Unit2SailingtheoceansTeachingResourcesSection3:WordsandexpressionsfromUnit2Sailingtheoceansmercynoun(pl.-ies)1.[U]akindorforgivingattitudetowardssbthatyouhavethepowertoharmorrighttopunishhumanity:toask/beg/pleadformercyTheyshowednomercytotheirhostages.Godhavemercyonus.Thetroopsareonamercymission(=ajourneytohelppeople)inthewarzone.2.[C,usuallysing.](informal)aneventorasituationtobegratefulfor,usuallybecauseitstopssthunpleasant:It’samercyshewasn’tseriouslyhurt.Hisdeathwasamercy(=becausehewasingreatpain.atthemercyofsb/sthnotabletostopsb/sthharmingyoubecausetheyhavepowerorcontroloveryou:I’mnotgoingtoputmyselfatthemercyofthebank.Wewereatthemercyoftheweather.leavesb/sthtothemercy/merciesofsb/sthtoleavesb/sthinasituationthatmaycausethemtosufferortobetreatedbadly:privatizedcompanieslefttothemercyofmarketforces(humorous)I’llleaveyoutothetendermerciesoftheseladies!throwyourselfonsb’smercy(formal)toputyourselfinasituationwhereyoumustrelyonsbtobekindtoyouandnotharmorpunishyoulongsideprep.1.nexttooratthesideofsth:Apolicecarpulledupalongsideus.alifeboatmooredalongsidetheyachtMuchofthelandalongsidetheriverisbelowsealevel.2.togetherwithoratthesametimeassth/sb:Traditionalbeliefsstillflourishalongsideamodernurbanlifestyle.explorationnoun[C,U]1.theactoftravellingthroughaplaceinordertofindoutaboutitorlookforsthinit:theexplorationofspaceoilexploration(=searchingforoilintheground)2.anexaminationofsthinordertofindoutaboutit:thebook’sexplorationsofthehumanmindaccelerateverb1.tohappenortomakesthhappenfasterorearlierthanexpected:[v]Inflationcontinuestoaccelerate.[vn]Exposuretothesuncanacceleratetheageingprocess.2.[v](ofavehicleorperson)tostarttogofaster:Therunnersacceleratedsmoothlyaroundthebend.Thecaracceleratedtoovertakeme.secureadj.HAPPY/CONFIDENT1.feelinghappyandconfidentaboutyourselforaparticularsituation:Atlasttheywereabletofeelsecureaboutthefuture.Shefinishedthematch,secureintheknowledgethatshewasthroughtothenextround.,CERTAIN/SAFE2.likelytocontinueorbesuccessfulforalongtime;safe:asecurejob/incomeIt’snotaverysecurewaytomakealiving.Thefutureofthecompanylookssecure.3.~(against/fromsth)thatcannotbeaffectedorharmedbysth:Informationmustbestoredsothatitissecurefromaccidentaldeletion.BUILDING/DOOR/ROOM4.guardedand/ormadestrongersothatitisdifficultforpeopletoenterorleave:Checkthatallwindowsanddoorshavebeenmadeassecureaspossible.asecureunitforchildoffendersThebuildingissecureagainstintruders.FIRM5.notlikelytomove,falldown,etc.;stable:Theaerialdoesn’tlookverysecuretome.Itwasdifficulttomaintainasecurefootholdontheice.(figurative)Ourrelationshipwasnowonamoresecurefooting.verbGETSTH1.~sth(forsb/sth)|~sbsth(formal)toobtainorachievesth,especiallywhenthismeansusingalotofeffort:[vn]tosecureacontract/dealTheteammanagedtosecureaplaceinthefinals.Shesecured2.000votes.Thedelegationhassecuredthepromiseofaceasefire.[vn,vnn]Hesecuredaplaceforhimselfatlawschool.Hesecuredhimselfaplaceatlawschool.FASTENFIRMLY2.[vn]~sth(tosth)toattachorfastensthfirmly:Shesecuredtheropefirmlytothebackofthecar.Thetablesonboardweresecuredfirmlytothefloor.PROTECTFROMHARM3.