for a particular activity, has particular features or that is connected with a particular person or people:  --The Peak District is good walking country.//  --mountainous country//  --the rugged moors of Bront[hA16C] country//\n  4 [U] country and western music:  --I’m a big fan of country.//\n  5  go to the country:   BrE if a Prime Minister goes to the country, they ask for a general election to be held//\ncountry 2 adj [only before noun] \n  1 belonging to or connected with the countryside:   rural//  → urban//  --They much preferred country life to life in the city.//\n  2 relating to country and western music:  --a country singer//


Words: country bumpkin
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who is considered to be stupid because they are from an area outside towns and cities//   yokel//


Words: Country Code
Meaning:
the  BrE   a set of instructions that advise people who live in cities how to behave when they visit the countryside. For example, according to the Country Code you should always close gates in fields after using them, and you should keep your dog under control.//


Words: country house
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a large house in the countryside, especially one that is of historical interest//    stately home//


Words: Country Life
Meaning:
trademark   a British monthly magazine which contains articles about impressive homes and gardens in the country, and important social activities there//


Words: countryman
Meaning:
n [C]   plural  countrymen /-m[hA353]n///\n  1  sb’s countryman:  someone from your own country//   compatriot//  --It was two years since I’d seen any fellow countrymen .//\n  2  BrE a man who lives in the country rather than in a town or city:


Words: countryside
Meaning:
W3S2   n [U]   land that is outside cities and towns//   the country//  --The house had lovely views over open countryside .//  in the countryside//  --people who live in the countryside//


Words: Countryside Commission
Meaning:
the   a British organization whose aim is to look after the countryside and prevent it being spoiled. It provides national parks, paths etc for people who want to enjoy the country.//


Words: countrywoman
Meaning:
n   plural  countrywomen /-w[hA366]m[hA366]n/ [C]  BrE //  a woman who lives in the country rather than in a town or city//


Words: county
Meaning:
n   plural  counties  [C] //  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: conte  ’area ruled by a count’, from  Medieval Latin comitatus, from  Latin comes;   COUNT2]//  an area of a state or country that has its own government to deal with local matters//  --Fairfax County, Virginia//


Words: county council
Meaning:
n [C]   a group of people who are elected to the local government of a county, especially in Britain//  --Kent County Council//


Words: county court
Meaning:
n [C]   a local court of law. In Britain county courts deal with private quarrels between people rather than with serious crimes. In the US they also deal with less important criminal cases//


Words: county fair
Meaning:
n [C]  AmE   an event that happens each year in a particular county, with games and competitions for the best farm animals, cooking etc//


Words: coup
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: ’hit, stroke’]//\n  1 a sudden and sometimes violent attempt by citizens or the army to take control of the government:   coup d’ etat//  --Haiti’s first elected president was deposed in a violent military coup .//  --a coup attempt by junior officers//  --He evaded capture after the failed coup .//\n  2 an achievement that is extremely impressive because it was very difficult:  --Getting a former professional player as coach was a major coup for the club.//


Words: coup d’etat
Meaning:
n   plural  coups d’etat  (same pronunciation)  [C] //  [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: ’stroke of state’]//  a coup//


Words: coup de gr[hA163]ce
Meaning:
n [singular]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: ’stroke of mercy’]//\n  1 an action or event that ends or destroys something that has gradually been getting weaker:\n  2 a hit or shot that kills someone or something:


Words: couple
Meaning:
n   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cople, from  Latin copula;   COPULA]//\n  1  a couple:  a) two things or people of the same kind//  a couple of//  --There are a couple of girls waiting for you.//  b) a small number of things//  --I just need to make a couple more calls.//  a couple of//  --You’ll be all right in a couple of days.//\n  2 [C] two people who are married or having a sexual or romantic relationship:  --a newly married couple//  --the couple next door//\ncouple 2 v \n  1 [T] to join or fasten two things together:  couple sth to sth//  --Each element is mathematically coupled to its neighbours.//\n  2 [I]  formal to have sex:  couple with [couple sth with sth] phr v//  if one thing is coupled with another, the two things happen or exist together and produce a particular result//   combine//  --Lack of rain coupled with high temperatures caused the crops to fail.//


Words: couplet
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Old French cople;   COUPLE1]//  two lines of poetry, one following the other, that are the same length//  --rhyming couplets//


Words: coupling
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 something that connects two things together, especially two vehicles:\n  2 when two things are joined or connected:   combination//  --an attractive coupling of two Slavonic Dances//\n  3  formal an act of having sex:


Words: coupon
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: Old French,  ’piece’, from  couper  ’to cut’]//\n  1 a small piece of printed paper that gives you the right to pay less for something or get something free:  --The coupon entitles you to 10 cents off your next purchase.//\n  2 a printed form, used when you order something, enter a competition etc:  --To order, fill in the coupon on page 154.//


Words: courage
Meaning:
S3   n [U]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: corage, from  cuer  ’heart’, from  Latin cor]//\n  1 the quality of being brave when you are in danger, in pain, in a difficult situation etc:    bravery//  → cowardice//  --Sue showed great courage throughout her illness.//  courage to do sth//  --Gradually I lost the courage to speak out about anything.//  --He did not have the courage to tell Nicola that he was ending their affair.//  summon/pluck up the courage (to do sth) (=try to make yourself be brave enough to do something) //  --I plucked up the courage to go out by myself.//  --Driving again after his accident must have taken a lot of courage  (=needed courage) .//\n  2  have the courage of your (own) convictions:  to be brave enough to say or do what you think is right even though other people may not agree or approve//    Dutch courage//


Words: courageous
Meaning:
adj   brave//  --He was wrong, and courageous enough to admit it.//  --a courageous decision//  -- courageously adv //


Words: courier
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: courrier, from  Old Italian corriere, from  correre  ’to run’, from  Latin currere;   COURSE1]//\n  1 a person or company that is paid to take packages somewhere:\n  2  BrE  old-fashioned a rep:\ncourier 2 v [T]   to send something somewhere using a courier//


