Vocabulary

28 Vocabulary of my lesson terms

Vocabulary useful for my lesson

Ashore

Adverb

to or on the shore or land from the direction of the sea.

Example: “the seals come ashore to breed"

fr: À terre/ vers le rivage

Backlash

Noun

a strong negative reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development.

Example: “a public backlash against racism.”

fr: Contre coup

Bandwidth

Noun

the energy or mental capacity required to deal with a situation.

Example: “he lives alone, and says he doesn't have the bandwidth to handle a steady relationship.”

fr: Une bande passante

Blight

Noun

a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts.

Example: “the vines suffered blight and disease.”

fr: Rouille

Brand

Noun

a type of product manufactured by a particular company under a particular name.

Example: “a new brand of soap powder.”

fr: Une marque

Casualty

Noun

a person killed or injured in a war or accident.

Example: “the shelling caused thousands of civilian casualties.”

fr: Victimes

Curb

Verb

restrain or keep in check.

Example: "she promised she would curb her temper"

fr: Freiner

Currently

Adverb

at the present time.

Example: “the EC is currently attempting greater economic integration.”

fr: Actuellement

Desecrate

Verb

treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect.

Example: “more than 300 graves were desecrated.”

fr: Profaner/souiller

Despicable

Adjective

deserving hatred and contempt

Example: “a despicable crime.”

fr: Ignoble/méprisable

Devalue

Verb

reduce or underestimate the worth or importance of.

Example: "I resent the way people seem to devalue my achievement"

fr: Dévaluer

Device

Noun

“a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.“

Example: “a measuring device"

fr: Un dispositif/un appareil

Display

Verb

put (something) in a prominent place in order that it may readily be seen.

Example: “the palace used to display a series of tapestries.”

fr: Afficher

Dog-tired

Adjective

extremely tired; worn out.

Example: “he'd gone to bed dog-tired.”

fr: “Chien fatigué”

Eavesdrop

verb

secretly listen to a conversation.

Example: "my father eavesdropped on my phone calls"

fr: écouter de façon indiscrète

Encroachment

Noun

intrusion on a person's territory, rights, etc.

Example: “minor encroachments on our individual liberties.”

fr: Empiètement/envahissement

Forestall

Verb

prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action.

Example: “they will present their resignations to forestall a vote of no confidence.”

fr: Devancer/ déjouer

Insignia

Noun

a distinguishing badge or emblem of military rank, office, or membership of an organization.

Example: "a khaki uniform with colonel's insignia on the collar"

fr: Un insigne

Matchstick

Noun

something likened to a match in being long and thin.

Example: cut the vegetables into matchsticks

fr: une allumette

Meekly

Adverb

in a quiet, gentle, and submissive manner

Example: “to keep the peace, she nodded meekly and smiled"

fr: Docilement

On hold

Adverb

Example: Our marriage plans are on hold for the time being.

fr: En attente/suspendu

Onset

Noun

“the beginning of something, especially something unpleasant.”

Example: “the onset of winter.”

fr: Début/commencement

Passer-by

Noun

a person who happens to be going past something, especially on foot.

Example: “the raiders fled when disturbed by a passer-by.”

fr: Un passant

Proponent

Noun

a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of action.

Example: "a strong proponent of the free market and liberal trade policies.”

fr: Un partisan

Sensitive

adjective

quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.

Example: "the new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones"

fr: sensible/délicat

Sleepwalk

Verb

walk around and sometimes perform other actions while asleep.

Example: “apparently, people who sleepwalk often make for the wardrobe.”

fr: Somnambulisme

Wireless

adjective

using radio, microwaves, etc. (as opposed to wires or cables) to transmit signals.

Example: "wireless broadband"

fr: sans-fil

Worked up

Adjective

very angry, excited, or upset about something

Example: “What is she so worked up about?“

fr: Énervé/révolté