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vocabulary from Suits or

Terms in this set (170)

pester
v. to annoy or bother someone in a repeated way
He has kept on pestering me by the same questions that he has asked me over and over again.
pesky
a. making something annoyed or irritated
He should stop asking me pesky questions.
vehemently
adv.
vehement a. showing strong and often angry feelings; very emotional.

The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there and vehemently accusing him Jesus.
vagaries
n. changes that are difficult to predict to control
foibles
n. a minor fault in someone's character or behavior
The encyclopedia of wit, drawn from the vagaries, the foibles and the peculiarities of human nature, they provide countless chuckles from many different locals.
expedient
a. proving an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something
dislodge
v. to forcefully remove something from a place or position
The army has dislodged enemy forces from their stronghold.
truce
n. an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting.
profuse
a. given, produced or existing in large amount
He apologized profusely.
collude
v. to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal
lodging
n. a place where stay for a short time.
taunt
v.
to say insulting things to someone in order to make that person angry
The images match the worst of Islamic State's atrocities: black-clad fighters and an English-speaking jihadist taunt the West before slaughtering their victims in orange jumpsuits on a Libyan beach.
halt
v. to stop moving or happening

The project halted when funding ran out.

International reaction came swiftly. Egyptian jets pounded suspected militant sites in Libya, and Paris joined Cairo in calling for U.N. action to halt the militants' spread.
unrest
n.
a situation in which many of the people in a country are angry and hold protests or act violently.

Yet even as they thrive in Libya's unrest, Islamic State sympathizers must contend with rivalries and factional infighting that make securing the sort of territorial gains that IS has made in Iraq and Syria more complicated.
content with
v. deal with
scramble
Two competing governments backed by militia brigades are scrambling for control. Diplomats have fled, Tripoli's airport is a bombed-out shell and oil flow is a trickle as combatants trade rockets and air strikes.
estrange
v.
to cause someone to be no longer friendly or close to another person or group — usually + from
His political beliefs have estranged him from his family.
— often used as (be) estranged
They are estranged from their children.

Carr, 30, is incarcerated at the Lowell Correctional Institution for Women. Carr and her lover, Joshua Fulgham, were convicted of kidnapping and murdering Fulgham's estranged wife. She was sentenced to death by lethal injection and is the youngest person on death row.
turn over
The State Department says it will work as quickly as possible to review the emails that former Secretary Hillary Clinton turned over last year. But combing through all 55,000 pages could take months. Clinton says she's asked the department to make the emails public, hoping to tamp down the controversy that erupted this week. It turns out she used a personal server for all of her correspondence while she was Secretary of State.
erupt
to send out rocks, ash, lava, etc., in a sudden explosion
The volcano erupted with tremendous force.
also : to come out in a sudden explosion — + from
Tons of ash erupted from the volcano.
Steam erupted from the geyser.
2
: to happen or begin suddenly and violently
swoop
v
1
to fly down through the air suddenly — usually + down
A hawk swooped down and caught a rabbit in the field.
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to arrive at a place suddenly and unexpectedly
The police swooped in and captured the criminals.

CHRIS LEHANE: One of the most important principles in crisis management is try to put all the information out as best you can in one fell swoop in order to avoid the - you know, the drip, drip, drip.
subpoenas
n.v.
to order someone to appear in court to give evidence : to issue a subpoena to (someone) or for (something)
He was subpoenaed to testify in a hearing.

That's when lawmakers discovered that Clinton had relied on a personal email account as secretary. This week, the select committee, chaired by Republican Trey Gowdy, issued subpoenas for any other Benghazi communications that might be stored on Clinton's personal server.
entitle
v.
to give a title to (something, such as a book) : title
He entitled his book "My Life on Mars."
2
: to give a right to (someone) — + to
The card entitles us to a discount. [=we can get a discount because we have this card]

The State Department does not have all of Secretary Clinton's emails on its servers. Only she has a complete record, and the committee is going to have to go to her and her attorneys and her email providers to ensure we have access to everything the American people are entitled to know.
compliance
n.
the act or process of doing what you have been asked or ordered to do : the act or process of complying
She was rewarded for her compliance.
There has been a low/high rate of compliance with the new law.
in compliance with
: in the way that is required by (a rule, law, etc.)
In compliance with a court order, the company has ceased operations.

Gowdy and others are also asking what the White House knew about Clinton's email habits and whether she'd broken any rules by using a private account. White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggests Clinton is in compliance with the Federal Records Act, now. But he adds a big qualifier, saying that's true if the 55,000 pages Clinton and her staff turned over is everything.
avert
v.
1.to turn (your eyes, gaze, etc.) away or aside
She had to avert her eyes [=to look away] at the sight of the accident.
with averted eyes/gaze/glances
2
: to prevent (something bad) from happening
He sped up and averted an accident.

