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selfless
selfless [adjective]
Someone who is selfless only thinks of other people's advantage
US
/ˈself.ləs/
UK
/ˈself.ləs/
Example:
selfless devotion to duty
media:
Someone who is selfless only thinks of other people's advantage
selfless devotion to duty
selfless
self‧less /ˈselfləs/ BrE AmE adjective
caring about other people more than about yourself – used to show approval:
selfless devotion to their work
selfless
self·less [selfless selflessly selflessness] [ˈselfləs] [ˈselfləs] adjective
thinking more about the needs, happiness, etc. of other people than about your own
• a life of selfless service to the community
Opp: selfish
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
selfless / ˈself.ləs / adjective approving
Someone who is selfless only thinks of other people's advantage:
selfless devotion to duty
selfless
/selfləs/
If you say that someone is selfless, you approve of them because they care about other people more than themselves.
Perhaps the only all-enduring and selfless love was that of a mother for her child.
ADJ [approval]
• self‧less‧ly
I’ve never known anyone who cared so selflessly about children.
ADV
• self‧less‧ness
I have enormous regard for his selflessness on behalf of his fellow man.
N-UNCOUNT
selfless
self·less /ˈsɛlfləs/ adj [more ~; most ~] : having or showing great concern for other people and little or no concern for yourself
• a selfless act
• selfless dedication/devotion/love
the hard part over the top of a toe
I hurted my toenails.
toenail
noun
the hard part at the end of your toe
toenail
toe‧nail /ˈtəʊneɪl $ ˈtoʊ-/ noun [countable]
the hard part that covers the top of each of your toes
toenail
toe·nail [toenail toenails] [ˈtəʊneɪl] [ˈtoʊneɪl] noun
the nail on a toe
toenail
toe·nail [toenail toenails] [ˈtəʊneɪl] [ˈtoʊneɪl] noun
the nail on a toe
toenail
/toʊneɪl/
also toe nail
(toenails)
Your toenails are the thin hard areas at the end of each of your toes.
N-COUNT: usu pl
toenail
toe·nail /ˈtoʊˌneɪl/ noun, pl -nails [count] : the hard covering at the end of a toe
a piece of information that is only known by one person or a few people and should not be told to others
A close couple should have no secrets from each other.
noun
something that you do not or must not tell other people:
I can't tell you where I'm going – it's a secret.
Can you keep a secret (= not tell other people)?
in secret without other people knowing:
They met in secret.
II. secret2 S3 W3 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑secrecy, ↑secret, ↑secretiveness; adverb: ↑secretly, ↑secretively; adjective: ↑secret, ↑secretive; verb: ↑secrete]
1. something that is kept hidden or that is known about by only a few people ⇨ secrecy:
I can’t tell you. It’s a secret.
It was no secret that the two men hated each other.
Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me (=I won’t tell anyone about it).
2. in secret in a private way or place that other people do not know about:
The negotiations were conducted in secret.
3. the secret a particular way of achieving a good result, that is the best or only way
the secret to (doing) something
The secret to making good pastry is to use very cold water.
Your hair always looks so great – what’s your secret?
What do you think is the secret of her success?
4. make no secret of something to make your opinions about something clear:
Louise made no secret of her dislike for John.
5. the secrets of life/nature/the universe etc the things no one yet knows about life, nature etc
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have a secret We have no secrets from each other.
▪ know a secret (=about someone else) You can tell Tom that I know his secret.
▪ keep a secret (=not tell it to anyone) Can you keep a secret?
▪ tell somebody a secret Shall I tell you a secret?
▪ let somebody in on a secret (=tell them a secret) Frank let me in on the secret.
▪ reveal/divulge a secret formal (=tell it to someone) He was accused of revealing state secrets.
▪ give away a secret (=tell it to someone carelessly or by mistake) I had to be careful not to give away any secrets.
▪ share a secret (=tell it to someone because you trust them) I trusted Alexander, so I decided to share my secret with him.
▪ discover/find out a secret He was afraid that someone would discover his secret.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + secret
▪ a big secret (=an important secret or one that very few people know) The event was supposed to be a big secret, but everyone knew about it.
▪ a little secret (=a personal secret that very few people know) You must promise me that this will be our little secret.
▪ a closely guarded/well-kept secret (=a secret that few people are allowed to know) The recipe is a closely guarded secret.
▪ an open secret (=something that a lot of people know, but do not talk about because it is supposed to be a secret) It was an open secret that he was having an affair.
▪ a dark/terrible secret (=a secret about something bad) I’m sure every family has a few dark secrets.
▪ a dirty secret (=a shameful secret) The exclusion of black people from the film industry is one of Hollywood’s dirty little secrets.
▪ a guilty secret (=a secret that someone feels guilty about) He had finally discovered Jo’s guilty secret.
▪ sb’s innermost secrets (=very private or personal secrets) She wasn’t confident enough to share her innermost secrets with him.
▪ a family secret Their normally strong relationship is threatened when he has to reveal a family secret.
▪ a state/official secret (=a government secret) He was accused of passing on state secrets to a foreign power.
▪ a trade secret (=a company or business secret) They must not betray their employer 's trust, for instance by giving away trade secrets.
▪ military secrets He was sent to prison for five years in 1933 for selling military secrets to Germany.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say ˈsay a secretˈ or ˈsay your secretsˈ. Say tell somebody a secret or tell somebody your secrets.
noun
1. countable something that is known about by only a few people and not told to others
• Can you keep a secret?
• The location of the ship is a closely guarded secret.
• Shall we let him in on (= tell him) the secret?
• He made no secret of his ambition (= he didn't try to hide it).
• She was dismissed for revealing trade secrets.
• official/State secrets
• dark secrets from his past
2. (usually the secret) singular the best or only way to achieve sth; the way a particular person achieves sth
• Careful planning is the secret of success.
• She still looks so young. What's her secret?
3. countable, usually plural a thing that is not yet fully understood or that is difficult to understand
• the secrets of the universe
more at a guilty secret at guilty adj., be an open secret at open adj.
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin secretus (adjective) ‘separate, set apart’, from the verb secernere, from se- ‘apart’ + cernere ‘sift’.
Thesaurus:
secret noun
1. C
• The two leaders held a number of secret talks.
confidential • • private • • classified • • undisclosed • • personal • • intimate •
Opp: open
secret/confidential/private/classified/undisclosed/personal information
secret/confidential/private/cassified/personal documents
keep sth secret/confidential/private
2. only before noun
• He was a secret agent during the war.
undercover • • underground • |formal covert • |formal, usually disapproving clandestine •
secret/undercover/underground/covert/clandestine activity
a secret/clandestine meeting/relationship/affair
a secret/an undercover agent
Example Bank:
• Can you keep a secret?
