Cracks - English meaning

noun

An action or remark that causes outrage or offence.

Usage examples:

He took his son's desertion as a personal affront

verb

Offend the modesty or values of.

Usage examples:

She was affronted by his familiarity

noun

A pithy observation which contains a general truth.

Usage examples:

The old aphorism ‘the child is father to the man’

noun

The testing of a metal or ore to determine its ingredients and quality.

Usage examples:

Submission of plate for assay

verb

Determine the content or quality of (a metal or ore).

Usage examples:

The man who assayed gold was more than a technician

verb

To examine a substance to find out how pure it is or what its properties (= qualities) are

Usage examples:

He never returned to the lab to assay the other samples., ores from there have been assayed and are…

verb

Make an effort to achieve or complete (something difficult).

Usage examples:

She attempted a comeback in 2001

noun

An effort to achieve or complete a difficult task or action.

Usage examples:

An attempt to halt the bombings

noun

A sudden loud, sharp noise.

Usage examples:

The door slammed with a bang

verb

Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.

Usage examples:

He began to bang the table with his fist

adverb

Exactly.

Usage examples:

The train arrived bang on time

noun

The playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.

Usage examples:

There was much good-natured banter

verb

Exchange remarks in a good-humoured teasing way.

Usage examples:

The men bantered with the waitresses

noun

Conversation that is not serious and is often playful

Usage examples:

That kind of banter isn’t appropriate at work.

noun

A sharp projection near the end of an arrow, fish hook, or similar object, which is angled away from the main point so as to make extraction difficult.

Usage examples:

It was a simple hunting arrow, without a particularly sharp edge or barbs that would make it harder…

noun

A small horse of a hardy breed originally from north africa.

Usage examples:

The rancho riding herd is usually 27 horses, mainly spanish barbs and mixes of that breed.

verb

Cut or style (a person's hair).

Usage examples:

He has barbed the hair of any celebrity you can think of

noun

A loud, deep, resonant sound.

Usage examples:

The deep boom of the bass drum

verb

Make a loud, deep, resonant sound.

Usage examples:

Thunder boomed in the sky

verb

Experience a period of great prosperity or rapid economic growth.

Usage examples:

Business is booming

noun

An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

Usage examples:

A breach of confidence

verb

Make a gap in and break through (a wall, barrier, or defence).

Usage examples:

The river breached its bank

verb

Separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.

Usage examples:

The branch broke with a loud snap

noun

An interruption of continuity or uniformity.

Usage examples:

The magazine has been published without a break since 1950

noun

Former term for breaking cart.

noun

A narrow opening, typically one that admits light.

Usage examples:

A chink in the curtains

verb

Make or cause to make a light, high-pitched ringing sound, as of glasses or coins striking together.

Usage examples:

The chain joining the handcuffs chinked

noun

A high-pitched ringing sound.

Usage examples:

The chink of glasses

verb

Strike the palms of (one's hands) together repeatedly, typically in order to applaud someone or something.

Usage examples:

Agnes clapped her hands in glee

noun

An act of striking together the palms of the hands.

Usage examples:

When they stop i give them a clap

noun

A venereal disease, especially gonorrhoea.

Usage examples:

She has given him the clap

noun

A violent confrontation.

Usage examples:

There have been minor clashes with security forces

verb

Meet and come into violent conflict.

Usage examples:

Soccer hooligans clashed with rival fans before the match

verb

Crash together with violent impact

phrasal verb

Become clear

phrasal verb

(of an illness or bad weather) to go away, changing into a better condition

Usage examples:

If my cold doesn’t clear up, it will ruin my vacation., let’s hope the weather clears up., i want t…

verb

Split or sever (something), especially along a natural line or grain.

Usage examples:

The large axe his father used to cleave wood for the fire

verb

Stick fast to.

Usage examples:

Rose's mouth was dry, her tongue cleaving to the roof of her mouth

verb

To cut or break into two or more parts

Usage examples:

[ i ] the volcano cleaved nearly in half after its last eruption.

adjective

Past and past participle of cleave1.

noun

A fissure or split, especially in rock or the ground.

Usage examples:

The third peak is divided from the eastern one by a deep cleft

verb

Split or sever (something), especially along a natural line or grain.

Usage examples:

The large axe his father used to cleave wood for the fire

verb

Make a rapid succession of short sharp noises.

Usage examples:

The fire suddenly crackled and spat sparks

noun

A sound made up of a rapid succession of short sharp noises.

