j09083的部落格

Stability(n.) /stəˈbɪləti/

1.a situation in which things happen as they should and there are no harmful changes

*political/economic/social stability

The rise of nationalism could threaten the stability of Europe.

The manager’s first task is to bring some stability to the team.

a.      a condition in which someone’s mind or emotional state is healthy

The program helps people with mental illness regain stability.

The stability of a child in normal family life is so valuable.

2.the ability of something to remain balanced and not fall or shake

The new covering will not affect the stability of the roof structure.

3.SCIENCE the ability of a substance to stay in the same state

Stimulus(n.) /ˈstɪmjələs/

1.anything that encourages something to happen, develop, or improve

*stimulus to: The Fed hopes that lower interest rates will be a stimulus to investment.

*stimulus for: We hope that the books will provide a stimulus for discussion.

2.BIOLOGY something that produces a reaction in a plant, animal, or person

They test the children’s reaction to a simple visual stimulus.

Assume (v.) /əˈsum/

1.to believe that something is true, even though no one has told you or even though you have no proof

Everyone accepted she was telling the truth, although in fact this was quite a lot to assume.

*assume (that): I’m assuming everyone here has an e-mail address.

I think we can safely assume that he is out of town.

*assume someone/something to be/do something: I have always assumed her to be British.

a. to be based on the idea that something is true

This forecast assumes there will be no recession.

This score is assumed to represent the achievement of an average 7-year-old.

2.FORMAL to officially start a new job or position

He formally assumes the presidency next week.

She has been invited to assume the role of mentor.

3.to start to control something although no one has officially asked you to

His first priority was assuming control of the army.

4.to begin to have a particular quality, shape, expression, etc.

The animals assumed their normal resting position.

Time with the family has started to assume greater importance.

5.to pretend to have a particular feeling or attitude

Fay assumed an air of innocence.

Satire(n.) /ˈsæˌtaɪr/

[UNCOUNTABLE] the use of humor to criticize someone or something and make them seem silly

*political/social satire

a.[COUNTABLE] a play, book, movie, etc. that uses this humor

His latest book is a biting satire on modern bureaucracy.

Furtively (a.) /ˈfɜrtɪv/

done quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed

a furtive glance

a.      behaving in a way that makes people think you do not want to be noticed

Frank (a.) /fræŋk/

honest about the situation or your opinions, even if this offends people

brutally frank: He was brutally frank in his assessment of our chances.

a.      used about what someone says

a frank exchange of views

Indebtedness(a.) /ɪnˈdetəd/

1.grateful to someone for their help

*indebted to: We are indebted to all who made this such a successful day.

2.owing money

one of the poorest and most indebted nations

Profoundly (a.) /prəˈfaʊnd/

1.very great

a profound change in the climate of the Earth

The difference between the beginners and the intermediate class was profound.

This is a scientific discovery of profound significance.

a profound effect/influence/impact: My grandfather’s death had a profound effect on my father.

a.      used about very strong feelings, especially negative ones

Most of the divorced parents we interviewed said they had experienced guilt and a profound sense of failure.

2.showing serious thought and wise ideas

Kafka’s profound insights into human experience

a.      needing serious thought or study

profound questions

3.very severe

profound deafness

4.LITERARY deep

Drifting (v.) /drɪft/

1.to be pushed along very slowly by the movement of air or water

The boat started to drift out to sea.

Thick smoke from a forest fire drifted across the town.

2.if snow or sand drifts, the wind blows it into a large pile

3.to move somewhere slowly as though you do not know where you are going

People were drifting around the conference center.

4.to go from one state to another without realizing it

He was drifting in and out of consciousness.

5.to do something or to happen in a way that is not planned

The conversation drifted from one dull subject to the another.

I just drifted into nursing really.

Inadequate (a.) /ɪnˈædəkwət/

1.      not enough, or not good enough for a particular purpose

inadequate provision of health care

We are trying to provide basic education with inadequate resources.

