Credibility /noun

Credibility /noun[noncount]:the quality of being believed or accepted as true, real, or honestThe new evidence lendscredibilityto their theory.a lack/loss ofcredibilityThe scandal undermined/damaged hercredibilityas an honest politician.In this instance, the lawyer's job is to make the jury doubt/question the witness'scredibility.They doubted thecredibilityof the witness's story. [=they doubted that the story was true]

invective /noun

[noncount]formal:harsh or insulting words:rude and angry languagea barrage/stream of racistinvective

Outrage /noun pluraloutrages

1[noncount]:extreme anger:a strong feeling of unhappiness because of something bad, hurtful, or morally wrongMany people expressedoutrageat the court's decision.Publicoutrageover the scandal was great.moraloutrage2[count]:something that hurts people or is morally wrongThe rule is anoutrageagainst women.This is anoutrage! I won't allow this kind of behavior to continue.

Empathy /noun

[noncount]:the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotionsHe felt greatempathywith/for/toward the poor.:the ability to share someone else's feelingsHis months spent researching prison life gave him greaterempathytowards/for convicts.compares ympathy

Prototype /noun

pluralprototypes[count]1:an original or first model of something from which other forms are copied or developedThey tested theprototypeof the car.He is developing aprototypefor his invention.2 a:someone or something that has the typical qualities of a particular group, kind, etc.He is theprototypeof a conservative businessman.b:a first or early example that is used as a model for what comes laterThe Sherlock Holmes stories are theprototypesof modern detective stories.

Disclaimer /noun pluraldisclaimers[count]:a statement that is meant to prevent an incorrect understanding of something (such as a book, a movie, or an advertisement)The documentary opens with adisclaimerthat many of its scenes arefictional re-creationsof real events.

Catharsis /noun

postulates;postulated;postulating

formal:the act or process of releasing a strong emotion (such as pity or fear) especially by expressing it in an art form [noncount]Acting is a means ofcatharsisfor her.[singular]Painting/music/writing is acatharsisfor me.cathartic /adjective[more cathartic; most cathartic]acatharticexperience

Postulate /verb

[+ obj]formal:to suggest (something, such as an idea or theory) especially in order to start a discussionThe theorypostulates[=claims, posits] that carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming.Scientists havepostulatedthe existence of water on the planet.

overt /adjective

[more overt; most overt]:easily seen:not secret or hidden:obviousoverthostilityoppositecovert overtlyadverbanovertlyreligious reference

Invalidate /verb

invalidates;invalidated;invalidating[+ obj]:to make (something) invalid: such asa:to weaken or destroy the effect of (something)actions that willinvalidatethe contractinvalidatea marriageinvalidatean electionb:to show or prove (something) to be false or incorrectThe studyinvalidatesearlier theories.factors that mayinvalidatethe test results

Contest /verb

contests;contested;contesting1[+ obj]:to make (something) the subject of an argument or a legal case:to say that you do not agree with or accept (something)Several of the dead man's relatives arecontesting[=disputing, challenging] his will (in court).The losing candidate iscontestingthe results of the election. = (US) The losing candidate iscontestingthe election.The rule is beingcontestedby a number of students at the university. [=students are formally complaining about the rule]2[+ obj]:to try to win (something)She plans tocontesta seat in Congress next year.Both candidates have agreed to another debate before this hotly/bitterlycontestedelection.3[no obj]:to struggle or fight for or against somethingcontestingfor power

Mock /verb

mocks;mocked;mocking[+ obj]1:to laugh at or make fun of (someone or something) especially by copying an action or a way of behaving or speakingThe boysmockedhim for showing fear.Theymockedhis cries for help. [=they imitated his cries for help in an exaggerated way that was meant to ridicule him]Other children wouldmockher accent. [=would make fun of the way she spoke by copying it in an exaggerated way]2:to criticize and laugh at (someone or something) for being bad, worthless, or unimportantHemocksart only because he doesn't understand it.They continue tomockthe idea of a new government.We are beingmockedfor our religious beliefs.You canmockme as much as you like, but I'm going to do it anyway.mocker /noun,pluralmockers[count]mockersof poetrymockingadjective[more mocking; most mocking]mockingwordsamockingcrowd mockingly /adverbThey laughed at himmockingly.