Words: course
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 of course:\n   2 of course not:\n   3 education:\n   4 time:\n   5 development:\n   6 plans:\n   7 actions:\n   8 direction:\n   9 on course:\n  10 meal:\n  11 sport:\n  12 medical treatment:\n  13 in (the) course of time:\n  14 river:\n  15 wall:  ----------//\n  1  of course:  a) used to show that what you are saying is expected or already known and so not surprising//  --You can pay by cheque, assuming of course you have a valid cheque card.//  --Of course there are exceptions to every rule.//  b)  also course  informal //   spoken used to say yes or to give permission politely//  --’Can I have a word with you?’ ’Of course.’//  --’Can you give me a lift?’ ’Course, no problem.’//  c)  also course //   spoken used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct//  --Of course he’ll come!//  well/but of course //  --Well of course I love you.//\n  2  of course not:   also course not //   spoken  informal used to say very strongly that something is not true or correct//  --He asked his father if it was true. ’ Of course not,’ Jack said.//  --’You don’t mind if I call her?’ ’No, course not.’//\n  3 EDUCATION:   [C] //  a) a series of lessons in a particular subject//  American Equivalent:  class//  do a course  BrE //  take a course //  --Andy’s doing a one-year journalism course.//  course on/in//  --a course on architecture//  --I’m taking a course in graphic design.//  --73 candidates enrolled on the course .//  --For details, contact your course tutor .//  b)  BrE a period of study in a particular subject, especially at university//  American Equivalent:  program//  take/follow a course //  --Students following the Honours course are expected to study Islamic History.//  degree/postgraduate etc course //  --entry qualifications for degree-level courses//  taught course (=one which has formal lectures, rather than one in which a student studies alone) //    correspondence course,  crash course,  refresher course,  sandwich course//\n  4 TIME:   [singular] a period of time or process during which something happens//  during/in/throughout/over the course of sth//  --During the course of our conversation, it emerged that Bob had been in prison.//  --Over the course of the next few years, the steel industry was reorganized.//  in the course of doing sth//  --In the course of researching customer needs, we discovered how few families have adequate life insurance.//\n  5 DEVELOPMENT:   [singular] the usual or natural way that something changes, develops, or is done//  course of//  --forces that shape the course of evolution//  --Meeting Sally changed the whole course of his life .//  in the normal/natural/ordinary course of events //  --In the normal course of events, a son would inherit from his father.//  take/run its course (=develop in the usual way and reach a natural end) //  --Relax and let nature take its course .//  --It seems the boom in World Music has run its course.//  --Gorbachev changed the course of Soviet history.//\n  6 PLANS:   [singular, U] the general plans someone has to achieve something or the general way something is happening//  --They will go to any lengths to get the White House to change course .//  --He will steer a middle course between pacifism and revolution.//  --As long as the economy stays on course , the future looks rosy.//\n  7 ACTIONS:   [C usually singular] an action or series of actions that you could take in order to deal with a particular situation//  --I agreed that this was the only sensible course of action .//  take/decide on a course //  --The judge took the only course of action open to him.//\n  8 DIRECTION:   [C usually singular, U] the planned direction taken by a boat or plane to reach a place//  --The plane changed course to avoid the storm.//  on/off course//   (=going in the right or wrong direction) //  --The ship was blown off course .//  --The aircraft was almost 10 miles off course.//  --She tightened the mainsail while holding the course  (=travelling in the same direction as planned) .//\n  9  on course:  likely to achieve something because you have already had some success//  on course for//  --If he wins today, he’s on course for the Grand Slam.//  on course to do sth//  --We’re back on course to qualify for the championship.//\n  10 MEAL:   [C] one of the separate parts of a meal//  three-course/five-course etc meal //  --The ticket includes entry and a four-course meal.//  first/second/main etc course //  --We had fish for the main course.//\n  11 SPORT:   [C] an area of land or water where races are held, or an area of land designed for playing golf//  --a particularly difficult course//  --an 18-hole course//    assault course,  obstacle course(1)//\n  12 MEDICAL TREATMENT:   [C]  especially BrE an amount of medicine or medical treatment that you have regularly for a specific period of time//  course of injections/drugs/treatment etc //  --a course of antibiotics//\n  13  in (the) course of time:  after some or enough time has passed//   eventually//  --She’ll get used to school in the course of time.//\n  14 RIVER:   [C] the direction a river moves in//  --The course of the water was shown by a line of trees.//\n  15 WALL:   [C] a layer of bricks, stone etc in a wall//  --a damp-proof course//    as a matter of course at matter1 (20),  par for the course at par(3),  stay the course at stay1 (7),  in due course at due1 (4)//  ----------//  HINT sense 3 //  course is never followed by ’of’: a course in English (NOT of English) //  ----------//\ncourse 2 v \n  1 [I always + adverb/preposition]  literary if a liquid or electricity courses somewhere, it flows there quickly:  --Tears coursed down his cheeks.//\n  2 [I always + adverb/preposition]  literary if a feeling courses through you, you feel it suddenly and strongly:  --His smile sent waves of excitement coursing through her.//\n  3 [I and T] to chase rabbits with dogs as a sport:


Words: coursebook
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   a book that students use regularly during a set of lessons on a particular subject//   textbook//


Words: coursework
Meaning:
n [U]   work that students do during a course of study, rather than in examinations, and that forms part of their final mark//