• He refuses to make any secret of his political allegiances.
• How did the secret get out?
• I have no secrets from you.
• She let us into her secret— she was engaged.
• She revealed the secret behind her extraordinary success.
• That evening she had revealed many of her innermost secrets.
• The film stars were married in secret to avoid publicity.
• Their affair is an open secret.
• Their relationship remained a secret.
• There was some secret about the source of his wealth.
• These animals may hold the secret to combating the virus.
• Uncle Charlie hides a dark secret.
• a charming museum that is one of the city's best-kept secrets
• the secrets of staying healthy
• He made no secret of his ambition.
• He spent much of his childhood here, learning the secrets of the woods.
• Shall we let him in on the secret?
• The location of the ship is a closely guarded secret.
• They hope to unlock the secrets of the universe.
• trade/official/State secrets
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
secret / ˈsiː.krət / noun
B1 [ C ] a piece of information that is only known by one person or a few people and should not be told to others:
Why did you have to go and tell Bob about my illness? You just can't keep a secret, can you?
A close couple should have no secrets from each other.
Aren't you going to let me in on (= tell me) the secret?
There's no secret (= everyone knows) about his homosexuality.
She makes no secret of (= makes very clear) her dislike of her father.
That restaurant is one of the best-kept secrets in London.
[ C ] a fact about a subject that is not known:
the secrets of the universe
B2 [ S ] the particular knowledge and skills needed to do something very well:
So what's the secret of being a good cook?
Word partners for secret noun
harbour / have / keep a secret • let sb in on / reveal / tell sb a secret • a guilty / terrible / well-kept secret • a big secret • do sth in secret
secret
[si͟ːkrɪt]
♦♦
secrets
1) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n, v n ADJ, v-link ADJ If something is secret, it is known about by only a small number of people, and is not told or shown to anyone else.
→ See also top secret
Soldiers have been training at a secret location...
The police have been trying to keep the documents secret.
Derived words:
secretly ADV-GRADED ADV with v, ADV adj/n He wore a hidden microphone to secretly tape-record conversations. ...secretly organised events.
2) N-COUNT A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
I think he enjoyed keeping our love a secret...
I didn't want anyone to know about it, it was my secret.
3) N-SING: the N, oft the N of n If you say that a particular way of doing things is the secret of achieving something, you mean that it is the best or only way to achieve it.
The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing...
I learned something about writing. The secret is to say less than you need.
4) N-COUNT: usu pl, oft with poss Something's secrets are the things about it which have never been fully explained.
We have an opportunity now to really unlock the secrets of the universe...
The past is riddled with deep dark secrets.
5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you do something in secret, you do it without anyone else knowing.
Dan found out that I had been meeting my ex-boyfriend in secret.
6) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone can keep a secret, you mean that they can be trusted not to tell other people a secret that you have told them.
Tom was utterly indiscreet, and could never keep a secret.
7) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR of n If you make no secret of something, you tell others about it openly and clearly.
His wife made no secret of her hatred for the formal occasions...
Ministers are making no secret about their wish to buy American weapons.
secret
2secret noun, pl -crets [count]
1 : a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people
• Don't tell him about the party—it's a secret.
• I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else.
• They're getting married. The secret is out. [=everyone now knows that they're getting married]
• He knows how to keep a secret. [=if you tell him a secret he won't tell it to anyone else]
• This wine may be Italy's best-kept secret. [=something very good that not many people know about]
• It's no secret [=many people know] that he has connections to the Mafia.
• I'll let you in on a (little) secret. [=I'll tell you a secret]
• The report disclosed the company's dirty little secret. [=something bad that the company does not want people to know]
• Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. [=I won't tell anyone your secret]
- see also trade secret
2 : a special or unusual way of doing something to achieve a good result
• You always look great. What's your secret?
• She shared her beauty secrets with the group.
• The secret to/of a good sauce is the base.
• What is the secret to your success? [=why are you so successful?]
3 : something that cannot be explained
• the secrets of the universe
• one of nature's greatest secrets
in secret : in a private place or manner
• They met in secret. [=secretly]
make no secret of : to show or express (something) openly : to not try to hide (something)
• She made no secret of her dislike for him.
a weapon that is like a long, thin stick with a sharp point at one end and often feathers at the other, shot from a bow (= a long, thin piece of wood bent into a curve by a piece of string)
Robin Hood asked to be buried where his arrow landed.
arrow
noun
1 a long thin piece of wood or metal with a point at one end.
word building
You shoot an arrow by pulling back the string on a curved piece of wood called a bow and then letting go. You try to hit a target.
2 the sign (?) that shows where something is or where you should go:
The arrow is pointing left.
arrow
ar‧row /ærəʊ $ ˈæroʊ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: arwe]
1. a weapon usually made from a thin straight piece of wood with a sharp point at one end, that you shoot with a ↑bow
2. a sign in the shape of an arrow, used to show direction:
Follow the arrows to the X-ray department.
arrow
arrow [arrow arrows arrowed arrowing] [ˈærəʊ] [ˈæroʊ] noun
1. a thin stick with a sharp point at one end, which is shot from a bow
• a bow and arrow
• to fire/shoot an arrow
• The road continues as straight as an arrow.
2. a mark or sign like an arrow (➞), used to show direction or position
• Follow the arrows.
• Use the arrow keys to move the cursor.
Word Origin:
Old English arewe, arwe, from Old Norse.
Example Bank:
• A hail of arrows descended from the tower.
• An arrow whizzed past his head.
• Follow the red arrows to get to the camp reception.
• He drew two arrows and placed them in the bow.
• She aimed carefully at the tree but the arrow missed.
• She strung an arrow to her bow.
• The arrow hit its target.
• The down arrow indicates rain.
• The old road is shown on the map by broken arrows.
• The people used bows and arrows for hunting.
• You can scroll through the text using the up and down arrow keys.
• You will see an arrow pointing to the left.
• the arrow slits in the castle's battlements
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
arrow / ˈær.əʊ / / ˈer.oʊ / noun [ C ]
B2 a weapon that is like a long, thin stick with a sharp point at one end and often feathers at the other, shot from a bow (= a long, thin piece of wood bent into a curve by a piece of string) :
Robin Hood asked to be buried where his arrow landed.
→ Compare dart noun (POINTED OBJECT)
See picture bow
See picture sports 3
B2 a sign consisting of a straight line with an upside down V shape at one end of it that points in a particular direction, used to show where something is:
I followed the arrows to the car park.
arrow
[æ̱roʊ]
arrows
1) N-COUNT An arrow is a long thin weapon which is sharp and pointed at one end and which often has feathers at the other end. An arrow is shot from a bow.
