peer
to look very carefully or hard, esp. as if not able to see clearly
jolly
1 very.
2 jolly well (used for giving force to an expression) certainly; really. This use of jolly is often thought to be typical of upper-class people.
nerve n
1 any of the threadlike parts of the body which form a system to carry feelings and messages to and from the brain
2 courage, determination, and self-control.
3 derog disrespectful rudeness.
tilt v
to (cause to) slope (as if) by raising one end.
tilt at sbdy. phr v [T]
1 to attack in speech or writing
2 (in former times) to charge at with a LANCE
3 tilt at windmills: to fight imaginary enemies
huddle v to (cause to) crowd together, in a group or in a pile.
golly interj old-fash infml. an expression of surprise
edge v
1 [T (with)] to provide with an edge or border.
2 [I+adv/prep; T+obj+adv/prep] to (cause to) move gradually, esp. with small sideways movements.
3 to cut the edges of (an area of grass) with a tool that cuts into the ground, in order to make a straight line and a neat appearance.
scrape n
1 an act or sound of scraping
2 a mark or wound made by scraping
3 infml an unpleasant, but not very serious, situation or difficulty.
frosty adj
1 a very cold.
2 unfriendly; cold.
simper v
to smile in a silly unnatural way; used especially of girls -simper n -~ingly adv
bat v
1 to close and open (the eyes) quickly, sometimes as a sexual invitation.
2 not bat an eye(lid) infml to show no sign of surprise or shock: She paid the exorbitant bill without batting an eyelid.
clasp n
1 a usu. metal fastener for holding together two things or two parts of one thing,
2 [usu. sing.] a tight firm hold, esp. by someone's hand or arms; GRIP
trickster n
a person who deceives or cheats people
sum up phr v
to give a statement of the main points of (a report, a speech, a trial, etc.); SUMMARIZE.
nimble adj
1 quick, light, and neat in movement.
2 quick in thinking or understanding.
dodge v
1 to avoid (something) by moving suddenly aside.
2 infml to avoid (a responsibility, duty, etc.) by a trick or in some dishonest way; EVADE.
bustle v
to be busily active, often with much noise..
snap v
1 (usu. of something thin and stiff) to (cause to) break suddenly and sharply off or in two parts.
2 to move so as to cause a sharp sound like something suddenly breaking.
3 to speak or say quickly, usu. in an annoyed way,
4 to close the jaws quickly.
6 snap one's fingers to attract attention by making a noise by moving the second finger quickly along the thumb.
7 snap one's fingers at BrE to show no respect for,
8 snap out of it infml [usu. imperative] to free oneself quickly from an unhappy or unhealthy state of mind
9 snap someone's head off infml to answer someone in a sharp angry way.
snap sthg. up phr v to take or buy quickly and eagerly.
Showing posts with label Roald Dahl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roald Dahl. Show all posts
Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat by Roald Dahl
parley n a talk, esp. with an enemy or other opponent, in order to make peace
unduly adv fml too much (so)
protract v to make the time during which (something) lasts long or longer, often without good reason
deter v to prevent from acting, esp. by the threat of something unpleasant.
payroll n 1 [C] a list of workers employed by a company and the amount of wages each person is to be paid. 2 [S] the total amount of wages paid to all the workers in a particular company
huddle v to (cause to) crowd together, in a group or in a pile
lecherous adj derog (esp. of a man) having or showing a desire for continual sexual pleasure
jiggery-pokery n infml, esp. BrE secret dishonest behaviour
cuckold n humor or derog, now rare a man whose wife has had sex with another man since her marriage
turn the tables (on someone) to suddenly take a position of strength or advantage that was formerly held by someone else, and change from being weaker to being stronger.
flabbergast v infml to surprise very much; fill with shocked wonder, usu. so that one is unable to think clearly
fatuous adj very silly without seeming to know it
fruity BrE infml (of talk, a remark, etc.) amusing in a slightly shocking or impolite way, esp. about matters of sex
lurk v [derog 1 to move or wait quietly and secretly, as if intending to do something wrong and not wanting to be seen. 2 to exist unseen
scoundrel n esp. fml or old-fash a wicked, selfish, or dishonest man: an utter scoundrel
encumber v fml to make action or movement difficult for; weigh down..
hitch n a difficulty which delays something for a while.
ravishing adj very beautiful; causing great delight.
finicky adj infml 1 too concerned about unimportant details, small likes and dislikes, etc.; FUSSY. 2 needing delicate attention to detail
ministration also ministrations pl.- n fml (a) giving of help and service, esp. to the sick or to those needing the services of a priest
groom n someone who is in charge of feeding, cleaning, and taking care of horses
wizened adj smaller in size and dried up, with lines in the skin, esp. as a result of age.
