deter, stem, surround, neglect, incorporate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced set 76. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. deter · verb/dəˈtər/

   persuade a person not to do something; stop something from being done

   Security cameras were installed in the shops in order to deter shoplifting.

   Synonyms: discourage, inhibit, hinder, prevent

   Origin: mid 16th century: from Latin deterrere, from de- ‘away from’ + terrere ‘frighten’

2. stem · verb/stɛm/

   arise as a result of something

   Doctors considered John's chronic headaches to stem from his stressful lifestyle and poor eating habits.

   Synonyms: derive, develop, root

   Origin: Old English stemn, stefn, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stam and German Stamm. stem (sense 4 of the noun) is related to Dutch steven, German Steven

3. surround · verb/səˈraʊnd/

   be situated around, on every side

   The police had the premises surrounded and demanded for the hostages to be released.

   Synonyms: enclose, encircle

   Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘overflow’): from Old French souronder, from late Latin superundare, from super- ‘over’ + undare ‘to flow’ (from unda ‘a wave’); later associated with round. Current senses of the noun date from the late 19th century

4. neglect · verb/nəˈɡlɛk(t)/

   not pay enough attention or give sufficient care to somebody or something

   People who put their career first and neglect their children tend to regret it later - often when it's too late, said the family counselor.

   Synonyms: disregard, overlook, ignore

   Origin: early 16th century: from Latin neglect- ‘disregarded’, from the verb neglegere, from neg- ‘not’ + legere ‘choose, pick up’

5. incorporate · verb/ɪnˈkɔrpəˌreɪt/

   involve something as part of another thing

   The new architect tried to incorporate some new ideas into her work in order to impress the review board.

   Synonyms: embody, cover, include

   Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin incorporat- ‘embodied’, from the verb incorporare, from in- ‘into’ + Latin corporare ‘form into a body’ (from corpus, corpor- ‘body’)