Page 275 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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crystal (KRIS til) n. 1. a transparent mineral, especially quartz; 2. such a mineral
with a cut or naturally geometric pattern of facets; 3. the transparent covering of
the face of a watch; 4. especially clear and briliant glassware
• Crystals of carbon are the hardest known natural substance, also known as
diamonds.
• Quartz crystals occur in many different colors, with rose quartz being quite
common.
• Carlotta took her watch to the jeweler for a new crystal.
crystallize (KRIS til YZ) vt. 1. to take on a definite form; 2. to form crystals or
crystal-like shapes; 3. to coat with sugar
• It took a while for the plan to crystallize in Gail’s head.
• When water vapor crystallizes it forms six-sided snowflakes.
• Crystallized ginger is coated with sugar and is delicious but tangy.
[-d, crystallizing, crystallization n.]
culpability (KUHL puh BIL i tee) n. the responsibility for something’s happen-
ing; the blame
• The culpability for a rear-end collision always belongs to the rear car’s driver.
• Despite having borrowed his father’s camera without asking permission,
Irwin denied any culpability.
[Syn. blame]
cultivate (KUHL ti VAYT) vt. 1. to prepare soil for crop growing; 2. to grow
(plants, animals, and so on) from scratch; 3. to improve by training; 4. to develop
(a taste for)
• The farmer cultivates with a plow before sowing the first seeds.
• Bob cultivates flowers every year, starting them in pots in early May.
• In medieval times, monks cultivated trees in the shape of candelabras.
• A liking for caviar is a taste one must cultivate, as it is not a naturally
appealing food.
[-d, cultivating]
curmudgeon (koer MUHJ in) n. an ill-mannered, bad-tempered person; a can-
tankerous person
• Nobody cared to argue with Mr. Jones because he had a reputation for
being a curmudgeon.
• Miss Smith was such a curmudgeon that it was no wonder she had remained
unwed.
cursory (KOER sir ee) adj. with little attention to detail; done hastily
• Rita took a cursory look at the right front bumper to see whether any
damage had been done.
• The doctor gave Ben a cursory examination before declaring him fit to
return to work.
[cursorily adv.] [Syn. superficial]