slender

thin anddelicate, often in a way that is attractive

• ** The plant's leaves are long and slender. **

slip

to slide without intending to

• She slipped on the ice.

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to move out of the correct position

• He could feel the rope slipping out of his grasp.

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to go somewhere or put something somewhere quickly, often so that you are not noticed

• [+ two objects ] If you slip the waiter some money/slip some money to the waiter he'll give you the best table.

slide

to (cause to) move easily and without interruption over a surface

• When I was little I used to like sliding on the polished floor in my socks.

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to go into a worse state, often through lack of control or care

• Car exports slid by 40 percent this year.

liberal

respecting and allowing many different types of beliefs or behaviour

• Her parents were far more liberal than mine.

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giving or given in a generous way

• He was very liberal with the wine.

vanish

to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way

• The child vanished while on her way home from school.

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suspicion

a belief or idea that something may be true

• I have a suspicion that he only asked me out because my brother persuaded him to.

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a feeling or belief that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong

• In these cases, the parents usually come under suspicion.

suspicious

feeling doubt or no trust in someone or something

• My mother has a very suspicious nature (= does not trust people).

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making you feel that something illegal is happening or that something is wrong

• The fire at the bank is being treated as suspicious.

suspension

the act of stopping something happening, operating, etc. for a period of time

• the act of stopping something happening, operating, etc. for a period of time

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a punishment in which a person is temporarily not allowed to work, go to school, or take part in an activity

• The union is protesting about the suspension of a restaurant worker.

nuisance

something or someone that annoys you or causes trouble for you

• I've forgotten my umbrella - what a nuisance!

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insignificant

small or not noticeable, and therefore not considered important

• Why bother arguing about such an insignificant amount of money?

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absolute

very great or to the largest degree possible

• I have absolute faith in her judgment.

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used when expressing a strong opinion

• He's an absolute idiot!

vague

not clearly expressed, known, described, or decided

• I do have a vague memory of meeting her many years ago.

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not clear in shape, or not clearly seen

• Through the mist I could just make out a vague figure.

emission

the act of sending out gas, heat, light, etc.

• Environmental groups want a substantial reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases.

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an amount of gas, heat, light, etc. that is sent out

• carbon dioxide emissions

barrier

a long pole, fence, wall, or natural feature, such as a mountain or sea, that stops people from going somewhere

• Barriers have been erected all along the route the Pope will take.

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a gate in some railway stations through which you must go to get on a train

• Passengers are requested to show their tickets at the barrier.

oblige

to force someone to do something, or to make it necessary for someone to do something

• The law obliges companies to pay decent wages to their employees.

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to please or help someone, especially by doing something they have asked you to do

• We only went to the party to oblige some old friends who asked us to be there.

obscure

not known to many people

• an obscure 12th-century mystic

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not clear and difficult to understand or see

• Official policy has changed, for reasons that remain obscure.

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to prevent something from being seen or heard

• Two new skyscrapers had sprung up, obscuring the view from her window.

exterior

the outside part of something or someone

• Behind that cold exterior there's a passionate man.

external

of, on, for, or coming from the outside

• the external walls of the house

petrol

a liquid obtained from petroleum, used especially as a fuel for cars and other vehicles

• I'm a bit low on (= I don't have much) petrol.

decay

to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this

• he role of the extended family has been decaying for some time.

decent

socially acceptable or good

• Everyone should be entitled to a decent wage/standard of living.

vacant

not filled or occupied; available to be used

• The hospital has no vacant beds.

• The position fell (= became) vacant when Rodman was promoted.

bachelor

a man who has never married

• He remained a bachelor until he was well into his 40s.

tedious

boring

• The problem is I find most forms of exercise so tedious.

preserve

to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed

• We want to preserve the character of the town while improving the facilities.