Underscore Underscore (verb)/ˌʌn.dəˈskɔːʳ/ US /-dɚˈskɔːr/ 1. to draw a line under a word, phrase, etc. to emphasize its importance – underline: Underscoring while reading is a consciousness-raising technique. 2. to put emphasis on something – emphasize: She underscored the plot of the story by dint of dramatization and visual aids.
Scant Scant (adj) /skænt/ 1. insufficient and very little – not enough – inadequate: The court decision was adjourned because of scant evidence.
Indictment Indictment (noun) /ɪnˈdaɪt.mənt/ 1. a very obvious sigh that something, e.g. a method, system, etc. is so bad and ineffective – condemnation – criticism: We’ve seen enough of the damning indictment of the proposed useless method. 2. a formal accusation of a serious crime – charge – prosecution: He has received an indictment regarding…
Furnace Furnace (noun) /ˈfɜː.nɪs/ US /ˈfɝː-/ 1. a large container for a huge fire that is heated at a high temperature to melt and burn metal and other substances – boiler: It’s time we changed the furnace of this steel factory as it’s been overused. 2. a piece of equipment that is specifically used to…
Skull Skull (noun) /skʌl/ all the hard bones around the brain, which give the head its form: Several ancient human skulls were found in their last excavation.
Drawback Drawback (noun) /ˈdrɔː.bæk/ US /ˈdrɑː-/ a shortcoming or disadvantage of a situation, plan, technique, etc. – problem – downside: One of the drawbacks of e-learning is that some people still don’t trust its efficacy.
Except for Except for (prep) used to emphasize that a particular person, thing, item, etc. is different from the rest in a group – other than – but: All of the students could pass the exam except for Erick.
Trend Trend (noun) /trend/ 1. a general tendency in the way a system, situation, etc. is changing or developing – tendency – inclination: There’s been a significant trend away from personal computers and toward laptops and tablets. 2. a new prevailing fashion or mode that is widely accepted – craze – vogue: Being a teenage…
Efficiency Efficiency (noun) /ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt.si/ the quality of doing something appropriately without wasting energy, time or money – competence – efficacy: The main area of concern in this town is to develop new reliable methods for energy efficiency.
Turning point Turning point (noun) the time when a very important change starts to happen, which generally makes the situation better – defining moment: Holding my newborn child in my arms for the first time was actually the turning point in my life.