Celband Flashcards
Pessimistic
(adj)
1. Thinking that bad things are more likely to happen or emphasizing the bad part of a situation:
The tone of the meeting was very pessimistic.
The doctors are pessimistic (= not hopeful) about his chances of recovery.
Synonym
gloomy (WITHOUT HOPE)
Opposite
optimistic
Overtax
(verb)
1. To cause to feel tired or confused as a result of doing too much or doing something too difficult:
Remember you’ve been ill, and don’t overtax yourself.
This problem is overtaxing my brain.
Complacent
(adj)
1. Feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder:
a complacent smile/attitude
We can’t afford to become complacent about any of our products.
Synonym:
self-satisfied
Diligent
(adj)
1. Careful and using a lot of effort:
a diligent student
Leo is very diligent in/about his work.
Their lawyer was extremely diligent in preparing their case.
2. Done in a careful and detailed way:
The discovery was made after years of diligent research.
3. Careful and serious in your work, or done in a careful and determined way:
a diligent worker
They made diligent efforts to carry out their programs
Strained
(adj)
1. If a relationship is strained, problems are spoiling it:
Relations between the two countries have become strained (= difficult) recently.
2. Showing that someone is nervous or worried:
She was looking strained and had dark circles beneath her eyes.
Jean felt uncomfortable but managed to force a strained smile.
緊張的
Havoc
( noun)
1. Confusing and lack of order, especially causing damage or trouble:
The storm wreaked (= caused) havoc in the garden, uprooting trees and blowing a fence down.
The delay played (= caused) havoc with their travel arrangements.
Synonym
mayhem
破壞，毁滅
Mayhem
(noun)
1. A situation in which there is little or no order or control:
With 20 kids running around and only two adults to supervise, it was complete mayhem.
2. Confused activity or excitement, sometimes involving destructive violence: (故意的伤害罪)
The movie includes a considerable amount of violence and mayhem.
Synonym
havoc
Narrate
(verb)
to tell a story, often by reading aloud from a text, or to describe events as they happen:
- One by one the witnesses narrated the sequence of events which led up to the disaster.
- We have to hire a professional to narrate the video.
solicit
(verb)
to ask someone for money, information, or help:
- to solicit donations for a charity
- It is illegal for public officials to solicit gifts or money in exchange for favours.
征求，乞求
Fondly
(adv)
1) in a way that shows love or great liking:
- He smiled fondly at the children.
2) hoping that something will be true when it probably will not:
- She fondly believed that he might come.
superlative
(noun)
the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses that the thing or person being described has more of the particular quality than anything or anyone else of the same type:
- “Richest” is the superlative of “rich.”
comply
(verb)
to act according to an order, set of rules, or request:
- He’s been ordered to have the dog destroyed because it’s dangerous, but he refuses to comply.
- There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
Synonym
follow
setback
(noun)
something that happens that delays or prevents a process from developing:
- Sally had been recovering well from her operation, but yesterday she experienced/suffered a setback.
- There has been a slight/temporary setback in our plans.
Synonyms
blow
hitch (PROBLEM)
reversal
competence
(noun)
the ability to do something well:
- Her competence as a teacher is unquestionable.
- He reached a reasonable level of competence in his English.
