To spell means ‘to name, say, or write the letters of a word’ and also, figuratively, ‘to mean or signify.’ As a noun, a spell has a really different meaning. It’s a word or phrase with magic powers, as well as the state of enchantment caused by it. Figuratively, any state of fascination is also called a spell. A spell is also a continuous period of activity…
Grace means ‘elegance and beauty in the manner of movement’, and also ‘proper behaviour.’ Grace is also an expression of goodwill by a superior and, in religion, the favor and love of God. Related to this, the little prayer said by some Christians before eating is also called grace. As a verb, to grace means ‘to adorn something, adding grace to it,’ and also…
To chew means ‘to crush with the teeth,’ as when eating, and ‘to tear something by chewing,’ mostly like dogs do with things around the house. Figuratively, to chew, usually with the adverb over, means ‘to think about something, or consider it at length.’ As a noun, a chew is the act of chewing or the thing chewed…
A grip is a firm grasp or hold or the power of holding. Figuratively, grip is also an intellectual hold or emotional control over a situation, as well as effectiveness when dealing with it. A grip is also a particular way of holding hands, a handle on something, and a travel bag. As a verb, to grip means to hold something firmly and, figuratively, to hold somebody’s interest…
A jerk is any sudden movement like a twist, a pull, or a push. It’s also an involuntary and sudden muscle movement. Colloquially, and mainly in the US, we call someone stupid or foolish a jerk. As a verb, to jerk means ‘to pull, twist, or push’ with a sudden movement and also ‘to make an uncontrollable sharp movement.’ To jerk also means…
To vault means ‘to leap, from place to another or over something.’ Figuratively, it means ‘to achieve something quickly,’ as though you have leapt past others or over obstacles to do so. A vault, as a noun, is the leap of a horse or any act of leaping in general. However, a vault is also an arched structure that forms a ceiling,…
Whole is an adjective that means ‘entire, full’ and ‘complete, with all its parts.’ It’s also used to emphasise how much an amount is. Whole also means ‘not broken or injured.’ A whole number is a number that is not a fraction. As a noun, a whole is an assembly of things considered as one thing or a thing that is complete in itself…
To shake is ‘to move with short, quick movements or up and down when mixing’ and ‘to tremble’, literally and figuratively, as with cold or excitement or fear. When we shake hands, we hold someone else’s hand in greeting and move it up and down. Shake, often used with off, also means ‘to get rid of something’ or ‘to cause something to become loose and fall’…
To commit yourself or to commit to something is ‘to declare your opinion on a matter’ or ‘to place yourself under an obligation to do something.’ If you commit something to somebody or something means you are entrusting it to that person or entity. In addition, to commit means ‘to put something in place’ and more specifically ‘to send someone or something to battle’…
A quiz is an informal and short test for students or a series of questions. Its also an archaic word for a practical joke or someone odd or eccentric. As a verb, to quiz means to examine students by asking them questions and also to question really closely and in detail. Another archaic meaning of quiz is ‘to make fun or mock someone or something’…
