R.E.B.H

~Not enough generals were killed. by Peter Drucker.~

*veteran
noun
a person who has had long experience in a particular field
• a person who has served in the military : a veteran of two world wars.

*spate
noun
1 [usu. in sing. ] a large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession : a spate of attacks on travelers.
2 chiefly Brit. a sudden flood in a river, esp. one caused by heavy rains or melting snow.
PHRASES
in ( full) spate (of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood. • figurative (of a person or action) at the height of activity : work was in full spate.

*prey
noun
an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food : the kestrel is ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
• a person or thing easily injured or taken advantage of : he was easy prey for the two con men.
• a person who is vulnerable to distressing emotions or beliefs : the settlers become prey to nameless fears.
• archaic plunder or (in biblical use) a prize.
verb [ intrans. ] ( prey on/upon)
hunt and kill for food : small birds that prey on insect pests.
• take advantage of; exploit or injure : this is a mean type of theft by ruthless people preying on the elderly.
• cause constant trouble and distress to : the problem had begun to prey on my mind.
PHRASES
fall prey to be hunted and killed by : small rodents fell prey to domestic cats. • be vulnerable to or overcome by : he would often fall prey to melancholy.
DERIVATIVES
preyer noun

*chameleon
noun
a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a prehensile tail, long extensible tongue, protruding eyes that rotate independently, and a highly developed ability to change color.
common chameleon
• Family Chamaeleonidae: four genera, in particular Chamaeleo, and numerous species, including the European chameleon ( C. vulgaris) and the common chameleon ( C. chamaeleon).
• (also American chameleon) an anole.
• figurative a changeable or inconstant person.
DERIVATIVES
chameleonic |kəˌmēlēˈänik| adjective

*chirp
verb [ intrans. ]
(typically of a small bird or an insect) utter a short, sharp, high-pitched sound : outside, the crickets chirped monotonously.
• [with direct speech ] (of a person) say something in a lively and cheerful way : “Good morning!” chirped Alex.
noun
a short, sharp, high-pitched sound.
DERIVATIVES
chirper noun

*cocoon
noun
a silky case spun by the larvae of many insects for protection as pupae.
• a similar structure made by other animals.
• a covering that prevents the corrosion of metal equipment.
• something that envelops or surrounds, esp. in a protective or comforting way : the cocoon of her kimono | figurative a warm cocoon of love.
verb [ trans. ] (usu. be cocooned)
envelop or surround in a protective or comforting way : we began to feel cold even though we were cocooned in our sleeping bags.
• spray with a protective coating.
• [ intrans. ] retreat from the stressful conditions of public life into the cozy private world of the family : the movers and shakers are now cocooning.
DERIVATIVES
cocooner noun (in the last sense of the verb).