Some conservatives are plainly frustrated with House Speaker John Boehner and want to replace him mid-term. The latest murmurs of a coup surfaced after more than 50 Republicans voted against Mr. Boehner's plan last week to avert a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
murmurs
a low sound made when many people are speaking
a murmur of voices
the murmur of the crowd
b : a quiet expression of an opinion or feeling
The suggestion brought murmurs of disapproval.
coalesce
v.
to come together to form one group or mass
a group of young reformers who gradually coalesced into a political movement

In this case, those who are unhappy with the speaker are on the right side of the Republican Party and not in a good position to coalesce with members across the aisle around another candidate.
crumble
v. fall apart
broke down
As the U.S. prepares to reopen its embassy in communist Cuba, relations with another Latin American nation are crumbling. Venezuela is expelling U.S. diplomats and demanding that Americans secure visas to enter the country. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories are swirling about a U.S. plot against the government there.
swirl
to move in circles or to cause (something) to move in circles
[+ object]
She swirled the drink (around) in her glass.
[no object]
The water swirled around/down the drain.
strong swirling winds
— often used figuratively
Rumors are swirling about/around the team. [=there are a lot of rumors about the team]
succumb
v. 1. to stop trying to resist something
They will pressure you, and you must try not to succumb.
— often + to
Try not to succumb to the pressure.
It's easy to succumb [=give in] to the temptation to oversimplify this kind of problem.
2
: to die
The patient eventually succumbed.

I get here just in time for the second anniversary of the death of Hugo Chavez, who led Venezuela's socialist revolution until he succumbed to cancer.
busking
...
heist
n.
No, members of Congress aren't trying to pull off a heist, but they may as well be. It's just that hard. Here to walk us through the process is Frances Lee. She's a congressional expert from the University of Maryland. Step one...
beleaguer
v.
o cause constant or repeated trouble for (a person, business, etc.)
the lack of funds that beleaguers schools
— usually used as (be) beleaguered

"Nemtsov's killing shocked Russia's already beleaguered and marginalized opposition supporters. Suspicion in the opposition is high that the killing was ordered by the Kremlin in retaliation for Nemtsov's adamant criticism of President Vladimir Putin. The 55-year-old Nemtsov was working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict."
adamant
a.
not willing to change an opinion or decision : very determined
She is an adamant [=strong] defender of women's rights.
We've tried to talk him into coming with us, but he's adamant about staying here.
an adamant refusal
marginalize
v.
to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group
We are protesting policies that marginalize women. [=that do not allow women to have important or powerful positions in a society]
vacate
v.
formal : to leave (a job or position)
She refused to vacate her post even under increased pressure.
The election will fill the congressional seat vacated by the retiring senator.
2
: to leave (a seat, hotel room, etc.)
The police told everyone to vacate the premises.
Students must vacate their rooms at the end of the semester.
3.
US, law : to say officially that (a legal judgment) is no longer valid
There is a motion to vacate the speaker's chair. It's a privileged motion. Any member who wants to offer it can offer it.This part seems easy enough. But the motion to vacate the speaker's chair would be met quickly with another procedural motion - a motion to table. Plus, keep in mind, speakers aren't just elected by the party that controls the House of Representatives.
premise
n.

premises [plural] : a building and the area of land that it is on
They were asked to leave the premises.
The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses.
The premises were searched by the police.
2
[count] formal also British premiss : a statement or idea that is accepted as being true and that is used as the basis of an argument
He disagreed with her premise.
ransack
Robbers ransacked the house for money.

Analyst Susan Wolfinbarger can see the ransacking on her computer. She's tracking heritage destruction, a satellite project at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
replicate
The FDA has approved the first biosimilar drug in the U.S. Biosimilars are like generics but for more complex drugs that can't be replicated exactly because they're made with living cells. They're used to treat diseases like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. As Elana Gordon of member station WHYY reports, the drugs could save consumers billions of dollars.
rheumatoid arthritis
n.
a serious disease that continue to become worse over a long period of time that causes the joints become very painful, stiff and swollen.
descriptive
John told me that STINGY is a descriptive word. And he said that I am stingy, so I must emulate Jesus because He is generous.
synthesize
n. synthesis
v. synthesize
formal
a : to make (something) by combining different things
She synthesized the treatment from traditional and modern philosophies of medicine.
b : to combine (things) in order to make something new
He synthesized old and new ideas to form his theory.
2
technical : to make (something) from simpler substances through a chemical process
Scientists synthesize new drugs.
Glands synthesize the enzymes.
Amino acid is synthesized in the body.
3
: to produce (sounds, speech, etc.) by using electronic equipment

In a simplistic sense, biologics are typically much larger molecules. They're usually made by living organisms. They may be like, hormones, other types of proteins, sometimes they're cells, they can be antibodies, whereas most drugs are smaller chemical entities that can be synthesized in the laboratory.
endorsement
n.
the act or result of endorsing someone or something: such as
a : a public or official statement of support or approval
[count]
The newspaper has announced its political endorsements.
We're pleased that the project has received your endorsement.
[noncount]
Without official endorsement, the project cannot proceed.
b [count] : the act of publicly saying that you like or use a product or service in exchange for money
Many retired athletes are able to make a lot of money by doing product endorsements.
c [count] : the act or result of writing your name on the back of a check
The bank requires that someone witness the endorsement of the check.

The hope is that like generics, biosimilars could offer cheaper, just as effective treatment options for patients likely Leong. The FDA knows cost is a huge issue, but its focus is on whether this drug is similar enough to the original one to be given to patients. Novartis's application received a ringing endorsement from this panel and on Friday, the FDA officially approved the drug.
fentanyl
n. a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C22H28N2O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered especially in the form of its citrate

John Hempton is a hedge fund manager and a short-seller, and he says that is why Insys is on the list. The company sells pain medication - a very powerful one called fentanyl.

