Vocab-Builder Ref from Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth ...

[Pages:66]Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

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Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk to_growth_race_with_the_machines

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Session 1: Word List

electrify

v. to make a machine or system work by using electricity; to make someone extremely enthusiastic about or interested in something

synonym : wire, amaze, astonish

(1) electrify the audience, (2) electrify a manufacturing process

The product developed through years of research continues to electrify the market.

ignite

v. to set on fire; to cause to start burning synonym : light, set fire to, ignite (1) ignite a boom, (2) ignite passion He ignited the fireworks with a single spark.

industrial

adj. of or relating to or resulting from industry synonym : manufacturing, mechanical

(1) beginning of the industrial revolution, (2) industrial alcohol Industrial design has become more focused on human nature aspect than ever before.

revolution

n. a large-scale attempt to overthrow the government of a country, often using violence or war;

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

amazing retire replace engine motor

synonym : coup, innovation, rebellion (1) beginning of the industrial revolution, (2) a political revolution The revolution by the citizen resulted in a redistribution of wealth.

adj. extremely surprising, especially in a way that you like or admire

synonym : exceptional, extraordinary, wonderful (1) amazing advances, (2) the most amazing feeling The golfer recorded an amazing distance.

v. to withdraw from one's position or occupation, especially because of age

synonym : relinquish, step down, withdraw (1) retire voluntarily, (2) retire after four terms After working for the company for 30 years, she decided to retire from her job.

v. to take the place of something synonym : substitute, supersede, displace (1) replace one word with another, (2) replace a phone Eventually, the new design will replace all older models.

n. a machine that converts thermal energy to mechanical work; something that has an important role used to achieve a purpose

synonym : motor, locomotive, driver (1) a steam engine, (2) an air-cooled engine The policies he announces can be the engine of economic growth in the country.

n. a device that converts electricity, fuel, etc. into movement and makes a machine, vehicle, etc. work

synonym : actuator, engine, machine (1) a motor mechanic, (2) DC motor control

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

redesign advantage

flexibility invention process

Energy-efficient motors are needed to maximize the cruising distance of electric vehicles.

v. to design something again, especially in a different or modified form; (noun) the process of designing something again

synonym : revamp, rework, remodel (1) redesign project, (2) redesign of lifestyle The company is planning to redesign its website.

n. a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position; a beneficial feature or asset that someone or something has

synonym : benefit, edge, asset (1) score an advantage, (2) take advantage of his weak points One of the main advantages of the new product is its increased efficiency.

n. the quality of changing or being changed easily according to new conditions or situations

synonym : elasticity, adaptability, resilience (1) mental flexibility, (2) the flexibility of the body We dealt with those problems with speed and flexibility.

n. the creation of a new device or process resulting from study and experimentation; the act of inventing

synonym : creation, design, innovation (1) the invention of new techniques, (2) common invention Necessity is the mother of invention.

n. a series of actions or operations performed to achieve a particular outcome or goal; a systematic procedure or approach used to accomplish a specific task or objective; a method of treating milk to make it suitable for consumption or use in other dairy products

synonym : procedure, method, system

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

soar triple economy

unleash cascade

(1) process improvement, (2) decision-making process The process for applying for a visa can be lengthy and complicated.

v. to fly or rise very high or to a great height, often with great grace or ease

synonym : fly, rise, ascend (1) soar in popularity, (2) soar to new heights The bird soared through the sky, and its wings spread wide.

adj. consisting of three items or people; three times as great or many

synonym : threefold (1) a triple mirror, (2) triple digits His coach is a triple Olympic champion.

n. the system by which a country or region produces manages, and distributes goods and services, including the money and finances involved in these activities; (of an airline) the lowest-priced, most basic option for seating in commercial travel

synonym : finance, trade, business (1) economy of scale, (2) economy class The economy of the country is struggling due to the recent political instability.

v. to suddenly release a strong force, emotion, etc. that cannot be controlled

synonym : discharge, free, release (1) unleash a hound, (2) unleash her anger The general was still reluctant to unleash his troops in pursuit of an enemy.

n. a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls; a succession of stages or operations or processes or units

synonym : waterfall, watercourse, step (1) cascade connection, (2) transistor cascade

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

complementary innovation bulb destiny reinvent

The cascade of waterfalls in the national park was a breathtaking sight.

