Tina Tang的部落格

instrument (n.) /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

definition:

a tool or device used for a particular purpose

ex:

The murder weapon was a blunt instrument. [=an object without sharp edges or points]

faux pas (n.) /ˈfoʊˌpɑː/

definition:

an embarrassing social mistake

ex:

Arriving too early would be a serious/major faux pas.

juggernaut (n.) /ˈʤʌgɚˌnɑːt/

definition:

something (such as a force, campaign, or movement) that is extremely large and powerful and cannot be stopped

ex:

The group became a sales juggernaut in the commodity options business.

nefarious (adj.) /niˈferijəs/

definition:

evil or immoral

ex:

Why make a whole village prisoner if it was not to some nefarious purpose?

loin (n.) /ˈloɪn/

definition:

an area on the back of an animal's body near the tail

ex:

Pork loin is very lean meat and isn't too expensive.

slather (v.) /ˈslæðɚ/

definition:

to cover something with a thick layer of a liquid, cream, etc.

ex:

We ate lobster slathered with/in butter.

protuberance (n.) /proʊˈtuːbərəns/

definition:

a usually rounded part that sticks out from a surface

ex:

There was a small protuberance [=bulge] on the skull.

arid (adj.) /ˈerəd/

definition:

very dry : having very little rain or water

ex:

These trees will shield off arid winds and protect the fields.

zeal (n.) /ˈziːl/

definition:

a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

ex:

She attacked her homework with renewed zeal [=enthusiasm] after getting her first A.

crocus (n.) /ˈkroʊkəs/

definition:

a small purple, yellow, or white flower that blooms in the early spring

ex:

Bertha watched the lengthening days, the colored crocus spring from the ground, the snowdrops.

petal (n.) /ˈpɛtl̟/

definition:

one of the soft, colorful parts of a flower

ex:

Each white petal had a stripe of red.

morbid (adj.) /ˈmoɚbəd/

definition:

relating to unpleasant subjects (such as death)

ex:

She has a morbid interest in funerals.

tapestry (n.) /ˈtæpəstri/

definition:

a heavy cloth that has designs or pictures woven into it and that is used for wall hangings, curtains, etc.

ex:

The tapestry did but tremble in the wind, he shook.

fester (v.) /ˈfɛstɚ/

definition:

to become painful and infected

ex:

His wounds festered for days before he got medical attention.

turgid (adj.) /ˈtɚʤəd/

definition:

disapproving : very complicated and difficult to understand

ex:

He used to make extremely dull, turgid and frankly boring speeches.

flirt (v.) /ˈflɚt/

definition:

to behave in a way that shows a sexual attraction for someone but is not meant to be taken seriously

ex:

He used to flirt with every girl he met.

hallucinogenic (n.) /həˈluːsənəʤən/

definition:

a substance (such as a drug) that causes people to see or sense things that are not real : a substance that causes hallucinations

ex:

The contents of the images extend like hallucinogen.

vent (v.) /ˈvɛnt/

definition:

to allow (something, such as smoke or gas) to go out through an opening

ex:

Windows should be opened to vent the fumes.

paranoid (adj.) /ˈperəˌnoɪd/

definition:

having or showing an unreasonable feeling that people are trying to harm you, do not like you, etc.

ex:

It's nothing more than a paranoid fantasy.

freak (n.) /ˈfriːk/

definition:

informal: a person who is very interested or active in something specified

ex:

For the real speed freak, there is a 2 - litre, fuel - injection version of the car.

mundane (adj.) /ˌmʌnˈdeɪn/

definition:

dull and ordinary

ex:

Peace comes through rising above the mundane and seeing the larger picture.

agony (n.) /ˈægəni/

definition:

extreme mental or physical pain

ex:

She was in terrible agony after breaking her leg.

downgrade (v.) /ˈdaʊnˌgreɪd/

definition:

to give (someone or something) a lower rank or grade

ex:

If you confess to the crime, we may be able to downgrade [=reduce] the charge.

gingerbread (n.) /ˈʤɪnʤɚˌbrɛd/

definition:

a cake or cookie made with molasses and ginger

ex:

We made gingerbread men [=gingerbread cookies shaped like people] for the holidays.

block (v.) /ˈblɑːk/

definition:

to be placed in front of (something, such as a road or path) so that people or things cannot pass through

ex:

There's an accident blocking the road.