Tina Tang的部落格

separate à away from

select

segregate

segment

2000年以前 Celtic language

7^th The Angles and the Saxons

1066A.D.

àThe king and the aristocrat à French

à The ordinary à Anglo-Saxon

solar à stands for sun

Luna à stands for moon

Mediterranean à in the middle

generator à birth, begin

gene

generation

genealogy

坎特伯里  The Canterbury Tales坎特伯里故事集

(goy idea from Baccaccio Decameron) 薄伽丘《十日談》

Chaucer 喬叟

volgate 通俗本

a.欽定版聖經 James I

b.出版社 William Caxton à the first English printing

c.16^th~17^th 編字典à Samuel Johnson à lexicographer àDictionary of English language

bungalow 印地安帳篷

kindergarten 幼稚園

dialect 方言

dictionary à to say, to tell a word

That’s totally rubbish. 亂講/ 胡說

petroleum(British) à (American)

The House of commons 下議會

dismiss解散

maladroit (adj.)  [͵mæləˋdrɔɪt]
   definition :

     not adroit skillful awkward clumsy.
   Ex :  

     The new supervisor was maladroit in dealing with the employees.

malady (n.)  [ˋmælədɪ] 
   definition :

     a bad condition ; a disease.
   Ex :

     Science has reduced the number of incurable maladies.

conspicuous (n.)  [kənˋspɪkjʊəs]
   definition :

     easy to notice(look at) ; obvious.
   Ex :

     Her late arrival made her conspicuous.

introspection (n.)  [͵ɪntrəˋspɛkʃən]
    definition :

a looking within one's own mind.
Ex : 

Introspection was valuable in helping her solve some of her problems.

perspicacious (adj.) [͵pɝspɪˋkeʃəs] 
    definition :

having the ability to look through something and understand it; perceptive.
Ex :

In dealing with individual employee problems, he was exceptionally perspicacious.

retrospect (n.) [ˋrɛtrə͵spɛkt] 
    definition :

a looking backward.
Ex :

In retrospect, his life did not seem so unhappy.


speculate (v.) [ˋspɛkjə͵let]
    definition :

to reflect on or ponder.
Ex :

The candidate speculated on his chances of winning.

insuperable (adj.) [ɪnˋsjupərəbl]
    definition : 

not capable of being overcome.
Ex :  

His height was an insuperable barrier to his becoming a jockey.

soprano (n.) [səˋpræno]
    definition :

one having a voice range above other voices.

Ex :

Her soprano solo won top honors.

supercilious (adj.) [͵supɚˋsɪlɪəs]
    definition :

eyebrows raised in a haughty, conceited way.
Ex :

She cast a supercilious glance at the person who had dared to disagree with her.

precedent (n.)  [ˋprɛsədənt]
    definition :

an act that goes before and may serve as an example for later acts.
Ex :

By giving his prize to charity, he set a precedent that later winners followed.

precipitate (v.) [prɪˋsɪpə͵tet]
    definition :

lit. to dash headfirst ; to hasten
Ex :

The scandal precipitated his ruin.


presage (v.) [ˋprɛsɪdʒ]
    definition :

to perceive beforehand ; to predict.
Ex :

Lack of cooperation among the employees presages trouble in the industry. Those dark clouds presage a storm.

acrophobia (n.)  [͵ækrəˋfobɪə]
    definition :

an excessive or illogical fear of high places.
Ex :

Because of her acrophobia, she refused to approach the rim of the canyon.

claustrophobia (n.) [͵klɔstrəˋfobɪə]
    definition :

an excessive or illogical fear of enclosed places.
Ex :

His claustrophobia made him prefer an office that opened onto a balcony.

embryology (n.)  [͵ɛmbrɪˋɑlədʒɪ]
    definition :

the study of the formayion and development of embryos.
Ex :

The science of embryology has determined the exact times when various parts of an embryo develop.

etymology (n.) [͵ɛtəˋmɑlədʒɪ] 
    definition :

the study of the origin(true meaning) and development of words. 
Ex :

 From his study of etymology, he learned many interesting word histories.

epilogue (n.)  [ˋɛpə͵lɔg]
    definition :

a speech directed to the audience at the conclusion of a play.
Ex :

