4、5星单词英语字典内容
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.A, a
1 A, a A's, a's
A is the first letter of the English alphabet.
N-VAR
2 A, a A's, a's
In music, A is the sixth note in the scale of C major.
N-VAR
3 A, a A's, a's
If you get an A as a mark for a piece of work or in an exam, your work is extremely good.
N-VAR
4 A, a
A or a is used as an abbreviation for words beginning with a, such as `acceleration', `ampere', or `answer'.
5 A, a
People talk about getting from A to B when they are referring generally to journeys they need to make, without saying where the journeys will take them.
Cars are for getting people from A to B in maximum safety.
PHR: PHR after v
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
2.ability (4)
1 ability
Your ability to do something is the fact that you can do it.
The public never had faith in his ability to handle the job.
He has the ability to bring out the best in others.
N-SING: N to-inf, oft with poss
= capability
2 ability abilities
Your ability is the quality or skill that you have which makes it possible for you to do something.
Her drama teacher spotted her ability.
I have confidence in the ability of the players.
They repeatedly questioned his leadership abilities.
Does the school cater for all abilities?
N-VAR: oft with poss
3 ability
If you do something to the best of your abilities or to the best of your ability, you do it as well as you can.
I take care of them to the best of my abilities.
They tackled them to the best of their ability.
PHR
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
3. able
1 able
If you are able to do something, you have skills or qualities which make it possible for you to do it.
The older child should be able to prepare a simple meal.
The company say they're able to keep pricing competitive.
They seemed able to work together very efficiently.
PHR-MODAL
= can * be unable to
2 able
If you are able to do something, you have enough freedom, power, time, or money to do it.
You'll be able to read in peace.
Have you been able to have any kind of contact?.
It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier.
PHR-MODAL
= can * be unable to
3 able abler ablest
Someone who is able is very clever or very good at doing something.
...one of the brightest and ablest members of the government...
They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.
ADJ-GRADED
= clever, gifted
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
4. about
In addition to the uses shown below, about is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives to introduce extra information. About is also often used after verbs of movement, such as `walk' and `drive', and in phrasal verbs such as `mess about' and `set about', especially in British English.
1 about
You use about to introduce who or what something relates to or concerns.
She came in for a coffee, and told me about her friend Shona.
She knew a lot about food.
...advice about exercise and diet...
He never complains about his wife.
PREP
2 about
When you mention the things that an activity or institution is about, you are saying what it involves or what its aims are.
Leadership is about the ability to implement change.
PREP
3 about
You use about after some adjectives to indicate the person or thing that a feeling or state of mind relates to.
`I'm sorry about Patrick,' she said.
I feel so guilty and angry about the whole issue.
PREP
4 about
If you do something about a problem, you take action in order to solve it.
Rachel was going to do something about Jacob.
He said he'd ask Nina for a divorce, but he never did anything about it.
PREP
5 about
When you say that there is a particular quality about someone or something, you mean that they have this quality.
There was a warmth and passion about him I never knew existed..
I think there's something a little peculiar about the results of your test.
PREP
6 about
About is used in front of a number to show that the number is not exact.
In my local health centre there's about forty parking spaces.
The rate of inflation is running at about 2.7 percent.
ADV: ADV num
= approximately * precisely
7 about
If someone or something moves about, they keep moving in different directions.
The house isn't big, what with three children running about.
ADV: ADV after v
= around
+ about
Also a preposition.
From 1879 to 1888 he wandered about Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
His hair was drifting about his shoulders like dirty snow.
PREP: v PREP n
= around
8 about
If you put something about a person or thing, you put it around them.
Helen threw her arms about him.
She was elegantly dressed with a double strand of pearls about her neck.
PREP
= round, around
9 about
If someone or something is about, they are present or available.
There's lots of money about these days for schemes like this.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
10 about
If you are about to do something, you are going to do it very soon. If something is about to happen, it will happen very soon.
I think he's about to leave.
Argentina has lifted all restrictions on trade and visas are about to be abolished.
