8 T4 S3
Stray (Verb) Synonym: Wandering
[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to move away from the place where you should be, without intending to
· He strayed into the path of an oncoming car.
· Her eyes kept straying over to the clock on the wall.
· His hand strayed to the telephone.
· He can’t have strayed far.
· I strayed a few blocks in the wrong direction and became hopelessly lost.
[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to begin to think about or discuss a different subject from the one you should be thinking about or discussing
· My mind kept straying back to our last talk together.
· We seem to be straying from the main theme of the debate.
· The conversation had begun to stray into dangerous territory.
[intransitive] (of a person who is married or in a relationship) to have a sexual relationship with somebody who is not your usual partner
· It had never occurred to her that her husband might stray while he was away on business.
Complicate (Verb) Synonym: Confuse
Complicate something to make something more difficult to do, understand or deal with
· I do not wish to complicate the task more than is necessary.
· To complicate matters further, there will be no transport available till 8 o'clock.
· The issue is complicated by the fact that a vital document is missing.
Exhaustive (adjective) Synonym: Tiresome
Including everything possible; very thorough or complete
· Exhaustive research/tests
· This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
Abundance (Noun) Synonym: Affluence
[singular, uncountable] abundance (of something) (formal) a large quantity that is more than enough
· Please share with someone needy, I already have it in abundance.
Taxonomy (Noun) Synonym: Classification
[uncountable] the scientific process of classifying things (= arranging them into groups)
· Plant taxonomy
[countable] a particular system of classifying things
· Bloom’s Taxonomy
Species (Noun) Synonym: Creatures
A group into which animals, plants, etc. that are able to breed with each other and produce healthy young are divided, smaller than a genus and identified by a Latin name
· A rare species of beetle
· There are many species of dog(s).
· A conservation area for endangered species
Pitfall (Noun) Synonym: Hazard
A danger or difficulty, especially one that is hidden or not obvious at first
· The potential pitfalls of buying a house
· Getting professional advice will help you avoid the most obvious pitfalls.
Vegetation (Noun) Synonym: Greenery
Plants in general, especially the plants that are found in a particular area or environment
· The hills are covered in lush green vegetation.
· Desert areas have little vegetation.
Forceps (Noun) Synonym: Instrument
An instrument used by doctors, with two long thin parts for picking up and holding things
· A pair of forceps
· A forceps delivery (= a birth in which the baby is delivered with the help of forceps)
Moisten (Verb) Synonym: Dampen
[transitive, intransitive] moisten (something) to become or make something slightly wet
· He moistened his lips before he spoke.
· Moisten the tape with water before use.
· Wash the wound gently with a piece of moistened cotton wool.
Bait (noun) Synonym: Enticement
Food put on a hook to catch fish or in nets, traps, etc. to catch animals or birds
· Live worms are used as bait.
· The fish took the bait.
Forge (Verb) Synonym: Counterfeit
[transitive] forge something to put a lot of effort into making something successful or strong so that it will last
· A move to forge new links between management and workers
· Strategic alliances are being forged with major European companies.
· She forged a new career in the music business.
· They forged a lead in the first 30 minutes of the game.
[transitive] forge something to make an illegal copy of something in order to cheat people
· To forge a passport/banknote/cheque
· He's getting good at forging his mother's signature.
· New digital techniques can spot paintings that have been forged.
[transitive] forge something (from something) to shape metal by heating it in a fire and hitting it with a hammer; to make an object in this way
· swords forged from steel
[intransitive] + adv./prep. (formal) to move forward in a steady but powerful way
· He forged through the crowds to the front of the stage.
· She forged into the lead (= in a competition, race, etc.).
Debris Noun Synonym: Rubble
Pieces of wood, metal, brick, etc. that are left after something has been destroyed
· Emergency teams are still clearing the debris from the plane crash.
· Several people were injured by flying debris in the explosion.
(formal) rubbish/garbage or pieces of material that are left somewhere and are not wanted
· Clear away leaves and other garden debris from the pond.
· The debris of their lunch