Shakespeare's plays often end with an epilogue spoken by one of the characters.
monologue (n.)  [ˋmɑn!͵ɔg]
    definition :

a speech by one person ; a soliloquy.
Ex :

The monologue beginning " Is this a dagger which I see before me? " helps reveal Macbeth's character.

prologue (n.) [ˋpro͵lɔg] 
    definition :

a speech before a play ; any introductory event. 
Ex :

The fancy appetizers were the prologue to an excellent dinner.

epigram (n.) [ˋɛpə͵græm]
    definition :

any short, witty saying.
Ex :

She liked to quote the epigram " Success is getting what you want ; happiness is wanting what you get. "

eulogize (v.)  [ˋjulə͵dʒaɪz]
    definition : 

lit. to give a good speech ; to give a speech in praise of.
Ex :

The man who had started the project was eulogized by all the speakers.

euphemism (n.) [ˋjufəmɪzəm]
    definition :

the substitution of a mild(good) word in place of a distasteful or unpleasant one.
    Ex :

She spoke in euphemisms, talking of  " passing on " rather than dying.

disconcert (v.)  [͵dɪskənˋsɝt] 
    definition :

to upset ; to frustrate.
Ex :

The speaker was disconcerted by the noise in the balcony.
ambiguous (adj.)  [æmˋbɪgjʊəs]
    definition :

uncertain ; having two possible meanings.
Ex :

From her ambiguous answer, I couldn't tell whether she was complimenting or insulting me.

Epic poetry = oral poetry = lengthy narrative poem

oral poetry = Vergil, Virgil = << The Aeneid >>

summary(n.) summarize(v.)

Genesis --> birth, beginning

gene

genetation

generator

in medias res = into the middle oh things

                         in the midst of things

assemble(v.) assembly(n.)

bard 吟遊詩人

Crisis = Cryseis 危機

Phoebus, Phoibos, Pallas 閃閃發亮

homeric epithet

inspect  verb \in-ˈspekt\
def:

1.to view closely in critical
2.to examine officially
ex.

She had the car inspected by a mechanic before she bought it.

substantiate   verb \səb-ˈstan(t)-shē-ˌāt\
def:

1.to give substance or form to
2.to establish by proof or competent evidence
ex.

Mr. MacGregor could't substantiate that it was Peter, and not some other rabbit, in the cabbage patch.

probation noun /prəˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/
def:

1.critical examination and evaluation  or subjection to such examination and evaluation 
2.the state or a period of being  subject to probation
ex.

As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months.

sequence   noun \ˈsē-kwən(t)s, -ˌkwen(t)s\
def:

1.a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions
2.a continuous or connected series 
3.order of success
ex.

He listened to the telephone messages in sequence.

lounge  verb \ˈlau̇nj\
def:

1.to act or move idly or lazily
2.o pass time idly
ex.

She was lounging on the sofa.

phobia noun \ˈfō-bē-ə\
def:

an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects or stituation
ex.

His fear of crowds eventually developed into a phobia.

defy verb \di-ˈfī, dē-\
def:

1.to challenge to combat 
2.to challenge to do something considered impossible
ex.

She defied her parents and dropped out of school.

bewilder  verb \bi-ˈwil-dər, bē-\
def:

1.to cause to lose one's bearings
2.to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, or multitude of objects or considerations
ex.

The change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers.

scheme noun \ˈskēm\
def:

1.a mathematical or astronomical diagram
2.a plan or program of action; especially, a crafty or secret one
ex.

A plan or program of action;especiall,a crafty or secret one

reunion  noun \(ˌ)rē-ˈyün-yən\
def:

1.an act of reuniting
2.a reuniting of persons after seperation
ex.

An emotional reunion between mother and son.

litter noun \ˈli-tər\
def:

1.a covered and curtained couch provived with shafts and used for carring a single passenger
2.trash,wastepaper,or garbage lying scattered
ex.

We decided to pick up the litter in the park.

pertinent  adjective \ˈpər-tə-nənt, ˈpərt-nənt\
def:

having a clear decisive relevance to the matter in hand
ex.

He impressed the jury with his concise,pertinent answers to the attorney's questions.

emerge   verb \i-ˈmərj\
def:

1.to become manifest
2.to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid
ex.

The facts emerged after a lengthy investigation.

leash   noun \ˈlēsh\
def:

1.a line for leading or restraining an animal
2.a set of three animals
ex.