Warriors armed with bows and arrows and spears have invaded their villages.
2) N-COUNT An arrow is a written or printed sign that consists of a straight line with another line bent at a sharp angle at one end. This is a printed arrow: →. The arrow points in a particular direction to indicate where something is.
A series of arrows points the way to the modest grave of Andrei Sakharov.
3) slings and arrows → see
arrow
ar·row /ˈeroʊ/ noun, pl -rows [count]
1 : a weapon that is made to be shot from a bow and that is usually a stick with a point at one end and feathers at the other end
• shoot an arrow
2 : a mark (such as →) that is shaped like an arrow and that is used to show direction
• The arrow on the map points north.
- see also straight arrow
a weapon for shooting arrows, made of a long, thin piece of wood bent into a curve by a tightly stretched string
bow and arrowsbow and arrows
bow
noun
pronunciation
With these meanings, the word bow sounds like go.
1 a curved piece of wood with a string between the two ends. You use a bow to send arrows through the air.
2 a knot with two loose round parts and two loose ends that you use when you are tying shoes, etc.
3 a long thin piece of wood with hair stretched across it that you use for playing some musical instruments:
a violin bow
bow2 /baʊ/ BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] the act of bending the top part of your body forward to show respect for someone when you meet them, or as a way of thanking an ↑audience
take/give a bow (=bow to the audience at the end of a performance)
The music ended and the girl took a bow.
He gave a final bow just as the curtains came down.
This is done with a formal bow to the king or queen.
noun
1. the act of bending your head or the upper part of your body forward in order to say hello or goodbye to sb or to show respect
• She gave a slight bow of her head in greeting.
• The messenger made a formal bow and left the room.
2. (also bows plural) the front part of a boat or ship
compare stern n.
more at a shot across the/sb's bows at shot n.
Word Origin:
Old English būgan ‘bend, stoop’ Germanic German biegen bow2 late Middle English Low German boog Dutch boeg ‘shoulder or ship's bow’ bough
Example Bank:
• He gave a formal bow and left the room.
• He made a deep bow to the king.
• He gave her a deep bow.
• The song ended and Albert took a bow.
• The boss takes his final bow today.
• The team's chairman takes his final bow at this match.
• The ship's name was printed on her bow.
• There were huge waves breaking over the bows.
• There's a small boat on the port bow.
• They fired a shot across our bow/bows.
• We left two men in the bow to receive the cargo.
• A huge whale crossed our bows.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
bow / bəʊ / / boʊ / noun [ C ] (WEAPON)
B2 a weapon for shooting arrows, made of a long, thin piece of wood bent into a curve by a tightly stretched string:
bow and arrows
→ See also crossbow
See picture bow
See picture sports 3
bow / bəʊ / / boʊ / noun [ C ] (KNOT)
B2 a knot with two curved parts and two loose ends, used as a decoration or to tie shoes:
I tied the ribbon around the parcel in a pretty bow.
See picture bow
bow / baʊ / noun [ C ] ( also bows ) (FRONT PART)
the front part of a ship
→ Compare stern noun
See picture bow
bow / baʊ / noun [ C ] (BEND)
the movement of bending your head or body forward, especially as a way of showing someone respect or expressing thanks to people who have watched you perform:
The audience applauded enthusiastically, and she came back on stage to take another bow.
bow / bəʊ / / boʊ / noun [ C ] (MUSIC)
C2 a long, thin piece of wood with hair from the tail of a horse stretched along it, used to play musical instruments that have strings:
Violins are played with bows.
See picture bow
See picture music (strings)
bow
I BENDING OR SUBMITTING
bows, bowing, bowed
(Pronounced [ba͟ʊ] in bow 1 and 2, and [bo͟ʊ] in bow 3.)
1) VERB When you bow to someone, you briefly bend your body towards them as a formal way of greeting them or showing respect.
[V to n] They bowed low to Louis and hastened out of his way...
He bowed slightly before taking her bag.
N-COUNT: usu sing
Bow is also a noun. I gave a theatrical bow and waved.
2) VERB If you bow your head, you bend it downwards so that you are looking towards the ground, for example because you want to show respect or because you are thinking deeply about something.
[V n] The Colonel bowed his head and whispered a prayer of thanksgiving...
[V-ed] She stood still, head bowed, hands clasped in front of her.
Syn:
lower
3) VERB If you bow to pressure or to someone's wishes, you agree to do what they want you to do.
[V to n] Some shops are bowing to consumer pressure and stocking organically grown vegetables...
[V to n] Parliament has bowed to the demand for a referendum next year.
4) V-PASSIVE If you are bowed by something, you are made unhappy and anxious by it, and lose hope.
[be V-ed] ...their determination not to be bowed in the face of the allied attacks.
PHR-V-PASSIVE
To be bowed down means the same as to be bowed. be V-ed P I am bowed down by my sins.
5) PHRASE: V inflects If someone bows to the inevitable and does something that they do not want to do, they do it, because circumstances force them to do it.
He bowed to the inevitable and announced that he was willing to resume diplomatic relations.
6) PHRASE: V and N inflect If an actor or entertainer takes a bow, he or she shows appreciation of an audience's applause by bowing to them.
They ran to the center of the tent to take their bows.
Phrasal Verbs:
- bow down
- bow outII PART OF A SHIP
bows
N-COUNT
(Pronounced [ba͟ʊ] in bow 1 and 2, and [bo͟ʊ] in bow 3.)
The front part of a ship is called the bow or the bows. The plural bows can be used to refer either to one or to more than one of these parts.
The waves were about five feet now, and the bow of the boat was leaping up and down.
...the sight of that magnificent ship lit up from bow to stern.
...spray from the ship's bows.III OBJECTS
bows
(Pronounced [ba͟ʊ] in bow 1 and 2, and [bo͟ʊ] in bow 3.)
1) N-COUNT A bow is a knot with two loops and two loose ends that is used in tying shoelaces and ribbons.
Add a length of ribbon tied in a bow.
2) N-COUNT A bow is a weapon for shooting arrows which consists of a long piece of curved wood with a string attached to both its ends.
Some of the raiders were armed with bows and arrows.
3) N-COUNT The bow of a violin or other stringed instrument is a long thin piece of wood with fibres stretched along it, which you move across the strings of the instrument in order to play it.
4) another string to your bow → see string
4bow /ˈboʊ/ noun, pl bows [count]
1 : a knot that is made by tying a ribbon or string into two or more loops and that is used for tying shoelaces or for decoration
• She tied/wore a bow in her hair.
