a group of people who have come together for the same purpose
The disgraced minister walked swiftly from the car to his house pursued by a whole posse of reporters.
posse
pos‧se /ˈpɒsi $ ˈpɑːsi/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: posse comitatus 'power of the county']
1. informal a group of the same kind of people
posse of
I was surrounded by a posse of photographers.
2. a group of men gathered together by a ↑sheriff (=local law officer) in the US in past times to help catch a criminal
3. American English informal
a) someone’s group of friends – used especially by young people
b) a group of friends from a particular place who share an interest in ↑rap, HIP-HOP, or ↑house music SYN massive British English
posse
posse [posse posses] [ˈpɒsi] [ˈpɑːsi] noun
1. (informal) a group of people who are similar in some way, or who spend time together
• a little posse of helpers
2. (in the US in the past) a group of people who were brought together by a sheriff (= an officer of the law) in order to help him catch a criminal
3. (informal) a group of young men involved in crime connected with drugs
Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin, literally power, from Latin posse ‘be able’.
Example Bank:
• He was sat at a corner table and surrounded by a posse of attentive waiters.
• She arrived at the theatre followed by the usual press posse.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
posse / ˈpɒs.i / / ˈpɑː.si / noun [ C , + sing/pl verb ]
a group of people who have come together for the same purpose:
The disgraced minister walked swiftly from the car to his house pursued by a whole posse of reporters.
in the past, a group of men in the US who were brought together to catch a criminal:
The sheriff rounded up a posse and went after the bank robbers.
slang a group of friends:
I was hanging with my posse.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
posse
[pɒ̱si]
posses
1) N-COUNT: N of n A posse of people is a group of people with the same job or purpose. [INFORMAL]
He refused to engage in conversation with a posse of reporters when leaving Belmont...
A posse of Marsh's friends persuaded them that this was a bad idea.
Syn:
group
2) N-COUNT In former times, in the United States, a posse was a group of men who were brought together by the local law officer to help him chase and capture a criminal.
posse
pos·se /ˈpɑːsi/ noun, pl -ses [count]
1 : a group of people who were gathered together by a sheriff in the past to help search for a criminal
• The sheriff and his posse rode out to look for the bandits.
2 informal : a group of people who are together for a particular purpose - often + of
• A posse of reporters greeted the coach.
3 informal : a group of friends : gang
• I went to the game with my posse.
• The movie star and his posse [=(more formally) entourage] were seen at the new restaurant.
containing a lot of fat
Goose is a very fatty meat.
fatty
I. fat‧ty1 /ˈfæti/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑fat, ↑fattening, ↑fatty, ↑fatted; noun: ↑fat, ↑fatty; verb: ↑fatten]
containing a lot of fat:
fatty foods
fatty
fatty [fatty fatties fattier fattiest] adjective, noun [ˈfæti] [ˈfæti]
adjective (fat·tier, fat·ti·est)
containing a lot of fat; consisting of fat
• fatty foods
• fatty tissue
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
fatty / ˈfæt.i / / ˈfæt̬- / adjective
C1 containing a lot of fat:
Goose is a very fatty meat.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
fatty
[fæ_ti]
fattier, fattiest, fatties
1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Fatty food contains a lot of fat.
Don't eat fatty food or chocolates...
The report dispels the myth that Northerners have a fattier diet than people in the south.
2) ADJ: ADJ n Fatty acids or fatty tissues, for example, contain or consist of fat.
...fatty acids...
The woman lost about 1.8kg of fatty tissue during the week's fast.
3) N-COUNT (disapproval) If you call someone a fatty, you are criticizing or insulting them for being fat. [INFORMAL]
Consuming this amount of food could turn these fit players into fatties...
`Get another one, Fatty,' said Jerry.
1fat·ty /ˈfæti/ adj fat·ti·er; -est [more ~; most ~] : containing fat and especially a large amount of fat
• a rather fatty steak
• fatty tissue
• I try to avoid fatty foods.
(of a plant) to become weak and begin to bend towards the ground, or (of a person) to become weaker, tired, or less confident
Cut flowers will soon wilt without water.
wilt
I. wilt1 /wɪlt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
1. if a plant wilts, it bends over because it is too dry or old ⇨ droop
2. informal to feel weak or tired, especially because you are too hot
II. wilt2 BrE AmE verb old use
thou wilt you will
wilt
wilt [wilt wilts wilted wilting] [wɪlt] [wɪlt] verb
1. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) if a plant or flower wilts, or sth wilts it, it bends towards the ground because of the heat or a lack of water
Syn: droop
2. intransitive (informal) to become weak or tired or less confident
Syn: flag
• The spectators were wilting visibly in the hot sun.
• He was wilting under the pressure of work.
3. thou wilt (old use) used to mean ‘you will’, when talking to one person
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
senses 1 to 2 late 17th cent. (originally dialect): perhaps an alteration of dialect welk ‘lose freshness’, of Low German origin.
