ARTEMIS tried the doorknob and got a scorched1 palm for his trouble. Sealed. The fairy must have blasted it with her weapon. Very astute2. One less variable in the equation. It was exactly what he himself would have done.
Artemis did not waste any time attempting to force open the door. It was reinforced steel and he was twelve. You didn't have to be a genius to figure it out, even though he was. Instead the Fowl3 heir apparent crossed to the monitor wall and followed developments from there.
He knew immediately what the LEP were up to - send in the troll to secure a cry for help, interpret it as an invitation, and next thing you know a brigade of goblin stormtroopers were taking the manor5. Clever. And unanticipated. It was the second time he'd underestimated his opponents. One way or another, there wouldn't be a third.
As the drama below unfolded on the monitors, Artemis's emotions jumped from terror to pride. Butler had done it. Defeated the troll, and without a single plea for aid passing his lips. Watching the display, Artemis appreciated fully6, perhaps for the first time, the service provided by the Butler family.
Artemis activated7 the tri-band radio, broadcasting on revolving8 frequencies.
'Commander Root, you are monitoring all channels I presume ...'
For a few moments nothing but white noise emanated9 from the micro speakers, then Artemis heard the sharp click of a mike button.
'I hear you, human. What can I do for you?'
'Is that the commander?'
A noise filtered through the black gauze. It sounded like a whinny.
'No. This is not the commander. This is Foaly, the centaur10. Is that the kidnapping lowlife human?'
It took Artemis a moment to process the fact that he'd been insulted.
'Mister ... ah ... Foaly. You have obviously not studied your psych texts. It is not wise to antagonize the hostage-taker. I may be unstable11.'
'May be unstable? There's no may about it. Not that it matters. Soon you'll be no more than a cloud of radioactive molecules12.'
Artemis chuckled14. 'That's where you are mistaken, my quadrupedal friend. By the time that bio-bomb is detonated, I will be long gone from this time-stop.'
It was Foaly's turn to chuckle13. 'You're bluffing15, human. If there was a way to escape the field, I would have found it. I think you're talking through your -'
Thankfully it was at that moment Root took over at the microphone.
'Fowl? This is Commander Root. What do you want?'
'I would just like to inform you, Commander, that in spite of your attempted betrayal, I am still willing to negotiate.'
'That troll had nothing to do with me,' protested Root. 'It was done against my wishes.'
'The fact is that it was done, and by the LEP. Whatever trust we had is gone. So here is my ultimatum17. You have thirty minutes to send in the gold, or else I will refuse to release Captain Short. Furthermore, I will not take her with me when I leave the time-field, leaving her to be disintegrated18 by the bio-bomb.'
'Don't be a fool, human. You're deluding20 yourself. Mud technology is aeons behind ours. There is no way to escape the time-field.'
Artemis leaned in close to the mike, smiling his wolfish smile.
'There's only one way to find out, Root. Are you willing to bet Captain Short's life on your hunch21?'
Root's hesitation22 was highlighted by the hiss23 of interference. His reply, when it came, was tinged24 with just the right note of defeat.
'No,' he sighed. 'I'm not. You'll have your gold, Fowl. A tonne. Twenty-four carat.'
Artemis smirked25. Quite the actor, our Commander Root.
'Thirty minutes, Commander. Count the seconds if your clock's stopped. I'm waiting. But not for long.'
Artemis terminated the contact, settling back in the swivel chair. It would seem as though the bait had been taken. No doubt the LEP analysts26 had discovered his 'accidental' invitation. The fairies would pay up because they believed the gold would be theirs again as soon as he was dead. Vaporized by the bio-bomb. Which, of course, he wouldn't be. In theory.
Butler put three rounds into the door frame. The door itself was steel and would have sent the Devastator27 slugs ricocheting straight back at him. But the frame was the original porous28 stone used to build the manor. It crumbled29 like chalk. A very basic security flaw, and one that would have to be remedied once this business was over.
Master Artemis was waiting calmly in his chair by the monitor bank.
'Nice work, Butler.'
'Thank you, Artemis. We were in trouble for a moment there. If it hadn't been for the captain ...'
Artemis nodded. 'Yes. I saw. Healing, one of the fairy arts. I wonder why she did it.'
T wonder too,' said Butler softly. 'We certainly didn't deserve it.'
Artemis glanced up sharply. 'Keep the faith, old friend. The end is in sight.'
Butler nodded; he even attempted a smile. But though there were plenty of teeth in the grin, there was no heart.
'In less than an hour, Captain Short will be back with her people and we will have sufficient funds to relaunch some of our more tasteful enterprises.'
'I know. It's just ...'
Artemis didn't have to ask. He knew exactly what Butler was feeling. The fairy had saved both their lives and yet he insisted on holding her to ransom30. To a man of honour like Butler, this was almost more than he could bear.
'The negotiations31 are over. One way or another she will be returned to her kind. No harm will befall Captain Short. You have my word.'
'And Juliet?'
'Yes?'
'Is there any danger to my sister?'
'No. No danger.'
'The fairies are just going to give us this gold and walk away?'
Artemis snorted gently. 'No, not exactly. They're going to bio-bomb Fowl Manor the second Captain Short is clear.'
Butler took a breath to speak, but hesitated. Obviously there was more to the plan. Master Fowl would tell him when he needed to know. So instead of quizzing his employer, he made a simple statement.
'I trust you, Artemis.'
'Yes,' replied the boy, the weight of that trust etched on his brow. 'I know.'
Gudgeon was doing what politicians did best: trying to duck responsibility.
'Your officer helped the humans,' he blurted32, mustering33 as much indignation as possible. 'The entire operation was proceeding34 exactly as planned, until your female attacked our deputy.'
'Deputy?' chortled Foaly. 'Now the troll's a deputy.'
'Yes. He is. And that human made mincemeat of him. This entire situation could be wrapped up if it wasn't for your department's incompetence35.'
Ordinarily, Root would have blown his top at this point, but he knew that Gudgeon was grasping at straws, desperately36 trying to save his career. So the commander just smiled.
'Hey, Foaly?'
'Yes, Commander?'
'Did we get the troll assault on disk?'
The centaur heaved a dramatic sigh. 'No, sir, we ran out of disks just before the troll went in.'
'What a pity.'
