English Words in Action, Group C

(a variety of English words which have developed through history and are currently used in our modern age)

English vocabulary quizzes in random order from easy to more difficult for greater word skills.

Simply click on this banner (or the following link) and you will be on your way to stimulate your brain for greater word comprehension with quizzes based on some of the words in this unit.

curmudgeon (s) (noun), curmudgeons (pl)
Someone, especially, an old person, who is easily annoyed or angered and who is often complaining about things: Brandon's neighbor is a lonely old curmudgeon who is unhappy that her children don't come to visit her more often.
An angry, ill-natured, cantankerous person.
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A miserly, ill-natured person.
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A miserly, ill-natured, cantankerous person.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.

curry (verb), curries; curried; currying
To try to win or to gain favor by flattering or making insincere praises and compliments: Joan was currying an editor of a newspaper because she was looking for a job as a reporter.
To gain an advantage by praise or flattery.
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curt (adjective), more curt, most curt
A reference to the expression of anger or impatience in a short, abrupt, and blunt manner: Sam, the manager, gave a curt reply to the customer who was complaining about the clothing that he bought from the store.
Relating to a sharp and impolite way when responding to someone .
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Pertaining to a rude comment.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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curtail (verb), curtails; curtailed; curtailing
1. To reduce or to limit something: The new laws passed by the legislature were an effort to curtail the use of illegal drugs.

The schools had to curtail many of the extracurricular activities because of a lack of funds.

2. To impose a restriction on people: The civil liberties have been curtailed by the new government that recently came into power.
To cut off or to shorten.
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To lessen or to abbreviate.
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To diminish or to discontinue.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.

curtailment (s) (noun), curtailments (pl)
A fact or action of reducing or restricting something: There was a curtailment of the lecture by the professor because the normally allotted time was coming to an end and the students had to go to their next classes.
A reduction or cutting short.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more Mickey Bach illustrations.


Links to all of the groups of English words in action, Groups A to Z.

You may see the bibliographic list of sources of information for these words in action.