Abyssinia had long maintained her glory unsullied under an ancient line of emperors, until, in the sixteenth century, the ambitious and formidable Graan, at the head of a whole nation of Moslem1 barbarians2, burst over the frontier, and dashed into atoms the structure of two thousand five hundred years. Defended by hireling swords, which, in a series of sanguinary conflicts, wrested3 the victorious4 wreath from the brow of the invader5, and since supported rather by the memory of departed greatness than by actual strength, small portions of the once vast empire have struggled on, the shadow only of imperial dignity. But the glory had departed from the house of Ethiop, her power had been prostrated6 before the mighty7 conqueror8, and his wild band; and the Galla hordes9, pouring into the richest provinces, from southern central Africa, re-erected heathen shrines10 during the reign11 of anarchy12, and rose and flourished on her ruins.
The history of these African Tartars is, however, veiled in the deepest obscurity. Under the title of Oroma, they trace their origin to three sisters, daughters of Jerusalem, to whom are applied13 traditions similar to the Scriptural chronicle of the descendants of Lot. In their own language, the word “Galla” signifies ingressi; and of themselves they affirm that Wolláboo, their father, came from beyond Bargámo, “the great water;” and that his children were nine—Aroosi, Karaiyo, Jillé, Abitchu, Ghelán, Wóberi, Metta, Gumbitchu, and Betcho-Fugook—from whose loins have sprung the innumerable clans14 or houses which now people the greater portion of intra-tropical Africa. But by the Moslem bigots, who form the chief curse of Ethiopia, it is said that the term by which the nation is recognised was applied to the Ilma Oroma, or seed of Oroma, by the Prophet himself, who, on sending to summon Wolláboo to become a proselyte to the true faith, received a direct refusal. “Gal La,” “he said No,” reported the unsuccessful messenger on his return. “Let this then be the denomination15 of the infidels in future,” exclaimed the arch impostor, “since they will not receive the celestial16 revelations made to me through the angel Gabriel.”
But whatever may be the origin of the heathen invaders17, it is certain that, as a martial18 people, they have greatly degenerated19 from their ancestors. Under one head, they overran the fairest provinces of Ethiopia; and had they remained united, they might, with equal ease, have completed the conquest of the greater portion of the African continent. Relaxing, however, in their common cause against the Christians21, the tribes soon began to contest among each other for the possession of the newly-acquired territory. Intestine22 feuds23 and dissensions neutralised their giant power; and the weakness and disorganisation by which the majority are now characterised is to be ascribed to the fact of there being no paramount24 chief.
Roving in his native pastures, where his manners are unadulterated by the semi-civilisation of Abyssinia, the equestrian25 Galla is an object worthy26 the pencil of Carle Vernet or Pinelli. Tall and athletic27, his manly28 figure is enveloped30 in a toga, such as graced the sons of ancient Rome, and his savage31, wild, and fiery32 features, are rendered still more ferocious33 by thick bushy hair arranged either in large lotus-leaved compartments34, or streaming over the shoulders in long raven35 plaits. But grease and filth36 form his delight; and he sparkles under a liberal coat of the much-loved butter, which is unsparingly applied when proceeding37 to the perpetration of the most dastardly and inhuman38 deeds. Accoutred with spear, sword, and buckler, and wedded39 to the rude saddle, whereof he would seem to form a part, the Pagan scours40 fearlessly over the grassy41 savannas42 which he has usurped43 from the Christian20, and is engaged in perpetual desultory44 strife45 with all his border neighbours.
Possessing the finest breed of horses in Ethiopia, and wealthy both in flocks and herds46, which roam over boundless47 meadows smiling with clover, trefoil, and buttercups, this pastoral people devote their time equally to agricultural pursuits, and herein they are aided by a delightful48 climate, and by a luxuriant, well-watered soil. Whilst the women tend the sheep and oxen in the field, and manage the hives of bees, the men plough, sow, and reap, presenting in this respect a striking contrast to their indolent lowland neighbours, the Ada?el, whom they rival in barbarous ferocity, in treachery, and in savage propensities49. Rich and verdant50 valleys, the glory of the mountains, and the pride of the proprietors51, flourish with the most luxuriant crops, which are but too frequently swept from off the land by the sudden burst of war. Often is the cup of hope dashed from the lips when the enjoyment52 of the contents is deemed most certain; and the mangled53 corse of the husbandman is left on the borders of the very field of which he was garnering54 in the ripe corn.
