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concrete

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concrete
I
concrete1 /ˈkɒŋkriːt $ kɑːnˈkriːt/ adjective
 Date: 1300-1400
 Language: Latin
 Origin: concretus, past participle of concrescere 'to grow together', from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + crescere 'to grow'
1. made of concrete:
    a concrete floor
2. definite and specific ⇨ abstract:
    What does that mean in concrete terms?
    the lack of any concrete evidence
    a dialogue about concrete issues and problems
—concretely adverb
     
COLLOCATIONS
(for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
    concrete evidence First, the police must have concrete evidence of an offence.
    a concrete example I can illustrate this point with a concrete example.
    a concrete proposal People talked a lot but made few concrete proposals.
    concrete results The negotiations failed to achieve any concrete results.
    concrete action In order to solve this problem, the government must take concrete action.
    (a) concrete form A society's culture is expressed in a concrete form in the arts.
■ phrases
    in concrete terms Let me explain what I mean in more concrete terms.
    take concrete steps to do something The country has to take concrete steps to end the violence.

II
concrete2 /ˈkɒŋkriːt $ ˈkɑːŋ-/ noun [uncountable]

a substance used for building that is made by mixing sand, small stones, cement, and water

III
concrete3 /ˈkɒŋkriːt $ ˈkɑːŋ-/ verb [transitive]
to cover something such as a path, wall etc with concrete