[vn]~sth(againststh)toprotectsthsothatitissafeanddifficulttoattackordamage:tosecureapropertyagainstintrudersThewindowsweresecuredwithlocksandbars.(figurative)asavingsplanthatwillsecureyourchild’sfutureALOAN4.[vn]tolegallyagreetogivesbpropertyorgoodsthatareworththesameamountasthemoneythatyouhaveborrowedfromthem,ifyouareunabletopaythemoneyback:aloansecuredonthehouserandomadj.[usuallybeforenoun]done,chosen,etc.withoutsbdecidinginadvancewhatisgoingtohappen,orwithoutanyregularpattern:therandomkillingofinnocentpeoplearandomsample/selection(=inwhicheachthinghasanequalchanceofbeingchosen)Theinformationisprocessedinarandomorder.nounatrandomwithoutdecidinginadvancewhatisgoingtohappen,orwithoutanyregularpattern:Sheopenedthebookatrandom(=notatanyparticularpage)andstartedreading.Theterroristsfiredintothecrowdatrandom.Nameswerechosenatrandomfromalist.awkwardadj.1.makingyoufeelembarrassed:Therewasanawkwardsilence.Ifeltawkwardbecausetheyobviouslywantedtobealone.2.difficulttodealwith:Don’taskawkwardquestions.You’veputmeinanawkwardposition.anawkwardcustomer(=apersonwhoisdifficulttodealwith),Pleasedon’tbeawkwardaboutlettinghimcome.Itmakesthingsawkwardforeveryonewhenyoubehavelikethat.3.notconvenient,inconvenient:HaveIcomeatanawkwardtime?4.difficultordangerousbecauseofitsshapeordesign:Thisboxisveryawkwardforonepersontocarry.Thistoolwillreachintoawkwardcorners,suchasunderkitchenunits.5.notmovinginaneasyway;notcomfortable:Hetriedtodance,buthewastooclumsyandawkward.Imusthavesleptinanawkwardposition—I’machingallover.referencenounMENTIONINGSB/STH1.[C,U]~(tosb/sth)athingyousayorwritethatmentionssb/sthelse;theactofmentioningsb/sth:ThebookisfullofreferencestogrowingupinIndia.Shemadenoreferencetoherillnessbutonlytoherfutureplans.thePresident’spassingreferenceto(=briefmentionof)theendofthewarLOOKINGFORINFORMATION2.[U]theactoflookingatsthforinformation:Keepthelistofnumbersnearthephoneforeasyreference.Iwrotedownthenameofthehotelforfuturereference(=becauseitmightbeusefulinthefuture).Thelibrarycontainsmanypopularworksofreference(=referencebooks).ASKINGFORADVICE3.[U]~(tosb/sth)(formal)theactofaskingsbforhelporadvice:Theemergencynursecantreatminorinjurieswithoutreferencetoadoctor.NUMBER/WORD/SYMBOL4.[C](abbr.ref.)anumber,wordorsymbolthatshowswheresthisonamap,orwhereyoucanfindapieceofinformation:ThemapreferenceisY4..Pleasequoteyourreferencenumberwhenmakinganenquiry.FORNEWJOB5.[C]aletterwrittenbysbwhoknowsyou,givinginformationaboutyourcharacterandabilities,especiallytoanewemployer:Wewilltakeupreferencesaftertheinterview.6.[C]apersonwhoagreestowriteareference,foryou,forexamplewhenyouareapplyingforajob:Mypreviousbosswillactasareferenceforme.INBOOK7.[C]anoteinabookthattellsyouwhereaparticularpieceofinformationcomesfrom:Thereisalistofreferencesattheendofeachchapter.in/withreferenceto(formal)usedtosaywhatyouaretalkingorwritingabout:WithreferencetoyourletterofJuly22...verb[vn](formal)torefertosth;toprovideabook,etc.withreferences:Eachchapterisreferenced,citingliteratureupto2004.preciseadj.1.clearandaccurate;exact:precisedetails/instructions/measurementsCanyougiveamoreprecisedefinitionoftheword?Icanbereasonablypreciseaboutthetimeoftheincident.2.