Words: court
Meaning:
n   ----------//\n   1 for deciding about a legal case:\n   2 for playing a sport:\n   3 king/queen:\n   4 hold court:\n   5 pay court to somebody:\n   6 area next to a building:  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin cohors;   COHORT]//\n  1 FOR DECIDING ABOUT A LEGAL CASE:   [U and C] the place where a trial is held, or the people there, especially the judge and the  jury who examine the evidence and decide whether someone is guilty or not guilty//  --A crowd of reporters had gathered outside the court.//  --It could not be proved in a court of law .//  --The court case lasted six weeks.//  --Four people will appear in court today, charged with possessing explosives.//  --I’d rather resolve our differences without going to court .//  --She threatened to  take the magazine to court if they didn’t publish an immediate apology.//  --We hadn’t enough evidence to bring the case to court .//  --Victims are often not told when a case comes to court .//  --In the end the matter was  settled out of court .//  --The case was thrown out of court .//  -- The court  ruled that no compensation was due.//  -- The court  upheld the earlier decision (=decided that the earlier decision was correct) .//  --Dr Porter told  the court  that the post-mortem revealed signs of strangulation.//    county court,  crown court,  high court,  kangaroo court,  magistrates’ court,  small claims court,  state court,  Supreme Court,  tribunal//\n  2 FOR PLAYING A SPORT:   [C] an area made for playing games such as tennis//    field, pitch//  squash/tennis/basketball etc court //  --Can you book a squash court for tomorrow?//  on court//  --The players are due on court in an hour.//\n  3 KING/QUEEN:  a)  [C] the place where a king or queen lives and works//  --the  royal courts  of Europe//  b)  the court//  the king, queen, their family, and their friends, advisers etc//  --Several members of the court were under suspicion.//  --There was a taste in court circles for romantic verse.//  -- Court officials  denied the rumours.//\n  4  hold court:   formal to speak in an interesting, amusing, or forceful way so that people gather to listen//  hold court to//  --Dylan was holding court upstairs to a group of fans.//\n  5  pay court to sb:   old-fashioned to give someone a lot of attention to try and make them like you//\n  6 AREA NEXT TO A BUILDING:   [C] a courtyard//    the ball is in sb’s court at ball1 (7),  be laughed out of court at laugh1 (6),  food court//  ----------//  COLLOCATES for sense 1 //  court of law //  court case //  appear in court //  go to court //  take somebody to court (=bring a legal case against someone) //  bring a case to court //  a case comes to court //  settle something out of court (=reach an agreement about a dispute without using the court) //  be thrown out of court (=a judge refuses to consider a case) //  a case is heard in court (=a case is dealt with by a court) //  the court (=the judge, the jury, and the other people in a court) //  criminal court (=a court where cases about crimes are heard) //  civil court (=a court where cases about civil disagreements are heard) //  WORD FOCUS: court //  people in a court of law: judge,  magistrate,  jury,  defence (BrE) defense American English prosecution,  defendant,  witness,  attorney,  lawyer,  barrister (BrE),  solicitor (BrE),  district attorney (AmE) //  what happens in a court case: At the beginning of the trial, the person who is accused pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. The lawyers for the prosecution try to prove that the defendant is guilty, and the lawyers for the defence try to prove that their client is innocent. The judge and the jury examine the evidence and listen to the testimony of the witnesses. At the end of the trial, the judge then sums up the case, and the jury then gives their verdict . If the person is found guilty , the judge sentences them to a period of time in prison, or orders them to pay a fine . If the person is found not guilty , they are released . //  See also:  crime, criminal//  ----------//\ncourt 2 v [T] \n  1 to try hard to please someone, especially because you want something from them:  --His campaign team have assiduously courted the media.//\n  2  court danger/death etc:   formal to behave in a way that makes danger etc more likely//  --To have admitted this would have courted political disaster .//\n  3  be courting:   old-fashioned if a man and a woman are courting, they are having a romantic relationship and may get married//  --That was back in the 1960s when we were courting.//\n  4  old-fashioned if a man courts a woman, he spends time being nice to her because he hopes to marry her:


Words: court card
Meaning:
n [C]    BrE the king, queen, or jack in a set of playing cards//  American Equivalent:  face card//


Words: court correspondent
Meaning:
n [C]  BrE   someone who reports the news relating to a royal family for a newspaper or television company//


Words: Court of Appeals
Meaning:
n [singular]   one of 12 law courts in the US that deals with cases when people are not satisfied with the judgment given by a lower court//    appellate court//


Words: court of inquiry plural
Meaning:
courts of inquiry  n [C]    BrE a group of people chosen to discover the facts about something such as a serious accident//    grand jury//


Words: Court of St James
Meaning:
the   one of the old names of the official home of the British king or queen. Formally, an  ambassador (=the official representative of a country)  who is sent to the UK from a foreign country is called the ’Ambassador to the Court of St James’.//


Words: court order
Meaning:
n [C]   an order or decision made by a law court//  --His computer was seized under a court order.//


Words: Courtauld Institute
Meaning:
the   an art  gallery in London. It is famous for its collection of late 19th and early 20th century paintings.//


Words: courteous
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: corteis, from  court;   COURT1]//  polite and showing respect for other people//  → discourteous//  --The staff are always courteous and helpful.//  --a courteous reply//


Words: courtesan
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: courtisane, from  Old Italian cortigiana  ’female courtier’, from  corte  ’court’]//  a woman who had sex with rich or important men for money in the past//    prostitute//


Words: courtesy
Meaning:
n   plural  courtesies //  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: corteisie, from  corteis;   COURTEOUS]//\n  1 [U] polite behaviour and respect for other people:   politeness//  → discourtesy//  --It’s a matter of common courtesy to acknowledge letters.//  have the courtesy to do sth//  --He didn’t even have the courtesy to call and say he couldn’t come.//\n  2 [C] something you do or say to be polite:  --The two men exchanged courtesies before getting down to business.//\n  3  (by) courtesy of sb:  by someone’s permission or kindness, rather than by paying them//  --photographs supplied courtesy of Blenheim Palace//\n  4  (by) courtesy of sth:  if one thing happens courtesy of another, the second thing caused the first//  --Healy received a deep cut on his left hand, courtesy of Nicol’s ice skate.//\n  5  do sb the courtesy of doing sth:  to be polite enough to do something for someone//  --At least do me the courtesy of telling the truth.//\ncourtesy 2 adj [only before noun] \n  1 provided free to a customer by a company:  courtesy bus/taxi/car/phone etc //  --The hotel runs a courtesy bus from the airport.//  --Most reviewers receive a courtesy copy of the book.//\n  2  courtesy visit/call:  a visit etc done to be polite or show respect//  --Our captain put in a courtesy visit during dinner.//


Words: courtier
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: Old French courtoyer  ’to be at court’, from  court;   COURT1]//  someone in the past with an important position at a royal court//


