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perfunctory
Definition: (adjective) unenthusiastic, routine, or mechanical.
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berth  audio  (bûrth) KEY 

NOUN:
  1. Sufficient space for a ship to maneuver; sea room: kept a clear berth of the reefs.
  2. A space for a ship to dock or anchor: a steamship moored to its berth at the pier.
    1. Employment on a ship: sought an officer's berth in the merchant marine.
    2. A job: a comfortable berth as head of the department.
    1. A built-in bed or bunk, as on a ship or a train.
    2. A place to sleep or stay; accommodations: found a berth in a nearby hotel.
  3. A space where a vehicle can be parked, as for loading.
VERB:
berthed, berth·ing, berths
VERB:
tr.
  1. To bring (a ship) to a berth.
  2. To provide with a berth.
VERB:
intr.
To come to a berth; dock.

IDIOM:
a wide berth
Ample space or distance to avoid an unwanted consequence: gave their angry colleague a wide berth.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English birth; perhaps akin to beren, to bear ; see bear1


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