The Hindu Editorial (​​​​Time for action) – Aug 08, 2025

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The Hindu Editorial (​​​​Time for action) – Aug 08, 2025:

1. rate cut (noun) – a decision by a central bank (like RBI in India) to reduce its main interest rate to the banks (like SBI, ICICI & etc in India) when these commercial banks get money from the central bank. Once this rate goes down, the banks are in a position to give loans at lower interest rates to individuals and the industry.
2. pause (verb) – stop, halt, cease, delay, break off, discontinue briefly/temporarily.
3. amid (preposition) – in the middle of, surrounded by; during.
4. uncertainty (noun) – unpredictability, unreliability, riskiness/precariousness.
5. monetary policy (noun) – monetary policy refers to the use of monetary instruments under the control of the central bank to regulate magnitudes such as interest rates, money supply, and availability of credit with a view to achieving the ultimate objective of economic policy mentioned in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
6. the monetary policy committee (MPC) (noun) – it is a six-member panel that is expected to bring “value and transparency” to rate-setting decisions. It will feature three members from the RBI — the Governor, a Deputy Governor and another official — and three independent members to be selected by the Government. The MPC will meet four times a year to decide on monetary policy by a majority vote.
7. point out (phrasal verb) – indicate, specify, suggest, refer to, mention, allude to.
8. evolve (verb) – develop gradually; unfold.
9. basis point (BPS) (noun) – a unit of measure used in finance to describe the percentage change in the value or rate of a financial instrument. One basis point is equivalent to 0.01% (1/100th of a percent). Used for measuring change in interest rate/yield.
10. percolate (verb) – spread gradually, be disseminated, pass/go slowly (through a group of people).
11. over and above (phrase) – in addition to, on top of, over and beyond, plus, as well as, besides, along with.
12. tariff (noun) – a tax imposed by one country on the goods and services imported from another country.
13. reciprocal tax (noun) – a tax imposed by one country on imports from another country in response to similar tariffs. The tariffs aim to match or offset tariffs and other trade barriers imposed on US goods by foreign nations.
14. counter-tariff (or) retaliatory tariff (noun) – punitive tariff; an extra tariff/tax that a country charges on import goods from another country to punish the another country for charging tax on its own export goods.
15. assessment (noun) – evaluation, expectation, analysis, judgement, estimation.
16. far from (phrase) – not, not at all; nowhere near, a long way from.
17. nevertheless (adverb) – nonetheless, notwithstanding, however, even so, in spite of that.
18. negotiate (verb) – discuss terms, hold talks, discuss a settlement, talk, try to reach a compromise.
19. bilateral (adjective) – involving two groups or countries.
20. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) (noun) – a formal agreement/deal between two countries which outlines specific terms for trade, commerce, transit, or investment.
21. In the meantime (phrase) – meanwhile, in the interim, in the intervening period.
22. comparative advantage (noun) – an economy’s ability to produce goods or services for a lower opportunity cost than others. Opportunity cost refers to the price of the next best thing you could have done had you not made your first choice.
23. leave room (phrase) – allow space, time, or possibility for something else.
24. broad (adjective) – comprehensive, extensive, wide, wide-ranging, or broad-ranging.
25. make sense (phrase) – be accepted, be convincing, hold up, prove true.
26. monetary (adjective) – financial, fiscal, budgetary, economic.
27. measure (noun) – action, procedure, operation, programme.
28. cumulative (adjective) – aggregate; accruing, collective, combined.
29. pass on (phrasal verb) – to transfer, transmit, or hand over something to someone else.
30. ample (adjective) – enough, sufficient, adequate.
31. liquidity (noun) – the availability of liquid assets; liquidity means liquid assets; cash; (liquid asset is an asset which can be easily sold/converted into cash without losing its value); a measure of activity (i.e. the ability to buy or sell easily) in a market. 
32. liquidity (noun) – (in the banking system) it refers to readily available cash that banks need to meet short-term business and financial needs.
33. lend (verb) – give, provide, grant.
34. as of (preposition) – on or after; starting from; in the time following.
35. consumer durables (noun) – manufactured products/goods (such as TV, fridge, AC, motorbike, car & etc.) which last for an extended period of time.
36. consumer non-durables (noun) – products/goods (such as food, clothing, fuel, etc.) which are produced for immediate use and frequently replaced by the consumer
37. contract (verb) – decline, decrease, diminish, reduce.
38. percentage point (noun) – the difference between two percentages is termed as percentage point. (for example: “Interest Rates Jump From 10% to 12%”. In this case, the interest rate increased by “2 percentage points” or you can say that the interest rate is increased by 20%).
39. in line with (phrase) – in agreement with, in alignment with, in accordance with, consistent with or compatible with.
40. subdued (adjective) – restrained, controlled, toned down, muted.
41. demand outlook (noun) – the expected future demand for a product/service based on current trends, economic conditions, consumer preferences, and other influencing factors.
42. (outlook) (noun) – prospects, expectations, chances, future.
43. seem (verb) – appear, look.
44. allude (verb) – refer to, suggest, imply, hint at, mention, cite, speak, call attention to something briefly/indirectly. 
45. framework (noun) – structure, system, organization.
46. policy framework (noun) – a set of principles and long-term goals that form the basis of making rules and guidelines for achieving particular objectives.
47. domain (noun) – arena, field, realm, sphere, territory, area; an area/field of activi
48. pivotal (adjective) – central, vital, significant/important, crucial/critical.
49. potential (noun) – possibility, potentiality, prospects, capacity.
50. growth potential (noun) – the capacity or ability of an individual or a business or a country’s economy to expand, improve, and achieve higher levels of performance over time.
51. capital spending/capital expenditure (CAPEX) (noun) – the money spent on the acquisition of assets like land, buildings, machinery, equipment, as well as investment in shares.
52. across the board (phrase) – applying to all.
53. rationalisation (noun) – systematisation, formalisation, justification, explanation.
54. overdue (adjective) – late, behind time, long-delayed, belated, postponed, tardy.
55. lift (verb) – raise, uplift, boost, elevate, improve.
56. consumer sentiment (noun) – consumer confidence; an economic indicator that measures how optimistic consumers feel about their finances and the state of the economy.
57. sentiment (noun) – point of view, way of thinking, feeling, attitude, thought, opinion, belief. ​
58. for the moment (phrase) – for now, for the present; for the time being; temporarily.
59. afford (verb) – bear, sustain, stand.
60. to wait things out (phrase) – to remain inactive and go through a difficult or unpleasant situation until it finally ends or improves.
61. luxury (noun) – comfort, advantage, blessing, benefit, advantage, boon, ease.
62. luxury (noun) – enough or plenty of something (time/advantage/wealth) to do something.

Note : 

1. Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc. from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/.

2. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context.  

3. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

The Hindu Editorial (​​​Time for action) – Aug 08, 2025: