Page 153 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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irresponsible (I ris PAHN si bl) adj. not liable for certain actions; unreliable;
shiftless
• The judge ruled that Dorothy was irresponsible for Rose’s broken eyeglasses.
• Driving an automobile after having a few alcoholic beverages is an
irresponsible act.
• I would never hire the guy who installed my sink again; he’s just too irre-
sponsible.
[irresponsibly adv.]
irreverence (i REV er rins) n. 1. lack of respect or reverence; 2. an act showing
lack of respect; 3. a person’s being treated with same
• Some comedians’ stock in trade is speaking of serious matters with irreverence.
• It is not a good idea to show irreverence for the power of a chain saw—
especially when using it.
• Very few parents appreciate their teenaged children’s irreverence toward
their wishes.
isolate (AY suh LAYT for vt., adj., AY suh lit for n.) vt. to set apart from others;
to cause to be alone —adj. of or relating to something that has been set apart
—n. a person or group that has been set apart
• If you are a chess player, the last thing you want is for your opponent to
isolate your king from his protection.
• Accidentally leaving a child home alone is one isolated instance (in more
ways than one).
• When a solid is precipitated out of a solution or suspension, that solid is
called the isolate.
[-d, isolating]
isolation (AY suh LAY shin) n. the condition of having been set apart; being
alone
• To prevent the spread of infection, a carrier of an infectious disease is often
placed in isolation.
• Isolation is often the best place for an inmate who is a danger to others.
[Syn. solitude]