The film was about to start.
ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf
11 about
If someone is out and about, they are going out and doing things, especially after they have been unable to for a while.
Despite considerable pain she has been getting out and about almost as normal.
The regulations were relaxed and the prisoners could get out and about a bit.
PHR: usu PHR after v, also v-link PHR
12 about
If someone is out and about, they are going to a lot of different places, often as part of their job.
They knew that I was again on the scene because they saw me out and about.
PHR: usu PHR after v, also v-link PHR
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
5. absolutely (4)
1 absolutely
Absolutely means totally and completely.
Jill is absolutely right.
I absolutely refuse to get married.
There is absolutely no difference!
ADV: usu ADV adj/adv, also ADV with v emphasis
2 absolutely
Some people say absolutely as an emphatic way of saying yes or of agreeing with someone. They say absolutely not as an emphatic way of saying no or of disagreeing with someone.
`It's worrying that they're doing things without training though, isn't it?'n`Absolutely.'.
`Did they approach you?'n`No, absolutely not.'
ADV: ADV as reply emphasis
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
6.(4) abuse
1 abuse
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged child abuse.
...victims of sexual and physical abuse.
...controversy over human rights abuses.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl, usu with supp
2 abuse
Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry.
I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.
Raft repeatedly hurled verbal abuse at his co-star.
N-UNCOUNT
= insults
3 abuse abuses
Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
What went on here was an abuse of power.
...drug and alcohol abuse.
N-VAR: with supp
4 abuse abuses abusing abused
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven.
...parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children.
...those who work with abused children.
VB
abuser abusers
...a convicted child abuser.
N-COUNT
5 abuse abuses abusing abused
You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them.
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
VB
= insult
6 abuse abuses abusing abused
If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position.
VB
abuser
...the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.
N-COUNT
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
7. accept
1 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept something that you have been offered, you say yes to it or agree to take it.
Eventually Stella persuaded her to accept an offer of marriage.
Your old clothes will be gratefully accepted by jumble sale organisers.
All those invited to next week's peace conference have accepted.
VB
2 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept an idea, statement, or fact, you believe that it is true or valid.
I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in British science.
I don't think they would accept that view.
He did not accept this reply as valid.
...a workforce generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe.
VB
= acknowledge
3 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept a plan or an intended action, you agree to it and allow it to happen.
...Britain's reluctance to accept a proposal for a single European currency...
The Council will meet to decide if it should accept his resignation.
VB
* reject
4 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept an unpleasant fact or situation, you get used to it or recognize that it is necessary or cannot be changed.
People will accept suffering that can be shown to lead to a greater good.
Urban dwellers often accept noise as part of city life.
I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.
VB
5 accept accepts accepting accepted
If a person, company, or organization accepts something such as a document, they recognize that it is genuine, correct, or satisfactory and agree to consider it or handle it.
We took the unusual step of contacting newspapers to advise them not to accept the advertising.
Cheques can only be accepted up to the value guaranteed on the card.
Proof of postage will not be accepted as proof of receipt.
VB
* reject
6 accept accepts accepting accepted
If an organization or person accepts you, you are allowed to join the organization or use the services that are offered.
All-male groups will not be accepted.
...incentives to private landlords to accept young people as tenants.
VB
* reject
7 accept accepts accepting accepted
If a person or a group of people accepts you, they begin to be friendly towards you and are happy with who you are or what you do.
As far as my grandparents were concerned, they've never had a problem accepting me.
Many men still have difficulty accepting a woman as a business partner.
Stephen Smith was accepted into the family like an adopted brother.
VB
* reject
8 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept the responsibility or blame for something, you recognize that you are responsible for it.
The company cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.
VB
* reject
9 accept accepts accepting accepted
If you accept someone's advice or suggestion, you agree to do what they say.
The army refused to accept orders from the political leadership.
Don't automatically accept the solicitor recommended by the broker.
VB
* reject
10 accept accepts accepting accepted
If someone's body accepts a transplanted organ, the organ becomes part of the body and starts to function normally.
