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April 12 & 13, 2003 protrude (pra TREWD) The verb protrude means to stick out from something or to be further forward than the rest of something. Then the statute snapped, leaving on the feet and two protruding metal bars. Some yellow stuffing protruded from an opening in the back seat of the car. Suddenly two heads protruded from an upper window to watch the soldiers walk by. His briefcase protruded a bit too far beyond his seat and he was asked to put it in the compartment above. April 11, 2003 swarm The verb swarm means to move together in a single large mass. The adjective form is swarming. The noun form is also swarm and it normally refers to a very large group of insects, especially bees, which move in a single mass, but it can also be used to describe other large groups, including people. The crowds swarmed all over what was left of the Saddam statue, waving their arms and fists in the air, dancing and jumping for joy. Reporters swarmed around the Cuban coach, firing questions about his star boxer. The next thing he knew a swarm of mosquitoes was feasting on him. Service is quick, even when the restaurant is swarming. April 10, 2003 flag The verb flag means to lose enthusiasm or energy. The adjective form is flagging. Consumer demand in Europe appears to be flagging. Australian industry analysts said the virus scare would ruin hopes of an Asian-revival of the flagging tourist sector. Polls showed that public support for the war was flagging. As the race entered its final lap, it was clear he was beginning to flag. April 9, 2003 cramped (CRAMPT) The adjective cramped refers to a room, building or space which is not big enough for the people or things in it. About 80 young victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse have left the cramped condition of their former shelter in Bangkok for a new home, located on one-and-a-half rai of land in Samut Songkram province. He lived for more than 20 years in a cramped prison cell with four other prisoners. The video begins in a cramped university dormitory room in Russia. There were five of us in my cramped office that afternoon. April 8, 2003 allay (a LAY) The verb allay means to make something bad (fear, doubt, anger, etc.) less strong. The Public Health Ministry has been attempting to allay the public's fears over the Sars disease by saying people can continue leading their normal lives. The prime minister felt the need to allay suspicions that he was considering building a nuclear power plant. The company said it was confident that it could allay concerns over the safety of the new foods. To allay fears over foreign control of such a key asset, the minister assured his listeners that the majority of shares would be reserved for Thais. April 7, 2003 screen The verb screen means to examine people to determine if they have a particular disease or if they are at risk of contracting one. Screen can also mean to investigate people or things to make sure they will not cause problems. Don Muang airport was in chaos after doctors and health officials turned the international arrivals hall into a hospital out-patient department yesterday, screening visitors for the deadly Sars disease. Almost 40,000 refugees are still awaiting screening and already almost 4,000 have been considered not to be true refugees. Representatives of the cloning company promised they would screen all embryos for genetic abnormalities. Any state investment project worth more than 500-million baht must first be screened by the National Economic and Social Development Board. Click here to see our words in the news for the previous week. Return to our home page | Comments to Terry F. at terryfrd@ksc15.th.com | |© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2003 | Last modified: April 14, 2003