Word of the Day Flashcards
vaunted
adjective /ˈvɔːn.tɪd/ US /ˈvɑːn.t̬ɪd/ formal
adjective /ˈvɔːn.tɪd/ US /ˈvɑːn.t̬ɪd/ formal
› praised often in a way that is considered to be more than acceptable or reasonable
被吹噓的；被誇耀的
His (much) vaunted new scheme has been shown to have serious weaknesses.
他那吹噓得天花亂墜的計劃已被證明存在嚴重缺陷。
praised
verb [T] (SHOW APPROVAL) /preɪz/
verb [T] (SHOW APPROVAL) 表示贊成 /preɪz/
› to express admiration or approval about the achievements or characteristics of a person or thing
讚揚，表揚
He should be praised for his honesty .
他應該因為誠實而獲得表揚。
My parents always praised me when I did well at school .
我在學校裡表現好時父母總是誇獎我。
He was highly praised for his research on heart disease .
他因在心臟病方面的研究而受到高度讚揚。
opponent
noun [C] /əˈpəʊ.nənt/ US /-ˈpoʊ-/
noun [C] /əˈpəʊ.nənt/ US /-ˈpoʊ-/
› a person who disagrees with something and speaks against it or tries to change it
反對者；對手；敵手
a political opponent
政敵
Leading opponents of the proposed cuts in defence spending will meet later today.
反對削減國防開支建議的帶頭人將在今天晚些時候會面。
› a person being competed against in a sports event
（體育比賽中的）對手
In the second game , her opponent hurt her leg and had to retire .
在第二局，她的對手拉傷了腿，不得不退出比賽。
conservatory
noun [C] /kənˈsɜː.və.tri/ US /-ˈsɝː.və.tɔː.ri/ (UK also conservatoire)
noun [C] (SCHOOL) 學校 /kənˈsɜː.və.tri/ US /-ˈsɝː.və.tɔː.ri/ (UK also conservatoire)
› a school for the teaching of music or sometimes acting or art
音樂學院；戲劇學院；藝術學院
fiasco
noun [C] /fiˈæs.kəʊ/ US /-koʊ/ (plural fiascos or mainly US fiascoes) mainly US
noun [C] /fiˈæs.kəʊ/ US /-koʊ/ (plural fiascos or mainly US fiascoes) mainly US
› something planned that goes wrong and is a complete failure , usually in an embarrassing way
完全失敗；尷尬的結局
The show was a fiasco - the lights wouldn’t work , one actor forgot his lines and another fell off the stage .
演出徹底搞砸了，燈光不亮，一個演員忘了台詞，另一個跌下了舞臺。
vain
/veɪn/
vain adjective (SELFISH) 自私的
adjective (NOT SUCCESSFUL) 不成功的 /veɪn/
› unsuccessful or useless ; of no value
徒勞的；枉然的；無用的
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the vain hope that he might recover .
醫生們給他服用了更多強效藥，希望他能康復過來，卻是徒然。
formal It was vain to pretend to himself that he was not disappointed .
他沒辦法欺騙自己說不覺得失望。
in vain
› unsuccessfully or uselessly
徒勞地；枉然地；無用地
I tried in vain to start a conversation .
我極力想挑起話頭，但沒有成功。
All the police’s efforts to find him were in vain.
警方竭力想要找到他，但所有努力終是徒勞。
attainment
noun [C or U] /əˈteɪnmənt/
noun [C or U] /əˈteɪnmənt/
› the act of achieving something, or something that is achieved :
The group’s investment objectives include the attainment of long-term capital growth .
attainment targets
a person’s educational attainments
brag
verb [I] /bræɡ/ (-gg-) informal disapproving
verb [I] /bræɡ/ (-gg-) informal disapproving
› to speak too proudly about what you have done or what you own
吹噓，誇耀
She’s always bragging about how much money she earns .
她老是吹噓自己賺錢如何如何多。
[+ that] They bragged that their team had never been beaten .
他們誇耀説他們隊伍從未輸過。
boast
verb [I or T] (SPEAK PROUDLY) /bəʊst/ US /boʊst/ disapproving
verb [I or T] (SPEAK PROUDLY) 誇口 /bəʊst/ US /boʊst/ disapproving
› to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own
自吹自擂，吹噓，誇耀
He didn’t talk about his exam results in case people thought he was boasting.
他沒有談論自己的考試成績，以免讓別人以為他在自我吹噓。
Parents enjoy boasting about their children’s achievements .
父母喜歡誇耀子女所取得的成績。
[+ that] They boasted that they had never lost a single game .
他們誇口説從來沒有輸過一場比賽。
descendant
noun [C] /dɪˈsen.dənt/
descendant
noun [C] /dɪˈsen.dənt/
› a person who is related to someone and who lives after them, such as their child or grandchild
子孫，後代
He has no descendants.
