UNIT3

Word List

absurd [əbsə:rd] adj.

If something or someone is absurd, they are ridiculous.

That group of people making animal noises sounds completely absurd.

anemia [əní:miə] n.

Anemia is a blood condition that causes a person to be pale and tired.

→ When she first developed anemia, she became tired often.

aristocracy [arəstákrəsi] n.

The aristocracy is the highest class of people in certain societies.

Most members of the aristocracy were very well-fed.

aristocrat [əristəkræt] n.

An aristocrat is a person who is of the highest class in certain societies.

The aristocrat did not need a job because his family was wealthy.

→

attire [ǝtaier] n.

Attire is nice or special clothing.

Everyone wore their best attire to the president's daughter's wedding.

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craze [kreiz] n.

A craze is a brief and popular activity or object.

Wearing bright red socks was a craze when I was in high school.

enlarge [enlárd3] v.

To enlarge something means to make it bigger.

The classrooms were enlarged over the summer to make room for more students.

excess [ékses] n.

An excess is an amount of something that is more than needed or wanted.

Because it never got cold that winter, many stores had an excess of coats.

feminine [femanin] adj.

If something is feminine, then it has qualities that are commonly related to women.

Many of the older people thought his long hair made him look too feminine.

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hallmark [hó:Ima:rk] n.

A hallmark is a unique characteristic of something.

Different types of pasta and tomato sauces are hallmarks of Italian food.

pad [pæd] n.

A pad is a thick piece of soft material used to protect or clean things.

→ Football players wear shoulder pads to keep them safe.

predominant [pridámənənt] adj.

If something is predominant, then it is the most important, common or strongest.

→ Before cars were invented, horses were the predominant method of travel.

reputable [repjǝtəbəl] adj.

If someone or something is reputable, then they have a good reputation.

The service from the less than reputable company made her angry.

rouge [ru:3] n.

Rouge is a red powder or cream used as makeup on the cheeks or lips.

→ Even when she didn't wear rouge, her cheeks appeared red.

signify [signǝfai] v.

To signify means to be a symbol of something.

→ A red octagon is used to signify to stop.

strap [stræp] n.

A strap is a thin long piece of fabric used to fasten, carry, or hold something.

She put the strap of her purse over her shoulder and walked out of the door.

→

tangle [tængǝl]

A tangle is something or many things twisted together.

→ The laces of his shoes were in such a tangle that he could not untie them.

UNIT

3

vanity [vænəti] n.

Vanity is excessive pride or love of one's own appearance or things one has done.

Her vanity won't allow her to pass a mirror without looking at herself.

→

vie [vai] v.

To vie for something means to compete against others for it.

→ The three boys vied for the prize in the chemistry contest.

vulgar [válger] adj.

If something or someone is vulgar, then they are rude or lacking in style.

Her vulgar behavior got her into trouble with her parents.

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