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conduct

verb/ˈkɑnˌdək(t)/

to organize and carry out an activity such as a survey, experiment, or interview

The company will conduct a survey on consumer behavior and spending habits.

carry outperformrun
word origin — Middle English: from Old French, from Latin conduct- ‘brought together’, from the verb conducere. The term originally denoted a provision for safe passage, surviving in safe conduct; later the verb sense ‘lead, guide’ arose, hence ‘manage’ and ‘management’ (late Middle English), later ‘management of oneself, behavior’ (mid 16th century). The original form of the word was conduit, which was preserved only in the sense ‘channel’ (see conduit); in other uses the spelling was influenced by Latin

Upper-Intermediate — Set 1

Set 1 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: conduct, interpret, handle, adopt, accuse. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. conduct · verb/ˈkɑnˌdək(t)/

    to organize and carry out an activity such as a survey, experiment, or interview

    The company will conduct a survey on consumer behavior and spending habits.

    Synonyms: carry out, perform, run

    Origin: Middle English: from Old French, from Latin conduct- ‘brought together’, from the verb conducere. The term originally denoted a provision for safe passage, surviving in safe conduct; later the verb sense ‘lead, guide’ arose, hence ‘manage’ and ‘management’ (late Middle English), later ‘management of oneself, behavior’ (mid 16th century). The original form of the word was conduit, which was preserved only in the sense ‘channel’ (see conduit); in other uses the spelling was influenced by Latin

  2. interpret · verb/ɪnˈtərprət/

    to understand or explain the meaning of something

    My colleague and I interpreted the customer's words differently; I viewed it as a genuine question, while he perceived it as a criticism.

    Synonyms: understand, comprehend, make sense of

    Origin: late Middle English: from Old French interpreter or Latin interpretari ‘explain, translate’, from interpres, interpret- ‘agent, translator, interpreter’

  3. handle · verb/ˈhændəl/

    to manage or deal with

    Failure is difficult to handle, but there is no better teacher.

    Synonyms: cope with, tackle, take care of, control

    Origin: Old English handle (noun), handlian (verb), from hand

  4. adopt · verb/əˈdɑpt/

    to legally take a child or a pet into your family or begin to use an idea, method, or behavior

    The couple decided to adopt a child and provide them with a loving and caring home.

    Synonyms: take on, embrace, accept

    Origin: late 15th century: via French from Latin adoptare, from ad- ‘to’ + optare ‘choose’

  5. accuse · verb/əˈkjuz/

    to say that someone is guilty of something; blame

    The manager accused the employee of changing the records without permission.

    Synonyms: blame, charge

    Origin: Old English: from Old French acuser, and its source, Latin accusare ‘blame, charge with a crime’, from ad- ‘towards’ + causa ‘reason, motive, lawsuit’