Detail - English meaning

verb

Legally take (another's child) and bring it up as one's own.

Usage examples:

There are many people eager to adopt a baby

verb

To take another person’s child legally into your own family to raise as your own child

Usage examples:

[ t ] they adopted raphael last september., the new law means companies will adopt energy-saving me…

verb

To start to use a new method, system, law, etc.

Usage examples:

Many european businesses are now adopting a management style closer to that of the us., adopt an ap…

verb

Distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.

Usage examples:

In past years we didn't allocate enough funds to infrastructure maintenance

verb

Distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose

verb

To give something as a share of a total amount

Usage examples:

State funds will not be allocated to the program next year.

verb

Assign a job or role to (someone).

Usage examples:

She has been appointed to the board

noun

A particular part or feature of something.

Usage examples:

Personal effectiveness in all aspects of life

verb

(of a planet) form an aspect with (another celestial body).

Usage examples:

The sun is superbly aspected by your ruler mars on the 19th

verb

Allocate (a job or duty).

Usage examples:

Congress had assigned the task to the agency

noun

Another term for assignee (sense 1).

Usage examples:

This agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their successors and assigns

verb

Regard something as being caused by.

Usage examples:

He attributed the firm's success to the efforts of the managing director

noun

A quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something.

Usage examples:

Flexibility and mobility are the key attributes of britain's army

noun

A quality or feature of a person or thing, esp. one that is an important part of its nature

Usage examples:

Self-confidence is a rare attribute in a 17-year-old., she has the physical attributes to become a …

noun

A complete list of items, typically one in alphabetical or other systematic order.

Usage examples:

The catalogue offered profiles of some social justice ngos from around the world who had been using…

verb

Make a systematic list of (items of the same type).

Usage examples:

It will be some time before the collection is fully catalogued

noun

A book that contains a list of all the products that you can buy from a company, including descriptions and prices for each product

Usage examples:

The auction house produces a catalogue full of colour photographs for each sale, available two week…

adjective

Typical of a particular person, place, or thing.

Usage examples:

He began with a characteristic attack on extremism

noun

A feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify them.

Usage examples:

Certain defining characteristics of the school emerge from the study

verb

Demand (an amount) as a price for a service rendered or goods supplied.

Usage examples:

Wedding planners may charge an hourly fee of up to £150

noun

A price asked for goods or services.

Usage examples:

Our standard charge for a letter is £25

noun

An ambassador's deputy.

verb

Pick out (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.

Usage examples:

He chose a seat facing the door

noun

A fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action.

Usage examples:

We wanted to marry but circumstances didn't permit

noun

An event or condition connected with what is happening or has happened

Usage examples:

[ c ] the circumstances of the theft of the painting were not known., [ c ] the circumstances surro…

prefix

(forming nouns) joint; mutual; common.

Usage examples:

Co-driver

abbreviation

Company.

Usage examples:

The consett iron co

abbreviation

Colorado (in official postal use).

verb

To persuade someone who criticizes or disagrees with you to join your group so that the person can no longer oppose you

Usage examples:

The president co-opted journalists by inviting them to private dinners in the white house., republi…

noun

An instruction, command, or role given to a person or group.

Usage examples:

One of his first commissions was to redesign the great exhibition building

verb

Order or authorize the production of (something).

Usage examples:

The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792

noun

A group of people who have been formally chosen and given the authority to get information about a problem or to perform other special duties

Usage examples:

Congress appointed a commission to study immigration policy., she received a commission to paint th…

noun

A part or element of a larger whole, especially a part of a machine or vehicle.

Usage examples:

An assembly plant for imported components

adjective

Constituting part of a larger whole; constituent.

Usage examples:

The component elements of the armed forces

One of the individual parts making up a larger entity

noun

Careful thought, typically over a period of time.

Usage examples:

Your case needs very careful investigation and consideration

noun

The act, state, or quality of caring about or respecting

Usage examples:

He showed very little consideration for anyone but himself., [ c ] financial considerations were a …

noun

In a contract, something with financial value that is given in exchange for something else, for example, a bank loan that is made in exchange for the borrower's promise to repay it

Usage examples:

From the wording of the agreement it was clear that the initial payment was part of the considerati…

adjective

Subject to chance.

