7/28/2019 CDAE2 Sample Cambridge Dictionary sample

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489 lay

L

washed, or a business that washes clothes, etc.,for customers.

laundry list n [C] a long list of things Theresa whole laundry list of things to do.

laureate /lOrit, lAr-/ n [C] a person whohas been given an important job or a prize be-cause of their achievement in a particular subject

a Nobel laureatelaurel /lOrl, lAr-/ n [C/U] a small evergreen

tree that has shiny, dark green leaves and blackberries (= small round fruit)

lava /lAv, lv/ n [U] hot liquid rock thatcomes out of a volcano, or the solid rock

formed when liquid rock cools

lavatory /lv tOri, -toUri/ n [C] a roomequipped with a toilet and sink Smoking is notpermitted in the planes lavatories.

lavender /lvndr/ n [U] a plantwith very thin, gray-green leaves and small, palepurple flowers that has a pleasant smell, or itsdried flowers and stems which are sometimeskept with sheets and clothes to make them smellpleasant

/lvndr/ adj, n [U] (of) a pale pur-ple color a lavender shirt

lavish /lviS/ adj spending, giving, or usingmore than is necessary or reasonable; more thanenough The team has the most lavish trainingfacility in the league.

lavishly /lviSli/ adv They live in a lavishlyfurnished apartment overlooking Central Park.

PHRASAL VERB with lavish

lavish something on someone/something togive a lot or too much of something to someoneor something She lavishes more attention onthat dog than she does on her children.

law /lO/ n [C/U] 1 a rule made by a gov-ernment that states how people may and maynot behave in society and in business, and thatoften orders particular punishments if they do

not obey, or a system of such rules [U] civil/criminal law [U] federal/state law [C] We havea law in this state that drivers must wear seatbelts. [U] Shes studying law at Georgetown University. [U] Playing loud music late at night is against thelaw. 2 The law is also the police: [U] He got introuble with the law as a young man. 3 Law andorder is the condition of a society in which lawsare obeyed, and social life and business go on inan organized way. 4 Law enforcement is thegovernment activity of keeping the public peaceand causing laws to be obeyed: Several law en-

forcement officers were sent to Mexico to bring theprisoner back.lawful /lOf l/ adj [not gradable] permitted bylaw; legal The judge concluded that the searchof the house had been lawful.lawless /lOls/ adj [not gradable] not permit-ted by law or not obeying the law; illegal Theuniversity promised better police protection at foot-ball games to stop the lawless behavior of somebeer-drinking fans.

/lO/ n [C] a general rule that stateswhat always happens when the same conditionsexist the laws of physics

law-abiding adj obeying and respecting thelaw a law-abiding citizen

lawbreaker/lO breikr/ n [C] a person whodoes not obey the law, esp. intentionally and

oftenlawmaker/lO meikr/ n [C] someone, such

as a politician, who is responsible for making andchanging laws

lawn /lOn, lAn/ n [C] an area of grass, esp. neara house or in a park, which is cut regularly tokeep it short

lawnmower/lOn moUr, lAn-/ n [C] a ma-chine used for cutting grass

lawsuit /lOsut/ n [C] a disagreement be-tween people or organizations that is brought toa court of law for a decision A lawsuit for sexualharassment was brought by two women againsttheir former employer.

lawyer /lOir, lOjr/ n [C] someone whosejob is to give advice to people about the law andspeak for them in court Following his arrest, hedemanded to see his lawyer before making anystatement.

USAGE

lawyer, counsel, or attorney?

Lawyer is the most general and common ofthese words. Attorney is slightly more formalbut has the same meaning; it is used in someofficial titles, like attorney general and districtattorney. Counsel refers to one or more law-

yers who are representing a person in a court,legal case, or trial.

lax /lks/ adj lacking care, attention, or control;not severe or strong enough Security at the air-port seemed lax.

laxity /lk

st

i/, laxness /lk

sns/ n [U] Laxity in enforcing safety regulations can cost lives.

laxative /lkstiv/ n [C] a substance thathelps a person get rid of the contents of theirbowels

lay /lei/ v [T] past laid 1 to putsomething down, esp. into a flat or horizontalposition He laid his coat on a chair. She laidthe baby (down) in her crib. 2 To lay is also to putdown in a careful or systematic way for a partic-ular purpose: Were having a new carpet laid in

the hall next week.

Comparelie

USAGE

lay or lie?

Be careful not to confuse these verbs.

Lay means put down carefully or put downflat. This verb always has an object after it.Laying is the present participle. Laid is the sim-ple past and the past participle.

She laid the papers on the desk.