'A real shame.'
'Those disks could have been invaluable37 to Acting38 Commander Gudgeon at his hearing.'
Gudgeon's cool went out the window. 'Give me those disks, Julius! I know they're in there! This is blatant39 obstruction40.'
'You're the only one guilty of obstruction around here, Gudgeon. Using this affair to further your own career.'
Gudgeon's face took on a hue42 to match Root's own. The situation was slipping away from him and he knew it. Even Chix Verbil and the other sprites were sidling out from behind their leader.
'I am still in charge here, Julius, so hand over those disks or I will have you detained.'
'Oh, really? You and whose army?'
For a second Gudgeon's face glowed with the old pomposity43. It evaporated the moment he noticed the conspicuous44 lack of officers at his shoulders.
'That's right,' snickered Foaly. 'You ain't Acting Commander any more. The call came through from below. You've got an appointment with the Council, and I don't think it's to offer you a seat.'
It was probably Foaly's grin that drove Gudgeon over the edge.
'Give me those disks!' he roared, pinning Foaly to the operation's shuttle.
Root was tempted16 to let them wrestle45 for a while, but now wasn't the time to indulge himself.
'Naughty naughty,' he said, pointing his index finger at Gudgeon. 'No one beats Foaly but me.'
Foaly paled. 'Careful with that finger. You're still wearing the -'
Root's thumb accidentally brushed his knuckle46, opening a tiny gas valve. The released gas propelled a tranquillized dart47 through the latex fingertip and straight into Gudgeon's neck. The Acting Commander, soon to be Private, sank like a stone.
Foaly rubbed his neck. 'Nice shot, Commander.'
'I don't know what you're talking about. Total accident. I forgot all about the fake finger. There are several precedents48, I believe.'
'Oh, absolutely. Unfortunately Gudgeon will be unconscious for several hours. By the time he awakens50, all the excitement will be over.'
'Shame.' Root allowed himself a fleeting51 grin, then it was back to business. 'Is the gold here?'
'Yep, they just inserted it.'
'Good.' He called to Gudgeon's sheepish troops. 'Get it loaded on a hover52 trolley53 and send it in. Any trouble and I'll feed you your wings. Understood?'
No one actually replied, but it was understood. No doubt about it.
Root disappeared into the operation's shuttle, Foaly clopping behind him. The commander shut the door firmly.
'Is it armed?'
The centaur flicked55 a few important-looking switches on the main console.
'It is now.'
'I want it launched as soon as possible.' He glanced through the laser-proof refractor glass. 'We're down to minutes here. I see sunlight poking56 through.'
Foaly bent57 to his keyboard in earnest. 'The magic is breaking up. In fifteen minutes we're going to be in the middle of overground daytime. The neutrino streams are losing their integrity.'
'I see,' said Root, which was basically a lie again. 'OK, I don't see. But I do get the fifteen minutes bit. That gives you ten minutes to get Captain Short out of there. After that we're going to be sitting ducks for the entire human race.'
Foaly activated yet another camera. This one was linked to the hovertrolley. He ran a finger experimentally across a trackpad. The trolley shot forward, almost decapitating Chix Verbil.
'Nice driving,' muttered Root. 'Will it get up the steps?'
Foaly didn't even look up from his computers.
'Automatic clearance58 compensator59. One-point-five metre collar. No problems.'
Root speared him with a glare. 'You do that just to annoy me, don't you?'
Foaly shrugged60 his shoulders. 'I might do.'
'Yes, well, count yourself lucky my other fingers aren't loaded. Get my meaning?'
'Yessir.'
'Good. Now let's bring Captain Short home.'
Holly62 hovered63 beneath the portico64. Orange shards65 of light striped the blue. The time-stop was breaking up. There were only minutes left before Root blue-rinsed the whole place. Foaly's voice buzzed in her earpiece.
'OK, Captain Short. The gold is on the way. Be ready to move.'
'We don't bargain with kidnappers,' said Holly, surprised. 'What's going on here?'
'Nothing,' replied Foaly casually66. 'Straightforward67 exchange. The gold goes in, you come out. We send in the missile. Big blue bang, and it's all over.'
'Does Fowl know about the bio-bomb?'
'Yep. Knows all about it. Claims he can escape the time-field.'
'That's impossible.'
'Correct.'
'But they'll all be killed!'
'Big deal,' retorted Foaly, and Holly could almost see him shrug61. 'That's what you get when you mess with the People.'
Holly was torn. There was no doubt that Fowl was a danger to the civilized68 underworld. Very few tears would be shed over his body. But the girl, Juliet, she was an innocent. She deserved a chance.
Holly descended69 to an altitude of two metres. Head height for Butler. The humans had congregated70 in the wreckage71 that used to be a hallway. There was disunity between them. The LEP officer could sense it.
Holly glared accusingly at Artemis. 'Have you told them?'
Artemis returned her stare. 'Told them what?'
'Yes, Fairy, told us what?' echoed Juliet belligerently72, still a bit miffed over the mesmerizing73.
'Don't play dumb, Fowl. You know what I'm talking about.'
Artemis never could play dumb for very long. 'Yes, Captain Short. I do. The bio-bomb. Your concern would be touching74, if it extended to myself. Nevertheless, do not upset yourself. Everything is proceeding according to plan.'
'According to plan!' gasped75 Holly, pointing to the devastation76 surrounding them. 'Was this part of the plan? And Butler almost getting killed - all part of the plan?'
'No,' Artemis admitted. 'The troll was a slight blip. But irrelevant77 to the overall scheme.'
Holly resisted the urge to punch the pale human again, turning instead to Butler.
'Listen to reason, for heaven's sake. You cannot escape the time-field. It has never been done.'
Butler's features could have been etched in stone.
'If Artemis says it can be done, then it can.'
'But your sister. Are you willing to risk her life out of loyalty78 to a felon79?'
'Artemis is no felon, miss, he is a genius. Now please remove yourself from my sightline. I am monitoring the main entrance.'
Holly buzzed up to six metres.
'You're crazy. All of you! In five minutes you'll all be dust. Don't you realize?'
Artemis sighed. 'You've had your answer, Captain. Now, please. This is a delicate stage in the proceedings80.'
'Proceedings? It's a kidnapping! At least have the guts81 to call it what it is.'