...drugs which will fool the body into accepting transplants.
VB
* reject
11 accept accepts accepting accepted
If a machine accepts a particular kind of thing, it is designed to take it and deal with it or process it.
The telephone booths accept 10 and 20 pence coins.
VB
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
8.(4) accepted
accepted
Accepted ideas are agreed by most people to be correct or reasonable.
There is no generally accepted definition of life.
It is accepted wisdom that the rise of science has been partly responsible for the decline of religious beliefs.
ADJ: oft adv ADJ
See also accept.
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
8. accord
1 accord accords
An accord between countries or groups of people is a formal agreement, for example to end a war.
...UNITA, legalised as a political party under the 1991 peace accords.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft n N
2 accord accords according accorded
If you are accorded a particular kind of treatment, people act towards you or treat you in that way. (FORMAL)
His predecessor was accorded an equally tumultuous welcome.
On his return home, the government accorded him the rank of Colonel.
The treatment accorded to a United Nations official was little short of insulting.
VB
= grant
3 accord accords according accorded
If one fact, idea, or condition accords with another, they are in agreement and there is no conflict between them. (FORMAL)
Such an approach accords with the principles of socialist ideology.
...scientific evidence that did not fully accord with the facts uncovered by the police.
VB
= correspond
4 accord
If one person, action, or fact is in accord with another, they are in agreement and there is no conflict between them. You can also say that two people or things are in accord. (FORMAL)
...this military action, taken in accord with United Nations resolutions...
Old enemies can become new friends even if all their national interests are not in complete accord.
PHR: v-link PHR, PHR after v, oft PHR with n
5 accord
If something happens of its own accord, it seems to happen by itself, without anyone making it happen.
In many cases the disease will clear up of its own accord.
PHR: PHR after v
6 accord
If you do something of your own accord, you do it because you want to, without being asked or forced.
He did not quit as France's prime minister of his own accord.
PHR: PHR after v
= voluntarily
7 accord
If a number of people do something with one accord, they do it together or at the same time, because they agree about what should be done. (LITERARY)
With one accord they turned and walked back over the grass.
PHR
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
9. according to
1 according to
If someone says that something is true according to a particular person, book, or other source of information, they are indicating where they got their information.
Philip stayed at the hotel, according to Mr Hemming.
He and his father, according to local gossip, haven't been in touch for years.
PHR-PREP
2 according to
If something is done according to a particular set of principles, these principles are used as a basis for the way it is done.
They both played the game according to the rules.
They must take their own decision according to their own legal advice.
PHR-PREP
3 according to
If something varies according to a changing factor, it varies in a way that is determined by this factor.
Prices vary according to the quantity ordered.
The route that the boatmen choose varies according to the water level.
PHR-PREP
4 according to
If something happens according to plan, it happens in exactly the way that it was intended to happen.
If all goes according to plan, the first concert will be Tuesday evening.
PHR: usu PHR after v
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
10.(4) accuse
1 accuse accuses accusing accused
If you accuse someone of doing something wrong or dishonest, you say or tell them that you believe that they did it.
My mum was really upset because he was accusing her of having an affair with another man.
Talk things through in stages. Do not accuse or apportion blame.
VB
2 accuse accuses accusing accused
If you are accused of a crime, a witness or someone in authority states or claims that you did it, and you may be formally charged with it and put on trial.
Her assistant was accused of theft and fraud by the police.
He faced a total of seven charges, all accusing him of lying in his testimony.
The accused men have been given relatively light sentences.
VB
3 accuse
If someone stands accused of something, they have been accused of it.
The candidate stands accused of breaking promises even before he's in office.
Today, Rostov stands accused of extortion and racketeering.
PHR: V inflects, PHR of n/-ing
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
11.(4) achieve
achieve achieves achieving achieved
If you achieve a particular aim or effect, you succeed in doing it or causing it to happen, usually after a lot of effort.
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
We have achieved what we set out to do.
