01 Flashcards
sabbatical
a period of paid leave granted to a university teacher for study or travel, traditionally one year for every seven years worked.
She is on sabbatical for six months.
saline
containing or impregnated with salt
A saline drip
The plasma the company removes is replaced with a saline solution, in which you non-plasma blood components are returned.
satire
innuendo - irony - sarcasms - cynicism
the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues
cynical
ironic - sarcastic -
believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere
Such a cynical and decadent philosophy could not go unchallenged.
saturate
to become thoroughly soaked with water or other liquid so that no more can be absorbed
bivalve
a type of mollusc such as an oyster, that has its body inside two connected shells.
scallop
an edible bivalve mollusc with a ribbed fan-shaped shell.
扇貝
clam
a marine bivalve mollusc with shells of equal size.
蛤蜊
oyster
any of a number of bivalve molluscs with rough irregular shells.
mussel
any of a number of bivalve molluscs with a brown or purplish-black shell.
scarcely
barely - rarely
The future for many other lenders looks scarcely brighter.
scarcity
shortage, deficiency, insignificance, insignificancy, scarcity
the state of being scarce or in short supply
secular
not connected with religious or spiritual matters
It’s not allowed in a religious space, but it is not forbidden in secular space.
segment
each of the parts into which something is or may be divided
segregation
the action or state of setting someone or something apart from others
- discrimination - apartheid- isolation
sensational
amazing - astounding - breathtaking - dramatic - electrifying -remarkable - spectacular - thrilling -
sequence
a series of related things or events, or the order in which they follow each other
shed
› a small building, usually made of wood, used for storing things
siege
Noun
the surrounding of a place by an armed force in order to defeat those defending it
The soldiers laid siege to the city
The soldiers started a siege of the city.
The castle was under siege for months.
silly
showing little thought or judgment
slot
a long narrow hole, especially one for putting coins into or for fitting a separate piece into
I put my coin in the slot and pressed the button but nothing came out.
The holder has slots for 100 CDs.
sluggish
› moving or operating more slowly than usual and with less energy or power
I was tired, sluggish and slept for hours.
soar
[I usually + adv/prep]
to rise very quickly to a high level
the bird spread its wings and soared into the air
fly, wing, ascend, climb, rise, take off, take flight
EX:House prices had soared a further twenty per cent.
sobriquet
a name given to someone or something which is not their real or official name
solicit
to ask someone for money, information or help
To solicit donations for a charity.
soothe
to make someone feel calm or less worried
sophomore
a student studying in the second year of a course at a US college or high school
span
the period of time that sometimes exists or happens
He has a short attention/concentration span.
An average life span of seventy years.
Over a span of three years, the new government has transformed the country’s economic prospects.
sparse
small in numbers or amount, often scattered over a large area
a sparse population/audience
sparse vegetation/woodland
specimen
something shown or examined as an example; a typical example
spectacular
very exciting to look at
speculate
to guess possible answers to a question when you do not have enough information to be certain
speculation
when you guess possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain
[+ that] The Prime Minister’s speech fuelled/prompted speculation that an election will be held later in the year.
spiral
a shape made up of curves, each one above or wider than the one before
A corkscrew is spiral-shaped.
sprawl
to spread the arms and legs out carelessly and untidily while sitting or lying down
I knocked into her in the corridor and sent her sprawling (= knocked her over).
rabies
a fatal disease of the nervous system of dogs and other animals, which can also cause death in humans who are bitten by an animal with this disease
radiant
obviously very happy, or very beautiful
He gave a radiant smile when he heard her news.
radiation
a form of energy that comes from a nuclear reaction and that can be very dangerous to health
radius
(the length of) a straight line joining the centre of a circle to its edge or the centre of a sphere to its surface
diameter
(the length of) a straight line that reaches from one point on the edge of a round shape or object, through its centre, to a point on the opposite edge
probe
to try to discover information that other people do not want you to know, by asking questions carefully and not directly
explore or examine (something), especially with the hands or an instrument:
examination - exploration - inquest - inquiry - research - scrutiny
premise
a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion
assertion - assumption - basis - presumption - proposition - thesis
prompt
urge - encourage - induce - stimulate
cause or bring about (an action or feeling)
pertinent
relevant - appropriate
relevant or applicable to a particular matter
adjacent
next to or adjoining something else
the area adjacent to the station.
adjunct
a thing added to something else as a supplementary rather than an essential part: computer technology is an adjunct to learning.