- see also bow tie
2 : a weapon used for shooting arrows that is made of a long, thin piece of wood which is bent with its ends connected by a tight, strong string
• They hunted with bows and arrows.
3 : a tool that is used for playing a violin or similar musical instrument and that is made of a thin stick of wood with its ends connected by stretched pieces of hair or fiber - see picture at stringed instrument
- compare 2bow, 3bow
3bow /ˈbaʊ/ noun, pl bows [count] : the front part of a boat or ship
• The deck was cleaned from bow to stern. [=from the front end to the back end]
- see picture at boat; opposite 2stern
- compare 2bow, 4bow
2bow noun, pl bows [count] : the act of bending forward at the neck or waist in order to greet someone or show respect : the act of bowing
• In some cultures it is polite to greet people with a bow, while in others a handshake is preferred.
• He smiled and made/gave a bow.
take a bow : to bow towards an audience that is applauding for you
• When the play has finished, the actors will line up to take a bow.
- often used figuratively to say that someone deserves to be praised
• The people who organized the festival should take a bow for its remarkable success.
- compare 3bow 4bow
a set of connected or related things
She has built up a chain of 180 bookshops across the country.
noun
a line of metal rings that are joined together:
Round her neck she wore a gold chain.
My bicycle chain is broken.
chain
I. chain1 S3 W2 /tʃeɪn/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: chaeine, from Latin catena]
1. JOINED RINGS [uncountable and countable] a series of metal rings which are joined together in a line and used for fastening things, supporting weights, decoration etc ⇨ link:
She had a gold chain around her neck.
a length of heavy chain
the Mayor’s chain of office (=a decoration worn by some British officials at ceremonies)
pull the chain British English (=flush the toilet)
a bicycle chain (=that makes the wheels turn) ⇨ ↑jewellery
2. CONNECTED EVENTS [countable] a connected series of events or actions, especially which lead to a final result:
the chain of events that led to World War I
The salesmen are just one link in the chain (=part of a process) of distribution.
a rather complicated chain of reasoning ⇨ ↑chain of command, ↑food chain
3. SHOPS/HOTELS [countable] a number of shops, hotels, cinemas etc owned or managed by the same company or person
chain of
a chain of restaurants
hotel/restaurant/retail etc chain
several major UK supermarket chains ⇨ ↑chain store
4. CONNECTED LINE [countable] people or things which are connected or next to each other forming a line
mountain/island chain
the Andean mountain chain
chain of atoms/molecules etc technical:
a chain of amino acids
They formed a human chain (=a line of people who pass things from one person to the next) to move the equipment.
daisy chains (=flowers tied together)
5. PRISONERS [countable usually plural] metal chains fastened to the legs and arms of a prisoner, to prevent them from escaping
in chains
He was led away in chains.
ball and chain (=a chain attached to someone’s ankle at one end with a heavy metal ball at the other)
6. BUYING A HOUSE [countable usually singular] British English a number of people buying houses, where each person must complete the sale of their own house before they can buy the next person’s house
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ types of chain
▪ a big/major/large chain It is one of Europe’s biggest clothing chains.
▪ a hotel chain Hilton is an international hotel chain.
▪ a supermarket chain Many people buy all their food at one of the major supermarket chains.
▪ a retail chain (=one whose business is buying and selling goods) Large retail chains usually want to expand and build more stores.
▪ a department store/video store/food store etc chain Morgan was the owner of a computer store chain.
▪ a restaurant chain the Pizza Hut restaurant chain
▪ a grocery chain These are two of Florida’s largest grocery chains.
▪ a fast-food chain the fast-food chain, Burger King
▪ a national/nationwide chain He was head of a national chain of grocery stores.
■ phrases
▪ be part of a chain The hotel is part of the MacDonald chain.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ types of chain
▪ a mountain chain The town of Besançon lies at the end of the Jura mountain chain.
▪ an island chain the island chain from Asia to Australasia
▪ a human chain (=a large number of people who form a line, a circle etc to do something) Riot police formed human chains to block demonstrators.
▪ a chain of atoms/molecules etc technical: Most fabrics are made of long chains of molecules.
■ verbs
▪ form a chain They formed a human chain passing buckets of water to the fire.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ mountain a very high hill: the highest mountain in Austria
▪ hill an area of land that is higher than the land around it, which is like a mountain but smaller and usually has a rounded top: We went for a walk in the hills. | The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and gentle hills.
▪ Mount (also Mt written abbreviation) used in the names of mountains. Don’t say ‘Fuji Mountain’ – say ‘Mount Fuji’: Mount Everest
▪ cliff the steep side of an area of land, often next to the sea: the white cliffs of Dover
▪ precipice especially literary a very steep and dangerous cliff: They were standing on the edge of a precipice.
▪ crag a high steep rock or mountain: An eagle sailed over the high crags.
▪ ridge a long narrow area of high ground, especially at the top of a mountain: I could see a group of climbers high up on a ridge.
▪ knoll a small round hill: a grassy knoll
▪ volcano a mountain with a large hole at the top, through which ↑lava (=hot liquid rock) is sometimes forced out: the eruption of a volcano
▪ summit the very highest point of a mountain: the summit of Mt Everest
▪ peak especially literary the top of a mountain: the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas | a distant peak
▪ range/chain a group of mountains or hills arranged in a line: the mountain range that is part of the border between Norway and Sweden
▪ foothills a group of smaller hills below a range of high mountains: the Sierra foothills
chain
chain [chain chains chained chaining] noun, verb [tʃeɪn] [tʃeɪn]
noun
METAL RINGS
1. countable, uncountable a series of connected metal rings, used for pulling or fastening things; a length of chain used for a particular purpose
• a short length of chain
• She wore a heavy gold chain around her neck.
• The mayor wore his chain of office.
• a bicycle chain
• The prisoners were kept in chains (= with chains around their arms and legs, to prevent them from escaping).
CONNECTED THINGS
2. countable a series of connected things or people
• to set in motion a chain of events
• a chain of command (= a system in an organization by which instructions are passed from one person to another)
• mountain/island chains
• Volunteers formed a human chain to rescue precious items from the burning house.
see also food chain
OF SHOPS/HOTELS
3. countable a group of shops/stores or hotels owned by the same company
• a chain of supermarkets/a supermarket chain
RESTRICTION
4. countable, usually plural (formal or literary) a thing that restricts sb's freedom or ability to do sth
• the chains of fear/misery
IN HOUSE BUYING
5. countable, usually singular (BrE) a situation in which a number of people selling and buying houses must each complete the sale of their house before buying from the next person
see ball and chain at ball n., a link in the chain at link n., the weak link (in the chain) at weak
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French chaine, chaeine, from Latin catena ‘a chain’.
