Mastering English Vocabulary 4: Ramify, windswept, harbour…

I use LingQ to expand my vocabulary in many languages, including English. From time to time, I share a selection of my lingQs in English here, which consists mostly of unusual words which I, for some reason, consider intriguing. Below is the fourth set of words. Beware: Only one meaning for every word is included.

to ramify /ˈræməˌfaɪ/ – to divide or spread out into branches.
… these were large and ramifying tunnels …
windswept /ˈwɪndˌswɛpt/ – exposed to or swept by winds.
… a windswept house could be seen on the windy hillside …
to harbour /ˈhɑrbər/ – to maintain secretly.
… many adults harbour secret dreams …
astray /əˈstreɪ/ – not being on the right route or not going in the right direction.
… bad decisions can lead you astray …
breadwinner /ˈbrɛdˌwɪnər/ – someone who earns money to support a family.
… she was the only breadwinner left to the household …
cannula /ˈkænjələ/ – a tube, usually with a trocar, for insertion into body cavities or ducts, as for drainage.
… one must secure venous access with a plastic cannula in the back of the hand …
concomitant /kɒnˈkɒmɪtənt/ – (something) going naturally together or being associated with something else.
… discontent was the natural concomitant of distress …
to exacerbate /ɪgˈzæsərˌbeɪt/ – to make worse or more severe.
… scrubbing of the skin can exacerbate acne …
foul /faʊl/ – very unpleasant, dirty, rotten or obscene.
… the foul smell emerging from the tomatoes was unbearable …
to fumble /ˈfʌmbəl/ – to clumsily search or handle.
… future generations will still fumble to understand what happened today …

Definitions are usually taken from www.yourdictionary.com.

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