flutter infml an excited condition; state of excited interest
burrow v to search for something as if by digging
tendril n a thin leafless curling stem by which a climbing plant fastens itself to a support
probe n a long thin metal instrument, usu. with a rounded end, esp. one used to search inside a wound, a hole in a tooth, etc.
tide sbdy. over (sthg.) phr vto help through (a difficult period)
brisk adj quick and active
beaker n 1 esp. BrE a drinking cup with a wide mouth and usu. no handle 2 a small glass cup shaped for pouring, as used in a chemical LABORATORY
trappings n [often derog articles of dress or decoration, esp. as an outward sign of rank: (fig.)
countenance n fml the appearance or expression of a person's face
prognathous adj tech having or being a jaw that sticks out
brood n a family of young creatures, esp. birds: a brood of ducklings
inlay n a filling of a metal or another substance used in the inside of a decayed or damaged tooth
cast to throw off; remove; get rid of
peek v infml to take a quick look at something, esp. when one should not
coy adj showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence, esp. in order to attract interest or to avoid dealing with something difficult
feast one's eyes on/upon to look at eagerly and with delight:
reckon v to guess; believe as a result of calculating roughly but not exactly
mangy adj 1 suffering from the disease of MANGE 2 infml of bad appearance because of loss of hair, as in MANGE: a mangy carpet (=old and with bare areas)
clasp n a usu. metal fastener for holding together two things or two parts of one thing
lilt n a regular usu. pleasant pattern of rising and falling sound, esp. in speaking or singing
unduly adv fml too much (so)
protract v to make the time during which (something) lasts long or longer, often without good reason
deter v to prevent from acting, esp. by the threat of something unpleasant.
payroll n 1 [C] a list of workers employed by a company and the amount of wages each person is to be paid. 2 [S] the total amount of wages paid to all the workers in a particular company
huddle v to (cause to) crowd together, in a group or in a pile
lecherous adj derog (esp. of a man) having or showing a desire for continual sexual pleasure
jiggery-pokery n infml, esp. BrE secret dishonest behaviour
cuckold n humor or derog, now rare a man whose wife has had sex with another man since her marriage
turn the tables (on someone) to suddenly take a position of strength or advantage that was formerly held by someone else, and change from being weaker to being stronger.
flabbergast v infml to surprise very much; fill with shocked wonder, usu. so that one is unable to think clearly
fatuous adj very silly without seeming to know it
fruity BrE infml (of talk, a remark, etc.) amusing in a slightly shocking or impolite way, esp. about matters of sex
lurk v [derog 1 to move or wait quietly and secretly, as if intending to do something wrong and not wanting to be seen. 2 to exist unseen
scoundrel n esp. fml or old-fash a wicked, selfish, or dishonest man: an utter scoundrel
encumber v fml to make action or movement difficult for; weigh down..
hitch n a difficulty which delays something for a while.
ravishing adj very beautiful; causing great delight.
finicky adj infml 1 too concerned about unimportant details, small likes and dislikes, etc.; FUSSY. 2 needing delicate attention to detail
ministration also ministrations pl.- n fml (a) giving of help and service, esp. to the sick or to those needing the services of a priest
groom n someone who is in charge of feeding, cleaning, and taking care of horses
wizened adj smaller in size and dried up, with lines in the skin, esp. as a result of age.
flutter infml an excited condition; state of excited interest
burrow v to search for something as if by digging
tendril n a thin leafless curling stem by which a climbing plant fastens itself to a support
probe n a long thin metal instrument, usu. with a rounded end, esp. one used to search inside a wound, a hole in a tooth, etc.
tide sbdy. over (sthg.) phr vto help through (a difficult period)
brisk adj quick and active
beaker n 1 esp. BrE a drinking cup with a wide mouth and usu. no handle 2 a small glass cup shaped for pouring, as used in a chemical LABORATORY
trappings n [often derog articles of dress or decoration, esp. as an outward sign of rank: (fig.)
