COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

Tt

T , t /tiː / (T's, t's ) N‑VAR T is the twentieth letter of the English alphabet.

ta /tɑː / CONVENTION Ta means 'thank you'. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FORMULAE ]

tab /tæ b/ (tabs )

1 N‑COUNT A tab is a small piece of cloth or paper that is attached to something, usually with information about that thing written on it. □ A stupid medical clerk had slipped the wrong tab on his X-ray.

2 N‑COUNT A tab is the total cost of goods or services that you have to pay, or the bill for those goods or services. [mainly AM ] □ At least one estimate puts the total tab at $7 million.

3 N‑COUNT A tab is a metal strip that you pull off the top of a can of drink in order to open it.

4 N‑COUNT A tab is a drug, especially one that is sold illegally, which is in tablet form. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He was prosecuted for possessing a hundred tabs of ecstasy

5 PHRASE If someone keeps tabs on you, they make sure that they always know where you are and what you are doing, often in order to control you. [INFORMAL ]

6 PHRASE If you pick up the tab , you pay a bill on behalf of a group of people or provide the money that is needed for something. [INFORMAL ] □ Pollard picked up the tab for dinner that night.

Ta|bas|co /tæbæ skoʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Tabasco is a hot spicy sauce made from peppers. [TRADEMARK ]

tab|by /tæ bi/ (tabbies ) N‑COUNT A tabby or a tabby cat is a cat whose fur has dark stripes on a lighter background.

tab|er|nac|le /tæ bə ^r næk ^ə l/ (tabernacles )

1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A tabernacle is a church used by certain Christian Protestant groups and by Mormons.

2 N‑PROPER The Tabernacle was a small tent which contained the most holy writings of the ancient Jews and which they took with them when they were travelling.

ta|ble ◆◆◇ /te I b ^ə l/ (tables , tabling , tabled )

1 N‑COUNT A table is a piece of furniture with a flat top that you put things on or sit at. □ She was sitting at the kitchen table eating a currant bun. □ I placed his drink on the small table at his elbow.

2 VERB If someone tables a proposal, they say formally that they want it to be discussed at a meeting. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] They've tabled a motion criticising the Government for doing nothing about the problem.

3 VERB If someone tables a proposal or plan which has been put forward, they decide to discuss it or deal with it at a later date, rather than straight away. [AM ] □ [V n] We will table that for later.

4 N‑COUNT A table is a written set of facts and figures arranged in columns and rows. □ Consult the table on page 104. □ Other research supports the figures in Table 3.3.

5 → see also coffee table , dressing table , negotiating table , round table , tea table

6 PHRASE If you put something on the table , you present it at a meeting for it to be discussed. □ This is one of the best packages we've put on the table in years.

7 PHRASE If you turn the tables on someone, you change the situation completely, so that instead of them causing problems for you, you are causing problems for them. □ The only question is whether the President can use his extraordinary political skills to turn the tables on his opponents.

8 to put your cards on the table → see card SYNONYMS table NOUN 1

counter: We were sitting on stools at the counter having coffee.

bench: …the laboratory bench.

stand: She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.

tab|leau /tæ bloʊ/ (tableaux )

1 N‑COUNT A tableau is a scene, for example from the Bible, history, or mythology, that consists of a group of people in costumes who do not speak or move. The people are sometimes on a float in a procession. □ …tableaux depicting the foundation of Barcelona.

2 N‑COUNT A tableau is a piece of art such as a sculpture or painting that shows a scene, especially one from the Bible, history, or mythology. □ …Gaudi's luxuriant stone tableau of the Nativity on the cathedral's east face.

table|cloth /te I b ^ə lklɒθ, [AM ] -klɔːθ/ (tablecloths ) N‑COUNT A tablecloth is a cloth used to cover a table.

ta |ble danc|ing N‑UNCOUNT Table dancing is a type of entertainment in a bar or club in which a woman who is wearing very few clothes dances in a sexy way close to a customer or group of customers.

ta |ble lamp (table lamps ) N‑COUNT A table lamp is a small electric lamp which stands on a table or other piece of furniture.

ta |ble man|ners N‑PLURAL You can use table manners to refer to the way you behave when you are eating a meal at a table. □ He attacked the food as quickly as decent table manners allowed.

table|spoon /te I b ^ə lspuːn/ (tablespoons )

1 N‑COUNT A tablespoon is a fairly large spoon used for serving food and in cooking.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of food resting on a tablespoon as a tablespoon of food. □ [+ of ] …a tablespoon of sugar.

table|spoon|ful /te I b ^ə lspuːnfʊl/ (tablespoonfuls or tablespoonsful ) N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of food resting on a tablespoon as a tablespoonful of food. □ [+ of ] Grate a tablespoonful of fresh ginger into a pan.

tab|let /tæ blət/ (tablets )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A tablet is a small solid round mass of medicine which you swallow. □ It is never a good idea to take sleeping tablets regularly.

2 N‑COUNT A tablet is a small flat computer that you operate by touching the screen. [COMPUTING ] □ …a free guide to the best tablets on the market.

3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Clay tablets or stone tablets are the flat pieces of clay or stone which people used to write on before paper was invented.

4 tablets of stone → see stone

ta |ble ten|nis also table-tennis N‑UNCOUNT Table tennis is a game played inside by two or four people. The players stand at each end of a table which has a low net across the middle and hit a small light ball over the net, using small bats.

ta |ble top (table tops ) also tabletop N‑COUNT A table top is the flat surface on a table.

table|ware /te I b ^ə lweə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Tableware consists of the objects used on the table at meals, for example plates, glasses, or cutlery. [FORMAL ]

ta |ble wine (table wines ) N‑VAR Table wine is fairly cheap wine that is drunk with meals.

tab|loid /tæ blɔ I d/ (tabloids ) N‑COUNT A tabloid is a newspaper that has small pages, short articles, and lots of photographs. Tabloids are often considered to be less serious than other newspapers. Compare broadsheet .

ta|boo /tæbuː / (taboos ) N‑COUNT If there is a taboo on a subject or activity, it is a social custom to avoid doing that activity or talking about that subject, because people find them embarrassing or offensive. □ The topic of addiction remains something of a taboo. ● ADJ Taboo is also an adjective. □ Cancer is a taboo subject and people are frightened to talk openly about it.

tabu|late /tæ bjʊle I t/ (tabulates , tabulating , tabulated ) VERB To tabulate information means to arrange it in columns on a page so that it can be analysed. □ [be V -ed] Results for the test program haven't been tabulated.

tacho|graph /tæ kəgrɑːf, -græf/ (tachographs ) N‑COUNT A tachograph is a device that is put in vehicles such as lorries and coaches in order to record information such as how fast the vehicle goes, how far it travels, and the number of breaks the driver takes. [BRIT ]

tac|it /tæ s I t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone's tacit agreement or approval, you mean they are agreeing to something or approving it without actually saying so, often because they are unwilling to admit to doing so. □ The question was a tacit admission that a mistake had indeed been made. ● tac|it|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He tacitly admitted that the government had breached regulations.

taci|turn /tæ s I tɜː ^r n/ ADJ A taciturn person does not say very much and can seem unfriendly. □ A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables.

tack /tæ k/ (tacks , tacking , tacked )

1 N‑COUNT A tack is a short nail with a broad, flat head, especially one that is used for fastening carpets to the floor.

2 → see also thumbtack

3 to get down to brass tacks → see brass

4 VERB If you tack something to a surface, you pin it there with tacks or drawing pins. □ [V n + to ] He had tacked this note to her door. □ [V n with adv] She had recently taken a poster from the theatre and tacked it up on the wall.

5 N‑SING If you change tack or try a different tack , you try a different method for dealing with a situation. □ In desperation I changed tack. □ This report takes a different tack from the 20 that have come before.

6 VERB If a sailing boat is tacking or if the people in it tack it, it is sailing towards a particular point in a series of sideways movements rather than in a straight line. □ [V ] We were tacking fairly close inshore. □ [V n] The helmsman could tack the boat singlehanded. [Also V n prep/adv]

7 VERB If you tack pieces of material together, you sew them together with big, loose stitches in order to hold them firmly or check that they fit, before sewing them properly. □ [V n with together ] Tack them together with a 1.5 cm seam. □ [V n prep/adv] Tack the cord around the cushion.

▸ tack on PHRASAL VERB If you say that something is tacked on to something else, you think that it is added in a hurry and in an unsatisfactory way. □ [be V -ed P + to ] The child-care bill is to be tacked on to the budget plan. [Also V n P ]

tack|le ◆◇◇ /tæ k ^ə l/ (tackles , tackling , tackled )

1 VERB If you tackle a difficult problem or task, you deal with it in a very determined or efficient way. □ [V n] The first reason to tackle these problems is to save children's lives.

2 VERB If you tackle someone in a game such as hockey or football, you try to take the ball away from them. If you tackle someone in rugby or American football, you knock them to the ground. □ [V n] Foley tackled the quarterback. ● N‑COUNT Tackle is also a noun. □ [+ by ] …a tackle by full-back Brian Burrows.

3 VERB If you tackle someone about a particular matter, you speak to them honestly about it, usually in order to get it changed or done. □ [V n + about ] I tackled him about how anyone could live amidst so much poverty.

4 VERB If you tackle someone, you attack them and fight them. □ [V n] He claims his attacker overtook and tackled him, pushing him into the dirt.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Tackle is the equipment that you need for a sport or activity, especially fishing. □ …fishing tackle.

tacky /tæ ki/ (tackier , tackiest )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as tacky , you dislike it because it is cheap and badly made or vulgar. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a woman in a fake leopard-skin coat and tacky red sunglasses.

2 ADJ If something such as paint or glue is tacky , it is slightly sticky and not yet dry. □ Test to see if the finish is tacky, and if it is, leave it to harden.

taco /tæ koʊ/ (tacos ) N‑COUNT A taco is a crispy Mexican pancake made from corn and eggs, which is folded and filled with meat, vegetables, and a spicy sauce.

tact /tæ kt/ N‑UNCOUNT Tact is the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings. □ On this occasion the press have not been intrusive and they have shown great tact.

tact|ful /tæ ktfʊl/ ADJ If you describe a person or what they say as tactful you approve of them because they are careful not to offend or upset another person. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ in ] He had been extremely tactful in dealing with the financial question. ● tact|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Alex tactfully refrained from further comment.

tac|tic ◆◇◇ /tæ kt I k/ (tactics ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Tactics are the methods that you choose to use in order to achieve what you want in a particular situation. □ What sort of tactics will the President use to rally the people behind him? SYNONYMS tactics NOUN 1

approach: We will be exploring different approaches to gathering information.

strategy: What should our marketing strategy have achieved?

method: This is the usual method of getting through the Amsterdam traffic.

tac|ti|cal /tæ kt I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use tactical to describe an action or plan which is intended to help someone achieve what they want in a particular situation. □ It's not yet clear whether the Prime Minister's resignation offer is a serious one, or whether it's simply a tactical move. ● tac|ti|cal|ly /tæ kt I kli/ ADV [ADV after v, oft ADV adj] □ The electorate is astute enough to vote tactically against the Government.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Tactical weapons or forces are those which a military leader can decide for themselves to use in a battle, rather than waiting for a decision by a political leader. □ They refused to talk about their own strategy on tactical weapons.

ta c|ti|cal vo t|ing N‑UNCOUNT Tactical voting is the act of voting for a particular person or political party in order to prevent someone else from winning, rather than because you support that person or party. [BRIT ]

tac|ti|cian /tækt I ʃ ^ə n/ (tacticians ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a good tactician , you mean that they are skilful at choosing the best methods in order to achieve what they want. □ He is an extremely astute political tactician.

tac|tile /tæ kta I l, [AM ] -t ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you describe someone as tactile , you mean that they tend to touch other people a lot when talking to them. □ The children are very tactile, with warm, loving natures.

2 ADJ Something such as fabric which is tactile is pleasant or interesting to touch. □ Tweed is timeless, tactile and tough.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Tactile experiences or sensations are received or felt by touch. [FORMAL ] □ The baby responds to outside tactile and auditory stimuli.

tact|less /tæ ktləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as tactless , you think what they say or do is likely to offend other people. □ He had alienated many people with his tactless remarks.

tad /tæ d/ PHRASE You can use a tad in expressions such as a tad big or a tad small when you mean that it is slightly too big or slightly too small. [INFORMAL ] □ It was a tad confusing.

tad|pole /tæ dpoʊl/ (tadpoles ) N‑COUNT Tadpoles are small water creatures which grow into frogs or toads.

taf|fe|ta /tæ f I tə/ N‑UNCOUNT Taffeta is shiny stiff material made of silk or nylon that is used mainly for making women's clothes.

taf|fy /tæ fi/ N‑UNCOUNT Taffy is a sticky sweet that you chew. It is made by boiling sugar and butter together with water. [AM ] in BRIT, use toffee

tag /tæ g/ (tags , tagging , tagged )

1 N‑COUNT A tag is a small piece of card or cloth which is attached to an object or person and has information about that object or person on it. □ Staff wore name tags. □ …baggage tags.

2 → see also dog tag , price tag

3 N‑COUNT An electronic tag is a device that is firmly attached to someone or something and sets off an alarm if that person or thing moves away or is removed. □ A hospital is to fit new-born babies with electronic tags to foil kidnappers.

4 → see also electronic tagging

5 VERB If you tag something, you attach something to it or mark it so that it can be identified later. □ [V n] Professor Orr has developed interesting ways of tagging chemical molecules using existing laboratory lasers.

6 N‑COUNT You can refer to a phrase that is used to describe someone or something as a tag . [JOURNALISM ] □ Jazz was losing its elitist tag and gaining a much broader audience.

7 VERB If you tag someone in a particular way, you keep describing them using a particular phrase or thinking of them as a particular thing. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n + with ] …the pundits were still tagging him with that age-old label, 'best of a bad bunch'. □ [be V -ed n] She has always lived in John's house and is still tagged 'Dad's girlfriend' by his children. [Also V n + as , V n]

8 → see also question tag

▸ tag along PHRASAL VERB If someone goes somewhere and you tag along , you go with them, especially when they have not asked you to. □ [V P ] I let him tag along because he had not been too well recently. □ [V P + with ] She seems quite happy to tag along with them.

▸ tag on PHRASAL VERB If you tag something on , you add it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] It is also worth tagging on an extra day or two to see the capital. [Also V n P ]

ta g line (tag lines ) also tag-line N‑COUNT The tag line of something such as a television commercial or a joke is the phrase that comes at the end and is meant to be amusing or easy to remember.

Tai Chi /ta I tʃiː / also tai chi N‑UNCOUNT Tai Chi is a type of Chinese physical exercise in which you make slow, controlled movements.

tai|ga /ta I gə/ (taigas ) N‑VAR Taiga is the coniferous forest located in the northern regions of the world. It is just south of the tundra.

tail ◆◇◇ /te I l/ (tails , tailing , tailed )

1 N‑COUNT The tail of an animal, bird, or fish is the part extending beyond the end of its body. □ …a black dog with a long tail. ● -tailed COMB □ …white-tailed deer.

2 N‑COUNT You can use tail to refer to the end or back of something, especially something long and thin. □ …the horizontal stabilizer bar on the plane's tail.

3 N‑PLURAL If a man is wearing tails , he is wearing a formal jacket which has two long pieces hanging down at the back.

4 VERB To tail someone means to follow close behind them and watch where they go and what they do. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Officers had tailed the gang from London during a major undercover inquiry. □ [have n V -ed] He trusted her so little that he had her tailed.

5 ADV [ADV after v] If you toss a coin and it comes down tails , you can see the side of it that does not have a picture of a head on it.

6 PHRASE If you say that you have your tail between your legs , you are emphasizing that you feel defeated and ashamed. [EMPHASIS ] □ His team retreated last night with tails tucked firmly between their legs.

7 cannot make head or tail of something → see head

▸ tail away or tail off PHRASAL VERB When a person's voice tails away or tails off , it gradually becomes quieter and then silent. □ [V P ] His voice tailed away in the bitter cold air.

▸ tail off

1 PHRASAL VERB When something tails off , it gradually becomes less in amount or value, often before coming to an end completely. □ [V P ] Last year, economic growth tailed off to below four percent.

