Fourteen COLIN LAMB’S
NARRATIVE1
It had been quite a long time since I had visited Whitehaven
Mansions2. Some years ago it hadbeen an outstanding building of modern flats. Now there were many other more
imposing3 andeven more modern blocks of buildings flanking it on either side. Inside, I
noted4, it had recently hada face-lift. It had been repainted in pale shades of yellow and green.
I went up in the lift and pressed the bell of Number 203. It was opened to me by that impeccablemanservant, George. A smile of welcome came to his face.
“Mr. Colin! It’s a long time since we’ve seen you here.”
“Yes, I know. How are you, George?”
“I am in good health, I am thankful to say, sir.”
I lowered my voice. “And how’s he?”
George lowered his own voice, though that was hardly necessary since it had been pitched in amost
discreet5 key from the beginning of our conversation.
“I think, sir, that sometimes he gets a little
depressed6.”
I nodded sympathetically.
“If you will come this way, sir—” He relieved me of my hat.
“Announce me, please, as Mr. Colin Lamb.”
“Very good, sir.” He opened a door and
spoke7 in a clear voice. “Mr. Colin Lamb to see you,sir.”
He drew back to allow me to pass him and I went into the room.
My friend, Hercule Poirot, was sitting in his usual large, square armchair in front of thefireplace. I noted that one bar of the rectangular electric fire glowed red. It was early September,the weather was warm, but Poirot was one of the first men to recognize the autumn chill, and totake precautions against it. On either side of him on the floor was a neat pile of books. More booksstood on the table at his left side. At his right hand was a cup from which steam rose. A tisane, Isuspected. He was fond of tisanes and often urged them on me. They were
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收听单词发音
1
narrative
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n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 |
参考例句: |
- He was a writer of great narrative power.他是一位颇有记述能力的作家。
- Neither author was very strong on narrative.两个作者都不是很善于讲故事。
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2
mansions
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n.宅第,公馆,大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- Fifth Avenue was boarded up where the rich had deserted their mansions. 第五大道上的富翁们已经出去避暑,空出的宅第都已锁好了门窗,钉上了木板。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
- Oh, the mansions, the lights, the perfume, the loaded boudoirs and tables! 啊,那些高楼大厦、华灯、香水、藏金收银的闺房还有摆满山珍海味的餐桌! 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
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3
imposing
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adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 |
参考例句: |
- The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
- He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
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4
noted
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adj.著名的,知名的 |
参考例句: |
- The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
- Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
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discreet
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adj.(言行)谨慎的;慎重的;有判断力的 |
参考例句: |
- He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
- It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。
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depressed
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adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的 |
参考例句: |
- When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
- His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。
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7
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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nauseating
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adj.令人恶心的,使人厌恶的v.使恶心,作呕( nauseate的现在分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- I had to listen to the whole nauseating story. 我不得不从头到尾听那令人作呕的故事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- There is a nauseating smell of rotten food. 有一股令人恶心的腐烂食物的气味。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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chrysanthemums
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n.菊花( chrysanthemum的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- The cold weather had most deleterious consequences among the chrysanthemums. 寒冷的天气对菊花产生了极有害的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The chrysanthemums are in bloom; some are red and some yellow. 菊花开了, 有红的,有黄的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
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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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memoirs
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n.回忆录;回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) |
参考例句: |
- Her memoirs were ghostwritten. 她的回忆录是由别人代写的。
- I watched a trailer for the screenplay of his memoirs. 我看过以他的回忆录改编成电影的预告片。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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unbearably
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adv.不能忍受地,无法容忍地;慌 |
参考例句: |
- It was unbearably hot in the car. 汽车里热得难以忍受。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- She found it unbearably painful to speak. 她发现开口说话痛苦得令人难以承受。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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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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admiration
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n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 |
参考例句: |
- He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
- We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
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straightforward
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adj.正直的,坦率的;易懂的,简单的 |
参考例句: |
- A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
- I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。
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venom
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n.毒液,恶毒,痛恨 |
参考例句: |
- The snake injects the venom immediately after biting its prey.毒蛇咬住猎物之后马上注入毒液。
- In fact,some components of the venom may benefit human health.事实上,毒液的某些成分可能有益于人类健康。
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melancholy
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n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 |
参考例句: |
- All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
- He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过,他感到很郁闷。
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strictly
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adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地 |
参考例句: |
- His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
- The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
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penetration
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n.穿透,穿人,渗透 |
参考例句: |
- He is a man of penetration.他是一个富有洞察力的人。
- Our aim is to achieve greater market penetration.我们的目标是进一步打入市场。
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camouflage
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n./v.掩饰,伪装 |
参考例句: |
- The white fur of the polar bear is a natural camouflage.北极熊身上的白色的浓密软毛是一种天然的伪装。
- The animal's markings provide effective camouflage.这种动物身上的斑纹是很有效的伪装。
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motive
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n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的 |
参考例句: |
- The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
- He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。
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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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alas
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int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) |
参考例句: |
- Alas!The window is broken!哎呀!窗子破了!
- Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而,真理很少带有浪漫色彩。
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modesty
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n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 |
参考例句: |
- Industry and modesty are the chief factors of his success.勤奋和谦虚是他成功的主要因素。
- As conceit makes one lag behind,so modesty helps one make progress.骄傲使人落后,谦虚使人进步。
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backwards
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adv.往回地,向原处,倒,相反,前后倒置地 |
参考例句: |
- He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
- All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。
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melodrama
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n.音乐剧;情节剧 |
参考例句: |
- We really don't need all this ridiculous melodrama!别跟我们来这套荒唐的情节剧表演!
- White Haired Woman was a melodrama,but in certain spots it was deliberately funny.《白毛女》是一出悲剧性的歌剧,但也有不少插科打诨。
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lavish
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adj.无节制的;浪费的;vt.慷慨地给予,挥霍 |
参考例句: |
- He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
- The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。
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vitality
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n.活力,生命力,效力 |
参考例句: |
- He came back from his holiday bursting with vitality and good health.他度假归来之后,身强体壮,充满活力。
- He is an ambitious young man full of enthusiasm and vitality.他是个充满热情与活力的有远大抱负的青年。
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vigour
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(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力 |
参考例句: |
- She is full of vigour and enthusiasm.她有热情,有朝气。
- At 40,he was in his prime and full of vigour.他40岁时正年富力强。
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preposterous
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adj.荒谬的,可笑的 |
参考例句: |
- The whole idea was preposterous.整个想法都荒唐透顶。
- It would be preposterous to shovel coal with a teaspoon.用茶匙铲煤是荒谬的。
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panache
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n.羽饰;假威风,炫耀 |
参考例句: |
- She dresses with great panache.她穿著十分浮华。
- Her panache at dealing with the world's media is quite astonishing.她应付世界媒体的派头非常令人吃惊。
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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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supreme
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adj.极度的,最重要的;至高的,最高的 |
参考例句: |
- It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
- He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
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reverently
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adv.虔诚地 |
参考例句: |
- He gazed reverently at the handiwork. 他满怀敬意地凝视着这件手工艺品。
- Pork gazed at it reverently and slowly delight spread over his face. 波克怀着愉快的心情看着这只表,脸上慢慢显出十分崇敬的神色。
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deduction
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n.减除,扣除,减除额;推论,推理,演绎 |
参考例句: |
- No deduction in pay is made for absence due to illness.因病请假不扣工资。
- His deduction led him to the correct conclusion.他的推断使他得出正确的结论。
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solicitor
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n.初级律师,事务律师 |
参考例句: |
- The solicitor's advice gave me food for thought.律师的指点值得我深思。
- The solicitor moved for an adjournment of the case.律师请求将这个案件的诉讼延期。
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alibi
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n.某人当时不在犯罪现场的申辩或证明;借口 |
参考例句: |
- Do you have any proof to substantiate your alibi? 你有证据表明你当时不在犯罪现场吗?
