Langdon could scarcely believe his own supposition, and yet, considering who had given this stonecylinder to them, how he had given it to them, and now, the inlaid Rose on the container, Langdoncould formulate² only one conclusion.

　　I am holding the Priory keystone.

　　The legend was specific.

　　The keystone is an encoded stone that lies beneath the sign of the Rose.

　　"Robert?" Sophie was watching him. "What's going on?"Langdon needed a moment to gather his thoughts. "Did your grandfather ever speak to you ofsomething called la clef de vo.te?""The key to the vault³?" Sophie translated.

　　"No, that's the literal translation. Clef de vo.te is a common architectural term. Vo.te refers not to abank vault, but to a vault in an archway. Like a vaulted⁵ ceiling.""But vaulted ceilings don't have keys.""Actually they do. Every stone archway requires a central, wedge-shaped stone at the top whichlocks the pieces together and carries all the weight. This stone is, in an architectural sense, the keyto the vault. In English we call it a keystone." Langdon watched her eyes for any spark ofrecognition.

　　Sophie shrugged⁶, glancing down at the cryptex. "But this obviously is not a keystone."Langdon didn't know where to begin. Keystones as a masonry⁷ technique for building stonearchways had been one of the best-kept secrets of the early Masonic brotherhood⁸. The Royal ArchDegree. Architecture. Keystones. It was all interconnected. The secret knowledge of how to use awedged keystone to build a vaulted archway was part of the wisdom that had made the Masonssuch wealthy craftsmen⁹, and it was a secret they guarded carefully. Keystones had always had atradition of secrecy¹⁰. And yet, the stone

点击收听单词发音  

1 cylinder
n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸
参考例句：
What's the volume of this cylinder?这个圆筒的体积有多少？ The cylinder is getting too much gas and not enough air.汽缸里汽油太多而空气不足。

2 formulate
v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述
参考例句：
He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。 I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。

3 vault
n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室
参考例句：
The vault of this cathedral is very high.这座天主教堂的拱顶非常高。 The old patrician was buried in the family vault.这位老贵族埋在家族的墓地里。

4 slated
用石板瓦盖( slate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Yuki is working up an in-home phonics program slated for Thursdays, and I'm drilling her on English conversation at dinnertime. Yuki每周四还有一次家庭语音课。我在晚餐时训练她的英语口语。 Bromfield was slated to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. 布罗姆菲尔德被提名为美国农业部长。

5 vaulted
adj.拱状的
参考例句：
She vaulted over the gate and ran up the path. 她用手一撑跃过栅栏门沿着小路跑去。 The formal living room has a fireplace and vaulted ceilings. 正式的客厅有一个壁炉和拱形天花板。

6 shrugged
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》

7 masonry
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。

8 brotherhood
n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊
参考例句：
They broke up the brotherhood.他们断绝了兄弟关系。 They live and work together in complete equality and brotherhood.他们完全平等和兄弟般地在一起生活和工作。

9 craftsmen
n. 技工
参考例句：
rugs handmade by local craftsmen 由当地工艺师手工制作的小地毯 The craftsmen have ensured faithful reproduction of the original painting. 工匠保证要复制一幅最接近原作的画。

10 secrecy
n.秘密，保密，隐蔽
参考例句：
All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。 Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。

11 plethora
n.过量，过剩
参考例句：
Java comes with a plethora of ready-made types.Java配套提供了数量众多的现成类型。 A plethora of new operators will be allowed to enter the market.大批新的运营商将获准进入该市场。

12 lore
n.传说；学问，经验，知识
参考例句：
I will seek and question him of his lore.我倒要找上他，向他讨教他的渊博的学问。 Early peoples passed on plant and animal lore through legend.早期人类通过传说传递有关植物和动物的知识。

13 eyebrows
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。

14 muster
v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册
参考例句：
Go and muster all the men you can find.去集合所有你能找到的人。 I had to muster my courage up to ask him that question.我必须鼓起勇气向他问那个问题。

15 tantalizing
adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 )
参考例句：
This was my first tantalizing glimpse of the islands. 这是我第一眼看见的这些岛屿的动人美景。 来自《简明英汉词典》 We have only vague and tantalizing glimpses of his power. 我们只能隐隐约约地领略他的威力，的确有一种可望不可及的感觉。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史

16 indicator
n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器
参考例句：
Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。 His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

17 blueprint
n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划
参考例句：
All the machine parts on a blueprint must answer each other.设计图上所有的机器部件都应互相配合。 The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.文件内附有一张核装置的设计蓝图。

