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标题: 【百帖笔记领勋章】My notes of tricky words [打印本页]

作者: Dux 时间: 31-7-2014 23:43
标题: 【百帖笔记领勋章】My notes of tricky words
本帖最后由 Dux 于 13-9-2014 01:28 编辑

pseudo
Definition of pseudo in English:
pseudo
Line breaks: pseudo
Pronunciation: /ˈsjuːdəʊ /

ADJECTIVE

1Not genuine; sham:
a pseudo Georgian facade

2 INFORMAL Pretentious or insincere:
his lyrics sound like pseudo intellectual rubbish

NOUN (plural pseudos)

INFORMAL Back to top
A pretentious or insincere person:
the undiscriminating, arty chat of a campus pseudo

Origin

late Middle English: independent use of pseudo-.

< Excerpt from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/ , a handy online dictionary.>

Tricky points: 4 out of 5, for its pronunciation and spelling.

Foreword:

In the beginning, this post was created as I came across some tricky words and would like to make notes of them somewhere. Freeoz stood out without doubt as it was a best website for me to keep the notes for the sake of its convenience in finding them out afterwards as long as I have internet access, not to mention that it was - and still is - one of my favorite websites.

Immediately after it was posted, I was impressed by the warmth of welcome of @yearshappy , and even more so by her overwhelming passion in fostering the English sub-forum and wholehearted encouragement in keeping the post updated.

To clarify, I am by no means an English guru yet as I only got average 7.5 in IELTS some years ago. The "tricky" words may instead turn out ordinary to you. They were "tricky" to me due to their pronunciations, spellings or usage at the time I posted them. Having said that, I am not planning to make the list anything like the "GRE vocabulary". It is customised, incomplete, and could be misleading. - Despite of these side effects, I do appreciate it should you find anything useful and let me know.

- I was just trying to be verbose in writing these, wasn't I?

作者: yearshappy 时间: 1-8-2014 08:24
here it is
something fake
a person a phoney

作者: Dux 时间: 2-8-2014 00:56
本帖最后由 Dux 于 10-9-2014 23:46 编辑

conjugate
Line breaks: con|ju|gate

VERB

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒndʒʊgeɪt /
1 [WITH OBJECT] Grammar Give the different forms of (a verb in an inflected language such as Latin) as they vary according to voice, mood, tense, number, and person:
conjugating verbs forms part of language study

2 [NO OBJECT] Biology (Of bacteria or unicellular organisms) become temporarily united in order to exchange genetic material:
E. coli only conjugate when one of the cells possesses fertility genes

2.1(Of gametes) become fused.

3 [WITH OBJECT] Chemistry Be combined with or joined to reversibly:
bilirubin is then conjugated by liver enzymes and excreted in the bile

ADJECTIVE

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒndʒʊgət /
TECHNICAL Back to top
1 Coupled, connected, or related, in particular:

1.1 Chemistry (Of an acid or base) related to the corresponding base or acid by loss or gain of a proton.

1.2 Mathematics Joined in a reciprocal relation, especially having the same real parts and equal magnitudes but opposite signs of imaginary parts.

1.3 Geometry (Of angles) adding up to 360°; (of arcs) combining to form a complete circle.
1.4 Biology (Of gametes) fused.

NOUN

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒndʒʊgət /
Back to top
1chiefly Biochemistry A substance formed by the reversible combination of two or more others.

2A mathematical value or entity having a reciprocal relation with another. See also complex conjugate.

Origin

late 15th century (as an adjective): from Latin conjugat- 'yoked together', from the verb conjugare, from con- 'together' + jugum 'yoke'.

Derivatives

conjugacy
NOUN

作者: Dux 时间: 3-8-2014 01:23
eigen-
Pronunciation: /ˈʌɪg(ə)n/
COMBINING FORM

Mathematics & Physics
Proper; characteristic:
eigenfunction
Origin

from German eigen 'own'.

作者: Dux 时间: 11-9-2014 00:39
本帖最后由 Dux 于 10-9-2014 23:43 编辑

echelon
Line breaks: ech|elon
Pronunciation: /ˈɛʃəlɒn , ˈeɪʃ-/
NOUN

1 A level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society:
the upper echelons of the business world

2 Military A formation of troops, ships, aircraft, or vehicles in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting further than the one in front:
the regiment lined up shoulder to shoulder in three tight echelons
[MASS NOUN]: there are two planes, lying in echelon with one another

2.1 [OFTEN WITH MODIFIER] A part of a military force differentiated by position in battle or by function:
the rear echelon

VERB

[WITH OBJECT] Military Back to top
Arrange in an echelon formation:
the Task Force would take the left, echeloned to be able to sweep in from the west
(as noun echeloning) the echeloning of fire teams

Origin

late 18th century (in sense 2 of the noun): from French échelon, from échelle 'ladder', from Latin scala.

作者: Dux 时间: 11-9-2014 00:55
cliché
Line breaks: cli|ché
Pronunciation: /ˈkliːʃeɪ /
(also cliche)

NOUN

1A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought:
that old cliché ‘a woman’s place is in the home’
the usual worn-out clichés about the English

[MASS NOUN]: a mixture of good humour, innuendo, and cliché

1.1A very predictable or unoriginal thing or person:
each building is a mishmash of tired clichés
you’re a walking cliché

2 Printing, chiefly British A stereotype or electrotype.

Origin

mid 19th century: French, past participle (used as a noun) of clicher 'to stereotype'.

作者: Dux 时间: 13-9-2014 01:36
cessation
Line breaks: ces|sa|tion
Pronunciation: /sɛˈseɪʃ(ə)n /

NOUN

[MASS NOUN]
The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end:
the cessation of hostilities
[COUNT NOUN]: a cessation of animal testing of cosmetics

Origin

late Middle English: from Latin cessatio(n-), from cessare 'cease'.

作者: Dux 时间: 13-9-2014 01:41
本帖最后由 Dux 于 13-9-2014 00:49 编辑

holistic
Line breaks: hol|is|tic
Pronunciation: /həʊˈlɪstɪk , hɒ-/

ADJECTIVE

chiefly Philosophy
1Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.

1.1 Medicine Characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.

====
<excerpt from http://www.merriam-webster.com/, another online dictionary.>
Examples of HOLISTIC

Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body.
We need to take a more holistic approach to improving our schools.
In a world of specialization, we have been trained to think of medicine as a separate world—when we are sick, we go to doctors and follow their advice. This is starting to change, with the increasing popularity of alternative and holistic approaches to overall health and well-being. —Gareth Cook, Boston Globe, 9 June 2002

Origin of HOLISTIC

(see holism)
First Known Use: 1926

Tricky point: does 'wholistic' look more familiar to you?

作者: Dux 时间: 15-9-2014 01:16
British Dictionary definitions for ramification

ramification
/ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

noun
1.
the act or process of ramifying or branching out
2.
an offshoot or subdivision
3.
(often pl) a subsidiary consequence, esp one that complicates
4.
a structure of branching parts

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ramification
n.
1670s, "a branching out," from French ramification, from ramifier (see ramify ). Transferred sense of "outgrowth, consequence" first recorded 1755. Related: Ramifications.

<excerpt from http://dictionary.reference.com/>

作者: Dux 时间: 15-9-2014 23:05
MICHELLE07 + 50 陈词滥调，这个非常地道，有见到过

@MICHELLE07, you are quite right about the Chinese counterpart of "cliché". Actually some other words above like "ramification" also frequently appears in formal occasions. I'm thinking to make the list useful as well, not just "tricky".

作者: Dux 时间: 15-9-2014 23:21
implication

Definitions of implication
noun
the conclusion that can be drawn from something, although it is not explicitly stated.

"the implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible"
synonyms: suggestion, insinuation, innuendo, hint, intimation, imputation

the action or state of being involved in something.
"our implication in the problems"
synonyms: incrimination, involvement, connection, entanglement, association, inculpation

<excerpt from translate.google.com>

This word is not too tricky in terms of its pronunciation, spelling, or meaning, it does however, have some meaningful Chinese counterparts.