Thesaurus:
chain noun C
• It was all part of a chain of events.
series • • sequence • • string • • succession • • line • |especially BrE catalogue •
a chain/series/sequence/string/succession/line/catalogue of sth
a chain/series/sequence/string/succession of events
a/an long/endless/continuous/unbroken chain/series/sequence/string/succession/line
Example Bank:
• Let the dog off its chain.
• Our suppliers are the weakest link in the chain.
• Put the chain on the door before you go to bed.
• She wore a long gold chain around her neck.
• The mayor was wearing his chain of office.
• The people formed a human chain to pass the supplies up the beach.
• The prisoner was led away in chains.
• There has been an unbroken chain of great violinists in the family.
• They kept the dog on a chain all day long.
• This hotel is part of a large chain.
• a chain of clothes shops
• a chain of department stores
• a chain of volcanic islands
• efforts to ensure that dioxins do not enter the food chain
• the complex chain of events that led to the war
• I was next in the chain of command.
• If any part of the chain of infection is broken, the spread of the disease will be stopped.
• It's important to make sure the chain of communication is not broken.
• Middlemen are important links in the chain.
• She was personally involved in this chain of events.
• Volunteers formed a human chain to pass buckets of water to each other.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
chain / tʃeɪn / noun [ C ] (CONNECTED THINGS)
B2 a set of connected or related things:
She has built up a chain of 180 bookshops across the country.
His resignation was followed by a remarkable chain of events .
chain / tʃeɪn / noun (RINGS)
A2 [ C or U ] (a length of) rings usually made of metal that are connected together and used for fastening, pulling, supporting, or limiting freedom, or as jewellery:
The gates were locked with a padlock and a heavy steel chain.
Put the chain on the door if you are alone in the house.
Mary was wearing a beautiful silver chain around her neck.
See picture plug
in chains tied with chains:
The hostages were kept in chains for 23 hours a day.
[ plural ] a fact or situation that limits a person's freedom:
At last the country has freed itself from the chains of the authoritarian regime.
chain / tʃeɪn / noun UK (HOUSE SALE)
[ C ] a situation in which someone selling their house cannot complete the sale because the person who wants to buy it needs to sell their house first:
Some sellers refuse to exchange contracts with buyers who are in a chain.
chain
[tʃe͟ɪn]
♦♦♦
chains, chaining, chained
1) N-COUNT A chain consists of metal rings connected together in a line.
His open shirt revealed a fat gold chain...
The dogs were leaping and growling at the full stretch of their chains.
2) N-PLURAL: in N If prisoners are in chains, they have thick rings of metal round their wrists or ankles to prevent them from escaping.
He'd spent four and a half years in windowless cells, much of the time in chains.
3) N-PLURAL: oft N of n You can refer to feelings and duties which prevent you from doing what you want to do as chains. [LITERARY]
He had to break right now the chains of habit that bound him to the present.
Syn:
fetters
4) VERB If a person or thing is chained to something, they are fastened to it with a chain.
[be V-ed to n] The dog was chained to the leg of the one solid garden seat...
[V n to n] She chained her bike to the railings...
[V n to n] Some demonstrators chained themselves to railings inside the court building...
[V-ed] We were sitting together in our cell, chained to the wall. [Also V n adv/prep]
Syn:
tie
PHRASAL VERB
Chain up means the same as chain. V n P I'll lock the doors and chain you up... V-ed P They kept me chained up every night and released me each day... Also V P n (not pron) V-ed P All the rowing boats were chained up.
5) N-COUNT: N of n A chain of things is a group of them existing or arranged in a line.
...a chain of islands known as the Windward Islands...
Students tried to form a human chain around the parliament.
6) N-COUNT: with supp A chain of shops, hotels, or other businesses is a number of them owned by the same person or company.
...a large supermarket chain.
...Italy's leading chain of cinemas.
7) N-SING: N of n A chain of events is a series of them happening one after another.
...the bizarre chain of events that led to his departure in January 1938.
Syn:
series
8) → See also food chain
Phrasal Verbs:
- chain up
1chain /ˈʧeɪn/ noun, pl chains
1 a : a series of usually metal links or rings that are connected to each other in a line and used for supporting heavy things, for holding things together, for decoration, etc.
[count]
• The neighbor's dog is kept on a chain. [=is connected to a chain that keeps it from getting away]
• She wore a beautiful gold chain [=necklace] around her neck.
• the ship's anchor chain
• a bicycle chain
[noncount]
• We'll need 25 feet of chain for the pulley.
- see pictures on page C11 and at bicycle; see also choke chain, key chain
b [count] : a chain that is attached to the arms or legs of a prisoner - usually plural
• The prisoners were kept in chains while being transferred to the new jail.
- often used figuratively
• The contract would keep the employees in chains, unable to leave the company for at least five years.
- see also ball and chain
2 [count] : a series or group of things or people that are connected to each other in some way
• a chain of islands
• The world's longest mountain chain [=group of mountains that form a long line] is the Andes.
• The new book chronicles the chain of events leading up to the crime.
• Protesters formed a human chain [=they stood next to each other with their arms linked] around the ancient tree to prevent it from being cut down.
- see also daisy chain, food chain
3 [count] : a group of businesses (such as stores, restaurants, or hotels) that have the same name and basic appearance and sell the same products or services
• They own a chain of organic grocery stores.
• fast-food/clothing chains also; : the company that owns such a group of businesses
• The hotel chain recently opened a new hotel in Hong Kong.
- see also chain store
4 [count] Brit : a number of people who each want to buy a house but must first sell their current house before moving to the next one - usually singular
• Both houses are currently vacant so there is no chain to worry about.
pull the chain Brit : to flush a toilet
pull/yank someone's chain US informal : to deceive someone in a friendly or playful way
• I thought he really won the lottery but he was only pulling my chain. [=he was only playing a joke on me]
a small change
The family counselor advised the couple to make some minor adjustments to the way they treated each other.
adjustment
ad‧just‧ment AC /əˈdʒʌstmənt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: verb: ↑adjust; noun: ↑adjustment; adjective: ↑adjustable]
1. a small change made to a machine, system, or calculation
adjustment for
Once we make the adjustments for inflation, the fall in interest rates is quite small.
adjustment to
a slight adjustment to the mechanism
minor/slight adjustment
It just needs a few minor adjustments.
