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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: hub

The hub is the central part of a wheel, and also the central part of a fan or any other propeller. Figuratively, a hub is the center of something around which other things revolve or the focus of activity or authority…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: fin

A fin is the wing-like part of the body of fishes and water mammals such as whales used for moving, steering, and balancing. Any part that resembles this is also called a fin, like the ones aircraft or boats have. Fins, usually in the plural, are the rubber devices that some swimmers or divers use on their feet when swimming underwater. As a verb, fin is…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: buzz

A buzz is a low humming sound, like the ones bees make. Lively and excited activity is also a buzz and, informally, a phone call can be called buzz too. As a slang term, a buzz is a feeling of excitement or exhilaration or of slight intoxication. As a verb, to buzz means ‘to make a buzzing sound,’ ‘to whisper or gossip,’ or, often followed by around or, in UK English, about, ‘to move busily from…

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Intermediate+ Word of the Day: yak

A yak is a large, shaggy-haired ox with curved horns found in the Tibetan highlands. Nowadays, wild yaks are considered vulnerable, while domestic yaks are more common. Unrelatedly, yak (sometimes spelled yack) is a slang verb that means ‘to talk idly and without stopping, to chatter.’ As a noun…

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