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idiosyncrasy(ID ee yoh SEENK ruh see) n.1. a personal, peculiar mannerism
or affectation; 2. an individual reaction to a food, drug, etc. that is different from
other peoples’ normal reaction to the same
- Robert’s idiosyncrasyis touching food to his chin before putting it into his
mouth. - An idiosyncrasyof Aren’s was triggered by her eating strawberries, following
which blue smoke would issue forth from both her ears.
[idiosyncrasies pl., idiosyncratic adj., idiosyncratically adv.]
ignore (ig NAWR) vt.1. to intentionally disregard; 2. to pay no attention to; 3.
to refuse to consider - A sure way to cause an accident is to ignorea stop sign.
- Frieda often ignoresthe cat’s meowing by the front door.
- The judge ignoredJeff’s excuse that he hadn’t known his act was against
the law.
[-d, ignoring, ignorance n.] [Syn. neglect]
illusory(il YOO sir ee) adj.unreal or deceptive; having the characteristics of an
illusion - Sue’s guitar-playing talent was illusory,her best work having been achieved
on air guitar. - Custer’s superiority over the Sioux at the Little Bighorn proved to be purely
illusory.
illustrate(IL uhs TRAYT) vt.1. to explain; to make clear; 2. to exemplify; 3. to
provide pictures, drawings, diagrams, etc. —vi. to offer an example for the purpose
of making something clear - A schematic diagram can easily illustratehow an electrical circuit works.
- The story of Jackie Robinson’s career illustratesthe ideal role model that
some major leaguers have been. - Children’s books are often illustratedbecause a child can appreciate pictures
far more easily than written words. - Accentuating the positive is illustratedby Jonah in the whale or Noah in
the ark, says the song.
[-d, illustrating, illustration n.]
imagine(im A jin) vt.1. to conceive in the mind; form a mental picture; 2. to
guess; to think; to suppose —vi.to use the imagination - From the sound of her voice on the phone, Jonathan could imaginewhat
Daphne looked like. - Jerry could not even imaginehow he’d have reacted had he been in
George’s shoes. - Kareem imaginedhe was on a magic carpet ride.
[-d, imagining, imagination n.]
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