18 cryptic
adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的
参考例句：
She made a cryptic comment about how the film mirrored her life.她隐晦地表示说这部电影是她人生的写照。 The new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms.新的保险单在编写时没有隐秘条款或秘密条款。

19 engraved
v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中）
参考例句：
The silver cup was engraved with his name. 银杯上刻有他的名字。 It was prettily engraved with flowers on the back. 此件雕刻精美，背面有花饰图案。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 diabolically
参考例句：
His writing could be diabolically satiric. 他的作品极具讽刺性。 来自互联网

21 tingle
vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动
参考例句：
The music made my blood tingle.那音乐使我热血沸腾。 The cold caused a tingle in my fingers.严寒使我的手指有刺痛感。

22 ripple
n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进
参考例句：
The pebble made a ripple on the surface of the lake.石子在湖面上激起一个涟漪。 The small ripple split upon the beach.小小的涟漪卷来，碎在沙滩上。

23 clandestine
adj.秘密的，暗中从事的
参考例句：
She is the director of clandestine operations of the CIA.她是中央情报局秘密行动的负责人。 The early Christians held clandestine meetings in caves.早期的基督徒在洞穴中秘密聚会。

24 eavesdropping
n. 偷听
参考例句：
We caught him eavesdropping outside the window. 我们撞见他正在窗外偷听。 Suddenly the kids,who had been eavesdropping,flew into the room. 突然间，一直在偷听的孩子们飞进屋来。

25 capabilities
n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力
参考例句：
He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句 Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

26 vowed
起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。 I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

27 echelons
n.（机构中的）等级，阶层( echelon的名词复数 )；（军舰、士兵、飞机等的）梯形编队
参考例句：
Officers were drawn largely from the top echelons of society. 这些官员大都来自社会上层。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Except in the higher echelons, extensive classification has no place in the classification of vegetation. 除高阶类级之外，外延分类在植物分类中还是没有地位的。 来自辞典例句

28 ascend
vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上
参考例句：
We watched the airplane ascend higher and higher.我们看着飞机逐渐升高。 We ascend in the order of time and of development.我们按时间和发展顺序向上溯。

29 worthy
adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的
参考例句：
I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。 There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

30 ascended
v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

31 culminated
v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
a gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers 一场造成两名警察死亡的枪战 The gala culminated in a firework display. 晚会以大放烟火告终。 来自《简明英汉词典》

32 induction
n.感应，感应现象
参考例句：
His induction as a teacher was a turning point in his life.他就任教师工作是他一生的转折点。 The magnetic signals are sensed by induction coils.磁信号由感应线圈所检测。

33 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

34 stunned
adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。 The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。

35 eerie
adj.怪诞的；奇异的；可怕的；胆怯的
参考例句：
It's eerie to walk through a dark wood at night.夜晚在漆黑的森林中行走很是恐怖。 I walked down the eerie dark path.我走在那条漆黑恐怖的小路上。

36 distinguished
adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的
参考例句：
Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。 A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

37 artistic
adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的
参考例句：
The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。 These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

38 authenticated
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》

39 intensified
v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。 The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

40 realization
n.实现；认识到，深刻了解
参考例句：
We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。 He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

41 legendary
adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）
参考例句：
Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。 Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

42 conjure
v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法
参考例句：
I conjure you not to betray me.我恳求你不要背弃我。 I can't simply conjure up the money out of thin air.我是不能像变魔术似的把钱变来。

43 apparently
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。 He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

44 gravel
n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石
参考例句：
We bought six bags of gravel for the garden path.我们购买了六袋碎石用来铺花园的小路。 More gravel is needed to fill the hollow in the drive.需要更多的砾石来填平车道上的坑洼。

45 crunched
v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的过去式和过去分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄
参考例句：
Our feet crunched on the frozen snow. 我们的脚嘎吱嘎吱地踩在冻雪上。 来自《简明英汉词典》 He closed his jaws on the bones and crunched. 他咬紧骨头，使劲地嚼。 来自英汉文学 - 热爱生命

46 terrain
n.地面，地形，地图
参考例句：
He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。 He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

47 latching
n.闭塞；闭锁；关闭；闭塞装置v.理解( latch的现在分词 )；纠缠；用碰锁锁上（门等）；附着（在某物上）
参考例句：
They have a reputation for latching onto all the latest crazes. 大家都知道他们对所有的最新时尚都有兴趣。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Sometimes we should tolerate people's mistakes instead of latching on to them. 有的时候我们要能够容错，不要揪着对方的失误不放。 来自互联网