JOHN HEMPTON: It's actually about 20 times stronger than heroin. And the classic legitimate user of fentanyl is a terminal cancer patient who has very sharp but irregular pain.
brawn
n. physical strength.
She got a brawn, I got the brains.
When it comes to man, she prefers brains over brawn.
lure
v. to persuade someone to go somewhere by giving some gifts
It was later discovered that he had committed his first known killing in 1972, taking the life of Timothy McCoy after luring the teen to his home.
fetch
v.
to go after and bring back (someone or something)
[+ object]
Wait here while I fetch [=get] the doctor.
Please fetch me a drink. = Please fetch a drink for me.
If you throw the ball the dog will fetch it.
[no object]
Hunting dogs are trained to fetch.
2
[+ object] : to be sold for (an amount of money)

it is untrue and far-fetched.
retain
v.
to pay for the work of (a person or business)
They have decided to retain a firm to conduct a survey.
You may need to retain an attorney.
4
: to keep (something) in your memory especially for a long period of time
I studied French in college, but I haven't retained much of what I learned.


Jones, who is most widely known for defending Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma City bombing trial, was retained by a board of alumni who oversee the OU chapter of SAE.
rule out
v.
rule out [phrasal verb]
1
rule (someone or something) out or rule out (someone or something) : to no longer consider (someone or something) as a possibility after careful thought or study
The police ruled them out as suspects when it was proved that they were out of town when the crime was committed.
There are some diseases your doctor will want to rule out before making a diagnosis.
2
rule (something) out or rule out (something) : to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
The bad weather ruled out a picnic.

Lawyer Stephen Jones, hired yesterday by members of Oklahoma University's disbanded chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said today he's hopeful he can avoid a lawsuit against the school but he's not ruling one out.
fraternity
n.
an organization of male students at a U.S. college — compare sorority
2
[count] : a group of people who have the same job, interests, etc.
the racing fraternity [=people who are involved or interested in racing]
the legal fraternity

Fraternity members chanted about never allowing a black man to join SAE in a recently-circulated video; the chant also mentioned lynching, as we reported Monday.
lynch
v. to kill someone illegally as punishment for a crime
The accused killed was lynched by an angry mob.
hinge
v.
hinge on/upon (something)
: to be determined or decided by (something) : to depend on (something)
The outcome of the election hinges on how the candidates perform in the debate.

Jones made it clear today that his defense will hinge on how the group of men was reprimanded, not on defending their behavior.
reprimand
v.
to speak in an angry and critical way to (someone who has done something wrong, disobeyed an order, etc.)
The soldiers were severely reprimanded.
— often + for
She was reprimanded for being late.
The boss reprimanded us for talking too much.
salvage
v.
to remove (something) from a place so that it will not be damaged, destroyed, or lost
Divers salvaged some of the sunken ship's cargo.
Few of their possessions were salvaged from the fire.
2
: to save (something valuable or important) : to prevent the loss of (something)
He is trying to salvage his marriage/reputation.

We should note that Lumber Liquidators is an NPR sponsor whose credits are on the air and on our website. Now the company is attempting to salvage its reputation by attacking the testing method used by the program "60 Minutes." NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.
savage
a. wild, very cruel or violent
undue
a.
more than is reasonable or necessary : excessive
undue pressure/influence
These requirements shouldn't cause you any undue hardship/burden.
His writing is elegant without calling undue attention to itself.

We are incensed that individuals with a financial agenda can orchestrate a campaign against us regarding the safety of our product and cause a portion of our customer base undue concern.
incense
v.n.
to make (someone) very angry
Her arrogance so incensed them that they refused to speak to her.
mitigate
v.to make (something) less severe, harmful, or painful

CARB officials confirm that laminate seals-in formaldehyde, which mitigates the risk to customers. But environmental attorney Richard Drury says the products are still dangerous.
ventilation n.

ventilate v.
v.

to allow fresh air to enter and move through (a room, building, etc.)
She opened the windows to ventilate the room.
The room was adequately/poorly ventilated.
2
formal : to express or discuss (something) openly or publicly
ventilate feelings/opinions

Even though Lumber Liquidators insist this controversy is overblown, it says it will pay for safety testing for customers who want it. For their part, California officials say proper ventilation is probably enough to mitigate the risks of formaldehyde, and they said they don't recommend removing floor products unless there are noticeable health effects, such as eye irritation.
amnesia
n.
a condition in which a person is unable to remember things because of brain injury, shock, or illness

A serious injury to your brain can cause all sorts of medical issues. Amnesia, blackouts, seizures. But this next affliction changes the libido.
libido
n.
technical
: a person's desire to have sex
[count]
They have healthy libidos.
seizures
the act of taking control of something especially by force or violence
the seizure of power by the rebels
2
law : the act of taking something by legal authority
[noncount]
property that is protected from seizure
the seizure of evidence by the police
[count]
Not all searches and seizures by the police require a warrant.
3
[count] medical : an abnormal state in which you become unconscious and your body moves in an uncontrolled and violent way
reignite
v.
to begin to burn again or to cause (something) to begin to burn again

Talks in Moscow in January brought together Assad's representatives and opposition figures, though the main pro-Western group did not attend. Kerry told CBS that the U.S. was "working very hard with other interested parties to see if we can reignite a diplomatic outcome.
introspective

introspection n. the process of examining your own thoughts or feelings
a moment of quiet introspection
a.

