diminutive adj./n.
- ADJ-GRADED A diminutive person or object is very small.
- N-COUNT A diminutive is an informal form of a name. For example, 'Jim' and 'Jimmy' are diminutives of 'James'.
- N-COUNT A diminutive is a suffix which is added to a word to show affection or to indicate that something is small. For example, 'ie'and'-ette'are diminutives, for example in 'doggie' and 'statuette'.
inure v.
- PHRASAL VERB To make someone become used to something unpleasant, so that they are no longer upset by it.
squad n./vt.
- N-COUNT A squad is a section of a police force that is responsible for dealing with a particular type of crime.
- N-COUNT A squad is a group of players from which a sports team will be chosen.
- N-COUNT A squad of soldiers is a small group of them.
dexterous adj.
- ADJ-GRADED Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.
sanitation n.
- N-COUNT Sanitation is the process of keeping places clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply.
primitive adj./n.
- ADJ-GRADED Primitive means belonging to a society in which people live in a very simple way, usually without industries or a writing system.
- ADJ-GRADED Primitive means belonging to a very early period on the development of an animal or plant.
- ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as primitive, you mean that it is very simple in style or very old-fashioned.
sorghum n.
- N-COUNT Sorghum is a type of corn that is grown in warm countries. Its grain can be made into flour or syrup.
flora n.
- N-COUNT You can refer to plants as flora, especially the plants growing in a particular area.
terrestrial adj./n.
- ADJ A terrestrial animal or plant lives on land or on the ground rather than in the sea, in trees, or in the air.
- ADJ Terrestrial means relating to the planet Earth rather than to some other part of the universe.
- ADJ Terrestrial television channels are transmitted using equipment situated at ground level, and not by satellite.
ferocious adj.
- ADJ-GRADED A ferocious animal, person, or action is very fierce and violent.
- ADJ-GRADED A ferocious war, argument, or other form of conflict involves a great deal of anger, bitterness, and determination.
- ADJ-GRADED If you describe actions or feelings as ferocious, you mean that they are intense and determined.
dissemble v.
- VERB When poeple dissemble, they hide their real intensions or emotions.
impertinent adj.
- ADJ-GRADED If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrepectful way, you can say that they are being impertinent.
archeology n.
- N-UNCOUNT Archeology is the study of the societies and peoples of the past by examining the remains of their buildings, tools, and other objects.
girdle n./vt.
- N-COUNT A girdle is a piece of women's underwear that fits tightly around the stomach and hips.
- VERB If one thing girdles another, it surrounds it.