Lesson 1

an intense and irrational fear toward a specific thing such as an object, situation, concept, or animal

The phobia of dogs she developed after a childhood incident affects her ability to interact with pets.

a strong dislike or fear of England, its people, or its culture

Despite her love for traveling, Jane's anglophobia kept her from considering a trip to England.

an unreasonable and persistent fear of heights

His acrophobia made it impossible for him to climb tall buildings.

an unreasonable dislike or prejudice against strangers or people of a different nation

The community's xenophobia was evident when they attacked a local business owned by an immigrant family.

a circular representation of the twelve zodiacal constellations, showing the corresponding astrological signs

The ancient chart depicted all twelve zodiac constellations.

related to or associated with the zodiac or the twelve astrological signs

He is consulting his zodiacal chart to determine his compatibility with different signs.

to annoy someone by intentionally or persistently bothering them with small, annoying actions or behaviors

The constant buzzing of the mosquito vexed me all night.

a condition of mental discomfort caused by annoyance, anxiety, or frustration

Her constant lateness was a source of vexation to the team.

causing annoyance or distress

The vexatious customer continued to make unreasonable demands, causing a headache for the customer service representative.

the act or instance of deviating or straying from a course or path

The hiker's divagation from the marked trail led them deeper into the forest, causing them to lose their way.

the act or state of separating, differing, or deviating from an original type or standard

The artist's use of bold colors and unconventional brushstrokes demonstrated a clear divergence from traditional painting techniques.

(of thought, approach, method, etc.) not following a common path, expectation, or widely accepted way of thinking or doing something

Their divergent views on politics led to frequent debates.

showing a variety of distinct types or qualities

The team consisted of individuals from diverse backgrounds, bringing a range of experiences and perspectives to the table.

an activity or form of entertainment that provides amusement or distraction

Music serves as a wonderful diversion during long commutes, making the journey more enjoyable.

the practice of involving many people from different cultures, social backgrounds, sexual orientations, etc.

The nonprofit organization promotes diversity by engaging volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

to change direction or take a different course

Road construction forced the city buses to divert from their usual route.

a type of furnace or oven that is used for baking or drying pottery, ceramics, or bricks

The brick factory uses a large kiln to bake the bricks before they are ready for construction.