Page 46 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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barricade (BAR I kayd) n. 1. a defense barrier hastily thrown up, as in street fight-
ing; 2. any obstacle or barrier —vt. to keep out or in by use of a barrier; to obstruct
• Police put up barricades to keep the crowd off the parade route.
• Barricades consisting of piled-up rubble were used for defense by soldiers in
the cities of post–D-day Europe during World War II.
• The people of Stalingrad barricaded the streets to keep out the invading
Germans.
[-d, barricading]
barter (BAHR toer) vi. to trade goods or services without the use of money —vt.
to swap goods or services in return for other goods and services; trade —n. 1. the
act of swapping; 2. anything swapped
• In colonial days it was common for settlers to barter knives and hatchets to
Native Americans for beaver pelts.
• Barter that hat for two pairs of socks and a Hershey bar.
• Al and Frank often do business by barter.
• This hat cost me nothing; I got it from Alice by barter.
[-ed, -ing, -er n.]
basic (BAY sik) adj. 1. of or at the beginning; fundamental; essential; 2. making
or being a support or introduction; elementary
•A basic course in weaving might be helpful to rug makers.
• A knowledge of mathematics is basic to learning physics.
• Honesty is a basic principle to live by.
basis (BAY sis) n. 1. the start, foundation, or main support of anything; 2. the
main ingredient of anything; 3. the underlying philosophy; 4. a timed plan or pro-
cedure; 5. a certain attitude
• “What is the basis for your accusing me of eating on the job?” Gail asked,
quickly swallowing what was in her mouth.
• That all men are created equal is the basis of the U.S. Constitution.
• We pay for cable TV on a monthly basis.
• Mark and Louise are on a friendly basis these days.
battle (BA tl) n. 1. a fight—as that between armed units on the sea, land, or in
the air; 2. war or armed combat; fighting; 3. any conflict or fight —vt. to oppose;
fight —vi. 1. to participate in a fight or struggle; 2. to fight
• One of the most intense battles in the Pacific during WWII was for the
island of Iwo Jima.
• There was a street battle between two rival gangs.
• The landlord and tenant had an ongoing battle over upkeep.
• Nemo’s father battled the move to expel him from school.
• Geoffrey was in the battle for human rights in El Salvador.
• Oscar de la Hoya and Ray Mancini were in a real ring battle.
[-d, battling]

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