con|vulse /kənvʌ ls/ (convulses , convulsing , convulsed ) VERB If someone convulses or if they are convulsed by or with something, their body moves suddenly in an uncontrolled way. □ [V ] Olivia's face convulsed in a series of twitches. □ [V n] He let out a cry that convulsed his bulky frame and jerked his arm. □ [be V -ed + with ] The opposing team were so convulsed with laughter that they almost forgot to hit the ball.
con|vul|sion /kənvʌ lʃ ə n/ (convulsions )
1 N‑COUNT If someone has convulsions , they suffer uncontrollable movements of their muscles.
2 N‑COUNT If there are convulsions in a country, system, or organization, there are major unexpected changes in it. □ …the political convulsions that led to de Gaulle's return to power in May 1958.
con|vul|sive /kənvʌ ls I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A convulsive movement or action is sudden and cannot be controlled. [FORMAL ] □ She thought she could never stop until convulsive sobs racked her even more.
coo /kuː / (coos , cooing , cooed )
1 VERB When a dove or pigeon coos , it makes the soft sounds that doves and pigeons typically make. □ [V ] Pigeons fluttered in and out, cooing gently.
2 VERB When someone coos , they speak in a very soft, quiet voice which is intended to sound attractive. □ [V + at/over ] She paused to coo at the baby. □ [V with quote] 'Isn't this marvellous?' she cooed.
cook ◆◆◇ /kʊ k/ (cooks , cooking , cooked )
1 VERB When you cook a meal, you prepare food for eating by heating it. □ [V n] I have to go and cook the dinner. □ [V ] Chefs at the St James Court restaurant have cooked for the Queen. □ [V n n] We'll cook them a nice Italian meal. ● cook|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Her hobbies include music, dancing, sport and cooking.
2 VERB When you cook food, or when food cooks , it is heated until it is ready to be eaten. □ [V n] …some basic instructions on how to cook a turkey. □ [V ] Let the vegetables cook gently for about 10 minutes. □ [V -ed] Drain the pasta as soon as it is cooked.
3 N‑COUNT A cook is a person whose job is to prepare and cook food, especially in someone's home or in an institution. □ They had a butler, a cook, and a maid.
4 N‑COUNT [adj N ] If you say that someone is a good cook , you mean they are good at preparing and cooking food.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone has cooked the books , you mean that they have changed figures or a written record in order to deceive people. [INFORMAL ]
6 → see also cooking
▸ cook up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone cooks up a dishonest scheme, they plan it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] He must have cooked up his scheme on the spur of the moment. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone cooks up an explanation or a story, they make it up. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] She'll cook up a convincing explanation. [Also V n P ]
cook|book /kʊ kbʊk/ (cookbooks ) also cook-book N‑COUNT A cookbook is a book that contains recipes for preparing food.
cook|er /kʊ kə r / (cookers )
1 N‑COUNT A cooker is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A cooker usually consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. [BRIT ] □ …a gas cooker.
2 → see also pressure cooker
cook|ery /kʊ kəri/ N‑UNCOUNT Cookery is the activity of preparing and cooking food.
coo k|ery book (cookery books ) N‑COUNT A cookery book is the same as a cookbook . [BRIT ]
cookie /kʊ ki/ (cookies )
1 N‑COUNT A cookie is a sweet biscuit. [mainly AM ]
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is a tough cookie , you mean that they have a strong and determined character. [INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT A cookie is data sent from a website and stored on your computer which allows websites to record your browsing activity and remember information. [COMPUTING ]
cook|ing ◆◇◇ /kʊ k I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Cooking is food which has been cooked. □ The menu is based on classic French cooking.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Cooking ingredients or equipment are used in cookery. □ Finely slice the cooking apples. □ …cooking pots.
3 → see also cook
cook|out /kʊ kaʊt/ (cookouts ) N‑COUNT A cookout is the same as a barbecue . [AM ]
cook|top /kʊ ktɒp/ (cooktops ) N‑COUNT A cooktop is a surface on top of a cooker or set into a work surface, which can be heated in order to cook things on it. [mainly AM ]
cook|ware /kʊ kweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Cookware is the range of pans and pots which are used in cooking. □ …several lines of popular cookware and utensils.
cool ◆◆◇ /kuː l/ (cooler , coolest , cools , cooling , cooled )
1 ADJ Something that is cool has a temperature which is low but not very low. □ I felt a current of cool air. □ The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators.
2 ADJ If it is cool , or if a place is cool , the temperature of the air is low but not very low. □ Thank goodness it's cool in here. □ Store grains and cereals in a cool, dry place. □ …a cool November evening. ● N‑SING Cool is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She walked into the cool of the hallway.