[onlybeforenoun]usedtoemphasizethatsthhappensataparticulartimeorinaparticularway:Wewerejusttalkingaboutherwhen,atthatprecisemoment,shewalkedin.Doctorsfoundithardtoestablishtheprecisenatureofherillness.3.takingcaretobeexactandaccurate,,especiallyaboutsmalldetails:askilledandpreciseworkersmall,precisemovements(disapproving)She’sratherprimandprecise.tobe(more)preciseusedtoshowthatyouaregivingmoredetailedandaccurateinformationaboutsthyouhavejustmentioned:Theshelfisaboutametrelong—well,98cm,tobeprecise.simplifyverb(simplifies,simplifying,simplified,simplified)[vn]tomakestheasiertodoorunderstand:Theapplicationformshavenowbeensimplified.Ihopehisappointmentwillsimplifymatters.asimplifiedversionofthestoryforyoungchildrenportableadj.thatiseasytocarryortomove:aportableTVTheequipmentislightweight,portableandeasytostore.(figurative)aportableloan/pension(=thatcanbemovedifyouchangebanks,jobs,etc.)portablesoftwarenounasmalltypeofmachinethatiseasytocarry,especiallyacomputeroratelevision:Thekidsareupstairswatchingtheportable(=television).shortcomingnoun[usuallypl.]afaultinsb’scharacter,aplan,asystem,etc.:Shemademeawareofmyownshortcomings.Despiteanumberofshortcomings,theprojectwillstillgoahead.updateverb[vn]1.tomakesthmoremodernbyaddingnewparts,etc.:It’sabouttimeweupdatedoursoftware.2.~sb(onsth)|~sthtogivesbthemostrecentinformationaboutsth;toaddthemostrecentinformationtosthbringuptodate:Icalledtheofficetoupdatethemontheday’sdevelopments.Ourrecordsareregularlyupdated.tendencynoun(pl.-ies)1.[C]~(forsb/sth)(todosth)|~(to/towardssth)ifsb/sthhasaparticulartendency,theyarelikelytobehaveoractinaparticularway:todisplayartistic,etc.tendenciesIhaveatendencytotalktoomuchwhenI’mnervous.Thereisatendencyforthisdiseasetoruninfamilies.Shehasastrongnaturaltendencytowardscaution.Thismaterialhasatendencytoshrinkwhenwashed.2.[C]~(forsb/sth)(todosth)|~(to/towardssth)anewcustomthatisstartingtodevelop:Thereisagrowingtendencyamongemployerstohirecasualstaff.3.[C+sing./pl.v.](BrE)agroupwithinalargerpoliticalgroup,whoseviewsaremoreextremethanthoseoftherestofthegroup:themilitanttendencyreliableadj.1.thatcanbetrustedtodosthwell;thatyoucanrelyon;dependable:Wearelookingforsomeonewhoisreliableandhard-working.areliablefriendMycar’snotasreliableasitusedtobe.2.thatislikelytobecorrectortrue:Ourinformationcomesfromareliablesource.areliablewitnessHowreliablearethelocalweatherforecasts?Thesetestsareareliableindicatoroffutureperformance.swoopverb[v]1.[usually+adv./prep.](ofabirdorplane)toflyquicklyandsuddenlydownwards,especiallyinordertoattacksb/sth;dive:Theaircraftswoopeddownoverthebuildings.Ahawkswooped,lowoverthefield.2.~(onsb/sth)(especiallyofpoliceorsoldiers)tovisitorattacksb/sthsuddenlyandwithoutwarning:Officersswoopedonthevehiclesastheylefttheferry.noun1.anactofmovingsuddenlyandquicklythroughtheairinadownwarddirection,asabirddoesdive2.~(onsth/sb)anactofarrivingsomewhereorattackingsth/sbinawaythatissuddenandunexpected:Largequantitiesofdrugswerefoundduringapoliceswooponthestar’sNewYorkhome.peckverb1.