1. interior (adj.)

You use interior to describe something that is inside a building or vehicle.

connected with the inside part of something

The interior walls were painted green.

He pulled the car over, turned on the interior light, examined the map.

The interior angles of a square are right angles or angles of 90 degrees.

The paintwork on the interior doors (= those not in the outside wall of a building) is in good condition.

I was driving in the inside lane (= the part nearest the edge, not the middle of the road).

In some of the villages the exterior walls of the houses are painted pink.

2. allegation (n.)

An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong.

a public statement that is made without giving proof, accusing somebody of doing something that is wrong or illegal

The company has denied the allegations.

Allegations of brutality and theft have been levelled at the army.

Several newspapers made allegations of corruption in the city's police department.

He has resigned amid corruption allegations.

I don't want to make an accusation until I have some proof.

He has admitted the murder charge.

3. detach (v.)

If you detach one thing from another that it is fixed to, you remove it. If one thing detaches from another, it becomes separated from it.

to remove something from something larger; to become separated from something

It is easy to detach the currants from the stems.

Detach the white part of the application form and keep it.

One of the panels had become detached from the main structure.

The skis should detach from the boot if you fall.

You can get a special device for separating egg whites from yolks.

Use this cable to attach the printer to the computer.

4. ski (n.)

Skis are long, flat, narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic that are fastened to boots so that you can move easily on snow or water.

one of a pair of long narrow pieces of wood, metal or plastic that you attach to boots so that you can move smoothly over snow

I broke one of my skis.

How wide are your skis?

All skis should be waxed on a frequent basis.

The children go to school on skis.

She soon regretted wearing her new shoes.

5. impetus (n.)

Something that gives a process impetus or an impetus makes it happen or progress more quickly.

something that encourages a process or activity to develop more quickly

The debate seems to have lost much of its initial impetus.

The Prime Minister’s support will give (an) added impetus to the campaign against crime.

His articles provided the main impetus for change.

This decision will give renewed impetus to the economic regeneration of east London.

What is the motivation behind this sudden change?

As she left the court, an angry crowd tried to block her way.

6. criticism (n.)

Criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval.

the act of expressing disapproval of somebody/something and opinions about their faults or bad qualities; a statement showing this disapproval

This policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism on Capitol Hill.

The plan has attracted criticism from consumer groups.

People in public life must always be open to criticism (= willing to accept being criticized).

Ben is very sensitive—he just can't take criticism.

There was widespread objection to the proposals.

The president's approval ratings were slipping.

7. contract (v.)

When something contracts or when something contracts it, it becomes smaller or shorter.

to make or become shorter or narrower or generally smaller in size:

The heart muscles contract to expel the blood.

Glass contracts as it cools.

The universe is expanding rather than contracting.

In spoken English, "do not" often contracts to "don't".

Our share of the market has decreased sharply this year.

The fire spread very rapidly because of the strong wind.

8. misconduct (n.)

Misconduct is bad or unacceptable behaviour, especially by a professional person.

unacceptable or bad behaviour by someone in a position of authority or responsibility:

He was dismissed from his job for gross misconduct.

He was suspended due to allegations of professional misconduct.

There was no misconduct on the part of the police.

The former priest denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

I want to apologize for my rudeness the other day.

I have the utmost respect for her and her work.

9. deflect (v.)

If you deflect something such as criticism or attention, you act in a way that prevents it from being directed towards you or affecting you.

to avoid something such as criticism, blame, or a question being directed at you:

He'd changed his name to deflect accusations of nepotism.

The president deflected criticism of his economic record by focusing on crime.

He successfully deflected blame for his mismanagement of the crisis.

I just tried to deflect questions the best way I could.

Further treatment will prevent cancer from developing.

A fresh tragedy was narrowly averted yesterday.

10. exotic (adj.)

Something that is exotic is unusual and interesting, usually because it comes from or is related to a distant country.

from or in another country, especially a tropical one; seeming exciting and unusual because it seems to be connected with foreign countries

There were other exotic birds here too.

She flits from one exotic location to another.

She travels to all kinds of exotic locations all over the world.

The fruits sound exotic. Do they taste good?

I was actually on time, which is unusual for me.

Jackson is a common English name.

11. expedition (n.)

an organized journey with a particular purpose, especially to find out about a place that is not well known

an organized journey for a particular purpose:

Hawkins had died on the same expedition a few weeks earlier.

He had made two expeditions to Spain to study wild plants.

He led a military expedition against the rebels.

Scott died while he was on an expedition to the Antarctic in 1912.

Budgets for space exploration have been cut back.

Four members of our staff have embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

12. expire (v.)

(of a document, an agreement, etc.) to be no longer legally acceptable because the period of time for which it could be used has ended

If something that lasts for a fixed length of time expires, it comes to an end or stops being in use:

When does your driving licence expire?

Our lease on the house expires next month.

My passport expires next month.

The contract between the two companies will expire at the end of the year.

Their marriage ended in 1991.

He's just started a new job.