April 19, 2017

word #1: wield
definition: to have or use power, authority, or influence, or to hold and use a weapon
part of speech: verb
sentence: The mayor wields her power to manage a number of issues on the new regulations. 
collocation: wield(s) power (verb + noun)

word #2: prosperity
definition: the state of being successful and having a lot of money
part of speech: noun
sentence: My prosperity depends on your financial support.
collocation: a period of prosperity (a noun phrase)
                     prosperity depends on sth (noun + verb)
                     economic/future/lasting/... (adjective + noun)

word #3: legitimate
definition: 1. allowed by law
                   2. reasonable and acceptable
part of speech: adjective
sentence: His new business is strictly legitimate. 
collocation: be/seem legitimate (verb + adjective)
                     regard sth as legitimate (verb + adjective)
                     consider, seem sth legitimate (verb + adjective)
                     

word #4: afflict
definition: to make someone or something suffer physically or mentally
part of speech: verb
sentence: Many people are badly afflicted with disease and poverty. 
collocation: badly/severly afflict (adj. + verb)
                     be afflicted with (a phrase)

word #5: disdain
definition: dislike of someone or something that  you feel does not deserve your interest or respect
part of speech: noun
sentence: The employees treat their employer with disdain.
collocation: in/with disdain (prep.+ noun)
                     an expression/a look of disdain (a phrase)

word #6: nullify (adj. null)
definition: to cause an agreement or result to be no longer effective or consider it as not existing
part of speech: verb
sentence: The public says that the government should nullify its order.
collocation: none

word #7: elusive
definition: difficult to describe, find, achieve, or remenber
part of speech: adjective
sentence: Many students say that 'literature' is elusive to define.
collocation: somewhat/strangely elusive (adv.+ adj.)

word #8: vacant
definition: 1. (of a place) not being lived in or used, or (of a ob or office) available for someone to do (EMPTY)
                   2.  not showing much awareness or interest in the world around you (NOT AWARE)
part of speech: adjective
sentence: The seat next to him is vacant.
collocation: a vacant look (a phrase)
                     Situations Vacant (: the part of a newspaper in which jobs are listed)
                     be/become/fall(only used of jobs) vacant (verb + adj.)

                   
word #9: riot
definition: a noisy and violent public gathering
part of speech: noun
sentence: Last month, student riots broke out because of the impetuous decision by their school.
collocation: cause/provoke riot (verb + noun)
                     riot begin/break out/erupt/occur/start (noun + verb)
                     a riot against/over (noun + prep.)

word #10: importunate (n. importunity)
definition: repeatedly asking for something, in a forceful and annoying way
part of speech: adjective
sentence: The closing was delayed by importunate visitors.
collocation: none