Words: courtship
Meaning:
n \n  1 [U and C] the period of time during which a man and woman have a romantic relationship before marrying:\n  2 [U] special behaviour used by animals to attract each other for sex:  --courtship rituals//


Words: courtyard
Meaning:
n [C]   an open space that is completely or partly surrounded by buildings//  --the castle courtyard//


Words: couscous
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Arabic kuskus, from  kaskasa  ’to crush’]//  a type of North African food made of crushed wheat//


Words: cousin
Meaning:
S3   n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cosin, from  Latin consobrinus,  from  com- (  COM-) +  sobrinus  ’cousin on the mother’s side’ (from  soror  ’sister’)]//\n  1 the child of your uncle or aunt:    first cousin,  kissing cousin,  second cousin//\n  2 something that has the same origins as something else:  cousin of/to//  --a drug that is a chemical cousin to amphetamines//  close/distant cousin //  --The Alaskan brown bear is a close cousin of the grizzly bear.//\n  3 someone or something that is similar to someone or something else:  --His avant-garde music, sometime cousin to jazz, had limited appeal.//


Words: Cousteau
Meaning:
Jacques   (1910- 97) a French underwater  explorer, famous for making films about the plants and animals that live in the sea. He also helped to invent the  aqualung.//


Words: couture
Meaning:
n  also haute-couture  [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: Vulgar Latin consutura  ’sewing’, from  Latin consuere, from  com- (  COM-) +  suere  ’to sew’]//  the design and production of expensive and fashionable clothes, or the clothes themselves//  --a couture collection//


Words: cove
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: cofa]//\n  1 part of the coast where the land curves round so that the sea is partly surrounded by land:    bay//  --The last fishing boats left the cove.//\n  2  BrE  old-fashioned a man:


Words: coven
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Origin: coven  ’meeting, group of people’ (1500-1600), from  Old French covin, from  Medieval Latin convenium  ’agreement’, from  Latin convenire;   CONVENIENT]//  a group or meeting of witches//


Words: covenant
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: covenir  ’to agree’, from  Latin convenire;   CONVENIENT]//  a legal agreement in which someone promises to pay a person or organization an amount of money regularly//    endowment//  -- covenant v  [I and T] //  --He covenanted to pay [hA124]30 a month into the fund.//


Words: Covent Garden
Meaning:
1 an area of London once famous for its fruit and vegetable market, but which now has expensive but popular shops, eating places, etc. :\n  2 another name for the Royal Opera House, which is next to the place where Covent Garden market used to be:


Words: Coventry
Meaning:
n   send sb to Coventry//   BrE to refuse to speak to someone in order to punish them, show disapproval etc//