Example Bank:
• By half-time, the team was wilting under the pressure.
• Some of the leaves were beginning to wilt.
• The passengers were visibly wilting with the heat and movement of the bus.
• The plants will wilt in direct sunlight.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
wilt / wɪlt / verb [ I ]
wilt
(of a plant) to become weak and begin to bend towards the ground, or (of a person) to become weaker, tired, or less confident:
Cut flowers will soon wilt without water.
After only an hour's walking they were beginning to wilt in the heat.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
wilt
[wɪ̱lt]
wilts, wilting, wilted
1) VERB If a plant wilts, it gradually bends downwards and becomes weak because it needs more water or is dying.
The roses wilted the day after she bought them...
[V-ed] Remove any damaged or wilted leaves.
2) VERB If someone wilts, they become weak or tired, or lose confidence.
She soon wilted in the morning heat...
The government wilted in the face of such powerful pressure.
1wilt /ˈwɪlt/ verb wilts; wilt·ed; wilt·ing
1 of a plant : to bend over because of not having enough water
[no obj]
• The roses were wilting.
[+ obj]
• The hot weather wilted the plants.
2 [no obj]
a : to become weak and tired especially because of hot weather
• The crowd wilted in the heat.
b : to lose energy, confidence, effectiveness, etc.
• He wilted under the pressure.
the main or central point of something, especially of attention or interest
I think Dave likes to be the focus of attention .
focus
noun (no plural)
special attention that is given to somebody or something:
It was the main focus of attention at the meeting.
in focus, out of focus If a photograph is in focus, it is clear. If it is out of focus, it is not.
II. focus2 S3 W2 AC BrE AmE noun
1. [singular] the thing, person, situation etc that people pay special attention to ⇨ focal:
The focus of recent research has been on environmental issues.
focus of
The war in Afghanistan had become the focus of media attention.
The focus of interest in the series is what goes on in everyday life.
Another focus of feminist debate has been the film industry.
I shall now turn to the main focus of this essay.
Eggs became the focus for the food poisoning scare.
The focus of the conference shifted from population growth to the education of women.
2. [uncountable] if your focus is on something, that is the thing you are giving most attention to
focus on
Our main focus is on helping people get back into work.
a shift of focus
3. come into focus/bring something into focus if something comes into focus, or you bring it into focus, people start to talk about it and pay attention to it:
These issues have recently come into sharp focus (=people have started to talk about them a lot).
4. in focus/out of focus if a photograph or an instrument such as a camera is in focus, you can see the picture clearly. If it is out of focus, you cannot see the picture clearly.
5. [uncountable] the clearness of the picture seen through an instrument such as a camera:
He raised his binoculars and adjusted the focus.
noun (pl. fo·cuses or foci [ˈfəʊsaɪ] ; [ˈfoʊsaɪ] )
1. uncountable, countable, usually singular the thing or person that people are most interested in; the act of paying special attention to sth and making people interested in it
• It was the main focus of attention at the meeting.
• ~ for sth His comments provided a focus for debate.
• ~ on sth We shall maintain our focus on the needs of the customer.
• In today's lecture the focus will be on tax structures within the European Union.
• The incident brought the problem of violence in schools into sharp focus.
• What we need now is a change of focus (= to look at things in a different way).
2. uncountable a point or distance at which the outline of an object is clearly seen by the eye or through a lens
• The children's faces are badly out of focus (= not clearly shown) in the photograph.
• The binoculars were not in focus (= were not showing things clearly).
3. (also ˈfocal point) countable (physics) a point at which waves of light, sound, etc. meet after reflection or refraction; the point from which waves of light, sound, etc. seem to come
4. countable (geology) the point at which an earthquake starts to happen
Word Origin:
mid 17th cent. (as a term in geometry and physics): from Latin, literally domestic hearth.
Thesaurus:
focus noun U, C, usually sing.
• His comments provided a focus for debate.
focal point • • hub • • heart • |BrE centre • |AmE center •
an important focus/focal point/hub
act/serve as a focus/focal point/centre
give sth/provide a focus/focal point
Example Bank:
• Cities have always acted as the principal focus of political life.
• He found he was now their main focus of attention.
• I found the focus of the debate too narrow.
• I've directed my focus towards/toward developing my skills.
• Our primary focus this term will be on group work.
• She became a focus for all his anger.
• The binoculars were not in focus.
• The children's faces are badly out of focus in the photograph.
• The company's restructuring is designed to give a sharper focus on key growth markets.
• The focus has now shifted towards the problem of long-term unemployment.
• The legal team tried to shift the focus onto the victim.
• The media focus has now shifted onto something else.
• The problem with your plan is that it doesn't have a clear focus.
• The question of compensation comes into focus.
• The restructuring is designed to give a sharper focus on key markets.