作者: Dux 时间: 19-9-2014 02:23
rhetorical
rəˈtôrikəl

Definitions of rhetorical
adjective
of, relating to, or concerned with the art of rhetoric.
"repetition is a common rhetorical device"

synonyms:
stylistic, oratorical, linguistic, verbal
extravagant, grandiloquent, magniloquent, high-flown, orotund, bombastic, grandiose, pompous, pretentious, overblown, oratorical, turgid, flowery, florid, highfalutin, fustian

Examples
This isn't a rhetorical question but one that, again, would help show whether they're applying this rule fairly or arbitrarily.

<excerpt from https://translate.google.com>

作者: Dux 时间: 20-9-2014 01:38
jewellery
Line breaks: jew|el|lery
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒuːəlri /
(US jewelry)

NOUN
[MASS NOUN]
Personal ornaments, such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets, that are typically made from or contain jewels and precious metal:
she had silver hair and chunky gold jewellery
[AS MODIFIER]: a jewellery box

Origin
late Middle English: from Old French juelerie, from juelier 'jeweller', from joel (see jewel).

Usage
The different spellings of jewellery in British and American English can cause confusion. The British spelling jewellery adds -lery to jewel, while the American spellinɡ jewelry adds -ry.

<excerpt from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/>

Believe it or not, I do often find this word easy to misspell!

作者: Dux 时间: 20-9-2014 01:55
amateur

noun
An amateur is an individual who is new to, or not yet skilled in, a particular skill or sport.
An example of an amateur is someone who enjoys and studies astronomy as a hobby but not as a professional.

The definition of an amateur is someone who plays a sport but does not receive compensation for it.
An example of an amateur are many of the athletes in the Olympics.

adjective
Of or performed by an amateur.
Made up of amateurs: an amateur cast.
Not professional; unskillful.

Origin of amateur
French, from Latin amātor, lover, from amāre, to love.

Amateurs need not be mature: this word ends on the French suffix -eur (the equivalent of English -er).

<excerpt from http://www.yourdictionary.com/>

作者: Dux 时间: 20-9-2014 02:04
jeopardize
Line breaks: jeop|ard|ize
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛpədʌɪz /
(also jeopardise)

VERB

[WITH OBJECT]
Put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure:
a devaluation of the dollar would jeopardize New York’s position as a financial centre

<excerpt from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/>

- Don't forget the letters o and r in this word, or you might get slapped by yiping

作者: Dux 时间: 22-9-2014 00:22
souvenir
Line breaks: sou|venir
Pronunciation: /ˌsuːvəˈnɪə /

NOUN
A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event:

the recording provides a souvenir of a great production
Officers have been on hand at university events giving away cups, bottle openers and other souvenirs with logos reminding them how to keep safe.
There will be special quiz shows and the winners will be awarded with souvenirs to remind them of their participation in the fiesta.
I had packed up a box of gifts and souvenirs to ship home, so we went to the post office.

VERB
[WITH OBJECT] INFORMAL Back to top
Take as a memento:
many parts of the aircraft have been souvenired

Origin
late 18th century: from French, from souvenir 'remember', from Latin subvenire 'occur to the mind'.

作者: Dux 时间: 24-9-2014 01:59
bizarre
biˈzär

Definitions of bizarre
adjective
very strange or unusual, especially so as to cause interest or amusement.
"her bizarre dresses and outrageous hairdos"
synonyms: strange, peculiar, odd, funny, curious, outlandish, outré, abnormal, eccentric, unconventional, unusual, unorthodox, queer, extraordinary, weird, wacky, bizarro, oddball, way out, kooky, freaky, off the wall, offbeat

Synonyms
adjective
strange, peculiar, odd, funny, curious, outlandish, outré, abnormal, eccentric, unconventional, unusual, unorthodox, queer, extraordinary, weird, wacky, bizarro, oddball, way out, kooky, freaky, off the wall, offbeat
freakish, outlandish, outre, off-the-wall, eccentric, freaky, gonzo, flaky

Examples
Being pictured as he was might be a bizarre situation but it's par for the course.

<from google translator>

Note the double r and the silent e.

作者: Dux 时间: 24-9-2014 02:02
本帖最后由 Dux 于 24-9-2014 01:16 编辑

TWYNDYLLYNGS

Twyndyllyngs is the longest word in English that doesn't contain one of the five vowels (AEIOU). It comes from Welsh and is obviously rare, but it does appear in the Oxford English Dictionary.

It turns out that "twyndyllyng" (singular) is a 15th century spelling of the word "twinling," which means, in modern English, "twin."

<from https://www.englishforums.com>

Just for fun

You can't even find this word in some modern dictionaries! A commonly seen example though, is the word 'rhythm'.

作者: Dux 时间: 24-9-2014 02:27
bureaucracy
Line breaks: bur|eau|cracy
Pronunciation: /ˌbjʊ(ə)ˈrɒkrəsi /
NOUN (plural bureaucracies)

[MASS NOUN]
1 A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
1.1 [COUNT NOUN] A state or organization governed or managed as a bureaucracy.
1.2 [COUNT NOUN] The officials in a bureaucracy, considered as a group or hierarchy.

2 Excessively complicated administrative procedure:
the unnecessary bureaucracy in local government

Origin

early 19th century: from French bureaucratie, from bureau (see bureau).

<from oxford dictionary>

The tricky part of this word, if any, is the spelling. Notice the 'eau' combination - does it look familiar? - Yes beautiful!

作者: Dux 时间: 25-9-2014 02:27
boutique
Line breaks: bou|tique
Pronunciation: /buːˈtiːk/

NOUN

1A small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories.
2A business serving a sophisticated or specialized clientele:
[AS MODIFIER]: California’s boutique wineries

Origin
mid 18th century: from French, 'small shop', via Latin from Greek apothēkē 'storehouse'. Compare with bodega.

<from oxford dictionary>

Pay attention to its spelling and pronunciation. A bit tricky but not too much.

作者: Dux 时间: 25-9-2014 02:36
euphemism
Line breaks: eu|phem|ism
Pronunciation: /ˈjuːfəmɪz(ə)m /

NOUN
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing:
the jargon has given us ‘downsizing’ as a euphemism for cuts
The opposite of dysphemism.

As a practical matter, the current legal regime substitutes palliative euphemisms for useful controls on police discretion.
Languages are constantly developing euphemisms for sex words.
Sir John could be counted on not to speak in mild euphemisms.

Origin
late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein 'use auspicious words', from eu 'well' + phēmē 'speaking'.

It doesn't hurt to know this word.

作者: Dux 时间: 28-9-2014 00:35
ditto
Line breaks: ditto
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪtəʊ /

NOUN (plural dittos)

1The same thing again (used in lists and accounts and often indicated by a ditto mark under the word or figure to be repeated).
1.1 INFORMAL Used to indicate that something already said is applicable a second time:

if one folds his arms, so does the other; if one crosses his legs, ditto.
I complained and was told I could have only 500 words; ditto, then 700 words.
So zero marks for slow, ditto for marketing effectiveness and maybe full marks for enigmatic and intriguing.
And ditto the literary works being sampled, which in this novel pay homage to the half-submerged tradition of post-1950 British experimental fiction.

Origin
early 17th century (in the sense 'in the aforesaid month'): from Tuscan dialect, variant of Italian detto 'said', from Latin dictus 'said'

This is an interesting word, which reminds me of the next--

作者: Dux 时间: 28-9-2014 00:40
vice versa
Line breaks: vice versa
Pronunciation: /ˌvʌɪs ˈvəːsə , vʌɪsə ˈvəːsə/

ADVERB
With the main items in the preceding statement the other way round:
cruise from Cairo to Aswan or vice versa
Please view the italics as simply the opposite of the regular format, and vice versa.
You can only compose if you understand how to conduct and vice versa.
I wanted HIM to come running to ME, not vice versa.

SYNONYMS
conversely, inversely, the other way round, contrariwise, oppositely, in reverse, reciprocally

Origin
early 17th century: from Latin, literally 'in-turned position'.

This is actually a phrase, a useful one.

作者: Dux 时间: 28-9-2014 00:47
succumb
Line breaks: suc|cumb
Pronunciation: /səˈkʌm/

VERB
[NO OBJECT]
1Fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force:

we cannot merely give up and succumb to despair
Young people who feel good about themselves are less likely to succumb to negative pressure.
The opposition will probably be forced to succumb to pressure from the West to join a national unity government.
But somebody somewhere in the industry might succumb to temptation.