2. a change in the way that someone behaves or thinks:
a period of adjustment
adjustment to
her adjustment to her new role
adjustment
ad·just·ment AW [adjustment adjustments] [əˈdʒʌstmənt] [əˈdʒʌstmənt] noun countable, uncountable
1. a small change made to sth in order to correct or improve it
• I've made a few adjustments to the design.
• Some adjustment of the lens may be necessary.
2. a change in the way a person behaves or thinks
• She went through a period of emotional adjustment after her marriage broke up.
Example Bank:
• The dosage may need adjustment to suit the individual.
• The mechanic made the necessary adjustments to the engine.
• The process of adjustment to life in another country can be very difficult.
• There was a long period of adjustment under the new boss.
• a cut of 1.5% in real terms (after adjustment for inflation)
• a few minor adjustments to the schedule
• adjustments in the exchange rates
• I've made a few adjustments to the design.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
adjustment / əˈdʒʌst.mənt / noun [ C or U ] (CHANGE)
B2 a small change:
She made a few minor adjustments to the focus of her camera.
adjustment / əˈdʒʌst.mənt / noun [ C or U ] (BECOMING FAMILIAR)
the ability to become more familiar with a new situation:
He has so far failed to make the adjustment from school to work.
adjustment
/ədʒʌstmənt/
(adjustments)
1.
An adjustment is a small change that is made to something such as a machine or a way of doing something.
Compensation could be made by adjustments to taxation...
Investment is up by 5.7% after adjustment for inflation.
N-COUNT: oft N to/for/in n
2.
An adjustment is a change in a person’s behaviour or thinking.
He will have to make major adjustments to his thinking if he is to survive in office.
N-COUNT: oft N to n
ad·just·ment
1 : the act or process of adjusting
2 : a settlement of a claim or debt in a case in which the amount involved is uncertain or full payment is not made
3 : the state of being adjusted
4 : a means (as a mechanism) by which things are adjusted one to another
5 : a correction or modification to reflect actual conditions
–ad·just·men·tal \ə-ˌjəs(t)-'men-təl, ˌa-ˌjəs(t)-\ adjective
a very important change in the way that people do things
Urban planning in this area requires a revolution in the whole system.
revolution
noun
1 a fight by people against their government in order to put a new government in its place:
The French Revolution was in 1789.
2 a big change in the way of doing things:
the Industrial Revolution
revolution
rev‧o‧lu‧tion S3 W2 AC /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑revolution, ↑revolutionary; verb: ↑revolutionize; adjective: ↑revolutionary]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin revolutio, from revolvere; ⇨ ↑revolve]
1. [countable] a complete change in ways of thinking, methods of working etc
revolution in
In the last ten years there has been a revolution in education.
social/cultural/sexual etc revolution
the biggest social revolution we have had in this country
the sexual revolution of the 1960s ⇨ ↑Industrial Revolution
2. [uncountable and countable] a time when people change a ruler or political system by using force or violence ⇨ revolt, rebellion:
the French Revolution of 1789
The role of women has changed since the revolution.
The country seems to be heading towards revolution. ⇨ ↑counter-revolution
3.
a) [uncountable and countable] a circular movement around something ⇨ revolve
revolution around
the planets’ revolution around the sun
b) [countable] one complete circular spinning movement, made by something such as a wheel attached to a central point ⇨ revolve:
a speed of 100 revolutions per minute
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ revolt/rebellion/uprising an attempt by a large group of people at revolution: a popular uprising (=involving ordinary people, not the army)
▪ coup /kuː/ an occasion when a group of people, especially soldiers, suddenly take control of a country: a military coup
revolution
revo·lu·tion AW [revolution revolutions] [ˌrevəˈluːʃn] [ˌrevəˈluːʃn] noun
1. countable, uncountable an attempt, by a large number of people, to change the government of a country, especially by violent action
• a socialist revolution
• the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789
• to start a revolution
• a country on the brink of revolution
see also counter-revolution, revolt
2. countable a great change in conditions, ways of working, beliefs, etc. that affects large numbers of people
• a cultural/social/scientific, etc. revolution
• ~ in sth A revolution in information technology is taking place.
see also Industrial Revolution
3. countable, uncountable ~ (around/on sth) a complete circular movement around a point, especially of one planet around another
• the revolution of the earth around the sun
see also revolve
4. (also informal rev) countable a circular movement made by sth fixed to a central point, for example in a car engine
• rotating at 300 revolutions per minute
See also: rev
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin revolutio(n-), from revolvere ‘roll back’, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + volvere ‘roll’.
Thesaurus:
revolution noun
1. C, U
• The shooting of 30 people started a revolution.
coup • • uprising • • revolt • • rebellion • • mutiny • |formal insurgency •
a/an revolution/coup/uprising/revolt/rebellion against sb/sth
(a) violent revolution/uprising/rebellion
stage/lead a/an revolution/coup/revolt/rebellion/mutiny
2. C
• A technological revolution is taking place.
reversal • • turnaround • • a change of heart • |written sea change • |informal, especially journalism U-turn •
a revolution/reversal/turnaround/sea change /U-turn in sth
undergo a revolution/change of heart/sea change
represent a revolution/reversal/turnaround/change of heart
bring about a revolution/reversal/change of heart
Collocations:
Politics
Power
create/form/be the leader of a political party
gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
seize/take control of the government/power
bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
be forced/removed/driven from office/power
resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over sth)
get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
lobby/put pressure on the government (to do sth)
come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
formulate/implement domestic economic policy
change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
invest (heavily) in/spend sth on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
nationalize the banks/the oil industry
promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
a/the budget is approved/ (especially NAmE) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
get/require/be decided by a majority vote
more collocations at economy, voting
Example Bank:
• As the 18th century wore on, an agricultural revolution took place.
• Doctors have welcomed the fitness revolution.
• He achieved a virtual revolution in the way music is recorded.
• How long does it take for the planet Jupiter to make a complete revolution around the sun?
• Jupiter makes a complete revolution around the sun every 12 years.
• Marketing has undergone a revolution in recent years.
• One full revolution of the knob will open the hatch.
• Some Marxists still believe that socialism will one day triumph through world revolution.
• The activists were charged with fomenting revolution.
• The coming of television brought about a revolution in people's leisure activities.
• The computer revolution has transformed the workplace.
• The earth turns through one complete revolution approximately every twenty-four hours.
• The last decade has seen a revolution in telecommunications.
• There has been a quiet revolution in the way writing is taught.
• There has been a revolution going on in farming during the last five years.
• Thousands of people were killed in the bloody revolution that toppled the government.
• a revolution against communist rule
• the failed 1911 revolution
• the revolution which overthrew the old regime
• The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France.
