j09083的部落格

Expediency(n.)

the use of methods that produce an immediate result or solution to a problem, but may not be fair or honest

Doctrine(n.)

a set of principles or beliefs, especially religious or political ones

the Christian doctrine of resurrection

Severity(n.)

1.      the seriousness of something bad or unpleasant

*severity of: The severity of the storm was less than expected.

2. the degree to which something is strict or extreme

*severity of: She was surprised by the severity of the sentence he was given.

3. an unfriendly attitude and a lack of humor

The tone of Helen’s voice approached severity.

1.      the degree to which something is plain and not attractive in its style

Terrorize(v.)

to frighten people by threatening them or by using violence

The leaders of the coup ousted the president and terrorized the nation for three years.

This gang terrorized the entire community.

Rebellious(a.)

1.      fighting to remove a government or leader by force

rebellious troops

2.      opposing authority or accepted ways of doing things

rebellious teenagers

Undermine(v.)

1.      to make something or someone become gradually less effective, confident, or successful

Britain was accused of undermining international efforts to reduce pollution.

Their trading position has been seriously undermined by the minister’s remarks.

a.      to deliberately say or do things that make someone appear less impressive or less important

They had spoken secretly to reporters in an effort to undermine the leadership.

Conviction(n.)

1.      [COUNTABLE] a strong belief or opinion about something

She holds deep religious convictions.

2.      [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] a decision by a court of law that someone is guilty of a crime

The conviction of three youths was later overturned by the Court of Appeals.

She has a conviction for driving while intoxicated.

3.      [UNCOUNTABLE] the feeling or appearance of being confident or very certain about something

“Everything will be fine,” she said, though without much conviction.

The team’s recent performances have lacked conviction.

Supreme(a.)                    

1.      most important, or most powerful

NATO’s supreme commander in Kosovo

a.      used in the titles of government, legal, or military institutions that have the highest level of power

the Supreme Court

a meeting of the Supreme Council of State

2.       [ONLY BEFORE NOUN] very great

With a supreme effort of will, Isabel swallowed the medicine.

Television exposure is of supreme importance in American politics.

supreme confidence/arrogance

He’s a supreme example of the English eccentric.

Secular(a.)

not religious, or not connected with religion

He was the first of the country’s secular rulers.

religious and secular matters

debate(n.)

1.      [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] a discussion in which people or groups state different opinions about a subject

debate about/on/over: There has been intense debate over the handling of illegal immigrants.

(a) lively/heated/fierce/intense debate: The proposals provoked a fierce debate.

be the subject of much/some debate: Her books have been the subject of much debate.

2.      [COUNTABLE] a formal discussion that ends with a decision made by voting

debate about/on something: an emergency debate on the future of the peace talks

traditionalist(n.)

someone who wants to keep traditional ideas or methods

proponent(n.)

someone who publicly supports an idea, policy, plan, etc.

recovery(n.)

1.      [SINGULAR/UNCOUNTABLE] the process of becoming fit and healthy again after an illness or injury

*make a recovery: The doctors expect Josie to make a full and speedy recovery.

*recovery from: his recovery from alcoholism

2. [SINGULAR/UNCOUNTABLE] the process of returning to normal activity after a period of slow activity

There were still no real signs of an economic recovery.

2.      [UNCOUNTABLE] the act of getting something again that was lost, stolen, or owed

*recovery of: the recovery of stolen property

Their objective is the recovery of land lost in previous wars.

Thesaurus entry for this meaning of recovery

Chieftain(n.)

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

combatant(n.)

a person, group, or country that takes part in a war

duel(n.)

1.      a fight between two men with guns or swords, used in the past by men of high social status to defend their honor after being insulted

2.      MAINLY JOURNALISM a close competition between two people or teams

3.      an argument between two people

a duel of words

infantry(n.)

soldiers who fight on foot, not on horses or in tanks or other vehicles

archer(n.)

someone who shoots arrows from a bow

meticulously(a.)

very thorough and with careful attention to detail

Everyone agreed that it was a piece of meticulous research.

Accurate(a.)

1.      correct or true in every detail

We need to get an accurate estimate of what the new building will cost.

Would it be more accurate to say that the plan failed?

2.      able to do something in an exact way, without making a mistake

an accurate clock

He’s very accurate in his calculations.

*accurate to: a stop watch accurate to 0.01 of a second (=never wrong by more than 0.01 of a second)

3. an accurate throw or shot goes where it is intended to go