cliff noun

/klɪf/ n [C]

a high area of rock with a very steep side, often on a coast

Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall.

the cliff edge

dune noun

/djuːn//duːn/ n [C]

a small hill of sand near a beach or in a desert

flourish verb ( SUCCEED )

/ˈflʌr.ɪʃ//ˈflɝː-/ v

[I] to grow or develop successfully

My tomatoes are flourishing this summer - it must be the warm weather.

Watercolour painting began to flourish in Britain around 1750.

flourish verb ( WAVE )

/ˈflʌr.ɪʃ//ˈflɝː-/ v

[T] to move something in your hand in order to make people look at it

She came in smiling, flourishing her exam results.

flourish noun

/ˈflʌr.ɪʃ//ˈflɝː-/ n

with a flourish

If you do something with a flourish, you do it with one big, noticeable movement

The waiter handed me the menu with a flourish.

He took off his hat with a flourish.

breeze noun ( WIND )

/briːz/ n

[C] a light and pleasant wind

a warm/cool breeze

She let the gentle breeze cool her face.

grant verb ( GIVE )

/grɑːnt//grænt/ v

[T] to give or allow someone something, usually in an official way

[+ two objects] They granted her an entry visa.

He was granted asylum.

formal She granted their request/wish.

granted conjunction

/ˈgrɑːn.tɪd//ˈgræn.t ̬ɪd/

commence verb

/kəˈment s/ v [I or T] formal

to begin something

We will commence building work in August of next year.

Shall we let the meeting commence, gentlemen?

[+ -ing verb] Unfortunately, he commenced speaking before all the guests had finished eating.

acquire verb

/əˈkwaɪər //-ˈkwaɪɚ/ v [T]

to get something

He acquired the firm in 1978.

I was wearing a newly/recently acquired jacket.

I seem to have acquired (= have got although I don't know how) two copies of this book.

During this period he acquired a reputation for being a womanizer.

strive verb

/straɪv/ v [I] (strove or strived, striven or strived)

to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against difficulties

[+ to infinitive] Mr Roe has kindled expectations that he must now strive to live up to.

In her writing she strove for a balance between innovation and familiar prose forms.

roam verb

/rəʊm//roʊm/ v [I + adverb or preposition T]

to move about or travel, especially without a clear idea of what you are going to do

After the pubs close, gangs of youths roam the city streets.

She roamed around America for a year, working in bars and restaurants.

clutch verb

/klʌtʃ/ v [I or T]

to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry or pain

Silent and pale, she clutched (onto) her mother's hand.

Clutching the money to his chest, he hurried to the bank.

He collapsed, clutching his stomach.

plea noun ( REQUEST )

/pliː/ n [C]

formal an urgent and emotional request

He made a plea for help/mercy.

plea noun ( STATEMENT )

/pliː/ n [C]

legal the answer that a person gives in court when they have been accused of committing a crime

Mr Wilson entered a plea of not guilty.

beseech verb

/bɪˈsiːtʃ/ v [T] (beseeched or besought, beseeched or besought) old use

to ask for something in a way that shows you need it very much; beg

Stay a little longer, I beseech you!

await verb

/əˈweɪt/ v [T] formal

to wait for, or be waiting for something

He's anxiously awaiting his test results.

A marvellous reception awaited me on my first day at work.

The long/eagerly awaited sequel is now available on video.