Usage examples:

The contingent nature of the job

noun

A group of people sharing a common feature, forming part of a larger group.

Usage examples:

A contingent of japanese businessmen attending a conference

noun

A group of people representing an organization or country, or a part of a military force

Usage examples:

The conservative contingent walked out of the convention when their plan was rejected., buying the …

noun

A group of people who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, etc.

Usage examples:

He was one of nine members of the crew killed when the plane went down

verb

Provide (a craft or vehicle) with a group of people to operate it.

Usage examples:

Normally the boat is crewed by five people

verb

Past of crow2.

noun

A person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference.

Usage examples:

The delegates rejected the proposal

verb

Entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person, typically one who is less senior than oneself.

Usage examples:

She must delegate duties so as to free herself for more important tasks

verb

A person appointed or elected to represent others

verb

Describe or portray (something) precisely.

Usage examples:

The law should delineate and prohibit behaviour which is socially abhorrent

verb

Represented accurately or precisely

verb

To mark the border of something

Usage examples:

The boundary of the park is delineated by a row of trees., the constitution carefully delineates th…

verb

Give a detailed account in words of.

Usage examples:

He described his experiences in a letter to his parents

verb

Give a statement representing something

noun

The state of being objective or aloof.

Usage examples:

He felt a sense of detachment from what was going on

noun

A group of soldiers who are separated from the main group in order to perform a particular duty

Usage examples:

A detachment of paratroopers

verb

Choose (someone) to hold public office or some other position by voting.

Usage examples:

He was elected as councillor

adjective

(of a person) chosen or singled out.

Usage examples:

Suddenly the student becomes convinced that he is among the elect, the wise, the few who are privy …

plural noun

People who are chosen or singled out.

Usage examples:

One of the century's elect

noun

An essential or characteristic part of something abstract.

Usage examples:

The death had all the elements of a great tabloid story

noun

One of the parts of something that makes it work, or a quality that makes someone or something effective

Usage examples:

The heating element of a toaster, having a second income is an important element for most home buye…

verb

Mention (a number of things) one by one.

Usage examples:

There is not space to enumerate all his works

verb

To name things separately, one by one

Usage examples:

The salesman enumerated the features of the car.

verb

Make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts.

Usage examples:

They explained that their lives centred on the religious rituals

verb

Make plain and comprehensible

verb

To make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it

Usage examples:

[ i ] if there’s anything you don’t understand, i’ll be happy to explain., [ t ] the teacher explai…

verb

Present and explain (a theory or idea) in detail.

Usage examples:

He was expounding a powerful argument

noun

One side of something many-sided, especially of a cut gem.

Usage examples:

A blue and green jewel that shines from a million facets

noun

One of the parts or features of something

Usage examples:

There’s always one facet of my golf game that isn’t working.

noun

A thing that is known or proved to be true.

Usage examples:

He ignores some historical and economic facts

noun

Something known to have happened or to exist

Usage examples:

No one disputes the fact that the accident could have been avoided.

noun

A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.

Usage examples:

His skill was a factor in ensuring that so much was achieved

verb

Another term for factorize.

Usage examples:

Last year researchers factored a number 155 digits long

noun

A fact or situation that influences a result

Usage examples:

Economic factors had a lot to do with their decision to sell the company., in 6×3=18, 6 and 3 are f…

noun

A distinctive attribute or aspect of something.

Usage examples:

A well-appointed house with interesting decorative features

verb

Have as a prominent attribute or aspect.

Usage examples:

The hotel features a large lounge, a sauna, and a coin-operated solarium

noun

A noticeable or important characteristic or part

Usage examples:

This car has excellent safety features., she has fine, delicate features (= parts of the face)., th…

noun

The action of forming or process of being formed.

Usage examples:

The formation of the great rift valley

noun

A large area of rock that has characteristics different from the land surrounding it

Usage examples:

[ u ] they called for the formation of a committee to investigate corruption., [ c ] unusual cloud …

noun

The development or creation of a company, organization, etc.

Usage examples:

His company has made excellent progress since its formation three years ago., the arts center is co…

noun

A rigid structure that surrounds something such as a picture, door, or windowpane.

Usage examples:

His mother stood in the frame of the kitchen door, hands on her hips and a grim expression on her f…

verb

Place (a picture or photograph) in a frame.