Nor are the female portion of the Galla population less eminent55 in the equestrian art than their warlike lords, whose steeds it is their business to tend and saddle for the foray. Distinguished56 for their beauty among the dark daughters of Africa, their fine figures are slenderly attired57 in a short leathern petticoat, embroidered58 with a flounce of white cowrie shells, and clasped around the waist by a zone of coloured beads59. A flowing cotton robe completes the toilet of the wealthy; and the time of all is equally devoted60 to the braiding an infinity61 of minute tresses, which fall over the shoulders after the manner of the ancient Egyptians. But their garments and their persons are unsparingly anointed with lard and butter; and the romance that might otherwise attach to their native charms cannot fail to be dispelled62 on near approach.
The conically thatched cabins of the Galla are grouped in rural clusters, and uniformly surrounded by a stone wall as a precaution against surprise. The hamlet is often concealed63 by a dark forest of juniper overhanging the deep ravine, whose ever foaming64 torrent65 fertilises the adjacent pastures. Bees form a portion of the wealth of every family, and the flower-clothed meads, fostered by an Italian sky, are covered with them. The same whimsical customs which have been generally practised since the days of Virgil are here extant. The same confused clamour is raised to induce the swarm66 to alight; and the cylindrical67 hive having been rubbed inside with the leaves of odoriferous herbs to entice68 the wild insects to remain, it is suspended under the eaves of the hut, and twice during the year robbed of the honey.
To the performance of the religious rites69 of the Pagan, a tree is indispensable, his devotions and his sacrifices being invariably performed under the shadow of its boughs70. On the interment of a priest, a sycamore, or a coffee tree, is planted over the grave, and held sacred for ever; whilst on the banks of the Háwash stands the venerable Woda Nuwee, (Ficus sycamorus, the wild fig29. It is called worka, “the golden,” by the Amhára, and attains71 a vast size) to which the tribes flock from far and wide to make vows72 and propitiatory73 offerings, and to recount their exploits in war. Paying adoration74 only to stocks and stones, and bending the knee to none but idols75 and serpents, they here make oblations of butter and honey to secure the favour of the deity—hang upon the spreading branches the trophies76 taken from their enemies; and performing incantations to Sár, the prince of the demons77, bind78 around their necks the entrails of the slaughtered79 victim which has yielded auspicious80 omens81.
Two great annual sacrifices are made to the deities82 Ogli and Atéti, the former between June and July, the latter in the beginning of September. A number of goats having been slain83, the Lúbah, or priest, wearing a tuft of long hair on his crown, proceeds with a bell in his hand, and his brows encircled by a fillet of copper84, to divine from the fat, caul, and entrails, whether or not success will attend the warriors85 in battle. This point determined86, the assembled multitude, howling and screaming like demons, continue to surfeit87 themselves with raw meat, to swallow beer, and to inhale88 smoke to intoxication89 until midnight—invoking Wák, the Supreme90 Being, to grant numerous progeny91, lengthened92 years, and abundant crops, as well as to cause their Spears to prevail over those of their foes93; and when sacrificing to Atéti, the goddess of fecundity94, exclaiming frequently, “Lady, we commit ourselves unto thee; stay thou with us always.”
The Kalicha is the Galla wizard, conjurer, and physician. With the putrefying intestines95 of a goat hung about his neck, and armed with a bell and a copper whip, his skill in the expulsion of the devil is rarely known to fail. Adoration having been paid to a serpent, the patient is rubbed with butter, fumigated96 with potent97 herbs, and exorcised with frantic98 howls, a few strokes of the lash99 being administered until the cure is perfected. No Amhára will slay100 either a Lúbah or a Kalicha under any circumstances, from a superstitious101 dread102 of his dying curse; and Galla sorceresses are frequently called in by the Christians of Shoa, to transfer sickness, or to rid the house of evil spirits, by cabalistic incantations, performed with the blood of ginger-coloured hens, and red he-goats.
But among the Galla sorcerers and soothsayers, the Wáto, already mentioned as inhabiting the mountain Dalácha, towards the sources of the Háwash, are the most universally celebrated103. Neither Pagan nor Christian will molest104 this tribe, from the same superstitious apprehension105 of their malediction106, and still more from a desire to obtain their blessing107; whilst he who receives the protection of a Wáto may travel with perfect security over every part of the country inhabited by the Galla. Subsisting108 entirely109 by the chase, they wander from lake to lake and from river to river, destroying the hippopotamus110, upon the flesh of which animal they chiefly live—whereas no other heathen will touch it. Feared and respected, and claiming to themselves to be the original stock of the Oromo nation, they deem all other clans unclean from having mixed with Mohammadans and Christians; and refusing on this account to intermarry, remain to this day a separate and distinct people.
