| about this site | who we are | site map | reading tips | teaching tips | student tips | build vocab | | teaching vocab | hot links | visit Thai school | Bangkok Post | Post books | student weekly | home

April 19 & 20, 2003 strain The noun strain refers a situation where someone or something is forced to try to do more than they are able to do. Strain can also refer to a state of worry or a muscle injury from too much activity. The verb form is also strain. The decades-long promotion of Chiang Mai as a major tourist destination has put a strain on some water sources. The company claimed its energy drink was specially developed for times of mental stain and physical stress. The embassy bombing strained an already tense relationship between the two countries. The club feared its star midfielder would need an operation after the severe groin strain he received in the game against the Queens Park Rangers. April 18, 2003 dazed The adjective dazed means to feel confused or unable to think clearly, often because of a shock or a blow to the head. The noun form is daze. In front of the burns centre in Kuwait City, his uncle looked dazed and exhausted as he explained that Ali was the only survivor among more than 20 people who were killed when their Baghdad house was hit by bombs from coalition planes two weeks ago. Crowds gathered at currency exchanges and they seemed dazed as the lira continued to fall in value. The soldier hit him "with great force" in the head, leaving him dazed. Houses were leveled everywhere and people were walking around in a daze looking for their belongings. April 17, 2003 purge The verb purge refers to getting rid of something bad, harmful or unwanted. The noun form is also purge. Germans should purge English words from their vocabulary in protest against the United States and Britain for the war in Iraq, a top linguist urged. The old mafia leaders who came to power murdering their rivals, now find themselves being purged. The Russian dictator Josef Stalin was accused of having murdered millions of people in purges designed to crush potential resistance. That appointment will complete the purge of the state airline's top management. April 16, 2003 single out The phrasal verb single out means to choose one or a few from a larger group for special (and often unwanted) attention. Tourism Minister Sonthaya Kunpleum said the tourism office in Taipei had been instructed to explain that the government was not singling out Taiwanese tourists, but that the move was part of a general effort to prevent the spread of the Sars virus. Lee's supporters said he was unfairly singled out as a Chinese-American. The study singles out three state-run suppliers as consistently trying to inflate prices. Boston police feared that some innocent Arabs might be singled out for retaliatory attacks. April 15, 2003 waive The verb waive means to not require someone to follow a particular rule or regulation or to choose not to use a right you are entitled to. The noun form waiver refers to a situation when a person, government, or organisation agrees to give up a right or not to require someone to follow a particular rule or regulation. The state-run Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand is ready to waive interest charges and fines for the outstanding debts incurred by clients who had defaulted on payments. The airlines were considering waiving all advanced purchase and minimum-stay requirements. Human rights activists complained that when many of the accused waived their rights to trial, they didn't fully understand what they were doing. The Chinese company received a waiver allowing it to import previously forbidden US satellite technology. April 14, 2003 acrimonious (ae kra MO ni us) The adjective acrimonious means angry and full of bitter feelings. Negotiations were halted after a particularly acrimonious meeting in December. At the root of the acrimonious family dispute is a disagreement over the US-led war in Iraq. The election for prime minister and parliament capped a five-month acrimonious campaign. The two sides have been at times competitive and at times acrimonious. 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 21, 2003