countenance n fml the appearance or expression of a person's face
prognathous adj tech having or being a jaw that sticks out
brood n a family of young creatures, esp. birds: a brood of ducklings
inlay n a filling of a metal or another substance used in the inside of a decayed or damaged tooth
cast to throw off; remove; get rid of
peek v infml to take a quick look at something, esp. when one should not
coy adj showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence, esp. in order to attract interest or to avoid dealing with something difficult
feast one's eyes on/upon to look at eagerly and with delight:
reckon v to guess; believe as a result of calculating roughly but not exactly
mangy adj 1 suffering from the disease of MANGE 2 infml of bad appearance because of loss of hair, as in MANGE: a mangy carpet (=old and with bare areas)
clasp n a usu. metal fastener for holding together two things or two parts of one thing
lilt n a regular usu. pleasant pattern of rising and falling sound, esp. in speaking or singing
The Landlady by Roald Dahl
brisk adj 1 quick and active
big shot n a person of great importance or influence
swanky very fashionable or expensive; POSH:
blotch n a large irregular spot or mark on the skin, one's clothes,
dachshund also sausage dog
congenial adj pleasant; in agreement with one's tastes and nature:
rapacious adj fml taking everything one can, esp. by force
dither (about)] infml to behave nervously and uncertainly because one cannot decide:
dotty adj infml weak-minded; slightly mad:
swamp [usu. pass.] to cause to have a large amount, e.g. of work or problems, to deal with; INUNDATE
teeny adj infml very small; TINY
teeny weeny (used esp. by or to children) very small
frisky adj infml, often humor overflowing with life and activity; joyfully alive and playful
tantalize also -lise BrE v to make (someone) want something even more strongly by keeping it just out of reach
whiff n a short-lasting smell or movement of air:
blemish n something that spoils perfection:
big shot n a person of great importance or influence
swanky very fashionable or expensive; POSH:
blotch n a large irregular spot or mark on the skin, one's clothes,
dachshund also sausage dog
congenial adj pleasant; in agreement with one's tastes and nature:
rapacious adj fml taking everything one can, esp. by force
dither (about)] infml to behave nervously and uncertainly because one cannot decide:
dotty adj infml weak-minded; slightly mad:
swamp [usu. pass.] to cause to have a large amount, e.g. of work or problems, to deal with; INUNDATE
teeny adj infml very small; TINY
teeny weeny (used esp. by or to children) very small
frisky adj infml, often humor overflowing with life and activity; joyfully alive and playful
tantalize also -lise BrE v to make (someone) want something even more strongly by keeping it just out of reach
whiff n a short-lasting smell or movement of air:
blemish n something that spoils perfection:
Taste by Roald Dahl
epicure n a person who takes great interest in the pleasures of food and drink; gourmet
droll adj odd and amusing
diffident adj [(about)] lacking a belief in one's own qualities and abilities, and therefore unwilling to speak or act with confidence
ooze 1 v
1 [I+adv/prep] (of liquid, esp. a thick liquid) to pass or flow slowly
2 to allow (liquid) to pass slowly out
vintage n a particular year in which a wine is made
breed n a kind or class of animal or plant usu. developed under human influence
restrained adj (of a person or their behaviour) calm and controlled; not showing strong feelings
moselle n ( a type of light German white wine originally made in the valley of the Moselle river
amiable adj pleasant and well-intentioned; likable; friendly
bookmaker esp. BrE, a person whose job is to take money (BETs) risked on the results of competitions, esp. horse races
unctuous adj fml full of unpleasantly insincere kindness, interest, etc
impinge v
impinge on/upon sthg./sbdy phr v [T pass. rare]
to have an effect on; influence
pop v -pp-
1 to (cause to) make a short sharp explosive sound
2 [I+adv/prep] infml to move quickly or suddenly away from a surface; spring.
3 [I+adv/prep] infml to go or come suddenly, quickly, or unexpectedly
4 [T+obj+adv/prep] infml to put quickly and lightly:
5 [T] AmE infml to use (PILLs) too often
jab v -[I+adv/prep; T+obj+adv/prep] to push (something pointed) hard; strike quickly from a short distance
tip v [T+obj+adv/prep] esp. BrE to pour (a substance) from one container into another, onto a surface, etc.