Usage examples:

There was a crackle and a whine from the microphone

verb

To make a set of short, sharp sounds

Usage examples:

The fire spread to an evergreen tree, which crackled with flames., the crackle of a radio broadcast

noun

A small, narrow space or opening.

Usage examples:

Bugs and spiders conceal themselves in crannies of the bark

noun

A small, narrow opening in something solid

Usage examples:

There were small plants growing in every nook and cranny of the wall.

verb

(of a vehicle) collide violently with an obstacle or another vehicle.

Usage examples:

A racing car had crashed, wrecking a safety barrier

noun

A violent collision, typically of one vehicle with another or with an object.

Usage examples:

A car crash

adjective

Done rapidly or urgently and involving a concentrated effort.

Usage examples:

A crash course in italian

noun

An enthusiasm for a particular activity or object which appears suddenly and achieves widespread but short-lived popularity.

Usage examples:

The new craze for step aerobics

verb

Make (someone) insane or wildly out of control.

Usage examples:

Crazed by hunger, the population began to turn on the rebels

verb

Make (someone) insane or wildly out of control.

Usage examples:

Crazed by hunger, the population began to turn on the rebels

noun

An enthusiasm for a particular activity or object which appears suddenly and achieves widespread but short-lived popularity.

Usage examples:

The new craze for step aerobics

noun

Small, thin cracks (= very narrow spaces) or lines over the surface of something, or the process of these appearing

Usage examples:

This antique dish is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, crazing, or stains., the acryli…

noun

A narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.

Usage examples:

Many creatures hide in crevices in the rock

noun

A deep crack or opening in a surface, esp. in rock

Usage examples:

He slipped on the mountain and landed in a crevice.

verb

Convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) into normal language.

Usage examples:

Authorized government agencies can decipher encrypted telecommunications

verb

To discover the meaning of something hard to understand or which contains a hidden message

Usage examples:

I have a hard time deciphering my phone bill.

verb

To discover the meaning of something written badly or in a difficult or hidden way

Usage examples:

Can you decipher the writing on this envelope?

verb

Convert (a coded message) into intelligible language.

Usage examples:

He put down the phone and decoded the message

noun

A translation of a coded message.

Usage examples:

Studying reports, poring over decodes

verb

To discover the meaning of information given in a secret or complicated way

Usage examples:

Scientists are decoding the genetic sequences in dna.

verb

Explode or cause to explode.

Usage examples:

Two other bombs failed to detonate

verb

To explode, or to cause a bomb to explode

Usage examples:

[ t ] a remote control device was used to detonate the bomb.

noun

The action of causing a bomb or explosive device to explode.

Usage examples:

She was in a control building at the time of detonation

noun

The act of exploding something, or the fact of being exploded

Usage examples:

Underground nuclear detonations are believed to have been carried out.

noun

A vigorous or determined attempt.

Usage examples:

in an effort to save money, i have committed to only buying items that i truly need

noun

Physical or mental activity needed to achieve something, or an attempt to do something

Usage examples:

[ c ] they met again in an effort to end the strike and get people back to work., [ u ] it took yea…

noun

A serious attempt to do something

Usage examples:

An effort to do sth this is part of an ongoing effort to develop the asian debt market., the guidel…

verb

Try hard to do or achieve something.

Usage examples:

He is endeavouring to help the third world

noun

An attempt to achieve a goal.

Usage examples:

An endeavour to reduce serious injury

verb

To try to do something

Usage examples:

Engineers are endeavouring to locate the source of the problem., in spite of our best endeavours, i…

noun

A pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way.

Usage examples:

A wildean epigram

noun

A short piece of writing on a particular subject.

Usage examples:

Apart from the novels, sundara ramaswamy has written several short stories and essays on literary c…

verb

Attempt or try.

Usage examples:

Donald essayed a smile

noun

A short piece of writing on a particular subject, often expressing personal views

verb

Burst or shatter violently and noisily as a result of rapid combustion, excessive internal pressure, or other process.

Usage examples:

An ammunition lorry exploded with a roar

verb

Burst and release energy as through a violent reaction

verb

To burst violently and usually with a loud noise, or to cause this to happen

Usage examples:

[ i ] a bomb exploded nearby., [ t ] black holes are left behind by exploding stars called supernov…

noun

A violent shattering or blowing apart of something, as is caused by a bomb.

