At 2.30 a little party met together in the Council
Chamber1: Bundle, Virginia,
Superintendent2 Battle, M. Lemoine and Anthony Cade.
“No good waiting until we can get hold of Mr. Lomax,” said Battle. “This is the kind of business one wants to get on with quickly.”
“If you’ve got any idea that Prince Michael was murdered by some one who got in this way, you’re wrong,” said Bundle. “It can’t be done. The other end’s blocked completely.”
“There is no question of that, milady,” said Lemoine quickly. “It is quite a different search that we make.”
“Looking for something, are you?” asked Bundle quickly. “Not the historic what-not, by any chance?”
Lemoine looked puzzled.
“Explain yourself, Bundle,” said Virginia encouragingly. “You can when you try.”
“The thingummybob,” said Bundle. “The historic diamond of purple princes that was pinched in the dark ages before I grew to years of
discretion3.”
“Who told you this, Lady Eileen?” asked Battle.
“I’ve always known. One of the footmen told me when I was twelve years old.”
“A footman,” said Battle. “Lord! I’d like Mr. Lomax to have heard that!”
“Is it one of George’s closely guarded secrets?” asked Bundle. “How
perfectly4 screaming! I never really thought[Pg 213] it was true. George always was an ass—he must know that servants always know everything.”
She went across to the Holbein portrait, touched a spring
concealed5 somewhere at the side of it, and immediately, with a creaking noise, a section of the panelling swung inward, revealing a dark opening.
“Entrez, Messieurs et Mesdames,” said Bundle dramatically. “Walk up, walk up, dearies. Best show of the season, and only a tanner.”
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收听单词发音
1
chamber
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n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 |
参考例句: |
- For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
- The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
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2
superintendent
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n.监督人,主管,总监;(英国)警务长 |
参考例句: |
- He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
- He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。
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3
discretion
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n.谨慎;随意处理 |
参考例句: |
- You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
- Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。
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4
perfectly
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adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 |
参考例句: |
- The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
- Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
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5
concealed
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a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 |
参考例句: |
- The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
- I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
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6
aperture
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n.孔,隙,窄的缺口 |
参考例句: |
- The only light came through a narrow aperture.仅有的光亮来自一个小孔。
- We saw light through a small aperture in the wall.我们透过墙上的小孔看到了亮光。
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7
uneven
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adj.不平坦的,不规则的,不均匀的 |
参考例句: |
- The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
- The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。
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8
abrupt
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adj.突然的,意外的;唐突的,鲁莽的 |
参考例句: |
- The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
- His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。
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9
masonry
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n.砖土建筑;砖石 |
参考例句: |
- Masonry is a careful skill.砖石工艺是一种精心的技艺。
- The masonry of the old building began to crumble.旧楼房的砖石结构开始崩落。
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10
egress
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n.出去;出口 |
参考例句: |
- Safe access and egress can be achieved by various methods.可以采用各种方法安全的进入或离开。
- Drains achieve a ready egress of the liquid blood.引流能为血液提供一个容易的出口。
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11
spoke
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n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 |
参考例句: |
- They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
- The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
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12
expectancy
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n.期望,预期,(根据概率统计求得)预期数额 |
参考例句: |
- Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。
- The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。
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13
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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14
inscribed
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v.写,刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 );内接 |
参考例句: |
- His name was inscribed on the trophy. 他的名字刻在奖杯上。
- The names of the dead were inscribed on the wall. 死者的名字被刻在墙上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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15
memorandum
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n.备忘录,便笺 |
参考例句: |
- The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
- The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。
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16
crooks
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n.骗子( crook的名词复数 );罪犯;弯曲部分;(牧羊人或主教用的)弯拐杖v.弯成钩形( crook的第三人称单数 ) |
参考例句: |
- The police are getting after the crooks in the city. 警察在城里追捕小偷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The cops got the crooks. 警察捉到了那些罪犯。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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17
conundrum
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n.谜语;难题 |
参考例句: |
- Let me give you some history about a conundrum.让我给你们一些关于谜题的历史。
- Scientists had focused on two explanations to solve this conundrum.科学家已锁定两种解释来解开这个难题。
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18
undoubtedly
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adv.确实地,无疑地 |
参考例句: |
- It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
- He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。
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19
curiously
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adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 |
参考例句: |
- He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
- He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
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20
assented
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同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
- "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对,”汤姆表示赞同地说,“他们不杀女人——真伟大!
