Enrich Your Vocabulary: What Does It Really Mean?

Part 1

Choose the correct synonym. Answers are on page 150.

1. endearing adj. — A: small and lively (маленький и живенький). Б: long-lasting (давний, длящийся долго). В:lovable (привлекатель ный, обаятельный) Г: pretty (хорошенький).

2. enamored adj. — A: protected (защищенный). Б: embraced (обни маемый). В: charmed (очарованный). Г:strengthened (укреплен ный, упроченный).

3. cuddle v. — A: to bounce playfully (игриво качать/малыша/на ко лене). Б: spoil with gifts (испортить подарками). В: hug tenderly (нежно обнимать). Г: think lovingly of (думать с любовью о ком-то).

4. infatuation п. — A: all-absorbing passion (всепоглощающая страсть). Б: extreme pride (чрезмерная гордость). В: hasty action (оп рометчивый поступок). Г: comforting reliability (успокаивающая на дежность).

5. winsome adj. — A: dainty (утонченный). Б: angelic (ангельский). В: lovelorn (безнадежно влюбленный). Г:pleasing (приятный, нра вящийся).

6. Adonis п. — A: strong man (сильный человек). Б: romantic poet (романтик-поэт). В: hero (герой). Г: handsome youth (красивый юноша).

7. ardour п. — A: pleasant fragrance (приятный аромат). Б: intense emotion (сильное чувство). В: friendlypersuasion (дружеское убежде ние). Г: sincerity (искренность).

8. magnanimous adj. — A: splendid (великолепный). Б: optimistic (оптимистический). В: big-hearted(великодушный). Г: unprejudiced (беспристрастный).

9. reverie п. — A: adoration (обожание). Б: rejection (отказ, откло нение). В: daydream (греза). Г: love potion(приворотное зелье, лю бовный напиток).

10. amorous adj. — A: very affectionate (безумно любящий). Б: tempting (заманчивый, соблазнительный). В:frenzied (взбешен ный). Г: glowing (пылкий).

11. wistful adj. — A: soothing and serene (спокойный и безмятежный). Б: alert (бдительный). В: gentle (добрый, мягкий). Г: yearning (сильно желающий).

12. idolize v. — A: to enjoy (наслаждаться). Б: worship (обожать, преклоняться). В: build a statue (делать статую). Г: give an award (на граждать).

13. gallant adj. — A: casually careless (неосторожный до беспечно сти). Б: timid (робкий). В: unconventional(нешаблонный). Г: polite to women (вежливый с женщинами).

14. solicitous adj. — A: extremely precise (чрезвычайно точный). Б: provocative (вызывающий, провокационным). В: concerned (оза боченный). Г: suspicious (подозрительный).

15. rapport п. — A: intimate conversation (задушевная беседа). Б: sympathetic relationship (духовная близость). В:worry (беспокой ство, тревога). Г: state of ecstasy (восторженное состояние).

Answers (Part I)

1. endearing — В: привлекательным, обаятельный: The child actress has an endearing manner. Фр. -en (вызывать, быть причиной) и англ. dear (дорогой, дорогая).

2. enamored — В: очарованный; воодушевленный любовью; пле ненный; увлеченный: Не was enamored ofthe kitten at first sight. Фр. -en и amour (любовь).

3. cuddle — В: нежно обнимать, голубить: The grandmothers cuddled their babies. Также уютно устроиться,прижаться. Происхождение неизвестно.

4. infatuation — А: всепоглощающая, обычно безрассудная страсть; навязчивая, безрассудная, неглубокаялюбовь: The movie's plot is about the infatuation of an older countess with a young shepherd boy. Лат. infatuare (ставить в дурацкое положение).

5. winsome — Г: приятное, волнующее чувство: the flower girl's winsome smile. Cm.-англ. wynsum (приятный, восхитительный).

6. Adonis — Г:в греческой мифологии молодой красавец, люби мый богиней Афродитой; поэтому — исключительно красивый молодой человек.

7. ardour n. — Б: чувство большой силы и теплоты: The ardour of love can resemble a blazing fire. Лат. ardor (пламя).

8. magnanimous — В: великодушный; благородный, снисходительный: The surgeon's magnanimous practice of giving up his fee for his poverty-stricken patients. Лат. magnus (великий) и animus (разум. душа).

9. reverie — В: мечты, грезы: The bride's reverie was broken by her large hound dog's noisy bark. Ст.-фр. reverie (мечтательность).