2 → see also tail away

tail|back /te I lbæk/ (tailbacks ) N‑COUNT A tailback is a long line of traffic stretching back along a road, which moves very slowly or not at all, for example because of road works or an accident. [BRIT ] □ The flooding led to six-mile tailbacks between west London and Heathrow Airport. in AM, use backup

tail|coat /te I lkoʊt/ (tailcoats ) also tail coat N‑COUNT A tailcoat is a man's coat which is short at the front with long pieces at the back. Tailcoats were popular in the 19th century and are now worn only for very formal occasions, such as weddings.

tai l e nd also tail-end N‑SING The tail end of an event, situation, or period of time is the last part of it. □ [+ of ] Barry had obviously come in on the tail-end of the conversation.

tail|gate /te I lge I t/ (tailgates , tailgating , tailgated )

1 N‑COUNT A tailgate is a door at the back of a truck or car, that is hinged at the bottom so that it opens downwards.

2 VERB If you tailgate someone, you drive very closely behind them. □ [V n] Perhaps the fact that the car was tailgating him made him accelerate. □ [V ] Police pulled him over doing 120km/h, making rapid changes and tailgating.

tai l-light (tail-lights ) also taillight N‑COUNT The tail-lights on a car or other vehicle are the two red lights at the back.

tai|lor /te I lə ^r / (tailors , tailoring , tailored )

1 N‑COUNT A tailor is a person whose job is to make men's clothes.

2 VERB If you tailor something such as a plan or system to someone's needs, you make it suitable for a particular person or purpose by changing the details of it. □ [V n + to ] We can tailor the program to the patient's needs. [Also V n]

tai|lored /te I lə ^r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Tailored clothes are designed to fit close to the body, rather than being loose. □ …a white tailored shirt.

tai lor-ma de

1 ADJ If something is tailor-made , it has been specially designed for a particular person or purpose. □ Each client's portfolio is tailor-made.

2 ADJ If you say that someone or something is tailor-made for a particular task, purpose, or need, you are emphasizing that they are perfectly suitable for it. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ for ] He was tailor-made, it was said, for the task ahead.

3 ADJ Tailor-made clothes have been specially made to fit a particular person. □ He was wearing a tweed suit that looked tailor-made.

tai lor-ma ke (tailor-makes , tailor-making , tailor-made )

1 VERB If someone tailor-makes something for you, they make or design it to suit your requirements. □ [V n] The company can tailor-make your entire holiday.

2 → see also tailor-made

tail|pipe /te I pa I p/ (tailpipes ) N‑COUNT A tailpipe is the end pipe of a car's exhaust system. [AM ]

tail|wind /te I lw I nd/ (tailwinds ) also tail wind N‑COUNT A tailwind is a wind that is blowing from behind an aeroplane, boat, or other vehicle, making it move faster.

taint /te I nt/ (taints , tainting , tainted )

1 VERB If a person or thing is tainted by something bad or undesirable, their status or reputation is harmed because they are associated with it. □ [be V -ed] Opposition leaders said that the elections had been tainted by corruption. □ [V n] …a series of political scandals that has tainted the political stars of a generation. ● taint|ed ADJ □ This is a world where the word 'liberty' has become a little tainted.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A taint is an undesirable quality which spoils the status or reputation of someone or something. □ [+ of ] Her government never really shook off the taint of corruption.

3 VERB If an unpleasant substance taints food or medicine, the food or medicine is spoiled or damaged by it. □ [V n] Rancid oil will taint the flavour. □ [V -ed + with ] The water was so tainted with chemicals that it gave off noxious gases.

take

➊ USED WITH NOUNS DESCRIBING ACTIONS

➋ OTHER USES

➊ take ◆◆◆ /te I k, te I k/ (takes , taking , took , taken ) Take is used in combination with a wide range of nouns, where the meaning of the combination is mostly given by the noun. Many of these combinations are common idiomatic expressions whose meanings can be found at the appropriate nouns. For example, the expression take care is explained at care . 1 VERB You can use take followed by a noun to talk about an action or event, when it would also be possible to use the verb that is related to that noun. For example, you can say ' she took a shower ' instead of 'she showered'. □ [V n] Betty took a photograph of us. □ [V n] I've never taken a holiday since starting this job. □ [V n] There's not enough people willing to take the risk.

2 VERB In ordinary spoken or written English, people use take with a range of nouns instead of using a more specific verb. For example people often say ' he took control ' or ' she took a positive attitude ' instead of 'he assumed control' or 'she adopted a positive attitude'. □ [V n] They took power after a three-month civil war. □ [V n] I felt it was important for women to join and take a leading role.

➋ take ◆◆◆ /te I k/ (takes , taking , took , taken )

→ Please look at categories 51 to 61 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.

1 VERB If you take something, you reach out for it and hold it. □ [V n] Here, let me take your coat. □ [V n + by ] Colette took her by the shoulders and shook her. □ [V n prep] She took her in her arms and tried to comfort her.

2 VERB If you take something with you when you go somewhere, you carry it or have it with you. □ [V n prep/adv] Mark often took his books to Bess's house to study. □ [V n + with ] You should take your passport with you when changing money. □ [V n] Don't forget to take your camera.

3 VERB If a person, vehicle, or path takes someone somewhere, they transport or lead them there. □ [V n prep/adv] The school bus takes them to school and brings them back.

4 VERB If something such as a job or interest takes you to a place, it is the reason for you going there. □ [V n prep/adv] He was a poor student from Madras whose genius took him to Cambridge.

5 VERB If you take something such as your problems or your business to someone, you go to that person when you have problems you want to discuss or things you want to buy. □ [V n + to] You need to take your problems to a trained counsellor.

6 VERB If one thing takes another to a particular level, condition, or state, it causes it to reach that level or condition. □ [V n prep/adv] Her latest research takes her point further.

7 VERB If you take something from a place, you remove it from there. □ [V n with prep/adv] He took a handkerchief from his pocket and lightly wiped his mouth. □ [V n with prep/adv] Opening a drawer, she took out a letter.

8 VERB If you take something from someone who owns it, you steal it or go away with it without their permission. □ [V n] He has taken my money, and I have no chance of getting it back.

9 VERB If an army or political party takes something or someone, they win them from their enemy or opponent. □ [V n] Marines went in, taking 15 prisoners.

10 VERB If you take one number or amount from another, you subtract it or deduct it. □ [V n + off ] Take off the price of the house, that's another hundred thousand.

11 VERB [no passive] If you cannot take something difficult, painful, or annoying, you cannot tolerate it without becoming upset, ill, or angry. □ [V n] Don't ever ask me to look after those kids again. I just can't take it!

12 VERB If you take something such as damage or loss, you suffer it, especially in war or in a battle. □ [V n] They have taken heavy casualties.

13 VERB [no passive] If something takes a certain amount of time, that amount of time is needed in order to do it. □ [V n n] Since the roads are very bad, the journey took us a long time. □ [V n] I had heard an appeal could take years. □ [V n to-inf] The sauce takes 25 minutes to prepare and cook. □ [V n n to-inf] The game took her less than an hour to finish. □ [V n v-ing] You must beware of those traps–you could take all day getting out of them. □ [V n to-inf] It takes 15 minutes to convert the plane into a car by removing the wings and the tail. □ [V n n to-inf] It had taken Masters about twenty hours to reach the house. □ [V n for n to-inf] It took thirty-five seconds for the hour to strike.

14 VERB [no passive] If something takes a particular quality or thing, that quality or thing is needed in order to do it. □ [V n] At one time, walking across the room took all her strength. □ [V n to-inf] It takes courage to say what you think. □ [V n] It takes a pretty bad level of performance before the teachers will criticize the students.

15 VERB If you take something that is given or offered to you, you agree to accept it. □ [V n] His sons took his advice.

16 VERB If you take a feeling such as pleasure, pride, or delight in a particular thing or activity, the thing or activity gives you that feeling. □ [V n + in ] They take great pride in their heritage. □ [V n + from ] The government will take comfort from the latest opinion poll.

17 VERB If a shop, restaurant, theatre, or other business takes a certain amount of money, they get that amount from people buying goods or services. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ [V amount] The firm took £100,000 in bookings. in AM, usually use take in 18 N‑SING You can use take to refer to the amount of money that a business such as a store or theatre gets from selling its goods or tickets during a particular period. [mainly AM , BUSINESS ] □ It added another $11.8 million to the take, for a grand total of $43 million. in BRIT, usually use takings 19 VERB If you take a prize or medal, you win it. □ [V n] The film took first prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

20 VERB If you take the blame, responsibility, or credit for something, you agree to accept it. □ [V n] He took the blame for getting it wrong.

21 VERB If you take patients or clients, you accept them as your patients or clients. □ [V n] Some universities would be forced to take more students than they wanted.

22 VERB If you take a phone call, you speak to someone who is phoning you. □ [V n] Douglas phoned Catherine at her office. She refused to take his calls.

23 VERB If you take something in a particular way, you react in the way mentioned to a situation or to someone's beliefs or behaviour. □ [V n adv/prep] Unfortunately, no one took my messages seriously.

24 VERB [usu imper] You use take when you are discussing or explaining a particular question, in order to introduce an example or to say how the question is being considered. □ [V n] There's confusion and resentment. Take this office, for example.

25 VERB If you take someone's meaning or point, you understand and accept what they are saying. □ [V n] They've turned sensible, if you take my meaning.

26 VERB If you take someone for something, you believe wrongly that they are that thing. □ [V n + for ] She had taken him for a journalist. □ [V n to-inf] I naturally took him to be the owner of the estate.

27 VERB If you take something from among a number of things, you choose to have or buy it. □ [V n] 'I'll take the grilled tuna,' Mary Ann told the waiter.

28 VERB If you take a road or route, you choose to travel along it. □ [V n prep/adv] From Wrexham centre take the Chester Road to the outskirts of town. □ [V n] The road forked in two directions. He had obviously taken the wrong fork.

29 VERB If you take a car, train, bus, or plane, you use it to go from one place to another. □ [V n] It's the other end of the High Street. We'll take the car, shall we? □ [V n prep/adv] She took the train to New York every weekend.

30 VERB If you take a subject or course at school or university, you choose to study it. □ [V n] Students are allowed to take European history and American history.

31 VERB If you take a test or examination, you do it in order to obtain a qualification. □ [V n] She took her driving test in Greenford.

32 VERB If you take someone for a subject, you give them lessons in that subject. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n + for ] The teacher who took us for economics was Miss Humphrey.

33 VERB If someone takes drugs, pills, or other medicines, they take them into their body, for example by swallowing them. □ [V n] She's been taking sleeping pills.

34 VERB If you take a note or a letter, you write down something you want to remember or the words that someone says. □ [V n] She sat expressionless, carefully taking notes.

35 VERB If you take a particular measurement, you use special equipment to find out what something measures. □ [V n] If he feels hotter than normal, take his temperature.

36 VERB [no passive] If a place or container takes a particular amount or number, there is enough space for that amount or number. □ [V amount] The place could just about take 2,000 people.

37 VERB If you take a particular size in shoes or clothes, that size fits you. □ [V n] 47 per cent of women in the U.K. take a size 16 or above.

38 N‑COUNT A take is a short piece of action which is filmed in one continuous process for a cinema or television film. □ She couldn't get it right–she never knew the lines and we had to do several takes.

39 N‑SING Someone's take on a particular situation or fact is their attitude to it or their interpretation of it. □ [+ on ] What's your take on the new government? Do you think it can work?

40 PHRASE You can say ' I take it ' to check with someone that what you believe to be the case or what you understand them to mean is in fact the case, or is in fact what they mean. □ I take it you're a friend of the Kellings, Mr Burr.

41 PHRASE You can say ' take it from me ' to tell someone that you are absolutely sure that what you are saying is correct, and that they should believe you. □ Take it from me–this is the greatest achievement by any Formula One driver ever.

42 CONVENTION If you say to someone ' take it or leave it ', you are telling them that they can accept something or not accept it, but that you are not prepared to discuss any other alternatives. □ A 72-hour week, 12 hours a day, six days a week, take it or leave it.

43 PHRASE If someone takes an insult or attack lying down , they accept it without protesting. □ The government is not taking such criticism lying down.

44 PHRASE If something takes a lot out of you or takes it out of you, it requires a lot of energy or effort and makes you feel very tired and weak afterwards. □ He looked tired, as if the argument had taken a lot out of him.

45 PHRASE If someone tells you to take five or to take ten , they are telling you to have a five- or ten-minute break from what you are doing. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]

46 to be taken aback → see aback

47 to take up arms → see arm ➋

48 to take the biscuit → see biscuit

49 to take the bull by the horns → see bull

50 to take your hat off to someone → see hat

51 to take the mickey → see mickey

52 to take the piss out of someone → see piss

53 to take something as read → see read

54 to be taken for a ride → see ride

55 to take someone by surprise → see surprise

56 take my word for it → see word

▸ take after PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you take after a member of your family, you resemble them in your appearance, your behaviour, or your character. □ [V P n] Ted's always been difficult, Mr Kemp–he takes after his dad.

▸ take apart

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take something apart , you separate it into the different parts that it is made of. □ [V n P ] When the clock stopped, he took it apart and found what was wrong. [Also V P n (not pron)]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take apart something such as an argument or an idea, you show what its weaknesses are, usually by analysing it carefully. □ [V n P ] They will take that problem apart and analyse it in great detail. □ [V P n] He proceeds to take apart every preconception anyone might have ever had about him.

▸ take away

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take something away from someone, you remove it from them, so that they no longer possess it or have it with them. □ [V n P ] They're going to take my citizenship away. □ [V n P + from ] 'Give me the knife,' he said softly, 'or I'll take it away from you.' □ [V P n] In prison they'd taken away his watch and everything he possessed.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take one number or amount away from another, you subtract one number from the other. □ [V n P + from ] Add up the bills for each month. Take this away from the income. [Also V P n, V n P ]

3 PHRASAL VERB To take someone away means to bring them from their home to an institution such as a prison or hospital. □ [V n P ] Two men claiming to be police officers called at the pastor's house and took him away. □ [V P n] Soldiers took away four people, one of whom was later released.

4 → see also takeaway

▸ take away from PHRASAL VERB If something takes away from an achievement, success, or quality, or takes something away from it, it makes it seem lower in value or worth than it should be. □ [V P P n] 'It's starting to rain again.'—'Not enough to take away from the charm of the scene.' □ [V n P P n] The victory looks rather hollow. That takes nothing away from the courage of the fighting forces.

▸ take back

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take something back , you return it to the place where you bought it or where you borrowed it from, because it is unsuitable or broken, or because you have finished with it. □ [V n P ] If I buy something and he doesn't like it, I'll take it back. □ [V P n] I once took back a pair of shoes that fell apart after a week.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take something back , you admit that something that you said or thought is wrong. □ [V n P ] I take it back, I think perhaps I am an extrovert. □ [V P n] Take back what you said about Jeremy!

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone back , you allow them to come home again, after they have gone away because of a quarrel or other problem. □ [V n P ] Why did she take him back? □ [V P n] The government has agreed to take back some of the refugees.

4 PHRASAL VERB If you say that something takes you back , you mean that it reminds you of a period of your past life and makes you think about it again. □ [V n P + to ] I enjoyed experimenting with colours–it took me back to being five years old. □ [V n P ] This takes me back.

▸ take down

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take something down , you reach up and get it from a high place such as a shelf. □ [V n P ] Alberg took the portrait down from the wall. □ [V P n] Gil rose and went to his bookcase and took down a volume.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take down a structure, you remove each piece of it. □ [V P n] The army took down the barricades erected by the rebels. □ [V n P ] They put up the bird table, but it got in everyone else's way so Les tried to take it down.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take down a piece of information or a statement, you write it down. □ [V n P ] We've been trying to get back to you, Tom, but we think we took your number down incorrectly. □ [V P n] I took down his comments in shorthand.

▸ take in

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone in , you allow them to stay in your house or your country, especially when they do not have anywhere to stay or are in trouble. □ [V n P ] He persuaded Jo to take him in. □ [V P n] The monastery has taken in 26 refugees.

2 PHRASAL VERB If the police take someone in , they remove them from their home in order to question them. □ [V n P ] The police have taken him in for questioning in connection with the murder of a girl. [Also V P n]

3 PHRASAL VERB If you are taken in by someone or something, you are deceived by them, so that you get a false impression of them. □ [be V -ed P ] I married in my late teens and was taken in by his charm–which soon vanished. □ [V n P ] I know I was a naive fool to trust him but he is a real charmer who totally took me in. [Also V P n (not pron)]

4 PHRASAL VERB If you take something in , you pay attention to it and understand it when you hear it or read it. □ [V n P ] Lesley explains possible treatments but you can tell she's not taking it in. □ [V P n] Gazing up into his eyes, she seemed to take in all he said.

5 PHRASAL VERB If you take something in , you see all of it at the same time or with just one look. □ [V P n] The eyes behind the lenses were dark and quick-moving, taking in everything at a glance. [Also V n P ]

6 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you take in something such as a film or a museum, you go to see it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] I was wondering if you might want to take in a movie with me this evening. [Also V n P ]

7 PHRASAL VERB If people, animals, or plants take in air, drink, or food, they allow it to enter their body, usually by breathing or swallowing. □ [V P n] They will certainly need to take in plenty of liquid. [Also V n P ]

8 PHRASAL VERB If you take in a dress, jacket, or other item of clothing, you make it smaller and tighter. □ [V P n] She had taken in the grey dress so that it hugged her thin body. [Also V n P ]

9 PHRASAL VERB If a store, restaurant, theatre, or other business takes in a certain amount of money, they get that amount from people buying goods or services. [mainly AM , BUSINESS ] □ [V P amount] They plan to take in $1.6 billion. in BRIT, usually use take

▸ take off

1 PHRASAL VERB When an aeroplane takes off , it leaves the ground and starts flying. □ [V P ] We eventually took off at 11 o'clock and arrived in Venice at 1.30.

