4000 CAE Vocabulary List

n. ornament consisting of a ring passed through the lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant
It also points up the earring, which is important as a symbol.

v. stand under eaves, near a window or door, to listen to what is said within doors; listen secretly
A new bill is due to be introduced Thursday in the Canadian House of Commons, giving police the ability to eavesdrop on online communications.

a. departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern
People came up with some eccentric ideas for dealing with the emergency: someone even suggested tieing a knot in the comet's tail!.

n. level or rank in an organization, profession, or society; formation of troops, ships
We have to get better to get to that top echelon, which is what our goal is.

v. darken; exceed in importance; outweigh
The new stock market high would eclipse the previous record set in 1995.

n. efficient use of resources; reduction in cost; a specific type of economic system
The tribe's main economy is primitive agriculture, and its wealth is sometimes counted in people and animals.

n. intense joy or delight; any overpowering emotion
A researcher a year ago published startling research showing that the drug commonly known as ecstasy can cause Parkinson's-like brain damage.

a. pertaining to, or caused by, ecstasy or excessive emotion
She remained absorbed in ecstatic contemplation.

n. swirling current of water, air; flow in a circular current
The water in the tide pool was still, except for an occasional eddy.

n. having few teeth; lacking teeth
The main reason people lose all their teeth, become edentate is tooth decay, not gum disease.

a. eatable; the substance that can be used as a food
US scientists develop edible wrap made of fruit, vegetables.

a. informed; learned; having an education, especially one above the average
The United Nations is hoping that educated Afghans will return from abroad to aid Afghanistan's reconstruction effort.

a. suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
In that eerie setting, it was easy to believe in ghosts and other supernatural beings.

a. efficient; productive; producing a strong impression or response
The Department of Homeland Security says it has effective control of less than 15 percent of our southern border with Mexico.

n. efficiency; quality of being effective
These resources would help you maximize the effectiveness of the internal audit team in your organization.

n. effectiveness; quality or property of being efficient; the ratio of useful output to the total input in any system
The program was implemented with great efficiency and speed.

a. effective; acting directly to produce an effect; exhibiting a high ratio of output to input
To make it more efficient and receive much-needed World Bank funds, the government wants to shed 14,000 jobs.

n. the exertion of strength or power, whether physical or mental, in performing an act or aiming at an object
As the school quieted down, Tom made an honest effort to study, but the turmoil within him was too great.

n. the thin, brittle, exterior covering of the egg of a bird or reptile; pale yellow to yellowish-white
The Kalahari Television Network is broadcast on a big eggshell screen.

a. excessively self-centered; self-important
Typical egotistical remark: But enough of this chit-chat about you and your little problems. Let's talk about what's really important: Me!