Читаем Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

1 VERB To decimate something such as a group of people or animals means to destroy a very large number of them. □ [V n] The pollution could decimate the river's thriving population of kingfishers.

2 VERB To decimate a system or organization means to reduce its size and effectiveness greatly. □ [V n] …a recession which decimated the nation's manufacturing industry.

de|ci|pher /d I sa I fə ^r / (deciphers , deciphering , deciphered ) VERB If you decipher a piece of writing or a message, you work out what it says, even though it is very difficult to read or understand. □ [V n] I'm still no closer to deciphering the code.

de|ci|sion ◆◆◆ /d I s I ʒ ^ə n/ (decisions )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] When you make a decision , you choose what should be done or which is the best of various possible actions. □ [+ on ] A decision was taken to discipline Marshall. □  I don't want to make the wrong decision and regret it later.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Decision is the act of deciding something or the need to decide something. □  The moment of decision cannot be delayed.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Decision is the ability to decide quickly and definitely what to do. □  He is very much a man of decision and action. COLLOCATIONS decision NOUN 1

adjective + decision : correct, right, wrong; difficult, easy, hard, tough; controversial, unpopular; informed; unanimous; conscious

verb + decision : come to, make, reach, take; announce; reverse, overrule, overturn

deci sion-making N‑UNCOUNT Decision-making is the process of reaching decisions, especially in a large organization or in government.

de|ci|sive /d I sa I s I v/

1 ADJ If a fact, action, or event is decisive , it makes it certain that there will be a particular result. □  …his decisive victory in the presidential elections. ●  de|ci|sive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □  The plan was decisively rejected by Congress three weeks ago.

2 ADJ If someone is decisive , they have or show an ability to make quick decisions in a difficult or complicated situation. □  He should give way to a younger, more decisive leader. ●  de|ci|sive|ly ADV □  'I'll call for you at half ten,' she said decisively. ●  de|ci|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □  His supporters admire his decisiveness.

deck ◆◇◇ /de k/ (decks , decking , decked )

1 N‑COUNT A deck on a vehicle such as a bus or ship is a lower or upper area of it. □  …a luxury liner with five passenger decks.

2 → see also flight deck

3 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] The deck of a ship is the top part of it that forms a floor in the open air which you can walk on. □  She stood on the deck and waved.

4 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A tape deck or record deck is a piece of equipment on which you play tapes or records. □  I stuck a tape in the deck.

5 N‑COUNT A deck of cards is a complete set of playing cards. [AM ] □  Matt picked up the cards and shuffled the deck. in BRIT, usually use pack 6 N‑COUNT A deck is a flat wooden area next to a house, where people can sit and relax or eat. □  A natural timber deck leads into the main room of the home.

7 VERB If something is decked with pretty things, it is decorated with them. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n + with ] Villagers decked the streets with bunting. □ [V -ed] The house was decked with flowers.

8 PHRASE If you clear the decks , you get ready to start something new by finishing any work that has to be done or getting rid of any problems that are in the way. □  Clear the decks before you think of taking on any more responsibilities.