2 PHRASAL VERB If something such as a product, an activity, or someone's career takes off , it suddenly becomes very successful. □ [V P ] In 1944, he met Edith Piaf, and his career took off.

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take off or take yourself off , you go away, often suddenly and unexpectedly. □ [V P ] He took off at once and headed back to the motel. □ [V pron-refl P ] He took himself off to Mexico.

4 PHRASAL VERB If you take a garment off , you remove it. □ [V n P ] He wouldn't take his hat off. □ [V P n] She took off her spectacles.

5 PHRASAL VERB If you take time off , you obtain permission not to go to work for a short period of time. □ [V n P ] Mitchel's schedule had not permitted him to take time off. □ [V n P n] She took two days off work.

6 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone off , you make them go with you to a particular place, especially when they do not want to go there. □ [V n P prep/adv] The police stopped her and took her off to a police station.

7 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone off , you imitate them and the things that they do and say, in such a way that you make other people laugh. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] Mike can take off his father to perfection. [Also V n P ]

8 → see also takeoff

▸ take on

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take on a job or responsibility, especially a difficult one, you accept it. □ [V P n] No other organisation was able or willing to take on the job. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If something takes on a new appearance or quality, it develops that appearance or quality. □ [V P n] Believing he had only a year to live, his writing took on a feverish intensity. [Also V n P ]

3 PHRASAL VERB If a vehicle such as a bus or ship takes on passengers, goods, or fuel, it stops in order to allow them to get on or to be loaded on. □ [V P n] This is a brief stop to take on passengers and water. [Also V n P ]

4 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone on , you employ them to do a job. □ [V n P ] He's spoken to a publishing firm. They're going to take him on. □ [V P n] The party has been taking on staff, including temporary organisers.

5 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you take someone on , you fight them or compete against them, especially when they are bigger or more powerful than you are. □ [V P n] Democrats were reluctant to take on a president whose popularity ratings were so high. □ [V n P ] I knew I couldn't take him on.

6 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you take something on or upon yourself , you decide to do it without asking anyone for permission or approval. □ [V n P pron-refl] Knox had taken it on himself to choose the menu. □ [V P pron-refl] He took upon himself the responsibility for protecting her. □ [V n P pron-refl] The President absolved his officers and took the blame upon himself.

▸ take out

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take something out , you remove it permanently from its place. □ [V n P ] I got an abscess so he took the tooth out. □ [V P n] When you edit the recording you can take out the giggles.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take out something such as a loan, a licence, or an insurance policy, you obtain it by fulfilling the conditions and paying the money that is necessary. □ [V P n] They find a house, agree a price, and take out a mortgage through their building society. [Also V n P ]

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take someone out , they go somewhere such as a restaurant or theatre with you after you have invited them, and usually you pay for them. □ [V n P ] Jessica's grandparents took her out for the day. □ [V n P + to ] Reichel took me out to lunch. □ [V P n] …a father taking out his daughter for a celebratory dinner.

▸ take out on PHRASAL VERB If you take something out on someone, you behave in an unpleasant way towards them because you feel angry or upset, even though this is not their fault. □ [V n P P n] Jane's always annoying her and she takes it out on me sometimes.

▸ take over

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take over a company, you get control of it, for example by buying its shares. [BUSINESS ] □ [V P n] …their plan to take over the company's main electric vehicles division. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone takes over a country or building, they get control of it by force, for example with the help of the army. □ [V P n] They organised a coup and once more took over the country. [Also V n P ]

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take over a job or role or if you take over , you become responsible for the job after someone else has stopped doing it. □ [V P n] His widow has taken over the running of his empire, including six London theatres. □ [V P + from ] He took over from his uncle as governing mayor. □ [V P + as ] She took over as chief executive of the trust.

4 PHRASAL VERB If one thing takes over from something else, it becomes more important, successful, or powerful than the other thing, and eventually replaces it. □ [V P + from ] Cars gradually took over from horses. □ [V P ] When the final vote came, rationality took over.

5 → see also takeover

▸ take to

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take to someone or something, you like them, especially after knowing them or thinking about them for only a short time. □ [V P n] Did the children take to him?

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take to doing something, you begin to do it as a regular habit. □ [V P v-ing] They had taken to wandering through the streets arm-in-arm.

▸ take up

1 PHRASAL VERB If you take up an activity or a subject, you become interested in it and spend time doing it, either as a hobby or as a career. □ [V P n] He did not particularly want to take up a competitive sport. □ [V n P ] Angela used to be a model and has decided to take it up again.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you take up a question, problem, or cause, you act on it or discuss how you are going to act on it. □ [V P n] Scientists present evidence of an environmental threat and a pressure group will take up the issue. □ [V P n + with ] Dr Mahathir intends to take up the proposal with the prime minister. □ [V n P + with ] If the bank is unhelpful, take it up with the Ombudsman. [Also V n P ]

3 PHRASAL VERB If you take up a job, you begin to work at it. □ [V P n] He will take up his post as the head of the civil courts at the end of next month. [Also V n P ]

4 PHRASAL VERB If you take up an offer or a challenge, you accept it. □ [V P n] Increasingly, more farmers are taking up the challenge of growing asparagus. [Also V n P ]

5 PHRASAL VERB If something takes up a particular amount of time, space, or effort, it uses that amount. □ [V P n] I know how busy you must be and naturally I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time. □ [be V -ed P + with ] A good deal of my time is taken up with reading critical essays and reviews. □ [V P n + with ] The aim was not to take up valuable time with the usual boring pictures.

6 PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you take up a particular position, you get into a particular place in relation to something else. □ [V P n] He had taken up a position in the centre of the room. [Also V n P ]

7 PHRASAL VERB If you take up something such as a task or a story, you begin doing it after it has been interrupted or after someone else has begun it. □ [V P n] Gerry's partner Jo takes up the story. □ [V P wh] 'No, no, no,' says Damon, taking up where Dave left off. [Also V n P ]

8 → see also take-up

▸ take up on PHRASAL VERB If you take someone up on their offer or invitation, you accept it. □ [V n P P n] Since she'd offered to babysit, I took her up on it.

▸ take upon → see take on 6

▸ take up with PHRASAL VERB If you are taken up with something, it keeps you busy or fully occupied. □ [be V -ed P ] His mind was wholly taken up with the question.

take|away /te I kəwe I / (takeaways )

1 N‑COUNT A takeaway is a shop or restaurant which sells hot cooked food that you eat somewhere else. [BRIT ] in AM, use takeout 2 N‑COUNT A takeaway is hot cooked food that you buy from a shop or restaurant and eat somewhere else. [BRIT ] □ …a Chinese takeaway. in AM, use takeout

ta ke-home pa y N‑UNCOUNT Your take-home pay is the amount of your wages or salary that is left after income tax and other payments have been subtracted. [BUSINESS ] □ He was earning £215 a week before tax: take-home pay, £170.

tak|en /te I kən/

1 Taken is the past participle of take .

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are taken with something or someone, you are very interested in them or attracted to them. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] She seems very taken with the idea.

take|off /te I kɒf, [AM ] -ɔːf/ (takeoffs ) also take-off

1 N‑VAR Takeoff is the beginning of a flight, when an aircraft leaves the ground.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A takeoff of someone is a humorous imitation of the way in which they behave. □ [+ of ] The programme was worth watching for an inspired takeoff of the Collins sisters.

take|out /te I koʊt/ (takeouts )

1 N‑COUNT A takeout is a store or restaurant which sells hot cooked food that you eat somewhere else. [AM ] in BRIT, use takeaway 2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A takeout or takeout food is hot cooked food which you buy from a store or restaurant and eat somewhere else. [AM ] in BRIT, use takeaway

take|over ◆◇◇ /te I koʊvə ^r / (takeovers )

1 N‑COUNT A takeover is the act of gaining control of a company by buying more of its shares than anyone else. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] …the government's takeover of the corporation.

2 N‑COUNT A takeover is the act of taking control of a country, political party, or movement by force. □ There's been a military takeover of some kind. SYNONYMS takeover NOUN 1

merger: …the proposed merger of two Japanese banks.

coup: …a military coup.

incorporation: …the incorporation of Piedmont Airlines and PSA into U.S. Air.

tak|er /te I kə ^r / (takers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If there are no takers for something such as an investment or a challenge, nobody is willing to accept it. □ Over 100 buyers or investors were approached, but there were no takers. [Also + for ]

-taker /-te I kə ^r / (-takers ) COMB -taker combines with nouns to form other nouns which refer to people who take things, for example decisions or notes. □ Of these, 40% told census-takers they were Muslims. □ They've got some terrific penalty-takers.

ta ke-up N‑UNCOUNT Take-up is the rate at which people apply for or buy something which is offered, for example financial help from the government or shares in a company. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a major campaign to increase the take-up of welfare benefits.

tak|ings /te I k I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL You can use takings to refer to the amount of money that a business such as a shop or a cinema gets from selling its goods or tickets during a particular period. [BUSINESS ] □ The pub said that their takings were fifteen to twenty thousand pounds a week.

talc /tæ lk/ N‑UNCOUNT Talc is the same as talcum powder . [INFORMAL ]

tal|cum pow|der /tæ lkəm paʊ də ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Talcum powder is fine powder with a pleasant smell which people put on their bodies after they have had a bath or a shower.

tale ◆◇◇ /te I l/ (tales )

1 N‑COUNT A tale is a story, often involving magic or exciting events. □ …a collection of stories, poems and folk tales.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an interesting, exciting, or dramatic account of a real event as a tale . □ [+ of ] The media have been filled with tales of horror and loss resulting from Monday's earthquake.

3 → see also fairy tale , old wives' tale , tall tale

4 PHRASE If you survive a dangerous or frightening experience and so are able to tell people about it afterwards, you can say that you lived to tell the tale . □ You lived to tell the tale this time but who knows how far you can push your luck.

5 PHRASE If someone tells tales about you, they tell other people things about you which are untrue or which you wanted to be kept secret. □ I hesitated, not wanting to tell tales about my colleague.

6 → see also tell-tale SYNONYMS tale NOUN 1

story: The second story in the book is titled 'The Scholar'.

account: He gave a detailed account of what happened on the fateful night.

narrative: Sloan began his narrative with the day of the murder.

anecdote: Pete was telling them an anecdote about their mother.

tal|ent ◆◇◇ /tæ lənt/ (talents )

1 N‑VAR Talent is the natural ability to do something well. □ The player was given hardly any opportunities to show off his talents. □ He's got lots of talent.

2 → see also talent show COLLOCATIONS talent NOUN

adjective + talent : exceptional, outstanding, prodigious; artistic, creative, musical, vocal; emerging, home-grown, natural

verb + talent : develop, display; nurture, spot

tal|ent|ed /tæ lənt I d/ ADJ Someone who is talented has a natural ability to do something well. □ Howard is a talented pianist.

ta l|ent scout (talent scouts ) N‑COUNT A talent scout is someone whose job is to find people who have talent, for example as actors, footballers, or musicians, so that they can be offered work.

ta l|ent show (talent shows ) N‑COUNT A talent show , talent competition , or talent contest is a show where ordinary people perform an act on stage, usually in order to try to win a prize for the best performance.

tal|is|man /tæ l I zmən/ (talismans ) N‑COUNT A talisman is an object which you believe has magic powers to protect you or bring you luck.

talk ◆◆◆ /tɔː k/ (talks , talking , talked )

1 VERB When you talk , you use spoken language to express your thoughts, ideas, or feelings. □ [V ] He was too distressed to talk. □ [V ] The boys all began to talk at once. ● N‑UNCOUNT Talk is also a noun. □ That's not the kind of talk one usually hears from accountants.

2 VERB If you talk to someone, you have a conversation with them. You can also say that two people talk . □ [V ] We talked and laughed a great deal. □ [V + to/with ] I talked to him yesterday. □ [V + about ] When she came back, they were talking about American food. □ [V ] Can't you see I'm talking? Don't interrupt. ● N‑COUNT Talk is also a noun. □ [+ about ] We had a long talk about her father, Tony, who was a friend of mine.

3 VERB If you talk to someone, you tell them about the things that are worrying you. You can also say that two people talk . □ [V + to ] Your first step should be to talk to a teacher or school counselor. □ [V ] We need to talk alone. □ [V + about ] Do ring if you want to talk about it. □ [V ] I have to sort some things out. We really needed to talk. ● N‑COUNT Talk is also a noun. □ I think it's time we had a talk.

4 VERB If you talk on or about something, you make an informal speech telling people what you know or think about it. □ [V + on/about ] She will talk on the issues she cares passionately about including education and nursery care. □ [V + to ] He intends to talk to young people about the dangers of chatrooms. ● N‑COUNT Talk is also a noun. □ [+ on/about ] A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site.

5 N‑PLURAL Talks are formal discussions intended to produce an agreement, usually between different countries or between employers and employees. □ [+ between ] Talks between striking workers and the government have broken down.

6 VERB If one group of people talks to another, or if two groups talk , they have formal discussions in order to do a deal or produce an agreement. □ [V + to ] We're talking to some people about opening an office in London. □ [V + with/to ] The company talked with many potential investors. □ [V ] It triggered broad speculation that the two companies might be talking.

7 VERB When different countries or different sides in a dispute talk , or talk to each other, they discuss their differences in order to try and settle the dispute. □ [V + to ] The Foreign Minister said he was ready to talk to any country that had no hostile intentions. □ [V ] The two sides need to sit down and talk. □ [V + to/with ] He has to find a way to make both sides talk to each other.

8 VERB If people are talking about another person or are talking , they are discussing that person. □ [V + about/of ] Everyone is talking about him. □ [V ] People will talk, but you have to get on with your life. ● N‑UNCOUNT [N that] Talk is also a noun. □ [+ about/of ] There has been a lot of talk about me getting married.

9 VERB If someone talks when they are being held by police or soldiers, they reveal important or secret information, usually unwillingly. □ [V ] They'll talk, they'll implicate me.

10 VERB [no passive] If you talk a particular language or talk with a particular accent, you use that language or have that accent when you speak. □ [V n] You don't sound like a foreigner talking English. □ [V prep/adv] They were amazed that I was talking in an Irish accent.

11 VERB [no passive] If you talk something such as politics or sport, you discuss it. □ [V n] The guests were mostly middle-aged men talking business.

12 VERB You can use talk to say what you think of the ideas that someone is expressing. For example, if you say that someone is talking sense , you mean that you think the opinions they are expressing are sensible. □ [V n] You must admit George, you're talking absolute rubbish.

13 VERB [no passive] You can say that you are talking a particular thing to draw attention to your topic or to point out a characteristic of what you are discussing. [SPOKEN ] □ [V n] We're talking megabucks this time.

14 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something such as an idea or threat is just talk , or all talk , you mean that it does not mean or matter much, because people are exaggerating about it or do not really intend to do anything about it. □ Has much of this actually been tried here? Or is it just talk?

15 PHRASE You can say talk about before mentioning a particular expression or situation, when you mean that something is a very striking or clear example of that expression or situation. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Took us quite a while to get here, didn't it? Talk about Fate moving in a mysterious way!

16 PHRASE You can use the expression talking of to introduce a new topic that you want to discuss, and to link it to something that has already been mentioned. □ Belvoir Farms produce a delicious elderflower tea. Talking of elderflower, you might wish to try Elderflower Champagne.

17 to talk shop → see shop

▸ talk around → see talk round

▸ talk back PHRASAL VERB If you talk back to someone in authority such as a parent or teacher, you answer them in a rude way. □ [V P + to ] How dare you talk back to me! □ [V P ] I talked back and asked questions.

▸ talk down

1 PHRASAL VERB To talk down someone who is flying an aircraft in an emergency means to give them instructions so that they can land safely. □ [V n P ] The pilot began to talk him down by giving instructions over the radio.

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone talks down a particular thing, they make it less interesting, valuable, or likely than it originally seemed. □ [V P n] They even blame the government for talking down the nation's fourth-biggest industry. □ [V n P ] Businessmen are tired of politicians talking the economy down.

▸ talk down to PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone talks down to you, you disapprove of the way they talk to you, treating you as if you are not very intelligent or not very important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P P n] She was a gifted teacher who never talked down to her students.