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21
lighting
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n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光 |
参考例句: |
- The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
- The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。
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22
resounding
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adj. 响亮的 |
参考例句: |
- The astronaut was welcomed with joyous,resounding acclaim. 人们欢声雷动地迎接那位宇航员。
- He hit the water with a resounding slap. 他啪的一声拍了一下水。
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23
winks
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v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮 |
参考例句: |
- I'll feel much better when I've had forty winks. 我打个盹就会感到好得多。
- The planes were little silver winks way out to the west. 飞机在西边老远的地方,看上去只是些很小的银色光点。 来自辞典例句
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24
hordes
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n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 );部落 |
参考例句: |
- There are always hordes of tourists here in the summer. 夏天这里总有成群结队的游客。
- Hordes of journalists jostled for position outside the conference hall. 大群记者在会堂外争抢位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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25
demons
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n.恶人( demon的名词复数 );恶魔;精力过人的人;邪念 |
参考例句: |
- demons torturing the sinners in Hell 地狱里折磨罪人的魔鬼
- He is plagued by demons which go back to his traumatic childhood. 他为心魔所困扰,那可追溯至他饱受创伤的童年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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26
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 |
参考例句: |
- He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
- The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏,水手们边干活边发着牢骚。
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27
waning
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adj.(月亮)渐亏的,逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 );(月)亏;变小;变暗淡 |
参考例句: |
- Her enthusiasm for the whole idea was waning rapidly. 她对整个想法的热情迅速冷淡了下来。
- The day is waning and the road is ending. 日暮途穷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
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28
chuckled
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轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
- She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
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29
scrap
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n.碎片;废料;v.废弃,报废 |
参考例句: |
- A man comes round regularly collecting scrap.有个男人定时来收废品。
- Sell that car for scrap.把那辆汽车当残品卖了吧。
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30
clump
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n.树丛,草丛;vi.用沉重的脚步行走 |
参考例句: |
- A stream meandered gently through a clump of trees.一条小溪从树丛中蜿蜒穿过。
- It was as if he had hacked with his thick boots at a clump of bluebells.仿佛他用自己的厚靴子无情地践踏了一丛野风信子。
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31
shrugged
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vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式) |
参考例句: |
- Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
- She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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32
baron
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n.男爵;(商业界等)巨头,大王 |
参考例句: |
- Henry Ford was an automobile baron.亨利·福特是一位汽车业巨头。
- The baron lived in a strong castle.男爵住在一座坚固的城堡中。
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33
obsession
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n.困扰,无法摆脱的思想(或情感) |
参考例句: |
- I was suffering from obsession that my career would be ended.那时的我陷入了我的事业有可能就此终止的困扰当中。
- She would try to forget her obsession with Christopher.她会努力忘记对克里斯托弗的迷恋。
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34
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 |
参考例句: |
- The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
- She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻,但很快恢复了镇静。
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35
standing
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n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 |
参考例句: |
- After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
- They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
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36
steadily
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adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 |
参考例句: |
- The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
- Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
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37
cuff
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n.袖口;手铐;护腕;vt.用手铐铐;上袖口 |
参考例句: |
- She hoped they wouldn't cuff her hands behind her back.她希望他们不要把她反铐起来。
- Would you please draw together the snag in my cuff?请你把我袖口上的裂口缝上好吗?