Emotional complexity is another challenge for Jonathan, says his sister, Sarah Napoline. She says her brother is a great listener, but isn't introspective.
resilient
a.
able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens
resilient young people
It's taken decades, Richard says. He adds that it couldn't have happened at all if his son were less resilient and determined.
secluded
a.
hidden from view : private and not used or seen by many people

Winding roads are not unfamiliar to the woman behind the wheel of this Los Angeles coroner's vehicle. They often lead to secluded remote areas.
gullies
n.
: a long, narrow cut or low area in the ground that water moves through when it rains

That information is new, but the case is more than a decade old. The area in question - the scene of a possible crime - covers more than 11 acres of heavy brush and gullies surrounded by jagged canyon walls.
jagged
a.
: having a sharp, uneven edge or surface
a jagged mountain peak
zigzag n.

v.
a line that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
The kids were running in circles and zigzags around the yard.
He's wearing a shirt with red zigzags on it.
a zigzag pattern
Zoek or search - Indiana Bones - Indy for short - bounds down the hill zigzagging over the terrain, nose to the ground.

2 zigzag /ˈzɪgˌzæg/ verb
zigzags; zigzagged; zigzagging
Learner's definition of ZIGZAG
[no object]
: to move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
exacerbate
v. to make something worse

Renewed disputes with neighboring North Sudan has exacerbated the financial crisis of this new nation which survives by the U.N.
insecticide
n. chemical substance to be used to kill insect

Richard White entered the TSA pre-line shortly before 8 p.m., where he was challenged by an agent who was checking boarding passes to be scanned. He sprayed the agent in the face with the insecticide and continued past the checkpoint, said police.
insatiable
a. always wanting more : not able to be satisfied
an insatiable appetite/thirst
Her desire for knowledge was insatiable.

Koreans have an insatiable appetite for watching strangers binge eat
binge
a short period of time when you do too much of something
a drinking/shopping binge
— often used in the phrase go on a binge
He went on an eating binge. [=he ate a lot in a short period of time]
— often used before another noun
binge drinking
2 binge /ˈbɪnʤ/ verb
binges; binged; bingeing or binging
Learner's definition of BINGE
[no object]
: to eat, drink, etc., too much in a short period of time : to go on a binge — often + on
He binges on beer now and then.
ferociously
very fierce or violent
ferocious animals
A ferocious wind swept the beach.
He had a ferocious [=savage] look in his eye.
2
: very great or extreme
The competition among the students was ferocious.

The demands on Ahn and other mukbang stars like her are high — she can't just eat, she must eat ferociously.
prolific
a. producing a large amount of something
a prolific author [=an author who writes many books]
a prolific inventor
She's a prolific scorer. [=she scores many points/goals]

She and other prolific Korean eaters now have fan clubs thanks to their copious consumption.
copious
a.
always used before a noun
: very large in amount or number
The storm produced a copious amount of rain.
She sat in the front row and took copious notes during the lecture.
catalyst
n. a person or event that quickly causes change or action
The bombing attack was the catalyst for war.
She was proud to be a catalyst for reform in the government.

The catalyst came when Regina saw a jacket in the water during the cruise. She aced about it and was told it might belong to a dead migrant who was trying to find safety in Europe.
sardines
The migrants at the boat are packed like sardines.
dinghy
n. a little boat to
In just 60 days, they saved about 3,000 of migrants crossing the sea in rickety wooden boats or dinghies. They then coordinated with Italy and Malta in bringing the migrants to shore.
rickety
a. not strong or stable and likely to break
rickety stairs
comply with
v. to do what you have been asked to do
Most utility plants already have pollution controls that comply with the EPA regulations, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But an estimated 20 percent of existing plants would face the choice of upgrading or shutting down.
pollinate
v.
to give (a plant) pollen from another plant of the same kind so that seeds will be produced

The farmer only has one chance to pollinate, Fadhil says, because if the temperamental bloom has not been touched by noon, it dies, just hours after it blossomed. And no pods will ever emerge.
aphrodisiac
n. a.
something (such as a food, drink, or drug) that causes or increases sexual desire

This is nutmeg, used in cake and coffee and also locally in nutmeg porridge, an alleged aphrodisiac. "If your husband is not around, don't eat nutmeg porridge," says Fadhil. Such is the power of the nutmeg powder.
crosshair
n.
a very thin wire or thread that is seen when you look into a microscope, telescope, etc., and that is used for precisely viewing or aiming at something
in the crosshairs
: being aimed at by a gun (such as a rifle) that has an aiming device with crosshairs — often used figuratively
The senator's voting record was in the crosshairs of his political rivals. [=was being targeted by his political rivals]
This island of Zanzibar has a soil and climate ideal for spices and is situated in the crosshair of ancient trade winds.
antiseptic
a.a substance that prevents infection in a wound by killing bacteria
[count]
Clean the affected area with an antiseptic.
[noncount]
He applied antiseptic to the wound.
— antiseptic adjective
antiseptic cream/lotion/soap

But our next stop on the tour is, by contrast, a low-maintenance, fast-growing laurel tree. Scrape off her bark, and you get delicious cinnamon, both a digestive and antiseptic. While should you feel an oncoming cold or flu, just move down to her roots and chew on them.
deterrent
n. something that makes someone not to do something.
We would like to go, but the cost is a deterrent.

