steed noun

/stiːd/ n [C] literary

a horse which is ridden

a fine white steed

rein noun

/reɪn/ n [C usually plural]

•

a long thin piece of material, especially leather, which helps you to control and direct a horse

You pull on both reins to stop or slow a horse, but only the left rein to turn left.

•

UK a strap which is put around a small child's body or wrist and held at the other end by an adult so that the adult can stop the child running away

I always put my son on reins when we go shopping.

rein sth in phrasal verb ( HORSE )

phrasal verb

to make a horse go more slowly or stop by pulling on its reins

abrupt adjective ( UNFRIENDLY )

/əˈbrʌpt/ adj

using too few words when talking, in a way that seems rude and unfriendly

an abrupt manner/reply

He is sometimes very abrupt with clients.

abruptly adverb

/əˈbrʌpt .li/ adv

abruptness noun

/əˈbrʌpt .nəs/ n [U]

squint verb

/skwɪnt/ v [I]

to partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly

The sun was shining straight in her eyes which made her squint.

startle verb

/ˈstɑː.tl ̩//ˈstɑːr.l ̩/ v [T]

to do something unexpected which surprises and sometimes worries a person or animal

She was concentrating on her book and his voice startled her.

The noise of the car startled the birds and the whole flock flew up into the air.

Her article on diet startled many people into changing their eating habits.

startled adjective

/ˈstɑː.tl ̩d//ˈstɑːr.l ̩d/ adj

a startled expression

leap verb ( MOVE SUDDENLY )

/liːp/ v (leapt or leaped, leapt or leaped)

[I + adverb or preposition] to make a large jump or sudden movement, usually from one place to another

He leapt out of his car and ran towards the house.

I leaped up to answer the phone

The dog leapt over the gate into the field.

eap verb ( HAPPEN SUDDENLY )

/liːp/ v (leapt or leaped, leapt or leaped)

•

[I + adverb or preposition] to provide help, protection etc. very quickly

He leapt to his friend's defence.

Scott leapt to the rescue when he spotted the youngster in difficulty.

Mr Davies leapt in to explain.

•

[I + adverb or preposition] to achieve something, usually fame, power or importance, suddenly

Rufus Sewell leapt to fame after his lead performance as Will Ladislaw in the BBC's production of Middlemarch.

•

[I + adverb or preposition] to increase, improve or grow very quickly

Shares in the company leapt 250%.

frantically adverb ( HURRIEDLY )

/ˈfræn.tɪ.kli//-t ̬ɪ-/ adv

done in a hurried way and in a state of excitement or confusion

I've been working frantically all week to get it finished on time.

I got home to find Lara frantically searching for her keys.

frantically adverb ( SHOWING WORRY OR FEAR )

/ˈfræn.tɪ.kli//-t ̬ɪ-/ adv

in a way that is almost out of control because of extreme emotion, such as worry

As the helicopter flew overhead, they waved frantically, trying to attract its attention.

venom noun ( POISON )

/ˈvenəm/ n [U]

a poisonous liquid which some snakes, insects, etc. produce when biting or stinging

venom noun ( HATE )

/ˈvenəm/ n [U]

literary the expression of feelings of hatred or extreme anger

He was shocked at the sheer venom of her reply.