# dict

Words: conquest
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing., U] the act of taking control of a country, city, etc. by force:\nthe Norman Conquest (= of England in 1066)\n  2  [C] an area of land taken by force:\nthe Spanish conquests in South America\n  3  [C] (usually humorous) a person that sb has persuaded to love them or to have sex with them:\nI’m just one of his many conquests. * I think you’ve made a conquest.\n  4  [U] the act of gaining control over sth that is difficult or dangerous:\nthe conquest of inflation


Words: conscience
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the part of your mind that tells you whether your actions are right or wrong:\nto have a clear / guilty conscience (= to feel that you have done right / wrong) * This is a matter of individual conscience (= everyone must make their own judgement about it). * He won’t let it trouble his conscience.\nsee also SOCIAL CONSCIENCE\n  2  [U, C] a feeling of guilt about sth you have done or failed to do:\nShe was seized by a sudden pang of conscience. * I have a terrible conscience about it.\n  3  [U] the fact of behaving in a way that you feel is right even though this may cause problems:\nfreedom of conscience (= the freedom to do what you believe to be right) * Emilia is the voice of conscience in the play.\nsee also PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE\n IDIOMS \n  in (all / good) conscience (formal) believing your actions to be fair\nSYN HONESTLY:\nWe cannot in all conscience refuse to help.\n  on your conscience making you feel guilty for doing or failing to do sth:\nI’ll write and apologize. I’ve had it on my conscience for weeks. * It’s still on my conscience that I didn’t warn him in time.\nmore at PRICK v.


Words: conscientious
Meaning:
adjective\ntaking care to do things carefully and correctly:\na conscientious student / teacher * He was thorough and conscientious, rather than brilliant.\n    conscientiously adverb:\nShe performed all her duties conscientiously.\n    conscientiousness noun [U]


Words: conscientious objector
Meaning:
noun\na person who refuses to serve in the armed forces for moral reasons\ncompare DRAFT DODGER, PACIFIST


Words: conscious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ of (doing) sth | ~ that aware of sth; noticing sth:\nShe’s very conscious of the problems involved. * He became acutely conscious of having failed his parents. * I was vaguely conscious that I was being watched.\nOPP UNCONSCIOUS\nsee also SELF-CONSCIOUS\n  2  able to use your senses and mental powers to understand what is happening:\nA patient who is not fully conscious should never be left alone.\nOPP UNCONSCIOUS\n  3  (of actions, feelings, etc.) deliberate or controlled:\nto make a conscious decision * I made a conscious effort to get there on time. * a conscious act of cruelty\nOPP UNCONSCIOUS\ncompare SUBCONSCIOUS\n  4  being particularly interested in sth:\nenvironmentally-conscious * They have become increasingly health-conscious.\n    consciously adverb:\nWhether consciously or unconsciously, you made a choice.


Words: consciousness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the state of being able to use your senses and mental powers to understand what is happening:\nI can’t remember any more-I must have lost consciousness. * She did not regain consciousness and died the next day.\n  2  the state of being aware of sth:\nhis consciousness of the challenge facing him * surviving traces of class-consciousness (= consciousness of different classes in society)\n  3  the ideas and opinions of a person or group:\nher newly-developed political consciousness * issues affecting the popular consciousness of the time\nsee also STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS


Words: consciousness-raising
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of making people aware of important social and political issues:\na consciousness-raising campaign / group


Words: conscript
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb (into sth) (especially BrE) (AmE usually draft) to make sb join the armed forces\nSYN CALL UP:\nHe was conscripted into the army in 1939. * to be conscripted for military service\n    noun  (especially BrE) (AmE usually draftee) a person who has been conscripted to join the armed forces:\nyoung army conscripts * conscript soldiers / armies\ncompare VOLUNTEER


Words: conscription
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially BrE) (AmE usually the draft [sing.]) the practice of ordering people by law to serve in the armed forces\nSYN CALL-UP


Words: consecrate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to state officially in a religious ceremony that sth is holy and can be used for religious purposes:\nThe church was consecrated in 1853. * consecrated ground\n  2  [VN] (in Christian belief) to make bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ\n  3  ~ sb (as) (sth) to state officially in a religious ceremony that sb is now a priest, etc:\n[VN-N] He was consecrated (as) bishop last year. [also VN]\n  4  [VN] ~ sth/sb / yourself to sth (formal) to give sth/sb or yourself to a special purpose, especially a religious one:\nShe consecrated her life to God.\n    consecration  noun [C, U]:\nthe consecration of a church / bishop


Words: consecutive
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] following one after another in a series, without interruption:\nShe was absent for nine consecutive days. * He is beginning his fourth consecutive term of office. * After six consecutive defeats, the team was almost ready to give up.\n    consecutively adverb:\nThe plays will be performed consecutively and will last eight hours.


Words: consensual
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  which people in general agree with:\na consensual approach\n  2  (of an activity) which the people taking part have agreed to:\nconsensual sex


Words: consensus
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] ~ (among sb) | ~ (about sth) | ~ (that ...) an opinion that all members of a group agree with:\nThere is a general consensus among teachers about the need for greater security in schools. * There seems to be a consensus that the plan should be rejected. * There is a growing consensus of opinion on this issue. * an attempt to reach a consensus * She is skilled at achieving consensus on sensitive issues. * There now exists a broad political consensus in favour of economic reform. * consensus politics (= which people in general agree with)


Words: consent
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] ~ (to sth) permission to do sth, especially given by sb in authority:\nChildren under 16 cannot give consent to medical treatment. * The written consent of a parent is required. * to refuse / withhold your consent * He is charged with taking a car without the owner’s consent.\nsee also AGE OF CONSENT\n  2  [U] agreement about sth:\nShe was chosen as leader by common consent (= everyone agreed to the choice). * By mutual consent they didn’t go out (= they both agreed not to).\n  3  [C] an official document giving permission for sth\n    verb ~ (to sth) (rather formal) to agree to sth or give your permission for sth:\n[V] When she told them what she intended they readily consented. * He reluctantly consented to his daughter’s marriage. * [V to inf] She finally consented to answer our questions.


Words: consenting adult
Meaning:
noun\na person who is considered old enough, by law, to decide whether they should agree to have sex; a person who has agreed to have sex:\nWhat consenting adults do in private is their own business.


Words: consequence
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, often pl.] ~ (for sb/sth) a result of sth that has happened:\nThis decision could have serious consequences for the future of the industry. * Two hundred people lost their jobs as a direct consequence of the merger. * He drove too fast with tragic consequences. * to suffer / face / take the consequences of your actions * Have you considered the possible consequences?\n  2  [U] (formal) importance:\nDon’t worry. It’s of no consequence. * people of some consequence in the art world\n IDIOMS \n  in consequence (of sth) (formal) as a result of sth:\nThe child was born deformed in consequence of an injury to its mother. * It had been a humiliating day for Flora and she bore the director a grudge in consequence.


Words: consequent
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (on / upon sth) (formal) happening as a result of sth:\nthe lowering of taxes and the consequent increase in spending * the responsibilities consequent upon the arrival of a new child


Words: consequential
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  happening as a result or an effect of sth:\nretirement and the consequential reduction in income\n  2  important; that will have important results:\nThe report discusses a number of consequential matters that are yet to be decided.\nOPP INCONSEQUENTIAL\n    consequentially  adverb


Words: consequently
Meaning:
adverb\n(written) as a result; therefore:\nThis poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health. * She failed her exams and was consequently unable to start her studies at college.


Words: conservancy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (Conservancy) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] a group of officials who control the use of a port, a river, an area of land, etc:\nthe Thames Conservancy * Texas Nature Conservancy\n  2  [U] (formal) the protection of the natural environment\nSYN CONSERVATION:\nnature conservancy


Words: conservation
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the protection of the natural environment:\nto be interested in wildlife conservation * Road development in the area has been severely affected by the conservation programmes of the council.\n  2  the act of preventing sth from being lost, wasted, damaged or destroyed:\nto encourage the conservation of water / fuel * energy conservation\nsee also CONSERVE


Words: conservation area
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) an area where the natural environment or the buildings are protected by law from being damaged or changed


Words: conservationist
Meaning:
noun\na person who takes an active part in the protection of the environment:\na meeting of local conservationists


Words: conservatism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the tendency to resist great or sudden change:\nthe innate conservatism of older people\n  2  (also Conservatism) the political belief that society should change as little as possible:\nan examination of the political theories of conservatism and liberalism\n  3  (usually Conservatism) the principles of the Conservative Party in British politics


Words: conservative
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  opposed to great or sudden social change; showing that you prefer traditional styles and values:\nthe conservative views of his parents * music which is accessible to an audience with extremely conservative tastes * Her style of dress was never conservative.\n  2  (usually Conservative) connected with the British Conservative Party:\nConservative members / supporters\n  3  (of an estimate) lower than what is probably the real amount or number:\nAt a conservative estimate, he’ll be earning ｣50 000.\n    conservatively adverb \n    noun\n  1  (usually Conservative) (abbreviation Con) a member or supporter of the British Conservative Party\n  2  a conservative person


Words: conservatory
Meaning:
noun (plural conservatories)\n  1  (BrE) a room with glass walls and a glass roof that is built on the side of a house. Conservatories are used for sitting in to enjoy the sun, and to protect plants from cold weather.\n  2  (AmE) = CONSERVATOIRE


Words: conserve
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] \n  1  to use as little of sth as possible so that it lasts a long time:\nHelp to conserve energy by insulating your home.\n  2  to protect sth and prevent it from being changed or destroyed:\nnew laws to conserve wildlife in the area\nsee also CONSERVATION\ncompare PRESERVE\n    noun  [C, U] jam containing large or whole pieces of fruit:\na strawberry conserve


Words: consider
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to think about sth carefully, especially in order to make a decision:\n[VN] She considered her options. * Let us consider the facts. * He was considering an appeal. * a carefully considered response / decision * The company is being actively considered as a potential partner (= it is thought possible that it could become one). * [V -ing] We’re considering buying a new car. * You wouldn’t consider marrying a man for his money, then? * [V wh-] We need to consider how the law might be reformed. * He was considering what to do next. * [V] I’d like some time to consider.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (as) sth to think of sb/sth in a particular way:\n[VN-N] This award is considered (to be) a great honour. * He considers himself an expert on the subject. * These workers are considered (as) a high-risk group. * [VN-ADJ] Who do you consider (to be) responsible for the accident? * Consider yourself lucky you weren’t fired. * [V (that)] She considers that it is too early to form a definite conclusion. * The Home Secretary will release prisoners only if he considers it is safe to do so. * [VN to inf] He’s generally considered to have the finest tenor voice in the country. [also VN that]\n  3  [VN] to think about sth, especially the feelings of other people, and be influenced by it when making a decision, etc:\nYou should consider other people before you act.\n  4  [VN] (formal) to look carefully at sb/sth:\nHe stood there, considering the painting.\n IDIOMS \n  your considered opinion your opinion that is the result of careful thought


Words: considerable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) great in amount, size, importance, etc:\nThe project wasted a considerable amount of time and money. * Damage to the building was considerable. * Considerable progress has been made in finding a cure for the disease.


Words: considerably
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) much; a lot:\nThe need for sleep varies considerably from person to person. * Interest rates on bank loans have increased considerably in recent years.


Words: considerate
Meaning:
adjective\nalways thinking of other people’s wishes and feelings; careful not to hurt or upset others \nSYN THOUGHTFUL:\nShe is always polite and considerate towards her employees. * It was very considerate of him to wait.\nOPP INCONSIDERATE\n    considerately adverb:\nShe drives carefully and considerately.


Words: consideration
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] (formal) the act of thinking carefully about sth:\nCareful consideration should be given to issues of health and safety. * The proposals are currently under consideration (= being discussed). * After a few moments’ consideration, he began to speak. * a consideration of the legal issues involved\n  2  [C] something that must be thought about when you are planning or deciding sth:\neconomic / commercial / environmental / practical considerations * Time is another important consideration.\n  3  [U] ~ (for sb/sth) the quality of being sensitive towards others and thinking about their wishes and feelings:\nThey showed no consideration whatsoever for my feelings. * Journalists stayed away from the funeral out of consideration for the bereaved family. * Their kindness and consideration will not be forgotten.\n  4  [C] (formal) a reward or payment for a service\n IDIOMS \n  in consideration of sth (formal) as payment for sth:\na small sum in consideration of your services\n  take sth into consideration to think about and include a particular thing or fact when you are forming an opinion or making a decision:\nThe candidates’ experience and qualifications will be taken into consideration when the decision is made. * Taking everything into consideration, the event was a great success.\nmore at MATURE adj.


Words: considering
Meaning:
preposition, conjunction\nused to show that you are thinking about a particular fact, and are influenced by it, when you make a statement about sth:\nShe’s very active, considering her age. * Considering he’s only just started, he knows quite a lot about it. * You’ve done very well, considering (= in the difficult circumstances).


Words: consign
Meaning:
verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  ~ sb/sth to sth to put sb/sth somewhere in order to get rid of them:\nI consigned her letter to the waste basket. * What I didn’t want was to see my mother consigned to an old people’s home.\n  2  ~ sb/sth to sth to put sb/sth in an unpleasant situation:\nThe decision to close the factory has consigned 6 000 people to the scrap heap. * A car accident consigned him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.\n  3  to give or send sth to sb


Words: consignment
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a quantity of goods that are sent or delivered somewhere:\na consignment of medicines * a consignment note (= a document listing goods that have been sent)\n  2  [U] the act of sending or delivering sb/sth


Words: consignment store
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a shop/store where people take their old clothes, etc. to be sold to sb else. The consignment store keeps part of the money after an item is sold and gives the other part to the person who brought it in.


Words: consist
Meaning:
verb\n(not used in the progressive tenses)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  consist in sth (formal) to have sth as the main or only part or feature:\nThe beauty of the city consists in its magnificent buildings. * [+ -ing] True education does not consist in simply being taught facts.\n  consist of sth to be formed from the things or people mentioned:\nThe committee consists of ten members. * Their diet consisted largely of vegetables. * [+ -ing] Most of the fieldwork consisted of making tape recordings. -> COMPRISE


Words: consistency
Meaning:
noun (plural consistencies)\n  1  [U] (approving) the quality of always behaving in the same way or of having the same opinions, standard, etc.; the quality of being consistent:\nShe has played with great consistency all season. * We need to ensure the consistency of service to our customers.\nOPP INCONSISTENCY\n  2  [C, U] the consistency of a mixture or a liquid substance is how thick, smooth, etc. it is:\nBeat the ingredients together to a creamy consistency. * The cement should have the consistency of wet sand.


Words: consistent
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (approving) always behaving in the same way, or having the same opinions, standards, etc:\nShe’s not very consistent in the way she treats her children. * He has been Milan’s most consistent player this season. * We must be consistent in applying the rules. * a consistent approach to the problem * We need results that are consistent (= of the same standard) throughout the year.\n  2  happening in the same way and continuing for a period of time:\nthe party’s consistent failure to come up with any new policies * a pattern of consistent growth in the economy\n  3  ~ with sth in agreement with sth; not CONTRADICTING sth:\nThe results are entirely consistent with our earlier research. * injuries consistent with a fall from an upper storey (= similar to those such a fall would have caused)\n  4  (of an argument or a set of ideas) having different parts that all agree with each other:\na well-thought-out and consistent argument\nOPP INCONSISTENT\n    consistently adverb:\nHer work has been of a consistently high standard. * We have argued consistently for a change in the law.


Words: consolation
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a person or thing that makes you feel better when you are unhappy or disappointed \nSYN COMFORT:\na few words of consolation * If it’s any consolation, she didn’t get the job, either. * The children were a great consolation to him when his wife died. * At least you weren’t hurt-that’s one consolation.


Words: console
Meaning:
verb\n~ sb / yourself (with sth) to give comfort or sympathy to sb who is unhappy or disappointed:\n[VN] Nothing could console him when his wife died. * She put a consoling arm around his shoulders. * Console yourself with the thought that you did your best. * [VN that] I didn’t like lying but I consoled myself that it was for a good cause. * [VN speech] ’Never mind,’ Anne consoled her.\n\n noun\na flat surface which contains all the controls and switches for a machine, a piece of electronic equipment, etc.


Words: consolidate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to make a position of power or success stronger so that it is more likely to continue:\n[VN] With this new movie he has consolidated his position as the country’s leading director. * Italy consolidated their lead with a second goal. [also V]\n  2  (technical) to join things together into one; to be joined into one:\n[VN] All the debts have been consolidated. * consolidated accounts * [V] The two companies consolidated for greater efficiency.\n    consolidation  noun [U]:\nthe consolidation of power / authority / democracy * the consolidation of Japan’s banking industry


Words: consonance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (with sth) (formal) agreement:\na policy that is popular because of its consonance with traditional party doctrine\n  2  [U, C] (music) a combination of musical notes that sound pleasing together\nOPP DISSONANCE


Words: consonant
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (phonetics)\n  1  a speech sound made by completely or partly stopping the flow of air being breathed out through the mouth\n  2  a letter of the alphabet that represents a consonant sound, for example ’b’, ’c’, ’d’, ’f’, etc.\ncompare VOWEL\n    adjective ~ with sth (formal) agreeing with or being the same as sth else


Words: consort
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  the husband or wife of a ruler:\nthe prince consort (= the queen’s husband)\n  2  a group of old-fashioned musical instruments, or a group of musicians who play music from several centuries ago:\na solo accompanied by a consort of four viols\n    verb  [V] ~ with sb (formal) to spend time with sb that other people do not approve of:\nHe is known to have consorted with prostitutes.


Words: consortium
Meaning:
noun\n(plural consortiums or consortia ) a group of people, countries, companies, etc. who are working together on a particular project:\nthe Anglo-French consortium that built the Channel Tunnel * Our company forms part of a consortium of local businesses working for environmental change.


Words: conspicuous
Meaning:
adjective\neasy to see or notice; likely to attract attention:\nMary’s red hair always made her conspicuous at school. * I felt very conspicuous in my new car. * The advertisements were all posted in a conspicuous place. * The event was a conspicuous success (= a very great one). * Bay windows are a conspicuous feature of his architecture.\nOPP INCONSPICUOUS\n    conspicuously adverb:\nWomen were conspicuously absent from the planning committee.\n    conspicuousness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  conspicuous by your absence not present in a situation or place, when it is obvious that you should be there:\nWhen it came to cleaning up afterwards, Anne was conspicuous by her absence.


Words: conspiracy
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural conspiracies) ~ (to do sth) | ~ (against sb/sth) a secret plan by a group of people to do sth harmful or illegal:\na conspiracy to overthrow the government * conspiracies against the president * a conspiracy of silence (= an agreement not to talk publicly about sth which should not remain secret) * They were charged with conspiracy to murder. * a conspiracy theory (= the belief that a secret conspiracy is responsible for a particular event)


Words: conspiratorial
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with, or like, a conspiracy\n  2  (of a person’s behaviour) suggesting that a secret is being shared:\n’I know you understand,’ he said and gave a conspiratorial wink.


Words: conspire
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] ~ (with sb) (against sb) | ~ (together) to secretly plan with other people to do sth illegal or harmful:\nThey were accused of conspiring against the king. * They deny conspiring together to smuggle drugs. * She admitted conspiring with her lover to murder her husband.\n  2  ~ against sb/sth | ~ to do sth (written) (of events) to seem to work together to make sth bad happen:\n[V] Circumstances had conspired against them. * [V to inf] Everything conspired to make her life a misery.


Words: constable
Meaning:
noun\n(used especially when talking to a police officer of the lowest rank) = POLICE CONSTABLE:\nHave you finished your report, Constable?\nsee also CHIEF CONSTABLE


Words: constabulary
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] (plural constabularies) (in Britain) the police force of a particular area or town


Words: constancy
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  the quality of staying the same and not changing:\nthe constancy of temperature inside the plane\n  2  (approving) the quality of being faithful \nSYN FIDELITY:\nHe admired her courage and constancy.


Words: constant
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] happening all the time or repeatedly:\nconstant interruptions * a constant stream of visitors all day * Babies need constant attention. * This entrance is in constant use.\n  2  that does not change \nSYN FIXED:\ntravelling at a constant speed of 50 m.p.h. * Ross was his most constant and loyal friend.\n    noun (mathematics, physics) a number or quantity that does not vary\nOPP VARIABLE


Words: constantly
Meaning:
adverb\nall the time; repeatedly:\nFashion is constantly changing. * Heat the sauce, stirring constantly. * We are constantly on the lookout for new ideas.


Words: constellation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a group of stars that forms a shape in the sky and has a name:\nThe Little Bear constellation is still used by navigators at sea.\n  2  (written) a group of related ideas, things or people:\na constellation of Hollywood talent


Words: consternation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a feeling of great surprise, shock or anxiety \nSYN DISMAY:\nThe announcement of her retirement caused consternation among tennis fans. * Her mouth fell open in consternation.


Words: constipated
Meaning:
adjective\nunable to get rid of waste material from the bowels easily:\nYou should eat more fibre and fruit if you are constipated.


Words: constipation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the condition of being unable to get rid of waste material from the bowels easily (= being constipated)


Words: constituency
Meaning:
(plural constituencies) noun\n  1  [C] (in Britain) a district that elects its own representative to parliament:\nUnemployment is high in her constituency. * He owns a house in his Darlington constituency.\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] (in Britain) the people who live in and vote in a particular district:\nconstituency opinion\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a particular group of people in society who are likely to support sb politically:\nthe Labour party’s traditional constituency among trade unions * There is a strong constituency of support for his proposal.


Words: constituent
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a person who lives, and can vote in a constituency:\nShe has the full support of her constituents.\n  2  one of the parts of sth that combine to form the whole:\nSilicon and oxygen are the fundamental constituents of rocks in the earth’s crust.\n    adjective [only before noun] (formal) forming or helping to make a whole:\nto break something up into its constituent parts / elements * the country’s constituent republics


Words: constituent assembly
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] a group of elected representatives with the power to make or change a country’s CONSTITUTION


Words: constitute
Meaning:
verb (written)\n  1  linking verb [V-N] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be considered to be sth:\nDoes such an activity constitute a criminal offence? * The increase in racial tension constitutes a threat to our society. * His action was interpreted as constituting a threat to the community.\n  2  linking verb [V-N] (not used in the progressive tenses) to be the parts that together form sth\nSYN MAKE UP:\nFemale workers constitute the majority of the labour force. -> COMPRISE\n  3  [VN] [usually passive] to form a group legally or officially:\nThe committee was constituted in 1974 by an Act of Parliament.


Words: constitution
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] the system of laws and basic principles that a state, a country or an organization is governed by:\nyour right to vote under the constitution * According to the constitution ... * to propose a new amendment to the Constitution (= of the US) * the South African Constitution * A two-thirds majority is needed to amend the club’s constitution.\n  2  [C] the condition of a person’s body and how healthy it is:\nto have a healthy / strong / weak constitution\n  3  [U, C] (formal) the way sth is formed or organized \nSYN STRUCTURE:\nthe genetic constitution of cells\n  4  [U] (formal) the act of forming sth:\nHe recommended the constitution of a review committee.


Words: constitutional
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] connected with the constitution of a country or an organization:\nconstitutional government / reform * a constitutional amendment\n  2  allowed or limited by the constitution of a country or an organization:\nThey can’t pass this law. It’s not constitutional. * constitutional rights * a constitutional monarchy (= a country with a king or queen, whose power is controlled by a set of laws and basic principles)\nOPP UNCONSTITUTIONAL\n  3  [usually before noun] related to the body’s ability to stay healthy, be strong and fight illness:\nconstitutional remedies / treatment\n    constitutionally  adverb:\nconstitutionally guaranteed rights * He was much weakened constitutionally by the disease.\n    noun (old-fashioned or humorous) a short walk that people take because it is good for their health


Words: constitutionality
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the fact that sth is acceptable according to a CONSTITUTION:\nThey questioned the constitutionality of the law.


Words: constrain
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  [VN to inf] [usually passive] to force sb to do sth or behave in a particular way:\nThe evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it. * The company said that it was constrained to raise prices.\n  2  [VN] [often passive] ~ sb (from doing sth) to restrict or limit sb/sth:\nResearch has been constrained by a lack of funds. * She felt constrained from continuing by the threat of losing her job. * Men and women are becoming less constrained by stereotyped roles.


Words: constrained
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) not natural; forced or too controlled:\nconstrained emotions * He seemed to be behaving in a strange and constrained manner.


Words: constraint
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (on sth) a thing that limits or restricts sth, or your freedom to do sth \nSYN RESTRICTION:\nconstraints of time / money / space * financial / economic / legal / political constraints * This decision will impose serious constraints on all schools. * Magistrates are under a constraint not to send young people to prison.\n  2  [U] strict control over the way that you behave or are allowed to behave:\nAt last we could relax and talk without constraint.


Words: constrict
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to become tighter or narrower; to make sth tighter or narrower:\n[V] Her throat constricted and she swallowed hard. * [VN] a drug that constricts the blood vessels.\n  2  [VN] to limit or restrict what sb is able to do:\nFilm-makers of the time were constricted by the censors. * constricting rules and regulations\n    constricted adjective:\nHer throat felt dry and constricted. * a constricted vision of the world\n    constriction  noun [U, C]:\na feeling of constriction in the throat / chest * political constrictions


Words: construct
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] \n  1  [often passive] ~ sth (from / out of / of sth) to build or make sth such as a road, building or machine:\nWhen was the bridge constructed? * They constructed a shelter out of fallen branches.\n  2  to form sth by putting different things together:\nYou must learn how to construct a logical argument. * to construct a theory / diagram / plan * a well-constructed novel\n  3  (geometry) to draw a line or shape according to the rules of mathematics:\nto construct a triangle\n    noun  (formal)\n  1  an idea or a belief that is based on various pieces of evidence which are not always true:\na contrast between lived reality and the construct held in the mind\n  2  (linguistics) a group of words that form a phrase\n  3  a thing that is built or made


Words: construction
Meaning:
noun\n  of roads / buildings\n  1  [U] the process or method of building or making sth, especially roads, buildings, bridges, etc:\nthe construction industry * road construction * Work has been begun on the construction of the new airport. * Our new offices are still under construction (= being built). * the construction of a new database\n  2  [U] the way that sth has been built or made:\nlight / strong / weak in construction * ships of steel construction\n  building / structure\n  3  [C] (formal) a thing that has been built or made:\nThe summer house was a simple wooden construction.\n  grammar\n  4  [C] the way in which words are used together and arranged to form a sentence, phrase, etc:\ngrammatical constructions\n  of theory, etc.\n  5  [U, C] the creating of sth from ideas, opinions and knowledge:\nthe construction of a new theory\n  meaning\n  6  [C] (formal) the way in which words, actions, statements, etc. are understood by sb \nSYN INTERPRETATION:\nWhat construction do you put on this letter (= what do you think it means)?


Words: constructive
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving a useful and helpful effect rather than being negative or with no purpose:\nconstructive criticism / suggestions / advice * His work involved helping hyperactive children to use their energy in a constructive way. * The government is encouraging all parties to play a constructive role in the reform process.\ncompare DESTRUCTIVE\n    constructively adverb:\nUse your time constructively.


Words: construe
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (as sth) (formal) to understand the meaning of a word, a sentence, or an action in a particular way:\nHe considered how the remark was to be construed. * Her words could hardly be construed as an apology.


Words: consul
Meaning:
noun\na government official who is the representative of his or her country in a foreign city:\nthe British consul in Miami\n    consular  adjective:\nconsular officials


Words: consult
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb (about sth) to go to sb for information or advice:\n[VN] If the pain continues, consult your doctor. * Have you consulted your lawyer about this? * [V] a consulting engineer (= one who has expert knowledge and gives advice)\n  2  ~ (with) sb (about / on sth) to discuss sth with sb to get their permission for sth, or to help you make a decision:\n[VN] You shouldn’t have done it without consulting me. * I expect to be consulted about major issues. * [V] I need to consult with my colleagues on the proposals.\n  3  [VN] to look in or at sth to get information\nSYN REFER TO:\nHe consulted the manual.


Words: consultancy
Meaning:
noun (plural consultancies)\n  1  [C] a company that gives expert advice on a particular subject to other companies, people or organizations:\na management / design / computer consultancy\n  2  [U] expert advice that a company or person is paid to provide on a particular subject:\nconsultancy fees


Words: consultant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (on sth) a person who knows a lot about a particular subject and is employed to give advice about it to other people:\na firm of management consultants * the President’s consultant on economic affairs\n  2  (BrE) a hospital doctor of the highest rank who is a specialist in a particular area of medicine:\na consultant in obstetrics * a consultant surgeon\ncompare REGISTRAR


Words: consultation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act of discussing sth with sb or with a group of people before making a decision about it:\na consultation document / paper / period / process * acting in consultation with all the departments involved * The decision was taken after close consultation with local residents.\n  2  [C] a formal meeting to discuss sth:\nextensive consultations between the two countries\n  3  [C] a meeting with an expert, especially a doctor, to get advice or treatment:\nA 30-minute consultation will cost ｣50.\n  4  the act of looking for information in a book, etc:\nThere is a large collection of texts available for consultation on-screen.


Words: consultative
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving advice or making suggestions \nSYN ADVISORY:\na consultative committee / body / document


Words: consume
Meaning:
verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to use sth, especially fuel, energy or time:\nThe electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. * 25 per cent of the world’s population consumes 80 per cent of the planet’s resources.\n  2  to eat or drink sth:\nBefore he died he had consumed a large quantity of alcohol. * a half-consumed loaf of bread\n  3  ~ sb (with sth) [usually passive] to fill sb with a strong feeling:\nCarolyn was consumed with guilt. * Rage consumed him.\n  4  (of fire) to completely destroy sth:\nThe hotel was quickly consumed by fire.\nsee also CONSUMING, CONSUMPTION, TIME-CONSUMING


Words: consumer
Meaning:
noun\na person who buys goods or uses services:\nconsumer demand / choice / rights * Health-conscious consumers want more information about the food they buy. * a consumer society (= one where buying and selling is considered to be very important) * providers and consumers of public services * Tax cuts will boost consumer confidence after the recession.\ncompare PRODUCER


Words: consumer durables
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE durable goods) noun\n[pl.] (business) goods which are expected to last for a long time after they have been bought, such as cars, televisions, etc.


Words: consumer goods
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] goods such as food, clothing, etc. bought by individual customers\ncompare CAPITAL GOODS


Words: consumer price index
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (abbreviation CPI) (in the US) a list of the prices of some ordinary goods and services which shows how much these prices change each month\nsee also RETAIL PRICE INDEX


Words: consumerism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (sometimes disapproving) the buying and using of goods and services; the belief that it is good for a society or an individual person to buy and use a large quantity of goods and services:\ngreen consumerism the (= the buying of products that are not harmful to the environment)\n    consumerist adjective:\nconsumerist values


Words: consuming
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a feeling, an interest, etc.) so strong or important that it takes up all your time and energy:\nBasketball is his consuming passion.\nsee also TIME-CONSUMING


Words: consummate
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) extremely skilled; perfect:\nShe was a consummate performer. * He played the shot with consummate skill. * (disapproving) a consummate liar\n    consummately adverb\n\n verb [VN] (formal)\n  1  to make a marriage or a relationship complete by having sex:\nThe marriage lasted only a week and was never consummated.\n  2  to make sth complete or perfect


Words: consummation
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the act of making a marriage or relationship complete by having sex\n  2  the fact of making sth complete or perfect:\nThe paintings are the consummation of his life’s work.


Words: consumption
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the act of using energy, food or materials; the amount used:\nthe production of fuel for domestic consumption (= to be used in the country where it is produced) * Gas and oil consumption always increases in cold weather. * The meat was declared unfit for human consumption. * He was advised to reduce his alcohol consumption. * Her speech to party members was not intended for public consumption (= to be heard by the public).\nsee also CONSUME\n  2  the act of buying and using products:\nConsumption rather than saving has become the central feature of contemporary societies.\nsee also CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION, CONSUME\n  3  (old-fashioned) a serious infectious disease of the lungs\nSYN TUBERCULOSIS


Words: consumptive
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned) a person who suffers from consumption (= a disease of the lungs)\n    consumptive adjective


Words: contact
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  act of communicating\n  1  [U] ~ (with sb) | ~ (between A and B) the act of communicating with sb, especially regularly:\nI don’t have much contact with my uncle. * There is little contact between the two organizations. * Have you kept in contact with any of your friends from college (= do you still see them or speak or write to them)? * She’s lost contact with (= no longer sees or writes to) her son. * I finally made contact with (= succeeded in speaking to or meeting) her in Paris. * The organization put me in contact with other people in a similar position (= gave me their addresses or telephone numbers). * two people avoiding eye contact (= avoiding looking directly at each other) * Here’s my contact number (= temporary telephone number) while I’m away.\n  touching sb / sth\n  2  [U] the state of touching sth:\nHis fingers were briefly in contact with the ball. * This substance should not come into contact with food. * a fear of physical contact * She blushed at the sudden contact of his hand against her arm. * This pesticide kills insects on contact (= as soon as it touches them). * This chemical is liable to explode on contact with water.\n  meeting sb / sth\n  3  [U] the state of meeting sb or having to deal with sth:\nIn her job she often comes into contact with (= meets) lawyers. * Children should be brought into contact with poetry at an early age.\n  relationship\n  4  [C, usually pl.] an occasion on which you meet or communicate with sb; a relationship with sb:\nWe have good contacts with the local community. * The company has maintained trade contacts with India.\n  person\n  5  [C] a person that you know, especially sb who can be helpful to you in your work:\nsocial / personal contacts * I’ve made some useful contacts in journalism. * She has several contacts in New York.\n  electrical\n  6  [C] an electrical connection:\nThe switches close the contacts and complete the circuit.\n  for eyes\n  7  (contacts) [pl.] (informal) = CONTACT LENSES\n  medical\n  8  [C] a person who may be infectious because he or she has recently been near to sb with a CONTAGIOUS disease\n IDIOMS  see POINT n.\n    verb [VN] to communicate with sb, for example by telephone or letter:\nI’ve been trying to contact you all day. * Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact the police.


Words: contact lens
Meaning:
(also informal contact, lens) noun\na small round piece of thin plastic that you put on your eye to help you see better


Words: contagion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the spreading of a disease by people touching each other:\nThere is no risk of contagion.\n  2  [C] (old use) a disease that can be spread by people touching each other.\n  3  [C] (formal) something bad that spreads quickly by being passed from person to person:\nthe contagion of political extremism\ncompare INFECTION


Words: contagious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  a contagious disease spreads by people touching each other:\nScarlet fever is highly contagious. * (figurative) His enthusiasm was contagious (= spread quickly to other people). * a contagious laugh\n  2  [not usually before noun] if a person is contagious, they have a disease that can be spread to other people by touch\ncompare INFECTIOUS\n    contagiously adverb


Words: contain
Meaning:
verb [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  if sth contains sth else, it has that thing inside it or as part of it:\nThis drink doesn’t contain any alcohol. * Her statement contained one or two inaccuracies. * a brown envelope containing a hundred dollar bills * The bottle contains (= can hold) two litres.\n  2  (written) to keep your feelings under control:\nShe was unable to contain her excitement. * I was so furious I just couldn’t contain myself (= I had to express my feelings).\n  3  (written) to prevent sth harmful from spreading or getting worse:\nto contain an epidemic * Government forces have failed to contain the rebellion.


Words: container
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a box, bottle, etc. in which sth can be stored or transported:\nFood will last longer if kept in an airtight container.\n \n  2  a large metal or wooden box of a standard size in which goods are packed so that they can easily be lifted onto a ship, train, etc. to be transported:\na container ship (= one designed to transport such containers)


Words: containment
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  the act of keeping sth under control so that it cannot spread in a harmful way:\nthe containment of the epidemic / rebellion\n  2  the act of keeping another country’s power within limits so that it does not become too powerful:\na policy of containment


Words: contaminant
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a substance that makes sth IMPURE:\nFilters do not remove all contaminants from water.


Words: contaminate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (with sth) to make a substance or place dirty or no longer pure by adding a substance that is dangerous or carries disease:\nThe drinking water has become contaminated with lead. * contaminated blood / food / soil * a river contaminated by radioactivity / pollution\n  2  (formal) to influence people’s ideas or attitudes in a bad way:\nThey were accused of contaminating the minds of our young people.\nsee also UNCONTAMINATED\n    contamination  noun [U]:\nradioactive contamination


Words: contemplate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to think about whether you should do sth, or how you should do sth\nSYN CONSIDER, THINK ABOUT / OF:\n[VN] You’re too young to be contemplating retirement. * [V -ing] I have never contemplated living abroad. [also V wh-, VN -ing]\n  2  to think carefully about and accept the possibility of sth happening:\n[VN] The thought of war is too awful to contemplate. * [V wh-] I can’t contemplate what it would be like to be alone. [also V that]\n  3  (formal) to think deeply about sth for a long time:\n[VN] to contemplate your future * [V] She lay in bed, contemplating.\n  4  [VN] (formal) to look at sth in a careful way for a long time:\nShe contemplated him in silence. * He sat there, contemplating his fingernails.


Words: contemplation
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  the act of thinking deeply about sth:\nHe sat there deep in contemplation. * a few moments of quiet contemplation * a life of prayer and contemplation\n  2  the act of looking at sth in a calm and careful way:\nShe turned from her contemplation of the photograph.\n IDIOMS \n  in contemplation (formal) being considered:\nBy 1613 even more desperate measures were in contemplation.


Words: contemplative
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (formal)\n  1  thinking quietly and seriously about sth:\nShe was in contemplative mood. * He gave her a contemplative look.\n  2  spending time thinking deeply about religious matters:\nthe contemplative life (= life in a religious community)\n    noun (formal) a person who spends their life thinking deeply about religious matters


Words: contemporaneous
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (with sb/sth) (formal) happening or existing at the same time:\nHow do we know that the signature is contemporaneous with the document? * contemporaneous events / accounts\n    contemporaneously adverb


Words: contemporary
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  ~ (with sb/sth) belonging to the same time:\nWe have no contemporary account of the battle (= written near the time that it happened). * He was contemporary with the dramatist Congreve.\n  2  belonging to the present time \nSYN MODERN:\nlife in contemporary Britain * contemporary fiction / music / dance\n    noun (plural contemporaries) a person who lives or lived at the same time as sb else, especially sb who is about the same age:\nShe and I were contemporaries at college. * He was a contemporary of Freud and may have known him. * Give or take a few years, they are contemporaries.


Words: contempt
Meaning:
noun [U, sing.]\n  1  ~ (for sb/sth) the feeling that sb/sth is without value and deserves no respect at all:\nShe looked at him with contempt. * I shall treat that suggestion with the contempt it deserves. * His treatment of his children is beneath contempt (= so unacceptable that it is not even worth feeling contempt for). * Politicians seem to be generally held in contempt by the police. * They had shown a contempt for the values she thought important.\n  2  ~ for sth a lack of worry or fear about rules, danger, etc:\nThe firefighters showed a contempt for their own safety. * His remarks betray a staggering contempt for the truth (= are completely false).\n  3  = CONTEMPT OF COURT:\nHe could be jailed for two years for contempt. * She was held in contempt for refusing to testify.\n IDIOMS  see FAMILIARITY


Words: contempt of court
Meaning:
(also contempt) noun\n[U] the crime of refusing to obey an order made by a court of law; not showing respect for a court or judge:\nAny person who disregards this order will be in contempt of court. * to be guilty of contempt of court


Words: contemptuous
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (of sb/sth) feeling or showing that you have no respect for sb/sth:\nShe gave him a contemptuous look. * You’re contemptuous of everything I do. * The company has shown a contemptuous disregard for Henry’s complaints.\n    contemptuously adverb:\nto laugh contemptuously


Words: contend
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  to say that sth is true, especially in an argument:\n[V that] I would contend that the minister’s thinking is flawed on this point. [also VN that]\n  2  [V] ~ (for sth) to compete against sb in order to gain sth:\nThree armed groups were contending for power.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  contend with sth to have to deal with a problem or difficult situation:\nNurses often have to contend with violent or drunken patients.


Words: contender
Meaning:
noun\na person who takes part in a competition or tries to win sth:\nPeter is a contender for a gold medal in the Olympics. * a leading / serious / strong contender for the party leadership


Words: content
Meaning:
noun-see also CONTENT\n  1  (contents) [pl.] the things that are contained in sth:\nHe tipped the contents of the bag onto the table. * Fire has caused severe damage to the contents of the building. * She hadn’t read the letter and so was unaware of its contents.\n  2  (contents) [pl.] the different sections that are contained in a book:\na table of contents (= the list at the front of a book) * a contents page\n  3  [sing.] the subject matter of a book, speech, programme, etc:\nYour tone of voice is as important as the content of what you have to say. * The content of the course depends on what the students would like to study. * Her poetry has a good deal of political content.\n  4  [sing.] (following a noun) the amount of a substance that is contained in sth else:\nfood with a high fat content * the alcohol content of a drink\n\n adjective, verb, noun-see also CONTENT\n    adjective [not before noun]\n  1  ~ (with sth) happy and satisfied with what you have:\nNot content with stealing my boyfriend (= not thinking that this was enough), she has turned all my friends against me. * He seemed more content, less bitter. * He had to be content with third place.\n  2  ~ to do sth willing to do sth:\nI was content to wait.\ncompare CONTENTED\n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ yourself with sth to accept and be satisfied with sth and not try to have or do sth better:\nMartina contented herself with a single glass of wine. * The crowd contented themselves with shouting insults.\n  2  (formal) to make sb feel happy or satisfied:\nMy apology seemed to content him. * Nothing would content her.\n    noun = CONTENTMENT\n IDIOMS  see HEART


Words: contented
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] showing or feeling happiness or satisfaction, especially because your life is good:\na contented smile * He was a contented man.\ncompare CONTENT adj.\nOPP DISCONTENTED\n    contentedly adverb:\nShe smiled contentedly.


Words: contention
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (formal) angry disagreement between people:\nOne area of contention is the availability of nursery care. * a point of contention\n  2  [C] ~ (that ...) (formal) a belief or an opinion that you express, especially in an argument:\nIt is our client’s contention that the fire was an accident. * I would reject that contention.\n IDIOMS \n  in contention (for sth) with a chance of winning sth:\nOnly three teams are now in contention for the title.\n  out of contention (for sth) without a chance of winning sth:\nto slip / drop out of contention\nmore at BONE n.