• This case has brought the problem of drug abuse in schools into sharp focus.
• When I got glasses suddenly the whole world came into focus.
• an increased focus on younger people
• soft focus shots of cuddly animals
• the focus of my research
• In today's lecture the focus will be on tax structures within the European Union.
• What we need now is a change of focus.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
focus / ˈfəʊ.kəs / / ˈfoʊ- / noun [ C ] ( plural focuses or formal foci ) (CENTRE)
C1 the main or central point of something, especially of attention or interest:
I think Dave likes to be the focus of attention .
The main focus of interest at the fashion show was Christian Lacroix's outrageous evening wear.
The media focus on politicians' private lives inevitably switches the attention away from the real issues.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
focus
[fo͟ʊsaɪ]
♦♦
focuses, focusing, focused
(The spellings focusses, focussing, focussed are also used. The plural of the noun can be either foci or focuses.)
1) V-ERG If you focus on a particular topic or if your attention is focused on it, you concentrate on it and think about it, discuss it, or deal with it, rather than dealing with other topics.
[V on n] The research effort has focused on tracing the effects of growing levels of five compounds...
[V on n] He is currently focusing on assessment and development...
[V n on n] Today he was able to focus his message exclusively on the economy...
[V n on n] Many of the papers focus their attention on the controversy surrounding statements reportedly made by the Foreign Secretary.
Syn:
concentrate
2) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp The focus of something is the main topic or main thing that it is concerned with.
The UN's role in promoting peace is increasingly the focus of international attention...
The new system is the focus of controversy...
Her children are the main focus of her life.
3) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp, oft N on n Your focus on something is the special attention that you pay it.
He said his sudden focus on foreign policy was not motivated by presidential politics...
The report's focus is on how technology affects human life rather than business...
IBM has also shifted its focus from mainframes to personal computers.
4) N-UNCOUNT If you say that something has a focus, you mean that you can see a purpose in it.
Somehow, though, their latest LP has a focus that the others have lacked...
Suddenly all of the bizarre and seemingly isolated examples took on a meaningful focus.
5) V-ERG If you focus your eyes or if your eyes focus, your eyes adjust so that you can clearly see the thing that you want to look at. If you focus a camera, telescope, or other instrument, you adjust it so that you can see clearly through it.
[V n] Kelly couldn't focus his eyes well enough to tell if the figure was male or female...
[V on n] His eyes slowly began to focus on what looked like a small dark ball...
[V n on n] He found the binoculars and focused them on the boat...
[V-ed] Had she kept the camera focused on the river bank she might have captured a vital scene. [Also V]
6) N-UNCOUNT You use focus to refer to the fact of adjusting your eyes or a camera, telescope, or other instrument, and to the degree to which you can see clearly.
His focus switched to the little white ball...
Together these factors determine the depth of focus...
It has no manual focus facility.
7) VERB If you focus rays of light on a particular point, you pass them through a lens or reflect them from a mirror so that they meet at that point.
[V n prep] Magnetic coils focus the electron beams into fine spots.
8) N-COUNT The focus of a number of rays or lines is the point at which they meet. [TECHNICAL]
9) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If an image or a camera, telescope, or other instrument is in focus, the edges of what you see are clear and sharp.
Pictures should be in focus, with realistic colours and well composed groups.
Ant:
out of focus
10) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If something is in focus, it is being discussed or its purpose and nature are clear.
This aggression is the real issue the world should be concerned about. We want to keep that in focus...
These issues were brought into sharp focus by the Gulf crisis.
Ant:
out of focus
11) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If an image or a camera, telescope, or other instrument is out of focus, the edges of what you see are unclear.
In some of the pictures the subjects are out of focus while the background is sharp.
...a lot of out-of-focus photographs.
Ant:
in focus
12) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If something is out of focus, it is not being discussed or its purpose or nature is not clear.
The deficit in the US balance of payments put these considerations out of focus...
The movement towards democracy in Latin America and the foreign debt problems that have plagued it have gone out of focus.
Ant:
in focus
1fo·cus
1 a : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system b : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)
2 a : FOCAL LENGTH b : adjustment for distinct vision also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image c : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding <tried to bring the issues into focus> d : DIRECTION 6C <the team lost focus>
3 : one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section
4 : a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection
5 a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention <the focus of the meeting was drug abuse> b : a point of concentration
6 : the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake
7 : directed attention : EMPHASIS
–fo·cus·less \-ləs\ adjective
–in focus : having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing
–out of focus : not in focus
in sport, to fail to catch a ball
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi.
هزار و یک، هزار و دو، هزار و سه
Fumble!
فامبل شد!
What the hell's the matter with you?
تو چه مرگته؟
his is my favorite jersey.
این پیرهن مورد علاقه منه
well, now you have two.