The concern is if there's too much of a backlash when a case like this occurs, it may actually serve as a deterrent to people stepping up and seeking help when they need it. And that would be counterproductive.
blacklash
n.a strong public reaction against something
a backlash against feminism
◊ A backlash occurs when many people react to an event, movement, etc., in a way that is opposite to its intended effect.
erroneously
erroneous a. not correct
Talking Points is appalled that a man who may have collaborated with the enemy was erroneously defined by the White House.
appall
v. to cause someone to feel fear
ruse
n. a trick that is use to fool someone

His act was just a clever ruse to get me to go out with him.
scathing
a. very harsh and severe

Tom Schweich launched his campaign for governor with a scathing broadside against Missouri's Republican Party establishment.
peddle
v. to try to get people to accept something

TOM SCHWEICH: They've tried to buy the courts. They've tried to buy the media. It's deception, and it's fraud, and it's influence peddling. And it's the kind of thing that worries me about the future of the Republican Party in Missouri. And I thought we needed a voice that says no.
stark
n. pain
Marvin Overby, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, says that being Jewish is not a big political liability in Missouri. Rumors about other factors that may have pushed Schweich and Jackson to take their own lives abound. Former Senator Danforth says such talk amounts to a second whispering campaign. The facts, as he sees them, are pretty stark.
perk
n. v.
something extra that someone receives in addition to regular pay for doing a job — usually plural
The job came with several perks, including use of a company car.
And photos aren't as easy to come by in Liberia. So the sticker pictures seemed like a rare perk.
alleviate
v. to reduce pain
So Houston is trying something new, using technology to alleviate the strain on first responders.
laceration
n. a deep cut or tear of the flesh
She suffered lacerations on her legs.
thaw
v. n.
to stop being frozen or to cause (something) to stop being frozen
[no object]
The ice on the pond is beginning to thaw. [=melt]
Plant the seeds in early spring as soon as the ground thaws.

The U.S. comes into this summit less isolated from its neighbors, thanks to the diplomatic thaw with Cuba.
sluggish
a. moving slowly
moving slowly or lazily
a sluggish lizard/stream
The game picked up after a sluggish start.

But local experts fear it's another story in sluggish economies like Watertown, N.Y., and they worry the state won't provide enough funding for support and training for those new models Michael Callahan talks about to work.
curve
n. v.
ahead of the curve chiefly US, approving
: faster about doing something than other people, companies, etc.
The company has been ahead of the curve in adopting new technologies. [=has adopted new technologies faster than other companies]
behind the curve chiefly US, disapproving
: slower about doing something than other people, companies, etc.
We are behind the curve when it comes to advances in medicine. [=we have not been keeping up with the latest advances as well as others]

Employers are ahead of the curve.
marginalize
v.
to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group
We are protesting policies that marginalize women. [=that do not allow women to have important or powerful positions in a society]

They are talking about how they are ready to manage population in the past that have been marginalized.
morale
n. the feelings of enthusiasm about their a task or job
That type of predictable scheduling is an effective workplace strategy that can ultimately contribute to employee retention, improved employee morale, better customer service and even increased productivity.
retention
n.
the act of keeping someone or something
the recruitment and retention of good employees
the retention of profits from all sales
tentative
a.
not done with confidence : uncertain and hesitant
a tentative smile
the baby's first tentative steps
2
: not definite : still able to be changed
We have tentative plans for the weekend.
tentative approval

A Ferrari, a Bentley and a million-dollar home are among the things that must be turned over to the Sterling family trust, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge said. The tentative ruling could become final within 15 days barring objections.
barring
a.
used to say that something will happen unless something else happens
They'll be at sea for six months, barring medical emergencies. [=they'll be at sea for six months if there are no medical emergencies]
She's going to lose the election barring a miracle. [=unless a miracle occurs]
tycoon
n. a very wealthy and powerful business person
To prove that point, Superior Court Judge Richard Fruin Jr. noted Barbara Walters' interview of Shelly Sterling, in which the wife of the embattled real estate tycoon stated that the couple was estranged, not separated.
unilateral
a. invoking only one group or country
Our country is prepared to take unilateral action.
a unilateral cease-fire

Rubio cites the president's use of executive action as evidence. Obama and his supporters argue the president took unilateral action because of stalls in Congress.
tier
n.
a particular level in a group, organization, etc.
top tier colleges [=the best or most expensive colleges]
the lowest tier of management

College entrance exam is not about finding your own path or your own self as it is about doing better than those around you. Results determine which universities students can get into , and since there are as few as three colleges considered by future employers. The competition is fierce and the stakes are sky high.
emancipate
v.
to free (someone) from someone else's control or power
emancipate a slave
He felt the only way to emancipate himself from his parents was to move away.