~(atsth)(ofbirds)tomovethebeakforwardquicklyandhitorbitesth:[v]Arobinwaspeckingatcrumbsontheground.Henspeckedaroundintheyard.[vn]Abirdhadpeckedaholeinthesack.Vultureshadpeckedoutthedeadgoat’seyes.2.[vn]~sb(onsth)(informal)tokisssblightlyandquickly:Hepeckedheronthecheekashewentout.Shepeckedhischeek.a/thepeckingorder(informal,oftenhumorous)theorderofimportanceinrelationtooneanotheramongthemembersofagroup:NewZealandisatthetopofthepeckingorderofrugbynations.tobefirstinthepeckingorderpeckatsthtoeatonlyaverysmallamountofamealbecauseyouarenothungry;pickat:Shesatnervouslypeckingatherfood.expeditionnoun1.anorganizedjourneywithaparticularpurpose,especiallytofindoutaboutaplacethatisnotwellknown:toplan/lead/goonanexpeditiontotheNorthPole2.thepeoplewhogoonanexpedition:ThreemembersoftheEverestexpeditionwerekilled.3.(sometimeshumorous)ashorttripthatyoumakewhenyouwantorneedsth:ashoppingexpeditioncompulsoryadj.thatmustbedonebecauseofalaworarule:Itiscompulsoryforallmotorcycliststowearhelmets.Englishisacompulsorysubjectatthislevel.compulsoryeducation/schoolingcompulsoryredundanciesSurvivalnoun1.[U]thestateofcontinuingtoliveorexist,oftendespitedifficultyordanger:thestruggle/battle/fightforsurvivalHisonlychanceofsurvivalwasahearttransplant.Exportingisnecessaryforoureconomicsurvival.Continuedtradeintheseproductsisathreattothesurvivalofthespecies.2.[C]~(fromsth)somethingthathascontinuedtoexistfromanearliertime:Theceremonyisasurvivalfrompre-Christiantimes.thesurvivalofthefittesttheprinciplethatonlythepeopleorthingsthatarebestadaptedtotheirsurroundingswillcontinuetoexistincidentnoun1.[C]somethingthathappens,especiallysthunusualorunpleasant:Hisbadbehaviourwasjustanisolatedincident.Oneparticularincidentsticksinmymind.2.[C,U]aseriousorviolentevent,suchasacrime,anaccidentoranattack:Therewasashootingincidentnearherelastnight.Thedemonstrationpassedoffwithoutincident.3.[C]adisagreementbetweentwocountries,ofteninvolvingmilitaryforces:aborder/diplomaticincident,departurenoun1.[C,U]~(from...)theactofleavingaplace;anexampleofthis:Hissuddendeparturethrewtheofficeintochaos.Flightsshouldbeconfirmed4.8hoursbeforedeparture.Theyhadreceivednonewsofhimsincehisdeparturefromtheisland.2.[C]aplane,train,etc.leavingaplaceataparticulartime:arrivalsanddeparturesAlldeparturesarefromManchester.thedeparturelounge/time/gatethedeparturesboard3.[C]~(fromsth)anactionthatisdifferentfromwhatisusualorexpected:Itwasaradicaldeparturefromtradition.Theirlatestsinglerepresentsanewdeparturefortheband.depositnounMONEY1.[usuallysing.]a~(onsth)asumofmoneythatisgivenasthefirstpartofalargerpayment:We’veputdowna5.%depositonthehouse.Theynormallyaskyoutopay£1.00(asa)deposit.Alldepositsarenon-refundable.2.[usuallysing.]asumofmoneythatispaidbysbwhentheyrentsthandthatisreturnedtothemiftheydonotloseordamagethethingtheyarerenting:topayadepositThey’llprobablyaskyoutoleaveadeposit.3.asumofmoneythatispaidintoabankaccount:Depositscanbemadeatanybranch.4.(intheBritishpoliticalsystem)theamountofmoneythatacandidateinanelectiontoParliamenthastopay,andthatisreturnedifhe/shegetsenoughvotes:Alltheothercandidateslosttheirdeposits.verb[vn]PUTDOWN1.