Unit 6

Word

Definition

Example

address

if you address an issue, you start trying to solve it

Our products address the needs of real users

break new ground

to do something innovative that is seen as positive

This approach to patient care breaks new ground

devoted following

people or a group who support and admire a person, group or belief

The artist has a small but devoted following

plunged into

to suddenly experience a difficult or unpleasant situation, or to make someone or something do this

The house was suddenly plunged into darkness

resonate with

if something such as an event or a message resonates, it seems important or good to people, or continues to do this

This is an idea that resonates with many voters

revolved around

to have something as a main subject or purpose

Jane's life revolves around her children

seen through the eyes of

seen from the point of view of a particular person

The events are seen through the eyes of a young child

set against the backdrop of

the conditions or situation in which something happens

It is a love story set against a backdrop of war and despair

debut novel

the first novel that is published by a writer

In her debut novel, she describes the lives of an immigrant family

fiendishly clever

extremely clever

She arrived at the answer using a fiendishly clever equation

grip

to have a strong effect on someone or something

Panic suddenly gripped me when it was my turn to speak

in the style of

in a similar way or style to something

He decorated his house in the style of an ancient temple

ingeniously plotted

with a plot that has been very cleverly written and works well

The novel is ingeniously plotted with an ending that no reader will be able to guess

riveting page-turner

something that is so interesting that you cannot stop reading it and turning the pages

This novel is a riveting page-turner. I can't put it down

sheer delight

extreme pleasure or satisfaction

The visit to the gallery has been a sheer delight

confrontational

likely to cause arguments or make people angry

In an attempt to improve his image, Stevens has decided to be less confrontational

emotionally charged

causing strong emotions which could be difficult to control

In an emotionally charged speech, he said he was resigning

melancholic

feeling very sad

He seemed burdened with melancholic thoughts and dark visions

melodic

something that sounds melodic sounds like music or has a pleasant tune

Their music is loud and not very melodic

poignant

making you feel sad or full of pity

In a poignant moment, Richter interrupted his speech to thank his mother and father

punchy

a punchy piece of writing or speech is short but very clear and effective

Start with a punchy sentence, get them reading

rousing

a rousing song, speech etc makes people feel excited and eager to do something

They sang a rousing chorus of 'Happy Birthday'

simplistic

treating difficult subjects in a way that is too simple

This is a very simplistic approach to the problem

authentic cuisine

a style of cooking that is done or made in the traditional or original way

This is the authentic cuisine of the Southwest

indigenous culture

the beliefs, way of life, art, and customs that are shared and accepted by people who come from a particular place

It is important to protect the country's indigenous culture

legendary journey

a journey that is very famous and admired

In the documentary, he records his legendary journey across the Arctic

opulent dining

eating an expensive meal

He enjoyed opulent dining with friends at the Ritz

panoramic views

impressive views of a wide area of land

From the top of the hill, you get panoramic views of the city

preserved villages

villages that have been protected from change or harm

The villages are part of our national history and should be preserved

primeval forests

forests belonging to the earliest time in the existence of the universe or the Earth

We are taking measures to protect the primeval forest

quintessential small-town diners

a perfect example small restaurants that you would find in a small town

This place is a quintessential small-town diner, serving low cost meals in cheerful surroundings

soaring mountains

mountains that rise high above

The view of the soaring mountains rising above us was breathtaking

undulating hills

moving or being shaped like waves that are rising and falling

I love the gently undulating hills of the Dales

barren desert

a desert that has no plants growing in it

Thousands of years ago these areas was a barren desert

dense forest

large area of land that is thickly covered with trees

The lost city was discovered in the middle of a dense forest

pristine beach

a beach that is not spoiled or damaged in any way

Along the coast, there a many pristine beaches to explore

rambling farmhouse

a rambling farmhouse has an irregular shape and covers a large area

He lived in a rambling old farmhouse

rugged coastline

a coastline that is rough and uneven

We sailed for days along the rugged coastline

well-appointed hotel room

a well-appointed room, house, or hotel has attractive furniture and all the equipment that you need

It has all the facilities and ten well-appointed hotel rooms

come about

to happen, especially in a way that is not planned

The opportunity to get into computing came about quite by accident

far removed from

very different from something

The events in the newspaper article were far removed from reality

launch a new era

to start a new period of time in history

The accord launched a new era of world peace

on a massive scale

in very large numbers or amounts

This was fraud on a massive scale

set the ball rolling

to start something happening

To set the ball rolling, the government was asked to contribute £1 million

the best was yet to come

used to say that even better things were going to happen

I enjoyed the celebrations, but the best was yet to come. The next day I received and invitation to the gala

cutting edge

if a company or its work is at the cutting edge of an activity, they are working in the most advanced area of it, using the newest methods, systems, equipment etc

The scientific and engineering skills which we have developed are at the cutting edge of nuclear technology