seize, tackle, cease, dare, cultivate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 70. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. seize · verb/siz/

   take something by force or very eagerly; take control

   Harriot seized the chance to work alongside the renowned painter and moved to Chicago the following week.

   Synonyms: snatch, catch

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French seizir ‘give seisin’, from medieval Latin sacire, in the phrase ad proprium sacire ‘claim as one's own’, from a Germanic base meaning ‘procedure’

2. tackle · verb/ˈtæk(ə)l/

   try to solve a difficult problem or attempt a difficult task

   The writer criticized powerful world governments for failing to tackle the issue of poverty even in their own countries.

   Synonyms: deal with, handle, confront, face

   Origin: Middle English (denoting equipment for a specific task): probably from Middle Low German takel, from taken ‘lay hold of’. Early senses of the verb (late Middle English) described the provision and handling of a ship's equipment

3. cease · verb/sis/

   bring something to an end

   The report warned that if residents continued shopping mostly at large supermarket chains and online, local shops would cease to exist.

   Synonyms: discontinue, terminate, halt

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French cesser, from Latin cessare ‘stop’, from cedere ‘to yield’

4. dare · verb/dɛr/

   do something that involves courage or risk; test somebody's courage by asking them to do something risky

   No one dared to question the managers over the recent fraud allegations in fear of losing their jobs.

   Synonyms: have the courage to, provoke

   Origin: Old English durran, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic gadaursan, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek tharsein and Sanskrit dhṛṣ- ‘be bold’

5. cultivate · verb/ˈkəltəˌveɪt/

   grow something or make the land ready for planting

   The neighbors were experienced gardeners and cultivated the most exquisite orchids on their front porch.

   Synonyms: plant, harvest, raise

   Origin: late 16th century: from medieval Latin cultivat- ‘prepared for crops’, from the verb cultivare, from cultiva (terra) ‘arable (land)’, from colere ‘cultivate, inhabit’