Vocabulary lesson 52

Definitions and samples intensify (v.) to increase in power; to act with increased strength – That tension is expected to intensify as the nation’s financial crisis deepens. irrigation (n.) the supplying of water to dry land – Farmers pay money to add ammonia to irrigation water because it is a fertilizer. obtain (v.) to gain…

Midterm: A test you take halfway through a class. It measures what you have learned from the beginning until that point. Before then, players will be pressed to score well on midterm exams and papers. Cubicle: A small work space that is separated from other work spaces by low, often temporary walls. At work he…

Definitions and samples timid (adj.) not having courage or confidence – I was a timid child. seldom (adv.) very rarely or almost never – Karen had seldom seen him so angry. resign (v.) if you resign from a job or position, you formally announce that you are leaving it – Mr Robb resigned his position…

Definitions and samples sneer (v. & n.) to smile in a mean, mocking, or sarcastic way – The wrestlers sneer at each other across the ring before the match begins. similar (adj.) of the same kind in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical – You can also get more information by comparing figures for similar…

Definitions and samples sinister (adj.) evil; wicked; dishonest; frightening – The attacks are all the more sinister because nobody is sure who is behind them. tempt (v.) try to get someone to do something; test; invite – Sometimes, he says, the bad spirits tempt him to do wrong. wager (noun & verb) bet – Minimum…

Definitions and samples anticipate (v.) to expect; predict; to sense something before it happens – Officials anticipate the figure will climb to $8 million by the end of December. catastrophic (adj.) extremely harmful; causing financial or physical ruin; involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering – It was a complete foreign policy malfunction that…