Those ideological differences include increasing the power of the federal government and emancipating the slaves, both things Booth was vehemently against. He was angered that the government instituted an income tax and the military draft, and that the government occasionally suspended habeas corpus, a legal protection against unlawful imprisonment. All these things, Alford says, agitated Booth.
vehemently
a. vehement
showing strong and often angry feelings : very emotional
He issued a vehement denial of the accusation.
agitate
v.
to disturb, excite, or anger (someone)
If I talk about the problem with him it just agitates him even more.
habeas corpus
n. an order to bring a jailed person before a judge or court to find out if that person should really be in jail
apply for a writ of habeas corpus
tumor
n. a mass of tissue found in or on the body that is made up of abnormal cells

These days, doctors have the ability to perform a detailed genetic test on tumors to help guide cancer treatment.
mutation
n. biology : a change in the genes of a plant or animal that causes physical characteristics that are different from what is normal
[noncount]
The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
vendor
I have seen reports from other vendors or institutions where they just throw everything together. And that does create this potential where one could be treating the patient on the basis of something that is not a cancer-driving alteration. But we clearly make that distinction.
welding : connecting by using lighting
There's still a lot of work to be done - welding, priming and painting - but once it's done, the feeder will be auctioned off and make some real-world money for the school's AG program.
priming
v. to cover (a surface) with special paint in order to prepare it for the final layer of paint
We sanded and primed the woodwork before painting.
quadruple
to become four times bigger in value or number
Thousands of people started signing up for the Scottish National Party, the SNP. Since September, party membership has quadrupled.
deflate
v. to make someone loss confidence or pride
to make air or gas less.
Last September, the long buildup to Scottish independence deflated with a massive woosh.
pundit
n.
a person who knows a lot about a particular subject and who expresses ideas and opinions about that subject publicly (such as by speaking on television and radio shows)
political pundits
a television pundit
It did come as a surprise. I don't think any of the ever-present political pundits had predicted this.
referendum
n. an event in which the people of a country , state vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue.
A vote for the SNP in this election is not a vote for another referendum. It is a vote to make Scotland's voice heard much, much more loudly.
absurdity
n.
something silly
One of the store's owners captured the absurdity of the whole thing when she snapped a selfie with the press throng as her backdrop.
retrofit
v.
to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when it was originally built
The factory has been retrofitted to meet the new safety regulations.
We can retrofit your car with the new fuel system.

We retrofitted buildings. That cost money. I'm sure people who owned these buildings weren't that thrilled. We knew we had to do it, and we did do it.
curtail
v. reduce or limit
I think that as long as people have some kind of hope, the destructive kind of demonstrations that we've seen in some other places will be curtailed.
defer to
v. to allow someone to decide something
commemorate
v. to exist in order to remind people of some events
"I'm 28. I'm young. Of course I feel it as my father does," he says. They say the Turkish government now protects Christians, a refuge for neighboring Syrian Christians fleeing Islamist radicals. Still, Vakifli's history won't be publicly commemorated.
defer to
v.
defer to (someone) : to allow (someone else) to decide or choose something
You have more experience with this, so I'm going to defer to you.
deferring to the experts
deter
v. to cause someone to decide not to do (prevent)
General Lanza says he can't spare people or equipment. After the wars the Pentagon shifted its focus to the Pacific, everything from humanitarian missions to deterring China. And Lanza's command is central to that plan.
entrepreneur
n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money.

Relationship problems between aspiring entrepreneurs are among the biggest reasons that startups fail.
complemente
n. v.
to complete something else or make it better
The shirt complements the suit nicely.
Jon says their work styles really complemented one another.
insidious
a. causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed.
Most people with this insidious disease have no idea that they are infected.
an insidious enemy

An imbalance like that can be insidious.
assertive
a. confident in behavior or style
an assertive attitude
Their daughter is an assertive little girl.
The country has adopted a more assertive [=aggressive] foreign policy.
If you want people to listen to your opinions, you'll need to learn to be more assertive.

He learned when to be more assertive.
Korean sauce with an assertive flavor makes me cry.
millennia, plural
millennium singular
: a period of a thousand years counted from the beginning of the Christian era
The year 2000 was celebrated as the beginning of the third millennium.
We had a party to celebrate the millennium. [=the beginning of the millennium]

A word that keeps coming back to me in this case is millennia. This definition has been with us for millennia, and it's very difficult for the court to say, oh, well. We know better.
shrug
v. : to raise and lower your shoulders usually to show that you do not know or care about something
[no object]
I asked if he wanted to go out to dinner, and he just shrugged.
[+ object]
He just shrugged his shoulders.
chim in
chime in [phrasal verb]
1
: to add your comment or opinion to a conversation or discussion that you have been listening to
He kept chiming in with his opinions.
"He left hours ago," Janet chimed in.
2
: to be in agreement or harmony with something
The illustrations chimed in perfectly with the story.
prevail
v.
: to defeat an opponent especially in a long or difficult contest
Our soccer team prevailed [=won] despite the bad weather.
— often + against or over
He prevailed against/over last year's champion.
She prevailed in a lawsuit against her doctor. [=she won a lawsuit against her doctor]
— often used figuratively
Justice will prevail.
Truth will always prevail [=triumph] over lies.
2
: to be usual, common, or popular
Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here.
The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s.
3
: to be or continue to be in use
The tribal custom still prevails [=persists] after hundreds of years.
The law still prevails in some states.

