Extensive Reading-Book D Unit 52 (E)

advanced

to move forward, to continue
We advanced through the jungle at a rapid pace.

compels

to drive or force
The newspaper article compelled me to write a letter to the editor.

defense mechanisms

something used to defend
Our bodies create antibodies as defense mechanisms against colds or other illnesses.

differentiated

to be able to see a difference
We could not differentiate the identical twins by simple inspection.

embattled

characterized by conflict or controversy
The embattled president looked for ways to improve her public opinion rating.

enable

to make able, to give power
The study session enabled us to pass the test easily.

fragile

easily broken
The plates and glasses are fragile so please handle them with care.

fusion

the state of merging two or more objects
The fusion of the two elements created an unwanted reaction.

groundbreaking

pertaining to a new, creative way of doing something
The team made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer research.

harboring

to hold or contain, to give refuge
The old woman was arrested for harboring a fugitive.

inanimate

without life or spirt
The pronoun 'it' is often used to refer to inanimate objects.

innovative

creative, new
The web site is innovative in the sense that it allows its users to share in its design.

instinctual

relating to instinct, a basic impulse
Running from trouble is instinctual.

psyche

relating to a person's soul or personality
My psyche just doesn't allow me to take part in the protest.

refined

to make better or more pure, to improve
Carol refined her novel by making the characters more believable.

resistant

able to resist or withstand
The resistance to the proposal was more than we would have expected.

restriction

something that restricts, a regulation
There were too many restrictions to be able to get the job done.

sadistic

a fondness for cruelty or punishment
My boss's actions seemed sadistic to the rest of the staff.

taboos

something considered to be profane or forbidden
The action was deemed taboo by the school principle.

traumatic

of causing pain or distress
A traumatic event early in life can lead to phobias later in life.