Articulate /adjective

[more articulate; most articulate]1:able to express ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writingShe's an intelligent andarticulatespeaker.He was veryarticulateabout his feelings on the subject.oppositeinarticulate2:clearly expressed and easily understoodanarticulateargument/essay/speechThe baby is beginning to formarticulatewords and phrases.oppositeinarticulate articulatelyadverbShe spoke clearly andarticulately. articulatenessnoun[noncount]

Promulgate /verb

promulgates;promulgated;promulgating[+ obj]1formal:to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many peopleHer ideas/theories have been widelypromulgatedon the Internet.2technical:to make (a new law) known officially and publiclyThe law waspromulgatedin April 1988.

Abeyance /noun

in abeyanceformal:in a temporary state of being stoppedThe plans arein abeyance. = The plans are being heldin abeyance. [=the plans are not now being used]

Notarizealso Brit notarise /verb

notarizes;notarized;notarizing[+ obj]law:to sign (a document) as a notary public

Suspend /verb

suspends;suspended;suspending[+ obj]1:to force (someone) to leave a job, position, or place for a usually short period of time as a form of punishmentHe wassuspendedfrom the team for missing too many practices.The police officers weresuspendedwithout pay for their conduct.The principalsuspendedthe student from school for fighting.2 a:to stop (something) for a usually short period of timeThe citysuspendedbus service during the storm.The company was forced tosuspendoperations.They havesuspendedthe peace talks.The plot is ridiculous, but if you cansuspend (your) disbelief[=allow yourself to believe that something is true even though it seems impossible], it's an enjoyable movie.b:to make (something) happen later:to delay (something)The judgesuspended[=postponed] the hearing for one week.I advisesuspendingjudgment until the investigation is over.c:to make (something) invalid or ineffective for a usually short period of timeHer license to practice law wassuspended.We cansuspendthe rules just this once.He's driving with asuspendedlicense.3 a:to hang something so that it is free on all sides except at the point of supportTheysuspendedthe lantern from the ceiling.A pot of stew wassuspendedover the fire.a wiresuspended betweentwo poles [=hung so that it is attached at each end to a pole]b:to prevent (something) from falling or sinking by some invisible support usually used as(be) suspendedDustwas suspended[=was floating] in the air.The structure appears tobe suspendedin space.

Academic /adjective

1usually used before a noun:of or relating to schools and educationShe received awards for heracademicachievements/accomplishments.I spent myacademiccareer at one school.The board set toughacademicstandards for graduation.He was offered a teaching job and decided to return toacademiclife.2:having no practical importance:not involving or relating to anything real or practicalHis interest in sailing is purelyacademic. He's not a sailor himself.It was a question of onlyacademic[=theoretical] interest.3[more academic; most academic]chiefly Brit:good at studying and at passing exams:good at academicsHe's not veryacademic, but he's good with his hands. academically /adverbHe did well enoughacademicallyto be accepted at many colleges.anacademicallygifted student

Flimsy /adjective

flimsier;flimsiest[also more flimsy; most flimsy]1:easily broken, torn, etc.:not strong or solidaflimsybuildingflimsyconstructionaflimsypiece of material2:not likely to be true or to be believedaflimsy[=weak] excuseThey have only theflimsiestof evidence against him.a movie with aflimsyplot flimsily /adverb[more flimsily; most flimsily]flimsily[=weakly] constructed

Demonstrable /adjective

[more demonstrable; most demonstrable]formal:able to be proven or shown:possible to demonstrateThere is nodemonstrableevidence that the treatment is effective.a clearlydemonstrableimprovement demonstrably /adverbThe statements aredemonstrablyuntrue/false.

