autonomous (adj.) /ɑˈtɑːnəməs/
definition:
existing or acting separately from other things or people
ex:
Many disabled children become autonomous [=self-sufficient] adults.
automate (v.) /ˈɑːtəˌmeɪt/
definition:
to run or operate (something, such as a factory or system) by using machines, computers, etc., instead of people to do the work
ex:
The company recently automated its filing process.
barometer (n.) /bəˈrɑːmətɚ/
definition:
something that is used to indicate or predict something
ex:
The test is used as a barometer [=standard] to measure a student's reading level.
berate (v.) /bɪˈreɪt/
definition:
to yell at (someone) : to criticize (someone) in a loud and angry way
ex:
She berated [=scolded] her son for coming home late.
bedeck (v.) /bɪˈdɛk/
definition:
to decorate (someone or something) with things : to add decorative things to (something or someone)
ex:
She was bedecked in gold and jewels.
bespeak (v.) /bɪˈspiːk/
definition:
to be evidence of (something) : to be a sign of (something)
ex:
Her newest album bespeaks a great talent for writing songs.
belittle (v.) /biˈlɪtl̟/
definition:
to describe (someone or something) as little or unimportant
ex:
Her detractors are in the habit of belittling her accomplishments.
beleaguer (v.) /bɪˈliːgɚ/
definition:
to cause constant or repeated trouble for (a person, business, etc.)
ex:
The team has been beleaguered by errors.
belligerent (adj.) /bəˈlɪʤərənt/
definition:
angry and aggressive : feeling or showing readiness to fight
ex:
He was drunk and belligerent.
bellicose (adj.) /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/
definition:
having or showing a tendency to argue or fight
ex:
It's by cultivating one bellicose identity that violence is often fostered.
benefactor (n.) /ˈbɛnəˌfæktɚ/
definition:
someone who helps another person, group, etc., by giving money
ex:
With the help of a rich benefactor he set up a charity.
benevolent (adj.) /bəˈnɛvələnt/
definition:
organized to do good things for other people
ex:
He belonged to several benevolent societies and charitable organizations.
benediction (n.) /ˌbɛnəˈdɪkʃən/
definition:
a prayer that asks for God's blessing
ex:
He dismissed the congregation with a benediction.
beneficiary (n.) /ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃiˌeri/
definition:
a person, organization, etc., that is helped by something : someone or something that benefits from something
ex:
The college was a beneficiary of the private grant.
biped (n.) /ˈbaɪˌpɛd/
definition:
a 2-footed animal
ex:
Human beings are bipeds.
bifurcate (v.) /ˈbaɪfɚˌkeɪt/
definition:
to divide into two parts
ex:
The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.
biweekly (adj.) /baɪˈwiːkli/
definition:
happening every two weeks
ex:
The biweekly sales meeting is scheduled for every other Tuesday.
bivalve (n.) /ˈbaɪˌvælv/
definition:
a sea animal that has a shell with two movable parts connected by a hinge
ex:
But did you ever notice anyone try to open the terrestrial bivalve with a typewriter?
biannual (adj.) /baɪˈænjəwəl/
definition:
happening twice a year
ex:
The group holds biannual meetings in December and July.
bibliophile (n.) /ˈbɪblijəˌfajəl/
definition:
a person who loves or collects books
ex:
Ted loves everything about books. He is a real bibliophile.
bibliography (n.) /ˌbɪbliˈɑːgrəfi/
definition:
a list of books, magazines, articles, etc., about a particular subject
ex:
The instructor provided the students with an excellent bibliography on local history.
biography (n.) /baɪˈɑːgrəfi/
definition:
the story of a real person's life written by someone other than that person
ex:
Boswell wrote a famous biography of Dr. White.
biology (n.) /baɪˈɑːləʤi/
definition:
a science that deals with things that are alive (such as plants and animals)
ex:
The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology.
blimey (inj.) /ˈblaɪmi/
definition:
used to express surprise or amazement
ex:
“I've won the lottery.” “Blimey! I can't believe it!”
biosphere (n.) /ˈbajəˌsfiɚ/
definition:
the part of the Earth in which life can exist
ex:
The entire biosphere was becoming more transparent.
留言列表
美國文學 (1)