• The country appears to be on the brink of revolution.
• The disk rotates at up to 500 revolutions per minute.
• The revolution of the earth around the sun takes one year.
• The shooting and killing of thirty people started a revolution.
• a cultural/social/scientific revolution
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
revolution / ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ C or U ] (POLITICS)
B2 a change in the way a country is governed, usually to a different political system and often using violence or war:
The French Revolution changed France from a monarchy to a republic.
The country seems to be heading towards revolution.
revolution / ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ C ] (CHANGE)
B2 a very important change in the way that people do things:
a technological revolution
Penicillin produced a revolution in medicine.
revolution / ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun (CIRCULAR MOVEMENT)
[ S ] a circular movement:
The revolution of the Earth around the sun was proposed by Copernicus.
[ C ] one complete circular movement of something, for example a wheel:
Engine speed can be measured in revolutions per minute ( abbreviation rpm ).
revolution
/revəlu:ʃ(ə)n/
(revolutions)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A revolution is a successful attempt by a large group of people to change the political system of their country by force.
The period since the revolution has been one of political turmoil.
N-COUNT
2.
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
The nineteenth century witnessed a revolution in ship design and propulsion.
N-COUNT: with supp
revolution
rev·o·lu·tion /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃən/ noun, pl -tions
1 a : the usually violent attempt by many people to end the rule of one government and start a new one
[count]
• the American/French Revolution
• The group started a revolution.
[noncount]
• The king knew that there was a threat of revolution.
- see also counterrevolution
b [count] : a sudden, extreme, or complete change in the way people live, work, etc.
• This new theory could cause a revolution in elementary education.
• the computer revolution [=the changes created by the widespread use of computers]
• The growth of the middle class forced a social revolution. [=a major change in society]
• the sexual revolution [=a major change in people's attitudes about sex]
- see also industrial revolution
2 technical
a : the action of moving around something in a path that is similar to a circle : rotation
[count]
• the revolution of the Earth around the Sun
[noncount]
• The period of revolution of the Earth around the Sun is equal to one year.
b [count] : a complete turn that is made by something around its center point or line
• The Earth makes one revolution on its axis in about 24 hours.
• This motor operates at a speed of 5,000 revolutions per minute.
a small, round, or oval object produced by a plant and from which, when it is planted, a new plant can grow
Sow the seeds about three centimetres deep.
seed
noun
the small hard part of a plant from which a new plant grows
seed
I. seed1 S3 W3 /siːd/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: sæd]
1. PLANTS
a) [uncountable and countable] a small hard object produced by plants, from which a new plant of the same kind grows:
a packet of sunflower seeds
plant/sow seeds (=put them in the soil)
Sow the seeds one inch deep in the soil.
grow something from seed
We grew all our tomatoes from seed.
b) [uncountable] a quantity of seeds:
Some of the poorest farmers don’t have enough money to buy seed.
2.
IN FRUIT [countable] American English one of the small hard objects in a fruit such as an apple or orange, from which new fruit trees grow SYN pip British English
3. seeds of something written something that makes a new situation start to grow and develop
seeds of change/victory
The seeds of change in Eastern Europe were beginning to emerge.
seeds of doubt/disaster/destruction etc (=something which makes a bad feeling or situation develop)
Something Lucy said began to sow seeds of doubt in his mind.
4. go/run to seed
a) if a plant or vegetable goes or runs to seed, it starts producing flowers and seeds as well as leaves
b) if someone or something goes or runs to seed, they become less attractive or good, especially because they are getting old and have not been properly looked after:
The old central bus station is going to seed.
5. number one/two/three etc seed [countable] a player or team in a competition that is given a particular position, according to how likely they are to win:
He’s been top seed for the past two years.
6. SEX [uncountable] biblical ↑semen or ↑sperm – often used humorously
7. FAMILY [uncountable] biblical the group of people who have a particular person as their father, grandfather etc, especially when they form a particular race
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ plant/sow seeds (=put them in the soil) Sow the seeds in trays or pots.
▪ grow something from seed (=grow a plant from a seed rather than buying it as a small plant) You can grow most vegetables from seed.
▪ seeds germinate (=start to grow) The seeds should start to germinate after a few days.
■ NOUN + seed
▪ flower/sunflower/tomato etc seeds I bought a packet of poppy seeds.
▪ grass seed You can sprinkle grass seed over any gaps in the lawn.
seed
seed [seed seeds seeded seeding] noun, verb [siːd] [siːd]
noun
OF PLANTS/FRUIT
1. countable, uncountable the small hard part produced by a plant, from which a new plant can grow
• a packet of wild flower seeds
• sesame seeds
• Sow the seeds outdoors in spring.
• These vegetables can be grown from seed.
• seed potatoes (= used for planting)
see also birdseed
2. countable (NAmE) = pip (2)
BEGINNING
3. countable, usually plural ~ (of sth) the beginning of a feeling or a development which continues to grow
• the seeds of rebellion
• This planted the seeds of doubt in my mind.
IN TENNIS
4. countable (especially in tennis) one of the best players in a competition. The seeds are given a position in a list to try and make sure that they do not play each other in the early parts of the competition
• The top seed won comfortably.
• the number one seed
OF A MAN
5. uncountable (old-fashioned or humorous) semen
6. uncountable (literary) all the people who are the children, grandchildren, etc. of one man
more at sow the seeds of sth at sow v.
Word Origin:
Old English sǣd, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zaad, German Saat, also to sow1.
Collocations:
The living world
Animals
animals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on sth)
fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)
birds fly/migrate/nest/sing
insects crawl/fly/bite/sting
insects/bees/locusts swarm
bees collect/gather nectar/pollen
spiders spin/weave a web
snakes/lizards shed their skins
bears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernate
insect larvae grow/develop/pupate
an egg/a chick/a larva hatches
attract/find/choose a mate
produce/release eggs/sperm
lay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggs
inhabit a forest/a reef/the coast
mark/enter/defend (a) territory
stalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill prey
Plants and fungi
trees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flower
a seed germinates/sprouts
leaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/form
flower buds swell/open
a fungus grows/spreads/colonizes sth
pollinate/fertilize a flower/plant
produce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/spores
produce/bear fruit
develop/grow/form roots/shoots/leaves
provide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrients
perform/increase/reduce photosynthesis
Bacteria and viruses
bacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiply
bacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on sth
bacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize sth/cause disease
bacteria break sth down/convert sth (into sth)
a virus enters/invades sth/the body
a virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)
be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteria
contain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a virus
kill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria
Example Bank:
• Cutting weeds before they go to seed will greatly reduce future weed problems.