▸ talk into PHRASAL VERB If you talk a person into doing something they do not want to do, especially something wrong or stupid, you persuade them to do it. □ [V n P v-ing] He talked me into marrying him. He also talked me into having a baby. [Also V n P n]

▸ talk out PHRASAL VERB If you talk out something such as a problem, you discuss it thoroughly in order to settle it. □ [V n P ] Talking things out with someone else can be helpful. □ [V P n] Talk out your problems. Do not keep them bottled up.

▸ talk out of PHRASAL VERB If you talk someone out of doing something they want or intend to do, you persuade them not to do it. □ [V n P P -ing/n] My mother tried to talk me out of getting a dog.

▸ talk over PHRASAL VERB If you talk something over , you discuss it thoroughly and honestly. □ [V n P + with ] He always talked things over with his friends. □ [V n P ] We should go somewhere quiet, and talk it over. □ [V P n] Talk over problems, don't bottle them up inside.

▸ talk round in AM, usually use talk around PHRASAL VERB If you talk someone round , you persuade them to change their mind so that they agree with you, or agree to do what you want them to do □ [V n P ] He went to the house to try to talk her round. □ [V P n] It advises salesmen to talk round reluctant customers over a cup of tea.

▸ talk through

1 PHRASAL VERB If you talk something through with someone, you discuss it with them thoroughly. □ [V P n] He and I have talked through this whole tricky problem. □ [V P + with ] Now her children are grown-up and she has talked through with them what happened. □ [V n P ] It had all seemed so simple when they'd talked it through, so logical. □ [V n P + with ] He had talked it through with Judith.

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone talks you through something that you do not know, they explain it to you carefully. □ [V n P n] Now she must talk her sister through the process a step at a time.

▸ talk up

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone talks up a particular thing, they make it sound more interesting, valuable, or likely than it originally seemed. □ [V P n] Politicians accuse the media of talking up the possibility of a riot. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB To talk someone or something up in negotiations means to persuade someone to pay more money than they originally offered or wanted to. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] Clarke kept talking the price up, while Wilkinson kept knocking it down. [Also V P n] SYNONYMS talk VERB 1

chat: The women were chatting.

chatter: Everyone's chattering away in different languages.

speak: I rang the hotel and spoke to Louie.

converse: Luke sat directly behind the pilot and conversed with him. NOUN 4

speech: She is due to make a speech on the economy next week.

presentation: …a business presentation.

seminar: …a series of half-day seminars on the subject.

lecture: In his lecture, Riemann covered an enormous variety of topics.

talka|tive /tɔː kət I v/ ADJ Someone who is talkative talks a lot. □ He suddenly became very talkative, his face slightly flushed, his eyes much brighter.

talk|er /tɔː kə ^r / (talkers ) N‑COUNT You can use talker to refer to someone when you are considering how much they talk, or how good they are at talking to people. □ …a fluent talker.

talkie /tɔː ki/ (talkies ) N‑COUNT A talkie is a cinema film made with sound, as opposed to a silent film. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

ta lk|ing hea d (talking heads ) N‑COUNT Talking heads are people who appear in television discussion programmes and interviews to give their opinions about a topic. [JOURNALISM ]

ta lk|ing point (talking points ) N‑COUNT A talking point is an interesting subject for discussion or argument. □ It's bound to be the main talking point during discussions between the Prime Minister and the President.

ta lk|ing shop (talking shops ) N‑COUNT If you say that a conference or a committee is just a talking shop , you disapprove of it because nothing is achieved as a result of what is discussed. [mainly BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]

ta lking-to N‑SING If you give someone a talking-to , you speak to them severely, usually about something unacceptable that they have done, in order to show them they were wrong. [INFORMAL ]

ta lk show (talk shows ) also talk-show N‑COUNT A talk show is a television or radio show in which famous people talk to each other in an informal way and are asked questions about different topics.

tall ◆◇◇ /tɔː l/ (taller , tallest )

1 ADJ Someone or something that is tall has a greater height than is normal or average. □ Being tall can make you feel incredibly self-confident. □ The windows overlooked a lawn of tall waving grass.

2 ADJ [as ADJ as ] You use tall to ask or talk about the height of someone or something. □ How tall are you? □ I'm only 5ft tall, and I look younger than my age.

3 PHRASE If something is a tall order , it is very difficult. □ Financing your studies may seem like a tall order, but there is plenty of help available.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone walks tall , you mean that they behave in a way that shows that they have pride in themselves and in what they are doing.

tal|low /tæ loʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Tallow is hard animal fat that is used for making candles and soap.

ta ll shi p (tall ships ) N‑COUNT A tall ship is a sailing ship which has very tall masts and square sails.

ta ll sto |ry (tall stories ) N‑COUNT A tall story is the same as a tall tale .

ta ll ta le (tall tales ) N‑COUNT A tall tale is a long and complicated story that is difficult to believe because most of the events it describes seem unlikely or impossible. □ …the imaginative tall tales of sailors.

tal|ly /tæ li/ (tallies , tallying , tallied )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A tally is a record of amounts or numbers which you keep changing and adding to as the activity which affects it progresses. □ [+ of ] They do not keep a tally of visitors to the palace, but it is very popular.

2 VERB If one number or statement tallies with another, they agree with each other or are exactly the same. You can also say that two numbers or statements tally . □ [V + with ] Its own estimate of three hundred tallies with that of another survey. □ [V ] The figures didn't seem to tally.

3 VERB If you tally numbers, items, or totals, you count them. □ [V n] …as we tally the number of workers who have been laid off this year. ● PHRASAL VERB Tally up means the same as tally . □ [V P n] Bookkeepers haven't yet tallied up the total cost. [Also V n P ]

Tal|mud /tæ lmʊd/ N‑PROPER The Talmud is the collection of ancient Jewish laws which governs the religious and non-religious life of Orthodox Jews.

tal|on /tæ lən/ (talons ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The talons of a bird of prey are its hooked claws.

tama|rind /tæ mər I nd/ (tamarinds ) N‑VAR A tamarind is a fruit which grows on a tropical evergreen tree which has pleasant-smelling flowers. You can also refer to the tree on which this fruit grows as a tamarind .

tama|risk /tæ mər I sk/ (tamarisks ) N‑COUNT A tamarisk is a bush or small tree which grows mainly around the Mediterranean and in Asia, and has pink or white flowers.

tam|bou|rine /tæ mbəriː n/ (tambourines ) N‑COUNT A tambourine is a musical instrument which you shake or hit with your hand. It consists of a drum skin on a circular frame with pairs of small round pieces of metal all around the edge.

tame /te I m/ (tamer , tamest , tames , taming , tamed )

1 ADJ A tame animal or bird is one that is not afraid of humans. □ The deer never became tame; they would run away if you approached them.

2 ADJ If you say that something or someone is tame , you are criticizing them for being weak and uninteresting, rather than forceful or shocking. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Some of today's political demonstrations look rather tame. ● tame|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ There was no excuse though when Thomas shot tamely wide from eight yards.

3 VERB If someone tames a wild animal or bird, they train it not to be afraid of humans and to do what they say. □ [V n] The Amazons were believed to have been the first to tame horses.

ta|moxi|fen /təmɒ ks I fen/ N‑UNCOUNT Tamoxifen is a drug that is used for treating women who have breast cancer.

tamp /tæ mp/ (tamps , tamping , tamped ) VERB If you tamp something, you press it down by tapping it several times so that it becomes flatter and more solid. □ [V n with adv] Then I tamp down the soil with the back of a rake. □ [V n prep/adv] Philpott tamped a wad of tobacco into his pipe. [Also V n]

tam|per /tæ mpə ^r / (tampers , tampering , tampered ) VERB If someone tampers with something, they interfere with it or try to change it when they have no right to do so. □ [V + with ] I don't want to be accused of tampering with the evidence.

tam|pon /tæ mpɒn/ (tampons ) N‑COUNT A tampon is a tube made of cotton wool that a woman puts inside her vagina in order to absorb blood during menstruation.

tan /tæ n/ (tans , tanning , tanned )

1 N‑SING If you have a tan , your skin has become darker than usual because you have been in the sun. □ She is tall and blonde, with a permanent tan.

2 VERB If a part of your body tans or if you tan it, your skin becomes darker than usual because you spend a lot of time in the sun. □ [V ] I have very pale skin that never tans. □ [V n] Leigh rolled over on her stomach to tan her back. ● tanned ADJ □ Their skin was tanned and glowing from their weeks at the seaside.

3 COLOUR Something that is tan is a light brown colour. □ …a tan leather jacket.

4 VERB To tan animal skins means to make them into leather by treating them with tannin or other chemicals. □ [V n] …the process of tanning animal hides.

tan|dem /tæ ndəm/ (tandems )

1 N‑COUNT A tandem is a bicycle designed for two riders, on which one rider sits behind the other.

2 PHRASE If one thing happens or is done in tandem with another thing, the two things happen at the same time. □ [+ with ] Malcolm's contract will run in tandem with his existing one.

3 PHRASE If one person does something in tandem with another person, the two people do it by working together. □ [+ with ] He is working in tandem with officials of the Serious Fraud Office.

tan|doori /tæ ndʊə ri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Tandoori dishes are Indian meat dishes which are cooked in a clay oven.

tang /tæ ŋ/ N‑SING A tang is a strong, sharp smell or taste. □ [+ of ] She could smell the salty tang of the sea.

tan|gent /tæ ndʒ ^ə nt/ (tangents )

1 N‑COUNT A tangent is a line that touches the edge of a curve or circle at one point, but does not cross it.

2 PHRASE If someone goes off at a tangent , they start saying or doing something that is not directly connected with what they were saying or doing before. □ The conversation went off at a tangent.

tan|gen|tial /tændʒe nʃ ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you describe something as tangential , you mean that it has only a slight or indirect connection with the thing you are concerned with, and is therefore not worth considering seriously. [FORMAL ] □ Too much time was spent discussing tangential issues.

2 ADJ If something is tangential to something else, it is at a tangent to it. □ [+ to ] …point T, where the demand curve is tangential to the straight line L.

tan|ge|rine /tæ ndʒəriː n/ (tangerines ) N‑COUNT A tangerine is a small sweet orange.

tan|gible /tæ ndʒ I b ^ə l/ ADJ If something is tangible , it is clear enough or definite enough to be easily seen, felt, or noticed. □ There should be some tangible evidence that the economy is starting to recover. ● tan|gibly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ This tangibly demonstrated that the world situation could be improved.

tan|gle /tæ ŋg ^ə l/ (tangles , tangling , tangled )

1 N‑COUNT A tangle of something is a mass of it twisted together in an untidy way. □ [+ of ] A tangle of wires is all that remains of the computer and phone systems.

2 VERB If something is tangled or tangles , it becomes twisted together in an untidy way. □ [get/be V -ed + in ] Animals get tangled in fishing nets and drown. □ [V -ed] She tried to kick the pajamas loose, but they were tangled in the satin sheet. □ [V ] Her hair tends to tangle. □ [V n] He suggested that tangling fishing gear should be made a criminal offence. [Also get/be V -ed]

3 N‑SING You can refer to a confusing or complicated situation as a tangle . □ I was thinking what a tangle we had got ourselves into. [Also + of ]

4 VERB [usu passive] If ideas or situations are tangled , they become confused and complicated. □ [get/be V -ed] The themes get tangled in Mr Mahfouz's epic storytelling. □ [V -ed] You are currently in a muddle where financial and emotional concerns are tangled together. ● tan|gled ADJ □ His personal life has become more tangled than ever.

▸ tangle up

1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If a person or thing is tangled up in something such as wire or ropes, they are caught or trapped in it. □ [get/be V -ed P + in ] Sheep kept getting tangled up in it and eventually the wire was removed. □ [get/be V -ed P ] The teeth are like razors. Once you get tangled up it will never let you go.

2 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If you are tangled up in a complicated or unpleasant situation, you are involved in it and cannot get free of it. □ [get/be V -ed P + in/with ] The heroine gets tangled up in a murky murder case. ● tan|gled up ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ in ] Buddy and Joe appeared to be more and more tangled up in secrets.

tan|go /tæ ŋgoʊ/ (tangos , tangoing , tangoed )

1 N‑SING The tango is a South American dance in which two people hold each other closely, walk quickly in one direction, then walk quickly back again.

2 N‑VAR A tango is a piece of music intended for tango dancing. □ A tango was playing on the jukebox. □ The sounds of tango filled the air.

3 VERB If you tango , you dance the tango. □ [V ] They can rock and roll, they can tango, but they can't bop.

4 it takes two to tango → see two

tangy /tæ ŋi/ (tangier , tangiest ) ADJ A tangy flavour or smell is one that is sharp, especially a flavour like that of lemon juice or a smell like that of sea air.

tank ◆◇◇ /tæ ŋk/ (tanks )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A tank is a large container for holding liquid or gas. □ …an empty fuel tank. □ Two water tanks provide a total capacity of 400 litres.

2 N‑COUNT A tank is a large military vehicle that is equipped with weapons and moves along on metal tracks that are fitted over the wheels.

3 → see also septic tank , think-tank COLLOCATIONS tank NOUN

1

noun + tank : fuel, oxygen, petrol, water; fish; storage

adjective + tank : empty, full

verb + tank : drain, empty; fill; install

2

noun + tank : army

verb + tank : deploy; destroy

tank|ard /tæ ŋkə ^r d/ (tankards ) N‑COUNT A tankard is a large metal cup with a handle, which you can drink beer from. ● N‑COUNT A tankard of beer is an amount of it contained in a tankard. □ [+ of ] …a tankard of ale.

tanked /tæ ŋkt/ in BRIT, also use tanked up ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is tanked or tanked up , they are drunk. [INFORMAL ]

tank|er /tæ ŋkə ^r / (tankers )

1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A tanker is a very large ship used for transporting large quantities of gas or liquid, especially oil. □ An oil tanker has run aground.

2 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A tanker is a large truck, railway vehicle, or aircraft used for transporting large quantities of a substance.

ta nk top (tank tops )

1 N‑COUNT A tank top is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and has no sleeves. [BRIT ]

2 N‑COUNT A tank top is a soft cotton shirt with no sleeves, collar, or buttons. [AM ]

tan|ner /tæ nə ^r / (tanners ) N‑COUNT A tanner is someone whose job is making leather from animal skins.

tan|nin /tæ n I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Tannin is a yellow or brown chemical that is found in plants such as tea. It is used in the process of making leather and in dyeing.

Tan|noy /tæ nɔ I / N‑SING [oft over N ] A Tannoy is a system of loudspeakers used to make public announcements, for example at a fair or at a sports stadium. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] in AM, use public address system

tan|ta|lize /tæ ntəla I z/ (tantalizes , tantalizing , tantalized ) in BRIT, also use tantalise VERB If someone or something tantalizes you, they make you feel hopeful and excited about getting what you want, usually before disappointing you by not letting you have what they appeared to offer. □ [V n] …the dreams of democracy that have so tantalized them. [Also V ] ● tan|ta|liz|ing ADJ □ A tantalising aroma of roast chicken fills the air. ● tan|ta|liz|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ She went away disappointed after getting tantalisingly close to breaking the record.

tan|ta|mount /tæ ntəmaʊnt/ ADJ If you say that one thing is tantamount to a second, more serious thing, you are emphasizing how bad, unacceptable, or unfortunate the first thing is by comparing it to the second. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ to ] What Bracey is saying is tantamount to heresy.

tan|tric /tæ ntr I k/ also Tantric ADJ [ADJ n] Tantric is used to describe things relating to or connected with a particular movement in Buddhism and Hinduism. □ …tantric yoga.

tan|trum /tæ ntrəm/ (tantrums ) N‑COUNT If a child has a tantrum , they lose their temper in a noisy and uncontrolled way. If you say that an adult is throwing a tantrum , you are criticizing them for losing their temper and acting in a childish way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He immediately threw a tantrum, screaming and stomping up and down like a child.

Taoi|seach /tiː ʃək/ N‑SING The prime minister of the Republic of Ireland is called the Taoiseach .

Tao|ism /taʊ I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Taoism is a Chinese religious philosophy which believes that people should lead a simple honest life and not interfere with the course of natural events.

tap ◆◇◇ /tæ p/ (taps , tapping , tapped )

1 N‑COUNT A tap is a device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas from a pipe or container, for example on a sink. [mainly BRIT ] □ She turned on the taps. □ …a cold-water tap. in AM, use faucet 2 VERB If you tap something, you hit it with a quick light blow or a series of quick light blows. □ [V n] He tapped the table to still the shouts of protest. □ [V adv/prep] Grace tapped on the bedroom door and went in. ● N‑COUNT Tap is also a noun. □ [+ on/at ] A tap on the door interrupted him and Sally Pierce came in.

3 VERB If you tap your fingers or feet, you make a regular pattern of sound by hitting a surface lightly and repeatedly with them, especially while you are listening to music. □ [V n] The song's so catchy it makes you bounce round the living room or tap your feet.