All barbarians are orators111; and the euphonical language of the Galla, which unfortunately can boast of no written character, is admirably adapted to embellish112 their eloquent113 and impressive delivery. Cradled in the unexplored heights of Ethiopia, many of the customs of these fierce illiterate114 idolaters are closely and remarkably115 allied116 to those of the more civilised nations of antiquity117. Seeking presages118, like the Romans and Etrurians, in the flight of birds, and in the entrails of slaughtered sacrifices; wearing the hair braided like the ancient Egyptians, and, like them, sleeping with the head supported by a wooden crutch—wedding the relict of a deceased brother, according to the Mosaic119 law, and bowing the knee to the old serpent, whom they regard as the father of all mankind—an acquaintance with these wild invaders suggests curious speculations120 on their origin, when referred to a common parent; and these are rendered still more interesting by the existence of a prophecy, that their hordes are one day to quit the highlands of their usurpation121, and march to the east and to the north, “that they may conquer the inheritance of their Jewish ancestors.”
点击收听单词发音
1 Moslem | |
n.回教徒,穆罕默德信徒;adj.回教徒的,回教的 | |
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2 barbarians | |
n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 );外国人;粗野的人;无教养的人 | |
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3 wrested | |
(用力)拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 ); 费力取得; (从…)攫取; ( 从… ) 强行取去… | |
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4 victorious | |
adj.胜利的,得胜的 | |
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5 invader | |
n.侵略者,侵犯者,入侵者 | |
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6 prostrated | |
v.使俯伏,使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 );(指疾病、天气等)使某人无能为力 | |
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7 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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8 conqueror | |
n.征服者,胜利者 | |
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9 hordes | |
n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 );部落 | |
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10 shrines | |
圣地,圣坛,神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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11 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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12 anarchy | |
n.无政府状态;社会秩序混乱,无秩序 | |
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13 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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14 clans | |
宗族( clan的名词复数 ); 氏族; 庞大的家族; 宗派 | |
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15 denomination | |
n.命名,取名,(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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16 celestial | |
adj.天体的;天上的 | |
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17 invaders | |
入侵者,侵略者,侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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18 martial | |
adj.战争的,军事的,尚武的,威武的 | |
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19 degenerated | |
衰退,堕落,退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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21 Christians | |
n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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22 intestine | |
adj.内部的;国内的;n.肠 | |
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23 feuds | |
n.长期不和,世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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24 paramount | |
a.最重要的,最高权力的 | |
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25 equestrian | |
adj.骑马的;n.马术 | |
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26 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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27 athletic | |
adj.擅长运动的,强健的;活跃的,体格健壮的 | |
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28 manly | |
adj.有男子气概的;adv.男子般地,果断地 | |
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29 fig | |
n.无花果(树) | |
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30 enveloped | |
v.包围,笼罩,包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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32 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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33 ferocious | |
adj.凶猛的,残暴的,极度的,十分强烈的 | |
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34 compartments | |
n.间隔( compartment的名词复数 );(列车车厢的)隔间;(家具或设备等的)分隔间;隔层 | |
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35 raven | |
n.渡鸟,乌鸦;adj.乌亮的 | |
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36 filth | |
n.肮脏,污物,污秽;淫猥 | |
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37 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
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38 inhuman | |
adj.残忍的,不人道的,无人性的 | |
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39 wedded | |
adj.正式结婚的;渴望…的,执著于…的v.嫁,娶,(与…)结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40 scours | |
走遍(某地)搜寻(人或物)( scour的第三人称单数 ); (用力)刷; 擦净; 擦亮 | |
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41 grassy | |
adj.盖满草的;长满草的 | |
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42 savannas | |
n.(美国东南部的)无树平原( savanna的名词复数 );(亚)热带的稀树大草原 | |
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43 usurped | |
篡夺,霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 ); 盗用; 篡夺,篡权 | |
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44 desultory | |
adj.散漫的,无方法的 | |
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45 strife | |
n.争吵,冲突,倾轧,竞争 | |
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46 herds | |
兽群( herd的名词复数 ); 牧群; 人群; 群众 | |
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47 boundless | |
adj.无限的;无边无际的;巨大的 | |
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48 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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49 propensities | |
n.倾向,习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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50 verdant | |
adj.翠绿的,青翠的,生疏的,不老练的 | |
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51 proprietors | |
n.所有人,业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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52 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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53 mangled | |
vt.乱砍(mangle的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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54 garnering | |
v.收集并(通常)贮藏(某物),取得,获得( garner的现在分词 ) | |