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38
pensive
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a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 |
参考例句: |
- He looked suddenly sombre,pensive.他突然看起来很阴郁,一副忧虑的样子。
- He became so pensive that she didn't like to break into his thought.他陷入沉思之中,她不想打断他的思路。
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39
anonymous
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adj.无名的;匿名的;无特色的 |
参考例句: |
- Sending anonymous letters is a cowardly act.寄匿名信是懦夫的行为。
- The author wishes to remain anonymous.作者希望姓名不公开。
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40
scrawled
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乱涂,潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- I tried to read his directions, scrawled on a piece of paper. 我尽量弄明白他草草写在一片纸上的指示。
- Tom scrawled on his slate, "Please take it -- I got more." 汤姆在他的写字板上写了几个字:“请你收下吧,我多得是哩。”
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41
illiterate
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adj.文盲的;无知的;n.文盲 |
参考例句: |
- There are still many illiterate people in our country.在我国还有许多文盲。
- I was an illiterate in the old society,but now I can read.我这个旧社会的文盲,今天也认字了。
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42
moodily
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adv.喜怒无常地;情绪多变地;心情不稳地;易生气地 |
参考例句: |
- Pork slipped from the room as she remained staring moodily into the distance. 阿宝从房间里溜了出来,留她独个人站在那里瞪着眼睛忧郁地望着远处。 来自辞典例句
- He climbed moodily into the cab, relieved and distressed. 他忧郁地上了马车,既松了一口气,又忧心忡忡。 来自互联网
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43
circuitous
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adj.迂回的路的,迂曲的,绕行的 |
参考例句: |
- They took a circuitous route to avoid reporters.他们绕道避开了记者。
- The explanation was circuitous and puzzling.这个解释很迂曲,让人困惑不解。
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44
considerably
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adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 |
参考例句: |
- The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
- The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
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45
warily
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adv.留心地 |
参考例句: |
- He looked warily around him,pretending to look after Carrie.他小心地看了一下四周,假装是在照顾嘉莉。
- They were heading warily to a point in the enemy line.他们正小心翼翼地向着敌人封锁线的某一处前进。
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46
antagonists
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对立[对抗] 者,对手,敌手( antagonist的名词复数 ); 对抗肌; 对抗药 |
参考例句: |
- The cavalier defeated all the antagonists. 那位骑士打败了所有的敌手。
- The result was the entire reconstruction of the navies of both the antagonists. 双方的海军就从这场斗争里获得了根本的改造。
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47
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 |
参考例句: |
- A hawk hovered over the hill. 一只鹰在小山的上空翱翔。
- A hawk hovered in the blue sky. 一只老鹰在蓝色的天空中翱翔。
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48
patriotic
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adj.爱国的,有爱国心的 |
参考例句: |
- His speech was full of patriotic sentiments.他的演说充满了爱国之情。
- The old man is a patriotic overseas Chinese.这位老人是一位爱国华侨。
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49
scarlet
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n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的 |
参考例句: |
- The scarlet leaves of the maples contrast well with the dark green of the pines.深红的枫叶和暗绿的松树形成了明显的对比。
- The glowing clouds are growing slowly pale,scarlet,bright red,and then light red.天空的霞光渐渐地淡下去了,深红的颜色变成了绯红,绯红又变为浅红。
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50
luncheon
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n.午宴,午餐,便宴 |
参考例句: |
- We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.我们十二点钟用午餐。
- I have a luncheon engagement.我午饭有约。
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51
disarming
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adj.消除敌意的,使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 );使息怒 |
参考例句: |
- He flashed her a disarming smile. 他朝她笑了一下,让她消消气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- We will agree to disarming troops and leaving their weapons at military positions. 我们将同意解除军队的武装并把武器留在军事阵地。 来自辞典例句
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52
lodge
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v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 |
参考例句: |
- Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗?
- I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
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53
desperately
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adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地 |
参考例句: |
- He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
- He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
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54
astonishment
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n.惊奇,惊异 |
参考例句: |
- They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
- I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
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55
swerved
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v.(使)改变方向,改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- She swerved sharply to avoid a cyclist. 她猛地急转弯,以躲开一个骑自行车的人。
- The driver has swerved on a sudden to avoid a file of geese. 为了躲避一队鹅,司机突然来个急转弯。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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