SYNONYMS
die from, die of, pass away as a result of, be a fatality of;
catch, develop, contract, pick up, get, become infected with, suffer from, fall victim to, fall ill with
informal come/go down with

Origin
late 15th century (in the sense 'bring low, overwhelm'): from Old French succomber or Latin succumbere, from sub- 'under' + a verb related to cubare 'to lie'.

Notice the silent 'b'. Similar words include 'climb', 'comb', etc.

作者: Dux 时间: 28-9-2014 00:53
connoisseur
Line breaks: con|nois|seur
Pronunciation: /ˌkɒnəˈsəː/

NOUN
An expert judge in matters of taste:

a connoisseur of music
Certainly, there was a host of different dishes hot and steamy to cater to the tastes of connoisseurs.
A leading connoisseur of bottled water last night advised consumers to pick and choose between bottled and mains water.
Meanwhile the project seems to have provoked some bemused commentary among art connoisseurs.

SYNONYMS
expert judge (of), authority (on), specialist (in);
arbiter of taste, pundit, savant, one of the cognoscenti, aesthete;
gourmet, epicure, gastronome
(informal) buff
(North American informal) maven

Origin
early 18th century: from obsolete French, from conoistre 'know'.

Can this word remind you of the word 'amateur'?

作者: Dux 时间: 29-9-2014 01:55
entrepreneur
Line breaks: entre|pre|neur
Pronunciation: /ˌɒntrəprəˈnəː/

NOUN
1A person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit:
many entrepreneurs see potential in this market
The British Library has a range of services for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Do you think people skills are more important than business skills for an entrepreneur?
The entrepreneur sees a business opportunity where others notice only a rubbish site.

SYNONYMS
businessman, businesswoman, business person, business executive, enterpriser, speculator, tycoon, magnate;
dealer, trader, buyer and seller, merchant;
commercial intermediary, intermediary, middleman, promoter, impresario
(informal) wheeler-dealer, mogul, big shot, bigwig, whizz-kid, mover and shaker, go-getter, high-flyer, hustler

1.1A promoter in the entertainment industry:
the music entrepreneur pulled back from financing a screenplay Hopper had written

Origin
early 19th century (denoting the director of a musical institution): from French, from entreprendre 'undertake' (see enterprise).

Another word ending with 'eur' that evolves from French meaning 'a certain sort of person'.

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 00:46
thwart
Line breaks: thwart
Pronunciation: /θwɔːt /

VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
1Prevent (someone) from accomplishing something:
he never did anything to thwart his father
he was thwarted in his desire to punish Uncle Fred

1.1Oppose (a plan, attempt, or ambition) successfully:
the government had been able to thwart all attempts by opposition leaders to form new parties
Also his best laid plans were thwarted when he attempted to return to see his family in South Africa.
The story revolves round the locals’ attempts to thwart the plan.
In their relationships with women, Russell and Ayer both seemed quite oblivious to the feelings of others when such feelings were likely to thwart their plans or ambitions.

NOUN
A structural crosspiece forming a seat for a rower in a boat.
Her hull is painted white with blue trim on the thwarts.
Thirteen oarsmen and a captain form the crew of the fixed-thwart rowing boats that participate in the competitions.
The placement of the primary thwart is important to balance.

PREPOSITION & ADVERB
archaic or literary
From one side to another side of; across:
[AS PREPOSITION]: a pink-tinged cloud spread thwart the shore
Lay them thwart, that the top of one may rest on the root or stub of the other.

Origin
Middle English thwerte, from the adjective thwert 'perverse, obstinate, adverse', from Old Norse thvert, neuter of thverr 'transverse', from an Indo-European root shared by Latin torquere 'to twist'.

"Many times the engineering and technical aspects of a project can be relatively easy, but the project may be thwarted by unresolved political issues."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 00:53
excoriate
Line breaks: ex|cori|ate
Pronunciation: /ɪkˈskɔːrɪeɪt , ɛks-/

VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
1 Medicine Damage or remove part of the surface of (the skin):
the discharge is acrid and excoriates the skin of the nose

2 [formal] Criticize (someone) severely:
he excoriated the government for censorship

Origin
late Middle English: from Latin excoriat- 'skinned', from the verb excoriare, from ex- 'out, from' + corium 'skin, hide'.

"The company has been excoriated by law makers for the business it did in xxx."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 01:06
pinnacle
Line breaks: pin|na|cle
Pronunciation: /ˈpɪnək(ə)l /

NOUN
1The most successful point; the culmination:
he had reached the pinnacle of his career
2A high, pointed piece of rock.
2.1A small pointed turret built as an ornament on a roof.

VERB
[WITH OBJECT] literary Back to top
1Form the culminating point or example of.
Anybody who knows Jake's career knows that he pinnacled the liberal-media ladder a decade ago and then bounded to the top of a tower crane that's beyond politics.
2Set on or as if on a pinnacle.

Origin
Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin pinnaculum, diminutive of pinna 'wing, point'.

"The chapters that follow chronicle the rise of H from its meager beginnings in 1920s' Texas to a monolithic corporation that has become a crucial vendor to the U.S. military that reached its pinnacle with the appointment of former ..."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 01:13
culminate
Line breaks: cul|min|ate
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌlmɪneɪt /

VERB
[NO OBJECT]
1Reach a climax or point of highest development:
weeks of violence culminated in the brutal murder of a magistrate

1.1 [WITH OBJECT] Be the climax or point of highest development of:
her book culminated a research project on the symmetry studies of Escher

2 [archaic or Astrology] (Of a celestial body) reach or be at the meridian:
the star culminates at midnight on about the 30th April

Origin
mid 17th century (in astronomy and astrology): from late Latin culminat- 'exalted', from the verb culminare, from culmen 'summit'.

"Their relentless and brazen brand of politicking evolved steadily over the years and culminated in their relationship with Lyndon Johnson, an unprecedented business and political association that propelled both the B&J to the top of their respective professions."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 01:36
profiteer
Line breaks: prof|it|eer
Pronunciation: /prɒfɪˈtɪə /

Definitions of profiteer
noun
a person who profiteers.
"a war profiteer"
synonyms: racketeer, exploiter, black marketeer, bloodsucker, vampire

verb
make or seek to make an excessive or unfair profit, especially illegally or in a black market.
"the profiteering of tabloid journalists"
synonyms: overcharge, racketeer, cheat someone, fleece someone, rip someone off, rob someone

"He was a man who would never have allowed his company, and his surname, to be associated in the public's mind with war-profiteering and political influence."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 01:42
divulge
Line breaks: di|vulge
Pronunciation: /dʌɪˈvʌldʒ , dɪ-/

VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
Make known (private or sensitive information):
I am too much of a gentleman to divulge her age
It explains the kinds of tactics interrogators are likely to use to coerce you into confessing or divulging information.
I didn't know this, and I'm considering legal action against Beth for not divulging that information.
However, the health board has been criticised by anti-abortion campaigners for not divulging information about the case.

SYNONYMS
disclose, reveal, make known, tell, impart, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim, promulgate, declare;
expose, uncover, make public, go public with, bring into the open, give away, let slip, let drop, blurt out, leak, confess, betray, admit, come out with
[informal] spill the beans about, let the cat out of the bag about, let on about, tell all about, blow the lid off, squeal about

Origin
late Middle English (in the sense 'announce publicly'): from Latin divulgare, from di- 'widely' + vulgare 'publish' (from vulgus 'common people').

"But as you will learn from the history divulged in this book, the company will rest easy, as it does now, in the knowledge that this cycle has been repeated several times over the course of its existence, and nothing has been able to bring it down."

作者: Dux 时间: 7-10-2014 01:55
dogged
Line breaks: dog|ged
Pronunciation: /ˈdɒɡɪd /

ADJECTIVE
Having or showing tenacity and grim persistence:
success required dogged determination

SYNONYMS
tenacious, determined, resolute, resolved, purposeful, persistent, persevering, pertinacious, relentless, intent, dead set, single-minded, focused, dedicated, committed, undeviating, unshakeable, unflagging, indefatigable, untiring, never-tiring, tireless, unfailing, unfaltering, unwavering, unyielding, unbending, immovable, obdurate, strong-willed, firm, steadfast, steady, staunch, stout-hearted
(archaic) laborious
(rare) perseverant, indurate

doggedly
ADVERB

doggedness
NOUN

Amazingly this word seems quite a formal word.