• Each fruit usually contains a single seed.
• He argued that capitalism contained the seeds of its own destruction.
• Most seeds are spread by the wind.
• Peel the peppers and remove the seeds.
• She grew all the broccoli plants from seed.
• She was the top seed at the US Open this year.
• The catalogue has hundreds of different varieties of seeds.
• The plant will set seed in June.
• This tree produces very hard seeds.
• Venus Williams was the top seed at Wimbledon this year.
• the transformation of Tracy from good girl to bad seed
• I bought some seeds to plant in the garden.
• She hesitated, not wishing to sow the seeds of rebellion.
• Sow the seeds outdoors in spring.
• Those vegetables can be grown from seed.
• You can buy seed potatoes from garden centres or by mail order.
• apple/orange seeds
• coriander/cumin/mustard/poppy/pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds
Idiom: go to seed
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
seed / siːd / noun (PLANT)
B2 [ C or U ] a small, round, or oval object produced by a plant and from which, when it is planted, a new plant can grow:
Sow the seeds (= put them in the ground) about three centimetres deep.
The chemical will stop all seeds from sprouting (= starting to grow) .
The farmers grow these crops for seed (= for planting to grow more crops, rather than for eating) .
[ U ] literary → semen go/run to seed If a food plant goes or runs to seed, it produces flowers and seeds because it has not been picked early enough:
In hot weather lettuces can suddenly run to seed.
If a person or place goes or runs to seed, their physical appearance becomes worse because no one cares for them:
After he retired, he really went to seed.
seed / siːd / noun (BEGINNING)
C2 [ C usually plural ] the cause of a feeling or situation, or the early stages of it:
The seeds of friendship were sown early, and they remained lifelong companions.
He may be sowing the seeds of his own destruction in the long term by using violence against his own people.
seed / siːd / noun [ C ] (SPORT)
especially in tennis, a good player who is given a place on the list of those expected to win games in a particular competition because of the way they have played in the past:
Turner's opponent in the quarter-finals of the darts is the number one seed.
seed
[si͟ːd]
♦♦
seeds, seeding, seeded
1) N-VAR A seed is the small, hard part of a plant from which a new plant grows.
...a packet of cabbage seed...
I sow the seed in pots of soil-based compost.
...sunflower seeds.
2) VERB If you seed a piece of land, you plant seeds in it.
[V n] Men mowed the wide lawns and seeded them...
[V pron-refl] The primroses should begin to seed themselves down the steep hillside.
[V-ed] ...his newly seeded lawns.
Syn:
sow
3) N-PLURAL: N of n You can refer to the seeds of something when you want to talk about the beginning of a feeling or process that gradually develops and becomes stronger or more important. [LITERARY]
He raised questions meant to plant seeds of doubts in the minds of jurors...
He considered that there were, in these developments, the seeds of a new moral order.
4) N-COUNT: usu supp N, oft ord/num N In sports such as tennis or badminton, a seed is a player who has been ranked according to his or her ability. [TECHNICAL]
...Pete Sampras, Wimbledon's top seed and the world No.1...
In the final Capriati, the third seed, defeated Katerina Maleeva.
5) VERB: usu passive When a player or a team is seeded in a sports competition, they are ranked according to their ability. [TECHNICAL]
[be V-ed adv/prep] In the UEFA Cup the top 16 sides are seeded for the first round...
[be V-ed adv/prep] He now meets Richey Reneberg, seeded eight...
[V-ed] The top four seeded nations are through to the semi-finals.
Syn:
ranked
6) PHRASE: V inflects If vegetable plants go to seed or run to seed, they produce flowers and seeds as well as leaves.
If unused, winter radishes run to seed in spring.
7) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone or something has gone to seed or run to seed, you mean that they have become much less attractive, healthy, or efficient.
He says the economy has gone to seed...
He was a big man in his forties; once he had a lot of muscle but now he was running to seed.
1seed /ˈsiːd/ noun, pl seeds
1 : a small object produced by a plant from which a new plant can grow
[count]
• a packet of sunflower seeds
• He planted/sowed the seeds three inches apart.
• (US) apple/orange seeds [=(Brit) pips]
[noncount]
• She raked the grass seed into the soil.
• She grows her plants from seed. [=by planting seeds rather than by some other method]
- see color picture
2 [count] : the beginning of something which continues to develop or grow
• Her comment planted/sowed a seed of doubt in his mind. [=caused him to begin to have doubts]
• The government's policies planted/sowed the seeds of war/destruction. [=created a situation that led to war/destruction]
3 [count] : a player or team that is ranked as one of the best in a competition (such as a tennis tournament) in order to be sure that the best players or teams do not play against each other in the early part of the competition
• The top seed won the tournament.
• Our team is the number one seed.
• She is ranked as the third seed.
4 [noncount]
a literary : all the children, grandchildren, etc., of a particular man
• the seed of Abraham
b old-fashioned + humorous : a man's semen
• a man spreading his seed [=fathering many children]
go to seed or run to seed
1 : to produce seeds
• The flowers will go to seed and spread.
• The plant runs to seed rapidly in hot weather.
2 : to become less attractive, effective, etc., because of age or lack of care
• He let himself go to seed after he lost his job.
continuing to exist or be left after other parts or things have been used or taken away
Bernstein's remaining lecture will take place on 22 January .
remaining
adjective
continuing to exist or stay after other people or things have gone or been used:
They spent the remaining two days of their holiday on the beach.
remaining
re‧main‧ing W2 /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[Word Family: noun: the remainder, ↑remainder, ↑remains; verb: ↑remain; adjective: ↑remaining]
the remaining people or things are those that are left when the others have gone, been used, or been dealt with:
The few remaining guests were in the kitchen.
Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
The only remaining question is whether we can raise the money.
remaining
re·main·ing 7 [remaining] [rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ] [rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ] adjective only before noun
still needing to be done or dealt with
• The remaining twenty patients were transferred to another hospital.
• Any remaining tickets for the concert will be sold on the door.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
remaining / rɪˈmeɪ.nɪŋ / adjective [ before noun ]
B2 continuing to exist or be left after other parts or things have been used or taken away:
Bernstein's remaining lecture will take place on 22 January .
Mix in half the butter and keep the remaining 50 g for later.
remaining
[rɪme͟ɪnɪŋ]
♦♦♦
1) ADJ: ADJ n The remaining things or people out of a group are the things or people that still exist, are still present, or have not yet been dealt with.
The three parties will meet next month to work out remaining differences...
The United States has withdrawn the remaining staff from its embassy...
Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- remaining adj
• Add the remaining ingredients to the sauce.
• a few remaining guests
