ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY
1. objectn 1) (C) a material thing: What is that dark object over
there? 2) (C) slightly/m/. Something or someone which causes par
ticular feelings or actions, as an object of pity/admiration /embar
rassment/ ridicule: She became an object of ridicule among the other
pupils. The disaster was an object lesson in how not to run a school. 3)
(C) purpose or reason for doing something: The object of her visit was
not clear.
objectvi to say that you are against something because it is unfair or morally wrong: They want to sell the car, and naturally he objects. I object to the whole thing on principle.
objectionn (C) a statement or feelihg of dislike, disapproval or opposition, as brush aside/have/raise/voice/withdraw objections: Her objection to/against the plan is based on incorrect facts. Have you any objections to his coming?
objectiven (C) a concrete and clearly formulated purpose: His main/primary objective now is simply to stay in power.
objectivea not influenced by personal feelings; fair as objective assessment/report/facts: The writer tried to be as objective as possible in evaluating his latest work.
2. opposevt to think that something is wrong and try to prevent
it: His father opposed his wish to become an actor.
be opposed toto be against something, especially when this is your permanent opinion: Many people are opposed to the use of fur for clothes.
oppositionn(U)Atthe meeting there was a lot of opposition to the proposed changes. The Opposition has/have condemned the Government's proposed tax increases.
oppositea 1) completely different: / wanted to impress them but probably had the opposite effect. 2) across from where you are; facing: He lives opposite.
oppositeи (С) a person or thing that is as different as possible: You are nice, he's just the opposite. Black and white are opposites.
3. groundn 1) (C) a piece of land for a special use, as a football
ground, playground, parade ground, training ground, sports ground
2) (C) reason or cause or argument as on grounds of/on the ground
that/on the grounds of: She's suing the company on the grounds of
unfair dismissal. Do you have any ground for suspecting them?
cover much/a lot of ground1) to travel a certain distance 2) to deal with many different subjects: 77/ try to cover all the ground in a short speech of half an hour.
suit someone down to the ground{informal) to be just what one wants or likes: This house will suit us down to the ground.
groundsn gardens and land surrounding or attached to a house or institution: The college grounds were beautifully planted.
groundlessa (of feelings, ideas) without base or good reason as groundless fears/worries
well-groundeda based on fact: The claim must be well-grounded on fact.
4. thingn 1)(C) any material object: What's that thing you've got
on your head? 2) (C) a piece of clothing: Put your things on and
come for a walk. I've not got a thing to wear. 3) (C) that which is not
material: What a nasty thing to say to your sister! 4) (C) a subject,
matter: There's one more thing I wanted to say. I want to forget the
whole thing. 5) (C) a person or animal regarded as an object of pity,
affection or contempt: Your daughter's such a sweet little thing. What
a lazy/noisy/stupid thing you are! 6) (C) happening, event: A funny
thing happened yesterday. 7) pi possessions, belongings: Have you
packed your things for the journey? 8) pi the general state of affairs:
Things are not what they were. My doctor told me to take things easy
for a while.
just the thing,exactly what you want.
(not) quite the thingwhat is considered socially correct, fashionable: It's not quite the thing to wear an open-necked shirt to a formal evening dinner.
It's (Just) one of those thingsmeans that there was no way of planning to avoid smth: The road was blocked, so we missed the meeting. — I'm afraid it was just one of those things.
the thing isoften used to emphasise an important remark which follows: The thing is, can we get there in time?
have a thing about(informal) a peculiar attitude or feeling toward smth: She has a thing about cats.
It's good thingIt's a good thing George can't hear us.
5. initialn usu. pi. first letter of a person's name.
initiala coming at the beginning, as the initial advantage, attempt, stage, step, symptoms: His initial response to the question was "no".
initiativen 1) (C) the first step in an undertaking, have/seize/ lose/take the initiative: They have attempted to take the initiative in dealing with the problem. 2) (U) the ability to use your judgement to make decisions as have/display/lack/show initiative: He doesn't have much initiative. Act on your own initiative.
6. attendvt/i \)fml to give one's attention: Are you attending to
what is being said? 2) to be present at: The meeting was well attended.
3) to provide help, esp. as part of your job: The president always has
his own doctor attending on him. A)fmlto result in, go to with: Danger
attended everything he did.
attentionn 1) (U) active focusing of the mind as pay attention to, attract/draw smb's attention to: He likes being the centre of attention. Many countries are starting to turn their attention to new forms of energy.
attentivea 1) paying attention 2) helpful and considerate: I had very attentive and loving parents.
inattentivea He has been wholly inattentive to the needs of his children.
attendantn a person who looks after a place as a museum/cloakroom attendant.
attendancen (C, U) the act of being present: Attendance at school is demanded by law.
7. reassurevt to restore confidence or courage: The doctor reas
sured the sick man (about his health).
reassurancen (C, U) She won't believe it in spite of all our reassurance(s).
reassuringlyadv "You'll be all right," he said reassuringly.
assurevt 1) to promise; try to persuade: He assured us of his ability to work. 2) to make certain: Before going to bed she assured herself that the door was locked.
assureda self-possessed, confident: Now that the finance has been secured, the production of the film is assured.
self-assureda (approving) having confidence in your own abilities: The interview showed her as a self-assured and mature student.
assurancen promise: She gave me her assurance that she would post the cheque immediately.
8. yieldv 1) to supply or produce smth. positive such as a profit, an amount of food or information: The talks with the management failed to yield any results 2) to give up, surrender: They were forced to yield (up) some of their lands during the war. We will not yield to pressure.
yieldn that which is produced: The tree gave a high yield this year.
yieldinga 1) submissive, obedient: He has a yielding character and will soon change his mind. 2) soft, easy to move or band, as yielding materials.