Usage examples:

He had had the photo framed

noun

A set of criteria or stated values in relation to which measurements or judgements can be made.

Usage examples:

The observer interprets what he sees in terms of his own cultural frame of reference

noun

Any of the foods or substances that are combined to make a particular dish.

Usage examples:

Mix all of the ingredients together

noun

One of the parts in a mixture

Usage examples:

Combine all the ingredients for the stew., fig. she viewed color as an essential ingredient of good…

noun

One of the parts of something that is needed in order for a particular job, business, etc. to succeed

Usage examples:

Basic/key/main ingredient policymakers see capital investment as a key ingredient in an economic re…

noun

An individual article or unit, especially one that is part of a list, collection, or set.

Usage examples:

The items on the agenda

adverb

Used to introduce each item in a list.

Usage examples:

Item two statute books … item two drums

noun

One thing that is a part of a list or a collection of things

Usage examples:

There were several more items on the agenda., a news item in this morning’s newspaper, basic food i…

verb

Present as a list of individual items.

Usage examples:

I have itemized the morning's tasks

verb

To list particular things separately

Usage examples:

I always itemize deductions on my income tax.

verb

To list things such as payments or charges separately, usually including details about each

Usage examples:

He was accused of failing to report payments to political consultants and failing to itemize credit…

noun

A number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other.

Usage examples:

Consult the list of drugs on page 326

verb

Make a list of.

Usage examples:

I have listed four reasons below

noun

An instance of a ship listing to one side.

Usage examples:

The gallery walls are lined with marine ply, angled to give an echo of the list of a ship under sail.

verb

Give a spoken or written account of.

Usage examples:

The story is narrated by the heroine

verb

Propose or formally enter as a candidate for election or for an honour or award.

Usage examples:

The film was nominated for several oscars

adjective

Denoting a race or subspecies which is given the same epithet as the species to which it belongs, e.g. homo sapiens sapiens.

Usage examples:

The nominate race and two subspecies occur

verb

To officially suggest someone for a position, an honor, or election

Usage examples:

She was nominated by the president to serve on the supreme court., [ u ] three candidates are seeki…

verb

Make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders on.

Usage examples:

He was ordained a minister before entering parliament

verb

To make someone officially a priest, minister, or rabbi in a religious ceremony

noun

A set of clothes worn together, especially for a particular occasion or purpose.

Usage examples:

Her wedding outfit

verb

Provide with a set of clothes.

Usage examples:

Warders outfitted in special suits

noun

A set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity

Usage examples:

Susan wore a black outfit., she got a complete ski outfit as a gift from her parents., our company …

noun

An amount or section which, when combined with others, makes up the whole of something.

Usage examples:

Divide the circle into three equal parts

verb

(of two things) move away from each other.

Usage examples:

His lips parted in a smile

adverb

To some extent; partly (often used to contrast different parts of something).

Usage examples:

The city is now part slum, part consumer paradise

adjective

Used to single out an individual member of a specified group or class.

Usage examples:

The action seems to discriminate against a particular group of companies

noun

A detail.

Usage examples:

He is wrong in every particular

adjective

Special or single, or this and not any other

Usage examples:

Is there a particular restaurant you’d like to eat at?, what in particular (= special things) did y…

noun

An expedition to keep watch over an area, especially by guards or police walking or driving around at regular intervals.

Usage examples:

We were ordered to investigate on a night patrol

verb

Keep watch over (an area) by regularly walking or travelling around it.

Usage examples:

The garrison had to patrol the streets to maintain order

verb

Moving around an area to monitor and provide security

noun

The tapered, sharp end of a tool, weapon, or other object.

Usage examples:

The point of his dagger

verb

A fielding position on the off side near the batsman.

noun

A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal set upright in the ground and used as a support or marker.

Usage examples:

Follow the blue posts until the track meets a road

verb

Display (a notice) in a public place.

Usage examples:

A curt notice had been posted on the door

adverb

With haste.

Usage examples:

Come now, come post

adjective

In a particular place.

Usage examples:

A doctor must be present at the ringside

noun

The period of time now occurring.

Usage examples:

They are happy and at peace, refusing to think beyond the present

verb

Give or award formally or ceremonially.

Usage examples:

The duke presented certificates to the men

verb

Repeat aloud or declaim (a poem or passage) from memory before an audience.