4 VERB If you tap a resource or situation, you make use of it by getting from it something that you need or want. □ [V n] He owes his election to having tapped deep public disillusion with professional politicians. □ [V n + for ] The company is tapping shareholders for £15.8 million. □ [V + into ] The utility group has launched the company in an attempt to tap into the market for green energy.

5 VERB If someone taps your phone, they attach a special device to the line so that they can secretly listen to your conversations. □ [V n] The government passed laws allowing the police to tap phones. ● N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Tap is also a noun. □ He assured MPs that they were not subjected to phone taps.

6 → see also phone-tapping , wiretap

7 PHRASE If drinks are on tap , they come from a tap rather than from a bottle. □ Filtered water is always on tap, making it very convenient to use.

8 PHRASE If something is on tap , you can have as much of it as you want whenever you want. [INFORMAL ] □ The advantage of group holidays is company on tap but time alone if you want it.

tap|as /tæ pæs/ N‑PLURAL In Spain, tapas are small plates of food that are served with drinks or before a main meal.

ta p danc|er (tap dancers ) N‑COUNT A tap dancer is a dancer who does tap dancing.

ta p danc|ing also tap-dancing N‑UNCOUNT Tap dancing is a style of dancing in which the dancers wear special shoes with pieces of metal on the heels and toes. The shoes make loud sharp sounds as the dancers move their feet.

tape ◆◆◇ /te I p/ (tapes , taping , taped )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] Tape is a narrow plastic strip covered with a magnetic substance. It is used to record sounds, pictures, and computer information. □ Many students declined to be interviewed on tape.

2 N‑COUNT A tape is a cassette or spool with magnetic tape wound round it. □ Her brother once found an old tape of her music hidden in the back of a drawer.

3 VERB If you tape music, sounds, or television pictures, you record them so that you can watch or listen to them later. □ [V n] She has just taped an interview. □ [V ] He shouldn't be taping without the singer's permission. □ [V -ed] …taped evidence from prisoners.

4 N‑VAR A tape is a strip of cloth used to tie things together or to identify who a piece of clothing belongs to. □ The books were all tied up with tape.

5 N‑COUNT A tape is a ribbon that is stretched across the finishing line of a race. □ …the finishing tape.

6 N‑UNCOUNT Tape is a sticky strip of plastic used for sticking things together.

7 VERB If you tape one thing to another, you attach it using sticky tape. □ [V n + onto/to ] I taped the base of the feather onto the velvet. □ [be V -ed adj] The envelope has been tampered with and then taped shut again.

8 → see also magnetic tape , masking tape , red tape , sticky tape , videotape

ta pe meas|ure (tape measures ) N‑COUNT A tape measure is a strip of metal, plastic, or cloth which has numbers marked on it and is used for measuring.

ta|per /te I pə ^r / (tapers , tapering , tapered )

1 VERB If something tapers , or if you taper it, it becomes gradually thinner at one end. □ [V ] Unlike other trees, it doesn't taper very much. It stays fat all the way up. □ [V n] Taper the shape of your eyebrows towards the outer corners. [Also V prep] ● ta|pered ADJ □ …the elegantly tapered legs of the dressing-table.

2 VERB If something tapers or is tapered , it gradually becomes reduced in amount, number, or size until it is greatly reduced. □ [V ] There are signs that inflation is tapering. □ [be V -ed] If you take this medicine continuously, withdrawal must be tapered. ● PHRASAL VERB Taper off means the same as taper . □ [V P ] Immigration is expected to taper off. □ [V P n] I suggested that we start to taper off the counseling sessions. [Also V n P ]

3 N‑COUNT A taper is a long, thin candle or a thin wooden strip that is used for lighting fires.

▸ taper off → see taper 2

ta pe re|cord|er (tape recorders ) also tape-recorder N‑COUNT A tape recorder is a machine used for recording and playing music, speech, or other sounds.

tap|es|try /tæ p I stri/ (tapestries )

1 N‑VAR A tapestry is a large piece of heavy cloth with a picture sewn on it using coloured threads.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to something as a tapestry when it is made up of many varied types of people or things. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] Hedgerows and meadows are thick with a tapestry of wild flowers.

tape|worm /te I pwɜː ^r m/ (tapeworms ) N‑COUNT A tapeworm is a long, flat parasite which lives in the stomach and intestines of animals or people.

tapio|ca /tæ pioʊ kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Tapioca is a food consisting of white grains, rather like rice, which come from the cassava plant.

ta p wa|ter N‑UNCOUNT Tap water is the water that comes out of a tap in a building such as a house or a hotel.

tar /tɑː ^r / (tars , tarring , tarred )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Tar is a thick black sticky substance that is used especially for making roads.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Tar is one of the poisonous substances contained in tobacco.

3 PHRASE If some people in a group behave badly and if people then wrongly think that all of the group is equally bad, you can say that the whole group is tarred with the same brush . □ Football supporters all get tarred with the same brush when there's trouble.

4 → see also tarred

ta|ra|ma|sa|la|ta /tæ rəməsəlɑː tə/ N‑UNCOUNT Taramasalata is a pink creamy food made from the eggs of a fish such as cod or mullet. It is usually eaten at the beginning of a meal.

ta|ran|tu|la /təræ ntʃʊlə/ (tarantulas ) N‑COUNT A tarantula is a large hairy spider which has a poisonous bite.

tar|dy /tɑː ^r di/ (tardier , tardiest )

1 ADJ If you describe something or someone as tardy , you think that they are later than they should be or later than expected. [LITERARY ] □ He wept for the loss of his mother and his tardy recognition of her affection. ● tar|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His legendary tardiness left audiences waiting for hours.

2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as tardy , you are criticizing them because they are slow to act. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ in ] …companies who are tardy in paying bills. ● tar|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] …England's tardiness in giving talented young players greater international experience.

tar|get ◆◆◇ /tɑː ^r g I t/ (targets , targeting or targetting , targeted or targetted )

1 N‑COUNT A target is something at which someone is aiming a weapon or other object. □ The missiles missed their target.

2 N‑COUNT A target is a result that you are trying to achieve. □ [+ of ] He's won back his place too late to achieve his target of 20 goals this season.

3 VERB To target a particular person or thing means to decide to attack or criticize them. □ [V n] He targets the economy as the root cause of the deteriorating law and order situation. ● N‑COUNT Target is also a noun. □ [+ of ] In the past, they have been the target of racist abuse. [Also + for ]

4 VERB If you target a particular group of people, you try to appeal to those people or affect them. □ [V n] The campaign will target insurance companies. ● N‑COUNT Target is also a noun. □ Students are a prime target group for marketing strategies.

5 PHRASE If someone or something is on target , they are making good progress and are likely to achieve the result that is wanted. □ [+ for ] We were still right on target for our deadline. SYNONYMS target NOUN 2

goal: The goal is to raise as much money as possible.

aim: …a research programme that has largely failed to achieve its principal aims.

objective: Our main objective was the recovery of the child safe and well.

ta r|get ma r|ket (target markets ) N‑COUNT A target market is a market in which a company is trying to sell its products or services. [BUSINESS ] □ We decided that we needed to change our target market from the over-45s to the 35-45s.

tar|iff /tæ r I f/ (tariffs )

1 N‑COUNT A tariff is a tax that a government collects on goods coming into a country. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ on ] America wants to eliminate tariffs on items such as electronics.

2 N‑COUNT A tariff is the rate at which you are charged for public services such as gas and electricity, or for accommodation and services in a hotel. [BRIT , FORMAL ] □ The daily tariff includes accommodation and unlimited use of the pool and gymnasium.

tar|mac /tɑː ^r mæk/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Tarmac is a material used for making road surfaces, consisting of crushed stones mixed with tar. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] □ …a strip of tarmac. □ …tarmac paths. in AM, usually use blacktop 2 N‑SING The tarmac is an area with a surface made of tarmac, especially the area from which planes take off at an airport. □ Standing on the tarmac were two American planes.

tarn /tɑː ^r n/ (tarns ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A tarn is a small lake in an area of mountains.

tar|nish /tɑː ^r n I ʃ/ (tarnishes , tarnishing , tarnished )

1 VERB If you say that something tarnishes someone's reputation or image, you mean that it causes people to have a worse opinion of them than they would otherwise have had. □ [V n] The affair could tarnish the reputation of the prime minister. ● tar|nished ADJ □ He says he wants to improve the tarnished image of his country.

2 VERB If a metal tarnishes or if something tarnishes it, it becomes stained and loses its brightness. □ [V ] It never rusts or tarnishes. □ [V n] Wear cotton gloves when cleaning silver, because the acid in your skin can tarnish the metal. ● tar|nished ADJ □ …its brown surfaces of tarnished brass.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Tarnish is a substance which forms on the surface of some metals and which stains them or causes them to lose their brightness.

Ta|rot /tæ roʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N , oft N n] The Tarot is a pack of cards with pictures on them that is used to predict what will happen to people in the future. Tarot is also used to refer to the system of predicting people's futures using these cards. □ …tarot cards.

tarp /tɑː ^r p/ (tarps ) N‑COUNT A tarp is a sheet of heavy waterproof material that is used as a protective cover. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use tarpaulin

tar|pau|lin /tɑː ^r pɔː l I n/ (tarpaulins )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Tarpaulin is a fabric made of canvas or similar material coated with tar, wax, paint, or some other waterproof substance. □ …a piece of tarpaulin. □ …tarpaulin covers.

2 N‑COUNT A tarpaulin is a sheet of heavy waterproof material that is used as a protective cover.

tar|ra|gon /tæ rəgɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT Tarragon is a European herb with narrow leaves which are used to add flavour to food.

tarred /tɑː ^r d/ ADJ A tarred road or roof has a surface of tar.

tar|ry (tarries , tarrying , tarried ) The verb is pronounced /tæ ri/. The adjective is pronounced /tɑː ri/. 1 VERB If you tarry somewhere, you stay there longer than you meant to and delay leaving. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V ] Two old boys tarried on the street corner, discussing cattle.

2 ADJ If you describe something as tarry , you mean that it has a lot of tar in it or is like tar. □ I smelled tarry melted asphalt. □ …cups of tarry coffee.

tart /tɑː ^r t/ (tarts , tarting , tarted )

1 N‑VAR A tart is a shallow pastry case with a filling of food, especially sweet food. □ …jam tarts. □ …a slice of home-made tart.

2 ADJ If something such as fruit is tart , it has a sharp taste. □ The blackberries were a bit too tart on their own, so we stewed them gently with some apples.

3 ADJ A tart remark or way of speaking is sharp and unpleasant, often in a way that is rather cruel. □ The words were more tart than she had intended. ● tart|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'There are other patients on the ward, Lovell,' the staff nurse reminded her tartly.

4 N‑COUNT If someone refers to a woman or girl as a tart , they are criticizing her because they think she is sexually immoral or dresses in a way that makes her look sexually immoral. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]

▸ tart up PHRASAL VERB If someone tarts up a room or building, they try to improve its appearance, often with the result that it looks vulgar. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] 'Have you ever wondered why London Underground would rather tart up their stations than improve services?' he asked. □ [V -ed P ] …tarted-up pubs. [Also V n P ]

tar|tan /tɑː ^r t ^ə n/ (tartans ) N‑VAR [oft N n] Tartan is a design for cloth traditionally associated with Scotland, and which has a number of distinctive types. The design is made up of lines of different widths and colours crossing each other at right angles. Tartan is also used to refer to cloth which has this pattern.

tar|tar /tɑː ^r tə ^r / (tartars )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Tartar is a hard yellowish substance that forms on your teeth and causes them to decay if it is not removed.

2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone, especially a woman in a position of authority, as a tartar , you mean that they are fierce, bad-tempered, and strict. [INFORMAL ] □ She can be quite a tartar.

3 → see also cream of tartar

ta r|tar sau ce also tartare sauce N‑UNCOUNT Tartar sauce is a thick cold sauce, usually eaten with fish, consisting of chopped onions and capers mixed with mayonnaise.

tarty /tɑː ^r ti/ (tartier , tartiest ) ADJ If you describe a woman or her clothes as tarty , you are critical of her because she tries to make herself look sexually attractive in a vulgar way. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ That coat made her look so tarty.

task ◆◆◇ /tɑː sk, tæ sk/ (tasks , tasking , tasked )

1 N‑COUNT A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project. □ She used the day to catch up with administrative tasks.

2 VERB If you are tasked with doing a particular activity or piece of work, someone in authority asks you to do it. □ [be V -ed + with ] The minister was tasked with checking that aid money was being spent wisely.

3 PHRASE If you take someone to task , you criticize them or tell them off because of something bad or wrong that they have done. □ The country's intellectuals are being taken to task for their failure to speak out against the regime.

ta sk force ◆◇◇ (task forces ) also taskforce

1 N‑COUNT A task force is a small section of an army, navy, or air force that is sent to a particular place to deal with a military crisis. □ They are sending a naval task force to the area to evacuate civilians.

2 N‑COUNT A task force is a group of people working together on a particular task. □ We have set up a task force to look at the question of women returning to work.

task|master /tɑː skmɑːstə ^r , tæ skmæstə ^r / (taskmasters ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] If you refer to someone as a hard taskmaster , you mean that they expect the people they supervise to work very hard.

tas|sel /tæ s ^ə l/ (tassels ) N‑COUNT Tassels are bunches of short pieces of wool or other material tied together at one end and attached as decorations to something such as a piece of clothing or a lampshade.

tas|selled /tæ s ^ə ld/ in AM, use tasseled ADJ Tasselled means decorated with tassels. □ …tasselled cushions.

taste ◆◆◇ /te I st/ (tastes , tasting , tasted )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Taste is one of the five senses that people have. When you have food or drink in your mouth, your sense of taste makes it possible for you to recognize what it is. □ …a keen sense of taste.

2 N‑COUNT The taste of something is the individual quality which it has when you put it in your mouth and which distinguishes it from other things. For example, something may have a sweet, bitter, sour, or salty taste. □ [+ of ] I like the taste of fast food too much to give it up.

3 N‑SING If you have a taste of some food or drink, you try a small amount of it in order to see what the flavour is like. □ [+ of ] Let them have a taste of cold food but I prefer mine hot.

4 VERB [no cont] If food or drink tastes of something, it has that particular flavour, which you notice when you eat or drink it. □ [V + of/like ] It tastes like chocolate. □ [V adj] The pizza tastes delicious without any cheese at all.

5 VERB If you taste some food or drink, you eat or drink a small amount of it in order to try its flavour, for example to see if you like it or not. □ [V n] We tasted the water just to see how salty it was.

6 VERB [no passive] If you can taste something that you are eating or drinking, you are aware of its flavour. □ [V n] You can taste the chilli in the dish but it is a little sweet.

7 N‑SING If you have a taste of a particular way of life or activity, you have a brief experience of it. □ [+ of ] This voyage was his first taste of freedom.

8 VERB [no passive] If you taste something such as a way of life or a pleasure, you experience it for a short period of time. □ [V n] Anyone who has tasted this life wants it to carry on for as long as possible.

9 N‑SING If you have a taste for something, you have a liking or preference for it. □ [+ for ] That gave me a taste for reading.

10 N‑UNCOUNT A person's taste is their choice in the things that they like or buy, for example their clothes, possessions, or music. If you say that someone has good taste , you mean that you approve of their choices. If you say that they have poor taste , you disapprove of their choices. □ [+ in ] His taste in clothes is extremely good. □ Oxford's social circle was far too liberal for her taste.

11 PHRASE If you say that something that is said or done is in bad taste or in poor taste , you mean that it is offensive, often because it concerns death or sex and is inappropriate for the situation. If you say that something is in good taste , you mean that it is not offensive and that it is appropriate for the situation. □ He rejects the idea that his film is in bad taste.

12 PHRASE When a recipe tells you to add a particular spice or other flavouring to taste , it means that you can add as much of that ingredient as you like. □ Add tomato paste, salt and pepper to taste.

ta ste bud (taste buds ) also tastebud N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft poss N ] Your taste buds are the little points on the surface of your tongue which enable you to recognize the flavour of a food or drink.

taste|ful /te I stfʊl/ ADJ If you say that something is tasteful , you consider it to be attractive, elegant, and in good taste. □ The decor is tasteful and restrained. ● taste|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ …a large and tastefully decorated home.

taste|less /te I stləs/

1 ADJ If you describe something such as furniture, clothing, or the way that a house is decorated as tasteless , you consider it to be vulgar and unattractive. □ …a flat crammed with spectacularly tasteless objets d'art.

2 ADJ If you describe something such as a remark or joke as tasteless , you mean that it is offensive. □ I think that is the most vulgar and tasteless remark I ever heard in my life.