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55 eminent | |
adj.显赫的,杰出的,有名的,优良的 | |
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56 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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57 attired | |
adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服,使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58 embroidered | |
adj.绣花的 | |
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59 beads | |
n.(空心)小珠子( bead的名词复数 );水珠;珠子项链 | |
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60 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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61 infinity | |
n.无限,无穷,大量 | |
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62 dispelled | |
v.驱散,赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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64 foaming | |
adj.布满泡沫的;发泡 | |
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65 torrent | |
n.激流,洪流;爆发,(话语等的)连发 | |
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66 swarm | |
n.(昆虫)等一大群;vi.成群飞舞;蜂拥而入 | |
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67 cylindrical | |
adj.圆筒形的 | |
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68 entice | |
v.诱骗,引诱,怂恿 | |
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69 rites | |
仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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70 boughs | |
大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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71 attains | |
(通常经过努力)实现( attain的第三人称单数 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
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72 vows | |
誓言( vow的名词复数 ); 郑重宣布,许愿 | |
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73 propitiatory | |
adj.劝解的;抚慰的;谋求好感的;哄人息怒的 | |
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74 adoration | |
n.爱慕,崇拜 | |
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75 idols | |
偶像( idol的名词复数 ); 受崇拜的人或物; 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物; 神像 | |
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76 trophies | |
n.(为竞赛获胜者颁发的)奖品( trophy的名词复数 );奖杯;(尤指狩猎或战争中获得的)纪念品;(用于比赛或赛跑名称)奖 | |
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77 demons | |
n.恶人( demon的名词复数 );恶魔;精力过人的人;邪念 | |
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78 bind | |
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬 | |
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79 slaughtered | |
v.屠杀,杀戮,屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80 auspicious | |
adj.吉利的;幸运的,吉兆的 | |
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81 omens | |
n.前兆,预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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82 deities | |
n.神,女神( deity的名词复数 );神祗;神灵;神明 | |
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83 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
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84 copper | |
n.铜;铜币;铜器;adj.铜(制)的;(紫)铜色的 | |
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85 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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86 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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87 surfeit | |
v.使饮食过度;n.(食物)过量,过度 | |
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88 inhale | |
v.吸入(气体等),吸(烟) | |
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89 intoxication | |
n.wild excitement;drunkenness;poisoning | |
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90 supreme | |
adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的 | |
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91 progeny | |
n.后代,子孙;结果 | |
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92 lengthened | |
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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94 fecundity | |
n.生产力;丰富 | |
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95 intestines | |
n.肠( intestine的名词复数 ) | |
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96 fumigated | |
v.用化学品熏(某物)消毒( fumigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97 potent | |
adj.强有力的,有权势的;有效力的 | |
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98 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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99 lash | |
v.系牢;鞭打;猛烈抨击;n.鞭打;眼睫毛 | |
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100 slay | |
v.杀死,宰杀,杀戮 | |
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101 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
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102 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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103 celebrated | |
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
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104 molest | |
vt.骚扰,干扰,调戏 | |
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105 apprehension | |
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑 | |
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106 malediction | |
n.诅咒 | |
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107 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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108 subsisting | |
v.(靠很少的钱或食物)维持生活,生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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109 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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110 hippopotamus | |
n.河马 | |
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111 orators | |
n.演说者,演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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112 embellish | |
v.装饰,布置;给…添加细节,润饰 | |
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113 eloquent | |
adj.雄辩的,口才流利的;明白显示出的 | |
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114 illiterate | |
adj.文盲的;无知的;n.文盲 | |
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115 remarkably | |
ad.不同寻常地,相当地 | |
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116 allied | |
adj.协约国的;同盟国的 | |
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117 antiquity | |
n.古老;高龄;古物,古迹 | |
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118 presages | |
v.预示,预兆( presage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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119 mosaic | |
n./adj.镶嵌细工的,镶嵌工艺品的,嵌花式的 | |
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120 speculations | |
n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 );思考;投机活动;推断 | |
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121 usurpation | |
n.篡位;霸占 | |
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