2 ADJ [ADJ n] Environmental means relating to or caused by the surroundings in which someone lives or something exists. □ It protects against environmental hazards such as wind and sun.
en|vi|ron|men|tal|ism / I nva I ə rənme nt ə l I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Environmentalism is used to describe actions and policies which show a concern with protecting and preserving the natural environment, for example by preventing pollution.
en|vi|ron|men|tal|ist / I nva I ə rənme nt ə l I st/ (environmentalists ) N‑COUNT An environmentalist is a person who is concerned with protecting and preserving the natural environment, for example by preventing pollution.
en|vi|rons / I nva I ərənz/ N‑PLURAL [with poss] The environs of a place consist of the area immediately surrounding it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the environs of Paris. □ The town and its environs are inviting, with recreational attractions and art museums.
en|vis|age / I nv I z I dʒ/ (envisages , envisaging , envisaged ) VERB If you envisage something, you imagine that it is true, real, or likely to happen. □ [V n] He envisages the possibility of establishing direct diplomatic relations in the future. □ [V v-ing] He had never envisaged spending the whole of his working life in that particular job. □ [V n v-ing] Personally, I envisage them staying together. [Also V that]
en|vi|sion / I nv I ʒ ə n/ (envisions , envisioning , envisioned ) VERB If you envision something, you envisage it. [AM , also BRIT , LITERARY ] □ [V n] In the future we envision a federation of companies. □ [V that] Most people do stop at this point, not envisioning that there is anything beyond. [Also V wh]
en|voy /e nvɔ I / (envoys )
1 N‑COUNT An envoy is someone who is sent as a representative from one government or political group to another.
2 N‑COUNT An envoy is a diplomat in an embassy who is immediately below the ambassador in rank.
envy /e nvi/ (envies , envying , envied )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Envy is the feeling you have when you wish you could have the same thing or quality that someone else has. □ [+ towards ] Gradually he began to acknowledge his feelings of envy towards his mother. □ They gazed in a mixture of envy and admiration at the beauty of the statue.
2 VERB If you envy someone, you wish that you had the same things or qualities that they have. □ [V n] I don't envy the young ones who've become TV superstars and know no other world. □ [V n n] He envied Caroline her peace.
3 N‑SING If a thing or quality is the envy of someone, they wish very much that they could have or achieve it. □ [+ of ] …an economic expansion that was the envy of many other states.
4 green with envy → see green
en|zyme /e nza I m/ (enzymes ) N‑COUNT An enzyme is a chemical substance that is found in living creatures which produces changes in other substances without being changed itself. [TECHNICAL ]
eon /iː ɒn/ → see aeon
EP /iː piː / (EPs ) N‑COUNT An EP is a record which lasts for about 8 minutes on each side. EP is an abbreviation for 'extended play'.
ep|aulette /e pəle t/ (epaulettes ) in AM, use epaulet N‑COUNT [usu pl] Epaulettes are decorations worn on the shoulders of certain uniforms, especially military ones.
épée /e I pe I / (épées ) also epee N‑COUNT An épée is a thin, light sword that is used in the sport of fencing.
ephem|era / I fe mərə/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to things which last for only a short time as ephemera . [LITERARY ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Ephemera is things people collect such as old postcards, posters, and bus tickets, which were only intended to last a short time when they were produced. □ …tickets and other printed ephemera.
ephem|er|al / I fe mərəl/ ADJ If you describe something as ephemeral , you mean that it lasts only for a very short time. [FORMAL ] □ He talked about the country's ephemeral unity being shattered by the defeat.
epic /e p I k/ (epics )
1 N‑COUNT An epic is a long book, poem, or film, whose story extends over a long period of time or tells of great events. □ …the Middle High German epic, 'Nibelungenlied', written about 1200. □ At three hours and 21 minutes, it is an over-long, standard Hollywood epic. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Epic is also an adjective. □ …epic narrative poems. □ Like 'Gone With The Wind' it's an unashamed epic romance.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is epic is very large and impressive. □ …Columbus's epic voyage of discovery.
epi|cen|tre /e pisentə r / (epicentres ) in AM, use epicenter N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The epicentre of an earthquake is the place on the Earth's surface directly above the point where it starts, and is the place where it is felt most strongly. □ The earthquake had its epicentre two-hundred kilometres north-east of the capital.
epi|cure /e p I kjʊə r / (epicures ) N‑COUNT An epicure is someone who enjoys eating food that is of very good quality, especially unusual or rare food. [FORMAL ]
epi|cu|rean /e p I kjʊəriː ən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Epicurean food is of very good quality, especially unusual or rare food. [FORMAL ] □ …an epicurean dish.
epi|dem|ic /e p I de m I k/ (epidemics )