• a person who is another’s assistant or subordinate. a talented adjunct desperately grabbing at officer status.
ambivalence
the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone: the law’s ambivalence about the importance of a victim’s identity |
The document expressed some ambivalence over the doctrine of predestination.
amenable
open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled: parents who have amenable children.
• (amenable to) capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible: cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment.
antiquated
adjective
old-fashioned or outdated: this antiquated central heating system.
appraise
verb [ with obj. ]
assess the value or quality of: there is a need to appraise existing techniques | (as adj.appraising) : she cast an appraising eye over the notes.
• assess the performance of (an employee) formally. some companies are considering team appraisals instead of appraising individuals.
• (of an official valuer) set a price on; value: they appraised the painting at £200,000.
ascertain
verb [ with obj. ]
find (something) out for certain; make sure of: an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident | [ with clause ] : management should ascertain whether adequate funding can be provided.
The police have so far been unable to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
[+ that] I ascertained that no one could overhear us before I told Otto the news.
aspiring
adjective [ attrib. ]
directing one’s hopes or ambitions towards becoming a specified type of person: an aspiring artist.
assent
noun [ mass noun ]
the expression of approval or agreement: a loud murmur of assent | he nodded assent.
• official agreement or sanction: the act was given the Royal Assent.
verb [ no obj. ] (often assent to)
express approval or agreement: the Prime Minister assented to the change | [ with direct speech ] : ‘Guest house, then,’ Frank assented cheerfully.
assess
verb [ with obj. ]
evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of: the committee must assess the relative importance of the issues | [ with clause ] : it is difficult to assess whether this is a new trend.
• calculate or estimate the price or value of: the damage was assessed at £5 billion.
• set the value of a tax, fine, etc., for (a person or property) at a specified level: all empty properties will be assessed at 50 per cent.
atlas
noun
1 a book of maps or charts: I looked in the atlas to see where Naples was | a road atlas.
2 (also atlas vertebra)Anatomy the topmost vertebra of the backbone, articulating with the occipital bone of the skull.
3 (pl.atlantes |atˈlantiːz| ) Architecture a stone carving of a male figure, used as a column to support the entablature of a Greek or Greek-style building.
attest
verb
1 [ with obj. ] provide or serve as clear evidence of: his status is attested by his becoming an alderman | [ no obj. ] : his numerous drawings of babies attest to his fascination with them.
• [ no obj. ] declare that something exists or is the case: I can attest to his tremendous energy | [ with clause ] : the deceased’s solicitor attested that he had been about to institute divorce proceedings.
• witness or certify formally. the witnesses must attest and sign the will in the testator’s presence.
2 [ no obj. ] historical enrol as ready for military service. unfortunately for him, he attested.
• [ with obj. ] recruit (someone) for military service by putting them on oath to serve if called upon. 2,000,000 men were attested under this system.
Thousands of people came out onto the streets to attest their support for the democratic opposition party.
The number of old German cars still on the road attests (to) the excellence of their manufacture.
As his career attests, he is a cricketer of world-class standard.
avert
verb [ with obj. ]
1 turn away (one’s eyes or thoughts): she averted her eyes while we made stilted conversation.
2 prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence): talks failed to avert a rail strike.
DERIVATIVES
avertable adjective
barb
noun
1 a sharp projection near the end of an arrow, fish hook, or similar object, which is angled away from the main point so as to make extraction difficult.
• a cluster of spikes on barbed wire.
• a deliberately hurtful remark: his barb hurt more than she cared to admit.
2 a beard-like filament at the mouth of some fish, such as barbel and catfish.
• each of the fine hair-like filaments growing from the shaft of a feather, forming the vane.
3 a freshwater fish with barbels around the mouth, popular in aquaria.
●Barbus and other genera, family Cyprinidae: numerous species.
DERIVATIVES
barbless adjective
besiege
verb [ with obj. ]
surround (a place) with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender: the king marched north to besiege Berwick | (as adj.besieged) : the besieged city.
• surround and harass: she spent the whole day besieged by newsmen.
• (be besieged) be inundated by large numbers of requests or complaints: the television station was besieged with calls.
