j09083的部落格

insoluble(a.)

1. CHEMISTRY an insoluble substance does not dissolve and disappear when you put it into liquid

2. impossible to solve

an insoluble problem/mystery

Serpent(n.)

a snake, especially a large one

dispensation(n.)

1.      [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] FORMAL official permission to do something that people are not normally allowed to do, especially from a religious authority

special dispensation: He was given special dispensation from a local rabbi to work on the holiday.

2.      [UNCOUNTABLE] FORMAL the process of providing a supply of something, especially officially

the dispensation of justice

3.      [COUNTABLE] VERY FORMAL a political or religious system in use at a particular time

Earthly(a.)

1.used for giving emphasis to negative statements or to questions

There’s no earthly reason why we should pay their expenses.

It’s no earthly use talking to him.

2.LITERARY relating to life on earth rather than to heaven

Agent(n.)

1.      a person or company that does business for another person or company, for example by selling their products or by dealing with their customers

a shipping agent

a.      someone whose job is to help a writer, performer, or an athlete by finding work for them

a literary agent

b.      in the U.K., someone who helps a person to become a member of parliament

2.someone who works for a country’s intelligence agency and collects secret information about foreign governments

a secret/undercover/intelligence/CIA agent

a.      an official of some U.S. government departments, such as the fbi

Agent Lehman spoke with the police about the case.

See also  double agent, special agent

3.a chemical or other substance that has a particular effect

oxidizing agents

a.      FORMAL something that causes change

*agent of: Soil erosion is a major agent of environmental change.

Assert(v.)

1.to state firmly that something is true

He has continued to assert his innocence.

*assert (that): The governor asserted that no more money would be available.

a. to speak or behave in a firm, confident way

She always manages to assert her point of view.

*assert yourself (=to state your opinion firmly and confidently): Don’t be so shy – you need to learn to assert yourself.

2.to claim that you have the right to do something or behave in a particular way

This system discourages people from asserting their rights in court.

He quickly asserted his authority as a leader.

It’s hard for shy people to assert themselves in a group.

3.if a fact, idea, or tendency asserts itself, it begins to influence someone or something

After a while her old bad habits began to assert themselves.

Shrine(n.)

1.a religious place built to remember a particular holy person or event

a. a place that you respect because it is related to a person, activity, or event that you admire

2.a container for holding religious relics such as the bones of a holy person

Refuge(n.)

a place where you go to protect yourself from something dangerous or threatening

a refuge for earthquake victims

*take/seek/find refuge: Residents took refuge from the bombing in the local church.

Asparagus(n.)

a long thin green vegetable whose stems and tips (=pointed ends) are eaten

Eloquently(a.)

expressing what you mean using clear and effective language

an eloquent speech

Testify(v.)

1.      to make a statement about something that you saw, know, or experienced, usually in a court of law

*testify for/against someone: Several key witnesses have agreed to testify against Edwards.

*testify before something: Jordan testified before the grand jury last week.

*testify (that): Three people testified that they heard gunshots.

2.to provide evidence that something exists or is true

*testify to: These ruins testify to the existence of Roman occupation.

Tilt(v.)

1.[TRANSITIVE] to move something so that one side is lower than the other

The tray was tilted at an angle.

She tilted the bowl to pour the mixture out.

a.      [INTRANSITIVE] if something tilts, it moves so that one side is lower than the other

Suddenly the boat started to tilt.

b.      [TRANSITIVE] to move your head slightly upward, downward, or to one side

She was sitting with her head tilted slightly back.

2.      [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to influence a situation in a particular way, or to be influenced in a particular way

*tilt the balance toward/in favor of someone (=give someone an advantage): Excellent performances from the opening batsmen have tilted the balance in favor of the home side.

Acquit(v.)

[USUALLY PASSIVE] to state officially that someone is not guilty of the crime they were accused of

acquit someone of something: He was eventually acquitted of the charges.

Dreadful(a.)

1.very unpleasant

dreadful news

The trip was dreadful.

2. [ONLY BEFORE NOUN] used for emphasizing how bad something is

It’s a dreadful shame that you can’t go.

Trial(n.)

1.      [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] LEGAL the process of examining a case in a court of law and deciding whether someone is guilty or innocent. When a case comes to trial, it is brought to a court and the person who has been accused of a crime stands trial (=appears in court)

a murder/rape/fraud trial

a civil/criminal trial

*on trial (for something): They’re on trial for armed robbery.

*trial on: He remains in prison awaiting trial on major fraud charges.

2. [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] the process of testing a product, plan, or person over a period of time

The drug is now undergoing clinical trials.

*a trial period: The system will operate for a six-month trial period.

*a trial basis: We’ve installed the new system on a trial basis.

*a trial separation (=when a married couple decide to live apart for a short time): She wanted a trial separation but he insisted on a divorce.

3.[COUNTABLE] a painful or difficult experience

She writes about the trials of life on the American frontier.

Thesaurus entry for this meaning of trial

a.      [SINGULAR] someone who causes problems or is annoying

The kids can be a real trial at times.

3.      [COUNTABLE] [USUALLY PLURAL] a sports competition during which people are tested and chosen for a later competition

The Olympic trials are to be held next week.

Progressive(n.)

someone who supports social and political change to make a system fairer

Institute(n.)

an organization that does a particular type of research or educational work

the National Cancer Institute

Communal(a.)

1.owned or used by everyone in a group, especially a group of people who live in the same building

a communal kitchen/garden/stairway

2.relating to a particular community

Impersonally(a.)

1.not showing any friendly feelings or interest in someone

His manner was cold and impersonal.

a.      used about large institutions that do not think about people’s individual needs and situations

an alternative to giving unwanted children to large, impersonal state orphanages

b.      used about a place that does not seem friendly because there are no personal features

The hotel room was a little impersonal.

2.LINGUISTICS an impersonal verb or sentence usually has the word “it” as its subject

Beacon(n.)

1.      a bright light or fire that shines in the dark and is used as a signal to warn people against danger or to show them the way somewhere

a.      a tower or floating object with a bright light on it that warns boats that they are near the land

b.      a radio or radar signal that helps ships or aircraft to find their position

2.      MAINLY LITERARY someone or something that encourages people and gives them a good example to follow

*beacon of: He called the country “a beacon of democracy and freedom.”