Lesson 49

to obtain something, often by imposing on others, without intending to repay or reciprocate the favor

She often cadges rides from her coworkers when she doesn't feel like taking the bus.

to check a web page, text, etc. without reading all the content

He browsed online forums to read reviews and opinions about the latest video games.

add poison to

something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage

to establish deeply and firmly, often making something difficult to change or remove

The company's policies are deeply entrenched in its corporate culture.

having a pale, light brown color resembling the color of dried leaves or soil

Her scarf had a delicate fallow hue, perfect for a spring day.

a technique of mural painting that is done by putting watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling

The cathedral's walls were adorned with magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from biblical stories, their vibrant colors still vivid after centuries.

to confuse someone, often by being difficult to understand

The cryptic crossword puzzle bemused the participants, as they struggled to find the answers.

to promise to marry someone, typically with a formal ceremony or agreement, often involving the exchange of rings

In many cultures, couples are betrothed during traditional engagement ceremonies.

to be an omen or indication of a future outcome, often suggesting something negative or ominous

The dark clouds bode ill for our picnic plans.

to prove to be superior in strength, influence, or authority

Despite facing numerous challenges, the team's resilience allowed them to prevail in the final moments of the game, securing a dramatic victory.

to cause pain, suffering, or distress, often as a result of illness, injury, or hardship

Poverty afflicts many families in this neighborhood.

to propose or assume something as true or factual, serving as the foundation for further reasoning or argumentation

In the scientific hypothesis, researchers often posit certain conditions to explore their potential effects on the experiment.

(poker) a small forced bet that all players must make before the start of a hand, usually a percentage of the minimum bet

to consume or absorb liquids, especially beverages

During the celebration, guests were eager to imbibe the sparkling champagne in toast of the special occasion.

to add fuel to a fire, metaphorically or literally, in order to increase its intensity or excitement

The blacksmith stokes the forge to heat the metal for shaping.

melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air

to give special advantages or rights to someone or something

The manager privileged certain employees with additional responsibilities.

to lightly burn something on the surface, causing minimal damage

He accidentally singed the edge of his shirt while lighting the candle.

to intensely compete with another person in order to achieve something

The two athletes vied for the championship title, displaying remarkable skill and determination.