خوب الان دوتاشو داری
If Wilson hadn't fumbled that catch , we might have won the match.
fumble
fum‧ble /ˈfʌmbəl/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language]
1. (also fumble around) [intransitive and transitive] to try to hold, move, or find something with your hands in an awkward way
fumble at/in/with
She dressed, her cold fingers fumbling with the buttons.
fumble for
I fumbled around in my bag for a cigarette.
She reached round to fumble the light on.
2. [intransitive and transitive] if you fumble with your words when you are speaking, you have difficulty saying something
fumble for
Asked for an explanation, Mike had fumbled for words.
The second candidate fumbled her lines.
3. [intransitive and transitive] to drop a ball after catching it:
Quarterback Rattay was hit and fumbled the ball.
fumble
fum·ble [fumble fumbles fumbled fumbling] verb, noun [ˈfʌmbl] [ˈfʌmbl]
verb
1. intransitive, transitive to use your hands in an awkward way when you are doing sth or looking for sth
• ~ (at/with/in sth) (for sth) She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief.
• He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
• ~ around She was fumbling around in the dark looking for the light switch.
• ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He fumbled the key into the ignition.
• ~ to do sth I fumbled to zip up my jacket.
2. intransitive, transitive to have difficulty speaking clearly or finding the right words to say
• ~ (for sth) During the interview, she fumbled helplessly for words.
• ~ sth to fumble an announcement
3. transitive ~ sth (especially in sport) to drop a ball or to fail to stop or kick it
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Low German fommeln or Dutch fommelen.
Thesaurus:
fumble verb I, T (usually used with an adverb or preposition)
• She was fumbling around in the dark, looking for the light switch.
grope • • feel • • rummage • • fish • |especially BrE scrabble •
fumble/grope/feel/rummage/fish/scrabble around/about
fumble/grope/feel/rummage/fish around/scrabble for sth
fumble / ˈfʌm.bl̩ / verb [ T ] (SPORT)
in sport, to fail to catch a ball:
If Wilson hadn't fumbled that catch , we might have won the match.
fumble / ˈfʌm.bl̩ / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] (DO STH AWKWARDLY)
to do something awkwardly, especially when using your hands:
I fumbled with the lock.
He fumbled in his pockets for some change.
She fumbled around/about in her handbag, looking for her key.
They fumbled around/about (= moved awkwardly) in the dark, trying to find their way out of the cinema.
fumble / ˈfʌm.bl̩ / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] (THINK OF A WORD)
to have difficulty saying or thinking of suitable words:
I was fumbling for the right word.
fumble
[fʌ̱mb(ə)l]
fumbles, fumbling, fumbled
1) VERB If you fumble for something or fumble with something, you try and reach for it or hold it in a clumsy way.
[V for/with/in n] She crept from the bed and fumbled for her dressing gown...
[V for/with/in n] He fumbled with the buttons at the neck...
[V n] He fumbled his one-handed attempt to light his cigarette.
2) VERB When you are trying to say something, if you fumble for the right words, you speak in a clumsy and unclear way.
[V for n] I fumbled for something to say...
[V n] He fumbled his lines, not knowing what he was going to say. [Also V]
fumble
fum·ble /ˈfʌmbəl/ verb fum·bles; fum·bled; fum·bling
1 [no obj] : to search for something by reaching or touching with your fingers in an awkward or clumsy way
• She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
• He fumbled (around) for the light switch.
- often used figuratively
• She fumbled for an answer but couldn't think of one.
2 : to handle something in an awkward or clumsy way
[no obj]
- usually + with
• She fumbled with her keys as she tried to unlock the door.
[+ obj]
• They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
3 sports : to fail to catch or hold the ball
[no obj]
• He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
[+ obj]
• He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
a piece of clothing, made from wool or cotton and worn on the upper part of the body, that has sleeves and does not open at the front
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi.
هزار و یک، هزار و دو، هزار و سه
Fumble!
فامبل شد!
What the hell's the matter with you?
تو چه مرگته؟
his is my favorite jersey.
این پیرهن مورد علاقه منه
well, now you have two.
خوب الان دوتاشو داری
Where can I find replica Iranian soccer jerseys?
jersey
noun (jerseys)
a warm piece of clothing with sleeves, that you wear on the top part of your body. Jerseys are often made of wool. Look at the note at sweater.
jersey
jer‧sey /ˈdʒɜːzi $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Jersey, island in the English Channel]
1. [countable] a shirt made of soft material, worn by players of sports such as football and ↑rugby
2. [countable] British English a piece of clothing made of wool that covers the upper part of your body and your arms SYN sweater
3. [uncountable] a soft material made of cotton or wool
jersey
jer·sey [jersey jerseys] [ˈdʒɜːzi] [ˈdʒɜːrzi] noun
1. countable a shirt worn by sb playing a sports game
2. countable a knitted piece of clothing made of wool or cotton for the upper part of the body, with long sleeves and no buttons; a type of sweater
3. uncountable a type of soft fine knitted cloth used for making clothes
• made from 100% cotton jersey
4. Jersey countable a type of light brown cow that produces high quality milk
5. Jerseythe largest of the Channel Islands, off the north-west coast of France. The main town is St Helier. Jersey has its own government and tax system but has strong links with Britain, and is popular with British tourists. Both English and French are spoken on the island. It is known for its fruit and vegetables (particularly tomatoes and new potatoes called Jersey Royals). The item of clothing called a jersey takes its name from a type of knitted material originally made on the island.
