compromise [the settlement of an argument where each side agrees to accept less than first demanded] Compromise may not be possible in that dispute.
computer [an electronic machine for storing and organizing information, and for communicating with others] Computers are a necessary tool for managing a business.
concern [(1) interest, worry; (2) to fear] The president expressed concern about the continuing violence. (1) He said he is especially concerned that the fighting will spread to other countries. (2) condemn [to say a person or action is wrong or bad] The senators condemned the man for refusing to answer their questions. condition [(1) something declared necessary to complete an agreement; (2) a person's health] The conditions for his resignation included a ten million dollar payment. (1) The doctor said the examination showed that Gary was in excellent condition. (2) conference [a meeting] I seemed to spend my days going from one conference to another. confirm [(1) to approve; (2) to say that something is true] The senate confirmed the appointment of the new Agriculture Secretary. (1) The candidate confirmed the report that he was ending his campaign. (2) conflict [(1) a fight; (2) a battle, especially a long one] We had a conflict about politics. (1) The long conflict finally ended with a ceasefire, not a peace treaty. (2) congratulate [to praise a person or to express pleasure for success or good luck] I congratulate you for getting the highest score on the history test. Congress [(1) the organization of people elected to make the laws of the United States (the House of Representatives and the Senate); (2) a similar organization in other countries] The President's party did not win control of either house of Congress. (1) Five members of Mexico's Congress are in Washington to discuss trade issues. (2) connect [(1) to join one thing to another; (2) to unite; (3) to link] If you connect this wire to the red one, the green light will turn on. (1) The two streams connect to form a river that flows through Greenlow City. (2) The policeman said the two crimes are connected. (3) conservative [one who usually supports tradition and opposes great change] William is a conservative about social issues. consider [(1) to give thought to; (2) to think about carefully] Jack is considering what to give Amy for her birthday. (1) The head of my office said he would consider my ideas for a more effective sales campaign. (2) constitution [the written general laws and ideas that form a nation's system of government] How do the laws provide for making changes in the constitution? contain [(1) to hold; (2) to include] The bottle contains one quart of milk. (1) The paint in that old house contains a dangerous amount of lead. (2) container [a box, bottle or can used to hold something] More juice is sold in plastic containers than in glass bottles. continent [any of the seven great land areas of the world] Did you know that long ago all the continents were joined together?
continue [to go on doing or being] The governor said he would continue to fight for justice.
control [(1) to direct; (2) to have power over] Who controls the daily work of the company. (1) The chairman of the transportation committee controls all the spending for transportation projects. (2) convention [a large meeting for a special purpose] Political parties hold conventions to choose presidential and vice presidential candidates. cook [to heat food before eating it] Helen will cook spaghetti with meat sauce tonight.
cool [almost cold] My coffee is cool. Would you warm it for me, please?
cooperate [to act or work together] If we cooperate on this work, we will finish more quickly.
copy [(1) to make something exactly like another; (2) something made to look exactly like another] Joseph can copy that document for us. (1) This copy is so bad I cannot read it. (2) corn [a food grain] Scientists are worried because genetically-changed corn got into food supplies for people. correct [(1) true; (2) free from mistakes; (3) to change to what is right] That is the correct date of the election. (1) That sales agreement is correct. (2) Did you correct that script? (3) cost [(1) the price or value of something; (2) to be valued at] The cost of the book is five dollars. (1) The book costs five dollars. (2) cotton [a material made from a plant of the same name] Most clothes are made of cotton. count [to speak or add numbers] Her child learned to count by watching Sesame Street on television.
country [(1) a nation; (2) the territory of a nation; (3) land away from cities] English is one of the languages of his country. (1) Much of the country in the West is desert. (2) My family had a farmhouse in the country, not too far from the city. (3) court [(1) where trials take place; (2) where judges make decisions about law] We have to give evidence in court today. (1) The appeals court is considering mistakes made in his trial. (2) cover [(1) to put something over a person or thing; (2) anything that is put over a person or thing] Please cover the food left from dinner. (1) Put your name on the front cover of your book. (2) cow [a farm animal used for its milk] He must pump the milk from his cows every morning and evening. crash [(1) to fall violently; (2) to hit with great force] The airplane crashed into the mountain. (1) The two cars crashed into each other. (2) create [(1)to make; (2) to give life or form to] She created a beautiful poem. (1) The Declaration of Independence says all men are created equal. (2) creature [(1) any living being; (2) any animal or human] A microscope can show a great many living creatures in a drop of water. (1) People are learning how to live peacefully with other creatures. (2) credit [an agreement that payments will be made at a later time] With this card I can use credit to buy things today and pay for them next month. crew [a group of people working together] Ten members of the ship's crew were injured by the explosion. crime [an act that violates a law] Telling a lie to the court is a crime.
criminal [a person who is responsible for a crime] The organization tries to find jobs for criminals released from prison.
crisis [(1) an extremely important time when something may become much better or worse; (2) a dangerous situation] During a middle age crisis, people often make changes in their life. (1) The Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s almost caused a nuclear war. (2) criticize [(1) to say what is wrong with something or someone; (2) to condemn; (3) to judge] His teacher criticized him for not completing his report. (1) The judge criticized the man for his evil acts and sentenced him to spend twenty years in prison. (2) Her editor asked her to criticize a new book about ancient Egypt. (3) crops [plants that are grown and gathered for food, such as grains, fruits and vegetables] The major crops in this area are corn and soybeans. cross [(1) to go from one side to another; (2) to go across] The mother holds her child's hand when they cross the street. (1) This ship crosses the ocean in five days. (2) crowd [a large number of people gathered in one place] A large crowd gathered to watch the show. crush [(1) to damage or destroy by great weight; (2)to defeat completely] The falling tree crushed the house. (1) The T.C. Williams High School football team crushed every team it played that year. (2) cry [to express or show sorrow or pain] The thought of never seeing her again made him cry. culture [all the beliefs, traditions and arts of a group or population] Her Western culture and my Eastern culture made our lives exciting.
cure [(1) to improve health; (2) to make well; (3) something that makes a sick person well] Living more simply and eating plain food cured most of her health problems. (1) The doctor can cure the disease. (2) Antibiotics are a cure for infection. (3) curfew [an order to people to stay off the streets or to close their businesses] The streets were empty every night after the ten o'clock curfew. current [(1) movement of air, water or electricity; (2) belonging to the present] The current slows down in this wide part of the river. (1) She found the report in a current publication. (2) custom [a long-established belief or activity of a people] It is our custom to go to church on Sunday mornings. customs [taxes on imports] I like to buy items in the custom-free store because there are no taxes to pay on the purchase.
cut [(1) to divide or injure with a sharp tool; (2) to make less; (3) to reduce] She cut her finger while using the bread knife. (1) The labor strike cut the company's production by 60 percent. (2) Congress cut foreign aid spending. (3)