[+adv./prep.]toputorlaysb/sthdowninaparticularplace:Shedepositedapileofbooksonmydesk.(informal)Iwaswhiskedoffinataxianddepositedoutsidethehotel.LEAVESUBSTANCE2.(especiallyofariveroraliquid)toleavealayerofsthonthesurfaceofsth,especiallygraduallyandoveraperiodoftime:Sandwasdepositedwhichhardenedintosandstone.MONEY3.toputmoneyintoabankaccount:MillionsweredepositedinSwissbankaccounts.reckonverb1.(informal,especiallyBrE)tothinksthorhaveanopinionaboutsth:[v(that)]Ireckon(that)I’mgoingtogetthatjob.He’llbefamousoneday.Whatdoyoureckon(=doyouagree)?[v]It’sworthalotofmoney,Ireckon.‘They’llneverfindout.’‘Youreckon?’(=Ithinkyoumaybewrongaboutthat)2.bereckoned(notusedintheprogressivetenses)tobegenerallyconsideredtobesth:[vntoinf]Childrenarereckonedtobemoresophisticatednowadays.[vn-n]Itwasgenerallyreckonedasuccess.[alsovn-adj]3.[vtoinf](BrE,informal)toexpecttodosth:Wereckontofinishbyten.Hewasn’treckoningtopaysomuch.4.~sth(atsth)tocalculateanamount,anumber,etc.:[vn]IcouldseehimreckoningthecostasIspoke.Theageoftheearthisreckonedatabout4.6.00millionyears.[v(that)]Theyreckon(that)theirprofitsaredownbyatleast2.0%.[vntoinf]Thejourneywasreckonedtotakeabouttwohours.reckononsthtoexpectsthtohappenortorelyonsthhappening:Theyhadn’treckonedonarebellion.[+-ing]We’dreckonedonhavinggoodweather.reckonsthup/reckonupsth(especiallyBrE)tocalculatethetotalamountornumberofsth:,Hereckonedupthecostofeverythinginhismind.reckonwithsb/sth1.[usuallypassive]toconsiderortreatsb/sthasaseriousopponent,problem,etc.:Theywerealreadyapoliticalforcetobereckonedwith.2.(usuallyusedinnegativesentences)toconsidersthasapossibleproblemthatyoushouldbepreparedfor;takesthintoaccount:[+-ing]Ididn’treckonwithgettingcaughtupinsomuchtraffic.reckonwithoutsb/sth(especiallyBrE)tonotconsidersb/sthasapossibleproblemthatyoushouldbepreparedfor;nottakesthintoaccount:Theyhadreckonedwithoutthedeterminationoftheopposition.tensionnoun1.[U,C,usuallypl.]~(betweenAandB)asituationinwhichpeopledonottrusteachother,orfeelunfriendlytowardseachother,andwhichmaycausethemtoattackeachother:Thereismountingtensionalongtheborder.international/racial/politicaltensionsFamilytensionsandconflictsmayleadtoviolence.Theincidenthasfurtherincreasedtensionbetweenthetwocountries.2.[C,U]~(betweenAandB)asituationinwhichthefactthattherearedifferentneedsorinterestscausesdifficulties:Thereisoftenatensionbetweentheaimsofthecompanyandthewishesoftheemployees.3.[U]afeelingofanxietyandstressthatmakesitimpossibletorelax:nervoustensionWelaughedandthathelpedeasethetension.Walkingandswimmingareexcellentforreleasingtension.atensionheadache4.[U]thefeelingoffearandexcitementthatiscreatedbyawriterorafilm/moviedirector:dramatictensionAsthemovieprogressesthetensionbuilds.5.[U]thestateofbeingstretchedtight;theextenttowhichsthisstretchedtight:musculartensionAdjustthestringtensionofyourtennisrackettosuityourstyleofplaying.Whenknitting,trytokeepthesametensionthroughout.Massagecanrelievetensioninyourshouldersandback.verb[vn](technical)tomakeawire,sail,etc.tightandstretchedgradualadj.1.happeningslowlyoveralongperiod;notsudden:agradualchangeintheclimateRecoveryfromthediseaseisverygradual.2.