kindness, failure, permission, defense, occasion: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Intermediate set 34. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. kindness · noun/ˈkaɪn(d)nəs/

   friendly and caring behavior toward others

   I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our hosts for their great kindness and hospitality during our visit.

   Synonyms: care, generosity, thoughtfulness

2. failure · noun/ˈfeɪljər/

   a lack of success in doing or achieving something

   Failure can teach us what to change before we try again.

   Synonyms: lack of success, setback, defeat

   Origin: mid 17th century (originally as failer, in the senses ‘non-occurrence’ and ‘cessation of supply’): from Anglo-Norman French failer for Old French faillir (see fail)

3. permission · noun/pərˈmɪʃ(ə)n/

   the right to do something that is given to you by someone in authority

   The schools will have to request permission from parents to post any information about their children.

   Synonyms: consent, approval

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin permissio(n-), from the verb permittere ‘allow’ (see permit)

4. defense · noun/dəˈfɛns/

   protection from harm

   Students in our Taekwondo classes are finding that they are not only learning about self-defense, but also learning values and habits that enhance their lives.

   Synonyms: guarding, protection

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French defens, from late Latin defensum (neuter), defensa (feminine), past participles of defendere ‘defend’

5. occasion · noun/əˈkeɪʒ(ə)n/

   an event that occurs

   Rice is consumed only on special occasions like festivals, marriages, deaths, births and religious ceremonies.

   Synonyms: event, special time

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin occasio(n-) ‘juncture, reason’, from occidere ‘go down, set’, from ob- ‘towards’ + cadere ‘to fall’