Rarefied air
Dear Dr English,
I came across a sentence stating ÒOn some of the highest peaks of the Alps, the
air is rarefied.Ó What does the word ÒrarefiedÓ in this sentence mean?
Sompob Chungrasae
ÒRarefiedÓ has two meanings. When used to describe a situation or a place, this adjective signifies a very high academic or social standard, which is separated from ordinary people and real life. This may have negative connotations.
For example: ÒI donÕt think I will enjoy the rarefied gathering tonight. Would you mind if I didnÕt attend.Ó
The other meaning, which is used in your question, refers to the air that does not contain much oxygen. This is a common situation in high elevations, such as the top of extremely high mountains.
For example: ÒRarefied air is difficult to breathe because there is not much oxygen.Ó
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What is will-oÕ-the-wisp?
Dear Dr English,
I found the word Òwill-oÕ-the-wispÓ in a book and am very curious to know its meaning because this thing has an interesting role in the story. Please tell me.
Mingkwan Niyomying
Will-oÕ-the-wisp is a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground. I think it is something in a way of ÒpeegrasueÓ in Thai. A more scientific meaning of this word is a delusive or misleading hope. You can also refer to something that keeps disappearing or that is impossible to catch as a will-oÕ-the-wisp.
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A couple of points about
ÒsecondÓ
Dear Dr English,
My friend said that rock climbing is his second nature. What exactly does he mean? Is this a hobby he likes most? Another word I would like explained is Òsecond childhoodÓ. Please explain with an example.
Wassana Klinkajorn
When someone says that something is second nature to him (or her), he says that he has done it so much or he is so familiar with it that he can do it easily without needing to think about it very much.
Baking is second nature to Somsri now. She can bake anything. Name it and she can bake it for you without any problem at all.
Second childhood is a state when an elderly person starts behaving like a child especially because of mental weakness caused by old age.
KaminÕs great grandfather is in his second childhood; his memory is poor and he does not know what he is saying.
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