(ofaslope)notsteepforeseeverb(foresaw,foreseen)tothinksthisgoingtohappeninthefuture;toknowaboutsthbeforeithappens;predict:[vn]Wedonotforeseeanyproblems.Theextentofthedamagecouldnothavebeenforeseen.[v(that)]Noonecouldhaveforeseen(that)thingswouldturnoutthisway.[vwh-]Itisimpossibletoforeseehowlifewillworkout.[alsovn-ing]thirstnoun1.[U,sing.]thefeelingofneedingorwantingadrink:Hequenchedhisthirstwithalongdrinkofcoldwater.Shewokeupwitharagingthirstandaheadache.2.[U]thestateofnothavingenoughwatertodrink:Thousandsaredyingofthirst.3.[sing.]~(forsth)astrongdesireforsth:athirstforknowledgetearverb(tore,torn)DAMAGE,1.todamagesthbypullingitapartorintopiecesorbycuttingitonsthsharp;tobecomedamagedinthisway;rip:[vn]Itoremyjeansonthefence.Itoreaholeinmyjeans.Hetoretheletterintwo.atornhandkerchief[vn-adj]Itorethepackageopen.Itoreopenthepackage.[v]Careful—thefabrictearsveryeasily.2.[vn]~sthinsthtomakeaholeinsthbyforce;rip:Theblasttoreaholeinthewall.REMOVEFROMSTH/SB3.[vn+adv./prep.]toremovesthfromsthelsebypullingitroughlyorviolently;rip:Thestormnearlytoretheroofoff.Itoreanothersheetfromthepad.Hetorehisclothesoff(=tookthemoffquicklyandcarelessly)anddivedintothelake.4.~yourself/sb(fromsb/sth)topullyourself/sbawaybyforcefromsb/sththatisholdingyouorthem:[vn]Shetoreherselffromhisgrasp.[vn-adj]Hetorehimselffree.INJUREMUSCLE5.[vn]toinjureamuscle,etc.bystretchingittoomuch:atornligamentShetoreacalfmuscleplayingsquash.MOVEQUICKLY6.[v+adv./prep.]tomovesomewhereveryquicklyorinanexcitedway:Hetoreoffdownthestreet.Atrucktorepastthegates.-TORN7.(inadjectives)verybadlyaffectedordamagedbysth:tobringpeacetoastrife-torncountryastrike-tornindustrytearsb/sthapart,toshreds,tobits,etc.todestroyordefeatsb/sthcompletelyorcriticizethemoritseverely:Wetoretheotherteamapartinthesecondhalf.Thecriticstorehislastmovietoshreds.tearatyourheart/tearyourheartout(formal)tostronglyaffectyouinanemotionalwaytearyourhair(out)(informal)toshowthatyouareveryangryoranxiousaboutsth:She’skeepingverycalm—anyoneelsewouldbetearingtheirhairout.(bein)atearinghurry/rush(especiallyBrE)(tobe)inaverygreathurrybetorn(betweenAandB)tobeunabletodecideorchoosebetweentwopeople,thingsorfeelings:Iwastornbetweenmyparentsandmyfriend.tearsboffastrip/tearastripoffsb(BrE,informal)tospeakangrilytosbwhohasdonesthwrongthat’stornit(BrE,informal)usedtosaythatsthhashappenedtospoilyourplans—moreatheart,limb,looseadj.tearsbapart/tearapartsbtomakesbfeelveryunhappyorworried;ripsbapart:IttearsmeaparttothinkImighthavehurtherfeelings.Hisdistresstoremeapart.tearsthapart/tearapartsth1.todestroysthviolently,especiallybypullingittopieces:Thedogstorethefoxapart.2.tomakepeopleinacountry,anorganizationorotherplacefightorarguewitheachother:Racialstrifeistearingourcountryapart.3.tosearchaplace,makingitlookuntidyandcausingdamage:Theytoretheroomapart,lookingformoney.tearatsthtopullorcutsthviolentlysothatittears:Hetoreatthemeatwithhisbarehands.tearyourselfaway(fromsth)/tearsthaway