- The police are suspicious of his alibi because he already has a record.警方对他不在场的辩解表示怀疑,因为他已有前科。
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alibis
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某人在别处的证据( alibi的名词复数 ); 不在犯罪现场的证人; 借口; 托辞 |
参考例句: |
- The suspects all had alibis for the day of the robbery. 嫌疑人均有证据证明抢劫当天不在犯罪现场。
- I'm not trying to beat your alibis any more than I'm trying to prove 'em. 我并不是不让你辩护,我只是想把那个人找出来。
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continental
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adj.大陆的,大陆性的,欧洲大陆的 |
参考例句: |
- A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
- The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。
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prodigious
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adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 |
参考例句: |
- This business generates cash in prodigious amounts.这种业务收益丰厚。
- He impressed all who met him with his prodigious memory.他惊人的记忆力让所有见过他的人都印象深刻。
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thrillers
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n.紧张刺激的故事( thriller的名词复数 );戏剧;令人感到兴奋的事;(电影)惊悚片 |
参考例句: |
- He has written seven thrillers, and clearly enjoys intellectual pursuits. 他已经写了7本惊悚小说,显然很喜欢这样的智力活动。 来自辞典例句
- Most Americans prefer to read fast-moving adventure stories that we call "thrillers". 大部分美国人喜欢看我们称之为"惊险小说"的情节多变的冒险故事。 来自辞典例句
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thriller
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n.惊险片,恐怖片 |
参考例句: |
- He began by writing a thriller.That book sold a million copies.他是写惊险小说起家的。那本书卖了一百万册。
- I always take a thriller to read on the train.我乘火车时,总带一本惊险小说看。
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bulging
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膨胀; 凸出(部); 打气; 折皱 |
参考例句: |
- Her pockets were bulging with presents. 她的口袋里装满了礼物。
- Conscious of the bulging red folder, Nim told her,"Ask if it's important." 尼姆想到那个鼓鼓囊囊的红色文件夹便告诉她:“问问是不是重要的事。”
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lurid
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adj.可怕的;血红的;苍白的 |
参考例句: |
- The paper gave all the lurid details of the murder.这份报纸对这起凶杀案耸人听闻的细节描写得淋漓尽致。
- The lurid sunset puts a red light on their faces.血红一般的夕阳映红了他们的脸。
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cocktails
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n.鸡尾酒( cocktail的名词复数 );餐前开胃菜;混合物 |
参考例句: |
- Come about 4 o'clock. We'll have cocktails and grill steaks. 请四点钟左右来,我们喝鸡尾酒,吃烤牛排。 来自辞典例句
- Cocktails were a nasty American habit. 喝鸡尾酒是讨厌的美国习惯。 来自辞典例句
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elks
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n.麋鹿( elk的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- So I arranged for a gathering at the local Elks Club on January 25. 1月25日我安排在当地慈善互助会见面。 来自互联网
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obsessed
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adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的 |
参考例句: |
- He's obsessed by computers. 他迷上了电脑。
- The fear of death obsessed him throughout his old life. 他晚年一直受着死亡恐惧的困扰。
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authenticated
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v.证明是真实的、可靠的或有效的( authenticate的过去式和过去分词 );鉴定,使生效 |
参考例句: |
- The letter has been authenticated by handwriting experts. 这封信已由笔迹专家证明是真的。
- The date of manufacture of the jewellery has not been authenticated. 这些珠宝的制造日期尚未经证实。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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pint
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n.品脱 |
参考例句: |
- I'll have a pint of beer and a packet of crisps, please.我要一品脱啤酒和一袋炸马铃薯片。
- In the old days you could get a pint of beer for a shilling.从前,花一先令就可以买到一品脱啤酒。
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intruding
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v.侵入,侵扰,打扰( intrude的现在分词);把…强加于 |
参考例句: |
- Does he find his new celebrity intruding on his private life? 他是否感觉到他最近的成名侵扰了他的私生活?