Usage examples:

Three explosions damaged buildings at the barracks

noun

A violent burst, often with a loud noise

Usage examples:

[ c ] the fire was caused by a gas explosion., [ u ] the explosion of the space shuttle shocked the…

noun

A unit of length equal to six feet (1.8 metres), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water.

Usage examples:

Sonar says that we're in eighteen fathoms

verb

Understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought.

Usage examples:

The locals could not fathom out the reason behind his new-found prosperity

noun

A long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.

Usage examples:

The bacteria survive around vents or fissures in the deep ocean floor

verb

Split or crack (something) to form a long, narrow opening.

Usage examples:

The dry years had cracked and fissured the cliffs

noun

A deep crack, esp. one in rock or ice or in the ground

noun

The cracking or breaking of a hard object or material.

Usage examples:

Ground movements could cause fracture of the pipe

verb

Break or cause to break.

Usage examples:

The stone has fractured

verb

To crack or break something, esp. a bone

Usage examples:

[ t ] she fractured her skull in the accident., [ i ] this mineral fractures along straight lines.,…

noun

A break or hole in an object or between two objects.

Usage examples:

He peeped through the gap in the curtains

noun

An empty space or opening in the middle of something or between two things

Usage examples:

Picking up speed, she closed the gap between them., she has a gap between her front teeth., after a…

noun

A difference between two numbers, amounts, or levels

Usage examples:

Forecasters are predicting a budget gap of nearly $17 bn next year., there is a $40 million shortfa…

verb

Move from one place to another; travel.

Usage examples:

He went out to the shops

noun

An attempt or trial at something.

Usage examples:

Have a go at answering the questions yourself

adjective

Functioning properly.

Usage examples:

All systems go

verb

Speak to or treat with disrespect or scornful abuse.

Usage examples:

You're insulting the woman i love

noun

A disrespectful or scornfully abusive remark or act.

Usage examples:

He hurled insults at us

verb

To act in a way or say something that is offensive or rude to someone

Usage examples:

Don’t insult me just because i can’t dance., an insulting remark, offering me so little money was a…

verb

Explain the meaning of (information or actions).

Usage examples:

The evidence is difficult to interpret

verb

Make sense of; assign a meaning to

verb

To describe the meaning of something; examine in order to explain

Usage examples:

It’s difficult to interpret these statistics without knowing how they were obtained., [ i ] i had t…

noun

An intervening space, especially a very small one.

Usage examples:

Sunshine filtered through the interstices of the arching trees

noun

A space between things or events

Usage examples:

The wall was old and crumbling with plants growing in the interstices between/in/of the bricks., a …

verb

Make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice.

Usage examples:

Some of the younger men jeered at him

noun

A rude and mocking remark.

Usage examples:

The taunts and jeers of my classmates

verb

Laugh at with contempt and derision

noun

A thing said or done for amusement; a joke.

Usage examples:

He laughed uproariously at his own jest

verb

Speak in a joking way.

Usage examples:

You jest, surely?

noun

A joke

Usage examples:

We were able to laugh aloud at every jest., his remarks about the beatles were in jest.

noun

An insulting or mocking remark; a taunt.

Usage examples:

A jibe at his old rivals

verb

Make insulting or mocking remarks; jeer.

Usage examples:

Some cynics in the media might jibe

verb

Be in accord; agree.

Usage examples:

The verdict does not jibe with the medical evidence

noun

A thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

Usage examples:

She was in a mood to tell jokes

verb

Make jokes; talk humorously or flippantly.

Usage examples:

She could laugh and joke with her colleagues

noun

Something, such as an amusing story or trick, that is said or done in order to make people laugh

Usage examples:

He told a joke about a farmer and a lawyer that made nicholas burst into laughter., the playing con…

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

verb

To repeatedly hit something, producing a noise

Usage examples:

Someone is knocking at the door., jane knocked on the window to attract his attention., alice accid…

noun

One's mother.

Usage examples:

I want my ma

abbreviation

Massachusetts (in official postal use).

noun

An inconsequential remark made as part of a polite conversation.

Usage examples:

After an exchange of pleasantries, i proceeded to outline a plan

verb

Make a light explosive sound.

Usage examples:

Corks popped and glasses tinkled

noun

A light explosive sound.

Usage examples:

There were a few pops, perhaps from pistols

adverb

With a light explosive sound.

Usage examples:

The champagne went pop

noun

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.

Usage examples:

The railway society reception was an informal party of people of all stations (excuse the pun) in l…

verb

Make a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.