"Before there were pet presidents and vice presidents, campaign contributions and government contracts, union busting and sanction dodging, there was simply a man, fiercely struggling to escape poverty, doggedly pursuing his piece of America's manifest destiny."

作者: Dux 时间: 9-10-2014 23:40
silhouette
Line breaks: sil|hou|ette
Pronunciation: /ˌsɪlʊˈɛt /

NOUN
1The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible in restricted light against a brighter background:
she paused to see its silhouette against the dimming sky
SYNONYMS
outline, contour(s), profile, delineation, form, shape, figure, shadow, features, lines, curves, configuration
View synonyms
1.1A representation of someone or something showing the shape and outline only, typically coloured in solid black:
we can always use a silhouette of Father Christmas

VERB
[WITH OBJECT] Back to top
Cast or show (someone or something) as a dark shape and outline against a brighter background:
the castle was silhouetted against the sky

Origin
late 18th century: named (although the reason remains uncertain) after étienne de Silhouette (1709–67), French author and politician.

Phrases
in silhouette
Seen or placed as a silhouette:
the old windmill stood out in silhouette against the sky

Silhouetted against the golden moon, and growing larger every moment, was a large, strangely lop-sided creature, and it was flapping in Harry's direction. - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:30
metrosexual
Line breaks: metro|sexual
Pronunciation: /mɛtrəˈsɛkʃuəl /

NOUN
informal
A heterosexual urban man who enjoys shopping, fashion, and similar interests traditionally associated with women or homosexual men.

Origin
1990s: blend of metropolitan and heterosexual.

Note this is a noun.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:34
philanthropy
Line breaks: phil|an|thropy
Pronunciation: /fɪˈlanθrəpi /

NOUN
[MASS NOUN]
1The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes:
he acquired a considerable fortune and was noted for his philanthropy

SYNONYMS
benevolence, generosity, humanitarianism, public-spiritedness, altruism, social conscience, social concern, charity, charitableness, brotherly love, fellow feeling, magnanimity, munificence, liberality, largesse, open-handedness, bountifulness, beneficence, benignity, unselfishness, selflessness, humanity, kindness, kind-heartedness, big-heartedness, compassion, humaneness;
patronage, sponsorship, backing, help
[historical] almsgiving
[literary] bounty, bounteousness

1.1 [COUNT NOUN] North American A philanthropic institution; a charity:
a philanthropy was incorporated to help oldsters obtain benefits like pension rights

Origin
early 17th century: via late Latin from Greek philanthrōpia, from philanthrōpos 'man-loving' (see philanthrope).

After high school, George enrolled at Houston's Rice Institute, which later became Rice University and the object of much of the Brown's philanthropy.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:40
inscription
Line breaks: in|scrip|tion
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈskrɪpʃ(ə)n /

NOUN
1A thing inscribed, as on a monument or in a book:
the inscription on her headstone

SYNONYMS
engraving, wording, writing, lettering, legend, epitaph, epigraph, etching, carving;
dedication, address, message;
signature, autograph

1.1 [MASS NOUN] The action of inscribing something:
the inscription of memorable utterances on durable materials

Origin
late middle english (denoting a short descriptive or dedicatory passage at the beginning of a book): from Latin inscriptio(n-), from the verb inscribere (see inscribe).

He enjoyed tremendous success in Colorado, graduating in 1922, with an inscription in his yearbook that read, "gains his power through his ability to make friends." It was a simple but powerful phrase that would foretell the roots of the Brown brothers' remarkable success.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:45
cavernous
Line breaks: cav|ern|ous
Pronunciation: /ˈkavənəs /

ADJECTIVE
1Like a cavern in size, shape, or atmosphere:
a dismal cavernous hall
1.1Giving the impression of vast, dark depths:
his cavernous eyes

SYNONYMS
vast, huge, large, immense, spacious, roomy, airy, commodious, capacious, voluminous, ample, rambling, extensive, high, deep;
hollow, gaping, yawning, unfathomable;
dark, gloomy, dismal, sepulchral

Origin
late middle english: from Old French caverneux or Latin cavernosus (from caverna 'cavern').

It was dangerous and difficult work, exploring cavernous underground mines for veins of copper.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:48
convalesce
Line breaks: con|va|lesce
Pronunciation: /ˌkɒnvəˈlɛs /

VERB
[NO OBJECT]
Recover one’s health and strength over a period of time after an illness or medical treatment:
he spent eight months convalescing after the stroke

Origin
late 15th century: from Latin convalescere, from con- 'altogether' + valescere 'grow strong' (from valere 'be well').

He was rescued 12 hours later, returning home to Texas to convalesce.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 00:56
nascent
Line breaks: nas|cent
Pronunciation: /ˈnas(ə)nt , ˈneɪ-/

ADJECTIVE
1(Especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential:
the nascent space industry
1.1 Chemistry (Chiefly of hydrogen) freshly generated in a reactive form.

Origin
early 17th century: from Latin nascent- 'being born', from the verb nasci.

That was enough for Herman who offered George a job with his nascent road-building business for $100 a month.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:00
onslaught
Line breaks: on|slaught
Pronunciation: /ˈɒnslɔːt /

NOUN
1A fierce or destructive attack:
a series of onslaughts on the citadel
From time immemorial there have been friendly migrations and unfriendly onslaughts on the Kerala society, mostly through the sea.
Sabotage could range from pinprick attacks on individual weapons or machines to full-scale onslaughts on formed bodies of troops.
For 15 minutes they made repeated onslaughts on the Ardclough defence and looked particularly dangerous on the right wing where Timmy Comerford and David Slattery were on constant prowl.

1.1An overwhelmingly large number of people or things:
in some parks the onslaught of cars and people far exceeds capacity

Origin
early 17th century (also in the form anslaight): from Middle Dutch aenslag, from aen 'on' + slag 'blow'. The change in the ending was due to association with (now obsolete) slaught 'slaughter'.

The growing demand for roads in Texas, bolstered by the onslaught of cheap automobiles in 1917, provided enough work for a small-time contractor like Herman Brown to feed his family.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:29
inexorable
Line breaks: in|ex|or|able
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈɛks(ə)rəb(ə)l /

ADJECTIVE
1Impossible to stop or prevent:
the seemingly inexorable march of new technology
1.1(Of a person) impossible to persuade; unrelenting:
the doctors were inexorable, and there was nothing to be done

SYNONYMS
intransigent, unbending, unyielding, inflexible, unswerving, unwavering, adamant, obdurate, determined, immovable, unshakeable, implacable, unappeasable, unpacifiable, unplacatable, unmollifiable, unforgiving, unsparing, uncompromising;
strict, severe, iron-handed, stringent, harsh, hard, tough, exacting, rigorous, draconian, cruel, ruthless, relentless, unrelenting, pitiless, merciless, remorseless
[rare] indurate

Origin
mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- 'not' + exorabilis (from exorare 'entreat').

The same inexorable force that drove E. H.'s oil well cementing business was driving the road-building business - the automobile.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:33
finesse
Line breaks: fi|nesse
Pronunciation: /fɪˈnɛs /

NOUN
1 [MASS NOUN] Impressive delicacy and skill:
orchestral playing of great finesse
1.1Great subtlety and tact in handling or manipulating people or difficult situations:
clients want advice and action that calls for considerable finesse
2(In bridge and whist) an attempt to win a trick with a card that is not a certain winner, typically by playing it as the third card in a trick in the hope that any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played.

VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
1Bring about or deal with (something) by using great delicacy and skill:
Karen spent ten months finessing the financing for the property
1.1chiefly North American Slyly attempt to avoid blame or censure when dealing with (a situation or problem):
despite the administration’s attempts to finesse its mishaps, the public remained wary

2(In bridge and whist) play (a card) in the hope of winning a trick with it because any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played.

Origin
late middle english (in the sense 'purity, delicacy'): from French, related to fine.

A tremendous amount of business acumen, political finesse, and relationship building was necessary as well - this was particularly true in 1920s' Texas.

