The Explorer Chapter 16

The Ruined City (p.186- 203)

Word Definition (Collins COBUILD) Synonymscasually(p.186)

If you are casual, you are, or you pretend to be, relaxed and not very concerned about what is happening or what you are doing.

carelessly, indifferently, apathetically, nonchalantly

minotaur(p.186)

A minotaur is a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man. It was kept in the Labyrinth in Crete, feeding on human flesh, until destroyed by Theseus.

dolorous(p.186)

Dolorous means causing or involving pain or sorrow. sorrowful, dismal, miserable, melancholy

exquisite(p.188)

Something that is exquisite is extremely beautiful or pleasant, especially in a delicate way.

fine, elegant, attractive, charming

pungent(p.188)

Something that is pungent has a strong, sharp smell or taste which is often so strong that it is unpleasant.

acrid, foul, malodorous

reconstructed(p.188)

If you reconstruct something that has been destroyed or badly damaged, you build it and make it work again.

rebuild, reform, restore, remake, recreate, regenerate

taut(p.189)

Something that is taut is stretched very tight. stretched, tense, rigid

inspiration(p.190)

Inspiration is a feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something, which gives you new and creative ideas. If you suddenly have an inspiration, you suddenly think of an idea of what to do or say.

stimulus, idea, revelation, brainwave (informal)

iridescent(p.192)

Something that is iridescent has many bright colours that seem to keep changing.

shimmering, pearly, opalescent, prismatic

wattle(p.193)

Wattle is framework made by weaving thin sticks through thick sticks which is used for making fences and walls.

waddled(p.193)

To waddle somewhere means to walk there with short, quick steps, swinging slightly from side to side. A person or animal that waddles usually has short legs and a fat body.

shuffle, shamble, stagger, lumber

dilated(p.194)

When things such as blood vessels or the pupils of your eyes dilate or when something dilates them, they become wider or bigger.

enlarge, extend, widen, broaden, stretch

guttural(p.194)emotionless(p.194)

If you describe someone as emotionless, you mean that they do not show any feelings or emotions.

unfeeling, cold, cool, impassive, detached, unemotional

instincts(p.194)

Instinct is the natural tendency that a person or animal has to behave or react in a particular way.

feeling, urge, intuition, predisposition, inclination

boulevard A boulevard is a wide street in a city, usually with trees along avenue, street

The Explorer Chapter 16

The Ruined City (p.186- 203)

(p.195) each side.succulent(p.195)

Succulents or succulent plants are types of plants which have thick, fleshy leaves.

luscious, rich, lush

swathe(p.196)

A swathe of cloth is a long strip of cloth, especially one that is wrapped around someone or something.

burr(p.196)

If someone has a burr, they speak English with a regional accent in which 'r' sounds are pronounced more strongly than in the standard British way of speaking.

assume(p.196)

If you assume that something is true, you imagine that it is true, sometimes wrongly.

think, believe, presume, infer, suspect, suppose

baffled(p.196)

If something baffles, you, you cannot understand it or explain it.

puzzled, confused, bewildered, stumped, flummoxed, mystified

cacophony(p.199)

You can describe a loud, unpleasant mixture of sounds as a cacophony.

discord, racket, din,

glinted(p.200)

If something glints, it produces or reflects a quick flash of light. flash, sparkle, glimmer, twinkle, shine

routine(p.200)

A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.

usual, standard, normal, customary

clammy(p.200)

Something that is clammy is unpleasantly damp or sticky. moist, sweaty, damp, sticky, humid, dank

tentatively(p.200)

If someone is tentative, they are cautious and not very confident because they are uncertain or afraid.

hesitantly, cautiously, uncertainly, doubtfully

innards (p.201)

The innards of a person or animal are the organs inside their body.

brawl(p.201)

A brawl is a rough or violent fight. fight, battle, fray, scuffle, fracas,

wry(p.202)

If someone has a wry expression, it shows that they find a bad situation or a change in a situation slightly amusing.

ironic, dry, mocking, sarcastic, sardonic

ferry(p.202)

If a vehicle ferries people or goods, it transports them, usually by means of regular journeys between the same two places.

transport, bring, carry, ship, convey

impenetrable(p.203)

If you describe something such as a barrier or a forest as impenetrable, you mean that it is impossible or very difficult to get through.

impassable, impervious, solid, thick, dense

controversial(p.203)

If you describe something or someone controversial, you mean that they are the subject of intense public argument, disagreement, or disapproval.

contentious, debatable, disputable