DERIVATIVES
besieger
noun
bibliography
noun
a list of the books referred to in a scholarly work, typically printed as an appendix.
• a list of the books of a specific author or publisher, or on a specific subject. a bibliography of his publications.
• [ mass noun ] the history or systematic description of books, their authorship, printing, publication, editions, etc.
DERIVATIVES bibliographer noun bibliographic adjective, bibliographical adjective, bibliographically adverb
bipedal
adjectiveZoology
(of an animal) using only two legs for walking.
boast
verb
1 [ reporting verb ] talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities: [ no obj. ] : she boasted about her many conquests | [ with clause ] : he boasted that he had taken part in the crime | [ with direct speech ] : Ted used to boast ‘I manage ten people.’.
2 [ with obj. ] (of a person, place, or thing) possess (a feature that is a source of pride): the hotel boasts high standards of comfort.
Parents enjoy boasting about their children’s achievements.
noun
an act of talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction: I said I would win and it wasn’t an idle boast.
bogus
adjective
not genuine or true (used in a disapproving manner when deception has been attempted): a bogus insurance claim.
On investigation, his claim was found to be bogus.
DERIVATIVES
bogusly adverb,
bogusness noun
catastrophic
adjective
involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering: a catastrophic earthquake.
• extremely unfortunate or unsuccessful: catastrophic mismanagement of the economy.
• involving a sudden and large-scale alteration in state: the body undergoes catastrophic collapse towards the state of a black hole.
• relating to geological catastrophism.
They were warned of the ecological catastrophe to come.
DERIVATIVES
catastrophically adverb
cater
verb [ no obj. ]
1 Brit. provide people with food and drink at a social event or other gathering: my mother helped to cater for the party | (as nouncatering) : high standards of catering.
• [ with obj. ] N. Amer. provide food and drink for (an event): he catered a lunch for 20 people.
2 (cater for/to) provide with what is needed or required: the school caters for children with learning difficulties.
• (cater for) take into account or make allowances for: the scheme caters for interest rate fluctuations.
• (cater to) try to satisfy (a need or demand):
he catered to her every whim.
DERIVATIVES
caterer noun
caulk
noun [ mass noun ]
a waterproof filler and sealant, used in building work and repairs. use silicone caulk to ensure that you have an all-season moisture seal.
verb [ with obj. ]
seal (a gap or seam) with caulk. caulk all cracks between the trim and siding or masonry.
• make (a boat) watertight by stopping up any gaps in its hull. a garden must be cleared, boats caulked, and nets mended.
charter
n. 许可证；纲领；宪章；包租
vt. 发给…许可证；发给特许执照
网络宪章；章程；特许状；执照
How many publications will sign up to the charter?
Norway becomes a charter member of the United Nation
Never knock charter flights; they are opening up the world for budget-conscious travellers.
chronological
adjective
(of a record of events) following the order in which they occurred: the entries are in chronological order.
• calculated in terms of the passage of time: medical decisions should be based on the individual’s biological age, not chronological age.
• relating to the establishment of dates of past events: the diary provided a chronological framework for the events.
circumvent
verb [ with obj. ]
1 find a way around (an obstacle). if you come to an obstruction in a road you can seek to circumvent it.
• overcome (a problem or difficulty) in a clever and surreptitious way: it was always possible to circumvent the regulations.
2 archaic deceive; outwit. he’s circumvented her with some of his stories.
clinch
verb [ with obj. ]
1 confirm or settle (a contract or bargain): the Texan wanted to impress him to clinch a business deal.
• conclusively settle (an argument or debate): these findings clinched the matter.
• confirm the winning or achievement of (a match, competition, or victory): Johnson scored the goals which clinched victory.
2 [ no obj. ] grapple at close quarters, especially (of boxers) so as to be too closely engaged for full-arm blows.
• (of two people) embrace.
3 secure (a nail or rivet) by driving the point sideways when it has penetrated.
• fasten (a rope or angling line) with a clinch knot.
noun
1 a struggle or scuffle at close quarters. breaking from a clinch, he crossed with his right.
• an embrace, especially an amorous one: we went into a passionate clinch on the sofa.
2 (also clinch knot)a knot used to fasten ropes or angling lines, using a half hitch with the end seized back on its own part.