他沒有後代。
They claim to be descendants of a French duke .
他們自稱是一位法國公爵的後代。
We owe it to our descendants (= people younger than us who will live after we have died ) to leave them a clean world to live in.
給子孫後代留下一個清潔的生活環境是我們的職責。
vanish verb [I] /ˈvæn.ɪʃ/ The English descendant of "vanus" means "to disappear" intransitive verb 1 a : to pass quickly from sight : disappear b : to pass completely from existence 2 \: to assume the value zero
verb [I] /ˈvæn.ɪʃ/
› to disappear or stop being present or existing , especially in a sudden , surprising way
（尤指突然）消失，滅絕
The child vanished while on her way home from school .
那個小女孩在放學回家的路上不見了。
We rushed out of the shop in hot pursuit , but the thief had vanished into thin air (= had completely disappeared ).
我們衝出商店，拼命追趕，但小偷已經消失得無影無蹤。
Cheap rural housing is vanishing in the south of the country .
廉價的鄉間住房在該國南部行將絕跡。
epenthesis
\i-ˈpen(t)-thə-səs, e-\
\i-ˈpen(t)-thə-səs, e-\
插字,插音
the insertion or development of a sound or letter in the body of a word (as \ə\ in \ˈa-thə-ˌlēt\ athlete)
— ep·en·thet·ic adjective
squat
verb \ˈskwät\
verb \ˈskwät\
: to bend your knees and lower your body so that you are close to your heels or sitting on your heels
: to live in a building or on land without the owner’s permission and without paying
verb [I] (SIT) 坐 /skwɒt/ US /skwɑːt/ (-tt-)
› to position yourself close to the ground balancing on the front part of your feet with your legs bent under your body
蹲，蹲坐
She squatted on the ground and warmed her hands by the fire .
她蹲在地上，伸出雙手烤火。
He squatted down and examined the front wheel of his bike .
他蹲下身來，檢查腳踏車的前輪。
squash verb (PUSH) 推
squashy adjective
squat adjective
squat noun (ANYTHING) 任何事物
squat noun (PLACE TO LIVE) 居所
squat noun (SITTING) 坐
squat verb (LIVE) 住
squat verb (SIT) 坐
squat-thrust noun
squatter noun
squattocracy noun
nimble
adjective /ˈnɪm.bl̩/ usually approving
adjective /ˈnɪm.bl̩/ usually approving › quick and exact either in movement or thoughts （行動）靈活的，敏捷的；（頭腦）機敏的，敏銳的 nimble fingers / feet 靈巧的手指／雙腳 His nimble mind calculated the answer before I could key the numbers into my computer . 我還沒來得及把數字輸入電腦，他那敏捷的頭腦已經算出答案。 nimbleness /ˈnɪm.bl̩.nəs/ noun [U] nimbly /ˈnɪm.bli/ adverb › She hopped nimbly over the fence . 她敏捷地躍過籬笆。
swipe
/swaɪp/
verb [I or T, usually + adv/prep] (HIT) 擊打 /swaɪp/
› to hit or try to hit something, especially with a sideways movement
擊打，尤指掄起（物體）猛打
She opened the window and swiped at the flies with a rolled-up newspaper to make them go out.
她打開窗戶，揮舞著捲起的報紙猛打一通，想把蒼蠅趕出去。
She swiped him round the head .
她揮手打他的頭。
mainly US The car swiped the garage door as he pulled out.
他把車開出去時，撞上了車庫的大門。
→ See also sideswipe verb
swipe noun (CRITICISM) 批評
swipe noun (HIT) 擊打
swipe verb (HIT) 擊打
swipe verb (MOVE) 移動
swipe verb (STEAL) 偷
vowel
noun [C] /vaʊəl/
noun [C] /vaʊəl/
› a speech sound produced by humans when the breath flows out through the mouth without being blocked by the teeth , tongue or lips
母音
A short vowel is a short sound as in the word ‘ cup ‘.
短母音是諸如 cup 一詞中的短音。
A long vowel is a long sound as in the word ‘ shoe ‘.
長母音是諸如 shoe 一詞中的長音。
→ Compare consonant
› a letter that represents a sound produced in this way
母音字母
The vowels in English are a, e, i, o and u.
英語中的母音字母是 a， e， i， o， u。
consonant
noun [C] /ˈkɒn.sə.nənt/ US /ˈkɑːn-/
noun [C] /ˈkɒn.sə.nənt/ US /ˈkɑːn-/
› one of the speech sounds or letters of the alphabet which is not a vowel . Consonants are pronounced by stopping the air from flowing easily through the mouth , especially by closing the lips or touching the teeth with the tongue .