The H.A. untangles a complex web of political power plays and deceptive deals - revealing how a company with the right connections can finesse its way to success.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:44
revel
Line breaks: revel
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛv(ə)l /

VERB (revels, revelling, revelled; US revels, reveling, reveled)
[NO OBJECT]
1Enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing:
(as noun revelling) a night of drunken revelling
1.1 (revel in) Gain great pleasure from (a situation):
Bill said he was secretly revelling in his new-found fame

NOUN
(revels) Back to top
Lively and noisy enjoyment, especially with drinking and dancing:
late-night revels

Origin
late middle english: from Old French reveler 'rise up in rebellion', from Latin rebellare 'to rebel'.

He reveled in this environment of power, influence, and money and from the very beginning had no qualms about maneuvering within this world.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:53
burgeon
Line breaks: bur|geon
Pronunciation: /ˈbəːdʒ(ə)n /

VERB
[NO OBJECT] (often as adjective burgeoning)
1Begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish:
manufacturers are keen to cash in on the burgeoning demand
1.1 archaic or literary Put forth young shoots; bud.

Origin
middle english: from Old French bourgeonner 'put out buds', from borjon 'bud', based on late Latin burra 'wool'.

The burgeoning needs for roads eventually drew B&R toward Houston, where George had first gone to college, and where road paving was now the hot new trend.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 01:57
clairvoyant
Line breaks: clair|voy|ant
Pronunciation: /klɛːˈvɔɪənt /

NOUN
A person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact:
she has had a message from a clairvoyant that her son is alive and well

ADJECTIVE
Having or exhibiting clairvoyance:
he didn’t tell me about it and I’m not clairvoyant

Origin
late 17th century (in the sense 'clear-sighted, perceptive'): from French, from clair 'clear' + voyant 'seeing' (from voir 'to see'). The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

There were even clairvoyants who claimed they could sniff out oil, for the right price.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 02:06
undeterred
Line breaks: un|deterred
Pronunciation: /ʌndɪˈtəːd /

ADJECTIVE
Persevering with something despite setbacks:
he was undeterred by these disasters

from the word 'deter'

The Halliburtons seemed to have hit rock bottom. Still, Erle was undeterred. "At any other time and place, his self-confidence, radiating in fluent, cocky self assurance from his tiny frame, might have been insufferable. But in this feverish rush for fortune, time was of the essence, and nothing counted but success," says the historian Haley. - <Excerpt from The Halliburton Agenda, ditto for the few words above.>

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 02:15
contraption
Line breaks: con|trap|tion
Pronunciation: /kənˈtrapʃ(ə)n /

NOUN
A machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe:
repairing stereos and making contraptions out of spare electronic bits

Origin
early 19th century: perhaps from contrive (on the pattern of pairs such as conceive, conception), by association with trap.

At first, the noisy, smelly contraptions were not taken seriously, often met with derisive shouts of "Get a horse!" from disgusted onlookers.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 02:18
wanderlust
Line breaks: wan|der|lust
Pronunciation: /ˈwɒndəlʌst /

NOUN
[MASS NOUN]
A strong desire to travel:
a man consumed by wanderlust

Origin
early 20th century: from German Wanderlust.

After nine years of wanderlust and job-hopping, Erle Halliburton found the oil industry.

作者: Dux 时间: 10-10-2014 02:22
wildcatter
Line breaks: wild|cat|ter
Pronunciation:

NOUN
North American
A prospector who sinks exploratory oil wells.

If a prospector finds a new gold mine or the wildcatter brings in a rich oil well, the probability of other prospectors and wildcatters making equally valuable finds diminishes, however slightly.
Independents - the industry term for companies that have more capital and know-how than the typical wildcatter - can grow either by exploring and finding reserves or by buying a company that already has them.
An oil wildcatter raised by an oil wildcatter, he moved into the railroad business in the early 1980s and made billions by laying fiber-optic cable along his Southern Pacific Railroad track and purchasing Qwest Communications.

Wildcatters peppered the landscape of every oil discovery, randomly drilling every inch of the earth in a desperate attempt to strike it rich.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-10-2014 01:53
endemic
Line breaks: en|dem|ic
Pronunciation: /ɛnˈdɛmɪk /

ADJECTIVE
1(Of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area:
complacency is endemic in industry today
1.1 [ATTRIBUTIVE] (Of an area) in which a particular disease is regularly found:
the persistence of infection on pastures in endemic areas
2(Of a plant or animal) native or restricted to a certain place:
a marsupial endemic to north-eastern Australia

NOUN
An endemic plant or animal:
there are three types of island endemics

Origin
mid 17th century (as a noun): from French endémique or modern Latin endemicus, from Greek endēmios 'native' (based on dēmos 'people').

The abuse of political influence is endemic to Brown & Root, a pathology that repeats itself decade after decade. And the story rarely changes.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-10-2014 02:06
sophistry
Line breaks: soph|is|try
Pronunciation: /ˈsɒfɪstri /

NOUN (plural sophistries)
[MASS NOUN]
1The use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving:
trying to argue that I had benefited in any way from the disaster was pure sophistry
1.1 [COUNT NOUN] A fallacious argument.

SYNONYMS
specious reasoning, the use of fallacious arguments, sophism, casuistry, quibbling, equivocation, fallaciousness

While the simple and direct Erle Halliburton chose to eschew the sophistry of lobbying and government contracting, Herman Brown had embraced the inner workings of the federal government.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-10-2014 02:29
consortium
Line breaks: con|sor|tium
Pronunciation: /kənˈsɔːtɪəm /

NOUN (plural consortia /-tɪə, -ʃə/ or consortiums)
1An association, typically of several companies.
2 [MASS NOUN] Law The right of association and companionship with one’s husband or wife:
the amount awarded for loss of consortium must be included

Origin
early 19th century (in the sense 'partnership'): from Latin, from consors 'sharing, partner' (see consort).

The construction, done on a cost-plus basis, cost the federal government - the consortium of private industry that was so eager to have the pipeline built withdrew its financial commitment when it became clear the government would have to build the pipelines regardless of their involvement...

作者: 愚夫 时间: 14-10-2014 11:37

Good one~~

作者: yearshappy 时间: 1-11-2014 10:04

Dux 发表于 12-10-2014 02:29
consortium
Line breaks: con|sor|tium
Pronunciation: /kənˈsɔːtɪəm ...

It's absolutely great. You will have 100 tricky words at least by the end of the day.

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 00:05
purview
Line breaks: pur|view
Pronunciation: /ˈpəːvjuː /
Definition of purview in English:

NOUN
[IN SINGULAR] formal
1. The scope of the influence or concerns of something:
such a case might be within the purview of the legislation

1.1Range of experience or thought:
social taboos meant that little information was likely to come within the purview of women generally

Origin

late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French purveu 'foreseen', past participle of purveier (see purvey). Early use was as a legal term specifying the body of a statute following the words ‘be it enacted …’.

Tommy Corcoran said that James Forrestal, the undersecretary of the navy, "twisted a hell of a lot of tails" to keep the job the exclusive purview of "Lyndon's friends."

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 00:09
lenient
Line breaks: le|ni|ent
Pronunciation: /ˈliːnɪənt /

Definition of lenient in English:

ADJECTIVE
1. (Of a punishment or person in authority) more merciful or tolerant than expected:
in the view of the Court the sentence was too lenient
lenient magistrates

2. archaic Mild or soothing; emollient.

Origin
mid 17th century (in sense 2): from Latin lenient- 'soothing', from the verb lenire, from lenis 'mild, gentle'.

Dugger, who was far more lenient in reporting Johnson's compromised relationship with the Browns than Caro, clarified in his biography of Johnson "this was a most deceptive response..."

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 00:13
aide
Line breaks: aide
Pronunciation: /eɪd/

Definition of aide in English:

NOUN
1. An assistant to an important person, especially a political leader:
a presidential aide

1.1 short for aide-de-camp.

"Information is provided to the businessman; perhaps an aide sees a bureaucrat."

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 00:20
cadet
Line breaks: cadet
Pronunciation: /kəˈdɛt /

Definition of cadet in English:

NOUN
1. A young trainee in the armed services or police force:
an air cadet
1.1 A boy or girl of 13-18 who undergoes voluntary army, navy, or air force training together with adventure training.
1.2 Australian A trainee or novice, especially a trainee journalist.

