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2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you make a sworn statement or declaration, you swear that everything that you have said in it is true. □  The allegations against them were made in sworn evidence to the inquiry.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] If two people or two groups of people are sworn enemies, they dislike each other very much. □  It somehow seems hardly surprising that Ms Player is now his sworn enemy.

swot /swɒ t/ (swots , swotting , swotted )


1 VERB If you swot , you study very hard, especially when you are preparing for an examination. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V + for ] They swotted for their A levels. [Also V ]


2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a swot , you disapprove of the fact that they study extremely hard and are not interested in other things. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

swum /swʌ m/ Swum is the past participle of swim .

swung /swʌ ŋ/ Swung is the past tense and past participle of swing .

syba|rit|ic /s I bər I t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who has a sybaritic way of life spends a lot of time relaxing in a luxurious way. [FORMAL ]

syca|more /s I kəmɔː r / (sycamores ) N‑VAR A sycamore or a sycamore tree is a tree that has yellow flowers and large leaves with five points. ● N‑UNCOUNT Sycamore is the wood of this tree. □  The furniture is made of sycamore, beech and leather.

syco|phan|cy /s I kəfænsi, [AM ] -fənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Sycophancy is the quality or action of being sycophantic. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

syco|phant /s I kəfænt, [AM ] -fənt/ (sycophants ) N‑COUNT A sycophant is a person who behaves in a sycophantic way. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  …a dictator surrounded by sycophants, frightened to tell him what he may not like.

syco|phan|tic /s I kəfæ nt I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as sycophantic , you disapprove of them because they flatter people who are more important and powerful than they are in order to gain an advantage for themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  …his clique of sycophantic friends.

syl|la|ble /s I ləb ə l/ (syllables ) N‑COUNT A syllable is a part of a word that contains a single vowel sound and that is pronounced as a unit. So, for example, 'book' has one syllable, and 'reading' has two syllables. □  We children called her Oma, accenting both syllables.

syl|la|bus /s I ləbəs/ (syllabuses )


1 N‑COUNT You can refer to the subjects that are studied in a particular course as the syllabus . [mainly BRIT ] □  …the GCSE history syllabus.


2 N‑COUNT A syllabus is an outline or summary of the subjects to be covered in a course. [mainly AM ]

syl|van /s I lvən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sylvan is used to describe things that have an association with woods and trees. [LITERARY ]

sym|bio|sis /s I mbioʊ s I s, -ba I -/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Symbiosis is a close relationship between two organisms of different kinds which benefits both organisms. [TECHNICAL ] □  …the link between bacteria, symbiosis, and the evolution of plants and animals.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Symbiosis is any relationship between different things, people, or groups that benefits all the things or people concerned. □ [+ of ] …the cosy symbiosis of the traditional political parties.

sym|bi|ot|ic /s I mbiɒ t I k, -ba I -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A symbiotic relationship is one in which organisms, people, or things exist together in a way that benefits them all. □  …fungi that have a symbiotic relationship with the trees of these northwestern forests.

sym|bol ◆◇◇ /s I mb ə l/ (symbols )


1 N‑COUNT Something that is a symbol of a society or an aspect of life seems to represent it because it is very typical of it. □  To them, the monarchy is the special symbol of nationhood. □  She was put under house arrest but remained a powerful symbol in the election.


2 N‑COUNT A symbol of something such as an idea is a shape or design that is used to represent it. □  I frequently use sunflowers as symbols of strength.


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