輔音；輔音字母
syllable
/ˈsɪl.ə.bl̩/
noun [C] /ˈsɪl.ə.bl̩/
› a single unit of speech , either a whole word or one of the parts into which a word can be separated , usually containing a vowel
音節
syllabic /sɪˈlæb.ɪk/ adjective specialized
emblem
/ˈem.bləm/
noun [C] /ˈem.bləm/
› a picture of an object which is used to represent a particular person , group or idea
象徵；標誌；符號；徽章
A rose is the national emblem of England .
玫瑰是英國的標誌。
duplicity
djʊˈplɪs.ɪ.ti/ US /duːˈplɪs.ə.t̬i/ formal
noun [U] /djʊˈplɪs.ɪ.ti/ US /duːˈplɪs.ə.t̬i/ formal
› dishonest talk or behaviour , especially by saying different things to two people
欺騙；（尤指）搞兩面派
They were accused of duplicity in their dealings with both sides .
他們被指責在與雙方打交道的過程中玩弄兩面派伎倆。
pho
a soup made of beef or chicken broth and rice noodles
assortment
/əˈsɔːt.mənt/ US /-ˈsɔːrt-/
noun [C usually singular] /əˈsɔːt.mənt/ US /-ˈsɔːrt-/
› a group of different types of something
各種各樣；混合；雜錦
an assortment of vegetables
雜菜
An unlikely assortment of rock stars and politicians attended the charity concert .
平常日子很少一起出現的搖滾歌星和政界人士共同參加了慈善義演。
tribute
/ˈtrɪb.juːt/
noun (RESPECTFUL ACTION) 表示敬意的舉動 /ˈtrɪb.juːt/
› [C or U] something that you say, write or give which shows your respect and admiration for someone, especially on a formal occasion
（尤指在正式場合表達敬意的）頌詞，禮物
Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world for the famous actor who died yesterday .
昨天，這位著名男演員去世，世界各國人士紛紛發來唁電表示哀悼。
For wedding bouquets , floral tributes (= flowers sent to someone’s funeral ) and all your flower needs , call Mandy’s Florists .
婚禮、葬禮以及其他各種用花需求，請致電曼迪花店。
pay tribute to sb/sth
› to praise someone or something
讚揚，稱讚
The minister paid tribute to the men who had fought the blaze .
部長高度讚揚奮力撲滅大火的勇士們。
unregenerate
adjective
1 :not spiritually reborn or converted
2a :not reformed : unreconstructed
b :obstinate, stubborn
seaboard
noun [C usually singular] /ˈsiː.bɔːd/ US /-bɔːrd/
noun [C usually singular] /ˈsiː.bɔːd/ US /-bɔːrd/
› the long thin area of a country which is next to the sea ; coast
海濱；海岸；沿海地區
The company owns a chain of hotels along/on the Atlantic seaboard.
這家公司在大西洋沿岸擁有連鎖旅館。
scholars
noun [C] /ˈskɒl.ər/ US /ˈskɑː.lɚ/
noun [C] /ˈskɒl.ər/ US /ˈskɑː.lɚ/
› a person who studies a subject in great detail , especially at a university
（尤指大學的）學者
a classics / history scholar
研究古典文學／歷史的學者
Dr Miles was a distinguished scholar of Russian history .
邁爾斯博士是一位研究俄國歷史的著名學者。
› informal someone who is clever or good at learning by studying
聰穎好學者；善於學習者
David’s never been much of a scholar.
戴維從來不是一個善於學習的人。
backslid
verb [I] /ˈbæk.slaɪd/ (backslid)
verb [I] /ˈbæk.slaɪd/ (backslid)
› to go back to doing something bad when you have been doing something good, especially to stop working hard or to fail to do something that you had agreed to do
倒退，退步；故態復萌（尤指不再努力工作或不做承諾過的事）
My diet was going well but I’m afraid I’ve been backsliding a bit recently .
我的節食計劃過去一直進展順利，但是最近恐怕有點兒退步了。
catfish
noun [C] /ˈkæt.fɪʃ/
noun [C] /ˈkæt.fɪʃ/
› a fish with a flat head and long hairs around its mouth , which lives in rivers or lakes
鯰魚
noun
1 :any of numerous usually freshwater stout-bodied fishes with large heads and long thin feelers about the mouth
2 : a person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes — NEW SENSE for 2014!
stout
. /staʊt/
adjective (PERSON)
人
/staʊt/
› ( especially of older people ) quite fat and solid-looking, especially around the waist
（尤指上年紀的人腰部）粗壯結實的
Mrs Blower was the rather stout lady with the glasses .