Artemis's patience was beginning to fray82.
'Butler, do we have any tranquillizer hypodermics left?'
The giant manservant nodded, but didn't speak. At that precise moment, if the order came to sedate83, he wasn't sure if he would, or could. Luckily Artemis's attention was diverted by activity in the avenue.
'Ah, it would seem the LEP have capitulated. Butler supervise the delivery. But stay alert. Our fairy friends are not above trickery.'
'You're a fine one to talk,' muttered Holly.
Butler hurried to the demolished84 doorway85, checking the load and catch on his Sig Sauer nine-millimetre. He was almost grateful for some military activity to distract him from his dilemma86. In situations like these, training took over. There was no room for sentiment.
A fine haze87 of dust still hung in the air. Butler squinted88 through it, into the avenue beyond. The fairy filters rigged over his eyes revealed that there were no warm bodies approaching. There was, however, a large trolley seemingly driving itself up to the front door. It was floating on a cushion of shimmering89 air. Doubtless Master Artemis would have understood the physics of this machine, all Butler cared about was whether or not he could disable it.
The trolley bumped into the first step.
'Automatic compensator, my foot,' snorted Root.
'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' replied Foaly. 'I'm working on it.'
'It's the ransom,' shouted Butler.
Artemis tried to quell90 the excitement rising in his chest. This was not the time to allow emotions to enter the equation.
'Check for booby traps.'
Butler stepped cautiously on to the porch. Shards of disintegrated gargoyle91 lay scattered92 beneath his feet.
'No hostiles. Seems to be self-propelled.'
The trolley lurched over the steps.
'I don't know who's driving this thing, but he could do with a few lessons.'
Butler bent low to the ground, scanning the trolley's underside.
'No explosive devices visible.'
He extracted a Sweeper from his pocket, extending the telescopic aerial.
'No bugs93 either. Nothing detectable94 at any rate. But what do we have here?'
'Uh oh,' said Foaly.
'It's a camera.'
Butler reached in, pulling the fish-eye lens out by the cable.
'Nighty-night, gentlemen.'
In spite of the load it carried, the trolley responded easily to Butler's touch, gliding95 across the threshold into the lobby. It stood there humming softly, as though waiting to be unloaded.
Now that the moment had come, Artemis was almost afraid to seize it. It was hard to believe that after all these months, his wicked scheme was minutes away from fruition. Of course these last few minutes were the vital ones, and the most dangerous.
'Open it,' he said at last, surprised at the tremble in his own voice.
It was an irresistible96 instant. Juliet approached tentatively, spangled eyes wide. Even Holly closed the throttle97 a notch98, dropping until her feet brushed the marble tiling. Butler unzipped the black tarpaulin99, dragging it back across the cargo100. Nobody said a thing. Artemis imagined that somewhere the 1812 Overture101 was playing. The gold sat there, stacked in shining rows. It seemed to have an aura, a warmth, but also an inherent danger. There were a lot of people willing to die or kill for the unimaginable wealth this gold could bring.
Holly was mesmerized102. Fairies have an affinity103 for minerals, they are of the earth. But gold was their favourite. Its lustre104. Its allure105.
'They paid,' she breathed. 'I can't believe it.'
'Neither can I,' murmured Artemis. 'Butler, is it real?'
Butler hefted a bar from the stack. He dug the tip of a throwing knife into the ingot, gouging106 out a small sliver107.
'It's real all right,' he said, holding the scraping up to the light. 'This one, at any rate.'
'Good. Very good. Begin unloading it, would you? We'll send the trolley back out with Captain Short.'
Hearing her name dispelled109 Holly's gold fever.
'Artemis, give it up. No human has ever succeeded in keeping fairy gold. And they've been trying for centuries. The LEP will do anything to protect their property.'
Artemis shook his head. Amused.
'I've told you ...'
Holly took him by the shoulders. 'You cannot escape! Don't you understand?'
The boy returned her gaze coolly.
'I can escape, Holly. Look in my eyes and tell me that I can't.'
So she did. Captain Holly Short gazed into her captor's blue-black eyes and she saw the truth in there. And for a moment she believed it.
'There's still time,' she said desperately. 'There must be something. I have magic.'
A crease110 of annoyance111 wrinkled the boy's brow.
'I hate to disappoint you, Captain, but there is absolutely nothing.'
Artemis paused, his gaze tugged112 momentarily upstairs to the converted loft113. Perhaps, he thought. Do I really need all this gold? And was his conscience not pricking114 him, leeching115 the sweetness from his victory? He shook himself. Stick to the plan. Stick to the plan. No emotion.
Artemis felt a familiar hand on his shoulder.
'Everything all right?'
'Yes, Butler. Keep unloading. Get Juliet to help. I need to talk to Captain Short.'
'Are you sure there's nothing wrong?'
Artemis sighed. 'No, old friend, I'm not sure. But it's too late now.'
Butler nodded, returning to his task. Juliet toddled116 along behind him like a terrier.
'Now, Captain. About your magic.'
'What about it?' Holly's eyes were hooded117 with suspicion.
'What would I have to do to buy a wish?'
Holly glanced at the trolley. 'Well, that depends. What do you have to bargain with?'
Root was not what you'd call relaxed. Increasingly wide bands of yellow light were poking through the blue. Minutes left. Minutes. His migraine was not helped by the pungent118 cigar feeding toxins119 into his system.
'Have all non-essential personnel been evacuated120?'
'Unless they've sneaked121 back in since the last time you asked me.'
'Not now, Foaly. Believe me, now is not the time. Anything from Captain Short?'
'Nope. We lost video after the troll thing. I'd guess the battery is ruptured122. We'd better get that helmet off her ASAP, or the radiation will fry her brain. That'd be a pity after all this work.'
Foaly returned to his console. A red light began pulsing gently.
'Wait, motion sensor123. We've got activity by the main entrance.'
Root crossed to the screens. 'Can you enhance it?'
'No problem.' Foaly punched in the coordinates124, blowing it up 400 per cent.
Root sat down on the nearest chair.
'Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?'
'You sure are.' Foaly chuckled. 'This is even better than the suit of armour125.'
Holly was coming out. With the gold.
Retrieval were on her in half a second.