Dogs must be kept on a leash while in the park.

tariff  noun \ˈter-əf, ˈta-rəf\
def:

a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods

resort  noun \ri-ˈzȯrt\
def:

1.one that affords aid or refuge
2.a place providing recreation and entertainment especially to vacationers
ex.

The island port was once the resort of smugglers, pirates, and other unsavory characters.

obscure  adjective \äb-ˈskyu̇r, əb-\
def:

1.surouded in or hidden by darkness
2.not readily understood or clearly expressed
ex.

The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.

venerate  verb \ˈve-nə-ˌrāt\
def:

1.to regard with revential respect
2.to honor with a ritual act of devotion
ex.

A writer venerated by generations of admirers.

declare  verb \di-ˈkler\
def:

1.to make known formally, officially, or explicitly
2.to make evident
ex.

The government has just declared a state of emergency.

court  verb \ˈkȯrt\
def:

1.to seek to gain or achieve
2.to seek to attract
ex.

He was courting his college sweetheart.

skyrocket   verb \ˈskī-ˌrä-kət\
def:

1.to cause to rise or increase abruptly and rapidly
2.catapult

ex.

His popularity skyrocketed after his latest movie.

plummet  verb \ˈplə-mət\
def:

1.to fall perpendicularly
2.to drop sharply and abruptly
ex.

The car plummeted to the bottom of the canyon.

consecutive  adjective \kən-ˈse-kyə-tiv, -kə-tiv\
def:

following one after the other in order
ex.

The team's winning streak has lasted for seven consecutive games.

stagnant  adjective \ˈstag-nənt\
def:

1.not flowing in a current or stream
2.not advancing or developing

dramatic  adjective \drə-ˈma-tik\
def:

1.of or relating to the drama
2.suitable to or characteristic of the drama
ex.

His parents noticed a dramatic change in his behavior.

Script (n.) [skrɪpt]

definition :

1. A text that is written for a movie, play, broadcast, or speech

2. A set of letters used for writing a particular language

Ex:

I received a letter from her in her neat script. 

Millennium (n.)  [mɪˋlɛnɪəm]

definition :

A period of 1000 years

Ex: 

The whole world was counting down to the new millennium.

Indigenous (adj.) [ɪnˋdɪdʒɪnəs] 

definition :

1. Born or engendered in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion, especially of plants and indigenous peoples.

2. Figuratively, innate

Ex:

The Navajos are among the indigenous people of North America.

Sculpture (n.) (v.) [ˋskʌlptʃɚ] 

definition :

(n.)1. The art of shaping figures or designs in the round or in relief

      2. A work of art created by sculpting; such works as a group

(v.)1. To fashion something into a three-dimensional figure.

      2. To represent something in sculpture.

      3. To change the shape of a land feature by erosion etc.

Ex:

In the ruins they found ancient stone sculptures.

Medieval (adj) [͵mɪdɪˋivəl] 

definition :

Of or relating to the Middle Ages, perhaps AD 650 to 1550.

Ex: 

The tunnels were dug in medieval times as an escape route.

Obscure (adj.) (v.) [əbˋskjʊr]

definition :

(a) 1. Dark, faint or indistinct

(v.)1. To darken, make faint etc.

      2. To hide, put out of sight etc.

Ex:

 His difficult style obscures his meaning.

Pastoral (adj.) (n.) [ˋpæstərəl] 

definition :

(a)Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural life and scenes; as, a pastoral life

(n.) A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a poem in which the speakers assume the character of shepherds; a bucolic.

Ex: 

A priest's pastoral duties include helping the poor and sick.                 

Melancholy (adj.) (n.) [ˋmɛlən͵kɑlɪ]

definition :

(n.)1. (obsolete) Great sadness or depression; gloom.

      2. (dated) black bile

(a.) Affected with great sadness or depression.

 Ex:

 Larry is in a very melancholy mood.

Exile (n.) (v.) [ˋɛksaɪl] 

definition :

(n.)1. The state of being banished from one's home or country.

      2. Someone who is banished from one's home or country.

(v.) To send into exile.

Ex: 

He has been an exile for ten years.

Formative (adj.) KK [ˋfɔrmətɪv] 形成的; 造成的

definition :

1. Relating to the formation and subsequent growth of something

2. Capable of forming something

3. (biology) capable of producing new tissue

Ex: 

The meanest plant cannot be raised without seed, by any formative residing in the soil.

