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The doctor’s words were so surprising that we were all momentarily taken aback. Here was a man stabbed with a
dagger1 which we knew to have been stolen only twenty-four hours
previously2, and yet Dr. Durand asserted
positively3 that he had been dead at least forty-eight hours! The whole thing was fantastic to the last extreme.
We were still recovering from the surprise of the doctor’s announcement, when a telegram was brought to me. It had been sent up from the hotel to the
Villa4. I tore it open. It was from Poirot, and announced his return by the train arriving at Merlinville at 12:28.
I looked at my watch and saw that I had just time to get comfortably to the station and meet him there. I felt that it was of the utmost importance that he should know at once of the new and startling developments in the case.
Evidently, I reflected, Poirot had had no difficulty in finding what he wanted in Paris. The quickness of his return proved that. Very few hours had sufficed. I wondered how he would take the exciting news I had to impart.
The train was some minutes late, and I strolled aimlessly up and down the platform, until it occurred to me that I might pass the time by asking a few questions as to who had left Merlinville by the last train on the evening of the tragedy.
I approached the chief porter, an intelligent looking man, and had little difficulty in persuading him to enter upon the subject. It was a disgrace to the Police, he hotly affirmed, that such
brigands5 of assassins should be allowed to go about unpunished. I hinted that there was some possibility they might have left by the midnight train, but he negatived the idea decidedly. He would have noticed two foreigners—he was sure of it. Only about twenty people had left by the train, and he could not have failed to observe them.
I do not know what put the idea into my head—possibly it was the deep anxiety
underlying6 Marthe Daubreuil’s tones—but I asked suddenly:
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收听单词发音
1
dagger
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n.匕首,短剑,剑号 |
参考例句: |
- The bad news is a dagger to his heart.这条坏消息刺痛了他的心。
- The murderer thrust a dagger into her heart.凶手将匕首刺进她的心脏。
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2
previously
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adv.以前,先前(地) |
参考例句: |
- The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
- Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿,解释原先发生了什么。
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3
positively
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adv.明确地,断然,坚决地;实在,确实 |
参考例句: |
- She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
- The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。
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4
villa
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n.别墅,城郊小屋 |
参考例句: |
- We rented a villa in France for the summer holidays.我们在法国租了一幢别墅消夏。
- We are quartered in a beautiful villa.我们住在一栋漂亮的别墅里。
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5
brigands
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n.土匪,强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- They say there are brigands hiding along the way. 他们说沿路隐藏着土匪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The brigands demanded tribute from passing vehicles. 土匪向过往车辆勒索钱财。 来自辞典例句
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6
underlying
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adj.在下面的,含蓄的,潜在的 |
参考例句: |
- The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
- This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。
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7
jack
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n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克 |
参考例句: |
- I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
- He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。
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8
poignant
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adj.令人痛苦的,辛酸的,惨痛的 |
参考例句: |
- His lyrics are as acerbic and poignant as they ever have been.他的歌词一如既往的犀利辛辣。
- It is especially poignant that he died on the day before his wedding.他在婚礼前一天去世了,这尤其令人悲恸。
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9
countenance
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n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 |
参考例句: |
- At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
- I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
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10
reluctance
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n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿 |
参考例句: |
- The police released Andrew with reluctance.警方勉强把安德鲁放走了。
- He showed the greatest reluctance to make a reply.他表示很不愿意答复。
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11
marvel
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vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异;n.令人惊异的事 |
参考例句: |
- The robot is a marvel of modern engineering.机器人是现代工程技术的奇迹。
- The operation was a marvel of medical skill.这次手术是医术上的一个奇迹。
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12
remonstrances
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n.抱怨,抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- There were remonstrances, but he persisted notwithstanding. 虽遭抗议,他仍然坚持下去。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- Mr. Archibald did not give himself the trouble of making many remonstrances. 阿奇博尔德先生似乎不想自找麻烦多方规劝。 来自辞典例句
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13
irrelevant
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adj.不恰当的,无关系的,不相干的 |
参考例句: |
- That is completely irrelevant to the subject under discussion.这跟讨论的主题完全不相关。
- A question about arithmetic is irrelevant in a music lesson.在音乐课上,一个数学的问题是风马牛不相及的。
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14
justified
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a.正当的,有理的 |
参考例句: |
- She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
- The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。
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15
jaw
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n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训 |
参考例句: |
- He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
- A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。
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17
demolishes
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v.摧毁( demolish的第三人称单数 );推翻;拆毁(尤指大建筑物);吃光 |
参考例句: |
- Huge surges cause severe flooding that demolishes buildings, washes out beaches and highways, and drowns people. 巨大的涌浪引起剧烈的泛滥,从而摧毁房屋,冲坏海滩与公路,使人们惨遭灭顶之灾。 来自辞典例句
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18
thumping
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adj.重大的,巨大的;重击的;尺码大的;极好的adv.极端地;非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词);狠打;怦怦地跳;全力支持 |
参考例句: |
- Her heart was thumping with emotion. 她激动得心怦怦直跳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- He was thumping the keys of the piano. 他用力弹钢琴。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
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19
implore
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vt.乞求,恳求,哀求 |
参考例句: |
- I implore you to write. At least tell me you're alive.请给我音讯,让我知道你还活着。
- Please implore someone else's help in a crisis.危险时请向别人求助。
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20
gape
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v.张口,打呵欠,目瞪口呆地凝视 |
参考例句: |
- His secretary stopped taking notes to gape at me.他的秘书停止了记录,目瞪口呆地望着我。
- He was not the type to wander round gaping at everything like a tourist.他不是那种像个游客似的四处闲逛、对什么都好奇张望的人。
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21
inevitably
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adv.不可避免地;必然发生地 |
参考例句: |
- In the way you go on,you are inevitably coming apart.照你们这样下去,毫无疑问是会散伙的。
- Technological changes will inevitably lead to unemployment.技术变革必然会导致失业。
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22
whatsoever
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adv.(用于否定句中以加强语气)任何;pron.无论什么 |
参考例句: |
- There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