6. Jersey(in the US) another name for the state of New Jersey.
Word Origin:
late 16th cent. (denoting woollen worsted fabric made in Jersey): from Jersey..
Example Bank:
• Where can I find replica Iranian soccer jerseys?
jersey / ˈdʒɜː.zi / / ˈdʒɝː- / noun (CLOTHING)
[ C ] a piece of clothing, made from wool or cotton and worn on the upper part of the body, that has sleeves and does not open at the front
[ C ] a shirt that is worn by a member of a sports team
jersey / ˈdʒɜː.zi / / ˈdʒɝː- / noun [ U ] (CLOTH)
soft thin cloth, usually made from wool, cotton, or silk, that is used for making clothes:
100 percent cotton jersey
Jersey / ˈdʒɜː.zi / / ˈdʒɝː- / noun [ C ]
a type of pale brown cow that produces milk that is rich in cream
Jersey
Jerseys
N-COUNT: oft N n
A Jersey cow or a Jersey is a light brown cow that produces very creamy milk.
jersey
[ʤɜ͟ː(r)zi]
♦♦♦
jerseys
1) N-COUNT A jersey is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and your arms and does not open at the front. Jerseys are usually worn over a shirt or blouse. [OLD-FASHIONED]
His grey jersey and trousers were sodden with the rain.
Syn:
jumper, sweater, pullover
2) N-VAR: oft N n Jersey is a knitted, slightly stretchy fabric used especially to make women's clothing.
Sheila had come to dinner in a black jersey top.
jersey
jer·sey /ˈʤɚzi/ noun, pl -seys
1 [count]
a : a loose shirt worn by a member of a sports team as part of a uniform
• a football jersey
b : a shirt made of knitted cloth
2 [count] Brit : sweater a
3 [noncount] : a soft knitted cloth
• The dress is made of cotton/wool jersey.
4 Jersey [count] : a type of small and light brown cow that produces rich milk
• We keep a herd of Jerseys.
• Jersey cows
a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good
Patience is a virtue.
virtue
noun
behaviour that shows high moral standards; a good quality or habit:
a life of virtue
He has many virtues.
virtue
vir‧tue W3 /ˈvɜːtʃuː $ ˈvɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: virtu, from Latin virtus 'strength, virtue', from vir 'man']
1. [uncountable] formal moral goodness of character and behaviour OPP vice:
Women have often been used as symbols of virtue.
2. [countable] a particular good quality in someone’s character OPP vice:
Among her many virtues are loyalty, courage, and truthfulness.
3. [uncountable and countable] an advantage that makes something better or more useful than something else
virtue of
Adam Smith believed in the virtues of free trade.
Wilkins is now extolling (=praising very much) the virtues of organic farming.
4. by virtue of something formal by means of, or as a result of something:
She became a British resident by virtue of her marriage.
5. make a virtue of something to get an advantage from a situation that you cannot change, usually a bad one:
She made a virtue of her acting limitations by joking about them.
6. make a virtue of necessity to get an advantage from doing something that you have to do, or to pretend that you are doing it willingly
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ advantage a good feature that something has, which makes it better, more useful etc than other things: The great advantage of digital cameras is that there is no film to process.
▪ benefit a feature of something that has a good effect on people’s lives: Regular exercise has many benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease.
▪ merit a good feature that something has, which you consider when you are deciding whether it is the best choice: The committee will consider the merits of the proposals. | The merits and demerits of (=the good and bad features of)alternative funding systems were widely discussed in the newspapers. | The chairman saw no great merit in this suggestion (=he did not think that it was a good idea).
▪ virtue an advantage that makes you believe that something is a good thing: They believed in the virtues of culture, civilization, and reason. | He’s always extolling the virtues of hard work (=saying that hard work is a good thing).
▪ the good/great/best thing about something especially spoken used when mentioning a good feature of something. This phrase is rather informal and you should not use it in formal essays: The good thing about cycling is that you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in a traffic jam.
▪ the beauty of something is that used when you want to emphasize that something has a very good or useful feature: The beauty of the plan is that it is so simple.
virtue
vir·tue [virtue virtues] [ˈvɜːtʃuː] [ˈvɜːrtʃuː] noun
1. uncountable (formal) behaviour or attitudes that show high moral standards
• He led a life of virtue.
• She was certainly no paragon of virtue!
