The Hindu Editorial (Dire strait) – Nov 29, 2018

Russia’s capture of three Ukrainian naval ships and over 20 crew members in the disputed Azov Sea has refocussed international attention on the conflict on Europe’s eastern corridors. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-2 for The Hindu Editorial (Dire strait) – Nov 29, 2018.

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Today’s word list-2 for The Hindu Editorial (Dire strait) – Nov 29, 2018:

dire (adjective) – terrible/awful, appalling, distressing.
strait (noun) – a bad/difficult situation; trouble, crisis.
persuade (verb) – convince, pressurize/coax, prompt.
escalation (noun) – growth, rise, increase.
flare-up (noun) – eruption, outbreak, outburst.
martial law (noun) – the imposition of direct military control of the usual functions carried out by a government. It is usually introduced for a limited period and often as a reaction to either an emergency, major disaster or invasion. Often they are introduced after a coup or when a popular uprising threatens the established (civilian) order.
strait (noun) – a narrow passage/channel of water.
vessel (noun) – boat, ship, yacht.
impound (verb) – seize, take possession of, confiscate/appropriate.
prelude (noun) – introduction, beginning, opening move/overture.
invasion (noun) – attack, strike, offensive.
protracted (adjective) – prolonged, extended, lengthy.
lasting (adjective) – permanent, long-term, stable.
in sight (phrase) – close to being realized.
artillery (noun) – big guns, heavy weapons, cannons.
drag on (phrasal verb) – persist, continue/extend, be protracted.
smouldering (adjective) – fuming, simmering, festering (suppressed anger).
schism (noun) – division, rift, split.
in turn (phrase) – in succession, successively, sequentially.
breakaway (noun) – separatist, secessionist, dissenting group.
enclave (noun) – (a portion of) territory; area, region.
skirmish (noun) – fight/battle, clash, conflict.
de-escalate (verb) – reduce, diminish, decrease.
rhetoric (noun) – bombast, loftiness, hyperbole/extravagant language.
vis-a-vis (preposition) – in relation to, with regard to.
hardship (noun) – trouble, difficulty, problem.
sanctions (noun) – action taken, or an order given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc (Courtesy: VOA Learning English).
confidence-building measures (noun) – confidence-building measures (CBMs) are planned procedures to prevent hostilities, to avert escalation, to reduce military tension, and to build mutual trust between countries.
advocate (verb) – support, champion, uphold.
provocation (noun) – annoyance, irritation, agitation.
erstwhile (adjective) – old, previous, former.
imperative (noun) – condition, factor, requirement.
hawk (noun) – a person with aggressive policy particularly in financial matters.
sagging (adjective) – declining, becoming weak.
humanitarian (adjective) – compassionate, humane, socially concerned.
brook (verb) – tolerate, allow, bear/withstand (an opposition).