'Let's get you out of the danger zone, Captain,' urged a sprite, catching126 Holly by the elbow.
Another ran a rad-sensor over her helmet.
'We've got a power source breach127 here, Captain. We need to get your head sprayed immediately.'
Holly opened her mouth to protest, and had it instantly filled with rad-suppressant foam128.
'Can't this wait?' she spluttered.
'Sorry, Captain. Time is of the essence. The commander wants a debriefing129 before we detonate.'
Holly was rushed towards the Mobile Ops unit, her feet barely touching the ground. All around her Retrieval Cleaners scanned the grounds for any trace of the siege. Techies dismantled130 the field dishes, making ready to pull the plug. Grunts131 steered132 the trolley towards the portal. It was imperative133 that everything be relocated to a safe distance before the bio-bomb went in.
Root was waiting on the steps.
'Holly,' he blurted. 'I mean Captain. You made it.'
'Yessir. Thank you, sir.'
'And the gold too. This is a real feather in your cap.'
'Well, not all, Commander. About half I think.'
Root nodded. 'No matter. We'll have the rest soon enough.'
Holly wiped rad-foam from her brow.
'I've been thinking about that, sir. Fowl made another mistake. He never ordered me not to re-enter the house, and seeing as he brought me in there in the first place, the invitation still stands. I could go in and mind-wipe the occupants. We could hide the gold in the walls and do another time-stop tomorrow night ...'
'No, Captain.'
'But, sir ...'
Root's features regained134 whatever tension they'd lost.
'No, Captain. The Council is not about to hold off for some kidnapping Mud Man. It's just not going to happen. I have my orders, and believe me they're written in stone.'
Holly trailed Root into the mobile.
'But the girl, sir. She's an innocent!'
'Casualty of war. She threw her lot in with the wrong side. Nothing can be done for her now.'
Holly was incredulous. 'A casualty of war? How can you say that? A life is a life.'
Root spun135 sharply, grasping her by the shoulders.
'You did what you could, Holly,' he said. 'No one could have done more. You even retrieved136 most of the ransom. You're suffering from what humans call Stockholm Syndrome137: you have bonded138 with your captors. Don't worry, it will pass. But those people in there, they know. About us. Nothing can save them now.'
Foaly looked up from his calculations.
'Not true. Technically139. Welcome back, by the way.'
Holly couldn't spare even a second to return the greeting.
'What do you mean not true?'
'I'm fine, seeing as you asked.'
'Foaly!' shouted Root and Holly in unison140.
'Well, like the Book says, "If the Mud Man gold can gather, In spite of magick or fairy glamour141, Then that gold is his to keep, Until he lies in eternal sleep." So if he lives, he wins. It's that simple. Not even the Council will go against the Book.'
Root scratched his chin. 'Should I be worried?'
Foaly laughed mirthlessly. 'No. Those guys are as good as dead.'
'As good as isn't good enough.'
'Is that an order?'
'Affirmative, soldier.'
'I'm not a soldier,' said Foaly, and pressed the button.
Butler was more than a little surprised.
'You gave it back?'
Artemis nodded. 'About half. We still have quite a nest egg. About fifteen million dollars at today's market prices.'
Butler usually wouldn't ask. But this time he had to. 'Why, Artemis? Can you tell me?'
'I suppose so.' The boy smiled. 'I felt we owed the captain something. For services rendered.'
'Is that all?'
Artemis nodded. No need to talk about the wish. It could be perceived as weakness.
'Hmm,' said Butler, smarter than he looked.
'Now, we should celebrate,' enthused Artemis, deftly142 changing the subject. 'Some champagne143, I think.'
The boy strode to the kitchen before Butler's gaze could dissect144 him.
By the time the others caught up, Artemis had already filled three glasses with Dom Perignon.
'I'm a minor145, I know, but I'm sure Mother wouldn't mind. Just this once.'
Butler felt that something was afoot. Nevertheless, he took the crystal flute146 offered to him.
Juliet looked at her big brother.
'Is this OK?'
'I suppose so.' He took a breath. 'You know I love you, don't you, sis?'
Juliet scowled147 - something else that the local louts found very endearing. She smacked148 her brother on the shoulder.
'You're so emotional for a bodyguard149.'
Butler looked his employer straight in the eye.
'You want us to drink this, don't you, Artemis?'
Artemis met his gaze squarely. 'Yes, Butler. I do.'
Without another word Butler drained his glass, Juliet followed suit. The manservant tasted the tranquillizer immediately, and although he would have had ample time to snap Artemis Fowl's neck, he didn't. No need for Juliet to be distressed150 in her final moments.
Artemis watched his friends sink to the floor. A pity to deceive them. But if they had been alerted to the plan, their anxiety could have counteracted151 the sedative152. He gazed at the bubbles swirling154 in his own glass. Time for the most audacious step in his scheme. With only the barest hint of hesitation, he swallowed the tranquillizer-laced champagne.
Artemis waited calmly for the drug to take hold of his system. He didn't have to wait long, for each dose had been calculated according to body weight. As his thoughts began to swirl153, it occurred to him that he might never awaken49 again. It's a bit late for doubts, he chided himself, and sank into unconsciousness.
'She's away,' said Foaly, leaning back from the console. 'It's out of my hands now.'
They followed the missile's progress through polarized windows. It really was a remarkable155 piece of equipment. Because its main weapon was light, the fallout could be focused to an exact radius156. The radioactive element used in the core was solinium 2, which had a half-life of fourteen seconds. This effectively meant that Foaly could tune157 the bio-bomb to blue-rinse only Fowl Manor and not one blade of grass more, plus the building would be radiation-free in under a minute. In the event that a few solinium flares158 refused to be focused, they would be contained by the time-field. Murder made easy.
'The flight path is pre-programmed,' explained Foaly, though no one was paying a blind bit of attention. 'She'll sail into the lobby and detonate. The casing and firing mechanism160 are plastic alloy161 and will completely disintegrate19. Clean as a whistle.'
Root and Holly followed the bomb's arc. As predicted, it swooped162 through the decimated doorway without knocking so much as a sliver of stone from the medieval walls. Holly switched her attention to the missile's nose-cam. For a moment she caught a glimpse of the grand hallway where she had, until recently, been a prisoner. It was empty. Not a human in sight. Maybe, she thought. Just maybe. Then she looked at Foaly and the technology at his fingertips. And she realized that the humans were as good as dead.
The bio-bomb detonated. A blue orb163 of condensed light crackled and spread, filling every corner of the manor with its deadly rays. Flowers withered164, insects shrivelled and fish died in their tanks. Not one cubic millimetre was spared. Artemis Fowl and his cohorts could not have escaped. It was impossible.
Holly sighed, turning away from the already dwindling165 blue-rinse. For all his grand designs, Artemis had been a mere166 mortal in the end. And for some reason she mourned his passing.
Root was more pragmatic. 'OK. Suit up. Full blackout gear.'
'It's perfectly167 safe,' said Foaly. 'Didn't you ever listen in school?'
The commander snorted. 'I trust science about as far as I could throw you, Foaly. Radiation has a habit of hanging around when certain scientists have assured us it has dissipated. No one steps outside the unit without blackout gear. So that counts you out, Foaly. Only bipedal suits. Anyway I want you on monitors, just in case ...'
In case of what? wondered Foaly, but he didn't comment. Save it for an I told you so later.
Root turned to Holly.
'Are you ready, Captain?'
Going back in. The idea of identifying three cadavers168 didn't appeal to Holly. But she knew it was her duty. She was the only one with first-hand knowledge of the interior.
'Yessir. On my way.'
Holly selected a blackout suit from the rack, pulling it on over her jumpsuit. As per training, she checked the gauge169 before tugging170 the vulcanized cowl. A dip in pressure would indicate a rip, which could prove fatal in the long term.
Root lined up the insertion team at the perimeter171. The remains172 of Retrieval One were about as eager to insert themselves into the manor as they would be to juggle173 Atlantean stink174 balloons.
'You're certain the big one is gone?'
'Yes, Captain Kelp. He's gone, one way or another.'
Trouble wasn't convinced. 'Because that's one mean human. I think he has magic of his own.'
Corporal Grub giggled175, and got an immediate4 clip on the ear for himself. He muttered something about telling Mummy and quickly strapped177 on his helmet.
Root felt his complexion178 redden. 'Let's move out. Your mission is to locate and recover the bullion179. Watch for booby traps. I didn't trust Fowl when he was alive, and I definitely don't trust him now that he's dead.'
The phrase 'booby traps' got everyone's attention. The idea of a Bouncing Betty anti-personnel mine exploding at head height was enough to dispel108 any nonchalance180 in the troops. No one built weapons of cruelty like the Mud Men.
As the junior Recon officer, Holly was on point. And even though there weren't supposed to be any hostiles in the manor, she found her gun hand automatically straying to the Neutrino 2000.
The mansion181 was eerily182 quiet, with only the fizzle of the last few solinium flares to alleviate183 the stillness. Death was there too, in the silence. The manor was a cradle of death. Holly could smell it. Behind those medieval walls lay the bodies of a million insects, and under its floors the cooling corpses185 of spiders and mice.
They approached the doorway tentatively. Holly swept the area with an X-ray scanner. Nothing under the flagstones but dirt, and a nest of dead money-spiders.
'Clear,' she said into her microphone. 'I'm going in. Foaly, have you got your ears on?'
'I'm right there with you, darlin',' replied the centaur. 'Unless you step on a landmine186, in which case I'm way back in the Operations Room.'
'Are you getting any thermals188?'
'Not after a blue-rinse. We have residual189 heat signatures all over the place. Mostly solinium flares. It won't calm down for a couple of days.'
'But no radiation, right?'
'That's right.'
Root snorted in disbelief. Over the headsets it sounded like an elephant sneezing.
'It looks like we're going to have to sweep this house the old-fashioned way,' he grumbled190.
'Make it quick,' advised Foaly. 'I give it five minutes tops before Fowl Manor rejoins the world at large.'
Holly stepped through what used to be the doorway. The chandelier swung gently from the concussive force of the missile's detonation191, but otherwise everything was as she remembered it.
'The gold is downstairs. In my cell.'
Nobody answered. Not in words. Someone did manage a retch. Right into the microphone. Holly spun around. Trouble was doubled over, clutching his stomach.
'I don' feel so good,' he groaned192. A tad unnecessarily, considering the pool of vomit193 all over his boots.
Corporal Grub took a breath, possibly to utter a sentence containing the word Mummy. What came out was a jet of concentrated bile. Unfortunately Grub didn't have the opportunity to open his visor before the illness struck. It was not a pretty sight.
'Ugh,' said Holly, pressing the corporal's visor-release button. A tsunami194 of regurgitated rations187 flooded over Grub's blackout suit.
'Oh, for heaven's sake,' muttered Root, elbowing past the brothers. He didn't get very far. One step over the threshold and he was throwing up with the rest of them.
Holly pointed195 her helmet-cam at the stricken officers.
'What the hell is going on here, Foaly?'
Tm searching. Hold on.'
Holly could hear computer keys being punched furiously.
'OK. Sudden vomiting196. Spatial197 nausea198 ... Oh no.'
'What?' asked Holly. But she already knew. Maybe she always had.
'It's the magic,' blurted Foaly, words barely decipherable in his excitement. 'They can't enter the house until Fowl is dead. It's like an extreme allergic199 reaction. That means, unbelievable, that means ...'
'They made it,' completed Holly. 'He's alive. Artemis Fowl is alive.'
'D'Arvit,' groaned Root, and heaved another quart of vomit on to the terracotta tiles.
Holly went on alone. She had to see for herself. If Fowl's corpse184 was here, it would be with the gold, of that she was certain.
The same family portraits glared down at her, but now they seemed smug rather than austere200. Holly was tempted to loose a few blasts into them from the Neutrino 2000. But that would be against the rules. If Artemis Fowl had beaten them, then that was it. There would be no recriminations.
She descended the stairway to her cell. The door was still swinging slightly from the bio-bomb concussion201. A solinium flare159 ricocheted around the room like a trapped bolt of blue lightning. Holly stepped inside, half-afraid of what she might or might not see.
There was nothing. Nothing dead at any rate. Just gold. Two hundred ingots approximately. Piled on the mattress202 of her cot. Nice neat military rows. Good old Butler, the only human ever to take on a troll and win.
'Commander? Are you receiving? Over.'