Usage examples:

His first puzzle punned on composers, with answers like ‘handel with care’ and ‘haydn go seek’

verb

Consolidate (earth or rubble) by pounding it.

noun

A witty remark.

Usage examples:

Peter ate heartily with a quip about being a condemned man

verb

Make a witty remark.

Usage examples:

‘flattery will get you nowhere,’ she quipped

noun

Conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.

Usage examples:

He had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee

noun

Quick and usually funny answers and remarks in conversation

Usage examples:

Oscar wilde's plays are full of witty repartee.

verb

Give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated.

Usage examples:

The minister reported a decline in milk production

noun

An account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body.

Usage examples:

The chairman's annual report

verb

To give an account or representation of in words

verb

Settle or find a solution to (a problem or contentious matter).

Usage examples:

The firm aims to resolve problems within 30 days

noun

Firm determination to do something.

Usage examples:

She received information that strengthened her resolve

verb

Find a solution or answer

noun

A crack, split, or break in something.

Usage examples:

The wind had torn open a rift in the clouds

verb

Break apart or become separated through faulting caused by plate tectonics.

Usage examples:

The indian landmass rifted from madagascar about 90 million years ago

noun

Something that divides partners or friends

Usage examples:

The border dispute caused a rift between canada and the us.

idiom

Sound loudly

phrasal verb

Make a clear resonant sound.

Usage examples:

A shot rang out

phrasal verb

Usher something out by or as by ringing a bell.

Usage examples:

The bells were beginning to ring out the old year

verb

(especially of a pipe or container, or bodily part such as an organ or membrane) break or burst suddenly.

Usage examples:

If the main artery ruptures he could die

noun

An instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely.

Usage examples:

A small hairline crack could develop into a rupture

verb

To burst or break, or to cause something to burst or break

Usage examples:

[ i ] high winds caused the oil tank to rupture., there is a rupture in confidence in government.

noun

A sudden charge out of a besieged place against the enemy; a sortie.

Usage examples:

The garrison there made a sally against us

verb

Make a military sortie.

Usage examples:

They sallied out to harass the enemy

noun

The part of a bell rope that has coloured wool woven into it to provide a grip for the bell-ringer's hands.

Usage examples:

There are two parts to the bell rope – the tail and the soft sally, which are pulled alternately to…

noun

The firing of a gun or cannon.

Usage examples:

Mulder killed him with a single shot

adjective

Past and past participle of shoot.

noun

A bill or one's share of it, especially in a pub or bar.

Usage examples:

He had paid her shot

adjective

Small in degree; inconsiderable.

Usage examples:

A slight increase

verb

Insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention.

Usage examples:

He was desperate not to slight a guest

noun

An insult caused by a failure to show someone proper respect or attention.

Usage examples:

An unintended slight can create grudges

noun

A long, narrow cut or opening.

Usage examples:

Make a slit in the stem under a bud

verb

Make a long, narrow cut in.

Usage examples:

Give me the truth or i will slit your throat

verb

Speak (words) indistinctly so that the sounds run into one another.

Usage examples:

He was slurring his words like a drunk

noun

An insinuation or allegation about someone that is likely to insult them or damage their reputation.

Usage examples:

The comments were a slur on staff at the hospital

verb

To pronounce the sounds of a word in a way that is wrong or not clear

Usage examples:

Her speech was slurred but she still denied she was drunk.

noun

A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand.

Usage examples:

She gave mark a smack across the face

verb

Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment.

Usage examples:

Jessica smacked his face, quite hard

adverb

In a sudden and violent way.

Usage examples:

I ran smack into the back of a parked truck

verb

Violently break (something) into pieces.

Usage examples:

The thief smashed a window to get into the car

noun

An act or sound of something smashing.

Usage examples:

He heard the smash of glass

adverb

With a sudden, violent shattering.

Usage examples:

They were together for an instant, and then smash it was all gone

verb

Break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.

Usage examples:

Guitar strings kept snapping

noun

A sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement.

Usage examples:

She closed her purse with a snap

adjective

Done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice.

Usage examples:

A snap decision

noun

A contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.

Usage examples:

He acknowledged their presence with a condescending sneer

verb

Smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking manner.

Usage examples:

She had sneered at their bad taste

verb

To show in an expression on your face or in your manner of speaking that someone or something is so foolish that it deserves to be ridiculed

Usage examples:

[ i ] you may sneer (at it), but a lot of people like this kind of music., "is that the best you ca…

verb

Find an answer to, explanation for, or means of effectively dealing with (a problem or mystery).