VB
= accomplish
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
12. across
In addition to the uses shown below, across is used in phrasal verbs such as `come across', `get across', and `put across'.
1 across
If someone or something goes across a place or a boundary, they go from one side of it to the other.
She walked across the floor and lay down on the bed.
He watched Karl run across the street to Tommy.
...an expedition across Africa.
PREP
+ across
Also an adverb.
Richard stood up and walked across to the window.
ADV: ADV after v
2 across
If something is situated or stretched across something else, it is situated or stretched from one side of it to the other.
...the floating bridge across Lake Washington in Seattle...
He scrawled his name across the bill.
Lucy had strung a banner across the wall saying `Welcome Home Daddy'.
PREP
+ across
Also an adverb.
Trim toenails straight across using nail clippers.
ADV: ADV after v
3 across
If something is lying across an object or place, it is resting on it and partly covering it.
She found her clothes lying across the chair.
The wind pushed his hair across his face.
PREP
= over
4 across
Something that is across something such as a street, river, or area is on the other side of it.
Anyone from the houses across the road could see him.
When I saw you across the room I knew I'd met you before.
PREP
+ across
Also an adverb.
They parked across from the Castro Theatre.
He pulled up a chair and sat down across from Michael.
ADV: ADV after v, usu ADV from n
5 across
If you look across at a place, person, or thing, you look towards them.
He glanced across at his sleeping wife.
She rose from the chair and gazed across at him.
...breathtaking views across to the hills.
ADV: ADV after v, oft ADV prep
6 across
You use across to say that a particular expression is shown on someone's face.
An enormous grin spread across his face.
For a moment a shadow seemed to pass across Roy's face.
PREP
= over
7 across
If someone hits you across the face or head, they hit you on that part.
Graham hit him across the face with the gun, then pushed him against the wall.
PREP
8 across
When something happens across a place or organization, it happens equally everywhere within it.
The film `Hook' opens across America on December 11.
Thousands of farmers from across Europe have held a huge demonstration in the centre of Brussels.
2,000 workers across all state agencies are to be fired by March 31st.
PREP
9 across
When something happens across a political, religious, or social barrier, it involves people in different groups.
...parties competing across the political spectrum...
We want to promote cosmetics that appeal across the colour barrier.
PREP
across the board: see board.
10 across
Across is used in measurements to show the width of something.
This hand-decorated plate measures 30cm across and costs s11.50.
The snails are no larger than one centimetre across.
ADV: amount ADV
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
13. act
1 act acts acting acted
When you act, you do something for a particular purpose.
The deaths occurred when police acted to stop widespread looting and vandalism.
I have no reason to doubt that the bank acted properly in the best interests of the depositors.
VB
2 act acts acting acted
If you act on advice or information, you do what has been advised or suggested.
A patient will usually listen to the doctor's advice and act on it.
VB
3 act acts acting acted
If someone acts in a particular way, they behave in that way.
...a gang of youths who were acting suspiciously...
He acted as if he hadn't heard any of it.
Open wounds act like a magnet to flies in hot weather.
VB
= behave
4 act acts acting acted
If someone or something acts as a particular thing, they have that role or function.
Among his other duties, he acted both as the ship's surgeon and as chaplain for the men.
...the Cunard Princess, which acted as a support ship for American forces.
VB
5 act acts acting acted
If someone acts in a particular way, they pretend to be something that they are not.
Chris acted astonished as he examined the note.
Kenworthy had tried not to act the policeman.
VB
6 act acts acting acted
When professionals such as lawyers act for you, or act on your behalf, they are employed by you to deal with a particular matter.
Daniel Webster acted for Boston traders while still practicing in New Hampshire.
Because we travelled so much, Sam and I asked a broker to act on our behalf.
VB
7 act acts acting acted
If a force or substance acts on someone or something, it has a certain effect on them.
He's taking a dangerous drug: it acts very fast on the central nervous system.
A hypnotist can act upon the unconscious mind directly.
VB
8 act acts acting acted
If you act, or act a part in a play or film, you have a part in it.
She confessed to her parents her desire to act.