'Affirmative, Captain. Body count?'
'Negative on the bodies, sir. I found the rest of the ransom.'
There was along silence.
'Leave it, Holly. You know the rules. We're pulling out.'
'But, sir. There must be a way ..."
Foaly broke in on the conversation. 'But nothing, Captain. I'm counting down the seconds until daylight here, and I don't like our odds203 if we have to exit at high noon.
Holly sighed. It made sense. The People could chose their exit time, as long as they left before the field disintegrated. It just galled204 her to think they'd been beaten by a human. An adolescent human at that.
She took a last look around the cell. A big ball of hatred206 had been born here, she realized, and it would have to be dealt with sooner or later. Holly jammed her pistol back into its holster. Preferably sooner. Fowl was the winner this time, but someone like him wouldn't be able to rest on his laurels207. He would be back with some other moneymaking scheme. And when he arrived, he would find Holly Short waiting for him. Waiting with a big gun and a smile.
The ground was soft by the time-stop perimeter. Half a millennium's bad drainage from the medieval walls had transformed the foundations into a virtual bog208. So that was where Mulch surfaced.
The soft ground wasn't the only reason for choosing that exact spot. The other reason was the smell. A good tunnel dwarf209 can pick up the scent205 of gold through half a kilometre of granite210 bedrock. Mulch Diggums had one of the best noses in the business.
The hover trolley floated virtually unguarded. Two of Retrieval's finest were stationed beside the recovered ransom, but at the moment they were having a little giggle176 at their stricken commander.
''E can't half chuck it, can't 'e, Chix?'
Chix nodded, mimicking211 Root's spewing technique.
Chix Verbil's pantomime antics provided the perfect cover for a spot of pilfering212. Mulch gave his tubes a clearing before clambering from the tunnel. The last thing he needed was for a sudden burst of gas to alert the LEP to his presence. He needn't have worried. He could have slapped Chix Verbil in the face with a wet stink-worm and the sprite wouldn't have noticed.
In a matter of seconds, he had transferred two dozen ingots into the tunnel. It was the easiest job he had ever pulled. Mulch had to stifle213 a giggle as he dropped the last two bars down the hole. Julius had really done him a favour, getting him involved in this whole affair. Things couldn't have worked out much better. He was free as a bird, rich and, best of all, presumed dead. By the time the LEP realized that the gold was missing, Mulch Diggums would be half a continent away. If they realized at all.
The dwarf lowered himself into the ground. It would take several trips to move his treasure trove214, but it would be worth the delay. With this kind of money, he could take early retirement215. He would have to completely disappear of course, but a plan was already forming in his devious216 mind.
He would live above ground for a spell. Masquerade as a human dwarf, with an aversion to light. Perhaps buy a penthouse with thick blinds. In Manhattan perhaps, or Monte Carlo. It might seem odd, of course, a dwarf shutting himself away from the sun. But then again, he would be an obscenely rich dwarf. And humans will accept any story, however outlandish, when there's something in it for them. Preferably something green that folds.
Artemis could hear a voice calling his name. There was a face behind the voice, but it was blurred217, hard to make out. His father perhaps?
'Father?' The word was strange in his mouth. Unused. Rusty218. Artemis opened his eyes.
Butler was leaning over him.
'Artemis. You 're awake.'
'Ah, Butler. It's you.'
Artemis got to his feet, head spinning with the effort. He expected Butler's hand at his elbow to steady him. It didn't come. Juliet was lying on a chaise longue, dribbling219 on to the cushions. Obviously the draft hadn't worn off yet.
'It was just sleeping pills, Butler. Harmless.'
The manservant's eyes had a dangerous glint. 'Explain yourself.'
Artemis rubbed his eyes. 'Later, Butler. I'm feeling a bit-'
Butler stepped into his path. 'Artemis, my sister is lying drugged on that couch. She was almost killed. So explain yourself now!'
Artemis realized that he'd been given an order. He considered being offended, then decided220 that perhaps Butler was right. He had gone too far.
'I didn't tell you about the sleeping pills because you'd fight them. It's only natural. And it was imperative to the plan that we all go to sleep immediately.'
'The plan?'
Artemis lowered himself into a comfortable chair.
'The time-field was the key to this whole affair. It's the LEP's ace41 in the hole. It's what has made them unbeatable for all these years. Any incident can be contained. That and the bio-bomb make a formidable combination.'
'So why did we have to be drugged?'
Artemis smiled. 'Look out of the window. Don't you see? They're gone. It's over.'
Butler glanced through the net curtains. The light was bright and clear. Not a hint of blue. Nevertheless, the manservant was unimpressed. 'They're gone for now. They'll be back tonight, I guarantee it.'
'No. That's against the rules. We beat them. That's it, game over.'
Butler raised an eyebrow221. 'The sleeping pills, Artemis?'
'Not to be distracted, I see.'
Butler's answer was an implacable silence.
'The sleeping pills. Very well. I had to think of a way to escape the time-field. I trawled through the Book, but there was nothing. Not a clue. The People themselves have not yet developed a way. So I went back to their Old Testament222, back to when their lives and ours were intertwined. You know the stories: elves that made shoes during the night, sprites that cleaned houses. Back when we coexisted to a certain extent. Magical favours in exchange for their fairy forts. The big one, of course, was Santa Claus.'
Butler's eyebrows223 nearly jumped off the front of his face.
'Santa Claus?'
Artemis raised his palms. 'I know, I know. I was a tad sceptical myself. But apparently224 our little corporate-image Santa Claus is not descended from a Turkish saint, he is a shadow of San D'Klass, the third king of the Frond225 Elfin dynasty. He is known as San the Deluded226.'
'Not a great title, as titles go.'
'Admittedly. D'Klass thought that the greed of the Mud People in his kingdom could be assuaged227 by distributing lavish228 gifts. He would marshal all the great wizards once a year and have them throw up a great time-stop over vast regions. Flocks of sprites would be sent out to deliver the presents while the humans were asleep. Of course, it didn't work. Human greed can never be assuaged, especially not by gifts.'
Butler frowned. 'What if the humans ... we, that is ... What if we had woken up?'
