Lesson 43

to bathe or treat with warm liquids, often for healing purposes

The nurse fomented the injury with a warm herbal compress.

an unreliable person or company that is only interested in making money and is likely to avoid paying its debts back

The contractor turned out to be a fly-by-night, disappearing after receiving the advance payment.

very impressive in scale or scope

The construction of the Great Wall of China is considered an epic feat of engineering.

to list and determine the quantity or total of something

The scientist enumerated the different species found in the area.

bad in a noticeable and extreme way

Her egregious behavior at the party embarrassed everyone who attended.

a wall built in order to stop water, especially from the sea, from entering an area

The villagers relied on the dike to protect their homes from the rising sea levels.

the theory of Charles Darwin that claims the evolution of species happens by natural selection

Darwinism explains how species adapt to their environments through natural selection over time.

the quality of being fast and swift in movement

The athlete’s celerity on the track earned him a gold medal.

the quality of being fleeting or short-lived

The brevity of the summer storm surprised everyone, as it ended almost as soon as it began.

to make something or someone seem less important

He often belittles his coworkers' contributions, making them feel undervalued.

very courageous and not afraid of situations that are dangerous

The intrepid journalist ventured into conflict zones to report the truth.

the set of facts or circumstances surrounding a situation or event that provide clarity and understanding

The context of the negotiations changed drastically after the new regulations were introduced.

an official appointed by a government to represent that government in a foreign city

The consul is currently negotiating with local authorities to protect the citizens.

a feeling of doubt or uneasiness, often related to one's conscience or sense of right and wrong

She had no qualms about speaking her mind, even if her opinions were unpopular.

a container to keep a holy bread in a Christian ceremony

Yesterday, the pyx was carried with reverence to the altar.

a job in an organization

to face someone, particularly in a way that is unfriendly or threatening

The manager confronted the employee about the missing inventory.

a large pot, often made of metal and equipped with handles, used for boiling liquids like water or soup

The witches brewed their potions in a large cauldron over a crackling fire.

to stop the normal flow of something, often temporarily

The unexpected power outage disrupted the entire office.