notes in class

1.   bureaucratic (adj.)

-using or connected with many complicated rules and ways of doing things : of, relating to, or like a bureaucracy or bureaucrat

-example: She had a bureaucratic nightmare.

2.   retain (v.)

-(1)to continue to have or use (something)

-(2)to keep (someone) in a position, job, etc.

-(3)to pay for the work of (a person or business)

-example: A landlord may retain part of your deposit if you break the lease.

3.   interfere (v.)

-to deliberately become involved in a situation and try to influence the way that it develops, although you have no right to do this

-example: I don't want to interfere, but maybe you'd better listen to me.

3.   capricious (adj.)

-(1)changing often and quickly; especially : often changing suddenly in mood or behavior

-(2)not logical or reasonable : based on an idea, desire, etc., that is not possible to predict

-example: The court ruled that the punishment was arbitrary and capricious.

4.   unbridgeable (adj.)

-used for describing problems or differences between people that are so great that they will never be solved or agreed on

-example: The gulf between us was unbridgeable.

5.   irreconcilable  (adj.)

-so different that agreement is not possible

-example: The theories that are irreconcilable with each other.

6.   chasm (n.)

-(1)a very big difference that separates one person or group from another

-(2)a very deep crack in rock or ice

-example: There is a chasm in the ocean floor.

7.   upholder (v.)

-(1)to support or defend (something, such as a law)

-(2)to judge (a legal decision) to be correct : to decide not to change (a verdict)

-example: He took an oath to uphold the Constitution.

8.   sublime (adj.)

-very beautiful or good : causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder

-example: He composed some of the most sublime symphonies in existence.

9.   wrath (n.)

-very great anger

-example: He feared the wrath of his employer.

10.   morality (n.)

-(1)principles of right or wrong behaviour

-(2) the degree to which something is considered to be right or wrong

-example: As a novelist, she has never been very preoccupied by morality.

11.   blizzard (n.)

-(1)a storm with a lot of snow and strong winds

-(2)a sudden large amount of something that must be dealt with

-example: Roads were closed due to severe blizzards.

12.   anthropocentric (adj.)

-considering human beings as the most significant entity of the universe

-example: The ancient people were anthropocentric.

13.   stranglehold (n.)

-strong power over someone or something that prevents them from having any freedom to act

-example: Government forces have tightened their stranglehold on the region.

14.   aristocratic (adj.)

-belonging to or typical of the aristocracy

-example: She comes from an aristocratic family.

15.   allegiance (n.)

- loyalty to a person, country, group, etc.

-example: He owes allegiance to them for all the help they have given him.

16.   decrees (n.)

-(1)an official decision or order made by a leader or government

-(2)a judgment made by a court of law

-example: The President issued a decree making the day a national holiday.

17.   permit (v.)

- to allow someone to do something, or to allow something to happen

-example: The use of mobile phones is not permitted inside the aircraft.

18.   assembly (n.)

-a part of a government consisting of people who have been elected to make laws

-example: The ruling party holds only a three-vote majority in the assembly.

19.   formidable (adj.)

-(1)very powerful or strong : deserving serious attention and respect

-(2)very difficult to deal with

-(3)large or impressive in size or amount

-example: The mountains were a formidable barrier.

20.   rigid (adj.)

-(1)not able to be bent easily

-(2)not easily changed

-(3)not willing to change opinions or behavior

-example: The patient's legs were rigid.

21.   precedent (n.)

-an action or event in the past that is used as an example or reason for a present action or event

-example: There are good precedents for this sort of cooperation between organizations.

22.   precarious (adj.)

-not safe, strong, or steady

-example: He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling.

23.   adversary (n.)

-an enemy or opponent

-example: His political adversaries tried to prevent him from winning the nomination.

24.   amateurs (n.)

-(1)someone who does something because they enjoy it instead of as a job

-(2)someone who does not do something very well

-example: Let's show them what a bunch of amateurs they are.

25.   versatile (adj.)

-(1)able to be used in many different ways

-(2)having a wide range of different skills and abilities

-example: This versatile summer jacket is a great buy.