Words: contentious
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  likely to cause disagreement between people:\na contentious issue / topic / subject * Both views are highly contentious. * Try to avoid any contentious wording.\nOPP UNCONTENTIOUS\n  2  liking to argue; involving a lot of arguing:\na contentious meeting


Words: contentment
Meaning:
(also less frequent content) noun\n[U] a feeling of happiness or satisfaction:\nHe has found contentment at last. * a sigh of contentment\ncompare DISCONTENT


Words: contest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  a competition in which people try to win sth:\na singing / writing / beauty contest * to enter a contest\n  2  ~ (for sth) a struggle to gain control or power:\na contest for the leadership of the party\n IDIOMS \n  be no contest used to say that one side in a competition is so much stronger or better than the other that it is sure to win easily\n    verb  [VN] \n  1  to take part in a competition, election, etc. and try to win it:\nThree candidates contested the leadership. * The party has decided not to contest this election. * a hotly / fiercely / keenly contested game (= one in which the players try very hard to win and the scores are close)\n  2  to formally oppose a decision or statement because you think it is wrong:\nto contest a will (= try to show that it was not correctly made in law) * The divorce was not contested.


Words: context
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the situation in which sth happens and that helps you to understand it:\nThis speech needs to be set in the context of Britain in the 1960s. * His decision can only be understood in context. * Such databases are being used in a wide range of contexts.\n  2  the words that come just before and after a word, phrase or statement and help you to understand its meaning:\nYou should be able to guess the meaning of the word from the context. * This quotation has been taken out of context (= repeated without giving the circumstances in which it was said).


Words: contextual
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) connected with a particular context:\ncontextual factors / information * contextual clues to the meaning\n    contextually adverb


Words: contextualize
Meaning:
(BrE also contextualise)  verb\n[VN] (formal) to consider sth in relation to the situation in which it happens or exists\n    contextualization, contextualisation  noun [U]


Words: contiguous
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (with / to) (formal or technical) touching or next to sth:\nThe two countries are contiguous. * The bruising was not contiguous to the wound.\n    contiguity  noun [U]


Words: continence
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (formal) the control of your feelings, especially your desire to have sex\n  2  the ability to control the BLADDER and bowels\nOPP INCONTINENCE\n    continent  adjective


Words: continent
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] one of the large land masses of the earth such as Europe, Asia or Africa:\nthe continent of Africa * the African continent\n  2  (the Continent) [sing.] (BrE) the main part of the continent of Europe, not including Britain or Ireland:\nWe’re going to spend a weekend on the Continent.


Words: continental
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (also Continental) [only before noun] (BrE) of or in the continent of Europe, not including Britain and Ireland:\na popular continental holiday resort * Britain’s continental neighbours\n  2  (BrE) following the customs of countries in western and southern Europe:\na continental lifestyle * The shutters and the balconies make the street look almost continental.\n  3  [only before noun] connected with the main part of the N American continent:\nPrices are often higher in Hawaii than in the continental United States.\n  4  forming part of, or typical of, any of the seven main land masses of the earth:\ncontinental Antarctica / Asia / Europe * to study continental geography\n    noun (BrE, often disapproving) a person who lives in the continent of Europe:\nThe continentals have never understood our preference for warm beer.


Words: continental breakfast
Meaning:
noun\na light breakfast, usually consisting of coffee and bread rolls with butter and jam\ncompare ENGLISH BREAKFAST


Words: continental drift
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (geology) the slow movement of the continents towards and away from each other during the history of the earth\nsee also PLATE TECTONICS


Words: continental shelf
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (technical) the area of land on the edge of a continent that slopes into the ocean


Words: contingency
Meaning:
noun\n(plural contingencies) an event that may or may not happen\nSYN POSSIBILITY:\nWe must consider all possible contingencies. * to make contingency plans (= plans for what to do if a particular event happens or does not happen) * a contingency fund (= to pay for sth that might happen in the future)


Words: contingency fee
Meaning:
noun\n(in the US) an amount of money that is paid to a lawyer only if the person he or she is advising wins in court


Words: contingent
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [C+sing./pl. v.]\n  1  a group of people at a meeting or an event who have sth in common, especially the place they come from, that is not shared by other people at the event:\nThe largest contingent was from the United States. * A strong contingent of local residents were there to block the proposal.\n  2  a group of soldiers that are part of a larger force:\nthe French contingent in the UN peacekeeping force\n    adjective ~ (on / upon sth) (formal) dependent on sth that may or may not happen:\nAny further payments are contingent upon satisfactory completion dates.\n    contingently adverb


Words: continual
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  repeated many times in a way that is annoying:\ncontinual complaints / interruptions * Prisoners’ families face continual harassment and attack.\n  2  continuing without interruption\nSYN CONTINUOUS:\nHe was in a continual process of rewriting his material. * We lived in continual fear of being discovered. * Her daughter was a continual source of delight to her. * She kept the letter as a continual reminder of his kindness. -> CONTINUOUS\n    continually  adverb:\nThey argue continually about money. * the need to adapt to new and continually changing circumstances * New products are continually being developed.


Words: continuance
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (formal) the state of continuing to exist or function:\nWe can no longer support the President’s continuance in office.


Words: continuation
Meaning:
in sth)\n  1  [U, sing.] an act or the state of continuing:\nThey are anxious to ensure the continuation of the economic reform programme. * This year saw a continuation in the upward trend in sales.\n  2  [C] something that continues or follows sth else:\nHer new book is a continuation of her autobiography.\n  3  [C] something that is joined on to sth else and forms a part of it:\nThere are plans to build a continuation of the by-pass next year.


Words: continue
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to keep existing or happening without stopping:\n[V] The exhibition continues until 25 July. * The trial is expected to continue for three months. * The rain will continue into the evening. * [V to inf] The rain continued to fall all afternoon. * The number of car accident deaths is continuing to decline. * [V -ing] The rain continued falling all afternoon.\n  2  ~ (with sth) to keep doing sth without stopping:\n[V -ing] She wanted to continue working after she was married. * He vowed to continue fighting. * [V to inf] He continued to ignore everything I was saying. * [VN] The board of inquiry is continuing its investigations. * [V] Are you going to continue with the project?\n  3  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to go or move further in the same direction:\nThe path continued over rough, rocky ground. * He continued on his way.\n  4  [V] ~ (as sth) to remain in a particular job or condition:\nI want you to continue as project manager. * She will continue in her present job until a replacement can be found.\n  5  (abbreviation cont.) to start or start sth again after stopping for a time\nSYN RESUME:\n[V] The story continues in our next issue. * [VN] The story will be continued in our next issue.\n  6  to start speaking again after stopping:\n[V] Please continue-I didn’t mean to interrupt. * [V speech] ’In fact,’ he continued, ’I’d like to congratulate you.’


Words: continued
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] existing in the same state without change or interruption:\nWe are grateful for your continued / continuing support. * continued fighting / interest * continuing involvement / opposition


Words: continuity
Meaning:
noun (plural continuities)\n  1  [U] the fact of not stopping or not changing:\nto ensure / provide / maintain continuity of fuel supplies\nOPP DISCONTINUITY\n  2  [U, C] a logical connection between the parts of sth, or between two things:\nThe novel fails to achieve narrative continuity. * There are obvious continuities between diet and health.\nOPP DISCONTINUITY\n  3  [U] (technical) the organization of a film/movie or television programme, especially making sure that people’s clothes, objects, etc. are the same from one scene to the next


Words: continuo
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (music) a musical part played to ACCOMPANY (= support) another instrument, in which a line of low notes is shown with figures to represent the higher notes to be played above them:\na trio for two violins and continuo


Words: continuous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  happening or existing for a period of time without interruption:\nRecovery after the accident will be a continuous process that may take several months. * Stop smoking and you will see a continuous improvement in your health. * She was in continuous employment until the age of sixty-five. * The rain has been continuous since this morning.\n  2  spreading in a line or over an area without any spaces:\na continuous line of traffic * Rain was falling outside in a continuous silver curtain.\n  3  (informal) repeated many times\nSYN CONTINUAL:\nFor four days the town suffered continuous attacks.\n HELP NOTE  Continual is much more frequent in this meaning.\n  4  (grammar) = PROGRESSIVE:\nthe continuous tenses\n    continuously adverb:\nHe has lived and worked in France almost continuously since 1961. * the continuously changing situation * Heat the mixture until thickened, stirring continuously.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \ncontinuous / continual\nThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:\ncontinuous ~  continual ~\nprocess  change\nemployment  problems\nflow  updating\nline  questions\nspeech  pain\nsupply  fear\nContinuous describes something that continues without stopping.\nContinual usually describes an action that is repeated again and again.\nThe difference between these two words is now disappearing. In particular, continual can also mean the same as continuous and is used especially about undesirable things: Life was a continual struggle for them. However, continuous is much more frequent in this sense.\n______________________________


Words: continuous assessment
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a system of giving a student a final mark/grade based on work done during a course of study rather than on one exam


Words: continuum
Meaning:
noun\n(plural continua ) a series of similar items in which each is almost the same as the ones next to it but the last is very different from the first\nSYN CLINE:\nIt is impossible to say at what point along the continuum a dialect becomes a separate language.


Words: contort
Meaning:
verb\nto become twisted or make sth twisted out of its natural or normal shape:\n[V] His face contorted with anger. * [VN] Her mouth was contorted in a snarl. * A spasm of pain contorted his face.\n    contorted adjective:\ncontorted limbs / bodies * (figurative) It was a contorted version of the truth.


Words: contortion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the state of the face or body being twisted out of its natural shape:\nTheir bodies had suffered contortion as a result of malnutrition.\n  2  [C] a movement which twists the body out of its natural shape:\nHis facial contortions amused the audience of schoolchildren. * (figurative) We had to go through all the usual contortions to get a ticket (= a difficult series of actions).


Words: contour
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the outer edges of sth; the outline of its shape or form:\nThe road follows the natural contours of the coastline. * She traced the contours of his face with her finger.\n  2  (also contour line) a line on a map showing points that are the same height above sea level:\na contour map (= a map that includes these lines)


Words: contoured
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  with a specially designed outline that makes sth attractive or comfortable:\nIt is smoothly contoured to look like a racing car.\n  2  having or showing contours (2):\ncontoured hills / maps


Words: contra-
Meaning:
combining form\n  1  (in nouns, verbs and adjectives) against; opposite:\ncontraflow * contradict\n  2  (in nouns) (music) having a PITCH an OCTAVE below:\na contra-bassoon


Words: contraband
Meaning:
noun\n[U] goods that are illegally taken into or out of a country:\ncontraband goods * to smuggle contraband


Words: contraception
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the practice of preventing a woman from becoming pregnant; the methods of doing this:\nto give advice about contraception


Words: contraceptive
Meaning:
noun\na drug, device or practice used to prevent a woman becoming pregnant:\noral contraceptives\n    contraceptive adjective [only before noun]:\na contraceptive pill * contraceptive advice / precautions / methods


Words: contract
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  ~ (with sb) | ~ (between A and B) | ~ (for sth / to do sth) an official written agreement:\nto enter into / make / sign a contract with the supplier * a contract for the supply of vehicles * to win / be awarded a contract to build a new school * These clauses form part of the contract between buyer and seller. * a contract of employment * a research contract * a contract worker (= one employed on a contract for a fixed period of time) * I was on a three-year contract that expired last week. * Under the terms of the contract the job should have been finished yesterday. * She is under contract to (= has a contract to work for) a major American computer firm. * The offer has been accepted, subject to contract (= the agreement is not legally binding before contracts are signed). * They were sued for breach of contract (= not keeping to a contract).\n  2  ~ (on sb) (informal) an agreement to kill sb for money:\nto take out a contract on sb\n    verb \n  1  to become less or smaller; to make sth become less or smaller:\n[V] Glass contracts as it cools. * The universe is expanding rather than contracting. * a contracting market * The heart muscles contract to expel the blood. * [VN] ’I will’ and ’I shall’ are usually contracted to ’I’ll’ (= made shorter). * The exercise consists of stretching and contracting the leg muscles.\nOPP EXPAND\n  2  [VN] (written) to get an illness:\nto contract Aids / a virus / a disease\n  3  ~ sb (to sth) to make a legal agreement with sb for them to work for you or provide you with a service:\n[VN to inf] The player is contracted to play until August. * [VN] Several computer engineers have been contracted to the finance department.\n  4  [V to inf] to make a legal agreement to work for sb or provide them with a service:\nShe has contracted to work 20 hours a week.\n  5  [VN] ~ a marriage / an alliance (with sb) (formal) to formally agree to marry sb/form an ALLIANCE with sb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  contract in (to sth) (BrE) to formally agree that you will take part in sth\n  contract out (of sth) (BrE) to formally agree that you will not take part in sth:\nMany employees contracted out of the pension plan.\n  contract sth<->out (to sb) to arrange for work to be done by another company rather than your own


Words: contraction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the process of becoming smaller:\nthe expansion and contraction of the metal * The sudden contraction of the markets left them with a lot of unwanted stock. * Physical stress caused by expansion and contraction can damage components within the computer.\n  2  [C, U] a sudden and painful tightening of muscles, especially the tightening of the muscles around a woman’s WOMB that happen when she is giving birth to a child:\nThe contractions started coming every five minutes.\n  3  [C] (linguistics) a short from of a word:\n’He’s’ may be a contraction of ’he is’ or ’he has’.


Words: contractor
Meaning:
noun\na person or company that has a contract to do work or provide goods or services for another company:\na building / haulage contractor * to employ an independent / outside contractor


Words: contractual
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with the conditions of a legal written agreement; agreed in a CONTRACT:\nWe have contractual obligations to control prices.


Words: contradict
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to say that sth that sb else has said is wrong, and that the opposite is true:\n[VN] All evening her husband contradicted everything she said. * You’ve just contradicted yourself (= said the opposite of what you said before). [also V speech, VN speech]\n  2  [VN] (of statements or pieces of evidence) to be so different from each other that one of them must be wrong:\nThe two stories contradict each other. * This version of events was contradicted by eye-witness reports.


Words: contradiction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] ~ (between A and B) a lack of agreement between facts, opinions, actions, etc:\nThere is a contradiction between the two sets of figures. * His public speeches are in direct contradiction to his personal lifestyle. * How can we resolve this apparent contradiction?\n  2  [U, C] the act of saying that sth that sb else has said is wrong or not true; an example of this:\nI think I can say, without fear of contradiction, that ... * Now you say you both left at ten-that’s a contradiction of your last statement.\n IDIOMS \n  a contradiction in terms a statement containing two words that contradict each other’s meaning:\nA ’nomad settlement’ is a contradiction in terms.


Words: contradictory
Meaning:
adjective\ncontaining or showing a contradiction:\nWe are faced with two apparently contradictory statements. * The advice I received was often contradictory.


Words: contradistinction
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  in contradistinction to sth/sb (formal) in contrast with sth/sb:\nLionesses, in contradistinction to the females of other animals, are the hunters.


Words: contraflow
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a system that is used when one half of a large road is closed for repairs, and the traffic going in both directions has to use the other half:\nA contraflow system is in operation on this section of the motorway.


Words: contraindication
Meaning:
noun\n(medical) a possible reason for not giving sb a particular drug or medical treatment:\nAge alone is not a contraindication to surgery.


Words: contraption
Meaning:
noun\na machine or piece of equipment that looks strange:\nShe showed us a strange contraption that looked like a satellite dish.


Words: contrariwise
Meaning:
adverb (formal)\n  1  used at the beginning of a sentence or CLAUSE to introduce a contrast:\nYou can only vote if you are a member. Contrariwise, not all members have the right to vote.\n  2  in the opposite way:\nIt worked contrariwise-first you dialled the number, then you put the money in.


Words: contrary
Meaning:
adjective, noun-see also CONTRARY\n    adjective\n  1  ~ to sth different from sth; against sth:\nContrary to popular belief, many cats dislike milk. * The government has decided that the publication of the report would be ’contrary to the public interest’. * Contrary to expectations and the weather forecast, we had a fine day for the experiment.\n  2  [only before noun] completely different in nature or direction\nSYN OPPOSITE:\ncontrary advice / opinions / arguments * The contrary view is that prison provides an excellent education-in crime.\n    noun (the contrary) [sing.] the opposite fact, event or situation:\nIn the end the contrary was proved true: he was innocent and she was guilty.\n IDIOMS \n  on the contrary used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one:\n’It must have been terrible.’ ’On the contrary, I enjoyed every minute.’\n  quite the contrary used to emphasize that the opposite of what has been said is true:\nI don’t find him funny at all. Quite the contrary.\n  to the contrary showing or proving the opposite:\nShow me some evidence to the contrary (= proving that sth is not true). * I will expect to see you on Sunday unless I hear anything to the contrary (= that you are not coming).\n\n adjective\n(formal, disapproving) (usually of children) behaving badly; choosing to do or say the opposite of what is expected:\nShe was such a contrary child-it was impossible to please her.\nsee also CONTRARY\n    contrarily adverb\n    contrariness noun [U]


Words: contrast
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun \n  1  [C, U] ~ (between A and B) | ~ (to / with sb/sth) a difference between two or more people or things that you can see clearly when they are compared or put close together; the fact of comparing two or more things in order to show the differences between them:\nThere is an obvious contrast between the cultures of East and West. * The company lost $7 million this quarter in contrast to a profit of $6.2 million a year earlier. * When you look at their new system, ours seems very old-fashioned by contrast. * The situation when we arrived was in marked contrast to the news reports. * to show a sharp / stark / striking contrast with sth * The poverty of her childhood stands in total contrast to her life in Hollywood. * A wool jacket complements the silk trousers and provides an interesting contrast in texture. * Careful contrast of the two plans shows some important differences.\n  2  [C] ~ (to sb/sth) a person or thing that is clearly different from sb/sth else:\nThe work you did today is quite a contrast to (= very much better / worse than) what you did last week.\n  3  [U] differences in colour or in light and dark, used in photographs and paintings to create a special effect:\nThe artist’s use of contrast is masterly.\n  4  [U] the amount of difference between light and dark in a picture on a television screen:\nUse this button to adjust the contrast.\n    verb \n  1  [VN] ~ (A and / with B) to compare two things in order to show the differences between them:\nIt is interesting to contrast the British legal system with the American one. * The poem contrasts youth and age. * Compare and contrast the two novels.\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) to show a clear difference when close together or when compared:\nHer actions contrasted sharply with her promises. * Her actions and her promises contrasted sharply.


Words: contrasting
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] very different in style, colour or attitude:\nbright, contrasting colours * The book explores contrasting views of the poet’s early work.


Words: contravene
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (written) to do sth that is not allowed by a law or rule:\nThe company was found guilty of contravening safety regulations.\n    contravention  noun [U, C]:\nThese actions are in contravention of European law.


Words: contretemps
Meaning:
noun\n(plural contretemps) (from French, formal or humorous) an unfortunate event or embarrassing disagreement with another person:\nThey have been ignoring me since our last contretemps.


Words: contribute
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (to / towards sth) to give sth, especially money or goods, to help sb/sth:\n[VN] The writer personally contributed ｣5 000 to the earthquake fund. * [V] Would you like to contribute to our collection? * Do you wish to contribute?\n  2  [V] ~ (to sth) to be one of the causes of sth:\nMedical negligence was said to have contributed to her death. * Human error may have been a contributing factor.\n  3  ~ (sth) to sth to increase, improve or add to sth:\n[V] Immigrants have contributed to British culture in many ways. * [VN] This book contributes little to our understanding of the subject.\n  4  ~ (sth) (to sth) to write things for a newspaper, magazine, or a radio or television programme; to speak during a meeting or conversation, especially to give your opinion:\n[VN] She contributed a number of articles to the magazine. * [V] He contributes regularly to the magazine ’New Scientist’. * We hope everyone will contribute to the discussion.


Words: contribution
Meaning:
doing sth)\n  1  [C] a sum of money that is given to a person or an organization in order to help pay for sth:\nto make a major / substantial contribution to charity * All contributions will be gratefully received. * valuable contributions towards the upkeep of the cathedral\n  2  [C] a sum of money that you pay regularly to your employer or the government in order to pay for benefits such as health insurance, a PENSION, etc:\nYou can increase your monthly contributions to the pension scheme. * National Insurance contributions\n  3  [C, usually sing.] an action or a service that helps to cause or increase sth:\nHe made a very positive contribution to the overall success of the project. * These measures would make a valuable contribution towards reducing industrial accidents. * a significant contribution to scientific knowledge * the car’s contribution to the greenhouse effect\n  4  [C] an item that forms part of a book, magazine, broadcast, discussion, etc:\nan important contribution to the debate * All contributions for the May issue must be received by Friday.\n  5  [U] the act of giving sth, especially money, to help a person or an organization:\nWe rely entirely on voluntary contribution.


Words: contributor
Meaning:
noun ~ (to sth)\n  1  a person who writes articles for a magazine or a book, or who talks on a radio or television programme or at a meeting:\na regular contributor to this magazine\n  2  a person or a thing that provides money to help pay for sth, or support for a project:\nOlder people are important contributors to the economy. * the largest net contributor to EU funds\n  3  something that helps to cause sth:\nSulphur dioxide is a pollutant and a major contributor to acid rain.


Words: contributory
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  helping to cause sth:\nAlcohol is a contributory factor in 10% of all road accidents. * Smoking is a contributory cause of many diseases. * (BrE) He was found guilty of contributory negligence (= that helped to cause an accident).\n  2  involving payments from the people who will benefit:\na contributory pension scheme / plan (= paid for by both employers and employees) * contributory benefits (= ones that you make payments for)\nOPP NON-CONTRIBUTORY


Words: contrite
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) very sorry for sth bad that you have done:\nHer expression was contrite. * He looked so contrite that for a moment she nearly believed he really was sorry about what he had said.\n    contritely adverb\n    contrition  noun [U]:\na look of contrition


Words: contrivance
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C, U] (usually disapproving) something that sb has done or written that does not seem natural; the fact of seeming artificial:\nThe film is spoilt by unrealistic contrivances of plot. * The story is told with a complete absence of contrivance. * Examinations are a contrivance to see how a student tackles new problems.\n  2  [C] a clever or complicated device or tool made for a particular purpose:\nHis workshop was full of mechanical contrivances.\n  3  [C, U] a clever plan or trick; the act of using a clever plan or trick:\nan ingenious contrivance to get her to sign the document without reading it


Words: contrive
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  [V to inf] to manage to do sth in spite of difficulties:\nShe contrived to spend a couple of hours with him every Sunday evening. * Somehow they contrived to live on her tiny income.\n  2  [VN] to succeed in making sth happen in spite of difficulties:\nI decided to contrive a meeting between the two of them.\n  3  [VN] to think of or make sth, for example a plan or a machine, in a clever way:\nThey contrived a plan to defraud the company.


Words: contrived
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) planned in advance and not natural or genuine; written or arranged in a way that is not natural or realistic:\na contrived situation * The book’s happy ending seemed contrived.


Words: control
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  power\n \n  1  [U] ~ (of / over sb/sth) the power to make decisions about how a country, an area, an organization, etc. is run:\nThe party is expecting to gain control of the council in the next election. * The Democrats will probably lose control of Congress. * A military junta took control of the country. * The city is in the control of enemy forces. * The city is under enemy control. * The family has sold most of its shares and will lose control of the company.\n \n  2  [U] ~ (of / over sb/sth) the ability to make sb/sth do what you want:\nThe teacher had no control over the children. * She struggled to keep control of her voice. * She lost control of her car on the ice. * He got so angry he lost control (= shouted and said or did things he would not normally do). * Owing to circumstances beyond our control, the flight to Rome has been cancelled. * The coach made the team work hard on ball control (= in a sport such as football).\nsee also SELF-CONTROL\n \n  limiting / managing\n \n  3  [U, C] ~ (of / on sth) (often in compounds) the act of restricting, limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this:\ntraffic control * talks on arms control * government controls on trade and industry * A new advance has been made in the control of malaria. * Price controls on food were ended. * a pest control officer\nsee also BIRTH CONTROL, QUALITY CONTROL\n  in machine\n  4  [C, usually pl.] the switches and buttons, etc. that you use to operate a machine or a vehicle:\nthe controls of an aircraft * the control panel * the volume control of a CD player * The co-pilot was at the controls when the plane landed. * a car with dual control(s) (= one set of controls for the driver and one for the instructor).\nsee also REMOTE CONTROL\n  in experiment\n  5  [C] (technical) a person, thing or group used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a scientific experiment; an experiment whose result is known, used for checking working methods:\nOne group was treated with the new drug, and the control group was given a sugar pill. * The study showed that women with the disease have had fewer children than normal controls.\n  place\n  6  [sing.] a place where orders are given or where checks are made; the people who work in this place:\nair traffic control * We went through passport control and into the departure lounge. * This is Mission Control calling the space shuttle Discovery.\n  on computer\n  7  [U] (also control key [sing.]) (on a computer keyboard) a key that you press when you want to perform a particular operation\n IDIOMS \n  be in control (of sth)\n1 to direct or manage an organization, an area or a situation:\nHe’s reached retiring age, but he’s still firmly in control. * There has been some violence after the match, but the police are now in control of the situation.\n2 to be able to organize your life well and keep calm:\nIn spite of all her family problems, she’s really in control.\n  be / get / run / etc. out of control to be or become impossible to manage or to control:\nThe children are completely out of control since their father left. * A truck ran out of control on the hill.\n  be under control to be being dealt with successfully:\nDon’t worry-everything’s under control!\n  bring / get / keep sth under control to succeed in dealing with sth so that it does not cause any harm:\nIt took two hours to bring the fire under control. * Please keep your dog under control!\n    verb (-ll-)\n  have power\n  1  [VN] to have power over a person, company, country, etc. so that you are able to decide what they must do or how it is run:\nBy the age of 21 he controlled the company. * The whole territory is now controlled by the army. * Can’t you control your children? * a multi-national company based in Britain but controlled from South Africa\n  limit / manage\n  2  to limit sth or make it happen in a particular way:\n[VN] government attempts to control immigration * Many biological processes are controlled by hormones. * Try to control your breathing. * [V wh-] Parents should control what their kids watch on television.\n  3  [VN] to stop sth from spreading or getting worse:\nFirefighters are still trying to control the blaze. * She was given drugs to control the pain.\n  machine\n  4  [VN] to make sth, such as a machine or system, work in the way that you want it to:\nThis knob controls the volume. * The traffic lights are controlled by a central computer.\n  stay calm\n  5  [VN] to manage to make yourself remain calm, even though you are upset or angry:\nI was so furious I couldn’t control myself and I hit him. * He was finding it difficult to control his feelings.


Words: control freak
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person who always wants to be in control of their own and others’ lives, and to organize how things are done


Words: controlled
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  done or arranged in a very careful way:\na controlled explosion * a controlled environment * He played very controlled football.\n  2  limited, or managed by law or by rules:\ncontrolled airspace\n  3  (-controlled) (in compounds) managed by a particular group, or in a particular way:\na British-controlled company * computer-controlled systems\n  4  remaining calm and not getting angry or upset:\nShe remained quiet and controlled.\ncompare UNCONTROLLED


Words: controller
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who manages or directs sth, especially a large organization or part of an organization:\nthe controller of BBC Radio 4\nsee also AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER\n  2  (technical) a device that controls or REGULATES a machine or part of a machine:\na temperature controller\n  3  (also comptroller) a person who is in charge of the financial accounts of a business company


Words: controlling interest
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the fact of owning enough shares in a company to be able to make decisions about what the company should do


Words: controversial
Meaning:
adjective\ncausing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement:\na highly controversial issue / topic / decision / book * one of the most controversial of London’s new office blocks * a controversial plan to build a new road * Winston Churchill and Richard Nixon were both controversial figures.\nOPP NON-CONTROVERSIAL, UNCONTROVERSIAL\n    controversially  adverb:\nPunishments for prisoners include loss of privileges and, more controversially, the stopping of visits.


Words: controversy
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural controversies) ~ (over / about / surrounding sb/sth) public discussion and argument about sth that many people strongly disagree about, disapprove of, or are shocked by:\nto arouse / cause controversy * a bitter controversy over / about the site of the new airport * the controversy surrounding his latest movie * The President resigned amid considerable controversy.


Words: conundrum
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a confusing problem or question that is very difficult to solve\n  2  a question, usually involving a trick with words, that you ask for fun\nSYN RIDDLE


Words: conurbation
Meaning:
noun\n(formal, especially BrE) a large area where towns have grown and joined together, often around a city


Words: convalesce
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to spend time getting your health and strength back after an illness\nSYN RECUPERATE:\nShe is convalescing at home after her operation.


Words: convalescence
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a period of time when you get well again after an illness or a medical operation; the process of getting well:\nYou need four to six weeks’ convalescence.


Words: convalescent
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with convalescence; in the process of convalescence:\na convalescent home (= a type of hospital where people go to get well after an illness) * a convalescent child\n    convalescent noun:\nI treated him as a convalescent, not as a sick man.


Words: convection
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) the process in which heat moves through a gas or a liquid as the hotter part rises and the cooler, heavier part sinks:\nconvection currents


Words: convene
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  [VN] to arrange for people to come together for a formal meeting:\nto convene a meeting / conference * A Board of Inquiry was convened immediately after the accident.\n  2  [V] to come together for a formal meeting:\nThe committee will convene at 11.30 next Thursday.


Words: convener
Meaning:
(also convenor)  noun\n  1  a person who arranges meetings of groups or committees\n  2  (BrE) a senior official of a trade union at a factory or other place of work


Words: convenience
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the quality of being useful, easy or suitable for sb:\nWe have provided seats for the convenience of our customers. * For (the sake of) convenience, the two groups have been treated as one in this report. * The position of the house combines quietness and convenience. * In this resort you can enjoy all the comfort and convenience of modern tourism.\nsee also FLAG OF CONVENIENCE, MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE\n  2  [C] something that is useful and can make things easier or quicker to do, or more comfortable:\nIt was a great convenience to have the school so near. * The house had all the modern conveniences (= central heating, hot water, etc.) that were unusual at that time.\nsee also PUBLIC CONVENIENCE\n IDIOMS \n  at sb’s convenience (formal) at a time or a place which is suitable for sb:\nCan you telephone me at your convenience to arrange a meeting?\nmore at EARLY adj.


Words: convenience food
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] food that you buy frozen or in a box or can, that you can prepare and cook very quickly and easily


Words: convenience store
Meaning:
noun\n(especially AmE) a shop/store that sells food, newspapers, etc. and sometimes gas/petrol and often stays open 24 hours a day


Words: convenient
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (for sb/sth) useful, easy or quick to do; not causing problems:\nIt is very convenient to pay by credit card. * You’ll find these meals quick and convenient to prepare. * Fruit is a convenient source of vitamins and energy. * A bicycle is often more convenient than a car in towns. * I can’t see him now-it isn’t convenient. * I’ll call back at a more convenient time. * (disapproving) He used his wife’s birthday as a convenient excuse for not going to the meeting.\n  2  ~ (for sth) near to a particular place; easy to get to:\nThe house is very convenient for several schools.\nOPP INCONVENIENT\n    conveniently adverb:\nThe report can be conveniently divided into three main sections. * The hotel is conveniently situated close to the beach and the shops. * She conveniently forgot to mention that her husband would be at the party, too (= because it suited her not to say).


Words: convent
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a building in which NUNS (= members of a female religious community) live together\n  2  (also convent school) a school run by NUNS


Words: convention
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the way in which sth is done that most people in a society expect and consider to be polite or the right way to do it:\nsocial conventions * By convention the deputy leader is always a woman. * She is a young woman who enjoys flouting conventions. * Convention demands that a club member should resign in such a situation.\n  2  [C] a large meeting of the members of a profession, a political party, etc.\nSYN CONFERENCE:\nto hold a convention * the Democratic Party Convention (= to elect a candidate for president)\n  3  [C] an official agreement between countries or leaders:\nthe Geneva convention * the United Nations convention on the rights of the child\n  4  [C, U] a traditional method or style in literature, art or the theatre:\nthe conventions of Greek tragedy


Words: conventional
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (often disapproving) tending to follow what is done or considered acceptable by society in general; normal and ordinary, and perhaps not very interesting:\nconventional behaviour / morality * She’s very conventional in her views.\nOPP UNCONVENTIONAL\n  2  [usually before noun] following what is traditional or the way sth has been done for a long time:\nconventional methods / approaches * It’s not a hotel, in the conventional sense, but rather a whole village turned into a hotel.\nOPP UNCONVENTIONAL\n  3  [usually before noun] (especially of weapons) not nuclear:\nconventional forces / weapons * A conventional war would still cause unacceptable devastation. * a conventional power station (= using oil or coal as fuel, rather than nuclear power)\n    conventionality  noun [U]\n    conventionally  adverb:\nconventionally dressed * conventionally grown food (= grown according to conventional methods) * Though not conventionally pretty (= not pretty according to generally accepted ideas of what is pretty), she dressed with flair. * Gross National Product (GNP) is conventionally used to indicate economic development.\n IDIOMS  see WISDOM


Words: converge
Meaning:
verb [V] \n \n  1  ~ (on ...) (of people or vehicles) to move towards a place from different directions and meet to form a large crowd:\nThousands of supporters converged on London for the rally.\n \n  2  (of two or more lines, paths, etc.) to move towards each other and meet at a point:\nThere was a signpost where the two paths converged.\n \n  3  if ideas, policies, aims, etc. converge, they become very similar or the same\nOPP DIVERGE\n \n    convergent  adjective:\nconvergent lines / opinions\n    convergence noun [U]


Words: conversant
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal)  with sth knowing about sth; familiar with sth:\nYou need to become fully conversant with the company’s procedures.


Words: conversation
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U]  (with sb) (about sth) an informal talk involving a small group of people or only two; the activity of talking in this way:\na telephone conversation * I had a long conversation with her the other day. * The main topic of conversation was the likely outcome of the election. * Don was deep in conversation with the girl on his right. * (BrE) to get into conversation with sb * (AmE) to get into a conversation with sb * The conversation turned to gardening. * I tried to make polite conversation (= to speak in order to appear polite). * Desperately he struggled to keep the conversation going. * I see no point in continuing this conversation. * She tried to steer the conversation away from the topic of marriage. * He felt a sudden alarm at the turn the conversation was taking.


Words: conversational
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not formal; as used in conversation\nSYN COLLOQUIAL:\na casual and conversational tone * I learnt conversational Spanish at evening classes.\n  2  [only before noun] connected with conversation:\nMen have a more direct conversational style.\n    conversationally adverb:\n’Have you been here long?’ he asked conversationally.


Words: conversationalist
Meaning:
noun\na person who is good at talking to others, especially in an informal way:\nReynolds was a notable conversationalist.


Words: converse
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (with sb) (formal) to have a conversation with sb:\nShe conversed with the Russians in French. * The two men were conversing on music and opera.\n\n noun\n(the converse) [sing.] (formal) the opposite or REVERSE of a fact or statement:\nBuilding new roads increases traffic and the converse is equally true: reducing the number and size of roads means less traffic.\n    converse adjective:\nthe converse effect


Words: conversely
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) in a way that is the opposite or REVERSE of sth:\nYou can add the fluid to the powder, or, conversely, the powder to the fluid. * Women suffering from anorexia are still convinced that their thin, frail bodies are fat and unsightly. Conversely, some people who are a great deal heavier than they should be can persuade themselves that they are ’just right’.


Words: conversion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C]  (from sth) (into / to sth) the act or process of changing sth from one form, use or system to another:\nthe conversion of farm buildings into family homes * Conversion to gas central heating will save you a lot of money. * No conversion from analogue to digital data is needed. * a metric conversion table (= showing how to change metric amounts into or out of another system) * a firm which specializes in house conversions (= turning large houses into several smaller flats / apartments)\n  2  [U, C]  (from sth) (to sth) the process or experience of changing your religion or beliefs:\nthe conversion of the Anglo-Saxons by Christian missionaries * his conversion from Judaism to Christianity * Late in life she experienced a religious conversion. * She began by supporting monetarist economics, but later underwent quite a conversion when she saw how it increased unemployment.\n  3  [C] (in rugby) a way of scoring extra points by kicking the ball over the goal after scoring a TRY:\nHe kicked a penalty goal and two conversions.\n  4  [C] barn / loft ~ a building or room that has been changed so that it can be used for a different purpose, especially for living in


Words: conversion van
Meaning:
(also van conversion) noun\n(AmE) a motor vehicle in which the back part behind the driver has been arranged as a living space


Words: convert
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb \n  1  ~ (sth) (from sth) (into / to sth) to change or make sth change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another:\n[VN] The hotel is going to be converted into a nursing home. * The pub is a converted warehouse. * What rate will I get if I convert my dollars into euros? * Hot water is converted to electricity by a turbine. * [V] We’ve converted from coal to gas central heating.\n  2  [V] ~ into / to sth to be able to be changed from one form, purpose, or system to another:\na sofa that converts into a bed\n  3  ~ (sb) (from sth) (to sth) to change or make sb change their religion or beliefs:\n[V] He converted from Christianity to Islam. * [VN] She was soon converted to the socialist cause.\n  4  ~ (sb) (from sb) (to sth) to change an opinion, a habit, etc:\n[V] I’ve converted to organic food. * [VN] I didn’t use to like opera but my husband has converted me.\n  5  [VN] ~ a try (in rugby) to gain extra points by kicking the ball over the goal\n IDIOMS  see PREACH\n    noun   (from sth) (to sth) a person who has changed their religion, beliefs or opinions:\na convert to Islam * converts from other faiths * to win / gain converts to the cause


Words: converter
Meaning:
(also convertor)  noun\n  1  a person or thing that converts sth:\na catalytic converter\n  2  (physics) a device for converting ALTERNATING CURRENT into DIRECT CURRENT or the other way around\n  3  (physics) a device for converting a radio signal from one FREQUENCY to another\n  4  (technical) a container used in turning liquid metal into steel


Words: convertible
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective ~ (into / to sth) that can be changed to a different form or use:\na convertible sofa (= one that can be used as a bed) * convertible currencies (= ones that can be exchanged for those of other countries) * The bonds are convertible into ordinary shares.\n    convertibility  noun [U] \n    noun a car with a roof that can be folded down or taken off


Words: convex
Meaning:
adjective\n(of an outline or a surface) curved outwards:\na convex lens / mirror\nOPP CONCAVE\n \n    convexity  noun [U]


Words: convey
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) to make ideas, feelings, etc. known to sb \nSYN COMMUNICATE:\n[VN] Colours like red convey a sense of energy and strength. * (formal) Please convey my apologies to your wife. * [V wh-] He tried desperately to convey how urgent the situation was. * [V that] She did not wish to convey that they were all at fault.\n  2  [VN] ~ sb/sth (from ...) (to ...) (formal) to take, carry or transport sb/sth from one place to another:\nPipes convey hot water from the boiler to the radiators. * A carriage was waiting to convey her home.


Words: conveyance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (formal) the process of taking sb/sth from one place to another:\nthe conveyance of goods by rail\n  2  [C] (formal) a vehicle:\nhorse-drawn conveyances\n  3  [C] (law) a legal document that moves property from one owner to another:\nto draw up a conveyance


Words: conveyor
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  = CONVEYOR BELT\n \n  2  (also conveyer) (formal) a person or thing that carries sth or makes sth known


Words: conveyor belt
Meaning:
(also conveyor) noun\na continuous moving band used for transporting goods from one part of a building to another, for example products in a factory or suitcases in an airport


Words: convict
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] [often passive] ~ sb (of sth) to decide and state officially in a court of law that sb is guilty of a crime:\na convicted murderer * He was convicted of fraud. * There wasn’t enough evidence to convict her.\nOPP ACQUIT\n    noun  (also informal con) a person who has been found guilty of a crime and sent to prison:\nan escaped convict


Words: conviction
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U]  (for sth) the act of finding sb guilty of a crime in a court of law; the fact of having been found guilty:\nShe has six previous convictions for theft. * He plans to appeal against his conviction. * an offence which carries, on conviction, a sentence of not more than five years’ imprisonment\n  2  [C, U]  (that ...) a strong opinion or belief:\nstrong political / moral convictions * She was motivated by deep religious conviction. * a conviction that all would be well in the end\n  3  [U] the feeling or appearance of believing sth strongly and of being sure about it:\n’Not true!’ she said with conviction. * He said he agreed but his voice lacked conviction. * The leader’s speech in defence of the policy didn’t carry much conviction.\n IDIOMS  see COURAGE


Words: convince
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb / yourself (of sth) to make sb/yourself believe that sth is true:\n[VN] You’ll need to convince them of your enthusiasm for the job. * [VN (that)] I’d convinced myself (that) I was right. * The experience convinced him that Europe was on the brink of a revolution.\n  2  [VN to inf] to persuade sb to do sth:\nI’ve been trying to convince him to see a doctor. -> PERSUADE


Words: convinced
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ (of sth / that ...) completely sure about sth:\nI am convinced of her innocence. * I am convinced that she is innocent. * Sam nodded but he didn’t look convinced.\nOPP UNCONVINCED\n  2  [only before noun] believing strongly in a particular religion or set of political ideas:\na convinced Christian


Words: convincing
Meaning:
adjective\nthat makes sb believe that sth is true:\na convincing argument / explanation / case * She sounded very convincing to me (= I believed what she said). * a convincing victory / win (= an easy one)\nOPP UNCONVINCING\n    convincingly adverb:\nHer case was convincingly argued. * They won convincingly.


Words: convivial
Meaning:
adjective\n(especially formal) cheerful and friendly in atmosphere or character:\na convivial evening / atmosphere * convivial company\n    conviviality  noun [U]


Words: convocation
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [C] a large formal meeting, especially of Church officials or members of a university\n  2  [U] the act of calling together a convocation\n  3  [C] (AmE) a ceremony held in a university or college when students receive their degrees


Words: convoluted
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely complicated and difficult to follow:\na convoluted argument / explanation * a book with a convoluted plot\n  2  (formal) having many twists or curves:\na convoluted coastline


Words: convolution
Meaning:
noun [usually pl.] (formal)\n  1  a thing that is very complicated and difficult to follow:\nthe bizarre convolutions of the story\n  2  a twist or curve, especially one of many:\nthe convolutions of the left hemisphere of the brain


Words: convolvulus
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a wild plant with TRIANGULAR leaves and flowers that are shaped like TRUMPETS. It climbs up walls, fences, etc. and twists itself around other plants.