(fromsth)toleavesomewhereeventhoughyouwouldprefertostaythere;totakesthawayfromsomewhere:Dinner’sready,ifyoucantearyourself,awayfromtheTV.Shewasunabletotearhereyesawayfromhim(=couldnotstoplookingathim).tearsthdown/teardownsthtopullorknockdownabuilding,wall,etc.:They’retearingdowntheseoldhousestobuildanewofficeblock.tearintosb/sth1.toattacksb/sthphysicallyorwithwords:Thewindtoreintohim.2.tostartdoingsthwithalotofenergy:Theytoreintotheirfoodasiftheywerestarving.Thebandtoreintotheiropeningnumber.tearsthup/tearupsthtodestroyadocument,etc.bytearingitintopieces;ripsthup:Shetoreupallthelettershehadsenther.(figurative)Heaccusedtheleaderoftearinguptheparty’smanifesto(=ofignoringit).hardshipnoun[U,C]asituationthatisdifficultandunpleasantbecauseyoudonothaveenoughmoney,food,clothes,etc.:economic/financial,etc.hardshipPeoplesufferedmanyhardshipsduringthatlongwinter.ThetwomenenduredgreathardshipduringtheirtrekacrossAntarctica.Itwasnohardshiptowalkhomeonsuchalovelyevening.backgroundnounFAMILY/EDUCATION,etc.1.[C]thedetailsofaperson’sfamily,education,experienceetc.:aperson’sfamily/social/cultural/educational/classbackgroundThejobwouldsuitsomeonewithabusinessbackground.Inspiteoftheirverydifferentbackgrounds,theyimmediatelybecamefriends.PAST2.[C,usuallysing.,U]thecircumstancesorpasteventswhichhelpexplainwhysthishowitis;informationaboutthese:thehistoricalbackgroundtothewarbackgroundinformation/knowledgeTheelectionsaretakingplaceagainstabackgroundofviolence.Canyougivememorebackgroundonthecompany?OFPICTURE/PHOTO3.[C,usuallysing.]thepartofapicture,photographorviewbehindthemainobjects,people,etc.:aphotographwithtreesinthebackgroundLESSIMPORTANTPOSITION4.[sing.]apositioninwhichpeoplearenotpayingattentiontosb/sthornotasmuchattentionastheyarepayingtosb/sthelse:Hepreferstoremaininthebackgroundandlethisassistanttalktothepress.Apianotinkledgentlyinthebackground.backgroundmusicTherewasalotofbackgroundnoise(=thatyoucouldhear,butwerenotlisteningto).COLOURUNDERSTH5.[C,usuallysing.]acolourordesignonwhichsthispainted,drawn,etc.:Thenameofthecompanyiswritteninredonawhitebackground.inthebackground(computing)(ofacomputerprogram)notbeingusedatthepresenttimeandappearingonthescreenbehindprogramsthatarebeingusedroarverb1.[v]tomakeaveryloud,deepsound:Weheardalionroar.Thegunroareddeafeningly.Theengineroaredtolife(=startednoisily).Thewindwasroaringinmyears.2.~(sth)(out),toshoutsthveryloudly:[v]Thecrowdroared.[vn]Thefansroared(out)theirapproval.HeroaredoutJames’sname.[vspeech]‘Standback,’heroared.3.[v]~(withlaughter)tolaughveryloudly:Helookedsofunny,weallroared.Itmadethemroarwithlaughter.4.[v+adv./prep.](ofavehicleoritsrider/driver)tomoveveryfast,makingalotofnoise:Sheputherfootdownandthecarroaredaway.Agroupofyoungmenonmotorcyclesroaredpast.5.[v](ofafire)toburnbrightlywithalotofflames,heatandnoise:Alogfirewasroaringinthehearth.noun1.alouddeepsoundmadebyananimal,especiallyalion,orbysb’svoice:Hisspeechwasgreetedbyaroarofapplause.roarsoflaughter2.aloudcontinuousnoisemadebythewindorsea,orbyamachine:Icouldbarelyhearabovetheroaroftraffic.theroaroftheAtlantic