Usage examples:

The policy could solve the town's housing crisis

verb

Find the answer to or understand the meaning of

verb

Break or cause to break forcibly into parts, especially into halves or along the grain.

Usage examples:

The ice cracked and split

noun

A tear, crack, or fissure in something, especially down the middle or along the grain.

Usage examples:

Splits appeared in the decaying planks

proper noun

A seaport on the coast of southern croatia; population 177,500 (est. 2009). founded as a roman colony in 78 bc, it contains the ruins of the palace of the emperor diocletian, built in about ad 300.

verb

Thrust a knife or other pointed weapon into (someone) so as to wound or kill.

Usage examples:

He stabbed her in the stomach

noun

A thrust with a knife or other pointed weapon.

Usage examples:

Multiple stab wounds

verb

To injure someone using a sharp, pointed object

Usage examples:

He was stabbed with a fork., he’s recovering from stab wounds., cheri felt a sudden stab of guilt.,…

noun

A device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled.

Usage examples:

She turned the cold tap on

verb

Draw liquid through the tap or spout of (a cask, barrel, or other container).

Usage examples:

Several barrels had been tapped to celebrate old victories

noun

A quick light blow, or the sound of such a blow.

Usage examples:

There was a sharp tap at the door

noun

A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.

Usage examples:

Pupils will play truant rather than face the taunts of classmates about their ragged clothes

verb

Provoke or challenge (someone) with insulting remarks.

Usage examples:

Pupils began taunting her about her weight

verb

Harass with persistent criticism or carping

noun

A dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground.

Usage examples:

He hit the floor with a terrific thud

verb

Move, fall, or strike something with a dull, heavy sound.

Usage examples:

The bullets thudded into the dusty ground

noun

A sound made when something heavy hits a hard surface

Usage examples:

The thud of boots on the stairs, her bag thudded to the floor.

verb

Hit or strike heavily, especially with the fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

Holman thumped the desk with his hand

noun

A dull, heavy blow with a person's fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

I felt a thump on my back

verb

To hit something, making a soft, heavy noise

Usage examples:

[ t ] he thumped his chest., i heard a thump upstairs.

verb

Express the sense of (words or text) in another language.

Usage examples:

Several of his books were translated into english

verb

Restate from one language into another language

verb

Make an attempt or effort to do something.

Usage examples:

He tried to regain his breath

noun

An effort to accomplish something; an attempt.

Usage examples:

He got his membership card on his third try

abbreviation

Turkish lira (or lire).

noun

A risky or daring journey or undertaking.

Usage examples:

Pioneering ventures into little-known waters

verb

Undertake a risky or daring journey or course of action.

Usage examples:

She ventured out into the blizzard

noun

An activity or plan of action, often in business, that involves risk or uncertainty

Usage examples:

His most recent business venture ended in bankruptcy., [ i always + adv/prep ] he wanted to venture…

verb

Strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Usage examples:

His attacker whacked him on the head

noun

A sharp or resounding blow.

Usage examples:

With a few whacks and some loud whistles, they drove the animals away

verb

The act of hitting vigorously

exclamation

Used to express the sound of a forcible impact.

Usage examples:

The bombs landed—wham!—right on target

verb

Strike something forcefully.

Usage examples:

Trucks whammed into each other

exclamation

Used to suggest the sound of a sudden hit, or to signal that something sudden and unexpected happened

Usage examples:

All of a sudden, wham, i couldn’t leave my house, except to go to school.

verb

Move or cause to move rapidly round and round.

Usage examples:

Leaves whirled in eddies of wind

noun

A rapid movement round and round.

Usage examples:

The tempestuous whirl of circum-antarctic waters is also responsible for their being among the most…

verb

The shape of something rotating rapidly

noun

A dull or muffled thudding sound.

Usage examples:

The whump of a distant explosion

verb

Make a whump.

Usage examples:

He pitched a snowball that whumped into the car

noun

A witty remark.

Usage examples:

Maurice roared with laughter at his own witticisms

noun

A remark that is witty (= both intelligent and amusing)

collocation

Find the solution to or understand the meaning of

phrasal verb

Plan or devise something in detail.

Usage examples:

We need to work out a seating plan

phrasal verb

Solve a sum or determine an amount by calculation.

Usage examples:

The interest rate is worked out by adding a certain amount to the current base rate