Learn these words: mealy-mouthed, cleave, libel, primacy, lever (SAT/GRE & literary language)

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Pronunciation

mealy-mouthed /ˈmiːlɪ maʊðd/cleave /ˈkliːv/libel /ˈlaɪbl̩/primacy /ˈpraɪməsi/lever /ˈlevər/

Example Sentences

  1. The politician's mealy-mouthed response did little to address the issue.
  2. The axe cleaved the log in two with a single blow.
  3. The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information.
  4. The primacy of the customer's needs was always the company's top priority.
  5. He used a lever to lift the heavy box.

Word (synonyms)- Definition/s =>[Collocations] - Antonyms

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  • mealy-mouthed (indirect, evasive) - hesitant or insincere in speech; not straightforward.
    =>[mealy-mouthed apologies, mealy-mouthed excuses, mealy-mouthed justifications]
    - outspoken, frank
  • cleave (split, divide) - split or sever (something), especially along a natural line or grain.
    =>[cleave to, cleave through, cleave apart]
    - separate, divide
  • libel (slander, defamation) - a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.
    =>[libelous accusations, libelous statements, libelous publications]
    - praise, honor
  • primacy (superiority, dominance) - the fact of being primary, preeminent, or more important.
    =>[primacy of place, primacy of importance, primacy of authority]
    - secondary importance, lesser significance
  • lever (handle, bar) - a rigid bar resting on a pivot, used to move a heavy or firmly fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other.
    =>[lever open, lever up, lever down]
    - hindrance, obstacle

Also, in case you are learning other languages

Original Sentences

  1. The politician's mealy-mouthed response did little to address the issue.
  2. The axe cleaved the log in two with a single blow.
  3. The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information.
  4. The primacy of the customer's needs was always the company's top priority.
  5. He used a lever to lift the heavy box.

Translation to Spanish

  1. La torpe respuesta del político hizo poco para abordar la cuestión.
  2. El hacha partió el tronco en dos de un solo golpe.
  3. El periódico fue demandado por difamación tras publicar información falsa.
  4. La primacía de las necesidades del cliente fue siempre la máxima prioridad de la empresa.
  5. Usó una palanca para levantar la pesada caja.

Translation to French

  1. La réponse maladroite du politicien n’a guère contribué à résoudre le problème.
  2. La hache fendit la bûche en deux d’un seul coup.
  3. Le journal a été poursuivi pour diffamation après avoir publié de fausses informations.
  4. La primauté des besoins du client a toujours été la priorité absolue de l'entreprise.
  5. Il a utilisé un levier pour soulever la lourde boîte.

Translation to Portuguese

  1. A resposta de boca fechada do político pouco contribuiu para resolver a questão.
  2. O machado cortou o tronco em dois com um único golpe.
  3. O jornal foi processado por difamação após publicar informações falsas.
  4. A primazia das necessidades do cliente sempre foi a principal prioridade da empresa.
  5. Ele usou uma alavanca para levantar a caixa pesada.

Translation to Italian

  1. La risposta a denti stretti del politico non è servita a risolvere il problema.
  2. L'ascia tagliò il tronco in due con un solo colpo.
  3. Il giornale è stato denunciato per diffamazione dopo aver pubblicato informazioni false.
  4. Il primato delle esigenze del cliente è sempre stato la priorità assoluta dell'azienda.
  5. Usò una leva per sollevare la pesante scatola.

Translation to German

  1. Die vage Reaktion des Politikers trug wenig zur Lösung des Problems bei.
  2. Die Axt spaltete den Baumstamm mit einem einzigen Schlag in zwei Teile.
  3. Die Zeitung wurde wegen Verleumdung verklagt, nachdem sie falsche Informationen veröffentlicht hatte.
  4. Das Primat der Kundenbedürfnisse stand für das Unternehmen stets an erster Stelle.
  5. Er benutzte einen Hebel, um die schwere Kiste anzuheben.

Translation to Russian

  1. Слащавый ответ политика мало что сделал для решения этой проблемы.
  2. Топор расколол бревно надвое одним ударом.
  3. На газету подали в суд за клевету после публикации ложной информации.
  4. Приоритет потребностей клиента всегда был главным приоритетом компании.
  5. Он использовал рычаг, чтобы поднять тяжелый ящик.

Translation to English

  1. The politician's mealy-mouthed response did little to address the issue.
  2. The axe cleaved the log in two with a single blow.
  3. The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information.
  4. The primacy of the customer's needs was always the company's top priority.
  5. He used a lever to lift the heavy box.

More languages?

Etymology

mealy-mouthed: From Middle English "mele", meaning "meal", and "mouth", meaning "speech"

cleave: From Old English "clēofan", meaning "to split, to divide"

libel: From Old French "libelle", meaning "small book, pamphlet"

primacy: From Latin "primus", meaning "first"

lever: From Old French "levier", meaning "a lever"


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