diminutive adj./n.

  1. ADJ-GRADED A diminutive person or object is very small.
  2. N-COUNT A diminutive is an informal form of a name. For example, 'Jim' and 'Jimmy' are diminutives of 'James'.
  3. N-COUNT A diminutive is a suffix which is added to a word to show affection or to indicate that something is small. For example, 'ie'and'-ette'are diminutives, for example in 'doggie' and 'statuette'.

inure v.

  1. PHRASAL VERB To make someone become used to something unpleasant, so that they are no longer upset by it.

squad n./vt.

  1. N-COUNT A squad is a section of a police force that is responsible for dealing with a particular type of crime.
  2. N-COUNT A squad is a group of players from which a sports team will be chosen.
  3. N-COUNT A squad of soldiers is a small group of them.

dexterous adj.

  1. ADJ-GRADED Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.

sanitation n.

  1. N-COUNT Sanitation is the process of keeping places clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply.

primitive adj./n.

  1. ADJ-GRADED Primitive means belonging to a society in which people live in a very simple way, usually without industries or a writing system.
  2. ADJ-GRADED Primitive means belonging to a very early period on the development of an animal or plant.
  3. ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as primitive, you mean that it is very simple in style or very old-fashioned.

sorghum n.

  1. N-COUNT Sorghum is a type of corn that is grown in warm countries. Its grain can be made into flour or syrup.

flora n.

  1. N-COUNT You can refer to plants as flora, especially the plants growing in a particular area.

terrestrial adj./n.

  1. ADJ A terrestrial animal or plant lives on land or on the ground rather than in the sea, in trees, or in the air.
  2. ADJ Terrestrial means relating to the planet Earth rather than to some other part of the universe.
  3. ADJ Terrestrial television channels are transmitted using equipment situated at ground level, and not by satellite.

ferocious adj.

  1. ADJ-GRADED A ferocious animal, person, or action is very fierce and violent.
  2. ADJ-GRADED A ferocious war, argument, or other form of conflict involves a great deal of anger, bitterness, and determination.
  3. ADJ-GRADED If you describe actions or feelings as ferocious, you mean that they are intense and determined.

dissemble v.

  1. VERB When poeple dissemble, they hide their real intensions or emotions.

impertinent adj.

  1. ADJ-GRADED If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrepectful way, you can say that they are being impertinent.

archeology n.

  1. N-UNCOUNT Archeology is the study of the societies and peoples of the past by examining the remains of their buildings, tools, and other objects.

girdle n./vt.

  1. N-COUNT A girdle is a piece of women's underwear that fits tightly around the stomach and hips.
  2. VERB If one thing girdles another, it surrounds it.

caustic adj.