3 ADJ If you describe food or drink as tasteless , you mean that it has very little or no flavour. □ The fish was mushy and tasteless.

tast|er /te I stə ^r / (tasters )

1 N‑COUNT A taster is someone whose job is to taste different wines, teas, or other foods or drinks, in order to test their quality. □ The world's best job is being advertised - chief chocolate taster .

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to something as a taster of something greater, or of something that will come later, you mean that it gives you an idea what that thing is like, and often makes you interested in it or want more of it. [mainly BRIT ] □ The book is essentially a taster for those unfamiliar with the subject. in AM, usually use taste

tast|ing /te I st I ŋ/ (tastings ) N‑COUNT Tasting is used in expressions such as wine tasting to refer to a social event at which people try different kinds of the specified drink or food in small amounts.

tasty /te I sti/ (tastier , tastiest ) ADJ If you say that food, especially savoury food, is tasty , you mean that it has a fairly strong and pleasant flavour which makes it good to eat. □ Try this tasty dish for supper with a crispy salad.

tat /tæ t/ N‑UNCOUNT You can use tat to refer to ornaments, used goods, cheap clothes, or other items which you think are cheap and of bad quality. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …souvenir shops selling an astounding variety of tat.

ta-ta /tæ tɑː / also ta ta CONVENTION Ta-ta is used to say goodbye. [BRIT , INFORMAL or DIALECT , FORMULAE ] □ Okay John. See you again. Ta-ta. □ Ta-ta for now.

tat|tered /tæ tə ^r d/

1 ADJ If something such as clothing or a book is tattered , it is damaged or torn, especially because it has been used a lot over a long period of time. □ He fled wearing only a sarong and a tattered shirt.

2 ADJ If you describe something as tattered , you mean that it has been badly damaged or has failed completely. □ But, two-and-a-half years later, things haven't quite gone to plan and Stanley's dreams of fame and fortune lie tattered and torn.

tat|ters /tæ tə ^r z/

1 N‑PLURAL [usu in N ] Clothes that are in tatters are badly torn in several places, so that pieces can easily come off. □ His jersey was left in tatters.

2 N‑PLURAL [usu in N ] If you say that something such as a plan or a person's state of mind is in tatters , you are emphasizing that it is weak, has suffered a lot of damage, and is likely to fail completely. [EMPHASIS ] □ The economy is in tatters.

tat|tle /tæ t ^ə l/ → see tittle-tattle

tat|too /tætuː / (tattoos , tattooing , tattooed )

1 N‑COUNT A tattoo is a design that is drawn on someone's skin using needles to make little holes and filling them with coloured dye.

2 VERB If someone tattoos you, they give you a tattoo. □ [V n] In the old days, they would paint and tattoo their bodies for ceremonies. □ [V -ed] He had the words 'Angie loves Ian' tattooed on his left shin.

3 N‑COUNT A military tattoo is a public display of exercises and music given by members of the armed forces. [BRIT ]

tat|ty /tæ ti/ ADJ If you describe something as tatty , you think it is untidy, rather dirty, and looks as if it has not been cared for. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a very tatty old bathrobe.

taught /tɔː t/ Taught is the past tense and past participle of teach .

taunt /tɔː nt/ (taunts , taunting , taunted ) VERB If someone taunts you, they say unkind or insulting things to you, especially about your weaknesses or failures. □ [V n] A gang taunted a disabled man. □ [V n + about ] Other youths taunted him about his clothes. ● N‑COUNT Taunt is also a noun. □ For years they suffered racist taunts.

taupe /toʊ p/ COLOUR Something that is taupe is a pale brownish-grey colour.

Tau|rus /tɔː rəs/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Taurus is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a bull. People who are born approximately between the 20th of April and the 20th of May come under this sign.

2 N‑SING A Taurus is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Taurus.

taut /tɔː t/ (tauter , tautest )

1 ADJ Something that is taut is stretched very tight. □ The clothes line is pulled taut and secured.

2 ADJ If someone has a taut expression, they look very worried and tense. □ Ben sat up quickly, his face taut and terrified.

taut|en /tɔː t ^ə n/ (tautens , tautening , tautened ) VERB If a part of your body tautens or if you tauten it, it becomes stiff or firm. □ [V ] Her whole body tautened violently. □ [V n] There are exercises that tauten facial muscles.

tau|to|logi|cal /tɔː təlɒ dʒ I k ^ə l/ ADJ A tautological statement involves tautology.

tau|tol|ogy /tɔːtɒ lədʒi/ (tautologies ) N‑VAR Tautology is the use of different words to say the same thing twice in the same statement. 'The money should be adequate enough' is an example of tautology.

tav|ern /tæ və ^r n/ (taverns ) N‑COUNT A tavern is a bar or pub. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

taw|dry /tɔː dri/ (tawdrier , tawdriest )

1 ADJ If you describe something such as clothes or decorations as tawdry , you mean that they are cheap and show a lack of taste. □ …tawdry jewellery.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a story or an event as tawdry , you mean that it is unpleasant or immoral. □ …the yawning gulf between her fantasies and the tawdry reality.

taw|ny /tɔː ni/ COLOUR Tawny hair, fur, or skin is a pale brown colour. □ She had tawny hair.

tax ◆◆◆ /tæ ks/ (taxes , taxing , taxed )

1 N‑VAR Tax is an amount of money that you have to pay to the government so that it can pay for public services. □ They are calling for large spending cuts and tax increases. □ …a pledge not to raise taxes on people below a certain income.

2 VERB When a person or company is taxed , they have to pay a part of their income or profits to the government. When goods are taxed , a percentage of their price has to be paid to the government. □ [be V -ed] Husband and wife are now taxed separately on their incomes. □ [V n] The Bonn government taxes profits of corporations at a rate that is among the highest in Europe. [Also V ]

3 VERB If something taxes your strength, your patience, or your resources, it uses nearly all of them, so that you have great difficulty in carrying out what you are trying to do. □ [V n] Overcrowding has taxed the city's ability to deal with waste.

4 → see also council tax , income tax , taxing , value-added tax SYNONYMS tax NOUN 1

duty: Import duties still average 30%.

levy: …an annual motorway levy on all drivers.

tariff: America wants to eliminate tariffs on items such as electronics.

tax|able /tæ ksəb ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Taxable income is income on which you have to pay tax.

taxa|tion /tækse I ʃ ^ə n/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Taxation is the system by which a government takes money from people and spends it on things such as education, health, and defence.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Taxation is the amount of money that people have to pay in taxes. □ The result will be higher taxation.

ta x avoid|ance N‑UNCOUNT Tax avoidance is the use of legal methods to pay the smallest possible amount of tax.

ta x break (tax breaks ) N‑COUNT If the government gives a tax break to a particular group of people or type of organization, it reduces the amount of tax they have to pay or changes the tax system in a way that benefits them. [mainly AM ] □ [+ for ] Today they'll consider tax breaks for businesses that create jobs in inner cities.

ta x cred|it (tax credits ) N‑COUNT A tax credit is an amount of money on which you do not have to pay tax.

tax-deductible /tæ ks d I dʌ kt I b ^ə l/ ADJ If an expense is tax-deductible , it can be paid out of the part of your income on which you do not pay tax, so that the amount of tax you pay is reduced. □ Keep track of tax-deductible expenses, such as the supplies and equipment you buy.

ta x eva|sion N‑UNCOUNT Tax evasion is the crime of not paying the full amount of tax that you should pay.

ta x-free ADJ [ADJ n, v-link ADJ ] Tax-free is used to describe income on which you do not have to pay tax. □ …a tax-free investment plan.

ta x ha|ven (tax havens ) N‑COUNT A tax haven is a country or place which has a low rate of tax so that people choose to live there or register companies there in order to avoid paying higher tax in their own countries.

taxi /tæ ksi/ (taxis , taxiing , taxied )

1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A taxi is a car driven by a person whose job is to take people where they want to go in return for money. □ The taxi drew up in front of the Riviera Club. □ He set off by taxi.

2 VERB When an aircraft taxis along the ground, or when a pilot taxis a plane somewhere, it moves slowly along the ground. □ [V prep/adv] She gave permission to the plane to taxi into position and hold for takeoff. □ [V n prep/adv] The pilot taxied the plane to the end of the runway. [Also V , V n]

taxi|cab /tæ ksikæb/ (taxicabs ) also taxi-cab N‑COUNT A taxicab is the same as a taxi . [mainly AM ]

taxi|der|mist /tæ ksidɜː ^r m I st/ (taxidermists ) N‑COUNT A taxidermist is a person whose job is to prepare the skins of dead animals and birds and fill them with a special material to make them look as if they are alive.

taxi|der|my /tæ ksidɜː ^r mi/ N‑UNCOUNT Taxidermy is the craft of preparing the skins of dead animals and birds and filling them with a special material to make them look as if they are alive.

tax|ing /tæ ks I ŋ/ ADJ A taxing task or problem is one that requires a lot of mental or physical effort. □ It's unlikely that you'll be asked to do anything too taxing.

ta xi rank (taxi ranks ) N‑COUNT A taxi rank is a place where taxis wait for passengers, for example at an airport or outside a station. [BRIT ] in AM, use taxi stand

ta xi stand (taxi stands ) N‑COUNT A taxi stand is the same as a taxi rank . [mainly AM ]

tax|ono|my /tæksɒ nəmi/ (taxonomies ) N‑VAR Taxonomy is the process of naming and classifying things such as animals and plants into groups within a larger system, according to their similarities and differences. [TECHNICAL ]

tax|payer /tæ kspe I ə ^r / (taxpayers ) N‑COUNT Taxpayers are people who pay a percentage of their income to the government as tax.

ta x re|lief N‑UNCOUNT Tax relief is a reduction in the amount of tax that a person or company has to pay, for example because of expenses associated with their business or property. □ …mortgage interest tax relief.

ta x re|turn (tax returns ) N‑COUNT A tax return is an official form that you fill in with details about your income and personal situation, so that the tax you owe can be calculated.

ta x shel|ter (tax shelters ) N‑COUNT A tax shelter is a way of arranging the finances of a business or a person so that they have to pay less tax.

ta x year (tax years ) N‑COUNT A tax year is a particular period of twelve months which is used by the government as a basis for calculating taxes and for organizing its finances and accounts. In Britain, the tax year begins on April 6th and ends on April 5th. In the United States, the tax year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31st.

TB /tiː biː / N‑UNCOUNT TB is an extremely serious infectious disease that affects someone's lungs and other parts of their body. TB is an abbreviation for 'tuberculosis'.

tba also TBA tba is sometimes written in announcements to indicate that something such as the place where something will happen or the people who will take part is not yet known and will be announced at a later date. tba is an abbreviation for 'to be announced'. □ The two teams will play next Saturday at Wembley (time TBA).

tbc also TBC tbc is sometimes written in announcements about future events to indicate that details of the event are not yet certain and will be confirmed later. tbc is an abbreviation for 'to be confirmed'.

T -bone stea k (T-bone steaks ) N‑VAR A T-bone steak is a thick piece of beef that contains a T-shaped bone.

tbs. In recipes, tbs. is a written abbreviation for tablespoonful .

tbsp. (tbsps ) N‑COUNT In recipes, tbsp. is a written abbreviation for tablespoonful .

T -cell (T-cells ) N‑COUNT A T-cell is a type of white blood cell.

tea ◆◆◇ /tiː / (teas )

1 N‑VAR Tea is a drink made by adding hot water to tea leaves or tea bags. Many people add milk to the drink and some add sugar. □ …a cup of tea. □ Would you like some tea? □ Four or five men were drinking tea from flasks. ● N‑COUNT A cup of tea can be referred to as a tea . □ Would anybody like a tea or coffee?

2 N‑VAR The chopped dried leaves of the plant that tea is made from is referred to as tea . □ …a packet of tea.

3 N‑VAR Tea is a meal some people eat in the late afternoon. It consists of food such as sandwiches and cakes, with tea to drink. [BRIT ] □ I'm doing the sandwiches for tea.

4 → see also afternoon tea , high tea

5 N‑VAR Some people refer to the main meal that they eat in the early part of the evening as tea . [BRIT ] □ At five o'clock he comes back for his tea.

6 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is not your cup of tea , you mean that they are not the kind of person or thing that you like. □ Politics was not his cup of tea.

tea bag (tea bags ) also teabag N‑COUNT Tea bags are small paper bags with tea leaves in them. You put them into hot water to make tea.

tea break (tea breaks ) N‑COUNT If you have a tea break , you stop working and have a cup of tea or coffee. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use coffee break

tea cad|dy (tea caddies ) N‑COUNT A tea caddy is a small tin in which you keep tea. [mainly BRIT ]

tea|cake /tiː ke I k/ (teacakes ) N‑COUNT Teacakes are round flat bread cakes. They usually contain raisins and are often toasted and eaten with butter. [BRIT ]

teach ◆◆◇ /tiː tʃ/ (teaches , teaching , taught )

1 VERB If you teach someone something, you give them instructions so that they know about it or how to do it. □ [V n n] The trainers have a programme to teach them vocational skills. □ [V n wh] George had taught him how to ride a horse. □ [V n to-inf] She taught Julie to read. □ [V n + to ] The computer has simplified the difficult task of teaching reading to the deaf.

2 VERB To teach someone something means to make them think, feel, or act in a new or different way. □ [V n n] Their daughter's death had taught him humility. □ [V n that] He taught his followers that they could all be members of the kingdom of God. □ [V n to-inf] Teach them to voice their feelings. [Also V n + about ]

3 VERB If you teach or teach a subject, you help students to learn about it by explaining it or showing them how to do it, usually as a job at a school, college, or university. □ [V n] Ingrid is currently teaching Mathematics at Shimla Public School. □ [V n + to ] She taught English to Japanese business people. □ [V ] She has taught for 34 years. □ [V n n] She taught children French. □ [V -ed] …this twelve month taught course.

4 → see also teaching

5 to teach someone a lesson → see lesson

teach|er ◆◆◇ /tiː tʃə ^r / (teachers )

1 N‑COUNT A teacher is a person who teaches, usually as a job at a school or similar institution. □ …her chemistry teacher.

2 → see also supply teacher SYNONYMS teacher NOUN 1

instructor: …tuition from an approved driving instructor.

coach: What you need is a drama coach.

tutor: He is course tutor in archaeology at the University of Southampton.

educator: She is an educator.

tea chest (tea chests ) N‑COUNT A tea chest is a large wooden box in which tea is packed when it is exported. People also use tea chests for putting things in when they move from one house to another. [BRIT ]

tea ch-in (teach-ins ) N‑COUNT A teach-in is a meeting, usually between students and teachers, with discussions on important and interesting topics. Teach-ins are not usually part of a formal academic course.

teach|ing ◆◇◇ /tiː tʃ I ŋ/ (teachings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Teaching is the work that a teacher does in helping students to learn. □ The Government funds university teaching. □ [+ of ] …the teaching of English in schools.

2 N‑COUNT [usu pl, with poss] The teachings of a particular person, group of people, or religion are all the ideas and principles that they teach. □ [+ on ] I assumed that the traditional teaching on marriage was outdated.

tea ch|ing hos|pi|tal (teaching hospitals ) N‑COUNT A teaching hospital is a hospital that is linked with a medical school, where medical students and newly qualified doctors receive practical training.

tea ch|ing prac|tice N‑UNCOUNT Teaching practice is a period that a student teacher spends teaching at a school as part of his or her training. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use practice teaching

tea cloth (tea cloths ) also tea-cloth N‑COUNT A tea cloth is the same as a tea towel . [BRIT ]

tea cosy (tea cosies ) also tea-cosy N‑COUNT A tea cosy is a soft knitted or fabric cover which you put over a teapot in order to keep the tea hot. [BRIT ] in AM, use tea cozy

tea|cup /tiː kʌp/ (teacups ) also tea-cup

1 N‑COUNT A teacup is a cup that you use for drinking tea.

2 PHRASE If you describe a situation as a storm in a teacup , you think that a lot of fuss is being made about something that is not important. [BRIT ] □ Both are trying to present the disagreement as a storm in a teacup. in AM, use a tempest in a teapot

tea dance (tea dances ) N‑COUNT A tea dance is a social event that takes place in the afternoon, where people meet to dance and have tea. Tea dances are especially popular with older people.

teak /tiː k/ N‑UNCOUNT Teak is the wood of a tall tree with very hard, light-coloured wood which grows in South-East Asia. □ The door is beautifully made in solid teak.

tea|kettle /tiː ket ^ə l/ (teakettles ) also tea kettle N‑COUNT A teakettle is a kettle that is used for boiling water to make tea. [mainly AM ]

teal /tiː l/ (teals or teal ) N‑COUNT A teal is a small duck found in Europe and Asia.

tea leaf (tea leaves ) also tea-leaf N‑COUNT [usu pl] Tea leaves are the small pieces of dried leaves that you use to make tea.

team ◆◆◆ /tiː m/ (teams , teaming , teamed )

1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A team is a group of people who play a particular sport or game together against other similar groups of people. □ The team failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup finals. □ He had lost his place in the England team.