But if you prevail here, there will be no more debate. And it will have a consequence on how this new institution is accepted. People feel very differently about something if they have a chance to vote on it than if it's imposed on them by the courts.
palatable vs unpalatable
palatable a.
having a pleasant or agreeable taste
palatable food
a less than palatable beer
2
: pleasant or acceptable to someone — usually + to
The play has been rewritten in an attempt to make it more palatable to modern audiences.
Traveling by train is a palatable alternative to driving.

I'm concerned about the wisdom of this court imposing through the Constitution a requirement of action which is unpalatable to many of our citizens for religious reasons.
guarantee
n. a usually written promise: such as
a : a promise that the quality of something (such as a product that is being sold) will be as good as expected
The washer comes with a guarantee against major defects.
The software comes with a money-back guarantee. [=a promise that the money you spend on a product will be returned if the product is not good enough]

If gay marriage is protected by the Constitution, he asked, would that mean that ministers opposed to such unions would have to marry gay and lesbian couples? Bonauto replied that it's clear under the First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom that a cleric cannot be forced to perform a marriage that he or she disagrees with. Justin Kagan added a pointed example.
cleric plural of clergy
n. clergy
shatter
v.
to break suddenly into many small pieces
[no object]
The window shattered (into a thousand pieces) when it was hit by a rock.
[+ object]
The rock shattered the window.
She shattered her leg [=she broke her leg very badly] in a fall.
puckishly, puckish
a.: having or showing a desire to cause trouble in a playful or harmless way : mischievous
He had a puckish smile/look on his face.

The unidentified man shouted, if you support gay marriage, you will burn in hell. Guards quickly dragged him from the courtroom, but his shouts could be heard outside. A few seconds later, everyone was ready to resume, as Justice Scalia observed, puckishly.
mischievous
causing or tending to cause annoyance or minor harm or damage
a mischievous puppy/child
untenable
a.
not capable of being defended against attack or criticism : not tenable
an untenable argument
The theory is untenable.
lectern
n. a stand that holds a book, notes, etc., for someone who is reading, speaking, or teaching

Next up to the lectern was Michigan lawyer John Bursch, representing the states with same-sex marriage bans. He told the justices that the states should be left alone to decide the question for themselves. Justice Breyer noted that gay couples are the only group that states exclude from the right to marry.
delink
Break the connection between (something) and something else:
When you change the definition of marriage to delink the idea that we're binding children with their biological mom and dad, that has consequences.
balk
v. to suddenly show that you do not want to do something : to refuse to do what someone else wants you to do
If this witness balks [=refuses to cooperate in court], our lawyers will not have enough evidence to win the case.
— often + at
The public balked at the President's new tax plan.
He balks at sending his children to expensive private schools. [=he won't send his children to expensive private schools]
Justice Kennedy seemed to reject that argument, noting that many same-sex couples adopt children and want the respect of a marriage in which to raise their children. But Bursch stuck to his guns, insisting that allowing gay marriages would reduce the number of heterosexual marriages. Justices, both liberal and conservative, seemed to balk at that assertion.
pivoted
v. to turn on or around a central point
The dancers pivoted on their toes and changed direction.
The door hinge pivots around the pin.
The quarterback pivoted and threw the ball to the running back.
pivot on/around [phrasal verb]
pivot on/around (something)
: to be based on (something)
Our vacation plans will pivot around how much money we can save.
The book's plot pivots on the main character's need for revenge.
Bursch then pivoted to the rising rate of out-of-wedlock births. Justice Kennedy was more than skeptical about the connection.
bestow
v. to give (something) as a gift or honor
The university bestowed on/upon her an honorary degree.

What they're asking you to do is to take an institution which was never intended to be dignitary bestowing and make it dignitary bestowing. That's their whole argument.
ennoblement
I thought that was the whole purpose of marriage. It bestows dignity on both men and women in the traditional marriage. And these parties say they want to have that same ennoblement.
bristle
v. of hair : to rise up and become stiff
Electricity makes your hair bristle.
2
: to show signs of anger : to become angry — usually + at
He bristled at the insult.
She bristled at their criticism.
cannibalize
v. to remove parts from a machine, car, etc., to repair or build another one
He cannibalized one washing machine to fix another.

It's actually ugly to the people who buy a conventional Toyota. And that was a way that they could reach this new market without cannibalizing their existing one 'cause people who bought a Toyota wouldn't be caught dead driving a Scion.
parliament =! unparliament
n. law makers in UK
But, as you probably know, that's not exactly the British Parliament's reputation today. It's a place where members have called each other crooks, drunks and stupid cows.
infringe
v.
to do something that does not obey or follow (a rule, law, etc.)
[+ object]
infringe [=violate] a treaty/patent
They claim that his use of the name infringes their copyright.
[no object]
(chiefly US) — + on or upon
They claim that his use of the name infringes on their copyright.
2
: to wrongly limit or restrict (something, such as another person's rights)
[+ object]
Her rights must not be infringed.
[no object]
— + on or upon
He argues that the proposed law infringes upon our guaranteed right of free speech.

