Word Book E - 1

early [(1) at or near the beginning, especially the beginning of the day; (2) opposite late]  

They saw her walking early this morning. (1)

A few arrived late, but most were early. (2)

earn [to be paid in return for work done]  

She earns 40,000 dollars a year.

earth [(1) the planet we all live on; (2) the ground or soil]  

Have you seen the picture of earth made from the moon's surface? (1)

The sun warmed the black earth of the farmer's field. (2)

earthquake [a sudden, violent shaking of the earth's surface]  

The earthquake caused severe damage to bridges and buildings in Los Angeles.

ease [(1) to reduce; (2) to make less difficult]  

The rate of economic inflation eased last month. (1)

The new equipment helped ease his job. (2)

east [the direction from which the sun rises]  

The sun rises in the east and goes down in the west.

easy [(1) not difficult; (2) not hard to do]  

His English is easy to understand. (1)

She says that running five kilometers is easy for her. (2)

eat [to take food into the body through the mouth]  

Can you eat now, or do you want to eat later?

ecology [the scientific study of the environment and links among living and material things]  

She is an expert on the ecology of wetlands.

economy [the system by which money, industry and trade are organized] 

Many people hope the economy will continue to grow.

edge [the line where something ends or begins]  

Do not write near the edge of the paper.

education [the act of teaching]  

Congress approved the spending of 450 million dollars for aid to education.

effect [the result or change caused by something]  

The storm had a serious effect on the economy.

effort [(1) an attempt; (2) the work necessary to do something]  

The boy made an effort to help his mother. (1)

Climbing the mountain required great effort. (2)

egg [(1) the rounded object containing unborn young produced by female birds, fish or reptiles; (2) a single cell in a female person or animal that can develop into a baby]  

Sea turtles bury their eggs in the sand. (1)

Human eggs can be transplanted from one woman to another. (2)

either [one of two, but not the other]  

Can either of you tell me how to get to the airport?

elect [to choose by voting]  

The voters elected the state governor as President of the United States.

electricity [a form of energy that flows through wires to provide heat and light, and power to machines]  

We did not have electricity or clean water after the storm.

embassy [the offices of an ambassador and his or her assistants]  

All foreign embassies are in Washington.

Word Book E - 1