Decipher (v.) [dɪˋsaɪfɚ]

definition :

1. To decode or decrypt a code or cipher to plain text.

2. To read text that is almost illegible or obscure.

3. To find a solution to a problem.

Ex:

Can you decipher the writing on this envelope?

Encroach (v.) [ɪnˋkrotʃ] 

definition :

1. To gradually take away someone else's rights, or to take control of someone's time, work, etc.

2. To gradually cover more and more of an area of land

Ex:

What the government is proposing encroaches on the rights of individuals.

Capricious (adj.) [kəˋprɪʃəs] 

definition :

Impulsive, Impulsive and unpredictable; determined by chance, impulse, or whim; as, a capricious winter storm, stringent rulers often act capriciously

Ex:

He was a cruel and capricious tyrant.

Fragmentation (n.) KK [͵frægmənˋteʃən] 分裂; 破碎

definition :

1. The act of fragmenting or something fragmented; disintegration.

2. The process by which fragments of an exploding bomb scatter.

Ex:

It was partly the fragmentation of the opposition which helped to get the Republicans re-elected.

Dialect (n.)  [ˋdaɪəlɛkt] 

definition :

1.    A variety of a language (specifically, often a spoken variety) that is characteristic of a particular area, community or group, often with relatively minor differences in vocabulary, style, spelling and pronunciation.

Ex:

The poem is written in northern dialect.

Formidable (adj.) [ˋfɔrmɪdəb!] 

definition :

1. Causing fear, dread, awe or admiration as a result of size, strength, or some other impressive quality; commanding respect

2. Difficult to defeat or overcome

Ex:

A formidable prospect lies ahead of him.

Amenity (n.) [əˋminətɪ] 

definition :

Something intended to make life more pleasant or comfortable for people.

Ex:

Straus established employee amenities such as restrooms, medical care, and a lunchroom.

Anarchy (n.) [ˋænɚkɪ]  

definition :

1. The state of a society being without authoritarians or a governing body.

2. Confusion in general; disorder.

Ex:

Civil war has led to anarchy.

Elite (n.) [eˋlit]

definition :

1. (Uncountable) A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society.

2. (Countable)someone who is among the best at certain task.

Ex:

He is the football team's elite.

Subordinate (adj.) (n.) (v.) [səˋbɔrdnɪt] 

definition :

(a.)Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.; submissive, Submissive to or controlled by authority.

(n.)One that is subordinate.

(v.)To make subservient; To treat as of less value or importance.

Ex:

You need to assign this job to a subordinate.

Ferocity (n.) [fəˋrɑsətɪ] 

definition :

1.  The condition of being ferocious.

Ex:

The president came in for some ferocious criticism.

Cohesion (n.) [koˋhiʒən]

definition :

1. The state of sticking together, or (of people) being in close agreement and working well together

2. The growing together of normally distinct parts of a plant

Ex:

The team just seems to lack cohesion.

Condemn (v.)  [kənˋdɛm] 

definition :

1. To confer some sort of eternal divine punishment upon.

2. To mark (a building, for example) for destruction.

Ex:

The movie was condemned

Mediterranean = in the middle

Mediterranean = earth

Athena + Apolo (Minerva + Apolon) = wisdom

hubris 傲慢 = arrogant (型男飛行日誌)

Atreus家族 – 兄 Agamemnon (Mycenae)

             弟 Menelaus ( Sparta)

Asclepius = god of healing

Iris 彩虹之神

Zeus, Jupiter 宙斯

Hera, Juno 赫拉

Uranus 天王星

Socrates 蘇格拉底

Dionysus 酒神

Hermes 商業之神

Poseidon, Neptune 海神

Peleus + Thetis ­­--> Achilles

River Styz

Archilles’ Heel 致命傷

Patroclus

Moirae = fates = destiny

fair = beautiful

magnanimous (adj.) /formal/
  definition :

willing to forgive people, or willing to be kind and fair.
  Ex : 

You greedy glory-hound, the magnanimous Greeks are going to get another prize for you.

quarrel (n.) /ˈkwɔrəl/
  definition : 

an argument, especially one about something unimportant between people who know each other well.
  Ex : 

I don’t have any quarrel with the Trojans.