10. amorous — А: сильно любящий; полный любви к противоположному полу: The legal secretary told her amorous boss, the tax lawyer. to stick to this tax code and stop annoying her. Фр. amour (любовь).

11. wistful — Г: сильно желающий с небольшой надеждой на удачу; печально-задумчивый: a wistful hope tomeet therock star. Вышедшее из употребления англ. wistly (внимательный) и wishful.

12. idolize — Б: преклоняться; слепо любить; обожать: she idolized her husband. Греч. eidolin (видение, призрак).

13. gallant — Г: вежливый и внимательный к женщинам. Также отважный и веселый; благородный: Неmade a gallant effort to protect his friend's reputation. Ст,-фр., galer (веселиться).

14. solicitous — В: озабоченный, беспокоящийся: solicitous about a loved one's health. Лат. sollicitus (встревоженный).

15. rapport — Б: духовная близость: the two children had a close rapport with their rich old great aunt. Ст.-фр. rapporter (сообщать).

Enrich Your Vocabulary

Part II

Tick the world of phrase you believe is nearest meaning to the key word. Answers are on page 152.

1. conjunction — A: crossroad. B: association. C: whim. D: set.

2. sub rosa — A: shabbily. B: carefully. C: secretly. D: idly.

3. commemorative — serving to A: memorize. B: organize. C: flatter. D: honour.

4. cartographer — A: heart specialist. B: astronomer. C: map maker. D: motor mechanic.

5. pervasive — A: dogged. B: sly. C: eerie. D: widespread.

6. primordial — A: springlike. B: uncorrupted. C: existing since the beginning. D: most important.

7. resuscitate — A: endow. B: wind. C: breathe. D: revive.

8. pulsate — A: roar. B: beat. C: thump. D: rattle.

9. motif — A: theory. B: theme. C: gesture. D: stratagem.

10. perjury — A: lie. B: outlet. C: insult. D: evasion.

11. cataclysm — A: vault. B: cliff. C: strident call. D: upheaval.

12. demonstrable — A: sharp. B: friendly. C: evident. D: outstanding.

13. irreparable — A: hateful. B: flawed. C: excessive. D: beyond repair.

14. prescience — A: naturalism. B: fussiness. C: fright. D: foreknowledge.

15. mettle — A: strangeness. B: courage. C: patience. D: power.

16. gyration — A: deception. B: tirade. C: collation. D: rotation.

17. inveigh — A: denounce. B: judge. C: cite. D: entice.

18. laconic — A: bitter. B: lazy. C: terse. D: mournful.

19. accredited — A: ready. B: certified. C: solvent. D: self-indulgent.

20. rapprochement — A: insinuation. B: scolding. C: reconciliation. D: procedure.

Answers (Part II)

1. conjunction — B: An associations with, a combination; a joining together. "The nurse worked in conjunction with the doctor." Latin conjungree (to connect).

2. sub rosa — C: Secretly; as, to receive money sub rosa. Latin (under the rose), origin unknown.

3. commemorative — D: Honouring; celebrating the memory of someone or something. Latin commemorare (to call to mind).

4. cartographer — C: Someone who makes maps. French carle (map).

5. pervasive — D: Widespread; as, the pervasive effects of a full moon. Latin pervadere (to go through).

6. primordial — C: Existing since the beginning; earliest; primeval; original; as, the primordial ocean. Latin primordius (original).

7. resuscitate — D: To revive; restore to vigour; bring back from apparent death; as, to resuscitate a withered plant. Latin resuscitare.

8. pulsate — B: To beat or throb rhythmically, as the pulse or heart. Latin pulsars (to strike; beat).

9. motif— B: Main theme or central idea in a work of art; as, motif in a Beethoven symphony. Latin movere (to move).

10. perjury — A: Lie; false statement made deliberately, Latin perjuare (to swear falsely).

11. cataclysm — D: Upheaval; catastrophe; violent, overwhelming change. Greek cataklusmos (a deluge).

12. demonstrable — C: Evident; apparent; whatever can be proved. Latin demonstrate (to indicate).

13. irreparable — D: Beyond repair or salvage; impossible to rectify; as, an irreparable loss. Latin irreparabilis.

14. prescience — D: Foreknowledge; seeing ahead of time what will happen. Latin praescire (to know before).

15. mettle — B: Courage; fortitude; spirit in meeting stress. Middle English metal, figuratively the fine quality of a sword.