Gomez's former employer, Philip Morris, is suing Uruguay. The issue is being litigated right now in Washington, D.C. Essentially Philip Morris argues that Uruguay's laws infringe on free trade and the company's profits. This is Marc Firestone from Philip Morris International speaking to the BBC earlier this year.
recess
n. v.
n. playtime.
v. to stop regular activity in a court of law or in a government for a usually short period of time
[no object]
The trial recessed for the holidays.
Senators tried to pass a surveillance bill before they left home for the Memorial Day recess, but they came up three votes short of moving forward with the measure.
weigh in
weigh in [phrasal verb]
1
weigh in or weigh (someone) in or weigh in (someone) : to be weighed or to weigh (someone) before competing in a fight, race, etc.
When will the jockeys weigh in?
The boxers were weighed in before the fight.
— see also weigh-in
2
: to have a specified weight — + at
He weighs in at 240 pounds. [=he weighs 240 pounds]
3
informal : to give your opinion about something
I think we're pretty much decided, unless you want to weigh in.
— often + with
Would you like to weigh in with your opinion? [=would you like to say what your opinion is?]
— often + on in U.S. English
Do you want to weigh in on our weekend plans? [=do you want to say your opinion about our weekend plans?]

the director of national intelligence has also weighed in. Everyone in the administration is urging the Senate to pass something called the USA Freedom Bill. That's a sort of compromise measure that was hammered out by law enforcement and civil liberties activists over the last year or so. And it's the rare bill that passed the deeply divided House of Representatives with truly broad and truly bipartisan support.
phase out
v. to stop of activity something~~~.
Under the House bill, the government collection of that data would be phased out over the next six months. And after that, it would be up to the phone companies to hold onto data,
lapse
v. to stop for usually a brief time
After a few polite words the conversation lapsed.
Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school.
2
: to become no longer effective or valid
She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed.
He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed.
She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse.

those powers also lapse at midnight, unless the Senate finds a way out of this.
erudite
a. having or showing knowledge that is learned by studying
an erudite [=learned] scholar/professor/librarian
an erudite essay
I wish it were so easy, but let's scale this in terms of the impact on people's decisions. If you've got 5 million readers of all of these tabloids being force-fed some diet claim versus the erudite, tiny fraction who read about it in an AP story and has the privilege of being discerning, which is the worse?
awash
a.
not used before a noun
1
: flooded with or covered by water or another liquid
The deck of the boat was almost awash.
— usually + with or (US) in
a floor awash with/in water
— often used figuratively
streets awash in/with litter [=streets covered with litter]
2
US : floating in a large amount of water or another liquid — + in
The soup consisted of little bits of chicken awash in a tasteless broth.
— often used figuratively
He was awash in a sea of confusion.
They were awash in debt.

I am awash in debt.
my goal was to show that scientists who do a bad job and get their work published can end up making headlines because it's us, journalists like you and me, who are failing. So if we're not doing due diligence, for example, at least tapping one outside source when you're going to write about a new study, then the world is awash with junk science.
surreptitious
a. : done in a secret way
She had a surreptitious relationship with her employee.
a surreptitious glance
— surreptitiously adverb
He contacted her surreptitiously.
exquisite
a.finely done or made
exquisite workmanship
a move executed with exquisite precision
: very beautiful or delicate
exquisite flowers
Her singing voice is truly exquisite.
2
: very sensitive or fine
They have exquisite [=excellent] taste in furniture.
The scenes are described in exquisite detail. [=with a lot of very fine details]
3
: extreme or intense
exquisite pain/agony
He chose his words with exquisite care.
The swimming instructor looks at me exquisitely.
salivate
v. to have a lot of saliva produced in your mouth because you see or smell food that you want to eat
The smell alone was enough to make me salivate.
salivatingly
adv.
The swimming instructor looks at me saliva tingly.
load
n. v.
losing weight will lessen the load on your knees.
Losing weight will lessen the load on your knees.
triangulate
to find where you are
encrypt
v. to change information from one form to another.
Computer device will change the email before it is sent.
subpoena
a written order that commands someone to appear in court to give evidence — compare summons

v.
to order someone to appear in court to give evidence : to issue a subpoena to (someone) or for (something)
He was subpoenaed to testify in a hearing.
The prosecutor subpoenaed the defendant's financial records.
lurk
to be in a hidden place
The cat was lurking [=hiding] behind the sofa.
: to wait in a secret or hidden place especially in order to do something wrong or harmful
She could tell there was someone out there lurking in the shadows.
— often used figuratively
Trouble lurks around every corner.
There is tenderness that lurks underneath his tough appearance.
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?
The idea had been lurking in her mind for some time.
2
computers : to read messages written by other people on the Internet in a newsgroup, chat room, etc., without writing any messages yourself
rip
v.
a [+ object] : to tear, split, or open (something) quickly or violently
She ripped the fabric in half.
He ripped open the package.
The dog ripped the pillow to shreds/pieces.
[+] more examples
b [no object] : to become torn or split
Her coat ripped when it caught on the doorknob.
The seam has ripped.
rap
v. to quickly hit or knock (something) several or many times
[+ object]
The teacher rapped the desk with her knuckles.
The boy teased the dog by rapping a stick on the fence.
[no object]
Someone was rapping on the door.
2
[+ object] chiefly British : to say (something) quickly and forcefully — usually + out
The officer rapped out [=barked out] a command.
3
[+ object] : to criticize (someone or something) publicly
The report raps the organization for failing to develop a plan.
rape
v.
to force (someone) to have sex with you by using violence or the threat of violence
He is accused of raping the girl.
She was raped by a fellow student.
ripe
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