inch (v.) /ɪntʃ/  
  definition : 

to gradually become greater smaller in amount or number.
Ex : 

He was mulling it over, inching the great sword.

rhetorical (adj.) /rɪˈtɔrɪk(ə)l/
  definition :

 relating to a style of speaking or writing that is effective or intend to influence people.
  Ex : 

The rhetorical appeal to the self-interest of the audience, to expediency, became the method of the political leaders of the wartime democracy and the fundamental doctrine of new theories of power politics.

transaction (n.) /trænˈzækʃ(ə)n/
  definition : 

the process or activity of doing something, usually something related to business.
Ex : 

Its first use was probably for commercial records and transaction , but …… plant.   

protracted (adj.) /prəˈtræktəd/
definition :   

Continuing for a long time, especially longer than is normal or necessary.
Ex : 

Two protracted wars resulted (264-241 B.C.E. and 218-201 B.C.E.), and it was only at the end of a third shorter war (149-146 B.C.E. ) that the Romans destroyed their great rival.

bureaucratic (adj.) /ˌbjʊrəˈkrætɪk/

definition : 

involving a lot of complicated rules, details, and processes.

Ex :

 It was a blurred memory (Homer does not remember the writing, for example, or the detailed bureaucratic accounting recorded on the tables), and this is easy to understand：some time in the last century of the millennium the great palaces were destroyed by fire.

furtively (adv.) /ˈfər-tiv/

definition : 

done quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed.

Ex :  

The Latin writer (especially poet) borrowed wholesale from his Greek original, not furtively but openly and proudly, as a tribute to the master from whom he had learned.

disintegrate (v.) /dɪsˈɪntɪˌɡreɪt/

definition : 

to be completely destroyed by breaking into lots of very small pieces, for example as the result of an explosion.

Ex :

 As the empire in the third and fourth centuries disintegrated under the never-ending invasions by peoples from the north, the church, with its center and spiritual head in Rome, converted the new inhabitants and so made possible the preservation of much of that Latin and Greek literature that was to serve the European Middle Ages and, later, the Renaissance as a model and a basis for their own great achievements in the arts and letters.

monstrous (adj.) /ˈmɑnstrəs/

definition : 

very large and often ugly or frightening.

Ex :

 In which men perform monstrous actions with the same matter-if-fact efficiency the display in their normal occupations.

ignominy (n.) /ˈɪɡnəˌmɪni/

definition : 

A situation where you feel embarrassed and lose other people’s respects.

Ex : 

His ignominy is Patroclus’s honor.

chieftain (n.)  /ˈtʃiftən/

definition : 

The leader of a tribe (= a group of families or communities that are related to each other)

Ex :

 The bravest of the Achaean chieftain encamped outside the city.

garland (v.) /ˈɡɑrlənd/

definition :  

A ring of flowers, leaves, etc. that you wear around your head or neck or use for decorating something.

Ex : 

And all the signs that garland the sky.

Aloof (adj.)  /əˈluf/

definition :

Someone who is aloof, or who remains or stays aloof from something, is not friendly or does not want to be involved in something.

Ex :

Alone is aloof from the wash of Ocean.

 bridal (adj.)  /ˈbraɪd(ə)l/

definition :

 Relating to a bride (= a woman getting married) or a wedding.

Ex : 

Up through the town, bridal sun is rising.

crest (v.) /krest/

definition :

if a wave crests, it rises up to its highest point before falling.

Ex :

Lovely and intricate, and crested with gold.

outermost (adj.) /ˈaʊtərˌmoʊst/

definition :

Farthest away from a particular place or from the center of something.

Ex :

Lapping the outermost rim of the massive shield.

pliant (adj.) /ˈplaɪənt/

definition :

soft and changing shape when pressed.

Ex :

He wrought leg-armor out of pliant tin.

besetting (adj.) /bɪˈsɛtɪŋ/

definition :

 Trouble or threaten persistently.

Ex :

What saves it from the besetting fault.

Propaganda (n.) /ˌprɑpəˈɡændə/

definition :

Information, especially false information, that a government or organization spreads in order to influence people’s opinions and beliefs.

Ex :

  The Aeneid sounds like propaganda.

insulate (n.) /ˈɪnsjəˌleɪt/

definition :

 to cover something in order to prevent heat, cold, noise, or electricity from passing through it.

Ex :

…, but this does not insulate him from unhappiness.

impervious (adj.) /ɪmˈpɜrviəs/

definition :

 not affected by something or not seeming to notice it.

Ex :

…, her silence as impervious to pleas and tears as his was once at Carthage.

forestall (v.) /fɔrˈstɔl/

definition :  

To prevent something from happening by saying or doing something before it can happen.

Ex :

She forestalls fate.

deity (n.) /ˈdiəti/

definition :

A god.

Ex :

…, a vegetation deity especially associated with the vine.

hymn (n.) /hɪm/

definition :

A religious song that people usually sing in churches.

Ex :

…, sang hymns of praise to god.

manual /ˈmænjʊəl/ noun.

definition :

a book containing instructions for doing something, 

especially for operating amachine

hypothesis  /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/ noun.

definition :

an idea that attempts to explain something,

but has not yet been tested or provedto be correct

ex.

Our findings support the hypothesis 

that these patients are at increased risk ofheart disease.

stereotype /ˈsteriəˌtaɪp/ noun.

definition :

a very firm and simple idea about what a particular type of person or thing is like

ex. 

He certainly doesn't fit the stereotype of the emotional Italian.

applicant /ˈæplɪkənt/ noun.

definition :

someone who applies for something, such as a job or a loan of money

ex.

job applicants

participant /pɑrˈtɪsɪpənt/noun.

definition :

someone who takes part in something 
ex.

It was argued that he was a willing participant in the crime.

exclude  /ɪkˈsklud/  verb

definition :

to deliberately not include something

ex.

These figures exclude cash receipts.

external  /ɪkˈstɜrn(ə)l/  adjective

definition :

coming from outside a place or organization

ex.

sources of external financing

exterior /ɪkˈstɪriər/ noun

definition :

the outside part of something, especially a building

ex.

There are plans to improve the hotel’s exterior.

extract /ɪkˈstrækt/ verb

definition :

to remove something from a particular place

ex.

He opened a drawer and extracted a file.

extracurricular /ˌekstrəkəˈrɪkjələr/ adjective 

definition :

extracurricular activities are things

that you do at school or college that are not part of your program of study

reorganization /͵riɔrgənəˋzeʃən/ noun

definition :

the process of organizing something again in a different way

ex.

The general manager has planned a reorganization of the sales department

repeat /rɪˋpit/ verb

definition :

to say or write something again

ex.

If you repeat those allegations, we will consult our lawyers.

reprss /rɪˈpres/ verb

definition :

a feeling

ex.

I couldn’t repress my curiosity.

retrieve /rɪˈtriv/ verb

definition :

to get something back, especially something that is not easy to find

ex.

She stooped to retrieve the key from the ground.

revive /rɪˈvaɪv/ verb

definition :

to make someone become conscious or alive again

ex.

Attempts to revive him failed, and he died soon afterward.

childish  /tʃ'ɑɪldɪʃ/  adj

definition :

behaving in a silly and annoying way, like a small child
ex.

It’s simply childish to refuse to talk to her.

foolish /ˈfulɪʃ/ adjective

definition :

lacking good sense and judgment
ex.

I did some stupid things when I was young and foolish.

selfish /ˈselfɪʃ/ adjective

definition :

thinking only about yourself and not caring about other people

ex.

I decided to go for purely selfish reasons.

reddish /ˈredɪʃ/ adjective

definition :

similar to red, or slightly red

rubbish /ˈrʌbɪʃ/ adjective

definition :

something that is useless, of no value, or of very low quality

irrational /ɪˈræʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective

definition :

done or happening without clear or sensible reasons

ex.

The market’s enthusiasm for high-tech stocks was irrational but understandable.

irregular /ɪˈreɡjələr/ adjective

definition :

not even, smooth, or straight in shape or appearance

ex.

The original date of the translation is irrelevant to its value as a historical source.

irresponsible /ˌɪrɪˈspɑnsəb(ə)l/ adjective

definition :

done or said without thinking of the possible results of your actions or words

ex.

It was irresponsible of you to leave her alone.

irresistible /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəb(ə)l/ adjective

definition :

strong or powerful and impossible to control or defeat.

ex.

The arguments for a change in the law are irresistible.

