English Words in Action, Group A

To feel a sense of danger or to worry or to frighten someone: The rapid spread of the disease was alarming many people.

A reference to fear and concern about something or someone: Ed's alarmed mother was very upset to see how sick he was.

Someone who spreads unnecessary fear about something that is not necessarily dangerous: The politician claims that alarmists have exaggerated the country's economic problems.

A description of something which could be dangerous: Samuel had many alarmist critics.

The alarmist report from the government agency upset a lot of people.

1. The whole of something, total of; the entire contents of: Joe's two boys drank all the milk that was left in the fridge.
2. Every one of, each of; the whole number of: All of the people had to be checked in before they could get into the aircraft.
3. Everything, every item; the whole quantity: Is that all that you can carry?

To make something less strong or severe: The automobile company instructed its public relations department to allay the public's concerns about the safety of their new cars. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

A statement that says a person is supposed to have done something wrong or illegal: There have been allegations that fraud was committed during the voting for the senator.

Mark was asked if he could prove the allegations which he presented in the news article that the athletes actually took performance enhancing drugs.

© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.

1. To claim or to assert that a person has done something illegal or wrong: The officer said, "Jim, you alleged that Lucinda stole a large amount of money. Do you have any proof?"

Jerome is alleged to have assaulted a man in the parking lot over a parking dispute.

2. To state something without or before proof: The indictment alleges that the senator took bribes for several years.
3. To make a plea or present an excuse in support of or in denial of a claim or accusation: The defendant's lawyer alleges that Karl had temporary insanity.

The shooter alleged that he was defending himself against an attacker; however, the person who was shot didn't have a weapon or was there any proof that he was aggressive against the man with the gun.

4. Etymology: supposedly from Latin allegare, "to send for, to bring forth, to name, to produce in evidence"; from ad-. "to" + legare, "to send, to assign" authority or duties to another person.

There are inconsistent opinions regarding the origins of allege.

Something that is indicated as having happened but which has not been proven yet: Jeremy denied the alleged claims that he used his credit card illegally.

A pledge or promise to be loyal to a person, a country, a group, etc.: John owes allegiances to all of his friends who have been helping him with his project. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

An attraction, an enticement, or a fascination: The allure of traveling to foreign countries tempted Steve to become a commercial pilot.

The rare books that the bookstore had recently acquired held a special allure for the bibliophile or book collector.

To attract, entice, fascinate, intrigue, etc.: Brian was allured by Maxine's sophistication and charm.

Promises of a quick way to make money often allures the unwary investor to gamble excessively and to lose a lot of money.

Lower hotel prices and transportation will allure more people to travel.

Highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire: Pearl had a charming and alluring personality and beauty that resulted in her being a widely recognized movie star and TV talk-show hostess. © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Neither friendly nor involved; being cool and distant with other people: Janette was polite; however, her aloof behavior with Trudy and Susana at the party indicated a less than favorable relationship.

A reference to not being involved with or influenced by other people or other things: Ralph was aloofly interested in the political wrangling that was going on among his fellow workers during lunch.