布洛爾太太就是那個肥碩、戴眼鏡的女人。
feeler
noun [C usually plural] /ˈfiː.lər/ US /-lɚ/
noun [C usually plural] /ˈfiː.lər/ US /-lɚ/
› one of the two long parts on an insect’s head with which it touches things in order to discover what is around it
（昆蟲的）觸角，觸鬚
fraudulent
/ˈfrɔː.djʊ.lənt/ US /ˈfrɑː-/
adjective (CRIME)
犯罪的
/ˈfrɔː.djʊ.lənt/ US /ˈfrɑː-/
› dishonest and illegal
欺騙的，欺詐的
A worrying trend for insurers has been a rise in fraudulent claims .
令保險公司不安的是，詐騙性的索賠呈上升趨勢。deceptive
adjective /dɪˈsep.tɪv/
adjective /dɪˈsep.tɪv/
› making you believe something that is not true
有欺騙成分的，騙人的；造成假像的
It’s deceptive - from the outside the building looks small , but inside it’s quite big .
這是一種錯覺——從外面看這棟建築物很小，但內部空間卻相當大。
deceptively /dɪˈsep.tɪv.li/ adverb › The plan seemed deceptively simple (= It seemed simple but was not in fact ).
這個計劃表面上看似非常簡單。
deceptiveness /dɪˈsep.tɪv.nəs/ noun [U]
insurer
noun [C] /ɪnˈʃɔː.rər/ US /-ˈʃʊr.ɚ/
noun [C] /ɪnˈʃɔː.rər/ US /-ˈʃʊr.ɚ/
› a person or company that provides insurance
承保人；保險公司
Please contact your insurer if you have any inquiries .
如有疑問，請與你的承保人聯絡。
ulterior
adjective /ʌlˈtɪə.ri.ər/ US /-ˈtɪr.i-/
adjective /ʌlˈtɪə.ri.ər/ US /-ˈtɪr.i-/
ulterior motive/reason/purpose, etc. › a secret purpose or reason for doing something
不可告人的動機／原因／目的等
He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an ulterior motive .
他聲稱只是想幫助莉薩，但我懷疑他有不可告人的動機。
cyber-bullyingnoun
[C] /ˈsaɪ.bəˌbʊl.i/ US /-bɚ-/
網路霸凌
noun [C] /ˈsaɪ.bəˌbʊl.i/ US /-bɚ-/
› someone who uses the internet to harm or frighten another person , especially by sending them unpleasant messages cyberbullying /-ɪŋ/ noun [U]
seduce
/sɪˈdjuːs/ US /-ˈduːs/
verb [T] (PERSUADE)
勸誘
/sɪˈdjuːs/ US /-ˈduːs/
› to persuade someone to have sex with you, often someone younger than you, who has little experience of sex
勾引；誘姦
Pete lost his virginity at 15 when he was seduced by his best friend’s mother .
皮特在15歲時失去童貞，那時他被他最好的朋友的母親勾引。
persuade
verb [T] /pəˈsweɪd/ US /pɚ-/
verb [T] /pəˈsweɪd/ US /pɚ-/
› to make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or by talking to them and making them believe it
勸服；說服
If she doesn’t want to go, nothing you can say will persuade her.
如果她不想去，你是說甚麼也勸不動她的。
[+ (that)] It’s no use trying to persuade him (that) you’re innocent .
試圖讓他相信你的無辜是徒勞的。
[+ to infinitive] He is trying to persuade local and foreign businesses to invest in the project .
他正在努力說服國內外商人投資該專案計劃。
Using a bunch of bananas , the zoo-keeper persuaded the monkey back into its cage .
動物園管理員用一串香蕉誘使猴子回到籠子裡。
formal The first priority is to persuade the management of the urgency of this matter .
當務之急是要讓管理階層瞭解到事情的緊迫性。
Her legal advisers persuaded her into/out of mentioning (= to mention /not to mention ) the names of the people involved in the robbery .
她的法律顧問勸她說出／不要說出涉入搶劫的人的名字。
misbegotten
/ˌmɪs.bɪˈɡɒt.ən/ US /-ˈɡɑː.t̬ən/ formal
adjective (BADLY PLANNED)
計劃不周的
/ˌmɪs.bɪˈɡɒt.ən/ US /-ˈɡɑː.t̬ən/ formal
› badly or stupidly planned or designed
計劃不周密的，規劃拙劣的
a misbegotten belief / idea
不周密的想法
misbegotten social and economic policies
極不合理的社會與經濟政策
adjective
1 :unlawfully conceived : illegitimate
2 :having a disreputable or improper origin
3 :not worthy of respect or approval
unlawful
/ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/ US /-ˈlɑː-/
adjective /ʌnˈlɔː.fəl/ US /-ˈlɑː-/ › not allowed by law 法律禁止的；違法的 unlawful possession of guns 非法持槍 unlawfully /ʌnˈlɔː.fəl.i/ US /-ˈlɑː-/ adverb
