transposition, appendix, straw, wing, ancestor: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from IELTS Vocabulary set 18. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. transposition · noun/ˌtrænspəˈzɪʃən/

   the act of changing the order or position of something

   The transposition of the data in the report caused significant misunderstandings among the team members.

   Synonyms: rearrangement, relocation, switch

   Origin: Late Middle English: from Latin transpositio(n-), from transponere 'to place across'

2. appendix · noun/əˈpɛndɪks/

   a supplementary material at the end of a book or document that provides additional information

   The researcher included an appendix at the end of the report to provide detailed statistics and additional data.

   Synonyms: addendum, attachment, supplement

   Origin: from Latin 'appendere', meaning 'to hang upon' or 'attach'.

3. straw · noun/strɔ/

   a thin tube used for sucking up liquids

   She sipped her lemonade through a colorful straw at the beach party.

   Synonyms: sipper, drinking tube

   Origin: The word 'straw' originates from Old English 'streaw', which means 'straw' or 'grass', and it derives from Proto-Germanic '*straiwō' meaning 'straw' or 'hay'.

4. wing · noun/wɪŋ/

   a membrane or appendage used for flight or gliding by birds, insects, and some other animals

   The eagle soared gracefully through the sky, its powerful wings outstretched as it searched for prey.

   Synonyms: flap, fin, pinion

   Origin: Old English 'wenge', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'wing' and German 'Winkel'.

5. ancestor · noun/ˈænsɛstər/

   a person from whom one is descended

   My ancestor came to America in the early 1800s seeking a better life.

   Synonyms: forebear, predecessor, progenitor

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'ancestre', from Latin 'antecessor', from 'antecedere' meaning 'to go before'.