Group 1: Inventors, Ideas, and Fields#

Theme: Two inventors work together to create a helpful new tool.

polytechnic /ˌpɒliˈteknɪk/ noun adjective

1. A polytechnic was a college of higher education in Britain that offered courses, especially in scientific and technical subjects, up to degree standard.
2. Polytechnic education or training involves or deals with many different technical sciences or practical arts.

engineer /ˌendʒɪˈnɪə/ noun

1. An engineer is a person who uses scientific knowledge to design, construct, and maintain engines, machines, or structures such as bridges and roads.

mechanic /mɪˈkænɪk/ noun

1. A mechanic is someone whose job is to repair and maintain machines, especially the engines of vehicles.

technology /tekˈnɒlədʒi/ noun

1. Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes.

innovate /ˈɪnəveɪt/ verb

1. If you innovate, you introduce new ideas, methods, or inventions.

foundation /faʊnˈdeɪʃn/ noun

1. The foundation of something is the basic idea, principle, or situation on which it is developed and established.
2. A foundation is an organization that provides money for things such as medical research or charity.

specialise /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ verb

1. If you specialise in a particular subject or activity, you spend most of your time studying it, working on it, or doing it.

absorb /əbˈzɔːb/ verb

1. If you absorb information, you understand it and remember it completely.

concentrate /ˈkɒnsəntreɪt/ verb

1. If you concentrate on something, or if you concentrate your mind, you direct all your attention and thoughts to it.
2. If a liquid is concentrated, or if you concentrate it, water or other liquid is removed from it so that it becomes thicker and stronger.

field /fiːld/ noun

1. A field is a particular subject, area of study, or type of work.

domain /dəˈmeɪn/ noun

1. A domain is a particular field of thought, activity, or interest.
2. Someone’s domain is the area of land or territory that they own or control.

realm /relm/ noun

1. You can use realm to refer to any area of activity, interest, or knowledge.

devise /dɪˈvaɪz/ verb

1. If you devise a plan, system, or machine, you have the idea for it and design it.

gizmo /ˈɡɪzməʊ/ noun

1. A gizmo is a small device or machine, especially one that does something useful or unusual.

technique /tekˈniːk/ noun

1. A technique is a particular method of doing an activity, usually a method that involves practical skills.
2. Technique is the skill and ability that you have when you do something, such as an art or a sport.

focus /ˈfəʊkəs/ verb noun

1. If you focus on something, you give all your attention to it and deal with it as the most important thing.
2. The focus of something is the central, most important, or most interesting part of it.

tester /ˈtestə/ noun

1. A tester is a person whose job is to test products to make sure they work properly.
2. A tester is a piece of equipment used to examine something or find out if it is working correctly.

utilise /ˈjuːtəlaɪz/ verb

1. If you utilise something, you use it for a practical purpose.

usage /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/ noun

1. Usage is the degree to which something is used or the way that it is used.
2. Usage is the way in which words are typically used in a language.

uncover /ʌnˈkʌvə/ verb

1. If you uncover something that is hidden or secret, you discover it or make it known.

expose /ɪkˈspəʊz/ verb

1. To expose someone or something means to reveal the truth about them, especially when they have done something bad or dishonest.
2. If you expose something, you remove a cover or protection from it so that it can be seen or affected by something else.

discover /dɪˈskʌvə/ verb

1. If someone discovers something, they are the first person to find it, see it, or learn of its existence.

disclose /dɪsˈkləʊz/ verb

1. If you disclose new or secret information, you tell people about it.

apply /əˈplaɪ/ verb

1. If you apply a rule, idea, or method to a situation, you use it in that situation.
2. If a rule or statement applies to you, it is relevant to you or affects you.

reveal /rɪˈviːl/ verb

1. To reveal something means to make people aware of it, especially something that was previously secret or unknown.
2. If you reveal something that was hidden, you uncover it so that it can be seen.

breakthrough /ˈbreɪkθruː/ noun

1. A breakthrough is an important new discovery, event, or achievement that helps to solve a problem or realize an aim.

advance /ədˈvɑːns/ noun verb

1. An advance is development, improvement, or progress in a particular area.
2. If you advance, or if something advances, it moves forward, develops, or makes progress.

patent /ˈpeɪtnt/ noun verb

1. A patent is an official right to be the only person or company allowed to make or sell a new product or use a new method for a certain period of time.
2. If you patent an invention or a process, you obtain an official right to be the only person or company to make, use, or sell it.