Ineluctable /adjective

formal:not able to be avoided or changedYou cannot escape anineluctable[=unavoidable] fate.anineluctableconclusionineluctablyadverb

Elusive /adjective

[more elusive; most elusive]1:hard to find or captureelusivecreaturesThe solution remainselusive.The truth may proveelusive.2:hard to understand, define, or rememberanelusiveconcept/idea/nameelusivelyadverbelusivenessnoun[noncount]theelusivenessof truth

Analogous /adjective

[more analogous; most analogous]formal:similar in some wayI could not think of ananalogoussituation.usually +toI could not think of a situationanalogous tothis one.The telescope's lenses areanalogous[=comparable]toa person's glasses.Think of the process asanalogous to[=like] riding a bike. analogouslyadverb

Overblown /adjective[more overblown; most overblown]disapproving:made to seem very important, intelligent, or great especially in order to impress peopleoverblown[=pretentious] claims/rhetoricThe problem isoverblown. [=it has been exaggerated; it is not as bad as people say it is]

Disentangle/verb

disentangles;disentangled;disentangling[+ obj]1:to separate (things that are twisted together or caught on one another)I can'tdisentangle[=untangle] the wires/hangers.often +fromShe was trying todisentangleher hairfromher necklace.often used figurativelyShe finallydisentangledherselffroma bad relationship.2:to remove the twists or knots in (something)disentangle[=untangle] a knotted string/ropedisentanglement /noun[noncount]

Skein /noun

pluralskeins [count]:a long piece of yarn or thread that is loosely wound comparehank

Brandish /verb

brandishes;brandished;brandishing[+ obj]:to wave or swing (something, such as a weapon) in a threatening or excited mannerShebrandisheda stick at the dog.I could see that he wasbrandishinga knife.

Lyricism /noun

[noncount]:a quality that expresses deep feelings or emotions in a work of art:an artistically beautiful or expressive qualitypoeticlyricismmusic rich withlyricismthelyricismof his paintings

Constraint/ nounpluralconstraints1[count]:something that limits or restricts someone or somethingLack of funding has been a majorconstrainton the building's design.usually pluralBudgetconstraints[=restrictions] have forced me to revise my travel plans. [=I've changed my travel plans because I do not have enough money]Because of timeconstraints[=limitations], speeches will be limited to five minutes.Tradition puts/places/imposesconstraintson [=puts limits on] people and their actions.2[noncount]:control that limits or restricts someone's actions or behaviorThey demand freedom fromconstraint.They refuse to work underconstraintany longer.

Doctrinaire/ adjective

[more doctrinaire; most doctrinaire]formal + disapprovingused to describe a person who has very strong beliefs about what should be done and will not change them or accept other people's opinionsThe senator is lessdoctrinairethan generally believed.adoctrinaire conservative/socialist

Bumpkin/ noun

pluralbumpkins[count]informal:a person who lives in the country far away from cities and who is regarded as stupidcountrybumpkins

Emulate/ verbemulates;emulated;emulating[+ obj]:to try to be like (someone or something you admire)She grew upemulatingher sports heroes.artistsemulatingthe style of their teachersEmulation noun[noncount]

Submit/verb

submits;submitted;submitting1[+ obj]:to give (a document, proposal, piece of writing, etc.) to someone so that it can be considered or approvedCandidates interested in the position shouldsubmittheir rsums to the Office of Human Resources.Submityour application no later than January 31st.Requests must besubmittedin writing.Photographssubmittedfor publication will not be returned.2[no obj]:to stop trying to fight or resist something:to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposingHe vowed that he would neversubmit. [=give in]often +toHe refused tosubmit totheir demands.We will notsubmit toyou without a fight.Public outcry caused him tosubmit toan investigation of his finances.3[+ obj]formal:to offer (something) as an opinion or suggestion often +thatIsubmit thathis guilt has not been proven.

Exonerate/ verb

exonerates;exonerated;exonerating[+ obj]formal:to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or responsible for a problem, bad situation, etc.Her attorney claims that this new evidence willexonerate[=clear] the defendant completely.sometimes +oforfromevidence that willexonerateherof/fromthe charges Exoneration noun[noncount]A review of the evidence led to her completeexoneration.

Rococo

:of or relating to a style of artistic expression that involves fancy curved forms and much decoration and was popular in the 18th centuryThe chairs are carved in arococostyle.rococoart