2. countable a particular good quality or habit
• Patience is not one of her virtues, I'm afraid.
• As a politician, he always emphasized the virtues of compromise and conciliation.
3. countable, uncountable an attractive or useful quality
Syn: advantage
• The plan has the virtue of simplicity.
• He was extolling the virtues of the Internet.
• They could see no virtue in discussing it further.
more at of easy virtue at easy adj.
Idioms: by virtue of something ▪ make a virtue of necessity ▪ virtue is its own reward
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French vertu, from Latin virtus ‘valour, merit, moral perfection’, from vir ‘man’.
Example Bank:
• He taught his children to practise/practice the virtues of temperance and chastity.
• He understands the traditional virtue of hard work.
• Her book has the cardinal virtue of simplicity.
• It would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel jealous.
• Philippe embodies the French virtues of charm and grace.
• She has just one, negative virtue— she never tells lies.
• She was seen as a paragon of domestic virtue.
• The brochure makes a positive virtue of the island's isolated position.
• There is no inherent virtue in having read all the latest books.
• There is, of course. no inherent virtue in moderation.
• a story celebrating the virtues of democracy
• the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity
• women of easy virtue
• He was certainly no paragon of virtue!
• He was convinced of the inherent virtue of hard work.
• He was going on about the virtues of the Internet.
• She led a life of moral virtue.
• a woman of easy virtue
virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun [ C or U ] (GOOD MORALS)
C2 a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good:
Patience is a virtue.
→ Compare vice noun (FAULT)
virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun [ C or U ] (ADVANTAGE)
C2 an advantage or good thing:
It always looks odd to see an actress on TV extolling (= praising) the virtues of washing-up liquid.
Would there be any virtue in taking an earlier train?
virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun (BECAUSE OF)
by virtue of C2 formal because of; as a result of:
She succeeded by virtue of her tenacity rather than her talent.
virtue
[vɜ͟ː(r)tʃuː]
virtues
1) N-UNCOUNT Virtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
Virtue is not confined to the Christian world...
She could have established her own innocence and virtue easily enough.
Syn:
goodness
Ant:
vice
2) N-COUNT A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.
His virtue is patience...
Her flaws were as large as her virtues...
Humility is considered a virtue.
3) N-COUNT The virtue of something is an advantage or benefit that it has, especially in comparison with something else.
There was no virtue in returning to Calvi the way I had come...
It's other great virtue, of course, is its hard-wearing quality.
Syn:
advantage
4) PHR-PREP You use by virtue of to explain why something happens or is true. [FORMAL]
The article stuck in my mind by virtue of one detail...
Mr Olaechea has British residency by virtue of his marriage.
Syn:
because of
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you make a virtue of something, you pretend that you did it because you chose to, although in fact you did it because you had to.
The movie makes a virtue out of its economy.
virtue
vir·tue /ˈvɚʧu/ noun, pl -tues
1 [noncount] : morally good behavior or character
• I urge you all to lead lives of virtue. [=to live virtuously]
• She says that virtue is its own reward. [=that if you do good things, you do not need to be rewarded with money, fame, etc.]
• His supporters regard him as a model/paragon of virtue. [=as a person who has no moral faults]
2 [count] : a good and moral quality
• Patience is a virtue.
3 [noncount] : the good result that comes from something
• Her parents taught her the virtue of hard work. [=that hard work is important and valuable]
4 [count] : an advantage or benefit
• The restaurant is inexpensive, and it has the added virtue of being close to our house.
• One of the virtues of this job is the flexible hours.
by virtue of : because of (something)
• She has the right to participate by virtue of her status as a former employee.
make a virtue (out) of necessity : to benefit from something that you are forced to do
• When he lost his driver's license, he made a virtue out of necessity and got in shape by riding his bike to work.
a place or condition of great happiness where everything is exactly as you would like it to be
His idea of paradise is to spend the day lying on the beach.
بهشت
paradise
noun (no plural)
the place where some people think good people go after they die same meaning heaven
paradise
par‧a‧dise /ˈpærədaɪs/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: Late Latin, from Greek paradeisos 'enclosed park']
1. [uncountable] a place or situation that is extremely pleasant, beautiful, or enjoyable:
a beautiful tropical paradise
The hotel felt like paradise after two weeks of camping.
A home near the sea is my idea of paradise.
2. [singular] a place that has everything you need for doing a particular activity:
The market is a shopper’s paradise.
paradise for
Hawaii is a paradise for surfers.
3. Paradise [singular]
a) in some religions, a perfect place where people are believed to go after they die, if they have led good lives ⇨ heaven
b) according to the Bible, the garden where the first humans, Adam and Eve, lived
⇨ ↑bird of paradise, ⇨ be living in a fool’s paradise at ↑fool1(9)
paradise
para·dise [paradise paradises] [ˈpærədaɪs] [ˈpærədaɪs] noun
1. (often Paradise) uncountable (in some religions) a perfect place where people are said to go when they die
Syn: heaven
• The ancient Egyptians saw paradise as an idealized version of their own lives.