2 formal or archaic A younger son or daughter:
a cadet of the family of the Earls of Rosse
2.1 [USUALLY AS MODIFIER] A junior branch of a family:
a cadet branch of the family

Origin
early 17th century (in sense 2): from French, from Gascon dialect capdet, a diminutive based on Latin caput 'head'. The notion ‘little head’ or ‘inferior head’ gave rise to that of 'younger, junior'.

"The company had completed 60 percent of the base in just eight months, allowing for cadets to begin training at the base ahead of schedule."

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 01:19
本帖最后由 Dux 于 25-1-2015 01:21 编辑

covet
Line breaks: covet
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌvɪt /
Definition of covet in English:

VERB (covets, coveting, coveted)
[WITH OBJECT]
Yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another):
I covet one of their smart bags
(as adjective coveted) I gave up a coveted job, that of editor-in-chief

Origin
Middle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin cupiditas (see cupidity).

"In January 1943, the company received a coveted award from the navy, ..."

作者: Dux 时间: 25-1-2015 01:30
insolvent
Line breaks: in|solv|ent
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɒlv(ə)nt /

Definition of insolvent in English:

ADJECTIVE
1. Unable to pay debts owed:
the company became insolvent

NOUN
An insolvent person.

"With bankers threatening to withdraw their funds, Platzer was in danger of insolvency, with the four subchasers incomplete."

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 01:38
dungeon
Line breaks: dun|geon
Pronunciation: /ˈdʌn(d)ʒ(ə)n /

NOUN
1. A strong underground prison cell, especially in a castle.
2. archaic term for donjon.

VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
Imprison (someone) in a dungeon.

Origin
Middle English (also with the sense 'castle keep'): from Old French (perhaps originally with the sense 'lord's tower' or 'mistress tower'), based on Latin dominus 'lord, master'. Compare with donjon.

"He swaggered into the dungeon, his right arm covered in bandages and bound up in a sling, acting, in Harry's opinion, as though he was the heroic survivor of some dreadful battle."

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 01:43
mutilate
Line breaks: mu|ti|late
Pronunciation: /ˈmjuːtɪleɪt /

Definition of mutilate in English:
VERB
[WITH OBJECT]
1. Inflict a violent and disfiguring injury on:
most of the prisoners had been mutilated

1.1 Inflict serious damage on:
the fine carved screen was mutilated in the 18th century

Origin
early 16th century: from Latin mutilat- 'maimed, mutilated, lopped off', from the verb mutilare, from mutilus 'maimed'.

'Profesor,' drawled Malfoy, 'Weasley's mutilating my roots, sir.'

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 01:47
cauldron
Line breaks: caul|dron
Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːldr(ə)n , ˈkɒl-/
(also caldron)

Definition of cauldron in English:
NOUN
1. A large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire.

2. A situation characterized by instability and strong emotions:
a cauldron of repressed anger

Origin
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French caudron, based on Latin caldarium, calidarium 'cooking-pot', from calidus 'hot'.

"A few cauldrons away, Neville was in trouble."

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 01:53
snigger
Line breaks: snig|ger
Pronunciation: /ˈsnɪɡə /
British

Definition of snigger in English:
VERB
[NO OBJECT]
Laugh in a half-suppressed, typically scornful way:
the boys at school were sure to snigger at him behind his back
[WITH DIRECT SPEECH]: ‘Doesn’t he look a fool?’ they sniggered

NOUN
A half-suppressed, typically scornful laugh:
we heard the sniggers caused by their little jokes

Origin
early 18th century: later variant of snicker.

"'What would it have been for you?' said Ron, sniggering, 'A piece of homework that only got nice out ten?'"

-- You wouldn't have imagined, when you read this part, that Ron and Hermione became lovers a few years later. :3

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 01:58
prowl
Line breaks: prowl
Pronunciation: /praʊl /

Definition of prowl in English:
VERB
[NO OBJECT]
(Of a person or animal) move about restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey:
lions prowling in the bush
[WITH OBJECT]: youngsters were prowling the streets in droves

NOUN
An act of prowling:
I met her once on one of my off-duty bookshop prowls

Origin
late Middle English: of unknown origin.

"Harry watched him looking around for Percy, who had been prowling between the sleeping bags, telling people off for talking."

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 02:13
while

VERB
[WITH OBJECT] (while something away)
Pass time in a leisurely manner:
a diversion to while away the long afternoons

"Harry whiled away the hours until dawn in front of the fire, getting up every now and then to stop Crookshanks sneaking up the boys' staircase again."

Interesting to note that 'while' could be a verb.

作者: Dux 时间: 27-1-2015 02:24
squint
Line breaks: squint
Pronunciation: /skwɪnt /

Definition of squint in English:

VERB
1. [NO OBJECT] Look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light:
the bright sun made them squint
2. [NO OBJECT] Have eyes that look in different directions:
Melanie did not squint

NOUN
1. [IN SINGULAR] A permanent deviation in the direction of the gaze of one eye:
I had a bad squint
2. [IN SINGULAR] informal A quick or casual look:
let me have a squint
3. An oblique opening through a wall in a church permitting a view of the altar from an aisle or side chapel.

ADJECTIVE
chiefly Scottish
Not straight or level:
the squint bottom edge of the puzzle

Origin
mid 16th century (in the sense 'squinting', as in squint-eyed): shortening of asquint.

"Shaking his sodden fringe out of his eyes, he squinted back into the stands."

作者: Dux 时间: 31-3-2015 22:48
regurgitate
Line breaks: re|gur|gi|tate
Pronunciation: /rɪˈɡəːdʒɪteɪt/

Definition of regurgitate in English:
verb
[WITH OBJECT]

1Bring (swallowed food) up again to the mouth:
gulls regurgitate food for the chicks

1.1Repeat (information) without analysing or comprehending it:
facts which can then be regurgitated at examinations

Origin
Late 16th century: from medieval Latin regurgitat-, from the verb regurgitare, from Latin re- 'again, back' + gurges, gurgit- 'whirlpool'.

Words that rhyme with regurgitate
ingurgitate

作者: Dux 时间: 31-3-2015 22:51
ukulele
Line breaks: uku|lele
Pronunciation: /ˌjuːkəˈleɪli/
(also ukelele)

Definition of ukulele in English:
noun
A small four-stringed guitar of Hawaiian origin.

Origin
Late 19th century: from Hawaiian, literally 'jumping flea'.

作者: Dux 时间: 31-3-2015 22:54
frondeur
Line breaks: frond|eur
Pronunciation: /frɒnˈdəː/ /fʀɔndœʀ/

Definition of frondeur in English:
noun

rare
A political rebel.

作者: Dux 时间: 31-3-2015 22:54
muliebrity
Line breaks: muli|eb|rity
Pronunciation: /ˌmjuːlɪˈɛbrɪti/

Definition of muliebrity in English:
noun
[MASS NOUN] literary
Womanly qualities; womanliness.

Origin
Late 16th century: from late Latin muliebritas, from Latin mulier 'woman'.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 15:35
It turns out increasingly difficult to come across really "tricky" words, so I am lowering the line and putting down some less "tricky" but still useful ones.

siesta
Line breaks: si|esta
Pronunciation: /sɪˈɛstə/

Definition of siesta in English:
noun

An afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate:
everyone had a siesta for a few hours

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 15:39
spook
Line breaks: spook
Pronunciation: /spuːk/

informal
Definition of spook in English:

noun

1A ghost.

2 (chiefly North American) A spy:
a CIA spook

3 (US offensive , dated) A black person.

verb

[WITH OBJECT]
1 Frighten; unnerve:
they spooked a couple of grizzly bears

1.1 [NO OBJECT] (Especially of an animal) take fright suddenly:
he’ll spook if we make any noise

Origin
Early 19th century: from Dutch, of unknown origin.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 15:43
allegorical

Line breaks: al|le|gor|ic|al
Pronunciation: /ˌalɪˈɡɒrɪk(ə)l/

Definition of allegorical in English:

adjective

Constituting or containing allegory:

Jahangir commissioned some of the most powerful allegorical paintings to emerge from the Mughal School.
In a society dominated by allegorical and historical painting, his scenes of contemporary life were regarded as a novelty.
The film is rich in allegorical theme and symbolic imagery, transforming the most banal of materials into miraculous epiphanies.

synonyms:
symbolic, metaphorical, figurative, representative, emblematic

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 15:49
epiphany
Line breaks: epiph|any
Pronunciation: /ɪˈpɪf(ə)ni/ /ɛˈpɪf(ə)ni/

Definition of epiphany in English:
noun (plural epiphanies)

1
(Epiphany)
The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12).