*inadequate for: rail tracks that are inadequate for the loads carried on them

*inadequate to do something: Existing laws are inadequate to deal with these problems.

*totally/quite/wholly inadequate: The government’s response was condemned as totally inadequate.

2. someone who is inadequate does not feel confident that they can deal with the situation they are in

Some people feel totally inadequate when faced with new responsibilities.

Senate (n.) /ˈsenət/

1.the more senior part of a legislature that has two parts

a. the Senate the more senior part of the U.S. Congress

b. the senate the highest level of government in ancient Rome

2.a group that governs some universities

Retain (v.) /rɪˈteɪn/

1.to keep someone or something

These programs encourage the elderly to retain their independence.

We’re trying to recruit and retain skilled staff.

The U.S. expects to retain control over the operation.

2.to remember ideas or information

I will retain a lasting and fond memory of him.

3.to employ a professional person such as a lawyer or doctor by paying an amount of money called a retainer before the work is done

It will cost $2,500 to retain a good lawyer.

Arrangement (n.) /əˈreɪndʒmənt/

1.[COUNTABLE] [OFTEN PLURAL] a way of organizing things so that problems are solved or avoided

I’m staying with Sally until my heating gets fixed – it’s just a temporary arrangement.

make an arrangement: Her husband is away, so she’ll have to make other childcare arrangements.

a.      arrangements [PLURAL] practical plans for managing the details of an event involving many people

How are the wedding arrangements coming along?

*sleeping/seating arrangements

2.[COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] an agreement or plan that you make with someone else

*arrangement with: They have an arrangement with Pepsi-Cola to share distribution facilities.

*come to an arrangement: We’re trying to come to an arrangement about who should pay the legal fees.

*by arrangement: Evening meals are available by arrangement (=if you agree in advance).

3.[COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] a set of things that have been arranged to look attractive

a floral arrangement

a.      the way that things are arranged in a particular order or pattern

the arrangement of bones in the skull

4.[COUNTABLE] MUSIC a piece of music that has been changed for a particular type of voice or instrument

He will play his own arrangement of Handel’s Water Music.

Inevitably (a.) /ɪnˈevɪtəbli/

used for saying that something is certain to happen

Inevitably, reports of the failure were soon appearing in the newspapers.

That kind of success inevitably attracts admirers.

Stabilized (v.) /ˈsteɪb(ə)lˌaɪz/

1.[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to reach a point where a medical condition is not likely to suddenly become worse, or to make someone reach this point

We have to stabilize her before she can be moved.

2.[INTRANSITIVE] to reach a state where there are no longer any major changes or problems

Oil prices have stabilized for now.

3.[TRANSITIVE] to make something stabilize

renewed efforts to stabilize the economy

Octave (n.) /ˈɑktəv/

a series of eight musical notes in a musical scale

a.      the lowest and highest notes of a musical scale played together

Cautiously(a.) /ˈkɔʃəsli/

in a cautious way

She approached the pony cautiously.

Intrigue (v.) /ɪnˈtriɡ/

1.[TRANSITIVE] to make someone very interested in knowing more about something, especially something that seems mysterious

That old house has always intrigued me.

2.[INTRANSITIVE] LITERARY to plan secretly, especially in order to harm or cheat someone

Decisive(a.) /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

1.making the final result of a situation completely certain

Gettysburg, site of the final, decisive battle of the Civil War

Cleveland’s reputation for reliability was the decisive factor in winning the contract.

The U.S. has played a decisive role in these negotiations.

2.able to make choices or decide what to do quickly and confidently

As a chairperson, he was firm and decisive.

a.      used about someone’s behavior

decisive action: We must take decisive action to solve this problem.

3.a decisive victory or defeat is one in which the winner does much better than the loser

a decisive victory for the Democratic Party

Conquest (n.) /ˈkɑŋˌkwest/

1.[SINGULAR/UNCOUNTABLE] the process of taking control of land or people during a war

the Spanish conquest of Peru

Thesaurus entry for this meaning of conquest