Usage examples:

He recited passages of dante

verb

Tell someone about something; give an account of an event or experience.

Usage examples:

I recounted the tale to steve

noun

An act or instance of giving an account of an event or experience.

Usage examples:

Tom ended his recount of the events leading up to the murder there but promised that more on the sa…

noun

An act of counting something again, especially votes in an election.

Usage examples:

Repeated recounts failed to produce a different outcome

verb

Practise (a play, piece of music, or other work) for later public performance.

Usage examples:

We were rehearsing a radio play

verb

To practice something, such as music or a speech, or lead a person or group in practicing it, in order to prepare for a public performance

Usage examples:

[ i ] we rehearse all day and do the show that evening.

verb

Make or show a connection between.

Usage examples:

The study examines social change within the city and relates it to developments in the country as a…

verb

Give an account of

verb

To be connected with something, or to show that something is connected with something else

Usage examples:

[ i always + adv/prep ] the point i’m making now relates to what i said before., [ t ] she relates …

noun

A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Usage examples:

The director had a lot of respect for douglas as an actor

verb

Admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Usage examples:

She was respected by everyone she worked with

noun

Admiration for someone or something that you believe has good ideas or qualities

Usage examples:

I believe people had more respect for teachers back then., some drivers don’t have any respect for …

noun

Any of the more or less distinct parts into which something is or may be divided or from which it is made up.

Usage examples:

I unscrewed every section of copper pipe, from the roof tank to the hot-water cylinder

verb

Divide into sections.

Usage examples:

She began to section the grapefruit

noun

A part of something

Usage examples:

Dad always reads the sports section of the newspaper., he lived in a poor section of town., you’ll …

verb

Carefully choose as being the best or most suitable.

Usage examples:

Children must select their gcse subjects

adjective

(of a group of people or things) carefully chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable.

Usage examples:

He joined his select team of young intelligence operatives

verb

Pick out or choose from a number of alternatives

verb

Cause to go or be taken to a particular destination; arrange for the delivery of, especially by post.

Usage examples:

We sent a reminder letter but received no reply

verb

Variant spelling of scend (noun).

verb

The push or surge created by a wave.

phrasal verb

Begin a journey.

Usage examples:

We set out from new york on friday for egypt

phrasal verb

Arrange or display something in a particular order or position.

Usage examples:

They had a picnic by the river where there was a jetty and rustic tables and chairs set out

phrasal verb

To start a journey

Usage examples:

What time will we have to set off for grandma's house tomorrow?, jenny set off down the road on her…

noun

A position to the left or right of an object, place, or central point.

Usage examples:

A town on the other side of the river

verb

Support or oppose in a conflict, dispute, or debate.

Usage examples:

He felt that max had betrayed him by siding with beatrice

adjective

Clearly defined or identified.

Usage examples:

Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs

noun

A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body.

Usage examples:

He grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer

adjective

Relating to one thing and not others; particular

Usage examples:

The virus attacks specific cells in the body., the meeting is for the specific purpose of discussin…

phrasal verb

Speak the letters that form a word in sequence.

Usage examples:

He spelled out his name for the clerk

phrasal verb

To say or show letters

Usage examples:

They spelled out the letters y, m, c, and a with their arms and bodies., the mayor has so far refus…

noun

A small group of people having a particular task.

Usage examples:

An assassination squad

noun

Soldiers or armed forces.

Usage examples:

Un peacekeeping troops

verb

(of a group of people) come or go together or in large numbers.

Usage examples:

The girls trooped in for dinner

noun

A group of soldiers or police, esp. one equipped with horses

Usage examples:

Hundreds of thousands of visitors troop through the museum every year.

noun

An individual thing or person regarded as single and complete but which can also form an individual component of a larger or more complex whole.

Usage examples:

Large areas of land made up of smaller units

A single undivided whole

noun

A formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands.

Usage examples:

Voters will have two votes on their ballot paper - one to vote for or against a regional assembly a…

verb

Give or register a vote.

Usage examples:

They voted against the resolution

verb

To express your choice or opinion as one member of a group in order to decide a matter of importance to the whole group or to elect someone to an office

Usage examples:

[ i ] i voted early this morning just after the polls opened., [ i ] in a democracy, all adult citi…