- All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样,你就怎样对人。
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23
attentively
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adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神 |
参考例句: |
- She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时,她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着,把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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24
daggers
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匕首,短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- I will speak daggers to her, but use none. 我要用利剑一样的话刺痛她的心,但绝不是真用利剑。
- The world lives at daggers drawn in a cold war. 世界在冷战中剑拨弩张。
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25
eyebrows
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眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
- His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
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26
motives
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n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
- His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
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27
amenities
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n.令人愉快的事物;礼仪;礼节;便利设施;礼仪( amenity的名词复数 );便利设施;(环境等的)舒适;(性情等的)愉快 |
参考例句: |
- The campsite is close to all local amenities. 营地紧靠当地所有的便利设施。
- Parks and a theatre are just some of the town's local amenities. 公园和戏院只是市镇娱乐设施的一部分。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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28
bestowed
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赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- It was a title bestowed upon him by the king. 那是国王赐给他的头衔。
- He considered himself unworthy of the honour they had bestowed on him. 他认为自己不配得到大家赋予他的荣誉。
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29
cursory
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adj.粗略的;草率的;匆促的 |
参考例句: |
- He signed with only a cursory glance at the report.他只草草看了一眼报告就签了名。
- The only industry mentioned is agriculture and it is discussed in a cursory sentence.实业方面只谈到农业,而且只是匆匆带了一句。
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30
ragged
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adj.衣衫褴褛的,粗糙的,刺耳的 |
参考例句: |
- A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
- Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。
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31
queried
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v.质疑,对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 );询问 |
参考例句: |
- She queried what he said. 她对他说的话表示怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- \"What does he have to do?\" queried Chin dubiously. “他有什么心事?”琴向觉民问道,她的脸上现出疑惑不解的神情。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
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32
texture
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n.(织物)质地;(材料)构造;结构;肌理 |
参考例句: |
- We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
- Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。
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33
stiffened
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加强的 |
参考例句: |
- He leaned towards her and she stiffened at this invasion of her personal space. 他向她俯过身去,这种侵犯她个人空间的举动让她绷紧了身子。
- She stiffened with fear. 她吓呆了。
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34
foam
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v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 |
参考例句: |
- The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
- The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。
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35
withdrawn
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vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出 |
参考例句: |
- Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
- All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。
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36
reposed
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v.将(手臂等)靠在某人(某物)上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- Mr. Cruncher reposed under a patchwork counterpane, like a Harlequin at home. 克朗彻先生盖了一床白衲衣图案的花哨被子,像是呆在家里的丑角。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
- An old man reposed on a bench in the park. 一位老人躺在公园的长凳上。 来自辞典例句
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37
murmur
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n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言 |
参考例句: |
- They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
- There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。
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38
magistrate
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n.地方行政官,地方法官,治安官 |
参考例句: |
- The magistrate committed him to prison for a month.法官判处他一个月监禁。
- John was fined 1000 dollars by the magistrate.约翰被地方法官罚款1000美元。
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39
profuse
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adj.很多的,大量的,极其丰富的 |
参考例句: |
- The hostess is profuse in her hospitality.女主人招待得十分周到。
- There was a profuse crop of hair impending over the top of his face.一大绺头发垂在他额头上。
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40
gracefully
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ad.大大方方地;优美地 |
参考例句: |
- She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
- The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
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41
pretext
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n.借口,托词 |
参考例句: |
- He used his headache as a pretext for not going to school.他借口头疼而不去上学。
- He didn't attend that meeting under the pretext of sickness.他以生病为借口,没参加那个会议。
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42
ravages
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劫掠后的残迹,破坏的结果,毁坏后的残迹 |
参考例句: |
- the ravages of war 战争造成的灾难
- It is hard for anyone to escape from the ravages of time. 任何人都很难逃避时间的摧残。
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43
suave
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adj.温和的;柔和的;文雅的 |
参考例句: |
- He is a suave,cool and cultured man.他是个世故、冷静、有教养的人。
- I had difficulty answering his suave questions.我难以回答他的一些彬彬有礼的提问。
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44
insistent
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adj.迫切的,坚持的 |
参考例句: |
- There was an insistent knock on my door.我听到一阵急促的敲门声。
- He is most insistent on this point.他在这点上很坚持。
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45
heartily
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adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 |
参考例句: |
- He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
- The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
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46
distrait
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adj.心不在焉的 |
参考例句: |
- The distrait boy is always losing his books.这个心不在焉的男孩老是丢书。
- The distrait actress fluffed her lines.那位心不在焉的女演员忘了台词。
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47
sitting-room
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n.(BrE)客厅,起居室 |
参考例句: |
- The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
- Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。
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48
exclamation
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n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 |
参考例句: |
- He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
- The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
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49
likeness
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n.相像,相似(之处) |
参考例句: |
- I think the painter has produced a very true likeness.我认为这位画家画得非常逼真。
- She treasured the painted likeness of her son.她珍藏她儿子的画像。
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50
evoked
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[医]诱发的 |
参考例句: |
- The music evoked memories of her youth. 这乐曲勾起了她对青年时代的回忆。
- Her face, though sad, still evoked a feeling of serenity. 她的脸色虽然悲伤,但仍使人感觉安详。
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