'Ah yes. Excellent question. The heart of the matter. We wouldn't wake up. That is the nature of the time-stop. Whatever your state of consciousness going in, that's how you stay. You can neither wake up nor fall asleep. You must have noticed the fatigue229 in your bones these last few hours, yet your mind would not let you sleep.'
Butler nodded. Things were getting clearer, in a roundabout sort of way.
'So my theory was that the only way to escape the time-field was to simply fall asleep. Our own consciousness was all that kept us imprisoned230.'
'You risked an awful lot on a theory, Artemis.'
'Not just a theory. We did have a test subject.'
'Who? Ah, Angeline.'
'Yes. My mother. Because of her narcotic-induced slumber231, she moved with the natural order of time, unhindered by the time-field. If she had not, I would have simply surrendered to the LEP and submitted to their mind wipe.'
Butler snorted. He doubted it.
'So, because we could not fall asleep naturally, I simply administered us all a dose of Mother's pills. Simple.'
'You cut it pretty fine though. Another minute ...'
'Agreed.' The boy nodded. 'Things were tense there at the end. It was necessary in order to double-bluff the LEP.'
He paused so that Butler could process the information.
'Well, am I forgiven?'
Butler sighed. On the chaise lounge, Juliet snored like a drunken sailor. He smiled suddenly.
'Yes, Artemis. All is forgiven. Just one thing ...'
'Yes?'
'Never again. Fairies are too ... human.'
'You're right,' said Artemis, the crow's feet deepening around his eyes. 'Never again. We shall restrict ourselves to more tasteful ventures in the future. Legal, I can't promise.'
Butler nodded. It was close enough.
'Now, young Master, shouldn't we check on your mother?'
Artemis grew paler, if that were possible. Could the captain have reneged on her promise? She would certainly be entitled to.
'Yes. I suppose we should. Let Juliet rest. She's earned it.'
He cast his eyes upwards232, along the stairs. It had been too much to hope for that he could trust the fairy. After all, he had held her captive against her will. He berated233 himself silently. Imagine parting with all those millions for the promise of a wish. Oh, the gullibility234.
Then the loft door opened.
Butler drew his weapon instantly.
'Artemis, behind me. Intruders.'
The boy waved him away. 'No, Butler. I don't think so.'
His heart pounded in his ears, blood pulsed in his fingertips. Could it be? Could it possibly be? A figure appeared on the stairs. Wraith-like in a towelled robe, her hair wet from the shower.
'Arty?' she called. 'Arty, are you there?'
Artemis wanted to answer, he wanted to race up the grand stairway, arms outstretched. But he couldn't. His cerebral235 functions had deserted236 him.
Angeline Fowl descended, one hand resting lightly on the banister. Artemis had forgotten how graceful237 his mother was. Her bare feet skipped over the carpeted steps and soon she was standing238 before him.
'Morning, darling,' she said brightly, as though it were just another day.
'M-Mother,' stammered239 Artemis.
'Well, give me a hug.'
Artemis stepped into his mother's embrace. It was warm and strong. She was wearing perfume. He felt like the boy he was.
'I'm sorry, Arty,' she whispered into his ear.
'Sorry for what?'
'For everything. For the last few months, I haven't been myself. But things are going to change. Time to stop living in the past.'
Artemis felt a tear on his cheek. He wasn't sure whose tear it was.
'And I don't have a present for you.'
'A present?' said Artemis.
'Of course,' sang his mother, spinning him around. 'Don't you know what day it is?'
'Day?'
'It's Christmas Day, you silly boy. Christmas Day! Presents are traditional, are they not?'
Yes, thought Artemis. Traditional. San D'Klass.
'And look at this place. Drab as a mausoleum. Butler?'
The manservant hurriedly pocketed his Sig Sauer.
'Yes, ma'am?'
'Get on the phone to Brown Thomas. The platinum240 set number. Reopen my account. Tell Helene I want a Yuletide makeover. The works.'
'Yes, ma'am. The works.'
'Oh, and wake up Juliet. I want my things moved into the main bedroom. That attic241 is far too dusty.'
'Yes, ma'am. Right away, ma'am.'
Angeline Fowl linked her son's arm.
'Now, Arty, I want to know everything. First of all, what happened here?'
'Remodelling,' said Artemis. 'The old doorway was riddled242 with damp.'
Angeline frowned, completely unconvinced. 'I see. And how about school? Have you decided on a career?'
While his mouth answered these everyday questions, Artemis's mind was in turmoil243. He was a boy again. His life was going to change utterly244. His plans would have to be much more devious than usual if they were to escape his mother's attention. But it would be worth it.
Angeline Fowl was wrong. She had brought him a Christmas present.
