similar

[sɪməlɜr]

adj

1. having the same or similar characteristics. [Syn: alike, like]

2. marked by correspondence or resemblance. E.g.: similar food at similar prices, problems similar to mine, they wore similar coats

n (thing)

   similarity

adj

   similar

adv

   similarly

opposite

   dissimilar

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: similar approach, similar argument, similar characteristics, similar effect, similar issue, similar pattern, similar properties, similar result, similar situation.

adv+adj: broadly similar, remarkably similar.

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source

[sɔrs]

verb

1. specify the origin of. E.g.: The writer carefully sourced her report

noun

1. (technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system. E.g.: a heat source, a source of carbon dioxide

2. someone who originates or causes or initiates something. [Syn: generator, author]

3. the place where something begins, where it springs into being. E.g.: Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River [Syn: beginning, origin, root, rootage]

4. a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to. E.g.: he spent hours looking for the source of that quotation [Syn: reference]

n (thing)

   source

verb

   source

verb forms

   sourced, sources, sourcing

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: alternative source, common source, external source, key source, main source, major source, original source, possible source, potential source, primary source, principal source, rich source, secondary source, single source, useful source, multiple sources.

v+n: become (a) source (of), provide (a) source, use (a) source.

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specific

[spəsɪfɪk]

adj

1. stated explicitly or in detail. E.g.: needed a specific amount

2. (sometimes followed by to) applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique. E.g.: rules with specific application, demands specific to the job, a specific and detailed account of the accident

noun

1. a fact about some part (as opposed to general). [Syn: particular]

n (thing)

   specific, specification, specificity

adj

   specific

adv

   specifically

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: specific area, specific aspect, specific case, specific characteristic, specific context, specific example, specific factor, specific feature, specific focus, specific form, specific function, specific information, specific issue, specific knowledge, specific meaning, specific needs, specific problem, specific purpose, specific question, specific reference, specific sense, specific type.

adv+adj: culturally specific, historically specific.

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structure

[strʌktʃɜr]

verb

1. give a structure to. E.g.: I need to structure my days

noun

1. a thing constructed; a complex construction or entity. E.g.: the structure consisted of a series of arches [Syn: construction]

2. the manner of construction of something and the arrangement of its parts. E.g.: artists must study the structure of the human body, the structure of the benzene molecule

n (thing)

   structure

verb

   structure

verb forms

   structured, structures, structuring

adj

   structural, structured

adv

   structurally

opposite

   unstructured

other

   restructure, restructuring

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: structural adjustment, structural change, structural element, structural feature, structural properties, basic structure, clear structure, complex structure, economic structure, existing structure, formal structure, global structure, hierarchical structure, institutional structure, internal structure, organizational structure, overall structure, political structure, social structure, underlying structure.

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theory

[θɪri]

noun

1. a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena.

2. a tentative theory about the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena. E.g.: a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory, he proposed a fresh theory [Syn: hypothesis, possibility]

n (thing)

   theory

n (person)

   theorist

adj

   theoretical

adv

   theoretically

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: theoretical analysis, theoretical approach, theoretical basis, theoretical concept, theoretical debate, theoretical framework, theoretical issue, theoretical model, theoretical perspective, theoretical study, theoretical understanding, theoretical work, classical theory, critical theory, cultural theory, economic theory, evolutionary theory, general theory, scientific theory, social theory.

v+n: apply (the) theory, develop (a) theory, test (a) theory, use (a) theory.

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vary

[veri]

verb

1. be at variance with; be out of line with. [Syn: deviate, diverge, depart]

2. be subject to change in accordance with a variable. E.g.: Prices vary, His moods vary depending on the weather

3. make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence. [Syn: change, alter]

n (thing)

   variability, variance, variant, variation

verb

   vary

verb forms

   varied, varies, varying

adj

   variable, variant, varied, varying

adv

   variably

opposite

   invariable, invariably

Collocations from the ACL

adj+n: dependent variable, independent variable, individual variable, random variable, single variable, considerable variation, genetic variation, individual variation, regional variation, significant variation, wide variation, varying degree.

v+adv: vary considerably, vary greatly, vary significantly, vary widely.

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