Objective Proficiency p 67. Vocabulary

A Magnificent Failure

• Bewail something (formal or humorous)/bɪˈweɪl/ to express great sadness about something. Lamentar.
• Contravene: / ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/ contravene something (formal) to do something that is not allowed by a law or rule. Infringe. E.g. The company was found guilty of contravening safety regulations. Contravention / ˌkɒntrəˈvenʃn/ infringement. E.g. These actions are in contravention of European law.
• Ponder: to think about something carefully for a period of time. Consider. E.g. ponder (about/on/over something) She pondered over his words.
• Overworked: (of words or phrases) used too often so that the meaning or effect has become weaker. 
• Interrogate something (technical) to obtain information from a computer or other machine.
• Mere: used when you want to emphasize how small, unimportant, etc. somebody/something is. E.g. It took her a mere 20 minutes to win. A mere 2% of their budget has been spent on publicity. He seemed so young, a mere boy. You've got the job. The interview will be a mere formality. 

Phrase spot

• Far-sighted: having or showing an understanding of the effects in the future of actions that you take now, and being able to plan for them. E.g. the most far-sighted of politicians. A far-sighted decision.
• -fitting (in adjectives) having a particular fit. E.g .a tight-fitting dress.
• Short-sighted: 1. able to see things clearly only if they are very close to you. E.g. She wears glasses because she's very short-sighted. 2. not thinking carefully about the possible effects of something or what might happen in the futurea short-sighted policy. 
• Blow out: if a flame, etc. blows out, it is put out by the wind, etc. E.g. Somebody opened the door and the candle blew out.
• Blow up: 1. to explode; to be destroyed by an explosion. E.g. The police station was blown up by terrorists. 2.  to fill something with air or gas so that it becomes firm. E.g. The tyres on my bike need blowing up.

Style extra

• Landscape something to improve the appearance of an area of land by changing the design and planting trees, flowers, etc. E.g. landscaped gardens. 
• Deprivation: / ˌdeprɪˈveɪʃn/ the fact of not having something that you need, like enough food, money or a home; the process that causes this. Privación, penurias, falta de. E.g. neglected children suffering from social deprivation. Sleep deprivation. The deprivation of war (= the suffering caused by not having enough of some things).
• Abject: / ˈæbdʒekt/ terrible and without hope. E.g. abject poverty/misery/failure/despair.
• Dregs: (plural) 1. the last drops of a liquid, mixed with little pieces of solid material that are left in the bottom of a container. E.g. coffee dregs. 2. the worst and most useless parts of something. E.g. the dregs of society.
• Mob: a large crowd of people, especially one that may become violent or cause trouble. E.g. an angry/unruly mob. The mob was/were preparing to storm the building. An excited mob of fans. Mob rule (= a situation in which a mob has control, rather than people in authority).
• Scum: an insulting word for people that you strongly disapprove of. Escoria. E.g. Don't waste your sympathy on scum like that. Drug dealers are the scum of the earth (= the worst people there are).
• Florid: having too much decoration or detail. Recargado. E.g. florid language. A florid style of painting. Florid poetry. Florid speeches.
• Glaring: /ˈɡleərɪŋ/ very easily seen. Que salta a la vista. E.g. a glaring error/omission/inconsistency/injustice/faults. The most glaring example of this problem.
• Vacuous:  / ˈvækjuəs/ showing no sign of intelligence or sensitive feelings. E.g. a vacuous expression. A vacuous personality.
• Fatuous: /ˈfætʃuəs/ stupid. E.g. a fatuous comment/grin/remark.
• Garbage: something stupid or not true. E.g. Talking garbage. ‘You mean you believe all that garbage?’ he said.
• Hackneyed: /ˈhæknid/ used too often and therefore boring. Clichéd. E.g. a hackneyed phrase/subject. Hackneyed ideas.
• Hard-hitting: not afraid to talk about or criticize somebody/something in an honest and very direct way. Contundente. E.g. a hard-hitting speech.
• Old habits, traditions, etc. die hard: used to say that things change very slowly.
• Piteous: / ˈpɪtiəs/ deserving pity or causing you to feel pity. E.g. a piteous cry/sight.
• Samey: / ˈseɪmi/ not changing or different and therefore boring. E.g. These computer games are all a bit samey.
• Florid: red. E.g. a florid complexion.
• Unvarying: /ʌnˈveəriɪŋ /never changing. E.g. an unvarying routine.
• Flame: a bright red or orange colour. E.g. a flame-red car. A flame-striped shirt.
• Scarlet: bright red in colour. E.g. scarlet berries. She went scarlet with embarrassment.
• Braces: (plural) long narrow pieces of cloth, leather, etc. for holding trousers/pants up. They are fastened to the top of the trousers/pants at the front and back and passed over the shoulders. E.g. a pair of braces.