Words: cover
Meaning:
v [T]   ----------//\n   1 hide/protect:\n   2 layer:\n   3 include:\n   4 distance:\n   5 area:\n   6 news:\n   7 money:\n   8 insurance:\n   9 guns:\n  10 sport:\n  11 music:\n  12 cover (all) the bases:\n  13 cover yourself (against something):\n  14 cover your tracks:  Phrasal verbs//   cover for somebody//   cover something → over//   cover up//  ----------//  [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: covrir, from  Latin cooperire, from  co- (  CO-) +  operire  ’to close, cover’]//\n  1 HIDE/PROTECT:   also cover up //  to put something over or be over something in order to hide, close, or protect it//  --Cover the pot and bake for an hour.//  --She wore a low-cut dress, partly covered by a thin shawl.//  cover sth with sth//  --Dan covered his face with his hands.//\n  2 LAYER:  if something covers a surface, it forms a layer over it//  --Grey mould covered the walls.//  --Much of the country is covered by snow.//  cover sth with/in sth//  --The bulletin board was covered with messages.//  --The eruption of the volcano covered states as far away as Montana in a fine layer of ash.//\n  3 INCLUDE:  to include or deal with a particular subject or group of things//  --The course covers all aspects of business and law.//  --Are there any areas you feel are not covered adequately in the book?//  --’Exercise’ is a word which covers a vast range of activities.//  --We need more time to cover so much ground  (=include so many things) .//  --pollutants that are not covered by the Kyoto agreement//\n  4 DISTANCE:  to travel a particular distance//  --They were hoping to cover 40 miles yesterday.//  --A leopard can cover a lot of ground very quickly.//\n  5 AREA:  to spread over an area//  --The city covers 25 square miles.//\n  6 NEWS:  to report the details of an event for a newspaper or a television or radio programme//  --I’d just returned from covering the Cambodian war.//\n  7 MONEY:  if a sum of money covers the cost of something, it is enough to pay for it//  --The award should be enough to cover her tuition fees.//  --Airlines are raising fares to cover the rising costs of fuel.//\n  8 INSURANCE:  if your insurance covers you or your possessions, it promises to pay you money if you have an accident, something is stolen etc//  --Most policies cover accidental damage to pipes.//  --The treatment wasn’t covered by her healthcare insurance.//  cover sb against/for sth//  --Are we covered for theft?//  cover sb to do sth//  --He thought he was covered to drive the vehicle.//\n  9 GUNS:  a) to protect someone by being ready to shoot anyone who attacks them//  --I’ll make for the door - cover me, will you?//  b) to aim a gun at a person or a place where people might be, in order to prevent them from moving or escaping//  --He stepped into the doorway and swung the gun up to cover the corridor.//\n  10 SPORT:  to stay close to a member of the opposing team or a part of the field in order to prevent your opponents from gaining points//\n  11 MUSIC:  to perform or record a song that was originally recorded by another artist//  --They’ve covered several hits from the 1980s.//\n  12  cover (all) the bases:  to make sure you can deal with any situation or problem so that nothing bad happens//  --Parents are already stressed trying to cover the bases at home and at work.//\n  13  cover yourself (against sth):   also cover your back //  cover your butt/ass  AmE to do things in a way that will prevent people from blaming or criticizing you//  --Doctors are concerned to cover themselves against charges of negligence.//  --He copied Stella in on the email just to cover his back.//\n  14  cover your tracks:  to try to hide something you have done so that other people do not find out//  --He started to destroy documents to cover his tracks.//  cover for [cover for sb] phr v//\n  1 to do the work that someone else usually does, because they are not there:  --Who’s covering for you while you’re away?//\n  2 to prevent someone from getting into trouble by lying for them, especially about where they are or what they are doing:  cover over [cover sth → over] phr v//  to put something on top of something else so that it is completely hidden//  --The female lays a single egg and covers it over.//  cover up phr v//\n  1  cover sth → up:  to put something over something else so that it cannot be seen//  --Her legs were so swollen she had to cover them up.//\n  2  cover sth → up:  to prevent people from discovering mistakes or unpleasant facts//    whitewash//  --The whole thing was covered up and never reached the papers.//  --Mum is worried, but she covers it up by joking.//    cover-up//\n  3  cover up for sb:  to protect someone by hiding unpleasant facts about them//  --They covered up for Kirk by refusing to answer any questions.//\n  4 to put clothes, blankets etc over yourself in order to protect or hide your body, or to keep yourself warm:  --Cover up, or stay out of the sun.//  cover yourself up//  --Hastily, she covered herself up with the towel.//\ncover 2 n   ----------//\n   1 protection:\n   2 books:\n   3 bed:\n   4 shelter:\n   5 insurance:\n   6 war:\n   7 plants:\n   8 weather:\n   9 work:\n  10 music:\n  11 secret:\n  12 under cover:\n  13 under (the) cover of darkness/night:\n  14 under plain cover/under separate cover:  ----------//\n  1 PROTECTION:   [C] something that is put on top of something else to protect it//    lid//  --a blue duvet cover//  --a plastic cover//  --A dust cover  (=to keep dirt etc off) hung over the painting.//\n  2 BOOKS:   [C] the outer front or back part of a magazine, book etc//  --His photo’s on the cover of Newsweek again.//  front/back cover //  --an advertisement on the back cover//  --I read the magazine from cover to cover  (=all of it) .//  cover photo/shot/picture (=picture on the front cover) //  --The cover shot was of three guys in army kit.//\n  3 BED:   the covers [plural] the sheets etc that you put over yourself when you are in bed//  --The covers had slipped off in the night.//\n  4 SHELTER:   [U] shelter or protection from bad weather or attack//  run/dive for cover //  --He was shot in the head as he ran for cover.//  --We were forced to take cover in a barn.//  --Three soldiers broke cover  (=left the place where they were hiding) .//\n  5 INSURANCE:   [U]  BrE the protection an insurance gives you, so that it pays you money if you are injured, something is stolen etc//  American Equivalent:  coverage//  --temporary medical cover//  cover against/for//  --cover against fire and theft//\n  6 WAR:   [U] military protection and support given to aircraft, ships etc that are likely to be attacked//  --fighters used as cover for ground troops//\n  7 PLANTS:   [U] trees and plants that grow in large numbers on a piece of land//  --Once the forest cover is felled, rains wash away the soil.//  --With its spreading stems, ivy makes good ground cover .//\n  8 WEATHER:   [U] clouds, snow etc that partly hide the sky or the ground//  cloud/snow/fog etc cover //  --Cloud cover in the morning should clear later.//\n  9 WORK:   [U] an arrangement in which people do a job or provide a service, especially because the people who normally do it are not there//    backup//  --It’s your responsibility to arrange adequate cover for holiday periods.//  --night-time ambulance cover//\n  10 MUSIC:   also  cover version//   [C] a new recording of a song, piece of music etc that was originally recorded by a different artist//  --She’s opted to do a cover version for her first single.//\n  11 SECRET:   [C usually singular] behaviour or activities that seem normal or honest but are being used to hide something bad or illegal//  cover for//  --The gang used the shop as a cover for drug deals.//  --All that toughness is just a cover for his inability to show affection.//\n  12  under cover:  a) pretending to be someone else in order to do something secretly//  --She was working under cover to get information on drug gangs.//  b) under a roof or other structure//  --The aircraft is displayed under cover in the USAF Gallery.//\n  13  under (the) cover of darkness/night:   literary hidden by the darkness of night//  --They escaped under cover of darkness.//\n  14  under plain cover/under separate cover:  if a letter etc is sent under plain cover or under separate cover, it is sent in a plain envelope or a separate envelope//  --The bill will be sent to you later under separate cover.//


Words: cover charge
Meaning:
n [C]   money that you have to pay in a restaurant in addition to the cost of the food and drinks, especially when there is a band or dancing//


Words: cover price n [C
Meaning:
usually singular]   the price printed on the front of a book, magazine etc//  --10p of the cover price goes directly to charity.//


Words: cover-up
Meaning:
n [C]   an attempt to prevent the public from discovering the truth about something//    whitewash//  --He accused the government of a cover-up.//    cover up(2)//


Words: coverage
Meaning:
n [U] \n  1 when a subject or event is reported on television or radio, or in newspapers:  media/press etc coverage //  --The allegations received widespread media coverage.//  -- live coverage of the match (=the match is broadcast at the same time that it is happening) //\n  2  AmE the protection an insurance company gives you, so that it pays you money if you are injured, something is stolen etc:  British Equivalent:  cover//  --health care coverage//\n  3 the range of subjects and facts included in a book, programme, class etc:  coverage of//  --Prestel’s website provides good coverage of the subject.//\n  4 when something affects or covers a particular area or group of things:  --More satellites are needed to provide telephone coverage in remote areas.//


Words: coveralls
Meaning:
n [plural]    AmE a piece of clothing that you wear over all your clothes to protect them//  British Equivalent:  overalls//


Words: covered
Meaning:
adj \n  1 having a roof:  --a covered arena//\n  2 having a layer of something on top:  --snow-covered hills//


Words: covering
Meaning:
n \n  1 [singular] something that covers or hides something:  --a light covering of snow//\n  2  coverings [plural] a layer of something such as paper, wood, or cloth used to cover walls, floors etc:  --colourful wall coverings//


Words: covering letter
Meaning:
n [C]    BrE a letter that you send with documents or a package that gives information about its contents//  American Equivalent:  cover letter//  --Send your CV and a covering letter to the address below.//