- After a few hours of fierce fighting,we saw the intruding bandits off. 经过几小时的激烈战斗,我们赶走了入侵的匪徒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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tout
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v.推销,招徕;兜售;吹捧,劝诱 |
参考例句: |
- They say it will let them tout progress in the war.他们称这将有助于鼓吹他们在战争中的成果。
- If your case studies just tout results,don't bother requiring registration to view them.如果你的案例研究只是吹捧结果,就别烦扰别人来注册访问了。
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atmospheric
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adj.大气的,空气的;大气层的;大气所引起的 |
参考例句: |
- Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
- Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。
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underneath
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adj.在...下面,在...底下;adv.在下面 |
参考例句: |
- Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
- She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣,里面套着一条连衣裙。
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salute
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vi.行礼,致意,问候,放礼炮;vt.向…致意,迎接,赞扬;n.招呼,敬礼,礼炮 |
参考例句: |
- Merchant ships salute each other by dipping the flag.商船互相点旗致敬。
- The Japanese women salute the people with formal bows in welcome.这些日本妇女以正式的鞠躬向人们施礼以示欢迎。
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entirely
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ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 |
参考例句: |
- The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
- His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
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absurdity
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n.荒谬,愚蠢;谬论 |
参考例句: |
- The proposal borders upon the absurdity.这提议近乎荒谬。
- The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.情况的荒谬可笑使每个人都笑了。
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pointed
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adj.尖的,直截了当的 |
参考例句: |
- He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
- She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
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caressed
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爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- His fingers caressed the back of her neck. 他的手指抚摩着她的后颈。
- He caressed his wife lovingly. 他怜爱万分地抚摸着妻子。
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severely
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adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地 |
参考例句: |
- He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
- He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。
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61
forefinger
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n.食指 |
参考例句: |
- He pinched the leaf between his thumb and forefinger.他将叶子捏在拇指和食指之间。
- He held it between the tips of his thumb and forefinger.他用他大拇指和食指尖拿着它。
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62
recital
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n.朗诵,独奏会,独唱会 |
参考例句: |
- She is going to give a piano recital.她即将举行钢琴独奏会。
- I had their total attention during the thirty-five minutes that my recital took.在我叙述的35分钟内,他们完全被我吸引了。
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63
syllable
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n.音节;vt.分音节 |
参考例句: |
- You put too much emphasis on the last syllable.你把最后一个音节读得太重。
- The stress on the last syllable is light.最后一个音节是轻音节。
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64
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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65
mused
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v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事) |
参考例句: |
- \"I wonder if I shall ever see them again, \"he mused. “我不知道是否还可以再见到他们,”他沉思自问。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- \"Where are we going from here?\" mused one of Rutherford's guests. 卢瑟福的一位客人忍不住说道:‘我们这是在干什么?” 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
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66
boiler
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n.锅炉;煮器(壶,锅等) |
参考例句: |
- That boiler will not hold up under pressure.那种锅炉受不住压力。
- This new boiler generates more heat than the old one.这个新锅炉产生的热量比旧锅炉多。
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67
stenographer
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n.速记员 |
参考例句: |
- The police stenographer recorded the man's confession word by word. 警察局速记员逐字记下了那个人的供词。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- A qualified stenographer is not necessarily a competent secretary. 一个合格的速记员不一定就是个称职的秘书。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
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68
recurred
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再发生,复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 ); 治愈 |
参考例句: |
- Old memories constantly recurred to him. 往事经常浮现在他的脑海里。
- She always winced when he recurred to the subject of his poems. 每逢他一提到他的诗作的时候,她总是有点畏缩。
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69
emphatic
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adj.强调的,着重的;无可置疑的,明显的 |
参考例句: |
- Their reply was too emphatic for anyone to doubt them.他们的回答很坚决,不容有任何人怀疑。
- He was emphatic about the importance of being punctual.他强调严守时间的重要性。
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70
transcripts
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n.抄本( transcript的名词复数 );转写本;文字本;副本 |
参考例句: |
- Like mRNA, both tRNA and rRNA are transcripts of chromosomal DNA. tRNA及rRNA同mRNA一样,都是染色体DNA的转录产物。 来自辞典例句
- You can't take the transfer students'exam without your transcripts. 没有成绩证明书,你就不能参加转学考试。 来自辞典例句
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71
transcribed
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(用不同的录音手段)转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 ); 改编(乐曲)(以适应他种乐器或声部); 抄写; 用音标标出(声音) |
参考例句: |
- He transcribed two paragraphs from the book into his notebook. 他把书中的两段抄在笔记本上。
- Every telephone conversation will be recorded and transcribed. 所有电话交谈都将被录音并作全文转写。
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72
affected
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adj.不自然的,假装的 |
参考例句: |
- She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
- His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
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73
specially
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adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 |
参考例句: |
- They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
- The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。
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74
obstinately
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ad.固执地,顽固地 |
参考例句: |
- He obstinately asserted that he had done the right thing. 他硬说他做得对。
- Unemployment figures are remaining obstinately high. 失业数字仍然顽固地居高不下。
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75
pretence
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n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 |
参考例句: |
- The government abandoned any pretence of reform. 政府不再装模作样地进行改革。
- He made a pretence of being happy at the party.晚会上他假装很高兴。
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76
walrus
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n.海象 |
参考例句: |
- He is the queer old duck with the knee-length gaiters and walrus mustache.他穿着高及膝盖的皮护腿,留着海象般的八字胡,真是个古怪的老家伙。
- He seemed hardly to notice the big walrus.他几乎没有注意到那只大海象。
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