16. gyration — D: Rotation; spiral motion. Latin gyrare (to turn).

17. inveigh — A: To denounce or rail; as, to inveigh against unfair treatment. Latin invere (to attack with word).

18. laconic — C: Terse, so stingy with words as to seem curt or brusque. Greek; like Laconian (Spartan).

19. accredited — B: Officially certified as meeting certain standards. French accrédité.

20. rapprochement — C: Reconciliation; re-establishing cordial relations; as, the rapprochement between the West and China. French rapprocher (to bring together).

Enrich Your Vocabulary

Part III

Here are 20 ecclesiastical (related to church) words to test your knowledge of the language of the church (answers are on page 154).

 

1. acolyte — A: chant. B: attendant. C: deacon. D: declaration of faith.

2. canticle — A: prayer. B: hymn. C: spell. D: lesson.

3. celibate — A: innocent. B: renowned. C: respectful. D: unmarried.

4. conclave — A: procession. B: agreement. C: assembly of cardinals. D: reconciliation.

5. doctrine — A: teaching. B: morality. C: ideal. D: narrow view.

6. ecumenical — A: protestant. B: universal. C: vested with authority. D: sectarian.

7. episcopal — A: pious. B: in ornate style. C: relating to bishop. D: clerical.

8. genuflect — A: confess. B: sprinkle with water. C: bend the knee in reverence. D: make the sign of the cross.

9. homily — A: sermon. B: fable. C: biblical quotation. D: epitaph.

10. laity — A: church authorities. B: those outside the clergy. C: nonbelievers. D: breakaway faction.

11. icon — A: Eastern cleric. B: religious portrait. C: candle. D: memorial service.

12. parochial — A: partisan. B: sacred. C: rigidly orthodox. D: of a parish.

13. celestial — A: of great value. B: deceptive. C: heavenly. D: joyful.

14. prelate — A: novice, B: religious event. C: church dignitary. D: lecture.

15. seminary — A: Jewish place of worship. B: saint's day. C: council. D: school.

16. synod — A: ecclesiastical council. B: wrongdoing. C: scripture, D: sacrament.

17. tonsure — A: cushion. B: shaved head. C: cloak. D: order of service.

18. atheist — one who believes A: in reincarnation. B: that there is no God. C: in pagan religion. D: that man cannot know whether God exists.

19. canonize — A: to excommunicate. B: sing. C: declare a saint. D: preach.

20. crypt — A: underground chamber. B: crucifix. C: ecclesiastical body. D: myth.

Answers (Part III)

1. acolyte — B: Attendant to priest at the altar; devoted follower, as, a holy man surrounded by his acolyles, Greek akolouthos (follower).

2. canticle — B: Hymn or song, such as the Magnificant or Nunc Dimitiis. Latin cantus (song).

3. celibate — D: Unmarried, especially one who has taken a religions vow of chastity. "Roman Catholic priests remain celibate." Latin caelebs (unmarried).

4. conclave — C: Assembly of cardinals to elect the Pope; the meeting place for that purpose. Latin con (together) and clavis (key).

5. doctrine — A: Teaching — religious, scientific or political; as, the doctrine of the divine right of kings. Latin doctrina (teaching).

6. ecumenical — B: Universal; representing the whole Christian world. 'The ecumenical movement embraces many denominations." Greek oikoumenikos (of the whole world).

7. episcopal — C: Relating to. or governed by, a bishop; thus the Church of the Province of South Africa is episcopal whereas the Presbyterian Church (governed by elders) is not. Latin episcopus (bishop).

8. genuflect — C: To bend the knee in reverence. "Worshippers genuflect on approaching the altar." Latin genu (knee) and flectere (to bend).

9. homily — A: Sermon; religious address to a congregation. "The priest delivered a homily on charity." Greek homilia (discourse).

10. laity — B: All the people not included among the clergy.

11. icon — B: Religious portrait, usually of Christ, the Virgin Mary or a saint and traditionally painted in tempera on wood. Greek eikon (image).

12. parochial — D: Of a parish or narrow area. "The debate spread far beyond parochial boundaries." Latin parochialis (of the parish).

13. celestial — C: Heavenly or divine; relating to the sky. "The stars are often referred to as celestial bodies." Latin caelum (heaven).

14. prelate — C: Church dignitary of high rank, such as a bishop. Latin praelatus (preferred).