Words: coverlet
Meaning:
n [C]  old-fashioned   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: coverelyth, from  Old French covrir (  COVER1) +  lit  ’bed’]//  a cloth cover for a bed//   bedspread//


Words: covert
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: , past participle of  covrir;   COVER1]//  secret or hidden//  → overt//  --covert operations against the government//\ncovert 2 n [C]   a group of thick bushes where animals can hide//


Words: covet
Meaning:
v [T]  formal   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: coveitier, from  coveitie  ’desire’, from  Latin cupiditas;   CUPIDITY]//  to have a very strong desire to have something that someone else has//  --The Michelin Awards are coveted by restaurants all over the world.//


Words: covetous
Meaning:
adj  formal   having a very strong desire to have something that someone else has//  --They began to cast covetous eyes on their neighbours’ fields.//  -- covetously adv //  -- covetousness n  [U] //


Words: cow
Meaning:
S2   n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: cu]//\n  1 a large female animal that is kept on farms and used to produce milk or meat:    bull//\n  2 a male or female animal of this type:    bull//  --a herd of cows//\n  3 the female of some large animals, such as the elephant or the whale:    bull//\n  4  BrE  spoken  not polite an offensive word for a woman who you think is stupid or unpleasant:\n  5  have a cow:   informal to be very angry or surprised about something//\n  6  till the cows come home:   informal for a very long time, or for ever//    cash cow,  mad cow disease,  sacred cow//\ncow 2 v [T usually passive]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//  to frighten someone in order to make them do something//  cow sb into sth//  --The protesters had been cowed into submission by the police.//


Words: Coward
Meaning:
Sir No[hA16C]l   (1899-1973) a British actor, singer, and writer of songs and plays. He is famous for his clever and humorous plays, such as  Private Lives and  Blithe Spirit, and his amusing song  Mad Dogs and Englishmen.//


Words: coward
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: coart, from  coe  ’tail’; probably from the idea of an animal with its tail between its legs]//  someone who is not at all brave//  --Try it. Don’t be such a coward.//  -- cowardly adj //  --a cowardly attack on a defenceless man//


Words: cowardice
Meaning:
[U]   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coardise, from  coart;   COWARD]//  lack of courage//  → bravery//  --cowardice in the face of danger//


Words: cowboy
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 in the US, a man who rides a horse and whose job is to care for cattle:\n  2  BrE someone who is dishonest in business, or who produces very bad quality work:  --a firm of cowboy builders//\n  3  cowboys and Indians:  a game played by children who fight while pretending to be cowboys and Native Americans//


Words: cower
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1200-1300; Language: Middle Low German; Origin: kuren  ’to lie hidden’]//  to bend low and move back because you are frightened//  cower back/against/under etc//  --He cowered against the wall.//


Words: Cowes
Meaning:
an English holiday town and sailing centre on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. Every year there is a  regatta (=series of boat races)  there, known as Cowes Week.//


Words: cowl
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: cugele, from  Latin cucullus]//\n  1 a large hood that covers your head and shoulders:  --a monk in a dark habit and cowl//\n  2 a cover for a chimney:


Words: cowlick
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Because it looks as if it had been licked by a cow]//  hair that sticks up on your head//


Words: cowrie
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1600-1700; Language: Hindi; Origin: kauri]//  a small shiny shell that was used in the past as money in parts of Africa and Asia//


Words: cowslip
Meaning:
n [C]   [Language: Old English; Origin: cuslyppe  ’cow dung, cowslip’; probably because it was believed to grow from cow dung]//  a small European wild plant with sweet smelling yellow flowers//


Words: cox
Meaning:
n [C]   someone who controls the direction of a rowing boat, especially in races//  -- cox v  [T] //


Words: coxswain
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1300-1400; Origin: cock  ’small boat’ (14-18 centuries) (from  Old French coque) +  swain  ’boy, servant’ (13-17 centuries) (  SWAIN)]//  a cox//


Words: coy
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: coi  ’calm’, from  Latin quietus  ’quiet’]//\n  1 shy or pretending to be shy in order to attract people’s interest:  --She gave him a coy smile.//\n  2 unwilling to give information about something:  → open//  coy about//  --Tania was always coy about her age.//  -- coyly adv //  -- coyness n  [U] //


Words: coyote
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1700-1800; Language: Mexican Spanish; Origin: Nahuatl coyotl]//  a small wild dog that lives in North West America and Mexico//


Words: cozen
Meaning:
v [T]  old-fashioned   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin:  Probably from early  Italian cozzonare, from  cozzone  ’buyer and seller of horses’, from  Latin cocio  ’trader’]//  to trick or deceive someone//


Words: cozy
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1700-1800; Origin:  Probably from a  Scandinavian language]//  the usual American spelling of cosy//


Words: CPR
Meaning:
n [U]   cardiopulmonary resuscitation when you breathe into someone’s mouth and press repeatedly on their chest in order to make them breathe again and make their heart start beating again after it has stopped//


Words: CPRE
Meaning:
the   the Council for the Protection of Rural England an organization whose aim is to prevent farmers and  developers (=companies that build houses, offices, shops, or roads)  from destroying the countryside in England//


Words: cr[hA169]me caramel
Meaning:
n   plural  cr[hA169]mes caramels  [U and C]  BrE //  a sweet food made from milk, eggs, and sugar//


Words: cr[hA169]me de la cr[hA169]me
Meaning:
creme de la creme/krem d[hA353] l[hA35A][hA359] krem/ n [singular]   [Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: ’cream of the cream’]//  the very best of a kind of thing or group of people//  --Oxford and Cambridge are often seen as the cr[hA169]me de la cr[hA169]me of British universities.//


Words: cr[hA169]me de menthe
Meaning:
n [U]   [Date: 1900-2000; Language: French; Origin: ’cream of mint’]//  a strong sweet green alcoholic drink//