2 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to any group of people who work together as a team . □ [+ of ] Each specialist consultant has a team of doctors under him.

▸ team up PHRASAL VERB If you team up with someone, you join them in order to work together for a particular purpose. You can also say that two people or groups team up . □ [V P + with ] I teamed up with a photographer who took me round central London for a two-hour picture session. □ [V P ] Recently a friend suggested that we team up for a working holiday in Europe in the summer. SYNONYMS team NOUN 1

side: Italy were definitely a better side than Germany.

squad: Sean O'Leary has been named in the England squad to tour Argentina.

line-up: Ryan Giggs is likely to be in Wales's starting line-up for their World Cup qualifying match.

tea m-mate (team-mates ) also teammate N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] In a game or sport, your team-mates are the other members of your team.

tea m play |er (team players ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a team player , you mean that they work well with other people in order to achieve things. [APPROVAL ]

tea m spi r|it N‑UNCOUNT Team spirit is the feeling of pride and loyalty that exists among the members of a team and that makes them want their team to do well or to be the best.

team|ster /tiː mstə ^r / (teamsters ) N‑COUNT A teamster is a person who drives a truck. [AM ] in BRIT, use lorry driver

team|work /tiː mwɜː ^r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Teamwork is the ability a group of people have to work well together. □ Today's complex buildings require close teamwork between the architect and the builders.

tea par|ty (tea parties ) also tea-party N‑COUNT A tea party is a social gathering in the afternoon at which tea, cakes, and sandwiches are served. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

Tea Party N‑PROPER The Tea Party is a right-wing political movement in the United States that wants taxes and government spending to be reduced. □ The Tea Party has become an umbrella group for many different causes and angry protesters, making it hard to pin down.

tea|pot /tiː pɒt/ (teapots ) also tea pot

1 N‑COUNT A teapot is a container with a lid, a handle, and a spout, used for making and serving tea.

2 PHRASE If you describe a situation as a tempest in a teapot , you think that a lot of fuss is being made about something that is not important. [AM ] □ On Capitol Hill, senators today appear to view the matter as something of a tempest in a teapot. in BRIT, use a storm in a teacup

tear

➊ CRYING

➋ DAMAGING OR MOVING

➊ tear ◆◇◇ /t I ə ^r / (tears )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Tears are the drops of salty liquid that come out of your eyes when you are crying. □ Her eyes filled with tears. □ I didn't shed a single tear.

2 N‑PLURAL You can use tears in expressions such as in tears , burst into tears , and close to tears to indicate that someone is crying or is almost crying. □ He was in floods of tears on the phone. □ She burst into tears.

3 → see also crocodile tears

➋ tear ◆◆◇ /teə ^r / (tears , tearing , tore , torn )

1 VERB If you tear paper, cloth, or another material, or if it tears , you pull it into two pieces or you pull it so that a hole appears in it. □ [V n] She very nearly tore my overcoat. □ [V n prep] Mary Ann tore the edge off her napkin. □ [V n with adv] He took a small notebook from his jacket pocket and tore out a page. □ [V ] Too fine a material may tear. □ [V n with adj] Nancy quickly tore open the envelope. □ [V prep/adv] He noticed that fabric was tearing away from the plane's wing. □ [V -ed] He went ashore leaving me to start repairing the torn sail. ● PHRASAL VERB Tear up means the same as tear . □ [V n P ] She tore the letter up. □ [V P n] Don't you dare tear up her ticket. □ [V -ed P ] …a torn up photograph.

2 N‑COUNT A tear in paper, cloth, or another material is a hole that has been made in it. □ [+ in ] I peered through a tear in the van's curtains.

3 VERB If you tear one of your muscles or ligaments, or if it tears , you injure it by accidentally moving it in the wrong way. □ [V n] He tore a muscle in his right thigh. □ [V ] If the muscle is stretched again, it could even tear. □ [V -ed] …torn ligaments.

4 VERB To tear something from somewhere means to remove it roughly and violently. □ [V n prep] She tore the windscreen wipers from his car. □ [V n with adv] He tore down the girl's photograph, and crumpled it into a ball.

5 VERB If a person or animal tears at something, they pull it violently and try to break it into pieces. □ [V + at ] Female fans fought their way past bodyguards and tore at his clothes.

6 VERB If you tear somewhere, you move there very quickly, often in an uncontrolled or dangerous way. □ [V prep/adv] The door flew open and Miranda tore into the room.

7 V-PASSIVE If you say that a place is torn by particular events, you mean that unpleasant events which cause suffering and division among people are happening there. □ [be V -ed + by ] …a country that has been torn by civil war and foreign invasion since its independence. ● -torn COMB □ …the riot-torn areas of the city.

8 → see also torn , wear and tear

▸ tear apart

1 PHRASAL VERB If something tears people apart , it causes them to quarrel or to leave each other. □ [V n P ] War and revolution have torn families apart.

2 PHRASAL VERB If something tears you apart , it makes you feel very upset, worried, and unhappy. □ [V n P ] Don't think it hasn't torn me apart to be away from you.

▸ tear away PHRASAL VERB If you tear someone away from a place or activity, you force them to leave the place or stop doing the activity, even though they want to remain there or carry on. □ [V n P + from ] Fame hasn't torn her away from her beloved Liverpool. □ [V pron-refl P + from ] We want to encourage students to tear themselves away from textbooks. □ [V n P ] I stared at the man, couldn't tear my eyes away. [Also V pron-refl P ]

▸ tear down PHRASAL VERB If you tear something down , you destroy it or remove it completely. □ [V P n] Angry citizens have torn down the statue of the politician. □ [V n P ] I imagine they'll be tearing the building down sooner or later.

▸ tear into PHRASAL VERB If you tear into someone, you criticize them very angrily and strongly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] I had a real row with him. I tore into him.

▸ tear off PHRASAL VERB If you tear off your clothes, you take them off in a rough and violent way. □ [V n P ] Totally exhausted, he tore his clothes off and fell into bed. □ [V P n] Fuentes tore off his hat and flung it to the ground.

▸ tear up

1 PHRASAL VERB If something such as a road, railway, or area of land is torn up , it is completely removed or destroyed. □ [be V -ed P ] Dozens of miles of railway track have been torn up. □ [V P n] The company came under furious attack from environmentalists for tearing up the forests.

2 → see tear ➋ 1

tear|away /teə rəwe I / (tearaways ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a young person as a tearaway , you mean that they behave in a wild and uncontrolled way. [BRIT ] □ He blamed lack of parental control for the young tearaways' behaviour.

tear|drop /t I ə ^r drɒp/ (teardrops ) N‑COUNT A teardrop is a large tear that comes from your eye when you are crying quietly.

tear|ful /t I ə ^r fʊl/ ADJ If someone is tearful , their face or voice shows signs that they have been crying or that they want to cry. □ She became very tearful when pressed to talk about it. ● tear|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Gwendolen smiled tearfully.

tear gas /t I ə ^r gæs/ N‑UNCOUNT Tear gas is a gas that causes your eyes to sting and fill with tears so that you cannot see. It is sometimes used by the police or army to control crowds. □ Police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

tear-jerker /t I ə ^r dʒɜː ^r kə ^r / (tear-jerkers ) also tearjerker N‑COUNT If you refer to a play, film, or book as a tear-jerker , you are indicating that it is very sad or sentimental. [INFORMAL ]

tea room (tea rooms ) also tearoom N‑COUNT A tea room is the same as a tea shop .

tease /tiː z/ (teases , teasing , teased )

1 VERB To tease someone means to laugh at them or make jokes about them in order to embarrass, annoy, or upset them. □ [V n] He told her how the boys in East Poldown had set on him, teasing him. □ [V n + about ] He teased me mercilessly about going Hollywood. □ [V with quote] 'You must be expecting a young man,' she teased. ● N‑COUNT Tease is also a noun. □ Calling her by her real name had always been one of his teases. ● teas|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] □ She tolerated the teasing, until the fourth grade.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to someone as a tease , you mean that they like laughing at people or making jokes about them. □ My brother's such a tease.

3 VERB If you say that someone is teasing , you mean that they are pretending to offer you something that you want, especially sex, but then not giving it to you. □ [V ] I thought she was teasing, playing the innocent, but looking back, I'm not so sure. □ [V n] When did you last flirt with him or tease him?

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you refer to someone as a tease , you mean that they pretend to offer someone what they want, especially sex, but then do not give it to them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Later she heard he had told one of her friends she was a tease.

5 → see also striptease , teasing

▸ tease out PHRASAL VERB If you tease out information or a solution, you succeed in obtaining it even though this is difficult. □ [V P n] They try to tease out the answers without appearing to ask. □ [V n P ] There had to be an answer–he was sure he could tease it out if only he had time. [Also V n P + of ]

teas|er /tiː zə ^r / (teasers )

1 N‑COUNT A teaser is a difficult question, especially one in a competition. [INFORMAL ]

2 N‑COUNT A teaser is someone who makes fun of people in a slightly cruel way.

tea ser|vice (tea services ) N‑COUNT A tea service is the same as a tea set .

tea set (tea sets ) N‑COUNT A tea set is a set of cups, saucers, and plates, with a milk jug, sugar bowl, and teapot.

tea shop (tea shops ) also teashop N‑COUNT A tea shop is a small restaurant where tea, coffee, cakes, sandwiches, and light meals are served. [BRIT ]

teas|ing /tiː z I ŋ/ ADJ A teasing expression or manner shows that the person is not completely serious about what they are saying or doing. □ 'But we're having such fun, aren't we?' he protested with a teasing smile.

tea|spoon /tiː spuːn/ (teaspoons )

1 N‑COUNT A teaspoon is a small spoon that you use to put sugar into tea or coffee.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of food resting on a teaspoon as a teaspoon of food. □ [+ of ] He wants three teaspoons of sugar in his coffee.

tea|spoon|ful /tiː spuːnfʊl/ (teaspoonfuls or teaspoonsful ) N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of food resting on a teaspoon as a teaspoonful of food. □ [+ of ] …a heaped teaspoonful of salt.

teat /tiː t/ (teats )

1 N‑COUNT A teat is a pointed part on the body of a female animal which her babies suck in order to get milk.

2 N‑COUNT A teat is a piece of rubber or plastic that is shaped like a teat, especially one that is fitted to a bottle so that a baby can drink from it. [mainly BRIT ]

tea ta|ble also tea-table N‑SING You refer to a table as the tea table when it is being used for a meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening. [mainly BRIT ] □ …cakes and sandwiches on the tea-table.

tea|time /tiː ta I m/ (teatimes ) N‑VAR Teatime is the period of the day when people have their tea. It can be eaten in the late afternoon or in the early part of the evening. [BRIT ]

tea tow|el (tea towels ) N‑COUNT A tea towel is a cloth used to dry dishes after they have been washed. [BRIT ] in AM, use dish towel

tech /te k/ (techs ) N‑COUNT [oft at N ] A tech is the same as a technical college . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

techie /te ki/ (techies ) N‑COUNT Some people refer to someone who works in a technological industry, especially computing, as a techie . [INFORMAL ]

tech|ni|cal ◆◇◇ /te kn I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Technical means involving the sorts of machines, processes, and materials that are used in industry, transport, and communications. □ …jobs that require technical knowledge. ● tech|ni|cal|ly /te kn I kli/ ADV [ADV adj] □ …the largest and most technically advanced furnace company in the world.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use technical to describe the practical skills and methods used to do an activity such as an art, a craft, or a sport. □ Their technical ability is exceptional. ● tech|ni|cal|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ While her voice isn't technically brilliant, it has a quality which is unmistakable.

3 ADJ Technical language involves using special words to describe the details of a specialized activity. □ The technical term for sunburn is erythema.

4 → see also technically SYNONYMS technical ADJ 1

scientific: …scientific instruments.

technological: …an era of very rapid technological change.

te ch|ni|cal col|lege (technical colleges ) N‑VAR [oft in names] In Britain, a technical college is a college where you can study arts and technical subjects, often as part of the qualifications and training required for a particular job.

tech|ni|cal|ity /te kn I kæ l I ti/ (technicalities )

1 N‑PLURAL The technicalities of a process or activity are the detailed methods used to do it or to carry it out. □ [+ of ] …the technicalities of classroom teaching.

2 N‑COUNT A technicality is a point, especially a legal one, that is based on a strict interpretation of the law or of a set of rules. □ The earlier verdict was overturned on a legal technicality.

tech|ni|cal|ly /te kn I kli/

1 ADV [ADV adj] If something is technically the case, it is the case according to a strict interpretation of facts, laws, or rules, but may not be important or relevant in a particular situation. □ Wild camping is technically illegal in England, Wales and Ireland.

2 → see also technical

te ch|ni|cal sup|po rt N‑UNCOUNT Technical support is a repair and advice service that some companies such as computer companies provide for their customers, usually by phone, fax, or email.

tech|ni|cian /tekn I ʃ ^ə n/ (technicians )

1 N‑COUNT A technician is someone whose job involves skilled practical work with scientific equipment, for example in a laboratory. □ …a laboratory technician.

2 N‑COUNT A technician is someone who is very good at the detailed technical aspects of an activity. □ …a versatile, veteran player, a superb technician.

Tech|ni|col|or /te kn I kʌlə ^r / The spelling technicolour is also used in British English for meaning 2 . 1 N‑UNCOUNT Technicolor is a system of colour photography used in making cinema films. [TRADEMARK ] □ …films in Technicolor.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use technicolor to describe real or imagined scenes when you want to emphasize that they are very colourful, especially in an exaggerated way. [INFORMAL ] □ I was seeing it all in glorious technicolour: mountains, valleys, lakes, summer sunshine. □ …technicolor dreams.

tech|nique ◆◆◇ /tekniː k/ (techniques )

1 N‑COUNT A technique is a particular method of doing an activity, usually a method that involves practical skills. □ …tests performed using a new technique.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Technique is skill and ability in an artistic, sporting, or other practical activity that you develop through training and practice. □ He went off to the Amsterdam Academy to improve his technique. SYNONYMS technique NOUN 1

method: …new teaching methods.

way: Freezing isn't a bad way of preserving food.

system: …a flexible and relatively efficient filing system.

approach: We will be exploring different approaches to gathering information.

procedure: A biopsy is usually a minor surgical procedure.

tech|no /te knoʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT Techno is a form of modern electronic music with a very fast beat.

PREFIX techno-

is used at the beginning of words that refer to technology. For example, a technophobe is someone who does not like new technology.

tech|noc|ra|cy /teknɒ krəsi/ (technocracies )

1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A technocracy is a group of scientists, engineers, and other experts who have political power as well as technical knowledge. □ …the power of the leading technocracy.

2 N‑COUNT A technocracy is a country or society that is controlled by scientists, engineers, and other experts. □ …a centralised technocracy.

tech|no|crat /te knəkræt/ (technocrats ) N‑COUNT A technocrat is a scientist, engineer, or other expert who is one of a group of similar people who have political power as well as technical knowledge.

tech|no|crat|ic /te knəkræ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Technocratic means consisting of or influenced by technocrats. □ …the current technocratic administration.

tech|no|logi|cal /te knəlɒ dʒ I k ^ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Technological means relating to or associated with technology. □ …an era of very rapid technological change. ● tech|no|logi|cal|ly /te knəlɒ dʒ I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj] □ …technologically advanced aircraft.

tech|nol|ogy ◆◆◇ /teknɒ lədʒi/ (technologies ) N‑VAR Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes. □ Technology is changing fast. □ They should be allowed to wait for cheaper technologies to be developed. ● tech|nolo|gist /teknɒ lədʒ I st/ (technologists ) N‑COUNT □ …the scientists and technologists that we will need for the future. COLLOCATIONS technology NOUN

noun + technology : communications, computer, internet, mobile

adjective + technology : advanced, cutting-edge, emerging, modern; digital, medical, nuclear, wireless; green, renewable

verb + technology : develop, embrace, introduce, use

tech|no|phobe /te knoʊfoʊb/ (technophobes ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a technophobe , you mean that they do not like new technology, such as computers or mobile phones, and are afraid to use it.

tec|ton|ic /tektɒ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Tectonic means relating to the structure of the Earth's surface or crust. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the tectonic plates of the Pacific region.

tec|ton|ics /tektɒ n I ks/ → see plate tectonics

Ted /te d/ (Teds ) N‑COUNT A Ted is the same as a Teddy boy . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

ted|dy /te di/ (teddies ) N‑COUNT A teddy is the same as a teddy bear . Children often call their teddies 'Teddy' when they are talking to them or about them. WORD HISTORY teddy

Teddy bears are named after the American president Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt (1859-1919), who was keen on bear-hunting.

te d|dy bear (teddy bears ) also teddy-bear N‑COUNT A teddy bear is a children's toy, made from soft or furry material, which looks like a friendly bear.