2. countable a place that is extremely beautiful and that seems perfect, like heaven
• a tropical paradise
3. countable a perfect place for a particular activity or kind of person
• The area is a birdwatcher's paradise.
4. uncountable a state of perfect happiness
Syn: bliss
• Being alone is his idea of paradise.
5. Paradise uncountable (in the Bible) the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French paradis, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek paradeisos ‘royal (enclosed) park’, from Avestan pairidaēza ‘enclosure, park’. Avestan is an ancient Iranian language.
Example Bank:
• The airport is a paradise for pickpockets.
• They all expected to go to paradise.
• They moved to the country hoping to find paradise.
• We found ourselves in a tropical paradise.
• a paradise of golden beaches
• an angel in paradise
• the lost paradise of childhood
paradise / ˈpær.ə.daɪs / / ˈper- / noun [ C usually singular , U ]
C1 a place or condition of great happiness where everything is exactly as you would like it to be:
a tropical paradise
His idea of paradise is to spend the day lying on the beach.
This mall is a shopper's paradise.
Paradise Heaven:
They believe they'll go to Paradise after they die.
the garden of Eden (= the place where Adam and Eve lived, in the Bible story)
paradise
[pæ̱rədaɪs]
paradises
1) N-PROPER According to some religions, paradise is a wonderful place where people go after they die, if they have led good lives.
The Koran describes paradise as a place containing a garden of delight...
If they were captured they wished to die, believing that they would go to paradise.
Syn:
heaven
2) N-VAR You can refer to a place or situation that seems beautiful or perfect as paradise or a paradise.
...one of the world's great natural paradises...
Scott is living and working at a mission for the homeless. He calls it a paradise compared to the camp.
3) N-COUNT: supp N You can use paradise to say that a place is very attractive to a particular kind of person and has everything they need for a particular activity.
→ See also fool's paradise
The Algarve is a golfer's paradise...
Very few people have the money to take advantage of this consumer paradise.
paradise
par·a·dise /ˈperəˌdaɪs/ noun, pl -dis·es
1 a [count] : a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect
• a rural paradise
• tropical paradises
• Their marriage was very happy at first, but now there's trouble in paradise.
b [singular] : a place that is perfect for a particular activity or for a person who enjoys that activity
• a marsh that is a birdwatcher's paradise
• This shop is an antique collecting paradise!
c [noncount] : a state of complete happiness
• When I'm with you, I'm in paradise. [=I'm very happy]
- see also fool's paradise
2 or Paradise [noncount]
a : a place where in some religions good people are believed to go after they die : heaven
b : the place where Adam and Eve first lived according to the Bible : eden
- see also bird of paradise
the deaf people who are unable to hear
Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.
deaf
adjective
not able to hear anything or not able to hear very well:
My grandma's starting to go deaf.
television subtitles for the deaf (= people who cannot hear)
>> deafness noun (no plural):
In old age she was troubled by deafness.
deaf
deaf W3 /def/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. physically unable to hear anything or unable to hear well ⇨ hearing impaired:
communication between deaf and hearing people
I think Mum’s going a bit deaf.
She’s deaf and dumb (=unable to hear or speak) and communicates using sign language.
Tom was born profoundly deaf (=having great difficulty hearing).
stone deaf/deaf as a post informal (=completely deaf) ⇨ ↑hard of hearing, ↑tone-deaf
2. the deaf [plural] people who are deaf:
a school for the deaf
3. be deaf to something literary to be unwilling to hear or listen to something:
She was deaf to his pleas.
4. turn a deaf ear (to something) to be unwilling to listen to what someone is saying or asking:
The factory owners turned a deaf ear to the demands of the workers.
5. fall on deaf ears if advice or a warning falls on deaf ears, everyone ignores it
—deafness noun [uncountable]
deaf
deaf [deaf deafer deafest] [def] [def] adjective (deaf·er, deaf·est)
1. unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well
• to become/go deaf
• She was born deaf.
• partially deaf
see also stone deaf, tone-deaf
2. the deaf noun plural people who cannot hear
• television subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
3. not before noun ~ to sth not willing to listen or pay attention to sth
• He was deaf to my requests for help.
Idioms: deaf as a post ▪ fall on deaf ears ▪ turn a deaf ear
Derived Word: deafness
Word Origin:
Old English dēaf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch doof and German taub, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek tuphlos ‘blind’.
Example Bank:
• It's no good shouting— he's stone deaf.
• Many of these children are profoundly deaf.
• She remained deaf until she died.
• She spoke loudly because her mother was a little deaf.
• Standing next to the machine all day left her deaf in one ear.
• The committee remained deaf to our suggestions.