Words: crab
Meaning:
n   [Sense: 1-3; Origin: Old English crabba]//  [Sense: 4; Date: 1800-1900; Origin: crabbed]//\n  1 [C] a sea animal with a hard shell, five legs on each side, and two large claws:    crustacean//\n  2 [U] the flesh of this animal that you can cook and eat:  --crab meat//  --dressed crab (=prepared for eating) //\n  3  crabs [plural]  informal a medical condition in which a type of louse (=insect)  is in the hair around sexual organs:\n  4 [singular]  AmE  informal someone who becomes annoyed easily about unimportant things:


Words: crab apple
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1400-1500; Origin:  Perhaps from   CRAB]//  a small sour apple, or the tree it grows on//


Words: crabbed
Meaning:
adj   [Date: 1200-1300; Origin:  CRAB; later influenced by  crab apple]//   literary writing which is crabbed is small, untidy, and difficult to read//


Words: crabby
Meaning:
adj   easily annoyed by unimportant things//   bad-tempered//  --a crabby old man//  --You’re a bit crabby this morning.//


Words: crack
Meaning:
S3   v   ----------//\n   1 break:\n   2 sound:\n   3 hit:\n   4 not be able to continue:\n   5 voice:\n   6 solve/understand:\n   7 stop somebody:\n   8 open a safe:\n   9 computer:\n  10 crack it:\n  11 crack a joke:\n  12 crack open a bottle:\n  13 get cracking:\n  14 crack the whip:\n  15 something is not all/everything it’s cracked up to be:  Phrasal verbs//   crack down//   crack into something//   crack on//   crack up//  ----------//  [Language: Old English; Origin: cracian]//\n  1 BREAK:   [I and T] to break or to make something break, either so that it gets lines on its surface, or so that it breaks into pieces//  --Don’t put boiling water in the glass or it will crack.//  --Concrete is liable to crack in very cold weather.//  --He picked up a piece of rock and cracked it in half.//  --She fell and cracked a bone in her leg.//  --He cracked a couple of eggs into a pan.//\n  2 SOUND:   [I and T] to make a quick loud sound like the sound of something breaking, or to make something do this//  --Thunder cracked overhead.//  --He cracked his whip and galloped off.//  --Dennis rubbed his hands together and cracked his knuckles .//\n  3 HIT:   [T] to hit someone or something hard//  crack sth on sth//  --I slipped and cracked my head on the door.//  --She cracked him over the head with a hammer.//\n  4 NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE:   [I] to be unable to continue doing something because there is too much pressure and you do not have the mental strength to continue//  crack under//  --Some young executives crack under the pressure of having to meet tough sales targets every month.//  --He cracked under interrogation and confessed.//\n  5 VOICE:   [I] if your voice cracks, it starts to sound different because you are feeling strong emotions//  --His voice cracked slightly as he tried to explain.//\n  6 SOLVE/UNDERSTAND:   [T] to find the answer to a problem or manage to understand something that is difficult to understand//   solve//  --I think we’ve cracked the problem of the computer crashing all the time.//  --It took them nearly two months to crack the code .//  --This new evidence could help detectives to crack the case .//\n  7 STOP SOMEBODY:   [T]  informal to stop a person from being successful//  --His political enemies have never managed to crack him.//\n  8 OPEN A SAFE:   [T] to open a safe illegally in order to steal the things inside it//\n  9 COMPUTER:   [T] to illegally copy computer software or change free software which may lack certain features of the full version, so that the free software works in the same way as the full version//  --You can find out how to crack any kind of software on the web.//\n  10  crack it:   BrE  informal to manage to do something successfully//  --I think we’ve cracked it!//  --He seems to have got it cracked .//\n  11  crack a joke:   informal to tell a joke//  --He kept cracking jokes about my appearance.//\n  12  crack open a bottle:   BrE  informal to open a bottle of alcohol for drinking//  --We cracked open a few bottles.//\n  13  get cracking:   informal to start doing something or going somewhere quickly//  --I think we need to get cracking if we’re going to catch this train.//\n  14  crack the whip:   informal to make people work very hard//\n  15  sth is not all/everything it’s cracked up to be:   informal used to say that something is not as good as people say it is//  --I thought the film was OK, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.//  crack down phr v//  to become more strict in dealing with a problem and punishing the people involved//  crack down on//  --The government is determined to crack down on terrorism.//  --The police are cracking down hard on violent crime.//    crackdown//  crack into [crack into sth] phr v//  to secretly enter someone else’s computer system, especially in order to damage the system or steal the information stored on it//    hack//  --A teenager was accused of cracking into the company’s network.//  crack on phr v//  to continue working hard at something in order to finish it//  crack on with//  --I need to crack on with my project work this weekend.//  crack up phr v//\n  1  crack (sb) up:  to laugh a lot at something, or to make someone laugh a lot//  --Everyone in the class just cracked up.//  --She’s so funny. She cracks me up.//\n  2 to become unable to think or behave sensibly because you have too many problems or too much work:  --I was beginning to think I was cracking up!//\ncrack 2 n   ----------//\n   1 gap:\n   2 break:\n   3 weakness:\n   4 sound:\n   5 joke:\n   6 attempt:\n   7 drug:\n   8 body:\n   9 a crack on the head:\n  10 a crack in somebody’s voice:\n  11 the crack of dawn:\n  12 computer:\n  13 a fair crack of the whip:  ----------//\n  1 GAP:   [C] a very narrow space between two things or two parts of something//  crack between//  --He squeezed into a crack between two rocks.//  crack in//  --He could see them through a crack in the door.//  --She opened the door a crack and peeped into the room.//\n  2 BREAK:   [C] a thin line on the surface of something when it is broken but has not actually come apart//  crack in//  --There were several small cracks in the glass.//\n  3 WEAKNESS:   [C] a weakness or fault in an idea, system, or organization//  crack in//  --The cracks in their relationship were starting to show.//  --The first cracks are beginning to appear in the economic policy.//\n  4 SOUND:   [C] a sudden loud sound like the sound of a stick being broken//  loud/sharp crack //  --There was a sharp crack as the branch broke off.//  crack of//  --We could hear the crack of gunfire in the distance.//  --a crack of thunder//\n  5 JOKE:   [C]  informal a clever joke or rude remark//  crack about//  --I didn’t like his crack about her being overweight.//  --He’s always making cracks about how stupid I am.//\n  6 ATTEMPT:   [C]  informal an attempt to do something//   shot//  crack at//  --I’d like a crack at climbing that mountain.//  --The competition’s open to anyone - why don’t you have a crack ?//\n  7 DRUG:   [U] an illegal drug that some people take for pleasure//  --crack addicts//\n  8 BODY:   [C]  informal the space between someone’s buttocks//\n  9  a crack on the head:  a hard hit on the head//  --You’ve had a nasty crack on the head and you need to rest.//\n  10  a crack in sb’s voice:  a change in someone’s voice because they are feeling very upset//  --He noticed the crack in her voice as she tried to continue.//\n  11  the crack of dawn:  very early in the morning//  at the crack of dawn//  --We were up at the crack of dawn.//\n  12 COMPUTER:   [C] a piece of information or computer code that lets you illegally change free software which may lack certain features of the full version, so that the free software works in the same way as the full version//\n  13  a fair crack of the whip:   BrE  informal the same chance as other people to do something//  --They feel they haven’t been given a fair crack of the whip .//\ncrack 3 adj [only before noun] \n  1 with a lot of experience and skill:  --crack troops//  --a crack regiment//  --a crack sportsman//\n  2  crack shot:  someone who is able to shoot a weapon very well and hit the thing they are aiming at//