Words: convoy
Meaning:
noun\na group of vehicles or ships travelling together, especially when soldiers or other vehicles travel with them for protection:\na convoy of trucks / lorries / freighters * A United Nations aid convoy loaded with food and medicine finally got through to the besieged town.\n IDIOMS \n  in convoy (of travelling vehicles) as a group; together:\nWe drove in convoy because I didn’t know the route.


Words: convulse
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (sb) (with sth) to cause a sudden shaking movement in sb’s body; to make this movement:\n[VN] A violent shiver convulsed him. * [V] His whole body convulsed.\n  2  [VN] (be convulsed with laughter, anger, etc.) to be laughing so much, so angry, etc. that you cannot control your movements


Words: convulsion
Meaning:
noun [usually pl.]\n  1  a sudden shaking movement of the body that cannot be controlled:\nThe child went into convulsions.\n  2  a sudden important change that happens to a country or an organization:\npolitical convulsions threatening the stability of new democracies


Words: convulsive
Meaning:
adjective\n(of movements or actions) sudden and impossible to control:\na convulsive movement / attack / fit * Her breath came in convulsive gasps.\n    convulsively adverb:\nweeping convulsively


Words: coo
Meaning:
verb, exclamation \n    verb (cooing, cooed, cooed)\n  1  [V] when a DOVE or a PIGEON coos, it makes a soft low sound\n  2  [V, V speech] to say sth in a soft quiet voice, especially to sb you love\n IDIOMS  see BILL v.\n    coo noun \n    exclamation (BrE, informal) used to show that you are surprised:\nCoo, look at him!


Words: cook
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to prepare food by heating it, for example by boiling, baking or frying it:\n[V] Where did you learn to cook? * [VN] What’s the best way to cook trout? * Who’s going to cook supper? * Add the onion and cook for three minutes. * [VNN, VN] He cooked me lunch. * He cooked lunch for me.\n  2  [V] (of food) to be prepared by boiling, baking, frying, etc:\nWhile the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.\n  3  [V] (be cooking) (informal) to be planned secretly:\nEveryone is being very secretive-there’s something cooking.\n IDIOMS \n  be cooking with gas (AmE, informal) to be doing sth very well and successfully\n  cook the books (informal) to change facts or figures dishonestly or illegally:\nHis accountant had been cooking the books for years.\n  cook sb’s goose (informal) to ruin sb’s chances of success\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cook sth<->up (informal) to invent sth, especially in order to deceive sb\nSYN CONCOCT:\nto cook up a story\n    noun a person who cooks food or whose job is cooking:\nJohn is a very good cook (= he cooks well). * Who was the cook (= who cooked the food)? * She was employed as a cook in a hotel.\ncompare CHEF\n IDIOMS \n  too many cooks spoil the broth (saying) if too many people are involved in doing sth, it will not be done well


Words: cook-chill
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE) food prepared by the cook-chill method is cooked, kept at a low temperature and then heated again:\ncook-chill meals / processes


Words: cookbook
Meaning:
(BrE also cookery book) noun\na book that gives instructions on cooking and how to cook individual dishes


Words: cooker
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE range, stove) noun\na large piece of equipment for cooking food, containing an oven and gas or electric rings on top:\na gas cooker * an electric cooker\nsee also PRESSURE COOKER


Words: cookie
Meaning:
noun (plural cookies)\n \n  1  (especially AmE) a small flat sweet cake for one person, usually baked until crisp:\nchocolate chip cookies * a cookie jar\ncompare BISCUIT, CRACKER\nsee also FORTUNE COOKIE\n \n  2  smart / tough ~ (AmE, informal) a SMART/TOUGH person\n \n IDIOMS  see WAY n.


Words: cooking
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n [U]\n \n  1  the process of preparing food:\nMy husband does all the cooking. * a book on Indian cooking\n \n  2  food that has been prepared in a particular way:\nThe restaurant offers traditional home cooking (= food similar to that cooked at home). * They serve good French cooking.\n    adjective suitable for cooking rather than eating raw or drinking:\ncooking oil / sherry


Words: cooking apple
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) any type of apple that is suitable for cooking, rather than eating raw\ncompare EATING APPLE


Words: cookout
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a meal or party when food is cooked over an open fire outdoors, for example at a beach\ncompare BARBECUE


Words: cool
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective (cooler, coolest)\n  fairly cold\n  1  fairly cold; not hot or warm:\na cool breeze / drink / climate * Cooler weather is forecast for the weekend. * Let’s sit in the shade and keep cool. * Store lemons in a cool dry place.\n  colours\n  2  making you feel pleasantly cool:\na room painted in cool greens and blues\n  calm\n  3  calm; not excited, angry or emotional:\nKeep cool! * She tried to remain cool, calm and collected (= calm). * He has a cool head (= he stays calm in an emergency).\n  not friendly / enthusiastic\n  4  not friendly, interested or enthusiastic:\nShe was decidedly cool about the proposal. * He has been cool towards me ever since we had that argument. * They gave the Prime Minister a cool reception. * Her voice was cool and dismissive.\n  approving\n  5  (informal) used to show that you admire or approve of something because it is fashionable, attractive and often different:\nYou look pretty cool with that new haircut. * It’s a cool movie.\n  6  (spoken) people say Cool! or That’s cool to show that they approve of sth or agree to a suggestion:\n’We’re meeting Jake for lunch and we can go on the yacht in the afternoon.’ ’Cool!’\n  confident\n  7  (informal) calm and confident in a way that lacks respect for other people, but makes people admire you as well as disapprove:\nShe just took his keys and walked out with them, cool as you please. * He was a cool customer. No one would think to look for him in a city where he’d been arrested for killing a cop.\n  money\n  8  [only before noun] used about a sum of money to emphasize how large it is:\nThe car cost a cool thirty thousand.\n  fine\n  9  used to say that sth is acceptable and not a problem for you:\n’Can you come at 10.30 tomorrow?’ ’That’s cool.’ * (especially AmE, spoken) I was surprised by her promotion, but I’m cool with it.\nsee also COOLLY, COOLNESS\n IDIOMS \n  (as) cool as a cucumber very calm and controlled, especially in a difficult situation\n  play it cool (informal) to deal with a situation in a calm way:\nFor once I felt uncertain about blurting out my real feelings. I decided to play it cool.\n    verb\n  become colder\n  1  to become or to make sb/sth become cool or cooler:\n[V] Glass contracts as it cools. * Melt the chocolate and allow it to cool slightly. * [VN] The cylinder is cooled by a jet of water. * The evening breeze cooled her face.\n  become calmer\n  2  [V] to become calmer, less excited or less enthusiastic:\nI think we should wait until tempers have cooled. * Relations between them have definitely cooled (= they are not as friendly with each other as they were).\n IDIOMS \n  cool it! (informal) used to tell sb to be calmer and less excited or angry:\nHey! Cool it! Don’t get so excited!\n  cool your heels (informal) to have to wait for sb/sth\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cool down / off\n1 to become cool or cooler:\nWe cooled off with a swim in the lake.\n2 to become calm, less excited or less enthusiastic:\nI think you should wait until she’s cooled down a little.\n  cool sb<->down / off\n1 to make sb feel cooler:\nDrink plenty of cold water to cool yourself down.\n2 to make sb calm, less excited or less enthusiastic:\nA few hours in a police cell should cool him off.\n  cool sth<->down / off to make sth cool or cooler\n    noun (the cool) [sing.] cool air or a cool place:\nthe cool of the evening\n IDIOMS \n  keep your cool (informal) to remain calm in a difficult situation:\nHe kept his cool on the convention floor when he was heckled by a young Republican.\n  lose your cool (informal) to become angry or excited:\nI lost my cool and shouted at them.


Words: cool bag
Meaning:
, cool box noun\n(BrE) a bag or box which keeps food or drinks cold and which can be used for a PICNIC\nsee also COOLER


Words: cool-headed
Meaning:
adjective\ncalm; not showing excitement or nerves:\na cool-headed assessment of the situation * Even the most cool-headed individuals can be thrown into a mild panic at the prospect of organizing a wedding.


Words: cooler
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a container or machine which cools things, especially drinks, or keeps them cold:\nthe office water cooler * (especially AmE) They took a cooler full of drinks to the beach.\n  2  [C] (AmE) a drink with ice and usually wine in it:\na wine cooler


Words: coolie
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned, !!!) an offensive word for a worker in Eastern countries with no special skills or training


Words: cooling-off period
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a period of time during which two sides in a dispute try to reach an agreement before taking further action, for example by going on strike\n  2  a period of time after sb has agreed to buy sth, such as an insurance plan, during which they can change their mind:\nCustomers signing new life policies will have a longer cooling-off period of 14 days.


Words: coolly
Meaning:
adverb\nin a way that is not friendly, interested or enthusiastic:\n’We’re just good friends,’ she said coolly. * He received my suggestion coolly.


Words: coolness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality of being cool:\nthe delicious coolness of the water * I admire her coolness under pressure. * I noticed a certain coolness (= lack of friendly feeling) between them.


Words: coop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a cage for chickens, etc.\n IDIOMS  see FLY v.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  coop sb/sth up [usually passive] to keep a person or an animal inside a building or in a small space:\nI’ve been cooped up in that office all day.


Words: cooperate
Meaning:
(BrE also co-operate)  on sth)\n  1  to work together with sb else in order to achieve sth:\nThe two groups agreed to cooperate with each other. * They had cooperated closely in the planning of the project.\n  2  to be helpful by doing what sb asks you to do:\nTheir captors told them they would be killed unless they cooperated.


Words: cooperation
Meaning:
(BrE also co-operation)  noun [U]\n  1   (with sb) (in doing sth) |  (between A and B) the fact of doing sth together or of working together towards a shared aim:\na report produced by the government in cooperation with the chemical industry * We would like to see close cooperation between colleges and schools in developing computer use.\n  2  willingness to be helpful and do as you are asked:\nWe would be grateful for your cooperation in clearing the hall as quickly as possible.


Words: cooperative
Meaning:
(BrE also co-operative)  adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] involving doing sth together or working together with others towards a shared aim:\nCooperative activity is essential to effective community work.\n  2  helpful by doing what you are asked to do:\nEmployees will generally be more cooperative if their views are taken seriously.\nOPP UNCOOPERATIVE\n  3  [usually before noun] (business) owned and run by the people involved, with the profits shared by them:\na cooperative farm * The cooperative movement started in Britain in the 19th century.\n    cooperatively (BrE also co-operatively) adverb \n    noun a cooperative business or other organization:\nagricultural cooperatives in India and China * The factory is now a workers’ cooperative.


Words: coordinate
Meaning:
(BrE also co-ordinate) verb, noun \n    verb \n  1  [VN] to organize the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works well:\nThey appointed a new manager to coordinate the work of the team. * We need to develop a coordinated approach to the problem.\n  2  [VN] to make the different parts of your body work well together\nsee also UNCOORDINATED\n  3  ~ (sth) (with sth) if you coordinate clothes, fabrics, etc. or if they coordinate, they look nice together:\n[V] This shade coordinates with a wide range of other colours. [also VN] \n    coordinator (BrE also co-ordinator) noun:\nThe campaign needs an effective coordinator.\n    noun \n  1  [C] either of two numbers or letters used to fix the position of a point on a map or GRAPH:\nthe x, y coordinates of any point on a line\n  2  (coordinates) [pl.] (used in shops / stores etc.) pieces of clothing that can be worn together because, for example, the colours look good together


Words: coordinate clause
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) each of two or more parts of a sentence, often joined by and, or, but, etc. that make separate statements that each have an equal importance:\nIn the sentence ’It stopped raining and the sun came out’, ’It stopped raining’ and ’the sun came out’ are both coordinate clauses, joined by the word ’and’.\ncompare SUBORDINATE CLAUSE


Words: coordination
Meaning:
(BrE also co-ordination)  noun [U]\n  1  the act of making parts of sth, groups of people, etc. work together in an efficient and organized way:\nWe have improved the coordination of services. * a need for greater coordination between departments * a lack of coordination in conservation policy * a pamphlet produced by the government in coordination with (= working together with) the Sports Council * advice on colour coordination (= choosing colours that look nice together, for example in clothes or furniture)\n  2  the ability to control your movements well:\nYou need good hand-eye coordination to play ball games.


Words: coot
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a black bird with a white spot on its forehead that lives on or near water\n  2  old ~ (AmE, informal) a stupid person\n IDIOMS  see BALD


Words: cop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (informal) a police officer:\nSomebody call the cops! * children playing cops and robbers * a TV cop show\n IDIOMS \n  not much cop (BrE, slang) not very good:\nHe’s not much cop as a singer.\nmore at FAIR adj.\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] (informal)\n  1  to receive or suffer sth unpleasant:\nHe copped all the hassle after the accident.\n  2  to notice sth:\nCop a load of this (= Listen to this)!\n IDIOMS \n  cop hold of sth (BrE, informal) to take hold of sth\n  cop a plea (AmE, informal) to admit in a court of law to being guilty of a small crime in the hope of receiving less severe punishment for a more serious crime\ncompare PLEA BARGAINING\n  cop it (BrE, slang)\n1 to be punished\n2 to be killed\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cop off (with sb) (BrE, slang) to start a sexual or romantic experience with sb:\nWho did he cop off with at the party?\n  cop out (of sth) (informal) to avoid or stop doing sth that you should do because you are afraid, lazy, etc:\nYou’re not going to cop out at the last minute, are you?\nrelated noun COP-OUT


Words: cop-out
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, disapproving) a way of avoiding doing sth that you should do, or an excuse for not doing it:\nThe ending of the film is a cop-out-the director didn’t really want to face up to the racial issues involved.


Words: cope
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] ~ (with sth) to deal successfully with sth difficult\nSYN MANAGE:\nI got to the stage where I wasn’t coping any more. * He wasn’t able to cope with the stresses and strains of the job. * Desert plants are adapted to cope with extreme heat.\n    noun a long loose piece of clothing worn by priests on special occasions


Words: copious
Meaning:
adjective\nin large amounts\nSYN ABUNDANT:\ncopious (= large) amounts of water * I took copious notes. * She supports her theory with copious evidence.\n    copiously adverb:\nbleeding copiously


Words: copper
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] (Symbol Cu) a chemical element. Copper is a soft reddish-brown metal used for making electric wires, pipes and coins:\na copper mine * copper wire / pipes * copper-coloured hair\n  2  (coppers) [pl.] (BrE) brown coins that do not have much value:\nI only paid a few coppers for it.\n  3  [C] (BrE, informal) a police officer


Words: copulate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (with sb/sth) (technical) to have sex:\nSome animals perform elaborate mating rituals before they copulate.\n    copulation  noun [U]


Words: copy
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural copies)\n  1  [C] ~ (of sth) a thing that is made to look like sth else, especially a document or a work of art:\nI will send you a copy of the report. * The thieves replaced the original painting with a copy. * You should make a copy of the disk as a back-up.\nsee also HARD COPY\n  2  [C] a single example of a book, newspaper, etc. of which many have been made:\na copy of ’The Times’ * The book sold 20 000 copies within two weeks.\nsee also BACK COPY\n  3  [U] written material that is to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, etc.; news or information that can be used in a newspaper article or advertisement:\nThe subeditors prepare the reporters’ copy for the paper and write the headlines. * This will make great copy for the advertisement.\n  4  = PHOTOCOPY:\nCould I have ten copies of this page, please?\n    verb (copies, copying, copied, copied)\n  1  [VN] to make sth that is exactly like sth else:\nThey copied the designs from those on Greek vases. * Everything in the computer’s memory can be copied onto diskettes.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (from sth) (into / onto sth) | ~ sth (down / out) to write sth exactly as it is written somewhere else:\nShe copied the phone number into her address book. * I copied out several poems.\n  3  [VN] to behave or do sth in the same way as sb else\nSYN IMITATE:\nShe copies everything her sister does. * Their tactics have been copied by other terrorist organizations.\n  4  [V] ~ (from / off sb) to cheat in an exam, school work, etc. by writing what sb else has written and pretending it is your own work\n  5  [VN] (especially AmE) = PHOTOCOPY


Words: copybook
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun a book, used in the past by children in school, containing examples of writing which school students had to copy\n IDIOMS  see BLOT v.\n    adjective [only before noun] (BrE) done exactly how it should be done:\nIt was a copybook operation by the police.


Words: copycat
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (informal, disapproving) used especially by children about and to a person who copies what sb else does because they have no ideas of their own\n    adjective [only before noun] (of crimes) similar to and seen as copying an earlier well-known crime:\ncopycat crimes * The copycat phenomenon is a danger to which the media may be contributing.


Words: copyright
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun [U, C] ~ (in / on sth) if a person or an organization holds the copyright on a piece of writing, music, etc., they are the only people who have the legal right to publish, broadcast, perform it etc., and other people must ask their permission to use it or any part of it:\nWho owns the copyright on this song? * Copyright expires seventy years after the death of the author. * They were sued for breach / infringement of copyright.\n    adjective (abbreviation C) protected by copyright; not allowed to be copied without permission:\ncopyright material\n    verb [VN] to get the copyright for sth


Words: coquette
Meaning:
noun\n(literary, often disapproving) a woman who behaves in a way that is intended to attract men\nSYN FLIRT\n    coquettish  adjective:\na coquettish smile\n    coquettishly adverb


Words: cor
Meaning:
(also cor blimey) exclamation\n(BrE, informal) used when you are surprised, pleased or impressed by sth:\nCor! Look at that!


Words: cor anglais
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cors anglais ) (also English horn especially in AmE) a musical instrument of the WOODWIND group, like an OBOE but larger and playing lower notes


Words: coral
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [U] a hard substance that is red, pink or white in colour, and that forms on the bottom of the sea from the bones of very small creatures. Coral is often used in jewellery:\ncoral reefs / islands * a coral necklace\n  2  [C] a creature that produces coral\n    adjective pink or red in colour, like coral:\ncoral lipstick


Words: corbel
Meaning:
noun\n(architecture) a piece of stone or wood that sticks out from a wall to support sth, for example an arch


Words: cord
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U, C] strong thick string or thin rope; a piece of this:\na piece / length of cord * picture cord (= used for hanging pictures) * a silk bag tied with a gold cord\n \n  2  [C, U] (especially AmE) = FLEX:\nan electrical cord * telephone cord\nsee also CORDLESS\n \n  3  [U] = CORDUROY:\na cord jacket\n  4  (cords) (also old-fashioned corduroys) [pl.] trousers/pants made of CORDUROY:\na pair of cords\nsee also SPINAL CORD, UMBILICAL CORD, VOCAL CORDS


Words: corded
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of fabric) having raised lines\nSYN RIBBED\n  2  (of a muscle) tense and standing out so that it looks like a piece of cord\n  3  that has a cord attached:\na corded phone\nOPP CORDLESS


Words: cordial
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (formal) pleasant and friendly:\na cordial atmosphere / meeting / relationship\n    cordiality  noun [U]:\nI was greeted with a show of cordiality.\n    noun\n  1  (BrE) [U, C] a sweet drink that does not contain alcohol, made from fruit juice. It is drunk with water added:\nblackcurrant cordial\n  2  [U, C] (AmE) = LIQUEUR\n  3  [C] a glass of cordial


Words: cordially
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  (formal) in a pleasant and friendly manner:\nYou are cordially invited to a celebration for Mr Michael Brown on his retirement.\n  2  (formal) (used with verbs showing dislike) very much:\nThey cordially detest each other.


Words: cordless
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a telephone or an electrical tool) not connected to its power supply by wires:\na cordless phone / drill\nOPP CORDED


Words: cordon
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a line or ring of police officers, soldiers, etc. guarding sth or stopping people from entering or leaving a place:\nDemonstrators tried to break through the police cordon.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cordon sth<->off to stop people from getting into an area by surrounding it with police, soldiers, etc:\nPolice cordoned off the area until the bomb was made safe.


Words: cordon bleu
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (from French) of the highest standard of skill in cooking:\na cordon bleu chef * cordon bleu cuisine


Words: corduroy
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also cord) [U] a strong soft cotton fabric with a pattern of raised parallel lines on it, used for making clothes:\na corduroy jacket\n \n  2  (corduroys) [pl.] (old-fashioned) = CORDS


Words: core
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the hard central part of a fruit such as an apple, that contains the seeds\n \n  2  the central part of an object:\nthe earth’s core * the core of a nuclear reactor * The standards of housing and education are often lower in the older urban cores (= the centres of towns or cities). * (figurative) Concern for the environment is at the core of our policies.\n \n  3  the most important part of sth:\nthe core of the argument * core subjects (= subjects that all the students have to do) * the core curriculum * the core activities of the job\n \n  4  a small group of people who take part in a particular activity:\nHe gathered a small core of advisers around him.\nsee also HARD CORE\n IDIOMS \n  to the core so that the whole of a thing or a person is affected:\nShe was shaken to the core by the news. * He’s a politician to the core (= in all his attitudes, beliefs and actions).\n    verb [VN] to take out the core of a fruit:\nYou need four cooking apples, cored and sliced.


Words: coriander
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a plant whose leaves are used in cooking as a herb and whose seeds are used in cooking as a spice\ncompare CILANTRO


Words: Corinthian
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (architecture) used to describe a style of architecture in Ancient Greece that has thin columns with decorations of leaves at the top:\nCorinthian columns / capitals


Words: cork
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] a light, soft material that is the thick bark of a type of Mediterranean OAK tree:\na cork mat * cork tiles\n  2  [C] a small round object made of cork or plastic, that is used for closing bottles, especially wine bottles:\nto draw the cork * Champagne corks were popping (= people were celebrating).\n    verb [VN] to close a bottle with a cork\nOPP UNCORK


Words: corkage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the money that a restaurant charges if you want to drink wine there that you have bought somewhere else


Words: corker
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a person or thing that is extremely good, beautiful or amusing


Words: corkscrew
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a tool for pulling CORKS from bottles. Most corkscrews have a handle and a twisted metal rod for pushing into the cork.\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to make a series of circular movements in a particular direction


Words: corn
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) [U] any plant that is grown for its grain, such as wheat; the grain of these plants:\na field of corn * ears / sheaves of corn * corn-fed chicken\n \n  2  [U] (AmE) = MAIZE\nsee also CORN COB, CORN ON THE COB\n \n  3  [U] (AmE) = SWEETCORN\n \n  4  [C] a small area of hard skin on the foot, especially the toe, that is sometimes painful


Words: corn cob
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also cob AmE, BrE) noun\nthe long hard part of the MAIZE plant that the rows of yellow grains grow on


Words: corn on the cob
Meaning:
noun\n[U] corn that is cooked with all the grains still attached to the inner part and eaten as a vegetable


Words: cornea
Meaning:
noun\n(anatomy) the transparent protective layer covering the outer part of the eye\n \n    corneal  adjective [only before noun]:\na corneal transplant


Words: corner
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  of building / object / shape\n \n  1  a part of sth where two or more sides, lines or edges join:\nthe four corners of a square * Write your address in the top right-hand corner of the letter. * I hit my knee on the corner of the table. * A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. * a speck of dirt in the corner of her eye\n \n  -cornered\n \n  2  (in adjectives) with the number of corners mentioned; involving the number of groups mentioned:\na three-cornered hat * a three-cornered fight\n \n  of room / box\n \n  3  the place inside a room or a box where two sides join; the area around this place:\nThere was a television in the far corner of the room. * a corner table / seat / cupboard\n  of roads\n  4  a place where two streets join:\nThere was a large group of youths standing on the street corner. * Turn right at the corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards. * There’s a hotel on / at the corner of my street. * The wind hit him as he turned the corner.\n  5  a sharp bend in a road:\nThe car was taking the corners too fast.\n  area / region\n  6  a region or an area of a place (sometimes used for one that is far away or difficult to reach):\nShe lives in a quiet corner of rural Yorkshire. * Students come here from the four corners of the world. * He knew every corner of the old town.\n  difficult situation\n  7  [usually sing.] a difficult situation:\nto back / drive / force sb into a corner * They had got her in a corner, and there wasn’t much she could do about it. * He was used to talking his way out of tight corners.\n  in sport\n  8  (in sports such as football and hockey) a free kick or hit that you take from the corner of your opponent’s end of the field:\nto take a corner * The referee awarded a corner.\nsee also CORNER KICK\n  9  (in boxing and WRESTLING) any of the four corners of a RING; the supporters who help in the corner\n IDIOMS \n  (just) around / round the corner very near:\nHer house is just around the corner. * (figurative) There were good times around the corner (= they would soon come).\n  cut corners (disapproving) to do sth in the easiest, cheapest or quickest way, often by ignoring rules or leaving sth out:\nTo be competitive, they paid low wages and cut corners on health and safety.\n  cut the corner (also cut off the corner especially in BrE) to go across the corner of an area and not around the sides of it, because it is quicker:\nThere’s a worn patch on the grass because everyone cuts (off) the corner.\n  see sth out of the corner of your eye to see sth accidentally or not very clearly because you see it from the side of your eye and are not looking straight at it:\nOut of the corner of her eye, she saw him coming closer.\n  turn the corner to pass a very important point in an illness or a difficult situation and begin to improve\nmore at TIGHT\n    verb\n  trap sb\n  1  [VN] [often passive] to get a person or an animal into a place or situation from which they cannot escape:\nThe man was finally cornered by police in a garage. * If disturbed or cornered, the snake will defend itself.\n  2  [VN] to go towards sb in a determined way, because you want to speak to them:\nI found myself cornered by her on the stairs.\n  the market\n  3  [VN] ~ the market (in sth) to get control of the trade in a particular type of goods:\nThey’ve cornered the market in silver.\n  of vehicle / driver\n  4  [V] (BrE) to go around a corner


Words: corner kick
Meaning:
(also corner) noun\n(in football) a free kick that you take from the corner of your opponent’s end of the field


Words: corner shop
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small shop that sells food, newspapers, cigarettes, etc., especially one near people’s houses


Words: cornerstone
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a stone at the corner of the base of a building, often laid in a special ceremony\n  2  the most important part of sth that the rest depends on:\nThis study is the cornerstone of the whole research programme.


Words: cornet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a BRASS musical instrument like a small TRUMPET\n  2  (BrE, old-fashioned) = CONE:\nan ice-cream cornet


Words: cornflakes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] small crisp yellow pieces of crushed MAIZE, usually eaten with milk and sugar for breakfast


Words: cornflour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE cornstarch) noun\n[U] fine white flour made from MAIZE, used especially for making sauces thicker


Words: cornice
Meaning:
noun\n(architecture) a decorative border around the top of the walls in a room or on the outside walls of a building


Words: cornrows
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a hairstyle worn especially by black women, in which the hair is put into lines of PLAITS along the head


Words: cornucopia
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also horn of plenty) a decorative object shaped like an animal’s horn, shown in art as full of fruit and flowers\n  2  (written) something that is or contains a large supply of good things:\nThe book is a cornucopia of good ideas. * Harvard has produced a cornucopia of leaders for the United States in many fields.


Words: corny
Meaning:
adjective\n(cornier, corniest) (informal) not original; used too often to be interesting or to sound sincere:\na corny joke / song * I know it sounds corny, but it really was love at first sight!


Words: corollary
Meaning:
noun\n(plural corollaries) ~ (of / to sth) (formal or technical) a situation, an argument or a fact that is the natural and direct result of another one:\nIn rural areas, the corollary of increased car ownership has been a rapid decline in the provision of public transport.


Words: corona
Meaning:
noun\n(plural coronae ) (astronomy) (also informal halo) a ring of light seen around the sun or moon, especially during an ECLIPSE


Words: coronary
Meaning:
adjective\n(medical) connected with the heart, particularly the ARTERIES that take blood to the heart:\ncoronary (heart) disease * a coronary patient (= sb suffering from coronary disease).


Words: coronary thrombosis
Meaning:
(also informal coronary) noun\n(medical) a blocking of the flow of blood by a blood CLOT in an ARTERY supplying blood to the heart\ncompare HEART ATTACK


Words: coroner
Meaning:
noun\nan official whose job is to discover the cause of any sudden, violent or suspicious death by holding an INQUEST


Words: coronet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small CROWN worn on formal occasions by princes, princesses, LORDS, etc.\n  2  a circular decoration for the head, especially one made of flowers


Words: corporal
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation Cpl) a member of one of the lower ranks in the army, the MARINES or the British air force:\nCorporal Masters


Words: corporate
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with a corporation:\ncorporate finance / planning / strategy * corporate identity (= the image of a company, that all its members share) * corporate hospitality (= when companies entertain customers to help develop good business relationships)\n  2  (technical) forming a CORPORATION:\nThe BBC is a corporate body. * The law applies to both individuals and corporate bodies.\n  3  involving or shared by all the members of a group:\ncorporate responsibility * a corporate act of worship in the College chapel


Words: corporation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (abbreviation Corp.) a large business company:\nmultinational corporations * the Chrysler corporation\n  2  an organization or a group of organizations that is recognized by law as a single unit:\nurban development corporations\n  3  (BrE) a group of people elected to govern a large town or city and provide public services:\nthe Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of London


Words: corporeal
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  that can be touched; physical rather than spiritual:\nhis corporeal presence\n  2  of or for the body:\ncorporeal needs


Words: corps
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  a large unit of an army, consisting of two or more DIVISIONS:\nthe commander of the third army corps\n  2  one of the groups of an army with a special responsibility:\nthe Royal Army Medical Corps * the Army Corps of Engineers\n  3  a group of people involved in a particular job or activity:\na corps of trained and experienced doctors\nsee also DIPLOMATIC CORPS, PRESS CORPS


Words: corpulent
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of a person) fat. People say ’corpulent’ to avoid saying ’fat’:\nHe is a short, somewhat corpulent, man.


Words: corpus
Meaning:
noun\n(plural corpora ) (technical) a collection of written or spoken texts:\na corpus of 100 million words of spoken English * the whole corpus of Renaissance poetry\nsee also HABEAS CORPUS


Words: corral
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (in N America) a fenced area for horses, cows etc. on a farm or RANCH:\nThey drove the ponies into a corral.\n    verb [VN] (-ll-, AmE also -l-)\n  1  to force horses or cows into a corral\n  2  to gather a group of people together and keep them in a particular place


Words: correct
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  accurate or true, without any mistakes \nSYN RIGHT:\nDo you have the correct time? * the correct answer * Please check that these details are correct. * ’Are you in charge here?’ ’That’s correct.’ * Am I correct in saying that you know a lot about wine?\nOPP INCORRECT\n  2  right and suitable, so that sth is done as it should be done:\nDo you know the correct way to shut the machine down? * I think you’ve made the correct decision.\n  3  taking care to speak or behave in a way that follows the accepted standards or rules:\na correct young lady * He is always very correct in his speech.\nOPP INCORRECT\nsee also POLITICALLY CORRECT\n    correctly adverb:\nHave you spelled it correctly? * They reasoned, correctly, that she was away for the weekend. * He was looking correctly grave.\n    correctness noun [U]:\nThe correctness of this decision may be doubted.\nsee also POLITICAL CORRECTNESS\n IDIOMS  see PRESENT adj.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] to make sth right or accurate, for example by changing it or removing mistakes:\nRead through your work and correct any mistakes that you find. * Their eyesight can be corrected in just a few minutes by the use of a laser. * They issued a statement correcting the one they had made earlier.\n  2  [VN] (of a teacher) to mark the mistakes in a piece of work (and sometimes give a mark/grade to the work):\nI spent all evening correcting essays.\n  3  to tell sb that they have made a mistake:\n[VN] Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this last year’s brochure? * Yes, you’re right-I stand corrected (= I accept that I made a mistake). * [VN speech] ’It’s Yates, not Wates,’ she corrected him. [also V speech]


Words: correction
Meaning:
noun, exclamation \n    noun\n  1  [C] a change that makes sth more accurate than it was before:\nI’ve made a few small corrections to your report. * The paper had to publish a correction to the story.\n  2  [U] the act or process of correcting sth:\nThere are some programming errors that need correction.\n  3  [U] (old-fashioned) punishment:\nthe correction of young offenders\n    exclamation (informal) used when you want to correct sth that you have just said:\nI don’t know. Correction-I do know, but I’m not going to tell you.


Words: correction fluid
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a white liquid that you use to cover mistakes that you make when you are writing or typing, and that you can write on top of\nsee also TIPP-EX, WITEOUT


Words: correctional
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (especially AmE) concerned with improving the behaviour of criminals, usually by punishing them:\na correctional center / institution / facility (= a prison)


Words: corrective
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (written) designed to make sth right that was wrong before:\nWe need to take corrective action to halt this country’s decline. * corrective measures * corrective surgery / glasses\n    noun ~ (to sth) (formal) something that helps to give a more accurate or fairer view of sb/sth:\nI should like to add a corrective to what I have written previously.


Words: correlate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] if two or more facts, figures, etc. correlate or if a fact, figure, etc. correlates with another, the facts are closely connected and affect or depend on each other:\nThe figures do not seem to correlate. * A high-fat diet correlates with a greater risk of heart disease.\n  2  [VN] to show that there is a close connection between two or more facts, figures, etc:\nResearchers are trying to correlate the two sets of figures.\n    correlate  noun


Words: correlation
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] ~ (between A and B) | ~ (of A with B) a connection between two things in which one thing changes as the other does:\nThere is a direct correlation between exposure to sun and skin cancer. * the correlation of social power with wealth


Words: correlative
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a fact or an idea that is closely related to or depends on another fact or idea:\nThe child’s right to education is a correlative of the parent’s duty to send the child to school.\n    correlative adjective


Words: correspond
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (to / with sth) to be the same as or match sth:\nYour account of events does not correspond with hers. * Your account and hers do not correspond. * The written record of the conversation doesn’t correspond to (= is different from) what was actually said.\n  2  ~ (to sth) to be similar to or the same as sth else:\nThe British job of Lecturer corresponds roughly to the US Associate Professor.\n  3  ~ (with sb) (formal) to write letters to sb and receive letters from them


Words: correspondence
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (with sb) the letters a person sends and receives:\npersonal / private correspondence * The editor welcomes correspondence from readers on any subject. * the correspondence column / page (= in a newspaper)\n  2  [U, C] ~ (with sb) the activity of writing letters:\nI refused to enter into any correspondence (= to exchange letters) with him about it. * We have been in correspondence for months. * We kept up a correspondence for many years.\n  3  [C, U] ~ (between A and B) a connection between two things; the fact of two things being similar:\nThere is a close correspondence between the two extracts.


Words: correspondent
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who reports news from a particular country or on a particular subject for a newspaper or a television or radio station:\nthe BBC’s political correspondent * a foreign / war / sports correspondent * our Hong Kong correspondent\n  2  (used with an adjective) a person who writes letters to another person:\nShe’s a poor correspondent (= she does not write regularly). * He was a vivid and witty correspondent.


Words: corresponding
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sth) matching or connected with sth that you have just mentioned:\nA change in the money supply brings a corresponding change in expenditure. * Profits have risen by 15 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year. * Give each picture a number corresponding to its position on the page. * The Redskins lost to the Cowboys in the corresponding game last year.\n    correspondingly adverb:\na period of high demand and correspondingly high prices


Words: corridor
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (AmE also hallway) a long narrow passage in a building or train, with doors that open into rooms on either side:\nGo along the corridor, turn left, and you’ll see his office in front of you.\n  2  a long narrow strip of land belonging to one country that passes through the land of another country:\nthe Polish corridor\n IDIOMS \n  the corridors of power (sometimes humorous) the higher levels of government, where important decisions are made


Words: corroborate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] (formal) to provide evidence or information that supports a statement, theory, etc:\nThe evidence was corroborated by two independent witnesses. * corroborating evidence\n    corroboration  noun [U]:\nThe prosecution provided corroboration for her allegation.


Words: corroborative
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) [usually before noun] giving support to a statement or theory:\nIs there any corroborative evidence for this theory?


Words: corrode
Meaning:
verb\nto destroy sth slowly, especially by chemical action; to be destroyed in this way:\n[VN] Acid corrodes metal. * (figurative) Corruption corrodes public confidence in a political system. * [V] The copper pipework has corroded in places.\n    corrosion  noun [U]:\nLook for signs of corrosion. * Clean off any corrosion before applying the paint.


Words: corrosive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  tending to destroy sth slowly by chemical action:\nthe corrosive effects of salt water * corrosive acid\n  2  (written) tending to damage sth gradually:\nUnemployment is having a corrosive effect on our economy.


Words: corrugated
Meaning:
adjective\nshaped into a series of regular folds that look like waves:\na corrugated iron roof * corrugated cardboard


Words: corrupt
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective\n  1  (of people) willing to use their power to do dishonest or illegal things in return for money or to get an advantage:\na corrupt regime * corrupt officials accepting bribes\n  2  (of behaviour) dishonest or immoral:\ncorrupt practices * The whole system is inefficient and corrupt.\n  3  (computing) containing changes or faults, and no longer in the original state:\ncorrupt software * The text on the disk seems to be corrupt.\n    corruptly adverb \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to have a bad effect on sb and make them behave in an immoral or dishonest way:\nHe was corrupted by power and ambition. * the corrupting effects of great wealth\n  2  [VN] [often passive] to change the original form of sth, so that it is damaged or spoiled in some way:\na corrupted form of Buddhism\n  3  (computing) to cause mistakes to appear in a computer file, etc. with the result that the information in it is no longer correct:\n[VN] The program has somehow corrupted the system files. * corrupted data * [V] The disk will corrupt if it is overloaded.


Words: corruption
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority:\nallegations of bribery and corruption * The new district attorney has promised to fight police corruption.\n  2  [U] the act or effect of making sb change from moral to immoral standards of behaviour:\nHe claimed that sex and violence on TV led to the corruption of young people.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] the form of a word or phrase that has become changed from its original form in some way:\nThe word ’holiday’ is a corruption of ’holy day’.


Words: corset
Meaning:
noun\na piece of women’s underwear, fitting the body tightly, worn especially in the past to make the waist look smaller


Words: cortex
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cortices ) (anatomy) the outer layer of an organ in the body, especially the brain:\nthe cerebral / renal cortex (= around the brain / kidney)\n    cortical  adjective


Words: cortisone
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a HORMONE used in the treatment of diseases such as ARTHRITIS, to reduce swelling


Words: cos
Meaning:
(also ’cos)  conjunction\n(BrE, spoken) because:\nI can’t see her at all, cos it’s too dark.\n\n abbreviation\n(in writing) COSINE


Words: cosh
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (especially BrE) a short thick heavy piece of metal or solid rubber that is used as a weapon\n    verb [VN] (especially BrE) to hit sb hard with a cosh or sth similar


Words: cosine
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation cos) (mathematics) the RATIO of the length of the side next to an ACUTE ANGLE in a RIGHT-ANGLED triangle to the length of the longest side (= the HYPOTENUSE)\ncompare SINE, TANGENT


Words: cosmetic
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [usually pl.] a substance that you put on your face or body to make it more attractive:\nthe cosmetics industry * She found a job selling cosmetics. * a cosmetic company * cosmetic products\n    adjective\n  1  improving only the outside appearance of sth and not its basic character:\nThese reforms are not merely cosmetic. * She dismissed the moves as a cosmetic exercise to win votes.\n  2  connected with medical treatment that is intended to improve a person’s appearance:\ncosmetic surgery * cosmetic dental work\n    cosmetically  adverb


Words: cosmic
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with the whole universe:\nDo you believe in a cosmic plan? * cosmic dust\n  2  very great and important:\nThis was disaster on a cosmic scale.


Words: cosmology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the universe and its origin and development\n    cosmological  adjective\n    cosmologist  noun


Words: cosmopolitan
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (approving)\n  1  containing people of different types or from different countries, and influenced by their culture:\na cosmopolitan city / resort * The club has a cosmopolitan atmosphere. * Jamaica is a very cosmopolitan island.\n  2  having or showing a wide experience of people and things from many different countries:\npeople with a truly cosmopolitan outlook * cosmopolitan young people\n    noun a person who has experience of many different parts of the world:\nShe’s a real cosmopolitan.


Words: cosmos
Meaning:
(the cosmos) noun [sing.] the universe, especially when it is thought of as an ordered system:\nthe structure of the cosmos * our place in the cosmos


Words: cosset
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (often disapproving) to treat sb with a lot of care and give them a lot of attention, sometimes too much\nSYN PAMPER:\nAs a child, she had been spoiled and cosseted.


Words: cost
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do sth:\nthe high / low cost of housing * A new computer system has been installed at a cost of ｣80 000. * The plan had to be abandoned on grounds of cost. * We did not even make enough money to cover the cost of the food. * Consumers will have to bear the full cost of these pay increases. * The total cost to you (= the amount you have to pay) is ｣3 000.\n  2  (costs) [pl.] the total amount of money that needs to be spent by a business:\nThe use of cheap labour helped to keep costs down. * to cut / reduce costs * running / operating / labour costs * We have had to raise our prices because of rising costs. * Opinion was divided on the potential costs and benefits of the scheme.\n  3  [U, sing.] the effort, loss or damage that is involved in order to do or achieve sth:\nthe terrible cost of the war in death and suffering * the environmental cost of nuclear power * She saved him from the fire but at the cost of her own life (= she died). * He worked non-stop for three months, at considerable cost to his health. * I felt a need to please people, whatever the cost in time and energy.\n  4  (costs) (AmE also court costs) [pl.] the sum of money that sb is ordered to pay for lawyers, etc. in a legal case:\nHe was ordered to pay ｣2 000 costs. -> PRICE\n IDIOMS \n  at all cost / costs whatever is needed to achieve sth:\nYou must stop the press from finding out at all costs.\n  at any cost under any circumstances:\nHe is determined to win at any cost.\n  at cost for only the amount of money that is needed to make or get sth, without any profit being added on:\ngoods sold at cost\n  know / learn / find sth to your cost to know sth because of sth unpleasant that has happened to you:\nHe’s a ruthless businessman, as I know to my cost.\nmore at COUNT v.\n    verb (cost, cost)\n HELP NOTE  In sense 4 costed is used for the past tense and past participle.\n  1  if sth costs a particular amount of money, you need to pay that amount in order to buy, make or do it:\n[VN] How much did it cost? * I didn’t get it because it cost too much. * Tickets cost ten dollars each. * Calls to the helpline cost 38p per minute. * Don’t use too much of it-it cost a lot of money. * All these reforms will cost money (= be expensive). * Good food need not cost a fortune (= cost a lot of money). * [VNN] The meal cost us about ｣40. * This is costing the taxpayer ｣10 billion a year. * [VN to inf] The hospital will cost an estimated ｣2 million to build. * It costs a fortune to fly first class.\n  2  to cause the loss of sth:\n[VNN] That one mistake almost cost him his life. * A late penalty cost United the game (= meant that they did not win the game). * Such behaviour could cost you your place in the team. * [VN] The closure of the factory is likely to cost 1 000 jobs.\n  3  [VNN] to involve you in making an effort or doing sth unpleasant:\nThe accident cost me a visit to the doctor. * Financial worries cost her many sleepless nights. * She would never know how much it cost him to tell her.\n  4  (costed, costed) [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (out) to estimate how much money will be needed for sth or the price that should be charged for sth:\nThe project needs to be costed in detail. * Their accountants have costed the project at $8.1 million. * Have you costed out these proposals yet? * fully costed proposals\nsee also COSTING\n IDIOMS \n  cost sb dear to make sb suffer a lot:\nThat one mistake has cost him dear over the years.\n  it will cost you (spoken) used to say that sth will be expensive:\nThere is a de luxe model available, but it’ll cost you.\nmore at ARM n.