1.1The festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6 January.

2A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.

Then, as if we all have an epiphany at the same moment, we simultaneously yell out.
But I have to believe my epiphany was the decisive moment in my adult life.

Origin
Middle English: from Greek epiphainein 'reveal'. The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:02
eerie
Line breaks: eerie
Pronunciation: /ˈɪəri/

Definition of eerie in English:
adjective (eerier, eeriest)

Strange and frightening:
an eerie green glow in the sky

Origin
Middle English (originally northern English and Scots in the sense 'fearful'): probably from Old English earg 'cowardly', of Germanic origin; related to German arg.

Derivatives
eeriness
Pronunciation: /ˈɪərɪnəs/
noun

eerily
Pronunciation: /ˈɪərɪli/
adj.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:14
pelt

Line breaks: pelt
Pronunciation: /pɛlt/

verb

1 [WITH OBJECT] Hurl missiles repeatedly at:
two boys pelted him with rotten apples

1.1Hurl (something) at someone or something:
she spotted four boys pelting stones at ducks

1.2 [NO OBJECT] (pelt down) (Of rain, hail, or snow) fall quickly and very heavily:
the rain was pelting down

2 [NO OBJECT, WITH ADVERBIAL OF DIRECTION] informal Run somewhere very quickly:
I pelted across the road

noun

archaic
An act of hurling something at someone.

Origin
Late 15th century: of unknown origin.

Phrases
(at) full pelt
As fast as possible:
I ran downstairs at full pelt.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:17
tumultuous
Line breaks: tu|mul|tu|ous
Pronunciation: /tjʊˈmʌltjʊəs/

Definition of tumultuous in English:
adjective

1Making an uproar or loud, confused noise:
tumultuous applause

SYNONYMS
1.1Excited, confused, or disorderly:
a tumultuous crowd
a tumultuous personal life

Origin

Mid 16th century: from Old French tumultuous or Latin tumultuosus, from tumultus (see tumult).

They walked out onto the pitch to tumultuous applause.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:23
hatchet

Line breaks: hatchet
Pronunciation: /ˈhatʃɪt/

Definition of hatchet in English:
noun

A small axe with a short handle for use in one hand.

'Come on, Hermione, come and have some food,' Harry said, looking over at Ron and wondering whether he was in a good enough mood to bury the hatchet.

phrase: bury the hatchet, heal the breach, patch up a quarrel

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:29
pirouette
Line breaks: pirou|ette
Pronunciation: /ˌpɪrʊˈɛt/

Definition of pirouette in English:
noun
chiefly Ballet
1An act of spinning on one foot, typically with the raised foot touching the knee of the supporting leg.
1.1A movement performed in advanced dressage and classical riding, in which the horse makes a circle by pivoting on a hind leg, while cantering.

verb
[NO OBJECT]
Perform a pirouette:
she pirouetted and made a bow

Origin
Mid 17th century: from French, literally 'spinning top', of unknown ultimate origin.

Harry doubled up with silent laughter as Crabbe did a kind of pirouette in mid-air, trying to see who had thrown it.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:34
strut
Line breaks: strut
Pronunciation: /strʌt/

Definition of strut in English:
noun

1A rod or bar forming part of a framework and designed to resist compression:
a supporting strut
a spindly framework of long, slender struts, girders, and bracing wire

2 [IN SINGULAR] A stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait:
that old confident strut and swagger has returned

verb (struts, strutting, strutted)

1 [NO OBJECT, WITH ADVERBIAL] Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait:
peacocks strut through the grounds
she strutted down the catwalk

2 [WITH OBJECT] Brace (something) with a strut or struts:
the holes were close-boarded and strutted

Origin

Old English strūtian 'protrude stiffly', of Germanic origin. Current senses date from the late 16th century.

Phrases

strut one's stuff
(informal) Dance or behave in a confident and expressive way:
tonight you’ll be strutting your funky stuff on the dance floor
next season he’ll be strutting his stuff in Europe

Strutting around the place with his friends and admirers... the resemblance between you is uncanny.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:42
本帖最后由 Dux 于 12-4-2015 15:43 编辑

mortal
Line breaks: mor|tal
Pronunciation: /ˈmɔːt(ə)l/

Definition of mortal in English:
adjective

1(Of a living human being, often in contrast to a divine being) subject to death:
all men are mortal
1.1Relating to humans as subject to death:
the coffin held the mortal remains of her uncle
2Causing or liable to cause death; fatal:
a mortal disease
figurative the scandal appeared to have struck a mortal blow to the government

2.1(Of a battle) fought to the death:
the screams of men in mortal combat
2.2(Of an enemy or a state of hostility) admitting or allowing no reconciliation until death:
a mortal foe
2.3(Of a feeling, especially fear) very intense:
parents live in mortal fear of children’s diseases

3 informal Conceivable or imaginable:
he knew every mortal thing you did
3.1Very great:
he was in a mortal hurry
3.2 dated Long and tedious:
for three mortal days it rained

4 Christian Theology Denoting a grave sin that is regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace: Often contrasted with venial.
she had committed a mortal sin

noun

1A human being subject to death, as opposed to a divine being:
capacities only possible of God rather than mortals
1.1 humorous A person contrasted with others regarded as being of higher status or ability:
an ambassador had to live in a style which was not expected of lesser mortals

Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin mortalis, from mors, mort- 'death'.

Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. 'Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners...'

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:46
hallucination
Line breaks: hal|lu|cin|ation
Pronunciation: /həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition of hallucination in English:
noun

An experience involving the apparent perception of something not present:
he continued to suffer from horrific hallucinations

'Malfoy is not having hallucinations,' snarled Snape, and he bent down, a hand on each arm of Harry's chair, so that their faces were a foot apart.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:48
doddery
Line breaks: dod|dery
Pronunciation: /ˈdɒd(ə)ri/

Definition of doddery in English:
adjective

Slow and unsteady in movement because of weakness in old age:
he’s a bit doddery on his legs and doesn’t get about much

They're a bunch of doddery old fools, and they were scared.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:50
smudge
Line breaks: smudge
Pronunciation: /smʌdʒ/

verb

[WITH OBJECT]
1Cause (something) to become messily smeared by rubbing it:
she dabbed her eyes, careful not to smudge her make-up
1.1 [NO OBJECT] Become smeared when rubbed:
mascaras that smudge or flake around the eyes
1.2Make blurred or indistinct:
the photograph had been smudged by the photocopier and was by no means as clear as the original

noun
1A blurred or smeared mark on the surface of something:
a smudge of blood on the floor
1.1An indistinct or blurred view or image:
the low smudge of hills on the horizon

Origin
Late Middle English (as a verb in the sense 'soil, stain'): of unknown origin. The noun dates from the late 18th century.

The parchment was damp, and enormous teardrops had smudged the ink so badly in places that it was very difficult to read.

作者: Dux 时间: 12-4-2015 16:54
parchment
Line breaks: parch|ment
Pronunciation: /ˈpɑːtʃm(ə)nt/

Definition of parchment in English:
noun

[MASS NOUN]
1A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, and used as a durable writing surface in ancient and medieval times:
he borrowed a quill and a piece of parchment
his skin stretched like old parchment over his cheeks
[AS MODIFIER]: parchment rolls
1.1 [COUNT NOUN] A manuscript written on parchment:
a large collection of ancient parchments
1.2
(also parchment paper)
A type of stiff translucent paper treated to resemble parchment and used for lampshades, as a writing surface, and in baking:
line a 2 lb loaf tin with baking parchment
1.3 [COUNT NOUN] informal A diploma or other formal document:
she taught for two years till she got her parchment

Origin
Middle English: from Old French parchemin, from a blend of late Latin pergamina 'writing material from Pergamum' and Parthica pellis 'Parthian skin' (a kind of scarlet leather).

