The Hindu Editorial (​Burrow tragedy) – Jan 16, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (​Burrow tragedy) – Jan 16, 2025:

1. burrow (noun) – tunnel.
2. regulation (noun) – rule, ruling, act, law, ordinance, statute.
3. so far (phrase) – until now, up to this point, up to present, hitherto.
4. revive (verb) – bring back, reintroduce, renew.
5. long-standing (adjective) – enduring, persistent, prevailing, perennial, long-term, lasting, long-lasting, continuing.
6. hazardous (adjective) – risky, dangerous, unsafe, precarious, perilous.
7. Rat-hole mining (noun) – a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams (layers/deposits), prevalent in Meghalaya. The term “rat hole” refers to the narrow pits dug into the ground, typically just large enough for one person to go down and extract coal.
8. Rat-hole mining (noun) – Rat-hole mining, of two types, is so named as it involves digging tunnels 3-4 feet deep, barely allowing workers to crawl in and out. They have to squat while extracting coal with pickaxes. The side-cutting type of mining is usually done on hill slopes by following a coal seam — dark brown or black-banded coal deposited within layers of rock— visible from the outside. The second type called box-cutting entails digging a circular or squarish pit at least 5 sq. metre in width up to a depth of 400 feet. Miners who drop down in makeshift cranes or using rope-and-bamboo ladders dig horizontally after finding the coal seam. The tunnels are dug in every direction from the edge of the pit, resembling the tentacles of an octopus.
9. mechanise (verb) – automate, technologize (by introducing machines). 
10. point to (verb) – indicate, signify, suggest, denote.
11. crude (adjective) – rude, rough, unprepared, improvised.
12. antiquated (adjective) – archaic, antique, ancient; outdated, out of date, outmoded, old-fashioned.
13. employ (verb) – occupy, engage, involve.
14. scoop out (phrasal verb) – dig out, take out, excavate, shovel.
15. plumb (verb) –  to go down deep into something.
16. odds (noun) – chances, likelihood, probability.
17. pickaxe (noun) – a large, heavy iron tool (t-shaped) with a wooden handle that is used to digging the ground.
18. unleash (verb) – let loose, unchain, unshackle, let something go freely/uncontrollably.
19. torrent (noun) – outburst , flood, storm, outpouring, surge, outflow, spurt, deluge.
20. aquifer (noun) – an underground layer of water-bearing rock.
21. inundate (verb) – flood, submerge, immerse, engulf, deluge, overflow, overrun, swamp, drown.
22. recur (verb) – happen/occur again.
23. decade (noun) – a period of ten years.
24. attendant (adjective) – accompanying, associated, related, connected, resultant, consequent
25. hazard (noun) – danger, risk, peril, problem, threat.
26. National Green Tribunal (NGT) (noun) – it has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
27. geological (adjective) – relating to the study of the solid Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them.
28. machinery (noun) – equipment, apparatus, instrument, mechanism.
29. unviable (adjective) – not feasible; unfeasible, undoable, impracticable.
30. prima facie (adjective) – “It is a Latin expression meaning ‘at first sight/look/view’, at firs appearance, based on first impression. It may be used as an adjective meaning ‘sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted’. It is used for a belief that is accepted as correct until proven otherwise; It literally means ‘at first face’.
31. reflect poorly on someone/something (phrase) – to make someone/something to look bad; to damage someone’s/something’s reputation.
32. exploit (verb) – utilize make use of, put to use, use, capitalize on, cash in on.
33. unscrupulous (adjective) – unprincipled, unethical, immoral, dishonest, untrustworthy, shameless, exploitative, corrupt, fraudulent, deceitful.
34. fraction (noun) –a small amount of something.
35. go on (phrasal verb) – continue, carry on, proceed.
36. connivance (noun) – collusion; conspiracy, secret plan/understanding.
37. observe (verb) – say, mention, comment, remark, 
38. sustain (verb) – continue, carry on, keep going.
39. on the other hand (phrase) – instead, alternatively, contrarily.
40. authorities (noun) – officer, office-holder, representative, bureaucrat, functionary, administrator, executive, official, officialdom, the people in charge.
41. seek out (phrasal verb) – look for, search for and find (someone or something). 
42. felicitate (verb) – praise, commend, applaud.
43. call in phrasal verb) – obtain or get someone’s service/help/aid.
44. last resort (phrase) – a final course of action when all else has failed; ultimate, final, eventual.
45. expertise (noun) – skill, knowledge, competence, proficiency, capability.
46. geologist (noun) – a scientist who studies the Earth and its history, nature, materials and processes.
47. rescue (noun) – help, assist, aid.
48. trap (verb) – get stuck, get caught, confine.
49. over-ground (adjective) – legitimate.
50. induce (verb) – cause, bring about, give rise to, lead to, result in.
51. amnesia (noun) – forgetfulness, poor memory, tendency to forget.
52. decisive (adjective) – resolute, firm, determined.
53. puncture (verb) – put an end to.
54. burrow (verb) – dig into; hide underneath.

Note : 

1. Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/.

2. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context.  

3. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

The Hindu Editorial (​Burrow tragedy) – Jan 16, 2025: