Tina Tang的部落格

servant (n.)

   definition :

     one that serves others <a public servant>; especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer.

   EX : 

     The wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them.

scapegoat (n.)

   definition : 

     a person who is blamed for something bad that somebody else has done or for some failure.

   EX :

     She felt she had been made a scapegoat for her boss's incompetence.

supersede (v.)
   definition : 

     to take the place of something/somebody that is considered to be old-fashioned or no longer the best available.
   EX :

     The theory has been superseded by more recent research.

tendentious (a.) 
   definition : 

     marked by a tendency in favor of a particular point of view. 
   EX : 

     The author’s tendentious history of the chemical company glosses over its role in one of the most catastrophic environmental accidents in history. 

fester (v.)
   definition : 

     to become much worse because you do not deal with them successfully.
   EX :

     Instead of talking the matter over with him, she allowed her resentment to fester in her mind.

wince (v.)
   definition : 

     to suddenly make an expression with your face that shows that you are feeling pain or embarrassment.
   EX : 

     He winced as a sharp pain shot through his left leg.

disdainful (a.)
   definition : 

     showing disdain.
   EX : 

     She's always been disdainful of people who haven't been to college.

wicker (a.)
   definition : 

     thin sticks of wood twisted together to make baskets, furniture, etc.
   EX : 

     She sat in the back in a wicker arm chair!

whinge (v.) 
   definition : 

     to complain in an annoying way.
   EX : 

     She's always whinging about how unfair everything is.

disdainful (a.)
   definition : 

     showing disdain.
   EX : 

     She's always been disdainful of people who haven't been to college.

reprisal (n.)
   definition : 

     a violent or aggressive act towards somebody because of something bad that they have done towards you.
   EX : 

     They did not want to give evidence for fear of reprisals.

bloated (a.)
   definition : 

     full of food and feeling uncomfortable.
   EX : 

     I felt bloated after the huge meal they'd served.

awestruck (a.)
   definition : 

     feeling very impressed by something.
   EX : 

     People were awestruck by the pictures the satellite sent back to Earth.

stranglehold(v.)
   definition : 

     a strong hold around somebody's neck that makes it difficult for them to breathe.
   EX : 

     Both arms were around his neck in a stranglehold.

scathing (a.)
   definition : 

     criticizing somebody or something very severely.
   EX : 

      Her father gave her a scathing look.

capricious (a.)
   definition : 

     showing sudden changes in attitude or behaviour.
   EX :

     a movie star who was capricious and difficult to please.

assimilate(v.) 
   definition : 

     to pretend that you have a particular feeling.
   EX : 

     After each contribution there will be a silent pause to assimilate what has been said and to perceive what rightly follows.

despoil (v.)
   definition : 

     to steal something valuable from a place; to make a place less attractive by damaging or destroying it.
   EX : 

     Time to think of such things when we have purged the corruption which despoils the land and enslaves my people. 

square (v.)
   definition : 

     forming an angle of 90° exactly or approximately.
   EX :

     The book had rounded, not square, corners.

strife (a.)
   definition : 

     angry or violent disagreement between two people or groups of people.
   EX :

     The country was torn apart by strife.

encampment (n.)
   definition : 

     a group of tents, huts, etc. where people live together, usually for only a short period of time.
   EX : 

     Showing a newly built church with large encampment of tents pitched on the surrounding open ground.

beguiling (a.)
   definition : 

     attractive and interesting but sometimes mysterious or trying to trick you.
   EX : 

     This is perhaps the most beguiling resort on the island.

refrain (v.)
   definition : 

     to stop yourself from doing something, especially something that you want to do.
   EX : 

     They appealed to the protesters to refrain from violence.

innovation (n.)
   definition : 

     the introduction of new things, ideas or ways of doing something.
   EX : 

     The company is very interested in product design and innovation.

rear (n.)
   definition : 

     the back part of something.
   EX : 

     A trailer was attached to the rear of the truck.