• Their child was born deaf.
• helping chronically deaf patients
deaf / def / noun [ plural ]
the deaf people who are unable to hear:
Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.
deaf
[de̱f]
deafer, deafest
1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is deaf is unable to hear anything or is unable to hear very well.
She is now profoundly deaf.
Derived words:
deafness N-UNCOUNT Because of her deafness she was hard to make conversation with.
N-PLURAL: the N
The deaf are people who are deaf. Many regular TV programs are captioned for the deaf.
2) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is deaf to people's requests, arguments, or criticisms, you are criticizing them because they refuse to pay attention to them.
The provincial assembly were deaf to all pleas for financial help.
Syn:
impervious
3) to fall on deaf ears → see ear
to turn a deaf ear → see ear
deaf
deaf /ˈdɛf/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : not able to hear
• He has been deaf since birth.
• a deaf child
• She's completely/partially deaf in her right ear.
• a disease that caused her to go deaf [=become unable to hear]
• He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
• (informal) My grandmother's a sweet old lady, but she's as deaf as a post. [=she's very deaf]
- see also tone-deaf
2 : not willing to listen to or consider something - usually + to
• They were deaf to all of our suggestions.
• deaf to reason
fall on deaf ears
- see 1ear
the deaf : deaf people : people who are not able to hear
• She goes to a school for the deaf.
turn a deaf ear
- see 1ear
- deaf·ness noun [noncount]
• The disease can cause blindness and deafness.
people who are unable to see
She trains guide dogs for the blind.
adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).
>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.
adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).
>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.
noun
1. (NAmE also shade, ˈwindow shade) countable a covering for a window, especially one made of a roll of cloth that is fixed at the top of the window and can be pulled up and down
see also venetian blind
2. singular something people say or do to hide the truth about sth in order to trick other people
Word Origin:
Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German blind.
Example Bank:
• She saw a figure through the blinds.
• Pull up the blinds and let some light in.
blind / blaɪnd / noun (SIGHT)
the blind C1 [ plural ] people who are unable to see:
She trains guide dogs for the blind.
blind
[bla͟ɪnd]
blinds, blinding, blinded
1) ADJ Someone who is blind is unable to see because their eyes are damaged.
I started helping him run the business when he went blind...
How would you explain colour to a blind person?
Derived words:
blindness N-UNCOUNT Early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent blindness.
N-PLURAL: the N
The blind are people who are blind. He was a teacher of the blind.
2) VERB If something blinds you, it makes you unable to see, either for a short time or permanently.
[V n] The sun hit the windscreen, momentarily blinding him.
3) ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If you are blind with something such as tears or a bright light, you are unable to see for a short time because of the tears or light.
Her mother groped for the back of the chair, her eyes blind with tears.
Derived words:
blindly ADV Lettie groped blindly for the glass.
4) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is blind to a fact or a situation, you mean that they ignore it or are unaware of it, although you think that they should take notice of it or be aware of it.
David's good looks and impeccable manners had always made her blind to his faults...
All the time I was blind to your suffering.
Derived words:
blindness N-UNCOUNT ...blindness in government policy to the very existence of the unemployed.
5) VERB If something blinds you to the real situation, it prevents you from realizing that it exists or from understanding it properly.
[V n to n] He never allowed his love of Australia to blind him to his countrymen's faults.
6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) You can describe someone's beliefs or actions as blind when you think that they seem to take no notice of important facts or behave in an unreasonable way.
...her blind faith in the wisdom of the Church...
Lesley yelled at him with blind, hating rage.
7) ADJ: ADJ n A blind corner is one that you cannot see round because something is blocking your view.
He tried to overtake three cars on a blind corner and crashed head-on into a lorry.
8) ADJ: ADJ n A blind wall or building is one which has no windows or doors.
I remembered a huddle of stone buildings with blind walls.
9) N-COUNT A blind is a roll of cloth or paper which you can pull down over a window as a covering.
→ See also Venetian blind
10) → See also blinding, blindly, colour blind
11) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is turning a blind eye to something bad or illegal that is happening, you mean that you think they are pretending not to notice that it is happening so that they will not have to do anything about it.
Teachers are turning a blind eye to pupils smoking at school, a report reveals today...
I can't turn a blind eye when someone is being robbed.a
3blind noun, pl blinds
1 [count] : something that is used to cover a window from the inside of a room especially; : a roll of cloth or plastic that is hung at the top of a window and pulled down over the window - usually plural
• Raise/lower/open/close the blinds.
- see picture at window; see also venetian blind
2 [count] US : a place where hunters hide from animals while they are hunting
• a duck blind [=a place to hide when hunting ducks]
- called also (chiefly Brit) hide,
3 [singular] : something that is used to trick people or to prevent people from noticing a particular thing
• Some say the investigation is a blind to keep the public's attention off the governor.
draw the blinds on
- see 1draw