Words: cost accounting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (business) the process of recording and analysing the costs involved in running a business


Words: cost price
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the cost of producing sth or the price at which it is sold without profit:\nCopies of the CD can be purchased at cost price.\ncompare SELLING PRICE


Words: cost-benefit
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (economics) the relationship between the cost of doing sth and the value of the benefit that results from it:\ncost-benefit analysis


Words: cost-cutting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the reduction of the amount of money spent on sth, especially because of financial difficulty:\nDeliveries of mail could be delayed because of cost-cutting. * a cost-cutting exercise / measure / programme


Words: cost-effective
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving the best possible profit or benefits in comparison with the money that is spent:\na cost-effective way to fight crime\n    cost-effectiveness noun [U]


Words: costing
Meaning:
noun\nan estimate of how much money will be needed for sth:\nHere is a detailed costing of our proposals. * You’d better do some costings.


Words: costly
Meaning:
adjective (costlier, costliest)\n HELP NOTE  You can also use more costly and most costly.\n  1  costing a lot of money, especially more than you want to pay:\nBuying new furniture may prove too costly.\n  2  causing problems or the loss of sth:\na costly mistake / failure * Mining can be costly in terms of lives (= too many people can die).\n    costliness noun [U]


Words: costume
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the clothes worn by people from a particular place or during a particular historical period:\nSome of the singers wore the Welsh national costume.\n  2  [C, U] the clothes worn by actors in a play or film/movie, or worn by sb to make them look like sth else:\nThe actors were still in costume and make-up. * She has four costume changes during the play. * He went to the party in a giant chicken costume. * a costume designer\n  3  [C] (BrE, informal) = SWIMMING COSTUME:\nIf you’d like a swim, we can lend you a costume.


Words: costumier
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE costumer) noun\na person or company that makes COSTUMES or has COSTUMES to hire, especially for the theatre:\na firm of theatrical costumiers


Words: cosy
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE cozy)  adjective (cosier, cosiest)\n  1  warm, comfortable and safe, especially because of being small or enclosed:\na cosy little room * a cosy feeling * I felt warm and cosy sitting by the fire.\n  2  friendly and private:\na cosy chat with a friend\n  3  (often disapproving) easy and convenient, but not always honest or right:\nThe firm has a cosy relationship with the Ministry of Defence. * The danger is that things get too cosy.\n    cosily (BrE) (AmE cozily) adverb:\nsitting cosily by the fire\n    cosiness (BrE) (AmE coziness) noun [U]:\nthe warmth and cosiness of the kitchen


Words: cot
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE crib) a small bed with high sides for a baby or young child:\na travel cot (= one that can be moved around easily, used when travelling)\nsee also CARRYCOT\n \n  2  (AmE) = CAMP BED


Words: cot death
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE crib death) noun\n[U, C] the sudden death while sleeping of a baby which appears to be healthy


Words: coterie
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] (formal, often disapproving) a small group of people who have the same interests and do things together but do not like to include others:\nher little coterie of friends and advisers * a literary coterie


Words: coterminous
Meaning:
adjective [not usually before noun] ~ (with sth) (formal)\n  1  (of countries or areas) sharing a border\n  2  (of things or ideas) having so much in common that they are almost the same as each other:\nHe seems to regard the interests of the state as coterminous with the interests of the party in government.


Words: cottage
Meaning:
noun\na small house, especially in the country:\na charming country cottage with roses around the door * (BrE) a holiday cottage


Words: cottage industry
Meaning:
noun\na small business in which the work is done by people in their homes:\nWeaving and knitting are traditional cottage industries. * Desktop publishing has become a modern cottage industry.


Words: cottaging
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE, slang) the practice of HOMOSEXUAL men looking for sexual partners in a public toilet


Words: cotton
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [U]\n \n  1  a plant grown in warm countries for the soft white hairs around its seeds that are used to make fabric and thread:\ncotton fields / plants * bales of cotton\n \n  2  the fabric made from the cotton plant:\nThe sheets are 100% pure cotton. * a cotton shirt / skirt * printed cotton fabric * the cotton industry * a cotton mill\n \n  3  (especially BrE) thread that is used for sewing:\nsewing cotton * a cotton reel\n \n  4  (AmE) = COTTON WOOL:\nUse a cotton ball to apply the lotion.\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cotton on (to sth) (informal) to begin to understand or realize sth without being told:\nI suddenly cottoned on to what he was doing.\n  cotton (up) to sb/sth (AmE, informal) to make an attempt to be friendly to sb


Words: cotton bud
Meaning:
(BrE) (also Q-Tip AmE, BrE) noun\na small stick with COTTON WOOL at each end, used for cleaning inside the ears, etc.


Words: cotton wool
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE cotton) noun\n[U] a soft mass of white material that is used for cleaning the skin or a wound:\ncotton wool balls / pads


Words: cottonwood
Meaning:
(also cottonwood tree) noun\na type of N American POPLAR tree, with seeds that are covered in hairs that look like white cotton


Words: couch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a long comfortable seat for two or more people to sit on\nSYN SETTEE, SOFA\n \n  2  a long piece of furniture like a bed, especially in a doctor’s office:\non the psychiatrist’s couch\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (in sth) (formal) to say or write words in a particular style or manner:\nThe letter was deliberately couched in very vague terms.


Words: cough
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n\n \n  1  [V] to force out air suddenly and noisily through your throat, for example when you have a cold:\nI couldn’t stop coughing. * to cough nervously / politely / discreetly\n \n  2  [VN] ~ sth (up) to force sth out of your throat or lungs by coughing:\nSometimes she coughed (up) blood.\n \n  3  [V] (of an engine) to make a sudden harsh noise:\nThe old engine coughed and spluttered into life.\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cough up | cough sth<->up: (informal) He owes us money but he won’t cough up. * Steve finally coughed up the money he owed us.\n    noun\n  1  an act or a sound of coughing:\nShe gave a little cough to attract my attention.\n  2  an illness or infection that makes you cough often:\nto have a dry / persistent / hacking cough * My cold’s better, but I can’t seem to shake off this cough.\nsee also WHOOPING COUGH


Words: cough mixture
Meaning:
(BrE) (also cough syrup, cough medicine BrE, AmE) noun\n[U] liquid medicine that you take for a cough


Words: could
Meaning:
1  used as the past tense of ’can’:\nShe said that she couldn’t come. * I couldn’t hear what they were saying. * Sorry, I couldn’t get any more. -> CAN\n  2  used to ask if you can do sth:\nCould I use your phone, please? * Could we stop by next week?\n  3  used to politely ask sb to do sth for you:\nCould you babysit for us on Friday?\n  4  used to show that sth is or might be possible:\nI could do it now, if you like. * Don’t worry-they could have just forgotten to call. * You couldn’t have left it on the bus, could you? * ’Have some more cake.’ ’Oh, I couldn’t, thank you (= I’m too full).\n  5  used to suggest sth:\nWe could write a letter to the director. * You could always try his home number.\n  6  used to show that you are annoyed that sb did not do sth:\nThey could have let me know they were going to be late!\n  7  (informal) used to emphasize how strongly you want to express your feelings:\nI’m so fed up I could scream! -> MODAL\n IDIOMS \n  could do with sth (spoken) used to say that you need or would like to have sth:\nI could do with a drink! * Her hair could have done with a wash.


Words: council
Meaning:
pl. v.]\n  1  a group of people who are elected to govern an area such as a city or county:\na city / county / borough / district council * She’s on the local council. * a council member / meeting\n  2  (BrE) the organization that provides services in a city or county, for example education, houses, libraries, etc:\ncouncil workers / services\n  3  a group of people chosen to give advice, make rules, do research, provide money, etc:\nthe Medical Research Council * In Britain, the Arts Council gives grants to theatres.\n  4  (formal) (especially in the past) a formal meeting to discuss what action to take in a particular situation:\nThe King held a council at Nottingham from 14 to 19 October 1330.\nsee also PRIVY COUNCIL


Words: council of war
Meaning:
noun\n(plural councils of war) (BrE) a meeting to discuss how to deal with an urgent and difficult situation:\nShe called together senior managers for a council of war.


Words: council tax
Meaning:
noun\n(often the council tax) [sing., U] (in Britain) a tax charged by local councils, based on the value of a person’s home


Words: councillor
Meaning:
(AmE also councilor)  noun\n(abbreviation Cllr) a member of a council:\nCouncillor Ann Jones * Talk to your local councillor about the problem.\nsee also COUNCILMAN, COUNCILWOMAN


Words: counsel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C]\n  1  (formal) advice, especially given by older people or experts; a piece of advice:\nListen to the counsel of your elders. * In the end, wiser counsels prevailed.\n  2  (law) a lawyer or group of lawyers representing sb in a court of law:\nto be represented by counsel * the counsel for the defence / prosecution * defence / prosecuting counsel * The court then heard counsel for the dead woman’s father.\nsee also KING’S / QUEEN’S COUNSEL -> LAWYER\n IDIOMS \n  a counsel of despair (formal) advice not to try to do sth because it is too difficult\n  a counsel of perfection (formal) advice that is good but that is difficult or impossible to follow\n  keep your own counsel (formal) to keep your opinions, plans, etc. secret:\nEmily doubted what he told her but kept her own counsel.\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-)\n  1  [VN] to listen to and give support or professional advice to sb who needs help:\nTherapists were brought in to counsel the bereaved.\n  2  (formal) to advise sb to do sth:\n[VN] Most experts counsel caution in such cases. * [VN to inf] He counselled them to give up the plan.


Words: counselling
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE counseling)  noun\n[U] professional advice about a problem:\nmarriage guidance counselling * a student counselling service


Words: counsellor
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually counselor)  noun\n  1  a person who has been trained to advise people with problems, especially personal problems:\na marriage guidance counsellor\n  2  (AmE, IrishE) a lawyer\n  3  (AmE) a person who is in charge of young people at a summer camp


Words: count
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  say numbers\n  1  [V] ~ (from sth) (to / up to sth) to say numbers in the correct order:\nBilly can’t count yet. * She can count up to 10 in Italian. * to count from 1 to 10\n  find total\n  2  ~ (sth) (up) to calculate the total number of people, things, etc. in a particular group:\n[VN] The diet is based on counting calories. * Count the ’yes’ votes and the ’no’ votes separately. * [V wh-] She began to count up how many guests they had to invite. * [V] There are 12 weeks to go, counting from today.\n  include\n  3  [VN] to include sb/sth when you calculate a total:\nWe have invited 50 people, not counting the children.\n  matter\n  4  [V] ~ (for sth) (not used in the progressive tenses) to be important:\nEvery point in this game counts. * The fact that she had apologized counted for nothing with him. * It’s the thought that counts (= used about a small but kind action or gift).\n  accept officially\n  5  to be officially accepted; to accept sth officially:\n[V] Don’t go over that line or your throw won’t count. * [VN] Applications received after 1 July will not be counted.\n  consider\n  6  ~ sb/sth (as) sb/sth | ~ as sb/sth to consider sb/sth in a particular way; to be considered in a particular way: [V, VN] For tax purposes that money counts / is counted as income. * [VN] I count him among my closest friends. * [VN-ADJ] I count myself lucky to have known him. * [VN-N] She counts herself one of the lucky ones.\n IDIOMS \n  be able to count sb/sth on (the fingers of) one hand used to say that the total number of sb/sth is very small:\nShe could count on the fingers of one hand the people she actually enjoyed being with.\n  count your blessings to be grateful for the good things in your life\n  don’t count your chickens (before they are hatched) (saying) you should not be too confident that sth will be successful, because sth may still go wrong\n  count the cost (of sth) to feel the bad effects of a mistake, an accident, etc:\nThe town is now counting the cost of its failure to provide adequate flood protection.\n  count sheep to imagine that sheep are jumping over a fence and to count them, as a way of getting to sleep\n  stand up and be counted to say publicly that you support sb or you agree with sth\n  Who’s counting? (informal) used to say that you do not care how many times sth happens:\nThe next Star Trek movie (number six, but who’s counting?) will be the last.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  count against sb | count sth against sb to be considered or to consider sth as a disadvantage in sb:\nFor that job her lack of experience may count against her. * He has a criminal record but we hope that prospective employers won’t count it against him.\n  count down (to sth) to think about a future event with pleasure or excitement and count the minutes, days, etc. until it happens:\nShe’s already counting down to the big day.\nrelated noun COUNTDOWN\n  count sb in to include sb in an activity:\nI hear you’re organizing a trip to the game next week? Count me in!\n  count on sb/sth to trust sb to do sth or to be sure that sth will happen:\n’I’m sure he’ll help.’ ’Don’t count on it.’ * [+ to inf] I’m counting on you to help me. * [+ -ing] Few people can count on having a job for life. * We can’t count on this warm weather lasting.\n  count sb/sth<->out to count things one after the other as you put them somewhere:\nShe counted out ｣70 in ｣10 notes.\n  count sb out to not include sb in an activity:\nIf you’re going out tonight you’ll have to count me out.\n  count towards / toward sth to be included as part of sth that you hope to achieve in the future:\nStudents gain college credits which count towards their degree.\n    noun\n  total\n  1  [usually sing.] an act of counting to find the total number of sth; the total number that you find:\nThe bus driver did a quick count of the empty seats. * If the election result is close, there will be a second count. * The body count (= the total number of people who have died) stands at 24.\nsee also HEADCOUNT\n  saying numbers\n  2  [usually sing.] an act of saying numbers in order beginning with 1:\nRaise your leg and hold for a count of ten. * He was knocked to the ground and stayed down for a count of eight (= in boxing). * On the count of three, take one step forward.\n  measurement\n  3  [usually sing.] (technical) a measurement of the amount of sth contained in a particular substance or area:\na raised white blood cell count\nsee also BLOOD COUNT, POLLEN COUNT\n  crime\n  4  (law) a crime that sb is accused of committing:\nThey were found guilty on all counts. * She appeared in court on three counts of fraud.\n  in discussion / argument\n  5  [usually pl.] a point made during a discussion or an argument:\nI disagree with you on both counts.\n  rank / title\n  6  (in some European countries) a NOBLEMAN of high rank, similar to an EARL in Britain:\nCount Tolstoy\nsee also COUNTESS\n IDIOMS \n  at the last count according to the latest information about the numbers of sth:\nShe’d applied for 30 jobs at the last count.\n  keep (a) count (of sth) to remember or keep a record of numbers or amounts of sth over a period of time:\nKeep a count of your calorie intake for one week.\n  lose count (of sth) to forget the total of sth before you have finished counting it:\nI lost count and had to start again. * She had lost count of the number of times she’d told him to be careful (= she could not remember because there were so many).\n  out for the count (BrE) (AmE down for the count)\n1 (of a boxer) unable to get up again within ten seconds after being knocked down\n2 in a deep sleep


Words: countable
Meaning:
adjective\n(grammar) a noun that is countable can be used in the plural or with a or an, for example table, cat and idea\nOPP UNCOUNTABLE


Words: countdown
Meaning:
noun ~ (to sth)\n  1  [sing., U] the action of counting seconds backwards to zero, for example before a spacecraft is LAUNCHED (= sent into space)\n  2  [sing.] the period of time just before sth important happens:\nthe countdown to the wedding


Words: countenance
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (formal or literary) a person’s face or their expression:\nher calmly smiling countenance * a young man of handsome countenance\n    verb (formal) to support sth or agree to sth happening: [VN] The committee refused to countenance his proposals. [also V -ing, VN -ing]


Words: counter
Meaning:
noun, verb, adverb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a long flat surface over which goods are sold or business is done in a shop/store, bank, etc:\nI asked the woman behind the counter if they had any postcards of the church.\n \n  2  (especially AmE) = WORKTOP\n \n  3  a small disc used for playing or scoring in some board games\nsee also BARGAINING COUNTER\n \n  4  (especially in compounds) an electronic device for counting sth:\nThe needle on the rev counter soared. * You need to reset the counter.\nsee also GEIGER COUNTER\n  5  [usually sing.] ~ (to sb/sth) (formal) a response to sb/sth that opposes their ideas, position, etc:\nThe employers’ association was seen as a counter to union power.\n IDIOMS \n  over the counter goods, especially medicines, for sale over the counter can be bought without a PRESCRIPTION (= written permission from a doctor to buy a medicine) or special LICENCE (= written permission):\nThese tablets are available over the counter.\nsee also OVER-THE-COUNTER\n  under the counter goods that are bought or sold under the counter are sold secretly and sometimes illegally:\nPornography may be legally banned but it is still available under the counter.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (sb/sth) (with sth) to reply to sb by trying to prove that what they said is not true:\n[VN] Such arguments are not easily countered. * [V that] I tried to argue but he countered that the plans were not yet finished. [also V speech, V]\n  2  [VN] to do sth to reduce or prevent the bad effects of sth:\nBusinesses would like to see new laws to counter late payments of debts.\n    adverb ~ to sth in the opposite direction to sth; in opposition to sth:\nThe government’s plans run counter to agreed European policy on this issue.


Words: counter-
Meaning:
combining form (in nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs)\n  1  against; opposite:\ncounterterrorism * counter-argument\n  2  CORRESPONDING:\ncounterpart


Words: counter-attack
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun an attack made in response to the attack of an enemy or opponent in war, sport or an argument:\nLoyal armed forces launched a counter-attack against the rebels. * The Inter player was swift to respond with a counter-attack.\n    verb [V, VN] to make an attack in response to the attack of an enemy or opponent in war, sport or an argument\nSYN RETALIATE


Words: counter-insurgency
Meaning:
noun\n[U] action taken against a group of people who are trying to take control of a country by force:\ncounter-insurgency operations


Words: counter-intelligence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] secret action taken by a country to prevent an enemy country from finding out its secrets, for example by giving them false information; the department of a government, etc. that is responsible for this


Words: counter-revolution
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] opposition to or violent action against a government that came to power as a result of a revolution, in order to destroy and replace it:\nto stage a counter-revolution * the forces of counter-revolution


Words: counter-revolutionary
Meaning:
noun\na person involved in a counter-revolution\n    counter-revolutionary adjective:\nthe suppression of the counter-revolutionary rebellion


Words: counter-terrorism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] action taken to prevent the activities of political groups who use violence to try to achieve their aims\n    counter-terrorist adjective


Words: counteract
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to do sth to reduce or prevent the bad or harmful effects of sth\nSYN COUNTER:\nThese exercises aim to counteract the effects of stress and tension.


Words: counterbalance
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] (formal) to have an equal but opposite effect to sth else\nSYN OFFSET:\nParents’ natural desire to protect their children should be counterbalanced by the child’s need for independence.\n    noun  (also counterweight) [usually sing.] ~ (to sth) a thing that has an equal but opposite effect to sth else and can be used to limit the bad effects of sth:\nThe accused’s right to silence was a vital counterbalance to the powers of the police.


Words: counterclaim
Meaning:
noun\na claim made in reply to another claim and different from it:\nAmid all the claims and counterclaims it was hard to say who was telling the truth.


Words: counterculture
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a way of life and set of ideas that are opposed to those accepted by most of society; a group of people who share such a way of life and such ideas:\nthe anti-military counterculture of the 1960s


Words: counterfeit
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective (of money and goods for sale) made to look exactly like sth in order to trick people into thinking that they are getting the real thing; not genuine:\ncounterfeit watches * Are you aware these notes are counterfeit?\n    counterfeit noun:\nDespite the introduction of a security shield on the new ｣10 stamp, counterfeits are costing the postal service millions of pounds a year.\ncompare FORGERY\n    verb [VN] to make an exact copy of sth in order to trick people into thinking that it is the real thing\ncompare FORGE\n    counterfeiting noun [U]


Words: counterfoil
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) the part of a cheque, ticket, etc. that you keep when you give the other part to sb else


Words: countermeasure
Meaning:
noun\n[often pl.] a course of action taken to protect against sth that is considered bad or dangerous:\ncountermeasures to neutralize the threat of terrorism


Words: counterpart
Meaning:
noun\na person or thing that has the same position or function as sb/sth else in a different place or situation:\nThe Foreign Minister held talks with his Chinese counterpart. * The women’s shoe, like its male counterpart, is specifically designed for the serious tennis player.


Words: counterpoint
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] (music) the combination of two or more tunes played together to form a single piece of music\nSYN POLYPHONY:\nThe two melodies are played in counterpoint.\nsee also CONTRAPUNTAL\n  2  [C] ~ (to sth) (music) a tune played in combination with another one\n  3  [U, C] (written) a pleasing or interesting contrast:\nThis work is in austere counterpoint to that of Gaudi.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (with / against sth) (formal) to contrast sth with sth else; to form a contrast with sth


Words: counterproductive
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] having the opposite effect to the one which was intended:\nIncreases in taxation would be counterproductive.\ncompare PRODUCTIVE


Words: countersign
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (technical) to sign a document that has already been signed by another person, especially in order to show that it is valid:\nAll orders must be countersigned by one of the directors.


Words: counterweight
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] = COUNTERBALANCE:\nThe senate is the opposition’s counterweight to the new president.


Words: countess
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a woman who has the rank of a COUNT or an EARL\n  2  the wife of a COUNT or an EARL:\nthe Earl and Countess of Rosebery


Words: countless
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] very many; too many to be counted or mentioned:\nI’ve warned her countless times. * The new treatment could save Emma’s life and the lives of countless others.\ncompare UNCOUNTABLE\n\n noun noun\n(grammar) a COUNTABLE noun


Words: country
Meaning:
noun (plural countries)\n  1  [C] an area of land that has or used to have its own government and laws:\nEuropean countries * leading industrial countries * She didn’t know what life in a foreign country would be like. * It’s good to meet people from different parts of the country.\n  2  [U] (often following an adjective) an area of land, especially with particular physical features, suitable for a particular purpose or connected with a particular person or people:\nopen / wooded country * superb walking country * Explore Thomas Hardy country.\n  3  (the country) [sing.] the people of a country; the nation as a whole:\nThey have the support of most of the country. * The rich benefited from the reforms, not the country as a whole.\nsee also MOTHER COUNTRY, THE OLD COUNTRY, UP-COUNTRY\n  4  (the country) [sing.] any area outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, farms, etc:\nto live in the country * We spent a pleasant day in the country. * a country lane -> LANDSCAPE\n  5  [U] = COUNTRY-AND-WESTERN:\npop, folk and country\n IDIOMS \n  across country directly across fields, etc.; not by a main road:\nriding across country\nsee also CROSS-COUNTRY\n  go to the country (BrE) (of a government) to hold an election to choose a new parliament\nmore at FREE adj.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \ncountry / state\nCountry is the most usual, neutral word for a geographical area that has or used to have its own government.\nState emphasizes the political organization of an area under an independent government. Especially in BrE, it can also mean the government: the member states of the EU * The state provides free education. In AmE the state usually refers to one of the 50 states of the US, not to the government of the country as a whole.\n______________________________


Words: country and western
Meaning:
(abbreviation C & W) (also country music, country, hillbilly) noun\n[U] a type of music in the style of the traditional music of the southern and western US:\na country and western singer


Words: country club
Meaning:
noun\na club in the country, or on the edge of a town, where people can play sports and go to social events


Words: country dance
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a type of traditional dance, especially one in which couples dance in long lines or circles


Words: country house
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a large house in the country, especially one that belongs or used to belong to a rich important family


Words: countryman
Meaning:
1  a person born in or living in the same country as sb else\nSYN COMPATRIOT:\nSampras looks set to play his fellow countryman Agassi in the final.\n  2  a man living or born in the country, not in the town:\nEven after thirty years living in the country, I fear I am not a proper countryman. I don’t farm for a living or go tramping across drenched fields, gun in hand.


Words: countryside
Meaning:
noun\n[U] land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, etc:\nThe surrounding countryside is windswept and rocky. * magnificent views over open countryside * Everyone should enjoy the right of access to the countryside. -> LANDSCAPE


Words: countrywide
Meaning:
adjective\nover the whole of a country:\na countrywide mail-order service\n    countrywide adverb:\nThe film will be released in London in March and countrywide in May.


Words: countrywoman
Meaning:
1  a woman living or born in the country, not the town\n  2  (rare) a woman born or living in the same country as sb else


Words: county
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural counties) (abbreviation Co.) an area of Britain, Ireland or the US that has its own government:\nthe southern counties * county boundaries * Orange County\nsee also THE HOME COUNTIES\n    adjective (BrE, usually disapproving) typical of English upper-class people


Words: county clerk
Meaning:
noun\n(in the US) an elected county official who is responsible for elections and who keeps records of who owns buildings in the county, etc.


Words: county council
Meaning:
noun\n[C+sing./pl. v.] (in Britain) a group of people elected to the local government of a county:\na member of Lancashire County Council\n    county councillor noun


Words: county court
Meaning:
noun\na local court of law. In Britain county courts only deal with private disputes but in the US they also deal with criminal cases.\ncompare CROWN COURT


Words: coup
Meaning:
1  (also coup d’etat) a sudden, illegal and often violent, change of government:\nHe seized power in a military coup in 1981. * to stage / mount a coup * an attempted coup * a failed / an abortive coup * She lost her position in a boardroom coup (= a sudden change of power among senior managers in a company).\n  2  the fact of achieving sth that was difficult to do:\nGetting this contract has been quite a coup for us. * He pulled off a major diplomatic coup by winning agreement from all the warring factions on a permanent ceasefire.


Words: coup de grace
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (from French, formal)\n  1  an action or event that finally ends sth that has been getting weaker or worse:\nMy disastrous exam results dealt the coup de grace to my university career.\n  2  a hit or shot that finally kills a person or an animal, especially to put an end to their suffering\nSYN DEATH BLOW


Words: couple
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] ~ (of sth) two people or things:\nI saw a couple of men get out.\n HELP NOTE  In BrE a plural verb is usually used in all 3 senses.\n  2  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] ~ (of sth) a small number of people or things\nSYN A FEW:\na couple of minutes * We went there a couple of years ago. * I’ve seen her a couple of times before. * I’ll be with you in a minute. There are a couple of things I have to do first. * There are a couple more files to read first. * We can do it in the next couple of weeks. * The last couple of years have been difficult.\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] two people who are seen together, especially if they are married or in a romantic or sexual relationship:\nmarried couples * a young / an elderly couple * Several couples were on the dance floor. * The couple was / were married in 1976.\n IDIOMS  see SHAKE n.\n    a couple pronoun:\nDo you need any more glasses? I’ve got a couple I can lend you.\n    couple determiner (AmE):\nIt’s only a couple blocks away.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] ~ A (to B) | ~ A and B together to join together two parts of sth, for example two vehicles or pieces of equipment:\nThe two train cars had been coupled together. * CDTV uses a CD-ROM system that is coupled to a powerful computer.\n  2  [V] (formal) (of two people or animals) to have sex\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  couple sb/sth with sb/sth [usually passive] to link one thing, situation, etc. to another:\nOverproduction, coupled with falling sales, has led to huge losses for the company.


Words: couplet
Meaning:
noun\ntwo lines of poetry of equal length one after the other:\na poem written in rhyming couplets\nsee also HEROIC COUPLET


Words: coupling
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually sing.] an action of joining or combining two things:\na coupling of Mozart’s Prague Symphony and Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony (= for example, on the same CD)\n  2  (formal) an act of having sex:\nillicit couplings\n  3  (technical) a thing that joins together two parts of sth, two vehicles or two pieces of equipment


Words: coupon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small piece of printed paper that you can exchange for sth or that gives you the right to buy sth at a cheaper price than normal:\nmoney-off coupons * clothing / petrol coupons * Enclose a stamped addressed envelope or an international reply coupon. -> VOUCHER\n  2  a printed form, often cut out from a newspaper, that is used to enter a competition, order goods, etc:\nFill in and return the attached coupon.


Words: courage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the ability to do sth dangerous, or to face pain or opposition, without showing fear\nSYN BRAVERY:\nHe showed great courage and determination. * I haven’t yet plucked up the courage to ask her. * moral / physical courage * courage in the face of danger\nsee also DUTCH COURAGE\n IDIOMS \n  have / lack the courage of your convictions to be/not be brave enough to do what you feel to be right\n  take courage (from sth) to begin to feel happier and more confident because of sth\n  take your courage in both hands to make yourself do sth that you are afraid of:\nTaking her courage in both hands, she opened the door and walked in.\nmore at SCREW v.


Words: courageous
Meaning:
adjective\nshowing courage\nSYN BRAVE:\na very courageous decision * I hope people will be courageous enough to speak out against this injustice.\n    courageously adverb:\nThe crew acted courageously in staying with the ship until all the passengers had been taken to safety.


Words: courier
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person or company whose job is to take packages or important papers somewhere:\nWe sent the documents by courier.\n  2  (BrE) a person who is employed by a travel company to give advice and help to a group of tourists on holiday\n    courier verb:\n[VN] Courier that letter-it needs to get there today (= send it by courier).


Words: course
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  education\n  1  [C] ~ (in / on sth) a series of lessons or LECTURES on a particular subject:\na French / chemistry course * to take / do a course in art and design * to go on a management training course * The college runs specialist language courses.\nsee also CORRESPONDENCE COURSE, CRASH adj., FOUNDATION COURSE, INDUCTION COURSE, REFRESHER COURSE, SANDWICH COURSE\n  2  [C] (especially BrE) a period of study at a college or university that leads to an exam or a qualification:\na degree course * a two-year postgraduate course leading to a master’s degree\ncompare PROGRAMME n. (5)\n  direction\n  3  [U, C, usually sing.] a direction or route followed by a ship or an aircraft:\nThe plane was on / off course (= going / not going in the right direction). * He radioed the pilot to change course. * They set a course for the islands.\n  4  [C, usually sing.] the general direction in which sb’s ideas or actions are moving:\nThe president appears likely to change course on some key issues. * Politicians are often obliged to steer a course between incompatible interests.\n  action\n  5  (also course of action) [C] a way of acting in or dealing with a particular situation:\nThere are various courses open to us. * What course of action would you recommend? * The wisest course would be to say nothing.\n  development\n  6  [sing.]  of sth the way sth develops or should develop:\nan event that changed the course of history * The unexpected course of events aroused considerable alarm.\n  part of meal\n  7  [C] any of the separate parts of a meal:\na four-course dinner * The main course was roast duck.\n  for golf\n  8  [C] = GOLF COURSE:\nHe set a new course record.\n  for races\n  9  [C] an area of land or water where races are held:\nShe was overtaken on the last stretch of the course.\nsee also ASSAULT COURSE, RACECOURSE\n  of river\n  10  [C, usually sing.] the direction a river moves in:\nThe path follows the course of the river.\n  medical treatment\n  11  [C] ~ (of sth) a series of medical treatments, PILLS, etc:\nto prescribe a course of antibiotics * When taking antibiotics it is important to finish the course.\n  in wall\n  12  [C] a continuous layer of bricks, stone, etc. in a wall:\nA new damp-proof course could cost ｣1 000 or more.\n IDIOMS \n  in course of sth (formal) going through a particular process:\nThe new textbook is in course of preparation.\n  in / over the course of ... (used with expressions for periods of time) during:\nHe’s seen many changes in the course of his long life. * The company faces major challenges over the course of the next few years.\n  in the course of time when enough time has passed\nSYN EVENTUALLY:\nIt is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.\n  in the ordinary, normal, etc. course of events, things, etc. as things usually happen\nSYN NORMALLY:\nIn the normal course of things we would not treat her disappearance as suspicious.\n  of course\n1 (also informal course) (spoken) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct:\n’Don’t you like my mother?’ ’Of course I do!’ * ’Will you be there?’ ’Course I will.’\n2 (also informal course) (spoken) used as a polite way of giving sb permission to do sth:\n’Can I come, too?’ ’Course you can.’ * ’Can I have one of those pens?’ ’Of course-help yourself.’\n3 (spoken) used as a polite way of agreeing with what sb has just said:\n’I did all I could to help.’ ’Of course,’ he murmured gently.\n4 used to show that what you are saying is not surprising or is generally known or accepted:\nBen, of course, was the last to arrive. * Of course, there are other ways of doing this.\n  of course not (also informal course not) used to emphasize the fact that you are saying ’no’:\n’Are you going?’ ’Of course not.’ * ’Do you mind?’ ’No, of course not.’\n  on course for sth / to do sth likely to achieve or do sth because you have already started to do it:\nThe American economy is on course for higher inflation than Britain by the end of the year. * Victory in Saturday’s match will put them on course to qualify for the European championships.\n  run / take its course to develop in the usual way and come to the usual end:\nWhen her tears had run their course, she felt calmer and more in control. * With minor ailments the best thing is often to let nature take its course.\nmore at COLLISION, DUE adj., HORSE n., MATTER n., MIDDLE adj., PAR, PERVERT v., STAY v.\n    verb [V +adv./prep.] (literary) (of liquid) to move or flow quickly\n______________________________\n BRITISH / AMERICAN \ncourse / program\nIn BrE course is used for a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject: a physics course * a course of ten lectures.In AmE you would say: a physics course/program * a program of ten lectures.\nIn AmE a course is usually an individual unit that forms part of a longer period of study: I have to take a physics course/class. This is called a module in Britain, especially in a college or university.\nIn BrE course can also mean a period of study at a college or university: a two-year college course. In AmE you would say: a two-year college program.\n______________________________\n\n______________________________\n MORE ABOUT \nof course\nOf course is often used to show that what you are saying is not surprising or is generally known or accepted. For this reason, and because it can be difficult to get the right intonation, you may not sound polite if you use of course or of course not when you answer a request for information or permission. It can be safer to use a different word or phrase.\n’Is this the right room for the English class?’ ’Yes, it is.’ * ’_O_f_ _c_o_u_r_s_e.’ or ’_O_f_ _c_o_u_r_s_e_ _i_t_ _i_s.rquote\n’Can I borrow your dictionary?’ ’Certainly.’ (formal) * ’Sure.’ (informal)\n’Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary?’ ’Not at all.’ * ’Go ahead.’ (informal).\nIf you say of course/of course not it may sound as though you think the answer to the question is obvious and that the person should not ask. In the same way, of course should not be used as a reply to a statement of fact or when someone expresses an opinion: ’It’s a lovely day.’ ’It certainly is.’/’Yes it is.’ * ’Of course it is.’ * ’I think you’ll enjoy that play.’ ’I’m sure I will.’/’Yes, it sounds really good.’ * _O_f_ _c_o_u_r_s_e.\n______________________________


Words: coursework
Meaning:
noun\n[U] work that students do during a course of study, not in exams, that is included in their final mark/grade:\nCoursework accounts for 40% of the final marks.


Words: court
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  law\n \n  1  [C, U] the place where legal trials take place and where crimes, etc. are judged:\nthe civil / criminal courts * Her lawyer made a statement outside the court. * She will appear in court tomorrow. * They took their landlord to court for breaking the contract. * The case took five years to come to court (= to be heard by the court). * There wasn’t enough evidence to bring the case to court (= start a trial). * During the court hearing, the prosecutor said she would seek maximum prison sentences. * He won the court case and was awarded damages. * She can’t pay her tax and is facing court action. * The case was settled out of court (= a decision was reached without a trial).\nsee also COURTHOUSE, COURTROOM -> SCHOOL\n \n  2  (the court) [sing.] the people in a court, especially those who make the decisions, such as the judge and JURY:\nPlease tell the court what happened. * The court heard yesterday how the man collapsed and died after being stabbed.\nsee also CONTEMPT OF COURT, COUNTY COURT, CROWN COURT, HIGH COURT, JUVENILE COURT, SUPREME COURT\n \n  for sport\n  3  [C] a place where games such as tennis are played:\na tennis / squash / badminton court * He won after only 52 minutes on court.\nsee also CLAY COURT, GRASS COURT\n  kings / queens\n  4  [C, U] the official place where kings and queens live:\nthe court of Queen Victoria * He was presented to the queen at court.\n  5  (the court) [sing.] the king or queen, their family, and the people who work for them and/or give advice to them\n  buildings\n  6  [C] = COURTYARD\n  7  (abbreviation Ct) [C] used in the names of blocks of flats or apartment buildings, or of some short streets; (in Britain) used in the name of some large houses\n  8  [C] a large open section of a building, often with a glass roof:\nthe food court at the shopping mall\n IDIOMS \n  hold court (with sb) to entertain people by telling them interesting or funny things:\nI met Giles holding court with some tourists in a cafe.\n  rule / throw sth out of court to say that sth is completely wrong or not worth considering, especially in a court of law:\nThe charges were thrown out of court. * Well that’s my theory ruled out of court.\nmore at BALL n., LAUGH v., PAY v.\n    verb\n  try to please\n  1  [VN] to try to please sb in order to get sth you want, especially the support of a person, an organization, etc.\nSYN CULTIVATE:\nThe company is courting French distributors with a view to selling its products in France.\n  try to get\n  2  [VN] (formal) to try to obtain sth:\nHe has never courted popularity.\n  invite sth bad\n  3  [VN] (formal) to do sth that might result in sth unpleasant happening:\nto court danger / death / disaster * As a politician he has often courted controversy.\n  have relationship\n  4  [VN] (old-fashioned) if a man courts a woman, he spends time with her and tries to make her love him, so that they can get married:\nHe had been courting Jane for six months.\n  5  [V] (be courting) (old-fashioned) (of a man and a woman) to have a romantic relationship before getting married:\nAt that time they had been courting for several years.\nsee also COURTSHIP\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \ncourt / law court / court of law\nAll these words can be used to refer to a place where legal trials take place. Court and (formal) court of law usually refer to the actual room where cases are judged. Courtroom is also used for this. Law court (BrE) is more often used to refer to the building: The prison is opposite the law court. Courthouse is used for this in AmE.\n______________________________


Words: court martial
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural courts martial) a military court that deals with members of the armed forces who break military law; a trial at such a court:\nHe was convicted at a court martial. * All the men now face court martial.


Words: court of appeal
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (plural courts of appeal) a court of law that people can go to in order to try and change decisions that have been made by a lower court\nsee also APPELLATE COURT\n  2  (Court of Appeal) [sing.] (BrE) the highest court in Britain (apart from the HOUSE OF LORDS), that can change decisions made by a lower court\n  3  (Court of Appeals) [C] (AmE) one of the courts of law in the US that can change decisions made by a lower court


Words: court of enquiry
Meaning:
(also court of inquiry) noun\n(plural courts of enquiry / inquiry) (BrE) a special official group of people that investigates a particular problem


Words: court of law
Meaning:
noun\n(plural courts of law) (also law court) a room or building where legal cases are judged -> COURT


Words: court order
Meaning:
noun\na decision that is made in a court of law about what must happen in a particular situation:\nHe failed to meet four court orders to pay debts of ｣4 000.


Words: court shoe
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE pump) noun\na woman’s formal shoe that is plain and does not cover the top part of the foot


Words: court-martial
Meaning:
verb\n(-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] [often passive] to hold a trial of sb in a military court:\nHe was court-martialled for desertion.


Words: courteous
Meaning:
adjective\npolite, especially in a way that shows respect:\na courteous young man * The hotel staff are friendly and courteous.\nOPP DISCOURTEOUS\n    courteously adverb:\n’I don’t think we have met,’ said the chairman courteously.


Words: courtesy
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural courtesies)\n  1  [U] polite behaviour that shows respect for other people:\nI was treated with the utmost courtesy by the staff. * We asked them, as a matter of courtesy, if we could photograph their house. * It’s only common courtesy to tell the neighbours that we’ll be having a party (= the sort of behaviour that people would expect).\n  2  [C, usually pl.] (formal) a polite thing that you say or do when you meet people in formal situations:\nan exchange of courtesies before the meeting\n IDIOMS \n  courtesy of sb/sth\n1 (also by courtesy of sb/sth) with the official permission of sb/sth and as a favour:\nThe pictures have been reproduced by courtesy of the British Museum.\n2 given as a prize or provided free by a person or an organization:\nWin a weekend in Rome, courtesy of Fiat.\n3 as the result of a particular thing or situation:\nViewers can see the stadium from the air, courtesy of a camera fastened to the plane.\n  do sb the courtesy of doing sth to be polite by doing the thing that is mentioned:\nPlease do me the courtesy of listening to what I’m saying.\n  have the courtesy to do sth to know when you should do sth in order to be polite:\nYou think he’d at least have the courtesy to call to say he’d be late.\n    adjective [only before noun] (of a bus, car, etc.) provided free, at no cost to the person using it:\nA courtesy bus operates between the hotel and the town centre. * The dealer will provide you with a courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired.