15. seminary — D: School; place of education, "A Roman Catholic seminary trains priests." Latin seminarium (seedplot).

16. synod — A: Ecclesiastical council; convention of the clergy and elders of a church; as, the General Synod, the highest governing body of the Dutch Reformed Church. Greek sunodos (meeting).

17. tonsure — B: Shaved part of a priest's or monk's head; the rite of shaving the heads of those entering priesthood or a monastic order. Latin tonsura (a shearing).

18. atheist — В: Someone who believes that there is no God. "Only an atheisi is certain there is no life after death." Greek a (not) and theos (God).

19. canonize — C: To declare someone a saint; as, Joan of Arc burned at the stake in 1431, was finally canonized in 1920. Greek kanon (rule).

20. crypt — A: Underground chamber, usually beneath a church, used as a chapel or burial place. Greek krupte (vault).

"Reader's Digest"

Enrich Your Synonym Power

 

The interpreter should constantly be on the alert for more synonyms to expand his repertory and stylistic range. A few examples for such mindstretching (the key word is in bold type):

 

to herald /foreshadow/augur/bode/prefigure/be a harbinger of/be an omen of/point to — предвещать key /watershed/pivotal/historical/epoch-making/crucial— ключевой, важнейший

countless /myriad/numberless/infinite — бесчисленный to obey /abide by/observe/comply with/ live up to —повиноваться

essence /gist/crux/linchpin/heart/core/nub/point — суть it's common knowledge /open secret/hardly news/cat out of the bag — общеизвестно, как известно in line with /in tune with/consonant with/in accordance with — соответствовать,отвечать

allegedly /reportedly/said to be/supposedly — якобы emblem /stamp/imprint/mark/brand/label/insignia — знак, отметка

to stress/ underscore/emphasize/highlight/bring out/underline/give weight/importance to — подчеркнуть, выделить,отметить

brave /gallant/courageous/valiant/fearless/stout-hearted — храбрый, отважный

main /foremost/paramount/key/number one/overriding/top/chief — главный, важнейший

drive /bid/quest campaign — стремление к..., поиск

to hurt /hit/strike/be detrimental to/violate/encroach on— нанести вред

to lead /ignite/touch off/spark/trigger/prompt/engender/spawn — привести к, породить, вызвать

tо start /breed/give birth to/give rise to/set-off/launch/initiate/open — начать, положить начало

to cut /sever/break off/end — порвать

to ease /lighten/mitigate/allay — облегчить

to belittle /rundown/sell short/disparage/denigrate/cast aspersions on — приуменьшить

to manipulate /juggle/play with/ pad — манипулировать

to weaken /fade/slip/ falter — ослабеть

to dog /plague/bedevil/beset/befall — преследовать

sparse /scant/paltry/meager/scantily/limited/restricted — малый, ограниченный (paltry sum — жалкая сумма денег)

delicate /tricky/sensitive/ ticklish — деликатный, щекотливый, сложный

gross /blatant/glaring/flagrant/egregious — вопиющий, грубый

vague /hazy/muddy/ ill-defined/unclear/nebulous — неопределенный, туманный, неясный

awkward /clumsy/gauche/inelegant — неловкий

vicious /callous/heartless/ruthless/mean/brutal — злобный, жестокий

demanding /stiff/stringent/exacting — требовательный

stubborn /intransigent/intractable/persistent/unyielding/unbending/ /chronic — упрямый

terrible /appalling/loathsome/obnoxious/abominable/odious/vile/ /despicable/horrendous/inhumane — ужасный,отвратительный

to be shocked /appalled/aghast/dismayed/alarmed/put off/horrified/ /frightened/terrified — быть в шоке, ужасе

fake /sham/bogus/rigged/trumped up/fabricated/contrived/falsified/ phoney/forged — поддельный, ложный,сфабрикованный, «липовый»

ordeal /plight/trials/travail— мучения, муки

uproar /hullabaloo/ruckus/brouhaha/furor/outrage/riot — шумиха

hoax /ruse/ploy/maneuver/gimmick/charade — уловка, маневр

 

From L.Visson "From Russian into English" (pp. 144-146)

Задание

Продолжите синонимический ряд на русском языке.

Найдите нейтральные (негативно или позитивно окрашенные) слова.

 

Чтение газет Moscow Times, Exclusive Personnel — ценный источник информации о политике, бизнесе и финансах, карьере и менеджменте, а также помощь в поиске работы.

 

Кунсткамера «ляпов»