4000 CAE Vocabulary List

n. coating or covering resembling ice, as of sugar and milk or white of egg; frosting
Whisk together juice and sugar until icing is a smooth consistency.

n. religious image; idol; an essential and enduring symbol
He is a pop icon designed and manufactured for video generation.

a. duplicate; alike; being the exact same one
This is the identical room we stayed in before.

n. act of designating or identifying something; condition of having your identity established
The thief's identification was followed quickly by his arrest.

v. detect; find out; discover
They intercept millions of telephone emails with special software, searching for keywords, attempt to identify threats from terrorists, arms proliferators, and so on.

n. exact sameness; the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
But Reebok will continue to have a separate identity, retaining its name and its headquarters in the US state of Massachusetts.

n. an expression whose meaning differs from meanings of its individual words; distinctive style
The phrase is an idiom: if I say that Joe's lost his marbles, I'm not asking you to find some for him. I'm telling you that he's crazy.

n. foolish or stupid person; unlearned, ignorant, or simple person
This idiot is addicted to spending our money to buy votes.

a. useless; vain; trifling; unprofitable; thoughtless; given rest and ease; avoiding work or employment; lazy
He is vexed at my idle ways and waste of time: as if I need like a city clerk, six days a week and no holidays!

n. image used for worship; the image of divinity; representation or symbol; false notion or conception
Let's face it, and their idol is willing to sign a bill that gives one aspirin to each American and just call it a victorious health care reform law!

a. excellent and delightful in all respects
That place is an idyllic spot for a picnic.

n. dome-shaped Inuit shelter, constructed of blocks cut from snow
They build in a circle and bevel the edges of the blocks so that the igloo is shaped like a bee-hive.

v. kindle; cause to start burning; set fire to
A nuclear-armed Iran would ignite a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

n. lack of knowledge or education
Do you think that her ignorance is a reasonable argument for this failure?

v. refuse to pay attention to; disregard; overlook; neglect
The Iraqi newspapers' main headlines ignore the inspectors' return, but editorials urge the UN to be independent and impartial.

n. any species of the genus iguana, a genus of large American lizards of the family Iguanidae
If you have no time to spend with your dog, cat, or iguana, maybe take a second to give them an extra pat on the head - and remind them not to play in traffic.

a. not according to law; not regular or authorized; unlawful; improper
You know that it is the illegitimate offspring of a French opera girl; you will perhaps think differently of your post and protegee.

a. illegal; unlawful; not authorized or permitted
Some earned a living in illicit trafficking, from smuggling to prostitution, but others had been educated in France and had fortunes, lands, and slaves.

a. uncultured; uneducated; not able to read or write
The children are musically illiterate in that village.

v. provide or brighten with light; clear up or make understandable; enlighten
Yes, I have hidden her; neither the light of the sun nor any social taper shall again illuminate her kindly face.