Roberto introduced Ingrid to Helen, whose husband was acting in Roberto's films.
VB
9 act acts
An act is a single thing that someone does. (FORMAL)
Language interpretation is the whole point of the act of reading.
My insurance excludes acts of sabotage and damage done by weapons of war.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
10 act
If you say that someone's behaviour is an act, you mean that it does not express their real feelings.
There were moments when I wondered: did she do this on purpose, was it all just a game, an act?.
His anger was real. It wasn't an act.
N-SING
= pretence
11 act acts
An Act is a law passed by the government.
...an Act of Parliament.
N-COUNT
12 act acts
An act in a play, opera, or ballet is one of the main parts into which it is divided.
Act II contained one of the funniest scenes I have ever witnessed.
N-COUNT: oft N num
13 act acts
An act in a show is a short performance which is one of several in the show.
This year numerous bands are playing, as well as comedy acts.
N-COUNT
14 act
If you catch someone in the act, you discover them doing something wrong or committing a crime.
The men were caught in the act of digging up buried explosives.
PHR: V inflects
15 act
If someone who has been behaving badly cleans up their act, they start to behave in a more acceptable or responsible way. (INFORMAL)
The nation's advertisers need to clean up their act.
PHR: V inflects
16 act
If you get in on the act, you take part in or take advantage of something that was started by someone else. (INFORMAL)
In the 1970s Kodak, anxious to get in on the act, launched its own instant camera.
PHR: V inflects
17 act
You say that someone was in the act of doing something to indicate what they were doing when they were seen or interrupted.
Ken was in the act of paying his bill when Neil came up behind him.
PHR: v-link PHR -ing
18 act
If you get your act together, you organize your life or your affairs so that you are able to achieve what you want or to deal with something effectively. (INFORMAL)
The Government should get its act together.
We have to get our act togethermwe have to organize ourselves.
PHR: V inflects
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
14. action
1 action
Action is doing something for a particular purpose.
The government is taking emergency action to deal with a housing crisis.
What was needed, he said, was decisive action to halt what he called these savage crimes.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp
2 action actions
An action is something that you do on a particular occasion.
As always, Peter had a reason for his action.
Jack was the sort of man who did not like his actions questioned.
N-COUNT
3 action actions
To bring a legal action against someone means to bring a case against them in a court of law. (LEGAL)
Two leading law firms are to prepare legal actions against tobacco companies.
...a libel action brought by one of France's bureaucrats.
N-COUNT
= suit, case
4 action
The action of a chemical is the way in which it works, or the effects that it has.
Her description of the nature and action of poisons is amazingly accurate.
N-UNCOUNT
5 action
The action is all the important and exciting things that are happening in a situation. (INFORMAL)
Hollywood is where the action is now.
N-SING: the N
6 action
The fighting which takes place in a war can be referred to as action.
Leaders in America have generally supported military action if it proves necessary.
13 soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in action.
N-UNCOUNT: oft in N
7 action
An action movie is a film in which a lot of dangerous and exciting things happen. An action hero is the main character in one of these films.
Stallone wants to break away from his action-hero image.
ADJ: ADJ n
8 action
If someone or something is out of action, they are injured or damaged and cannot work or be used.
He's been out of action for 16 months with a serious knee injury.
They were trapped after the lifts went out of action.
PHR: v-link PHR, PHR after v
9 action
If someone wants to have a piece of the action or a slice of the action, they want to take part in an exciting activity or situation, usually in order to make money or become more important.
Holiday spots have seen a dramatic revival and tourist chiefs are competing for a slice of the action.
PHR
10 action
If you put an idea or policy into action, you begin to use it or cause it to operate.
They have excelled in learning the lessons of business management theory, and putting them into action.
PHR: V inflects
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
15. active
1 active
Someone who is active moves around a lot or does a lot of things.
Having an active youngster about the house can be quite wearing.
...a long and active life.
ADJ-GRADED
* sedentary
2 active
If you have an active mind or imagination, you are always thinking of new things.
