Page 293 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
284
finesse (fin ES) n. 1. the ability to handle delicate situations with skill; 2. cun-
ning; artfulness; craftiness —vt. 1. to bypass or evade an issue; 2. to manage or deal
with using finesse
• Walter handled the customer’s complaint with finesse.
• Martha tried to finesse her way around the requirement that she had to
have a driving permit before she could get her license.
• It is a common play in a game of bridge for a player to finesse a lower value
card past an opponent without losing it.
[-d, finessing]
fission (FISH in) n. a splitting apart; division into two or more parts
• Some cells reproduce asexually by binary fission.
•A fission of the nucleus of an atom releases considerable energy and is the
principle on which the atomic bomb was based.
[-able adj.]
fissure (FISH yer) n. 1. a long, narrow, deep crack; 2. a dividing or breaking into
parts
• Fissures in mountains have been responsible for swallowing up more than
one climber.
• Glaciers usually fracture along fissures, causing huge icebergs to break off.
[Syn. crack]
fixate (FIX ayt) vt., vi. 1. to focus (the eyes) on an object; 2. to form a persistent
attachment to some person or object
• Someone who cannot fixate on an object that is distant is said to be
myopic, or nearsighted.
• When one person fixates on another person so that the attachment
becomes excessive, it is time for a psychological expert to be brought in for
assistance.
[-d, fixating]
flag (FLAG) vi. 1. to become limp; droop; 2. to lose energy; wane; grow weak or
tired
• When a flower does not get enough water, it tends to flag but perks up
again if watered in time.
• After two hours watching the races, Ida’s interest began to flag.
[-ged, -ging]
flaw (FLAW) n. 1. a blemish or defect that spoils something’s appearance;
2. a defect, fault, or error —vi., vt. to make faulty
• The dents in the fender were flaws in the automobile’s appearance.
• A diamond that does not contain a flaw is a very rare (read that expensive)
thing.
• Rubbed off patches of gold finish flawed the watchband’s appearance.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. defect]