Words: courtesy call
Meaning:
(also courtesy visit) noun\na formal or official visit, usually by one important person to another, just to be polite, not to discuss important business


Words: courthouse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially AmE) a building containing courts of law -> COURT\n  2  (in the US) a building containing the offices of a county government


Words: courtly
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal or literary) extremely polite and full of respect, especially in an old-fashioned way


Words: courtship
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] (old-fashioned) the time when two people have a romantic relationship before they get married; the process of developing this relationship:\nThey married after a short courtship. * Mr Elton’s courtship of Harriet\n  2  [U] the special way animals behave in order to attract a MATE for producing young animals:\ncourtship displays\n  3  ~ (of sb/sth) (written) the process or act of attracting a business partner, etc:\nthe company’s courtship by the government


Words: courtyard
Meaning:
(also court) noun\nan open space that is partly or completely surrounded by buildings and is usually part of a castle, a large house, etc:\nthe central / inner courtyard


Words: couscous
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of N African food made from crushed wheat; a dish of meat and/or vegetables with couscous


Words: cousin
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also first cousin) a child of your aunt or uncle:\nShe’s my cousin. * We’re cousins.\nsee also SECOND COUSIN, REMOVE\n  2  a person who is in your wider family but who is not closely related to you:\nHe’s a distant cousin of mine.\n  3  [usually pl.] a way of describing people from another country who are similar in some way to people in your own country:\nour American cousins


Words: couture
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) the design and production of expensive and fashionable clothes; these clothes:\na couture evening dress * The House of Mattli is expanding from couture into ready-to-wear.\nsee also HAUTE COUTURE


Words: couturier
Meaning:
noun\n(from French) a person who designs, makes and sells expensive, fashionable clothes, especially for women


Words: cove
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small BAY (= an area of sea that is partly enclosed by land):\na secluded cove\n  2  (old-fashioned, BrE, slang) a man


Words: covenant
Meaning:
noun\na promise to sb, or a legal agreement, especially one to pay a regular amount of money to sb/sth:\nGod’s covenant with Abraham * a covenant to a charity\n    covenant verb:\n[VN] All profits are covenanted to medical charities.


Words: Coventry
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  send sb to Coventry (BrE) to refuse to speak to sb, as a way of punishing them for sth that they have done


Words: cover
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  hide / protect\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to place sth over or in front of sth in order to hide or protect it:\nCover the chicken loosely with foil. * She covered her face with her hands. * (figurative) He laughed to cover (= hide) his nervousness.\n  spread over surface\n  2  [VN] to lie or spread over the surface of sth:\nSnow covered the ground. * Much of the country is covered by forest.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb/sth in / with sth to put or spread a layer of liquid, dust, etc. on sb/sth:\nThe players were soon covered in mud. * The wind blew in from the desert and covered everything with sand.\n  include\n  4  [VN] to include sth; to deal with sth:\nThe survey covers all aspects of the business. * The lectures covered a lot of ground (= a lot of material, subjects, etc.). * the sales team covering the northern part of the country (= selling to people in that area) * Do the rules cover (= do they apply to) a case like this?\n  money\n  5  [VN] to be or provide enough money for sth:\n$100 should cover your expenses. * Your parents will have to cover your tuition fees. * The show barely covered its costs.\n  distance / area\n  6  [VN] to travel the distance mentioned:\nBy sunset we had covered thirty miles. * They walked for a long time and covered a good deal of ground.\n  7  [VN] to spread over the area mentioned:\nThe reserve covers an area of some 1 140 square kilometres.\n  report news\n  8  [VN] to report on an event for television, a newspaper, etc.; to show an event on television:\nShe’s covering the party’s annual conference. * The BBC will cover all the major games of the tournament.\n  for sb\n  9  [V] ~ for sb to do sb’s work or duties while they are away:\nI’m covering for Jane while she’s on leave.\n  10  [V] ~ for sb to invent a lie or an excuse that will stop sb from getting into trouble:\nI have to go out for a minute-will you cover for me if anyone asks where I am?\n  with insurance\n  11  ~ sb/sth (against / for sth) to protect sb against loss, injury, etc. by insurance:\n[VN] Are you fully covered for fire and theft? * [VN to inf] Does this policy cover my husband to drive?\n  against blame\n  12  [VN] ~ yourself (against sth) to take action in order to protect yourself against being blamed for sth:\nOne reason doctors take temperatures is to cover themselves against negligence claims.\n  with gun\n  13  [VN] to protect sb by threatening to shoot at anyone who tries to attack them:\nCover me while I move forward. * The artillery gave us covering fire (= shot to protect us).\n  14  [VN] to aim a gun at a place or person so that nobody can escape or shoot:\nThe police covered the exits to the building. * Don’t move-we’ve got you covered!\n  song\n  15  [VN] to record a new version of a song that was originally recorded by another band or singer:\nThey’ve covered an old Rolling Stones number.\n IDIOMS \n  cover your tracks to try and hide what you have done, because you do not want other people to find out about it:\nHe had attempted to cover his tracks by making her death appear like suicide.\nmore at MULTITUDE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cover sth<->in to put a covering or roof over an open space\n  cover sth<->over to cover sth completely so that it cannot be seen:\nThe Roman remains are now covered over by office buildings.\n  cover up | cover yourself up to put on more clothes\n  cover sth<->up\n1 to cover sth completely so that it cannot be seen:\nHe covered up the body with a sheet.\n2 (disapproving) to try to stop people from knowing the truth about a mistake, a crime, etc.\nrelated noun COVER-UP\n    noun\n  protection / shelter\n \n  1  [C] a thing that is put over or on another thing, usually to protect it or to decorate it:\na cushion cover * a plastic waterproof cover for the stroller\nsee also DUST COVER, LOOSE COVER\n \n  2  [U] a place that provides shelter from bad weather or protection from an attack:\nEveryone ran for cover when it started to rain. * The climbers took cover from the storm in a cave. * After the explosion the street was full of people running for cover.\n \n  of book\n \n  3  [C] the outside of a book or a magazine:\nthe front / back cover * Her face was on the cover (= the front cover) of every magazine. * He always reads the paper from cover to cover (= everything in it).\n  insurance\n  4  (BrE) (AmE coverage) [U] ~ (against sth) protection that an insurance company provides by promising to pay you money if a particular event happens:\naccident cover * cover against accidental damage * private health cover costs * There is no cover provided by the policy for theft of property from cars or garages.\n  with weapons\n  5  [U] support and protection that is provided when sb is attacking or in danger of being attacked:\nThe ships needed air cover (= protection by military planes) once they reached enemy waters.\n  trees / plants\n  6  [U] trees and plants that grow on an area of land:\nThe total forest cover of the earth is decreasing. * Zebras and other animals were standing very still in broken cover.\n  cloud / snow\n  7  [U] the fact of the sky being covered with cloud or the ground with snow:\nFog and low cloud cover are expected this afternoon. * In this area there is snow cover for six months of the year.\n  on bed\n  8  (the covers) [pl.] the sheets BLANKETS, etc. on a bed:\nShe threw back the covers and leapt out of bed. * He climbed into the cold bed and snuggled beneath the covers.\n  song\n  9  [C] = COVER VERSION\n  hiding sth\n  10  [C, usually sing.] ~ (for sth) activities or behaviour that seem honest or true but that hide sb’s real identity or feelings, or that hide sth illegal:\nHis work as a civil servant was a cover for his activities as a spy. * Her over-confident attitude was a cover for her nervousness. * It would only take one phone call to blow their cover (= make known their true identities and what they were really doing).\n  for sb’s work\n  11  [U] the fact of sb doing another person’s job when they are away or when there are not enough staff:\nIt’s the manager’s job to organize cover for staff who are absent. * Ambulance drivers provided only emergency cover during the dispute.\n IDIOMS \n  break cover to leave a place that you have been hiding in, usually at a high speed:\nThe vehicles broke cover and headed towards the enemy’s headquarters.\n  under cover\n1 pretending to be sb else in order to do sth secretly:\na police officer working under cover\n2 under a structure that gives protection from the weather:\nStart growing the plants indoors or under cover.\n  under (the) cover of sth hidden or protected by sth:\nLater, under cover of darkness, they crept into the house.\n  under separate cover (business) in a separate envelope:\nThe information you requested is being forwarded to you under separate cover.\nmore at JUDGE v.


Words: cover charge
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] an amount of money that you pay in some restaurants or clubs in addition to the cost of the food and drink


Words: cover story
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the main story in a magazine especially one that goes with the picture shown on the front cover\n  2  a story that is invented in order to hide sth, especially a person’s identity or their reasons for doing sth


Words: cover version
Meaning:
(also cover) noun\na new recording of an old song by a different band or singer:\na cover version of the 60s pop classic ’The Crying Game’


Words: cover-up
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] action that is taken to hide a mistake or illegal activity from the public:\nGovernment sources denied there had been a deliberate cover-up.


Words: coverage
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the reporting of news and sport in newspapers and on the radio and television:\nmedia / newspaper / press coverage * tonight’s live coverage of the hockey game * There was blanket coverage (= reports everywhere) of the royal divorce.\n  2  the range or quality of information that is included in a book or course of study, on television, etc:\nmagazines with extensive coverage of diet and health topics * The book gives good, general coverage of the subject.\n  3  the amount of sth that sth provides; the amount or way that sth covers an area:\nImmunization coverage against fatal diseases has increased to 99% in some countries.\n  4  (AmE) = COVER (3):\ninsurance coverage * Medicaid health coverage for low-income families


Words: covered
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] ~ in / with sth having a layer or amount of sth on it:\nHis face was covered in blood. * The walls were covered with pictures.\n  2  having a roof over it:\na covered area of the stadium with seats


Words: covered wagon
Meaning:
noun\na large wooden vehicle with a curved roof made of cloth, that is pulled by horses, used especially in the past in N America by people travelling across the land to the west


Words: covering
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a layer of sth that covers sth else:\na thick covering of snow on the ground\n  2  a layer of material such as carpet or WALLPAPER, used to cover, decorate and protect floors, walls, etc:\nfloor / wall coverings\n  3  a piece of material that covers sth:\nHe pulled the plastic covering off the dead body.


Words: covering letter
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE cover letter) noun\na letter containing extra information that you send with sth:\nSend a covering letter and a CV to the following address ...


Words: covert
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective  (formal) secret or hidden, making it difficult to notice:\ncovert operations / surveillance * He stole a covert glance at her across the table. * Every measure, both overt and covert, is being taken against terrorists.\ncompare OVERT\n    covertly adverb:\nHe watched her covertly in the mirror.\n    noun  an area of thick low bushes and trees where animals can hide


Words: covet
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to want sth very much, especially sth that belongs to sb else:\n[VN] He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician. * They are this year’s winners of the coveted trophy (= that everyone would like to win).


Words: covetous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) having a strong desire for the things that other people have\n    covetousness noun [U]


Words: cow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a large female animal kept on farms to produce milk or beef:\ncow’s milk * a herd of dairy cows (= cows kept for their milk)\ncompare BULL, CALF, HEIFER\nsee also CATTLE\n \n  2  the female of the elephant, WHALE and some other large animals\ncompare BULL\n \n  3  (slang, disapproving) an offensive word for a woman:\nYou stupid cow! * That interfering old cow has never liked me.\nsee also CASH COW, SACRED COW\n IDIOMS \n  till the cows come home (informal) for a very long time; for ever:\nYou can talk till the cows come home-you’ll never make me change my mind.\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to frighten sb in order to make them obey you\nSYN INTIMIDATE:\nShe was easily cowed by people in authority.


Words: coward
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who is not brave or who does not have the courage to do things that other people do not think are especially difficult:\nYou coward! What are you afraid of? * I’m a real coward when it comes to going to the dentist.\n    cowardly adjective:\na cowardly attack on a defenceless man


Words: cowardice
Meaning:
noun\n[U] fear or lack of courage:\nThe lieutenant had displayed cowardice in the face of the enemy.


Words: cowboy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a man who rides a horse and whose job is to take care of CATTLE in the western parts of the US:\ncowboy boots / hats\n  2  a man like this as a character in a film/movie about the American West:\nchildren playing a game of cowboys and Indians\n  3  (BrE, informal, disapproving) a dishonest person in business, especially sb who produces work of bad quality or charges too high a price


Words: cowcatcher
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) a pointed metal structure at the front of a train that is used for pushing things off the track


Words: cower
Meaning:
verb\n[V] to bend low and/or move backwards because you are frightened:\nA gun went off and people cowered behind walls and under tables. * The dog whimpered and cowered at his feet.


Words: cowl
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large loose covering for the head, worn especially by MONKS\n  2  a cover for a chimney, etc., usually made of metal. Cowls often turn with the wind and are designed to improve the flow of air or smoke.


Words: cox
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (also coxswain) the person who controls the direction of a ROWING BOAT while other people are rowing\n    verb [VN, V] to control the direction of a ROWING BOAT while other people are rowing; to act as a cox


Words: coy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  shy or pretending to be shy and innocent, especially about love or sex, and sometimes in order to make people more interested in you:\nShe gave me a coy smile.\n  2  ~ (about sth) not willing to give information about sth, or answer questions that tell people too much about you\nSYN RETICENT:\nShe was a little coy about how much her dress cost. * The company is coy about revealing its profits.\n    coyly adverb\n    coyness noun [U]


Words: CPU
Meaning:
abbreviation\n(computing) the abbreviation for ’central processing unit’ (the part of a computer that controls all the other parts of the system)


Words: crab
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a sea creature with a hard shell, eight legs and two PINCERS (= curved and pointed limbs for catching and holding things). Crabs move sideways on land.\nsee also HERMIT CRAB\n \n  2  [U] meat from a crab, used for food:\ndressed crab\n \n  3  (crabs) (informal) the condition caused by having LICE (called crab lice) in the hair around the GENITALS


Words: crab apple
Meaning:
noun\na tree that produces fruit like small hard sour apples, also called crab apples :\ncrab-apple jelly


Words: crabbed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (rare or literary) (of sb’s writing) small and difficult to read\n  2  (old-fashioned) = CRABBY


Words: crabgrass
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially AmE) a type of grass that grows where it is not wanted, spreads quickly and is hard to get rid of


Words: crack
Meaning:
verb, noun, adjective \n    verb\n  break\n \n  1  to break without dividing into separate parts; to break sth in this way:\n[V] The ice cracked as I stepped onto it. * [VN] He has cracked a bone in his arm. * Her lips were dry and cracked.\n \n  2  to break open or into pieces; to break sth in this way: [V, +adv./prep.] A chunk of the cliff had cracked off in a storm. * (figurative) His face cracked into a smile. * [VN] to crack a nut * She cracked an egg into the pan.\n \n  hit\n \n  3  [VN] ~ sth/sb (on / against sth) to hit sth/sb with a short hard blow:\nI cracked my head on the low ceiling. * He cracked me on the head with a ruler.\n \n  make sound\n  4  to make a sharp sound; to make sth do this:\n[V] A shot cracked across the ridge. * [VN] [no passive] He cracked his whip and galloped away.\n  of voice\n  5  [V] if your voice cracks, it changes in depth, volume, etc. suddenly and in a way that you cannot control:\nIn a voice cracking with emotion, he told us of his son’s death.\n  under pressure\n  6  [V] to no longer be able to function normally because of pressure:\nThings are terrible at work and people are cracking under the strain. * They questioned him for days before he cracked. * The old institutions are cracking.\n  find solution\n  7  [VN] to find the solution to a problem, etc.; to find the way to do sth difficult:\nto crack the enemy’s code * (spoken) After a year in this job I think I’ve got it cracked!\n  stop sb / sth\n  8  [VN] to find a way of stopping or defeating a criminal or an enemy:\nPolice have cracked a major drugs ring.\n  open bottle\n  9  [VN] ~ (open) a bottle (informal) to open a bottle, especially of wine, and drink it\n  a joke\n  10  [VN] ~ a joke (informal) to tell a joke\n IDIOMS \n  get cracking (informal) to begin immediately and work quickly:\nThere’s a lot to be done, so let’s get cracking.\n  not all, everything, etc. sb’s cracked up to be (informal) not as good as people say:\nHe’s not nearly such a good writer as he’s cracked up to be.\nmore at SLEDGEHAMMER\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crack down (on sb/sth) to try harder to prevent an illegal activity and deal more severely with those who are caught doing it:\nPolice are cracking down on drug dealers.\nrelated noun CRACKDOWN\n  crack on (with sth) (BrE, informal) to work hard at sth so that you finish it quickly; to pass or continue quickly:\nIf we crack on with the painting we should finish it today. * Time was cracking on and we were nowhere near finished.\n  crack up (informal)\n1 to become ill, either physically or mentally, because of pressure:\nYou’ll crack up if you carry on working like this.\n2 to start laughing a lot:\nHe walked in and everyone just cracked up.\n  crack sb up (informal) to make sb laugh a lot:\nGill’s so funny, she just cracks me up.\n    noun\n  break\n  1  [C] ~ (in sth) a line on the surface of sth where it has broken but not split into separate parts:\nThis cup has a crack in it. * Cracks began to appear in the walls. * (figurative) The cracks (= faults) in the government’s economic policy are already beginning to show.\n  narrow opening\n  2  [C] a narrow space or opening:\nShe peeped through the crack in the curtains. * The door opened a crack (= a small amount).\n  sound\n  3  [C] a sudden loud noise:\na crack of thunder * the sharp crack of a rifle shot\n  hit\n  4  [C] ~ (on sth) a sharp blow that can be heard:\nShe fell over and got a nasty crack on the head.\n  attempt\n  5  [C] ~ (at sth) | ~ (at doing sth) (informal) an occasion when you try to do sth:\nShe hopes to have another crack at the world record this year.\n  drug\n  6  (also crack cocaine) [U] a powerful, illegal drug that is a form of COCAINE:\na crack addict\n  joke\n  7  [C] (informal) a joke, especially a critical one:\nHe made a very unfair crack about her looks.\n  conversation\n  8  (also craic) [U, sing.] (IrishE, spoken) a good time; friendly, enjoyable talk:\nWhere’s the crack tonight? * He’s a person who enjoys a drink and a bit of crack.\n IDIOMS \n  at the crack of dawn (informal) very early in the morning:\nI have to get up at the crack of dawn.\nmore at FAIR adj.\n    adjective [only before noun] expert and highly trained; excellent at sth:\ncrack troops * He’s a crack shot (= accurate and skilled at shooting).


Words: crackdown
Meaning:
noun\n~ (on sb/sth) severe action taken to restrict the activities of criminals or of people opposed to the government or authorities:\na military crackdown on student protesters * Police officers are confident their successful crackdown on crime will continue.


Words: cracked
Meaning:
adjective\n \n  1  damaged with lines in its surface but not completely broken:\na cracked mirror / mug * He suffered cracked ribs and bruising. * She passed her tongue over her cracked lips and tried to speak.\n \n  2  (of sb’s voice) sounding rough with sudden changes in how loud or high it is, because the person is upset:\n’I’m just fine,’ she said in a cracked voice.\n \n  3  [not before noun] (informal) crazy:\nI think he must be cracked, don’t you?


Words: cracker
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a thin dry biscuit that is often salty and usually eaten with cheese\nsee also GRAHAM CRACKER\n \n  2  (also Christmas cracker) a tube of coloured paper that makes a loud explosive sound when it is pulled open by two people. Crackers usually contain a paper hat, a small present and a joke, and are used in Britain at Christmas parties and meals:\nWho wants to pull this cracker with me?\nsee also FIRECRACKER\n \n  3  (BrE, informal) something that you think is very good, funny, etc:\nIt was a cracker of a goal. * I’ve got a joke for you. It’s a real cracker!\n  4  (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) an attractive woman\n  5  (AmE, slang) an offensive word for a poor white person with little education from the southern US


Words: crackers
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (BrE, informal) crazy:\nThat noise is driving me crackers. * You must be absolutely crackers even to think of it.


Words: cracking
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U]\n  1  lines on a surface where it is damaged or beginning to break:\nAll planes are being inspected for possible cracking and corrosion.\n  2  the sound of sth cracking:\nthe cracking of thunder / twigs\n    adjective [usually before noun] (BrE, informal) excellent:\nThat was a cracking goal. * She’s in cracking form at the moment. * We set off at a cracking pace (= very quickly)\n    cracking adverb:\na cracking good (= extremely good) dinner


Words: crackle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V] to make short sharp sounds like sth that is burning in a fire:\nA log fire crackled in the hearth. * The radio crackled into life. * (figurative) The atmosphere crackled with tension.\n    noun [U, C] a series of short sharp sounds:\nthe distant crackle of machine-gun fire * Erika picked up the phone and through a barrage of crackles heard a familiar voice.\n    crackly  adjective:\nShe picked up the phone and heard a crackly voice saying: ’Pat here.’


Words: crackling
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a series of sharp sounds:\nHe could hear the crackling of burning trees.\n  2  [U] (BrE) (AmE cracklings [pl.]) the hard skin of PORK (= meat from a pig) that has been cooked in the oven


Words: crackpot
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person with strange or crazy ideas\n    crackpot adjective [only before noun]:\ncrackpot ideas / theories


Words: cradle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a small bed for a baby which can be pushed gently from side to side:\nShe rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle.\n \n  2  [usually sing.] ~ of sth the place where sth important began:\nGreece, the cradle of Western civilization\n \n  3  (BrE) a small platform that can be moved up and down the outside of a high building, used by people cleaning windows, etc.\n \n  4  the part of a telephone on which the RECEIVER rests\n \n IDIOMS \n  from the cradle to the grave a way of referring to the whole of a person’s life, from birth until death\n    verb [VN] to hold sb/sth gently in your arms or hands:\nThe old man cradled the tiny baby in his arms.


Words: craft
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] an activity involving a special skill at making things with your hands:\ntraditional crafts like basket-weaving * a craft fair / workshop * Craft, Design and Technology (= a subject in some British schools)\nsee also ARTS AND CRAFTS\n  2  [sing.] all the skills needed for a particular activity:\nchefs who learned their craft in top hotels * the writer’s craft\n  3  [U] (formal, disapproving) skill in making people believe what you want them to believe:\nHe knew how to win by craft and diplomacy what he could not gain by force.\n  4  [C] (plural craft) a boat or ship:\nHundreds of small craft bobbed around the liner as it steamed into the harbour. * a landing / pleasure craft\n  5  [C] (plural craft) an aircraft or spacecraft\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to make sth using special skills, especially with your hands:\nAll the furniture is crafted from natural materials. * a carefully crafted speech


Words: craftsman
Meaning:
(also craftsperson) noun\n(plural craftsmen ) a skilled person, especially one who makes beautiful things by hand:\nrugs handmade by local craftsmen * It is clearly the work of a master craftsman.\nsee also CRAFTSWOMAN


Words: craftsmanship
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the level of skill shown by sb in making sth beautiful with their hands:\nThe whole house is a monument to her craftsmanship.\n  2  the quality of design and work shown by sth that has been made by hand:\nthe superb craftsmanship of the carvings


Words: crafty
Meaning:
adjective\n(craftier, craftiest) (usually disapproving) clever at getting what you want, especially by indirect or dishonest methods:\nHe’s a crafty old devil. * one of the party’s craftiest political strategists * There are times when the only way to win is by a crafty reinterpretation of the rules.\n    craftily adverb\n    craftiness noun [U]


Words: craggy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having many crags:\na craggy coastline\n  2  (usually approving) (of a man’s face) having strong features and deep lines


Words: cram
Meaning:
verb (-mm-)\n  1  ~ (sth) into / onto sth | ~ (sth) in to push or force sb/sth into a small space; to move into a small space with the result that it is full:\n[VN] He crammed eight people into his car. * I could never cram in all that she does in a day. * I managed to cram down a few mouthfuls of food. * Supporters crammed the streets. * [V] We all managed to cram into his car. [also VN-ADJ]\n  2  [V] ~ (for sth) (rather old-fashioned) to learn a lot of things in a short time, in preparation for an exam:\nHe’s been cramming for his exams all week.


Words: crammed sth
Meaning:
1  full of things or people:\nAll the shelves were crammed with books. * The room was crammed full of people. * The article was crammed full of ideas.\n  2  [not before noun] if people are crammed into a place, there is not much room for them in it:\nWe were crammed four to an office.


Words: cramp
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] (AmE also charley horse [C]) a sudden pain that you get when the muscles in a particular part of your body tighten, usually caused by cold or too much exercise: (BrE) to get cramp in your leg * (AmE) to get a cramp in your leg\nsee also WRITER’S CRAMP\n  2  (cramps) [pl.] severe pain in the stomach\n    verb [VN] to prevent the development or progress of sb/sth:\nTighter trade restrictions might cramp economic growth.\n IDIOMS \n  cramp sb’s style (informal) to stop sb from behaving in the way they want to:\nShe didn’t want me to go with her to the party in case I cramped her style.


Words: cramped
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  a cramped room, etc. does not have enough space for the people in it:\nworking in cramped conditions\n  2  (of people) not having room to move freely\n  3  (of sb’s writing) with small letters close together and therefore difficult to read


Words: crampon
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a metal plate with pointed pieces of metal underneath, worn on sb’s shoes when they are walking or climbing on ice and snow


Words: cranberry
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cranberries) a small sour red berry that grows on a small bush and is used in cooking:\ncranberry sauce


Words: crane
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a tall machine with a long arm, used to lift and move building materials and other heavy objects\n \n  2  a large bird with long legs and a long neck\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to lean or stretch over sth in order to see sth better; to stretch your neck:\n[V] People were craning out of the windows and waving. * [VN] She craned her neck to get a better view of the stage.


Words: cranium
Meaning:
noun\n(plural craniums or crania ) (anatomy) the bone structure that forms the head and surrounds and protects the brain\nSYN SKULL\n    cranial  adjective [only before noun]:\ncranial nerves / injuries


Words: crank
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (disapproving) a person with ideas that other people find strange:\nVegetarians are no longer dismissed as cranks. * Everybody famous gets crank calls and letters.\n \n  2  (AmE) a person who easily gets angry or annoyed:\nThe old crank next door can’t stand the sound of our lawnmower.\n \n  3  a bar and handle in the shape of an L that you pull or turn to produce movement in a machine, etc.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (up) to make sth turn or move by using a crank:\nto crank an engine * (figurative) He has a limited time to crank the reforms into action.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crank sth<->out (AmE, informal) to produce a lot of sth quickly, especially things of low quality\nSYN TURN OUT\n  crank sth<->up (informal)\n1 to make a machine, etc. work or work at a higher level\n2 to make music, etc. louder\nSYN TURN UP:\nCrank up the volume!


Words: crankshaft
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a metal rod in a vehicle that connects the engine to the wheels and helps turn the engine’s power into movement


Words: cranky
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (BrE) strange \nSYN ECCENTRIC:\ncranky ideas / schemes\n  2  (especially AmE) bad-tempered:\nThe kids were getting tired and a little cranky.


Words: crap
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun (!!!, slang)\n  1  [U] nonsense:\nHe’s so full of crap. * Let’s cut the crap and get down to business. * (BrE) You’re talking a load of crap! * (AmE) What a bunch of crap!\n  2  [U] something of bad quality:\nThis work is complete crap. * (BrE) Her latest film is a load of crap. * (AmE) Her latest movie is a bunch of crap. * I won’t put up with any old crap.\n HELP NOTE  More acceptable words are rubbish, garbage, trash or junk.\n  3  [U] criticism or unfair treatment:\nI’m not going to take this crap any more.\n  4  [U] solid waste matter from the bowels \nSYN EXCREMENT\n  5  [sing.] an act of emptying solid waste matter from the bowels:\nto have a crap\n    adjective (BrE, !!!, slang) bad; of very bad quality:\na crap band * The concert was crap.\n    crap adverb:\nThe team played crap yesterday.\n    verb (-pp-) [V] (!!!, slang) to empty solid waste from the bowels\nSYN DEFECATE\n HELP NOTE  A more polite way of expressing this is ’to go to the toilet / lavatory’ (BrE), ’to go to the bathroom’ (AmE), or ’to go’. A more formal expression is ’to empty the bowels’.


Words: craps
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE) a gambling game played with two DICE:\nto shoot craps (= play this game)\n    crap adjective [only before noun]:\na crap game


Words: crash
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  vehicle accident\n  1  (AmE also wreck) an accident in which a vehicle hits sth, for example another vehicle, usually causing damage and often injuring or killing the passengers:\nA girl was killed yesterday in a crash involving a stolen car. * a car / plane crash\n  loud noise\n  2  [usually sing.] a sudden loud noise made, for example, by sth falling or breaking:\nShe heard the crash of shattering glass as the vehicles collided. * The tree fell with a great crash. * The first distant crash of thunder shook the air.\n  in finance / business\n  3  a sudden serious fall in the price or value of sth; the occasion when a business, etc. fails:\nthe 1987 stock market crash\n  computing\n  4  a sudden failure of a machine or system, especially of a computer or computer system:\nA systems crash in the morning and a bomb scare in the afternoon provided enough excitement for one day.\n    verb\n  of vehicle\n  1  ~ (sth) (into sth) if a vehicle crashes or the driver crashes it, it hits an object or another vehicle, causing damage:\n[V] I was terrified that the plane would crash. * We’re going to crash, aren’t we? * A truck went out of control and crashed into the back of a bus. * [VN] He crashed his car into a wall.\n  hit hard / loud noise\n  2  to hit sth hard while moving, causing noise and/or damage; to make sth hit sb/sth in this way: [V, +adv./prep.] A brick crashed through the window. * With a sweep of his hand he sent the glasses crashing to the floor. * [V-ADJ] The door crashed open. * [VN-ADJ] She stormed out of the room and crashed the door shut behind her.\n  3  [V] to make a loud noise:\nThunder crashed overhead.\n  in finance / business\n  4  [V] (of prices, a business, shares, etc.) to lose value or fail suddenly and quickly:\nShare prices crashed to an all-time low yesterday. * The company crashed with debts of ｣50 million.\n  computing\n  5  if a computer crashes or you crash a computer, it stops working suddenly:\n[V] Files can be lost if the system suddenly crashes. [also VN]\n  party\n  6  [VN] (informal) = GATECRASH\n  in sport\n  7  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (especially BrE) to lose very badly in a sports game:\nThe team crashed to their worst defeat this season.\n  sleep\n  8  [V] ~ (out) (informal) to fall asleep; to sleep somewhere you do not usually sleep:\nI was so tired I crashed out on the sofa. * I’ve come to crash on your floor for a couple of nights.\n  medical\n  9  [V] if sb crashes, their heart stops beating\n IDIOMS \n  a crashing bore (old-fashioned, BrE) a very boring person\n    adjective [only before noun] involving hard work or a lot of effort over a short period of time in order to achieve quick results:\na crash course in computer programming * a crash diet


Words: crash barrier
Meaning:
(AmE guard rail) noun\n(BrE) a strong low fence or wall at the side of a road or between the two halves of a motorway/freeway, designed to prevent accidents


Words: crash-land
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] if a plane crash-lands or a pilot crash-lands it, the pilot lands it roughly in an emergency, usually because it is damaged and cannot land normally\n    crash landing noun:\nto make a crash landing


Words: crass
Meaning:
adjective\nvery stupid and showing no sympathy or understanding:\nthe crass questions all disabled people get asked * an act of crass (= great) stupidity\n    crassly adverb\n    crassness noun [U]


Words: crate
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a large wooden container for transporting goods:\na crate of bananas\n  2  a container made of plastic or metal divided into small sections, for transporting or storing bottles:\na beer crate\n  3  the amount of sth contained in a crate:\nThey drank two crates of beer.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (up) to pack sth in a crate


Words: crater
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a large hole in the top of a VOLCANO\n \n  2  a large hole in the ground caused by the explosion of a bomb or by sth large hitting it:\na meteorite crater


Words: cravat
Meaning:
(AmE also ascot) noun\na short wide strip of fabric worn by men around the neck, folded inside the collar of a shirt


Words: crave
Meaning:
verb\n  1  (written) to have a very strong desire for sth:\n[VN] She has always craved excitement. [also V, V to inf]\n  2  [VN] (BrE, old use) to ask for sth seriously:\nI must crave your pardon.


Words: craving
Meaning:
noun\n~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) a strong desire for sth:\na craving for chocolate * a desperate craving to be loved


Words: crawl
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] \n  1  to move forward on your hands and knees, with your body close to the ground:\nOur baby is just starting to crawl. * A man was crawling away from the burning wreckage. * She crawled under the fence.\n  2  when an insect crawls, it moves forward on its legs:\nThere’s a spider crawling up your leg.\n  3  to move forward very slowly:\nThe traffic was crawling along. * The weeks crawled by.\n  4  ~ (to sb) (informal, disapproving) to be too friendly or helpful to sb in authority, in a way that is not sincere, especially in order to get an advantage from them:\nShe’s always crawling to the boss.\n IDIOMS  see SKIN n., WOODWORK\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  be crawling with sth (informal) to be full of or completely covered with people, insects or animals, in a way that is unpleasant:\nThe place was crawling with journalists. * Her hair was crawling with lice.\n    noun\n  1  [sing.] a very slow speed:\nThe traffic slowed to a crawl.\nsee also PUB CRAWL\n  2  (often the crawl) [sing., U] a fast swimming stroke that you do lying on your front moving one arm over your head, and then the other, while kicking with your feet:\na swimmer doing the crawl * He struck out across the pool in a powerful crawl.


Words: crawler
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  (BrE, disapproving) a person who tries to get sb’s favour by praising them, doing what will please them, etc.\n  2  a thing or person that crawls, such as a vehicle, an insect or a baby\nsee also KERB-CRAWLER


Words: crayfish
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also crawfish AmE, BrE) noun [C, U] (plural crayfish, crawfish) a shellfish like a small LOBSTER, that lives in rivers and lakes and can be eaten, or one like a large LOBSTER, that lives in the sea and can be eaten


Words: crayon
Meaning:
noun\n\na coloured pencil or stick of soft coloured chalk or WAX, used for drawing\n \n    crayon verb [V, VN]


Words: craze
Meaning:
noun\n (for sth) an enthusiastic interest in sth that is shared by many people but that usually does not last very long; a thing that people have a craze for:\nthe latest fitness craze to sweep the country * Pet pigs are the latest craze.


Words: crazed
Meaning:
adjective\n (with sth) (written) full of strong feelings and lacking control:\ncrazed with fear / grief / jealousy * a crazed killer roaming the streets * a crazed look in his eyes * drug-crazed youths


Words: crazy
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (crazier, craziest) (informal)\n  1  (especially AmE) not sensible; stupid:\nAre you crazy? We could get killed doing that. * She must be crazy to lend him money. * He drove like a madman, passing in the craziest places. * What a crazy idea! * I know it sounds crazy but it just might work.\n  2  very angry:\nThat noise is driving me crazy. * Marie says he went crazy, and smashed the room up.\n  3   (about sth) (often in compounds) very enthusiastic or excited about sth:\nRick is crazy about football. * He’s football-crazy. * I’m not crazy about Chinese food (= I don’t like it very much). * The crowd went crazy when the band came on stage. * You’re so beautiful you’re driving me crazy.\n  4  ~ about sb liking sb very much; in love with sb:\nI’ve been crazy about him since the first time I saw him.\n  5  (especially AmE) mentally ill; INSANE:\nShe’s crazy-she ought to be locked up.\n    crazily adverb\n    craziness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  like crazy / mad (informal) very fast, hard, much, etc:\nWe worked like crazy to get it done on time.\n    noun (plural crazies) (informal, especially AmE) a crazy person


Words: crazy paving
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) pieces of stone of different shapes and sizes, fitted together on the ground to make a path or PATIO


Words: creak
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to make the sound that a door sometimes makes when you open it or that a wooden floor sometimes makes when you step on it:\n[V] She heard a floorboard creak upstairs. * a creaking bed / gate / stair * The table creaked and groaned under the weight. * The timbers creaked as the boat set sail. * [V-ADJ] The door creaked open.\n IDIOMS \n  creak under the strain if a system or service creaks under the strain, it cannot deal effectively with all the things it is expected to do or provide\n    noun [C] (also creaking [U, C]) a sound, for example that sometimes made by a door when it opens or shuts, or by a wooden floor when you step on it:\nthe creak / creaking of the door * Distant creaks and groans echoed eerily along the dark corridors.


Words: creaky
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  making creaks:\na creaky old chair\n  2  old and not in good condition:\nthe country’s creaky legal machinery


Words: cream
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] the thick pale yellowish-white FATTY liquid that rises to the top of milk, used in cooking or as a type of sauce to put on fruit, etc:\nstrawberries and cream * Would you like milk or cream in your coffee? * fresh / whipped cream * (BrE) cream cakes (= containing cream) * (BrE) double / single (= thick / thin cream)\nsee also BUTTERCREAM, CLOTTED CREAM, ICE CREAM, SALAD CREAM, SOUR CREAM, WHIPPING CREAM\n \n  2  [C] (in compounds) a sweet/candy that has a soft substance like cream inside:\na chocolate / peppermint cream\n \n  3  [U, C] a soft substance or thick liquid used on your skin to protect it or make it feel soft; a similar substance used for cleaning things:\nhand / moisturizing cream * antiseptic cream * a cream cleaner\nsee also COLD CREAM, FACE CREAM, SHAVING CREAM\n  4  [U] a pale yellowish-white colour:\nDo you have this blouse in cream?\n  5  the ~ of sth the best people or things in a particular group:\nthe cream of New York society * the cream of the crop of this season’s movies\n IDIOMS  see CAT\n    adjective pale yellowish-white in colour:\na cream linen suit\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to mix things together into a soft smooth mixture:\nCream the butter and sugar together.\n  2  (AmE, informal) to completely defeat sb:\nWe got creamed in the first round.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cream sb/sth<->off to take sth away, usually the best people or things or an amount of money, in order to get an advantage for yourself:\nThe best students were creamed off by the grammar schools.


Words: cream puff
Meaning:
noun (AmE)\n \n  1  = PROFITEROLE\n \n  2  (slang, disapproving) a person who is not strong or brave\nSYN WIMP


Words: cream tea
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a special meal eaten in the afternoon, consisting of tea with SCONES, jam and thick cream


Words: creamer
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a liquid or powder that you can put in coffee, etc. instead of cream or milk:\nnon-dairy creamer


Words: creamy
Meaning:
adjective (creamier, creamiest)\n  1  thick and smooth like cream; containing a lot of cream:\na creamy sauce / soup\n  2  pale yellowish-white in colour:\ncreamy skin


Words: crease
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  an untidy line that is made in fabric or paper when it is pressed or crushed:\nShe smoothed the creases out of her skirt. * a shirt made of crease-resistant material\n \n  2  a neat line that you make in sth, for example when you fold it:\ntrousers with a sharp crease in the legs\n \n  3  a line in the skin, especially on the face:\ncreases around the eyes\n \n  4  (in cricket) a white line on the ground near each WICKET that marks the position of the BOWLER and the BATSMAN:\nHe spent six hours at the crease (= he was BATTING for six hours).\n    verb\n  1  to make lines on fabric or paper by folding or crushing it; to develop lines in this way:\n[VN] Pack your suit carefully so that you don’t crease it. [also V]\n  2  to make lines in the skin; to develop lines in the skin:\n[VN] A frown creased her forehead. * [V] Her face creased into a smile.\n    creased adjective:\nI can’t wear this blouse. It’s creased.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crease up | crease sb up (BrE, informal) to start laughing or make sb start laughing:\nEd creased up laughing. * Her jokes really creased me up.


Words: create
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [VN] to make sth happen or exist:\nScientists disagree about how the universe was created. * The main purpose of industry is to create wealth. * The government plans to create more jobs for young people. * Create a new directory and put all your files into it. * Try this new dish, created by our head chef.\n  2  [VN] to produce a particular feeling or impression:\nThe company is trying to create a young energetic image. * The announcement only succeeded in creating confusion. * The reorganization has created a lot of bad feeling. * They’ve painted it red to create a feeling of warmth.\n  3  to give sb a particular rank or title:\n[VN] The government has created eight new peers. * [VN-N] He was created a baronet in 1715.


Words: creation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the act or process of making sth that is new, or of causing sth to exist that did not exist before:\nthe process of database creation * wealth creation * He had been with the company since its creation in 1979. * The committee proposed the creation of a new Chair of Portuguese for the university.\nsee also JOB CREATION\n  2  [C] (often humorous) a thing that sb has made, especially sth artistic or imaginative:\na literary creation * The cake was a delicious creation of sponge, cream and fruit. * The bright murals in the children’s ward were the creations of the nurses. * What an amazing creation (= a very unusual and new piece of clothing) you’re wearing!\n  3  (usually the Creation) [sing.] the making of the world, especially by God as described in the Bible\n  4  (often Creation) [U] the world and all the living things in it


Words: creative
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [only before noun] involving the use of skill and the imagination to produce sth new or a work of art:\na course on creative writing (= writing stories, plays and poems) * the creative and performing arts * creative thinking (= thinking about problems in a new way or thinking of new ideas) * the company’s creative team * the creative process\n  2  having the skill and ability to produce sth new, especially a work of art; showing this ability:\nShe’s very creative-she writes poetry and paints. * Do you have any ideas? You’re the creative one.\n    creatively adverb\n    creativity  noun [U]:\nCreativity and originality are more important than technical skill.


Words: creative accounting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) a way of doing or presenting the accounts of a business that might not show what the true situation really is


Words: creator
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a person who has made or invented a particular thing:\nWalt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse\n  2  (the Creator) [sing.] God


Words: creature
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a living thing, real or imaginary, that can move around, such as an animal:\nThe dormouse is a shy, nocturnal creature. * respect for all living creatures * strange creatures from outer space\n  2  (especially following an adjective) a person, considered in a particular way:\nYou pathetic creature! * She was an exotic creature with long red hair and brilliant green eyes. * He always goes to bed at ten-he’s a creature of habit (= he likes to do the same things at the same time every day).\n IDIOMS \n  a / the creature of sb | sb’s creature (formal, disapproving) a person or thing that is completely dependent on sb else and is controlled by them


Words: creature comforts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] all the things that make life, or a particular place, comfortable, such as good food, comfortable furniture or modern equipment


Words: creche
Meaning:
(also creche)  noun\n  1  (BrE) a place where babies and small children are looked after while their parents are working, studying, shopping, etc.\n  2  (AmE) = CRIB (3)\ncompare DAY NURSERY


Words: credence
Meaning:
noun [U] (formal)\n  1  a quality that an idea or a story has that makes you believe it is true:\nHistorical evidence lends credence to his theory.\n  2  belief in sth as true:\nThey could give no credence to the findings of the survey. * Alternative medicine has been gaining credence (= becoming more widely accepted) in recent years.


Words: credentials
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  ~ (as / for sth) the qualities, training or experience that make you suitable to do sth:\nShe has impeccable credentials as a researcher. * He has all the credentials for the job. * She will first have to establish her leadership credentials.\n  2  documents such as letters that prove that you are who you claim to be, and can therefore be trusted:\nto examine sb’s credentials


Words: credibility
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality that sb/sth has that makes people believe or trust them:\nto gain / lack / lose credibility * The prosecution did its best to undermine the credibility of the witness. * After the recent scandal, the government has lost all credibility. * Newspapers were talking of a credibility gap between what he said and what he did.\nsee also STREET CRED


Words: credible
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that can be believed or trusted\nSYN CONVINCING:\na credible explanation / witness * It is just not credible that she would cheat.\n  2  that can be accepted, because it seems possible that it could be successful:\nCommunity service is seen as the only credible alternative to imprisonment.\n    credibly  adverb:\nWe can credibly describe the band’s latest album as their best yet.