...the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health.
ADJ-GRADED
= lively
3 active
If someone is active in an organization, cause, or campaign, they do things for it rather than just giving it their support.
We should play an active role in politics, both at national and local level.
I am an active member of the Conservative Party.
He is active on Tyler's behalf.
ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ prep
* passive
actively
They actively campaigned for the vote.
ADV
4 active
Active is used to emphasize that someone is taking action in order to achieve something, rather than just hoping for it or achieving it in an indirect way.
...if companies do not take active steps to increase exports.
...active discouragement from teachers.
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
= positive
actively
They have never been actively encouraged to take such risks.
...the White House says the president is not actively considering such a move.
ADV: usu ADV with v
5 active
If you say that a person or animal is active in a particular place or at a particular time, you mean that they are performing their usual activities or performing a particular activity.
Guerrilla groups are active in the province.
...animals which are active at night.
...men who are sexually active.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, usu ADJ prep
6 active
An active volcano has erupted recently or is expected to erupt quite soon.
...molten lava from an active volcano.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
* extinct
7 active
An active substance has a chemical or biological effect on things.
The active ingredient in some of the mouthwashes was simply detergent.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
8 active
In grammar, the active or the active voice means the forms of a verb which are used when the subject refers to a person or thing that does something. For example, in `I saw her yesterday', the verb is in the active. Compare passive.
N-SING: the N
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
16. actually
1 actually
You use actually to indicate that a situation exists or happened, or to emphasize that it is true.
One afternoon, I grew bored and actually fell asleep for a few minutes.
Interest is only payable on the amount actually borrowed.
ADV: ADV before v, ADV group emphasis
2 actually
You use actually when you are correcting or contradicting someone.
No, I'm not a student. I'm a doctor, actually.
`So it's not a family show then?'n`Well, actually, I think that's exactly what it is.'
ADV: ADV with cl emphasis
3 actually
You can use actually when you are politely expressing an opinion that other people might not have expected from you.
`Do you think it's a good idea to socialize with one's patients?'n`Actually, I do, I think it's a great idea.'.
I would be surprised, actually, if he left Birmingham.
ADV: ADV with cl politeness
4 actually
You use actually to introduce a new topic into a conversation.
Well actually, John, I rang you for some advice.
Actually, let's just read this little bit where you've made them bump into each other.
ADV: ADV with cl
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
17. add
1 add adds adding added
If you add one thing to another, you put it in or on the other thing, to increase, complete, or improve it.
Add the grated cheese to the sauce.
Since 1908, chlorine has been added to drinking water.
He wants to add a huge sports complex to Binfield Manor.
VB
2 add adds adding added
If you add numbers or amounts together, you calculate their total.
Banks add all the interest and other charges together.
Two and three added together are five.
VB
* subtract
+ add up adds up; adding up; added up
Add up means the same as add.
More than a quarter of seven year-olds cannot add up properly.
We just added all the numbers up and divided one by the other.
He said the numbers simply did not add up.
PHR-V-ERG
3 add adds adding added
If one thing adds to another, it makes the other thing greater in degree or amount.
Overnight bed-rest in a clinic adds substantially to the cost of cosmetic surgery.
Smiles, nods, and cheerful faces added to the general gaiety.
VB
4 add adds adding added
To add a particular quality to something means to cause it to have that quality.
The generous amount of garlic adds flavour.
A delicious blend of cider and delicate fruit juices adds a little sparkle to any occasion.
VB
5 add adds adding added
If you add something when you are speaking, you say something more.
`You can tell that he is extremely embarrassed,' Mr Brigden added.
The Italian central bank added that the aim was to provide stability.
Hunt added his congratulations, saying `Nigel has made a cracking job of it'.
VB
6 add
You use added to this or added to that to introduce a fact that supports or widens what you are saying.
More than 750 commercial airliners were involved in fatal accidents last year. Added to that were the 1,550 smaller aircraft.
PHR: V inflects
add insult to injury: see insult.
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
18.(4) addition
1 addition
You use in addition when you want to mention another item connected with the subject you are discussing.
