irresponsible(I ris PAHN si bl) adj.not liable for certain actions; unreliable;
shiftless
- The judge ruled that Dorothy was irresponsiblefor Rose’s broken eyeglasses.
- Driving an automobile after having a few alcoholic beverages is an
irresponsibleact. - I would never hire the guy who installed my sink again; he’s just too irre-
sponsible.
[irresponsibly adv.]
irreverence (i REV er rins) n.1. lack of respect or reverence; 2. an act showing
lack of respect; 3. a person’s being treated with same - Some comedians’ stock in trade is speaking of serious matters with irreverence.
- It is not a good idea to show irreverencefor the power of a chain saw—
especially when using it. - Very few parents appreciate their teenaged children’s irreverencetoward
their wishes.
isolate(AY suh LAYT for vt., adj.,AY suh lit for n.) vt.to set apart from others;
to cause to be alone —adj.of or relating to something that has been set apart
—n.a person or group that has been set apart - If you are a chess player, the last thing you want is for your opponent to
isolateyour king from his protection. - Accidentally leaving a child home alone is one isolatedinstance (in more
ways than one). - When a solid is precipitated out of a solution or suspension, that solid is
called the isolate.
[-d, isolating]
isolation(AY suh LAY shin) n.the condition of having been set apart; being
alone - To prevent the spread of infection, a carrier of an infectious disease is often
placed in isolation. - Isolationis often the best place for an inmate who is a danger to others.
[Syn. solitude]
144 Essential Vocabulary