Words: crack baby
Meaning:
n [C]   plural  crack babies //  a baby that is born with medical and mental problems because its mother regularly smoked the illegal drug crack before the baby was born//


Words: crack-up
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a nervous breakdown:\n  2  AmE an accident involving one or more vehicles:    crack up at crack1 //


Words: crackdown
Meaning:
n [C usually singular]   action that is taken to deal more strictly with crime, a problem, protests etc//  crackdown on/against//  --a military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations//  --the government’s crackdown against drugs//    crack down at crack1 //


Words: cracked
Meaning:
adj \n  1 something that is cracked has one or more lines on the surface because it is damaged but not completely broken:  --The mirror was cracked and dirty.//  --dry, cracked lips//  --He escaped with a cracked rib and bruising.//\n  2 someone’s voice that is cracked sounds rough and uncontrolled:\n  3 [not before noun]  informal slightly crazy:


Words: cracker
Meaning:
n [C] \n  1 a hard dry type of bread in small flat shapes, that is often eaten with cheese:\n  2  also Christmas cracker :  a decorated paper tube that makes a small exploding sound when you pull it apart. Crackers contain a small gift, a paper hat, and a joke, and are used at Christmas in Britain.//\n  3 a firecracker:\n  4  BrE  spoken something that is very good or funny:  --That was a cracker of a goal.//\n  5 someone who illegally breaks into a computer system in order to steal information or stop the system from working properly:   hacker//  --computer crackers//\n  6  BrE  old-fashioned  informal a very attractive woman:


Words: Cracker Jack
Meaning:
trademark   a type of sweet  popcorn sold in a box with a prize inside it, which is popular with children in the US//


Words: cracking
Meaning:
adj [only before noun]  BrE  informal   very good, exciting etc//   great//  --We’ve got two cracking games to look forward to.//


Words: crackle
Meaning:
v [I]   [Date: 1500-1600; Origin: crack]//  to make repeated short sounds like something burning in a fire//  --logs crackling on the fire//  --An announcement crackled over the tannoy.//  -- crackle n  [C] //  -- crackly adj //


Words: crackling
Meaning:
n \n  1 [singular, U] the sound made by something when it crackles:  --There was silence except for the crackling of the fire.//\n  2 [U]  BrE the hard skin on a piece of pig meat when it has been cooked for a long time:\n  3  cracklings [plural]  AmE pieces of skin, usually from a pig or chicken, that have been cooked in hot oil and are eaten cold:


Words: crackpot
Meaning:
n [C]   [Date: 1800-1900; Origin: crack +  pot  ’head’]//  someone who is slightly crazy//  -- crackpot adj //  --crackpot schemes//


Words: cradle
Meaning:
n   [Language: Old English; Origin: cradol]//\n  1 [C] a small bed for a baby, especially one that moves gently from side to side:    cot//  --She rocked the cradle to quieten the child.//\n  2  the cradle of sth:   formal the place where something important began//  --Athens is often regarded as the cradle of democracy.//\n  3  from (the) cradle to (the) grave:  all through your life//  --From cradle to grave, the car marks every rite of American passage.//\n  4 [singular] the beginning of something:  --Like most Catholic children, he had heard stories of Ireland from the cradle .//\n  5 [C] a structure that is used to lift something heavy up or down:  --a window-cleaner’s cradle//\n  6 [C] the part of a telephone where you put the receiver when you are not using it:  --She replaced the receiver on the cradle.//    cat’s cradle,  rob the cradle at rob(5)//\ncradle 2 v [T] \n  1 to hold something gently, as if to protect it:  --John cradled the baby in his arms.//\n  2 to hold a telephone receiver by putting it between your ear and your shoulder:  --She hunched over the desk, telephone cradled at her neck.//


Words: cradle-robber
Meaning:
also cradle-snatcher  BrE n [C]   someone who has a romantic relationship with someone who is much younger - used to show disapproval//    sugar daddy, toy boy//  -- cradle-robcradle-snatch  BrE  v  [I] //


Words: craft
Meaning:
S3   n   [Language: Old English; Origin: cr[zB024]ft  ’strength, skill’]//\n  1 :  plural  crafts  [C] a job or activity in which you make things with your hands, and that you usually need skill to do//    handicraft//  --traditional rural crafts//  --arts and crafts//\n  2 :  plural  craft  [C] //  a) a small boat//  b) an aircraft or spacecraft//\n  3 [C]  formal a profession, especially one needing a special skill:  --The musician spends years perfecting his craft.//\n  4 [U] skill in deceiving people:  --Craft and cunning were necessary for the scheme to work.//    landing craft//\ncraft 2 v [T usually passive]   to make something using a special skill, especially with your hands//  --Each doll is crafted individually by specialists.//  --a hand-crafted silver cigar case//


