Category: Verbs

(+ object) 1 : to remove (something) by pulling it out or cutting it out He extracted a credit card from his wallet. I had to have a tooth extracted. The tumor was surgically extracted. 2 a : to get Read More …

to go or move in different directions : to spread apart (no object) Police ordered the crowd to disperse. The clouds dispersed (=broke), revealing blue sky above. The fog gradually dispersed (=dissipated, vanished) as the day grew warmer. (+ object) Read More …

somewhat technical 1 : (+ object) : to remove water or moisture from (something, such as food) Salt dehydrates the meat and keeps it from spoiling. 2 : to lose too much water (no object) Athletes drink lots of water Read More …

1 a : (+ object) : to add air or gas to (something, such as a tire or a balloon) and make it larger We used a pump to inflate the raft. inflate (=blow up) a balloon b : (no Read More …

(+ object) 1 a : to create (a CD, book, list, etc.) by gathering things (such as songs or pieces of writing or information) He compiled a book of poems. She compiled a list of names. b : to put Read More …

(no object) to flow or hang down in large amounts The water cascades over the rocks. Her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.

1 a (+ object) : to think deeply or carefully about (something) I stopped to contemplate (=ponder) what might have happened. He contemplated the meaning of the poem for a long time. Life without them is too awful to contemplate. Read More …

(+ object) to make (someone) feel unhappy or annoyed What I said obviously displeased her. = She was obviously displeased by what I said. – opposite PLEASE

1 a : (+ object) : to set (something) on fire : to cause (something) to burn : LIGHT ignite a bonfire The fire was ignited by sparks. b : (no object) : to begin burning : to catch fire Read More …

1 : to move faster : to gain speed (no object) She stepped on the gas and the car accelerated. The plane accelerated down the runway. (+ object) She stepped on the gas and accelerated the car. 2 : to Read More …