C2 Unit 41: Actions & verbs 3
14 C2 words: prise, singe, mangle, loiter, brandish, totter… Learn them in 4 steps, then review them every day.
Word list
| Word | Meaning | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
| prise v | to priseto force something open or apart | Ken used a screwdriver to prise the lid off the tin.Ken used a screwdriver to prise the lid off the tin. | |
| singe/sɪndʒ/ v | to singeto burn the surface of something lightly | Careful, you might singe your hair if you stand too near the candle.Careful, you might singe your hair if you stand too near the candle. | |
| mangle/ˈmæŋɡəl/ v | to mangleto damage something by crushing or tearing it | Tom’s sleeve was caught and the machine began to mangle his scarf.Tom’s sleeve was caught and the machine began to mangle his scarf. | |
| loiter/ˈlɔɪtɚ/ v | to loiterto stand around without a clear purpose | Some teenagers loiter near the station after school.Some teenagers loiter near the station after school. | |
| brandish/ˈbrændɪʃ/ v | to brandishto wave something in a threatening way | The child ran into the yard to brandish a toy sword.The child ran into the yard to brandish a toy sword. | |
| totter/ˈtɑtɚ/ v | to totterto walk with weak, unsteady steps | The baby began to totter across the room on small legs.The baby began to totter across the room on small legs. | |
| whir v | to whirto make a soft, fast, continuous sound | The fan began to whir quietly above the desk.The fan began to whir quietly above the desk. | |
| deaden/ˈdɛdən/ v | to deadento make a feeling or sound weaker | Thick walls deaden the sound of traffic in this flat.Thick walls deaden the sound of traffic in this flat. | |
| interweave/ˌɪntɚˈwiv/ v | to interweaveto weave or join things closely together | She likes to interweave gold threads into the blue cloth.She likes to interweave gold threads into the blue cloth. | |
| encumber/ɛnˈkʌmbɚ/ v | to encumberto make movement or action more difficult | Heavy boots will encumber you on a long walk in the heat.Heavy boots will encumber you on a long walk in the heat. | |
| intersperse/ˌɪntɚˈspɝs/ v | to intersperseto put things here and there among others | Anna decided to intersperse jokes with facts in her talk.Anna decided to intersperse jokes with facts in her talk. | |
| shamble/ˈʃæmbəl/ v | to shambleto walk slowly with dragging feet | The tired old man began to shamble down the street.The tired old man began to shamble down the street. | |
| incise/ˌɪnˈsaɪz/ v | to inciseto cut into something with a sharp tool | The doctor will incise the skin carefully to remove the splinter.The doctor will incise the skin carefully to remove the splinter. | |
| cosset/ˈkɑsət/ v | to cossetto treat with too much care and comfort | Grandma loves to cosset her grandchildren with warm blankets and cakes.Grandma loves to cosset her grandchildren with warm blankets and cakes. |