Unit 3:
catalyst,n.


a substance that increases the rate of a
chemical reaction without itself
undergoing any permanent chemical
change.
a person or thing that precipitates an
event:the prime minister's speech acted
as a catalyst for debate
clarify, verb (clarifies, clarifying, clarified)

1 make (a statement or situation) less
confused and more comprehensible:the
report managed to clarify the
government's position
ongoing,adj.
continuing; still in progress:ongoing
negotiations
rapid,adj.

happening in a short time or at a great
rate:the country's rapid economic decline
1
(of an action) characterized by great
speed:they made a rapid exit
(usually rapids)n.

a fast-flowing and turbulent part of the
course of a river.
encompass,v.


1 [with object] surround and have or hold
within:this area of London encompasses
Piccadilly to the north and St James's
Park to the south
include comprehensively:no studies
encompass all sectors of medical care
encompassment,n.
alleviate,v.

make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem)
less severe:he couldn't prevent her pain,
only alleviate it.
Measures to alleviate unemployment
ambiguity,n.
2

the quality of being open to more than
one interpretation; inexactness:we can
detect no ambiguity in this section of the
Act[count noun] :ambiguities in such
questions are potentially very dangerous
depict,v.


represent by a drawing, painting, or other
art form.
portray in words; describe:youth is
depicted as a time of vitality and good
health
conform,v.


comply with rules, standards , or
laws:the kitchen does not conform to
hygiene regulations the changes were
introduced to conform with
international classifications
(of a person) behave according to
socially acceptable conventions or
standards:the pressure to conform
3

be similar in form or type; agree:the
countryside should conform to a certain
idea of the picturesque
review ,v.



assess (something) formally with the
intention of instituting change if
necessary,
survey or evaluate (a subject or past
events):in the next chapter we review a
number of recent empirical studies
view or inspect again:all slides were then
reviewed by one pathologistlegitimacy,n.



1 conformity to the law or to
rules:refusal to recognize the legitimacy
of both governments
(with reference to a child) the quality of
being legitimate:disputes over the
legitimacy of heirs
2 ability to be defended with logic or
justification; validity:it is difficult to
judge the legitimacy of the rumour
cloud,v.
4
become less clear, blur
discrepancy, n. (plural discrepancies)

an illogical or surprising lack of
compatibility or similarity between two
or more facts:there's a discrepancy
between your account and his
rely un/upon,v.


depend on with full trust or confidence:I
know I can rely on your discretion
be dependent on:the charity has to rely
entirely on public donations
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