adj. serving to complete or enhance something in a way that is suitable or pleasing

synonym : supplementary, additional, attendant (1) complementary therapies, (2) self- complementary region The two art pieces were hung on opposite walls and acted as complementary elements in the room's decor.

n. the creation of a new device or process resulting from study and experimentation

synonym : invention, initiation, creation (1) innovation leader, (2) cutting-edge innovation The vegetarian burger was an innovation that quickly spread to the United Kingdom.

n. a rounded underground storage organ of some plants from which the plant grows; the rounded part of a cylindrical structure; electric lamp consisting of a glass ball

(1) wet- bulb thermometer, (2) a lily bulb The light bulb has burned out.

n. the events that will inevitably happen to a particular person or thing in the future

synonym : fate, future, outcome (1) foreordained destiny, (2) destiny of the individual It is said that our destiny is written in the stars.

v. to change something so drastically that it looks to be completely new

synonym : recreate, remake, revive (1) reinvent local dishes, (2) reinvent our life They have tried to reinvent their grocery stores.

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

decouple typical stagnate diagnose bump practically

v. to disconnect or separate something from something else that it was joined to or part of previously

synonym : disunite, disjoint, break up (1) decouple a power supply, (2) decouple a space shuttle We have to decouple our foreign policy from ideology.

adj. having the usual characteristics or traits of a specific group of things

synonym : characteristic, usual, distinctive (1) typical leader, (2) fairly typical symptoms This artwork is typical of her work.

v. to remain still, inactive, or without growth or development; to become stale or foul-smelling due to a lack of circulation or movement

synonym : stall, halt, idle (1) stagnate economy, (2) stagnate due to problems If you don't exercise regularly, your fitness levels may stagnate.

v. to determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a careful analysis

synonym : identify, analyze, interpret (1) diagnose the problem, (2) diagnose with CT scans This device is used to diagnose brain cancer and other tumors.

v. to hit or knock against something hard, often with a dull sound; to meet with by accident

synonym : collide, hit, jolt (1) bump against a wall, (2) bump up prices She accidentally bumped into him in the crowded room.

adv. almost or nearly synonym : almost, nearly, virtually (1) practically constant, (2) practically impossible to find a parking spot

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

steady acceleration slowdown lag accelerate

The store is practically empty.

adj. firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving

synonym : stable, solid, secure (1) steady increase, (2) take a steady job The patient's vital signs are steady, indicating a stable condition.

n. a rate of increase in velocity; the rate of change of velocity with respect to time

synonym : speed up, quicken, hastening (1) a unit of acceleration, (2) acceleration of an object The car's acceleration was impressive, going from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds.

n. (also "go-slow") a reduction or decrease in the rate or pace of something; a delay or interruption in progress

synonym : deceleration, reduction, retardation (1) slowdown in production, (2) abrupt slowdown The economic slowdown has affected many businesses in the region.

v. to move or develop so slowly that you are behind other people, organizations, etc.

synonym : delay, slow down, fall behind (1) lag a long way behind the progress, (2) lag behind its competition Our interest began to lag sharply.

v. to make something faster or earlier; to cause to develop or progress more quickly

synonym : speed up, quicken, rev (1) accelerate a chemical reaction, (2) accelerate the car The government tried to accelerate the commercialization of this development.

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Vocab-Builder Ref from "Erik Brynjolfsson: The key to growth? Race with the machines | TED Talk" (121 words)

rhyme recession roar statistics understate progression

n. a word or phrase that has the same last sound as another word or phrase, often used in poetry and songwriting

synonym : verse, poetry, meter (1) rhyme poem, (2) write in rhyme The poem had a consistent rhyme scheme throughout.

n. a period of economic decline, typically lasting for six months or more, during which trade and industrial activity decrease, and unemployment increases

synonym : downturn, slump, contraction (1) recession period, (2) recover from a recession The country is facing a recession, with high unemployment and low GDP.

v. to make a loud, deep sound, like a lion or a car engine synonym : bellow, yell, shout (1) roar with laughter, (2) roar for more The lion roared loudly, signaling its dominance over the other animals.

n. the discipline that concerns the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data

(1) statistics for cancer, (2) official statistics The statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are genuine problems.

v. to represent something as less important or significant than it is; to downplay or make something seem less dramatic or intense

synonym : downplay, underemphasize, minimize (1) understate the cost, (2) deliberately understate He tends to understate his abilities and needs to give himself more credit.

n. the act or process of changing to the next stage or phase or moving forward

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