Te ddy boy (Teddy boys ) N‑COUNT A Teddy boy is a man who dresses in a style that became popular in the 1950s. Teddy boys were associated with early rock and roll music, and often regarded as bad or violent. [BRIT ]

te|di|ous /tiː diəs/ ADJ If you describe something such as a job, task, or situation as tedious , you mean it is boring and rather frustrating. □ Such lists are long and tedious to read. ● te|di|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ …the most tediously boring aspects of international relations.

te|dium /tiː diəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about the tedium of a job, task, or situation, you think it is boring and rather frustrating. □ [+ of ] She began to wonder whether she wouldn't go mad with the tedium of the job.

tee /tiː / (tees , teeing , teed )

1 N‑COUNT In golf, a tee is a small piece of wood or plastic which is used to support the ball before it is hit at the start of each hole.

2 N‑COUNT On a golf course, a tee is one of the small flat areas of ground from which people hit the ball at the start of each hole.

▸ tee off

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something tees you off , they make you angry or annoyed. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] Something the boy said to him teed him off. □ [V P n] That really teed off the old boy.

2 PHRASAL VERB In golf, when you tee off , you hit the ball from a tee at the start of a hole. □ [V P ] In a few hours' time most of the world's top golfers tee off in the U.S. Masters.

teem /tiː m/ (teems , teeming , teemed ) VERB [usu cont] If you say that a place is teeming with people or animals, you mean that it is crowded and the people and animals are moving around a lot. □ [V + with ] For most of the year, the area is teeming with tourists.

teen /tiː n/ (teens )

1 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] If you are in your teens , you are between thirteen and nineteen years old. □ Amazingly, all the performers are still in their teens.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Teen is used to describe things such as films, magazines, bands, or activities that are aimed at or are done by people who are in their teens. □ She rose to fame in several US teen movie classics.

teen|age ◆◇◇ /tiː ne I dʒ/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Teenage children are aged between thirteen and nineteen years old. □ I was on my way home when two teenage girls joined me at the bus stop.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Teenage is used to describe things such as films, magazines, bands, or activities that are aimed at or are done by teenage children. □ The ad was soliciting romantic stories for an all-colour teenage magazine.

teen|aged /tiː ne I dʒd/ ADJ [ADJ n] Teenaged people are aged between thirteen and nineteen. □ She is the mother of two teenaged daughters.

teen|ager ◆◇◇ /tiː ne I dʒə ^r / (teenagers ) N‑COUNT A teenager is someone who is between thirteen and nineteen years old. □ As a teenager he attended Tulse Hill Senior High School.

tee|ny /tiː ni/ (teenier , teeniest ) ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as teeny , you are emphasizing that it is very small. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ …little teeny bugs.

teeny|bopper /tiː nibɒpə ^r / (teenyboppers ) also teeny-bopper N‑COUNT A teenybopper is a teenager, usually a girl, who is very interested in pop music. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]

tee|pee /tiː piː/ → see tepee

tee -shirt → see T-shirt

tee|ter /tiː tə ^r / (teeters , teetering , teetered )

1 VERB Teeter is used in expressions such as teeter on the brink and teeter on the edge to emphasize that something seems to be in a very unstable situation or position. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V + on ] Three of the hotels are in receivership, and others are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. □ [V + on ] His voice teetered on the edge of hysteria.

2 VERB If someone or something teeters , they shake in an unsteady way, and seem to be about to lose their balance and fall over. □ [V adv/prep] Hyde shifted his weight and felt himself teeter forward, beginning to overbalance. [Also V ]

teeth /tiː θ/ Teeth is the plural of tooth .

teeth|ing /tiː ð I ŋ/ VERB [only cont] When babies are teething , their teeth are starting to appear through their gums, often causing them pain. □ [V ] Emma broke off a bit of rusk and gave it to Jacinta, who was teething. ● N‑UNCOUNT Teething is also a noun. □ Teething can be painful and make your baby irritable.

tee th|ing prob|lems N‑PLURAL If a project or new product has teething problems , it has problems in its early stages or when it first becomes available. [BRIT ] □ There are bound to be teething problems with something so new.

tee th|ing trou|bles N‑PLURAL Teething troubles are the same as teething problems . [BRIT ] □ As the director of the project explains, there are still a few teething troubles to overcome.

tee|to|tal /tiːtoʊ t ^ə l, [AM ] tiː toʊt ^ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is teetotal does not drink alcohol.

tee|to|tal|ler /tiːtoʊ tələ ^r / (teetotallers ) N‑COUNT A teetotaller is someone who does not drink alcohol.

TEFL /te f ^ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT TEFL is the teaching of English to people whose first language is not English, especially people from a country where English is not spoken. TEFL is an abbreviation for 'teaching English as a foreign language'.

Tef|lon /te flɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT Teflon is a type of plastic which is often used to coat pans. Teflon provides a very smooth surface which food does not stick to, so the pan can be cleaned easily. [TRADEMARK ]

tel. Tel. is a written abbreviation for telephone number .

tele|cast /te l I kɑːst, -kæst/ (telecasts ) N‑COUNT A telecast is a programme that is broadcast on television, especially a programme that is broadcast live. [AM ]

tele|com|mu|ni|ca|tions /te l I kəmjuːn I ke I ʃ ^ə nz/ The form telecommunication is used as a modifier. N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Telecommunications is the technology of sending signals and messages over long distances using electronic equipment, for example by radio and telephone. □ …a Japanese telecommunication company.

tele|com|mut|er /te l I kəmjuː tə ^r / (telecommuters ) N‑COUNT Telecommuters are the same as teleworkers . [BUSINESS ]

tele|com|mut|ing /te l I kəmjuː t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Telecommuting is the same as teleworking . [BUSINESS ]

tele|con|fer|ence /te l I kɒnfrəns/ (teleconferences ) N‑COUNT A teleconference is a meeting involving people in various places around the world who use telephones or video links to communicate with each other. [BUSINESS ] ● tele|con|fer|enc|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …teleconferencing facilities.

tele|gen|ic /te l I dʒe n I k/ ADJ Someone who is telegenic behaves confidently and looks attractive when they are on the television. □ The bright and telegenic Miss Foster is being paid around £90,000 a year for her exclusive deal.

tele|gram /te l I græm/ (telegrams ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A telegram is a message that is sent electronically and then printed and delivered to someone's home or office. In the past, telegrams were sent by telegraph. □ She received a briefing by telegram.

tele|graph /te l I grɑːf, -græf/ (telegraphs , telegraphing , telegraphed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Telegraph is a system of sending messages over long distances, either by means of electricity or by radio signals. Telegraph was used more often before the invention of telephones and computers.

2 VERB In the past, to telegraph someone meant to send them a message by telegraph. □ [V n + to ] Churchill telegraphed an urgent message to Wavell. [Also V n, V ]

3 VERB If someone telegraphs something that they are planning or intending to do, they make it obvious, either deliberately or accidentally, that they are going to do it. □ [V n] He explicitly telegraphed his voting intentions at the next meeting.

te le|graph pole (telegraph poles ) N‑COUNT A telegraph pole is a tall wooden pole with telephone wires attached to it, connecting several different buildings to the telephone system. [BRIT ] in AM, use telephone pole

tele|mar|ket|ing /te l I mɑː ^r k I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Telemarketing is a method of selling in which someone employed by a company telephones people to try and persuade them to buy the company's products or services. [BUSINESS ]

te|lem|etry /təle m I tri/ N‑UNCOUNT Telemetry is the science of using automatic equipment to make scientific measurements and transmit them by radio to a receiving station. [TECHNICAL ]

tele|path|ic /te l I pæ θ I k/ ADJ If you believe that someone is telepathic , you believe that they have mental powers which cannot be explained by science, such as being able to communicate with other people's minds, and know what other people are thinking. □ I could not know that. I'm not telepathic. ● tele|pathi|cal|ly /te l I pæ θ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ I used to communicate with her telepathically.

te|lepa|thy /t I le pəθi/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft by N ] If you refer to telepathy , you mean the direct communication of thoughts and feelings between people's minds, without the need to use speech, writing, or any other normal signals. □ We sometimes expect people to know by telepathy what we are feeling.

tele|phone ◆◆◇ /te l I foʊn/ (telephones , telephoning , telephoned )

1 N‑UNCOUNT The telephone is the electrical system of communication that you use to talk directly to someone else in a different place. You use the telephone by dialling a number on a piece of equipment and speaking into it. □ They usually exchanged messages by telephone. □ I dread to think what our telephone bill is going to be. □ She was wanted on the telephone.

2 N‑COUNT A telephone is the piece of equipment that you use when you talk to someone by telephone. □ He got up and answered the telephone.

3 VERB If you telephone someone, you dial their telephone number and speak to them by telephone. □ [V n] I felt so badly I had to telephone Owen to say I was sorry. □ [V ] They usually telephone first to see if she is at home.

4 PHRASE If you are on the telephone , you are speaking to someone by telephone. □ Linda remained on the telephone to the police for three hours.

te le|phone book (telephone books ) N‑COUNT The telephone book is a book that contains an alphabetical list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the people in a particular area.

te le|phone booth (telephone booths ) N‑COUNT A telephone booth is a place in a public building where there is a telephone that can be used by the public. [FORMAL ]

te le|phone box (telephone boxes ) N‑COUNT A telephone box is a small shelter in the street in which there commonly used to be a public telephone. [BRIT ] in AM, use phone booth

te le|phone di|rec|tory (telephone directories ) N‑COUNT A telephone directory is the same as a telephone book .

te le|phone ex|change (telephone exchanges ) N‑COUNT A telephone exchange is a building where connections are made between telephone lines. [mainly BRIT ]

te le|phone num|ber (telephone numbers ) N‑COUNT Your telephone number is the number that other people dial when they want to talk to you on the telephone.

te le|phone pole (telephone poles ) N‑COUNT A telephone pole is a tall wooden pole with telephone wires attached to it, connecting several different buildings to the telephone system. [AM ] in BRIT, use telegraph pole

te|lepho|nist /t I le fən I st/ (telephonists ) N‑COUNT A telephonist is someone who works at a telephone exchange or whose job is to answer the telephone for a business or other organization. [BRIT ]

te|lepho|ny /t I le fəni/ N‑UNCOUNT Telephony is a system of sending voice signals using electronic equipment. □ These optical fibres may be used for new sorts of telephony.

tele|photo lens /te l I foʊtoʊ le nz/ (telephoto lenses ) N‑COUNT A telephoto lens is a powerful camera lens which allows you to take close-up pictures of something that is far away.

Tele|prompt|er /te l I prɒ mptə ^r / (Teleprompters ) N‑COUNT A Teleprompter is a device used by people speaking on television or at a public event, which displays words for them to read. [mainly AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, usually use Autocue

tele|sales /te l I se I lz/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Telesales is the selling of a company's products or services by telephone, either by phoning possible customers or by answering calls from customers. [BUSINESS ]

tele|scope /te l I skoʊp/ (telescopes ) N‑COUNT A telescope is a long instrument shaped like a tube. It has lenses inside it that make distant things seem larger and nearer when you look through it.

tele|scop|ic /te l I skɒ p I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Telescopic lenses and instruments are used to make things seem larger and nearer, and are usually longer than others of the same type. □ …a sporting rifle fitted with a telescopic sight.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A telescopic object is made of cylindrical sections that fit or slide into each other, so that it can be made longer or shorter, for example to save space when it is not being used. □ …this new lightweight telescopic ladder.

tele|van|gelist /tel I væ ndʒəl I st/ (televangelists ) N‑COUNT A televangelist is someone who makes regular television broadcasts to promote a particular form of Christianity and raise money for particular Christian groups or projects.

tele|vise /te l I va I z/ (televises , televising , televised ) VERB [usu passive] If an event or programme is televised , it is broadcast so that it can be seen on television. □ [be V -ed] The race will be televised by the BBC.

tele|vi|sion ◆◆◇ /te l I v I ʒ ^ə n, -v I ʒ-/ (televisions )

1 N‑COUNT A television or television set is a piece of electrical equipment consisting of a box with a glass screen on it on which you can watch programmes with pictures and sounds. □ She turned the television on and flicked around between news programmes.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Television is the system of sending pictures and sounds by electrical signals over a distance so that people can receive them on a television in their home. □ Toy manufacturers began promoting some of their products on television.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Television refers to all the programmes that you can watch. □ I don't have time to watch very much television.

4 N‑UNCOUNT Television is the business or industry concerned with making programmes and broadcasting them on television. □ British commercial television has been steadily losing its lead as the most advanced sector of the industry in Europe.

tele|vis|ual /te ləv I ʒuəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Televisual means broadcast on or related to television. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a televisual masterpiece.

tele|work|er /te liwɜː ^r kə ^r / (teleworkers ) N‑COUNT Teleworkers are people who work from home using equipment such as telephones, fax machines, and modems to contact the people they work with and their customers. [BUSINESS ]

tele|work|ing /te liwɜː ^r k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Teleworking is working from home using equipment such as telephones, fax machines, and modems to contact people. [BUSINESS ]

tel|ex /te leks/ (telexes , telexing , telexed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Telex is an international system used especially in the past for sending written messages. Messages are converted into signals which are transmitted, either by electricity or by radio signals, and then printed out by a machine in another place.

2 N‑COUNT A telex is a machine that transmits and receives telex messages.

3 N‑COUNT A telex is a message that you send or that has been received and printed by telex.

4 VERB If you telex a message to someone, you send it to them by telex. □ [V n + to ] The embassy says it has telexed their demands to the foreign ministry. □ [V n] They telexed their parents.

tell ◆◆◆ /te l/ (tells , telling , told )

1 VERB If you tell someone something, you give them information. □ [V n that] In the evening I returned to tell Phyllis our relationship was over. □ [V n wh] I called Andie to tell her how spectacular the stuff looked. □ [V n n] Claire had made me promise to tell her the truth. □ [V n + to ] I only told the truth to the press when the single was released. □ [V n + about ] Tell us about your moment on the summit. □ [V with quote] Her voice breaking with emotion, she told him: 'It doesn't seem fair.' [Also V of n]

2 VERB If you tell something such as a joke, a story, or your personal experiences, you communicate it to other people using speech. □ [V n] His friends say he was always quick to tell a joke. □ [V n + to ] He told his story to The Sunday Times and produced photographs. □ [V n n] Will you tell me a story?

3 VERB If you tell someone to do something, you order or advise them to do it. □ [V n to-inf] A passer-by told the driver to move his car so that it was not causing an obstruction.

4 VERB If you tell yourself something, you put it into words in your own mind because you need to encourage or persuade yourself about something. □ [V pron-refl with quote] 'Come on,' she told herself. □ [V pron-refl that] I told myself that I would be satisfied with whatever I could get.

5 VERB [no cont] If you can tell what is happening or what is true, you are able to judge correctly what is happening or what is true. □ [V wh] It was already impossible to tell where the bullet had entered. □ [V that] You can tell he's joking.

6 VERB [no cont] If you can tell one thing from another, you are able to recognize the difference between it and other similar things. □ [V n + between ] I can't really tell the difference between their policies and ours. □ [V n + from ] How do you tell one from another? □ [V wh] I had to look twice to tell which was Martin; the twins were almost identical.

7 VERB If you tell , you reveal or give away a secret. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] Many of the children know who they are but are not telling.

8 VERB If facts or events tell you something, they reveal certain information to you through ways other than speech. □ [V n that] The facts tell us that this is not true. □ [V n amount] I don't think the unemployment rate ever tells us much about the future. □ [V n n] The evidence of our eyes tells us a different story. □ [V n] While most of us feel complacent about our diets, the facts tell a very different story.

9 VERB If an unpleasant or tiring experience begins to tell , it begins to have a serious effect. □ [V ] The pressure began to tell as rain closed in after 20 laps.

10 → see also kiss-and-tell , telling

11 PHRASE You use as far as I can tell or so far as I could tell to indicate that what you are saying is based on the information you have, but that there may be things you do not know. [VAGUENESS ] □ As far as I can tell, Jason is basically a nice guy.

12 CONVENTION You can say ' I tell you ', ' I can tell you ', or ' I can't tell you ' to add emphasis to what you are saying. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I tell you this, I will not rest until that day has come. □ This little letter gave us a few chuckles, I can tell you.

13 CONVENTION If you say ' You never can tell ', you mean that the future is always uncertain and it is never possible to know exactly what will happen. □ You never can tell what life is going to bring you.

14 CONVENTION If someone disagrees with you or refuses to do what you suggest and you are eventually proved to be right, you can say ' I told you so '. [INFORMAL ] □ If she failed, her mother would say, 'I told you so.'

15 CONVENTION You use I'll tell you what or I tell you what to introduce a suggestion or a new topic of conversation. [SPOKEN ] □ I tell you what, I'll bring the water in a separate glass.