2013.12.20 word (week15-5)

1.groundbreaking(a.)

[more groundbreaking; most groundbreaking] : introducing new ideas or methods
▪ She was honored for her groundbreaking work in nuclear physics.

▪ a groundbreaking new book

 

2.gauge(n.)

1) [count] : an instrument that is used for measuring something
▪ a temperature/rain gauge ▪ the fuel/gas gauge

2) [count] : something that can be used to measure or judge something else

 — usually singular — often + of 

▪ He does not believe that these tests are an accurate gauge of intelligence. 

3) [noncount] : the distance between the rails of a railroad 

▪ a standard/broad/narrow gauge railroad

4) [noncount] : the thickness of something (such as a sheet of metal) or the diameter of wire or a screw 

▪ 20-gauge wire

▪ heavy gauge aluminum

5) [noncount] : the size of a shotgun based on how big the inside of the barrel is
▪ a 12-gauge shotgun

3.nerd(n.)

[count] informal + usually disapproving

1) : a person who behaves awkwardly around other people and usually has unstylish clothes, hair, etc.
▪ He dresses like a nerd.

2) : a person who is very interested in technical subjects, computers, etc.
▪ My brother is a computer nerd. [=geek] ▪ a grammar nerd

 

 *nerdiness (n.)
▪ She was embarrassed by her sister's nerdiness.

* nerdish   (a.)

▪ a nerdish teenager

 

*nerdy (a.)

▪ She wears nerdy glasses. ▪ He plays a nerdy scientist in the movie.

 

4.dabble(v.)

1) [no obj] : to take part in an activity in a way that is not serious 

 — usually + in 

 ▪ She works as an accountant but dabbles in poetry.  

2) : to play or move around in water

[no obj] ▪ The ducks dabbled in the stream.

[+ obj] ▪ She sat by the pool, dabbling her feet in the cool water.

 

*dabbler ( n.)

[count] ▪ a dabbler in politics

 

5.underdog(n.)

[count] 1) : a person, team, etc., that is expected to lose a contest or battle
▪ I always root for the underdog instead of the favorite.

2)  : a less powerful person or thing that struggles against a more powerful person or thing (such as a corporation)
▪ As a lawyer, she consistently represented the underdog.