收听单词发音 |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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activated
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| adj. 激活的 动词activate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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emanated
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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centaur
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| n.人首马身的怪物 | |
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unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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molecules
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| 分子( molecule的名词复数 ) | |
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chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bluffing
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| n. 威吓，唬人 动词bluff的现在分词形式 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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disintegrated
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| v.（使）破裂[分裂，粉碎]，（使）崩溃( disintegrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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disintegrate
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| v.瓦解，解体，（使）碎裂，（使）粉碎 | |
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deluding
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的现在分词 ) | |
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hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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smirked
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| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
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analysts
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| 分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 ) | |
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devastator
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| n.蹂躏者，破坏者 | |
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porous
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| adj.可渗透的，多孔的 | |
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crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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incompetence
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| n.不胜任，不称职 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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blatant
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| adj.厚颜无耻的；显眼的；炫耀的 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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pomposity
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| n.浮华；虚夸；炫耀；自负 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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knuckle
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| n.指节；vi.开始努力工作；屈服，认输 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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precedents
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| 引用单元； 范例( precedent的名词复数 )； 先前出现的事例； 前例； 先例 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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clearance
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| n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理 | |
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compensator
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| 补偿者 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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holly
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| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
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hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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shards
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| n.（玻璃、金属或其他硬物的）尖利的碎片( shard的名词复数 ) | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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68
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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69
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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70
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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72
belligerently
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73
mesmerizing
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| adj.有吸引力的，有魅力的v.使入迷( mesmerize的现在分词 ) | |
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74
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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75
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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76
devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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77
irrelevant
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| adj.不恰当的，无关系的，不相干的 | |
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78
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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79
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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80
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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81
guts
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| v.狼吞虎咽，贪婪地吃，飞碟游戏（比赛双方每组5人，相距15码，互相掷接飞碟）；毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的第三人称单数 )；取出…的内脏n.勇气( gut的名词复数 )；内脏；消化道的下段；肠 | |
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82
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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83
sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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84
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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85
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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86
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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87
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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88
squinted
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| 斜视( squint的过去式和过去分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
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89
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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90
quell
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| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
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91
gargoyle
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| n.笕嘴 | |
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92
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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93
bugs
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| adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误 | |
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94
detectable
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| adj.可发觉的；可查明的 | |
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95
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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96
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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97
throttle
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| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
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98
notch
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| n.(V字形)槽口，缺口，等级 | |
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99
tarpaulin
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| n.涂油防水布，防水衣，防水帽 | |
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100
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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101
overture
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| n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉 | |
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102
mesmerized
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| v.使入迷( mesmerize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
affinity
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| n.亲和力，密切关系 | |
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104
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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105
allure
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| n.诱惑力，魅力；vt.诱惑，引诱，吸引 | |
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106
gouging
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| n.刨削[槽]v.凿( gouge的现在分词 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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107
sliver
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| n.裂片，细片，梳毛；v.纵切，切成长片，剖开 | |
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108
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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109
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
crease
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| n.折缝，褶痕，皱褶；v.(使)起皱 | |
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111
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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112
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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114
pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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115
leeching
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| 水蛭吸血法 | |
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116
toddled
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| v.（幼儿等）东倒西歪地走( toddle的过去式和过去分词 )；蹒跚行走；溜达；散步 | |
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117
hooded
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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118
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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119
toxins
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| n.毒素( toxin的名词复数 ) | |
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120
evacuated
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| 撤退者的 | |
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121
sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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122
ruptured
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| v.（使）破裂( rupture的过去式和过去分词 )；（使体内组织等）断裂；使（友好关系）破裂；使绝交 | |
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123
sensor
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| n.传感器，探测设备，感觉器（官） | |
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124
coordinates
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| n.相配之衣物；坐标( coordinate的名词复数 )；（颜色协调的）配套服装；[复数]女套服；同等重要的人（或物）v.使协调，使调和( coordinate的第三人称单数 )；协调；协同；成为同等 | |
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125
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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126
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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127
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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128
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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129
debriefing
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| n.任务报告，任务报告中提出的情报v.向（外交人员等）询问执行任务的情况( debrief的现在分词 ) | |
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130
dismantled
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| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
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131
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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132
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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133
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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134
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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135
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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136
retrieved
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| v.取回( retrieve的过去式和过去分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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137
syndrome
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| n.综合病症；并存特性 | |
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138
bonded
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| n.有担保的，保税的，粘合的 | |
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139
technically
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| adv.专门地，技术上地 | |
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140
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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141
glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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142
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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143
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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144
dissect
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| v.分割；解剖 | |
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145
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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146
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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147
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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149
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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150
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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151
counteracted
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的过去式 ) | |
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152
sedative
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| adj.使安静的，使镇静的；n. 镇静剂，能使安静的东西 | |
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153
swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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154
swirling
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的现在分词 ) | |
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155
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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156
radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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157
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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158
flares
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| n.喇叭裤v.（使）闪耀( flare的第三人称单数 )；（使）（船舷）外倾；（使）鼻孔张大；（使）（衣裙、酒杯等）呈喇叭形展开 | |
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159
flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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160
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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161
alloy
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| n.合金，(金属的)成色 | |
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162
swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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163
orb
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| n.太阳；星球；v.弄圆；成球形 | |
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164
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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165
dwindling
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| adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 ) | |
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166
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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167
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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168
cadavers
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| n.尸体( cadaver的名词复数 ) | |
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169
gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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170
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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171
perimeter
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| n.周边，周长，周界 | |
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172
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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173
juggle
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| v.变戏法，纂改，欺骗，同时做；n.玩杂耍，纂改，花招 | |
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174
stink
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| vi.发出恶臭；糟透，招人厌恶；n.恶臭 | |
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175
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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176
giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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177
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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178
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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179
bullion
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| n.金条，银条 | |
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180
nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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181
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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182
eerily
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| adv.引起神秘感或害怕地 | |
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183
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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184
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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185
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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186
landmine
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| n.地雷 | |
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187
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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188
thermals
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| 热裂法炭黑； 上升的热气流，温暖内衣裤( thermal的名词复数 ) | |
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189
residual
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| adj.复播复映追加时间；存留下来的，剩余的 | |
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190
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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191
detonation
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| n.爆炸；巨响 | |
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192
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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193
vomit
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| v.呕吐，作呕；n.呕吐物，吐出物 | |
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194
tsunami
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| n.海啸 | |
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195
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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196
vomiting
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| 吐 | |
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197
spatial
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| adj.空间的，占据空间的 | |
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198
nausea
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| n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶) | |
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199
allergic
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| adj.过敏的，变态的 | |
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200
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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201
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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202
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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203
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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204
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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205
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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206
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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207
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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208
bog
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| n.沼泽；室...陷入泥淖 | |
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209
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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210
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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211
mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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212
pilfering
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| v.偷窃（小东西），小偷( pilfer的现在分词 )；偷窃（一般指小偷小摸） | |
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213
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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214
trove
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| n.被发现的东西，收藏的东西 | |
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215
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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216
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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217
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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218
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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219
dribbling
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| n.（燃料或油从系统内）漏泄v.流口水( dribble的现在分词 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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220
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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221
eyebrow
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| n.眉毛，眉 | |
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222
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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223
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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224
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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225
frond
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| n.棕榈类植物的叶子 | |
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226
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
assuaged
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| v.减轻( assuage的过去式和过去分词 )；缓和；平息；使安静 | |
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228
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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229
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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230
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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231
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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232
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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233
berated
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| v.严厉责备，痛斥( berate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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234
gullibility
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| n.易受骗，易上当，轻信 | |
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235
cerebral
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| adj.脑的，大脑的；有智力的，理智型的 | |
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236
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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237
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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238
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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239
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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240
platinum
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| n.白金 | |
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241
attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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242
riddled
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| adj.布满的；充斥的；泛滥的v.解谜，出谜题(riddle的过去分词形式) | |
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243
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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244
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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