sag v
1 to sink, settle, or bend downwards, esp. away from the usual or correct position
2 to fall in value, amount, or level, esp. for a short time3 (of a book, performance, etc.) to become uninteresting during part of the length
supercilious adj derog (as if ) thinking that others are of little importance
drawl v to speak or say slowly, with vowels greatly lengthened
overmuch adv, determiner, pron
1 fml too much: overmuch work
2 (usu. in negatives) very much
loll v
1 to be in a lazy loose position
2 to (allow to) hang down loosely
shrewd adj
1 showing good practical judgment, esp. of what is to one's own advantage
2 well-reasoned and likely to be right:
sour adj
1 having the taste that is not bitter, salty, or sweet, and is produced esp. by acids
2 having the taste of fermentation
3 having or expressing a bad temper; unfriendly
4 infml bad or wrong; disappointing
stake money risked on the result of something; esp. a horse race
let sbdy./sthg. in phr v
1 to allow or make it possible for (someone or something) to enter
2 to allow; admit
jerk v to pull suddenly
jerk n a short quick pull or (backward) movement
lounge v [I+adv/prep] to stand or sit in a leaning lazy way
prim adj usu. derog (of a person) very formal or exact in behaviour, and easily shocked by anything rude
trickle v [I+adv/prep] to flow in drops or in a thin stream
wistful adj thoughtful and rather sad, esp. because of desires which may not be satisfied or memories of past happiness which may not return
demure adj (esp. of a woman or child) quiet, serious, and not trying to draw attention to oneself
bashful adj uncomfortable in social situations
blithe adj sometimes derog (esp. of a person's behaviour) happy and unworried
flare v
1 to burn brightly, but with an unsteady flame or for a short time
2 to (cause to) open outwards, esp. to widen gradually towards the bottom
silt n loose sand, mud, soil, etc., carried in running water and then dropped, e.g. at the entrance to a harbour, by a bend in a river, etc.
puffy adj rather swollen
frosty adj
1 a very cold:
2 unfriendly; cold
droll adj odd and amusing
diffident adj [(about)] lacking a belief in one's own qualities and abilities, and therefore unwilling to speak or act with confidence
ooze 1 v
1 [I+adv/prep] (of liquid, esp. a thick liquid) to pass or flow slowly
2 to allow (liquid) to pass slowly out
vintage n a particular year in which a wine is made
breed n a kind or class of animal or plant usu. developed under human influence
restrained adj (of a person or their behaviour) calm and controlled; not showing strong feelings
moselle n ( a type of light German white wine originally made in the valley of the Moselle river
amiable adj pleasant and well-intentioned; likable; friendly
bookmaker esp. BrE, a person whose job is to take money (BETs) risked on the results of competitions, esp. horse races
unctuous adj fml full of unpleasantly insincere kindness, interest, etc
impinge v
impinge on/upon sthg./sbdy phr v [T pass. rare]
to have an effect on; influence
pop v -pp-
1 to (cause to) make a short sharp explosive sound
2 [I+adv/prep] infml to move quickly or suddenly away from a surface; spring.
3 [I+adv/prep] infml to go or come suddenly, quickly, or unexpectedly
4 [T+obj+adv/prep] infml to put quickly and lightly:
5 [T] AmE infml to use (PILLs) too often
jab v -[I+adv/prep; T+obj+adv/prep] to push (something pointed) hard; strike quickly from a short distance
tip v [T+obj+adv/prep] esp. BrE to pour (a substance) from one container into another, onto a surface, etc.
sag v
1 to sink, settle, or bend downwards, esp. away from the usual or correct position
2 to fall in value, amount, or level, esp. for a short time3 (of a book, performance, etc.) to become uninteresting during part of the length
supercilious adj derog (as if ) thinking that others are of little importance
drawl v to speak or say slowly, with vowels greatly lengthened
overmuch adv, determiner, pron
1 fml too much: overmuch work
2 (usu. in negatives) very much
loll v
1 to be in a lazy loose position
2 to (allow to) hang down loosely
shrewd adj
1 showing good practical judgment, esp. of what is to one's own advantage
2 well-reasoned and likely to be right:
sour adj
1 having the taste that is not bitter, salty, or sweet, and is produced esp. by acids
2 having the taste of fermentation
3 having or expressing a bad temper; unfriendly
4 infml bad or wrong; disappointing
stake money risked on the result of something; esp. a horse race
let sbdy./sthg. in phr v
1 to allow or make it possible for (someone or something) to enter
2 to allow; admit
jerk v to pull suddenly
jerk n a short quick pull or (backward) movement
lounge v [I+adv/prep] to stand or sit in a leaning lazy way
prim adj usu. derog (of a person) very formal or exact in behaviour, and easily shocked by anything rude
trickle v [I+adv/prep] to flow in drops or in a thin stream
wistful adj thoughtful and rather sad, esp. because of desires which may not be satisfied or memories of past happiness which may not return
demure adj (esp. of a woman or child) quiet, serious, and not trying to draw attention to oneself
bashful adj uncomfortable in social situations
blithe adj sometimes derog (esp. of a person's behaviour) happy and unworried
flare v
1 to burn brightly, but with an unsteady flame or for a short time
2 to (cause to) open outwards, esp. to widen gradually towards the bottom
silt n loose sand, mud, soil, etc., carried in running water and then dropped, e.g. at the entrance to a harbour, by a bend in a river, etc.
puffy adj rather swollen
frosty adj
1 a very cold:
2 unfriendly; cold
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