Words: credit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  buy now-pay later\n  1  [U] an arrangement that you make, with a shop/store for example, to pay later for sth you buy:\nto get / refuse credit * We bought the dishwasher on credit. * to give / offer interest-free credit (= allow sb to pay later, without any extra charge) * a credit agreement * credit facilities / terms * Your credit limit is now ｣2 000. * He’s a bad credit risk (= he is unlikely to pay the money later).\ncompare HIRE PURCHASE\n  money borrowed\n  2  [U, C] money that you borrow from a bank; a LOAN:\nThe bank refused further credit to the company.\n  3  [U] the status of being trusted to pay back money to sb who lends it to you:\nHer credit isn’t good anywhere now.\n  money in bank\n  4  [U] if you or your bank account are in credit, there is money in the account:\nYou have a credit balance of ｣250.\n  5  [C, U] a sum of money paid into a bank account; a record of the payment:\na credit of ｣50 * You’ll be paid by direct credit into your bank account.\ncompare DEBIT\n  money back\n  6  [C, U] (technical) a payment that sb has a right to for a particular reason:\na tax credit\n  praise\n  7  [U] ~ (for sth) praise or approval because you are responsible for sth good that has happened:\nHe’s a player who rarely seems to get the credit he deserves. * I can’t take all the credit for the show’s success-it was a team effort. * We did all the work and she gets all the credit! * Credit will be given in the exam for good spelling and grammar. * At least give him credit for trying (= praise him because he tried, even if he did not succeed). * His courage brought great credit to his regiment.\ncompare BLAME, DISCREDIT\n  8  [sing.] ~ to sb/sth a person or a thing whose qualities or achievements are praised and who therefore earns respect for sb/sth else:\nShe is a credit to the school. * Your children are a great credit to you.\n  on movie / tv programme\n  9  [C, usually pl.] the act of mentioning sb who worked on a project such as a film/movie or a television programme:\nShe was given a programme credit for her work on the costumes for the play. * The credits (= the list of all the people involved) seemed to last almost as long as the film!\n  unit of study\n  10  [C] a unit of study at a college or university (in the US, also at a school); the fact of having successfully completed a unit of study:\nMy math class is worth three credits.\n IDIOMS \n  do sb credit | do credit to sb/sth if sth does credit to a person or an organization, they deserve to be praised for it:\nYour honesty does you great credit.\n  have sth to your credit to have achieved sth:\nHe’s only 30, and he already has four novels to his credit.\n  on the credit side used to introduce the good points about sb/sth, especially after the bad points have been mentioned:\nOn the credit side, she’s always willing to work very late.\n  to sb’s credit making sb deserve praise or respect:\nTo his credit, Jack never told anyone exactly what had happened. * It was to her credit that she managed to stay calm.\n    verb\n  put money in bank\n  1  [VN] ~ A (with B) | ~ B to A to add an amount of money to sb’s bank account:\nYour account has been credited with $50 000. * $50 000 has been credited to your account.\n  with achievement\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ A (with B) | ~ B to A to believe or say that sb is responsible for doing sth, especially sth good:\nThe company is credited with inventing the industrial robot. * The invention of the industrial robot is credited to the company. * All the contributors are credited on the title page. * She has been wrongly credited as the author.\n  with quality\n  3  [VN] ~ A with B to believe that sb/sth has a particular good quality or feature:\nI credited you with a little more sense. * Credit me with some intelligence.\n  4  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sb/sth as sth to believe that sb/sth is of a particular type or quality:\nThe cheetah is generally credited as the world’s fastest animal.\n  believe\n  5  (BrE) (used mainly in questions and negative sentences) to believe sth, especially sth surprising or unexpected:\n[VN] He’s been promoted-would you credit it? [also V wh-, V that]


Words: credit card
Meaning:
noun\na small plastic card that you can use to buy goods and services and pay for them later:\nAll major credit cards are accepted at our hotels. * The safest way to pay for mail order goods is by credit card.\nsee also CHARGE CARD, CHEQUE CARD, DEBIT CARD, STORE CARD


Words: credit note
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a letter that a shop/store gives you when you have returned sth and that allows you to have goods of the same value in exchange


Words: credit rating
Meaning:
noun\na judgement made by a bank, etc. about how likely sb is to pay back money that they borrow, and how safe it is to lend money to them


Words: creditable
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  of a quite good standard and deserving praise or approval:\nIt was a very creditable result for the team. * The Green Party won a creditable 16 per cent of the vote.\n  2  morally good:\nThere was nothing very creditable in what he did.\n    creditably  adverb


Words: creditor
Meaning:
noun\na person, company, etc. that sb owes money to:\nThe property will be sold to pay off their creditors.


Words: creditworthy
Meaning:
adjective\nable to be trusted to pay back money that is owed; safe to lend money to\n    creditworthiness noun [U]


Words: credulity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the ability or willingness to believe that sth is real or true:\nThe plot of the novel stretches credulity to the limit (= it is almost impossible to believe).


Words: creed
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a set of principles or religious beliefs:\npeople of all races, colours and creeds * What is his political creed?\n  2  (the Creed) [sing.] a statement of Christian belief that is spoken as part of some church services


Words: creek
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a narrow area of water where the sea flows into the land\nSYN INLET\n  2  (AmE, AustralE) a small river or stream:\nSandy Creek\n IDIOMS \n  up the creek (without a paddle) (spoken) in a difficult or bad situation:\nI was really up the creek without my car.


Words: creep
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (crept, crept prep.] \n  1  (of people or animals) to move slowly, quietly and carefully, because you do not want to be seen or heard:\nI crept up the stairs, trying not to wake my parents. * I heard someone creeping around the house.\n  2  (AmE) to move with your body close to the ground; to move slowly on your hands and knees\nSYN CRAWL\n  3  to move or develop very slowly:\nA slight feeling of suspicion crept over me.\n  4  (of plants) to grow along the ground or up walls using long stems or roots\nsee also CREEPER\n  5  ~ (to sb) (BrE, informal, disapproving) to be too friendly or helpful to sb in authority in a way that is not sincere, especially in order to get an advantage from them\n IDIOMS  see FLESH n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  creep in / into sth to begin to happen or affect sth:\nAs the doctors became more tired, errors began to creep into their work.\n  creep up to gradually increase in amount, price, etc:\nHouse prices are creeping up again.\n  creep up on sb\n1 to move slowly nearer to sb, usually from behind, without being seen or heard:\nDon’t creep up on me like that!\n2 to begin to affect sb, especially before they realize it:\nTiredness can easily creep up on you while you’re driving.\n    noun (informal)\n  1  a person that you dislike very much and find very unpleasant:\nHe’s a nasty little creep!\n  2  (BrE) a person who is not sincere but tries to win your approval by being nice to you:\nHe’s the sort of creep who would do that kind of thing!\n IDIOMS \n  give sb the creeps (informal) to make sb feel nervous and slightly frightened, especially because sb/sth is unpleasant or strange:\nThis old house gives me the creeps.


Words: creeper
Meaning:
noun\na plant that grows along the ground, up walls, etc., often winding itself around other plants\nsee also VIRGINIA CREEPER


Words: creeping
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of sth bad) happening or moving gradually and not easily noticed:\ncreeping inflation over the past few years * She felt a creeping guilt about her family.


Words: creepy
Meaning:
adjective (creepier, creepiest) (informal)\n  1  causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or slight horror:\na creepy ghost story * It’s kind of creepy down in the cellar!\n  2  strange in a way that makes you feel nervous:\nWhat a creepy coincidence.


Words: creepy-crawly
Meaning:
noun\n(plural creepy-crawlies) (informal) an insect, a worm, etc. when you think of it as unpleasant


Words: cremate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to burn a dead body, especially as part of a funeral ceremony:\nWhen she dies she wants to be cremated, not buried.


Words: crematorium
Meaning:
noun\n(plural crematoria  plural crematories) a building in which the bodies of dead people are burned


Words: creme brulee
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural cremes brulees ) (from French) a cold DESSERT (= a sweet dish) made from cream, with burnt sugar on top


Words: creme caramel
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural cremes caramels ) (from French) a cold DESSERT (= a sweet dish) made from milk, eggs and sugar


Words: creme de la creme
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (from French, formal or humorous) the best people or things of their kind:\nThis school takes only the creme de la creme.


Words: Creole
Meaning:
(also creole) noun\n  1  [C] a person of mixed European and African race, especially one who lives in the West Indies\n  2  [C] a person whose ancestors were among the first Europeans who settled in the West Indies or Spanish America, or one of the French or Spanish people who settled in the southern states of the US:\nCreole cookery\n  3  [U] a language formed from a mixture of a European language with a local language (especially an African language spoken by SLAVES in the West Indies)\nsee also PIDGIN


Words: creosote
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a thick brown liquid that is made from COAL TAR, used to preserve wood\n    verb [VN] to paint or preserve sth with creosote


Words: crepe
Meaning:
(also crepe)  noun\n  1  [U] a light thin fabric, made especially from cotton or silk, with a surface that is covered in lines and folds:\na black crepe dress * a crepe bandage\n  2  [U] a type of strong rubber with a rough surface, used for making the soles of shoes:\ncrepe-soled shoes\n  3  [C] a thin PANCAKE


Words: crepe paper
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of thin brightly coloured paper that stretches and has a surface covered in lines and folds, used especially for making decorations


Words: crescendo
Meaning:
noun (plural crescendos) [C, U]\n  1  (music) a gradual increase in how loudly a piece of music is played or sung\nOPP DIMINUENDO\n  2  a gradual increase in noise; the loudest point of a period of continuous noise\nSYN SWELL:\nVoices rose in a crescendo and drowned him out. * There was a tremendous crescendo of noise. * The shrieks of laughter rose to a crescendo. * (figurative) The advertising campaign reached a crescendo just before Christmas.


Words: crescent
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a curved shape that is wide in the middle and pointed at each end:\na crescent moon\n \n  2  [C] (often used in street names) a curved street with a row of houses on it:\nI live at 7 Park Crescent. * the city of Bath, with its elegant squares and crescents\n \n  3  (the Crescent) [sing.] the curved shape that is used as a symbol of Islam\nsee also THE RED CRESCENT


Words: cress
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a small plant with thin stems and very small leaves, often eaten in salads and sandwiches\nsee also WATERCRESS


Words: crest
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) the top part of a hill or wave:\nsurfers riding the crest of the wave\n \n  2  a design used as the symbol of a particular family, organization, etc., especially one that has a long history:\nthe family / school crest\n \n  3  a group of feathers that stand up on top of a bird’s head:\nThe male is recognizable by its yellow crest.\n \n IDIOMS \n  the crest of a / the wave a situation in which sb is very successful, happy, etc:\nThey’ve been on the crest of the wave ever since their election victory.\nmore at RIDE v.\n    verb\n  1  [VN] (written) to reach the top of a hill, mountain or wave:\nHe slowed the pace as they crested the ridge. * The ship crested a wave and then fell twenty feet or more.\n  2  [V] (AmE) (of a flood, wave, etc.) to reach its highest level before it falls again: (figurative) The level of debt crested at a massive $290 billion in 1992.


Words: crested
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  marked with a crest:\ncrested notepaper\n  2  used especially in names of birds or animals which have a crest:\ncrested newts


Words: cretin
Meaning:
noun\n(spoken, offensive) a very stupid person:\nWhy did you do that, you cretin?\n    cretinous  adjective


Words: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation CJD) a brain disease that causes gradual loss of control of the mind and body and, finally, death. It is believed to be caused by PRIONS and is linked to BSE in cows.


Words: crevasse
Meaning:
noun\na deep open crack, especially in ice, for example in a GLACIER:\nThe majority of crevasse deaths happen to those who travel across glaciers unroped.


Words: crew
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] all the people working on a ship, plane, etc:\nNone of the passengers and crew were injured. * crew members * a change of crew in Bombay\nsee also AIRCREW, CABIN CREW, FLIGHT CREW\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] all the people working on a ship, plane etc. except the officers who are in charge:\nthe officers and crew\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people with special technical skills working together:\na film / camera crew * an ambulance crew\nsee also GROUND CREW\n  4  [sing.] (usually disapproving) a group of people:\nThe people she invited were a pretty motley crew (= a strange mix of types of people).\n  5  [C+sing./pl. v.] a team of people who row boats in races:\na member of the Cambridge crew\n  6  [U] (AmE) the sport of rowing with other people in a boat:\nI’m thinking of going out for crew this semester (= joining the rowing team).\n    verb to be part of a crew, especially on a ship: [VN] Normally the boat is crewed by five people. * [V] I crewed for him on his yacht last summer.


Words: crew cut
Meaning:
noun\na style of hair for men in which the hair is cut very short\n    crew-cut adjective:\ncrew-cut teenagers


Words: crib
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (AmE) = COT\n \n  2  a long open box that horses and cows can eat from\nSYN MANGER\n \n  3  (BrE) (AmE creche) a model of the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth, placed in churches and homes at Christmas\n \n  4  (informal) written information such as answers to questions, often used dishonestly by students in tests:\na crib sheet\n \n  5  = CRIBBAGE\n    verb (-bb-) [V, VN] ~ (sth) (from sb) (old-fashioned, BrE) to dishonestly copy work from another student or from a book


Words: cribbage
Meaning:
(also crib) noun\n[U] a card game in which players score points by collecting different combinations of cards. The score is kept by putting small PEGS in holes in a board.


Words: crick
Meaning:
(AmE also kink) noun\n[usually sing.] a sudden painful stiff feeling in the muscles of your neck or back:\nHe got a crick in the neck from sleeping in an awkward position.\n    crick verb:\n[VN] I suffered a cricked neck during a game of tennis.


Words: cricket
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] a game played on grass by two teams of 11 players. Players score points (called RUNS) by hitting the ball with a wooden bat and running between two sets of upright wooden sticks, called STUMPS:\na cricket match / team / club / ball\n \n  2  [C] a small brown jumping insect that makes a loud high sound by rubbing its wings together:\nthe chirping of crickets\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  not cricket (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) unfair; not HONOURABLE:\nYou can’t do it without telling him; it’s just not cricket.


Words: cricketing
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] playing cricket; connected with cricket:\ncricketing nations * a cricketing jersey


Words: crikey
Meaning:
exclamation\n(BrE, old-fashioned, spoken) used to show that sb is surprised or annoyed:\nCrikey, is that the time?


Words: crime
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] activities that involve breaking the law:\nan increase in violent crime * the fight against crime * Stores spend more and more on crime prevention every year. * petty / serious crime * the connection between drugs and organized crime * He turned to crime when he dropped out of school. * The crime rate is rising. * crime fiction / novels (= stories about crime) * crime figures / statistics\n  2  [C] ~ (against sb) an illegal act or activity that can be punished by law:\nto commit a crime (= do sth illegal) * The massacre was a crime against humanity. * In his mind he was about to commit the perfect crime.\nsee also WAR CRIME\n  3  (a crime) [sing.] an act that you think is immoral or is a big mistake:\nIt’s a crime to waste so much money.


Words: crime wave
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a situation in which there is a sudden increase in the number of crimes that are committed:\na crime wave among young people


Words: criminal
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] connected with or involving crime:\ncriminal offences / behaviour * criminal damage (= the crime of damaging sb’s property deliberately) * criminal negligence (= the illegal act of sb failing to do sth that they should do, with the result that sb else is harmed)\n  2  [only before noun] connected to the laws that deal with crime:\ncriminal law * the criminal justice system * a criminal lawyer * to bring criminal charges against sb\ncompare CIVIL\n  3  morally wrong:\nThis is a criminal waste of resources.\n    noun a person who commits a crime:\nSociety does not know how to deal with hardened criminals (= people who regularly commit crimes and are not sorry for what they do). * (especially AmE) a career criminal


Words: criminality
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the fact of people being involved in crime; criminal acts:\nThere is little evidence that juvenile criminality is increasing at a very much greater rate than crime in general.


Words: criminalize
Meaning:
(BrE also criminalise)  verb [VN] \n  1  to make sth illegal by passing a new law:\nThe use of opium was not criminalized until fairly recently.\n  2  to treat sb as a criminal:\nMany gay people felt that they were being criminalized for having relationships.\n    criminalization, criminalisation  noun [U]


Words: criminally
Meaning:
adverb\naccording to the laws that deal with crime:\ncriminally insane * Not a single officer has been found criminally liable.


Words: criminology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of crime and criminals\n    criminological  adjective\n    criminologist  noun


Words: crimp
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to make curls in sb’s hair by pressing it with a heated tool:\ncrimped blonde hair\n  2  to press fabric or paper into small folds


Words: crimson
Meaning:
adjective\ndark red in colour:\nShe went crimson (= her face became very red because she was embarrassed).\n    crimson noun [U]


Words: cringe
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  to move back and/or away from sb because you are afraid\nSYN COWER:\na child cringing in terror\n  2  to feel very embarrassed and uncomfortable about sth:\nI cringe when I think of the poems I wrote then. * She felt herself cringe with embarrassment at the memory.


Words: crinkle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to become covered with or to form a lot of thin folds or lines, especially in skin, fabric, or paper:\n[V] He smiled, his eyes crinkling. * Her face crinkled up in a smile. * The pages crinkled and curled and turned to ashes in the fire. [also VN] \n    noun a very thin fold or line made on paper, fabric or skin:\nThere were crinkles at the corner of her eyes when she smiled.


Words: crinkly
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a lot of thin folds or lines:\ncrinkly silver foil\n  2  (of hair) having a lot of small curls or waves


Words: crinoline
Meaning:
noun\na frame that was worn under a skirt by some women in the past in order to give the skirt a very round full shape


Words: cripple
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  to damage sb’s body so that they are no longer able to walk or move normally:\nHe was crippled by polio as a child. * to be crippled with arthritis\n  2  to seriously damage or harm sb/sth:\nThe pilot tried to land his crippled plane.\n    crippling adjective:\na crippling disease * crippling debts\n    noun (old-fashioned or offensive) a person who is unable to walk or move normally because of a disease or injury: (figurative) He’s an emotional cripple (= he cannot express his feelings).\n HELP NOTE  People now use disabled person instead of ’cripple’.


Words: crisis
Meaning:
1  a time of great danger, difficulty or uncertainty when problems must be solved or important decisions must be made:\na political / financial crisis * the government’s latest economic crisis * The business is still in crisis but it has survived the worst of the recession. * The Communist Party was facing an identity crisis. * an expert in crisis management * We provide help to families in crisis situations. * In times of crisis I know which friends I can turn to. * The party was suffering a crisis of confidence among its supporters (= they did not trust it any longer).\n  2  a time when a problem, a bad situation or an illness is at its worst point:\nTheir marriage has reached crisis point. * The fever has passed its crisis.\nsee also CRITICAL


Words: crisp
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective (crisper, crispest) (usually approving)\n  1  (of food) (also crispy) pleasantly hard and dry:\nBake until the pastry is golden and crisp.\n  2  (of fruit and vegetables) (also crispy) firm and fresh:\na crisp apple / lettuce\n  3  (of paper or fabric) fresh and clean; new and slightly stiff without any folds in it:\na crisp new $5 bill * a crisp white shirt\n  4  (of the air or the weather) pleasantly dry and cold:\na crisp winter morning * The air was crisp and clear and the sky was blue.\n  5  (of snow, leaves, etc.) firm or dry and making a pleasant noise when crushed:\ndeep, crisp snow\n  6  (of sounds, images, etc.) pleasantly clear and sharp:\nThe recording sounds very crisp, considering its age.\n  7  (sometimes disapproving) (of a person’s way of speaking) quick and confident in a way that suggests that the person is busy or is not being friendly:\nHer answer was crisp, and she gave no details.\n    crisply adverb:\ncrisply fried potatoes * ’Take a seat,’ she said crisply.\n    crispness noun [U]:\nThe salad had lost its crispness.\n    noun\n (also potato crisp) (both BrE) (AmE chip, potato chip) a thin round slice of potato that is fried until hard then dried and eaten cold. Crisps are sold in bags and have many different flavours.\n \n IDIOMS  see BURN v.\n    verb [V, VN] to become or make sth crisp


Words: crispbread
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a thin crisp biscuit made of wheat or RYE, often eaten with cheese or instead of bread, for example by people who are trying to lose weight


Words: criss-cross
Meaning:
adjective, verb \n    adjective [usually before noun] with many straight lines that cross each other:\na criss-cross pattern\n    criss-cross noun [sing.]:\na criss-cross of streets\n    verb to make a pattern on sth with many straight lines that cross each other: [VN] The city is criss-crossed with canals. * Searchlights were criss-crossing the sky. [also V]


Words: criterion
Meaning:
noun\n(plural criteria ) a standard or principle by which sth is judged, or with the help of which a decision is made:\nThe main criterion is value for money. * What criteria are used for assessing a student’s ability?


Words: critic
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who expresses opinions about the good and bad qualities of books, music, etc:\na music / theatre / literary critic * The critics loved the movie.\n  2  a person who expresses disapproval of sb/sth and talks about their bad qualities, especially publicly:\nShe is one of the ruling party’s most outspoken critics. * a critic of private health care


Words: critical
Meaning:
adjective\n  expressing disapproval\n  1  ~ (of sb/sth) expressing disapproval of sb/sth and saying what you think is bad about them:\na critical comment / report * The supervisor is always very critical. * Tom’s parents were highly critical of the school.\n  important\n  2  extremely important because a future situation will be affected by it\nSYN CRUCIAL:\na critical factor in the election campaign * Reducing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is of critical importance. * Your decision is critical to our future.\n  serious / dangerous\n  3  serious, uncertain and possibly dangerous:\nThe first 24 hours after the operation are the most critical. * a critical moment in our country’s history * One of the victims of the fire remains in a critical condition.\nsee also CRISIS\n  making careful judgements\n  4  involving making fair, careful judgements about the good and bad qualities of sb/sth:\nStudents are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting everything they are told without questioning it.\n  of art / music / books, etc.\n  5  [only before noun] according to the judgement of critics of art, music, literature, etc:\nthe film director’s greatest critical success * In her day she never received the critical acclaim (= praise from the critics) she deserved.\n    critically  adverb:\nShe spoke critically of her father. * He is critically ill in intensive care. * I looked at myself critically in the mirror.


Words: critical path
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (technical) the order of work that should be followed to complete a project as fast and as cheaply as possible


Words: criticism
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ~ (of sb/sth) | ~ (that ...) the act of expressing disapproval of sb/sth and opinions about their faults or bad qualities; a statement showing disapproval:\nThe plan has attracted criticism from consumer groups. * There was widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the disaster. * People in public life must always be open to criticism (= willing to accept being criticized). * Ben is very sensitive, he just can’t take criticism. * to offer sb constructive criticism (= that is meant to be helpful) * I didn’t mean it as a criticism. * criticisms levelled at (= aimed at / made about) journalists * My only criticism of the house is that it is on a main road.\n  2  [U] the work or activity of making fair, careful judgements about the good and bad qualities of sb/sth, especially books, music, etc:\nliterary criticism


Words: criticize
Meaning:
(BrE also criticise)  verb\n  1  ~ sb/sth (for sth) to say that you disapprove of sb/sth; to say what you do not like or think is wrong about sb/sth:\n[VN] The decision was criticized by environmental groups. * The government has been criticized for not taking the problem seriously. * [V] All you ever do is criticize!\n  2  [VN] (BrE) to judge the good and bad qualities of sth:\nWe were taught how to criticize poems.


Words: critique
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a piece of written criticism of a set of ideas, a work of art, etc:\na feminist critique of Freud’s theories\n    verb [VN] to write or give your opinion of, or reaction to, a set of ideas, a work of art, etc:\nHer job involves critiquing designs by fashion students.


Words: croak
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] to make a low harsh sound, like the sound a FROG makes:\nA frog croaked by the water.\n  2  to speak or say sth with a low harsh voice:\n[V] I had a sore throat and could only croak. * [VN] He managed to croak a greeting. [also V speech]\n  3  [V] (slang) to die:\nShe married a millionaire just about to croak.\n    noun a low harsh sound made in the throat, like the sound made by a FROG


Words: crochet
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U] a way of making clothes, etc. from wool or cotton using a special thick needle with a hook at the end to make a pattern of connected threads\n    verb (crocheting, crocheted) to make sth using crochet:\n[VN] a crocheted shawl [also V]


Words: crock
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (crocks) [pl.] (old-fashioned) cups, plates, dishes, etc.\n  2  [C] (old use) a large pot made of baked clay:\na bread crock\n  3  [C] (BrE, informal) an old person\n  4  [C] (BrE, informal) an old car in bad condition\n IDIOMS \n  a crock of shit (!!! slang, especially AmE) something that is not true\nmore at GOLD n.


Words: crockery
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (especially BrE) plates, cups, dishes, etc:\nThey would like crockery and cutlery as wedding presents.\n  2  (AmE) dishes, etc. that you use in the oven


Words: crocodile
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a large reptile with a long tail, hard skin and very big jaws. Crocodiles live in rivers and lakes in hot countries.\n \n  2  [U] crocodile skin made into leather:\ncrocodile shoes\n \n  3  [C] (BrE) a long line of people, especially children, walking in pairs:\na school crocodile\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  crocodile tears if sb SHEDS (= cries) crocodile tears, they pretend to be sad about sth, but they are not really sad at all:\nLet’s have no more politicians shedding crocodile tears for the unemployed.


Words: crony
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] (plural cronies) (often disapproving) a person that sb spends a lot of time with:\nHe was playing cards with his cronies.


Words: crook
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (informal) a dishonest person\nSYN CRIMINAL:\nThat salesman is a real crook.\n  2  ~ of your arm / elbow the place where your arm bends at the elbow:\nHe was carrying a gun in the crook of his arm.\n  3  a long stick with a hook at one end, used especially in the past by SHEPHERDS for catching sheep\n IDIOMS  see HOOK n.\n    verb [VN] to bend your finger or arm:\nShe winked and crooked a finger at him.\n    adjective [not usually before noun] (AustralE, informal) ill:\nI’m feeling a bit crook.


Words: crooked
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not in a straight line; bent or twisted:\na crooked nose / smile * a village of crooked streets and white-walled houses * Your glasses are on crooked.\n  2  dishonest:\na crooked businessman / deal * All the officials are crooked.\n    crookedly adverb


Words: croon
Meaning:
verb\nto sing sth quietly and gently:\n[VN] She gently crooned a lullaby. * Bobby Darren was crooning ’Dream Lover’. [also V]


Words: crop
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  plants for food\n \n  1  [C] a plant that is grown in large quantities, especially as food:\nSugar has always been an important crop on the island. * crop rotation / production / yield * The crops are regularly sprayed with pesticides.\nsee also CASH CROP\n \n  2  [C] the amount of grain, fruit, etc. that is grown in one season:\na fall in this year’s coffee crop * We are looking forward to a bumper crop (= a very large one).\n \n  group of people\n \n  3  [sing.] a ~ of sth a group of people who do sth at the same time; a number of things that happen at the same time:\nthe current crop of graduate trainees * She is really the cream of the crop (= the best in her group). * a crop of disasters / injuries\n  whip\n  4  [C] a short whip used by horse riders:\na riding crop\n  hair\n  5  [C] a very short hairstyle\n  6  [sing.] a ~ of dark, fair, etc. hair / curls hair that is short and thick:\nHe had a thick crop of black curly hair.\n  of bird\n  7  (technical) a part of a bird’s throat shaped like a bag where food is stored before it passes into the stomach\n    verb (-pp-)\n  hair\n  1  to cut sb’s hair very short:\n[VN] closely cropped hair [also VN-ADJ]\n  photograph\n  2  [VN] (technical) to cut off part of a photograph\n  of animals\n  3  [VN] to bite off and eat the tops of plants, especially grass:\nThe horses were quietly cropping the grass.\n  plants\n  4  [V] (of plants) to produce a crop:\nThe potatoes cropped well this year.\n  5  [VN] to use land to grow crops:\nThe river valley is intensively cropped.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crop up to appear or happen, especially when it is not expected:\nHis name just cropped up in conversation. * I’ll be late-something’s cropped up at the office.


Words: crop circle
Meaning:
(also corn circle) noun\na circular area in a field of crops that has suddenly become flat. Some people say that crop circles were made by creatures from outer space.


Words: cropper
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  come a cropper (BrE, informal)\n1 (of a person) to fall over:\nHe came a cropper on the ski slopes.\n2 to have a failure or near disaster:\nWe nearly came a cropper in the second half of the game.


Words: croquet
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a game played on grass in which players use wooden MALLETS (= hammers with long handles) to knock wooden balls through a series of HOOPS (= curved wires)


Words: croquette
Meaning:
noun\na small amount of MASHED potato, fish, etc., shaped into a ball or tube, covered with BREADCRUMBS and fried


Words: crosier
Meaning:
(also crozier)  noun\na long stick, usually curved at one end, carried by a BISHOP (= a Christian priest of high rank) at religious ceremonies


Words: cross
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  mark on paper\n \n  1  [C] a mark or an object formed by two lines crossing each other (X or +); the mark (X) is often used on paper to show sth:\nI’ve put a cross on the map to show where the hotel is. * Put a tick if the answer is correct and a cross if it’s wrong. * Sign your name on the form where I’ve put a cross. * Those who could not write signed with a cross. * Put a cross beside the name of the candidate you wish to vote for.\nsee also NOUGHTS AND CROSSES\ncompare TICK\n \n  for punishment\n \n  2  [C] a long upright piece of wood with a shorter piece across it near the top. In the past people were hung on crosses and left to die as a punishment.\n \n  christian symbol\n  3  (the Cross) [sing.] the cross that Jesus Christ died on, used as a symbol of Christianity\n  4  [C] an object, a design, a piece of jewellery, etc. in the shape of a cross, used as a symbol of Christianity:\nShe wore a small gold cross on a chain around her neck.\n  medal\n  5  (usually Cross) [C] a small decoration in the shape of a cross that is given to sb as an honour for doing sth very brave\n  mixture\n  6  [C, usually sing.] ~ (between A and B) a mixture of two different things, breeds of animal, etc:\nThe play was a cross between a farce and a tragedy. * A mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey.\nsee also HYBRID\n  in sport\n  7  [C] (in football or hockey) a kick or hit of the ball across the field rather than up or down it\nsee also THE RED CROSS\n IDIOMS \n  have a (heavy) cross to bear to have a difficult problem that makes you worried or unhappy but that you have to deal with:\nWe all have our crosses to bear.\n    verb\n  go / put across\n \n  1  ~ (over) (from ...) (to / into ...) | ~ (over) (sth) to go across; to pass or stretch from one side to the other:\n[V] I waved and she crossed over (= crossed the road towards me). * We crossed from Dover to Calais. * [VN] to cross a road / the sea / the mountains * He crossed over the road and joined me. * to cross France by train * The bridge crosses the River Dee. * A look of annoyance crossed her face. * They crossed the finishing line together (= in a race).\n \n  2  [V] to pass across each other:\nThe roads cross just outside the town. * The straps cross over at the back and are tied at the waist. * Our letters must have crossed in the mail (= each was sent before the other was received). * We seem to have a crossed line (= a telephone call that interrupts another call because of a wrong connection).\n \n  3  [VN] to put or place sth across or over sth else:\nto cross your arms / legs (= place one arm or leg over the other) * She sat with her legs crossed. * a flag with a design of two crossed keys\n \n  oppose\n  4  [VN] to oppose sb or speak against them or their plans or wishes:\nShe’s really nice until you try to cross her. * (literary) He had been crossed in love (= was betrayed by the person he loved).\n  mix animals / plants\n  5  [VN] ~ A with B | ~ A and B to make two different types of animal breed together; to mix two types of plant to form a new one:\nA mule is the product of a horse crossed with a donkey. * (figurative) He behaved like an army officer crossed with a professor.\n  in sport\n  6  [V] (in football, etc.) to kick or pass a ball sideways across the field:\nMerson crossed to Joachim.\n  draw line\n  7  [VN] to draw a line across sth:\nto cross your t’s (= the letters in writing) * (BrE) to cross a cheque (= to draw two lines across it so that it can only be paid through a bank account)\n  make christian symbol\n  8  [VN] ~ yourself to make the sign of the CROSS (= the Christian symbol) on your chest\n IDIOMS \n  cross your bridges when you come to them to worry about a problem when it actually happens and not before\n  cross your fingers to hope that your plans will be successful (sometimes putting one finger across another as a sign of hoping for good luck):\nI’m crossing my fingers that my proposal will be accepted. * Keep your fingers crossed!\n  cross my heart (and hope to die) (informal) used to emphasize that you are telling the truth or will do what you promise:\nI saw him do it-cross my heart.\n  cross your mind (of thoughts, etc.) to come into your mind:\nIt never crossed my mind that she might lose (= I was sure that she would win).\n  cross sb’s palm with silver to give sb money so that they will do you a favour, especially tell your FORTUNE\n  cross sb’s path | people’s paths cross if sb crosses sb’s path or their paths cross, they meet by chance:\nI hope I never cross her path again. * Our paths were to cross again many years later.\n  cross swords (with sb) to fight or argue with sb\nmore at DOT v., WIRE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cross sb/sth<->off | cross sb/sth off sth to draw a line through a person’s name or an item on a list because they/it is no longer required or involved:\nWe can cross his name off; he’s not coming.\n  cross sth<->out / through to draw a line through a word, usually because it is wrong\n  cross over (to / into sth) to move or change from one type of culture, music, political party, etc. to another:\na cult movie that has crossed over to mass appeal\nrelated noun CROSSOVER\n    adjective (crosser, crossest) ~ (with sb) (especially BrE) annoyed or quite angry:\nI was cross with him for being late. * Please don’t get cross. Let me explain.\n    crossly adverb:\n’Well what did you expect?’ she said crossly.


Words: cross purposes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] if two people are at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are talking about or aiming at different things, without realizing it:\nI think we’re talking at cross purposes; that’s not what I meant at all.


Words: cross section
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] what you see when you cut through the middle of sth so that you can see the different layers it is made of; a drawing of this view:\na diagram representing a cross section of the human eye * the human eye in cross section\n  2  [C, usually sing.] a group of people or things that are typical of a larger group:\na representative cross section of society * a wide cross section of the population * a broad cross section of opinion


Words: cross stitch
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a stitch in EMBROIDERY formed by two stitches crossing each other; SEWING in which this stitch is used


Words: cross-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs) involving movement or action from one thing to another or between two things:\ncross-Channel ferries * cross-fertilize * crossfire


Words: cross-border
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] involving activity across a border between two countries:\na cross-border raid by guerrillas * cross-border trade


Words: cross-breed
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to make an animal or a plant breed with a different breed; to breed with an animal or a plant of a different breed:\n[VN] cross-bred sheep [also V]\n    cross-breeding noun [U] \n    noun an animal or a plant that is a result of cross-breeding\ncompare HYBRID


Words: cross-check
Meaning:
verb\n~ sth (against sth) to make sure that information, figures etc. are correct by using a different method or system to check them:\n[VN] Cross-check your answers with a calculator. * Baggage should be cross-checked against the names of individual passengers. [also V]\n    cross-check noun


Words: cross-country
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun] adverb\n  1  across fields or open country rather than on roads or a track:\ncross-country running / skiing * We rode cross-country.\n  2  from one part of a country to the other, especially not using main roads or routes:\ncross-country train journeys\n    noun\n  1  (the cross-country) [sing.] a cross-country running or skiing race:\nWho won the cross-country?\n  2  [U] the sport of running or skiing across country\ncompare DOWNHILL n.


Words: cross-current
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a current of water in a river or in the sea that flows across the main current\n  2  [often pl.] (formal) a set of beliefs, opinions or ideas that are different from others, especially from those that most people hold


Words: cross-curricular
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE) affecting or connected with different parts of the school CURRICULUM:\ncross-curricular themes


Words: cross-dressing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the practice of wearing clothes usually worn by a person of the opposite sex, especially for sexual pleasure\nSYN TRANSVESTISM\n    cross-dresser noun


Words: cross-examine
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to question sb carefully and in a lot of detail about answers that they have already given, especially in a court of law:\nThe witness was cross-examined for over two hours.\n    cross-examination noun [U, C]:\nHe broke down under cross-examination (= while he was being cross-examined) and admitted his part in the assault.


Words: cross-eyed
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving one or both eyes looking inwards towards the nose:\nI’m going cross-eyed, working on those hand-written texts all day.


Words: cross-fertilize
Meaning:
(BrE also cross-fertilise) verb [VN] \n  1  (biology) to FERTILIZE a plant using POLLEN from a different type of plant:\nUnlike other cereals, rye is cross-fertilized.\n  2  (written) to help sth develop in a useful or positive way by mixing ideas from a different area:\nThe study of psychology has recently been widely cross-fertilized by new discoveries in genetics.\n    cross-fertilization, cross-fertilisation noun [U, sing.]


Words: cross-hatch
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (technical) to mark or colour sth with two sets of parallel lines crossing each other\n    cross-hatching noun [U]


Words: cross-legged
Meaning:
adverb\nsitting on the floor with your legs pulled up in front of you and with one leg or foot over the other\n    cross-legged adjective:\nthe cross-legged figure of the Hindu god


Words: cross-question
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to question sb thoroughly and often in a way that seems aggressive:\nTwo police officers spent the next hour cross-questioning me.


Words: cross-reference
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun ~ (to sth) a note that tells a reader to look in another part of a book or file for further information\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (to / with sth) to provide a book with cross-references


Words: crossbar
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  the bar joining the two upright posts of a football goal\n \n  2  the bar between the seat and the HANDLEBARS of a man’s bicycle


Words: crossbow
Meaning:
noun\na weapon which consists of a BOW (1) that is fixed onto a larger piece of wood, and that shoots short heavy arrows (called BOLTS)


Words: crossfire
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the firing of guns from two or more directions at the same time, so that the bullets cross:\nThe doctor was killed in crossfire as he went to help the wounded. * (figurative) When two industrial giants clash, small companies can get caught in the crossfire (= become involved and suffer as a result).


Words: crossing
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a place where you can safely cross a road, a river, etc., or from one country to another:\nThe child was killed when a car failed to stop at the crossing. * The next crossing point is a long way downstream. * He was arrested by guards at the border crossing.\nsee also LEVEL CROSSING, PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, PELICAN CROSSING, ZEBRA CROSSING\n \n  2  a place where two lines, two roads or two tracks cross\n \n  3  a journey across a sea or a wide river:\na three-hour ferry crossing * a rough crossing from Dover to Calais * the first Atlantic crossing\n \n  4  an act of going from one side to another:\nattempted crossings of the border


Words: crossover
Meaning:
noun\nthe process or result of changing from one area of activity or style of doing sth to another:\nThe album was an exciting jazz-pop crossover.


Words: crossroads
Meaning:
noun\n(plural crossroads) a place where two roads meet and cross each other:\nAt the next crossroads, turn right. * (figurative) He has reached a career crossroads (= he must decide which way to go next in his career).\nsee also INTERSECTION, JUNCTION\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  at a / the crossroads at an important point in sb’s life or development


Words: crosswind
Meaning:
noun\na wind that is blowing across the direction that you are moving in:\nStrong crosswinds blew the plane off course.


Words: crosswise
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  across, especially from one corner to the opposite one:\nCut the fabric crosswise.\n  2  in the form of a cross


Words: crossword
Meaning:
(also crossword puzzle) noun\na game in which you have to fit words across and downwards into spaces with numbers in a square diagram. You find the words by solving CLUES:\nto do a / the crossword * I’ve finished the crossword apart from 3 across and 10 down.


Words: crotch
Meaning:
(also crutch) noun\n  1  the part of the body where the legs join at the top, including the area around the GENITALS\n  2  the part of a pair of trousers/pants, etc. that covers the crotch:\nThere’s a hole in the crotch.


Words: crouch
Meaning:
verb, noun \n \n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to lower your body close to the ground by bending your legs under you:\nHe crouched down beside her. * Doyle crouched behind a hedge.\n \n    crouched adjective:\nShe sat crouched in a corner.\n \n PHRASAL VERBS \n \n  crouch over sb/sth to bend over sb/sth so that you are very close to them or it:\nHe crouched over the papers on his desk.\n    noun [sing.] a crouching position:\nShe dropped to a crouch.


Words: croupier
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to be in charge of a gambling table and collect and pay out money, give out cards, etc.


Words: crow
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a large black bird with a harsh cry\n \n  2  a sound like that of a COCK / ROOSTER crowing:\nShe gave a little crow of triumph.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  as the crow flies in a straight line:\nThe villages are no more than a mile apart as the crow flies.\nmore at EAT, STONE v.\n    verb\n  1  [V] (of a COCK / ROOSTER) to make repeated loud high sounds, especially early in the morning:\nA cock began to crow.\n  2  ~ (about / over sth) (disapproving) to talk too proudly about sth you have achieved, especially when sb else has been unsuccessful\nSYN BOAST:\n[V] He won’t stop crowing about his victory. * [V speech] ’I’ve won, I’ve won!’ she crowed. [also V that]\n  3  [V] (BrE) (of a baby) to make happy sounds


Words: crow’s-nest
Meaning:
noun\na platform at the top of a ship’s MAST (= the post that supports the sails) from which sb can see a long way and watch for land, danger, etc.