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 01:56
cred
street credibility
Line breaks: street cred|ibil|ity
(also informal street cred)

Definition of street credibility in English:
noun

[MASS NOUN]
Acceptability among fashionable young urban people:
the Liverpudlian is to use his street credibility to try to get the anti-vandalism message across to schoolchildren

She did not care for blood and didn't think that fainting in front of this large vagrant would help her street cred. - Friday Barnes

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:00
tetanus
Line breaks: tet|anus
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛt(ə)nəs/

Definition of tetanus in English:
noun
[MASS NOUN]
1A bacterial disease marked by rigidity and spasms of the voluntary muscles. See also trismus.
This disease is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani; Gram-positive anaerobic rods
2 Physiology The prolonged contraction of a muscle caused by rapidly repeated stimuli.

Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin, from Greek tetanos 'muscular spasm', from teinein 'to stretch'.

Derivatives

tetanize
Pronunciation: /ˈtɛt(ə)nʌɪz/
(also tetanise)
verb

tetanoid
adjective

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:02
convulsion
Line breaks: con|vul|sion
Pronunciation: /kənˈvʌlʃ(ə)n/

Definition of convulsion in English:
noun
(often convulsions)
1A sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, the presence of certain toxins or other agents in the blood, or fever in children:
toxic side effects like convulsions
febrile convulsions

1.1 (convulsions) Uncontrollable laughter:
the audience collapsed in convulsions

1.2An earthquake or other violent or major movement of the earth’s crust:
the violent convulsions of tectonic plates

2A violent social or political upheaval:
the convulsions of 1939–45

Origin
Mid 16th century (originally in the sense 'cramp, spasm'): from Latin convulsio(n-), from the verb convellere (see convulse).

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:05
perverse
Line breaks: per|verse
Pronunciation: /pəˈvəːs/

Definition of perverse in English:
adjective

1Showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable:
Kate’s perverse decision not to cooperate held good
2Contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice:
in two general elections the outcome was quite perverse
2.1 Law (Of a verdict) against the weight of evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law.
3Sexually perverted:
an evil life dedicated to perverse pleasure
films depicting behaviour which seemed perverse or deviant were seen as more suitable for private therapy than for public consumption

Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'turned away from what is right or good'): from Old French pervers(e), from Latin perversus 'turned about', from the verb pervertere (see pervert).

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:14
pronto
Line breaks: pronto
Pronunciation: /ˈprɒntəʊ/

Definition of pronto in English:
adverb

informal
Promptly; quickly:
put it in the refrigerator, pronto

Origin
Early 20th century: from Spanish, from Latin promptus (see prompt).

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:16
本帖最后由 Dux 于 16-4-2015 01:12 编辑

glum
Line breaks: glum
Pronunciation: /ɡlʌm/

Definition of glum in English:
adjective (glummer, glummest)

Looking or feeling dejected; morose:
the princess looked glum but later cheered up

Origin
Mid 16th century: related to dialect glum 'to frown', variant of gloom.

synonyms: gloomy, downcast, downhearted, dejected, disconsolate, dispirited, despondent, crestfallen, cast down, depressed, disappointed, disheartened, discouraged, demoralized, desolate, heavy-hearted, in low spirits, low-spirited, sad, unhappy, doleful, melancholy, miserable, woebegone, mournful, forlorn, long-faced, fed up, in the doldrums, wretched, lugubrious, morose, sepulchral, saturnine, dour, mirthless;

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:17
culprit
Line breaks: cul|prit
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌlprɪt/

Definition of culprit in English:
noun

1A person who is responsible for a crime or other misdeed:
the car’s front nearside door had been smashed in but the culprits had fled
1.1The cause of a problem or defect:
low-level ozone pollution is the real culprit

Origin
Late 17th century (originally in the formula Culprit, how will you be tried?, said by the Clerk of the Crown to a prisoner pleading not guilty): perhaps from a misinterpretation of the written abbreviation cul. prist for Anglo-Norman French Culpable: prest d'averrer notre bille '(You are) guilty: (We are) ready to prove our indictment'; in later use influenced by Latin culpa 'fault, blame'.

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:23
forensic
Line breaks: fo|ren|sic
Pronunciation: /fəˈrɛnsɪk/

Definition of forensic in English:
adjective

1Relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime:
forensic evidence
2Relating to courts of law.

noun
(forensics)
1Scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime.
1.1 (also forensic) [TREATED AS SINGULAR OR PLURAL] informal A laboratory or department responsible for forensic tests.

Origin
Mid 17th century: from Latin forensis 'in open court, public', from forum (see forum).

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 02:29
stertorous
Line breaks: ster|tor|ous
Pronunciation: /ˈstəːt(ə)rəs/

Definition of stertorous in English:
adjective

(Of breathing) noisy and laboured:
the breathing was becoming less stertorous
a stertorous sigh
Stertorous breathing may occur after epileptic convulsions, but does not typically occur after psychogenic non-epileptic convulsions.

Origin
Early 19th century: from modern Latin stertor 'snoring sound' (from Latin stertere 'to snore') + -ous.

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 03:00
本帖最后由 Dux 于 14-4-2015 02:25 编辑

modus operandi
Line breaks: modus op|er|andi
Pronunciation: /ˌməʊdəs ɒpəˈrandiː/ /-dʌɪ/

Definition of modus operandi in English:
noun (plural modi operandi ˌməʊdi)

[USUALLY IN SINGULAR]
1A particular way or method of doing something
1.1The way in which something operates or works:
THC has a quite precise modus operandi that taps into a specific brain function

Origin
Latin, literally 'way of operating'.

Connally was growing in power by the day, and although he could never be as dedicated to Brown & Root as Lyndon Johnson, he was a man intimately familiar with the company's modus operandi, and would certainly be attentive to the company's needs.

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 03:12
coffer
Line breaks: cof|fer
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒfə/

Definition of coffer in English:
noun

1A strongbox or small chest for holding valuables:
a battered leather coffer sealed with a waxen crest

1.1 (coffers) The funds or financial reserves of an organization:
there is not enough money in the coffers to finance the reforms

2A decorative sunken panel in a ceiling.

Origin
Middle English: from Old French coffre 'chest', via Latin from Greek kophinos 'basket'.

Herman Brown had been shuffling hundreds of thousands of dollars through Johnson and into the Democratic Party's coffers for the better pat of a year now.

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 03:16
unassailable
Line breaks: un|assail|able
Pronunciation: /ʌnəˈseɪləb(ə)l/

Definition of unassailable in English:
adjective

Unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated:
an unassailable lead

The other justification that the National Science Foundation gave for granting the contract to Brown & Root was their expertise in project management, which to that point was unassailable.

assail
Line breaks: as|sail
Pronunciation: /əˈseɪl/

Definition of assail in English:
verb
[WITH OBJECT]
1Make a concerted or violent attack on:
the Scots army assailed Edward’s army from the rear
1.1(Of an unpleasant feeling or physical sensation) come upon (someone) suddenly and strongly:
she was assailed by doubts and regrets
1.2Criticize strongly:
he assailed a group of editors for their alleged excesses

Origin
Middle English: from Old French asaill-, stressed stem of asalir, from medieval Latin assalire, from Latin assilire, from ad- 'to' + salire 'to leap'; compare with assault.

作者: Dux 时间: 14-4-2015 03:20
本帖最后由 Dux 于 16-4-2015 01:10 编辑

incessantly
Line breaks: in|ces|sant|ly
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɛsntli/

Definition of incessantly in English:
adverb

Without interruption; constantly:
she talked about him incessantly

The two groups bickered incessantly and publicly, and ultimately, Brown & Root took the unprecedented step of discharging the AMSOC advisors in May 1963.

bicker
Line breaks: bicker
Pronunciation: /ˈbɪkə/

Definition of bicker in English:
verb
[NO OBJECT]
1Argue about petty and trivial matters:
couples who bicker over who gets what from the divorce
2 literary (Of water) flow or fall with a gentle repetitive noise; patter:
against the glass the rain did beat and bicker
2.1(Of a flame or light) flash, gleam, or flicker:
the restless wheels whose flashing spokes bicker and burn

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