Assignment #2 Words from ESL Cyber Listening Lab

1. decent (adjective)

• (obsolete) Appropriate; suitable for the circumstances
• (of a person) Having a suitable conformity to basic moral standards; showing integrity, fairness, or other characteristics associated with moral uprightness
• Sufficiently clothed or dressed to be seen
• Fair; good enough; okay
• Significant; substantial
• (obsolete) Comely; shapely; well-formed

Example : He's a decent saxophonist, but probably not good enough to make a career of it.

2. in charge (adjective)

• Having the responsibility of leading or overseeing
• Having the power of command or control

Example : He left his daughter in charge of watching her younger sisters.

3. butcher (verb) 

• (transitive) To slaughter (animals) and prepare (meat) for market
• (transitive) To kill brutally
• (transitive) To ruin (something), often to the point of defamation

Example : The band at the bar really butchered "Hotel California".

4. lean back (verb)

•  Move the upper body backwards and down

Example : Her back was as straight as a board, and never did she lean back in her seat.

5. adjustment (noun)

• The action of adjusting something
• The result of adjusting something; a small change; a minor correction; a modification or alteration
• The setting or balancing of a financial account
• The behavioral process of balancing conflicting needs, or needs against obstacles in the environment
• The assessment by an insurance company, of a claim; the settlement of such a claim

Example : The credit card company made an adjustment to my account to waive the late fee.

6. massage (noun)

• the action of rubbing, kneading, or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches

Example : Having a massage can have many beneficial effects.