English Words in Action, Group Q +(active examples of vocabulary words being used in the context of sentences) 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.quack (KWAK)
1. When legitimate doctors couldn't help his painful back trouble, he resorted to quacks (medical impostors or charlatans).
2. He was a quack (phony, fake) psychiatrist. The term quack, "fake doctor", is a short form of quacksalver, from Dutch kwakzalver, "charlatan". Dutch kwakken means "to quack", so the word may originally have meant "someone who quacks boastfully, like a duck, about his salve or other medical remedies". quagmire (KWAG mighr, KWAHG mighr)
1. The horses were stuck in the quagmire (soft muddy ground, ooze).
2. We'll need more than diplomacy to get us out of this war quagmire (difficulty, precarious situation). quail (KWAYL)
We all quailed (trembled with fear) when the principal suddenly entered the class room.
quaint (KWAYNT)
We enjoyed the village's quaint (charmingly old-fashioned) customs.
quake (KWAYK)
1. The people quaked (shook, shuddered) with fear when their village was invaded.
2. The quake (earth tremor) caused a great deal of damage. 3. A quake (trembling, shiver) of fear passed through them. qualification (kwahl" uh fi KAY shuhn)
1. Only applicants with the proper qualifications (requisites, competencies) will be considered for the job.
2. He had the necessary qualification (eligibility) to do the repair work. 3. The contract has several qualifications (restrictions, conditions) for both parties. qualified (KWAHL uh fighd")
1. Take that dog to a qualified (experienced, competent) veterinarian if you want her to get better.
2. He gave a qualified (indefinite, conditional) answer when we asked for definite assurances that we could get the flight out tonight. qualify (KWAHL uh figh)
1. Two years of experience will qualify (prepare) him for a promotion; however, she didn't qualify (measure up, have what it takes) for the same position.
2. The head of the company said we were not permitted to make any changes, but later he decided to qualify (modify, alter) his answer. 3. In grammar, adjectives are words that qualify (modify, describe) nouns. 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. If there are any numbers below, use them to see other pages in this unit.Back to Index | Search Box | Main Index The Main-Get Words pageThe + sign which might appear at the end of a unit title means all of the words in that unit have definitions.
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