1.The Great Gatsby

2.Stuart Little à WASP

3.psychology VS. Oedipus Complex戀母情結

4.

obstacle à bad

obesity

obstacle

obituary

encourage à increase the stated quality

ensure

enlarge

broaden

predict à before

preview

unpredictable

preclude

advance à toward

advocate

disadvantage

addict

or, er, ist, ian, ant à person

doctor

teacher

artist

musician

flight attendant

contestant

accountant

protestant

anniversary à year

annual

annal

annalist

manipulate à human

manifold

manifest

maniform

hypothesis à under

hypoderm

hypocrisy

hypocenter

party alternation 政黨輪替

snarl(v.)    

definition :

to cause to become knotted and intertwined

*intertwine(v.): to unite by twining one with another

snatch(v.)    

definition :

to attempt to seize something suddenly

For example: An eagle swooped down and snatched one of the hens.

sneer(v.)

definition :

to smile or laugh with facial contortions that express scorn or contempt

For example: “You obviously don't know what you're talking about,” she sneered.

soar(v.)

definition :

to fly aloft or about

For example: The temperature soared to 100 degrees.

*aloft(adv.): at or to a great height

5. sober(adj.)    

definition :

sparing in the use of food and drink

For example: I'm driving, so I have to stay sober tonight.

vacancy(adj.)    

definition :

archaic: an interval of leisure

For example: There were no vacancies at the hotel.

*interval(n.): a space of time between events or states

vaccine(n.)    

definition :

a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease

*microorganism(n.):an organism (as a bacterium or protozoan) of microscopic or ultramicroscopic size

*attenuate(v.): to make thin or slender

* virulent(adj.):marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course

*immunity(n.): the quality or state of being immune

vain(adj.)    

definition :

having no real value

For example: She is very vain about her appearance.

valiant(adj.)    

definition :

possessing or acting with bravery or boldness

For example: She died last year after a valiant battle with cancer.

valid(adj.)    

definition :

having legal efficacy or force; especially

For example: There is no valid reason to proceed with the change.

vigor(n.)   

definition :

active bodily or mental strength or force

For example: She defended her beliefs with great vigor.

vinegar(n.)    

definition :

a sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids and used as a condiment or preservative

For example: glad to see his old friend was still full of vinegar after so many years

*dilute(v.): to make thinner or more liquid by admixture

*preservative(adj.): having the power of preserving

vital(adj.)    

definition :

a: existing as a manifestation of life

b: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life

For example: These matters are vital to national defense.

*manifestation(n.): the act, process, or an instance of manifesting

vogue(n.)    

definition :

archaic: the leading place in popularity or acceptance

For example: His art seems to be enjoying a vogue these days.

volcano(n.)   

definition :

a vent in the crust of the earth or another planet or a moon from which usually molten or hot rock and steam issue

warranty(n.)    

definition :

a: a real covenant binding the grantor of an estate and the grantor's heirs to warrant and defend the title

For example: The stereo came with a three-year warranty.

*warrant(n.): a commission or document giving authority to do something

watertight(adj.)    

definition :

leaving no possibility of misconstruction or evasion

For example: The evidence against the defendant was watertight.

*evasion(n.): a means of evading

vanity(n.)    

definition :

something that is vain, empty, or valueless

For example: The handsome actor's vanity was well-known.

vast(adj.)    

definition :

very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range

For example: She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject.

versatile(adj.)    

definition :

changing or fluctuating readily

For example: She is a versatile athlete who participates in many different sports.

*fluctuate(v.): to shift back and forth uncertainly

wharf(n.)    

definition :

a structure built along or at an angle from the shore of navigable waters so that ships may lie alongside to receive and discharge cargo and passengers

*navigable(adj.):deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships

whereas(conj.)    

definition :

while on the contrary

For example: Whereas you chose to participate in this stupid prank, you will be held responsible as well.

whine(v.)    

definition :

a: to utter a high-pitched plaintive or distressed cry

b: to make a sound similar to such a cry

For example: He's always whining about the weather.

*utter(adj.): carried to the utmost point or highest degree

whisper(v.)   

 definition :

to speak softly with little or no vibration of the vocal cords especially to avoid being overheard

For example: He whispered in my ear.

*vibration(n.): a distinctive usually emotional atmosphere capable of being sensed

wholesome(adj.)    

definition :

promoting health or well-being of mind or spirit.