Words: crowbar
Meaning:
noun\na straight iron bar, usually with a curved end, used for forcing open boxes and moving heavy objects


Words: crowd
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] a large number of people gathered together in a public place, for example in the streets or at a sports game:\nHe pushed his way through the crowd. * A small crowd had gathered outside the church. * Police had to break up the crowd. * Crowds of people poured into the street. * I want to get there early to avoid the crowds. * The match attracted a capacity crowd of 80 000. * The crowd cheered the winning hit. * crowd control * crowd trouble * A whole crowd of us are going to the ball (= a lot of us). * He left the hotel surrounded by crowds of journalists.\n \n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] (informal, often disapproving) a particular group of people:\nBob introduced her to some of the usual crowd (= people who often meet each other). * the bright young theatrical crowd\n \n  3  (the crowd) [sing.] (sometimes disapproving) ordinary people, not special or unusual in any way:\nWe all like to think we stand out from the crowd (= are different from and better than other people). * He prefers to be one of the crowd. * She’s quite happy to follow the crowd.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to fill a place so there is little room to move:\nThousands of people crowded the narrow streets.\n  2  to fill your mind so that you can think of nothing else:\nMemories crowded his mind.\n  3  (informal) to stand very close to sb so that they feel uncomfortable or nervous\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crowd around / round | crowd around / round sb/sth to gather in large numbers around sb/sth:\nWe all crowded around the stove to keep warm. * Photographers were crowding around outside.\n  crowd in (on sb) | crowd into sth (written) (of thoughts, questions etc.) to fill your mind so that you can think of nothing else:\nToo many uncomfortable thoughts were crowding in on her. * Memories came crowding into her mind.\n  crowd into / onto sth | crowd in to move in large numbers into a small space:\nWe all crowded into her office to sing ’Happy Birthday’.\n  crowd sb/sth into / onto sth | crowd sb/sth in to put many people or things into a small space:\nGuests were crowded into the few remaining rooms. * They crowd people onto the trains.\n  crowd sb/sth out (BrE) to fill a place so that other people or things are kept out


Words: crowd-pleaser
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person or performance that always pleases an audience:\nMickey Mouse made his screen debut on November 18, 1928 and has been a crowd-pleaser ever since.


Words: crowded
Meaning:
adjective  (with sth)\n  1  having a lot of people or too many people:\ncrowded streets * a crowded bar * In the spring the place is crowded with skiers. * London was very crowded.\ncompare UNCROWDED\n  2  full of sth:\na room crowded with books * We have a very crowded schedule.


Words: crown
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  of king / queen\n  1  [C] a circular ornament, usually made of gold and jewels, that a king or queen wears on his or her head on official occasions\n  2  (the Crown) [sing.] the government of a country, thought of as being represented by a king or queen:\nland owned by the Crown * a Minister of the Crown * Who’s appearing for the Crown (= bringing a criminal charge against sb on behalf of the state) in this case?\n  3  (the crown) [sing.] the position or power of a king or queen:\nShe refused the crown (= refused to become queen). * his claim to the French crown\n  of flowers / leaves\n  4  [C] a circle of flowers, leaves, etc. that is worn on sb’s head, sometimes as a sign of victory\n  in sports competition\n  5  [C, usually sing.] (informal) the position of winning a sports competition:\nShe is determined to retain her Wimbledon crown.\n  of head / hat\n  6  (usually the crown) [sing.] the top part of the head or a hat\n  highest part\n  7  (usually the crown) [sing.] the highest part of sth:\nthe crown of a hill * from the crown of the final bend\n  on tooth\n  8  [C] an artificial cover for a damaged tooth\n  shape\n  9  [C] anything in the shape of a crown, especially an ornament or a BADGE\n  money\n  10  [C] a unit of money in several European countries:\nCzech crowns\n  11  [C] an old British coin worth five SHILLINGS (= now 25p)\n IDIOMS  see JEWEL\n    verb\n  king / queen\n  1  to put a crown on the head of a new king or queen as a sign of royal power:\n[VN] Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1953. * [VN-N] The prince was soon to be crowned King of England.\n  cover top\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (with sth) (written) to form or cover the top of sth:\nHis head was crowned with a mop of brown curls.\n  make complete\n  3  [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) to make sth complete or perfect, especially by adding an achievement, a success, etc:\nThe award of the Nobel Prize has crowned a glorious career in physics. * Their efforts were finally crowned with success.\n  hit on head\n  4  [VN] (old-fashioned, slang) to hit sb on the head\n  tooth\n  5  [VN] to put an artificial cover on a tooth\nSYN CAP:\nI’ve had one of my teeth crowned.\n IDIOMS \n  to crown it all (BrE) used to say that sth is the final and worst event in a series of unpleasant or annoying events:\nIt was cold and raining, and, to crown it all, we had to walk home.


Words: Crown Court
Meaning:
noun\n(in England and Wales) a court of law which deals with criminal cases, with a judge and JURY\ncompare COUNTY COURT


Words: crown jewels
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the CROWN and other royal ornaments worn or carried by a king or queen on formal occasions


Words: Crown prince
Meaning:
noun\n(in some countries), a prince who will become king when the present king or queen dies:\nCrown Prince Wilhelm


Words: Crown princess
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the wife of a Crown prince\n  2  (in some countries), a princess who will become queen when the present king or queen dies:\nCrown Princess Beatrice


Words: crowning
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] making sth perfect or complete:\nThe cathedral is the crowning glory of the city. * His ’Beethoven’ sculpture is seen as the crowning achievement of his career.


Words: crucial
Meaning:
adjective\n (to / for sth) |  (that ...) extremely important, because it will affect other things:\na crucial factor / issue / decision * topics of crucial importance for education * Winning this contract is crucial to the success of the company. * The next few weeks are going to be crucial. * It is crucial that we get this right. * Parents play a crucial role in preparing their child for school. * He wasn’t there at the crucial moment (= when he was needed most).\n    crucially  adverb:\ncrucially important


Words: crucible
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a pot in which substances are heated to high temperatures, metals are melted, etc.\n \n  2  (formal or literary) a place or situation in which people or ideas are tested severely, often creating sth new or exciting in the process:\nan alliance forged in the crucible of war * The Lake District in 1800 was the crucible of the new Romantic movement in English poetry.


Words: crucifixion
Meaning:
noun (sometimes Crucifixion)\n  1  [C, U] the act of killing sb by fastening them to a cross:\nthe Crucifixion (= of Jesus)\n  2  [C] a painting or other work of art representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ


Words: crucify
Meaning:
verb (crucifies, crucifying, crucified, crucified) [VN] \n  1  to kill sb as a punishment by fastening them to a wooden cross\n  2  (informal) to criticize or punish sb very severely:\nThe prime minister was crucified in the press for his handling of the affair.


Words: crude
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (cruder, crudest)\n  1  simple and not very accurate but giving a general idea of sth:\nIn crude terms, the causes of mental illness seem to be of three main kinds.\n  2  (of objects or works of art) simply made, not showing much skill or attention to detail:\na crude drawing of a face\n  3  (of people or the way they behave) offensive or rude, especially about sex\nSYN VULGAR:\ncrude jokes / language\n  4  [usually before noun] (of oil and other natural substances) in its natural state, before it has been treated with chemicals:\ncrude oil / metal\n    crudely adverb:\na crudely drawn ship * To put it crudely, the poor are going without food so that the rich can drive cars.\n    crudeness noun [U] \n    noun (also crude oil) [U] oil in its natural state, before it has been treated with chemicals:\n50 000 barrels of crude


Words: crudity
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural crudities) (written) the fact of being CRUDE; an example of sth CRUDE:\nDespite the crudity of their methods and equipment, the experiment was a considerable success. * the novel’s structural crudities * The crudity of her language shocked him.


Words: cruel
Meaning:
adjective (crueller, cruellest)\n  1   (to sb/sth) having a desire to cause pain and suffering:\na cruel dictator * I can’t stand people who are cruel to animals. * Her eyes were cruel and hard. * Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind (= make sb suffer because it will be good for them later).\n  2  causing pain or suffering:\na cruel punishment / joke * Her father’s death was a cruel blow.\n    cruelly  adverb:\nThe dog had been cruelly treated. * I was cruelly deceived.


Words: cruelty
Meaning:
noun (plural cruelties)\n  1  [U]  (to sb/sth) behaviour that causes pain or suffering to others, especially deliberately:\ncruelty to animals * The deliberate cruelty of his words cut her like a knife.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] a cruel action:\nFrightening cruelties were inflicted on child factory workers well into the 19th century.\n  3  [C, U] something that happens that seems unfair:\nthe cruelties of life


Words: cruet
Meaning:
noun\na small container, or set of containers, for salt, pepper, oil, etc. for use on the table at meals


Words: cruise
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a journey by sea, visiting different places, especially as a holiday/vacation:\nI’d love to go on a round-the-world cruise. * a luxury cruise ship\n    verb\n  1  to travel in a ship or boat visiting different places, especially as a holiday/vacation: [V, usually +adv./prep.] They cruised down the Nile. * [VN] We spent two weeks cruising the Bahamas.\n  2  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (of a car, plane, etc.) to travel at a steady speed:\na light aircraft cruising at 4 000 feet * a cruising speed of 50 miles an hour\n  3  (of a car, etc. or its driver) to drive along slowly, especially when you are looking at or for sth: [V, +adv./prep.] She cruised around the block looking for a parking space. * [VN] Taxis cruised the streets, looking for fares.\n  4  [V +adv./prep.] to win or achieve sth easily:\nThe home team cruised to victory.\n  5  [V, VN] (slang) to go around in public places looking for a sexual partner


Words: cruise control
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a device in a motor vehicle that allows it to stay at the speed that the driver has chosen


Words: cruise missile
Meaning:
noun\na large weapon with a nuclear WARHEAD that flies close to the ground and is guided by its own computer to an exact place


Words: cruiser
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a large fast ship used in war\n  2  (also cabin cruiser) a motor boat which you can sleep in, used for pleasure trips\n  3  (AmE) a police car


Words: crumb
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a very small piece of food, especially of bread or cake, that has fallen off a larger piece:\nShe stood up and brushed the crumbs from her sweater.\n  2  a small piece or amount:\na few crumbs of useful information * The government’s only crumb of comfort is that their opponents are as confused as they are.


Words: crumble
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to break or break sth into very small pieces:\n[V] Rice flour makes the cake less likely to crumble. * [VN] Crumble the cheese over the salad.\n  2  [V] if a building or piece of land is crumbling, parts of it are breaking off:\nbuildings crumbling into dust * crumbling stonework * The cliff is gradually crumbling away. * They live in a crumbling old mansion.\n  3  [V] ~ (into / to sth) | ~ (away) to begin to fail or get weaker or to come to an end:\na crumbling business / relationship * All his hopes began to crumble away. * The empire finally crumbled into dust.\n IDIOMS  see WAY n.\n    noun [U, C] (BrE) a DESSERT (= a sweet dish) made from fruit that is covered with a rough mixture of flour, butter and sugar, cooked in the oven and usually served hot:\napple crumble and custard


Words: crumbly
Meaning:
adjective\nthat easily breaks into very small pieces:\ncrumbly soil / cheese * The cake should have a light and crumbly texture.


Words: crumbs
Meaning:
exclamation\n(old-fashioned, BrE, informal) used to show that you are surprised:\nOh crumbs! Is that the time?


Words: crumpet
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  [C] a small flat round cake with small holes in the top, eaten hot with butter\n  2  [U] (slang) an offensive way of referring to people who are sexually attractive, usually women


Words: crumple
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (sth) (up) (into sth) to crush sth into folds; to become crushed into folds:\n[VN] She crumpled the letter up into a ball and threw it on the fire. * [V] This material crumples very easily.\n  2  [V] ~ (up) if your face crumples, you look sad and disappointed, as if you might cry:\nHer face crumpled up and she burst into tears.\n  3  [V] ~ (up) to fall down in an uncontrolled way because you are injured, unconscious, drunk, etc.\nSYN COLLAPSE:\nHe crumpled up in agony.\n    crumpled adjective:\ncrumpled clothes / papers * A crumpled figure lay motionless in the doorway.


Words: crunch
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] a noise like the sound of sth firm being crushed:\nthe crunch of feet on snow * The car drew up with a crunch of gravel.\n  2  (the crunch) [sing.] an important and often unpleasant situation or piece of information:\nThe crunch came when she returned from America. * He always says he’ll help but when it comes to the crunch (= when it is time for action or decision) he does nothing. * The crunch is that we can’t afford to go abroad this year.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] (especially AmE) a situation in which there is suddenly not enough of sth, especially money:\na budget / energy / housing crunch * Higher grain prices are putting a crunch on cattle feeders.\n    verb\n  1  ~ (on sth) to crush sth noisily between your teeth when you are eating:\n[VN] She crunched her apple noisily. [also V]\n  2  to make or cause sth to make a noise like sth hard being crushed\nSYN SCRUNCH:\n[V] The snow crunched under our feet. [also VN]\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] to move over a surface, making a loud crushing noise:\nI crunched across the gravel to the front door.\n  4  [VN] (computing) to deal with large amounts of data very quickly:\nWe are waiting for the results officials who are still crunching numbers.\nsee also NUMBER CRUNCHING\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  crunch sth<->up to crush sth completely:\nHe crunched up the empty pack and threw it out of the window.\n    adjective [only before noun] (informal) a crunch meeting, sports game, etc. is very important and may be the last chance to succeed:\nSunday’s crunch game with Leeds * The Agriculture Secretary goes into a crunch meeting with senior ministers in Brussels tomorrow.


Words: crunchy
Meaning:
adjective\n(approving) (especially of food) firm and crisp and making a sharp sound when you bite or crush it:\na crunchy salad


Words: crusade
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1   (for / against sth) |  (to do sth) a long and determined effort to achieve sth that you believe to be right or to stop sth that you believe to be wrong:\nto lead a crusade against crime * a moral crusade * a crusade to give terminally ill people the right to die\n  2  (sometimes Crusade) any of the wars fought in Palestine by European Christian countries against the Muslims in the Middle Ages\n    verb [V] to make a long and determined effort to achieve sth that you believe to be right or to stop sth you believe to be wrong\nSYN CAMPAIGN


Words: crush
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to press or squeeze sth so hard that it is damaged or injured, or loses its shape:\nThe car was completely crushed under the truck. * They crush the olives with a heavy wooden press. * Several people were crushed to death in the accident.\n  2  [+adv./prep.] to push or press sb/sth into a small space:\nOver twenty prisoners were crushed into a small dark cell.\n  3  to break sth into small pieces or into a powder by pressing hard:\nAdd two cloves of crushed garlic.\n  4  to become or make sth full of folds or lines\n  5  to use violent methods to defeat people who are opposing you:\nThe army was sent in to crush the rebellion.\n  6  to destroy sb’s confidence or happiness:\nShe felt completely crushed by the teacher’s criticism.\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] a crowd of people pressed close together in a small space:\na big crush in the theatre bar * I couldn’t find a way through the crush.\n  2  [C]  (on sb) a strong feeling of love, that usually does not last very long, that a young person has for sb older:\na schoolgirl crush * I had a huge crush on her.\n  3  [U] a drink made from fruit juice


Words: crushing
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] used to emphasize how bad or severe sth is:\na crushing defeat in the election * The shipyard has been dealt another crushing blow with the failure to win this contract.\n    crushingly adverb


Words: crust
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C, U] the hard outer surface of bread:\nsandwiches with the crusts cut off\n \n  2  [C, usually sing.] a layer of pastry, especially on top of a pie:\nBake until the crust is golden.\n \n  3  [C, U] a hard layer or surface, especially above or around sth soft or liquid:\na thin crust of ice * the earth’s crust\nsee also THE UPPER CRUST\n IDIOMS  see EARN


Words: crustacean
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) any creature with a soft body that is divided into sections, and a hard outer shell. Most crustaceans live in water. CRABS, LOBSTERS and SHRIMPS are all crustaceans.\ncompare SHELLFISH


Words: crusty
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of food) having a hard outer layer:\nfresh crusty bread\n  2  (informal) (especially of older people) bad-tempered; easily irritated:\na crusty old man


Words: crutch
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  one of two long sticks that you put under your arms to help you walk after you have injured your leg or foot:\nAfter the accident I spent six months on crutches.\n \n  2  (usually disapproving) a person or thing that gives you help or support but often makes you depend on them too much:\nHigh interest rates are merely a crutch for the country’s ailing economy. * He sees religion as an emotional crutch.\n \n  3  = CROTCH


Words: crux
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the ~ (of sth) the most important or difficult part of a problem or an issue:\nNow we come to the crux of the matter.


Words: cry
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (cries, crying, cried, cried)\n  1  ~ (for sb/sth) | ~ (about / over sth) to produce tears from your eyes because you are unhappy or hurt:\n[V] It’s all right. Don’t cry. * The baby was crying for (= because it wanted) its mother. * There’s nothing to cry about. * He felt like crying with rage. * I just couldn’t stop crying. * [VN] I found him crying his eyes out (= crying very much). * That night she cried herself to sleep. * The little boy fell over and started to cry. [also V speech]\n  2  ~ (for sth) to shout loudly:\n[V] She ran to the window and cried for help. * [V speech] ’You’re safe!’ Tom cried in delight. -> SHOUT\n  3  [V] (of a bird or an animal) to make a loud harsh noise:\nSeagulls followed the boat, crying loudly.\n IDIOMS \n  cry foul (informal) to complain that sb else has done sth wrong or unfair\n  cry over spilt milk (BrE) (AmE cry over spilled milk) to waste time worrying about sth that has happened that you cannot do anything about\n  cry wolf to call for help when you do not need it, with the result that when you do need it people do not believe you\n  for crying out loud (spoken, informal) used to show you are angry or surprised:\nFor crying out loud! Why did you have to do that?\nmore at LAUGH v., SHOULDER n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cry off (BrE) to say that you cannot do sth that you promised to do:\nShe said she was coming to the party, but cried off at the last moment.\n  cry out to make a loud sound without words because you are hurt, afraid, surprised, etc:\nShe tried to stop herself from crying out. * to cry out in fear / alarm / pain\n  cry out / cry out sth to shout sth loudly:\nShe cried out for help. * She cried out his name. * [+ speech] ’Help!’ he cried out.\n  cry out for sth (usually used in the progressive tenses) to need sth very much:\nThe company is crying out for fresh new talent.\n    noun (plural cries)\n  1  [C] a loud sound without words that expresses a strong feeling:\nto give a cry of anguish / despair / relief / surprise / terror\n  2  [C] a loud shout:\nWith a cry of ’Stop thief!’ he ran after the boy. * Her answer was greeted with cries of outrage.\n  3  [C] the sound made by a bird or an animal:\nthe cry of gulls circling overhead\n  4  [sing.] an action or a period of crying:\nI felt a lot better after a good long cry.\n  5  [C]  (for sth) an urgent demand or request for sth:\nHer suicide attempt was really a cry for help.\n  6  [C] (especially in compounds) a word or phrase that expresses a group’s beliefs and calls people to action:\na battle cry * His speech attacking the government has proved a rallying cry for party dissidents.\n IDIOMS \n  in full cry talking or shouting loudly and in an enthusiastic way:\nThe Leeds supporters were in full cry.\nmore at FAR adj., HUE\n______________________________\n VOCABULARY BUILDING \ncry\nTo cry is the most general word for producing tears when you are unhappy or hurt, or when you are extremely happy.\nTo sob means to cry noisily, taking sudden, sharp breaths.\nTo wail means to cry in a loud high voice.\nTo whimper means to cry making low, weak noises.\nTo weep (literary or formal) means to cry quietly for a long time.\nTo blubber (informal) means to cry noisily, especially in an annoying way.\nAll these verbs can be used like ’say’: ’I don’t want you to go,’ she cried/wailed/sobbed.\nTo be in tears means to be crying.\nTo burst into tears means to suddenly begin to cry.\nTo cry your eyes out means to cry a lot or for a long time, because you are very sad.\n______________________________


Words: crybaby
Meaning:
noun\n(plural crybabies) (informal, disapproving) a person, especially a child, who cries too often or without good reason:\nDon’t be such a crybaby.


Words: crying
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n IDIOMS \n  be a crying shame (spoken) used to emphasize that you think sth is extremely bad or shocking:\nIt’s a crying shame to waste all that food.\n  a crying need (for sth) a great and urgent need for sth:\nThere is a crying need for more funds.\n    noun [U] the sound or act of crying:\nthe crying of terrified children


Words: cryogenics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (physics) the scientific study of the production and effects of very low temperatures\ncompare CRYONICS


Words: cryonics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) the process of freezing a body at the moment of its death with the hope that it will be brought back to life at some future time\ncompare CRYOGENICS


Words: cryptic
Meaning:
adjective\nwith a meaning that is hidden or not easily understood:\na cryptic message / remark / smile * a cryptic crossword clue\n    cryptically  adverb:\n’Yes and no,’ she replied cryptically.


Words: crystal
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a small piece of a substance with many even sides, that is formed naturally when the substance becomes solid:\nice / salt crystals * a crystal structure\n  2  [U, C] a clear mineral, such as QUARTZ, used in making jewellery and ornaments:\na pair of crystal earrings\n  3  [U] glass of very high quality:\na crystal chandelier / vase * Every table had been set with fine china and crystal.\n  4  [C] (AmE) a piece of glass or plastic that covers the face of a watch\nsee also LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY


Words: crystal ball
Meaning:
noun\na clear glass ball used by people who claim they can predict what will happen in the future by looking into it:\nWithout a crystal ball, it’s impossible to say where we’ll be next year.


Words: crystal clear
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of glass, water, etc.) completely clear and bright\n  2  very easy to understand; completely obvious:\nI want to make my meaning crystal clear.


Words: crystalline
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (technical) made of or similar to CRYSTALS:\ncrystalline structure / rocks\n  2  (formal) very clear\nSYN TRANSPARENT:\nwater of crystalline purity


Words: crystallize
Meaning:
(BrE also crystallise)  verb\n  1  (of thoughts, plans, beliefs, etc.) to become clear and fixed; to make thoughts, beliefs, etc. clear and fixed:\n[V] Our ideas began to crystallize into a definite plan. * [VN] The final chapter crystallizes all the main issues.\n  2  (technical) to form or make sth form into CRYSTALS:\n[V] The salt crystallizes as the water evaporates. [also VN] \n    crystallization, crystallisation  noun [U, sing.]:\nsalt crystallization * a crystallization of his life’s work


Words: CS gas
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a gas that stings the eyes, producing tears and making it difficult to breathe. CS gas is sometimes used to control crowds.\nsee also TEAR GAS


Words: CSYS
Meaning:
abbreviation\nCertificate of Sixth Year Studies (an exam taken by some Scottish school students at the age of 18)


Words: ct
Meaning:
(also ct. especially in AmE) abbreviation\n  1  (in writing) CARAT:\nan 18ct gold ring\n  2  (in writing) CENT(S):\n50 cts


Words: cub
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a young bear, lion, FOX, etc:\na lioness guarding her cubs\n  2  (the Cubs) (BrE) (AmE the Cub Scouts) [pl.] a branch of the SCOUT ASSOCIATION for boys between the ages of eight and ten or eleven:\nto join the Cubs\n  3  (Cub) (also Cub Scout) [C] a member of the Cubs\ncompare BROWNIE


Words: cube
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a solid or hollow figure with six equal square sides\n \n  2  a piece of sth, especially food, with six sides:\nCut the meat into cubes.\nsee also ICE CUBE, STOCK CUBE, SUGAR CUBE\n \n  3  (mathematics) the number that you get when you multiply a number by itself twice:\nThe cube of 5 (5ｳ) is 125 (5ﾗ5ﾗ5).\n    verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] (mathematics) to multiply a number by itself twice:\n10 cubed is 1 000\n  2  to cut food into cubes\nSYN DICE


Words: cube root
Meaning:
noun\n(mathematics) a number which, when multiplied by itself twice, produces a particular number:\nThe cube root of 64 ({cube root}64) is 4.\ncompare SQUARE ROOT


Words: cubic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (abbreviation cu) [only before noun] used to show that a measurement is the volume of sth, that is the height multiplied by the length and the width:\ncubic centimetres / inches / metres * How many cubic metres of water are needed to fill the tank?\n  2  measured or expressed in cubic units:\nThe cubic capacity of a car’s engine.\n  3  having the shape of a cube:\na cubic figure


Words: cubicle
Meaning:
noun\na small room that is made by separating off part of a larger room:\na shower cubicle * (BrE) a changing cubicle (= for example at a public swimming pool) * (especially AmE) an office / a library cubicle


Words: cubism
Meaning:
(also Cubism)  noun\n[U] a style and movement in early 20th century art in which objects and people are represented as GEOMETRIC shapes, often shown from many different angles at the same time\n    cubist (also Cubist) noun:\nThe exhibition includes works by the Impressionists and the Cubists.\n    cubist (also Cubist) adjective [usually before noun]:\ncubist paintings and sculpture


Words: cuboid
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (geometry) a solid object which has six RECTANGULAR sides at RIGHT ANGLES to each other\n    adjective shaped approximately like a CUBE


Words: cuckold
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (old use, disapproving) a man whose wife has sex with another man\n    verb [VN] (old use)\n  1  (of a man) to make another man a cuckold by having sex with his wife\n  2  (of a woman) to make her husband a cuckold by having sex with another man


Words: cuckoo
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n (plural cuckoos) a bird with a call that sounds like its name. Cuckoos leave their eggs in the nests of other birds.\nsee also CLOUD-CUCKOO-LAND\n    adjective [not before noun] (old-fashioned, informal) crazy


Words: cuckoo clock
Meaning:
noun\na clock that has a small toy bird inside that comes out every hour and marks the hours with a sound like that of a cuckoo


Words: cucumber
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a long vegetable with dark green skin and light green flesh, that is usually eaten raw\n \n IDIOMS  see COOL adj.


Words: cud
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the food that cows and similar animals bring back from the stomach into the mouth to chew again:\ncows chewing the cud


Words: cuddle
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to hold sb/sth close in your arms to show love or affection\nSYN HUG:\n[V] A couple of teenagers were kissing and cuddling on the doorstep. * [VN] The little boy cuddled the teddy bear close.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cuddle up (to / against sb/sth) | cuddle up (together) to sit or lie very close to sb/sth:\nShe cuddled up against him. * We cuddled up together under the blanket.\n    noun [usually sing.] the action of holding sb close in your arms to show love or affection\nSYN HUG:\nto give sb a cuddle


Words: cuddly
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (approving) if a person is cuddly, they make you want to cuddle them\n  2  [only before noun] (of a child’s toy) soft and designed to be cuddled:\na cuddly rabbit


Words: cudgel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a short thick stick that is used as a weapon\n IDIOMS \n  take up (the) cudgels on behalf of sb/sth (old-fashioned, written) to defend or support sb/sth strongly\n    verb (BrE) (-ll-, AmE also -l-) [VN] to hit sb with a cudgel\n IDIOMS \n  cudgel your brains (old-fashioned, BrE) to think very hard:\nI had to cudgel my brains to remember her name.


Words: cue
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1   (for sth) |  (to do sth) an action or event that is a signal for sb to do sth:\nJon’s arrival was a cue for more champagne. * I think that’s my cue to explain why I’m here.\n \n  2  a few words or an action in a play that is a signal for another actor to do sth:\nShe stood in the wings and waited for her cue to go on.\n \n  3  a long wooden stick with a leather tip, used for hitting the ball in the games of BILLIARDS, POOL and SNOOKER\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  (right) on cue at exactly the moment you expect or that is appropriate:\n’Where is that boy?’ As if on cue, Simon appeared in the doorway.\n  take your cue from sb/sth to copy what sb else does as an example of how to behave or what to do:\nInvestors are taking their cue from the big banks and selling sterling.\n    verb (cueing, cued, cued) [VN] to give sb a signal so they know when to start doing sth:\nCan you cue me when you want me to begin speaking?


Words: cuff
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] the end of a coat or shirt sleeve at the wrist:\na collar and cuffs of white lace\n \n  2  (cuffs) [pl.] (informal) = HANDCUFFS\n \n  3  [C] (AmE) = TURN-UP\n \n  4  [C] a light hit with an open hand:\nto give sb a friendly cuff\n \n IDIOMS \n  off the cuff (of speaking, remarks, etc.) without previous thought or preparation:\nI’m just speaking off the cuff here-I haven’t seen the results yet. * an off-the-cuff remark\n    verb\n [VN] to hit sb quickly and lightly with your hand, especially in a way that is not serious:\nShe cuffed him lightly around his head.


Words: cufflink
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] one of a pair of small decorative objects used for fastening shirt cuffs together:\na pair of gold cufflinks


Words: cuisine
Meaning:
noun [U, C] (from French)\n  1  a style of cooking:\nItalian cuisine\n  2  the food served in a restaurant (usually an expensive one):\nThe hotel restaurant is noted for its excellent cuisine.\nsee also HAUTE CUISINE, NOUVELLE CUISINE


Words: cul-de-sac
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cul-de-sacs or culs-de-sac) (from French) a street that is closed at one end:\nWe live in a quiet cul-de-sac. * (figurative) This particular brand of socialism had entered a cul-de-sac (= could make no further progress).


Words: culinary
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (formal) connected with cooking or food:\nculinary skills / efforts / masterpieces * Savour the culinary delights of Mexico.


Words: cull
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] to kill a particular number of animals of a group in order to prevent the group from getting too large\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cull sth from sth to choose or collect sth from a source or several different sources:\nan exhibition of paintings culled from regional art galleries\n    noun the act of killing some animals (usually the weakest ones) of a group in order to prevent the group from getting too large:\nthe annual seal cull


Words: culminate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (in / with sth) (written) to end with a particular result, or at a particular point:\na gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers * Months of hard work culminated in success. * Their summer tour will culminate at a spectacular concert in London.


Words: culmination
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (written) the highest point or end of sth, usually happening after a long time:\nThe reforms marked the successful culmination of a long campaign.


Words: culottes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] women’s wide short trousers/pants that are made to look like a skirt:\na pair of culottes


Words: culpable
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) responsible and deserving blame for having done sth wrong:\nThe accident was the result of a culpable failure to consider the risks involved.\n    culpability  noun [U]:\nThe punishment should be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the degree of culpability of the offender.\n    culpably  adverb


Words: culprit
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who has done sth wrong or against the law:\nThe police quickly identified the real culprits.\n  2  a person or thing responsible for causing a problem:\nThe main culprit in the current crisis seems to be modern farming techniques.


Words: cult
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [usually sing.] ~ (of sth) a way of life, an attitude, an idea, etc. that has become very popular:\nthe cult of physical fitness * An extraordinary personality cult had been created around the leader.\n  2  a small group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion:\nTheir son ran away from home and joined a cult.\n  3  (formal) a system of religious beliefs and practices:\nthe Chinese cult of ancestor worship\n    adjective [only before noun] very popular with a particular group of people; treating sb/sth as a cult figure, etc:\na cult movie / book * The singer has become a cult figure in America. * The cartoon has achieved cult status. * The TV series has a cult following among young people.


Words: cultivate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to prepare and use land for growing plants or crops:\nThe land around here has never been cultivated.\n  2  to grow plants or crops:\nThe people cultivate mainly rice and beans.\n  3  (sometimes disapproving) to try to get sb’s friendship or support:\nHe purposely tried to cultivate good relations with the press. * It helps if you go out of your way to cultivate the local people.\n  4  to develop an attitude, a way of talking or behaving, etc:\nShe tried to cultivate an air of sophistication.


Words: cultivated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people) having a high level of education and showing good manners:\na cultivated young woman * His voice was pleasant and cultivated.\n  2  (of land) used to grow crops:\ncultivated fields\n  3  (of plants that are also wild) grown on a farm, etc. in order to be sold:\ncultivated mushrooms


Words: cultivation
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the preparation and use of land for growing plants or crops:\nfertile land that is under cultivation (= being CULTIVATED) * rice / wheat cultivation\n  2  the deliberate development of a particular relationship, quality or skill:\nthe cultivation of a good relationship with local firms


Words: cultivator
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who CULTIVATES (= grows crops on) the land\n  2  a machine for breaking up soil and destroying WEEDS (= plants growing where they are not wanted)


Words: cultural
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with the culture of a particular society or group, its customs, beliefs, etc:\ncultural differences between the two communities * economic, social and cultural factors\n  2  connected with art, literature, music, etc:\na cultural event * Europe’s cultural heritage * The orchestra is very important for the cultural life of the city.\n    culturally  adverb


Words: culture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  way of life\n  1  [U] the customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group:\nEuropean / Islamic / American culture * working-class culture\n  2  [C] a country, group, etc. with its own beliefs, etc:\nThe children are taught to respect different cultures. * the effect of technology on traditional cultures\n  art / music / literature\n  3  [U] art, music, literature, etc., thought of as a group:\nVenice is a beautiful city full of culture and history. * popular culture (= that is enjoyed by a lot of people) * the Minister for Culture\n  beliefs / attitudes\n  4  [C, U] the beliefs and attitudes about sth that people in a particular group or organization share:\nThe political cultures of the United States and the United Kingdom are very different. * A culture of failure exists in some schools. * company culture * We are living in a consumer culture.\n  growing / breeding\n  5  [U] (technical) the growing of plants or breeding of particular animals in order to get a particular substance or crop from them:\nthe culture of silkworms (= for silk)\n  cells / bacteria\n  6  [C] (biology, medical) a group of cells or bacteria, especially one taken from a person or an animal and grown for medical or scientific study; the process of obtaining and growing these cells:\na culture of cells from the tumour * Yogurt is made from active cultures. * to do / take a throat culture\n    verb [VN] (biology, medical) to grow a group of cells or bacteria for medical or scientific study


Words: culture shock
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a feeling of confusion and anxiety that sb may feel when they live in or visit another country:\nHe had never left his village before so arriving in the capital, Manila, was a big culture shock.


Words: cultured
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of people) well educated and able to understand and enjoy art, literature, etc:\nMrs Ramsay was a cultured woman who travelled a great deal.\n  2  (of cells or bacteria) grown for medical or scientific study:\ncultured cells\n  3  (of pearls) grown artificially


Words: cum
Meaning:
preposition\n(used for linking two nouns) and; as well as:\na bedroom-cum-study * He’s a barman-cum-waiter.


Words: cum laude
Meaning:
adverb, adjective\n(from Latin) (in the US) at the third of the three highest levels of achievement that students can reach when they finish their studies at college:\nHe graduated cum laude from Georgetown University.\ncompare MAGNA CUM LAUDE, SUMMA CUM LAUDE


Words: cumbersome
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  large and heavy; difficult to carry:\ncumbersome machinery\n  2  slow and complicated:\ncumbersome legal procedures\n  3  (of words or phrases) long or complicated:\nThe organization changed its cumbersome title to something easier to remember.


Words: cumulative
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having a result that increases in strength or importance each time more of sth is added:\nthe cumulative effect of human activity on the world environment * The evolution of human life was a gradual, cumulative process.\n  2  including all the amounts that have been added previously:\nthe monthly sales figures and the cumulative total for the past six months\n    cumulatively adverb:\nCumulatively, these archaeological discoveries give a very clear picture of Celtic life.


Words: cunnilingus
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the act of touching a woman’s sex organs with the mouth and tongue in order to give sexual pleasure


Words: cunning
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  (disapproving) able to get what you want in a clever way, especially by tricking or deceiving sb:\na cunning liar * He was as cunning as a fox.\n  2  clever and skilful:\nIt was a cunning piece of detective work.\n    cunningly adverb:\nThe microphone was cunningly concealed in the bookcase.\n    noun [U] the ability to achieve sth by tricking or deceiving other people in a clever way:\nIt took energy and cunning just to survive. * She used low cunning (= dishonest behaviour) to get what she wanted.


Words: cunt
Meaning:
noun (!!!, slang)\n  1  a woman’s VAGINA and outer sexual organs\n  2  a very offensive word used to insult sb and to show anger or dislike:\nYou stupid cunt!


Words: cup
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a small container shaped like a bowl, usually with a handle, used for drinking tea, coffee, etc:\na teacup * a coffee cup * a cup and saucer * a paper cup\n \n  2  [C] the contents of a cup:\nShe drank the whole cup. * Would you like a cup of tea?\n \n  3  [C] (also cupful) a unit for measuring quantity used in cooking in the US:\ntwo cups of flour and half a cup of butter\n \n  4  [C] a thing shaped like a cup:\nan egg cup\n  5  [C] a gold or silver cup on a stem, often with two handles, that is given as a prize in a competition:\nShe’s won several cups for skating. * He lifted the cup for the fifth time this year (= it was the fifth time he had won).\n  6  [sing.] (usually Cup) a sports competition in which a cup is given as a prize:\nthe World Cup\n  7  [C] one of the two parts of a BRA that cover the breast:\na C cup\n  8  [C, U] a drink made from wine mixed with, for example, fruit juice\n IDIOMS \n  in your cups (old-fashioned) drunk:\nHe gets very maudlin when he’s in his cups.\n  not sb’s cup of tea (informal, spoken) not what sb likes or is interested in:\nAn evening at the opera isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. * He’s nice enough but not really my cup of tea.\n    verb (-pp-) [VN] \n  1  ~ your hand(s) (around / over sth) to make your hands into the shape of a bowl:\nShe held the bird gently in cupped hands.\n  2  ~ sth (in your hands) to hold sth, making your hands into a round shape:\nHe cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.


Words: cup final
Meaning:
(also Cup Final) noun\n(BrE) (especially in football) the last match in a series of matches in a competition that gives a CUP as a prize to the winners:\ncup final tickets * the FA Cup Final


Words: cup tie
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) (especially in football) a match between two teams in a competition that gives a CUP as a prize to the winner


Words: cupboard
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a piece of furniture with doors and shelves used for storing dishes, food, clothes, etc:\nkitchen cupboards\n \n  2  (BrE) (AmE closet) a space in a wall with a door that reaches the ground, used for storing things:\nbuilt-in cupboards\nsee also AIRING CUPBOARD, BROOM CUPBOARD\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  the cupboard is bare (BrE) used to say that there is no money for sth:\nThey are seeking more funds but the cupboard is bare.\n  cupboard love (BrE) affection that sb, especially a child, shows towards sb else in order to get sth\nmore at SKELETON


Words: Cupid
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the Roman god of love who is shown as a beautiful baby boy with wings, carrying a BOW and arrow:\nCupid had at last managed to lodge an arrow in his stony heart.\n  2  (cupid) [C] a picture or statue of a baby boy who looks like Cupid:\nlittle cupids painted in the clouds on the ceiling\n IDIOMS \n  play Cupid to try to start a romantic relationship between two people:\nSandy has played Cupid to dozens of couples since she set up a dating agency six years ago.


Words: cupidity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (rare, formal) (disapproving) a strong desire for more wealth, possessions, power, etc. than a person needs\nSYN GREED


Words: cupola
Meaning:
noun\na round part on top of a building (like a small DOME):\nA high cupola of glass and iron crowned the roof.


Words: curable
Meaning:
adjective\n(of an illness) that can be cured:\nMost skin cancers are curable if treated early.\nOPP INCURABLE


Words: curacy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural curacies) the position of a curate; the time that sb is a curate:\nHe was offered the curacy of St. Katherine’s parish church.


Words: curate
Meaning:
noun\n(in the Anglican Church) an assistant to a VICAR (= a priest, who is in charge of the church or churches in a particular area)\n IDIOMS \n  the / a curate’s egg (BrE) something that has some good parts and some bad ones


Words: curative
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) able to cure illness\nSYN HEALING:\nthe curative properties of herbs\ncompare PREVENTIVE


Words: curator
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to be in charge of the objects or works of art in a museum or art gallery, etc.


Words: curb
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] to control or limit sth, especially sth bad\nSYN CHECK:\nHe needs to learn to curb his temper. * A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  ~ (on sth) something that controls and puts limits on sth:\ncurbs on government spending\n \n  2  (AmE) = KERB


Words: curdle
Meaning:
verb [V, VN] \n  1  when a liquid, especially milk, curdles or sth curdles it, it separates into solid and liquid parts\n  2  if sth curdles your blood or makes your blood curdle, it makes you extremely frightened or shocked\nsee also BLOOD-CURDLING


Words: cure
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb (of sth) to make a person or an animal healthy again after an illness:\nWill you be able to cure him, Doctor?\n  2  to make an illness go away:\nTB is a serious illness, but it can be cured.\n  3  to deal with a problem successfully:\nI finally managed to cure the rattling noise in my car.\n  4  ~ sb of sth to stop sb from behaving in a particular way, especially a way that is bad or annoying\n  5  to treat food or tobacco with smoke, salt, etc. in order to preserve it\n IDIOMS  see KILL v.\n    noun\n  1  ~ (for sth) a medicine or medical treatment that cures an illness:\nthe search for a cure for cancer * There is no known cure but the illness can be treated. * The only real cure is rest.\n  2  the act of curing sb of an illness or the process of being cured:\nDoctors cannot effect a cure if the disease has spread too far. * The cure took six weeks.\n  3  ~ (for sth) something that will solve a problem, improve a bad situation, etc:\na cure for poverty\n IDIOMS  see PREVENTION


Words: curfew
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  a law which says that people must not go outside after a particular time at night until the morning; the time after which nobody must go outside:\nThe army imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. * You must get home before curfew.\n  2  (AmE) a time when children must be home in the evening:\nI have a 10 o’clock curfew.


Words: curiosity
Meaning:
noun (plural curiosities)\n  1  [U, sing.] ~ (about sth) | ~ (to do sth) a strong desire to know about sth:\nChildren show curiosity about everything. * a certain curiosity to see what would happen next * The letter wasn’t addressed to me but I opened it out of curiosity. * His answer did not satisfy my curiosity at all. * Sophie’s curiosity was aroused by the mysterious phone call. * intellectual curiosity * ’Why do you ask?’ ’Oh, just idle curiosity’ (= no particular reason).\n  2  [C] an unusual and interesting thing:\nThe museum is full of historical curiosities.\n IDIOMS \n  curiosity killed the cat (saying) used to tell sb not to ask questions or try to find out about things that do not concern them


Words: curious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (about sth) | ~ (to do sth) having a strong desire to know about sth:\nThey were very curious about the people who lived upstairs. * I was curious to find out what she had said. * Everyone was curious as to why Mark was leaving. * He is such a curious boy, always asking questions.\n  2  ~ (that ...) strange and unusual:\nThere was a curious mixture of people in the audience. * It was a curious feeling, as though we were floating on air. * It was curious that she didn’t tell anyone.\n    curiously adverb:\n’Are you really an artist?’ Sara asked curiously. * His clothes were curiously old-fashioned. * Curiously enough, a year later exactly the same thing happened again.


