Proficient Plus — Set 57

Set 57 of Proficient Plus covers 5 words: occlude, swirl, unbosom, dally, expunge. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. occlude · verb/əˈklud/

   to block or close up a passage or opening

   The doctor said my blood vessel might occlude, which would stop blood from flowing.

   Synonyms: block, close, seal

   Origin: Latin 'occludere', which means 'to shut up, close' (from 'ob-' meaning 'against' and 'claudere' meaning 'to close')

2. swirl · verb/swɜrl/

   to move in a twisting or spiraling pattern

   The leaves began to swirl in the wind as autumn approached.

   Synonyms: twist, spiral, whirl

   Origin: The word 'swirl' originates from the Middle English 'swirlen', which is of uncertain origin, possibly imitative.

3. unbosom · verb/ʌnˈbʊzəm/

   to reveal one's thoughts or feelings to someone

   After a long day, she decided to unbosom her feelings to her best friend.

   Synonyms: reveal, disclose, share

   Origin: Derived from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'bosom' from Old English 'bōsum', meaning 'a person's chest, or figuratively, heart or mind'.

4. dally · verb/ˈdæli/

   to waste time or engage in playful behavior

   We shouldn't dally around the park too long because we have to get home before dark.

   Synonyms: linger, dawdle, delay

   Origin: Middle English from 'dalle' meaning to waste time or to idle.

5. expunge · verb/ɪkˈspʌndʒ/

   to erase or remove completely

   The judge decided to expunge the criminal record of the young man after he had served his time.

   Synonyms: erase, delete, remove

   Origin: From Latin 'expungere', meaning 'to prick out, to erase'