2013.12.17 word (week15-2)

1.expel (v.)[+ obj]
1) : to officially force (someone) to leave a place or organization
▪ The club may expel members who do not follow the rules.
2) : to push or force (something) out
▪ expel air from the lungs

2.escalate(v.)/ˈɛskəˌleɪt/
1) : to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe
[no obj] ▪ The conflict has escalated into an all-out war.
[+ obj] ▪ We are trying not to escalate the violence.

2) : to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or higher
[no obj]

▪ Salaries of leading executives have continued to escalate.

3.erode(v.)/ɪˈroʊd/ : to gradually destroy (something) or to be gradually destroyed by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice)
[+ obj] ▪ Crashing waves have eroded the cliffs along the beach.
— often used as (be) eroded ▪ The shoreline was badly eroded by last winter's storms.
— often used figuratively ▪ Years of mismanagement have eroded the quality of their products.[no obj] ▪ The shoreline has eroded badly.
—

often used figuratively

▪ Support for the new law has been eroding steadily.

4.erect(v.)/ɪˈrɛkt/ 1) [more erect; most erect] : straight up and down
▪ She sat erect, listening for her name.

2) : in a state of erection because of sexual excitement : swollen and stiff
▪ an erect penis

▪ erect nipples

5.entitle(v.)/ɪnˈtaɪtl̟/ [+ obj] 1) : to give a title to (something, such as a book)
▪ He entitled his book “My Life on Mars.”

2) : to give a right to (someone)
— + to ▪ The card entitles us to a discount. [=we can get a discount because we have this card]
— often used as (be) entitled ▪ I'm entitled to a refund. [=I should be given a refund]
▪ You're entitled to your opinion. [=I don't agree with you, but you are free to think what you want]