Words: curl
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  to form or make sth form into a curl or curls:\n[V] His hair curls naturally. [also VN]\n  2  [usually +adv./prep.] to form or make sth form into a curved shape:\n[V] The cat curled into a ball and went to sleep. * [VN] She curled her legs up under her.\n  3  [usually +adv./prep.] to move while forming into a twisted or curved shape; to make sth do this:\n[V] The smoke curled steadily upwards. * The honeysuckle curled around the trunk of the apple tree. * [VN] He turned and curled the ball around the goalkeeper.\n  4  [V, VN] if you curl your lip or your lip curls, you move your lip upwards and sideways to show that you think sb/sth is stupid or that you are better than they are\n IDIOMS  see TOE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  curl up | be curled up to lie or sit with your back curved and your arms and legs bent close to your body:\nShe curled up and closed her eyes.\n  curl up | curl sb up (BrE, informal) to become or make sb become very embarrassed\n  curl up | curl sth<->up to form or make sth form into a tightly curled shape:\nThe paper started to shrivel and curl up in the heat.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a small bunch of hair that forms a curved or round shape:\nHer hair was a mass of curls. * The baby had dark eyes and dark curls.\n \n  2  [C, U] the tendency of hair to form curls:\nHis hair had a natural curl.\n \n  3  [C] a thing that forms a curved or round shape:\na curl of smoke * Decorate the cake with curls of chocolate. * a contemptuous curl of the lip (= an expression showing disapproval)


Words: curler
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a small plastic or metal tube which you can wrap wet hair around in order to make it curl:\nShe put her hair in curlers at night.\nSYN ROLLER


Words: curly
Meaning:
adjective\n(curlier, curliest) having a lot of curls or a curved shape:\nshort curly hair * I wish my hair was curly. * a curly-headed boy * a dog with a curly tail * curly cabbage leaves


Words: currant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small dried grape, used in cakes, etc:\na currant bun\n  2  (usually in compounds) a small black, red or white berry that grows in bunches on bushes:\nblackcurrants * redcurrants * currant bushes


Words: currency
Meaning:
noun (plural currencies)\n  1  [C, U] the system of money that a country uses:\ntrading in foreign currencies * a single European currency * You’ll need some cash in local currency but you can also use your credit card.\nsee also HARD CURRENCY\n  2  [U] the fact that sth is used or accepted by a lot of people:\nThe term ’post-industrial’ now has wide currency. * The qualification has gained currency all over the world.


Words: current
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] happening now; of the present time:\ncurrent prices * a budget for the current year * your current employer -> ACTUAL\n  2  being used by or accepted by most people:\nwords that are no longer current\n    noun\n  1  the movement of water in the sea or a river; the movement of air in a particular direction:\nHe swam to the shore against a strong current. * Birds use warm air currents to help their flight.\n  2  the flow of electricity through a wire, etc:\na 15 amp electrical current\nsee also AC, DC\n  3  the fact of particular ideas, opinions or feelings being present in a group of people:\nMinisters are worried by this current of anti-government feeling.


Words: current account
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE checking account) noun\na type of bank account that you can take money out of at any time, and that provides you with a CHEQUEBOOK and CASH CARD\ncompare DEPOSIT ACCOUNT, SAVINGS ACCOUNT


Words: currently
Meaning:
adverb\nat the present time:\nThe hourly charge is currently ｣35. * Currently, over 500 students are enrolled on the course. * All the options are currently available. * This matter is currently being discussed.


Words: curriculum
Meaning:
noun\n(plural curricula  or curriculums) the subjects that are included in a course of study or taught in a school, college, etc:\nthe school curriculum * (BrE) Spanish is on the curriculum. * (AmE) Spanish is in the curriculum.\ncompare SYLLABUS


Words: curriculum vitae
Meaning:
(abbreviation CV) noun\n  1  (BrE) (AmE resume) a written record of your education and employment, that you send when you are applying for a job:\nApplications with a full curriculum vitae and two references should reach the Principal by June 12th.\n  2  (AmE) a record of a university/college teacher’s education and employment, also including a list of books and articles that they have published and courses that they have taught, used when they are applying for a job


Words: curry
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [C, U] an Indian dish of meat, vegetables, etc. cooked with hot spices, often served with rice:\na chicken curry * Would you like some more curry?\n    verb (curries, currying, curried, curried) [VN] to make curry out of meat or vegetables\n IDIOMS \n  curry favour (with sb) (disapproving) to try to get sb to like or support you by praising or helping them a lot:\nHe’s always trying to curry favour with the boss.


Words: curry powder
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a powder made from a mixture of spices, used to give a hot flavour to food, especially curry


Words: curse
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (also cuss) [C] a rude or offensive word or phrase that some people use when they are very angry:\nHe muttered a curse at the other driver.\n  2  [C] a word or phrase that has a magic power to make sth bad happen:\nThe family thought that they were under a curse.\ncompare HEX\n  3  [C] something that causes harm or evil:\nthe curse of drug addiction * Noise is a curse of modern city life.\n  4  (the curse) [sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) MENSTRUATION\n    verb\n  1  [V] to swear:\nHe hit his head as he stood up and cursed loudly.\n  2  [VN] ~ (sb/sth) (for sth) to say rude things to sb or think rude things about sb/sth:\nShe cursed her bad luck. * He cursed himself for his stupidity.\n  3  [VN] to use a magic word or phrase against sb in order to harm them:\nLegend has it that the whole village had been cursed by a witch.\ncompare HEX\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  be cursed with sth to continuously suffer from or be affected by sth bad:\nShe seems cursed with bad luck.


Words: cursed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1   having a curse (2) on it; suffering from a curse (2):\nThe necklace was cursed. * The whole family seemed cursed.\n  2   [only before noun] (old-fashioned) unpleasant; annoying


Words: cursor
Meaning:
noun\na small mark on a computer screen that can be moved and that shows the position on the screen where, for example, text will be added


Words: cursory
Meaning:
adjective\n(often disapproving) done quickly and without giving enough attention to details:\na cursory glance / examination / inspection\n    cursorily  adverb


Words: curt
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a person’s manner or behaviour) appearing rude because very few words are used, or because sth is done in a very quick way:\na curt reply * a curt nod * A curt note of rejection arrived from the company director. * His tone was curt and unfriendly.\n    curtly adverb\n    curtness noun [U]


Words: curtail
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to limit sth or make it last for a shorter time:\nSpending on books has been severely curtailed. * The lecture was curtailed by the fire alarm going off.\n    curtailment noun [U]:\nthe curtailment of civil liberties


Words: curtain
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a piece of fabric that is hung to cover a window:\nto draw / pull / close the curtains (= to pull them across the window so they cover it) * to draw / draw back / pull back the curtains (= to open them, so that the window is no longer covered) * It was ten in the morning but the curtains were still drawn (= closed). * a pair of curtains\nsee also DRAPE\n \n  2  (AmE) = NET CURTAIN\n \n  3  [C] a piece of fabric that is hung up as a screen in a room or around a bed, for example:\na shower curtain\nsee also THE IRON CURTAIN\n  4  [sing.] a piece of thick, heavy fabric that hangs in front of the stage in the theatre:\nThe audience was waiting for the curtain to rise (= for the play to begin). * There was tremendous applause when the curtain came down (= the play ended). * We left just before the final curtain. * (figurative) The curtain has fallen on her long and distinguished career (= her career has ended). * (figurative) It’s time to face the final curtain (= the end; death).\n  5  [C, usually sing.] a thing that covers, hides or protects sth:\na curtain of rain / smoke * She pushed back the curtain of brown hair from her eyes.\n IDIOMS \n  be curtains (for sb) (informal) to be a situation without hope or that you cannot escape from:\nWhen I saw he had a gun, I thought it was curtains for me.\n  bring down the curtain on sth | bring the curtain down on sth to finish or mark the end of sth:\nHis sudden decision to retire brought down the curtain on a distinguished career.\n    verb [VN] to provide curtains for a window or a room\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  curtain sth<->off to separate an area of a room with a curtain or curtains:\nThe bed was in a corner, curtained off from the rest of the room.


Words: curtain call
Meaning:
noun\nthe time in the theatre when the actors come to the front of the stage at the end of a play to receive the APPLAUSE of the audience:\nThe audience clapped so much that the stars had to take fifteen curtain calls.


Words: curtain-raiser
Meaning:
noun ~ (to sth)\n  1  a small event that prepares for a similar, more important one\n  2  a short performance before the main performance in a theatre, etc.


Words: curtsy
Meaning:
(also curtsey)  noun\n(plural curtsies or curtseys) a formal greeting made by a woman or girl in a dance or to an important person, by bending her knees with one foot in front of the other\n    curtsy verb (curtsies, curtsying, curtsied, curtsied) (also curtsey):\n[V] She curtsied to the Queen.


Words: curvature
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the state of being curved; the amount that sth is curved:\nthe curvature of the earth * curvature of the spine


Words: curve
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a line or surface that bends gradually; a smooth bend:\nthe delicate curve of her ear * a pattern of straight lines and curves * (especially AmE) a curve in the road * (especially AmE) The driver lost control on a curve and the vehicle hit a tree. * to plot a curve on a graph * (technical) the unemployment-income curve (= a line on a GRAPH showing the relationship between the number of unemployed people and national income)\nsee also LEARNING CURVE\n  2  (also curve ball) (AmE) (in the game of baseball) a ball that moves in a curve when it is thrown to the BATTER: (figurative) One of the journalists threw the senator a curve (= surprised him by asking a difficult question).\n    verb [usually +adv./prep.] to move or make sth move in the shape of a curve; to be in the shape of a curve: [V] The road curved around the bay. * The ball curved through the air. * His lips curved in a smile. [also VN]


Words: cushion
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (AmE also pillow) a fabric bag filled with soft material or feathers that is used, for example, to make a seat more comfortable:\nmatching curtains and cushions * a floor cushion (= a large cushion that you put on the floor to sit on) * a pile of scatter cushions (= small cushions, often in bright colours, that you put on chairs, etc.) * (figurative) a cushion of moss on a rock\n \n  2  a layer of sth between two surfaces that keeps them apart:\nA hovercraft rides on a cushion of air. * Underlay forms a cushion between the carpet and the floor, to minimize wear.\n \n  3  [usually sing.] ~ (against sth) something that protects you against sth unpleasant that might happen:\nHis savings were a comfortable cushion against financial problems. * The team built up a safe cushion of two goals in the first half.\n \n  4  (in the game of BILLIARDS, etc.) the soft inside edge along each side of the table, that the balls bounce off\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to soften the effect of a fall or hit:\nMy fall was cushioned by the deep snow.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (against / from sth) to protect sb/sth from harm or the unpleasant effects of sth:\nThe south of the country has been cushioned from the worst effects of the recession. * He broke the news of my brother’s death to me, making no effort to cushion the blow (= make the news less shocking).\n  3  [usually passive] to make sth soft with a cushion


Words: cushy
Meaning:
adjective\n(cushier, cushiest) (informal, often disapproving) very easy and pleasant; needing little or no effort:\na cushy job\n IDIOMS \n  a cushy number (BrE) an easy job; a pleasant situation that other people would like


Words: cusp
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) a pointed end where two curves meet:\nthe cusp of a leaf\n  2  the time when one sign of the ZODIAC ends and the next begins:\nI was born on the cusp between Virgo and Libra. * (figurative) He was on the cusp between small acting roles and moderate fame.


Words: cuss
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (old-fashioned, informal) to swear at sb:\n[V] My dad used to come home drunk, shouting and cussing. [also VN] \n    noun (old-fashioned, informal)\n  1  used with a negative adjective to describe a person:\nHe’s an awkward cuss.\n  2  = CURSE:\ncuss words\n IDIOMS  see TINKER n.


Words: cussed
Meaning:
adjective\n(old-fashioned, informal) (of people) not willing to be helpful\nSYN STUBBORN\n    cussedly adverb\n    cussedness noun [U]


Words: custard
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] (especially BrE) (AmE usually custard sauce) a sweet yellow sauce made from milk, sugar, eggs and flour, usually served hot with cooked fruit, PUDDINGS, etc:\napple pie and custard\n \n  2  [C, U] a mixture of eggs, milk and sugar baked until it is firm


Words: custard pie
Meaning:
noun\na flat pie filled with sth soft and wet that looks like custard, that performers throw at each other to make people laugh


Words: custodial
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun] (law)\n  1  involving sending sb to prison:\nThe judge gave him a custodial sentence (= sent him to prison).\n  2  connected with the right or duty of looking after sb; having CUSTODY:\nThe mother is usually the custodial parent after a divorce.\nOPP NON-CUSTODIAL


Words: custodian
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who takes responsibility for taking care of or protecting sth:\nthe museum’s custodians * a self-appointed custodian of public morals\n  2  (AmE) = CARETAKER


Words: custody
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the legal right or duty to take care of or keep sb/sth; the act of taking care of sth/sb:\nWho will have custody of the children? * The divorce court awarded custody to the child’s mother. * The parents were locked in a bitter battle for custody. * The bank provides safe custody for valuables. * The castle is now in the custody of the state.\n  2  the state of being in prison, especially while waiting for trial:\nAfter the riot, 32 people were taken into police custody. * (BrE) He was remanded in custody, charged with the murder of a policeman.\nsee also YOUTH CUSTODY


Words: custom
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun-see also CUSTOMS\n  1  [C, U] ~ (of doing sth) an accepted way of behaving or of doing things in a society or a community:\nan old / ancient custom * the custom of giving presents at Christmas * It’s a local custom. * It is the custom in that country for women to marry young.\n  2  [sing.] (formal or literary) the way a person always behaves; a habit or practice:\nIt was her custom to rise early. * As was his custom, he knocked three times.\n  3  [U] (BrE, formal) (also business AmE, BrE) the fact of a person or people buying goods or services at a shop/store or business:\nThank you for your custom. Please call again. * We’ve lost a lot of custom since prices went up.\n    adjective [only before noun] (especially AmE) = CUSTOM-BUILT, CUSTOM-MADE:\na custom motorcycle


Words: custom-built
Meaning:
(also custom especially in AmE) adjective\ndesigned and built for a particular person:\na custom-built house


Words: custom-made
Meaning:
(also custom especially in AmE) adjective\ndesigned and made for a particular person:\ncustom-made clothes\nsee also BESPOKE


Words: customary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  if sth is customary, it is what people usually do in a particular place or situation:\nIs it customary to tip hairdressers in this country?\n  2  typical of a particular person:\nShe arranged everything with her customary efficiency.\n    customarily  adverb


Words: customer
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person or an organization that buys sth from a shop/store or business:\none of the shop’s best / biggest customers * They know me-I’m a regular customer. * the customer service department * The firm has excellent customer relations.\n \n  2  (old-fashioned, informal) used after an adjective to describe a particular type of person:\nan awkward / tough customer * a cool customer (= sb who is always calm, even when in trouble) * an ugly customer (= sb who may become violent)\n______________________________\n \n WHICH WORD? \n \ncustomer / client\nA customer is someone who buys goods or services from a shop/store or business, or who uses a bank. A client pays to use the services or advice of a professional person, such as a lawyer or designer, or an organization.\nCustomer is increasingly being used now instead of other words such as ’passenger’ to suggest that the passenger, etc. has more power or choice than they used to.\n______________________________


Words: customize
Meaning:
(BrE also customise)  verb\n[VN] to make or change sth to suit the needs of the owner:\nYou can customize the software in several ways.\n    customized adjective:\na customized car


Words: customs
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n \n  1  (usually Customs) (BrE also Customs and Excise) (AmE also US Customs Service) the government department that collects taxes on goods bought and sold and on goods brought into the country, and that checks what is brought in:\nThe Customs have seized large quantities of smuggled heroin. * a customs officer\n \n HELP NOTE  AmE uses a singular verb with customs in this meaning.\n \n  2  the place at a port or an airport where your bags are checked as you come into a country:\nto go through customs and passport control\n \n  3  the taxes that must be paid to the government when goods are brought in from other countries:\nto pay customs on sth * customs duty / duties\ncompare EXCISE


Words: cut
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n (cutting, cut, cut)\n \n  wound / hole\n \n  1  to make an opening or a wound in sth, especially with a sharp tool such as a knife or scissors:\n[VN] She cut her finger on a piece of glass. * He cut himself (= his face) shaving. * Workmen cut a hole in the pipe. * You need a powerful saw to cut through metal. * (figurative) The canoe cut through the water. * [VN-ADJ] She had fallen and cut her head open.\n \n  divide\n \n  2  ~ sth (from sth) | ~ sth (in / into sth) | ~ (sb) sth | ~ sth (for sb) to remove sth from sth large, using a knife, etc.; to divide sth into two or more pieces with a knife, etc:\n[VN] He cut four thick slices from the loaf. * He cut the loaf into thick slices. * cut flowers * The bus was cut in two by the train. * Don’t cut the string, untie the knots. * [VNN, VN] I cut them all a piece of birthday cake. * I cut a piece of birthday cake for them all.\n \n  shape / form\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (in sth) to make or form sth by removing material with a knife, etc:\nThe climbers cut steps in the ice.\n  hair / nails / grass, etc.\n  4  to make sth shorter by cutting:\n[VN] to cut your hair / nails * to cut the grass / lawn / hedge * [VN-ADJ] He’s had his hair cut really short.\n  release\n  5  ~ sb (from sth) to allow sb to escape from somewhere by cutting the rope, object, etc. that is holding them:\n[VN] The injured driver had to be cut from the wreckage. * [VN-ADJ] Two survivors were cut free after being trapped for twenty minutes.\n  clothing\n  6  [VN-ADJ] [usually passive] to design and make a piece of clothing in a particular way:\nThe swimsuit was cut high in the leg.\n  able to cut / be cut\n  7  [V] to be capable of cutting:\nThis knife won’t cut.\n  8  [V] to be capable of being cut:\nSandstone cuts easily.\n  reduce\n  9  [VN] ~ sth (by ...) | ~ sth (from ...) (to ...) to reduce sth by removing a part of it:\nto cut prices / taxes / spending / production * Buyers will bargain hard to cut the cost of the house they want. * His salary has been cut by ten per cent. * Could you cut your essay from 5 000 to 3 000 words?\n  remove\n  10  [VN] ~ sth (from sth) to remove sth from sth:\nThis scene was cut from the final version of the movie.\n  computing\n  11  to DELETE (= remove) part of a text on a computer screen in order to place it somewhere else:\n[V] You can cut and paste between different programs. [also VN]\n  stop\n  12  [VN] (informal) used to tell sb to stop doing sth:\nCut the chatter and get on with your work!\n  in movie / tv\n  13  [VN] to prepare a film/movie or tape by removing parts of it or putting them in a different order\nSYN EDIT\n  14  [V] (usually used in orders) to stop filming or recording:\nThe director shouted ’Cut!’\n  15  [V] ~ (from sth) to sth (in films / movies, radio or television) to move quickly from one scene to another:\nThe scene cuts from the bedroom to the street.\n  miss class\n  16  [VN] (informal, especially AmE) to stay away from a class that you should go to:\nHe’s always cutting class.\n  upset\n  17  [VN] (written) to hurt sb emotionally:\nHis cruel remarks cut her deeply.\n  in card games\n  18  to lift and turn up a pack/deck of playing cards in order to decide who is to play first, etc:\n[V] Let’s cut for dealer. [also VN]\n  geometry\n  19  [VN] (of a line) to cross another line:\nThe line cuts the circle at two points.\n  a tooth\n  20  [VN] ~ a tooth to have a new tooth beginning to appear through the GUM:\nWhen did she cut her first tooth?\n  a disc\n  21  [VN] ~ a disc to make a recording of music on a record, CD, etc:\nThe Beatles cut their first disc in 1962.\n  drug\n  22  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to mix an illegal drug such as HEROIN with another substance\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing cut are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example cut your losses is at loss.\n  cut and run (BrE, informal) to make a quick or sudden escape\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  cut across sth\n1 to affect or be true for different groups that usually remain separate:\nOpinion on this issue cuts across traditional political boundaries.\n2 (also cut through sth) to go across sth in order to make your route shorter:\nI usually cut across the park on my way home.\n  cut sth<->away (from sth) to remove sth from sth by cutting:\nThey cut away all the dead branches from the tree.\n  cut sth<->back\n1 (also cut back (on sth)) to reduce sth:\nIf we don’t sell more we’ll have to cut back production. * to cut back on spending\nrelated noun CUTBACK\n2 to make a bush, etc. smaller by cutting branches off\nSYN PRUNE:\nto cut back a rose bush\n  cut sb<->down (formal) to kill sb:\nHe was cut down by an assassin’s bullet.\n  cut sth<->down to make sth fall down by cutting it at the base:\nto cut down a tree\n  cut sth<->down (to ...) | cut down (on sth) to reduce the size, amount or number of sth:\nWe need to cut the article down to 1 000 words. * The doctor told him to cut down on his drinking. * I won’t have a cigarette, thanks-I’m trying to cut down (= smoke fewer).\n  cut in\n1 if a motor or an engine cuts in, it starts working:\nEmergency generators cut in.\n2 (AmE) = PUSH IN\n  cut in (on sb/sth)\n1 to interrupt sb when they are speaking:\nShe kept cutting in on our conversation. * [+ speech] ’Forget it!’ she cut in.\n2 (of a vehicle or its driver) to move suddenly in front of another vehicle, leaving little space between the two vehicles\n  cut sb in (on sth) (informal) to give sb a share of the profit in a business or an activity\n  cut sb<->off\n1 [often passive] to interrupt sb who is speaking on the telephone by breaking the connection:\nWe were cut off in the middle of our conversation.\n2 (also cut sb<->out (of sth)) to refuse to let sb receive any of your property after you die\nSYN DISINHERIT:\nHe cut his son off without a penny.\n  cut sb/sth<->off\n1 to interrupt sb and stop them from speaking:\nMy explanation was cut off by loud protests.\n2 [often passive] to stop the supply of sth to sb:\nOur water supply has been cut off. * They were cut off for not paying their phone bill.\n  cut sth<->off\n1 (also cut sth off sth) to remove sth from sth larger by cutting:\nHe had his finger cut off in an accident at work. * (figurative) The winner cut ten seconds off (= ran the distance ten seconds faster than) the world record.\nsee also CUT-OFF\n2 to block or get in the way of sth:\nThey cut off the enemy’s retreat. * The new factory cuts off our view of the hills.\n  cut sb/sth off (from sb/sth) [often passive] to prevent sb/sth from leaving or reaching a place or communicating with people outside a place:\nThe army was cut off from its base. * She feels very cut off living in the country. * He cut himself off from all human contact.\n  cut out if a motor or an engine cuts out, it suddenly stops working\nrelated noun CUT-OUT\n  cut sb<->out (of sth) = CUT SB OFF:\nFurious, her mother cut her out of her will.\n  cut sth<->out\n1 to make sth by cutting:\nShe cut the dress out of some old material. * (figurative) He’s cut out a niche for himself (= found a suitable job) in journalism.\nrelated noun CUT-OUT\n2 (informal) used to tell sb to stop doing or saying sth annoying:\nI’m sick of you two arguing-just cut it out!\n3 to leave sth out of a piece of writing, etc.\nSYN OMIT:\nI would cut out the bit about working as a waitress.\n4 to block sth, especially light:\nThick overhanging branches cut out the sunlight.\n  cut sth<->out (of sth)\n1 to remove sth from sth larger by cutting, usually with scissors:\nI cut this article out of the newspaper.\n2 to stop doing, using or eating sth:\nI’ve been advised to cut sugar out of my diet.\n  be cut out for sth | be cut out to be sth (informal) to have the qualities and abilities needed for sth:\nHe’s not cut out for teaching. * He’s not cut out to be a teacher.\n  cut through sth\n1 = CUT ACROSS STH\n2 (also cut sth through sth) to make a path or passage through sth by cutting:\nThey used a machete to cut through the bush. * The prisoners cut their way through the barbed wire.\n  cut sb<->up (informal)\n1 to injure sb badly by cutting or hitting them:\nHe was badly cut up in the fight.\n2 [usually passive] to upset sb emotionally:\nShe was pretty cut up about them leaving.\n  cut sth<->up to divide sth into small pieces with a knife, etc:\nHe cut up the meat on his plate.\n    noun\n  wound\n  1  a wound caused by sth sharp:\ncuts and bruises on the face * Blood poured from the deep cut on his arm.\n  hole\n  2  a hole or an opening in sth, made with sth sharp:\nUsing sharp scissors, make a small cut in the material.\n  reduction\n  3  ~ (in sth) a reduction in amount, size, supply, etc:\nprice / tax / job cuts * They had to take a 20% cut in pay. * They announced cuts in public spending.\nsee also POWER CUT, SHORT CUT\n  of hair\n  4  [usually sing.] an act of cutting sb’s hair; the style in which it is cut:\nYour hair could do with a cut (= it is too long). * I want to make an appointment for a cut and blow-dry.\n  of clothing\n  5  [usually sing.] the shape and style that a piece of clothing has because of the way the fabric is cut:\nthe elegant cut of her dress * trousers with a loose cut designed for comfortable wear\n  share of money\n  6  a share in sth, especially money:\nThey were rewarded with a cut of 5% from the profits.\n  of movie / play, etc.\n  7  ~ (in sth) an act of removing part of a film/movie, play, piece of writing, etc:\nThe director objected to the cuts ordered by the censor. * She made some lengthy cuts before handing over the finished novel.\n  meat\n  8  a piece of meat cut from an animal:\na lean cut of pork * cheap cuts of stewing lamb\nsee also COLD CUTS\n IDIOMS \n  a cut above sb/sth better than sb/sth:\nHis latest novel is a cut above the rest.\n  the cut and thrust (of sth) (BrE) the lively or aggressive way that sth is done:\nthe cut and thrust of political debate * his cut-and-thrust management style


Words: cut and dried
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] decided in a way that cannot be changed or argued about:\nThe inquiry is by no means cut and dried.


Words: cut glass
Meaning:
noun\n[U] glass with patterns cut in it:\na cut-glass vase * For dinner, she brought out her cut glass and best china.


Words: cut-off
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  a point or limit when you stop sth:\nThe government announced a cut-off in overseas aid. * Is there a cut-off point between childhood and adulthood? * Set a cut-off date for work to be finished.\n  2  (cut-offs) [pl.] cut-off trousers/pants:\nwearing frayed cut-offs\n    adjective [only before noun] (of trousers / pants) made shorter by cutting off part of the legs:\ncut-off jeans


Words: cut-out
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a shape cut out of paper, wood, etc:\na cardboard cut-out\n  2  a piece of safety equipment that stops an electric current from flowing through sth


Words: cut-price
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun] (especially BrE) (AmE usually cut-rate)\n  1  sold at a reduced price:\ncut-price goods / fares\n  2  selling goods at a reduced price:\na cut-price store / supermarket


Words: cut-throat
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of an activity) in which people compete with each other in aggressive and unfair ways:\nrival companies engaged in cut-throat competition * the cut-throat world of politics


Words: cute
Meaning:
adjective (cuter, cutest)\n  1  pretty and attractive:\na cute little baby * (BrE) an unbearably cute picture of two kittens (= it seems sentimental)\n  2  (informal, especially AmE) sexually attractive:\nCheck out those cute guys over there!\n  3  (informal, especially AmE) clever, sometimes in an annoying way because a person is trying to get an advantage for him or herself:\nShe had a really cute idea. * Even as a child, he was always cute enough to get what he wanted. * Don’t get cute with me!\n    cutely adverb:\nto smile cutely\n    cuteness noun [U]


Words: cutesy
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) too pretty or attractive in a way that is annoying or not realistic:\nShe is trying to get away from her cutesy girl-next-door image.


Words: cutlass
Meaning:
noun\na short SWORD with a curved blade that was used as a weapon by sailors and PIRATES in the past


Words: cutlery
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  (BrE) (AmE flatware, silverware) knives, forks and spoons, used for eating and serving food:\nPut the cutlery in the drawer. * a stainless steel cutlery set\n \n  2  (AmE) knives, etc. that are sharp


Words: cutlet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a thick slice of meat, especially LAMB or PORK (= meat from a pig), that is cooked and served with the bone still attached\n  2  (in compounds) finely chopped pieces of meat, fish, vegetables, etc. that are pressed together into a flat piece, covered with BREADCRUMBS and cooked:\nnut cutlets


Words: cutter
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (usually in compounds) a person or thing that cuts:\na pastry cutter\n  2  (cutters) [pl.] (usually in compounds) a tool for cutting:\na pair of wire-cutters\n  3  a small fast ship\n  4  a ship’s boat, used for travelling between the ship and the shore


Words: cutting
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (also press cutting) (both BrE) (also clipping, press clipping AmE, BrE) an article or a story that you cut from a newspaper or magazine and keep:\nnewspaper / press cuttings\n  2  a piece cut off a plant that will be used to grow a new plant:\nTake geranium cuttings in late summer. * stem / leaf cuttings\n  3  (BrE) a narrow open passage that is dug through high ground for a road, railway or canal\n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  unkind and likely to hurt sb’s feelings:\na cutting remark\n  2  (of winds) cold in a sharp and unpleasant way


Words: cutting edge
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  the ~ (of sth) the newest, most advanced stage in the development of sth:\nworking at the cutting edge of computer technology\n  2  an aspect of sth that gives it an advantage:\nWe’re relying on him to give the team a cutting edge.


Words: cutting room
Meaning:
noun\na room in which the different parts of a film/movie are cut and put into order:\nThe scene with the elephant ended up on the cutting room floor (= was not included in the final version of the film / movie).


Words: cuttlefish
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cuttlefish) a sea creature with ten arms and a wide flat shell inside its body, that produces a black substance like ink when it is attacked


Words: cutup
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a person who behaves in a silly way in order to attract attention and make people laugh


Words: CV
Meaning:
(AmE resume) noun\na written record of your education and employment that you send when you are applying for a job (abbreviation for ’curriculum vitae’):\nSend a full CV with your job application.


Words: cyber-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns and adjectives) connected with electronic communication NETWORKS, especially the Internet:\ncybernetics * cybercafe


Words: cybernetics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of communication and control, especially concerned with comparing human and animal brains with machines and electronic devices\n    cybernetic adjective


Words: cyberspace
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the imaginary place where electronic messages, pictures, etc. exist while they are being sent between computers:\nA new electronic link-up that will connect 500 hospitals around the world has checked into cyberspace.


Words: cyclamen
Meaning:
noun\n(plural cyclamen or cyclamens) a plant with pink, purple or white flowers that grow on long stems pointing downwards, often grown indoors


Words: cycle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  a bicycle or motorcycle:\nWe went for a cycle ride on Sunday. * a cycle route / track\nsee also BIKE\n  2  the fact of a series of events being repeated many times, always in the same order:\nthe cycle of the seasons * They could not break the cycle of harvest failure, food shortage, price increase and misery.\nsee also LIFE CYCLE\n  3  a complete set or series, for example of movements in a machine:\neight cycles per second * the rinse cycle (= in a washing machine)\n    verb [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] (especially BrE) to ride a bicycle; to travel by bicycle:\nI usually cycle home through the park.\ncompare BICYCLE, BIKE


Words: cycle lane
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE bicycle lane, bike lane) noun\na part of a road or path that only bicycles are allowed to use


Words: cyclic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] repeated many times and always happening in the same order:\nthe cyclic processes of nature * Economic activity often follows a cyclical pattern.\n    cyclically adverb:\nevents that occur cyclically


Words: cycling
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport or activity of riding a bicycle:\nto go cycling * Cycling is Europe’s second most popular sport. * cycling shorts


Words: cyclone
Meaning:
noun\na violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle:\nThe cyclone struck the village late last night.\ncompare HURRICANE, TYPHOON


Words: cylinder
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a solid or hollow figure with round ends and long straight sides\n \n  2  an object shaped like a cylinder, especially one used as a container:\na gas / oxygen cylinder\n \n  3  the hollow tube in an engine, shaped like a cylinder, inside which the PISTON moves:\na six-cylinder engine\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  working / firing on all cylinders (informal) using all your energy to do sth; working as well as possible


Words: cymbal
Meaning:
noun\na musical instrument in the form of a round metal plate. It is hit with a stick, or two cymbals are hit against each other:\na clash / crash of cymbals


Words: cynic
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who believes that people only do things to help themselves, rather than for good or sincere reasons:\nDon’t be such a cynic!\n  2  a person who does not believe that sth good will happen or that sth is important:\nCynics will say that there is not the slightest chance of success.\n    cynicism  noun [U]:\nIn a world full of cynicism she was the one person I felt I could trust.


Words: cynical
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons:\nDo you have to be so cynical about everything? * a cynical view / smile\n  2  not caring that sth might hurt other people, if there is some advantage for you:\na cynical disregard for the safety of others * a deliberate and cynical foul\n    cynically  adverb


Words: cyst
Meaning:
noun\na GROWTH containing liquid that forms in or on a person’s or an animal’s body and may need to be removed


Words: cystic fibrosis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a serious medical condition that some people are born with, in which GLANDS in the lungs and other organs do not work correctly. It often leads to infections and can result in early death.


Words: D
Meaning:
noun, abbreviation, symbol \n    noun (also d) [C, U] (plural D’s, d’s )\n  1  the fourth letter of the English alphabet:\n’Dog’ begins with (a) D / ’D’.\n  2  (D) (music) the second note in the scale of C MAJOR\n  3  (D) the fourth highest mark/grade that a student can get for a piece of work, showing that it is not very good:\nHe got (a) D / ’D’ in / for Geography.\nsee also D-DAY\n    abbreviation (also D. especially in AmE) (in politics in the US) DEMOCRAT; DEMOCRATIC\n    symbol the number 500 in ROMAN NUMERALS


Words: d.
Meaning:
abbreviation\n  1  (in writing) died:\nEmily Clifton, d. 1865\n  2  (d) (in the system of money used in the past in Britain) a PENNY


Words: dab
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-bb-)\n  1  ~ (at) sth to touch sth lightly, usually several times:\n[VN] She dabbed her eyes and blew her nose. * [V] He dabbed at the cut with his handkerchief.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to put sth on a surface with quick light movements:\nShe dabbed a little perfume behind her ears.\n    noun\n  1  a small amount of a liquid, cream or powder that is put on a surface in a quick gentle movement:\nShe put a dab of perfume behind her ears.\n  2  an act of gently touching or pressing sth without rubbing:\nHe gave the cut a quick dab with the corner of a towel.\n  3  a small flat fish


Words: dab hand
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a person who is very good at doing sth or using sth:\nHe’s a dab hand at cooking spaghetti. * She’s a dab hand with a paintbrush.


Words: dabble
Meaning:
verb\n  1  [V] ~ (in / with sth) to take part in a sport, an activity, etc. but not very seriously:\nShe is a talented musician but is content to just dabble. * He dabbles in local politics.\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (in sth) to move your hands, feet, etc. around in water:\nShe dabbled her toes in the stream.


Words: dad
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) (often used as a name) father:\nThat’s my dad over there. * Do you live with your mum or your dad? * Is it OK if I borrow the car, Dad?


Words: daddy
Meaning:
noun\nused especially by and to young children, and often as a name, to mean ’father’:\nWhat does your daddy look like? * Daddy, where are you? * Come to Daddy.


Words: daddy-long-legs
Meaning:
noun (plural daddy-long-legs) (informal)\n  1  = CRANE FLY\n  2  (AmE) a small creature like a spider with very long legs


Words: dado
Meaning:
noun\n(plural dados, AmE dadoes) the lower part of the wall of a room when it is a different colour or material from the top part


Words: daft
Meaning:
adjective\n(dafter, daftest) (BrE, informal) silly, often in a way that is amusing:\nDon’t be so daft! * She’s not as daft as she looks. * What a daft thing to say!\n    daftness noun [U]\n IDIOMS \n  daft as a brush (BrE, spoken) very silly


Words: dagger
Meaning:
noun\na short pointed knife that is used as a weapon\nsee also CLOAK-AND-DAGGER\n IDIOMS \n  at daggers drawn (BrE) if two people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry with each other\n  look daggers at sb to look at sb in a very angry way


Words: dago
Meaning:
noun\n(plural dagos or dagoes) (!!!, slang) a very offensive word for a person from Italy, Spain or Portugal


Words: daily
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  happening, done or produced every day:\na daily routine / visit / newspaper * events affecting the daily lives of millions of people * Invoices are signed on a daily basis.\n  2  connected with one day’s work:\nThey charge a daily rate.\n IDIOMS \n  your daily bread the basic things that you need to live, especially food\n    adverb every day:\nThe machines are inspected twice daily.\n    noun (plural dailies)\n  1  a newspaper published every day except Sunday:\nThe story was in all the dailies.\n  2  (also daily help) (old-fashioned, BrE) a person employed to come to sb’s house each day to clean it and do other jobs


Words: dainty
Meaning:
adjective (daintier, daintiest)\n  1  (of people and things) small and delicate in a way that people find attractive:\ndainty feet * a dainty porcelain cup\n  2  (of movements) careful, often in a way that suggests good manners:\nShe took a dainty little bite of the apple.\n    daintily adverb:\nShe blew her nose as daintily as possible.\n    daintiness noun [U]


Words: dairy
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun (plural dairies)\n  1  a place on a farm where milk is kept and where butter and cheese are made\n  2  a company that sells milk, eggs, cheese and other milk products\n    adjective\n [only before noun]\n \n  1  made from milk:\ndairy products / produce\n \n  2  connected with the production of milk rather than meat:\nthe dairy industry * dairy cattle / farmers * a dairy cow / farm


Words: dairyman
Meaning:
1  a man who works in a dairy (1)\n  2  a man who owns or manages a dairy (2) and sells the products


Words: dais
Meaning:
noun\na stage, especially at one end of a room, on which people stand to make speeches to an audience


Words: daisy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural daisies) a small wild flower with white PETALS around a yellow centre; a taller plant with similar but larger flowers\nsee also MICHAELMAS DAISY\n \n IDIOMS  see PUSH v.


Words: daisy wheel
Meaning:
noun\na small disc, used in some printers and TYPEWRITERS, that has metal rods around its edge with letters, etc. on them:\na daisy wheel printer


Words: dale
Meaning:
noun\n(literary or dialect) a valley, especially in northern England:\nthe Yorkshire Dales * a typical dales house


Words: dalliance
Meaning:
noun [U, C] (old-fashioned or humorous)\n  1  the behaviour of sb who is dallying with sb/sth:\nIt turned out to be his last dalliance with the education system.\n  2  a sexual relationship that is not serious


Words: dally
Meaning:
verb\n(dallies, dallying, dallied, dallied) [V] (old-fashioned) to do sth too slowly; to take too much time making a decision\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  dally with sb/sth (old-fashioned) to treat sb/sth in a way that is not serious enough\nsee also DILLY-DALLY


Words: dam
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a barrier that is built across a river in order to stop the water from flowing, used especially to make a RESERVOIR (= a lake for storing water) or to produce electricity:\nthe Narmada dam in India * The dam burst.\n \n  2  (technical) the mother of some animals, especially horses\ncompare SIRE\n    verb (-mm-) [VN] ~ sth (up) to build a dam across a river, especially in order to make an artificial lake for use as a water supply, etc:\nplans to dam Colorado’s South Platte river


Words: damage
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U] ~ (to sth) physical harm caused to sth which makes it less attractive, useful or valuable:\nserious / severe / extensive / permanent damage * brain / liver damage * smoke / bomb / storm damage * The earthquake caused damage to property estimated at $6 million. * The storm didn’t do much damage. * Let’s take a look at the damage. * I insist on paying for the damage. * Make sure you insure your camera against loss or damage.\n  2  [U] ~ (to sb/sth) harmful effects on sb/sth:\nemotional damage resulting from divorce * damage to a person’s reputation * This could cause serious damage to the country’s economy. * I’m going-I’ve done enough damage here already.\n  3  (damages) [pl.] an amount of money that is paid to sb by the person, company, etc. that has caused them harm or injury:\nHe was ordered to pay damages totalling ｣30 000. * They intend to sue for damages. * Ann was awarded ｣6 000 (in) damages.\n IDIOMS \n  what’s the damage? (spoken) a way of asking how much sth costs\n    verb [VN] to harm or spoil sth/sb:\nThe fire badly damaged the town hall. * Several vehicles were damaged in the crash. * Smoking seriously damages your health. * The allegations are likely to damage his political career. * emotionally damaged children


Words: damage limitation
Meaning:
(also damage control especially in AmE) noun\n[U] the process of trying to limit the amount of damage that is caused by sth:\nThe government was forced into an exercise in damage limitation / a damage limitation exercise.


Words: damaging
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (to sb/sth) causing damage; having a bad effect on sb/sth:\ndamaging consequences / effects * Lead is potentially damaging to children’s health.


Words: damask
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a thick fabric, usually made from silk or LINEN, with a pattern that is visible on both sides:\na damask tablecloth


Words: dame
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (Dame) (in Britain) a title given to a woman as a special honour because of the work she has done:\nDame Maggie Smith * She was made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.\n  2  (old-fashioned, AmE, informal) a woman\n  3  = PANTOMIME DAME


Words: damn
Meaning:
exclamation, adjective, verb, adverb, noun \n    exclamation (also old-fashioned dammit  damn it) (informal) a swear word that people use to show that they are annoyed, disappointed, etc:\nOh damn! I forgot he was coming.\n    adjective (also damned) [only before noun] (informal)\n  1  a swear word that people use to show that they are annoyed with sb/sth:\nWhere’s that damn book! * The damned thing won’t start! * It’s none of your damn business! * He’s a damn nuisance!\n  2  a swear word that people use to emphasize what they are saying:\nWhat a damn shame!\n IDIOMS  see THING\n    verb [VN] \n  1  used when swearing at sb/sth to show that you are angry:\nDamn you! I’m not going to let you bully me. * Damn this machine! Why won’t it work?\n  2  (of God) to decide that sb must suffer in HELL\n  3  to criticize sb/sth very strongly:\nThe film was damned by the critics for its mindless violence.\n IDIOMS \n  damn the consequences, expense, etc. (spoken) used to say that you are going to do sth even though you know it may be expensive, have bad results, etc:\nLet’s celebrate and damn the expense!\n  damn sb/sth with faint praise to praise sb/sth only a little, in order to show that you do not really like them/it\n  I’ll be damned! (old-fashioned, spoken) used to show that you are very surprised about sth\n  I’m damned if ... (spoken) used to show that you refuse to do sth or do not know sth:\nI’m damned if I’ll apologize! * I’m damned if I know who he is.\nmore at NEAR adv.\n    adverb (also damned) (informal)\n  1  a swear word that people use to show that they are annoyed with sb/sth:\nDon’t be so damn silly! * What a damn stupid question! * You know damn well (= you know very well) what I mean! * I’ll damn well leave tonight (= I am determined to).\n  2  a swear word that people use to emphasize what they are saying:\ndamn good / clever / lucky * We got out pretty damned fast! * I’m damn sure she had no idea.\n IDIOMS \n  damn all (BrE) nothing:\nI know damn all about computers.\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  not care / give a damn (about sb/sth) (informal) to not care at all about sb/sth\nmore at TINKER n.


