ENGLISH FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS

10
“Diverse” may also imply a vague number, not of the same kind,
different in character or quality. He told the story to diverse persons.
3. mean v – 1) to have in mind as a purpose. She meant to go, but she
changed her mind.
2) to want to make known or understood. He says exactly what he
means.
3) to signify or indicate. Falling leaves mean winter is near.
4) to have a certain importance. Good grades mean a lot if you plan
to enter college.
meaning n – what is meant. What is the meaning of this poem?
meaningful adj – full of meaning. She gave me a meaningful look.
meaningless adj – having no meaning. It’s only a meaningless scribble.
4. shake v – 1) to move quickly up and down, back and forth, or from
side to side. He shook his head in approval.
2) to clasp another’s hand, as in greeting. We shook hands.
3) to throw, to stir up. Shake the medicine well before taking it.
4) to tremble or make tremble. His voice shook with fear.
5) to disturb, to upset. He was shaken by the news.
shake down – 1) to make fall by shaking, as fruit from a tree. We
shook a lot of apples down from the old apple-tree.
2) to settle down. The boy will soon shake down at his new school.
shake off – 1) to remove by shaking (leaves, dust, rain, etc.). Many of
the leaves were shaken off by the wind.
2) to get rid of (usually sth. unpleasant, illness, sleep, nervousness,
weakness, cares, sorrows, bad habits, prejudices, etc.). I’m going to
bed; I’m trying to shake off a cold.
shake out – to spread out, to get rid of dust. Emma’s shaking out the
mats.
shake up – to rouse, to stir up. Shake her mind up. She’d soon come
round.
shake n – 1) an act of shaking. What, even a shake of the fist?
2) a trembling movement or sound. We heard a shake in his voice.
shaky adj – 1) not firm or steady. This is a shaky bridge.
2) trembling. She extended a shaky hand.
3) not to be trusted. We can’t rely on this shaky evidence.