The Met Office Web site provides regional reports, a shipping forecast and gale warnings. In addition, visitors can download satellite images of the UK.
There's a postage and packing fee in addition to the repair charge.
PHR: PHR with cl, oft PHR to n
2 addition additions
An addition to something is a thing which is added to it.
This is a fine book; a worthy addition to the Cambridge Encyclopedia series.
This plywood addition helps to strengthen the structure.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to n
3 addition
The addition of something is the fact that it is added to something else.
It was completely refurbished in 1987, with the addition of a picnic site.
N-UNCOUNT: the N of n
* removal
4 addition
Addition is the process of calculating the total of two or more numbers.
...simple addition and subtraction problems using whole numbers.
N-UNCOUNT
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
19. address
1 address addresses
Your address is the number of the house, flat, or apartment and the name of the street and the town where you live or work.
The address is 2025 M Street, Northwest, Washington, DC, 20036.
We require details of your name and address.
N-COUNT: usu poss N
2 address addresses addressing addressed
If a letter, envelope, or parcel is addressed to you, your name and address have been written on it.
Applications should be addressed to: The business affairs editor.
VB: usu passive
3 address addresses addressing addressed
If you address a group of people, you give a speech to them.
He is due to address a conference on human rights next week.
VB
+ address addresses
Also a noun.
He had scheduled an address to the American people for the evening of May 27.
N-COUNT
4 address addresses addressing addressed
If you address someone or address a remark to them, you say something to them. (FORMAL)
The two foreign ministers did not address each other directly when they last met.
He addressed his remarks to Eleanor, ignoring Maria.
VB
5 address addresses addressing addressed
If you address someone by a name or a title such as `sir', you call them that name or title when you talk or write to them.
I heard him address her as darling.
The Duchess should be addressed as Your Grace.
VB
6 address addresses addressing addressed
If you address a problem or task or if you address yourself to it, you try to understand it or deal with it.
Mr King sought to address those fears when he spoke at the meeting.
Throughout the book we have addressed ourselves to the problem of ethics.
VB
* ignore
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
20.(4) administration
1 administration
Administration is the range of activities connected with organizing and supervising the way that an organization or institution functions.
Too much time is spent on administration.
...a master's degree in business administration.
N-UNCOUNT
2 administration
The administration of something is the process of organizing and supervising it.
Standards in the administration of justice have degenerated.
The cost of administration is around s500.
N-UNCOUNT
3 administration
The administration of a company or institution is the group of people who organize and supervise it.
They would like the college administration to exert more control over the fraternity.
N-SING: the N, usu n N
4 administration administrations
You can refer to a country's government as the administration; used especially in the United States.
O'Leary served in federal energy posts in both the Ford and Carter administrations.
He urged the administration and Congress to come up with a credible package to reduce the budget deficit.
N-COUNT: oft the n N
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.
21.(4) admit
1 admit admits admitting admitted
If you admit that something bad, unpleasant, or embarrassing is true, you agree, often unwillingly, that it is true.
I am willing to admit that I do make mistakes.
Up to two thirds of 14 to 16 year olds admit to buying drink illegally.
I'd be ashamed to admit feeling jealous.
None of these people will admit responsibility for their actions.
`Actually, most of my tennis is at club level,' he admitted.
VB
= confess * deny
2 admit admits admitting admitted
If someone is admitted to hospital, they are taken into hospital for treatment and kept there until they are well enough to go home.
She was admitted to hospital with a soaring temperature.
He was admitted yesterday for treatment of blood clots in his lungs.
VB: usu passive
3 admit admits admitting admitted
If someone is admitted to an organization or group, they are allowed to join it.
He was admitted to the Academie Culinaire de France.
The Parachute Regiment could be forced to admit women.
VB
4 admit admits admitting admitted
To admit someone to a place means to allow them to enter it.
Embassy security personnel refused to admit him or his wife.
Journalists are rarely admitted to the region.
VB
(c) HarperCollins Publishers.